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Suzuki Lost Possession Of Suspect Forks In World Cup Controversy

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Suzuki Lost Possession Of Suspect Forks In World Cup Controversy

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

American Suzuki did not maintain possession of the suspect second set of forks used on racer Chris Peris’ 2004 GSX-R750 during last weekend’s World Cup races at Road Atlanta, having sold the bike (with its forks) to a local racer who took the machine home Sunday and was asked to return the forks and shock for inspection Wednesday.

After taking apart the second set of forks and inspecting the internals, G.M.D. Computrack’s Ken Soignier declared them illegal, later retracting that judgement when he realized the fork internals had been compared to the internals from a 2003 GSX-R750, which uses a different shim stack.

Soignier told Roadracingworld.com today that he also inspected the first set of forks, at the track, and stated that the forks had been fitted with a preload ring with an inner shim, a upgrade part. According to Soignier, he was asked by World Cup technician Vic Fasola to inspect the fork internals without knowing whose bike the forks had come from or who had worked on them.

Soignier confirmed that possession of the second set of forks was lost between sale of the bike and return of the forks to his shop in Atlanta.

The controversy started when Peris’ tuner-for-the-weekend Max McAllister was accused by Suzuki World Cup official Cliff Nobles of sliding a pair of forks under the side of the circus tent that World Cup competitors were pitted under at Road Atlanta. In fact, McAllister said today at Homestead-Miami Speedway, he openly walked into the tent with the forks in his hands and didn’t know that he wasn’t allowed to take the forks to his trailer to work on them. McAllister said he was not trying to cheat and did not try to hide the fact that he took the forks off site. McAllister also said that he did not add any parts to the forks and that all he did to the shock was bleed it.

The story is evolving as more information becomes available.


See related post:
10/22/2004 Updated, Corrected Post: Forks Used By Canadian Chris Peris In Suzuki World Cup Races Were Legal After All

Grandstand, Suite And Camping Passes For U.S. GP At Laguna Seca Go On Sale Monday

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Grandstand, Suite And Camping Passes For U.S. GP At Laguna Seca Go On Sale Monday

From a press release issued by Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca:

RESERVED GRANDSTAND, INDIVIDUAL SUITE PASSES AND CAMPING SITES ON SALE MONDAY, OCT. 25, FOR 2005 RED BULL U.S. GRAND PRIX

MotoGP World Championship Returns to the USA July 8-10, 2005


MONTEREY, Calif. – While thousands of fans have been snapping up general admission tickets and paddock passes for the long awaited return of the MotoGP World Championship to the United States next year at the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, they have to wait until Monday, Oct. 25, to purchase reserved grandstand seats, camp sites and individual suite tickets.

Beginning at 8 a.m. (PDT) on Monday, Oct. 25, fans can call the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca box office at (800) 327-7322 to purchase those items. Via the telephone is the only way to make a purchase on Monday, Oct. 25. All remaining tickets, camping and suite tickets will be available online at www.laguna-seca.com beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 26. There is no limit on the number of general admission tickets, reserved grandstand tickets or paddock passes, but there is a limit of eight per person per phone call for Premier Pit Row Suite, Turn 3 Paddock Suite, Turn 2 Suite and Flagroom tickets.

General admission ticket prices range from $15 for Friday only to $90 for a three-day ticket. Reserved grandstand seating is $10 for Saturday and $15 for Sunday, with a choice of either the Turn 4 or Turn 11 grandstand. Children 12 and under receive free general admission. Everyone regardless of age must have a grandstand ticket to sit in the grandstands.

A limited number of paddock passes are available for $25 and are good for all three days. (Separate admission ticket is required.)

Fans can choose from four different individual hospitality options including Premier Pit Row Suite, Turn 2 Suite (located rider’s right at the exit of Turn 2), Turn 3 Paddock Suite (located rider’s left at the exit of Turn 3) and Flagroom (located between Turns 4 and 5). These individual hospitality options include general admission, reserved seat, closed circuit television, souvenir program, preferred parking, paddock access and food and beverage. Some include pit access and other amenities. Complete details are available below.

Camping options include a very limited number of reserved sites, along with non-reserved sites including Priority Camping (rider’s right at Turn 11), Wolf Hill (motorcycles only, located rider’s right between Turns 6 and 7.) and Archery Range (located at the bottom of B Road.). Fox Hill and Archery Range sites are $30 per night. Priority Camping is $150 for three nights (Thursday–Saturday). All non-reserved sites are in open/unimproved areas and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sunday night camping is available through the Monterey County Parks Department. All campers must have an admission ticket for the duration of the event.

Fans may also purchase an escorted Parade Lap around the 2.238-mile circuit for Saturday only for $20. (Separate admission ticket is required.)

A limited number of motorcycle preferred parking passes for a paved lot are available for only $25.

The 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, July 8-10, featuring the return of the MotoGP World Championship to North America for the first time since 1994, is sponsored by Red Bull and Yamaha Motor Corp. USA. Information on support races for the event will be released soon.



RED BULL U.S. GRAND PRIX
JULY 8-10, 2005

TICKET, CAMPING AND HOSPITALITY PRICING


PREMIER PIT ROW SUITE (3-day ticket) *$495
– General Admission and Paddock Access
– Pit access during specified times set by Dorna (must be at least 18 years
of age)
– Preferred parking pass
– Climate controlled dining area
– Assigned seat in the shaded exterior viewing area
– Multiple televisions with live feed
– Private restroom
– Hospitality on Saturday and Sunday consisting of breakfast, lunch,
beverages and wet bar
– Souvenir program

PADDOCK SUITE – TURN 3 (3-day ticket) *$425
– General Admission and Paddock Pass
– Pit access during specified times set by Dorna (must be at least 18 years
of age)
– Assigned seat in an elevated suite overlooking Turn 3 with closed circuit
TV
– Preferred parking pass (specify automobile or motorcycle)
– Hospitality on Saturday and Sunday consisting of breakfast, lunch and
beverages)
– Souvenir program

TURN 2 SUITE – (3-day ticket) *$375
– General Admission and Paddock Pass
– Assigned seat in an elevated suite overlooking Turn 2 with closed circuit
TV
– Preferred parking pass (specify automobile or motorcycle)
– Hospitality on Saturday and Sunday consisting of breakfast, lunch and
beverages)
– Souvenir program

FLAGROOM – BETWEEN TURNS 4 & 5 (3-day ticket) *$290
– General Admission and Paddock Pass
– Preferred parking pass (specify automobile or motorcycle)
– Canopied tent with closed circuit TV (open Saturday and Sunday only)
– Hospitality on Saturday and Sunday consisting of buffet style breakfast,
lunch and beverages
– Assigned grandstand seat, choice of either Turn 4 or Turn 11
– Souvenir program

GENERAL ADMISSION**
– 3-Day $90
– 2-Day(Sat/Sun) $75
– Friday $15
– Saturday $40
– Sunday $55

PADDOCK PASS – Limited availability (3-day) $25
Does not include admission

* Advance purchase only. Not available at the gate.
**Prices listed at advance price. Gate ticket prices higher.


RESERVED GRANDSTAND SEAT (choice of Turn 4 or Turn 11. Regardless of age, everyone occupying a seat must have a grandstand ticket) Sat. $10/Sun. $15

PARADE LAP – Ticket to ride (Saturday only) $20

MOTORCYCLE PREFERRED PARKING (limited) $25
Red 2 lot (paved)

CAMPING (3 nights Thursday-Saturday)
– Premier $275
Reserved Area, Hook-up and/or Track View
– Reserved $225
Reserved Area Non-Hook-up

PRIORITY CAMPING – TURN 11 (3 nights – Thurs-Sat) $150
Automobiles or Motorcycles Open/Unimproved Area, First Come/First Served

GENERAL CAMPING (per night) $30- per night
– Fox Hill – Between Turns 6 & 7 (motorcycles only)
– Archery – Located at bottom of “B” Road (automobiles or motorcycles)
Open/unimproved area, first come/first served

All persons in campsite must have admission ticket. Children 12 and under free except where noted above. Admission and camping sold separately. Prices are listed at advance price.

ALL ORDERS ARE FINAL
NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES


Aussie Stauffer Considering Return To U.S.

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Aussie Stauffer Considering Return To U.S.

From a press release issued by Jamie Stauffer’s publicist:

Stauffer to decide

Jamie Stauffer is yet to finalise his plans for 2005, following his clean sweep of the three Supersport support races at Phillip Island last weekend.

The Team Kawasaki Australia rider is leaning towards staying Down Under with TKA, but is still considering some offers to return to the US.

“There are a couple of things we’re looking at in America, but it would have to be the right bike and package for me to consider it,” said Stauffer. “Going back to the states is my ultimate goal, but it would be nice to win some championships here before I make my move.”

Stauffer’s confidence has been buoyed by his hot late season form, thanks to on-going development with new bikes in a new team.

“Winning the last three Supersport races of the year was a great way to finish the season, and I’m happy to stay with Kawasaki because I think we have a good shot at the Superbike and Supersport championships next year.

“We’ve still got some sorting out to do with the Superbike – getting it to drive off corners better and finding some more top-end – but the basic package stops well and turns in well. I’m confident the team and I can take it to the next level and mix it with the Hondas, Yamahas and Suzukis.

“The new Kawasaki 600 looks really good, and I believe we can develope it and be even more competitive in the Supersport championship.”



