From a press release issued by Tony Bell:

Jamey Mazzotta and Tony Bell would like to invite you to the Grand Opening of Spectrum Motorsports’ new store.

Spectrum Motorsports, Orange County’s newest Honda, Ducati, Aprilia, Polaris dealer, will have a Grand Opening at its new location 45 Oldfield Rd., Irvine CA 92618 on Saturday, November 2nd, 2002.

The Honda Rider’s club of America will be present along with Honda racers for autograph signing. Erion Racing will bring their race truck and racebikes as will FMF Racing. During the course of the day raffles will take place, the top prizes being a full set of kid’s MX clothing, an Arai helmet, an Alpinestars jacket and a GP Star leather jacket.

There will be several exotic bikes on display including the new Ducati 999, the HRC VTR1000 SPI that Joey Dunlop rode to victory in the 2000 Formula One race at the Isle of Man, the Red Bull Ducati that won the 2001 British Superbike Championship and a Honda RC162 replica of the 1961 four cylinder 250cc racebike.

The event will begin at 10.00 a.m. – hamburgers, hot dogs and sodas will be available throughout the day.


California Speed Shop is proud to announce its affiliation with Spectrum Motorsports of Irvine California

Effective as of October 10, California Speed Shop is now the performance center for Spectrum Motorsports. You can expect the same high level of service along with greatly expanded parts and accessory availability.

Spectrum Motorsports is conveniently located in the Irvine Auto Center where the 5 and the 405 Freeways meet.

From the 5 Freeway south, take Lake Forest, exit and turn left on Lake Forest. Turn right on Rockfield Road at the second light, you’ll find us on the northwest corner of Rockfield and Oldfield about three blocks ahead on the left.

Please come and celebrate with us.

From a press release issued by Yamaha Belgarda, which is based in Italy:

YAMAHA BELGARDA SUPERSPORT CHOOSES PIRELLI

Yamaha Belgarda Supersport Team will use Pirelli tyres on their YZF-R6s in the 2003 World Championship with riders Paolo Casoli and James Whitham.

Yamaha has won four World titles (one rider and three manufacturer) in four superb seasons; Pirelli won the title in this year¹s championship.

The team will return to the track for first tests in November – with the aim of starting the new season next year in optimum competitiveness.

The 2003 Supersport World Championship will begin on March 2nd in Valencia (Spain).

From a press release issued by Rich Oliver:

Nicky Wimbauer is Mystery School Scholarship Student chosen for 2002.

Rich Oliver and partner Sean Edin have selected 14-year-old Nicky Wimbauer as their one and only scholarship student for this season’s Mystery Schools.

The 9th grader from Aurora, Colorado will join our 5-day Hard Core Pro Camp class starting November 21st, 2002.

Nicky has been racing a Yamaha R6, and a Honda RS125 in the MRA and WERA road racing organizations.

Rich Oliver comments on Nicky Wimbauer’s selection, “Nicky is a both a fine young man and a talented rider, so he fits into our program perfectly. He has a wealth of natural ability, the desire, and the drive to succeed in the tough sport of road racing. His parents are very supportive of his aspirations in racing and thought our Mystery School would be very beneficial to his progress.

“Both Sean and I are looking forward to working with him. We think Nicky will surprise some of the other students we have in that class with his abilities. But that’s how our school works, everyone learns from everyone else in the class, no matter experience level, age or gender.

“We will have another Scholarship student for 2003.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

From an e-mail sent by Andrew Nelson’s dad, Rick:

Re: Andrew Nelson FUSA 600 Sportbike Race

Hi guys, I don’t know if there is any interest in this to your readers but I thought I’d send out an update regarding Andrew’s race-ending crash and his condition.

We’ve been inundated with phone calls and e-mail messages regarding Andrew’s condition after his early exit from the Formula USA 600 Sportbike race in Daytona on Sunday. He is fine and is in much better condition than his Shoei helmet.

