Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The following riders have qualified so far for the $150,000-purse Toyota 200 scheduled for September 15 at Willow Springs Raceway; 40 riders will qualify, the winner will be paid $50,000 and the purse pays $1000 for 40th place.

The final qualifying session for the race will be held September 13.

1. Vincent Haskovec, GSX-R750, 1:22.557
2. Jeremy Toye, GSX-R1000, 1:22.960
3. Aaron Gobert, YZF-R6, 1:23.896
4. Jack Pfeifer, GSX-R1000, 1:23.502
5. Dave Emde, GSX-R1000, 1:24.985
6. Jason Perez, GSX-R600, 1:25.199
7. Jacob West, YZF-R6, 1:25.743
8. Clinton Whitehouse, GSX-R750, 1:25.814
9. Stuart Smith, YZF-R1, 1:25.847
10. Phil Herrin, GSX-R750, 1:26.146
11. Dale Kieffer, YZF-R6, 1:26.368
12. Chad Jensen, GSX-R1000, 1:26.655
13. Jason Catching, YZF-R1, 1:27.052
14. Tyler Paulson, GSX-R1000, 1:27.141
15. Jeff Stern, GSX-R1000, 1:27.371
16. Sam Carnibucci, YZF-R6, 1:27.597
17. Marte Cooksey, GSX-R750, 1:27.978
18. Ron Northup, YZF-R6, 1:30.164
19. Dan Salver, GSX-R750, 1:30.534
20. Jason Paden, GSX-R600, 1:30.804
21. Bryant Kwon, YZF-R1, 1:31.013
22. Mark Hargis, YZF-R6, 1:31.179
23. Rich Gann, YZF-R6, 1:31.585
24. Rocky Caceres, GSX-R750, 1:32.026
25. Carlin Dunne, YZF-R6, 1:32.044

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Added races in Switzerland and Holland have transformed what was the AMA Supercross Series into the Supercross World Championship, but the big question is whether or not any U.S. teams will actually attend the overseas rounds.

Also up in the air is Daytona’s participation in the series schedule, which currently lists Daytona’s March 8 date as a TBA.

The transformation of the AMA Series into a World Championship is fallout from the aborted AMA/Clear Channel Entertainment Supercross split, announced last fall, which would have resulted in two competing series, ala IRL vs. CART.

AMA and CCE rejoined forces this spring, and, in theory, the AMA Supercross Series is a Championship within a Championship.

Factory team honchos say they have no interest in racing outside the country, and also cite budget and staff burnout problems with an extended Supercross Series. In addition, new bikes won’t be ready in time for the earlier start of the series, they say.

The schedule follows:

December 7, Geneva, Switzerland
December 14, Arnhem, Holland
January 4, Anaheim, California
January 11, Phoeniz, Arizona
January 18, Anaheim, California
January 25, San Francisco, California
February 1, Anaheim, California
February 8, San Diego, California
February 15, Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 22, Atlanta, Georgia
March 1, Indianapolis, Indiana
March 8, TBA
March 22, St. Louis, Missouri
March 29, Houston, Texas
April 5, Pontiac, Michigan
April 12, Dallas, Texas
April 26, Salt Lake City, Utah
May 5, Las Vegas, Nevada



More, from a press release just issued by Clear Channel Entertainment–Motor Sports:

Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports and Dorna Off Road Announce the International Rounds of The 2003 FIM World Supercross GP Schedule

AURORA, Ill. and MADRID, SPAIN–Clear Channel
Entertainment – Motor Sports and Dorna Off Road announced two international dates to complete the 2003 FIM World Supercross GP schedule. Round one will be held at the Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland on Saturday, December 7, 2002 and round two at the Gelredome in Arnhem, Holland on Saturday, December 14.

“This is an exciting time for supercross. With the success supercross already has in the United States and arrival of this premier series in Europe, we are at the beginning of an important new era for the sport,” said Wolfgang Srb, motocross commission president, FIM.

