From a press release issued by Suzuki:

SURPRISE NEW SUZUKI SHOWS BIG PROMISE AT FIRST TESTS

Sepang, Malaysia – January 16, 2003: First tests of Suzuki’s all-new 2003 MotoGP four-stroke prototypes have left riders and team raring to go, after highly promising first tests and fast lap times on the machine’s first outing in the hands of the full-time GP riders in Malaysia last week.

Kenny Roberts Jr, champion on a Suzuki in 2000, described the new machine as “the biggest jump forward since I joined the factory in 1999,” and his comments were echoed by a team infused with enthusiasm.

Team manager Garry Taylor describes why. “It’s a brand new bike, which the factory had kept pretty quiet about. And it’s a big jump from last year’s bike, in every respect.

“I don’t think any of us could believe how much work the factory had done. The mood is fantastic. It has made everybody that much more motivated to try that much harder this coming year,” added Taylor.

The comments came after a week of testing at Sepang, the Malaysian GP circuit, where factory test rider Kosuke Akiyoshi joined the regular GP riders. World and American Superbike teams were also testing their new Suzuki GSX-R Superbike.

Second rider John Hopkins also spoke about the massive promise of the new 990cc V4, developed from the lessons learned in the four-stroke GP machine’s first season last year. “It’s much better than the bike I rode at the end of last season, and we’ll get it better still before the season begins,” the Californian rider said.

The tests began with a pleasant surprise on Monday for the regular riders and team staff. They had been expecting to test an interim version of the 200-plus horsepower GSV-R. Instead, they found the first version of the all-new 2003 machine waiting for them.

The on-track performance of the sophisticated new iteration gave the team’s spirits a further boost. “This is the first version of the machine, and straight away it was doing better lap times than last year’s,” said Taylor.

“Since the bike is at the beginning of its development, it will get better still before the first race,” he added. “The whole team is really excited and optimistic.”

This is the first of a series of tests in Malaysia, Australia and Spain for Team Suzuki, before the first race of the season at Suzuka in Japan on April 6.

KENNY ROBERTS – “A LOT OF PROMISE”

These first tests went really well, and the new bike has given us reason to be optimistic for the coming year. There are a few major things that still need doing to win races, and improving the top speed is one of them. But the factory has already taken the biggest step forward that I’ve know, even compared with introducing the new four-stroke last year. The new bike has a lot of promise. There’s still a ways to go, but everyone in the team is really enthusiastic. It’s been a great start to the year after a winter lay-off that seems to have gone past in the blink of an eye.

JOHN HOPKINS – BETTER EVERY DAY

This is my second ride on the Suzuki GP bike, and I can notice a big improvement compared with last year’s bike. This one gives me the feeling that I’ll be able to get out and do some real racing. There are still improvements before the machine is fully competitive, but every day so far its getting better, and you can’t ask more than that. It’s my first four-stroke GP season, and of course there’s still some learning to do. But there always is, right up until the last race of your career.

From a press release issued by Buell American Motorcycles:

BUELL ROADRACING SUPPORT PROGRAM ANNOUNCED
$61,000 F-USA Thunderbike Contingency Program Announced

MILWAUKEE, WI (January 16, 2003) – Buell Motorcycle Company recently announced its roadracing support program for 2003, with $61,000 in contingency paid back to 15th place for racers aboard Buell motorcycles in the eight-round national Formula USA Thunderbike class, including $5,000 for the series champion, if aboard a Buell for the entire series.

“This is a lucrative support program for our customers and dealers which gives them the opportunity to compete at a national level in roadracing. We’re proud to support their efforts,” said Erik Buell, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of Buell Motorcycle Company.

