From a press release issued by VIR:

Hayden Brothers Take AMA Supersport Title to the Line in Suzuki Lightning Nationals

Alton, Va. (Sept. 29) – Of the three national titles to be decided at the Suzuki Lightning Nationals at VIRginia International Raceway over the weekend of Oct. 11-12, perhaps none is as highly anticipated as the Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship, which pits brothers Roger Lee and Tommy Hayden against each other.

The Haydens, of Owensboro, Ky., are currently first and second in the points chase, with 26-year-old Tommy leading 21-year-old Roger Lee by 11 points. However, Roger Lee has won the past three races and is rapidly closing the gap. To make matters even more interesting, the brothers are teammates, riding for the factory Kawasaki team.

The Suzuki Lightning Nationals is the season finale, and that sets up a battle for the ages between the two siblings.

“I’ve won the last three races,” Roger Lee said, “so I’ve got some momentum going. The team’s working good, the bike’s running great, I feel good. It’s kind of a long shot, but it’s definitely not over yet.”

He admitted that it’s particularly hard to beat one’s brother when both are riding the same equipment.

“Everybody’s so equal out there,” he said, “especially in the 600 class, that if one guy gets out front and gets the lead and checks out for awhile, it make the other guy have more trouble catching up. The start is real important. You don’t want to get stuck in fourth or fifth place and have to make your way up at the beginning of the race. If one of the top four or five guys gets a holeshot, it can be hard to catch him by the end of the race.”

The middle Hayden brother, Nicky, clinched his Superbike title at VIR two years ago before heading off to Europe to race in the Moto GP series. Roger Lee says that it’s nice to have Nicky to use as a sounding board as his own career progresses.

“He seems to help out quite a bit,” he said. “He’s just a little bit older than me, and he already made some mistakes that I got to miss by learning from him. Whenever I have a few problems here and there, he’s always someone that I can go to and ask questions. He’s a big influence, and seeing that he’s doing all right over in Europe, it makes me think that I can do it, too.”

Both Nicky (Superbike, 2002) and Tommy (Superstock, 2003) have won races at VIR in the past, but Roger has yet to achieve that goal. It’s something that he hopes to correct during this year’s Suzuki Lightning Nationals.

“I haven’t won at VIR yet, but I’ve always been right up there in the middle of it,” he said. “The way things have gone this year, I don’t see why I can’t win at VIR. I’ve won four races this year, so if things keep working they way they have been, I think maybe we can win here. None of the guys in Supersport are slouches, so nothing’s going to be easy.”

Tickets will be available from ticket outlets and at the gate. A list of ticket outlets is available online at www.virclub.com, and purchases from ticket outlets will be at the advance-ticket discount of $45 for a three-day Super Ticket (with program), $25 for a single-day Saturday ticket and $30 for a single-day Sunday ticket. At the gate, three-day Super Tickets (with program) are priced at $55, with single-day tickets priced at $10 (Friday), $35 (Saturday) and $40 (Sunday). VIR is a family-friendly facility, where children 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Spectator camping is available.

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 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; and the VIR Euro Rally and Corporate Motorsport Experience, which features four rally stages plus a kart track as well as an ATV and SUV trials course and trails. Future plans include 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 renovated original circuit 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, visit the track’s website at www.virclub.com or contact VIR toll-free at 888-RACE099. For more information on the VIR Euro Rally and Corporate Motorsport Experience, call toll-free 877-RALLY66 or visit their website at www.vireurorally.com. For more information on the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship, visit their website at www.ussuperbike.com.

From a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
GRAND PRIX OF QATAR – LOSAIL INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT
29TH SEPTEMBER 2004 – EVENT PREVIEW

SHINYA AND ALEX READY FOR DESERT ADVENTURE

Fuchs Kawasaki riders, Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, will be a part of MotoGP history at the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix, which takes place on the newly constructed Losail International Circuit near Doha this weekend.

