From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

SUZUKI TARGET ANOTHER STEP UP THE LADDER

MotoGP R2. South African GP, Phakisa Freeway, Welkom – April 27, 2003

Team Suzuki goes to South Africa for the second round of the year firmly bent on speeding the development of their all-new 2003 MotoGP machine – the GSV-R.

The second round of the year sees the exciting new machine still at a relatively early stage of its ultimate potential, and the team, riders and factory staff working on two fronts. The short-term aim is to make the most of the possibilities of the race. The longer goal entails a patient search for the crucial combinations of chassis, suspension, gearing and engine performance that will lift the GSV-R to more competitive levels.

At the first round in Japan, both Kenny Roberts Jr. and new team-mate John Hopkins finished in the points, with Hopkins 13th, and the 2000 champion inches behind. This reflected a pair of solid rides, getting the best out of the machine’s first race, with consistent fast laps.

But the position was far below each rider’s capabilities, and also below the true potential of the GSV-R, completely redesigned as a clear step forward from last year’s first-ever four-stroke GP Suzuki.

“Our new machine is a big step forward from last year, and we’d hoped and expected to be closer. But we have to face the facts. All the rivals have made a big step too, and we are in a similar position, having to make up technical ground,” said team manager Garry Taylor.

“Our task is clear. We know exactly what areas of the machine need to be improved. The factory has already shown their commitment, and the team is working hand in hand with them to make those improvements.

“It’s a big challenge,” said Taylor. “But that makes us all the more dedicated to achieving it.”

The South African GP is the second of two opening flyaway races, with the teams operating out of makeshift accommodation, their spare parts and equipment in crates at the back of the pits.

The track, on the outskirts of the gold mining town of Welkom, has other peculiarities. The chief characteristic is the altitude – at more than 4.500ft above sea level, it is by far the highest track of the year.

This altitude thins the air, sapping energy from the riders and (more significantly) power from the engines – as much as 15 percent, by some estimates.

The gold-mining location leaves another legacy … Welkom is an area with frequent if relatively minor earth tremors, and the consequence is a bumpy track surface. “It reminds me of some places in California,” said Roberts last year.

The track has been completely resurfaced for a second year in succession, but the Suzuki riders expect the ripples and stutter-bumps will still be a factor. As well as 14 technical corners and an often-dusty surface, the bumps add further complexity to the tortuous 2.6-mile lap.

There is a weekend break after the South African GP before business resumes in earnest at Jerez in Spain, the first race in the grueling European season.

KENNY ROBERTS – ONE TO GET UNDER THE BELT: We’ll have to see how well the resurfacing works on the bumps, but I’m sure it’s gonna be dirty. The first day is just going to be getting used to the track. I’m not really looking forward to the race, for two reasons. For one, it’s a long way; and secondly because our level is low at the moment. But I’ll be there to try my hardest, and we’ll do our best with what we have.

JOHN HOPKINS – BACK TO THE BUMPS: It’s a lot different from Suzuka, and I think we can fare better here than at the first race. The track is real hard work, and especially I’m not looking forward to the first day, when we’ll be clearing the dust off the racing line. I hope they got rid of some bumps with the resurfacing … though I’m pretty used to bumpy tracks from racing in the US.

ABOUT THIS TRACK: Funded by the local Free State government as a boost to the economically troubled gold-mining area, the Phakisa Freeway was built on the site of the old “Goldfields” circuit. The bold new initiative combined an international-standard banked Tri-Oval Nascar-type circuit with the road-racing course, which shares some sections as it loops back and forth, without actually using the full banking. The oval track has barely been used, but the twisting short circuit has been a regular on the GP circuit since 1999. With 14 corners ranging from medium-speed ess-bends to slower U-turns, it is a highly technical circuit. One special feature is the corner at the end of the back straight. Approached at 160mph, the bikes are still leaned over as they have to brake with increasing pressure as the corner tightens into one of the slowest bends on the track. Sited in a quiet area at the far end of the goldfields stretching southwards from Johannesburg, the 4,500ft altitude makes it the highest track of the year.

ABOUT THIS RACE: The first South African GPs ran from 1983 to 1985 at the old Kyalami outside Johannesburg. A brief revival at the new Kyalami in 1992 was a one-off event, but in 1999 the race was revived at the new Phakisa (“Hurry Up”) Freeway. The track proved challenging from the start – with a slippery and unpredictable surface only making the tight, looping layout more difficult. The track also became bumpier year by year, especially where it crosses the oval track, although a full resurfacing for this year should improve the situation. At the same time, the thin air saps at the engines’ power, and can affect throttle response.

GP DATA – Phakisa Freeway, Welkom

Circuit Length: 2.636 miles – 4.242 km

Lap Record: 1:34.834 – 100.056mph, 161.030 km/h, T Ukawa (Honda) 2002

2002 Race Winner: Ukawa

2002 Race Average: 44:39.467 – 99.159mph / 159.581 km/h

2003 Fastest Race Lap: see record

2002 Pole Position: V Rossi 1:34.660

2002 KENNY ROBERTS (Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki). Race: DNF retired. Qualification: Sixth – 1:35.396

2002 JOHN HOPKINS: (Yamaha 500). Race: 14th. Qualification: 17th – 1:36.092