Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Superbike World Championship points leader Colin Edwards will test his Castrol Honda RC51 at the Imola circuit, the site of the final World Superbike round, on Monday, September 16. None of Edwards’ competitors will be allowed to test at the 3.0-mile Italian track.

Because Imola is one of Castrol Honda’s two designated test tracks (the other is Misano), Edwards will be allowed to test at the facility no later than one week prior to the beginning of the World Superbike race weekend September 27, as provided by World Superbike rules.

Theoretically, the test should give Edwards an advantage over his Championship competition, Infostrada Ducati’s Troy Bayliss. Edwards leads Bayliss by a single Championship point, 502 to 501 points.

Ironically, the Imola circuit is less than 30 miles from Bologna, home of Ducati.

Last year at Imola, Superpole winner Ruben Xaus won race one over Troy Corser and Edwards. Bayliss crashed late in the race, breaking his right collarbone. In race two, Regis Laconi took the victory over Xaus and Tadayuki Okada. Edwards crashed out of race two.

In other testing news, the official World Superbike winter test will be held February 21-23, 2003 at Valencia in Spain. Another official test is being considered for the Sepang circuit in Malaysia in late January.



More, from a press release issued by Castrol Honda:

EDWARDS BEGINS LAST ROUND BUILD UP WITH IMOLA TEST

Castrol Honda’s World Superbike championship leader Colin Edwards gets his final-round preparations under way with a test on Monday at the Imola circuit in Italy ­ venue for the final round.

Edwards will test the revamped SP-1 (RC51) machine at the 3.04-mile circuit on Monday September 16 in an effort to be fully prepared for the championship showdown.

“It’s great that we can get the test time at Imola, since we raced there last year there’s a lot changed on the machine ­ the chassis, motor, the oil, Michelin tyres and Showa suspension,” explains Edwards.

“In fact, it’s a completely different machine to what we raced at Imola 12 months ago,” he continues.

Championship rules allow teams to select two circuits from the championship calendar, the Castrol Honda team chose Misano and Imola.

Team manager Neil Tuxworth commented: “Misano is a good, demanding test track for us and we went for Imola just in case the championship was tight going into the final round.”

Edwards leads the championship by a single point from Troy Bayliss following a dramatic penultimate round at Assen in Holland last Sunday.

“I don’t think anyone can believe what’s happened in this year’s championship,” says Edwards. “I suppose it was looking like Troy would walk the championship after he won six in a row at the start of the season.

“It was never easy for me and the team in some of those early races. I’d get a lead in a race and just wait for Troy to come by, then have no reply. But since the second race at Laguna Seca in July we’ve moved up a gear and now we’re in a position I think we deserve.”

In climbing to the top of the table Edwards has embarked on a record-breaking run of seven successive wins, his achievements include:

* A record 23 successive podium finishes ­ the previous record of 12 was set by Carl Fogarty in 1995 and 1999. Edwards’ only non-podium finish of the year was a fourth place in the very first race of the year at Valencia, Spain.

* Moving into a clear second place in the all-time World Superbike wins list with a current tally of 29 victories.

* Equalling John Kocinski’s 1997 record of nine wins in a season for the Castrol Honda team.

* Giving Castrol Honda its 50th World Superbike race win with his first race victory at Oschersleben, Germany in round 11.

* Beating the previous record of 21 podium finishes in a year ­ set by Doug Polen in 1991.


Edwards added: “The statistics confirm how determined we’ve been this year to cling onto hopes of winning the title. I now want to keep the momentum going with two wins at Imola.”

The final round takes place at Imola on September 29, the second World Superbike championship round to be staged at the historic venue.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

American Honda officials announced Thursday night that Nicky Hayden will be racing a Honda RC211V in the 2003 MotoGP World Championship and that Ben Bostrom will be racing a Honda RC51 in the 2003 AMA Superbike Championship.

That’s the word from Tony Bell of Spectrum Motorsports, a Honda dealership in Lake Forest, California, reporting from American Honda’s dealer show in Chicago.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sources in Japan confirmed late Thursday night U.S. time (Friday afternoon Japan time) that Nicky Hayden will ride for Repsol Honda in 2003.

