Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

A significant oil leak from John Haner’s Hooters Suzuki GSX-R1000 caused three riders to crash and the final AMA Superstock practice (before the 17-lap final) to be stopped 11 minutes into the 25-minute session.

A suspected blown cam chain tensioner gasket started leaking oil as soon as Haner pulled away from his team’s transporter in the paddock and continued leaking oil around the track.

“I got to turn three before I got my first indication, a little slip, but I just thought it was from cold tires,” said a remorseful Haner in his pits after the incident. “Then Geoff May came by waving at me, telling me I was leaking oil. I pulled off the track and started yelling at the cornerworkers to throw the red flag. By the time they threw it, all those guys had crashed.”

Mark Simon crashed in turn four, David Sanders crashed in turn three and defending AMA Superstock Champion Josh Hayes crashed in turn three.

“I didn’t know there was oil there,” said Hayes. “I just threw it in, and the next thing I knew was I was on my butt. I’m OK.”

Simon’s and Sanders’ conditions were not immediately available.

Haner’s oil leak was just the latest in a weekend full of difficulties. The Texan highsided in turn three Friday, destroying one of his motorcycles and injuring his right leg. Then Haner blew an engine on his fourth lap of Superstock qualifying Friday afternoon.

From a press release issued by Italica Racing:

Italica Racing announces the continued development of the 2004 RSV Factory towards joining the AMA Superbike series. “We have been working with the team at Aprilia to continue development of the new bikes,” says team owner Jeff Jensen. “Starting from scratch always takes more time than you hope, but we know that the bike must be strong when it joins the AMA series. We are enthusiastic about the potential for the new bikes – the racing department in Italy continues to improve the core package, and we know we will be able to build on that.”

“Both Mike and Matt are anxious to start testing the bike this year to build a foundation for the 2005 championship,” continued Jensen “the support we have received from racing fans has been awesome. We’re hosting Conrad Palmisano, the president of Stuntmen’s Association, and some of the members this weekend. We wanted to really show them what an amazing event happens when you race at this level.”

“We knew that aiming for a debut at Laguna Seca this year was an ambitious plan, and we’re sorry we’re not on the track already,” says team director David Lewis, “our goal was to tie our public debut with that of Jeff’s film. We did work with Race Promotions Management and were able to screen the movie for Superbike fans in the Flagroom VIP area on Friday night.”

Italica Racing is owned by Jeff Jensen, director of the dramatic feature film “High Speed” with the storyline based in the World Superbike arena. The US theatrical Debut is this fall. Italica Racing is supported by the Stuntmen’s Associations of Motion Pictures.

From a press release issued by Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.

IRVINE, Calif. – Mel Moore, a twenty-nine year veteran with Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. was injured yesterday in a single-bike motorcycle accident while riding to Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. Mel suffered a concussion, broken ribs and several broken vertebra. He is alert, aware and has feeling and movement in his extremities.

The company’s preeminent concern right now is to make sure that Mel is receiving the best care possible. His wife Karlyn is with him and she says that he is doing fine considering his injuries.

Additional news on Mel’s recovery will be posted in the coming weeks.

From a press release issued by Roger Lyle:

The July 15 Motorcycle Tune and Test Day at Summit Point Raceway has been cancelled.

The day was scheduled to take place on the new Shenandoah Circuit but an unusual amount of rain in the West Virginia panhandle has delayed construction.

The new track is close to completion, and may open later this season.

The Friday,September 24 Tune and Test Day is still on and will take place on the legendary Summit Point circuit, 2-mile, 10-turn road course. “Airborne Al Wilcox” will be flagging this event.

For more info on this fun event, please contact Roger Lyle at [email protected] or phone 301-933-2599.

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

THE SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AND
SPEED CHANNEL RENEW HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL TV RIGHTS AGREEMENT FOR A FURTHER THREE YEARS TO 2007

Laguna Seca, Saturday 10 July 2004

Superbike World Championship rights holders, FGSPORT, have today announced a three-year renewal to their highly successful television rights agreement with the leading American motor sport broadcaster Speed Channel. The agreement covers exclusive satellite and cable rights across North America.

The deal will run through 2005 – 2007 and guarantees extensive primary television visibility for the Championship in the key market of the United States. Furthermore, Speed Channel will continue as the host broadcaster for the United States round of the Championship for the duration of the agreement.

