Paddock rumors are flying to the effect that Yamaha may fold up its AMA Superbike program at the end of the 2001 season.

The decision may hinge on whether or not Yamaha can sign Anthony Gobert for the 2002 season.

Yamaha is expected to continue its AMA Formula Xtreme program with Graves Motorsports, however. The company may also continue with its 600cc Supersport program.

Factory team involvement in AMA Superbike has historically been cyclical. Typically factory team involvement builds up to an expensive peak, followed by periods of little or no factory involvement. The last time most of the factories bailed out–in the mid-1980s–only American Honda continued racing in the entire AMA series.

The discovery of Kevin Schwantz–and his success in a few one-off rides on a Yoshimura Suzuki– pulled Suzuki back into AMA racing in 1985. Kawasaki and Yamaha followed Suzuki back into AMA racing later in the decade.

From an AMA press release:

“AMA OBJECTS TO KRAFT ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN

“PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), prompted by inquiries from a number of its members, has asked Kraft Foods to reconsider its portrayal of motorcyclists in a current Nabisco advertising campaign. The following article, entitled ‘The Devil, Prison…and Motorcyclists?’ was published today on the Association’s web site, AMADirectlink.com.

“If you ride a motorcycle, then you just may be keeping some pretty interesting company, at least according to Nabisco and Kraft Foods.”



There was no “following article” included in the e-mailed press release, and no attachment. More information may be available at the AMA website.

This report just in from Ed Siccardi of Eyeball Engineering:

I just got back from a day ride to Rausch Creek Raceway to check out the progress they’re making on the new racetrack. A year ago they said they wanted to open in the spring of 2001 and we all know they were delayed but I figured they must be pretty far along by now. Boy, was I surprised!

THERE’S NOTHING GOING ON AT THE SITE! Not only is there no asphalt down, the grading doesn’t seem to be complete and the site looks like it did in their website pictures a year ago! The most surprising thing was there was no-one around and there was no equipment of any kind in sight – no earth-moving equipment, no trucks, no dozers, no tractors, nothing.

The construction office/trailer was buttoned up tight and looked like no one had been there for some time.

It looks like all work stopped several months ago and the site has just been weathering this past spring and summer. I think I can safely predict, based on what I saw today, that the track won’t be opening this year or next year, either.

Four of the remaining factory AMA Superbike teams are testing at Willow Springs this week, in preparation for the upcoming AMA National at the Rosamond, California racetrack.

Yoshimura Suzuki started testing Wednesday, along with the Yamaha Superbike team and Graves Yamaha.

On Thursday, Honda joined Yoshimura Suzuki and Yamaha, and, on Friday, Kawasaki will test.

The teams are at Willow Springs now to avoid the AMA restrictions on pre-event testing for riders who are in the top 10 in Superbike and 600cc Supersport points.

The Willow Springs National is scheduled for September 14-16, following a Team Hammer School and Track Ride day on Wednesday, September 12 and a Team Hammer Pro Practice on Thursday, September 13.

Reached by phone on Thursday, August 30, Team Kawasaki’s Al Ludington–Crew Chief for Eric Bostrom–confirmed that Kawasaki planned to test on Friday.

Ludington also commented on the recently announced news that Kawasaki and Suzuki had formed a strategic alliance, saying, “We’ve requested Mat’s set-up notes, but we haven’t heard back from Suzuki yet.”

Kawasaki and Suzuki have announced that the companies will work together in the future, in the areas of design, development and production of motorcycles and ATVs. Exactly what that means–and what effect the cooperation will have on the product lines and racing activities of the two companies–is unknown.

Each company issued press releases on Wednesday, August 29, and while the majority of the content of the releases was very similar, Kawasaki’s press release made the point that each company will continue to go its own way in the development of large-displacement sportbikes.


Suzuki’s release read:

“Suzuki Motor Corporation and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. today announced an agreement to form a strategic business relationship in the areas of product development, design, engineering, manufacturing of motorcycle and ATV products and purchasing components.