For those of you who did not see the crash first hand, it would have scored a 10 on any judges score card. Fortunately Andrew only ended up with a sore shoulder and something less than a mild concussion.

Most of you are asking as to what happened as he had been in many races throughout the weekend without incident. Well we feel that the crash stemmed from three contributing factors.

Firstly, Andrew’s race strategy was very aggressive and was to push hard to the front immediately from the start. He knew that drafting some of the faster bikes was going to be tough, with that in mind, he wanted to be leading out of the chicane. (As it turned out, from 8th on the grid to 4th in three corners, was as hoped.)

Secondly, we opted for a harder compound tire for this 12 lap race as the track temperature was at or near to the hottest of the weekend. For the 5-lap CCS races a medium compound tire was used with warmers on for 30 minutes powered through our generator. With the harder compound we looked to warm the tire slightly longer.

On pit road, as we waited for the 5 minute board we noticed that our generator was running in the econo mode which saves fuel but dramatically slows the heating time of the tire warmers. Consequently, the tires would have been warmed equivalently to 10 minutes in regular power mode.

Thirdly, Andrew is always so anxious to get to pre grid he left pit road too early and then proceeded to tour around on his warm-up lap in heavy traffic not fully scrubbing his tires. With so few right hand turns at Daytona, this scrub lap must be done correctly.

In hindsight, our aggressive race strategy should have been curtailed as ‘you can’t with the race in the first corner.’

The result: Andrew is 20 seconds into the race at mid corner in the east orseshoe, knee down pushing hard through a right hand turn, with a cold nscrubbed tire, and completely gets sideways, then airborne, then in the hospital, now wishing he could have continued his weekend-long drafting/braking battles with Jason….congrats.

From a press release:

Foggy PETRONAS Racing Complete First Overseas Test

Foggy PETRONAS Racing, the World Superbike team owned by riding legend Carl Fogarty and backed by Malaysian petroleum giants PETRONAS, have successfully completed their first overseas test.

Although adverse weather and track conditions at the Eurospeedway in Lausitz, Germany, reduced the time available on the track, the four-times World Superbike champion was pleased with results.

Foggy said: “As we are a brand new team with a brand new bike, whatever testing we do at this stage is going to be worthwhile. The chassis is responding well to adjustments and I am confident we will be able to improve engine performance.”

Nigel Bosworth, Team Manager, added: “Given the stage of development and tuning of the engine, we are really encouraged by the riders’ lap times which are not far off the middle of the grid expectations. It is also worth bearing in mind that those lap times were set without a qualifying bike set-up or the best tyre compounds.”

Both Foggy PETRONAS Racing riders, Troy Corser and James Haydon, began the test by working through basic set-up evaluations to include front and rear suspension, rear shock positions, ride heights and rider comfort factors.

The development of the Foggy FP1 continued on the second and third days as efforts turned to geometry settings, tyre evaluation, engine mapping and temperature systems development.

Comprehensive rider feedback and telemetry data gained from the tricky Eurospeedway circuit – with its bumpy slow corners, awkward ‘S’ bends, long sweeping corners and fast straights – has provided the team with valuable data from the FP1’s systems and a greater understanding of the bike’s behaviour under different conditions.

Following on from track tests in England, and before moving to warmer circuits of southern Europe for testing throughout the next two months, the team continue to make significant steps forward in the build-up to their race debut in the 2003 World Superbike championship.

Experience Aussie rider, Troy Corser, commented: “We completed a good number of laps, made changes to the front and rear of the bike and definitely made some steps forward with the set-up.

“I didn’t want to go changing too many things but just take small steps at a time and really feel those changes to put the whole picture together and form a better way forward. I was going faster without trying any harder so the bike is clearly getting better.”

James Haydon, after his first experience of the Eurospeedway circuit, said: “I can tell we have made big improvements with my bike resulting in four seconds being taken off my lap times, which is great.