Updated, Corrected Post: Forks Used By Canadian Chris Peris In Suzuki World Cup Races Were Legal After All

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Updated, Corrected Post: Forks Used By Canadian Chris Peris In Suzuki World Cup Races Were Legal After All

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Racer Chris Peris found himself at the center of a controversy during last weekend’s Suzuki World Cup Finals at Road Atlanta when his tuner-for-the-event Max McAllister removed the forks from the GSX-R750 issued to Peris, took them to his Traxxion Dynamics trailer, and worked on them, installing what Suzuki officials said were non-standard parts. Machines ridden by participants in the World Cup Finals are supplied by Suzuki and are supposed to be identical, with stock suspension. Changing fork springs and fork oil levels is allowed by Suzuki World Cup rules, however.

But the determination of whether or not the forks were actually legal was clouded by the use of one of McAllister’s competitors to examine the forks in question and the fact that the same competitor later declared a second, replacement set of forks actually used by Peris in the World Cup races to be illegal, then reversed himself and said that shim stacks in those 2004-model forks had been compared to the shim stacks in 2003 GSX-R750 forks in error and were in fact legal.

Sorting out what actually happened has proven difficult due to conflicting stories, changing stories and the refusal of some key participants to comment.

Whatever the case, the allegedly illegal forks were detected and replaced prior to the start of practice and were never used on the racetrack.

Peris’ participation in the event in the first place was somewhat unusual, since he did not qualify to participate under American Suzuki guidelines and he has spent most of the 2004 season racing in the U.S. with Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki under a one-year (2004 AMA season) contract. Told Chris Peris wasn’t eligible to ride at the Suzuki Cup Finals because he rode for a U.S. support team sponsored by Suzuki, Chris Peris’ father Fernando Peris wrangled him a ride as part of the Suzuki Canada team for the Suzuki World Cup, based on the few 2004 Canadian races Chris Peris participated in.

Chris Peris attended the races at Road Atlanta with his father, who hired McAllister as Chris Peris’ designated mechanic for the World Cup event.

This year’s Suzuki World Cup event was hosted by American Suzuki and was held in conjunction with the annual WERA Grand National Finals. WERA officials ran the races.

After World Cup official Cliff Nobles said he saw McAllister sliding the forks under the side of one of the big circus tents World Cup participants were pitted under (prior to the actual races), the forks were confiscated by Suzuki officials, dis-assembled by Kent Soignier of G.M.D. Computrack (a Traxxion Dynamics competitor) and declared to contain non-stock parts. At that point, Peris was issued a new set of unmodified forks, which McAllister installed. Suzuki officials later said that McAllister had attempted to modify the bike’s stock shock, but had damaged it while trying to take it apart, and replaced it with a stock shock he borrowed off a Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School instructor’s bike after telling school officials he needed it to replace a damaged customer’s shock, without revealing that it was for a Suzuki World Cup rider. (Stock shocks are not designed to be dis-assembled for service, and the shock in question actually belonged to a European rider whose mechanic brought it to the Traxxion trailer for revalving without revealing it was for a World Cup bike until after it was broken.) McAllister’s World Cup mechanic’s pass was subsequently confiscated, in effect banning him from the World Cup section of the paddock. Peris used the second set of issued forks installed by McAllister in the actual Suzuki World Cup races.

(A week before the World Cup event, McAllister left a phone message for the manager of an AMA team, seeking to buy a set of stock 2004 GSX-R750 forks. The team didn’t have any forks for sale, and McAllister subsequently bought a set from a salvage yard. But those forks were for a project unrelated to the GSX-R World Cup Final and are now installed on a Buell racebike.)

After Peris crashed out of the first Suzuki World Cup race and DNF the second, American Suzuki officials sent out the replacement forks and shock from Peris’ bike for inspection by G.M.D. Computrack’s Kent Soignier, who told Roadracingworld.com Thursday morning that the second set of forks had been revalved (each leg using the stock piston but a modified shim stack) and that the shock had been opened and the oil replaced, modifications that are illegal under Suzuki World Cup rules. Soignier called back Thursday afternoon–after the original version of this post appeared–and said that he had been in error, that the shim stack had been compared to a 2003 stack by mistake, and that in fact the cartridges in the 2004 forks used by Peris had been taken apart but had not been modified in any way.

Chris Peris denied knowing that McAllister made illegal modifications. “He told us that what he wanted to do to the forks was legal,” Peris told Roadracingworld.com, “and that he had to take them to his trailer because that’s where he was set up with all his tools.”

Pat Alexander, Manager of the American Suzuki Motor Corp. Sports Promotion Department, declined to make any official comment on the incident.

Contacted by Roadracingworld.com, McAllister initially replied via e-mail, “American Suzuki’s comment is ‘no comment,’ and I have been told, so is mine. I ain’t getting into this mess. It will go nowhere.”

McAllister later issued the following statement, via e-mail:

Official Statement:

The scrutineering at the World Cup was as strict as you can imagine. The racing on Sunday demonstrated that no one had a performance advantage. Hats off to the Chief Inspector.

There was some question about a set of forks I built, and they were confiscated by the officials. The World Cup Officials did not DQ Peris and they did not move him back on the grid. I think that demonstrates the magnitude of this “ordeal”. To eliminate any further doubt, they offered Peris the chance to remove the next set of components I built on his bike as a form of amnesty. He refused, in spite of guaranteed teardowns on Sunday.

Chris Peris’ integrity should not be called into question in this matter, as he is completely unaware of anything technical about how motorcycles are prepped to race. He only knows how to ride the wheels off of them. He is a fine young man with a bright future as a racer, and I hope none of my actions cast any shadow over him.

My apologies to the Suzuki Motor Corp for bringing any question about sportsmanship to such a great event.

Sincerely,

Max McAllister


WERA officials say they will no longer do business with McAllister and that he will not be allowed to set up as a vendor in the WERA paddock, but that he has not personally been banned from the WERA paddock. “We’re just not going to take any money from him to vend at our races, and the same thing for the rulebook ad,” said WERA Operations Manager Sean Clarke. “If somebody wants to hire him to work on their forks at one of our races, that’s another thing. But we’re not going to do any type of business deal with him at all.”


Rapp Lowers Motorcycle Track Record At Homestead Again

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Rapp Lowers Motorcycle Track Record At Homestead Again

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp lowered the motorcycle lap record for Homestead-Miami Speedway Friday afternoon, for the second time in two days.

Rapp set the new record at 1:25.720 (92.814 mph average speed) while winning the restarted CCS Unlimited Supersport race aboard his AMA Superstock GSX-R750 on DOT-labeled Michelin Pilot tires. Rapp had came from the ninth row of the grid to run second to Geoff May when the race was red-flagged following the completion of three laps.

Rapp was gridded second for the five-lap restart, led into turn one, and pulled away from May, who also was under the old record with a 1:25.789 (92.739 mph average speed) aboard his Superstock GSX-R1000 on DOT-labeled Pirelli tires.

May was under the old record first, turning his 1:25.789 on lap three, just before the red flag flew. Rapp turned his 1:25.720 on lap six, after the restart.

Rapp and May were timed by F-USA’s transponder timing system.

Rapp had set the record at 1:26.368 in practice on Thursday, breaking the previous record of 1:26.37 held by Marco Martinez on a GSX-R1000 Superbike.

Rapp first rode on the 2.2-mile Homestead-Miami Speedway road course on Wednesday.

Rapp came to Homestead-Miami Speedway to work as an instructor for Wednesday’s Team Hammer Advanced Riding School and to compete in this weekend’s F-USA and CCS Race of Champions.

Rapp’s Superstock bike was set up for Sunday’s horsepower-limited Formula Sportbike race, was running on pump gas, and came in under the 122-horsepower Formula Sportbike horsepower limit when run on the F-USA Factory Pro Tuning-brand dyno after he won the Unlimited Supersport race.

Press Releases We’re Only Running Because The Editor Was Offline Yesterday

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Press Releases We’re Only Running Because The Editor Was Offline Yesterday

We usually only post press releases relating to a specific event within three days of that event, but in this case we’ll make a rare exception. From press releases issued by WERA:

WERA National Series Wraps Up with Grand National Finals at Road Atlanta

BRASELTON, Ga. – The WERA National Challenge Series and the Dunlop/WERA National Endurance Series came to an exciting close during the Grand National Finals at Road Atlanta, October 13-16 as 26 national champions were crowned.

Vesrah Suzuki had already clinched their fourth consecutive Endurance championship, but Mark Junge, Tray Batey and John Jacobi were still determined to win as they rode to a four-lap margin of victory during the four-hour endurance finale on Friday, October 15. The team, who rides a Suzuki GSX-R1000, also won the Heavyweight Superbike championship.

Chuck Ivey, Steven Breckenridge, Bradley Champion and Reuben Frankenfield finished second overall, winning Heavyweight Superstock on the Team Velocity Racing Yamaha YZF-R1. The win sealed the team’s first endurance class championship.

Team Schwantz School entered a “dream team” lineup of Kevin Schwantz, Jamie James and Ben Spies to ride a Heavyweight Superbike Suzuki GSX-R750. The team faced a strong challenge from the series regulars, but fought their way to a finish of third overall.

Eagle Race Team finished fourth overall to take the Mediumweight Superstock win with William Lindsay, Joe Prussiano and Shawn Conrad on a Yamaha YZF-R6. Kevin Perkins and Paul Youngman won Mediumweight Superbike on the Velocity Crew Racing Suzuki GSX-R600, winning Mediumweight Superbike. Dixie Mafia earned their first Lightweight Superbike championship with their class win. Bo Morgan, Derek Keyes and Bruce Stanford rode the Suzuki SV650 to a finish of 14th overall.

During the ten-lap National Challenge Series sprint races that were held throughout the course of the weekend, Mike Smith and Tray Batey tied for the most expert wins with two each. Smith won 600 Superstock and Open Superstock, while Batey was victorious in 750 Superstock and Heavyweight Twins Superstock.

