From a press release issued by DXS Diablo Suzuki:

DXS Diablo finish 2nd and 6th at Montreal Molson Indy and waste no time celebrating:

DXS Diablo Racing, Team Suzuki took 2nd and 6th in a non-championship round of the Parts Canada Superbike series held at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Montreal’s Ille Notre-Dame. Riding their Suzuki Superbikes, teammates Steve Crevier and Jeff Williams entertained the enthused crowd of over 130,000 spectators who were in attendance for a day of racing at the Montreal Molson Indy. The track offered an array of excitement for the riders and fans alike. Jumbo video screens fed by on track television cameras displayed live racing action to the fans and offered same day television coverage of the event on RDS.

With grids based on Championship points Steve Crevier started Sundays race on the 2nd row. After a not-so-great-start Crevier was soon passing Yamaha sponsored Frank Trombino to take 3rd. Honda rider Jordan Szoke then pulled into the pits with a failed clutch leaving Crevier with a 2nd. With Crew Chief Jamie Bruines substituting the usual pit board with his “do wheelies” hand signals Crevier was uncertain of the traffic behind him and began to close the gap on first. Of course time ran out when Steve was a little behind so a second place was where he finished.

Meanwhile Jeff Williams had a great time battling with Matt McBride for 5th place. Watching himself on the jumbotrons Williams sneaked around McBride on the last lap by cutting the final turn in true Williams style.

Both riders immediately joined the cool down lap celebrations that really pumped up the excited crowd. Creviers Infamous stoppies, Jammin Jeff Williams wheelies rounded out the day for 2 very happy Diablo riders.

Next on the Schedule for DXS Diablo team Suzuki is the closing round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship in Shannonville Ontario September 3 – 5. See you there.

From a press release issued by Proton Team KR:

PROTON PREPARES FOR DOUBLE TASK IN PORTUGAL

Proton Team KR go to next weekend’s Portuguese GP one rider short, but with something extra in the back of the team transporters.

As well as their own continuous modifications, and in addition to a full complement of new Dunlop tyres, the team will also have a Proton KR MotoGP chassis fitted with the Austrian KTM V4 MotoGP engine.

Certain to be the object of much intense interest, the hybrid test machine will not be seen in action until tests after the Portuguese race.

The race, 11th of 16 rounds and the last in the European season, will see Nobuatsu Aoki riding alone on the regular England-designed and built KR V5. Team-mate Kurtis Roberts will not race, still recuperating from injuries suffered in a qualifying crash at the previous round at Brno

Estoril, slowest track of the year, gives the team promising prospects for a repeat of Aoki’s points-scoring ride at that Czech Republic GP. Even though a hoped-for engine upgrade is still under development at Banbury, tests after the Brno race yielded a significant lap-time improvement, with a new generation of tyres from the team’s partners Dunlop.

But GP racing insiders will be looking beyond the race itself, towards the tests of the KTM engine on the following days. The V4 engine was built for the Austrian factory’s own planned MotoGP project, which they later cancelled, but engine development was continued. Until now, running has been limited to the test bench and dynamometer: this is the first time the powerful V4 has been fitted in a motorcycle chassis.

In fact, the hybrid has already run – in secret tests last Saturday at Brno. Nobu Aoki ran some 20 “shake-down” laps, to identify niggles that might spoil the first full test at Estoril.

“We wanted to blow out any cobwebs and see if there were any problems – to check that it shifted gear, didn’t overheat and so on,” explained team manager Chuck Aksland. “There were a few little problems, but first impressions were good.”

The main aim was to get the bike ready for the Estoril tests, he continued, which were a joint project between KTM and Proton Team KR.

“The aim is to assess the potential of the engine, which is of interest to KTM and ourselves,” said Aksland. “But at this stage there’s no policy on any future with the engine. It could be an option … but we just don’t know yet,” he said.

Kurtis Roberts suffered left elbow and wrist fractures in a wet-weather qualifying crash at Brno, and though he did not require surgery, it was decided late last week that he should remain in the USA to recuperate for the next round, the Japanese GP at Motegi in two weeks time. “It was too late to consider a replacement,” said Aksland.

After the Portuguese GP and the following tests, Proton Team KR join their MotoGP rivals for the start of a long-haul extravaganza: Japan, Qatar, Malaysia and Australia, before returning to Valencia for the final round at the end of October.

