Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Beth Wyse

Vesrah Suzuki clinched the overall WERA National Endurance Championship and the Heavyweight Superbike class Championship by winning a 6-hour race at Texas World Speedway Saturday.

Tray Batey and John Jacobi rode the Vesrah Suzuki GSX-R1000 to a four-lap margin of victory.

Semoff Brothers Racing led much of the race before crashing. The SBR Suzuki GSX-R750 ridden by Glenn Szarek and Joe Prussiano wound up fifth overall.

Team Xtreme’s Suzuki GSX-R1000 ridden by Billy Ethridge and Robert Jensen finished second overall, with Army of Darkness one lap behind in third. Mark Crozier and Jim Williams shared the AOD Suzuki GSX-R600, which ran in the Mediumweight Superbike class.

Team Chicago earned its first victory of the season in the Mediumweight Superstock class on a Yamaha YZF-R6 ridden by Dan Schmitt, Steve Karson and Phil Caudill; the team finished eighth overall.

Local team Scotty’s Speed Shop won Lightweight Superbike on a Suzuki SV650 ridden by Scott Fisher, Mark Gifford, Phillip Fish, Craig Montgomery and Scott Stevens, with a two-lap margin of victory.

An Aprila RSV1000 ridden by Herd of Turtles finished 19th overall and first in the Heavyweight Superstock class. Travis Pierce, Alan Blair, Link Harris, Dustin Daniels and Scott Lapierre rode for the team.

OVERALL RESULTS:
1. Vesrah Suzuki (Tray Batey/John Jacobi), Heavyweight Superbike, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 186 laps

2. Team Xtreme (Billy Ethridge/Robert Jensen), Heavyweight Superbike, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 182 laps

3. Army of Darkness (Mark Crozier/Jim Williams), Mediumweight Superbike, Suzuki GSX-R600, 181 laps

4. Bent Racing (Jim Bishop/Ty Stranger-Thorsen), Mediumweight Superbike, Suzuki GSX-R600, 181 laps

5. SBR (Glenn Szarek/Joe Prussiano), Heavyweight Superbike, Suzuki GSX-R750,
179 laps

6. Cycle Therapy (Cole Regal/Ricky Ford/Neil Mummau/Shane Stoyko), Heavyweight Superbike, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 176 laps

7. Crash Clinic (Paul Hellawell/Bill Lesur/Scott Crawford/Larry Locklear), Heavyweight Superbike, Suzuki GSX-R750, 174 laps

8. Team Chicago (Dan Schmitt/Steve Karson/Phil Caudill), Mediumweight Superstock, Yamaha YZF-R6, 173 laps

9. Team Life (Joe Milanesi/Kevin Warner/Justin Marm), Mediumweight Superstock, Yamaha YZF-R6, 173 laps

10. 14k The Movie (Mike Swank/David Alley/Arthur Diaz), Mediumweight Superbike, Suzuki GSX-R600, 172 laps

This just in:

HONDA RACING INFORMATION

Nicky Hayden will contest the 2003 MotoGP class in WGP

Mr. Suguru Kanazawa, President of HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) confirmed today in Rome that Nicky Hayden, the 21-year-old AMA Superbike Champion in 2002 “will contest the 2003 MotoGP World Championship on a RC211V Honda,” as announced yesterday evening during the American Honda dealers convention in Chicago (USA).

“We are happy Nicky is joining road racing Grand Prix next year,” added Mr. Kanazawa, “even if we don’t know yet which team he will cooperate with, as we announced our 2003 strategy some weeks ago in Brno.

“As Honda is a global player, we are proud to say that we are going to race in the World Championship leading class, as MotoGP is, with European, US and Japanese riders – the three leading motorcycle markets in the world.”

From a press kit released by American Honda:

CBR600RR

Introducing the all-new CBR600RR! Inspired by Honda’s conquering RC211V five-cylinder MotoGP bike, the CBR600RR’s revolutionary GP-derived technology and design is destined to dominate on the track and street.


Features & Benefits

Unique CBR600RR Features

• Unit Pro-Link(r) rear suspension and swingarm design inspired by RC211V.

• Dual Stage Fuel Injection system features two injectors per cylinder.

• High-revving engine redlines at 15,000 rpm.

• New-style center-up exhaust system.

• Centrally located fuel tank increases mass centralization and allows more compact frame design.

