From a press release:

$15 Million Improvement Project Groundbreaking

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Gets a Facelift

First Phase Includes Garages and Hospitality Suites

Monterey, CA (February 1, 2002) – The groundbreaking for the first phase of a multi-year, $15 million improvement project at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is set for Friday, February 8, 2002. From 11:30am to 12:30pm, local dignitaries, city and Monterey County officials, Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) and Mazda representatives and drivers from the CART series will be onhand to usher in a new beginning at the world famous road course. The event coincides with CART Sneak Preview, which will be taking place throughout the weekend. Honorary co-chairs of the Leadership Cabinet for the Capital Campaign, setup to help fund the project, include racing legend Mario Andretti and car designer Carroll Shelby. World-renowned motorcycle racer, Wayne Rainey, is the honorary chairperson.

“We’re thrilled to finally break ground on these long-planned improvements,” said SCRAMP President Kathy Hayworth, “and we thank the spectators and participants in advance for putting up with our dust throughout the forthcoming construction process. The end result will be well worth the wait and will positively enhance the racing experience for everyone who attends an event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. We appreciate the efforts of all those who helped make this possible.”

The entire improvement project will direct $15 million toward revamping Mazda Raceway’s support facilities including permanent garages topped by hospitality suites, a revamped media center with race control and timing and scoring. Phase I is slated to cost $7.8 million. To help with the cost of the improvement project, SCRAMP has secured a $7,112,300.00 loan with First National Bank. The groundbreaking kicks-off construction of Phase I, which entails the project section that is nearest to Turn 11.

“This is Mazda’s home away from home,” said Jay Amestoy, Vice President of Mazda North America Operations, “so making MRLS an even better, more enjoyable racing facility for fans, racing teams, drivers and our employees was one of the primary reasons for our relationship with SCRAMP.”

The partnership Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) signed with Mazda North America Operations early last year was vital in helping fund the improvement project. The $7.5 million SCRAMP received helped our organization move forward with plans to replace the temporary structures built for each event with permanent facilities including garages, luxury suites, bathrooms and other much needed infrastructure improvements, and address improvements in safety, traffic and parking.

Tentative Construction Break-down:

Phase IA:

Phase I includes construction of the northern most ten, double-car garages, one Concession Facility, one women’s restroom, one men’s restroom, one Catering Kitchen and twelve Hospitality Suites. These twelve suites consist of four Corporate Suites and eight Individual Suites. Phase IA is slated to be completed by the end of the 2002 racing season. ((Following completion of Phase IA, Phase IB will begin. It will include ten additional double-car garages, one concession facility, one women’s restroom and shower facility, two men’s restroom and shower facilities, two open pass-throughs for race vehicle access from the paddock to Pit Road, an additional catering kitchen and 17 Corporate Hospitality Suites. This total Phase I Project will be complete by the end of the 2003 race season.))

Interim Pits; Will be developed along the south edge of the Paddock to facilitate track operations while the new Pit Road is under construction.

Demolition; Will include the removal of existing paving and infrastructure to be replaced in Pit Road from the Turn Eleven entrance to the Start/Finish Bridge, excluding the Service Lane and in the Paddock from the south boundary of the Paddock and adjacent to the Service Lane for approximately 500′ south and 150′ west.

Racecourse & Paddock Improvements; Will include revising the Signal Lane to conform to FIA and FIM standards, revise and repave Pit Road to a 50′ width with redefined wider and longer Pit Boxes, widen and improve the Service Lane, improve Racecourse, Pit Road and Service Lane drainage and improve drainage in the Paddock and the repaving and realigning grades with the new Building.

New Sewage & Water System; Will include a new Sewer System infrastructure throughout the Paddock and extending down “B” Road to the Rifle Range where a new sewage Holding Tank will be installed, expand and improve the Raceway Water System and with Monterey County Parks develop a new Potable Water Well and potable water Holding Tank.

Improve and Expand Utility System; Will include the expansion and distribution of the Power System, TV, Data, Phone and Communications Systems to meet the needs of the new Project.


Phase II:

Phase II project will be completed at the southern end of the Phase I Project at a cost of approximately $7,000,000. Construction of Phase II is slated to begin at the end of the 2003 race season and have the balance of the project completed before the start of the 2004 race season.