American Honda officials announced Thursday night in Chicago that Hayden would be racing a Honda RC211V in the MotoGP World Championship but did not reveal which team he would be riding for.

From a press release issued by Formula Xtreme Promotions Pty. Ltd.:

Event 6, 2002 Yamaha Xtreme Tri-State
Eastern Creek Raceway, NSW (September 28 & 29)
Event Preview

MLADIN HEADS LIST OF INTERNATIONAL RIDERS FOR XTREME FINALE AT EASTERN CREEK

Three times American Superbike Champion Mat Mladin will be one of three Australian riders who have been competing internationally who will return home to race in the sixth and final round of the 2002 Yamaha Xtreme Tri-State at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway on the weekend of September 28 & 29.

Mladin, from Camden, south east of Sydney, Victorian Marty Craggill and Newcastle’s Kevin Curtain have all competed successfully on the international race scene and for the first time will go head to head on the track.

Having won three AMA Superbike titles and an Australian Superbike title in 1992, Mladin is the best-credentialed rider to line up in this year’s series. Craggill on the other hand is fresh from a season racing in the American Formula Xtreme Championship where he took victory at the Brainerd round of the championship aboard a Valvoline EMGO Suzuki

Mat Mladin gives his Mat Mladin Motorcycles/Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 its first outing at Eastern Creek last week GSX-R1000.

Curtain has been one of the busiest riders this year. He has been combining racing here in the Yamaha Xtreme Tri-State, where he currently leads both the Formula Xtreme and Supersport classes, with racing in the World Supersport Championship where he is fresh from taking a brilliant fourth place at the Dutch round of the championship last weekend.

The inclusion of the three vastly experienced riders will provide race fans with the best big bike racing action seen in Australian domestic racing for many years. Mladin and Craggill will also spearhead the Suzuki onslaught against the all-conquering Yamahas. They won’t be alone, though, as Honda, Kawasaki and Ducati are well represented with all five leading brands searching for victory at the final round of this year’s championship.

Mladin has begun testing aboard his Mat Mladin Motorcycles/Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000, with his first hit out being at Eastern Creek last Thursday. It was the first time that Mladin had turned a wheel on the brand new bike and he was very pleased with the performance of the bike at this early stage of development.

“I was really impressed by the Suzuki GSX-R1000 when I rode it for the first time at Eastern Creek last week,” said Mladin. “We have fitted the bike with a number of Yoshimura products such as exhaust system, cams and head gasket, plus BMC filters and it worked extremely well. Obviously we don’t have a lot of time to do a lot of headwork, etc., before the race, but other than that the bike felt really good as to how it ran anyway. We’ve built the bike up in such a way that any customer can come into our shop and either buy the parts or even the complete bike from us.”

Mladin was also happy to hear that Craggill had been able to secure a ride for the event. While racing in America this year, Craggill stayed with Mladin at his Los Angeles home and the pair has worked closely together throughout the year.

“It will be good to have another bike out there and with a good peddler like Marty (Craggill) aboard it, should make for a very exciting final round of the series,” Mladin added. “Marty rode well in the Formula Xtreme races in the States this year and has a lot of experience on the Suzuki.”

Craggill is no stranger to the Australian Formula Xtreme, having won a race in the class at the Victorian Broadford circuit in 2000 aboard an Advantage Honda sponsored CBR929RR. At the upcoming round of the Formula Xtreme, Craggill will ride the Bob Muir owned Suzuki GSX-R1000 that has been previously raced this year by Warwick Nowland and Wayne Maxwell.

“I’ve only just found out about the deal myself and haven’t even had a chance to ride the bike yet,” said Craggill, the 1997 & 98 Australian Superbike champion. “A few people have told me that the bike is very good and I’m hopeful of getting to ride it this weekend at Eastern Creek to see how good it is for myself. I know that the Suzuki is a good bike, so it’s just a matter of getting it sorted out over the race weekend.

“I’ve had a good year racing in the Formula Xtreme in America aboard the Suzuki and hope to do the same here in a few weeks time,” added Craggill.

