Despite a popular website’s continuing assertions that Shawn Higbee rode a GSX-R1000 “Formula Xtreme” bike at Daytona during the recent Dunlop tire tests, Higbee was in fact riding a Formula USA-spec GSX-R750 on DOT-labelled tires.
F-USA rules limit horsepower to 145.
A typical Formula Xtreme bike, which runs on slicks, makes between 165 and 190 horsepower.
Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Valvoline EMGO Suzuki Crew Chief (and former racer) Keith Perry married AMA grid official (and club racer) Laura Edmondson Hardy in Apopka, Florida today.
MRO Chaplain Brent Houston officiated at the private ceremony.
It is the second marriage for both.
The rings exchanged by the couple were made by Jerry Derhammer, AMA Pro Road Racing Chief Steward, who is involved in the jewelry business in real life.
Racer Bruce Lind has been hospitalized with complications related to serious injuries suffered in a crash at Laguna Seca last July.
According to his wife, Edie, Lind was hospitalized Tuesday with acute pain, which was diagnosed as being the result of scar tissue and adhesions causing an intestinal blockage.
It was uncertain at post time whether or not Lind will face surgery related to the problem.
In the calm before the storm, bidding on Nicky Hayden’s leathers–being auctioned off on eBay to benefit the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund–has reached $3600, rising only $50 in the sixth day of the 10-day auction. But bidding is expected to intensify as the close of the sale approaches. The auction ends at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time Sunday, December 16 with all proceeds from the sale of the leathers, minus eBay and escrow service fees, going to the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund.
The highest bid is currently held by “cmra_5” although “shogunone” and “hondaron39” are still active in the bidding. There have been a total of 39 bids on the leathers. The bidding price has risen from the opening bid of $500 to the current bid of $3600.
To see photos of the leathers and read a detailed description, use the following link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1044691248
Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
American Honda’s Nicky Hayden recorded the fastest Superbike lap time Wednesday morning of the Dunlop tire tests at Daytona International Raceway while Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates led all 600cc Supersport riders on the morning of the last day of the test.
Hayden’s best lap, a 1:49.897, came on the first flying lap of a 22-lap endurance test on what Hayden described as “what Dunlop thinks is going to be the race tire in March”. Hayden rode the 2002-spec RC51, fitted with new vortex-generating tape strips, in the endurance run before handing the bike off to Miguel Duhamel just before lunch. Within just a few laps, Duhamel turned significantly quicker times on the new Honda Superbike versus his times on his 2001 RC51. Duhamel spent most of the morning testing a new two-way, rider-to-pit radio system from Racing Radios. Residing inside the foam aero-hump of his leathers and activated by a button on his left handle bar, the NASCAR-like radio system is legal only in the AMA Superbike class.
Yamaha’s Anthony Gobert turned the second-fastest Superbike lap time late in the morning session despite feeling less than 100% physically and spending most of the morning riding his YZF-R6. Gobert’s 1:50.052 was his best effort of the test to this point.
Mat Mladin lapped in the 1:50s on his first flying lap of the morning and ended up the third-fastest Superbike rider with a 1:50.422. Mladin and crew continued to work through their testing agenda of new parts and tires all morning.
Yates rode his GSX-R600 just long enough to turn what may end up being the fastest 600cc lap of the test at 1:53.970. Yates then jumped on his Suzuki Superbike long enough to turn the fifth-fastest Superbike lap time at 1:51.319, just before the lunch break.
KWS Motorsports’ Shawn Higbee lapped at a best of 1:53.381 on his Formula USA Unlimited Superbike GSX-R750 with Dunlop DOT-labeled tires while he was supposed to only be riding around for pictures, according to KWS’ Kevin Hunt.
Erion Racing’s Mike Hale continued to spend time on his 2001 CBR929RR Formula Xtreme bike despite the fact that the FX class will most likely not race at Daytona in March, but the race’s exclusion has not been officially decided by officials from Daytona and AMA Pro Racing.
Tripp Nobles and Dave Estok continue to do comparison testing between 2001 Buell X-1 Lightning and Pro Thunder racers and the 2003-model Buell Firebolt XB9R machines. After the majority of their testing is completed and the expensive diagnostic instruments are removed from the Pro Thunder version of the Firebolt, Nobles and Estok will attempt to turn the fastest lap of Daytona by a push-rod-equipped motorcycle. Nobles currently holds that mark with a 1:58 on the old version of the Buell Pro Thunder bike.
Wednesday Morning’s Unofficial Lap Times:
1. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:49.897
2. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R7, 1:50.052
3. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:50.422
4. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:50.837
5. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:51.319
6. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998, 1:51.828
7. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:51.839
8. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:52.165
9. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:52.233
10. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:53.381
11. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:53.600*
12. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:53.970
13. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:54.506
14. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:55.178
15. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:55.295
16. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:55.418
17. Mike Hale, Honda CBR929RR, 1:56.046
18. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:57.080
19. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:57.180
*Cut chicane on fastest lap time.
Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Hugh Fleming has been named AMA Pro Racing Director of Safety and will convene a panel of doctors to develop improved crash response procedures.
AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth said at Friday’s AMA Awards Banquet that noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. Art Ting will be involved on the panel, along with two doctors with experience in car racing.
Roadracing World has asked AMA Pro Racing to also consider involving AMA Pro racer Dr. David Kieffer, an orthopedic surgeon, and Dr. Jim Adams, an emergency room physician who runs a Cook County, Illinois EMT training program and, along with his two sons, club races.
Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
In the best weather conditions ever at the winter Dunlop tire tests, American Honda’s Nicky Hayden turned a 1:48.141 on one of Dunlop’s new qualifying tires for the fastest lap time of the three-day test at Daytona International Speedway. As recent as March 2001, AMA Superbike racers had to baby Dunlop qualifying tires to survive one flying lap at the legendary 3.56-mile racetrack, but a new, more durable qualifier allowed Hayden to turn a 1:48.701 on his first lap and the 1:48.141 on his second circuit of the track.
The official track record for Daytona stands at 1:48.424 set by Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin earlier this year in qualifying for the 2001 edition of the Daytona 200 by Arai. Track records are only recognized by the AMA when they occur in official timed qualifying for an AMA race.
“I wish it was March for sure, but that’s the way it goes,” said Hayden at the end of the three-day test. “I know it’s still early and we have a lot of time to go, but anytime you’re quickest that’s good. And to get down below a track record is awesome. That lap felt really good, really clean. I’m happy.”
Anthony Gobert was the fastest to circulate the high banks of Daytona with a 1:48.428 on the new qualifying tire early in the afternoon before Hayden put his best lap in toward the end of the day.
None of the three Yoshimura Superbike riders (Mat Mladin, Aaron Yates, Jamie Hacking) deviated from their testing schedule to go for quick laps on sticky tires. “Qualifying is in March,” said Mladin.
The track was shut down for approximately 30 minutes in the middle of the afternoon session when the 2002 Honda RC51 had a problem going down the back straightaway with Miguel Duhamel at the controls and put oil on the track. The fluid was cleaned off the surface well enough for lap times to continue to fall after the incident. Duhamel did not fall when the bike broke, and the ’02 RC51 returned to the track later in the day so that Kurtis Roberts could take a few laps on the new bike.
Yates left Daytona with the quickest lap on a 600cc Supersport bike with the 1:53.970 on Dunlop’s new 240-compound D208GP rear race tire Wednesday morning.
Unofficial Lap Times From Wednesday Afternoon:
1. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:48.141
2. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R7, 1:48.428
3. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:49.152
4. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:50.009
5. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998, 1:50.235
6. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:50.629
7. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:50.893
8. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:51.603
9. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:51.731
10. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R750 (F-USA spec), 1:53.241
11. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:53.487*
12. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:54.258
13. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:54.335
14. Nicky Hayden, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:54.405
15. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:54.609
16. Mike Hale, Honda CBR929RR, 1:54.821
17. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:54.933
18. Kurtis Roberts, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:56.220
19. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:56.518
20. Tripp Nobles, Buell Firebolt XB9R, 2:00.261
21. Dave Estok, Buell Firebolt XB9R, 2:01.998
*Cut chicane on fastest lap.
From a press release:
Proton Team KR have finalised contract details with Japanese star Nobuatsu Aoki, the first of two riders to be confirmed for the England-based two-rider team for next year’s premier World Championship series.
Aoki, a GP winner with four years of 500-class experience, joins the team after a year of intensive off-track development work with a dedicated tyre testing team. The process added a great deal to the 30-year-old rider’s technical knowledge … and he covered many more race-track miles than if he’d been running a normal GP season!
Aoki, the eldest of the three famous Japanese “Fireball Brothers”, brings a wealth of experience and a strong competitive spirit to the independent Proton Team KR, owned and run by legendary triple World Champion Kenny Roberts. It is the only team in GP racing to design and manufacture its own motorcycle. Aoki and his team-mate will campaign the Mk3 version of the three-cylinder lightweight two-stroke KR3 machine, ridden to 13th overall last year by Dutchman Jurgen van den Goorbergh.
