Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The Farthest North Racing Alliance is a grassroots club of 40-60 riders who race in Tanacross, Alaska in the southern part of the 49th state. According to Derek Bloom, the FNRA #3 plate holder for 2001, the group converges on an abandoned military air base, (which they dubbed Tanacross Raceway), four times a year to hold motorcycle road races.

“It’s about 250 miles away from everybody,” said Bloom, in a telephone call to Roadracingworld.com. “So we all go down there on Friday and set up the course. We put marks on the tarmac as to where the cones go. We use orange cones to mark the outside of the course and green cones to mark the inside. So when you’re riding, you look for the green cones.

“We race from nine in the morning until about seven at night, because it never really gets dark up here at night in the summer. The temperature can get up to the 90s in July and it usually only drops to the 60s at night. So the weather is usually pretty good. I think we’ve only been rained out once or twice in the last few years.

“The track is 3.5 miles with 36 turns. It’s actually pretty technical and safe. If you run off, you run off into miles of nothing.” One of the “handful” of Alaskan racer to ever venture outside of the state for racing, Bloom has also raced at Willow Springs, Firebird International Raceway and most recently at California Speedway.

The FNRA usually runs a 30-minute solo endurance, winner-take-all, dash-for-cash race on Saturdays followed by sprints on Sunday. “The classes are pretty much run-whatcha-brung,” said Bloom. “We have guys with Yamaha R1s and R6s, Suzuki GSX-Rs, a couple of Yamaha TZ250s and even a few old RD350s.”

Classes for Sunday sprints are 0-to-500cc, 501–650cc and 651-Open with Experts starting in the first wave followed by a second wave of Novices. Races are only three laps long.

“It’s starting to get more competitive,” said Bloom, who had returned to his home in Fairbanks, Alaska following a racing trip to last weekend’s FTA race in Fontana, California. “The core group of 15-20 guys are really starting to pay attention to how well they do. Plus we’ve been advertising a little and drawing in some G.I.’s from the military bases up here.”

For more information about the Farthest North Racing Alliance, call Derek Bloom at (907) 474 –9118, FAX (907) 474-0016 or go to www.angelfire.com/ak5/tanacross.

Farthest North Racing Alliance Race Series 2002 Schedule
6/8-9 Tanacross Raceway, Tanacross, AK
6/29-30 Tanacross Raceway, Tanacross, AK
7/27-28 Tanacross Raceway, Tanacross, AK
8/17-18 Tanacross Raceway, Tanacross, AK

From a press release:

Superside returns to South Africa

Two new names lead the Superside World Championship into its second round at Kyalami, relegating 2001 World Champions, Klaffenböck and Parzer third in the standings with eight times World Champion, Webster and Woodhead down in eleventh place.

Experience and cunning came together with luck at the Ricardo Tormo circuit at Valencia, with the wily Steve Abbott from Derbyshire, England coming out on top to take only his fourth win in twenty years of World Championship racing.

With backing from high performance engine developers, Maxsym, Abbott and Biggs, powered by their 1120cc Yamaha FZR based engine, held on for the win after Webster and Woodhead, who had dominated the race from the outset, slowed with their Suzuki powered machine running on only two cylinders.

Abbott topped the time sheets from the outset, leading fellow Brits, Hanks and Biggs, who now also run a Windle chassis, by a second in the first track session. The second session saw them lead the hard charging Steinhausen and Hopkinson by a second. World Champions, Klaffenböck and Parzer, came through the pack in the final timed session but couldn’t get within a second of the spectacular Abbott and Biggs.

“Mr Superpole”, Steve Webster, then reordered the grid, lapping an amazing three and a half seconds quicker than anyone else in Superpole on the single flying lap using liveonscreen.com Racing teammate Muldoon’s spare engine.

Webster and Woodhead had only completed a total of eight laps during practice and qualifying, as Webster missed the compulsory rider briefing on Thursday night, which automatically ruled them out of the first untimed practice. The next two timed sessions saw engine troubles for the Suzuki Great Britain-backed pairing.

When the race started on Sunday afternoon, Webbo streaked into the lead on the second lap and dominated until the 16th lap, when engine problems saw him dropping back down through he field. “Our engine cases cracked, so the screw that holds the ignition pick-up in place dropped out,” admitted Webbo.

