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.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Racing Director of Competition Merrill Vanderslice was recently quoted by a motorcycle publication as saying, in effect, that there was no controversy around teams running the Yamaha YZF-R7 chassis in Formula Xtreme for two years, and now suddenly it’s a problem. Vanderslice’s comment seemed aimed at dismissing the protests of Damon Buckmaster’s winning R1-engined YZF-R7 at Fontana by riders from five teams.

But the R7 question was a hot issue in the July 2000 edition of Roadracing World, which covered the controversy over Richard Stanboli not being allowed to enter his R1-engined YZF-R7 in Formula Xtreme at Sears Point. You can read about it in the July 2000 Inside Info story here.

Ironically, at the time, Stanboli wanted to race an R7 in Formula Xtreme and Graves didn’t want the R7 to be legal. Their roles in the current controversy are reversed, with Stanboli angry that Graves is now racing an R7 and Graves angry that anyone is questioning the R7’s legality.

At the heart of the matter is what involved parties say is a pattern of conflicting messages from AMA Pro Racing officials, who refused to accept protests of the R7 in 2001 and told potential protestors that the bike was being allowed to race in 2001 only and would be gone in 2002, while at the same time telling Graves that he could race an R7 in 2002.

But back to the origins of the controversy, as reported in the July 2000 issue of Roadracing World. Stanboli told Roadracing World at the time, “I told (AMA Technical Manager) Rob King what I intended to do. He admitted it was a gray area but within the spirit of the rules. When I got here he told me it wasn’t eligible. I think he’s had pressure from other teams–Chuck Graves and Erion. The AMA now says they want to keep Superbikes out of Formula Xtreme. Yamaha hasn’t backed us at all.”

AMA Pro Racing Communications Manager Bill Nordquist told Roadracing World, “They had a long conversation and many things were discussed. The R7/R1 situation came up,, along with other topics, but at no time did Rob (King) say it was a legal combination. The R7 is produced as a racebike, and is not supplied as a streetbike to customers.”

The report on the subject in Roadracing World continued, “There was little sympathy for Stanboli in the paddock. Chuck Graves vehemently denied that he had ever approached the AMA about the eligibility of the machine and summarized the feelings of his fellow competitors. Graves pointed out that the class had a good rule structure that shouldn’t be threatened by the introduction of Superbikes. As a case in point, he noted that Honda’s RC51 would be eligible for the class, but Honda chose the class to showcase the CBR929RR. Similarly, he felt it was a class for the Yamaha R1, not the R7. Graves noted that in an effort to keep Superbikes out of the field, the AMA specifically excluded the 996 Ducati in the rulebook. Finally, Graves wondered, if King had told Stanboli that the R7/R1 combination was legal, why hadn’t Stanboli asked for confirmation in writing before investing considerable time and expense to produce the hybrid?”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Josh Hayes is having surgery today at the Cedar Lake Surgical Center in Biloxi, Mississippi, on the left hand that was seriously injured in a crash during practice at California Speedway April 6.

Hayes originally had six hours of surgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center near Fontana, California to mend several broken bones in the hand and repair a nearly severed fifth finger.

In that April 6 procedure, four pins, a metal plate and pieces of surgical wire were inserted into Hayes’ damaged hand, but now Dr. Alexander Blevens is replacing two of the pins with metal plates and will fix an incorrectly aligned ring finger.

According to Hayes, the procedure should allow him to bend his finger joints and start rehabilitation sooner. Speaking via cell phone from the surgery center’s waiting room, Hayes said that while he wasn’t given a recovery time schedule, he hopes to return to action in time for the AMA National at Pikes Peak May 30-June 2.

In the meantime, his team has reversed an earlier decision not to put another rider on Hayes’ Formula Xtreme bike and is talking to former Australian Superbike and World Superbike competitor Marty Craggill.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn Le Santo

Edwards wins his first race of 2002

Colin Edwards rode a cool race to take his first WSB victory since Oschersleben last year. Edwards narrowly beat the Cabin Honda Wild card rider Makoto Tamada after leading for most of the race.

Pole position man Noriyuki Haga mixed it with the leading bunch early in the race after Tamada took the holeshot. Neil Hodgson was also there, challenging Tamada for the lead in the early stages. But it was Colin Edwards who came through the strongest, winning an early battle with Tamada to take the lead. He then held off a strong challenge from Haga before the Aprilia rider faded back to finish third.

