For immediate release:
As reported previously the Wegman Benefit Fund and Central Roadracing Association have teamed to raise money for injured road racers.
CRA recently sent checks totaling $4,696 to the Wegman Fund, the proceeds from the annual silent auction held at the CRA awards banquet.
Information about the Wegman Fund may be found at www.wegmanfund.org or from [email protected].
From a press release issued by Honda:
HONDA RACING INFORMATION
HRC winter Test Sepang – Malaysia, January 20, 2003.
Honda Riders at Sepang for Their First Test Session of 2003.
Nicky Hayden
The Honda RC211V riders contesting the 2003 MotoGP Wold Championship were all present at the Sepang circuit for the first test of the year. Seven riders, led by reigning MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi, will race the five-cylinder, 990cc four-stroke machine in the 16 round championship which kicks off at Suzuka, Japan, on April 6.
Rossi, and his new Repsol Honda teammate, Nicky Hayden, the American Superbike Champion, were testing with different aims in mind today, the first of three days of testing. Champion Rossi evaluating the machine under braking, while Hayden spent the day learning the Sepang circuit.
Valentino Rossi: “Today we did only 23 laps. We only have one bike and started with the set up we had at the GP in Sepang last year. We concentrated on braking today and the transmission performance while under braking. But if I need adjustments made it’s difficult with only one bike, I have to wait while the mechanics get it ready. This afternoon when we came in to make changes it was dry, when the bike was ready it was raining. So we decided to stop. This is just the first day and we hope for a full days testing tomorrow.”
Nicky Hayden: “This is another good chance for me to get in some training on the bike. This is my first time at Sepang and I like it, it’s a real GP circuit, fast and safe. I didn’t push so hard today I just concentrated on finding a set up for the circuit and trying to find a good rhythm out there. I need the experience.”
The Telefonica MoviStar Honda Gresini team began the Sepang test as a full team, with team riders, Daijiro Kato and Sete Gibernau testing their RC211V machines at the 5.548km circuit. New boy to the RCV camp, Sete Gibernau, who had only once briefly tested the RCV prior today, spent the opening day of the test finding a base set up to work from.
Sete Gibernau: “This is my first full test on board the Honda RC211V, and obviously it will take time to adapt to the new machine, but there is no rush. There are a few little things, mainly electronics, that need setting up to suit me, but little by little it will come. Also, after a break such as the one I’ve just had, you need to get back into the mindframe of racing once again, to pick up the rhythm where you left off. This is obviously harder when you have to get used to a new bike too, but for an initial test, I’m very satisfied indeed. The team is very good and very supportive, and I’m excited about the year ahead, and about fighting for the top positions once again.”
Teammate Kato concentrated his efforts on suspension work, an area the diminutive, lightweight Japanese feels vital to his success in 2003.
Daijiro Kato: “I feel refreshed after the short winter break, but I picked up a bit of a stomach upset yesterday, and I still feel a little under the weather today, so that didn’t help me, even though I set a good lap time. We are working mainly on the suspension settings for the bike, which is where I need to focus most. We do not have the new parts for this season to test yet – they will arrive in February at the next session. I’m looking forward to 2003 now, and although it rained here this afternoon I decided against going out, because I got lots of rain laps in during the test we did in Jerez.”
Third place finisher in the MotoGP Championship last season, Tohru Ukawa, was at Sepang with his new team. Ukawa completed put in 56 laps aboard the Honda Pons RCV during the opening day of the test.
Tohru Ukawa: “Everything is going okay here in Sepang, where we are currently working mainly on both the front and rear suspension settings. We have already improved it considerably and will be working on it more tomorrow. This afternoon I was going to dedicate to tyre testing, but then the rain came, so I couldn’t do any of that, hopefully the rain will stay away for the next two days. We are still using the same machine as last year, testing some of the new parts added whilst they construct a whole new bike in Japan. Overall though, I am happy with how everything is going with my new team, communication is good and we work well together.”
Italian Max Biaggi returns to the Honda camp in 2003 racing an RCV for the Pramac Honda Team. Biaggi completed 27 laps today, primarily trying various adjustments to the seating position, footrests, and the controls, in a bid to find the most comfortable riding position.
Max Biaggi: “Today was the first time I sat on a motorcycle for over two months. I didn’t do so many laps today, it’s a new bike and we have a lot of testing before we start the season. We were working on the electronics today and we needed some help form the Japanese technicians. They had many riders to look after so it took time. We spent time on my seating position on the bike, footpegs, levers, I have yet to feel comfortable on the bike. The important thing now is for me to understand the strong and weak points of the motorcycle. Right now I feel the strong point is the power and the delivery, the weak point is the clutch.”
Makoto Tamada makes his MotoGP debut in 2003, riding the second Pramac liveried RCV. Tamada’s machine will be equipped with Bridgestone tyres as the Japanese manufacturer steps up its tyre development programme, working with four-stroke MotoGP machines for the first time. Tamada completed 56 laps of the track today.
Makoto Tamada
Makoto Tamada: “The first day of testing was, as always, dedicated to the set-up of the bike, partly because it’s the first time I’ve ever been to Sepang and I need to understand and interpret the circuit. I’m pleased with the way things went today, as I’ve been able to prepare well for the days ahead. There’s plenty of room for improvement, and we’ll be carrying on with the test programme tomorrow.”
Bridgestone have also recruited the services of former grand prix rider Shinichi Itoh to assist with their winter testing programme. Itoh, now an HRC test rider, has been working on various Bridgestone testing projects in recent years and his vast knowledge of grand prix racing and Bridgestone tyres will be invaluable to new boy Tamada as he approaches the most important season of his young career.
Shinichi Itoh: “I hadn’t ridden at Sepang for a year – and last time I was using tyres from a different manufacturer. I noticed the difference, and after trying out a few solutions we drew up the work programme for the coming days. It’s going to be pretty intense but I’m not worried about the quantity of work as I’m sure we’ll be able to achieve some excellent results.”
Testing times Sepang January 20, 2003.
Daijiro Kato, JPN Telefonica MoviStar Honda 2:05.02 – 29 laps.
Valentino Rossi, ITA Repsol Honda 2:05.76 – 23 laps.
Tohru Ukawa, JPN Honda Pons 2:06.0 – 55 laps.
Max Biaggi, ITA Pramac Honda Team 2:06.0 – 27 laps.
Sete Gibernau, SPA Telefonica MoviStar Honda 2:06.6 – 28 laps.
Shinichi Itoh, JPN HRC Honda 2:07.5 – 55 laps.
Nicky Hayden, USA Repsol Honda 2:07.76 – 58 laps.
Makoto Tamada, JPN Pramac Honda Team 2:09.2 – 56 laps.
More, from a press release issued by Pramac Honda Press Information:
Sepang – (Malaysia) – 20/21/22 January 2003
Private tests
Monday 20 January
Pramac Honda team make debut at Sepang. Makoto Tamada joined by Shinichi Itoh.
Pramac Honda team forces are being doubled for the entire pre-Championship test period: Makoto Tamada, the Pramac Honda team challenger for 2003 made his track debut together with Shinichi Itoh, official test rider. Itoh will be taking part in all the test sessions from now until the Championship gets under way. The aim is to enable Japanese tyre manufacturer Bridgestone to intensify its development programmes before the season officially starts up on 6 April in Suzuka.
After the fine but constant rain of the last few days in Sepang, the 5,548-metre track was dry and the riders were out on their bikes right from nine in the morning. Testing was unfortunately stopped by rain at 3:30 p.m.
The test programme is absolutely essential for Bridgestone, whose technicians are gathering their very first data from four-stroke motorcycles. The material, all to 2003 spec, was tested today by Shinichi Itoh, while Makoto Tamada focused mainly on trying out different settings on the suspension system of his RC 211V.
Bridgestone has an ambitious goal but even this very first day out made it possible to gather a considerable about of data that will now be carefully analysed to find out what exactly needs to be developed.
Makoto Tamada: 2:09.2 – “The first day of testing was, as always, dedicated to the set-up of the bike, partly because it’s the first time I’ve ever been to Sepang and I need to understand and interpret the circuit. I’m pleased with the way things went today, as I’ve been able to prepare well for the days ahead. There’s plenty of room for improvement, and we’ll be carrying on with the test programme tomorrow.”
Shinichi Itoh: 2:07.5 – “I hadn’t ridden at Sepang for a year – and last time I was using tyres from a different manufacturer. I noticed the difference, and after trying out a few solutions we drew up the work programme for the coming days. It’s going to be pretty intense but I’m not worried about the quantity of work as I’m sure we’ll be able to achieve some excellent results.”
