Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Former AMA 250cc Grand Prix (1983), Formula One (1986) and Pro Twins (1989) Champion Randy Renfrow suffered a broken lower right leg at the kneecap, four broken ribs and broken bones in his right foot when he crashed his Honda RS250 on the warm-lap of the CCS Expert GTU race at Daytona Friday.

Though original reports were that Renfrow was hit from behind in the infield dogleg, Renfrow was unsure what happened, and may have been hit from behind or may have lost the front when he hit a crosswind. In either case, Renfrow fell, tangled with his own bike and then got run over by another rider. Renfrow was transported to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, where he was scheduled for surgery Saturday evening.

Marietta Motorsports’ Chris “Opie” Caylor crashed his Suzuki GSX-R750 in practice on Friday and suffered fractures in his left foot. Caylor, a multi-time WERA and Suzuki Cup Champion, highsided exiting the Internationa Horseshoe. Caylor was transported to the Speedway’s infield care center where X-rays revealed his injuries.

“It was the second lap,” said Caylor. “I guess the right side of the tire wasn’t hot yet or I hit something on the track. I mean, it’s weird how it went away so fast. It was instant. I can usually spin it and keep it out there, but not this time.”

Caylor said that he doesn’t know if he will try to race in next week’s AMA event.

“I broke three bones in the foot when it slapped the ground,” explained Caylor. “They are clean breaks and nothing is displaced. So I won’t need a cast, but I use my feet a lot when I ride. I don’t know what I’m going to do right. All I know is that this is not the way I planned on starting the season.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Riding a Todd Fenton-tuned GSX-R600, Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Tom Kipp broke Lee Acree’s Formula USA Sportbike (600cc) lap record during qualifying at Daytona Saturday despite modifications to the chicane that many racers said added 0.5 to 1.0-second to lap times. Kipp used one pair of Michelin Pilot Race 2 race tires and worked alone against swirling winds to turn a 1:56.812 to better Acree’s mark of 1:56.842 set during qualifying for the October 2001 F-USA Sportbike event.

Kipp did his time even though traffic cones were placed on the inside of the left-hand portion of the chicane exit, decreasing riders’ exit speed from the series of switchbacks. Despite some controversy, the cones were put in place Saturday morning, and left in place all day, to prohibit riders from running over an area of the chicane that gets exceptionally slick when wet. On the other hand, the Sportbke class’ horsepower limit has been increased from 112 horseppower in 2001 to 115 horsepower in 2002. In dyno testing, Kipp’s machine made 109 horsepower.

Larry Pegram qualified second in his first outing on his Pirelli-equipped GSX-R600, lapping at 1:57.165 to lead the even-numbered qualifying session. Kipp’s teammate Josh Hayes turned a 1:57.188 for the third-fastest time. Completing the front row, Arclight Suzuki’s Acree turned a 1:57.965 with what he said was a less-than-perfect set-up, on Pirelli tires.

Unofficial Sportbike Qualifying Times:

1. Tom Kipp, GSX-R600, 1:56.812
2. Larry Pegram, GSX-R600, 1:57.165
3. Josh Hayes, GSX-R600, 1:57.188
4. Lee Acree, GSX-R600, 1:57.965
5. Owen Weichel, ZX-6R, 1:58.085
6. Michael Barnes, GSX-R600, 1:58.351
7. Scott Greenwood, GSX-R600, 1:59.146
8. Matt Wait, CBR600F4, 1:59.575
9. Craig Connell, GSX-R600, 2:00.309
10. Jim Lester, CBR600F4, 2:00.392
11. Andrew Nelson, 2:00.555
12. Larry Denning, 2:00.734
13. Ty Howard, GSX-R600, 2:00.782
14. Shaun Harris, 2:00.946
15. Jeff Wood, GSX-R600, 2:01.716
16. Raymond Bowman, 2:02.154
17. Leo Venega, 2:02.332
18. Matt Furtek, 2:02.607
19. John-O Bowman, GSX-R600, 2:03.200
20. Brian Salazar, 2:03.864

From a press release:

Triumph Motorcycles Celebrates 100 Years, Record Sales and Expansion into a New State-of-the-Art Factory

NEWNAN, Ga., – Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd, steeped in a rich history spanning 100 years of motorcycling, has announced its plans to celebrate this milestone along with other triumphs – a 40 percent increase in sales as well as the expansion into a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility – with a 100th year celebration motorcycle ride in June, 2002, titled Triumph Across America. With its rich legacy and current robust sales, Triumph is one of the most famous names in motorcycling on the streets today.