NOBU AOKI – REASONS TO BE OPTIMISTIC

After Brno we stayed on to test a lot of new tyres, both front and rear. Dunlop had new combinations of construction and compound. I found at least three tyres that I liked, and we were getting lap times one second fast. It seems Dunlop may have found a direction of development, and that means I can be optimistic about this race. The first ride with the KTM engine was very interesting, and I am looking forward to testing it after the race, but first I want to finish in the points again, like Brno.

From a press release issued by SPEED Channel:

SPEED CHANNEL EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: MICHAEL JORDAN

NBA legend Michael Jordan sat down with Greg White, SPEED Channel’s host of “2 Wheel Tuesday” for an exclusive interview discussing Jordan’s growing interest in motorcycles and his expanding ownership role in AMA roadracing. In 2004, Jordan sponsors AMA roadracer and Chicago riding buddy Montez Stewart through his Jumpman23.com brand.

White: When did you first get into riding motorcycles?

Jordan: Kids in the neighborhood — I grew up in Wilmington, N.C. — a lot of the kids had little dirt bikes. So, my brother and I begged my parents to get us one that we could share. We were about 11 or 12 years old and from that point forward, I loved motorcycles. I just never really get into it because of my (NBA) contracts and stuff. I started very early and I’ve been a fan ever since.

“My first bike was a little Honda 60 mini-bike. I almost killed myself, but I had a good time. My brother and I shared it. I was primarily the driver because I was the more aggressive one and he road on the back. When I was 12, we were racing some of the guys in our neighborhood and we took a tumble and got scraped up. And my parents always said that if we got scraped up, we were going to get rid of it, so we got long-sleeve shirts and tried to cover everything up. At dinner, blood started seeping through our shirts and they got rid of the bike a week later. So, that was the end of my motorcycle career until now.”

White: During the gap in between riding motorcycles, did you follow motorcycling at all or keep up with it in any way?

Jordan: No, I got totally away from it. Then we won a championship and gave (Chicago Bulls coach) Phil Jackson a Harley as a gift. That’s when I started getting the itch to get back into it — that cruiser bike thing. Harley was making a comeback and everybody was talking about getting a Harley. I never really got into it until I retired the last time and then I didn’t go out and get a Harley, I got three BMWs — the 1200LT and couple of cruiser bikes. Then, once I got my skills back and got used to being back on a bike, it wasn’t challenging. I like to twist, I like to lean and pop wheelies like when I was a kid. So, I went out and bought a Ducati 998. From that point on, I’ve been hooked back into riding. I ran into a couple of my buddies when I was riding with my nephew about a year and half ago and ever since then, every time I turn on the TV, I’m looking for motorcycle racing. I’m getting the motorcycle magazines. I feel like I am playing catch-up because I was away from it for so many years. I am a big, avid fan. It’s in my blood right now.

White: When did you discover motorcycle roadracing?

Jordan: I didn’t know anything about it. When I ran into Montez (Stewart) and some of the other guys, they had all this gear. I’m riding in jeans and a sweat top — the first thing they told me was if you are going to be out on the streets, go get some protective gear. They sounded just like my mother, but they were right. I went and bought the jacket, boots, gloves … everything. Once I got to know them better, they started throwing out names from motorcycle racing — Hayden, Valentino Rossi, MotoGP. I was like ‘Hold on, I’ve been missing something.’ Then I started playing catch-up through them. I started reading the magazines and watching SPEED Channel. And once I started to see it — I’ve always been a NASCAR fan; my father was a big NASCAR fan when I was growing up and growing up in North Carolina, you have to know NASCAR — so, I knew about speed and I was very interested in it. So, when I started watching motorcycles, I was like ‘This is pretty wild.’ I was anxious to see what the guys were doing on the bikes and once I started watching it, I said ‘I gotta get out there and do that.’ So, I asked Montez how we could get out on the track and do that. He said we can go out and rent Blackhawk. I asked how much it would cost. He said about $5,000 and I said ‘Done.’ All I need to do is get leathers and we’ll go up and start learning. It was the best day that I have had in a long time. The focus wasn’t on me. I was learning from Montez. We did the track walk and the guys started giving me what they knew about roadracing, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

White: How exciting is it for you to be involved in AMA roadracing?

