Unofficial Lap Times:
1. Kirk McCarthy, Ducati, 1:57.885
2. Tripp Nobles, Buell, 1:59.125
3. Thomas Montano, Ducati, 1:59.208
4. Dave Estok, Buell, 1:59.406
5. Mike Ciccotto, Buell, 1:59.811
6. Michael Barnes, Buell, 2:00.243
7. Shawn Higbee, Buell, 2:01.199
8. Ricky Lundgren, Ducati, 2:04.839
9. Thomas Fournier, Ducati, 2:04.978
10. Heath Small, Ducati, 2:05.642
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Racers in the AMA Superstock (formerly 750cc Supersport) class will have to wait to get their transponders because not enough transponders had been charged before the start of practice.
That’s what an AMA tech official said when asked why transponders were issued to Supersport (formerly 600cc Supersport) riders but not to Superstock riders prior to the start of practice.
Which meant that timing and scoring monitors showed about 10 factory 600cc Supersport men during the first Superstock practice at Daytona Wednesday morning, with no times shown for racers who will actually compete in the Superstock race. Supersport riders use the Superstock sessions as extra practice.
Transponders were also not issued for 250cc Grand Prix riders.
AMA officials were present at Daytona Speedway on Tuesday, the day before practice started, and have not explained why they didn’t charge the transponders in time to issue them to all entered riders before practice started on Wednesday.
In contrast, Formula USA officials issued all transponders at the beginning of official F-USA practice at Daytona last Thursday.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Jenny Hayden, the oldest of two Hayden daughters and the sister of professional racers Tommy, Nicky and Roger Lee Hayden, plans to return to flat track racing and may start road racing as well.
Jenny Hayden competed in amateur flat track events in her youth and was, at times, faster than her brothers. Jenny still rides XR100s with her brothers at home in Owensboro, Kentucky; she is currently studying at the University of Kentucky and is scheduled to graduate with a degree in Sports Psychology and Sports Medicine in May of this year.
Unofficial Results: Classic 60s: 1. Josef Brenner 2. John Stein, 1961 Nor 500 3. Alex McLean, 1960 Nor 500 4. Allan Johncock, 1959 Mat 500 5. Rusty Lowry, 1960 H-D 750 6. David Breetwor, 1958 BSA 499 Superbike Lightweight: 1. Ed Eilerman, 1973 Honda 350 2. Gordon Hamilton, 1978 Yam Classic 60s 650: 1. Robert Goodpaster, 1960 Nor 650 2. Bob Merkel, 1959 Tri 650 3. Matthias Werner, 1966 Nor 650 4. Beno Rodi, 1960 Nor 650 Sportsman 350: 1. Buff Harsh, Hon 350 2. James Swartout, 1972 Hon 350 3. Steve Brown, 1971 Hon 350 4. Tash Zarvalas, 1972 Hon 350 5. Jason Bessey, 1971 Hon 350 6. Tim Sheedy, 1972 Hon 350 BOT Formula 3: 1. Matt Winnacker, 2000 Suz 650 2. Grady Anderson, 2000 Suz 650 3. Charles Burnett, 1988 Hon 650 4. Keith Sanderson, 1999 Suz 650 5. Colin Fraser, Suz 650 6. Greg Geonis, 1999 Suz 650 BOT Formula 1: 1. Ricky Lundgren, Duc 748 2. Heath Small, 2000 Duc 748 3. Winfred Hopp, 2001 Hon 1000 4. Greg Nichols, 1997 Duc 916 5. Al Charles, 2002 Duc 748 6. Rick Patrolia, 2000 Suz 700 Sportsman 500: 1. Tim Joyce, 1973 Tri 500 2. Buff Harsh, Hon 350 3. Jesse Morris, 1968 Tri 500 4. Andrew Crowell, 1972 Tri 500 5. Tash Zarvalas, 1972 Hon 350 6. Todd Narduzzi, 1972 Hon 450 Superbike Middleweight: 1. Andrew Murray, 1980 M-G 850 2. Rich Earnest, Suz 650 3. James Trampe, 1977 Suz 600 4. Ronald Kretz, 1976 Kaw 650 Formula 500: 