• New Line Beam Headlight features three-piece reflector design.

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Engine/Drivetrain

• All new liquid-cooled DOHC 16-valve 599cc four-stroke inline four-cylinder engine features oversquare bore and stroke of 67mm x 42.5mm.

• High-revving engine has 15,000-rpm redline (CBR600F4i redlines at 14,200), wider powerband and more over-rev than CBR600F4i.

• New engine is more compact-engine length is now 236mm vs. 266mm-which helps move the rider forward 70mm.

• New iridium-tip spark plugs improve fuel combustion and performance.

• Dual Stage Fuel Injection (DSFI) system features two injectors per cylinder-one upper and one lower-controlled by an ECU that senses rpm and throttle opening. Lower injector enhances rideability while upper injector improves top-end horsepower. At lower rpm only the lower injector is working. Above 5500 rpm both injectors are activated. The system uses 40mm throttle bodies.

• New Denso injectors with 12 laser-drilled holes deliver a finely atomized fuel mixture for optimum combustion efficiency and power.

• Auto enriching system is integrated into PGM-FI module, eliminating the need for a manual choke.

• Two-stage ram-air system provides a high volume of cool air to the airbox for linear power delivery and incredible engine performance.

• Airbox volume increased to 15 liters (compared to CBR600F4i) for improved performance.

• Cylinder head features angled valve inset to improve air flow.

• Cylinder head features two springs per intake valve and two springs per exhaust valve for optimum high-rpm valve operation and durability.

• Direct shim-under-bucket valve actuation ensures high-rpm performance and durability and offers 16,000-mile maintenance intervals.

• New lighter pistons, piston pins and nutless connecting rods contribute to higher revving engine.

• New double-pivot cam-chain tensioner improves cam chain durability.

• Starter gears moved to the right side for increased lean angle.

• New lightweight aluminum oil cooler.

• Center-up muffler design increases lean angle and reduces wind drag.

• Smooth-shifting close-ratio six-speed transmission is closely matched to the engine’s powerband.

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Chassis/Suspension

• Completely new die cast aluminum frame utilizes new manufacturing methods to provide optimum rigidity while reducing weight. Frame is tuned for precise handling characteristics.

• Large, 45mm cartridge front fork offers rebound and compression damping and spring preload adjustability.

• New Unit Pro-Link rear suspension system is patterned after RC211V GP racer. In this system, the upper shock mount is contained within the swingarm rather than the frame. With no top frame-mount for the shock, this unique system eliminates negative suspension energy from being transmitted into the frame, allowing optimum frame rigidity and improved rideability out of corners. The HMAS shock offers rebound and compression damping, and spring preload adjustability.

• Rear swingarm technology derived from RC211V.

• Braking system features twin four-piston front calipers, dual 310mm front discs and a single 220mm rear disc for optimum stopping power.

• New center-up exhaust system features four-into-two-into-one design for increased performance and aerodynamics.

• Handlebars located below top triple-clamp for precise handling.



Additional Features

• Industry-leading ergonomic design features maximum rider comfort for minimum fatigue in all riding conditions.

• Centrally mounted 4.8-gallon fuel tank is positioned low in the frame, increasing mass centralization and allowing a more compact design. This design positions the rider 70mm forward for optimum handling.

• New plastic tank shell cover protects tank and airbox.

• New Line Beam Headlight features three- piece reflector design (first in the world) utilizing two H7 bulbs for optimum light distribution, and unique compact design.

• New instrumentation is more compact and features tachometer, speedometer and fuel gauge.

• Attractive hollow-spoke aluminum alloy wheels feature race spec 3.5 x 17-inch front and 5.5 x 17-inch rear dimensions.

• Increased radiator capacity to match increased engine performance.

• New one-piece fan assembly increases cooling efficiency.

• Maintenance-free battery.

• Optional seat cowl.

• Compact rear cowl storage compartment for U-type locking devices (lock not included) under the passenger seat.

• Folding aerodynamic mirrors.

• Integrated ignition switch/fork lock for added security.

• Convenient push-to-cancel turn signal switch.

• Transferable one-year, unlimited mileage limited warranty; extended coverage available with a Honda Protection Plan.

• Ownership includes one-year complimentary Membership in the Honda Rider’s Club of America(tm). Benefits include discounts, travel benefits, roadside assistance and much more. For HRCA(r) details, call 1-800-847-HRCA.


