From a press release issued by Macau Grand Prix organizers:

Rutter makes it five wins with a hat trick in Macau

Michael Rutter, on board the 1000cc Red Bull Honda, made it three wins in a row when he won the 38th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix-Hotel Fortuna this afternoon.

The 31-year-old racer from Leicestershire had to work hard for his win, the fifth of his career in the Far East Classic, after rival John McGuinness (999cc Monstermob Ducati), who had been fastest in practice, took the lead at the start of the 15-lap race.

Rutter admitted that he thought his rival had pulled too far away to be caught on the opening lap, but decided to ride as hard as he could and hope that McGuinness would make a mistake.

Rutter’s chance to take the lead came on lap eight when McGuinness, the 32-year-old from Lancashire, was slower than normal on the fast straight to Lisboa Bend and Rutter was able to pull out of the slipstream and pass him on the brakes.

McGuinness refused to give in though, and was only half a second down on Rutter at the chequered flag.

It was a good day for the Cumbrian-based Paul Bird-owned Monstermob Ducati team with 21-year-old Scot Stuart Easton finishing third.

Austrian Thomas Hinterreiter (1000cc Yamaha), was fourth, nearly 13 seconds behind Easton.

Three Americans pulled off a major surprise by filling the next three places. Josh Hayes, 29, on the 1000cc Attack Kawasaki making his debut at the race, was fifth, 24 year-old Geoff May on the 1000cc Hot Bodies Racing Suzuki was sixth and Jeremy Toye (1000cc Roadracingworld.com Yamaha) took seventh place.

Callum Ramsay was the winner of the FIM 600 Supersport event, but a one-time 14 second lead had been cut to just over two seconds by Australian Cameron Donald (China Yuan XGJao Honda) at the end of the race.

Chris Palmer, Ramsay’s team mate, on the second Valmoto Triumph was third, just over two seconds behind Donald with the trio taking 19th, 20th, and 21st places in the overall results.

Cheung Wai On, the talented 23-year-old Hong Kong racer, made an impressive debut on a home-built 600cc Honda, finishing 25th overall out of the 34 starters and fourth in the 600 Class.


Macau Grand Prix Results:

1. Michael RUTTER, GBR, Honda, 15 laps, 37:30.397
2. John McGUINNESS, GBR, Ducati, -0.518 second
3. Stuart EASTON, GBR, Ducati, -24.821 seconds
4. Thomas HINTERREITER, AUT, Yamaha, -37.534 seconds
5. Josh HAYES, USA, Kawasaki, -52.457 seconds
6. Geoff MAY, USA, Suzuki, -59.116 seconds
7. Jeremy TOYE, USA, Yamaha, -73.969 seconds
8. Steve ALLAN, GBR, Kawasaki, -79.371 seconds
9. James McBRIDE, GBR, Suzuki, -99.698 seconds
10. Stephen THOMPSON, GBR, Suzuki, -102.024 seconds
11. Les SHAND, GBR, Suzuki, -102.728 seconds
12. Marcel KELLENBERGER, SUI, Kawasaki, -106.211 seconds
13. Martin FINNEGAN, IRL, Yamaha, -110.440 seconds
14. Markus BARTH, GER, Kawasaki, -130.865 seconds
15. Richard BRITTON, GBR, Suzuki, -136.480 seconds
16. Rui REIGOTO, POR, Suzuki, -141.406 seconds
17. Horst SAIGER, AUT, Yamaha, -143.594 seconds
18. Jos LEITE, POR, Kawasaki, -143.951 seconds
19. Callum RAMSAY, GBR, Triumph, -146.007 seconds
20. Cameron DONALD, AUS, Honda, -148.454 seconds



More, from a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

DOUBLE ROSTRUM FOR MONSTERMOB AT MACAU GRAND PRIX

MCGUINNESS AND EASTON SECOND AND THIRD IN FAREWELL RACE FOR DUCATI

MonsterMob Ducati riders John McGuinness and Stuart Easton claimed second and third place respectively in today’s 38th Hotel Fortuna Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix as they gave the Paul Bird Motorsport team a glorious send-off in their final race for Ducati.

