From a press release:

North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW 2003

January 3 – 5, 2003

Toronto International Centre

SUPERSHOW 2003. ‘EVERYTHING IN MOTORCYCLING’

TORONTO, ONTARIO – The motorcycling season may be months away, but avid enthusiasts are counting the days to the North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW, the traditional season opener. Running January 3rd to 5th at the Toronto International Centre, this 27 year tradition ranks as the largest, most diversified, motorcycle consumer show not only in Toronto but in all of North America.

With more than 400 exhibitors and 1,000 motorcycles on display, the SUPERSHOW has firmly established itself as the pinnacle of North American Motorcycle Shows. More than 60,000 people will head for the SUPERSHOW to shop and explore everything that’s new in motorcycling.

For consumers on the hunt for a new motorcycle, the first stop should be the Dealer new bike displays. New for 2003, motorcycle consumers will have the opportunity to buy right off the show floor. Be it a new 2003 model, non-current or used motorcycle, buyers will find an array of makes and models to choose from.

A true shopping extravaganza, the SUPERSHOW hosts hundreds of exhibits showing the latest in aftermarket parts and accessories, motorcycle rider apparel, performance equipment, custom painters, plating shops, custom bike builders, and leather fashion designers.

Race fans will not only have the opportunity to see the latest in racing machines but will also be able to meet the Joe Rocket Racing Team riders, current Superbike Champion Jordan Szoke, multi-time Canadian Champion Steve Crevier and former Canadian Champions Michael Taylor and Francis Martin at the ‘Joe Rocket Racer Stage’. As the ‘Stars’ of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship sign hero cards and posters for fans, Daytona Track Announcer, Pat Gonsalves will be on hand interviewing the champions and other racers during all three days of the show at the ‘Joe Rocket Racer Stage’.

Set in an atmosphere of fun and excitement, the SUPERSHOW has an assortment of entertainment lined up. Motorcycle enthusiasts can take a break from cruising the 300,000 square foot show by taking in the live bands or seeing the latest in motorcycle fashions presented by ‘On the Fringe Custom Leathers’. And for those looking for something completely different they won’t want to miss the new cooking stage in the Harley-Davidson Dealer display that will be featuring outrageous celebrity chef ‘Biker Billy’ who will be ‘cooking with fire’.

The largest display of show bikes ever assembled at the SUPERSHOW will be competing for the Mid-USA Show Bike Awards and the Super Cash Awards for Designer class bikes totaling over $25,000 in cash and awards. A top product prize valued at $1,000 from Excel Components has been added for 2003. Over $10 million worth of racing, vintage, custom & touring motorcycles will be on hand for this competition.

Visitors will have the opportunity to speak to fellow motorcyclists and have a chance to plan their spring rides by visiting the clubs, associations and charities who will be displaying at the show. The motorcycle community will be represented by more than 50 of these organizations who are committed to safe riding and helping their local communities through charity rides.

This year’s official show charities include The Ride for Sight that has raised more than $11 million nationally for the fight against blindness and The B.A.D. Ride – Bikers Against Despair which are the largest annual fundraiser for the Distress Centres of Toronto. The Canadian Motorcycle Heritage Museum will be kicking off its RoadShow season with a new line up of rare and collectible bikes acquired for the museum. While taking a walk in history, consumers will have a chance to meet authors Max Burns and former Gran Prix Racer Michelle Duff who will be conducting book signings in the Museum display.

For those who are just about to endeavor into the passion of motorcycling, there will be a host of rider training programs on display including Humber College who will educate new riders on their training programs and explain the licensing system.

True to its commitment to the motorcycling community, the SUPERSHOW will host the 24th annual Motorcycle Awards of Excellence on Saturday, January 4th at 3:00 p.m. The MAX Awards are presented in over 45 categories including Canadian Racing Champions, Rider Achievement and Media and Sponsorship. The awards are presented to select ‘Ambassadors’ of Motorcycling for their achievements throughout the year.

The North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW is the flagship show in a series of motorcycle events produced over the last twenty-seven years by Bar Hodgson Productions Inc.

Show dates: Friday, January 3rd through Sunday, January 5th, 2003

Location: Toronto International Centre, 6900 Airport Road

Hours:
Friday, January 3, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 4, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 5, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Admission: Adults – $12.00, Youths (6-12) – $5.00, Children 5 years and under – Free

Tickets: Advance adult admission tickets available through ticketmaster.

Parking: Free parking for over 7,000 vehicles

GENERAL INFORMATION: 905-655-5403 or www.supershowevents.com

From a press release issued by Yamaha Belgarda:

CASOLI BACK HOME. MAYBE ON A BIKE IN TWO MONTHS!
Here is the news everybody has been waiting for: Paolo Casoli is recovering well and may be back onboard the YZF-R6 Yamaha within two months.

GASOLIO RETURNS
Last Monday, as expected, Paolo left Valencia hospital, where he had been thirteen days suffering from a cranial trauma, and flew back to Italy. He went straight to the Clinica Villa Serena – the same clinic which has looked after Mick Doohan and many other racers – for specialist treatment and rehabilitation which is scheduled to last two weeks.

