Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

From a phone interview with privateer Brian Livengood, who is fourth in AMA Superbike points following the AMA National at Fontana and so is banned from Thursday practice at Sears Point by a rule AMA Pro Racing Director of Competition Merrill Vanderslice says was enacted to “save the factory teams from themselves”:

“I called (Vanderslice) this morning and left a message, and he got back to me this afternoon. Basically, I knew they had the deal with the practices, but I thought it was the week prior to the event. I didn’t know it was the promoter practice that they weren’t letting the top 10 in. I never thought or worried about it until we started making our plans for Sears and I found out, actually last night, they’re not allowing top 10 in Superbike points (to take part in Thursday practice).

“I figured I’d call. I thought that it should’ve just applied to the factory teams, not the privateer guys. So I called and (Vanderslice) got back to me. I asked him about it. He said that’s the way it’s been for three years and there was nothing really that he could do about it.

“I explained to him that the big importance was that, one, I’ve never been there (Sears Point), two, I am a privateer team and by going there and learning the track it allows me, on Friday and Saturday, to be up to pace where I’m not in the way learning the track while you’ve got the factory teams out there. All in all in the end, my sponsors that got me where I’m at now, if I’m not learning the track like all of my other competitors that’s going to put me behind.

“Other than that, he said if there was anything else he could help me with fine, but there was nothing he could do with this. I asked him as far as penalty-wise, what would be the penalty if I decided to run it. He said several different things, revoking licenses and this and that. So he pretty much said, ‘Don’t do it.’

“He talked to me normal. He wasn’t a smart ass or anything like that. But he was like ‘This is the way it’s been. You should’ve known this. This is the way it’s been. I can’t help you out there. Anything else, let me know.’ I asked him what we could do. He said it was a long, drawn out deal. It has to go through this and that, through different parts of the board to get changed. That’s when I decided to give a call and maybe we can get something worked out to where privateer guys that’s not renting out a track every weekend can do at least one day of practice before a full race weekend.

“I guess they really ought to ask the factory guys, ‘Hey, do you really give a care if these guys go out and practice?’ I’m pretty sure that most of them would say no. They don’t care. My understanding is that (the rule) is designed to keep them there for the show on the weekend, so their not out there getting hurt and anything like that. I guess there’s other reasons, too.

“So I guess I’m stuck. It’s good to be in the points where I’m at, but I’m not going to win a Superbike Championship or anything like that. I’m there because they (factory Superbike riders) broke and this and that. I’ll have some good finishes and all, but the Superstock was our main focus this year.

“We wanted a top 10 in Superbike because of the track time and, of course, the money. Now where we’re at now, we’re talking to some guys and they might get a Superbike motor built just to finish beating out the rest of the privateer guys.

“Until today (being so high in the Superbike points) was working better for me and all my sponsors. It’s just hurting me for the next events that I’m going to. When I get out to Sears and all of my competitors are out practicing on Thursday and I’m sitting in the pits…there’s no replacement for track time.”

From a Ducati North America press release:

Ducati North America is making it easier than ever for customers to get on a high performance, race-only Superbike by offering very special incentives through its dealer network on 2001 Model Year 748R and 996SPS models.

If you ever dreamed of owning a Ducati racebike, act now, because supplies will not last. Also, for the serious racer, a limited number of hand-built 748RS race-only bikes direct from the in-house racing department in Bologna are available. Call your local Ducati dealer today for availability, prices, and other details. Call 1-888-DUCATI-2 to locate the Ducati dealer nearest you or visit www.ducatiusa.com.

(When contacted for more information, Ducati North America’s Myrianne Gaeta said that pricing will be set by individual Ducati dealers.)

From another Ducati North America Press Release:

Ducati North America recently released a large pool of its corporate demo and test bike fleet to its North American dealer network. Monsters, Superbikes, Supersports, and Sport-Touring models are available. All priced to sell. Call your Ducati Dealer today to check on model availability and take advantage of this very limited time offer. Call 1-888-DUCATI-2 to locate the Ducati dealer nearest you or visit www.ducatiusa.com

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

WSMC 250cc Grand Prix racer Keith Almond is listed in “serious” condition in the Intensive Care Unit of Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. Almond was injured when he and Richard Headley tangled in turn nine of Willow Springs International Raceway and crashed during the combined Formula Twins/250cc Grand Prix/125cc Grand Prix WSMC sprint race Sunday, April 21.

