Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Racing veteran Randy Renfrow, 45, underwent surgery at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida on Saturday.

Renfrow was injured in a crash on Friday and, according to his longtime tuner John Lassak, was diagnosed with a broken patella plateau in his right leg, two broken bones in his right foot and four broken ribs in his back.

From a Marlboro Yamaha press release:

MARLBORO YAMAHA TEAM TESTS
Mugello, Italy, Saturday March 2, 2002

MARLBORO YAMAHA MAKE ‘BIG STEP’ AT MUGELLO

Marlboro Yamaha Team riders Carlos Checa and Max Biaggi today completed a crucial three-day test session at Mugello with their upgraded YZR-M1s. The successful outing – with a new chassis the major improvement – rejuvenated the squad’s confidence after last month’s tests at Valencia and Estoril.

Checa ended up lapping the challenging Italian track 1.1 seconds faster than he’d ever managed on a 500, while Biaggi was also quicker than ever before, bettering his 500 best by 0.7 seconds. The Italian did tumble at the end of today, after running off the track at turn one. As a precaution the circuit’s medical staff advised him to visit nearby Borgo San Lorenzo hospital for a check up, but he was released without requiring treatment.

Both riders were so satisfied with progress that the team had already opted to leave the track a day earlier than expected when Biaggi fell. They will now prepare for next weekend’s IRTA tests at Catalunya in Spain.

“We’ve made a big step here, though we can still improve,” said Checa. “The work we’ve done with the new frame will probably be more useful to us than all our previous pre-season testing. It fixes the problems I’d been having in the corners; now I can get on the gas earlier and control the bike better. I feel a lot more comfortable, and my goal is always to feel comfortable on a bike, so I can ride as I like to ride.

“We’ve now got a good base set-up on which we can build at Barcelona and Suzuka, and if we keep moving in this direction things should get even better. We could’ve stayed for Sunday and gone even faster but we’ve already done lots of laps and got lots of data, so there was no point in that.”

Biaggi was also in good mood after the session. “On the whole the tests went okay, the new frame is definitely better, it makes the bike more rideable,” he commented after his brief visit to hospital. “I hope that the frame, plus the engine improvements we’re now working on, will make the bike even better. It was a shame I crashed – I ran off the track at turn one and couldn’t keep the bike upright in the gravel.”

Marlboro Yamaha Team director Davide Brivio shared his riders’ sense of a job well done at Mugello. “It’s been a positive test, we’ve gained a lot of useful information and both riders are happy with what we’ve achieved,” he said. “The new frame is certainly a step in the right direction. Today we confirmed a lot of our expectations and also worked on settings and tyres. For sure, we can improve things some more, that’s always our focus, and we’re now looking forward to the final tests at Barcelona and Suzuka before next month’s first race. Max’s crash was a shame but it was nothing serious, he’s fine.”

The Marlboro Yamaha Team completes its pre-season testing programme at Catalunya (March 9/10) and at Suzuka (March 30/31), where the Japanese GP
opens the new MotoGP season on April 7.

LAP TIMES

Carlos Checa (Marlboro Yamaha Team) 1:52.1, (30 laps today, 130 in total)

Max Biaggi (Marlboro Yamaha Team) 1:52.2, (23 laps today, 127 in total)

Unofficial Lap Times:
1. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-750, 1:54.998
2. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.369
3. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.587
4. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.809
5. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:57.747
6. Larry Pegram, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:57.851
7. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:57.866
8. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:58.027
9. Owen Richey, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:59.872
10. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:00.086

From a press release issued by Buell:

BUELL PRO RACING SUPPORT PROGRAMS REVEALED

AMA Buell Pro Thunder and Formula USA Buell Lightning Series to Return in 2002

MILWAUKEE, Wis.–Buell Motorcycle Company recently revealed its professional racing programs for the 2002 season, announcing support for the five-round national AMA Buell Pro Thunder series and the eight-round national Formula USA Buell Lightning Series, presented by Buell Pro Series Accessories.

