From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

Road America doubleheader marks mid-season for AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited

Championship points chase tightening

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (May 27, 2004) — Road America’s Suzuki Superbike Doubleheader on June 4-6 in Elkhart Lake, Wis., marks the midway point in the 2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited. The picturesque four-mile Road America circuit is not only the longest road course on the AMA Superbike tour, it is also counted among the favorite tracks by a large number of series riders. This year marks the 25th season the AMA series has visited the classic American circuit at Elkhart Lake.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin leads the series coming into Road America. The only four-time AMA Superbike Champion in the history of the series has five wins in eight races so far this season. Mladin is a three-time winner at Road America and is tied with Miguel Duhamel and Anthony Gobert as the leading AMA Superbike winner at Road America. Even though Mladin got off to a hot start in the series, he’s coming off his worst finish of the season – a sixth at Pikes Peak International Raceway a week ago. Despite the minor setback – the result of a tire problem on his potent Suzuki GSX-R1000 – Mladin is happy with the position he’s in mid-season.

“We have given back some points in the last couple of races,” Mladin said, “but I’d prefer to be leading than chasing anytime.”

Mladin’s chasers include Honda’s Jake Zemke and Miguel Duhamel. Zemke moved into second in the standings with a runner-up result in Colorado, and has drawn to within 19 points of the series leader. Zemke, of Paso Robles, Calif., is in his first full season of AMA Superbike and has been somewhat of a surprise with his incredible consistency. The one thing the well-liked Zemke does not have is a Superbike victory and after five runner-up results he’ll be anxious to finally earn a breakthrough win at Road America.

Miguel Duhamel, the leading veteran rider of AMA Superbike racing, is having his best season in years. The Canadian, who now calls Las Vegas home, is a close third in the series standings and has traditionally found some of his greatest success at Elkhart Lake. Duhamel scored the doubleheader sweep at Road America two years ago. He owns three wins at the track. Last year in the Saturday race Duhamel’s Honda got sideways coming out of the final turn and that cost him a chance at the win.

The new Honda factory CBR1000RR Superbikes seem to be improving each week, so look for Zemke, Duhamel and Ben Bostrom to be among the frontrunners at Road America.

Ducati Austin’s Eric Bostrom stepped forward to give Ducati its first AMA Superbike win in almost five years at Pikes Peak. Bostrom comes into this weekend’s doubleheader with momentum on his side. Ducati has a good history at Road America as well. The Italian brand dominated at the track in the 1990s with wins by riders Doug Polen, Pascal Picotte, Alessandro Gramigni, Mat Mladin and Anthony Gobert.

The hottest privateer team in recent rounds has been Attack Kawasaki and its rider Josh Hayes. Hayes, last year’s AMA Superstock champ from Gulfport, Miss., has scored five straight top-10 finishes and moved to eighth in the Superbike standings. Faithful Kawasaki fans in Wisconsin will back Hayes whose stated goal is to earn a podium finish at some point this season.

The Suzuki Superbike Doubleheader races will be televised back-to-back on SPEED Channel on Sunday, June 6, beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern.

For additional information on the race call 1-800-365-7223 or visit www.roadamerica.com

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited

Suzuki Superbike Doubleheader – Road America, June 4-6, 2004

Thursday, June 3

3:00 – 7:00 – Registration: Riders, Crew, Sponsors & Guests

3:00 – 7:30 – Tech Inspection

6:30 – Post-Entry Closed for all Classes


Friday, June 4

7:30 – 4:00 – Registration: Riders, Crew, Sponsors & Guests

8:00 – 5:00 – Tech Inspection

9:00 – 9:50 – Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Practice

10:00 – 10:50 – AMA Repsol Superstock Practice

11:00 – 11:20 – Sidecar Practice

11:20 – 12:10 – Lunch Break

11:30 – Mandatory Rider Briefing for All Classes

12:10 – 1:10 – Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Helmets Practice

1:20 – 2:20 – Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited Practice

2:30 – 3:10 – Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Qualifying Group 1

3:20 – 4:00 – Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Qualifying Group 2

4:10 – 4:50 – Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited Qualifying Group 1

5:00 – 5:40 – Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited Qualifying Group 2


Saturday, June 5

7:30 – 3:00 – Registration: Crew, Sponsors & Guests

8:00 – 5:00 – Tech Inspection

8:00 – 8:20 – Sidecar Practice

8:30 – 9:00 – AMA Repsol Superstock Practice

9:05 – 9:35 – Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Practice

9:40 – 10:10 – Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Helmets Practice