“Based in the spirit of reciprocity, equality, and combining resources, the agreement is designed to make Suzuki’s and Kawasaki’s motorcycle business more profitable despite increasing globalization and intensifying competition.

“Both companies will collaborate in the area of product development, OEM supply of product, commonizing parts and components, and joint purchasing and manufacturing, so that the competitiveness and profitability of their motorcycle business can be improved. The first step will be to combine resources and create immediate synergy with the cruiser, scooter, motocross and ATV lines. Suzuki and Kawasaki will preserve autonomy in the area of marketing and sales, with each company using its own brand and sales network as before.

“Both companies expect that this agreement will help them respond to the variety of customer needs and to contribute to the healthy growth of the industry.”


Kawasaki’s statement was worded a little differently:

“Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and Suzuki Motor Corporation have agreed to join forces in the development, procurement and production of motorcycles and ATVs.

“The alliance is expected to strengthen the companies’ global motorcycle and ATV businesses through combining resources. It will allow production of more new and improved models for our customers at competitive prices.

“Kawasaki and Suzuki will each continue to maintain their own brands, completely separate and independent from each other. We will each market and sell only our brand motorcycles and ATVs through our respective dealer networks.

“The companies will begin utilizing each others’ expertise for cruiser, scooter, motocross and ATV models. Each company will continue its independent development of large displacement sportbikes.

“Kawasaki feels that through this alliance we will be able to better meet the varying needs and expectations of our customers and more strongly compete in the global motorcycle and ATV industries.

“Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.”


At post time, Suzuki and Kawasaki spokesmen had not returned phone calls requesting comment, but Yamaha’s Brad Banister said, “The marketplace is really competitive right now. The market in America is still strong, but things are getting tight in Europe and Japan. So everybody has a close eye on the bottom line.”

A Honda spokesman declined to make any comment.

While motorcycle manufacturers prepare to unveil their 2002 models at various dealer conventions and international motorcycle shows during the coming weeks, the first offspring of the Kawasaki/Suzuki cooperation most likely would not be seen until 2003 or 2004 at the earliest.

From a Honda press release originally issued August 24 and corrected August 28:

2002 Honda Gold Wing exceeds CARB 2008 emissions standards

Torrance, CA — American Honda Motor Company’s 2002 GL1800 Gold Wing motorcycle has been certified to meet the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) tough 2008 emissions standards. But there’s more to the story…

In fact, the 2002 Gold Wing’s powerful 118-bhp engine exceeds the CARB 2008 emissions standard for carbon monoxide by 67 percent and the standard for hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen by 63 percent. This remarkable achievement is realized through the use of Honda’s sophisticated programmed fuel injection and the use of a 3-way closed-loop fuel management system that utilizes two exhaust catalyzers.

“Honda has made a global commitment to produce low emission engines that do not sacrifice performance and driveability,” said Honda’s Motorcycle Division Vice President Ray Blank. “It’s yet another example of our ‘Performance First’ philosophy, and we are very pleased that we can offer our riders this combination of power and low emissions in the Gold Wing.”

The 2002 Gold Wing is now on sale at Honda motorcycle dealers throughout the US. For 2002, Honda offers three stunning new colors: Pearl Orange, Metallic Silver and Illusion Blue. Illusion Red, Pearl Yellow and Black complete the offerings for 2002. The Gold Wing is also available with Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) in all six colors.

The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2002 Gold Wing in Pearl Orange, Metallic Silver, Pearl Yellow and Black is $17,699. Illusion Blue and Illusion Red are available for $17,999, only $300 more for the eye-catching ChromaFlair light interference pigment that alters hue as lighting conditions change. The ABS-version of the Gold Wing adds $1000 — $18,699 for Pearl Orange, Metallic Silver, Pearl Yellow and Black and $18,999 for Illusion Blue and Illusion Red.

For further information, visit the Honda website at www.hondamotorcycle.com or contact the nearest authorized Honda motorcycle dealer.

