Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Former 250cc Grand Prix Champion Rich Oliver is on track today at Pikes Peak International Raceway, less than four weeks after badly breaking his right forearm and losing parts of toes on one foot in a nasty crash at Sears Point Raceway.

Oliver’s arm was plated back together and bears a 10-inch scar running from mid-palm to elbow, where it was opened up to relieve pressure.

Oliver crashed going into the Carousel at Sears Point and ended up in the haybales outside the corner.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Promoter practice has finished at Pikes Peak International Raceway, and there were no medical transports during the day.

About 100 riders participated in the practice day, which ran from roughly 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and featured three combined groups consisting of Supersport/250cc Grand Prix, Superstock/Pro Thunder, and Superbike/Formula Xtreme.

Practice sessions were 20 minutes each.

From a press release:

AMA RECOGNIZES CORPORATE SPONSORS OF WOMEN & MOTORCYCLING CONFERENCE

PICKERINGTON, OHIO — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced the corporate sponsors of the 2002 AMA Women & Motorcycling Conference, scheduled for June 29 through July 3 at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, West Virginia.

Supporting the conference as Platinum Sponsors are: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; American Suzuki Motor Corp.; BMW Riders’ Apparel; Harley-Davidson/Buell Inc.; Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA, and Yamaha Motor Corp.

Other corporate sponsors include Victory Motorcycles, a Gold Sponsor of the conference, and Aerostich, a Bronze Sponsor.

“By their participation, these eight sponsors acknowledge their corporate commitment to the importance of women’s role in motorcycling,” said Robert Rasor, President of the AMA. “We appreciate their support, and especially their active involvement in the 2002 AMA Women & Motorcycling Conference.”

BMW, Harley-Davidson/Buell, Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha will bring fleets of new models to the conference, offering free demo rides to attendees. Participants also can test their skills on a BattleTrax course, take off on self-guided tours through the Allegheny foothills, attend a variety of seminars and round-table discussions, and shop the vendor fair. A parade and street party in Buckhannon, a motocross demonstration, and special opening and closing celebrations are also planned. On the conference’s final day, participants will have the option of attending a Women’s Motocross School or a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Dirt Bike School.

The first two AMA Women & Motorcycling Conferences were held in 1997 and 2000. More than 700 women and men attended the 2000 conference, from 46 states, Sweden, Australia and Canada.

West Virginia Wesleyan College, located in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, was chosen as the site of the 2002 AMA Women & Motorcycling Conference for its excellent facilities, and for its proximity to great motorcycle riding.

Registration kits are available by calling 1-800-AMA-JOIN, or by e-mailing [email protected]. The registration fee for the 2002 AMA Women & Motorcycling Conference is $139; all AMA members receive a $39 discount. For more information about the 2002 AMA Women & Motorcycling Conference, visit www.womenandmotorcycling.com. To learn more about West Virginia Wesleyan College, visit www.wvwc.edu.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The AMA National at Road America scheduled for June 7-9 will pay a total purse of $100,000 split between six classes, with $65,000 going to the Superbike class and $7000 each going to the Formula Xtreme, Superstock, Supersport, Pro Thunder and 250cc Grand Prix classes.

The Superbike purse is split between two races, with half paid for each race. So while the total for first place is listed as $5500 in AMA Pro Racing pre-race information, it is actually $2250 for first place in each of two Superbike races. The combined Superbike payout is listed below:
1. $5500
2. $4600
3. $4000
4. $3600
5. $3200
6. $2900
7. $2700
8. $2600
9. $2500
10. $2400
11. $2300
12. $2200
13. $2100
14. $2000
15. $1900
16. $1850
17. $1800
18. $1750
19. $1700
20. $1650
21. $1550
22. $1450
23. $1350
24. $1200
25. $1050
26. $850
27. $750
28. $650
29. $600
30. $550
31. $450
32. $400
33. $350
34. $300
35. $250


Each support race (Formula Xtreme, Superstock, Supersport, Pro Thunder and 250cc Grand Prix) pays a $7000 purse, as follows:
1. $1100
2. $900
3. $625
4. $525
5. $450
6. $425
7. $400
8. $375
9. $350
10. $325
11. $275
12. $250
13. $225
14. $200
15. $175
16. $100
17. $75
18. $75
19. $75
20. $75

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The first practice session on this promoter practice day at Pikes Peak International Raceway got on track at about 11:20 and is a combined 600cc Supersport and 250cc Grand Prix session.

