Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The official three-day attendance of the combined AMA/World Superbike event at Laguna Seca was announced by the Superbike World Championship press office at 92,000.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning AMA Superstock Practice Times:

1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:28.796
2. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.951
3. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.161
4. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:29.397
5. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.625
6. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.865
7. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:29.889
8. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.068
9. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.189
10. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.350
11. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.148
12. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.316
13. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.362
14. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.545
15. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.562
16. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.737
17. Jason Perez, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.947
18. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.366
19. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.390
20. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.716

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Tommy Hayden made a last-lap, last-corner pass on Josh Hayes to take the lead in the Superstock race at Laguna Seca, but Hayes repassed him in the run to the flag and won.

Hayes, Adam Fergusson and Hayden escaped a first-lap, second-corner crash melee that delayed the rest of the field and left several riders running off or upside down in the dirt.

Tony Meiring finished fourth. Steve Rapp took to the dirt in the turn two incident and was 27th at the end of the first lap, but recovered to finish fifth, with black tire marks on the left side of his bike’s fairing.

Vincent Haskovec, who led the points into Laguna Seca, finished ninth; the points now are led by Hayes ahead of Hayden and Haskovec.

The victory was Hayes’ first since he won at Daytona in 1999.

Crashers included Jason DiSalvo, John Dugan and Opie Caylor.

Results
1. Josh Hayes, Suzuki
2. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, -0.028 second
3. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki, -5.820 seconds
4. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, -13.287
5. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, -19.708
6. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki, -27.185
7. Jake Holden, Suzuki, -29.093
8. Jason Perez, Suzuki, -38.724
9. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, -39.734
10. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, -39.957
11. Chris Peris, Honda, -49.642
12. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki, -52.830
13. John Haner, Suzuki, -60.190
14. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki, -63.670
15. Tom Wertman, Suzuki, -66.217
16. Cory Eaton, Suzuki, -66.630
17. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki, -67.577
18. Opie Caylor, Suzuki, -70.944
19. Brian Stokes, Suzuki, -75.335
20. Matt Furtek, Suzuki, -77.285
21. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki, -77.619
22. Doug Pitcock, Suzuki, -1 lap
23. Nathan Hester, Suzuki, -1 lap
24. Chad Rolland, Suzuki, -1 lap
25. Mickey Lane, Suzuki, -1 lap
26. Eric Haugo, Suzuki, -1 lap
27. Martin Sims, Suzuki, -1 lap
28. Crash Lowe, Suzuki, -1 lap
29. Corey Sarros, Suzuki, -1 lap
30. Jeremy Chisum, Suzuki, -1 lap
31. David Lambert, Suzuki, -1 lap
32. John Dugan, Suzuki, -8 laps, DNF, crash
33. Mark Simon, Szuuki, -8 laps, DNF
34. Kenan Rappuchi, Suzuki, -9 laps, DNF
35. David Bell, Suzuki, -11 laps, DNF
36. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, -17 laps, DNF
37. Jason Chisum, Suzuki, DNS


Provisional AMA Superstock Point Standings:

1. Hayes, 228 points
2. Tommy Hayden, 227 points
3. Haskovec, 226 points
4. Fergusson, 206 points
5. Meiring, 196 points
6. Caylor, 175 points
7. DiSalvo, 166 points
8. Ciccotto, 162 points
9. Rapp, 151 points
10. Jimmy Moore, 142 points


More, from a press release issued by Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki:

RAPP FIFTH FOR TEAM VALVOLINE EMGO SUZUKI

While Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp’s two-race Superstock victory streak was snapped at Laguna Seca on Sunday, he still managed to impress. Rapp was the innocent victim of a first-lap incident in the Andretti Hairpin and was forced off track — spoiling his hard-earned front row starting position — but finished fifth in the AMA National held between World Superbike races.

The 30-year-old refused to give in despite being dropped to the back of the field on the opening lap, and proceeded to charge through the field to an eventual top five placing. Rapp worked his Michelin-shod GSX-R750 up to 27th by the end of lap one and picked up more than 20 additional places over the next ten laps.

