From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

LACONI AND TOSELAND (DUCATI FILA) BACK TO ITALY FOR RIVIERA THRILLER

Misano Adriatico (Italy), 15 April 2004: After a couple of exciting races in Australia, World Superbike returns to European soil for round 3 of the championship at the Misano Adriatico circuit on Italy’s sun-kissed Adriatic Riviera. Switched from its regular June slot to mid-April, the race at the twisty, anticlockwise Misano track always produces a classic encounter, with close battles guaranteed to thrill the thousands of Ducati fans who turn up to the resort venue.

Regis Laconi returned from Phillip Island with a first win under his belt, and the 28-year-old Frenchman is anxious to give his championship challenge some momentum as it enters the next phase of four successive European events.

“I only like the first part of the Misano track, in particular the Curvone” declared Laconi. “The last part is difficult and the two chicanes are very slippery. Things will be different this year because it won’t be as hot racing in April as it usually is so that will affect the set-up a bit. At Misano you have to find good grip on the rear because you are on your side a lot in the long left-hand corner.

“The only thing I can do is win both races because I am not happy with my start to the season. I know I am fast, I don’t crash all the time, just a few small mistakes in a season are acceptable but that’s all. At the moment the other guys are not so far ahead in the points, but I would feel better if I was up there with them.”

James Toseland, currently holding a five-point lead over Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati), claims he has finally got to grips with the difficult Misano track, where his best result is last year’s second place. “Misano is not a long track but it is a technical and challenging one” declared 23-year-old Toseland. “The most critical point are the three fast lefts leading onto the back straight, where if you get it right you can knock half-a-second off your lap time. The last section however is not good, because of the tight chicane and the surface change, where it is bumpy and not ‘grippy’ at all.

“We battled with the set-up in Australia and I feel much happier now with the feeling. We’ve got the baseline set-up for the 999 and it’s just a question of tweaking it now here and there. I will be quite happy with two podiums but I’ve got everything I need to win.”

50 YEARS OF DUCATI SUCCESS FOR FARNE’.

A special commemorative plaque will be awarded to long-time Ducati rider and race engineer Franco Farnè for 50 years of success with the Italian manufacturer. Bologna-born Farnè started working in Ducati in 1951 and soon made his name for the company as test-rider, before notching up a series of international wins in the 1950s and 1960s on Ducatis. He was chief engineer in all of Ducati’s pre-Superbike sporting exploits, including the 1972 Imola win and Endurance racing, as well as Mike Hailwood’s triumph in the 1978 Isle of Man TT race. In Superbike, Farnè was team manager for the factory Ducati team that won eight Constructors’ titles in the 1990s. Since 2001 he has worked for Stefano Caracchi’s NCR Ducati satellite outfit. The award will be handed to Farnè by fellow Ducati engineering legend Gianluigi Mengoli in the Ducati Fila hospitality unit on Saturday after Superpole.

POINTS (after 2 of 11 rounds):
(Riders) 1. Toseland 61; 2. Chili 56; 3. McCoy 55; 4. Vermeulen 55; 5. Haga 43; 6. Borciani 43 . 10. Laconi 25.

(Manufacturers) 1. Ducati 100; 2. Honda 55; 3. Petronas 42; 4. Kawasaki 27; 5. Suzuki 18; 6. Yamaha 13.

CIRCUIT INFO:
Name: Autodromo di Santamonica.
Length: 4.060 km.
Pole Position: Left.
Corners Left/Right: 4/4.
Finish Line Length: 510 m.

STATISTICS:
Best lap: Kocinski (Ducati) 1:34.296 (1996).
Lap record: Yanagawa (Kawasaki) 1:33.494 (1997).
Superpole: Bayliss (Ducati) 1:33.525 (2002).
Race Distance: 2 x 25 laps/101.500 km

2003 RESULTS:
Race 1 – 1. Xaus (Ducati Fila); 2. Toseland (HM Plant Ducati); Laconi (NCR Ducati).
Race 2 – 1. Xaus; 2. Hodgson (Ducati Fila); 3. Chili (PSG-1 Ducati).

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

World Superbike Championship 2004
Round 3 Misano Adriatico 16-18 June 2004

The Eastern coast of Italy plays host to the third round of what is proving to be a fascinating and unpredictable 2004 World Superbike Championship, after two previous race weekends of alternating fortunes for the top contenders.

Round one in Valencia saw Ducati riders James Toseland (Ducati Fila 999F04) and Noriyuki Haga (Renegade Ducati 999 RS) secure the first laurels of the year, with the second round in Australia providing wins for Regis Laconi (Ducati Fila 999 F04) and Garry McCoy (Xerox NCR Ducati 999RS).

The 2004 SBK regulations allow for a wide variety of roadbike-based machines, of many differing engine configurations, to be truly competitive. The upper engine capacity of 1000cc, for all models and types, plus the adoption of a control tyre for all classes supplied by technical partner Pirelli, have evened out the possibilities for all of the participants. Hence four different winners in four races so far, and widely differing fortunes for the top contenders as each race progresses.

