From a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:

WSS R6 set-up report, round eight: Assen

Race date: 5 September 2004
Track length: 6027m
Year opened: 1954
2003 WSS winner: Karl Muggeridge (Honda)
Lap record: 2:06.922 Katsuaki Fujiwara (Suzuki)
Fastest supersport ever lap : 2:05.736 Chris Vermeulen (Honda)



Assen – a grand old circuit
Located in the north of The Netherlands, near the town of Groningen, the historic Assen circuit is a favourite fans and riders.

The track itself dates back to 1925, when the first Dutch TT was held on a 14km public road course. Thirty years later the current venue was built and although it has been updated over the years the circuit has retained much of its character. Assen is also popular with fans, many of whom travel from neighbouring Britain and Germany to enjoy the great racing and party atmosphere that even the all too common wet weather can’t put a dampener on.

Yamaha will have a fifth rider racing in its colours at Assen. Australian Andrew Pitt, champion in 2001, joins the Yamaha Motor Italia team alongside regular riders Jurgen van den Goorbergh and Fabien Foret, who will race despite breaking his ankle in a crash five weeks previously.

YZF-R6 set-up report
At over six kilometres Assen is a long circuit, but in terms of bike set-up it is less challenging than most other tracks. Most tracks have corners that range from extremely fast to extremely slow and which require some major compromises in bike set-up. But at Assen, the majority of corners are highly cambered second and third gear sweeps which demand similar characteristics from the machine. Grip levels are outstanding, even in the wet, and the combination of this, high speeds and extreme camber angles produce high G-forces which force the bike onto the asphalt during cornering. For this reason hard springs and high compression settings will be chosen, and the smooth surface means that the usual concerns about using such stiff settings – lack of grip and instability under braking – do not apply here.

A neutral chassis set-up giving riders confidence to carry lots of speed through the flowing corners is the aim. Gearbox settings should also be relatively straightforward. Bikes will need to be geared for over 250kph top speed down the back straight and, with no really slow corners to dictate a short first or second gear, the teams will be able to select a close ratio gearbox without compromises.

Jurgen van den Goorbergh’s guide to Assen
Turn one is a fast right called Haarbrocht, where I use third gear. I then accelerate through to fifth before Madjik corner in third, and then it’s up to fourth and back to second to enter Ossebroeken, which is short but with a lot of banking. It is difficult to keep the front wheel down coming out of here. Die Strubben is a long second gear corner and a fantastic place to watch. I then accelerate through Veenslang until Ruskenhoek corner. Braking into here is difficult because the bike is leaned over and you are also thinking about the next corner, named Stekkenwal.

De Bult is the most banked of all the corners and has good grip; the following two corners, Mandeveen and Duikersloot, have no banking, and therefore less grip. Meeuwenmeer is a very flat, fast corner; I then accelerate to get to Ramshoek, before which I get up to fourth gear. Finally Timmerbocht is a second gear chicane. You have to be careful because it is easy to lose the front on entry and on exiting it is easy to lose the rear.

Last year’s race – tough time for the R6 riders
Last year’s visit to Assen proved to be lowlight of Yamaha’s 2003 world supersport campaign, especially for Jurgen van den Goorbergh. The Dutchman disappointed his home crowd when he crashed out while battling for the lead with eventual winner Karl Muggeridge (Honda) and Chris Vermeulen (Honda). Yamaha Motor Germany’s Jörg Teuchert was the top Yamaha rider in seventh.

Season so far – Jurgen and Kevin lead the way
Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha Motor Italia) and Kevin Curtain (Yamaha Motor Germany) are Yamaha’s top two riders in the championship, going to Assen second and fourth in the championship respectively. Both have proved consistent: in seven races Curtain has been on the podium twice, while the Dutchman has taken one race win and been on the podium a further four times. It’s these performances, plus Fabien Foret’s outstanding win at Silverstone, which has earned Yamaha the lead in the manufacturer’s world championship with three races remaining.

European Superstock Championship – which R1 wins?
Another one-two finish for Yamaha Lorenzini by Leoni team-mates Gianluca Vizziello and Lorenzo Alfonsi in the last round at Brands Hatch ensured that the 2004 European Superstock title will go to one of the Italian R1 riders – the question that won’t be answered in Assen is which one.

Vizziello has a 21 point advantage over his team-mate, meaning that with three rounds currently remaining even a win for him will not secure the title in the Netherlands. Alfonsi is the only man to have defeated Vizziello this year and is the only other rider with a mathematical shot at the title, although he knows that a third victory is vital to boost his chances in the last two races. The battle for third is just as intense, with Yamaha Motor Germany’s Turkish starlet Kenan Sofuoglu currently occupies this position after finishing on the podium in Brands. Team-mate Didier van Keymeulen missed the race at Brands after crashing in practice and has slipped back to sixth place, albeit just three points behind Sofuoglu. The Belgian will ride at Assen this weekend after proving himself in a Dutch national race there last weekend.

From a press release issued by MSS Discovery Kawasaki:

MSS DISCOVERY SENSATION DA COSTA POWERS ZX-10R TO CADWELL PARK VICTORY

Sensational Frenchman Julien da Costa put the MSS Discovery Kawasaki ZX-10R on the top step of the podium as he won his second successive race in the National Superstock Championship at Cadwell Park on Monday.

Da Costa made a dream debut at the tricky Lincolnshire circuit as he added to his victory aboard the all-conquering ZX-10R at Croft two weeks ago. He led from the start but briefly lost the advantage to Danny Beaumont before edging ahead for victory with three laps to go in the 15-lap affair.

“This race was much harder for me,” explained Costa. “I was challenged for the lead but I was also able to see where I was stronger than the other rider. I had the ZX-10R set up perfectly for me to ride and I knew that a victory was possible from the start.”