Specifications

Model: CBR600RR

Engine Type: 599cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder

Bore and Stroke: 67mm x 42.5mm

Compression Ratio: 12.0:1

Valve Train: DOHC; four valves per cylinder

Carburetion: Dual Stage Fuel Injection (DSFI)

Ignition: Computer-controlled digital transistorized with three-dimensional mapping

Transmission: Close-ratio six-speed

Final Drive: #525 O-ring-sealed chain

Suspension
Front: 45mm HMAS cartridge fork with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability; 4.7 inches travel
Rear: Unit Pro-Link HMAS single shock with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability; 4.7 inches travel

Brakes
Front: Dual 310mm discs with four-piston calipers
Rear: Single 220mm disc

Tires
Front: 120/70ZR-17 radial
Rear: 180/55ZR-17 radial

Wheelbase: 54.7 inches

Rake (Caster Angle): 24.0°

Trail: 95mm (3.7 inches)

Seat Height: 32.3 inches

Dry Weight: 370 pounds

Fuel Capacity: 4.8 gallons, including 0.9-gallon reserve

Colors : Red/Black, Black, Pearl Yellow

California version Meets CARB 2004 emissions standards.




More, from a press release issued by American Honda:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Honda unveils 2003 motorcycle models in Chicago

Chicago, IL— American Honda’s Motorcycle Division unveiled 8 new and updated models — including five early-release 2004 models — at the company’s annual dealer show Thursday night, September 12, at the Navy Pier in Chicago.

Representing the continuing theme of Honda’s branding strategy “Performance First”, the new products are designed to strengthen Honda’s position in the American powersports market. Since 1999, Honda has introduced or redesigned
more than 70 percent of its motorcycle, scooter and all terrain vehicle (ATV) models.


Included in Honda’s announcements are two cruiser models, one super-sport motorcycle, two off-road bikes, one scooter, one ATV, and a new 2-passenger 4-stroke personal watercraft model.

The assembled dealers, who have already benefited from over 30 new Honda product launches in the previous 3 years, were enthusiastic about the new offerings. Honda’s product lineup, already the broadest in the industry, grew to over 60 motorcycle, scooter, ATV and personal watercraft models.

Honda Motor Ltd. President, Mr. Hiroyuki Yoshino, reminded dealers of the importance of the U.S. market, “It was Honda motorcycles that established the Honda brand in America. The U.S. market has always been important to our motorcycle business — not only as a place to sell our products, but a place that influences our product direction”

Yoshino continued with a strong environmental message, “Together with ‘performance first,’ we also put the environment first. Introducing 4-stroke technology throughout the lineup and other new technologies that will make our products more friendly for the environment – even as we advance our performance image.”



2003 New Model Preview


CBR600RR
With the CBR600RR and the CBR600F4i in the line-up for ’03, Honda has aimed both barrels at the middleweight class. The new CBR600RR is a masterpiece of technological innovation, designed to supplement the wildly popular CBR600F4i. The CBR600RR borrows heavily from Honda’s very latest racing technology, in the form of the V-5, RC211V that has practically worn a hole atop the MotoGP winner’s podium.


Ruckus
If you’ve got the merest pinch of mechanical sense running around your brain, you just have to split an ear-to-ear grin when you see the new Honda Ruckus. This scooter fairly drips with personality, and your imagination immediately begins to work overtime dreaming up possible uses and applications. Trips around town, wheels for the college campus, a little runabout on family camping trips-the Ruckus can do it all.


AquaTrax R-12X
Leave it to Honda to come up with the world’s first two-passenger, intercooled, turbocharged, four-stroke, personal watercraft. The AquaTrax R-12X follows in the footsteps of the AquaTrax F-12X, and carries the promise of one of the most agile and stable hull designs imaginable.

For sport-minded riders, the 2003 AquaTrax R-12X is going to set new–and higher–levels of performance that will take the market by storm.


2004 New Model Preview


Valkyrie Rune
Do you remember the T2 concept bike Honda revealed in the March/April 2001 issue of Honda Red Rider? Essentially, the Valkyrie Rune takes the T2 concept to the production line, and will be available in limited numbers. The Valkyrie Rune incorporates a unique diamond-shaped aluminum frame for robust strength along with light weight, plus a fuel-injected 1832cc engine based on the GL1800 power plant. Before you think the Valkyrie Rune is merely a hot-rod exercise in radical style, take a look at the bike’s innovative suspension systems.