Jordan: Very exciting. I came in to give Montez an opportunity to race. I’m walking away with the most fascinating thing I’ve seen in some time. I’ve been to seven of the nine races and I would have been to all of them if my schedule permitted. I’ve taken my kids. I’ve taken my nephew. My wife is going with me to Atlanta. I’ve taken Charles Oakley and all of my friends. I tell them you gotta see it, because once you see it, it’s gonna connect. Daytona was outrageous. Once I got down there for the big Bike Week and saw how fast they were going around the track … I want to go to Valencia, Spain in October — as you can see, I am starting to build my schedule around motorcycle races.

White: So, you had a day at Blackhawk and then you jumped right into the Pridmore STAR School?

Jordan: Well, I didn’t jump right into it. I had to crash about three bikes first — stunting and popping wheelies and stuff like that. The wisdom that comes with being 41 years old told me I needed to get into a class and learn the fundamentals. It’s no different that having to learn the fundamentals of basketball. If you don’t know the fundamentals of basketball, then you can’t play. You think you can. A street player always thinks he can play until he gets in there with me or someone else. That’s how I was when I was riding with the street guys. So, I decided to go learn the fundamentals of riding, so I could avoid some of these crashes. I met Jason (Pridmore) and he invited me out to Road America. I said I’d go up for a day because I really didn’t have the time to go up for both days. So, I’m driving two hours to get there — it’s not like it’s 30 minutes from my house — but once I got in that class, I had to come back the next day. Now, I am looking for opportunities to get back on the track so that I can gather as much information as I can get from those guys to enhance my riding technique and my skills. (Jason) has been very nice about it and we have very similar likes in life, so I spend more time with him and the other guys at the track. Every time I am at a race, I’m talking to Josh Hayes, Roger Lee Hayden, Ben Spies and all theses guys, because I am just grasping all the information that they have. I love watching them and I’m a big fan.”

White: Do you think being a professional athlete gives you a better capability to absorb information and take instruction?

Jordan: It cuts both ways, Greg. My competitive nature tells me I can figure this out on my own. But then, you have to be patient. You have to listen. You don’t perfect this profession, and if you go out there thinking that you do, that’s when the mistakes happen. So, you have to bring your ego down a little bit and every time I crash, that’s that ego coming down a little bit saying ‘Hey, you’re not as good as you think.’ So, no, I have no problems sitting back and learning and having him point out my mistakes … I think it would be easier if I wasn’t an athlete, because I would have that whole macho, competitive nature. If I was just Joe Blow coming off the street, you can’t get out there. You don’t have the athletic ability, so you’ve got to listen to this guy. I came from a sport where I won six championships, and I was the top of the world — the best at what I did. Now, I’m not. So, if you don’t listen to the advice these guys are going to give you, you’re going to kill yourself out there. My ego is not that big. I want to enjoy it. I don’t want to get hurt, but I want to maximize my opportunity. That’s why I am out there right now.

White: Compare yourself as a rider before you came into the STAR school and where you are now?

Jordan: At first, when I started, I was fighting the bike. Me and the bike were never compatible. He was my enemy. I was fighting him and he was fighting me. Now, with a school and half, I am starting to connect with my bike. The more that I position the bike and position myself on the bike, the more the bike is going to respond to me. It took a couple of times — a couple of scares — before I was able to trust it. If I trust it, it’s going to respond and that’s what they teach. At first, it is awkward to do some of the things you are being told, but once you get to the point where you trust it, it is so much easier to ride … so much less work on your legs. You find yourself not fighting the bike. You find yourself in unison with the bike. Every time I go to a roadrace, I can see the harmony you can have with a bike because these guys are really good with the way they work that bike. Rarely do you see them fall. Rarely do you see them make a mistake. They mistakes like anyone else, but you don’t see them as often. That’s what I am trying to get to. Don’t make mistakes — stay on the bike — and the bike will respond to you.

White: As someone that people look up to, what advice do you give someone just getting started in motorcycling or someone out riding on the streets like you were?

