Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Following the Formula Xtreme race at California Speedway last Sunday, protests against Damon Buckmaster’s winning Graves Motorsports Yamaha YZF-R7/R1 were filed by Mike Hale, Tom Kipp, Jason Pridmore, Steve Rapp and Jake Zemke.

The protests signed by Kipp, Pridmore and Rapp were written and printed out by Pat Alexander of American Suzuki’s Sports Promotion Department, and presented to Kipp, Pridmore and Rapp to sign and turn in. All three riders are directly contracted to American Suzuki Motor Corp. and have been assigned to ride for Valvoline EMGO Suzuki, Attack Suzuki and Corona EBSCO Suzuki, respectively.

Hale and Zemke are both contracted directly to American Honda Motor Co. and have been assigned to ride for Erion Honda and Bruce Transportation Honda, respectively.

For the first time in over a year, AMA officials actually accepted a protest regarding the legality of the YZF-R7 chassis in the class. In the past, AMA officials have refused to even accept a protest. Last year, AMA officials told representatives of competing teams that Buckmaster’s bike had a “one-year exemption” for 2001 and would not be racing in 2002, once Yamaha introduced the new, second-generation YZF-R1.

The rule in question reads:

“Formula Xtreme competition is restricted to motorcycles (engines and frames) produced for street use and available in the U.S. through retail dealers. A list of eligible motorcycles is available from AMA Pro Racing.”

At issue is the fact that the YZF-R7 was never sold for street use in the United States and was not certified by Yamaha as meeting U.S. DOT and EPA regulations for street motorcycles.

On page 27 of the October 17, 2001 issue of Cycle News, a Yamaha advertisement touting Aaron Gobert’s Formula Xtreme victory at Virginia International Raceway (on an R1-powered YZF-R7) referred to the win as “starring Aaron Gobert and the YZF-R1.”

AMA Pro Racing has not produced any list of eligible motorcycles, despite repeated requests from team managers, crew chiefs and riders.

The controversy was set off when Richard Stanboli of Attack Performance built a YZF-R7 racebike with a YZF-R1 engine. When he arrived at the 2000 Sears Point AMA National with the bike, Stanboli was told the machine was not legal and drove back to his shop in Southern California to retrieve an R1 frame.

Stanboli later built a combination R1/R7 chassis that passed tech at subsequent AMA Nationals after a lengthy debate that at one point included an argument over whether or not the chassis was more R7 than R1 or vice-versa.

The chassis of the YZF-R7, which was built expressly as a limited-production homologation special for World Superbike competition, made a far better racebike platform than the production YZF-R1 chassis, according to Stanboli. Limited numbers of YZF-R7 Yamahas were sold in the United States, and at the time of the bike’s introduction, Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A. spokesmen said the bike was for racing use only in the U.S. and that buyers would have to produce a racing resume to be eligible to purchase a YZF-R7.

Stanboli has since switched to racing Suzukis and builds Pridmore’s GSX-R1000, and objects to what he sees as receiving different treatment when he fielded an R7 versus the treatment Graves Motorsports is receiving now.

“This has been an on-going thing, as everybody knows,” said American Suzuki’s Alexander. “Honda approached that when the bike originally came out. Erion Honda originally protested the bike when it came out. Attack (Racing) tried to make the very same motorcycle and was denied. That was two years ago. We believe that the bike should not be in the Formula Xtreme class as the rule is written. We still have not heard yet. They have not informed any of our riders as of April 11. The riders protested when Suzuki asked them to protest the unit.”