“It’s a problem we’ve had before, but we know what we need to do so we just have to go home and do some work. We managed to keep going and finished eleventh and got some points. At the end of the year those points may mean the difference between winning and losing.”

Returning as privateers in 2002, passionate German Champion, Jörg Steinhausen teamed again with Englishman Trevor Hopkinson to take a strong second place at Valencia.

Without sponsorship, the Steinhausen Racing team have been doing it tough, only testing briefly at Oschersleben prior to the season opener at Valencia. Using last year’s LCR chassis and the same “freshened up”, Suzuki GSXR1200 engines, the refreshed Steini has recovered from the back problems that plagued his 2001 season.

World Champions, Klaus Klaffenböck and Christian Parzer, had their first real session under Yamaha power, albeit on the 2001 model engine.

“We are using a 2001 Yamaha R1 engine and are a little short on power,” said Klaffi. “It’s not top speed that we are lacking but the power to drive out of corners. But we hope to get a 2002 R1 engine with fuel injection soon.”

Stuart Muldoon, a new signing for liveonscreen.com Racing, finished a creditable fourth in his first outing with Suzuki power and passenger Andy Peach. The hard charging Scot should be a regular on the podium in 2002 and with his improved fitness, is one to watch at Kyalami.

The change from LCR to Windle chassis has been good for Tom Hanks and Phil Biggs, even if engine reliability issues have risen with their Yamaha R1 engines. Valencia took its toll early on the usually reliable Hanks powerplant, with and engine failure in free practice on Friday. Returning to a standard engine configuration, the team were happy with fifth place, but are looking for more.

Dolf Hänni’s prediction before the Valencia event of “a top ten finish, maybe fifth or sixth”, was right on the money. Hänni races with Schlosser in 2002 who returns to Superside after a two-year absence. Schlosser, with limited four-stroke experience, dealt with the top ten with ease, and is expected on the podium within the first half of the season.


Roger Lovelock also made his return to the World Championship scene in Valencia, paired with World Championship rookie, Gary Yendell. The Diet Get Fit team scored seventh place, setting the scene for a very competitive season.

With Superside competition increasing in 2002, the Kyalami race is primed and ready to go. Webbo will look to return to the top of the leaderboard, whilst Klaffi will try out the 2002 Yamaka R1 with fuel injection, but don’t rule out privateer Steini or the championship leaders, Abbott and Biggs with their fire breathing Maxsym Yamaha.

The left-handed circuit, as with Valencia, means that chassis setup will be critical. But add in the hills and very fast sweeping corners of the Kyalami circuit, and the winner may come from those that make the best of the available rear rubber.

From a press release:

Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix
Japanese Grand Prix: wild-card riders

The wild-card riders who will race in the Japanese Grand Prix, scheduled on the circuit of Suzuka on April 7 next, are the following:

Number, Rider Name, Team

MotoGP Class

33 Akira Ryo (JPN – Suzuki) Telefonica Movistar Suzuki

72 Shinichi Itoh (JPN – Honda) HRC



250cc Class

48 Shinichi Nakatomi (JPN – Honda) Team Kotake RSC

49 Chojun Kameya (JPN – Honda) Burning Blood R.T.

50 Daisaku Sakai (JPN – Honda) Endurance/Toshio Asahi

89 Osamu Miyazaki (JPN – Yamaha) Motorex Daytona

92 Hiroshi Aoyama (JPN – Honda) Team Harc-Pro


125cc Class

65 Toshihisa Kuzuhara (JPN – Honda) Kumamoto Racing

66 Shuhei Aoyama (JPN – Honda) Showa Denk

67 Hideyuki Ogata (JPN – Honda) Team Plus One

68 Akira Komuro (JPN – Honda) Dinky Racing

46 Suhathai Chaemsap (THA – Honda) Sutthisarn Vaewsamana



Maximum number and nomination of wild-card riders:

125cc: 3 nominated by the FMNR (Organising Federation); 2 nominated by the FIM.

250cc: 3 nominated by the FMNR (Organising Federation); 1 nominated by MSMA (Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers’ Association); 2 nominated by the FIM.

MotoGP: 1 nominated by MSMA, 1 nominated by the FIM/Dorna

– A compulsory briefing will be held for all riders who will be participating for the first time in the current Championship, at 17h00 on the day preceding the day scheduled for the first practice session.

