Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Kawasaki has released a second progress report on the Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP prototype with some new details of the bike’s make-up.

In the report, Kawasaki officials say they considered many different engine configurations for their first MotoGP racer and chose an Inline Four configuration for its “many technical advantages”, including evenly-spaced firing intervals that make intake and exhaust tuning easier, perfect primary balance eliminating the need for engine balancers, more room to fit the required long exhaust system, and the fact that the “compact cylinder head makes it much easier to mount in a frame”.

The frame is the second area highlighted in the report. Kawasaki engineers feel that improved casting methods and use of the best materials available will allow them to give the Ninja ZX-RR a light yet strong frame. With a computer-generated image, the Kawasaki men show that they intend to use a new, thin-wall casting technique in the swingarm pivot and steering head areas of the frame. The image also shows that Kawasaki engineers plan to feed air to the new engine through a single ram-air intake in the steering head.

The Ninja ZX-RR will use a new Keihin FCR-i fuel-injection system that uses slides in the throttle bodies rather than butterflies. Kawasaki engineers say that since the slide retracts completely out of the air/fuel stream it is better than a butterfly valve that remains in the intake path at wide-open throttle. A small high-speed generator driven off the clutch gear provides the electrical power to run the new EFI system.

The report finishes by saying the Kawasaki MotoGP racer will feature advanced aerodynamics and shows pictures of the same angular bodywork with sharp edges, raised creases and central ram air intake opening in the nose that can be seen in the August issue of Roadracing World.

From a press release issued by Marlboro Yamaha:

Wednesday 17th July 2002

MARLBORO SPONSORSHIP OF YAMAHA TEAM TO END

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. has today announced that the Marlboro sponsorship of its Marlboro Yamaha Team in the MotoGP World Championship will cease at the end of 2002. Marlboro has been the primary sponsor of the team since 1999 with riders Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa. The team is wholly owned by Yamaha and is the company’s principal motorsports activity.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing B.V., the Amsterdam-based Yamaha subsidiary that oversees the non-technical side of Yamaha’s international racing activities, said: “It’s a great shame that we are parting company with Marlboro. We have had an excellent partnership and, on behalf of Yamaha, I would like to thank the Marlboro management for their support and wish them well for the future.

“Yamaha has a strong, on-going commitment to success in MotoGP. I cannot discuss our definitive plans for 2003 at this point, but we are in discussions with various sponsors and with both Max and Carlos about next year. They are two of the sport’s best riders and we are interested to retain their services. In the meantime, it goes without saying that it is business as usual for the Marlboro Yamaha Team. Our hunger for MotoGP victories remains as strong as ever. Everyone involved in our four-stroke project is working extremely hard to ensure that Yamaha has the best possible package for the remainder of 2002 and to ensure the strongest possible challenge for the 2003 World Championship.”

The 16-round MotoGP World Championship moves to the Sachsenring in eastern Germany this weekend before its traditional “summer break”. The action resumes in the Czech Republic on 25th August and the season concludes at Valencia in Spain on 3rd November. Italian Biaggi and Spaniard Checa are currently lying third and fifth respectively in the Championship on their four-stroke Yamaha YZR-M1 machines.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Ducati executives and factory riders jetted straight from Laguna Seca to Italy to unveil the newest Ducati, the 999, to members of the worldwide press Tuesday, July 16 at the Misano racetrack in San Marino.

From an AMA Pro Racing press release, which, by referring to Kirk McCarthy as “the fifth and final champion of the Pro Thunder Series” seems to take the viewpoint that nothing exists outside an AMA National (Pro Thunder is actually scheduled to move to the WERA National Challenge Series in 2003):

KIRK MCCARTHY WINS BUELL PRO THUNDER CHAMPIONSHIP

Aussie crowned first AMA road racing champion of 2002

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – Kirk McCarthy was brought over by Advance Motorsports Ducati owner Jeff Nash — the 2000 Pro Thunder champ — as a guest rider for the opening round of the 2002 AMA Buell Pro Thunder Series at Daytona Beach, Fla., in March. After McCarthy won Daytona by a convincing 11 seconds, Nash decided it might be a good idea to keep the former Australian Superbike champion around for the season. It proved to be a good move. McCarthy dominated the championship, winning four of the five series races en route to winning the 2002 title. He becomes the first AMA road racing champion of 2002.

