From a press release issued by Telefonica Movistar Honda/Gresini Racing:

GP OF CATALUNYA

PREVIEW
After the Italian GP the Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda MotoGP is ready for the GP of Catalunya, another home GP: Sete is Spanish and Catalan and it’s the home GP for Telefonica, the team’s Title sponsor.


The circuit of Catalunya is one of the most modern and spectacular of the entire circus of the MotoGP championship and is considered to be one of the best tracks of this last generation.
It is a fast track, even if less than Mugello, but very technical. It is a circuit which requires two different driving styles: in fact it has a very quick part and an area where you need to be very aggressive.


Given the technical characteristics of the circuit, which goes from slow corners to quick corners, the perfect set up of the bike is very important. the grip on track changes constantly so it’s important to choose the correct tyres. Tyres and suspensions also have to work very well together, offering stability and flexibility to c! opy the various bumps which are frequent at this track.


#15 SETE GIBERNAU
“I really like Barcelona, this is my real home race because it is here I was born and this is also where my parents live. I really enjoy the circuit and, after having won in Valencia in 2001, and in Jerez this year, all I am missing is a victory on my home track. It would be fantastic, here the atmosphere is incredible and even more being Spanish and Catalunian I am always happy to ride here.


I am arriving in Barcelona after a very difficult and hard fought weekend. I am very pleased to have obtained the second step on the podium at the Mugello GP. We are still first in the Championship and I am sure that my Spanish fans will give me even more support during this home GP just like my Italian fans did at Mugello. I can’t wait to ride in Barcelona, I won’t even have time to rest but that’s not important. I hope to continue along the same lines and use to t! he max this moment of great physical and mental form. Barcelona will surely be a great celebration, like every year!”.


#45 COLIN EDWARDS
With the Italian GP behind us Colin Edwards arrives to Barcelona motivated. This is a track that adapts very well to this American rider of the Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda MotoGP. Last November after Valencia, it was on this Catalunian track that Colin Edwards first rode the RCV211V. His first impression was fantastic, “I couldn’t desire anything better, this bike is fantastic”, and the same impression regarded the track where Colin demonstrated to be extraordinary even during the Irta test session in March 2004. The adverse climate of rain and cold temperatures surely didn’t help the Texan who was able to only put in only one day of testing. However the Sunday timed session let the Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda MotoGP dream: for just a breath the American lost the best lap to Valentino Rossi and i! t was he who won the BMW which was the prize whereas Edwards finished second.

“I can’t wait to go to Barcelona to get a good result, I really can’t wait, I am motivated. I know the Catalunyan track well and I really hope to obtained some good results soon. I am not happy with this first part of the season and now it is important to give a positive change.”

Colin has the support of the entire Team which believes in him and is waiting for him.

From a press release issued by the FIM:

Mies, June 8

Supersport World Championship
Oschersleben-GER : sanction against the riders cancelled

On Sunday 30th May 2004, during the technical verifications after the Supersport race, the machines of riders: nr 8 (Alessio Corradi), nr 16 (Sebastien Charpentier), nr 18 (Denis Sacchetti), nr 23 (Broc Parkes), nr 31 (Karl Muggeridge) and nr 76 (Max Neukirchner) were found to be not in conformity with Art. 2.5.6.5 of the Road Racing World Championship Regulations for Superbike & Supersport (rear wheel axle weight and dimension not corresponding to the homologated values). Therefore the Race Direction disqualified these riders from the race. The FIM Stewards’ Panel confirmed in appeal the decision taken by the Race Direction.

On Tuesday 1st June, the FIM was informed by the Honda factory that the figures of weight and dimension of the rear axle on the homologation documents provided by the factory itself did not correspond to the real weight and dimension of the axle mounted on the production motorcycle (the real weight is 560 grams, instead of 600). The Honda factory informed the FIM that an error was made when filling in the homologation documents. In order to verify this new fact, the FIM Technical Inspector checked the weight and dimension of the rear wheel axle of CBR 600RR (2003 and 2004 models) in various motorcycle dealerships in Switzerland, Italy and France. It is now clear that the axle that was considered not in conformity with the homologation documents in Oschersleben is in fact the model of axle commercialised on the CBR 600 2003 and 2004 models on the market.

