From a press release issued by Jim “Jimmy The Greek” Gianatsis:

Bigger and better than ever! Excitement, beautiful bikes and girls, and a record turnout highlight the 13th annual FastDates.com and Performance Machine presents the 2004 Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show

Jardine Dyno Shootout Shatters World Record, World’s Top Custom Bike Builders with free Seminars, The West Coast’s premier Bike Contest, Rockin’ Concerts, Iron & Lace Calendar Saturday Night Party, Purrfect Angelz gone wild, Beautiful FastDates.com Calendar Girls Premier Calendars, and much more!

Long Beach, CA – The Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show Weekend presented by Performance Machine at the Queen Mary Event Park in Long Beach, CA, continued to grow again this year as the most popular consumer street bike show in America catering to custom, cruiser, classic and sportbike enthusiasts. Always the 3rd weekend of July, this year’s show featured a huge weekend of activities with sold out participation by 167 major motorcycle and product manufacturers, exhibitors and venders, together with leading custom bike builders from across America and the world, together with a 2-day capacity crowd of some 15,000 motorcycle enthusiasts.


Shinya Kimura founder of Zero Engineering of Japan celebrates with the Performance Machine Best of Show Trophy for the 2004 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show, flanked by Roland and Ted sands from PM, plus FastDates.com Calendar Girls Nicki Lane and Laura Niles.

The Show is produced by Jim Gianatsis of Gianatsis Design Associates, also producer of the renown FastDates.com Motorcycle Pinup Calendars and Website for which the Calendar Bike Show marks the Calendars’ annual season premier.

The Show weekend included an incredible lineup of activities including the Jardine Performance West Coast Horsepower Dyno Shootout – now an exclusive feature attraction at the Show. In a stunning climax on Sunday afternoon to an already record-breaking weekend at the Show, JE Pistons’ John Noonan on his Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa land speed bike obliterated the existing North American record for horsepower registered at a Dyno Shoot-Out on Sunday at 545 horsepower, Noonan surpassed the current world record by 31 hp!

The LA Calendar Motorcycle Show again supported an important charity, the Iron Works magazine Readers Ride to benefit Olive Crest Children’s Shelters – the biggest shelter for orphans, abused children and families in Southern California), as its ride-to destination. On Saturday morning riders start ed at the Olive Crest Children’s main facility in Santa Ana, CA, and then rode to the Calendar Bike Show in Long Beach, just 25 miles away, where for the Ride’s $35 charity donation, participants got to enjoy all the Show’s weekend’s activities and be treated to lunch and VIP up front parking.

As always the LA Calendar Show offers one of America’s premier Custom, Sportbike and Classic Bike Contests featuring many of top bike Pro and Amateur builders in America -and now from around the world vying for the prestigious Performance Machine Best of Show Trophy. Winning the coveted top spot this year was Shinya Kimura founder of Zero Engineering of Japan (now with a 2nd shop in Las Vegas) who flew to America to enter his bikes in the Contest, confirming the LA Calendar motorcycle Show as now a world caliber event. Shinya’s winning bike “Masamune” was a ’50’s Panhead street hotrod with a sheet aluminum fabricated frame rigid frame, ’74 springer front end, and bodywork befitting the retro style bike. Zero has a 4-year customer waiting list for their highly regard retro rods which actually use new replica components like the engines. Upon accepting the Best of Show trophy from Performance Machine’s Ted and Roland Sands, Shinya posed with FastDates.com Calendar Angel 2005 cover girls Miss Great Britain Nicki Lane and Laura Niles, then fired up the bike with just one kick to ride off into the sunset.

In contention for winning Best of Show for the 3rd year running was Jesse Rooke, now sponsored by Rock Star energy drink, who still took home 1st place Pro Builder in the LA Calendar Bike Show’s premier feature class against some 30 other professional builder bikes including bikes from Mitch Bergeron, Jesse James’ West Coast Choppers. Rooke’s winning bike was a development from his last year’s highly innovative Best of Show winning Kali Kruiser bicycle concept which had been rushed to completion for the ’03 Show and hadn’t yet been wired to run, drawing complaints from some “sour grape” competitors. As Jesse accepted this year Pro Builder trophy to become the Show’s first ever 3-time winner and confirm his status as one of the world’s best custom builders, hecklers in the audience began calling out “Start it Up!” Jesse paid them no mind for a moment and looked ready to push away another non-running bike, but then he nonchalantly reached under the tank and pushed the starter button and the Rock Star Kruiser roared to life. Jesse jumped on the bike, popped the clutch and spun a 180 burnout in the grass and blasted off through the gathered crowd as the naysayers were left picking uprooted grass from their opened mouths.

