California Speedway issued the following statement:

Fontana, Calif., (April 5th, 2002) — Ricky Lundgren, 40, of La Mesa, Calif., was pronounced dead at Loma Linda University Medical Center this evening following an on-track incident during qualifying for the AMA Superstock race at California Speedway.

According to California Speedway Medical Director Dr. Jeff Grange, Lundgren suffered blunt trauma to the head and chest region.

The accident occurred in the area of turn four on the speedway’s 21-turn, 2.3-mile road course. He was airlifted from California Speedway to Loma Linda University Medical Center and pronounced dead at 6:25 p.m.



Additional information from roadracingworld.com reporters:

Lundgren was riding his Suzuki GSX-R750 in a qualifying session for the AMA Superstock race when the crash occurred. A financial trader by profession, Lundgren was a hobbyist racer and had finished sixth in the AMA Pro Thunder race at Daytona March 10, riding a Ducati 748 sponsored by Yahoo Sports.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Formula Xtreme Practice Times:

1. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 1:27.791
2. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.923
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R7/R1, 1:27.997
4. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.280
5. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.437
6. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.453
7. Mike Hale, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.543
8. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.756
9. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.106
10. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR954RR, 1:29.933
11. James Compton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.821
12. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.966
13. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.129
14. Robert Mesa, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.282
15. Lance Issacs, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:34.321
16. Kim Nakashima, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.736
17. Mike Sullivan, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.907
18. Giovanni Rojas, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.090
19. Tyler Alexander, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.800
20. Chad Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.984

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Tommy Hayden topped the time sheets in the first Superstock (formerly 750cc Supersport) practice session at California Speedway on his Kawasaki ZX-6R Supersport bike, followed by Jason Pridmore on a Supersport GSX-R600, but Chris Ulrich was the fastest man on an actual Superstock racebike, a GSX-R750.

Due to timing and scoring system problems, some riders were unidentified on the scoring monitors.

Times follow:

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:30.042
2. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.178
3. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.227
4. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.350
5. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:31.669
6. Chris “Opie” Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.904
7. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:31.937
8. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:32.002
9. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.016
10. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.227
11. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:32.363
12. Mike Hale, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:32.385
13. Unknown, 1:32.456
14. Tiger Sohwa, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:32.514
15. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.179
16. Mark Ledesma, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:33.247
17. Michael Hannas, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:33.401
18. Owen Richey, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.143
19. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:34.228
20. Jeff Tigert, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:34.384

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Afternoon Superstock Practice Times:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:29.568
2. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:29.640
3. Mike Hale, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:30.467
4. Chris “Opie” Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.777
5. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.073
6. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:31.139
7. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:31.147
8. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.216
9. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.524
10. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.636
11. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.860
12. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.070
13. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:32.112
14. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.170
15. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.432
16. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:32.797
17. Michael Hannas, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:32.912
18. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:32.955
19. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.003
20. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.106

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Timing And Scoring Snafus, Red Flag Delay Plague Second Superstock Qualifying Session At Fontana

The standing water on the road course at California Speedway–caused when the sprinkler system was left on Thursday–and the resulting delay in starting practice came back to hinder the poor souls in the second Superstock qualifying session, for even-numbered bikes, late Friday afternoon.

The session was red-flagged due to a three-bike pile-up and barely restarted and finished before all daylight was lost.

Then a timing and scoring problem deleted the fastest times turned by Tommy Hayden and Chris Ulrich, who were first and second-fastest in the second session, demoting them to fourth and 19th fastest overall, respectively.

Timing and scoring officials quickly issued a revised second session timing sheet when the error was pointed out by roadracingworld.com, but combined sheets with the incorrect times were still being circulated in the press room.

Ulrich’s session ended early when his bike’s shift lever broke off on a curb. Defending Champion Jimmy Moore had a shock blow out in Superbike qualifying; he missed the odd-numbered session and got special AMA permission to qualify in the even-numbered session, a situation reporters couldn’t remember happening before.

AMA officials later said that they typically allow riders who miss the first qualifying session due to mechanical problems to qualify in the second session, although riders who are scheduled to qualify in the second session and miss it are just out of luck.

The session was headed by riders on Supersport bikes, using the 750cc class for extra practice.