King of Superpole, the specialised form of one-lap competition determining the final grid positions for the top 16 starters, is undoubtedly Regis Laconi, who has secured both Superpole starts quite magnificently so far. Only once has his practice prowess been converted into race finishes – albeit a win – and thus one of the pre-season favourites will be looking to Misano simply as a chance to claw his way up the championship table from tenth.

The top of the table is headed by the more consistent points scorer James Toseland, but the following pack of riders (Chili, McCoy and Vermeulen) are bunched up in a competitive manner, with only six points separating the top four.

In overall second place, despite some pronounced set-up issues with his new 999 Ducati, Pierfrancesco Chili has used both his 2004 and 2003 spec machines in races this year. Chili may find that Misano, his home round and a circuit where he has won a World Superbike race in the past, is the very place to take his first win of the year.

The fact that only one man in the present championship line up, Troy Corser, has won a race at Misano in past seasons makes pre-race predictions something of a lottery, rather than a calculated gamble. Of the other top entrants, two stand out as having been unfortunate so far this season, Steve Martin (DFX Sterilgarda Ducati 99RS) has taken only one podium, despite some impressive front-running rides, while the upsurge of young Briton Leon Haslam (Renegade Ducati 999RS) has yet to be translated into the high finish his talents deserve.

As well as the aforementioned Ducati entries, the field also comprises top-flight riders on competitive multi-cylinder machines. Having taken the World Supersport Championship with an unheard of level of dominance in 2003, Chris Vermeulen has swapped his 600cc machine for a full 1000cc Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade. The lone Ten Kate rider and his new machine have been the revelations of the season so far, taking podiums with what is a rapidly developing (yet still surprisingly standard) motorcycle, proving the ethos of the new SBK Championship is well founded.

Marco Borciani (DFX Ducati Sterilgarda 999RS) has proved his abilities with an overall championship sixth place, while the top Kawasaki rider is his countryman Mauro Sanchini (Bertocchi Ducati ZX-10) in ninth place overall.

The unique three-cylinder Petronas FP-1, operated by the Foggy Petronas Team, has propelled one of its two factory pilots to the podium places, as Chris Walker secured a third at Valencia. His team-mate, Troy Corser, the 1996 Champion on Ducati, will be desperate to equal or better that result, and is the only top rider in the current field to have taken wins at Misano in SBK.

The SBK wildcards for the Misano race include big name rider Doriano Romboni (Yamaha) plus another healthy entry of five ‘one-off’ competitors.

In the World Supersport Championship, also entering round three, the leader is the former GP rider and now Supersport supremo, Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha Italia). The winner of the opening round in Valencia also took third at Phillip Island, giving him an 11 point advantage.

Second overall in the series is his team-mate, Fabien Foret, and a Yamaha 1-2-3 at this stage is completed by Phillip Island runner-up Kevin Curtain (Yamaha Motor Germany).

Top regular Suzuki rider is Katsuaki Fujiwara (Alstare Team), in fifth place, with new Ducati entry Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Breil) sixth.

Some superb qualifying performances from the Ten Kate Honda riders Broc Parkes and Karl Muggeridge have yet to be turned into big points scores. With Parkes on the Misano podium in 2003, he may be the best bet of the two.

From a press release issued by d’Antin Ducati:

The challenge commences

At last everything is ready for the start of a new MotoGP season filled with emotion, and which begins on the African continent this weekend. The Phakisa circuit sits on the outskirts of the mining town of Welkom, from where a third of South Africa’s gold originates.

The technical track is a real challenge for riders and teams alike with the 1350-metre altitude meaning engines lose power due to the thinner air. The other challenge comes from the constantly changing conditions of the track surface, which lacks grip initially, but then improves throughout the weekend as it is cleaned by the bikes lapping.

For the d´Antin MotoGP riders, this Welkom event represents the start of a great new adventure, with their debuts in the new elite category of motorcycling.

Neil Hodgson and Rubén Xaus arrive in South Africa at a track neither knows at all, yet both are desperate to ride in Welkom to make their own minds up about it.

Hodgson is optimistic, although he mainly believes this should be seen as yet another testing session: “Bad weather has affected us in our recent tests and I think that we are coming in to this race still learning to gel together, but nevertheless I am keen to get into action. The circuit looks a little strange to me, but I’ll have to wait until the first practice sessions to make any valid conclusions. In principle my aim is to fight to be amongst the top ten on Sunday. This would be like a first win for me, but there is still a lot of work ahead of us to do before then.”

Xaus is in much the same mind as his team-mate: “I’ve never been to Welkom before, and although I walked around it as soon as I got here, until the first sessions get underway, I won’t be able to get a fixed idea. I’d only seen the circuit on television before now, and it looks very different to how it does here in the flesh. The good temperature will make up for things though, because after bad weather in Spain at the last tests, it’s nice to be in a place where it’s hot. As regards my objectives this weekend, at the moment I’m only thinking about learning, and getting a feel for the new championship.”

