From a press release issued by Corona Extra Suzuki:

CORONA EXTRA SUZUKI ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH FMF

Corona Extra Suzuki is very pleased to announce the partnership with acclaimed pipe builder FMF for the 2004 and 2005 Superbike Series. FMF has been deeply involved in off-road racing for many years but only recently moved into the on-road sportbike market. FMF President Don Emler said, “We felt the timing was right and the Corona Extra Suzuki Team sponsorship a perfect opportunity for us.” FMF will be developing exhaust systems for road and track in conjunction with Corona Extra Suzuki.

Corona Extra Suzuki Principal Tim Saunders said, “We are very excited to be working with FMF. They have many years experience in pipe building and terrific in-house development capability. We have already been able to get significant power gains on our 600’s working with the FMF dyno team. Also, FMF is a very progressive company in marketing and brand development which offers many opportunities to build exposure for Corona and the Team.”

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

Hayden’s breakthrough victory could mark trouble for competition

Brother act 1-2 in Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (May 19, 2004) – If you’re born a Hayden you’re born to race and win. Oldest and middle brothers Tommy and Nicky Hayden have numerous wins to their credit, but until last Sunday youngest brother Roger Lee was the odd man out. After five years of being one of the top up-and-coming riders in AMA professional racing, Roger finally broke through to win his first National in the Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala., last Sunday. This weekend the young Kawasaki ace will be riding the momentum of his win as the series moves to Pikes Peak International Raceway on May 22 and 23 for the AMA Superbike Weekend presented by Honda Motorcycles and 2nd Annual “Gravity Check” Extreme Games.

With the confidence he gained with his first victory Hayden may be a tough rider to deal with in the coming rounds. Especially considering the twisty, 1.3-mile Pikes Peak circuit, which should be a good circuit for Hayden who excels at the more technical tracks.

“It definitely feels good,” Hayden said after winning in Alabama. “When you try to do something for five years and to finally get it done. I’ve been beaten so many times by (just) that close. When I got that checkered flag — I don’t know — it felt like a ton of bricks was lifted off my shoulders.”

The win moved Hayden to within five points of his oldest brother and Kawasaki teammate Tommy Hayden as the series moves to the mid-season. While not happy about losing such a close race last weekend in Birmingham, Tommy found at least some consolation in who nipped him at the line.

“Obviously I want to win, but if I’m going to get beat, I guess Rog is probably the only one I can actually accept without being too mad,” said Tommy, the 2002 Pikes Peak Supersport winner. “Also being my teammate — Kawasaki 1-2 — that’s even better.”

The Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship is living up to its reputation for consistently being the most competitive series in AMA road racing. It’s been four different winners in four rounds leading up to Sunday’s race. The top six riders are within a single win of leading the series standings.

Defending champion Jamie Hacking led a Yamaha clean sweep of the Pikes Peak Supersport race last year. Hacking is a close third in the series standings, but surprisingly the British-born rider is still looking for his first win this season. By this time last year Hacking already had already tallied two wins. He’ll be looking to become the fifth different winner this season and earn his third Pikes Supersport victory.

Yamaha’s Aaron Gobert and Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies round out the top five in the Supersport standings. Both have been improving in the series as the season progresses. Aussie Gobert is coming off his first podium finish in the series last weekend. Spies started from nothing after he failed to finish in the season opener at Daytona. Since that time however, the speedy Texan has rallied into championship contention.

The Pikes Peak Pro Honda Oils Supersport race will be broadcast live on SPEED Channel on Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern. For additional information on the AMA Superbike Weekend presented by Honda Motorcycles and 2nd Annual “Gravity Check” Extreme Games call toll free at (888) 306-7223 or visit www.ppir.com

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

Haskovec closing the gap in Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme

Valvoline EMGO Suzuki rider beginning to challenge Honda dominance

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (May 19, 2004) — Honda has dominated the Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series since the revamped class kicked off at Daytona in March, but there are signs that the other manufacturers are narrowing the gap. Vincent Haskovec turned a lot of heads when he took the pole on his Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R600 last weekend at Barber Motorsports Park. Now the series comes to the picturesque Pikes Peak International Raceway on May 22 and 23, for the AMA Superbike Weekend presented by Honda Motorcycles and 2nd Annual “Gravity Check” Extreme Games.