Giovanni Rojas won 600 Superbike, and Taylor Knapp won 750 Superbike. AMA racer Geoff May won Formula 1, Brian Kcraget won Formula 2, and Joseph Subrizi won the Superbike division of Heavyweight Twins.

In the Lightweight Twins divisions, Dave Yaakov won Superstock and Bo Morgan won Superbike.

Ryan Gordon, Brandon Parrish and Ross Ryals were the top novices in the National Challenge Series, each earning two wins. Gordon won 750 Superstock and Superbike, Parrish won 600 Superstock and Superbike, and Ryals won the Superstock divisions in both Heavyweight and Lightweight Twins.

Daniel Parkerson won Formula 2, the Heavyweight Twins Superbike race was won by Pete Friedland, and John Ince was the victor in Lightweight Twins Superbike.

The 2005 WERA National Series season will begin in March at Jennings GP in Florida.

Complete results from the Grand National Finals, as well as final championship standings can be found at www.WERA.com .

WERA Sportsman Series Champions Named at Grand National Finals

BRASELTON, Ga. – The WERA Sportsman Series came to a close during the Grand National Finals at Road Atlanta, held from October 13-17, as the top riders from seven regions came together for the winner-take-all championships. Thirty-two championships were decided throughout the weekend of racing.

In the expert ranks, four riders each earned two wins. Tray Batey won B Superstock and Heavyweight Twins Superstock, Ted Cobb won Clubman and Super Motard, Dave Yaakov won the Superbike and Superstock divisions of Lightweight Twins, and Frank Shockley won Heavyweight Twins Superbike and Valucycle Senior Superbike.

Several AMA Pro Racing competitors were the first to cross the finish line in the eight-lap sprint races. Mike Smith was victorious in A Superstock, Lee Acree took the win in C Superstock, and Geoff May won Formula 1.

Heath Small won B Superbike, and Tristan Schoenwald won C Superbike. In D Superbike, Chris Thompson was the victor while the D Superstock win went to Andrew Weiss.

Garrett Carter won 125 GP and Brian Kcraget won Formula 2, completing the expert class Sportsman championships.

In the highly competitive novice class, Ryan Gordon stood out as one of the top riders with wins in B Superbike, B Superstock and Formula 1. William Baragona also earned three wins, taking the checkered flag first in Formula 2 as well as the Superbike and Superstock divisions of Heavyweight Twins.

Ross Ryals was the leading novice in Lightweight Twins, winning both the Superstock and Superbike divisions.

Brandon Parrish won C Superbike novice and Geoff Doyer won C Superstock. Ryan Nelson won D Superbike, and the D Superstock victor was Mike Galbaugh.

Pete Kight won Clubman, Calvin Barnett got the Super Motard win, and Luther Wikle won Valucycle Senior Superbike.

Racers from all seven of WERA’s Sportsman Series regions competed at the GNF, including several WERA West racers who traveled from California for the event.

The 2005 WERA Sportsman Series will begin in February when the Southeast Region has their first event at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway.

Complete results and points can be found online at www.WERA.com .

Photographer Lisa Keating Issues Road Racing Calendar

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Photographer Lisa Keating Issues Road Racing Calendar

From a press release:

Count the Days with Your Favorite Road Racer in 2005

San Francisco, CA – Here comes your first ever 2005 American Speed Calendar, packed with pictures and information about the next thrilling season. Get up close and personal with top racers such as Miguel Duhamel, Aaron Gobert, Jake Zemke, Ben Bostrom and Eric Bostrom, just to name a few.

This calendar has everything: great, vibrant photos of your favorite riders, the 2005 race schedule, trivia dates, and all the info you need to make the races come to life. So guys, if you want your significant other to have motorcycles on her mind when Christmas time rolls around, you cannot go wrong with this calendar. And ladies, if you thought going to a race wouldn’t be entertaining, just wait till you see these guys.

Lisa Keating is based in San Francisco. She has an impressive clientele of actors, musicians and professional motorcycle racers. Her work has been published in many magazines such as Rolling Stone, Vibe, SF Weekly/Chronicle and others. Lisa, who also rides, has established herself within the AMA, enabling her to offer a more personal side of racing. Her fashion skills combined with her ability to talk the talk with racers on and off the track brings them to life in a way that is truly unique. Brian J. Nelson, the top action photographer for road racing, helped her capture all the great racing images.

To order your calendar in time for Christmas, log onto www.roadracing05.com .

Should you have any questions regarding the calendar, please contact Lisa Keating at (415) 777-4918 or visit her site at www.lisakeatingphotograhy.com.


Updated Post: Valvoline EMGO Suzuki Wins F-USA Team Challenge At Homestead, Yochum Motorsports Wins Another Overall Championship

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Updated Post: Valvoline EMGO Suzuki Wins F-USA Team Challenge At Homestead, Yochum Motorsports Wins Another Overall Championship

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec and Steve Rapp rode a Michelin-shod GSX-R600 to the overall and GTU class wins in Thursday’s Formula USA 200-kilometer Team Challenge on the 2.2-mile infield road course at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida. It was the first time Haskovec and Rapp have raced at Homestead, and the team entered the race as part of a durability test in its AMA Formula Xtreme GSX-R600 development program.

Haskovec rode all but 15 laps of the 69-lap race; Rapp rode a single 15-lap stint because F-USA rules require the use of two riders in Team Challenge events. The bike Haskovec and Rapp rode was the same bike Haskovec raced in the AMA Formula Xtreme season finale at VIR, and “the engine hasn’t been touched since,” said Crew Chief Keith Perry.

Coming into the season-ending round, Yochum Motorsports (formerly known as Mid-Cities Motorsports) needed to beat Baker Race Gear and Himmelsbach Racing to win its second consecutive overall and GTO class Team Challenge Championships, and it did just that by finishing second overall with Scott Greenwood and Kevin Gordon riding a Dunlop-shod Suzuki GSX-R750. Team Owner Calvin Martinez, Dave Ebben and others have ridden with Yochum Motorsports through the year but rode on Yochum Motorsports’ secondary teams at Homestead.

Baker Race Gear Team Owner Brian Baker was injured when he crashed the team’s endurance-set-up Suzuki GSX-R1000 Thursday morning. Andy Feuersthaler continued on with fill-in rider Michael Barnes on the team’s back-up bike, which did not have an endurance fuel tank or quick change, but a last-minute pit stop and tire change resulted in the finishing fifth overall, behind Yochum Motorsports in the race and the Championship.

Himmelsbach Racing’s Mike Himmelsbach, Bill Himmelsbach and Chris Rich finished seventh overall on their Pirelli-shod Yamaha YZF-R6, missing out on the overall title. Himmelsbach Racing clinched the GTU class Championship earlier in season, however.

Roaring Toys’ Robert Fisher and John Linder took the GT Lights class win on a Pirelli-fitted Suzuki SV650.

Provisional Overall Team Challenge Results:

1. Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki (Vincent Haskovec/Steve Rapp), Suz GSX-R600, GTU, 69 laps

2. Yochum Motorsports (Scott Greenwood/Kevin Gordon), Suz GSX-R750, GTO, 68 laps

3. Vallely Racing (Joe Ribeiro/Joe Spina), Suz GSX-R750, GTO, 68 laps

4. Longevity Racing (Barrett Long/Leon Cortes), Yam YZF-R6, GTU, 67 laps

5. Baker Race Gear (Michael Barnes/Andy Feuersthaler), Suz GSX-R750, GTO, 67 laps

6. Florida Motorsports (Darren Luck/David Suskevich), Suz GSX-R600, GTU, 66 laps

7. Himmelsbach Racing (Mike Himmelsbach/Bill Himmelsbach/Chris Rich), Yam YZF-R6, GTU, 66 laps

8. Fast Lane Cycles (Rick Beggs/Kevin Tate/Pete Moravek), Kaw ZX-6R, GTU, 65 laps

9. Roaring Toys (Robert Fisher/John Linder), Suz SV650, GTL, 64 laps

10. Team Desmo (Pedro Valiente/Edward Henriquez), Yam YZF-R6, GTU, 64 laps

Provisional 2005 Endurance World Championship Schedule

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Provisional 2005 Endurance World Championship Schedule

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Provisional 2005 FIM Endurance World Championship Schedule:

March 28, 500 kilometers, Assen, Holland

April 10, TBA

May 28-29, 12 hours, Albacete, Spain

June 19, TBA

July 31, 8 hours, Suzuka, Japan

August 13-14, 24 hours, Oschersleben, Germany

October 2, 200 miles, Vallelunga, Italy

Revised Q&A: Mladin On Mladin

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Revised Q&A: Mladin On Mladin

From a revised press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:


MAT MLADIN – 2004 American Superbike Champion

Nine years is a long time for any sportsman to remain at the higher echelons of a particular championship or series of their chosen sport.

For Australian Mat Mladin, the nine seasons he has spent racing in the highly competitive American AMA Superbike Championship has brought with it considerable success.

Since making the move to the AMA series in 1996, Mladin has been associated with the factory Yoshimura Suzuki team for all bar one of those seasons.

In this period he has emerged as one of the most decorated riders in the sport. Five AMA Superbike Championships, 32 career race wins (including
three Daytona 200’s) and 37 career pole positions, rates him as the best in the business.

Mladin and his tight knit crew have become the yardstick of the American Superbike Championship. His rivals see him as the man to beat rather than
the motorcycle and team he rides for. He has many fans as well as detractors, but that does not distract him from the task at hand, winning
championships.

Fresh from his most recent championship success at Virginia International Raceway, Mladin took time to answer a number of questions, relating to his season and his time spent racing in the grueling AMA series.

Q: With 5 AMA Superbike crowns to your credit, how do you rate this year’s title win?