The Formula USA Thunderbike class, which pits Buell racers against single-cylinder, twin-cylinder, triple-cylinder and four-cylinder motorcycles from many other manufacturers, will be a featured event at all eight Formula USA National Road Race Series rounds. The events will be held at Daytona International Speedway on March 2; Mid-America Motorplex on May 25; New Hampshire International Speedway on June 15; TBA on July 20; Virginia International Raceway July 28; Road America on August 10; Summit Point Raceway on September 8; and the Daytona finale on October 20. Buell’s Henry Duga and the Buell Racing Support Van will be present at each F-USA National event to provide assistance to Buell racers.

Defending Formula USA Thunderbike class champion Jeff Johnson of Hoban Brothers/Appleton Buell will compete in the series, along with Formula USA Buell Lightning Series champion Bryan Bemisderfer of Harding H-D/Buell and many other Buell racers. The Buell Lightning Series, a horsepower and weight restricted spec class, will go on hiatus in 2003.

To learn more about Buell motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style and performance only found on board a Buell. Call 1-800-490-9635 for the Buell dealer nearest you. Or pull into www.buell.com.

From a press release issued by Kawasaki:

ANDREW PITT’S BEST EVER IN SEPANG

Sepang ­ Thursday, January 16th, 2003: Kawasaki Racing Team rider Andrew Pitt concluded three days of testing in Sepang with a personal best time of 2:06.3, more than four seconds faster than on his MotoGP premiere at the Malaysian Grand Prix in October last year. Whereas Pitt boarded a plane on Wednesday night to attend his best friend¹s wedding, and will re-join the team at their next session in Phillip Island, Australia, his team-mate Garry McCoy decided to add another half day of testing on Thursday to his schedule, before the crates had to be packed. McCoy improved his previous best time by a tenth of a second, and could have gone much faster if a clutch problem hadn’t slowed him on his best run.

German Alex Hofmann and Japanese test rider Akira Yanagawa joined McCoy on the extra fourth day of testing, with Hofmann narrowing down the choice of new generation Dunlop tyres, and Yanagawa successfully working on the set-up of a new front fork and a new rear shock absorber.

Hofmann left the Sepang circuit in an especially triumphant mood: Having improved by more than a second on Wednesday already, he slashed another 1.3 seconds on Thursday, when he had the chance to swap his older, carburetted Ninja ZX-RR version with Andrew Pitt’s up-to-date fuel-injected bike.

Andrew Pitt (72 laps ­ best time in 2:06.31):
“I’m pretty happy with my lap time. We’re making progress. I’m more than four seconds faster than at the Grand Prix here in Sepang back in October, and even though we still have a long way to go, we’re getting closer. The bike is a little bit easier to ride, the whole combination is working better now. We just had a few problems with the fuel injection, the bike was running a bit rough. But I think it is just my bike, a small mistake that we should be able to sort out easily, because when I tried Akira’s one, it was a lot smoother. We further improved the chassis settings and got rid of the rear shock pumping that was disturbing us on the first two days of testing. We also went through a few good tyres, and in the end, the bike was just better on the exit of the turns, and it was possible to open the throttle a bit earlier. Now I’m really looking forward to our next test session in Phillip Island, as long as it is not too windy, because if it is, it’s a real handful down there. But otherwise, I love to ride on my home track. My goal is to make the same sort of progress in Phillip Island that I did here!”

Garry McCoy (43/20 laps ­ best time in 2:06.40):
“On Wednesday, we started to move the pivot point of the rear swing arm. We went the complete opposite direction to what we had in our previous tests and in the last couple of days. We had to change the rear shock and a few other settings to suit it, and it wasn’t really feeling too bad, probably a bit better than anything we’ve had in the past. It just seemed as if I had to push really hard to do times which are two seconds off the pace, so it was obvious that we needed to work and play with it more. I was pretty happy about the chance of another half a day of testing on Thursday, because track time is definitely what we need at the moment. We went through a few more settings and further improved the bike, and my idea was to put in one fast lap and then to try and set up the bike to ride at this pace comfortably. I tried several times to go for a lap in the 2.05’s, but I never accomplished it, because I either the tyre wasn’t right, or we had other problems. On my fastest lap, the clutch was slipping pretty much all the way–without that, I would have been a second faster for sure!”