Haskovec is looking forward to racing on the serpentine 1.3-mile Pikes Peak road course. He feels his nimble handling Suzuki will work well on the twisty course. The Czech emigrant was thrilled with winning his first pole at Barber, making the statement that his team is coming on strong.

“Pole position is always great because it shows you are the fastest guy around,” he said. “The lap gave me an amazing feeling; I came in and everybody was cheering. It was great not only for me, but for the team as well.”

Jason Pridmore could also be a real threat at Pikes Peak. The World Endurance racing champion is another rider who excels on technical circuits. His job outside of racing is training riders at his STAR Motorcycle Schools, so it’s natural that his skills translate well on a rider’s course like PPIR. Pridmore has a rich history at Pikes Peak. He’s a two-time Formula Xtreme and a former Superstock winner as well at the track.

While the Suzukis of Haskovec and Pridmore are making gains the Hondas of Miguel Duhamel, Jake Zemke and Alex Gobert remain supreme. Duhamel has three wins and the series lead, while Zemke is a close second and is coming off a win last week in Birmingham, Ala. It marked Zemke’s fifth-career victory in Formula Xtreme and moved him into a tie with Ben Spies sixth on the all-time class wins list.


Hacking puts a bit of daylight between himself and rivals in Repsol Superstock

Graves Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking has established some equilibrium in the topsy-turvy world of Repsol Superstock racing. After seeing three different series leaders in the first three rounds Hacking consolidated his series lead with a victory last week in Birmingham, Ala. The revamped Superstock class makes its first visit to Pikes Peak International Raceway this weekend and Hacking is one of the favorites to take the victory.

Hacking is riding a two-race winning streak coming into Pikes Peak. He thinks the best is yet to come for him and his Graves Yamaha R1.

“Things are really starting to get sorted out with the bike,” said Hacking, who has a 17-point lead over teammate Aaron Gobert. “I’m looking forward to going to Pikes Peak and winning another.”

The Kawasaki team is another squad getting their new bikes sorted out at a rapid rate. Brothers Tommy and Roger Lee Hayden finished second and third respectively to Hacking last week. The duo challenged Hacking for the lead during the middle stages of the race at Barber Motorsports Park before Hacking turned up the wick on his Yamaha and clocked some blazing laps to secure the win. The second and third by the Hayden’s marked the best results for both riders so far in Superstock this year.

“I feel more confident on the bike each week,” said Tommy Hayden, a former Supersport winner at PPIR. “I don’t think it will be long before we put a Kawasaki on top at one of these races.”

Graves Yamaha’s Damon Buckmaster, Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies and STAR Motorcycle School Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore are all former Superstock winners at PPIR and will be racing in this year’s race.

Both the Pikes Peak Lockhart-Phillips Formula Xtreme and Repsol Superstock races will be shown on SPEED Channel on Tuesday, June 1 at 1 p.m. Eastern.

For additional information on the AMA Superbike Weekend presented by Honda Motorcycles and 2nd Annual “Gravity Check” Extreme Games call toll free at (888) 306-7223 or visit www.ppir.com

From a press release:

Safety First Racing continues its nationwide outreach program to kids promoting helmet safety. During the AMA week at Barber in Birmingham, AL, team owner, Kevin Hanson, spoke to 198 kids at Center Point Elementary school.

Regarding the presentation, Kevin Hanson stated, “It’s great to be able to reach kids at that early, impressionable age. Most of them haven’t really been around motorcycles and I have the ability to introduce them to motorcycling/racing community and promote safety right from the start.” “During my presentations, I’ve found maybe 30% of kids ever watch motorcycle racing on tv. Instead of waiting for them to stumble across us on tv, I’m going directly to them to promote the sport and promote safety at the same time.”

