Ben Spies and his mother Mary made the mainstream news with a feature in Sunday’s Dallas Morning News. Read it here: ~http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/life/stories/082006dnlivspies.2ced1dd.html~

The Superbike Commission, composed of Messrs. Paolo Flammini (FGSport), Claude Danis (FIM) and Giulio Bardi (Team representative), unanimously decided to introduce the following modifications to the Road Racing Superbike & Supersport World Championship and Superstock Cup Regulations (for application as from September 1st next): TECHNICAL REGULATIONS 2.5.6.11 Fuel Tank (Supersport) Fuel tank must remain as originally produced by the manufacturer for the homologated machine. All fuel tanks must be completely filled with fire retardant material (open-celled mesh, i.e. “Explosafe”). Fuel tanks with tank breather pipes must be fitted with non-return valves that discharge into a catch tank with a minimum volume of 250 cc made of a suitable material. Fuel caps may be changed. Fuel caps when closed, must be leak proof. Additionally, they must be securely locked to prevent accidental opening at any time. 2.7.6.11 Fuel Tank (Superstock) Fuel tank filler caps may be altered or replaced from those fitted to the homologated motorcycle, by a ‘screw-on’ type fuel cap (SAFETY). All fuel tanks must be completely filled with fire retardant material (open-celled mesh, i.e. “Explosafe”). Fuel tank valve petcock must remain as originally produced by the manufacturer for the homologated machine. The sides of the fuel tank may be covered by a protective part made of a composite material. These protectors must fit the shape of the fuel tank. Fuel tanks with tank breather pipes must be fitted with non-return valves that discharge into a catch tank with a minimum volume of 250cc made of a suitable material. 2.7.11 Additional Equipment (Superstock) Additional equipment not on the original homologated motorcycle may not be added. (i.e. data acquisition, computers, recording equipment etc.). Telemetry is not allowed. The only potentiometers and sensors allowed are those fitted as original equipment on the motorcycle as homologated.

Q+A with Junichi Kawajiri Bridgestone Motorsport – Manager Motorcycle Race Tire Development The Czech Republic Grand Prix saw Loris Capirossi dominating the weekend on his way to scoring the Bridgestone-shod Ducati Corse team’s second victory of the 2006 season. Bridgestone Motorsport’s Manager Motorcycle Race Tire Development, Junichi Kawajiri, reviews the successful weekend from Bridgestone’s perspective and its influence on September’s trio of intercontinental events in Malaysia, Australia and Japan. Were you surprised at the competitiveness of the Ducati-Bridgestone package in Brno? “Brno has always been a favoured track for Ducati with successive top five finishes, including a close second place with Loris last year. It is also a circuit that suits Bridgestone’s range of tyres with the relatively mid-high grip asphalt playing to our strengths. We were optimistic for a strong result coming into the weekend, but the dominance demonstrated by Loris in the race was beyond all our expectations.” How much of that success is attributable to the tyres? “Results are never attributable to one factor. There can, of course, be occasions where one part of the package plays a bigger role. Brno is a technical track and that places a greater emphasis on the set-up of the bike in unison with the tyres. Consequently we had to work intensively with our three teams in each of the practice sessions to help them select a tyre that best worked with the set-up of their bikes. By Saturday, we had found one particular specification that showed a higher level of competitiveness and it was this specification that was ultimately used by all six Bridgestone riders in the race.” Did the new generation family of compounds prove successful? “We utilised the three-week break between Laguna Seca and Brno to produce a new family of compounds as part of our preparation for the remaining races of the season. We tried these tyres in free practice on Friday to evaluate their suitability for the race and found some good immediate results, particularly with the Kawasakis. The nature of the Brno circuit, however, favoured an alternative specification, which had been developed for the Czech Republic race based on our experience and analysis of previous GPs. I think the success of this more Brno-friendly tyre in the race underlines how we are putting into practice all that we have learned over the last four seasons.” Why were the Ducatis so much more competitive than other Bridgestone-shod teams? “I think each of our teams did a fantastic job and all three were able to finish with one bike in the top eight, which is a fine achievement. I think it is fair to say that Kawasaki has never really enjoyed this circuit, but Shinya Nakano crossed the line just a fraction behind John Hopkins’ Suzuki and both were only a couple of seconds from fourth place. Ducati’s approach to the weekend was to focus on long runs and bike set-up. Loris completed in excess of race distance on his chosen tyre in practice and was able to lap consistently and competitively. He was in a class of his own all weekend.” Were you disappointed to miss out on pole position in qualifying? “Loris’s qualifying time was 1.1 seconds quicker than the pole record from last year. The fact that eleven riders qualified with a quicker time than 2005 pole really shows the year-on-year improvement made by teams and tyre manufacturers. It was disappointing to miss out on pole in the closing minutes of the session, but we were confident in our race pace and durability and that’s what counts.” Does the Brno win hint at a Bridgestone renaissance in the coming races? “We certainly hope to use this win to build up momentum in the three intercontinental races in Malaysia, Australia and Japan. They are circuits where we have enjoyed previous success. We won in Malaysia and Japan last year with Loris, so we are out to defend our success there. Ducati also scored a podium in Philip Island in 2005 with Carlos Checa, but we are not getting complacent. We know the championship is tough this year and are not taking anything for granted. We have two wins this year but we want more and are working hard for them.”

