Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Last man standing: Bostrom celebrates his Sunday win. Like Hayden, the Califoman's future prospects are already the subject of much speculation. u!JiJ@ [f](}[jD@~ @@@@f]@ The AMA Pro Racing Board has offered an amended set of proposed technical rules for the 2003 AMA/Chevy Trucks U.S. Superblke Championship after collating the feedback from the various teams. The Road Race Advisory Board met with various AMA officials Friday night at Virginia Intemational Raceway to discuss the fonn of the fInal rules. "(The year] 2003 is a year of transition for Superbike racing in the U.S. and around the world," AMA Pro Radng president Scott Hollingsworth said in a cover letter to the proposals. "While we must make an effort to balance competition in 2003, our primary concern is 2004 and beyond, and the establishment of a technical specification for Superbikes that may be applied in FIM World Superbike competition and by other national federations. In our discussions with the FIM and the MSMA, we have been asked to provide an altemative to air restrictors to create parity between twins and multicylinder equipment." Hollingsworth was referring to the World Superbike proposal, which allows for unlimited engine modifications but a restriction on intake. The consensus opinion in the AMA paddock is that the fonnula presents problems of equity among the various engine configurations. Altematives to everyone of the previous AMA proposals have been offered. Most notable are the changes in the valvetrain rules. The original proposal mandated that "stock valves and retainers must be utilized," along with aftermarket cams. That combination, according to various engine builders and crew chiefs, was a recipe for engine failure. The new proposals suggest various possibilities. One is "aftennarket valves, springs and retainers." Another is "aftermarket valves (standard size), springs, and retainers." And a third is "aftermarket steel valves (standard size), steel springs and steel retainers." The cam changes are to go to stock cams or aftennarket cams with stock lift. Clearly, there's more flexibility in the choices for the valvetrain options, which would allow for increased performance and reliability. The first crankshaft proposal was to use a stock piece with "necessary balancing." The new chokes include "stock with specifIc modifications (polishing, location of balancing holes, etc.); aftennarket but must weigh no less than three percent of stock crank. Spec to be published." Aftennarket pjstons, piston rings, and rings have been offered as an alternative to all stock pieces. There are also alternatives to Gitte,. (1 :32.463); 42. Scott Jensen (1 :32.767). RACE ONE: I. Nicky Hoyden (Hon); 2. Doug long-term race, not these sprint races - sprint race, sprint race," he said. "When you get down to the third or fourth restart, I said, 'Let's finish this thing.' 1 can't believe they allowed that many starts." On the final start, Chandler went with a slightly harder front tire and "then I had a couple of moments when I lost the front in the last turn and 1 thought, 'No, I'm going to go home.'" Disalvo was next, alone, with Jensen sixth and Parriott seventh. "I was watching my pitboard," Parriott, who ran the same set of slicks for the duration, said. "I knew everything was going on up front." eN ChzlOdler (Due); 3. Miguel DuHamel (Hon); 4. Kurtis Roberts (Hon); 5. Pascel Picotte (Duc); 6. Brian Uvengood (Suz); 7. Vincent Haskovec (Suz); 8. Geoff May (Suz); 9. Andrew Deatherage (Suz); 10. Brien Parriott (Suz); 11. Deem Mizdal (Suz); 12. Jeremy Toye (Suz); 13. John Dugan (Suz); 14. Justin Blake (Suz); 15. Alan Schmidt (Suz); 16. Michael Fitzpatrick (Suz); 17. Scott Jensen (Suz); 18. Tom Monlllno (Yam); 19. Marco Martinez (Suz); 20. Christopher Ronkln (Suz); 21. John Jocobi (Suz); 22. Scott Cllrpenter (Suz); 23. Robert Christrmm (Suz); 24. J. J. Roetlin (Suz); 25. Shone Clzlrke (Suz); 26. Mat Mladin (Suz); 27. Jemie Hacking (Suz); 28. Robert Jensen (Suz); 29. Giovanni ROjtJ5 (Suz); 30. C.R. Gittere (Suz); 31. Eric Bostrom (KlIw); 32. Aaron Yates (Suz); 33. Chris Rankin (Suz). Time: 40 min., 57.941 sec. Distance: 28 leps, 