Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Rubbish. Dr. Gaudino suggests that parallax could have produced a 1 second timing error in the case of the 205-mph speeder in Minnesota, but simple geometry shows that’s not likely. The worst case would be for a pilot sitting over the start of the 1/4-mile marker, then trying to time when the bike passes the end of the run. For a rural minimum fixed-wing aircraft altitude of 500 feet, the angle of view at the end of the run would be about 21 degrees. A crouched rider sitting 4 feet off the ground would cast a “shadow” that is about 10 feet long at this angle, so this is the maximum parallax distance error. 180 mph is 264 feet/second, so the bike covers 10 feet in 0.038 seconds, which is the maximum parallax timing error. Converted to an inferred speed, this would only be an error of about 1.5 mph. A much more likely explanation for the error (I don’t believe the guy was doing 205 mph either) is the pilot trying to “time” his reactions to the bike passing either or both markers.

Jeffrey Koch, Ph.D.
AFM #964
Livermore, California



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I suspect Dr. Gaudino may be a little confused.

The mechanics of a parallax are simple: you stand somebody in front of a wall on which a scale is marked, they will appear taller or shorter depending on whether your point of view is, respectively, lower or higher than the top of their head. It’s a combination of the angle of observation and the distance from the person being measured to the wall.

In the case of a motorcycle viewed from above, it’s the height of the bike above the road. That’s about a metre (40″). So even if you viewed from an angle of 60 degrees from vertical, the error would be limited to about 1.7m.

Moreover that doesn’t matter if the same mistake is made at both beginning and end of the timed distance. In a worst case scenario, suppose the plane was flying at only 200m. Then the parallax error would be about 1m at each end of the run, for a total error of 2m. As for the curvature of the earth, which has a radius of 6400km, that will contribute an additional 0.0036 degrees of error over 400m.

Now 205mph is 91m/s, so a 2m error would lead to a timing error of 22 milliseconds, or 1/2 of one percent, or 1 mph. I’d say simple reaction time would be much greater than that.

Is it possible? The news item didn’t mention a standing start, so the question is whether a street bike can attain 205 mph (328km/h). We know that MotoGP bikes (ok, not the Proton) regularly achieve this thanks to about 240-250 hp. It’s certainly true that no standard road-legal motorcycle could manage that, but there are people out there who attach turbochargers and nitrous oxide systems to large sport bikes. Even heavily discounting their claims for bravado, 300 hp would seem possible and account for the extra aerodynamic drag of road-bike paraphenalia.

This is not to say the trooper didn’t get it wrong for any number of reasons, but parallax is not one of them and physics will not provide a defense.

Graham Byrnes BSc PhD (applied mathematics)
The University of Melbourne
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Every e-mail so far is dismissing the whole thing, making arguments against the trooper being wrong for estimating 205 mph. This is disappointing.

Everyone seems to miss the REAL point, that some idiots were out racing their bikes, riding 160+ mph on public roads. +1 second error = 5.4 seconds = 168 mph. This is ridiculous in its own right anywhere but the track. Hell, I don’t even get that fast at TWS on an R6.

So the cop’s mistake was over-estimating the speed. That doesn’t excuse these riders for being dumb.

Jesse Johnson
CMRA #21 Expert
Austin, Texas





FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I just wanted to comment on the ridiculous speeding violation reported by our local and national media.

The kid riding the so called “Honda 1000” was indeed riding a 1000cc Honda, just not the one you’d expect. He was actually riding an RC51. I have reliable sources at the scene who were passing by and spoke with the unlicensed rider (and saw his bike) just after his being pulled over while participating in the Minnesota Flood Run motorcycle ride which took place along the same route on highway 61.

Nick Junkersfeld
Motoprimo Motorsports
Minneapolis, Minnesota



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

just a quick note in addition to Dr. Gaudino’s response:

Did you guys notice that he’s not on a CBR1000RR; he’s on an RC51! (I got this information here:
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=69711).