Tamada tried to attack Edwards in the last laps, but Edwards rode the wheels off his Honda to stay ahead. Mark Heckles crashed at the chicane just before Edwards and Tamada came through for the last time. With the yellow flags waving there was no way Tamada could make a pass there, losing his final overtaking chance and having to settle for second.

Edwards’ victory marks the first time a non-Japanese rider has won at Sugo since Fogarty in 1995. It also marks the first World Superbike victory for Michelin at the track since Fogarty’s win.

Noriyuki Haga struggled with grip late in the race but held it together enough to take third from Hodgson. World Champion and title leader Troy Bayliss came in fifth.

Bayliss now leads the championship by a reduced margin of 31 points.


Sugo World Superbike Race One Results:

1. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 25 laps
2. Makoto Tamada, Honda RC51, +0.161 second
3. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, +4.486 seconds
4. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998, +12.255 seconds
5. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998, +21.313 seconds
6. Akira Yanagawa, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, +22.877 seconds
7. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998, +23.261 seconds
8. Yoshikawa, Yamaha YZF-R7, +26.359 seconds
9. James Toseland, Ducati 998, +29.082 seconds
10. Takeshi Tsujimura, Yamaha YZF-R7, +30.348 seconds
11. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, +31.022 seconds
12. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, +42.361 seconds
13. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, +43.368 seconds
14. Juan Borja, Ducati 998, +44.134 seconds
15. Yuichi Takeda, Honda RC51, +44.272 seconds
16. Pedercini, Ducati 998, +77.227 seconds
17. Steve Martin, Ducati 998, +79.973 seconds
18. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, +84.513 seconds
19. Kenichiro Nakamura, Honda RC51, +93.197 seconds
20. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, + 1 lap
21. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, +1 lap
22. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998, DNF, 17 laps
23. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998, DNF, 8 laps
24. Alessandro Antonello, Ducati 998, DNF, 4 laps
25. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998, DNF, 1 lap
26. Hitoyasu Izutsu, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, DNS, 0 laps

World Superbike Point Standings After Race One:

1. Bayliss, 161 points
2. Edwards, 130 points
3. B. Bostrom, 86 points
4. Hodgson, 82 points
5. Xaus, 79 points
6. Haga, 76 points
7. Toseland, 52 points
8. Walker, 49 points
9. Izutsu, 47 points
10. Borja, 38 points

More from an HM Plant Ducati press release:

Superbike World Championship
Round four: Sugo, Japan
Sunday 21 April 2002
Race one

Hodgson and Toseland dialled in at Sugo

Race one of the Japanese round of the Superbike World Championship saw both HM Plant Ducati/GSE Racing riders once more put in impressive performances and claim solid point scoring finishes. Britain’s number one Superbike rider Neil Hodgson finished a comfortable fourth and continued to show the kind of consistently strong performance that has now earned him fourth place in the championship standings. His rising star of a team-mate James Toseland rode intelligently to finish ninth.

After a strong start that had the #100 HM Plant Ducati running a close second to Makoto Tamada for the first two laps, Hodgson soon found a good rhythm and maintained a secure fourth place for the remainder of the race. Colin Edwards went on to take the win, but significantly Hodgson took the chequered flag almost ten seconds ahead of the reigning World Champion Troy Bayliss, and three places in front of factory rider Ben Bostrom.

“I felt really good out there,” said the Isle of Man-based rider. “The 13 points that I picked for fourth place are a great boost to my championship hopes. The team has been working really hard to get everything right and the set-up that I have now is excellent. I’m gaining more and more confidence in the HM Plant Ducati every time that I ride it, and during that race it felt better than ever. I now know that I can push the HM Plant Ducati even harder than before and I’ll be going into race two with no reservations whatsoever.”

James Toseland emerged victorious from his own battle. The Yorkshireman again displayed maturity beyond his 21 years to better his grid position by two places and cross the line well clear of his nearest challenger, local rider Tsujimura, and several other full factory-equipped riders.

