From a press release issued by Pirelli:

Yes, Pirelli’s For Real

PIRELLI AIMS FOR FORMULA-USA CHAMPIONSHIP SWEEP AFTER WINNING WORLD SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP

(Rome, GA) This weekend in Daytona, it’s for all the marbles. And Pirelli and its DOT Supercorsa radial – could walk away with the lion’s share of the five major 2002 Formula-USA National Road Race Series championships. This, fresh on the heels of the Supercorsa’s first World Supersport championship, thanks to the factory Honda Ten Kate race team and Fabian Foret.

(No, we’re not making up the following statistics): Coming into this weekend’s F-USA Daytona final, Pirelli and the DOT Supercorsa hold both first and second places (Craig Connell and Michael Barnes, respectively), and seven of the top ten points positions in Unlimited Superbike. Pirellis have won 10 of the 14 Unlimited Superbike races thus far in 2002. At the last round in Portland, 15 of the 18 bikes were on Pirelli in Race One, 14 of the 17 in Race Two including sweeps of both race podiums. As if that weren’t enough, in the first race, Pirelli and Michael Barnes broke both the PIR class and outright track records!

In the Pro Sportbike Series, a giant hole would have to open in the earth and selectively swallow the top five points leaders before Pirelli could miss a chance at claiming the championship. Connell, Larry Pegram, Barnes, Lee Acree, and Matt Wait are the five. Supercorsas have won five of the seven ’02 Sportbike finals, and were on 16 of the top 20 at Portland, including another podium sweep and another Michael Barnes class track record.

Pirellis are on eight of the top nine in the Buell Lightning championship chase, including the first two places. They’ve won all seven 2002 series races thus far, and took the top five spots and seven of the first eight at Portland. Oh, and what’s-his-name and his Pirellis blasted this class track record, too, on his way to the win; Dave Estok was second. “Barnie” leads the championship, with Clint Brotz second.

In Thunderbike, Pirelli has won two of the six finals; Jeff Johnson leads the championship on Supercorsas. While in Unlimited Grand Prix, five of the seven finals have gone to Pirelli. As for the company’s championship chances in GP, Geoff May and Mike Himmelsbach – number one and number two lead six of the top 10 riding on Pirelli.

And in answer to the question you haven’t asked: Yes, Pirelli and its Supercorsa radial are for real. And the results are proving it.

From a press release:

Jake Zemke Joins Honda/Erion Racing For 2003 Season

Zemke parlays his successful ’02 Formula Xtreme season into factory-backed ride for’03

FLORENCE, Ky., (Oct. 16, 2002) – After a highly successful 2002 AMA/Chevy Truck U.S. Superbike Championship season, OMS Sports client Jake Zemke got the ride he was looking for as he’ll spend next year with the Honda-backed Erion Racing Team, competing in the AMA Formula Xtreme and 600cc Supersport classes.

Also, Zemke’s deal with Honda includes a full-time superbike ride with one of Honda’s race teams in 2004.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with the way things have turned out,” said Zemke. “I worked very hard last year and, despite a couple bad breaks, wound up tied (at year’s end) for the points lead in the Formula Xtreme class. I’ve had a great relationship with Honda and Kevin Erion over the years and look forward to this coming season and bringing another championship back to the Erion Racing Team.”

Erion Racing president Kevin Erion has been representing Honda as a factory satellite team for ten years. In those ten years his riders have won eight AMA titles. And he’s looking forward to getting his ninth title this year with Zemke. “I’ve known Jake for six years, four of which he’s been associated with our race program,” said Erion. “I’ve really studied Jake’s slow, methodical growth path – which is something I like very much. Jake doesn’t go out and take too big of steps, which is key when discussing longevity in this sport. He came close to the Formula Xtreme title this year and we’ll be expecting that he win it next year.”

Erion continued: “Equally as important to his riding skills is the fact that Jake has a very warm personality, is always ‘up,’ always smiling and always happy to be there and be part of the sport he loves. Jake has a real positive effect on everybody he works with, especially the fans.”

