Several times over the first two days of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca the discussion between reporters and MotoGP racers has turned to safety at the Monterey, California track, and the issue of safety has been raised by riders more than by the reporters. “I remember it being a lot bigger, a lot wider and everything,” Repsol Honda’s Nicky Hayden said in the pre-event press conference Thursday. “I used to come here and think how big Laguna was, a lot of run-off, but after being in Europe for a couple of years, I realize the track’s a little tighter than it was on my 600 going up that hill in the back. Yeah, on a MotoGP bike it’s going to be pretty gnarly, no doubt.” “When you go to Europe you get spoiled,” Gauloises Yamaha’s Colin Edwards said Thursday. “You can push everywhere. Every corner is perfectly safe and fine. When you’re in Europe long enough and then you come back to a racetrack like this and you look at it like, Nicky said, ‘Wow! It used to be huge.’ But because everything is so much bigger in Europe, this one feels tight and narrow.” After the first, nearly-two-hour MotoGP Practice Friday morning, more opinions about the track started to come out. “Compared to 11 years ago this track is much safer,” said Camel Honda’s Alex Barros, who raced in previous Grands Prix at Laguna Seca. “They’ve done a good job in improving the safety,” said Camel Honda’s Troy Bayliss. “They’ve moved several walls and the impression it gives is that overall it is much safer. It’s still a hard track though, where you have to be very aware, but it’s a track I really like, also.” “This circuit isn’t so easy with all this horsepower, but it’s a lot of fun,” said Marlboro Ducati’s Carlos Checa. “So it doesn’t seem dangerous, just quite difficult at a few points.” “This track is really nice, but it’s not suitable for MotoGP bike,” said Checa’s teammate Loris Capirossi, a member of the MotoGP Safety Commission. “There are too many dangerous areas.” “This track is pretty dangerous in many points, but there are some places where it’s very, very dangerous it’s an ‘old style’ track,” Valentino Rossi was quoted as saying. “When you’re walking around it or going around it on a scooter, it’s actually even more dangerous than when you’re on the motorbike, when it feels safer! The level of security is not very good, it’s not as good as the other tracks we race at. If we don’t make some changes to this track for the future we might not be able to race here again. However, today we will have a meeting with all the riders to speak about the problems. I never saw this track before, but Kenny Roberts saw it and obviously thought it was safe enough.”

AMA TESTIFIES FOR OHV RIDERS IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced its support of off-highway-vehicle enthusiasts in Riverside County, California, voicing its opposition to a proposal to severely curb off-highway riding on private property. The proposal, brought forward by a small number of local residents, would limit OHV riding to three days a week in unincorporated areas, and would restrict the number of OHVs on private property — arguably the harshest such rules in the nation. Edward Moreland, AMA Vice President for Government Relations, testified at a July 6 meeting of the Riverside County Planning Commission. “A dispute between neighbors sparked a brush fire that now threatens to consume responsible off-highway riding in all of Riverside County,” said Moreland. “What this fire needs is more light and less heat — the discussion needs to focus on the facts. The AMA believes that those facts clearly demonstrate that off-highway-vehicle enthusiasts should keep the right to ride on their own private property.” Jeremy McGrath, an eight-time AMA champion, two-time world champion, and member of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, is one of the riders who could be affected by the proposed rules. “I know that this issue is important to off-highway riders not only in California, but all across America,” said McGrath, who rides on his Riverside County property. “I’m glad we have the AMA standing beside us, helping us protect our right to ride.” A number of other OHV enthusiasts, as well as the California-based Off-Road Business Association and property-rights advocates, also testified at the meeting. After hearing hours of testimony, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to postpone its decision until August 31, 2005, and declined to consider proposals that included day-of-week restrictions. The AMA’s written comments to the Riverside County Planning Commission are available online in the AMA Rapid Response Center at ~http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/downloads/riverside_comments.pdf.~

