From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM – PRESS INFORMATION
March 28 2003

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM SET TO OPEN A NEW ERA IN MotoGP

The Ducati Marlboro Team opens a new chapter in Grand Prix history at Suzuka this weekend. The legendary Italian marque, which has dominated World Superbike for the past decade or so, now embarks on its first attempt at conquering GP racing’s premier championship.

The 2003 MotoGP season will be a period of development for the brand-new Desmosedici, even if the machine has already showed stunning speed in preseason testing and looks like being a real force when the racing starts on Sunday. Last month, Ducati Marlboro Team rider Loris Capirossi topped the official MotoGP prologue test session at Catalunya in Spain (time 1:44.634; all-time record at 328.2kmh/203.9mph), with team-mate and MotoGP newcomer Troy Bayliss also showing impressive speed (time 1:44.893, 322.8 kmh/200.6 mph).

But, as team personnel are keen to point out, testing is not racing, which is why the sense of anticipation around this year’s season-opening Grand Prix is arguably greater than any other. Everyone is waiting to see how the Desmosedici performs in anger for the first time, an extra gravity attached to the event because the race will unfold on Japanese tarmac.

While Ducati’s involvement has sparked new interest in MotoGP, there’s also unprecedented interest in Japan, with more top-grade riders contesting the championship than ever before. This year there are ten world champions fighting for MotoGP glory – current MotoGP king Valentino Rossi, former 500 champ Kenny Roberts Junior, World Superbike winners Colin Edwards and Troy Bayliss, 250 champs Max Biaggi, Loris Capirossi, Marco Melandri, Daijiro Kato and Olivier Jacque and World Supersport winner Andrew Pitt.

Sunday’s Japanese GP is the first of 16 that constitute the first all-four-stroke MotoGP World Championship. The fixtures continue with the South African GP on April 27 and then the Spanish GP, which starts the European season on May 11.

DOMENICALI’S EARLY SEASON PREDICTIONS
Months of anticipation end when the Ducati Marlboro Team lines up for its MotoGP debut this weekend at Suzuka, one of the fastest tracks on the GP calendar. The squad’s Desmosedici bike has already proved that it lacks nothing in the way of speed – at Catalunya last month, Capirossi and Bayliss headed the top-speed charts, the Italian establishing an all-time record at 328.2kmh/203.9mph, Bayliss not far behind at 322.8 kmh/200.6 mph.

The bike’s 220-plus horsepower output will be vital on Suzuka’s two long straights, but Ducati Corse managing director Claudio Domenicali isn’t making any great predictions for Sunday’s race, because he knows his crew is only just embarking on its long journey down the MotoGP road.

“All I can say is that we are reasonably happy and that our engineers have good reason to be very proud of what they’ve done so far,” says Domenicali. “We are only at the start of this project and we are already at a reasonable level of performance. We’ve done some good development work and we know that the bike has a very high potential, but we need more time to fully understand it and to extract its full potential. At the moment I’d say that the engine is only at 80 per cent of its capability.”

The Ducati Marlboro Team have been helped in their successful search for speed by fuel and lubricants partner Shell, who have worked closely with Ducati Corse since 1999. “The Desmosedici’s incredible speed at Catalunya was helped by Shell,” reveals Domenicali. “We used a new fuel called V-Power RD 0502, which had already showed promising results on the dyno, with an increase in peak power of almost one per cent.

“Every month we should be able to make the bike faster, but others are also getting faster. Our results will also depend upon how much room our rivals have for improvement, so it’s very difficult to predict results for the first few races.

“At the moment there’s no clear area in which the bike is lacking, it’s just a case of achieving a good overall balance, which will only come with time. The bike is still very young, we still need to achieve the best-possible balance and then learn how to achieve that balance at every track. We are on a steep learning curve, we still have a lot of small steps to take before we are really good!”

And yet the pre-season mood in the Ducati Marlboro Team is high expectation tinged with optimism. Most of all though, the mood is happy, as team director Livio Suppo points out: “It’s a happy team and that’s important to us. We have a tough season ahead, so we need to enjoy ourselves, we like to have a good feeling about the way we go racing.”


CAPIROSSI’S FIRST FOUR-STROKE RACE
Three-time World Champion Loris Capirossi hits the big ‘Three Oh’ at Suzuka on Friday – the day he officially commences his first-ever four-stroke GP season. The Italian’s 30th birthday provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on his career so far, as well as taking a peak into his future.

One of only a handful of riders to have won GPs in three classes – 125, 250 and 500s – Capirossi has been a major-league star since 1990 when he won the 125 world title at his first attempt, aged just 17. Over the past two seasons he has fought bravely on now uncompetitive 500cc machinery – in 2002 he was one of only two riders capable of running with the four-strokes on his ‘old’ 500 two-stroke. This year he is finally back where he deserves to be.

Some people wondered whether Capirossi would be able to adapt to the four-stroke Ducati Marlboro Desmosedici after a career spent exclusively on two-strokes, but he soon dispelled those doubts, breaking lap records within weeks of his first ride on the Italian V4.

“The four-stroke is great – much more comfortable than the two-stroke, so you can have a lot of fun spinning the rear tyre!” smiles Capirossi, who’s never ridden anything as powerful as the 220-plus horsepower Ducati. “The bike is already at a very good level, our lap times from winter testing tell us that, but we have a lot more work to do before we can properly claim to have the best bike. Anyway, it’s coming better step by step, and I’m really excited because I think we can fight for some good results from the very first race.”

Suzuka is a particularly special event for Capirossi for two reasons: firstly because it’s always a privilege to race an Italian bike in Japan, and secondly because he adores the high-speed circuit with its unique figure-of-eight layout. Capirossi started the 2001 Japanese GP from pole and was second quickest in qualifying last year, even though his 500 had 30 less horsepower than the fastest four-strokes.

“Suzuka is a lovely track, one of the best in the world,” he affirms. “And, of course, it’s a very important race for Ducati, like Ferrari in the Suzuka F1 car GP! I think it could be good for our bike because it’s not the kind of circuit where you get a lot of wheelspin. Everyone can see that we’ve got a lot of horsepower, so we are working to reduce wheelspin, and we’re making good progress with different solutions, both on engine and chassis set-up.

“I don’t have any big expectations for the first race. Much will depend on how the pre-race tests go. They will be especially important for us, because unlike the other factories, we haven’t been to Suzuka before. If we can fix the set-up during the tests, I think we can have a good race.”


