Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

c [ ~ Continued from page 3 way to do it. What actually happens is you give the command to a computer that sends it to the engine. It's some- c c c c c c E c [ r The Foggy Petronas team tested in Misano. Italy. during the week of November 22. with team members Troy Corser (shown) and James Haydon. Both Corser and Haydon were able to work with both of their Foggy FPl bikes through the varied testing schedule. the team says. This included assessment of modifications for the temperature management systems. further chassis and engine development and a series of tests with aerodynamic parts, although progress was slow at times due to changeable weather conditions and Intermittent showers over the three-day test. "The overall test has been very positive. with Troy and James able to improve their lap times and bike set-up each day," team owner Carl Fogarty said in a press release. "The track here at Misano doesn't dry out quickly, though, which lost us valuable running time, but we have still made steady and worthwhile progress. The team is doing a great job, and it's been really good to be here with everybody for the last three days... Corser also came away relatively pleased. "We probably didn't get to work through as much of the testing program as we'd hoped. but I'm really pleased with the work we have done and the results achieved," Corser said. "Ideally. you need dry conditions to fully test the bike at this stage of development, and this track isn't good at shedding the rain we had. You can really only get a good and safe wet set-up once you have found the right dry set-ups, and we're still working on that, but the steps we've made over the last three days have been solid ... Haydon concurred: "I've found this test really encouraging, particularly by having reduced my lap times day after day. Even on the first day of the test, we are achieving lap times that were closer to the lap record at a circuit than we have achieved on the first day at any previous test. It's frustrating that I couldn't run more laps due to the rain. as this circuit is one that it is very important to get a feel for, as the riding line is not always where you think it will or should be. The new engines we had felt good - strong and consistent - and I'm confident we're making clear progress. " -=:, r L. ment are confidential and therefore not disclosed, the release states. The fourth and final round of the La Playa Motocross Series. titled the La Playa Masters of Motocross. will take place on December 1 at "EI Descanso Beach," just half a mile south of the traditional Cantamar Sand Dunes in Rosarito Beach. Mexico. Practice will be open all day on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday morning with the first race slated for 10 a.m. The track for the big bikes remains a 100 percent sand track, while the ATVs, Pee Wees. and mini bikes will race on a new dirt track built right next to the ocean. The California Motorcycle Association and Clawson Motorsports have announced the 2002 Grizzlies Supercross. a supercross scheduled for Grizzly Stadium in Fresno, California. December 7-8. For more information, call 559/673-8080. Ducati Corse's test session at Spain's Jere.z de la Frontera circuit last week was disturbed by bad weather, ruining any attempt by the Italian team' s two riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss to put in some consistent laps during the second day of the scheduled three-day session, according to a press release issued by Ducati. After rain had fallen throughout the night and most of the day. Capirossi and Bayliss were only able to take to the track late in the afternoon, when it was still wet but the rain had ceased. Bayliss completed 32 laps and Capirossi did 18. The Desmosedici. which ran on a wet surface for the first time. satisfied both riders. Ducati says. Despite the considerable power available. both Capirossi and Bayliss were enthusiastic about the engine's performance and the bike's 'driveability' even in low-grip conditions. the release states. Capirossi also completed six laps with the engine in 'Twin Pulse' configuration, receiving positive indications, Bad weather again affected the team on its final day. While Capirossi tested the 'Four Pulse' version of the Italian V-four The Pro Circuit Race Support Team will be on hand at the Winter Olympics in Florida over the Thanksgiving weekend to assist with motorcycle setup. For more information. call 909/738-8050. The opening round of the GFI 2003 Winter Series will be held December 22 at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino. California. For more information, call 909/341 -8002. C C C c Tucker Rocky, the owner of the ProTaper handlebar brand, and Renthal, the manufacturer of the Fatbar, have settled their patent dispute. according to a release issued by ProTaper. Renthal has agreed to a license on the Tucker Rocky-owned patents. Details of the royalties or other