From a press release issued by Proforma on behalf of HAS/Shogun Racing:

HAS/SHOGUN RACING READY FOR AMA FONTANA EVENT

HAS/Shogun Racing heads to California Speedway in Fontana, CA this weekend for the second round of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship, ready to make up for the difficulties that they had at Daytona three weeks earlier. Noted tuner Jim Cambora has joined the team, and will be working with rider Heath Small on the new 2003 Yamaha R6 machines that have been prepared since Daytona.

“I’m looking forward to riding the 2003 R6, it looks like it does everything better than my older bike” said Heath, who had a major tumble in the Pro Honda Oils Supersport event at Daytona. “I sure got a lot of exposure out of my fall at Daytona, but not exactly the kind I wanted. Fontana should be a good event for me.”

Teammate John Haner is also looking for better results on his Suzuki GSX-R750 in the Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock event. “I’m determined to make up for the bad race that I had at Daytona,” said Haner. “I’m excited to get to Fontana, it’s a new track for me and I’m looking forward to getting up to speed and running at the front.”

Both riders will also compete in the Chevy Trucks Superbike class at Fontana on their 2003 Yamaha R1s.

HAS/Shogun Racing is sponsored by Shogun Motorsports, Motion CycleSports, Pirelli Tires, Yoshimura R&D, Sharkskinz Racing Bodies, Vesrah Brakes, Vortex, Dynojet, Woodcraft, Lockhart Phillips, Helimot Leathers and HJC Helmets.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. Racer John Rabasa and wife Anne Michele had a daughter, Savannah Maile Rabasa, March 14 in Mountain View, California. Racer Andrew Mueller and wife Denise had a daughter, Rhiannon Danielle Mueller, March 20 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Racer and Rausch Creek Motorsports Park General Manager Andy Stutzman and his wife Alissa had a son, Aleksandar Lukas Stutzman, March 25 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. CCS racer Matt Guilbault of Speedbike Racing and wife Kristen had a son, Benjamin Thomas Guilbault, March 26 in Averil Park, New York.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

THE DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM GUEST OF ITALIAN EMBASSY IN TOKYO

The official tests in Suzuka on March 30/31 gave the Ducati Marlboro Team a chance to visit Tokyo as guests of the Italian Embassy and meet the Japanese press and the Italian community in the land of the rising sun, among them entrepreneurs, professionals and finance and cultural operators.

His Excellency Gabriele Menegatti, the Italian Ambassador in Tokyo, opened the gates to his residence, which is one of the most beautiful mansions with gardens in the city, to about 300 guests invited to celebrate the “Reds” from Borgo Panigale just days before their MotoGP debut.

As well as the two factory riders Troy Bayliss and Loris Capirossi and their factory Desmosedici bikes, the Italian team was represented by the Team Director Livio Suppo and Technical Director Corrado Cecchinelli who had arrived directly from Suzuka.

Japan, where Ducati has its own subsidiary, is the third most important market for the Italian manufacturer with approximately 4,000 bikes registered in 2002 out of total Ducati sales of 40,000.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Alana Cain, a message therapist and friend of Team Star Suzuki’s Hawk Mazzotta, will be offering message therapy sessions to racers during the AMA National event at California Speedway April 3-6.

Cain can be reached via e-mail at [email protected], via cell phone at (831) 402-3926 or she will be set up near the Star Suzuki trailer in the California Speedway paddock during the race weekend.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

An AHRMA National will be held at Sandia Motor Speedway in Albuquerque, New Mexico April 19-20.

The weekend’s events will include a bike show on Saturday, along with a swap meet, vendors, demo rides and a trials demonstration.

A demonstration installation of soft barriers will provided by the Roadracing World Action Fund as part of an educational program.

More information is available from Craig Murray at (505) 281-2782 or via e-mail, [email protected].

From a press release issued by Buell Motorcycle Company:

Buell Motorcycles Hosts 2003 Buell National BattleTrax Series

Series includes a 10-city tour with riders competing for a national championship

EAST TROY, Wis. – Buell Motorcycle Company invites riders to participate in the 2003 Buell National BattleTrax Series, a free motorcycle event that challenges riders to compete in a controlled environment and rewards skill and consistency. The National BattleTrax Series, which kicked off March 8 during Daytona Bike Week, showcases Buell’s latest award-winning motorcycles – the Lightning XB9S and Firebolt XB9R.

