Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Bruce Wilkins

It was a race in which the two top finishers immediately had the identical description: “I’ll never forget this one!” So replied race winner Jeff Wood and runner-up Rob Jensen after their action-packed, one-on-one duel that intensified throughout Sunday afternoon’s Formula USA Sportbike sprint race at VIR.

Wood, piloting a GSX-R600 Suzuki, trailed Jensen and his Yamaha YZF-R6 for most of the 20-lap race. He managed to grab brief leads twice in the mid-point of the race, but the real battle occurred in the final two laps.

“It was real aggressive…everything we did was aggressive,” Wood pointed out. “It was good, hard racing and we were both happy at the end…no bad feelings and that’s the way we like it.” On the last lap alone, Wood estimated that the lead changed six times.

“With two laps to go my plan was just to get on his tail for the last lap and find an opening and that’s what I did,” Woods pointed out. “I knew I couldn’t lead him over the start/finish line because he could get me on the straights. At one point, I thought I had it, then he got me back, and I got it again, and he got me back…it was just back and forth like that.”

Wood finished with a 0.206-second advantage over Jensen, while Mike Himmelsbach on a Yamaha YZF-R6 rounded out the podium. As if the Woods and Jensen battle wasn’t enough, there was an even tighter gap for fourth place, with Scott Harwell on a GSX-R600 Suzuki shooting slightly ahead of Brian Stokes on a another Suzuki GSX-R600 to grab the fourth place spot. Officially, Stokes finished 0.019-second behind Harwell for fifth.

Chuck Sorensen won the USGPRU 250cc GP race–run in conjunction with F-USA–on an Aprilia RSV250, beating Brian Kcraget, who had to come from the back row of the grid because he qualified on his RS125 and raced his RS250. Sorensen, pulled away from the beginning and built up an eight-second lead by race’s end. He stated after the race that he will put the Aprilia away and return to AMA Nationals for the final three rounds for 2004. Sean Wray finished third on a Yamaha TZ250.

In the first Formula USA race of the day, Jensen won the SuperBike race, having another close battle with Wood. Jensen finished 0.334-second ahead of Wood, while Himmelsbach rounded out the podium.

Bryan Bemisderfer won the ThunderBike final on a 1200cc Buell XB9R, finishing ahead Derek Keyes and his Suzuki SV650. David Yaakov, on another SV650, finished third.

A broken shift linkage on Kcraget’s RS125 handed 14-year-old Californian Josh Herrin a win in the USGPRU 125cc Grand Prix race. Kcraget had an eight-second lead when the linkage broke, and ran the final four laps with the bike stuck in second gear. Both Herrin and Kcraget rode RS125 Hondas. Herrin finished 13.250-seconds ahead of runner-up Todd Puckett, who was riding another RS125 Honda. Steven Wenner, also on a Honda RS125, rounded out the podium.

The final race of the day, Formula Sportbike, was shortened to nine laps after numerous red flags pushed the races close to the mandatory shut-down time for local noise ordinaces. Jensen collected his second win of the day by beating Brian Stokes, both on GSX-R750 Suzukis, in yet another close race. Harwell finished third.


F-USA Sportbike
19 laps
1. Jeff Wood, Suzuki GSX-R600
2. Rob Jensen, Yamaha YZF-R6
3. Mike Himmelsbach, Yamaha YZF-R6
4. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R600
5. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R600
6. Des Conboy, Yamaha YZF-R6
7. David Weber, Suzuki GSX-R600
8. Michael Garofalo, Suzuki GSX-R600
9. Trey Yonce, Yamaha YZF-R6
10. Joe Spina, Yamaha YZF-R6
11. Jason Smith, Yamaha YZF-R6
12. Derek Keyes, Yamaha YZF-R6
13. Carlo Gagliardo, Yamaha YZF-R6
14. Geoff Allen, Yamaha YZF-R6
15. Donny Kelley, Yamaha YZF-R6
16. Ray Bowman, Honda CBR600RR
17. Hector Jimenez, Yamaha YZF-R6, 17 laps
18. Justin Filice, Honda CBR600RR, 16 laps, DNF
19. William Meyers II, Yamaha YZF-R6, 10 laps, DNF
20. Nick Cummings, Honda CBR600RR, 4 laps, DNF



