Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
WSMC racer Albert Medina and wife Denise had a son, Christopher Scott Medina, June 24 in Whittier, California.
© , Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Recent Birth
Porto Wins 250cc Grand Prix In Holland
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
250cc Grand Prix Race Results:
1. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, 18 laps, 37:26.576
2. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, -2.566 seconds
3. Toni ELIAS, Honda, -4.038 seconds
4. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, -8.024 seconds
5. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, -13.596 seconds
6. Anthony WEST, Aprilia, -20.405 seconds
7. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, -26.477 seconds
8. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, -27.302 seconds
9. Roberto ROLFO, Honda, -27.357 seconds
10. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, -43.693 seconds
11. Alex BALDOLINI, Aprilia, -43.945 seconds
12. Alex DEBON, Honda, -44.181 seconds
13. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, -52.638 seconds
14. Eric BATAILLE, Honda, -52.768 seconds
15. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, -52.900 seconds
16. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, -59.865 seconds
17. Hector FAUBEL, Aprilia, -63.776 seconds
18. Hugo MARCHAND, Aprilia, -63.994 seconds
19. Taro SEKIGUCHI, Yamaha, -78.056 seconds
20. Johan STIGEFELT, Aprilia, -78.128 seconds
250cc GP World Championship Point Standings:
1. DE PUNIET, 111 points
2. PEDROSA, 110 points
3. PORTO, 88 points
4. ELIAS, 70 points
5. NIETO, 64 points
6. DE ANGELIS, 51 points
7. ROLFO, 48 points
8. WEST, 46 points
9. TIE, AOYAMA/DEBON, 41 points
Vmoto Vintage Series Announced
From a press release issued by Vmoto:
The Bell Microproducts Vmoto Vintage Challenge
Mountain View, CA. Vmoto announced today a new series for vintage road racing motorcycles on the West Coast of the United States and a new series sponsor, Bell Microproducts.
The Bell Microproducts Vmoto Vintage Challenge will be contested in a series of races at Portland on July 9-11, Reno on September 18-19, Thunderhill on October 16-17, and the final round at Laguna Seca on November 22-23.
In keeping with Vmoto’s philosophy of vintage racing, points will not only be given for best finishing position, but also most consistent lap times and most period correct bike. The winners in each of the Vmoto classes will receive free entry to all 2005 Vintage Challenge events. In addition, all late entry fees will be dropped for the 2004 Vintage Challenge.
Vmoto classes: Class 1 ‹ Pre-War GP (to September 1939)
Class 2 ‹ Post-War GP (from October 1939 to September 1949)
Class 3 ‹ Grand Prix (from October 1949 to December 1968)
Class 4 ‹ Formula 750 (from January 1969 to December 1972)
Regularity ‹ Any pre 1974 road or race bike is eligible
To enter the series go to http://www.vintagemoto.com or call the Vmoto
office at 650-903-4882
Vmoto is pleased and honored to welcome Bell Microproducts as the 2004 Vintage Challenge Sponsor!
About Bell Microproducts
Bell Microproducts is an international, value-added provider of a wide range of high-technology products, solutions, and services to the industrial and commercial markets. The company’s offering includes semiconductors, computer platforms, peripherals, and storage products of various types including desktop, high-end computer and storage subsystems, fibre channel connectivity products, RAID, NAS and SAN storage systems, back-up products, storage management software, and extensive support, integration and installation services. Bell Microproducts is an industry-recognized specialist in storage products and is one of the world’s largest storage-centric value-added distributors.
The company’s products are available at any level of integration, from components to subsystem assemblies and fully-integrated, tested and certified system solutions. The company adds value with a broad range of services including testing, software loading, kitting, mass storage system integration, and computer system integration. Trained and certified technical personnel complete each of these processes at Bell Microproducts’ ISO 9001:2000 facilities. Bell Microproducts markets and distributes more than 125 brand name product lines, as well as its own Rorke Data storage brands, to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contract electronic manufacturing services (EMS) customers, value-added resellers (VARs) and system integrators in the Americas and Europe. More information can be found in the company’s SEC filings, or by visiting the Bell Microproducts Web site
at http://www.bellmicro.com.
Derbi’s Lorenzo Wins 125cc Grand Prix At Assen
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
125cc Grand Prix Race Results:
1. Jorge LORENZO, Derbi, 17 laps, 37:13.859
2. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, -0.235 seconds
3. Casey STONER, KTM, -0.564 seconds
4. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, -0.606 seconds
5. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, -3.865 seconds
6. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, -11.450 seconds
7. Marco SIMONCELLI, Aprilia, -11.756 seconds
8. Pablo NIETO, Aprilia, -11.764 seconds
9. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, -11.913 seconds
10. Imre TOTH, Aprilia, -29.339 seconds
11. Mattia PASINI, Aprilia, -29.851 seconds
12. Mike DI MEGLIO, Aprilia, -30.394 seconds
13. Gioele PELLINO, Aprilia, -30.428 seconds
14. Stefano PERUGINI, Gilera, -39.233 seconds
15. Angel RODRIGUEZ, Derbi, -39.346 seconds
125cc GP World Championship Point Standings:
1. DOVIZIOSO, 109 points
2. LOCATELLI, 93 points
3. TIE, BARBERA/STONER, 84 points
5. NIETO, 63 points
6. TIE, LORENZO/JENKNER, 58 points
8. GIANSANTI, 52 points
9. SIMONCELLI, 43 points
10. PASINI, 25 points
Rossi Leads MotoGP Warm-up Saturday Morning At Assen
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Saturday Morning MotoGP Practice Times:
1. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 2:00.003
2. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 2:00.236
3. Carlos CHECA, Yamaha, 2:00.758
4. Colin EDWARDS, Honda, 2:00.846
5. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 2:00.994
6. Alex BARROS, Honda, 2:01.061
7. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 2:01.103
8. Neil HODGSON, Ducati, 2:01.230
9. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 2:01.402
10. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Aprilia, 2:01.422
11. Ruben XAUS, Ducati, 2:01.647
12. Marco MELANDRI, Yamaha, 2:01.796
13. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, 2:02.015
14. Norick ABE, Yamaha, 2:02.127
15. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 2:02.150
16. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, 2:02.248
17. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 2:02.286
18. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 2:02.288
19. Shane BYRNE, Aprilia, 2:02.498
20. Troy BAYLISS, Ducati, 2:02.629
21. Michel FABRIZIO, Harris WCM, 2:04.646
22. Kurtis ROBERTS, Proton, 2:04.988
23. Nobuatsu AOKI, Proton, 2:05.002
24. Chris BURNS, Harris WCM, 2:05.184
FIM Restricts MotoGP Testing
From a press release issued by the FIM:
Assen, June 26
Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix
Decisions of the Grand Prix Commission
The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Claude Danis (FIM), Sito Pons (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), with the presence of Paul Butler (Secretary), in a meeting held yesterday, has unanimously decided to introduce the following modifications to the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations:
As from November 1st, 2004:
1.11 Entries
1.11.1 Each team, being a member of IRTA, must submit to the Secretariat of IRTA, by 28 February of the year in question, an entry for their team which will, except when special dispensation is granted, be valid for all races in the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix. At the same time, the team must indicate the riders designated and the class in which they will participate together with the Testing Circuits designated by teams in the 125cc and 250cc classes.