By David Swarts

Dr. Rob Tuluie’s Tul-aris 780 finished in third place in Unlimited Grand Prix and Heavyweight Grand Prix at the hands of rider Steve Johnson during a CRA event at Heartland park in Topeka, Kansas Sunday, August 19, marking the exotic bike’s first race finish and first podium finish.

The weekend did not start out well for Tuluie’s creation as Johnson struggled with the Tul-aris on Heartland’s bumpy surface. Most racers would find a compromise and make do. Dr. Tuluie’s answer was to take shock dyno data that he collected from experiments at the MTS labs, data gathered by the Tul-aris’ PI data acquisition system, and design a new rear suspension link on his laptop computer in a moving vehicle as it drove 70 miles to a shop where Tuluie machined a new suspension link.

The next morning, Johnson was able to drop three seconds off of his best lap time on the Tul-aris. However, the 286-pound Tul-aris was still having troubles with the stiffness of the softest available 16.5-inch Michelin tire’s sidewalls. After trying a 17-inch Michelin and with practice time running out, Tuluie decided to go back to the 16.5-inch rear tire for the races.

Although the Tul-aris’ Hot Seat Performance 780cc engine performed well during the weekend, the non-power-valve engine lacked the bottom end power to drive out of Heartland Park’s many slow corners. After taking third in Heavyweight GP, Johnson finished a close third in Unlimited Grand Prix behind Robert Jensen, on a Suzuki GSX-R750, and winner Shane Stoyko, on a Suzuki GSX-R1000, while turning lap times that were close to the leader’s lap times.

Tuluie and his crew were very happy with their result considering the difficulties that they encountered and overcame in their first visit to Heartland Park. Tuluie looks forward to having his power-valve-equipped engine available for the Tul-aris’ next outing, September 14-16 at Brainerd International Raceway.

The Tularis Project is sponsored by Hot Seat Performance, Ohlins USA, Michelin Tires, Nutec Fuel, Yoyodyne Titanium, AP Racing, MTS System Corporation and Lofgren Racing/Manley Cycle. Steve Johnson is sponsored by Mason Racing Tires, Hi-Per Sports, EBC Brakes and Lockhart-Phillips USA.

This just in From Harley-Davidson:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON ENDS FACTORY SUPERBIKE RACING PROGRAM

Factory VR1000 Race Team to Retire from AMA Superbike Series after Season Finale

MILWAUKEE, WI (August 28, 2001) – Harley-Davidson announced today the Company has chosen to end its factory VR 1000 Superbike racing program and retire from the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) Superbike series after the final round of the 2001 season at Virginia International Raceway on September 28-30.

“Our development team took a hard look at rebuilding the program this year, and what it would take to bring the VR 1000 to a competitive level and replace it with a new design. Harley-Davidson has determined the resources required to do that are simply too costly to pursue given our other business priorities,” said team manager John Baker.

The VR 1000 Superbike racing program helped Harley-Davidson develop and refine technologies such as liquid-cooling and electronic fuel injection. The program also led to the development Harley-Davidson’s first production liquid-cooled motorcycle, the VRSCA V-Rod(tm), which was introduced this summer.

Despite memorable performances in the 8-year history of Harley-Davidson’s Superbike racing program, including a pole position in 1996, and podium finishes by Pascal Picotte as recently as 1999, Harley-Davidson has concluded the VR 1000 is at the end of its development cycle and is no longer competitive in the AMA Superbike series.

“I’m thankful and proud of the dedicated efforts of our racers, Gemini Racing Technologies, the Harley-Davidson development team and external partners,” said Director of Racing John Baker. “Hundreds of talented people worked on the VR 1000 Superbike program from its inception. They gave thousands of Harley fans a thrill at racetracks around the country, while teaching the Company a great deal about high performance technology.”

Harley-Davidson has competed in various forms of motorcycle racing since 1914, winning countless races and championships at the national and world level. The company will continue to field a factory team in U.S. national dirt track events. Harley-Davidson also plans to enter the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) drag racing series with a new effort, the Screamin’ Eagle®/Vance & Hines Pro Stock team, which is currently developing a new highly modified race motorcycle for competition.