From a press release issued by Ducati UK:

KINNISH COMPLETES TWO DAY TEST WITH HM PLANT DUCATI WORLD SUPERBIKE TEAM.

2002 Ducati Monster S4 Challenge Champion Juan Kinnish realised a dream last week as the 26-year-old flew to Almeria, Spain to take part in a two day test with the HM Plant Ducati World Superbike Team.

Juan was flown by Ducati UK to Spain, joining team riders Chris Walker and James Toseland on their 2003 pre season testing

Having been awarded the test ride for winning the Monster S4 Championship, Juan quickly got to grips with the 998 F02 Superbikes (as ridden by Troy Bayliss last season) as he consistently improved on his times throughout the two-day test, eventually posting a fastest time on day two of 1:46.03.

“I was a little apprehensive prior to the test, as I just wasn’t sure what to expect,” commented Juan. “But the whole team made me feel really comfortable, and were surprisingly relaxed considering they had allowed me to ride both of their riders’ 2003 machines.”

HM Plant Ducati team manager Colin Wright commented, ” Juan showed a great deal of understanding during the tests, and got consistently quicker throughout. We were all impressed with his performance and wish him the best of luck for the future.”

Following the tests Juan is now looking to the forthcoming season with even more enthusiasm and hopes to be competing at British Championship level again.

From a press release issued by American Suzuki:

American Suzuki Announces 40th Anniversary Models


BREA, Calif. – American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) announced three special edition anniversary model motorcycles to commemorate American Suzuki Motor Corporation’s 40th year of business in the United States.

Beginning this spring, Suzuki dealers will begin retailing a limited number of 40th Anniversary versions of the top-selling GSX-R600, Hayabusa (GSX1300R), and Intruder Volusia (VL800). Each model will have a special American Suzuki 40th Anniversary emblem mounted on the upper triple clamps, plus the following features unique to each model:

GSX-R600Z, MSRP: $8,249.00*
– Team Suzuki Alstare World SuperSport color scheme with gold-colored wheels
– Available beginning March/April, 2003

Hayabusa 1300 (GSX1300RZ), MSRP: $10,999.00*
– Striking orange color scheme with black-painted frame and black swingarm
– Available beginning May, 2003

Intruder Volusia (VL800Z), MSRP: $6,799.00*
– Beautiful pearl white color scheme with gold pin-striping
– White speedometer face with orange backlighting
– Rider and passenger seats trimmed with bright chrome studs
– Special ignition key fob and key chain
– Available beginning March/April, 2003


“We are really proud of how far we’ve come over the past four decades, and we feel these special models are a great way to recognize our accomplishments,” states Mel Harris, executive vice president of ASMC’s motorcycle/ATV and marine divisions. “By continually introducing innovative, high quality products we’ve been able to grow our business over the years and become an industry leader in a number of market segments.”

American Suzuki Motor Corporation was chartered in the state of California in 1963. The Company’s Motorcycle Division was established one year later to oversee the importation and distribution of Suzuki motorcycles in the United States. In a short period of time, Suzuki established itself as one of the major brands in the rapidly expanding motorcycle marketplace, due to Suzuki’s new model innovations, its response to customer needs and the reliability of its products.

American Suzuki Motor Corporation markets and distributes Suzuki, motorcycles, ATVs, outboard motors, and automobiles through its network of over 1,800 dealers across the United States. American Suzuki Motor Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan.

* Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) shown do not include freight/destination or other dealer charges.

From a press release issued by The PA Posse:

On February 15 at 7:00 p.m. Dan Lance will be have his basic Corner Marshall School at Reading M/C (AMA #4) in Oley, Pennsylvania. This program is not affiliated with any sanctioning body, the school is being held to raise local interest in corner marshalling. (Pocono will not be holding a F-USA event this year.) Dan Lance is owner of Flag Services Corner Marshal Network and North American rep. for Alpina.

The school is being put on by the PA POSSE and is open to the public. The agenda consists of how to be an effective Corner Marshall along with the differences between some of the other sponsored Corner Marshall guidelines. Some of the other Corner Marshall groups will be there to answer questions.

The PA Posse is a voluntary group based out of Berks County, PA that travels to various racetracks throughout the country to support racing and safety.

For information contact Keith C. Landis 610.683.6049 or [email protected].

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

John Cardinale Named Infineon Raceway Vice President

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) John Cardinale, who has managed Public Relations efforts at Infineon Raceway since 1998, has been named Vice President of Media and Community Relations, raceway officials announced.