Rain stopped the test sessions at 3.30 p.m., but the track had dried up by the evening so the prospects for tomorrow are good.
Times/results of the 2002 Sepang (Malaysia) GP:
Pole Position: Barros – 2:04.487 – Race winner: Biaggi – Fast lap in race Biaggi – 2:04.925
More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:
HRC Winter Test Sepang, January 20, 2003.
Repsol Honda Riders return to the Fray at Sepang
The Christmas and New Year holidays are well and truly over and it’s back to work for the Repsol Honda MotoGP Championship team as they prepare for the 2003 season. Team riders Valentino Rossi, the reigning MotoGP World Champion, and American Superbike Champion Nicky Hayden, completed day one of the three day Honda winter test at the 5.548km Sepang circuit, Malaysia, today.
Nicky Hayden
Champion Rossi spent the day evaluating the braking performance of his RC211V five-cylinder, 990cc four-stroke, while 2003 MotoGP debutante Hayden made his acquaintance with the fast grand prix circuit.
Valentino Rossi: “Today we did only 23 laps. We only have one bike and started with the set up we had at the GP in Sepang last year. We concentrated on braking today and the transmission performance while under braking. But if I need adjustments made it’s difficult with only one bike, I have to wait while the mechanics get it ready. This afternoon when we came in to make changes it was dry, when the bike was ready it was raining. So we decided to stop. This is just the first day and we hope for a full day’s testing tomorrow.”
Nicky Hayden: “This is another good chance for me to get in some training on the bike. This is my first time at Sepang and I like it, it’s a real GP circuit, fast and safe. I didn’t push so hard today I just concentrated on finding a set up for the circuit and trying to find a good rhythm out there. I need the experience.”
Repsol Honda rider lap times Sepang January 20, 2003.
Valentino Rossi, ITA Repsol Honda 2:05.76 – 23 laps.
Nicky Hayden, USA Repsol Honda 2:07.76 – 58 laps.
From a press release issued by Ducati:
POSITIVE DEBUT FOR THE DUCATI DESMOSEDICI AT SEPANG – CAPIROSSI (2:05.3) AND BAYLISS (2:06.5) RIGHT ON THE PACE
Ducati Marlboro Team started an important three-day test at Sepang, Malaysia today with Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss continuing development and set-up work on the Ducati Desmosedici in view of this year’s MotoGP championship. This is Ducati’s first ever appearance at the Malaysian circuit, and Troy Bayliss, unlike Loris Capirossi, is also getting to grips with the Sepang track for the first time.
On arrival, the Ducati Marlboro Team was greeted with average temperatures of 30° C (35° C track) in addition to stifling humidity and the test session was later interrupted by a violent tropical downpour in the afternoon.
Loris Capirossi
The first day of testing however allowed the Ducati engineers to continue with set-up work on the bike and the riders to gain more experience with the Desmosedici prototype. Using the positive tests at Phillip Island as a basis, the riders undertook several test sessions, and by the end of the day Capirossi had completed 38 laps and Bayliss 39.
Troy Bayliss
The results obtained with very few modifications were positive, with both Capirossi and Bayliss setting encouraging lap times. The Italian’s quickest lap was 2:05.3, while Troy got down to 2:06.5. After the first session, it was decided to modify the gear ratios and this change allowed Capirossi to set his best time of the day. Bayliss was forced to interrupt testing due to a violent storm that lashed the circuit and the Australian, who was pleased with his debut in Malaysia, will only benefit from this modification tomorrow.
Loris Capirossi
“We are all really satisfied with the way things went” declared Capirossi. “Today was important because we didn’t have any reference data on this track. We started from scratch and, if this is the starting-point, then we can only be pleased. We still have to get the bike fully set up, but we are already at the same level as the competition. We are improving all the time, the team is working well and the 38 laps completed today have already provided us with some important data. There are still two more hard days to come, after which we will have a better idea of where we stand.”
Troy Bayliss
“I’d never been to this circuit before” declared Bayliss at the end of the session, “so I bought myself a Playstation and F1 game and tried to learn the track as best as I could. I’m only joking though, because today was an important debut and I’m pleased with the way it went. I did 39 laps, looking for the best lines on this wide and long track, and tried to set a good time. Seeing as we didn’t have any data to go on, we used the Phillip Island set-up as a starting-point and so my best time of 2:06.5 is an excellent result. Unfortunately I didn’t have a chance to test with the different gear ratios because of the rain, but I’m sure tomorrow will be another difficult and productive day.”
From a press release:
Spiegler Brake Systems adds two more outstanding European companies to their exclusive line of top quality motorcycle accessories.
Spiegler Brake Systems USA, LLC is proud to announce that they have finalized negotiations, and are now the exclusive North American importer/distributor for LightCon wheels and BOS performance exhaust systems.
LightCon uses state of the art design and manufacturing processes to produce their lightweight, DOT and TÜV motorcycle wheels. LightCon manufactures wheels with technologies such as, their patented ultra high pressure casting process (19,000 psi) and electron beam welding, to allow wall thickness as thin as 2mm without sacrificing strength. LightCon wheels are as strong as forged wheels, and lighter than most competing brands. A standard street approved 3.5X17 front wheel weighs 4.13kg and a 5.5X17 rear wheel weighs 4.99kg. LightCon bike specific front and rear wheel kits include all hardware required for mounting, such as: bearings, seals, air valves, adapters (if req.), and sprocket (if req.). Wheels are available in four standard colors, as well as SLC (surface like chrome), and polished. LightCon provides a 2-year warranty on material and production failures.
BOS is one of Europe’s premiere motorcycle exhaust manufacturers. Based in the Netherlands, BOS manufactures their exhausts using only the best quality materials and the finest hand craftsmanship to produce one of the best looking and performing exhausts on the market. BOS’ heavy involvement in many of Europe’s endurance, and “Cup” racing series’ bring racetrack proven performance and durability to the street. From the custom look of their under-seat exhaust systems to the high-tech design of the GP-1 exhaust, only the finest materials are used to manufacture BOS performance exhaust systems. Such as, hand polished stainless steel pipe-work and end caps, stainless steel baffles and dB-eaters, as well as high-grade aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber for canister wraps. Several exhaust styles are available for current sport-bike and naked-bike applications.
From a press release issued by Team Yamaha Belgarda:
THE YAMAHA YZF-R6 IMPROVES. CORRADI IMPRESSES.
Team Yamaha Belgarda completed two days of testing at Valencia and were well satisfied with the progress they made. Now they feel that they are almost ready for the opening round of the Supersport World Championship on March 2nd – at Valencia. The debut of Yamaha Belgarda’s satellite team – Team Five Racing on the 2003 YZF R6 – saw Alessio Corradi put in a superb lap of 1:38.3 – well under the official record. The Parma rider (and ex-European champion) confirmed his growing talent after having been the revelation of 2002, and is now surely a true title contender.
PROGRESS AT LAST
Yamaha Belgarda’s two riders Dutchman Jurgen van den Goorbergh (substituting for the convalescing Paolo Casoli) and Jamie Whitham took advantage of the favourable conditions. Van den Goorbergh soon began to post fast lap times at the 4.005 kilometre circuit, ending with a best of 1:39.3, with Briton Jamie Whitham marginally slower with a time of 1:39.6.
RELIABILITY
The main purpose of the tests was to develop the new YZF R6 and make sure that it is fast, competitive and reliable – instead of chasing quick lap times. With so many new elements to test, the team were happy that the weather allowed them to get a lot of work done in a more than satisfactory manner. At what the team felt was its first true outing, the Yamaha YZF R6 confirmed its title-challenging potential. The team are also very happy with the reliability of the four-cylinder engine and fuel injection system that the Iwata technicians have produced.
GOOD JOB DONE
At the end of the test, Team Manager and Sporting Director Maio Meregalli said, “These have been two intense, but very profitable days. Whitham has worked well – limiting himself to a bike in almost standard configuration. Meanwhile, Van den Goorbergh (only riding a Supersport bike for the second time) showed his skill and experience and posted some excellent lap times. Towards the end, he had the chance to improve his times by using softer rubber, but he preferred to concentrate on race tyres instead.”
WAITING FOR GASOLIO
At the moment, Yamaha Belgarda is waiting on
tenterhooks for the result of the medical examination which Casoli will undergo.
Casoli has been convalescing (since suffering a cranial trauma at Valencia in November) and is now waiting for the doctors to give him a definitive OK before he can return to the racetrack. “We still have some time before we make our final plans for the season,” said Meregalli, “but before we do that, we will wait for Gasolio’s news. If he is able to ride, we could go to Misano at the beginning of February and test again. Everything will be decided in the next few days.”