Zemke’s relationship with Erion racing includes a factory-backed Honda contract he’s equally excited about. “The help from Honda made it easy to put together the deal with Erion Racing,” explained Zemke. “And all this means I’ll have the best possible equipment available, with the best crew of mechanics and race technicians putting it all together. This will take a lot of pressure off me in that all I have to do is go out and win races – and that’s the fun part.”

Added Honda’s Chuck Miller, manager of Honda’s Motorcycle Sports Program: “We’re pleased to have Jake re-join the Honda/Erion racing family. As far as Honda’s concerned, Jake’s one of the top up-and-coming riders in the sport for sure. His road racing and dirt track experience will set the stage for him to move into superbike racing in the not-to-distant future.”

Zemke will race both the AMA USA Formula Xtreme (2nd overall in 2002) and AMA 600cc Supersport (8th overall in 2002) classes in 2003.


(Editorial Note: Zemke is apparently being replaced on the Bruce Transportation team by Australian Marty Craggill.)

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

2003 AMA Superbike rules now set, period of public comment results in modifications

The 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship will mark an exciting period of transition for America’s premier motorcycle road-racing series. Beginning next March in the season kickoff at Daytona International Speedway, 1000cc multi-cylinder Superbikes will race side-by-side with 1000cc twins and 750cc-based multi-cylinder machines.

AMA Pro Racing first proposed this new formula in June to reflect the changing motorcycle marketplace and provide opportunity for more teams to compete in the series. A public comment period resulted in one major change to the proposed rules. Traditional 750cc four-cylinder machines now will be allowed 2 millimeters of cylinder overbore for a displacement close to 800cc in an effort to keep existing 750 Superbikes competitive in the period of transition to the new specifications.

“It’s always tough to find the proper balance when implementing a new racing formula, especially in a series that means so much to so many,” said Scott Hollingsworth, AMA Pro Racing CEO. “Our technical staff came very close to hitting the mark in the original proposal, and after the public comment period I’m confident that we’ve struck a good balance that allows a wide variety of racing machinery to be on equal footing.”

“We are trying to put the best racing product on the track for the benefit of fans and teams,” said Merrill Vanderslice, AMA Pro Racing director of competition. “Our goal is to have close competition in 2003, and we will consider minor adjustments to the rules as needed to balance competition.”

Vanderslice added that the rules package also addresses the changing market, as many new motorcycles are expected to be eligible for competition in 2004 under this AMA Superbike formula.

In an effort to establish a global technical specification for Superbike racing, AMA Pro Racing met with other national governing bodies and the technical arm of the FIM. Although a consensus could not be reached at this time, AMA Pro Racing remains hopeful that a single specification can be achieved in the future.


2003 AMA U.S. Superbike Championship rules

Only approved motorcycles are permitted in AMA Superbike competition. AMA Pro Racing will accept homologation applications only from motorcycle manufacturers or their distributors.

1. Allowable engine displacements and basic homologation requirements:

A. 551cc – 750cc four-stroke, four cylinders:

Engines with displacements originally within this range may have cylinder bore increased by a maximum of 2mm, with the resulting displacement not to exceed 800cc. Stroke must remain stock.

Homologation requirements will remain the same as current (2002) Superbike requirements, including street certification in an FIM member country and a minimum number of units imported into the US for sale.

B. 551cc – 900cc four-stroke, three cylinders:
551cc – 1000cc four-stroke, twin cylinders:

Homologation requirements will remain the same as current (2002) Superbike requirements.

C. 901cc – 1000cc four-stroke, three or more cylinders:

This is a new displacement category offered as an option beginning with the 2003 season.

Homologation requirements include street certification in the U.S. and a higher minimum number of imported units relative to current Superbike requirements.

2. Weight:

Minimum weight for all Superbikes will be increased to 370 pounds from the current 355 pounds.

