Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Willow Springs Motorcycle Club (WSMC) is offering an open practice day Saturday, December 28 for the special low price of $50 for WSMC racers who have renewed their racing licenses for 2003. Current WSMC who have not renewed their license for 2003 may still participate for $100. The price is per rider, not per bike.

During the track day, WSMC will also offer free water, soda, sports drinks and candy, while supplies last.

For additional information, call (661) 256-1234, e-mail [email protected] or go to www.race-wsmc.com.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION
Phillip Island (Australia)
Friday 20 December 2002

THIRD AND FINAL DAY OF TESTING FOR DUCATI CORSE MOTOGP TEAM AT PHILLIP ISLAND

Fog and damp conditions delayed the start of the final day at Phillip Island for the Ducati Corse MotoGP team, but testing continued in perfect conditions (air 21°C / track 27-38°C) once the sun came out.

Both Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss were scheduled to complete a race simulation today as well as tests with different chassis and rear suspension settings.

Loris completed a 27-lap long run without any problems and constantly lapped in competitive times. The Italian was pleased with the results of the race simulation and the three-day test session and was satisfied with his choice of a new chassis. Despite being at the start of his experience with a four-stroke MotoGP bike, he now feels perfectly at home with the new Desmosedici. Loris also focussed on tests with race tyres, setting a quickest time of 1:32.1.

Troy has come to terms with the increased power and lower weight of the Desmosedici with respect to the Ducati 998 Superbike he has raced for the past year. The Australian rider encountered no problems during his race simulation, and was also able to lap at a competitive pace. Troy’s schedule today revolved around different rear suspension settings and testing of new Michelin race tyres. His best time was 1:32.3

“We can only be satisfied with the results of these tests in Australia” declared Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Corse Managing Director. “It has been a very demanding year and I am happy that it has come to an end with positive results, both for the brand-new Desmosedici and the 999 Superbike, which lapped under the track record at Valencia last week.

“Next year we will be involved for the first time ever in Superbike and MotoGP” he added, “and we will have to rely on all our passion to face up to
the commitments that are awaiting us. The results are positive, but winter testing is one thing and the races are another. For sure our competitors are also working to improve and the challenge that lies ahead is going to be a very difficult one. A big thanks to all the guys in Ducati Corse: They have done an outstanding job and deserve a few days rest”.

From a press release issued by the FIM:

Superbike World Championship Regulations – Decisions of the Superbike Commission

The Superbike Commission, composed of Messrs. Claude Danis (FIM), Paolo Alberto Flammini (SBK International), Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA) and Giulio Bardi (Team representative), has unanimously decided to introduce the following modifications to the Road Racing World Championship Regulations for Superbike (application as from 1.1.2003 only for 4-cylinder 1000cc machines):

Art. 2.4.4.1 Restrictors
1) All the air feeding the engine must pass through the air restrictor(s).
2) If the air restrictor is NOT included in the throttle body as homologated by the FIM, the air restrictor must be located somewhere between the throttle valve at the throttle body and the cylinder head (not including the cylinder head itself). The air restrictor must have a round aperture with a diameter no larger than 50 mm for 2-cylinder engines (as from 2004) and 32.5 mm for 4-cylinder engines and must be of non-deforming metal or metal alloy with a thickness of at least 3 mm (It is necessary to check its diameter on two (or more) directions).

3) If the air restrictor is included in the throttle body as homologated by the FIM, the shape of the restrictor may be oval, but the area of the aperture must be precisely the same as for a round restrictor, as mentioned above.

NB. This modification also applies for the Endurance World Championship

From a press release issued by Proforma:

HAS RACING SET TO MAKE ITS MARK IN AMA SUPERBIKE SERIES IN 2003

HAS Racing announced today that it will field a professional motorcycle road race team with riders John Haner and Heath Small in the 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship Series.

Team owner Lance Small, along with Motion Cycle Sports in Dallas, Texas, will support the HAS Racing operation with motorcycles and race equipment. Steve Upchurch, James Compton and Billy Weiss will provide the chassis and engine prep along with technicians David Sanders and Richard Haner. Shogun Motorsports will supply the race transporter with custom awning and hospitality area, providing the facilities and image that will help the team be successful and make an impact in 2003.

John Haner, age 25, is arguably the fastest rider in the CMRA right now, having won many championships and setting many track records over the last three years. John has tasted success on the national level as well, winning the 2002 Suzuki Cup GSX-R1000 Final at Road Atlanta as well as three top-ten finishes, in only three appearances, in the highly competitive 2002 AMA Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Series. For the 2003 season, John will concentrate his efforts on the AMA Superstock class on a Suzuki GSX-R750 while also competing in the AMA Superbike class on a Yamaha R1. John will run #44 in all AMA classes in 2003.

Heath, age 23, has road raced for only three years, yet has already established himself as a championship winner in CMRA, while also competing in the 2002 AMA Buell Pro Thunder Series, where he finished fifth overall. For 2003, Heath will focus his efforts in the AMA Supersport and Superstock classes on a Yamaha R6 while also competing in the AMA Superbike class on a Yamaha R1. Heath will run #278 in all AMA classes in 2003.

HAS Racing will also utilize events in the CMRA Championship Series for testing and track time, providing additional exposure for sponsorship partners throughout the 2003 race season.

For more information on HAS Racing, contact Proforma at (817) 239-0739.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

American Suzuki On-road Specialist Morgan Broadhead has announced that coverage of the 2002 Suzuki Cup Finals, which took place October 27 at Road Atlanta, will be aired Saturday, December 21 on Fox Sports Net. The only problem is, due to local and regional sports scheduling, the time the races will be broadcast in any given region is unknown.

Broadhead says Fox Sports will beam the show signal to its affiliates at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time, but Broadhead recommends calling local Fox Sports affiliates or local cable/satellite service providers for actual show times.

Broadhead has also posted an announcement concerning the races’ coverage on the WERA electronic bulletin board (BBS) and encourages racers and fans to share information concerning broadcast times there. The WERA BBS can be found at www.wera.com.

WERA is the host sanctioning body of the Suzuki Cup Finals.

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.