Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The AMA Superbike round scheduled for June 27-29 at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota, is still on the tentative AMA schedule. That’s the word from Brainerd International Raceway General Manager Scott Quick.

“We’re still on the tentative AMA schedule,” said Quick on Friday, December 13. When asked about published reports saying the AMA Superbike race at Brainerd was not going to happen, Quick said, “It’s just the business of putting a race. Discussions between the AMA and Brainerd are taking place. It boils down to profitability for us and the AMA. As a track, we believe the race could be more profitable than it is.”

Quick added he should have more information next week.

Stay tuned.

From a press release issued by Lawdog Sports Management:

BOSS FAST ON HIS 750. 800 STILL TO COME.



Daytona Beach, FL. Although most of the testing days at Daytona this week were rained out, Eric Bostrom made the most of the only dry full day of testing (on Wednesday) by sharing the top of the time charts with his brother, Ben Bostrom. Those that read the charts and saw the Bostrom name at the top, in duplicate, couldn’t help but wonder if that was an indication of things to come. A sign of great racing, a fierce rivalry, and a 2003 championship battle between brothers that will be even more fun to watch than last year’s duel between Eric and Nick Hayden.

Was this a sign that race fans were hoping for? “I certainly hope so. It was pretty nice to be on top of the list for awhile. But then I came in and we were trying some more things and I saw that Benny aced me out. I was disappointed at first, but then happy for him because he seems to be getting along with his bike, so it should be good for next season.”

But just how hard was Eric pushing on Wednesday? “Well, we weren’t on my favorite tire yet, and were still getting up to speed a bit. In some areas we were pushing hard on the throttle, but there was still time to be made with the front. And I’m really happy with the front, actually. It’s night and day different compared to where we were in March. I couldn’t get any feel or control out of it, and now it seems I have both. We’ve had an entire year to get used to the gas cartridge fork, which was new for us the last time we were here.

“Overall, the test went well. You can’t be out there for the ultimate fast times, because it’s a test. You have to go out and look for ways to make things right for the race in March. I’d like to see the 600 come along a little quicker, but I’ve only done a handful of laps on it and it’s a brand new bike. We’ll get it figured out before we come back here in March.”

Wednesday was reminiscent of last season, when Eric looked strong on the 750cc Superbike. This without even having tested the new 800cc Superbike that he will be allowed to campaign with next season. “I really hope that the 800 will do good things for us. The chassis on our current bike is really good.”

But can the current chassis handle the extra power? “I’m sure it can. Obviously I won’t be able to say for sure until I ride the thing, but it should be a bright future for us. The chassis seems to be second to none at the moment and if we can get the extra power to the ground and control it, we’re going to be a threat.”

From a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

HAYDEN SIGNS FOR THE REPSOL HONDA TEAM.

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) is delighted to announce that Nicky Hayden has been signed by the official HRC Repsol Honda Team to ride alongside reigning MotoGP World Champion, Valentino Rossi, for the 2003 season.

The 21-year-old from Owensboro, Kentucky, comes to MotoGP after becoming the youngest ever AMA Superbike champion in 2002 riding a Honda SP-2.

Hayden visited the final GP of the season at Valencia in Spain last month to experience first-hand the 16-round series that will take him to all corners of the world next year–his first season of racing outside the US.

“I’m really looking forward to getting on all the great tracks I’ve seen on TV, in front of fans from all over the world. I’ll swing my hardest!” said the American, who began riding at the age of three and competed in his first race aged five.

Hayden has already tested the Repsol Honda RC211V at Motegi in Japan last month and at Valencia and Jerez in Spain during December. “So far riding the bike has been great. I love it,” he said of the bike that dominated the 2002 MotoGP series with 14 wins from 16 races. “The bike is very challenging and totally different from the SP-2 I rode back in the States. I still have to get more comfortable on it and find the limits but it’s still early days and I feel more confident with every outing.

“I’m super excited about 2003,” he added, “and I know it will be a great learning period for me. It’s truly a dream come true to go racing MotoGP on a factory Honda and being teamed with Rossi is an honour. The guy’s the World Champ but still seems to be level headed! I’m sure I can learn a lot from him and I hope it will be fun at the same time!”

Hayden and Rossi have a hectic testing schedule in the build-up to the 2003 MotoGP series, which, with new teams, new riders and new sponsors, is seen by many as potentially the most exciting season ever in the 54-year history of world championship motorcycle racing.