Friday Morning MotoGP Practice Results: 1. Troy Bayliss, Honda, 1:24.547 2. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:24.639 3. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:24.785 4. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 1:24.889 5. Colin Edwards, Yamaha, 1:24.922 6. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, 1:24.969 7. Alex Barros, Honda, 1:25.048 8. Max Biaggi, Honda, 1:25.193 9. Kenny Lee Roberts, Suzuki, 1:25.265 10. Carlos Checa, Ducati, 1:25.763 11. Shinya Nakano, Kawasaki, 1:25.779 12. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 1:25.967 13. Alex Hofmann, Kawasaki, 1:26.203 14. Marco Melandri, Honda, 1:26.344 15. Ruben Xaus, Yamaha, 1:26.392 16. Toni Elias, Yamaha, 1:27.263, crash 17. Roberto Rolfo, Ducati, 1:27.323 18. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 1:27.511 19. Shane Byrne, Proton KR, 1:27.857 20. James Ellison, Blata, 1:28.809 21. Franco Battaini, Blata, 1:30.207 More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse: DUCATI MEN GET TO KNOW LAGUNA SECA Ducati Team riders Carlos Checa and Loris Capirossi reacquainted themselves with the rollercoaster Laguna circuit this morning. Both riders took part in an extra-long first Friday session of almost two hours, to allow themselves time to relearn the complex, undulating venue. CHECA TENTH Carlos Checa rounded out the top ten. “This circuit isn’t so easy with all this horsepower, but it’s a lot of fun,” he said. “So far it doesn’t seem dangerous, just quite difficult at a few points. Things are okay so far, and once I feel better on the bike, so I’ve got more confidence and can keep rolling into the corners faster, they’ll be even better.” CAPIROSSI 12TH Loris Capirossi was a cautious 12th quickest in his first outing on his Ducati Team Desmosedici. “I’m not as quick as I want to be, but we are only getting used to the track at the moment,” he said Capirossi. “We still need to work on the gearing and set-up, and we are trying some different tyres which so far are a little hard, so I’m not getting a great feeling from them. In general, however, the whole package is working okay. This track is really nice but it’s not very suitable for MotoGP bikes, there are too many dangerous areas.” More, from a press release issued by Camel Honda: TROY BAYLISS START WELL AT LAGUNA SECA Getting away twenty minutes later than scheduled (several stewards still had to take their positions along the track and the entry to pit-lane had to be extended and a concrete guard-rail moved), MotoGP restarted their engines at the Laguna Seca circuit, eleven years after the last United States Grand Prix. There was a great deal of interest in finding out the riders’ first impressions of the Californian track and the modifications it has undergone, above all from those riders who have already raced at the track like the two Camel Honda team riders. Both Barros and Bayliss consider the track to be safer than in the past, even if several areas will still need further improvements. However both of them were quick from the off, above all Troy Bayliss, who rode fastest at a track which requires confident and aggressive riding, which the Australian evidently has in abundance. Sito Pons Camel Honda “I have done a lap of the track and I can see that a lot of important things have been done to improve safety, even though there are still things to be done. Also in terms of organisation we’re paying for over ten years of absence of Laguna Seca from the world championships: I mean for things like internet and intranet connections, the signals to the monitor and those kinds of things that help the day to day running of the team. I hope however that things will be sorted out over the coming hours. As for the rest I’m happy that such a great amount of interest has been awoken in America for MotoGP, in all my experience I’ve never seen it like this, and it’s evident not only from ticket sales but also from the coverage the national press is giving the event. It is so important for the world championship to race here and I’m satisfied that we can see both our riders amongst the quickest from the beginning. Both Troy and Alex have raced at Laguna before, and gone well, and I hope that they can keep their level of competitiveness throughout the weekend.” Alex Barros Camel Honda 1’25.048 – 7° tempo “Compared to eleven years ago this track is much safer. Although the asphalt seems the same, so it’s even more bumpy and undulating than before. Coming into the straight there’s a particularly big dip. In any case, this track requires you to ride very aggressively and be very physical, especially with the MotoGP bike compared to the 500cc. It’s not a circuit where you can get away with not riding a clean line. At the moment it’s hard to work out how to set the gearbox and the suspension; it’s dirty out there and there’s not a lot of grip but gradually as it cleans up things will become clearer and we can begin to think about tyres too. The times are sure to come down accordingly.” Troy Bayliss Camel Honda 1’24.547 – 1° tempo “I haven’t been to this track for three or four years now. The track is practically the same just with a few more bumps which seem to appear more every year. They’ve done a good job in improving the safety, they’ve moved several walls and the impression it gives is that overall it is much safer. It’s still a hard track though, where you have to be very aware, but it’s a track I really like, also because the last time I was here I got a good result. I’m feeling good on the bike, but it will be a long weekend and this is just a good start, my best so far this year. So, concentration, determination and hard work are what we need now.”