Practice was scheduled to run from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The AMA Pro Racing trucks arrived yesterday and Hugh Fleming set up Airfence and Alpina soft barriers at locations specified by AMA Pro Racing Road Race Manager Ron Barrick.

The Alpina soft barriers have been installed on the banking past turn one with the optional sand bags in place. The sand bags are used to hold the front of the barrier down when it is installed on a hard surface and the front flap cannot be held down with breakaway plastic pegs inserted in the ground.

Many haybales are in use as well.

Rider participation in the practice sessions appears to be relatively light so far, as Superstock riders now prepare to take to the track.

From a press release:

KANEMOTO RACING TARGET TOP TEN

Kanemoto Racing arrive in Mugello this week, determined to chase the elusive extra second that would move them toward their first top-ten placing of the season, at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday 2 June.

The Team are looking forward to the superb facilities at the Mugello Circuit, bought by Ferrari in 1988 as their official testing circuit. The very fast Mugello circuit contains some quick bends and a distinctive ‘esses’ section, where the high-speeds maintained through the successive turns could benefit two-stroke entries.

Jurgen van den Goorbergh understands well the fast precise riding the 5.245km circuit requires and is looking forward to taking the Honda NSR500
two-stroke through its paces at one of his favourite circuits.

“Mugello is a terrific circuit fast corners, chicanes and high top speeds it is one of my favourite places to race. I was disappointed with the result in Le Mans and know we are capable of a higher place finish in Italy” said Vd Goorbergh, “I am now fully fit after feeling unwell all weekend in Le Mans and have enjoyed some time to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of my local Formula One event coming to Monaco.”

Team Owner and Manager Erv Kanemoto acknowledged the technical challenge of the sometimes-bumpy circuit and is looking forward to testing a new Bridgestone compound for the rear tyre, in round five of the 16-round MotoGP World Championship.

“The Mugello esses are unique and machine set-up is vital there to ensure the correct entry into that section which in turn sets the rider-up for a good exit. We were disappointed coming away from Le Mans but the front tyre compound we used there worked well and should again in Mugello. In partnership with Bridgestone we are working hard on tyre development. We will try a new rear compound in Mugello and testing continues after the event also with a session at the round ten venue, Brno in the Czech republic.”

Kanemoto Racing, 12th placed in the Team championship and Jurgen van den Goorbergh, currently 19th in the riders tables are looking forward to racing in front of the large crowds and great atmosphere guaranteed in Mugello as they aim at their first top-ten finish of the season.




MUGELLO FACT FILE

The Mugello circuit has staged MotoGP since 1991 and enjoys a superb setting amongst the Tuscan countryside, above Florence. The undulating nature of the 5.245km track generates a tremendous atmosphere among fans while providing a demanding test for riders. In 1988 the Mugello circuit was bought by Ferrari, as a test track, who developed the supporting facilities to a high standard.

Length: 5.245km
Direction: Clockwise
Pole Position: Right
Right corners: Nine
Left corners: Six
Width: 14m
Longest Straight: 1,141m
Constructed: 1974

Lap record: Mick Doohan (Honda) 1:53.342/ 166.593 kph (17/5/98)

Pole-setting lap 2001: Valentino Rossi (Honda) 1m54.994s

500cc Race Winner 2001: Alex Barros (Honda) 49m26.006s/146.421km/h

From a press release:

GARRY McCOY OUT FOR JUNE

Red Bull Yamaha rider, Garry McCoy will watch the Italian Grand Prix this weekend from Mondsee Austria, where he is recuperating from an operation he had last week to address the complications he is having with his right leg.

McCoy was operated on in Vienna on Tuesday 21st May immediately following the Le Mans GP where his surgeon Dr. Weinstabl found the cause of the Australians ongoing pain. It was discovered after an MRI scan that Garry had developed bone spurs growing in his ankle. The surprising find was that the spurs were protruding from the bone which he had broken three and a half years ago in August 1998 when he was involved in a crash with fellow Australian Mick Doohan in Brno.

Garry is feeling much better after the surgery and is aiming to be back on the YZR500 by the UK Grand Prix in 5 weeks.

Garry McCoy
“My leg feels a bit better after the operation, in fact quite a bit better. I now have more movement in my ankle both up and down and side to side and I can lift my toes up. I have more movement now than ever before, my muscles in my leg aren’t use to it and I am having physio now to strengthen the area up.