Commenting on the outcome of the negotiations, FGSPORT CEO, Paolo Flammini, said: “We are extremely happy to have concluded a renewal of what has been one of our most successful television rights deals for the Series to date. Our relationship with Speed Channel goes back many years and they have always provided an excellent level of programming for the Championship. We are delighted to extend the deal and look forward to working with Speed Channel to further enhance the coverage in the next couple of years.”

In 2003 Speed Channel provided more than 78 hours of Superbike World Championship programming, including extensive live coverage of the United States round.

Speed Channel Senior VP, Rick Miner, said: “Speed is very pleased with the successful conclusion of our negotiations to re-new the Superbike World Championship. WSBK has provided and continues to provide the world class motorcycle racing our viewers demand.”

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

The next round of the Championship takes place at Brands Hatch in the United Kingdom from 30 July – 1 August.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

American Honda’s Ben Bostrom took the pole position for the AMA Superbike race during qualifying Saturday at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and set a new AMA lap record.

Riding his factory CBR1000RR Superbike, Bostrom turned a 1:24.906 to eclipse Anthony Gobert’s AMA mark of 1:25.507, set in 1999.

The overall motorcycle lap record at Laguna Seca is Troy Bayliss’ 1:24.833, set during the 2002 World Superbike event.

Provisional Combined AMA Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Ben Bostrom, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:24.906
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:25.183
3. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.223
4. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:25.866
5. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.272
6. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:26.434
7. Eric Bostrom, Ducati 999F04, 1:27.987
8. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.534
9. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.117
10. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.322
11. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.510
12. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.725
13. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.897
14. Marty Craggill, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.165
15. Chris Siglin, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:30.243
16. Jeff Tigert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:30.432
17. Jeremy Toye, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:30.563
18. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.025
19. Ken Hill, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.053
20. Mark Ledesma, Honda CBR954RR, 1:31.068
21. Mike Sullivan, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:31.171
22. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.196
23. Tom Montano, Ducati 999R, 1:31.245
24. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.535
25. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.609
26. Cory West, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.765
27. Brien Whitlock, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.869
28. Kim Nakashima, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.945
29. Garry Combs, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.004
30. Scott Jensen, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:32.059
31. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.247
32. Ricky Orlando, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:32.330
33. Rob Mesa, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.342
34. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.464
35. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.633
36. Dave Kunzelman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.690
37. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.206
38. Jack Pfeifer, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:33.217

110% of fast time = 1:33.396
Did Not Qualify

39. James Kerker, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:33.659
40. Mike Krynock, Ducati 999R, 1:34.267
41. John Scott Wilson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.435
42. Eric Gulbransen, Ducati 998R, 1:34.715
43. James King, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:34.899
44. Jeremiah Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.533
45. Corey Sarros, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.713


More, from a press release issued by Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin:

BOSTROM ON 2ND ROW AFTER DIFFICULT QUALIFYING SESSION

Monterey (California) – July 10, 2004: Second quickest in the morning’s free practice, Eric Bostrom slipped down to seventh during qualifying but remains optimistic about making a charge on his Ducati 999R at the challenging track where he has previously garnered two superbike victories.

Technical difficulties kept the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin team from taking full advantage of their afternoon qualifying session in near-perfect weather conditions.

“It was a frustrating qualifying session,” commented Eric. “Our number one bike had a problem so we spent a bit of time working on it. We’ve been testing the two bikes with very different set-ups and it was the one I prefer that had a problem. I only got three timed laps with the bike I was uncomfortable on so I can’t say this is the best qualifying I’ve ever had. I went a full second slower than I did this morning!

“We’ve got a lot of work to do now. Overall I guess we’ve had a lack of track time, so we’ll just have to do the best we can tomorrow,” said the 27-year-old.

Racing Manager Tom Bodenbach added, “Qualifying was rough. We set up the second bike very differently so he could try it out and see if it was a direction worth pursuing. It turned out he wasn’t comfortable with it but his only option was to finish the qualifying session on it.”

Tomorrow’s AMA Superbike 28-lap (100 km) race is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time).


