This just in, via e-mail from Bridgestone’s John Robinson:

Bridgestone will have the service truck at the FUSA/CCS final event at Daytona and the GNF at Road Atlanta during the month of October. We will service all riders currently using our race products and will be happy to talk with those riders interested in using our products for 2003.

To learn more about our current road race tires, riders can view our website at www.motorcycle-karttires.com or they can contact me at [email protected].

From press releases issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

GSX-R CUP FINAL GETS STARTED

Magny Cours, France, September 10th:

SUZUKI’S first GSX-R Cup Final event got off to an exciting start at Magny Cours, France on Tuesday, September 10.

Riders from all around the world made their way to the French track to enter the prestigious competition that will be run on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th of September in a nail-biting double header that will support the famous Bol d’Or 24-hour endurance race.

With around 80,000 spectators expected to flock to the track, the competing GSX-R Cup nations have pulled out all the stops to assemble a top class field that promises close racing.

Brian Livengood, a regular top-10 rider in the AMA Superbike series, heads the US challenge, while Steve Brogan from the UK comes to the event after finishing a credible third in the eighth round of the European Superstock Championship at Assen last weekend. And the home French team of Oliver Four, Stephane Jond and Jerome Tancre promise to be tough to beat. They are down for racing in the Bol d’Or 24-hour race after the second GSX-R Cup final on Saturday morning.

Alongside these riders are a host of national champions and riders from as far afield as Norway to Brazil or Australia. There is a lot of young new talent on display, as well as a few old hands – Norway’s Rolf Andreas Wallin is a nine-times road racing champion and will be tough to beat.

Today the riders got the chance to meet each other, discuss the super-strict rules that sees them all compete on identical Suzuki GSX-R750 machines with minimal changes allowed, and draw lots for the bikes they’ll ride.

While each rider took it in turn to pick a bike at random, they were informed that they couldn’t pick bike number one – that machine will be used by America’s 1993 500cc World Grand Prix Champion, Kevin Schwantz for demonstration laps later in the week.

With the rules explained by Hiroshi Kochi from Suzuki’s Planning Group, Motorcycle Division I, and the bikes allocated to each rider, all that remains is for the practice sessions to start tomorrow.

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.



RIDERS IN ACTION AT THE GSX-R CUP FINAL

Magny Cours, France, September 11th:

THE competitors in the Suzuki GSX-R Cup Final took to the track for the first time today in two un-timed practice sessions.

The first 25-minute long session was blessed with dry conditions until the last five minutes, when rain started to fall.

The second 25-minute session took place less than an hour later and the heavens opened, drenching the circuit in water. Only a handful of brave riders ventured on to the track after the thunderstorm to try out their wet weather tyres. Amongst these hardy souls were the riders who have never raced at Magny Cours before and were desperate to learn the track.

While rain stopped many of the riders from making it out in the second session, it also caused drama for the German and Brazilian teams. With a dry track turning quickly wet in the first session, both riders fell off their bikes. Brazil’s Superbike Champion Jadson Pina Laurett was unhurt and his bike suffered only minor damage. Germany’s Jan Martensen was also unhurt, but a huge dent in the right side of his frame meant a tense wait while officials investigated if his GSX-R750 was damaged beyond repair. Fortunately for him the frame was still straight and he is allowed to continue in the event. There is a one-strike and you are out rule in the GSX-R Cup – if a rider suffers a crash and there is major damage, then they are automatically disqualified.

Without any official times to compare, the riders used most of their practice time on track familiarising themselves with its tight turns.

After receiving their bikes early in the morning, the national teams spent the day making what minor adjustments they are allowed under the rules.

Thursday, September 12th sees the first 25-minute qualification session and the action is expected to heat up quickly, with every rider aiming to win the GSX-R Cup for his home nation.

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.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Former Harley-Davidson factory Superbike rider Fritz Kling set a new motorcycle lap record of 1:07.57 for Nelson Ledges Road Course in Garrettsville, Ohio September 1, according to race officials. Kling set the time on a Suzuki GSX-R1000 on Pirelli DOT-labeled tires while battling with Larry Denning in a WERA Open Superstock race.

