The Floribama Riders motorcycle club is holding its 3rd Annual track day weekend at Barber Motorsports Park September 17th and 18th, 2005. Camping is available Friday and Saturday nights with the gate opening at 7pm Friday evening. Riders of all skill levels are welcome in the “Street” and “Track” groups. Riders are also welcome to practice in the “Race Practice” group for the upcoming WERA National at Barber the following weekend. More info is available at ~http://www.floribamariders.com/trackdays.html~ The event will be held rain or shine. The regional Bridgestone race tire vendor will be in attendance.

Rizla Suzuki looking for crowd support at Cadwell Park RIZLA SUZUKI’S John Reynolds and James Haydon are calling on their fans to give them a boost when they race at Cadwell Park in the 10th round of the British Superbike Championship this Bank Holiday Monday, August 29th. Traditionally one of the most popular races of the year with crowds in excess of 40,000 making the trip to the picturesque Lincolnshire circuit, Cadwell Park is an amphitheatre of action and a circuit where the riders get closer to the fans than anywhere else on the calendar. JR said: “At Cadwell you are so close to the fans that you can actually hear them cheering you on. I swear that you can see the whites of their eyes and as fast as you are riding, they help lift you over the mountain section of the circuit. This is one venue where the support of the fans can make a difference to the race – they can really motivate you. “I finished Silverstone last weekend with another podium and probably the best race bike I have ever ridden. I’m back to fitness and want to get further up the podium at Cadwell Park. It’s about time Rizla Suzuki was mixing it at the front and I hope it is this weekend.” The 2.18-mile long Cadwell Park track features numerous changes in elevation combined with fast sweeping turns and hairpins that all combine to make it one of the most exciting circuits on the BSB calendar. It takes a fearless rider to master Cadwell Park. “Cadwell Park is a racers circuit and like most racers, I ride on emotion and enjoyment,” enthused James. “I know for sure the fans will give me support this weekend and that will fire me up. “My Rizla Suzuki is pretty close to the way I want it to perform and we are not far off finding a pace that will have me threatening at the front every weekend. Cadwell Park is another opportunity for us to make more progress and as it’s a Bank Holiday, I think a touch of champagne on Monday would be very fitting.” Superbike racing starts at 1315 on Monday, August 29th. It will be covered live by Sky Sports and a package highlights programme will be broadcast the following Sunday morning on Channel 4.

DUTCH racer Jurgen van den Goorbergh sampled the performance of the Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 that he will campaign at the Assen round of World Superbikes during a private test at Silverstone in Northamptonshire yesterday evening. The 35-year-old who has raced in MotoGP and World Supersport this year will make his Superbike debut at his home Assen track on September 4th using the same Rizla Suzuki bikes raced by British Superbike Champion John Reynolds and his team mate James Haydon. With just 90-minutes of track time at Silverstone it was a busy session for Jurgen as he acquainted himself with both bike and team. After a few minor adjustments of riding position to suit his style, he got down to the job of finding the limits of the Rizla Suzuki in the glorious sunshine. WSB rules state that all competitors must use a control tyre. Rizla Suzuki and Jurgen tested several control tyres and set the GSX-R1000 up to find maximum performance over a race distance. Using the Silverstone GP circuit, Jurgen ended the session less than two-seconds behind the lap record and in positive mood. Rizla Suzuki Team Co-ordinator Simon Green said: “We had an excellent test with Jurgen and he is very complimentary about our Superbike. “He likes the power delivery and we have found a comfortable base setting for him that we will use as our starting point when we go to Assen, which is a very different circuit to Silverstone. We will have our work cut out for us against the WSB regulars while using a control tyre that is new to us, but with Jurgen we have a rider with intimate circuit knowledge and we hope to acquit ourselves well.” Assen WSB is popular with the British crowds and will be televised live on British Eurosport as well as benefiting from delayed highlights on Channel 4. The Superbike action starts at noon on Sunday, September 4th.