The first Triumph motorcycle emerged from a small factory in Coventry, England in 1902. Today, Triumph’s factory is located in a modern facility in Hinckley, England — just a short distance away from its birthplace. From its beginning, the popularity of Triumph grew – becoming the number one selling big-bore motorcycle in the 1960s. Triumph was the preferred motorcycle of Hollywood’s rebels starring with the likes of Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood and the legendary James Dean. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, like many other motorcycle companies, Triumph struggled and ultimately in 1983 closed its doors during the decline of the worldwide motorcycle market. That year, John Bloor, a successful English entrepreneur, acquired the Triumph brand name and began to assemble a team of designers and engineers to rebuild one of the world’s most prominent names in motorcycling.


The Re-Triumph of Triumph

“When acquiring the Triumph brand name in 1983, I knew that Triumph was a recognized name with motorcyclists,” stated John Bloor, owner and chairman, Triumph Motorcycles Ltd., “…however, the product was very much out-of-date and not capable of meeting the consumers’ performance and durability standards.” He continued, “Our aim was to reintroduce Triumph with advanced engineering and state-of-the-art technology along with modern styling.” In the years that followed under this new leadership, Triumph was totally rebuilt, introducing its first motorcycle in Germany in 1990 with three models of modular design. Today, Triumph has a line of twelve motorcycles that are distributed throughout the world. These motorcycles come with six different frames and five engine configurations ranging from twins, to triples, to four cylinders – all designed and built at the Hinckley facility.

“What continues to be one of the most satisfying accomplishments for us,” explained Mike Vaughan, chief executive officer, Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., “is the fact that we are exceeding our goals of quality engineering and product excellence. The reception from American and world-market consumers, has been overwhelming and continues to grow.” Sales of new Triumphs have increased dramatically every year since their reintroduction into the US in 1995 and in 2001 – new unit sales were up 40% over the same time period in 2000 (and year 2000 sales were up almost 30% over 1999). The USA has firmly established itself as Triumph’s number one marketplace worldwide.

With locations in every state, Triumph has established a strong network of 210 dealers nationwide. Demand has risen to a level that Triumph has outgrown its original factory and an all new state-of-the-art factory will be online in 2003, with the capacity to produce approximately 50,000 units a year.



Triumph Across America

Triumph turning 100 years old is a monumental event that many people from around the world want to celebrate. “Not only is America the dominant world marketplace, but also since the 1950s, Triumph’s number one market, and a significant part of the legend of Triumph began here,” explained Mike Vaughan. “It is appropriate that the cornerstone of Triumph’s 100th celebration will include a motorcycle ride with enthusiasts across the USA.” Triumph Across America, will launch from New York City during the week of June 10th, travel up to New Hampshire; journey down through New England and across the mid-atlantic states; cruising through America to a celebration in California during the weekend of June 29-30.


Triumph Across America Overview:

Week of June 9-13:
New York City – Launch / Ceremony

Friday, June 14:
North Hampton, NH

Saturday, June 15:
Depart: North Hampton, NH
Arrive: Danbury, CT

Sunday, June 16:
Depart: Danbury, CT
Arrive: Port Clinton, PA

Monday, June 17:
Depart: Port Clinton, PA
Arrive: Windber, PA

Tuesday, June 18:
Depart: Windber, PA
Arrive: Lewis Center, OH

Wednesday, June 19:
Depart: Lewis Center, OH
Arrive: Roseville, MI

Thursday, June 20:
Depart: Roseville, MI
Arrive: S.Chicago Heights, IL

Friday, June 21:
Chicago, IL area

Saturday, June 22:
Chicago area to Janesville, WI
Arrive: Verona, WI

Sunday, June 23:
Depart: Verona, WI
Arrive: Marne, IA

Monday, June 24:
Depart: Marne, IA
Arrive: North Platte, NE

Tuesday, June 25:
Depart: North Platte, NE to Longmont, CO
Arrive: Denver, CO

Wednesday, June 26:
Depart: Denver, CO
Arrive: Salt Lake City,UT

Thursday, June 27:
Depart: Salt Lake City, UT
Arrive: Reno, NV

Friday, June 28:
Depart: Reno, NV to Sacramento, CA
Arrive: Mountain View, CA

Saturday, June 29:
Depart: Mountain View, CA
Arrive: Southern CA

Weekend June 29- 30:
Southern California – Closing Event Ceremonies

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

From a press release issued by Mat Mladin’s publicist, Steve Reeves:

MLADIN CONFIDENT AFTER CONCLUDING PRE-SEASON TESTING AT FONTANA

Fontana, California, USA – Australian Mat Mladin has concluded his preparations for his defence of the AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship that he has won over the past three years after a one-day test at the California Speedway in Fontana, California on February 26.

Mladin was joined at the test by Team Yoshimura Suzuki teammates Aaron Yates and Jamie Hacking, with all three riders completing the final test programs before the championship commences next week with the Daytona 200.

Chassis setup was one of the key areas of testing for Mladin, with the team trying a number of different specification rear shocks in his 2002 model Suzuki GSX-R750 superbike. Mladin completed over 60 laps of the 3.80km (2.63mile) circuit.

“I’m very happy with how things went today,” said Mladin. “We came here with a few different things to try out that we couldn’t when we were here a couple of weeks ago and we are happy with the results that we achieved. It was a lot hotter and windier here today than at the previous test, so the track condition was slightly different, but apart from that, everything looks good for Daytona next week. Once we get there we’ll finalise out pit stop technique and strategies and see how things pan out during practice and qualifying.”

The altered circuit layout remained the same for the final Fontana test as it was for the previous test that was attended by a number of the leading AMA Superbike teams. No lap times were available from the latest test.

Mladin heads to Daytona next week chasing an unprecedented third consecutive Daytona 200 win, but more importantly it will be the first of sixteen rounds that will make up this year’s championship. Mladin will be chasing a further milestone as no rider has won four consecutive AMA Superbike crowns.

The Daytona Speedweek program will see the Superbikes on the circuit for the first time on Wednesday, March 6, with the 57-lap race scheduled for Sunday, March 10.

From a press release issued by Shawn McDonald:

2002 Season Kick Off Party for Washington Road Racing & Alan Schwen Fund Raising April 7, 2002

WMRRA needs your help in starting off the 2002 Road Racing Season with a big bang.

The WMRRA sponsored and sanctioned event is being presented by SB Motorsports and Paragon Restaurant for the specific purpose of raising funds for the 2002 WMRRA #1 Overall Champion Alan Schwen. Alan was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after he had secured his first WMRRA Overall Championship after 17 years of road racing. The prognosis for Alan looks very good with early detection and treatments of chemotherapy and radiation. The very high deductibles on the medical insurance though are hard to pay. He is our brother in many ways and needs your help. Roadracers, spectators and streetbike riders who attend the party will be charged $20 per person with all proceeds going to the Schwen Cancer Fund. Coming to the party gets you a free buffet prepared by Chef/Owner Christopher Cunio, beverages, music, bench racing, motorcycle door prizes and a select auction on premier motorcycle items. Visa, Master Card, American Express and cash are accepted.

The WMRRA 2002 Season Kick Off Party will be on April 7 from 2 P.M till 6 P.M. at the Paragon Restaurant, 2125 Queen Anne Ave, Seattle, WA.

For more information contact Rick or Annis Salmon at SB Motorsports 253-535-3795.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

After a 16-year hiatus, 1995 Endurance World Champion Stephane Mertens has returned to Daytona International Speedway to race.

Mertens is using the Formula USA National Road Race Series event February 28-March 3 as a warm-up to race in the AMA Superstock (formerly 750cc Supersport) and Superbike races next weekend at Daytona.

