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Pro Italia Motorcycle Show Scheduled For This Wednesday In Glendale, California

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From a press release issued by Pro Italia:

Pro Italia invites you our 10th annual Italian motorcycle show, Cafe Desmo.

Glendale, CA – Pro Italia, one of the nation’s top dealers of exotic Italian motorcycles, is pleased to invite you to Cafe Desmo, our annual Italian motorcycle show, Wednesday night, August 18th from 5:30pm – 8:30pm.

A summer tradition here at the foot of the San Gabriel mountains, Cafe Desmo gives our customers a chance to show off their beautiful machines as well as share their enthusiasm for Italian motorcycles with others. The collection of bikes will be wide and varied as all makes, manners and years are welcome; from rare timeless classics to wildly custom displays of style and from daily workhorses to the latest polished ride just purchased that afternoon.

Entry is free. There will be classes for classic and modern bikes as well as lots of awards (will you be the furthest travelled this year?) Pro Italia will also be featuring special pricing on selected parts and apparel for this night only.

We feel Italian motorcycles are the most stirring and exciting made today. We cordially invite you to attended Cafe Desmo to see some of these machines from today as well as years past and feel the enthusiasm they generate.

Pro Italia
3319 N Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91208
818 249-5707
818 249-3402
[email protected]
http://proitalia.com/

Pridmore To Ride In Jordan Colors At Road Atlanta, VIR

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Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Jason Pridmore will be sponsored by Michael Jordan Motorsports and will carry Jumpman and Michael Jordan Motorsports logos on his Suzukis during upcoming AMA National weekends at Road Atlanta and VIR.

Pascal Picotte has been running Jumpman and Michael Jordan Motorsports logos on his Canadian race machines since he substituted for injured Montez Stewart at Road America in June. But Pridmore–who has been golfing with Jordan several times and recently hosted the basketball icon during a televised session of his STAR riding school at Gingerman Raceway–has the inside line on picking up 2005 season sponsorship from Jordan. Jordan’s team hopes to campaign a works Suzuki Superbike in Jumpman colors.

Pridmore has also been working with the team as a rider coach for Montez Stewart, team owner and manager James Casmay, Jordan and other team affiliates, making time available at the STAR Schools in Colorado, Elkhart Lake, and Gingerman. Private instruction in the classroom and on the track has been included in the sessions.

Casmay recently requested an upgrade of his CCS race license from Amateur to Expert status, after winning several regional races earlier in the season. He finished fourth in his first Expert class race, at Gingerman on the weekend of August 1st.

Montez Stewart, a personal friend of Jordan, will continue to campaign the team’s Yamahas at Road Atlanta and VIR.

The Shop That Builds Brian Kcraget’s 250cc Grand Prix Racebike Expands

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From a press release issued by SpeedWerks:

SpeedWerks Expands Shop and Services for its Customers

Dover, DE, August 16, 2004 – SpeedWerks has expanded its shop space to better service its customers and provide additional space to house a shipping and receiving department for their new online store (launching soon). SpeedWerks, located in Dover, DE, in business for almost ten years, has built over 50 championship winning race bikes and has customers who race WERA, CCS, FUSA, and USGPRU, to name a few.

The shop, formerly 2,600 square feet of flex space, has been upgraded with an additional 1,300 square feet—bringing their shop space to almost 4,000 square feet. Adding more space has allowed for a reorganization of the shop’s internal structure, providing more room to add additional services for its customers.

Over the past ten years, SpeedWerks has primarily focused on road racing and street riders, but a growing market in drag bikes, American motorcycles, and bike repairs has prompted the shop to expand its services. SpeedWerks now has a separate area for its dyno, machining and welding services, and American motorcycle mechanic, in addition to the already allocated space for suspension tuning and their current mechanics.

To assist customers with keeping crash repair costs at a minimum, SpeedWerks’ has added a machinist to their extensive list of offerings to provide repairs on items riders may have normally just replaced. Pipe welding and repair, sub-frame and frame repair, and custom-built sub-frame extenders are just a few of services offered. Additionally, with the growing number of American motorcycle riders looking to SpeedWerks as the reputable shop in the area to perform general maintenance and custom work, they have brought aboard an additional mechanic, specializing in these bikes.

The shop expansion has also increased the retail and customer area that showcases products and their favorite race bikes, a Suzuka 8 hour 2-player motorcycle game, and a lounging area for watching motorcycle racing while perusing catalogs and photos from previous SpeedWerks Race Team racing events.

About SpeedWerks – SpeedWerks is an independently owned and operated shop located in Dover, DE, servicing all makes and models of road race, drag, street bikes and cruisers. In business for almost ten year, SpeedWerks has built championship winning racebikes for its customers to compete in WERA, CCS, USGPRU, and FUSA, and the SpeedWerks Racing Team holds numerous championships for themselves, as well. In addition to servicing bikes, SpeedWerks sells apparel, helmets, parts and accessories and more on their website www.SpeedWerks.com. The shop can be reached at 302.672.RACE.

Jimmy Moore Ready For AMA Comeback At Road Atlanta

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From a press release issued by Proforma:

JIMMY MOORE READY FOR ROAD ATLANTA



Two-time AMA Superstock champion Jimmy Moore is ready for his return to the 2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbikes Series at the upcoming round at Road Atlanta, September 3-5, 2004. Jimmy started the 2004 season as teammate to Jason Pridmore on the No Limit Motorsport Suzuki team, but Jimmy re-injured the same arm he broke at Brainerd in 2003 in a near-crash at California Speedway in April. Following successful surgery by Dr. Art Ting, Jimmy has been rehabilitating his arm in anticipation of his return at Road Atlanta. With the financial woes of the No Limit Motorsports team, Jimmy is joining forces with the Corona Extra Suzuki team, with whom he won back-to-back AMA Superstock championships with in 2001 and 2002.

“I’m ready to go right now,” said Jimmy from his home in Eugene, Oregon. “I just did a OMRRA (Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association) race last weekend on my GSX-R750, and it went really, really well. I got two laps of practice on Sunday, did the heat races, and ended up winning the 750 Supersport race. I did some set-up on the bike, and went faster everytime I got on the track. The arm is not an issue, I didn’t even think about it all weekend. I’ve got a couple of track days coming up before Atlanta, and I’ll keep riding my bicycle and dirt bikes and going to the gym.”