To make an RC51 go over 200 mph is a HUGE accomplishment. I’m not saying it’s totally impossible, but to make any bike go over 200 is tough; but an RC51? A guy with no license taking the time to build an RC51 capable of such a feat is amazing.

I agree with the good doctor’s response; the accuracy of this speed is highly questionable.

Steve Bauman
CRA #169
St. Bonifacius, Minnesota


FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I am absolutely certain, without reservation, that the facts presented to me for this story of a 205 mph motorcycle are true.

Dan Rather
New York, New York

(Eric A. Trytko, Dearborn, Michigan)



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I don’t want to get into a huge battle over this and waste your time and webspace. I also can’t seem to find the article again at the original web location so I can’t quote from the article to support my arguments, so that’s even more reason not to get into it.

But from the beginning, my e-mail said that the ideas I was presenting were enough to put reasonable doubt into minds of people who put any thought into this. My entire post was directed to the factors in the entire “event” that could contribute human error and thus reasonable doubt into a reasonable persons mind. Dr. Byrne seems more intent on showing how I erred in saying that Parallax could have played any part, than in showing why it doesn’t. If anything, he supports that idea. He quantifies the various amounts of error that ARE introduced, and then tries to say they are too small to be of any consequence. BUT, he doesn’t say what the error he has quantified will do to affect the way the HUMAN at the observing end responds, i.e. starting and stopping the stop watch. He also doesn’t comment on the following:

1) ANY maneuvering of the plane to be able to track that motorcycle (if they weren’t already traveling in the same direction OR perpendicular to the direction of travel so that the plane was at right angle to the section of road where the lines were painted) would possibly introduce a situation where human error could affect the timing.

2) The response also didn’t take into account any hills that may have changed the viewer’s ability to accurately judge when to time. Perspective changes as the distance and angle from which an event is viewed. It IS possible that a perspective change on a hill (up or down) could create an optical illusion where it seems the motorcycle crossed the line sooner (and yes it could change it so it seemed to cross later as well) when viewing from a distance, especially if that distance is removed in 2 directions, distance away and distance above. I don’t say this did happen because I am making no assumptions regarding this, but it COULD happen , and thus it could contribute to human error in timing. Without being there witnessing it, there is no way to say for sure one way or the other.

3) Dr. Byrne’s response graciously provides the additional error caused by curvature of the earth, which would tend to add error to the timing event. Which was my point. Timing errors.

4) The short duration of the event, makes any error approaching 1/2 a second a significant amount of error. Enough error in fact to make the measurement completely suspect. And if its suspect, then its capable of being the basis for reasonable doubt, which in turn supports my other statement…a decent lawyer could get this case tossed or reduced.

I will admit that I assumed that the timing event started when the bike accelerated and then finished when he clicked and saw 4.39 seconds. It is possible I misinterpreted the officers action. From Dr. Byrne’s response it would seem that the motorcycle had already accelerated to the terminal speed and that is when the officer started timing the event. I can’t verify, so I’m willing to concede that point.

However, Dr. Byrne doesn’t address what the apparent acceleration away from the plane at a rate of twice that of the plane does to the ability to accurately judge when to start and stop the timing event, thus he offers no comment on any possible human error introduced by any or all of these circumstances. I would ask Dr. Byrne if he’s ever tried to time a motorcycle between 2 white lines from hundreds of feet in the air and from a position that would possibly be the worst of all circumstances, above and behind the event with the bike moving away faster than the vehicle that is being used to spot it. Forget that there could be additional factors of plane movement that could alter the ability to accurately judge.

The next 2 points I think are very important as well. The American Justice system probably doesn’t work like the British Justice system…ANY reasonable doubt, can get a case reduced or overturned. I realize that Dr. Byrne is from Australia, but the legal system practiced there is basically the British legal system with very few changes. In fact they still wear the wigs in court. Our system which started as the British legal system has changed considerably from the original British system.

