From a press release issued by Ducati:

WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Testing – Misano Adriatico (Italy)
Wednesday 15th May

BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) HEADS TWO-DAY WSBK TEST AT MISANO ADRIATICO

Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) headed the timesheets at the Santamonica circuit in Misano Adriatico as all the top World Superbike teams completed two days of testing in preparation for the San Marino Round of the championship on June 21-23.

Just days after his sensational double win at Monza, Bayliss was again in terrific form, and the 33-year-old Australian smashed last year’s circuit record held by Neil Hodgson, setting a 1:34.30 this morning on qualifying tyres.

“This two-day test has gone well” declared Bayliss, “and I’m really pleased with the times we set both yesterday and in today’s long-run. My last lap on race tyres in the long-run, 1:35.3, was quicker than last year’s pole time so things are looking really good. We hardly touched the bike at all, I feel really comfortable with the set-up and although we’ve got a couple more races in between, I can’t wait to get here and race in front of all my Italian fans”.

Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) set third quickest time of 1:35.19 during the two day session. “We struggled to get some grip at first but eventually found a tyre that was pretty satisfactory at the end. The bike is pretty close to a good set-up for the Misano race, but we’ve still got a bit more work to do when we come here in June”, declared Bostrom.

Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) was seventh quickest over the two days with a time of 1:35.99. “I was pleased at the end of today because I finally managed to set a good time. I didn’t manage to do as many laps as the other guys but today the team worked well and we’re looking quite good for the race”.

UNOFFICIAL TIMES: 1. BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) 1:34.30; 2. Edwards (Honda) 1:34.90; 3. BOSTROM (DUCATI L&M) 1:35.19; 4. Haga (Aprilia) 1:35.37; 5. Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati) 1:35.43; 6. Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) 1:35.75; 7. XAUS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) 1:35.99; 8. Chili (Ducati NCR) 1:36.42; 9. Lavilla (Suzuki) 1:36.50; 10. Antonello (Ducati DFX) 1:37.40; 11. Martin (Ducati DFX) 1:37.50.

From a press release:

www.ducatiusa.com
The new Ducati North America website

The new Ducati North America website is intended to become the go-to destination for news and events for North American Ducati enthusiasts.

Pompton Plains, NJ, May 15: Ducati North America announces the launch of the new website at www.ducatiusa.com. Today, Internet development is a top strategic priority for Ducati. The group’s approach to this medium reflects its recognition of the Internet as a cornerstone of the company’s future.

Following from the success of the worldwide site at Ducati.com—-a destination that reaches 500,000 visitors per month-—Ducatiusa.com will offer its visitors content that pertains specifically to the North American market, supplying them with information on local Ducati news and events.

The site has been developed and re-designed according to the style of Ducati.com, which includes an elegant and innovative graphic layout, a series of initiatives aimed at the creation of a vast online community, and the delivery of informative and exciting content.

Like its worldwide counterpart, Ducatiusa.com is divided into eight main sections: Dealer Locator, News, Events, Bikes, Chat, Photogallery, Mailing List and Contact Us. The Dealer Locator section allows the user to quickly locate the closest authorized Ducati Dealer. The News section covers all the latest happenings in the North American market such as the latest sales offer, like the current 2.75% or 2 years of free maintenance, special incentives like the “The Ultimate Trackbike Offer” as well as updates on the latest AMA and World Superbike racing action.

The Events section will display information pertaining to national and international Ducati events such as World Ducati Week2002 (June 14 – 20, Misano Italy), including detailed information on where to stay and what to do; Ducati Island (July 12 – 14, Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, CA), including a full program of activities and information on the exciting new addition to the island this year: the Special Ducati Museum; and, of course, Ducati involvement in the successful Motorcycle Show recently held at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Finally, the Bike section links users directly with ducati.com where they can find information on the entire line-up of Ducati motorcycles.

The last four sections—Chat, Photogallery, Mailing List and Contact Us—are, of course, the backbone of every online community.

Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. Ducati has won ten of the last twelve World Superbike Championship titles and more individual victories than the competition put together. The Company produces motorcycles in four market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Supersport, Monster and SportTouring. The company’s motorcycles are sold in more than 40 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European and North American markets. For more information about the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.Ducati.com.

From an FIM Press Release:

Endurance World Championship

Anti-doping and alcohol Controls

Anti-doping and alcohol controls were carried out at the 200 Miles of Imola, first round of the Endurance World Championship held on April 28 last.

– All the alcohol controls were negative. The riders controlled were: Claudio Ferri (ITA), Fabrizio Spelti (ITA), Mike Edwards (GBR), Jason Pridmore (USA), Warwick Nowland (AUS), Giovanni Bussei (ITA).

– Regarding the doping controls, all the samples tested showed in the absence of any banned substances. The riders controlled were: William Costes (FRA), Sebastien Scarnato (FRA), Mike Edwards (GBR), Jason Pridmore (USA), Nicolas Saelens (BEL), Robert de Vries (NED).

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc

By Glenn LeSanto

Foret wins battle with Vermeulen to take Supersport win

The crowd at Monza was treated to a tremendous World Supersport race that saw Fabien Foret dicing with young Chris Vermeulen for the lead late in the race.

Chris Vermeulen, who rides for Van Zon Honda TKR, a satellite team of Ten Kate Honda, took second place after a tremendous battle with Foret in front of the 82,000-strong crowd. But Foret had to ride on the edge of his wits as Vermeulen pushed him hard right to the line. Foret took the win despite steadily running out of brakes in the closing stages.

“Towards the end of the race my brakes were fading because the pace was so unbelievably hot,” explained a delighted Foret, who broke the lap record in the race. “But the Pirelli tires were fantastic, even right at the end of the race they were giving full grip. The Honda is extremely fast, perfect for Monza, and I made a break away from the pack with Chris Vermeulen in the last few laps. I knew it would be all down to the last bend between Chris and me. I was able to get the better line in that last turn to get victory and to close up to Chambon in the Championship.”

The result left in-form Foret only four points behind Championship leader Stephane Chambon after five races; Chambon finished the race fifth after losing a battle with Andrew Pitt. Chambon’s teammate Katsuaki Fujiwara had been battling for the lead himself but the two Honda riders used every ounce of their performance to put a one-second gap on the Suzuki man.

At one stage Foret had been well ahead of the pursuing pack but his brake problems allowed them to bridge the gap in just one lap.

Early in the race it looked like Alessio Corradi would be in the hunt for the lead. He was in the front group at the start of the race and even took his turn to lead. But his wild riding style caught him out and he crashed after only completing eight laps.

Other victims of crashes or mechanical problems included James Whitham, who suffered clutch failure after only two laps, and Karl Muggeridge, who also lost his clutch even earlier–entering the first turn! Christian Kellner threw his Yamaha down the road on lap one and Kevin Curtain’s bike blew on lap 11.

Both Foret and Vermeulen were riding on Pirelli rubber, with Fujiwara, Pitt, Chambon and sixth-place finisher Paolo Casoli following them home on Dunlops.

From a press release:

DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING ANNOUNCES RECORD FIRST QUARTER 2002 RESULTS
Net profit increases 12%

Bologna, Italy–– Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (NYSE: DMH, Borsa Italiana S.p.A: DMH), a leading manufacturer of high performance motorcycles, announced record results in terms of registrations, revenues, EBITDA and net income for the first quarter ended March 31, 2002.

As previously reported, the Company’s first quarter 2002 revenues were Euro 106.3 million, up 5.7% over the same period in 2001. The growth was mainly driven by a positive product mix effect. Revenues from Ducati motorcycles for the period increased 4.4% to Euro 89.3 million and represented 84.0% of revenues. Motorcycle-related products, including spare parts, technical accessories and apparel, rose 14.6% to Euro 16.8 million over the comparable period in the previous year. Unit sales were down 3.5% worldwide. Excluding the US, unit sales rose 2.4%.

