From a press release:

31 January 2003
Belleville, MI

Can-AM 125GP Series Announces Schedule And Title Sponsor

Diablo Paintball has returned as the title sponsor of the series for 2003, along with being the lead sponsor for the TV coverage of the Mt. Tremblant race. Diablo will once again provide a CR 250F to be given away at the end of the year along with cash purses for the races. Once again the series will be known as the Diablo Paintball Can-Am 125GP Series, and Stuart Nodell will return to defend his #1 plate!

Diablo had also stated that the 2003 Champion will also get a tryout with the team for a spot on their 2004 squad!

The Diablo Paintball Can-Am 125GP Series once again raises it’s profile in 2003. Four races in Canada will once again be run in conjunction with the Canadian Superbike Championship while the races in the US will be run with Formula USA. TV Coverage also returns for 2003 with Mt. Tremblant confirmed and three other races in negotiations at the time of this release.

Racers from across North America have already committed to the series. Riders from Texas, California, Colorado, Bermuda and throughout Canada will make their way to the Midwest to battle for the championship.

The 2003 schedule is as follows:


Diablo Paintball Can-AM 125GP Series

May 16/17/18 Shannonville ON (Pro Track) With CDN Superbike Series

June 13/14/15 Loudon NH With Formula USA

July 18/19/20 Mosport ON with CDN Superbike Series

August 8/9/10 Road America WI with Formula USA

August 21/22/23/24 Mont Tremblant PQ CDN Superbike Series

August 29/30/31 Shannonville (Long Track) CDN Superbike Series


More details can me found at the official website for the series: www.can-am125gp.com

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

A hot rumor making the rounds is that Vanson Leathers is in the process of moving its manufacturing offshore to Puerto Rico with only administrative functions remaining on the U.S. mainland.

Here’s what Vanson boss Michael van der Sleesen had to say about the rumor, via e-mail to Roadracingworld.com:

We produce all of our products in our own shops, with our own staff. This allows us to manufacture to a high standard. This enables us to offer the wide range of products, sizes and styles that we do. This also permits a high level of service and repair, for instance our wash and re-dye service is unique.

Vanson’s key are its people, not the sewing machines and other equipment. There are no plans to alter this core concept.

Should anything change we will notify you.

Sincerely,

Michael van der Sleesen
Vanson Leathers
951 Broadway
Fall River, MA 02724
508-678-2000
FAX 508-677-6773
www.vansonleathers.com

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Infineon Raceway Begins Safety Enhancements
on Three Areas of Track for AMA Superbikes

TRACK OFFICIALS USE RIDER INPUT IN SAFETY REDESIGN

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE)–Infineon Raceway began work this week on three track enhancements designed to increase rider safety for the AMA Supercuts Superbike Challenge, presented by Honda of Milpitas, May 2-4.

Raceway officials have redesigned Turns 1, 10 and 11, further demonstrating the facility’s commitment to making Infineon Raceway one of the safest tracks in the country for motorcycles. The redesigned portions will be used strictly by the AMA and the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School. The traditional road course will be used for all other events at Infineon Raceway, including NASCAR Winston Cup and the American Le Mans Series.


Construction crews work on the 900-foot connector between turn 8a and turn 10 on the road course.

The changes were made with the aid of AMA Superbike riders Eric (Kawasaki) and Ben Bostrom (Honda), Miguel Duhamel (Honda), Aaron Yates (Suzuki), and AMA Road Race Manager Ron Barrick, who visited the track two months ago. The enhancements will be in place for an AMA Superbike test session at Infineon Raceway on March 20.

Turn 1 has been a sweeping left-hander, putting riders at a dangerous angle as they approach a pedestrian bridge at the apex of Turn 1. Once the work is complete, the track will be extended 50 feet in a straight line before entering Turn 1. Riders will then make a left turn at approximately 90 degrees, which is designed to direct them away from the bridge and up the circuit toward Turn 2.

“I think that the commitment the raceway is showing the riders is great,” said Eric Bostrom, who placed second in the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship last season. “This place is going from one of the most dangerous tracks in the past to becoming one of the more safer tracks. The track is showing that it wants to make a commitment to rider safety and that’s important. We don’t see that everywhere we go.”

The entry into Turn 10, considered the fastest segments of the road course with speeds approaching 160 mph, will also be altered to increase rider safety. As riders crest Turn 8A, they will no longer continue down the famous esses. Instead they will continue down a straight line for 900 feet, parallel with the Hillside Terraces at Turn 9, before making a 90-degree right-hand turn, followed by a sharp left-hand turn, which will blend them back with the original road course just before Turn 10. This alteration will slow the bikes down substantially, lowering the risk entering Turn 10.