Following these new elements, the FIM Stewards in place at the Oschersleben event decided to revoke their decision taken at the end of that event, and to re-include the six riders who were disqualified in the results of the event, and the fee paid for the appeal must be returned. On its side, the Race Direction also decided to sanction the Honda factory with a fine of CHF 35’000 and the withdrawal of points in the Manufacturers World Championship Supersport at the Oschersleben event. The corrected homologation value is thus 560 grams. Revised riders’ classification, see below. Full classifications on the FIM Internet site: www.fim.ch

From a press release issued by WERA:

EAST MEETS WEST SHOWDOWN AS WERA NATIONAL SERIES TRAVELS TO CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY

FONTANA, Calif.- Round four of the WERA National Challenge Series and the Dunlop/WERA National Endurance Series presented by roadracingworld.com will be a showdown between racers from the East and the West coast at California Speedway, June 11-13.

A high turnout of local racers is expected for the event, which will feature the Dunlop/WERA six-hour endurance race on Saturday, June 12, and 16 National Challenge and Sportsman Series sprint races on Sunday, June 13.

For the first three rounds of the season, the competition has been comprised primarily of racers from the eastern United States. As the series heads west, the series regulars will face a challenge from the local racers in California, who are already familiar with California Speedway’s challenging 2.8-mile road course.

After a practice day on Friday, June 11, the endurance race will get underway on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. Vesrah Suzuki has won two rounds this
year, but they still trail behind Army of Darkness in the championship. With the additional teams that will be on the grid, all five classes in the endurance race will have new competition.

On Sunday, the National Challenge and Sportsman Series eight-lap sprint races will start at noon. The Sportsman Series races will be awarding points for the new WERA West region.

“The WERA National Series hasn’t traveled out west for a couple of years,” commented WERA owner Evelyne Clarke. “We have the only amateur series that spans the entire United States, and we’re excited that the racers in our WERA West region can participate in a National event with us.”

Tickets for the WERA National Series presented by roadracingworld.com will be available at the gate.

More information, including a full schedule of events for the weekend, can be found on the web at www.WERA.com.

And now a recall which seems to indicate that CBR1000RR riders going 100 mph would think they’re only going 75 mph…

From the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA):

Recall Date: May 26, 2004
TYPE: VEHICLE
BUILD DATES: December 25, 2003 – April 20, 2004
MAKE: HONDA
MODEL: CBR1000RR


Make: HONDA
Model: CBR1000RR
Year: 2004
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 04V254000
Recall Date: MAY 26, 2004
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Potential Number Of Units Affected: 8189

Summary:
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, SOME DIGITAL SPEEDOMETERS MAY EXPERIENCE A COMPUTER PROGRAM ERROR, CAUSING THE SPEEDOMETER TO INDICATE APPROXIMATELY 25 PERCENT LESS THAN THE ACTUAL VEHICLE SPEED.

Consequence:
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN AT AN ILLEGAL OR UNSAFE SPEED, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN UPDATED SPEEDOMETER AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Notes:
HONDA RECALL NO. P32. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

TOSELAND (DUCATI FILA) AIMING FOR THE TOP AT SILVERSTONE WORLD SUPERBIKE ROUND

Silverstone (UK), Tuesday 8 June 2004: James Toseland heads back home for the first of the two British rounds of the 2004 World Superbike championship at Silverstone this weekend with a slender lead of two points over his Ducati Fila team-mate, Frenchman Regis Laconi.

Although Laconi has outgunned the 22 year-old from Sheffield by 5 wins to 1 so far this season, Toseland’s consistency, which has brought him five second places (including four in the last four races) has been paying off and the youngster finds himself leading the points table as the World Superbike regulars reach the mid-point of the 11-round series.

We caught up with the championship leader as he arrived at Silverstone for his thoughts on the season so far.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO GO BACK TO BRITAIN FOR YOUR HOME ROUND IN THE LEAD OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP?

“I’m really looking forward to it. We didn’t have such a good run in the second race at Oschersleben but we certainly got the bike working much better so I’m looking forward to riding at Silverstone. We’ve had a few problems up to now and consistency has meant that I’m leading the championship but now it’s time to win some races and I can’t see any better place to do it than Silverstone in front of my home crowd.”

YOU SEEM TO HAVE SORTED OUT THE FRONT END PROBLEMS THAT YOU HAD IN THE EARLY RACES. IS THAT THE CASE?

“We had a good run in Germany and were on the pace much of the weekend. Unfortunately we had some minor problems in the second race and were unable to challenge at the front, but I’m not worried and I feel sure we’ll have a good run at Silverstone.”

IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THE SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT FOR YOU?

“I really like the track, it’s a lot more faster and flowing than many other tracks. It’s a car circuit, quite flat, with not much undulation. It’s certainly exciting, there was good racing last year so let’s hope it’ll be the same again this year.”