After four memorable years with Ducati, whereby the team has accrued a total of 40 race wins from 102 starts with a further 44 podium finishes also, the VK MonsterMob F04 pairing were hoping to add to the race victory tally having qualified in first and second on the grid.

32 year old McGuinness, from Morecambe, led for the opening seven laps chased hard by last year’s winner Michael Rutter (Honda) with 21 year old Easton keeping a watching brief in third place as they pulled clear of the field.

At half distance, Rutter hit the front but McGuinness, who won the race in 2001, shadowed the Honda man but despite his best efforts, couldn’t get past and had to settle for second place once more around the Far Eastern 6.12km street circuit.

“It was very frustrating as when Michael took the lead, he was holding me up in the ‘Town’ section but I just couldn’t put a safe pass on him. I had a look at a couple of the hairpins and was hoping to do it on the last lap but I’m really disappointed I couldn’t pull it off. The team deserved this win but it wasn’t to be,” said the six times TT winner.

Meanwhile Easton, reunited with the team that he won the 2002 British Supersport title with, rode an exceptional race to clinch third place on the rostrum ahead of a number of experienced Macau veterans. On only his second ever superbike race at the former Portuguese colony, the Hawick born but now Dalbeattie based rider was happy with his performance.

“A rostrum is perfect for me and is what I came here to achieve. It was great to work with the team again and it’s a pity we couldn’t have sent them away with a win on their swansong with Ducati but a double rostrum is a good result for us all,” said the young Scot.

Team boss Paul Bird spoke highly of his riders afterwards, and of the emotion in the camp: “I could have asked for no more from them, they both gave 100% and that’s all I can ever ask of a rider. Of course it would have been nice to win our final race for Ducati and it was very frustrating for John that he couldn’t re-pass Michael as I reckon he could have won that and as for Stuart, he was simply sensational. I’m very, very proud of my team and can honestly say that this is an end of a very special era. Even John had a tear in his eye which is most unusual!” said the Penrith businessman.

From a press release:

Fullerton, CA – WSMC GTU Champion Matthias Jezek and IJSBA Pro Watercraft Racing World Champion Kenny Ritchie are collaborating to create www.LArace.com, a Southern California-based race team that will compete in the 2005 WERA National Endurance Championship Series.

A collection of talent is being brought to the table with old-time AMA 250cc GP road racer and Team USA participant at the Isle of Man TT James Henderson as team manager and Steve Stricklin of watercraft racing fame as chief mechanic.

LArace.com is offering partial team ownership options. For this and more info, please visit www.LArace.com

From a press release:

ROSSI ATTENDS YAMAHA CHAMPIONSHIP CELEBRATION FACTORY VISIT

Recently crowned MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi made a historic journey to Yamaha’s head office today in Iwata, Japan to visit the facility and the people that supported his 2004 campaign. He also received a personal ‘thank you’ from the company’s president Mr. T. Hasegawa. The flamboyant Italian arrived at Yamaha Motor Company’s Communication Plaza by helicopter and was greeted by the huge applause of management and factory staff upon his arrival.

After receiving a personal message from Mr. T. Hasegawa, Rossi then made a number of appearances throughout the Yamaha complex before participating in the official press conference. It was at that moment that Mr. T. Hasegawa presented Rossi a certificate of ownership for a YZR-M1 – the very YZR-M1 which he piloted to his sixth world title.

“Valentino Rossi is more than the world’s best motorcycle racer; he is a personality that is not limited to just the confines of the MotoGP championship,” explained Mr. T. Hasegawa. “From the moment you work with Rossi you instantly become a fan, and you are naturally driven to give more than 100 percent to support him. It is this very trait, and his ability as a rider that led to him winning the world title in his first year. Because of this skill and personality I am proud to present Valentino with the YZR-M1 as a sign of our appreciation for his efforts this year.”

A very happy Rossi said: “This is the best gift I could wish for. I must say thank you to Yamaha and Mr. Hasegawa for giving me my very own M1 to take home. I’m not sure where I will keep it, maybe next to my bed, or maybe in a safe at a bank!”

