From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing, with no indication of what track this test took place on, although we suspect it was Valencia:

Foggy PETRONAS Racing beat the rain pain in Spain!

Foggy PETRONAS Racing today overcame the rain in Spain to complete their final test of the year.

Persistent rain on the first day forced the team to remain in the garage as the standing water, on a track that does not drain easily due to its very flat surface, would have both compromised the safety of the riders and also have been counter-productive to the team’s testing and development of the Foggy FP1.

Although forecasts indicated similar weather on the second and final day, the rain held off until late in the afternoon enabling both Troy Corser and James Haydon to complete a good number of laps on a damp track and work through much of the planned testing elements, without the distraction of focusing on fast lap times. And team owner Carl Fogarty believes good overall progress was made.

He said: “It was a shame that the weather spoilt things a little but we did manage to learn a lot, especially on the cooling system. We are still at a stage when, even if the weather is bad, we are able to learn and make progress.”

The aim of the test was to compare the data from the team’s recent wind tunnel test with on track performance, with the evaluation of aerodynamic parts proving encouraging. Limited tyre testing with new front and rear tyre compounds and constructions, supplied by Michelin, was also carried out.

“Given that we lost the first day, we’ve achieved a great deal at this test and I feel quite happy with the stage we are at, at this point in time,” commented the former world champion, Troy Corser.

Team-mate James Haydon said: “We made up for lost time today, working really well through a number
of development areas and further clarifying our path for moving forward. I can’t wait to get back on the bike in January in Australia and Malaysia and get down to more in-depth preparation for the start of the racing season.”

Foggy PETRONAS Racing have a further three tests currently planned for early 2003, prior to their much anticipated debut in the World Superbike Championship at Valencia on 2 March.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

A memorial service for racer and land speed record holder Don Vesco will be held at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time Saturday, December 21 at El Cajon Mortuary Chapel in El Cajon, California. Burial services are to follow immediately in the El Cajon Cemetery.

Vesco died Monday, December 16 of prostate cancer. He was 63.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING SECURES BRAINERD ROUND FOR 2003 AMA CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

PICKERINGTON, Ohio–The AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship round at Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway slated for June 27-29, is now confirmed on the 2003 schedule. This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the first AMA Superbike National held at Brainerd in 1983. Wayne Rainey rode a Kawasaki to victory on the three-mile circuit in that inaugural event.

“We are glad to be back at Brainerd for 2003,” said John Farris Jr., Vice President, Commercial Development, AMA Pro Racing. “This track has a great history of close, exciting racing that has been enjoyed by both fans and riders for many years. It also fills a key slot in our schedule and produces a great TV program for fans and sponsors.”

Since the inaugural AMA national in 1983, Brainerd has earned a rich history in both AMA and world championship races. From 1989 to 1991 the circuit hosted the U.S. round of the World Superbike Championship. Three-time AMA Superbike Champion Doug Chandler won his first World Superbike race there in 1990 on a Muzzy Kawasaki. Texan Doug Polen rode a Ferracci Ducati to a double victory at Brainerd in 1991 en route to winning that year’s World Superbike Championship.

Riders and fans alike enjoy the three-mile circuit for its famous nearly mile long high-speed straight and the infamous turn one, the fastest turn one in the AMA series. The race is renowned for the laid-back atmosphere, the great camping and the scenic surrounding lake country.

From a press release issued by Clear Channel Entertainment–Motor Sports:

LAWSUIT DISMISSED AGAINST CLEAR CHANNEL ENTERTAINMENT – MOTOR SPORTS

AURORA, Ill. (December 19, 2002) – Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports and AMA Pro Racing entered into an agreement on December 17, 2002 prior to a scheduled court hearing concerning the THQ World Supercross GP and the AMA Supercross Series. AMA Pro had claimed that it never agreed that the U.S. supercross events produced by Clear Channel would be part of a FIM World Championship Series and in late November filed a lawsuit asking a federal judge to enjoin Clear Channel from advertising these events as part of the THQ World Supercross GP.

Clear Channel responded by filing with the court last Friday an evidentiary submission proving that AMA Pro’s claims were baseless. The evidence included an April 12, 2002 joint press release by AMA Pro and Clear Channel that was reprinted in the June edition of the American Motorcyclist Magazine, the ‘official publication’ of the AMA, which confirmed that the Clear Channel events would be rounds in both the AMA Supercross Series and the FIM World Supercross Championship Series. Clear Channel also submitted to the court an agreement signed by AMA Pro Chairman P.J. Harvey on April 6, 2002 specifically agreeing that the events would be run in order to count as part of the world championship.