“It was unfortunate that I got pushed off course there at the start,” Rapp commented. “But it was a great race after that. The bike was really working, and I was putting in lap times as fast as the guys at the front. We’ll just have to try to start up a new streak at Mid-Ohio.”

Teammate Chris Ulrich put a second Valvoline-backed GSX-R750 in the top ten. Ulrich was hampered by his injured shoulder once again and will see Dr. Ting immediately after the race weekend concludes. Despite the pain, Chris fought through to claim tenth.

Matt Furtek came home 20th in his Laguna Seca debut weekend. The teenager essentially used the visit as an extended practice, learning the difficult northern Californian circuit.

Team manager Keith Perry reflected on the Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki riders’ days. “That was a heck of a charge by Steve,” he said. “He really had nothing to gain, being at the back of the pack. But he wouldn’t quit and got us back to fifth. He’s got a lot of heart, and you can always count on him giving 100%.

“Chris rode a pretty strong race. He’s still fighting the shoulder injury, but he was generally happy with the bike and the tires. For Matt, it was learning experience. It was another track he’d never seen before, and he only got around 45 laps all weekend to learn this difficult track.”


More, from a press release issued by Proforma:

HANER FIGHTS BACK AFTER FIRST LAP MELEE

HAS/Shogun Racing’s John Haner fought back to 13th place in the AMA Genuine Accessories Superstock event today at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca after a fist lap, turn two melee that saw one rider crash and several front runners,
including John, take to the gravel to avoid crashing themselves. John returned to the track in 33rd position and passed 20 riders before the 17 lap race was finished.

“I was sixth going into turn two,” said Haner. “I saw (Jason) Disalvo fall and I steered right to miss his bike, and it kept coming and I had to keep going to the right, and I got out in the deep gravel. The bike was stuck, I had to paddle and work it hard to get out, I saw (Steve) Rapp and Opie (Caylor), I guess Disalvo was still on the ground. I finally got out and started charging, and just tried to put in some good laps.”

“My hand felt really good,” said John, who had carpal tunnel surgery on June 13th. “It’s perfect, it’s completely fixed. None of the problems like I had earlier in the year.”

Haner remains 11th in the point standings in AMA Genuine Accessories Superstock after this event, and has earned points in all seven rounds that he has attended.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Results
World Superbike Race Two
Laguna Seca Raceway, 28 laps
1. Ruben Xaus, Ducati, 28 laps
2. Neil Hodgson, Ducati, -11.565 seconds
3. Chris Walker, Ducati, -13.064
4. Regis Laconi, Ducati, -15.560
5. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki, -16.354
6. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati, -19.685
7. Juan Borja, Ducati, -33.494
8. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki, -35.564
9. Marco Borciani, Ducati, -35.859
10. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati, -39.330
11. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki, -1 lap, DNF, crash
12. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, -4 laps, DNF, crash
13. James Toseland, Ducati, -11 laps, DNF, crash
14. Luca Pedersoli, Ducati, -11 laps, DNF, mechanical
15. Troy Corser, Petronas, -14 laps, DNF, retired
16. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati, -24 laps, DNF, crash
17. James Haydon, Petronas, -25 laps, DNF, crash
18. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda, -25 laps, DNF, crash
19. David Garcia, Ducati, -26 laps, DNF
20. Steve Martin, Ducati, -28 laps, DNF, mechanical
21. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati, -28 laps, DNF, crash
22. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, DNS
23. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, DNS


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

Walker returns to World Superbike podium

Chris Walker finished third in the second World Superbike leg at Laguna Seca after a spectacular battle for the lower podium positions behind runaway race winner Ruben Xaus. However, there was no such joy for his HM Plant Ducati team-mate James Toseland who crashed out of second place on lap 17.

Walker repeated Toseland’s success from the first race to give the HM Plant Ducati team a superb double podium in California. The popular Nottingham rider inherited second place from his younger team-mate after an incident at the infamous Corkscrew bend, but had to give way to championship leader Neil Hodgson in the closing stages of another scintillating 28-lap Superbike race.