From a press release:
Yamaha And Nikon Join Forces In Assault On Australian Road Race Titles
Yamaha Motor Australia and photographics giant Nikon, have joined forces in a new look official Yamaha entry that will compete in both the 2003 Australian Superbike Championship and 2003 Yamaha Formula Xtreme Tri-State Trophy Series and will be known as the Nikon Yamaha Racing Team.
The new team which has campaigned under the Bio Magnetics Sport Yamaha team over the past two seasons, will comprise four of Australia’s leading riders and will boast the #1 plate in three classes of the Yamaha Formula Xtreme Tri-State, those being the premier Formula Xtreme, Supersport and NakedBike.
The highly competitive Nikon Yamaha Racing Team will compete in the Australian Superbike Championship and Yamaha Formula Xtreme Series aboard Yamaha’s potent YZF R1. This will be strongly supported by their participation in the Australian Supersport Championship and FX Supersport Championship aboard the all-new fuel injected Yamaha YZF R6, plus the exciting Yamaha FZ1 in the FX NakedBike class.
From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:
Spanish rider Ruben Xaus (Ducati Fila) continued development work on the new Ducati 999 in the second and final day of Ducati Corse Superbike testing at Valencia. The Ricardo Tormo circuit is the venue for the upcoming SBK Winter Tests, scheduled for February 21 thru 23, as well as the opening round of the 2003 World Superbike Championship, which gets underway on March 2. 
Today Xaus completed a total of 71 laps to add to his 100 yesterday, due to conditions (air 10° C/ track 13° C) that were slightly worse than on Friday. During the morning the 24 year-old from Barcelona continued to concentrate on front tyre testing, in collaboration with technicians from French manufacturer Michelin, setting a best time of 1’35.3, exactly the same as the time he recorded during the first day of the test. Ruben constantly lapped on this pace with race tyres, but was unable to improve due to strong winds in the afternoon.
“The weather hasn’t been too good the last two days and as a result we lost a lot of time” declared Ruben, “but despite this we still lapped on the same pace as last year’s race. I’m feeling pretty good with the 999 now, and even though the bike is still new, it’s coming on well in view of the official SBK tests here in a month’s time. Basically, the bike is fast and we’ve found some good front tyres over the last couple of days.”
Briton Neil Hodgson, still recovering from corrective surgery on his left wrist, will be back in action together with Ruben at the pre-season tests here in a month’s time.
Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
Lee’s Cycles’ Jeremy Toye started the 2003 Willow Springs Motorcycle Club season off by winning all three races he entered Sunday at Willow Springs International Raceway, including the premiere Toyota Cup Unlimited Formula One race on his Dunlop-equipped Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike.
Team Orthopedics’ Jack Pfeifer, riding a Dunlop-shod GSX-R1000, got the holeshot in the 12-lap main event followed closely by Toye and Vincent Haskovec. Racing on 16.5-inch Pirelli slicks for the first time at his home track, Haskovec passed Toye into turn one and Pfeifer into turn three to take the lead on the opening lap.
Haskovec led for three laps while Toye tried to clear his head of the after-effects of celebrating long into the early morning hours following the WSMC banquet Saturday night. “I had goldfish swimming around in my head for the first couple of laps,” said Toye.
Toye passed Pfeifer into turn one to start lap three and used the power of his overbored GSX-R1000 to blow by Haskovec’s GSX-R750 Superbike on the back straight.
“It feel like train pass me when he come by,” said Czech immigrant Haskovec.
While Pfeifer dropped back with what he said were problems with his new boots, Haskovec stayed in Toye’s draft until the second half of the race. That’s when Toye dropped his lap times from 1:21.8 to 1:21.4 and opened up a gap over Haskovec.
Toye won by six seconds over Haskovec, who ran the fastest Pirelli lap times ever at Willow Springs and gave Pirelli its first-ever WSMC Formula One podium finish, according to Pirelli representative Jerry Jirkovski.
Attack Suzuki’s Josh Hayes, at Willow for testing purposes, came from the back of the grid to finish third on the same AMA Formula Xtreme GSX-R1000 that Jason Pridmore used to win the 2002 WSMC Toyota 200-mile race last September. Hayes said the only changes he made to the bike were raising the seat and switching hand grips.
Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Chris Ulrich, racing a GSX-R1000 AMA Formula Xtreme bike for the first time and also coming from the back of the grid, got stronger as the race wore on and caught and passed Pfeifer in turn three with less than two laps to go. In the final corner, Ulrich spun up his rear Michelin slick, and Pfeifer used a better drive to beat Ulrich to the line for fourth. Ulrich took fifth ahead of emerging star Corey Eaton, veteran fast guy Jeff Stern, Concept Five’s Jason Perez, Canadian young gun Chris Peris and Clinton Whitehouse, III, who rounded out the top 10.
Toye, the 2002 WSMC Champion, also won in Open Superbike and Open Modified Production.
Haskovec took victories in 750cc Modified Production and 750cc Superbike.
Hayes took a close second to Toye in Open Superbike, the only other class Hayes’ Suzuki was legal for.
Pfeifer won Open Superstock, took second in Open Modified Production and rode a Suzuki GSX-R600 to win in 600cc Superstock and to third in 600cc Modified Production.
Riding a GSX-R750, Chris Ulrich finished second to Haskovec in 750cc Modifed Production and 750cc Superbike.
Mark Watts won the Roadracingworld.com 250cc Grand Prix race on a Honda RS250, ahead of Yamaha TZ250 riders Mike Woolaway and John Ulrich.
Perez had a weekend of peaks and valleys. The youngster from Brentwood, California, won the grand prize in the annual WSMC Toyota Cup drawing at Saturday night’s awards banquet – a top-of-the-line, fully-optioned, four-wheel-drive 2003 Toyota Tundra pick-up truck. Perez, who just turned 18 years old and has only had his driver’s license for a few months, said the truck will be the first vehicle he has ever owned.
Perez then started his race day off by winning the 600cc Modified Production race. In the very next sprint, Formula Twins, Perez was closely pursuing race leader Richard Headley on lap two of six when Headley’s bike shut off while accelerating in fifth gear on the back straight. Perez, riding a Honda RC51, couldn’t take evasive action fast enough and collided with the back of Headley’s Ducati 996.
Headley remained on two wheels, but Perez fell at speed and went sliding for well over 100 feet down the pavement while his Honda slid for over 100 yards. Shaken but not deterred, Perez returned later to take eighth in the Formula One final on his Suzuki 600.
The twice-re-started combined Formula Twins/250cc Grand Prix/125cc Grand Prix race was stopped a final time when an automobile wheel came bouncing across the back straightaway — perpendicular to the direction of bike traffic — during the race. The wheel was from a Toyota Celica which crashed during a driving school being held at the nearby Streets of Willow course. Somewhat shocked by the incident, WSMC race control officials said the wheel had to have jumped three fences and traveled hundreds of yards to reach the track and that nothing like it had ever happened before.
No motorcycle racers were injured in the incident.