After December 8th, he will be able to start training again and by the middle of January he should be back to full fitness. He will undergo tests to make sure everything is OK, before being given the go-ahead to get back on a bike.

DANGER PAST
The worst is now over. And now, two weeks after the accident, Paolo has returned to Monte Carlo to continue his recovery. His condition is good and has been greatly helped by the support and good wishes of friends, colleagues and of course – his fans. On www.yamaha-racing.it there is a special area with hundreds of messages of goodwill – from Italy and the rest of the world.

BACK ON TRACK
Considering Casoli’s improving condition, Team Yamaha Belgarda Supersport have decided not to bring in a substitute rider. In the next test, scheduled for the 19th and 20th December at Valencia, Jamie Whitham will carry on the job of developing the new bike, but it’s possible that another tester will be brought in to speed up the work that has to be done.

The team hopes Paolo Casoli will be able to take part in the private tests at the end of January – once again at Valencia.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

David Swarts

Organizers of the second annual, $150,000 WSMC Toyota 200 race say they are not concerned that AMA Pro Racing has scheduled its Superbike season finale at Barber Motorsports Park on the same date, September 21, 2003.

“I don’t think that really matters to us one way or another,” said Willow Springs International Raceway Operations Manager Chris Huth. Starting in October 2002, WSIR began printing posters to promote the 2003 Toyota 200, before AMA Pro Racing announced its 2003-season-ending date at the AMA Pro Racing awards banquet November 23. “I don’t think there was any intent for the AMA to do it on that date. But who knows? I’m not privy to that.

“Everybody’s kind of like, ‘What is the AMA doing?’ They want to blame people right off the bat or think that there’s some kind of reason. I take it as kind of a compliment or flattery that somebody would think we’re a big enough deal to upset the AMA National final, big-deal race.

“But on our part, we’ll still go for it. It’s tough to get those factory guys out anyway. Seeing as how the final’s back East, we’ll get a good group of the privateers and support from the other classes. I’m looking for the same or better support as we had last year regardless of when AMA holds their last race.

“It’s sort of unfortunate, I guess would be the best way to put it. It would be better if it wasn’t, naturally, but it makes no difference. We’re going to go on with our deal. We’re in bad shape when we start having to plan our deal around what everyone else does. It’s better just to focus on what you do and do the best you can.

“We’ve been through this scheduling thing, not just with motorcycles, but with club car races and different things. It’s always a pain. There’s always going to be some conflict somewhere. You jockey things around too much and that takes away from it, I think.

“The riders will probably have a big say in what happens, people that would intend on racing in the (Toyota 200) race. If I get some input from people saying, ‘It would be great to come back, but we need to do the AMA thing.’ Then that would probably be the only thing to make us change the date.

“We could (re-schedule), of course. It wouldn’t be any problem at all. We could re-schedule it to October or whenever, but it’ll remain the same. I’m pretty sure.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Nicky Hayden on a Honda RC211V was the fastest rider in two days of testing at Suzuka Circuit, Tuesday and Wednesday, according to reader Naoko Ota, who e-mailed:

“Tuesday was very, very cold. No sunshine! Nicky’s face was red with cold. According to the news, air temperature 10 degrees C.

“Nicky marked the fastest lap time on 2:08.9 (46 laps)
“Kawasaki, Pitt, 2:11.0 (50 laps)
“Moriwaki, Okuno 2:11.1 (58 laps)

“Wednesday was very windy and cold. According to the news, air temperature 12 degrees C.

“Nicky, 2:07.2 (45 laps)
“Kawasaki, Pitt, 2:11.2 (50 laps)
“Moriwaki, Okuno, 2:12.2 (40 laps)”

From a press release issued by WCM:

New MotoGP Racing Machine

A piece of history has been created with the announcement of a new name in Moto GP.



Harris WCM

Harris Performance Products and World Championship Motorsport have formed a partnership to build a new Grand Prix racer.

Harris bring 25 years of rolling chassis experience to the project including the manufacture of the Harris Yamaha 500 GP machines that started in 1992.

WCM has also been running a GP team since 1992, from 1997 as the multi Grand Prix winning Red Bull Yamaha Team.

MotoGP 2003 features the most impressive line up of machinery and riders ever assembled on the starting grid. Honda, Ducati, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and Aprilia are all represented for the first time by full factory backed teams.

The demands of competing in such illustrious company are not to be underestimated. It is not impossible as the equally independent Proton KR team were a thorn in the sides of the major factories in 2002. Both Harris and WCM know very well how tough racing at this level is.

The Hertford based company built Harris Yamahas for sale from 1992 when Yamaha made their YZR500 engine available. In 1996, ’97 and ’98 Harris ran the official factory Suzuki World Superbike Team. Harris were chosen by Sauber Petronas Engineering as chassis partner for their MotoGP project.