“It’s illegal,” said Erion Racing’s Kevin Erion of Buckmaster’s R1-powered YZF-R7. “My understanding of the rule is that the motorcycle has to be a motorcycle that was available for sale in the United States through normal retail channels as a streetbike. My understanding is that chassis is an R7 chassis. The R7 was never for sale as a streetbike; it was only for sale in the United States through racer resume approval from Yamaha. The fact that you can purchase it, and whether it’s legal is two different matters. It doesn’t matter that you can purchase it. What matters is that in the AMA rulebook it says it has to be a legal streetbike, and I don’t believe if you contacted the federal government and asked them to…if you gave them a VIN (vehicle identification number) number of a R7, would it come up as a legal motorcycle that was made for sale in the United States? Did it pass the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and DOT (Department of Transportation) approval? And I believe my understanding through everybody that I’ve spoken to, including people pretty close in at Yamaha, is that bike was never a streetbike. It was only sold as a racebike. Whether they dropped the process of approval for resumed racers because they couldn’t sell them so they just kind of opened it to anybody that would buy one is irrelevant to the fact that it wasn’t a streetbike.

“Whether they sold a kit, after the fact, that you could convert it to a streetbike, to me I don’t know how they could do that if it wasn’t a DOT or EPA-approved motorcycle. You can buy four-stroke off-road bikes and go buy a kit and put lights and turn signals on it and get it registered. That doesn’t mean it’s a legal streetbike. Just because the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) will put a license plate on something doesn’t mean it’s already gone through all the proper federal government standards for safety and emissions,” continued Erion.

Asked if he had heard anything back from the AMA on the protest, Erion said, “No, no. My opinion was, and still is, that I was told by the AMA that they were going to take care of this problem at the end of last year, and that I didn’t have to worry about it and they were going to change the rule and they were going to make sure that bike was not going to be legal and it was an 11th-hour decision on the AMA’s part to allow it to race again. I brought it up every time I received a proposed rule change for the AMA, at the end of last year going through the beginning of this season, before they actually printed the rulebook. I kept calling and saying, ‘Hey, you’ve got nothing on the R7 in here.’ (Erion speaking as the AMA) ‘Don’t worry, don’t worry. We’re going to change that. That’s not a proposed rule. That’s already a done deal.’

“So they basically told me not to worry, I didn’t have to get too upset about it because they were going to take care of the situation. Then once the rulebook was printed and there were no changes in it, I asked why. And I believe Merrill Vanderslice’s quote to me was, ‘Well, we had pretty good racing last year. It seems that everybody, every manufacturer won at least a race, and we don’t know how long the Formula Xtreme class is gonna be in existence. So we don’t see a need to change it.’

“Well, if that were the case, then they should’ve changed the rulebook to allow the bike to really be legal. If they didn’t change the rulebook, they didn’t change the rule, but they’re saying that it’s OK to let the bike run. If that’s the case, then they should’ve changed the rule,” said Erion.

When a reporter pointed out that Erion seemed to have the situation pretty well thought out, Erion said, “I don’t have this thought out at all. I’ve been living with it for the last three years. There’s no thought process behind it. It’s strictly what happened; a turn of events that’s occurred over the last couple of years. I, to be honest with you, was a little upset that other competitors not running Yamahas started calling me after the last Fontana practice (test) session when Buckmaster did some pretty good lap times. ‘Hey Kevin, what’s going on here? We think this bike’s illegal.’ Where were you a year ago? Where were you six months ago? Where you three months ago? Why are you calling me now? Hello?

“As far as the other competitors go, my opinion is, and I don’t know for fact or fiction whether or not anyone else has been following this as closely as I have, but I feel pretty comfortable with my language to the AMA, my conversations over the last six months with the AMA, or seven months, and also I feel comfortable enough to say right up until the point that the rulebook was printed I was told not to worry about it, that the bike would not be allowed to be raced. Mostly my conversations early on were with Ron Barrick. Ron told me not to worry about it.”

Asked about the situation, Chuck Graves of Graves Motorsports said he had not seen copies of any signed protests by any riders and said “There was no rule change from 2000 to now. It was allowed in 2000, it was allowed in 2001, and it is allowed in 2002. When I asked at Brainerd last year if there were going to be rule changes made for Formula Xtreme, (AMA Pro Racing Director of Competition) Merrill Vanderslice said there was no reason to make any rule changes, because we have good, competitive racing. What Merrill said was, ‘I’m really happy with the competitiveness of the class. All the manufacturers are sharing positions on the podium, and race wins. I see no reason to make any rule changes.'”