“I have not been here in so long, not since 1986,” said the 42-year-old Belgian. Mertens recalled that he entered AMA 250cc Grand Prix that year as a warm-up for his 250cc World Championship effort. “I stopped after the warm-up lap to re-fuel. I stopped at the back of the grid on pit lane. When we were finished, they stopped me and said it was too late. I had to start last, after everyone. I finished the race in 8th. So it was not too good but not too bad.

“I am still trying to get used to the track. The track is the same, but it has been a long time and it is very different on a 750. It feels very special. Plus I haven’t been on a bike since August of last year. I am just hoping to have some fun. I hope to do well in the Superstock race, but I am doing the Superbike just for more practice time.”

Mertens will be riding a Suzuki GSX-R750 on Dunlops at Daytona. The bike is owned by Joseph Buxton and the whole deal was set-up through Full Spectrum Racing’s Dick Suarez. Mertens and Suarez met during the 2001 Suzuka 8-hour race in Japan, where Suarez was working with the Hooters Suzuki effort and Mertens was riding with his regular World Endurance team, Zongshen. Zongshen was also a major player in Mertens’ return to Daytona.

“Zongshen is a very large motorcycle company in China. They sponsor our World Endurance team, but that does not take them to the United States. They were very happy to be involved with me racing here at Daytona since it is a very big race in America. They are sending over TV crews and reporters to cover my races for the Chinese people.”

In addition to continuing in the 2002 World Endurance Championship with Zongshen, Mertens plans to defend his 2001 BMW Boxer Cup Championship in 2002.

Mertens also finished second in the 1989 World Superbike Championship riding a Honda RC30. Mertens was beaten in the Championship in the last race by Rumi Honda’s Fred Merkel.

From an AMA Pro Racing Press Release:
AMA Pro Racing to implement new, high-tech timing and scoring system in Daytona at first Superbike race of season
AMA Pro Racing, the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the U.S., announced today it will implement new, state-of-the-art timing and scoring equipment at this year’s AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited. The new equipment will be in place at the series opener, March 6-10, at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.
The new equipment will, for the first time ever, give teams split times at three different locations around the track. It will also provide up-to-the-minute stats on everything from fastest lap time to individual rider segment times around the track.
“This commitment to leading-edge timing and scoring technology delivers significant benefits to the race teams that compete in AMA Pro Racing’s U.S. Championships,” said John C. Farris, Jr., vice president commercial development, AMA Pro Racing. “The investments we’ve made in safety, technology and staff have allowed us to make great strides in elevating the professionalism of AMA Pro Racing operations, further developing the AMA brand of professional motorcycle racing.”
The new equipment, both software and hardware, is from AMB i.t. – the same company used by NASCAR, CART and the IRL, as well as numerous other racing organizations throughout the world. AMA Pro Racing has its own custom designed software package to handle registration, transponder assignments, race results and the creation of results on its website, amaproracing.com.
“This new system enables us to provide more benefits to our riders and teams. They are given a lot more information, and more ways to access it quickly and conveniently,” said Ken Rogers, director of timing and scoring, AMA Pro Racing.
The new equipment has been tested at several different AMA Superbike tests the past few months. The new timing equipment will also be used at the March 9 Daytona AMA Supercross events and possibly some of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship rounds this season.
The timing system starts with a loop of underground wire that acts as an antenna. Each bike is fitted with a transponder with a unique ID number, and as each bike passes over the loop the antenna picks up the I.D. and sends information into a decoder. From the decoder the information goes into a timing computer running the AMB timing software – Time Gear.
Time Gear software has the ability to manage up to 16 decoders and produce data on any number of segments. It is completely customizable. AMA Pro Racing will use this software to create custom result screens that can be seen over the in-house television system and by the teams via a new wireless video feed. These results screens can show overall results for practice, qualifying and races, as well as segment times.
All racing teams will have access to the new wireless network to obtain statistics and information in the paddock. Each team has a receiver or wireless network card in their transporters that can access an Intranet web site. This web site will have results and times from every practice, qualifying session and race. It will also have daily schedules, information alerts and an archived results section.
So far, four of the five major factory teams are participating in the program and several support teams are also considering the upgrade.