The Suzuki mounted pair will not have everything their own way as Curtain, the three times Formula Xtreme champion and current points leader will have a few things to prove aboard his Radar’s Team Yamaha YZF-R1.

Curtain has rode exceptionally well both here in Australia and in the World Supersport Championship and will be hard to beat at Eastern Creek where he will be joined by teammates Robbie Baird (the defending Formula Xtreme champion) and Victorian teenager Craig Coxhell.

They won’t be alone though as the Bio Magnetics Sport Yamaha team of Jamie and Daniel Stauffer have been in great form of late, while Team Honda’s Josh Brookes cannot be discounted either.

With 25 action packed races scheduled for the weekend and in excess of over $200,000 worth of prizes and motorcycles up for grabs for the series winners, the Eastern Creek round of the 2002 Yamaha Xtreme Tri-State will be a round not to be missed.

Yamaha Formula Xtreme, points after 5 of 6 rounds
1, K Curtain 384; 2 R Baird 346; 3. J Stauffer 268; 4, D Stauffer 254; 5. C Coxhell 246; 6, J Brookes 203; 7. T Rees 167; 8. R Bugden 123; 9. C McMartin 103; 10. W Maxwell 87.

From a press release:

DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION
Mugello (Italy), 12 September 2002

BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) TESTS AT MUGELLO IN VIEW OF IMOLA FINAL ROUND

Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) completed an intense testing session with excellent results at the Mugello Circuit in Tuscany today in view of the World Superbike Championship decider, which will be held at Imola on September 29th.

The reigning world champion, who will arrive at the final round one point behind his Texan rival Colin Edwards (Honda) after losing the leadership of the championship he had held since the opening round, was able to try out a package of modifications which will be used at the Imola race.

With his Ducati 998 Factory ’02, Troy completed a total of 68 laps, setting a best time of 1:53.8 on race tyres, which represents his all-time personal best at Mugello. Bayliss said he was satisfied with the work carried out and was ready for the final decisive race.

“We came here to test in view of the Imola race” declared Troy. “In the last few rounds I’ve really had to struggle to get good results but, with the modifications we tested today, the bike feels the same as it did at the start of the season. I’ve never lapped so fast around Mugello, and even though Imola is a different track altogether, I’m feeling good about the final round of the championship”.

The Santerno circuit was not chosen as test-track for the Italian manufacturer because no days were available during the month of September in which the noise level could exceed 70 decibels.

While Troy was involved in testing his 998, the Ducati Corse R&D team were hard at work on two other fronts, again with positive results.


Third outing at the Mugello circuit in less than two months for the Ducati Desmosedici, the bike with which the Bologna-based manufacturer will take part in the 2003 MotoGP championship. In his 54 laps, Italian test-rider Vittoriano Guareschi completed a race simulation, the equivalent of the distance of this year’s Italian GP.

Testing also continued for Ducati’s new bike for the SBK World Championship, the 999, this time with Ducati Infostrada’s Ruben Xaus. The Spanish rider completed a total of 70 laps.

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

FRANCE TAKES AN EARLY LEAD IN GSX-R WORLD CUP

Magny Cours, France, September 12th:

OLIVIER FOUR from France claimed provisional pole position during the first qualification for the Suzuki GSX-R Cup Final at Magny Cours today.

Frantic action filled the first 25-minute long qualifying session, with Four consistently heading the time-sheets – he is the only rider to get under 1m 46s for the lap. Four, a Suzuki dealer during the week, is very familiar with the Magny Cours circuit. In 2001, the 24-year-old rode for the Suzuki Endurance Race Team junior team in World Endurance. This year he is lying third in the French Superstock Championship on a GSX-R1000.

Four said: “Today the track was better than yesterday, that’s for sure. My GSX-R750 is going very well, but I am having a problem with the footpegs because they are too low and I cannot turn my feet. I can take another one-second off my lap time tomorrow. Maybe even a bit more if I need to.”