“I’m more comfortable on the bike as well and, all things considered, I feel we got as much out of this test as we could given the adverse weather and track conditions.”

From a press release issued by the AMA:

U.S. House Committee Backs New Motorcycle Crash Study

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — A key U.S. House committee has taken the first step toward updating the famous Hurt Study of motorcycle accidents by earmarking $2 million for detailed safety research into motorcycles and other motor vehicles, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.

The Hurt Study, officially called “Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures,” was completed by lead researcher Harry Hurt more than two decades ago. Yet it remains the most comprehensive study to date on the causes of motorcycle crashes.

After repeated calls by the AMA for new comprehensive research on the subject, the House Appropriations Committee has recommended giving the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) $2 million to begin updating its 23-year-old study into the causes of motor-vehicle crashes.

For the past several years, the AMA has asked the NHTSA to conduct a nationwide study of motorcycling accidents that would help identify elements that can improve rider safety. In 2000, the NHTSA and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation released a National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety to serve as a blueprint for improving motorcycling safety. Representatives of the AMA, Motorcycle Riders Foundation, and others interested in motorcycling safety were part of a team that helped shape the plan, which calls for more research into the causes of motorcycle accidents and potential ways to reduce them.

In earmarking the $2 million, the U.S. House committee made it clear that motorcycles should be an important part of the new motor-vehicle crash research.

“While NHTSA continues to utilize the data from this old study, the information is clearly outdated. For example, the use of minivans, light trucks and sport utility vehicles were virtually nonexistent 23 years ago; vehicle technologies, such as antilock braking systems and stability control systems, did not exist, and distracting devices, such as cell phones and in-vehicle navigation systems, had not been introduced,” the committee said in a report accompanying the appropriation recommendation.

“An updated study is necessary so that NHTSA can continue to work on achieving substantial reductions in highway fatalities and injuries, particularly in those hard to reach areas such as alcohol-related fatalities and motorcycle fatalities,” the committee said. The Senate hasn’t taken a position on the appropriation.

Edward Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, urged motorcyclists to contact their U.S. representatives and senators to ask them to support the House funding for motor-vehicle safety research that is included in HR 5559.

The funding is a far cry from the amount needed for a comprehensive motorcycle accident study, but it’s a move in the right direction, Moreland said.

“This funding proposal isn’t a done deal, so it’s extremely important that motorcyclists contact their lawmakers,” Moreland added. “It will take a lot of work, but I’m confident that through the efforts of AMA members and others in the motorcycling community, we’ll see the beginning of new motorcycle crash research.”

The AMA makes it easy for motorcyclists to take action. Just go to the Rapid Response Center at the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com and click on the “Fund National Motorcycle Crash Study” alert to find a pre-written message to send to your elected officials.

This summer, Moreland testified before Congress on the need for an in-depth study into the causes of motorcycle crashes.

“The last such study was completed and released over 21 years ago,” Moreland told the U.S. House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. “The changing dynamics of motorcycling, infrastructure and safety measures demand modern, comprehensive and impartial research.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Michael Barnes won the F-USA Lockhart Phillips USA Superbike Championship at Daytona with 1-2 finishes.

Title rival Craig Connell suffered a flat rear tire in the first race and finished 12th, then came back and finished 3rd in the second race.

Complete results are shown in the Sunday Results post.

Final point standings follow:
1. Michael Barnes, 245 points
2. Craig Connell, 230
3. Shawn Higbee, 210
4. Larry Pegram, 181
5. Eric Wood, 173
6. Michael Himmelsbach, 132
7. Lee Acree, 117
8. Scott Greenwood, 94
9. Geoff May, 87
10. Matt Wait, 67


More, from a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Close Finishes Decide Championships At Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 20, 2002) — A hard charging Michael Barnes and a flat tire in the first leg of the Lockhart-Phillips SuperBike combined to cost Craig Connell the championship today at Daytona International Speedway.