A leading member of the strong force of Japanese riders which has taken its place at the top levels of two-wheel racing over the past decade, “Nobu” cut his racing teeth in his early teens in the rough-and-tumble world of Pocket Bike racing, winning his first national championship at 14. He rose through domestic road-racing to become a full-time 250-class factory GP rider in 1993, claiming his first GP win in Malaysia that year. In 1997 he moved to the 500cc class, finishing third overall in his debut season.
In 2001, Aoki was recruited by the Bridgestone tyre company for a high-intensity development programme for the company’s entry to the premier racing class in 2002. It meant taking a year off racing, but completing more laps and more miles in tests at circuits world-wide.
His return coincides with a major change to GP racing, with the premier class completely revised, and renamed MotoGP. The successor to the 500cc class pits new-generation 990cc four-strokes against the existing two-stroke 500cc machines. The Proton riders will be defending the two-stroke faith against the untried newcomers, in what promises to be a fascination year of transition.
Aoki will test the Proton for the first time in January, and is looking forward to the experience.
“The three-cylinder bike is well developed now. I am very curious to see what it feels like. I think it will be a very enjoyable bike to ride.
“It will be interesting also to see how it performs over full race distance against the four-strokes,” said Aoki. “The acceleration of the four-stroke is very strong, but at the same time they are 20 to 30kg heavier. Different circuit character and also different weather conditions will all play a part in the race results. I expect a mixed season,” he said.
Aoki was also buoyed up by the research element to his year of test riding. “I learned such a lot – about suspension and chassis performance of course, but especially about tyre performance: different compounds and different constructions. We made a lot of progress through the year, and I have plenty of confidence for next season as well.
“It is an honour to ride for King Kenny Roberts, who was a big racing hero when I was younger. Now he has achieved a lot as a racing manufacturer, and I am proud to be part of the team that will continue the achievements,” Aoki added.
Team owner Kenny Roberts said: “We are very pleased to have Nobu on the team – he brings a lot of experience. He has ridden a number of different bikes over the years, so he can give us a lot of fresh input – plus there is his year testing the Bridgestone tyres.
“The thing I liked about Nobuatsu is that when the race comes, he gives it 100 percent. He’s a bit like Norick (Abe). Practice is one thing, but the race is total commitment,” said Roberts.
“This is kind of an interim year for everybody – we expect to race our two-stroke this season, and at the same time prepare to enter with our own four-stroke in 2003,” the triple champion continued.
“Our manufacturing base in England has expanded, with more staff and more capabilities – engineering wise, we are on target. By 2003, we will probably be able to build even more in-house than we do already.
“The new 990cc four-strokes will be very powerful, but it remains to be seen how they will perform over full race distance or in difficult conditions. If the tyres work well on the four-strokes, then it will be tough for the two-strokes, but there are no foregone conclusions.
“It’s intriguing for us to be getting back to two riders, and to be racing against those new four-strokes at the same time as working towards our own new machine,” Roberts concluded.
NOBUATSU AOKI
CAREER SUMMARY
Born: August 31, 1971 – Gumma, Japan
Unmarried
1982 First motorcycle
1983 First race, Pocketbike
1985 Japanese Pocketbike Championship – First
1986 50cc Minibike – multiple race winner
1987 Triple Japanese Minibike Champion
1988 Japanese 125cc Championship – 13 wins in 20 races
1989 All-Japan TT-F3 Championship – Second
All-Japan 250cc Championship – 13th
1990 First GP, Japan (Wild Card) – Eighth (Honda)
All-Japan 250cc Championship – Eighth (Honda)
1991 Japanese GP (Wild Card) – Fifth (Honda)
All-Japan 250cc Championship – Third (Honda)
1992 Japanese GP (Wild Card) – Third (Honda)
All-Japan 250cc Championship – Third (Honda)
1993 First GP Season, Malaysian GP – First (Honda)
250cc World Championship – 11th (Honda)
1994 250cc World Championship – 10th (Honda)
1995 250cc World Championship – Sixth (Honda)
1996 250cc World Championship – Seventh (Honda)
1997 500cc World Championship – Third (Honda)
1998 500cc World Championship – Ninth (Suzuki)
1999 500cc World Championship – 13th (Suzuki)
2000 500cc World Championship – 10th (Suzuki)
2001 Bridgestone Tyre Test Team (Honda)
From a press release issued by Eric A. Trytko,
Minister of Propaganda, Can-Am125GP Challenge,
www.can-am125gp.com:
The Can-Am125GP Series is pleased to announce that the series will be returning for 2002, bigger and better. The series will be expanding to six rounds in 2002, running in conjunction with the Canadian Superbike Series and MidWest CycleFest. TV coverage for the series is being
finalized. At present the Can-Am125GP Series has over $10,000 in its points fund for 2002 and that is continuing to grow. A full list of sponsors for the 2002 season will be announced shortly.
May 18-19, Shannonville ONT (Canadian Superbike Series)
June 15-16, Grattan MI (MidWest Cycle Fest)
July 19-20, Mosport ONT (Canadian Superbike/Formula USA)
August 10-11, Shubenacadie NS (Canadian Superbike Series)
August 24-25, Grattan MI (MidWest Cycle Fest)
August 31-1, Shannonville ONT (Canadian Superbike Series)
The Roadracing World Air Fence Fund has reached $158,900 for road racing and $14,645 for dirt track. The latest road racing donations include $1000 from Sheila Barnes, $1000 from Anonymous, $300 from Thomas Patch, $200 from Ken and Joan Snyder/Team Snyder Racing, $130 from Hal Coughlin/Central Vermont Motorcycles, $25 from Erik H. Mathy, $20 (in addition to his previous donation of $300) from Eric Kelcher and $20 from Carlos Bonds.
With her donation, Sheila Barnes wrote, “My late husband, F. Allen Barnes, was quite a fan of motorcycle road racing and sucked me into the excitement as well. We read your magazine avidly, watched racing on Speedvision and attended races at Road American and Brainerd International Raceway when we could. He was particularly troubled when Joey Dunlop was killed in a racing accident July 2, 2000 (they were near the same age and so Joey was a bit of a hero for continuing to race successfully as an older racer and doing good works as well.). A few days later, on July 5, 2000, Allen himself was killed while riding to work when a vehicle turned in front of him (he was an advocate of the Ride To Work movement.) And a few days after that, I was saddened and shocked to hear that Jamie Bowman had succumbed to injuries while riding his motorcycle at Laguna Seca Raceway on July 7th. So much carnage in such a brief time, wonderful lives snuffed out, all deaths possibly preventable.
“Had my husband lived, I know he would have championed your grassroots effort to raise funds for Air Fence. It has taken me this long to come to grips with his death and what he might appreciated as a fitting memorial. Today is his birthday, and in his, Joey’s and Jamie’s memory, I would like to contribute $1000 to the Air Fence Fund. If possible, I would like the money used to provide Air Fence at Road America, where we attended AMA, AHRMA, and CCS races, or at Brainerd. However, as long as the money is used to help protect road racers at the many venues in the United States, we would both be happy.”
Ken and Joan Snyder of Team Snyder Racing wrote, “Please accept the enclosed check from our winnings at the GNF towards the Air Fence Fund. We really appreciated all you have done for the safety factor of our sport. Additionally, we want to thank you for the support you have given our individual racing effort through the years. “
Hal Coughlin wrote, “I have not joined the AMA because they don’t support helmet laws. I may yet join if you people have success with your efforts with the AMA. Keep up the good work and the great magazine.”
On the dirt track side, new donations include $1500 from the 7th Annual Flat Track Golf Tournament, $100 from Glynn and Holly Hewitt/In Loving Memory of Darell Davis 96w, and $50 from Pro Plates.