“I’m delighted to be back on the podium for the third time this season,” said Walker who retained his sixth place in the championship overall. “It’s been a long haul back from the injuries I sustained at Sugo in April, but I’m regaining my confidence with every event.

“That was a brilliant race and I really enjoyed dicing with the leading pack once again. I guess that I had a bit of luck and things went my way, but I’m pleased with the result. I would like to thank the team for all of their hard work and everyone else who has supported me. We have made a lot of progress this weekend and we can take many positive things with us to the next round.”

Toseland’s emotions were in stark contrast to those of the first race: “It was all going so well and then I had my second podium finish of the day taken away from me. I’m obviously very disappointed, but I’m pleased for Chris at the same time. On a positive note, I’ve strengthened my position in the championship overall and we’re going to the next round in top form.”

The HM Plant Ducati team will next appear in the ninth round of the Superbike World Championship in front of their home fans at Brands Hatch on 25-27 July.


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

Mixed fortunes for Foggy PETRONAS Racing in USA

Troy Corser’s eighth place in the first race at Laguna was the only bright spot for Foggy PETRONAS Racing in round eight of the World Superbike championship at Laguna Seca, USA.

The Australian was set for another top ten finish in race two before an electrical problem reduced the bike to running on two cylinders and he was forced to retire on the 15th lap.

Team-mate James Haydon suffered more appalling misfortune when, after a split water pipe caused a crash on the second lap of the first race, he was wiped out from behind by Walter Tortoroglio at the top of the Corkscrew on lap four of race two, badly twisting his knee .

It was a day full of thrills and spills in front of a three-day attendance of 92,000, with only 13 riders finishing the first race and just 11 completing the second. Frankie Chili followed his race one win with a crash on lap two of the second race, while Ruben Xaus recovered from his race one spill while leading to comfortably claim the second race victory.

Carl said: “Even though there were a few crashes in the first race, the result was not bad. After seeing the qualifying results, I would have been happy with a top ten finish and eighth was probably as good as we could have hoped for at the moment. We have just got to carry on picking up points and learning for next year. If there is any bad luck to be had at the moment, James seems to be at the front of the queue. I just hope he can pick himself up in time for Brands Hatch in two weeks.”

Troy was forced to start the warm-up lap for the re-started race one from the pits after his bike suffered minor damage when he was unable to avoid the second corner mayhem which ruled Eric Bostrom out of both races with a dislocated shoulder.

Troy said: “The tyres were pretty consistent but I was losing the back end going into corners so it took me a few laps to change my lines and try to use different parts of the tyre. I also tried to get around the problem by picking the bike up before accelerating out of corners. The temperature was also going up and down, which seemed to be affecting the engine, so it took me a while to get used to that as well. If you take out the two wild cards Mat Mladin and Aaron Yates, it was a sixth place which is not too bad.

“I had another great start in race two and came round the outside of everyone at turn one and was doing better lap times after changing the front and rear suspension, despite the fact the bike was running slower. The temperature was high from the start again and it was very frustrating to have to retire through the electrical problem.”

James was also forced to start the race two warm-up lap from race two after an oil leak on the out-lap. He said: “I had a terrible start for race two as someone ran wide and I had to pick the bike up. My second bike wasn’t running as well as my number one bike but I knew that if I could finish the race there was a good chance of picking up points. Then I was rammed straight from the back, which is a problem when you are running where you shouldn’t be. There’s not much I can say about my luck at the moment.

“I could see fluid spraying onto the screen in the first race and the next thing I knew I was down. There was nothing I could do about it – the bike was covered in water. I am just thankful that it happened at the final turn, the slowest on the circuit.”


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

Regis Laconi disappointed after Laguna Seca races

It could be a great day today in Laguna Seca for Regis Laconi, on the contrary the French rider of Ducati 998RS Caracchi NCR Nortel Network leaves California very disappointed. A fall, not for his fault in Race-1 while he was leading the race and a mistake in the tyre selection in Race-2 allow to Regis only a fourth place, however positive because his rivals for the championship didn’t obtain a really better result.