Connell, of Arclight Suzuki, suffered a flat tire in the first leg of the Lockhart-Phillips SuperBike race. Connell rallied back from his 12th place starting position to finish third, but couldn’t get past Barnes who finished a close second to Shawn Higbee in the final race. Connell didn’t have to win the race to win the championship, but he did have to beat Barnes. Instead Barnes walked away with a podium finish and the series championship.

“That was a fantastic race and it’s tough about the tire but that’s racing,” said Connell.

“I didn’t need to beat Shawn (Higbee) but I sure would have liked to,” said Hooters Mountain Dew Suzuki rider Barnes. “He’s a true champion. But I’ll take that number one plate home.”

“We had an awesome race and it’s a great field of guys,” said Higbee of KWS Motorsports Suzuki. “To finish off with such a strong finish for our team, hopefully it will give us some good momentum leading into next year.”

The Pro Honda Oil SportBike Series race became a three-way battle between top competitors Larry Pegram, Craig Connell and Jason DiSalvo. But when Pegram and Connell tangled on the last lap they gave DiSalvo all he needed to break away and take the checkered.

“That R6 Yamaha was just absolutely smokin’ out there and I think the rest of the riders would agree that it was the fastest bike out there today,” said Pro Honda Oils race winner DiSalvo. “They couldn’t catch me. I just rode my hardest in the infield and let the bike do all the work on the banks and the straightaway and it turned out to be the right idea. Just get out in front and go.”

“That was a really close one. It could have gone to any one of three of us,” said second place finisher Connell. “Everybody was so even, it was very difficult. It was one of the hardest races of the year.”

Local rider Dave Estok of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., took home the win in the Buell Lightning Series race. The championship in the Buell Lightning Series went to Bryan Bemisderfer of Greencastle, Pa., who finished second in today’s Buell Lightning Series race, followed by Mark Reynolds of Woodstock, Ct. in third. Michael Barnes, who turned in a 14th place finish in the race, finished the season second in the points.

While motorcycle racing concluded for the year at Daytona International Speedway, the “World Center of Racing” will host its next event October 31-Nov. 3 when the Brumos Continental Historics roar into town. HSR kicks off a “Sportscar Speedweeks” that runs two weeks and includes the season finale of the Grand American Road Racing Series Nov. 7-10. Tickets are available by calling the Speedway Ticket Office at (386) 253-7223.

Results Sunday, October 20, 2002:

Speedscreen Amateur Grand Prix: 1. Alexander Barrera, Suzuki; 2. Michael Sanchez, Suzuki; 3. Kane Lasky, Suzuki; 4. David Loikits, Suzuki; 5. Urayoan Torres, Suzuki.

Buell Lightning Series: 1. David Estok, Buell; 2. Bryan Bemisderfer, Buell; 3. Mark Reynolds, Buell; 4. Darren James, Buell; 5. Steve Luxem, Buell.

$1000 NRRS Amateur 600cc SuperSport: 1. Michael Sanchez, Suzuki; 2. Scott Cunningham, Yamaha; 3. Joseph Ford, Yamaha; 4. Roy Yonce, Suzuki; 5. Alexander Barrer, Suzuki.

Pro Honda Oils SportBike: 1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha; 2. Craig Connell, Suzuki; 3. Larry Pegram, Suzuki; 4. Lee Acree, Suzuki; 5. Michael Barnes, Suzuki.

NRRS Thunderbike: 1. Ed Key, Suzuki; 2. Tripp Nobles, Buell; 3. Raymond Bowman, Honda; 4. Eric Falt, Suzuki; 5. Bryan Bemisderfer, Buell.

Lockhart-Phillips Superbike Race 1: Michael Barnes, Suzuki; 2. Eric Wood, Suzuki; 3. Larry Pegram, Suzuki; 4. Lee Acree, Suzuki; 5. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki.