McCarthy, 33, of Melbourne, is a veteran road racer with a diverse background in the sport. He won the Australian Superbike Championship in 1995. He then went on to ride in German and British road racing series’ as well as doing stints in MotoGP and World Superbike. This was McCarthy’s first season of racing in America.

“I’m happy to bring the Pro Thunder championship back to AMS Motorsports,” McCarthy said. “I would have liked to have turned in a perfect season, but four wins out of five isn’t too bad. I had a great time racing here in America and hope I can return next year.”

After winning the season opener in Daytona, McCarthy went on to take victories at Pikes Peak International Raceway, Road America and Brainerd International Raceway. His only loss came in the final round at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca where he finished runner-up to Mike Ciccotto. In addition to his four wins, McCarthy also earned the pole at four of the five rounds and set Pro Thunder track records at Daytona, Pikes Peak, Road America and Brainerd International Raceway.

McCarthy becomes the fifth and final champion of the Pro Thunder Series, joining former champs Paul Harrell, Shawn Conrad, Jeffrey Nash and Thomas Montano.

From a press release issued by Team Promotion:

BeaveRun Motorsports Complex has opened its gates and Team Pro-Motion is reporting outstanding news from this past weekend’s event! The new 1.6-mile north course designed by renowned GP track architect Alan Wilson, offers riders a big European track feel. With brand new sticky specially mixed blacktop laid 36 ft. wide all around, BeaveRun challenges by way of elevation changes, smooth flowing medium speed switchbacks which lead to wide GP style open throttle left to right kinks. The fun factor runs high as this track allows riders of all skill levels to enjoy the many characteristics that only a first class racetrack can.

Track management reports that curbing, runoff and paddock areas will be completed within a few short weeks. Safety is always priority when it comes to motorcycles and racetracks. BeaveRun has this department covered once the grading is complete and grass comes in, runoff area’s are much above average. Plans for another track to be built within the next 12 to 24 months will allow for integration with the existing north side. A total of just shy of 4 miles of track surface will provide any professional organization the option to produce a high quality-racing program that will provide fans with unbeatable viewing from many aspects.

Due to BeaveRun just opening Team Pro-Motion is offering the track for another fun filled weekend July 20th and 21st! Don’t miss this special opportunity to enjoy this brand new multi-million dollar racetrack!

BeaveRun racetrack is located just west of Pittsburgh PA at exit 2 off the PA Turnpike. For more information visit www.beaverun.com

For more information concerning Team Pro-Motion you can visit them online at www.teampromotion.com.


From a press release issued by BeaverRun:

The green flag is out at BeaveRun MotorSports ComPlex! BeaveRun’s first track, a challenging 8/10-mile, 18-turn short course has just opened. In addition to being a superb testing and competition course for cars and motorcycles, the track is the centerpiece of the new BeaveRun Karting Center. The BeaveRun Karting Center, built to CIK specifications and designed to be one of the top three karting facilities in the country, offers competition choices for every skill level–read on for complete details. It is the first of two tracks to open this summer at BeaveRun–the 400-acre multi-use facility’s 1.6 mile road course is scheduled to be completed within two weeks. Stay tuned for more BeaveRun news–or call us if we can help you with additional information right now.


BeaveRun Karting Center Challenges Pro Racers, Entertains Driving Enthusiasts of All Ages

Designed to be one of the top three karting facilities in the country, BeaveRun’s new karting center offers competition choices for every skill level

BeaveRun MotorSports ComPlex, the country’s newest destination for driving and motorsports enthusiasts, has opened the BeaveRun Karting Center, one of the country’s premier karting facilities. The all-new complex features two separate, adjacent tracks, complete novice to advanced karting instruction, equipment and parts sales and a new fleet of Trackmagic rental karts. BeaveRun Karting Center is one of only three karting tracks in the United States to meet the stringent specifications of Commission International du Karting (CIK), the sport’s global sanctioning organization.

Master track designer Alan Wilson, who has developed some of the country’s best-known road courses and infields, has optimized the rolling western Pennsylvania landscape to the fullest. Wilson, whose current international projects also include a Formula One course in Bejing, China, has created a challenging 16-turn 8/10-mile short track with a series of moderate elevation changes—a rarity among the nation’s kart tracks. The short track is located adjacent to the first of two BeaveRun road courses, the 1.6 mile North Course. Because of its multi-track layout, the BeaveRun Karting Center offers the potential to run a road racing and sprint event at the same time, independent from one another. The two tracks can also be configured into one high-performance karting circuit.

