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AMA Distributing Television Public Service Announcement For Motorcycle Awareness Month

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AMA Distributing Television Public Service Announcement For Motorcycle Awareness Month

AMA to drivers: Focus on seeing motorcyclists PICKERINGTON, Ohio – May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, and the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is encouraging all drivers and riders to recommit to safe driving practices by avoiding distractions and staying focused on other highway users. The centerpiece of the campaign is a television Public Service Announcement (PSA) being distributed nationally. “We’ve all seen distracted drivers on the highway,” said Rob Dingman, President and CEO of the AMA. “The preoccupied cell phone talker straddling lanes on the freeway, the business person fumbling with a pocket computer while turning left, or the hair brusher watching the image in the mirror instead of the stopped traffic ahead. “Distracted drivers are a danger to everyone, particularly vulnerable road users like motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians,” he added. “And you never know who might be riding that motorcycle you encounter.” The PSA features an impatient and distracted driver who has a near-miss with a motorcyclist and then gets an unexpected surprise.

Racer Lunsford-led Houston Ride For Kids Raises $227,000 For The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

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Racer Lunsford-led Houston Ride For Kids Raises $227,000 For The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

HOUSTON RIDE FOR KIDS® RAISES $227,000 TO HELP END CHILDHOOD BRAIN TUMORS Children with brain tumors received a Texas-sized helping hand at the Houston Ride for Kids® on April 29, which attracted more than 1,150 riders, fundraisers, patient families and volunteers and raised more than $227,000. Proceeds benefited the medical research and family support programs of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF). Riders in the 15th annual event met at the Pasadena Convention Center and Fairgrounds on a warm, sunny morning. During their police-escorted tour of the countryside of southern Houston, they had the opportunity to pass themselves twice, once on the soaring heights of the Fred Hartman Bridge, and again as they circled the San Jacinto Monument. After the ride the moving Celebration of Life program brought the motorcyclists face-to-face with local brain tumor survivors. The 14 stars of the day included Javier, a 3-year-old who recently took his first steps, and Darla, 19, a PBTF scholarship student. Michael G.’s mom, Monya, said that when her son was diagnosed, he was given four months to live. “But because of all that you do for research, [he] has survived for five years,” she told the cheering crowd. A local researcher who receives PBTF funding told the motorcyclists that their donations are also vital to children’s well-being. “It’s very important for the children and families to keep a good attitude and continue to have fun. You not only help with the research, but you give [them] a day of fun,” said Dr. Johannes Wolff, head of pediatric neuro-oncology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He was joined by Dr. Jack Su of Texas Children’s Hospital. The total raised at the event was $227,345. Top individual fundraisers were Terry and Maggie Simms of Deer Park, Texas, with $17,226. The top chapter/club was the Cowboy Honda Red Riders of Beaumont, which brought in $41,799, and the customers of Northwest Honda of Houston made it the top motorcycle business with $58,587 in donations. Bruce Reed of Converse, Texas, won the grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle. The Houston Ride for Kids® owes its success to the hard work of local task force leader Ronnie Lunsford, visitation leaders Judy and Steve Ferguson, the dedicated task force members, and the many day-of-event volunteers. About the PBTF Ride for Kids® Since 1984, the national Ride for Kids® program and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) have promoted childhood brain tumor research and provided family support through free literature about brain tumors, educational newsletters, online conferences and college scholarships. With the help of America’s motorcycling community, the PBTF has become the world’s largest non-governmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor research. The next PBTF Ride for Kids® events are Sunday, May 6 in Los Angeles and Triangle Area, N.C. For more information, go to rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530.

Previews Of The Grand Prix Of China

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Previews Of The Grand Prix Of China

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP hoping for no Chinese puzzles Rizla Suzuki MotoGP travels to Shanghai in China hoping that the strong race performance at the last round in Turkey can develop into podium results. John Hopkins scored an exciting sixth place in Istanbul last week and will certainly be looking to improve on that – and last year’s fourth at Shanghai when he takes to the track for round four of the MotoGP World Championship on Sunday 6th May. Hopkins qualified on the front row of the grid at last season’s race and will certainly be planning to emulate that this coming weekend. Team-mate Chris Vermeulen will be buoyed by the performance of his 800cc Suzuki GSV-R in Turkey. He managed a creditable 11th place after being knocked off on the first lap, and also recorded the fastest lap of the race on the penultimate lap, as the new generation of Bridgestone tyres yet again proved their consistency and performance over a race distance. Vermeulen continued in good form at the one-day test at Istanbul on the Monday after the race by setting the quickest time of the day. Rizla Suzuki MotoGP comes to Shanghai with over twice the amount of points that it had at the same stage of the season last year, and both riders will be looking for good results from their Bridgestone tyres over the 5.281km long circuit to improve on those totals. The Shanghai track features the longest straight on the MotoGP calendar at over a kilometre long where last year’s 990cc machines achieved speeds in excess of 340km/h before having to brake hard for a first gear hairpin. This is combined with a mixture of slow speed turns, sweeping curves, different gradients and the longest, most technical hairpin in the world of MotoGP. Rizla Suzuki MotoGP takes to the track on Friday 4th May for two hour-long free practice sessions. Saturday will see another hour’s worth of free practice in the morning before the excitement of the afternoon’s qualifying session gets underway. Sunday’s 22-lap race will begin at 15.00hrs local time (07.00hrs GMT). John Hopkins: “I like the Shanghai circuit. It is pretty testing and you have to be fast through some of the corners and hard on the brakes, so that suits me. I led here in ’05 and was on the front row and pushing for a podium last year so I am pretty determined to go that one step better this year. The bike is working really good and the tyres that Bridgestone brought to Turkey were a huge step forward, let’s hope we get more of the same in China and can get on the rostrum!” Chris Vermeulen: “I didn’t finish at Shanghai last year so I will certainly want to do better than that! The bike and tyres worked really well in Turkey and I am sure that will be the case in China as well. I am really looking forward to this race, the track is awesome and one that I enjoy riding at. Let’s just hope we can get round without anyone knocking me off!” More, from a press release issued by Dorna Communications: With the thrilling Grand Prix of Turkey fresh in the memory, the MotoGP world tour stops in China on May 6th for the fourth race of the 2007 season. The opening three rounds have provided exciting action every step of the way in all three categories, and the Shanghai International Circuit will only encourage the same kind of activity at the Sinopec Great Wall Lubricants Grand Prix of China. Casey Stoner leads the way in MotoGP in his first season with the factory Ducati team, having taken victory at two of the first three races this year. The Australian was the runaway leader at Istanbul Park in the previous round which, combined with a fifth place at Jerez, takes him up to 61 points with a ten point cushion ahead of Valentino Rossi. The Australian has triumphed at Shanghai before, winning the 250cc race in 2005, and will be keen to build on last year’s fifth position on Chinese soil. Five-time MotoGP World Champion Rossi is in a stronger position than he was this time last year, but was perhaps not counting on the superb form of Stoner as he attempts to reclaim the title he lost. The Yamaha factory team rider dropped down the field in Turkey after suffering tyre problems, something he will definitely not want a repeat of in his return to Shanghai. Last year he was forced to retire from the race after tyre problems left him adrift in the overall standings, however the Italian won a wet race at the inaugural Chinese GP back in 2005. Returning to the scene of his first MotoGP victory, Dani Pedrosa currently lies third in the overall classification. Unable to finish at the last round, the former 125cc and 250cc World Champion is sore after his crash in Turkey but scans revealed he should be ready to ride in China. Favoured to lead the Spanish charge for the title in 2007, Pedrosa now faces stiff competition from Toni Elias for a place in the Mediterranean fans’ affections. The Gresini Honda rider has had two highly impressive races since the start of the season, winning plaudits for the all-out riding style which most recently earned him a second place at Istanbul. Marco Melandri has yet to take a podium since the switch to 800cc bikes, even at his favourite track in the last round. However, on his day the Italian is always in with a shot of the top step of the podium, and is by no means out of the title running at such an early stage in the season. The American duo of Colin Edwards and Nicky Hayden are level on 26 points, with the latter still to step onto the rostrum in defence of his world title. Post-race testing after Turkey saw progress for the ‘Kentucky Kid’, and he will be hoping that he can get his season into top gear before the championship leaders begin to break away. Alex Barros and John Hopkins both have momentum in their favour, after strong performances where they could conceivably have finished amongst the top three. Hopkins was on the front row in China last year, and took fourth in the race itself. His Suzuki team-mate Australian star Chris Vermeulen completes the top ten in the MotoGP class. Practice for the Sinopec Great Wall Lubricants Grand Prix of China begins on Friday May 4th, with the race itself taking place on Sunday May 6th. 250cc In 250cc, Jorge Lorenzo continues to lead the way. However, the Spaniard faces the challenge of stopping a newly-aggressive Andrea Dovizioso as he attempts to annex China to ‘Lorenzo Land’. The reigning World Champion saw Dovizioso end his perfect run of both pole positions and race victories in 2007 at Istanbul, something that will not sit well with the Aprilia rider. Lorenzo still holds an advantage of 18 points over the 2006 runner up, and the two are sure to be involved in each other’s business throughout the weekend as they aim to stamp their authority on the class. Following them every step of the way, Alvaro Bautista has jumped in at the deep end in the 250cc category. Twice alongside the classification leaders on the podium at Jerez and Turkey, the reigning 125cc World Champion has established himself as a title contender in the opening stages of the season. Aspar team-mate Alex de Angelis is also on a good run of form, and rounds up the overall top six alongside 2006 Grand Prix of China race winner Hector Barbera and 250cc rookie Thomas Luthi. 125cc Any pattern established in the 125cc category, in which the same three riders had appeared on the podium in the opening two races, was thrown out of the window in Turkey. Championship leader Gabor Talmacsi was unable to follow up on his Jerez victory, and was out of the top three for the first time in 2007 as Simone Corsi took his first ever 125cc win. Talmacsi leads team-mate Hector Faubel by nine points, with the Spaniard also out of the running for the win at Istanbul. Lukas Pesek is still in search of elusive 125cc glory, and lies in third overall. Corsi’s first place takes him up to fourth in the general standings, ahead of Joan Olive and 15 year old rookie Pol Espargaro. The 125cc races have provided incredible action so far this year, and a clear favourite is still to be established in the category. Circuit Info The Shanghai International circuit, situated outside China’s prosperous metropolitan port city, hosted its first MotoGP race in 2005, but is already acknowledged as one of the most impressive race venues on earth. Vast grandstands overlook an equally impressive pits and paddock complex adjacent to the high-speed 5.281km/3.281 mile circuit. The track includes two very fast straights where bikes exceed 320kmh/199mph and a series of tight corners, including two long right-handers that take the riders through almost 360 degrees. Shanghai is one of the most modern and technologically advanced cities in the world, and its impressive race circuit fits in perfectly.