“I leave Laguna Seca really disappointed.” – confessed Regis at the end of the day – “I knew that I could get a good result today and on the contrary some misfortune and a wrong evaluation didn’t allow us what we was hoping to get. In Race-1, out of race Xaus, I was in front, managing Chili’s attack, when atAndretti Hairpin, where happened the multiple crash at the first start, I founded a fairing screen piece and I lose the front end; I was calm, the bike performed well as I recorded the fastest lap of the day. Before Race-2 I would absolutely use a new front tyre and I selected a tyre we tested in Friday’s practice and I was sure it could give me what I wish. On the contrary it has been a disaster, with the warmer afternoon’s temperature, 53°C on the track, and at every right corner I lose the front end. So I was accepting the result, then a few laps to go I’ve seen Toseland out and I decided a final attack to Lavilla to get more points and I passed him at the end of the finish line. What a pity, it could be a great day and on the contrary everyting run in the wrong way. But the occasion will arrive later, because in this week end we showed that we have the potential to win, the bike had always the best top speed and without that mistake I could be able to fight for the victory.”

David Garcia didn’t finish both races, entering the pits after a few laps because the pain in his arm, but in the few laps I rode I’ve been always in the points area, racing in Race-2 in the top ten before to be forced to stop.

“It has been a pain race fore some lap.” – said Garcia – “But I would start in Race-2 too after the great work that the team has done. When I stopped I was downright in ninth position, but actually it was impossible to go on.”


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Ruben Xaus (Ducati Fila) put the seal on a great day’s racing at Laguna Seca circuit in California in front of 92,000 spectators with a win in race 2 after crashing out of the lead in the first race. Championship leader Neil Hodgson twice finished runner-up to increase his lead in the standings over his team-mate to 122 points.

Frankie Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) scored a hugely popular win from Neil in race 1, his first since Donington 2001, after a first lap crash involving Hodgson, Frankie, Bostrom, Yates and Corser had forced a restart, while the victory in race 2 went to Ruben, who took control on lap 4 to lead to the flag for his third win of the year.

“I think that the races offered us a different scenario from qualifying, where we suffered a little, but in the end the Ducati 999F03 performed really well,” declared Ducati Corse CEO, Claudio Domenicali. “The bikes have benefited from the depth of development which goes into the Michelin tyres and the Shell Advance motorcycle oils supplied to the team. With Michelin we have often found Laguna Seca a difficult track, but in the last two years their tyres have been well up to the situation, while the oils Shell Advance supplied us with this weekend are designed to excel under the hot and dry conditions of this track.”

“I was leading the first race pretty easy and my lap times were consistent,” declared Ruben Xaus, “but I had a really hard tyre and I pushed it too much at the slowest corner of the track and crashed. Races are like that, but the second race I wanted to show everyone I am the fastest and the winner here. I found in the morning warm-up that I had the right tyre to last 28 laps and be capable of running 26 lows and that gave me the power for the race. I could have won two races but that’s ok, I know I’m getting better and better all the time.”

“My second place in race 1 is one of the best I’ve ever earned because it was a really difficult race,” declared Neil. “I’ve not felt comfortable all weekend with the set-up but in the race I just took my time. It’s difficult to pass round here and you have to wait for people to make mistakes, so thankfully people made mistakes! Race 2 was probably the most eventful race in my career. I’ve never seen so many crazy things happening, especially on the first lap. I nearly crashed then Frankie somersaulted and then James crashed in front of me and I ran off the track into the gravel. Thankfully I finished second – points are everything because I want to win the championship.”


More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist:

FRUSTRATION FOR TROY

Troy had a frustrating day at Laguna Seca, ending with a DNF in the second race after a hard-fought for eighth in the first. Laguna Seca was always going to be a difficult track for Troy and the Petronas FP1, but after the first race, Troy was thinking of another top eight finish in the second.

