Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

After finishing 14th in the Formula USA Pro Singles mile event at Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California Sunday October 6, Matt Wait has increased his point lead from four to six over Larry Pegram in the F-USA Grand National Championship. Wait now leads Pegram 97 to 91 going into the final round of the combined road race/dirt track series, a road race at Daytona International Speedway October 20.

If Wait finishes fourth or better in the 600cc Sportbike race at Daytona, he should become the first Formula USA Grand National Champion.

Arclight Suzuki’s Craig Connell is third in the GNC point standings even though he has only competed in road race events.

F-USA Grand National Championship Point Standings (with one road race round remaining):

1. Matt Wait, 97
2. Larry Pegram, 91
3. Craig Connell, 68
4. Glen Schnabel, Jr., 67
5. Terry Poovey, 65
6. Joe Kopp, 63
7. Cory West, 59
8. Michael Barnes, 58
9. Lee Acree, 44
10. Rich King, 39

From a press release issued by Kneedraggers.com:

Former AMA Superbike and FIM 500GP rider Matt Wait has agreed to ride for Kneedraggers.com in 2003. Wait, the current Formula USA Grand National Championship points leader, will ride 600cc machinery in both the AMA and Formula USA series.

“Matt works extremely well with our team, and his latest road racing results have been very very exciting for everyone,” commented Kneedragger’s President, Sam Lehrfeld, referring to Wait’s second-place finish at the previous Formula USA round in Portland, Oregon. “We’ve always felt Matt was one of the most talented riders around and we’re looking forward to bringing him back to the front of road racing in America,” added Lehrfeld.

“I am very excited to be given the opportunity to be able to race for a great bunch of people and be affiliated with the Kneedraggers.com team,” said Wait. “I think that it will definitely be a strong and successful joint effort for 2003, being that everyone is on the same page, gets along well, works well together and winning is the main objective for both Kneedraggers.com and myself. I can’t wait to get the year started, it’s going to be great.”

Coordinated with the racing effort, Kneedraggers.com will also be vending to racers and spectators for both AMA and Formula USA events.

Interested parties may contact Sam Lehrfeld at Kneedraggers.com for more information. His phone number is 877-294-2920.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

In a phone call to Roadracing World Monday morning, Vic Fasola confirmed that he has taken a job with Austin/Bleu Bayou Ducati as Crew Chief for Anthony Gobert:

Fasola said he was contacted by team owner Terry Gregricka.

“When it came out that I had left Yoshimura he called me up and we talked back and forth,” said Fasola. “He finally got approval from Italy to go ahead with the program and had already signed Gobert. He hired me Friday.”

Concerning the chances of winning AMA Superbike races with Gobert, Fasola said “If I can’t, I need to quit. You got a Ducati with Anthony Gobert sitting on it, damn!”

Fasola also said that the team’s race shop may be moving from its current location in Temple, Texas to Austin.

From a press release:

Loris Capirossi signs with Sidi for ’03

New Ducati MotoGP rider, Loris Capirossi, and Sidi boots are pleased to announce that Loris has re-signed for the 2003 season. Loris, who currently sits 7th in the championship has not been too happy with how his year has gone so far.

“I have had some disappointment this year but never with the boots, staying with Sidi for 2003 was an easy decision to make” Loris commented in a very “Italian” way.

Another way to look at this is; Loris is a hard rider to satisfy but Sidi did so with ease in 2002 so he is back in Sidi’s Vertebra Race boot for another season of MotoGP races!

From a press release:

ACTEVA’S SECURE ONLINE PAYMENT PROCESSING SPEEDS REGISTRATION & PAYMENT FOR MOTORCYCLE ENTHUSIASTS

SAN FRANCISCO – Acteva, best known for its flagship web-based service for event registration and payment processing, today announced that the Fastrack Riders Association (FTRA), the leading “track day” company that promotes motorcycle safety, has selected Acteva’s secure, no-risk online service for its event bookings, online marketing initiatives and classified advertising sales.

“Setting up our online services with Acteva has streamlined the registration process for all Fastrack events and initiatives,” says David Pyles, president of FTRA. “Now, we are able to fulfill a request in almost half the amount of time.”

With Acteva’s state-of-the-art solution, FTRA website visitors can register and pay online for riding events at all levels and price ranges, including formula sessions, new rider safety orientations and riding classes. In addition FTRA customers are able to receive special discounts electronically, access bike and parts trader services, and post and pay for on line classified advertisements on the association’s web site.

“Fastrack Riders Association is another example of Acteva’s success in providing a reliable, easy-to-use registration and payment processing system for customers in the sporting and recreation industry,” said Pankaj Gupta, CEO and president of Acteva.

Acteva enables its customers to increase sales and meeting attendance while decreasing administrative headaches. Acteva offers secure, online registration and payment processing for any activity, including classes, fund-raisers, performances and other events. There are no risks, and no up-front costs—customers are able to collect event or class fees immediately. In fact, customers pay only a small transaction fee when attendees sign up.