Costa misses the next round­ at Oulton Park in two weeks ­to race at the Bol d¹Or 24-hour race for Kawasaki France before returning to the MSS discovery squad for the final round at Donington Park on September 19.

Da Costa’s team-mate Steve Allan took an excellent fourth place, battling with the pain from the collarbone he broke five weeks ago at Mallory Park.

“I managed to get third place as we started the last lap but then ran wide at the end of the back straight,” explained Allan. “I was conscious of a challenge at that corner and I was also thinking about my shoulder and just finishing the race.”

Pere Riba took seventh place in the British Supersport Championship round to retain fourth in the point standings. The Spaniard, starting from eighth on the grid made a disappointing start but fought through from 12th place at the end of the opening lap.

“It was always going to be a difficult race if I didn’t get off the startline well and I didn’t,” admitted Riba. “But I tried hard and after not finishing the last two races I’m reasonably happy to see a chequered flag and still have fourth place in the championship.”


British Supersport Championship, round 11 result (16 laps ­ 34.88 miles):

1 Jay Vincent, Honda, 25m 40.032s ­ 81.53mph
2 Tom Sykes, Suzuki, 25m 40.449s
3 Stuart Easton, Ducati, 25m 40.558s
4 Michael Laverty, Ducati, 25m 41.177s
5 Matt Llewellyn, Ducati, 25m 46.287s
6 Luke Quigley, Suzuki, 25m 46.676s
7 Pere Riba, MSS Discovery Kawasaki, 25m 55.604s
8 Craig Jones, Triumph, 25m 55.847s
9 Simon Andrews, Yamaha, 25m 56.535s
10 Paul Young, Honda, 26m 00.034s

Championship points after 11 of 13 rounds: 1 Karl Harris (Honda) 197, 2 Vincent 167, 3 Laverty 158, 4 Riba 110, 5 Quigley 91, 6 Sykes 87, 7 Leon Camier (Honda) 85, 8 Andrews 83, 9 Cal Crutchlow (Honda) and Jones 57.
Next round: Oulton Park, Cheshire ­ September 12.


National Superstock Championship, round 10 result (15 laps ­ 32.70 miles).

1 Julien da Costa, MSS Discovery Kawasaki, 23m 18.989s ­ 84.14mph
2 Danny Beaumont, Yamaha, 23m 20.367s
3 Marshall Neill, Suzuki, 23m 23,326s
4 Steve Allan, MSS Discovery Kawasaki, 23m 23.765s
5 Ben Wilson, Honda, 23m 33.302s
6 Howie Mainwaring, Yamaha, 23m 38.266s
7 Craig Fitzpatrick, Suzuki, 23m 38.625s
8 Aaron Zanotti, Suzuki, 23m 38.917s
9 Lee Jackson, Yamaha, 23m 39.193s
10 Andy Tinsley, Suzuki, 23m 41.533s

Championship points after 10 of 13 rounds: 1 Tristan Palmer (Suzuki) 157, 2 Tinsley 149, 3 Beaumont 148, 4 Wilson 139, 5 Les Shand (Yamaha) 100, 6 Allan 72, 7 Mainwaring 54, 8 Neill 53, 9 Da Costa 50, 10 Fitzpatrick 44.
Next round: Oulton Park, Cheshire ­ September 12.

From a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:

MLADIN CHASES ROAD ATLANTA SUPERBIKE VICTORIES

The American AMA Superbike Championship may have enjoyed a six-week break in racing action before heading into this weekend’s penultimate double-header round of the season, but for current championship point’s leader Mat Mladin, the break has brought with it plenty of encouragement as he strives to convert his current 21-point advantage into an unprecedented fifth American Superbike crown.

The Australian and his Yoshimura Suzuki team have worked overtime during the break chasing increased performance from their Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike.

The team tested at Road Atlanta, the venue for this coming weekend’s round of the series, in the week following the last round at Mid-Ohio, with Mladin emerging with the fastest time of the two-day test. Last week, the team then headed to Virginia International Raceway, host of the final round of the series, where Mladin again set the quickest time of the test.

The tests provided the team with a vast amount of technical information relating to tyres, chassis and engine performance.

“The Road Atlanta test went even better than we expected,” said the four-times American champion. “We’ve been very competitive there in the past and this time we found four or five different tyres that we can potentially race on, that were all very good as far as lap times went.”

“Last week we spent two days at Virginia and it was good for us just to get back out on the bike after having nearly a month off it. It proved very worthwhile as we found something there with the set up of the bike that made a big difference in a few areas allowing us to drop our lap times.”

“Suzuki have made some improvements with the bike since the Atlanta test, plus the team has also been busy working on some improvements, so overall I think we have the best package that we have had all year. It’s great that we have made these improvements at this point of the year.”

With testing now complete, there are just two double-header Superbike rounds (four races) remaining. Mladin arrives at Road Atlanta with a 21-point break over Jake Zemke (457 – 436), with Miguel DuHamel (413) third.

“I’ve been saying it all year, I’d prefer to be in front than chasing,” added Mladin, a six time race winner this year. “It certainly holds true the closer you get to the end of the year, that’s for sure.”

“We’re in a position where we can’t relax. We have to get out there and get it done in Atlanta and hopefully if we do a good job it will allow us to enjoy the final round at Virginia.”

“As far as the championship and everything else is concerned, this is by far the most important weekend of the year. We can really do a lot to put the championship away this weekend. We’ve had a good build up with the tests and have made further improvements with the bike, so it’s up to us now.”

Mladin has four race wins to his credit at Road Atlanta, taking the double in 2000, as well as single victories in 2001 and 2003. He has also set the fastest single lap time in recent years with the lap record and last year’s pole position to his credit.