The race brings the MotoGP World Championship to the Middle East, opening up a new market for spectators and the ever-increasing global television audience for the sport.

Invigorated by Nakano’s third-place podium result at last week’s Japanese Grand Prix, the Kawasaki squad is relishing being part of the Arabian Gulf adventure.

And the purpose built, 5.4 km, 16 turn Losail track will bring an unusual element to the 2004 MotoGP championship. For once, all riders will be ‘rookies’ as they face the challenge of a venue that is hosting its first Grand Prix, with no test or set-up data.

Hot weather is expected to send track temperatures soaring to 50 degrees, and the prospect of unknown grip levels on a new and smooth and possibly sand-blown track surface will be a challenge for both Kawasaki and Bridgestone engineers.

Not surprisingly Nakano comes to Qatar in a buoyant mood, having delivered the first MotoGP podium for the four-stroke Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR at his home race in Motegi.

That result came just three months after the Japanese rider’s nightmare, high-speed crash at the Italian GP at Mugello; a low point that Kawasaki’s tyre partner Bridgestone has recovered from with impressive speed.

Nakano’s Fuchs Kawasaki team-mate Hofmann, a rising young gun in the Grand Prix ranks, can also be proud of his tenth place finish at Motegi, as he continues on his steep MotoGP learning curve.

And as Hofmann notes, at Qatar he will not be the only rider learning a new track.

Apart from 16 turns, second only to Assen in Holland with 23 corners, the Losail track also features a 1,100 metre straight, which should produce 300 kph plus top speeds.

Anticipating the physical demands with a race in heat wave conditions, both Nakano and Hofmann have maintained their tough training schedules since the Japanese GP.

Immediately following the Qatar race there will be a rush to pack bikes, spares and race equipment to reach the next stop on the MotoGP calendar – the Malaysian GP at Sepang just one week later.

This punishing schedule is part of a relentless sequence of four races in five weeks, with the season ending at Valencia at the end of October.

Shinya Nakano: #56
“Of course I had a very good feeling after the podium at Motegi; it was a result I did not expect. It was very busy in the days after the race in Japan with many phone calls, interviews and a visit to the Bridgestone headquarters. Being on the podium just three months after my big crash at Mugello is a fantastic reward for all the hard work by Bridgestone and Kawasaki. Everyone involved with the team is now more confident and motivated. Qatar will be very different; a new track to learn and perhaps a surface that will be a little dusty given the desert location. I’m looking forward to the challenge. I will do some laps on a scooter with my race engineer before practice to try and understand what we need to be competitive at this track.”

Alex Hofmann: #66
“Qatar is a new adventure so everyone is a rookie at this track, not just me. It will be a busy time from first practice, with all the riders trying to learn as much about the track and the surface as they can. It is difficult to predict how the ZX-RR will adapt to this circuit, which looks fast on paper. Like many riders, all I know about the circuit is what Randy Mamola has told me after his demonstration laps at the track launch. Like South Africa, it seems the surface could be dusty for first practice but, hopefully, it will clean up and have some good grip by race day. Our Bridgestone tyres are generally very good at hot races, so that is a positive for us. I’m ready for a hot race; I had very enjoyable break after Motegi and got in the last of the summer mountain biking weather in Switzerland.”

From a press release issued by Henry Degouw:

Moroso CCS/Florida Event Cancelled

Due to the widespread damage across Florida caused by hurricanes Charley, Francis, Ivan and Jeanne. The Championship Cup Series/Florida event scheduled for Moroso Motorsports Park in West Palm Beach on October 2-3 has been cancelled (there will be no makeup date). At the moment, the track is still without power or phones and the road course is rimmed with water. The management at the track feels that they could have the water pumped down and generators in place by the weekend. However it is also noted that they will not be running their scheduled drag races this weekend. So after talking to both racers and workers alike, it has been decided that this is not the time to try and run a race that comes so soon after these storms that have devastated so many.

Henry DeGouw
CCS/Florida
Loxahatchee, Florida

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

CONTEST CLOSED! DO NOT SEND ANY MORE ENTRIES.

