Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

2002 AMA 250cc Grand Prix Championship runner-up and former AMA Road Racing Horizon award winner Jason DiSalvo missed an opportunity to race as a wild card in the FIM 250cc Grand Prix in Rio, Brazil this weekend because AMA Pro Racing misplaced his wild card notification letter, says DiSalvo’s father and team owner Jim DiSalvo.

Reached at his New York business office Friday, September 20, Jim DiSalvo was asked why Jason was not racing in Rio. “Because the AMA never notified us,” said the elder DiSalvo. “Ironic as this may be, we found out about it (the wild card) on the website(Roadracingworld.com). Connie (Jason DiSalvo’s mother) said, ‘Look at that, Jason got the wild card!’ I said, ‘It’s too late.'”

The DiSalvos learned of Jason being granted the Rio wild card by reading a September 16 Roadracingworld.com post, which was based on an FIM press release.

“We had requested (wild cards at) Rio and Australia, that was the original request because they did not conflict,” said Jim DiSalvo. “I called the ninth of September prior to leaving for France (for the Suzuki GSX-R World Cup) because that was our drop-dead date. They had to notify us before then so we could notify the team in Spain to send the extra bike and then we had to have our flights changed on the 16th (of September) to go right from France to Rio. That was our intent.”

Jason DiSalvo planned to ride an A-kitted Honda RS250 (similar to the bike he raced with the AMA) supplied by the Cibertel Honda BQR team. Cibertel Honda BQR fields Jay Vincent and Leon Haslam in the 250cc Grand Prix series. DiSalvo raced against Haslam in the British National 125cc GP series in 2000.

“AMA received notification (from the FIM) on the sixth of September. It somehow got misplaced (at the AMA office). It never got FAXed to us. All they (AMA) had to do was take the notification, FAX it to us and we would’ve been on our way. We would’ve been in Rio now,” said Jim DiSalvo.

“I called the AMA when I got back on Tuesday (September 17) morning this week, which is naturally way too late. I got ahold of the AMA and they said they found it. I asked them if they would send me a FAX of it. They sent me the FAX, and I could see the FAX date they received it was the sixth of September.”

Jim DiSalvo said he also called Ron Barrick, the AMA Pro Racing Superbike Operations Manager who also serves as a track steward for selected FIM events. “He said, ‘I really apologize. It’s one of those things where it got lost in the shuffle at the office.’,” DiSalvo said, quoting Barrick.

Roadracingworld.com was unable to reach Barrick for comment Friday afternoon.

Another 250cc wild card rider for the Rio GP, French racer Eric Bataille, received his notification and was 21st out of 25 riders in final 250cc qualifying Friday.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Final 250cc Grand Prix Qualifying Results:

1. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:53.939
2. Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, 1:53.959
3. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:53.961
4. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, 1:53.970
5. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:54.002
6. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, 1:54.429
7. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:54.492
8. Alex Debon, Aprilia, 1:54.881
9. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:54.936
10. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:55.013
11. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, 1:55.242
12. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:55.490
13. Shahrol Yuzy, Yamaha, 1:55.576
14. Jaroslav Hules, Yamaha, 1:55.610
15. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, 1:56.053


More, from a press release issued by MS Aprilia:

Marco Melandri makes front row with fourth fastest time. Randy Du Puniet (Aprilia) on pole. 3 Aprilia 250s on the front row of the grid.

The grand finale came in the last qualifying session before tomorrow’s race. The front row all within a handful of thousandths. Marco Melandri worked his way up and took some time before improving yesterday’s best lap, but when the time was at last right, he took off for the challenge to grab pole. There was some very fine duelling between Marco, Elias, Porto and De Puniet, who won the final rush. The front row has three Aprilia 250s and Marco Melandri among them will be going for a very important race: he’ll be aiming for the world riders’ championship and the manufacturers’ title.

# 3 Marco Melandri – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 4th 1’53.961

“The track conditions were very different from yesterday’s. The tarmac was cooler and right at the very end I put on a softer tyre. Then I was slowed down a number of times, but my objective was clear: I had to get up onto the front row. I got there, so we’re where we wanted. Now I’m just hoping for good weather, but they say they’re expecting rain. Today the air humidity was terrible, just breathing is bad enough. We did some good work, very good, on the bike, and I’m really pleased. So, let’s see what the weather brings tomorrow, and I’ll just go for victory.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Former racer Vicky Jackson-Bell became a U.S. citizen on Wednesday, September 18 in a mass swearing-in ceremony at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Jackson-Bell, who was born in England, is also expecting her second child with husband/tuner/business-partner Tony Bell.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning 125cc GP Practice Times:

1. Manuel Poggiali, Gilera, 1:58.208
2. Gabor Talmacsi, Honda, 1:58.226
3. Arnaud Vincent, Aprilia, 1:58.624
4. Simone Sanna, Aprilia, 1:58.795
5. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 1:58.989
6. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 1:59.174
7. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 1:59.399
8. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 1:59.405
9. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 1:59.549
10. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 1:59.640

From a press release issued by the AMA:

AMA Testifies Before EPA on Streetbike Emissions Rules

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) told the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the rideability, fuel economy, and reliability of motorcycles must not be compromised by the agency’s proposed new
road-bike emissions standards.

In testimony before the EPA in Ypsilanti, Mich., on Sept. 17, Edward Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, and Sean Maher, AMA director of state affairs, spelled out the AMA’s concerns related to the proposed rules in the areas of safety, cost, performance, rider modifications to motorcycles, and the preservation of air-cooled motors.