“Buell motorcycles have always emphasized the importance of mass centralization and frame rigidity, and low unsprung weight, which gives riders improved handling and agility,” says Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer. “BattleTrax is a great way to showcase these performance attributes, which provide benefits in any type of riding.”

BattleTrax is a closed-course motorcycle event involving a well-marked, circuitous route on a paved surface. The event is designed for all experience levels, giving every rider an opportunity to test their skills. Riders travel the course – one at a time – as efficiently as they can. An electronic timer monitors each rider’s performance. The course, laced with twists and turns, is guaranteed to test riders’ skills and produce ear-to-ear grins.

The winner of each regional event – determined by a timed bracket-style format – will receive a trip to Las Vegas to compete for the national championship on July 16, 2003. Buell Motorcycle Company will provide each winner with round trip airfare to Las Vegas and two nights’ hotel accommodation, along with a special Buell prize. The national champion will receive the Buell National BattleTrax Series Championship trophy and bragging rights for a lifetime.

Scott Berry of Arlington, Mass., was crowned the winner of the first regional event at Daytona. “I was really looking forward to the BattleTrax event at Daytona,” said Berry. “I liked the bracket format. I was counting the time down in my head and trying to be smooth on the course. I am pumped to go to Vegas for the finale.”

The 10-event national series continues this spring and summer giving riders the chance to test their motorcycles and themselves.

“BattleTrax is a fun skills course intended for riders of all experience levels,” says Paul James, communications manager. “Riders set their own bracket time, and ride within their own limits to match it, which makes for an even playing field and rewards smoothness and consistency.”

Participants need to bring their motorcycle, full-face helmet, appropriate riding gear and a valid motorcycle driver’s license. Riders must be at least 21 years of age to participate. See the following schedule or visit www.battletrax.com for a complete list of Buell National BattleTrax cities and event details.

To learn more about Buell motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style and performance only found on board a Buell. Call 1-800-490-9635 for the Buell dealer nearest you. Or pull into www.buell.com.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

NEW RULES HELP LEVEL PLAYING FIELD IN AMA CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — 2003 marks the first major rule change in 20 years in the AMA U.S. Superbike Championship. Now 1000cc four-cylinder machines can compete alongside the traditional 1000cc V-Twins and 750cc four-cylinder machines in the Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship. Daytona served as a great example of how the new rules helped privateer riders and teams close the gap on the factory squads.

Privateer Brian Livengood of Nellville, Ga., the pilot of a new Suzuki GSX-R1000 and the 2002 AMA Superbike Rookie of the Year, is looking forward to a new season of racing and a new bike. In 2002, Livengood qualified a Superstock-spec GSX-R750 for the Daytona 200 at 1:57.034. This year on a GSX-R1000, his best qualifying lap was almost three-and-a-half seconds faster at 1:53.698. “We are hoping to be more competitive this season,” states Livengood. “Having the power of the 1000 should help us stay up with the factory teams.”

Livengood is one of many riders who are privately funded and competing in the AMA U.S. Superbike Championship. Check out a sampling of other privateer Daytona qualifying times from last year as compared to this year: Leading privateer qualifier Michael Barnes went over two seconds faster (1:53.854 to 1:51.695) on his Suzuki; veteran rider Rick Shaw went from 1:58.686 to 1:57.057 on a new GSX-R1000; and perennial top privateer Andy Deatherage was nearly 3 seconds faster, going from 1:56.048 last season to 1:53.272 this year.

“The new Superbike rules allow 1000cc four-cylinder bikes with an increased minimum weight and limited modifications. This gives non-factory supported riders the ability to build machines that are closer in performance to the equipment fielded by the top teams,” stated Ron Barrick, AMA Pro Racing Road Race Manager. “Even at the first event of the season the large number of entries conforming to the new Superbike formula was great to see,” continued Barrick. “The competition is going to be closer than ever this year.”