Start/Finish Bridge, a new 20′ wide by 141′ long pedestrian bridge, from Directors Road to the Paddock, to improve raceway circulation.

Structured Ramp/SCRAMP Billboard, as the Start/Finish Bridge terminates on the Paddock side of the racecourse a new 20′ wide switchback ramp system will be constructed to bring the pedestrians down the 34′ vertical elevation change. The ramp exterior will become the SCRAMP Billboard, providing sponsor signage and event announcements.

Head Flagman Podium, located below the bridge and above the signal lane providing the latest in equipment, technology and safety systems.

Sanctioning Body and Participant Facility a two story facility that will centralize the raceway operations including, on the lower level, Sanctioning Body and Race Central operations and on the upper level, Race Participant/Family Chapel, a Multi-Purpose space for Driver Meetings, Post Race Interviews and SCRAMP/Promoter/Sponsor functions and an exterior Terrace for their entertainment functions. It will also be the new location of the Victory Circle and Podium. Other Facilities, as funding allows.


Phase III:

The Phase III (and beyond) Project is outlined below without priority. The Phase III (and beyond) Project Schedule, will not start until Phase II is complete and priorities have been established and funding available. Therefore a budget has yet to be determined.

A. Participant/Operational Buildings/Structures:

Turn 9 Vehicle Bridge, a new 24′ wide by 175′ long vehicle bridge to accommodate a new loop road to improve for improved egress from the Paddock and Swale.

Grandstands, replaced, realigned or additional seating along the Main Strait and in Turn 4

Race Control/Timing and Scoring, expanded and improved facilities across from the start/finish line, outside the racecourse

Media Center, renovated and improved facilities at existing location

Participant Medical Facility, a new emergency trauma facility to be located outside Turn 11 with medical heli-pad.

SCRAMP & Monterey County Parks Joint Use Building, a new facility located at the current Parks compound housing Parks Staff and Raceway communications, Traffic Control, Security
and Sheriff Deputies

SCRAMP Office Expansion, expansion of existing facilities.

SCRAMP Volunteer Service Center, a new on-site facility for volunteer training and staging and a new Directors Board Room

Support Facilities, additional facilities including 4 Souvenir Concessions, 18 Food Concessions, 2 Storage Facilities and 4 Catering Kitchens

Permanent Restrooms, 24 additional facilities providing a total of 270 urinals, 126 toilets, 270 lavatories and 36 showers for men and 414 toilets, 270 lavatories and 18 showers for women

B. Spectator and Sponsor Facilities:
Hospitality Suites, an additional 25 Hospitality Suites, above the Grandstands along the Main Strait, 8 Hospitality Suites in Turn 3 and 8 Hospitality Suites in Turn 4 Tower Hospitality Suites, the existing “Tower” will be relocated to the north end of the main Strait Grandstands at Turn 11 and renovated to accommodate I enclosed suite per floor for a total of 4 suites

Chalets, new and expanded location around the perimeter of the racecourse to accommodate 5 temporary Corporate Chalets

Pavilion (Flag Room), Information Center & Ticketing, a new SCRAMP/Monterey County Parks joint-use facility housing Exhibition Space (Flag Room), Banquet and Ballroom functions, Parks and Raceway Information Center and ticketing for all events

Souvenir Store & Café, located adjacent to the Pavilion Building will be a new SCRAMP Souvenir Store and Café, open year round

Historic Race Vehicle Museum, a new Museum housing historic racing vehicles (automobiles & motorcycles) and other racing memorabilia

VIP Heli-pad Gazebos, 4 new Gazebos at the existing Heli-pad providing environmental protection and waiting comfort

Information Kiosks, 8 informational Kiosks located strategically around the Raceway

Spectator Medical Facility, replace the existing medical facility (to be relocated between Turns 1 & 2) with a new tertiary care facility above the Paddock and below the Trylon Restaurant, provide a new 325 seat restaurant at the top of and overlooking the world famous “Corkscrew”

SCRAMP motorsports events have an economic impact of more than $129 million dollars annually for central coast businesses, and over the last 44 years that has added up to more than $1 billion dollars for area business owners. In addition, SCRAMP has made more than $10 million dollars in donations to charities in Monterey County and supported Monterey County Parks, plus raceway improvements, with approximately $1 million per year. At the conclusion of the 2001 season, $507,500 was donated to local and regional charities.

