From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON OFFERS FOUR NEW MODELS FOR 2005

Brighter Headlights and Optional Original-Equipment Wheels Introduced

MILWAUKEE (July 15, 2004) – Harley-Davidson broadens its Sportster, Dyna Glide and Softail motorcycle lines with the introduction of four new models for 2005. Eleven new color options and improved headlight technology are among product enhancements offered for the Motor Company’s 2005 model year.

“This is an exciting model year,” said Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson director of marketing, motorcycle product development. “With four new models and a host of updates, Harley-Davidson’s 2005 models demonstrate the company’s continued leadership in factory custom styling.”

The soul of Harley-Davidson runs deeper than paint and chrome, and every 2005 model carries that unique strain of motorcycle DNA that’s unmistakably, positively Harley-Davidson. It’s a look and sound and just-right feeling that simply can’t be duplicated.

Highlights of the 2005 Harley-Davidson line include:

Two bold new Softail models bolster Harley-Davidson’s leadership position in the execution of factory custom styling. The FLSTN/I Softail Deluxe and FLSTSC/I Softail Springer Classic both incorporate a host of nostalgic styling cues that blend seamlessly with the acclaimed modern performance and comfort of the Harley-Davidson Softail platform.

The Dyna Glide family grows to five models with the introduction of the sparkling new FXDC/I Super Glide Custom.

The new XL Sportster 883L features a lower seat height and adjusted ergonomics designed to fit a wide range of riders and to make it easier to lift off its sidestand. All 2005 Sportster models have a new swingarm and larger diameter rear axle.

A new vented lower fairing allows riders to adjust airflow for flexible comfort on the FLHTCUI Ultra Classic Electra Glide.

VRSC V-Rod models get more color options for 2005. The VRSCB will be available in five colors, while the VRSCA model will be offered in nine color choices, including four two-tone paint combinations

A number of Softail, Touring, Dyna Glide and Sportster models are available with a sleek new chrome aluminum Profile Laced wheel as an original-equipment option. Refer to the chrome aluminum Profile Laced wheel chart for model availability details.

A new dipstick design for all Softail models makes it possible to check the oil level with the motorcycle on its sidestand.

Harley-Davidson will introduce 11 new paint combinations for 2005, including three new solid colors, two new Sunglo Pearl colors, and 6 new two-tone and three-tone combinations. Eleven of the 2005 models will also feature new tank badges or decals.

Finally, all 2005 Harley-Davidson models are equipped with new clear-lens, reflector-optics headlights that offer increased lighting intensity and an enhanced light beam pattern. A small Bar & Shield cloisonné affixed to the lens of every new headlight places Harley-Davidson out front for 2005.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight street, custom and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport motorcycles in addition to motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs to Harley-Davidson/Buell dealers and customers.

From a press release issued by Buell:

BUELL SET TO DOMINATE THE STREETFIGHTER CATEGORY

Lightning CityX XB9SX and Lightning XB12Scg Broaden Line

EAST TROY, Wis. (July 15, 2004) – Buell Motorcycle Company expands its line of Lightning models for 2005 with the introduction of the Lightning CityX XB9SX (pronounced “Lightning City Cross”), a middleweight urban streetfighter, and the Lightning XB12Scg, a big-bore powerhouse designed to bring Buell Lightning performance and style to riders who prefer a lower center of gravity and seat height.

Back for an encore in 2005 is the Lightning XB12S. The original Lightning XB9S has evolved to become the 2005 Lightning CityX XB9SX.

Flexing American Muscle
The Buell Lightning series offers a unique blend of minimalist, naked styling and the real-world powerband of an American V-Twin engine. The riding position is athletic. Agility is uncompromised. The torque is unreal.