From a press release issued by Aprilia Racing Information:

Open Day at Noale

Saturday 14 December 2002

Five thousand people in Noale for Aprilia’s “Porte Aperte”



Aprilia’s four titles in the MotoGP championships – all in the same 2002 season – were celebrated today in a highly original fashion. The doors of the Aprilia plant in Scorzè were thrown open to the public, as were those of the Racing Department headquarters and of the Research and Development centre in Noale. The population of Noale, all the employees and their families, schools and institutions were able to visit the nerve centres of Aprilia research and production. Doing the honours was the President of the Aprilia Group himself, Ing. Ivano Beggio. Everyone was able to admire and get a close look at where Aprilia motorcycling technology is actually created. Five thousand people, including several school groups from other regions of Italy, came to the event. The main attraction of the day was the meeting with Marco Melandri, recently hailed as the world champion in the 250 class on his works Aprilia RSW 250, a gem of technology and power from the Racing Department in Noale.



Today’s event celebrated an all-time record for Aprilia, which this year came away with no fewer than 4 world titles: two Manufacturers’ Championships (125 Class and 250), and two Riders’ Championships (Marco Melandri, 250 Class, and Arnaud Vincent, 125 Class). Four extraordinary victories that takes the number of world championships won by Aprilia up to 21.



A well-deserved award and fitting recognition of the all-Italian technological research and passion that has always been the hallmark of Aprilia in the world of motorcycle racing.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

By Mark Miller

While thumbing through Roadracing World a few months back, I happened on Mat Oxley’s good article about why people race. Cool topic. Consider this additional input as to why some hooligans race:

I’ve come to the conclusion that most “purists” who road race motorcycles *well*, or more specifically, individuals who chase the sensations of speed that come from riding high-powered motorcycles fast do so not for ego, bravado, or insecurities but more as a means to quiet the demons screaming inside a purist’s head for more exposure to it.

A purist, in this context, might be considered to have a physical sickness of sorts, whereas sitting still makes his body buzz and riding hard becomes the calm. Retired purists like Kevin, Freddie, Reg, Eddie, Scott, Doug Polen and Wayne Rainey still frequently ride bikes or drive extremely fast shifter-karts. I believe there is a reason for this and it’s beyond simply to make a living with their schools, or, “It’s still fun.”

One weekend I was riding and filming a bit up at the Robert’s Ranch with Kurtis and Big Kenny. Naturally, Kenny Sr. was out there riding, on a new CRF450 in fact. A year or so ago Kenny Jr., Kenny Sr., and I had a go on some XR100s together and I can tell you, the old man is still fast. At 50.

Forget for a moment the cliché speak of ‘an addiction to speed.’ I’ve found most who talk of such things don’t usually know dick.

I speculate there is a small percentage of human beings born in low numbers, probably less than even that of Down Syndrome cases, where from day one purists have nearly every thought or desire, away from chasing pussy, totally consumed by a need to pass his or her body through the earth’s atmosphere. To create relative wind, vibration, and any environment where he can exercise precision in manipulating physical forces acting on his body and whatever propulsion device is being used – be it a horse, a fighter jet, or snow sled.

Having access to mankind’s most current performance technologies, and the option to master a specific course layout like a bike at a racetrack, only aids in the elevation of this desire. The thought that this activity could rip limbs off becomes only an unwanted nuisance for a purist, if for no other reason than it would keep him from continuing the activity.

Let’s re-visit the beginnings. Parents bearing purist children might have it revealed to them at an early age. First with big wheels careening down steep hills near the house, then with riding bicycles, then maybe insisting on small motorbikes. And for hours and hours and hours and hours and hours. Another sign could be witnessing your kid squirting about the neighborhood doing as many wheelies or tricks as time allows – even when totally alone – the same as if surrounded by friends or girls.

Purists then might become bewildered by the lack of talent in those around them, with regard to manipulating moving machinery. They’re always the fastest in every group, but are the least impressed by this fact.

To a purist, even a word like “Extreme” develops into an annoying term whored only by TV paddock wannabees or well-meaning children, or idiots, non-purists. Labels like “Extreme” sometime only help to numb the beauty found in high-risk sport, or belittles what is actually being accomplished by special athletes. If you meet someone going about telling you he’s extreme, you’ve found yourself a poser. Purists don’t go out of their way to talk to non-purists about sport.