A: This year was a tough championship. We were up against it, especially over the first two-thirds of the year. The motorcycle was a little behind due to the rule changes imposed after last season. As far as how hard it was, it definitely was hard. As far as how satisfying it was, it was the most satisfying by far.

Q: You went into 2004 as the defending champion, but were not rated as the pre-season favourite to take the title. How did that sit with you?

A: You are probably right and all that was based on one off-season tyre test at Daytona when the Honda guys came out and went really fast. They put a good spin on the publicity there and that seemed to blow a lot of things out of proportion for what could of happened.

Q: You won the Daytona 200 for the third time this year and with the rule changes proposed by the AMA for 2005 (it will run as a Formula Extreme 600cc class) it could well be the last, what are your thoughts on that decision?

A: I’d hate to say that it would be the last time that Superbikes race the Daytona 200, because who knows what they are going to have for the future and are they going to have to turn that decision around. Is it really going to be the last Superbike Daytona 200, I’m not really certain of that.

It’s very highly thought of by the manufacturers. Myself as a non-American racer, I don’t place as much importance on it as an American would. For me it’s the first race of the championship and I don’t want to do anything silly there that would leave me catching up a whole heap of points.

Q: Was there a particular high point for you this year?

A: The two wins at the penultimate round at Road Atlanta were huge for us. That was a weekend where the championship could have either tightened way up for the final two races at Virginia, or we could essentially clinch it, even though mathematically we couldn’t clinch it, we could put all of the competitors away at that race and that’s what happened. It made it extra special because there was that tension and pressure that was growing between Miguel (DuHamel) and myself and we came away with a maximum pointscore after taking pole, and leading most laps in each race on the way to the two wins. It was a nice way to leave there.

Q: Was it a turning point in the season, even though it was quite late?

A: I don’t think it was a turning point as we led the whole season. Laguna Seca really stopped the bleeding for us after the few fast racetracks where we lost points to our rivals. Laguna stopped that for us and then we got a win at the following round at Mid-Ohio where we started to stretch the points out again. Then at Atlanta, we put it to bed.

Q: When did you feel that the championship was yours to win?

A: After Atlanta. We felt pretty comfortable and had over a race in points in the lead of the championship, so it would have taken a big mess up for us to lose it after that.

Q: Has there been any one particular facet that would be the key to your success in America?

A: The biggest thing was learning six or seven years ago that I needed a strong team to be able to win championships. It’s something that I really woke up to in 1997. You can’t win titles, especially consistently, without having a solid team who do the same things every weekend.

Q: How important has it been to have such a dedicated group of guys around you that form the nucleus of your team?

A: My long time crew chief Peter Doyle and mechanic Reg O’Rourke have been joined by other members, Johnny Asher, Manny and Henry, but the key is they are a really solid group that works extremely well together.

They all know what to do. At the track we get the job done and if we win we go out and have dinner and some fun, but if we don’t we still go out have dinner and some fun. That’s what it is all about. You win together you lose together.

Q: How enjoyable has it been over the past two years where you have been able to race 1000cc multi-cylinder Superbikes?

A: Last year the Suzuki GSX-R1000 was the best motorcycle on the racetrack, or at least as competitive as any other motorcycle on the track. Something we didn’t have the luxury of having racing the Twins on a 750. Last year we won a lot of races reasonably comfortably and it was good to have won that fourth championship, but it certainly wasn’t near as hard as this year. This year I’ve spoken about the motorcycle not being fast enough, but again it all goes back to the rule changes that were implemented very late last year, so the motorcycle just wasn’t up to the same spec as the others we were racing against this year. Next year it will be, so we’ll see how it goes then.


Q: How do rate the next crop of riders emerging in the US?

A: There are a few guys over here doing very well. The Hayden brothers, Tommy and Roger Lee at Kawasaki, Tommy won the Supersport Championship, while there’s also a couple of younger guys over at Yamaha. Aaron Gobert did well in winning the Superstock championship, while Jason Disalvo seems to be pretty fast, while in my Yoshimura Suzuki team, Ben Spies will be stepping up to Superbike next year so we’ll see how he goes there.

Q: Do you still have that desire for either GP or World Superbike, or will you conclude you career in America?

A: I’d imagine that I’d finish my racing career here in the US. The GP thing has always interested me since I was there in ’93, but certainly even less the more years that we go along, because it is one of those things where you really do need the right package, bike and team, or else you are wasting your time. There are only so many factory bikes to go around and the unfortunate thing is that I’m unlikely to get one. Honda have already stated that they will only have two official factory bikes in MotoGP and the rest will be the next step down.

As for World Superbike, it just doesn’t interest me, full stop. The level of racing I don’t think is that high. To have to travel around the world to say that you race in World Superbike does not appeal to me. I see it as a huge step backwards to what I’m doing here in America. The rules between SWC and the AMA may be slightly different, but the teams here still get the very latest equipment from the factories, so on that score this series is very strong.

To give you an idea, we had factory rider Regis Laconi race here at the final round last weekend, straight after being a title contender in the SWC a week earlier and he couldn’t get within a second of our times. The AMA is not an easy series by any stretch of the imagination.

Q: You’ve spent nine year’s racing in America, you must enjoy the way of life you have created for yourself there.

A: I love it here. There are so many things that I’ve been able to do because of my time here. My Import company is directly attributed to the people I have been fortunate to deal with over here such as Yoshimura and Joe Rocket. My success over here with racing has led to some successful business ventures.

Not only that, but you do tend to live a fairly normal lifestyle where you live in your own house, go and race, then come back to it where you do normal type things. Things like that that I do enjoy.

I got my pilot licence this year and plan on expanding that into the future and may chase that career one day when I get home to Australia. It also is something that my daughter can be involved in if she chooses. To be a young person and get to travel the world as a pilot would be pretty cool.

Q: Many may perceive your over-confidence to verge on arrogance. How do you read this with the positive nature it takes for anyone to win a championship title. Where is the fine line?

A: Personally I see it as a minority that would see it like that. You always have your detractors no matter who you are. Overall I think it is a minority. Some people see me that way, but I do have a lot of fans in America. I enjoy racing, I have a passion for it and finishing second doesn’ t sit well with me. So when I lose, it’s annoying until I get to the next racetrack and make amends for it. I like to perform at my best whatever it is.

Q: You are very vocal regarding track safety in America. Do you feel that you are being heard by those who make the decisions?

A: When it comes to track safety, there’s never enough that can be done. You certainly like to see more done, but unfortunately it’s one of those areas that you keep pushing for and make more improvements, but things never seem to be quick enough. Certainly America doesn’t seem to have track safety as high a priority as the European countries are, especially the World Championship circuits.

However, a few have made steady changes over the years which is great, but there are still a couple of places where the whole circuit is still terrible. I don’t know why we still race there, especially the speeds carried by the current crop of motorcycles.

Q: What do you see in the future direction of Superbike?

The current 1000cc Superbike is an excellent platform. I think they will always have a platform, as they are different to GP bikes. Horsepower figures are not that different between them. The current Superbikes are putting out well over 205hp, while the lead MotoGP machines are around 230 to 240hp.

There will always be a place for them as they are the bikes that people buy and therefore a huge marketing tool for the manufacturers, which is also the reason why they are all getting back into World Superbike next year.

Q: What lies ahead contract wise for you?

A: I’m done for 2005. I’ll be back to defend the title and see if we can make it six, but after that we have to see what happens. As long as I’m still enjoying it and have that fire in my belly I’d like to keep winning and I guess I’ll be doing it for a few more years yet.

Mat Mladin – Statistics

Date of birth: 10 March 1972
Lives at: Camden, NSW, Australia
Marital Status: Married to Janine, daughter Emily

Racing Achievements
1990
Began racing in the Australian 250cc Production championship (Suzuki RGV 250)

1991
Australian 250cc Production Champion (Suzuki RGV 250)

1992
Australian Superbike Champion (Kawasaki ZX-R750)

1993
World 500cc Grand Prix Championship (Cagiva 500)

1994
3rd Australian Superbike Championship (Kawasaki ZX-R750)

1995
2nd, Australian Superbike Championship (Kawasaki ZX-R750)

1996
4th, AMA US Superbike Championship (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750)

1997
3rd, AMA US Superbike Championship (Fast By Ferracci Ducati 955)

1998
3rd, AMA US Superbike Championship (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750)

1999
AMA US Superbike Champion (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750)

2000
AMA US Superbike Champion (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750)
Won Daytona 200 by Arai (First Australian to do so)
Voted 2000 AMA Pro Racing Athlete of the Year, by his peers

2001
AMA US Superbike Champion (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750)
Won four races (Daytona 200 by Arai, Road Atlanta, Road America, Mid-Ohio)
Set new pole position records; 8 consecutive and a total of 9 for the season

2002
7th AMA US Superbike Championship (Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750)

2003
AMA US Superbike Champion (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000)
First rider to win four AMA Superbike Championships
Equalled All-time AMA Superbike race wins for a season with 10 wins (24 career victories)

2004
AMA US Superbike Champion (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000)
All time AMA Superbike race win record holder with 32 career race wins
Won eight races – Daytona 200, California Raceway (2), Infinieon Raceway, Barber Motorsports Park, Mid-Ohio, Road Atlanta (2)
All time AMA Superbike Pole Position record holder with 37.


