From a press release issued by Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A.:

YAMAHA CALLS FOR AMA PRO RACING FUEL TESTING REFORM

Cypress, CA (May 5, 2004) – Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. announced today that it is urging the AMA Pro Racing Board of Directors to review and reform its fuel test procedures. Yamaha is suggesting that the AMA Pro Racing Board of Directors consult other interested parties as well as Yamaha in developing appropriate fuel collection and testing procedures.

In 2004, the AMA established standards for lead and continued it standards for oxygen content and specific gravity in fuel used in AMA sanctioned Supercross and Motocross events. However, the AMA has yet to establish criteria that would demonstrate that its testing procedures are consistent, reliable and accurate.

“The AMA’s current fuel testing standards and procedures need significant reform,” explained Keith McCarty, Yamaha’s racing manager. “We have requested the AMA to adopt scientifically accepted fuel sample collection and test procedures and to conduct the tests consistently to avoid dispute and ensure rider equity at future events.”

After the April 17, 2004 at the Dallas Supercross, the AMA penalized three riders for disputed fuel test results, including Team Yamaha’s Chad Reed. Reed was penalized 25 points in the Supercross series. The AMA denied his appeal because he had not provided test results on the subject fuel–even though no such tests were then due under AMA rules. Furthermore, the AMA had refused to provide any of the tested fuel samples to Reed or Team Yamaha, denying them the opportunity to refute the AMA’s allegations. Despite the AMA’s severe penalty, Reed won the Supercross Championship Series on May 1, 2004 in Las Vegas, NV.

“Yamaha is proud that Chad Reed won the Supercross Championship and we congratulate him on his series victory,” said McCarty. “He’s an outstanding athlete and sportsman, and we think that it was a special win by a special individual.

“Racers and fans deserve the certainty of a fair race and a fair result,” added McCarty. “That is why we’re asking the AMA to make Supercross and Motocross fuel testing more professional and equitable. Yamaha hopes that the AMA will respond to our request and take positive steps to reform its fuel collection methods and conform its testing procedures to recognized scientific standards before the next racing season begins May 15.”



More, from a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA Pro Racing Denies Fuel Penalty Appeals

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Pro Racing has announced that it will not accept appeals submitted by riders Tyson Hadsell, Chad Reed and David Vuillemin. All three riders were penalized for using illegal fuel at round 14 of the THQ AMA Supercross Series at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas on April 17.

In announcing the decision, Merrill Vanderslice, AMA Pro Racing Director of Competition stated that there was nothing in the appeals that would warrant convening an appeal board. “The appeals submitted by the riders never refute AMA Pro Racing’s finding that fuel tested after the Texas Supercross was found to be in non-compliance,” said Vanderslice. “Instead, the appeals attempt to cast doubt on the testing methodology, the validity of the AMA Supercross fuel requirements, whether or not their fuel impacted performance and the appropriateness of the penalty. Based on the language in the AMA Supercross Rulebook, none of this is appealable.”

According to the AMA Supercross Rulebook, appeals can be lodged under two circumstances: 1) a party which loses a protest can appeal for further review of the issue, and 2) an appeal may be lodged to challenge fines, suspensions and technical disqualifications levied by Race Managers and/or AMA Pro Racing.

“Obviously this is an unfortunate situation,” said Vanderslice. “However, after carefully reviewing all the facts surrounding this incident I’m confident that our initial findings are correct. The fuel in the bikes of Hadsell, Reed and Vuillemin from the Texas Supercross was not in compliance and the penalties applied are appropriate.”

Vanderslice added that fuel from the bikes of the same riders was tested after round 15 of the series and was found to be in compliance.



More, from a press release issued by VP:

VP RACING RESPONDS TO RECENT DISPUTE REGARDING ALLEGED ILLEGAL FUEL

SAN ANTONIO, TX — AMA Pro Racing recently announced that three riders would be penalized for using “illegal” fuel at round 14 of the THQ AMA Supercross Series at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas on April 17. In response to questions raised regarding the fuel being used by the riders in question, Bruce Hendel, Global Sales Manager for VP Racing Fuels, asserted, “VP has worked diligently with every factory team to develop new unleaded fuels to conform with the new rules instituted this year by AMA Pro Racing governing fuels for Motocross and Supercross. We are 100% confident that the fuels blended by VP for every factory team are in compliance.

“The AMA rules are very rigid,” Hendel continued, “so VP maintains strict control of its manufacturing to ensure there is no possibility of cross-contamination between fuels during the manufacturing process. However, racers also need to maintain close control over fuels in their care to preclude cross-contamination as well. They must use dedicated fuel cans, pumps and storage tanks, as well as tanks on the race bike. No other type of fuel should be introduced to these containers even if the use is during the week in practice. The smallest amount of residue from a non-conforming fuel left in a tank or fuel jug — even to the point that it can’t be seen by the naked eye — can cause fuel to be off spec and fail the AMA lab test. For that matter, a failure could be caused by improper testing or contamination during the testing process itself. A test might even detect a non-conforming substance at a level that looks illegal, but due to the margin of error in the tests, could actually be legal.

“We sincerely regret what happened at the race in Irving. We intend to work closely with all the teams and the AMA to review fuel handling and testing procedures to preclude any reoccurrence of this type of incident,” Hendel concluded.

VP Racing has been the fuel of choice among amateur and pro riders throughout North America for many years and is a contingency sponsor for AMA, Formula USA and Championship Cup Series racing. In addition, VP is the Official Fuel of the THQ Supercross series as well as the fuel provider for Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Pro Circuit, Factory Connection, Mach 1, Motoworld and others.

Over its 28-year history, VP Racing has fueled champions in virtually every racing category and class — from road racing, drag racing and circle track to motocross, off-road, off-shore and even airplane racing. VP has earned a reputation for producing high quality racing fuels with superior power and consistency – as illustrated by the 2003 AMA Supercross, AMA U.S. Motocross, AMA Superbike, Formula USA Superbike and other champions, each of whom made VP their fuel of choice. In addition to fuels, VP’s product line includes synthetic oils, 2-cycle lubricants, additives, chemicals and traction compounds – each designed to produce the most power and best performance in their respective racing applications. More information can be obtained from VP’s website – vpracingfuels.com – or the contacts below.