1. Christopher Spargo, 1976 Yam 400 2. Richard Merhar, 1972 Yam 350 3. Harry Barlow, 1976 Yam 400 4. Paul Gaskin, 1971 Sci 499 5. Chuck Quenzler, 1978 Yam 400 6. Kyle Corser, Yam Sportsman 750: 1. Mark Nadelkov, 1972 Yam 650 2. Jesse Morris, 1968 Tri 750 3. Craig Murray, 1973 Tri 750 4. Craig Weeks, 1972 Yam 750 5. Mark Mitchell, 1972 BMW 750 6. Todd Narduzzi, 1972 Hon 450 Superbike Heavyweight: 1. George Irish, Jr., 1981 Suz 750 2. Todd Welch, 1979 Duc 900 3. Tom Leach, 1973 Kaw 900 4. Scott McVicker, 1980 Hon CB750 BOT Formula 2: 1. Matt Winnacker, 2000 Suz SV650 2. Grady Anderson, 2000 Suz SV650 3. Josef Brenner, 1996 M-G 1060 4. Charles Burnett, 1988 Hon 650 5. Rick Patrolia, 2000 Suz 700 6. Keith Sanderson, 1999 Suz 650 International Classic Grand Prix Two-Stroke: 1. Tony Smith, 1979 Yam 350 2. Richard Merhar, 1984 Yam 250 3. Chris Hurst, 1980 Yam 350 4. Paul Gaskin, 1980 Rin 350 5. Michael Perry, 1980 Yam 350 6. Scott McVicker, 1980 Yam 350 Formula Vintage: 1. Dave Rosno, 1969 Hon 750 2. Gary Nixon, 1970 Hon 750 3. Gary Fisher, 1970 Hon 750 4. David Roper, 1959 Mat 500 5. Ken Nemoto, 1971 M-G 748 6. Tom Mellor, 1969 Tri 750 Sound of Thunder: 1. Heath Small, 2000 Duc 748 2. Ricky Lundgren, Duc 748 3. Paul Vitale, 2001 Duc 996 4. Jonathan Glaefke, 2001 Suz 1000 5. Greg Nichols, 1997 Duc 916 6. Al Charles, 1999 Duc 996
Unofficial 250cc Grand Prix Lap Times:
1. Rich Oliver, 1:55.290
2. Roland Sands, 1:57.612
3. Chuck Sorensen, 1:57.687
4. Perry Melneciuc, 2:00.893
5. Simon Turner, 2:00.920
6. Jeff Wood, 2:00.958
7. Chris Pyles, 2:01.724
8. Cory West, 2:01.908
9. Thad Halsmer, 2:02.218
10. Ed Sorbo, 2:02.936
Unofficial Lap Times:
1. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:55.283
2. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:55.394
3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:55.645
4. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, 1:55.718
5. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 1:55.768
6. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:55.790
7. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:55.872
8. Mike Hale, Honda, 1:55.874
9. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:55.966
10. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:56.030
11. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:56.299
12. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:56.623
13. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:56.826
14. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:58.911
Only 14 riders had times displayed in Wednesday morning’s Supersport practice session.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
1995 Australian Superbike Champion and former Suzuki World Superbike rider Kirk McCarthy will race a Ducati 748RS for Jeff Nash’s Advanced Motor Sports Ducati in Pro Thunder at Daytona.
After retiring from racing due to crash-induced post-concussion symptoms, Nash, a New Zealand native, said, “I was looking for a rider, someone fast of course, but I wanted someone who brought something more to the table, a bit more flavor.”
After considering now-retired Mike Smith, Nash was put in touch with 136-pound McCarthy through Sherri Russell, former World Superbike Champion Scott Russell’s sister (and Smith’s sister-in-law), and McCarthy arrived at Daytona less than a week later. McCarthy raced at Daytona once before in 1996 as a warm-up for his World Championship Superbike season with the Harris Suzuki team.