SEVEN RACES TO GO AS HONDA RIDERS HUNT POINTS The Czech Grand Prix marks the start of the second phase of this tough season and Honda’s experienced line-up of top performers know this is when they have to heap pressure on series points leader Valentino Rossi (Yamaha). Although the reigning World Champion’s points lead currently looks unassailable, enough title leads have been lost in the closing races of a season to make this chase more than just a fight for second place among the pursuing pack. Marco Melandri (Team Movistar Honda RC211V) is the man best-placed to make the charge from second place overall, but his team-mate Sete Gibernau (Team Movistar Honda RC211V) is just one point behind the Italian and Max Biaggi (Repsol Honda RC211V) is just one point behind Colin Edwards (Yamaha) who lies fourth, in fifth overall. From second overall to seventh overall, the points spread is a mere 15, putting at least runner-up and third overall well within the reach of five Honda MotoGP stars (the other Honda men being Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) and Alex Barros (Camel Honda RC211V) in sixth and seventh overall). Melandri has won here on a 125 and a 250; twice in the smallest class in 1998 and 1999 and once in 2002 on a 250. His team-mate Sete won here last year on his RC211V and the Spaniard knows if he can score a first win in 2005, he is more than capable of repeating the feat regularly in the closing races. But it’s Max who should be the real danger-man here. The Roman ace has struggled so far this year, two podiums are way under what he expected to achieve by this stage. But he’s been one of the most successful riders here in recent times. He won here four times (back-to-back) on a 250 between 1994 and 1997, and he has also scored three premier class wins here too in 1998, 2000 and 2002. Of all the riders hoping for a victory here this weekend, perhaps Max is man best qualified to expect one. Troy Bayliss (Camel Honda RC211V) remains out of sorts this season and an early-season injury has made this year a struggle for Makoto Tamada (Konica Minolta Honda RC211V) who has way more to give than seen so far. Perhaps this three-week lay-off will give the hard-charging Japanese a chance to reassert himself at the front. Brno lies 200km south-east of Prague and the area is steeped in the rich history of Grand Prix racing. Races were run on an imposing closed roads course before the dedicated circuit was built in 1987. The 5.403km track is a spectacular environment for motorcycle racing and its plunging turns and a power-sapping climb demand a maximum from riders and machines. The track drops 73m from its highest to its lowest point and this gradient is felt chiefly by way of downhill corner entries that make huge demands on the front tyre. Some of these tricky entries are compounded by negative camber that further increases the need for dependable front-end grip. And from turn four to turn 11 it’s all downhill. There are fast chicanes requiring a chassis set up for rapid changes of direction. Precise steering is a must here even though the track is exceptionally wide at 15m without accurate turn-in at the high sustained speeds achieved here not even this super-wide circuit can accommodate wayward exits resulting from inaccurate turn-in. Another factor is the huge, enthusiastic crowd, The Czechs love their motorcycle racing and tens of thousands flock to Brno where the viewing facilities are excellent. The event won’t quite attract the crowds of 250,000 who used to watch in the 1970s, but Brno, like the best tracks, always has a charged atmosphere. Sete Gibernau said, “I’m looking forward to having fun on the bike again, having good races, and Brno is always a circuit I look forward to. Last year we won in the Czech Republic and I remember it as one of the most enjoyable races of the season. That victory and the good sensations I left with from the last race in Germany mean that I’m returning to the Championship feeling mentally strong.” His team-mate Marco Melandri said, “I feel in top shape, like at the start of the season, and I’m really looking forward to getting back on the bike, especially at Brno because it is a circuit I love and I’ve had some great races there. My best memory is from 2002 because I scored my sixth straight win and it helped me to the 250cc title.” Alex Barros spent the break in Brazil and is now ready for the tough run-in. He currently holds the lap record at Brno of 1m 59.302 seconds. He said, “It’s the sort of track you have to ride clean, and be fast in the corners where the engine power delivery is very important. Normally the tyres aren’t worked as hard as at the Sachsenring as long as it’s not too hot, but that is something you really have to bear in mind. I’m not worried though because I’m sure that whatever happens, Michelin are perfectly equipped to deal with any eventuality.” Troy Bayliss did not go back to his native