3. Other major technical regulations:

Except for the items previously noted, 750cc four cylinders, 900cc three cylinders and 1000cc twin cylinders will be subject to all current (2002) Superbike technical regulations for the 2003 season.

1000cc equipment with three or more cylinders will be subject to the following major technical regulations:

A. Frames must be stock except for the addition of strengthening gussets and the removal or relocation of accessory brackets (same as current rules).

B. Aftermarket forks, shocks and swingarms will be permitted. Forks/shocks will be subject to claiming rules (same as current rules).

C. Aftermarket wheels (except carbon composite) will be permitted. Rear wheel maximum width is 6.25″ (same as current rules).

D. Aftermarket brakes (except carbon composite) will be permitted (same as current rules).

E. Aftermarket fairings and body work will be permitted (same as current rules).

F. Cylinder heads may be ported and machined, but altering of valve angles will not be permitted.

G. Aftermarket valves, springs, retainers and other valve-train components will be permitted. Valves must be stock size and same basic material as original equipment.

H. Aftermarket camshafts will be permitted, but cam lift and resulting valve lift must be no greater than stock.

I. Stock cylinders and cases must be retained. Machining will be permitted (same as current rules).

J. Aftermarket pistons, rings, pins and connecting rods will be permitted (same as current rules).

K. Stock crankshaft must be retained. The only allowable modifications are balancing, polishing of bearing surfaces and attachment of accessory drives.

L. Homologated transmission gear sets (one optional set of ratios per approved model) will be permitted. Optional sets will be price-controlled and must be available to any legitimate AMA Superbike competitor.

M. Aftermarket, stock-type (wet type cannot be changed to dry type) clutches with back-torque limiting characteristics will be permitted.

N. Homologated fuel-injection throttle-body assemblies (one optional type per approved model) and aftermarket air boxes will be permitted. Modifications to throttle bodies will not be permitted. Optional throttle bodies will be price-controlled and must be available to any legitimate AMA Superbike competitor.

O. Aftermarket ignition systems will be permitted (same as current rules).

P. Charging systems and starters will not be required (same as current rules).

Q. Aftermarket exhaust systems will be permitted (same as current rules).

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Superbike World Champion Colin Edwards has posted on his website that he’s going to race an Aprilia on Michelin tires in the 2003 MotoGP Series.

To read his post, click here:

http://www.colinedwardsii.com/phorum/read.php?f=10&i=99&t=99

From a press release:

Yates and Sidi renew their agreement together.

Team Yoshimura Suzuki rider Aaron Yates has signed on for yet another year wearing Sidi boots.

“Double A Ron” Sidi’s 2002 Supersport champion has once again chosen to stay with a good thing, Sidi boots, for the upcoming 2003 season.

Those who know Aaron know he uses words sparingly, as you can imagine this made for a unique exchange during the contract negotiations. When offered double his previous year’s salary by Motonation’s Czar of Sales and Marketing, Alex Baylon, Aaron gasped and said simply “okay.”

Aaron will be competing in the Sidi Vertebra-2 boot as well as the Vertebra Race version of the Vertebra series of racing footwear.

For more information log on to www.motonation.com

From a press release issued by Galfer:

Attention Racers

Galfer Braking Systems is currently accepting race support resumes for next 2003 racing season.

All resumes need to be sent to:
Galfer Braking Systems
57 W. Mc Farlane
Ventura CA 93001
Attn: Sandro Milesi

From a press release:

Regina USA is currently accepting racer resumes for the 2003 season thru December 6, 2002.

Resumes may be sent to Regina USA
824 Chesapeake Drive
Cambridge, MD 21613
Attn: Race Support

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Alex Gobert, 19, has signed a contract with American Honda and will ride an Erion Honda CBR600RR in AMA Supersport in 2003.

That’s the word from Alex Gobert’s mother/manager Sue Gobert, via e-mail to Roadracingworld.com.