Headley was relatively uninjured, and according to Race Director Danny Farnsworth, Almond had “somewhat stable” vital signs but was unconscious when he was airlifted to a hospital.

Contacted on Tuesday, April 23, WSMC Operations Manager Kenny Kopecky said that Almond was put into a coma by medical personnel at the crash scene because he was being extremely combative, a sign of a concussion. Kopecky added that Almond was breathing on his own after the crash.

Headley was leading the Formula Twins race on a World Superbike-spec Ducati 998RS with Vincent Haskovec slowly catching him. According to Headley, he was trying to pass Almond on the outside of the high-speed final corner when TZ250 rider Almond pushed wide. The two made contact and went tumbling off into the run-off area at over 100 mph.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The Formula USA National scheduled for June 13-16 at New Hampshire International Speedway will include a purse-paying 250cc Grand Prix race.

F-USA Director of Road Racing Bill Syfan confirmed that the two GP classes will be part of 79th Annual Loudon Classic, an event which previously was sanctioned by the AMA and this year is sanctioned by Formula USA.

Racer Sean Wray is working on the final details of a sponsorship deal which may result in a $5000 purse for the 250cc GP race, but Syfan said F-USA could not confirm the purse until they actually had the money in hand.

From a press release:

Mike Bell To Join White Brothers As VP Of Marketing And Brand Development

Tom White, President and Founder of White Brothers Performance Products, in Yorba Linda, California, announced today that Mike Bell, former Yamaha Factory motocross star and 1980 Supercross Champion, will be joining the company’s senior management team in May.

Tom White stated, “Mike Bell has a proven track record in building one of the most successful brand names to date. Having him join us demonstrates our commitment to our customers and our dealers that we have pledged to take White Brothers to the next level. With Mike and the team at WB, you can count on some very innovative things to show up in the market place soon.”

Mike is an 18-year veteran of Oakley, Inc., a $450M company. He originally handled sports marketing, then moved into sales, and is currently spearheading Oakley’s sunglass division.

“Bottom line is I am a dirt bike guy through and through,” stated Mike Bell. “Having the opportunity to work with the best dirt bike accessory manufacturer in the world, White Brothers, was just too good to pass up. White Brothers is a great company and an industry leader in many different categories. We have some visionary plans for the company and its products, and I look forward to being part of the team that will solidify White Brothers’ position as a premier performance company.”

“We are thrilled about having a person of Mike’s caliber join our team,” said Vice President of White Brothers, Bob Weber. “He is a great guy, and has the experience we need in both product development and marketing that will be a tremendous asset to White Brothers. Having been with Oakley, one of the best brand-building companies in history, and our being able to draw upon that experience, should prove advantageous to our growth and a significant contribution to our business.”

From a press release:

Team Suzuki News Service

PRINCE WILLIAM INVITED TO BRITISH MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX

23rd April, 2002.

THE BRITISH based Telefonica MoviStar Suzuki team has invited Prince William to attend the 2002 British Motorcycle Grand Prix at Donington Park, Leicestershire, on July 14th as its special VIP guest.

The World Championship winning team has reacted to news that Prince William has just passed his Compulsory Basic Training and is interested
in motorcycles by offering him a ringside seat with one of the most successful teams in the history of bike racing at his home Grand Prix.

Based in Edenbridge, Kent, the 20-man strong Telefonica MoviStar Suzuki squad can trace its roots back more than 25-years to the time when Londoner Barry Sheene won his world titles on its machinery. More recently the team won the 2000 World Championship with American Kenny Roberts Jr, who is still riding for it alongside Spanish race winner Sete Gibernau. In total the team has won five riders titles and seven constructors Championships.

For 2002 the team is running new Suzuki GSV-R race bikes. With a 990cc V4 four-stroke engine producing more than 210 bhp and the whole bike tipping the scales at just 145 kg, it is one of the fastest motorcycles on the planet.