The list of dirt track contributors now reads:
Chris Carr $2900
Yuasa Battery $2900
Steel Shoe Fund $2900
Continental Tires $2900
7th Annual Flat Track Golf Tournament $1500
Tor Kovacs $300
Gerald & Ann Carr $200
Dorina Groves $200
Mr. & Mrs. C.H. Wilcox $100
Michael Sturdevant $100
Jeff Wilson $100
Debra Fay $100
Glynn & Holly Hewitt/In Loving Memory of Darell Davis 96w $100
Wrenn H. Smith $90
Jack Alexander/In Memory of Toby Jorgenson $50
Rick Matheny $50
www.flattrack.com $50
Pro Plates $50
John Tucker $25
Old59R $20
Stewart Barber $10
The list of road racing contributors now reads:
Anonymous $9450
Erik Buell/Buell Motorcycle Company $5800
Trent Thompson/Paramount Racing $5000
Wegman Benefit Fund/Gordon Lunde Sr. $5000
Dynojet Research $3200
Steve Brubaker/Race Tire Service $3000
Patrick Roskam/HangingOff.com $3000
John Ulrich/Roadracing World $2900
Aprilia USA $2900
American Suzuki Motor Corp. $2900
Ducati North America $2900
Jonathan Glaefke $2900
Susie and Bruce Meyers/BCM Racing Ducati $2900
Performance Machine $2900
Dunlop Motorcycle Tire Co. $2900
Max McAllister/Traxxion Dynamics $2900
Tom Chauncey/Team Wreckless $2900
Willow Springs Int’l Raceway $2900
Wendell Phillips/Lockhart Phillips $2500
Advanced Motor Sports/In Memory of Dirk Piz $2000
L.A. Bikers/labiker.org $1760
Dennis Smith/Sport Tire Services $1500
Gearbox International $1500
Marc Salvisberg/Factory Pro Tuning $1450
Bob Dragich/Roadracing World $1450
Fred Renz/Yoyodyne $1450
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing $1450
Bob Blandford/N.E. Sportbike Assn. $1100
Chuck Warren/Arclight Suzuki $1000
Jim Rashid/4&6 Cycle $1000
Scott Willock/In Memory of Larry Schwarzbach $1000
Don Emde/In Memory of Cal Rayborn $1000
Jason Pridmore’s Star Motorcycle School $1000
Mark E. Dobeck/Techlusion Performance Group $1000
G.M.D. Computrack Network $1000
California Superbike School $1000
Tachyon Racing/Tachyon Sports Injury Research Foundation $1000
Team Pro-Motion Sportbike Club $1000
Anthony and Aaron Gobert $1000
Andrew M. Cross $1000
Andy Kettle/Honda of Milpitas $1000
Lindemann Engineering $1000
Marcus McBain $1500
Dale Pestes/Tuff Dog Racing $1000
Sheila Barnes $1000
Anonymous $1000
Linda, John & Susanne Hopkins/In Memory of Roy Hopkins $895
Intrepid Café Racers $775
Yoshimura Racing $750
Team Daemon Racing $600
Derek and Gordon King $600
CMRRA $537
Don Lemelin/Scuderia West $500
Kevin Erion/Erion Racing $500
Pinky’s Pizza of Walnut Creek $500
Doug Gonda $500
Jerry Wood/Penguin School $500
Mike Canfield/Chandelle Motorsports $500
Jim Davis/J6 Racing/In Memory of Dirk Piz $500
Brooks Gremmels/Shogun Motorsports $500
Jim Di Salvo/Alien Racing $500
Dale Kieffer/Racers Edge Performance $500
The Plummer Menapace Group $500
Reg Kitrelle $500
Specialty Sports Ltd/Teknic $500
Ronnie Lunsford/Northwest Honda $500
Bob Holcomb $500
Aaron Yates $500
James D. Randolph $500
OMRRA $500
Terry Knott $500
Shawn Higbee/Team KWS/Millenium Technologies $500
Harley Davidson of Reno $500
Walt Schaefer $500
Gary Christopher/American Honda $500
Full Spectrum Design $500
Indigo Sports $500
Ed Robinson/Robinson Partners $500
Bill St. John/Project Monza $400
Jerry Jirkovsky $330
Ice Holes $301
Richard Hood/Reptillian Racing $300
Edward S. Siccardi, Jr. $300
Dan Fischer/Copier1.com $300
David Finniff $300
Marietta Motorsports $300
Brendan Guy $300
Dean Scarpa $300
Anonymous $300
Kurtis Roberts $300
James Siddall/World Sports/Corbin Grand Prix $300
“Old Slo Gene Templet”/CMRA $300
Eric Kelcher/Blockworks $320
Zachry Lee $300
N.I.T.R.O. (Northern Illinois Touring and Riding Organization) $300
Martin Von Wyss $300
In Memory of Charles Wooldridge, Sr. $300
Brian Parriott $300
Thomas Patch $300
James Lickwar $290
Texas Sport Bike Association $260
Scott Fisher/Fisher Technical Services $250
Chris Pyles & Beth Walters $250
Peter Hively $250
Brian Mitchell $250
Al Ludington $250
Tim Simpson $250
Spectrum Motorsports/VJB Racing $250
David Roy, Ducati N. America $250
Debbie Roy/Frenotec $250
Joshua Hayes $250
Gina Nadeau $250
Jeannne Pyles $250
John Ross/Ross Racing $250
Brian Cincera $250
C. Renard Fiscus $250
Bruce & Edith Lind $250
Andre Espaillat $250
Aramel Racing $250
WMRRA $250
Bo Poulsen $250
Walter S. Pasicznyk $250
Papa Thiam/WERA BBS $200
Bill Capshaw/ICE Motorsports $200
Scott Decker $200
Terry Embury $200
Jim “Dutch” MacKenzie/WERA BBS $200
Scott Jenkins/Desmoto-sport $200
Cliff Nobles $200
Jodie York/RPM Cycles Ventura/WSMC #11 $200
Mostro.org/Jeffrey Fillmore $200
Jeff Bowis $200
Rich & Lynda Alexander/In Memory of Dirk Piz $200
Nils Menten $200
Melissa Tomlinson/G-Man Racing $200
DP Enterprises $200
Jeffrey S. Stathes $200
RPM $200
Wayne Nielsen/sportbikeworld.com $200
Dennis Woods/Doppio Racing $200
Tom David $200
Sierra Sportbike Association $200
Terry McKeever $200
“Barnacle” Bill Burns $200
Scott Greenwood/New England Performance $200
Roger Lyle/In Memory of Jimmy Adamo $200
Big Show Racing/Chicago, IL $200
Empty Pockets Racing $200
John and Richard Haner/Haner Motor Sports $200
Crew & Friends of the R/V Point Sur/In Memory of Stuart Stratton $200
Ken & Joan Snyder/Team Snyder Racing $200
Chris Kelley/California Cycleworks $150
Robb Mc Elroy $150
Tim Chin/Team Bandit $150
Ed & Catherine Sorbo $150
Damon Buckmaster $150
Chris Hamilton/Grand Prix Direct $150
Marc Palazzo/Synergy Racing Honda $150
Stuart Stratton/Stratton Racing $150
Hewitt & Prout Attorneys at Law $150
Hal Coughlin/Central Vermont Motorcycles $130
Jim Williams/13x.com $125
David Boosales/WERA BBS $125
Pete Martins $125
Road Atlanta Crash Truck Crews $111
Chris Normand/Firestorm Racing $101
Lucky Deleoni $100
Pat Stricker $100
Gary Rand/In Memory of Rusty Bradley $100
Michael Roberson/WERA BBS $100
Sean Jordan/WERA BBS $100
Army of Darkness $100
Stuart Gregg $100
Pinky’s Pizza/Lippman Racing $100
Bob Szoke $100
TyrSox $100
Ron West/Omzig Productions $100
Joe Facer $100
Preston Rash $100
Geoff Maloney/GP Tech $100
Melissa Berkoff/Neighbor Of The Beast $100
Caesar Gonzales/WERA BBS $100
Dorina Groves $100
Dorina Groves/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
Philip Rusin/RC51.net $100
Allen “Spence” Spencer $100
Matt Wadsworth $100
Dean N. De St. Croix $100
Tony Tugwell/TZ250.com $100
Bart Fuqua/Team LGC $100
Brian Stokes/Marietta Motorsports $100
Chris “Opie” Caylor/Marietta Motorsports $100
David McElvain/NEDoD $100
Ned “Peanut” Brown/NESBA/TPM $100
Vance Hacecky $100
Patrick Mee $100
Dave and Jason Parker $100
Tom Drumm $100
David Brown $100
Steve Moonitz/Team Squid Pro Quo $100
Jake Swan $100
Chris Story $100
Chris Eklund $100
Randy Ball/WERA BBS $100
Mark Hellvig $100
Gary Schilling/On Time Racing/WERA BBS $100
Steve Sumner $100
Laura Granato/WERA BBS $100
Norm Viano/Lawdog Sports Mgmt $100
Kevin Jordan/Jordan Motorsports $100
Val Gregory/In Memory of Dirk Piz $100
Dave Gess $100
Rob Berlind $100
Paul Black $100
Steve Hewitt $100
Mike Ciccotto $100