Compact and narrow in profile, the Buell Thunderstorm V-Twin engine is the perfect powerplant for serious street performance. Both the 92hp Thunderstorm 984 and 103hp Thunderstorm 1203 engines are 45-degree air/oil/fan-cooled V-Twins with electronic fuel injection. Both are tuned to put out a mountain of ground-pounding torque and deliver the kind of mid-range acceleration a rider can really use on the street. The Buell Uniplanar engine mounting system reduces vibration to the rider and increases frame rigidity by utilizing the engine as a stressed member of the chassis.

The Lightning is created utilizing the Buell Trilogy of Technology design principles-frame rigidity, mass centralization and minimal unsprung weight. To lower the center of gravity, fuel is carried in the massive aluminum frame, engine oil is carried in the swingarm, and the muffler is located below the engine. The Buell Zero Torsional Load front brake features a single 375mm rotor mounted near the wheel rim, gripped by a six-piston caliper. Because braking forces are transmitted directly from the rim to the rotor, torsional load at the front wheel is virtually eliminated and brake feel and control is enhanced. Reduced torsional load permits the use of a very lightweight cast aluminum front wheel for a significant reduction in unsprung weight and steering inertia.

Buell Lightning models are agile and flickable, thanks to a short 52-inch wheelbase and 21-degree fork angle. Both the rear Showa shock absorber and the new 43mm Showa upside-down fork are adjustable for pre-load, compression and rebound damping to accommodate rider weight and riding style. The Lightning offers an unmistakable style, inspired by the rough-and-tumble world of flat-track racing. Handlebars are wide and aggressive. Dual headlights are mounted below a short flyscreen. The clipped, aluminum tail section covers the meaty, 180mm rear tire with a screened panel.

Buell Lightning CityX XB9SX
A brawny, new black-and-blue urban hooligan, the Lightning CityX XB9SX was designed to rule the city streets with pure attitude. Its wild new see-through Hero Blue Translucid airbox cover and flyscreen put the bike’s mechanical details on display, while Villain Black wheels and Midnight Black lower body panels hide the grime of the city. Handlebar deflectors and a headlight grille send a tough message, while Supermotard-style handlebars and a new Skyline seat put the rider in complete control. The soft-rubber Buell X Guard helps protect the airbox from tankbag scuffing.

Buell Lightning CityX XB9SX features:
Hero Blue Translucid bodywork
Headlight grille
Handlebar deflectors
Buell X Guard airbox protector
Supermotard-style crossbar handlebars
Villain Black wheels, handlebars, handlebar clamp, license plate bracket
Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires
Buell ZTL braking system
Buell Thunderstorm 984 fuel-injected air/oil/fan-cooled V-Twin engine
92 peak hp, 70 ft. lbs. peak torque
Fuel-in-frame, oil-in-swingarm
43mm fully adjustable Showa upside-down fork
Fully adjustable Showa rear shock absorber

Buell Lightning XB12S
A bad-boy streetfighter with irresistible good looks, the Lightning XB12S offers a level of brute V-Twin power and premium technology only offered by Buell. The Thunderstorm 1203 V-Twin engine is equipped with Buell InterActive Exhaust, a valve in the dual-chamber muffler that is controlled by the ECM and adjusts exhaust flow according to riding conditions to smooth torque delivery and optimize engine power. The Lightning XB12S is offered in Racing Red, Midnight Black or new Thrust Blue, with high-gloss Translucent Amber wheels that glow in the sunlight and contrast with a Graphite Gray frame and swingarm. Magnesium-tone cam/clutch cover, a coarse-texture seat cover, and special Amber nose, tail and airbox graphics are standard.

Buell Lightning XB12S features:
Buell Thunderstorm 1203 fuel-injected air/oil/fan-cooled V-Twin engine
103 peak hp, 84 ft. lbs. peak torque
Buell InterActive Exhaust
Smooth drive belt system
Graphite Gray frame and swingarm
Fuel-in-frame, oil-in-swingarm
New 43mm fully adjustable Showa upside-down fork
Fully adjustable Showa rear shock absorber
Buell ZTL front brake system
Translucent Amber wheels
Flat track-style handlebars

Buell Lightning XB12Scg
Fly a little lower aboard the new Lightning XB12Scg. Altered front and rear suspension and a reshaped seat lower the center of gravity and reduce seat height to 28.6 inches – 1.75 inches lower than the standard XB12S. Performance and handling are uncompromised. Offered in Racing Red, Midnight Black or new Thrust Blue with brilliant Translucent Amber wheels and Graphite Gray frame and swingarm.

