Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

AMA team testing scheduled for Monday, January 6 at California Speedway in Fontana, California was postponed due to high winds.

American Honda, Parts Unlimited PJ1 Erion Honda, Annandale Honda and the Kawasaki factory team planned on starting a two-day test Monday, but wind gusts measuring as high as 90 mph prevented riders from attempting any laps of the 2.36-mile infield road course.

“Not only is the wind blowing too hard to ride,” said Parts Unlimited PJ1 Erion Honda rider Kurtis Roberts, “it’s very inconsistent. It’s hard enough just to walk around here.”

“We thought the roof was going to come off the garage, at one point,” said Roberts’ crew chief, former racer David McGrath.

Wind gusts did begin to tear away the metal roof of the paddock garage sheltering the Annandale Honda team. California Speedway personnel responded by using the lifting portion of a large fork lift/loader to place weight on the loose roof edge, which was facing directly into the wind.

High winds have played havoc with the greater Los Angeles area beginning Sunday night, resulting in several wind-driven brush fires. While one fire threatened homes in the Malibu area, another fire forced Interstate 15 — a major North-South throughfare near California Speedway — to be closed for several hours Monday afternoon. Overturned trucks, downed powerlines and fallen trees were some of the other problems caused by the extreme winds.

According to reports on the Weather Channel, the warm, dry winds are being caused by “El Nino,” a cyclic weather phenomenon in which the temperature of the Eastern Pacific Ocean rises, with dramatic effect on the weather of the United States.

Forecasters say the high winds will continue Tuesday; McGrath said that American Honda, which organized the test, is working on rescheduling for next Monday and Tuesday, January 13-14.

From a press release issued by the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum:

PARKER HEADLINES MUSEUM’S DAYTONA BREAKFAST

PICKERINGTON, OHIO — The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum has announced that Scott Parker, winner of 94 AMA Grand National races and 9 series titles, will be the keynote speaker at the 15th Annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Friend-Raising Breakfast, to be held during Daytona Bike Week at the Holiday Inn in DeLand, Florida, on Saturday, March 8 at 8:00 a.m.

Parker, a native of Flint, Michigan, is arguably the greatest dirt-track racer of all time. After breaking the legendary Joe Petrali’s all-time win record — a mark that had stood for 55 years — Parker went on to nearly double Petrali’s total. He won the Sacramento Mile 13 times, the Springfield Mile 14 times, and was the youngest rider ever to win an AMA National. Earning Rookie-of-the-Year honors in 1979, Parker retired from professional racing after the 2000 season.

At this year’s Friend-Raising Breakfast, Parker will be joined on stage by Speed Channel personality and well-known racing announcer J.B. Norris.

Admission to the 15th Annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Friend-Raising Breakfast is $15 per person. Associate Sponsorships are available for an additional tax-deductible donation of $50 or more; Event Sponsorships are available for an additional tax-deductible donation of $500 or more. Donors will be recognized in the event program.

To make reservations, call the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum at 614-856-2222, or e-mail [email protected]. For information about sponsorships, contact Dan Smith at 614-856-2222 ext. 1198 or [email protected].

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

We’re been inundated with e-mails requesting contact info since we posted a story mentioning that Yoshimura Suzuki is looking for a data acquisition guy.

To save everybody time, Yoshimura Suzuki’s Don Sakakura can be contacted at 909-364-0186, ext. 312.

From a press release issued by USGPRU:

USGPRU Will Not Add a South Central Region

The USGPRU has decided not to add the South Central Region comprised largely of Texas after failing to reach an agreement with regional race organizers.

“We understand the problem faced by organizers but we are very disappointed not to be adding the region, there was so much support from the riders for expansion of the USGPRU into this region,” said Series Director Jonathan Flack.

“Growth in the non-traditional motard classes has obviously put a pinch on the scheduling during race weekends for race organizers, we fully understand the financial incentives, but I feel that we are doing riders a real injustice by limiting development of what has proven the most successful development class in road racing, especially in Texas.

“It’s easy to forget that many of the top riders in road racing today including Nicky Hayden, Jason DiSalvo & Chris Ulrich (not to mention Valentino Rossi, Toni Elias, and countless others) all cut their teeth racing in the 125GP Class and there is really no other place for riders to develop like they can in the 125s,” says Series Director Flack.