Meanwhile, styling element after styling element tears at your eyeballs, vying for attention. Where to look? At the chromed cylinder head covers evocative of muscle car hardware? The gorgeous, smoothly flowing six-into-two exhaust system so artfully sculpted into place? The brawny disc brakes, which are the largest ever mounted on a Honda motorcycle? Or how about the gracefully flowing lines of the neo/retro low-slung bodywork with the solo seat that beckons you to slide aboard for the ride of your life?

The Valkyrie Rune redefines the ultimate performance custom.


VTX1300C
The new-for-2004 VTX1300C capitalizes on its forerunners’ success in two different areas: the mechanical soundness and fine overall balance of the recently introduced VTX1300, plus the muscular hot-rod styling treatment of the original VTX1800C.


CRF250R
Honda, the undisputed leader in four-stroke Performance First power, introduces the latest innovation in no-compromise motocross race bikes: the all-new 2004 CRF250R. Hot on the heels of the race-winning and award-winning CRF450R, this new all-out racer will dominate 125cc-class competition alongside the CR125R.

Whether you’re a Veteran Class racer looking for the inherent advantage of a broad four-stroke power delivery or you’re a young gun seeking a traction advantage in the ultra-demanding 125 class, with the new 2004 Honda CRF250R you’ll dust the guys who aren’t Riding Red.


CRF250X
Take what is basically the all-new CRF250R and put a button on the handlebar that’s connected to a lightweight, electric starter. That’s a sure-fire formula for building the most serious off-road motorcycle to enter the dirt market in a long, long time. Meet the brand-new CRF250X: X marks the spot where you’ll find a full-on, competition-oriented, off-road machine, coming from Honda.

FourTrax Rancher AT
Just because the FourTrax Rancher has been the best all-around ATV the world over for years doesn’t mean Honda’s hard-working engineers couldn’t carve out a little room for improvement. So 2003 brings the new 2004 Honda FourTrax Rancher AT with redesigned styling, a larger engine and a next-generation successor to the legendary HFT automatic transmission, plus an optional version with GPSCAPE®, a GPS unit to ease navigation chores.


About Honda

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and personal watercraft in the U.S. American Honda’s Motorcycle Division conducts the sales, marketing, and operational activities for these products through Honda authorized dealers. For further information about Honda products, racing teams, programs, and dealer locations, visit the Honda web site at: www.honda.com.

From tardy press releases issued by series organizers:

STUART NODELL IS 2002 CHAMPION

By virtue of his pole position and second place finish in the final round of the series on September 1st, Stuart Nodell is the 2002 Diablo Paintball Can-Am 125GP Challenge Champion.

Nodell was the model of consistency on his Canada Post sponsored Honda RS125. Nodell never finished lower than third at any race this year andqualified on pole twice.

Stuart had not intended to race the series this year. He rented a bike from series organizer John Bickle for the first two rounds this year, then bought a bike from Japan after he had finished second and third in the opening two rounds.

Stuart would like to thank his tuner Ben Gartner who helped him to secure his 125 from Japan.

Stuart Nodell is sponsored by the following:
Canada Post, CROSSBEAM.COM, Absolute ADventures, EBC Brakes, WASP Performance, Ben Gartner, Joel Nodell, Kelly Haughton, Norm & Valerie Nodell, Lindsey Nodell, Cassandra Alexopoulos, Ashley Alexopoulos, Peter Gartner, and Sarah Gartner.


LOGAN MYERS WINS CAN-AM 125 GP CHALLENGE RISING STAR AWARD

Logan Myers, the 15-year-old rider from Wheeler, MI is recognized by the series as one of the outstanding up and coming riders in North America.

While the Can-Am series does not make a distinction between Expert and Amateur riders, Myers was the top finishing Amateur rider in the series this year. Logan, who has also been recognized by the AMA Dirt Track series as a rising star finished seventh in the Can-Am series championship this season.

One of the driving forces in why series organizer John Bickle put this series together was for young riders like Myers to be featured and develop in a professional series.


ANDREW HILLIER WINS CR125 DIRTBIKE

As part of their title sponsorship package Diablo Paintball donated a CR125 dirt bike to be given away in a drawing at the final round of the
series.