Practice and qualifying for the weekend commences on Friday, before the first of the Superbike nationals take place on Saturday afternoon.

ROAD ATLANTA – FAST FACTS

Circuit length: 4.087km (2.54miles)

2003 AMA Pole position: Mat Mladin (Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:23.520

2003 AMA Results:

Race 1
1. Aaron Yates (Yoshimura Suzuki)
2. Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki
3. Kurtis Roberts (Erion Honda)

Race 2
1. Mat Mladin (Yoshimura Suzuki)
2. Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki)
3. Kurtis Roberts (Erion Honda)

Lap Record: Mat Mladin (Team Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:22.735 (2001)

2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship (Points after 14 of 18 rounds)
1. Mat Mladin (457, 6 wins); 2. Jake Zemke (436, 2 win), 3. Miguel DuHamel (413, 4 wins), 4. Eric Bostrom (336, 1 win), 5. Ben Bostrom (306, 1 win), 6. Geoff May (299); 7. Aaron Yates (272), 8. John Haner (262), 9. Eric Wood (239), 10. Josh Hayes (237).

From a press release issued by Telefonica Movistar Honda/Gresini Racing:

MOTO GP BIDS FAREWELL TO EUROPE

This weekend in Estoril the motoGp is preparing to salute Europe. In fact the GP of Portugal closes the long series of European Grand Prix disputed on the continent (nine to be exact). Sunday night the Moto Gp circus will start to prepare for the long extra European transfers – Japan, Qatar, Malaysia and Australia – before the Grand Finale in Valencia, Spain on the 31st of October.

Of the slower circuits, Estoril is very unusal: 70% of its corners are slow – the uphill chicane is probably the slowest corner of the entire championship- the straightaway is quick (almost a kilometer long), followed by a strong braking into the first bend, the last corner however, a quite quick one, is decisive to gain precious thousandths of a second.

In such a slow track it is of utmost importance to recuperate in the quicker segments like the last corner and the right corner which brings to the straight opposite the pits.

This circuit is famous for its unevenness and potholes which definitely hinder the chattering problem. The closeness of the track to the Atlantic Ocean is also cause for frequent climatic changes and heavy rain. The sand which is often carried by the wind is also cause for the Fernanda Pires da Silva track to be dirty most of the time.

A difficult compromise: even though slow, this Portuguese track is not easy for riders and techs who have to find the correct compromise for the contrasting characteristics of the circuit. A difficult track to interpret as the search for a good balance between front and back, a good stability while braking and agility during direction changes is essential.

The grip on the track is compromised because of the sand brought by the wind. This alters the adhesion of the tyres and makes the entire situation quite unpredictable. The Michelin technicians will be very busy trying to choose the best compound to guarantee the most grip possible.


#15 SETE GIBERNAU – STRONGER THAN EVER

After the well deserved summer break the Championship has found Sete much more of a fighter. Practically perfect, concentrated, lucid, the Spaniard of the Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda gave a huge show of strength in Brno where he lead the race for 22 interminable laps, fighting off the attacks of Valentino Rossi. The first step of the podium reduced the gap to 17 points between Sete and Valentino but the Championship is still long and hard.

Sete Gibernau arrives in Estoril even stronger, mentally and physically.

During the two test days on the Czech track following the Grand Prix, Sete tested new Honda material. The results were positive but the final decision regarding what bike will be used in this Grand Prix will be made in Estoril.

“Estoril is a circuit I do not particularly love as I always disputed good qualifications and races but I never brought home the end result I wanted. During the last three years in fact I have been in a position to take a podium finish and, in particular last year, to win the race but I have never been able to obtain my goal. This year I am concentrated and ready to give my best at very track, It isn’t important if I like it or not. As I said at the beginning of the year, my main goal is to better myself with each race, this is the reason I am arriving to Estoril strong and full of hope thanks to the experience I have acquired as a rider and from the entire team.”


#45 COLIN EDWARDS – HUNGRY FOR ANOTHER WIN

Two days of testing after the Czech GP helped the Texan of the Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda to analyse and try to solve the problems encountered during the GP of Brno. His biggest problem remains the chattering, which impedes him to excel and fight up front.

Colin is in fact the only Honda rider with Michelin tyres to still have the old chassis, the same from the beginning of the year. The two test days were important to better understand the bike and Colin has high hopes for the GP of Portugal.

“I’m ready for Estoril, I like the track, especially the first three corners! Bike setting is really important here, you have a few bumps. Estoril can be aggressive but not too much because it will bite you. There are very slow sections such as the chicane going uphill, which needs to be taken in first gear. Here the riding must be very soft. The track is quite slow but there are some good points to overtake, the best ones are the long straight in front of the pits where you can draft or the left corner at the end of the straight opposite the pits.


Fausto Gresini, Team Manager

“Sete Gibernaus’s victory in Brno was a great result for the entire team. Again the Spaniard demonstrated to be strong, concentrated and extremely determined. For all of us it was extremely important to obtain a good result in Brno and Sete gave us a wonderful victory. The gap with Valentino is reduced to 17 points, the Championship is still open. In Brno we even had the chance to try new material which Honda brought us and we are ready for the challenge in Estoril.

We expect to see Colin Edwards up front fighting for the podium. We all know his potential and he demonstrated it in Donington when he rised to the occasion and conquered the second step on the podium together with his team mate Sete Gibernau who finished third.”

The Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda continues to lead the Team championship while Gibernau has re conquered the second position in the Riders Championship, only 17 points behind the leader Valentino Rossi. Colin Edwards is now in fourth place of the Championship.