From a press release:

Formula USA Announces Test & Tune Days, Houston Raceway Park April 25-26

AURORA, Ill (Thursday, April 11, 2002) – Clear Channel Entertainment’s motor sports division announced today that Formula USA and Houston Raceway Park are cooperating to provide two days of testing for production based motorcycle dirt trackers prior to the Foremost Insurance Houston Half-Mile, round 1 of the Formula USA National Dirt Track Series, presented by Drag Specialties.

With bonus money offered by Formula USA along with contingency by several motorcycle manufacturers for production chassis motorcycles, several riders and teams are rapidly preparing for the 2002 Formula USA National Dirt Track Series presented by Drag Specialties. The Formula USA Production Based Chassis bonus for select series events including the season opener in Houston is a total of $5,000 with $2,000 going to the highest placing production chassis.

Mike Kidd, vice president of Clear Channel Entertainment’s motor sports division, said, “Our vision for the growth of dirt track motorcycle racing is simple; race what the dealers actually sell. Having motorcycles on the track that spectators can relate to will certainly help grow the sport and we are fortunate to have our opener with a promoter that is willing to work with us while developing our new class structure.”

Aftermarket racing chassis has been the choice of professional dirt track riders for decades. However with the new lightweight versatile 4-stroke racing motorcycles on the market, Formula USA is creating a class structure to increase support to dirt track racing and to increase spectator attendance. Although the future will call for production chassis only, the 2002 season will see aftermarket racing chassis and production chassis competing together.

Bob Moran, Formula USA dirt track director, said, “I believe we have done our homework and developed rules for a very competitive and interesting season. This test will be very beneficial for everyone to insure competitive racing throughout the year.”

The Formula USA Test & Tune Day in Houston will be exclusively available and free of charge to riders entered in the Foremost Insurance Houston Half-Mile event.

Formula USA Test & Tune schedule:

Thursday, April 25th
3:00PM – Gates Open
4:00PM – Tech Inspection
6:30PM – Riders Meeting
7:00PM – Practice
9:00PM – Practice Concludes

Friday, April 26th
12:00PM – Gates Open
1:00PM – Tech Inspection
2:30PM – Riders Meeting
3:00PM – Practice
5:30PM – Break/Track Preparation
7:00PM – Practice
9:00PM – Practice Concludes

The Foremost Insurance Houston Half-Mile, season opener of the Formula USA National Dirt Track Series, takes place Saturday night April 27th at Houston Raceway Park. Kids can see it all for just $5, and adult tickets are $18 in advance and $2 more the day of show. Tickets for the Houston Half-Mile can be purchased at Houston Raceway Park, by calling 281-383-7223, your local Ticketmaster outlet, or online at www.dirttrack.com.

Houston Raceway Park is located east of Houston in Baytown, From downtown Houston take Interstate 10 east towards Beaumont. Take the Hwy. 146 exit which is exit #797. Take a right on Hwy. 146 and go to the first stop light which is FM 565. Take a left on 565 and Houston Raceway Park will be on the left side about 3 miles.

For more information, visit www.houstonraceway.com or www.dirttrack.com.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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This Miguel Duhamel Shoei motorcycle helmet was donated by Shoei Safety Helmet Corporation to be auctioned off to benefit the Roadracingworld.com Action Fund, a new non-profit corporation which has taken over the work previously done by the informally-organized Roadracing World Air Fence* Fund. Autographed by all-time AMA Superbike and 600cc Supersport win leader Miguel Duhamel, this helmet is technically not a replica, but instead is an actual Miguel Duhamel helmet.

Shoei only makes the X-SPII model in Duhamel’s Troy Lee-designed paint scheme for Duhamel himself to wear in races. Duhamel replicas that are sold to the public are only made in the less-expensive, entry-level RF900 model.

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This special lid is in brand new, never-worn condition. It is currently set up for a “Small” size, but Shoei’s Motorsports Manager Rob Vallejos says that the helmet can be re-fitted for any size, up to Large, with a swap of the helmet’s 3-D Liner internal padding system. Vallejos said he would be happy to help re-fit the helmet for the winning bidder.