From a press release issued by Telefonica Movistar Honda/Gresini Racing:

THE WAITING IS OVER…….

GP South Africa – Preview

Few Grand Prix seasons have been so eagerly awaited as the 2004 MotoGP championship.The premier class, where there are more championship-winning riders than ever before, is in the spotlight and there is no doubt that the season will be demanding and hard-fought for everyone.

The first race of the 2004 championship kicks off at the Phakisa Freeway racetrack, located 250kms south of Johannesburg. This racetrack was opened in 1999 and it was entirely resurfaced last year.

The track is situated in the gold mining area of Welkom called “the Goldfields” and it’s in the middle of a table-land at 1350 meters see level. Because of its height, Welkom racetrack is very demanding for mechanics and Engineers of all classes: the air rarefaction due to the altitude in fact causes a lower engine efficiency that can be even 20% less of the performance in standard conditions.

The track has nine right corners and eight left corners with only one straight where the power of the engine can be completely used. The racetrack has gained a reputation for its bumpy and dirty surface. Although it was entirely resurfaced last year, the surface remains quite slippery and dusty because of the sand and dirt brought by the wind and because it’s seldom used during the year.

Because of the lack of grip and the hot temperatures, the choice of the best tyre that can offer a superior end-of race performance is very important at Welkom. In fact, the demanding features of the track produce high tyre temperatures and Phakisa Freeway is regarded as one of the toughest tracks for the tyres.

SETE AND COLIN AND THE CHALLENGE OF WELKOM

The waiting is over for the Vice Champion of the premier-class, Sete Gibernau. The good results achieved during the winter tests have demonstrated that the Spanish rider is ready for the new challenge: “I’m very excited and motivated. I’m determined to do well since the first race but not obsessed by the idea of chasing the title. I’m more mature and I have learned a lot from last year. I’m focused on myself and I want to improve my results”

SETE GIBERNAU likes the Phakisa racetrack and he has always made good results at Welkom but last year it was a very special event for him: “Welkom reminds me of tears and joy at the same time: South Africa brings me very strong emotions. I have always had good results at Welkom so I have good memories of this place but last year it was a very special race for me because of what happened to Dajiro at the first GP. I dedicated the pole position and the victory to my team-mate, there are no words that could say how I really felt.”

Back with the marque with which Colin Edwards won two World Superbike Titles, the Texan has demonstrated during the winter test that his apprenticeship in the premier class is over. He is very experienced with four stroke bikes, he has talent and determination and during the pre-season test he showed to be very fast. The first race of the season kicks off at Welkom where “Texas Tornado” raced last year for the first time.

COLIN EDWARDS: “I like to race at Welkom, I have a lot of friends and fans from Superbike races. I like the layout of the track: there are fast corners and some slow corners, there is one very fast corner which is a little bit intimidating. I‘m satisfied with the job done so far, I’m really happy to be back with Honda – the marque I rode with since 1998 – with a top team. I’m very happy of my team, especially my chief I have a good feeling with the RC211V and look forward to the first race.”

FAUSTO GRESINI, Team Manager: “Finally the season kicks off and we are at the first race! The Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda takes the start of the 2004 championship determined to improve the results that we have achieved so far.

“We have big expectations for the 2004 season and I’m confident that we will be among the protagonists, thanks to development carried out by HRC during the pre-season test and the feeling of our riders with the bike that, test after test, has always increased. Sete Gibernau and Colin Edwards have done a very good job, they have trained a lot and they are ready for the new adventure.”

From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

MotoGP World Championship 2004
Grand Prix of South Africa
April 16, 17 and 18

MotoGP REVS UP FOR OPENING SHOWDOWN OF THE SEASON

The MotoGP circus is in rude health for the long-awaited first confrontation of the 2004 season. After what seems like an interminable four months of high-pressure testing across the globe – the lights are soon to be staged for a first race that will answer some of the big questions surrounding this season. First: can Honda maintain its incredible record of winning a third consecutive premier class title since the dawn of the four-stroke era in 2002? Second: can reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi give rival factory Yamaha a win first time out? And third: who among his Honda rivals can establish themselves as the main contenders for the title?

The big six Honda riders in the premier class have now had plenty of time to gel with their crews and teams. And the three two-rider teams running the imperious RC211V are ready to take the fight to new rival Rossi who has been working hard at making up ground on Honda – the dominant factory of this new era.

Among those seeking to establish an early toehold on the Championship will be 2003 title runner-up Sete Gibernau who is joined this season by Texan Colin Edwards in the Telefonica Honda MoviStar Team. Gibernau won here last year and the win put him in early contention for the title. But Edwards will be aiming to get off to a fast start in the points standings in a season where many observers believe consistency will hold the key to title contention.