Toyota Cup Unlimited Formula One Results:
1. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R1000
2. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750
3. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000
4. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki GSX-R1000
5. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R1000
6. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750
7. Jeff Stern, Suzuki GSX-R1000
8. Jason Perez, Suzuki GSX-R600
9. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600F4i
10. Clinton Whitehouse, Suzuki GSX-R750
11. Stephen Hewitt, Suzuki GSX-R1000
12. Stoney Landers, Suzuki GSX-R750
13. Barry Burke, Yamaha YZF-R1
14. Chris Siglin, Suzuki GSX-R600
15. Jody Hendley, Suzuki GSX-R1000
16. Marte Cooksey, Suzuki GSX-R750
17. Jeff Longbottom, Yamaha YZF-R6
18. Matthias Jezek, Yamaha
19. Chris Crowell, Honda
20. Alan Gann, Suzuki
Other Results
500cc Superstock
1. Spencer MacGillivray, Suzuki
2. Mel Smith, Yamaha
3. Michael Gougis, Kawasaki
600cc Singles
1. Kevin Jump, Honda
2. Joshua Welch, Ducati
500cc Singles
1. Danny Farnsworth, Honda
2. Larr Cochran, Honda
3. Mick Ofield, Ducati
600cc Modified Production
1. Jason Perez, Suzuki
2. Chris Peris, Honda
3. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki
Formula Twins
1. Claudio Szyszowski, Ducati
2. Stuart Smith, Suzuki
3. Jody Hendley, H-D
Roadracingworld.com 250cc Grand Pix
1. Mark Watts, Honda
2. Michael Woolaway, Yamaha
3. John Ulrich, Yamaha
125cc Grand Prix
1. Kevin Murray, Yamaha
2. David Vecht, Honda
3. Tiffanie Ragasa, Honda
Open Superstock
1. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki
2. Tyler Paulson, Suzuki
3. Clinton Whitehouse, Suzuki
750cc Modified Production
1. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki
2. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki
3. Corey Eaton, Suzuki
Aprilia Challenge
1. James Mann
2. Chris Kelley
3. Zina Kelley
Vintage Heavyweight
1. Dennis Fryer, Honda
2. Mick Ofield, Ducati
3. Lloyd Johnson, Ducati
Lightweight Twins
1. Kevin Jump, Honda
2. Spencer MacGillivray, Suzuki
3. Michael Gougis, Kawasaki
Formula 40 Heavyweight
1. Clinton Whitehouse, Suzuki
2. Stephen Hewitt, Suzuki
3. Barry Burke, Yamaha
Formula 40 Lightweight
1. Kenny Kopecky, Yamaha
2. Michael Woolaway, Yamaha
3. John Ulrich, Yamaha
Formula 50
1. Howard Lynggard, Yamaha
2. Chris Crowell, Honda
3. David Molitor, Suzuki
Middleweight Twins
1. Scott Cleff, Suzuki
2. Rick May, Suzuki
3. William Finnerty, Buell
Lightweight Vintage
1. Aaron Barry, Yamaha
2. Craig Beecher, Yamaha
3. Danny Farnsworth, Honda
Heavyweight Twins
1. Stuart Smith, Suzuki
2. Jody Hendley, H-D
3. Ives Sosa, Honda
500cc Modified Production
1. Mel Smith, Yamaha
2. Alfred Jung, Yamaha
3. Gayathri Kamath, Yamaha
600cc Superstock
1. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki
2. Jason Perez, Suzuki
3. Chris Peris, Honda
550cc Superbike
1. Scott Cleff, Suzuki
2. Rick May, Suzuki
3. Kurt Spencer, Suzuki
Formula Singles
1. Lloyd Johnson, Yamaha
2. Jeff Rheaume, Suzuki
3. Danny Farnsworth, Honda
Lightweight Novice
1. Richard Moore, Ducati
2. Michael Pastore, Aprilia
3. Ruben Archilla, Aprilia
Formula 2
1. Robbie Dowie, Suzuki
2. Chris Peris, Honda
3. Jeff Dixon, Yamaha
Open Superbike
1. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki
2. Josh Hayes, Suzuki
3. Stephen Hewitt, Suzuki
750cc Superstock
1. Corey Eaton, Suzuki
2. Stoney Landers, Suzuki
3. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki
Middleweight Novice
1. Christian Gabriel, Yamaha
2. Eric Pinson, H-D
3. Irv-Gunther Abueg, Yamaha
650cc Superbike
1. Jeff Dixon, Yamaha
2. Chris Siglin, Suzuki
3. Kenny Kopecky, Yamaha
750cc Superbike
1. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki
2. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki
3. Jeff Stern, Suzuki
Open Modified Production
1. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki
2. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki
3. Tyler Paulson, Suzuki
From a press release issued by Mat Mladin’s Publicist Steve Reeves:
MLADIN PLEASED WITH MALAYSIAN SUPERBIKE TEST
Sepang, Malaysia (18 January 2003) – Rated as “It’s the most productive test that I’ve ever been involved with, it was that good” has given Australia’s Mat Mladin a major confidence boost as he prepares his new Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 for the upcoming American AMA Superbike Championship.
The comments were made after Mladin completed a very hectic four day test at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia that included his AMA Superbike teammates Aaron Yates and Ben Spies, along with Suzuki’s World Championship MotoGP (Kenny Roberts and John Hopkins) and Superbike (Gregorio Lavilla) teams. The test ran from Monday (Jan 13) to Friday (Jan 17) with the teams having the Wednesday as a rest/preparation day.
Mladin’s Yoshimura Suzuki team elected to be involved with the test after poor weather disrupted their test at Daytona in early December, with many other circuits in America not being suitable during the Winter period.
“Just to get on a good race track where you can push hard and get the most out of the bike made it a really good test,” said Mladin, who will race the Suzuki GSX-R1000 for the first time in this year’s 18-round American AMA Superbike Championship.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to test outside of America and we got so much done. In four days here we got as much done that would have taken us about ten days to achieve in America at this time of the year”, added Mladin.
“Another major benefit of the test was having all of Suzuki’s top technicians here. With the MotoGP, World Superbike and AMA Superbike teams here, they could gain a lot of information and in return we were able to get a huge amount out of it as well. Having the people who build the bikes in Japan here at the test to help make them better was great.
“The new Suzuki GSX-R1000 is working good, Suzuki have put a lot of work into the bike and we have more parts being sent back to America for our next test at Fontana on February 5 – 6 and at the moment I am looking at getting the season started.
“The weather was good, a bit tropical, but other than that we had a lot of good runs and on the final day I was able to do over 350km on the track.”
Mladin was able to post a lap time within two seconds of that set by Suzuki MotoGP rider and former World 500cc champion Kenny Roberts Jnr. Given the nature of the circuit and the top speeds achieved by the MotoGP machine, Mladin was more than pleased with his lap times and the performance of the new bike during the test.
The three times American Superbike champion returns home to Australia briefly after the test before returning to America to prepare for the team’s next test at Fontana and the start of the AMA Superbike Championship at Daytona on March 9.
From a press release issued by Team EMGO USA/1888FASTLAP.com:
For immediate release: January 13, 2003
Contact: Craig Stewart: huey130@BBCracing or 678.772.9779 c/o Marietta Motorsports 1685 S. Cobb Dr Marietta, GA 30060
Chris “Opie” Caylor Prepares to Battle for 2003 Championship
Marietta, GA – Chris “Opie” Caylor and Team EMGO USA / 1888FASTLAP.com unite again to pursue this year’s AMA Pro Racing’s, Genuine Suzuki
Accessories Superstock Series championship. Caylor is more determined than ever to continue the success of his second place finish at last
year’s season finale.
Opie is proud to announce new sponsorships with Arai helmets and Freewheeling Honda / Suzuki / Triumph of Douglasville, Georgia. During
their year-end riders’ banquet, Freewheeling’s race team president, Tom Addington, stated, “We are proud of Opie winning the Horizon Award. He
will be a great role model for the newcomers to our sport.” A supporter of all forms of motor sport since 1975, Freewheeling is the 2002 winner
of the Georgia Promoter Group Championship Series. Its contingency program paid more than $15,000 in “Freewheeling Bucks” to 65 sponsored
racers during the 2002 season. “I’m proud to be a member of the Freewheeling family,” Opie said during the banquet. Opie is also very pleased he will be wearing Arai’s new RX-7 Corsair helmet for the 2003 season.
Sponsors continuing to back Opie’s efforts for the championship include EMGO International Ltd., 1888FastLap.com, Pirelli Tires, Pit Bull
Motorcycle Stands, Traxxion Dynamics, Penske Shocks, M4 Performance Exhaust, VP Racing Fuels, Vortex Racing Components, MPA Paint Services,
Red Line Oils, EBC Brakes, Sharkskinz Racing Bodies, Zero Gravity Windscreens and BBC Racing.
Crew chief / lead mechanic Terry Gardner and race mechanic Chuck DiGregorio return for another season with Opie to tune and maintain the Team EMGO USA / 1888FastLap.com Suzuki GSX-R 750s. Gardner’s experience and attention to detail combined with DeGregorio’s diligence were
instrumental in putting Team EMGO USA / 1888FastLap.com on the box at the VIR Lightning Nationals in 2002.
Rodney Vaughn of 1888FastLap.com’s race engine building services will build the engines for the Team EMGO USA / 1888FASTLAP.com GSX-R 750s.
Vaughn built engines for half of the 12 podium spots at the 2002 WERA / Suzuki Cup Finals. Caylor has been racing-and winning-with Vaughn
engines since 1999.
Craig “Huey” Stewart joins the team as public relations liaison. Stewart has worked with Opie in the past as builder and crew chief for his
WERA-winning Suzuki SV-650.
Look for Opie Caylor and Team EMGO USA / 1888FastLap.com at the front of every Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock race this year.
