From a press release issued by FIM:

Nicolas Rodil del Valle

FIM Honorary President Nicolas Rodil del Valle passed away last night in Valencia, Spain, at the age of 88.

Don Rodil del Valle was elected FIM President at the Congress of Paris, in October 1965, as the successor of Dutchman Pieter Nortier. He was then re-elected for five more mandates, remaining President during 18 years until he decided to retire, at the Congress of Benalmadena (Spain) in October 1983.

Don Rodil took part in the very first meeting of the FICM after the Second World War, held in Geneva on June 11, 1946. He was then Secretary General of the Spanish Federation (RFME) since 1943. In November 1949, he was elected member of the International Sporting Commission (CSI). He became RFME President in 1951. In May 1953, at the spring Congress in Rome, he was elected FIM Vice-President.

Nicolas Rodil del Valle was the first President of the modern times of the FIM. He gave a permanent structure to the Secretariat in Geneva and centralised all the administrative work. He was the first to understand the essential role that commercial rights and television would play in the future, and he worked to centralise the TV rights for the FIM, as the true owner of the World Championships, and also to develop the supervising role of the FIM. The current stage of development of the motorcycling sport at world level, with involvement of promoters, the presence of television and sponsors, was reached thanks to the work started during his presidency.

Mr Francesco Zerbi, FIM President, declared:
“Don Rodil was the greatest President of the FIM in modern times. It is a great loss, and we will always remember him for all the work he carried out during 18 years for the development of our sport.”

FIM Chief Executive Officer Guy Maitre started to work in the FIM in December 1978:
“I was hired by Don Rodil, and I can say he has been my spiritual father. He was a very demanding person, with a strong character, and it was sometimes difficult to deal with him, but his endless efforts put the motorcycling sports, and also the non-sporting activities of motorcycling, on the trail of development and modernity”.

The funeral will be held tomorrow in Valencia at 15:00. A memorial ceremony will be organised in Madrid next September.

All the members of the FIM present their sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

1. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:30.152
2. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.272
3. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YAF-R1, 1:30.548
4. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:30.792
5. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:30.897
6. Roger Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:31.600
7. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.995
8. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.251
9. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.672
10. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.791
11. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.307
12. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.369
13. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.382
14. Brian Hall, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.485
15. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:35.626
16. Jesse Janish, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:38.050
17. Manuel Garza, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:39.700
18. Dave Loikits, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:40.259
19. Robert Deily, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:40.679
20. Montez Stewart, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:41.827

(The above is a list of all 20 riders who went out in the first Superstock practice, held Friday morning at Mid-Ohio.)

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

OPINION

Results issued at the AMA Grand Championships held Tuesday-Thursday at Mid-Ohio were the most incomplete Roadracingworld.com has had the misfortune to encounter in two years.

AMA Sports organized the event, assisted by WERA.

Race results normally include the rider’s name, bike number and make and model of his or her motorcycle. In the case of an endurance event, race results normally show the team name, bike make and model, class, and the names of the riders.

The results issued at the AMA Grand Nationals did not even include the brand of the motorcycle, and the endurance results did not include the names of team riders. No print out of team entries and the names of team riders was available.

WERA officials working at the event said that the way AMA Sports set up entries precluded issuing more complete results.

Ironically, the results issued at the AMA Grand Nationals did not even meet the minimum standard we require to publish results from a WERA club event.

The results issued by at least a dozen club organizations around the country put the AMA effort to shame.

In short, the results issued at the AMA Grand Nationals were neither “Grand” nor worthy of a “National” event.

From a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing Team:

FUCHS KAWASAKI TEAM IN HIGH SPIRITS FOR BRITISH GRAND PRIX

Less than a week after their best-ever team result, Fuchs Kawasaki riders, Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, are eager to carry that momentum into the second half of the MotoGP season.

This Sunday’s British Grand Prix at Donington Park is the ninth race of the 16 event World Championship.

