From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Walker aims to redress the balance at Brands!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From a press release issued by series organizers:

EASTERN AIRWAYS SIDECAR SERIES JOINS SUPERBIKES AT BRANDS HATCH

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eastern Airways Sidecar Championship points after five rounds:

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

From a press release issued by the Motorcycle Industry Council:

Motorcycle Industry Council Forms Technology Advisory Committee (TAC)

Initial Focus on Powersports Standard Protocols (PSP)

IRVINE, Calif. – The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) has formed a Technology Advisory Committee (TAC) to counsel the MIC Board of Directors on technology issues relevant to the powersports industry. Roger Peterson, Vice President of Information Systems at Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., has been appointed as committee chairman. More than two dozen industry representatives attended the first TAC meeting, held June 16, 2004.

The Technology Advisory Committee (TAC) will be focused initially on furthering the development and early adoption of a Powersports Standard Protocol (PSP). This project, developed under the working name ‘PowerNet,’ will enable real-time communication between dealers and OEs/distributors, and other product and service vendors, via the dealers’ Dealership Management Systems. PSP is a landmark industry effort to provide dealers with a single, standardized technology solution for most of their day-to-day business transactions. It is based on, and will remain aligned with, STAR (Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail) guidelines, the standard protocol used in the automotive industry.

A successful Proof of Concept and testing with additional OEMS, aftermarket distributors, and dealer management system providers in 2003 demonstrated the viability of real-time communications between dealers and OEs using the proposed PSP specifications. This year, with (TAC) guidance, the MIC will facilitate the implementation of PSP specifications for early adopters of the standard.

“The industry has shown a great deal of enthusiasm and support for this landmark technology initiative,” said MIC President Tim Buche. “It’s another example of the progress that can be made when a unified industry looks ahead and takes action.”

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) is a not-for-profit, national trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, scooters, motorcycle parts and accessories, and members of allied trades, located in Irvine, Calif.

From a press release issued by Cagiva USA:

The Supermoto World Champion Eddy Seel will compete in the 10th X-Games, which will be held in Los Angeles from August 5th to the 8th. This will be the first X-Games to feature Supermoto racing and it should prove to be quite a show.
Seel is extremely enthusiastic about taking part in this competition where he will have the opportunity to race against some of the best motorcycle racers in the world, including Ben Bostrom, Grant Langston, Jeremy McGrath, Travis Pastrana, Kevin Windham, Chad Reed and Jeff Ward.

“I’m really curious about the kind of circuit that will be set up for the race – Eddy Seel declared before leaving for the U.S.A. – I heard it should be made in a covered area. American people are specialist in creating astonishing shows, so I think they will give a great importance to this event too. There’ s a lot of attention and interest from the U.S. media in the X-Games and I’m glad I’ve been invited by one of the event’s managers to this Supermoto debut in the most extreme sports Olympiad.”

The X-Games will air on the ABC and ESPN networks. The race is limited to 450cc bikes, and Seel, for the occasion, will ride on the new Husqvarna SM 450R, on which Davide Gozzini just won the first round of the World Championship’s.

From a press release issued by Joe Rocket:

Joe Rocket is proud to announce the launch of its highly anticipated 2005 product line. Rocket 2005 presents the best there is to offer for the future of motorcycle apparel. Never ceasing to amaze, the grip that this premier brand has on the apparel market has again been strengthened with the introduction of Joe Rocket’s newest licensing partners, “AMA Superbike®”, “AMA Supermoto®”, “American Suzuki®”, “Yoshimura®”, and “Mat Mladin.”

“The work ethics, value system, and intuition that they possess are valuable assets and quite complimentary to the promotion and progression of the AMA®. We’re pleased to be working with them and we’re proud to be associated with Joe Rocket” says Ron Barrick, Road Race Manager within the American Motorcyclist Association

Among the most sought after pieces within the ’05 product lineup will surely be the “Suzuki Factory Racing” jacket, the “Suzuki GSXR Champion” jacket, as well as the all new “Supermoto” jacket pant and glove; all of which are officially licensed and endorsed.

