From a press release issued for Formula Xtreme Promotions Pty. Ltd. by publicist Steve Reeves:

Event 1, 2003 Yamaha Formula Xtreme TT Series
Eastern Creek Raceway, NSW

DEFENDING CHAMPION PERFECT AT EASTERN CREEK

The opening round of any championship is always difficult, as the competitors take time to assess their opponents, but this was not the case for the defending Formula Xtreme and Supersport champion, Newcastle’s Kevin Curtain, as he totally dominated round one of the 2003 Yamaha Formula Xtreme TT Series, held at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway this weekend.

Curtain, riding for the new Nikon Yamaha Racing Team this year, was in blistering form as he took pole position and a clean sweep of all eight races that he contested.

Changeable weather conditions made machine preparation difficult for the competitors. Saturday’s qualifying sessions and opening races were held in hot conditions, while rain showers passing over the circuit at irregular intervals affected Sunday’s races.


YAMAHA XTREME

As the defending champion and winner of four Formula Xtreme titles, Kevin Curtain was always going to start the year as the early title favourite, but no one would have expected his first round display to be as dominant as it was.

After putting his Nikon Yamaha Racing Team YZF R1 on pole position by the end of qualifying on Saturday, Curtain continued to lead from the front and took out each of the four 8-lap Yamaha Xtreme races.

The only rider that was in a position to challenge was teammate Daniel Stauffer, but even he could not get close to the champion and finished the weekend with three seconds and a third.

Stauffer’s third place finish in the final race came after what appeared to be Curtain’s first defeat of the day. Heavy rain began to fall moments before the start of the final race and it was Albury’s Alistair Maxwell who led the opening six laps aboard his Suzuki GSX-R1000. Curtain made a steady start and was in fourth place on the opening laps. He then picked up the pace and on the penultimate lap made up 3.6 seconds on Maxwell, to not only catch him, but also take the race lead in what was a masterful display of wet weather riding.

Maxwell’s result gave him third place overall for the weekend, one place ahead of Gold Coast Suzuki rider Robert Bugden and Victorian Stephen Tozer (Stafford Yamaha)

“What can I say really,” Curtain said. “The team have worked extremely hard over the past month preparing the bikes and to get them at this competitive standard in that time is fantastic. Not only were we happy with the bikes, but the Dunlop tyres as well. They performed well under all of the various track conditions that we had over the entire weekend and basically didn’t miss a trick. All in all a great weekend.”

Overall points standings after round 1 of the Yamaha Xtreme are:
1. Kevin Curtain (100); 2. Daniel Stauffer (76); 3. Alistair Maxwell(56); 4. Robert Bugden (46);
5. Stephen Tozer (45); 6. Warwick Nowland (45); 7. Nicholas Barton (32); 8. David Butler (25);
9. Luke Wicks (19); 10. Jason Kain (18).


YAMAHA SUPERSPORT

As he showed in the Xtreme class, Curtain was in race winning mode, which extended through to the four Supersport races as well.

Pole position aboard the new fuel injected Yamaha YZF R6 sent out the warning signals to his competitors.

The round was seen as the first major confrontation of the season for those in the Supersport class with manufacturers Yamaha and Kawasaki both fielding very potent new model machines for 2003. The new model Yamaha YZF R6 and Kawasaki ZX-6RR’s were equally competitive, but it was the form of Curtain that proved the difference.

“The new 2003 model Yamaha YZF R6 is so easy to ride, it actually feels as though it has less power than last years bike, but that is because the fuel injection has made the power delivery so smooth,” said Curtain. “The team has done a great job with getting the bikes so competitive and in the conditions we had today we were also able to show how good the new Dunlop tyres are. It was a great day, not only for myself, but for the whole team.”

Brisbane teenager Brendan Clarke chased his teammate home all day and was credited with second overall after scoring three seconds and a fourth (in race three).