Arclight Suzuki’s Myers Wins Mini-bike Championship In California

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From a press release issued by Matt Myers:

Arclight Suzuki’s Elena Myers wraps up mini amateur GP title.

Stockton California – Under partly cloudy skies with temps in the low 90’s, Arclight Suzuki rider Elena Myers became the youngest female road racer in American history to win the coveted and generally fastest, “Premiere 80GP Expert class”.

In only her first year of full time road racing, 10 year old Elena, who had won the last three 80 GP road races held at the Stockton Motorplex Park, (Home of the SMRRC) wasted no time in securing yet another convincing main event win to assure her of the championship with one round of the series still remaining. Riding her Suzuki RM 85 converted into a road racer, Elena found the chassis and set up of her bike to work just fine even though most of her competitors race chassis bikes or converted Honda RS125/80’s. When asked by the SMRRC race director, “What do you think of all this?”

Elena responded, “It’s been a great first season and I have gained a lot of experience and had an awesome time. I have met and raced against a lot of fast people, grown-ups and kids my age. I can’t wait til next year”!

A Big Day For Kenny, Or, Something From This Weekend’s WSMC Race At Willow Springs

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From a press release issued by Kenny Kopecky:

Continuing to learn and adapt to riding Ducati motorcycles, long-time Willow Springs racer Kenny Kopecky won all three Twins based classes at the monthly WSMC road race meet in Rosamond on Sunday.

“The weather was ideal on Sunday morning and we were able to run significantly faster then the our first two months on the 749R” said Kopecky. “We had a wonderful opportunity this weekend to run a new construction of the Dunlop 208GP A rear tire and after a couple of small adjustments in practice we found the bike was superb in the race!” He won the BOTT Middleweight race by several seconds from class point leader Richy Headley (Duc 749R) and Bob Setbacken (Duc 748R).

Kopecky also had his first ever event weekend on a new 2005 Ducati 999R he just received from Ducati of Oceanside. “WOW! After reading the Roadracing World review of this bike I can understand why they like it – it’s certainly the best bike I’ve ever ridden.” With the only change from stock being gearing and addition of 17″ superstock-spec race slicks, Kopecky was able to win the BOTT Heavyweight and Formula Twins classes ahead of respective class point leaders John-Mark Arechiga (Apr 1000) and Claudio Szyszkowski (Duc 996).

“I’m truly enjoying riding and racing right now, and it’s always a great thrill to run at a fast track like Willow Springs. Our goal in to be in top form for 2005 and we feel great with the progress made this weekend.”


More On This Weekend’s Australian Superbike Races

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From a press release issued by Nikon Yamaha:

Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team Shines in the Queensland Sun

It was a glorious weekend for the Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team at the sixth round of the 2004 Shell Advance Australian Superbike Championship at Queensland Raceway, Willowbank, on August 13-15 when the team returned to the winner’s circle recording a dominant one-two finish.

Daniel Stauffer claimed the day after a win and a brace of second places while his teammate, Shannon Johnson, scored a victory and a runner-up place to consolidate his second place in the title. Daniel moved within striking distance of third spot in the championship after the pair’s very impressive performances.


“That is undoubtedly the best result of the year,” delighted Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager, Steve Trinder, said. “We always knew we were capable of dominating a meeting to finish 1-2 but not everything has gone our way this year – that’s racing.

“These results confirm what I have always thought about the Nikon Yamaha Superbike riders; on their day no one can beat either Daniel or Shannon.

“Daniel still isn’t fully 100% fit after his shoulder problems and that makes his performances even more impressive considering the strain this track places on the physical fitness of a rider.

“The confidence I had in signing Shannon to the Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team has been reflected in his performances of late and all I can see is that he is going to get even better as he continues to improve every time he hops on the Nikon Yamaha R1. In his first full year on a Superbike he’s shown that – like Daniel – he has the talent, commitment and will to win a Superbike championship sooner rather than later.

“The 2004 championship may be away from our grasp but this has given us a inspiration for the final round plus an excellent springboard to work on for next year.”

The early signs were positive as Johnson claimed pole position after dominating all the practice and qualifying sessions to claim the extra championship point with a sub lap-record time. Stauffer was third fastest, also bettering the record.

The times were all the more remarkable considering the gale force winds that lashed the circuit during Saturday’s critical qualifying sessions. Also both riders were struck by viruses in the lead-up to the event; Shannon a severe dose of the ‘flu and Daniel was critically dehydrated.

In the opening race it was the two blue Nikon Yamaha YZF-R1’s that launched off the line in the lead and the pair were never headed.

Stauffer led his teammate, the duo were never more than a bike length apart as they used all their guile to out muscle each other and proved again that there is no such thing as teammates when the race starts.

It was a majestic sight for the team to see the pair so dominant at the front. The opposition had no answer to the pace they set as they led the rest of the field home with a gap of nearly three seconds as Daniel claimed his fourth win of the season with Shannon right behind.

The second leg appeared to be a carbon copy of the first as the Nikon rockets headed into the lead Daniel again just shading his teammate for the first four laps before Shannon muscled his way through.

Their rivals had done some homework between races as the Suzuki’s of Damien Cudlin and Shawn Giles also joined the fray.

Cudlin had gained the lead over Shannon and Daniel but it was all to come unstuck a few laps later.

Heading into the tight Turn Three hairpin, Johnson and Cudlin were millimetres apart arguing the lead but it was too close as they made contact and both hit the deck, sliding off the track into the sand pit.

Daniel was very close to the dust-up and was extremely fortunate not to become involved in the melee. The incident baulked Daniel slightly allowing his rival, Giles, to take the lead.

Although Stauffer closed the gap there wasn’t enough laps left to reclaim the lead but second place aided his points tally.

The third and final leg was a bottler as the pair had a supreme duel as again the earlier incident steeling Johnson for a more enthusiastic onslaught.

The opposition had no answer to the flying Nikon Yamaha duo and the team was never headed at the front of the field, leading from start to finish.

