From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

SUZUKI TAKES BSB CHAMPIONSHIP!


John Reynolds crushed the opposition to win both races at the penultimate round of the 2004 Think! British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park today and take his first double victory of the season, as Suzuki clinched the Manufacturers Championship with one round to go.

Reynolds commanded both races from the front and never looked as though he would be headed as he brought his Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 home well ahead of the competition.

With seven wins to his name, he now leads the Championship by 43 points from Honda’s Michael Rutter with only 50 points left to score at the final round of the series at Donington Park next weekend.

But Suzuki is the champion on 503 points and cannot be beaten by Honda, who trail on 416 points.

Reynolds’ team mate Yukio Kagayama battled bravely in both races to take a pair of podium thirds and cement himself firmly in third place in the overall standings: Kagayama rode both races with the aim of helping his team mate as his priority and was the first person ‘JR’ thanked when he got off his bike.

John Reynolds:

“We needed that today! I don’t want to win this Championship by finishing fifth or sixth and hanging on to a slender lead. I want to win it from the front like a true Champion. Well done to Rizla Suzuki and my team for taking the Manufacturers Championship, I hope I can add another title to that next weekend!

“Thanks to my entire Rizla Suzuki team for all the hard work that has been put in. Yuki was brilliant defending my lead in the second race and I owe him a beer. Special thanks go to Dunlop for providing me with two brilliant race tyres and finally, thank you to all the fans who cheered me round the circuit – I heard you!”

Yuko Kagayama:

“This was the best result possible today for me. My Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 is very well set-up and I have much confidence in my bike. In race one I had a poor start and third am a good result. In race two I was second for most of the time and only just got edged to third on the last lap.

“Well done to John-san; he has made big points gap today with not many points left to score. It is a very happy day for Rizla Suzuki as we are Manufacturer Champions in 2004. This makes me smile. I am Suzuki Factory rider and I am proud.”

Paul Denning – Team Manager:

“We have pulled through a few difficult rounds and come out the other side with a fantastic result. The first double of the year by ‘JR’ shows he is back to the top of his game. Knowing John, he won’t be turning up looking for just enough points at Donington to secure the title, he’ll be looking to win the Championship with victory in the races and we’ll be giving him our full backing to achieve that.

“What a ride by Yuki! His grit and determination in the first race brought him from 10th on the first lap to third by the end. In the second race he did a sterling job holding off Michael Rutter and letting ‘JR’ build up a lead before just losing out on second place at the line. Regardless, he is now a strong third in the series and on the Championship podium where he belongs.

“We have been to the final round at Donington and only laps away from winning the Championship before – and that time we missed out. We will be doing everything in our ability and power to take the Championship next weekend and bring the number one plate home for ‘JR’. Rizla Suzuki is the deserved winner of the Manufacturers title and we hope to add to that…Thanks to all our partners and fans for their continued support… we hope to see you at Donington.”

Race One Result: 1: JOHN REYNOLDS (RIZLA SUZUKI) 29:36.353, 2: Michael Rutter (Honda) +4.458, 3: YUKIO KAGAYAMA (RIZLA SUZUKI) +9.998, 4: Sean Emmett (Ducati) +10.093, 5: Steve Plater (Yamaha) +19.964, 6: Glen Richards (Kawasaki) +20.098, 7: Dean Thomas (Ducati) +21.188, 8: Scott Smart (Kawasaki) +25.612, 9: Tommy Hi ll ( Yamaha) +29.555, 10: Paul Brown (Ducati) +33.398.

Race Two Result: 1: JOHN REYNOLDS (RIZLA SUZUKI) 29:33.529, 2: Rutter +2.873, 3: YUKIO KAGAYAMA (RIZLA SUZUKI) +3.184, 4: Emmett +10.163, 5: Thomas +10.180, 6: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +19.951, 7: Plater +31.243, 8: James Haydon (Yamaha) +31.288, 9: Richards +31.856, 10: Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +37.095.

Championship Positions: 1: JOHN REYNOLDS (RIZLA SUZUKI) 420, 2: Rutter 377, 3: YUKIO KAGAYAMA (RIZLA SUZUKI) 322, 4: Smart 304, 5: Emmett 288, 6: Kiyonari 184, 7: Thomas 175, 8: Haydon 165, 9: Hill 129, 10: Richards 115.


More, from a press release issued by Hawk Kawasaki:

DNF COSTS SMART THIRD PLACE IN POINTS STANDINGS

The twelfth round of the THINK! British Superbike Championship, at Oulton Park, proved to be one of the toughest meetings of the year for the Hawk Kawasaki team. A DNF and two crashes – one in qualifying and one in this morning’s warm-up – cost Scott Smart his third place in the championship standings, as well as several layers of skin.

Smarty was left battered and bruised after a collision with Honda-mounted Kiyonari at Shell Oils chicane during morning warm-up. “Kiyo’s bike suddenly slowed due to a technical problem and I was left nowhere to go,” he explained. “My front wheel clipped his back wheel and I went over the highside, landing on my left arm and shoulder. I was bruised, but my bike came off worse.”

His number one bike was too badly damaged to be used in the opening race, so Smart was forced to use his number two machine. Worse still, he had to start from the back of the grid after failing to make it out onto the formation lap in time.

Despite the set-back, Smart charged through the field and into ninth place in just eight laps. His charge was halted on lap 11, however, when the race was stopped due to deteriorating weather conditions. Starting from ninth on the grid in the restart Smart once again made a bid for the front, leap-frogging to sixth on the road in just one lap. After battling with his Hawk team-mate, Glen Richards, Smart crossed the line in sixth, a place behind Richards and eighth on corrected time.

The second 18 lap race looked more promising for the former British 250 champion when he slotted into fourth at the first turn. But as he settled in with the front runners Smart ran on at Hizzy’s chicane, dropping back to tenth place in the process. Despite battling on and once again moving through the field, the Hawk rider’s injuries finally got the better of him on lap 13 and he was forced to retire.