Buell Lightning XB12Scg features:
Buell Thunderstorm 1203 fuel-injected air/oil/fan-cooled V-Twin engine
103 peak hp, 84 ft. lbs. peak torque
Buell InterActive Exhaust
Smooth drive belt system
Graphite Gray frame and swingarm
Fuel-in-frame, oil-in-swingarm
41mm fully adjustable Showa upside-down fork
Fully adjustable Showa rear shock absorber
Buell ZTL front brake
Translucent Amber wheels
Flat track-style handlebars
Seat height 28.6 inches

Buell Motorcycle Company, a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, Inc., produces sport motorcycles, motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. To learn more about Buell motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style and performance only found on board a Buell. Call 1-800-490-9635 for the Buell dealer nearest you. Or pull into www.buell.com

This just in from Snarl Sport’s Karl Uribe: We now have a translated parts list and are ready to accept orders for CBR1000RR HRC kit parts. Editor’s Note: Uribe can be contacted via e-mail or phone, [email protected], www.snarlsport.com, (415) 666-0130.

From a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing Team:

HOFMANN EYES UP THE FUTURE COMPETITION

Alex Hofmann will have the opportunity to assess the future competition on Thursday evening at Sachsenring, as the Fuchs Kawasaki Racing Team play host to the 23 youngsters competing in this year’s Red Bull Rookies Cup.

Fought out on identical 125cc race bikes over eight rounds, the 2004 Red Bull Rookies Cup is open only to riders born between 1983 and 1991. This popular ‘novice’ series is the first phase in a three stage programme designed to identify, nurture and develop young German riding talent, with the ultimate aim being to increase the number of German riders in the prestigious MotoGP World Championship.

Over the course of the season two riders from the Red Bull Rookies Cup are selected for the second stage of the ADAC backed programme, which includes a full time ride in the 125cc IDM series. Meik Minnerop and Toni Wirsing, both just 14 years of age, were the two riders selected at the end of 2003. Minnerop is currently fifth in the IDM 125cc standings, while Wirsing is just 27 points behind his team-mate in 12th place.

Both riders are following closely in the footsteps of Georg Fröhlich, who graduated from the IDM 125cc series at the end of last season and is currently competing in the European rounds of the 125cc Grand Prix World Championship as a wild card rider.

The fourth round of the 2004 Red Bull Rookies Cup will run on the Saturday evening at Sachsenring, where current Championship leader, 15-year-old Joshua Sommer, will be looking to increase his lead over his closest rival, 18-year-old Jennifer Kaulbach; one of four girls competing in this year’s series.

On Thursday evening at 17.30 the Red Bull Rookies will visit the Fuchs Kawasaki Racing Team in the Sachsenring paddock for a ‘behind the scenes’ look at a factory MotoGP team at work. A tour of the pit box will be followed by a dinner in the Kawasaki hospitality unit and an opportunity to ask questions of Team Manager, Harald Eckl, and team riders, Alex Hofmann and Shinya Nakano.

They may be potential rivals in the future, but Hofmann – who also received support from ADAC when he started racing – is looking forward to meeting the Red Bull Rookies, especially as they’ve raced at Sachsenring once already this season and may well be able to offer some track advice to the 24-year-old Fuchs Kawasaki rider!