Again Stauffer claimed the lead into the first corner but the pair were that close it looked like there was only one Yamaha as Shannon remained glued to his teammate’s rear wheel.

Daniel appeared to have the race in his keeping but Shannon had been biding his time stalking his teammate hoping for a mistake.

The mistake didn’t occur but in the very last corner Johnson pulled off a determined, yet calculated, passing move to take the lead and win the drag to the line to compensate somewhat for the disappointment of his earlier crash.

It was also a memorable day for the Nikon Yamaha Factory Race Team in the hotly contested 600cc Supersport class when Brendan Clarke put his wretched season behind him to claimed third overall on the day.

Pipped by a whisker for a front row starting position Brendan battled through from each start to claim a second place in the opening leg and backed it up with a seventh and a fourth in the remaining two legs.

Unfortunately, the entire meeting was overshadowed by the tragic accident that claimed the life of veteran rider and 1995 Australian Superbike Champion, Kirk McCarthy, after a crash on the opening lap of the final Supersport race.

In closing the Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team wishes to extend its deepest sympathies and condolences to Kirk’s family and many friends.

Kirk was a true champion both on and off the track and one of the real characters of the sport. He will be sadly missed

2004 Shell Advance Australian Superbike Championships after six (of seven) rounds:

1 A Fergusson (Honda) 326pts; 2 Shannon Johnson (Nikon Yamaha YZF-R1) 250; 3 S Giles (Suzuki) 242; 4 Daniel Stauffer (Nikon Yamaha YZF-R1) 215; 5 J Stauffer (Kawasaki) 175.

The next meeting for the Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team is at the final round of the 2004 Shell Advance Australian Superbike Championships at Philip Island, September 11-13.














Michael Jordan Talks With SPEED Channel About Involvement In AMA Road Racing

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From a press release issued by SPEED Channel:

NBA LEGEND MICHAEL JORDAN’S MOTORCYCLE school experience to AIR ON SPEED CHANNEL’S 2 WHEEL TUESDAY

former hoops star committed to TEAM OWNERSHIP future in ama racing

SPEED Channel cameras were on hand this week as former NBA great Michael Jordan was a special guest at Jason Pridmore’s STAR Motorcycle School on the Gingerman Raceway road course in South Haven, Mich. Jordan sponsors AMA road racer and Chicago riding buddy Montez Stewart through his Jumpman23.com brand.

Coverage of Jordan’s training, which includes interviews with Jordan, Stewart and Pridmore, the 2002 Formula Xtreme Champ, 1997 AMA 750 SuperSport champion and a veteran instructor, will air on SPEED Channel’s 2 Wheel Tuesday on Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. ET.

In the interview, Jordan talks with 2 Wheel Tuesday host Greg White about riding motorcycles as a child, his desire to improve as a rider and his future as a team owner in the AMA.

“I came in this year in an experimental stage, just to see how people would respond,” Jordan explained to SPEED Channel. “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. … Every time I go to the race, I have a ball, so I look to be around for awhile.”

Pridmore’s STAR school is a traveling program that teaches cornering and steering techniques, concentration and mental preparation, as well as basic suspension and mental preparation — all aimed at giving the rider added confidence and control.

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 than 67 million homes in North America, SPEED Channel is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country and the home to NASCAR TV.

Lavilla, Pitt To Ride In Czech Grand Prix

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From a press release issued by the FIM:

Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix
Czech Grand Prix: wild-card riders

The wild-card riders who will race in the Czech Grand Prix, scheduled on the circuit of Brno on August 22 next, are the following:

Start number, Rider/Pilote, Team, Nominating organization:
125cc class –

20, Georg Fröhlich (GER-Honda) ADAC Honda Team, FIM

35, Vaclav Bittman (CZE-Honda) Elit Grand Prix, ACCR

87, Patrik Vostarek (CZE-Honda) OMV Team Hanusch, ACCR

88, Michael Ranseder (AUT-KTM) Red Bull KTM Junior Team, FIM

89, Tomoyoshi Koyama (JPN-Yamaha) SP Tadao Racing Team, ACCR


250cc class –

42, Gregory Leblanc (FRA-Aprilia) Leblanc Racing Team, FIM

68, Michal Filla (CZE-Yamaha) Sramec Racing Promotion, ACCR

69, Jiri Mrkyvka (CZE-Aprilia) Mrkyvka Racing Team, ACCR

70, Valerio Anghetti (ITA-Aprilia) Team Campetella, ACCR

71, Henk van de Lagemaat (NED-Aprilia) De Arend – Filard Racing, FIM


MotoGP class –

32, Gregorio Lavilla (SPA-Suzuki) Suzuki MotoGP, MSMA

88, Andrew Pitt (AUS-Moriwaki) Moriwaki Racing, FIM-Dorna

Rossi Predicts ‘Great’ Second Half Of MotoGP Season

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From a press release issued by Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha:

GAULOISES FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM PREVIEW

Gauloises Czech Grand Prix

Brno, Czech Republic

August 20, 21, 22 2004

CZECH DATE FOR GAULOISES FORTUNA YAMAHA RIDERS

The 16-round MotoGP World Championship prepares to recommence after a three week summer interval, reconvening in Brno on August 22. The Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team approaches its latest challenge in far better shape than the majority of its rivals, after some outstanding individual and team performances since the start of the season in April.

World number one Valentino Rossi has displayed dazzling winning form in his first Yamaha year. His five 2004 victories thus far are as impressive as they were somewhat unexpected at this early stage of the new partnership. The upshot of the 25-year-old’s points gathering performances, and the ever increasing capabilities of the Yamaha YZR-M1, is a 22-point lead over their closest competitors in the Riders’ Championship.

Carlos Checa, the Fortuna-branded rider in Yamaha’s cosmopolitan factory squad, has experienced an up and down season so far, his pinnacle performance was second at Le Mans in round three. He, like Rossi, is a big fan of the high-speed turns and committed downhill corner entries of the Brno track, a point which gives all involved a high degree of confidence at what is a Gauloises sponsored event.