On a side note, Hanson had a little excitement on the way home to Illinois from Alabama. “I was driving along on I24 east of Paducah, KY minding my own business listening to the tunes when I looked at the monitor for the rear camera on my race hauler and saw sparks flying. I’ve been helping a buddy of mine, Dan Doty, by transporting his stuff to the races in his trailer. After pulling over to see what was about to get destroyed, I realized that the hitch on his trailer had broken in half and the front of the trailer was dragging on the ground. Thankfully, I had just checked my monitor about 15 seconds earlier when everything was fine so it had just broken. By the time I got it stopped, there wasn’t much left of the aluminum framing and trailer was barely attached to the hauler. A quick trip to a local UHaul company netted another trailer and I was back on my way shortly thereafter. So when you see me at Pikes Peak pulling a Uhaul trailer, NO I haven’t sold all of my possessions and moved into my new race hauler!”

From a press release:

Rich Oliver’s Mystery School is proud to announce a brand new interactive website at www.richoliver.net. The site features a cleaner look with more accessible links to help you navigate the different programs more easily.

Rich Oliver’s Mystery School now features an online enrollment capability. Customers now have the option of enrolling for any of the Mystery School courses including MSF DirtBike School, two-day Fun Camp, five-day Pro Camp, or Open Track Day with the sites secure on-line payment feature.

In addition to online enrollment, www.richoliver.net now features a brand new Gear Shop. Inside our Gear Shop, www.richoliver.biz you will find the latest Rich Oliver’s Mystery School merchandise including new Yamaha TT-R Mystery School replica training motorcycles, used school fleet motorcycles, t-shirts, mugs and much more. Be sure to visit often as new products will be introduced frequently.

Rich Oliver’s Mystery School also owes a big thank you to Mojotown for their many hours of work on our new website. Mojotown, a virtual multimedia agency specializing in advanced web site development, was consulted for the e-commerce features. Mojotown was founded by Michael Aron, an avid motorcycle racer who has worked with industry leaders such as Fast By Ferracci, MV Agusta, Suomy USA, MACH1 Yamaha Supercross Team and most recently Rich Oliver’s Mystery School. To learn more about Mojotown’s services, visit www.mojotown.com

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

Bostrom hoping visit to Pikes Peak will spark revival

Ducati ace is four-time winner at PPIR

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (May 18, 2004) -There are few tracks where Eric Bostrom is more comfortable. This Sunday, May 23, the Ducati Austin rider hopes to find the magic once again on the twisty and challenging 1.3-mile Pikes Peak International Raceway road course in Fountain, Colo. This weekend’s round eight of the 18-race AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship is part of the AMA Superbike Weekend presented by Honda Motorcycles and 2nd Annual “Gravity Check” Extreme Games.

It’s only natural that Bostrom feels at home at PPIR. The track in a former incarnation was a mile horse racing track that once hosted an AMA Grand National Flat Track race in the 1970s. The circuit still features some of the characteristics of a big mile oval in its sweeping long left hand turn at the south end of the course. For Bostrom, a 27-year-old Californian, the track plays right into his racing background.

“Pikes Peak is a real kick,” said Bostrom, the defending and four-time winner of the race. “It’s a track that takes a great deal of throttle control and a lot of nerve. It’s not a super high-speed circuit, but it’s a place where you never get a moment’s rest. It’s tough on tires and it really works you.”

