Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
1. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 2:14.275
2. Manuel Poggiali, Gilera, 2:14.508
3. Arnaud Vincent, Aprilia, 2:14.803
4. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 2:14.992
5. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 2:15.471
6. Klaus Nohles, Honda, 2:15.634
7. Youichi Ui, Derbi, 2:15.721
8. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 2:15.967
9. Stefano Bianco, Aprilia, 2:15.970
10. Andrea Ballerini, Aprilia, 2:15.987
From a press release issued by Honda Motor Sports:
2002 MotoGP World Championship, round 14
Malaysian Grand Prix, Sepang
October 11/12/13
COMPETITON FOR WINS HEATS UP AT SEPANG
The second phase of a whistle-stop Far East MotoGP tour, held over three consecutive weekends in Japan, Malaysia and Australia, takes place this Sunday, 13 October, at Sepang, one of the most modern circuits in the world.
Located a short drive from the busy Kuala Lumpur International Airport the 5.448km circuit, back on the MotoGP calendar for the fourth consecutive year, hosts the steamiest, most stamina-sapping MotoGP event imaginable. The year-round high temperatures and punishing humidity are the biggest obstacles the riders have to overcome, before thoughts of winning are even considered.
Round 14 of this year’s 16-race campaign may have no significance in terms of deciding the overall champion, with Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda Team RC211V) having been crowned Lord of the new four-stoke MotoGP world at Brazil last month, but the ever-increasing numbers of dominant V-5 Hondas make the outcome of individual races more unpredictable than ever.
Rossi’s championship-securing win at Rio was his 10th victory of a remarkable season, having only been beaten on two prior occasions up to that point and then latterly at the most recent round at Motegi.
Rossi himself has publicly acknowledged that the championship will only get harder with an increasing number of 990cc four-strokes filling the grid from now until the last race of the season in early November.
“Other manufacturers are also increasing their four-stroke interest in the series and this has made the job of winning races much more difficult,” said the four-times World Champion.
Rossi’s premier class record at Sepang is made up of two extreme experiences, a no-score in his rookie season of 2000, and a win (during which he set the current lap record pace of 2m 06.618s) last year. Another win at Sepang on Sunday would give him 50 career victories in all classes.
“We had some problems at Motegi but I hope we can have a clear run at Sepang. I know what it’s like to win there and I want to repeat the performance on the four-stroke.”
Honda’s policy of steadily increasing the number of four-stoke riders as the season progresses has seen Daijiro Kato (Fortuna Honda Gresini RC211V) and most recently Alex Barros (West Honda Pons RC211V) take control of their own awesome RC211Vs, replacing their existing two-stroke machinery. Reigning 250cc champion Kato was immediately competitive but Barros outdid even his excellence with a debut ride win at the most recent round in Motegi.
Barros’ fifth career victory perfectly illustrates the prowess of the latest Honda four-stroke racing ideal made metal – all despite never having ridden it before the start of the first training session in Japan.
Said Barros after his victorious entry into the four-stroke MotoGP club; “I was surprised how fast the RC211V was right from the start at Motegi, and it proved enough to let me take a win at the first attempt. That makes me feel very confident for the rest of the season and I would love to repeat my victory in one of the next races.”
Finishing fourth last weekend, Tohru Ukawa (Repsol Honda Team RC211V) gave of his all on home ground as usual, reaffirming his long-term status of second in the championship. The highest-placed Japanese rider is looking to continue his resurgence in the overall points classification at Sepang.
“Motegi was good for me because I regained the second place I had enjoyed through most of the year,” said Ukawa. “I hope to make it more secure at Sepang – and to challenge for the win itself.”
With a quartet of four-stroke powered MotoGP races under his belt, and despite some impressive race and practice performances on the RCV, the diminutive Daijiro Kato has yet to win a race; a fact that made him particularly regretful about scoring a DNF at Motegi.
“I was very disappointed about that, especially as I had taken pole position. I hope to do better than that in Malaysia because I really want to win there on this bike, like I did on the 250 in 2001.”