Rossi’s blue M1, as well as an on-track points gatherer, scooped an award from a spectator survey conducted at the Donington MotoGP weekend from British biking weekly Motor Cycle News (MCN). The bike was voted best designed machine of 2004, while the factory team was blessed with the accolade of favourite team in the paddock, proof of the overall prowess and high profile of the Yamaha factory effort.

Surfing high on the wave of Rossi’s latest crushing triumph at the Donington Grand Prix three weeks ago, the team nonetheless continued its relentless pace of development by staying in situ to test one day later. The aim to solve some set-up issues which had appeared on occasion this year was achieved. After this successful one-day test the team has enjoyed its longest break since the start of 2004, recharging batteries in readiness for the final gruelling segment of the season.

ROSSI REFRESHED AND DETERMINED

Out to repeat his perfect performance of race victory, fastest qualifying time and lap record in last year’s Brno event, Rossi knows he will have to labour hard in qualifying to repeat his 2003 success story.

“I made a beautiful race in Brno last year,” said the Italian. “It’s not necessarily my favourite circuit and I really don’t know how the M1 will go there as it’s so diverse; high speed but still with many turns, up and downhill sections, adverse cambers, et cetera. Anyway, Checa was good there last year and Yamaha is very fast there traditionally.”

Rossi knows he has to keep the pressure on his opponents at this vital part of the season. “Although I’m leading the championship it’s not by enough points to feel safe yet, every point from now on is crucial if we are to think about being in a position to win the championship. The win in Donington before the summer break was magic but there were still some problems and room for improvement. We made some good progress in the one-day test after Donington, where we tested new front fork settings and engine mapping. The stability felt better and it was a worthwhile day – but we still have a way to go.”

Rossi acknowledges that it is not only himself he has to consider at Brno. “This year has so far been a real surprise and we have made remarkable progress. But Honda have made a lot of progress at the same time, and Sete and Max are stronger now than ever. I know that Yamaha will have been working non-stop through the summer break to make even more improvements, so let’s see what happens in Brno. The riders have had three weeks off so everyone should be revitalized. It’s certainly going to be a great second half of the season, perhaps with even better battles than there have been in the first half.”

CHECA SETS TOP FIVE CZECH TARGET

A positive feeling from the previous Donington race has made the mid-season break a simplified affair for Checa.

“After Donington I asked my mechanics not to change too much on the bike for Brno,” explained Checa, who finished sixth at the British Grand Prix three weeks ago. “I was really happy with the package we had in Donington and the bike was working well. The set-up and tyres felt good and I was able to ride the bike on the limit; hopefully this will continue in Brno. For the second half of the season I want to be consistently in the top five; this is my target and the target of the whole team, and we believe we can do it. I would like us to start like this in Brno.”

“Every year we joke about this race being another ‘home’ Grand Prix for me after the Spanish and British races because it is in the ‘Republica Checa!’ It’s a fantastic track, definitely one of the best we race at. It’s safe, fast, wide and long with a good racing line, plus the facilities in the paddock are excellent. Although we may need a little bit more power there I think that it could be one of the best tracks for Yamaha this season. It’s always a pleasure to race in Brno and I am looking forward to getting back into the action after the summer break.”

DAVIDE BRIVIO – TEAM DIRECTOR

The man charged with overseeing all aspects of the Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha team’s progress, Davide Brivio, realises that nothing can be taken for granted in the Czech race, despite some excellent showings for his bikes and riders recently.

“In the past, especially in the two-stroke times, Brno was very good for Yamaha,” said Brivio. “We also won the race with Max and the four-stroke M1 in 2002, while last year Carlos was running in the top group. The bike suits Brno but this year we have never been very good at circuits where Yamahas are supposed to be good! Having said that, of course it seems like both riders like the track and we can go there looking forward to some good results.”

Given the closer than ever high levels of competition of riders and manufacturers in the 2004 MotoGP class, Brivio is glad that the most recent Donington one-day test delivered such favourable results.

“Our recent Donington session was very useful; something we had to undertake to make order out of some of the machine’s settings. Really, to make more options available. It was almost a full day making experiments and checks. It could be particularly useful if we find ourselves at some circuits with set-up problems and have to make a decision quickly.”

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING

Few circuit locations are as historic as that of Brno. The ‘new’ circuit is encircled by the tendrils of the various ‘real’ road layouts that made up the various Czech Grand Prix venues of yesteryear. Only closed in 1982, the old track was replaced in 1987 by what is basically the current incarnation, subtly altered in 1996 to measure 5.403km in length.

The Brno circuit no longer boasts cobblestone sections, but as contemporary MotoGP circuits go, it is one of the best and most atmospheric, wending its way first down a hillside, dropping 73 metres from the highest point, before providing a power-sapping climb back up to the start/finish line.

Rossi was the first rider under the two-minute barrier in a Brno race situation last year, making the most of the undulating nature of the track on his Honda. Brno has nonetheless been a good circuit for Yamaha riders in the past, and priority number one will be to dial the YZR-M1 in for the seemingly never ending succession of fast chicanes, interspersed with similar radius medium speed corners.

Ultra-slow chicanes and their need for heavy braking loads are conspicuously absent at Brno. However there is still a heavier use of front tyre side grip than usual, due to all the downhill corner entries, with the bike on its side while negotiating negative cambers many times per lap.

One of the less technically demanding tracks on the calendar, the one crucial feature of the chassis set-up at the Czech venue is to have a good turn-in performance to make light work of the propensity of relatively high speed chicanes.

Falling within the traditional Italian August holiday period, local support from the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany is generally boosted in Brno by the legion of travelling Rossi, Melandri, Biaggi and Capirossi fans that colour the hillsides. Invariably, the most numerous and raucous will be those in the blue and yellow of Valentino Rossi.

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: 133 (41 x MotoGP, 32 x 500cc, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc)

Pole positions: 34

Brno 2003 results (Honda): Grid: 1st, 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: 161 (41 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)

Brno 2003 results (Yamaha): Grid: 5th, Race: 4th



Brno MotoGP lap record – Valentino Rossi (Honda): 1:59.966 (2003)

Circuit best lap – Valentino Rossi (Honda): 1:58.740 (2003)

Pro Italia Motorcycle Show Scheduled For This Wednesday In Glendale, California

From a press release issued by Pro Italia:

Pro Italia invites you our 10th annual Italian motorcycle show, Cafe Desmo.