“AMA Pro had tried to avoid the clear language of its agreements with Clear Channel concerning the fact that the U.S. events produced by Clear Channel constitute rounds within the THQ World Supercross GP international supercross series. In fact, AMA Pro also alleged that the agreement signed by its Chairman of the Board of Directors in April of this year was ‘without authority.’ However, it soon became obvious that AMA Pro’s attempt to retract its agreement on this issue lacked credibility,” said Ken Hudgens, vice president of marketing for Clear Channel.

“Since the AMA Supercross Series events produced by Clear Channel are part of the THQ World Supercross GP championship series, the FIM is required to certify the events for that purpose. The FIM race director will be present at the U.S. events for the purpose of deciding whether such events will count toward the FIM Supercross World Championship. There was no dispute between AMA Pro and Clear Channel over which entity would provide the officials for the events, or the rules that would apply. The U.S. races will be officiated by AMA Pro and run under the AMA Pro rules that had already been adopted by the FIM with limited exceptions for fuel, all of which is consistent with the existing agreements between Clear Channel and AMA Pro. We would never have agreed to increase the AMA Pro fees by four times and not expect them to perform the very sanctioning services for which we are paying,” adds Charlie Mancuso, president of Clear Channel Entertainment’s motor sports division.

Hudgens said, “Additionally, AMA Pro unsuccessfully attempted to prevent us from advertising the world supercross championship as the THQ World Supercross GP. In that regard, we simply agreed that our promotion and advertising pertaining to the U.S. events that mention the THQ World Supercross GP will give equally prominent mention to the AMA Supercross Series. We have not violated our agreements with AMA Pro. The filing of this lawsuit did not result in any finding whatsoever against Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports. The lawsuit has been dismissed with prejudice.”

Hudgens went on to add, “The manner in which AMA Pro has attempted to ‘spin’ the agreement reached Tuesday is inappropriate and not reflected by the facts. We had planned on following our guideline of not commenting in public on business disputes, and just going about our business of producing top quality supercross events in the United States and throughout the world in conjunction with Dorna relative to the international rounds. However, as a result of continued misstatements of the facts, we are forced to publicly comment in order to accurately state what actually occurred in this matter.

“We believe the public recognizes that Clear Channel’s 29-year investment of time, money and personnel has been a significant contributing factor to the enormous success and growth experienced in the sport of supercross for the benefit of motorcycle enthusiasts, riders, sponsors and others that are involved in the supercross industry.

“Moreover, the FIM has been extremely cooperative and flexible with respect to the creation of a world supercross series. We are completely confident that no one has any intentions to ‘take over’ AMA Pro’s role in the national series. Why would we allow that? For years we have been, and remain, AMA Pro’s best and highest paying customer,” concluded Hudgens.

From a press release issued by USGPRU:

USGPRU announces AMA Charter

Mountain View, CA – December 19, 2002 – Today The United States Grand Prix Riders’ Union (USGPRU) became an AMA Chartered Member Organization and has filed for both AMA and FIM sanction for all its US-based events on the 2003 schedule. The USGPRU’s AMA Charter Number is 8553.

AMA Charter as well as the forthcoming AMA and FIM sanction will provide both national and international recognition for the Championship and further recognize the efforts of the small but dedicated staff who manage and operate the Championship which is conducted in four regions of the United States and Canada.

The FIM and AMA Sanction will make the USGPRU Series the premiere development series in the United States for riders looking to a future in World GP. Riders like Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden and others currently racing at the pinnacle of the sport all cut their teeth racing 125cc GP machines – this class is critical to the proper development of young talent in road racing.

Last year, in its inaugural season the USGPRU licensed nearly 140 riders in the 125cc GP class. The level of competition has been truly superb and the introduction of a rule set based entirely on the FIM model has been a huge success.

Dedicated practice, qualifying and proper GP length races in excess of 60km have combined to provide some of the fiercest and most competitive racing in the US.

“With 21 races across the US and Canada this season we hope to further grow the ranks in 125cc GP and hope that other organizations will continue to work together with the USGPRU to insure sustained growth and development of 125cc GP/GP3 class,” notes National Series Director Jonathan Flack.

Complete details are available on the official USGPRU web site at www.usgpru.org.


From another press release issued by USGPRU:

USGPRU Releases 2003 Championship Schedule

Mountain View, CA – December 19, 2002 – The United States Grand Prix Riders’ Union (USGPRU) has released the schedule for the 2003 US National Championship for the 125cc GP Class.