A truly awe-inspiring demonstration of sustained riding skill and boundless determination from Barros’ team-mate Loris Capirossi (West Honda Pons NSR500) gave him not only top two-stroke rider status at Motegi, but a somewhat unexpected podium finish, in a season during which the four-strokes have won every race.
“I think third position was the most I could have hoped for from a bike with these characteristics,” said Capirossi, “and we will have to see how the two-strokes perform in relation to the four-strokes at Sepang. I think it will be very difficult there as well.”
Tetsuya Harada (Pramac Honda NSR500) has worked hard for little tangible reward on his return to the premier class of racing, with the diminutive Japanese struggling against the rising tsunami of powerful four-strokes flooding the grids.
Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Kanemoto Racing Honda NSR500) takes heart from turning a dismal Motegi qualifying into a battling 13th place. “We made some radical set-up changes before the very start of the Motegi race and it allowed me to compete in the race itself,” quoted the experienced Dutchman. “I hope we can improve on this finish at Sepang but with such long straights and lots of hard acceleration out of the slower corners I think it will be hard for the two-strokes.”
Robby Rolfo (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250) lies third in his championship standings in the run up to Sepang, having scored sixth at Motegi. “The long straights may be a problem for us, but we will be going all out to score our first win of the season before the end at Valencia.”
Rolfo’s team-mate Emilio Alzamora (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250) was in strong contention for a win at Motegi in the early stages of the race, and despite falling back to finish fifth hopes Sepang will reward him with at least his second podium of the year. “With a good bike set-up, and two strong qualifying sessions at Sepang, we should be in a good position for the race.”
Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica Movistar Jr Team Honda RS125R) enjoyed a brilliant and unchallenged win at Motegi, putting him closer to the championship lead and in determined mood before Malaysia. “I think I must win at Sepang and all the rest of the races if I am to stay in contention for the title, but I will be taking it one race at a time.”
The MotoGP season continues with the last of the consecutive flyaway rounds outside Europe taking place at Phillip Island, Australia, on 18/19/20 October. The championship year ends back in Europe at Valencia on November 3.
From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:
AMA PRO RACING ANNOUNCES TENTATIVE 2003 AMA CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Pro Racing announced today a tentative schedule for the 2003 AMA Chevy Truck U.S. Superbike Championship. “We’ve got the majority of the schedule firmly in place for 2003 and are making good progress each week on the few events that are still listed as tentative,” said Scott Hollingsworth, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “We are also actively exploring some additional opportunities for 2003 and beyond, but wanted to share what’s confirmed for the 2003 schedule now to assist teams in their planning process.”
March 5-9 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL
April 4-6 California Speedway, Fontana, CA
(Doubleheader)
May 2-4 Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA – TENTATIVE
(Doubleheader)
May 16-18 Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA – TENTATIVE
(Doubleheader)
May 30 – June 1 Pikes Peak International Raceway, Fountain, CO
June 6-8 Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI
(Doubleheader)
June 27-29 Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN – TENTATIVE
July 10-13 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA **
July 25-27 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH
(Doubleheader)
August 29-31 Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA
(Doubleheader)
**AMA & WSB combined weekend
Dates and Locations Subject to Change
From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:
Floridian Michael Barnes Has High Hopes For Fall Cycle Scene At Daytona
It doesn’t take too much to get Michael Barnes’ juices flowing when talking about racing Daytona International Speedway.
If the thrill of turning speeds in excess of 170 mph on the high banks isn’t enough, having a huge crowd of family and friends in attendance will certainly do it.
Barnes, a native of Boca Raton, Fla., and a former resident in Daytona Beach, will have plenty of supporters rooting for him at the “World Center of Racing” during the 22nd annual Fall Cycle Scene on Oct. 17-20.
Barnes, who rides the No. 34 Hooters Mountain Dew Suzuki in the Formula USA National Road Race Series, lived in Daytona Beach for a few years while attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
“I’d probably say, well, I’ve got so many friends,” Barnes said laughing when trying to estimate how many guests he’ll have at Daytona during Fall Cycle Scene. “There’s just tons of people. I’ve got a lot of local friends around Daytona and a lot of friends from down South. I couldn’t even put a number to it.”