Just as Ducati Corse’s Paolo Ciabatti told Roadracingworld.com readers on January 15, Ducati will officially announce its MotoGP plans on Monday, February 4.

Other than tidbits revealed by Ciabatti, Ducati officials haven’t divulged any information about their MotoGP program since they announced their intention to join the series.

From a press release:

Suzuki Moves Forward with Plans for Business Alliance with Kawasaki

— Alliance Seen as Expanding 2003 Model Line-u and Helping Satisfy Demand for Suzuki-Produced Product —


BREA, Calif. (Jan. 30, 2002) – American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), which markets motorcycles and ATVs in the U.S. with a network of more than 1,000 dealerships, said today Suzuki is moving forward with its announced strategic alliance between Suzuki Motor Corporation and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., both based in Japan – an alliance that will result in an expanded product line for Suzuki dealers as early as this year.

The alliance, as jointly announced by both companies in Japan in August 2001, is based on automotive partnership models designed to increase competitiveness in an increasingly complex environment, and will include shared product development, standardization of parts, joint purchasing and manufacturing. Progress on these projects will be disclosed to Suzuki dealers in the near future as details become available, according to Mel Harris, vice president of ASMC’s motorcycle/ATV division.

“In the short-term, the alliance will further broaden our award-winning line-up and enable us to offer our motorcycle and ATV dealers in the U.S. the most competitive product line in the industry,” Harris explained. “This initial sharing of models will help us further expand the increasing popularity of the youth, offroad and competition segments, while maintaining the dominance of our brand in super sports and street categories.”

Harris says the long-term implications of the alliance are even more crucial, with the ultimate goal being co-development of future products and a net shift in global market share to Suzuki.

“Ultimately, the alliance helps us satisfy the increasing global demand for Suzuki brand product – a demand that resulted in the doubling of our retail business in North America during the past four years,” Harris said. “The popularity and sales momentum we’ve seen with our motorcycles – primarily the Hayabusa, GSX-R, Intruder, Bandit and SV models — has been carried over to our expanded ATV line, which now includes the Eiger, Vinson, Ozark, LT-A50 and new sport LT-Z400. Suzuki pioneered four-wheelers, and the continued development of our ATV line makes our First on Four Wheels slogan now more relevant than ever.

“The maintenance and expanded recognition of the Suzuki brand in the U.S. – a brand backed by product with inherent Suzuki quality — will remain our number one priority,” said Harris. “This strategic alliance helps us achieve brand and market share growth while giving us even more of an edge in the U.S. and global marketplaces.”

U.S. Marshalls Southeast Bureau Chief Marshall Egor Emery is looking to fill his safety staff for the up-coming 12-days of action at Daytona International Speedway, February 27 through March 10, 2002. The on-track activities start with the Team Hammer Advanced Riding School on Wednesday, February 27, runs through the CCS/Formula USA race weekend February 28-March 3, includes the AHRMA Vintage event March 4-5 and concludes with the season-opening round of the AMA National series March 6-10.

Emery says that about 160 workers in total are needed to cover the 12 days with a peak of 60 safety officials needed on March 10, the day of the Daytona 200.

There are various benefits that come with cornerworking at Daytona during Bike Week, including free meals, lodging deals and the opportunity to take some time off during the 12 days to enjoy the beach or other activities.

Emery says that he usually has spots for the AMA weekend filled by February 15 each year, but he would always find a place for highly-qualified late comers.

For more information on working corners at Daytona or at any other racetrack in the country, contact Emery via e-mail at [email protected].

From a press release:

Chris Carr QCCPO Ford Racing Signs David Liles Ethanol Fuels Company As Associate Sponsor For 2002

Revolutionary fuel additive co. signs with defending AMA Flat Track Series champ

FLEETWOOD, Pa., (February 1, 2002) – The Chris Carr Quality Checked Certified Pre-Owned Ford Racing Team today announced it has signed David Liles Ethanol Fuels as an associate sponsor.

Carr, the defending AMA/Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Series champion, said that he’s looking forward to a “productive” relationship between his race team and the Florida-based fuel additive company.

“The purpose of this sponsorship is to promote this revolutionary product to the hands-on, mechanically inclined people that follow the great sport of flat track,” said Carr. “Anything that burns gasoline will be enhanced by David Liles Ethanol Fuels. So we’re really excited to have David Liles Ethanol Fuels as part of the Chris Carr Quality Checked Certified Pre-Owned Ford Racing Team.”