Alex Hofmann (51/52 laps ­ best time in 2:06.62):
“We went through an immense tyre testing schedule, and eventually we found a very good tyre that kept a high level of grip for a long time. I rode this tyre for about 20 laps, and the performance was very consistent which was a real revelation. I then tried the tyre type on which Garry and Andrew did most of their set-up work, and it was another step up in terms of grip and traction. Luckily I had a chance to adjust myself and the bike to the higher performance level of this tyre, and when I went out with a suitable setting, I went one second quicker straight away. This lap in 2:07.9 was good for my self-confidence–if you test tyres for so long, and your lap times remain the same, it gets monotonous. On Thursday, there was even more to come. I was riding Andrew¹s bike, which felt like a thoroughbred Grand Prix racer in comparison to my prototype. Instead of doing more tyre testing, we tried different mappings for the fuel injection system in order to get it as smooth and responsive as possible. But more than anything, I had a lot of fun, and it felt good to get much quicker once again. I am also happy because I did learn how to slide properly. I can now crack the throttle open in the apex and spin the wheel all the way to the curbs on the exit of the turn with a big smile on my face. Sometimes I even manage to smoke the tyre!”

Akira Yanagawa (50/16 laps ­ best time in 2:06.73):
“I am quite happy with the settings we found and with the progress we’ve made. We used a new front fork and a new rear shock, and both are now working really well. With this setting, I¹m able to push harder and to get closer to the aggressive riding style I like most. I didn’t even use a soft tyre on my fastest lap, it was a normal racing compound that I ran for quite some time to see how it would last a long distance!”

Harald Eckl (team manager):
“I am happy with the outcome of this test. We made another step forward in comparison to our last test session in December, with our riders being over two seconds quicker than back then. If we compare Andrew Pitt’s lap times now with his race times back in October, there is a gap of almost five seconds, which is down to improvements on the bike, improvements on the tyres, and the growing experience of Andrew as a rider. The rear shock pumping that the riders complained about earlier on is all but gone, which is a relief, because in the beginning you never know if such a problem stems from a mismatch of components or if it’s just a matter of getting the set-up right. Luckily, it turned out that we could solve the problem. Our next aim is to improve the fuel injection system. There is a lot of potential just in the mappings. Of course there are many things that we didn’t have a chance to try yet. But it¹s also very good to know that we are far from having explored the limits of our bike. I am confident that we still have full seconds and not just tenths or hundredths up our sleeves. Looking back at what we’ve done and what we have the chance to do in the remaining weeks before the season starts, we are well on schedule!”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Former racer Dick Hammer died from cancer Thursday, January 16 at his home in San Clemente, California. He was 64.

Hammer started his racing career on the dirt tracks of Southern California before turning Pro in 1961. In 1962, Hammer won his one and only Grand National dirt track event, taking the TT race win at Peoria on a Harley-Davidson. Hammer also road raced and won the International Lightweight 100K on an Aermacchi/Harley-Davidson in 1963 and 1964.

Most fans, however, will remember Hammer for the 1967 Daytona 200. In that race, Hammer was battling for the lead with his factory Triumph teammate Gary Nixon when a crew member’s rag got sucked into one of his carburetors during a pit stop. Hammer was able to pull the rag free and put his head down to make up time to Nixon. In his charge, Hammer fell, breaking his collarbone, but Hammer picked his Triumph back up and continued to finish seventh in the race. Hammer retired from professional racing in 1972 and was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2000.

Memorial services are pending.

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Foggy PETRONAS Racing stars, James Haydon and Foggy himself, will make appearances at the 24th annual Road Racing and Superbike Show at Alexandra Palace in North London, from Saturday 25 January to Sunday 2 February.

Carl Fogarty will be available for an hour long autograph signing session at the Foggy PETRONAS Racing merchandise stand (stand G39) from 2.00pm on Wednesday 29 January, to mark the official launch of the team’s merchandise range.