Barnes decided to cut short his education at Embry-Riddle to pursue a career in motorcycle racing.
“I had showed some interest in racing and started taking school less seriously,” Barnes said. “It went the way I wanted it to which was pretty good. I didn’t think it was going to be that easy to make something of it. It’s been a real exciting 14 or 15 years so far.”
Barnes will have his eye on three Formula USA championships during the Fall Cycle Scene – the Lockhart-Phillips Superbike, the Buell Lightning Series and the Pro Honda Oils Sportbike. After the Aug. 1-4 event at Elkhart Lake, Wis., Barnes sits in the top three in points in all three divisions.
“Right now, I’m sitting second, second and third,” Barnes said. “I’ve definitely got some points to make up.”
Barnes should feel confident entering Daytona International Speedway, a track he knows well. He has scored numerous victories at DIS, including the second leg of the Lockhart-Phillips Superbike in March during Daytona 200 Week.
“I like to hope so,” said Barnes about having an advantage at DIS. “It’s kind of proven to me in the past, not all the time. I’ve had my misfortunes at Daytona, just like everybody has misfortunes just about everywhere. It depends on how well you’re prepared. That’s probably the biggest key.”
Tickets for Fall Cycle Scene are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-7223.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
Valentino Rossi will drive in the final round of the 2002 World Rally Championship. In a deal set up through the Italian rally team Grifone, the 23-year-old four-time motorcycle road racing World Champion will drive a Michelin-shod Peugot 206 WRC in the Network Q Rally of Great Britain November 14-17.
Gauloises Yamaha Tech 3’s Shinya Nakano and Olivier Jacque tested their new Yamaha YZR-M1s Tuesday, October 8 at the Shah Alam circuit in Malaysia. The pair will trade in their Yamaha YZR500 two-strokes and race the M1s in the final three rounds of the 2002 MotoGP season.
Nakano tested early versions of the 990cc inline four-cylinder on two previous occasions, but the recent test was the first time Jacque had ever ridden a four-stroke race machine.
From a press release issued by Henry DeGouw, manager of Team North America:
North American Team Set For Macau GP
Three riders from the United States and Canada have been selected for this year’s Macau Grand Prix Motorcycle Road Race.
Brian Livengood of Snellville, Ga. will compete on the HSA Suzuki 750 and tuned by Lee’s Performance Center of Charlotte, NC. Livengood won this year’s AMA Superbike Rookie Of The Year award.
Joining him will be Canadians, Frank Trombino and Kevin Lacombe on a pair of Honda Canada, Golden Palace-sponsored RC51s.
Trombino from Ontario is the 2000 & 2001 Canadian Open Sportbike Champion, while 20-year-old Lacombe, from Quebec won the final Canadian Superbike National this year at Shannonville.
All three are on their first trip to Macau. The team departs for Hong Kong on November 9th.
The 60-mile Macau GP race on Saturday the 16th is run on a 4-mile through-the-streets course.
After the race, riders and crews will be treated to a complimentary 8-night vacation in Thailand.
Anyone interested in accompanying the team should contact Henry DeGouw at (561) 793-3394 for prices and itinerary.
From a press release:
FASTRACK RIDERS ASSOCIATION EVENT DATES 2003
TRACK DAYS:
March 10th @ California Speedway Infield Course (Monday)
March 28th @ California Speedway AMA Track (Friday)
April 3rd @ California Speedway AMA Track (Thursday before AMA event weekend)
May 5th @ California Speedway Infield Course (Monday)
May 23rd @ California Speedway AMA Track (Friday)
June 16th @ California Speedway Infield Course (Monday)
June 27th @ California Speedway AMA Track (Friday)
July 25th, 26th & 27th @ California Speedway AMA Track (Saturday & Sunday)
August 11th @ California Speedway Infield Course (Monday)
August 29th @ California Speedway AMA Track (Friday)
September 27th & 28th @ California Speedway Infield Course (Saturday & Sunday)
AFM SOUTH RACE EVENTS:
March 29th & 30th @ California Speedway AMA track (weekend before AMA National)
April 19th & 20th @ Buttonwillow Raceway
May 24th & 25th @ California Speedway AMA Track
June 28th & 29th @ California Speedway AMA Track
August 30th & 31st @ California Speedway AMA Track
October 11th & 12th @ Buttonwillow Raceway
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
Australian Andrew Pitt, 26, will ride the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP bike at the Malaysian Grand Prix October 11-13, replacing Akira Yanagawa.