“The authenticity of these Joe Rocket products via our licensing partners is a direct reflection of our racing efforts and successes,” said Bruce Parker, Director of Marketing.

The entire 2005 Joe Rocket line, including these new licensed and endorsed items will be available nationwide in mid September.

From a press release issued by Fastrack Riders: Buttonwillow & Barber Update

Fastrack Riders still have several slots open in each level for our Buttonwillow event on July 30th & 31st. Come on up and ride the fun and challenging Buttonwillow Raceway track in configuration #13. It has off camber turns and elevation changes to test and improve your riding skills. The temperatures are forecasted to be in the mid 90s!

Fastrack has rented the entire club house for the weekend, and it is air-conditioned to help you survive the heat. We will be playing race videos on the TV monitors in the club house for your relaxation and enjoyment. The temperatures are forecasted to be in the mid 90s! Wimps can stay home in their air-conditioned homes being couch potatoes!

Buttonwillow has installed a cooling “mist” area just in front of the club house which is a large enough area for participants and spectators to cool down. The temperatures are forecasted to be in the mid 90s! Only wimps should not register!

Did we mention the actual forecast for Buttonwillow is only to be in the mid 90s verses what usually can be 100 degree plus temperatures? Perfect for riding and racing! Hey, it ain’t gonna be blazing hot! There is no excuse for you weather wimps who are afraid of hot weather. It’s dry heat at that!

Still plenty of openings for our August 7th & 8th Barber Motorsports event. Mitch Boehm the Editor in Chief of Motorcyclist Magazine will be there providing riding tips for anyone that wants them. We guarantee temperatures in the high 80s and humidity to match!

The California Speedway August 7th & 8th events are starting to sell out. You must call Dana @ 877-560-2233 to register. Novice Rider School is sold out on the 7th with about four openings for the 8th. This is the first time in the history of Fastrack Riders we are doing two events on the same day! Larry Pointer will be running the California Speedway event and David Pyles will be at Barber Motorsports Park.

Call 877-560-2233 or e-mail dana@fastrackriders for any event.

From a press release issued by Raven Communications, WERA’s public relations agency:

WERA NATIONAL SERIES EXPECTING A COMPETITIVE WEEKEND AT SUMMIT POINT

SUMMIT POINT, W Va.- The WERA National Challenge Series and the Dunlop/WERA National Endurance Series will visit Summit Point Raceway this weekend, July 30-August 1, for round six as the series enter the second half of the season.

Last year, the Summit Point race weekend was full of nail-biting finishes. The excitement kicked off with the endurance race when race leader Tray Batey ran out of gas on the Vesrah Suzuki GSX-R1000. Batey, John Jacobi and Mark Junge went on to the win, and they will be seeking to do the same once again during the six-hour Dunlop/WERA National Endurance Series race on Saturday, July 31.

Vesrah’s biggest challenge is likely to come from Army of Darkness. The team of Sam Fleming, Scott Brown and Ben Walters is the only other team to win an endurance race this year, and the Washington, D.C.-based team will have the home track advantage.

The endurance race will begin at 11:35 a.m. on Saturday and will feature a full grid of both regular series competitors and talented local teams, comprising five classes.

The ten-lap WERA National Challenge Series sprint races on Sunday, August 1, will be the highlight of the weekend for many fans. The two-mile, 10-turn Summit Point road course has a challenging layout that includes high-speed turns and a hairpin, and the riders will be put to the test against both the track and each other.

There will be 11 races held on Sunday, beginning at 12:30 p.m. With contingency money available from Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha, some of the top amateur riders in the country are expected to compete. The Open, 600 and 750 Superstock classes will have the toughest competition, since they are the classes that are eligible for contingency.

The championship battle is raging in the 600 Superstock class, where Bradley Champion, who competes on a Yamaha YZF-R6, is just six points ahead of Suzuki GSX-R600 rider John Jacobi.