And in this case Physics DOES provide some reasonable doubt. Dr. Byrne seems to be confused about how the Law works here in the USA. The bike is probably in impound…so it would be easy enough for a lawyer to bring it in as an exhibit and show what its state of tune is. I agree that a 300 hp cbr1000 rr might have enough horsepower to travel at 205 mph…but that is a HUGE assumption. Since I can’t see the bike, I chose not to assume anything about its state of tune. I chose to determine if small amounts of human error could in fact create the seemingly impossible discrepancy between what was claimed and what we motorcycle riders and racers should know is a VERY difficult plateau to reach. And then determine if those timing errors reduced the speed which seems outrageous to a speed more in line with what we, as reasonable motorcycle racers and riders, know to be possible for stock and moderately tuned streetbikes.

Occams Razor suggests, that all things being equal the simplest answer is usually correct, or stated another way, the less assumptions made, the greater the probability of an answer being correct.

Dr. Byrne says that a 300 hp motorcycle might be able to attain that speed. And he is correct, it MIGHT. But he ASSUMES that the rider had the time, the money, and the ability to build or have built for him, a 300 hp streetbike, when he makes that statement. My argument makes no such assumption. My argument is based on parallax, which is a known and naturally occurring physical phenomena (as is perspective change), and human error which could be introduced due to viewing inaccuracies. The human error factor is my assumption, because in order to reduce the 205 mph to a more believable 180 mph or 168 mph , a half second to 1 second error is introduced which represents either 10 or 20 % timing error, respectively. This is important. The basis of my post is about the timing event. An interval that short, needs only a minor error to completely blow it.

Anyway, I won’t be upset at all if you decide not to waste any more space on this and don’t print this. I really don’t want to get into a physics and mathematics debate, since I’m not a physicist or mathematician. My only purpose for responding to Dr. Byrne’s post at all was to let you know I’m not a complete bonehead, and that Dr. Byrne, while quantifying the curvature of the earth and its apparently small contribution to the overall error, really didn’t address the main problem with the whole thing, which was human error, and the visual cues that could lead to human error affecting the timing event.

Next time remind me to delete my signature file at the bottom of my e-mails so I don’t elicit a ‘I’m going to shoot that guy’s arguments down, just because he has a Ph.D. after his name’ response.

Reginald J. Gaudino, Ph.D.
Gaudino & Associates, Inc.
Oceanside, California

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Sept. 22, 2004) — AMA Pro Racing announced today the schedule for the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship season finale to be held at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in Alton, Va., and confirmed that the event will now be a two-day event instead of three as was originally planned.

The primary reason for making it a two-day event is to help offset the added costs that were incurred due to the original event’s postponement.

The event was originally planned for Sept.17-19 but was rescheduled due to complications arising from Hurricane Ivan. The event will now be held on Oct. 9 &10.

Ron Barrick, AMA Pro Racing Superbike Series Manager said eliminating one day on the weekend will help save money for everyone involved. “We’re still planning on running two Superbike races as well as the Supersport, Superstock and Formula Xtreme classes,” said Barrick. “The difference is now we’ll do it in two days instead of three, which will help the teams with expenses. Compressing the schedule like this is not something we’d normally like to do but the importance of this race and the need to lower everyone’s out-of-pocket costs justifies this approach.”

Of the four classes run under the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship, only the Formula Xtreme Championship has been determined. Championship
titles for Superbike, Supersport and Superstock will be determined at the VIR finale.


AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship
Presented by Parts Unlimited
Suzuki Lightning Nationals
Virginia International Raceway – October 9-10, 2004

Friday, Oct. 8

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Promoter Practice

3:00 – 7:00Registration: Riders, Crew, Sponsors & Guests

6:30Post-entry Closed for all Classes

3:00 – 7:00Tech Inspection

Saturday, Oct. 9

7:30 – 3:00Registration: Crew, Sponsors & Guests

8:00 – 5:00Tech Inspection

8:00 – 8:30AMA Repsol Superstock Practice

8:35 – 9:05Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Helmets Practice

9:10 – 9:40Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited Practice

9:45 – 10:15Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Practice

10:20 – 10:50AMA Repsol Superstock Practice

10:55 – 11:25Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Helmets Practice

11:30 – 12:00Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited Practice

12:05 – 12:35Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Practice

12:40 – 1:25Lunch Break

12:45Rider Briefing

1:25 – 1:50AMA Repsol Superstock Qualifying Group 1

1:55 – 2:20AMA Repsol Superstock Qualifying Group 2

2:25 – 2:50Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Helmets Qualifying Group 1

2:55 – 3:20 Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Helmets Qualifying Group 2

3:25 – 3:50Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited Qualifying Group 1

3:55 – 4:20Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited Qualifying Group 2

4:35AMA Repsol Superstock Race (60k – 17 laps)

Sunday, Oct. 10

8:30 – 12:00Registration: Crew, Sponsors & Guests

9:00Tech Inspection Opens

9:00 – 9:20Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited Practice

9:25 – 9:45Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Helmets Practice

9:55 – 10:25Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Qualifying Group 1

10:30 – 11:00Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Qualifying Group 2

11:00 – 12:00Lunch Break

11:20Nondenominational Chapel Service

12:00 Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited Race 1 (100K – 28 laps)

1:15Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Helmets (60k – 17 laps)

2:30Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited Race 2 (100k – 28 laps)

3:45 Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Race (60k – 17 laps)

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Normally I just read new reports like this and laugh at the obvious errors made by those reporting. But in this instance, I felt compelled to respond. There are possibly a number of errors at work here simultaneously, but without more detailed information regarding the altitude the plane (which may or may not have the curvature of the earth as a factor depending on how high the plane was), the speed of travel, direction of travel relative to the motorcycle, and angle of attack of the plane (whether the plane was level, descending, ascending, or banked into a turn), my comments can only be viewed as information that can put a “reasonable doubt” into the minds of any person who claims to actually use their brain. It is obvious that the “Airborne State Troopers” don’t fall into this category, or don’t understand motorcycles and physics very well. This preamble leads us to a well known phenomena, called Parallax.

First some basic math. 60 mph = 88ft/sec. At this rate of speed (notice I didn’t say acceleration) the 1/4 mile is traveled in 15 seconds. The one correct part of this whole thing is that, Yes….1/4 mile in 4.39 seconds does = 205 mph. But an approximate half-second difference (1/4 mile in 5 seconds instead of 4.39 seconds) would drop that speed to 180 mph. A 1-second error (1/4 mile in 5.39 seconds) drops that speed to 168 mph.

168 mph is a completely believable speed for a stock CBR1000RR, as is 180 mph for a moderately to highly tuned 1000cc street legal sportbike.

Is it possible to introduce a half second or 1 second human error into this equation? YES, especially when Parallax is considered. The definition of Parallax is provided below.

Source: The American Heritage® Stedman’s Medical Dictionary, Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Main Entry: par·al·lax
Pronunciation: ‘par-&-“laks
Function: noun
: the apparent displacement or the difference in apparent direction of an object as seen from two different points not on a straight line with the object

From this definition, it becomes apparent that a large number of factors can introduce optical illusion errors. Since the original article states that the motorcycle was accelerating away at an apparent rate of twice the speed of the plane, and the plane is viewing the entire event from above and behind, there is very little chance the measurement made from hundreds of feet in the air is anywhere near accurate. The spotter would be “ASSUMING” when the front tire did in fact cross the line that he used to start the watch, AND worse yet as the bike accelerates (not speeds) away and increases the distance between the plane and the motorcycle, the timing when the front wheel crosses the second line used to stop the stop watch is even MORE OF AN ASSUMPTION.