The old Nelson Ledges lap record was held by Douglas Duane at 1:08.01.

The new record was partially the result of new pavement in several areas of the two-mile, 13-turn Ohio track. According to FASTTRAX Riding School and Race Series owner Bob Stanley, new pavement has been added on the front straight from turn 13 to the bridge, the entrances of turn three and turn four and through the turn 11 kink. Turn one and turn nine are scheduled to be resurfaced in the Spring of 2003.

“Obviously, it is somewhat faster, but more than that, it is a much safer ride at speed,” Stanley wrote in an e-mail to Roadracingworld.com. “We used a Limestone asphalt from Pennsylvania. That is the same mix that is on the back straight. It will turn almost white when cured and should last much longer than regular stuff.”

Stanley added that a new tower was erected at start/finish, a new pavilion has been built onto the concession stand and a new medical building and other improvements are planned.

For more information contact FASTTRAX at 330-494-8410, go to www.fastone.com/FASTTRAX/fasttrax.html or e-mail Bob Stanley at [email protected].

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The FIM held drug testing August 25 during the Czech Republic Grand Prix at the Brno Circuit.

Racers found to be drug-free in the test were Brno MotoGP race winner Max Biaggi, Carlos Checa, Jurgen van der Goorbergh, Masao Azuma, Lucio Cecchinello and Manuel Poggiali.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Orthopedic Surgeon Arthur Ting reconstructed racer Chris Ulrich’s right shoulder, which was initially injured last January and which degenerated during the 2002 AMA racing season.

Ulrich was awake and in the recovery room at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, following an operation that started at 5:30 p.m. at the Fremont Surgery Center in Fremont, California.

From Speed Channel:

2:00 p.m. World Superbike Race One, Assen
3:00 p.m. World Superbike Race Two, Assen

7:00 p.m. Bike Week
7:30 p.m. Motorcyclist
8:00 p.m. FIM 250cc Grand Prix, Estoril
9:00 p.m. FIM MotoGP, Estoril
10:00 p.m. FIM 125cc Grand Prix, Brno
11:00 p.m. Corbin’s Ride On
11:30 p.m. American Thunder
12:00 a.m. Bike Week
12:30 a.m. Motorcyclist
1:00 a.m. FIM 250cc Grand Prix, Estoril
2:00 a.m. FIM MotoGP, Estoril
3:00 a.m. FIM 125cc Grand Prix, Brno

All Times Are Eastern

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The Willow Springs Motorcycle Club has released rules for the $150,000-purse Toyota 200 (mile) race, scheduled for September 15.

A pace car will be used, and crews will be allowed to work on their bikes in the pits during red flag periods and while the pace car is on track.

Most of the rule information, including pit stop procedures, is posted on the WSMC website, www.race-wsmc.com; no information on red flag situations would be handled was on the WSMC site as of this morning.

“Yes, pit work on a bike during a red flag will be allowed unless you caused the red flag,” said WSMC Assistant Operations Manager Bobi Griffin in a telephone call Tuesday. “We will also be using a pace car.”

“In the event of a major crash or if clean-up of the track surface is necessary–should there be a red flag and a necessary stoppage of the race–we will bring the riders into the pit area,” said WSMC Operations Manager Kenny Kopecky. “I will be driving the pace car. I have nearly 20 years of race experience at this facility (including 2001 and current 2002 season top
10 overall ranking); have participated as a competitor in the Daytona 200 with AMA using a pace car; and feel confident we will provide the
level of rider service and safety to the TOYOTA 200 racers as WSMC participants have received for over 10 years.”

WSMC has two different types of red flags used to stop a race. The red flag in WSMC races tells racers to stop on track as quickly and as safely as possible. The “orange crush” flag (orange and white checkered flag) tells WSMC racers to slow to idle speed and continue into the pits. Griffin said the pace car may be used in situations that would normally call for an orange crush flag, for example, if a crashed bike is off the track but in the impact area.

When it was mentioned that the use of a pace car in a motorcycle race is tricky, Griffin said, “Yeah, well, it’s all tricky. It’s our first time ever doing a race like this. So we’re learning.”