For more information please visit www.ChrisCaylor.com throughout the season or contact [email protected]
For immediate release:
As reported previously the Wegman Benefit Fund and Central Roadracing Association have teamed to raise money for injured road racers.
CRA recently sent checks totaling $4,696 to the Wegman Fund, the proceeds from the annual silent auction held at the CRA awards banquet.
Information about the Wegman Fund may be found at www.wegmanfund.org or from [email protected].
From a press release issued by Honda:
HONDA RACING INFORMATION
HRC winter Test Sepang – Malaysia, January 20, 2003.
Honda Riders at Sepang for Their First Test Session of 2003.
Nicky Hayden
The Honda RC211V riders contesting the 2003 MotoGP Wold Championship were all present at the Sepang circuit for the first test of the year. Seven riders, led by reigning MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi, will race the five-cylinder, 990cc four-stroke machine in the 16 round championship which kicks off at Suzuka, Japan, on April 6.
Rossi, and his new Repsol Honda teammate, Nicky Hayden, the American Superbike Champion, were testing with different aims in mind today, the first of three days of testing. Champion Rossi evaluating the machine under braking, while Hayden spent the day learning the Sepang circuit.
Valentino Rossi: “Today we did only 23 laps. We only have one bike and started with the set up we had at the GP in Sepang last year. We concentrated on braking today and the transmission performance while under braking. But if I need adjustments made it’s difficult with only one bike, I have to wait while the mechanics get it ready. This afternoon when we came in to make changes it was dry, when the bike was ready it was raining. So we decided to stop. This is just the first day and we hope for a full days testing tomorrow.”
Nicky Hayden: “This is another good chance for me to get in some training on the bike. This is my first time at Sepang and I like it, it’s a real GP circuit, fast and safe. I didn’t push so hard today I just concentrated on finding a set up for the circuit and trying to find a good rhythm out there. I need the experience.”
The Telefonica MoviStar Honda Gresini team began the Sepang test as a full team, with team riders, Daijiro Kato and Sete Gibernau testing their RC211V machines at the 5.548km circuit. New boy to the RCV camp, Sete Gibernau, who had only once briefly tested the RCV prior today, spent the opening day of the test finding a base set up to work from.
Sete Gibernau: “This is my first full test on board the Honda RC211V, and obviously it will take time to adapt to the new machine, but there is no rush. There are a few little things, mainly electronics, that need setting up to suit me, but little by little it will come. Also, after a break such as the one I’ve just had, you need to get back into the mindframe of racing once again, to pick up the rhythm where you left off. This is obviously harder when you have to get used to a new bike too, but for an initial test, I’m very satisfied indeed. The team is very good and very supportive, and I’m excited about the year ahead, and about fighting for the top positions once again.”
Teammate Kato concentrated his efforts on suspension work, an area the diminutive, lightweight Japanese feels vital to his success in 2003.
Daijiro Kato: “I feel refreshed after the short winter break, but I picked up a bit of a stomach upset yesterday, and I still feel a little under the weather today, so that didn’t help me, even though I set a good lap time. We are working mainly on the suspension settings for the bike, which is where I need to focus most. We do not have the new parts for this season to test yet – they will arrive in February at the next session. I’m looking forward to 2003 now, and although it rained here this afternoon I decided against going out, because I got lots of rain laps in during the test we did in Jerez.”
Third place finisher in the MotoGP Championship last season, Tohru Ukawa, was at Sepang with his new team. Ukawa completed put in 56 laps aboard the Honda Pons RCV during the opening day of the test.
Tohru Ukawa: “Everything is going okay here in Sepang, where we are currently working mainly on both the front and rear suspension settings. We have already improved it considerably and will be working on it more tomorrow. This afternoon I was going to dedicate to tyre testing, but then the rain came, so I couldn’t do any of that, hopefully the rain will stay away for the next two days. We are still using the same machine as last year, testing some of the new parts added whilst they construct a whole new bike in Japan. Overall though, I am happy with how everything is going with my new team, communication is good and we work well together.”
Italian Max Biaggi returns to the Honda camp in 2003 racing an RCV for the Pramac Honda Team. Biaggi completed 27 laps today, primarily trying various adjustments to the seating position, footrests, and the controls, in a bid to find the most comfortable riding position.
Max Biaggi: “Today was the first time I sat on a motorcycle for over two months. I didn’t do so many laps today, it’s a new bike and we have a lot of testing before we start the season. We were working on the electronics today and we needed some help form the Japanese technicians. They had many riders to look after so it took time. We spent time on my seating position on the bike, footpegs, levers, I have yet to feel comfortable on the bike. The important thing now is for me to understand the strong and weak points of the motorcycle. Right now I feel the strong point is the power and the delivery, the weak point is the clutch.”
Makoto Tamada makes his MotoGP debut in 2003, riding the second Pramac liveried RCV. Tamada’s machine will be equipped with Bridgestone tyres as the Japanese manufacturer steps up its tyre development programme, working with four-stroke MotoGP machines for the first time. Tamada completed 56 laps of the track today.
Makoto Tamada
Makoto Tamada: “The first day of testing was, as always, dedicated to the set-up of the bike, partly because it’s the first time I’ve ever been to Sepang and I need to understand and interpret the circuit. I’m pleased with the way things went today, as I’ve been able to prepare well for the days ahead. There’s plenty of room for improvement, and we’ll be carrying on with the test programme tomorrow.”
Bridgestone have also recruited the services of former grand prix rider Shinichi Itoh to assist with their winter testing programme. Itoh, now an HRC test rider, has been working on various Bridgestone testing projects in recent years and his vast knowledge of grand prix racing and Bridgestone tyres will be invaluable to new boy Tamada as he approaches the most important season of his young career.
Shinichi Itoh: “I hadn’t ridden at Sepang for a year – and last time I was using tyres from a different manufacturer. I noticed the difference, and after trying out a few solutions we drew up the work programme for the coming days. It’s going to be pretty intense but I’m not worried about the quantity of work as I’m sure we’ll be able to achieve some excellent results.”
Testing times Sepang January 20, 2003.
Daijiro Kato, JPN Telefonica MoviStar Honda 2:05.02 – 29 laps.
Valentino Rossi, ITA Repsol Honda 2:05.76 – 23 laps.
Tohru Ukawa, JPN Honda Pons 2:06.0 – 55 laps.
Max Biaggi, ITA Pramac Honda Team 2:06.0 – 27 laps.
Sete Gibernau, SPA Telefonica MoviStar Honda 2:06.6 – 28 laps.
Shinichi Itoh, JPN HRC Honda 2:07.5 – 55 laps.
Nicky Hayden, USA Repsol Honda 2:07.76 – 58 laps.
Makoto Tamada, JPN Pramac Honda Team 2:09.2 – 56 laps.
More, from a press release issued by Pramac Honda Press Information:
Sepang – (Malaysia) – 20/21/22 January 2003
Private tests
Monday 20 January
Pramac Honda team make debut at Sepang. Makoto Tamada joined by Shinichi Itoh.
Pramac Honda team forces are being doubled for the entire pre-Championship test period: Makoto Tamada, the Pramac Honda team challenger for 2003 made his track debut together with Shinichi Itoh, official test rider. Itoh will be taking part in all the test sessions from now until the Championship gets under way. The aim is to enable Japanese tyre manufacturer Bridgestone to intensify its development programmes before the season officially starts up on 6 April in Suzuka.
After the fine but constant rain of the last few days in Sepang, the 5,548-metre track was dry and the riders were out on their bikes right from nine in the morning. Testing was unfortunately stopped by rain at 3:30 p.m.
The test programme is absolutely essential for Bridgestone, whose technicians are gathering their very first data from four-stroke motorcycles. The material, all to 2003 spec, was tested today by Shinichi Itoh, while Makoto Tamada focused mainly on trying out different settings on the suspension system of his RC 211V.
Bridgestone has an ambitious goal but even this very first day out made it possible to gather a considerable about of data that will now be carefully analysed to find out what exactly needs to be developed.
Makoto Tamada: 2:09.2 – “The first day of testing was, as always, dedicated to the set-up of the bike, partly because it’s the first time I’ve ever been to Sepang and I need to understand and interpret the circuit. I’m pleased with the way things went today, as I’ve been able to prepare well for the days ahead. There’s plenty of room for improvement, and we’ll be carrying on with the test programme tomorrow.”
Shinichi Itoh: 2:07.5 – “I hadn’t ridden at Sepang for a year – and last time I was using tyres from a different manufacturer. I noticed the difference, and after trying out a few solutions we drew up the work programme for the coming days. It’s going to be pretty intense but I’m not worried about the quantity of work as I’m sure we’ll be able to achieve some excellent results.”