“This opens doors on a global level for expanded television exposure and sponsorship opportunities for riders and teams, exposing the American sport of supercross to a worldwide audience,” said Charlie Mancuso, president, Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO and managing director of Dorna added, “We are proud to bring supercross to fans internationally, exposing the sport to millions of fans worldwide and continuing the tradition of bringing the sport into premier venues, such as the Palexpo and Gelredome.”

The two international events join the 15 Clear Channel produced events of the AMA Supercross Series to make up the 17-round FIM World Supercross GP schedule. Fans will be able to purchase tickets to the first two events of the World Supercross GP on September 14. The remaining rounds are already on sale.

The 2003 FIM World Supercross GP Schedule, sponsored by Thor and Parts Unlimited follows:

Dec 7 Palexpo Geneva, Switzerland
Dec 14 Gelredome Arnhem, Holland
Jan 4 Edison International Field Anaheim, Calif.*
Jan 11 Bank One Ballpark Phoenix*
Jan 18 Edison International Field Anaheim, Calif.*
Jan 25 Pacific Bell Park San Francisco *
Feb 1 Edison International Field Anaheim, Calif.*
Feb 8 Qualcomm Stadium San Diego*
Feb 15 H.H.H. Metrodome Minneapolis*
Feb 22 Georgia Dome Atlanta*
Mar 1 RCA Dome Indianapolis*
Mar 8 Daytona International Speedway Daytona, Fla.*^
Mar 22 Edward Jones Dome St. Louis*
Mar 29 Reliant Stadium Houston*
Apr 5 Silverdome Pontiac, Mich.*
Apr 12 Texas Stadium Dallas*
Apr 26 Rice-Eccles Stadium Salt Lake City*
May 3 Sam Boyd Stadium Las Vegas*

*Part of the AMA Supercross Series.
^Daytona is not part of the FIM World Supercross GP Series.

For more information or to purchase tickets, log on to www.pacesupercross.com

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

A member of Nicky Hayden’s management team said Hayden has not signed a deal to ride a MotoGP Yamaha, despite a news report implying the contrary.

“I know what you’re calling about,” said Steve Dicterow Tuesday afernoon via his cell phone. Dicterow, along with Gary Howard, is part of Ohio-based International Racers, Inc., which manages Hayden.

“I can just say at this moment, the report is premature,” continued Dicterow. “I think within 48-72 hours we will know what we are doing. But right now, it is premature for anybody to be commenting on what we are doing. That is not appropriate yet. But I do expect by the end of the week, because everybody in the world wants to know what Nicky’s doing, I think by the end of the week, we will be able to comment further. But at this point, it is simply inappropriate for anybody to be speculating.”

When asked if, as stated in the news report, Hayden had faced any signing deadline issued by American Honda, Dicterow said, “I’m not aware of any deadline at this point. We are actively analyzing our situation, but we are not under the gun that way.”

RW: You mean you are not under any deadline except your own schedule?

Dicterow: “Exactly.”

Dicterow added that he would be pleased to speak to Roadracingworld.com later this week when Hayden’s plans are finalized.

Nicky Hayden flew from California to his home in Kentucky on an overnight flight, was sleeping in and was unavailable for comment mid-day Tuesday.

In a telephone call to Roadracingworld.com Monday, August 26, Hayden said that he still did not know what he would be doing next year.

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

SUZUKI TESTS POSITIVE AT BRNO

Team Suzuki GSV-R Tests.
Brno, Czech Republic.
August 26th and 27th.

Telefonica MoviStar Suzuki team riders Sete Gibernau and Kenny Roberts and Team Suzuki development rider Akira Ryo, stayed on at the Brno circuit in the Czech republic after last weekend’s MotoGP event, to test a number of new parts and settings on the new-this-year GSV-R machine.

In addition to the new chassis that Roberts and Gibernau tried in qualifying for the MotoGP, the three riders tested new fuel system parts, new suspension parts and settings and a number of new tyres. Ohlins Suspension and Michelin Tyre technicians stayed on with the team to help the Suzuki engineers test and evaluate the latest developments.

