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1. Yates Crowned 2002 Champion Of Honda Oils Supersport
2. AMA, Clear Channel announce multi-year supercross agreement after initial split (4-13-02)
3. AMA Racing announces proposed rules changes to 2003 AMA U.S. Superbike Championship (6-29-02)
4. AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship slims down to five classes in 2003, four by 2004 (6-29-02)
5. AMA U.S. Superbike Championship Proposed Rule Changes (6-27-02)
6. Buell Firebolt Scores first national roadrace victory (6-17-02)
7. AMA Pro Racing forms medical advisory board to implement uniform race medical care
8. Hacking loses points, Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki fined for equipment violation
9. R1/R7 Hybrid no longer legal for AMA Formula Extreme racing
10. Ducati launches new North American web site
1. YATES CROWNED 2002 CHAMPION OF PRO HONDA OILS SUPERSPORT

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – Aaron Yates wrapped up the 2002 Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Championship at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Sunday by taking his fifth series win of the year. It marks the second individual AMA road racing championship for Yates, a 28-year-old factory Suzuki rider from Milledgeville, Ga. He won the AMA Superstock (then known as 750 Supersport) championship in 1996, and was also a member of the championship-winning Cycle Motion Racing AMA SuperTeams squad in 1995. SuperTeams was a multi-rider endurance style competition that evolved into what is today Formula Xtreme. Yates is the first rider in six years to secure the highly competitive AMA U.S. Supersport Championship before the final race. Miguel Duhamel was the last rider to pull off that feat in 1996.
Yates began the year by winning the prestigious Daytona round for the first time in his career. It was considered a big breakthrough for Yates to win that race. With his six foot and 173-pound frame, Yates, who gave away about a 30- to 40-pound disadvantage to most other top riders, was never considered a top contender on the Supersport machines at the horsepower hungry Daytona International Speedway road course.

Yates backed up his Daytona victory with West Coast wins at California Speedway and Sears Point Raceway to open up a big lead in the series. He then went on to win at Road America and Mid-Ohio and posted podium finishes at Road Atlanta, Brainerd and Laguna Seca. His victory at Mid-Ohio was a bold move by Yates. He had a large enough lead in the series that he only needed 10th-place or better finish to wrap up the title. Instead of playing it conservatively, Yates went out and won his first Mid-Ohio Supersport race.

"Mid-Ohio has always been a real fun track for me," said Yates after winning the race. "I've always gone real well here. I've never really put it all together in a 600 race. I've been there a few times and fell off towards the end. But this weekend I was just thinking yeah, I could take it easy and ride around and clinch the championship, or I can go out and ride hard and try to win the race. And if something happens, I got a pretty good cushion, I can still go out the next weekend and try and get in the top ten."

With his 12-career victories Yates is third on the all-time AMA Supersport wins list. It marks the third AMA Supersport championship for Suzuki, with Yates following in the footsteps on Doug Polen (1988) and Steve Crevier (1998) – the other AMA Supersport champions who rode for Suzuki.

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2. AMA Pro racing, Clear Channel Entertainment's Motorsports Division announce multi-year supercross agreement.
AMA Pro Racing and Clear Channel Entertainment's Motor Sports division today announced a seven year
2. AMA Pro racing, Clear Channel Entertainment's Motorsports Division announce multi-year supercross agreement.
AMA Pro Racing and Clear Channel Entertainment's Motor Sports division today announced a seven year agreement for the 2003-2009 AMA Supercross seasons, extending the 28-year relationship between the two organizations. The agreement provides that AMA Pro Racing will continue to sanction all supercross motorcycle races produced and promoted by Clear Channel Entertainment in the United States. After lengthy discussions, both groups concluded that working together was in the best interest of supercross riders, fans, sponsors, television viewers, race teams, AMA Pro Racing and Clear Channel Entertainment, and positions supercross for significant future growth.
Charlie Mancuso, president of Clear Channel Entertainment's Motor Sports division, said, "We are proud to announce the continuation of our long-standing relationship with AMA Pro Racing, and are thrilled to focus all of our efforts on taking the sport of supercross to the next level and beyond. Our job is to work hand-in-hand with AMA Pro Racing to continue the rapid growth and development of the most successful motorcycle racing series in the world. We want to thank the riders, fans, race teams and sponsors for all of their patience and support during the past few months."