F-USA Superbike
19 laps
1. Rob Jensen, Yamaha YZF-R6
2. Jeff Wood, Suzuki GSX-R600
3. Mike Himmelsbach, Yamaha YZF-R6
4. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia RSV250
5. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R600
6. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R600
7. Simon Turner, Yamaha YZF-R6
8. Des Conboy, Yamaha YZF-R6
9. Michael Garofalo, Suzuki GSX-R600
10. Joe Spina, Yamaha YZF-R6
11. Jason SMith, Yamaha YZF-R6
12. Joe Arico, Yamaha YZF-R6
13. Donny Kelley, Yamaha YZF-R6
14. Hector Jimenez, Yamaha YZF-R6
15. Kevin Gordon, Suzuki GSX-R600
16. Gus Holcomb, Honda CBR600RR
17. Justin Filice, Honda CBR600RR
18. Brian Baker, Suzuki GSX-R600
19. Greg Ludt, Yamaha YZF-R6
20. Ned Brown
21. Nick Cummings, Honda CBR600RR, 12 laps, DNF
22. Marcus Winfree, Suzuki GSX-R600, 12 laps, DNF
23. Tim Bemisderfer, Honda CBR600RR, 11 laps, DNF
24. Ryan Patterson, Yamaha YZF-R6, 8 laps, DNF
25. David Weber, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2 laps, DNF
26. Carlos Gagliardo, Yamaha YZF-R7, 1 lap, DNF



F-USA Thunderbike
1. Bryan Bemisderfer, Buell XB9R
2. Derek Keyes, Suzuki SV650
3. Derek Keyes, Suzuki SV650
4. Edward Repkoe, Suzuki SV650
5. Darren Danilowicz, Suzuki SV650
6. Dan Bilansky, Buell XB9R
7. Jeff Johnson, Buell XB9R
8. Josh Guyer, Buell
9. Russ Masecar, Suzuki SV650
10. Joey Thomas, Suzuki SV650



F-USA Formula Sportbike (all Suzuki GSX-R750)
1. Ron Jensen
2. Brian Stokes
3. Scott Harwell
4. Scott Carpenter
5. John McGarity
6. Joe Ribeiro
7. Dave Ebben
8. Matt Malterer
9. Kevin Gordon
10. Chuck Juhasz


USGPRU 250cc Grand Prix
1. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia RSV250
2. Brian Kcraget, Honda RS250
3. Sean Wray, Yamaha TZ250
4. Steve Wenner, Honda RS250
5. Josh Herrin, Honda RS125
6. Scott McNew, Honda RS250
7. Mark Stiles, Yamaha TZ250
8. Brian Roach, Yamaha TZ250
9. Patrick Dowd, Yamaha TZ250
10. Eric Yoo, Honda RS125


USGPRU 125cc Grand Prix (all Honda RS125)
1. Josh Herrin
2. Todd Puckett
3. Steve Wenner
4. Eric Yoo
5. John Hjelm
6. Steve Gorrell
7. Frank Guadagnino
8. Dale Greenwood Jr.
9. Gregor Halenda
10. Mike Orien
11. Brian Kcraget

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Best Guess Provisional Results
(Not Issued By AMA Racing)
AMA Superbike Race
Brainerd International Raceway
Brainerd, Minnesota
June 27, 2004

1. Miguel Duhamel, Honda
2. Jake Zemke, Honda
3. Mat Mladin, Suzuki
4. Eric Bostrom, Ducati
5. Ben Bostrom, Honda
6. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki
7. Aaron Yates, Suzuki
8. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha
9. Jake Holden, Suzuki
10. Geoff May, Suzuki

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Tommy Hayden beat his brother and factory Kawasaki teammate Roger Lee Hayden with a last-lap, last-corner pass to win the rain-interrupted AMA Supersport race at Brainerd International Raceway.

The win, his fourth of the season, extends Tommy Hayden’s Championship lead from 24 to 29 points, unofficially, with four races remaining.

Less than a second behind the Haydens, Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo finished third to collect his second podium finish of the day.

Defending Supersport Champion Jamie Hacking never challenged for the lead and finished fourth on his factory Yamaha YZF-R6, in front of fellow Yamaha rider Aaron Gobert, Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies, Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp and Spies’ teammate Aaron Yates.

Yates was delayed when he was forced to take evasive action to avoid Corona Extra Suzuki’s Ben Attard, who crashed in front of Yates (and just behind Rapp) on race lap nine.

Provisional AMA Supersport Race Results:

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 13 laps
2. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki, -0.095 second
3. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, -0.686 second
4. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, -0.822 second
5. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, -1.260 seconds
6. Ben Spies, Suzuki, -1.873 seconds
7. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, -2.916 seconds
8. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, -3.114 seconds
9. Michael Barnes, Yamaha, -10.440 seconds
10. Jason Perez, Yamaha, -10.856 seconds
11. Chris Peris, Suzuki, -17.911 seconds
12. Nicky Moore, Suzuki, -19.194 seconds
13. Danny Eslick, Suzuki, -19.304 seconds
14. Darren Luck, Suzuki, -19.951 seconds
15. Blake Young, Suzuki, -21.145 seconds
16. Jason Farrell, Kawasaki, -21.253 seconds
17. Heath Small, Yamaha, -28.751 seconds
18. Giovanni Rojas, Yamaha, -31.010 seconds
19. Shane Fletcher, Yamaha, -31.306 seconds
20. Adam Dolney, Yamaha, -34.099 seconds