But the Phakisa Freeway is something of a ‘one-off’ experience each year for the riders. The 4.242km track lying deep in South Africa’s Free State Province is only visited once a year by the MotoGP, 250cc and 125cc riders, so teams have little time to set up machines for the twisty and often dusty track.
The longest straight here is a mere 413m in length and so the astonishing high speeds of the MotoGP bikes (approaching 215mph at Barcelona’s Montmelo track in pre-season tests) will not be witnessed here at Welkom.

But the tarmac places other demands on teams and riders. There are nine right-hand turns and five left-handers, and the surface, despite being re-laid last year, is bumpy and slippy. But grip tends to improve as raceday nears with rubber laid down by the circulating machines displacing a fine layer of dust.

Max Biaggi (Camel Honda RC211V) has more experience than most here. “I quite like the track,” he said. “It’s got a nice layout and it’s pleasant to ride. The weather’s normally good although I’m tempting fate when I say that. What’s certain is I’m not looking forward to the undulating tarmac, even though it’s been redone just recently, and the fact that the track generally takes quite a bit of time – at least all the first day of practice – before the grip is acceptable. And with two different frames to compare and the right set-up to work out, we’re going to need every minute we’ve got to decide what configuration to use for the official qualifying. This is going to be tough with the new three-bike-per-row rule – and, of course, for the race. We’re going to have to react fast and understand immediately what to do. I feel good and I’m starting out with confidence and determination.”

Biaggi’s team-mate Makoto Tamada (Camel Honda RC211V) riding on Bridgestone tyres is equally eager to race. “I can’t wait to be in Welkom when the first green light of the season goes on,” he said. “I’m just raring to go and I’m feeling incredibly motivated to do my best. In the recent IRTA tests in Montmelò and Jerez, I really didn’t bring my full potential to bear. We didn’t have the weather on our side that time, and the work was very stop-start. The cold weather didn’t let us simulate race conditions like I think we’ll find in the first championship races. I’m waiting for some more new materials to come in from Bridgestone: I was able to try out some in the IRTA tests, and the results were good, but I’m expecting more in South Africa. Now, the track at Welkom has a few little unknown factors: first of all, it isn’t much used for practice or competition, so we don’t have much recent information about the grip and the state of the circuit. And the weather, which is sometimes unsettled, may be another varia
ble. So there may be a few surprises – but I’d like myself to be the biggest surprise of all: going fast during the four hours of practice and getting out in front in the race.”

For Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) this season represents a chance to consolidate the hard work the American rider put into his rookie season in 2003. “I’m so excited about this season and can’t wait to go racing now,” he said. “The winter testing has been good and I think we’re in real good shape for the season. The 2004 RC211V is awesome, by far the trickest bike I’ve ever ridden. I feel now that I’m riding much nearer the limit where last season was really a learning year. Now I know the tracks I feel very comfortable with the team and I know the competition. It’s going to be super-competitive this year as no one has really stood out in testing. That’s what is so great about MotoGP – the best riders in the world on the best bikes every other Sunday. Sure is going to be a good show.”

Alex Barros (Repsol Honda RC211V) has plenty of experience and the Brazilian has switched back to Honda after an uncomfortable year with Yamaha. “In all the years I’ve been racing I can really say that I have never felt as positive as do now at the start of this very exciting year,” he said. “I have a strong team, a fantastic bike and a real opportunity this season. Back in February when I first rode the RC211V we made a plan to get to the first Grand Prix in good shape after the surgery I had to my shoulder over the winter. So in Sepang, Phillip Island and in Spain we learned a lot about the bike, my fitness got better, and now we are ready to race. It will be a long season, very close and all the accumulated points will be very important at the end.”

In the 250cc class last year’s title runner-up Roberto Rolfo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW), who, in a run of remarkable consistency, scored points at every single race in last year’s World Championship, is ready again for the title challenge, with a new machine. “I haven’t got the feel of the new machine quite right yet because the bike is a lot lower than last year,” he said. “But after the Valencia test session things are getting better and I’m ready to race.”

Rolfo is joined by a new team-mate Tony Elias (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) while reigning World 125cc title holder Danny Pedrosa (Telefonica Honda MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW) moves up to the quarter-litre class this season.

The 125cc class sees 10 Honda riders take to the tarmac at Welkom with Andrea Dovisioso (Team Scot Honda RS125R) expected to be among the front runners, now that Pedrosa has his sights set on 250cc glory. “Testing has been dogged by rain,” said the Italian who finished fifth overall last season. “Jerez is likely to be a better indicator of form than Welkom, but I’ll be going for the title from the first race. The bike is good and we just need some more time to work on suspension settings.”


More, from another press release issued by Honda Racing:

World Supersport Championship 2004 – Round 3
Misano Adriatico Race Preview
16 – 18 APRIL 2004

HONDA RIDERS PLAN SPRING OFFENSIVE IN ITALY

Having recently completed the only long haul race scheduled for the 10 round 2004 World Supersport Championship the well-subscribed and ever combative grid of Supersport riders returns to the European continent for the latest set piece engagement.

