From press releases:

Antena 3 Yamaha d’Antin MotoGP rider Alex Criville held a press conference at Valencia, Spain Saturday, the site of ongoing IRTA team testing, to announce that he is taking a medical leave of absence from his career as a racer to have a disturbing medical condition evaluated.
“I have been forced to take a break from my sporting career due to physical problems” said the 31-year-old Spaniard. “Since 1999, I have had a condition whereby I temporarily lose consciousness from time to time. It is not serious, but after consulting the best specialists in the field I was advised to stop riding for a while, to take the time to relax and undergo the necessary tests.”
While Criville plans to have further medical examinations and tests, Team Manager Luis d’Antin confirmed that he would be looking for a rider to fill-in until Criville’s return to the MotoGP series. Criville’s teammate Norick Abe continued testing at Valencia, making the most laps of any rider at the Ricardo Tormo circuit Saturday with 51 laps and a best time of 1:35.908, making him fifth-fastest.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Red Bull Yamaha’s Garry McCoy recorded the fastest lap time during IRTA team testing at Valencia in Spain. Despite wind and rain during parts of the second day of the test, McCoy completed 30 laps and improved his best time to 1:34.557 on his Dunlop-equipped Yamaha YZR500. McCoy’s time is only 0.1-second slower than Max Biaggi’s pole time from the 2001 Grand Prix at Valencia. Biaggi finished day two with the third-fastest time.

Young American John Hopkins struggled as his crew worked through a test program, constantly changing the set-up on Hopkins’ YZR500.

Top times follow:

MotoGP
Garry McCoy, Yamaha YZR500, 1:34.557
Carlos Checa, Yamaha M1, 1:35.225
Max Biaggi, Yamaha M1, 1:35.341
Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, 1:35.774
Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, 1:35.908
John Kocinski, Yamaha M1, 1:36.173
Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 1:36.202
Regis Laconi, Aprilia, 1:36.855
Jurgen van der Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:37.331
Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, 1:37.599

250cc
Alfonso Nieto, Aprilia, 1:37.032
Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:37.670
Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, 1:37.848
Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:38.251
Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, 1:38.546

From a press release:

American Honda Motor Company’s Motorcycle Division Reports Year End Sales


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Torrance CA-American Honda Motor Company’s Motorcycle Division reported today year-end retail sales of 219,584 motorcycles, an increase of 54,640 over 2000. Honda motorcycle sales grew 33.1% and Honda retains the number one market share position at 28.8%. The entire industry continued a growth streak, showing a 19.6% gain over 2000.

“‘Performance First’ means we are continuing to give our customers what they want,” said Ray Blank, motorcycle division vice president. “With the strongest and most diverse line-up in the industry we expect 2002 to be another banner year for Honda.”

American Honda’s ATV sales continued to rise in 2001 ending the year at 238,557, a 13% increase over last year. This strong performance strengthened Honda’s number one market share position to 32.7%.

Overall, including scooters, American Honda sold 470,106 units in the United States last year, a dramatic increase of 84,578 (21.9%) compared to 2000. Honda’s number one share position increased to 31%.

As the industry sales leader, American Honda is on track to continue to support Honda’s worldwide goal of 7 million motorcycle sales by March 2004.

From a press release:

Team Pro-Motion Sportbike Club will continue to offer the (ART) Advanced Rider Training school programs for 2002, featuring training sessions with professional racer and 8 time national champion Michael Himmelsbach. All three levels of the Team Pro-Motion ART schools will continue to specialize in semi-private class sizes to enhance learning and improve instructor input. Personalized training and additional track seat time offers students a cutting edge approach to accelerated training.

“Our ART program has been updated and improved upon for 2002” explains chief instructor Michael Himmelsbach. “With the addition of ART-BASIC, we’ve added a program for rookie track riders. Our top level elite training ART-PRO offers the serious minded rider the ultimate in training. With all three levels now, we can now help riders of all skills advance and meet their personal goals”.

Team Pro-Motion and the ART program will travel to many racetracks on the east coast during the 2002 season. With 37 ART-BASIC programs, 22 ART- LIMITED and 14 ART-PRO schools, there is sure to be one that fits your schedule. All ART schools and Team Pro-Motion track events now offer Aprilia motorcycles for use.

To obtain more information contact Team Pro-Motion at (215) 675-5080 or visit the clubs web site at www.teampromotion.com for current dates and track locations.