Yanagawa was injured in a crash during the Pacific Grand Prix at Motegi October 6.
Pitt will ride the Kawasaki in the three remaining rounds as Yanagawa will miss the rest of the season with a fractured hip.
“Sepang is a new circuit for me and I haven´t even sat on the new ZX-RR yet, never mind ridden it, so I won´t be going out there to set the world on fire in my first race,” said Pitt in a press release issued by Kawasaki.
“Realistically, if I can help the team continue the development work they´ve done so far with Akira then I´ll be happy with that.”
Pitt won the 2001 World Supersport Championship for Harald Eckl’s Kawasaki team.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
International Speedway Corporation (ISC) hired five-time 500cc World Champion Mick Doohan to inspect Watkins Glen International Raceway and suggest how the track would have to be changed to qualify for a MotoGP event.
Doohan inspected the track September 26 with track officials–including Watkins Glen President Craig Rust–and discussed what changes he felt would have to be made to make the track suitable for MotoGP homologation.
Reliable sources said the track has had an engineering firm look at moving back guardrails and dirt embankments.
Problem areas include turn two, the esses and the final two turns.
The track and the surrounding area can accomodate large numbers of spectators; it attracts nearly 200,000 people for NASCAR events.
From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:
Mugello (Italy), October 8, 2002
DUCATI CORSE TESTING CONCLUDES AT MUGELLO
Ducati Corse concluded a two-day testing session at the Mugello Circuit in Tuscany, where factory riders Troy Bayliss and Neil Hodgson were able to put in their first laps on their respective 2003 factory Ducati Desmosedici and Ducati 999 Superbike bikes.
Cool 15° temperatures and slight rain disturbed the day’s testing for Ducati Corse throughout the day, but despite this the scheduled programme both for the MotoGP bike and the Superbike was completed on time.
After yesterday’s first contact with the Desmosedici, Troy, who will line up with Loris Capirossi in next year’s MotoGP championship, completed 30 laps of the 5.245 km Tuscany circuit, saying that he was delighted to form part of a brand-new project and to be able to develop the new bike right from scratch.
“I’m very excited to be part of this project” declared Troy. “We all know we’ve got a difficult job ahead of us but we’re all very keen. My first impression after hopping on the bike was very good, it’s got a lot of power and it’s been an exciting couple of days and we’ve made some good progress since we arrived. We have lots of tests before the season starts next year and we’re going to do everything we can possibly do to get the bike to a competitive level. At the moment we have a lot of horsepower, the bike is very fast and it’s a lot lighter than the Superbike. There aren’t many places where you use full gas at Mugello so you have to make the bike work good. That’s our main priority at the moment and we’re heading in that direction. All systems are go and we’re up for it!”
Neil Hodgson also continued development work on the Superbike version of the Ducati 999, the bike that will be called upon to replace the glorious 998, with which Ducati this year won its 11th World Superbike Constructors’ title reserved for production-based racing motorbikes.
The British rider completed a total of 45 laps during the day, searching mainly for the right feeling with a bike that is totally different from the HM Plant-backed satellite Ducati 998 F01 with which he finished third in this year’s World Superbike championship.
“My first impression with the 999 is that it’s very different to the 998” commented Neil. “The engine feels better and the dual swinging-arm makes the suspension completely different to what I was used to.
“I’m already really looking forward to next season’s World Superbike Championship” he added. “The 999 has got a lot of potential and it can improve a lot more so I think that in the next 3 or 4 tests we will be able to turn a good bike into a fantastic one.”