But a broken spark plug cap ruined Troy’s chances of a pair of good finishes and left him thinking of what could’ve been. Troy made a good start in race one, but was then involved in a five-rider melee at turn one and was forced to take to the gravel trap. His Petronas stalled and Troy appeared to be out of the race, but the red flag was put out and Troy was able to make the re-start. He rode consistently in the re-start and ended up eighth. Italian Frankie Chili (Ducati) won the 28-lapper after race leaders Ruben Xaus (Ducati) and Regis Laconi (Ducati) crashed out. Second was series leader Neil Hodgson (Ducati), with James Toseland (Ducati) third.

Troy made a good start in the second race, but his Petronas FP1 started running hot after about three or four laps. He tried to carry on, but when the bike went onto two cylinders he knew his race was over, so he pulled into the pits to avoid further damage. Ruben Xaus won the race, after taking command after three laps, with team mate Hodgson second and Chris Walker (third).

TROY Race 1: 8th Race 2: DNF
I feel a bit frustrated because I really thought I could leave here with a pair of top eight finishes and that would’ve been a good result considering qualifying. I suppose I was fortunate that the first race was red-flagged because that would’ve been a no-score otherwise. I had nowhere to go in the pile-up, but I kept the bike upright and went into the gravel. The bike stalled and I couldn’t get it started again, so it’s just as well there was a re-start. The gear lever had to be replaced because it was so badly bent, but that was all. The tyres worked consistently, but I was losing the back end running into corners, so it took me a few laps to change my lines and adapt. I got a good start in race two and overtook a few riders into turn one, but it wasn’t long – maybe three or four laps – that the temperature gauge began moving erratically. The water temperature went up to about 115 C and some of it sprayed over me, but I wanted to keep going. The suddenly the bike went onto two cylinders and slowed dramatically, so I had no choice but to pull in. It was a shame because I’m sure I could’ve had another top eight finish.

From a press release:

2003 Yamaha Formula Xtreme TT Series
Round 5, Eastern Creek Raceway, NSW
Race Report

CURTAIN CROWNED ‘KING OF XTREME’ FOR THE FIFTH TIME AS YAMAHA SCOOP FOUR MAJOR XTREME TITLES

Kevin Curtain reaffirmed his position as the ‘King of Xtreme’ after he wrapped up his fifth Yamaha Formula Xtreme title in the seven-year history of the series after a frantic final round battle at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway with Nikon Yamaha teammate Daniel Stauffer.

To add to his Xtreme success, Curtain took of the FX Supersport title giving him unprecedented back to back wins in each class.

Adding to Curtain’s success were fellow Yamaha riders Craig Trinder who made a successful defence of his NakedBike title aboard his Nikon Yamaha FZ1 and Taree teenager Alex Cudlin, who in his first full season of road racing took out the Superstock title aboard his Fineline Motorcycles Yamaha YZF R6 and is certain to be a talent to watch for the future.

Curtain has been the man to beat all series, but he was under immense pressure from teammate Daniel Stauffer (in Formula Xtreme) and Brendan Clarke (in Supersport) heading to the final round. He trailed Stauffer by six points when he arrived and emerged victorious by four after taking three race wins and a second, compared to Stauffer’s single win and three seconds. In his rookie year, Clarke was drafted into the team from round two and quickly grew comfortable with the R1 and completed a strong clean sweep for the team by finishing third overall.

“I must say that it’s getting harder and harder each year,” said Curtain after his title win. “It came right down to the wire at the end, so it’s a fantastic relief to be able to have come away with another win. I did everything I could to get the win in that final race as it came down between Daniel and myself as to whoever won that race would win the title. I gave it everything and came up trumps. The Nikon Yamaha team have prepared a great bike for me to ride in the shape of the YZF R1 as have Dunlop who gave us some great tyres to use this year.”

The Xtreme class has provided Yamaha riders with great results in 2003, especially for the strong contingent of privateer riders who support the series. A total of eight Yamaha’s filled the top ten placings in the premier class.