“I’m pretty happy with that result,” said Toseland. “To be competitive around an incredibly technical circuit such as Sugo is an achievement in itself. To beat riders who have been here a lot more that I have, is even better. I’m now seventh in the world championship standings and that’s not a bad situation to be in after only seven races.”


More, from a Honda press release:

EDWARDS WINS IN HONDA 1-2 AT SUGO

Castrol Honda’s Colin Edwards took victory in today’s thrilling opening race of round four of the World Superbike championship here at Sugo in Japan.

Edwards, starting from fifth place on row two of the grid, was third into the first corner. He took second place from Neil Hodgson at the chicane on lap two before taking the lead from Honda wild card rider Makoto Tamada at the end of the back straight on the third lap.

Edwards briefly lost the lead to Noriyuki Haga but took over on lap nine and was never headed again in the 25-lap race as he took the 21st World Superbike win of his career and his first since the Oschersleben, Germany round in September last year.

Edwards’ victory was the first by a non-Japanese at the Sugo circuit since 1995. He was tailed in the closing stages of the race by Tamada as Honda celebrated its first 1-2 with the new SP-2 machine.

“I was confident of being able to win but when you¹ve got a couple of Japanese riders like Tamada and Haga tailing you it’s never going to be easy,” said Edwards.

He continued: “Since Friday here we¹ve known that we were in good shape as far as race set-up went. Michelin have really done their homework since the races here last year and it’s credit to them that I was in a position to win today.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Tohru Ukawa beat Valentino Rossi, who led most of the race with Ukawa shadowing him, to the finish line to win the South African Grand Prix at Welkom after Rossi twice slid the rear tire and ran wide on the last lap. Both rode Honda RC211V 5-cylinder four-strokes. Loris Capirossi ran just behind Rossi and Ukawa for much of the race.

American Kenny Roberts pitted for new tires and DNF and California teen John Hopkins was again in the points, finishing 14th despite running off the track once. The race marked Hopkins’ second GP on a Red Bull Yamaha YZR500.

South African Grand Prix MotoGP Results:

1. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 44:39.467, 28 laps
2. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, +0.932 second
3. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, +8.259 seconds
4. Daijiro Katoh, Honda NSR500, +26.962 seconds
5. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, +27.227 seconds
6. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, +27.889 seconds
7. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, +30.215 seconds
8. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, +30.781 seconds
9. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, +43.796 seconds
10. Garry McCoy, Yamaha YZR500, +45.501 seconds
11. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, +66.938 seconds
12. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, +79.560 seconds
13. Pere Riba, Yamaha YZR500, +79.857 seconds
14. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, +91.519 seconds
15. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, +92.725 seconds
16. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, + 1 lap
17. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, +2 laps, DNF
18. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, +19 laps, DNF
19. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, +21 laps, DNF
20. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, +23 laps, DNF

MotoGP Point Standings:

1. Rossi, 45 points
2. Checa, 27 points
3. Ukawa, 25 points
4. Capirossi, 23 points
5. Akira Ryo, 20 points
6. Abe, 20 points
7. Katoh, 19 points
8. Shinichi Itoh, 13 points
9. Barros, 10 points
10. Jacque, 10 points
11. Aoki, 9 points
12. Laconi, 9 points
13. Harada, 9 points
14. Nakano, 8 points
15. Biaggi, 7 points
16. McCoy, 6 points
17. Hopkins, 6 points
18. V.d. Goorbergh, 5 points
19. Riba, 3 points.

More from an Aprilia press release:

MS Aprilia Racing Press Information
2002 MotoGP World Championship
Welkom (RSA) 19/20/21 April 2002
MotoGP – Sunday 21 April
Laconi and the RS Cube again in the points race. New data acquired for project development.
The Aprilia RS Cube ends the second race in its young life. Laconi brings it under the flag in 15th position. He thus earns one precious, encouraging point, despite taking it for two off-track rides. The team programme for a project like this also provides for development work during the Sunday competition, up against the others in the heat of a race. What is encouraging is the fact that the RS Cube was placed just 1.5 seconds from the sensational Valentino Rossi in yesterday’s test sessions, and fell behind today partly because it twice took an off-track excursion. Régis Laconi rode an aggressive race and, after twice going wide due to lack of grip at the front while braking, he got back onto the track and raced ahead with the same determination. Development work will be continuing at “home” : some test sessions are to be held before the next meeting in Jerez.

