Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

More reader comments:

OK, it is obvious that Tony Bell is a bigot and a child crying because he did not get his cookie. I agree the comment was wrong but, come on “As a Cuban-American I was offended.” Give me a break, be a big boy. I was offended as a fellow racer that someone in Bell’s position would say something so stupid! He is an embarrassment to us all.

The comment just shows how immature Bell is and how he should never be a spokesman for anything. I was more offended when the AMA decided to get rid of the 250GP class than this stupid comment. The motorcycle community is killing itself and comments like Bell’s don’t help.

Craig Granados
Glendale California



I just read the complaints about the Cuba comment and then went and reread the ‘offending’ article, and have a comment to make.

I don’t see anything offensive in the comment. As far as I can tell Mr. Bell refers to Homestead as Cuba to emphasize its remoteness, there is nothing in the article to suggest otherwise. What I do find offensive is the personal assault on Mr. Bell labeling him as a racist with little foundation. I don’t see anything racist in the comment at all! It makes no negative stereotype against Cubans or Cuba, such vehement reactions are oversensitive political correctness.

If I said let’s have the GP in the middle of the desert, oops I mean Willow Springs is that racist against people who live in the desert! NOT! I think the respondees owe Mr Bell an apology, not the other way around.

Dennis Presiloski
Mountain View, California




In response to all the banter about a possible USGP return I have to agree with other readers on Mr. Bell’s final line comment. It was possibly meant in jest but best, in hindsight, left out. Too late now and just goes to show his character.

Mr. Wilson was much more accurate and direct to the point and anyone who has reviewed the FIM’s SRRC manual (Standards for Road Racing Circuits –
http://www.fim.ch/en/) knows that the track is only half of what needs to be in place at a facility to host a GP.

As a long-time hardcore motorcycle race fan I always believed that a GP in central or eastern United States would bring in a much larger attendance than Laguna Seca ever did. For us on the west coast (I am from B.C.) it was an attractive and easy trip, but a large number of registered (in one state) motorcycles does not always equate to race attendance. There are a some great road courses in the U.S. that are capable of holding a GP, provided that the facility owners and promoters are willing to invest in the long term, and a lot more race fans (Correct me if I am wrong but didn’t Loudon consistently pull 30-40,000 race day spectators to an AMA National).

And finally, I was saddened to read that ISC did not want to spend to improve Watkins Glen. As a road race fan I find that races at oval tracks are a temporary solution. Yes, Dorna and a US promoter need to look at the financial package, but let us not forget the esoteric part of racing and why we love it. A great race at a great facility will draw great support.

Andii Adamick
Events Coordinator
MotoEvents Inc.
British Columbia, Canada



Let me start out by saying awsome magazine. Now on to Mr. Bell and Mr. Garcia. Although I do not agree with Mr. Bell’s comments, this is America and he has every right to say what he feels. Which also gives Roadracing World the right to print his views. I am suprised that an educated person such as yourself, Mr. Garcia, do not recognize this. Just because they printed this does not mean they agree. You showed just as much bigotry by expressing your displeasure. If you would not be so bitter you would have noticed that they gave him a rope from which to swing.

James Beard
West Palm Beach, Florida



Tony Bell’s point re Las Vegas is valid and his position understandable…and he had me on his side right up to his final comment. I’d be interested in a little further explanation from him as to the relevancy of the Cuban issue.

Reg Kittrelle
Scotts Valley, California

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AHRMA’s 2003 Road Race Schedule, from a press release:

2/28 North Florida Motorsports Park, Jennings, FL

3/3-4 Daytona Int’l Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL

3/29-30 Firebird Int’l Raceway, Chandler, AZ

4/19-20 Sandia Motorsports Park, Albuquerque, NM

4/26-27 Spring Mountain Motorsports Park, Pahrump, NV

6/7-8 Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

6/21-22 Grattan Raceway Park, Grattan, MI

7/19-20 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH

8/16-17 Putnam Park Road Course, Putnam Park, IN

9/13-14 BeaveRun Motorsports Complex, Wampum, PA

10/4-5 Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Talladega, AL

Late October, TBA

From a press release issued by Yamaha on a slow news day:

PATRICK RACING YAMAHA WARRIOR WINS HOT ROD CRUISER DRAG RACING CHAMPIONSHIP

Sets Lowest ET and Fastest Top Speed

CYPRESS, Calif., November 12, 2002—Powered by an air-cooled, push rod engine producing over 150 horsepower, the Patrick Racing tuned Yamaha Road Star Warrior scalped the competition in the final round of the AMA Prostar Hot Rod Cruiser drag racing series.