The final safety enhancement will occur at Turn 11, which will see the entry shortened by approximately 40 feet. The change will direct riders away from the wall as they exit the hairpin turn and direct them toward the start/finish line. This marks the second change to Turn 11, which was shortened by two-tenths of one mile in 2000 to provide riders with nearly 300 additional feet of runoff room.

All three changes demonstrate Infineon Raceway’s commitment to rider safety. Increased run-off was added at virtually every turn on the road course during a $50 million Modernization Plan, and the racing surface has also been permanently separated from the slick drag strip.

“I think the input from the riders is going to help make this placer safer, and that’s the important thing,” said Duhamel. “We want it safer and more fun for the riders but we also want it to be exciting for the fans. That’s the ultimate mix. I’m just glad the track took the time to get our input.”

From a press release issued by the AMA:

AMA OUTRAGED BY MANDATORY BIKER ORGAN-DONOR BILL

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has expressed its outrage at a proposed law in New Mexico that could make some motorcyclists into forced organ donors.

The proposal, introduced in the New Mexico Legislature by state Sen. Allen Hurt (R-Waterflow), would allow the harvesting of organs from any motorcyclist who doesn’t wear a helmet and is declared brain dead as a result of an accident. Hurt’s bill, designated Senate Bill 239, specifically states that: “a person operating a motorcycle without a helmet and who, as the result of an accident, is pronounced brain dead pursuant to Section 12-2-4 NMSA 1978 by a licensed physician shall become an organ donor regardless of whether the person made an anatomical gift by completing the organ donor statement…”

If the bill becomes law, it would take effect on July 1.

The AMA, which represents more than 250,000 motorcyclists across the country, said that Hurt’s proposal represents a new low in the relationship between anti-motorcycling government officials and riders.

“Organ donation is a noble cause that truly can represent the gift of life for people faced with some terminal illnesses,” noted Sean Maher, AMA director of state affairs. “But making the commitment to become an organ donor must remain a private decision left to each person.

“Classifying an entire group of citizens as nothing more than organs to be harvested isn’t just demeaning to motorcyclists, it’s offensive to all Americans,” he said.

The AMA is organizing opposition to the Hurt proposal. New Mexico motorcyclists can help by going to the StateWatch section of the AMA Rapid Response Center at www.AMADirectlink.com. There, they can send letters of protest to their state lawmakers.

The American Motorcyclist Association is a nonprofit organization with more than 250,000 members. Established in 1924, the Association’s purpose is to pursue, protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members. For more information, visit the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. Sources in Europe are reporting that five-time 500cc World Champion Mick Doohan’s partner Selina has given birth to a son, Jack Michael Doohan, six weeks premature in Queensland, Australia. Reports state that Jack will have to stay in the hospital for three weeks before he can go home with his parents and older sister, three-year-old Allexis.

From a press release issued by the AMA:

AMA PLANS “RIDE INTO POLITICAL ACTION” SEMINARS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association Government Relations Department is gearing up to conduct another round of its popular “Ride Into Political Action” seminars.

The seminar, conducted by Terry Lee Cook, AMA state programs development specialist, is scheduled for March 8 in Great Falls, Mont., and March 29 in Charlotte, N.C. More seminars will be scheduled throughout the year in other parts of the country.

The seminar is an intense, day-long crash course in political action for motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle riders. It helps participants learn how to work with other motorized recreation groups, maintain relations with elected and government officials, and how to affect legislation.

The seminar begins with basic instruction in the political party system and how a bill becomes law, then moves on to dealing with politicians, writing letters, influencing administrative bureaucracies, and getting your message to the news media.

For information on the Ride Into Political Action seminars, contact Cook at (614) 856-1900, ext. 1288, or by e-mail at [email protected].

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Kawasaki’s 2003 ZX-6R (636cc) and ZX-6RR (600cc) models are currently arriving in dealerships, while race kit parts and racing contingency program details should be available in February.

Kawasaki’s Mel Moore told Roadracingworld.com that the first production run of ZX-6Rs and ZX-6RRs were arriving in Kawasaki dealerships and that production of the homologation special, 600cc ZX-6RR has been increased to meet strong demand. Moore wouldn’t say exactly how many RR-models would be produced but did say, “If someone really wants one, they should be able to get one.”

As for race kit parts, Kawasaki Product Specialist, Accessories Division Jeff Hoeppner reported to Roadracingworld.com that race kit valve springs, velocity stacks, cam shafts, engine control modules (ECM) and thinner gaskets would be available in February although pricing information was not immediately available. Furthermore, it hasn’t been determined at post time if race-kit bodywork, wind screens, footpegs, clip-ons, brake levers or close-ratio transmission gears would be imported into the United States.