We continue to work closely with Clear Channel Entertainment’s Championship Cup Series and Formula USA in 2003. After a tremendously successful inaugural season we are happy to announce our continued affiliation with Clear Channel’s CCS & F-USA. “They have been our greatest proponent and the staff at Clear Channel has been 100% professional in every way and we anticipate another great season with them,” said Series Director Jonathan Flack.

F-USA and CCS will provide no less than 16 of the 21 National Championship rounds for 2003 including the National Championship Final, currently scheduled for Thunderhill Park Raceway October 3-5.

Under the USGPRU’s new Charter with the AMA, paperwork has been submitted for both AMA and FIM sanction for all indicated events in the United States (See schedule below).

In addition to the races scheduled with CCS and F-USA the USGPRU has scheduled 5 combined events with the Can-Am Challenge which will run concurrent with the Canadian Superbike Rounds at Mosport, Shannonville and Le Circuit Mont Tremblant. These events are all scheduled in the North Central region.

“John Bickle and the staff at the Can-Am Challenge have done an amazing job of building a truly fantastic series in Canada and the Northern US. When the opportunity to work together presented itself we were happy to combine our North Central region with the Can-Am Challenge for 2003,” noted Chief Steward and Western Region Representative Stewart Aitken-Cade.

Dates for the 2003 National Championship are as follows:

Eastern Region:
Daytona International Raceway, F-USA, Feb. 27-March 2 **
Virginia International Raceway, CCS, April **
New Hampshire International Raceway, F-USA, June 13-15 **
Virginia International Raceway, CCS, June 29-29 **
Summit Point, F-USA, August 5-7 **

North Central Region:
Shannonville, Canadian Superbike/Can-AM, May 16-18
Mid America Motorplex, F-USA, May 22-25 **
Mosport, Canadian Superbike/Can-Am, July 18-20
Road America, F-USA, August 7-10 **
Le Circuit Mont Tremblant, Canadian Superbike/Can-Am, August 21-24

South Central Region:
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
Barber Motorsports Park, CCS, August 15-17 **

Western Region:
Streets of Willow, WSIR, CCS, Feb 1-2 **
Las Vegas, CCS, Date TBA **
TBA
Buttonwillow, CCS, July 5-6 **
Portland International Raceway, September 4-7 **

US National Championship Final:
Thunderhill Park Raceway, Willows, CA, October 3-5, 2003 **

** AMA and FIM Sanction under application

Complete details on the USGPRU 125cc Road Racing Grand Prix National Championship, the 2003 schedule, track information, rules and regulations, membership and more can be found at the USGPRU website at:

http://www.usgpru.org

From a press release issued by Willow Springs International Raceway:

After considering input from numerous riders and teams who want to participate in the Toyota 200, but had contractual obligations to their sponsors to race in all the AMA road racing events in 2003, including the season-ending races at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama on September 19-21, 2003, Willow Springs International Raceway has decided to move the Second Annual Toyota 200 date from September 19-21, 2003, to October 17-19, 2003.

“Over the years, we’ve dealt with the issue of event scheduling from every perspective,” said Chris Huth, Director of Operations at the facility. “Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts are a part of the motorsports business that are practically unavoidable. You’re going to be too close to, or on top of some other event, somewhere, and the people most affected are the competitors. The last thing we want to do is put them in the middle of something they have no control over. Because of our position in this particular event, as promoter, track owner, and sanctioning body, we have total control, and the capabilities of moving the race date without too many problems.

“Even though we spent money advertising the date before AMA announced their schedule, we felt it was the right move. Make no mistake, we had no problem going head-to-head with the AMA event. We know we’ll fill the 40-rider grid with quality racers, and judging by our inaugural event we’ll get plenty of race fans in the house, and we really wanted to make September the traditional month of this classic event. But in the end it was consideration for the racers’ needs that made up our minds. We want the racers to know that Willow Springs and WSMC have always been about them.”

From a press release issued by series organizers:

AMATEURS GET NATIONAL SHOT

TORONTO, ON – The development of Canada’s future motorcycle road racing stars enters a new era when the Parts Canada Superbike Championship opens at Shannonville Motorsport Park May 15-18.

That event will see the debut of the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike class, a category designed specifically to breed the next generation of top racers. The new class will be featured at all seven stops on the Canadian national tour and run alongside the feature Parts Canada Superbike class and the Yoshimura 600 Sport Bike Pro national support category.