Australia but feels rested nonetheless. “We stayed in Monaco with a few friends,” he said. “It’s been relaxing, and it gave me the chance to forget about the last couple of races. I really like Brno, and I got on the podium in my first ever race there, but I’m not expecting a good result just because of that. In the last races we haven’t demonstrated the steps forward we’ve made with the bike, but it doesn’t mean we haven’t been making them. With a little bit of luck we can do well in the next few races, beginning with Brno.” “This is my favourite circuit,” said Max. “I like it because it’s fast and I’m particularly fond of the four chicanes. Speeds are really high here and you need a lot of courage and commitment to make the changes of direction. I’ve taken victory several times here and the local people have given my name to a bridge not far away from the circuit. I’ve won here with all the bikes I’ve raced with except for the current one this I hope to change.” Nicky said, “After Brno the season is going to click away real fast and like I said after the race in Germany now I’ve tasted blood I want some more. Laguna was great and Germany felt ordinary just standing on the bottom step. The circuit makes for close racing and I’m ready for a fight now. It’s so close between seventh and second spot in the championship and every race and every point is going to count for so much. I won’t be happy to finish where I am at the moment. I look to start moving up from Brno.” Makoto Tamada said, “Here I am, finally back on track and I will be at 100% physically. The problems which slowed me down have gone. The time to pay back the trust of all the people who never stopped believing in my abilities has come. I am ready to get back on the saddle of my bike to restart at my best at the Czech Grand Prix.” In the 250cc class Dani Pedrosa (Team Movistar Honda RS250RW) is dominant. The Spanish sensation is 50 points ahead of nearest title rival Casey Stoner (Aprilia), but knows he needs to stay totally focussed in his customary manner to reap the rewards of a season of hard riding. “I’m satisfied with what we’ve done during the first half of the World Championship,” he said. “But I hope to finish it even better. I have to be back to full concentration at Brno and make sure I do a good job. Everything will go very quickly after this one and we have to be prepared for a very tough end to the season. But everything comes in its own time. For now the only thing to think about is this weekend, which will be tough because we’re staying to test on Monday. I’m looking forward to riding the bike again.” Andrea Dovizioso (Scot Racing Team Honda RS250RW) lies third overall just seven points behind Stoner while Hiroshi Aoyama (Team Movistar Honda RS250RW) currently occupies seventh spot in the standings. “In 2004 I was second here,” said Dovi. “I like this track and in the last tests we tried different setting solutions so this weekend I’ll go to work with important experience behind me. This year it’ll be the first time I’ll have ridden a 250 at this track and I’ll be trying to run a very strong race to reduce the gap in World Championship standings.” Hiro said, “I’ve been in Barcelona for the past ten days preparing for the season to start again and I’ve almost forgotten about my holidays in Japan. Things are improving every week and I feel increasingly sure of myself. My relationship with the team is really good and my confidence just keeps growing. Brno will be very important so I can head to Japan in high spirits.” Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) leads the 125cc title chase with 119 points to KTM’s Mika Kallio’s 116 and Gabor Talmacsi’s 113 (also KTM). Every round becomes ultra-critical now and no one can afford any mistakes in this ultra-close run-in. Luthi remains relaxed and measured as he prepares for the increased intensity of the remaining races, “I really like Brno,” said the Swiss. “It’s a fast track and I prefer racing on tracks with fast corners. Brno should be another great race.” Fabrizio Lai, who is currently seventh in the points standings said, “Last year I didn’t get a good result because of problems with my bike. You need to have a perfect chassis-setting here. I also think Brno is a place where a good rider can make the difference because it’s very technical and fast.” Alvaro Bautista (Seedorf Racing Honda RS125RW) is riding as hard as ever for that elusive first podium of the season. He said, “I’m confident with our improvements in the last races, and with what I can do. Brno is not a circuit I like very much, and I had problems here in my first two seasons in the World Championship. But this doesn’t bother me now.”

Former race John Wehrli married former Umbrella Girls USA umbrella girl and Speed’s Miss Two-wheel Tuesday Amber Berry August 10 in San Diego, California. LRRS racer Ted Meyer (#242) married girlfriend Cathy New August 20 in The Bronx, New York.