Karting amateurs and experts alike will discover an unmatched diversity of racing and recreational options at the BeaveRun Karting Center, as well as additional activities for every skill level, interest range and age group. “With sports car and motorcycle racing, product testing and driving schools all happening simultaneously at BeaveRun, we have the great opportunity to offer our Karting Center customers a truly adrenaline-charged environment,” said Don Jones, manager, BeaveRun Karting Center. “And, we have the unique chance to showcase our sport to tens of thousands of new driving enthusiasts who are visiting the track to participate in these other activities.” Jones also said that karting is an exceptional spectator sport and pointed out that panoramic spectator areas around the track allow for a virtual bird’s-eye view of the entire karting track layout.


BeaveRun On Track To Become Newest Kart Racing Proving Ground
With nearly 90 percent of all professional drivers graduating from kart racing, world-class tracks like BeaveRun are an important proving and training ground for tomorrow’s pro racers. A successful stint in shifter kart racing is virtually a prerequisite for getting noticed by Winston Cup, CART and IRL feeder series, according to Jones. “For anyone who’s serious about a career in professional racing, honing precision driving skills on a CIK-caliber track like BeaveRun is part of the preparation program.” The BeaveRun Karting Center will feature national races during the 2003 season. For the remainder of 2002, said Jones, local and regional competitions, as well as ongoing karting schools, round out the schedule.

“For 2003, we are committed to attracting the finest national racing, such as the SCCA/WKA Constructors series, SKUSA and CART Stars of Tomorrow,” said Jones. “We have one of the very best karting facilities in the country, and we plan on developing BeaveRun into an internationally recognized center for karting excellence.”


First Time Drivers Find Plenty of Inspiration
Newcomers to karting will discover complete “arrive and drive” services at the BeaveRun Karting Center. The track’s resident instruction pros, as well as an all-new fleet of Trackmagic sprint rental karts, make BeaveRun an excellent facility for learning to enjoy the sport of karting.


About BeaveRun MotorSports Complex
BeaveRun MotorSports ComPlex (www.beaverun.com)
is conveniently located in Big Beaver Borough, Pennsylvania, just 40 minutes north of Pittsburgh on Route 18. With I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike) Exit 2 just two miles south of the 400-acre destination complex, and Pittsburgh Airport only 25 minutes away, driving and motorsports enthusiasts from around the country can take full advantage of BeaveRun’s world-class, multi-use facilities. BeaveRun MotorSports ComPlex encompasses some of the most scenic terrain in western Pennsylvania, and features premium facilities that create an unmatched experience for both amateur driving enthusiasts and professional racers.

Phase One of BeaveRun’s planned development includes the first of two planned road courses. The 1.6-mile, 36-foot wide track will ultimately connect to a second road course, planned for completion in 2003.

Together, the courses offer nearly four miles of world-class road racing. The BeaveRun Karting Center, only one of three national karting facilities to be certified by the Commission International du Karting (CIK), includes a challenging 8/10-mile, 16-turn paved track, also ideally suited to motorcycle racing and testing. Also open for public and corporate use are the testing and training facilities of the six-acre BeaveRun Vehicle Dynamics Center, home of the BeaveRun Vehicle Dynamic Academy. Future plans call for continued expansion of facilities, including the addition of a private Track Club, expansive pit areas, panoramic spectator areas and a motocross track.

From the Parts Canada Superbike Championship Series:

Schedule of Events:

THURSDAY, JULY 18

NATIONAL PRO PRACTICE

7:00 a.m. Registration Opens

7:30 a.m. Tech Inspection Opens

9:15 a.m. Rider’s Meeting

10:00 a.m. Track Opens

Sessions will last 20 minutes and alternate between three groups:

1. DOT – F-USA Superbike/CDN Open Sport Bike & F-USA Sport Bike/CDN 600 Sport Bike

2. Buell Lightning

3. Parts Canada Superbike Championship

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.: Lunch

1:30 p.m. Track Re-Opens, sessions as per morning

5:00 p.m. End of On-Track Activities

FRIDAY, JULY 19

7:00 a.m. Registration and Tech. Opens

8:15 a.m. Mandatory Rider’s Meeting

9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Practice in the Following Order:

Note: Sessions with duration listed will run as per Dunlop Countdown Digital Clock in pit lane, or as pre-agreed (shortened if necessary).