AMA Career Superbike Race Wins – 32 (All time AMA Superbike record)

2004
04/09/04 Road Atlanta Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000
04/09/04 Road Atlanta Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000
24/07/04 Mid-Ohio Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000
15/05/04 Barber M’Sports Pk Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000
01/05/04 Infineon Raceway Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000
04/04/03 California Speedway Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000
03/04/04 California Speedway Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000
06/03/04 Daytona 200 Mile Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000

AMA Career Superbike Pole Positions – 37 (All time AMA Superbike record)
2004
04/09/04 Road Atlanta 1:22.065 Yoshimura
Suzuki GSX-R1000
15/05/04 Barber M’Sports Pk 1:25.251 Yoshimura Suzuki
GSX-R1000
01/05/04 Infineon Raceway 1:36.916 Yoshimura Suzuki
GSX-R1000
03/04/04 California Speedway 1:24.759 Yoshimura Suzuki
GSX-R1000

Suzuki Lost Possession Of Suspect Forks In World Cup Controversy

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

American Suzuki did not maintain possession of the suspect second set of forks used on racer Chris Peris’ 2004 GSX-R750 during last weekend’s World Cup races at Road Atlanta, having sold the bike (with its forks) to a local racer who took the machine home Sunday and was asked to return the forks and shock for inspection Wednesday.

After taking apart the second set of forks and inspecting the internals, G.M.D. Computrack’s Ken Soignier declared them illegal, later retracting that judgement when he realized the fork internals had been compared to the internals from a 2003 GSX-R750, which uses a different shim stack.

Soignier told Roadracingworld.com today that he also inspected the first set of forks, at the track, and stated that the forks had been fitted with a preload ring with an inner shim, a upgrade part. According to Soignier, he was asked by World Cup technician Vic Fasola to inspect the fork internals without knowing whose bike the forks had come from or who had worked on them.

Soignier confirmed that possession of the second set of forks was lost between sale of the bike and return of the forks to his shop in Atlanta.

The controversy started when Peris’ tuner-for-the-weekend Max McAllister was accused by Suzuki World Cup official Cliff Nobles of sliding a pair of forks under the side of the circus tent that World Cup competitors were pitted under at Road Atlanta. In fact, McAllister said today at Homestead-Miami Speedway, he openly walked into the tent with the forks in his hands and didn’t know that he wasn’t allowed to take the forks to his trailer to work on them. McAllister said he was not trying to cheat and did not try to hide the fact that he took the forks off site. McAllister also said that he did not add any parts to the forks and that all he did to the shock was bleed it.

The story is evolving as more information becomes available.


See related post:
10/22/2004 Updated, Corrected Post: Forks Used By Canadian Chris Peris In Suzuki World Cup Races Were Legal After All

Grandstand, Suite And Camping Passes For U.S. GP At Laguna Seca Go On Sale Monday

From a press release issued by Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca:

RESERVED GRANDSTAND, INDIVIDUAL SUITE PASSES AND CAMPING SITES ON SALE MONDAY, OCT. 25, FOR 2005 RED BULL U.S. GRAND PRIX

MotoGP World Championship Returns to the USA July 8-10, 2005


MONTEREY, Calif. – While thousands of fans have been snapping up general admission tickets and paddock passes for the long awaited return of the MotoGP World Championship to the United States next year at the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, they have to wait until Monday, Oct. 25, to purchase reserved grandstand seats, camp sites and individual suite tickets.

Beginning at 8 a.m. (PDT) on Monday, Oct. 25, fans can call the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca box office at (800) 327-7322 to purchase those items. Via the telephone is the only way to make a purchase on Monday, Oct. 25. All remaining tickets, camping and suite tickets will be available online at www.laguna-seca.com beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 26. There is no limit on the number of general admission tickets, reserved grandstand tickets or paddock passes, but there is a limit of eight per person per phone call for Premier Pit Row Suite, Turn 3 Paddock Suite, Turn 2 Suite and Flagroom tickets.

General admission ticket prices range from $15 for Friday only to $90 for a three-day ticket. Reserved grandstand seating is $10 for Saturday and $15 for Sunday, with a choice of either the Turn 4 or Turn 11 grandstand. Children 12 and under receive free general admission. Everyone regardless of age must have a grandstand ticket to sit in the grandstands.

A limited number of paddock passes are available for $25 and are good for all three days. (Separate admission ticket is required.)

Fans can choose from four different individual hospitality options including Premier Pit Row Suite, Turn 2 Suite (located rider’s right at the exit of Turn 2), Turn 3 Paddock Suite (located rider’s left at the exit of Turn 3) and Flagroom (located between Turns 4 and 5). These individual hospitality options include general admission, reserved seat, closed circuit television, souvenir program, preferred parking, paddock access and food and beverage. Some include pit access and other amenities. Complete details are available below.

Camping options include a very limited number of reserved sites, along with non-reserved sites including Priority Camping (rider’s right at Turn 11), Wolf Hill (motorcycles only, located rider’s right between Turns 6 and 7.) and Archery Range (located at the bottom of B Road.). Fox Hill and Archery Range sites are $30 per night. Priority Camping is $150 for three nights (Thursday–Saturday). All non-reserved sites are in open/unimproved areas and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sunday night camping is available through the Monterey County Parks Department. All campers must have an admission ticket for the duration of the event.

Fans may also purchase an escorted Parade Lap around the 2.238-mile circuit for Saturday only for $20. (Separate admission ticket is required.)

A limited number of motorcycle preferred parking passes for a paved lot are available for only $25.

The 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, July 8-10, featuring the return of the MotoGP World Championship to North America for the first time since 1994, is sponsored by Red Bull and Yamaha Motor Corp. USA. Information on support races for the event will be released soon.



RED BULL U.S. GRAND PRIX
JULY 8-10, 2005

TICKET, CAMPING AND HOSPITALITY PRICING


PREMIER PIT ROW SUITE (3-day ticket) *$495
– General Admission and Paddock Access
– Pit access during specified times set by Dorna (must be at least 18 years
of age)
– Preferred parking pass
– Climate controlled dining area
– Assigned seat in the shaded exterior viewing area
– Multiple televisions with live feed
– Private restroom
– Hospitality on Saturday and Sunday consisting of breakfast, lunch,
beverages and wet bar
– Souvenir program

PADDOCK SUITE – TURN 3 (3-day ticket) *$425
– General Admission and Paddock Pass
– Pit access during specified times set by Dorna (must be at least 18 years
of age)
– Assigned seat in an elevated suite overlooking Turn 3 with closed circuit
TV
– Preferred parking pass (specify automobile or motorcycle)
– Hospitality on Saturday and Sunday consisting of breakfast, lunch and
beverages)
– Souvenir program

TURN 2 SUITE – (3-day ticket) *$375
– General Admission and Paddock Pass
– Assigned seat in an elevated suite overlooking Turn 2 with closed circuit
TV
– Preferred parking pass (specify automobile or motorcycle)
– Hospitality on Saturday and Sunday consisting of breakfast, lunch and
beverages)
– Souvenir program

FLAGROOM – BETWEEN TURNS 4 & 5 (3-day ticket) *$290
– General Admission and Paddock Pass
– Preferred parking pass (specify automobile or motorcycle)
– Canopied tent with closed circuit TV (open Saturday and Sunday only)
– Hospitality on Saturday and Sunday consisting of buffet style breakfast,
lunch and beverages
– Assigned grandstand seat, choice of either Turn 4 or Turn 11
– Souvenir program

GENERAL ADMISSION**
– 3-Day $90
– 2-Day(Sat/Sun) $75
– Friday $15
– Saturday $40
– Sunday $55

PADDOCK PASS – Limited availability (3-day) $25
Does not include admission

* Advance purchase only. Not available at the gate.
**Prices listed at advance price. Gate ticket prices higher.


RESERVED GRANDSTAND SEAT (choice of Turn 4 or Turn 11. Regardless of age, everyone occupying a seat must have a grandstand ticket) Sat. $10/Sun. $15

PARADE LAP – Ticket to ride (Saturday only) $20

MOTORCYCLE PREFERRED PARKING (limited) $25
Red 2 lot (paved)

CAMPING (3 nights Thursday-Saturday)
– Premier $275
Reserved Area, Hook-up and/or Track View
– Reserved $225
Reserved Area Non-Hook-up

PRIORITY CAMPING – TURN 11 (3 nights – Thurs-Sat) $150
Automobiles or Motorcycles Open/Unimproved Area, First Come/First Served

GENERAL CAMPING (per night) $30- per night
– Fox Hill – Between Turns 6 & 7 (motorcycles only)
– Archery – Located at bottom of “B” Road (automobiles or motorcycles)
Open/unimproved area, first come/first served

All persons in campsite must have admission ticket. Children 12 and under free except where noted above. Admission and camping sold separately. Prices are listed at advance price.

ALL ORDERS ARE FINAL
NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES


Aussie Stauffer Considering Return To U.S.

From a press release issued by Jamie Stauffer’s publicist:

Stauffer to decide

Jamie Stauffer is yet to finalise his plans for 2005, following his clean sweep of the three Supersport support races at Phillip Island last weekend.

The Team Kawasaki Australia rider is leaning towards staying Down Under with TKA, but is still considering some offers to return to the US.

“There are a couple of things we’re looking at in America, but it would have to be the right bike and package for me to consider it,” said Stauffer. “Going back to the states is my ultimate goal, but it would be nice to win some championships here before I make my move.”

Stauffer’s confidence has been buoyed by his hot late season form, thanks to on-going development with new bikes in a new team.

“Winning the last three Supersport races of the year was a great way to finish the season, and I’m happy to stay with Kawasaki because I think we have a good shot at the Superbike and Supersport championships next year.

“We’ve still got some sorting out to do with the Superbike – getting it to drive off corners better and finding some more top-end – but the basic package stops well and turns in well. I’m confident the team and I can take it to the next level and mix it with the Hondas, Yamahas and Suzukis.

“The new Kawasaki 600 looks really good, and I believe we can develope it and be even more competitive in the Supersport championship.”