Privateer Michael Barnes of Boca Raton, Fla., rider of the No. 34 Suzuki GSX-R1000, feels the rule change will help the lone bike men of the AMA Superbikes. “By far it has definitely allowed us to get easy, cheap horsepower by just getting a different model of motorcycle,” said Barnes. “We spent a lot of money to trying to get horsepower (from the 750s) near where the 1000s are and now with minor modifications we are well above that.”

The numbers dramatically confirm Barnes’ statement. In 2002 the spread between the pole winner and the 20th-place qualifier was 9.2 seconds. In other words, Nicky Hayden was nearly a full 10 seconds per lap faster than Marco Martinez. This year the spread was only 5.2 seconds between pole setter Ben Bostrom and 20th qualifier Eric Wood.

Another notable change at Daytona was the qualifying times of the positions 20th through 40th, the bracket of top privateers. In 2002 the 20th place rider qualified at 1:56.373, this year 1:53.598. Also, last year the 40th-place qualifier clocked in at 1:57.965 as compared to 1:56.243 this year. With such a dramatic decrease in lap times for the privateers at Daytona, it’s clear that the new rules have had the intended effect. A privateer has not finished on the podium of an AMA Superbike race in seven years. With the new rules chances are better than ever that a non-factory rider could make that exhilarating walk up to the box.

From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

ROSSI LEADS THE WAY IN SUZUKA TEST

World Champion Valentino Rossi led the way in the final test session of the season before the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on Sunday. The Italian, riding the RC 211V Repsol Honda, fought off the challenge of the new Camel Pramac Honda Pons pairing of Tohru Ukawa and Max Biaggi in the two day test which ended at the Suzuka circuit today, (Monday).

Ukawa crashed late in the session but will be fit to compete in the first practice session on Friday morning. Just over one second separated the first ten riders with less than two tenths of one second between Rossi and Ukawa.

Spaniard Sete Gibernau was fifth fastest, one place in front of his Telefonica Movistar Honda team-mate Daijiro Kato who has won four 250cc Japanese Grands Prix. Rossi’s team-mate Nicky Hayden put in two days of good testing to finally finish 12th fastest, one place behind the Pramac RC211V Honda of Makoto Tamada.

Quotes

Valentino Rossi:
“I’m happy after the two days of test here. We’ve been concentrating on a good race set-up and I’m satisfied with the results. This will be a very hard year for everybody because there are so many riders who will want to fight for the win. I think it will be a great season for everyone who loves racing. Every race will be a battle. We have a couple of days rest here in Japan and after that we go – we are ready for the season”!

Nicky Hayden:
“I’ve had an enjoyable couple of days here. If I think back to my first experience on the 5-cylinder RC211V here at Suzuka at the back end of last year I’m happy because I’ve knocked a load of time off the laps and I’m feeling so much more comfortable and confident on the bike. The team’s working well and I’m feeling really positive about my first MotoGP race.”

Tohru Ukawa:
“I am very happy with the lap times I have set here in training as I have improved considerably on yesterday’s times. I think we are ready to be competitive right from the start of the championship and I hope not to have any physical after-effects from the crash I suffered this afternoon. My hand and leg are sore, but doctors have told me I can race and I will do everything possible to start the World Championship with a good result”.

Max Biaggi:
“We still have not fixed the problem which has been hindering our progress all preseason, although I hope to find a solution before the race. There are six or seven riders who are very close and we must continue to work to be competitive. I hope to make a good start in the Championship, although so far I have given my all and we have got the maximum performance out of the material we have. From now on we will continue to work along these lines and, if possible, test some new parts to improve the bike which, in its base form, is very good although it has a margin for improvement which we must exploit to the maximum.”

Daijiro Kato:
“I would say that I’m about seventy percent happy with my work at this test at Suzuka. The time I did was okay, but I feel I could have done much better. The setting I have doesn’t need to be changed too much, but it will still require some slight adjustments during the qualifying sessions to have a good race. I love riding at this Suzuka circuit, and have been successful here in the past, but there isn’t any added pressure for me to ride here, I enjoy it and will do what I always do and hope that this pleases all my fans who come this weekend. I found the new corners hard to get used to because I know the circuit so well, but I am picking up a rhythm now, and I am very positive that I can go out there and win the first race of 2003.”