The Show’s title sponsor Performance Machine bolstered the already huge $60,000 Bike Show awards purse with an additional $5,000 Award for the Best PM Equipped Bike at the Show was Sean Gibbs of Wild West Choppers with an all new special construction chopper featuring all Performance Machine Components.



World Premier: Dreamcraft Studios $250,000 bike!

Fans got to meet many Discovery Channel and Speed TV featured builders including Mitch Bergeron, Paul Yaffe, Mike Stafford, Harold Pontarelli plus West Coast superstars Ron Simms and Mike Powers showcasing their latest rolling hardware. Also making their first ever motorcycle show appearance just on Saturday were builders Larry Nagal and Paul Yang of DreamcaftStudios.com with their industry shattering hi-tech chopper that would have been a contender for Best of Show if it didn’t have to put in a press appearance with their bike at the Pasadena Art Center of Design on Sunday. Other exciting new bike premiers at the Show included MotoCreations.com’s production oriented Ducati Chopper and the Italian Poggipolini Group’s $160,000 NCR Macchia Nera naked superbike and the $60.000 Millona 1000NE. Flown in from Italy for the Show, the exotic titanium and magnesium NCR Nera took Best Sportbike in Sunday’s Bike show Contest

Exciting new attractions this year included the free Iron & Lace Calendar Bike Builder’s Seminars held hourly throughout the weekend in a midway tent located in the center of the Show Park conducted by the leading custom bike builders in America as featured in the Iron & Lace calendar. Featured builders included Harold Pontarelli, Russell Mitchell, and Cyril Huze who made the 4-day drive from his shop in Florida, Jesse Rooke and Paul Yaffe, each explaining their own personal style for building world class custom bikes, and then they answered questions from enthusiastic fans. This was probably the first ever opportunity for fans to discuss bike building techniques with top celebrity builders in an open forum. The Iron & Lace Calendar Bike Builder Seminars was a big hit among fans and will remain a regular feature at future Shows.

On Saturday night Show producer and calendar photographer Jim Gianatsis hosted the Iron & Lace Calendar Builders Night Party from 9pm to 1am aboard the historic Queen Mary ocean liner in the ship’s Observation Room Bar. Many of the top Iron & Lace Calendar bike builders were there to party with the Show staff, exhibitors, venders and fans.

And what would the Iron & Lace calendar builders party be without the beautiful FastDates.com Calendar Angels who were also in attendance with the Purrfect Angelez. Live musical entertainment was provided at the party by the beautiful country rock band Elle3.com featuring sisters Allison, Ashley and Lauren Lawry.

This year’s the LA Calendar Bike Bike show featured different musical themes each day by incredible bands that played all day long. Saturday featured an all day Mini Blues Festival headlined by 2000 lbs of Blues, one of Los Angeles’ most popular blues bands, together with special guests Lynwood Slim on hermonica and beautiful vocalist Taryn Donath. Other acts scheduled to appear throughout the afternoon and into the evening to fit the beautiful pinup calendar girl theme of the Show included Francesa of Francesca & the Flames, Huston Orkide, Mama’s Boys with Lisa Cee, and Jessie Payo from Jessie and the Raindogs. Then on Sunday the Show shifted to a Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll Festival with the hugely popular Unauthorized Rolling Stones out of San Francisco, together with the Janis Joplin style rock/blues vocals of the beautiful Boudeeka.

But really bringing down the house both days and jamming fans to the park’s main Stage were the the beautiful Purrfect Angelz with their sizzlin” Las Vegas style stage shows. One of the Angelz’ skits involved bringing builders Jesse Rooke and Russell Mitchell on on stage, seating them in chairs, and then the girls lap danced , abused, slapped and kicked them to the beat of pounding of the music and the cheering crowds. For some reason the guys still managed to smile and grin throughout the whole ordeal. And for sportbike fans the Las Vegas Extremes sportbike stunt riding team of heart throb Pauly Sherer and sexy Jolleen “JoJo” Farmer with their wild tire smookin’ antics tore up the parking lot on Saturday.