terms of the settle- 8 c o system was pretty powerful. I closed the throttle at the moment I thought best. then there was a delay of a fraction of a second, the rear wheel started slipping and I went for a slide. It wouldn't have made any difference if it had happened immediately or after an entire day of testing: it's a reaction in the system that I've learned to understand. I'm amazed by the Cube, it's an extraordinary bike. You can customize it as much as you like with no end of different settings it's a lab on two wheels, really special. I was expecting a lot of power. but certainly not that much. We did a lot of work, in spite of the rain. It must be said you can't feel changes in the set-up nearly as much when you' re riding in the wet. but I think we've been able to do some good work that'll help us in the forthcoming sessions. So I'm very monoxide. The California standard for 2008, which would also be the national standard beginning in 2010, sets a limit of 0.8 grams per kilometer of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides and 12 grams per kilometer of carbon monoxide. The current federal emissions standards for street motorcycles are 5.0 grams of hydrocarbons and 12 grams of carbon monoxide per kilometer traveled. The EPA is accepting written comments on its proposed street motorcycle emissions rules until January 7. You can e-mail comments to mcnprm@epa.gov. or go to the Rapid Response Center at the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com to send comments. L thing new and has to be learned. My very first experience, my debut with this 64 DECEMBER 4, 2002· cue • • fte_s engine. Bayliss ran the Desmosedici with the 'Twin Pulse' layout. The Australian established a good feeling with this version of the power-unit. which adapts well to low-grip conditions, a team release said. The factory Aprilia team also tested at Jerez with Colin Edwards and Noriyuki Haga riding the Cube MotoGP entry. Gigi dall'lgna, head of the MotoGP division of the Racing Department of Noale confirmed: "The two Aprilia RS Cubes went out onto the track with the same configuration as in the last races this year. We sure haven't been too lucky in terms of the weather conditions over the past few days, but we still managed to complete a number of tasks we had scheduled. At the beginnin9. we needed to find exactly the right position on the saddle for the two riders, and this, of course, took time. but then we carried out a number of tests on adjusting the settings and then worked on the ignition software. We've certainly gathered a lot of data, and this means we'lI be able to establish a work program for the next tests in a fortnight [two weeksl. We also got some good references from the first tests on Michelin tires. Fickle weather conditions during the three days meant we've been out on rain tires. intermediates and slicks." Colin Edwards suffered a crash on the first day of the test and the Texan injured an elbow that reqUired a few stitches. He got back out on the bike the follOWing day, however. "Monday's fall was my first real 'contact' with the system the RS Cube uses to unleash its horsepower. Edwards said. "I've spent 24 years of my life learning to open up the gas on a racing bike, and on Monday I suddenly discovered a completely new pleased and even though my elbow does hurt a bit when I think about it, it never bothered me when I was actually on my bike and riding. Now I can't wait for the next tests to carry on developing the Cube, a bike I think has all the potential of a winner, and one I really want to get a good feeling for. " TransWorid Motocross Magazine will be holding its second annual free ride day at Perris. California's Starwest Motocross Park, on December 14. This time the event will revolve around a youth demo ride conducted by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. The ride is designed to introduce kids from age 6 to 12 to riding in a fun and safe environment. According to Rob Gladden at the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, "If your son or daughter has expressed an interest in learning to ride a motorcycle, this is an easy and inexpensive way for them to try it." There is no cost for the ride day, and no experience is required. A parent or guardian must provide a signature, but small trail bikes and riding gear will be provided. More experienced riders can come out and ride on Starwest's main track and pee-wee track at no charge. For more information, call 714/247-0077.ext. 235. or log on to www.transworldmx.com. Kawasaki Motors Corp .. U.S.A. has announced the planned retirement of Paul Trotta, executive vice president, sales. According to Steve Hamada, president. Trotta's departure will coincide with the close of this calendar year. Hamada simultaneously announced that Tony Murr, assistant vice president, sales will be promoted. effective January 1, to the post of vice pre~ident, sales.

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