American John Hopkins turned the fastest lap time in the first half of the split and extended first MotoGP practice Friday at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Hopkins’ 1:25.265 on his Bridgestone-equipped Red Bull Suzuki GSV-R was just better than Troy Bayliss’ 1:25.336, turned on his Michelin-shod Camel Honda RC211V. In pre-event P.R. material, Bayliss predicted that the lap record for Laguna Seca (Colin Edwards’ 1:24.888 from 2002 World Superbike qualifying) would not last 15 minutes into the first MotoGP practice, but the overall lap record has held up, thanks in part to what riders have described as slippery, or “green,” track conditions. Telefonica Movistar Honda’s Marco Melandri was in the top five of the session when he crashed in the Corkscrew on his 19th lap. Melandri was seen on video feeds limping away from the accident with assistance, before lying down trackside. He did not go back out in the session. MotoGP Free Practice One Lap Times: 1. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:25.265 2. Troy Bayliss, Honda, 1:25.336 3. Kenny Lee Roberts, Suzuki, 1:25.635 4. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:25.965 5. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, 1:25.966 6. Max Biaggi, Honda, 1:26.030 7. Alex Barros, Honda, 1:26.204 8. Marco Melandri, Honda, 1:26.344, crash 9. Colin Edwards, Yamaha, 1:26.376 10. Ruben Xaus, Yamaha, 1:26.648 11. Carlos Checa, Ducati, 1:26.658 12. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 1:26.728 13. Alex Hofmann, Kawasaki, 1:26.933 14. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 1:27.080 15. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 1:27.608 16. Shinya Nakano, Kawasaki, 1:27.652 17. Roberto Rolfo, Ducati, 1:28.721 18. Shane Byrne, Proton KR, 1:28.764 19. Toni Elias, Yamaha, 1:28.933

RIZLA SUZUKI’S John Reynolds spent today’s practice sessions for the eighth round of the British Superbike Championship at Snetterton in Norfolk testing new Ohlins gas forks on his GSX-R1000. Today was the first time the reigning British Champion tried the latest specification forks and he adapted quickly, setting the seventh fastest lap time just over a second behind quickest man on the day, Honda’s Ryuichi Kiyonari. Rizla Suzuki’s James Haydon was fifth fastest and threatening to climb further up the timesheets with five minutes to go when he suffered a high-side crash coming out of Russells chicane. He is receiving treatment for muscle damage to his right shoulder and will undergo a medical examination tomorrow morning to assess his fitness to continue racing this weekend. Superbike racing starts at 1:15pm on Sunday, July 10th, at the 1.95-mile long Snetterton Circuit in Norfolk. The action will be covered live by Sky Sports. Channel 4 will broadcast a highlights package of the race action one week later. JR: “When James went more than a second faster than me at the recent Croft test using new Ohlins gas forks I knew I was going to try the same suspension here at Snetterton. We have worked hard and I think the gas forks are a step forward in performance. “Using new forks means that we are having to revisit the overall set-up of my Rizla Suzuki. I am still not completely comfortable but we are making progress every time we go out on track and there is quite a bit more to come tomorrow.” James: “Russells corner is the only left hand corner on the track that you are on the gas and pushing the rear tyre to its limits. Right at the end of the session I asked too much of the tyre when I was on a very fast lap and I high-sided. “I have hurt muscles in my right shoulder and it is now under an ice-pack to control the swelling. I am resting and preparing for a medical examination in the morning. If I can get through that, I know that my Rizla Suzuki is pretty well sorted and capable of running at the front for the rest of the weekend.” Practice Times: 1: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 1:05.696, 2: Michael Rutter (Honda) +0.119, 3: Leon Haslam (Ducati) +0.407, 4: Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +0.835, 5: JAMES HAYDON (RIZLA SUZUKI) +0.888, 6: Dean Thomas (Kawasaki) +1.009, 7: JOHN REYNOLDS (RIZLA SUZUKI) +1.126, 8: Scott Smart (Kawasaki) +1.128, 9: Gary Mason (Honda) +1.231, 10: Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) +1.314.