Ilmor Cuts MotoGP Crew

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Ilmor Cuts MotoGP Crew

Ilmor GP Update Brixworth 30.04.07: It has been over a month since Ilmor GP Team Principal Mario Illien announced the temporary suspension of the team’s race programme and now it’s time for an update”¦ Today at the Ilmor Engineering factory in Northampton Illien and Managing Director Steve Miller announced that the Ilmor GP race team will be slimmed down to a ‘skeleton’ crew focusing on the continued development of the engine as a consequence many of the original Ilmor GP team personnel will be released from their contracts from the end of May 2007 onwards and will be free to pursue other opportunities. Speaking about the announcement Illien said: “Whilst our commitment to finding a title sponsor and suitable Ilmor GP partners to make racing a viable financial option continues in full force, it is senseless to employ an entire race team when our track activity has ceased albeit on a temporary basis. “I know that it’s hard for people to understand why we have stopped racing and some people have been quick to judge our withdrawal from the MotoGP World Championship but I remain upbeat and I still strongly believe that we will find a financial partner for the team. In the mean time we have to restructure and put in place a smaller team dedicated to engine development. “I attended the Dorna sponsorship workshop in Barcelona a couple of weeks ago and it is clear that further work needs to be done to make the sport more appealing to commercial partners” Illien added. “Key people outside of the sport don’t really understand what MotoGP is and the fantastic opportunity it represents by association. I also think that people perhaps underestimated the impact that the decline in tobacco sponsorship would have on the sport. Added to this potential corporate sponsors are much more environmentally aware these days I’m a strong believer that environmental issues and professional motorsport shouldn’t be mutually exclusive. There are plenty of opportunities to be explored on this front.” Whilst both Ilmor GP riders Jeremy McWilliams and Andrew Pitt remain under contract Illien has been happy to loan Pitt to World Superbike team Hannspree Ten Kate Honda for the race in Valencia whilst Frenchman Sebastien Charpentier recovered from his fractured coccyx and again this weekend in Assen as the team run a third bike at their home race. Commenting on the riders Illien said: “I’m pleased that Andrew performed so well in Valencia for Hanspree Ten Kate Honda, he demonstrates the flair and ability that we still believe he has. Both Andrew and Jeremy have done a fantastic job for Ilmor GP under difficult circumstances and I want to thank them for their on- going patience and understanding. If all goes to plan and we manage to secure the funding to get back out for the remainer of the 2007 season then of course I would love to have both riders back on board.”

1000th Ducati 1098 Delivered

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1000th Ducati 1098 Delivered

DUCATI NORTH AMERICA DELIVERS 1000’TH 1098 Military Captain with Stints in Iraq Purchases Record-Setting Bike Cupertino, Calif. (April 29, 2007) – When Cpt. Yaqui Oselen of Atlanta purchased the 1,000th Ducati 1098 sold after deliveries began 10 weeks ago, it capped a record-setting quarter for the iconic brand in North America. Led by the flagship 1098 Superbike family, the first three months of 2007 closed with Ducati retail sales up 15 percent over last year’s record first quarter. Currently serving the Adjutant General Corps, Cpt. Oselen has 15 years of total military service, including time in Iraq when he was a Branched Air Defense Officer. The red 1098 is his fourth Ducati and his second from Atlanta Triumph Ducati. “Riding my Ducati is a lot like flying I just get total enjoyment from it,” said Cpt. Oselen.”It was an exotic toy to have initially. Quickly I became a sucker for the sound and handling and it became my bike of choice. I owned a Ducati 999 and when I got on the 1098 I immediately noticed the gains in horsepower and speed and the tires seemed to just stick to the road.” The dealership opened in the 1970s in Athens, Ga. and was known as “Cycle Specialties.” It moved to Atlanta five years ago, changed its name to Atlanta Triumph Ducati, and has become one of the most successful Ducati dealerships in the nation. Atlanta has become a key market for Ducati in North America with its southern climate and perfect roads in all directions to satisfy every type of rider. The 1098 Superbike is the most powerful twin-cylinder motorcycle in the world. This incredible machine produces a jaw-dropping 160 hp and 90.4 ft lbs of torque, and weighs a mere 381 pounds, giving it the highest torque-to-weight ratio of any sport bike on the market today. The 1098 carries a MSRP of $14,995 and the 1098 S model is priced at $19,995. A limited-edition Ducati 1098 Tricolore, featuring an evocative Italian red, white, and green racing livery and equipped with a special Termignoni performance exhaust sells for $24,995.

After Four Starts, Hacking Beats Hayes In AMA Supersport At California Speedway

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After Four Starts, Hacking Beats Hayes In AMA Supersport At California Speedway

It was red-flagged three times and postponed once, but the AMA Supersport race at California Speedway turned out to be a terrific battle to the end. In the end, Jamie Hacking, the defending Supersport Champion, took the win (his first of 2007) on his Monster Energy Kawasaki ZX-6R. Erion Honda’s Josh Hayes led most of the race, but Hacking took the lead with three laps to go and held it through heavy lapped traffic to win by 0.135 second. Hayes finished a close second but moved into the Supersport Championship points lead. Hacking’s teammate Roger Hayden came back from a lap-seven incident (a collision with Celtic Racing Yamaha’s Chaz Davies that resulted in Davies running off the track) to finish third, two seconds behind the lead pair. 2007 Pro Honda Oils AMA Supersport Championship Presented by Shoei Helmets California Speedway Fontana, California April 29, 2007 Provisional Race Results: 1. Jamie Hacking (Kaw ZX-6R), Dunlop, 17 laps 2. Josh Hayes (Hon CBR600RR), Dunlop, -0.135 second 3. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-6R), Dunlop, -2.168 seconds 4. Steve Rapp (Kaw ZX-6R), Pirelli, -3.947 seconds 5. Michael Barnes (Suz GSX-R600), Pirelli, -4.125 seconds 6. Tommy Hayden (Suz GSX-R600), Dunlop, -4.834 seconds 7. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R600), Pirelli, -5.459 seconds 8. Danny Eslick (Suz GSX-R600), Dunlop, -13.188 seconds 9. Chaz Davies (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, -13.401 seconds 10. Cory West (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, -13.968 seconds 11. Blake Young (Suz GSX-R600), Dunlop, -20.279 seconds 12. Jeremy Toye (Kaw ZX-6R), Dunlop, -29.443 seconds 13. Chris Siglin (Suz GSX-R600), Dunlop, -31.965 seconds 14. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, -31.965 seconds 15. Garrett Carter (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, -32.423 seconds 16. Ryan Andrews (Hon CBR600RR), Dunlop, -32.449 seconds 17. Barrett Long (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, -37.461 seconds 18. Ryan Elleby (Hon CBR600RR), Dunlop, -38.183 seconds 19. Bobby Fong (Suz GSX-R600), Michelin, -40.181 seconds 20. Grant Riggs (Suz GSX-R600), -51.272 seconds 21. Chris Siebenhaar (Suz GSX-R600), -73.337 seconds 22. Scott Ryan (Suz GSX-R600), Michelin, -74.150 seconds 23. Reno Karimian (Suz GSX-R600), -80.510 seconds 24. Morgan Murphy (Suz GSX-R600), -1 lap 25. C.R. Gittere (Suz GSX-R600), -1 lap, 0.071 second 26. Christopher Ancien (Suz GSX-R600), -1 lap, 0.241 second 27. Jay Ruess (Kaw ZX-6R), -1 lap, 15.088 seconds 28. Sahar Zvik (Suz GSX-R600), -1 lap, 15.386 seconds 29. Ed Sorbo (Yam YZF-R6), Bridgestone, -1 lap, 22.621 seconds 30. Colin Rimes (Suz GSX-R600), -1 lap, 36.733 seconds 31. John Dang (Yam YZF-R6), -1 lap, 90.265 seconds 32. Carlos Rodrigues (Kaw ZX-6R), -2 laps 33. Darren Luck (Suz GSX-R600), -2 laps, 65.366 seconds, mechanical 34. Lenny Hale (Yam YZF-R6), -5 laps 35. Mike Shreve (Yam YZF-R6), -6 laps 36. Michael Beck (Suz GSX-R600), Pirelli, -12 laps, DNF, crash 37. Eric Pinson (Yam YZF-R6), -12 laps, DNF 38. Ben Attard (Kaw ZX-6R), Pirelli, -13 laps, DNF 39. Tyler McDonald (Yam YZF-R6), Michelin, -13 laps, DNF, mechanical 40. Josh Herrin (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, -14 laps, DNF, crash 41. Aaron Gobert (Hon CBR600RR), Dunlop, -14 laps, DNF, mechanical 42. Shea Fouchek (Hon CBR600RR), Dunlop, -17 laps, DNF, crash 43. David Anthony (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, -17 laps, DNF, crash 44. Hawk Mazzotta (Yam YZF-R6), -17 laps, DNF 45. Jeff Seehorn (Kaw ZX-6R), -17 laps, DNF AMA Supersport Championship Point Standings: 1. Hayes, 96 points 2. Roger Hayden, 92 points 3. Rapp, 80 points 4. Tommy Hayden, 79 points 5. Barnes, 72 points 6. Hacking, 70 points 7. West, 65 points 8. Young, 59 points 9. Herrin, 52 points 10. TIE, Attard/Andrews, 49 points 12. TIE, May/Davies, 46 points 14. Elleby, 45 points 15. Eslick, 44 points 16. TIE, Siglin/Carter, 39 points 18. Beck, 35 points 19. Jeff Wood, 34 points 20. Gobert, 27 points