From a press release:

SLAMDANCE DISTRIBUTION TAKES INDI MOTO GP FILM “FASTER” INTO NATIONAL THEATRICAL RELEASE

Los Angeles, CA – For the first time, motorcycle enthusiasts and action thrill seekers across the country will have a chance to see Mark Neale’s independent film FASTER, the action-packed documentary about grand-prix motorcycle racing, in major theater chains. Slamdance Distribution, an entity of Slamdance Media Group, makes this national theatrical release of FASTER possible.

FASTER takes you on-and off track with the world’s top motorcycle road racers, in an exciting full-throttle-and-sidewise blast through the world of MotoGP racing. The full-length documentary film is a headlong rush into the ultra-dangerous, ultra-competitive world of championship motorcycle racing. Narrated by Ewan McGregor, FASTER documents the lives of four of the sports’ top riders in 2001 — Valentino Rossi, Max Biaggi, Gary McCoy, and John Hopkins — as they travel the globe competing against each other.

From September through October 2004, FASTER (in 35 mm) will open in over 70 screens in major metropolitan markets for excusive two-week runs. Exhibition partners including CineMark, Landmark Theaters, AMC and Pacific Theaters are thrilled about the opportunity to offer this unique heart-pounding, adrenaline-rush film to their audiences. A theatrical premiere event in Atlanta on September 2, 2004 will kick off FASTER’s national theatrical release.

For details on FASTER exhibition dates, theaters and show times please visit www.slamdance.com


Slamdance Media Group (SMG) is a spin-off entity of the Slamdance Film Festival, a successful independent film festival held in Park City, Utah since 1995. Slamdance Distribution, which houses SMG’s theatrical and home entertainment divisions, was created to support independent filmmakers year-round with a commercial enterprise that brings them financial reward by exhibiting their films in theaters across the country. For more information on Slamdance Media Group and the Slamdance Film Festival visit www.slamdance.com.


On the Atlanta premier:

WHAT:Nearly 1,000 motorcycle enthusiasts and action thrill seekers will converge on their bikes for a “ride-in” through the streets of Atlanta to support and celebrate the U.S. theatrical premier of the world famous MotoGP documentary film FASTER, presented by Chevy.

FASTER takes you on and off track with the world’s top motorcycle road racers, in an exciting full-throttle, a sidewise blast through the world of MotoGP racing. The full-length documentary film is a headlong rush into the ultra-dangerous, ultra-competitive world of championship motorcycle racing. Written and producer by Mark Neil and narrated by Ewan McGregor, FASTER documents the lives the sports’ top riders.

WHEN:Thursday, September 2, 2004
Ride-In Rally: 4:30 – 6:00PM, Moto Britalia
Ride Thru Streets of Atlanta: 6:00 – 7:00PM
Bikers Arrive at Theater for FASTER Premier: 7:00PM

WHERE: Moto Britalia, 5530 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30004770.517-4540
Theater: Midtown Art, 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30308
Ride-In from Moto Britalia to Theater Route: (See Attached)

WHO:FASTER Filmmaker Mark Neil
Kevin Schwantz, World Champion MotoGP Rider
Chris Pfeiffer, World Champion Stunt Rider
Geoff May, AMA Superbike Rookie of the Year

VISUALS:* Nearly 1,000 motorcyclists meeting for ride in, riding thru streets and converging at movie theater
* New Chevy Trucks on display at theater
* Replica and vintage race bikes as well as stock Yamaha’s, Ducati’s, Honda’s and Suzuki’s
Event photos and B-roll will be available 9/2 and 9/3.


FASTER Ride-In Route – From Moto Britalia to Midtown Art Theater

1. Start at 5530 WINDWARD PKWY, ALPHARETTA on WINDWARD PKY W – go 0.2 mi
2. Make a U-turn at ,WESTSIDE PKY onto WINDWARD PKY W – go 0.4 mi
3. Turn right to take GA-400 SOUTH/US-19 SOUTH – go 13.8 mi
4. Continue on GA-400 SOUTH – go 4.8 mi
5. Turn right on PEACHTREE RD NE – go 0.2 mi
6. Continue on PEACHTREE RD NE/PEACHTREE RD NW – go 0.2 mi
7. Turn left on PIEDMONT RD NE – go 2.5 mi
8. Continue on PIEDMONT AVE NE/PIEDMONT RD NE – go 0.8 mi
9. Turn left on MONROE DR NE – go 1.2 mi
10. Arrive at 931 MONROE DR NE, ATLANTA

From a press release issued by Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha:

GAULOISES FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM PREVIEW

Portuguese Grand Prix
Estoril, Portugal
September 3, 4, 5 2004

ESTORIL NEXT PORT OF CALL FOR ROSSI AND CHECA
Having taken half of the available race wins in the 2004 MotoGP championship so far, the Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team has proven its abilities with aplomb over the opening ten races. On the approach to the 11th, team riders Valentino Rossi and Carlos Checa are confident in the knowledge that the Yamaha YZR-M1 has proven itself to be a genuine championship contender, despite an all-time high standard of entries in the premier motorcycle racing category.

After a recent test at the Brno circuit in the Czech Republic, the pairing have gleaned an even closer understanding of the M1’s character and are relishing the prospect of the forthcoming Estoril race.

World Champion for the past three years, Rossi has been nothing short of a sensation since his move into the Yamaha factory set-up. The 25-year-old Italian, who resides in London, has scored five wins in ten starts so far, and heads the championship table. He leads by 17 points over Honda rider Sete Gibernau, while his Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha team-mate Carlos Checa sits seventh overall, his personal highpoint a second place at the Le Mans race in May.

Checa has great experience of all specifications and ages of the impressive four-cylinder M1, having been in the team since before the inception of the four-stroke MotoGP category in 2002. The 31-year-old Spaniard, also a London resident in these days of global commuting, has enjoyed former success at Estoril, having taken pole position and an eventual second place there in 2002.