1. 9:00 a.m. – ASM Amateurs – all

2. 9:20 a.m. – NAT. Pro Honda Oils Sport Bike/Yoshimura 600 Sport Bike – 25 min.

3. 9:50 a.m. – ASM AM Lightweight/SV650 Cup/Canadian Thunder

4. 10:15 a.m. – Diablo Can-Am 125 G.P. – 25 min.

5. 10:45 a.m. – ASM AM Open Supersport and 600 Supersport

6. 11:10 a.m. – NAT. Parts Canada Superbike Feature – 40 min.

7. 11:55 a.m. – PRO & AM 250 Grand Prix

8. 12:15 p.m. – Buell Lightning – 25 min.

9. 12:45 p.m. – NAT. Lockhart Phillips F-USA Superbike/International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Open Sport Bike – 25 min.

1:10 – 2:00 p.m. – LUNCH BREAK and bike pick-up

1. 2:00 p.m. – NAT. Pro Honda Oils Sport Bike/Yoshimura 600 Sport Bike – 25 min.

2. 2:30 p.m. – ASM AM Lightweight/SV650 Cup/Canadian Thunder

3. 2:55 p.m. – Diablo Can-Am 125 G.P. – 25 min.

4. 3:25 p.m. – ASM AM Open Supersport and 600 Supersport

5. 3:50 p.m. – NAT. Parts Canada Superbike Feature – 40 min.

6. 4:35 p.m. – PRO & AM 250 Grand Prix

7. 5:00 p.m. – Buell Lightning – 25 min.

8. 5:30 p.m. – NAT. Lockhart Phillips F-USA Superbike/International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Open Sport Bike – 25 min. TIMED QUALIFYING SESSION by YAMAHA

SATURDAY, JULY 18

7:00 a.m. Registration and Tech. Opens (Reg. Closes 10:00 a.m.)

8:15 a.m. Mandatory Rider’s Meeting

9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Practice in the Following Order:

1. 9:00 a.m. – NAT. Pro Honda Oils Sport Bike/Yoshimura 600 Sport Bike – 25 min. TIMED QUALIFYING SESSION by YAMAHA

2. 9:30 a.m. – ASM AM Lightweight/SV650 Cup/Canadian Thunder

3. 9:55 a.m. – Diablo Can-Am 125 G.P.

4. 10:20 a.m. – ASM AM Open Supersport and 600 Supersport

5. 10:45 a.m. – NAT. Parts Canada Superbike Feature – 40 min. TIMED QUALIFYING SESSION by YAMAHA

6. 11:30 a.m. – PRO & AM 250 Grand Prix

7. 11:50 a.m. – Buell Lightning – 20 min. TIMED QUALIFYING SESSION

8. 12:15 p.m. – NAT. Lockhart Phillips F-USA Superbike/International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Open Sport Bike – 20 min. WARM-UP

12:35 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. – LUNCH BREAK and bike pick-up

1:15 p.m. – HEAT RACES, QUALIFYING and FINALS:

1. ASM Canadian Thunder/AM Lightweight/Suzuki SV650 Cup – 5 Lap Heat Race (split heats if necessary)

2. Diablo Can-Am 125 Grand Prix – 25 minute TIMED QUALIFYING SESSION by YAMAHA

3. ASM AM 600 Supersport – 5 lap Heat Race (split heats if necessary)

SATURDAY FEATURE

4. Race One: Lockhart Phillips Formula USA Superbike/International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Open Sport Bike – 16 laps

-20 minute Intermission – racers remain in pit lane;

5. Race Two: Lockhart Phillips Formula USA Superbike/International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Open Sport Bike – 16 laps with Podium Presentation

6. ASM CanadianThunder/AM Lightweight/Suzuki SV650 Cup – Final Race – 8 laps

7. PRO & AM 250 Grand Prix – 5 lap Heat Race

8. ASM AM Open Supersport – 5 Lap heat Race (split heats if necessary)

SUNDAY, JULY 21

(Note: There is no Registration for Nationals on Sunday)

8:15a.m. – Rider’s Meeting

9:00 a.m. – Morning Practice Sessions in the following order:

1. 9:00 a.m. – NAT. Pro Honda Oils Sport Bike/Yoshimura 600 Sport Bike – 20 min.