It is a timely turning point for Nakano and Hofmann, both of whom are ready to reinforce the performance potential of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR with a continuation of top ten results.

Last Sunday’s German GP ended on a high note, with Nakano and Hofmann putting in impressive performances to finish seventh and tenth respectively, after a brilliant team effort to pull back from mechanical problems in practice and qualifying.

Refining the tuning of revised fuel injection and engine management set-up continues to be a priority for Fuchs Kawasaki engineers.

The German GP best-so-far team result has boosted spirits within the factory Kawasaki squad, which is still to celebrate the second anniversary of their participation in the MotoGP class.

This week 24-year-old German racer Hofmann returns to Donington after a break of two years. His last appearance was in 2002 as a rookie replacement for Loris Capirossi aboard a 500cc two-stroke. He finished a creditable 17th in that race.

Meanwhile the ever-smiling Nakano, 26, has been a regular top ten finisher in the British GP, with a best result of sixth in 2001 when he also qualified on the front row of the grid.

Famous in the 1930’s for staging major car and motorcycle events, Donington Park has been the home of the British Grand Prix since the race moved from Silverstone in 1987.

The four kilometre circuit is one of dramatic contrast. From turn one at the Redgate pub, the track flows into the Craner Curves, a series of fast and challenging downhill corners. Following in quick succession are some of the most famous sections of track in GP racing – The Old Hairpin; Schwantz Curve; McLeans and then the tricky third-gear Coppice Corner that leads onto the back straight.

Then the track gets much slower, with the stop-go Melbourne Loop and two first gear corners; a complex that both Nakano and Hofmann, like most of their GP colleagues, regard with little affection.

Organisers are anticipating a near sell-out crowd as British fans respond to the increasing popularity of MotoGP racing in the 990cc four-stroke era.

Shinya Nakano: #56
“Donington is a technical track and very difficult. However, I think the Ninja ZX-RR will perform strongly, especially in the first half of the lap. My best result so far this season is sixth, so I will be hoping to change that this weekend – although in the past I have never really found the perfect feeling with this track. This week I have to forget about the problems of the German GP and look forwards. Kawasaki in Japan has already started to respond to the technical feedback from Sachsenring and, with Bridgestone planning to bring some different tyres for Donington, I’m hopeful of a very competitive weekend.”

Alex Hofmann: #66
“I haven’t been to Donington for a couple of years, and the last time was on a 500cc two-stroke. It will be an interesting experience with the 990cc Ninja ZX-RR, as we have no idea how the bike will suit the Donington circuit. Donington is definitely a two part track, and I think the first section will suit our bike better than the stop-go part at the end of the lap. I much prefer the faster corners as a rider, but you still have put the whole lap together and that’s what I’ll be aiming to do. The German GP was just about solving our problems and then getting through the race, which was the best part of the weekend for us. Hopefully we can carry the momentum from race day at Sachsenring into first practice at Donington, and move forward from there.”

From a press release:

Bridgestone Germany and World Wide Moto Tours Announce the Nürburg Ring Tour 2005

Bridgestone Germany and World Wide Moto Tours have teamed to bring motorcyclists from around the globe the ultimate track experience at the infamous Nürburg Ring. Clemens Goth, responsible for Customer Service/Bridgestone Germany, has extended an invitation to motorcyclists from outside of Germany to join the annual Bridgestone “Fahrerlehrgang” or “Rider Training” for three exciting days of motorcycle training for all levels of experience.

In a statement released today, Mr. Goth commented that “Bridgestone Germany is pleased to share this extraordinary opportunity with motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world at our annual Nürburg Ring event. The experience of riding a motorcycle at the Nürburg Ring, combined with receiving track instruction from top professional riding instructors in Germany is a once in a lifetime opportunity for any motorcyclist, and we look forward to welcoming motorcyclists from around the world in 2005. As for the selection of World Wide Moto Tours to coordinate the program – this was a natural choice. World Wide Moto Tours was chosen due to their proven ability to provide the logistical support at the international level to coordinate a high quality event reflective of the Bridgestone brand.”

