From a press release issued by the PR Group:

UNDERSTANDING SUSPENSION WORKSHOP

The simplified theory and practical application of 21st Century suspensions.

On November 22, 23 and 24th, 2004 in the Los Angeles area the most complete suspension workshop ever will host two of the most suspension savvy people in the world: Author and world lecturer, Tony Foale and David Hodges of GP Suspensions.

MONDAY and TUESDAY, November 22 and 23, in Los Angeles is the Tony Foale Two Day Seminar. Tony Foale has called on his 40+ years of experience, riding, racing, building and studying motorcycle behavior to design a series of seminars on motorcycle dynamics. Foale says, “These seminars explain how tyres work, how we balance and corner, what stops us cornering faster, suspension, steering geometry, squat, braking, stability and much more.” Even factory racing teams have provided their staff members with Tony’s crystal clear understanding of suspension.

A small portion of subjects covered (first half of first day) are:
Type characteristics, suspension and offshoots
* Basic construction.
* Differences between radial and cross ply.
* Why radials have lower profiles
* Some reasons why we need tyres.
* Tyre is NOT a gas spring. Force/deflection curve is basically linear.
* Suspension action of pneumatic tyres.
* Weight support. – how?.
* Optimum conditions for maximum traction.
* Tyre hop and damping.
* Suspension settings and differences between optimum for comfort and performance
* Contact area – variation with load.
* Some geometric effects of tyre width.
* Sidebar on basic bike geometry – rake and trail, as a lead-in to:* Pneumatic trail.
* Mechanisms of tyre friction.
* General shape of force vs. slip curve.
* Driving and braking slip.
* Steering slip – slip angle.
* Camber force.
* Concept of steering and camber stiffness.
* Combinations of steering and camber forces.
* Required steering angles at given cornering speeds.
* Friction ellipse.
* Drifting and throttle steering.
* How tyre characteristics provide limit feel.
* Variation of grip with vertical load.
* Under/over-steering from tyre view point.
* Under/over-steering from steering and stability view point.

DAY 3 at the track with Dave Hodges – November 24th.

Under the guidance of master suspension tuner Dave Hodges of GP Suspensions, the California Superbike School staff will be on hand to help riders sort out their bikes at Willow Springs, in Rosamond, California. Dave will have his suspension shop on wheels, trailer and all the tricks and all the technology on what to do and how to make it work.

Dave says, “We will use the Horsethief Mile track on that day. The ‘Mile’ provides short but busy laps on a new and excellent track surface with a good blend of braking and elevation changes and 13 corners, all in one mile.”

The day will be limited to only two groups of 15 riders. Keith Code, Founder of the California Superbike School says, “That’s way too much track time and certainly more than enough to achieve a thorough understanding of suspension changes that will last a lifetime of riding.
It’s going to be awesome.”

To find out more – readers may call the California Superbike School at: 323-224-2734 or visit: www.superbikeschool.com

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

SMART SIGNS FOR RIZLA SUZUKI
Team Suzuki Press Office – October 19, 2004.

Scott Smart will join reigning British Superbike Champion John Reynolds in the Rizla Suzuki British Superbike team in 2005.

Smart takes the vacant seat left by fans favourite Yukio Kagayama (pictured) who has dazzled the British crowds on his Rizla blue GSX-R1000 for the last two-years. Yuki ingrained himself in the hearts of the British public with his dramatic sideways racing style, quick-witted humour and determination to race again after a life-threatening crash at Cadwell Park in 2003. Yuki remains a Suzuki Factory rider and close friend of the Crescent Rizla Suzuki squad and is looking forward to 2005 and new challenges.

Smart (28) from York was the revelation of the 2004 British Superbike Championship, taking three wins and fourth place overall on a development Kawasaki race bike.

An ex-British Super Teen and 250cc Champion as well as GP racer, Scott has the riding experience to match his determination to win and is only starting to realise his full potential on a Superbike.

Scott and triple BSB Champion JR will be a formidable team in BSB, with both racers eager to start developing the new lighter, more powerful and aerodynamically efficient GSX-R1000 that will go on sale in 2005.