Gross margin was 42.8% of revenues versus 39.2% in the period, mainly reflecting production efficiencies and a positive product mix. Sales costs represented 20.0% of sales versus 18.1% in the period last year, mainly due to costs related to tailored promotional activities to support sell-out. EBITDA was a record Euro 20.1 million, or 18.9% of revenues, versus 18.0% in the period of the previous year. R&D costs for the Moto GP were Euro 1.3 million, equivalent to 1.2% of sales.

Net income improved by 12.0%, posting a record high for the first quarter of Euro 5.5 million versus Euro 4.9 million in the period in 2001. The resulting net income margin for the period was 5.2% of sales up versus the 4.9% in 2001, mainly thanks to operational gains out-weighing GP and higher commercial costs.

Ducati worldwide registrations, a measure of retail sales, increased 19% in the three month period compared to a 3% growth in the Ducati Relevant Market, in particular driven by strong results in Japan (+32%) in the US (+30%), in the importer network (+30%) and in Italy (+23%).

“Ducati’s record first quarter results for 2002 underline the strength of our 2002 Model Year and show continuing improvements in our ability to increase the efficiency of our supply chain and production processes,” said Carlo Di Biagio, Ducati Chief Executive Officer. “In addition, the re-organization of our US operations is progressing well. Registrations are strong thanks to the combination of our retail initiatives and healthy demand for our new products in that market. Our main objectives in the US are to continue reducing current dealer inventory, to close under-performing points-of-sale, and to open strong new ones. We expect US sales to pick up in the coming months.

“The year has started well with Ducati in the lead of the World Superbike Championships thanks to incredible results from Troy Bayliss, and we look forward to the races on our home turf in Monza this weekend,” added Di Biagio. “Preparations for World Ducati Week in June are going well, too–attendance is set to be well over that of the last event in 2000.”

“We are glad to announce the launch of Ducati Desmo Finance, a pioneering marketing tool, unique in the two-wheeled Italian market,” said Enrico D’Onofrio, Ducati Chief Financial Officer. “The aim is to increase motorcycle sales by improving the ease and convenience of purchasing a new or used Ducati and related products. The program provides financing, insurance and a branded credit card in an integrated, personalized and ‘hassle-free’ package for our fans and friends.”

Ducati’s net debt at March 31, 2002 was Euro 132.0 million, increasing versus the Euro 107.6 million at the same date a year earlier, and Euro 112.9 million at December 31, 2001. The company’s net debt to total capitalization ratio was 45.2% at March 31, 2002 versus 42.0% at the same date a year earlier and 42.2% at December 31, 2001. The increase versus year-end 2001 was mainly due to the roll out in Italy of our new commercial credit policy, which is changing from factoring to insurance.

The Company also announced that, at its Annual Shareholder Meeting held on May 7, 2002, approval was given to buy back up to 3.8% of its outstanding share capital. This facility will be used to satisfy stock option plans and gives management flexibility to support the Company’s stock price. Finally, the shareholders re-appointed the Board of Directors for another three-year term.

Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. Ducati has won ten of the last twelve World Superbike Championship titles and more individual victories than the competition put together. The Company produces motorcycles in four market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Supersport, Monster and SportTouring. The company’s motorcycles are sold in more than 40 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European and North American markets. For more information about the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.Ducati.com.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, as described in the Company’s 2000 annual report, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 20-F, dated July 2, 2001.

From a press release:

Steve Martin enjoys a successful weekend in Monza!

It looked like it would be a weekend to forget when Steve Martin first arrived in Monza, with torrential rain threatening to ruin everything. But in the end the sun shone and Steve enjoyed two good results at the historic circuit on the outskirts of Milan.

In wet qualifying on Friday Steve had a chance to show his real ability and the potential of the Pirelli wets by going fifth fastest in the session. “It was great to be flying past the likes of Ben Bostrom on his factory Ducati,” commented Steve.

Monza is a super-fast circuit and there’s no denying that the top factory bikes have an advantage there, one of outright horsepower. Nevertheless Steve knuckled down to the task and scored a great 10th place in race one and followed that up with 11th in race two.