The rider in question is Chris Ulrich #18 on a 2002 Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R750, on which he won the 2002 AMA Superstock race at Mid-Ohio. Identifying marks for the team include a unique racebike paint scheme and sticker placement, except for the few stickers removed, including Valvoline, EMGO and Suzuki.

Identifying marks for the rider include the custom helmet paint job, the offset #1 left when the #8 was clumsily removed, and a unique-to-Chris sticker package that includes WSMC and Eyeball Engineering stickers.

T-shirts will be shipped to winning contest entrants next week.



ORIGINAL POST APPEARS BELOW




The T-shirt vendor for AMA Pro Racing events, DFY Inc., used a photo of an AMA racer on the event T-shirt for the Ducati-sponsored AMA National at Brainerd International Raceway.

When the rider featured on the shirt objected, DFY officials claimed that their artists had so dramatically changed the appearance of the motorcycle by removing selected logos that the rider and the team that fielded his motorcycle could not be identified.

The rider in question, who objects to his image being used commercially without permission or compensation, has asked us to see if it’s true that nobody can identify him or the team which he rode for when this photo was taken.

So, the question is, who is this rider, and what is the team that fielded his motorcycle?

First 10 readers with the correct answer get a free T-shirt.

Send your answers, including your name, address and T-shirt size, to:

[email protected]

From a press release issued by Team Stumpy Racing:

CCS MAKES IT OFFICIAL: STUMPY IS THE GREAT PLAINS CHAMPION

MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN (September 29, 2004)-According to CCS points released September 28, Greg “Stumpy” Steltenpohl of Marquette, Michigan won the Champion Cup Series (CCS) Great Plains overall championship and Blackhawk Farms track championship at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in CCS Great Plains and Midwest motorcycle racing action September 18-19. Aboard the No. 256 Honda 600rr, Stumpy cruised to the #1 plate in the Great Plains lining up on grids of 25 to 40 expert bikes per race. He finished the weekend with a best finish of 8th place of 25 in Heavyweight Superbike as well as 9th place of 32 in Middleweight GP.

A record number of over 900 total entries added to the excitement and awesome racing action. “This weekend was all about winning the #1 plate for me,” said Stumpy. “There were so many fast guys there and I really wanted to pick up the pace and test myself, but I had to keep myself in check so I would be able to run all nine races.”

Stumpy kept his head in the game and ran consistent laps. “I was looking for top ten finishes with the competition I was facing, but ended up with a few 11th and 12th places. I had a bit of bad luck and tucked the front and fell in the carousel on the last lap of the Unlimited GP, but the only damage was cosmetic, so I was right back out there for the next race.”

“It really meant a lot for me to win a championship at my home track, Blackhawk. It’s where I started last year and will always be my favorite.”

Stumpy is looking forward to his last round at Gingerman Raceway October 10 where he will attempt to win the CCS Midwest overall championship.

For more information about Team Stumpy Racing, visit www.teamstumpyracing.com.

From a press release issued by FG Sport Group:

ALL TO PLAY FOR AT WORLD SUPERBIKE FINALE

FINISHING LINE IN SIGHT: New technical and tyre supply regulations have made the 17th season of World Superbike one of the most exciting and closely contested ever. After the latest full drama action, at the penultimate round at Imola on 26 September, three riders enter the final hurdle of the championship race – at the Circuit Nevers Magny Cours in central France – with more than realistic chances of lifting the world title. For Regis Laconi (Ducati Fila), James Toseland (Ducati Fila) and Chris Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda) the ultimate spoils are very much up for grabs, and even fourth placed rider Noriyuki Haga (Renegade Ducati Koji) has a purely mathematical chance of lifting the title.