“I was doing quite well after running on at the chicane and I made my way back up to the second group, but I lost the front going into Foulston’s chicane and ran straight on again,” he explained. “I felt really weird after that and was hurting quite badly so I pulled in. If I hadn’t had that off in qualifying I would have qualified higher, run better in the races and could have got a result, but that’s racing I guess.”

John McGuinness’ day was equally testing. The TT winner suffered arm-pump in the first 18-lapper, in which he finished thirteenth, and was then taken out at Hizzy’s chicane on the first lap of the second race.

“Well, it’s not been the best of days,” he said. “I was just settling into the group on the opening lap of the second race, lining myself up for the chicane, and then I felt a smack from behind. The next thing I know I’m flying through the air and my race is over. I saw Kieran Clarke as I was rolling, so I knew it was him who ran into me. It’s really annoying because you can’t win a race on the first lap so there’s no need for people to ride like that. Hopefully we’ll have better luck at Donington.”

Glen Richards proved to be Hawk’s highest points scorer of the day, taking a fine sixth in the first race and ninth in the second. The Aussie had hoped to improve on his first race performance in the second outing, but a harder rear tyre robbed him of vital grip and the chance of a top five finish.

“Having an aggregate race in the first was probably better for me because it gave my arm a rest, but it was a shame to miss out on fifth,” he said. “I must have slowed down too much on the last lap, and that let Steve Plater pip me, but sixth is a pretty good result. In the second the rear tyre was no good and I ended up having a good look at the front wheel a few times, I can tell you. I was lucky to bring it home really, it was just too hard.”

Hawk Kawasaki Team Principal commented: “You need luck in racing and good luck is like bad luck – it runs out. We’ve got to take positives away from the weekend, such as the bikes are a lot quicker than they were earlier in the year. Scott’s knocked himself about this weekend and that made it hard work. He had a good first race, Glen’s worked really hard and gone quicker than he’s ever been around here before, and that’s a positive. It’s a pity he changed to a different tyre in the second race because he had no grip. If he’d stuck with the one he had in the first I think he’d have been fifth. Sometimes you have bad luck, but for sure we’ll be back and up for it next week.”

BSB RACE 1

1) John Reynolds, Suzuki. 2) Michael Rutter, Honda. 3) Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki. 4) Sean Emmett, Ducati. 5) Steve Plater, Yamaha. 6) Glen Richards, Hawk Kawasaki. 7) Dean Thomas, Ducati. 8) Scott Smart, Hawk Kawasaki. 9) Tommy Hill, Yamaha. 10) Paul Brown, Ducati. 11) Gary Mason, Yamaha. 12) Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda. 13) John McGuinness, Hawk Kawasaki. 14) James Haydon, Yamaha. 15) James Ellison, Yamaha (P)

(P)= Privateer

Fastest lap: Sean Emmett, Ducati, 1:37.200, 99.70mph

BSB RACE 2

1) John Reynolds, Suzuki. 2) Michael Rutter, Honda. 3) Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki. 4) Sean Emmett, Ducati. 5) Dean Thomas, Ducati. 6) Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda. 7) Steve Plater, Yamaha. 8) James Haydon, Yamaha. 9) Glen Richards, Hawk Kawasaki. 10) Tommy Hill, Yamaha. 11) Kieran Clarke, Yamaha. 12) Craig Coxhell, Honda. 13) James Ellison, Yamaha (P). 14) Jon Kirkham, Suzuki (P). 15) James Buckingham, Suzuki (P)

Fastest lap: Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, 1:37.471, 99.42mph

BSB CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER 11 ROUNDS

1) John Reynolds, Suzuki, 420. 2) Michael Rutter, Honda, 377. 3) Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, 322. 4) Scott Smart, Hawk Kawasaki, 304. 5) Sean Emmett, Ducati, 288. 6) Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 184. 7) Dean Thomas, Ducati, 175. 8) James Haydon, Yamaha, 165. 9) Tommy Hill, Yamaha, 129. 10) Glen Richards, Hawk Kawasaki, 115. 11) Gary Mason, Yamaha, 105. 12) James Ellison, Yamaha, 99. 13) Craig Coxhell, Honda, 91. 14) John McGuinness, Hawk Kawasaki, 81. 15) Kieran Clarke, Yamaha, 76


MANUFACTURERS CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER 11 ROUNDS

1) Suzuki, 503. 2) Honda, 416. 3) Kawasaki, 338. 4) Ducati, 327. 5) Yamaha, 263


More, from a press release issued by MSS Discovery Kawasaki:

MSS DISCOVERY’S RIBA NINTH IN SUPERSPORT AS ALLAN TAKES 11TH IN SUPERSTOCK

MSS Discovery’s Pere Riba took ninth place in the penultimate round of the British Supersport Championship despite holding fourth place at the halfway stage of a thrilling battle at Oulton Park on Sunday.

Six riders were locked in the challenge, all chasing fourth place in one of the most frantic races of the year.

“The early part of the race was excellent for me before the rear tyre started causing me problems,” explained Riba. “I was feeling comfortable despite the race being very, very close and having five other riders around me.

“Then, from the halfway point, the rear tyre started letting go, I was losing grip with no warning and it was all very, very strange. We’ve had a similar problem earlier in the year but never as severe or inconsistent as today.”

Riba added: “It’s a real shame for the team after we worked so hard in practice to get a front row grid position. We’ll try and figure out what was going on and concentrate on going for a win at Donington Park next week.”

MSS Discovery’s Steve Allan grabbed 11th place in the two-part National Superstock Championship race aboard the ZX-10R to maintain sixth place in the championship point standings.

The original race was stopped after six laps due to rain and Allan battled through to a strong point-scoring position despite troubles in each race.

“Before the original race was stopped I was struggling with set-up,” said Allan. “With the rain on Friday we didn’t get enough track time. Then I went too hard from the start of the second part and wrecked my rear tyre.

“All in all it’s been far from the best of rounds for me but I’m really up for Donington Park next week and a double-header to finish the year with.”