He will make his debut appearance for Rizla Suzuki at the International Motorcycle and Scooter Show at Birmingham’s NEC on November 4th and 5th when he joins JR on the Suzuki stand.

Scott Smart:

“Getting the ride with Rizla Suzuki was like Christmas coming early for me and I haven’t stopped smiling. Rizla Suzuki is a fantastic team and the most professional in the paddock. It thoroughly deserved to take the Championship in 2004 – and now I am part of that and will take this opportunity with both hands and go for it!

“I left Kawasaki on the very best of terms. I enjoyed my time there and now I am focussed 110 per cent on learning from JR the Champion and helping Rizla Suzuki to develop the new GSX-R1000 into a race winner.

“Like everyone else in BSB, I have nothing but respect and admiration for Yuki and know I have big boots to fill, but with his and Rizla Suzuki’s support, I am sure I will be up for the job.”

Paul Denning, team owner:

“It is a real boost to the team to secure the services of one of the best upcoming Superbike riders in the world and I am looking forward to seeing what Scott can achieve on our Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000.

“Yuki is moving on to other business with the Suzuki Factory but in our hearts he remains a part of the Crescent and Rizla Suzuki team and always will be. He has plans to visit us in the UK next year and maintain the friendships he has forged with the whole team and its supporters.”

From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

THE DUCATI MONSTER CHALLENGE – THE SEARCH
FOR THE COOLEST MONSTER IN NORTH AMERICA

Ducati is looking for the coolest, baddest, most customized and unique Monster in all of America.

October 19th , 2004 – Cupertino, CA – Ducati is looking for the coolest, baddest, most customized and unique Monster in all of America. If you’ve got a Ducati Monster that you feel is up for the challenge, then enter the Ducati Monster Challenge! The grand prize winner will take home a new 2005 Ducati Monster S4R.

The Ducati Monster Challenge will take place at selected Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows across the country. The Monster Challenge will be featured at these shows: San Francisco, Dallas, Long Beach, Seattle, Atlanta, New York,
Montreal, Detroit, and the grand finale will be held in Daytona, Florida during Bike Week. If you want to be considered for one of these shows, please submit your entry form and photos for pre-screening (details at www.ducatiusa.com). The bikes selected for each local event will be displayed in a special area at the IMS Show where they will be judged for 1st, 2nd, 3rd prizes as well as a “People’s Choice” winner chosen by the votes of show visitors.

National Prizes:
1st Prize 2005 Ducati Monster S4R
2nd Prize Roundtrip airfare, hotel, and ticket to a MotoGP race
3rd Prize $1000 Ducati Performance Gift Certificate

Local Prizes:
1st Prize Roundtrip airfare and hotel for Daytona’s Bike Week
2nd Prize $250 Ducati Performance Gift Certificate
3rd Prize $100 Ducati Performance Gift Certificate

For details about how to enter The Monster Challenge, please visit www.ducatiusa.com or send an email to [email protected].

From a press release issued by the Hall of Fame Museum:

MOTORCYCLE HALLS OF FAME COMPLETE UNIFICATION AGREEMENT

PICKERINGTON, OHIO — The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, located near Columbus, Ohio, and the National Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, in Anamosa, Iowa, have completed plans to consolidate their respective halls-of-fame, inductees and procedures under the banner of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.

As part of the agreement, the Iowa museum will change its name to the National Motorcycle Museum, and all members of that museum’s hall of fame will be added to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Ohio. The two museums will continue their own independent operations and management as they have in the past, and continue to cooperate sharing motorcycles, memorabilia, art, archived and exhibit material.

The joint announcement was made prior to the 2004 induction ceremony at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, in Ohio.

“This consolidation shows what can be accomplished when two organizations share an inclusive perspective and a love for the heritage of motorcycling,” said Mark Mendell, Chairman of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum’s Board of Directors.

John Parham, President of the National Motorcycle Museum’s Board of Directors, agreed, adding, “We believe it’s a win-win for the entire motorcycling community, and we’re very enthusiastic about our potential for the future.”

As part of the unification agreement, Parham will join the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum’s Board of Directors, and be a member of the Board’s Hall of Fame Committee.

For more information, contact Mark Mederski, Executive Director of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, at (614) 856-2222; or Nancy Keedy of the
National Motorcycle Museum at (319) 462-3925.