Chris Carr QCCPOP Ford Racing Team will be the first motorsports sponsorship venture for David Liles Ethanol Fuels. Based out of Oviedo, Fla., David Liles Ethanol Fuels has been in the works for the past eight years and poised to hit the retail market. It’s a privately owned company, specializing in a revolutionary fuel additive that’s applicable to the motorcycle & marine powersports industries, as well as the automotive and trucking industries. David Liles Ethanol Fuels has also caught the attention of some big time industry players, including the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute – which has accepted David Liles Ethanol Fuels as a sponsor – the first fuel additive sponsor that the MMI has OK’d in some 28 years of business.

“We spent six months, eight hours a day proving our product to the MMI,” said David Liles. “And when it was all said and done, the MMI couldn’t believe the effect our product had on the performance levels of their engines. So, within the next ten months, thousands of mechanics in the motorcycle, auto, marine and trucking industries are going to be educated on using our fuel additive.”

Added Carr: “David Liles Ethanol Fuels is a very exciting product for the motorcycle industry, as well as automotive, marine and trucking, and will help any of the gear heads out there to get better performance out of their engines.”

Note: Chris Carr is set to begin his AMA flat track title defense on March 9th at the Daytona Short Track season opener.

From a Ducati press release:

DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION

WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

SBK Winter Testing – Phillip Island (Australia)

Friday 1 February

BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) QUICKEST IN PHILLIP ISLAND TESTING

Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) got his 2002 Superbike campaign off to the best possible start with quickest time in pre-season testing at Phillip Island, Australia, which will host round 2 of the championship on March 24. His Ducati Infostrada teammate Ruben Xaus was right on the pace in second place, while Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) made a further improvement on the final day to slot into fourth, just behind Edwards (Honda).

Windy conditions on Thursday and warm temperatures today (air 30° C/ track 50° C) left Troy as the only rider to set a sub-1:33 time in the official three-day tests, which saw the participation of 11 riders from the factory Ducati, Honda, Aprilia and Kawasaki teams as well as the ‘satellite’ Ducati GSE and Ducati DFX squads.

Bayliss, on Michelin tyres, fired off a warning to his championship rivals with a time of 1:32.944, set on the afternoon of day 1, which remained unbeaten Thursday and Friday. “I am really pleased to have set the quickest time at my home track”, declared Troy. “I‘ve never won a world superbike race here but after these three days of tests, in which we found the right set-up and the right tyre, I’m sure I can get a win now in March”.

Xaus, also on Michelins, completed the Ducati Infostrada 1-2 with a time of 1:33.136, set on Friday morning, and the 23-year-old Spanish rider was also delighted to have started off his 2002 season in the best possible way. “The tests here at Phillip Island went really well and I feel very confident for the start of the season”, said Ruben. “Today was good, I did a long run in the morning and set my quickest time of the three days in race trim, which is the important thing, and I can’t wait to start the season”.

Bostrom was the quickest Dunlop runner in the tests with a time of 1:33.377, also set on Friday morning, and the 27-year-old Californian was pleased that he finally managed to get a set-up that was more to his liking on the seaside circuit. “This is not one of my favourite tracks so finishing the tests in fourth place is pretty good. We ironed out most of the grip problems and get a good set-up for the race so today I managed to lap pretty consistently on race rubber”.

The final pre-season test session will be held in Valencia, Spain from February 23-25, while the 2002 championship will get underway at the Spanish track on March 10.

FINAL TIMES:
1. BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) 1:32.944 (207 laps)

2. XAUS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) 1:33.136 (172)

3. Edwards (Honda) 1:33.143 (204)

4. BOSTROM (DUCATI L&M) 1:33.377 (205)

5. Hodgson (Ducati GSE) 1:33.443 (280)

6. Haga (Aprilia) 1:33.456 (208)

7. Izutsu (Kawasaki) 1:33.650 (184)

8. Martin (Ducati DFX) 1:33.818 (168)

9. Toseland (Ducati GSE) 1:34.201 (257)

10. Antonello (Ducati DFX) 1:35.179 (145)

11. Walker (Kawasaki) 1:35.694 (250)




From a press release issued by SBK, organizers of the Superbike World Championship:

World Superbike Championship
Winter Tests
Phillip Island 1 February 2002.