Kawasaki plans to announce its 2003 racing contingency programs within about two weeks.

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Foggy PETRONAS Racing Gets The Green Flag

Carl Fogarty today welcomed the news that his Foggy PETRONAS Racing team has been granted permission to compete in this year’s World Superbike Championship.

A recent inspection by the sport’s governing body, the FIM, revealed that sponsors PETRONAS had successfully built the 75 road versions of the Foggy FP1 race bike that are necessary to meet the entry requirements of the production series.

And the four-times World Champion is glad that his team can now focus on the first race of the championship, in Valencia, Spain, on March 2.

Foggy said: “Everyone involved in this project deserves a big pat on the back for their efforts.
The hard work in achieving homologation is over – now our hard work of racing begins.

“We have been working flat out during the winter to prepare for the first race and, while it’s important to realise that this is a long-term project, hopefully we can repay the faith placed in us by PETRONAS as soon as possible.”

Riders Troy Corser and James Haydon will be in action for the final time before the first round of the championship when a three-day official World Superbike test begins in Valencia on Friday, February 21st.

More, from a press release issued by Petronas:

HOMOLOGATION MILESTONE FOR MALAYSIAN SUPERBIKE

London, January 30th, 2003 – The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) today announced that the FP1 – the first Malaysian superbike – has passed homologation for competition in the 2003 World Superbike Championship.

The inspection saw the first 75 units of the road version of the FP1 examined for compliance with the FIM regulations governing the eligibility for competition in the Championship, the highest echelon of superbike racing.

With this latest development, PETRONAS has also now been granted a manufacturers’ license, automatically confirming the addition on February 14th of the FP1 – anticipated to be the most eagerly awaited within the racing circle and among fans worldwide – to the entry list for the 2003 Championship.

Production of the FP1 road bike will continue at a new PETRONAS facility in Malaysia. In keeping with the unique race-to-road nature of this project, further development of the road-going FP1 will be in tandem with that of the race machine, which will make its debut along with Foggy PETRONAS Racing at Valencia, Spain on March 2.

The FP1 road bike will be officially unveiled in the near future in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM – PRESS INFORMATION

POLINI MOTORI NEW OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM

Bologna (Italy), January 29, 2003 – An important new sponsorship agreement was signed today between Ducati Corse and Polini Motori. With a contract that extends through 2003 and with an option for 2004, the Bergamo-based company has made official the presence of the Polini Motori logo on the red bikes of the DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM, which will line up for the 2003 MotoGP championship in the hands of its two champions Troy Bayliss and Loris Capirossi.

“The accord with the Ducati Marlboro Team is a very interesting one,” said Saimon Polini, Marketing Director of Polini Motori. “MotoGP is an exciting project and it is an honour for Polini Motori to take part. This partnership will allow us to link up again with a champion of the calibre of Loris Capirossi, who together with us has already won two 125cc world titles, and to start another working relationship with the team’s other champion, Australian Troy Bayliss. The partnership will help to increase awareness of our company, our products and our mini-bikes. We are really pleased with our decision and we are sure that Ducati will make its presence felt at the MotoGP circuits, just like it has always done in SBK.”

Satisfaction was also expressed in Ducati Corse. “Having Polini as one of our sponsors makes us really proud,” commented Livio Suppo, Ducati Corse Marketing Director. “They join a prestigious list of partners who are accompanying us in this exciting and demanding MotoGP project. Polini Motori has always been an extremely dynamic company, capable of sharing new challenges with enthusiasm. Being part of the Ducati Marlboro Team is further confirmation of the validity and the potential of our programme.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Roger Lyle

Gailyn Williams, 55, wife of Lamar and mother of Brandon, owners of American Motorcycle Institute, AMI, in Daytona Beach Florida, died Tuesday at Halifax Medical Center of breast cancer.

Gailyn and her husband Lamar operated the American Motorcycle Institute for motorcycle technicians. Their son Brandon is now running the day-to-day operations at AMI. The Williams family opens the AMI shops up for motorcycle racers to work on their machines while in Daytona for Bike Week and the Race of Champions in the fall.

AMI also provides its best students to cornerwork at the Daytona International Speedway. AMI and the Williams family have been involved in the motorcycle industry for 30 years and have produced some fine mechanics from all over the world. They have gone above and beyond the call to welcome all motorcyclists and enthusiasts to Daytona Beach.

Memorial donations may be made to the House of Prayer, 5231 S. Nova Road, Port Orange, FL 32127.

Rest In Peace, Sister Gailyn.