The 32-year-old Aussie beat three-time AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin, Marty Craggill, Steve Martin and Scott Doohan on a Honda RC45 to win the 1995 Australian Championship. He spent the last two years racing in the British 600cc Supersport Championship on a Castrol Honda run out of the same race shop as Colin Edwards’ World Superbike team. McCarthy finished second each year, but is without a full-time ride for 2002.
Nash says that he would like to hire McCarthy for the year and has all of the equipment in place to run a full AMA Pro Thunder and Formula USA season, but is looking for a sponsor. Although he has a line on a serious sponsor, Nash says, “You don’t have a sponsor until the money’s in your pocket.”
Nash is also aiding WSMC regular Ricky Lundgren in Pro Thunder. Lundgren will ride now-retired Dr. David Kieffer’s Duc 748 with Nash’s suspension. Lundgren will also be taking advantage of a relationship he has with the Director of Marketing of Yahoo Sports and will serve as a test bed for their expanding two-wheel sponsorship program.
“They saw Bud Light go with Jeremy McGrath,” revealed Lundgren. “So they thought they should have a look at two-wheel sports.”
Lundgren will be wearing Z Custom leathers and a custom-painted helmet featuring Yahoo’s tag line, “Do you Yahoo?”
From a press release:
CICCOTTO TO MAKE HISTORY?
The 2002 AMA road racing season is about to kick off and one man who is determined to make history is Mike Ciccotto. The Hal’s Harley-Davidson rider (www.halshd.com) has extended his two year tenure with the team by recently signing an exclusive agreement with Hal’s for two more years. After winning the 2000 Formula USA Buell Lightning National Championship with Hal’s and finishing a very close 2nd in the 2001 AMA Buell Pro Thunder Championship, Ciccotto will welcome Shawn Higbee as his new teammate on the squad. For 2002, Mike plans on not only contesting the 2002 Buell Pro Thunder Championship, but also the 2002 AMA Superstock Championship (yes, against all those water-cooled Suzuki GSXR-750s!) – all from the perch of his new Buell Firebolt racebike.
Entering the final round of the Pro Thunder Championship at Road Atlanta last fall, Ciccotto had to qualify on pole, lead the most laps, and win the race in order to tie Thomas Montano in points and consequently win the championship in a more-wins tie breaker. Mike was up to the task, running the fastest time late in the qualifying session and feeling good about his chances to win the title. In the last few minutes of qualifying his bike began overheating and he was forced to pit early, but he felt confident that his time would stand. With just one lap to spare, however, Montano managed a time that was slightly quicker, earning the pole position and the extra point! Although Ciccotto ended up dominating the race and led the most laps (which earned him an extra point), Montano finished 3rd in the race and won the championship by a scant 2 points! That 1 extra point Ciccotto lost in qualifying (and gained by Montano) effectively was the only difference in the championship. So if his 2001 season is any indication, 2002 will prove to be even more exciting one for Ciccotto and for Buell fans, as he attempts to avenge his Pro Thunder Championship loss, while at the same time making history in the Superstock class with the Buell Firebolt.
But how can an air-cooled American bike compete against super fast water-cooled Suzuki GSX-Rs?
“The new bike is very precise and a lot easier to ride because of the fuel injection; the throttle response is so much better, and it has more power. It just feels more like a race bike than my old bike did. So at the tighter tracks I think it’s going to do quite well. As an example, at the North Florida Motorsports Park a month ago, we went (unofficially) faster in one day of testing, on used tires, than any Suzuki there has been. We were very close to beating the track record. The bike is so incredible. And that was on used tires! Not only were they used, but the tires came to the track on the bike and had already been tested and used before I got on them. So it gave me hope that I’m not only going to be able to put the bike on the podium this year, but also win some Superstock races as well, which would be incredible for Hal’s Harley-Davidson and for anybody who is a fan of Buell motorcycles. If we can win a (Superstock) race, it would be history making and I have the confidence that we can do just that. As far as I know, there has never been an American bike to finish on the podium of an AMA Supersport or Superstock national. That’s all the motivation I need.”