In addition to three days of excitement, instruction, and fun at “the Ring” the event also includes five additional days of motorcycle touring in the hairpins and twisties of the Black Forest and the Swiss Alps, all in the lap of luxury at four star hotels and resorts for a total of eight days of pure excitement on two wheels. WWMT Cooperation Partner, DHL Danzas Air and Ocean will provide motorcycle transport from select cities from around the globe for participants with a desire to ride their own motorcycle on the track and during the tour. Honda, Triumph, and BMW motorcycle rentals will also be available.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Normally I just read new reports like this and laugh at the obvious errors made by those reporting. But in this instance, I felt compelled to respond. There are possibly a number of errors at work here simultaneously, but without more detailed information regarding the altitude the plane (which may or may not have the curvature of the earth as a factor depending on how high the plane was), the speed of travel, direction of travel relative to the motorcycle, and angle of attack of the plane (whether the plane was level, descending, ascending, or banked into a turn), my comments can only be viewed as information that can put a “reasonable doubt” into the minds of any person who claims to actually use their brain. It is obvious that the “Airborne State Troopers” don’t fall into this category, or don’t understand motorcycles and physics very well. This preamble leads us to a well known phenomena, called Parallax.

First some basic math. 60 mph = 88ft/sec. At this rate of speed (notice I didn’t say acceleration) the 1/4 mile is traveled in 15 seconds. The one correct part of this whole thing is that, Yes….1/4 mile in 4.39 seconds does = 205 mph. But an approximate half second difference (1/4 mile in 5 seconds instead of 4.39 seconds) would drop that speed to 180 mph. A 1 second error (1/4 mile in 5.39 seconds) drops that speed to 168 mph.

168 mph is a completely believable speed for a stock CBR1000RR, as is 180 mph for a moderately to highly tuned 1000cc street legal sportbike.

Is it possible to introduce a half second or 1 second human error into this equation? YES, especially when Parallax is considered. The definition of Parallax is provided below.

Source: The American Heritage® Stedman’s Medical Dictionary, Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.


Main Entry: par·al·lax
Pronunciation: ‘par-&-“laks
Function: noun
: the apparent displacement or the difference in apparent direction of an object as seen from two different points not on a straight line with the object

From this definition, it becomes apparent that a large number of factors can introduce optical illusion errors. Since the original article states that the motorcycle was accelerating away at an apparent rate of twice the speed of the plane, and the plane is viewing the entire event from above and behind, there is very little chance the measurement made from hundreds of feet in the air is anywhere near accurate. The spotter would be “ASSUMING” when the front tire did in fact cross the line that he used to start the watch, AND worse yet as the bike accelerates (not speeds) away and increases the distance between the plane and the motorcycle, the timing when the front wheel crosses the second line used to stop the stop watch is even MORE OF AN ASSUMPTION.

Then we have to ask, was the bike going uphill or downhill at all? Because if it was doing either, depending on what height the plane was, the motorcycle may have looked like it crossed the line sooner from a viewing position above and behind. Or if the plane was traveling at any direction other than perpendicular to the direction of travel of the motorcycle, that would also affect the person’s ability to accurately judge the time the motorcycle crossed the white line.

The officer also said he was “ready.” Well, how ready was he? Did he maybe time the rear wheel as it crossed the first line and then the front wheel as it crossed the second line? All these issues add a significant degree of error due to the extremely short time duration over which the entire event occurred.

This also explains why the “photo-finish” cameras are placed perpendicular to the direction of travel of the “racing objects” as they cross the finish line in ALL FORMS OF RACING. Or, more simply, the photo finish camera is taking a picture that is parallel to the finish line, as things move across the finish line. You never see the photo finish cameras above and behind the finish line. Add in the height of plane and consider if the plane was high enough the curvature of the earth must also be factored into the equation, and you can see why this claim is just a publicity vehicle for that police department.