Tickets for the WERA National at Summit Point are $25 for the weekend or $15 after 10:00 p.m. Saturday night. Camping is also available in Summit Point’s wooded infield for no charge. More information, including directions to Summit Point, can be found at www.summitpoint-raceway.com.

More information about WERA, including a complete schedule of the Summit Point race weekend, can be found on the Internet at www.WERA.com.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

POINTS LEADER TOSELAND (DUCATI FILA) READY FOR BRANDS HATCH THRILLER

Brands Hatch (UK), 29 July 2004: World Superbike returns to Britain for the second time this season, this time to Brands Hatch in Kent, for its flagship event, which every year attracts well in excess of 100,000 fans.

Two gutsy races at Laguna Seca, California see Ducati Fila rider James Toseland return home as championship leader once again in this see-saw season, three points ahead of his French team-mate Regis Laconi, but only 14 ahead of the fast-emerging Ten Kate Honda rider, Chris Vermeulen, winner of the last three races.

The 23-year-old Toseland from Sheffield, whose singleton win this season came at the Valencia opener, knows that the Brands Hatch race is the one to win and will be making every effort to shine in front of an expected sell-out British crowd.

“Brands Hatch is my home track and there will be a lot of pressure and a lot of expectation not only from everyone else but from myself as well. I look forward to Brands, it’s always one of those weekends when you get to Sunday night with two good results and have a big deep breath and think ‘thank god that’s over and done with!’. My results there have been pretty good, I beat all the World Superbike boys last year, finishing third behind the wild-cards in race 2.

“The best part of the circuit is Dingle Dell. Although the new corner is not as good as the old one, it’s still very exciting, while the trickiest part of the track is Surtees, before you go onto the back straight, but there isn’t really one corner where I think ‘I can’t get round this one’.

“At Brands you’re close to the track, you can see a lot, there’s a fantastic atmosphere, and hopefully the weather will be nice. It’s just a great event, to see the bikes and the racers so close is what Brands Hatch is all about” he added.

Twenty-nine year-old Laconi, a five-time winner this year, also enjoys the challenging and undulating Brands Hatch track and will be doing his best to add to his victory total as the WSBK championship reaches moves into the final part of the season.

“The Brands Hatch race is important because I have to start to get some more good results for the championship and try to win there” declared Laconi. “I’m not really worried about the situation because we are doing a good job with the team and working very hard to see what we can do now and for the rest of the season.

“At Brands I like the right corner after the back straight, Hawthorn Bend. It’s very fast, you arrive and brake there and you need a lot of courage for that corner. For me the most difficult part is the chicane, Dingle Dell. Even though it has changed a bit, it’s still difficult to see exactly where to go.

“Now there are three of us fighting hard for the championship. It’s very important to concentrate on the last four races but I am ready physically and mentally. I know I have to be at 100% because for sure I have to win,” he concluded.

POINTS (after 7 of 11 rounds): (Riders) 1. Toseland 201; 2. Laconi 198; 3. Vermeulen 187; 4. Haga 162 ; 5. Chili 160 ; 6. McCoy 146; etc.

(Manufacturers) 1. Ducati 335; 2. Honda 194; 3. Petronas 134; 4. Kawasaki 91; 5. Suzuki 72; 6. Yamaha 39.

CIRCUIT INFO:
Name: Brands Hatch.
Length: 4.197 km.
Pole Position: Left.
Corners Left/Right: 3/6.
Finish Line Length: 380 m.

STATISTICS (modified track):
Best lap: Byrne (Ducati), 1:26.248 (2003).
Lap record: Byrne (Ducati), 1:26.755 (2003). Superpole: Reynolds (Suzuki), 1:35.706 (2003). Race Distance: 2 x 25 laps/104.925 km.

2003 RESULTS:
Race 1: 1. Byrne (Ducati); 2. Hodgson (Ducati); 3. Walker (Ducati).
Race 2: 1. Byrne; 2. Reynolds (Suzuki); 3. Toseland (Ducati).