DOES SILVERSTONE LEND ITSELF TO BIKES VERY WELL?

“For viewing it’s not as good as a place like Brands Hatch, but for actual racing as it’s so wide it’s always good for close racing and that’s why the spectators enjoy it so much because there are always half-a-dozen of us in the pack.”

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE TRICKIEST POINT OF THE CIRCUIT AT SILVERSTONE?

“The worst bit is the last section, the last chicane and the right-hander coming up to it. Just because you’ve been going so fast around the rest of the circuit and then have to go round that, you feel so slow so that’s where you probably have to be most disciplined.”

SO WITHOUT GIVING TOO MUCH AWAY, WHERE WOULD YOUR FAVOURITE OVERTAKING POINTS BE?

“Anywhere where anyone shows me a gap!”

YOU’VE HAD PLENTY OF SECONDS BUT NO WINS SINCE VALENCIA. WHAT’S THE RACE STRATEGY GOING TO BE AT SILVERSTONE?

“Keep the consistency but it would be nice to be consistently winning rather than consistently second. We’re not far off and a win is on the cards this weekend. I aim to win the races, you’ve got to beat everybody, it doesn’t matter who’s around you.”

JAMES TOSELAND FACTFILE: Born: October 5th, 1980 in Sheffield (UK). Status: Single. Hobbies: Training, motocross, playing the piano.

2004 season: Team: Ducati Fila. Bike: Ducati 999F04. Number: 52.

World Superbike Career 2001-2004: Races: 84. Wins: 2. Podiums: 17. Poles: 1. Fastest Laps: –

Championship Positions: 2001: 13th 2002: 7th 2003: 3rd

From a press release issued by American Honda:

AMA Chevrolet Superbike Series
Round 6: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
June 5, 2004

Duhamel Claims his 29th Superbike Victory at Road America

The lush, green 4.048-mile Road America circuit in Wisconsin played host to round six of the AMA Superbike series, and for the Red Riders, it was an historic event. After breaking the track record by nearly a second and a half in qualifying, Miguel Duhamel would rocket to the lead on lap seven of the race, and cross the finish line with a huge win margin to claim his 29th career Superbike victory. Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke, who made a great recovery after going wide in turn five, took third for the day ahead of Ben Bostrom in fourth.

The super fast Road America circuit was perfectly suited to the mighty CBR1000RR, and the Red Riders wasted no time establishing their dominance on the front row. After claiming the provisional pole on Friday with a new track record, Duhamel came back on Saturday and set an even faster pole time of 2:13.346-more than a second quicker than the previous lap record. “Basically, we just went back to the bike we had yesterday,” said Duhamel on Saturday morning. “It was definitely good enough and I’m really happy. The CBR1000RR is working really well.” Not far behind Duhamel was teammate Zemke, who claimed the starting spot next to him with a lap time of 2:13.707, also well under the previous track record. “The only real lap I did was that last lap and I think we’ll be OK. I think what we’ve got will be good enough for the race,” said Zemke. Ben Bostrom filled in the third spot on the front row. “I think we’re ready to go,” said Ben. “I’m not going to gamble today. We set some good times this morning and we’re just going to try and run that in the race.”

When the flag dropped it was Bostrom who got away with the best start. Duhamel and Zemke started fifth and sixth respectively. Duhamel immediately began picking off riders, with Zemke in tow. “When Miguel started going I figured I better get going too,” said Zemke. It took Miguel seven laps to take the lead, and once he did he immediately dropped the hammer, peeling off consecutive laps in the 2:14 range, and gapping the field but nearly two seconds to establish a comfortable lead. Zemke made a minor mistake in the closing stages of the race and overshot turn five. “I was starting to make up some ground there on Miguel and I cooked it in there a little too hot and missed the corner,” said Jake. With less than three laps to go, Zemke would work his way back up to finish third, one position ahead of Bostrom.

After a masterful display of his race craft, Duhamel crossed the finish line with a three second margin over second place Mat Mladin. “The bike was working really great,” said Miguel. “Those guys were running really good up there and I said ‘let’s see if I can get up there and do something’ and it just worked out really good. The CBR1000RR is fast, turns good and we’re getting this bike dialed in now. I am pretty excited. The guys have been doing a lot of hard work on it.”

It was Miguel’s third victory of the season, the 29th of his career, and the 109th time a Honda has won an AMA Superbike race. It was also, as it turned out, a mere prelude to what would be an historic second Superbike race on Sunday.

