Winning Superbike riders are worth every penny they’re paid by their teams.

That’s the conclusion reached by roadracingworld.com’s Chris Ulrich after his eye-opening introduction to Anthony Gobert’s factory Superbike on a 40 degree F day at Willow Springs International Raceway Wednesday.

Riding a factory Superbike slowly is easy, Ulrich found, but the factory Superbike men earn their pay when it’s time to push. Almost infinite adjustments make it possible to walk a fine line between spinning and tank slapping off the corners, but finding that perfect adjustment can be a mind-boggling task.

In short, a factory Superbike has too much power and unbelievable adjustability, and is more of a handful than anyone who hasn’t ridden one can imagine. For details, see an upcoming issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology.

From a press release:

Rossi and Ukawa Give RC211V European Debut

Reigning 500cc World Champion Valentino Rossi and teammate Tohru Ukawa tested their RC211V 5-cylinder Hondas in Europe for the first time today.

The test, held at the 4.423km Jerez circuit, in southern Spain, was the first time the 990cc grand prix machine had been put through its paces by Rossi. Ukawa had previously tested the machine in Japan.

Rossi, from Tavullia in Italy, completed 46 laps on the RCV lowering his lap time with each session on the 200HP-plus race machine.

The young Italian said. “The bike is good, and it has great potential. Honda have been very skilful in developing and modifying the machine after the Suzuka test (August 7). They have improved the bike in almost every area that I asked them to.

“Today we just started on the set-up of the bike to suit Jerez and, of course, we have a lot of work to do over the next two days. In general I must say everything is positive.”

Japanese star Ukawa was as impressed as his team-mate. “The machine is much better than at the Suzuka test. Today we worked on set up and I ran 72 laps as part of an endurance test. I have a very good feeling on the machine and, at the moment, I think the machine will give me an advantage when the season begins at Suzuka next April,” Ukawa commented.

HRC Team Manager Mr. N. Nakata said, “Today was the first day of our three-day test so we concentrated on machine set-up for this track. Regarding the RCV, Valentino did 46 laps with a best time of 1:43.1 and Tohru Ukawa made a time of 1:43.5 and covered 72 laps. We are satisfied with the progress we made today, the test programme is on schedule.”

HRC also brought the Honda Gresini Team to Jerez, where newly crowned 250cc World Champion Daijiro Katoh tested the NSR500 V-4 two-stroke he will campaign in 2002. Gresini Honda new-boy Roberto Rolfo made his acquaintance with the NSR250 V-Twin two-stroke he will race next season, alongside teammate Emilio Alzamora.

At the end of the first of three days testing Katoh said of the NSR500, “Everything is so different from the 250 I raced this year. I have so much more power with the NSR500, it’s really fun to ride the bike. But the machine is not set-up for me, riding position, suspension, everything, so I need a lot more time on the bike. The Dunlop tyres are good.”

Rolfo was impressed with his new charge. “I’m very happy with the work I did today with my new team. My general feeling is that the bike is very good, and I have a very good feeling about the way the team work. In general I’m satisfied with my first day on the Honda. Now I have the bike set up for tomorrow.”

Alzamora, who put in a few laps on the NSR250, commented. “The team have changed the riding position for me to test, everything is almost the same as when I got off the bike the last time. This test is just for me to try the new position and get in some track time.”

Team Kanemoto Honda brought their 2002 team to Jerez and team rider, Dutchman Jurgen van der Goorbergh, gave the team’s Bridgestone-shod NSR500 its first shake-down test. Van der Goorbergh, riding the V-4 Honda for the first time, was happy with his first day’s work for the team.

He said, “My first impression of the NSR500 was not a surprise, I expected it to be this good. I expected the huge power but not the smooth delivery. The bike is very stable, particularly under braking, which is very good. I only did 27 laps today as we are setting the bike up for the next two days. The Bridgestone tyres very stable and made the bike comfortable to ride. I’m very happy with that.”

Lap times:

Valentino Rossi, RC211V, 1:43.1, 46 laps

Tohru Ukawa, RC211V, 1:43.5, 72 laps

Daijiro Katoh, NSR500, 1:43.98, 43 laps

Jurgen van der Goorbergh, NSR500, 1:46.68, 27 laps

Emilio Alzamora, NSR250, 1:46.00, 32 laps

Roberto Rolfo, NSR250, 1:46.00, 46 laps

From a press release:

Clear Channel Announces 2003 Points Fund to be a Minimum of $500,000

AURORA, Ill. (November 27, 2001) – Clear Channel Entertainment’s motorsports division announced today that the season-end points fund for its 2003 series will be a minimum of $500,000.