Updated, Corrected Post: Forks Used By Canadian Chris Peris In Suzuki World Cup Races Were Legal After All

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Racer Chris Peris found himself at the center of a controversy during last weekend’s Suzuki World Cup Finals at Road Atlanta when his tuner-for-the-event Max McAllister removed the forks from the GSX-R750 issued to Peris, took them to his Traxxion Dynamics trailer, and worked on them, installing what Suzuki officials said were non-standard parts. Machines ridden by participants in the World Cup Finals are supplied by Suzuki and are supposed to be identical, with stock suspension. Changing fork springs and fork oil levels is allowed by Suzuki World Cup rules, however.

But the determination of whether or not the forks were actually legal was clouded by the use of one of McAllister’s competitors to examine the forks in question and the fact that the same competitor later declared a second, replacement set of forks actually used by Peris in the World Cup races to be illegal, then reversed himself and said that shim stacks in those 2004-model forks had been compared to the shim stacks in 2003 GSX-R750 forks in error and were in fact legal.

Sorting out what actually happened has proven difficult due to conflicting stories, changing stories and the refusal of some key participants to comment.

Whatever the case, the allegedly illegal forks were detected and replaced prior to the start of practice and were never used on the racetrack.

Peris’ participation in the event in the first place was somewhat unusual, since he did not qualify to participate under American Suzuki guidelines and he has spent most of the 2004 season racing in the U.S. with Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki under a one-year (2004 AMA season) contract. Told Chris Peris wasn’t eligible to ride at the Suzuki Cup Finals because he rode for a U.S. support team sponsored by Suzuki, Chris Peris’ father Fernando Peris wrangled him a ride as part of the Suzuki Canada team for the Suzuki World Cup, based on the few 2004 Canadian races Chris Peris participated in.

Chris Peris attended the races at Road Atlanta with his father, who hired McAllister as Chris Peris’ designated mechanic for the World Cup event.

This year’s Suzuki World Cup event was hosted by American Suzuki and was held in conjunction with the annual WERA Grand National Finals. WERA officials ran the races.

After World Cup official Cliff Nobles said he saw McAllister sliding the forks under the side of one of the big circus tents World Cup participants were pitted under (prior to the actual races), the forks were confiscated by Suzuki officials, dis-assembled by Kent Soignier of G.M.D. Computrack (a Traxxion Dynamics competitor) and declared to contain non-stock parts. At that point, Peris was issued a new set of unmodified forks, which McAllister installed. Suzuki officials later said that McAllister had attempted to modify the bike’s stock shock, but had damaged it while trying to take it apart, and replaced it with a stock shock he borrowed off a Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School instructor’s bike after telling school officials he needed it to replace a damaged customer’s shock, without revealing that it was for a Suzuki World Cup rider. (Stock shocks are not designed to be dis-assembled for service, and the shock in question actually belonged to a European rider whose mechanic brought it to the Traxxion trailer for revalving without revealing it was for a World Cup bike until after it was broken.) McAllister’s World Cup mechanic’s pass was subsequently confiscated, in effect banning him from the World Cup section of the paddock. Peris used the second set of issued forks installed by McAllister in the actual Suzuki World Cup races.

(A week before the World Cup event, McAllister left a phone message for the manager of an AMA team, seeking to buy a set of stock 2004 GSX-R750 forks. The team didn’t have any forks for sale, and McAllister subsequently bought a set from a salvage yard. But those forks were for a project unrelated to the GSX-R World Cup Final and are now installed on a Buell racebike.)

After Peris crashed out of the first Suzuki World Cup race and DNF the second, American Suzuki officials sent out the replacement forks and shock from Peris’ bike for inspection by G.M.D. Computrack’s Kent Soignier, who told Roadracingworld.com Thursday morning that the second set of forks had been revalved (each leg using the stock piston but a modified shim stack) and that the shock had been opened and the oil replaced, modifications that are illegal under Suzuki World Cup rules. Soignier called back Thursday afternoon–after the original version of this post appeared–and said that he had been in error, that the shim stack had been compared to a 2003 stack by mistake, and that in fact the cartridges in the 2004 forks used by Peris had been taken apart but had not been modified in any way.

Chris Peris denied knowing that McAllister made illegal modifications. “He told us that what he wanted to do to the forks was legal,” Peris told Roadracingworld.com, “and that he had to take them to his trailer because that’s where he was set up with all his tools.”

Pat Alexander, Manager of the American Suzuki Motor Corp. Sports Promotion Department, declined to make any official comment on the incident.

Contacted by Roadracingworld.com, McAllister initially replied via e-mail, “American Suzuki’s comment is ‘no comment,’ and I have been told, so is mine. I ain’t getting into this mess. It will go nowhere.”

McAllister later issued the following statement, via e-mail:

Official Statement:

The scrutineering at the World Cup was as strict as you can imagine. The racing on Sunday demonstrated that no one had a performance advantage. Hats off to the Chief Inspector.

There was some question about a set of forks I built, and they were confiscated by the officials. The World Cup Officials did not DQ Peris and they did not move him back on the grid. I think that demonstrates the magnitude of this “ordeal”. To eliminate any further doubt, they offered Peris the chance to remove the next set of components I built on his bike as a form of amnesty. He refused, in spite of guaranteed teardowns on Sunday.

Chris Peris’ integrity should not be called into question in this matter, as he is completely unaware of anything technical about how motorcycles are prepped to race. He only knows how to ride the wheels off of them. He is a fine young man with a bright future as a racer, and I hope none of my actions cast any shadow over him.

My apologies to the Suzuki Motor Corp for bringing any question about sportsmanship to such a great event.

Sincerely,

Max McAllister


WERA officials say they will no longer do business with McAllister and that he will not be allowed to set up as a vendor in the WERA paddock, but that he has not personally been banned from the WERA paddock. “We’re just not going to take any money from him to vend at our races, and the same thing for the rulebook ad,” said WERA Operations Manager Sean Clarke. “If somebody wants to hire him to work on their forks at one of our races, that’s another thing. But we’re not going to do any type of business deal with him at all.”


Rapp Lowers Motorcycle Track Record At Homestead Again

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp lowered the motorcycle lap record for Homestead-Miami Speedway Friday afternoon, for the second time in two days.

Rapp set the new record at 1:25.720 (92.814 mph average speed) while winning the restarted CCS Unlimited Supersport race aboard his AMA Superstock GSX-R750 on DOT-labeled Michelin Pilot tires. Rapp had came from the ninth row of the grid to run second to Geoff May when the race was red-flagged following the completion of three laps.

Rapp was gridded second for the five-lap restart, led into turn one, and pulled away from May, who also was under the old record with a 1:25.789 (92.739 mph average speed) aboard his Superstock GSX-R1000 on DOT-labeled Pirelli tires.

May was under the old record first, turning his 1:25.789 on lap three, just before the red flag flew. Rapp turned his 1:25.720 on lap six, after the restart.

Rapp and May were timed by F-USA’s transponder timing system.

Rapp had set the record at 1:26.368 in practice on Thursday, breaking the previous record of 1:26.37 held by Marco Martinez on a GSX-R1000 Superbike.

Rapp first rode on the 2.2-mile Homestead-Miami Speedway road course on Wednesday.

Rapp came to Homestead-Miami Speedway to work as an instructor for Wednesday’s Team Hammer Advanced Riding School and to compete in this weekend’s F-USA and CCS Race of Champions.

Rapp’s Superstock bike was set up for Sunday’s horsepower-limited Formula Sportbike race, was running on pump gas, and came in under the 122-horsepower Formula Sportbike horsepower limit when run on the F-USA Factory Pro Tuning-brand dyno after he won the Unlimited Supersport race.

Press Releases We’re Only Running Because The Editor Was Offline Yesterday

We usually only post press releases relating to a specific event within three days of that event, but in this case we’ll make a rare exception. From press releases issued by WERA:

WERA National Series Wraps Up with Grand National Finals at Road Atlanta

BRASELTON, Ga. – The WERA National Challenge Series and the Dunlop/WERA National Endurance Series came to an exciting close during the Grand National Finals at Road Atlanta, October 13-16 as 26 national champions were crowned.

Vesrah Suzuki had already clinched their fourth consecutive Endurance championship, but Mark Junge, Tray Batey and John Jacobi were still determined to win as they rode to a four-lap margin of victory during the four-hour endurance finale on Friday, October 15. The team, who rides a Suzuki GSX-R1000, also won the Heavyweight Superbike championship.

Chuck Ivey, Steven Breckenridge, Bradley Champion and Reuben Frankenfield finished second overall, winning Heavyweight Superstock on the Team Velocity Racing Yamaha YZF-R1. The win sealed the team’s first endurance class championship.

Team Schwantz School entered a “dream team” lineup of Kevin Schwantz, Jamie James and Ben Spies to ride a Heavyweight Superbike Suzuki GSX-R750. The team faced a strong challenge from the series regulars, but fought their way to a finish of third overall.

Eagle Race Team finished fourth overall to take the Mediumweight Superstock win with William Lindsay, Joe Prussiano and Shawn Conrad on a Yamaha YZF-R6. Kevin Perkins and Paul Youngman won Mediumweight Superbike on the Velocity Crew Racing Suzuki GSX-R600, winning Mediumweight Superbike. Dixie Mafia earned their first Lightweight Superbike championship with their class win. Bo Morgan, Derek Keyes and Bruce Stanford rode the Suzuki SV650 to a finish of 14th overall.

During the ten-lap National Challenge Series sprint races that were held throughout the course of the weekend, Mike Smith and Tray Batey tied for the most expert wins with two each. Smith won 600 Superstock and Open Superstock, while Batey was victorious in 750 Superstock and Heavyweight Twins Superstock.

Giovanni Rojas won 600 Superbike, and Taylor Knapp won 750 Superbike. AMA racer Geoff May won Formula 1, Brian Kcraget won Formula 2, and Joseph Subrizi won the Superbike division of Heavyweight Twins.