“ADAC have always been supportive of up and coming German riders, but what they’ve put together with the Red Bull Rookies programme moves everything to the next level,” declared Hofmann who, like the Rookies, also started his road racing career on a 125cc machine. “When I started out it was difficult; you had to find your own money and sponsors and it wasn’t always possible to secure a competitive bike. The Red Bull Rookies Cup provides these youngsters with a cost effective way of getting into racing and, by ensuring that the machinery used by everyone is equal, those with the talent to progress further are easily identified.”

“It will be good to show the Rookies what goes on in the Kawasaki Racing Team, and as they’ve already raced at Sachsenring this season, I’m hoping they’ll be able to give me a few tips for the weekend ahead,” continued Hofmann, currently the only German rider in the top flight MotoGP class. “Of course, if they want some advice in return then I’ll be more than happy to help out. Although I have to admit, I will be keeping a few things to myself; just in case I find myself racing against some of these guys in a couple of years time!”

The invitation to the Red Bull Rookies was extended by Kawasaki Racing Team Manager, Harald Eckl; himself a big supporter of ADAC young rider initiatives in the past. It was Eckl – while instructing at the ADAC race school – who was instrumental in spotting Steve Jenkner’s potential and securing him his first ride in the German National 125cc Championship aboard Peter Öttl’s spare bike.

“ADAC have been supporting young German riders for a number of years and their success rate has been extremely good,” commented the former Grand Prix rider and Daytona race winner. “This latest initiative from ADAC, which starts with the Rookies Cup and progresses all the way through to Grand Prix, is a massive step forward in terms of rider development here in Germany. I hope that this programme will, in the future, propel German riders into the MotoGP World Championship. You never know, in a few years time we might even see one of the current Red Bull Rookies lining up on the MotoGP grid aboard our bike. I certainly hope so.”

From a press release issued by Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course:

MID-OHIO SPORTS CAR COURSE PLANS FULL WEEKEND OF FUN FOR FANS

DUBLIN, Ohio (July 14, 2004) – For fans attending the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 16-18, a weekend packed with activities and events has been set to highlight the historic motorcycles, both on and off of the racing surface. While strolling through Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course’s 330 acres, spectators will encounter an array of off-track activities sure to please.

BMW will be the Featured Marque at 2004 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, celebrating the manufacturer’s historic past. The BMW Mobile Tradition Display will exhibit classic motorcycles and memorabilia. Riders visiting Mid-Ohio and Vintage Motorcycle Days on their BMW bikes will be able to park in a designated BMW-only parking area, located conveniently in Mid-Ohio’s infield.

No Vintage Motorcycle Days attendee will want to miss World Champion Stunt Rider Jean-Pierre Goy. Best known for his spectacular stunts in several James Bond films, Goy will treat spectators to daring performances throughout the weekend. Alternating between different BMW models, Goy executes rolling burnouts in clouds of smoke, wheelies in tight circles (with no hands), terrifies unknowing volunteers from the audience, and defies the laws of physics during his stunts. Tapped as the world-record holder for the longest continuous wheelie (over 100 miles), the stoppie distance record (383 feet) and numerous other crazy, not to mention dangerous, achievements. Fans can catch his wild act several times during the weekend in the upper paddock.

The ever-popular Will Stoner Swap Meet is an event like no other held in the United States. Introduced to Mid-Ohio fans in 1992, the event has grown into a complete weekend hosting more than 900 vendors, all of which bring a unique selection of parts and memorabilia with them. Covering more than 35 sprawling acres, the Will Stoner Swap Meet is the largest of its kind in the country.

Returning to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the second year of thrilling entertainment, Rhett Rotten’s “Wall of Death” performance is always a crowd pleaser. Located among the hustle and bustle of the infield, Rotten’s performance will take place a total of eleven times throughout the weekend. Live music from Terry Davidson and the Gears will entertain spectators with their classic rock sound.

Motorcycle riders have the opportunity to take a lap of the track from the seat of their own bike during the “Lap for History.” The cost of the lap is $5 and all proceeds go to the AMA Hall of Fame Museum. Sign-up takes place at the AMA Members Tent, and laps are during the lunch break both Saturday and Sunday.