1.15.1 Practice Restrictions
i) Contracted Teams who benefit from a Participation Agreement to take part in the MotoGP class of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix and their designated riders in that class are prohibited from practising at any circuit between the 1st December of one year and the 20th January of the following year, both dates being inclusive.
ii) Contracted Teams who benefit from a Participation Agreement to take part in the 125cc and the 250cc classes of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix and their designated riders in those classes may only conduct “winter testing” i.e. tests between the end of the season and the first event of the following season, at circuits in the Continental Zone where the team is based (Europe, Asia/Oceania, Africa, the Americas).
iii) Contracted Teams who benefit from a Participation Agreement to take part in the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix in any class and their designated riders in any class are prohibited from practising:
a) at any circuit included in the Grand Prix calendar of the current year after the date that is 14 days prior to first race of the season.
b) at any circuit included in the Grand Prix calendar of the current year during “breaks”. A break in the Championship is defined as two consecutive weekends where events are not scheduled. The period of the break extends from 09.00 hrs. on the Wednesday after the Grand Prix until the following Grand Prix.
iv) The following exceptions will apply to iii) A) above:
a) Free practice or qualifying practice at the event.
b) Practice at any circuit after the event at that circuit except during a break as defined above.
c) Official practice sessions organised by IRTA.
d) Practice by contracted Teams who benefit from a Participation Agreement to take part in the 125cc and the 250cc classes of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix and their designated riders in those classes, at the two testing circuits designated by each team (see 1.11.1) which may take place up to 14 days before the race scheduled for the circuit, but not during a break as defined above.
v) Practice restrictions do not apply to wild card riders except that they may not practice or race at any Grand Prix circuit within 14 days of the race.
Technical Regulations:
As from January 1st, 2005:
Art. 2.6.3 – Fuel tanks must be filled with fire retardant material or be lined with a fuel cell bladder.
Fuel tanks made of metallic material (steel, aluminium, etc.) must be filled with fire retardant material, or be fitted with a fuel cell bladder.
In the MotoGP class, fuel tanks made of composite materials (carbon fibre, aramid fibre, etc.) must have passed the FIM Standards for fuel tanks and be lined with fuel cell bladder.
Tanks made of composite material must bear the label certifying conformity with FIM Fuel Tank test Standards. Such labels must include the fuel tank manufacturer’s name, date of tank manufacture and name of testing laboratory.
Full details of the FIM fuel tank test standards are available from the FIM.
As from January 1st, 2007:
Art. 2.2.1 – The maximum engine capacity in the MotoGP class will be reduced to 900cc.
Art. 2.5.1 – The minimum weights required for the motorcycles will be the following:
2 cylinders or less 133 kg
3 cylinders 140,5 kg
4 cylinders 148 kg
5 cylinders 155,5 kg
6 cylinders or more 163 kg
The use of oval pistons will be forbidden.
Duhamel Continues To Set The Pace In Final AMA Formula Xtreme Practice In Minnesota
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Provisional Saturday Morning AMA Formula Xtreme Practice Times:
1. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, 1:38.306
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, 1:38.618
3. Doug Chandler, Ducati 749R, 1:39.413
4. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:39.525
5. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:40.590
6. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 1:40.711
7. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:41.285
8. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:42.784
9. Michael Barnes, Buell XB9R, 1:42.870
10. Heath Small, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:43.016
11. Blake Young, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:43.192
12. Mike Ciccotto, Buell XB9R, 1:43.412
13. Nicky Moore, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:43.695
14. Perry Melenciuc, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:45.131
15. Nathan Hester, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:45.858
16. Matt Prentice, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:46.369
17. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:48.265
18. Josh Bryan, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:48.569
Updated Post: Duhamel Beats Zemke, Haskovec In AMA Formula Xtreme At Brainerd
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel outlasted Jake Zemke in a race-long duel to take his fifth AMA Formula Xtreme race win of the season Saturday at Brainerd International Raceway.
Duhamel and Zemke, both CBR600RR-mounted, went back-and-forth throughout the 13-lap race. The familiar foes drafted each other on the front straightaway and exchanged the lead numerous times in Brainerd’s fast turns one, two, three and the final corner, but neither rider displayed a clear advantage.
With three laps to go, however, Duhamel put his head down, reeling off the fastest laps of the race (a 1:38.645 on lap 10, a 1:38.259 on lap 11 and a 1:38.083 on the final lap), and pulled away to win by 0.375-second over Erion Honda’s Zemke.
The win extends Duhamel’s Championship point lead from nine to 15 points.
Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec, the sixth-fastest qualifier, ran a very strong third behind Duhamel and Zemke. Haskovec made up for a substantial top speed disadvantage to the Hondas on the front straight by attacking the fast first corners and the infield section and was within 0.4-second of the lead mid-race, but the Czech-born racer ran wide late in the race, hit a curb, bent his bike’s front wheel and was forced to nurse his GSX-R600 home to collect his first Formula Xtreme podium of the season.
HMC Milwaukee Ducati’s Doug Chandler, American Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore and Hal’s Performance Buell’s Mike Ciccotto all experienced mechanical difficulties during the race.
Provisional AMA Formula Xtreme Race Results:
1. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, 13 laps
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, -0.375 second
3. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R600, -8.585 seconds
4. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, -26.775 seconds
5. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha YZF-R6, -41.592 seconds
6. Michael Barnes, Buell XB9R, -50.569 seconds
7. Blake Young, Suzuki GSX-R600, -53.042 seconds
8. Larry Pegram Yamaha YZF-R6, -53.087 seconds
9. Heath Small, Yamaha YZF-R6, -56.480 seconds
10. Nicky Moore, Suzuki GSX-R600, -68.107 seconds
11. Nathan Hester, Yamaha YZF-R6, -75.017 seconds
12. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha YZF-R6, -81.289 seconds
13. Matt Prentice, Yamaha YZF-R6
14. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R600
15. Josh Bryan, Yamaha YZF-R6
16. Doug Chandler, Ducati 749R, mechanical
17. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R600, DNF, mechanical
18. Mike Ciccotto, Buell XB9R, DNF, mechanical
Provisional AMA Formula Xtreme Championship Point Standings:
1. Duhamel, 250 points
2. Zemke, 235 points
3. Gobert, 193 points
4. Haskovec, 162 points
5. Pegram, 139 points
6. Jake Holden, 121 points
7. Hester, 118 points
8. Melneciuc, 116 points
9. Barnes, 111 points
10. Small, 107 points
More, from a press release issued by Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki:
HASKOVEC ON BRAINERD FORMULA XTREME PODIUM
Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki had reason to celebrate at Brainerd International Raceway on Saturday. The 3.0-mile road course was the scene of the squad’s first podium finish of the AMA season.
At the green light, Vincent Haskovec quickly guided his Formula Xtreme Suzuki GSX-R600 forward from a second row grid position into third place. He then proceeded to track down the front-running factory riders and challenge them for the lead.