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Like all new Shoei X-SPIIs, this helmet comes with a clear and a smoked CX-1 face shield, a breath guard, a chin curtain, a maintenance kit, owner’s manual, fleece-lined carrying bag, original box and a five-year warranty. Of course, only this helmet comes with Miguel Duhamel’s signature in white paint marker on the back!

Normal Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price for a Shoei X-SPII replica helmet is a little under $800.

The auction is due to close at approximately 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Thursday, April 18. To go directly to the auction, click on the following link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1820700776

Roadracing World has a couple of items remaining that will be put up for auction in the near future, but we are always looking for more pieces of racing memorabilia, collectibles, products and/or services to be donated to benefit the Roadracing.com Action Fund. If you have an item that you would like to donate for auction, please call Roadracing World’s David Swarts at 909-245-6411 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

The Roadracing World Air Fence Fund was established in April 2001 to raise money to purchase and deploy Air Fence and Air Module soft barriers to protect crashed riders from hitting walls and other hard objects at racetracks. In less than one year, the Fund has raised over $174,000, with over $11,000 coming from the auctions of donated racing memorabilia such as this helmet. For more information about the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund, including a full accounting of the collections and disbursements and stories about racers being saved by soft barriers, go to the www.roadracingworld.com home page and click on the Air Fence headline.

The Roadracingworld.com Action Fund has taken over the work of the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund and will continue to use donations to buy and deploy Air Fence and Air Modules to improve racetrack safety.

*Air Fence is a trademark of Airfence Safety Systems of Australia.

From a press release:

Racers to ‘Move the Mountain Safety Project’ at Summit Point Raceway

Things are changing at Summit Point Raceway in wild and wonderful West Virginia. Over the winter, some extra concrete walls were erected in front of embankments to keep out-of-control cars contained within the racetrack and not vaulting through or over spectator fences. Stacks of tires bolted together are placed in front of these walls. These walls and tirestacks have a negative effect on any vehicle or human that runs into them at speed. Racing motorcycles have been broken in half on impact with these immovable barriers. Kart racers have the same problem. For motorcycle racers to hit these objects, it is a certain trip to the hospital or even worse. SCCA racers hate to hit anything, too. So, what is the solution?

The ‘Move the Mountain Safety Project’ at Summit Point Raceway (www.mtm.nbinteractive.com) has been established by racers for racers in co-operation with Summit Point Raceway management and all users of the track.

The big problem area is ‘the chute’ between turns 4 and 5 on racers’ left. Racers fly down the chute at over 100 mph and have to turn right in the off-camber turn 4 and then jump on the brakes to set up for left hand turn 5. On the racers’ left is an earthen and rock embankment just 30 feet from the track. With the concrete wall and tire stacks in front of the embankment, there is not enough room to save it if you leave the racetrack at 100 mph. Racing technology and speed increases every year and we need to come up with safety solutions to keep our sport healthy and in good hands. As racers, we need to be pro-active for our own safety. Roger Lyle, former motorcycle racer, former President of the Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Club (MARRC) for 18 years, and also current National Safety Director for Formula USA Motorcycle Roadracing, arranged a meeting with Mr. Bill Scott, owner of SPR, and national motorcycle champions David Yaakov of CAD Racing and Greg Harrison of WGH Excavation Inc., and team owner of Loudoun Motorsports Racing, and laid out the options available.

The ideal solution would be to have ample run-off room, move the embankment back as far as possible, install a pea gravel trap to slow off-track vehicles, and put the wall and tire stacks 80 to 100 feet back up against the remaining embankment. There still may be a need to purchase some foam safety barriers to put in front of the tire stacks to keep cycles and karts from impacting the hard stacked tires. These foam barriers can be used by karts and cycles on their weekends. Area to be excavated is roughly 300 feet long by 100 feet wide. Depending on the amount of rock to be removed or blasted these dimensions could be smaller.