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Fans Trade Food for Motorcycle Tickets at Thanksgiving Food Drive

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – Starting this week, race fans and community members will not only help feed the needy, but they will also help themselves to free race tickets at Infineon Raceway’s 4th annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.

Infineon Raceway will partner with Mary’s Pizza Shack, Froggy 92.9 FM (Santa Rosa) and Destination RKA to help feed needy families throughout Sonoma County this winter. All food raised from the drive will benefit Friends in Sonoma Helping (FISH). The drive has raised more than 3,300 pounds of non-perishable food items since 2000, with 1,300 pounds of food generated in 2003. The goal for the 2004 drive is 1,500 pounds.

There will be some two-wheel excitement in store for those who donate four or more non-perishable food items. They will be rewarded with a FREE ticket to qualifying during the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown in 2005. Qualifying will take place on Friday, May 13. To receive your ticket voucher, simply present a photo ID with your non-perishable food items to the employee at the front desk at Infineon Raceway. Only two tickets are allowed per family. Those who donate food at any of the satellite locations, or by mail, will receive their ticket vouchers by mail.

The public is encouraged to bring their non-perishable food items to the raceway during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) from Oct. 19-Nov. 19. Items can be dropped in bins located in the main office. The raceway is located at 29355 Arnold Dr., Sonoma, CA 95476 (800-870-RACE).

Those who cannot make the trip to Infineon Raceway can still participate in the food drive. Satellite food drop-off locations will be located at:

Destination RKA in Healdsburg at 1423A Grove St. is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For directions, please call (707) 433-3727.

Froggy 92.9 FM located at 1410 Neotomas Ave., Suite #200 in Santa Rosa. Call (707) 543-0100 for directions.

Ten Mary’s Pizza Shack locations in Sonoma County and Novato. Please visit www.maryspizzashack.com for restaurant locations.

Food items can also mailed to: Diana Rose, Infineon Raceway, Highways 37 and 121, Sonoma, CA 95476.

FISH, the beneficiary of the food drive, has been helping Sonoma Valley residents in times of need since 1970. In addition to food, FISH also aids families in need of clothes and rental assistance. For more information on FISH, call (707) 996-0111. For more information on the food drive, please contact Diana Rose at (707) 933-3918 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

CCS Southeast racer Adrian “Sanee” Ooi married Nicole Baribeau, October 10th in Brunswick, Georgia.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc

MotoGP Race Results:

1. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 27 laps, 41:25.819
2. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, -0.097 second
3. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, -10.486 seconds
4. Colin EDWARDS, Honda, -10.817 seconds
5. Alex BARROS, Honda, -10.851 seconds
6. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, -12.210 seconds
7. Max BIAGGI, Honda, -12.847 seconds
8. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, -12.965 seconds
9. Troy BAYLISS, Ducati, -18.607 seconds
10. Carlos CHECA, Yamaha, -21.245 seconds
11. Ruben XAUS, Ducati, -23.173 seconds
12. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, -25.718 seconds
13. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, -35.137 seconds
14. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Aprilia, -45.155 seconds
15. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, -45.197 seconds
16. Gregorio LAVILLA, Suzuki, -52.205 seconds
17. Norick ABE, Yamaha, -52.665 seconds
18. Neil HODGSON, Ducati, -71.394 seconds
19. Nobuatsu AOKI, Proton, -1 lap
20. James HAYDON, Proton, -1 lap
21. Youichi UI, Harris WCM, -1 lap
22. James ELLISON, Harris WCM, -3 laps, DNF, crashed
23. Marco MELANDRI, Yamaha, -12 laps, DNF, mechanical
24. Garry McCOY, Aprilia, -23 laps, DNF, mechanical

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

125cc GP Results From Phillip Island:

1. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 23 laps, 38:01.877
2. Jorge LORENZO, Derbi, -0.123 second
3. Casey STONER, KTM, -0.123 second
4. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, -2.480 seconds
5. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, -5.336 seconds
6. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, -5.415 seconds
7. Gino BORSOI, Aprilia, -5.448 seconds
8. Mike DI MEGLIO, Aprilia, -17.976 seconds
9. Alvaro BAUTISTA, Aprilia, -18.404 seconds
10. Sergio GADEA, Aprilia, -18.427 seconds
11. Gabor TALMACSI, Malaguti, -18.501 seconds
12. Lukas PESEK, Honda, -18.530 seconds
13. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, -18.739 seconds
14. Andrea BALLERINI, Aprilia, -19.331 seconds
15. Pablo NIETO, Aprilia, -19.826 seconds

From a press release issued by Dorna, compiled by Dr. Martin Raines:

MotoGP

· Sete Gibernau starts from pole for the fifth time in 2004. Gibernau’s fourth place
finish at Phillip Island last year is his best ever result at the circuit.

· Valentino Rossi, who has won for the last three years at Phillip Island, can guarantee
winning the title by finishing in second place. If Rossi finishes in the top three it will be
his 100th podium finish in all classes of Grand Prix racing in what will be his 139th start.

· Loris Capirossi starts from the front row for just the second time in 2004 and is
currently the only Ducati rider to qualify on the front row this year. Capirossi has
finished on the podium at Phillip Island three times in the last four years.

· Fourth place on the grid for Colin Edwards represents his best ever qualifying
performance in MotoGP.

· Makoto Tamada has scored 112 points over the last eight races and has been second
only to Valentino Rossi in this time.

· After his third place finish in Malaysia, Alex Barros will be aiming to score back-toback
podiums for the first time since 2002.

· Max Biaggi has finished on the podium in the premier-class at Phillip Island on three
occasions, including the only non-Honda victory at this circuit in 2000 with Yamaha.

· Alex Hofmann’s eighth place on the grid is his best ever qualifying result, his previous
best being eleventh place at Assen earlier this year.

· If any of the Honda riders finish on the podium, the Japanese manufacturer will win the
MotoGP constructors title even if a Yamaha rider wins the race. Honda are aiming for
their sixteenth MotoGP constructors title, the same number as won by MV-Agusta.


250cc

· Sebastian Porto starts from pole position for the ninth time in 2004. The only race in
which Porto has not started on the front row was at Motegi.

· Porto’s pole position time is the fastest ever lap of Phillip Island by a 250cc machine.

· Alex De Angelis starts from the front row for the seventh time in 2004, his debut
season in the class.

· Manuel Poggiali, who won the 125cc race at Phillip Island in 2002, starts from the
front row for the first time since Rio, a race he went on to win. Poggiali has scored a
total of only 16 points in the seven races since then.

· At the age of 19 years and 18 days, Dani Pedrosa needs to score just two points to
become the youngest ever rider to win the 250cc title and the youngest ever rider to
win world titles in two different classes.

· Chaz Davies starts from tenth place on the grid, his best ever qualifying result in
Grand Prix racing. His previous best was twelfth at Donington earlier this year and at
Motegi in 2003.


125cc

· Roberto Locatelli starts from pole for the first time since Phillip Island in 2000, the
year in which he won the 125cc World Championship.

· Jorge Lorenzo starts from the front row for the sixth time in 2004.

· Casey Stoner’s first victory of the season at Sepang was also the first ever victory
for KTM. Stoner was leading at Phillip Island last year when he crashed on lap six.

· Following his victory at Sepang, if Casey Stoner wins the 125cc race at the Australian
GP he will end a record sequence of thirty-seven races without a rider in the 125cc
class winning back-to-back races, since Arnaud Vincent won at Donington and then
Sachsenring in 2002.

· Steve Jenkner, who starts from the front row for the fifth time this year, has not had
a podium finish since the second race of the year at Jerez.

· New World Champion Andrea Dovizioso has failed to qualify for the front row for the
first time since June at Catalunya.

· With two races still to go Dovizioso has already scored 248 points, the sixth highest
point total of all time in the 125cc class. The only riders who have scored more points
in a full season in the 125cc class are; Valentino Rossi (1997 – 321 points), Dirk
Raudies (1993 – 280 points), Arnaud Vincent (2002 – 273 points), Kazuto Sakata
(1993 – 266 points), Manuel Poggiali (2002 – 254 points).

· Gino Borsoi starts from his best grid position since the British GP at Donington in
2002, when he started from fifth on the grid.