Rain stopped the test sessions at 3.30 p.m., but the track had dried up by the evening so the prospects for tomorrow are good.
Times/results of the 2002 Sepang (Malaysia) GP:
Pole Position: Barros – 2:04.487 – Race winner: Biaggi – Fast lap in race Biaggi – 2:04.925
More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:
HRC Winter Test Sepang, January 20, 2003.
Repsol Honda Riders return to the Fray at Sepang
The Christmas and New Year holidays are well and truly over and it’s back to work for the Repsol Honda MotoGP Championship team as they prepare for the 2003 season. Team riders Valentino Rossi, the reigning MotoGP World Champion, and American Superbike Champion Nicky Hayden, completed day one of the three day Honda winter test at the 5.548km Sepang circuit, Malaysia, today.
Nicky Hayden
Champion Rossi spent the day evaluating the braking performance of his RC211V five-cylinder, 990cc four-stroke, while 2003 MotoGP debutante Hayden made his acquaintance with the fast grand prix circuit.
Valentino Rossi: “Today we did only 23 laps. We only have one bike and started with the set up we had at the GP in Sepang last year. We concentrated on braking today and the transmission performance while under braking. But if I need adjustments made it’s difficult with only one bike, I have to wait while the mechanics get it ready. This afternoon when we came in to make changes it was dry, when the bike was ready it was raining. So we decided to stop. This is just the first day and we hope for a full day’s testing tomorrow.”
Nicky Hayden: “This is another good chance for me to get in some training on the bike. This is my first time at Sepang and I like it, it’s a real GP circuit, fast and safe. I didn’t push so hard today I just concentrated on finding a set up for the circuit and trying to find a good rhythm out there. I need the experience.”
Repsol Honda rider lap times Sepang January 20, 2003.
Valentino Rossi, ITA Repsol Honda 2:05.76 – 23 laps.
Nicky Hayden, USA Repsol Honda 2:07.76 – 58 laps.
From a press release issued by Ducati:
POSITIVE DEBUT FOR THE DUCATI DESMOSEDICI AT SEPANG – CAPIROSSI (2:05.3) AND BAYLISS (2:06.5) RIGHT ON THE PACE
Ducati Marlboro Team started an important three-day test at Sepang, Malaysia today with Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss continuing development and set-up work on the Ducati Desmosedici in view of this year’s MotoGP championship. This is Ducati’s first ever appearance at the Malaysian circuit, and Troy Bayliss, unlike Loris Capirossi, is also getting to grips with the Sepang track for the first time.
On arrival, the Ducati Marlboro Team was greeted with average temperatures of 30° C (35° C track) in addition to stifling humidity and the test session was later interrupted by a violent tropical downpour in the afternoon.
Loris Capirossi
The first day of testing however allowed the Ducati engineers to continue with set-up work on the bike and the riders to gain more experience with the Desmosedici prototype. Using the positive tests at Phillip Island as a basis, the riders undertook several test sessions, and by the end of the day Capirossi had completed 38 laps and Bayliss 39.
Troy Bayliss
The results obtained with very few modifications were positive, with both Capirossi and Bayliss setting encouraging lap times. The Italian’s quickest lap was 2:05.3, while Troy got down to 2:06.5. After the first session, it was decided to modify the gear ratios and this change allowed Capirossi to set his best time of the day. Bayliss was forced to interrupt testing due to a violent storm that lashed the circuit and the Australian, who was pleased with his debut in Malaysia, will only benefit from this modification tomorrow.
Loris Capirossi
“We are all really satisfied with the way things went” declared Capirossi. “Today was important because we didn’t have any reference data on this track. We started from scratch and, if this is the starting-point, then we can only be pleased. We still have to get the bike fully set up, but we are already at the same level as the competition. We are improving all the time, the team is working well and the 38 laps completed today have already provided us with some important data. There are still two more hard days to come, after which we will have a better idea of where we stand.”
Troy Bayliss
“I’d never been to this circuit before” declared Bayliss at the end of the session, “so I bought myself a Playstation and F1 game and tried to learn the track as best as I could. I’m only joking though, because today was an important debut and I’m pleased with the way it went. I did 39 laps, looking for the best lines on this wide and long track, and tried to set a good time. Seeing as we didn’t have any data to go on, we used the Phillip Island set-up as a starting-point and so my best time of 2:06.5 is an excellent result. Unfortunately I didn’t have a chance to test with the different gear ratios because of the rain, but I’m sure tomorrow will be another difficult and productive day.”
From a press release:
Spiegler Brake Systems adds two more outstanding European companies to their exclusive line of top quality motorcycle accessories.
Spiegler Brake Systems USA, LLC is proud to announce that they have finalized negotiations, and are now the exclusive North American importer/distributor for LightCon wheels and BOS performance exhaust systems.
LightCon uses state of the art design and manufacturing processes to produce their lightweight, DOT and TÜV motorcycle wheels. LightCon manufactures wheels with technologies such as, their patented ultra high pressure casting process (19,000 psi) and electron beam welding, to allow wall thickness as thin as 2mm without sacrificing strength. LightCon wheels are as strong as forged wheels, and lighter than most competing brands. A standard street approved 3.5X17 front wheel weighs 4.13kg and a 5.5X17 rear wheel weighs 4.99kg. LightCon bike specific front and rear wheel kits include all hardware required for mounting, such as: bearings, seals, air valves, adapters (if req.), and sprocket (if req.). Wheels are available in four standard colors, as well as SLC (surface like chrome), and polished. LightCon provides a 2-year warranty on material and production failures.
BOS is one of Europe’s premiere motorcycle exhaust manufacturers. Based in the Netherlands, BOS manufactures their exhausts using only the best quality materials and the finest hand craftsmanship to produce one of the best looking and performing exhausts on the market. BOS’ heavy involvement in many of Europe’s endurance, and “Cup” racing series’ bring racetrack proven performance and durability to the street. From the custom look of their under-seat exhaust systems to the high-tech design of the GP-1 exhaust, only the finest materials are used to manufacture BOS performance exhaust systems. Such as, hand polished stainless steel pipe-work and end caps, stainless steel baffles and dB-eaters, as well as high-grade aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber for canister wraps. Several exhaust styles are available for current sport-bike and naked-bike applications.
From a press release issued by Team Yamaha Belgarda:
THE YAMAHA YZF-R6 IMPROVES. CORRADI IMPRESSES.
Team Yamaha Belgarda completed two days of testing at Valencia and were well satisfied with the progress they made. Now they feel that they are almost ready for the opening round of the Supersport World Championship on March 2nd – at Valencia. The debut of Yamaha Belgarda’s satellite team – Team Five Racing on the 2003 YZF R6 – saw Alessio Corradi put in a superb lap of 1:38.3 – well under the official record. The Parma rider (and ex-European champion) confirmed his growing talent after having been the revelation of 2002, and is now surely a true title contender.
PROGRESS AT LAST
Yamaha Belgarda’s two riders Dutchman Jurgen van den Goorbergh (substituting for the convalescing Paolo Casoli) and Jamie Whitham took advantage of the favourable conditions. Van den Goorbergh soon began to post fast lap times at the 4.005 kilometre circuit, ending with a best of 1:39.3, with Briton Jamie Whitham marginally slower with a time of 1:39.6.
RELIABILITY
The main purpose of the tests was to develop the new YZF R6 and make sure that it is fast, competitive and reliable – instead of chasing quick lap times. With so many new elements to test, the team were happy that the weather allowed them to get a lot of work done in a more than satisfactory manner. At what the team felt was its first true outing, the Yamaha YZF R6 confirmed its title-challenging potential. The team are also very happy with the reliability of the four-cylinder engine and fuel injection system that the Iwata technicians have produced.
GOOD JOB DONE
At the end of the test, Team Manager and Sporting Director Maio Meregalli said, “These have been two intense, but very profitable days. Whitham has worked well – limiting himself to a bike in almost standard configuration. Meanwhile, Van den Goorbergh (only riding a Supersport bike for the second time) showed his skill and experience and posted some excellent lap times. Towards the end, he had the chance to improve his times by using softer rubber, but he preferred to concentrate on race tyres instead.”
WAITING FOR GASOLIO
At the moment, Yamaha Belgarda is waiting on
tenterhooks for the result of the medical examination which Casoli will undergo.
Casoli has been convalescing (since suffering a cranial trauma at Valencia in November) and is now waiting for the doctors to give him a definitive OK before he can return to the racetrack. “We still have some time before we make our final plans for the season,” said Meregalli, “but before we do that, we will wait for Gasolio’s news. If he is able to ride, we could go to Misano at the beginning of February and test again. Everything will be decided in the next few days.”