AMA Superbike Overall Results
1. Miguel Duhamel – Honda
2. Mat Maldin-Suzuki
3. Jake Zemke-Honda
4. Ben Bostrom-Honda

AMA Superbike Point Standings
1. Mat Maldin-Suzuki-300
2. Miguel Duhamel-Honda-283
3. Jake Zemke-Honda-278
4. Eric Bostrom-Ducati-210
5. Geoff May-Suzuki-198
7. Ben Bostrom-Honda-158


AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship
Round 7: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
June 6, 2004

Duhamel Makes History at Road America, Zemke takes Second

Team Honda’s Miguel Duhamel re-wrote the history books at round seven of the AMA Superbike Championship. Duhamel became the only rider in AMA history to win both Superbike events and a support race on the same weekend. After leading for 14 of 16 laps, Zemke finished second to Duhamel, with teammate Ben Bostrom in fifth.

Duhamel’s accomplishment was impressive for lots of reasons. Not since 1985, when Honda rider Freddie Spencer pulled off a hat-trick at Daytona by winning the 250, 500 and Superbike races has any rider won three AMA national races on a weekend. With his second Superbike win of the weekend, Miguel also went to the top of the Superbike win list with 30 victories. The win also put Duhamel even farther ahead of his rivals as the AMA’s winningest rider in history, with 75 overall career wins. For Honda, it marked the 110th AMA Superbike win.

Unlike Saturday’s race, however, where Duhamel clearly set the pace from the early laps, Sunday’s event was a nail-biter. This time, Zemke jumped to an early lead with a much improved start from Saturday, while Duhamel again had to claw his way up from a fifth place start. By the time Miguel broke through, Zemke was gone, having built up a whopping four second lead in only four laps. Then a multi-rider incident brought out the red flag, and Jake’s hard-earned lead was gone. To make matters worse, Zemke would head back out with problems after the restart. “The red flag hurt us quite badly,” stated the solemn Zemke after the race. “Not just in the time, but after we came back in for the restart we had a pretty serious problem with our bike.”

Regardless, Zemke once again took the lead at the restart, this time followed by Duhamel. With less than two laps to go, a braking problem that had hounded him all race forced him to go wide into turn one, opening the door for Duhamel to take the lead. “He just got sideways,” explained Duhamel in the post-race press conference. “He got into that drift mode, the next thing you know he kept going wider and wider and that’s where I made the pass. I put my head down and I registered my fastest lap, a 2:14:00. I was just trying to ride as hard as I could.”

“Miguel rode great and we got hurt pretty bad by that red flag,” stated Zemke. “I was just out there doing the best I could with it, I am just happy to finish.”

In the campaign for third, Bostrom had run a precise race and was in close contention for the last podium spot, but ran out of grip in the closing stages. On the last lap, both Mladin and Yates would move past, relegating Bostrom to fifth.

It was Duhamel who had the last word on the weekend. “Very excellent weekend,” said Miguel. “Only my Dad would point out that I didn’t get the pole in the Xtreme race. Obviously for myself and my team, I am very happy. I feel great about what we pulled off. You need a bit of luck to go your way and a great team behind you to do it. This was just on of those weekends where everything went well.”

With his double-header win and additional point for pole position, Duhamel now moves within 10 points of first place in the championship, followed by Zemke in third as the battle for the 2004 AMA Superbike championship heats up.

AMA Superbike race results
1. Miguel Duhamel-Honda
2. Jake Zemke-Honda
3. Mat Mladen-Suzuki
4. Aaron Yates-Suzuki
5. Ben Bostrom-Honda

AMA Superbike Overall Points
1. Mat Mladin-Suzuki-329
2. Miguel Duhamel-Honda-319
3. Jake Zemke-Honda-311
4. Eric Bostrom-Ducati-235
5. Geoff May-Suzuki-220
6. Ben Bostrom-Honda-184


AMA Formula Xtreme
Round 6: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
June 5, 2004

Duhamel, Zemke and Gobert Sweep FX at Road America

With barely any time to savor the 29th career Superbike race win he earned on Saturday afternoon at Road America, Team Honda’s Miguel Duhamel quickly took to the track once again, this time aboard his Formula Xtreme CBR600RR. And once again he took command of the race, which he won in yet another heart-stopping photo finish, adding to the nonstop drama in 2004. At the line, he just barely nipped past fellow Red Rider Jake Zemke, winning by less than an eye blink, a margin of only 0.030 seconds. Zemke’s Erion Honda teammate, Alex Gobert, followed the two lead riders to the checkered flag, thereby ensuring a full Honda podium.