Team Kawasaki Australia’s Russell Holland led home a trio of Kawasaki riders that filled the minor placings, finishing third overall ahead of Marty Atlee and Simon Rattenbury. Brisbane’s Mark Aitchison was the best of the Suzuki riders, finishing sixth overall, ahead of Wayne Maxwell (Rob Phillis Racing Kawasaki) and Mark Stanley aboard his Lismore Motorcycles Yamaha YZF R6.

Overall points standings after round 1 of the Yamaha Supersport are:
1. Kevin Curtain (100); 2. Brendan Clarke (65); 3. Russell Holland (60); 4. Marty Atlee (35); 5. Simon Rattenbury (33); 6. Mark Aitchison (33); 7. Wayne Maxwell (32); 8. Mark Stanley (31); 9. Christopher Seaton (27); 10. Deon Coote (25).


EXEL APRILIA FX PRO-TWINS
In the Exel Aprilia FX Pro Twins class, Shaun Geronimi (Forza Aprilia RSV1000) took the challenge up to the reigning champion Craig McMartin (Ducati Sydney / Ducati 998S), ending a 22 race winning streak by the champion.

Geronimi won the first three races ahead of McMartin despite riding with an injured right ankle after a touch football mishap, just two days prior to the meeting.

McMartin struggled with bike set up over the weekend, but managed to stay in touch with Geronimi. In the final race, rain brought both Geronimi and McMartin unstuck with both riders crashing out. Geronimi was unable to re-enter the race whereas McMartin fought back to finish fifth.

Zac Davies (BelRay / Australian Security Concepts / Aprilia RSV1000) displayed a level of maturity beyond his 18 years to finish on the podium in the first three races and finish the final race without mishap.

When the points were tallied, Geronimi leads McMartin with 75 points to 71, setting the scene for an epic battle between Aprilia and Ducati for the rest of the season.


NAKEDBIKE

Defending Nakedbike champion Craig Trinder (Nikon Yamaha Team / Yamaha FZ-1) turned the tables on fellow Yamaha FZ-1 rider Graeme Wilshaw (Procycles Yamaha) in Sunday’s races to claim the round win. The pair shared two wins apiece from the four contested over the weekend, but a crash in the third race left Wilshaw out of overall contention.

In a battle befitting any State of Origin showdown, Gold Coast resident Trinder held it over Sydneysider Wilshaw in a battle of the wills that will surely last the whole season. The pair staged a sensational dice in the wet third race, which came down to a last lap duel that unfortunately ended dramatically for Wilshaw when he crashed out at turn nine.

Wilshaw earlier captured the opening two races of the season on Saturday from Trinder, while Matthew Waldron (FTN Prod JD Concrete Yamaha FZ-1) made it a Yamaha clean-sweep overall.

John Allen brought home his Aluma-Lite Racing Aprilia Tuono in fourth overall on debut.

Rob Carrall (Doin’ Bikes Honda Hornet 600) dominated the Streetfighter category while Rex Wolfenden (T-Rex Honda CB750) clean-swept the Forgotten Era Four-stroke class from Mick Neason (Honda CB1000).


AUSTRALIAN SECURITY CONCEPTS XTREME ULTRA LITES

Jai Curtis (Caringbah MC/Keith Muir Honda CBR400) dominated the all-new Formula Xtreme Ultra Lites category after capturing three race wins. Comeback kid, Judd Greedy (Top Rider Honda CBR400) prevented a King Curtis clean sweep when he chose the right tyre in the rain-affected third race held on Sunday.

Gavin Hainsworth (RB Racing Honda RVF400) was a constant thorn in Curtis’s side and secured second overall thanks to three second-place finishes, while Caleb Stalder (Cold Coast Aprilia RS250) claimed third overall and first two-stroke home after scoring two podium finishes.

C-grader Craig White (WRP Bridgestone Honda VFR400) finished sixth overall and first in the C&D-grade privateers’ points, while Pat James (Team Caringbah Motorcycles Honda CBR400) topped the B-grade privateer ladder.


ALUMA LITE RACING FORMULA OZ

Many new riders have entered Formula OZ this year and the door has been left open for a new champion to be crowned after the winners of the past two titles, Alistair Maxwell and John Allen, have both moved on to other classes.