Glendale, CA – Pro Italia, one of the nation’s top dealers of exotic Italian motorcycles, is pleased to invite you to Cafe Desmo, our annual Italian motorcycle show, Wednesday night, August 18th from 5:30pm – 8:30pm.

A summer tradition here at the foot of the San Gabriel mountains, Cafe Desmo gives our customers a chance to show off their beautiful machines as well as share their enthusiasm for Italian motorcycles with others. The collection of bikes will be wide and varied as all makes, manners and years are welcome; from rare timeless classics to wildly custom displays of style and from daily workhorses to the latest polished ride just purchased that afternoon.

Entry is free. There will be classes for classic and modern bikes as well as lots of awards (will you be the furthest travelled this year?) Pro Italia will also be featuring special pricing on selected parts and apparel for this night only.

We feel Italian motorcycles are the most stirring and exciting made today. We cordially invite you to attended Cafe Desmo to see some of these machines from today as well as years past and feel the enthusiasm they generate.

Pro Italia
3319 N Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91208
818 249-5707
818 249-3402
[email protected]
http://proitalia.com/

Pridmore To Ride In Jordan Colors At Road Atlanta, VIR

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Jason Pridmore will be sponsored by Michael Jordan Motorsports and will carry Jumpman and Michael Jordan Motorsports logos on his Suzukis during upcoming AMA National weekends at Road Atlanta and VIR.

Pascal Picotte has been running Jumpman and Michael Jordan Motorsports logos on his Canadian race machines since he substituted for injured Montez Stewart at Road America in June. But Pridmore–who has been golfing with Jordan several times and recently hosted the basketball icon during a televised session of his STAR riding school at Gingerman Raceway–has the inside line on picking up 2005 season sponsorship from Jordan. Jordan’s team hopes to campaign a works Suzuki Superbike in Jumpman colors.

Pridmore has also been working with the team as a rider coach for Montez Stewart, team owner and manager James Casmay, Jordan and other team affiliates, making time available at the STAR Schools in Colorado, Elkhart Lake, and Gingerman. Private instruction in the classroom and on the track has been included in the sessions.

Casmay recently requested an upgrade of his CCS race license from Amateur to Expert status, after winning several regional races earlier in the season. He finished fourth in his first Expert class race, at Gingerman on the weekend of August 1st.

Montez Stewart, a personal friend of Jordan, will continue to campaign the team’s Yamahas at Road Atlanta and VIR.

The Shop That Builds Brian Kcraget’s 250cc Grand Prix Racebike Expands

From a press release issued by SpeedWerks:

SpeedWerks Expands Shop and Services for its Customers

Dover, DE, August 16, 2004 – SpeedWerks has expanded its shop space to better service its customers and provide additional space to house a shipping and receiving department for their new online store (launching soon). SpeedWerks, located in Dover, DE, in business for almost ten years, has built over 50 championship winning race bikes and has customers who race WERA, CCS, FUSA, and USGPRU, to name a few.

The shop, formerly 2,600 square feet of flex space, has been upgraded with an additional 1,300 square feet—bringing their shop space to almost 4,000 square feet. Adding more space has allowed for a reorganization of the shop’s internal structure, providing more room to add additional services for its customers.

Over the past ten years, SpeedWerks has primarily focused on road racing and street riders, but a growing market in drag bikes, American motorcycles, and bike repairs has prompted the shop to expand its services. SpeedWerks now has a separate area for its dyno, machining and welding services, and American motorcycle mechanic, in addition to the already allocated space for suspension tuning and their current mechanics.

To assist customers with keeping crash repair costs at a minimum, SpeedWerks’ has added a machinist to their extensive list of offerings to provide repairs on items riders may have normally just replaced. Pipe welding and repair, sub-frame and frame repair, and custom-built sub-frame extenders are just a few of services offered. Additionally, with the growing number of American motorcycle riders looking to SpeedWerks as the reputable shop in the area to perform general maintenance and custom work, they have brought aboard an additional mechanic, specializing in these bikes.

The shop expansion has also increased the retail and customer area that showcases products and their favorite race bikes, a Suzuka 8 hour 2-player motorcycle game, and a lounging area for watching motorcycle racing while perusing catalogs and photos from previous SpeedWerks Race Team racing events.

About SpeedWerks – SpeedWerks is an independently owned and operated shop located in Dover, DE, servicing all makes and models of road race, drag, street bikes and cruisers. In business for almost ten year, SpeedWerks has built championship winning racebikes for its customers to compete in WERA, CCS, USGPRU, and FUSA, and the SpeedWerks Racing Team holds numerous championships for themselves, as well. In addition to servicing bikes, SpeedWerks sells apparel, helmets, parts and accessories and more on their website www.SpeedWerks.com. The shop can be reached at 302.672.RACE.

Jimmy Moore Ready For AMA Comeback At Road Atlanta

From a press release issued by Proforma:

JIMMY MOORE READY FOR ROAD ATLANTA



Two-time AMA Superstock champion Jimmy Moore is ready for his return to the 2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbikes Series at the upcoming round at Road Atlanta, September 3-5, 2004. Jimmy started the 2004 season as teammate to Jason Pridmore on the No Limit Motorsport Suzuki team, but Jimmy re-injured the same arm he broke at Brainerd in 2003 in a near-crash at California Speedway in April. Following successful surgery by Dr. Art Ting, Jimmy has been rehabilitating his arm in anticipation of his return at Road Atlanta. With the financial woes of the No Limit Motorsports team, Jimmy is joining forces with the Corona Extra Suzuki team, with whom he won back-to-back AMA Superstock championships with in 2001 and 2002.

“I’m ready to go right now,” said Jimmy from his home in Eugene, Oregon. “I just did a OMRRA (Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association) race last weekend on my GSX-R750, and it went really, really well. I got two laps of practice on Sunday, did the heat races, and ended up winning the 750 Supersport race. I did some set-up on the bike, and went faster everytime I got on the track. The arm is not an issue, I didn’t even think about it all weekend. I’ve got a couple of track days coming up before Atlanta, and I’ll keep riding my bicycle and dirt bikes and going to the gym.”