Suzuki introduced the new 990cc V-four, four-stroke engined GSV-R at the start of this season, bringing the development program forward by a full 12 months, to meet the new MotoGP regulations. The original plan was to race the existing 500cc two-stroke RGV machine this season and to test the new GSV-R in selected Japanese events, but Suzuki took the brave decision to bring the whole program forward and develop the new machine ‘out in the open’.

The GSV-R made a brilliant debut at the first MotoGP of the season at Suzuka in Japan. Reigning All Japan Superbike Champion and chief test rider Akira Ryo made the best of a ‘wild-card’ entry and lead for most of the rain-lashed race, only losing out to World Champion Valentino Rossi in the closing laps. Although the team has yet to match that early success, the target of further rostrum places before the end of the year is clearly realistic, following Gibernau’s close-fought fight for third place in last Sunday’s MotoGP race at Brno.

The tests produced positive results in a number of areas and the whole team are looking forward to making another step forward at the next MotoGP race at Estoril in Portugal on September 8th.

Garry Taylor, Team Manager:
“The whole team is in a positive mood following Sete’s brilliant ride here on Sunday; and these two days of tests have also shown a marked improvement in the overall performance of the new GSV-R.

“The factory made a brave decision to develop the machine out in the open where our failures can be seen as well as our successes. But of course a mixture of success and failure is the reality of any development program – You just have to aim for more success than failure!

“I think that it is clear that we are now making progress in the important areas. It is at times a painfully slow process, because you make an improvement in one area and that can have an adverse result in another area, and so you have to multi-check every aspect, every time you make a small change.

“Suzuki’s senior management is fully committed to the GSV-R program and with the on-going developments, we believe that we are on schedule to be back at the front as a major contender by the start of next season.”


Kenny Roberts:
“These test have been very important for us and we really needed them, because Suzuki had quite a lot of new stuff chassis-wise that we tried over the weekend. We honestly tried too many things – too many un-tested items that really got us lost and really didn’t give us anything we could use for the race. I went back to my settings for the race and really struggled with that and the problem that everyone had with the tyres.

“These two days of tests have given us a chance to get back to a good base. We are now getting started to get hold of things and get started on the test items and its going to give us a good bike to go to Portugal and ride and change from there. It will certainly be an advantage not having to test a lot of things we tested here. So its something we had to do and now we have a better base to start with at Portugal.”


Sete Gibernau:
“My race result here showed that we are getting more competitive, but we know that we must keep on improving every area of the machine because all the other teams are improving all the time as well.

“These two days of testing have produced some good results and we know what areas we need to concentrate on in the immediate future. Now that we are making progress we need to keep the pressure on.”

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

HAYDEN SHOOTS FOR ELUSIVE GRAND SLAM AT SPRINGFIELD LABOR DAY WEEKEND DOUBLEHEADER

PICKERINGTON, Ohio–In the nearly half-century since the AMA formed the Grand National Championship, there have been only four riders to earn the elusive Grand Slam: Dick Mann, Kenny Roberts, Bubba Shobert and Doug Chandler. The distinction is for riders who have won an AMA National in dirt-track’s mile races, half-mile, short-track and TT, and a road race or Superbike race. Since the AMA Flat Track and AMA Superbike Championships became separate championships in 1986, the Grand Slam has even become less common since flat track racers very rarely compete in Superbike racing. This weekend, Aug. 31-Sept. 1, Nicky Hayden can become the fifth Grand Slam winner with a win in the classic Springfield Mile on Sunday. On Saturday night, the Illinois State Fairgrounds will also host a Short Track Grand National, a the same track where Hayden won on in July.

The traditional Labor Day Weekend races at Springfield makes this event one of the biggest on the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship calendar. The races on the Springfield Mile have a special place in the hearts of all motorcycle racing fans. Dating back to the beginnings of Class C racing in the 1930s, the winner of the Springfield Mile was crowned AMA National Champion from the late-1930s until 1954, when the Grand National Championship Series was established. Even today, this race is the most coveted in the championship.