Ducati Corse will move away from Italy for its next session with Troy Bayliss and Neil Hodgson doing testing duties at the Valencia Circuit in Spain on 22 and 23 October. The Spanish track is ideal for development work on the Desmosedici and the 999 Superbike, as it is included in both the MotoGP and World Superbike calendars for next year.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
1. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 2:14.275
2. Manuel Poggiali, Gilera, 2:14.508
3. Arnaud Vincent, Aprilia, 2:14.803
4. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 2:14.992
5. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 2:15.471
6. Klaus Nohles, Honda, 2:15.634
7. Youichi Ui, Derbi, 2:15.721
8. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 2:15.967
9. Stefano Bianco, Aprilia, 2:15.970
10. Andrea Ballerini, Aprilia, 2:15.987
From a press release issued by Honda Motor Sports:
2002 MotoGP World Championship, round 14
Malaysian Grand Prix, Sepang
October 11/12/13
COMPETITON FOR WINS HEATS UP AT SEPANG
The second phase of a whistle-stop Far East MotoGP tour, held over three consecutive weekends in Japan, Malaysia and Australia, takes place this Sunday, 13 October, at Sepang, one of the most modern circuits in the world.
Located a short drive from the busy Kuala Lumpur International Airport the 5.448km circuit, back on the MotoGP calendar for the fourth consecutive year, hosts the steamiest, most stamina-sapping MotoGP event imaginable. The year-round high temperatures and punishing humidity are the biggest obstacles the riders have to overcome, before thoughts of winning are even considered.
Round 14 of this year’s 16-race campaign may have no significance in terms of deciding the overall champion, with Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda Team RC211V) having been crowned Lord of the new four-stoke MotoGP world at Brazil last month, but the ever-increasing numbers of dominant V-5 Hondas make the outcome of individual races more unpredictable than ever.
Rossi’s championship-securing win at Rio was his 10th victory of a remarkable season, having only been beaten on two prior occasions up to that point and then latterly at the most recent round at Motegi.
Rossi himself has publicly acknowledged that the championship will only get harder with an increasing number of 990cc four-strokes filling the grid from now until the last race of the season in early November.
“Other manufacturers are also increasing their four-stroke interest in the series and this has made the job of winning races much more difficult,” said the four-times World Champion.
Rossi’s premier class record at Sepang is made up of two extreme experiences, a no-score in his rookie season of 2000, and a win (during which he set the current lap record pace of 2m 06.618s) last year. Another win at Sepang on Sunday would give him 50 career victories in all classes.
“We had some problems at Motegi but I hope we can have a clear run at Sepang. I know what it’s like to win there and I want to repeat the performance on the four-stroke.”
Honda’s policy of steadily increasing the number of four-stoke riders as the season progresses has seen Daijiro Kato (Fortuna Honda Gresini RC211V) and most recently Alex Barros (West Honda Pons RC211V) take control of their own awesome RC211Vs, replacing their existing two-stroke machinery. Reigning 250cc champion Kato was immediately competitive but Barros outdid even his excellence with a debut ride win at the most recent round in Motegi.
Barros’ fifth career victory perfectly illustrates the prowess of the latest Honda four-stroke racing ideal made metal – all despite never having ridden it before the start of the first training session in Japan.
Said Barros after his victorious entry into the four-stroke MotoGP club; “I was surprised how fast the RC211V was right from the start at Motegi, and it proved enough to let me take a win at the first attempt. That makes me feel very confident for the rest of the season and I would love to repeat my victory in one of the next races.”
Finishing fourth last weekend, Tohru Ukawa (Repsol Honda Team RC211V) gave of his all on home ground as usual, reaffirming his long-term status of second in the championship. The highest-placed Japanese rider is looking to continue his resurgence in the overall points classification at Sepang.
“Motegi was good for me because I regained the second place I had enjoyed through most of the year,” said Ukawa. “I hope to make it more secure at Sepang – and to challenge for the win itself.”
With a quartet of four-stroke powered MotoGP races under his belt, and despite some impressive race and practice performances on the RCV, the diminutive Daijiro Kato has yet to win a race; a fact that made him particularly regretful about scoring a DNF at Motegi.
“I was very disappointed about that, especially as I had taken pole position. I hope to do better than that in Malaysia because I really want to win there on this bike, like I did on the 250 in 2001.”