The correct combined times follow:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:28.987
2. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:29.193
3. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.821
4. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.928
5. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.178
6. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.470
7. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.483
8. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.559
9. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.562
10. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:30.615
11. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:30.641
12. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.850
13. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.061
14. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.235
15. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:31.575
16. Michael Hannas, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:31.593
17. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.593
18. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.647
19. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.663
20. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.689
21. Shawn Conrad, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.741
22. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.038
23. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.532
24. Owen Richey, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.573
25. Clint McBain, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:33.047
26. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.224
27. Takahiro “Tiger” Sohwa, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:33.228
28. Phillip Herrin, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:33.250
29. Mark Ledesma, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:33.389
30. Troy Green, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:33.394
31. Randell Mennenga, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.621
32. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.651
33. Rob Christman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.665
34. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.670
35. Scott Simpson, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:34.070
36. Robert Underwood, 1:34.078
37. Aaron Clark, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.408
38. Dr. Jeff Purk, DDS, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.408
39. Giovanni Rojas, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.426
40. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.742


First-year Expert Matt Hartlieb crashed during the odd-numbered Superstock qualifying session. According to a preliminary medical report issued by California Speedway, Hartlieb was transported to San Antonio Community Hospital for X-rays of his left wrist.

Greg Esser crashed his Honda RS250 in Friday afternoon’s 250cc Grand Prix practice session at California Speedway. According to a preliminary medical report issued by the track, Esser was flown to Loma Linda University Medical Center as a precautionary measure.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Pascal Picotte On A Mission On Michelins

Austin/Bleu Bayou Ducati Racing’s Pascal Picotte will race his new 2001-spec Ducati 996RS on Michelin tires with motors built by Advanced Motor Sports’ Jeff Nash at California Speedway, confirmed Team Manager/Crew Chief/Truck Driver Lance Baker Thursday afternoon in his team’s garage at the Fontana, California track. With a smile of pride on his face, Baker described the hectic 11 days that brought him and Picotte to the Yamaha Superbike Challenge.

“On Monday (March 25), I got the word that the deal was done,” said Baker. “Tuesday (March 26), I flew up to Wisconsin and picked the bikes up from the HMC shop. I got back to Texas Thursday (March 28), dropped the bikes at AMS, pulled the motors and then went back to Austin. This past Tuesday (April 2), I went back to AMS, put the motors back in the bikes and started driving to California.

“A lot of things happened at the same time to get us where we are today.”

Baker said that both Ducati North America and Ducati Corse in Italy contributed to making the acquisition of the bikes happen, saying, “If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be here.” Baker then confirmed that his team had just finished a tire deal with Michelin’s Ron Wood, and that plans were already in the works to receive update kits from Ducati Corse that would bring the 2001 bikes up to current 2002 998RS Testastretta specification. The Austin/Bleu Bayou team expects to have the updates complete by the Sears Point round of the series.

In the meantime, the smile Picotte wore through off-season testing was replaced by a look of determination. “I’m going to kick some ass,” said the seasoned French-Canadian. “No, I mainly just want to score some points. We just put the bikes and the team together in a couple of days. We’re basically starting from scratch. I’m still new to the Ducati. I know the 2002 bike will be better when we build it, but I’m glad to be here for the double-header. I just want to score some good points in each race, have some time to build the new bikes and maybe test once before Sears.

“Riding on the Michelins is gonna be a learning curve, but in the long-term it could pay off. By going to a different tire brand we may be able to get an advantage.”

Picotte took care to point out that he wouldn’t be able to race at Fontana if it weren’t for the opportunity presented by team owner Terry Gregricka, Baker, race engineer Tom Bodenbach, mechanic John Rawls and friend Paul Fournier. Baker worked with Picotte on the Muzzy Kawasaki Superbike in 1995, and Picotte worked with Bodenbach for four years on the Gemini VR1000 Harley-Davidson team.

Picotte ended the conversation by saying, “I’ll definitely be on a mission to beat those guys (HMC).”

In other news Thursday, the American Honda Superbikes of Nicky Hayden and Miguel Duhamel were being fitted with new bodywork, freshly painted to go along with a co-promotion of Universal Studios’ “The Skorpian King” feature film.

In addition to racing his Corbin Kawasaki ZX-6R in Supersport, 2001 AMA 250cc Grand Prix Champion Jimmy Filice will run the Number One plate on a 2000-model Yamaha TZ250 with help from Bruce Lind and James Siddall. When asked why, Filice said, “I don’t know how many more times I’m gonna get to run a #1 plate. We’re a little behind with our 600 program and a good result would help out.”

Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki team coordinator Rich Doan will serve as Jamie Hacking’s chassis tuner at California Speedway due to a newly-hired crew member quitting the Suzuki squad shortly after last week’s test at Laguna Seca. With Crew Chief Tom Houseworth at his side, Hacking said that he had confidence in Doan’s ability to get the job done.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The Farthest North Racing Alliance is a grassroots club of 40-60 riders who race in Tanacross, Alaska in the southern part of the 49th state. According to Derek Bloom, the FNRA #3 plate holder for 2001, the group converges on an abandoned military air base, (which they dubbed Tanacross Raceway), four times a year to hold motorcycle road races.

“It’s about 250 miles away from everybody,” said Bloom, in a telephone call to Roadracingworld.com. “So we all go down there on Friday and set up the course. We put marks on the tarmac as to where the cones go. We use orange cones to mark the outside of the course and green cones to mark the inside. So when you’re riding, you look for the green cones.

“We race from nine in the morning until about seven at night, because it never really gets dark up here at night in the summer. The temperature can get up to the 90s in July and it usually only drops to the 60s at night. So the weather is usually pretty good. I think we’ve only been rained out once or twice in the last few years.

“The track is 3.5 miles with 36 turns. It’s actually pretty technical and safe. If you run off, you run off into miles of nothing.” One of the “handful” of Alaskan racer to ever venture outside of the state for racing, Bloom has also raced at Willow Springs, Firebird International Raceway and most recently at California Speedway.

The FNRA usually runs a 30-minute solo endurance, winner-take-all, dash-for-cash race on Saturdays followed by sprints on Sunday. “The classes are pretty much run-whatcha-brung,” said Bloom. “We have guys with Yamaha R1s and R6s, Suzuki GSX-Rs, a couple of Yamaha TZ250s and even a few old RD350s.”

Classes for Sunday sprints are 0-to-500cc, 501–650cc and 651-Open with Experts starting in the first wave followed by a second wave of Novices. Races are only three laps long.

“It’s starting to get more competitive,” said Bloom, who had returned to his home in Fairbanks, Alaska following a racing trip to last weekend’s FTA race in Fontana, California. “The core group of 15-20 guys are really starting to pay attention to how well they do. Plus we’ve been advertising a little and drawing in some G.I.’s from the military bases up here.”

For more information about the Farthest North Racing Alliance, call Derek Bloom at (907) 474 –9118, FAX (907) 474-0016 or go to www.angelfire.com/ak5/tanacross.

Farthest North Racing Alliance Race Series 2002 Schedule
6/8-9 Tanacross Raceway, Tanacross, AK
6/29-30 Tanacross Raceway, Tanacross, AK
7/27-28 Tanacross Raceway, Tanacross, AK
8/17-18 Tanacross Raceway, Tanacross, AK

From a press release:

Superside returns to South Africa

Two new names lead the Superside World Championship into its second round at Kyalami, relegating 2001 World Champions, Klaffenböck and Parzer third in the standings with eight times World Champion, Webster and Woodhead down in eleventh place.

Experience and cunning came together with luck at the Ricardo Tormo circuit at Valencia, with the wily Steve Abbott from Derbyshire, England coming out on top to take only his fourth win in twenty years of World Championship racing.

With backing from high performance engine developers, Maxsym, Abbott and Biggs, powered by their 1120cc Yamaha FZR based engine, held on for the win after Webster and Woodhead, who had dominated the race from the outset, slowed with their Suzuki powered machine running on only two cylinders.

Abbott topped the time sheets from the outset, leading fellow Brits, Hanks and Biggs, who now also run a Windle chassis, by a second in the first track session. The second session saw them lead the hard charging Steinhausen and Hopkinson by a second. World Champions, Klaffenböck and Parzer, came through the pack in the final timed session but couldn’t get within a second of the spectacular Abbott and Biggs.

“Mr Superpole”, Steve Webster, then reordered the grid, lapping an amazing three and a half seconds quicker than anyone else in Superpole on the single flying lap using liveonscreen.com Racing teammate Muldoon’s spare engine.

Webster and Woodhead had only completed a total of eight laps during practice and qualifying, as Webster missed the compulsory rider briefing on Thursday night, which automatically ruled them out of the first untimed practice. The next two timed sessions saw engine troubles for the Suzuki Great Britain-backed pairing.

When the race started on Sunday afternoon, Webbo streaked into the lead on the second lap and dominated until the 16th lap, when engine problems saw him dropping back down through he field. “Our engine cases cracked, so the screw that holds the ignition pick-up in place dropped out,” admitted Webbo.