Then we have to ask, was the bike going uphill or downhill at all? Because if it was doing either, depending on what height the plane was, the motorcycle may have look like it crossed the line sooner from a viewing position above and behind. Or if the plane was traveling at any direction other than perpendicular to the direction of travel of the motorcycle, that would also effect the person’s ability to accurately judge the time the motorcycle crossed the white line.

The officer also said he was “ready.” Well, how ready was he? Did he maybe time the rear wheel as it crossed the first line and then the front wheel as it crossed the second line? All these issues add a significant degree of error due to the extremely short time duration over which the entire event occurred.

This also explains why the “photo-finish” cameras are placed perpendicular to the direction of travel of the “racing objects” as they cross the finish line in ALL FORMS OF RACING. Or, more simply, the photo finish camera is taking a picture that is parallel to the finish line, as things move across the finish line. You never see the photo finish cameras above and behind the finish line. Add in the height of plane and consider if the plane was high enough the curvature of the earth must also be factored into the equation, and you can see why this claim is just a publicity vehicle for that police department.

I could get into the physics required to push a motorcycle that fast against air, or that the really basic error is that NO VEHICLE, be it two wheels or four wheels, that is street legal in any way, shape or form can accelerate to 205 mph in 4.39 seconds regardless of how fast they were going to start with because of the wind resistance at those speeds, but I won’t. So the question becomes, why didn’t the police stop the bikes earlier when they saw them racing along an interstate with other traffic?

Any lawyer with a basic college understanding of physics and motorcycles would be able to get this case reduced or thrown out.

Reginald J. Gaudino, Ph.D.
Gaudino & Associates, Inc.
Oceanside, California

Dr. Gaudino is a licensed road racer…Editor.

More, from another reader and racer:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Just a note about the 205 mph-streetbike.

This morning on the Paul Harvey radio show on 700 WLW in Cincinnati, Ohio, he told a story of two motorcyclists being caught racing on Highway 61 in Minnesota at speeds “in excess of 205 mph.”

Now it’s two bikes at over 205 mph. WOW!

Jeff Wood
Cincinnati,Ohio

More, from another reader:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

First: I applaud John Hopkins for the maturity he is showing in MotoGP. It takes a strong person to stand up and say that he forgives someone and wishes them no penalty. Bravo, John!

Second: 205 mph, on a Honda 1000, at that rate, my stock 636 should do an easy 180 mph! Give me a freaking break.

Eric Robinson
Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania

More, from still another reader:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

No doubt that the guy was acting like an idiot. However, it would be interesting to know how the state patrol could clock him at 205 mph when the top speed of the Cessna 182s that they fly is only 143 – 148 kts (165 – 170 mph.) Even if they were using the one aircraft they have with retractable gear, an R182-RG Skylane, its top speed is only 160 kts (184 mph).

Adam Boklage
Vancouver, Washington

From a press release issued by West Coast British Racing:

GREEN WINS JACKPOT IN RENO

Fernley, NV; HMSA hosted the first ever Historic (auto) Races at the new Reno-Fernley Raceway, included for the first time, historic motorcycles. VMOTO www.vintagemoto.com joined forces with the HMSA (Historic Motor Sports Assoc.) to showcase vintage motorcycle racing to Northern Nevada.

With a variety of machines ranging from 160cc to 750cc, VMOTO participants learned the new track Saturday morning in two practice sessions, at the same time qualifying for grid positions. Saturday’s 6-lap feature was the first race after lunch. WCBR’s Mike Green, mounted on his 1966 WCBR-Ducati 350 grabbed the hole shot from the start; Dave Crussel, aboard an H2 Kawasaki, overhauled Green before the esses and went on to win overall. Green finished 2nd and First 350GP.