“In the morning session we found a solution that
helped us go significantly faster, and I was really looking forward to the race,” Haskovec said after picking up the first Formula Xtreme podium of his career. “The leaders got about three or four seconds ahead of me early, and I was a little surprised I was able to catch up with them.”
For a majority of the final, Haskovec would lose some ground on the straight but he continued to close back in on the leading duo in the infield of the ten turn course. Fighting to maintain the hot pace required to stay up front, Vincent’s hard charging pursuit resulted in a major moment that threatened to end his stellar run. The Czech born rider held onto to finish third, however, a nice reward after several top performances this season that ended short of a podium finish.
“They stepped up their pace into the 1:38s, and I
tried really hard to stay with them,” he continued. “In Turn 6, I went up on the curbing. With the lean angle, I hit the pavement (curb) and bent my front wheel. I just had to concentrate on bring it home in third then. I’m really happy to get that podium.”
Adding to team’s Saturday success was another fine Brainerd performance by Chris Peris. The youngster followed up his impressive top-five Friday practice showing by earning a second row grid position during today’s qualifying session.
The Canadian qualified his Michelin-shod GSX-R600
Supersport machine in seventh position with a best time of 1:40.394.
Steve Rapp will line up directly behind Peris in
tomorrow’s 13-lap Supersport final. The Californian qualified in eleventh after posting a fast lap of 1:41.052.
Haskovec and Rapp will also be competing in Sunday’s Superstock final. As expected, the high-speed characteristics of the raceway with its long straight have not been an ideal fit for the team’s GSX-R750 when compared with the rival 1000cc machines.
Haskovec will start from the third row after
qualifying in eleventh at 1:38.968, while Rapp will line up on the fourth row following his thirteenth place qualifying effort (1:39.338).
Where Are Chuck Sorensen And Simon Turner, Or, News From F-USA And CCS At VIR
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By Bruce Wilkins
After what many described as an overnight monsoon, racing action returned to high gear for the second day of the Formula USA/CCS National at Virginia International Raceway, Saturday.
Qualifying for Sunday’s F-USA National races saw Jeff Wood take pole in Sportbike ahead of Rob Jensen and Brian Stokes while Jensen was fastest in Superbike from Wood and Chris Ulrich.
Stokes qualified on pole for Formula Sportbike, ahead of Scott Harwell and Scott Carpenter. Tripp Nobles took pole in Thunderbike, and Chuck Sorensen was fastest in USGPRU 250cc Grand Prix qualifying on his Stargel Racing Aprilia RSV250. Brian Kcraget took the USGPRU 125cc Grand Prix pole ahead of California young gun Josh Herrin.
Wood, Stokes, Yaakov, and Kcraget recorded CCS race wins, after an intermittent sprinkling of rain ended around 11:00 a.m. As the day progressed, the concerns about having to suddenly mount rain tires dissipated and the green track soon became wicked fast for most classes.
The closest action of the day came in the Expert Heavyweight Supersport race with Stokes and his Suzuki holding off Yamaha pilot Jenson at the finish line, winning by less than a bikelength or officially, with an 0.048-second gap. Arclight Suzuki’s Harwell came in third.
Stokes started the race on tires that already had recorded 10 laps and by mid-race, “my tires started sliding pretty good,” Stokes pointed out. “On the last two laps in Turn 1 and going underneath the bridge I just blocked inside and ran it really deep. I knew either Harwell or Jensen was coming.”
Jensen described a scenario where he should have waited just a little sooner before making his move through the hog pen and down the front stretch.
“I think if I had backed off just a little bit and got a better run at him, I might have been able to get him by the line,” Jensen said.
A surprise of the day was the spirited riding of Nate Kern on his BMW, finishing second in the Expert Lightweight SuperSport race behind Yaakov on a SV650 Suzuki. Just back from racing the Boxer Cup Series in Europe and headed back for two races there in July, Kern powered his 500-pound bike around VIR’s technical North Course so smoothly that many of the SV naysayers at the beginning of the race were shaking their heads in astonishment.
“Today from the start, I was like Row 5 and 20th position, but it didn’t bother me at all,” reflected Kern. “What I’ve learned in Europe is when you go into Turn 1 at the start of a race, it’s like lap number 10. You’ve got to get it from the get-go.” Kern was 4th by Turn 1 at the start and methodically worked his way up to second by race’s end.
In what has become a VIR tradition in GP125 action, a young racer traveled from afar to the rolling hills of Southside Virginia to do battle with GP125 ace Kcraget of nearby Danville. Last year it was Ryan Andrews of Texas and the year before it was Chris Peris of Canada. This year, the fast upstart is 14-year-old Josh Herrin of Glendale, California.
Herrin took the lead of the 125 Grand Prix race in Turn 1 of the first lap, then diced with Kcraget until the third turn of the second lap when Kcraget took over the lead for good. Coming down the roller-coaster, Herrin missed a gear, which created a wide gap to Kcraget. “After that I let him go,” Herrin said. “I didn’t want to try hard to get back to him because it wasn’t the main race yet.”
That race will be the USGPRU 125cc Grand Prix National that will be held tomorrow.
Anthony Dowless of Pineville, North Carolina won the Amateur Heavyweight SuperSport race, while Kenny Rodriguez of Summerville, South Carolina won the Amateur Middleweight SuperSport Superbike races.
F-USA Sportbike Qualifying
1. Jeff Wood, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:29.951
2. Rob Jensen, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.051
3. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:30.437
4. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:30.624
5. Mike Himmelsbach, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.647
6. Simon Turner, 1:31.228
7. Des Conboy, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.234
8. David Weber, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.600
9. Michael Garofalo, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:32.155
10. Trey Yonce, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:32.600
F-USA Superbike Qualifying
1. Rob Jensen, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.027
2. Jeff Wood, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:30.905
3. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:30.931
4. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSx-R600, 1:31.108
5. Mike Himmelsbach, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.112
6. David Weber, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.349
7. Chuck Sorensen, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.355
8. Des Conboy, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.406
9. Simon Turner, 1:31.584
10. Joe Spina, Suzuki GSX-R600 1:31.927
F-USA Formula Sportbike Qualifying
1. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.586
2. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.199
3. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.854
4. Michael Garofalo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.967
5. Dave Ebben, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.934
6. John McGarity, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.032
7. Brian Baker, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.273
8. Rob Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.936*
9. Tripp Nobles, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.526
10. Joe Ribeiro, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.698
F-USA Thunderbike Qualifying
1. Tripp Nobles, Buell XB9R, 1:34.491
2. Dave Yaakov, Suzuki SV650, 1:34.870
3. Derek Keyes, Suzuki SV650, 1:35.077
4. Bryan Bemisderfer, Buell XB9R, 1:35.788
5. Jeff Johnson, Buell XB9R, 1:35.997
6. Dave Estok, Buell XB9R, 1:36.169
7. Nate Kern, BMW R1000S, 1:36.681
8. Dan Bilansky, Buell XB9R, 1:36.776
9. Darren Danilowicz, Suzuki SV650, 1:36.816
10. Josh Guyer, Buell, 1:36.894
USGPRU 250cc Qualifying
1. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia RSV250, 1:31.152
2. Josh Herrin, Honda RS125, 1:36.003
3. Sean Wray, Yamaha TZ250, 1:36.040
4. Steve Wenner, Honda RS125, 1:37.023
5. Brian Kcraget, Honda RS125, 1:37.757
6. Bruce Lind, Yamaha TZ250, 1:38.054
7. Sean McNew, Honda RS250, 1:38.105
8. Mark Stiles, Yamaha TZ250, 1:38.255
9. P. Dowd, 1:39.639
10. B. Bruner, 1:39.655
USGPRU 125cc Qualifying
1. Brian Kcraget, Honda RS125, 1:34.688
2. Josh Herrin, Honda RS125, 1:35.357
3. Steve Wenner, Honda RS125, 1:37.335
4. Todd Puckett, Honda RS125, 1:37.375
5. John Hjelm, Honda RS125, 1:38.074
Updated Post: Zemke Snatches AMA Superbike Pole Position At Brainerd
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
A crash during the short, 30-minute final qualifying session didn’t prevent Parts Unlimited PJ1 Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke from capturing the AMA Superbike pole position during qualifying Saturday morning at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota.