2. 9:25 a.m. – Diablo Can-Am 125 G.P. – 20 min.

3. 9:50 a.m. – ASM AM Open Supersport and 600 Supersport

4. 10:15 a.m. – NAT. Parts Canada Superbike Feature – 30 min.

5. 10:50 a.m. – PRO & AM 250 Grand Prix

6. 11:15 a.m. – Buell Lightning – 20 min.

11:35a.m. – 12:45 p.m. LUNCH

1:00 p.m. – FINALS RACES

1. NAT. Pro Honda Oils/ Yoshimura 600 Sport Bike – 12 laps (Trophy Presentation following race)

2. ASM AM 600 Supersport – 8 laps

3. Formula USA National Buell Lightning – 12 laps (Trophy Presentation Following Race)

4. Diablo Can-Am 125 Grand Prix – 12 laps (Trophy Presentation Following Race)

5. NAT. Parts Canada Superbike Championship Feature – Roll Out to Grid – 16 laps (Trophy Presentation following race)

6. ASM AM Open Supersport – 8 laps

7. PRO & AM 250 Grand Prix – 8 laps

* Schedule subject to change without notice.

From SPEED:

2:00 p.m. FIM 125cc Grand Prix, Catalunya
3:00 p.m. FIM Supersport, San Marino

7:00 p.m. Bike Week
7:30 p.m. Motorcyclist
8:00 p.m. World Superbike Race One, Laguna Seca
9:00 p.m. AMA Supersport, Laguna Seca
9:30 p.m. AMA Superstock, Laguna Seca
10:00 p.m. FIM MotoGP, Donington Park
11:00 p.m. Corbin’s Ride On
11:30 p.m. American Thunder
12:00 a.m. Bike Week
12:30 a.m. Motorcyclist
1:00 a.m. World Superbike Race One, Laguna Seca
2:00 a.m. AMA Supersport, Laguna Seca
2:30 a.m. AMA Superstock, Laguna Seca
3:00 a.m. FIM MotoGP, Donington Park

All times are Eastern Time.

From a press release issued by Buell American Motorcycles:

CICCOTTO RIDES FIREBOLT TO BUELL PRO THUNDER VICTORY

First AMA National Win for Buell Firebolt

Mike Ciccotto rode a Hal’s Performance Advantage Buell Firebolt XB9R to its first AMA National victory in the Buell Pro Thunder Series event at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway. Ciccotto, of Sebastian, Fla., overcame a bad start and hunted down series points leader Kirk McCarthy, erasing a 7.6-second deficit to pass for the lead on lap 13 of the 17-lap race. Ciccotto went on to win by 0.712 seconds.


“That Buell Firebolt was just awesome today,” said Ciccotto after the race. “After I passed Kirk, I saw him coming right back at me and I had to put my head down. When I saw the white flag, I knew I had to have a good last lap. I had some pretty good slides. It was a fun race.”

McCarthy held on to finish second aboard a Ducati 748, with Ducati rider Thomas Montano of Berkeley, Calif. third 6.2 seconds behind the winner. Pole winner Vincent Haskovec of Lake Elsinore, Calif. was a distant fourth on another Ducati.

Ciccotto, who had qualified third for the event, wheelied off the start and entered the first turn behind McCarthy and Tilly Harley-Davidson/Buell rider Tripp Nobles, who took the early lead. McCarthy passed Nobles on the first lap, and Nobles crashed out of second place on lap four. At that point Ciccotto was more than seven seconds behind McCarthy, but the Buell Firebolt rider began reeling the Australian in and was on his tail by lap 10. Ciccotto passed for the lead in Turn 11 on lap 13 and stormed on for the win.

With his second-place finish in this final event of the season, McCarthy secured the Buell Pro Thunder Series championship with 184 points. Ciccotto finishes second in points with 158.

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 1-800-4909-9635 for the Buell dealer nearest you. Or pull into www.buell.com.