“But I’m really interested to see how it will do at the Superspeedway this weekend. I know the bike will do well at the tighter tracks, but I’m looking forward to running it at Daytona and seeing how well the new bike is going to cut through the air on the bankings and in the draft.”
“I have never before looked forward to the start of a season as I do this year,” says Kirk Topel, Owner of Hal’s Harley-Davison. “I could not be happier to have the services of, in my opinion, the top privateer in AMA road racing today. Having worked with Mike the past two seasons we know what Mike is capable of. Over that time the team has continued to grow and to improve, by winning a Formula USA title (2000) and giving Ducati all they could handle in AMA Buell Pro Thunder (2001). Our team chemistry and a two year commitment to the future, I feel, gives us a definite advantage assisting the Buell Motor Company in a successful launch of this new motorcycle. I know we will surprise some people in 2002 and not just in Pro Thunder. Mike’s commitment ensures that success.”
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Takehiro “Tiger” Sohwa is making a comeback after three years out of racing, and is competing on a Honda CBR600F4i at Daytona.
Sohwa, 36, is being assisted at Daytona by Ko Kagiya of Factory Racing Service, an import shop located in Torrance, California.
He is using a works engine provide by HRC of Asaka, Japan.
Sohwa raced for Honda in Japan up until his retirement; before that, he rode for Muzzy Kawasaki in the United States.
Sohwa said he was able to return to racing after divorcing his first wife. He has since remarried.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
According to WERA tech official Tony Pentecost, fellow WERA official David Mitchell, 46, suffered a heart attack Monday, March 4 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Mitchell is currently receiving care in the Cardiovasculor Intensive Care Center of Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach. Mitchell’s condition was not known at post time.
Unofficial Lap Times:
1. Kirk McCarthy, Ducati, 1:57.885
2. Tripp Nobles, Buell, 1:59.125
3. Thomas Montano, Ducati, 1:59.208
4. Dave Estok, Buell, 1:59.406
5. Mike Ciccotto, Buell, 1:59.811
6. Michael Barnes, Buell, 2:00.243
7. Shawn Higbee, Buell, 2:01.199
8. Ricky Lundgren, Ducati, 2:04.839
9. Thomas Fournier, Ducati, 2:04.978
10. Heath Small, Ducati, 2:05.642
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Racers in the AMA Superstock (formerly 750cc Supersport) class will have to wait to get their transponders because not enough transponders had been charged before the start of practice.
That’s what an AMA tech official said when asked why transponders were issued to Supersport (formerly 600cc Supersport) riders but not to Superstock riders prior to the start of practice.
Which meant that timing and scoring monitors showed about 10 factory 600cc Supersport men during the first Superstock practice at Daytona Wednesday morning, with no times shown for racers who will actually compete in the Superstock race. Supersport riders use the Superstock sessions as extra practice.
Transponders were also not issued for 250cc Grand Prix riders.
AMA officials were present at Daytona Speedway on Tuesday, the day before practice started, and have not explained why they didn’t charge the transponders in time to issue them to all entered riders before practice started on Wednesday.
In contrast, Formula USA officials issued all transponders at the beginning of official F-USA practice at Daytona last Thursday.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Jenny Hayden, the oldest of two Hayden daughters and the sister of professional racers Tommy, Nicky and Roger Lee Hayden, plans to return to flat track racing and may start road racing as well.
Jenny Hayden competed in amateur flat track events in her youth and was, at times, faster than her brothers. Jenny still rides XR100s with her brothers at home in Owensboro, Kentucky; she is currently studying at the University of Kentucky and is scheduled to graduate with a degree in Sports Psychology and Sports Medicine in May of this year.