Having campaigned the factory YZR500 Yamahas from 1997 to 2002 WCM has a huge body of knowledge that they add to the Harris experience. The Yamaha factory clearly used the same YZR500 as a starting point for the M1 MotoGP machine.

As a starting point for the engine WCM will employ much modified R1 components. More than anything this is necessary to fit in with the time constraints. The engine cases and cylinder head will be WCM designed items in keeping with the FIM regulations for MotoGP.

In charge of the WCM engine project is Dave Hagen. The West Sussex based engineer is one of the most respected names in motorcycle four-stroke racing and has plotted a clear development path. Right from the start the pistons, valves, cams etc. will be purpose built items but by taking this route there is no doubt that power plants can be made ready for testing along with the chassis in February. From the start of testing 180 bhp will be available increasing to 200 bhp or beyond.

The development of the engine is open ended and could eventually see a new unit designed from the ground up. On the other hand there is also the strong possibility that the partnership with Harris may continue into 2004 using engines from one of the major manufacturers and raced by them in Moto GP.

Harris WCM is not the only machine in the championship produced by an independent team. Team Proton KR had their first bike on the track in 1997 but for 2003 they will have an all new five cylinder four stroke.

For the time being thoughts of similarly starting with a clean sheet of paper are distant and the efforts of both Harris and WCM are focussed on the realistic task of having motorcycles for two riders being tested in February.

Riders and title sponsor will be announced in due course.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Honda may enter a CBR954RR in the AMA Superbike series in 2003. That possibility was not ruled out Wednesday in conversations with key players on the Erion Honda and American Honda road racing programs.

Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke, usually a pretty straight-forward guy, seemed slightly uneasy with the question of if he would be riding a CBR954RR in Superbike in 2003, saying, “You’d have to talk to Kevin (Erion). As far as I know, no. That’s not really my call to make, so I don’t know. I just ride what they tell me to, but I don’t think that’s really in our plans. We’re gonna have our hands full with (Formula) Xtreme and 600 (Supersport). I don’t think we’re going to try three classes. We’d have to have a whole ‘nother (extra) crew to do that, I think.”

When we asked American Honda’s Chuck Miller, Racing Manager for all of American Honda’s racing teams, if a CBR954RR would be raced by one of his support teams in AMA Superbike in 2003, he said, “That’s up to the teams. It’s not a plan, no. That’s a question for each individual team on what their plans are.

“Our support with those teams is for the 600 class and then Formula Xtreme class. Some of them have discussed they might, they might not, they don’t know. But they have limited resources through American Honda and to do that they would have to gain additional resources, obviously, to try and support that. And, who can ride three classes at all of these events. It might be very difficult. Again, that’s up to those individual teams on what their plans are.”

Both Zemke and Miller pointed out how difficult it would be but didn’t exactly slam the door shut on the possibility. So Roadracingworld.com called Erion Honda team owner Kevin Erion and asked him if he would field a CBR954RR in the 2003 AMA Superbike series. Erion said, “We’ll just have to wait and see. I think at Daytona our focus will be on 600s. At the remaining races, it’s yet to be determined.”

No Limits Motorsports Honda’s Doug Chandler has mentioned in published reports that he is considering riding a CBR954RR in AMA Superbike, in addition to his Supersport and Formula Xtreme duties.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

American Honda has renewed its multi-year sponsorship/marketing/licensing deal with Universal Studios.

“Universal will be one of the team sponsors. Actually, all of our sponsors are the same on road race,” said American Honda Team Manager Chuck Miller Wednesday. “(The deal) was up for renewal, we have renewed, and we will continue our relationship with them – both on a sponsorship level as well as a marketing and licensing level. So it’s kind of a double-edged attack on our relationship and what we’re doing with them.

“Supercross, motocross, road race, all the same. Logos will be on the bikes, logos on the trucks, value to the team and marketing value also back to the company, as far as through our licensing agreement making toys and games and hats and whatever.”

Over the last two years, fans have become familiar with the promotional activities of the American Honda race teams for Universal Studios feature films such as The Mummy Returns, The Skorpion King, etc. But the relationship between American Honda and Universal will bear new fruit this holiday season.

“Actually, if you go into Target and K-mart, you’ll see bicycles, games and toys, everything with ‘Honda Racing’ – with our logo and the Honda name and our sponsors – on all of it,” said Miller. “This Christmas is really the big year that all the stuff is hitting retail. That also was one of the factors in continuing the relationship, to continue to nurture it.

“We’ve already seen the bicycles and skateboards and stuff in the stores. There’s like three different bicycles.

“There’s also this really cool thing they have, it’s an engine. It’s a Honda engine made out of plastic that you bolt onto your bicycle. I remember I used to have one when I was a kid. You rev it up and it goes, ‘BRRRP! BRRRP! BRRRP!’ really loud. So kids can bolt this on their bicycles and go riding down the street, and it mimics a motorcycle sound. It’s pretty cool, actually. It’s just a noise maker, but they’ve got different notes, too. They’ve got CR (two-stroke and four-stroke motocross) sounds, they’ve got road bike sounds.”