“Both Buell customers and dealers are actively involved in amateur level racing around the world. And we’re excited to add to that involvement by once again sponsoring programs that give our customers and our dealers an opportunity to compete at the national level in professional roadracing,” said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer of Buell Motorcycle Company.

The AMA Buell Pro Thunder series, which pits Buell racers against twin-cylinder, triple- cylinder and single-cylinder motorcycles from many other manufacturers, will be a featured event at select AMA Superbike rounds. The events will be held in Daytona, Fla. on March 10; Fountain, Colo. on June 2; Elkhart Lake, Wis. on June 9; Brainerd, Minn. on June 30 and Monterey, Calif. on July 14. The championship runner-up Hal’s Buell team and the Tilley’s Buell and Kosco’s Buell team will be among the top dealer-sponsored teams competing in the Buell Pro Thunder class.

The Formula USA Buell Lightning Series, presented by Buell Pro Series Accessories, is a horsepower and weight restricted Buell-only spec-class. The F-USA events will be held in Daytona, Fla. on March 3; Summit Point, W.Va. on May 26; Loudon, N.H. on June 16; Toronto, Ontario on July 21; Elkhart Lake, Wis. on August 4; Long Pond, Pa. on August 25; Portland, Ore. on September 8; and Daytona again on October 20. Defending class champion Kosco’s Buell will return along with many other Buell dealer teams to compete in the series.

To learn more about Buell motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style and performance only found onboard a Buell. Call 1-800-490-9635 for the Buell dealer nearest you. Or pull into www.buell.com.

Amateur GTO: 1. Robert Kruger (Suz GSX-R1000); 2. Jeff Walker (Suz GSX-R750); 3. Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Ralph Fernandez (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Scott Cunningham (Duc 996).

Expert GT Lights: 1. Steve Keener (Suz SV650); 2. James Monson (Apr RS316); 3. Tim Hall (Suz SV650); 4. Aaron Risinger (Apr RS250); 5. Brian Kcraget (Apr RS250).

Amateur GT Lights: 1. Alex Ferreira (Suz SV650); 2. Darren Danilowicz (Suz SV650); 3. Gregory Moon (Hon Hawk 700); 4. Tom Holley (Suz SV650); 5. Shannon Santoni (Suz SV650).

Akrapovic Amateur GTU: 1. Nathan Kern (Suz GSX-R600); 2. Jeff Walker (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Scott Cunningham (Yam YZF-R6); 4. Jorge Arana (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R600).

Expert GTU: 1. Scott Greenwood (Suz GSX-R600); 2. Josh Hayes (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Jason DiSalvo (Hon RS250); 4. Michael Barnes (Suz GSX-R600); 5. Larry Pegram (Suz GSX-R600).

GP Singles: 1. Brian Kcraget (Hon RS125); 2. Darrin Mitchell (Hon RS125); 3. Steve Genter (Hon RS125); 4. Dale Greenwood Jr. (Hon RS125); 5. Steve Wenner (Hon RS125).

SuperSingles: 1. Elliot Burgess (MuZ 760); 2. Jerry Wood (Duc 570); 3. Gary Cotterell (Duc 720); 4. Herbert Robinson (BMW); 5. Clive Chitty.

Ultra-Lightweight Sportsman: 1. Harry Barlow (Yam 250); 2. David Roe (Yam 250); 3. Duane Francis.

Expert Heavyweight Superbike: 1. Michael Himmelsbach (Apr RSV1000R); 2. Scott Hermersmann (Suz GSX-R750); 3. Darren Luck (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Chris Ulrich (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Anthony Fania (Suz GSX-R750).

Expert Lightweight Supersport: 1. David Yaakov (Suz SV650); 2. R. Todd Keesee (Suz SV650); 3. Erick Maillard (Suz SV650); 4. Brian Suffridge (Suz SV650); 5. John Linder (Suz SV650).

Amateur Lightweight Supersport: 1. Alex Ferreira (Suz SV650); 2. Tom Holley (Suz SV650); 3. Shannon Santoni (Suz SV650); 4. Darren Danilowicz (Suz SV650); 5. Terry Walker (Suz SV650).