SUPERSHOW Racing has signed a three-year deal to sponsor the class and supplied a year-end purse of $12,500 for 2003, with the champion getting $2,500.

The Parts Canada Superbike Championship’s “Big Kahuna” style doubleheader weekend at Mosport International Raceway July 18-20 is also promoted by SUPERSHOW Racing.

Additionally, Parts Canada racing manager Todd Shyiak has announced the company has augmented the winner’s payout with a $1,000 top prize. That will increase to $2,500 if the class champion wears an HJC helmet. Parts Canada is the Canadian distributor for HJC products.

The Amateur 600 champion will also receive the loan of a 2004 version of the make of motorcycle they won the 2003 crown on for use in the national series in 2004.

Equipment rules for the new class will be identical to those in the Yoshimura 600 Sport Bike division. Only production based street motorcycles with a maximum of 620cc displacement are eligible and machines are subject to a maximum horsepower of 110 hp and minimum weight of 360 lbs.

Both horsepower and weight will be checked after official qualifying sessions and races. Horsepower will be measured on the official series Dynojet Dyno and weight will be verified with the series’ official scales. Only tires that meet DOT standards may be used.

The new class will be fully administered and promoted by the Parts Canada Superbike Championship staff and be included in television coverage of the series shown on The Sports Network, Le Reseau des Sports and the Outdoor Life Network.

“We have an obligation to encourage the development of up-and-coming racers for the Parts Canada Superbike Championship,” said Colin Fraser of Professional Motorsport Productions, the company that organizes the national tour. “The creation of the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike Championship gives amateur racers the opportunity to race in front of the major motorcycle industry representatives at every national round. They also benefit from the national television and on-site exposure that comes from being part of the Parts Canada Superbike tour.

“Additionally, these racers will get a taste of the commitment required to race at the national level, and hopefully enter the Pro ranks well prepared to make an impact.”

First year Pros are eligible for the HJC Pro Rookie of the Year award, which was won in 2002 by Diablo Performance Suzuki rider Ugo Levert.

Full details of the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike class will be available to racers at a seminar being hosted by PMP at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4 in conjunction with the North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW at Toronto’s International Centre.

From a press release issued by Team Yamaha Belgarda:

Date: 19th December 2002, Day 1
Circuit: Ricardo Tormo, 4.005 kms

RAIN UPSETS PLANS
An absolute downpour ruined yet another day of winter tests for Team Yamaha Belgarda Supersport. The non-stop rain was a set-back for Dutch rider Jurgen Van den Goorbergh’s debut on the Yamaha YZF-R6, but Jamie Whitham put on his oversuit in the afternoon and stoically completed eight laps.

ANOTHER DELAY
Once again Team Yamaha Belgarda Supersport were out of luck. In November, Casoli’s serious crash ruined the two-day tests and restricted the programme’s development. This time it was atrocious weather that hindered proceedings and even though Van den Goorbergh is used to wet weather, he was understandably not keen on venturing out on an unfamiliar bike for the first time. “The rain was far too strong,” he said “and on the track there was a lot of standing water–maybe two centimetres of it! In these conditions, it is pointless going out. I have never ridden a Supersport bike and this Yamaha ride is my first opportunity on one. I normally ride in MotoGP and I am curious to find out what a Supersport bike like the YZF-R6 is like. I hope we get better weather, so I can find out.”

WHITHAM IMPATIENT
Whitham missed the first test in November and was impatient to get his leg over the new bike. At four o’clock he decided that, despite the conditions, he would try and make some laps. Afterwards he said, “The first feeling was a positive one. With the old R6, the power came in a rush and it wasn’t an easy bike to control ­ especially in the wet. The new bike is easier ­ probably due to the fuel injection system. I’m happy with my first contact with the bike and now I’d like one good, dry day to really see what it can do.”

STILL AT THE BEGINNING
In practical terms, the development of the new Yamaha YZF-R6 is still at the first stage and a lot of work has to be done before the start of the 2003 season.

“At this moment we have a new bike for each rider, and everbody also has a 2002 R6 in order to make a comparison.” explained Sporting Director Massimo Meregalli. “Pirelli has many different tyres for us to try, and we must also try out different WP suspension options. We didn’t use Pirelli or WP last season, so both are new for us and require learning. We have worked on the engines on the test-bench at our workshop, but we’d like to see how they perform on the track. If it carries on raining tomorrow, we’ll not even complete 70% of the work we’d planned. I hope this test is not going to be a disaster.”