In the Lightweight Twins divisions, Dave Yaakov won Superstock and Bo Morgan won Superbike.

Ryan Gordon, Brandon Parrish and Ross Ryals were the top novices in the National Challenge Series, each earning two wins. Gordon won 750 Superstock and Superbike, Parrish won 600 Superstock and Superbike, and Ryals won the Superstock divisions in both Heavyweight and Lightweight Twins.

Daniel Parkerson won Formula 2, the Heavyweight Twins Superbike race was won by Pete Friedland, and John Ince was the victor in Lightweight Twins Superbike.

The 2005 WERA National Series season will begin in March at Jennings GP in Florida.

Complete results from the Grand National Finals, as well as final championship standings can be found at www.WERA.com .

WERA Sportsman Series Champions Named at Grand National Finals

BRASELTON, Ga. – The WERA Sportsman Series came to a close during the Grand National Finals at Road Atlanta, held from October 13-17, as the top riders from seven regions came together for the winner-take-all championships. Thirty-two championships were decided throughout the weekend of racing.

In the expert ranks, four riders each earned two wins. Tray Batey won B Superstock and Heavyweight Twins Superstock, Ted Cobb won Clubman and Super Motard, Dave Yaakov won the Superbike and Superstock divisions of Lightweight Twins, and Frank Shockley won Heavyweight Twins Superbike and Valucycle Senior Superbike.

Several AMA Pro Racing competitors were the first to cross the finish line in the eight-lap sprint races. Mike Smith was victorious in A Superstock, Lee Acree took the win in C Superstock, and Geoff May won Formula 1.

Heath Small won B Superbike, and Tristan Schoenwald won C Superbike. In D Superbike, Chris Thompson was the victor while the D Superstock win went to Andrew Weiss.

Garrett Carter won 125 GP and Brian Kcraget won Formula 2, completing the expert class Sportsman championships.

In the highly competitive novice class, Ryan Gordon stood out as one of the top riders with wins in B Superbike, B Superstock and Formula 1. William Baragona also earned three wins, taking the checkered flag first in Formula 2 as well as the Superbike and Superstock divisions of Heavyweight Twins.

Ross Ryals was the leading novice in Lightweight Twins, winning both the Superstock and Superbike divisions.

Brandon Parrish won C Superbike novice and Geoff Doyer won C Superstock. Ryan Nelson won D Superbike, and the D Superstock victor was Mike Galbaugh.

Pete Kight won Clubman, Calvin Barnett got the Super Motard win, and Luther Wikle won Valucycle Senior Superbike.

Racers from all seven of WERA’s Sportsman Series regions competed at the GNF, including several WERA West racers who traveled from California for the event.

The 2005 WERA Sportsman Series will begin in February when the Southeast Region has their first event at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway.

Complete results and points can be found online at www.WERA.com .

Photographer Lisa Keating Issues Road Racing Calendar

From a press release:

Count the Days with Your Favorite Road Racer in 2005

San Francisco, CA – Here comes your first ever 2005 American Speed Calendar, packed with pictures and information about the next thrilling season. Get up close and personal with top racers such as Miguel Duhamel, Aaron Gobert, Jake Zemke, Ben Bostrom and Eric Bostrom, just to name a few.

This calendar has everything: great, vibrant photos of your favorite riders, the 2005 race schedule, trivia dates, and all the info you need to make the races come to life. So guys, if you want your significant other to have motorcycles on her mind when Christmas time rolls around, you cannot go wrong with this calendar. And ladies, if you thought going to a race wouldn’t be entertaining, just wait till you see these guys.

Lisa Keating is based in San Francisco. She has an impressive clientele of actors, musicians and professional motorcycle racers. Her work has been published in many magazines such as Rolling Stone, Vibe, SF Weekly/Chronicle and others. Lisa, who also rides, has established herself within the AMA, enabling her to offer a more personal side of racing. Her fashion skills combined with her ability to talk the talk with racers on and off the track brings them to life in a way that is truly unique. Brian J. Nelson, the top action photographer for road racing, helped her capture all the great racing images.

To order your calendar in time for Christmas, log onto www.roadracing05.com .

Should you have any questions regarding the calendar, please contact Lisa Keating at (415) 777-4918 or visit her site at www.lisakeatingphotograhy.com.


Updated Post: Valvoline EMGO Suzuki Wins F-USA Team Challenge At Homestead, Yochum Motorsports Wins Another Overall Championship

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec and Steve Rapp rode a Michelin-shod GSX-R600 to the overall and GTU class wins in Thursday’s Formula USA 200-kilometer Team Challenge on the 2.2-mile infield road course at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida. It was the first time Haskovec and Rapp have raced at Homestead, and the team entered the race as part of a durability test in its AMA Formula Xtreme GSX-R600 development program.

Haskovec rode all but 15 laps of the 69-lap race; Rapp rode a single 15-lap stint because F-USA rules require the use of two riders in Team Challenge events. The bike Haskovec and Rapp rode was the same bike Haskovec raced in the AMA Formula Xtreme season finale at VIR, and “the engine hasn’t been touched since,” said Crew Chief Keith Perry.

Coming into the season-ending round, Yochum Motorsports (formerly known as Mid-Cities Motorsports) needed to beat Baker Race Gear and Himmelsbach Racing to win its second consecutive overall and GTO class Team Challenge Championships, and it did just that by finishing second overall with Scott Greenwood and Kevin Gordon riding a Dunlop-shod Suzuki GSX-R750. Team Owner Calvin Martinez, Dave Ebben and others have ridden with Yochum Motorsports through the year but rode on Yochum Motorsports’ secondary teams at Homestead.

Baker Race Gear Team Owner Brian Baker was injured when he crashed the team’s endurance-set-up Suzuki GSX-R1000 Thursday morning. Andy Feuersthaler continued on with fill-in rider Michael Barnes on the team’s back-up bike, which did not have an endurance fuel tank or quick change, but a last-minute pit stop and tire change resulted in the finishing fifth overall, behind Yochum Motorsports in the race and the Championship.

Himmelsbach Racing’s Mike Himmelsbach, Bill Himmelsbach and Chris Rich finished seventh overall on their Pirelli-shod Yamaha YZF-R6, missing out on the overall title. Himmelsbach Racing clinched the GTU class Championship earlier in season, however.

Roaring Toys’ Robert Fisher and John Linder took the GT Lights class win on a Pirelli-fitted Suzuki SV650.

Provisional Overall Team Challenge Results:

1. Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki (Vincent Haskovec/Steve Rapp), Suz GSX-R600, GTU, 69 laps

2. Yochum Motorsports (Scott Greenwood/Kevin Gordon), Suz GSX-R750, GTO, 68 laps

3. Vallely Racing (Joe Ribeiro/Joe Spina), Suz GSX-R750, GTO, 68 laps

4. Longevity Racing (Barrett Long/Leon Cortes), Yam YZF-R6, GTU, 67 laps

5. Baker Race Gear (Michael Barnes/Andy Feuersthaler), Suz GSX-R750, GTO, 67 laps

6. Florida Motorsports (Darren Luck/David Suskevich), Suz GSX-R600, GTU, 66 laps

7. Himmelsbach Racing (Mike Himmelsbach/Bill Himmelsbach/Chris Rich), Yam YZF-R6, GTU, 66 laps

8. Fast Lane Cycles (Rick Beggs/Kevin Tate/Pete Moravek), Kaw ZX-6R, GTU, 65 laps

9. Roaring Toys (Robert Fisher/John Linder), Suz SV650, GTL, 64 laps

10. Team Desmo (Pedro Valiente/Edward Henriquez), Yam YZF-R6, GTU, 64 laps

Provisional 2005 Endurance World Championship Schedule

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Provisional 2005 FIM Endurance World Championship Schedule:

March 28, 500 kilometers, Assen, Holland

April 10, TBA

May 28-29, 12 hours, Albacete, Spain

June 19, TBA

July 31, 8 hours, Suzuka, Japan

August 13-14, 24 hours, Oschersleben, Germany

October 2, 200 miles, Vallelunga, Italy

Revised Q&A: Mladin On Mladin

From a revised press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:


MAT MLADIN – 2004 American Superbike Champion

Nine years is a long time for any sportsman to remain at the higher echelons of a particular championship or series of their chosen sport.

For Australian Mat Mladin, the nine seasons he has spent racing in the highly competitive American AMA Superbike Championship has brought with it considerable success.

Since making the move to the AMA series in 1996, Mladin has been associated with the factory Yoshimura Suzuki team for all bar one of those seasons.

In this period he has emerged as one of the most decorated riders in the sport. Five AMA Superbike Championships, 32 career race wins (including
three Daytona 200’s) and 37 career pole positions, rates him as the best in the business.

Mladin and his tight knit crew have become the yardstick of the American Superbike Championship. His rivals see him as the man to beat rather than
the motorcycle and team he rides for. He has many fans as well as detractors, but that does not distract him from the task at hand, winning
championships.

Fresh from his most recent championship success at Virginia International Raceway, Mladin took time to answer a number of questions, relating to his season and his time spent racing in the grueling AMA series.

Q: With 5 AMA Superbike crowns to your credit, how do you rate this year’s title win?

A: This year was a tough championship. We were up against it, especially over the first two-thirds of the year. The motorcycle was a little behind due to the rule changes imposed after last season. As far as how hard it was, it definitely was hard. As far as how satisfying it was, it was the most satisfying by far.

Q: You went into 2004 as the defending champion, but were not rated as the pre-season favourite to take the title. How did that sit with you?

A: You are probably right and all that was based on one off-season tyre test at Daytona when the Honda guys came out and went really fast. They put a good spin on the publicity there and that seemed to blow a lot of things out of proportion for what could of happened.