Sete Gibernau:
“We are definitely doing the job, and we are on schedule for what we need to do. It is a case of going through certain things that are a requirement, and so it is important for us to be patient. I have shown already that I can do my job as a rider, and now we are going through the steps which will allow us to challenge at the front. We are working at a very good pace, and I am still getting used to the Honda, but what is positive for us is the consistency we are showing. I tried an endurance test this afternoon, which I’m not sure if other riders did as they searched for fast times. I had a good rhythm and set regularly fast times which makes me happy, because I know that there is lots more to come of my partnership between myself, the team and the bike. We know it will be a tough season with its ups and downs, but everything is in place for it to be good for us all.”

Makoto Tamada:
“The right set-up for my Honda is what we perfected this afternoon, so I’m very pleased about all the work we’ve done. As far as the tyres are concerned, I tried various sizes at the front and we’ll have a number of types to choose from for the race. I worked really hard to complete all the work we’d planned and, looking at today’s results, I’m confident about the race. We may have to do some more endurance tests but we’ve still got some time left to tweak things here and there before the green light comes on for the 2003 MotoGP.”

LapTimes
Suzuka Testing

Valentino Rossi
Sunday time 2:05.080 63 laps
Monday time 2:04.170 66 laps

Nicky Hayden
Sunday time 2:06.704 76 laps
Monday time 2:05.393 76 laps

Tohru Ukawa
Sunday time 2:06.383
Monday time 2:04.359

Max Biaggi
Sunday time 2:05.293
Monday time 2:04.567

Daijiro Kato
Sunday time 2:05.397
Monday time 2:04.629

Sete Gibernau
Sunday time 2:05.397
Monday time 2:04.616

Makoto Tamada
Monday time 2:05.309


More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:

MotoGP pre-season IRTA Tests
Monday 31 March 2003 (day 2 of 2)
Suzuka, Japan

CHECA AND MELANDRI READY TO RACE AT SUZUKA

Fortuna Yamaha Team riders Carlos Checa and Marco Melandri today completed their final day of pre-season testing, ending the two day session ninth and 13th fastest. The pair spent the weekend continuing to fine tune the set up of their Yamaha YZR-M1s before the fast approaching season’s start. The surprising fine weather lasted throughout the test, although rain is forecast for this weekend’s inaugural Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.

Despite a slow start yesterday when the testing of some new electronic components lost Checa track time, the Spaniard was back to his old form in this afternoon’s exciting closing stages as just under a second separated the fastest ten riders. Today he tested a new, more aerodynamic fairing for his M1 for the first time and felt immediate benefits, saving his best for later in the day.

“I felt much more comfortable today,” said Checa. “We’ve been working as usual on set up these two days. We lost the way a little bit at the Barcelona test two weeks ago but now we have recovered a good feeling, though we still have room to improve the bike.”

Commenting on the wet weather prediction for this weekend the Spaniard said, “I will take my conclusions from today and wait and see. For sure it’s going to be a very close race as the lap times at this test have been so quick and so many riders are capable of doing a good race.”

Melandri was also in good spirits at the conclusion of today’s test, “Today is my best day of MotoGP so far! This circuit is definitely more difficult than Barcelona on the M1. I have improved a lot today and I hope I can improve even more in the two qualifying sessions this weekend. I have a feeling I can do better anyway in the race than during qualifying. I like the new part of the track, well anyway I like the first part of the new chicane but not the exit. But I think it’s more safe than before.”

Team Director Davide Brivio added: “We introduced some new parts at this test, including some electrical components. We had to spend a while to set them up properly which caused us to lose some time. By the end we found a good direction for both Carlos and Marco, which showed as their times improved this afternoon. We still have Friday and Saturday’s qualifying sessions, and then it’s the race that counts. We will see how things really are on Sunday. Let’s hope that rain does not make all the work fruitless.”

The Fortuna Yamaha Team riders and the other MotoGP riders will commence practice and qualifying this Friday. Sunday’s Grand Prix will be the first of the 16 round championship.