A third and fifth place at the Schleiz Triangle German IDM Superbike sixth round saw Suzuki International Europe rider Andreas Meklau regain the lead in the 16-race series aboard his GSX-R1000. The traditional natural race track was hit by rain for the opening race which was won by Jörg Teuchert, closely followed by Dieder van Keymeulen and Mellau. Meklau. The rain stopped briefly in the second race and the racing line dried out. The start saw 44 year old Herbert Kaufmann (Yoshimura Schafer Motorsport Suzuki) take the lead from third on the grid after opting for a harder tyre and Teuchert, van Keymeulen, Michael Schulten and Meklau couldn’t make an impression. Meklau’s Swiss team mate Roman Stamm also put in a good performance with fourth and seventh positions to hold seventh in the Championship. Andreas Meklau: ” We got the best results in these weather conditions and the chassis and tyres matched up. In the first race I was too hesitant at the start. As I gained confidence I managed to overtake Michael Schulten, Günther Knobloch and Herbert Kaufmann but then the race was over. In the second race it was an effort to get by Martin Bauer, so I missed the boat up front.” Herbert Kaufmann: ” My first podium place in the Superbike IDM is a victory – it couldn’t have been better, especially as it happened on the track where I won in the Supersport class last year.” Roman Stamm: “In the first race I was in 13th position after the first round but I managed to pick up well and actually notched up the fastest lap. After a patch of bad luck, things are finally looking up. Fifth place at the Salzburgring was a ray of hope and now things are going even better. Now all I need is a cup.” Championship Points (after 6 rounds): 1 Meklau 174, 2 Teuschert 168, 3 Bauer 166, 4 Nebel 138, 5 Kellner 134, 6 Schulten 119, 7 Stamm 109.

Leo Vince/Pegram Racing Honda’s Ryan Elleby has a new web page. It is ~http://www.ryanelleby.com/~ .

Cadwell Park is Steve Plater’s home circuit and the Rizla Suzuki racer will be counting on the support of the local fans during this Bank Holiday Monday’s 11th round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at the Lincolnshire track. Plater, from Woodhall Spa, just 15-miles from the 2.18-mile long picturesque Cadwell Park, has won both Superbike and Supersport races at his home venue in the past. “At the recent test at Cadwell Park I was able to run in the top 10 comfortably, in both wet and dry conditions,” explained Steve, who is substituting for Rizla Suzuki’s regular rider, James Haydon, who is injured. “I am really looking forward to the races as I usually do quite well there. I would like to think I am capable of pulling off a couple of top-six finishes in front of my home crowd who give me a lot of support.” Alongside Steve will be fans’ favourite Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, who is aiming for a triumphant return to Cadwell Park after a two-year absence. Lying in a strong fourth in the Championship chase on his GSX-R1000, he has already tasted victory this year. He said: “On my last visit to Cadwell Park I won a race – the circuit is a favourite of mine. “Cadwell Park British Superbikes is a little bit special. The crowd is one of the largest of the year and there is always massive enthusiasm and I love that. I’ll be giving it my all.” Superbike racing starts at 1315 on Monday, August 28th.