10:20 – 11:00 – Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited Qualifying Group 1

11:10 – 11:50 – Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited Qualifying Group 2

11:50 – 12:50 – Lunch Break

12:50 – 1:20 – AMA Repsol Superstock Qualifying Group 1

1:30 – 2:00 – AMA Repsol Superstock Qualifying Group 2

2:10 – 2:40 – Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Helmets Qualifying Group 1

2:50 – 3:20 – Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Helmets Qualifying Group 2

3:30 – Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited Race 1 (100K – 16 laps)

4:30 – 4:50 – Sidecar Qualifying

5:00 – Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme (60k – 10 laps)


Sunday, June 6

8:30 – 12:00 – Registration: Crew, Sponsors & Guests

9:00 – Tech Inspection Opens

9:00 – 9:20 – AMA Repsol Superstock Practice

9:30 – 9:50 – Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei
Helmets Practice

10:00 – 10:20 – Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts
Unlimited Practice

10:30 – 10:50 – Sidecar Practice

11:10 – AMA Repsol Superstock Race (60k – 10 laps)

12:00 – 1:00 – Lunch Break

11:20 – Nondenominational Chapel Service

FINAL EVENTS:

1:00 – Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Helmets (60k – 10 laps)

2:30 – Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited Race 2 (100k – 16 laps)

3:30 – Sidecar Race (60k – 10 laps)

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

LACONI AND TOSELAND (DUCATI FILA) AIM FOR MORE DOUBLE GLORY IN GERMANY

Oschersleben (Germany), 27 May 2004: After their double 1-2 at Monza two weeks ago, Regis Laconi and James Toseland take their Fila Ducatis to the tight and twisty Oschersleben MotoPark circuit in Germany this weekend for round 5 of the championship.

While former points leader Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) slumped to two DNFs at Monza, 28 year-old Laconi powered to the maximum points, which makes him favourite for the win this weekend.

“After Valencia I was worried about the 45 points I had lost to James because I thought it would take more races to get up to the top, so now that I am leading the championship I feel much happier” commented Laconi.

“Oschersleben is a small circuit but unlike many other riders I actually like it. It’s a bit like Valencia with lots of right and left corners but no really long straight and I think my riding style is good for it. The only difficult part is just before the back straight, where many riders cut the chicane.

“For this race the bike needs to be set up so that it is easy for the changes in direction. As we already have a good base set-up, we will not change the bike from Monza very much” he concluded.

Ducati Fila team-mate James Toseland finally looks to have got to grips with the front-end problems that have afflicted him since the start of the season and he returns to the circuit where he scored his maiden World Superbike win just twelve months ago.

“Last year I earned myself a piano for my win at Oschersleben” declared the 23 year-old from Sheffield, England. “I don’t think I’ll be getting anything like that if I win again, but it’ll be great to race again on the circuit where I took my first World Superbike victory!

“It’s a different kettle of fish this year, what with the new bike and the new tyres, but I’m a lot happier now that we found something at Monza with the help of the Öhlins technicians. I’ve got more feel at the front, we just need to find more rear grip, but other than that the bike is really good.

“Oschersleben is tight and twisty and not very heavy on the braking, unlike Monza” he explained. “It’s got lots of horseshoe corners, which makes for some interesting racing. It was close last year, so there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be this time around.”

POINTS (after 4 of 11 rounds):
(Riders) 1. Laconi 120; 2. Toseland 117; 3. Chili 97; 4. McCoy 87; 5. Vermeulen 83 ; 6. Haga 69; etc.
(Manufacturers) 1. Ducati 200; 2. Petronas 90; 3. Honda 83; 4. Kawasaki 48; 5. Suzuki 47 ; 6. Yamaha 22.

CIRCUIT INFO Name: Oschersleben Motopark. Length: 3.667 km. Pole Position: right. Corners Left/Right: 7/7. Finish Line Length: 680 m.

STATISTICS Best lap: Hodgson (Ducati), 1’26.502 (2002). Lap record: Edwards (Honda), 1’26.549 (2002). Superpole: Hodgson (Ducati), 1’26.502 (2002). Race Distance: 2 x 28 laps/102.676 km.

2003 RESULTS
Race 1: 1. Hodgson (Ducati); 2. Chili (Ducati); 3. Toseland (Ducati).
Race 2: 1. Toseland; 2. Hodgson; 3. Walker (Ducati).