Please find below the official combined MotoGP results from the two day Suzuka IRTA test:

1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Repsol Honda 2:04.170

2. Tohru Ukawa (JPN) Camel Pramac Pons 2:04.359

3. Max Biaggi (ITA) Camel Pramac Pons 2:04.567

4. Alex Barros (BRA) Gauloises Yamaha Team 2:04.605

5. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Telefonica Movistar Honda 2:04.616

6. Daijiro Kato (JPN) Telefonica Movistar Honda 2:04.629

7. Colin Edwards (USA) Alice Aprilia Racing 2:04.846

8. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team 2:04.889

9. CARLOS CHECA (SPA) FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM 2:04.908

10. Noriyuki Haga (JPN) Alice Aprilia Racing 2:05.193

13. MARCO MELANDRI (ITA) FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM 2:05.431



More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

TWO DAYS OF MOTOGP TESTS COMPLETED AT SUZUKA.

The Ducati Marlboro Team ended its two Suzuka test days positively by perfecting its set-up of the Desmosedici for this demanding Japanese track.

With weather conditions more or less the same as yesterday (slightly overcast and a temperature of 14°C) both riders continued to perfect set-up in readiness for the first GP, to be held next Sunday. The leading nine riders are all grouped within a second of each other (as today’s times confirm), so we can expect to see an exciting, hard-fought race.

Loris Capirossi (50 laps and the best with 2:04.889) continued to focus his efforts on the front end. In the morning he slid off at the third curve, avoiding injury but damaging one of his two bikes. Undeterred, the rider from Borgo Rivola carried on testing in the afternoon with the spare bike, completing a series of laps in quick succession and achieving good times.

“Luckily, the fall didn’t really have any effect on the day’s progress”, said Loris at the end of the test session. “I’m very pleased with what we’ve achieved over the last couple of days. I never really pushed it, yet I was always close to the leaders. The Desmosedici is running smoothly and pre-race preparation is going well.”

Troy Bayliss (73 laps, 2:06.272) made the most of the opportunity to learn this difficult circuit– one that, until yesterday, he’d never ridden before.

“Being here for these two test days has been a great help. The circuit’s a demanding one and there are plenty of riders who know it really well. If we hadn’t done these tests my debut in MotoGP would have been a lot trickier. Yet today I’ve already improved on yesterday’s time by a second – a sure sign that I’m getting to grips with this track. We’ve worked hard on suspension set-up and choice of tyres and gathered plenty of data that’ll be useful next weekend.”

Tomorrow, the Ducati Marlboro Team riders will travel to Tokyo where they will attend a meeting with the Japanese press, to be held at the Italian Embassy.



More, from a press release issued by John Hopkins’ publicist, Larry Lawrence:

Hopkins facing challenges as 2003 Motorcycle Grand Prix season begins

SUZUKA, Japan (March 31, 2003) – Factory Suzuki Grand Prix rider John Hopkins completed the final round of pre-season testing in Suzuka, Japan, today in preparation for the kick off of the 2003 world championship season on April 6 at the Suzuka Circuit. The testing did not go as well as Hopkins would have hoped, but despite being down on the final test time results, he feels like there was progress made with the team’s redesigned GSV-R.

“The first day of the test we had a lot of little nagging problems that kept us from really getting in a lot of laps,” Hopkins said. “Today I got a good number of laps in, but with the new chassis, I needed to come into the pits a lot so the team could make adjustments. They probably went through at least 10 major settings changes during the course of the day. We’re definitely still in the early stages of development of the bike, which will continue into the season. The new chassis enabled me to hold better lines through the corners, so the team is making progress even though the times didn’t necessarily show it.”

Another challenge facing Hopkins is learning the highly technical Suzuka Circuit.

“Most of the riders here have a lot of experience at Suzuka,” explained Hopkins, who qualified 18th and finished 12th at the circuit last year. “I raced here once before and a lot of these guys have raced here many times, including the Eight Hour, so I’m still learning something every time I make a lap here.”

Hopkins feels his preparation and training during the off-season have put him in the best shape of his life. His training regime included hours at the gym and on the motocross practice track each week. He feels confident that Suzuki will continue to improve the GSV-R and that he’ll be running at or near the front at some point this season.

Having former world champion Kenny Roberts, Jr. as a teammate has been a big boost to 19-year-old Hopkins.