“We’ve had a chance to test plenty of tyres here this weekend, both in the wet and the dry and everything in between! We’ve collected valuable data, which Pirelli will use in their continuing work to develop their Superbike tyres even further. It’s been a valuable weekend and an enjoyable one too.”

There was also another high point for Steve–he was joined by his partner Sandra, who quit her job in Australia to share his motorhome for the rest of the season. “For me it’s important to have her around,” admitted Steve. “She’s my biggest fan but she’s also not afraid to push me hard and to make sure I’m always giving 100% effort 100% of the time.”

Steve made sure he stayed well in with another member of his family by displaying a ‘happy mother’s day Mum’ sign on the front of his bike on the start grid–Sunday was mother’s day in Australia!

Steve and Sandra now travel to Misano for more testing, before taking a long drive to Silverstone in England, for yet more testing before the next round of the World Superbike championship there.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The purse for the two Superbike races during the Big Kahuna Nationals at Road Atlanta totals $73,000, with split payouts. In other words, half is paid for each race, which means each race winner will get $4000, not the $8000 listed below.

Each of the four support classes have an $8000 purse, with identical payouts.

Chevy Trucks Superbike
(half paid for each race)
1. $8000
2. $6000
3. $4500
4. $3600
5. $3200
6. $3000
7. $2900
8. $2800
9. $2700
10. 2600
11. $2500
12. $2400
13. $2300
14. $2200
15. $2100
16. $2000
17. $1900
18. $1800
19. $1700
20. $1600
21. $1500
22. $1400
23. $1300
24. $1200
25. $1100
26. $1000
27. $950
28. $850
29. $750
30. $650
31. $600
32. $550
33. $500
34. $450
35. $400


Support Classes (MBNA 250cc Grand Prix, Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport, Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme, Suzuki Genuine Accessories Superstock)
1. $1250
2. $1000
3. $700
4. $575
5. $550
6. $500
7. $425
8. $400
9. $375
10. 350
11. $300
12. $275
13. $250
14. $225
15. $200
16. $175
17. $150
18. $125
19. $100
20. $75


(For reference, Chris Ulrich won $4500 for finishing second in the AMA 250cc Grand Prix race at New Hampshire International Speedway in 1999.)

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

A viewing is scheduled tonight for Martin McConnell, a WERA regional racer, who died Saturday, May 11, while trail riding in Georgia. According to friend Lee Fields, McConnell was riding at Locust Stake ORV park in Toccoa, Georgia, with friends and fellow WERA road racers, when he crashed at low speed following a small jump. Although his friends performed CPR on him, McConnell apparently died from a broken neck, which stopped his breathing, according to a report received by Fields from doctors at a local hospital.

A viewing is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday, May 13 at Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, Georgia 30076, (770) 993-4811. Funeral and burial services will be held at the same location at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14.

An Information Technology worker by profession, McConnell, 31, is survived by his wife, Carri, daughter Amber, age 7, and son Joey, age 2.

From a press release:

For immediate release
PROTON HOPES FOR FAVOURS AT TRICKY FRENCH TRACK

So far, so good. With three races done and two top-ten finishes in the bag, Proton Team KR go to the French GP at Le Mans with hopes of once more bucking the odds at a track that looks difficult on paper, but might be different on the ground.

The French race, fourth of 16 rounds in the all-new four-stroke-versus-two-stroke MotoGP championship, takes place at the Bugatti short circuit at the venue of the famous 24-hour car event. And the stop-and-go layout of the slightly altered 2.7-mile track not only favours the powerful new 990c factory four-stroke prototypes, but also the four-cylinder 500cc two-strokes.

The lightweight alternative Proton KR3 is at its best on faster and more flowing circuits, where the sweet-handling machine’s corner-speed advantage pays big dividends. With little time to be gained on the slow low-gear U-turns, Le Mans rewards brute horsepower instead. But racing practice doesn’t necessarily play by the theory, and last year Jurgen van den Goorbergh claimed a good top-ten finish, putting his V3 500 ahead of several of the faster-accelerating four-cylinder machines.

This year, the Proton team fields two riders, each with their own agenda.