Rossi, for his part, is now the third most successful premier class rider in history with 38 race wins, despite his relatively tender years. More significantly for this forthcoming race he has crowned himself King of Estoril in recent years. The former 125cc and 250cc champion has taken the last three Portuguese MotoGP/500cc race wins in succession.

ROSSI OUT FOR YAMAHA WIN NUMBER SIX

Given his peerless ability to conjure wins out of supposedly difficult situations, Rossi will be going for win number six of his debut Yamaha season in Portugal. His 50% success rate in the winning stakes did not include victory at the last race in Brno, but it was another valuable learning experience for the most renowned rider on the planet.

“Things were going well in Brno until we had some rear tyre problems during the race, but I think that Estoril should be a circuit we can do well at,” said Rossi, shortly before adding a note of caution. “Having said that, it seems each time we go to a circuit we think we can do well at the opposite happens, and vice versa.”

Like almost every circuit this year, Estoril will present Rossi with a new challenge. “It’s my first time there with the M1 so, like Brno, it will mean using every available moment to work hard on set-up. Honda was very strong in Brno and I’m sure the race will be tight again. The points gap has reduced so it’s even more pressure to hold onto a points advantage in Estoril.”

Rossi, who has a handy 17 point advantage with six races remaining stated, “The Estoril track is full of bumps and we have had some problems with this bike on bumps so I hope we can find a good direction early on during the weekend. Apart from Motegi I think all the tracks we have left we have a good chance at, although obviously no one has any idea what Qatar is going to be like. I love all the other tracks we have left so I will try my hardest to fight for the championship.”

CHECA LOOKS FORWARD TO LATEST ESTORIL EXPERIENCE

Despite putting up some excellent showings in both qualifying and races at Estoril in previous seasons, Checa finds the Estoril experience one which is bittersweet.. “Although I’ve had some quite good results in Estoril it’s not one of my favourite tracks,” he affirmed. “It’s quite safe but the last part of the track is slippery, and it’s quite slow. You use only about 10% of the potential of the bike in that part but unfortunately it’s not possible to switch from a MotoGP bike to a scooter, which is what it feels like you should be doing!”

The circuit’s contrasting character is the main factor Checa has to take into account. “The last part’s really slow, and the track is quite bumpy with a long straight. At this point of the season the bike is feeling quite good anywhere that the track is good quality. Brazil has been the worst race for us so far, and I also had a disappointment in Germany when I fell off but the bike has been feeling really good since Brazil. I need to keep consistency during the race from now until the end.”

DAVIDE BRIVIO – TEAM DIRECTOR

After some magnificent performances from his riders and his team in this most competitive year imaginable, Team Director Davide Brivio looks to Estoril as another chance for his Yamaha charges to shine. The reasons for his confidence are not just recent race results, but a good showing in an important test post-Brno Grand Prix.

“We stayed on at Brno for a two day test and it had a very positive outcome,” declared Brivio. “We continued to work on engine management maps and settings. Our lap times were very good on Michelin race tyres, even if some of the ones we used were softer.”

Estoril, the slowest circuit on the GP calendar, nonetheless features both fast and slow corners, and a long main straight. “Estoril can be a good track for us because most of the circuit is corners and chicanes and the M1 suits this type of circuit,” said Brivio. “I think we can do well there. Carlos was on pole in 2002 so it’s a place he obviously gets on with. After the Brno test we go to Portugal with more information about the machine, especially on the engine management side. We look forward to maintaining our challenge, and most importantly keeping our lead in the championship.”

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING

Situated only seven kilometres from the Portuguese coast, the Autodromo Fernada Pires de Silva is frequently blessed and cursed by the changing moods of the mighty Atlantic Ocean. At times wet and frequently windy, the 4.182km hilltop circuit is often a hostage of the elements; with accurate prediction of the race weekend weather a near impossibility.

Estoril is a circuit of extreme contrasts. One of the lengthiest main straights in MotoGP allows almost 200mph speeds to be reached and yet the chicane is possibly the slowest corner on the 16-round MotoGP trail. The track itself has the slowest average speed, Rossi’s lap record barely over 150kmph. The 200kmph turn five kink and final Parabolica corner are two of the toughest tests of any rider and machine’s cornering prowess, yet the throttle is seldom overworked on the extensively twisty and tortuous infield sections, riddled as they are by a host of second and third gear bends.

With such contrasting challenges to overcome, the team technicians and Michelin tyre technicians have no choice but to opt for compromise settings. Suspension front and rear has to be generally set to work best towards the end of the race, to aid the tyres after such an extensive workout on the nine right and four left hand corners.

With a lot of transient throttle needed to negotiate the more twisty sections of the circuit good engine mapping and sweet throttle response is a must at Estoril. The extensive work put in at the recent Brno tests have delivered progress of the team in that specific regard, just in time to tackle the nuances and peculiarities of the changeable Estoril track.

VALENTINO ROSSI: INFORMATION
Age: 25
Lives: London, UK
Bike: Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team YZR-M1
GP victories: 64 (25 x MotoGP, 13 x 500cc, 14 x 250cc, 12 x 125cc)
First GP victory: Czech Republic, 1996 (125cc)
First GP: Malaysia, 1996 (125cc)
GP starts: 134 (42 x MotoGP, 32 x 500cc, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc)
Pole positions: 34
Estoril 2003 results (Honda): Grid: 3rd, Race: 1st

CARLOS CHECA: INFORMATION
Age: 31
Lives: London, UK
Bike: Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team YZR-M1
GP victories: 2 (500cc)
First GP victory: Catalunya, 1996 (500cc)
First GP: Europe, 1993 (125cc)
GP starts: 162 (42 x MotoGP, 92 x 500cc, 27 x 250cc, 1 x 125cc)
Pole positions: 2 (1 x MotoGP, 1 x 500cc)
First pole: Spain, 1998 (500cc)
Estoril 2003 results (Yamaha): Grid: 7th, Race: 8th



Estoril MotoGP lap record – Valentino Rossi (Honda): 1:39.189 (2003)
Circuit best lap – Loris Capirossi (Ducati): 1:38.412 (2003)

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

ALSTARE AIMS FOR ASSEN PODIUM

Katsuaki Fujiwara has finished on the Assen podium in Holland twice in the past three years and is looking for another good result at this weekend’s eighth-round World Supersport Championship race to boost his current series position of eighth.