“It’s a problem we’ve had before, but we know what we need to do so we just have to go home and do some work. We managed to keep going and finished eleventh and got some points. At the end of the year those points may mean the difference between winning and losing.”

Returning as privateers in 2002, passionate German Champion, Jörg Steinhausen teamed again with Englishman Trevor Hopkinson to take a strong second place at Valencia.

Without sponsorship, the Steinhausen Racing team have been doing it tough, only testing briefly at Oschersleben prior to the season opener at Valencia. Using last year’s LCR chassis and the same “freshened up”, Suzuki GSXR1200 engines, the refreshed Steini has recovered from the back problems that plagued his 2001 season.

World Champions, Klaus Klaffenböck and Christian Parzer, had their first real session under Yamaha power, albeit on the 2001 model engine.

“We are using a 2001 Yamaha R1 engine and are a little short on power,” said Klaffi. “It’s not top speed that we are lacking but the power to drive out of corners. But we hope to get a 2002 R1 engine with fuel injection soon.”

Stuart Muldoon, a new signing for liveonscreen.com Racing, finished a creditable fourth in his first outing with Suzuki power and passenger Andy Peach. The hard charging Scot should be a regular on the podium in 2002 and with his improved fitness, is one to watch at Kyalami.

The change from LCR to Windle chassis has been good for Tom Hanks and Phil Biggs, even if engine reliability issues have risen with their Yamaha R1 engines. Valencia took its toll early on the usually reliable Hanks powerplant, with and engine failure in free practice on Friday. Returning to a standard engine configuration, the team were happy with fifth place, but are looking for more.

Dolf Hänni’s prediction before the Valencia event of “a top ten finish, maybe fifth or sixth”, was right on the money. Hänni races with Schlosser in 2002 who returns to Superside after a two-year absence. Schlosser, with limited four-stroke experience, dealt with the top ten with ease, and is expected on the podium within the first half of the season.


Roger Lovelock also made his return to the World Championship scene in Valencia, paired with World Championship rookie, Gary Yendell. The Diet Get Fit team scored seventh place, setting the scene for a very competitive season.

With Superside competition increasing in 2002, the Kyalami race is primed and ready to go. Webbo will look to return to the top of the leaderboard, whilst Klaffi will try out the 2002 Yamaka R1 with fuel injection, but don’t rule out privateer Steini or the championship leaders, Abbott and Biggs with their fire breathing Maxsym Yamaha.

The left-handed circuit, as with Valencia, means that chassis setup will be critical. But add in the hills and very fast sweeping corners of the Kyalami circuit, and the winner may come from those that make the best of the available rear rubber.

From a press release:

Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix
Japanese Grand Prix: wild-card riders

The wild-card riders who will race in the Japanese Grand Prix, scheduled on the circuit of Suzuka on April 7 next, are the following:

Number, Rider Name, Team

MotoGP Class

33 Akira Ryo (JPN – Suzuki) Telefonica Movistar Suzuki

72 Shinichi Itoh (JPN – Honda) HRC



250cc Class

48 Shinichi Nakatomi (JPN – Honda) Team Kotake RSC

49 Chojun Kameya (JPN – Honda) Burning Blood R.T.

50 Daisaku Sakai (JPN – Honda) Endurance/Toshio Asahi

89 Osamu Miyazaki (JPN – Yamaha) Motorex Daytona

92 Hiroshi Aoyama (JPN – Honda) Team Harc-Pro


125cc Class

65 Toshihisa Kuzuhara (JPN – Honda) Kumamoto Racing

66 Shuhei Aoyama (JPN – Honda) Showa Denk

67 Hideyuki Ogata (JPN – Honda) Team Plus One

68 Akira Komuro (JPN – Honda) Dinky Racing

46 Suhathai Chaemsap (THA – Honda) Sutthisarn Vaewsamana



Maximum number and nomination of wild-card riders:

125cc: 3 nominated by the FMNR (Organising Federation); 2 nominated by the FIM.

250cc: 3 nominated by the FMNR (Organising Federation); 1 nominated by MSMA (Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers’ Association); 2 nominated by the FIM.

MotoGP: 1 nominated by MSMA, 1 nominated by the FIM/Dorna

– A compulsory briefing will be held for all riders who will be participating for the first time in the current Championship, at 17h00 on the day preceding the day scheduled for the first practice session.