Rossi was then taken on a private tour of the Yamaha prototype factory where the components of his YZR-M1 are produced, before attending an official Yamaha championship celebration dinner in his honour in nearby Hamamatsu.

Rossi and Yamaha’s Factory Team now head to Malaysia for a test at the Sepang circuit next week, where Rossi will make his second outing aboard the 2005 prototype YZR-M1.

From a press release:

Susquehanna Valley Harley-Davidson/Buell race team wins four Championship Cup Series Regional Championships in debut season.

SVHD Racing took a pair of 2003 Buell XB9Rs, added a few performance parts, a killer orange and black paint job, and a couple decades of racing experience on rice burners, and turned it into a bunch of race wins and Championships.

Original plans for the team in 2004 had rider Arthur Diaz (three-time Summit Point Track Champion) and crew members Rodger Martin and Ken Strauser getting familiar with the new bikes while taking a shot at the CCS Summit Point Track Championship. A review of the points after the first two races at Summit Point showed the team also leading the Overall Mid-Atlantic Regional point standings and running in the top three of several class championships. Despite giving the rest of the teams a head start by missing two early season events at Daytona and Roebling Road, the team decided to contest the rest of the season.

By striking the right balance of speed and consistency, the team earned wins at three out of the four tracks in the region and finished the season with the following CCS Regional Expert Championships:

Mid-Atlantic Region

· Overall Points Championship and the #1 plate for 2005

· Summit Point Track Championship

· Unlimited GP Class Championship

· Top Three in Ultra Lightweight Superbike, Lightweight GP and Middleweight GP



South East Region

· Overall Points Championship and the #1 plate for 2005

· Top Three in Roebling Road Track Championship and Ultra Lightweight Superbike

Arthur Diaz was also selected to receive an award at the 14th annual Wisconsin Motorsports Charities Recognition Dinner. The charity banquet draws top drivers from various racing series and has raised $350,000 over the last 13 year for Ranch Community Services, a facility for developmentally disabled adults and children.

The team of sponsors behind the SVHD Racing was a critical part of the team’s success.

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

2nd Annual Sonoma Valley Cyclocross Comes to Infineon Raceway, Nov. 27

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – The steeplechase of cycling will invade Infineon Raceway for the second consecutive year on Saturday, Nov. 27, with the 2nd annual Sonoma Valley Cyclocross.

Cyclocross is the latest cycling rage: a hybrid of mountain biking, road biking and running all in one race. Infineon Raceway Cycling/Napa Valley Velo will host the event, which will be sanctioned by USA Cycling, the largest cycling sanctioning body in the country.

The 1.5-mile temporary course at Infineon Raceway will be laid out behind Turn 2 and will include a variety of terrains and elevations, as well as barriers and stairs. Competitors will race their bikes, as well as dismount and carry them over barriers and up stairs.

Athletes will be faced with a steady flow of obstacles, including tricky turns on dirt, speedy pavement straightaways and a challenging run up four flights of stairs to the Earnhardt Terraces (Turn 2). Lap times are in the 5-7 minute range, and races range from 30 minutes for novices to 60 minutes for professionals. Bicycles are usually road bikes with more powerful brakes, custom gearing and meatier tires.

More than 175 cyclists turned out for the inaugural event last year, with San Anselmo’s Rachel Lloyd and Nevada City’s Jason Moeschler emerging as the winners in the women’s and men’s elite races, respectively. It was the first-ever Cyclocross event held at Infineon Raceway.

The event will span from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., with action in several categories for men and women, based on experience level. Entry fee is $25 and $5 for juniors (ages 14-18). Riders must have a USA Cycling license to compete – a one-day license may be purchased through Infineon Raceway Cycling/Napa Valley Velo on the day of the event. For more information, visit www.napavalleyvelo.org/svcx/. Spectators are free.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to the Dillon Family Fund, which benefits Ross Dillon, a Sonoma County cyclist who suffered severe brain injuries as the result of an accident in 2002. Dillon will attend the event on Nov. 27. For more information, visit www.rossdillon.com.