“Kenny is a great teammate,” Hopkins says. “He’s already passed on so much knowledge to me. It’s great because we share information freely with each other and that teamwork should really help us develop the bike more quickly.”

It’s no secret that Hopkins and Kenny’s little brother Kurtis Roberts were not best of friends after several controversial run ins during heated AMA Supersport battles a few years back. When asked if that subject was ever brought up with Kenny, Hopkins replied.

“Yeah, we talked about it,” Hopkins smiled. “Kenny just laughed and told me that Kurtis got on his nerves sometimes too.”

Hopkins said that he and his chief mechanic Stuart Shenton would spend the next few days analyzing the data obtained in the most recent test. Hopkins and girlfriend Desiree will try to take in some sights around Suzuka in the next few days as well.

“Suzuki gave us a Burgman scooter,” Hopkins said. “Those things are deluxe! It’s a great way to get around here. Suzuka is not that big of a city, but there is a shopping mall here so we’ll check that out and maybe if the weather is good just do some touring around on the Burgman.”


More, from a press release issued by Pramac Honda:

Pramac Honda Team Press Information

Suzuka (Japan) IRTA Tests – 30/31 March 2003
Monday 31 March

Successful second day of tests for Makoto Tamada, who makes eleventh overall place.



Pramac Honda Team’s gifted Japanese rider ended the two days of tests leading up to the championship with eleventh quickest time. A very honourable result considering that Tamada never used qualifying tyres. The two days of tests, always in race configuration, thus enabled Makoto and the technicians of the team and from Bridgestone to prepare for next Sunday’s race in the best possible way. Right from the practice session in the morning, Makoto started making considerable improvements over yesterday and achieved 7th best time. Then in the afternoon he improved his performance even further and ended up with 2:05.309, which made him eleventh overall in the IRTA tests. The data collected during these two days of tests thus make it possible to look forward to next Sunday with optimism: the materials from Bridgestone have proved to be competitive and Tamada’s untiring efforts made it possible to get through an enormous amount of work.

The next time out on track, again here in Suzuka, will be on 4 April for the first tests leading up to the Japan Grand Prix.

Makoto Tamada (Pramac Honda Team): 11th – 2:05.309

“The right set-up for my Honda is what we perfected this afternoon, so I’m very pleased about all the work we’ve done. As far as the tyres are concerned, I tried various sizes at the front and we’ll have a number of types to choose from for the race. I worked really hard to complete all the work we’d planned and, looking at today’s results, I’m confident about the race. We may have to do some more endurance tests but we’ve still got some time left to tweak things here and there before the green light comes on for the 2003 MotoGP.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yamaha factory Supersport racer and Graves Motorsports Yamaha Formula Xtreme rider Damon Buckmaster turns 30 today.

Buckmaster was born in Gosford, Australia but calls Rancho Cucamonga, California home for most of the year.

From a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:

FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM PREVIEW

Japanese Grand Prix
Suzuka
April 4/5/6 2003

MotoGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BLASTS INTO ACTION

The 2003 MotoGP World Championship will commence this weekend at Suzuka in Japan. No less than eight manufacturers and 24 MotoGP riders will take their places on the starting grid on Sunday 6th April to start the championship that will span eight months and visit 13 countries.

Fortuna Yamaha Team riders Carlos Checa and Marco Melandri are looking forward to the challenge that faces them on their Yamaha YZR-M1s. It will be Spaniard Checa’s second year riding the Yamaha four-stroke in the premier motorcycle racing class in the world. For Italian teammate and 250cc World Champion Melandri, this is the moment he has always dreamed of as he contests his first race on a MotoGP bike. Both riders have been working hard through the winter to develop the M1 at a host of private European tests. The testing programme concluded in a series of group IRTA tests, the last of which took place last weekend in Suzuka.

The MotoGP championship will reach a dizzy height of competition this weekend. The mix of Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Aprilia, Ducati and Proton machinery will make this race the fastest and no doubt most entertaining Grand Prix the sport has ever seen. The Japanese race is the first of sixteen races in total; after this weekend the MotoGP circus moves to the Welkom circuit in South Africa before the European rounds commence in Jerez, Spain on 11th May.