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING ON TV THIS WEEK

(All times Eastern)

Pro Honda Oils Supersport Final, Pikes Peak Int’l Raceway, Fountain, CO, Sunday, May 30, 2:00pm (1 Hour) SPEED Channel

Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme & Repsol Superstock Finals, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL, Sunday, May 30 , 5:00pm (1 Hour) SPEED Channel

Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme & Repsol Superstock Finals, Pikes Peak Int’l Raceway, Fountain, CO, Tuesday, June 1, 1:00pm (1 Hour) SPEED Channel

AMA Chevrolet Motocross Championship, Hangtown Classic, Sacramento, CA, Friday, May 28, 3 am (2 Hours) ESPN2

All times subject to change. Check local listings

From a press release:

After returning from the Pikes Peak AMA round, Safety First Racing owner, Kevin Hanson, was on hand at Touch-A-Truck-Day in Champaign, Illinois. The event was geared towards elementary kids where they had the opportunity to see up-close various large vehicles such as fire engines, police cars, SWAT vehicles, tow trucks and other equipment.

Regarding the event Hanson related, “Naturally, upon seeing my new race hauler, Suzuki racebike and Suomy helmets kids instantly gravitated towards my display with their parents. It was absolutely amazing how these kids went nuts when I let them sit on my GSXR1000 Superbike and let their parents take pictures of them.”

The event lasted for two hours and Hanson stated, “I stayed late because I had a line of parents/kids 30 people deep the entire time and wanted to make sure everyone got a chance to sit on my racebike and try on the Suomy helmets.”

Over 300 children came through the Safety First display and were treated to a Safety First Racing action poster.

On a further note, Hanson spoke candidly about the lack of attendance growth at road racing events. “Motorcycle sales are up, however attendance at road racing events remains stagnant. When I go into schools and speak to kids, most of them don’t have a clue what road racing is about. It seems like we naturally expect people to just start watching road racing on TV or show up at racing events. I’m committed to taking an aggessive, proactive approach to do my part on promoting the sport. That’s why I have built a great program that provides the inroads to promoting motorcycling through being a police officer, racer, and promoting safety. I have the ability to get into schools, malls and other venues that are tough for the average company to reach. For instance, I did a Safety First display with my Suzuki Superbike at a mall last year during Christmas that reached 250,000 people in two weeks. That’s half of AMA road racing attendance for an entire year. Now, I’ve got several upcoming dates scheduled with the mall and large name chain stores contacting me to come in to do displays with my motorcycle and safety program. I think it’s important to continually, actively pursue and reach out to potentially new audiences to make the sport grow.”

From a press release issued by California Speedway:

CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY STAFF PROMOTED IN OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT

FONTANA, Calif. – California Speedway President Bill Miller today announced the promotions of Phil Tucker and Justin Bentley to the positions of Director of Operations and Operations Manager, respectively.

Tucker will begin his duties immediately, while Bentley will transition to his new role from his current position of Corporate Sales Manager over the summer months, officially beginning his new position following the Pop Secret 500 Labor Day weekend.

“I am pleased to announce the promotions of Phil and Justin,” Miller said. “Each has done an outstanding job in their respective areas and we look forward to their continued success in their new roles.”

Tucker, 41, has been with California Speedway since 1998 as the Operations Manager. As Director of Operations he will oversee the day-to-day operations of the facility as well as event preparations and operations. He resides in La Verne with his wife Ree and two children.

“I am very excited and proud to have this great opportunity to build upon the strong foundation California Speedway has established over these past 8 years of racing,” Tucker said. “The safety and satisfaction of our guests will continue to be the primary focus. Working with our community, local agencies and corporate partners, California Speedway wants to be what comes to mind when people think about safe, exciting, family entertainment.”

Bentley, 27, has served as a Corporate Sales Manager in California Speedway’s Corporate Sales and Marketing Department since November 2001. As Operations Manager he will work with Tucker to oversee facility operations and track rentals. He resides in Lakewood.

“I appreciate the opportunity and look forward to the challenge of managing the day-to-day schedule of this amazing facility,” Bentley said. “It has been exciting to see the changes made at California Speedway over the past few years and I am ready to begin my new role here.”

Craig Hatch, who has served as Director of Operations at California Speedway since 1999 and Operations Manager at Michigan International Speedway for three years prior, is beginning his own business in Michigan. He will assist with the transition during the summer months.

California Speedway has a full line-up of racing this fall beginning with the “Finish Under the Lights” Pop Secret 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race Labor Day weekend, September 3-5. The Indy Racing League’s IndyCar Series and Menards Infiniti Pro Series as well as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series are set to compete on the 2-mile, D-shaped oval October 1-3. The Grand American Road Racing Association will compete on the 2.86-mile, 21 turn road course for the Rolex Sports Car Series and Grand-Am Cup Series season finale on October 29-31.