PJ Harvey, chairman of AMA Pro Racing, said, "The last few months have felt a bit like a lap around a supercross track -- fast, furious and with its fair share of bumps. But in the end, we have come to realize that continuing our relationship with Clear Channel Entertainment most effectively meets the needs of AMA Pro Racing to continue growing the sport. We're very excited to continue working together with Clear Channel and share Charlie's sentiments that it's time to focus on the future."

The following are the 16 events on the 2003 AMA Supercross Series schedule:
January 4 - Edison International Field, Anaheim, Calif.
January 11 - Bank One Ballpark, Phoenix
January 18 - Edison International Field, Anaheim, Calif.
January 25 - Pacific Bell Park, San Francisco
February 1 - Edison International Field, Anaheim, Calif.
February 8 - Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
February 15 - Metrodome, Minneapolis
February 22 - Georgia Dome, Atlanta
March 1 - RCA Dome, Indianapolis
March 8 - Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla.
March 22 - The Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis
March 29 - Reliant Park, Houston
April 5 - Silverdome Pontiac, Mich.
April 12 - Texas Stadium, Dallas
April 26 - Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City
May 3 - Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas

The 16 rounds of the 2003 AMA Supercross Series, combined with two international events which will take place in December of 2002 will comprise the 18-round 2002-2003 FIM Supercross World Championship.

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3. AMA Pro Racing announces proposed rules changes to 2003 AMA U.S. Superbike Championship
To better reflect motorcycle market changes and create a more level playing field, AMA Pro Racing today announced several rule-change proposals for the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship and the highly competitive AMA Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Championship beginning with the 2003 competition season.

Starting in 2003, the AMA Superbike Championship will be open to competitors using 1000cc multi-cylinder machines with specific restrictions on weight and engine modifications. Given these restrictions, it is expected that current 750cc four-cylinder and 1000cc twin-cylinder machines will remain competitive in the series.

Additionally, the new 1000cc multi-cylinder machines also will be eligible to compete in the AMA Lockhart Phillips Formula Xtreme class, adding incentive for teams to compete in both classes. The AMA Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Championship also will see a significant rule change. Starting next year, 750cc twin-cylinder machines will be eligible for the championship.

As part of these rules changes, no existing racing motorcycles will be made obsolete in 2003.
"The primary reason for these rules modifications is to help create an environment that allows more teams and riders to participate and be competitive in our premier road-racing championship, AMA Superbike," said Scott Hollingsworth, AMA Pro Racing's CEO. "We've always believed that AMA Superbike racing should more closely reflect what is selling in the high-performance motorcycle marketplace and these changes should address that." These proposed rules changes are based on input gathered over the last year and a half from the AMA Pro Racing Road Race Advisory Board, riders, teams, manufacturers, promoters, fans and media.

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4. AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship slims down to five classes in 2003, four by 2004
As part of many proposed rule changes for the next two years, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship will be streamlined from six classes to five in 2003, and then down to four classes in 2004, AMA Pro Racing has announced today.
The changes are designed to improve race operations and provide more track time to riders, but also allow greater emphasis on the premier racing championships of AMA Superbike and AMA Supersport. AMA Pro Racing is in negotiations with WERA Motorcycle Roadracing to take on the AMA Buell Pro Thunder Series in 2003, and the AMA MBNA 250 Grand Prix Series in 2004. After the move to WERA, neither class will be run as part of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship.

"We see our WERA National Challenge Series as a great fit for these two classes," said WERA's Evelyne Clarke. "We are excited about adding these two premier classes to our program and look forward to working with AMA Pro Racing as its provider of 'future stars'."

It is anticipated that some of the teams participating in the Buell Pro Thunder class will move into AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport or AMA Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock competition under current AMA Superstock rules and 2003 AMA Supersport rules changes that will allow 750cc twin-cylinder machines to compete. "We want to bring better focus to the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship, and reorganizing and streamlining the championship will help us do that," said Scott Hollingsworth, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. "Fewer classes will allow us to do things that will benefit race operations, riders, fans and promoters. To take AMA professional road racing to a higher level, we have to do fewer things and do them better."

AMA Superbike will continue to be the premier class in the series as it has been since 1987. With new rules coming next year, it is anticipated that the grids will grow and the gap between the factory teams and the privateer teams will shrink. AMA Supersport will continue to grow in importance, and new rules will help bring even more brands into the championship.