Showcasing the Calendar Girls theme of the Calendar Bike Show will be the premier of the 2005 FastDates.com Calendars with the beautiful SBK World Superbike Calendar Angels in attendance including Miss Great Britain Nicki Lane and beautiful new Calendar Angels Andra Cobb and Laura Niles. Plus the beautiful Corona Extra and Archie’s Ice Cream Girls,

The 2005 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show is scheduled for July 16-17th.

2004 Bike Show Contest Results:

Best of Show: Katsuhi Kumagi, Zero Engineering “Masamune”.

Pro Builder: 1. Jesse Rooke, Jesse Rooke Custom “Rock Star Kruiser”; 2. Rick Bedford, Y2K Chopper; 3. Gordon’s Motorcycle Madness, Pro Street Custom.

Street Custom: 1. Rick Kyker, Special Construction; 2. Rick Moran, Diamond Softail; 3. Rick Wahlberg, 2003 CFL.

Street Performance: 1. Mike Cook, American Cafe Racers Super Manx; 2. Keith Drum, KD Kustoms, 115ci Pro Street Drag Bike @8.62 sec.; 3. Keith Drum, KD Customs 1952 Panhead blown.

Classic Early Twin: 1. Bob Carrillo, 1952 H-D Panhead, 2. Mike Dunn, stock 1936 BMW R12 750cc Wehrmacht WW2, 3. Larry Ramos, stock 1954 H-D FL.

Classic Late Twin: 1. JR Keeble, 2003 H-D FLHT Standard Glide; 2. Dave Reichman , 2002 H-D Road king; 3. Chris Stabb, 1979 H-D FL.

Sportster: 1. Bob Neff, 1967 stock Sportster XLCH; 2. Dave Arnold, rigid Sportster chopper; 3. Larry Winkleman, performance modified 2000 Sportster.

Sportbike: 1. Poggipolini Macchia Nera; 2. Eddie McCoy, Kawasaki ZX12; 3. Glenn Castro, Suzuki GSXR1000.

Best PM Equipped Bike at the Show: Sean Gibbs of Wild West Choppers with an all new special construction bike featuring all Performance Machine Components

Jardine West Coast Horsepower Dyno Shootout Winner: John Noonan, J&E Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa land speed bike, new World Record at 545 horsepower.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING ON TV THIS WEEK

(All times Eastern)

AMA Chevrolet Motocross Championship, (125cc/250cc) Kenworthy’s Motocross Park, Troy, Ohio – Saturday, July 31, 5-7 p.m. ESPN2

AMA Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series/AMA Repsol Superstock Series, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio – Tuesday, Aug. 3, 1-2 p.m. SPEED Channel.

All times subject to change. Check local listings

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I, too, have had a near miss with a deer while racing in a Heavyweight Supersport race at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in So. Beloit, Illinois several years ago.

I had just come through turn one which is a fast right-hand turn and was running alone in the top 10 with the next group about 50 yards in front of me. The deer came running across the track at full speed just behind the group in front and just in front of me.

It was a nice-looking buck that had pretty big antlers and I am glad that no one else had incident with it. I reported it to the track officials after the race and everyone was alerted to it but it was not seen again that weekend.
There are also a lot of incidents with squirrels, etc. at Blackhawk Farms and I seem to recall a few turtles as well.

We all need to remember that most tracks are in the woods where the animals live and we need to keep our eyes open for foreign objects.

Chris Monge
CCS Midwest Expert #191
Verona, Wisconsin


See related post:
7/30/2004 More On Hitting Deer At Summit Point…And A Possible Remedy

From a press release issued by the PR Group:

CALIFORNIA SUPERBIKE SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR MISTI HURST GRABS INTERNATIONAL RACING SPONSORSHIP FROM HONDA ITALY

At 24 she bought her first motorcycle. At 26 she was taking checkered flags and thrilling crowds with her stunt riding at racetracks throughout Western Canada. Today, at a seasoned 28, California Superbike School instructor Misti Hurst is about to embark on the ride of her life — in September she’ll crank the throttle of a new Honda CBR600RR and go head-to-head with some of Europe’s best in the Italian CBR Cup Series, thanks to a recently signed sponsorship deal with Honda Italy.