(Editorial note: Which, unless pricing has changed since the 2001 season finale at VIR, costs each team $5000.)

From an AMA press release:

CARR TO BEGIN TITLE DEFENSE AT DAYTONA

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Three-time AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Champion Chris Carr is set to begin his quest for a fourth championship when the series kicks off Saturday night March 9, at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Fla. Carr, who comes into this season with new sponsorship from Quality Checked Pre-Owned Ford, is a two-time winner at the Daytona short track. He and veteran Terry Poovey are both hoping to tie the record of three wins at Daytona.

Carr has had his share of ups and downs on Municipal Stadium’s hard-to-master 1/4-mile limestone-based dirt oval. Even though the Californian-turned-Pennsylvanian has won twice at Daytona, he’s only managed two top-five finishes in the last five years.

“When I’ve done well down there it was when the track was dry,” Carr explains. “I’ve struggled when the track was wet, so the key for me is to find a good bike set-up early. Friday night’s race (the AMA Hot Shoe Series event) is going to be important to find the right combination. And then you have to hope the conditions don’t change the next night.”

Predicting a winner at Daytona is always tough to do and this year even more so with the new 505cc displacement rule for single-cylinder machines. Carr points out that a good start at Municipal Stadium is critical. “If you get behind it’s hard to catch back up.”

Carr says that the Daytona opener is so unpredictable that saying exactly who is going to be his biggest challenger is tough to do. “A few years ago Rich King won Friday night’s Hot Shoe race and was watching from the sidelines during the Grand National,” Carr said. “You can look at the results in the last few years and get an idea of who’s going to be strong down there, but someone always seems to come through and surprise you.”

Studying the results proves Carr’s point. Only one rider has managed to be able to finish in the top five each year at Daytona over the last five years. That rider is Brett Landes. Landes, the 1995 Daytona winner who hails from Los Gatos, Calif., is always a threat on short-tracks and has been the most consistent top finisher at Daytona. Landes is also the last “young” rider to win Daytona (he was 24 in 1995). If there is a pattern at Daytona it is that it seems to favor veteran racers. The average age of Municipal Stadium’s winner of the last five years is 37. Two-time winner Poovey is 43 and no one is counting him out despite his being one of the oldest riders in the field. Another fan favorite will be 44-year-old Jay Springsteen. The three-time national champ from Michigan is starting his 28th season on the AMA Grand National circuit.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
MUNICIPAL STADIUM, DAYTONA BEACH, FL
MARCH 9, 2002

SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2002
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon, Registration and Tech Inspection at the track

12:15 p.m., Riders Meeting

12:30 p.m., Practice

1:30 p.m., Qualifying Heats

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Open Pits for Spectators

8:30 p.m. – 8:40 p.m., 1st GNC heat

8:40 p.m. – 8:50 p.m., 2nd GNC heat

8:50 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., 3rd GNC heat

9:00 p.m. – 9:10 p.m., 4th GNC heat

9:10 p.m. – 9:20 p.m., 5th GNC heat

9:20 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., 6th GNC heat

9:30 p.m. – 9:40 p.m., 1st GNC Semi

9:40 p.m. – 9:50 p.m., 2nd GNC Semi

9:50 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., 3rd GNC Semi

10:00 p.m. – 10:10 p.m., 4th GNC Semi

10:10 p.m. – 10:25 p.m., Intermission

10:25 p.m. – 10:40 p.m., AMA Progressive Insurance Grand National Championship Final

This just in from Don Emde, 1972 Daytona 200 winner:

54 IS SHAW’S MAGIC NUMBER IN DAYTONA 200

In preparation for a future 2nd edition of Don Emde’s book: “The Daytona 200. The History of America’s Premier Motorcycle Race,” we’ve updated our database and guess what we found?

Rick Shaw is now only 192 miles behind Warren Sherwood as the all-time mileage leader in Daytona 200 events. Sherwood, who raced in the Daytona 200 from 1950 to 1971, amassed a total of 3,187 miles in his career. Shaw, after the 2001 race, now sits with 2,995 miles and will pass Sherwood when he completes 54 more laps.

As the race currently run 56 laps, Shaw could break the record this year.

Stay tuned.