“The 125 is a very easy bike to ride – but a tremendously difficult bike to ride fast, and that’s what makes it such a great tool when developing young riders.

“It’s so easy to identify talent in this class because it’s so difficult to ride at the front of the field. These qualities transfer so well to larger bikes, yet young riders develop these skills so much more quickly on a 125, so it’s the obvious place to start young riders.

“Nearly every great rider at the World Championship level has spent time on a 125 and that’s not a coincidence. Young local riders like Ryan Andrews were beginning to show tremendous potential at USGPRU events in 2002 so the decision to drop the region is especially disappointing because young riders like Ryan are really the focus of the USGPRU.

“With the extension of the 125GP Class in World Grand Prix to 2008 we had hoped other organizations would recognise the continued value of the class. Only Hallett was a disappointment for us last season, at some events the grids reached over 40 bikes,” noted Flack. “The Western region consistently had the largest grids most weekends.”

The USGPRU hopes to move forward with addition of the region in 2004 but for 2003 Flack says “We have to go with a secure program or we risk over-extending the series. With races scheduled in three regions and a total of 16 events on the National Championship schedule we feel that there will be ample opportunity for riders in the South Central US to get their six required races in for the Championship.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

CCS Florida boss Henry Degouw says that four CCS Florida officials have announced their engagement:

Brian Klingensmith and Stacey Shackelford, with no wedding date set.

Wes Green and Mary Beth Bannon, with a May wedding planned.

From a press release issued by Fastrack:

Fastrack Riders Association Announces 2003 Schedule and Frequent Rider Program

Fastrack Riders Association (FRA) is pleased to announce its 2003 schedule. After a tremendously successful first year at California Speedway, FRA will continue its success at the speedway with 22 track day events. FRA will host an additional race event Practice Day at the speedway on April 3rd, before the AMA race. In addition, we currently have one weekend at Buttonwillow Raceway in April. FRA is in the process of securing dates at additional tracks in the Southeast U.S.

A last-minute entry to the schedule is the bonus date of April 3rd which provides AMA racers with a golden opportunity to sort out their bikes and learn the track for the following weekend’s race at the speedway.

David Pyles, President of Fastrack, says, “California Speedway is a world-class facility, and we’re glad to have it as our home track next year. The pits are great and the garages have everything you could ever want. In fact, last year we were able to tune in and watch the Laguna AMA race on the TVs overhead. How many tracks can you do that at? In addition, California Speedway has an on-site medical facility and doctor available at all Fastrack Riders events. We are also happy to have an event at Buttonwillow, and the possibility of more dates at tracks on the East Coast.”

Fastrack puts on a good show. Lunches are included and instructors are available for those who want to improve their riding skills. Digital photographers will be at each event next year so riders can go on-line and order prints later.

Larry Pointer, Vice President of Operations at Fastrack says, “This year, we are introducing our Frequent Fastracker Pass where riders sign up for 10 events and get one date free. This is a great way to reward our loyal customers and encourage greater participation.”

For more information on FRA activities, visit the website at www.fastrackriders.com, or call David Pyles at (949) 488-0543.

FRA TRACK DAYS:

March 10th @ California Speedway Infield Course (Monday)

March 28th, 29th, 30th @ California Speedway AMA Track (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday)

April 19th, 20th @ Buttonwillow Raceway

May 5th @ California Speedway Infield Course (Monday)

May 23rd, 24th, 25th @ California Speedway AMA Track (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday)

June 16th @ California Speedway Infield Course (Monday)

June 27th, 28th, 29th @ California Speedway AMA Track (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday)

July 25th, 26th & 27th @ California Speedway AMA Track (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday)

August 11th @ California Speedway Infield Course (Monday)

August 29th, 30th, 31st @ California Speedway AMA Track (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday)

September 27th & 28th @ California Speedway Infield Course (Saturday & Sunday)

FRA PRACTICE DAY

April 3rd @ California Speedway AMA Track (Thursday before AMA race weekend)



From a press release issued by Team Pro-Motion:

Team Pro-Motion Track Days 2003 Schedule:

3/1-2 Virginia Int’l Raceway (North Course), Alton, VA

4/12-13 Pocono Int’l Raceway (East Course), Long Pond, PA

4/18-19 Beaverun Motorsports Complex, Wampum, PA

4/20 Pocono Int’l Raceway (East Course), Long Pond, PA

5/3-4 Summit Point Raceway (Jefferson Circuit), Summit Point, WV

5/5 Summit Point Raceway, Summit Point, WV

5/11 Pocono Int’l Raceway (East Course), Long Pond, PA

5/13 Pocono Int’l Raceway (F-USA Course), Long Pond, PA

5/31-6/1 Virginia Int’l Raceway (South Course), Alton, VA

6/7-8 Summit Point Raceway (Jefferson Circuit), Summit Point, WV

6/9 Summit Point Raceway, Summit Point, WV

6/17 Pocono Int’l Raceway (East Course), Long Pond, PA

6/26 Pocono Int’l Raceway (North Course), Long Pond, PA

7/3-4 Pocono Int’l Raceway (East Course), Long Pond, PA

7/5-6 Virginia Int’l Raceway (South Course), Alton, VA*

7/11-12 Beaverun Motorsports Complex, Wampum, PA

7/18 Pocono Int’l Raceway (East Course), Long Pond, PA

7/26-27 Virginia Int’l Raceway (South Course), Alton, VA

8/4 Pocono Int’l Raceway (East Course), Long Pond, PA

8/7 Pocono Int’l Raceway (East Course), Long Pond, PA

8/15 Pocono Int’l Raceway (F-USA Course), Long Pond, PA

8/22-23 Beaverun Motorsports Complex, Wampum, PA

8/30-31 Pocono Int’l Raceway (East Course), Long Pond, PA

9/13 Pocono Int’l Raceway (East Course), Long Pond, PA

9/20-21 Summit Point Raceway (Jefferson Circuit), Summit Point, WV

9/22 Summit Point Raceway (Shenandoah Circuit), Summit Point, WV

9/26 Pocono Int’l Raceway (East Course), Long Pond, PA

10/4-5 Beaverun Motorsports Complex, Wampum, PA

10/11 Pocono Int’l Raceway (North Course), Long Pond, PA

10/12 Pocono Int’l Raceway (East Course), Long Pond, PA

11/2 Summit Point Raceway (Jefferson Circuit), Summit Point, WV

11/3 Summit Point Raceway (Shenandoah Circuit), Summit Point, WV

11/22-23 Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

* Held in conjunction with Sportbike Track Time.

For additional info, call (215) 671-8660, FAX (775) 242-5720, e-mail [email protected], www.teampromotion.com.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The Alstare Corona Suzuki team will race in the 2003 World Superbike Championship on GSX-R1000 Superbikes.

That’s the word from Corona Extra Suzuki AMA team principal Tim Saunders, who has close ties to the Alstare Corona Suzuki team, and from Yoshimura Suzuki’s Don Sakakura, who says the Alstare Corona Suzuki team will test with other factory Suzuki teams at Sepang, Malaysia January 12-18.

Neither Saunders nor Sakukura knows who will ride for Alstare Corona Suzuki in 2003.

In 2002 Alstare competed in World Superbike with Gregorio Lavilla and in World Supersport with Katsuaki Fujiwara and Stephane Chambon, but the team has made no announcement regarding its 2003 riders.

In related news, Frenchman Jean-Michel Bayle tested a Corona Extra Suzuki AMA Formula Xtreme GSX-R1000 in California in December.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Dema Elgin and Allan Lockheed are hosting an Engine Performance Seminar January 18-19 in Topeka, Kansas.

Topics covered will include:

–timing and flow requirements of an operating engine, and the priority of valve events

–airflow and comression ratio vs. cam events

–the importance of valve seating velocity

–2-valve, 4-valve, supercharger and turbocharger airflow, valve events and engine operation

–tappets and cam lobes, how to recognize and avoid problems

–valve spring designs and evolution

–oil and lubrication, fuels, crankcase vacuum, pistons rings, connecting rods

–how to select cam lobes for custom cams

–managing six regulators of engine performance

–tailoring the horsepower curve to the application

–exhaust design tailored to the power curve

–identifying pressure and velocity wave models for good engine performance

–balancing airflow, cylinder filling vs. airflow and velocity, plus velocity/port sizes for each engine and powerband

–airflow requirements vs. rod length, engine speed, cylinder size and stroke length

More information is availble from Elgin at (650) 364-2187 or Lockheed at (303) 238-2414.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin, Aaron Yates and Ben Spies will test alongside Suzuki MotoGP riders Kenny Lee Roberts and John Hopkins January 12-18 at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia.