Japanese star Nobuatsu Aoki is riding high, after following up his strong seventh in the wet at Suzuka with seventh in the dry at the last race, the Spanish GP. Aoki was able to use his KR3’s handling to the maximum at the technical Jerez circuit, finishing ahead of all the new four-strokes except for the impressive new five-cylinder Hondas. He gave the latest new-profile Bridgestone rear tyre a rewarding debut, and he is anxious to continue as he has begun.

Team-mate Jeremy McWilliams has been dogged by ill fortune all year, unable to capitalise on several strong performances in qualifying. In the wet in Japan, he crashed out, and broke down in South Africa. His hopes were dashed again at Jerez, when various problems conspired to drop him to the bottom of the points. Then, after the race, his luck got worse. He and another rider were penalised for passing an ailing machine under yellow flags – shown because of a track invasion by over-zealous Spanish police – and he was dropped from 14th to 16th position, once again out of the points. Now he is determined to open his championship account at Le Mans.

Aside from his determination, McWilliams will be looking for some support in his bid to kick-start his season. One friend might be the often extreme weather conditions at the track. The team uses Bridgestone tyres, in the premier class for the first time, and the Japanese firm has acquitted itself well on the England-built motorcycle. They have shown particularly well in the rain in Japan, and in hot conditions, as in Spain.

Team manager Chuck Aksland described how Le Mans has been unexpectedly favourable to the Proton KR3 in the past.

“On the face of it, it’s not a track that favours our machine – it’s very stop-and-go, which is not our favourite type of circuit. We expect better chances at the faster and more technical tracks, which reward our good cornering, and give the riders a chance to use the KR3’s special characteristics. But last year we were surprised at how well the bike performed, with Jurgen qualifying on the third row of the grid, then finishing even better, in the top ten.

“So far, this year has been difficult to predict, with the new four-stroke motors not always performing as expected. Our new tyres also mean we’re in uncharted territory.

“Bridgestone have done an excellent job so far. They’re working really hard, and taking it very seriously. They brought a new construction rear to Spain, which both our riders chose for the race,” he continued.

“For the first year out, their performance is excellent. Like us, they’re building for the future.”


JEREMY McWILLIAMS

“I like the layout of the track and I’ve done well there in the past – so I’m going there with some hope. I thought we could have cracked it last weekend, but things added up so it didn’t work for me. I had fuel starvation problems on the last lap, and dropped from 11th to 14th. Losing two more positions and falling out of the points because of the protest was like getting kicked when I was down. After that race I was feeling pretty low, and wondering what I could do right. For Le Mans, I’ll go back to basics. I’m going to throw caution to the wind, and ride harder than ever.”


NOBUATSU AOKI

“Le Mans is a simple track, and there’s not much chance to make up for any shortages by your own riding or by using the KR3’s roadholding. It’s just throttle and brakes, throttle and brakes. It’s not really very interesting. Things are basically going well for me with my new team. Their support is very valuable, and we’ve been able to improve the bike at every track during qualifying, so I can go out and race to my maximum. I’m planning for the same thing in France, and hoping to add some more points to my score so far.”

From a press release:

The 16th Annual Wegman Benefit Fund Auction will be held Saturday July 20, 2002 at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in Rockton, IL.. The event is held in conjunction with Championship Cup Series Midwest Region road races.

The annual event raises money to assist seriously injured road racers who have been injured in competition.

We are currently seeking donations for our auction. Many of you may have already received letters or e-mails from us or will in the near future. We sincerely hope you will find a way to send us something.

Since 1987 the Fund has assisted 38 racers with over $112,000 paid for medical bills and assistance insurance wouldn’t cover. Most recently we helped Tim Miller, the Ricky Lundgren and Tyson Berger families and we are currently working with Matt Hartlieb, Luis Garcia and John Wascow.

Look for our new trailer in the pits at the AMA National at Road America. Stop by to pick up a Wegman Fund shirt, drop off a donation for the auction or just drop a few dollars in the Fund.

For more information on how you can help, please check our website www.wegmanfund.