Tripp Nobles $100
Scott Rehl $100
Steve & Lorraine Aledort $100
Jeff Rozycki/29dreams.com Racing $100
Chris Ulrich/In Memory of Russ Paulk And Toby Jorgensen $100
Giorgio Milesi/Galfer Brakes USA $100
Al Lyons/CMRRA $100
Linda Hopkins $100
John Hopkins/In Memory of Jamie Bowman and Toby Jorgensen $100
Vicky&Michael Menard $100
Silvia Salenius/Ducati.net Online $100
HG Racing/AMA Pro Thunder $100
Red Fox Racing $100
Greg Ruffin $100
John Donald/PTC Racing $100
Larry Pegram $100
Pamela Skaff/WERA BBS $100
J.D. Hord/Meccanica Corse Racing $100
Mark Sutton $100
Steve Scott/LRRS#47 $100
Eric Putter $100
Jim Doerfler $100
Ira Englebardt $100
Joe & Nancy Fenech $100
Earl Hayden $100
Chuck Sorensen $100
Jeff Wilson/American Suzuki $100
Adam Vella/Webcrush Racing $100
Chuck Gault/Motobama $100
Gary Longren $100
Stephan Hottenrott $100
David Kunzelman $100
C.R. “Critter” Gittere/WERA BBS $100
John Light/Lightsmith Racing $100
Ken & Arlene Block (Ed Sorbo’s Mom) $100
Chris Link/CMRA/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
Josh Steinberg $100
Broad Squad/CCS NE $100
Logan Young $100
Bob & Sherrie Young $100
Ann Sands $100
Troy Green/www.TG-Racing.com $100
Colin Fowler $100
Asphalt & Gas $100
CelentoHenn Architecture + Design $100
Norm Mc Donald/CMRA $100
Andrew S. Mueller/WERA BBS $100
Mary Miskovic $100
Mark Van Hoff/The Plastic Doctor/WERA BBS $100
Anonymous $100
Mauro Cereda/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
James B. Norwood/Bad Iguana Racing $100
Bakersfield Yamaha $100
Matt Gerard/In Memory of Gordy Lunde Jr. $100
MMCZYK/Concerned Fan $100
Kendall Davis/WERA #326 $100
Jerry Daggett $100
Miller’s Modern Garage $100
TFS Racing $100
Sabrina Phillips 100
Jane Phillips $100
Twin Cities Yamaha $100
Fernando Peris $100
Louis Gagne $100
Peter Christensen & Stasia Moore $100
Paul D. Harrell $100
Manny Otmane/Team Hooters $100
Rich Desmond/WERA BBS $100
Larry Lawrence $100
Tony Iannarelli $100
Marcel Fortney $100
Tim Fowler $100
Dennis Hurst/Deken Power $100
Tommy Bright/Logistics & Information $100
John F. Penrose $100
Russ & Lisa Dancho $100
Leonard Lloyd $100
Blake/www.BadWeatherBikers.com $100
Loren Chun, $100
Joe & Pam Axberg $100
Paul Sedillo $100
Robert C. Vester $100
Dale W. Dandrea $100
Bob Domenz/3D Racing $100
Justin Blake $100
Berde Brothers Racing $100
Ted Johnson/Last Chance Racing $100
Bruce Liddle $100
Schenk Racing $100
John Lemak $100
Donald P. Randolph $100
Ken & Lori Hill/Rt. 6 Sales & Service, $100
Alex Peabody $100
Joe Kimble $100
Anonymous $100
MZ Scorpion Cup Racers $100
Todd Telkamp/Bent Racing $100
Jeff Caco $100
Wrenn H. Smith $100
Larry Spektor/In Memory of Toby Jorgenson $80
David Yesman $80
Tyson Kamp $75
Vito Dionisio/WERA BBS $75
Joe Davidson/Comet Racing/In Memory of Toby Jorgensen & Jamie Bowman $75
R.J. McLeod $60
George Gervasi/Projekt9 Racing $60
Christopher Gosch $60
Kelly Thornton $58
Erica B. Smith & John F.X. Walsh $55
Stephen Bauman $55
Max Buxton/NEDoD $50
Nelo Hakola $50
Tyler Sandell $ 50
David J. Kopfinger $ 50
Aaron Loyd $50
Martin Voelker $50
Steve Hopkins $50
Louis DeBlois $50
Leigh Taunton/EMGO $50
Randy Sinisi $50
Danny Hull $50
Team Skidmark Racing $50
Ryan Meskimen/WERA BBS $50
Erik Astrup $50
Paul Zavada $50
James Greeson/WERA BBS $50
Victor Mokler $50
Steve Clark/J. Guthridge/Tight Squeeze Racing $50
Nate Olsen $50
Anthony Moey $50
Dustin Miller $50
Steve Martinez $50
Jason Temme/Serpent Racing $50
Mike Hodgson/WERA BBS $50
Chris Borre/Motorcycleroadracer.com $50
Richard Barker/AIM/In Memory of Dirk Piz $50
Mike Reish/Reish Dot Net $50
Kenyon Kluge/K2 Racing $50
Darin Nichols/Team Unit $50
Richard Davis $50
Allen Lyon/Ducati.net Online $50
Eric H. Mathy $50
Steve Breckenridge $50
Jim Race/Speaksy Racing $50
James Aragon $50
James Hayton/Kochenbaulz Racing/WERA BBS $50
Anthony D’Augusta $50
Norm Brown $50
Isaac Ward $50
Jason K. Michelson $50
Qi Guo/WERA BBS $50
Schaefer Brothers Racing $50
Tommy Lancaster/Tommy Built Fireplaces $50
James Gaal $50
Rod Mahr/Follow the Helmet Racing $50
Charles Brothers/CMRA $50
Francisco Prats $50
Keith Mc Cammon $50
Rick Haskins $50
Larry, Janice & Jimmy /Moto Liberty $50
Friends & Family/Firestorm Racing $50
Akos Feher $50
Brian Cox/CMRA#318 $50
Greg Gorman $50
James E. Schaefer $50
Kevin Hanson $50
Nick Tulloh/In Memory of Jimmy Adamo $50
Robin Clark, $50
Carl Liebold, $50
Peter Young, $50
John Walsh $50
John Caudle/Thanks to Grigg Racing $50
Jim Frost $50
Jack Giesecke $50
Mark Anzalone $50
George M. Noeth $50
Greg Avello/Milwaukee H-D/Buell Racing $50
Bernard Ayling $50
Charles Helming $50
Andrew Culpepper $50
Wayne Gaylord and Dorothy Urbanski CCS Novice SE #424 $50
Rod Klebsch $40
Mark Crane, $40
Don Moody $35
Andy & Kate Kupfer, $35
Lindsey Leard $30
Dave Deggendorf/WERA BBS $30
Bob Elam $30
The Heidepriems/WERA BBS $30
Kimberly Scheffel/rider/race fan/pit keeper $30
Bryan Norton $30
Scott D. Cortese $30
Stephen Warburton/Ducati Online $30
John Scherer $30
Charles Lederer $30
Greg Gabis $29
Ripley Howe $29
Mark Hatten/Meccanica Corse Racing $29
Ted Angle $25
Susanne Hopkins $25
Nolan Ballew $25
Josh Loberant $25
Charles Tomes $25
Jon DeMent $25
Timothy Wilson $25
Mark Novak $25
Rene Ferron $25
Sean Patrick Brisini $25
Richard Korol $25
Eric and Christine Loranger $25
Dee Moses $25
Kyle Kirschenmann/Bayou Riders of Louisiana $25
Marc Asmus $25
Mike Henry $25
Henry Hallmark $25
Ronnie Reyes/CMRA $25
Kathleen Mc Laughlin $25
John Jancoski $25
John C. Pfeiffer $25
Bernis B. Conatser $25
Tony Day $25
Harlan Weishahn $25
Chad Littrell $25
David Osser $25
Margaret Corra $25
Kerry Lynn Hanley $25
T. Kershaw $25
Allan Karman, $25
Anonymous $25
Peter Gallant $25
Jeff Mc Bride $25
Squirrel/YTAK Racing $25
Chuck D./Fosters $25
Louis Acosta $25
Jay Barfield $25
Everett B. Miller $25
James Lane $25
Erik H. Mathy $25
Rob Armstrong/Maryland Motor Sports Racing $20
David Smith $20
S.C. Pittman $20
Jamieson D. Yonker $20
Garret Swearingen $20
Darrin Zumbaum $20
Andy Lenz/CMRRA $20
Dave Harrison $20
Jeff Harrison $20
Sled/Cross $20
David L. Osser $20
Carlos Bonds $20
Team Backbone/CMRA/In Memory of Buddy Walker $20
Pellack Family $15
Michael W. Morgan $10
Irwin Arnstein/CMRA $10
Frank Shacklee/CMRA $10
John & Arlene Gerard/In Memory of Gordy Lunde Jr. $10
Becky Rechek, $10
Lee D’Amico $10
Johnny Newell, $10
Christopher Clark $10
Anomymous $10
Jan Steven/Carpet Dog $5
Anonymous $5
Joe Knight $5
Erik Schmitt/CMRA $1
To pledge a contribution, call Roadracing World at (800) 464-8336 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, when operators will be standing by. Credit cards accepted. Pledges can also be made by e-mailing [email protected]. Make checks payable to Roadracing World, and mail to P.O. Box 1428, Lake Elsinore CA 92531. Money raised will be used for buying Air Module/Air Fence sections, as well as for deployment expenses and for shipping, tax and import duties.