Honda’s supported rider line up, running to six pilots in this highly competitive and unique season, will once more enter the fray with impressively quick and well-balanced Honda CBR600RRs. Each competitor will also be looking for solidity and predictability during what has been an often-turbulent year so far.

Proof of this came via the performance of 20-year-old rookie wildcard Josh Brookes in Australia, the Australian Championship regular taking his HRC kitted CBR600RR to a popular but somewhat unforeseen victory on his home track, the first race win for a Honda Supersport rider in 2004.

After some dominant qualifying sessions at the previous Valencia and Phillip Island rounds, the Ten Kate Honda pairing of Karl Muggeridge and Broc Parkes have yet to experience similar levels of reward in races, with both now poised just inside the overall top ten of the points standings.

Parkes leads the overall Ten Kate points tally in eighth, thanks to his 13 points for fourth place at his home round of Phillip Island, after a race one DNF in Spain. Muggeridge lies tenth, despite two powerhouse rides in qualifying.

In the Klaffi Honda team, Valencia no-scorer Sebastien Charpentier (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) rode with pace and panache to finish fifth in Australia, for 11th overall. His youthful team-mate Max Neukirchner (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) has exhibited the speed that made him a top Euro Championship contender in the 250cc class. In only his second World Supersport rider ever, and at arguably the most technically challenging circuit on the calendar, Neukirchner ripped his way to a strong points score.

Honda’s third supported team, Team Italia Megabike, is working its way to outright race-distance competitiveness since adopting its new equipment, but the proven speed of Alessio Corradi (Team Italia Megabike Honda CBR600RR) and the promise of home tarmac for rookie Denis Sacchetti (Team Italia Megabike Honda CBR600RR) may make Misano a happy hunting ground.

For Broc Parkes, translating his pre-race prowess into sustainable race performances is the aim in Italy. “My set-up got better as the weekend went on in Australia but I think our setting from Valencia will maybe help us at Misano, as the circuit is a bit more like Valencia than Phillip Island. Misano gave me a podium finish last year so I’m hoping for more of that this year.”

Karl Muggeridge, who looked to be in a safe third place at Phillip Island before a technical impediment dropped him to 12th, looks to Misano as the start of a rich seam of points gathering. “Third would have been all right at Phillip Island and we did try our best,” said the Aussie. “We’re down, but not out. Misano was a DNF for us last year but we need to have a good result there this year.”

Confidence, even at one of his least favourite circuits, emanates from Sebastien Charpentier, now in his second season of competition with the respected Klaffi Honda team. “Misano is not the perfect track but it’s OK. For this year Misano will be completely different than last year, because now I know the team, the tyres, everything. Misano 2004 will be good for us.”

Klaffi new boy Max Neukirchner has been a minor sensation so far, but again finds himself at the doorway of a new examination hall. “I have no experience of Misano,” grinned Neukirchner in Australia. “Only Oscherleben, Assen and Magny Cours are circuits I know from any previous year. I’m looking forward to another new challenge, and I’m enjoying the experience of World Supersport.”

Alessio Corradi worked hard at the last round but found little reward – pushing all his focus to the next round in Italy. “We need some work on the set-up because in Australia when the temperature was quite high the lap times were not so good,” he stated. “I’m looking for better results in Misano. It’s always good to race at home.”

WSS rookie Denis Sacchetti has experienced similar concerns in qualifying, but is determined to overcome them at the very next attempt. “I had a few problems throughout the most recent Phillip Island race, but I know that I am capable of a much better result. I am hoping that will come at Misano in front of my home crowd. I’m aiming for a top 10 there.”

On completion of the Misano round, the championship reconvenes a month later, still in Italy, at the classic Monza circuit on May 14 -16.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP RETURNS TO BAY AREA

San Francisco’s Cow Palace to host unique AMA Grand National

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (April 14, 2004) — San Francisco will play host to round two of the AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship on Saturday, May 1. The event is named the Ricky Graham Memorial Indoor Short Track Race & Motorcycle Show in honor of the three-time AMA Grand National Champion who was from Salinas, California. Graham died in a house fire in 1998.

The Cow Palace race will mark several firsts in the 50-year history of the AMA Grand National Championship. It is the first time an AMA national will be held on a concrete indoor surface and it marks the first ever AMA Grand National in the city of San Francisco. This race is also significant in that it brings the historic AMA Grand National Championship back to the West Coast for the first time in five years. Additionally, it’s been over a decade since the Bay Area last hosted an AMA Grand National.

A Northern California native, Chris Carr, is fifth in the championship
standings coming into the San Francisco round. The series is led by Daytona winner J.R. Schnabel of West Bend, Wis. Carr, 36, now lives with his family in Fleetwood, Pa., but the Stockton native grew up racing on dusty ovals across Northern California. In fact, Carr is one of the few racers coming in from all across the country, who has actually raced in the Cow Palace.

“I raced there in 1988 when we had a 600cc National Short Track and TT on dirt,” Carr said. “And in 1984 I raced a regional short track race there on concrete. Back in those days we were on 250s, so times have changed. We’re going to be on bigger motorcycles and I don’t think my past experience there is going to help me much. After all, it was 20 years ago.”