From a press release:
Yamaha And Nikon Join Forces In Assault On Australian Road Race Titles
Yamaha Motor Australia and photographics giant Nikon, have joined forces in a new look official Yamaha entry that will compete in both the 2003 Australian Superbike Championship and 2003 Yamaha Formula Xtreme Tri-State Trophy Series and will be known as the Nikon Yamaha Racing Team.
The new team which has campaigned under the Bio Magnetics Sport Yamaha team over the past two seasons, will comprise four of Australia’s leading riders and will boast the #1 plate in three classes of the Yamaha Formula Xtreme Tri-State, those being the premier Formula Xtreme, Supersport and NakedBike.
The highly competitive Nikon Yamaha Racing Team will compete in the Australian Superbike Championship and Yamaha Formula Xtreme Series aboard Yamaha’s potent YZF R1. This will be strongly supported by their participation in the Australian Supersport Championship and FX Supersport Championship aboard the all-new fuel injected Yamaha YZF R6, plus the exciting Yamaha FZ1 in the FX NakedBike class.
From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:
Spanish rider Ruben Xaus (Ducati Fila) continued development work on the new Ducati 999 in the second and final day of Ducati Corse Superbike testing at Valencia. The Ricardo Tormo circuit is the venue for the upcoming SBK Winter Tests, scheduled for February 21 thru 23, as well as the opening round of the 2003 World Superbike Championship, which gets underway on March 2.
Today Xaus completed a total of 71 laps to add to his 100 yesterday, due to conditions (air 10° C/ track 13° C) that were slightly worse than on Friday. During the morning the 24 year-old from Barcelona continued to concentrate on front tyre testing, in collaboration with technicians from French manufacturer Michelin, setting a best time of 1’35.3, exactly the same as the time he recorded during the first day of the test. Ruben constantly lapped on this pace with race tyres, but was unable to improve due to strong winds in the afternoon.
“The weather hasn’t been too good the last two days and as a result we lost a lot of time” declared Ruben, “but despite this we still lapped on the same pace as last year’s race. I’m feeling pretty good with the 999 now, and even though the bike is still new, it’s coming on well in view of the official SBK tests here in a month’s time. Basically, the bike is fast and we’ve found some good front tyres over the last couple of days.”
Briton Neil Hodgson, still recovering from corrective surgery on his left wrist, will be back in action together with Ruben at the pre-season tests here in a month’s time.
Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
Lee’s Cycles’ Jeremy Toye started the 2003 Willow Springs Motorcycle Club season off by winning all three races he entered Sunday at Willow Springs International Raceway, including the premiere Toyota Cup Unlimited Formula One race on his Dunlop-equipped Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike.
Team Orthopedics’ Jack Pfeifer, riding a Dunlop-shod GSX-R1000, got the holeshot in the 12-lap main event followed closely by Toye and Vincent Haskovec. Racing on 16.5-inch Pirelli slicks for the first time at his home track, Haskovec passed Toye into turn one and Pfeifer into turn three to take the lead on the opening lap.
Haskovec led for three laps while Toye tried to clear his head of the after-effects of celebrating long into the early morning hours following the WSMC banquet Saturday night. “I had goldfish swimming around in my head for the first couple of laps,” said Toye.
Toye passed Pfeifer into turn one to start lap three and used the power of his overbored GSX-R1000 to blow by Haskovec’s GSX-R750 Superbike on the back straight.
“It feel like train pass me when he come by,” said Czech immigrant Haskovec.
While Pfeifer dropped back with what he said were problems with his new boots, Haskovec stayed in Toye’s draft until the second half of the race. That’s when Toye dropped his lap times from 1:21.8 to 1:21.4 and opened up a gap over Haskovec.
Toye won by six seconds over Haskovec, who ran the fastest Pirelli lap times ever at Willow Springs and gave Pirelli its first-ever WSMC Formula One podium finish, according to Pirelli representative Jerry Jirkovski.
Attack Suzuki’s Josh Hayes, at Willow for testing purposes, came from the back of the grid to finish third on the same AMA Formula Xtreme GSX-R1000 that Jason Pridmore used to win the 2002 WSMC Toyota 200-mile race last September. Hayes said the only changes he made to the bike were raising the seat and switching hand grips.
Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Chris Ulrich, racing a GSX-R1000 AMA Formula Xtreme bike for the first time and also coming from the back of the grid, got stronger as the race wore on and caught and passed Pfeifer in turn three with less than two laps to go. In the final corner, Ulrich spun up his rear Michelin slick, and Pfeifer used a better drive to beat Ulrich to the line for fourth. Ulrich took fifth ahead of emerging star Corey Eaton, veteran fast guy Jeff Stern, Concept Five’s Jason Perez, Canadian young gun Chris Peris and Clinton Whitehouse, III, who rounded out the top 10.
Toye, the 2002 WSMC Champion, also won in Open Superbike and Open Modified Production.
Haskovec took victories in 750cc Modified Production and 750cc Superbike.
Hayes took a close second to Toye in Open Superbike, the only other class Hayes’ Suzuki was legal for.
Pfeifer won Open Superstock, took second in Open Modified Production and rode a Suzuki GSX-R600 to win in 600cc Superstock and to third in 600cc Modified Production.
Riding a GSX-R750, Chris Ulrich finished second to Haskovec in 750cc Modifed Production and 750cc Superbike.
Mark Watts won the Roadracingworld.com 250cc Grand Prix race on a Honda RS250, ahead of Yamaha TZ250 riders Mike Woolaway and John Ulrich.
Perez had a weekend of peaks and valleys. The youngster from Brentwood, California, won the grand prize in the annual WSMC Toyota Cup drawing at Saturday night’s awards banquet – a top-of-the-line, fully-optioned, four-wheel-drive 2003 Toyota Tundra pick-up truck. Perez, who just turned 18 years old and has only had his driver’s license for a few months, said the truck will be the first vehicle he has ever owned.
Perez then started his race day off by winning the 600cc Modified Production race. In the very next sprint, Formula Twins, Perez was closely pursuing race leader Richard Headley on lap two of six when Headley’s bike shut off while accelerating in fifth gear on the back straight. Perez, riding a Honda RC51, couldn’t take evasive action fast enough and collided with the back of Headley’s Ducati 996.
Headley remained on two wheels, but Perez fell at speed and went sliding for well over 100 feet down the pavement while his Honda slid for over 100 yards. Shaken but not deterred, Perez returned later to take eighth in the Formula One final on his Suzuki 600.
The twice-re-started combined Formula Twins/250cc Grand Prix/125cc Grand Prix race was stopped a final time when an automobile wheel came bouncing across the back straightaway — perpendicular to the direction of bike traffic — during the race. The wheel was from a Toyota Celica which crashed during a driving school being held at the nearby Streets of Willow course. Somewhat shocked by the incident, WSMC race control officials said the wheel had to have jumped three fences and traveled hundreds of yards to reach the track and that nothing like it had ever happened before.
No motorcycle racers were injured in the incident.