Early qualifiers set the stage for the final when rider Mark Underwood ran a number one qualifying time of 9.75 seconds at 135.13 mph. In the final, the Warrior’s thunderous V-twin stormed across the line in first place, clinching the championship for team owner Nigel Patrick, and solidifying records for the lowest elapsed time (9.86 seconds) and highest top speed (133.51 mph).

Commenting on the victory Patrick said, “It has been a hard fought season and we are very proud to come away with a decisive win at this event.” According to Patrick, there is still more performance potential waiting to be unlocked from the Road Star Warrior. “We can’t wait to tap into it for next year.”

The Hot Rod Cruiser class continues to grow in popularity and participation with a 50% growth in entries over last year, according to Yamaha racing manager Keith McCarty.

He added, “This is an exciting class because these nearly street legal V-twin motorcycles put up some very impressive numbers. Patrick Racing’s championship win and the second place finish for Orient Express really says a lot about the Road Star Warrior’s performance potential.”

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

SUZUKI SIGN HOPKINS

Edenbridge, England – Wednesday, November 12.

Teenage American road racer John Hopkins will join the factory Suzuki GP team in 2003, after agreeing terms in Valencia at the final round of 2002. Hopkins completed his debut GP season at Valencia and is due to test the latest version of Suzuki’s GSV-R machine in Malaysia this week.

Hopkins (19) will be team-mate to 2000 World Champion and fellow-Californian Kenny Roberts Jr. to make an all-American rider line-up for the factory Suzuki team. Hopkins takes the place of Sete Gibernau, racing the 990cc V4 Suzuki GSV-R

“I am really pleased to have a full factory contract in only my second year of GP racing,” said Hopkins, who rapidly shot to prominence in the USA, racing a Suzuki GSX-R750 to AMA Supersport success in 2000, then switched to the Suzuki GSX-R1000 to add the Formula Xtreme title to his fast-growing portfolio at the age of 18 in 2001.

“It’s been my dream to be a full factory rider – and it all seems to have happened so fast,” said Hopkins, who first raced motocross at the age of five, but has only been full-time road-racing for four years.

“I want to thank Suzuki for their faith in me. I’ve had a lot of success with Suzuki in the past, and I know this team gives me the potential to get to the top,” continued Hopkins.

Team manager Garry Taylor echoed his optimism. “We see in John a rider with a very bright future. His first rookie year was very impressive, and there is clearly more to come.

“Suzuki has a history of looking for young riders like John – we picked up both Barry Sheene and Kevin Schwantz at early stages of their careers, and both went on to win many races and three World Championships with the factory Suzuki team.

“John gives off much the same sort of energy as the young Kevin – obviously very talented, but also very determined to reach the top,” concluded Taylor.

Hopkins was born in Ramona in southern California, but counts himself as more than just part British. His parents were both from Acton in West London, emigrating shortly before John was born on May 22, 1983.

His father was a keen motorcyclist and former road racer, including at the Isle of Man TT. When John was barely walking, he was getting lifts on the tank of his father’s machines. He grew up riding dirt bikes in the desert every weekend, and first raced at the age of five, in a motocross event.

Hopkins lost his father at the age of 12. By then, Hopkins Senior had already introduced his son to road racing, and John became fascinated with the sport in his early teens. However, frustrated by a string of mechanical problems, he had returned to motocross when US talent scout John Ulrich invited him to test a Suzuki GSX-R600 racer, and signed him up for 1999. Ulrich also originally discovered Kevin Schwantz for Suzuki.