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra team mate Stephane Chambon – currently ninth in the championship – took fourth last year, but was also on the podium in 2000, so he too is no stranger to success at Assen, while team newcomer Vittorio Iannuzzo – 13th in the hunt – is an unknown, not having ridden there last year in World Supersport.

Many riders describe the Assen circuit as their favourite and it’s not hard to see why: The 6.027 kilometre circuit is fast and flowing and is technically and physically demanding. For many years, it has also been a favourite for the fans and the atmosphere has always been very festive.

KATSUAKI FUJIWARA:

“I like Assen because it is fast, flowing and great fun to ride. It is also very technical so you have to have a very good set-up before you can go fast. If your bike is not perfect, then it is very hard to fight for a top result. I hope I can find a good set-up early in practice and then I can challenge for a podium.”

STEPHANE CHAMBON:

“Assen is a very good track for a rider. When you make a good lap it is a great thrill and a wonderful feeling. It is a hard track because it is quite technical, but it is good because it flows really well. I think it’s bad that we have had such a long gap since the last race because we will have to spend the first practice getting back into the swing of things instead of pushing hard straight away. I’ve had a good holiday, but I would’ve preferred a race.”

VITTORIO IANNUZZO:

“Assen is a good track and I am hoping that I can finally get a good result there. This season has not turned out as I expected and I am not sure why. I feel I am trying as hard as I can, but the results have not come my way at all. I want to end the last part of this year on a high and I hope I can do this starting at Assen. I didn’t race Supersport there last year so once again I will be starting from the beginning.”

2003 Results:

1 Muggeridge (Aus-Honda), 2 Vermeulen (Aus-Honda), 3 KATSUAKI FUJIWARA (J-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA), 4 STEPHANE CHAMBON (F-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA). VITTORIO IANNUZZO (I-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA) – DNS.

From a press release issued by Canadian Superbike series organizers:

PICOTTE ALL THE WAY

MONTREAL, QC – Granby, QC’s Pascal Picotte led every lap of a restarted race to win the Parts Canada Superbike Invitational at the Molson Indy Montreal Sunday.

Riding the Team Yamaha / Picotte Performance Yamaha YZF-R1 Picotte beat the DXS Diablo Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 of Maple Ridge, BC’s Steve Crevier by 2.175 secs. Frank Trombino of Kleinburg, ON placed third on the Brooklin Cycle Yamaha YZF-R1.

“This is home for me and it’s a great feeling to win here,” said Picotte, who clinched his second straight Parts Canada Superbike crown last weekend at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant. “To see the way the fans reacted was amazing.”

The race was the first motorcycle event at the 4.3-km (2.7-mile) Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve since 1987. It did not count as an official round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship but featured a purse of $12,000 from Parts Canada.

Granby racer Kevin Lacombe grabbed the lead at the start of the race, originally scheduled for 12 laps but crashed his Lacombe Racing / Brooklin Cycle Yamaha YZF-R1 halfway around the first lap. The race was stopped and rescheduled for 10 laps.

On the second start Picotte took the lead from Jordan Szoke and Trombino and was in control.

“Right away I put in two really good laps and got a gap,” Picotte explained. “From there I decided to put it on cruise control and my plan worked out really well.”

Crevier was only fifth off the start but passed the Honda Canada / Fast Company Honda CBR1000RR of Andrew Nelson and Trombino before the end of the first lap. He then moved up to second when Szoke retired his Honda Canada / Fast Company Honda CBR1000RR on lap 3 with a damaged clutch.

Szoke had been the fastest rider through practice on Friday and Saturday.

“I was quite jumpy off the start and Pascal got a good jump,” said Crevier, a six-time Canadian national Superbike champion. “After that I just ran my own race.”

Francis Martin of Rock Forest, QC finished fourth on his Canadian Kawasaki Motors Kawasaki ZX-10R after starting seventh in the 18-bike field.

His teammate Matthew McBride of Mississauga, ON placed fifth on another Kawasaki ZX-10R, edging the DXS Diablo Racing Team Suzuki of Harrowsmith, ON’s Jeff Williams after a racelong fight.

After running off the track on the second lap Nelson, from Kars, ON placed seventh.

Lacombe managed to get his Yamaha repaired in time to take the restart from the back of the field and came through to finish 12th.

The race will receive same day television coverage on Quebec’s RDS Sunday evening and be shown later this year on English language TV.

The Parts Canada Superbike Championship concludes next weekend at Shannonville Motorsport Park near Belleville, ON.