Questions regarding the information in this press release may be directed to:

Glen Goldman (215) 675-5080

Mike Himmelsbach (215)529-4332

From a press release:

TEAM MICHELIN REPLACES FREDDIE BUCKS

Michelin has released the $1.1 million 2002 Team Michelin contingency program covering the entire United States. This new program will replace the Freddie Bucks contingency program offered during the 2001 season by western states Michelin tire distributor Freddie Spencer’s High Performance Product Line at all AFM, CCS Southwest, CCS California (Pacific), MRA, WMRRA, OMRRA, WSMC events. The new program also includes the SMRI in New Mexico.

Team Michelin contingency will be offered through Michelin North America and can be claimed only through authorized trackside Michelin dealers using a new “Smart Card” system. The card, similar to a credit card, is loaded with contingency money when swiped through a special Smart Card reader carried by Michelin trackside vendors. The available contingency money is then used just like a debit card when the racer purchases Michelin tires at a race event.

Freddie Spencer’s High Performance Product Line authorized Michelin tires trackside distributors include:

AF Motorsports, San Jose, CA – 650-400-3461

Competition Motors, Portland, OR – 503-320-2475

Eastside Motosports, Bellevue, WA – 425-747-7360

Racer’s Edge Performance, Las Vegas, NV – 702-257-3808

Van Mar Racing, Denver, CO – 303-944-0333

The following contingency payouts are available from Michelin in the Western United States. For more information contact Freddie Spencer’s High Performance Product at [email protected] or 702-591-8915.



CCS EXPERT UNLIMITED GP
$125
$100
$75
$50

CCS EXPERT GTU
$100
$75
$50
$30

CCS EXPERT GTO
$100
$75
$50
$30

CCS EXPERT GTL
$100
$75
$50
$30

CCS EXPERT UNLIMITED SUPERSPORT
$125
$100
$75
$50

CCS EXPERT HEAVYWEIGHT 750cc SUPERBIKE
$125
$100
$75
$50

CCS EXPERT HEAVYWEIGHT 750cc SUPERSPORT
$125
$100
$75
$50

CCS EXPERT MIDDLEWEIGHT 600cc SUPERBIKE
$100
$75
$50
$30

CCS EXPERT MIDDLEWEIGHT 600cc SUPERSPORT
$100
$75
$50
$30

CCS EXPERT LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERBIKE
$75
$50
$40
$30

CCS EXPERT LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERSPORT
$75
$50
$40
$30

CCS EXPERT SUPERTWINS
$75
$50
$40
$30

CCS AMATEUR GTU
$50
$30
$25
$15

CCS AMATEUR GTO
$50
$30
$25
$15

CCS AMATEUR GTL
$50
$30
$25
$15

CCS AMATEUR UNLIMITED SUPERSPORT
$50
$30
$25
$15

CCS AMATEUR HEAVYWEIGHT 750cc SUPERBIKE
$50
$30
$25
$15

CCS AMATEUR HEAVYWEIGHT 750cc SUPERSPORT
$50
$30
$25
$15

CCS AMATEUR MIDDLEWEIGHT 600cc SUPERBIKE
$50
$30
$25
$15

CCS AMATEUR MIDDLEWEIGHT 600cc SUPERSPORT
$50
$30
$25
$15

CCS AMATEUR LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERBIKE
$50
$30
$25
$15

CCS AMATEUR LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERBSPORT
$50
$30
$25
$15

CCS AMATEUR SUPERTWINS
$50
$30
$25
$15




WSMC FORMULA 1
$400
$300
$200
$100

WSMC 750cc SUPERStock
$300
$200
$100
$50

WSMC 600cc SUPERStock
$300
$200
$100
$50

WSMC Open Superstock
$300
$200
$100
$50

WSMC FORMULA 2
$250
$150
$75
$50

WSMC APRILIA CUP
$100
$75
$50
$25

WSMC BATTLE OF THE TWINS MIDDLEWEIGHT
$100
$75
$50
$25

WSMC Formula 3
$100
$75
$50
$25

WSMC OPEN NOVICE
$200
$100
$75
$50

WSMC 650cc NOVICE
$200
$100
$75
$50




AFM FORMULA PACIFIC
$300
$200
$100
$75

AFM 600cc SUPERBIKE
$300
$200
$100
$75

AFM 750cc SUPERBIKE
$300
$200
$100
$75

AFM FORMULA – 2
$300
$200
$100
$75

AFM FORMULA – 3
$75
$50
$25
$15

AFM OPEN SUPERBIKE
$100
$80
$70
$50

AFM 600cc PRODUCTION
$100
$80
$70
$50

AFM 750cc PRODUCTION
$100
$80
$70
$50





MRA RACE OF THE ROCKIES
$200
$100
$75
$40

MRA HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERBIKE
$150
$100
$75
$40