Amidst the towering trees and abundance of green foliage surrounding the picturesque Road America circuit, the action began early in round six of the Lockhart-Phillips Formula Xtreme series. Jake Zemke seized the pole position on Friday with a qualifying time of 2:18.851, while the canny French-Canadian Duhamel qualified just a tick behind with a fast lap of 2:19.041-times that presaged the upcoming epic battle.

When the field waved off, everyone was in for a big surprise as young Alex Gobert outfoxed his elders and immediately snared the lead. “I got a really good start off the line and got the holeshot into turn one,” a grinning Gobert said after the race. “That’s the first time I’ve seen clear track in a long time.” But unfortunately for the rapidly improving Aussie, the clear view would soon end as Duhamel steamed past to take over the lead, followed closely by teammate Zemke.

Duhamel proceeded to lead the entire field for almost three-quarters of the race despite Zemke’s best efforts. Duhamel later said, “Jake was all over me. He rode a great race. I was braking as deep as I could in the corners, trying to give him fewer choices to get around me.”

>From the trailing seat, Zemke was taking stock of the #17 bike. “Early on I could tell that Miguel definitely had power on us,” Zemke said. “I’d be in his draft and he was pulling away.”

However, Jake Zemke is hardly one to roll over and give up. Instead, he managed to close up on Duhamel, and on lap eight he pulled off an unconventional pass in the area of the track known as the carousel. Zemke made a masterful move to take the lead as he entered the carousel on the outside and forcefully swooped around Duhamel.

As the laps counted down, the racing heated up between the two Honda riders as they passed and re-passed each other, giving the appreciative fans more than their money’s worth. Clearly, yet another nail-biting finish would soon be in the offing.

As the white flag flew and the final lap wound down the crafty Duhamel, trailing Zemke, reached deep into his bag of tricks to find that one extra edge that would make the winning difference. As he said after the race, “I was on him and whatever I did, I had to make sure I got a decent drive to the finish line. Once we started going up the hill, my bike was so strong, I got in fast-forward, and got the draft.” Instead of upshifting from fifth to six gear, Duhamel took advantage of the CBR600RR’s ultra-high rev limit to gain an extra-strong drive to the finish line-a move that he timed with masterful precision: “Just when I hit the line it hit the rev limiter,” he explained. Perfect timing for the perfect win, with a bare 0.030 of a second to spare.

Meanwhile, young gun Alex Gobert found himself in his own tough battle for third place with another knowledgeable veteran, Doug Chandler. “With about three laps to go, Chandler came past on the brakes in turn one,” Gobert explained after the race. “I knew if I pushed really hard and stayed on him, by the time we got back to the front straight I figured I’d get him again. Sure enough, I got past him there and never saw him again. It worked out really good.” From there, Gobert pushed forward to claim the final podium position aboard his Erion Racing CBR600RR.

This year’s event at Road America marked Honda’s 43rd win in the Formula Xtreme class, counting the former big-bore series as well as this new revised 600cc format. The Red Riders head next to The Colonel’s Brainerd International Raceway, in Brainerd, Minnesota for round 7 of the Formula Xtreme series.


AMA Formula Xtreme Results
1. Miguel Duhamel-Honda
2. Jake Zemke-Honda
3. Alex Gobert-Honda
4. Doug Chandler-Ducati
5. Steve Crevier-Suzuki

AMA Formula Xtreme Overall Points
1. Miguel Duhamel-Honda-213
2. Jake Zemke-Honda-202
3. Alex Gobert-Honda-166
4. Vincent Haskovec-Suzuki-133
5. Jacob Holden-Suzuki-121


More, from a press release issued by RoadracingGirl PR:

JESSICA ZALUSKY HOLDS ON AT ROAD AMERICA

Dark Dog’s Suzuki’s Jessica Zalusky made her first AMA appearance for 2004 at Road America. After a few days of struggling with the set-up for Road America, Jessica was able to gain focus for her qualifying for Repsol Superstock. Aboard her Suzuki GSX-R750, she knew she would be under horsepower in a class dominated by 1000cc machines, but she was determined to qualify and race. Jessica’s confidence has been restored at Road America this year after returning to Michelin tires. In qualifying on Jessica’s last lap, she was able to put her helmet down and qualify for the race. “Qualifying was tough with Gobert and Hacking setting such a fast pace and every time I was looking for a draft, all the big bikes would just pull away,” Jessica remarked following her qualifying session.