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

1. Jake Zemke, Honda, 21 laps
2. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, -1.195 second
3. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, -1.763
4. Eric Bostrom, Ducati, -4.315
5. Ben Bostrom Honda, -11.331
6. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki, -20.057
7. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, -27.967
8. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha, -72.033
9. Jake Holden, Suzuki, -75.151
10. Geoff May, Suzuki, -97.373
11. Eric Wood, Suzuki, -105.995
12. Larry Pegram, Yamaha, -116.832
13. Cory West, Suzuki, -126.793
14. John Haner, Suzuki, -139.134
15. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki, -1 lap
16. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki, -1 lap, -9.496
17. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki, -1 lap, -9.864
18. Jason Curtis, Suzuki, -1 lap, -10.737
19. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki, -1 lap, -11.668
20. Mark Vandal, Yamaha, -1 lap, -25.859
21. James Kerker, Honda, -1 lap, -27.003
22. Scott Jensen, Suzuki, -1 lap, -27.157
23. David Bell, Suzuki, -1 lap, -63.000
24. Roger Hendricks, Suzuki, -1 lap, -136.222
25. Jeremy Toye, Yamaha, -2 laps, crashed
26. Greg Fryer, Yamaha, -2 laps, crashed
27. Jack Pfeifer, Honda, -2 laps, crashed
28. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, -9 laps, DNF, mechanical
29. C.R. Gittere, Suzuki, -10 laps, DNF
30. A.J. Amman, Suzuki, -11 laps, DNF

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Rain on lap seven of 13 focred the AMA Supersport race at Brainerd International Raceway to be stopped.

The 3.0-mile, 10-turn road course at Brainerd utilizes a quarter-mile drag strip as part of its main straightaway. A chemical called VHT (Very High Traction) and rubber built up on a drag strip cause it to become extremely slippery when even the smallest amount of moisture hits it.

At the time the Supersport race was stopped, a large group consisting of Roger Lee Hayden, Jason DiSalvo, Ben Spies, Jamie Hacking and Aaron Gobert were contesting the lead and Tommy Hayden and Steve Rapp had just caught the tail end of the group.

Before the rain came, Attack Kawasaki’s Tony Meiring, who had been running in the top 10, pulled off the track with a mechanical problem.

When the rain passes, the race will be restarted for seven laps by the race running order.


Supersport Race Running Order (as of lap six):

1. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki
2. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, -0.119 second
3. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, -0.315 second
4. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, -0.472 second
5. Ben Spies, Suzuki, -0.476 second
6. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, -1.427 seconds
7. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, -1.536 seconds
8. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, -2.724 seconds
9. Ben Attard, Suzuki, -2.899 seconds
10. Chris Peris, Suzuki, -3.114 seconds

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Provisional Sunday Morning AMA Supersport Practice Times:

1. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:39.683
2. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:39.943
3. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:40.116
4. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:40.258
5. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:40.413
6. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:40.465
7. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:41.120
8. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:41.334
9. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:41.351
10. Chris Peris, Suzuki, 1:41.496
11. Ben Attard, Suzuki, 1:41.809
12. Michael Barnes, Yamaha, 1:41.814
13. Jason Perez, Yamaha, 1:42.302
14. Blake Young, Suzuki, 1:43.402
15. Nicky Moore, Suzuki, 1:43.808
16. Heath Small, Yamaha, 1:43.932
17. Darren Luck, Suzuki, 1:44.169
18. Jason Farrell, Kawasaki, 1:44.859
19. Giovanni Rojas, Yamaha, 1:45.430
20. Pedro Valiente, Yamaha, 1:45.638

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

As rain fell on the last lap of today’s AMA Superbike race at Brainerd, American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel dropped his wheels off the pavement and handed the lead to Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke, who came into the final corner under waving yellow flags (because Jeremy Toye had crashed out of about 12th or 13th place the lap before) and crossed the finish line just ahead of Duhamel and Mat Mladin.

After the leaders crossed the finish line, Jack Pfeifer, running 25th, crashed entering the final corner and took out 24th-place Greg Fryer. Officials threw the red flag immediately, and since the entire field had not yet taken the checkered flag, the arguments over whether or not the race should be backed up a lap–giving victory to Duhamel–waged before officials could even issue provisional results.

Riders were visibly slipping and sliding on the final lap, especially on the last half of the course.

Stay tuned…

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

From the post-race press conference at Brainerd:

Mat Mladin: “It was poor officiating by the AMA again.”

Miguel Duhamel: “They should have just called it…I just don’t understand it. Jake almost crashed, I almost crashed…They need to review this and do something…You’ve got people running across the track and that’s really terrible.”

Jake Zemke: “It was awfully wet…The cornerworker running across the racetrack, there’s no excuse for that…No one needs to be running across the racetrack while bikes are racing, there’s no excuse for that. It was scary. You’re doing all you can to keep it on two wheels and you see somebody running across the track and looking back at you and both her eyeballs are bigger than her head.”