The final day of Phillip Island testing saw Troy Bayliss at the head of the final timesheets, thanks to his 1:32.944 from the first afternoon session.

Second fastest, less than two tenths of a second behind, was the second Ducati Infostrada rider Ruben Xaus, who had completed so much testing in the previous sessions that he elected to miss the final afternoon of track action.

Also finishing one session early was 2000 season World Champion Colin Edwards, less than two tenths of a second slower than Bayliss, after setting over 200 laps on his Honda. L&M Ducati rider Ben Bostrom ran the top three riders close with his best lap of 1:33.377, set on the morning session of the last day.

Neil Hodgson proved to be the fastest privateer, running his HM Plant Ducati into fifth place on the timesheets, before concentrating his efforts on selecting race tyres during the final sessions. He recorded a massive total of 280 laps over the three days.

Noriyuki Haga ended his first proper fair-weather Aprilia test sixth fastest, one place ahead of his compatriot – and the top Kawasaki finisher – Hitoyasu Izutsu.

Steve Martin suffered a fast highside crash on the exit of turn two during the morning session, and had to sit out the final section of the test. He slipped to eighth quickest overall, but his earlier time was fast enough to head off James Toseland, from the HM Plant squad.

Alessandro Antonello, a faller like his teammate Martin, suffered a high-speed crash at the Hayshed corner, destroying his DFX Ducati Pirelli machine. He was also forced to miss the final session.

Chris Walker, on the second factory Kawasaki, rounded out the Superbike classification.

In the Supersport Championship category Ten Kate Honda rider Pere Riba was entirely dominant, with the Spaniard setting best time in class of 1:35.778. He was over half a second faster than his teammate Fabien Foret in second place, and Riba’s astonishing time was 1.1 seconds inside the existing Supersport circuit record. It was also almost as fast as Chris Walker’s 1:35.694 Superbike time.

Andrew Pitt, the reigning World Champion, was third on his home track, holding off his rejuvenated countryman Chris Vermeulen, from the Van zon Honda team.

James Ellison had the pleasure of being far from the slowest man in his debut official Supersport test, running his Kawasaki to fifth fastest, ahead of Karl Muggeridge and his injured Honda UK team mate John McGuinness.

The next official SBK tests take place at Valencia on 23-25 February.


From a Team Ten Kate press release:

Ten Kate Honda racing on top of the world down under.

The Ten Kate Honda team have signalled their intentions loud and clear during three days of testing down under on Phillip Island, Australia. Pere Riba recorded an incredible time on the last day of testing, fully 1.1 seconds inside the existing Supersport lap record at the windswept circuit. His team mate Fabien Foret wasn’t far behind and was second fastest overall.

Conditions were less than ideal over the period of the test, including high winds and, on the last day when the winds died down, some very hot track temperatures. But despite this the two riders put in an impressive display to dominate proceedings on their Honda CBR600FS machines. Riba’s fastest time of 1:35.778 was truly incredible. Foret was only half a second down on his teammate at 1:36.290.

The Van Zon Honda TKR (Ten Kate Racing) rider Chris Vermeulen, who is also riding a Ten Kate prepared CBR600FS this season, showed his potential by lapping fourth fastest during the tests. Vermeulen looked rejuvenated with a best time of 1:37.056.

Pere Riba was obviously delighted to start the New Year in such fine form, “We’ve all been working so hard during the winter,” explained the Spanish rider, “my times today prove that it’s all been worthwhile. I want to thank my team and also Pirelli, who have done so much to make the Pirelli tyres even better than they already were. It’s all very encouraging for me and the team.”

Considering that before this week Phillip Island hadn’t been a favoured track, Foret’s times were also very impressive. “I haven’t been very comfortable at this track in the past so this has been very important for me,” admitted Foret, “I am much happier with the circuit now. We concentrated on improving the set up of the bike step by step but we still have maybe 5% more to find. I agree with Pere, the tyres are fantastic, Pirelli have done an amazing job this winter improving what was already the best rubber in the series.”