Alex Gobert is the youngest of three Gobert brothers. Aaron Gobert, the middle brother, is in the middle of a two-year contract to ride AMA Supersport and Formula Xtreme for Yamaha. Anthony Gobert, the eldest brother, has signed to ride a Ducati 998RS for Austin Bleu Bayou Ducati in the 2003 AMA Superbike series.

From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Fall Cycle Scene Has A Long To-Do List

Fall Cycle Scene at Daytona International Speedway on Oct. 17-20 encompasses more than just four days of motorcycling racing that come with the season ending finales of the Championship Cup Series and Formula USA.

Guests visiting the “World Center of Racing” will also have plenty of other activities to check out, including free manufacturer demo rides, a vendor display area and live entertainment.

Motorcycle enthusiasts can try out the latest models from American IronHorse, BMW, Buell, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Indian, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Victory and Yamaha by signing up for demonstration rides.

Riders must hold a valid motorcycle driver license and DOT approved helmet in order to participate. Demo rides will run on Thursday, Oct. 17 through Saturday, Oct. 20, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 20, 9 a.m. – noon.

In addition to the demo rides, the Speedway will also host vender displays from AdvanStar, Motorrad of North American and Jacksonville Powersports. Other activities planned include stunt shows, live music and food.

Guests can enjoy four days of championship motorcycle racing and all the entertainment that goes with it for only $35 with an Advance Super Saver Ticket. Tickets are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or
by calling the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-7223.

Another way to attend Fall Cycle Scene is through the Classic Cycle Club, which will be open on Oct. 19-20, and offers guests a private suite in the Winston Tower, a complimentary event souvenir, reserved bike parking area, food and beverage service and infield, paddock and garage access.

Availability in the Classic Cycle Club is limited. For more information, contact Sales and Sponsor Services at (386) 947-6745.

From a press release issued by Marlboro Yamaha:

MARLBORO YAMAHA TEAM GRAND PRIX PREVIEW

AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX, PHILLIP ISLAND
October 18/19/20 2002

MARLBORO YAMAHA MEN GO WILD ON THE ISLAND
Marlboro Yamaha Team riders Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa go into Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix, penultimate round of the 2002 season, aiming to complete a globetrotting run of three back-to-back ‘flyaway’ races with a flourish. Less than a week after his storming victory in Malaysia, Biaggi comes to Phillip Island aiming to score a third win on his YZR-M1 and help cement his second place in the 2002 MotoGP World Championship. Checa meanwhile is battling for fifth overall and has every hope of performing well at this wildest of GP venues.

Situated just a few hundred metres from the roaring surf of Bass Strait, the Phillip Island circuit is pretty much the last stop before Tasmania and the Antarctic. Elsewhere the island is characterised by rugged natural beauty, bird sanctuaries, koala conservation centres and Australia’s most-visited wildlife attraction, the fairy penguin parade.

But this weekend the island’s interest will be focused on the track that hosted Australia’s first motorcycle Grand Prix back in 1989. Since then Phillip Island has become one of the most popular venues in GP racing, partly because of the track’s breathtaking high-speed layout, but also because of the area’s picturesque beauty and the warm welcome extended to the MotoGP circus by local fans.

After this GP, which follows hot on the heels of races in Japan and Malaysia, Biaggi, Checa and their rivals head home to Europe where they will compete in the 2002 season finale at Valencia in Spain on November 3.

M1 CREW CHASE MORE WINS AT SEASON’S END
The Marlboro Yamaha Team comes to Phillip Island this weekend confident of once again being in the race for victory at this hugely entertaining racetrack. The YZR-M1 squad has already scored some great successes this year, with two victories, 11 podium finishes and four pole positions from the 14 races so far. Now riders Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa have just two more chances to add to Biaggi’s brilliant Czech and Malaysian GP successes, and they aim to make the most of those two chances.

“This is our last ‘overseas’ race of the year and it’s an event everyone in the team looks forward to,” says Marlboro Yamaha Team director Davide Brivio. “Phillip Island is a nice place for us, because the track is great and because the Australians really love their bike racing. They’re also very knowledgeable about the sport, so it’s nice for us to be able to offer them our great show once again.