The first round at Eastern Creek found a new star in Kurk Dahms who with three wins from four starts, gave him the overall round win.

The fast and consistent Queensland ‘D’ grade rider, on a mildly modified Yamaha YZF R1, threw the challenge out to James Spence (Circuit Breakers Yamaha YZF R1), Michael Wright (SCR Engines Honda CBR 929RR) and the rest of the field from the very first race.

The 125/250 GP class started with only three riders but interest centred on newcomer, and the only female rider in Formula Oz, Karel Pavich, (Yamaha TZ350) who took out the class win and showed potential to move up the outright points table.

In the Clubsport 600 class, Mark Fullerton (RB Imports GSXR600) showed his speed, winning outright and throwing the gauntlet to both his fellow 600 riders and the rest of the field.

The Forgotten Era-Two Strokes were predictably outclassed by the rest of the field in all four races. Simon Bell on a well-prepared Yamaha TZ 350 took the class win.


FORMULA X UNLIMITED

Victorian C Grader Jason Cartledge (Morwell Motorcycles / Kawasaki ZX-6RR) took full advantage by a mishap by early race favourite, Queenslander Kurk Dahms Yamaha YZF R1) to take the race win in the Formula X Unlimited race, which is for C & D Grade riders only.

Cartledge had shown a lot of promise during a number of the earlier Supersport races that were held in both dry and wet conditions and continued that form with victory in the final race of the day.

Dahms crashed out of contention on lap five of the six lap race, leaving Cartledge to take the win ahead of Tony Mihaljevic (Suzuki GSX-R1000) and Jon Cartwright (Yamaha TRX850).


2003 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Event 1 – February 16, Eastern Creek (New South Wales)
Event 2 – March 16, Oran Park GP (NSW)
Event 3 – May 4, Winton Raceway (Victoria)
Event 4 – June 1, Queensland Raceway (Queensland)
Event 5 – July 13, Eastern Creek (New South Wales)

6-Hour Endurance Event – October 5, Eastern Creek (New South Wales)

From a press release issued by the AMA regarding the latest activities of part-time rock star Ed Moreland:

AMA Acts To End Health-Care Bias Against Riders

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Following intense efforts by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), legislation has been introduced in Congress to end health-care discrimination against motorcyclists.

In the ’90s, Congress passed a law meant to bar employers from refusing to cover motorcycle-related injuries in the health-care coverage they offer employees. But federal bureaucrats reversed that law, writing rules to allow health-insurance discrimination against motorcyclists and others who engage in legal activities like skiing, snowmobiling, ATV riding or horseback riding. This new legislation would correct that action.

The bill, introduced by U.S. Sens. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) on February 14, would “promote health-care coverage parity for individuals participating in legal recreational activities or legal transportation activities.”

Specifically, the bill states that “a plan or issuer may not deny benefits otherwise provided for the treatment of any injury solely because such injury resulted from participation of the participant or beneficiary in an activity such as motorcycling, snowmobiling, all-terrain vehicle riding, horseback riding, skiing or other similar legal activity.”

Those words came out of meetings between aides for the senators and the AMA’s team in Washington, D.C., that also included officials of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. The bill also has the endorsement of the All-Terrain Vehicle Association, the American Horse Council and the American Snowmobilers Association, among others.

Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, said the threat of losing health-care benefits is enormous.

“Medical bills from an accident can easily total tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he said. “Without insurance, that can amount to a devastating blow to any rider.”

Riders and others who want to end this type of insurance discrimination are urged to send letters to their federal lawmakers asking them to support the Feingold-Collins bill. An easy way to send your message is to use the AMA Rapid Response Center at www.AMADirectlink.com.

“We succeeded in this effort years ago, only to see our efforts reversed by federal agencies,” Moreland said. “Now, we have a second chance to protect all motorcyclists from health-insurance discrimination. We need to take advantage of this opportunity.”

From a press release issued by Ducati:

DUCATI RIDING EXPERIENCE

The Ducati school of motorcycling – riding skill and racing skills classes in collaboration with Motociclismo – unleashing the capabilities of high-performance Ducati motorcycles safely.