British Supersport Championship, round 12 result (16 laps ­ 43.07 miles):

1 Karl Harris, Honda, 27m 04.288s ­ 95.46mph
2 Tom Sykes, Suzuki, 27m 06.136s
3 Jay Vincent, Honda, 27m 10.460s
4 Leon Camier, Honda, 27m 11.562s
5 Craig Jones, Triumph, 27m 13.731s
6 Stuart Easton, Ducati, 27m 14.054s
7 Cal Crutchlow, Honda, 27m 16.520s
8 Adrian Coates, Suzuki, 27m 16.918s
9 Pere Riba, MSS Discovery Kawasaki, 27m 18.940s
10 Kieran Murphy, Honda, 27m 19.144s

Championship points after 12 of 13 rounds: 1 Harris 222, 2 Vincent 183, 3 Michael Laverty (Ducati) 158, 4 Riba 117, 5 Sykes 107, 6 Camier 98, 7 Luke Quigley (Suzuki) 95, 8 Simon Andrews (Yamaha) 83, 9 Jones 68, 10 Crutchlow 66.
Final round: Donington Park, Leics ­ September 19.


National Superstock Championship, round 11 result (12 laps ­ 32.28 miles).

1 Danny Beaumont, Yamaha, 21m 04.850s
2 Ben Wilson, Suzuki, 21m 06.478s
3 Lee Jackson, Yamaha, 21m 12.584s
4 Andy Tinsley, Suzuki, 21m 18.919s
5 John Laverty, Yamaha, 21m 22.955s
6 Marshall Neill, Suzuki, 21m 27.937s
7 Ian Hutchinson, Suzuki, 21m 32.440s
8 Aaron Zanotti, Suzuki, 21m 34.038s
9 Mark Davies, Yamaha, 21m 34.348s
10 Ryan Rainey, Yamaha, 21m 35.845s
11 Steve Allan, MSS Discovery Kawasaki, 21m 39.334s

Championship points after 11 of 13 rounds: 1 Beaumont 173, 2 Tinsley 162, 3 Wilson 159, 4 Tristan Palmer (Suzuki) 157, 5 Les Shand (Yamaha) 100, 6 Allan 77, 7 Neill 63, 8 Howie Mainwaring (Yamaha) 54, 9 Julian da Costa (MSS Discovery Kawasaki) and Laverty 50.
Final rounds: Donington Park, Leics ­ September 19.


More, from a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

EMMETT MISSES OUT ON PODIUM AT OULTONPARK

MonsterMob Ducati rider Sean Emmett scored two solid fourth places in the penultimate round of the Think! British Superbike Championship at a windswept OultonParktoday.

The 34 year old Londoner qualified on the front row of the grid and was feeling confident for the day’s two races. He was handily placed in race one when the red flag came out as rain fell at the Cheshire circuit and in the combined restart ended up missing out on the podium by a fraction of a second as he had to settle for fourth.

In race two Emmett diced with fellow Ducati rider Dean Thomas before claiming fourth place in the race.

“That was much better than we expected as we had a disaster here last time, but the improvements to the rear suspension have really improved the bike and we were able to run up there with the leaders. I just missed out on the rostrum in the first race but got the new lap record, so its been a pretty encouraging weekend and we have closed in to just 16 points from fourth place in the Championship which we will have to aim for at Donington next weekend. It’s really good to be back up at the sharp end” said Emmett.

Meanwhile it was a day to forget for MonsterMob Supersport rider Michael Laverty when an electrical problem forced the young Ulsterman out on the opening lap. As a result Laverty remains in third position in the Championship standings going into the final round next weekend at DoningtonPark.

“I went on the rumble strips and the bike just cut out on me and I couldn’t get it re-started. I was up with the leaders in about fifth place but didn’t even make it to the first corner. It’s so disappointing but it’s just one of those things” said Laverty.

Team owner Paul Bird had the following to say about the weekend:

“That was a much better day, better than we expected with two good strong results. It’s been a disappointing day for Supersport with our first mechanical breakdown all year with a mysterious electrical problem. We’re looking forward to Donington next weekend.”

Superbike Race One Result

1, John Reynolds (Suzuki) 29m36.353s, 2, Michael Rutter (Honda) +4.458s, 3, Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) +9.998s, 4, Sean Emmett (MonsterMob Ducati) +10.093s, 5, Steve Plater (Yamaha) +19.964s, 6, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) +20.098s, 7, Dean Thomas (Ducati) +21.188, 8, Scott Smart (Kawasaki) +25.612s, 9, Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +29.555, 10, Paul Brown (Ducati) +33.398s.

Superbike Race Two Result

1, John Reynolds (Suzuki) 29m33.529s, 2, Michael Rutter (Honda) +2.873s, 3, Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) +3.184s, 4, Sean Emmett (MonsterMob Ducati) +10.163s, 5, Dean Thomas (Ducati) +10.180s, 6, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +19.951s, 7, Steve Plater (Yamaha) +31.243s, 8, James Haydon (Yamaha) +31.288s, 9, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) +31.856s, 10, Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +37.095s.

Supersport Race Result

1, Karl Harris (Honda) 27m04.288s, 2, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) +1.848s, 3, Jay Vincent (Honda) +6.172s, 4, Leon Camier (Honda) +7.274s, 5, Craig Jones (Triumph) +9.443s, 6, Stuart Easton (Ducati) +9.766s, 7, Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +12.232s, 8, Adrian Coates (Suzuki) +12.630s, 9, Pere Riba (Kawasaki) +14.652s, 10, Kieran Murphy (Honda) +14.856s.