For more series information, visit www.cdnsuperbike.com

Results of Sunday’s Parts Canada Superbike Invitational at the Molson Indy Montreal at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve showing finishing position, rider name, hometown, type of motorcycle and laps completed:

1.Pascal Picotte, Granby, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1; 2. Jordan Szoke, Brantford, ON, Honda CBR1000RR; 3. Kevin Lacombe, Granby, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1; 4. Frank Trombino, Kleinburg, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1; 5. Steve Crevier, Maple Ridge, BC, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 6. Francis Martin, Rock Forest, QC, Kawasaki ZX-10R; 7. Andrew Nelson, Kars, ON, Honda CBR1000RR; 8. Jeff Williams, Harrowsmith, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 9. Matthew McBride, Mississauga, ON, Kawasaki ZX-10R; 10. Bill Card, Wellesley, ON, Honda CBR600RR; 11. Hugo Brisson, St-Sauveur, QC, Kawasaki ZX-10R; 12. Jean-Francois Cyr, St-Lin, QC, Honda CBR1000RR; 13. Brian Nielsen, Edmonton, AB, Yamaha YZF-R1; 14. Chris Murray-Audain, Scarborough, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6; 15. Darryn Wilbur, Maple, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6; 16. Elie Daccache, Ottawa, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 17. Benoit Pilon, St-Jerome, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1; 18. Pat Barnes, Toronto, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6RR

From a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

FRONT ROW FOR LAVERTY

MonsterMob Ducati Supersport rider Michael Laverty claimed his fifth front row start of the season when he set fourth fastest time during the second qualifying for round eleven of the British Supersport Championship at Cadwell Park today.

The 23 year old from Toomebridge, Northern Irelandleft it until late in the session before climbing on to the front row but managed to hang on in the final throes as the faster times came in. What was more pleasing for the MonsterMob team was that Michael set the time on a race tyre and as a result is confident going into tomorrow’s sixteen lap race.

“A front row start is excellent, and I got held up on my fast lap. I’m very confident on the race tyre and we’ve got a good set up so we’re hoping for a good result tomorrow” said Laverty.

Meanwhile MonsterMob Ducati Superbike rider Sean Emmett will start both of tomorrow’s races from row three of the grid after setting eleventh fastest time. The 34 year old Londoner has traditionally struggled around the Lincolnshire circuit in the past and will have to pull something out of the hat if he is to challenge for a leading position.

“The bike is good around the flowing sections and on race tyres we’re pretty close. I have to get a good start tomorrow and then we will be OK” said Emmett.

Team owner Paul Bird said the following: “That was excellent qualifying for Michael because we did it on a race tyre, not a qualifier. We’ve got a good chance of victory in the Supersport race tomorrow. Cadwell Parkhas never been one of Sean’s best circuits and it will be a damage limitation exercise tomorrow. The goal is to finish in the top six. We have had our fair share of wins at Cadwell in the past few years and it will take something special to add to that tomorrow.”

Superbike Qualifying

1, Scott Smart (Kawasaki) 1m28.131s, 2, Michael Rutter (Honda) 1m28.553s, 3, Tommy Hill (Yamaha) 1m28.757s, 4, John Reynolds (Suzuki) 1m28.789s, 5, Dean Thomas (Ducati) 1m28.840s, 6, Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) 1m28.872s, 7, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 1m29.097s, 8, James Haydon (Yamaha) 1m29.123s, 9, John McGuinness (Kawasaki) 1m29.366s, 10, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) 1m29.452s, 11, Sean Emmett (MonsterMob Ducati) 1m29.480s.

Supersport Qualifying

1, Leon Camier (Honda) 1m30.769s, 2, Karl Harris (Honda) 1m30.867s, 3, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 1m31.043s, 4, Michael Laverty (MonsterMob Ducati) 1m31.160s, 5, Paul Young (Honda) 1m31.235s, 6, Stuart Easton (Ducati) 1m31.330s, 7, Jay Vincent (Honda) 1m31.391s, 8, Pere Riba (Kawasaki) 1m31.451s, 9, Luke Quigley (Suzuki) 1m31.537s, 10, Adrian Coates (Suzuki) 1m31.539s.


More, from a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki:

Reynolds perfectly poised for the races

RIZLA SUZUKI’S John Reynolds will line up fourth on the front row of the grid for tomorrow’s two Superbike races at the 11th round of the Think! British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park, an ideal place to start from as it allows him the inside line into the first corner and an early opportunity to overtake.

JR is leading the Championship by 50-points and is determined to stamp his authority on his rivals at Cadwell Park. His fourth place start comes after a tough session that found him baulked by back-markers and running off the circuit. On race tyres he is right at the front but with only one clear lap on a qualifying tyre he had to settle for fourth.

Yukio Kagayama put his Rizla Suzuki sixth on the grid and is targeting a podium finish tomorrow. He is right on the pace on race rubber and is benefiting from having his own personal physiotherapist– Mr Takashi Kamata – attending him this weekend to ensure he is in top physical condition.

Racing starts at 12:15pm on Bank Holiday Monday at the 2.18-mile long Cadwell Park venue, which is renown as one of the most popular events on the British Superbike calendar, with more than 35,000 spectators expected to attend. It will be screened live on Sky Sports and a highlights programme shown on the BBC one week later.

JR:
“Fourth place is exactly where I need to be – on the front row. If I get a good start then it’s going to be a lot of fun.

“My Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 is fantastic. The engine is super strong and the handling is pin sharp; I am able to lean the bike over and corner extremely fast. The plan is the same as usual tomorrow, to go out and win two races and not to give an inch. I have a title to race for!”

Yuki:
“I learn my racing lines today and I am happy with this circuit. Last year this is bad luck race venue for me, this year I want to make it good luck. I want to replace no-need bad memories with happy podium memories.

“Thank you to my fans for coming to support me. I like them wishing me so well. My Rizla Suzuki is strong and today all I try are many different tyres. We have picked good tyre and I think this is strong package.”

Niall Mackenzie, team test rider:
“Qualifying is always difficult at Cadwell because of the traffic and trying to get a clear lap. JR certainly suffered from slower riders and has the pace to mix it at the front in the race. Yuki has a good race set-up and is doing incredibly well given his crash here last year.