Zemke crashed one of his CBR1000RR Superbikes in turn 10, the final corner on the 3.0-mile road course, with less than 20 minutes remaining. He then ran back to pit lane, mounted his second CBR1000RR and spent one of his qualifying tires getting back up to full speed, before mounting his last qualifier and turning a late, fast lap of 1:35.655 to collect the second AMA Superbike pole position of his season and his career.
Provisional Combined AMA Superbike Qualifying Results:
1. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:35.655
2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.671
3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:35.818
4. Ben Bostrom, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:35.828
5. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:35.876
6. Eric Bostrom, Ducati 999F04, 1:36.380
7. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.759
8. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:37.777
9. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:38.853
10. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.434
11. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.463
12. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:39.690
13. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.770
14. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:40.163
15. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:40.203
16. Jeremy Toye, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:40.317
17. Cory West, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:41.441
18. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:41.720
19. Jack Pfeifer, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:41.880
20. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:42.032
21. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:42.068
22. Greg Fryer, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:42.110
23. James Kerker, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:42.726
24. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:42.766
25. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:42.886
26. Mark Vandal, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:43.122
27. Scott Jensen, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:43.473
28. C.R. Gittere, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:44.054
29. A.J. Ammann, Suzuki GSX-R100, 1:44.192
30. Roger Hendricks, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:44.878
More, from a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:
2004 American AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship
Round 11 – Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minnesota, USA
Qualifying Session Report
MLADIN MISSES POLE BY A WHISKER AT BRAINERD
Brainerd, Minnesota, USA (Saturday, June 26) – In a dramatic final qualifying session for this weekend’s eleventh round of the American AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship at Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota, defending series champion and current points leader, Mat Mladin, was edged off pole position for this weekend’s round after his time was beaten by the narrowest of margins in the final minutes of the session by
Jake Zemke.
Mladin had already posted a best time of 1:35.671 aborad his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 to head the timesheets for the second and final session, but Zemke responded after an early-session crash to grab the valuable point for pole position with a time of 1:35.655, a mere 0.016 of a second.
Tomorrow’s 21-lap race is certain to be action packed after the qualifying times showed that the top five riders were separated by just two tenths of a second. The final two placings on the front row of the grid went to the Honda’s of Miguel DuHamel (1:35.818) and Ben Bostrom (1:35.828), with Kawasaki’s Josh Hayes fifth fastest with a 1:35.876.
With a place of the front row of the grid being a priority, Mladin set the pace after fitting a set of softer qualifying tyres, something that he had not done in yesterday’s session, where he elected to spend more time concentrating on finding a suitable race setup rather than reeling off a quick time for a single lap.
“We didn’t use any qualifiers yesterday, so we had a couple up our sleeve for today,” said Mladin. “We had a little bit of trouble with some slower guys and didn’t get the best of runs, but that happens sometimes.
“We made some slight changes to the bike overnight and went quicker on race tyres than we did yesterday, so we’re very happy overall.
“Jake (Zemke) got us by just a little bit there at the end, that’s alright, but we’re quite happy with how our `race setup is.
“The times are pretty close there after qualifying, but we’ll have to see how we go with our setup in the race. Drafting will be a key point to the race, as I don’t think we’ll have the speed to break away from them down the straights. We’ll just play the race as it comes and see where we can get an edge over them.”
With a ten-point advantage at the top of the championship points table, Mladin will be aiming to stay ahead of arch rivals DuHamel and Zemke by the end of tomorrow’s 21-lap Superbike national and work not only at maintaining his lead in the series, but stretching out to a greater advantage.
COMBINED QUALIFYING, 2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship, Saturday Top
10
1. Jake Zemke (Erion Honda) 1:35.655
2. Mat Mladin (Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:35.671
3. Miguel DuHamel (American Honda) 1:35.818
4. Ben Bostrom (American Honda) 1:35.828
5. Josh Hayes (Attack Kawasaki) 1:35.876
6. Eric Bostrom (Ducati Austin) 1:36.380
7. Aaron Yates (Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:36.759
8. Pascal Picotte (Yamaha Canada) 1:37.777
9. Jason Pridmore (Suzuki) 1:38.853
10. Shawn Higbee (KWS Suzuki) 1:39.434
2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship (Points after 10 of 18 rounds)
1. Mat Mladin (329, 5 wins); 2. Miguel DuHamel (319, 4 wins), 3. Jake Zemke (312), 4. Eric Bostrom (235, 1 win), 5. Geoff May (220); 6. Ben Bostrom (184), 7. John Haner (183), 8. Aaron Yates (165), 9. Eric Wood (161), 10. Lee Acree (156).
More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:
BOSTROM PICKS UP PACE IN SATURDAY QUALIFYING
Brainerd (Minnesota) – June 26, 2004: Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin’s Eric Bostrom shaved nearly 1.4 seconds off his Friday qualifying time today, putting his Ducati 999R in sixth spot for tomorrow’s Trofeo Ducati U.S. Superbike AMA Championship race.
Bostrom was upbeat after the only Superbike session of the day, but wanted even more from qualifying at the 3.1-mile (4.58 km), 10-turn Brainerd track. Eric’s time of 1:36.380 set on his Michelin-shod Ducati was just behind the top five runners, who were separated by a mere 0.2 seconds at the Minnesota track.
“We improved, but to be honest I was looking forward to being even faster today. Our times on race tires were pretty good, even though we didn’t drop as much time as the other guys since they used qualifying tires,” said the 27-year-old from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Saturday was warmer at Brainerd, although still cool for June. More importantly, the crosswind that bothered the riders in turn two wasn’t as much of a hindrance today as it was on Friday.
The team is optimistic about a positive result in Sunday’s race. “We were fast on race tires today; it’s a lot closer than our qualifying position shows,” said Racing Manager Tom Bodenbach. “The guys will be making just a few changes to the bike for tomorrow and then we plan on being in the hunt.”
“We’ll be a factor. Tomorrow’s going to be a good race, I’m sure of that,” said Eric, who was among the quickest on the top speed guns into Brainerd’s famous turn one.
Tomorrow’s 21-lap (100 km) race is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. (Central Daylight Time).