A truly awe-inspiring demonstration of sustained riding skill and boundless determination from Barros’ team-mate Loris Capirossi (West Honda Pons NSR500) gave him not only top two-stroke rider status at Motegi, but a somewhat unexpected podium finish, in a season during which the four-strokes have won every race.
“I think third position was the most I could have hoped for from a bike with these characteristics,” said Capirossi, “and we will have to see how the two-strokes perform in relation to the four-strokes at Sepang. I think it will be very difficult there as well.”
Tetsuya Harada (Pramac Honda NSR500) has worked hard for little tangible reward on his return to the premier class of racing, with the diminutive Japanese struggling against the rising tsunami of powerful four-strokes flooding the grids.
Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Kanemoto Racing Honda NSR500) takes heart from turning a dismal Motegi qualifying into a battling 13th place. “We made some radical set-up changes before the very start of the Motegi race and it allowed me to compete in the race itself,” quoted the experienced Dutchman. “I hope we can improve on this finish at Sepang but with such long straights and lots of hard acceleration out of the slower corners I think it will be hard for the two-strokes.”
Robby Rolfo (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250) lies third in his championship standings in the run up to Sepang, having scored sixth at Motegi. “The long straights may be a problem for us, but we will be going all out to score our first win of the season before the end at Valencia.”
Rolfo’s team-mate Emilio Alzamora (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250) was in strong contention for a win at Motegi in the early stages of the race, and despite falling back to finish fifth hopes Sepang will reward him with at least his second podium of the year. “With a good bike set-up, and two strong qualifying sessions at Sepang, we should be in a good position for the race.”
Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica Movistar Jr Team Honda RS125R) enjoyed a brilliant and unchallenged win at Motegi, putting him closer to the championship lead and in determined mood before Malaysia. “I think I must win at Sepang and all the rest of the races if I am to stay in contention for the title, but I will be taking it one race at a time.”
The MotoGP season continues with the last of the consecutive flyaway rounds outside Europe taking place at Phillip Island, Australia, on 18/19/20 October. The championship year ends back in Europe at Valencia on November 3.
From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:
AMA PRO RACING ANNOUNCES TENTATIVE 2003 AMA CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Pro Racing announced today a tentative schedule for the 2003 AMA Chevy Truck U.S. Superbike Championship. “We’ve got the majority of the schedule firmly in place for 2003 and are making good progress each week on the few events that are still listed as tentative,” said Scott Hollingsworth, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “We are also actively exploring some additional opportunities for 2003 and beyond, but wanted to share what’s confirmed for the 2003 schedule now to assist teams in their planning process.”
March 5-9 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL
April 4-6 California Speedway, Fontana, CA
(Doubleheader)
May 2-4 Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA – TENTATIVE
(Doubleheader)
May 16-18 Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA – TENTATIVE
(Doubleheader)
May 30 – June 1 Pikes Peak International Raceway, Fountain, CO
June 6-8 Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI
(Doubleheader)
June 27-29 Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN – TENTATIVE
July 10-13 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA **
July 25-27 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH
(Doubleheader)
August 29-31 Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA
(Doubleheader)
**AMA & WSB combined weekend
Dates and Locations Subject to Change
From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:
Floridian Michael Barnes Has High Hopes For Fall Cycle Scene At Daytona
It doesn’t take too much to get Michael Barnes’ juices flowing when talking about racing Daytona International Speedway.
If the thrill of turning speeds in excess of 170 mph on the high banks isn’t enough, having a huge crowd of family and friends in attendance will certainly do it.
Barnes, a native of Boca Raton, Fla., and a former resident in Daytona Beach, will have plenty of supporters rooting for him at the “World Center of Racing” during the 22nd annual Fall Cycle Scene on Oct. 17-20.
Barnes, who rides the No. 34 Hooters Mountain Dew Suzuki in the Formula USA National Road Race Series, lived in Daytona Beach for a few years while attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
“I’d probably say, well, I’ve got so many friends,” Barnes said laughing when trying to estimate how many guests he’ll have at Daytona during Fall Cycle Scene. “There’s just tons of people. I’ve got a lot of local friends around Daytona and a lot of friends from down South. I couldn’t even put a number to it.”
Barnes decided to cut short his education at Embry-Riddle to pursue a career in motorcycle racing.