AMA Pro Racing licensed riders and credential holders may comment on the proposed rules changes during a 30-day comment period that is set for Thursday, June 27, through Friday, July 26. After the 30-day comment period concludes, AMA Pro Racing will review any suggested changes before sending the package to the AMA Pro Racing Board of Directors for final ratification.

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5. AMA U.S. Superbike Championship Proposed Rule Changes
The following proposals are designed for sweeping improvement of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship beginning with the 2003 season. Input from the AMA Pro Road Race Advisory Board, teams, riders, promoters, media and AMA Pro Racing staff was utilized in creating these proposals. All aspects of the series, from competition to marketing, were reviewed and considered.

AMA Pro Racing road race competitors and credential holders have the opportunity to express their opinions and offer suggestions regarding these proposals. The changes mainly cover general technical aspects of Superbike, Supersport and Superstock. Any other changes to the 2003 road racing rules will be proposed in the fall.

Road race competitors and credential holders are invited to submit comments. The comment period starts Thursday, June 27, 2002, and ends Friday, July 26, 2002.

03-1. Superbike
- 1000cc three- and four-cylinder motorcycles will be permitted for competition that meets the following criteria. 750cc fours and 1000cc twins would continue under the current Superbike rules:

1. 1000cc threes and fours will be subject to all current Superbike rules concerning frames, suspension, wheels, brakes and bodywork.

2. Weight: 1000cc three-cylinder machines 360 lbs. 1000cc four-cylinder machines 370 lbs.

3. Engines
    - Cylinder heads: Porting and machining will be permitted.
    - Stock valves and retainers must be utilized.
    - Aftermarket cams permitted.
    - Cylinders, engine cases and connecting rods will be subject to current Superbike rules.
    - Crankshaft: Stock except for necessary balancing.
    - Stock pistons, piston pins and rings must be utilized.
    - Transmissions must retain stock ratios.
    - Ignition systems will be subject to current Supersport rules.
    - Charging systems and starters will not be required.
    - Fuel injection, carburetors and air boxes will be subject to current Supersport rules except air filters and emissions plumbing will not be required.
    - Exhaust systems will be subject to current Superbike rules.
    - Homologation would require motorcycles to be originally U.S. street-legal.

03-2. Supersport

1. 750cc twin-cylinder motorcycles will be permitted for competition provided current homologation procedures are followed by manufacturers.

2. Machining of gasket surfaces of cylinder heads, cylinders or engine cases for increased compression only will be permitted. The increased compression may help to balance the competition between brands and will eliminate the need to inspect deck heights.

03-3. Superstock

1. Machining of gasket surfaces of cylinder heads, cylinders or engine cases for increased compression only will be permitted. The increased compression may help to balance the competition between brands and will eliminate the need to inspect deck heights.
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6. Buell Firebolt Scores first national roadrace victory
Eric Wood Tops Formula USA Sportbike Field at 79th Annual Loudon Classic

Loudon, NH (June 16, 2002) - Eric Wood rode the new Buell Firebolt XB9R to its first national roadrace victory in the Formula USA Honda Pro Oils Sportbike final held at New Hampshire International Speedway. The race was Wood’s first outing aboard the Kosco Buell/Innovative Motorcycle Research Firebolt, and the first appearance of the team in the highly competitive horsepower and weight restricted class.

“This was a great start for the Firebolt,” said Wood, of Mansfield, Mass. “We just got this bike two weeks ago and ran a club race last weekend to warm it up. The Firebolt has a lot of potential and we’re only going to get stronger as the season goes on.”

Facing a 45-bike field filled with Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki riders, Wood was running a strong second when race leader Scott Greenwood (Suzuki) faltered on lap 19 of the 20-lap feature. Wood stormed into the lead and beat Suzuki riders Michael Barnes and Larry Pegram to the checkered flag.

“The Buell’s tractability and drive off the corners really worked for me at Loudon,” said Wood. “In some turns I was able to put the Buell in places where the four-cylinder bikes couldn't go. The Firebolt has the chassis dynamics of a Grand Prix bike, and the smooth power delivery of the V-Twin engine was really easy on the back tire. As the race worn on, I think my tire was holding up better and I was able to pull away from the field.”