From a press release issued by Austin Bleu Bayou Ducati:

PICOTTE COMPETITIVE AT LAGUNA SECA

Pascal Picotte and the Austin/Bleu Bayou Ducati team earned sixth place in the Laguna Seca AMA Superbike race, with Pascal and fellow Canadian Miguel DuHamel dueling for fifth place until the checkered flag. The Honda rider took the spot by less than a bike length in a very competitive battle, but Picotte and the Texas-based Ducati team made significant progress this weekend in their aim to win AMA Superbike races.

Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom won the event after a hectic start in which the Austin/Bleu Bayou team was not allowed to get the team to the pit wall until just five minutes before the race. Over 98,000 fans attended the combined AMA/World Superbike weekend in perfect Monterey weather over three days.

“It was a great finish for us,” Pascal said. “We’re still fifth in the championship. As a team, we’re definitely moving forward and the Austin/Bleu Bayou team worked really well this weekend. The bike ran great, everything went smoothly and we have a winning atmosphere here.”

Pascal felt this race was the most competitive for the ambitious Austin/Bleu Bayou Ducati program, started after Daytona this season. “The last few races, we have still been learning the machine and that definitely hurt our finishes. This weekend, we fixed the little problems that have been holding us back and finally got the chance to show what we can do. STM helped us get out clutch working great and Michelin gave us really good tires this weekend. The only downside was that we didn’t get much track time.” In fact, Pascal and the Austin/Bleu Bayou team, who were not entered in the World Superbike race, had two hours less on the circuit than all the riders that finished in front of them.

“Miguel went away from me at one point when I got a bad break in traffic, but I caught him up at the end. Everyone else had three to five days testing here before the season started, so I’m pleased with where we finished. Now let’s go to Mid-Ohio and keep moving forward.”

The Austin/Bleu Bayou team will return to action at Mid-Ohio in two weeks on July 26-28 for an AMA Superbike doubleheader.

From a press release issued by Marlboro Yamaha:

MARLBORO YAMAHA TEAM GRAND PRIX PREVIEW

German Grand Prix, Sachsenring
July 19/20/21 2002

MARLBORO YAMAHA RETURN TO HAPPY HUNTING GROUND
Marlboro Yamaha Team YZR-M1 stars Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa return to the Sachsenring this weekend hoping to repeat their stunning one-two finish at last year’s German Grand Prix. And following stirring performances from the duo at last Sunday’s British GP, both men have high hopes of challenging for victory at the popular German venue.

Biaggi finished second at Donington Park last weekend, despite suffering the lingering effects of a bout of fever, while Checa dominated the first half of the race before sliding off unhurt. Even though Valentino Rossi (Honda) went on to win the event, the YZR-M1 riders’ performances suggest that they are edging closer to success with every Grand Prix. And both men fancy their chances at the Sachsenring. The M1 is renowned for its smooth, user-friendly performance and that’s exactly what’s required at the ‘Ring, a circuit dominated by long corners and straights barely worthy of the name.

Sunday’s German GP is the ninth event of the 16-round 2002 MotoGP World Championship and the last race before the sport’s traditional midseason month-long hiatus. This season, testing has been banned during August in the run-up to the Czech GP on August 25 in a bid to give hard-worked riders and teams a much-needed rest. Six races remain after the Czech event, just two on the Continent and four outside Europe.

M1 CHASSIS PERFORMANCE IS GERMAN GP FOCUS
This Sunday’s German Grand Prix is the third of the 2002 World Championship’s three north European races, following recent events at Assen, in the Netherlands, and Donington Park, in Britain. And like Donington, the Sachsenring is a racetrack that favours sweet-handling over brute horsepower. No wonder then that Yamaha YZR500 riders totally dominated last year’s race, monopolising the top four finishing positions, lap record holder Shinya Nakano and Norick Abe following Marlboro Yamaha Team men Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa over the line.

Biaggi and Checa will be hoping for a repeat of that famous one-two, though, of course, circumstances are very different this year. This season is the first of the new four-stroke-based MotoGP era, so the Italian and the Spaniard are riding YZR-M1 four-strokes, very different machines from the YZR500s they used to dominate last July’s race.

The M1 has been undergoing consistent improvement ever since Checa gave the bike a rousing third-place debut at April’s season-opening Japanese GP. Following major upgrades at the French and Italian GPs – when a new chassis and new software for the bike’s computer-aided engine-braking system transformed performance – Yamaha are now working on fine tuning chassis and engine performance. At the last two GPs the bike has benefited from a modified crankshaft, offering smoother acceleration, and now Yamaha engineers are focusing on further improvements to the M1’s chassis.