Lockhart-Phillips Superbike Race 2: 1. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki; 2. Michael Barnes, Suzuki; 3. Craig Connell, Suzuki; 4. Lee Acree, Suzuki; 5. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Matt Wait came from last on the grid to finish 7th in the F-USA Sportbike race at Daytona, taking the combined road race/dirt track Grand National Championship and a $20,000 prize in the process.

Wait’s finish gave him one more point in the title chase than Larry Pegram, who started third and finished third in the race.

Wait was the subject of an acrimonious protest and appeal Saturday after riding his bike back to his garage without immediately reporting to the required post-qualifying dyno check. After all was said and done, Wait was demoted from third on the grid to last.

Final F-USA Grand National Championship points follow:

1. Matt Wait, 110 points
2. Larry Pegram, 109 points
3. Craig Connell, 86 points
4. Michael Barnes, 72 points
5. Cory West, 70 points
6. Glen Schnabel Jr., 67 points
7. Terry Poovey, 65 points
8. Joe Kopp, 63 points
9. Lee Acree, 59 points
10. Jeff Wood, 42 points

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Kneedraggers.com’s Matt Wait qualified third-fastest in Formula USA 600cc Sportbike Saturday at Daytona but will start from last on the 46-rider grid after being protested by title rival Larry Pegram. That could potentially cost Wait the Grand National Championship combined dirt track/road race title, and the $20,000 bonus that comes with it, due to a rules infraction.

“Paul Curtis, our head tech (official), had said that Matt Wait had left the hot pit and sight was lost of him. So that was not following our procedure,” said Phil Sberna, F-USA National Race Referee. The top five qualifiers from each of F-USA’s three dyno-controlled classes are required to go straight to the dyno for horsepower checks immediately after qualifying ends.

Instead of disallowing Wait’s qualifying times and placing him last on the 600cc Sportbike grid, Sberna, Curtis, F-USA official Randy Stem and CCS boss Kevin Elliott decided to grid Wait 20th based on an average of his Saturday morning practice times.

“Pretty simple stuff,” said Pegram before quoting Rule 7.2.1. of the F-USA rulebook. “‘All machines must remain on pit road until officially released after the qualifying session has ended. Failure to do so will result in loss of all qualifying times up to that point in the event. The rider may be added to the grid, if eligible, under the regulations set forth in 3.4.3.’

“You go to 3.4.3,”continued Pegram. “‘A rider will be gridded based upon timed qualifying sessions, heat races, point standings or by order of entry for that class.'”

Pegram’s motivation for wanting Wait to start 46th on the grid versus 20th on the grid is that Wait is leading Pegram in the Grand National Championship by six points coming into the final round.

At 5:05 p.m. local time, Pegram filed an official scoring protest against Wait being gridded 20th. F-USA officials quickly denied Pegram’s protest, and just as quickly Pegram paid $500 to file an appeal. An appeal board consisting of photographer Brian J. Nelson, Buell Racing Manager Henry Duga and Michelin tire distributor Frank Kinsey was formed, and an appeal hearing started at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday in the tech building in the Daytona paddock.

At 7:30 p.m., Kinsey announced the appeal board’s decision, saying, “We made our decision based ultimately on fairness to all the racers, what are the responsibilities of people who are professional racers and also what would be the long-term effect of interfering with the integrity of the interpretation of the rulebook…We’re all big boys. We need to know the rules. We need to know how to follow them. Sometimes things happen that look ultimately unfair. The organization absorbs some responsibility for managing things, but in the hecticness of what is going on, it ultimately still becomes a responsibility of the rider to know what to do and how to do it.

“We uphold the appeal, and Matt Wait will be positioned at the end of the grid per rulebook. No gray area interpretation of 20th place. We felt that would be something that long-term would sort of be re-writing the rulebook in the middle of an event, and we can’t do that.”

“It makes my work a lot harder now,” said Wait. “I’m a person. I forget things. After qualifying I wasn’t thinking about going to the dyno. I made a mistake. I went to the pits and didn’t go to the dyno. It’s a simple mistake, and I won’t make it again.”