Despite a popular website’s continuing assertions that Shawn Higbee rode a GSX-R1000 “Formula Xtreme” bike at Daytona during the recent Dunlop tire tests, Higbee was in fact riding a Formula USA-spec GSX-R750 on DOT-labelled tires.
F-USA rules limit horsepower to 145.
A typical Formula Xtreme bike, which runs on slicks, makes between 165 and 190 horsepower.
Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Valvoline EMGO Suzuki Crew Chief (and former racer) Keith Perry married AMA grid official (and club racer) Laura Edmondson Hardy in Apopka, Florida today.
MRO Chaplain Brent Houston officiated at the private ceremony.
It is the second marriage for both.
The rings exchanged by the couple were made by Jerry Derhammer, AMA Pro Road Racing Chief Steward, who is involved in the jewelry business in real life.
Racer Bruce Lind has been hospitalized with complications related to serious injuries suffered in a crash at Laguna Seca last July.
According to his wife, Edie, Lind was hospitalized Tuesday with acute pain, which was diagnosed as being the result of scar tissue and adhesions causing an intestinal blockage.
It was uncertain at post time whether or not Lind will face surgery related to the problem.
In the calm before the storm, bidding on Nicky Hayden’s leathers–being auctioned off on eBay to benefit the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund–has reached $3600, rising only $50 in the sixth day of the 10-day auction. But bidding is expected to intensify as the close of the sale approaches. The auction ends at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time Sunday, December 16 with all proceeds from the sale of the leathers, minus eBay and escrow service fees, going to the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund.
The highest bid is currently held by “cmra_5” although “shogunone” and “hondaron39” are still active in the bidding. There have been a total of 39 bids on the leathers. The bidding price has risen from the opening bid of $500 to the current bid of $3600.
To see photos of the leathers and read a detailed description, use the following link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1044691248
Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
American Honda’s Nicky Hayden recorded the fastest Superbike lap time Wednesday morning of the Dunlop tire tests at Daytona International Raceway while Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates led all 600cc Supersport riders on the morning of the last day of the test.
Hayden’s best lap, a 1:49.897, came on the first flying lap of a 22-lap endurance test on what Hayden described as “what Dunlop thinks is going to be the race tire in March”. Hayden rode the 2002-spec RC51, fitted with new vortex-generating tape strips, in the endurance run before handing the bike off to Miguel Duhamel just before lunch. Within just a few laps, Duhamel turned significantly quicker times on the new Honda Superbike versus his times on his 2001 RC51. Duhamel spent most of the morning testing a new two-way, rider-to-pit radio system from Racing Radios. Residing inside the foam aero-hump of his leathers and activated by a button on his left handle bar, the NASCAR-like radio system is legal only in the AMA Superbike class.
Yamaha’s Anthony Gobert turned the second-fastest Superbike lap time late in the morning session despite feeling less than 100% physically and spending most of the morning riding his YZF-R6. Gobert’s 1:50.052 was his best effort of the test to this point.
Mat Mladin lapped in the 1:50s on his first flying lap of the morning and ended up the third-fastest Superbike rider with a 1:50.422. Mladin and crew continued to work through their testing agenda of new parts and tires all morning.
Yates rode his GSX-R600 just long enough to turn what may end up being the fastest 600cc lap of the test at 1:53.970. Yates then jumped on his Suzuki Superbike long enough to turn the fifth-fastest Superbike lap time at 1:51.319, just before the lunch break.
KWS Motorsports’ Shawn Higbee lapped at a best of 1:53.381 on his Formula USA Unlimited Superbike GSX-R750 with Dunlop DOT-labeled tires while he was supposed to only be riding around for pictures, according to KWS’ Kevin Hunt.
Erion Racing’s Mike Hale continued to spend time on his 2001 CBR929RR Formula Xtreme bike despite the fact that the FX class will most likely not race at Daytona in March, but the race’s exclusion has not been officially decided by officials from Daytona and AMA Pro Racing.
Tripp Nobles and Dave Estok continue to do comparison testing between 2001 Buell X-1 Lightning and Pro Thunder racers and the 2003-model Buell Firebolt XB9R machines. After the majority of their testing is completed and the expensive diagnostic instruments are removed from the Pro Thunder version of the Firebolt, Nobles and Estok will attempt to turn the fastest lap of Daytona by a push-rod-equipped motorcycle. Nobles currently holds that mark with a 1:58 on the old version of the Buell Pro Thunder bike.
Wednesday Morning’s Unofficial Lap Times:
1. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:49.897
2. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R7, 1:50.052
3. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:50.422
4. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:50.837
5. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:51.319
6. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998, 1:51.828
7. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:51.839
8. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:52.165
9. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:52.233
10. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:53.381
11. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:53.600*
12. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:53.970
13. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:54.506
14. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:55.178
15. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:55.295
16. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:55.418
17. Mike Hale, Honda CBR929RR, 1:56.046
18. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:57.080
19. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:57.180
*Cut chicane on fastest lap time.
Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Hugh Fleming has been named AMA Pro Racing Director of Safety and will convene a panel of doctors to develop improved crash response procedures.
AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth said at Friday’s AMA Awards Banquet that noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. Art Ting will be involved on the panel, along with two doctors with experience in car racing.
Roadracing World has asked AMA Pro Racing to also consider involving AMA Pro racer Dr. David Kieffer, an orthopedic surgeon, and Dr. Jim Adams, an emergency room physician who runs a Cook County, Illinois EMT training program and, along with his two sons, club races.
Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
In the best weather conditions ever at the winter Dunlop tire tests, American Honda’s Nicky Hayden turned a 1:48.141 on one of Dunlop’s new qualifying tires for the fastest lap time of the three-day test at Daytona International Speedway. As recent as March 2001, AMA Superbike racers had to baby Dunlop qualifying tires to survive one flying lap at the legendary 3.56-mile racetrack, but a new, more durable qualifier allowed Hayden to turn a 1:48.701 on his first lap and the 1:48.141 on his second circuit of the track.
The official track record for Daytona stands at 1:48.424 set by Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin earlier this year in qualifying for the 2001 edition of the Daytona 200 by Arai. Track records are only recognized by the AMA when they occur in official timed qualifying for an AMA race.
“I wish it was March for sure, but that’s the way it goes,” said Hayden at the end of the three-day test. “I know it’s still early and we have a lot of time to go, but anytime you’re quickest that’s good. And to get down below a track record is awesome. That lap felt really good, really clean. I’m happy.”
Anthony Gobert was the fastest to circulate the high banks of Daytona with a 1:48.428 on the new qualifying tire early in the afternoon before Hayden put his best lap in toward the end of the day.
None of the three Yoshimura Superbike riders (Mat Mladin, Aaron Yates, Jamie Hacking) deviated from their testing schedule to go for quick laps on sticky tires. “Qualifying is in March,” said Mladin.
The track was shut down for approximately 30 minutes in the middle of the afternoon session when the 2002 Honda RC51 had a problem going down the back straightaway with Miguel Duhamel at the controls and put oil on the track. The fluid was cleaned off the surface well enough for lap times to continue to fall after the incident. Duhamel did not fall when the bike broke, and the ’02 RC51 returned to the track later in the day so that Kurtis Roberts could take a few laps on the new bike.
Yates left Daytona with the quickest lap on a 600cc Supersport bike with the 1:53.970 on Dunlop’s new 240-compound D208GP rear race tire Wednesday morning.
Unofficial Lap Times From Wednesday Afternoon:
1. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:48.141
2. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R7, 1:48.428
3. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:49.152
4. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:50.009
5. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998, 1:50.235
6. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:50.629
7. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:50.893
8. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:51.603
9. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:51.731
10. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R750 (F-USA spec), 1:53.241
11. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:53.487*
12. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:54.258
13. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:54.335
14. Nicky Hayden, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:54.405
15. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:54.609
16. Mike Hale, Honda CBR929RR, 1:54.821
17. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:54.933
18. Kurtis Roberts, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:56.220
19. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:56.518
20. Tripp Nobles, Buell Firebolt XB9R, 2:00.261
21. Dave Estok, Buell Firebolt XB9R, 2:01.998
*Cut chicane on fastest lap.
From a press release:
Proton Team KR have finalised contract details with Japanese star Nobuatsu Aoki, the first of two riders to be confirmed for the England-based two-rider team for next year’s premier World Championship series.
Aoki, a GP winner with four years of 500-class experience, joins the team after a year of intensive off-track development work with a dedicated tyre testing team. The process added a great deal to the 30-year-old rider’s technical knowledge … and he covered many more race-track miles than if he’d been running a normal GP season!
Aoki, the eldest of the three famous Japanese “Fireball Brothers”, brings a wealth of experience and a strong competitive spirit to the independent Proton Team KR, owned and run by legendary triple World Champion Kenny Roberts. It is the only team in GP racing to design and manufacture its own motorcycle. Aoki and his team-mate will campaign the Mk3 version of the three-cylinder lightweight two-stroke KR3 machine, ridden to 13th overall last year by Dutchman Jurgen van den Goorbergh.