“We are working with a new rear-suspension linkage,” reveals YZR-M1 project leader Ichiro Yoda. “We’ve introduced the new linkage following feedback from both Carlos and Max. The linkage offers more progressive suspension, improving corner-exit drive and calming wheelies. We believe the linkage works better with the four-stroke’s power delivery.

“Sachsenring could be a challenging circuit for the four-strokes. Last year our data showed that riders use full throttle around this track less than at any other GP circuit, and, of course, the M1 is faster and more powerful than a 500. But the four-stroke also has smoother power character, so that may give us an advantage through the track’s many long corners. We shouldn’t need to work on chassis geometry so much, you just need a normal swing balance for Sachsenring, to provide good traction into and out of corners.”

Marlboro Yamaha Team director Davide Brivio believes that the M1 gets closer to its first victory with every race. “Our British GP performance suggests that we are getting near to our target of winning races,” he says. “Even Rossi admitted that our bike seemed better than his through some sections of Donington. This is a sign that we are moving in the right direction and this motivates us to improve even more. Last year Sachsenring suited our 500s very well, so we hope that the M1’s character will give us an advantage this weekend.”


‘RING MASTER BIAGGI AIMS FOR GERMAN REPEAT
Marlboro Yamaha Team star Max Biaggi scored one of his three great victories of 2002 at the Sachsenring, starting from pole position to leave the pack trailing as he used his YZR500’s fine-handling chassis to devastating effect. This week he aims to repeat that result aboard his YZR-M1. Currently third overall in the MotoGP points standings, Biaggi has been a consistent performer since getting up to speed on the four-stroke – he’s finished inside the top four at the last five races, including two second-place finishes. A close-run runner-up at Donington last Sunday, just 2.371 seconds behind series leader Valentino Rossi, he’s now just about ready to move on up to the next level.

“Last year’s German GP was great for me,” says Biaggi, now fully recovered from the fever that laid him low in the run-up to Donington. “I like the track, and the changes they made for 2001 were a definite improvement. The downhill fast right near the end of the lap is a lot of fun.”

“Overall I’m quite happy with the improvements we’ve made to the M1 since May. Since then we’ve been fine tuning the set-up and we still need to keep working to get the machine exactly how I like it. The four-stroke is better than the two-stroke in many areas, but in some it isn’t so good. The M1 weighs 15 kilos more than the YZR500 (according to MotoGP technical regulations) I rode last year, so we still need to improve the M1’s manoeuvrability. The four-stroke’s slower handling made life quite difficult at Assen, where the changes of direction are made at very high speed, and although we made some improvements for Donington, I felt I still needed some more agility for the faster sections of the track. Agility will also be very important at the Sachsenring because turning is what really matters at this track.”

Marlboro Yamaha Team director Davide Brivio is confident that his crew’s input is giving Biaggi more of what he wants. “My feeling is that things are getting better and better for Max,” he says. “Our aim is to keep working to give him the bike for the job. He rode a great race at Donington, even though he wasn’t at full strength, and if we can make some further refinements to his bike, I think he can begin to run the kind of consistent race pace required for victory.”


FRONT-RUNNER CHECA UP FOR FIRST M1 WIN
Carlos Checa was well on his way to giving the YZR-M1 its first victory in Britain last weekend before the most minor of falls ended his hopes. The Marlboro Yamaha Team star slid off at one of Donington’s dead-slow and slippery turns, the same off-camber hairpin that had claimed teammate Max Biaggi and race-winner Valentino Rossi earlier in the weekend.

Bitterly disappointed following his exit, Checa comes to Germany determined to repeat his front-running performance, but this time keep it going all the way to the chequered flag. “I don’t fully understand why I crashed, I wasn’t really doing anything different from the previous laps,” says the Spaniard, currently fifth overall. “I was riding around, feeling very comfortable, and waiting for the last five laps, when I was going to start pushing harder to see if Rossi could stay with me.”

After the race Rossi admitted that he would’ve been hard pressed to defeat Checa, even at the M1 rider’s mid-race pace. It seems that Checa was particularly impressive through the slower turns, which bodes well for this weekend because the Sachsenring is dominated by slow- to medium-speed corners.