Recent Birth
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
WSMC racer Albert Medina and wife Denise had a son, Christopher Scott Medina, June 24 in Whittier, California.
Porto Wins 250cc Grand Prix In Holland
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
250cc Grand Prix Race Results:
1. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, 18 laps, 37:26.576
2. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, -2.566 seconds
3. Toni ELIAS, Honda, -4.038 seconds
4. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, -8.024 seconds
5. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, -13.596 seconds
6. Anthony WEST, Aprilia, -20.405 seconds
7. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, -26.477 seconds
8. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, -27.302 seconds
9. Roberto ROLFO, Honda, -27.357 seconds
10. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, -43.693 seconds
11. Alex BALDOLINI, Aprilia, -43.945 seconds
12. Alex DEBON, Honda, -44.181 seconds
13. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, -52.638 seconds
14. Eric BATAILLE, Honda, -52.768 seconds
15. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, -52.900 seconds
16. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, -59.865 seconds
17. Hector FAUBEL, Aprilia, -63.776 seconds
18. Hugo MARCHAND, Aprilia, -63.994 seconds
19. Taro SEKIGUCHI, Yamaha, -78.056 seconds
20. Johan STIGEFELT, Aprilia, -78.128 seconds
250cc GP World Championship Point Standings:
1. DE PUNIET, 111 points
2. PEDROSA, 110 points
3. PORTO, 88 points
4. ELIAS, 70 points
5. NIETO, 64 points
6. DE ANGELIS, 51 points
7. ROLFO, 48 points
8. WEST, 46 points
9. TIE, AOYAMA/DEBON, 41 points
Vmoto Vintage Series Announced
From a press release issued by Vmoto:
The Bell Microproducts Vmoto Vintage Challenge
Mountain View, CA. Vmoto announced today a new series for vintage road racing motorcycles on the West Coast of the United States and a new series sponsor, Bell Microproducts.
The Bell Microproducts Vmoto Vintage Challenge will be contested in a series of races at Portland on July 9-11, Reno on September 18-19, Thunderhill on October 16-17, and the final round at Laguna Seca on November 22-23.
In keeping with Vmoto’s philosophy of vintage racing, points will not only be given for best finishing position, but also most consistent lap times and most period correct bike. The winners in each of the Vmoto classes will receive free entry to all 2005 Vintage Challenge events. In addition, all late entry fees will be dropped for the 2004 Vintage Challenge.
Vmoto classes: Class 1 ‹ Pre-War GP (to September 1939)
Class 2 ‹ Post-War GP (from October 1939 to September 1949)
Class 3 ‹ Grand Prix (from October 1949 to December 1968)
Class 4 ‹ Formula 750 (from January 1969 to December 1972)
Regularity ‹ Any pre 1974 road or race bike is eligible
To enter the series go to http://www.vintagemoto.com or call the Vmoto
office at 650-903-4882
Vmoto is pleased and honored to welcome Bell Microproducts as the 2004 Vintage Challenge Sponsor!
About Bell Microproducts
Bell Microproducts is an international, value-added provider of a wide range of high-technology products, solutions, and services to the industrial and commercial markets. The company’s offering includes semiconductors, computer platforms, peripherals, and storage products of various types including desktop, high-end computer and storage subsystems, fibre channel connectivity products, RAID, NAS and SAN storage systems, back-up products, storage management software, and extensive support, integration and installation services. Bell Microproducts is an industry-recognized specialist in storage products and is one of the world’s largest storage-centric value-added distributors.
The company’s products are available at any level of integration, from components to subsystem assemblies and fully-integrated, tested and certified system solutions. The company adds value with a broad range of services including testing, software loading, kitting, mass storage system integration, and computer system integration. Trained and certified technical personnel complete each of these processes at Bell Microproducts’ ISO 9001:2000 facilities. Bell Microproducts markets and distributes more than 125 brand name product lines, as well as its own Rorke Data storage brands, to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contract electronic manufacturing services (EMS) customers, value-added resellers (VARs) and system integrators in the Americas and Europe. More information can be found in the company’s SEC filings, or by visiting the Bell Microproducts Web site
at http://www.bellmicro.com.
Derbi’s Lorenzo Wins 125cc Grand Prix At Assen
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
125cc Grand Prix Race Results:
1. Jorge LORENZO, Derbi, 17 laps, 37:13.859
2. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, -0.235 seconds
3. Casey STONER, KTM, -0.564 seconds
4. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, -0.606 seconds
5. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, -3.865 seconds
6. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, -11.450 seconds
7. Marco SIMONCELLI, Aprilia, -11.756 seconds
8. Pablo NIETO, Aprilia, -11.764 seconds
9. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, -11.913 seconds
10. Imre TOTH, Aprilia, -29.339 seconds
11. Mattia PASINI, Aprilia, -29.851 seconds
12. Mike DI MEGLIO, Aprilia, -30.394 seconds
13. Gioele PELLINO, Aprilia, -30.428 seconds
14. Stefano PERUGINI, Gilera, -39.233 seconds
15. Angel RODRIGUEZ, Derbi, -39.346 seconds
125cc GP World Championship Point Standings:
1. DOVIZIOSO, 109 points
2. LOCATELLI, 93 points
3. TIE, BARBERA/STONER, 84 points
5. NIETO, 63 points
6. TIE, LORENZO/JENKNER, 58 points
8. GIANSANTI, 52 points
9. SIMONCELLI, 43 points
10. PASINI, 25 points
Rossi Leads MotoGP Warm-up Saturday Morning At Assen
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Saturday Morning MotoGP Practice Times:
1. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 2:00.003
2. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 2:00.236
3. Carlos CHECA, Yamaha, 2:00.758
4. Colin EDWARDS, Honda, 2:00.846
5. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 2:00.994
6. Alex BARROS, Honda, 2:01.061
7. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 2:01.103
8. Neil HODGSON, Ducati, 2:01.230
9. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 2:01.402
10. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Aprilia, 2:01.422
11. Ruben XAUS, Ducati, 2:01.647
12. Marco MELANDRI, Yamaha, 2:01.796
13. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, 2:02.015
14. Norick ABE, Yamaha, 2:02.127
15. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 2:02.150
16. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, 2:02.248
17. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 2:02.286
18. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 2:02.288
19. Shane BYRNE, Aprilia, 2:02.498
20. Troy BAYLISS, Ducati, 2:02.629
21. Michel FABRIZIO, Harris WCM, 2:04.646
22. Kurtis ROBERTS, Proton, 2:04.988
23. Nobuatsu AOKI, Proton, 2:05.002
24. Chris BURNS, Harris WCM, 2:05.184
FIM Restricts MotoGP Testing
From a press release issued by the FIM:
Assen, June 26
Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix
Decisions of the Grand Prix Commission
The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Claude Danis (FIM), Sito Pons (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), with the presence of Paul Butler (Secretary), in a meeting held yesterday, has unanimously decided to introduce the following modifications to the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations:
As from November 1st, 2004:
1.11 Entries
1.11.1 Each team, being a member of IRTA, must submit to the Secretariat of IRTA, by 28 February of the year in question, an entry for their team which will, except when special dispensation is granted, be valid for all races in the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix. At the same time, the team must indicate the riders designated and the class in which they will participate together with the Testing Circuits designated by teams in the 125cc and 250cc classes.