TROY’S BIG NEW CHALLENGE
The Ducati Marlboro Team isn’t alone in opening a new chapter in racing history at Suzuka this weekend – rider Troy Bayliss is also embarking on a new adventure. After five years on Superbikes the easygoing Aussie is making the move to MotoGP, and he’s not underestimating the magnitude of the challenge.

Winner of the World Superbike crown in 2001 and a nail-bitingly close runner-up last year, Bayliss may have shown great promise during winter testing with the Desmosedici, but he’s got plenty to learn once the racing gets underway. Not only has he got to learn a whole new class of racing and get to know a grid-full of new rivals, but he’s also got to compete on 13 tracks where he’s never raced before, starting on Sunday.

“There’s no way I’m going to go to Suzuka and win,” says Bayliss with refreshing frankness and honesty. “Then we go to Welkom, which is another racetrack I haven’t seen, so I just want to get a couple of half-decent races under my belt, see what I can do, then hopefully my real season will start when we get back to Jerez, where I’ve tested a bit and where I feel pretty comfortable. The bike’s starting to come good, it’s just a matter of taking it step by step.”

Bayliss had never even see Suzuka before he rolled up for the all-team test session on March 30 (when he celebrates his 34th birthday), at least not in reality, but he had ridden a few laps on his PlayStation, racing against his seven-year-old son Mitchell. “Anything we do that’s not to do with racing he beats me!” smiles Bayliss. “I usually do a few laps on the PlayStation before I go somewhere new, it just shows you which way the track goes.”

Renowned for his awesome on-track aggression and radically spectacular riding style, Bayliss can’t wait for the racing to get under way for real. “I’m excited, after all, I’m a racer!” he adds. “I think a lot of riders feel the same way after a long winter of testing. But I know the first few races won’t be easy because it’s hard to find the limit at any track you don’t know. At tracks you do know it’s easier to find little things with the bike, so you can improve its performance. The Desmosedici is already not too bad, we’re pretty much where we expected to be at this stage. Early on, we know we’ll have some good days and some bad days, but we’re making progress and that’s what we want to do.”

Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix will be the second GP of Bayliss’ career – he made his GP debut with a one-off ride in the 1997 Australian 250 GP.


THE TRACK
Suzuka was constructed by Honda in 1962 as Japan’s first international-standard racetrack and still rates as one of the world’s best motorsport venues. The circuit staged its first World Championship rounds in ’63, ’64 and ’65 but those events only catered for the smaller-capacity classes and it wasn’t until 1987 that Suzuka hosted a premier-class GP.

Since then the fast, varied and supremely challenging track has gained a reputation for serving up some of the closest, most thrilling GP encounters. Suzuka is the longest circuit on the GP calendar and unique for its figure-of-eight layout which gives a good mix of left and right-handers, varying from fast sweepers to the dead-stop chicane and hairpin. It is also one of the few current GP tracks where MotoGP riders can give full rein to their 200-plus horsepower machines.

The track has undergone several safety improvements in recent years, including two major changes carried out for this weekend’s race. The daunting 130R corner at the end of the back straight has been modified, as has the chicane that precedes the start-finish straight.


DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM DATA LOGS

TROY BAYLISS
Age: 34 (date of birth March 30 1969)
Lives: Monaco
Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici
First GP: Australia, 1997 (250)
World Superbike victories: 22
World Championships: 1 (Superbike: 2001)
Suzuka 2002 results: DNS

LORIS CAPIROSSI
Age: 30 (date of birth April 4 1973)
Lives: Monaco
Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici
GP victories: 22 (2×500, 12×250, 8×125)
First GP victory: Britain, 1990 (125)
First GP: Japan, 1990 (125)
GP starts: 184 (14xMotoGP, 59×500, 84×250, 27×125)
Pole positions: 33 (5×500, 23×250, 5×125)
First pole: Australia, 1991 (125)
World Championships: 3 (125: 1990, 1991, 250: 1998)
Suzuka 2002 results. Grid: 2nd Race: 9th

From a press release issued by California Speedway:

Yamaha Superbike Challenge Pre-Race Party

The official kick off to the Yamaha Superbike Challenge weekend will take place on Wednesday, April 2nd, from 7-9 p.m. at the new Hooters in Ontario (725 N. Milliken Ave. 909-989-2209).

The SpeedFreaks, heard locally on Sunday nights on ESPN Radio 710 AM, will host the “Freakin’ Superbike Party,” which will feature AMA pro racing riders, ticket giveaways and promotional item giveaways.

Riders scheduled to appear include Rich Oliver, Doug Chandler, Jason Curtis, Jason Pridmore, Josh Hayes, Craig Connell, Ty Howard and Jimmy Moore. (Riders subject to change without prior notification).

The Yamaha Superbike Challenge is scheduled for April 4-6 at California Speedway.

Tickets for the 2003 Yamaha Superbike Challenge are available by calling 1-800-944-RACE (7223) or purchase your tickets online.

Single-day tickets for Saturday and Sunday are $30. Tickets for Friday are $10. Children 12 and under are free for this event in the general admission areas.

A great way for fans to purchase tickets is through participating Yamaha dealers. The dealers are offering $5 off a Saturday and/or Sunday ticket.

From a press release issued by Proton Team KR:

The 2003 season begins at Suzuka in Japan on April 6. For Proton Team KR it has come a little bit too early. With their all-new V5 four-stroke still undergoing tests back at base in Britain, MotoGP racing’s only truly independent manufacturer will race field last year’s 500cc KR3.

Riders Jeremy McWilliams and Nobuatsu Aoki will be on the only two-strokes in the class. But the distinction need not be negative. Bad weather could play into their hands in terms of race results, since their lighter weight and lower power would become an advantage rather than a drawback.

More importantly, not only the riders but also the latest Bridgestone tyres will be gaining track time and getting polished up, ready for the arrival of the radical new four-stroke in the near future.

“We always knew there was a chance we would run the two-stroke at the first race, and at this stage I’m not going to put a date on when the four-stroke will be ready,” said team owner Kenny Roberts.

“We won’t run the four-stroke until we are confident it is ready. That doesn’t mean we’ve ruled it out for the second race,” the former triple champion and racing legend continued.

“The project always did have a crazy time scale,” “We’re just a little behind at this point. With the engine on the test bench, we found some details that are taking time to get settled. So while the engineering team carries on work in England, for this race we’ll be giving everyone a last chance to look at a racing two-stroke 500 – I guess we’re the last of the breed.”