MRA MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPERBIKE
$150
$100
$75
$40

MRA OPEN SUPERBIKE
$150
$100
$75
$40

MRA HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERSPORT
$150
$100
$75
$40

MRA MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPERSPORT
$150
$100
$75
$40

MRA OPEN SUPERSPORT
$150
$100
$75
$40

MRA AMATEUR GTO
$125
$100
$75
$40

MRA AMATEUR GTU
$125
$100
$75
$40

MRA SUPERTWINS GTO
$125
$100
$75
$40

MRA SUPERTWINS GTU
$125
$100
$75
$40

MRA NOVICE GTO
$100
$80
$70
$40

MRA NOVICE GTU
$100
$80
$70
$40







WMRRA OPEN SUPERSPORT
$150
$100
$75
$40

WMRRA 750cc SUPERSPORT
$150
$100
$75
$40

WMRRA 600cc SUPERSPORT
$150
$100
$75
$40

WMRRA LIGHT WEIGHT SUPERBIKE
$100
$80
$70
$50

WMRRA FORMULA THUNDER
$100
$80
$70
$50

WMRRA FORMULA ULTRA
$100
$80
$70
$50

WMRRA FORMULA 2
$100
$80
$70
$50

WMRRA FORMULA 3
$100
$80
$70
$50

WMRRA GTO ENDURANCE
$150
$100
$75
$40

WMRRA GTU ENDURANCE
$150
$100
$75
$40






OMRRA 750 Superbike
$300
$200
$100
$50


OMRRA 600 Superbike
$300
$200
$100
$50


OMRRA 450 Superbike
$300
$200
$100
$50


OMRRA Open Superbike
$300
$200
$100
$50


OMRRA Formula Unlimited
$150
$100
$75
$40


OMRRA 250 GP
$150
$100
$75
$40


OMRRA 125 GP
$150
$100
$75
$40

From a press release:

MARLBORO YAMAHA TEAM TESTS
Valencia, Spain
Friday, February 15, 2002

CHECA FAST AT VALENCIA, BIAGGI TUMBLES & WAITS

Marlboro Yamaha Team riders Carlos Checa and Max Biaggi commenced their first full European test session of 2002 at Valencia today, Checa lapping inside the track record, Biaggi enjoying less luck with a high-speed spill and a minor bike problem.

The pair are taking part in the first IRTA-organised test of the year, evaluating their YZR-M1 four-strokes for the first time alongside several rival teams, though the factory Honda and Suzuki squads are absent. Both men took their time to get up to speed, explaining that the track had been dirtied by Formula One car testing which ended yesterday.

“The track wasn’t so bad at the end of the day but by then the temperature was a bit low and it was still quite windy,” said Checa, whose 1:35.488 best is six tenths inside the Valencia 500 lap record. “Anyway, this is only the first day of the tests so I don’t care about lap times, although I’ve already gone as fast as I ever went here on the 500. We tried a few engine parts and also worked on the chassis settings, trying to improve feel. I’m looking forward to the next couple of days; if it’s warm enough we should get some good work done.”

Biaggi completed less laps than his teammate after tumbling at turn one late in the morning. While his mechanics worked at repairing the damage the Italian continued with his other bike but an electrical glitch stopped that machine. This was the first M1 stoppage experienced by the Marlboro Yamaha Team.

“It’s been a long day, with a lot of waiting,” said Biaggi. “I slid off at turn one and then we had a problem with my other bike, so I’ve just been watching from the pits. When I finally got back out, the track temperature was already down so conditions weren’t ideal but we’ve still got two days to go here. It’s a shame that the teams which are likely to be our real rivals aren’t here but we’ve got a fair idea of what we’ve got to do and we’ll find out about the other four-strokes when we test with them at Barcelona next month. At the moment we’re just looking at getting as much data as possible for the Japanese engineers to work with.”

Yamaha YZR-M1 project leader Ichiro Yoda expects the team to achieve much more during the final two days of this test. “We have some new engine parts here, aimed at smoothing the torque for tight tracks like this,” said Yoda.

“And we also have parts for the electronic control system for engine braking, but we didn’t have time to try these today. It was a shame that Max lost so much time; we’ll try and make up for that during Saturday and Sunday.”

Yamaha test rider John Kocinski, who won the 1990 250 World Championship for Marlboro Yamaha Team Roberts, is also riding an M1 here, the American completing a full day of tests at a similar pace to Checa and Biaggi.