“Both riders have a little bit in reserve and that should make for some exciting racing tomorrow. If you are planning to visit Cadwell, my advice is to get here early because it is going to be a big crowd!”

Final Qualification: 1: Scott Smart (Kawasaki) 1:28.131, 2: Michael Rutter (Honda) +0.422, 3: Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +0.626, 4: JOHN REYNOLDS (RIZLA SUZUKI) +0.658, 5: Dean Thomas (Ducati) +0.709, 6: YUKIO KAGAYAMA (RIZLA SUZUKI) +0.741, 7: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +0.966, 8: James Haydon (Yamaha) +0.992, 9: John McGuinness (Kawasaki) +1.235, 10: Glen Richards (Kawasaki) +1.321.



More, from a press release issued by Hawk Kawasaki:

HAWK KAWASAKI
THINK! BSB Championship, Round 11, Aug 29
National Superstock Cup, Round 9

Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire
Track length: 2.18 miles
Weather: cloudy, slight breeze, 22°C
Track: dry, 34°C

BSB QUALIFYING & SUPERSTOCK CUP RACE

SMART ON POLE & HICKMAN TAKES DOMINANT WIN AND CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD

Hawk Kawasaki’s Scott Smart today took the second BSB pole position of his career during qualifying for the eleventh round of the THINK! British Superbike Championship, at Cadwell Park. Smarty, who topped the time sheets in the morning’s session, rammed home his advantage by posting a blistering 1:28.131 lap of the revised 2.18 mile long track – outpacing his nearest rival, Michael Rutter, by four tenths of a second.

“I’m feeling good,” beamed Smart afterwards. “We were quick this morning and we’ve been consistently quick on race tyres too. In fact we didn’t even bother going out for the first 10 minutes of the second session because we didn’t feel there was much to be gained. When we did we were instantly on the pace anyway. Tomorrow’s a different day though, so we’ll just have to see what happens.”

John McGuinness looked to be on for a second row start until he was knocked back to ninth position in the dying moments of the day’s final qualifying session. But with less than 1.5 seconds splitting the first 10 riders and McGuinness posting consistently quick times on race rubber the Cumbrian is confident he can run with the front runners in the races.

“The times I’ve been doing on race tyres are as competitive as anyone else so I just need to get a good start and hang on in there,” he said. “The pace is so hot. I was eighth and on the second row until the dying minutes and that’s when I got shunted back onto the third row. That’s a disappointment but I’m fairly happy with the way I’ve been riding because it’s so close out there.”

His team-mate Glen Richards put on a gritty performance and showed that it won’t be long until he rediscovers the form that made him such a sensation in last year’s series. His best time, which was just one tenth of a second behind McGuinness’ best, was the tenth quickest of the day.

“We’re going quicker every time we go out, which is good,” said Richards. “There are a couple of places where I’m still struggling and that’s letting me down. It’s mainly into the mountain section – because I can’t get online for the left I’m not getting through the right properly. There’s nothing I can do about it at the moment because I’m not strong enough yet, but I’ll be giving it my all tomorrow.”

After BSB qualifying Hawk Kawasaki’s 17 year-old star, Peter Hickman, annihilated the field in round nine of the National Superstock Cup, taking the win over 13 seconds clear of his closest rival. Hickman, who started from pole position, also set the fastest lap and now leads the series by three points.

“It feels absolutely amazing,” said Hicky. “I’m glad I got a clean win this time because at Croft it was a race of attrition, so I’m well chuffed. At three quarter distance it said plus 10 on the board so I eased off a little, but I still won by over 13 seconds so they must have slowed behind me as well. Hopefully we can do exactly the same tomorrow.”

Hicky has the chance to stretch his championship lead still further in round 10 of the series which takes place at Cadwell tomorrow (Aug 30).

BSB COMBINED QUALIFYING
1) Scott Smart, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:28.131. 2) Michael Rutter, Honda, 1:28.553. 3) Tommy Hill, Yamaha, 1:28.757. 4) John Reynolds, Suzuki, 1:28.789. 5) Dean Thomas, Ducati, 1:28.840. 6) Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, 1:28.872. 7) Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 1:29.097. 8) James Haydon, Yamaha, 1:29.123. 9) John McGuinness, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:29.366. 10) Glen Richards, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:29.452. 11) Sean Emmett, Ducati, 1:29.480. 12) Gary Mason, Yamaha, 1:29.963. 13) Kieran Clarke, Yamaha, 1:30.023. 14) Jon Kirkham, Suzuki (P), 1:30.067. 15) James Buckingham, Suzuki (P), 1:30.127
(P) = Privateer

NATIONAL SUPERSTOCK CUP RACE
1) Peter Hickman, Hawk Kawasaki. 2) Simon Wright, Yamaha. 3) Paul Shoesmith, Yamaha. 4) Graham Seward, Suzuki. 5) John Fisher, Suzuki. 6) Dan Stewart, Suzuki. 7) James McBride, Suzuki. 8) Rory Rock, Yamaha. 9) Dan Rack, Suzuki. 10) James Hurrell, Suzuki. 11) Charles Reynolds, Kawasaki. 12) Mark Turner, Kawasaki. 13) Stu Wilson, Suzuki. 14) Alan Moreton, Yamaha. 15) Simon Pomeroy, Suzuki
Fastest lap: Peter Hickman, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:33.531, 83.90mph

NATIONAL SUPERSTOCK CUP AFTER 9 ROUNDS
1) Peter Hickman, Hawk Kawasaki, 94. 2) Simon Wright, 91. 3) Paul Shoesmith, 83. 4) John Fisher, 77. 5) Graham Seward, 69. 6) Rory Rock, 59. 7) Dan Stewart, 58. 8) James McBride, 50. 9) Alan Moreton, 46. 10) Simon Pomeroy, 42