Arclight Suzuki’s Myers Wins Mini-bike Championship In California

From a press release issued by Matt Myers:

Arclight Suzuki’s Elena Myers wraps up mini amateur GP title.

Stockton California – Under partly cloudy skies with temps in the low 90’s, Arclight Suzuki rider Elena Myers became the youngest female road racer in American history to win the coveted and generally fastest, “Premiere 80GP Expert class”.

In only her first year of full time road racing, 10 year old Elena, who had won the last three 80 GP road races held at the Stockton Motorplex Park, (Home of the SMRRC) wasted no time in securing yet another convincing main event win to assure her of the championship with one round of the series still remaining. Riding her Suzuki RM 85 converted into a road racer, Elena found the chassis and set up of her bike to work just fine even though most of her competitors race chassis bikes or converted Honda RS125/80’s. When asked by the SMRRC race director, “What do you think of all this?”

Elena responded, “It’s been a great first season and I have gained a lot of experience and had an awesome time. I have met and raced against a lot of fast people, grown-ups and kids my age. I can’t wait til next year”!

A Big Day For Kenny, Or, Something From This Weekend’s WSMC Race At Willow Springs

From a press release issued by Kenny Kopecky:

Continuing to learn and adapt to riding Ducati motorcycles, long-time Willow Springs racer Kenny Kopecky won all three Twins based classes at the monthly WSMC road race meet in Rosamond on Sunday.

“The weather was ideal on Sunday morning and we were able to run significantly faster then the our first two months on the 749R” said Kopecky. “We had a wonderful opportunity this weekend to run a new construction of the Dunlop 208GP A rear tire and after a couple of small adjustments in practice we found the bike was superb in the race!” He won the BOTT Middleweight race by several seconds from class point leader Richy Headley (Duc 749R) and Bob Setbacken (Duc 748R).

Kopecky also had his first ever event weekend on a new 2005 Ducati 999R he just received from Ducati of Oceanside. “WOW! After reading the Roadracing World review of this bike I can understand why they like it – it’s certainly the best bike I’ve ever ridden.” With the only change from stock being gearing and addition of 17″ superstock-spec race slicks, Kopecky was able to win the BOTT Heavyweight and Formula Twins classes ahead of respective class point leaders John-Mark Arechiga (Apr 1000) and Claudio Szyszkowski (Duc 996).

“I’m truly enjoying riding and racing right now, and it’s always a great thrill to run at a fast track like Willow Springs. Our goal in to be in top form for 2005 and we feel great with the progress made this weekend.”


More On This Weekend’s Australian Superbike Races

From a press release issued by Nikon Yamaha:

Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team Shines in the Queensland Sun

It was a glorious weekend for the Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team at the sixth round of the 2004 Shell Advance Australian Superbike Championship at Queensland Raceway, Willowbank, on August 13-15 when the team returned to the winner’s circle recording a dominant one-two finish.

Daniel Stauffer claimed the day after a win and a brace of second places while his teammate, Shannon Johnson, scored a victory and a runner-up place to consolidate his second place in the title. Daniel moved within striking distance of third spot in the championship after the pair’s very impressive performances.


“That is undoubtedly the best result of the year,” delighted Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager, Steve Trinder, said. “We always knew we were capable of dominating a meeting to finish 1-2 but not everything has gone our way this year – that’s racing.

“These results confirm what I have always thought about the Nikon Yamaha Superbike riders; on their day no one can beat either Daniel or Shannon.

“Daniel still isn’t fully 100% fit after his shoulder problems and that makes his performances even more impressive considering the strain this track places on the physical fitness of a rider.

“The confidence I had in signing Shannon to the Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team has been reflected in his performances of late and all I can see is that he is going to get even better as he continues to improve every time he hops on the Nikon Yamaha R1. In his first full year on a Superbike he’s shown that – like Daniel – he has the talent, commitment and will to win a Superbike championship sooner rather than later.

“The 2004 championship may be away from our grasp but this has given us a inspiration for the final round plus an excellent springboard to work on for next year.”

The early signs were positive as Johnson claimed pole position after dominating all the practice and qualifying sessions to claim the extra championship point with a sub lap-record time. Stauffer was third fastest, also bettering the record.

The times were all the more remarkable considering the gale force winds that lashed the circuit during Saturday’s critical qualifying sessions. Also both riders were struck by viruses in the lead-up to the event; Shannon a severe dose of the ‘flu and Daniel was critically dehydrated.

In the opening race it was the two blue Nikon Yamaha YZF-R1’s that launched off the line in the lead and the pair were never headed.

Stauffer led his teammate, the duo were never more than a bike length apart as they used all their guile to out muscle each other and proved again that there is no such thing as teammates when the race starts.

It was a majestic sight for the team to see the pair so dominant at the front. The opposition had no answer to the pace they set as they led the rest of the field home with a gap of nearly three seconds as Daniel claimed his fourth win of the season with Shannon right behind.

The second leg appeared to be a carbon copy of the first as the Nikon rockets headed into the lead Daniel again just shading his teammate for the first four laps before Shannon muscled his way through.

Their rivals had done some homework between races as the Suzuki’s of Damien Cudlin and Shawn Giles also joined the fray.

Cudlin had gained the lead over Shannon and Daniel but it was all to come unstuck a few laps later.

Heading into the tight Turn Three hairpin, Johnson and Cudlin were millimetres apart arguing the lead but it was too close as they made contact and both hit the deck, sliding off the track into the sand pit.

Daniel was very close to the dust-up and was extremely fortunate not to become involved in the melee. The incident baulked Daniel slightly allowing his rival, Giles, to take the lead.

Although Stauffer closed the gap there wasn’t enough laps left to reclaim the lead but second place aided his points tally.

The third and final leg was a bottler as the pair had a supreme duel as again the earlier incident steeling Johnson for a more enthusiastic onslaught.

The opposition had no answer to the flying Nikon Yamaha duo and the team was never headed at the front of the field, leading from start to finish.