Provisional Friday Morning AMA Superbike Practice Times: 1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:25.981 2. Eric Bostrom, Ducati, 1:26.219 3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:26.593 4. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:26.657 5. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:26.865 6. Neil Hodgson, Ducati, 1:27.008 7. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:27.474 8. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki, 1:27.823 9. Larry Pegram, Honda, 1:28.573 10. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:28.629 11. Geoff May, Suzuki, 1:29.338 12. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, 1:29.494 13. Marty Craggill, Suzuki, 1:29.625 14. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:29.858 15. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:29.901 16. Jake Holden, Suzuki, 1:30.192 17. Jeff Tigert, Honda, 1:30.202 18. John Haner, Suzuki, 1:30.657 19. Jeremy Toye, Honda, 1:30.707 20. Clint McBain, Suzuki, 1:30.838 21. Mark Ledesma, Honda, 1:30.893 22. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:31.324 23. Tony Meiring, Suzuki, 1:31.596 24. Brent George, Suzuki, 1:32.168 25. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:32.244 26. Mike Sullivan, Yamaha, 1:32.288 27. Kevin Lacombe, Suzuki, 1:32.382 28. Scott Jensen, Suzuki, 1:32.733 29. Cory West, Suzuki, 1:32.771 30. Eric Wood, Suzuki, 1:32.797 31. Cory Call, Kawasaki, 1:32.806 32. Shane Turpin, Suzuki, 1:33.271 33. David Bell, Suzuki, 1:33.673 34. Nicky Moore, Yamaha, 1:33.753 35. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki, 1:34.150 36. Brian Boyd, Suzuki, 1:34.965 37. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki, 1:36.221 38. Akira Tamisuji, Suzuki, 1:36.579 39. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki, 1:36.809 40. C.R. Gittere, Suzuki, 1:36.972 41. Matt Lynn, Suzuki, 1:40.930 42. James Kerker, Honda, 1:56.063 More, from a press release issued by Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin: BOSTROM SECOND QUICKEST IN OPENING LAGUNA SECA SESSION Monterey, CA (July 8) – Eric Bostrom of the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin team was second fastest at Laguna Seca on Friday in AMA Superbike practice. The two-time race winner at the track put his 999 near the top of the charts in the day’s sole 50 minute session as the US Superbike series supports MotoGP this weekend. Bostrom’s lap time was 1:26.218, set in cool but sunny weather. His teammate, Neil Hodgson, was sixth. “I was really happy with the lap times because I feel we have even more in the motorcycle,” said Eric, the winner at Pikes Peak earlier this season. “The lap times being as good as they were at the start means there’s a lot of room for improvement with our settings on the 999. We have some good ideas to make it even better for tomorrow and the team is working hard to get it done. We expect to go faster.” Bostrom affirmed that the 11-turn Monterey circuit is his favorite track. “It feels like home,” said Eric. “It’s a special place to me. When I show up at the track, I just feel comfortable. In the past, we’ve really had some good races at Laguna Seca and a few wins.” Neil Hodgson, Elkhart Lake race winner, was sixth with a lap time of 1:27.008, but held fourth spot until being bumped at the end of the session. “It wasn’t the best practice session I’d ever had,” said Hodgson, the 2003 World Superbike champion. “We spent half an hour changing some things around and that did cost us some track time. I’ll be okay tomorrow. I get on with this track really well and was ready to ride. It really doesn’t bother us having very little practice time because it’s here at Laguna Seca, a track I’ve been to a bunch. I think I can probably get around here with my eyes closed if I had to. I’m really looking forward to riding tomorrow.” Saturday will see AMA Superbike qualifying at 11:50 AM and the race begins at 4:35 PM local time.