Bologna, February, 2003 – Ducati, in collaboration with the number one Italian motorcycle magazine Motociclismo, debuts the Ducati Riding Experience on 24 March at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari Racing Circuit in Imola.

Ducati Riding Experience is the new Ducati school of motorcycling, for anyone who wishing to enter the two-wheeled world, or enhance their riding skills, and try out the legendary high performance Ducati motorcycles, from the Monster 620 to the brand-new Ducati 999 and 749.

All participants will have the opportunity to learn to ride Ducati motorcycles in a safe and structured environment.

Anyone interested in taking part in one of the ten dates, from March to October, may book a place via the site www.ducati.com. Each class lasts one day, and are held on a weekdays.
The school boasts professional instructors who will team with participants throughout the day, separated into groups, for lessons in both theory and practice.

The DRE, aimed at both beginning women riders and experienced riders of varying skill levels who want to improve their track riding skills. The courses include: Ducati Racing School, Women’s Riding School and Ducati Advanced Riding School.


Ducati Racing School

The class is aimed at experienced motorcyclists who wish to learn more about track riding techniques, astride the legendary Ducati Superbikes — 999 and 749. Students will experience an entire day of theory and practice to safely test all of the secrets of the track. The maximum number of participants will be 60 per day for each class, divided into 12 groups. An instructor will be present for each group.

Apparel and gear

Participants are required to arrive with their own riding equipment: full leathers; helmet; gloves and boots

A valid driving licence is mandatory.

Cost (VAT included) Euro 696
(Euro 726 with one guest)


Women’s Riding School

The school, which has already gained recognition for its exciting results, is aimed at women who want to become riders, not just passengers.

The riding school classes dedicated to women are divided into two types:

Beginner’s course — dedicated to beginning women who have never ridden a motorcycle and wish to enter the motorcycling world. The classes are made up of no more than 30 participants each, divided into 5 sub-groups. An instructor will be present for each sub-group. The motorcycles used are the Ducati Monster 620, with power restricted.

Apparel

All equipments will be provided by Ducati

Cost (VAT included) Euro 216
(Euro 246 with one guest)

Advanced Riding Course — dedicated to those who already have riding experienced, but who wish to improve their riding technique to gain better fluidity, confidence and safety on the road. This class will also prepare riders for the Ducati Racing School. The class is aimed at improving practice (in the paddock), and later moves on to a session on the track, in complete safety.

Classes will consist of a maximum of 24 participants, divided into 4 groups there will be one instructor for every six people. The motorcycles used are the Ducati Monster 620.

Apparel

All equipments will be provided by Ducati
A valid driving licence is mandatory.

Cost (VAT included) Euro 240
(Euro 270 with one guest)


Ducati Advanced Riding School

The class is aimed at all those who have already a fair amount of motorcycling experience, but who wish to improve their technique and knowledge of the vehicle dynamics.

Utilizing the Monster 800, safe and easy to handle, it’s the right motorcycle to improve and gain confidence on the road and on the track.
Most of the activity takes place in the paddock, with an additional session on the track.

The maximum number of participants is 20 for each class, divided into 3 sub-groups.

Apparel

Participants are required to arrive with their own riding equipment: full leathers; helmet; gloves and boots.

The advanced track ride is the reason for the necessity of full leathers.

A valid driving licence is mandatory.

Cost (VAT included) Euro 240
(Euro 270 with one guest)


Registration can be made from next February 12, only through the official Web site, www.ducati.com, which is also the primary communication channel for DRE and offers detailed, complete and up-to-date information. For more information or if you have questions, email: [email protected], or call the toll-free number 800 55 3066.