Team Manager Garry Taylor said: “We are delighted to make this offer to Prince William to come and enjoy the hospitality of our team at the British Grand Prix. We have always taken pride in being a British team and it would be a great honour to have the Prince as our very special guest. In the past, it was a great honour to have Princess Ann visit us at the race track. If William is interested in motorcycling, then the thrill of meeting the world’s best riders and having a close-up inspection of our multi-million pound race machines will hopefully be interesting to him. We have sent an invite to the Prince and are waiting with our fingers crossed.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Here are the allotted purse amounts for each class run during the Supercuts AMA Superbike Challenge weekend at Sears Point Raceway. (These figures do not include contingency and bonus money.)

Chevy Trucks Superbike, Purse $50,000
(1/2 paid for each race, which means winning a Superbike race at Sears Point will pay $2200)
1. $4400
2. $3700
3. $3200
4. $3000
5. $2700
6. $2600
7. $2500
8. $2400
9. $2300
10. $2200
11. $1950
12. $1850
13. $1750
14. $1650
15. $1550
16. $1450
17. $1350
18. $1250
19. $1150
20. $1050
21. $675
22. $625
23. $575
24. $525
25. $475
26. $425
27. $400
28. $375
29. $350
30. $325
31. $300
32. $275
33. $250
34. $225
35. $200


MBNA 250 Grand Prix, Purse $7500
1. $1200
2. $950
3. $675
4. $550
5. $525
6. $475
7. $425
8. $375
9. $350
10. $325
11. $275
12. $250
13. $225
14. $200
15. $175
16. $150
17. $125
18. $100
19. $75
20. $75


Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme, Purse $7500
1. $1200
2. $950
3. $675
4. $550
5. $525
6. $475
7. $425
8. $375
9. $350
10. $325
11. $275
12. $250
13. $225
14. $200
15. $175
16. $150
17. $125
18. $100
19. $75
20. $75


Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport, Purse $7500
1. $1200
2. $950
3. $675
4. $550
5. $525
6. $475
7. $425
8. $375
9. $350
10. $325
11. $275
12. $250
13. $225
14. $200
15. $175
16. $150
17. $125
18. $100
19. $75
20. $75


Suzuki Genuine Accessories Superstock, Purse $7500
1. $1200
2. $950
3. $675
4. $550
5. $525
6. $475
7. $425
8. $375
9. $350
10. $325
11. $275
12. $250
13. $225
14. $200
15. $175
16. $150
17. $125
18. $100
19. $75
20. $75

From a American Honda press release:

Erion Racing/Parts Unlimited/PJ1 Superbike racer Kurtis Roberts is on the road to recovery following his crash during Friday (4/5/02) qualifying at the Fontana, California, round of the AMA Superbike series.

Roberts, aboard his Honda RC51, was among the fastest riders on the track when he took a spill, slightly injuring his left knee and sustaining a more severe injury to the soft tissue in his left thigh.

Following initial treatment and tests, Roberts saw Dr. Arthur Ting, who performed procedures to remove a hematoma from the Honda rider’s left thigh. Last week, Dr. Ting called on the services of Dr. Sandhan, a specialist in ultra-sound testing and analysis. Dr. Sandhan issued a very positive report, saying that no further tissue damage was found.

Roberts is resting comfortably in his Turlock, California, home, and is expected to return to racing within six to eight weeks. “I’m feeling better every day, and hope to be back for either the Pikes Peak or Road America rounds”, said Roberts.

(Editorial Note: Sources from American Honda, including American Honda Racing Team Manager Chuck Miller and Roberts’ chassis tuner Danny Hull, originally reported to Roadracingworld.com that Roberts’ injuries were to his right knee and left ankle. Contacted Monday, April 22, American Honda Motorsports Media Coordinator Greg Wright confirmed that report as correct, adding that the injury in Roberts’ left thigh was discovered later.)

From a press release:

DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING ANNOUNCES RECORD REVENUES FOR FIRST QUARTER 2002
DUCATI WORLDWIDE REGISTRATIONS UP 18% –

Bologna, Italy-–Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (NYSE: DMH, Milan’s Telematico: DMH), a leading manufacturer of high performance motorcycles, announced record consolidated revenues for the first quarter of 2002.

