From a press release issued by CMRA:

Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association Championship Series
Round 10
Motorsport Ranch
Cresson, TX
Oct. 9-10, 2004


The Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association wrapped up the 2004 season with round 10 of its series at Motorsport Ranch near Cresson, Texas. Will Gruy, Tyler McDonald, Bryan West, Eric Falt, John Orchard and Scott Levine all posted wins in multiple expert classes under wet conditions on the 1.7 mile course.

Gruy claimed the most expert wins, taking the Super Motard, Formula CMRA Lightweight and 125 GP expert divisions, while Eric Falt topped the most money classes, taking wins in the Heavyweight Twins Expert class, which features a $500 purse, and the Mr. Corder Racing F-40 Expert class, which pays a $175 purse.

The closest racing of the day had to be in the A Superbike Expert race where Danny Dominguez drew even with early leader, Bryan West, in the final turn of the 8-lap race, then won the drag race to the finish, winning by 0.041 second; and in the Super Motard division, where the lead changed hands several times a lap between Eric Falt, Will Gruy and Loren Swor before Gruy made a desperation pass for the lead just two corners from the finish to top Falt and Swor for the win.

In the novice divisions, Bill Drake, Chris Romeo and Craig Thomson were the big winners with each winning three classes.

In Saturday?s big bike endurance round, it was Vinyl Edge Racing that won the Sum of all Parts CMRA Endurance Presented by Shogun Motorsports race, but it was Northwest Honda Racing that took the series title with a third overall finish.

Village Idiots finished second overall, 28 seconds behind the winners, and wrapped up the Middleweight Superstock class title in the process. Desert-Rats.net finished fifth overall, ensuring them of the Unlimited Superstock class title, while Faltless Racing claimed the Lightweight Superbike championship with a 7th overall placing. Lone Star Track Days finished 20th overall and ended the year with the Medium Superstock championship.

In the CMRA Formula Mini Endurance Series final round at Motorsport Ranch, Team K&N took a 4-lap margin of victory to win the race and claimed the overall and Formula 4 division titles as well. Sum of all Parts came from last place to finish second overall in the race and third overall in the championship, while Mystery Dance was third overall, giving them second overall in the final standings. In the Formula 5 class, Team Bling ended the year first overall after a 7th overall finish on Saturday and STD Racing won the Formula 6 title with a 6th overall. Team Lean finished 13th overall and wrapped up the Formula 7 championship.

From a press release issued by the Plummer-Menapace Group on behalf of Pirelli:

PIRELLI REVIEWS ITS FIRST YEAR AS WORLD SUPERBIKE SPEC TIRE

Did It Fulfill The Objective Of Closer Racing And A Level Playing Field

(Rome, GA) The 2004 World Superbike season is over and Ducati Fila’s James Toseland is the king, thanks to his one-two finishes at the last round at France’s Magny Cours. Thus ended the first season that World Superbike along with its World Supersport and European Superstock siblings introduced a spec tire rule and handed the duties to Pirelli.

The rule’s primary objective was closer racing, a more “level playing field” that didn’t see special one-off, back-door tires doled out to the top teams. Everybody would have equal tires of consistent quality, tires that were developed and tested with all the different teams; tires that, once tried, had to be shared with all of the manufacturer’s teams and approved by all of the teams before they could be used at the next round; tires for four-cylinder bikes, twins and triples. And Pirelli had to provide five to six thousand of them for every race weekend, in a minimum of three different front and rear compounds optimized for each track. (They brought five different fronts and six different rears to France.) A mammoth task that, if successful, would mean great racing and a huge feather in Pirelli’s cap.

But, just like last year, the factory Ducati team won the championship. In fact, its riders finished first and second again. So what changed with Pirelli and the spec tire rule?

Practically everything. Last year, a staggering 218 points separated the first three riders at season’s end (103 points between the two factory riders, 115 points between second and third place). This year, there were fewer than 100 points between the first five riders. Neil Hodgson won every race up to Laguna Seca last year, while this year’s championship was called “one of the most exciting and closely contested” in the 17-year history of the series. It came down to the final weekend. Four riders had a chance of winning it all: Toseland, his teammate Regis Laconi, Ten Kate Honda’s Chris Vermeulen, and Renegade Ducati Koji’s Noriyuki Haga. A few rounds back, only eight points separated the four of them.