THINK! Superbike Championship Standings (after Round 24)

1, John Reynolds (Suzuki) 420 pts

2, Michael Rutter (Honda) 377 pts

3, Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) 322 pts

4, Scott Smart (Kawasaki) 304 pts

5, Sean Emmett (MonsterMob Ducati) 288 pts

6, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 184 pts

7, Dean Thomas (Ducati) 175 pts

8, James Haydon (Yamaha) 165 pts

9, Tommy Hill (Yamaha) 129 pts

10, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) 115 pts



Supersport Championship Standings (after Round 12)

1, Karl Harris (Honda) 222 pts

2, Jay Vincent (Honda) 183 pts

3, Michael Laverty (MonsterMob Ducati) 158 pts

4, Pere Riba (Kawasaki) 117 pts

5, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 107 pts

6, Leon Camier (Honda) 98 pts

7, Luke Quigley (Suzuki) 95 pts

8, Simon Andrews (Yamaha) 83 pts

9, Craig Jones (Triumph) 68 pts

10, Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 66 pts


More, from a press release issued by Glynn Racing:

ANOTHER PODIUM PLACING FOR GLYNN AT OULTON

Following on from runner up placings at Thruxton, Mallory Park and Cadwell Park already this season, Virgin Mobile Yamaha R6 Cup rider Gareth Glynn added another second placing to his tally in today’s penultimate round at Oulton Park in Cheshire.

Despite the changeable weather which plagued the weekend at his local circuit, the 22 year old Motor Vehicle Technician from Lowton, Greater Manchester recorded his seventh successive front row start during Saturday’s qualifying session
and was looking strong in the early stages of the race before getting embroiled in a dice with the leading bunch. Glynn dropped behind the two leading riders but when Richard Wren and Adam Jenkinson crashed out, he was left to battle
it out for the lead once more. ‘

Glynn was well placed going into the last lap but any hopes he had of clinching his inaugural win in the series went when he nearly crashed exiting the Hizzy’s Chicane which meant he was unable to challenge eventual winner Guy Sanders.

“I was looking down at my bike on the last lap as I had a problem with the rear end and I wasn’t sure what it was. It was a hard race and I’m really pleased to be on the podium again but I desperately want that win at Donington. I’m
getting fed up with collecting second place trophies, now I want a winner’s one also” said Glynn who moved up to third place in the standings as a result.

The final round takes place at Donington on Sunday September 19th.

Virgin MobileYamaha R6 Cup Championship standings (after 11 rounds)

1 Richard Wren, 171pts

2 Ollie Bridewell, 137pts

3 Gareth Glynn, 119pts

4 James Hillier, 115pts

5 Guy Sanders 114pts

6 Adam Jenkinson 106pts



Virgin MobileYamaha R6 Cup 2004 Dates

Mar 28: Silverstone, Northamptonshire.

Apr 12: Brands Hatch Indy, Kent.

Apr 25: Snetterton, Norfolk.

May 3: OultonPark, Cheshire.

Jun 6: Thruxton, Hampshire.

Jun 20: Brands Hatch, Kent.

Jul 4: Knockhill, Fife, Scotland.

Jul 18: MalloryPark, Leicestershire.

July 25: Moto GP Support, DoningtonPark

Aug 15: Croft, North Yorkshire

Aug 30: CadwellPark, Lincolnshire.

Sep 12: OultonPark, Cheshire.

Sep 19: DoningtonPark, Leicestershire


More, from a press release issued by JR MOtorsport:

ROBINSON IN THE POINTS AGAIN AT OULTON

JR Motosport rider Jamie Robinson made it four points scoring rides in the last four races with another battling performance at the penultimate round of the British Supersport Championship which took place at Oulton Park in Cheshire yesterday.

Yorkshireman Robinson had to overcome the wet conditions during Friday’s testing and the changeable weather throughout the remainder of the weekend but following on from his recent good performances at Mallory, Croft and Cadwell, the Yamaha R6 rider was confident going into the 16 lap race.

Robinson got a great start but as has been typical of his luck this season, two riders fell in front of him on the opening lap forcing him to take evasive action which dropped him a number of places. The former 250cc British Champion battled back up the leaderboard when a similar incident involving Aussie Paul Young stopped him in his tracks again and meant he had to settle for another 13th place finish at the flag.

“That was so frustrating as every time I’d worked my way up to the pack in front of me, something happened meaning all the hard work I’d done was for nothing. I was riding OK but again we were losing out on the straights to the bikes with quicker acceleration. I really hope we can put all the bad luck behind us and go out with a bang at Donington next weekend” said the 28 year old from Holmfirth.

Meanwhile 17 year old team mate Paul Veazey left OultonPark disappointed following from his 21st place finish after again being the victim of an incident not of his making. The Middlesbrough teenager got a great start from row six of the grid but as they exited the first corner, one of the leading riders had a machine problem meaning Veazey had to slow to avoid a collision:

“OultonPark is a circuit I’ve always struggled at and it didn’t help when I had to shut off to avoid crashing on the opening lap. I tried to get my head down after that and in the end I just wanted to bring the bike home as there was no point in crashing. I hope we can get a good result at Donington next weekend as I really like that track and all I need is a little bit of luck” said Veazey who will be hoping for his first points of the season at the DoningtonPark finale.

Robinson echoed Veazey’s comments: “We had high hopes for Paul after his great ride at Cadwell but it wasn’t to be. He should go well at Donington and we can both round the season off in style.”

From a press release issued by MSS Discovery Kawasaki:

MSS DISCOVERY KAWASAKI TEAM HEAD FOR BRITISH SUPERBIKE IN 2005

The MSS Discovery Kawasaki team will race in the 2005 British Superbike Championship with exciting young Frenchman Julien da Costa.

After a successful Supersport and Superstock campaign in 2004, the MSS Discovery squad will race a ZX-10R with new recruit da Costa.

Joint team owners Stuart Simmonds and Nick Morgan will field riders in all three classes with Supersport and Superstock details to be announced soon.

“A Superbike programme is something we’ve been considering for a long time,” said Simmonds. “We’ve now put together a plan which is aimed firmly at MSS Discovery being competitive immediately.”

Morgan commented: “The ZX-10R has proven itself this year in both Superbike and Superstock classes and we have every confidence of being competitive. In Julien da Costa I think everyone has witnessed a great young, new talent to British racing.”