Mladin Holds Off Spies To Win Sunday’s AMA Superbike Race At California Speedway

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Mladin Holds Off Spies To Win Sunday’s AMA Superbike Race At California Speedway

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin beat his teammate and rival Ben Spies by 0.035 second to win the AMA Superbike race Sunday at California Speedway. Mladin got out to an early-race lead that maxed out at 3.2 seconds, but Spies was able to close that gap, leading to a dramatic run to the finish. Eric Bostrom got the holeshot on his Yamaha YZF-R1 but was not able to match the pace of the lead Suzuki pair and finished third. AMA Superbike Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited California Speedway Fontana, California April 29, 2007 Provisional Race Results: 1. Mat Mladin (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, 28 laps 2. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -0.035 second 3. Eric Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), Dunlop, -21.315 seconds 4. Tommy Hayden (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -24.616 seconds 5. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR1000RR), Dunlop, -24.950 seconds 6. Miguel Duhamel (Hon CBR1000RR), Dunlop, -25.709 seconds 7. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-10R), Dunlop, -34.549 seconds 8. Jamie Hacking (Kaw ZX-10R), Dunlop, -34.649 seconds 9. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -34.861 seconds 10. Jason DiSalvo (Yam YZF-R1), Dunlop, -63.235 seconds 11. Doug Chandler (Hon CBR1000RR), Dunlop, -80.415 seconds 12. James Ellison (Hon CBR1000RR), Dunlop, -1 lap 13. Kurtis Roberts (Hon CBR1000RR), Dunlop, -1 lap, 19.470 seconds 14. Scott Jensen (Suz GSX-R1000), Pirelli, -1 lap, 27.880 seconds 15. Martin Cardenas (Kaw ZX-10R), Pirelli, -1 lap, 38.754 seconds 16. David Weber (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -1 lap, 52.990 seconds 17. Dominic Jones (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 77.157 seconds 18. Johnny Rock Page (Yam YZF-R1), Dunlop, -2 laps 19. Matt Lynn (MV Agusta F4-1000R 312), Dunlop, -11 laps, DNF, mechanical 20. Dean Mizdal (Suz GSX-R1000), -21 laps, DNF 21. Jake Holden (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -22 laps, DNF 22. Luca Scassa (MV Agusta F4-1000R 312), Dunlop, -23 laps, DNF, mechanical Provisional AMA Supeerbike Championship Point Standings: 1. Spies, 173 points 2. Mladin, 164 points 3. Duhamel, 141 points 4. Tommy Hayden, 130 points 5. Zemke, 126 points 6. Yates, 119 points 7. Eric Bostrom, 116 points 8. DiSalvo, 114 points 9. Hacking, 90 points 10. Roger Hayden, 89 points

AMA Supersport Race At California Speedway Postponed Until After Superbike Due To Red Flags

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AMA Supersport Race At California Speedway Postponed Until After Superbike Due To Red Flags

The Pro Honda Oils AMA Supersport Presented by Shoei Helmets race at California Speedway has been postponed. The race was started twice, and both starts ended with red flags brought out by multi-bike crashes on the first laps. Due to the AMA Superbike race being broadcast live on SPEED, the Supersport race will be restarted after the Superbike final. Erion Honda’s Josh Hayes got the holeshot in both Supersport race starts.

Spies Wins AMA Superstock Race At California Speedway

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Spies Wins AMA Superstock Race At California Speedway

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies retook the AMA Superstock Championship point lead with a victory on his Dunlop-equipped GSX-R1000 Sunday at California Speedway. Spies took the lead from Team M4 EMGO Suzuki’s Geoff May on lap five, quickly built an advantage and maintained his cushion to the checkered flag. Jordan Suzuki’s Aaron Yates and Jake Holden demoted May to fourth place shortly after Spies took the lead. Holden passed his teammate for second on lap eight and closed in on leader Spies at one point but had to settle for his second consecutive runner-up finish. Yates finished a lonely third. After a slow start, Graves Yamaha’s Ben Bostrom came back to take fourth place from May, who finished fifth. 2007 AMA Superstock Championship California Speedway Fontana, California April 29, 2007 Provisional Race Results: 1. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, 17 laps 2. Jake Holden (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -1.924 seconds 3. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -9.352 seconds 4. Ben Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), Dunlop, -11.247 seconds 5. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R1000), Pirelli, -21.551 seconds 6. Danny Eslick (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -28.986 seconds 7. Martin Cardenas (Kaw ZX-10R), Pirelli, -32.019 seconds 8. Scott Jensen (Suz GSX-R1000), Pirelli, -32.155 seconds 9. Blake Young (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -32.184 seconds 10. Robertino Pietri (Suz GSX-R1000), Pirelli, -43.166 seconds 11. Jason Curtis (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -46.787 seconds 12. Chris Ulrich (Suz GSX-R1000), Pirelli, -53.803 seconds, ride-through penalty 13. David Weber (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -65.488 seconds 14. Corey Sarros (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap 15. Chad Rolland (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 1.283 seconds 16. Ivan Garza (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -1 lap, 21.988 seconds 17. Johnny Rock Page (Yam YZF-R1), Dunlop, -1 lap, 25.024 seconds 18. Terry Heard (Kaw ZX-10R), -1 lap, 30.052 seconds 19. Mark Simon (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 37.093 seconds 20. Brad Puetz (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 64.408 seconds 21. Jay Tanner (Yam YZF-R1), -7 laps, DNF, crash 22. Tom Savoca (Suz GSX-R1000), -10 laps, DNF 23. Santiago Villa (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, DNS AMA Superstock Championship Point Standings: 1. Spies, 103 points 2. Yates, 94 points 3. Ben Bostrom, 88 points 4. May, 79 points 5. Eslick, 77 points 6. Young, 71 points 7. TIE, Ulrich/Jensen, 67 points 9. Holden, 64 points 10. Cardenas, 46 points

San Jose BMW Wins SunTrust MOTO-ST VIR 500K In Virginia

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San Jose BMW Wins SunTrust MOTO-ST VIR 500K In Virginia

DANVILLE, Va. – The No. 46 San Jose BMW R1200 of Brian Parriott of Calistoga, Calif. and Nate Kern of Conshohocken, Penn. scored their first SunTrust MOTO-ST Series victory of the season in the VIR 500k at Virginia International Raceway Sunday.

The pair finished 23.028 seconds ahead of the No. 6 Aprilia USA Aprilia Tuono 1000R ridden by Ty Howard of Weatherford, Tex. and Troy Green of Dallas in the three-hour race around VIR’s 3.27-mile full course. Parriott and Kern completed 86 laps at an average speed of 98.71 mph.

The No. 46 BMW led all but one lap on its way to victory, despite a late race stop-and-go penalty for having equipment outside the team’s pit stall on its final stop. That allowed the No. 6 Aprilia to gain time in the closing laps.

“My strategy at the beginning was to get the holeshot and take off, and I managed to do that,” said Parriott. “At the end I knew Ty was clawing back time. I knew he’d be coming and I needed to put in some hot laps.”

The San Jose BMW team won last October’s inaugural Eight Hours At Daytona, the debut event for the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series, and led most of this year’s season opener, also at Daytona.

“I didn’t have one of my best days,” said Kern. “But Brian went out and showed everybody why we won at Daytona last year.”

With the runner-up finish the No. 6 Aprilia USA team moved into first place in the Buell Motorcycle Company SuperSport Twins (SST) Team point standings after three of six events with 99 points. The No. 46 San Jose BMW squad jumped from fifth into a tie for second with the No. 32 Vallely Racing Suzuki team, which placed third at VIR, with 84 points.

The No. 6 Aprilia lost valuable time during the race’s only full course caution period near half-distance, when Howard dropped a lap behind the No. 46 BMW.

“We got hung up in traffic a few times early in the race and Brian got a gap on me,” Howard explained. “Then I was a little late coming out of the pits during the caution flag and that put us a lap behind.”

The No. 32 Vallely Racing Suzuki SV1000S shared between Mike Himmelsbach of Quakertown, Penn. and Matt McBride from Toronto, Ont finished one lap behind the winners.