From an AMA press release:

LOCKHART PHILLIPS FORMULA XTREME KICKS OFF AT CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – The 2002 AMA Lockhart Phillips Formula Xtreme Series gets under way on Sunday, April 7, at California Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Formula Xtreme has grown steadily each year since its inception in 1997, and this season promises to be one of the best ever.

Honda owned the Formula Xtreme class for its first four years, but that changed last season when both Suzuki and Yamaha stepped up to halt the Honda juggernaut. John Hopkins and the Valvoline EMGO Suzuki team came away with the big prize, winning the 2001 championship. Graves Motorsports Yamaha’s Damon Buckmaster led the series points chase the entire year until the penultimate round when his bike suffered a mechanical problem and he limped to the finish in 19th place. Hopkins and Buckmaster went into the final round last year tied in points and it was Hopkins finishing ahead of “Bucky” to earn the title by a single point.

Hopkins was hired by Red Bull Yamaha to contest the Moto Grand Prix World Championships leaving the No. 1 plate vacated. Buckmaster, again riding for Yamaha, is eager to make up for losing what he felt was his title this year. But the Australian will face an even deeper field this season.

While Hopkins is racing overseas, Valvoline EMGO Suzuki looks strong again this year with veterans Tom Kipp and Josh Hayes. Kipp was called out of semi-retirement last year to fill in for the injured Jason Pridmore on the Attack Suzuki team. Kipp showed little rust as the Ohioan went out and earned two podium finishes, including a victory at Mid-Ohio. Kipp is a three-time AMA 750 Supersport (now called Superstock) champion and brings a wealth of experience to the team. Hayes finished with four podium finishes in the Formula Xtreme last year and was ranked fifth in the final standings. The Mississippi rider is hoping a reunion with Valvoline EMGO Suzuki (the team he began his pro career with) will help him get back on the winning track.

Perhaps the favorite to win the 2002 Formula Xtreme title is 12-year pro Jason Pridmore on the Attack Suzuki. Pridmore, a former AMA 750 Supersport champ, looked to be the rider to beat in last year’s championship before he broke his leg while leading the Road Atlanta round. Pridmore was able to return to the series and was victorious in his comeback race at Pikes Peak International Raceway last August. If Pridmore can stay healthy he will certainly be a top contender. Attack Suzuki is going with a combination of experience and youth. Pridmore’s teammate is 17-year-old Ben Spies out of Longview, Texas. Spies is considered one of the most promising riders in AMA Pro Racing. He earned the prestigious AMA Horizon Award in 2000 as the AMA’s leading amateur racer and went on to record his first national win last year at Pikes Peak in the 750 Supersport class.

New to the series this year is Corona Extra Suzuki. The AMA championship winning team will be formidable with former Superbike riders Jordan Szoke and Steve Rapp.

Honda is bringing a new, more powerful CBR to the series this year in hopes of competing with the powerful Suzuki GSXR1000s and Yamaha’s R1. The company that won an astounding 34 out of 38 Formula Xtreme races in the first four years of the series, managed only one win last year with Jake Zemke at Brainerd, Minn. Honda is counting on its new CBR954RR and a combination of experienced and young and eager riders to get it back to winning on a regular basis.

Four-time class champion Erion Honda brings Mike Hale back to AMA Pro Racing fulltime for the first time in seven years. Hale left the U.S. series after 1995 to pursue the World Superbike and later the Moto GP championships. Hale left America a 22-year-old up-and-comer and returns to motorcycle racing after three years in auto racing. He is now 29 but could still pass for a high schooler and is ready to make up for lost time. Hale will be teamed with Roger Lee Hayden, the youngest of the three racing Hayden’s. Hayden, 18, was ranked eighth in Formula Xtreme last year.

Erion’s satellite squad Bruce Transportation Honda will feature Jake Zemke and Alex Gobert, who like Hayden, is just 18 and youngest of the three racing brothers. Zemke and Gobert will sport the distinctive yellow and black colors of Bruce Transportation on their CBR954RRs. Zemke is a proven winner in the class and Gobert is, well he’s a Gobert, which means he has a great racing pedigree.

It’s unclear when Alex’s older brother Aaron, who rides FX for Graves Yamaha, is expected to return to the series. Aaron was seriously injured in an accident at Daytona last month, but is making a quick recovery and hopes to return to the circuit as soon as allowed by his doctors.