Da Costa joined the MSS Discovery team for the Croft and Cadwell Park National Superstock rounds, winning both races. He misses the Oulton Park round but will contest next week’s Donington Park Superstock double-header.

Simmonds concluded: “MSS and Discovery joining forces this year has proven successful and, in an effort to continue our progress, we will be looking to retain Pere Riba for the 2005 British Supersport Championship on the ZX-6RR.”

From a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing Team:

NAKANO MAKES A NOISY ENTRANCE IN TOKYO

Fuchs Kawasaki’s Shinya Nakano took part in a question and answer session at Tokyo’s Shinagawa Seaside Forest Oval Garden on Saturday, in the run up to next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi.

A crowd of more than 500 people turned out to listen to what Nakano had to say about his hopes for his home Grand Prix, but many had difficulty hearing his comments – despite the use of microphones and a public address system – after the Fuchs Kawasaki rider opened proceedings by firing up his Ninja ZX-RR on stage.

In the confines of the Oval Garden, the noise produced by the 990cc, inline four-cylinder ZX-RR through its open Akrapovic exhaust pipe was truly deafening. As one, the assembled crowd stuck their fingers in their ears, while Nakano gave way to temptation and proceeded to give the throttle on his Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machine a good work out before finally hitting the kill switch.

After his noisy entrance, Nakano explained how much he was looking forward to racing in front of his home crowd at next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, and how determined he was to give the fans something to cheer about in the race. The 26-year-old Japanese rider then spent an hour chatting to fans, signing autographs and posing for photographs before finally bidding the crowd farewell.

“It was great to see so many fans turn out for this event,” declared Nakano, after removing his ear plugs. “But it was also nice to welcome our guests from Bridgestone, such as Mr. Yamada, along with members of the Japanese media.”

“After talking about next weekend’s race, and answering questions about my thoughts on my home Grand Prix, I now can’t wait to get to Motegi. I was motivated before to do well in my home race, but the support of the fans here at this event means I’m more determined than ever to give everyone something to cheer about next Sunday afternoon.”

“We have a few more events planned for Motegi, where I’m hoping to get the chance to meet the people who weren’t able to make it to Tokyo this weekend. It’s good that we’ll get the opportunity to meet many more people before the race; when you’re out on track, it’s always good to know that there are fans cheering you on in the stands,” continued the Fuchs Kawasaki rider.

Nakano, together with team-mate Alex Hofmann, will take part in a live question and answer session at the KAZE stand at Motegi on Saturday 18th September at 16.00, after which they’ll sign autographs and pose for photographs before heading over to the Bridgestone stand for another personal appearance at 16.30.

The Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi is the 12th round of the MotoGP World Championship and marks the start of four consecutive overseas races, taking in Qatar and Malaysia and ending in Australia on October 17th.

From a press release issued by Proton Team KR:

ESTORIL TESTS BOOST PROTON TEAM KR’S CHANCES*

Proton Team KR tests of the new KTM MotoGP motor after the Portuguese GP at Estoril gave the team a boost in several respects.

One was the strong performance of the new 990cc V4 Austrian-built engine, which might offer a new direction for the team. Another was the performance of the Proton KR chassis, modified to take the V4 in place of the regular V5. The state-of-the-art unit proved well fitted to the task.

A third had nothing to do with the Austrian built engine. It related to the team’s Dunlop tyres, with fresh developments tested on the first of two days. Rider Nobuatsu Aoki, using the regular V5 engine, found yet more tyre improvements, as the joint development programme continues to bear fruit.

The new tyres are of the most importance for next weekend’s Japanese GP, at the Motegi Twin Ring circuit. With work on the KTM engine on the back burner, the four long-distance flyaway GPs taking precedence, Aoki will be racing the KR V5 at Motegi and for this race and the remaining rounds. Team-mate Kurtis Roberts, still recuperating from injuries, will miss the Japanese GP.

Team manager Chuck Aksland described the progress of the tests, and their meaning for the short-term and long-term future.

“Nobu did more than 20 laps with the KTM motor at Estoril on the first day, and more than 50 on the second. There were no problems, and on race tyres he worked up to lap times better than he’d achieved in Sunday’s race. They were just short of our qualifying times, set on qualifying tyres.

“We were all pretty impressed by the engine’s potential, and we came away with some ideas on what needs to be improved. The problem is with the fly-away GPs there’s no time to test on these ideas. We’ll do the work and then test again after the last race.

“At that time, we will make a determination over whether and how to continue the programme,” said Aksland.

“The reason Nobu only did 20 laps on day one is because we also had a tyre test with Dunlop on Monday,” the team manager continued. “They went well. It looks like they’ve found a good direction. Every test with them there is some improvement. That should help us some at Motegi,” he said.

Aoki will ride machines in a similar stage of development as the previous races, where he finished in the points on both occasions.

Roberts will miss a second race after having surgery to his left wrist – a delayed requirement following a crash in practice for the Czech Republic GP. “Kurtis is recovering well at home. We’re not sure if he will be fit for Qatar, but he should be racing again for the next race, in Malaysia,” said Aksland.

The Japanese GP, round 12 of 16, takes place at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, a spectacular combined oval track and road-racing circuit set in wooded hills just over an hour outside Tokyo.

There is a weekend off after that race, then an intensive round-the-world trio of races in quick succession – Qatar, Malaysia and Australia – before the final round at Valencia in Spain on October 31.

NOBUATSU AOKI – HOME FANS, HOME PRESSURE*

Of course this is an important race for me, and I will try as hard as always so as to give my home fans something to please them. There’s more pressure racing at home, but it’s also enjoyable. After getting into the points at the last two races I hope we can do even better at Motegi. The encouraging tyre tests give me hope it will be possible.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Beth Wyse

Vesrah Suzuki won round eight of the Dunlop/WERA National Endurance Series, a six-hour event at Nelson Ledges, with Mark Junge, John Jacobi and Tray Batey on a Heavyweight Superbike-class Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Kevin Perkins and Paul Youngman finished 11 laps behind Vesrah to take second overall and first in Mediumweight Superbike on the Velocity Crew Racing Suzuki GSX-R600. Neighbor of the Beast (NOTB) finished just 4.9 seconds behind them, giving Melissa Berkoff, Chris Pyles and Scott Fisher third overall and the Mediumweight Superstock class win on their Yamaha YZF-R6.

