From a press release issued by Norm Viano, Lawdog Sports Management:

BOSS NEWS – 4/5/03

After a disappointing 5th place finish at Daytona, Eric Bostrom is ready for this weekend’s Superbike race at California Speedway where he’s qualified the Kawasaki ZX-7RR just off the front row.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to racing again. Especially after a bad race like Daytona. It just never feels good to leave on a poor finish. Then you have to sit around and wait another month before you get another shot at winning. It’s not sat real well with me this last month and it’s given me a little extra fire and intensity in my training, so I’m looking forward to the race. I’ve been training pretty hard and riding bikes quite a bit. I know we’re ready and hoping that the Kawasaki is up to the challenge because Fontana requires a lot of motor.”

In between the races, Eric did get the opportunity to catch the Phillip Island World Superbike race on Speed Channel. “The race at Phillip Island was actually really exciting. I didn’t think the series would be as fun as it was to watch. And it is also good news to see Dunlop trying to get back on track there. It looks like they might have made lots of improvement over the winter time, and that’s especially good for us going into Laguna Seca here in a couple months to have a good tire to try and win a world championship race on.

“I just want to wish all the troops that are fighting over in Iraq right now all the best in returning home as quickly and safely as possible.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Tommy Hayden took the checkered flag first in the AMA Superstock race at California Speedway in Fontana, California Saturday on his 636cc Kawasaki ZX-6RR, but at post time (7:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time), AMA Pro Racing had not produced official results for the Superstock race, which started around 4:00 p.m..

In fact, who finished second and third in the Superstock race was in question at the podium ceremony and in the post-race press conference even though Corona Extra Suzuki’s Adam Fergusson and Hayden’s teammate Tony Meiring clearly crossed the line second and third, respectively.

Unofficially, Meiring got the holeshot and held off Hayden, Fergusson and Team EMGO Taiwan’s Chris Caylor, while a multi-bike pile-up in the turn three-four chicane on the first lap knocked several top riders out of the race for the win.

The cause of the chain-reaction incident was not clear, but it left Mike Ciccotto on the ground, John Haner with a bent rear wheel, Chris Ulrich and Josh Hayes off the track and Jason DiSalvo with minor bike damage. Ciccotto re-mounted to finish 25th, Haner fought a vibration to finish eighth, DiSalvo worked back up to ninth, Hayes unofficially finished 10th and Ulrich came back from 37th to salvage 12 points for 19th-place.

Hayden and Fergusson passed Meiring and battled for the first half of the race, while Meiring raced for third with Caylor for most of the race. Hayden eventually pulled away from Fergusson, and Meiring gapped Caylor in lapped traffic.

At the start of lap 16 of a scheduled 17, Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Matt Furtek, who was fighting for 10th with Matt Wait, crashed at the exit of the turn one chicane when his bike’s steering damper failed. The race was stopped for Furtek’s fall.

Official AMA Superstock Race Results (issued at 7:30 p.m. PST):

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 14 laps
2. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, -3.604 seconds
3. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, -9.645 seconds
4. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, -9.801 seconds
5. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, -11.235 seconds
6. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, -11.236 seconds
7. Jamie Stauffer, Yamaha YZF-R6, -20.119 seconds
8. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, -20.498 seconds
9. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, -20.542 seconds
10. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, -24.618 seconds
11. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, -24.643 seconds
12. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, -27.938 seconds
13. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, -34.309 secondsd
14. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600F4i, -37.278 seconds
15. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, -42.737 seconds
16. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R750, -42.857 seconds
17. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, -45.654 seconds
18. Jason Perez, Suzuki GSX-R600, -51.831 seconds
19. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, -61.979 seconds
20. Mickey Lane, Suzuki, -70.309 seconds
21. Scott Simpson, Suzuki, -72.374 seconds
22. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, -77.943 seconds
23. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R750, -78.686 seconds
24. Tom Wertman, Suzuki, -79.462 seconds
25. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, -80.388 seconds (penalized 10 seconds)
26. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R750, -81.004 seconds
27. C. Rolland, Suzuki, -85.603 seconds
28. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R750, -87.116 (penalized 20 seconds)
29. B. Musselman, Suzuki, -87.947 seconds
30. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, -87.948 (penalized for causing red flag)
31. D. Bell, Suzuki, -1 lap
32. J. Chisum, Suzuki, -1 lap
33. S. Alexander, Kawasaki, -1 lap
34. M. Simon, Suzuki, -1 lap (penalized 10 seconds)
35. Chris Siglin, Suzuki GSX-R600, -1 lap (penalized 10 seconds)
36. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, -9 laps
37. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, -10 laps, DNF, crash

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Formula Xtreme Practice Times:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.308
2. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.097
3. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR954RR, 1:27.204
4. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.434
5. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.448
6. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.068
7. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.276
8. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.626
9. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.914
10. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:30.219
11. Craig Connell, Honda CBR954RR, 1:30.425
12. Ty Howard, Honda CBR954RR, 1:30.425
13. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.979
14. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.186
15. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.272
16. James Randolph, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.409
17. Lenny Beckman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.746
18. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR954RR, 1:33.101
19. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.523
20. Sandor Bitter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.658

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies earned the pole position for the Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme final by lapping California Speedway’s 2.3-mile infield road course in a new record time of 1:25.945.

The previous record was held by defending AMA Formula Xtreme Champion Jason Pridmore at 1:26.027 from 2002.

Spies missed the beginning of the session with fuel pump problems before turning his fast lap late in the red-flag-interrupted 35-minute qualifying period.