For the first quarter, revenues were Euro 106.3 million representing a growth of 5.7% over the same period in 2001. Revenues from Ducati motorcycles increased 4.3% to Euro 89.3 million and represented 84.0% of total revenues. Motorcycle-related products rose 14.6% to Euro 16.8 million versus the same period last year. Revenues grew mainly thanks to a positive product mix, despite a slight unit sales decline.

Motorcycle shipments worldwide declined 3.5%. This was mostly due to the re-organization of the US distribution network. Excluding the US, motorcycle shipments were up 2.4%.

While official world registrations data for the period are not yet available, the Company’s best estimates suggest that first quarter registrations grew 18% versus the same period last year, with particular strength in Japan (+32%), in the USA (+32%).

“The impressive increase in registrations for the period reflects the success of our strong product offering for 2002. The 998 Testastretta and the Monster 620 i.e. – introduced in September 2001 – are proving a real hit with dealers and customers alike and have been the main drivers of the growth in this quarter,” said Carlo Di Biagio, Ducati Chief Executive Officer. “As part of our restructuring efforts in the US, we have tailored a series of initiatives to support the sell-out of our products – and it is great to see such positive results .”

“We expect unit sales to pick up in the coming months and confirm our revenues growth target for the full year 2002 of high single digit growth with 16% EBITDA margin net of GP costs,” said Enrico D’Onofrio, Ducati Chief Financial Officer.

“In addition, our performance in the World Superbike Championship so far this year has been exceptional. Ducati’s Troy Bayliss, the 2001 title-holder, has opened this season with a record-breaking six consecutive wins. We could not have wished for a better start,” added Carlo Di Biagio. “We have just shown the first images of the powerful desmosedici engine and a highly aerodynamic vehicle which will enter the Moto GP next year. We are very excited about this project which is advancing in line with our plans.”

During the first quarter of 2002, Ducati continued to open new independent Ducati Stores exclusively selling Ducati motorcycles and accessories, including one in Rhein Sieg in Germany, Chia Yi in Taiwan and Marseilles in France bringing the total to 97 stores worldwide.

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.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Gabriel Trench

Reigning AMA 250cc Grand Prix Champion Jimmy Filice has decided that he will not compete in any more AMA 250cc races, instead concentrating all his available resources on his 600cc Supersport effort.

Filice showed up at California Speedway with both his ZX-6R Supersport bike and a TZ250. But after exploring the viability of campaigning two bikes, Filice has now decided to ride the 600 only.

Filice says that he rode the 250 at California Speedway for several reasons, all to do with his desire to produce exposure for long-time sponsor Corbin. “It’s hard when you are the owner and rider of the team. You have to look at the business side,” Filice said. “I’m trying to give back (to Corbin) as much as they have given me. I thought if I rode the 250 at Fontana and got results I could get them some exposure.” Filice DNF at Fontana, with a mechanical problem.

Ironically, it was a lack of sponsorship exposure that motivated Filice to give up his title defense and go 600 Supersport racing in the first place.

And James Siddall, who ran Filice’s 2001 250cc Championship effort and who planned to transition into four-stroke racing with Filice, decided to leave Filice’s program.

“James (Siddall) is a good guy, but he lacks experience with the 600s. He’s more into the 250s,” Filice said regarding the split up. “I’m more in the business end of the sport and the 600 class gets more publicity.

“We have been testing at Buttonwillow, and should be competitive by mid-season. But, I really want to expose myself to the 600s and gain experience,” continued Filice. “I need to understand them so I can try to build a team. I’d like to work with younger riders and give them some of the opportunities that I got. I’m talking with a couple riders now.”

Meanwhile, Siddall, the man behind the last three AMA 250cc Grand Prix Championships with his World Sports team, wasted little time getting back into 250cc racing and as of Monday morning, became the 250cc program manager for Team America Grand Prix Racing and rider Jason DiSalvo.

Team America GP racing’s owner, Jim DiSalvo, said that adding Siddall to the program is “a step in the right direction,” and that Siddall’s experience in winning three successive 250cc Championships–two with Chuck Sorensen and one with Filice–will “bring a whole new concept to the team.”

“My heart is in 250 racing and I wanted to get back to doing what I love, which is running a 250 program with winning potential,” said Siddall.