Jordan: I think it’s very important to get to a class and to understand the equipment you have. I think even Montez, when we talked about racing in the AMA, you could see the lights in his eyes pop wide open, because he was getting a great opportunity. But the thing that he found out is that this isn’t your everyday street riders. In Chicago, he can outrun everyone on the street, but these guys are good. You can see the difference, and he’s seen the difference. He’s got to elevate himself to their level, so that means you’ve got to learn, you’ve got to listen, you’ve got to talk, you’ve got to pick up all the bits and pieces that you can. That would be my advice to anyone starting to ride. Yeh, I hear ‘It’s dangerous and it’s just an accident waiting to happen,’ and yeh, I know. But that’s in anything you do in life. It’s how you approach it that gives you the best chance to succeed at it. I would say you should approach it in a very conservative way. Learn more about the bike, learn how to utilize the bike and learn how to be a part of that bike. And the best way to do that is in classes. … With my kids, if they want to get on a bike — I said they can get on a bike when we get a bunch of sand, a bunch of dirt and maybe those training wheels on the back and that’s how you learn. You have to learn how to fall first, before you learn how to ride.

White: Is Michael Jordan committed to AMA racing in the future?

Jordan: I came in this year in an experimental stage, just to see how people would respond to Michael Jordan in this industry. Now, I am hooked. Next year, I am looking to expand the team, looking to compete — I want to win. I really want to make a statement about my support of this sport. … I want to make a solid commitment through Montez and whoever else I want to sponsor. I want to be involved in this. I think it’s fun and I think it’s a great opportunity for corporations to be involved. … Every time I go to the race, I have a ball, so I look to be around for awhile.

In 2004, SPEED Channel is the exclusive U.S. cable home for many of the top motor sports series in the world. In addition, SPEED’s weekly programming schedule brings car enthusiast television to Prime Time Monday through Thursday. Now available in more the 66 million homes in North America, SPEED Channel is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country and the home to NASCAR TV.

From a press release issued by Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin:

PARTS UNLIMITED DUCATI AUSTIN GEARING UP FOR
ROAD ATLANTA

Braselton (Georgia) – September 1, 2004: After a long summer break in the AMA Superbike series, the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin team is ready to return to racing at the Road Atlanta circuit in Braselton, Georgia this weekend.

Shortly after the most recent race at Mid-Ohio in late July, Eric Bostrom and the crew conducted tests at both Road Atlanta and Virginia International Raceway, the two remaining rounds in the AMA series. It was an opportunity for the team to continue development on the Ducati 999R’s set-up, as well as a chance to evaluate several new Michelin tires. Ducati Corse’s factory World Supersport rider Lorenzo Lanzi also tested with the team in early August to assist with development. The 22-year-old Italian is currently scheduled to race the last round of the AMA Superbike season at Virginia International Raceway series alongside Bostrom.

“I’m definitely looking forward to Road Atlanta. The track has always treated me well in the past and it’s certainly one of my favorite circuits,” said Eric. “The bike did well during our recent testing and I think we’ve got several good tire options. We’ve had our best results on high speed circuits and Atlanta is a fast track so it could be a good weekend for us. I’m looking forward to getting there and putting my head down. It’ll be good to get back to racing again and trying to finish off the year strong.”

“Even though we haven’t had a race in the last five weekends, the team has been busy with testing,” said Racing Manager Tom Bodenbach. “Throughout the Road Atlanta and VIR tests we made steady progress with the new Michelin tires. Michelin has been bringing us new tires to test at each track and they plan to bring more tires for the race.”

The first of the two 25-lap (100k) races takes place on Saturday, with the second race of the double-header to be featured on Sunday.

The Circuit
Built in the late 1960s, Road Atlanta is a 2.54 mile (4.09 km) road course located in the north Georgia hills. The track features 12 turns and a long straightaway that leads into a hard-braking section before returning to the start-finish line. The hilly terrain that makes for great spectating also makes for challenging riding as racers face a mix of high speeds, hard braking, elevation changes and blind turns.

POINTS: 1. Mladin 457; 2. Zemke 436; 3. Duhamel 413;
4. E Bostrom 336; 5. B Bostrom 306; 6. May 299; etc.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING ON TV THIS WEEK

(All times Eastern)


AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship (Race 1), Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia – Sunday, Sept. 5, 2-3 p.m. SPEED Channel

AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship (Race 2), Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia – Sunday, Sept. 5, 3-4 p.m. SPEED Channel

AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei, Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia – Tuesday, Sept. 7, 1-2 p.m. SPEED Channel

AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship (Race 1), Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia – Tuesday, Sept. 7, 5-6 p.m. SPEED Channel

AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship (Race 2), Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia – Tuesday, Sept. 7, 6-7 p.m. SPEED Channel

AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship (Race 1), Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia – Wednesday, Sept. 8, 3-4 a.m. SPEED Channel

AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship (Race 2), Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia – Thursday, Sept. 9, 3-4 a.m. SPEED Channel

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

Items of note (That may or may not be of interest to road racing fans or other slackers looking for any excuse to waste their employer’s time and bandwidth reading about motorbikes on the web) from last weekend’s AMA Supermoto double header @ Copper Mt.:

Two former Team Roberts KR3 riders, Mike Hale and Mark Willis were there racing. Both Hale and Willis qualified for the highly competitive 450 final on Saturday. Willis finished 11th, Hale 19th. On Sunday Willis did and finished 12th but Hale failed to qualify. Willis claims he plans to contest the entire 7 race series. (I didn’t talk to Hale)

Kevin Erion was in attendance and not as a casual spectator. He was wearing a yellow shirt and usually wearing an apron because he was working at the Dunlop truck. Erion, who owns and runs Dunlop’s tire sales operation at AMA Motocross Nationals, could be seen all weekend changing tires – manually! Yes, with a manual bead breaker and tire irons! According to a Dunlop employee (whose name I didn’t get but he did tell me he was from Finland) the ~40′ tractor trailer they used @ the Copper Mt. event is normally used @ MX/SX events. It doesn’t have a beavertail or lift gate and is usually so full of inventory that they don’t carry an automatic tire machine so all tire changes are done on simple stands (Basically a taller, fancier version of the 30-gallon drum used by old schoolers, dirt trackers and cheap bastards) using tire irons.

Cheers,

Tyler Sandell
Seattle, Washington

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

Duhamel on the verge of clinching his seventh AMA road racing title

A second-place finish or better in Formula Xtreme at Road Atlanta would do it

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Aug. 31, 2004) — A second-place finish is all Miguel Duhamel needs at the upcoming round of the Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series at Road Atlanta to clinch his seventh AMA road racing championship. The race is part of the AMA Suzuki Superbike Showdown by Makita on Sept. 3-5 in Braselton, Ga.

Duhamel, who won his first title in AMA Supersport in 1991, has put himself in this enviable position by winning six of the nine Formula Xtreme races coming into Road Atlanta. A crash by second ranked and fellow Honda rider Jake Zemke at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course last month nearly doomed any opportunity Zemke had at catching the red-hot Duhamel.

“It’s been a great season in Formula Xtreme,” Duhamel said. “Honda gave me a fantastic bike in the CBR600RR and it’s made it almost too easy for me. I’m not taking anything for granted. I need to go out and turn in a good race at Road Atlanta. Clinching the championship with a win would be perfect.”

If Duhamel earns the title it will mark his first championship since 1997. During his 16-year AMA racing career he’s won a record five AMA Supersport Championships and was the number one rider in AMA Superbike in 1995.

HACKING TRYING TO HOLD ON TO REPSOL SUPERSTOCK LEAD

Graves Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking had everything going his way mid-season in the Repsol Superstock Series. The South Carolinian blitzed to four wins in five races and built a solid lead. But July was not kind to Hacking. First he broke his collarbone in testing and rode to sixth at Laguna Seca with the injury. Then a tire on his Yamaha failed at Mid-Ohio and he was credited with an 11th-place result in the red-flagged event. As a result Hacking has watched his lead over teammate Aaron Gobert dwindle from 14 to just 3 with two rounds remaining.

Hacking will try to regain his grip on the championship at Road Atlanta, a track where he’s had good success in the past, including winning his one and only AMA Superbike in 2001. He’s trying to earn his second straight title, following up on his AMA Supersport championship last year.

Gobert won the season opener at Daytona and stuck around the top of the standings by way of consistent top-five finishes. A third at Mid-Ohio moved the Aussie to second in the series. Gobert sees his opportunity to take the series lead and will be giving it his all at Road Atlanta to earn his second win of the year.

Tommy Hayden’s sub-par 10th-place result at Mid-Ohio last month dropped him to third in the standings. In spite of his off race, Kawasaki’s top rider is just four points out of the series lead. He’s also contending for the AMA Supersport title and would dearly love to earn championships in two classes this season. It could mark the first time a rider earned two titles since Kurtis Roberts in both AMA Supersport and Formula Xtreme in 2000.

Graves Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo put himself back in contention by winning at Mid-Ohio last month. He became the fifth winner in the series this year. The New Yorker hopes to get on a roll and become only the second rider in Superstock this season to win back-to-back races.