Fourth place was taken by the No. 21 Ducati 749 ridden by Gustavo Laya, of Miami, Fla. and Rodolfo Ramirez from Sunrise, Fla. while fifth spot went to the No. 69 RightsForBikers.com Suzuki SV1000S of Mark Crozier from Palm Coast, Fla. and Nathan Dressman of Berkley, Mich. These two teams waged a furious battle for the spot in the closing laps of the race, which was resolved in favour of the Ducati when Crozier had to pit for fuel with five minutes remaining.

Brian Kcraget of Danville, Va. and Melissa Berkoff from Washington, D.C. captured the Sport Twins (ST) class win on their Speed Werks.com Suzuki SV650 after a dominant performance.

The team’s only setback came when Kcraget fell while trying to retake the class lead from Jimmy Filice on the No. 9 Pair-A-Nines Kawasaki EX650.

“I made the pass but was too hot into the next corner and got into the grass,” Kcraget said. “I slowed the bike down but fell, but I was able to get back up. I was riding a little upset after that.”

Filice, from Modesto, Calif., and Jay Springsteen of Lapeer, Mich. settled for second after winning the opening two events of the year on their Kawasaki. Third in ST went to the No. 79 GoBigRacing Suzuki SV650 shared by Ross Millson of Hamilton, Ont. and Keene, Ont. rider Paul Glenn.

The No. 9 Kawasaki team leads the ST standings with 102 points with the No. 79 Suzuki squad second on 92 points.

The battle for the BMW Grand Sport Twins (GST) victory turned into a war of attrition as only the winning No. 8 Richie Morris Racing Buell XB12 of Shawn Higbee and Clint Brotz managed to avoid problems.

Higbee, from Oconomonoc, Wis. and Brotz, from Elkhart Lake, Wis. finished five laps clear of the No. 77 Touring Sport Ducati Supersport 1000DS of Peter Friedland of Columbia, S.C., Brad Phillips from Greer, S.C. and Frank Shockley of Greenville, S.C. Third place went to the No. 89 RightsForBikers.com Ducati PS1000LE of John Linder of Tampa, Fla., and Chris Boy and Jason Edmonds, both of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The No. 77 Ducati was in the thick of the lead fight before a split oil cooler put it behind, while the No. 89 Ducati came back from a crash by Edmonds at half distance.

“The other guys had some bad luck but we kept our head down and kept a steady pace,” Higbee said. “Our pit stops were a lot better this weekend and that helped us on the track.”

With the victory the No. 8 Buell extended its lead in the GST Team standings to four points over the No. 77 Ducati, 100-96.

This year’s SunTrust MOTO-ST Series will continue with the Road America 500K, July 7-8 at Road America, the Iowa Speedway 500K at Iowa Speedway July 12-13, and the 8 Hours At Daytona Finale, October 19-20 at Daytona International Speedway.

MOTO-ST is organized and sanctioned by Professional Motorsports Productions (PMP) of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and the Grand American Road Racing Association, based in Daytona Beach, Fla., provides the series with administrative and commercial support. The MOTO-ST advisory board features some of the most respected individuals in the world of motorsports, including Hall of Fame members, respected motorcycle racing journalists and renowned officials from various forms of road racing. Learn more about MOTO-ST at www.moto-st.com.

RESULTS

SUNTRUST MOTO-ST VIR 500K (500 kilometers/86 laps):

OVERALL: 1. San Jose BMW (Brian Parriott/Nate Kern), BMW R 1200 S, Super Sport Twins, 86 laps; 2. Aprilia USA 2 (Ty Howard/Troy Green), Apr Tuono RSV1000R, Super Sport Twins, 86 laps, -23.028 seconds; 3. Vallely Racing 32 (Michael Himmelsbach/Matt McBride/Tom Vallely), Suz SV1000S, Super Sport Twins, 85 laps; 4. Team Florida (Gustavo Laya/Rodolfo Ramirez), Duc 749, Super Sport Twins, 85 laps, -59.620 seconds; 5. Rightsforbikers.com 69 (Mark Crozier/Nathan Dressman), Suz SV1000S, Super Sport Twins, 85 laps, -64.194 seconds; 6. Vallely Racing 33 (Frank Trombino/David Loikits/Tom Vallely), Suz SV1000S, Super Sport Twins, 84 laps; 7. Wagner Motorsports Racing (Mark Reynolds/Gus Holcomb), Apr Tuono RSV1000R, Super Sport Twins, 83 laps; 8. Team Zyvax (J.B. Layman/Scott Layman/Steve Green), Suz SV1000S, Super Sport Twins, 83 laps, -0.501 second; 9. R & R Racing (Mike Luke/Andrew Deatherage), Apr Tuono RSV1000R, Super Sport Twins, 82 laps; 10. Speedwerks.com (Brian Kcraget/Melissa Berkoff), Suz SV650, Sport Twins, 82 laps, -5.349 seconds; 11. Richie Morris Racing (Shawn Higbee/Clint Brotz), Buell XB-12R, Grand Sport Twins, 82 laps -56.936 seconds; 12. Pair-A-Nines (Jay Springsteen/Jimmy Filice), Kaw EX650, Sport Twins, 82 laps, 67.137 seconds; 13. Go Big Racing (Ross Milson/Glenn Keene), Suz SV650, Sport Twins, 81 laps; 14. Blue Ridge Performance (Ben Walters, Jr./Justin Garvin), Kaw EX650, 81 laps, -107.446 seconds; 15. Team Old Pros Racing (Paul Schwemmer/Brett Ray), Apr Tuono RSV1000R, Super Sport Twins, 80 laps.

BUELL MOTORCYCLE COMPANY SUPER SPORT TWINS: 1. San Jose BMW; 2. Aprilia USA 2; 3. Vallely Racing 32; 4. Team Florida; 5. Rightsforbikers.com 69; 6. Valelly Racing 33.

BMW GRAND SPORT TWINS: 1. Richie Morris Racing; 2. Touring Sport Ducati (Peter Friedland/Brad Phillips/Frank Shockley), Duc 1000SS, 77 laps; 3. Rightsforbikers.com 89 (Jason Edmonds/John Linder/Christopher Boy), Duc PS1000LE, 57 laps; 4. James Gang (Paul James/Jeffrey Johnson), Buell XB-12R, 42 laps; 5. Drummer Racing (Tracy Church/Marty Beshears/Casey Church), Buell XB-9R, 39 laps; 6. Team Ducati New York (Eric Helmbach/Eric Schnorrbusch/Eric Wilson), Duc PS1000LE, 19 laps.

SPORT TWINS: 1. Speedwerks.com; 2. Pair-A-Nines; 3. Go Big Racing; 4. Out Of The Blue Racing (Travis McNerney/Mark Ervy), Suz SV650, 78 laps; 5. Edge Racing (Tim Luporini/Chris Myerle/Don Rankin), Suz SV650, 78 laps; 6. Rightsforbikers.com 16 (Eric Spector/Nicole Hoffman/Mark Crozier), Suz SV650, 78 laps, -80.699 seconds.

More, from a press release issued by VIR:

Kern and Parriott Ride Competition into the Ground in VIR500 Motorcycle Race

DANVILLE, VA., April 29 The riding team of Nate Kern and Brian Parriott started from third place on the grid but took the lead in Turn One of the 500-kilometer VIR500 for the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series race over VIRginia International Raceway’s scenic 3.27-mile road course.

In a race that seemed almost decided after the first turn, the No. 46 San Jose BMW BMW R1200 led nearly all the 500-k/three-hour race, dropping out of the lead only when the team made pit stops for fuel, tire and rider changes. The first full-course caution of the 2007 racing season for MOTO-ST occurred when the No. 89 RightsforBikers.com Ducati PS1000LE ridden by Jason Edmonds crashed in Turn One. Edmonds was checked and released at the track’s medical center after the hard crash.

A pit stop during the caution by the No. 6 Aprilia Tuono 1000R from Aprilia USA, ridden by Ty Howard and Troy Green, dropped them a lap down to the leading BMW. The Italian machine wasted little time in working back onto the lead lap, thanks to pit stop cycling, but after the three-hour time limit, ten laps short of the scheduled distance, was still just over 23 seconds behind the German twin.

The top nine positions at the finish were held by SuperSport Twins (SST) class bikes, with tenth spot overall and class win in the SportTwins category going to the No. No. 87 SpeedWerks.com Suzuki SV650. Riders Brian Kcraget, from Danville, teamed with Washington, D.C.’s Melissa Berkoff to put the car in 32nd on the grid before moving steadily through the field. They were followed in eleventh overall by the seventeenth-qualifying No. 8 GrandSport Twin Richie Morris Racing Buell XB12. The American bike qualified at x

Parriott turned the fastest lap of the race, a blistering 1:59.238 at an average speed of 98.727 mph. The next best time was set by the second-place Aprilia, at 0.178 second slower.

In other racing action, the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve 400-kilometer race for Daytona Prototype sports cars went to the No. 10 SunTrust Racing Pontiac Riley driven by Wayne Taylor, Max Angelelli and Jan Magnussen. Moving up from their fifth starting position, the multi-national team moved the car into the battle for second about a third of the way into the race, They took the lead for good at lap 53, just 24 laps from the finish and were never headed for the remainder of the race. Finishing second was the pole-winning team of 18-year-old newcomer Colin Braun and Max Papis, veteran of Formula One races. Third went to the Porsche Riley driven by David Donohue and Darren Law.

VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located just on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston, Virginia. In addition to its 3.27 mile natural-terrain road racing circuit, VIR is the cornerstone of VIR Club, America’s first motorsports country club; the VIR Raceplex Industrial Park; the Plantation Valley Kart Track, a 5/8 mile paved karting circuit; The Lodge at VIR, a 27-room trackside hotel; the VIR Paddock Suites and Garages, with 18 dual-purpose hospitality/lodging units and garages; Camp Motorsport; and the Oak Tree Tavern, a full-service restaurant located within the circa-1840 Plantation Clubhouse

AMA Distributing Television Public Service Announcement For Motorcycle Awareness Month

AMA to drivers: Focus on seeing motorcyclists PICKERINGTON, Ohio – May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, and the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is encouraging all drivers and riders to recommit to safe driving practices by avoiding distractions and staying focused on other highway users. The centerpiece of the campaign is a television Public Service Announcement (PSA) being distributed nationally. “We’ve all seen distracted drivers on the highway,” said Rob Dingman, President and CEO of the AMA. “The preoccupied cell phone talker straddling lanes on the freeway, the business person fumbling with a pocket computer while turning left, or the hair brusher watching the image in the mirror instead of the stopped traffic ahead. “Distracted drivers are a danger to everyone, particularly vulnerable road users like motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians,” he added. “And you never know who might be riding that motorcycle you encounter.” The PSA features an impatient and distracted driver who has a near-miss with a motorcyclist and then gets an unexpected surprise.

Racer Lunsford-led Houston Ride For Kids Raises $227,000 For The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

HOUSTON RIDE FOR KIDS® RAISES $227,000 TO HELP END CHILDHOOD BRAIN TUMORS Children with brain tumors received a Texas-sized helping hand at the Houston Ride for Kids® on April 29, which attracted more than 1,150 riders, fundraisers, patient families and volunteers and raised more than $227,000. Proceeds benefited the medical research and family support programs of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF). Riders in the 15th annual event met at the Pasadena Convention Center and Fairgrounds on a warm, sunny morning. During their police-escorted tour of the countryside of southern Houston, they had the opportunity to pass themselves twice, once on the soaring heights of the Fred Hartman Bridge, and again as they circled the San Jacinto Monument. After the ride the moving Celebration of Life program brought the motorcyclists face-to-face with local brain tumor survivors. The 14 stars of the day included Javier, a 3-year-old who recently took his first steps, and Darla, 19, a PBTF scholarship student. Michael G.’s mom, Monya, said that when her son was diagnosed, he was given four months to live. “But because of all that you do for research, [he] has survived for five years,” she told the cheering crowd. A local researcher who receives PBTF funding told the motorcyclists that their donations are also vital to children’s well-being. “It’s very important for the children and families to keep a good attitude and continue to have fun. You not only help with the research, but you give [them] a day of fun,” said Dr. Johannes Wolff, head of pediatric neuro-oncology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He was joined by Dr. Jack Su of Texas Children’s Hospital. The total raised at the event was $227,345. Top individual fundraisers were Terry and Maggie Simms of Deer Park, Texas, with $17,226. The top chapter/club was the Cowboy Honda Red Riders of Beaumont, which brought in $41,799, and the customers of Northwest Honda of Houston made it the top motorcycle business with $58,587 in donations. Bruce Reed of Converse, Texas, won the grand prize, a brand-new Honda motorcycle. The Houston Ride for Kids® owes its success to the hard work of local task force leader Ronnie Lunsford, visitation leaders Judy and Steve Ferguson, the dedicated task force members, and the many day-of-event volunteers. About the PBTF Ride for Kids® Since 1984, the national Ride for Kids® program and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) have promoted childhood brain tumor research and provided family support through free literature about brain tumors, educational newsletters, online conferences and college scholarships. With the help of America’s motorcycling community, the PBTF has become the world’s largest non-governmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor research. The next PBTF Ride for Kids® events are Sunday, May 6 in Los Angeles and Triangle Area, N.C. For more information, go to rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530.

Previews Of The Grand Prix Of China

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP hoping for no Chinese puzzles Rizla Suzuki MotoGP travels to Shanghai in China hoping that the strong race performance at the last round in Turkey can develop into podium results. John Hopkins scored an exciting sixth place in Istanbul last week and will certainly be looking to improve on that – and last year’s fourth at Shanghai when he takes to the track for round four of the MotoGP World Championship on Sunday 6th May. Hopkins qualified on the front row of the grid at last season’s race and will certainly be planning to emulate that this coming weekend. Team-mate Chris Vermeulen will be buoyed by the performance of his 800cc Suzuki GSV-R in Turkey. He managed a creditable 11th place after being knocked off on the first lap, and also recorded the fastest lap of the race on the penultimate lap, as the new generation of Bridgestone tyres yet again proved their consistency and performance over a race distance. Vermeulen continued in good form at the one-day test at Istanbul on the Monday after the race by setting the quickest time of the day. Rizla Suzuki MotoGP comes to Shanghai with over twice the amount of points that it had at the same stage of the season last year, and both riders will be looking for good results from their Bridgestone tyres over the 5.281km long circuit to improve on those totals. The Shanghai track features the longest straight on the MotoGP calendar at over a kilometre long where last year’s 990cc machines achieved speeds in excess of 340km/h before having to brake hard for a first gear hairpin. This is combined with a mixture of slow speed turns, sweeping curves, different gradients and the longest, most technical hairpin in the world of MotoGP. Rizla Suzuki MotoGP takes to the track on Friday 4th May for two hour-long free practice sessions. Saturday will see another hour’s worth of free practice in the morning before the excitement of the afternoon’s qualifying session gets underway. Sunday’s 22-lap race will begin at 15.00hrs local time (07.00hrs GMT). John Hopkins: “I like the Shanghai circuit. It is pretty testing and you have to be fast through some of the corners and hard on the brakes, so that suits me. I led here in ’05 and was on the front row and pushing for a podium last year so I am pretty determined to go that one step better this year. The bike is working really good and the tyres that Bridgestone brought to Turkey were a huge step forward, let’s hope we get more of the same in China and can get on the rostrum!” Chris Vermeulen: “I didn’t finish at Shanghai last year so I will certainly want to do better than that! The bike and tyres worked really well in Turkey and I am sure that will be the case in China as well. I am really looking forward to this race, the track is awesome and one that I enjoy riding at. Let’s just hope we can get round without anyone knocking me off!” More, from a press release issued by Dorna Communications: With the thrilling Grand Prix of Turkey fresh in the memory, the MotoGP world tour stops in China on May 6th for the fourth race of the 2007 season. The opening three rounds have provided exciting action every step of the way in all three categories, and the Shanghai International Circuit will only encourage the same kind of activity at the Sinopec Great Wall Lubricants Grand Prix of China. Casey Stoner leads the way in MotoGP in his first season with the factory Ducati team, having taken victory at two of the first three races this year. The Australian was the runaway leader at Istanbul Park in the previous round which, combined with a fifth place at Jerez, takes him up to 61 points with a ten point cushion ahead of Valentino Rossi. The Australian has triumphed at Shanghai before, winning the 250cc race in 2005, and will be keen to build on last year’s fifth position on Chinese soil. Five-time MotoGP World Champion Rossi is in a stronger position than he was this time last year, but was perhaps not counting on the superb form of Stoner as he attempts to reclaim the title he lost. The Yamaha factory team rider dropped down the field in Turkey after suffering tyre problems, something he will definitely not want a repeat of in his return to Shanghai. Last year he was forced to retire from the race after tyre problems left him adrift in the overall standings, however the Italian won a wet race at the inaugural Chinese GP back in 2005. Returning to the scene of his first MotoGP victory, Dani Pedrosa currently lies third in the overall classification. Unable to finish at the last round, the former 125cc and 250cc World Champion is sore after his crash in Turkey but scans revealed he should be ready to ride in China. Favoured to lead the Spanish charge for the title in 2007, Pedrosa now faces stiff competition from Toni Elias for a place in the Mediterranean fans’ affections. The Gresini Honda rider has had two highly impressive races since the start of the season, winning plaudits for the all-out riding style which most recently earned him a second place at Istanbul. Marco Melandri has yet to take a podium since the switch to 800cc bikes, even at his favourite track in the last round. However, on his day the Italian is always in with a shot of the top step of the podium, and is by no means out of the title running at such an early stage in the season. The American duo of Colin Edwards and Nicky Hayden are level on 26 points, with the latter still to step onto the rostrum in defence of his world title. Post-race testing after Turkey saw progress for the ‘Kentucky Kid’, and he will be hoping that he can get his season into top gear before the championship leaders begin to break away. Alex Barros and John Hopkins both have momentum in their favour, after strong performances where they could conceivably have finished amongst the top three. Hopkins was on the front row in China last year, and took fourth in the race itself. His Suzuki team-mate Australian star Chris Vermeulen completes the top ten in the MotoGP class. Practice for the Sinopec Great Wall Lubricants Grand Prix of China begins on Friday May 4th, with the race itself taking place on Sunday May 6th. 250cc In 250cc, Jorge Lorenzo continues to lead the way. However, the Spaniard faces the challenge of stopping a newly-aggressive Andrea Dovizioso as he attempts to annex China to ‘Lorenzo Land’. The reigning World Champion saw Dovizioso end his perfect run of both pole positions and race victories in 2007 at Istanbul, something that will not sit well with the Aprilia rider. Lorenzo still holds an advantage of 18 points over the 2006 runner up, and the two are sure to be involved in each other’s business throughout the weekend as they aim to stamp their authority on the class. Following them every step of the way, Alvaro Bautista has jumped in at the deep end in the 250cc category. Twice alongside the classification leaders on the podium at Jerez and Turkey, the reigning 125cc World Champion has established himself as a title contender in the opening stages of the season. Aspar team-mate Alex de Angelis is also on a good run of form, and rounds up the overall top six alongside 2006 Grand Prix of China race winner Hector Barbera and 250cc rookie Thomas Luthi. 125cc Any pattern established in the 125cc category, in which the same three riders had appeared on the podium in the opening two races, was thrown out of the window in Turkey. Championship leader Gabor Talmacsi was unable to follow up on his Jerez victory, and was out of the top three for the first time in 2007 as Simone Corsi took his first ever 125cc win. Talmacsi leads team-mate Hector Faubel by nine points, with the Spaniard also out of the running for the win at Istanbul. Lukas Pesek is still in search of elusive 125cc glory, and lies in third overall. Corsi’s first place takes him up to fourth in the general standings, ahead of Joan Olive and 15 year old rookie Pol Espargaro. The 125cc races have provided incredible action so far this year, and a clear favourite is still to be established in the category. Circuit Info The Shanghai International circuit, situated outside China’s prosperous metropolitan port city, hosted its first MotoGP race in 2005, but is already acknowledged as one of the most impressive race venues on earth. Vast grandstands overlook an equally impressive pits and paddock complex adjacent to the high-speed 5.281km/3.281 mile circuit. The track includes two very fast straights where bikes exceed 320kmh/199mph and a series of tight corners, including two long right-handers that take the riders through almost 360 degrees. Shanghai is one of the most modern and technologically advanced cities in the world, and its impressive race circuit fits in perfectly.