Bostrom could use a fifth win at Pikes Peak. So far his 2004 season has been less than hoped for. After promising winter test outings many pegged Bostrom a pre-season favorite to win the title. Unfortunately, things haven’t quite gone according to plan for the twice runner-up in AMA Superbike. A rock punctured his factory Ducati’s oil cooler at the Daytona opener. He then rallied to score a pair of runner-up finishes at California Speedway only to suffer a crash a few weeks later at Infineon Raceway. Bostrom comes into Pikes Peak ranked fifth in the series. A victory this Sunday could begin a serious turnaround for Bostrom and Ducati Austin.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mathew Mladin leads the series as it rolls into the thin, high-altitude air of Pikes Peak International Raceway. Pikes is one of only two AMA racing circuits that Mladin has not been victorious — the other being Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway. Last year the Aussie racing veteran experienced a rear tire problem on his Suzuki and was forced to make an unscheduled pit stop and finished an uncharacteristic ninth. Mladin, the only four-time AMA Superbike champion, would enjoy adding a Pikes Peak winner’s prize to his bulging trophy case.

Team Honda’s Miguel Duhamel sits in second place in the championship and joins Eric Bostrom as a former Pikes Peak winner. The well-liked French Canadian, who now calls Las Vegas home, won the inaugural AMA Superbike race at PPIR in 1997. Since then Duhamel has scored no better than fifth in the race. Duhamel is hoping to get back atop the Pikes winner’s rostrum for the first time in eight years. If he does so he would tie Mladin as the all-time wins leader in the history of AMA Superbike racing. Duhamel is coming off a win at Barber Motorsports Park and would love to continue his momentum at Pikes Peak.

Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke looks to Pikes Peak as yet another opportunity to win his first AMA Superbike race. Zemke has been agonizingly close to earning his first win in the last three rounds only to lose leads late in the races. Like Bostrom, Zemke is a former flat track racer and should be a natural at Pikes Peak.

Team Prieto Racing Suzuki’s Geoff May continues his impressive run among the Superbike elite. Last year’s AMA Superbike Rookie of the Year comes into Sunday’s race ranked fourth –remarkable for a rider on a privateer team. The Georgian is looking for his seventh straight top-10 Superbike finish this season.

The Pikes Peak International Raceway event will be shown live on SPEED Channel. For additional information on the AMA Superbike Weekend presented by Honda Motorcycles and 2nd Annual “Gravity Check” Extreme Games call (805) 256-2475 or visit www.ppir.com

Friday, May 21

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

3:00 – 7:30 – Tech Inspection

6:30 – Post-Entry Closed for all Classes


Saturday, May 22

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

8:00 – 5:00 – Tech Inspection

8:30 – 9:10 – Pro Honda Oils Supersport

9:20 – 10:00 – AMA Repsol Superstock

10:10 – 10:50 – Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme

11:00 – 12:00 – Chevrolet Superbike Practice

12:00 – 12:50 – Lunch Break

12:20 – Rider Briefing

12:50 – 1:10 – Pro Honda Oils Supersport Qualifying, Group 1

1:20 – 1:40 – Pro Honda Oils Supersport Qualifying, Group 2

1:50 – 2:10 – AMA Repsol Superstock Qualifying, Group 1

2:20 – 2:40 – AMA Repsol Superstock Qualifying, Group 2

2:50 – 3:10 – Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Qualifying, Group 1

3:20 – 3:40 – Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Qualifying, Group 2

3:50 – 4:20 – Chevrolet Superbike Qualifying, Group 1

4:30 – 5:00 – Chevrolet Superbike Qualifying, Group 2


Sunday, May 23

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

8:30 – Tech Inspection Opens

8:30 – 9:00 – Pro Honda Oils Supersport

9:10 – 9:40 – AMA Repsol Superstock

9:50 – 10:20 – Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme

10:30 – 11:00 – Chevrolet Superbike

11:20 – Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Helmets (60k – 29 laps)

12:00 – Lunch Break

12:20 – Nondenominational Chapel Service

1:00 – AMA Repsol Superstock (60k – 29 laps)

2:00 – Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme (60k – 29 laps)

3:30 – **Chevrolet Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited (100k – 48 laps)

** LIVE TV

From a press release issued by Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha:

YAMAHA RIDERS COMPLETE SUCCESSFUL POST-RACE TEST IN LE MANS

After finishing second and fourth respectively in yesterday’s French Grand Prix, Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha riders Carlos Checa and Valentino Rossi stayed on at the Le Mans circuit for a one day test today. With just over two weeks to go before the fourth round of the 2004 World Championship in Italy on June 6, the team took advantage of the good weather to work on race settings and try to solve some of the set-up problems that Rossi experienced over the weekend.