I could get into the physics required to push a motorcycle that fast against air, or that the really basic error is that NO VEHICLE, be it two wheels or four wheels, that is street legal in any way, shape or form can accelerate to 205 mph in 4.39 seconds regardless of how fast they were going to start with because of the wind resistance at those speeds, but I won’t. So the question becomes, why didn’t the police stop the bikes earlier when they saw them racing along an interstate with other traffic?

Any lawyer with a basic college understanding of physics and motorcycles would be able to get this case reduced or thrown out.

Reginald J. Gaudino, Ph.D.
Gaudino & Associates, Inc.
Oceanside, California



Dr. Gaudino is a licensed road racer…Editor.

From a press release issued by Pacific Track Time:

For the first time in the history of Thunderhill Park, Pacific Track Time, the leading provider of motorcycle track day events on the West Coast, will embark on a new adventure…

We have a 2 day event coming up, Monday July 26th and Tuesday July 27th at Thunderhill Park in Willows, CA. http://www.thunderhill.com

Monday you will ride THill’s 15 turn, 3 mile long road course and remember how it used to be. Things are about to change…During lunchtime you will enjoy an exhibition of trained experts demonstrating what they do best! These guys kick ass! Since you are already at the track, why not stay for Tuesday and be a part of motorcycle history!

On Tuesday Pacific Track Time will be the first motorcycle track day provider to run the exhilarating racetrack of Thunderhill Park in Reverse! What? That’s right–BACKWARDS! I tested the track myself in the opposite direction and it is Bad Ass! And you thought that the elevation changes were fun the other way. You’re gonna love this. Combine that with another lunchtime exhibition, I guarantee it will be 2 days you won’t forget!

What are the lap times going to be? How do those guys do that? Who will hold the new Thunderhill track record?

Come ride with us at Thunderhill and find out what is really going on!

Spaces will go quick, so sign up here:
http://www.pacifictracktime.com/purchase/ or simply call us at 530 223 0622.

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

The permanent World Endurance Championship teams who have travelled to Japan to take part in this weekend’s Suzuka 8 Hours round of the championship have been out on track today for the first time since arriving earlier in the week. For most of them today has been a shake-down session and a chance to learn or re-learn the circuit.

Suzuki Castrol’s Vincent Phillipe was happy with the progress made, but is looking forward to the timed practice beginning: “It’s very difficult because of the weather – and our tyres are for European conditions. Tomorrow will be better.”

All the teams have had two open practice sessions so far today, with the first timed session to come this evening. Teams are split into two groups to reduce the amount of traffic on the circuit, but this means that each group has less total track time; a situation made worse by incidents which have seen the pace car and ambulance out on track in three out of the four sessions.

Suzuki Castrol’s Olivier Four was involved (but unhurt) in one of these incidents after being pushed off the track by another rider, and Yamaha Phase One’s Marko Rohtlaan has spent most of his time behind the pace car when he should have been learning the circuit at racing speed. Yamaha Austria’s Horst Saiger is also at Suzuka for the first time: “How is it going? Ask me on Sunday…”

Yamaha GMT94’s Sebastien Gimbert was feeling the heat this afternoon, but declared himself satisfied with the bike set-up so far: “I am very hot but I am very happy.” GMT94 tested here earlier in the year, and although their tests were interrupted by poor weather they have obviously been useful. Yamaha Phase One’s Sebastien Scarnato was also happy with the day’s progress. “We have some things to change, but we know what we have to do.”

Qualifying takes place tomorrow, with two timed sessions for each rider in each team. These will decide the grid positions for the race, with the fastest twenty teams progressing to Saturday afternoon’s “Special Stage” Superpole competition before the race itself on Sunday.