TALE OF THE TAPE: One thing is certain this year, on Sunday evening there will be a new name on the World Superbike roll of honour, as none of the top contenders has ever won the SBK series outright before. Leading the championship table is Regis Laconi, who took the title lead back last weekend after the latest of his seven race wins. On 295 points Laconi is also on home turf at Magny Cours. In second place currently, Toseland has found additional pace and mountains of Yorkshire grit in the last few races, and is only four points behind, with a possible 50 for any rider who wins both races. In third place now, after a spectacularly dramatic last race, in which he scored second and sixth after a huge crash in warm up, Chris Vermeulen is still well capable of catching his opponents, aided by his fast four-cylinder machine. His total of 282 is only 13 from the lead. Taking the title seems impossible for Haga now, the Japanese rider being some 41 points behind Laconi. Of the championship contenders, all four are under 30 years old, with Vermeulen 22 and Toseland 23 – a good sign for the future direction of the class.

FRENCH FINALE: Magny Cours, positioned in central France, will provide a magnificent backdrop for the final round. It was the culmination of the season last year, and the 4.411km track is a very well appointed venue, with vast grandstands and a high level of fit and finish. None of the current riders has won at the venue before, adding still more uncertainty to the potential outcome of the races themselves.

CHILI PREPARES: Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) is currently a strong fifth in the title hunt, having dropped out of an early season lead due to the occasional fall and technical problems. The 40-year-old fighter would like nothing more than to sign off this season with his second win.

SIXTH SENSE: Garry McCoy (Ducati Xerox SC 999RS) has been a winner in 2004, and was back to more expected form at Imola, posting a pair of fifth places. He currently enjoys a 15-point advantage over another top Aussie privateer, Steve Martin (DFX Ducati). In the same team as Haga, the Renegade Koji outfit, Briton Leon Haslam has been a podium finisher in 2004 (race two at Oschersleben) and will be out to score a similar level of success on his 999RS.

TRIPLE TWOSOME: Troy Corser and Chris Walker have one more 2004 adventure to play out on the 900cc, three-cylinder Petronas FP-1. The unique machine, with backwards-slanting cylinder heads, reverse exit exhausts and distinctive engine note has pushed each rider to a single podium finish in 2004 so far. Corser currently sits ninth in the championship battle, Walker 11th. Splitting them is the second DFX Ducati of Marco Borciani.

QUICKENING PULSE: In a field of interesting entries, machine diversity will be much in evidence in France. The Bertocchi Kawasaki ZX-10 duo of Mauro Sanchini and Ivan Clementi, with Suzuki represented by the privately entered Zongshen team, on GSX-R1000s ridden by Warwick Nowland and Piergiorgio Bontempi. Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha France R1), Carl Berthlesen, Berto Camlek, Laurent Brian and Giovanni Bussei will be wild card riders in France, as will Polish duo Pawel Szkopec and Andrzej Pawelec.

SUPERSPORT: Karl Muggeridge has been crowned 2004 World Champion for his Ten Kate Honda team one race early, but behind him the competitive Supersport spirit is burning with its usual incandescence. Only three riders have beaten Muggeridge this season, and of those two will be out for win number two at Magny Cours. Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha Italia R6), is one of them, his team-mate Fabien Foret the other. Third placed rider Broc Parkes (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) could well overtake van den Goorbergh for second, as could current fourth placed rider Sebastien Charpentier (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR). On the entry to the race, van den Goorbergh has 119 points, Parkes 115 and Charpentier 104.

SUPERSTOCK: Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni Yamaha riders Lorenzo Alfonsi and Gianluca Vizziello failed to score any points at the previous round, with Vizziello injured pre-race and Alfonsi suffering a technical problem with his machine. With only the last race to compete in Vizziello leads by 16 points, and despite his extensive right wrist injuries, he is entered for the Magny Cours race. If he does not ride, Alfonsi has to finish second or first to take the title from Vizziello.