I’ve seen it 5000 times (and I don’t know shit…), out of 100 people taking to any given racetrack, or ski-slope, or riding school, or whatever anywhere in the world – 80% of the participants infinitely suck right off the bat. Always. The next 8 up are competent, solid, and off the top pace. The next 6 are good, fast on occasion, mostly safe but sometimes stupid and dangerous… and hopelessly long to be better. The next 4 are very good and can win anytime the top few have problems. The last 2 or 3 are special, gifted, battle-tested and always going to win with close equipment (that is of course when there is minimal silliness going on in his head that day). Some of the individuals from this select group are hard working, and for the others it seems enough to just be born with it. Most do/have both, in my limited experience.

My guess is the average top 8 out of 100 racetrack inhabitants today are purists. That’s 32 riders out of every 400 at an average event. Funny thing, there are more than a couple top mechanics in the pro racing community who have more natural talent and riding ability than those on the starting grids. No joke. (Just ask them…)

But for the elite amongst the possessed, motorcycles have become the best way, the most efficient and concentrated formula to accomplish the final goal of producing, ehem… speed.

Sportbikes use the least amount of obtrusive product to reliably propel a human body. Include a chassis design that’s at or about the width of your shoulders and now you include passing as part of this game.

As an added bonus, motorcycle road racing has advanced to a point to allow the drivers to not only sit two inches off the ground like in the best car racing, but our purists get to physically *touch* the pavement while negotiating the machine. A few modern racetracks in the world today are providing near 160 mph, sustained, knee-dragging corners for each and every lap of the racer’s weekend. Mortals discuss psychological ‘control issues’ over coffee and a newspaper? How about two human hands and barely two footpegs as your only control and interface between 200 mph and “That’s your ass.”

For this reason, many top road racing purists I know don’t get the popular interest in NASCAR. Forty-year-old men sitting in shoe boxes with tall ugly tires, driving straight. OK, maybe there’s a little sliding. It’s just a matter of time before the legions of fans come to their senses and take notice of motorcycle road racing in this country.

Simply put, there isn’t a more pure environment that pits man and machine against other men and machines than our sport (not to mention offering a sanctuary for purists). To this end, motorcycle road racing has evolved to the highest form of motorsport, period.

Final point; the mere fact that a purist is born with this natural sickness or gift or curse does not automatically mean he’ll take pride in beating up on others with the same disease. There are purists that don’t race. They can be found on your local freeways chilling at 100 mph and politely moving over for someone coming up doing 105 mph. I guarantee you, though, the young men you’re watching up front on TV don’t come more competitive, and are probably saying in a continuous loop in their heads, “F those guys, I’m better.”

Another subject, entirely.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The annual, rain-delayed, rain-shortened Dunlop Tire Test at Daytona ended with Honda’s Ben Bostrom and Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin at the top of the Superbike time charts, Bostrom riding an RC51 and Mladin riding a GSX-R1000. Both turned 1:48s, Bostrom at 1:48.651 and Mladin at 1:48.789.

The test ended before noon on Thursday when it started to rain again.

Thursday morning times from the AMA Pro Racing timing & scoring system follow:

1. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC51, 1:48.651
2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:48.789
3. Anthony Gobert, Ducati 998RS, 1:49.271
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:50.276
5. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:50.310
6. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:50.479
7. Gaku Kamada, Honda RC51, 1:51.593
8. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:51.998
9. Kurtis Roberts, Honda CBR600RR, 1:52.497
10. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:52.647
11. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, 1:53.153
12. Miguel DuHamel, Honda CBR600RR, 1:53.251
13. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:53.357
14. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:53.515
15. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR954RR, 1:53.688
16. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 1:53.897
17. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:54.038
18. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:54.704
19. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:54.792
20. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600RR, 1:55.285
21. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:57.945
22. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR600RR, 1:58.094


*Note: Aaron Gobert said that he straight-lined the chicane on his fastest 600cc lap, and that his actual best lap was a 1:53.00. There is no telling from the raw transponder data who did or did not cut the course on any given lap.

From a press release issued by Moriwaki Engineering:

Moriwaki Engineering Ltd. is pleased to announce that we are intending to compete the WGP MotoGP in 2004.

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The machine, code-named MD211VF and currently under development prior to circuit testing, will carry a HRC-supplied RC211V engine in an originally developed chassis by Moriwaki. Our world famous R&D experts will work on the chassis at full pace over the next months.