Again Stauffer claimed the lead into the first corner but the pair were that close it looked like there was only one Yamaha as Shannon remained glued to his teammate’s rear wheel.

Daniel appeared to have the race in his keeping but Shannon had been biding his time stalking his teammate hoping for a mistake.

The mistake didn’t occur but in the very last corner Johnson pulled off a determined, yet calculated, passing move to take the lead and win the drag to the line to compensate somewhat for the disappointment of his earlier crash.

It was also a memorable day for the Nikon Yamaha Factory Race Team in the hotly contested 600cc Supersport class when Brendan Clarke put his wretched season behind him to claimed third overall on the day.

Pipped by a whisker for a front row starting position Brendan battled through from each start to claim a second place in the opening leg and backed it up with a seventh and a fourth in the remaining two legs.

Unfortunately, the entire meeting was overshadowed by the tragic accident that claimed the life of veteran rider and 1995 Australian Superbike Champion, Kirk McCarthy, after a crash on the opening lap of the final Supersport race.

In closing the Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team wishes to extend its deepest sympathies and condolences to Kirk’s family and many friends.

Kirk was a true champion both on and off the track and one of the real characters of the sport. He will be sadly missed

2004 Shell Advance Australian Superbike Championships after six (of seven) rounds:

1 A Fergusson (Honda) 326pts; 2 Shannon Johnson (Nikon Yamaha YZF-R1) 250; 3 S Giles (Suzuki) 242; 4 Daniel Stauffer (Nikon Yamaha YZF-R1) 215; 5 J Stauffer (Kawasaki) 175.

The next meeting for the Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team is at the final round of the 2004 Shell Advance Australian Superbike Championships at Philip Island, September 11-13.














Michael Jordan Talks With SPEED Channel About Involvement In AMA Road Racing

From a press release issued by SPEED Channel:

NBA LEGEND MICHAEL JORDAN’S MOTORCYCLE school experience to AIR ON SPEED CHANNEL’S 2 WHEEL TUESDAY

former hoops star committed to TEAM OWNERSHIP future in ama racing

SPEED Channel cameras were on hand this week as former NBA great Michael Jordan was a special guest at Jason Pridmore’s STAR Motorcycle School on the Gingerman Raceway road course in South Haven, Mich. Jordan sponsors AMA road racer and Chicago riding buddy Montez Stewart through his Jumpman23.com brand.

Coverage of Jordan’s training, which includes interviews with Jordan, Stewart and Pridmore, the 2002 Formula Xtreme Champ, 1997 AMA 750 SuperSport champion and a veteran instructor, will air on SPEED Channel’s 2 Wheel Tuesday on Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. ET.

In the interview, Jordan talks with 2 Wheel Tuesday host Greg White about riding motorcycles as a child, his desire to improve as a rider and his future as a team owner in the AMA.

“I came in this year in an experimental stage, just to see how people would respond,” Jordan explained to SPEED Channel. “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. … Every time I go to the race, I have a ball, so I look to be around for awhile.”

Pridmore’s STAR school is a traveling program that teaches cornering and steering techniques, concentration and mental preparation, as well as basic suspension and mental preparation — all aimed at giving the rider added confidence and control.

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 than 67 million homes in North America, SPEED Channel is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country and the home to NASCAR TV.

Lavilla, Pitt To Ride In Czech Grand Prix

From a press release issued by the FIM:

Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix
Czech Grand Prix: wild-card riders

The wild-card riders who will race in the Czech Grand Prix, scheduled on the circuit of Brno on August 22 next, are the following:

Start number, Rider/Pilote, Team, Nominating organization:
125cc class –

20, Georg Fröhlich (GER-Honda) ADAC Honda Team, FIM

35, Vaclav Bittman (CZE-Honda) Elit Grand Prix, ACCR

87, Patrik Vostarek (CZE-Honda) OMV Team Hanusch, ACCR

88, Michael Ranseder (AUT-KTM) Red Bull KTM Junior Team, FIM

89, Tomoyoshi Koyama (JPN-Yamaha) SP Tadao Racing Team, ACCR


250cc class –

42, Gregory Leblanc (FRA-Aprilia) Leblanc Racing Team, FIM

68, Michal Filla (CZE-Yamaha) Sramec Racing Promotion, ACCR

69, Jiri Mrkyvka (CZE-Aprilia) Mrkyvka Racing Team, ACCR

70, Valerio Anghetti (ITA-Aprilia) Team Campetella, ACCR

71, Henk van de Lagemaat (NED-Aprilia) De Arend – Filard Racing, FIM


MotoGP class –

32, Gregorio Lavilla (SPA-Suzuki) Suzuki MotoGP, MSMA

88, Andrew Pitt (AUS-Moriwaki) Moriwaki Racing, FIM-Dorna

Rossi Predicts ‘Great’ Second Half Of MotoGP Season

From a press release issued by Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha:

GAULOISES FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM PREVIEW

Gauloises Czech Grand Prix

Brno, Czech Republic

August 20, 21, 22 2004

CZECH DATE FOR GAULOISES FORTUNA YAMAHA RIDERS

The 16-round MotoGP World Championship prepares to recommence after a three week summer interval, reconvening in Brno on August 22. The Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team approaches its latest challenge in far better shape than the majority of its rivals, after some outstanding individual and team performances since the start of the season in April.

World number one Valentino Rossi has displayed dazzling winning form in his first Yamaha year. His five 2004 victories thus far are as impressive as they were somewhat unexpected at this early stage of the new partnership. The upshot of the 25-year-old’s points gathering performances, and the ever increasing capabilities of the Yamaha YZR-M1, is a 22-point lead over their closest competitors in the Riders’ Championship.

Carlos Checa, the Fortuna-branded rider in Yamaha’s cosmopolitan factory squad, has experienced an up and down season so far, his pinnacle performance was second at Le Mans in round three. He, like Rossi, is a big fan of the high-speed turns and committed downhill corner entries of the Brno track, a point which gives all involved a high degree of confidence at what is a Gauloises sponsored event.