From a press release issued by FIM:

FIM Centenary Congress – Paris 2004

The 122nd FIM Congress will be held from Sunday 17 to Saturday 23 October next in the Sofitel Paris Forum Rive Gauche in Paris (France). The celebrations of the FIM Centenary will take place on Saturday afternoon. The programme of the meetings will be as follows:

Sunday 17: Management Council (closed meeting)
Monday 18: Opening Ceremony – General Assembly (morning)
General Assembly (afternoon)
Tuesday 19: Commissions and Panels (morning)
Commissions and Panels, Honorary Members (afternoon)
Wednesday 20: Commissions and Panels – Meeting of Secretaries General (afternoon)
Friday 22: Management Council (morning – closed meeting)
Commissions and Panels (afternoon)
Saturday 23: General Assembly

Elections for the Vice-Presidents and Internal Auditors will take place during the Monday afternoon session. The main items to be discussed in the various meetings are: possible amendments to FIM rules including the Statutes and the Sporting Code, proposals from the Management Council and the National Federations, working groups’ reports, calendars for the 2005 season and proposals from the Commissions and Panels for the 2005 and 2006 seasons. The proposals and the calendars for the 2005 season approved by the Commissions and Panels will go through the Management Council in the Friday morning session before going for ratification at the General Assembly on Saturday.

The selection committee for the FIM Centenary Photo Contest will meet on Wednesday 20 in order to judge all the photos received at the FIM Secretariat (the deadline for sending photos is tomorrow, September 30).

During the Congress, information will be issued directly from the FIM Press Office at the Congress Centre.

From a press release issued by Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca:

YAMAHA PAVES THE WAY FOR THE 2005 RED BULL U.S. GRAND PRIX

Hallmark Agreement to Fund Track Improvements is an Unprecedented Move and Commitment to U.S. Fans


MONTEREY, Calif. (Sept. 29, 2004) – Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA is stepping up to fund the track safety improvements required by the Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM) to homologate the track for the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, round nine of 17 in the 2005 MotoGP World Championship.

In addition to sponsoring the track improvements, Yamaha is serving as the official motorcycle at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and as a “Proud Sponsor” of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix through 2007.

“We’re thrilled by the interest from Yamaha in particular and the motorcycle community overall in this event coming to the U.S.,” said Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “Yamaha’s generosity has made it possible to bring the MotoGP World Championship back to the USA for the fans to enjoy.”

“Helping bring the MotoGP World Championship back to the U.S. was an excellent opportunity for us to show our appreciation for our customers and fans,” said Bob Starr, corporate communications manager, at Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA. “And since this race corresponds with Yamaha’s 50th anniversary, we could think of no better way to celebrate than with over 100,000 U.S. fans.”

Plans for the track improvements were completed in concert with Claude Danis, president and circuit inspector for the FIM, and the necessary permits are being obtained. Work is scheduled to begin in November, with the first phase to increase runoff area in Turn 9 (Rainey Curve). The Turn 9 bridge will be moved Dec. 22 through 24 to an area between Turns 8A and 9. The track will remain open during this phase of construction.

Other changes being made to the circuit include widening the front straight by moving the outside (riders’ right) wall back and increasing the run-off area in several turns, including Turn 2 (Andretti Hairpin). These changes will be made when the track is shut down completely from May 2-June 15. The paddock will remain operational during this time.

Tickets for the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix are on sale now. General admission tickets and a limited number of paddock passes are on sale via the track’s ticket office – 1-800-327-SECA (7322) – during normal business hours or online at www.laguna-seca.com/Tickets.

Support events for the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix have yet to be determined.

More information on MotoGP World Championship is available online at www.motogp.com.

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca information is available online at www.laguna-seca.com.

Yamaha information is available online at www.yamaha-motor.com.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

My racebike was stolen this morning from the Phoenix area. It’s a 2003 GSX-R750 with black race bodywork, Novice plates #41, full Arrow Exhaust system and various other goodies.

