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.”

From a press release issued by Cagiva USA:

Husqvarna Announces Industries Largest AMA Supermoto Contingency Program


Husqvarna motorcycles have been dominating the Supermoto circuits of Europe for well over a decade and are the reigning Supermoto World Champions. In the wake of the recent explosion of the sport of Supermoto here in the US, Husqvarna is now making a huge effort to expand brand awareness across North America by offering the largest manufacturers contingency payout available in the AMA Supermoto Championship Series with an available CASH payout of $218,600.

Any Husqvarna rider that enters on a 2003 or newer model Husqvarna and competes in the 2004 AMA Supermoto Championship Series is eligible for contingency. Available payout is $14,900 per event in both unlimited and 450cc classes, with a series championship bonus of $5000 per class. When combined with Husqvarna’s existing contingency program for other supermoto series, there is over $335,000 up for grabs this Supermoto season, along with over $11 Million contingency available for Motocross and Off-road. With this bold program, Husqvarna proudly shows its firm commitment to racers across North America.

Visit your local Husqvarna dealer for more information and to check out the race ready 2004 SM450R and the World Champion SMR 630 “Eddy Seel” replica.

2004 Husqvarna AMA Supermoto Contingency Program

Finish – Payout
1st – $5,000
2nd – $2,500
3rd – $1,500
4th – $1,200
5th – $1,100
6th – $1000
7th – $800
8th – $700
9th – $600
10th – $500


Series Bonus
1st – $5000 – Premier Class
1st – $5000 – Supermoto Class


For more information or to download the complete Husqvarna Racing Contingency Program visit www.husqvarnausa.com

From a press release issued by Ducati Motor Holding, S.p.A. and forwarded by Ducati North America today:

DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING CONFIRMS ITS INTEREST IN APRILIA GROUP

Bologna, September 9th, 2004, Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (NYSE: DMH, Borsa Italiana S.p.A.: DMH), a leading manufacturer of high performance motorcycles today confirmed its interest in the Aprilia Group, reiterating its offer made on July 30th, 2004.

In addition, Ducati has confirmed its interest in Moto Guzzi and Aprilia’s off-road project, recognizing an indicative value of Euro 40 Million for these assets

From a press release issued by Hawk Kawasaki:

THINK! BSB Championship, Round 12, Sept 10

National Superstock Cup, Round 11

Oulton Park, Cheshire

Track length: 2.692 miles

Weather: heavy showers, slight mist, 15ºC

Track: wet, 19ºC

PRACTICE

SMART QUICKEST DURING RAIN INTERUPTED OULTON PRACTICE

Practice for the twelfth round of the THINK! British Superbike Championship, at Oulton Park, was almost cancelled today after torrential rain flooded parts of the 2.692 Cheshire track. Weather conditions deteriorated rapidly during first BSB practice and many riders elected to abandon the session once the heavens opened.

Hawk Kawasaki’s Scott Smart set the fastest lap, in the short time the track was dry, despite only completing three circuits of the track. “Once it started raining, that was it,” he said. “If it rains tomorrow I’ll go out, but after seeing the conditions today I preferred to stay dry!”

The second BSB practice session was reduced to just 20 minutes, after being scrapped and then reinstated, once standing water and oil was cleared from the track. Smart’s team-mate, Glen Richards, was the only Hawk Kawasaki rider to venture out in the wet afternoon session, finishing a respectable seventh fastest – and fourth quickest in the morning’s brief dry spell.

“I wanted to try a few changes we’ve made to the bike and also get some wet weather laps under my belt,” said Glen. “The other guys have done quite a few wet laps, but I’ve not really done any so it’s a useful thing for me. The bike feels heaps better than it did here last time so hopefully we can be more competitive this weekend.”

Like Smart, John McGuinness also opted against riding in the wet. “I’ve only got one bike, so I don’t really want to be throwing that up the road on Friday,” commented John, who was eighth quickest in the dry. “There’s always tomorrow and by all accounts it’s going to be wet then as well, so I might as well wait until then.”

Hawk Kawasaki National Superstock Cup star, Peter Hickman, only managed two laps during today’s combined Superstock practice after losing most of the session while his mechanics fixed a loose throttle sensor on his ZX-10R. Hickman will race in the eleventh round of the Cup tomorrow.

BSB PRACTICE

1) Scott Smart, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:40.392. 2) Sean Emmett, Ducati, 1:40.647. 3) Gary Mason, Yamaha, 1:41.477. 4) Glen Richards, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:42.150. 5) John Reynolds, Suzuki, 1:41.186. 6) Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, 1:42.300. 7) Michael Rutter, Honda, 1:42.684. 8) John McGuinness, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:43.643. 9) Steve Plater, Yamaha, 1:43.832. 10) James Haydon, Yamaha, 1:44.269. 11) Dean Thomas, Ducati, 1:44.591. 12) Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 1:45.416. 13) Tommy Hill, Yamaha, 1:46.049. 14) James Ellison, Yamaha (P), 1:46.185. 15) Kieran Clarke, Yamaha, 1:46.706


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

REYNOLDS FASTEST AT OULTON BSB
Team Suzuki Press Office – September 11, 2004.


John Reynolds was fastest and Yukio Kagayama fourth on their Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000s in Friday’s wet practice for the 12th and penultimate round of the Think! British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park.

Championship leader ‘JR’ was in supreme control as he carefully navigated his way around the circuit, riding well within his ability and ending the session pleasantly surprised at being more than half a second ahead of his nearest rival.

Yukio, who has won the last three races at Oulton Park, toyed with his wet settings for a handful of laps before returning to the pits to discuss the changes with his team of technicians. His fourth fastest time was a bonus as he declared he was riding with maximum safety in mind.

The British Superbikes visited Oulton Park in blazing sunshine in May this year and Rizla Suzuki scored its best ever results with Kagayama and Reynolds finishing first and second in both Superbike races. The weather forecast for this weekend is to be wet but both racers are happy that they can compete regardless of the conditions.

Reynolds has a 33-point lead in the Championship and Kagayama is pushing for third in the overall standings with just four races remaining in the 2004 season.

John Reynolds:

“My bike is doing exactly what I want it do in these conditions. I am riding comfortably and there is more to come if required, but I am not going to push myself to my limits in practice because there are no points awarded today.

“The weather forecast is pretty wet for the entire weekend but that doesn’t bother me at all. Wet or dry, I think my Rizla Suzuki has the pace around here and I’ll be racing at the front whatever the conditions.”

Yukio Kagayama:

“Maybe today we don’t learn so much because the track has much water on the surface. I try some small changes to the wet setting and these are okay, but I do not try as hard as I think riding maximum safety is important and I didn’t want a crash.

“I am so relaxed I could maybe fall asleep. Tomorrow, I will wake up and go for good qualifying position. Then on Sunday we will have fun in the races whatever the weather is like. Dry is more fun because it is faster, but the wet is good as well because the Rizla Suzuki is easy to ride.”

Friday Practice Times:

1: JOHN REYNOLDS (RIZLA SUZUKI) 1:49.859, 2: Michael Rutter (Honda) +0.624, 3: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +0.895, 4: YUKIO KAGAYAMA (RIZLA SUZUKI) +3.012, 5: Steve Plater (Yamaha) +4.420, 6: Gary Mason (Yamaha) +4.670, 7: Glen Richards (Kawasaki) +4.707, 8: James Haydon (Yamaha) +4.992, 9: James Ellison (Yamaha) +5.094, 10: James Buckingham (Suzuki) +5.468.