This charge was led by Victorian Cameron Donald who finished the series fourth overall aboard his Gay O’Brien Yamaha. He took out the overall round win at the penultimate round of the series in Queensland, but commitments to race in Asia this weekend forced him to miss the final, but he was rewarded by retaining his place on the points table.

One of the performances of the final round was that of 1997 Formula Xtreme champion Benn Archibald. The Aluma-Lite Racing rider rode solidly all weekend to finish third overall for the round and moved up to fifth on the point’s table. Victorians Nicholas Barton (SCR Yamaha) and Stephen Tozer (Stafford Yamaha) have been competitive all series and finished seventh and ninth respectively.

Curtain’s run at the Supersport title was equally as impressive. He arrived at the Creek with a 20-point advantage over Clarke, but an uncustomary crash in race two left the pair all square on points as they lined up for the penultimate race of the series. Curtain responded as a true champion taking the win and backing it up with another in the final to take the title by 10 points from Clarke.

“I just love the R6,” said Curtain. “It’s such a great package. You don’t have top do that much work to them, just work out how to go around corners fast and they work out very good. Again the team has done a great job in preparing the bike, while Dunlop have really stepped up to the mark this year and have been able to supply a great tyre for the class.”

“It’s getting harder to win races and titles because a few of the other guys are starting to learn how to ride fast. They are thinking seriously about going fast instead of just coming here and having a bit of fun. They now know how well I have gone overseas, so when I set the pace it gives them something to aim for. There’s little difference between my bike and everyone else’s and it just comes down to the rider and preparation.”

Curtain’s blistering charge over the weekend was rewarded even further as he set new lap records in both the Formula Xtreme (1:32.981) and Supersport (1:35.225) classes.

Sydney privateer Glen Allerton continued his great year, finishing fourth overall in the series with his best result being his overall round win at Queensland aboard his Yamaha YZF R6. Lismore Motorcycles rider Mark Stanley had posted a number of strong top ten finishes during the series and finished ninth overall even though he was absent from the final round as he was competing in the Asian championship held over the same weekend.

The Yamaha sponsored Superstock class unearthed another future talent as 16-year-old Alex Cudlin scored his first career open title. Riding his Fineline Motorcycles Yamaha YZF R6, Cudlin has dominated the class all series even though he was up against a number of vastly more experienced riders.

“We had a good weekend scoring a win and three seconds which was enough to have secured the win in the Superstock series,” said Cudlin. “It’s been a really good year. I wasn’t sure how far up near the front we would get, but we got the Yamaha YZF R6 running very well and came away with the title. The Superstock class has been a very good place to have spent my first year of road racing. I’ve learned a lot so that will help a lot as we step up to the Supersport class next year.”

Craig Trinder wrapped up the NakedBike title at the previous round and traded his leathers for a shirt and tie as he took up a guest commentary role for the weekend. In his absence the Yamaha flag was waved by Graeme Wilshaw aboard his Procycles Yamaha FZ1.

Wilshaw completed the weekend third on the outright points table for the class, but did give Yamaha victory in the NakedBike privateers class. He had a strong season and was consistently chased home by fellow Yamaha FZ1 riders Matthew Waldron and Lee Munro who finished fourth and fifth on the outright table.

“The Yamaha FZ1 has been faultless all series, giving us no problems at all,” said Wilshaw. “We’ve given it a bit of a hard time and it proved itself well. We’ve been on the podium at each round, picked up a couple of lap records along the way and won a few races. It’s been good.”

YAMAHA XTREME Overall points standings after round 5 of 5:

1. Kevin Curtain (340); 2. Daniel Stauffer (336): 3. Brendan Clarke (210); 4. Cameron Donald (165); 5. Benn Archibald 162); 6. David Butler (160); 7. Nicholas Barton (151); 8. Robert Bugden (145); 9. Stephen Tozer (143): 10. Ben Attard (133)


YAMAHA SUPERSPORT Overall points standings after round 5 of 5:

1. Kevin Curtain (375); 2. Brendan Clarke (365); 3. Russell Holland (287); 4. Glen Allerton (231); 5. Wayne Maxwell (190); 6. Simon Rattenbury (178), 7. Mark Aitchison (159): 8. Josh Waters (94): 9. Mark Stanley (82); 10. Christopher Seaton (77).