“That’s what the plan is at this point,” Yoshimura Suzuki team manager Don Sakakura told Roadracingworld.com Friday. “Suzuki’s MotoGP team has the course rented for the week, so we felt it was in our best interest, especially with as much rain as we saw at Daytona; we didn’t see adequate time on the track. And as you know once we start racing, it’s hard to find any time to test.

“We’ll spend this week shipping some product (bikes and parts) out and some crew and spend the week out in Malaysia. We’re going to try and simulate some of the summer (weather) conditions that we see here – hot with humidity in the air. Obviously, the course condition is going to be a little different than what we see here.

“It’s just mainly getting some time on the motorcycle, making some changes to the geometry and suspension settings and seeing how the motorcycle responds. We just didn’t have time at Daytona to go through the normal tuning and adjustments we wanted to look at. Just some good solid track time, a good solid week of running will be a huge benefit.”

Unlike the other AMA Superbike teams, Yoshimura Suzuki is tasked with developing a brand new Superbike from the ground up in 2003. “It’s exciting, brand new motorcycle,” said Sakakura. “I think the motorcycle has huge potential. We’re just trying to run through as many engine, transmission and suspension configurations as possible. A big concern there with us, obviously, is the transmissions, because we’re limited to ratio selection. We’re just trying to get an idea of how the motor responds at certain rpm at this point. I think the factory has found a few things to do to the engine as well (since the Daytona test). So I’m expecting we’ll be very competitive speed-wise this coming season.”

Since deciding to make the trip to Sepang, Yoshimura Suzuki has canceled a private test planned for January 16-17 at Pahrump, Nevada and will not attend a multi-team test to be held at Laguna Seca January 21-23. “With the California tests at Laguna Seca and Fontana,” explained Sakakura, “it’s still pretty questionable there with weather and temperatures. We go to Laguna every year and stand around with our hands in our pockets all morning and get to run a few laps in the afternoon. It’s actually not that productive. Our next test after this Malaysian run will be at California Speedway 5-6 of February.”

One problem Sakakura still faces is finding a data acquisition specialist. “I’m still looking,” said Sakakura. “The systems are built already. The systems are up and running. The (wiring) harnesses are built. The crew chiefs can handle it pretty much on their own from here. They can plug in and download, and the analysis is all done by the crew chiefs. I’m really looking for an individual to manage and maintain the systems, troubleshoot as needed. Not a really high-experience individual at this point is what I’m looking for. More of a computer guy than a motorcycle guy, someone with some general computer skills. My plan is to maybe send them to some seminars. They should be able to pick up the system fairly quickly.”

Mladin and Yates will test their new GSX-R1000 Superbikes, and Spies will test his new GSX-R1000 Formula Xtreme bike at Sepang. The team will not ship GSX-R600s to the test.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Racing has changed practice restrictions that have kept privateers like Brian Livengood from participating in Thursday practice prior to AMA Nationals.

The restrictions, originally enacted by AMA Pro Racing Director of Competition Merrill Vanderslice “to save the factory teams from themselves,” were meant to keep factory team riders out of Thursday practice. But instead of directly targeting factory riders, the restrictions banned riders who were in the top 10 in points in the Superbike and 600cc Supersport classes. Which meant, for a 2002-season example, that non-factory-team riders like Livengood who made it into the top 10 in Superbike points were forced to sit out Thursday practice at tracks they’d never seen before.

But according to a Pro Bulletin dated December 30, new language brings the restrictions back to the orginal target, factory riders.

The new language, as printed in the bulletin, reads:

Unofficial Practice

Riders in the following categories are not permitted to take part in any practices or schools at a track within ten days preceding the first day of official practice of a national road race:

(a) Riders who are employed or contracted by the manufacturers or their US distributors as factory team members in Superbike or Supersport.

(b) Former national champions of Superbike and Supersport within the preceding 5 years.