The cycling theme will continue in 2005 at Infineon Raceway with the Infineon Cougar Mountain Classic, slated for Sept. 9-11. The event, which was held for the first time in May as the California Outdoor Sports Championships, will feature various cycling disciplines including: road circuit racing; road criterium racing; mountain bike cross country; mountain bike short track; and gravity disciplines such as mountain cross and downhill racing. For the second straight year, Infineon Raceway will partner with Sea Otter Classic LLC on the event.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Nobuatsu Aoki, who has ridden for Kenny Leroy Roberts’ Proton Team KR MotoGP team since 2002, will serve as a test rider for the Suzuki MotoGP team and may race the Suzuki GSV-R as a wildcard in 2005, according to a translation of a posting on Aoki’s website.

Aoki wrote that he has already tested the GSV-R in Japan and plans to attend another test with the Suzuki MotoGP team at Sepang, in Malaysia, next week.

Proton Team KR plans to test at Jerez, Spain, next week using a KTM V4 engine in the team’s existing chassis. Kurtis Roberts is scheduled to ride at the test even though he has not committed to the team for 2005.

Proton Team KR also plans to use the test to decide whether it will stay with Dunlop tires or switch to another brand next season.

From a press release issued by Fastrack Riders:

4th Annual ToyRide.Org Ride for Kids

If you can make it, it is a great cause and Fastrack has donated 4 track-days to be given away. Please come on out to support the kids or you can just make a donation.

When: Sun Dec 12th 2004 (Rain or Shine)

Begin: Edison International Field (57 Freeway and Katella in Anaheim, California)

Final Stop: Edison International Field

Route: To Be Determined

Benefit: Hollygrove Children’s Home (AKA Los Angeles Home for Orphans)

Registration starts at Edison International Field at 8:00 am and ends promptly at 9:00 am. Line up for the ride will begin at 9:15 am with photos. Ride will begin at 9:30. The registration fee is $10.00 and a new unwrapped toy valued at $10.00 or more. Your registration fee includes a raffle ticket and lunch catered by 211 Catering, in Huntington Beach. Each toy donation worth $10.00 or more will receive a raffle ticket. Raffles are based in $10 increments. If the gift is $20 the rider will receive 2 tickets, $30 will receive 3 and so on. Multiple $10 donations will receive multiple tickets. Cash donations are also accepted. Please come gifted up and ready to go. The group will follow a set route, which can be viewed at www.toyride.org. The ride will end at Edison International Field with refreshments and raffles.

Remember, Pre- Register and get an extra raffle ticket! All types of bikes welcome!!!

Gift donations of new unwrapped toys will be collected at Edison International Field beginning at registration. The average age of the children is 8-10. Gifts may also be purchased on www.amazon.com. Click on “Wish List” and search for “Hollygrove.” Please print out the receipt and bring it with you the day of the ride to receive the proper raffle tickets. To bring a toy for a specific child, please contact Michelle Lee at [email protected].

Cash donations may be made to ToyRide.org for the purchase of gifts on the day of the event or via PayPal at [email protected]. All cash donations will receive raffle tickets. Tax ID Information is available prior to event by request. Tax ID 501(c) information will be with each registration packet during registration.

Pre-Registration is at the following webpage click here to pre-register http://toyride.org/pre-reg.php

Please arrive prior to 8:30 if you plan to register at the event. Cut off for pre-registration is Friday December 10th 2004.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Notes Regarding The Americans

By Steve Atlas
On Site At Macau

Jeremy Toye had issues with a cracked front wheel, which he found out when he put the new tire on the warmer just before the session. Thus he had to use a front with 30 laps on it as there was no time to mount a new one.

Josh Hayes is getting up to speed quickly, as is Geoff May but both said they rode conservatively after seeing the crash from yesterday. Also, British rider Gus Scott got out of shape ending the final corner, tried to run off into hot pit lane, but hit the outside wall and landed on an embankment, nearly in the ocean. Scott suffered an injured shoulder, but is in stable condition at the local hospital.



More, from a press release issued by series organizers:

John McGuinness and Stuart Easton, the Monstermob Ducati Team duo, topped the qualifying leaderboard for Saturday’s 38th running of the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix-Hotel Fortuna at the end of the one-hour timed session at the Far East Classic this morning.