Behind the French rider was 32-year-old Italian veteran Giuseppe Fiorillo. The Italian is no stranger to top-level racing and as well as finishing second in the Italian GSX-R Cup this year, he raced in 125 Grands Prix in 1990-91 and won the 250cc European Championship in 1993. Fiorillo, a mechanic by trade, said: “Today was mostly about learning the track. During the session, I suffered from a spongy front brake and we are checking it now. Tomorrow we shall check our tyres as we didn’t change from the first two practice sessions. There is long life in these tyres and it might be better to race on a set already scrubbed in. Tomorrow we think we can go better.”

In third place after first qualifying is 22-year-old Australian hot-shot Scott Charlton. He said: “I love the track, it is just great. I made a few mistakes, but I am still learning the circuit. I’m not far off and pretty pleased with my position.”

The final place on the provisional front row will be taken by 28-year-old French rider Stephane Jond. The quality of the riders competing was evident in the close qualifying times, with the top 10 riders separated by just two seconds.

While most riders are looking forward to second qualifying and the first race tomorrow, British rider Benjie Cockerill was forced to retire. Cockerill, 21, cracked his right wrist in an accident last month and rode through practice. But today the pain was too much and he decided to retire from the event.

Suzuki’s GSX-R Cup Final 2002 brings together the best motorcycle riders from around the globe to compete on identical GSX-R750 machinery. Riders will race in two finals – one on Friday 13th, the second on Saturday 14th. Each competing country is desperate to win the title for national pride. Every rider uses a Suzuki GSX-R in their home country and is already familiar with the awesome performance of the GSX-R range, which started the race-replica class of motorcycles in 1985 with the first GSX-R750.

Results, First Qualifying: 1: O Four (France) 1:45.725, 2: G Fiorillo (Italy) +0.353, 3: S Charlton (Australia) +0.762, 4: S Jond (France) +0.931, 5: S Brogan (UK) +1.154, 6: J Kirkham (UK) +1.376, 7: T Fluckiger (Switzerland) +1.502, 8: KH Hennemann (Germany) +1.612, 9: L Conforti (Italy) +1.967, 10: John Dugan (USA) +2.067.

Honda has released the European-spec CBR600RR and is showing U.S.-spec models to dealers this week.

From a press release issued by Dorina Clarke, 2002 AMA Superbike Media Relations Manager:

I have decided not to pursue the position of AMA Chevy Trucks Media Relations Manager for 2003. Though it wasn’t easy, coming to this decision was based on professional, analytical and personal reasons.

What I will miss the most is working with the the teams, all of the riders and media. That part of the job was by far the best.

I do hope to continue working in the sport but at a different capacity. Hopefully it will be doing something that brings value to the series and
makes a positive impact for the teams and riders.

For more information, I can be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling (253) 261-5723.

From a press release issued by WERA:

WERA National Series Brings Motorcycle Road Racing to Texas World Speedway

COLLEGE STATION, Tx.- WERA Motorcycle Roadracing will bring its signature excitement and competition to Texas when the WERA National Challenge Series and the WERA/GMD Computrack National Endurance Series visit Texas World Speedway, September 14-15.

The WERA National Series features the top amateur motorcycle road racers and some of the most thrilling racing in the United States.

On Saturday, September 14, the penultimate round of the WERA/GMD Computrack National Endurance Series will get underway at 11:30 a.m. The six-hour race features five classes of motorcycles, including Lightweight Superbike, Mediumweight Superstock and Superbike, and Heavyweight Superstock and Superbike.

Vesrah Suzuki won every round of the season on their Suzuki GSX-R1000 until the most recent race, when Semoff Brothers Racing (SBR) came and took the victory. SBR will compete at Texas World Speedway, as well, and both teams will be fighting to keep their bikes out front.

On Sunday, September 15, the WERA National Challenge Series will feature ten sprint races, each consisting of ten laps around the 2.9-mile road course at Texas World Speedway. The WERA Sportsman Series, featuring local riders, will also be run. Their eight races will be eight laps each.

The National Challenge and Sportsman Series races are divided according to the engine size of the motorcycles, as well as the amount of modifications made to them. Superbike races are for the bikes that have been the most modified, while Superstock classes are nearly identical to stock motorcycles.