Licensed motorcyclists can test-ride a variety of different bikes at the demo rides display located in the upper paddock. Representing manufactures include BMW, Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, Buell, Triumph, and Moto-Guzzi.

Weekend spectators are also invited to listen to motorcycle historians and experts discuss various motorcycle components. Motorcycle Hall of Fame Executive Mark Mederski kicks off the seminars with “You Have Made History” followed by Fred Jakobs discussing BMW Mobile Tradition, “100 years of Ernst Henne” and “80 Years of BMW Motorcycles.” John Healey teaches “Triumph Technicalities,” while Charles Falco presents “Understanding and Tuning your Carburetor.” Walker Powell explains “Motorcycling Collectibles” as Craig Vetter wraps things up with “The History of the American Motorscooter,” “The History of the Vetter,” and “Motorcycle Streamlining…Are you really slippery?”



This year’s Grand Marshal is motorcycle legend Yvon Duhamel. Duhamel spent the late 1960’s and 70’s as one of the world’s top motorcycle road racers, both in the United States and overseas. Duhamel was elected into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999, and will eventually be joined by his son, Miguel, the still-active AMA Superbike racer who has captured more career wins than anybody in the series.

For more information or tickets to Vintage Motorcycle Days, call 1-800-MID-OHIO or visit www.midohio.com today.

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is a 2.4-mile, 15-turn permanent road racing circuit in Lexington, Ohio. Located 60 miles north of Columbus and 75 miles south of Cleveland near Mansfield, the track has been called the most competitive in the U.S. and annually hosts a diversity of locally, regionally and nationally sanctioned racing events for amateur, club and professional riders and drivers. Mid-Ohio’s 2004 schedule features seven spectator events, including the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days (July 16-18), Honda Super Cycle Weekend presented by Dunlop Tire (July 23-25), Mid-Ohio Road Racing Classic (August 6-8), Unlimited Audio and Accessories presents the Triple Crown Tuner Challenge (August 21-22) and SCCA National Championship Runoffs? presented by Kohler (September 20-26).

Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, TrueSports, Inc. is a privately held motorsports entertainment enterprise. The company owns and operates Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and The Mid-Ohio School, and promotes a wide variety of motor racing, driver instruction, corporate, and family entertainment events throughout the year.

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

The Suzuka 8 Hours race is the most important race of the year for the Japanese factories.

Honda will be represented by an HRC CBR1000RRW Fireblade ridden by Ryuichi Kiyonari and Yuki Takahashi, as well as the Seven Stars Fireblade of Toru Ukawa and Hitoyasu Izutsu and the two Sakurai Fireblades of Osamu Deguchi / Kenichi Kiyonari and Tadayuki Okada / Chojun Kameya.

Leading Suzukis will include the Kenz Motul GSX-R1000 of Keiichi Kitagawa and Katsuaki Fujiwara, and the Yoshimura Suzuki ridden by Atsushi Watanabe and Yukio Kagayama.

The Yamaha factory will be represented by the YSP Presto YZF-R1 of Shinichi Nakatomi and Wataru Yoshikawa, the Team Challenger bike ridden by Yoshihiko Fujiwara and Nobuyuki Ozaki, and the Club Yamaha pairing of Keiji Okumura and Daniel Stauffer.

Kawasaki’s leading entry is the Beet Motul ZX10R of Kazuki Shimizu and Daisaku Sakai.

Suzuka wouldn’t be Suzuka without the Formula Extreme entries that add colour and excitement to the entry list. The Boxer Sports Club BMW R1100S and the Ducati Monster of La Bellezza Speed return, along with Asahina’s Samurai, the Over OV23-XV, Surf Suzuki’s SV1000S and a pair of Honda CB1300SFs.

Stats:

A total of 79 teams are entered.

10 will run in the Superbike class, 1 in SuperProduction, 1 in Stocksport, 51 in the Japanese Superbike class, 9 in Formula Xtreme Division 1 and 7 in Formula Xtreme Division 2.