For ticket information of the Yamaha Superbike Challenge contact California Speedway at (800) 944-7223 or visit the website at www.californiaspeedway.com.

AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for professional motorcycle sport in the United States.

From a press release, which oddly quotes the President of a company without naming him:

CICCOTTO TURNS GREEN

Mike Ciccotto would like to proudly announce a new partner in GREENS+®. A natural and nutritional supplement company that is experiencing phenomenal growth, GREENS+® is a natural fit to the sport of motorcycle road racing. A sport that requires high levels of mental and physical endurance, the athletes that compete need every edge they can get.

This is where GREENS+® comes in, by increasing energy levels, improving mental acuity, and helping professional athletes achieve peak performance. President & CEO of GREENS+® gives his thoughts on the partnership; “Mike is in top physical condition. I am proud to be involved in motorcycle racing; they’re great athletes. And I know Mike follows the GREENS+® lifestyle of proper nutrition, exercise, lots of water, and, of course, GREENS+®. Mike wants to direct his fellow athletes on the path to optimal health. That pleases me, and I’m very happy to be a sponsor.”

The relationship will see Mike wearing a GREENS+® patch on his leathers while he contests the 2002 AMA Buell Pro Thunder Championship and races select AMA Superstock rounds on his Buell Firebolt-based race bike. A bike that continues to be tuned by Hal’s Harley-Davidson/Buell (www.halspa.com).

“I’ve tried many supplements over the years, but my body has never responded to them like it has with GREENS+®. Unlike most supplements, it’s all natural. The stuff has just done wonders for me. I’ve gotten all of my friends into it and I’m such a believer in the product. Which is why I’m so excited about bringing them into the sport and having them on board for the racing season. I certainly look forward to a long relationship, because I’ll be using their products for life!”

Whether a motorcycle racer or just a race fan, the nutritional requirements of the body are the same. By delivering all natural vitamins, minerals, and enzymes in 29 herbicide and pesticide-free ingredients, GREENS+® fulfils the basic body need for fruits and vegetables. One serving of GREENS+® is as nutritionally dense as 3-4 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables.

For more information on how GREENS+® can improve the quality of your life, please visit www.GreensPlus.com

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

WSMC 125cc Grand Prix Champion and Roadracing World “Young Gun” Chris Peris, 16, tested with the Honda Canada factory team March 30-31 at North Florida Motorsports Park in Jennings, Florida and has been tentatively offered a 600cc Sportbike ride for the 2002 Parts Canada Superbike Championship series.

“Basically, we put him on a 600,” said Honda Canada Team Manager Kevin Graham. “Very, very casual test. It wasn’t a tryout at all. We’ve just heard a lot good stuff about him, and we decided to bring him in and put him on one of our 600s, something that’s actually equivalent to what Steve Crevier won the Canadian (600cc Sportbike) Championship on last year, which is a FIM-spec CBR600F4i.

“We decided to bring him in, put him on the bike, no pressure, no stopwatches, just to see what he could do and get an idea for what his dad was like too. I’ve been talking to him on the phone a fair bit of time, but we wanted to see if he was like a ‘Hockey Dad’ or an easy-going guy. They were both great, very easy to work with.

“I feel like Chris has a lot of potential, not only in his initial speed, but just his maturity was fantastic. He did exactly what we asked him to do. He did a great job. It’s somebody that myself and the mechanics on the team felt that not only has potential but (is) someone that can add to the team. It’s worth us investing a little bit in as far as the development of a rider. So we’re in the process right now of putting a deal together for the rest of the season for him to compete in the 600cc Sportbike class.”

If the deal works out, Peris would become teammates with defending Canadian 600cc Sportbike and Superbike Champion Steve Crevier and defending Canadian Open Supersport Champion Frank Trombino. Crevier rides a RC51 Superbike and CBR600F4i. Trombino will ride a RC51 in the Superbike class and a CBR954RR in the Open Supersport races.

“So we have Frank (Trombino), Steve (Crevier) and Chris is kind of our future,” added Graham, the equivalent of American Honda’s Chuck Miller. “Basically, it’s an opportunity for him to learn. He’s got two great teammates to learn from, good equipment, no pressure. We just want to see what he can do, but we have a feeling that he’s going to progress rapidly. Hopefully, we can keep him in the country for another year.”