“Riding for the Honda team is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – one I’m training hard for,” said Hurst, whose instructional duties with Keith Code’s traveling Superbike School will keep her busy until late August, at which time she’ll travel to Italy to get familiar with how the CBR handles on local tracks.

Hurst, a bona fide “natural born rider”, said her skills on two wheels have increased markedly due to her involvement with Code’s school… first as student, then as instructor.

“In November of 2002 I arrived at the school to learn the technical aspects of riding. Until that point, I had been riding intuitively, but with no real idea of the how’s and why’s of riding, or what to do if I found myself in trouble on the road or the track. The instruction was amazing and my confidence, speed, and control of the motorcycle improved tremendously,” said Hurst.

As she neared completion of her training as student, Hurst tried out for a position as instructor and was accepted.

“My continuous training as instructor has been intense but extremely rewarding. I learn something new every time I’m out on the track,” said Hurst.

“My ultimate goal in life is to make my passion my job. With my role as instructor at the Superbike School along with the opportunity Honda is giving me, I really feel like I’m living my dream,” said Hurst.

“It’s really great to see our staff doing well in racing, “said Superbike School founder Code. “It validates our riding technology and keeps them enthusiastic about the whole process of learning the Art of Cornering.”

From a press release issued by FGSport:

2004 FIM WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

8th round Brands Hatch, 30 July – 1 August 2004

HISTORY AND HYSTERIA MEET AT BRANDS HATCH

LARGESSE: The scale and excitement of recent World Superbike events at Brands Hatch has propelled the entire weekend to the status of a must-see on the British sporting calendar. Since the first Brands Hatch SBK races in the early nineties, the close proximity to the tens of millions ringing the London Metropolis and the superb natural viewing vistas of the historic circuit have made Brands one of the most eagerly awaited audience participation events imaginable, with weekend crowds often over 120,000 and an atmosphere somewhere between a football game and an open air music festival.

ANCIENT AND MODERN: Cyclists of a different kind from those who will descend on Brand Hatch this weekend were first to compete at what is now one of the world’s classic racing venues, when in 1926 a bunch of local cyclists used the natural bowl of grassland for their time trials. In 1947 the first ever televised motorcycle racing – a grass track event – was transmitted from Brands, notching another topic to its long and glorious list of unique features. After constant updates and recent safety changes Brands would be unrecognisable to the previous generations of racers, but the essential atmosphere and soul of Brands remains firmly intact.

THE RED ARMY: The previous event at Laguna Seca was hardly the most successful ever for the traditional class leading Ducati Fila team but nonetheless the two-rider attack of Briton James Toseland and Frenchman Regis Laconi still heads off the increasingly close challenge of their near neighbours in the points table. Some outstandingly aggressive and committed riding at Laguna from Toseland saw him re-take the championship lead from his team-mate, but their almost season-long lead was trimmed back once more, making Brands one of the least easy to predict race weekends of the year. Toseland has a total of 201 points, Laconi a hefty 198.

NEW RULES VINDICATED: The recent form of Chris Vermeulen on the Ten Kate tuned Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade have shown that the most recent revamp of the technical rules have been proven to offer all riders and all teams the opportunity to fight for race wins, with SBK racing now a true meritocracy, with equal opportunities for those talented enough to succeed. The blanket 1000cc rule, spec Pirelli tyres and a blossoming of new or resurgent riding talent have made SBK a close and exciting contest week-in and week-out, with Vermeulen easily the best class rookie, running an all new machine for a team new to the Superbike class. Only 14 points off the lead, and with the last three available race wins to his credit, Vermeulen is now tipped to be in the championship fight all the way to the end at Magny Cours in October.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES: The new SBK regulations have not only allowed the top level of mass produced roadbikes a fair shake at the podiums and championship challenges but the privateer Ducati 999RS customers have found the playing field more level than ever before. Hence the outstanding return of Noriyuki Haga (Renegade Ducati) to the SBK fold, in another all-new team in the championship. Haga is well versed in racing at Brands but recent track revisions may make for a short period of acclimatisation for the mercurial Japanese rider. Lying fourth overall, Haga has not had things all his own way in the Renegade Ducati team, as his rapidly developing team mate Leon Haslam has been asserting his authority in his first full SBK season, taking a podium finish in Germany – and more significantly this weekend he has already won a round of the domestic British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch this year.