“The Firebolt was designed to be the best backroad bike ever,” said Erik Buell, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of Buell Motorcycle Company. “Loudon is a technically challenging track, just like the backroads we designed the Firebolt to dominate on. My congratulations go out to Eric Wood and the entire Kosco Buell and Innovative Motorcycle Research Team.”

The Formula USA Sportbike class features production-based motorcycles limited to a maximum of 115 horsepower and a minimum of 365 pounds. The Buell Firebolt XB9R is powered by a fuel-injected 984cc V-Twin.

The fourth round of the Formula USA National Road Race Series will take place at Mosport International Raceway at Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, July 19-21.

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7. AMA Pro Racing forms medical advisory board to implement uniform race medical care
AMA Pro Racing has formed a new five-member Medical Advisory Board to implement new standards for trackside medical support of AMA Pro Racing competitors. The medical advisory board is made up of members with extensive experience in motorcycle racing, including: Bob Moore, former FIM World Motocross champion and chairman of the Road 2 Recovery Foundation; AMA Supercross and Motocross doctors John Bodnar, Medical Director, and Stephen Augustine; Duke Finch, AMA Motocross/Supercross manager; and Hugh Fleming, AMA Pro Racing safety and equipment director.

"The medical advisory board was formed by AMA Pro Racing to implement better safety and medical policies for our professional racers," said Scott Hollingsworth, CEO, AMA Pro Racing. "Our goals are to standardize medical services in all of AMA Pro Racing with the eventual aim of providing a mobile hospital that would go to as many events as possible. We will shortly announce our first medical policy dealing with concussions and we hope to establish a medical database of our riders to help better evaluate their condition in the event of an injury."

The mission of the medical advisory board is to promote the safety of the AMA professional athlete, to improve and elevate the quality of on-site medical care available at professional races, and to promote safety and performance research as it relates to professional motorcycle racing.
"The advisory board is working to form policies to benefit the rider's health and safety first and foremost," said Fleming. "The work being done in supercross and motocross is acting as a template for other disciplines. Future goals include augmenting the medical staff with professional trainers and therapists."

The team of Dr. Bodnar and Dr. Augustine work together in covering all AMA Supercross and Motocross events this season thanks in large part to the support of Asterisk, a sub-division of the CTI Kneebrace Company. The addition of these sports-specific doctors, working in conjunction with existing track medical staffs, is helping to better assess and deal with injuries suffered by riders. The board is also formulating standardized policies on how to best deal with specific types of injuries, especially when dealing with head injuries.

Asterisk provides financial assistance for the doctors expenses for both supercross and motocross. Additionally, they have organized and funded the Kawasaki Medical Mule that has been used at the races to provide a prompt response vehicle to assist with injured riders. The AMA Pro Racing Medical Advisory Board is the latest effort by AMA Pro Racing to further the cause of rider safety in motorcycle racing. Last year, with support from throughout the industry, AMA Pro Racing implemented the use of hundreds of feet of additional air modules at AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship races.

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8. Hacking loses points, team Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki fined for equipment violation at Road Atlanta
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- AMA Pro Racing has deducted 10 championship points from Jamie Hacking and fined his Team Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki team $2,000 for using a non-production rear wheel in the AMA Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport race Sunday, May 20 at the Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship event at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga.
The wheel, which was impounded after customary post-race inspection, proved to be lighter than an OEM stock wheel.

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9. AMA Appeal board determines Yamaha R1/R7 Hybrid
not legal for Formula Extreme racing
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- An appeal board that met at AMA Pro Racing headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio, on May 21, 2002, has determined that the Yamaha R1/R7 hybrid motorcycle used by Graves Yamaha in AMA Lockhart Phillips Formula Xtreme competition is not legal.
The board's statement is as follows:
"It is our opinion that the Yamaha R7 does not meet the criteria set forth in Rule No. 24 (d) (2) in spirit or intent. It is also our finding that due to the error by AMA Pro Racing in including the R7 on the list of approved equipment, no team or rider should be penalized for awards received prior to May 21, 2002. The Yamaha R-7 is not legal for competition in Formula Xtreme."
The board specifies that racers who have competed on the R1/R7 hybrid this season will be able to keep the points and purse money earned to date in Formula Xtreme.
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10. Ducati USA Web Site / World Site Check it out!
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