The ‘Move the Mountain Safety Project’ has been presented to the board of directors for MARRC, WKC, and SCCA. Each group’s suggestions and needs are being considered and incorporated in the master plan to benefit all users of Summit Point Raceway. WERA, CCS, F-USA, NESBA, and Team Pro-Motion have been contacted too.

So, how do you get involved? The ‘Move the Mountain Safety Project’ needs money. We hope to raise $50,000 to cover the excavation costs and purchase some foam safety barriers for the cycles and karts. Mr. Bill Scott has pledged that he will match us dollar for dollar. Any leftover money will be put into other safety improvements for Summit Point Raceway that will benefit everybody who visits Summit Point. All contributors will be listed on the MOVE the MOUNTAIN website at www.mtm.nbinteractive.com. Check out this site for excavation updates and notes from the enthusiasts who support this project. Thanks to Ryan Chapin of Nuts and Bolts Interactive at www.nbracesites.com for providing this website for Move the Mountain Safety Project. Thanks to everybody who has gotten involved already.

Make checks payable to Move the Mountain.
Donations to the fund can be sent to:
Move the Mountain
4413 Sigsbee Road
Wheaton, MD 20906

For more information, call Roger Lyle at 301-933-2599 or e-mail [email protected]., or www.mtm.nbinteractive.com. Your contribution will definitely make racing at Summit Point safer and more fun for all. With your support, we can ensure the future of great road racing at Summit Point Raceway. After all, “Summit Point is Road Racing!”

From Shawn McDonald:

The Alan Schwen cancer fund-raising party at the Paragon Restaurant on April 7 was a smashing success, collecting $19,000 on silent bids, live auctions and entrance fees.

The event coordinated by Rick Salmon of SB Motorsports and the Cunio brothers from Paragon restaurant saw over 300 people jam the restaurant to talk and enjoy the free food and beverages.

Almost all the items for auction were donated by motorcycle dealers in the Washington state area. Among the top items for bidding were a Honda XR50R from South Sound Honda; a Malaguti Fogarty Replica scooter from Malaguti USA, Seattle Ducati and Darryl and Sherri Havens; and a framed, autographed GP Heroes print and frame of Schwantz, Doohan and Rainey from Shawn McDonald.

Alan was more than surprised by the support from the local motorcycling community and thanks everyone who helped and participated in the event.

Alan is planning on racing next week at Pacific Raceway in Kent, Washington next week in an attempt to retain his WMRRA #1 plate. Alan said that after waiting a suitable amount of time in case of a relapse, any funds that remain will be donated to the WMRRA injured rider fund.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

American Honda Racing Teams Manager Chuck Miller called Roadracingworld.com Wednesday to update the medical conditions of Kurtis Roberts, who injured a knee and an ankle Friday, and Nicky Hayden, who underwent LASIK surgery Tuesday.

“There is no major damage in the knee,” said Miller of Roberts. “He went back (to Dr. Art Ting’s clinic Wednesday). They did another MRI again. He did have some more fluid on it, and they drained out a little bit more fluid. It continues to swell up like that, but there’s no internal damage. They’re not planning on doing any kind of surgery.

“He will take this week off and have no activity and keep it elevated and iced and things like that. Then next week, they’re going to put together a rehab program for him. He will not attend the Road Atlanta test (next week). He will stay home and start his rehabilitation. So that’s where we’re at. Kind of good news. We most definitely expect to have him back on the bike at Sears.”

Roberts suffered injuries to his right knee and left ankle in a highside crash Friday, April 5 during Superbike qualifying for the AMA Superbike race at California Speedway. The injury to Roberts’ right knee prevented him from racing in rounds two and three of the AMA Superbike series, but Roberts also hurt his left ankle in the fall.

“It’s improving too,” said Miller. “He had shattered that ankle a long time ago. He said anytime he ever hits it or bangs it, the thing wants to swell up big.”

When asked about Nicky Hayden’s LASIK eye surgery, Miller said, “That all went good. He went back to the doctor today. Everything came out fine, him and Roger both, actually.”