The World Superbike legend will also be making further guest appearances at the show throughout the day, with final details soon to be confirmed and announced on this website.

And British motorcycle star James Haydon will also attend the show meet and greet fans on the team’s stand on Sunday 2 February from 2.00pm.

Selected items from the team’s eagerly awaited merchandise range went on sale prior to Christmas, but the show at Alexandra Palace will see the fuller display of items on sale, to include the all new ‘Signature’ range, with caps and t-shirts personalised to Foggy PETRONAS Racing’s stars – Carl Fogarty, Troy Corser and James Haydon. Additional items will also be introduced to the FPR merchandise range throughout the 2003 season.

The Road Racing and Superbike Show will be open from 10am – 6pm Monday to Friday, and 9am – 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Best lap times turned by racers at Sepang, through Thursday:

1. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 2:05.1
2. John Hopkins, Suzuki GSV-R, 2:05.4
3. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki ZX-RR, 2:06.3
4. Garry McCoy, Kawasaki ZX-RR, 2:06.5
5. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:08.3
6. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:08.6
7. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:08.6
8. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:10.3



This just in: Yates had a minor lowside at the end of the day Thursday, after setting the fastest GSX-R1000 time late in his final session.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Michelin has released details of its 2003 road race contingency program.

Michelin has posted a total of $1,747,390 in contingency in various classes with AMA, Formula USA, CCS, WERA National Challenge Series, WERA National Endurance Series, WERA Sportsman Series, AFM, CMRA Endurance Series, CRA, MRA, SMRI, OMRRA, WMRRA and WSMC.

For more information on Michelin’s 2003 contingency program, including downloadable contingency forms, go to www.bibmen.com.

From a press release issued by AHRMA:

AHRMA offers full schedule of Bike Week activities

Vintage-racing enthusiasts have plenty to keep them busy during Florida’s upcoming Bike Week, including a full schedule of American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association road racing, dirt track, motocross, cross country and observed trials from Feb. 26 to March 5. Also, AHRMA’s 2002 national champions and special award winners will be honored at a series of three banquets.

For complete information, visit the Bike Week preview page at www.ahrma.org or call 615-851-3674.


WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26

Road race practice day, Jennings GP (formerly North Florida Motorsports Park), Jennings, Fla. The is the first day of a three-day “Spring Classic” jointly produced by Jennings GP, WERA Vintage and AHRMA on this exciting 2-mile-long, 14-turn track. (Info: 904-707-1737, www.jenningsgp.com.)


THURSDAY, FEB. 27

WERA Vintage race day, Jennings GP. Open practice sessions will take place in the morning, followed by the entire 14-class WERA Vintage program, plus a sidecar race and a 50+ race. AHRMA, USCRA and VRRA riders may enter without purchasing a WERA license. (804-648-0432, www.weravintage.org.)

FRIDAY, FEB. 28

AHRMA road racing, Jennings GP. The 2003 AHRMA Historic Cup Series gets under way with practice at 8 a.m. and racing at 10:30 for vintage machines and modern singles, twins and triples. AHRMA will honor racing licenses from WERA, USCRA and VRRA for this event.

Post-vintage motocross, Waldo Motorsports Park, Waldo, Fla. Round 2 of the Northwest Maico & CZ/Pro-Flo National Post-Vintage MX Series for machines from 1975 to th early ‘80s takes place at this new facility northeast of Gainesville. Practice, 9 a..m.; racing, 10. (877-468-3603, 352-468-3603, www.waldomx.com.)

Short track, Cross Roads Motorplex, Jasper, Fla. This is another new track for AHRMA, located close by to Jennings GP, and it will host the 2003 Classic Motor Cycle Dirt Track Series opener. Practice, 4 p.m.; racing, 6. (386-938-1228, www.crossroadsmotorplex.com.)