Expert Lightweight Sportsman: 1. E. Cary Pigman (Lav 668); 2. Paul Conley (MuZ 720); 3. Trey Godwin (Kaw EX500).

Amateur Lightweight Sportsman: 1. Jacquelyn Halpa, (Kaw EX500); 2. Duane Francis (Kaw EX500).

Expert Middleweight Sportsman: 1. James Monson (Apr RS316); 2. Arthur Wagner (Hon 600); 3. Brian Salazar (Apr RS250); 4. Bob Close (Duc 750SS); 5. Charles Burnett (Hon Hawk 650).

Amateur Middleweight Sportsman: 1. Gregory Moon (Hon Hawk 700); 2. Jay Carpentier (Apr RS250); 3. Bruce Kahlhamer (Apr RS316); 4. MacAllister Griffiths (Apr RS250); 5. James Martin (Apr RS250).

Amateur Middleweight Supersport: 1. Nathan Kern (Suz GSX-R600); 2. Scott Cunningham (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Chris Tardieu (Suz GSX-R600); 4. Jeff Walker (Suz GSX-R600); 5. Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R600).

From a press release:

DUCATI AND NEW LINE CINEMA REV UP FOR MARCH 22ND RELEASE OF BLADE II WITH WESLEY SNIPES

Limited Edition Blade/Ducati Motorcycle to be Unveiled at Daytona

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Ducati North America teams up with New Line Cinema to unveil the Ducati ST2 motorcycle designed for the movie Blade II during Daytona Bike Week. Wesley Snipes will be on hand on March 8th at 8:00 p.m. at the Corbin Showroom on Main Street in downtown Daytona Beach to introduce this limited-edition Ducati designed by Blade II conceptual artist Ty Ruben Ellingson. The new film, a follow-up to the 1998 hit , opens March 22nd.

“Like Blade, this motorcycle is sleek, cool and powerful,” said Josh Ravetch, vice president of production resources for New Line Cinema. “We are delighted to work with Ducati in bringing something so emblematic of Blade’s world to the public at large.”

In addition to the creation of the limited edition bike, New Line and Ducati will host several sweepstakes including the giveaway of two of the specialty bikes and three of the actual motorcycles used in the film. Details of these sweepstakes will be announced shortly. Also, promotions with Best Buy and Musicland will include the giveaway of 25 Ducati Performance D-Generation Jackets.

Between March 8 and April 8, entrants can sign up at local Ducati dealerships or online to win a trip to World Ducati Week in Italy, which will be given away on April 17, 2002. This event, which began in 1998 with a weekend at the Misano racetrack, is now a full week celebration taking place on the beautiful Romagna coast June 14 to the 22, 2002. In addition to the exciting activities at the racetrack, like the stuntman shows, drag racing, vintage car and motorcycle rallies, and non-stop music there will also be beach activities, such as volleyball, fitness lessons, shows, museum and factory tours as well as regional gastronomical delights. To win this wonderful trip, simply visit your local Ducati dealer to fill out the WDW self addressed entry postcard and mail it in or visit the Ducati website at www.ducati.com and fill out the online entry form starting March 8, 2002.

Lastly, the first 35 people to visit local participating Ducati dealerships between March 4 and 16, 2002 for a test ride on a Ducati Sport-touring model will receive either Blade screening passes or other Blade merchandise. To find your local Ducati dealer call 1-888-Ducati-2. You must have a valid motorcycle license to participate in the test ride program.

Join us for an immortal ride!

From a press release issued by Ten Kate Honda:

Riba leaves Ten Kate Honda

Spaniard Pere Riba has shocked the Supersport paddock by quitting the Ten Kate Honda team just days before the first race at Valencia. Riba has been lured away by Luis d’ Antin to ride a two-stroke Yamaha 500 for the Spanish team as a replacement for Alex Criville.

Winter testing showed the great potential of the Ten Kate Honda CBR600FS and Riba had always professed himself to be very happy with the bike, the Pirelli tyres and the WP suspension. He looked set to be a serious contender in the competition and stood a very real chance of being World Champion at the end of the season.