“The Yamaha YZR500 worked very well at this track last year,” says Checa, who finished a strong second behind Biaggi at the 2001 German GP. “But we don’t know how the four-stroke will be until we get there. It’s a tight and slow circuit with many direction changes, which should favour the two-strokes, but it’s also the kind of circuit where you’re banked over for long periods of time, and that’s better for the four-strokes because these bikes give you a better feeling and more confidence at high angles of lean. Tyre wear isn’t a problem. It should be an interesting battle between the two different kinds of bike. I think they will be quite close to each other in performance, for sure the four-strokes won’t have the kind of advantage they had at Catalunya and Mugello.”

After Checa’s crowd-pleasing run at Donington, Marlboro Yamaha Team director Davide Brivio hopes that the 29-year old can fulfil his potential this Sunday. “Carlos suits the M1 really well and I’m really happy with his speed,” says Brivio. “He’s fast and he’s consistent, and, like Max, he really deserves to start winning on this bike.”


WHAT THE TEAM SAYS
Fiorenzo Fanali, Max Biaggi’s chief engineer
“Sachsenring was very good for our 500, now we have to work to make sure that Max can use the M1 in the same way. We have been concentrating on lighter handling, so Max can change direction faster. We also need to focus on sorting corner-exit wheelies, and we have some new parts to help us with this problem. I think we’ve been making improvements at every race, and for sure Max would’ve been faster at Donington if he hadn’t been sick during the week. At the moment it’s difficult to beat Honda but Yamaha are working hard on improvements. A couple of months ago we were quite happy with podium finishes, now we are only thinking about winning races.”

Antonio Jimenez, Carlos Checa’s chief engineer
“This weekend we will keep working in the same direction. The Donington crash wasn’t really Carlos’ fault – it’s a very slippery circuit and it will be good to get back to a grippy track. The big thing at the Sachsenring is turning – we need to arrange his machine set-up so that the bike turns well and keeps its line through the longer corner, both off gas and on gas. Straight-line speed isn’t really important at this circuit, the chassis is everything. The Sachsenring should also be quite good for the two-strokes, though it’s difficult to know where each type of bike will have their advantages and disadvantages. We’ll only know after the first day or so of practice and qualifying.”


THE TRACK
The Sachsenring was one of GP racing’s most popular circuits back in the sixties, when quarter of a million sports-starved East German fans would flock to the track to see Western teams take on the incredibly quick Eastern Bloc two-strokes.

The lethal high-speed street circuit hosted its last GP in 1972, an all-new short circuit returning the venue to the calendar in 1998. At that time the short circuit was the slowest in GP racing, with a lap speed of just 143kmh/89mph. Revisions for 2000 upped the pace to 150kmh/93mph and the addition of an extra loop last year (which left out the sole remaining section of the old street circuit) increased lap speeds to 153kmh/95mph. Initially deemed too slow, the Sachsenring is now a popular venue with most GP riders.

Nevertheless the character of the anti-clockwise circuit is still tight and twisty, putting the emphasis on delicate mid-range engine performance rather than brute top-end horsepower. Riders use full throttle for less than 20 percent of a lap at Sachsenring, as they ease on the power through the twists and turns.

The circuit infrastructure was also radically improved for 2001, with a brand new pit-lane complex replacing the former semi-alfresco pit boxes.


SACHSENRING
3.704km/2.302 miles

Lap record: Shinya Nakano (Yamaha), 1m 26.808s, 153.607kmh/95.447mph

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Honda is pushing for an unrestricted 1000cc World Superbike and AMA Superbike formula and plans to run the soon-to-be-introduced CBR1000RR in Superbike events starting in 2004. The RC51 will be campaigned in 2003.

That’s the word from a source deep within Honda’s World Championship racing program.

Opponents of such a plan in the United States worry that Superbikes, already viewed as being too fast for many U.S. tracks, will get even faster and that problems with tires shredding and throwing riders on their head at 180 mph will resurface at Daytona and other tracks.

AMA Pro Racing is currently looking at moving to a 1000cc formula but with various methods used to hold down speeds, including restrictions on engine modifications as well as restrictions on frame and chassis modifications.

Recently released proposed AMA Superbike rules for 2003 and beyond are currently in a public comment period, which ends July 27. The rules are expected to be modified following the comment period, and there may be a second comment period following the first round of modifications.