62.3 miles Average speed: 92.682 mph Margin of victory: 8.029 sec. RACE TWO: 1. Eric Bostrom (KDW); 2. Met MlDdin (SUl); 3. Aeron Vetes (SUl); 4. Doug Chendler (Duc); 5. Jason Diselvo (Suz); 6. Robert Jensen (SUl); 7. Brien Perriott (Suz); 8. Brien Livengood (SUl); 9. Eric Wood (Suz); 10. Andrew Deatherege (Suz); 11. Pescel Picotte (Duc); 12. Tom Montano (Yam); 13. Jeremy Toye (Suz); 14. Dean Mizdal (Suz); 15. Justin Bloke (Suz); 16. John Dugon (Suz); 17. John Jacobi (Suz); 18. Marco Martinez (Suz); 19. Alan Schmidt (Suz); 20. Scott Corpenter (Suz); 21. Scott Jensen (Suz); 22. Christopher Rankin (Suz); 23. J.J. Roetlin (Suz); 24. C.R.Gittere (Suz); 25. Miguel DuHamel (Hon); 26. Micheel Fitzpatrick (Suz); 27. Vincent Haskovec (Suz); 28. Kurtis Roberts (Suz); 29. Chris Renkin (Suz); 30. Nicky Heyden (Hon); 31. Giovanni Rojas (Suz); 32. Robert Christman (Suz). Time: 1 hour, 31 min., 54.065 sec. Distance: 28 leps, 62.3 miles Average speed: N/A due to red neg. Margin of victory: .004 sec. AMA/CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. SUPERBIKE C'SHW POINTS STANDINGS (Alter 16 of 16 rounds): I. Nicky Hoyden (488{9 wins); 2. Eric Bostrom (451/4 wins); 3. Miguel DuHamel (381/2 wins): 4. Pascal Picotte (350); 5. Aaron Yates (345); 6. Brian Parriott (308); 7. Mat Mladin (300); 8. (TIE) Brian Uvengood (294)/Doug Chondler (294); 10. Jomie Hocking (260); 11. Andrew Deatherage (252); 12. Vincent Heskovec (210); 13. Jason DiSlllvo (174); 14. Rich Conicelli (165); 15. (TIE) Robert Jensen (163)/Anthony Gobert (163/1 Win); 17. Deon Mizdol (159); 18. John Dugon (146); 19. Alon Schmidt (138); 20. Mor<:o Mortinez (134). Vlrainia Inll!matlonal Raceway Albin, Virainia Results: August 16-11, 2m (Rounds lSn &of 1&1 S(JPERBIKE QUALIFYING: I. Nicky Hoyden (1:24.762); 2. Mot Mlodin (1:24.856); 3. Aoron Yates (I :25.056); 4. Eric Bostrom (1 :25.236); 5. Jomie Hackin9 (1:25.272); 6. Miguel DuHamel 91:25.558); 7. Doug Chandler (1:25.932); 8. Kurtis Roberts (1:26.547); g. Pascal Picotte (1:26.778); 10. Geoff Moy (1:28.642); 11. Robert Jensen (1;28.799): 12. Brhm Livengood (1 ;29.146); 13. Chris Ceylor (1:29.162); 14. Vincent Hoskovec (1:29.410); 15. Jimmy Moore (1:29.441); 16. Jeson Disalvo (1:29.701); 17. Croig Connell (1:29.753); 18. Chris Ulrich (1:29.883); 19. Eric Wood (1:30.022); 20. Lee Acree (1:30.165); 21. Chris Ronkin (1:30.451); 22. Andrew Deathenlge (1:30.458); 23. Brian Parriott (1:30.470); 24. John Dugon (1:30.555); 25. Jeremy Toye (1:30.596); 26. Dean Mizdol (1:30.687); 27. Alan Schmidt (1 :30.978); 28. Gtovllnni Rojes (1:31.046); 29. Christopher Ronkin (1:31.101); 30. Jemes Compton (I :31.223); 31. John Jacobi (1:31.237); 32. Shone Clorke (1:31.503); 33. Jocob Holden (1:31.575); 34. Morco Mortinez (1:31.684); 35. Scott Carpenter (1:31.698); 36. Justin Blake (1:31.796); 37. Michoel Fitzpotrick (1:32.393); 38. Thomas Monteno (1:32.427); 39. Robert ChrisUnan (1 :32.430); 40. J.J. Roetlin (I :32.445); 41. C.R. transmissions, clutches, and ignition systems, as well as to throttle bodJes and air boxes, and exhaust systems. On the chassis side, the flfSt plan called for lOOOcc three and four-cylinder to be subject to current Superbike rules concerning frames, suspension, wheels, brakes, and bodywork. The new choices are "stock frames, aftermarket swingarms and suspension; frames specifically modified "bracing only in certain areas, etc.), aftermarket swinganns and suspension; 6.5 inch rear wheel width." The current limit is 6.25, though 6.5 inch wheels have been used in the past, with less success than the current rules. Three altematives on the weight of the motorcycles were also proposed, with one proposal allowing all motorcycles to weight 355 Ibs. In order to bring more diversity to the Pro Honda Oils Supersport class, 750cc V-twins were proposed in the original document. The new alternatives are for no 750 V-twins or 750 Vtwins with a weight requirement, The AMA was to take the results of the Road Race Advisory Board meeting and present it to the Pro Racing Board, who are expected to announce a fmal set of rules in 30 days. "[The year] '04 is almost supposed to wipe the slate clean, [and] '03 is supposed to teach us how to do that," AMA Director