Indoor stadium short track races became popular in the 1970s. One of the more notable regional AMA events was held in Madison Square Garden in the early 1970s. Indoor short track went out of vogue by the 1980s, though some Eastern racing series continued hosting indoor concrete short track racing during winter months.

“There will be some guys from the East Coast that will come in here with some experience in this type of racing. I think it should lend to pretty good racing. It’s going to be full-contact racing. I’ve been sharpening my elbows,” joked Carr. “It’s great to have an AMA Grand National like this because indoor racing is part of motorcycle racing’s historical landscape. I remember racing an indoor race on concrete back in 1973 as a Pee Wee rider, so I’ve come full circle.”

According to AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship Series Manager Bruce Bober, the Cow Palace circuit will be about half the length of a football field and be set up in a diamond shape. “It’s as big as the track we had in Tunica (Miss.) last year and that worked out well,” Bober said. “We think there’s a good chance we’ll have some exciting races there.”

Laying rubber down the night before with four-wheel ATVs will prep the concrete racing surface of the Cow Palace. The 63-year-old stadium has a rich tradition of hosting motorcycle events. In the 1970s famous stuntman Evel Knievel took an ill-fated jump in the Cow Palace and more recently the stadium hosted the AMA National Championship Indoor Trials.

The May 1-2 weekend will be a feast for AMA Pro Racing fans. The Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown will be happening a short hour up the road in Sonoma. Fans can watch the AMA Superbikes during the day on Saturday and Sunday and check out the short track national on Saturday evening.

For ticket information on the Ricky Graham Memorial Indoor Short Track Race & Motorcycle Show call (415) 421-8497 or visit www.supermotoproductions.com



SCHEDULE OF EVENTS



SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2004

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Registration and Tech Inspection at the track

3:30 p.m. – Mandatory Riders Meeting

3:45 p.m. – Practice

5:15 p.m. – Time Trials

7:30 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies

7:30 p.m. – 7:40 p.m. – 1st Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

7:40 p.m. – 7:50 p.m. – 2nd Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

7:50 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – 3rd Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

8:00 p.m. – 8:10 p.m. – 4th Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

8:10 p.m. – 8:20 p.m. – 5th Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

8:20 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – 6th Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

8:30 p.m. – 8:40 p.m. – 1st Progressive Insurance Grand National Semi

8:40 p.m. – 8:50 p.m. – 2nd Progressive Insurance Grand National Semi

8:50 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – 3rd Progressive Insurance Grand National Semi

9:00 p.m. – 9:10 p.m. – 4th Progressive Insurance Grand National Semi

9:25 p.m. – 9:40 p.m. – AMA PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE GRAND NATIONAL FINAL

9:40 p.m. – Victory Circle for Grand National

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I am writing in the hopes that with the combined influence of Roadracing World and its loyal readership, something can be done about the horrendous conditions at my local track here in upstate New York.

Last Sunday morning, with the long-awaited return of the warm weather, I gleefully pulled on my racing leathers and headed out to my local track, a 54-turn, 14 mile road course not far from my house.

The conditions were abysmal. I’d hoped that the owners would use the winter to improve the track conditions. Sadly, that has not been the case.

To begin with, I have to say that I’ve ridden plenty of tracks in this country and I’ve yet to see another one with oncoming traffic. Cars and trucks speeding past, honking, skidding, giving me the finger – I can’t tell you what that does to your line selection.

What was once my favorite part of the track, a fast left-right-left chicane leading onto a long right hand high-speed sweeper, is now inexplicably home to a brand-new strip mall.

That’s just plain dangerous.

Adding insult to probable injury, track officials (without rider input, mind you) have determined that the increased traffic from the new Chuck E. Cheese necessitated a stoplight right at the end of the chicane. One red light and you can kiss pole position goodbye.

Is it any wonder they’re holding GP’s in Qatar?

There was a dead squirrel in Turn 13, an oil spill in Turn 27, a deer crossed in front of me in the middle of the 110-mph back straight, and right at the end of a flying lap, an old lady in a Subaru backed right out onto the track at Turn 47 where she lives with her husband who mows the lawn every Sunday and sprays grass clippings all over the racing line. The track is no place for those kinds of obscenities, Lady.

To make matters worse, there were no cornerworkers to be found and the only ambulance I saw arrived a full 15 minutes after I T-boned a back-marker minivan full of church-goers at the end of the front straight.

Wasted a brand new set of slicks, too, goddamn it.

Shalom Auslander
West Hurley, New York

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Kawasaki, Hayden Brothers Ready to Roll in Sonoma

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – Kawasaki has jumped to the top of the pack in the AMA’s Pro Honda Oils Supersport class in 2004, thanks in large part to two brothers from the small town of Owensboro, Ky.