YAMAHA SUPERSTOCK Overall points standings after round 5 of 5:
1. Alex Cudlin (505); 2. Alex Tomasetti (437); 3. Jarrod Curren (396); 4. Benjamin O’Brien (300); 5. Matthew Whalen (234).

NAKEDBIKE Overall points standings after round 5 of 5:
1. Craig Trinder (385); 2. John Allen (382); 3. Graeme Wilshaw (342); 4. Matthew Waldren (275); 5. Lee Munro (228).

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning World Superbike Practice Times:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.492
2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.831
3. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.034
4. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:26.128
5. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.149
6. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 1:26.163
7. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:26.277
8. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:26.301
9. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.431
10. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:26.456
11. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.929
12. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.215
13. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:27.517
14. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.634
15. Lucio Pederchini, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.695
16. Juaj Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.776
17. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:27.937
18. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:28.044
19. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda RC51, 1:29.991
20. James Haydon, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:30.128

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

By John Joss

Laguna traffic has always been chaotic, with no one seemingly in charge or possessing a vision of how traffic should flow. You’d think that after 40+ years and millions of visitors they’d have it figured out by now. You’d be waaaay wrong.

Consider only the primary entrance/exit at Hwy 68. This entrance/exit is about 200 yards from a traffic light at Laureles Grade, but estimates by the CHP (interviewed by me earlier this year) indicate that it will take at least five years to put in the 200 yards of asphalt on the Laguna Seca property that would go far to relieve the entire mess, permitting eastbound traffic to Salinas to exit on the light while westbound traffic to Monterey could leave from the present road. This would feed relief back all the way to the track, where the exits are typically choked for an hour or more (much more) on the ‘big’ day, Sunday.

Five years!

In addition to freeing up the heavy exit traffic, it would also greatly reduce the cost of hiring CHP and Sheriff officers to manage the flow manually, which would in all probability offset the cost of the 200 yards of asphalt.

Five years!

From the great musical “My Fair Lady” (all together, now):
“Why is thinking something people never do?
Why is logic never even tried?
Fixing up their hair is all they ever do.
Why don’t they fix up … the mess that’s inside.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The FIM-sanctioned 2004 World Superbike, World Supersport and European Superstock Championships will run on spec tires and Superbike rules across the world will be “globalized,” according to FGSport Group, the organizers of the World Superbike Championship series.

The announcement came from Paolo Flammini, the Managing Director of FGSport Group, and Maurizio Flammini, the President of FGSport Group, in a special press conference held Friday, July 11 at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California. The press conference was organized due to overwhelming demand from the media present at Laguna Seca for reaction to recent press releases from the FIM and MSMA regarding proposed 2004 World Superbike rules.

In the press conference Maurizio Flammini, who answered nearly all of the questions, confirmed that there would be spec tires used in the 2004 Superbike World Championship series. “We really would like to have the teams who compete with the same possibility to win,” said Flammini. “Maybe you remember three or four years ago, instead of three or four riders who can win, like today, we had 10, 12 even 14. This is something we really want to go back to.

“We like what Michelin, Pirelli and Dunlop are doing. Unfortunately, there are very different performance caused by the performance of the tires, not from the performance of the motorcycle or the performance of the rider.”

Flammini said the tire companies were only supplying one or two teams with the best tires while the rest of the field getting “bad tires, not good tires, not competitive tires. This is not a good thing.

“You know if you have an engine that is 20 horsepower better than the other you can win two tenths, three tenths on the lap. But if you have a tire that is better than the others you can win one second. So if you don’t have the tire you can’t win.”

Flammini did not say teams would be provided the spec tires free of charge but said the deal would significantly reduce the cost of racing for the smaller teams that have to buy tires. “We will solve a big problem for the medium-level/low-level team,” said Flammini. “You know that today a medium-level team spends a lot of money, lots of money on tires. And they will spend a lot less, that is for sure.