McGuinness, the 32-year-old former bricklayer from Morcambe, Lancashire, and the fastest man ever at the Isle of Man TT races, grabbed pole position early on and never looked like being beaten.

But Easton, the 21-year-old Scot, was the big surprise. A last-minute offer to ride with McGuinness prevented him having to miss the meeting when his 2004 sponsor pulled out of the sport and he finished just 1.32 seconds slower than his team mate.

Thomas Hinterreiter (1000cc Yamaha), the 37-year-old Austrian, was third quickest, seven tenths of a second slower than Easton on a machine he normally races in Endurance events.

Michael Rutter (1000cc Red Bull Honda), the man chasing his third Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix victory in succession, was only fourth, struggling with tyres that did not work well in the cool morning temperatures.

The 31-year-old Leicestershire racer, looking for his fifth win in the event, was 2.24 seconds slower than McGuinness but was confident that the new afternoon starting time for the 15-lap race on Saturday will be more suited to his tyres.

Callum Ramsay, the 29-year-old Scot, maintained his grip on the FIM 600 Supersport Class by being fastest in all three practice sessions on the Valmoto Triumph.

But 27-year-old Australian Cameron Donald, twice winner of the class in the past three years, was second quickest on the China Yuan XGJao Racing Honda, just seven tenths of a second down.


More, from a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

MonsterMob Ducati British Superbike and Supersport Championship Team

38th Hotel Fortuna Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix
Saturday, 20th November 2004

MONSTERMOB DUO IMPRESS AT FAREWELL MACAU GRAND PRIX

TEAM MATES MCGUINNESS AND EASTON TOP QUALIFYING SHEETS IN THE FAR EAST

MonsterMob Ducati’s John McGuinness will start tomorrow’s 38th Hotel Fortuna Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix from Pole Position having scorched around the twisty Circuito da Guia nearly one and a half seconds faster than team mate Stuart Easton who will start alongside the Lancastrian.

Going into the team’s swansong race after four memorable years with Ducati, the VK MonsterMob F04 pairing out-paced Austrian Thomas Hinterreiter (Yamaha) and pre-event favourite Michael Rutter (Honda) around the Far Eastern 6.12km track, to clinch the top two slots on the grid in readiness for tomorrow’s race.

Six times TT winner McGuinness set the early pace in the first free practice session before Rutter speeded up in the second one but in the all important timed session today, John set a time of 2:28.663 which was good enough to clinch him the pole as he goes for his second Macau victory.

Reunited with the team that won the 2002 British Supersport title, young Scot Stuart Easton was riding a Superbike at the former Portuguese colony for only the second time and chased McGuinness home in a time of 2:29.986, the only two riders to crack the two and a half minute lap barrier.

Riding the Slingshot built MonsterMob Honda, veteran journalist Gus Scott ended up fifth fastest but a spill coming out of the final corner injured the Cumbrian’s shoulder and he may be forced to miss the race.

Speaking from Macau, team boss Paul Bird said that their joy was tempered with a tinge of sadness:

“To claim one and two on the grid for our final race with Ducati is brilliant but the whole team has a lump in their throats and it’s strange because there are a few long faces around when we should really be celebrating. It would be magnificent if we could get the race win tomorrow and a rostrum also would be fitting. Whatever happens, it’s going to be a very emotional time for us all.”

From a press release:

Ozbike is proud to announce the names of the five American riders who qualified to represent the USA at the World Mini GP event scheduled for December 18-19 in Almeria, Spain.

The top five riders in the season finale, held with WERA at Nashville Super Speedway November 13-14, were selected for the trip to Spain and are as follows:

1. Miles Thornton, 10, of West Point, Georgia
2. Rey Dominquez, 11, Miami, Florida
3. Alex Nieves, 12, of Miami, Florida
4. Jake Lewis, 9, of Princeton, Kentucky
5. Josh Cook, 9, of Ravenna, Ohio

The race was the most exciting of the weekend with a close (0.011-second gap) battle for first.

Please contact US MINI GP at 305-880-1800 or see www.minigp50cc.com for more race details