Now the members of the Ten Kate Honda team that travelled to Australia will return to their base in Holland to join their colleagues. Several key personnel have stayed behind to complete work on the 2002 specification bikes. At Phillip Island the team were running 2001 bikes fitted with some parts from the 2002 specification. At the next test in Valencia during 23 – 25 February the full 2002 specification will be used for the first time.

Times
1. Pere Riba 1:35.7
2. Fabien Foret 1:36.2
3. Andrew pitt 1:36.5
4. Chris Vermeulen 1:37.0
5. James Ellison 1:37.2
6. Karl Muggeridge 1:37.7
7. John McGuinness 1:38.5




From a Castrol Honda press release:

Issued: Friday February 1 2002

EDWARDS READY FOR SEASON START

Castrol Honda¹s Colin Edwards was in buoyant mood following three days of testing at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia this week.

The 2000 World Superbike champion recorded his fastest ever lap around the picturesque venue near Melbourne before declaring the three days a success.

“I’m more than happy with the progress we’ve made,” said Edwards. “We arrived in positive mood after the Kyalami test and then improved the new SP-2 machine even more.

“We found some good settings, especially with the chassis set-up and front forks – even if it did mean a little crash on Thursday as I found the limit with the new front end! We also learnt a little more about the new Michelin tyres we’ll have for this year.

“We’ve made some definite decisions about settings for the year and we’ve got an improved motor on its way so I’m looking forward to the Valencia test in three weeks and the first round there a couple of weeks later.”

Edwards ended the three-day test in Australia with the third fastest time, setting his fastest lap in Thursday morning’s session.

Combined, fastest test times:
1. Troy Bayliss, Australia (Ducati), 1:32.944

2. Ruben Xaus, Spain (Ducati). 1:33.136

3. Colin Edwards, USA (Castrol Honda), 1:33.143

4. Ben Bostrom, USA (Ducati), 1:33.377

5. Neil Hodgson, GB (Ducati), 1:33.443

6. Noriyuki Haga, Japan (Aprilia), 1:33.456

7. Hitoyasu Izutsu, Japan (Kawasaki), 1:33.650

8. Steve Martin, Australia (Ducati), 1:33.818

9. James Toseland, GB (Ducati), 1:34.201

10. Alessandro Antonello, Italy (Ducati), 1:35.179


From a Aprilia press release:

Aprilia Racing Press Information

FGF Team conclude tests at Phillip Island.

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Japanese ace Noriyuki Haga makes fine 2002 debut on his RSV Mille Superbike.

PHILLIP ISLAND (Australia) Friday 1 February 2002 – The FGF team has concluded its first round of winter tests in Phillip Island (Australia), preparing for the Superbike World Championship all set to start on 10 March in Valencia. This was the first official sortie for Noriyuki Haga. Haga had already got a taste of the RSV’s potential in Valencia last December but, due to terrible weather conditions, it was little more than a test outing. During the thee-day trials, Noriyuki Haga mainly concentrated on learning how to handle the Aprilia RSV and this made it possible to develop the bike to suit his riding style. In any case, he notched up some very interesting times: he did his first fast lap, on racing tyres, in 1:33.456, just three-tenths of a second away from the official track record.

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Up against his adversaries for the first time, Haga put on a good performance, matching the times of his more accredited competitors who were able to benefit from longer experience of the bikes they were riding. In three days, Haga covered 208 laps on the 4,450-metre Phillip Island circuit, mounting up a total distance nine times longer than an actual race! With the team technicians and those of the suppliers Ohlins (suspension) and Dunlop (tyres), Noriyuki worked on perfecting the set-up and the suspension settings, with an eye also on the Australia GP which will be fought out on this track on 24 March. The Japanese rider used two 2001-version bikes which mounted the latest equipment created during the winter by the Racing Department: in particular, a new hub carrier and some new features in the engine.

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For the next meeting, in Valencia (Spain), from 23 to 25 February, Haga will have the new 2002 RSV which he will be using for the Championship. The opening round is all set for 10 March, again in Valencia.

“We’ll be going back home satisfied” said Giacomo Guidotti, Chief Technician at FGF. “We got to within half a second of the world champion’s time and we couldn’t have hoped for more. Haga’s style of riding is very different from that of those who’ve ridden the RSV Mille over the past few years, and we’ve had to adopt some pretty different set-up solutions. We’re happy because Haga has enormous enthusiasm and is determined to get the set-up right: he’s given us some invaluable indications. Language hasn’t been a problem either: with a sort of Anglo-Japanese slang we get by perfectly. Now we’re going back home to assemble the new bikes we’ll be using for the World Championships and for the next tests in Valencia, a circuit for which we have far more references than we have for Phillip Island. We’re going to try and inch up there too.”