Ilmor Cuts MotoGP Crew

Ilmor GP Update Brixworth 30.04.07: It has been over a month since Ilmor GP Team Principal Mario Illien announced the temporary suspension of the team’s race programme and now it’s time for an update”¦ Today at the Ilmor Engineering factory in Northampton Illien and Managing Director Steve Miller announced that the Ilmor GP race team will be slimmed down to a ‘skeleton’ crew focusing on the continued development of the engine as a consequence many of the original Ilmor GP team personnel will be released from their contracts from the end of May 2007 onwards and will be free to pursue other opportunities. Speaking about the announcement Illien said: “Whilst our commitment to finding a title sponsor and suitable Ilmor GP partners to make racing a viable financial option continues in full force, it is senseless to employ an entire race team when our track activity has ceased albeit on a temporary basis. “I know that it’s hard for people to understand why we have stopped racing and some people have been quick to judge our withdrawal from the MotoGP World Championship but I remain upbeat and I still strongly believe that we will find a financial partner for the team. In the mean time we have to restructure and put in place a smaller team dedicated to engine development. “I attended the Dorna sponsorship workshop in Barcelona a couple of weeks ago and it is clear that further work needs to be done to make the sport more appealing to commercial partners” Illien added. “Key people outside of the sport don’t really understand what MotoGP is and the fantastic opportunity it represents by association. I also think that people perhaps underestimated the impact that the decline in tobacco sponsorship would have on the sport. Added to this potential corporate sponsors are much more environmentally aware these days I’m a strong believer that environmental issues and professional motorsport shouldn’t be mutually exclusive. There are plenty of opportunities to be explored on this front.” Whilst both Ilmor GP riders Jeremy McWilliams and Andrew Pitt remain under contract Illien has been happy to loan Pitt to World Superbike team Hannspree Ten Kate Honda for the race in Valencia whilst Frenchman Sebastien Charpentier recovered from his fractured coccyx and again this weekend in Assen as the team run a third bike at their home race. Commenting on the riders Illien said: “I’m pleased that Andrew performed so well in Valencia for Hanspree Ten Kate Honda, he demonstrates the flair and ability that we still believe he has. Both Andrew and Jeremy have done a fantastic job for Ilmor GP under difficult circumstances and I want to thank them for their on- going patience and understanding. If all goes to plan and we manage to secure the funding to get back out for the remainer of the 2007 season then of course I would love to have both riders back on board.”

1000th Ducati 1098 Delivered

DUCATI NORTH AMERICA DELIVERS 1000’TH 1098 Military Captain with Stints in Iraq Purchases Record-Setting Bike Cupertino, Calif. (April 29, 2007) – When Cpt. Yaqui Oselen of Atlanta purchased the 1,000th Ducati 1098 sold after deliveries began 10 weeks ago, it capped a record-setting quarter for the iconic brand in North America. Led by the flagship 1098 Superbike family, the first three months of 2007 closed with Ducati retail sales up 15 percent over last year’s record first quarter. Currently serving the Adjutant General Corps, Cpt. Oselen has 15 years of total military service, including time in Iraq when he was a Branched Air Defense Officer. The red 1098 is his fourth Ducati and his second from Atlanta Triumph Ducati. “Riding my Ducati is a lot like flying I just get total enjoyment from it,” said Cpt. Oselen.”It was an exotic toy to have initially. Quickly I became a sucker for the sound and handling and it became my bike of choice. I owned a Ducati 999 and when I got on the 1098 I immediately noticed the gains in horsepower and speed and the tires seemed to just stick to the road.” The dealership opened in the 1970s in Athens, Ga. and was known as “Cycle Specialties.” It moved to Atlanta five years ago, changed its name to Atlanta Triumph Ducati, and has become one of the most successful Ducati dealerships in the nation. Atlanta has become a key market for Ducati in North America with its southern climate and perfect roads in all directions to satisfy every type of rider. The 1098 Superbike is the most powerful twin-cylinder motorcycle in the world. This incredible machine produces a jaw-dropping 160 hp and 90.4 ft lbs of torque, and weighs a mere 381 pounds, giving it the highest torque-to-weight ratio of any sport bike on the market today. The 1098 carries a MSRP of $14,995 and the 1098 S model is priced at $19,995. A limited-edition Ducati 1098 Tricolore, featuring an evocative Italian red, white, and green racing livery and equipped with a special Termignoni performance exhaust sells for $24,995.

After Four Starts, Hacking Beats Hayes In AMA Supersport At California Speedway

It was red-flagged three times and postponed once, but the AMA Supersport race at California Speedway turned out to be a terrific battle to the end. In the end, Jamie Hacking, the defending Supersport Champion, took the win (his first of 2007) on his Monster Energy Kawasaki ZX-6R. Erion Honda’s Josh Hayes led most of the race, but Hacking took the lead with three laps to go and held it through heavy lapped traffic to win by 0.135 second. Hayes finished a close second but moved into the Supersport Championship points lead. Hacking’s teammate Roger Hayden came back from a lap-seven incident (a collision with Celtic Racing Yamaha’s Chaz Davies that resulted in Davies running off the track) to finish third, two seconds behind the lead pair. 2007 Pro Honda Oils AMA Supersport Championship Presented by Shoei Helmets California Speedway Fontana, California April 29, 2007 Provisional Race Results: 1. Jamie Hacking (Kaw ZX-6R), Dunlop, 17 laps 2. Josh Hayes (Hon CBR600RR), Dunlop, -0.135 second 3. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-6R), Dunlop, -2.168 seconds 4. Steve Rapp (Kaw ZX-6R), Pirelli, -3.947 seconds 5. Michael Barnes (Suz GSX-R600), Pirelli, -4.125 seconds 6. Tommy Hayden (Suz GSX-R600), Dunlop, -4.834 seconds 7. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R600), Pirelli, -5.459 seconds 8. Danny Eslick (Suz GSX-R600), Dunlop, -13.188 seconds 9. Chaz Davies (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, -13.401 seconds 10. Cory West (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, -13.968 seconds 11. Blake Young (Suz GSX-R600), Dunlop, -20.279 seconds 12. Jeremy Toye (Kaw ZX-6R), Dunlop, -29.443 seconds 13. Chris Siglin (Suz GSX-R600), Dunlop, -31.965 seconds 14. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, -31.965 seconds 15. Garrett Carter (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, -32.423 seconds 16. Ryan Andrews (Hon CBR600RR), Dunlop, -32.449 seconds 17. Barrett Long (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, -37.461 seconds 18. Ryan Elleby (Hon CBR600RR), Dunlop, -38.183 seconds 19. Bobby Fong (Suz GSX-R600), Michelin, -40.181 seconds 20. Grant Riggs (Suz GSX-R600), -51.272 seconds 21. Chris Siebenhaar (Suz GSX-R600), -73.337 seconds 22. Scott Ryan (Suz GSX-R600), Michelin, -74.150 seconds 23. Reno Karimian (Suz GSX-R600), -80.510 seconds 24. Morgan Murphy (Suz GSX-R600), -1 lap 25. C.R. Gittere (Suz GSX-R600), -1 lap, 0.071 second 26. Christopher Ancien (Suz GSX-R600), -1 lap, 0.241 second 27. Jay Ruess (Kaw ZX-6R), -1 lap, 15.088 seconds 28. Sahar Zvik (Suz GSX-R600), -1 lap, 15.386 seconds 29. Ed Sorbo (Yam YZF-R6), Bridgestone, -1 lap, 22.621 seconds 30. Colin Rimes (Suz GSX-R600), -1 lap, 36.733 seconds 31. John Dang (Yam YZF-R6), -1 lap, 90.265 seconds 32. Carlos Rodrigues (Kaw ZX-6R), -2 laps 33. Darren Luck (Suz GSX-R600), -2 laps, 65.366 seconds, mechanical 34. Lenny Hale (Yam YZF-R6), -5 laps 35. Mike Shreve (Yam YZF-R6), -6 laps 36. Michael Beck (Suz GSX-R600), Pirelli, -12 laps, DNF, crash 37. Eric Pinson (Yam YZF-R6), -12 laps, DNF 38. Ben Attard (Kaw ZX-6R), Pirelli, -13 laps, DNF 39. Tyler McDonald (Yam YZF-R6), Michelin, -13 laps, DNF, mechanical 40. Josh Herrin (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, -14 laps, DNF, crash 41. Aaron Gobert (Hon CBR600RR), Dunlop, -14 laps, DNF, mechanical 42. Shea Fouchek (Hon CBR600RR), Dunlop, -17 laps, DNF, crash 43. David Anthony (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, -17 laps, DNF, crash 44. Hawk Mazzotta (Yam YZF-R6), -17 laps, DNF 45. Jeff Seehorn (Kaw ZX-6R), -17 laps, DNF AMA Supersport Championship Point Standings: 1. Hayes, 96 points 2. Roger Hayden, 92 points 3. Rapp, 80 points 4. Tommy Hayden, 79 points 5. Barnes, 72 points 6. Hacking, 70 points 7. West, 65 points 8. Young, 59 points 9. Herrin, 52 points 10. TIE, Attard/Andrews, 49 points 12. TIE, May/Davies, 46 points 14. Elleby, 45 points 15. Eslick, 44 points 16. TIE, Siglin/Carter, 39 points 18. Beck, 35 points 19. Jeff Wood, 34 points 20. Gobert, 27 points