TIMES: 1. B Bostrom (Honda) 1:24.906; 2. Zemke (Honda) 1:25.164; 3. Mladin (Suzuki) 1:25.222; 4. Duhamel (Honda) 1:25.866; 5. Yates (Suzuki) 1:26.273; 6. Hayes (Kawasaki) 1:26.433; 7. E Bostrom (Ducati) 1:27.986; etc.


More, from a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:

FRONT ROW START FOR MLADIN AT LAGUNA SECA

Monterey, California, USA (Saturday, July 10) – A frantic final few minutes of today’s qualifying session saw Australian Mat Mladin momentarily set the fastest time of the session, but by the time he returned to his pit enclosure as the session ended, found that he had been pushed to third on the time sheets, securing him a front row start for tomorrow’s twelfth round of the American AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship being held at Laguna Seca Raceway, California.

The hotly contested 30-minute qualifying session saw the lead position exchanged on a number of occasions, but at it’s conclusion it was Ben Bostrom who turned the fastest time of the session, setting a new AMA Superbike lap record of 1:24.906 for the 3.610km (2.2miles) Monterey circuit.

Second fastest was Jake Zemke (1:25.183), who along with Bostrom posted his time on their eighteenth and final lap of the session, outpacing current series leader Mladin by 0.06 of a second after the four-times American championship stopped the clocks with a 1:25.223 aboard his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000. Completing the front row of the grid for tomorrow’s 28-lap Superbike national is Miguel DuHamel who completed the session with a best time of 1:25.866

Given the highly competitive nature of today’s qualifying session, Mladin was pleased with the time he had set and his starting position for tomorrow’s race.

“It was an okay day for us out there, we’re not too displeased with third, but just didn’t have it to get pole,” said Mladin.

“It’s been a bit tough for the AMA guys this weekend as we haven’t been able to turn as many laps as we normally do. We had the schedule change first and then this morning’s second practice session was cut in half due to oil on the track. Fortunately we got a full qualifying session in, so that was good for us.

“It was pretty close out there with the fast times during this afternoon’s session. A few of us had a go at being on the top. As expected the final few minutes always offer a bit of excitement. When I went out on my qualifying tyre I had to beat a 25.3 and I did a 25.2, but by the time I got back to the pits Ben and Jake both smoked my time.”

“I think we’re in okay shape for the race. I think everyone will be slip sliding around out there, so it will be close.

With eleven of this year’s eighteen round championship completed, Mladin heads into tomorrow’s event holding a slender six point lead in the championship over DuHamel (358 – 352), with Zemke a close third, just four points adrift of the pair.

Mladin took the AMA Superbike race win here in 2003 and will be determined to repeat those efforts and further strengthening his position at the top of the championship points table.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:27.543
2. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:28.093
3. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, , 1:28.121
4. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.466
5. Roger Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.382
6. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000,, 1:29.011
7. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.819
8. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.084
9. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.763
10. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.902
11. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.708
12. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.472
13. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.832
14. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.905
15. Jesse Janisch, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.698
16. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.703
17. David White, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.728
18. Chris Ancien, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.034
19. David Guy, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:34.476
20. Garry Combs, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.656
21. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.623
22. Kim Nakashima, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.742
23. David Sanders, Suzuki GSx-R1000, 1:35.816
24. James Pittman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.046
25. Montez Stewart, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:36.052
26. Johnny Rock Page, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:36.688
27. John Scott Wilson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.926
28. James Kerker, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:37.180
29. Peter Doyle, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.444
30. Mark Simon, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:38.864
31. Brad Puetz, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:41.188
32. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:43.249