Chris Carr comes into this year’s Springfield Mile as the heavy favorite. Carr, the defending champion from Fleetwood, Pa., leads the series coming into this weekend’s doubleheader and has won the last two Labor Day Springfield Miles. Another rider to watch this weekend on the mile is Harley-Davidson factory rider Rick King. King is on a roll, having won two of the last three rounds of the championship. Kevin Atherton and Jay Springsteen are also riders who always seem to excel at Springfield.

But it’s the entry of newly crowned AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike champ Nicky Hayden that’s causing the most stir. Hayden has won three of the five AMA Grand Nationals he’s entered this year, including a victory at the prestigious Peoria TT. That makes him the winningest rider on the circuit this year in a season of nearly unprecedented parity in which there have been 10 winners in the 14 races.

Honda is backing Hayden’s effort to win the Grand Slam and has reported to have shipped in special parts directly from Japan to put on Terry Poovey’s Honda RS750 that Hayden will be riding at Springfield. Honda last won the Springfield Mile in 1993 with the late Ricky Graham.

“I definitely have a goal to win on a mile, and Springfield would be a great place to do it,” said Hayden, who could become the youngest rider to ever accomplish the Grand Slam. “I mean you look at the riders who’ve been able to win the Grand Slam and it’s a pretty select group of legends. To have my name alongside Mann, Roberts, Chandler and Shobert would be unbelievable. All of the guys are heroes to me and I consider them the best in the history of our sport.”

Winning a dirt track mile may well be one of the hardest things to do in motorcycle racing according to American Motorcyclist magazine managing editor and dirt-track racing historian Bill Wood.

“Amateur dirt-track racers come up gaining a lot of experience on short-tracks, TTs and even half-miles to a lesser extent,” Wood explains. “But it takes a lot of experience to learn how to race the miles. It’s taken even some of the best riders years on the circuit to finally win a mile. Hayden certainly has the talent to do it, but if he does I’m sure he’ll consider it one of his greatest racing accomplishments.”

In addition to the Springfield Mile on Sunday, the fairgrounds will host a Short Track Grand National on Saturday night. Hayden and his brothers, Tommy and Roger Lee, would all have to be considered top contenders on that track. Nicky won the last race there in July. Bryan Bigelow, who is third in the series standings, was runner-up to Hayden at the July Short Track Grand National and should be a frontrunner. There will also be a 505 expert class support race on the Springfield Mile on Sunday.

For additional information contact the Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association at (217) 753-8866 or visit www.illinoismda.com.


SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
AMA PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE U.S. FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP
ILLINOIS STATE FAIRGROUNDS, SPRINGFIELD, IL SHORT TRACK

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2002
12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Registration at the track

12:30 p.m. – 2:40 p.m. – Tech Inspection at the track

2:45 p.m. – Riders Meeting

3:00 p.m. – Practice

4:15 p.m. – Qualifying heats

7:00 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies

7:30 p.m. – 7:40 p.m. – 1st Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

7:40 p.m. – 7:50 p.m. – 2nd Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

7:50 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – 3rd Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

8:00 p.m. – 8:10 p.m. – 4th Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

8:10 p.m. – 8:20 p.m. – 5th Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

8:20 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – 6th Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

8:30 p.m. – 8:40 p.m. – 1st Progressive Insurance Grand National Semi

8:40 p.m. – 8:50 p.m. – 2nd Progressive Insurance Grand National Semi

8:50 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – 3rd Progressive Insurance Grand National Semi

9:00 p.m. – 9:10 p.m. – 4th Progressive Insurance Grand National Semi

9:25 p.m. – 9:40 p.m. – AMA PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE GRAND NATIONAL FINAL

9:45 p.m. – Victory Circle for Grand National



SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
AMA PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE U.S. FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP
ILLINOIS STATE FAIRGROUNDS, SPRINGFIELD, IL MILE
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2002

