Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The elevation of Pikes Peak International Raceway is approximately 5300 feet above sea level, and that elevation puts unique demands on the engines of AMA racebikes, reducing horsepower output and causing overheating problems, according to experts.

The lack of oxygen at the altitude of the track causes engines to lose anywhere from 15-18 percent of their horsepower output.

“When we came here in 2000,” said Attack Kawasaki’s Team Owner/Crew Chief Richard Stanboli, “Our bike (Mark Miller’s Yamaha YZF-R1 Formula Xtreme bike) made 155-157 horsepower when it normally made 180-182 horsepower.”

Kawasaki engine development specialist Theo Lockwood backed up Stanboli’s horsepower loss figures and then pointed out that they also have to deal with the engines running hotter.

“You have a lower boiling point (for water) at higher altitudes, less barometric pressure and less oxygen molecules passing through the radiator to carry away the heat,” said Lockwood.

On the overheating issues, Stanboli added, “The bikes also tend to run hotter due to the track being shorter, and the engines revving harder to make up for the loss in horsepower.”

The factory Kawasaki team has re-installed the original equipment cooling fans on the radiators of Tommy Hayden’s and Roger Lee Hayden’s Ninjas. Stanboli said he will wait to see how Tony Meiring’s and Josh Hayes’ Ninjas deal with the heat before deciding whether or not to re-install the cooling fans, which are normally removed during race prep, to reduce weight.

External cooling fans and blowers are being used by several AMA teams on pit lane at Pikes Peak.

The weather forecast for Fountain, Colorado is calling for average temperatures with highs of approximately 80 degrees F.

From a press release issued by Vreeke & Associates, Dunlop’s advertising and PR agency:

Dunlop previews AMA road races at Pikes Peak International Raceway

Fountain, CO-Dunlop Motorcycle Tire Company, winner of 18 American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Superbike titles, including the last 14 in a row, anticipates another exciting round of racing at Pikes Peak International Raceway (PPIR) in Fountain, Colorado this weekend, the fifth stop on the 2004 Superbike tour.

“We’re bringing about 1650 tires with us,” said Jim Allen, U.S. manager of road racing. “The road course at PPIR generates a lot of heat on the left side of the tires, because so many of the turns are left-hand oriented.” Indeed, left-hand turns dominate the road course and the one-mile, counter-clockwise oval compounds the tire challenge.

The greatest demand on tires is exerted by the Superbikes, highly-modified, 1000cc versions of production-based open-class sport motorcycles. The factory teams of Honda Racing, Erion Racing and Yoshimura Suzuki will have a selection of four different Dunlop front tire compounds – and an equal number of rear tire choices – to select from during practice and qualifying. In addition, riders will have extra-high traction rear “qualifying” tires available to set the fastest lap times possible as they jockey for the coveted pole-position on the front row.

The AMA’s newly-revised Superstock class, which features nearly-stock 1000cc open-class sport motorcycles, also puts great demands on tires. The factory teams in this class – represented by Erion Racing, Kawasaki Road Racing, Attack Kawasaki, Yoshimura Suzuki and Graves Motorsports Yamaha – will have three compound choices each for front and rear racing tires. Qualifying tires will be available, as well.

Dunlop also supplies tires for nearly all of the leading teams in 600cc Supersport and Formula Xtreme competition.

“It takes a big effort to handle this many tires for one event. We only run one Superbike round at PPIR, compared to two Superbike races at most venues, which means we have just one chance to nail down the setup,” said Allen. “But we’ve got a very experienced crew and we look forward to helping these guys getting around the course as quickly as possible, lap after lap.”

Entering round eight of the Superbike series, Suzuki’s Mat Mladin leads with 243 points, followed closely by Honda’s Miguel Duhamel with 218 and Erion Racing’s Jake Zemke with 216. Mladin and Duhamel have taken one race each in the last two doubleheaders. The two veterans have won a combined 57 AMA Superbike races between them (Mladin leads Duhamel 29 to 28) while rookie Zemke has missed his first Superbike victory in the last three races by the narrowest of margins. A strong performance last week at Barber Motorsports Park by Dunlop-supported Josh Hayes of Attack Kawasaki saw him finish in sixth-place, right behind the five Dunlop-supported factory riders – Duhamel, Zemke, Mladin, Suzuki’s Aaron Yates and Honda Racing’s Ben Bostrom.

In the hotly-contested Superstock series, Graves Motorsports Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking leads his teammates Aaron Gobert and Damon Buckmaster 135 to 118 and 115 points, respectively. Kawasaki Road Racing’s Tommy Hayden sits in fourth with 112 points, followed by Yamaha’s Jason Disalvo, Hayden’s teammate and brother, Roger Lee Hayden, and Suzuki’s Ben Spies.