At Magny Cours, Laconi didn’t even make the front row of the grid. And the pole sitter was none other than Troy Corser on the Foggy Petronas. Race one had four different manufacturers on the front row: Ducati, Honda, Foggy Petronas, and the Yamaha R1 of local wildcard Sebastien Gimbert (a team member of the newly-crowned, also-Pirelli-shod, Yamaha GMT94 World Endurance road racing champions) finished fourth in both Magny Cours races – on a Yamaha.

When it was all over, only nine points separated Toseland and Laconi. “Nitro Nori” Haga won race two his sixth win of the year – in the final round to finish third in the championship, 28 points behind Laconi. Vermeulen’s two rare DNFs earned him no points, but he held a solid fourth place in the championship in his rookie season finishing with four victories and nine podiums. (Who knows what would have happened had two different electrical gremlins not knocked him out of both races.)

In all, six different riders won races in 2004’s 22-race series. The two factory Ducati riders accounted for less than half of them, compared to last season when factory teammates Hodgson and Reuben Xaus won 20 of the races. Also, ten different riders earned podiums this year.
Did the spec-tire rule work?

“We had a Michelin contract last year,” said former SBK champion, Troy Corser. “but the tires they gave us were two seconds a lap slower than what Hodgson and Xaus had. Control tires have eliminated that kind of crap …”

Kenny Roberts, Sr. agrees. “When Superbikes went to control tires, everybody thought they were crazy – but I reserved judgment. Still, I really thought they would have more problem than they have and it would be better for us and a lot of other teams if there was a one-tire rule in MotoGP, too. I would instigate that instantly for next year.”

With all is said and done, and with a huge round of thanks and appreciation to the hundreds of Pirelli workers who made it all happen, Pirelli believes it did indeed produce tires that provided “closer racing action” and a “level playing field” for World Superbike competition.
Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli Racing Manager, said after the final round: “We will start making our preparation for next season next week, when we test at Mugello with Ducati and James Toseland, the new champion. We will be testing our new tires for next season. By the time we have the next test at Valencia in November we will already have a lot of new bikes, 2005 models, so we will really have some new stuff to test, specifications for next year. These will be confirmed for next year’s use at Qatar, in early December. The important thing is that all the new and existing teams will be at the November test, working to find the best solutions. Probably Yamaha France will be there as well.”

In closing, the question has been asked about why Pirelli would even want the staggering task of meeting all of the spec-tire rule’s requirements? Eddie Roberts, Pirelli’s World Racing Manager, answered the question at Laguna Seca: “The concept of production-based race tires interested Pirelli, because it would accelerate development of our consumer tires, and because at Pirelli, ‘We sell what we race, and we race what we sell.’ A road racer in the States can get these tires easily. We don’t hide them. We have no desire to hide them. We want everybody on them.”

From a press release:

Ride for Kids(r) “stars” shine brightly in Texas!

(Benbrook, TX – October 10, 2004) On Sunday, October 10, 2004, 250 caring motorcyclists, fundraisers, volunteers and patient families came together to celebrate and honor the seven courageous Ride for Kids(r) “stars”, pediatric brain tumor survivors, who attended the 2nd annual Dallas/Fort Worth Ride for Kids(r). These amazing young people, who ranged in age from 15 months-old to 20 years-old, were given “VIP” status and received true “star” treatment throughout the day. Since 1984, the Ride for Kids(r) program has been raising funds to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s search for the cause and cure of childhood brain tumors. The motorcyclists in Texas truly put their heart and soul into their fundraising efforts and at the end of the Ride it was announced that $45,695 had been raised for pediatric brain tumor research.

After enjoying a scenic police-escorted motorcycle ride past beautiful rolling horse farms and countryside south of Dallas/Fort Worth, the participants gathered for the Celebration of Life program under the festive “big-top tent”. There, they listened as Kristan, the mother of 15 month-old Ride for Kids(r) “star” Cassie, shared how much hope her friends had given her family since Cassie was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2003. She told the motorcyclists, “I want to thank you for helping, not just my child, but for helping all children and families affected by this disease.” Annelda, a 17 year-old brain tumor survivor and Ride for Kids(r) “star”, is ready to go off to college next fall and study astronomy. Twenty-year old Jeana, a childhood brain tumor survivor and a Ride for Kids(r) “star”, happens to have a Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation college scholarship. She is studying pre-med and wants to attend medical school to become a pediatric neuro-surgeon.

The Top Individual Fundraiser was Jasmine Kahn, with a total of $4,030. The Top Club was Barger’s Red Riders of Waco, TX whose members raised $9,959. Barger’s Allsports of Waco, TX, whose customers raised $11,655, captured the Top Dealer position. Sam Farr of Frisco, TX, who actually had attended the Columbia Ride for Kids(r) for several years before moving to Texas, was the winner of a brand new Honda motorcycle donated by American Honda Motor Company.