On Sunday Green had planned on again racing the Ducati, but the battery connection was unusable, so he opted for the ’73 WCBR-Triumph 750 twin, the same machine he’s raced since the late 1970’s. Mike Green was again on the front row for the feature points race. Son Peter (10) was in the tower ready to wave the green flag. When the younger Green waved the flag, Mike was first away and never headed, pulling a safe margin every lap over the winding 2.4 mile desert course. Stepson Anthony waved the checkered when winner Green crossed the line.


More, from a press release issued by Vmoto:

Vmoto becomes the first vintage motorcycle group to stage a road race on the new 2.4 mile Reno-Fernley Raceway. The new track at Fernley is very fast and challenging, the weather was great all weekend and the racing even better. Jeremy Cable Reno-Fernley’s track manager and the Historic Motor Sports Association’s (HMSA) Cris Vandigriff warmly welcomed Vmoto riders providing plenty of track time with four practice sessions and three races over two day weekend.

Saturday’s feature race was won by Dave Crussell on his Kawasaki H2R. There were good battles down in the field between Dave Calloway’s 1970 Triumph T100 and Scott Clough on a 1971 Yamaha CT-1. The new track featured some very fast sections, good elevation changes, and even a banked turn. All the riders gave it rave reviews and are looking forward to a new extension planned for next year that will make the course over 4 miles in length!

The second round of the Bell Microproducts Vmoto Vintage Challenge was flagged off at 1:50 on Sunday. Mike Green took off from the center of the front row and was never headed to take the over all victory. Again there were many good races back in the field. In particular, Dave Crussell and Rodd Lighthouse put on one of the best races of the entire weekend with Rodd just holding off Dave by a wheel at the line.

Matt Dawson put in a great ride to take second over all on his beautiful 1959 Norton Manx. Matt also took home the award for Best in Show for the most period correct bike at the event.

For more information go to:
http://www.vintagemoto.com/events/Reno_04/reno_results.html

The next event in the Bell Microproducts Vmoto Challenge will be at Thunderhill on Oct 16 and 17. To enter go to:
http://www.vintagemoto.com/secure/events/thill-priority.html

Points standings for the Bell Microproducts Vmoto Challenge go to:
http://www.vintagemoto.com/events/points.html

Vmoto office 650-903-4882

From a press release issued by John Hopkins’ publicist:

HOPKINS MAKES STATEMENT REGARDING MOTEGI INCIDENT

RAMONA, Calif. (Sept. 22, 2004) – John Hopkins, along with five other riders, crashed out of the Grand Prix of Japan in Motegi last weekend, after a first turn pileup caused when Loris Capirossi lost control of his motorcycle entering the turn.

Much has been written in the last few days concerning the disparity in the FIM’s treatment of Capirossi compared to penalties assessed Hopkins for a nearly identical accident he caused at Motegi last year.

Hopkins said that while he was extremely disappointed with being caught up in an accident outside his control, especially when he had such a good opportunity to earn his first podium, ultimately he feels that it was simply a racing accident and he holds no ill will towards Capirossi.

“Of all the people who should understand that Loris was simply trying to do what he could to make a good start at Motegi it’s me,” Hopkins said. “I may have said some things in the heat of the moment that expressed my anger immediately after the incident, but ultimately I forgive Loris and do not feel he should be sanctioned.

“Every rider on the grid of a MotoGP is by necessity highly qualified to be there. I don’t believe anyone out there is trying to intentionally take someone out. We are all too professional for that.”

Hopkins was suspended for the following round and fined for the same type of accident at Motegi a year ago. While he was disappointed by the suspension at the time he says that he learned a great deal from it and has moved on and does not wish to rehash the past.