About Dunlop Tires
Dunlop Tires is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S. and the only manufacturer of motorcycle tires in North America. With North American operations headquartered in Buffalo, NY, Dunlop has been making and selling high-quality tires in the U.S. since 1923. For more information, please contact visit www.dunlopmotorcycle.com.

From a press release issued by series organizers:

Steve Webster and passenger Paul Woodhead won a thrilling race as the Eastern Airways Sidecar Championship got under way at Mondello Park in Ireland on Saturday.

Castrol Suzuki driver Webster tailed rival Tim Reeves until the halfway stage in the 15-lap encounter before the nine times World Champion edged ahead for victory in the opening race of the 2004 series.

“I’ve watched Tim get faster and faster so it was no surprise that he made the early running,” said Webster. “But I was struggling, it seems like there are numerous passing places around Mondello Park but it’s very hard to make a pass stick.”

Runner-up Reeves, along with passenger and brother, Tristan, secured the 20 points for runner-up place and the Kent driver was pleased with his opening display aboard the M & M Suzuki.

“I knew my only chance was to get the holeshot, which I did,” explained Reeves. “Then it was just a case of holding off Steve for as long as I could. I really feel a lot closer to beating them than I ever have so tomorrow’s race may have a different outcome.”

Derek Brindley finished third aboard his Readymix Suzuki, inheriting the final podium slot after hounding Bill Philp for 13 laps before Yamaha-mounted Philp spun out, re-joining to take fifth.

Greg Lambert took fourth on his Suzuki while Bryan Pedder put in a spirited performance, moving from 12th on the opening lap to take sixth.

Eastern Airways Sidecar Championship, round two, race one result
(15 laps, 32.649 miles)
1 Steve Webster (Suzuki) 26:48.251, ­73.08 mph
2 Tim Reeves (Suzuki) 26:53.798
3 Derek Brindley (Suzuki) 27:33.561
4 Greg Lambert (Suzuki) 27:53.767
5 Bill Philp (Yamaha) 27:54.592
6 Bryan Pedder (Suzuki) 28:16.935
7 Ben Birchall (Yamaha) 28:23.802
8 Steve Norbury (Yamaha) 28:26.368
9 Andy Peach (Suzuki) 28:27.288
10 Stuart Woodard (Yamaha) 28:35.475

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday Morning’s Provisional AMA Superstock Practice Times:

1. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 55.236
2. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 55.238
3. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, 55.245
4. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 55.423
5. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 55.572
6. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 55.634
7. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 55.972
8. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 56.055
9. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 56.060
10. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 56.344
11. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 56.367
12. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 56.612
13. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 56.750
14. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 56.802
15. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 56.865
16. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 56.875
17. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 56.993
18. Montez Stewart, Yamaha YZF-R1, 57.615
19. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 57.673
20. C. Pistoni, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 57.763
21. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 58.388
22. Christopher Ancien, Suzuki GSX-R1000
23. Kevin Hanson, Suzuki GSX-R1000
24. Brad Puetz, Suzuki GSX-R1000
25. Dan Salis, Suzuki GSX-R1000
26. Corey Sarros, Suzuki GSX-R1000

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Plans for a limited-edition Ducati Desmosedici RR streetbike were announced Saturday by Ducati Motor Holding President and CEO Frederico Minoli during the World Ducati Week festival in Italy.

Calling it the “first true MotoGP replica,” a posting on Ducati’s website reported that the bike would have a tubular steel trellis-style frame, carbon-fiber fairings and a 989cc V-4 engine with gear-driven cams, sand-cast aluminum alloy crankcases and cylinder heads, Titanium connecting rods and valves and magnesium engine covers.

The Desmosedici RRs will be available for 50,000 Euros with a spring 2006 delivery date, according to the posting. Reservations made by existing Ducati 999R owners will be given priority.

More information will be posted on Ducati’s website on July 1, 2004.

From a press release issued by series organizers:

PICOTTE ON THE POLE

SHANNONVILLE, ON Pascal Picotte opened the defence of his Parts Canada Superbike Championship title in style by claiming pole position for the first race of the 2004 season at Shannonville Motorsport Park on Saturday.

The Granby, QC racer took his Picotte Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 around Shannonville’s 1.53-mile ‘Pro’ circuit in 1:05.032 to claim the $500 MPM/Array Pole Award and four points in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship standings.

Picotte’s time was a new track record, breaking the previous mark of 1:05.746 set by Steve Crevier in 2001.

“We definitely made progress from yesterday,” Picotte said. “A little better suspension and a little better clutch set-up could make a difference, but I know this bike is going to be good.”