Laconi is 12th in the World Championship ratings with 9 points (8 in Suzuka) (1 in Welkom)
# 55 Régis Laconi – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 15th – 46’12.192
“Twice off track: the first on the penultimate corner, and then again on turn 2. I lost grip at the front when braking, got the bike under control with my arms and went straight. After a short trip off-track, I got back into the race on both occasions. What I wanted to do was to finish the race and be able to attack. I pushed as hard as I could, giving the tyres a rough time, and by the end I didn’t have much leeway. Even before the green light came on, we knew we might have some problems of grip at the front: this was caused by the tyre/fork setting, but I tried just to ride over the problem. I’m pleased I got through to the end: we got plenty of data for the development programme.”



And from a Red Bull Yamaha press release:


GRAND PRIX OF AFRICA SUNDAY 21st APRIL


GARRY McCOY ­ 10th place
World championship classification ­ 16th ­ Six points
“I made a good start and felt comfortable running in fifth place early in the race but going with the Hondas was not an option. About halfway through the race I had a couple of really big slides with the front tyre and it was hard work to hold on. With about 10 laps to go I started to get some pain from my right leg. From then on I decided what I needed to do was just get to the finish. Getting some points in the process was a real bonus. I haven¹t really done much for the last couple of months since I broke my leg in testing and I don¹t think my leg liked it out there too much.”


JOHN HOPKINS ­ 14th place
World championship classification – 17th ­ Six points
“I got a bit of a slow start but I got into the race and started to make a couple of passes. But on the fourth lap I thought I started to smell some oil from one of the four-strokes. I had just passed Tetsuya Harada when I went into the right-hander at the end of the back straight when I saw a shiny spot that you are always looking for when you think there is oil on the track. It must have just been a piece of rubber but I¹d already picked up the bike. By the time I tried to make the corner I was heading full blast into the grass. I lost around 10 seconds but started to push again. I saw Regis Laconi had also been off the track and we had a good battle. I went to pass him on the last lap but just as I got beside him I think he must have had a problem with his bike because he lifted his hand up and started to slow down. This track is one of the toughest of the season so to come away with some more points is pleasing.”


PETER CLIFFORD ­ TEAM MANAGER
“That was a heroic ride from Garry. He was obviously in a lot of pain at the end of the race judging by the expression on his face. He ran a superb pace in the early stages and just to bring the bike home at all and get some points in those circumstances is a fantastic achievement. It was great to see John in the points again. He had a bit of a moment in the early part of the race but he fought back and passed Regis Laconi superbly on the last lap.”



And now a Suzuki press release:

Team Suzuki News Service

SUZUKI MEN OUT OF THE POINTS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Phakisa Freeway, Welkom – April 21, 2002.

TEAM Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki riders Sete Gibernau and Kenny Roberts left South Africa with no points today, after the second race of the new MotoGP season.

Strong in practice on the all-new 990cc four-stroke GSV-R machines, both had their hopes of reproducing the bold baritone machine’s podium success in the first race dashed when they had to call into the pits. In a 45-minute grand prix in such a competitive season, a pit stop spells disaster in terms of final results.

Kenny retired without finishing. Sete had been running as high as fourth, before running wide onto the trackside grass, rejoining further
down the field. He later pitted to change the rear tyre. He finished 16th, one place out of the points.

The race was won by Japanese rider Tohru Ukawa, after defending champion Valentino Rossi made an error and almost crashed on the final lap. It
was the second of 16 rounds in this year’s MotoGP championship.

SETE GIBERNAU – 16th
“I have no words. I can only say that I did my best. I was taught not to quit, and that’s what I did. Finishing at the back is not what I want.”

KENNY ROBERTS – Did Not Finish
“We knew there would be days like this, but after Suzuki’s great result at Suzuka in the rain, our expectations were a lot higher than today’s results.”

GARRY TAYLOR – Team Manager
“A big disappointment after Suzuka. We were ready for a lot of eventualities, and also to make the most of our possibilities. Kenny retired when he rode into the garage. As for Sete, I have no words either. He persisted and kept trying even after changing his tyre. You can’t ask for more. Keeping going under these circumstances shows the determination of our riders.”