“Max always goes well here and last Sunday’s Sepang race proves that he’s on great form at the moment. He has finished first or second on his last three visits to Australia and knows he needs good results at these final two races. I’m sure he should be in the fight for victory. Carlos had a more difficult weekend here last year, but I believe the M1 will make all the difference for him this time. Our aim is the same as always – to win more races before the end of the season.

“Phillip Island will be particularly interesting for us because it was at this track that we had our first full team test with the M1 almost a year ago. It will be good to compare just how far we’ve come with the bike since then, just as we were able to do at Sepang last weekend, where our top speed was more than 15kmh greater than during winter tests.”

YZR-M1 project leader Ichiro Yoda and his crew of Yamaha engineers also look forward to this weekend’s Grand Prix. “It’s our favourite circuit, because it’s a great bike track and because it’s a real riders’ circuit,” smiles the man who has overseen the M1’s incredible progress this year. “I believe the key aspect to good performance here is high-speed turning, because a rider can gain a lot of time if he can turn into the fast corners quicker than his rivals. Braking is also important at Honda and MG corners, because both of these are potential overtaking points. It’s also important to set up the bike to be gentle on the rear tyre because the track’s many fast left-handers generate a lot of heat in one side of the tyre. As usual we will work very closely with Michelin to make sure we have the best tyres for the race.

“This will be a very, very busy weekend for us because we have five M1 riders from now on. Last weekend we gave an M1 each to Olivier Jacque and Shinya Nakano, and now Norick Abe will also get an M1, though the Marlboro Yamaha Team remains our first priority.”

ISLAND WINNER BIAGGI SEEKS MORE SUCCESS
Malaysian GP winner Max Biaggi has an amazing Island record to maintain this weekend. The Italian has finished inside the top two at this event ever since he joined the Marlboro Yamaha Team in 1999. He was winner of a thrilling 2000 Australian GP, when he beat Honda-riding compatriots Loris Capirossi and Valentino Rossi by a fraction, and last year he finished just 0.013 seconds behind winner Rossi in the closest-ever premier-class GP. Just 2.832 seconds separated the first nine men home in that extraordinary race which further cemented the track’s reputation for encouraging hugely entertaining elbow-to-elbow racing. Biaggi also secured his fourth 250 World Championship here, when he finished second in the ’98 250 Australian GP.

“I really like this track, I always seem to go well here,” says Biaggi, who also started last year’s race from pole position. “It’s a very special circuit with very fast corners, a lot of gradient changes and sometimes very strong winds. It’s a beautiful place because you’re right by the ocean, in fact you almost feel like you’re on the sea! Coming down the start-finish straight you head over a brow and for a moment all you can see is the sea, it’s like you’re riding straight at the water, at 300kmh!”

Biaggi has already won two MotoGP races this year – scoring a dominant first victory at August’s Czech GP – and is determined to achieve more success before he switches teams for 2003. Currently second in the points chase, seven points ahead of Tohru Ukawa (Honda), he needs another good result on Sunday, and not just for immediate gratification.

“These last two races are very important to me, I’m very focused to get the best-possible results,” he adds. “It’s very important for me to finish as high up as possible here and at Valencia, because I’m still challenging for second overall and I really want to make that happen. Everyone knows what I’m doing in the future, but all I’m thinking about at the moment is this year. I’m ready to fight for second overall, and you know me, I never give up. I know my main goal for these final races will be to attack the Hondas and I think we could have a good chance for Phillip Island, though after Sepang I don’t want to fly too high and talk of victory. The M1 is very good now and I think this track should suit our motorcycle.”


CHECA AND M1 AIM TO IMPROVE ISLAND RECORD
Carlos Checa hasn’t had the best of times at Phillip Island in recent years, but he’s ready and willing to battle for his fifth podium finish of the year on Sunday. Like team-mate Biaggi, the Marlboro Yamaha Team star needs every point he can get as he bids to improve his overall World Championship position. Currently fifth overall, he lies 23 points behind Alex Barros (Honda). A top-three finish here could seriously boost his chances of catching the Brazilian when the season concludes in his home country of Spain next month.