Renewable NASCAR seating locations and individual tickets are on sale now. Take advantage of Metrolink’s specially contracted trains during the Pop Secret 500 weekend, which will arrive early and leave approximately one hour after the checkered flag waves. This is an easy and convenient way to avoid race traffic. For ticket and event information, call 1-800-944-RACE (7223) or log onto www.californiaspeedway.com.

California Speedway is owned by International Speedway Corporation, a leading promoter of motorsports activities in the United States, currently promoting more than 100 events annually. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.iscmotorsports.com.

From a press release issued by Proforma:

HOTBODIES RACING ANNOUNCES RACE TEAM LAUNCH AT LAGUNA SECA

Hotbodies Racing announced today its plan to launch a 10-rider road race team at the combined AMA / WSB event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, July 8-11, 2004. The race team will be composed of up-and-coming AMA Superbike Series privateers from around the United States and Mexico that will join forces at this event and race their existing machinery with a special Hotbodies Racing bodywork and graphics package as well as matching team crew shirts.

The plan calls for a 40′ x 80′ tent that will facilitate 8′ x 20′ pit spaces for each of the ten riders, as well as a 20′ x 40′ vending/display area on one end. At the other end, a spacious hospitality area will feature two large-screen televisions, a catered lunch as well as refreshments and snacks throughout the day. Special events and activities for the press and public will be held at the tent over the course of the weekend.

“We’re excited to be launching this team, especially at Laguna Seca,” said Roger Davis, president of Hotbodies Racing. “It’s a project that we’ve been working on for a while. There are so many great racers out there that are already using our products, and this is a way to bring them together and showcase their talents to the world. The riders have a variety of machinery, but they will each receive new Hotbodiesracing.com bodywork with matching graphics and matching team shirts for themselves and their crew. It’s going to be a great way to promote Hotbodiesracing.com and the riders at the same time.”

Confirmed riders joining Hotbodies Racing at Laguna Seca include Michael Barnes, John Dugan, Scott Greenwood, Ty Howard, Marco Martinez, Ricky Orlando, Dirk Sanchez, Michael Sanchez, Jeremy Toye and Blake Young. Additional details and activities will be announced as they are confirmed.

For more information, please contact Hotbodies Racing at 1-800-555-2805 or visit www.hotbodiesracing.com

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

via e-mail:

Hey there! I wanted to give a brief report on the VEGAS WERA event 5/22-23, and the FRA trackday on 5/21.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors and staff of FASTRACK and WERA WEST for helping to make my niece’s first race a great experience. Thanks go out to Perry, the Pirelli team, and all those who pulled it together and found minibikes to ride so she could actually compete.

To explain, my Niece Kayla (12 years old, WERA #103) has been coming to FASTRACK events for the last two years with me, and expressed an interest in racing. We (ACME MOTORSPORTS of CA, INC) acquired a YSR50, set it up for racing, got her some leathers, boots etc., and she signed up for and received her WERA racers license two weeks ago (after having to bring her grades up and do a TON of late homework)! We arrived at Las Vegas Motor Speedway where I was racing WERA WEST Sportsman Series, and she was scheduled to race in the MINI series, and had paid her fees, etc. (Even pre-registering like a good racer should!)

Well, long story short, no other mini entries showed up, although several had entered. Nobody to race with, no race! Working with Dave Pyles of FASTRACK and Sharon of WERA as well as the rest of the WERA and FASTRACK team, we arranged that if we could get at least three other licensed racers out there on the track, she could race. People came out of the woodwork to donate their Pit-bikes and a pocket bike and 5 guys volunteered (all experienced, adult racers), and a race was run! FULL TRACK no less! Kayla made it through her warm-up lap, got a good start but crashed :bawling: on her first lap, and the guys all jumped off their bikes and helped her to get back up and restart the YSR, and waited for her to get going again. She completed the race and a cooldown lap and WON her first race!

The WERA crew made a big deal of it, and made
sure she got a trophy and was made to feel like a winner. She is totally ready to race again, and her parents and our family are really excited for her. Pirelli is looking at her for sponsorship, and this is a terrific start to her racing career. I personally had a terrific weekend myself, with 3 first place finishes and a 2nd place as well.

The event was well run, facilities were as good as could be expected at the site, (Classic Course is a lot like Streets of Willow), and I am absolutely stoked about the upcoming weekend at California Speedway for the WERA NATIONAL EVENT.