Special thanks to Dallas/Fort Worth Ride for Kids(r) Task Force Leaders Jim Andrews, JR Nance, Visitation Coordinator Mike Culpepper and their hardworking volunteer task force for a super event.

The next Ride for Kids(r) event is on Sunday, October 17 in Phoenix, AZ.

From a press release:

A corner worker at jennings has lost his house and all belongings in a fire. there is going to be a race school/rider enhancement with the proceeds going to him. details as follows

Martinelli Motorsports Race School along with Wizard will be holding a school on October 17 with all proceeds going to Mark Bentley. Offered that day will be Racer Certification for $250.00, Rider/Racer Enhancement and First Timer School for $75.00. This does not include your track registration fees. Bentley has been at Jennings since day one and we are honored to have the opportunity to help him out. So, if you have been wanting to go racing and haven’t done your school yet, take care of it this Sunday at Jennings Gp. Bentley has gone above and beyond in making the track safe and riders feel welcome, so lets everyone give something back to the sport by helping Bentley out in this difficult time. Pre register at 386-756-9901 or 386-527-3398. George and Darla Martinelli

Thank you
Jim McConnell/ Wizard Racing

From a press release issued by WERA Motorcycle Roadracing:

WERA Grand National Finals Brings Together the Top Amateur Racers in the World

BRASELTON, Ga. – The WERA Grand National Finals at Road Atlanta will be a historic weekend as the top amateur riders in both the nation and the world come together for five days of racing from October 13-17. Throughout the four days of racing, 71 WERA champions will be crowned.

The WERA Grand National Finals (GNF) will include the season finales for the WERA National Challenge Series, the Dunlop/WERA National Endurance Series, all seven rounds of the Sportsman Series, and the National Vintage Series. In addition, the Suzuki Cup Finals and the Suzuki World Cup will be taking place during the weekend. This marks the first time that the prestigious Suzuki World Cup has been held in the United States.

The racing begins on Wednesday, October 13, with all of the WERA National Vintage Series races and the first seven WERA Sportsman Series finals. Each race will be eight laps in length.

On Thursday, nine more Sportsman Series eight-lap finals will be held, as well as the first of the WERA National Challenge Series Finals, which are ten laps in length. The day’s schedule also includes qualifying sessions for the Suzuki SV650 and SV1000 Cup Finals.

The tenth round of the Dunlop/WERA National Endurance Series will get underway at noon on Friday. The race is four hours long and the 50-bike grid will be full.

Four races will follow the endurance round, including the Suzuki SV650 and SV1000 Cup Finals, the Pirelli Diablo Corsa Challenge and the Formula 2 National final.

Saturday features 11 races as the Sportsman Series finals are completed and the National Challenge Series wraps up three championships with 10-lap sprint races. Qualifying sessions for the Suzuki Cup Finals will include the GSX-R600, GSX-R750 and GSX-R1000 classes. A 25-minute qualifying session will be held for the Suzuki World Cup competitors. The racing begins at noon.

Sunday is also an action-packed day, with the remainder of the National Challenge Series races, the ten-lap Suzuki Cup finals and two 12-lap Suzuki World Cup races being held during the afternoon.

Tickets for the weekend are available at the gate and include paddock access and free infield parking. A four-day ticket is $45, a Saturday/Sunday ticket is $35, and a one-day ticket is $25. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Camping is available for the weekend for $25.

More information about WERA and the Grand National Finals at Road Atlanta can be found at www.WERA.com.

Morse Racing Products/GP Composites is now accepting race resumes for 2005. If we sponsored you last year you still need to fill out a new application for this year.

Also, once you are all signed up for sponsorship, all orders before November 30th, 2004, you will get an extra 10% off of your sponsorship discount. If you order before December 31st, 2004 you will still get an extra 5% off of your sponsorship discount!

