Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The Valvoline EMGO Suzuki two-seat GSX-R1000 Superbike made its first appearance of the 2004 season during promoter practice Thursday at Infineon Raceway.

With Steve Rapp at the controls, the team uses the retired racebike to give general-interest and mainstream media members a better appreciation for the sport of motorcycle road racing and promote the sport in general via on-track rides at speed.

The first rider Thursday was KRON-TV San Francisco morning show reporter Liam Mayclem, who did a total of five live television spots with Rapp and the two-seater bike, in the pits and on the track.

During the lunch break in Thursday’s promoter practice, Rapp also gave a ride to “Kool” 101.9 KCCL-FM’s Dick Sisich, who does 12 motorsports reports on the Sacramento oldies station.

“That was an incredible ride. I’ve been around this track before several times in cars, but it’s a totally different perspective when you’re on a motorcycle,” said Sisich, a motorcycle rookie and former race car driver. “Steve is an unbelieveable rider. You can’t even tell when he shifts, he’s so smooth. A fantastic experience. I really enjoyed it.

“I certainly have more of an appreciation for what the riders do, the skill set that is required. I just can’t believe the way that bike sticks, the way it brakes and the acceleration, of course.”