Hopkins is recuperating in London and plans to be ready to race for the upcoming round in Qatar.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING ON TV THIS WEEK
(All times Eastern)

AMA Chevrolet Motocross Championship, Glen Helen Raceway Park, San Bernardino, California – Friday, Sept. 24, 3-5 a.m. – ESPN2

AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport by Shoei, Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia – Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2-3 p.m. – SPEED Channel

AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport by Shoei, Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia – Wednesday, Sept. 29, 3-4 a.m. – SPEED Channel

AMA / Prostar Drag Racing Championship, Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Florida – Wednesday, Sept. 29, 11 p.m. (Re-airs Oct. 2, 9
a.m., Oct. 3, 2:30 a.m.) – The Outdoor Channel

All times subject to change. Check local listings

From a press release issued by CCS:

VoiceEclipse Mid-West Region Wrap-Up at Blackhawk Farms

Aurora, IL — (September 22 , 2004):
CCS Update

StarNet, Inc., one of the largest wholesale dialup and VoIP providers in the United States was proud to sponsor Championship Cup Series, by providing additional purse money incentives for several of the Championship Cup Series races at Blackhawk Farms throughout the weekend of September 18-19. On behalf of the Wegman Benefit Fund, StarNet’s VoiceEclipse added a $1000 prize purse for four CCS classes ($250 in each class); Expert Middleweight Grand Prix, the Expert Thunderbike, the Expert Heavyweight Supersport, and the Expert Middleweight Superbike races.

Winners include: (1st-3rd) Joe Gill, Brian Johnson, Jeff Purk in Ex MW Grand Prix, Ed Key, Brian Lacy, Mark Sorensen in Ex Thunderbike, Blake Young, Mark Junge, Shawn Conrad in Ex HW Supersport, and Shawn Conrad, Joe Gill, Brian Johnson in Ex MW Superbike.

In addition StarNet’s VoiceEclipse paid another $1000 to the following: $200 to the 1st Lap Leader in Expert Middleweight Grand Prix Joe Gill, $200 to the top Expert Unlimited Grand Prix qualifier Larry Denning, $100 to 10th place in Expert Middleweight Supersport Jeff Purk, a $250 top-three purse split in Amateur Lightweight Superbike paid to (1st – 3rd) Lee Davis, Jonny Moore, Jack Strunsee, and Amateur Middleweight Superbike riders (1st – 3rd) Ryan Johnson, Brandon Parrish, and Jeff Stone. There was also be a $250 “Hat-Trick” bonus for any Expert rider that could win all three Unlimited Grand Prix, Middleweight Grand Prix, and Middleweight Supersport main events. However each event had a different winner; Mark Junge (Unl Grand Prix), Joe Gill (MW Grand Prix), and Blake Young (MW Supersport).

With these contributions, StarNet continues its 10-year record of support through its association with the Wegman Benefit Fund and contributions to the Air Fence Fund. StarNet CEO Russ Intravartolo has been racing competitively for many years and is excited to expand StarNet’s commitment to the race community.

About StarNet

With one of the largest wholesale 56K V.90 and ISDN networks in the United States, StarNet, Inc. is one of the most prominent ISPs of its time. Since 1995, StarNet, Inc. has been building MegaPOP: a reliable, cutting-edge network for Internet access aggregation throughout the U.S. with more than 2,800 access locations, covering over 90% of the US population.

VoiceEclipse is StarNet’s newest service: a broadband telephone service which bypasses the traditional phone company and uses StarNet’s internet infrastructure to deliver voice and fax services. For more information, visit the VoiceEclipse table at the event, call toll-free to 1-866-444-0794, or sign up online at www.voiceeclipse.

From a press release issued by Castle Combe Circuit Ltd.:

SUPERBIKE GRAND NATIONAL IS GO!

Many of the country’s top superbike teams and riders are set to battle it out for supremacy in the Superbike Grand National meeting which takes place at Castle Combe near Chippenham over the weekend of September 25th and 26th.

With the British Superbike Championship decided this weekend prior, either Rizla Suzuki or HM Plant Honda Racing will be arriving at the Wiltshire circuit having been crowned champions for 2004 and these two teams, along with a number of other prominent BSB teams will be looking to round off the season in style.