“I had showed some interest in racing and started taking school less seriously,” Barnes said. “It went the way I wanted it to which was pretty good. I didn’t think it was going to be that easy to make something of it. It’s been a real exciting 14 or 15 years so far.”
Barnes will have his eye on three Formula USA championships during the Fall Cycle Scene – the Lockhart-Phillips Superbike, the Buell Lightning Series and the Pro Honda Oils Sportbike. After the Aug. 1-4 event at Elkhart Lake, Wis., Barnes sits in the top three in points in all three divisions.
“Right now, I’m sitting second, second and third,” Barnes said. “I’ve definitely got some points to make up.”
Barnes should feel confident entering Daytona International Speedway, a track he knows well. He has scored numerous victories at DIS, including the second leg of the Lockhart-Phillips Superbike in March during Daytona 200 Week.
“I like to hope so,” said Barnes about having an advantage at DIS. “It’s kind of proven to me in the past, not all the time. I’ve had my misfortunes at Daytona, just like everybody has misfortunes just about everywhere. It depends on how well you’re prepared. That’s probably the biggest key.”
Tickets for Fall Cycle Scene are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-7223.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
Valentino Rossi will drive in the final round of the 2002 World Rally Championship. In a deal set up through the Italian rally team Grifone, the 23-year-old four-time motorcycle road racing World Champion will drive a Michelin-shod Peugot 206 WRC in the Network Q Rally of Great Britain November 14-17.
Gauloises Yamaha Tech 3’s Shinya Nakano and Olivier Jacque tested their new Yamaha YZR-M1s Tuesday, October 8 at the Shah Alam circuit in Malaysia. The pair will trade in their Yamaha YZR500 two-strokes and race the M1s in the final three rounds of the 2002 MotoGP season.
Nakano tested early versions of the 990cc inline four-cylinder on two previous occasions, but the recent test was the first time Jacque had ever ridden a four-stroke race machine.
From a press release issued by Henry DeGouw, manager of Team North America:
North American Team Set For Macau GP
Three riders from the United States and Canada have been selected for this year’s Macau Grand Prix Motorcycle Road Race.
Brian Livengood of Snellville, Ga. will compete on the HSA Suzuki 750 and tuned by Lee’s Performance Center of Charlotte, NC. Livengood won this year’s AMA Superbike Rookie Of The Year award.
Joining him will be Canadians, Frank Trombino and Kevin Lacombe on a pair of Honda Canada, Golden Palace-sponsored RC51s.
Trombino from Ontario is the 2000 & 2001 Canadian Open Sportbike Champion, while 20-year-old Lacombe, from Quebec won the final Canadian Superbike National this year at Shannonville.
All three are on their first trip to Macau. The team departs for Hong Kong on November 9th.
The 60-mile Macau GP race on Saturday the 16th is run on a 4-mile through-the-streets course.
After the race, riders and crews will be treated to a complimentary 8-night vacation in Thailand.
Anyone interested in accompanying the team should contact Henry DeGouw at (561) 793-3394 for prices and itinerary.
From a press release:
FASTRACK RIDERS ASSOCIATION EVENT DATES 2003
TRACK DAYS:
March 10th @ California Speedway Infield Course (Monday)
March 28th @ California Speedway AMA Track (Friday)
April 3rd @ California Speedway AMA Track (Thursday before AMA event weekend)
May 5th @ California Speedway Infield Course (Monday)
May 23rd @ California Speedway AMA Track (Friday)
June 16th @ California Speedway Infield Course (Monday)
June 27th @ California Speedway AMA Track (Friday)
July 25th, 26th & 27th @ California Speedway AMA Track (Saturday & Sunday)
August 11th @ California Speedway Infield Course (Monday)
August 29th @ California Speedway AMA Track (Friday)
September 27th & 28th @ California Speedway Infield Course (Saturday & Sunday)
AFM SOUTH RACE EVENTS:
March 29th & 30th @ California Speedway AMA track (weekend before AMA National)
April 19th & 20th @ Buttonwillow Raceway
May 24th & 25th @ California Speedway AMA Track
June 28th & 29th @ California Speedway AMA Track
August 30th & 31st @ California Speedway AMA Track
October 11th & 12th @ Buttonwillow Raceway
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
Australian Andrew Pitt, 26, will ride the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP bike at the Malaysian Grand Prix October 11-13, replacing Akira Yanagawa.