Dixie Mafia took the Lightweight Superbike class win as Bruce Stanford, Derek Keyes and Bo Morgan rode to a finish of fourth overall on a Suzuki SV650. Mark Edwards, Billy Etheridge and Jeff Walker won in the Heavyweight Superstock class, finishing sixth overall on the Team Xtreme/Maxxis Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Team Velocity Racing took the lead at the start, with Reuben Frankenfield on a Yamaha YZF-R1. He led for the first 50 minutes before Vesrah Suzuki’s Batey took over the position and never relinquished it.

Army of Darkness ran in third overall for most of the first hour, leading Mediumweight Superbike on a Suzuki GSX-R600, before engine problems forced the team to switch to their backup bike and they had to settle for a finish of 17th.

CherokeeChallenge.net took over third until their own problems caused them to fall back to ninth. Neighbor of the Beast then assumed third overall and first in Mediumweight Superstock.

As Vesrah Suzuki continued to run flawlessly, Team Velocity Racing held down a solid second overall until the end of the fifth hour, when Frankenfield crashed in the high-speed kink on the back straight. Frankenfield suffered a suspected broken scapula, but the team was able to return to the track after making extensive repairs, finishing 11th overall.

Velocity Crew moved into second after Team Velocity’s crash, followed by NOTB. With half-an-hour remaining, Pyles passed for second on the NOTB Yamaha, but a late-race stop for a splash of gas gave the position back to Velocity Crew.

There were no red flags during the race, giving the series a total of 25 consecutive red-flag-free hours.

RESULTS
1. Vesrah Suzuki (Tray Batey/Mark Junge/John Jacobi), Heavyweight Superbike, Suz GSX-R1000, 303 laps.

2. Velocity Crew Racing (Kevin Perkins/Paul Youngman), Mediumweight Superbike, Suz GSX-R600, 292 laps.

3. Neighbor of the Beast (Melissa Berkoff/Chris Pyles/Scott Fisher), Mediumweight Superstock, Yam YZF-R6, 292 laps.

4. Dixie Mafia (Bruce Stanford/Bo Morgan/Derek Keyes), Lightweight Superbike, Suz SV650, 289 laps.

5. B&S Roadracing (Brian Dalke/Josh Smith-Moore/Larry Denning), Mediumweight Superstock, Suz GSX-R600, 286 laps.

6. Team Xtreme/Maxxis (Mark Edwards/Billy Etheridge/Jeff Walker), Heavyweight Superstock, Suz GSX-R1000, 285 laps.

7. Touring Sport Racing (Frank Shockley/Pete Friedland), Mediumweight Superstock, Yam YZF-R6, 281 laps.

8. Ridge Racing II (Brad Baumgardner/Steve Smith/Greg Taylor/Todd Stoner), Heavyweight Superbike, Kaw ZX10R, 281 laps.

9. CherokeeChallenge.net (Scotty VanScoik/JP Tache/Steve Steinman), Mediumweight Superstock, Yam YZF-R6, 280 laps.

10. SMP Racing (Michael Shallcross/Mike Roeser), Mediumweight Superbike, Yam YZF-R6, 279 laps.

From a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

FRONT ROW START FOR EMMETT

MonsterMob Ducati Superbike rider Sean Emmett will start on the front row of the grid for the penultimate round of the Think! British Superbike Championship at OultonParktomorrow.

The 34 year old Londoner set fourth fastest time aboard the MonsterMob 999 F04 to give himself a great chance of repeating his CadwellParkrostrum in tomorrow’s two races.

“It’s good to be back on the front row. Its amazing how things have turned around from when we were here last time around, we are 1.5 seconds quicker than we were then in the dry. The forecast for tomorrow is wet and I go well in the wet anyway but it’s nice to know we can go well in the dry also. I’m looking forward to the race” said Emmett.

Meanwhile Supersport rider Michael Laverty will have to start from row three of the grid having posted eleventh fastest time on the 749 Ducati.

The 23 year old from Toomebridge spent the session dialling in the bike in readiness for tomorrow’s races.

“I struggled a bit getting on the pace with having no free practice yesterday. I wasn’t feeling as comfortable as normal but got it closer at the end. It’s disappointing but I know I can do a lot more in the race tomorrow. I just need to get a good start” said Laverty.

Team owner Paul Bird said the following:

“I’m pleased with Sean getting a front row start and hopefully he can have a couple of good rides tomorrow. Michael has already won from row three of the grid before so that’s a possibility also.”

Superbike Qualifying

1, Michael Rutter (Honda) 1m37.048s, 2, Dean Thomas (Ducati) 1m37.104s, 3, John Reynolds (Suzuki) 1m37.162s, 4, Sean Emmett (MonsterMob Ducati) 1m37.286s, 5, Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) 1m37.364s, 6, Steve Plater (Yamaha) 1m37.805s, 7, Scott Smart (Kawasaki) 1m37.854s, 8, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) 1m37.921s, 9, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 1m37.993s, 10, James Haydon (Yamaha) 1m38.181s.

Supersport Qualifying

1, Karl Harris (Honda) 1m40.022s, 2, Leon Camier (Honda) 1m40.062s, 3, Matt Llewellyn (Ducati) 1m40.482s, 4, Pere Riba (Kawasaki) 1m40.566s, 5, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 1m40.583s, 6, Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 1m40.636s, 7, Paul Young (Honda) 1m40.820s, 8, Adrian Coates (Suzuki) 1m40.831s, 9, Simon Andrews (Yamaha) 1m40.881s, 10, Jay Vincent (Honda) 1m40.955s, 11, Michael Laverty (MonsterMob Ducati) 1m40.970s.