7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – Registration at the track

7:30 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. – Tech Inspection at the track

9:40 a.m. – Mandatory Riders Meeting

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Practice (extra practice time for SuperTracker testing)

11:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Qualifying Heats

1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies

1:30 p.m. – 1:40 p.m. – 1st 505 Heat

1:40 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. – 2nd 505 Heat

1:50 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – 3rd 505 Heat

2:00 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. – 1st Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

2:10 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. – 2nd Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

2:20 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – 3rd Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

2:30 p.m. – 2:40 p.m. – 4th Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

2:40 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. – 505 SUPPORT FINAL

2:55 p.m. – 3:05 p.m. – Victory Circle for 505 Support Final

3:05 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. – 1st Progressive Insurance Grand National Semi

3:15 p.m. – 3:25 p.m. – 2nd Progressive Insurance Grand National Semi

3:25 p.m. – 3:35p.m. – 3rd Progressive Insurance Grand National Semi

3:50 p.m. – 4:05 p.m. – AMA PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE GRAND NATIONAL FINAL

4:10 p.m. – Victory Circle for Grand National Final

From a press release issued by Monstermob Ducati:

MONSTERMOB DUCATI BRITISH SUPERBIKE TEAM

Round 10 – 2002 MCN British Superbike Championship, Cadwell Park

Hislop Does the Double

MonsterMob Ducati rider Steve Hislop increased his British Superbike Championship lead by 48 points at a cold and damp Cadwell Park this afternoon.

The 40-year-old Isle-of-Man-based Scot broke the lap record 4 times in 6 laps in race one before going on to record another double win and boost his Championship lead.

Race two was interrupted by rain but in the restart Hizzy led from the start to take victory once again over fellow Ducati rider Michael Rutter. Main championship rival Sean Emmett (Yamaha) recorded 5th in race one and 6th in race two.

“That was fantastic. I was hoping that Sean might struggle a bit. I really wanted to get to grips with the Championship here and hopefully this is the way to the end now” said a delighted Hislop.

MonsterMob teammate Stuart Easton scored a brilliant 2nd place in the Supersport race, which was also stopped due to the rain and despite suffering machine problems earlier in the day.

The 18-year-old Scot boosted his Championship lead also and now leads by 38 points with 3 rounds remaining.

“I scored some good points today. It’s great to get them in the bag. Oulton Park is my favourite circuit so I hope I can get back to my winning ways there” said Easton.

Team owner Paul Bird was delighted with his team’s performance. “We got what we came for today. All credit to the team. Now we can look forward to our home circuit at Oulton Park next weekend” said the Penrith businessman.

The next round is at Oulton Park, Cheshire on Saturday 31st August/Sunday 2nd September.



Results:

MCN British Superbike Race One: 1. Steve Hislop (MonsterMob Ducati) 27:03.104, 2. Shane Byrne (Ducati) 27:06.241, 3. Michael Rutter (Ducati) 27:12.013, 4. John Reynolds (Suzuki) 27:13.365, 5. Sean Emmett (Yamaha) 27:17.361, 6. Simon Crafar (Yamaha) 27:18.465, 7. Glen Richards (Kawasaki) 27:21.580, 8. Karl Harris (Suzuki) 27:28.172, 9. Gary Mason (Honda) 27:31.774, 10. John Crawford (Suzuki) 27:33.441.


MCN British Superbike Race Two: 1. Steve Hislop (MonsterMob Ducati) 26:01.046, 2. Michael Rutter (Ducati) 26:04.676, 3. Shane Byrne (Ducati) 26:06.737, 4. John Reynolds (Suzuki) 26:10.926, 5. Steve Plater (Yamaha) 26:15.327, 6. Sean Emmett (Yamaha) 26:18.796, 7. Karl Harris (Suzuki) 26:20.861, 8. John Crawford (Suzuki) 26:38.796, 9. Mark Burr (Kawasaki) 26:43.352, 10. Dean Ellison (Ducati) 26:46.013.