Provisional Friday Morning AMA Supersport Practice Times: 1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:29.737 2. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:29.849 3. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:29.921 4. Roger Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:30.039 5. Ben Attard, Kawasaki, 1:30.952 6. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:31.887 7. Geoff May, Suzuki, 1:32.058 8. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:32.162 9. Danny Eslick, Suzuki, 1:32.289 10. Chris Peris, Yamaha, 1:32.405 11. Chris Siglin, Suzuki, 1:32.955 12. Jeff Tigert, Honda, 1:33.408 13. Blake Young, Suzuki, 1:34.122 14. Robert Jensen, Yamaha, 1:34.790 15. Jimmy Wood, Kawasaki, 1:34.903 16. Barrett Long, Yamaha, 1:34.950 17. Heath Small, Yamaha, 1:35.106 18. Tim Knutson, Yamaha, 1:35.109 19. Grant Riggs, Yamaha, 1:35.176 20. Nicky Moore, Yamaha, 1:35.227 21. Ricky Orlando, Kawasaki, 1:35.473 22. Chad Lewin, Suzuki, 1:36.107 23. Eli Edwards, Suzuki, 1:36.149 24. Dirk Sanchez, Kawasaki, 1:37.143 25. Taylor Knapp, Yamaha, 1:37.306 26. Nathan Hester, Yamaha, 1:37.602 27. Berto Wooldridge, Suzuki, 1:38.110 28. Shea Fouchek, Suzuki, 1:38.427 29. Dr. Jeff Purk, Yamaha, 1:38.615 30. Chad Rolland, Yamaha, 1:38.925 31. Martin Sims, Yamaha, 1:38.984 32. Jeremy Haiduk, Yamaha, 1:38.993 33. Jeremiah Johnson, Suzuki, 1:39.209 34. Victor Chirinos, Yamaha, 1:39.801 35. Chris Siebenhaar, Honda, 1:40.531 36. Justin Filice, Honda, 1:40.683 37. Tristan Shoenewald, Honda, 1:40.793 38. Armando Ferrer, Yamaha, 1:41.131

FUJIWARA FORCED OUT OF BRNO WORLD SUPERSPORT ROUND Winston Ten Kate Honda rider, Katsuaki Fujiwara, will miss next weekend’s seventh round World Supersport championship event at Brno, Czech Republic (15-17 July) through injury. The Japanese ace crashed his HRC Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade on Wednesday 6 July while testing at Suzuka in Japan, sustaining injuries to his lower back. Fujiwara is fully expecting to be fit for round eight of the series, however, which takes place at Brands Hatch, GB on 7 August. In the meantime, he will stay in Japan for further medical treatment and spend time with his family in Chiba. Katsuaki Fujiwara: “I am very disappointed to miss Brno, especially as I am second in the championship behind my team-mate Sébastien (Charpentier). I was looking forward to the opportunity to close the gap with him but it looks like that will have to wait until Brands Hatch. I have cracked one of the vertebrae in my lower back and the doctors in Japan have advised me not to race until it is healed. They say it normally takes around four weeks. I don’t remember much about the crash, which happened while I was testing for the Suzuka 8-hour race, but there was a bit of fire as well. The back of my neck was burned a little and I look a bit funny because I have lost some hair from the back of my head. Otherwise, I’m pretty much OK and I just can’t wait to get back on the bike.” Ronald ten Kate team manager: “It’s a real shame for Kats because the next race at Brno will be a level playing field for all the Supersport riders since we have not raced there before. However, I spoke to him this morning and he is in very good spirits, in spite of this disappointment. I’ve been very impressed with the way he has adapted to the new team and the CBR600RR during the first half of the season and it’s a pity that he won’t get the chance to race for another win at Brno. We are currently investigating the possibility of running with a replacement rider for the Czech Republic round and hope to be in a position to make an announcement on this early next week.”

AMA Superbike Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca July 8-10, 2005 AMA Total Purse: $94,500 AMA Superbike Purse: $62,500 1. $4500 2. $3800 3. $3300 4. $3000 5. $2800 6. $2750 7. $2700 8. $2650 9. $2600 10. $2550 11. $2400 12. $2300 13. $2200 14. $2100 15. $2000 16. $1950 17. $1900 18. $1850 19. $1800 20. $1750 21. $1550 22. $1450 23. $1350 24. $1250 25. $1150 26. $850 27. $750 28. $650 29. $550 30. $450 31. $425 32. $375 33. $325 34. $275 35. $200 Pro Honda Oils Supersport Repsol Lubricants Superstock Purse For Each Class: $16,000 1. $1900 2. $1500 3. $1200 4. $1100 5. $1050 6. $950 7. $900 8. $850 9. $800 10. $750 11. $725 12. $675 13. $625 14. $575 15. $525 16. $475 17. $425 18. $375 19. $325 20. $275