From that point Hopkins was on an express train, winning a championship in each of his three full seasons as he moved to bigger and bigger machines. In 1999, he won the Aprilia RS250 Cup, in 2000 the national AMA 750 Supersport Championship, and in 2001 the AMA Formula Xtreme title, on the big Suzuki GSX-R1000.

In 2002, Hopkins moved straight to the premier class of World Championship GP racing, racing a two-stroke in a learning season up against the new 990cc MotoGP prototype four-strokes. He made an impression from the start, not only consistently finishing in the points – but also showing great determination. In his first race, in treacherous wet conditions, he finished in the points in spite of falling off twice, and stopping to fit new bodywork. He repeated the feat of remounting to score points in Rio, and almost once more at Phillip Island in Australia, where he finished 16th.

From a press release issued by AMA:

AMA ANNOUNCES 2003 AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS

PICKERINGTON, OHIO — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2003 will be held July 18 – 20 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

The AMA also has announced that Harley-Davidson will be the Featured Marque at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2003. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the event will feature an exhibit of classic motorcycles and memorabilia. Motorcycles previously honored with this distinction include BSA, Honda, Norton, Penton, Vincent, Indian and, most recently, Spanish motorcycles.

The first annual AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days event was held in 1992; a companion event, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days West, was held from 1997 through 2002.

The AMA will announce more details about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2003, including the name of the event’s Grand Marshal, in the coming months.

Spectator tickets for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2003 are available from Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course at 1-800-MID-OHIO or www.midohio.com. For more information, visit www.AMADirectlink.com or call 1-800-AMA-JOIN.

From a press release:

TORONTO, ON – North America’s top Amateur motorcycle racers will get their moment to shine when the Auto Trader and Pro Cycle sponsored Can-Am 125GP Challenge event from Shubenacadie, NS’s Atlantic Motorsport Park makes its debut on The Sports Network (TSN) later this month.

The half-hour program, featuring the fourth round of the Diablo Paintball Can-Am 125GP Challenge Series, will air on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 11:00 a.m. EST.

The show will repeat on Friday, Nov. 29 at 12:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 4:00 a.m.

The event was also supported by Canadian Kawasaki Motors, Honda Canada, Suzuki Canada and Yamaha Motor Canada. TSN acted as a presenting sponsor.

The 125 Grand Prix category has been a popular training ground for motorcycle racers around the world and the Diablo Paintball Can-Am 125GP Challenge Series was established to give up-and-coming North American racers a venue to display their talents.

Calgary’s Chris Peris, winner of three of the six series rounds in 2002, recently made his 125 Grand Prix World Championship debut in Valencia, Spain.

“The Diablo Paintball Can-Am 125GP Challenge Series provided exciting racing all year,” said series organizer John Bickle. “This race on TSN will give viewers a real feel for the drama of this class.”

The Atlantic Motorsport Park race attracted a field of 31 riders from Canada, the United States and Bermuda and featured a purse of just over $6,000.

The race was sanctioned by the sport’s international governing body, the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) through its Canadian arm, the Canadian Motorcycle Association (CMA) and the North American Motorcycle Union (NAMU).

“The event came off just as we had hoped,” said race promoter Martin Singleton. “The aim was to bring a fresh and competitive racing class to our fans and I’m sure TV viewers across Canada will enjoy the action.”

Television coverage of the 125 Grand Prix event was handled by Toronto’s Professional Motorsports Productions, the same company that organizes and televises the Parts Canada Superbike Championship.

“We were happy to do our part to assist in the development of Canada’s future racing stars,” said PMP’s Colin Fraser. “John Bickle and his staff did an outstanding job with the Diablo Paintball Can-Am 125GP Challenge this year and Martin Singleton should be commended for organizing a first class event at AMP.”

TSN provided coverage of each round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship in 2002.

“TSN is proud to present this exciting brand of Canadian motorsport,” said Stewart Johnston, director of programming, TSN. “The Can-Am 125 Grand Prix Series provides sensational action and will undoubtedly be a hit with our viewers.”