When asked what he thought of the new North Florida Motorsports Park, Graham exclaimed, “Fantastic! I think my riders are going to get spoiled testing there is the problem. We don’t have anything that smooth (in Canada). We have some nice tracks, like Mosport, but that track (North Florida Motorsports Park) is like a billiard table. I’d say it’s got to be the best track in North America for motorcycles. It’s perfectly flat, good pavement, good sight lines, complete run-off; there’s nothing to hit. You couldn’t ask for better.”

Roadracingworld.com was unable to reach Chris Peris, or his father Fernando, before post time.

From press releases:


PROTON JOINS THE HISTORY MAKERS

A new era in motorcycle racing begins on Sunday – and Proton Team KR will be among those writing their name in the new chapter in the history books.

The occasion is the Japanese Grand Prix, where the new 990cc MotoGP four-strokes will be seen for the first time, for the first battle against the established 500cc two-strokes.

The Proton KR3 is defending the faith. The three-cylinder lightweight machine is a two-stroke – nimble, responsive, and highly polished over three generations of development. The new four-stroke machines are more powerful and have a higher top speed. But they are also heavier, and very new, with all the race-development still to be done.

The KR3’s nimble handling could be a crucial factor at the opening round. The Japanese GP is at the Suzuka circuit – long and fast, but also highly technical, with corner sets running one into the other. A machine that can hold a faithful cornering line can make up a lot through these sections, to compensate for a relative lack of speed on the track’s two straights.

Proton Team KR is the only truly independent team in the highest level of GP racing, and comes to the fray this year with two new riders, as well as a change in tyre supplier.

The riders are both experienced men – Jeremy McWilliams from Northern Ireland, and Japanese star Nobuatsu Aoki.

The tyres are Japanese Bridgestones, making their entry in the top class for the first time, after a full year of high-intensity testing. Aoki was one of two full-time test riders for the team.

The Japanese GP is the first of 16 rounds in the 2002 MotoGP World Championship, with the South African GP in two weeks time, before the start of the European season.

JEREMY McWILLIAMS – SHORTER IS SWEETER
“It seems this is a track where the Bridgestones work well – especially if there is some temperature, so I’m hoping the race will be warm. I’ve already gone faster than last year’s qualifying time, and though it’s a bit off-putting to see the four-strokes setting such fast times, there’s still the question of tyre life, and how many laps they can run at those speeds. I’ve changed the bike a fair bit since my first ride – I’m using a shorter chassis, which turns quicker. It works well through the first section of the track here, through the Esses, which is where we’ll be looking to make up the most time.”

NOBUATSU AOKI – TURNING FOR THE BETTER
“The testing here went pretty well – though I made a couple of mistakes when I was going for a fast lap, and I was a little off my target. I did a lot of testing with the 17-inch rear Bridgestone, which turns better than the 16.5. It worked well, but because of trying different tyres I didn’t have a chance to work on chassis settings to solve some chattering problems. I’ll concentrate on that during qualifying. The KR3 can run with the four-cylinder two-strokes, so I am quite optimistic for the race.”

KENNY ROBERTS – TEAM OWNER
“I hope it rains like hell – I think our tyres could be an advantage if it does, and our bike works well in the wet. The odds will be better in the wet. Either way, we picked a good tyre during testing. The main thing for us is to get out bike better than it was last year – that’s the progress we’re aiming for.”



HONDA RACING NEWS

2002 MotoGP 500 World Championship, round 1
Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka
April 5/6/7 2002

ROSSI LEADS FOUR-STROKE CHARGE AT SUZUKA

This weekend motorcycle GP racing speeds into its new four-stroke era at Suzuka, where the Japanese Grand Prix opens the 16-race 2002 MotoGP World Championship which throws 990cc four-strokes into battle with 500cc two-strokes. It is perhaps fitting that the figure-of-eight circuit should be chosen to lift the curtain on this exciting new period in racing, for Suzuka first opened four decades ago in 1962, when the dominant four-strokes were locked in combat with a growing threat from the two-strokes.

