From a press release issued by Safety First Racing:

Safety First Racing completed another successful weekend at Laguna Seca. On Wednesday, Team Owner Kevin Hanson spoke to approximately 130 kids at the Monterey Sports Center and Whispering Pines Day Camp in Monterey. On top of promoting safety and the importance of wearing a helmet, the kids ranging in ages from 7-12 years old, were treated to a real life story when Hanson described crashing his American Suzuki GSX-R1000 at over 130 mph at Fontana earlier this year and how his Suomy helmet and Vanson leathers suffered several impacts. Hanson told the kids, “I walked away from that incident unhurt as a direct result of the high quality of safety gear I was wearing that day.”

Regarding the racing aspect of the weekend, Hanson stated that he was very pleased with his new rider, 16 year old Jessie “The Kid” Janisch in Superstock. “Laguna was Jessie’s third AMA weekend and he continues to improve every weekend. He had never been to Laguna before and got one practice session and then qualifying. What impressed me was within his first 10 laps on the track he was already into the 34s. Jessie qualified 20th and ran a good solid race and finished 16th with several laps during the race in the 31s.” Hanson further stated, “I think if we hadn’t lost out on the second practice session being a waste due to a red flag, I’m confident Jessie could have turned some 30s during the race. Thankfully, since 1-800-Motorcycle came on board, it has freed me up to focus on the business aspect of things so I can provide Jessie with all the key tools in the toolbox to be sucessful.”

Hanson was quick to praise Jim Rashid from 4 & 6 Performance for his crewchief/mechanic abilities. “I can’t tell you how fortunate I am to have Jim on board for the remainder of the year,” replied Hanson. “Jim G.M.D. Computracked the bikes at his shop in Chicago after Brainerd and discovered the swingarm was bent on one of the GSX-Rs following a turn 1 crash. Jim straightened the swingarm and then optimized both Suzuki bikes so they were identical for Laguna. Jim’s been around a long time and knows how to build racebikes. For example, after Jim set up the suspension for Jessie, we didn’t make one suspension adjustment all weekend other than a gearing change,” Hanson stated.

Safety First Racing is looking forward to furthering their results at Mid Ohio due in part to the added practice that is available earlier in the week. “Jessie has never been to that track as well. The key for Jessie at this juncture is for us to get him as much track time as possible on the GSX-R1000s since he’s used to riding 600s all of the time,” commented Hanson.


From a press release issued by Corona Extra Suzuki:

“PISTOL” BEN ATTARD GRABS SUPERSPORT 5TH AT SUN-SOAKED LAGUNA SECA

Young gun Ben Attard took another step closer to the podium with his first top five finish at a beautifully sunny Laguna Seca World Superbike weekend. The nail-biting SuperSport race capped off a full weekend of combined AMA National and World Superbike racing, drawing an estimated 93,000 fans to the “dry lagoon” a few miles east of California’s scenic treasure, historic Monterey Bay. In the nights leading up to race day, crowds of fans flooded the “Bay” area and tricked out sport-bikes and cruisers abounded. Team Corona hosted events every night including two on Fisherman’s Wharf – the center of evening “bench-racing” for the event. Both were unqualified successes, giving fans a chance to see race bikes up close and meet the riders in person for autographs and, in some cases, nice long chats.

Scott Greenwood (89) settled into his third stint in AMA SuperStock and his first time at Laguna Seca, aboard the Corona Suzuki GSX-R1000, posting 11th fastest in practice sessions leading up to Saturday’s event. A qualifying session shortened by oil on the track spelled trouble and with only a few laps available Scott qualified 16th. In the race, Scott rode conservatively and improved his position to finish 14th and gaining more valuable experience in what has become one of America’s most competitive races.

A last minute medical release after a long recuperation from injury found Marty Craggill (134) putting his leg over the Corona Suzuki Superbike for the first time since the Fontana round. Craggill qualified 13th but in the race quickly got up to speed and improved his position, running in 11th until a red flag came out stopping the race. Without enough time before the restart to fix a nagging clutch problem, Marty did not get off quickly and fell back to 14th where he ultimately finished the race. All in all, though, Marty’s ride proved impressive to anyone intimate with the pain and discomfort he’s been in for months. Now, the two-time Australian Superbike Champion is looking forward to the next race at Mid-Ohio and another chance to improve his condition and performance.

As with every AMA event he’s raced this season, Ben came to Laguna Seca having never seen the track before. But, even with limited practice time, he put his Suzuki GSX-R 600 on the second row, qualifying 6th, his best this season. Determined to finish even better, Attard got a great start in the thick of the lead group of factory riders, only to see the race red-flagged by another rider crashing at the first turn. At the restart, Ben again got in the thick of the lead pack. A couple of “hairy” moments caused him to fall back as far as 8th position, but in a determined push to finish well he worked his way past a number of more experienced riders to take his first top five finish in AMA racing. After the race an elated Ben said; “I got hung-up behind some guys and then over-cooked it a couple of times trying to get by. Once I calmed down it all came together. A few more laps and I could have been up front!” he joked!

The Team had a wonderful time visiting Monterey, participating in evening events promoting Corona Extra and Suzuki as far away as Palo Alto. The weather was particularly great, allowing Team hospitality staff to make over a hundred guests from Joe Rocket and other Team Partners comfortable under the shade of a brand new custom-designed awning where the best tasting food in the paddock was washed down with Modelo brands Corona Extra, Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo and Cerveza Pacifico Clara. From where we sat, everyone had a splendid time!


More, from a press release issued by Jason DiSalvo’s publicist:

Pole Position and 2nd Place Finish Move DiSalvo into 3rd Overall in the 600 SuperSport National Championship


Jason DiSalvo of Stafford N.Y. returned from the AMA/ World Superbike races at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monetary CA where he competed July 9, 10 and 11th. Having posted the fastest times in all practice sessions for the entire weekend Jason went on to set pole position in the 600 SuperSport class and 2nd to pole in the 1000 SuperStock class.

During the Supersport race starting from the 1st row pole position Jason ran a consistent race to finish 2nd.

In the 1000 SuperStock class Jason went to the lead in the first lap and led the race until the 5th lap. Having chosen a medium hard rubber compound Jason was unable to hold grip giving up first, then in a wild off track excursion in turn 11 running into the gravel pit and back on to the track finishing 5th “the week in California was good with only 3 races left I have to stay consistent to hold my 3rd place “, commented Jason.

DiSalvo races next at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington Ohio where many local friends and family will be in attendance.