The Japanese GP is the first of 16 rounds in the 2003 MotoGP World Championship. The next race is the South African GP on April 27, with the European season starting at Jerez in Spain on May 11.

Jeremy McWilliams: Underdog again
Obviously it’s disappointing to be on the old bike when we’re all looking forward to the new one. The four-strokes have so much speed in a straight line, and though we had some fun last year beating them through the corners, we were always the underdog. Same again for Suzuka. But look on the bright side: we’re out there racing again, and you never know what might happen on the day, if it’s rainy, or if the weather changes during the race.

Nobuatsu Aoki: Home track Runner
This is the first of two home GPs for me, and there will be a lot of friends and family and fans there. As always, I will try to give us all something to be happy about. For sure the race will be hard if it is dry. Last year, we had some results that surprised us, as well as other people, so I never say there is no chance. I’ll do my best, and see what happens.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Two customer 998RS Ducatis led the way in the Friday World Superbike qualifying session at Phillip Island, Australia, with the first factory bikes third and fourth.

Pierfrancesco Chili was fastest at 1:33.729, ahead of Regis Laconi at 1:33.941, both riding private Ducatis.

Neil Hodgson was third-fastest on his factory Ducati 999F03 at 1:34.273 and homeboy Troy Corser was fourth-fastest in his works Petronas Triple at 1:34.508.

Hodgson’s teammate Ruben Xaus was sixth fastest on his works Ducati 999F03 at 1:34.585, behind Lucio Pedercini on another Ducati 998RS customer bike at 1:34.572.

James Toseland (Ducati 998F02) at 1:34.661, Juan Borja (Ducati 998RS) at 1:34.760, Gregorio Lavilla (Suzuki GSX-R1000) at 1:34.811 and Chris Walker (Ducati 998F02) at 1:34.906 rounded out the top 10.


More, from Glenn LeSanto

Chili goes to provisional pole at Phillip Island

Pierfrancesco Chili is the surprise provisional pole-sitter after the first WSB qualifying session at a windy Phillip Island.

After totally dominating proceedings at Valencia Neil Hodgson was obviously expected to come to Phillip Island and repeat the process, but Chili had other ideas. Despite the wind, which was blowing into the faces of the riders on the main straight, Hodgson still managed to record a top speed of 291.4 kph (181.1 mph). But without the power of the 999 engine, it wasn’t as easy for Chili. “The wind is holding back our top speed,” he said.

Top speed or not Chili and Regis Laconi, who like Chili is riding a privateer Ducati, both managed to lap under 1:34. Chili’s best time of 1:33.729 compares with 1:33.941 for Laconi and 1:34.273 for Hodgson.

Bizarre as it may sound, the fact that Hodgson is on the latest version of the venerable Ducati V-Twin could be counting against him. “We have an-all new bike so our 2002 data is not much use to us – we have to work it all out from scratch and that’s held us up a little today.” Hodgson also said his bike felt nervous at speed and while they were able to make substantial improvements before Hodgson ran out of time. Meanwhile Chili was busy getting down and getting fast using all his vast experience and the advantage of a well-proven bike to put in some really impressive looking laps.

Troy Corser’s also on an all-new bike, the Foggy FP1, but he has the advantage of having been here testing in the winter. He used that advantage well, finishing the session fourth fastest with a 1:34.508.

Friday’s World Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:33.729
2. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:33.941
3. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:34.273
4. Troy Corser, Petronas Foggy FP1, 1:34.508
5. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:34.572
6. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 1:34.585
7. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:34.661
8. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:34.760
9. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.811
10. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:34.906
11. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.034
12. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.094
13. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:35.149
14. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:35.404
15. Nello Russo, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.577
16. David Garcia, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.630
17. James Haydon, Petronas Foggy FP1, 1:36.111
18. Giovanni Bussei, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:36.709
19. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda RC51, 1:37.049
20. Jay Normoyle, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:38.780
21. Steven Cutting, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.545
22. Alistar Maxwell, Honda CBR954RR, 1:40.856
23. Davide Messori, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:41.622


More, from a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

HM Plant Ducatis in close formation

The HM Plant Ducatis of James Toseland and Chris Walker have finished seventh and tenth respectively after the first day of qualifying at Phillip Island in Australia. However, with just over a second covering the top ten riders, it looks like the second round of the Superbike World Championship could be one of the most hotly contested events for years around the 4.445km circuit near Melbourne.

Frankie Chili topped the time sheets after the first day, with Regis Laconi second and double Valencia winner Neil Hodgson in third. Only the Foggy Petronas team has tested at Phillip Island over the winter, so the majority of the 23-strong field spent the free practice and first qualifying sessions looking for the best race set-up. However, the mood is optimistic in the HM Plant Ducati camp, with both riders already ahead of their Superpole qualifying times from last season.

James Toseland has made a promising start to his third season in World Superbikes and is confident that he can continue the good from that he has shown. “Today’s times may not look that impressive, but it’s early days and there’s a lot more to come from me this weekend,” said the 22-year-old Sheffield star.

“I’ve found it really hard to adjust to the different circuit configuration here at Phillip Island after all the testing and racing that we did at Valencia. In many ways, I feel that I’ve hit a brick wall and I need to sit down with the team overnight to assess where I’m losing time. This is such a fast circuit compared to the slow first gear corners at Valencia, that I’m almost having to learn to ride the bike again in a different way – I’m sure that I’ll be OK.”

Chris Walker shares third place in the Superbike World Championship after the first round with his team-mate, so there’s all to play for between the popular British riders. “I felt really comfortable out there today – this is my kind of track,” said the Nottingham rider. “We worked hard on improving the set-up of the HM Plant Ducati from the base setting that we had for Valencia. So far, we’ve made good progress and I’m pleased with my times on race tyres. In fact, it was going so well that I decided not to go out on a qualifying tyre and conserve my energy for tomorrow.”


More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Corser on provisional front row at Phillip Island

Troy Corser qualified on the provisional front row of the grid after Foggy PETRONAS Racing’s first day of action at the second round of the World Superbike championship at Phillip Island.

The Aussie former world champion made the most of home advantage to set the fourth fastest time on the FP1 on Michelin race rubber. And, with the two fastest times of the afternoon being set on qualifying tyres by Frankie Chili and Regis Laconi, Troy was effectively second fastest behind series leader Neil Hodgson, with a time of 1:34.508.