DOUBLE TIME: Another rider who has led the championship this season, Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati 998RS) sits fifth in the championship race having secured a win at Misano, and most recently a second place at Laguna Seca. The 40-year-old elder statesman of the class is still as hungry as a teenager, even if he is now the most experienced SBK rider in history. He will be joined at Brands Hatch by Giancarlo De Matteis, drafted into the PSG-1 team to ride the 999RS Chili has eschewed in favour of his 999cc-engined Ducati 998.

ANOTHER NOVELTY FOR MCCOY: Garry McCoy (Xerox Scuderia Caracchi Ducati 999RS) is one of the most experienced riders in the world but as an SBK rookie this year, he has had to get used to a new class and a new machine. Having won in Australia, he has experienced occasional dips in form, and now sits seventh in the championship.

HOME FRONT?: Malaysia is the country of birth and support of the unique three cylinder Petronas FP-1 but with its team headquarters and team principle Carl Fogarty firmly entrenched in the UK, the Brands Hatch race is the second home event for the aquamarine dream team.
The up and down form of the team and the machine has shown that it is not a straightforward thing to make an all-new 900cc three cylinder machine a competitive SBK package, but both local favourite Chris Walker and 1996 World Champion Troy Corser will be out to repeat their podium successes from the early season rounds.

DFX UP TO THE CHALLENGE: The DFX Ducati Sterilgarda squad of Steve Martin and Marco Borciani have preformed many minor miracles on their 999RS machines this year, Martin’s most recent Superpole win being one measurable highpoint. Only Martin has turned the pre-race form into podium finishes, three in total so far.

FOUR SQUARE: An influx of competitive four-cylinder machines this year includes the Bertocchi Kawasakis of Mauro Sanchini and Ivan Clementi, MIR Suzuki’s Sergio Fuertes and the Chinese backed Zong Shen Suzukis featuring Piergiorgio Bontempi and Warwick Nowland. They will be joined by Silverstone SBK success story James Ellison (Jentin Yamaha), himself a product of the European Superstock Championship, which runs in parallel with SBK.

SUPERSPORT SCORCHERS: Brands has always delivered noteworthy World Supersport races, with some of the top 2004 competitors having already secured wins in England. Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda) is one such rider, and this year he leads the championship after a superb run of three wins from Misano to Oschersleben, and a second place at the most recent round at Silverstone. Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha Italia) has a single win this year but in a clear second place, 15 points behind Muggeridge, he is the most credible threat to the Aussie’s most recent form.

Muggeridge’s team-mate and compatriot Broc Parkes will also benefit from a recent Oschersleben test, while fourth placed Kevin Curtain, yet another fast Aussie, is the premier Yamaha Motor Germany runner. Despite some problems setting the all-new Suzuki GSX-R600 Stephane Chambon is the most successful WSS rider ever at Brands, and another Frenchman, Fabien Foret (Yamaha Italia) is a proven force at Brands, and is also the most recent race winner of all this year.

Superstock Siblings: If the Brands Hatch race delivers a repeat of the superb battles between the Lorenzini by Leoni Yamaha riders Lorenzo Alfonsi and Gianluca Vizziello then the Brands Hatch crowds will be well served. Vizziello leads the title race 115 to 99, with all five races so far won by either Italian rider.

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Infineon Raceway Debuts New Summer Cycling Series in August

SONOMA, Calif. – Pedal-power will take over Infineon Raceway this summer when the Sonoma Valley facility opens its gates to cyclists of all ages.

The Infineon Raceway Summer Cycling Series will kick-off in August as the raceway opens its gates on six occasions over two months for cyclists to traverse the same road course that is usually reserved for the speed and power of machines like NASCAR NEXTEL Cup stock cars. This marks the first cycling series offered in the 36-year history of the facility.