A leading member of the strong force of Japanese riders which has taken its place at the top levels of two-wheel racing over the past decade, “Nobu” cut his racing teeth in his early teens in the rough-and-tumble world of Pocket Bike racing, winning his first national championship at 14. He rose through domestic road-racing to become a full-time 250-class factory GP rider in 1993, claiming his first GP win in Malaysia that year. In 1997 he moved to the 500cc class, finishing third overall in his debut season.
In 2001, Aoki was recruited by the Bridgestone tyre company for a high-intensity development programme for the company’s entry to the premier racing class in 2002. It meant taking a year off racing, but completing more laps and more miles in tests at circuits world-wide.
His return coincides with a major change to GP racing, with the premier class completely revised, and renamed MotoGP. The successor to the 500cc class pits new-generation 990cc four-strokes against the existing two-stroke 500cc machines. The Proton riders will be defending the two-stroke faith against the untried newcomers, in what promises to be a fascination year of transition.
Aoki will test the Proton for the first time in January, and is looking forward to the experience.
“The three-cylinder bike is well developed now. I am very curious to see what it feels like. I think it will be a very enjoyable bike to ride.
“It will be interesting also to see how it performs over full race distance against the four-strokes,” said Aoki. “The acceleration of the four-stroke is very strong, but at the same time they are 20 to 30kg heavier. Different circuit character and also different weather conditions will all play a part in the race results. I expect a mixed season,” he said.
Aoki was also buoyed up by the research element to his year of test riding. “I learned such a lot – about suspension and chassis performance of course, but especially about tyre performance: different compounds and different constructions. We made a lot of progress through the year, and I have plenty of confidence for next season as well.
“It is an honour to ride for King Kenny Roberts, who was a big racing hero when I was younger. Now he has achieved a lot as a racing manufacturer, and I am proud to be part of the team that will continue the achievements,” Aoki added.
Team owner Kenny Roberts said: “We are very pleased to have Nobu on the team – he brings a lot of experience. He has ridden a number of different bikes over the years, so he can give us a lot of fresh input – plus there is his year testing the Bridgestone tyres.
“The thing I liked about Nobuatsu is that when the race comes, he gives it 100 percent. He’s a bit like Norick (Abe). Practice is one thing, but the race is total commitment,” said Roberts.
“This is kind of an interim year for everybody – we expect to race our two-stroke this season, and at the same time prepare to enter with our own four-stroke in 2003,” the triple champion continued.
“Our manufacturing base in England has expanded, with more staff and more capabilities – engineering wise, we are on target. By 2003, we will probably be able to build even more in-house than we do already.
“The new 990cc four-strokes will be very powerful, but it remains to be seen how they will perform over full race distance or in difficult conditions. If the tyres work well on the four-strokes, then it will be tough for the two-strokes, but there are no foregone conclusions.
“It’s intriguing for us to be getting back to two riders, and to be racing against those new four-strokes at the same time as working towards our own new machine,” Roberts concluded.
NOBUATSU AOKI
CAREER SUMMARY
Born: August 31, 1971 – Gumma, Japan
Unmarried
1982 First motorcycle
1983 First race, Pocketbike
1985 Japanese Pocketbike Championship – First
1986 50cc Minibike – multiple race winner
1987 Triple Japanese Minibike Champion
1988 Japanese 125cc Championship – 13 wins in 20 races
1989 All-Japan TT-F3 Championship – Second
All-Japan 250cc Championship – 13th
1990 First GP, Japan (Wild Card) – Eighth (Honda)
All-Japan 250cc Championship – Eighth (Honda)
1991 Japanese GP (Wild Card) – Fifth (Honda)
All-Japan 250cc Championship – Third (Honda)
1992 Japanese GP (Wild Card) – Third (Honda)
All-Japan 250cc Championship – Third (Honda)
1993 First GP Season, Malaysian GP – First (Honda)
250cc World Championship – 11th (Honda)
1994 250cc World Championship – 10th (Honda)
1995 250cc World Championship – Sixth (Honda)
1996 250cc World Championship – Seventh (Honda)
1997 500cc World Championship – Third (Honda)
1998 500cc World Championship – Ninth (Suzuki)
1999 500cc World Championship – 13th (Suzuki)
2000 500cc World Championship – 10th (Suzuki)
2001 Bridgestone Tyre Test Team (Honda)
From a press release issued by Eric A. Trytko,
Minister of Propaganda, Can-Am125GP Challenge,
www.can-am125gp.com:
The Can-Am125GP Series is pleased to announce that the series will be returning for 2002, bigger and better. The series will be expanding to six rounds in 2002, running in conjunction with the Canadian Superbike Series and MidWest CycleFest. TV coverage for the series is being
finalized. At present the Can-Am125GP Series has over $10,000 in its points fund for 2002 and that is continuing to grow. A full list of sponsors for the 2002 season will be announced shortly.
May 18-19, Shannonville ONT (Canadian Superbike Series)
June 15-16, Grattan MI (MidWest Cycle Fest)
July 19-20, Mosport ONT (Canadian Superbike/Formula USA)
August 10-11, Shubenacadie NS (Canadian Superbike Series)
August 24-25, Grattan MI (MidWest Cycle Fest)
August 31-1, Shannonville ONT (Canadian Superbike Series)
The Roadracing World Air Fence Fund has reached $158,900 for road racing and $14,645 for dirt track. The latest road racing donations include $1000 from Sheila Barnes, $1000 from Anonymous, $300 from Thomas Patch, $200 from Ken and Joan Snyder/Team Snyder Racing, $130 from Hal Coughlin/Central Vermont Motorcycles, $25 from Erik H. Mathy, $20 (in addition to his previous donation of $300) from Eric Kelcher and $20 from Carlos Bonds.
With her donation, Sheila Barnes wrote, “My late husband, F. Allen Barnes, was quite a fan of motorcycle road racing and sucked me into the excitement as well. We read your magazine avidly, watched racing on Speedvision and attended races at Road American and Brainerd International Raceway when we could. He was particularly troubled when Joey Dunlop was killed in a racing accident July 2, 2000 (they were near the same age and so Joey was a bit of a hero for continuing to race successfully as an older racer and doing good works as well.). A few days later, on July 5, 2000, Allen himself was killed while riding to work when a vehicle turned in front of him (he was an advocate of the Ride To Work movement.) And a few days after that, I was saddened and shocked to hear that Jamie Bowman had succumbed to injuries while riding his motorcycle at Laguna Seca Raceway on July 7th. So much carnage in such a brief time, wonderful lives snuffed out, all deaths possibly preventable.
“Had my husband lived, I know he would have championed your grassroots effort to raise funds for Air Fence. It has taken me this long to come to grips with his death and what he might appreciated as a fitting memorial. Today is his birthday, and in his, Joey’s and Jamie’s memory, I would like to contribute $1000 to the Air Fence Fund. If possible, I would like the money used to provide Air Fence at Road America, where we attended AMA, AHRMA, and CCS races, or at Brainerd. However, as long as the money is used to help protect road racers at the many venues in the United States, we would both be happy.”
Ken and Joan Snyder of Team Snyder Racing wrote, “Please accept the enclosed check from our winnings at the GNF towards the Air Fence Fund. We really appreciated all you have done for the safety factor of our sport. Additionally, we want to thank you for the support you have given our individual racing effort through the years. “
Hal Coughlin wrote, “I have not joined the AMA because they don’t support helmet laws. I may yet join if you people have success with your efforts with the AMA. Keep up the good work and the great magazine.”
On the dirt track side, new donations include $1500 from the 7th Annual Flat Track Golf Tournament, $100 from Glynn and Holly Hewitt/In Loving Memory of Darell Davis 96w, and $50 from Pro Plates.