For the race, Jessica encountered a mishap following her warm-up lap and was only able to regain focus seconds before the light went green. During the race, Jessica was consistent, having only made a few minor mistakes. Jessica finished the Repsol Superstock race respectively in 24th position.

Jessica is looking forward to the next round of AMA racing at her home track, Brainerd International Raceway. She will race in Formula Extreme aboard a Yamaha YZF R6 and Repsol Superstock aboard her Suzuki GSX-R 750.

Jessica would like to thank her crew for their relentless efforts, sponsors for their support, and her fans for their undying support.

For more information about Jessica, visit www.roadracinggirl.com


More, from a press release issued by Buell:

BUELL DEALER TEAMS FASTER AT ROAD AMERICA FORMULA XTREME

Strong Runs by Hal’s and Kosco Riders Rev Up Hometown Crowd



ELKHART LAKE, Wis. – The Hal’s Buell and Kosco Buell dealer teams ran strong in front of a partisan crowd of Buell fans during the Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme race during the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship Series at Road America.

Hal’s rider Mike Ciccotto qualified eighth and ran as high as fifth, in a five-rider dog fight battling for the final podium spot before dropping back to seventh halfway through the race when the experimental front brake on his bike lost performance. Kosco’s Michael Barnes qualified ninth but suffered similar trouble on the first lap with the experimental front brake on his bike and battled through the race to come home in 11th position.

“We’re really proud of these dealers teams and what they’ve accomplished in such a competitive class. This is exactly the kind of grueling testing and learning that goes on in racing that you just can’t duplicate in the real world,” said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer at Buell Motorcycle Company.

“We were doing great in the first half of the race,” said Ciccotto. “I’m feeling really confident on the Hal’s Firebolt, and at one point I was able to make an awesome pass of [HMC Ducati Milwaukee rider] Doug Chandler. I was right there in the fight for third.”

“It’s frustrating,” said Barnes. “But even with our problems, we were just outside the top ten. This Kosco bike has a lot of potential.”

AMA Formula Xtreme is a class open to highly-modified motorcycles with 600cc four-cylinder engines or larger-displacement V-Twin engines. The next stop on the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship schedule is June 25-27 at the Brainerd International Raceway near Brainerd, Minn.

To learn more about Buell Motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style, and performance only found on board a Buell. For the Buell dealer nearest you, pull into www.buell.com.


More, from a press release issued by Corona Extra Suzuki:

CORONA EXTRA SUZUKI MOVING UP – 7TH SUPERSPORT AND 10TH SUPERSTOCK FINISHES

Corona Extra Suzuki riders Ben Attard and stand-in for the weekend, Scott Greenwood both rode excellent races at Road America to put their Corona Extra Suzuki GSX-R’s into top ten positions.

In SuperStock, Corona Extra Suzuki was to pleased to have 2003 Formula USA champion Scott Greenwood on the seat of the Team’s Suzuki GSX-R 1000. Riding a 1000 for the first time, Scott was impressed with the power, “It lights up the back tire everywhere and shakes it’s head out of corners – you really have to hang on. It’s a heck of a work out!” said Scott after his first ride. It didn’t take him long to get the “hang of it” though, getting up to speed and qualifying on the third row ahead of at least one factory bike. In the race Scott started well, quickly moving up to eleventh on lap three and up to tenth on lap six. Thereafter he rode conservatively to hold the position to the finish – a fine first time out. Scott said, “I didn’t want to throw it away so just rode steady. I was pretty much on my own for half the race so concentrated on keeping my head down and finishing. The bike ran perfect and my crew was terrific. It’s really been great fun to ride with the Corona Extra Suzuki team”.

In SuperSport, Ben Attard rode his Corona Extra Suzuki GSX-R 600 to seventh, besting the factory Yoshimura-Suzuki of Aaron Yates on the way as well a number of other factory bikes. A first timer to the four plus mile track, the longest in the AMA schedule, he quickly got down to good times and his best qualifying to date – eighth and second row on the grid. Ben said; “This is a real horsepower track and we are down a bit on the factory bikes. The front straight is uphill and they are killing me there. I reckon if I can keep up my corner speed I can stay with them around the rest of the track!” Come race day, Ben got a good start and was quickly dicing for seventh, taking it on lap two. He dropped a position in lap five but got past again on the penultimate lap and made the pass stick to the flag, netting his AMA-best finish of seventh. Post-race Ben said: “the Yamahas and Kawasaki’s are so fast. I was riding the wheels off the bike to stay up with them! They have a year of development on us (The GSXR 600 is new for 2004) but we are making the bike better every time we go out!” Ben moves up to tenth in the SuperSport points standings.