Riders who entered all six rounds of the series were given three entries, riders who entered five races were given two and one entry was given for riders who entered four races.

Diablo Paintball CEO Richard Italia drew the winning name on the podium after the final round of the series, and Andrew Hiller of Toronto, ON was the winner.

Hillier, who competed in all six events this year, finished 17th in the series championship and was the fourth overall Amateur.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Ending the question of who is going to race, some of American road racing’s stars arrived at Willow Springs International Raceway Friday to practice and qualify for Sunday’s $150,000 WSMC Toyota 200.

WSMC Toyota 200 entrants have two, 20-minute practice sessions Friday prior to the final, 30-minute qualifying session tentatively scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

Friday’s fastest qualifier will earn the fourth and final front-row starting spot.

Three front-row starting spots and 25 total grid spots have been earned through the three previous qualifying sessions.

Only the fastest 40 riders will qualify for the race.

According to factory Yamaha Team Manager/Crew Chief Tom Halverson, front-row qualifier Aaron Gobert will not race in Sunday’s 80-lap, $150,000-purse race because he is currently in Australia. Halverson and Tony Romo (Anthony Gobert’s factory Superbike mechanic) are working with reigning WSMC Champion Chuck Graves this weekend.

In the big race, Graves will be riding his WSMC Formula One bike, which is a Yamaha YZF-R7 chassis fitted with a modified YZF-R1 engine. For this weekend, Graves has borrowed quick-change hardware from Gobert’s Yamaha Superbike as well as the manual bike-lift stands used by Gobert at this year’s Daytona 200.

“We’re just babysitting the parts,” joked Romo as he worked on Graves’ bike Friday. Romo often works for Graves on non-conflicting WSMC race weekends.

Another favorite for the Sunday’s race will be 2002 AMA Formula Xtreme Champion Jason Pridmore. Pridmore’s Attack Suzuki team raced in the last two, 24-hour races at Willow Springs and has detailed information on fuel mileage and tire wear. In addition, Pridmore has been racing in World Endurance events over the last two seasons on Dunlop-equipped Suzuki GSX-R1000s, including a recent successful run at the Suzuka 8-hour in heat similar to that of the Mojave Desert.

Pridmore will ride Ben Spies’ AMA Formula Xtreme bike fitted with full quick-change gear and a FIM-spec, 24-liter endurance fuel tank.

Spies will not ride at Willow Springs.

Corona Extra Suzuki has brought its full AMA paddock presentation to Willow Springs for two-time AMA Superstock Champion Jimmy Moore and former rider Vincent Haskovec. According to Crew Chief Carry Andrew, Haskovec will ride a bike “specifically-prepared for this event.” Andrew and Haskovec have won many races together at Willow Springs, on big bikes and small bikes.

Andrew said Moore was a late addition to the team’s plans and would probably ride Steve Rapp’s Suzuki GSX-R1000 Formula Xtreme bike.

Corona Extra Suzuki mechanic Jeremy Daniel will split his time between working with Moore and working with young gun Hawk Mazzotta. Mazzotta recently contracted Daniel to build an AMA Superstock-spec Suzuki GSX-R750 in preperation for the 2003 AMA season. Mazzotta’s priority at Willow is to get up to speed on the new bike, said Daniel, but the 21-year-old Califorian may enter the Toyota 200 if things go well.

Synergy Racing Technologies Honda stopped young Canadian rider Andrew Nelson on his way home from the Portland Formula USA race to have him come to Willow Springs at the last minute. Team co-owner Glenn Dekoven said the team mainly wanted to give Nelson some seat time on the Honda CBR954RR in preperation for 2003 and that Nelson may run the Toyota 200 on his CBR600F4i.

Also planning on running the long race on a 600cc Supersport bike is Kneedraggers.com’s Matt Wait. With a seven-gallon endurance fuel tank on his Yamaha YZF-R6, Wait’s strategy calls for only one, 30-second pit stop to change one rear tire and refuel.

Tommy Hayden plans on running his 2002-model factory Kawasaki ZX-6R Supersport bike in the 200-miler and in several WSMC sprint races. According to Hayden’s crew chief Joey Lombardo, the bikes have no quick-change hardware. “We’ll just go until we need fuel or tires and put more on,” said Lombardo. “We’re here just to have fun and get Tommy some more seat time.” Hayden will use Dunlop slicks for the 200.