The ability of teams to work on bikes during red flag stoppages in the race could reduce the need for quick-change wheels and quick-fill gas cans. When this was mentioned to him during the August WSMC race weekend, Kopecky pointed out that these rules would also level the playing field between bigger-budget and smaller-budget race teams.

Other rules for the Toyota 200 include:

– only two signaling personnel will be allowed on the front straight

-there will be no speed limit on hot pit lane

– only seven personnel will be allowed over the pit wall during a pit stop; rider, five mechanics, and one person dedicated to holding a five-pound, BC-rated fire extinguisher with pin pulled and aimed at the refueling operation.

-all crew members over the wall must be 18 years of age or older, will not be required to have a WSMC mechanic’s license,, but will be required to wear long pants, shirts with sleeves and closed-toe shoes

-crew members will not be allowed to cross pit wall until their bike reaches “pit-in”

-tools may be placed on the top of pit wall and bike stands may be placed against the hot side of pit wall

-refueling may take place with the rider on the bike and with the engine running

-there will be no sitting or standing allowed on pit wall

-there will be no smoking or open flames allowed in the pits

-no support vehicles will be allowed in the pit area

-pit stall assignments will be made based on qualifying results following the completion of qualifying Friday, September 13

-teams will be required to identify their pit area with their competition number

-violations of pit rules “may result in penalties, fines and/or disqualifications”

For additional information, go to www.race-wsmc.com or call 661-256-1234.

From a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

Round 12 – 2002 MCN British Superbike Championship – Mallory Park – September 15th

HIZZY ON A MISSION AT MALLORY

MonsterMob Ducati’s Steve Hislop goes into this weekend’s penultimate round of the MCN British Superbike Championship at Mallory Park, hoping to clinch the title, which he was so cruelly denied at this stage last season.

The 40 year old Isle of Man based Scot leads the series by 56 points having won three of the last four races and is very much the man on form going into Sunday’s double header whereby two finishes ahead of arch rival Sean Emmett will see him lift his first British title in eight years.

But whilst Hislop’s task looks easy on paper, he is taking nothing for granted especially after his first machine failure in two years when an ignition problem cost him a double victory at Oulton Park last weekend.

“The championship is not won yet and I’ve still got a difficult job to do. The weather could play a part but I know I’m right on the pace and Mallory, whilst not being one of my favourite circuits, has always been good to me. The only time Sean has beaten me in the last eight races was when I broke down at Oulton and got taken out at Knockhill so I’m concentrating on the job in hand and in any case, I’d rather be 56 points in front than 56 behind that’s for sure” said Hislop who set pole position at Mallory last year before taking a win and a third place in the races. A repeat of those results, irregardless of where Emmett were to finish, would see Hislop crowned champion.

Team mate and series leader of the MB4U.com National Supersport Championship, Stuart Easton, is also hoping to wrap up his first road racing crown at Mallory following his win last time out at Oulton Park.

The 18 year old from Hawick needs just a 13th place finish to guarantee him the title after a season of domination aboard the MonsterMob 748cc Ducati which has seen him clinch seven wins and two second places out the twelve races so far this season.

“Even I have to admit I’ll be very unlucky if I don’t win this championship now but I’m only going to celebrate when I’ve crossed the line with those three points in the bag. Strange things happen in racing and I’m undecided as to whether or not go for a safe top ten finish or go for the win. I’ll see how I feel on the day,” said Easton.

Team Boss Paul Bird, on holiday in Dubai prior to the pressure-cooker atmosphere this weekend, remained cautious.

“We’re in the driving seat as we have been all year but until it’s signed, sealed and delivered, we’re all concentrating on what we need to do. But it would be good if we could wrap everything up at Mallory and go to Donington in a relaxed frame of mind but we’ll see what happens” said the Penrith businessman.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

CCS Southwest Regional Race Director Randy Stem reports that the 200-mile Team Challenge race scheduled as part of the October 5-6 CCS event at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Arizona has been canceled. All other CCS classes remain on the Firebird schedule.

For additional information, call CCS at (817) 332-4822 or go to www.ccsracing.com