THE FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM GEARS UP FOR SUZUKA

The Italian-based Fortuna Yamaha Team is looking forward to its first race, having spent the last four months completing a series of European winter tests. Both riders and the team have worked hard to improve the overall set-up of the bikes, despite some disappointing rainy weather affecting valuable track time. Both of Carlos Checa’s bikes were equipped early on in the test schedule with Yamaha’s fuel-injection system, which the Fortuna Yamaha rider took to immediately. Melandri used the same system for the first time last month and also noticed the benefits straight away.

Team Director Davide Brivio is looking forward to the challenge that the year ahead will bring.

“I have high expectations this year for both of our riders,” says Brivio. “Last year in Suzuka Carlos qualified for the front row and despite it being a wet race he made it onto the podium. We expect Carlos to be up there fighting for the win this year. I think he can reach the podium even in the dry, as Yamaha have improved the total YZR-M1 package since this time last year. Carlos’ performance at the recent Barcelona IRTA test was a little disappointing but the test before that was very positive for him. Hopefully he can be back to his normal form for Suzuka.

“Marco’s winter testing has been very good but he obviously still has a lot to learn. I’m expecting a surprise from him at some point but maybe it’s too early in Suzuka. It will be his first MotoGP race and we look forward to giving him the chance to learn from it. Suzuka will be a proper test for Marco and we are hoping for him to finish somewhere in the top ten, that would be very nice for him.”

The Yamaha YZR-M1 won two MotoGP races last year despite a difficult time during the beginning of the four-stroke project. The machine also took second place in the 2002 Constructors’ Championship. Brivio is certain that the machine is now strong enough to take on the other manufacturers head on in 2003.

“The M1 package itself is now very competitive and we expect it to be one of the best bikes. As our top rider Carlos certainly has a chance to go for the win on this bike. We are constantly trying to improve the package, and Carlos tested a new fairing to improve aerodynamics at the Suzuka IRTA test last weekend. We are now seriously considering using the new fairing for the Grand Prix. The M1 package was already strong at the end of last season, and now we are looking forward to checking it against our competitors in a race situation.

“It would be fantastic for us to win this first race for Yamaha at their home Grand Prix in Japan. Of course the other Japanese manufacturers will be under pressure for exactly the same reason, so it might not be that easy!”

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING

Suzuka is a circuit that favours a good handling bike and a talented rider – Carlos Checa proved this with a front row start and a podium finish in the inaugural four-stroke championship race last year. The Fortuna Yamaha Team now heads to Suzuka with the latest generation of the YZR-M1. Although outright power is often useful at the unique figure-eight circuit a bike that can hold its line while carrying high corner speed is a must. This is especially the case through the opening series of sweeping 140kmh second gear corners, where one mistake – running wide on the exit of the turn – will result in a loss of time through the following three or so bends.

This is one area in which YZR-M1 Project Leader Ichiro Yoda is confident the Fortuna Yamaha Team machines will perform well, with much of pre-season testing and winter development focussed on producing a neutral balanced chassis.

“The YZR-M1’s chassis is quite good now, I am very happy with the progress we have made over the winter tests,” says Yoda. “We have a base set-up that we are using for almost every circuit now, with only minor adjustments needed. The key reason is a more balanced chassis geometry, which offers a neutral feel and improved traction on both ends. This gives the riders more confidence to get on the power earlier, even while exploring the limits of the tyre’s side-grip, and it encourages deeper braking.”

This improved balance is the result of the new cylinder/crankcase layout, which, combined with the engine’s repositioning within the chassis, has provided not only improved rear wheel traction under power but also front-end traction. The latter is provided by the dynamic weight transfer characteristics of the new chassis design, offering increased braking stability along with a neutral turning characteristic. This is then fine-tuned with the correct combination of rear spring weight, damping and rear shock suspension linkage ratios – a crucial factor in ensuring the ability to hold a tight line in preparation for the next series of linked turns. This may be adjusted slightly for the new circuit modifications, which have taken place entering the final chicane, but the overall effects are expected to be minimal on chassis set-up. Meanwhile lap times are likely to be reduced by around one second due to the new layout.