Mladin Holds Off Spies To Win Sunday’s AMA Superbike Race At California Speedway

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin beat his teammate and rival Ben Spies by 0.035 second to win the AMA Superbike race Sunday at California Speedway. Mladin got out to an early-race lead that maxed out at 3.2 seconds, but Spies was able to close that gap, leading to a dramatic run to the finish. Eric Bostrom got the holeshot on his Yamaha YZF-R1 but was not able to match the pace of the lead Suzuki pair and finished third. AMA Superbike Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited California Speedway Fontana, California April 29, 2007 Provisional Race Results: 1. Mat Mladin (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, 28 laps 2. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -0.035 second 3. Eric Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), Dunlop, -21.315 seconds 4. Tommy Hayden (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -24.616 seconds 5. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR1000RR), Dunlop, -24.950 seconds 6. Miguel Duhamel (Hon CBR1000RR), Dunlop, -25.709 seconds 7. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-10R), Dunlop, -34.549 seconds 8. Jamie Hacking (Kaw ZX-10R), Dunlop, -34.649 seconds 9. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -34.861 seconds 10. Jason DiSalvo (Yam YZF-R1), Dunlop, -63.235 seconds 11. Doug Chandler (Hon CBR1000RR), Dunlop, -80.415 seconds 12. James Ellison (Hon CBR1000RR), Dunlop, -1 lap 13. Kurtis Roberts (Hon CBR1000RR), Dunlop, -1 lap, 19.470 seconds 14. Scott Jensen (Suz GSX-R1000), Pirelli, -1 lap, 27.880 seconds 15. Martin Cardenas (Kaw ZX-10R), Pirelli, -1 lap, 38.754 seconds 16. David Weber (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -1 lap, 52.990 seconds 17. Dominic Jones (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 77.157 seconds 18. Johnny Rock Page (Yam YZF-R1), Dunlop, -2 laps 19. Matt Lynn (MV Agusta F4-1000R 312), Dunlop, -11 laps, DNF, mechanical 20. Dean Mizdal (Suz GSX-R1000), -21 laps, DNF 21. Jake Holden (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -22 laps, DNF 22. Luca Scassa (MV Agusta F4-1000R 312), Dunlop, -23 laps, DNF, mechanical Provisional AMA Supeerbike Championship Point Standings: 1. Spies, 173 points 2. Mladin, 164 points 3. Duhamel, 141 points 4. Tommy Hayden, 130 points 5. Zemke, 126 points 6. Yates, 119 points 7. Eric Bostrom, 116 points 8. DiSalvo, 114 points 9. Hacking, 90 points 10. Roger Hayden, 89 points

AMA Supersport Race At California Speedway Postponed Until After Superbike Due To Red Flags

The Pro Honda Oils AMA Supersport Presented by Shoei Helmets race at California Speedway has been postponed. The race was started twice, and both starts ended with red flags brought out by multi-bike crashes on the first laps. Due to the AMA Superbike race being broadcast live on SPEED, the Supersport race will be restarted after the Superbike final. Erion Honda’s Josh Hayes got the holeshot in both Supersport race starts.

Spies Wins AMA Superstock Race At California Speedway

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies retook the AMA Superstock Championship point lead with a victory on his Dunlop-equipped GSX-R1000 Sunday at California Speedway. Spies took the lead from Team M4 EMGO Suzuki’s Geoff May on lap five, quickly built an advantage and maintained his cushion to the checkered flag. Jordan Suzuki’s Aaron Yates and Jake Holden demoted May to fourth place shortly after Spies took the lead. Holden passed his teammate for second on lap eight and closed in on leader Spies at one point but had to settle for his second consecutive runner-up finish. Yates finished a lonely third. After a slow start, Graves Yamaha’s Ben Bostrom came back to take fourth place from May, who finished fifth. 2007 AMA Superstock Championship California Speedway Fontana, California April 29, 2007 Provisional Race Results: 1. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, 17 laps 2. Jake Holden (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -1.924 seconds 3. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -9.352 seconds 4. Ben Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), Dunlop, -11.247 seconds 5. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R1000), Pirelli, -21.551 seconds 6. Danny Eslick (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -28.986 seconds 7. Martin Cardenas (Kaw ZX-10R), Pirelli, -32.019 seconds 8. Scott Jensen (Suz GSX-R1000), Pirelli, -32.155 seconds 9. Blake Young (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -32.184 seconds 10. Robertino Pietri (Suz GSX-R1000), Pirelli, -43.166 seconds 11. Jason Curtis (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -46.787 seconds 12. Chris Ulrich (Suz GSX-R1000), Pirelli, -53.803 seconds, ride-through penalty 13. David Weber (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -65.488 seconds 14. Corey Sarros (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap 15. Chad Rolland (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 1.283 seconds 16. Ivan Garza (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, -1 lap, 21.988 seconds 17. Johnny Rock Page (Yam YZF-R1), Dunlop, -1 lap, 25.024 seconds 18. Terry Heard (Kaw ZX-10R), -1 lap, 30.052 seconds 19. Mark Simon (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 37.093 seconds 20. Brad Puetz (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 64.408 seconds 21. Jay Tanner (Yam YZF-R1), -7 laps, DNF, crash 22. Tom Savoca (Suz GSX-R1000), -10 laps, DNF 23. Santiago Villa (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, DNS AMA Superstock Championship Point Standings: 1. Spies, 103 points 2. Yates, 94 points 3. Ben Bostrom, 88 points 4. May, 79 points 5. Eslick, 77 points 6. Young, 71 points 7. TIE, Ulrich/Jensen, 67 points 9. Holden, 64 points 10. Cardenas, 46 points

San Jose BMW Wins SunTrust MOTO-ST VIR 500K In Virginia

DANVILLE, Va. – The No. 46 San Jose BMW R1200 of Brian Parriott of Calistoga, Calif. and Nate Kern of Conshohocken, Penn. scored their first SunTrust MOTO-ST Series victory of the season in the VIR 500k at Virginia International Raceway Sunday.

The pair finished 23.028 seconds ahead of the No. 6 Aprilia USA Aprilia Tuono 1000R ridden by Ty Howard of Weatherford, Tex. and Troy Green of Dallas in the three-hour race around VIR’s 3.27-mile full course. Parriott and Kern completed 86 laps at an average speed of 98.71 mph.

The No. 46 BMW led all but one lap on its way to victory, despite a late race stop-and-go penalty for having equipment outside the team’s pit stall on its final stop. That allowed the No. 6 Aprilia to gain time in the closing laps.

“My strategy at the beginning was to get the holeshot and take off, and I managed to do that,” said Parriott. “At the end I knew Ty was clawing back time. I knew he’d be coming and I needed to put in some hot laps.”

The San Jose BMW team won last October’s inaugural Eight Hours At Daytona, the debut event for the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series, and led most of this year’s season opener, also at Daytona.

“I didn’t have one of my best days,” said Kern. “But Brian went out and showed everybody why we won at Daytona last year.”

With the runner-up finish the No. 6 Aprilia USA team moved into first place in the Buell Motorcycle Company SuperSport Twins (SST) Team point standings after three of six events with 99 points. The No. 46 San Jose BMW squad jumped from fifth into a tie for second with the No. 32 Vallely Racing Suzuki team, which placed third at VIR, with 84 points.

The No. 6 Aprilia lost valuable time during the race’s only full course caution period near half-distance, when Howard dropped a lap behind the No. 46 BMW.

“We got hung up in traffic a few times early in the race and Brian got a gap on me,” Howard explained. “Then I was a little late coming out of the pits during the caution flag and that put us a lap behind.”

The No. 32 Vallely Racing Suzuki SV1000S shared between Mike Himmelsbach of Quakertown, Penn. and Matt McBride from Toronto, Ont finished one lap behind the winners.

Fourth place was taken by the No. 21 Ducati 749 ridden by Gustavo Laya, of Miami, Fla. and Rodolfo Ramirez from Sunrise, Fla. while fifth spot went to the No. 69 RightsForBikers.com Suzuki SV1000S of Mark Crozier from Palm Coast, Fla. and Nathan Dressman of Berkley, Mich. These two teams waged a furious battle for the spot in the closing laps of the race, which was resolved in favour of the Ducati when Crozier had to pit for fuel with five minutes remaining.