Tech Star Industries’ Michael Hannas will also race his AMA Supersport Kawasaki in the WSMC Toyota 200. Hannas finished eighth in the AMA Supersport finale at VIR and grew up racing at Willow Springs.

Team Embry/Roadracingworld.com’s Geoff May is still deciding whether he will ride his Formula USA Suzuki GSX-R1000 or his AMA Superbike GSX-R750 in the main event. In his first visit to Willow Springs, May feels that he has the tires, Pirelli, and the conditioning to be a contender for the win.

Local ace Jeremy Toye will be a threat on his Lee’s Cycles Suzuki GSX-R1000. Toye has added an earlier model kit swingarm and quick-change gear to his normal WSMC Formula One racer but admits his front set-up is only good enough for 25-second front wheel changes. Toye has thousands of miles of experience at Willow Springs including time in both of the recent 24-hour races.

Another WSMC racer with a strong race package is Team Orthopedics’ Jack Pfeifer. Like Toye, Pfeifer has also added a 1999 Suzuki GSX-R750 Superbike swingarm and made custom adjustments to his Superstock Suzuki GSX-R1000’s front end for quicker wheel changes. Pfeifer added a dual-dry-brake refueling system to his stock Suzuki fuel tank.

Top WSMC racer Richard Headley is coming out of retirement to ride his 2002 Ducati 998RS World Superbike in the race, which pays $50,000 to win.

Curtis Adams, another former WSMC star lured out by the potential payday, will race on the same bike that he has ridden for years around Willow Springs, a 1993 Suzuki GSX-R1100. For this weekend, Adams has added a single-dry-brake to the fuel tank, quick-release pins (from the old Fastline Suzuki endurance bikes) to his front calipers and a quick-change rear wheel system. Adams will roll on 17-inch front wheels and 16.5-inch rears to accommodate Dunlop’s latest rubber.

Las Vegas Xtremes’ Pauly Sherer escaped injury when he highsided in Friday morning’s Toyota 200 practice, but Sherer’s GSX-R750 suffered a broken frame. Sherer is attempting to get his frame fixed before qualifying Friday afternoon.

The WSMC Toyota 200 race is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time Sunday, September 15.

For additional information on the WSMC Toyota 200, call (661) 256-6666 or go to www.willowsprings.com or www.race-wsmc.com.

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

FRANCE WINS EXCITING FIRST GSX-R CUP RACE

Suzuki GSX-R Cup Final, Race One Result, Magny Cours, France, September 13th:

OLIVIER FOUR from France won the first GSX-R Cup Final race at Magny Cours today.

The 25-year-old reserve rider for the Suzuki Endurance Race Team survived a hectic first lap that saw the race stopped when Gunther Roelens from Belgium suffered a high-speed crash. Stephane Jond from France was another faller, but while he made the restarted 9-lap race, the Belgian rider was absent from the grid.

After the restart, Four broke clear from the field quickly, taking Australian ace Scott Charlton in tow. The Aussie rider had led the first part of the race and was looking to be a real threat for the win until an excursion off track later in the lap put him out of contention.

Four opened a lead of three seconds over Giuseppe Fiorillo for the rest of the race, while the UK’s Steve Brogan narrowly claimed third place from Jason DiSalvo of the USA. The pair enjoyed a race long battle and it took Brogan to set the fastest lap of the race – 1:44.910 – to claim the last spot on the podium.

Four said: “I wanted to take it easy for a couple of laps after the restart as my tyres would be cold. Then when I got a three second lead I decided to manage the race from the front. Tomorrow I will be using scrubbed tyres and my race plan is to watch the Italian and try to win the event that way.”

But the Italian ex-250cc European Champion has ideas. Italian boss D.Mutti said: “We raced today with tyres that we used in practice. We finished second, but we have new tyres for tomorrow. I don’t think anyone else has, so we are good now, but should be better tomorrow.”

Fastest lap man Brogan is hoping for a good start tomorrow from seventh on the grid. He said: “I enjoyed a good battle with DiSalvo for third today, but I know if I’d got away with the leaders I could have been in with a chance of winning. But I was boxed in on the first lap and had to make the best of a bad situation. Tomorrow depends on my start.”