1.15.1 Practice Restrictions
i) Contracted Teams who benefit from a Participation Agreement to take part in the MotoGP class of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix and their designated riders in that class are prohibited from practising at any circuit between the 1st December of one year and the 20th January of the following year, both dates being inclusive.
ii) Contracted Teams who benefit from a Participation Agreement to take part in the 125cc and the 250cc classes of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix and their designated riders in those classes may only conduct “winter testing” i.e. tests between the end of the season and the first event of the following season, at circuits in the Continental Zone where the team is based (Europe, Asia/Oceania, Africa, the Americas).
iii) Contracted Teams who benefit from a Participation Agreement to take part in the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix in any class and their designated riders in any class are prohibited from practising:
a) at any circuit included in the Grand Prix calendar of the current year after the date that is 14 days prior to first race of the season.
b) at any circuit included in the Grand Prix calendar of the current year during “breaks”. A break in the Championship is defined as two consecutive weekends where events are not scheduled. The period of the break extends from 09.00 hrs. on the Wednesday after the Grand Prix until the following Grand Prix.
iv) The following exceptions will apply to iii) A) above:
a) Free practice or qualifying practice at the event.
b) Practice at any circuit after the event at that circuit except during a break as defined above.
c) Official practice sessions organised by IRTA.
d) Practice by contracted Teams who benefit from a Participation Agreement to take part in the 125cc and the 250cc classes of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix and their designated riders in those classes, at the two testing circuits designated by each team (see 1.11.1) which may take place up to 14 days before the race scheduled for the circuit, but not during a break as defined above.
v) Practice restrictions do not apply to wild card riders except that they may not practice or race at any Grand Prix circuit within 14 days of the race.
Technical Regulations:
As from January 1st, 2005:
Art. 2.6.3 – Fuel tanks must be filled with fire retardant material or be lined with a fuel cell bladder.
Fuel tanks made of metallic material (steel, aluminium, etc.) must be filled with fire retardant material, or be fitted with a fuel cell bladder.
In the MotoGP class, fuel tanks made of composite materials (carbon fibre, aramid fibre, etc.) must have passed the FIM Standards for fuel tanks and be lined with fuel cell bladder.
Tanks made of composite material must bear the label certifying conformity with FIM Fuel Tank test Standards. Such labels must include the fuel tank manufacturer’s name, date of tank manufacture and name of testing laboratory.
Full details of the FIM fuel tank test standards are available from the FIM.
As from January 1st, 2007:
Art. 2.2.1 – The maximum engine capacity in the MotoGP class will be reduced to 900cc.
Art. 2.5.1 – The minimum weights required for the motorcycles will be the following:
2 cylinders or less 133 kg
3 cylinders 140,5 kg
4 cylinders 148 kg
5 cylinders 155,5 kg
6 cylinders or more 163 kg
The use of oval pistons will be forbidden.
Duhamel Continues To Set The Pace In Final AMA Formula Xtreme Practice In Minnesota
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Provisional Saturday Morning AMA Formula Xtreme Practice Times:
1. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, 1:38.306
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, 1:38.618
3. Doug Chandler, Ducati 749R, 1:39.413
4. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:39.525
5. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:40.590
6. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 1:40.711
7. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:41.285
8. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:42.784
9. Michael Barnes, Buell XB9R, 1:42.870
10. Heath Small, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:43.016
11. Blake Young, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:43.192
12. Mike Ciccotto, Buell XB9R, 1:43.412
13. Nicky Moore, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:43.695
14. Perry Melenciuc, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:45.131
15. Nathan Hester, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:45.858
16. Matt Prentice, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:46.369
17. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:48.265
18. Josh Bryan, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:48.569
Updated Post: Duhamel Beats Zemke, Haskovec In AMA Formula Xtreme At Brainerd
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel outlasted Jake Zemke in a race-long duel to take his fifth AMA Formula Xtreme race win of the season Saturday at Brainerd International Raceway.
Duhamel and Zemke, both CBR600RR-mounted, went back-and-forth throughout the 13-lap race. The familiar foes drafted each other on the front straightaway and exchanged the lead numerous times in Brainerd’s fast turns one, two, three and the final corner, but neither rider displayed a clear advantage.
With three laps to go, however, Duhamel put his head down, reeling off the fastest laps of the race (a 1:38.645 on lap 10, a 1:38.259 on lap 11 and a 1:38.083 on the final lap), and pulled away to win by 0.375-second over Erion Honda’s Zemke.
The win extends Duhamel’s Championship point lead from nine to 15 points.
Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec, the sixth-fastest qualifier, ran a very strong third behind Duhamel and Zemke. Haskovec made up for a substantial top speed disadvantage to the Hondas on the front straight by attacking the fast first corners and the infield section and was within 0.4-second of the lead mid-race, but the Czech-born racer ran wide late in the race, hit a curb, bent his bike’s front wheel and was forced to nurse his GSX-R600 home to collect his first Formula Xtreme podium of the season.
HMC Milwaukee Ducati’s Doug Chandler, American Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore and Hal’s Performance Buell’s Mike Ciccotto all experienced mechanical difficulties during the race.
Provisional AMA Formula Xtreme Race Results:
1. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, 13 laps
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, -0.375 second
3. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R600, -8.585 seconds
4. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, -26.775 seconds
5. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha YZF-R6, -41.592 seconds
6. Michael Barnes, Buell XB9R, -50.569 seconds
7. Blake Young, Suzuki GSX-R600, -53.042 seconds
8. Larry Pegram Yamaha YZF-R6, -53.087 seconds
9. Heath Small, Yamaha YZF-R6, -56.480 seconds
10. Nicky Moore, Suzuki GSX-R600, -68.107 seconds
11. Nathan Hester, Yamaha YZF-R6, -75.017 seconds
12. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha YZF-R6, -81.289 seconds
13. Matt Prentice, Yamaha YZF-R6
14. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R600
15. Josh Bryan, Yamaha YZF-R6
16. Doug Chandler, Ducati 749R, mechanical
17. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R600, DNF, mechanical
18. Mike Ciccotto, Buell XB9R, DNF, mechanical
Provisional AMA Formula Xtreme Championship Point Standings:
1. Duhamel, 250 points
2. Zemke, 235 points
3. Gobert, 193 points
4. Haskovec, 162 points
5. Pegram, 139 points
6. Jake Holden, 121 points
7. Hester, 118 points
8. Melneciuc, 116 points
9. Barnes, 111 points
10. Small, 107 points
More, from a press release issued by Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki:
HASKOVEC ON BRAINERD FORMULA XTREME PODIUM
Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki had reason to celebrate at Brainerd International Raceway on Saturday. The 3.0-mile road course was the scene of the squad’s first podium finish of the AMA season.
At the green light, Vincent Haskovec quickly guided his Formula Xtreme Suzuki GSX-R600 forward from a second row grid position into third place. He then proceeded to track down the front-running factory riders and challenge them for the lead.