The Rizla Suzuki team hope to field youngster Jon Kirkham in recognition of his efforts in the British Superbike Cup as well as another rider yet to be named whilst Supersport champion Karl Harris will make his Superbike debut for HM Plant Honda Racing when he takes to the track on the Honda Fireblade.

Honda hope to have Michael Rutter and Japanese star Ryuichi Kiyonari also in action around the super-fast circuit which has just this week, undergone some extensive safety modifications.

Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha will have at least two bikes out at the meeting and whilst the rider line up has yet to be decided, it is likely that Steve Plater and Gary Mason will be present at the South West’s biggest bike meeting in years.

Former GP rider Sean Emmett is hopeful of landing share the £15,000 purse on offer as he is set to be reunited with the ETI Ducati Team for whom he won their maiden BSB race in 2003. The ex Shakey Byrne F02 will suit the Londoner who has a point to prove after a disastrous year on the MonsterMob F04.

There’s a chance of making it a truly international event with top American racer and factory Yamaha star Jason DiSalvo who is looking to make his superbike debut in the UK. The 20 year old New Yorker spent a couple of seasons racing in Europe before returning stateside and with the great Fast Freddie Spencer as his coach, DiSalvo has shown a real turn of speed in the AMA Championships this year for Graves Yamaha.

As well as the two 15 lap feature races, there are two races for the Eastern Airways Sidecar Championship as nine times world champion Steve Webster looks to increase his lead in the standings. A full programme of BSB support classes will be on offer as well as the New Era Club Championship races over the two action packed days and late entries are still available either by contacting Jim Parker at New Era MCC (01920 444205) or Rodney Gooch at Castle Combe as below.

Action gets underway with practice on Saturday from 08.30 and on Sunday from 09.00 with the first race scheduled for 10.45. Adult admission is £8.00 on Saturday (concessions £4.00) and £20.00 on Sunday (concessions £10.00) with accompanied children under 15 admitted free. Paddock transfers are free on Saturday and until 11.00 on Sunday, thereafter £5.00 each. Camping is also available

Discounted advance tickets are available until Monday 20th September and details can be found on www.castlecombe.co.uk or by calling 01249 782417

From a press release issued by AMA Sports:

AMA SPORTS BANQUET SET FOR NOVEMBER IN LAS VEGAS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that the second annual AMA Sports Awards Banquet will be held Friday evening, November 12, 2004, at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel and Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

AMA Sports, the world’s largest motorsports-sanctioning body, will recognize stars from more than a dozen forms of motorcycle and ATV competition. Among those to be honored at the AMA Sports Awards Banquet will be the 2004 AMA Sports Horizon Award Winners: Mike Alessi in motocross, John Lewis V in dirt track, and Logan Young in road racing.

The evening’s highlights will include the announcement of the 2004 AMA Sports and ATVA (All-Terrain Vehicle Association) Athletes of the Year; Riders of the Year in Youth, Female, and Veteran/Senior motorcycle and ATV competition; AMA Sportsman of the Year; ATVA Amateur Rider of the Year; and various Journalism and Promotion awards.

Tickets for the 2004 AMA Sports Awards Banquet are $75 per person and include admission to the evening’s hosted reception, dinner, a souvenir program and memorabilia, and seating for the awards ceremony. For reservations, contact Sue Mason at (614) 856-1900, extension 1244, or at [email protected]. Ticket information and the banquet schedule will be available soon at www.AMADirectlink.com.

Guests staying at the Las Vegas Hilton can receive a special room rate by calling (800) 732-7117 and mentioning the American Motorcyclist Association.

Sponsorship opportunities for the 2004 AMA Sports Awards Banquet are available for businesses and individuals, including AMA-chartered clubs and promoters. Sponsorships levels range from $500 to $5,000.

For sponsorship information, contact Cherie Schlatter at extension 1242 or at [email protected]. Sponsorship information will be available soon at www.AMADirectlink.com.