“This fast, technical track was just right for me to get an idea of the potential of the Aprilia bike: it’s great!” said Noriyuka Haga. “I’ve spent most of my career on four-cylinder machines but I immediately got to grips with the Italian V2. I found it harder to get used to the set-up, because the RSV Mille is a very special machine, developed by riders who’ve got a very different style from mine. We’ve got off to a good start but I think it’ll take three or four races for me to get totally familiarised with the bike. Once the test was over, I realised I really did make the right choice: with this Aprilia and this team, the sky’s the limit.”

ALL HAGA’S TIMES

Wednesday 30 January: morning 1:34.439, afternoon 1:34.445.

Thursday 31 January: morning 1:34.060, afternoon 1:33.456

Friday 1 February: morning 1:33.818, afternoon 1:33.690

From a press release:

Jupiter Eight will be the official trackside supplier of F&L Race Fuel, in California, for AFM and CCS events. F&L offers many grades of high quality fuel for modern racing motorcycles.

Jupiter Eight is also accepting applications for racing support for the 2002 season. Racers are encouraged to pre-order fuel in order to guarantee availability.

For more information visit www.jupiter8.com or call (818)481-6999. Support inquiries should be sent to [email protected]

From a press release:

AHRMA NATIONALS

PROGRESSIVE SUSPENSION HISTORIC CUP SERIES
MOTORCYCLEINDUSTRY.COM SINGLES, TWINS & THUNDER SERIES

March 1-DeLand (FL) Municipal Airport (practice day 2/28)

March 4-5-Daytona Int’l Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL

April 6-7-Hallett (OK) Motor Racing Circuit (practice day 4/5)*

April 27-28-AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days West, Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma, CA
(practice day 4/26)*

May 4-5-Willow Springs Int’l Raceway, Rosamond, CA (practice day 5/3)*

June 8-9-Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC (practice day 6/7)*

June 22-23-Grattan (MI) Raceway Park (track-run practice day 6/2)*

July 20-21-AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington
(practice day 7/19)*

Aug. 17-18-Putnam Park (IN) Road Course*

Sept. 7-8-Sandia Motorsports Park, Albuquerque, NM (practice day 9/6)*

Oct. 5-6-Talladega (AL) Gran Prix Raceway (practice day 10/4)*

Oct. 19-20-North Florida Motorsports Park, Jennings (practice day 10/18)*

Info: www.ahrma.org, 615-851-3674
* 2 complete rounds per weekend


REGIONALS


AHRMA DIXIE CUP ROAD RACE SERIES

March 1-DeLand (FL) Municipal Airport

June 8-9-Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

Oct. 5-6-Talladega (AL) Gran Prix Raceway

Oct. 19-20-North Florida Motorsports Park, Jennings



AHRMA HEROES OF THE HEARTLAND ROAD RACE SERIES

April 6-7-Hallett (OK) Motor Racing Circuit

Sept. 7-8-Sandia Motorsports Park, Albuquerque, NM



AHRMA PACIFIC CROWN ROAD RACE SERIES

April 27-28-Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma, CA

May 4-5-Willow Springs Int’l Raceway, Rosamond, CA



AHRMA MASTERS OF THE MIDWEST ROAD RACE SERIES

June 22-23-Grattan (MI) Raceway Park

July 20-21-Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington

Aug. 17-18-Putnam Park (IN) Road Course

Info: www.ahrma.org, 615-851-3674

World Champion Valentino Rossi’s contract dispute with Honda has apparently ended. From a press release:

Honda Racing News

Roma: February 1, 2002.

Rossi and HRC Reach Agreement

HRC and Valentino Rossi today signed a two-year agreement that will see Rossi race the Honda RC211V four-stroke in the MotoGP World Championship.

Rossi travels to Japan on Saturday to attend the official announcement of the Honda Motor racing plan for 2002, on Monday February 4. The
announcement will be made by Mr. T. Fukui, Senior Managing Director of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and Mr. Y. Ikenoya, President of Honda Racing Corporation.