Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Alex Florea’s AFMotorsports Michelin, the Michelin race tire distributor for races at Sears Point, Laguna Seca and Thunderhill, has launched a new website complete with secure online purchasing.

The new site is at www.afmotorsports.com.

From a press release:

HMC SAYS GOODBYE TO PICOTTE

HMC Ducati Racing must with great regret announce the termination of its working relationship with Pascal Picotte. The team and rider were not able to form the necessary bond needed to be successful in such a demanding sport and the difficult decision was made shortly after the Daytona 200 this month.

Team owner Mitch Hansen blames no one for the break in the union. “We have every respect for Pascal and his riding talent,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that we were unable to find that necessary chemistry with Pascal. We wish Pascal all the success for the future and we wanted to cease the union early enough for Pascal to find another, more appropriate, ride to finish the rest of the season.”



Additional information from our research:

Reached by phone, HMC Team Manager Mark Sutton declined to comment on rampant rumors that Picotte will be replaced by Doug Chandler.

Reached by phone, Picotte’s manager (and former racer) Alan Labrosse said that he had heard of the change from HMC team owner Mitch Hansen at about 4:00 p.m. Sunday, and said of his conversation with Hansen, “He said he had come to the conclusion that it was in the best interest that he replace Pascal. He told me the chemistry wasn’t working, but I doubt that is the main issue here. I suspect it might be something else. He stuck to his story, I sense there is something beneath here, but the truth will come out.

“The chemistry, the tire test went very well, testing at Fontana went very well, Pascal had fast times, they had some Italian engineers there, as far as Pascal is concerned everything went very well.

“At Daytona there were a few gremlins but Daytona always brings out gremlins. As far as I am concerned there was nothing near serious enough to come to such a conclusion.”

Asked how Picotte was taking the news, Labrosse said, “He’s disappointed and frustrated, as any individual would be. Right now he’s at the gym.”

Labrosse added that Picotte’s recent experience with Harley-Davidson made him tougher mentally and that he was determined to carry on in his career.

Labrosse said that Picotte had a contract with HMC Ducati.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Pascal Picotte said today that he doesn’t understand why he lost his HMC Ducati ride.

“There’s no word really to explain how I feel,” said Picotte from his home in Quebec, Canada. “We started, testing at Daytona went pretty well. The Italian people were really behind us. They were pretty satisfied with the lap times we did. They actually went to our testing at Fontana, one of their engineers. We had a great test at Fontana with Roberto (Bonazzi), the engineer. He was really happy to have me on board with Ducati, and said that I was good rider and even a great person.

“Mitch (Hansen) must have told me 10 times a day that he was really happy to work with me and I was really the right person for the program. And then at Daytona I think we did pretty damn good, qualified under the track record. We were just managing to finish the race, we were still racing against Honda HRC, Yamaha Japan, all these guys, it looks like we are the big factory Ducati but we are still privateers, we are just buying equipment and doing the best we can.

“For me it was kind of tough to start at Daytona, it’s a tough week, a lot of people feel a lot pressure. You need to be really well organized, the pit stop stuff, it’s a tough week and we started the season with a race, it was our first race together. Everything turned out great except for one little incident with my crew chief.

“Mitch asked me if I wanted a new crew chief. He asked me if I wanted to work with Gary Medley. I thought, why not?

“Right after that, after I broke, he (Mitch) hugged me, and told me once again I was the right person for the program, he was happy to be working with me. I was getting ready to leave the racetrack, I said hi to a few guys, Mitch gave me a hug, said again I was the person for the program, he was really happy to work with me.

“From day one he told me he was not in any good financial situation with Ducati this year and appreciated that I was going to work with him, but that he was going to be loyal to me over the next couple years. We had a good chemistry between him and me, I never saw it coming.

“I gave him a call to see if he had any news on Gary. He said he’d give me a call. Next thing I know (manager) Alan (Labrosse) called me and told me it’s over. I was really shocked, it was tough emotionally.

“I was happy to be back on a Ducati. Not really doing anything wrong. Little things like that between a rider and a mechanic could happen, I don’t think I’m that bad of a person to actually get fired like that. All I said to him was, ‘Hey, Mark (Sutton), you want me to give you my leathers and see if you can do better?’

“The only thing I can understand is if Doug and Gary bring money, otherwise I don’t understand why to change.

“I think the crew chief wasn’t in his right position. He was an awesome mechanic probably, but put him back as a mechanic and bring in a crew chief. Mitch came up to me and asked me if I wanted a new crew chief, and mentioned Gary.

“I’m not 12 years old, and Mitch is not a baby cry also, we could have sat down and talked about it, sorted it out. I can’t believe I got fired for something like that.

“It doesn’t make sense like that. I worked with a bunch of different crew and never had any problem with anybody. That was the first time that happened with a crew chief in my life.

“He (Mitch Hansen) could have at least called me, talked to me, and said something. The guys was really nice and kind to me, he was a gentleman, then all of a sudden he turned out to be something really mean.”

HMC Ducati declined to comment beyond the press release originally issued by the team this morning.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Tom Houseworth has signed on with Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki as Crew Chief and Superbike engine builder for Jamie Hacking.