MCN British Superbike Standings: 1. Steve Hislop 370 pts, 2. Sean Emmett 322 pts, 3. Michael Rutter 289.5 pts, 4. Shane Byrne 237.5 pts, 5. John Reynolds 216.5 pts, 6. Steve Plater 191 pts, 7. Paul Brown 159.5 pts, 8. Simon Crafar 141 pts, 9. Glen Richards 130.5 pts, 10. Dean Ellison 101.5 pts

Supersport: 1. Michael Laverty (Honda) 20:47.382, 2. Stuart Easton (MonsterMob Ducati) 20:51.757, 3. Ben Wilson (Honda) 20:59.477, 4. Edward Smith (Yamaha) 20:59.714, 5. Kris Jennes (Yamaha) 21:01.556, 6. Callum Ramsay (Suzuki) 21:03.348, 7. Mark Davies (Kawasaki) 21:19.685, 8. Scott Smart (Honda) 21:25.954, 9. Jeremy Goodall (Suzuki) 21:27.742, 10. Matt Layt (Suzuki) 21:28.258

Supersport Championship Standings: 1. Stuart Easton 203 pts, 2. Scott Smart 165 pts, 3. Michael Laverty 104 pts, 4. Tom Tunstall 91 pts, 5. Pete Jennings 90 pts, 6. Jeremy Goodall 85 pts, 7. Ben Wilson 82 pts, 8. Simon Andrews 80 pts, 9. Chris Bishop 61 pts, 10. Callum Ramsay 59 pts

From a press release issued by Dr. Rob Tuluie:

Tul-aris Scores Another 1st Place and Three 2nd Places.

Tul-aris rider Steve Johnson piloted the Tul-aris to its 2nd win this year and an additional three 2nd places during the CRA races at Mid-America Raceway. During the 3-day race weekend, we completed a total of 96 laps, or 220 miles of racing at the twisty racing circuit without any mechanical problems or failures. In fact, not a single wrench was turned all weekend other than to make suspension adjustments, shock linkage ratio changes, swingarm pivot height changes and tire changes. We changed jets once, never changed the plugs and just enjoyed the super reliability and great acceleration of our Hot Seat Performance 780cc motor. Steve made every practice and race start to finish and never missed a lap. Some Formula One teams would kill for this level of reliability from a home-engineered machine.

While we could enjoy great reliability, we did spent most of our time chasing the optimum setup. A severe thunderstorm hammered the track Thursday night, creating infield lakes, washing mud across the track and removing any rubber that had been laid down previously. Hence Friday morning practice consisted of sliding our way around the track and wondering if Michelin DoT tires would be a more suitable choice than our Michelin Pilot slicks for this very peculiar track surface. Thankfully Tom Mason of Mason Racing Tires headed us in the right direction with his recommendations for tires compounds and pressures. So, while we might not have quite found the best combination, we certainly made significant improvements in tire life and grip thanks to Tom and Walt Schaeffer Michelin.

In addition, Tul-aris team member Stefan Herdel and I tried typical damping adjustments and preload changes in the search for more grip on corner exits, but this only yielded minor improvements. After studying the data from our PI data acquisition system, a change to a softer rear shock linkage ratio yielded a bit more grip, and a final change to the swingarm pivot height finally produced our fastest laptime (which was faster than the lap record we nearly broke here earlier in the year, but not quite fast enough for the new lap record, set by Robert Jensen this weekend).

After winning the Heavyweight GP class in the 12-lap Trophy Dash race, Steve and the Tul-aris were looking for our 2nd win during the Heavyweight GP sprint race. Steve gained the lead on the 2nd lap and held it for 1½ laps, but fell back to second place in a long left-hand sweeper exit where we had been struggling for grip all weekend long. Steve put his head down and the Tul-aris shot back into first place with great corner entry speed going into turn 1, only to be passed again on the pen-ultimate lap in the same sweeper exit. Unfortunately, Steve’s advantage (turn 1) is the first turn after the checker flag, so we ended up a very close 2nd place. In addition, Steve also finished a close 2nd in the Unlimited GP sprint race and in the Dash-for-Cash race as well.