“In the morning session we found a solution that
helped us go significantly faster, and I was really looking forward to the race,” Haskovec said after picking up the first Formula Xtreme podium of his career. “The leaders got about three or four seconds ahead of me early, and I was a little surprised I was able to catch up with them.”
For a majority of the final, Haskovec would lose some ground on the straight but he continued to close back in on the leading duo in the infield of the ten turn course. Fighting to maintain the hot pace required to stay up front, Vincent’s hard charging pursuit resulted in a major moment that threatened to end his stellar run. The Czech born rider held onto to finish third, however, a nice reward after several top performances this season that ended short of a podium finish.
“They stepped up their pace into the 1:38s, and I
tried really hard to stay with them,” he continued. “In Turn 6, I went up on the curbing. With the lean angle, I hit the pavement (curb) and bent my front wheel. I just had to concentrate on bring it home in third then. I’m really happy to get that podium.”
Adding to team’s Saturday success was another fine Brainerd performance by Chris Peris. The youngster followed up his impressive top-five Friday practice showing by earning a second row grid position during today’s qualifying session.
The Canadian qualified his Michelin-shod GSX-R600
Supersport machine in seventh position with a best time of 1:40.394.
Steve Rapp will line up directly behind Peris in
tomorrow’s 13-lap Supersport final. The Californian qualified in eleventh after posting a fast lap of 1:41.052.
Haskovec and Rapp will also be competing in Sunday’s Superstock final. As expected, the high-speed characteristics of the raceway with its long straight have not been an ideal fit for the team’s GSX-R750 when compared with the rival 1000cc machines.
Haskovec will start from the third row after
qualifying in eleventh at 1:38.968, while Rapp will line up on the fourth row following his thirteenth place qualifying effort (1:39.338).
Where Are Chuck Sorensen And Simon Turner, Or, News From F-USA And CCS At VIR
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By Bruce Wilkins
After what many described as an overnight monsoon, racing action returned to high gear for the second day of the Formula USA/CCS National at Virginia International Raceway, Saturday.
Qualifying for Sunday’s F-USA National races saw Jeff Wood take pole in Sportbike ahead of Rob Jensen and Brian Stokes while Jensen was fastest in Superbike from Wood and Chris Ulrich.
Stokes qualified on pole for Formula Sportbike, ahead of Scott Harwell and Scott Carpenter. Tripp Nobles took pole in Thunderbike, and Chuck Sorensen was fastest in USGPRU 250cc Grand Prix qualifying on his Stargel Racing Aprilia RSV250. Brian Kcraget took the USGPRU 125cc Grand Prix pole ahead of California young gun Josh Herrin.
Wood, Stokes, Yaakov, and Kcraget recorded CCS race wins, after an intermittent sprinkling of rain ended around 11:00 a.m. As the day progressed, the concerns about having to suddenly mount rain tires dissipated and the green track soon became wicked fast for most classes.
The closest action of the day came in the Expert Heavyweight Supersport race with Stokes and his Suzuki holding off Yamaha pilot Jenson at the finish line, winning by less than a bikelength or officially, with an 0.048-second gap. Arclight Suzuki’s Harwell came in third.
Stokes started the race on tires that already had recorded 10 laps and by mid-race, “my tires started sliding pretty good,” Stokes pointed out. “On the last two laps in Turn 1 and going underneath the bridge I just blocked inside and ran it really deep. I knew either Harwell or Jensen was coming.”
Jensen described a scenario where he should have waited just a little sooner before making his move through the hog pen and down the front stretch.
“I think if I had backed off just a little bit and got a better run at him, I might have been able to get him by the line,” Jensen said.
A surprise of the day was the spirited riding of Nate Kern on his BMW, finishing second in the Expert Lightweight SuperSport race behind Yaakov on a SV650 Suzuki. Just back from racing the Boxer Cup Series in Europe and headed back for two races there in July, Kern powered his 500-pound bike around VIR’s technical North Course so smoothly that many of the SV naysayers at the beginning of the race were shaking their heads in astonishment.
“Today from the start, I was like Row 5 and 20th position, but it didn’t bother me at all,” reflected Kern. “What I’ve learned in Europe is when you go into Turn 1 at the start of a race, it’s like lap number 10. You’ve got to get it from the get-go.” Kern was 4th by Turn 1 at the start and methodically worked his way up to second by race’s end.
In what has become a VIR tradition in GP125 action, a young racer traveled from afar to the rolling hills of Southside Virginia to do battle with GP125 ace Kcraget of nearby Danville. Last year it was Ryan Andrews of Texas and the year before it was Chris Peris of Canada. This year, the fast upstart is 14-year-old Josh Herrin of Glendale, California.
Herrin took the lead of the 125 Grand Prix race in Turn 1 of the first lap, then diced with Kcraget until the third turn of the second lap when Kcraget took over the lead for good. Coming down the roller-coaster, Herrin missed a gear, which created a wide gap to Kcraget. “After that I let him go,” Herrin said. “I didn’t want to try hard to get back to him because it wasn’t the main race yet.”
That race will be the USGPRU 125cc Grand Prix National that will be held tomorrow.
Anthony Dowless of Pineville, North Carolina won the Amateur Heavyweight SuperSport race, while Kenny Rodriguez of Summerville, South Carolina won the Amateur Middleweight SuperSport Superbike races.
F-USA Sportbike Qualifying
1. Jeff Wood, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:29.951
2. Rob Jensen, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.051
3. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:30.437
4. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:30.624
5. Mike Himmelsbach, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.647
6. Simon Turner, 1:31.228
7. Des Conboy, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.234
8. David Weber, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.600
9. Michael Garofalo, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:32.155
10. Trey Yonce, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:32.600
F-USA Superbike Qualifying
1. Rob Jensen, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.027
2. Jeff Wood, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:30.905
3. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:30.931
4. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSx-R600, 1:31.108
5. Mike Himmelsbach, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.112
6. David Weber, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.349
7. Chuck Sorensen, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.355
8. Des Conboy, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.406
9. Simon Turner, 1:31.584
10. Joe Spina, Suzuki GSX-R600 1:31.927
F-USA Formula Sportbike Qualifying
1. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.586
2. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.199
3. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.854
4. Michael Garofalo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.967
5. Dave Ebben, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.934
6. John McGarity, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.032
7. Brian Baker, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.273
8. Rob Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.936*
9. Tripp Nobles, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.526
10. Joe Ribeiro, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.698
F-USA Thunderbike Qualifying
1. Tripp Nobles, Buell XB9R, 1:34.491
2. Dave Yaakov, Suzuki SV650, 1:34.870
3. Derek Keyes, Suzuki SV650, 1:35.077
4. Bryan Bemisderfer, Buell XB9R, 1:35.788
5. Jeff Johnson, Buell XB9R, 1:35.997
6. Dave Estok, Buell XB9R, 1:36.169
7. Nate Kern, BMW R1000S, 1:36.681
8. Dan Bilansky, Buell XB9R, 1:36.776
9. Darren Danilowicz, Suzuki SV650, 1:36.816
10. Josh Guyer, Buell, 1:36.894
USGPRU 250cc Qualifying
1. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia RSV250, 1:31.152
2. Josh Herrin, Honda RS125, 1:36.003
3. Sean Wray, Yamaha TZ250, 1:36.040
4. Steve Wenner, Honda RS125, 1:37.023
5. Brian Kcraget, Honda RS125, 1:37.757
6. Bruce Lind, Yamaha TZ250, 1:38.054
7. Sean McNew, Honda RS250, 1:38.105
8. Mark Stiles, Yamaha TZ250, 1:38.255
9. P. Dowd, 1:39.639
10. B. Bruner, 1:39.655
USGPRU 125cc Qualifying
1. Brian Kcraget, Honda RS125, 1:34.688
2. Josh Herrin, Honda RS125, 1:35.357
3. Steve Wenner, Honda RS125, 1:37.335
4. Todd Puckett, Honda RS125, 1:37.375
5. John Hjelm, Honda RS125, 1:38.074
Updated Post: Zemke Snatches AMA Superbike Pole Position At Brainerd
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
A crash during the short, 30-minute final qualifying session didn’t prevent Parts Unlimited PJ1 Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke from capturing the AMA Superbike pole position during qualifying Saturday morning at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota.