Troy, who made the front row in the first two races of the season at Valencia, was consistently fast throughout the first day of qualifying for Sunday’s two races. He said: “I was reasonably happy with today and I know there is more to come tomorrow. We are already closer to the front than we were in the first round and I think we will be close to running at the front for the race.

“This is the kind of circuit where, if you can get out in front by yourself and do consistently fast lap times, you will pull away because others will slow themselves up by dicing with each other. So the aim will be to get out in front and I think I can make the front row again tomorrow. It wasn’t important for me to use a qualifier in the second session as were just concentrating on finding a race tyre that would have durability and consistency. We have narrowed the choice down but still have some way to go.”

Team-mate James Haydon also concentrated on race tyre selection during the two one-hour sessions and is confident that overnight set-up changes will provide improvement. Having finished 15th in the morning free practice, he managed to take 0.8seconds off his time in the afternoon but slipped two places.

He said: “I only used four of my tyre allocation today, which means I will have lots to try tomorrow. In hindsight I wished I had used another race tyre option or a qualifier in the afternoon, as that would have knocked a second off, because I am pretty horrified to find myself in 17th position!”


More, from a release from Troy Corser:

FRONT ROW FOR TROY!
Local hero Troy Corser didn’t disappoint the home fans today – putting the new Foggy Petronas FP1 on the provisional front row of the grid after the first day of qualifying. Troy’s time of 1:34.508 was well outside the lap record he set here in 1999, but the two sessions today were beset by strong winds and a greasy track. At the end of the day though, Troy was happy to be fourth quickest – especially as he hadn’t used any qualifying tyres.

Provisional pole today was a bit of a surprise. Instead of a factory bike occupying the top spot, it was privateer Pierfrancesco Chili who set the day’s quickest time. The Italian, riding a private PSG-1 Ducati, lapped in 1:33.729 – nearly three-quarters of a second outside the official lap record. Second was another privateer – Regis Laconi (Ducati) – with Neil Hodgson on the factory Ducati in third place.

TROY

I’m pretty happy with today. The track felt a bit greasy and the wind caused a few problems for sure. If conditions are perfect then I think it’s possible to beat my 1999 lap record time, but everything needs to be right.

Today I didn’t use any qualifying tyres because we had some new stuff to try and we needed to put in the laps. But doing that, made me just ride the bike and that was good. We’ve got some better tyres here, but this morning I used tyres I knew we wouldn’t use in the race – because we had to put in the laps. Since Valencia, I feel we’ve made a step forward with the engine and the chassis of the bike. The chassis is great – it changes direction well and the bike is very stable on the brakes. All we’re lacking is a little acceleration coming out of the turns.

The bike is easy to ride and I’m getting more confident with it. Don’t forget that until Valencia, I hadn’t been in a race for over a year and it takes a bit of getting used to again. I’m glad to have those two races (Valencia) under my belt and I’m getting back to just going out and racing without having to think what I’m doing. I know I still need to concentrate more, but that’s coming. Every time I get on the bike, it’s improving. You can practice as much as you like, but there’s no substitute for actually racing.

The limited number of rear tyre we all have has helped the non-factory boys (and us) quite a bit, because you just have to ride the bike now. I like Phillip Island and if we can make a bit of a jump tomorrow (which I think we can) then a podium could be on the cards on Sunday. That’s what I’m after.


More, from a press release issued by Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks:

Laconi second fastest in first qualifying

Exciting debut day in Australia for Regis Laconi; in a cloudy and windy day, hot and humid, able to weaken most of the riders, the French rider of 998RS Ducati della Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Network recorded the second fastest in the first qualifying session of Australian round of 2003 Superbike World Championship to be run on the 4445 meters of Australian circuit of Phillip Island.

“We worked a lot to find the good gearbox ratios, because on this track the wind always changes.” – commented at the end of the day a satisfied Regis Laconi – “At the end we found the best compromise and we recorded a good result. We worked a lot on the new front fork too that looks to be better and that I feel better, but I’m sure that we could still improve something in front setting. The qualifying tyres worked perfectly, but you have to do everything OK in the fastest lap, because this tyres didn’t allow you a second chance. I’m sure that we could get something more tomorrow, because today the track was quite dirty and the hot and humid weather make me weak me because the otitis that worries me from some time. So I’m confident that tomorrow we could improve a little bit, of course also the other riders will do it, but today we scored really a very important and fantastic result.”

Sixteenth fastest David Garcia, suffering from influenza that keep him from the start to Australia and that he’s not jet been able to combat, neither with the help of Clinica Mobile, also because most of the medicines could bring secondary effects for the doping test and so he could not force too much the medical therapies.

“I feel very weak.” – says Garcia – “The fever worries me from the moment I let my hometown in Spain and I’m able just to ride for a couple of laps and then I must join the pits. That’s a pity because I like this track, but unfortunately in those conditions I’m not able to give any help to my technical crew too for setting the bike that also today was very very fast, scorog the fourth top speed in the speed trap. If I’ll be not better in the next days for me everything is going to become very difficult.”


more, from a press release issued by Alstare Corona Suzuki:

GREGORIO NINTH

Team, Alstare Suzuki rider Gregorio Lavilla ended the first day of qualifying in a steady ninth place. On a day affected by strong winds,Gregorio and the team continued their development of the new 2003 GSXR1000 Suzuki and were content with the progress made. Provisional pole today was set by Italian Pierfrancseco Chili (Ducati) – a surprise, as the privateer was quicker then the factory Ducatis of Neil Hodgson and Ruben Xaus. Chili posted a time of 1:33.729 – three tenths of a second quicker then the official lap record – despite the winds coming in from the Bass Straight.


GREGORIO LAVILLA – 9th, 1:34.811 We started here at Phillip Island with the same set-up we used at Valencia and then began to make progress little by little. We tried little changes today, because we are afraid that a big change will make things worse, so we’re taking a cautious approach for the moment. We really need a big jump, but we don’t want to ruin the work we’re doing. Basically we just need to improve the rideability of the bike and get the set-up of the balance right. We’re not there yet, but it’s a new bike and we’re having to develop it at the racetrack. There’s a lot of work to do, but we’re working 100% and we’re definitely making progress. At the start of the season, I said that it would take until Monza to be competitive and I think that’s still true. The Suzuki seems to like Phillip Island a bit better then Valencia, so I’m hoping that the work we do tomorrow will give us a good chance for a better result on Sunday.