“Motorcycling enthusiasts are willing to do their share to improve air quality, but not at the expense of the destruction of the unique vehicles many seek to preserve,” Moreland said. “A proper balance must be achieved so that all benefit from this rulemaking process. To do otherwise is shortsighted and counterproductive.”

Moreland told the EPA officials that the AMA “strongly disagrees” with the EPA’s contention that street-legal motorcycles are “significant contributors” to air pollution. He also suggested that small-volume motorcycle manufacturers be given a couple of extra years to meet the first phase of the emissions requirements, and be exempt from the second phase.

This, he said, “will ensure a haven for the continued, but limited, production of air-cooled motorcycle engines, which the AMA and the motorcycling community view as a historical and cultural icon of motorcycling in America.”

Moreland also told the officials that the AMA is pleased the EPA isn’t planning to change current law to make it tougher for riders to modify their motorcycles. “The AMA believes the existing amti-tampering provisions are sufficient.”

Moreland also said the AMA is concerned about the potential safety hazards some emissions control equipment could present to motorcycle operators and passengers, “most notably the heat generation associated with catalytic converters,” and that the cost of complying with the proposed standard could add to the retail price to a less-expensive machine, which could reduce sales and lead to fewer choices for consumers.

The EPA is about to implement revised national emissions standards for new road motorcycles that would require those bikes to meet strict emissions standards with 2006 models. The federal standards would be the same as those adopted by the state of California, but would go into effect two years after California’s standards.

The first tier of the new national standards would go into effect in 2006 and the second tier would be in place for 2010.

The new national emissions standards are expected to result in an increased use of fuel injection and catalytic converters on new motorcycles. Some motorcycles sold in the United States already meet California’s strict 2008 standard, which is the same as the planned federal EPA 2010 standard.

The new California standard that begins with the 2004 model year, and the planned federal standard that would take effect for the 2006 model year, require new motorcycles to emit no more than 1.4 grams per kilometer traveled of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, and 12 grams of carbon monoxide.

The California standard for 2008, which would also be the national standard beginning in 2010, sets a limit of 0.8 grams per kilometer of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides and 12 grams per kilometer of carbon monoxide.

The current federal emissions standards for street motorcycles are 5.0 grams of hydrocarbons and 12 grams of carbon monoxide per kilometer traveled.

The EPA is accepting written comments on its proposed street motorcycle emissions rules until Nov. 8. You can e-mail comments to [email protected], or later this month go to the Rapid Response Center at the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com to send comments. You can see the rules in the “Protecting Your Right to Ride” part of the website.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Colin Edwards says Honda officials told him they were shutting down their World Superbike team for 2003 and said they couldn’t give him a MotoGP ride, all before signing Nicky Hayden for MotoGP.

This is what Edwards said this morning, as relayed to us by reporter Mat Oxley:

“I’m pissed that Hayden’s got the ride after all I’ve done for Honda over the past five years. I’ve won two Suzuka 8-Hours, one world title and maybe another on the way. After all that, you’d think I’d be the first in line for a GP ride. The whole political thing at Honda is bullshit. It seems that the rider who’s got a load of money behind him gets the ride, it doesn’t matter if they can ride well. All this means I’m getting closer and closer to being a Ducati rider. I’m not sitting around kissing ass to get a ride. That’s not me.”

Michael Hannas, 22, has joined the full-time staff of Roadracing World Publishing, Inc., which produces Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology as well as Roadracingworld.com.

Hannas has a degree in economics from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California and is a regular competitor on the AMA circuit.

Hannas will be based out of Roadracing World offices in Lake Elsinore, California.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning MotoGP Practice Times:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 1:51.776
2. Daijiro Kato, Honda RC211V, 1:51.881
3. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:52.176
4. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 1:52.236
5. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 1:52.311
6. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:52.690
7. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, 1:52.765
8. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, 1:52.774
9. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, 1:52.834
10. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 1:52.908
11. Jose Luis Cardoso, Yamaha YZR500, 1:52.973
12. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:52.976
13. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, 1:53.061
14. Jurgen v.d. Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:53.068
15. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, 1:53.076
16. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 1:53.348
17. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:53.353
18. Garry McCoy, Yamaha YZR500, 1:53.396
19. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 1:53.691
20. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 1:53.833


Top Speeds From The Same Session:

1. Rossi, 309 kph (192 mph)
2. Biaggi, 308.2 (191.5)
3. Checa, 306.7 (190.6)
4. Kato, 306.5 (190.5)
5. Ukawa, 306.3 (190.3)
6. Laconi, 299.8 (186.3)
7. Gibernau, 296.2 (184.1)
8. Nakano, 295.5 (183.6)
9. Olivier Jacque, 294.7 (183.1)
10. Hopkins, 293.7 (182.5)
11. Abe, 293.6 (182.4)
12. Barros, 292.6 (181.8)
13. Capirossi, 292.2 (181.6)
14. McCoy, 292.0 (181.4)
15. v.d. Goorbergh, 291.8 (181.32)
16. Roberts, 291.7 (181.26)
17. Harada, 288.6 (179.3)
18. Cardoso, 288.4 (179.2)
19. Aoki, 283.7 (176.3)
20. McWilliams, 280 (174.0)

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning 250cc GP Practice Times:

1. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, 1:54.380
2. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:54.545
3. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:55.057
4. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:55.100
5. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:55.298
6. Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, 1:55.345
7. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:55.486
8. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, 1:55.672
9. Alex Debon, Aprilia, 1:55.749
10. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, 1:55.898
11. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:56.507
12. Jaroslav Hules, Yamaha, 1:56.582
13. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, 1:56.684
14. Jay Vincent, Honda, 1:56.799
15. David Checa, Aprilia, 1:56.978