Unofficial Results: Classic 60s: 1. Josef Brenner 2. John Stein, 1961 Nor 500 3. Alex McLean, 1960 Nor 500 4. Allan Johncock, 1959 Mat 500 5. Rusty Lowry, 1960 H-D 750 6. David Breetwor, 1958 BSA 499 Superbike Lightweight: 1. Ed Eilerman, 1973 Honda 350 2. Gordon Hamilton, 1978 Yam Classic 60s 650: 1. Robert Goodpaster, 1960 Nor 650 2. Bob Merkel, 1959 Tri 650 3. Matthias Werner, 1966 Nor 650 4. Beno Rodi, 1960 Nor 650 Sportsman 350: 1. Buff Harsh, Hon 350 2. James Swartout, 1972 Hon 350 3. Steve Brown, 1971 Hon 350 4. Tash Zarvalas, 1972 Hon 350 5. Jason Bessey, 1971 Hon 350 6. Tim Sheedy, 1972 Hon 350 BOT Formula 3: 1. Matt Winnacker, 2000 Suz 650 2. Grady Anderson, 2000 Suz 650 3. Charles Burnett, 1988 Hon 650 4. Keith Sanderson, 1999 Suz 650 5. Colin Fraser, Suz 650 6. Greg Geonis, 1999 Suz 650 BOT Formula 1: 1. Ricky Lundgren, Duc 748 2. Heath Small, 2000 Duc 748 3. Winfred Hopp, 2001 Hon 1000 4. Greg Nichols, 1997 Duc 916 5. Al Charles, 2002 Duc 748 6. Rick Patrolia, 2000 Suz 700 Sportsman 500: 1. Tim Joyce, 1973 Tri 500 2. Buff Harsh, Hon 350 3. Jesse Morris, 1968 Tri 500 4. Andrew Crowell, 1972 Tri 500 5. Tash Zarvalas, 1972 Hon 350 6. Todd Narduzzi, 1972 Hon 450 Superbike Middleweight: 1. Andrew Murray, 1980 M-G 850 2. Rich Earnest, Suz 650 3. James Trampe, 1977 Suz 600 4. Ronald Kretz, 1976 Kaw 650 Formula 500: 1. Christopher Spargo, 1976 Yam 400 2. Richard Merhar, 1972 Yam 350 3. Harry Barlow, 1976 Yam 400 4. Paul Gaskin, 1971 Sci 499 5. Chuck Quenzler, 1978 Yam 400 6. Kyle Corser, Yam Sportsman 750: 1. Mark Nadelkov, 1972 Yam 650 2. Jesse Morris, 1968 Tri 750 3. Craig Murray, 1973 Tri 750 4. Craig Weeks, 1972 Yam 750 5. Mark Mitchell, 1972 BMW 750 6. Todd Narduzzi, 1972 Hon 450 Superbike Heavyweight: 1. George Irish, Jr., 1981 Suz 750 2. Todd Welch, 1979 Duc 900 3. Tom Leach, 1973 Kaw 900 4. Scott McVicker, 1980 Hon CB750 BOT Formula 2: 1. Matt Winnacker, 2000 Suz SV650 2. Grady Anderson, 2000 Suz SV650 3. Josef Brenner, 1996 M-G 1060 4. Charles Burnett, 1988 Hon 650 5. Rick Patrolia, 2000 Suz 700 6. Keith Sanderson, 1999 Suz 650 International Classic Grand Prix Two-Stroke: 1. Tony Smith, 1979 Yam 350 2. Richard Merhar, 1984 Yam 250 3. Chris Hurst, 1980 Yam 350 4. Paul Gaskin, 1980 Rin 350 5. Michael Perry, 1980 Yam 350 6. Scott McVicker, 1980 Yam 350 Formula Vintage: 1. Dave Rosno, 1969 Hon 750 2. Gary Nixon, 1970 Hon 750 3. Gary Fisher, 1970 Hon 750 4. David Roper, 1959 Mat 500 5. Ken Nemoto, 1971 M-G 748 6. Tom Mellor, 1969 Tri 750 Sound of Thunder: 1. Heath Small, 2000 Duc 748 2. Ricky Lundgren, Duc 748 3. Paul Vitale, 2001 Duc 996 4. Jonathan Glaefke, 2001 Suz 1000 5. Greg Nichols, 1997 Duc 916 6. Al Charles, 1999 Duc 996
Unofficial 250cc Grand Prix Lap Times:
1. Rich Oliver, 1:55.290
2. Roland Sands, 1:57.612
3. Chuck Sorensen, 1:57.687
4. Perry Melneciuc, 2:00.893
5. Simon Turner, 2:00.920
6. Jeff Wood, 2:00.958
7. Chris Pyles, 2:01.724
8. Cory West, 2:01.908
9. Thad Halsmer, 2:02.218
10. Ed Sorbo, 2:02.936
Unofficial Lap Times:
1. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:55.283
2. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:55.394
3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:55.645
4. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, 1:55.718
5. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 1:55.768
6. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:55.790
7. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:55.872
8. Mike Hale, Honda, 1:55.874
9. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:55.966
10. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:56.030
11. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:56.299
12. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:56.623
13. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:56.826
14. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:58.911
Only 14 riders had times displayed in Wednesday morning’s Supersport practice session.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
1995 Australian Superbike Champion and former Suzuki World Superbike rider Kirk McCarthy will race a Ducati 748RS for Jeff Nash’s Advanced Motor Sports Ducati in Pro Thunder at Daytona.
After retiring from racing due to crash-induced post-concussion symptoms, Nash, a New Zealand native, said, “I was looking for a rider, someone fast of course, but I wanted someone who brought something more to the table, a bit more flavor.”
After considering now-retired Mike Smith, Nash was put in touch with 136-pound McCarthy through Sherri Russell, former World Superbike Champion Scott Russell’s sister (and Smith’s sister-in-law), and McCarthy arrived at Daytona less than a week later. McCarthy raced at Daytona once before in 1996 as a warm-up for his World Championship Superbike season with the Harris Suzuki team.
The 32-year-old Aussie beat three-time AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin, Marty Craggill, Steve Martin and Scott Doohan on a Honda RC45 to win the 1995 Australian Championship. He spent the last two years racing in the British 600cc Supersport Championship on a Castrol Honda run out of the same race shop as Colin Edwards’ World Superbike team. McCarthy finished second each year, but is without a full-time ride for 2002.
Nash says that he would like to hire McCarthy for the year and has all of the equipment in place to run a full AMA Pro Thunder and Formula USA season, but is looking for a sponsor. Although he has a line on a serious sponsor, Nash says, “You don’t have a sponsor until the money’s in your pocket.”
Nash is also aiding WSMC regular Ricky Lundgren in Pro Thunder. Lundgren will ride now-retired Dr. David Kieffer’s Duc 748 with Nash’s suspension. Lundgren will also be taking advantage of a relationship he has with the Director of Marketing of Yahoo Sports and will serve as a test bed for their expanding two-wheel sponsorship program.
“They saw Bud Light go with Jeremy McGrath,” revealed Lundgren. “So they thought they should have a look at two-wheel sports.”
Lundgren will be wearing Z Custom leathers and a custom-painted helmet featuring Yahoo’s tag line, “Do you Yahoo?”
From a press release:
CICCOTTO TO MAKE HISTORY?
The 2002 AMA road racing season is about to kick off and one man who is determined to make history is Mike Ciccotto. The Hal’s Harley-Davidson rider (www.halshd.com) has extended his two year tenure with the team by recently signing an exclusive agreement with Hal’s for two more years. After winning the 2000 Formula USA Buell Lightning National Championship with Hal’s and finishing a very close 2nd in the 2001 AMA Buell Pro Thunder Championship, Ciccotto will welcome Shawn Higbee as his new teammate on the squad. For 2002, Mike plans on not only contesting the 2002 Buell Pro Thunder Championship, but also the 2002 AMA Superstock Championship (yes, against all those water-cooled Suzuki GSXR-750s!) – all from the perch of his new Buell Firebolt racebike.