A total of ten riders stayed on to test today, Ducati rider Troy Bayliss topping the unofficial time sheets with a lap of 1:33.50 – just a fraction of a second off the pole-position time set on Saturday by race-winner Sete Gibernau. Reigning World Champion Rossi was only just slower, recording a best time of 1:33.58. Max Biaggi, third in yesterday’s race on the Honda, was third fastest with a time of 1:33.86, while Checa continued his consistent weekend form, setting a lap of 1:34.08 in fourth place.

Speaking about today’s test, Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team Director Davide Brivio said: “After the race yesterday we decided to stay one extra day to try to analyse with Valentino what happened yesterday, and to try to find an alternative. We have made some progress.

“We spent the day working on race settings and have had quite a good day. We have solved some of our doubts and things worked better than yesterday. We have tried some different ideas and got some good information so now we are looking towards Mugello with a little more confidence.

“After three races in very different conditions and situations and with different results, we felt it was important to take this time to analyse where we are at.

“Carlos had a very good race yesterday, but even so it was important today to try some different things. We have collected some good information today and now Carlos is looking forward to the next race.”

The team now heads home to enjoy its longest break since the start of the season and will reconvene at Mugello in two weeks time for the Italian Grand Prix; Rossi’s home race. Early June will be a busy time for both riders, as Mugello is followed immediately by Checa’s local Grand Prix at the Montmelo circuit in Catalunya.

TIMES:

1. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 1:33.50
2. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, 1:33.58
3. Max Biaggi, Honda, 1:33.86
4. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 1:34.08
5. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 1:34.16
6. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:34.18
7. Alex Barros, Honda, 1:34.32
8. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 1:34.86
9. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 1:34.86
10. Shinya Nakano, Kawasaki, 1:35.05


More, from a press release issued by Camel Honda Racing Information:

Private tests at Le Mans.

Max and Makoto on track as they prepare for Mugello race

Today was a day of intense tests for the Camel Honda team, as they began preparations for the Italian Grand Prix, the next round of the MotoGP World Championship. The conditions at Le Mans today were similar to what can be expected at Mugello at the start of June – with ambient temperatures of 29ºC and track temperatures touching 48ºC. Max and Makoto completed 89 and 76 laps respectively, completing an intense programme of work.

On a separate note Camel Honda were proud to welcome a new partner to their 2004 MotoGP project at the French GP this weekend, with the announcement of a new agreement with Repsol. As a part of the new agreement the Spanish oil company will provide Max Biaggi with its specially prepared high performance racing products while the Repsol brand name will be displayed on his RC211V for the remaining races of the 2004 season.

Sito Pons – Camel Honda (Team Principal)
“Today was a really positive test which has allowed us to make the best possible preparations for the next race at Mugello. It is a race we are all looking forward to, where it will be imperative to be protagonists – Max’s home race. So today’s test was particularly important to refine our preparations. Meanwhile, we are very pleased to announce the renewal of the partnership, after many years working together in the past, with Repsol which will guarantee the provision of the highest quality racing products, specifically designed for our RC211V, to cover all our technical requirements”.

Max Biaggi – Camel Honda (Michelin tyres) – 89 laps – 1:33.8
“We’ve done a lot of work, focussing on improving in several areas, in particular to make the bike more stable in certain conditions. We have tried a few different solutions with the electronics which have solved a major part of the problems and, above all, given us better traction. I have also done some endurance testing, working on the consistency of the bike with different front suspension settings and I am satisfied. We know which way we have to go now and the tyre tests have also given the results I was hoping for so I am very satisfied”.