Tommy Hayden has certainly been the catalyst, leading the points chase after the first two events of the season in Daytona and Fontana, while younger brother Roger sits in third place. The Haydens will certainly be the riders to watch in Pro Honda Oils Supersport when the AMA visits Infineon Raceway for the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Cycle Gear, April 30-May 2, featuring Sunday’s Supercuts Superbike Challenge.

“It’s great to race with Tommy but we’ve been racing together for as long as I can remember,” said Roger. “Things are going pretty good right now and I hope we can keep it up.”

Tommy began the season with a third-place finish at Daytona, and followed that up with a victory in Fontana on April 4, leading wire-to-wire on his Kawasaki. He’ll enter the Sonoma Valley on a definite high, having won the Repsol Superstock main event at Infineon Raceway in 2003. Tommy tested at the twisting 12-turn, 2.2-mile Sonoma Valley road course twice in the off-season and feels ready.

“They’ve made some changes with runoff at Turns 1 and 6 and they’re going to help,” Tommy said. “This should be a good track for Kawasaki.”

For Roger, it will be his first competitive event for Kawasaki at Infineon Raceway. He missed last year’s race weekend with a broken wrist. “Our tests went real good in Sonoma and I’m hoping to show that I can ride with everyone. We’ll see what happens,” Hayden said.

The Haydens are pulling double-duty this year, also competing in the Repsol Superstock Series. Tommy sits in fifth place after two events, with Roger occupying seventh place. The fast start to the season bodes well for both Tommy and Roger, whose brother Nicky Hayden is a former AMA Chevrolet Superbike champion and currently rides for Honda on the MotoGP circuit.

From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROARS INTO ITS SECOND CENTURY WITH ANOTHER RECORD QUARTER

Milwaukee, Wis., April 14, 2004 — Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HDI) today announced record revenue and earnings for its first quarter ended March 28, 2004. Revenue for the quarter was $1.17 billion compared with $1.11 billion in the year-ago quarter, a 4.7 percent increase. First quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) was 68 cents, an 11.5 percent increase compared with last year’s 61 cents.

“Harley-Davidson’s first quarter performance clearly demonstrates that the Company is on track to deliver both the short and long-term performance objectives which we established earlier this year,” said Jeffrey L. Bleustein, chairman and chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc.

“By almost any measure, we are off to a very strong start in 2004 continuing the momentum of our 100th Anniversary. We delivered solid financial performance this quarter, and our U.S. dealer network posted the highest first quarter retail sales for Harley-Davidson motorcycles in its history -13 percent ahead of last year. In addition, we achieved our first quarter motorcycle production target, setting the pace to reach our goal of 317,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles by year-end.”

“The Company’s continuing strong performance supports our longer-range objectives to satisfy demand for 400,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles in 2007 and to deliver an annual earnings growth rate in the mid-teens. Harley-Davidson’s Board of Directors demonstrated their confidence in our stated direction by approving the repurchase of 7.8 million shares of stock during the quarter,” said Bleustein.

Motorcycles and Related Products Segment

First quarter revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles was $919 million, an increase of 4.8 percent over the first quarter last year. Shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles totaled 74,090, up 3,482 units or 4.9 percent over last year.

First quarter revenue from Parts and Accessories (P&A), which consists of Genuine Motor Parts and Genuine Motor Accessories, totaled $169 million, a 5.8 percent increase over the year-ago quarter. When revenue from 100th Anniversary P&A products sold during the first quarter of 2003 is excluded, P&A revenue would have been up 15.9 percent. For the longer term, the Company expects P&A revenue to grow at a rate slightly faster than the motorcycle unit growth rate.

General Merchandise, which consists of MotorClothes® apparel and collectibles, had first quarter revenue of $54 million, down 3.7 percent over the same period last year. When revenue from 100th Anniversary General Merchandise products shipped in the first quarter of 2003 is excluded, General Merchandise revenue would have been up 12.7 percent. For the longer term, the Company expects General Merchandise to grow at a rate lower than the motorcycle unit growth rate.

First quarter gross margin for the Motorcycles and Related Products Segment was 37.8 percent of revenue compared to 36.2 percent in the first quarter of last year. First quarter gross margin was favorably impacted primarily by foreign currency exchange rates and to a lesser extent by operating efficiencies. Consistent with the higher gross margin, operating margin increased from 21.5 percent in 2003 to 22.9 percent in 2004.

Motorcycle Retail Sales Data

Harley-Davidson retail motorcycle sales for the quarter were up 11.6 percent worldwide driven by strong performance in the U.S. which was up 13.0 percent. Data is listed in the accompanying tables.

Financial Services Segment

Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. (HDFS), a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, Inc., reported operating income of $50 million, up $7 million compared to the year-ago quarter, or 16.0 percent. The subsidiary continued to experience strong customer acceptance of its finance and insurance products.

HDFS sold $625 million in retail motorcycle loans during the quarter and recorded a gain of $25.2 million. This compares with a gain of $26.4 million on $550 million of loans securitized during the first quarter of 2003. The gain as a percentage of loans sold is within management’s expectations of 3 to 4 percent in the current interest rate environment.