Superbike rider Marty Craggill is still recovering from his surgery and missed the event.

From a press release issued by Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha:

ROSSI AND CHECA PREPARE FOR CATALUNYA COMBAT

After an outstanding display of riding prowess from 2004 signing Valentino Rossi at the previous MotoGP round in Mugello last weekend, the entire Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team approaches the next hurdle at Catalunya with the natural optimism that two victories and three podiums from four races brings. The combination of Yamaha’s YZR-M1 and Rossi has bagged two epic race wins in the series so far, the initial magical round one triumph in South Africa even eclipsed by the stunning success at Rossi’s local circuit of Mugello.

After an accomplished second place at the Le Mans event, Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team rider Carlos Checa’s good fortune deserted him in Italy, as he failed to finish the race after also experiencing some bad luck in final qualifying. In front of his own Catalan fans, however, Checa will have the perfect impetus to bounce back to his podium-stepping form, safe in the knowledge that he and Rossi now possess a package capable of going all the way to the top of the classification.

Rossi’s Welkom and Mugello wins, allied to his two fourth places at Jerez and Le Mans, put him second in the overall championship fight, only ten points shy of the other two-time winner in 2004, Sete Gibernau (Honda). For Checa his no-score in Italy did not damage his overall position and he remains fifth, on a total of 36 points.

The Catalunya race is expected to be every bit as tough as the previous four so far, as the MotoGP class in general reaches yet another high water mark in terms of competitiveness.

Like Rossi’s experience at the previous round in Italy, Checa’s forthcoming race weekend is of more personal significance than any other on the 16-race calendar. As a native of Barcelona, Checa is acutely aware of how seriously the whole business of MotoGP racing is taken in Catalunya.

Each rider has an enviable record at Catalunya, with Rossi the runner up last year and the winner for the previous two years, while Checa tasted the fruits of victory in 1996. Checa’s more recent form on home asphalt is still impressive, finishing fourth in 2003 and third in 2002.

ROSSI AIMING TO CONTINUE HIS CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE

Rossi’s recent near-immaculate showings at Catalunya give the native of Tavullia great confidence as he approaches a circuit he has already tested at in pre-season, posting the fastest time to boot.

“I had a pretty good race there last year because I made a good recovery after almost falling, and then managed to finish second. However it wasn’t my best race because it should have been possible to win and then I made a mistake, losing the opportunity, which was a real shame.

“I think it’s highly possible to perform well there this year because I already did well at the Barcelona IRTA tests. I was able to put in quite a lot of fast laps, including the one that won me the BMW! I really like the Barcelona track, it’s a bit too bumpy at the moment but it has longer corners which I like, and the last part of the track I especially enjoy.

“I always think two of the most important races of the year are Mugello and Barcelona; we’ve obviously got Mugello under our belt now, and hopefully Barcelona will be one we can do well at as well.”

CHECA RETURNS TO HIS RACING ROOTS

Eager to continue his resurgence to the top flight, Checa arrives back on home ground with a renewed vigour, looking for his second podium finish of the year.

“Things this year are so different from this time last year, and four races into the championship I already have one podium result, and as a team we have three podium results, which shows what level we’re at.”

The additional spur of his recent experience in Italy is another element pushing Checa’s determination this weekend. “My Mugello fall was a big disappointment but I’m sure I can regain the confidence to do well at Barcelona. It’s a track that requires overall stability and consistency. Last year I had a good race there, not making the podium because there were a few areas of the track I wasn’t fast in, but I did finish fourth.

“I like the circuit and when you know your home crowd are supporting you it gives you even greater motivation. I think the championship is so close now that there will be a great battle this year between the usual front-runners. For the Montmelo circuit you particularly need a good combination of the right suspension and the right tyres. The last two turns are especially important, as it’s easy to lose time there. The pressure will be on me but I’m looking forward to it!”

DAVIDE BRIVIO EXPLAINS HOW TO CONQUER CATALUNYA

“We are coming to Catalunya after a very good weekend in Italy with Valentino and now we have to continue at this level and try to get as many championship points as possible. That way we can close the gap on Sete; he is very strong at the moment.

“Carlos was very unlucky in Mugello as the weekend had started well for him. I hope Barcelona can be good for him. It’s his home circuit and this will help him and motivate him. Hopefully he can have a fantastic result there.

We are feeling confident because we have seen our bike go well with both riders this season. We know they can both keep a good pace and they both have the potential to fight for the race win in Barcelona.”