LAP TIMES

Carlos Checa (Marlboro Yamaha Team), 1:35.488

Max Biaggi (Marlboro Yamaha Team), 1:35.910

From a press release:

OPTIMISM AS NEW SUZUKI PASSES SECOND TEST

TELEFONICA MOVISTAR SUZUKI left Australia’s Eastern Creek circuit today in optimistic mood after completing the second round of tests of the all-new V4 four-stroke XRE0 – and measuring steady progress in the high-pressure task of readying the first prototype for racing.

Team riders Kenny Roberts Jr. and Sete Gibernau were joined by Japanese factory tester Yukio Kagayama, a full complement of factory engineers, and by the first tranche of technical and electronic revisions to the rorty new MotoGP four-stroke racer.

These came in response to feedback from the first test sessions at Sepang the previous week. Now the team will travel from the Sydney circuit to Phillip Island south of Melbourne, venue of the Australian GP, to continue the development process.

Although second factory rider Akira Ryo had returned home ill after only one of the three days at Eastern Creek, and the first day was spoiled by rain, the remaining riders were able to make significant progress at the demanding circuit, last used for the Australian GP in 1996.

“In spite of the first day’s rain, the tests went well, and everybody in the team is still very upbeat. The bike is very fast, sounds fantastic, and is getting better all the time,” said team manager Garry Taylor. “The riders and the engineers are on a fast learning curve.

“At the same time, we are very conscious that this is still an early prototype and we have an awful lot of work to do before it is a fully refined and competitive racer. Time is short, and the first race only weeks away,” he said.

“Our hopes for the new bike are high, but we have to keep working hard to get it there. You could say we’re cautiously optimistic,” he added.

The Suzuki XRE0 was originally planned to race for the first time in 2003, with a full year of development during 2002. The project was put forward by a full year after the promise shown in early bench and track tests.


KENNY ROBERTS – BIT BY BIT

“Eastern Creek is a very demanding circuit, with hard braking, up-and-down corners, fast sections, and lots of bumps. We found out things about the bike that didn’t show up at Sepang – and bit by bit we’re solving the problems, then going to find the next one. That’s development. It’s interesting, and exciting, but we have a ways to go yet.”


SETE GIBERNAU – PROGRESS IS POSITIVE

“I always try to emphasise the positive – and there are a lot of positives about the new bike. One is the machine. It has a lot of potential, and we’re digging deeper into it all the time. Another is the atmosphere, and the attitude of the team and the engineers. We’re all pulling together, and that’s the way to move forward rapidly.”

Red Bull Yamaha’s John Hopkins, 18, of Ramona, California was 13th fastest on the first day of IRTA team testing at Valencia, Spain Friday.

Hopkins’ best lap on his Yamaha YZR500 was 1:37.720.

His teammate, Garry McCoy, was fifth fastest at 1:36.159. Only a few riders’ times were available at post time, and follow:

Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 1:35.213
Carlos Checa, Yamaha M1, 1:35.488
John Kocinski, Yamaha M1, 1:35.649
Max Biaggi, Yamaha M1, 1:35.910
Garry McCoy, Yamaha YZR500, 1:36.159
Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, 1:36.671
Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, 1:36.685
John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 1:37.720

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Yamaha’s Anthony Gobert turned a 1:25.186 on his Dunlop-race-tire-equipped 2002 YZF-R7 Thursday afternoon to finish the three-day AMA team test with the unofficial lap record for the new 2.36-mile infield road course. Graves Motorsports Yamaha’s Damon Buckmaster rode his Dunlop-sponsored YZF-R6 and YZF-R1/R7 hybrid to the fastest 600cc Supersport and Formula Xtreme lap times, respectively.

In near perfect weather conditions, Gobert and Buckmaster adapted to a new turn one chicane configuration Thursday morning and to a revised transition from the infield to the front straightaway Thursday afternoon to log their fastest laps.

Gobert turned his fastest lap just after lunch when AMA Pro Racing’s Gary Mathers opened up the artificially-restricted section of track leading riders onto the Speedway’s long front straight. Mathers said that he expected both the turn one chicane configuration and the new layout of the section leading onto the front straight, to remain the same for the AMA races scheduled for April.

“The new ’02 Yamaha R7 is awesome, the new Ohlins suspension is awesome and I thank Yamaha for continuing the development of the R7. For a while there, it wasn’t looking like they were going to do more on it. Then all of a sudden, they surprised us with new parts. I’m really, really happy and confident going into Daytona,” said Gobert.