Ten Kate Honda team manager, Ronald ten Kate was obviously shocked at Riba’slast minute move, “I am absolutely stunned by his decision to quit,” admitted ten Kate. “While I obviously wish him well on the 500 I am very surprised at the move, he had been going so well on the CBR and never once seemed unhappy in the team. Last year he was the model of responsibility, ethics and sportsmanship, so for him to leave us in the lurch like this seems very out of character.”

It seems d’Antin’s hand was forced in the matter, as he relies heavily upon the sponsorship he receives from Spanish Oil giant, Repsol.

“Unfortunately it seems we are the victim of politics as d’Antin’s Repsol insisted that Criville should be replaced by another Spanish rider,” confirmed ten Kate.

“The rest of the team are gutted by Riba’s actions,” he explained, “they’ve worked so hard with Riba and helped him to achieve the level he is now at. But we’re not convinced that this is a good career move by Riba, especially because of the manner in which he has made it.”

Riba’s move leaves the team with less than a week to find a new rider ready for the opening race of the season at Valencia.

“We are already talking with a replacement rider and should be in a position to make an announcement very soon,” confirmed ten Kate. “We very much regret that we may be forced into a situation where we have to poach a rider from another team. But we hope we can resolve any possible situation with another team amicably.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Defending Formula USA Champion Shawn Higbee topped Unlimited Superbike qualifying at Daytona International Speedway Saturday. Morning rain saw officials cone off a section of the chicane known to be very slippery when wet, but the track was mostly dry when qualifying started.

A group of riders said they would not ride if it rained on Sunday, and threatened to boycott the event. The group included Larry Pegram and Lee Acree.

Another meeting of riders concerned with the potential of racing in the rain at Daytona is scheduled for tonight.

During the first of two 20-minute qualifying sessions, a blown engine produced a huge cloud of smoke entering the chicane. When Chris Ulrich backed off at the sight of smoke, he was clipped from behind by Craig Connell; neither fell, although both pitted immediately afterwards.

A scoring system problem resulted in monitors along pit lane being blank for most of the first qualifying session; the system displayed one rider’s name in nine positions when the monitors did display anything, soon followed by a blank screen.

Qualifying results follow:

Unlimited Superbike Qualifying

1. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:53.898
2. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.709
3. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.791
4. Larry Pegram, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.003
5. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.483
6. Mike Himmelsbach, Aprilia RSV Mille R, 1:55.844
7. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.568
8. Matt Wait, Honda CBR929RR, 1:56.945
9. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:57.976
10. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:57.744
11. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:58.368
12. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:58.431
13. Darry Wilbur, 1:58.716
14. Tim Bemisderfer, Honda CBR954RR, 1:58.877
15. Byron Barbour, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:59.871
16. Owen Richie, 2:00.127
17. Stephane Mertens, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:00.223
18. John Ashmead, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:00.496
19. Cory Call, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:01.121
20. Robert Presby, Kawasaki ZX-7R, 2:01.191

Unofficial Practice Group #1 Lap Times:
1. Michael Barnes, 1:57.889
2. Larry Pegram, 1:59.458
3. Craig Connell, 1:59.784
4. Lee Acree, 1:59.932
5. Scott Greenwood, 2:00.578
6. Larry Denning, 2:02.542
7. Shaun Harris, 2:02.817
8. Thomas Pfuner, 2:03.909
9. Brian Salazar, 2:05.862
10. Brian Lee, 2:06.701

Unofficial Practice Group #5 Lap Times:
1. Josh Hayes, 1:57.149
2. Geoff May, 1:57.179
3. Tom Kipp, 1:58.899
4. Tim Bemisderfer, 1:59.777
5. Darren Luck, 2:01.031
6. Rick Shaw, 2:01.807
7. Shaun Harris, 2:02.359
8. George Martinelli, 2:02.446
9. Steve Johnson, 2:05.188
10. Brian Salazar, 2:05.591

Note: Not every motorcycle was equipped with a timing transponder during Friday’s practice sessions.