More, from a press release from Ducati Corse:

Ducati Corse Press
Team Ducati Fila riders Neil Hodgson and Ruben Xaus set third and sixth quickest times respectively in first qualifying for Sunday’s Australian round of the SBK championship at Phillip Island, as Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) and Regis Laconi (NCR Ducati) claimed the top two slots.

Neil’s quick lap came in the final few minutes of the session when the 29-year old Brit posted a 1:34.273 around the 4.445 km circuit. “Today was quite difficult because we’ve only tested the 999 at Valencia and this track is as extreme opposite as you can get,” commented Neil. “As we don’t have any base marks, I’m using Valencia settings which I changed a lot after the first session. The bike is still a bit nervous at speed so we are trying to smooth things out by changing the settings to be more and more perfect on the line. My quick time came on a race tyre at the end of the session when we made a couple of changes and stayed out for more laps.”

Ruben Xaus escaped unhurt from a high-speed crash at the entrance to turn 12 during qualifying, but stepped onto his second Fila Ducati 999 bike to post the sixth quickest time. “The bike this morning wasn’t bad for the first time here,” said Ruben, “but I thought it was moving around a lot so we changed direction in the afternoon and made the settings softer. But then I fell off after losing the front. We need to work a lot more on the bike, because the set-up is still not perfect. If tomorrow the grip is better than today, I’m sure Neil and I can both ride in a low 1:33 with race tyres. I used a qualifying tyre to set my time today but it is not as good as what I need for the race.”

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION

WORLD SUPERBIKES HEAD DOWN UNDER FOR AUSTRALIAN ROUND

The World Superbike championship heads down under for round 2 of 12 at the Phillip Island circuit south of Melbourne this weekend. After their resounding double 1-2 victory in the Valencia season opener, Team Ducati Fila riders Neil Hodgson and Ruben Xaus aim to continue their positive form at the Australian track.

The Australian round will mark the first appearance outside Europe for the brand-new Ducati 999 in the colours of globally-renowned Italian sportswear manufacturer Fila, whose partnership with Ducati was successfully inaugurated at Valencia. The twin-cylinder Factory ’03 machine has already proved to be a worthy successor to the all-conquering Ducati 916-996-998 family of superbikes, winning straight out of the box in Spain.

Britain’s Neil Hodgson, who picked up a fifth and a fourth in last year’s two Island races, says that he enjoys the fast flowing nature of the track but will be approaching this weekend in his usual way. “I love Phillip Island. It’s a real rider’s circuit with great corners and a mega-fast straight”, declared Neil. “I was fastest through the speed trap all weekend in Valencia and I think that Phillip Island will be good for the 999. If you can have a couple of k’s advantage on the straight then you can get past in the easy places and reduce the risks in others. But the only thing that I’m predicting is that I’ll do my best in every practice and every race. I’m just going to take this season one step at a time and then we’ll see how it turns out.”

Spanish rider Ruben Xaus is also enthusiastic about the 4.445 km track after twice finishing third behind Bayliss (Ducati) and Edwards (Honda) last year. “The Phillip Island circuit just has to be one of the very best circuits in the world and it is one I enjoy very much” said Ruben. “I think the Ducati 999 will be fantastic there. The chassis is very good and it has the power, but as we haven’t tested there, then we are going to have to work very hard on getting a good set-up for the races.”



CIRCUIT

World Superbike comes to Phillip Island for the thirteenth time since the championship started in 1988. The spectacular 4.445 km seaside circuit is 150 km south of Melbourne and can accommodate 150,000 spectators. Phillip Island is one of the fastest tracks on the calendar with an average speed of over 170 kph, 7 left and 5 right hand corners, and a finish line straight measuring almost 900 metres.


STATISTICS

Lap record: Corser (Ducati) 1:33.019 (1999); Qualifying: Corser (Ducati) 1:32.623 (1999); Superpole: Corser (Ducati) 1:32.193 (1999). Race distance: 2 x 22 laps/97.790 km.


2002 WINNERS

Race 1: 1. Bayliss (Ducati), 2. Edwards (Honda), 3. Xaus (Ducati). Race 2: 1. Bayliss (Ducati), 2. Edwards (Honda), 3. Xaus (Ducati).


POINTS (after 1 of 12 rounds): Riders – 1. Hodgson (Ducati Fila) 50; 2. Xaus (Ducati Fila) 40; 3. Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) 29; 4. Walker (HM Plant Ducati) 29; 5. Martin (Ducati DFX) 21; 6. Lavilla (Suzuki) 19. Manufacturers – 1. Ducati 50; 2. Suzuki 19; 3. Foggy 13; 4. Kawasaki 8; 5. Yamaha 5.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn Le Santo

Chris Vermeulen took provisional World Supersport pole in Friday’s timed qualifying at Phillip Island.

With light rain falling intermittently at various parts of the circuit it was a difficult qualifying session for all the riders. Ten Kate Honda’s Karl Muggeridge was one of the victims of the conditions when he highsided at MG after a brief shower had left the track greasy in the last few turns.

But while Muggeridge was being checked over and declared fit at the Medical Centre, his teammate – and fellow Australian – Chris Vermeulen waited until the last five minutes before lapping at 1:36.161 to knock his championship rival Katsuaki Fujiwara off the provisional pole.

“It was raining in the session and the track was greasy in a few turns,” explained Vermeulen I didn’t want to do what Karl did so I held back hoping that it would get better late in the session – I would have been in trouble if it hadn’t!”

His plan worked perfectly, Chris got in a fast lap and grabbed pole right at the end. If it rains on Saturday, Chris has an obvious advantage.

Behind Fujiwara in second spot was Dutchman and ex-GP racer Jurgen Van Der Goorbergh. A surprise fourth on the grid went to reigning Champion Fabien Foret, despite an obvious lack of top end on the new ZX-6RR. Foret clocked up 254.4 kph (158.1 mph), way below the 275.8 kph (171.4 mph)reached by Iain MacPherson on his Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR.

World Supersport Championship
Round 2, Phillip Island 28-29-30 March 2003.