Yanagawa was injured in a crash during the Pacific Grand Prix at Motegi October 6.
Pitt will ride the Kawasaki in the three remaining rounds as Yanagawa will miss the rest of the season with a fractured hip.
“Sepang is a new circuit for me and I haven´t even sat on the new ZX-RR yet, never mind ridden it, so I won´t be going out there to set the world on fire in my first race,” said Pitt in a press release issued by Kawasaki.
“Realistically, if I can help the team continue the development work they´ve done so far with Akira then I´ll be happy with that.”
Pitt won the 2001 World Supersport Championship for Harald Eckl’s Kawasaki team.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
International Speedway Corporation (ISC) hired five-time 500cc World Champion Mick Doohan to inspect Watkins Glen International Raceway and suggest how the track would have to be changed to qualify for a MotoGP event.
Doohan inspected the track September 26 with track officials–including Watkins Glen President Craig Rust–and discussed what changes he felt would have to be made to make the track suitable for MotoGP homologation.
Reliable sources said the track has had an engineering firm look at moving back guardrails and dirt embankments.
Problem areas include turn two, the esses and the final two turns.
The track and the surrounding area can accomodate large numbers of spectators; it attracts nearly 200,000 people for NASCAR events.
From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:
Mugello (Italy), October 8, 2002
DUCATI CORSE TESTING CONCLUDES AT MUGELLO
Ducati Corse concluded a two-day testing session at the Mugello Circuit in Tuscany, where factory riders Troy Bayliss and Neil Hodgson were able to put in their first laps on their respective 2003 factory Ducati Desmosedici and Ducati 999 Superbike bikes.
Cool 15° temperatures and slight rain disturbed the day’s testing for Ducati Corse throughout the day, but despite this the scheduled programme both for the MotoGP bike and the Superbike was completed on time.
After yesterday’s first contact with the Desmosedici, Troy, who will line up with Loris Capirossi in next year’s MotoGP championship, completed 30 laps of the 5.245 km Tuscany circuit, saying that he was delighted to form part of a brand-new project and to be able to develop the new bike right from scratch.
“I’m very excited to be part of this project” declared Troy. “We all know we’ve got a difficult job ahead of us but we’re all very keen. My first impression after hopping on the bike was very good, it’s got a lot of power and it’s been an exciting couple of days and we’ve made some good progress since we arrived. We have lots of tests before the season starts next year and we’re going to do everything we can possibly do to get the bike to a competitive level. At the moment we have a lot of horsepower, the bike is very fast and it’s a lot lighter than the Superbike. There aren’t many places where you use full gas at Mugello so you have to make the bike work good. That’s our main priority at the moment and we’re heading in that direction. All systems are go and we’re up for it!”
Neil Hodgson also continued development work on the Superbike version of the Ducati 999, the bike that will be called upon to replace the glorious 998, with which Ducati this year won its 11th World Superbike Constructors’ title reserved for production-based racing motorbikes.
The British rider completed a total of 45 laps during the day, searching mainly for the right feeling with a bike that is totally different from the HM Plant-backed satellite Ducati 998 F01 with which he finished third in this year’s World Superbike championship.
“My first impression with the 999 is that it’s very different to the 998” commented Neil. “The engine feels better and the dual swinging-arm makes the suspension completely different to what I was used to.
“I’m already really looking forward to next season’s World Superbike Championship” he added. “The 999 has got a lot of potential and it can improve a lot more so I think that in the next 3 or 4 tests we will be able to turn a good bike into a fantastic one.”
Ducati Corse will move away from Italy for its next session with Troy Bayliss and Neil Hodgson doing testing duties at the Valencia Circuit in Spain on 22 and 23 October. The Spanish track is ideal for development work on the Desmosedici and the 999 Superbike, as it is included in both the MotoGP and World Superbike calendars for next year.