Cardinale, a 37-year-old San Francisco native, is responsible for all media communications originating from Infineon Raceway and oversees the facility’s various community initiatives.

“A good deal of our success over the last few years is attributable to John’s efforts in raising our public profile and helping tell the compelling story of what’s happening at this facility,” said Steve Page, raceway president and general manager. “More importantly, his personal integrity and leadership help define the quality of our organization.”

During his tenure at the raceway, Cardinale has worked to expand news coverage of motor racing in the San Francisco Bay Area, which now includes weekly motorsports programming on a prominent San Francisco all-sports radio station, live broadcasts of 15-20 NASCAR Winston Cup races each year and weekly motorsports sections in nearly every major newspaper. He has also helped develop an Emmy-nominated NASCAR Winston Cup Preview Show on the local FOX Sports Net affiliate.

On the community front, Cardinale has implemented a number of innovative programs aimed at youth driving safety, drunken driving prevention, blood drives, food drives, and local efforts to aid low-income families around the holidays. With his expanded responsibilities, Cardinale will oversee the fund-raising and grant distribution for the raceway’s chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.

Prior to joining Infineon Raceway, Cardinale worked for 10 years as a sports reporter and editor, including five years at Contra Costa Newspapers, a prominent daily newspaper group in the East Bay. Cardinale is a graduate of San Francisco State University.

From a press release issued by Team Yamaha Belgarda.

Date: Sunday 26th January 2003
Circuit: Ricardo Tormo, 4.005 kms, Day 1

VAN DEN GOORBERGH AND SANNA UP THE PACE
On the second day of the Yamaha Belgarda Supersport test at Valencia, Jurgen van den Goorbergh and Simone Sanna confirmed their potential by posting some superb lap times. In reasonable conditions (16° C degrees and cloudy) Jurgen completed 52 laps (with a best of 1:38.50) and Simone 40 (with a best of 1:39.30). The two riders are both new to Supersport, but are already almost as fast as top riders in the World Championship. The unofficial Valencia lap record is held by Fabien Foret (Honda) with a time in 1:37.674 – a time that Jurgen and Simone know they could beat in the final day of the tests tomorrow.

RAPID PACE
Simone Sanna is getting faster and faster. The 24-year old former 125 GP rider has already mastered the Yamaha YZF-R6, despite it being the first time on a 4-stroke and only the second day on a Supersport bike. Today he only used standard Pirelli tyres, as his main objective was to put in a lot of laps and gain experience on a Supersport bike. “I knew Sanna was a good rider, but I didn’t imagine that he would go so strongly on just the second day.” commented Sporting Director Massimo Meregalli. “What he succeeded in doing today was amazing. And van den Goorbergh is also going strongly. He is giving us vital feedback about the new YZF-R6 and we are quickly making up for the time we lost in the last couple of months – when we had all the problems with Casoli and Whitham’s misfortunes.”

SANNA
“I already feel in control of the Yamaha YZF-R6 even though I’m not on the limit. At this moment, I’m not interested in lap times – even though they were not bad today. I only want only to put in more laps and get as much experience as possible. I still have to get used to the engine braking, the new and different brakes and also the power delivery of the Yamaha, which is much greater then the 125 GP bike I am used to. I am reaching for the sky, but at the moment it is all coming fairly easily.”

VAN DEN GOORBERGH
“It’s been a very tiring day. I tried a lot of different tyres and also spent a lot of time working on the suspension. The team needed feedback and I think I helped them develop the bike and make good progress. I think Yamaha is happy with what I am doing, and I am happy working with the team. I think we can all be satisfied with the progress we have made here.”

Yamaha Belgarda Supersport has been able to organise this crucial test thanks to the collaboration of the Yamaha MotoGP team, who kindly granted availability and time at the circuit. Van den Goorbergh and Sanna’s final day of these tests will be on Monday 27th January.

From a press release:

Eric Bostrom & Tommy Hayden will be signing autographs at the Lockhart Phillips booth from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and at Maxima Racing Oils Booth #107 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 15 during the Indy Dealer Trade Show.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

From an e-mail:

Great site. I hit it every day. The post (1/25/2003 Tony The Tiger Gets Tips At Laguna Seca) about Kurtis and Meiring reminded me of something I saw at a half mile back in the day.