The VIN # is JS1GR7HA732102733

If anyone has any info please give me a call @ 586 822 6053

Anthony Davies
CCS Southwest #41
Phoenix, Arizona

From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

Grand Prix of Qatar, Losail, Qatar. September 30, October 1, 2, 2004

TITLE RACE HEADS INTO UNKNOWN TERRITORY

This seasons mighty tussle for MotoGP honours takes itself to the Middle East for the first time in the sports history. The Grand Prix of Qatar will offer what looks on paper like an interesting racetrack and will throw in punishing conditions for good measure just as the struggle for premier class supremacy reaches a peak.

Reigning MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) has 229 points after 12 races. His nearest challenger in this seasons intriguing battle is Sete Gibernau (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) who has accumulated 190 points so far. Max Biaggi (Camel Honda RC211V), after two DNFs at the last two rounds, is on 158 points.

But with four rounds still to go and 100 points available to the winner of all four races, this season is far from over. Gibernau has failed to finish twice this year, matching Biaggi, who was on target for a finish in every race of the season until Loris Capirossi (Ducati) interfered with his progress: once directly in Portugal, and then again in Japan, when the Italian Ducati rider triggered a six bike pile-up at turn one on lap one.

The law of averages points towards Rossi being due one more failure to finish to bring his tally of one DNF so far into line with that of his primary rivals Gibernau and Biaggi. No one relies on luck in this most technical of sports but in any arena, fortune, good or otherwise, usually has a part to play.

Biaggi, no matter how much the Roman refuses to believe his title challenge is over, is no longer a realistic candidate for the title this year. But he will certainly be a factor when it comes to the distribution of valuable points between the top two, Rossi and Gibernau.

Rossis 39 point lead over Gibernau is a commanding one but the impetus of this years title fight has already swung twice and there is every reason to suppose it might swing again. Rossi is in the driving seat now, but this is a capricious and unpredictable sport; title aspirations can sometimes be as fleeting as a desert mirage

The Losail International circuit lies ten kilometres from Qatars capital of Doha. The 5.4km track is an unknown quantity for all riders in all classes and the race comes at a critical time in the Championships. The only other track as seldom visited as this is Welkom in South Africa, the opening race in this years season.

The ability of teams and riders to rapidly fathom the fast lines and favourable set-up is paramount here. Failure to get to grips with the track from Friday free training is likely to spell doom such is the pressure this year.

Losail features more turns than any other track on the calendar, six lefts and ten right-handers in all. Nor is there a chicane of any description. This puts a high premium on machine agility and it also brings tyre wear issues into sharp focus. Artificial grass has been placed along the track to allay riders fears of sand being blown onto the surface.

The heat will be relentless with track temperatures of up to 50 degrees expected. Ambient temperatures will be equally elevated and any rider not at absolute peak fitness will surely wilt in the oppressive conditions. Set-up will be directed at making the machines manageable with a minimum of physical input from the pilots.

There is also the matter of a 1062m straight, 20m longer than the longest used so far at Catalunya. This puts power and top speed among the requirements and also braking at the end of a 320km/h flat out blast in top gear.

Another factor will be the performance of the track workers. Marshals and officials from Valencia in Spain have been drafted in to ensure the local employees get fully up to speed with the specific requirements of MotoGP. With $52 million US dollars already lavished on this facility, nothing has been spared in ensuring Qatars inaugural race is anything less than a resounding success.

The track remains a mystery until were able to ride during the first free session and understand the real situation, said Gibernau. The high temperatures will definitely be a problem for the tyres and the engine but our biggest worry is sand being brought onto the track. After the Japanese Grand Prix the gap with Valentino is increased but I wont give up, I will continue fighting. We are going through a difficult moment, maybe the most difficult of the season, but we are not lost, we know the cause of the problems we had in the past two races and we will work to be competitive.

Gibernaus team-mate Colin Edwards (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) said, Despite the unlucky race at Motegi I arrive with confidence in Qatar because at Motegi I found a very good setting, and thanks to the new chassis I have a very good feeling with the bike. Qatar is a completely new track, no one has data so we all arrive fresh. We all start from zero and we can use that positively.