Tommy Hayden’s broken right hand is not 100% healed but is much better than it was when he rode to a second-place finish at Mid-Ohio, when the fracture was only two weeks old, and may be good enough for him to clinch his second straight AMA Supersport Championship at Virginia International Raceway (VIR). Hayden suffered a displaced fracture to the third metacarpal in his right hand when he crashed during the AMA Superstock race at Laguna Seca July 10. Thanks to modifications his crew made to his hand controls, Hayden was able to ride in the Supersport race later that day and, after surgery to plate the fracture, in the Supersport race at Mid-Ohio, two weeks later. In fact, Hayden finished second at Mid-Ohio and left the track holding a 36-point lead in the Championship over his teammate, and brother, Roger Hayden. If Tommy Hayden can score two points more than his brother at VIR, he would wrap up his second consecutive AMA Supersport title, becoming only the third rider to ever do so. “There’s still some unknown,” said the eldest of the three racing Hayden brothers. “I’m definitely way better than I was at Mid-Ohio, but we tested at Atlanta last week and I’m still not 100%. “But (VIR) should definitely be a lot easier than it was at Atlanta. Atlanta was a lot harder than I expected, because my fingers are all still kind of weak and there’s a lot of hard braking at Atlanta. VIR, I don’t think, has quite as much hard braking, so I don’t think VIR will be a problem.” Tommy Hayden said he was unsure if he would attempt to ride his ZX-10R Superstock bike at VIR. He did not ride the bigger, more powerful bike at Mid-Ohio.

USGPRU Lowers Age Minimum Odenton, MD. The USGPRU powered by AlwaysOnline.net has announced the minimum age limit at select events this year will be lowered to 12 years old. The 12 year old age limit will apply for both the East Coast Regional Final at Autobahn Raceway on Sept 11th and the $10,000 National Championship Final race at Texas World Speedway on Oct 2nd. Select events will also be identified where kids age 12 and older will be allowed to participate in the 2006 season. According to series President, Stewart Aitken-Cade, “By lowering the age minimum, we’re giving these rising superstars the opportunity to further develop their racing skills that much sooner. There are lots of kids that are ready to move to the next level now. We welcome them to our race series as a place to continue developing their skills on their way to the top!” Kids wishing to participate in these events will need to provide proof of former racing experience in other racing disciplines as supermoto, dirt track, or mini-motos before they will be allowed to enter. Each rider’s abilities will be scrutinized on a case by case basis. For complete details, please visit www.USGPRU.net. About USGPRU The USGPRU, Powered by AlwaysOnline.net, is the officially recognized Motorcycle 125 Grand Prix National Championship ® and 250 Grand Prix National Championship (TM) series. The USGPRU emulates true World MotoGP racing experience and serves to attract young riders to gain experience in a professional environment and provide a path to world-class motorcycle racing. The USGPRU structures events with extended length grand prix racing exclusive to the GP machines, timed qualifying and strong contingency and sponsor support. For additional details, visit www.USGPRU.net The 2005 USGPRU National Series sponsors include AlwaysOnline.net, Dialitintracktime.com, Acid Cigars, Roadracingworld.com, Revit Leathers, Bridgestone, Dunlop, EBC Brakes, GPC Moto, Hjelm Motorsports, Ian Emberton Engineering, Motion Pro Cables and Tools, Redline Cycle Imports, Repsol YPF, Rising Sun Cycles, Silkolene, Zambrana Performance, and VP Fuel.

CMRA racer Eric Kancir married Shannon Markham, July 23 in Dallas, Texas.