Makoto Tamada – Camel Honda (Bridgestone tyres) –76 laps – 1:34.8
“I am tired but happy. Today we have worked really hard on our choice of tyres for the Italian Grand Prix. I can say that the feeling with the bike is really good and the base set-up that we have found is satisfactory. So today’s test, in weather conditions which should be very similar to those we find in Mugello, has been the perfect “bench test” to choose the best tyres for the race and that’s why I didn’t go for a fast time”.

From a press release issued by WERA West:

WERA West Road Racing Association’s second event is this coming weekend (May 22nd & 23rd) at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway exterior Classic Course. The configuration will be the 2.3 mile long course run in a clockwise rotation.

Fastrack Riders is staging a one day track day event on Friday, May 21st the day before the race weekend. Fastrack will run the same track configuration that WERA West is using. Openings are still available in all three levels. Call 877-560-2233 to reserve a spot.

WERA Registration will be open from 3:00 PM till 5:00 PM on Friday afternoon for WERA West racers.

Camping is available at the track on both Friday and Saturday night. Security will be at the site during the entire event.

The following Gate fees will apply to everyone attending the WERA event. You must have a wristband on at all times.

WERA weekend pass $20
Sunday after 10am $15

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

By John Ulrich

This is my personal opinion, and mine alone. It does not reflect the official opinion of anybody else or any thing else. Just me, a guy who has been around AMA road racing since 1973.

A spectator walking through the paddock at a typical AMA National might be forgiven for wondering where the price tags are–the place often looks more like a used-car lot than a serious racing series paddock.

In theory, there are parking restrictions, but often riders, mechanics and managers get stickers or hang-tags that allow them to park in the paddock, and they line up rental cars and personal vehicles next to their trucks and awnings.

I’m not talking about the privateers working out of their pickups and vans, I’m talking about the mechanics, managers and riders for teams with semi-trucks who apparently can’t stand to walk in a couple hundred feet from the parking lot.

Kawasaki’s awning was flanked by Tommy Hayden’s Cadillac Escalade and Roger Hayden’s black van last Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park. Cars were parked at each end of Yoshimura Suzuki’s two semi-trucks and in-between as well.

Yamaha’s fleet of cars in the paddock at Fontana would have filled three lanes of I-10 at rush hour.

Why go to the trouble of running a team out of a nice semi-truck (or semi-trucks) with big attached awnings if you’re going to surround them with rental cars?

AMA officials were among the worst offenders at Infineon, filling up a big space adjacent to tech inspection.

Parking restrictions are actually enforced at Daytona and Laguna Seca, and the semi-truck sections of the paddock areas look really good by comparison to the paddocks at Infineon and Barber.

I’ve been trying to do a one-man campaign on this by talking to AMA Pro Racing officials, team owners and managers, but so far the only ones who seem to have paid any attention are the guys who run the Ducati Austin team and the Michael Jordan team.

Pikes Peak International Raceway has an excellent parking area set up behind the paddock, and this weekend’s AMA National would be a great time to start to clean the cars out of the paddock. Here’s hoping the riders, mechanics and managers there can manage to park in the parking area, and walk from the parking area to their semi-trucks.

Either that, or put some window stickers on the assembled cars, so we know where to start the negotiations…



And now, some reader reaction:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

Here, here on paddock clean up. These are professional races. I may be a bit spoiled because the very first motorcycle road race I attended was the 1993 U.S.GP, but honestly, something must be done.

Fans pay $25-$35 for the privilege of walking through the pits to see the bikes, their heroes, glorious colors and pageantry of AMA racing, only to find a more expensive version of a club race. I for one do not want to peak behind that curtain. Privateers I can understand, but Factory Teams have no excuse.

It’s difficult to take friends or a girlfriend to the races to get them pumped about the sport as much as you are when it looks like a big damn swap meet.

See you at the OC Fairgrounds!

Trent Davis
AFM #912
Placerville, California