Roger Lee Hayden is ranked fifth in the series coming into Road Atlanta. He leads Ben Spies, Steve Rapp and Josh Hayes as the remaining riders to still have at least an outside shot at winning the title.

The Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme and Repsol Superstock races will be nationally televised on SPEED Channel’s Two Wheel Tuesday on Sept. 14 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. For additional information on the AMA Suzuki Superbike Showdown by Makita, call (800) 849-RACE or visit www.roadatlanta.com .

From a press release issued by JR Racing:

MORE POINTS FOR ROBINSON AT CADWELL

JR Motosport rider Jamie Robinson continued his great mid season form with another points scoring ride in front of another bumper Bank Holiday crowd at round eleven of the British Supersport Championship held at Cadwell Park yesterday.

Yorkshireman Robinson planted his Yamaha R6 on row four of the grid following a frenetic qualifying session whilst team mate Paul Veazey started from row six for the third successive meeting, despite a spill in second qualifying
in which he injured his wrist.

With in excess of 30,000 fans gracing the Lincolnshire track, Robinson started well as the pack sorted themselves out in the early stages, before setting into a dice for the lower points scoring places. At the end of the 16 lap epic,
the former 250cc British Champion posted a 13th place finish which was good for three more championship points.

“That was hard work and I’m a little disappointed not to have finished a few places higher. I got held up in the race as some of the riders around me were not as fast on the corners but their bikes were a lot quicker then mine on
the straights. As a result I was getting held up and it was very frustrating. We need to have a look at things in that department as the final two races are on tracks where it is vitally important to have a fast bike” said the 28 year old from Holmfirth.

Meanwhile 17 year old Veazey defied the pain of his practice spill to record a 19th place finish at a track which he likes although has never been particularly kind to him. The Middlesbrough rider looked to be on course for his first points of the season following a solid first day when a coming together with another rider saw him crash out of second qualifying to hinder his progress during Monday’s race.

“It was the same rider I had a coming together with at Croft but this time I ended up falling off! My wrist and shoulder was a little bit sore but I dug in and gritted my teeth which is what I needed to do. I just need an ounce of luck and the first points of the season are there for the taking” said Veazey who will be hoping to do that next time out at OultonPark in two weeks time.

Robinson echoed his protégé’s comments: “Despite the crash, this has been Paul’s best weekend by far and I’m very pleased for him. He got stuck in and showed some aggression but he still needs to be more forceful in the opening stages of the race. He got shuffled out again and made a lot of work for himself but a top twenty finish is great and he showed fantastic resolve”

Supersport Race Result – 16 laps

1, Jay Vincent (Honda) 25m40.032s, 2, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) +0.417s, 3, Stuart Easton (Ducati) +0.526s, 4, Michael Laverty (Ducati) +1.145s, 5, Matt Llewellyn (Ducati) +6.255s, 6, Luke Quigley (Suzuki) +6.644s, 7, Pere Riba (Kawasaki) +15.572s, 8, Craig Jones (Triumph) +15.815s, 9, Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +16.503s, 10, Paul Young (Honda) +20.002s. 13, Jamie Robinson (JR Motosport Yamaha) +24.438, 19 Paul Veazey (JR Motosport Yamaha) + 44.888s.

British Supersport Championship Standings (after Round 11)

1, Karl Harris (Honda) 197 pts
2, Jay Vincent (Honda) 167 pts
3, Michael Laverty (Ducati) 158 pts
4, Pere Riba (Kawasaki) 110 pts
5, Luke Quigley (Suzuki) 91 pts
6, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 87 pts
7, Leon Camier (Honda) 85 pts
8, Simon Andrews (Yamaha) 83 pts
9, Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 57 pts
9, Craig Jones (Triumph) 57 pts
10, Paul Young (Honda) 55 pts

19, Jamie Robinson (JR Motosport Yamaha) 23 pts


More, from a press release issued by Hawk Kawasaki:

RICHARDS WINS MAN OF THE MEETING AND HICKMAN DOES THE DOUBLE

Hawk Kawasaki’s Glen Richards today made a sensational return to BSB by taking the Sky Sports’ Man of the Meeting award for his courageous race two effort in the eleventh round of the THINK! British Superbike Championship, at Cadwell Park. The popular Aussie almost claimed a podium place despite not yet being fully fit from injuries sustained at Thruxton in June.