The upcoming 2002 series points fund payout to riders will be $325,000. Under the current sanction agreement between Clear Channel Entertainment and the American Motorcyclist Association, Clear Channel had agreed to pay $133,100 in points fund money in 2002. However, in 2002, Clear Channel Entertainment will actually pay 144% more than the agreement stipulates, bringing the total to $325,000. That amount will increase by at least another $175,000 when Clear Channel Entertainment produces its 2003 series.

Roy Janson, vice president of operations for Clear Channel Entertainment’s motor sports division, said, “We are pleased to again demonstrate our commitment to the riders. The half million dollar mark is a major milestone in supercross history, and this is something we definitely set out to do five years ago.”

The series points fund is paid to the top 20 riders in final series points. In addition to the series points fund, Clear Channel Entertainment will continue to award the privateer riders with the privateer points fund.

Janson added, “Clear Channel Entertainment will maintain its traditional support program for privateer riders in 2002 and beyond with the continuation of its privateer point fund. The fund distributes more than $100,000 annually above the posted purse and point fund payouts exclusively to privateer riders who qualify for 250cc class main events.”

Tuner Scotty Beach’s reaction to Dr. Rob Tuluie’s November 7 posting regarding the Center Of The Universe, which he actually sent on November 8 but which lingered in editorial purgatory until now:


Seeing Dr. Tuluie’s comment in regards to the center of the (road racing) universe put a smile on my face. Of the things I enjoy most in my life are the friendships and acquaintances have with people of higher consciousness. Most notably… Dr. Marshall, Dr. Nutt and last but not least Dr. Robin Tuluie. It is a breath of fresh air to me to be present with these humans who have obviously extended themselves and as a result of that extension have and are making an impression on humanity.

As always.

R. Scott Beach

Racer John Ulrich married girlfriend and team scorer Trudy Sands 25 years ago, on November 27, 1976 in Las Vegas, Nevada, on the way home from a WERA 24-Hour.

THREE NEW VENUES ON 2002 AMA U.S. FLAT TRACK
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Another chapter in AMA Grand National dirt-track racing will be written in the 2002 AMA U.S. Flat Track Championships. A new formula for the series will see the advent of street-based 1000cc motors, such as Suzuki TL1000s, Aprilia RSV Milles, Buells, Ducatis and others being raced against the long established Harley-Davidson 750cc pure-bred racing motors.

2002 will see the implementation of AMA Pro Racing’s five-year plan for flat-track racing to help incorporate more brands into the series. Since 1999 the 1000cc bikes ran in the now defunct SuperTrackers Series. The 2002 series will feature a mix of established events and several new rounds giving racing fans in different parts of the country a chance to watch the wheel-to-wheel racing action.

The championships will see its traditional kick off on March 9 during Daytona Bike Week at Municipal Stadium’s short track. This is one of the most competitive tracks in the series and has witnessed eight different winners in 13 years of racing. Speedvision will televise the opening round.

Round two will be on April 7 at a new venue for AMA Grand National racing — Will Rogers Down in Claremore, Okla. Fans will benefit from the glass-enclosed grandstands and a restaurant that overlooks the track. The track has previously hosted AMA National Hot Shoe Series races.

Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Ill., is the second track new to the AMA Grand National racing circuit. Tri-City is located just across the river from St. Louis and will host a race on June 15. The area last hosted an AMA Grand National in the mid-1980s when a Short-Track National was held in Busch Stadium.

On July 20 Oglethorpe Speedway Park in Savannah, Ga., will host its first AMA Grand National. Oglethorpe is not new to most of the series racers however, since the clay half-mile is the site of the yearly AMA Hot Shoe Series kick off.

In addition to these new racing venues the series will return to traditional strongholds such as Springfield, Ill., which will host rounds on Memorial Day and Labor Day holiday weekends; Peoria, Ill., home of the famous TT race; Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio, a crushed limestone half-mile that has become one of the fan favorites; the Du Quoin (Ill.) Mile, known as the Magic Mile for the closeness of the racing, as well as races in Mineralwells, W. Va., Hagerstown, Md., Charlotte, N.C., Harrington, Del., Sedalia, Mo. and Vernon, N.Y.

AMA Pro Racing is working to complete the 2002 schedule, especially adding events during the late-April and early-May time period.