Fastest lap times:

1. Chris Vermeulen, AUS, Honda, 1:36.161
2. Katsuaki Fujiwara, JPN, Suzuki, 1:36.531
3. Jurgen Van Den Goorbergh, NED, Yamaha, 1:36.843
4. Fabien Foret, FRA, Kawasaki, 1:36.859
5. Christian Kellner, GER, Yamaha, 1:36.971
6. Pere Riba, ESP, Kawasaki, 1:37.022
7. Iain MacPherson, GBR, Honda, 1:37.147
8. Stephane Chambon, FRA, Suzuki, 1:37.185
9. Broc Parkes, AUS, Honda, 1:37.238
10. Kevin Curtain, AUS, Yamaha, 1:37.252
11. Jorg Teuchert Jörg, Yamaha, 1:37.388
12. Robert Ulm, Honda, 1:37.728
13. Simone Sanna, Yamaha, 1:37.777
14. Alessio Corradi, Yamaha, 1:37.779
15. Gianluca Nannelli, Yamaha, 1:37.937
16. Thierry Vd Bosch, Yamaha, 1:38.038
17. Werner Daemen, Honda, 1:38.049
18. Shannon Johnson, Honda, 1:38.153
19. Gianluigi Scalvini, Honda, 1:38.349
20. Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha, 1:38.952
21. Karl Muggeridge, Honda, 1:39.275
22. Kai Borre Andersen, Kawasaki, 1:40.347
23. Stefano Cruciani, Kawasaki, 1:40.686
24. Didier Vankeymeulen, Kawasaki, 1:40.726
25. Christophe Cogan, Honda, 1:43.218


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:

VERMEULEN PUTS NEW CBR600RR ON TOP IN AUSTRALIA

Chris Vermeulen blasted to provisional pole position aboard his CBR600RR Honda during Friday’s opening qualifying session for round two of the World Supersport championship at Phillip Island, Australia.

The 20-year-old, looking for victory in his home race on Sunday, was one second inside the lap record as he took his Ten Kate team machine to the top of the leaderboard.

Vermeulen said: “It was a session which needed a little bit of thought. I was hoping it would dry out towards the end and it did but there were a few spots of rain early in the session and I’d seen Karl (Muggeridge) crash so I didn’t want to take any risks.”

Championship leader Katsuaki Fujiwara ended the day second fastest with Dutchman Jurgen van den Goorbergh third and defending world champion Fabien Foret fourth.

Behind fifth-placed Christian Kellner and Pere Riba in sixth came the Van Zon Honda of Iain MacPherson, the British rider having no complaints as he took a provisional second row start.

MacPherson commented: “We got over one or two niggling little problems from this morning and the bike felt great. After I’d set my fastest lap I then got held up by another rider on the next lap and then managed to miss a gear and run off the track at Lukey Heights when I could’ve improved my time.”

Stephane Chambon ­ an injured absentee from the first round ­ completes the provisional second row in eighth with Broc Parkes ninth on his BKM Honda.

Parkes said: “The machine feels good but I managed to burn out the rear tyre when I was halfway through my best lap. But everything feels OK and I’m ready to try and move up the grid a bit tomorrow.”

Wild card rider Kevin Curtain completes the top 10 while Austrian Robert Ulm was 12th quickest on his Klaffi team Honda, Ulm said: “I made a couple of mistakes on my best lap and I could have done with a slipstream from someone that’s so important here.”

Werner Daemen ended the opening day¹s action in 17th on the Van Zon Honda, he said: “I’ve found a really good race tyre so we¹ve achieved something today but I got held up on my fast lap so I’m hopeful of being a lot faster tomorrow.”

Klaffi Honda’s Gianluigi Scalvini is still coming to terms with the Supersport machine after a successful 125cc career, ending Friday in 19th place, the Italian admitted: “I’m finding it very difficult and lacking the confidence to the point where I¹m only riding at 70%. The machine is fine and I can see exactly what I’m doing wrong, hopefully I can work it out overnight.”

Karl Muggeridge crashed early in the Friday afternoon qualifying session and was listed as 21st fastest. Muggeridge suffered minor ankle ligament damage and expects to be OK for tomorrow¹s action, he explained: “There was a few drops of rain around and I think it caught me out, highsiding as I exited MG.”

BKM Honda’s Christophe Cogan ­ fourth in the championship ­ crashed twice in the 45-minute qualifying session, escaping injury on both occasions but the Frenchman failed to record a time and was listed as a non-qualifier. Cogan said: “The first crash put us under pressure and from that moment onwards I didn’t settle down and it all ended with the second crash.”


More, from a press release issued by Chris Vermeulen’s publicist:

PROVISIONAL POLE AT THE ISLAND
The stocks of Australian Chris Vermeulen hit new heights at Phillip Island today with the twenty year old snatching provisional pole position in the dying stages of the opening qualifying session for the 2nd round of the World Supersport Championship.

The young Aussie waiting until his final lap of the session to go to number 1.

“We struggled for rear grip during the session but the WP Suspension guys worked on it and did a great job to get me going. We were just in time,” Vermeulen said.

He added, “I used two qualifying tyres, the first one took me to second, the last one put me in front of Fujiwara, but I was actually a bit slower through Lukey Heights after I made a mistake so I think I can get into to the 1:35’s tomorrow.”

The Queenslander posted a 1:36.16 to be 0.4 ahead of world championship series leader Katsuaki Fujiwara.

“Conditions are not very good today, it’s windy, but the bike is getting better and better and we’re going to do some work on the rear shock for tomorrow.

“I’ve got pole, now I just have to hang on to it. The support I am getting down here is just great. Things are going well but Sunday’s the only day that counts,” Vermeulen commented.

Vermeulen is currently 2nd in the race for the world championship and will continue his bid to be the youngest ever world champion in final qualifying tomorrow.


More, from a press release issued by Alstare Corona Suzuki:

Team Alstare Suzuki rider Katsuaki Fujiwara posted a lap of 1:36.531, to end up second quickest at Phillip Island at the end of the first day of qualifying.
The Japanese rider was content to sit just behind local hero Vermeulen (Honda) and is ready to attack pole position tomorrow. His team Stephane Chambon battled through the pain barrier and finished a superb eight quickest on a day that was beset by strong winds. Chambon’s ribs are still sore from the crash he had in the week before the opening round at Valencia, but the gritty Frenchman defied the pain today and is looking forward to improving his grid position tomorrow.
KATSUAKI FUJIWARA ­ 2nd, 1:36.531
I am pretty happy with second position at the end of today. The Suzuki is working very well and we are only making small adjustments for tomorrow, so I think everything is going well. The only real problem I had today was the strong wind. It can be a big problem here because we are so close to the ocean, so I took it a bit steady today. If the wind dies down tomorrow, I know I can go much quicker. Of course, I want pole position, but as long as I am on the front row of the grid, I’ll be happy.