46 teams will use Dunlop tyres, 14 will use Bridgestone, 12 will use Michelin and 3 will use Pirelli tyres. The rest are unconfirmed at the time of writing.

There are 35 Hondas entered, 21 Suzukis, 14 Yamahas, 5 Kawasakis, 1 BMW, 1 Asahina, 1 Over and 1 Ducati.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

According to news reports from Italy, Piaggio will make an offer for Aprilia.

According to a statement issued by the Board of Directors of Piaggio, the aims of the company’s bid for Aprilia include “to protect the assets and heritage of Aprili’s human resources and professionals, as well as gauranteeing its precense in the country. The possible integration between Piaggio and Aprilia would give life to one of the most important groups worldwide in the two wheeled sector, with revenue of more than 1.4 billion, production volumes of over 600,000 units, 8 production plants, more than 6,000 employees, a full range of products.”

From a press release issued by KSW Insurance:

KSW Racing’s Anthony Fania Jr. will return to Superbike at Mid-Ohio.

Away since the March Daytona crash with Suzuki’s Aaron Yates, Fania has been cleared to race and looks forward to competing in the remaining three scheduled AMA Superbike rounds aboard the KSW GSX-R1000.

From a press release issued by Safety First Racing:

Safety First Racing completed another successful weekend at Laguna Seca. On Wednesday, Team Owner Kevin Hanson spoke to approximately 130 kids at the Monterey Sports Center and Whispering Pines Day Camp in Monterey. On top of promoting safety and the importance of wearing a helmet, the kids ranging in ages from 7-12 years old, were treated to a real life story when Hanson described crashing his American Suzuki GSX-R1000 at over 130 mph at Fontana earlier this year and how his Suomy helmet and Vanson leathers suffered several impacts. Hanson told the kids, “I walked away from that incident unhurt as a direct result of the high quality of safety gear I was wearing that day.”

Regarding the racing aspect of the weekend, Hanson stated that he was very pleased with his new rider, 16 year old Jessie “The Kid” Janisch in Superstock. “Laguna was Jessie’s third AMA weekend and he continues to improve every weekend. He had never been to Laguna before and got one practice session and then qualifying. What impressed me was within his first 10 laps on the track he was already into the 34s. Jessie qualified 20th and ran a good solid race and finished 16th with several laps during the race in the 31s.” Hanson further stated, “I think if we hadn’t lost out on the second practice session being a waste due to a red flag, I’m confident Jessie could have turned some 30s during the race. Thankfully, since 1-800-Motorcycle came on board, it has freed me up to focus on the business aspect of things so I can provide Jessie with all the key tools in the toolbox to be sucessful.”

Hanson was quick to praise Jim Rashid from 4 & 6 Performance for his crewchief/mechanic abilities. “I can’t tell you how fortunate I am to have Jim on board for the remainder of the year,” replied Hanson. “Jim G.M.D. Computracked the bikes at his shop in Chicago after Brainerd and discovered the swingarm was bent on one of the GSX-Rs following a turn 1 crash. Jim straightened the swingarm and then optimized both Suzuki bikes so they were identical for Laguna. Jim’s been around a long time and knows how to build racebikes. For example, after Jim set up the suspension for Jessie, we didn’t make one suspension adjustment all weekend other than a gearing change,” Hanson stated.

Safety First Racing is looking forward to furthering their results at Mid Ohio due in part to the added practice that is available earlier in the week. “Jessie has never been to that track as well. The key for Jessie at this juncture is for us to get him as much track time as possible on the GSX-R1000s since he’s used to riding 600s all of the time,” commented Hanson.