Brian Kcraget of Danville, Va. and Melissa Berkoff from Washington, D.C. captured the Sport Twins (ST) class win on their Speed Werks.com Suzuki SV650 after a dominant performance.

The team’s only setback came when Kcraget fell while trying to retake the class lead from Jimmy Filice on the No. 9 Pair-A-Nines Kawasaki EX650.

“I made the pass but was too hot into the next corner and got into the grass,” Kcraget said. “I slowed the bike down but fell, but I was able to get back up. I was riding a little upset after that.”

Filice, from Modesto, Calif., and Jay Springsteen of Lapeer, Mich. settled for second after winning the opening two events of the year on their Kawasaki. Third in ST went to the No. 79 GoBigRacing Suzuki SV650 shared by Ross Millson of Hamilton, Ont. and Keene, Ont. rider Paul Glenn.

The No. 9 Kawasaki team leads the ST standings with 102 points with the No. 79 Suzuki squad second on 92 points.

The battle for the BMW Grand Sport Twins (GST) victory turned into a war of attrition as only the winning No. 8 Richie Morris Racing Buell XB12 of Shawn Higbee and Clint Brotz managed to avoid problems.

Higbee, from Oconomonoc, Wis. and Brotz, from Elkhart Lake, Wis. finished five laps clear of the No. 77 Touring Sport Ducati Supersport 1000DS of Peter Friedland of Columbia, S.C., Brad Phillips from Greer, S.C. and Frank Shockley of Greenville, S.C. Third place went to the No. 89 RightsForBikers.com Ducati PS1000LE of John Linder of Tampa, Fla., and Chris Boy and Jason Edmonds, both of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The No. 77 Ducati was in the thick of the lead fight before a split oil cooler put it behind, while the No. 89 Ducati came back from a crash by Edmonds at half distance.

“The other guys had some bad luck but we kept our head down and kept a steady pace,” Higbee said. “Our pit stops were a lot better this weekend and that helped us on the track.”

With the victory the No. 8 Buell extended its lead in the GST Team standings to four points over the No. 77 Ducati, 100-96.

This year’s SunTrust MOTO-ST Series will continue with the Road America 500K, July 7-8 at Road America, the Iowa Speedway 500K at Iowa Speedway July 12-13, and the 8 Hours At Daytona Finale, October 19-20 at Daytona International Speedway.

MOTO-ST is organized and sanctioned by Professional Motorsports Productions (PMP) of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and the Grand American Road Racing Association, based in Daytona Beach, Fla., provides the series with administrative and commercial support. The MOTO-ST advisory board features some of the most respected individuals in the world of motorsports, including Hall of Fame members, respected motorcycle racing journalists and renowned officials from various forms of road racing. Learn more about MOTO-ST at www.moto-st.com.

RESULTS

SUNTRUST MOTO-ST VIR 500K (500 kilometers/86 laps):

OVERALL: 1. San Jose BMW (Brian Parriott/Nate Kern), BMW R 1200 S, Super Sport Twins, 86 laps; 2. Aprilia USA 2 (Ty Howard/Troy Green), Apr Tuono RSV1000R, Super Sport Twins, 86 laps, -23.028 seconds; 3. Vallely Racing 32 (Michael Himmelsbach/Matt McBride/Tom Vallely), Suz SV1000S, Super Sport Twins, 85 laps; 4. Team Florida (Gustavo Laya/Rodolfo Ramirez), Duc 749, Super Sport Twins, 85 laps, -59.620 seconds; 5. Rightsforbikers.com 69 (Mark Crozier/Nathan Dressman), Suz SV1000S, Super Sport Twins, 85 laps, -64.194 seconds; 6. Vallely Racing 33 (Frank Trombino/David Loikits/Tom Vallely), Suz SV1000S, Super Sport Twins, 84 laps; 7. Wagner Motorsports Racing (Mark Reynolds/Gus Holcomb), Apr Tuono RSV1000R, Super Sport Twins, 83 laps; 8. Team Zyvax (J.B. Layman/Scott Layman/Steve Green), Suz SV1000S, Super Sport Twins, 83 laps, -0.501 second; 9. R & R Racing (Mike Luke/Andrew Deatherage), Apr Tuono RSV1000R, Super Sport Twins, 82 laps; 10. Speedwerks.com (Brian Kcraget/Melissa Berkoff), Suz SV650, Sport Twins, 82 laps, -5.349 seconds; 11. Richie Morris Racing (Shawn Higbee/Clint Brotz), Buell XB-12R, Grand Sport Twins, 82 laps -56.936 seconds; 12. Pair-A-Nines (Jay Springsteen/Jimmy Filice), Kaw EX650, Sport Twins, 82 laps, 67.137 seconds; 13. Go Big Racing (Ross Milson/Glenn Keene), Suz SV650, Sport Twins, 81 laps; 14. Blue Ridge Performance (Ben Walters, Jr./Justin Garvin), Kaw EX650, 81 laps, -107.446 seconds; 15. Team Old Pros Racing (Paul Schwemmer/Brett Ray), Apr Tuono RSV1000R, Super Sport Twins, 80 laps.

BUELL MOTORCYCLE COMPANY SUPER SPORT TWINS: 1. San Jose BMW; 2. Aprilia USA 2; 3. Vallely Racing 32; 4. Team Florida; 5. Rightsforbikers.com 69; 6. Valelly Racing 33.

BMW GRAND SPORT TWINS: 1. Richie Morris Racing; 2. Touring Sport Ducati (Peter Friedland/Brad Phillips/Frank Shockley), Duc 1000SS, 77 laps; 3. Rightsforbikers.com 89 (Jason Edmonds/John Linder/Christopher Boy), Duc PS1000LE, 57 laps; 4. James Gang (Paul James/Jeffrey Johnson), Buell XB-12R, 42 laps; 5. Drummer Racing (Tracy Church/Marty Beshears/Casey Church), Buell XB-9R, 39 laps; 6. Team Ducati New York (Eric Helmbach/Eric Schnorrbusch/Eric Wilson), Duc PS1000LE, 19 laps.

SPORT TWINS: 1. Speedwerks.com; 2. Pair-A-Nines; 3. Go Big Racing; 4. Out Of The Blue Racing (Travis McNerney/Mark Ervy), Suz SV650, 78 laps; 5. Edge Racing (Tim Luporini/Chris Myerle/Don Rankin), Suz SV650, 78 laps; 6. Rightsforbikers.com 16 (Eric Spector/Nicole Hoffman/Mark Crozier), Suz SV650, 78 laps, -80.699 seconds.

More, from a press release issued by VIR:

Kern and Parriott Ride Competition into the Ground in VIR500 Motorcycle Race

DANVILLE, VA., April 29 The riding team of Nate Kern and Brian Parriott started from third place on the grid but took the lead in Turn One of the 500-kilometer VIR500 for the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series race over VIRginia International Raceway’s scenic 3.27-mile road course.

In a race that seemed almost decided after the first turn, the No. 46 San Jose BMW BMW R1200 led nearly all the 500-k/three-hour race, dropping out of the lead only when the team made pit stops for fuel, tire and rider changes. The first full-course caution of the 2007 racing season for MOTO-ST occurred when the No. 89 RightsforBikers.com Ducati PS1000LE ridden by Jason Edmonds crashed in Turn One. Edmonds was checked and released at the track’s medical center after the hard crash.

A pit stop during the caution by the No. 6 Aprilia Tuono 1000R from Aprilia USA, ridden by Ty Howard and Troy Green, dropped them a lap down to the leading BMW. The Italian machine wasted little time in working back onto the lead lap, thanks to pit stop cycling, but after the three-hour time limit, ten laps short of the scheduled distance, was still just over 23 seconds behind the German twin.

The top nine positions at the finish were held by SuperSport Twins (SST) class bikes, with tenth spot overall and class win in the SportTwins category going to the No. No. 87 SpeedWerks.com Suzuki SV650. Riders Brian Kcraget, from Danville, teamed with Washington, D.C.’s Melissa Berkoff to put the car in 32nd on the grid before moving steadily through the field. They were followed in eleventh overall by the seventeenth-qualifying No. 8 GrandSport Twin Richie Morris Racing Buell XB12. The American bike qualified at x

Parriott turned the fastest lap of the race, a blistering 1:59.238 at an average speed of 98.727 mph. The next best time was set by the second-place Aprilia, at 0.178 second slower.

In other racing action, the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve 400-kilometer race for Daytona Prototype sports cars went to the No. 10 SunTrust Racing Pontiac Riley driven by Wayne Taylor, Max Angelelli and Jan Magnussen. Moving up from their fifth starting position, the multi-national team moved the car into the battle for second about a third of the way into the race, They took the lead for good at lap 53, just 24 laps from the finish and were never headed for the remainder of the race. Finishing second was the pole-winning team of 18-year-old newcomer Colin Braun and Max Papis, veteran of Formula One races. Third went to the Porsche Riley driven by David Donohue and Darren Law.

VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located just on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston, Virginia. In addition to its 3.27 mile natural-terrain road racing circuit, VIR is the cornerstone of VIR Club, America’s first motorsports country club; the VIR Raceplex Industrial Park; the Plantation Valley Kart Track, a 5/8 mile paved karting circuit; The Lodge at VIR, a 27-room trackside hotel; the VIR Paddock Suites and Garages, with 18 dual-purpose hospitality/lodging units and garages; Camp Motorsport; and the Oak Tree Tavern, a full-service restaurant located within the circa-1840 Plantation Clubhouse

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