From a press release issued by the World Superbike Press Office:

Winter Test – Superbike Provisional Entry List
Valencia 21st – 23rd February

Entry List


N° Rider/pilote Nat. Machine Team


4- Troy Corser AUS Foggy FP1 Foggy Petronas

5- Ivan Clementi ITA Kawasaki ZX7RR Team Kawasaki Bertocchi

6- Mauro Sanchini ITA Kawasaki ZX7RR Team Kawasaki Bertocchi

7- Pier Francesco Chili ITA Ducati 996R Team PSG-1

8- James Haydon GBR Foggy FP1 Foggy Petronas

9- Chris Walker GBR Ducati 998R HM Plant Ducati

10- Gregorio Lavilla ESP Suzuki GSX 1000R Team Alstare Suzuki

11- Ruben Xaus ESP Ducati 999R Fila Ducati

15- Giovanni Bussei ITA Yamaha YZF R1 UnionBike GiMotorsport

16- Sergio Fuertes ESP Suzuki GSX 1000R MIR Racing

19- Lucio Pedercini ITA Ducati 996R Team Pedercini

20- Marco Borciani ITA Ducati 996R D.F.X. Racing Team

28- Serafino Foti ITA Ducati 996R Team Pedercini

33- Juan Bautista Borja ESP Ducati 996R D.F.X. Racing Team

35-Nello Russo ITA Ducati 996R Team Pedercini

48- David Garcia ESP Ducati 996R Team Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks

51- Davide Messori ITA Yamaha YZF R1 UnionBike GiMotorsport

52- James Toseland GBR Ducati 998R HM Plant Ducati

55-Régis Laconi FRA Ducati 996R Team Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks

70- Christian Zaiser AUT Aprilia RSV 1000 Team Aprilia Austria

91- Walter Tortoroglio ITA Honda VTR 1000 SP2 White Endurance Team

99- Steve Martin AUS Ducati 996R D.F.X. Racing Team

100- Neil Hodgson GBR Ducati 999R Fila Ducati

From a press release issued for Team Hammer, Inc. by freelance publicist Dorina Clarke:

Nine Riders In Team Hammer Talent Search Presented By Alpinestars

Lake Elsinore, Calif. – A total of nine riders have signed up for the 2003 Team Hammer Talent Search Presented by Alpinestars.

The final four riders accepted into the program include first-year Expert Ivan Garza, 26, of El Paso, Texas; second-year Expert Paolo Mariano, 22, of Canyon Country, California; second-year Expert Darren Luck, 28, of Bonita Springs, Florida; and Jack Pfeifer, 35, of Las Vegas, Nevada.

They join previous program signees Matt Elliott, 17, a first-year Expert from Blountville, Tennessee; Greg Moore, 25, a first-year Expert from Brookwood, Alabama; John Ross, 39, of San Antonio, Texas; Chris Siglin, 22, of Clayton, California; and Mathew Wise, 24, of McKinney, Texas.

Two program finalists will be seeded into the GSX-R750 heat races and will enjoy full rides at the 2003 Suzuki Cup Finals, including the use of a Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R750 tended by a team mechanic, Michelin tires, entry fees and a complete set of Alpinestars leathers, boots and gloves in team colors. The best-finishing participant at the Suzuki Cup Finals will go home with a race-ready Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R750 racebike. Judging of finalists will be based on a number of factors, including the ability to be competitive at a variety of racetracks, rider improvement over the course of the season and race results in 2003.

One of the two finalists will be considered for a 2004 ride with Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki.

The Talent Search program starts with a set-up and practice day February 26 at Daytona.

This just in from Terry Newby of Sport Tire Services:

There is some confusion about whether or not Dunlop tires will be at the WERA race this weekend at No Problem Raceway in Louisiana. We will have support for that race as well as the first CMRA race at Oak Hill Texas the following weekend. Any questions can be directed to Sport Tire Services at 805-434-4810.

Thank you.

From a press release issued by Eckl Kawasaki:

GARRY MCCOY: READY TO ATTACK

Kawasaki Racing Team has an optimistic outlook on the MotoGP season 2003. At the official pre-race press conference for the season-opening Japanese Grand Prix in a Tokyo hotel, Garry McCoy was enthusiastic about the technical progress on his Fuchs Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR.

“When I first tested the bike, I immediately noticed how powerful the engine was, but there were some problems on the chassis side to address. Thanks to the efforts of the team and the engineers in Japan, we made significant improvements over the last months. I have no doubt that it won’t take us long to be very competitive,” said the Australian ‘King of Slide.’