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING

With an average lap speed of almost 160kmph, Catalunya is another of the faster tracks on the calendar, with a 1.047km long main straight and a fulsome 4.727km overall length. The fast exit onto Catalunya’s steel and glass lined straight leads to some blisteringly fast top speeds being recorded, with 330kmph easily exceeded by the YZR-M1 in pre-season IRTA tests. With a fast right hand corner immediately after the main straight, the advantage gained by a high speed run down Catalunya’s flying kilometre can be negated by a committed rider on a sweet handling package through the next section.

A proliferation of high and medium speed corners are integral to the Catalunya layout, counter pointed by two slow left hand hairpins. Bumps abound, adding to the complexities of suspension set up. To further complicate the chassis set-up equations, there are also changes in camber, as the track weaves its way between the spectators’ vantage points on the hillsides, following the natural topography.

A true test of a complete set-up, the Catalunya track is the site of one of the main pre-season IRTA tests, with the Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha team having gained valuable information from these tests in March. With so many long corners Catalunya places great importance on side grip from the tyres with particular emphasis on the feel and feedback available to the rider on the entry of turns.

Similarities to the previous venue of Mugello abound and thus less radical set-up changes should be required in the crucial early sessions. The basic balance of the machine should be maintained on the settings from Mugello with suspension adjustment, rather than major alterations, expected to be the order of the day.


VALENTINO ROSSI: INFORMATION
Age: 25
Lives: London, UK
Bike: Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team YZR-M1
GP victories: 61 (22 X MotoGP, 13 X 500cc, 14 X 250cc, 12 X 125cc)
First GP victory: Czech Republic, 1996 (125cc)
First GP: Malaysia, 1996 (125cc)
GP starts: 128 (36 x MotoGP, 32 x 500cc, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc)
Pole positions: 32
Catalunya 2003 results (Honda): Grid: 1st, Race: 2nd


CARLOS CHECA: INFORMATION
Age: 31
Lives: London, UK
Bike: Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team YZR-M1
GP victories: 2 (500cc)
First GP victory: Catalunya, 1996 (500cc)
First GP: Europe, 1993 (125cc)
GP starts: 156 (36 x MotoGP, 92 x 500cc, 27 x 250cc, 1 x 125cc)
Pole positions: 2 (1 x MotoGP, 1 x 500cc)
Catalunya 2003 results (Yamaha): Grid: 8th, Race: 4th

Catalunya MotoGP lap record – Valentino Rossi (Honda) 1:45.472 (2003)
Circuit best lap – Valentino Rossi (Honda) 1:43.927 (2003)

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

POSITIVE RESULTS FOR DUCATI TESTING AT MUGELLO CIRCUIT

Bologna, Tuesday 8 June 2004 – The Ducati Marlboro Team and the Ducati Corse development team have concluded positively their one-day test at the Mugello circuit in Italy.

Despite a late start to the day’s activities, all four riders worked non-stop from 11.30 until late in the evening in perfect weather conditions (air 32° C – track 43° C).

Ducati Corse test-rider Vittoriano Guareschi debuted the latest evolution step of the Twin Pulse engine with its irregular firing order. The new engine was given the OK from test-rider Guareschi and will now be made available for the two Ducati Marlboro Team riders to test at the post-Catalan GP session on the Monday after the race.

Loris Capirossi, Troy Bayliss and Ruben Xaus instead worked on the set-up and weight distribution of the Desmosedici GP4. The massive amount of data accumulated led to positive results and have confirmed that the Borgo Panigale engineers are on the right track.

Troy Bayliss: 45 laps, best time 1’52.4
Loris Capirossi: 38 laps, best time 1’52.7
Ruben Xaus: 42 laps, best time 1’52.9
Vittoriano Guareschi: 36 laps, best time 1’54.0

The Ducati Corse development team will stay behind at the Tuscany circuit tomorrow with Guareschi, while the Ducati Marlboro Team riders are now heading to Barcelona for the fifth round of the MotoGP World Championship on Sunday 13 June at the Catalunya Circuit.

From a press release issued by Honda of Hollywood’s Scott Holden:

Honda of Hollywood invites So-Cal riders to an open house on Saturday, June 12th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They will have free food and drink, merchandise, and an XR100 giveaway. Honda of Hollywood carries Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, BMW, and Sea-Doo.

Parts Unlimited, Troy Lee Designs, and AXO will have a full line of merchandise displayed. Honda of Hollywood will pay the sales tax on all new bikes purchased that day!

Come join the fun @ 6525 Santa Monica Blvd Hollywood CA 90038, 323-466-7191