Note: The session was red-flagged for oil on the track, with about 13 minutes left.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:26.908
2. Eric Bostrom, Ducati, 1:27.101
3. Ben Bostrom, Honda, 1:27.183
4. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki, 1:27.468
5. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:27.487
6. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:27.733
7. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:28.536
8. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki, 1:30.848
9. John Haner, Suzuki, 1:30.889
10. Larry Pegram, Yamaha, 1:31.075
11. Jeremy Toye, Yamaha, 1:31.318
12. Ken Hill, Suzuki, 1:31.438
13. Marty Craggill, Suzuki, 1:31.558
14. Geoff May, Suzuki, 1:31.578
15. Jake Holden, Suzuki, 1:31.789
16. Chris Siglin, Yamaha, 1:31.813
17. Eric Wood, Suzuki, 1:32.070
18. Corey Eaton, Suzuki, 1:32.331
19. Mike Sullivan, Yamaha, 1:32.342
20. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:32.389
21. Opie Caylor, Suzuki, 1:32.536
22. Cory West, Suzuki, 1:32.803
23. Jeff Tigert, Honda, 1:32.955
24. Scott Jensen, Honda, 1:33.277
25. Kim Nakashima, Suzuki, 1:33.462
26. Rocky Orlando, Kawasaki, 1:33.481
27. Mark Ledesma, Honda, 1:33.519
28. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki, 1:33.524
29. Tom Montano, Ducati, 1:33.627
30. Garry Combs, Suzuki, 1:33.644
31. Dave Kunzelman, Suzuki, 1:33.679
32. David Bell, Suzuki, 1:33.719
33. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki, 1:33.839
34. Marco Martinez, Suzuki, 1:34.549
35. Jason Curtis, Suzuki, 1:34.806
36. Rob Mesa, Suzuki, 1:34.987
37. Brien Whitlock, Suzuki, 1:35.516
38. Jack Pfeifer, Honda, 1:35.627
39. Eric Gulbransen, Ducati, 1:35.668
40. James King, Yamaha, 1:36.195
41. Jeremiah Johnson, Suzuki, 1:36.556
42. Mike Krynock, Ducati, 1:36.716
43. John Scott Wilson, Suzuki, 1:37.086



The practice was originally scheduled for 20 minutes, but was cut to a total of 9-1/2 minutes due to oil spilled in turn 10, from Jason Curtis’ GSX-R1000. The practice was run in two segments, 4-1/2 minutes before the oil spill, and 5 minutes after the oil spill was cleaned up.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

World Superbike Qualifying Results (heading into Superpole):

1. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.782
2. Noriyuki Haga, Ducati 999RS, 1:26.831
3. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:27.103
4. Regis Laconi, Ducati 999F04, 1:27.142
5. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:27.167
6. Marco Borciani, Ducati 999RS, 1:27.243
7. Steve Martin, Ducati 999RS, 1:27.282
8. James Toseland, Ducati 999F04, 1:27.417
9. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.501
10. Leon Haslam, Ducati 999RS, 1:27.739
11. Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.806
12. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:27.911
13. Garry McCoy, Ducati 999RS, 1:27.970
14. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.151
15. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.320
16. Alessio Velini, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:28.344
17. Chris Walker, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:28.422
18. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.954
19. Horst Saiger, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.623
20. Warwick Nowland, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.928
21. Miguel Praia, Ducati 999RS, 1:31.037

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Provisional AMA Superstock Race Results:

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 17 laps
2. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, -0.938 second
3. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, -7.293 seconds
4. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, -8.615 seconds
5. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, -18.079 seconds
6. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, -30.510 seconds
7. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -33.505 seconds
8. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -37.735 seconds
9. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -45.389 seconds
10. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, -47.671 seconds
11. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, -48.099 seconds
12. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, -48.908 seconds
13. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -55.793 seconds
14. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -64.714 seconds
15. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -64.734 seconds
16. Jesse Janisch, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -72.488 seconds
17. David White, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -89.053 seconds
18. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
19. James Pittman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
20. Garry Combs, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
21. Kim Nakashima, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
22. David Guy, Kawasaki ZX-10R, -1 lap
23. David Sanders, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
24. John Scott Wilson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
25. Montez Stewart, Yamaha YZF-R1, -1 lap
26. James King, Yamaha YZF-R1, -1 lap
27. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
28. Mark Simon, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
29. Brad Puetz, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
30. Peter Doyle, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
31. Christopher Ancien, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -2 laps
32. Johnny Rock Page, Yamaha YZF-R1, -2 laps
33. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -7 laps, DNF
34. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, DNF, crash
35. James Kerker, Honda CBR1000RR, -15 laps, DNF
36. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -17 laps, DNF, crash


Provisional AMA Superstock Championship Point Standings:

1. Hacking, 243 points
2. Tommy Hayden, 238 points
3. Aaron Gobert, 233 points
4. Roger Lee Hayden, 212 points
5. DiSalvo, 211 points
6. Spies, 195 points
7. Rapp, 179 points
8. Hayes, 166 points
9. Holden, 160 points
10. Alex Gobert, 149 points