And Jerry Daggett, who was working as Hacking’s Crew Chief, has signed on with Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki to work with Chris Ulrich, replacing Houseworth.

Hacking’s previous engine builder has left the Yoshimura operation.

Southern California-based Houseworth, who built engines for Yamaha for almost a decade before being let go in a downsizing move last fall, had been working with Ulrich and Valvoline EMGO Suzuki in AMA Superstock and other classes.

Daggett, who is originally from the same part of Alabama where the Valvoline EMGO Suzuki race shop is located and who started his race mechanic career with the team, has been talking for months about returning to Alabama from Southern California, where Yoshimura is located.

The teams worked out a swap and Daggett will now work full-time on Ulrich’s equipment.

A press release issued on the Valvoline EMGO Suzuki website, www.teamhammer.com, quoted Daggett as saying, “I’m excited to be going home to Alabama, to be getting back with my original team and to be working with Chris Ulrich. I’ve known Chris since he was a kid and I’ve watched him progress as an up-and-coming professional racer. I really feel he’s earned his spot on the team and I think I can make a difference in his program. I’m going to work 110% just like I have with the other riders I’ve worked with, and I look forward to seeing the #18 in the winner’s circle.”

Houseworth and Hacking also began their professional racing careers with Valvoline EMGO Suzuki.

From a press release:


For Immediate Release

STATEMENT FROM TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES LIMITED


NEWNAN, Ga., March 17, 2002 — Triumph Motorcycles issued a statement today that distribution of the Triumph range of motorcycles, parts and accessories and their warranty service will continue following a fire Friday evening, March 15th , which has affected part of one of their UK manufacturing facilities.

Karl Wharton, Managing Director of the Hinckley-based motorcycle manufacturer, says that work on rebuilding a section of their Jacknell Road production facility is due to start later this week. “The fire, which was confined to a section of the assembly area, was quickly brought under control and has only affected certain areas at one of our four production and distribution centers in Hinckley. No-one was hurt and all of our 650 UK staff are being informed that their jobs are secure,” said Mr. Wharton. “It will have no immediate impact on motorcycles ready for distribution held in our network of bike stores in the UK, Europe, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and other countries,” he added.

Many staff have been working throughout the weekend with the Triumph management team, preparing for Monday’s clean-up and contacting the company’s worldwide dealer network to inform them that they can order parts and accessories on-line as usual.

“Stocks of spare parts and most ranges of motorcycles are available to meet immediate requirements in the UK. It is also the company’s policy to hold stocks of bikes at other distribution centers in Europe and the United States,” said Karl Wharton.

The preliminary investigation suggests normal manufacturing operation in the affected areas will recommence within four months. “Over the past three years Triumph has significantly expanded their manufacturing facilities in the UK to meet growing demand. This specific incident will not hinder the on-going success of Triumph,” said Mr. Wharton.

Triumph Motorcycles America, Ltd., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triumph Motorcycles, the manufacturer of Triumph motorcycles and accessories. Triumph Motorcycles America is located in Newnan, Georgia and services the Triumph dealer organization throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America.

From a press release:

Direct Ferries set to launch TT ferry service for 2003

Direct Ferries, Britain’s leading ferry booking service, today announced that they plan to offer sailings from mainland Britain to the Isle of Man for the TT festival in 2003.

The thousands of race fans who flock to the Island for the TT will welcome the news. The bikers have had only one choice of ferry operator for many years on their annual pilgrimage to one of the world’s biggest biking events. This situation has led to accusations that they are victims of a monopoly that leaves them paying one of the highest per mile charges for a ferry crossing in Europe.

Direct Ferries already offer the best prices for bikers wishing to travel to a host of continental destinations, including Spain, France and Holland. Their newly designed website is now open at www.directferry.com with automated online booking system. Bookings can also be made by using an e-mail form or by telephoning the Direct Ferries booking hotline on 011-44-1332-232-236 or e-mailing [email protected].

Direct Ferries offer the convenience of being able to compare and book travel with several leading ferry operators. There’s no need to ring around or surf several different websites, Direct Ferries offer it all at one stop, saving you both time and money.

More details of the proposed TT sailings will be announced soon.

From press releases:

Lockhart Phillips USA raffles TL1000 Suzuki Project Bike

Lockhart Phillips USA is raffling off a Suzuki TL1000 Project Bike with all proceeds going to the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund.

Lockhart Phillips USA hopes to raise well over $30,000 for the Air Fence Fund. The raffle began at the Indianapolis Dealer Expo 2002 Show and will be brought to a close with one lucky winner being drawn at the World Superbike event at Laguna Seca in July 2002.

So far, the raffle has raised a little over $4000, and Formula USA will be selling raffle tickets at registration during three upcoming F-USA races. In addition, tickets will be available at the upcoming AMA Nationals at California Speedway and Laguna Seca, in April and July.

The most enthusiastic supporters of the raffle so far are Matt and Doris Gobec, who have purchased 50 tickets for themselves alone!

To purchase tickets, log on to www.lockhartphillipsusa.com.

Air Fence is a trademark of Airfence Safety Systems of Australia.