In a separate phone interview, American Honda Motorsports Media Manager Greg Wright told Roadracingworld.com that he had planned on Roberts taking part in an autograph session for American Honda employees at the company’s Torrance, California campus Thursday, April 11 but didn’t expect Roberts to make the event now. The meet-and-greet session is still slated to include Honda Superbike racers Miguel Duhamel and Nicky Hayden along with Honda’s Team Kool Green CART race car drivers Paul Tracy and Dario Franchitti, who are in town for the Grand Prix of Long Beach.

From a Team America press release:

PODIUM AND POINTS FOR DISALVO

Team America Grand Prix Racing Team rider Jason DiSalvo defied the pain barrier to record a superb third place finish in the second round of the 250cc AMA Championship held at Fontana in California at the weekend.

The 18-year-old from Batavia, New York wrenched his right arm during practice causing damage to the tendons but he bravely decided to battle on despite the considerable discomfort.

With inclement unsettled weather causing unseasonably cool temperatures, DiSalvo posted third fastest time in Friday’s opening 250cc practice session – after topping the times at one point – as well as finishing fourth in his qualifying group aboard the 750cc four-stroke.

With rain washing out all of Saturday’s action, DiSalvo had a hectic schedule on Sunday but managed to qualify the 250cc machine in second position and on row three with the 750cc bike in ninth place overall.

Despite missing the sighting lap on the 250cc Honda, which meant he started the race on shiny rubber, DiSalvo dropped to fifth place in the early stages as he wisely bedded the tires in before charging back up the leaderboard. As he homed in on the leaders, Jason set consecutively fast laps before the pain started to tell and he dropped off the pace a little by lap ten but still held on to claim third place at the checkered flag.

“I was in a lot of pain towards the end of that race and I was glad when it was all over. I couldn’t even lift the champagne bottle up on the rostrum and I can’t even remember what I said to the commentator” declared DiSalvo after his first professional and first AMA rostrum placing.

Having treatment by a chiropractor between races helped Jason enormously and despite not getting his trademark fast start in the 750cc Superstock Race, he battled back through the field to finish in 11th place to score his first points on the four-stroke machine.

“We’ve had what you can call a stressful week,” said Team Owner Jim DiSalvo. “We were very concerned about Jason after the 250cc race as he didn’t look well at all but it’s a true measure of him that he’s come through it and scored two important finishes” he continued.

The team and Jason will take a few days rest before heading north to Sears Point Raceway for a test session in preparation for round three of the AMA series at the track near Sonoma over the weekend of May 2nd thru 5th.


From a Suzuki Racing press release:

Lavilla Beats Qualifying Position

Superbike World Championship, Round 3, Kyalami, South Africa Sunday 7th April 2002

TEAM ALSTARE SUZUKI Superbike rider Gregorio beat his qualifying position of 14th by finishing 11th in the second race at Kyalami today, the third round of the World Superbike Championship.

In the first race he was hit by Pedercini at Wesbank corner and crashed out of the race – fortunately without injury. In the second, he began to lose rear grip after about 10-laps and was then unable to make any impression on the group battling for fourth place.

It was always going to be a difficult day for Gregorio and the team – thanks to his fourth row grid spot – but the crash just made a hard day even harder. Both 25-lap races were won by Aussie Troy Bayliss (Ducati), taking his tally to six consecutive race wins – a feat never achieved before in World Superbike history.

GREGORIO LAVILLA – Race 1: DNF, Race 2: 11th “Pedercini was a nuisance because he has a fast bike, but he rides slowly in the corners. I tried to pass him many times and on the downhill chicane he made a mistake and I was able to get by. By the time we approached Wesbank corner at the top of the hill, I was about half a bikelength ahead of him. He came across me and his handlebar hit me in the ribcage and both of us went down – it was so unnecessary. Before the crash, I was catching Walker and I was thinking about a top six place – then boom. In race two, I made an OK start – considering my grid position – and everything was fine and I was catching Toseland. Then, after about six laps, the bike started to lose grip and I couldn’t go any quicker. Borja came past me and I tried to hold on to him, but it just wasn’t possible. Later I had a couple of really big slides, so I thought it would be better to stay onboard and ride for some points. My only consolation this weekend is that I didn’t get hurt in the fall and that the bike went round Kyalami quicker then last year.”