Among the popular National Challenge Series races are Open Superstock, which features stock motorcycles of unlimited engine size. The 600 Superstock and 750 Superstock classes have large grids and intense battles for the lead, and are also fan favorites.

Tickets for the WERA National Series at Texas World Speedway are available for $20 for the weekend and $15 for Sunday only. Camping is also available for fans. More information, including directions to the Speedway, can be found on the Internet at www.TexasWorldSpeedway.com or by calling the track at 979-690-2500.

Since 1974, WERA Motorcycle Roadracing has showcased the talents of amateur motorcycle racers. Many of WERA’s former champions have gone on to successful professional careers in AMA Pro Racing, Grand Prix, World Superbike and Formula USA. Close competition and fresh talent are the hallmark of WERA Motorcycle Roadracing.

This just in, via e-mail:

With the 2002 AMA Superbike season behind me, I can reflect back on every round and smile. I am not a rider, mechanic or support person for any team. I am an avid fan. For a while I have been able to say that I love the sport; now I can say that I love the people in the sport, too.

I have always made cookies for CCS Florida race days for crew, riders and friends. Once I started to attend more national races, I started to make cookies for my friends’ sponsors and support people as well. This grew into such a tradition, that this season I have made about 40 dozen cookies for every race in the series except Road America (where I did not have enough time between races to make the dough and bake) and I handed them out to 16 teams and support crew. I have been asked repeatedly why I go through so much trouble and expense to prepare, bake, package and haul all of these cookies to the races. While you might think this is a great trouble for me, I feel it is a small gesture from which I have profited greatly. Read on and you will understand.

I have made so many friends the past few years that I feel compelled to thank them. Every week I have been told by riders and crew how much they appreciate what I do for them, I would like to let them all know how much I appreciate what they have done for me:

First of all, to everyone on teams Valvoline Emgo Suzuki, Factory Yamaha and Graves Yamaha thank you for allowing me to spend time with your teams on pit road during the races. I am so grateful to have the experience of being that close to the action on the good days and the not so good ones. It was incredibly exciting (when I could handle it, right Jeff?) and Damon, I was very proud to be your umbrella girl. As I told you before, you and your team are first class.

I also need to mention Team Corona Extra Suzuki. I felt like your pit area was home; there was always food, fun and beverage. Did I mention fun? Thank you for your ceaseless hospitality and the warm welcomes I received whenever I arrived at the track. Both were unmatched.

For the Bridgestone crew, thank you so much for letting me hang out at your trailer this entire year. I appreciate you toting my cereal to every race to ensure that I always had breakfast.

Opie and Terry, thanks for the sandwiches and the brotherly advice. Most of all, I am very proud of your successes this year. I know it has taken a great deal of effort but look how your efforts have been rewarded. Great job!

Tony and Tim from MRO, I am so glad that you are at the races. Many people, including me, would not be able to go to church at all if your services were not on race weekends. So, thank you!

Thanks to the Dunlop guys, who gave me the nickname “Cookie.” Yes, my last name really is Baker.

Thanks to the guys at Factory Honda, Bruce Transportation Group and Erion Racing for your hospitality. Hopefully I did not get too many of you in trouble when I talked your ears off.

Mark from Alpinestars, thanks for lending me the perfect reclining chair when I needed a rest.

Joey, David and Hugh thanks for at least one really hard laugh nearly every race weekend. Even now, I can laugh out loud with the memories I have.

With the AMA, thank you Leah for always greeting me at registration with a smile and thanks for the pool lessons, Mandi!

I have tried to include as many people as possible. Please forgive me if I did not mention you personally. Nonetheless, thank you for all of the hugs and the hospitality throughout the year. This season has been unforgettable for me because of all of you and, most of all, your friendship.

One last thing, my hand mixer’s motor burned up while making my last batch of cookies for VIR, believe it or not. So, we can all thank Jake Zemke when there are cookies next year because he put money towards a new Kitchen Aid commercial mixer. Thanks Jake!

I will miss you all during the off-season. I will see you in March, but hopefully sooner.

Much love,

Christine “Cookie” Baker