About the Fastrack Riders Association
Fastrack Riders Association (FTRA) is a sales, promotional, and marketing company focused on promoting track day events for the motorcycle enthusiast. The goal is to establish FTRA as the premier “track day” company within the motorcycle industry. Events are held at Willow Springs International Raceway and California Speedway. FTRA’s primary focus is to promote motorcycle safety through training and on-the-track experience. For more information, please visit their web site at www.fastrackriders.com.

About Acteva
More than 5,000 customers use Acteva’s secure, online registration and processing services to manage their fee collections. Customers include Microsoft, Wharton School of Business, The United Nations, London School of Business, Key3Media (Comdex and Seybold), Stanford, The U. S. Olympic Committee, Pt. Reyes National Seashore Park, The Webby Awards to name a few. Acteva is a privately held company based in San Francisco, California. For further information please contact [email protected], call 415/374-8222 or visit us at www.acteva.com

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Sources in Europe confirmed Monday that Antena 3 Yamaha D’Antin’s Norick Abe will race a Yamaha YZR-M1 four-stroke in the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island, October 19. Abe joins Marlboro Yamaha riders Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa and Gauloises Yamaha Tech 3 riders Olivier Jacque and Shinya Nakano to be the fifth M1 rider on the grid.

Barring any last-minute wild cards, there will be 13 four-strokes (five Yamahas, four Hondas, two Suzukis, one Aprilia and one Kawasaki) and eight two-strokes (three Hondas, three Yamahas and two Protons) on the grid at Phillip Island.

Abe’s teammate Pere Riba, will sit out the remaining three MotoGP rounds with lingering injuries. Riba’s Yamaha YZR500’s seat will be filled by Jose Luis Cardoso, say team sources.

Elements inside Team Proton KR say development of the team’s new V5 four-stroke is right on schedule, and the new bike should begin track testing after the final round of the 2002 MotoGP season. Other sources close to the team say it looks as though both Nobuatsu Aoki and Jeremy McWilliams will be re-signed to Team Proton KR for 2003.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

This just in from Superbike World Champion Colin Edwards, via e-mail, regarding his autograph session at Firebird on Friday:

Just to let you know, I was there for at least an hour and signed an autograph for everyone. Some came back for seconds. No one was denied!!

Cheers,

Colin II



(Editorial note: Edwards’ autograph appearance was coordinated by racer Rick Stratton.)


More, via e-mail from Chris Geary:

I was at Firebird on Friday. Colin Edwards was there from about 2:00 p.m. to about 3:00 p.m. He was generous with his time, chatting with the riders and posing for pictures. He signed Castrol Honda posters, shirts, helmets,
tailsections, etc., and gave out tons of Castrol stickers. He was friendly and smiling. He made comments to the effect that he expected to be in
MotoGPs next year, which everyone thought he deserved. There were only about 40 riders there, so everyone got as much time with the World Champion as they wanted. Thanks to Rick Stratton and AZ Motorsports Group for making a great day even better!

Christopher R. Geary

DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION
From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Mugello, 7 October 2002

DOUBLE DEBUT FOR DUCATI AT MUGELLO WITH BAYLISS (DESMOSEDICI MOTOGP) AND HODGSON (999 SUPERBIKE)

Today saw a double debut for Ducati at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello as Troy Bayliss and Neil Hodgson stepped onto their 2003 bikes for the first time. One week after the final round of the World Superbike Championship at Imola, another chapter began in the extraordinary career of Troy Bayliss, who did his first laps on the new Ducati Desmosedici. Britain’s Neil Hodgson also made his track debut with the Superbike version of the Ducati 999.

The 33 year old Australian, WSBK champion in 2001 and runner-up this year, who completed 30 laps on the new Ducati prototype, which will make its debut next year in the MotoGP championship, was enthusiastic and satisfied with the work completed today.

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“It’s a completely new toy!” declared Troy. “The last few months I’ve been seeing the bike and I’ve wanted to get on it for a long time. It took a while before we got going this morning because it was so foggy and the track was quite wet and we didn’t really start until after lunch.

“We know we’ve got a great big job ahead of us but I’ve enjoyed what we’ve done so far and we’re making pretty good progress already. That’s why we’ve started a week after Imola, we know we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us and that’s what we’re doing. We’ve got plenty of tests before the racing starts but we’re looking forward to it.

“This is not my Superbike for sure!” he added. “It’s very different, much lighter and more powerful, there is nothing from the Superbike on this, we’ve just got to start and learn everything again. Vito has already been testing on it, he’s done a good job, but basically I have to start from scratch and get ready for MotoGP.”

While Troy was lapping with the Desmosedici, development work was continuing on the new Ducati 999 Superbike, for the first time with Neil Hodgson doing the riding duties. The 29 year-old British rider, third this year with team HM Plant Ducati in the WSBK championship, has been promoted to the factory team for 2003, the year in which Ducati will be trying to take back the Riders’ championship title.

Hodgson, after riding the 999 for the first time, also expressed positive comments about the Italian manufacturer’s new bike after completing a total of 70 laps on the spectacular Tuscany circuit.

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“I feel a lot less nervous than I did this morning when I was quite excited about how it would be to ride the 999” declared Neil. “It’s a big step for me, but already now I feel much more relaxed after the first day with my new team.