STEPHANE CHAMBON ­ 8th, 1:37.185
Considering my ribs, I am quite happy with today. Second row of the grid is not so bad and I know there is more to come. Today, I had a lot of problems with the wind out there and because I am quite small, it was difficult for me to steer the bike as I wanted to. If the wind is less tomorrow, I can go much quicker. As for the race itself, it’s hard to know how long I can ride very hard. Hopefully, I’ll have a good idea tomorrow and be OK for Sunday. Friday qualifying


More, from a press release issued by Belgarda Yamaha:

Provisional front row for Jurgen

Team Yamaha Belgarda rider Jurgen van den Goorbergh set the third quickest time on the first day of qualifying at Phillip Island today despite suffering from the effcts of ‘flu. Last week, Jurgen had been stricken with high fevers and was forced to take antibiotics and although he is not up to full strength, he still managed to stay in touch with Chris Vermeulen (Honda) and Katsuaki Fujiwara (Suzuki). Jurgen’s team mate Simone Sanna, suffered a small crash at Siberia corner in the afternoon session and was forced to use his number two bike for the rest of the qualifying session. He ended the day thirteenth quickest overall, but will be back on his favourite number one bike for tomorrow’s final qualifying. Strong winds hampered quick times in the morning session, but in the afternoon Vermeulen posted a lap of 1:36.161 ­ a second quicker then the official lap record. Jurgen is well inside that record and Sanna is only half a second or so behind, so the prospects are good for tomorrow.

JURGEN VAN DEN GOORBERGH ­ 3rd, 1:36.843

Considering I’m only about 70%, I’m very happy with my times today. At the moment, my head feels a bit blocked and it’s difficult to concentrate, so to do these times today is very satisfying. I know this circuit and like it a lot, so I’m sort of doing good times automatically. I am definitely not riding freely at the moment, so I know I can go much faster. If my head clears a bit more and I feel a bit better, I can improve my times a lot.

SIMONE SANNA ­ 13th, 1:37.777

Unfortunately I had a small crash in the timed qualifying today and I had to use my number tow bike for the rest of the session. I am not so happy with it and so I couldn’t really push it hard and go for a quick time. I’m a bit disappointed about this, because I know I can do much better. I fell when I lost the front end ­ maybe on a little bump -at Siberia Corner, but luckily I wasn’t injured in the crash. The team have repaired the bike and tomorrow I’ll be able to chase a quick time for sure.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The FIM Superbike Commission has issued revised rules to close a loophole in the new-for-2003 World Superbike tire restrictions.

Under the previously announced tire rules observed during round one of the 2003 World Superbike Championship at Valencia, Superbike riders were limited to a total of 13 marked, rear tires during free practice, qualifying sessions and Superpole but were not limited to the number of front tires or “wet” tires used.

The new rules did not define “wet” tires or state that “wet” tires could only be used in “wet” conditions.

Evidently, some tire technicians at Valencia saw the grey area in the rule and began making a few, small, thin cuts to rear tires used in practice and calling them “wet” tires.

FIM has acted quickly to close the loophole and issued the following press release today.


Superbike & Supersport World Championships
Regulations – Decisions of the Superbike Commission

The Superbike Commission, composed of Messrs. Claude Danis (FIM), Paolo Alberto Flammini (SBK International), Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA) and Giulio Bardi (Team representative), has unanimously decided to introduce the following modifications to the Road Racing World Championship Regulations for Superbike (immediate application):

– Tyres (Superbike Art. 2.4.6.7)

At each event, during free practices, qualifying practices and Superpole, a maximum of 13 rear slick tyres may be used. A Technical Steward must mark these 13 tyres. There is no restriction on the number of front tyres that may be used.

Rear wet tyres have no restriction on the number that may be used in wet conditions (*).

All types of rear tyres used in dry conditions (*) will be included in the total quantity count.

On race day, there is no restriction on the number of rear slick tyres that may be used.

During free practices, qualifying practices and Superpole, no motorcycle may enter the track without the rear slick tyre being marked (except in wet conditions*)…

(* According to Art. 1.21.5)

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

PICTURE FOR THE 2003 PRO HONDA OILS U.S. SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY SHOEI HELMETS WILL BECOME CLEARER AFTER FONTANA

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – Daytona is done and the contest for the 2003 Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Helmets continues on Sunday, April 6 at California Speedway in Fontana, Calif. The Daytona Supersport race is almost a single-race championship unto itself, with the factories putting many of their Superbike riders on Supersport bikes to increase chances of a victory at the prestigious race. Now attention turns in earnest to the chase for the AMA Supersport title and Fontana should bring that picture much more into focus. Fontana is round two of the 11-race championship.

Honda’s Kurtis Roberts leads the series coming into Fontana after winning earlier this month in Daytona, but the 2000 series champ is not expected to contest the entire championship. That leaves Yamaha’s new man Jamie Hacking as the de facto series leader coming into California. “Hacker” is a proven entity in Supersport racing. The 33-year-old resident of Greer, S.C., is ranked fifth on the all-time AMA Supersport wins list. The only thing missing in Hacking’s impressive résumé is an AMA championship and that’s something he aims to change this year.

“I’m so ready to win a championship,” Hacking said. “It seems like every year I’m in the hunt and something happens. I feel good about the team and the position I’m in this year, so hopefully we’ll keep it under control this season, win some races along the way and bring it home number one.”

Third in the series standings is “Da Man” of AMA Supersport racing – Miguel Duhamel. Duhamel is to Supersport racing as Michael Jordan is to NBA basketball. Duhamel has nearly four times as many career wins in the class as the next rider on the list and has been brought back into the class after a year’s absence to fetch the title back for Honda.

Erion Honda Racing’s Jake Zemke comes into Fontana ranked fourth in the series. This will be Zemke’s fifth year in the series and he’s looking to improve on his highest ranking in the championship, which was sixth in 2001. Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo is the youngest of the top runners coming into Fontana. The 19-year-old former AMA Horizon Award winner is ranked fifth and is one of the pleasant surprises in the early part of the season.

Defending AMA Supersport champ Aaron Yates had a disappointing outing at Daytona and comes to Fontana ranked 14th. Yates is the defending Fontana Supersport race winner but will be concentrating on the Superbike class for the remainder of the season. As it stands Ben Spies, like DiSalvo a past AMA Horizon Award winner, comes to Fontana as the top ranked Suzuki Supersport rider. Spies is ninth in the standings.