With the lack of traction during the corner exits, it was incredible to watch Steve light up the rear tire, spinning it so you could clearly hear the changes in engine rpm, and then pulling big 100-mph power wheelies once the tire hooked up again!

In summary, I must congratulate our rider Steve Johnson on never crashing the Tul-aris all year in the dry (one minor get-off in the wet not withstanding) and riding the wheels off it. His feedback and setup skill are second to none. Thanks to Steve and our sponsors, we made significant improvements throughout the year, which netted us 2 wins, many top-3 finishes and one lap record. Our reliability has been fantastic all year, with mostly only rain causing Steve to pull in a few times this year. In fact, in eight race weekends (with several races each weekend) we only had 2 mechanical DNFs all year, one a slipping clutch and the other a failed power valve controller early in the year, which since than has been working flawlessly.

Our next event would be the Formula USA and CCS national championship races at Daytona, but is not certain that we will be able to make these at this point. Our final tally for the regular racing season is:

Two 1st places
Five 2nd places
Two 3rd places
One 4th place
One 7th place
One lap record (Blackhawk)

None of this success would have been possible without the support, advice and good-will of our sponsors and the volunteer support of all the Tul-aris team members. Our sponsors are: Walt Schaeffer Michelin, Hot Seat Performance, Nutec Racing Fuel, Mason Racing Tires, Ohlins USA, MTS Systems, Lofgren Racing/Manley Cycle, Yoyodyne Titanium, GP Tech, Headhunter Racing and DCM Services. Special thanks also to Jim Hubert, Chad Pierce and Eric Christensen. Steve Johnson is sponsored by Delano Sport Center, Hi-Per Sports, Mason Racing Tires, EBC Brakes and Lockhart Phillips.

From a press release issued by Marlboro Yamaha:

VICTORIOUS MARLBORO YAMAHA TEAM CONTINUES HARD WORK AT BRNO

Italian Max Biaggi did not have long to celebrate his first win aboard the Yamaha YZR-M1 before he was back in action for half a day’s testing at the Brno track. The Marlboro Yamaha Team man capped pole position on Saturday with a win in yesterday’s Czech Republic Grand Prix at Brno. He and Spanish teammate Carlos Checa carried out further tests on the latest development of M1 chassis today plus some tyre tests.

Biaggi had opted to race the existing version of M1 chassis having tested the new development during practice for the race. It proved to be a good decision as he emerged victorious, but he was still keen to carry out further set-up experiments with both versions today. In sweltering conditions he completed a total of 39 laps with a best time of 2:00.8, a second shy of the best-ever lap of the circuit that gave him pole on Saturday. Satisfied with the work he had done, Biaggi left the track just after lunch.

Carlos Checa, who took fifth place yesterday riding with the new chassis, rode a total of 63 laps today and finished with a best time of 2:00.7. Checa was also working on fine-tuning suspension set-up as well as testing new Michelin front tyres. He will return to the track tomorrow for further tyre tests.

Testing alongside the Marlboro Yamaha men were the Gauloises Tech 3 Yamaha, Red Bull WCM Yamaha and Telefonica Movistar Suzuki teams.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

This just in from Mark Miller, producer of the soon-to-be-released video, Superbike Life:

I wanted to give you a heads-up on a funny highlights piece from The Clayton Foundation’s first Pit Daddy beauty pageant/competition at VIR on Tuesday’s MotoWorld show (ESPN2, August 27th).

The footage briefly shows heaps of top riders (including Kevin Schwantz, Aaron Yates, the Haydens, etc.) gettin’ down and funky to help raise $16,000 towards helping injured riders pay their medical bills.

I produced the thing for MotoWorld ala, “Courtesy of Superbike Life.”

Thought the community wouldn’t want to miss it…

Mark Miller