Ten Lucky Fans Set to Race Karts with Superbike Stars at VIR’s Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Alton, Va. Ten lucky fans will enjoy the opportunity of a lifetime at VIRginia International Raceway on Thursday, August 25, as they will be competing with and against some of the world’s top motorcycle racers in karts. As part of this weekend’s Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals at VIR, new race promoters Race Promotion Management (RPM) created a promotion in which fans who purchased advance tickets by August 12 were entered into a lottery from which 10 names would be drawn to compete in the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro Challenge, a karting enduro to be held at VIR’s Plantation Valley Kart Track. The event will feature 10 teams with four drivers per team. Each team will be comprised of one Superbike racer, one media celebrity, one staff member from VIR, AMA, RPM or a sponsor, and one fan. Each driver will get 10 laps of the 5/8-mile, 24-foot-wide road racing kart circuit, and then pit for a driver change to one of their teammates. At the end of 40 laps, the team with the lowest cumulative time is declared the winner. Following the race there will be a reception for all the participants, where trophies will be presented and fan participants will receive a CD of photographs taken during the race. The Superbike stars committed to compete include Miguel Duhamel, Eric Bostrom, Roger Lee Hayden, Aaron Yates, Neil Hodgson, Ben Spies, Aaron Gobert, Kevin Schwantz and Larry Pegram. Jamie Hacking was originally scheduled to race, but had to withdraw for medical reasons. A replacement will be named on Thursday. Media celebrities competing include Greg White, Speed Channel pit-lane reporter and host of the popular “2 Wheel Tuesday” program; television producer Chet Burks, whose company will produce the weekend’s races for Speed Channel; David Swarts, associate editor of Roadracing World magazine; Paul Carruthers, editor of Cycle News; Chris Jonnum, editor of Road Racer X; Mark Mitchell, editor of speedtv.com; Rebecca Bowling, of WAKG-FM radio in Danville, Va.; and David Jones, of WBRG-AM radio in Lynchburg, Va.. The lucky fans who will get to compete are: Lincoln Hurd, of Knoxville, Tenn.; Mike Hummel, of Greensboro, N.C.; Dale McFaddin, of Callands, Va.; Tom Krysiak, of Madison, N.C.; Tom Wynn, of Pearisburg, Va.; Paul Guiomor, of Long Branch, N.J.; Cathy Lardieri, of Wayne, N.J.; Jason Pelcman, of Brick, N.J.; Matt Boike, of Charlotte, N.C.; and Paul Thorpe, of Sicklerville, N.J. “We’re really excited about the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro Challenge,” said RPM vice president Cameron Gray. “This is the best possible kind of promotion, when you can offer a race fan something that is unobtainable at any price. In this case, 10 average race fans are going to not only be able to meet and hang out with some of their Superbike heroes, they’re actually going to be able to race with and against them. We think this is unprecedented, and look forward to making it an annual event.” The deadline for advance ticket sales has passed, but there are still tickets available at designated ticket outlets throughout Virginia and the Carolinas. Tickets available through the ticket outlets will be limited to three-day passes priced at $55 and single-day tickets for Saturday and Sunday priced at $45 each. For a list of ticket outlets, visit www.virclub.com, click on the “Ticket Info” button, scroll down to the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals section and then click on the link that says “Ticket Outlets.” At the gate, ticket availability will be limited to three-day passes for $60, single-day tickets (Friday only) for $10 and pit walk passes for $40. The event schedule for the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals will include three days of racing action, including two feature races for the headlining AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited as well as feature races for the supporting classes including the Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei, AMA Repsol Lubricants Superstock Series and Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series. VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston, Va., and just north of historic Milton, N.C. In addition to its 3.27-mile natural-terrain road racing circuit (designed to be operated as two autonomous, full-service courses), VIR is the cornerstone of VIR Club, America’s first motorsports country club; the VIR Raceplex Industrial Park; the VIR Gallery, which is a sales showroom for high-end collector and racing cars; the VIR Safety and Security Institute, which provides specialized training for U.S. Government and military groups; The Lodge at VIR, a 27-room hotel overlooking the track; and the Oak Tree Tavern, a full-service restaurant located within the circa-1840 Plantation Clubhouse. VIR made history from 1957 to 1974 and is doing so again. The 2.25-mile VIR North Course circuit on which the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals will take place has 17 challenging turns and 130 feet of elevation change. In addition to spectator events, the track is also available to rent for testing, driving schools and club days. For more information on VIRginia International Raceway, visit the track’s website at www.virclub.com or contact VIR at 434-822-7700. For more information on Race Promotion Management, visit their website at www.rpmcolorado.com or contact them via telephone at 303-377-3278. For more information on the AMA Superbike Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited, visit their website at www.amasuperbike.com.