SATURDAY, MARCH 1

Vintage motocross, Waldo Motorsports. Day two at Waldo will see the second round of the Speed & Sport/Pro-Flo National Vintage MX Series for 1974 and earlier machines. Practice, 9 a.m.; racing, 10.

Half-mile dirt track, Oglethorpe Speedway, Savannah, Ga. AHRMA returns to this well-liked oval for the second of three Bike Week flat track races. Practice, 5 p.m.; racing, 7. (912-964-8200, www.ospracing.net.)

Off-road awards banquet, Holiday Inn University Center, Gainesville, Fla. Starts at 7 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance from AHRMA.


SUNDAY, MARCH 2

Cross country, Waldo Motorsports. This will be the second year for an H&H KTM cross county national during Bike Week. Start, 10 a.m.

Observed trial, Waldo Motorsports. Round 2 of the 2003 Speed & Sport national series moves to Waldo along with AHRMA’s other off-road Bike Week events. Begins after completion of cross country, about noon.

Road race registration & tech inspection, American Motorcycle Institute, Daytona Beach, Fla. The hundreds of machines and riders taking part in Classics Days at Daytona International Speedway will all pay a visit to the AMI campus between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Spectators are welcome. A Great Men autograph session will take place in the afternoon. (800-874-0645, www.amiwrench.com.)

Road race awards banquet, Holiday Inn, DeLand, Fla. Starts at 7 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance from AHRMA.


MONDAY, MARCH 3

Road racing, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach. The first of the two-day Classic Days, round two of the 2003 Historic Cup Series. Practice, 8-11. Great Men autograph session, 11. Racing, noon. (www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.)


TUESDAY, MARCH 4

Road racing, Daytona International Speedway. Round 2 of the national road race series continues. Practice, 8-11. Great Men autograph session, 11. Great Men, Great Machines Parade, 11:40. Racing, noon.


WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5

Half-mile dirt track, Spring Garden Ranch, De Leon Springs, Fla. AHRMA dirt trackers were delighted in 2002 by this horse track set amidst beautiful surroundings near DeLand. It will be the site of round 3 of The Classic Motor Cycle national series. Practice, noon, with racing to follow.

Dirt track awards banquet, Spring Garden Ranch. Tickets must be purchased in advance from AHRMA.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

AMA Superbike Champion Nicky Hayden is scheduled to depart the United States Thursday night headed for Malaysia, where he will resume testing of his Repsol Honda RC211V January 20-22 at the Sepang Circuit.

When asked about his new Honda MotoGP racebike, Hayden told Roadracingworld.com, “It’s coming along. I’ve rode a lot, but I’ve only had one day where it was nice and warm. Every other day it’s been raining and really cold. I don’t want to sound like I’m making excuses or whining–I’m glad that I’m getting track time–but hopefully at this test I’ll be able to get some heat in the tires and really get on it and learn some stuff. Still, I’ve enjoyed riding the bike, but I’m still not to the limit of the bike. I’ve still got some stuff to learn.”

Hayden added that the foul weather he encountered during recent tests in Europe provided him with “more laps there in the rain than I have done my whole life in the rain here.”

Hayden was able to take a few weeks off over the holiday season after a hectic testing program in November and December had him flying across the world for back-to-back tests in Japan and Europe. The 21-year-old spent the last two weeks training with his brothers, Tommy and Roger Lee, in Southern California, where the Haydens stayed at the home of Dan Fahie, who worked on Nicky’s crew when Nicky rode for American Honda.

Fahie is now Eric Bostrom’s AMA Superbike Crew Chief at Kawasaki.

Nicky Hayden said he also recently shot a motorcycle television program, which he believes will be aired on the Discovery Channel, with actor Matt LeBlanc. Nicky Hayden said he and the “Friends” television show star were filmed riding dirtbikes at LeBlanc’s ranch a few hours north of Los Angeles.

Nicky Hayden’s non-stop flight to Malaysia leaves Los Angeles at approximately midnight tonight.