of Competition Merrill Vanderslice said. "nus was an extremely important meeting to us. We still have steps to go through, not the least of which is working with the FIM and MSMA (a coalition that includes the four Japanese brands, Ducati, and Aprilia)." Vanderslice said that, though it would be nice to work globally, "We've got to think of the U.S. interests." The AMA is going to gather all the infonnation from the meeting, collate it, and present it to the Pro Racing Board, then get the message to the F1M. Vanderslice said that the AMA had heard that the FIM proposal, which allows for nearly unlimited modifications of the engine and a restricted inductions system, is being questioned. ·We can't lOO percent confIrm that because we have no test data," Vanderslice said. Instead, Vanderslice said that the AMA proposal is not that dissimilar from the domestic championships in Great Britain, Japan, and Australia. The AMA is, however, operating somewhat in the dark because the manufacturers haven't told them what future models they might be developing. "It's precision guesswork," Vanderslice said. Blimpie/Yoshimura Suzuki team manager Don Sakakura said that it "seems to be the manufacturers consensus to keep it close to production as far as engine. Suzuki has a slightly different position. We'd like to see more of the FIM position on components." Specifically, Sakakura said they'd like more flexibility with gearbox options. "Gearboxes, I feel, are a very important part of tuning," Sakakura said. Yoshimura offers a reasonably priced competition gearbox, available to privateers, that's more durable than the stock piece and has a wider selection of ratios. Sakakura said that jf they could convince the AMA to make a few more changes, the GSX-Rl000 would be competitive in 2003. "If we can convince the AMA to make some changes, I think we could be competitive with the current leveL It depends on their final decision, he said." "Talk to the AMA," Kawasaki's Mike Preston, who was one of the more vocal participants at the meeting, said. "I have no comment." American Honda's Chuck Miller said two positives came out of the meeting. One was that the AMA was well represented. Vice presidents Andy Leisner and John Farris were there, as well as Director of Competition Vanderslice, Road Race Manager Ron Barrick, Technical Manager Rob King, and others. The second was that "it's not a done deal. Nothing is a done deal yet. We're still working through the process." Miller said he was frustrated because he felt that it still seems Honda is the target. "In our opinion, we're not too far off from the inline 750's," Miller said, adding that Suzuki is coming off three championship years and Kawasaki is close. "Nicky's (Hayden) had a successful season so far." Miller made the point that if Ducatl was serious about racing in America, and had Hayden or Bostrom, they'd be a threat. But since Ducati doesn't have a voice on the Road Race Advisory Board, Honda is the only V-twin. The various rules proposals were voted on in the meeting. with Miller's position being "We don't want Superstock or Supersport racing in Superbike. We want Superbike racing." Yamaha's Keith McCarty wasn't at the meeting, but he was aware of the proceedings. "I think the things that are proposed, it's seems like there's a lot of objectives, one of our choices matches about six of those objectives, it doesn't match one," he said. "For me I would look at what's the next logical thing to do." Talk of 2003 being a transitional year was something McCarty worried about, and whether the classes would change again in 2004. "There's so many things as far as rules are concerned, some stability, some rules. How long is that going to be good for? There's so many questions as to their idea of the fonnat, the Superbike class, the 600 class, Formula Xtreme class of some sort and then a 750 class. Well how long are 750's going to be around? That puts more pressure on the other three classes. Will we be racing Formula Xtreme and Superbike with the same thing? It's a very difficult thing. I'm not sure what the resolution is." cue. _ n _ "'" S • AUGUST21,200213

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