Alex Barros (Repsol Honda RC211V) lies fourth overall and said, I’m really looking forward to racing at Doha, a new track and a new challenge. I’ve been racing in GPs for a few years now and nothing is very new any more. I’m very excited and pretty curious as well. We will all start with no data, no experience and no idea what to expect really. It will be very hot and I’m sure the conditions will create challenges in themselves.

His team-mate Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) is equally determined, This whole season had been real weird, he said. For a whole bunch of reasons it has been pretty hard this season. But I don’t want to make lame excuses. At least we all start at Doha on a level playing field and I’m real looking forward to the challenge. Im feeling a little better physically; my shoulders coming good although my knee isn’t responding to treatment as quickly as I want which is a bit of a worry.

Max Biaggi is confident the new track and extreme conditions will suit him. The Roman said. I really like the idea of this race, because it reminds me a bit of the beginning of my career, when everything was new to me, and I had to learn a track in just a couple of days of practice. Besides, I enjoy riding in extremely difficult weather conditions, where the heat doesn’t bother me too much. So I’m hoping to do a good race, if nothing else to make up for the misfortune at Estoril and Motegi. This year I had been scoring regularly but to get two zeros in a row have made the championship difficult. That’s what is most disappointing, and also the fact that on both occasions my team and I, along with the Honda technicians, managed to do some fantastic work during practice and the bike was really going well. So because of that I want to at least get the satisfaction of getting some good results race by race.

Makoto Tamada (Camel Honda RC211V) is the man in form having scored his second GP win of the season at his home grand prix two weeks ago. The ebullient Japanese rider said. Winning in Motegi, in front of my friends and compatriots, was honestly fantastic, a great emotion that I wont ever forget, but now we have to concentrate on the next race. Qatar is a track that no team knows of course and none of the tyre manufacturers either. This means that the riders talent will be even more important than normal and that’s why I can see myself fighting for the podium at the end of this race. I’ve seen the track plan and the design looks simple, without too much technical difficulties. It will be better to ride it though before saying too much. Lets say that it shouldn’t be too tough to learn, but that we will only know how to act once we get the wheels on the track, but I’m very confident and feeling strong.

In the 250cc class Dani Pedrosa (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW) has a commanding lead over his nearest rival, the consistent, if unspectacular Randy de Puniet (Aprilia). Dani has 234 to de Puniets 187. But Sebastian Porto (Aprilia) with 186 is still part of the World Championship equation.

Its always nice to get to know new places and new circuits, said Dani. It will be crucial to get an idea for the track in the first session and I guess well all need a little more time than usual to find the best settings. On Wednesday they’re going to take us round the track in a car so well really have to pay attention and pick up as many details as we can.

His team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW)arrives fresh from his first podium finish of the season, at his home race two weekends ago and said, I would have raced at Qatar on the Monday after the race in Japan. To be on the podium for the first time this season at my home race was incredible. I’m really looking forward to getting back on the bike, riding in qualifying and racing. We’ve got three Grands Prix in a row now and I want a good finish to the season.

Roberto Rolfo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) has been having a tough season and will be going all out to rectify matters here. His terse assessment reveals his sense of purpose. “We go to a track completely new for all of us, he said. I have seen the map and that’s all I know about the place. It looks interesting.”

His team-mate Tony Elias (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) is finding form now after a troubled start to the year and he said, The bike worked really well at Motegi and I’m looking forward to racing at Qatar. Its a new track for all of us so it will be important to find a good set up quickly, we have to keep our momentum going.

The 125cc World Championship leader Andrea Dovizioso (Team Scot Honda RS125R) has a commanding 45 point lead over his nearest challenger Hector Barbera (Aprilia), but he knows he must keep the pressure on his rivals until the mathematics makes it impossible for him to be deprived of his first ever World title.

The results at Motegi worked out well for me, he said. And I now have a good lead in the championship. We will go to Qatar not thinking about the title and we will prepare for this race as we have all season, I will be racing to win but I will not be taking risks.