I was there when:

Last corner last lap, Kenny Roberts and Gary Scott FIRE out of Turn 4 with Gary on the inside, just 3/4 of a bikelength ahead of Kenny, after a race-long ding-dong battle. Kenny reached over and grabbed Gary’s fender and pulled himself forward, killing Gary’s drive at the same time. Real dramatic. It was obvious that Kenny was going to literally pull himself past Gary for the win. All this while slithering towards the checkers on a dirt half mile. Just before they got actually pointed straight forward Kenny let go, and Gary took the checkered. Sure got the grandstand buzzing!

On the victory podium the announcer asked Kenny about it, and he said something like “Yeah I could have won it, but it wouldn’t have been very sporting to do it that way.”

Blew me away. I’ve been a Roberts fan ever since.

BTW, I still have the Camel Pro Series “Welcome Race Fans” banner I took down from a fence that day, hanging in my garage.

Keep up the good work,

Robert Baldwin
AFM #47-ret
Sebastopol, California

From a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:



Walker stars in Almeria test

Chris Walker has successfully completed a two-day test at Almeria in Spain Friday. The HM Plant Ducati star recorded a superb time of 1:36.9, which eclipsed all the other Superbike riders at the Andalucia circuit.

“I’ve put in a lot of laps over the past two days and feel really at home with HM Plant Ducati and my new team,” explained Walker. “I have definitely found a good base setting from which to fine-tune everything in time for the first round of the championship next month. The whole package is awesome and I am delighted with how my ankle is standing up to the physical pressure it has been subjected to over the past week.”

Walker’s time – set on Dunlop race tyres – was over half-a-second inside the fastest lap recorded on qualifying rubber by factory Ducati rider and former World Champion Troy Bayliss during a pre-season test last winter.

However, the team’s joy was dampened slightly when Walker’s team-mate James Toseland had to withdraw from the test with a swollen right hand. He had sustained the injury in a practice crash at Valencia last week and was unable to cope with the demands of the technical Almeria track.

Toseland was optimistic after being sent home early for further medical consultation: “I tried a few laps yesterday morning, but my hand was too badly swollen to continue. The main problem I had was with braking and cornering, which is critical on a tight and twisty circuit like this. At least I was able to get on the first plane home and I’m on my way to see a specialist. That was definitely the best course of action under the circumstances.”

HM Plant Ducati Team Manager Colin Wright had mixed emotions after a hectic testing schedule over the past week. “Chris has once again confirmed his status as one of the leading contenders for this year’s World Superbike series. His performance was very encouraging and he looked extremely comfortable on the HM Plant Ducati. I would also like to thank Dunlop for the excellent work they have done with Chris. It’s just a shame that James had to withdraw, but at least we are taking the right steps to ensure that he is ready for the next test at Valencia in February.”

HM Plant Ducati was originally scheduled to complete a third day of testing at Almeria on Sunday but the team will now return to the UK after making such good progress at the Spanish circuits.

From a press release issued by Tony Meiring’s agent, Norm Viano:

Tiger laps Laguna

Monterey, CA. Teenage factory Kawasaki pilot, Tony “The Tiger” Meiring had a productive test at Laguna this past week, putting the new Kawasaki ZX-6RR through its paces by lapping feverishly throughout the three day test. Thursday alone saw Tony put in over seventy laps.

Riding a vastly different beast than last year’s Kawasaki 600, Tony is enjoying the new bike while simultaneously sharing in developmental duties with team-mate, Tommy Hayden. The two hope to show the world its capabilities in the coming season.

“We are learning a lot about this new bike. We tried different things with the (new for this year) fuel injection and are trying to get the most out of the new upside-down forks. My bike last year was really great and fun to ride. But this year’s bike has even better handling and brakes. When I get on the brakes, it’s just so stable. I’ll come up over Turn One, for example, and where my old bike would normally shake over the hill, the new ZX6-RR doesn’t shake at all.”

As this will be only Tony’s second season as a factory rider, he is benefiting from having some fast friends to learn from. “I was going down the straightaway and something started to grab my leg. At first, I thought it was something on my bike. I looked down and here is Kurtis Roberts on his Superbike, passing me and giving me a little tug! He and I are good friends, so I started following him and he showed me around the track. Showed me his lines. Then I had Eric (Bostrom) show me around as well. I followed him for a few laps, and then he followed me for a few laps in order to critique me. He’s really helping me with my corner speed.”

The squad will continue their preseason testing at Fontana in just a few weeks, where Tony plans on putting those lessons to good use.