Annualized credit losses on a managed portfolio basis decreased during the quarter from 0.84 percent in 2003 to 0.77 percent in 2004.

For the longer term, the Company expects the HDFS operating income growth rate to be slightly higher than the Company’s motorcycle unit growth rate.

Cash Flow

Operations generated cash of more than $350 million during the quarter. The Company invested $31 million in capital expenditures, paid a dividend of $24 million and repurchased 7.8 million shares of its common stock for a total cost of $404 million.

Company Background

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel, and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport motorcycles. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs to Harley-Davidson dealers and customers.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Company intends that certain matters discussed in this release are “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement will include words such as the Company “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects” or “estimates” or words of similar meaning. Similarly, statements that describe future plans, objectives, outlooks, targets or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this release. Certain of such risks and uncertainties are described below. Shareholders, potential investors, and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this release are only made as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

The Company’s ability to meet the targets and expectations noted depends upon, among other factors, the Company’s ability to (i) continue to realize production efficiencies at its production facilities through the implementation of innovative manufacturing techniques and other means, (ii) successfully implement production capacity increases in its facilities, (iii) successfully introduce new products and services, (iv) avoid unexpected P&A /general merchandise supplier backorders, (v) sell all of the Harley-Davidson motorcycles it plans to produce, (vi) continue to develop the capacity of its distributor and dealer network, (vii) avoid unexpected changes in the regulatory environment for its products, (viii) successfully adjust to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, (ix) successfully adjust to interest rate fluctuations, and (x) successfully manage changes in the credit quality of HDFS’s loan portfolio.

In addition, the Company could experience delays in the operation of manufacturing facilities as a result of work stoppages, difficulty with suppliers, natural causes, terrorism or other factors. Risk factors are also disclosed in documents previously filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Favourable FPR factors thrown into the Misano mixer

Carl Fogarty and his Foggy PETRONAS Racing riders Troy Corser and Chris Walker are this weekend aiming to capitalise on a range of favourable factors in order to maintain the promise of the team’s early races in the Superbike World Championship.

The third round of the championship, the San Marino round, is staged at the Autodromo di Misano circuit, a few miles inland from the Adriatic coastal resort of Rimini. This event has previously been held in the heat of the Italian summer and the switch to a cooler time of year is expected to aid engine performance before a new stage of development is available for the FP1 at the fourth round next month.

The circuit characteristics, along with Troy’s record of two wins in 2000 and six seconds, plus two pole positions, are also likely to help the FPR team sustain a positive start to the season which has seen Chris make the podium in Valencia and Troy achieve a creditable fifth in Australia.

Carl said: “This is a circuit where Troy has been quite strong over the years, so I am hoping for a similar result to the first two rounds of this season. It’s a circuit that I struggled at for a while until my double win in 1999 and hopefully Chris can learn from Troy here. It would be great if we could stay around the top six at this round before we see improvements to the engine for the fourth round at Monza.

“A good lap here is all about carrying corner speed onto the back straight so the track should suit our bike more than some others. There are a few bends where you just have to hang in there for a while so achieving a good set-up on the bike, and finding a good tyre, will be very important. The fact that the San Marion round is being held earlier this year might also help us as we still have a few cooling problems and last year the heat was searing.”

Troy said: “I have always gone well at Misano and it might be fairly cold, and even a bit wet at this time of year, which should help our engine at its current stage of development. I was seventh and tenth last year so hopefully I can improve on those results. I was only 11 seconds off first place in the second race at Phillip Island, the closest we have ever been. It was also good to finish in front of Haga in Australia, a guy who has already won a race this year, and I will be hoping for similar consistency from the engine this weekend as in that race. The lap times have been fairly close on Pirellis so everyone might be trying that bit harder, which is why everybody has been caught out once or twice.”

Chris said: “I am looking forward to the weekend. It’s always a good, fun race meeting and the spectators will be back after a couple of the quieter rounds. I think the FP1 should work well at Misano as it is not the fastest track in the world and the run into the back straight is a gradual build up through four left-hand corners, rather than from the type of slow corner where we have been struggling.”

Circuit information: Misano, Italy

Best lap: Troy Bayliss, 1:33.525 (Superpole, 2002)
Lap record (race): Troy Bayliss 1:34.913 (2002)
Pole position: Left
Circuit length: 4.060km
Corners: 4 left, 4 right
Corner radius: 28m maximum, 74m minimum
Maximum slope: 1.5 per cent

Points (after 2 of 11 rounds)

Riders: 1 – Toseland 61; 2 – Chili 56; 3 – McCoy 55; 4 – Vermeulen 55; 5 Haga 43; 6 Borciani 43; 7 Walker (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 39; 8 Martin (DFX) 29; 12 – Corser (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 19

Manufacturers: 1 – Ducati 100; 2 – Honda 55; 3 – PETRONAS 42; 4 – Kawasaki 27; 5 – Suzuki 18; 6 – Yamaha 13.