Richards gambled on slick tyres in race two, just minutes after a downpour drenched the 2.18 mile Lincolnshire track, and then powered his way from ninth to third on the road. Having dispensed with Plater, Haydon and Emmett he looked set to take a fine third place, but a lack of strength in his left arm forced him to back-off in the last few laps. Emmett and Thomas passed Richards on the last lap, but he held on for a well deserved fifth spot.

“The conditions were good for me because I didn’t tire as quickly in that race,” said Richards, who was seventh in the first outing. “But five laps from the end I was finished and there was nothing I could do but ride around. I wasn’t going to be able to hold off Emmett and Thomas and that was annoying because I had a podium place but my body gave up.”

Richards’ team-mate, Scott Smart, faired even better in the second outing, taking a fine second place – some 21 seconds clear of third placed finisher Sean Emmett. Smarty was determined to make up for a disastrous first race in which his chain came off on lap 11 while leaping Cadwell’s notorious Mountain. Up until that point he had been running comfortably with leaders Rutter, Kiyonari and Kagayama. Despite a gallant effort making it back to the pits and rejoining the race a lap down, Smart was unable to break into the points before the race was red flagged on lap 15.

“I’d started to settle into a rhythm in fourth spot after swapping places with Kagayama a few times,” said Smart of the first race. “Then I got the thing a bit crossed up over the mountain and it flicked the chain off the sprocket, just like it did last year. I managed to coast back to the pits and get the thing back on again, but by the time I’d rejoined I was a lap down and that was that.

“Unfortunately we ran out of time on the grid in the second race,” he continued. “If we’d stuck a slick in the rear we would have been laughing, but we used a really, really soft cut slick and the thing was moving around too much. I’m not particularly pleased with second place because I think we should have won at least one race and been right up there in the first, but that’s life. Overall it’s been a frustrating weekend because we’ve been the quickest people around here. But at least I’m still third in the points.”

John McGuinness once again proved his superbike riding pedigree by bringing his Hawk Kawasaki ZX-10R home in two strong ninth places, but he too was frustrated by his tyre choice in the second race. Having scorched his way through the field to fourth in the opening laps, McGuinness’ progress was cruelly cut short by his rapidly overheating wet weather front tyre. The TT winner showed great determination, however, by holding onto a top 10 place despite the drying track.

“I knew at the start that if it wasn’t going to rain I’ve have to get stuck in, so I went berserk on the first lap,” said John of the second race. “I was right there in the first few laps but it just started getting drier and drier and there was no chance on my tyres. If I’d have pushed it I would have fallen off and I wanted to bring the bike home safe. It could have lashed it down again, but in the end it didn’t. I’ve never almost crashed so many times in my life. A wet front on a bone dry track for 18 laps was hard work.”

Hawk Kawasaki’s National Superstock Cup sensation, Peter Hickman, was victorious again today – this time finishing more than 19 seconds clear of his nearest rival. Hicky’s Cadwell double sees the Lincolnshire teenager extend his championship lead to eight points.

“That was easier than yesterday’s race,” said Hickman, who again led from start to finish. “I couldn’t hear the others behind me for so long and I just got my head down. It’s been a great weekend – pole position, two fastest laps, two wins and the championship lead. In fact it’s been perfect.”

Hawk Kawasaki Team Principal Stuart Hicken commented: “Overall I’m very happy with the way the weekend’s gone. It’s been tremendous, we’ve had two pole positions, Peter’s done the double and that was an unbelievable ride by Glen. Obviously it was a shame about Scott’s chain flying off in the first race, but he caught the mountain wrong and it had it off. He made up for it with a great ride in the second so I’m over the moon with the results.”

BSB RACE 1

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

20) Scott Smart, Hawk Kawasaki

(P)= Privateer

Fastest lap: Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, 1:29.105, 88.07mph


BSB RACE 2

1) Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki. 2) Scott Smart, Hawk Kawasaki. 3) Sean Emmett, Ducati. 4) Dean Thomas, Ducati. 5) Glen Richards, Hawk Kawasaki. 6) James Haydon, Yamaha. 7) Kieran Clarke, Yamaha. 8) John Reynolds, Suzuki. 9) John McGuinness, Hawk Kawasaki. 10) James Ellison, Yamaha (P). 11) Sam Corke, Suzuki (P). 12) Gus Scott, Suzuki (P). 13) Craig Coxhell, Honda. 14) Jon Kirkham, Suzuki (P). 15) Michael Pensavalle, Ducati (P)