Checa has left the Island point-less on his last two visits, after he crashed out of the 2000 race and was frustrated by a mystery problem in last year’s Australian GP. Now he wants to put those memories behind him because, like most racers, he loves the circuit. Checa also loves the area around the track – he’s into wilderness, going mountain trekking whenever he can get a break from his demanding race schedule.

“I’m hoping to borrow a streetbike from Yamaha, the XT600, so I can ride around with my girlfriend Gina and take a look at the area,” says Checa, 30 years old on October 15. “But, of course, my main focus will be the track and the race. Phillip Island should be a big contrast from Sepang in Malaysia, where we were last weekend, but I hope the weather isn’t too cold. It’s a really nice place and a really nice track. The main character of the circuit is very fast turns, and the high-speed run back to Lukey Heights is especially tricky because there are many fast changes of direction, and it’s bumpy too. The rest of the track isn’t so tough, though it’s always hard work for the rear tyre, mainly because of the last two lefts. You always have close racing at this track, which is good for us and for the spectacle. It was always exciting with the 500s and I think it will also be a good race with four-strokes.”

Checa has worked harder than ever this year, racing and developing Yamaha’s all-new YZR-M1 MotoGP bike, the Spaniard relishing the challenge of improving the engine, chassis and electronics. “For sure the bike is much better than it was at the start of the year,” adds Checa, pole sitter at last month’s Portuguese GP. “We now have a different chassis with a different geometry, and it’s been exciting developing the bike. The first day of each race is always difficult because we have no previous set-up data to go on. True, we did test at Phillip Island last December, but the bike has changed so much since then.”


WHAT THE TEAM SAYS
Fiorenzo Fanali, Max Biaggi’s crew chief
“For sure we will be up front this weekend and Max will have a good chance of trying to win again. Phillip Island is a great track for bikes, but for me, every track seems like the same, because the riders always ask for the same things – more speed, quicker turning, more grip, that kind of thing. But this track is unusual – it’s very, very hard on tyres because the riders use high lean angles for long periods of time, mostly through the fast lefts. If we get the set-up right and choose the right tyre combination with Michelin, then Max can be fast all race.”

Antonio Jimenez, Carlos Checa’s crew chief
“First, I hope the weather will be okay. It will be windy for sure, probably cold as well, but I hope it won’t rain! We always get a nice fight at Phillip Island and I think this year will be no different. We expect Carlos to be in that battle, so I hope we make a better start to the weekend than we did at Sepang, where we had a difficult first day which put us behind. This is a difficult track for tyres, because there are so many fast lefts. You also need very good front-end confidence here for all the fast corner entries, especially the very high-speed turn one.”


THE TRACK
The Phillip Island circuit, 50 years old this year, is the second fastest currently used for motorcycle GP racing (after Dutch GP track Assen, another rider favourite) and also demands much of machines and tyres. Its only negative is the area’s unsettled early spring weather that can whip up dangerously strong winds off the nearby Bass Strait.

There are three essentials for a good result at the Victorian state venue: guts, determination and a very fast motorcycle. Most riders count the track as one of their favourites because unlike many modern circuits that have been built to contain the flight of F1 cars, the Island is dominated by high-speed curves that test rider skill and daring to the limit.

Situated 130 kilometres south east of Melbourne, the island hosted its first motorcycle races way back in the 1920s, when riders competed over a dusty 12-mile street circuit, and the only access to the island was by boat! The circuit fell into disrepair but was redeveloped in the late 1980s and hosted Australia’s first bike GP in 1989. Since then the circuit has been renowned for creating ultra-close action.

TRACK DATA
Lap record
Kenny Roberts (Suzuki)
1:32.743, 172.657kmh/107.284mph (1999)

Pole position 2001
Max Biaggi (Marlboro Yamaha Team), 1:31.984