From a press release issued by Corona Extra Suzuki:

“PISTOL” BEN ATTARD GRABS SUPERSPORT 5TH AT SUN-SOAKED LAGUNA SECA

Young gun Ben Attard took another step closer to the podium with his first top five finish at a beautifully sunny Laguna Seca World Superbike weekend. The nail-biting SuperSport race capped off a full weekend of combined AMA National and World Superbike racing, drawing an estimated 93,000 fans to the “dry lagoon” a few miles east of California’s scenic treasure, historic Monterey Bay. In the nights leading up to race day, crowds of fans flooded the “Bay” area and tricked out sport-bikes and cruisers abounded. Team Corona hosted events every night including two on Fisherman’s Wharf – the center of evening “bench-racing” for the event. Both were unqualified successes, giving fans a chance to see race bikes up close and meet the riders in person for autographs and, in some cases, nice long chats.

Scott Greenwood (89) settled into his third stint in AMA SuperStock and his first time at Laguna Seca, aboard the Corona Suzuki GSX-R1000, posting 11th fastest in practice sessions leading up to Saturday’s event. A qualifying session shortened by oil on the track spelled trouble and with only a few laps available Scott qualified 16th. In the race, Scott rode conservatively and improved his position to finish 14th and gaining more valuable experience in what has become one of America’s most competitive races.

A last minute medical release after a long recuperation from injury found Marty Craggill (134) putting his leg over the Corona Suzuki Superbike for the first time since the Fontana round. Craggill qualified 13th but in the race quickly got up to speed and improved his position, running in 11th until a red flag came out stopping the race. Without enough time before the restart to fix a nagging clutch problem, Marty did not get off quickly and fell back to 14th where he ultimately finished the race. All in all, though, Marty’s ride proved impressive to anyone intimate with the pain and discomfort he’s been in for months. Now, the two-time Australian Superbike Champion is looking forward to the next race at Mid-Ohio and another chance to improve his condition and performance.

As with every AMA event he’s raced this season, Ben came to Laguna Seca having never seen the track before. But, even with limited practice time, he put his Suzuki GSX-R 600 on the second row, qualifying 6th, his best this season. Determined to finish even better, Attard got a great start in the thick of the lead group of factory riders, only to see the race red-flagged by another rider crashing at the first turn. At the restart, Ben again got in the thick of the lead pack. A couple of “hairy” moments caused him to fall back as far as 8th position, but in a determined push to finish well he worked his way past a number of more experienced riders to take his first top five finish in AMA racing. After the race an elated Ben said; “I got hung-up behind some guys and then over-cooked it a couple of times trying to get by. Once I calmed down it all came together. A few more laps and I could have been up front!” he joked!

The Team had a wonderful time visiting Monterey, participating in evening events promoting Corona Extra and Suzuki as far away as Palo Alto. The weather was particularly great, allowing Team hospitality staff to make over a hundred guests from Joe Rocket and other Team Partners comfortable under the shade of a brand new custom-designed awning where the best tasting food in the paddock was washed down with Modelo brands Corona Extra, Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo and Cerveza Pacifico Clara. From where we sat, everyone had a splendid time!


More, from a press release issued by Jason DiSalvo’s publicist:

Pole Position and 2nd Place Finish Move DiSalvo into 3rd Overall in the 600 SuperSport National Championship


Jason DiSalvo of Stafford N.Y. returned from the AMA/ World Superbike races at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monetary CA where he competed July 9, 10 and 11th. Having posted the fastest times in all practice sessions for the entire weekend Jason went on to set pole position in the 600 SuperSport class and 2nd to pole in the 1000 SuperStock class.

During the Supersport race starting from the 1st row pole position Jason ran a consistent race to finish 2nd.

In the 1000 SuperStock class Jason went to the lead in the first lap and led the race until the 5th lap. Having chosen a medium hard rubber compound Jason was unable to hold grip giving up first, then in a wild off track excursion in turn 11 running into the gravel pit and back on to the track finishing 5th “the week in California was good with only 3 races left I have to stay consistent to hold my 3rd place “, commented Jason.

DiSalvo races next at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington Ohio where many local friends and family will be in attendance.