From a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

One step back, two steps forward

HM Plant Ducati’s new signing Chris Walker has had a further operation on his injured left leg and ankle. The Nottingham-based rider had been convalescing after a Supermoto accident at Mettet in Belgium last month when he was advised by his doctor to go under the surgeon’s knife for a second time.

“When I had the crash, the medical team in Belgium suggested that I should have what was a relatively simple operation so that I could travel home in relative comfort,” said Walker. “They pinned my ankle and inserted a plate with two screws into my leg. It felt comfortable, but I decided to see my regular doctor for a second opinion when I returned home.

“Unfortunately, the screws had come slightly adrift and he recommended that the best thing to do would be to have a stronger plate fitted. That operation has been carried out now and the restriction on my ankle won’t be too severe.”

Walker will be making his debut on the HM Plant Ducati at a pre-season test in Valencia on 7-9 December. Then, he will return to hospital to have one of the screws removed, so that he can begin his personal training regime in time to continue the test programme and focus on the first round of the 2003 Superbike World Championship at Valencia in March.

“I have met with Chris and am sure that this was the best course of action to take under the circumstances,” said HM Plant Ducati Team Manager Colin Wright. “While we are concerned about his fitness in the short term, it is more important to adopt a mid to long-term view. So, rather than being a setback, I would prefer to look positively on the situation and ensure that he is well on the road to a full recovery. In this case, it is better to take one step back before taking two steps forward.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.


I am writing this in response to a letter written by a Mr. Tony Bell and posted on the Roadracing World magazine web site on 11 November 2002. I realize space is money in your publication, so I would be extremely grateful if you could please publish this response. Or better, please post it on your web site. I think this letter is relevant to the work you do at Roadracing World, be because I see your publication as one that embraces the culture of motorcycling racing.

I am a subscriber to your magazine and I am always impressed by the content of your publication. It is the only magazine I know of that consistently documents the multicultural and multiethnic character of the motorcycle racing community. More significantly, you also emphasize the presence and importance of women motorcycle racers. I am appalled by the last line in Mr. Bell’s letter: “but until then I think it looks like we will have to travel down to Cuba, oh sorry, I mean Homestead.” I realize the posting is a letter written by an individual and does not reflect the views of Roadracing World, but I am disappointed and very surprised that you would post a letter which blatantly insults a large community that has a large number of road racers. I am writing this letter because I feel strongly that comments like Mr. Bell’s contributes significantly to the proliferation of bigotry, and someone needs to bring attention to the issue.

I am a first generation Cuban American and I have been hearing those kinds of comments for my entire life, and I have no tolerance for that crap. Yes, there has been a strong Cuban AMERICAN community in South Florida since the early 1960s, and that led to the development of South Florida as a culturally diverse community. Cuban Americans are extremely proud citizens of this country, and just as American as Mr. Bell. (As Americans we should be embarrassed for one of us to have to write words like that last sentence that in year 2002). If Mr. Bell wants to know why Homestead is presently the favored site to host the USGP, the reasons have been clearly explained by Mick Doohan and Carmelo Ezpeleta.

Please feel free to print this if you want: I was born in Miami in 1965 and lived there until I was 17. I live in California now because I am a geologist, I love riding motorcycles, and I love surfing. California is a much better place than South Florida to practice these disciplines.

Antonio F. Garcia
Cal Poly State University
Physics Department
San Luis Obispo, California



I thought Tony Bell stated his case quite well and I was quite impressed, right up until his last statement: “Cuba, oh sorry, I mean Homestead.”

Where did that come from?

I’m not Cuban, but I do live in Miami and, I enjoy the diversity of culture here.

Mr Bell, as motorcycle racers we deal with enough bigotry on a day-to-day basis as it is, I can’t help that you’re a racist, and I don’t care, but out of respect for the rest of us, please keep your views to yourself.

Joe Delaney
Miami Beach



(Editor’s note: Tony Bell is a naturalized American citizen of English origin.)

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Reports of Dorna Sports, (rights holder to the FIM-sanctioned MotoGP World Championship series), and International Speedway Corporation (ISC), (owner of several American racetracks including Daytona International Speedway), working together to bring a round of the MotoGP series to Homestead-Miami Speedway as soon as 2004 broke during the final round of the 2002 MotoGP series, November 1-3 at Valencia in Spain.