“We can tell you that next year the teams will spend 50 percent less than this year, which is very good news for them.”

Flammini also confirmed that spec tires, the same brand as World Superbike, would be used in the World Supersport Championship and the European Superstock Championship. “The tires in Supersport and Superstock…I believe that will be the same, will be spec tires for everybody,” said Flammini. “I believe it will be one brand for everybody, but I can’t say now (which brand it will be).”

Pirelli currently supplies spec tires for the European Superstock Championship.

Flammini said it was possible that several different compounds from one tire supplier would be available to all racers in 2004. “For sure you remember when Formula One had spec tires for a number of years,” said Flammini. “You have three or four or five kinds of tires. All the tires are for everybody.

“So in the end you can have different…you can choose a tires that fits better your bike than the other one, also the type of riding. If you’re an aggressive rider that needs a different tire.”

World Superbike insiders believe that FGSport Group is close to making a deal with Pirelli, if the deal hasn’t already been completed. Flammini implied that Michelin and Dunlop did not take Superbike World Championship management seriously up to this point, saying , “Maybe this is incentive enough for everybody. So maybe Dunlop will wake up finally, maybe Michelin will finally come.”

The Flamminis were then asked about the recent press releases, which, among other things, indicated that World Superbike would no longer use air restrictors in 2004. “This is correct,” said Flammini. “We will not have anymore. The performance balance will be obtained through different systems. Clearly the target is to have less tuning to the engines in order to keep the costs low.

“In order to get the performance (with air restrictors), you need to tune up the engine and make it very sophisticated and then you limit the performance through the limitation of the air you let into the engine. The way we would like, we will follow is that you don’t limit the air in the engine. In this way you will not need to have a sophisticated engine and therefore the cost.

“Until today everybody was concentrating on spending a fortune on tuning up the engine. Tomorrow this cost will be one-tenth of today.”

Then the Flamminis were asked to respond to the press release from the Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers’ Association (MSMA), which, in a strongly-worded statement, said all of the factories were pulling their support from the World Superbike series as of 2004.

“Maybe the MSMA people are upset,” said Flammini. “We understand that. They are upset because we worked together for a number of years and we developed a regulation. And finally this regulation was approved the third of September 2001. There is a press release that says – that they signed – that this regulation was approved on condition that the manufacturers will not leave World Superbike in the next three years.

“We accepted this regulation at the time because of the promise of the manufacturer.

“We understand there was a number of problems, and the cost was the first problem.”

Flammini said costs got out of control because “part of the regulation implies full freedom in the engine. You can use very sophisticated materials, you can use technologies and you produce a lot of power.

“We accepted that because the manufacturers said, ‘we are going to produce bikes, we are going to produce bikes also for an affordable cost.’

“After three years we understood that the bikes are not available. In fact, at the last meeting with the MSMA, they said, unfortunately we can only guarantee you one manufacturer, not more than that. Not counting Ducati. Ducati already confirm that they were in the Championship. But between the Japanese, only one was going to confirm that.

“We understand that certainly the motorcycles were not available. Some motorcycles eventually available for a huge price. So practically World Superbike 2004 was not possible to be organized.

“And then we spoke to the teams, we spoke to the riders, we spoke with the manufacturers also, we spoke with the various organizations of the world – like AMA, like UK, like the Germans. We very quickly formed an agreement, and the agreement is based on having motorcycles available to the rider for an affordable price and that can be competitive, can be fairly competitive.

“To give you some idea about, the technical regulations will be very similar to the AMA and the UK. So it will be something in the middle.”

Flammini mentioned that Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki would all have new bikes in 2004 that should be competitive under the new regulations.

“We want to announce the new rules very soon, very, very soon,” said Flammini. “The goal is the end of the month, but we will announce the new rules together with our other organizers like UK, the AMA, Italy. So we want to coordinate everything.”

Flammini said the World Endurance Championship, which is managed by FGSport Group, will also use the new Superbike regulations in 2004.

New support classes, including a “naked” class, for the FGSport Group’s 2004 series are also being considered, according to Paolo Flammini.