From a press release:

Chambon Tastes Champagne

Supersport World Championship, Round 3, Kyalami, South Africa, Sunday 7th April 2002

TEAM ALSTARE SUZUKI star Stephane Chambon tasted champagne at the third round of the World Supersport Championship when he finished an impressive third in the race.

Chambon led the race on the first lap and then was involved in a terrific dogfight with Pitt (Kawasaki) and Whitham (Yamaha) for the rest of the 25-lap race. The Frenchman tried his hardest, but towards the end of the race Pitt and Whitham pulled out the smallest of margins and fought each other all the way to the flag. Pitt took the win – by a 10th of a second – ahead of Whitham, with Chambon one and a half seconds behind.

Chambon’s third was a result of a tremendously gritty ride. All weekend he had been suffering from lower back pain and had to have daily massages and painkillers just to ride the bike.

Chambon’s team mate Katsuaki Fujiwara’a amazing run of bad luck seems to show no sign of ending and he was forced to pull out of the race.

STEPHANE CHAMBON – 3rd

“It was very hard work out there. Twenty-five laps round here is very tough and the battle between us three at the front was very intensive. The suspension on my bike wasn’t quite perfect and I was losing grip a bit in the race. The two guys in front rode very fast today and it was hard to keep pace with them. I am disappointed not to win the race, but I’m happy to finish on the podium.”

KATSUAKI FUJIWARA – DNF

“I am unlucky again. After the good job we did yesterday, today was not good. I decided it was too dangerous to continue, so I pulled in. Of course, I am very, very disappointed because I thought I could get a good result here today. Now I have to hope that I can do well in front of my home fans in the next round at Sugo.”


From a Suzuki racing press release:

New Suzuki Makes Stunning Rostrum Debut At Suzuka

Japanese GP, Suzuka – April 7, 2002

Suzuki’s brand new V4 four-stroke MotoGP racer made a superb debut at today’s Japanese GP, with factory rider Akira Ryo leading from the line and for 15 of the 21 laps of the classic 5.821 km figure-eight circuit. Although eventually overtaken by race winner, defending champion Valentino Rossi, Ryo’s Telefonica Movistar machine was still challenging all the way to the finish, crossing the line just 1.5-seconds behind pole starter Rossi.

Telefonica Movistar team regulars Kenny Roberts, Jr. and Sete Gibernau had mixed fortunes in a race run on a streaming wet track. Both failed to finish after crashing out.

For Roberts it was the culmination of a variety of small problems that had started before the race. He was eighth position when he fell – one of nine riders to fall victim to treacherous conditions.

Gibernau had a superlative ride. He was challenging Rossi for second place, to tag on behind Ryo, when the Italian rider slowed suddenly mid-corner inches in front of him. With nowhere to go, Gibernau had to brake hard while leaned over, and also crashed out. Until that point, he had entertained the crowd and thrilled his team with a display of daring and sideways riding that took him from seventh on the first lap to third by half-distance, and deserved a better finish.

Official factory tester Ryo (34), who is reigning All-Japan Superbike champion on a Suzuki, was born in Tokyo, but now lives in Kobe, with his wife Shiho and seven-year-old daughter Haruka.

The Japanese GP was the first of 16 rounds in the all-new MotoGP World Championship, pitting 990cc four-stroke prototypes against the established 500cc two-strokes. The new machines took the first four positions in the race.

The next round is in two weeks time, at Welkom in South Africa.

AKIRA RYO – Second Position

“I only started testing this bike barely two months ago. Obviously the team would prefer to win, but for me personally, I am very happy to have achieved second place. In qualifying, the other teams were very strong. I have never tested the bike in the rain, but I was quite happy that it was wet, because that made it more equal for everybody. Early in the race I was happy to lead, but towards the middle I knew Rossi was behind, and I was waiting for him to take over…and waiting and waiting. I wanted to see his race strategy, but he took his time. I had two chances to attack on the last two laps, and I tried my best, but I couldn’t get quite close enough.”