The Infineon Raceway Summer Cycling Series, which will be open to beginners, as well as experts, will feature four dates for competitive racing (Aug. 12, 26, Sept. 9, 16), as well as two practice dates (Aug. 5, 19). The racing will take place from 6-8:30 pm., with gates opening at 5 p.m.

Whether you’re a high-school student exploring cycling, an expert road-racer or a senior citizen looking for some exercise, the Infineon Raceway Summer Cycling Series will have a division tailored just for you.

Cyclists have long needed a site to call their own, and Infineon Raceway hopes to provide that for them, beginning in 2004 with this abbreviated schedule. If the program is a success, there are plans to expand the schedule for 2005, and beyond.

“The Bay Area is such a hotbed for bicycle enthusiasts, but there are so few stretches of quality pavement where cyclists can ride without mingling with car traffic. I expect this to be a terrific new use for our facility,” said Steve Page, president and general manager at Infineon Raceway.

Cyclists will compete on the same 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course that is used by NASCAR. There will be a variety of racing categories, and cyclists will compete on the road course at various times. Cost will be $10 per rider for competition weeks, and $5 per vehicle for practice weeks. Spectators will be admitted free.

“The cycling community has needed a site to ride and train on, and Infineon Raceway makes perfect sense,” said Michael Sebastiani, race director for the Infineon Raceway Summer Cycling Series. “It’s a unique opportunity for all levels of riders to ride in a safe and supportive location. Plus, how incredible is it to ride the same track as NASCAR drivers like Jeff Gordon?”

For more information on the Infineon Raceway Summer Cycling Series, please e-mail [email protected].

Infineon Raceway Summer Cycling Series Schedule

PRACTICE WEEKS
August 5 6-8:30 p.m.
August 19 6-8:30 p.m.

COMPETITIVE WEEKS
August 12 6-8:30 p.m.
August 26 6-8:30 p.m.
September 9 6-8:30 p.m.
September 16 6-8:30 p.m.

COST: $10 per rider for competition weeks, and $5 per vehicle for practice weeks. Spectators will be admitted free. GATES: Gates open at 5 p.m. for each session.

CATEGORIES ON COMPETITIVE WEEKS: B race at 6
p.m. (Juniors, Women, and 3/4/5 Men) 40 minutes; A Race at 6:45 p.m. (All categories 1/2/3) 50 minutes. United States Cycling Federation
(USCF) license required on competitive dates.

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

SUZUKI AIM FOR 3RD BRANDS WIN
Team Suzuki Press Office – July 29, 2004.

The World Supersport Championship returns this weekend after a seven week break for the European round of the championship at Brands Hatch, where Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra hope to keep their winning streak intact.

For the past two years, the team has triumphed at the Kent circuit in the south of England – Katsuaki Fujiwara taking victory in 2002 and team mate Stephane Chambon winning last year. And it’s a circuit that both riders love.

The picturesque 4.221 kilometre circuit has been host to the European round of the World Championship since 1995 and has seen over 100,000 spectators on several occasions, making it the best attended venue in the calendar. It is widely regarded as a favourite amongst spectators and is a circuit where the fans can get really close to the track and feel part of the action.

STEPHANE CHAMBON:

“I like Brands Hatch a lot because it is a fun circuit to ride and you can feel the presence of the fans. It has been strange having such a long lay-off since the last round at Silverstone seven weeks ago! We tested in Spain recently and it was good to be back on a bike again and try out some things. We have all been working hard and we will see how much improvement we have made at Brands Hatch. It’s about time I was back on the podium!”

KATSUAKI FUJIWARA:

“Brands Hatch is very good track and it is a real racer’s track. The atmosphere is always special at Brands because the fans make it special. This year has not been the easiest season for us but we are all battling away trying our best. I miss being on the podium many times and I know that I want to be there some more in this second part of the season. It feels like a long time since I raced the GSX-R600 and I hope I can get a good set-up straightaway at Brands and go for a good result.”

VITTORIO IANNUZZO:

“I didn¹t race at Brands Hatch last year and it¹s been some time since I was there on a 600 so I shall have a lot to learn quickly. It¹s a great track and one where you can really see and hear the crowd! It¹s always good to race in front of a huge crowd, like at Brands, so I hope I can turn my season around a bit and get a good result. After many weeks away from racing, it’s going to take a bit of time to get race ready, but I hope to do it soon and leave Brands feeling happy.”