The list of dirt track contributors now reads:
Chris Carr $2900
Yuasa Battery $2900
Steel Shoe Fund $2900
Continental Tires $2900
7th Annual Flat Track Golf Tournament $1500
Tor Kovacs $300
Gerald & Ann Carr $200
Dorina Groves $200
Mr. & Mrs. C.H. Wilcox $100
Michael Sturdevant $100
Jeff Wilson $100
Debra Fay $100
Glynn & Holly Hewitt/In Loving Memory of Darell Davis 96w $100
Wrenn H. Smith $90
Jack Alexander/In Memory of Toby Jorgenson $50
Rick Matheny $50
www.flattrack.com $50
Pro Plates $50
John Tucker $25
Old59R $20
Stewart Barber $10
The list of road racing contributors now reads:
Anonymous $9450
Erik Buell/Buell Motorcycle Company $5800
Trent Thompson/Paramount Racing $5000
Wegman Benefit Fund/Gordon Lunde Sr. $5000
Dynojet Research $3200
Steve Brubaker/Race Tire Service $3000
Patrick Roskam/HangingOff.com $3000
John Ulrich/Roadracing World $2900
Aprilia USA $2900
American Suzuki Motor Corp. $2900
Ducati North America $2900
Jonathan Glaefke $2900
Susie and Bruce Meyers/BCM Racing Ducati $2900
Performance Machine $2900
Dunlop Motorcycle Tire Co. $2900
Max McAllister/Traxxion Dynamics $2900
Tom Chauncey/Team Wreckless $2900
Willow Springs Int’l Raceway $2900
Wendell Phillips/Lockhart Phillips $2500
Advanced Motor Sports/In Memory of Dirk Piz $2000
L.A. Bikers/labiker.org $1760
Dennis Smith/Sport Tire Services $1500
Gearbox International $1500
Marc Salvisberg/Factory Pro Tuning $1450
Bob Dragich/Roadracing World $1450
Fred Renz/Yoyodyne $1450
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing $1450
Bob Blandford/N.E. Sportbike Assn. $1100
Chuck Warren/Arclight Suzuki $1000
Jim Rashid/4&6 Cycle $1000
Scott Willock/In Memory of Larry Schwarzbach $1000
Don Emde/In Memory of Cal Rayborn $1000
Jason Pridmore’s Star Motorcycle School $1000
Mark E. Dobeck/Techlusion Performance Group $1000
G.M.D. Computrack Network $1000
California Superbike School $1000
Tachyon Racing/Tachyon Sports Injury Research Foundation $1000
Team Pro-Motion Sportbike Club $1000
Anthony and Aaron Gobert $1000
Andrew M. Cross $1000
Andy Kettle/Honda of Milpitas $1000
Lindemann Engineering $1000
Marcus McBain $1500
Dale Pestes/Tuff Dog Racing $1000
Sheila Barnes $1000
Anonymous $1000
Linda, John & Susanne Hopkins/In Memory of Roy Hopkins $895
Intrepid Café Racers $775
Yoshimura Racing $750
Team Daemon Racing $600
Derek and Gordon King $600
CMRRA $537
Don Lemelin/Scuderia West $500
Kevin Erion/Erion Racing $500
Pinky’s Pizza of Walnut Creek $500
Doug Gonda $500
Jerry Wood/Penguin School $500
Mike Canfield/Chandelle Motorsports $500
Jim Davis/J6 Racing/In Memory of Dirk Piz $500
Brooks Gremmels/Shogun Motorsports $500
Jim Di Salvo/Alien Racing $500
Dale Kieffer/Racers Edge Performance $500
The Plummer Menapace Group $500
Reg Kitrelle $500
Specialty Sports Ltd/Teknic $500
Ronnie Lunsford/Northwest Honda $500
Bob Holcomb $500
Aaron Yates $500
James D. Randolph $500
OMRRA $500
Terry Knott $500
Shawn Higbee/Team KWS/Millenium Technologies $500
Harley Davidson of Reno $500
Walt Schaefer $500
Gary Christopher/American Honda $500
Full Spectrum Design $500
Indigo Sports $500
Ed Robinson/Robinson Partners $500
Bill St. John/Project Monza $400
Jerry Jirkovsky $330
Ice Holes $301
Richard Hood/Reptillian Racing $300
Edward S. Siccardi, Jr. $300
Dan Fischer/Copier1.com $300
David Finniff $300
Marietta Motorsports $300
Brendan Guy $300
Dean Scarpa $300
Anonymous $300
Kurtis Roberts $300
James Siddall/World Sports/Corbin Grand Prix $300
“Old Slo Gene Templet”/CMRA $300
Eric Kelcher/Blockworks $320
Zachry Lee $300
N.I.T.R.O. (Northern Illinois Touring and Riding Organization) $300
Martin Von Wyss $300
In Memory of Charles Wooldridge, Sr. $300
Brian Parriott $300
Thomas Patch $300
James Lickwar $290
Texas Sport Bike Association $260
Scott Fisher/Fisher Technical Services $250
Chris Pyles & Beth Walters $250
Peter Hively $250
Brian Mitchell $250
Al Ludington $250
Tim Simpson $250
Spectrum Motorsports/VJB Racing $250
David Roy, Ducati N. America $250
Debbie Roy/Frenotec $250
Joshua Hayes $250
Gina Nadeau $250
Jeannne Pyles $250
John Ross/Ross Racing $250
Brian Cincera $250
C. Renard Fiscus $250
Bruce & Edith Lind $250
Andre Espaillat $250
Aramel Racing $250
WMRRA $250
Bo Poulsen $250
Walter S. Pasicznyk $250
Papa Thiam/WERA BBS $200
Bill Capshaw/ICE Motorsports $200
Scott Decker $200
Terry Embury $200
Jim “Dutch” MacKenzie/WERA BBS $200
Scott Jenkins/Desmoto-sport $200
Cliff Nobles $200
Jodie York/RPM Cycles Ventura/WSMC #11 $200
Mostro.org/Jeffrey Fillmore $200
Jeff Bowis $200
Rich & Lynda Alexander/In Memory of Dirk Piz $200
Nils Menten $200
Melissa Tomlinson/G-Man Racing $200
DP Enterprises $200
Jeffrey S. Stathes $200
RPM $200
Wayne Nielsen/sportbikeworld.com $200
Dennis Woods/Doppio Racing $200
Tom David $200
Sierra Sportbike Association $200
Terry McKeever $200
“Barnacle” Bill Burns $200
Scott Greenwood/New England Performance $200
Roger Lyle/In Memory of Jimmy Adamo $200
Big Show Racing/Chicago, IL $200
Empty Pockets Racing $200
John and Richard Haner/Haner Motor Sports $200
Crew & Friends of the R/V Point Sur/In Memory of Stuart Stratton $200
Ken & Joan Snyder/Team Snyder Racing $200
Chris Kelley/California Cycleworks $150
Robb Mc Elroy $150
Tim Chin/Team Bandit $150
Ed & Catherine Sorbo $150
Damon Buckmaster $150
Chris Hamilton/Grand Prix Direct $150
Marc Palazzo/Synergy Racing Honda $150
Stuart Stratton/Stratton Racing $150
Hewitt & Prout Attorneys at Law $150
Hal Coughlin/Central Vermont Motorcycles $130
Jim Williams/13x.com $125
David Boosales/WERA BBS $125
Pete Martins $125
Road Atlanta Crash Truck Crews $111
Chris Normand/Firestorm Racing $101
Lucky Deleoni $100
Pat Stricker $100
Gary Rand/In Memory of Rusty Bradley $100
Michael Roberson/WERA BBS $100
Sean Jordan/WERA BBS $100
Army of Darkness $100
Stuart Gregg $100
Pinky’s Pizza/Lippman Racing $100
Bob Szoke $100
TyrSox $100
Ron West/Omzig Productions $100
Joe Facer $100
Preston Rash $100
Geoff Maloney/GP Tech $100
Melissa Berkoff/Neighbor Of The Beast $100
Caesar Gonzales/WERA BBS $100
Dorina Groves $100
Dorina Groves/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
Philip Rusin/RC51.net $100
Allen “Spence” Spencer $100
Matt Wadsworth $100
Dean N. De St. Croix $100
Tony Tugwell/TZ250.com $100
Bart Fuqua/Team LGC $100
Brian Stokes/Marietta Motorsports $100
Chris “Opie” Caylor/Marietta Motorsports $100
David McElvain/NEDoD $100
Ned “Peanut” Brown/NESBA/TPM $100
Vance Hacecky $100
Patrick Mee $100
Dave and Jason Parker $100
Tom Drumm $100
David Brown $100
Steve Moonitz/Team Squid Pro Quo $100
Jake Swan $100
Chris Story $100
Chris Eklund $100
Randy Ball/WERA BBS $100
Mark Hellvig $100
Gary Schilling/On Time Racing/WERA BBS $100
Steve Sumner $100
Laura Granato/WERA BBS $100
Norm Viano/Lawdog Sports Mgmt $100
Kevin Jordan/Jordan Motorsports $100
Val Gregory/In Memory of Dirk Piz $100
Dave Gess $100
Rob Berlind $100
Paul Black $100
Steve Hewitt $100
Mike Ciccotto $100
