October 2003 Race News Around the World c/o mcnews

MotoGP 2003 - Round 13 - Motegi - Race Report, October 5^th, 2003

John Hopkins fell at turn one and the resulting carnage took out Troy Bayliss and Carlos Checa. As they got the black and white flag it was Biaggi the safe winner from Rossi with Tamada coming home third, Hayden a well ridden fourth and Gibernau recovered for fifth place to salvage some reasonable points. However, after the race, officials disqualified Tamada from the results for his overtaking move on Gibernau.  In another move by race direction, Suzuki rider, John Hopkins, has been told that he will not be able to race at the next GP as a penalty for his turn one error.

MotoGP 2003 - Round 13 - Motegi - 125 Race, October 5^th, 2003

As the final two laps unfolded the battle for the win had thinned down to Barbera, Stoner and Dovizioso. This trio battled hard all the way to the flag but Stoner once again had to settle for bridesmaid as Barbera took the win with the young Australian taking second place.

MotoGP 2003 - Round 13 - Motegi - 250 Race, October 5^th, 2003

Honda's Toni Elias had a day to remember with a convincing victory over Rolfo.  The battle for second place was where the action was in this race.  Poggiali completed the podium and retains the championship lead by 18 points over Rolfo.

Daryl Beattie becomes Australian ambassador for MV Agusta, October 9^th, 2003

Motorcycle 500cc grand prix race winner Daryl Beattie is the new public ambassador for prestigious Italian brands MV Agusta and Cagiva in Australia. His first task will be to participate in a tribute honouring former Network Ten television colleague Barry Sheene.

Aussie wins world's best Yamaha motorcycle technician award

Inskip Motorcycles’ Richard Hair is officially the world’s best Yamaha motorcycle service technician. The 46 year old from Raymond Terrace, NSW, has scooped the 2003 World Yamaha Motorcycle Technician Grand Prix held at Yamaha’s Japan HQ recently.

MotoGP 2003 - Round 14 - Sepang - 125 Race, October 12^th, 2003

While all the fairing bashing and action was going on for 2^nd place, the soon to be crowned 2003 World Champion was running strong out in front with a clear 5 second lead with a couple of laps remaining. A few drops of rain fell on the final lap making things just a little more tricky for the riders but Kallio held on to take 2^nd from Lorenzo.

MotoGP 2003 - Round 14 - Sepang - 250 Race, October 12^th, 2003

The battle between Poggiali and Nieto went all the way to the wire but the race winner, Toni Elias, was in a class of his own at Sepang today.  None of the other riders could get within a second of his pace at any stage of the race as the young Spaniard made it look easy out in front.

MotoGP 2003 - Round 14 - Sepang - Race Report, October 12^th, 2003

Rossi led Gibernau around the final lap with a lead of 2 seconds with Max Biaggi a further 5 seconds down in third.  Meanwhile Hayden was desperately trying to hold off Checa as the Yamaha rider tried to come back at him in the closing stages of the race.  But Hayden did manage to hang on take fourth by 5 hundredths of a second over Checa. With that win Valentino Rossi has retained his World MotoGP Championship as he now has a 63 point buffer over Gibernau with only two races remaining.

World Superbike 2004 - Ducati confirms Laconi & Toseland for WSBK in 2004, October 16^th, 2003

Ducati Corse confirmed its official participation in the World Superbike championship, the world’s most important production-based racing category, and announced that Regis Laconi and James Toseland will spearhead the Ducati Fila team attack in the 2004 championship on board the Ducati 999 factory bikes.

MotoGP 2003 - Round 15 - Phillip Island - 125 Race, October 19^th, 2003

Ballerini pulled away from Azuma to have 6-second lead as they got the last lap board. The 30 year old Italian then went on to record his first ever GP win from 53 GP starts.  It was also the first time he had scored a podium finish.  Only 17 riders managed to finish the race. Azuma took 2^nd place in his last season as the Japanese rider earlier announced that he will retire at the end of the season.

MotoGP 2003 - Round 15 - Phillip Island - 250 Race, October 19^th, 2003

As they got the last lap board Rolfo had 11.3-seconds on West who in turn had 13-seconds on the now third placed Nieto. Rolfo takes a well earned win, West 2nd, Nieto 3^rd.

MotoGP 2003 - Round 15 - Phillip Island - Race Report, October 19^th, 2003

Bayliss came down hard on the run to Honda Corner. He appeared to be knocked out. Rossi was then given a 10 second penalty for passing Melandri under a yellow flag from the Bayliss incident.  But Rossi had a healthy 3.8-second lead with 14 laps to run, and Rossi had to win by over 10 seconds, so retaining the win looked possible.  Hayden put a great move on Gibernau at the 'Hayshed' to take 3^rd place as the final lap wound down, Rossi the winner, Capirossi 2^nd, and Hayden does get 3^rd.

Ten Kate - All Aussies again, October 12^th, 2003

Karl Muggeridge and Broc Parkes will ride for World Champions, Ten Kate Honda, in the 2004 World Supersport championship aboard the all-conquering CBR600RR machine.

Possible merging of activities between MV Agusta and Proton, October 31^st, 2003

Claudio Castiglioni, sole shareholder of the MV Agusta Group, has been visiting Malaysia to explore business opportunities. On this trip a meeting was set up with representatives of the government and industries of Malaysia. During the meetings the Malaysians showed an interest in the technical, productive and heritage of the MV Agusta Group and what has happened in regards to the relaunch of activities.