Fastest lap: Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, 1:29.995, 87.20mph

BSB CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER 11 ROUNDS

1) John Reynolds, Suzuki, 370. 2) Michael Rutter, Honda, 337. 3) Scott Smart, Hawk Kawasaki, 296. 4) Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, 290. 5) Sean Emmett, Ducati, 262. 6) Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 170. 7) James Haydon, Yamaha, 155. 7=) Dean Thomas, Ducati, 155. 9) Tommy Hill, Yamaha, 115. 10) Gary Mason, Yamaha, 100. 11) James Ellison, Yamaha, 99. 12) Glen Richards, Hawk Kawasaki, 98. 13) Craig Coxhell, Honda, 87. 14) John McGuinness, Hawk Kawasaki, 78. 15) Jon Kirkham, Suzuki, 71

MANUFACTURERS CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER 11 ROUNDS

1) Suzuki, 453. 2) Honda, 376. 3) Kawasaki, 321. 4) Ducati, 301. 5) Yamaha, 243

NATIONAL SUPERSTOCK CUP, ROUND 10 RACE

1) Peter Hickman, Hawk Kawasaki. 2) Simon Wright, Yamaha. 3) John Fisher, Suzuki. 4) James McBride, Suzuki. 5) Dan Stewart, Suzuki. 6) Kris Jennes, Kawasaki. 7) Rory Rock, Yamaha. 8) Graham Seward, Suzuki. 9) Mark Turner, Kawasaki. 10) Paul Shoesmith, Yamaha

Fastest lap: Peter Hickman, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:33.647, 83.80mph

NATIONAL SUPERSTOCK CUP, AFTER 10 ROUNDS

1) Peter Hickman, Hawk Kawasaki, 119. 2) Simon Wright, 111. 3) John Fisher, 93. 4) Paul Shoesmith, 89. 5) Graham Seward, 77. 6) Dan Stewart, 69. 7) Rory Rock, 68. 8) James McBride, 63. 9) Alan Moreton, 48. 10) Simon Pomeroy, 45

From a press release issued by Phillips Motorsport Group:

Eric Putter has been hired as the marketing manager for Phillips Motorsport Group, which includes the Lockhart Phillips USA, Options Italia and TeamLine brands, effective immediately.

A former motojournalist, photographer and public-relations executive, Putter will report directly to PMG President Wendell Phillips and be responsible for the company’s advertising activities, catalog production, marketing programs, media relations and website presence.

He can be reached at (949) 498-9090, ext. 222 and
[email protected].

From a press release:

American Pearson scores first win “Down Under”

American road racer John Pearson won in the Formula One class and placed second in the Open Superbike class at round 4 of the RB Racing series held at Wakefield Park Raceway in Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia on August 29th.

Race day weather was unpredictable; starting out cool and overcast, then changing to light rain that came down harder as the day went on.

John was riding his Lee’s Cycle Racing-built Suzuki GSX-R750 with an 813cc-engine kit on Dunlop tires. Allowed only in regional and club races, John’s Suzuki was ruled ineligible for competition in the Australian National Superbike series earlier this year by the series’ governing agent, Motorcycling Australia. Currently, the Australian Superbike class is based on production-model, 1000cc machines with 17″ wheels and other limited modifications. Fortunately, John has been able to compete on a national level in the Pro-Twins class on a Honda RC-51 sponsored by Doin’ Bikes of Lansvale, New South Wales, Australia.

“The weekend went really good, my bike was fast and handling the bumpy circuit well, but the most important thing was making the right tire choices during the changing conditions. In my last race the rain was really coming down, it was like synchronized swimming out there instead of road racing!” John said.

John is still racing with the plated collarbone he severely broke in a practice crash last September at Eastern Creek Raceway. “There hasn’t really been time to go in for the surgery and then heal up between races, so I plan on getting the plate and screws removed during the Christmas break.”

The 5th and final round of the RB Racing series will be a 6-hour team relay event held at Eastern Creek Raceway on October 3rd.

John’s next race will be riding the Doin’ Bikes Honda RC-51 at Phillip Island in the Pro-Twins category for the final round of the Australian Superbike Series, September 10-12.

A Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, John is currently living and working in Sydney, Australia as a part of a military exchange program.