Kawasaki’s first outing with its newly redesigned ZX-6RR was not what the factory had hoped. Tommy Hayden, who won two races and finished second in the standings last year, was pegged to be a surefire contender. He finished 13th at Daytona. On the bright side Hayden was 45th in last year’s Daytona Supersport race after getting caught up in an early-race crash, yet was able to climb back to second by series end. If Kawasaki can work out early kinks with the new bike look for Hayden to make a similar charge in the championship this year.

Privateers made some noise at Daytona in a field thick with factory and factory-backed entries. Libasci Racing’s Jamie Stauffer finished a very solid seventh at Daytona and was less than a second behind winner Roberts at the finish. Stauffer, who rides a Yamaha, is the latest is the seemingly endless string of talented Australians racing in America. He’ll be hoping to prove this weekend that his Daytona finish was no fluke. Matt Wait made a strong return to AMA Supersport racing at Daytona, where he finished 12th. Wait is riding a privately entered Yamaha backed by Kneedraggers.com.

The race will be televised on Speed Channel at 3 p.m. (EST) April 6, 10:20 p.m. (EST) and 3:20 a.m. (EST) April 8.
For immediate post-race results, points, live transponder scoring, in-depth series and rider information, regular columnists and much more, log onto www.USSuperbike.com, the official website of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship.

About AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the AMA Supercross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S Superbike Championship, the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship and the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship. Nearly 2 million race fans attended AMA Pro Racing events during the 2002 season. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.

From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

World Supersport championship
Phillip Island, Australia
Friday morning free practice

1. Chris Vermeulen, Australia, Honda, 1:38.134
2. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Japan, Suzuki, 1:38.139
3. Broc Parkes, Australia, Honda, 1:38.367
4. Pere Riba, Spain, Kawasaki, 1:38.668
5. Kevin Curtain, Australia, Yamaha, 1:38.814
6. Jurgen van den Goorbergh, Holland, Yamaha, 1:38.865
7. Christophe Cogan, France, Honda, 1:38.881
8. Jorg Teuchert, Germany, Yamaha, 1:38.887
9. Alessio Corradi, Italy, Yamaha, 1:38.919
10. Karl Muggeridge, Australia, Honda, 1:39.027
11. Christian Kellner, Yamaha, 1:39.188
12. Werner Daemen, Honda, 1:39.343
13. Simone Sanna, Yamaha, 1:39.403
14. Iain MacPherson, Honda, 1:39.500
15. Gianluca Nannelli, Yamaha, 1:39.553
16. Fabien Foret, Kawasaki, 1:39.571
17. Robert Ulm, Honda, 1:39.722
18. Shannon Johnson, Honda, 1:39.876
19. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki, 1:39.896
20. Gianluigi Scalvini, Honda, 1:40.815
21. Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha, 1:41.335
22. Thierry Vd Bosch, Yamaha, 1:41.839
23. Stefano Cruciani, Kawasaki, 1:43.146
24. Kai Borre Andersen, Kawasaki, 1:43.863
25. Didier Vankeymeulen, Kawasaki, 1:45.429

From a press release issued by publicist Larry Lawrence:

Hopkins to launch and support media campaign to bolster Motorcycle Grand Prix popularity in America

RAMONA, Calif. — Grand Prix motorcycle racing is among the most popular motor sports on the planet – that is except for in the USA.

John Hopkins wants to do something about that.

To that end he is kicking off the Hopper 2003 MotoGP Publicity Campaign.

MotoGP attracted over 1.5 million fans last season. Huge audiences of 350 million TV viewers were able to watch each race. Last year MotoGP was televised in 208 countries, with 192 countries viewing their MotoGP programming live. Furthermore, MotoGP regularly generates volumes of coverage in major newspapers and non-motorcycle related magazines throughout Europe and Asia. However, in the USA even the most basic media attention for the pinnacle of motorcycle sport is often absent

In America, MotoGP exposure could be expanded dramatically with a concerted effort. With the sights, the sounds and the spectacular show MotoGP provides, it should generate the type of exposure seen in the U.S. by other world-class sports. And if a Grand Prix is to come to America in the near future then the time is ripe to get the ball rolling on helping Americans learn more about the sport, its teams and riders.

A window of opportunity has opened for America GP fans. With Americans Kenny Roberts, Colin Edwards, Nicky Hayden and John Hopkins all part of one of the most exclusive fields in motor sports, MotoGP is primed for the media’s attention in America. Not since the 1980s has there been so many U.S. riders in the highest form of motorcycle racing.

Never before has the sport of Grand Prix racing been more poised to put forth a PR effort in America. John Hopkins along with his manager, Douglas Gonda will develop and implement a PR campaign to generate publicity for Grand Prix motorcycle road racing in the US.

“I’m willing to invest my time and money to help publicize motorcycle racing in America,” remarked 19-year-old Suzuki Grand Prix rider John Hopkins. “I‘ve seen how big this sport is in other parts of the world. I don’t think NASCAR has anything on MotoGP. But we need to start promoting this sport over here.”

The Hopper 2003 MotoGP Publicity Campaign is working to increase the visibility for the sport in America. This publicity program will include the following:

1. Retain one of the most experienced publicists in motorcycle racing in America to implement the campaign.

2. Provide for MotoGP Race And Qualifying Results to be filed with major news services.

3. Provide for MotoGP Race And Qualifying Results to be filed with USA Today and other major American Newspapers.

4. Pitch Stories to significant American sports and men magazines.

5. Pitch various TV programs on MotoGP related feature stories.

6. Coordinate PR efforts with other related PR efforts by Dorna, Suzuki and Red Bull.

7. Develop industry support.

8. Develop interest in an American Grand Prix event.

“An increase in the coverage for MotoGP will undoubtedly increase interest for the entire sport of motorcycling,” said Douglas Gonda, president of Protac and Hopkins’ manager “It’s gratifying to see that John, at just 19, recognizes the importance of stepping up the publicity of MotoGP racing in America. He is initiating this project with his own investment and hopes to show the value this type of effort can bring to his sponsors. This is one of the most innovative things I can remember a rider doing not only to bring added value to his own sponsors, but to unselfishly try to raise awareness of the sport in general.”

The Hopper 2003 MotoGP Publicity Campaign will jump into gear with the first MotoGP race of 2003 at Suzuka, Japan, on April 6.