The ultra-challenging track was constructed at the command of Honda founder Soichiro Honda, so success at this venue is of huge importance to the Honda Motor Company. Last year’s Japanese GP at Suzuka was possibly the factory’s greatest moment in more than 50 years of motorcycling success. Honda riders won all three GPs – 125, 250 and 500 – with Valentino Rossi taking victory in the premier class to score the marque’s 500th Grand Prix success. This was the first of Rossi’s 11 victories during 2001 which gave him the last-ever 500 crown. Now the sublimely talented Italian returns to Suzuka aboard his all-new four-stroke MotoGP bike, the awesome RC211V, aiming to begin the new era as he ended the last, with victory.

Rossi’s winter testing form has been phenomenal. He has shattered lap records wherever he’s tested, from Sepang in Malaysia, to Valencia in Spain and at Suzuka, where he topped a group teams’ test session last weekend. The 23-year old is already firm favourite for the 2002 MotoGP crown but he warns against over-optimism.

“Some people say I’ve already won the championship but I’m not so sure,” says Rossi (Repsol Honda Team RC211V). “The Italian media give me a lot of pressure and (Loris) Capirossi and (Max) Biaggi also say I’ve already won it, they say only I can lose this championship. I’ll give 100 per cent to try to win and I’m sure the others will give 110 per cent to beat me.

“But the RCV is incredible. The first time I tested it at Suzuka last July we found quite a few problems, the second time at Jerez last November it wasn’t so good, but we made a good test. I’m good at understanding what I want from the bike and HRC are very good at giving me what I want. Since the Jerez tests everything has basically changed: the engine character, all the electronic parts, the cowling, the seat, it’s a new bike.”

Last Sunday Rossi recorded the quickest-ever motorcycle lap at Suzuka, at 2:04.343s, leading a Honda one-two-three. Second fastest was team-mate Tohru Ukawa (Repsol Honda Team RC211V), underlying the V5’s stunning performance, with reigning 250 World Champion Daijiro Katoh (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR500) third on his NSR500 two-stroke.

“We set some good lap times during the tests,” Rossi adds. “And we tested many things to find good set-up solutions for the race. We worked very hard and are finally satisfied with the development of the bike. Now we have three days rest and we’re anxious to see what will happen next Sunday when the two-strokes and four-strokes race together for the first time.”

Although he’ll be doing his best to relax before next weekend, Rossi will spend one day in Honda’s wind-tunnel facility, evaluating the RCV’s aerodynamics, along with Ukawa, who is also deeply impressed with Honda’s first four-stroke bike in two decades.

“The RCV was very fast right from the start, but we had to work to improve drivability out of the corners,” says the former 250 GP winner. “The bike is definitely my favourite machine, it’s better than the two-stroke because it’s got flatter power and torque curves, so it’s easier on the gas. The regulations demand the four-strokes to be 15 kilos heavier than the 500, so you get a little snaking into corners and you carry less corner speed.

“This year is going to be very interesting, I hope to fight with Rossi for the World Championship. Last time I fought with him was in ’99 when we were contesting the 250 World Championship. That year I was with Honda and he
was with Aprilia and he won the title. This year I’ve got the same bike and the same team, so there can be no excuses for me. I’m looking forward to a good battle with him!

“I can’t wait for the Suzuka race. The circuit has changed a little this year. They’ve changed Dunlop curve to make it safer, the corner is now tighter and slower, but I think that lap times are faster because the track is around 30 metres shorter.”

While Rossi and Ukawa focus on developing the all-new RCV, Katoh has quickly got to grips with the latest version of Honda’s NSR500, the most successful bike in 500 GP history. During recent private HRC tests at Suzuka he was a fraction faster than Rossi, at 2:04.40s, and is widely expected to be the quickest 500 rider when he makes his MotoGP debut on Sunday.

“This NSR500 still has great potential,” he says. “I’m learning about the machine and although it’s not an easy job, I feel pretty confident. During last weekend’s tests we tried new solutions for the suspension and chassis and we know which direction to work in for the race.”

Four other riders use NSR500s in this year’s MotoGP series and all are keen to get the season underway. Loris Capirossi (West Honda Pons NSR500), who finished third in last year’s 500 series, has also been very fast in pre-season tests. “Winter tests have shown we still have a good chance with the 500, especially at some tracks,” says the Italian. “My Suzuka lap times improved during last weekend’s tests and I got close to the leaders. Now I’m looking forward to the start of the World Championship, because racing is much more fun than testing!”