Kawasaki test rider Akira Yanagawa, who will take part at the Suzuka Grand Prix with a wild card entry, was also delighted with the recent modifications on the bike, including a smooth and elegant looking re-design of the fairing and the seat.

From Tokyo, McCoy and Yanagawa will travel to Jerez/Spain, where they will meet McCoy’s Australian team-mate Andrew Pitt and German test rider Alex Hofmann for the official IRTA test session on February 21/22/23.

From a Press Release by KWS:

KWS Motorsports is pleased to announce that we will be fielding Shawn Higbee and Brian Livengood in the 2003 AMA Superbike series. The team will be called ‘Millennium-Kaufman-Suzuki Team.

Millennium Technologies, Kaufman Trailers, Inc.com, and Honda Suzuki of Sanford will be the primary sponsors during the season. Shawn and Brian will be riding 2002 spec GSXR1000-based superbikes built and maintained by the staff at KWS Motorsports. We are also sponsored by B.G. Lubricants, Bakker Race Gear, Dunlop, EK Chain, EBC Brakes, GMD Computrack, Penske, Pitbull, Nutec, Sharkskinz, Traxxion Dynamics, Ti-Force Exhaust, Vortex, Wiseco, Web-Cam, Yoshimura and Yoyodyne.

KWS will be attending the Indy trade show this weekend and will have four of our GSXR1000-based superbikes on display. Shawn and Brian will also be there so say hello and meet some of our new sponsors, stop by and say hi.

From a press release issued by Namco Hometek, Inc.:

Namco Hometek Inc. Announces MotoGP3 Release Date For North America

Namco places you in the center of the intense, high-speed world of professional motorcycle racing, and adds new twists to challenge all racing game fans

San Jose, Calif. – Namco Hometek Inc. announced today that the hot new motorcycle racing sequel, MotoGP3 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, is scheduled for a North American release date of March 18th, 2003.

Fully licensed and featuring new graphics, mechanics, features and updated season stats, MotoGP3 will thrust players into the high-speed world of professional motorcycle racing while adding new twists to make it more appealing to the mass audience.

“Prior MotoGP titles have been very realistic and focused primarily on simulation”, said Jim Atkiss, Namco product marketing manager. “With MotoGP3, the intent here was not only to please the existing simulator fan-base, but to broaden its appeal to a larger audience of racing game fans by adding more arcade-like features.”

The MotoGP team at Namco conducted massive research that would assure a well-rounded racing title. MotoGP3 has added five new world-class racing circuits to the existing 10. The game also includes 20 fantasy tracks that come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. This brings the total track count to 35.

There are six intense modes available in MotoGP3: Arcade, Season, Time Trial, Challenge, Legends, and Multi-player. Players will also have the option of selecting the new “Brake Assist” feature, if they desire, to aid in handling treacherous curves.

In Multi-player mode, up to a total of 4 contestants are allowed, using the multi-tap (for PlayStation®2). Now, they can also choose the new “Cockpit View” that replicates an actual machine cockpit and throws the players right into all the action.

As with previous MotoGP titles, there will be a plethora of unlockable treats in the Challenge mode including riders, movies and machines. A whopping 100 challenges await completion. “Thanks to new features in the game, MotoGP3 now delivers a well balanced experience that still provides a top-notch motorcycle enthusiast’s title, but will also appeal to the all-around racing game fan,” comments Stacey Hirata, Namco director of marketing.

About Namco Hometek Inc.

Namco Hometek Inc. is the U.S. consumer division of Namco Limited, a Tokyo-based world leader in the high-tech entertainment industry. Committed to providing the ultimate entertainment experience, Namco uses cutting-edge technology and advanced electronics to take their theme parks, arcades, and home video games far beyond traditional entertainment.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.



Roadracing World Wild Card Editor Sam Fleming is dodging seagulls at Phillip Island on the 2003 Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Read all about revisions that have reduced the overall weight by five pounds and boosted top-end power in the next print issue of Roadracing World.