WERA WEST ROCKS!

Dave Osser
WERA #330
San Diego, California



And now some reader reaction:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Sounds like a great story!

I haven’t raced in over 10 years but when I did race, it was very common for the paddock to pull together to help the other racers – especially novice racers. I can think of too many examples to list: helping Novice racers get thru tech, helping other racers repair broken bikes from crashes and mechanical failure, loaning leathers, helmets, parts, etc. and even loaning entire bikes!

This type of pulling together and helping each other out occured nearly every weekend!

It is good to hear that with all the other changes in the world, that the club racing paddock still pulls together to help each racer!

George B. Leavell
Gilroy, California

From a press release issued by Alex Baylon of Motorcycle Industry Jobs:

Motorcycle Industry Jobs (MIJ) is the ultimate destination for companies and job candidates of the Powersports industry. As the first Internet Job Board built specifically for the Motorcycle industry, MIJ provides a single source for companies to find employees and for candidates to find job opportunities.

Employers

MIJ provides a one stop solution for Powersports companies to find talented job candidates who are passionate about the Powersports industry and possess talent, aptitude and industry experience necessary to fulfill a company’s vital staffing need.

Job Seekers

The MIJ network provides a free service to job seekers with tools for finding employment within the Powersports industry. Search the MIJ database for job opportunities solely for the Powersports industry.

For more information log on to: www.motorcycleindustryjobs.com

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Butler Machinery’s Robert Jensen won four races at the second round of the 2004 Central Roadracing Association (CRA) series, May 22-23 at Mid-America Motorplex in Pacific Junction, Iowa, according to a press release issued by the organization.

Rising star Blake Young won two races and collected two more podium finishes on his Young America Suzukis, while Wesley Good extended his overall CRA points lead with a win and several other strong finishes.

In addition, CRA raised $550 for the Wegman Benefit Fund, which provides financial assistance to injured riders and their families.

The next CRA event is June 18-20 at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota.

For more information about the CRA, go to www.cra-mn.com.

From a press release:

FASTER SCREENINGS AT SANTA CRUZ’S RIO THEATRE MAY 26, 29TH AND 30TH

MOTO GP LEGEND WAYNE RAINEY WILL MAKE SPECIAL APPEARANCE ON MAY 29TH FOR Q&A WITH DIRECTOR MARK NEALE

FASTER, the action-packed, award-winning documentary about MotoGP racing, will screen in Santa Cruz, California on Wednesday, May 26th at 8pm, Saturday, May 29th at 2pm and 8pm, and on Sunday, May 30th at 2pm and 6pm, at the Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062. Tickets are $7 at the door. The event information number (831) 423-8209.

Racing legend Wayne Rainey will make a special appearance at the 8 pm screening on Saturday, May 29th, and will do an audience Q&A with director Mark Neale. Prominently featured in FASTER for his incomparable contributions to the sport of motorcycle racing, Rainey was the top World Championship 500cc Grand Prix rider of the early 1990s, winning three consecutive World Championships riding for Yamaha. In addition to his accomplishments on the world championship level, Rainey was also a star of AMA Superbike racing during the 1980s, winning that title in 1983 with Kawasaki and again for Honda in 1987. Rainey’s career as a motorcycle racer came to an abrupt end when he crashed while leading the Italian Grand Prix in September of 1993. He returned to the world championship circuit as a team owner and manager, and also currently races in a specially-designed go-kart.

On display in the lobby of the Rio Theatre will be race bikes including Mike Judkin’s Yamaha R6, a replica Repsol Honda NSR GP, with thanks to Charles Gallant, Pascal Picotte’s vintage Buell race bike, with thanks to Santa Cruz Harley, and a Moto Italia Ducati.

Narrated by Ewan McGregor (“Star Wars”), and written and directed by Mark Neale, FASTER is an action-packed, true-to-life look inside the world of championship racing. The critically acclaimed film features riders from today’s champions like Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi to past superstars like Rainey and Kevin Schwantz, along with the people behind the scenes from pit crew, managers and journalists, to the famous Doctor Costa, who patches the riders up and puts them back on the track.

FASTER is distributed theatrically in the United States by Slamdance on the Road. Upcoming screening are scheduled for Aspen, CO (5/29, 5/30), Oakland, CA (6/1), Duluth, MN (6/5, 6/6), Walnut Creek, CA (6/9).

FASTER is a film by Spark Productions in association with Dorna Sports SL. Executive producers are Ian MacLean, Mark Neale and Chris Paine. Produced by Stephen Lim.