Team-mate Alex Barros (West Honda Pons NSR500) has been more circumspect in testing, concentrating on perfecting settings rather than going for ultra-quick lap times. “We’ve been looking at various aspects of machine performance, working in different directions to test different solutions,” says the veteran Brazilian, who made his GP debut way back in 1986. “Suzuka is going to be a very interesting race, I think everyone is looking forward to the weekend; I just hope the weather is okay.”

Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Kanemoto Racing Honda NSR500) and Tetsuya Harada (Pramac Honda NSR500) will also be on the grid at Suzuka next weekend, along with HRC test rider Shinichi Itoh.

Itoh, a former All Japan Superbike Champion and 500 grand prix rider, will race an RCV in HRC colours on Sunday. The Japanese star has been on the pace in testing, setting top ten times at the recent IRTA test at Suzuka.

In the 250 class Honda’s two NSR250-mounted title challengers are Emilio Alzamora (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250) and Robby Rolfo (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250). Alzamora, who returned to the 250 class last year after winning the 1999 125 title, has high hopes of challenging for the 250 crown. “We are in good shape for the new season and the bike is great,” says Alzamora. “Suzuka will be difficult as always, mainly because there will be many wild card riders there. But we’ll do our best and go on to the next races, determined to score consistent finishes at every race. That is the secret to winning a world title.”

Rolfo, who rode a privateer Aprilia in 2001, has spent the winter acquainting himself with his user-friendly NSR. “The bike is very different to what I’m used to but I really like it,” says the young Italian. “The first races are going to be very interesting. Suzuka is very important though my focus is the full season. I can’t wait to get started.”

Honda-mounted wild card entries in the Suzuka 250 GP are Shinichi Nakatomi, Chojun Kameya, Daisaku Sakai and Hiroshi Aoyama.

Sunday’s Japanese GP will commence with the 125 race, won last year by Masao Azuma (Liégeois Competition Honda RS125) who hopes to begin another strong title challenge on home tarmac. Azuma is joined on Honda machinery by Spanish teenage sensations Daniel Pedrosa and Joan Olive (MoviStar Junior Team) and many others.

After Sunday’s racing the GP circus packs up and heads to South Africa for the Welkom GP on April 21. The long European season begins at Jerez, in
Spain, on May 5. The 2002 campaign ends in Spain, at Valencia, on November 3.



Kanemoto Racing

SUZUKA HOSTS A NEW TEAM AT THE START OF A NEW ERA

Sunday 7 April 2002 will mark an historic date in motorcycle racing, as the Japanese Grand Prix lifts the lid on the start of the most eagerly awaited season in grand prix history. The Suzuka race also marks the welcome return of Kanemoto Racing, under the direction of Erv Kanemoto with the proven Dutch rider Jurgen van den Goorbergh at the helm of the factory Honda NSR500.

The unique figure of eight, 5.821kms circuit will inaugurate the start of the most unpredictable season in 50 years. For the first time ever, 990cc four-stroke machines will be allowed to compete against the all-conquering 500cc two-strokes in the 16 round championship battle.

Van den Goorbergh is set for the fray aboard his first factory machine ride and determined to make the most of the opportunity. The 32-year-old former 250cc and 500cc Privateer Champion has been rewarded for all his hard work and determination during an 11-year grand prix career and he is delighted with the opportunity to join Erv Kanemoto’s new team.

“This is a great opportunity for me and it will be so good to start the season on the Honda NSR at Suzuka, heart of the Honda organisation, on a machine which is performing so well. The NSR is giving me more power than I’ve ever had before I must now make sure I can use that power to our absolute advantage.”

Kanemoto’s Technical and Management pedigree is unrivalled, having clinched seven world championship titles and a staggering 64 grand prix victories, in a 21-year career in the most demanding of world sporting arenas. Kanemoto built up his reputation as a top tuner in the United States before coming to Europe to work for former world champion Barry Sheene in 1981. Since then he has masterminded world championship titles for; Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson, Luca Cadalora and Max Biaggi and also worked with world champions Wayne Gardner and John Kocinski.

The Team returns after a two-year racing absence during which time they were involved in tyre development and testing for Bridgestone, a partnership that continues into the 2002 season.

“It’s great to be starting with such a competitive package we have the opportunity to combine the well-proven Honda NSR with the experience of Jurgen, who has really shown his potential over recent years. We are also very excited to be riding on Bridgestone tyres, after working on testing programmes with them last year and seeing first-hand their commitment to the development of racing.” Explained Team Owner and Manager Erv Kanemoto.