Our first target for the development bike will be as a Wild Card entry at whichever Grand Prix meeting is available in 2003. While the full partnership package is not fully in place for 2004, and additional partners are being sought, our aim is to command a permanent place on the grid.

Mr. Mamoru Moriwaki, no stranger to the GP paddock, said, “There is nothing more exciting for a private team to develop a machine that can compete at the world’s highest level. It is also a great honor to be supplied with HRC powered RC211V and I am confident that Moriwaki Racing will justify this arrangement.”

From a press release issued by Clear Channel Entertainment:

Championship Cup Series Announces…
3rd Annual Operations Summit


Aurora, Illinois
Championship Cup Series (CCS), a property of Clear Channel Ent. – Motor Sports, has proudly announced the 3rd Annual Operations Summit Conference on January 10-12, 2003 to take place at the CCS offices in Fort Worth, Texas. This annual conference brings together operations personnel from every CCS region including the 3 affiliate regions that operate under CCS sanctioning; CCS Florida, CCS North East (LRRS), and CMRA in Texas. The CCS personnel attending the conference represent the managing officials in several operational categories including Registration, Technical Inspection, Safety Control, and other key areas.

Over 40 CCS personnel will be present for over 24 hours worth of intense meetings over the 3 day period with 1 goal in mind… continuing the high-quality customer service that CCS has been known for, approaching its 20th season of competition. Championship Cup Series has always been dedicated to customer service; from providing quality events, classes that represent all makes and models of motorcycles, a seven-figure contingency sponsorship program, and of course taking care of the individual racing needs of the 5,000 plus licensed racers of CCS.

Topics discussed will range from emergency procedure policies, weekend event schedules, racing classes and class rules, technical inspection rules and equipment policies, as well as basic unification of CCS policies and procedures nationwide.

As the Championship Cup Series enters into year number “20,” it is with great anticipation, as 2003 holds even more advantages and more options for road race competitors. For up to date information results, news, and schedules, visit www.CCSracing.com.

From a press release issued by Ducati:

THE DUCATI 999R IS COMING TO A ROAD NEAR YOU. R YOU READY?

Hundreds of the limited edition models have already been reserved.

Pompton Plains, NJ, December 12, 2002: The amazing new 139 horsepower Ducati 999R Superbike will set a new standard for street legal Ducati engine performance on American roads. For the first time in Ducati’s North American history, the top-of-the-range Superbike model will be homologated for street use in the United States and Canada.

Available exclusively at www.ducati.com, the online reservation process began at 9:00 am (GMT) on December 5, 2002. In less than seven days, customers from around the world have already reserved hundreds of this limited edition model.

First unveiled to the public on November 14, 2002 at the International Motorcycle Show at the NEC in Birmingham, England, the 999R is undoubtedly the best-equipped motorcycle Ducati has ever produced. No other Ducati road bike has ever come this close to duplicating the performance of an official World Superbike racing motorcycle. Powered by an awesome 139 HP 999cc Testastretta engine, the 999R boasts state-of-the-art componentry, making it the king of Superbike range. Other features include:
· Full carbon fiber fairing
· 5 spoke Y-shaped aluminum alloy forged rims
· Radially mounted front brake calipers
· Magnesium alloy head light support
· Silver number plate on the top triple clamp
· A certificate of authenticity

The 999R also comes with a special Racing Kit* for customers who want to experience their bike in its native environment: the racetrack. The Racing Kit includes a race-only exhaust (no catalytic converter), corresponding CPU, rear swingarm stand and a special bike cover.

*Certain components included in the Racing Kit is not homologated for road use but for private area or racetrack use only. Its installation could effect the motorcycle’s type approval. The product assembly and installation must be carried out by an Authorized Ducati Dealer only.

To reserve a 999R—-and a piece of Ducati racing history—-customers are asked to visit www.ducati.com, where they will also find more information about the bike, including technical details, a photo-gallery, and engine sounds.

Copyright 2002 text and photos, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

…will be in the February Issue of Roadracing World (available in the beginning of January).



In the meantime:

It has a cast frame, subframe and swingarm.

It has flawless fuel injection.

It has a much-improved mid-range punch and power-lifting top end.

It has rendered all the old R6s obsolete.

It has an intriguing race kit which you probably can’t afford.



(From Sam Fleming, at the worldwide press intro for the YZF-R6, on site in Spain)