Q: You won the Daytona 200 for the third time this year and with the rule changes proposed by the AMA for 2005 (it will run as a Formula Extreme 600cc class) it could well be the last, what are your thoughts on that decision?

A: I’d hate to say that it would be the last time that Superbikes race the Daytona 200, because who knows what they are going to have for the future and are they going to have to turn that decision around. Is it really going to be the last Superbike Daytona 200, I’m not really certain of that.

It’s very highly thought of by the manufacturers. Myself as a non-American racer, I don’t place as much importance on it as an American would. For me it’s the first race of the championship and I don’t want to do anything silly there that would leave me catching up a whole heap of points.

Q: Was there a particular high point for you this year?

A: The two wins at the penultimate round at Road Atlanta were huge for us. That was a weekend where the championship could have either tightened way up for the final two races at Virginia, or we could essentially clinch it, even though mathematically we couldn’t clinch it, we could put all of the competitors away at that race and that’s what happened. It made it extra special because there was that tension and pressure that was growing between Miguel (DuHamel) and myself and we came away with a maximum pointscore after taking pole, and leading most laps in each race on the way to the two wins. It was a nice way to leave there.

Q: Was it a turning point in the season, even though it was quite late?

A: I don’t think it was a turning point as we led the whole season. Laguna Seca really stopped the bleeding for us after the few fast racetracks where we lost points to our rivals. Laguna stopped that for us and then we got a win at the following round at Mid-Ohio where we started to stretch the points out again. Then at Atlanta, we put it to bed.

Q: When did you feel that the championship was yours to win?

A: After Atlanta. We felt pretty comfortable and had over a race in points in the lead of the championship, so it would have taken a big mess up for us to lose it after that.

Q: Has there been any one particular facet that would be the key to your success in America?

A: The biggest thing was learning six or seven years ago that I needed a strong team to be able to win championships. It’s something that I really woke up to in 1997. You can’t win titles, especially consistently, without having a solid team who do the same things every weekend.

Q: How important has it been to have such a dedicated group of guys around you that form the nucleus of your team?

A: My long time crew chief Peter Doyle and mechanic Reg O’Rourke have been joined by other members, Johnny Asher, Manny and Henry, but the key is they are a really solid group that works extremely well together.

They all know what to do. At the track we get the job done and if we win we go out and have dinner and some fun, but if we don’t we still go out have dinner and some fun. That’s what it is all about. You win together you lose together.

Q: How enjoyable has it been over the past two years where you have been able to race 1000cc multi-cylinder Superbikes?

A: Last year the Suzuki GSX-R1000 was the best motorcycle on the racetrack, or at least as competitive as any other motorcycle on the track. Something we didn’t have the luxury of having racing the Twins on a 750. Last year we won a lot of races reasonably comfortably and it was good to have won that fourth championship, but it certainly wasn’t near as hard as this year. This year I’ve spoken about the motorcycle not being fast enough, but again it all goes back to the rule changes that were implemented very late last year, so the motorcycle just wasn’t up to the same spec as the others we were racing against this year. Next year it will be, so we’ll see how it goes then.


Q: How do rate the next crop of riders emerging in the US?

A: There are a few guys over here doing very well. The Hayden brothers, Tommy and Roger Lee at Kawasaki, Tommy won the Supersport Championship, while there’s also a couple of younger guys over at Yamaha. Aaron Gobert did well in winning the Superstock championship, while Jason Disalvo seems to be pretty fast, while in my Yoshimura Suzuki team, Ben Spies will be stepping up to Superbike next year so we’ll see how he goes there.

Q: Do you still have that desire for either GP or World Superbike, or will you conclude you career in America?

A: I’d imagine that I’d finish my racing career here in the US. The GP thing has always interested me since I was there in ’93, but certainly even less the more years that we go along, because it is one of those things where you really do need the right package, bike and team, or else you are wasting your time. There are only so many factory bikes to go around and the unfortunate thing is that I’m unlikely to get one. Honda have already stated that they will only have two official factory bikes in MotoGP and the rest will be the next step down.

As for World Superbike, it just doesn’t interest me, full stop. The level of racing I don’t think is that high. To have to travel around the world to say that you race in World Superbike does not appeal to me. I see it as a huge step backwards to what I’m doing here in America. The rules between SWC and the AMA may be slightly different, but the teams here still get the very latest equipment from the factories, so on that score this series is very strong.

To give you an idea, we had factory rider Regis Laconi race here at the final round last weekend, straight after being a title contender in the SWC a week earlier and he couldn’t get within a second of our times. The AMA is not an easy series by any stretch of the imagination.

Q: You’ve spent nine year’s racing in America, you must enjoy the way of life you have created for yourself there.

A: I love it here. There are so many things that I’ve been able to do because of my time here. My Import company is directly attributed to the people I have been fortunate to deal with over here such as Yoshimura and Joe Rocket. My success over here with racing has led to some successful business ventures.

Not only that, but you do tend to live a fairly normal lifestyle where you live in your own house, go and race, then come back to it where you do normal type things. Things like that that I do enjoy.

I got my pilot licence this year and plan on expanding that into the future and may chase that career one day when I get home to Australia. It also is something that my daughter can be involved in if she chooses. To be a young person and get to travel the world as a pilot would be pretty cool.

Q: Many may perceive your over-confidence to verge on arrogance. How do you read this with the positive nature it takes for anyone to win a championship title. Where is the fine line?

A: Personally I see it as a minority that would see it like that. You always have your detractors no matter who you are. Overall I think it is a minority. Some people see me that way, but I do have a lot of fans in America. I enjoy racing, I have a passion for it and finishing second doesn’ t sit well with me. So when I lose, it’s annoying until I get to the next racetrack and make amends for it. I like to perform at my best whatever it is.

Q: You are very vocal regarding track safety in America. Do you feel that you are being heard by those who make the decisions?

A: When it comes to track safety, there’s never enough that can be done. You certainly like to see more done, but unfortunately it’s one of those areas that you keep pushing for and make more improvements, but things never seem to be quick enough. Certainly America doesn’t seem to have track safety as high a priority as the European countries are, especially the World Championship circuits.

However, a few have made steady changes over the years which is great, but there are still a couple of places where the whole circuit is still terrible. I don’t know why we still race there, especially the speeds carried by the current crop of motorcycles.

Q: What do you see in the future direction of Superbike?

The current 1000cc Superbike is an excellent platform. I think they will always have a platform, as they are different to GP bikes. Horsepower figures are not that different between them. The current Superbikes are putting out well over 205hp, while the lead MotoGP machines are around 230 to 240hp.

There will always be a place for them as they are the bikes that people buy and therefore a huge marketing tool for the manufacturers, which is also the reason why they are all getting back into World Superbike next year.

Q: What lies ahead contract wise for you?

A: I’m done for 2005. I’ll be back to defend the title and see if we can make it six, but after that we have to see what happens. As long as I’m still enjoying it and have that fire in my belly I’d like to keep winning and I guess I’ll be doing it for a few more years yet.

Mat Mladin – Statistics

Date of birth: 10 March 1972
Lives at: Camden, NSW, Australia
Marital Status: Married to Janine, daughter Emily

Racing Achievements
1990
Began racing in the Australian 250cc Production championship (Suzuki RGV 250)

1991
Australian 250cc Production Champion (Suzuki RGV 250)

1992
Australian Superbike Champion (Kawasaki ZX-R750)

1993
World 500cc Grand Prix Championship (Cagiva 500)

1994
3rd Australian Superbike Championship (Kawasaki ZX-R750)

1995
2nd, Australian Superbike Championship (Kawasaki ZX-R750)

1996
4th, AMA US Superbike Championship (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750)

1997
3rd, AMA US Superbike Championship (Fast By Ferracci Ducati 955)

1998
3rd, AMA US Superbike Championship (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750)

1999
AMA US Superbike Champion (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750)

2000
AMA US Superbike Champion (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750)
Won Daytona 200 by Arai (First Australian to do so)
Voted 2000 AMA Pro Racing Athlete of the Year, by his peers

2001
AMA US Superbike Champion (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750)
Won four races (Daytona 200 by Arai, Road Atlanta, Road America, Mid-Ohio)
Set new pole position records; 8 consecutive and a total of 9 for the season

2002
7th AMA US Superbike Championship (Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750)

2003
AMA US Superbike Champion (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000)
First rider to win four AMA Superbike Championships
Equalled All-time AMA Superbike race wins for a season with 10 wins (24 career victories)

2004
AMA US Superbike Champion (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000)
All time AMA Superbike race win record holder with 32 career race wins
Won eight races – Daytona 200, California Raceway (2), Infinieon Raceway, Barber Motorsports Park, Mid-Ohio, Road Atlanta (2)
All time AMA Superbike Pole Position record holder with 37.


AMA Career Superbike Race Wins – 32 (All time AMA Superbike record)

2004
04/09/04 Road Atlanta Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000
04/09/04 Road Atlanta Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000
24/07/04 Mid-Ohio Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000
15/05/04 Barber M’Sports Pk Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000
01/05/04 Infineon Raceway Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000
04/04/03 California Speedway Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000
03/04/04 California Speedway Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000
06/03/04 Daytona 200 Mile Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000

AMA Career Superbike Pole Positions – 37 (All time AMA Superbike record)
2004
04/09/04 Road Atlanta 1:22.065 Yoshimura
Suzuki GSX-R1000
15/05/04 Barber M’Sports Pk 1:25.251 Yoshimura Suzuki
GSX-R1000
01/05/04 Infineon Raceway 1:36.916 Yoshimura Suzuki
GSX-R1000
03/04/04 California Speedway 1:24.759 Yoshimura Suzuki
GSX-R1000

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