Gobert and his crew ended their test by practicing pit stops for Daytona. The team’s best was 9.8 seconds for two tires and fuel.

After spending the majority of his afternoon testing tires, Mat Mladin picked up his pace toward the end of the day to finish the test with the second-fastest time of 1:25.429. But Mladin said he didn’t put much stock into anyone’s lap times at the new circuit because there were so many places to cut the course, with no one monitoring during the test.

Buckmaster made his fastest 600cc lap Thursday morning before shifting his focus to his Formula Xtreme Yamaha. After some chassis refinement, Buckmaster was battling for fast Formula Xtreme lap honors with Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Tom Kipp. As the Valvoline team finished off the last of their Michelins, Buckmaster and teammate Aaron Gobert switched from 2001-spec Dunlops to the much-talked-about, larger 2002 Dunlop slicks. Using the new tires, Buckmaster dropped his lap time from low 1:27s to a best of 1:26.223, and Gobert dropped to low 1:27s, according to AMA scoring.

Best Lap Times
From Thursday Afternoon:
(Ranking, Rider Name, Machine, Class, Best Lap Time, Second Best Lap Time, Trap Speed)
1. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R7, SB, 1:25.186, 1:25.484, 168.372 mph
2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, SB, 1:25.429, 1:25.449, 166.054 mph
3. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, SB, 1:26.090, 1:26.328, 165.201 mph
4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1/R7, FX, 1:26.223, 1:26.732, 166.054 mph
5. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, SB, 1:26.295, 1:26.444, 163.521 mph
6. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, SB, 1:26.812, 1:26.835, 161.875 mph
7. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1/R7, FX, 1:27.074, 1:27.312, 166.916 mph
8. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, FX, 1:27.169, 1:27.389, 168.372 mph
9. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, FX, 1:27.862, 1:27.886, 168.079 mph
10. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, FX 1:28.190, 1:28.195, 164.637 mph
11. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 600cc SS, 1:28.673, 1:28.762, 147.745 mph
12. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R600, 600cc SS, 1:28.742, 1:28.865, 147.069 mph
13. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, FX, 1:28.945, 1:28.952, 168.079 mph
14. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 600cc SS, 1:30.333, 1:30.335, 148.427 mph
15. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, Superstock, 1:31.538, 1:31.622, 153.139 mph

From a press release announcing that the former Dorina Groves, who recently married racer Shane Clarke, has been hired by AMA Pro Racing to take over the job done last year by Larry Lawrence:

AMA PRO RACING HIRES DORINA CLARKE AS MEDIA RELATIONS MANAGER FOR AMA CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Pro Racing, the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the U.S., has hired Dorina Clarke (formerly Groves) as media relations manager for the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship. Clarke will be responsible for working with race promoters to generate pre-event publicity for all AMA Superbike races, as well as managing media relations and public relations activities on-site at all events.

Clarke’s hiring is an integral component of AMA Pro Racing’s overall plan to improve and add structure to the media relations function for the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship. She will have primary responsibility for facilitating communications between media, AMA Pro Racing and AMA Superbike riders, as well as implementing a comprehensive program for press conferences, both prior to each event and post-race.

“AMA Pro Racing continues to add qualified personnel to improve and develop all our racing properties,” said Scott Hollingsworth, CEO, AMA Pro Racing. “We are committed to taking our U.S. Superbike Championship to new levels of professionalism, making it better for everyone involved. Hiring Dorina will enhance our ability to effectively communicate with media, and will also help bridge the gap between individual riders, Superbike teams and the media. We are fortunate to have such an industry expert dedicated to improving our AMA U.S. Superbike Championship.”

Clarke has worked for six years in marketing and public relations, including one year as public relations/promotions manager of a championship-level AMA Supercross and road racing team. Prior to joining AMA Pro Racing, she worked as a freelance promotional manager for several clients, including freestyle motocross riders Trevor Vines, Mike Metzger and Dustin Miller. She also worked for San Bernardino, Calif., based Chaparral Motorsports, managing public relations and promotions for its race teams, including seven-time AMA EA Sports Supercross star Jeremy McGrath and AMA road racer Damon Buckmaster.

“I’m excited to join the AMA Pro Racing team,” Clarke said. “My goal, and the goal of AMA Pro Racing, is to increase the visibility of road-racing, and begin to bring it to a more mainstream audience. To achieve this goal, we’ll be more focused on our media relations efforts, making it easier for media to get the information they need from AMA Pro Racing.”

Clarke will work from her office in Olathe, Kansas. She can be reached via email at [email protected] or at (913) 764-0533.