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Foggy hopes for best of British for FPR

Carl Fogarty is hoping for the best of British luck for his Foggy PETRONAS Racing team when the Superbike World Championship returns to home shores this weekend at Brands Hatch, Great Britain.

Riders Troy Corser and home favourite Chris Walker will be aiming to repeat the encouraging results of the first half of the season at round seven, following a mid-season spell plagued by inconsistency.

But, with both riders back to full fitness and having had further chance to make progress with recent engine developments, Foggy is confident of an upturn in fortunes and a reversal of his team’s poor showing on home soil.

Carl, who won three WSBK races at Brands, said: “Our three British rounds so far have been nothing short of disastrous. The riders will say its worse for them, but I need good results more than anyone this weekend! I am used to success and I become frustrated when things are not going our way. But all I can ask is that everyone is giving 100 percent and I know that is happening. The PETRONAS engine development team have been working day and night to solve any problems that they inherited and make the engine stronger as well as faster. I know there is a lot more to come from this engine.

“When you look at the characteristics of the circuit our bike should be as strong at Brands as anywhere. It is definitely a rider’s circuit – a big balls kind of track! With a good set-up and good tyre choice, you can be down on speed but still quicker around a lap. The slowest part is Druids but that is a smooth corner where you have to be a bit careful on the throttle and the drive out is downhill. That’s very different to the slowest corner at Laguna, onto the start-finish straight, where we struggled at the last round.

“This was always a special event for me when I was racing. It started to grow around 1995 and by 1999 was the biggest single-day sporting attendance in Great Britain. It felt like I was coming home to all my fans and I really hope we can give those supporters something to cheer this weekend. Being the home round for the British riders like Chris can sometimes be a disadvantage as you can perhaps try too hard. But he desperately wants and needs a good showing here and hopefully he can enjoy some good luck, which has deserted him in previous rounds. It was never my favourite circuit to ride but Troy has won there twice and been on pole once, so I am hopeful both riders can be back in the top six.”

Carl was also keen to clarify recent press reports of a proposed switch to MotoGP. He said: “This has not been discussed with anyone. We have two more years of a deal with PETRONAS to run a World Superbike team. As long as PETRONAS are happy in World Superbikes, then so are we. Once that deal is over we will examine our options. I guess this kind of rumour is bound to surface simply because I went to the British Grand Prix on Friday.”


Circuit information: Brands Hatch, Great Britain

Best lap (revised circuit): Shane Byrne 1:26.248 (2003)
Lap record (race): Shane Byrne 1:26.755 (2003)
Superpole: John Reynolds 1:35.706 (2003)
Pole position: Left
Circuit length: 4.221km
Corners: 3 left, 6 right
Corner radius: 180 degree maximum, 40 degree minimum

Points (after 7 of 11 rounds)

Riders: 1 Toseland 204; 2 Laconi 198; 3 Vermeulen 187; 4 Haga 162; 5 Chili 160; 6 McCoy 146; 7 Haslam 120; 8 Martin 119; 9 Corser (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 101; 10 Borciani 94; 11 Walker (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 82

Manufacturers: 1 Ducati 335; 2 Honda 194; 3 PETRONAS 134; 4 Kawasaki 91; 5 Suzuki 72; 6 Yamaha 39

From a press release issued by CRA:


Top 10 Experts
(as of July 26, 2004)
1st Wes Good 706
2nd Boyd Whiteoak 492
3rd Adam Dolney 396
4th Michael Sundstrom 373
5th Jesse Pruse 373
6th Willie Broten 307
7th Robert Jensen 304
8th Joseph Gill 281
9th Mark Sorensen 276
10th Jessica Zalusky 267


Top 10 Novices
(as of July 26, 2004)
1st Igor Frolov 603
2nd Joseph Jennings 496
3rd Stephen Ackermann 454
4th Brian Bornhorst 407
5th Anthony Gallagher 329
6th Jace Porter 297
7th Karl Rehpohl 295
8th Michael Mahe 230
9th Derek Marcks 186
10th Michael Williams 183