KENNY ROBERTS – Did Not Finish

“I had a vibration on the warm-up lap, so we changed both front and rear tyres. It seemed to me the front tyre never came in, and every time I tried to turn hard it would try to tuck under and put the bike on its side. I was riding round that, and also having problems with my visor fogging, with the extra heat coming off the four-stroke engine. that started to get better, and I was settling in when Nakano came by me. We both got into the Spoon curve a bit hot and I was real wide, and when I tried to turn, even though I felt like I couldn’t go much slower, the front tucked under and I was down. It was a great start for the new bike, though – for the factory and the team.”

SETE GIBERNAU – Did Not Finish

“I was really enjoying the race, and moving forwards. The bike was sliding a lot, but I was quite comfortable. Even under braking, the front wasn’t so strong, but I was able to back it in sideways to get it slowed down that way. I was right behind Rossi and looking for a way past into the second Degner. We’d finished braking and were leaned over already when he seemed to virtually stop. I had to brake again to avoid hitting him, and that put me down. It lost me a potentially really good result, but it showed the potential of our new bike all the same.”

GARRY TAYLOR – Team Manager

“Nobody can be in any doubt now about the competitiveness of our machine. You can’t help wondering what would have happened if Kenny hadn’t had a couple of problems, and if Sete hadn’t been baulked by Rossi. Today was a great result for the factory, after a great deal of hard work. We also know that there is more to come. A great start.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The AMA District 37 Board of Directors voted Tuesday night to take the lead in a new lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), seeking an injunction to stop the fencing off of public land in the Rand Mountains of the California desert.

BLM work crews are installing chain-link fences to close off previously-open dirt roads and trails used by off-road enthusiasts in the area.

No public comment was allowed prior to the fence installation beginning.

CORVA, the California Off-road Vehicle Association, will also be involved in the litigation.

Off-road enthusiasts who wish to help D-37 fight land closures in the California desert can contribute to the Save Our Trails Fund by contacting AMA national headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio.

Every dollar donated to the Save Our Trails Fund in the next 12 months will be matched by the AMA, up to $50,000, and will be transferred to D-37 for use in the legal fight to keep open lands open.

More information is available from AMA headquarters at (614) 856-1920 or online at www.ama-cycle.com.

From an AMA Pro Racing press release:

AMA PRO RACING STEPS UP CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP COMMUNICATIONS EFFORTS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Pro Racing will be stepping up its communications efforts for the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship. AMA Pro Racing has hired veteran media relations specialist Larry Lawrence to spearhead the initiative. Lawrence, former communications manager for AMA Pro Racing, has worked in media relations for the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship in recent years.

“We are hoping to bring more attention to our U.S. Motocross Championship,” said Scott Hollingsworth, AMA Pro Racing’s CEO. “This championship rivals any in the world in terms of depth of talent and sheer racing excitement. Larry has a proven track record of helping to bring great press coverage to our events as proven in the U.S. Superbike Championship. He will work with the promoters in focusing even more of a spotlight on this already strong series.”

The 12-event AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship kicks off on May 12 in San Bernardino, Calif., and concludes on September 1 in Delmont, Pa. Adding to Lawrence’s media relations efforts will be a new AMA Pro Racing website — USMotocross.com — that will cover the series like never before and is set to launch in the coming weeks.

“I look forward to the opportunity to work in the motocross series,” said Lawrence. “The riders in motocross are among the best athletes in all of sports. My goal is to help the general media get to know the story of these riders and to help widen the audience for the series. I’ll be working closely with NPG media director Pat Schutte. Pat and I are already working on plans to heighten the awareness of professional motocross in America.”

Lawrence’s hiring is the latest step in AMA Pro Racing’s overall plan to improve its communications efforts. AMA Pro Racing recently added Dorina Clarke to conduct media relations in the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship.
Lawrence can be reached at (317) 852-2896 or at [email protected].