1993 World 500cc Grand Prix Champion Kevin Schwantz from America was trackside to watch the close racing. He was supporting Team America and will later take the combined winner of both today’s and tomorrow’s race around the track before the Bol d’Or for a celebration lap in front of 80,000 fans. He said: “I’ll be rooting for the States. This GSX-R Cup Final is a brilliant idea. The GSX-R Cup racing in the US is a real personal interest to me. The World Cup Final is a great event and shows how much Suzuki puts into motorcycle sport. There are some young up and coming riders out there along with experienced guys that know how to make a machine go around fast. It is a good race formula.”

Suzuki’s GSX-R Cup Final 2002 brings together the best motorcycle riders from around the globe to compete on identical GSX-R750 machinery. Riders will race in two finals – one on Friday 13th, the second on Saturday 14th. Each competing country is desperate to win the title for national pride. Every rider uses a Suzuki GSX-R in their home country and is already familiar with the awesome performance of the GSX-R range, which started the race-replica class of motorcycles in 1985 with the first GSX-R750.

Race One Results:
1: Olivier Four (France) 15:49.464
2: Giuseppe Fiorillo (Italy) +3.691
3: Steve Brogan (UK) +6.637
4: Jason DiSalvo (USA) +6.894
5: John Dugan (USA) +12.263
6: KH Hennemann (Germany) +13.277
7: S Jond (France) +15.718
8: J Kirkham (UK) +16.864
9: J Hurtado (Spain) +17.525
10: F Heidger (Germany) +18.111
11: T Fluckiger (Switzerland) +21.649
12: Brian Livengood (USA) +22.130
13: J Tangre (France) +23.245
14: S Charlton (Australia) +31.478
15: L Pini (Italy) +32.723
16: Z Nelson (Canada) +49.003
17: J Martensen (Germany) +49.863
18: C Pfeifer (Austria) +57.041
19: Tim Easton (Canada) +57.854
20: RDV Molen (Netherlands) +59.514.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The Roadracing World Action Fund is paying to have 20 additional Alpina Air Modules installed for the Formula USA/CCS Race of Champions (ROC) at Daytona and to have 18 additional Air Fence sections installed for the WERA Grand National Finals (GNF) at Road Atlanta.

The additional modules will make a total of 38 installed at Daytona, counting 18 still-functioning Air Fence sections allocated to F-USA/CCS earlier this year, and a total of 68 at Road Atlanta.

The additional Alpina Air Modules to be used at Daytona are being rented from Dan Lance, with the rent paid for by the Roadracing World Action Fund.

The additional Air Fence sections to be used at Road Atlanta are the 18 still-functioned sections allocated to F-USA/CCS, with the Roadracing World Action Fund paying expenses associated with shipping the modules to and from the track and deploying the modules at the track.

WERA has directly contracted Dan Lance to provide 20 Alpina Air Modules at Road Atlanta.

Another 30 sections of Alpina Air Module and Air Fence are being transported to and deployed at Road Atlanta by AMA Pro Racing, free of charge, as part of AMA Pro Racing’s affiliation agreement with WERA.

Lance, who runs Alpina’s rental and deployment service in the U.S., has also volunteered to repair damaged modules in the F-USA/CCS fleet and in the AMA Pro Racing fleet.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

2002 AMA Superbike Champion Nicky Hayden will ride a full factory HRC Honda RC211V in the 2003 MotoGP season but is still unsure which team he’ll ride for.

“I’m not sure of what team I’ll be on,” said 21-year-old Hayden in a telephone call to Roadracingworld.com Friday. “We just did the deal yesterday. I mean, we did it at lunchtime yesterday (Thursday) and announced it at the dealer meeting last night. So I don’t know a lot of details. I will definitely be on an HRC factory bike, though. That’s the main thing, what really matters.”

Hayden said he didn’t remember all of the names of the people present at the finalizing of his deal, but he did say that the President of Honda was there. “Not the President of American Honda or the President of Honda Motorcycles, but the President of all Honda. They said it was his first time ever coming to a dealer show in America,” explained Hayden.

“I’m just really excited about it! This is what I’ve wanted. This is what I’ve been working for all along.”

Hayden said that he would like to take some members of his current American Honda crew with him to his new MotoGP team but didn’t even know if that was possible. “I don’t even know when my first test is or anything. I’m going to try and hit the last couple of GPs, to go over and get a feel for things.”

So what will Hayden do on his first weekend knowing he will be a Grand Prix racer? “I’m flying down to Tunica, Mississippi for a dirt track.”