Rossi’s blue M1, as well as an on-track points gatherer, scooped an award from a spectator survey conducted at the Donington MotoGP weekend from British biking weekly Motor Cycle News (MCN). The bike was voted best designed machine of 2004, while the factory team was blessed with the accolade of favourite team in the paddock, proof of the overall prowess and high profile of the Yamaha factory effort.

Surfing high on the wave of Rossi’s latest crushing triumph at the Donington Grand Prix three weeks ago, the team nonetheless continued its relentless pace of development by staying in situ to test one day later. The aim to solve some set-up issues which had appeared on occasion this year was achieved. After this successful one-day test the team has enjoyed its longest break since the start of 2004, recharging batteries in readiness for the final gruelling segment of the season.

ROSSI REFRESHED AND DETERMINED

Out to repeat his perfect performance of race victory, fastest qualifying time and lap record in last year’s Brno event, Rossi knows he will have to labour hard in qualifying to repeat his 2003 success story.

“I made a beautiful race in Brno last year,” said the Italian. “It’s not necessarily my favourite circuit and I really don’t know how the M1 will go there as it’s so diverse; high speed but still with many turns, up and downhill sections, adverse cambers, et cetera. Anyway, Checa was good there last year and Yamaha is very fast there traditionally.”

Rossi knows he has to keep the pressure on his opponents at this vital part of the season. “Although I’m leading the championship it’s not by enough points to feel safe yet, every point from now on is crucial if we are to think about being in a position to win the championship. The win in Donington before the summer break was magic but there were still some problems and room for improvement. We made some good progress in the one-day test after Donington, where we tested new front fork settings and engine mapping. The stability felt better and it was a worthwhile day – but we still have a way to go.”

Rossi acknowledges that it is not only himself he has to consider at Brno. “This year has so far been a real surprise and we have made remarkable progress. But Honda have made a lot of progress at the same time, and Sete and Max are stronger now than ever. I know that Yamaha will have been working non-stop through the summer break to make even more improvements, so let’s see what happens in Brno. The riders have had three weeks off so everyone should be revitalized. It’s certainly going to be a great second half of the season, perhaps with even better battles than there have been in the first half.”

CHECA SETS TOP FIVE CZECH TARGET

A positive feeling from the previous Donington race has made the mid-season break a simplified affair for Checa.

“After Donington I asked my mechanics not to change too much on the bike for Brno,” explained Checa, who finished sixth at the British Grand Prix three weeks ago. “I was really happy with the package we had in Donington and the bike was working well. The set-up and tyres felt good and I was able to ride the bike on the limit; hopefully this will continue in Brno. For the second half of the season I want to be consistently in the top five; this is my target and the target of the whole team, and we believe we can do it. I would like us to start like this in Brno.”

“Every year we joke about this race being another ‘home’ Grand Prix for me after the Spanish and British races because it is in the ‘Republica Checa!’ It’s a fantastic track, definitely one of the best we race at. It’s safe, fast, wide and long with a good racing line, plus the facilities in the paddock are excellent. Although we may need a little bit more power there I think that it could be one of the best tracks for Yamaha this season. It’s always a pleasure to race in Brno and I am looking forward to getting back into the action after the summer break.”

DAVIDE BRIVIO – TEAM DIRECTOR

The man charged with overseeing all aspects of the Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha team’s progress, Davide Brivio, realises that nothing can be taken for granted in the Czech race, despite some excellent showings for his bikes and riders recently.

“In the past, especially in the two-stroke times, Brno was very good for Yamaha,” said Brivio. “We also won the race with Max and the four-stroke M1 in 2002, while last year Carlos was running in the top group. The bike suits Brno but this year we have never been very good at circuits where Yamahas are supposed to be good! Having said that, of course it seems like both riders like the track and we can go there looking forward to some good results.”

Given the closer than ever high levels of competition of riders and manufacturers in the 2004 MotoGP class, Brivio is glad that the most recent Donington one-day test delivered such favourable results.

“Our recent Donington session was very useful; something we had to undertake to make order out of some of the machine’s settings. Really, to make more options available. It was almost a full day making experiments and checks. It could be particularly useful if we find ourselves at some circuits with set-up problems and have to make a decision quickly.”

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING

Few circuit locations are as historic as that of Brno. The ‘new’ circuit is encircled by the tendrils of the various ‘real’ road layouts that made up the various Czech Grand Prix venues of yesteryear. Only closed in 1982, the old track was replaced in 1987 by what is basically the current incarnation, subtly altered in 1996 to measure 5.403km in length.

The Brno circuit no longer boasts cobblestone sections, but as contemporary MotoGP circuits go, it is one of the best and most atmospheric, wending its way first down a hillside, dropping 73 metres from the highest point, before providing a power-sapping climb back up to the start/finish line.

Rossi was the first rider under the two-minute barrier in a Brno race situation last year, making the most of the undulating nature of the track on his Honda. Brno has nonetheless been a good circuit for Yamaha riders in the past, and priority number one will be to dial the YZR-M1 in for the seemingly never ending succession of fast chicanes, interspersed with similar radius medium speed corners.

Ultra-slow chicanes and their need for heavy braking loads are conspicuously absent at Brno. However there is still a heavier use of front tyre side grip than usual, due to all the downhill corner entries, with the bike on its side while negotiating negative cambers many times per lap.

One of the less technically demanding tracks on the calendar, the one crucial feature of the chassis set-up at the Czech venue is to have a good turn-in performance to make light work of the propensity of relatively high speed chicanes.

Falling within the traditional Italian August holiday period, local support from the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany is generally boosted in Brno by the legion of travelling Rossi, Melandri, Biaggi and Capirossi fans that colour the hillsides. Invariably, the most numerous and raucous will be those in the blue and yellow of Valentino Rossi.

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: 133 (41 x MotoGP, 32 x 500cc, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc)

Pole positions: 34

Brno 2003 results (Honda): Grid: 1st, 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: 161 (41 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)

Brno 2003 results (Yamaha): Grid: 5th, Race: 4th



Brno MotoGP lap record – Valentino Rossi (Honda): 1:59.966 (2003)

Circuit best lap – Valentino Rossi (Honda): 1:58.740 (2003)

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