More, from a press release issued by MSS Discovery Kawasaki:

MSS DISCOVERY’S RIBA FIRES ZX-6RR ONTO OULTON PARK FRONT ROW

MSS Discovery Kawasaki rider Pere Riba will start from the front row of the grid in Sunday’s 12th round of the British Supersport Championship after the Spaniard took fourth place in qualifying at Oulton Park, Cheshire on Saturday.

Riba took his sixth front row start from 12 rounds this year and is looking to make the most of his race advantage in Sunday’s 16-lap battle.

“I’m very happy to make the front row of the grid again, especially after a disappointing time on my first visit to Oulton Park in May,” said Riba.

He continued: “We’ve done very well over the past two days of practice and qualifying. The track conditions have been a mixture of damp and dry so it can become a lottery but this time we’ve been in the right position when it mattered most.”

MSS Discovery’s Steve Allan took a third row grid position for round 11 of the National Superstock Championship as the ZX-10R-mounted Scotsman continued his return to form after suffering a broken collarbone at Mallory Park.

“We lost quite a bit of track time yesterday because of the weather and we’re not quite there with the set-up of the machine but we’ve been in this position before and I’m confident the team can sort things for tomorrow.

“I’m ready to race though. After finishing fourth in the last round I’m feeling pretty confident about my racing at the moment.”

National Superstock Championship final qualifying times:

1 John Laverty, Yamaha, 1m 40.753s
2 Lee Jackson, Yamaha, 1m 40.937s
3 Andy Tinsley, Suzuki, 1m 40.977s
4 Tristan Palmer, Suzuki, 1m 41.221s
5 Howie Mainwaring, Yamaha, 1m 41.588s
6 Danny Beaumont, Yamaha, 1m 41.742s
7 Ryan Rainey, Yamaha, 1m 41.933s
8 Ben Wilson, Suzuki, 1m 41.942s
9 Stephen Thompson, Suzuki, 1m 41.996s
10 Marshall Neill, Yamaha, 1m 42.348s
12 Steve Allan, MSS Discovery Kawasaki, 1m 42.600s


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

SUZUKI ON OULTON BSB FRONT ROW

Rizla Suzuki’s John Reynolds and Yukio Kagayama will start from third and fifth on the grid in tomorrow’s penultimate round of the British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park and both riders are relaxed and ready to race hard.

Championship leader Reynolds set a blistering time during first qualifying and then spent the second session playing with different tyre and fork settings to record third on the grid, just one-tenth off pole position man Michael Rutter, and is quietly confident of being at the sharp end when the races are decided.

Kagayama, who has won the last three races at Oulton Park, qualified fifth only three-tenths from the front at the head of the second row. The Japanese ace is walking with a swagger and exuding confidence after winning at Cadwell Park last time out and is relishing the chance to race at Oulton Park, one of his favourite circuits. He is being given extra support this weekend by his close friend and World Superbike title contender Noriyuki Haga who joins him in the pits.

Reynolds has a 33-point lead in the Championship and Kagayama is pushing for third in the overall standings.

John Reynolds:

“We set a very fast pace this morning. In the second session we had a slightly better setting but I fluffed my fast lap when I ran in to the first corner too fast and missed my apex. That was a shame because the rest of the lap was awesome. Third on the front row suits me just fine and gives me a good chance of taking the inside line and the lead into the first corner.

“I am feeling relaxed and enjoying myself this weekend. It’s nice to be back at Oulton Park, which is a real riders’ circuit. It’s even nicer that the rain forecast for today never materialised – with a bit of luck it’ll stay away tomorrow for the races. Either way, wet or dry, we’ll be in the reckoning.”

Yukio Kagayama:

“On my qualifying tyre, which is good for only one lap, I did many laps of endurance testing waiting for space to open the throttle to maximum. But by then the tyre was tired and I make an ordinary time. Second row is not so bad starting position as I can run the same race pace as riders in front.

“My Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 engine sounds very aggressive and I love to hear and feel it accelerate. There is so much power that on some of the straights I have a little too many wheelies. This is fun, but not so fast. Tomorrow I will concentrate on being fast to try and help John-san at front of race to score many points.”

From a press release issued on behalf of the California Superbike School:

CALIFORNIA SUPERBIKE SCHOOL FINDS LOVE IN BRAZIL!

And Brazilian California Superbike School is Born.

“South America was one of few remaining continents we didn’t have a school and now that has been remedied,” says Keith Code, founder of the legendary California Superbike School. “This past June we went to beautiful Nelson Piquet circuit where the MotoGP was held two weeks after and September is yet another Brazilian circuit, this time Curatiba, which is just south of Sao Paolo.”

“The schools have been organized by Mr. Decio Ketis through his BFast in Rio organization,” says Code.

“Since we have about 90% of our previous students returning for their next level at Curatiba, we’d say that the schools were a hit with Brazilians,” says Code.

It should be very interesting to motorcycling ‘Norte-Americanos’ that there are
now so many motorcycle enthusiasts in South America. They appreciate the sport so much that upwards of 200,000 fans crowd Nelson Piquet for the MOTO GP and motorcycling as sport is second only to soccer – which spells opportunity,
expansion and ‘new blood’ high adventure for all.
“This is definitely a vitamin B shot in the right place as far as emerging markets are concerned,” says Code. “It’s an excellent indicator of a growing middle class that can
afford this somewhat expensive pastime.”

Code says.”As usual the California Superbike School is on the spot and in the forefront opening new vistas in the motorcycling world as we have done in Ireland, Spain, Indonesia, The Phillipines, Greece, Australia – adding those areas to the already successful England and European schools for what is becoming a healthy global exercise in making friends and allies.”
“And,” says Code, “mutual love of motorcycling makes it all possible.”

Keith Code has instructed champions and more than 125,000 motorcyclists of all skill levels in “the soft science” of motorcycle riding and his textbooks and videos are widely utilized resources for motorcyclists worldwide. The school’s website is: www.superbikeschool.com and it’s loaded with photos and information on the US and international touring schools.