Tripp Nobles $100
Scott Rehl $100
Steve & Lorraine Aledort $100
Jeff Rozycki/29dreams.com Racing $100
Chris Ulrich/In Memory of Russ Paulk And Toby Jorgensen $100
Giorgio Milesi/Galfer Brakes USA $100
Al Lyons/CMRRA $100
Linda Hopkins $100
John Hopkins/In Memory of Jamie Bowman and Toby Jorgensen $100
Vicky&Michael Menard $100
Silvia Salenius/Ducati.net Online $100
HG Racing/AMA Pro Thunder $100
Red Fox Racing $100
Greg Ruffin $100
John Donald/PTC Racing $100
Larry Pegram $100
Pamela Skaff/WERA BBS $100
J.D. Hord/Meccanica Corse Racing $100
Mark Sutton $100
Steve Scott/LRRS#47 $100
Eric Putter $100
Jim Doerfler $100
Ira Englebardt $100
Joe & Nancy Fenech $100
Earl Hayden $100
Chuck Sorensen $100
Jeff Wilson/American Suzuki $100
Adam Vella/Webcrush Racing $100
Chuck Gault/Motobama $100
Gary Longren $100
Stephan Hottenrott $100
David Kunzelman $100
C.R. “Critter” Gittere/WERA BBS $100
John Light/Lightsmith Racing $100
Ken & Arlene Block (Ed Sorbo’s Mom) $100
Chris Link/CMRA/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
Josh Steinberg $100
Broad Squad/CCS NE $100
Logan Young $100
Bob & Sherrie Young $100
Ann Sands $100
Troy Green/www.TG-Racing.com $100
Colin Fowler $100
Asphalt & Gas $100
CelentoHenn Architecture + Design $100
Norm Mc Donald/CMRA $100
Andrew S. Mueller/WERA BBS $100
Mary Miskovic $100
Mark Van Hoff/The Plastic Doctor/WERA BBS $100
Anonymous $100
Mauro Cereda/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
James B. Norwood/Bad Iguana Racing $100
Bakersfield Yamaha $100
Matt Gerard/In Memory of Gordy Lunde Jr. $100
MMCZYK/Concerned Fan $100
Kendall Davis/WERA #326 $100
Jerry Daggett $100
Miller’s Modern Garage $100
TFS Racing $100
Sabrina Phillips 100
Jane Phillips $100
Twin Cities Yamaha $100
Fernando Peris $100
Louis Gagne $100
Peter Christensen & Stasia Moore $100
Paul D. Harrell $100
Manny Otmane/Team Hooters $100
Rich Desmond/WERA BBS $100
Larry Lawrence $100
Tony Iannarelli $100
Marcel Fortney $100
Tim Fowler $100
Dennis Hurst/Deken Power $100
Tommy Bright/Logistics & Information $100
John F. Penrose $100
Russ & Lisa Dancho $100
Leonard Lloyd $100
Blake/www.BadWeatherBikers.com $100
Loren Chun, $100
Joe & Pam Axberg $100
Paul Sedillo $100
Robert C. Vester $100
Dale W. Dandrea $100
Bob Domenz/3D Racing $100
Justin Blake $100
Berde Brothers Racing $100
Ted Johnson/Last Chance Racing $100
Bruce Liddle $100
Schenk Racing $100
John Lemak $100
Donald P. Randolph $100
Ken & Lori Hill/Rt. 6 Sales & Service, $100
Alex Peabody $100
Joe Kimble $100
Anonymous $100
MZ Scorpion Cup Racers $100
Todd Telkamp/Bent Racing $100
Jeff Caco $100
Wrenn H. Smith $100
Larry Spektor/In Memory of Toby Jorgenson $80
David Yesman $80
Tyson Kamp $75
Vito Dionisio/WERA BBS $75
Joe Davidson/Comet Racing/In Memory of Toby Jorgensen & Jamie Bowman $75
R.J. McLeod $60
George Gervasi/Projekt9 Racing $60
Christopher Gosch $60
Kelly Thornton $58
Erica B. Smith & John F.X. Walsh $55
Stephen Bauman $55
Max Buxton/NEDoD $50
Nelo Hakola $50
Tyler Sandell $ 50
David J. Kopfinger $ 50
Aaron Loyd $50
Martin Voelker $50
Steve Hopkins $50
Louis DeBlois $50
Leigh Taunton/EMGO $50
Randy Sinisi $50
Danny Hull $50
Team Skidmark Racing $50
Ryan Meskimen/WERA BBS $50
Erik Astrup $50
Paul Zavada $50
James Greeson/WERA BBS $50
Victor Mokler $50
Steve Clark/J. Guthridge/Tight Squeeze Racing $50
Nate Olsen $50
Anthony Moey $50
Dustin Miller $50
Steve Martinez $50
Jason Temme/Serpent Racing $50
Mike Hodgson/WERA BBS $50
Chris Borre/Motorcycleroadracer.com $50
Richard Barker/AIM/In Memory of Dirk Piz $50
Mike Reish/Reish Dot Net $50
Kenyon Kluge/K2 Racing $50
Darin Nichols/Team Unit $50
Richard Davis $50
Allen Lyon/Ducati.net Online $50
Eric H. Mathy $50
Steve Breckenridge $50
Jim Race/Speaksy Racing $50
James Aragon $50
James Hayton/Kochenbaulz Racing/WERA BBS $50
Anthony D’Augusta $50
Norm Brown $50
Isaac Ward $50
Jason K. Michelson $50
Qi Guo/WERA BBS $50
Schaefer Brothers Racing $50
Tommy Lancaster/Tommy Built Fireplaces $50
James Gaal $50
Rod Mahr/Follow the Helmet Racing $50
Charles Brothers/CMRA $50
Francisco Prats $50
Keith Mc Cammon $50
Rick Haskins $50
Larry, Janice & Jimmy /Moto Liberty $50
Friends & Family/Firestorm Racing $50
Akos Feher $50
Brian Cox/CMRA#318 $50
Greg Gorman $50
James E. Schaefer $50
Kevin Hanson $50
Nick Tulloh/In Memory of Jimmy Adamo $50
Robin Clark, $50
Carl Liebold, $50
Peter Young, $50
John Walsh $50
John Caudle/Thanks to Grigg Racing $50
Jim Frost $50
Jack Giesecke $50
Mark Anzalone $50
George M. Noeth $50
Greg Avello/Milwaukee H-D/Buell Racing $50
Bernard Ayling $50
Charles Helming $50
Andrew Culpepper $50
Wayne Gaylord and Dorothy Urbanski CCS Novice SE #424 $50
Rod Klebsch $40
Mark Crane, $40
Don Moody $35
Andy & Kate Kupfer, $35
Lindsey Leard $30
Dave Deggendorf/WERA BBS $30
Bob Elam $30
The Heidepriems/WERA BBS $30
Kimberly Scheffel/rider/race fan/pit keeper $30
Bryan Norton $30
Scott D. Cortese $30
Stephen Warburton/Ducati Online $30
John Scherer $30
Charles Lederer $30
Greg Gabis $29
Ripley Howe $29
Mark Hatten/Meccanica Corse Racing $29
Ted Angle $25
Susanne Hopkins $25
Nolan Ballew $25
Josh Loberant $25
Charles Tomes $25
Jon DeMent $25
Timothy Wilson $25
Mark Novak $25
Rene Ferron $25
Sean Patrick Brisini $25
Richard Korol $25
Eric and Christine Loranger $25
Dee Moses $25
Kyle Kirschenmann/Bayou Riders of Louisiana $25
Marc Asmus $25
Mike Henry $25
Henry Hallmark $25
Ronnie Reyes/CMRA $25
Kathleen Mc Laughlin $25
John Jancoski $25
John C. Pfeiffer $25
Bernis B. Conatser $25
Tony Day $25
Harlan Weishahn $25
Chad Littrell $25
David Osser $25
Margaret Corra $25
Kerry Lynn Hanley $25
T. Kershaw $25
Allan Karman, $25
Anonymous $25
Peter Gallant $25
Jeff Mc Bride $25
Squirrel/YTAK Racing $25
Chuck D./Fosters $25
Louis Acosta $25
Jay Barfield $25
Everett B. Miller $25
James Lane $25
Erik H. Mathy $25
Rob Armstrong/Maryland Motor Sports Racing $20
David Smith $20
S.C. Pittman $20
Jamieson D. Yonker $20
Garret Swearingen $20
Darrin Zumbaum $20
Andy Lenz/CMRRA $20
Dave Harrison $20
Jeff Harrison $20
Sled/Cross $20
David L. Osser $20
Carlos Bonds $20
Team Backbone/CMRA/In Memory of Buddy Walker $20
Pellack Family $15
Michael W. Morgan $10
Irwin Arnstein/CMRA $10
Frank Shacklee/CMRA $10
John & Arlene Gerard/In Memory of Gordy Lunde Jr. $10
Becky Rechek, $10
Lee D’Amico $10
Johnny Newell, $10
Christopher Clark $10
Anomymous $10
Jan Steven/Carpet Dog $5
Anonymous $5
Joe Knight $5
Erik Schmitt/CMRA $1
To pledge a contribution, call Roadracing World at (800) 464-8336 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, when operators will be standing by. Credit cards accepted. Pledges can also be made by e-mailing [email protected]. Make checks payable to Roadracing World, and mail to P.O. Box 1428, Lake Elsinore CA 92531. Money raised will be used for buying Air Module/Air Fence sections, as well as for deployment expenses and for shipping, tax and import duties.