2003 results:

1 STEPHANE CHAMBON (F-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA), 2 VD Goorbergh (NL-Yamaha), 3 Charpentier (F-Honda), 9 KATSUAKI FUJIWARA (J-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA). VITTORIO IANNUZZO (I-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA) – DNS

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Walker aims to redress the balance at Brands!

Chris Walker is eager to get his season back on track in front of his legion of British supporters at this weekend’s eighth round of the Superbike World Championship at Brands Hatch.

The popular 32-year-old from Nottinghamshire, England, started the season with a bang when he achieved Foggy PETRONAS Racing’s first ever podium in the opening race.

However, a series of technical troubles and an injury sustained during the previous British round at Silverstone have conspired to minimise recent progress. So Chris – known to his fans as The Stalker – is keen to challenge the front-runners once again.

And the omens were good after he lifted the trophy for the pre-event publicity challenge – a race against rival riders on a Segway self-balancing personal transporter – beating championship leader and former team-mate James Toseland around the obstacle course by 0.42 seconds!

Chris, who has been on the podium three times at Brands in Superbike World Championship races, said: “I am desperate to put on a good show for all the Stalker fans, the team and PETRONAS – but also myself. The FP1 is agile and handles well so I think it will be suited to most of the circuit, especially through Clearways, Paddock Hill and Druids. It also helps to know the circuit, although it is not one of our test tracks, and particularly to have set up a few different bikes here. I was on the rostrum last year and qualified second on the grid, so it would be nice to add another couple of podiums. My ribs didn’t bother me at Laguna but I wasn’t able to train properly for that round. Now, after a promotional trip to China with PETRONAS, I am back in the old routine.

Team-mate Troy Corser has twice beaten boss Carl Fogarty at Brands and also has a pole position under his belt at the famous undulating Kent circuit.

Troy said: “Brands is another rider’s circuit where you have to get your lap spot on. We are almost carrying on where we left on from last year because the weather and troubles on race day meant that we didn’t get too much of a chance with set-up. The engine should be a little bit stronger now that we have had more time to work on the latest developments, so I am looking forward to this weekend and think we should be shooting at the top five or six.”

From a press release issued by series organizers:

EASTERN AIRWAYS SIDECAR SERIES JOINS SUPERBIKES AT BRANDS HATCH

The front runners of the Eastern Airways Sidecar championship will be renewing acquaintances with World Superbike regulars at Brands Hatch, Kent this weekend.

Reigning sidecar world champion, Steve Webster, and passenger Paul Woodhead, led their rivals to a double win when the series last ran as a support class to the World Superbike championship at Silverstone, Northants in June.

“It’s good to be back in the World Superbike paddock,” says nine times World Champion Webster, M.B.E., “especially at Brands Hatch. It’s a great circuit and there’s always a good crowd here.”

Tim Reeves, whose brother Tristan passengers his M&M Suzuki-powered outfit, aims to narrow the gap between him and Webster at the head of the championship points table.

“We’ve had some good races with Steve this season,” says Reeves, “but I need wins here at Brands if I’m to get close to the series lead.

The Eastern Airways sidecar action gets underway with two 30-minute timed practice sessions tomorrow afternoon (Friday). Race one takes place on Saturday at 5.30 and race two follows Sunday’s second Superbike race at 4.30.

Eastern Airways Sidecar Championship points after five rounds:

1 Steve Webster/Paul Woodhead Castrol Suzuki 178
2 Tim Reeves/Tristan Reeves M&M Suzuki 134
3 Derek Brindley/Neil Miller Readymix Suzuki 107
4 Greg Lambert/James Sirrell Dalepak Suzuki 94
5 Richard Gatt/Paul Randall GRS Suzuki 84
6 Bill Philp/Rick Long 155 Yamaha 75
7 Bryan Pedder/Rod Steadman Roberts Suzuki 71
8 Stuart Muldoon/John Briggs SMR Suzuki 66
9 Any Peach/Nick Webb Readymix Suzuki 47
10 Ben Birchall/Tom Birchall Richards Yamaha 41