Graves Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking, who said he wasn’t completely comfortable with his set-up yet, saved his best effort for his last lap and qualified second with a time of 1:26.528 on his YZF-R1.

Corona Extra Suzuki’s Adam Fergusson, a California Speedway first-timer, qualified third with a time of 1:26.590 on his Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp made steady progress all weekend on his two-day-old 2003-model GSX-R1000 and was happy with the fourth-fastest time of 1:27.091.

The 17-lap AMA Formula Xtreme final is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Sunday.


AMA Formula Xtreme Qualifying Results:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.945
2. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:26.528
3. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.590
4. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.091
5. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.104
6. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:27.395
7. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.415
8. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR954RR, 1:27.671
9. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.689
10. Craig Connell, Honda CBR954RR, 1:27.692
11. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 1:27.845
12. Doug Chandler, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.805
13. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.476
14. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.171
15. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R1000,1:30.502
16. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR954RR, 1:30.713
17. Mark Ledesma, Honda CBR929RR, 1:30.858
18. James Randolph, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.780
19. Lenny Beckman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.789
20. David Guy, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.982
21. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.374
22. Sandor Bitter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.734
23. Mickey Lane, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.539
24. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.718
25. John Wilson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.950
26. Steve Engelbrecht, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.112
27. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.227
28. Mark Simon, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.719
29. James King, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.148
30. Kim Nakashima, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.386
31. Michael Kosta, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.392
32. Alex McElyea, Honda CBR929RR, 1:35.592
33. Nathan Hester, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.823
34. David Bell, Aprilia RSV1000, 1:36.004

112 Percent Of Fast Time: 1:36.258

DNQ. Michael Dantonio, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.925
DNQ. Christopher Ancien, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.217
DNQ. Stephen Hewitt, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.599
DNQ. Tony Cook, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:40.261

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday Morning AMA Superstock Practice Times:

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:28.769
2. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.780
3. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.436
4. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.671
5. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.241
6. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.552
7. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:30.553
8. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.582
9. Jacob Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.624
10. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.712
11. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.078
12. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.233
13. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.320
14. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.451
15. Thad Halsmer, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.628
16. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.159
17. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.166
18. Jason Perez, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:32.506
19. Andrew Nelson, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.785
20. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.167
21. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.236
22. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.899
23. Brian Mussekman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.934
24. Mickey Lane, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.963
25. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.034

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday Morning 125cc Grand Prix Practice Times:

1. Gabor Talmacsi, Aprilia, 2:34.200
2. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 2:35.571
3. Mirko Giansanti, Aprilia, 2:35.843
4. Mika Kallio, Honda, 2:36.070
5. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 2:36.495
6. Masao Azuma, Honda, 2:36.643
7. Alvaro Bautista, Aprilia, 2:36.739
8. Shuhei Aoyama, Honda, 2:37.101
9. Jorge Lorenzo, Derbi, 2:37.309
10. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 2:37.430
11. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 2:37.671

15. Arnaud Vincent, KTM, 2:39.138
16. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 2:39.254

22. Emilio Alzamora, Derbi, 2:40.765
23. Youichi Ui, Aprilia, 2:41.002

26. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 2:42.506

32. Max Sabbatani, Aprilia, 2:44.805
33. Roberto Locatelli, KTM, 2:44.831

From a press release issued by Octagon Motorsports:

OCTAGON MOTORSPORTS SIGNS MERCHANDISING LICENCE AGREEMENT

Octagon Motorsports, organiser of the FIM Superbike World Championship, is pleased to announce that it has signed a three-year merchandise licence agreement with Firebrand Live.

Official merchandising forms a integral part in the development of the Superbike brand and is always in high demand by the Championship’s loyal and ever-expanding fan base.

London-based Firebrand Live has contracted an significant client roster that is as impressive as it is diverse. With a strong music and popular events base, Firebrand Live delivers merchandise solutions for clients that include Cream, Party in the Park, Capital FM, Alanis Morrissette and Sophie Ellis Bextor.

“We are very pleased to have concluded the agreement with Firebrand as our global merchandising partners for the Championship. They are very experienced in delivering a strong merchandising presence at large events and feel that they will be able to offer our fans a broad range of quality merchandise that reflects the spirit of the Championship,” said SBK Marketing Manager, Robert Wicks.

Firebrand Live MD Danny Oakes is excited at the prospect: “From the outset, we have always attempted to bring something fresh and dynamic to the merchandising business with emphasis on customer satisfaction. In the World Superbike context, we want to create a merchandising operation that reflects the culture of the Championship and its fans.”

“We want to provide fans with more attractive, visible and effective vending facilities at the track and at the same time deliver a comprehensive product range that sees an improvement on design and product quality plus the introduction of new products that haven’t been part of the Superbike merchandise experience in the past,” added Oakes.

Another initiatives include the development of extensive on-line retailing facilities with product exclusives, competitions and discounts to reward the Superbike community.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Several of the AMA factory teams are displaying interest in young Australian racer Jamie Stauffer following his impressive performance at Daytona.

Stauffer, 23, was fast in most practice sessions and in qualifying at Daytona before finishing seventh in the Supersport final on a privateer Yamaha YZF-R6 he built. Stauffer says he was contacted after the Daytona event by several of the AMA factory teams who displayed interest in working with him on a variety of levels.

“They are talking about helping me with parts and bikes, and some are talking about maybe having me join their team,” said Stauffer Friday before adding that the Yamaha factory team gave him some parts for his R6 in the week prior to the Fontana race.

But the factory teams want to see Stauffer repeat his Daytona performance before they talk contracts.

“They want to make sure that it wasn’t a fluke,” said Stauffer.