Toyota Cup Unlimited Formula One Results:
1. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R1000
2. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750
3. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000
4. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki GSX-R1000
5. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R1000
6. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750
7. Jeff Stern, Suzuki GSX-R1000
8. Jason Perez, Suzuki GSX-R600
9. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600F4i
10. Clinton Whitehouse, Suzuki GSX-R750
11. Stephen Hewitt, Suzuki GSX-R1000
12. Stoney Landers, Suzuki GSX-R750
13. Barry Burke, Yamaha YZF-R1
14. Chris Siglin, Suzuki GSX-R600
15. Jody Hendley, Suzuki GSX-R1000
16. Marte Cooksey, Suzuki GSX-R750
17. Jeff Longbottom, Yamaha YZF-R6
18. Matthias Jezek, Yamaha
19. Chris Crowell, Honda
20. Alan Gann, Suzuki
Other Results
500cc Superstock
1. Spencer MacGillivray, Suzuki
2. Mel Smith, Yamaha
3. Michael Gougis, Kawasaki
600cc Singles
1. Kevin Jump, Honda
2. Joshua Welch, Ducati
500cc Singles
1. Danny Farnsworth, Honda
2. Larr Cochran, Honda
3. Mick Ofield, Ducati
600cc Modified Production
1. Jason Perez, Suzuki
2. Chris Peris, Honda
3. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki
Formula Twins
1. Claudio Szyszowski, Ducati
2. Stuart Smith, Suzuki
3. Jody Hendley, H-D
Roadracingworld.com 250cc Grand Pix
1. Mark Watts, Honda
2. Michael Woolaway, Yamaha
3. John Ulrich, Yamaha
125cc Grand Prix
1. Kevin Murray, Yamaha
2. David Vecht, Honda
3. Tiffanie Ragasa, Honda
Open Superstock
1. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki
2. Tyler Paulson, Suzuki
3. Clinton Whitehouse, Suzuki
750cc Modified Production
1. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki
2. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki
3. Corey Eaton, Suzuki
Aprilia Challenge
1. James Mann
2. Chris Kelley
3. Zina Kelley
Vintage Heavyweight
1. Dennis Fryer, Honda
2. Mick Ofield, Ducati
3. Lloyd Johnson, Ducati
Lightweight Twins
1. Kevin Jump, Honda
2. Spencer MacGillivray, Suzuki
3. Michael Gougis, Kawasaki
Formula 40 Heavyweight
1. Clinton Whitehouse, Suzuki
2. Stephen Hewitt, Suzuki
3. Barry Burke, Yamaha
Formula 40 Lightweight
1. Kenny Kopecky, Yamaha
2. Michael Woolaway, Yamaha
3. John Ulrich, Yamaha
Formula 50
1. Howard Lynggard, Yamaha
2. Chris Crowell, Honda
3. David Molitor, Suzuki
Middleweight Twins
1. Scott Cleff, Suzuki
2. Rick May, Suzuki
3. William Finnerty, Buell
Lightweight Vintage
1. Aaron Barry, Yamaha
2. Craig Beecher, Yamaha
3. Danny Farnsworth, Honda
Heavyweight Twins
1. Stuart Smith, Suzuki
2. Jody Hendley, H-D
3. Ives Sosa, Honda
500cc Modified Production
1. Mel Smith, Yamaha
2. Alfred Jung, Yamaha
3. Gayathri Kamath, Yamaha
600cc Superstock
1. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki
2. Jason Perez, Suzuki
3. Chris Peris, Honda
550cc Superbike
1. Scott Cleff, Suzuki
2. Rick May, Suzuki
3. Kurt Spencer, Suzuki
Formula Singles
1. Lloyd Johnson, Yamaha
2. Jeff Rheaume, Suzuki
3. Danny Farnsworth, Honda
Lightweight Novice
1. Richard Moore, Ducati
2. Michael Pastore, Aprilia
3. Ruben Archilla, Aprilia
Formula 2
1. Robbie Dowie, Suzuki
2. Chris Peris, Honda
3. Jeff Dixon, Yamaha
Open Superbike
1. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki
2. Josh Hayes, Suzuki
3. Stephen Hewitt, Suzuki
750cc Superstock
1. Corey Eaton, Suzuki
2. Stoney Landers, Suzuki
3. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki
Middleweight Novice
1. Christian Gabriel, Yamaha
2. Eric Pinson, H-D
3. Irv-Gunther Abueg, Yamaha
650cc Superbike
1. Jeff Dixon, Yamaha
2. Chris Siglin, Suzuki
3. Kenny Kopecky, Yamaha
750cc Superbike
1. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki
2. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki
3. Jeff Stern, Suzuki
Open Modified Production
1. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki
2. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki
3. Tyler Paulson, Suzuki
From a press release issued by Mat Mladin’s Publicist Steve Reeves:
MLADIN PLEASED WITH MALAYSIAN SUPERBIKE TEST
Sepang, Malaysia (18 January 2003) – Rated as “It’s the most productive test that I’ve ever been involved with, it was that good” has given Australia’s Mat Mladin a major confidence boost as he prepares his new Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 for the upcoming American AMA Superbike Championship.
The comments were made after Mladin completed a very hectic four day test at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia that included his AMA Superbike teammates Aaron Yates and Ben Spies, along with Suzuki’s World Championship MotoGP (Kenny Roberts and John Hopkins) and Superbike (Gregorio Lavilla) teams. The test ran from Monday (Jan 13) to Friday (Jan 17) with the teams having the Wednesday as a rest/preparation day.
Mladin’s Yoshimura Suzuki team elected to be involved with the test after poor weather disrupted their test at Daytona in early December, with many other circuits in America not being suitable during the Winter period.
“Just to get on a good race track where you can push hard and get the most out of the bike made it a really good test,” said Mladin, who will race the Suzuki GSX-R1000 for the first time in this year’s 18-round American AMA Superbike Championship.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to test outside of America and we got so much done. In four days here we got as much done that would have taken us about ten days to achieve in America at this time of the year”, added Mladin.
“Another major benefit of the test was having all of Suzuki’s top technicians here. With the MotoGP, World Superbike and AMA Superbike teams here, they could gain a lot of information and in return we were able to get a huge amount out of it as well. Having the people who build the bikes in Japan here at the test to help make them better was great.
“The new Suzuki GSX-R1000 is working good, Suzuki have put a lot of work into the bike and we have more parts being sent back to America for our next test at Fontana on February 5 – 6 and at the moment I am looking at getting the season started.
“The weather was good, a bit tropical, but other than that we had a lot of good runs and on the final day I was able to do over 350km on the track.”
Mladin was able to post a lap time within two seconds of that set by Suzuki MotoGP rider and former World 500cc champion Kenny Roberts Jnr. Given the nature of the circuit and the top speeds achieved by the MotoGP machine, Mladin was more than pleased with his lap times and the performance of the new bike during the test.
The three times American Superbike champion returns home to Australia briefly after the test before returning to America to prepare for the team’s next test at Fontana and the start of the AMA Superbike Championship at Daytona on March 9.
From a press release issued by Team EMGO USA/1888FASTLAP.com:
For immediate release: January 13, 2003
Contact: Craig Stewart: huey130@BBCracing or 678.772.9779 c/o Marietta Motorsports 1685 S. Cobb Dr Marietta, GA 30060
Chris “Opie” Caylor Prepares to Battle for 2003 Championship
Marietta, GA – Chris “Opie” Caylor and Team EMGO USA / 1888FASTLAP.com unite again to pursue this year’s AMA Pro Racing’s, Genuine Suzuki
Accessories Superstock Series championship. Caylor is more determined than ever to continue the success of his second place finish at last
year’s season finale.
Opie is proud to announce new sponsorships with Arai helmets and Freewheeling Honda / Suzuki / Triumph of Douglasville, Georgia. During
their year-end riders’ banquet, Freewheeling’s race team president, Tom Addington, stated, “We are proud of Opie winning the Horizon Award. He
will be a great role model for the newcomers to our sport.” A supporter of all forms of motor sport since 1975, Freewheeling is the 2002 winner
of the Georgia Promoter Group Championship Series. Its contingency program paid more than $15,000 in “Freewheeling Bucks” to 65 sponsored
racers during the 2002 season. “I’m proud to be a member of the Freewheeling family,” Opie said during the banquet. Opie is also very pleased he will be wearing Arai’s new RX-7 Corsair helmet for the 2003 season.
Sponsors continuing to back Opie’s efforts for the championship include EMGO International Ltd., 1888FastLap.com, Pirelli Tires, Pit Bull
Motorcycle Stands, Traxxion Dynamics, Penske Shocks, M4 Performance Exhaust, VP Racing Fuels, Vortex Racing Components, MPA Paint Services,
Red Line Oils, EBC Brakes, Sharkskinz Racing Bodies, Zero Gravity Windscreens and BBC Racing.
Crew chief / lead mechanic Terry Gardner and race mechanic Chuck DiGregorio return for another season with Opie to tune and maintain the Team EMGO USA / 1888FastLap.com Suzuki GSX-R 750s. Gardner’s experience and attention to detail combined with DeGregorio’s diligence were
instrumental in putting Team EMGO USA / 1888FastLap.com on the box at the VIR Lightning Nationals in 2002.
Rodney Vaughn of 1888FastLap.com’s race engine building services will build the engines for the Team EMGO USA / 1888FASTLAP.com GSX-R 750s.
Vaughn built engines for half of the 12 podium spots at the 2002 WERA / Suzuki Cup Finals. Caylor has been racing-and winning-with Vaughn
engines since 1999.
Craig “Huey” Stewart joins the team as public relations liaison. Stewart has worked with Opie in the past as builder and crew chief for his
WERA-winning Suzuki SV-650.
Look for Opie Caylor and Team EMGO USA / 1888FastLap.com at the front of every Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock race this year.
For more information please visit www.ChrisCaylor.com throughout the season or contact [email protected]