From a press release issued by the event organizers:

Renton Motorcycles Seattle 100 A Huge Success, Over $70,000 Raised for NephCure Foundation

2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction (www.2-fast.org) and the NephCure Foundation are pleased to announce that this week’s “Renton Motorcycles Seattle 100, presented by 2Fast” was a smash success! The event raised donations of more than $70,000, a 500% increase in the donations total of the first Seattle 100 which took place in 2003. Proceeds from the Renton Motorcycles Seattle 100 will benefit the NephCure Foundation (www.nephcure.org), an organization dedicated to the cure of glomerular kidney diseases that affect both children and adults, diseases which have no known cure to date.

Brian Orton, director of the Seattle 100 and co-owner of 2Fast, said that the event could hardly have been more successful. “I couldn’t be happier about the results of this year’s Seattle 100. Not only did we reach our fundraising goal, participants in the 100 had a great time on Wednesday and raved about how much they enjoyed themselves. This morning I found my email inbox full of thankyou’s from Seattle 100 riders and every one of them had the same three things to say: they had a great time, they want a spot again next year, and they plan to raise even more money next time. That pretty much says it all.”

Some very special guests participated in this year’s event, and they too want to come back again next year: professional AMA roadracing stars Jason Pridmore, Josh Hayes, Jake Holden, and Tony Meiring along with Speed TV’s Greg White all attended this year’s Seattle 100. Each contributed in their own way to the success of the event, and Orton did his best to make sure their time was rewarding and enjoyable. For instance, Orton had all the riders picked up in an 18 person Hummer limo from their hotel in downtown Seattle. Then he staged them outside of the pit area just before the morning rider’s meeting, leaving event guests wondering where they were. During the rider’s meeting, just after Orton apologized for the absence of all the celebrity guests he had invited – the show began: sirens went off in the pit area followed by a resonating “Let’s Get Ready to Ruuuumble!” from famed boxing announcer Michael Buffer as the limo pulled up to the rider’s meeting. One by one, Orton introduced each guest as if they were boxer’s in a prizefight, and participants loved it.

At 1pm, all five guests – including Greg White and Pacific Raceway’s lap record holder Mitchell Pierce – were put on the track alone for a special exhibition session in which the riders “raced” with each other for the benefit of viewers… and what a show they gave! Jason Pridmore repeatedly entered corners nearly sideways on his motorcycle, at times doing so while honking his horn to the astonishment of those watching. Meanwhile, Josh Hayes rode his Kawasaki ZX10 using an altogether different technique: riding only on the rear wheel. Participants in the 100 were treated to some unbelievable displays of talent as Hayes would pull the front end up on his bike while exiting turn 2, for instance, proceeding to wheelie down the hill just before the entrance of turn 3.

Jason Pridmore had this to say afterwards. “The Seattle 100 was such a cool thing to be a part of, and I’m really pleased that the guys from 2Fast asked me to attend. It was well organized, very professional, and 2Fast put on a very well run trackday. Myself, Josh, Jake, Tony, and Greg…we all would like to be back next year.”

2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction along with the NephCure Foundation would like to give a special thanks to each and every participant in this year’s Seattle 100. Every dollar raised contributed not only to the success of the charitable event, but also gives hope to the families fighting the devastating effects of glomerular kidney disease. NephCure’s Executive Director Henry Brehm said that he is confident the Seattle 100 is not only the most successful fundraiser NephCure has had to date, but that it could well be be the most successful private fundraiser ever to benefit glomerular kidney disease specifically.

Corporate sponsors of this year’s event are also to be thanked. According to Orton, the event could not have happened without the tremendous support of title sponsor Renton Motorcycles, and contributions from the following: Seattle financial services, insurance, and independent investment firm Kibble & Prentice, Ride Motorsports, RTech Fuels, Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association, SB Motorsports, Bellevue Kawasaki, Monroe Powersports, Shoei Helmets, Motion Pro Tools, and GPR Stabilizers.

For more information regarding the Seattle 100, please visit www.2-fast.org or www.nephcure.org. Brian Orton can also be reached by email at [email protected].

From a press release issued by d’Antin Ducati:

Orient Express

The d´Antin MotoGP riders head to Japan this weekend for the start of an Eastern tour which will bring the season to its finale. This is the first of four races which practically come one after the other, before the World Championship ends in Valencia on the 30th October. For Rubén Xaus and Neil Hodgson it is another completely new experience.

Xaus and Hodgson have both raced in the land of the rising sun before, but never at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, situated in the mountains around 100km north-west of Tokyo. It is one of the most modern circuits on the calendar, having only been inaugurated in 1999, and is considered fairly straightforward by the majority of riders.

Now the Spaniard and the Brit have the chance to meet another challenge and discover new territory on their Ducati Desmosedici machines, as they look to continue gathering both points and experience.

RUBÉN XAUS, who spent time at a Ducati centre in Cuneo, Italy, before heading to Japan, explained his objectives: “I left Estoril with the usual bad taste in my mouth which you get from not finishing a race but I showed I can be up there fighting in the second group, but I just need time and experience because it’s always difficult at a new circuit. Next weekend we’ll be in Motegi and I’ll be back at another new circuit because the only place I’ve raced over there is at Sugo. I’m starting from scratch again but the track doesn’t seem too complicated and I hope we don’t have any setbacks so that we can make the most of every session and build up to a good race.”

NEIL HODGSON has spent time resting at is home on the Isle of Man before the long trip to Motegi, the last of the unknown circuits for him this season: “It was a real shame not to finish the race in Portugal but now we have to think about Japan and I’m looking forward to going to Motegi. I’ve never been there before and it’s always difficult to start off without any references, but the only way forward is to work hard from the start. I’m confident that things will go well and we’ll get back on the positive run we had going at Donington and Brno. My main goal is to finish the race, preferably in the top twelve.”