In an interview with Roadracingworld.com November 5, ISC Corporate Communications Director David Tallie confirmed that the reports were basically true.

To get more on the story, Roadracingworld.com contacted Dorna Sports’ office in Spain via e-mail, sending a list of questions for Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta. The following is the response, sent via e-mail, from Dorna Sports Communications Director Paco Latorre:

“We have gone through your long questionaire with Dorna Sports’ CEO Mr. Carmelo Ezpeleta and the statement that can be made at this stage is no further from what was explained [to reporters], during the recent Grand Prix in Valencia.

“As Mr. Ezpeleta said in that interview, there are conversations with Homestead with the possibility that this racetrack may stage a round of MotoGP in the near future, but there is nothing definitive, so most of your questions cannot be answered yet.

“Dorna (through Carmelo Ezpeleta) and ISC (through Jim France) have been having talks since the start of the summer, as it has happened with other promoters and circuit owners in the USA for the past few years. It is no secret that one of Dorna’s intentions is to have a GP in America, always thinking of somewhere that can host a successful event, especially from the spectators’ attendance point of view, and also that the circuit matches all safety issues by the FIM standards for MotoGP races.

“Different options have been studied in the past, and are still being studied. Today the best option seems to be Homestead, but until an agreement is signed, other doors must be kept open. In any case, there’s still many conversations, inspections, and discussions to be carried on in the next few months before any final announcement can be made.

“The fact that there are many more Americans in the MotoGP series is definitely a factor in deciding to take MotoGP to America because it has the momentum to be more popular. However, even when they were less American riders involved, Dorna wanted to have a USGP.

“The statement about Dorna’s thoughts on the GP series returning to America after a long absence (the last time was in Laguna Seca in 1994) is that we would be thrilled about the possibility for this return, but only if the proper conditions are fulfilled. There are two key matters: First the security of the racetrack for the riders, and second a good promotion of the event and a good crowd attendance. Considering these facts, it will be very important for MotoGP to be in the USA, as it is a key market in the world of sport.”

Paco Latorre
Communications Director
Dorna Sports

From a press release issued by The PR Group on behalf of Keith Code:

Keith Code Rolls Out First Ever Wheelie School

The world’s top motorcycle riding instructor, Keith Code, says “doing wheelies ranks high on the list of the most frivolous and decadent things in the history of Mankind!

“I look at it from the perspective of skill and control,” says Code. “It just happens to be one of the skills every top rider I have ever worked with has perfected.”

Riders have more confidence in themselves when they know they can handle the motorcycle, especially in extreme circumstances and a wheelie is an extreme circumstance. “The Wheelie School, appropriately named On One Wheel, will reduce fear… which is the best part,” says Code.

The highlight of the school will be Code’s newest invention, the Wheelie Training Bike which has two ANTI FLIP-OVER mechanisms: One kills the power and the other applies the rear brake. “Your eyes will pop out of your head when it goes up–but flipping it won’t be easy,” says Code.

The first Wheelie Schools will begin November 18th at the Irwindale Raceway, Irwindale, California (20 minutes from downtown LA). The school will hold a maximum of 8 students per school-day session. All students are guaranteed to wheelie and will have the opportunity for dozens of runs.

Along with the rest of his motorcycle training devices —the Brake Rig, the Onboard Camera Bike, the No B.S. Bike, the Braking Trainer and the Lean/Slide Machine –the Wheelie Bike will give students a whole new level of control over their riding.


ABOUT KEITH CODE

Keith Code is founder of the the legendary California Superbike School, a travelling motorcycle academy that teaches state-of-the-art riding and safety techniques to cyclists in all skill categories – from national champion racers to weekend pleasure riders.

More than 75,000 motorcycle enthusiasts of all skill levels have learned and practiced the fundamentals of motorcycle control for both the highway and the racetrack from Code’s school.

He is the author of the books “A Twist of the Wrist” and “The Soft Science of Road Racing Motorcycles. Website: www.superbikeschool.com