Entering the final round of the Pro Thunder Championship at Road Atlanta last fall, Ciccotto had to qualify on pole, lead the most laps, and win the race in order to tie Thomas Montano in points and consequently win the championship in a more-wins tie breaker. Mike was up to the task, running the fastest time late in the qualifying session and feeling good about his chances to win the title. In the last few minutes of qualifying his bike began overheating and he was forced to pit early, but he felt confident that his time would stand. With just one lap to spare, however, Montano managed a time that was slightly quicker, earning the pole position and the extra point! Although Ciccotto ended up dominating the race and led the most laps (which earned him an extra point), Montano finished 3rd in the race and won the championship by a scant 2 points! That 1 extra point Ciccotto lost in qualifying (and gained by Montano) effectively was the only difference in the championship. So if his 2001 season is any indication, 2002 will prove to be even more exciting one for Ciccotto and for Buell fans, as he attempts to avenge his Pro Thunder Championship loss, while at the same time making history in the Superstock class with the Buell Firebolt.
But how can an air-cooled American bike compete against super fast water-cooled Suzuki GSX-Rs?
“The new bike is very precise and a lot easier to ride because of the fuel injection; the throttle response is so much better, and it has more power. It just feels more like a race bike than my old bike did. So at the tighter tracks I think it’s going to do quite well. As an example, at the North Florida Motorsports Park a month ago, we went (unofficially) faster in one day of testing, on used tires, than any Suzuki there has been. We were very close to beating the track record. The bike is so incredible. And that was on used tires! Not only were they used, but the tires came to the track on the bike and had already been tested and used before I got on them. So it gave me hope that I’m not only going to be able to put the bike on the podium this year, but also win some Superstock races as well, which would be incredible for Hal’s Harley-Davidson and for anybody who is a fan of Buell motorcycles. If we can win a (Superstock) race, it would be history making and I have the confidence that we can do just that. As far as I know, there has never been an American bike to finish on the podium of an AMA Supersport or Superstock national. That’s all the motivation I need.”
“But I’m really interested to see how it will do at the Superspeedway this weekend. I know the bike will do well at the tighter tracks, but I’m looking forward to running it at Daytona and seeing how well the new bike is going to cut through the air on the bankings and in the draft.”
“I have never before looked forward to the start of a season as I do this year,” says Kirk Topel, Owner of Hal’s Harley-Davison. “I could not be happier to have the services of, in my opinion, the top privateer in AMA road racing today. Having worked with Mike the past two seasons we know what Mike is capable of. Over that time the team has continued to grow and to improve, by winning a Formula USA title (2000) and giving Ducati all they could handle in AMA Buell Pro Thunder (2001). Our team chemistry and a two year commitment to the future, I feel, gives us a definite advantage assisting the Buell Motor Company in a successful launch of this new motorcycle. I know we will surprise some people in 2002 and not just in Pro Thunder. Mike’s commitment ensures that success.”
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Takehiro “Tiger” Sohwa is making a comeback after three years out of racing, and is competing on a Honda CBR600F4i at Daytona.
Sohwa, 36, is being assisted at Daytona by Ko Kagiya of Factory Racing Service, an import shop located in Torrance, California.
He is using a works engine provide by HRC of Asaka, Japan.
Sohwa raced for Honda in Japan up until his retirement; before that, he rode for Muzzy Kawasaki in the United States.
Sohwa said he was able to return to racing after divorcing his first wife. He has since remarried.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
According to WERA tech official Tony Pentecost, fellow WERA official David Mitchell, 46, suffered a heart attack Monday, March 4 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Mitchell is currently receiving care in the Cardiovasculor Intensive Care Center of Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach. Mitchell’s condition was not known at post time.