Calgary’s Clint McBain posted the second fastest time, a 1:05.166 on the Coors Light Racing/Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R1000 and Crevier, from Maple Ridge, BC overcame engine trouble to record the third best time of 1:05.209 on his DXS/Diablo Racing Team Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Kevin Lacombe of Granby, QC completes the front row of the grid for Sunday’s race after setting a time of 1:05.498 on the Lacombe Racing/Brooklin Cycle Yamaha YZF-R1.

A total of seven racers eclipsed Crevier’s old lap record and less than a second separated the nine fastest qualifiers.

Superbike racing at Shannonville was marred by a serious practice accident involving two-time national champion Michael Taylor. The Toronto rider crashed his Z1 Cycletech Ducati 999S late in the morning practice session and sustained a broken right femur and broken right thumb.

In other action at Shannonville, Picotte also claimed pole position for the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike race on his Picotte Racing Yamaha YZF-R6. Picotte, who is also the defending champion in that class set a time of 1:05.811.

McBain qualified second fastest at 1:05.893 on the Coors Light Racing/Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R600 and Andrew Nelson of Kars, ON placed third with a 1:06.030 aboard the Honda Canada/Fast Company Honda CBR600RR.

Erick Beausejour of Val D’Or, QC will start from pole position in Sunday’s International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike feature on the AMI Sport Honda CBR600RR. Ballantrae, ON’s Eric Warren will line-up second on the Pro 6 Cycle/McBride Cycle Honda CBR600RR and Guelph, ON’s Tyler Kennedy will start third riding the Sturgess Cycle/BMG Sports Honda CBR600RR.

Feature races in all three national classes will be held Sunday. Practice begins at 8:30 a.m. with the day’s first race, for the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike Championship set to go at 12:45 p.m.

Television coverage of this weekend’s event will premier on TSN on Saturday, June 19 at 11:30 a.m. EDT. It will also be shown later this year on Quebec’s RDS.

Starting line-up for Sunday’s opening round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Shannonville Motorsport Park, showing starting position, rider name, hometown, type of motorcycle and qualifying time:

1.Pascal Picotte, Granby, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:05.032; 2. Clint McBain, Calgary, AB, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:05.166; 3. Steve Crevier, Maple Ridge, BC, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:05.209; 4. Kevin Lacombe, Granby, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:05.498; 5. Jordan Szoke, Brantford, ON, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:05.554; 6. Craig Connell, Brisbane, Australia, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:05.595; 7. Frank Trombino, Kleinburg, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:05.693; 8. Jeff Williams, Harrowsmith, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:05.825; 9. Francis Martin, Rock Forest, QC, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:06.021; 10. Andrew Nelson, Kars, ON, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:07.263; 11. Matthew McBride, Mississauga, ON, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:07.313; 12. Stewart Nodell, Ajax, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:07.780; 13. Brent Strong, Mississauga, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:07.783; 14. Jean-Francois Cyr, St. Lin, QC, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:08.125; 15. Michael Leon, Beaconsfield, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:08.202; 16. Dave Young, Woodstock, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:08.283; 17. Larry Orde, Peterborough, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:08.624; 18. Bill Card, Wellesley, ON, Honda CBR600RR, 1:09.088; 19. Corey Sherman, Corbyville, ON, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:09.449; 20. Derek Vammus, Orangeville, ON, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:09.616; 21. Sebastien Michel, St. Jerome, QC, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:09.679; 22. Jeremy French, Erin, ON, Honda CBR600RR, 1:09.700; 23. Marco Alessandrini, Bradford, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:09.986; 24. Darryn Wilbur, Maple, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:09.992; 25. Elie Daccache, Ottawa, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:10.103; 26. Yannick Morin, Repentigny, QC, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:10.387; 27. Barry French, Brampton, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:10.787; 28. Dean Plater, Ottawa, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:11.007; 29. Dave Hodge, Acton, ON, Triumph Daytona 600, 1:15.163; 30. Hugo Brisson, St. Sauveur, QC, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, No Time (disqualified from qualifying session)

From a press release issued by T.E.A.M. Arizona:

Rider, Author, Racer, and glove manufacturer extraordinaire, Lee Parks will be at T.E.A.M. Arizona’s TrackTime on Sunday, May 30. T.E.A.M. Arizona will be at Firebird International Raceway’s West circuit, all day Sunday. Lee will be selling copies of his book, “Total Control:High Performance Street Riding Techniques”, and will autograph your purchase. Lee will be at the track for the day, no word though if he will be bringing any gloves. More information on Lee at: http://www.leeparksdesign.com