“The bike feels very different to my 998, with the new aerodynamics and the tyres” he added. “Even the riding position feels different so it’s taking a bit more time to feel very comfortable. The engine is fantastic and the power feels very smooth, better than my old bike for sure.

“I also rode on Michelins for the first time today since 1997. After a few laps to get used to them, the feeling was really positive and every tyre we’ve tried so far has been good.”

Tomorrow will see the second and final day of testing at Mugello for Bayliss with the Ducati Desmosedici and Hodgson on the Ducati 999 Superbike.

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

SUZUKI SWEEPS PODIUM IN WORLD ENDURANCE

World Endurance, Round Six, Vallelunga, Italy, October 6th:

SUZUKI dominated the final World Endurance race of the season at Vallelunga today, taking the first five places across the finish line. In the process, Suzuki claimed all the podium spots in the World Championship standings as well.

The race was won by Zongshen 9 on a GSX-R1000, helping the team to second place in the Championship. In second place in the race was the Suzuki GSX-R1000 mounted GMT94 team, securing third place in the overall standings. In third place and wrapping up the World Championship was Zongshen 2, again using the awesome GSX-R1000.

The 200-mile race at the Italian Vallelunga track was fast and frantic, with the short circuit lending itself to plenty of hot action. While Suzuki’s dominant GSX-R1000 took the first four places in the race, in fifth was the Herman Verboven team on a GSX-R750, demonstrating the in-depth strength of the GSX-R range.

The amazing performance of the GSX-R1000 means it beat all-comers from the World Superbike, Stocksport and SuperProduction classes to dominate the Standings and win the Endurance World Championship. The Suzuki GSX-R1000 adds the Endurance World Championship to its domination of the non-World Championship 2002 Masters of Endurance, another endurance race series.

Race Result: 1: Zongshen 9 (Suzuki), 2: GMT94 (Suzuki), 3: Zongshen 2 (Suzuki), 4: QB Phase One (Suzuki), 5: Herman Verboven 6 (Suzuki), 6: Piazza
Corse (Ducati), 7: Bollinger Team (Kawasaki), 8: Herman Verboven 5 (Suzuki), 9: Endurance Moto 38 (Yamaha), 10: X-One.

Championship Standings: 1: Zongshen 2 123, 2: Zongshen 9 107, 3: GMT94 95, 4: Endurance Moto 38 83, 5: QB Phase One 69, 6: Herman Verboven Racing 5 60, 7: Bollinger Team 47, 8: Piazza Corse 35, 9: Yamaha Austria (Yamaha) 30, 10: Team 22 Police Nationale (Kawasaki) 30.


More, from a press release issued by Octagon Motorsports:

Apology:

Ducati France have confirmed that they will be running a 998 in the Vallelunga 200 mile next weekend, not a 999 as earlier reported. Ducati Corse’s Mr Ciabatti reports that the 999’s international race debut will take place in 2003. Apologies for any confusion we may have caused.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Nicky Hayden rode a factory Honda CRF450F to victory Saturday night in the Formula USA Pro Singles short track race at Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California. Nicky Hayden was the second-fastest qualifier and advanced to the final by winning his heat race; he started the main from pole position thanks to setting the fastest heat race time.

In the 20-lap main event, Nicky Hayden grabbed the holeshot and simply ran away to take the win.

Riding a White Brothers Yamaha YZ426F, Tommy Hayden also won his heat race but finished third in the main, behind Honda 450 rider Johnny Murphree and just ahead of KTM-mounted Joe Kopp. 2002 AMA Flat Track National Champion Chris Carr finished fifth on a VOR.

Jake Zemke took 10th on an American Honda CRF450F after winning his semi race.

Also riding an American Honda CRF450F, Roger Lee Hayden just missed the main event. After posting the 23rd-fastest qualifying time, Roger Lee Hayden took fifth in the heat race that Nicky Hayden won, finished third in the semi race that Zemke won and finished third in the Last Chance Qualifier. Only the winner of the LCQ advanced to the main event.

Seventy-six riders tried to qualify for the 48 spots in the heat races and the 13 spots in the main event. Veteran dirt tracker Larry Pegram turned the 51st-fastest qualifying time on his Suzuki DR-Z400 and failed to qualify for the heat races. Defending F-USA Pro Singles Champion and current Pro Singles point leader Terry Poovey qualified with the 12th-fastest time but failed to make the main event. Formula USA officials called the Del Mar short track event “the hardest main to make of the year”

The Del Mar short track race event was attended by dozens of AMA road racing personalities including Eric Bostrom, Steve Rapp, Tony Meiring and nearly every member of the Kawasaki and American Honda factory road race crews.

F-USA Pro Singles
Del Mar Short Track
October 5
Main Event Results:

1. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 20 laps
2. Johnny Murphree, Honda
3. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha
4. Joe Kopp, KTM
5. Chris Carr, VOR
6. Jared Mees, Honda
7. Glen Schnabel, Jr., Honda
8. Brett Landes, Honda
9. Steve Beattie, Honda
10. Jake Zemke, Honda
11. Dan Stanley, Honda
12. Jake Johnson, Honda
13. Kevin Varnes, CCM