Zemke crashed one of his CBR1000RR Superbikes in turn 10, the final corner on the 3.0-mile road course, with less than 20 minutes remaining. He then ran back to pit lane, mounted his second CBR1000RR and spent one of his qualifying tires getting back up to full speed, before mounting his last qualifier and turning a late, fast lap of 1:35.655 to collect the second AMA Superbike pole position of his season and his career.
Provisional Combined AMA Superbike Qualifying Results:
1. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:35.655
2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.671
3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:35.818
4. Ben Bostrom, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:35.828
5. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:35.876
6. Eric Bostrom, Ducati 999F04, 1:36.380
7. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.759
8. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:37.777
9. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:38.853
10. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.434
11. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.463
12. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:39.690
13. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.770
14. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:40.163
15. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:40.203
16. Jeremy Toye, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:40.317
17. Cory West, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:41.441
18. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:41.720
19. Jack Pfeifer, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:41.880
20. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:42.032
21. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:42.068
22. Greg Fryer, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:42.110
23. James Kerker, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:42.726
24. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:42.766
25. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:42.886
26. Mark Vandal, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:43.122
27. Scott Jensen, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:43.473
28. C.R. Gittere, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:44.054
29. A.J. Ammann, Suzuki GSX-R100, 1:44.192
30. Roger Hendricks, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:44.878
More, from a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:
2004 American AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship
Round 11 – Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minnesota, USA
Qualifying Session Report
MLADIN MISSES POLE BY A WHISKER AT BRAINERD
Brainerd, Minnesota, USA (Saturday, June 26) – In a dramatic final qualifying session for this weekend’s eleventh round of the American AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship at Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota, defending series champion and current points leader, Mat Mladin, was edged off pole position for this weekend’s round after his time was beaten by the narrowest of margins in the final minutes of the session by
Jake Zemke.
Mladin had already posted a best time of 1:35.671 aborad his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 to head the timesheets for the second and final session, but Zemke responded after an early-session crash to grab the valuable point for pole position with a time of 1:35.655, a mere 0.016 of a second.
Tomorrow’s 21-lap race is certain to be action packed after the qualifying times showed that the top five riders were separated by just two tenths of a second. The final two placings on the front row of the grid went to the Honda’s of Miguel DuHamel (1:35.818) and Ben Bostrom (1:35.828), with Kawasaki’s Josh Hayes fifth fastest with a 1:35.876.
With a place of the front row of the grid being a priority, Mladin set the pace after fitting a set of softer qualifying tyres, something that he had not done in yesterday’s session, where he elected to spend more time concentrating on finding a suitable race setup rather than reeling off a quick time for a single lap.
“We didn’t use any qualifiers yesterday, so we had a couple up our sleeve for today,” said Mladin. “We had a little bit of trouble with some slower guys and didn’t get the best of runs, but that happens sometimes.
“We made some slight changes to the bike overnight and went quicker on race tyres than we did yesterday, so we’re very happy overall.
“Jake (Zemke) got us by just a little bit there at the end, that’s alright, but we’re quite happy with how our `race setup is.
“The times are pretty close there after qualifying, but we’ll have to see how we go with our setup in the race. Drafting will be a key point to the race, as I don’t think we’ll have the speed to break away from them down the straights. We’ll just play the race as it comes and see where we can get an edge over them.”
With a ten-point advantage at the top of the championship points table, Mladin will be aiming to stay ahead of arch rivals DuHamel and Zemke by the end of tomorrow’s 21-lap Superbike national and work not only at maintaining his lead in the series, but stretching out to a greater advantage.
COMBINED QUALIFYING, 2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship, Saturday Top
10
1. Jake Zemke (Erion Honda) 1:35.655
2. Mat Mladin (Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:35.671
3. Miguel DuHamel (American Honda) 1:35.818
4. Ben Bostrom (American Honda) 1:35.828
5. Josh Hayes (Attack Kawasaki) 1:35.876
6. Eric Bostrom (Ducati Austin) 1:36.380
7. Aaron Yates (Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:36.759
8. Pascal Picotte (Yamaha Canada) 1:37.777
9. Jason Pridmore (Suzuki) 1:38.853
10. Shawn Higbee (KWS Suzuki) 1:39.434
2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship (Points after 10 of 18 rounds)
1. Mat Mladin (329, 5 wins); 2. Miguel DuHamel (319, 4 wins), 3. Jake Zemke (312), 4. Eric Bostrom (235, 1 win), 5. Geoff May (220); 6. Ben Bostrom (184), 7. John Haner (183), 8. Aaron Yates (165), 9. Eric Wood (161), 10. Lee Acree (156).
More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:
BOSTROM PICKS UP PACE IN SATURDAY QUALIFYING
Brainerd (Minnesota) – June 26, 2004: Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin’s Eric Bostrom shaved nearly 1.4 seconds off his Friday qualifying time today, putting his Ducati 999R in sixth spot for tomorrow’s Trofeo Ducati U.S. Superbike AMA Championship race.
Bostrom was upbeat after the only Superbike session of the day, but wanted even more from qualifying at the 3.1-mile (4.58 km), 10-turn Brainerd track. Eric’s time of 1:36.380 set on his Michelin-shod Ducati was just behind the top five runners, who were separated by a mere 0.2 seconds at the Minnesota track.
“We improved, but to be honest I was looking forward to being even faster today. Our times on race tires were pretty good, even though we didn’t drop as much time as the other guys since they used qualifying tires,” said the 27-year-old from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Saturday was warmer at Brainerd, although still cool for June. More importantly, the crosswind that bothered the riders in turn two wasn’t as much of a hindrance today as it was on Friday.
The team is optimistic about a positive result in Sunday’s race. “We were fast on race tires today; it’s a lot closer than our qualifying position shows,” said Racing Manager Tom Bodenbach. “The guys will be making just a few changes to the bike for tomorrow and then we plan on being in the hunt.”
“We’ll be a factor. Tomorrow’s going to be a good race, I’m sure of that,” said Eric, who was among the quickest on the top speed guns into Brainerd’s famous turn one.
Tomorrow’s 21-lap (100 km) race is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. (Central Daylight Time).