CHECA HAS GOOD FEELING ABOUT SUZUKA

Carlos Checa is feeling confident and positive about this weekend’s opening round. He had a very up-and-down 2002 season aboard his Yamaha YZR-M1. Despite one pole position, four podium finishes and many races where he was among the race leaders, Checa did not achieve his goal of a MotoGP victory. However his season started in fine form at last year’s Suzuka Grand Prix where he took fourth position on the starting grid and went on to take third place in the wet race.

“My qualifying in Suzuka was good last year, and so was my race,” said the Spaniard. “For me it is one of the best tracks. It is long, technical and fast, with slow turns. They have modified the last section of the track which we were able to get used to during the two days of last weekend’s test. I seem to get more problems at slower tracks, which this isn’t, so I’m quite confident for Suzuka.

“I was disappointed with my performance at the Barcelona IRTA test a couple of weeks ago as I just couldn’t stay on the pace. We spent winter testing setting up the fuel-injection system and adjusting the chassis and overall set-up. In Barcelona we tried to change the set-up again but we have now gone back to our original base set-up from the tests before then.”

Checa thinks that Yamaha’s YZR-M1 is well suited to the Japanese circuit, in both wet and dry conditions. “Last year at Suzuka I was the fastest rider in the first turn, and on the longer sections of this track the M1 works really well,” explained Checa. “You don’t need to brake or accelerate too hard here, and this suits the M1. Also our top speed is now very good so I don’t need to worry about that.

“I’m not sure what the weather will be like this weekend but wet or dry I think we can be competitive. This year all the riders on the grid have the capacity to get good results, so you can expect anything from anyone. I will just stay quiet now until the race, keep the bike’s base set-up, and take it from there.”


MELANDRI: HIS DREAM IS ABOUT TO COME TRUE

Nine World Champions will be on the starting grid at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, and Marco Melandri will be one of them. The 20-year-old won the 2002 250cc World Championship, and now competes for the first time in the premier MotoGP class. Melandri has put in consistent and quick lap times during winter testing, and is now eager to put that experience into practice this weekend.

“I’m so excited now,” enthused Melandri, “I’ve been waiting a long time for this, basically since my childhood. It has always been my dream to race in the MotoGP class, and it’s about to happen. I can’t say what my rhythm will be in the race with another 24 riders and bikes. It will be so different to testing.”

Melandri suffered a minor injury at a test in Portugal in February when he took a tumble that resulted in a dislocated shoulder blade. The Italian is now feeling fit again and looking forward to racing at one of his favourite circuits.

“My shoulder is quite good, it’s not perfect but better than it was in Barcelona a couple of weeks ago. I have been training a lot since then to strengthen it,” said Melandri. “I love Suzuka circuit – it’s a very precise track, and the fast corners are not really fast at all. I enjoy racing there but have never been on the podium there before. I had the chance to check out the track from a MotoGP perspective during the weekend’s IRTA test here, and I like it.

“Basically I enjoy racing much more than testing. Although I’m quite pleased with my performance during our winter testing, I really can’t wait to race again. Both of my bikes are now set up with Yamaha’s fuel-injection system, and this along with the other set-up changes that my crew have made over the winter, have given me a package with which I feel comfortable and confident.”


CARLOS CHECA : INFORMATION
Age: 30
Lives: Great Ayton, England
Bike: Fortuna Yamaha Team YZR-M1
GP victories: 2 (500)
First GP victory: Catalunya, 1996 (500)
First GP: Europe, 1993 (125)
GP starts: 136 (16 x MotoGP, 92×500, 27×250, 1×125)
Pole positions: 2 (1 x MotoGP, 1 x 500)
First pole: Spain, 1998 (500)
Suzuka 2002 results. Grid: 4th, Race: 3rd

MARCO MELANDRI : INFORMATION
Age: 20
Lives: Derby, England
Bike: Fortuna Yamaha Team YZR-M1
GP victories: 17 (10 x 250, 7 x 125)
First GP victory: Assen, 1998 (125)
First GP: Brno, 1997 (125)
GP starts: 76 (42 x 250, 34 x 125)
Pole positions: 8
First pole: Sachsenring, 1998 (125)

MotoGP lap record (wet race)
Valentino Rossi, 2002
2m 19.105s