To sign up visit www.gpcomposites.com or send resumes to: Morse Racing Products/GP Composites 3105 N. Cascade Ave. #203 Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Attn. Mike Applehans

From a press release issued by FIM:

Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix
Australian Grand Prix: wild-card riders

The wild-card riders who will race in the Australian Grand Prix, scheduled on the circuit of Phillip Island on October 17 next, are the following:

125cc class:

46, Matthew Kuhne (AUS-Honda) Matt Attack Racing
56, Brett Simmonds (AUS-Honda) Tassie Windscreens
92, Bryan Staring (AUS-Honda) Allect Barter Card Racing
93, Malcolm Esler (AUS-Honda) Tel’m Racing
94, Brent Rigoli (AUS-Honda) Snapon Tools

250cc class:

80, Peter Taplin (AUS-Honda) EMS Racing
81, Mark Rowling (AUS-Yamaha) Turramurra Cyclery
82, Joshua Waters (AUS-Honda) Josh Waters Racing
83, Shawn Klueh (AUS-Yamaha) Tec Shop Racing
84, Ben Ried AUS-Yamaha) Whitetiger.com.au

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Provisional Sunday Morning AMA Supersport Practice Times:

1. Jamie Hacking, Yam, 1:27.531
2. Jason DiSalvo, Yam, 1:27.877
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yam, 1:28.084
4. Aaron Gobert, Yam, 1:28.475
5. Tommy Hayden, Kaw, 1:28.922
6. Roger Lee Hayden, Kaw, 1:29.064
7. Steve Rapp, Suz, 1:29.225
8. Tony Meiring, Kaw, 1:29.541
9. Michael Barnes, Yam, 1:29.547
10. Ben Attard, Suz, 1:29.984
11. Chris Ulrich, Suz, 1:30.437
12. Lee Acree, Suz, 1:30.440
13. Ben Spies, Suz, 1:30.799
14. Chris Peris, Suz, 1:30.825
15. Blake Young, Suz, 1:31.389
16. Danny Eslick, Suz, 1:31.414
17. Taylor Knapp, Yam, 1:32.112
18. Nathan Hester, Yam, 1:32.623
19. Giovanni Rojas, Yam, 1:33.041
20. Barrett Long, Yam, 1:36.215

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Provisional AMA Formula Xtreme Race Results:

1. Miguel Duhamel, Hon CBR600RR, 17 laps
2. Vincent Haskovec, Suz GSX-R600, -4.218 seconds
3. Doug Chandler, Duc 749R, -6.006 seconds
4. Mike Ciccotto, Buell XB9R, -41.425 seconds
5. Chris “Opie” Caylor, Suz GSX-R600, -41.554 seconds
6. Nicky Moore, Suz GSX-R600, -54.235 seconds
7. Heath Small, Yam YZF-R6, -56.084 seconds
8. Darin Eli Edwards, Suz GSX-R600, -66.208 seconds
9. Derek Keyes, Suz GSX-R600, -74.810 seconds
10. Carlo Gagliardo, Yam YZF-R6, -75.187 seconds
11. Donny Kelley, Yam YZF-R6, -86.916 seconds
12. Taylor Knapp, Yam YZF-R6, -87.347 seconds
13. Randy Rega, Yam YZF-R6, -1 lap
14. Tim Knutson, Yam YZF-R6, -1 lap
15. Jeremiah Johnson, Suz GSX-R600, -1 lap
16. Lance Yeager, Yam YZF-R6, -1 lap
17. D. Zhang, Yam YZF-R6, -1 lap
18. Nathan Hester, Yam YZF-R6, -2 laps
19. Adam “Webcrush” Vella, Suz GSX-R600, -2 laps
20. Nicky Cummings, Hon CBR600RR, -4 laps, DNF, retired
21. Jason Pridmore, Suz GSX-R600, -7 laps, DNF, mechanical
22. Jeremy Haiduk, Yam YZF-R6, -9 laps, DNF, crash
23. Alex Gobert, Hon CBR600RR, -11 laps, DNF, crash
24. Blake Young, Suz GSX-R600, -11 laps, DNF, crash
25. Michael Barnes, Buell XB9R, -13 laps, DNF, mechanical
26. Joseph Arico, Yam YZF-R6, -17 laps, DNF, crash
27. Larry Pegram, Yam YZF-R6, DNS
28. Jake Zemke, Hon CBR600RR, DNS

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin wrapped up his fifth AMA Superbike Championship Sunday at Virginia International Raceway (VIR), but Honda won the less-publicized but still prestigious Superbike Manufacturers’ Championship in the debut season of the CBR1000RR.

“Yes, we did. Isn’t that fantastic?” confirmed American Honda Team Coordinator Ray Plumb. “I think all three riders (Miguel Duhamel, Ben Bostrom and Jake Zemke) did a great job. When you win that Championship, that means you were consistent all year long, which means your bike and your team was consistent all year long.”

Provisional AMA Superbike Manufacturers’ Championship Point Standings:

1. Honda, 606 points
2. Suzuki, 590 points
3. Ducati, 398 points
4. Yamaha, 390 points
5. Kawasaki, 316 points