The combination of Kanemoto and Van den Goorbergh is set to give the new four-strokes a tough time in what promises to be a superb opening season to the all-new, renamed MotoGP World Championship.


SUZUKA FACT FILE
Suzuka has hosted the Japanese Grand Prix every year from 1987, apart from 1999. Circuit reduced in length this year by 38.13m with the alterations to the Dunlop curve. The slope on the sweeping uphill left-hander has been moderated improving visibility into the corner. The corner has also been shifted further to the left, allowing run off area on outside to be increased.

Length: 5.821kms
Width: 15m
Direction: Clockwise
Pole position: left
Right corners: 11
Left corners: 9
Longest straight: 1.200m
Constructed: 1961
Modified: 2002

Lap Record (old circuit): Tohru Ukawa Jpn (Honda), 2:06.805 – 166.337kmh
8/4/01.

2001 Pole-setting lap (old circuit): Loris Capirossi ITA (West Honda Pons) 2:04.777.

2001 500cc Race Winner (old circuit): Valentino Rossi ITA (Honda) 44:51.501, 164.570kmh.

From a press release:

The No Limit Motorsports Race Team will race two 2002 Yamaha R-1s at Fontana this weekend in the Lockhart-Phillips Formula Xtreme race. To our knowledge No Limit is the only team on the 2002 model bikes. Rider Jason Curtis will be joined by South African, Lance Isaacs on the R-1s. Lance and Jason have been training for the past 4 weeks, and look forward to a good race weekend.

Lance comes to No Limit Motorsports following a very succesful career in South Aftrica, as well as two seasons in World Superbike, as a teammate of Ben Bostrom. Jason has scored some impressive wins, and podium finishes at Willow Springs in Club Racing, and looks forward to his first season in AMA national event racing. Jason and Lance recently finished a session with Jeff Haney and Freddie Spencer at Spencer’s Riding School in Las Vegas, and they are anxious to get on the track, and make use of the training they received.

From a press release:

ROYAL BOOST AS UK MOTORCYCLE COMPANY TRIUMPHS OVER ADVERSITY

His Royal Highness the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, Has Given Britain’s Only Motorcycle Manufacturer a Boost as the Company Triumphs Over Adversity

NEWNAN, GA.–Within hours of learning about a fire at one of Triumph Motorcycles’ production facilities, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, who is Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, rearranged his schedule to make a goodwill visit to the company as reconstruction work gets under way in Hinckley.

Accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mr. Timothy Brooks, His Royal Highness donned a hard hat, toured affected areas, talked to staff and heard about the company’s plans for a rapid recovery.

After the tour, the Duke of York said he was delighted to hear that work was about to start on rebuilding the factory, and predicted that the great British institution would come back stronger than ever. “This is a great British company that has been a leader in its field for many years. I wanted to let them know how important they are to the UK economy,” he said. And he told staff: “As Britain’s only motorcycle manufacturer, you have a big part to play in the market place. Triumph is going to rebuild and that is good news for the industry and for British engineering.”

The Duke of York was shown around the factory by Karl Wharton, Managing Director of Triumph Motorcycles, who said: “The Duke’s visit was a real boost for Triumph and everyone involved in helping to rebuild the company. Construction is soon to start and we are optimistic that production will be back to normal before the end of the summer. “It is very important for all our customers and dealers and staff to know that there is so much support for Triumph,” he said.

The Duke of York’s activities in his new role are in support of British Trade International (BTI), the government body set up to support UK countries trading internationally and encourage foreign investment.

Triumph, who manufactures more than 33,000 motorcycles in Britain a year, supplies bikes, parts and accessories to over 25 different countries, including those in western Europe, the United States of America, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and several markets in Latin America. As 80% per cent of the company’s production is for export, Triumph has reassured its 800-dealer network across the world that the fire will have no immediate impact on its overseas business.

“Distribution of the Triumph range of motorcycles, parts and accessories, and our warranty service, will continue as the company prepares to work round the clock to ensure that motorcycles roll off the new assembly line by late August,” added Karl Wharton.

Triumph Motorcycles America, Ltd., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triumph Motorcycles, Ltd., the manufacturer of Triumph motorcycles and accessories. Triumph Motorcycles America is located in Newnan, GA and services the Triumph dealer organization throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America.