“On Wednesday (one week after the surgery) I walked for the first time without my crutches, I only walked a little bit and it did not feel too bad. I’m training on a stationary cycle already and building up my strength.

“I am happy that the pain has gone at last. The Surgeon said that my leg was a real mess inside, lots of fibrotic tissue in the joints, plus the bone spurs, he said he gave it a good clean out.

“I’m going back home to Andorra next week and I hope to be racing at Donington. I’m really going to concentrate on my recovery and just see how
it goes.

Meanwhile, Frenchman Jean-Michel Bayle, the legendary Motocross Champion and Red Bull Yamaha’s Test Rider for 2002, will continue to ride the YZR500 at Mugello, Italy in place of the injured McCoy.

Peter Clifford, Team Manager
“Jean-Michel tested for us here in Mugello earlier this month in wet conditions and was a great help sorting through tyres and settings. His feedback and experience is tremendously valuable. We are pleased that he will race for us again this weekend and we anticipate that he will be with us for at least the Barcelona GP and the Dutch TT at Assen. JMB will continue to work with our engineers to develop the best possible bike and tyres so that Garry has good equipment when he returns and he is of great support to our “rookie” John Hopkins.”

From a press release issued by New Hampshire International Raceway:

BARNES LEADS HARLEY-DAVIDSON POWERED BUELLS TO LOUDON

(LOUDON, N.H. – May 30, 2002) — With wins in Daytona and Summit Point, W.Va., Michael Barnes will lead the Harley Davidson powered Buell Lightning Series riders to the New Hampshire International Speedway for the 79th Annual Loudon Classic from Friday, June 14 to Sunday, June 16.

Michael has faced strong early season challenges from Bryan Bemisderfer and Richie Morris. Bryan has posted two second place finishes, while Richie has finished fourth in Daytona and third in Summit Point. Bemisderfer has finished both races within six tenths of a second of Barnes.

Michael comes into the Loudon Classic focused and confident.

“I run very well at Loudon. It is the type of track that you need to know where to use your head and when to be patient. If you do that, you will do fine.”

Barnes will be extremely busy during the Classic. Michael will be continuing his championship quest in the Buell Lightning Series, and he is scheduled to compete in the Pro Honda Oils 600 Sportbike and the Lockhart Phillips Pro Superbike events as well.

The Loudon Classic begins at New Hampshire International Speedway on Friday, June 14 and continues through Sunday, June 16. To purchase money-saving advance sale weekend tickets visit the Speedway online at www.nhis.com or call Speedway Guest Services at (603) 783-4931.

From a press release:

MONSTERMOB DUCATI BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM

Round 5
2002 MCN British Superbike Championship
Snetterton – June 2/3rd

HIZZY AND EASTON AIM HIGH FOR SNETTERTON

Round five of the 2002 MCN British Championship heads for Norfolk this weekend and the wide open expanses of the Snetterton circuit whereby championship leader Steve Hislop aims to get back to winning ways.

The MonsterMob Ducati rider leads the series by 34 points after winning four of the eight races to date and is hoping to put last weekend’s disappointment of two non-finishes at Silverstone World Superbikes behind him as he concentrates on the job in hand.

“I was glad to get away from Silverstone as I had it all to lose and very little to gain but I’m hoping for a major points haul this weekend. I was gutted when John Reynolds beat me there in both races last year and I’m determined not to let that be the case again but the 1000cc four cylinder machines will be a force as will the other Ducatis” said the 40 year old Scot.

Meanwhile, team mate Stuart Easton will also be hoping for better luck than at Silverstone as he aims to increase his advantage at the top of the Supersport championship which he leads by 37 points after winning the last four races on the belt.

The 17-year-old from Hawick crashed out of the world round last weekend in torrential rain but is confident of making it unprecedented five consecutive wins at Snetterton aboard the 748 MonsterMob Ducati

“The main aim this weekend is to maintain or ideally increase the series points lead and the bike will suit the circuit. Last weekend was just a blip and the result didn’t really matter but I’m deadly serious about performing well at Snetterton” said Easton.

For Team Owner Paul Bird, the weekend will be a hectic one as he shuttles to and forth from the Isle of Man whereby he’s overseeing Honda’s TT effort but he’s hoping for normal service to be resumed at the Norfolk circuit:

“Last weekend at Silverstone is best forgotten about and we’re here to concentrate on the British Championship which is what Steve and Stuart are both totally focussed on. It will be tough all round but I’m confident we can come away with a string of good results” said the Penrith businessman.