TENTATIVE 2002 AMA U.S. FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS

March 9, Municipal Stadium, Daytona Beach, FL, Short Track

April 7, Will Rogers Downs, Claremore, Oklahoma, Mile

April 20, TBA

April 27, TBA

May 4, TBA

May 18, West Virginia Motor Speedway, Mineralwells, West Virginia, Half-mile

May 25, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Illinois, TT

May 26, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Illinois, Mile

June 1, Hagerstown Speedway, Hagerstown, Maryland, Half-mile

June 15, Tri-City Speedway, Granite City, Illinois, Half-mile

June 22, TBA

June 29, Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, Ohio, Half-mile

July 6, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Illinois, Short Track

July 13, TBA

July 20, Oglethorpe Speedway Park, Savannah, Georgia, Half-mile

July 27, Lowes Motor Speedway, Charlotte, North Carolina, Half-mile

Aug. 3, Delaware State Fairgrounds, Harrington, Delaware, Half-mile

Aug. 10, Hagerstown Speedway, Hagerstown, Maryland, Half-mile

Aug. 18, Peoria Motorcycle Clubgrounds, Peoria, Illinois, TT

Aug. 24, State Fair Speedway, Sedalia, Missouri, Half-mile

Aug. 30, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Illinois, Short Track

Aug. 31, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Illinois, Mile

Sept. 1, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Illinois, Mile

Sept. 7, Vernon Downs, Vernon, New York, Mile

Sept. 28, Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, Du Quoin, Illinois, Mile

The Marlboro Yamaha Grand Prix team is testing at Phillip Island, Australia on Tuesday, November 27 through Friday, November 30th.

Clear Channel Motor Sports has announced another stadium deal, this time with Sam Boyd Stadium in las Vegas.

Clearly, the stadiums that have served as venues for the Supercross Series are siding with Clear Channel and not AMA Pro Racing and its new Supercross promoter, Jam Productions.

A press release from Clear Channel follows:

Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium Named Clear Channel’s
Supercross Finals Location For The Next Four Years

Clear Channel Entertainment and Sam Boyd Stadium extend agreement through 2005

AURORA, Ill. (November 26, 2001) – Clear Channel Entertainment’s motor sports division announced today a four-year agreement with Las Vegas’ Sam
Boyd Stadium to host the Supercross finals through 2005.

The agreement ensures Clear Channel Entertainment’s Supercross Series finals will remain in Las Vegas for the next four years.

Sam Boyd Stadium, home to the UNLV Rebel Football team, is Nevada’s premier outdoor facility, located just eight miles east of the famous Las Vegas Strip. Along with being the crown jewel of both the Monster Jam and EA SPORTS Supercross tours, the stadium has also hosted the biggest names in touring entertainment, including U2, The Eagles, Ozzy Osbourne, N’Sync, Metallica and The Dave Matthews Band.

In 1998, the Stadium underwent a major renovation and expansion project, creating more luxurious seating and the annual Supercross finale that fans
have come to expect in recent years.

Daren Libonati, facility director of Sam Boyd Stadium, said, “We are proud to announce the mutual long-term continuation of Supercross. Clear Channel Entertainment’s Supercross finals have consistently brought Sam Boyd Stadium
capacity audiences, along with national television exposure. We are pleased to extend our hospitality to Clear Channel’s Supercross fans for another four years.”

Last year, Supercross fans from all 50 states and 27 different countries attended the EA SPORTS Supercross finals, resulting in a $28.2 million economic impact on the city of Las Vegas, according to R&R Research, a Las Vegas based independent firm.

“Las Vegas is the best place for the Supercross finals, and when you couple Sam Boyd Stadium’s endless list of amenities along with its convenient proximity to Las Vegas’ offerings, you get an unequalled destination event. We’re honored to call Sam Boyd Stadium and The City of Las Vegas the home to supercross’ ultimate event,” said Charlie Mancuso, President of Clear
Channel Entertainment’s motor sports division.

This just in from David Roy, Ducati North America Manager of Racing Operations, and a former AMA Pro Thunder racer:


“I went to the new North Florida Motorsports Park track this Sunday for a few laps on my 996. The track design is quite technical with a few high-lean, high-speed corners, that make you pucker pretty good, and every corner has lots of run-off.

“Their facilities are still a bit primitive but it looks like they are working on them daily. Overall it is probably one of the most fun tracks I have ridden in awhile, and most likely has the best track surface in the U.S., no seams, no patches, no concrete.

“Unofficially I set a new track record of 1:21.972 hand-timed by Bill Weber, or 1:22:002 by my wife Debbie, or 1:21.9 on my lap timer. I don’t know if you are supposed to average them or take the lowest?”