From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA Pro Racing and Daytona International Speedway Officials to Meet

Pickerington, Ohio (April 12, 2004) — Officials from AMA Pro Racing and Daytona International Speedway are scheduled to meet this week to discuss AMA-sanctioned motorcycle racing at the race track. Issues related to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as the track’s upcoming renovation project are agenda items to be discussed during the meeting.

AMA Pro Racing Vice President, Director of Communications Kerry Graeber confirmed that Daytona remains an essential part of the championship. “There is so much history and importance surrounding Daytona,” says Graeber. “We’re looking forward to sitting down with Daytona’s leadership to map out the future of AMA motorcycle racing at the facility.”

Motorcycles have raced at Daytona International Speedway since 1961. The Daytona 200 by Arai is the cornerstone of motorcycle racing activities occurring each March. In addition to the AMA-sanctioned road races held at the facility, AMA Pro Racing sanctions a supercross race that’s part of the AMA Supercross Series as well as an AMA Flat Track Championship event at nearby Municipal Stadium. All of the races are held during Daytona’s “Bike Week” which draws thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the country. The 2004 event drew the largest crowds in recent years to view motorcycle racing at the facility.

Graeber stated that the major motorcycle manufacturers view Daytona as the premier event on the championship calendar. “Winning at Daytona is a tremendous accomplishment for any individual and, to a large extent, defines him as racer,” said Graeber. “Plus, when you consider the amount of effort put forth by the manufacturers in promoting their success at Daytona through advertising and marketing support, it’s obvious how important this single event is in everyone’s mind.”

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Racer Reuben Frankenfield and wife Brittany had a daughter, Mia Rose Frankenfield, April 10 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

From a press release issued by Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha:

GAULOISES FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM OPENS A NEW CHAPTER

After the re-introduction of four-stroke machinery to MotoGP racing in 2002 the public interest and levels of factory participation in the premier motorcycle racing class have grown to all-time record levels, a fact the recently restructured Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team and its riders Valentino Ross and Carlos Checa have played a solid part in achieving. On the eve of the 2004 World Championship season, which starts in South Africa on 18 April, a glittering array of talent lines up to do battle after an exhausting off-season of testing and machine development.

For the Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team, 2004 heralds a new stage in the development of Yamaha’s factory squad, after a series of encouraging winter tests. In pre-season 2003 the Team confined its testing operations to Europe, but so far in 2004 the squad has completed two tests in Malaysia, two in Australia and most recently two in Spain. This gruelling programme has given Yamaha newcomer Valentino Rossi, his team-mate Carlos Checa and the Yamaha engineers and crews ample opportunity to get to know the newest version of the Yamaha YZR-M1.

The newly-named Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team was officially unveiled to the world in an extravagant flurry of publicity, with a special display of the bikes, livery and riding skill prior to the recent IRTA tests in Barcelona. Rossi and Checa pulled wheelies and performed stoppies and burnouts for an appreciative crowd under the shadow of Montjuic Castle in Barcelona, during an event that was beamed worldwide on television.

The Factory Team’s intimate knowledge of the YZR-M1’s ever expanding capabilities, allied to the prowess of five times World Champion Rossi and proven top level race winner Checa has delivered some impressive results in pre-season and Rossi has topped the test time sheets in the two most recent Barcelona and Jerez IRTA sessions. The 25-year-old set the fastest lap of all in the special timed session at the Barcelona test, scooping his and Yamaha’s first prize of their new association – a BMW car. The IRTA tests are always a significant moment, taking place right before the race season begins. Virtually every team and rider attends, vying for that last fragment of psychological advantage to take into the first race of the season. The good performance of both Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha riders at these tests is a vindication of the development work carried out by Yamaha, under the supervision of Yamaha’s MotoGP Technical Director Masao Furusawa.

The arrival to the Yamaha Factory Team of Rossi, 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and double MotoGP World Champion, along with his experienced pit crew headed up by Jerry Burgess, has brought an added impetus to Yamaha’s MotoGP efforts, and the long-running development programme of the M1 has gone from strength to strength in the last few months. Checa, the 31-year-old Spaniard, is twice a race winner in the premier class and has also played a strong role in the team’s resurgence. He demonstrated his personal progress recently at the Jerez IRTA tests, where he took his M1 to fourth best time overall. The competition in MotoGP has never been stronger but the Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team is looking forward to a competitive season as it moves to Welkom for the betandwin.com Africa’s Grand Prix.

ROSSI RELISHES NEW 2004 CHALLENGE
Since signing for Yamaha, reigning World Champion Rossi has enjoyed some memorable moments, on track and off. Alongside Checa he was a guest at the recent Australian F1 round, where he found a myriad of fans on both sides of the pit wall. Rossi, as big a star in Japan as anywhere, was also the guest of Yamaha at a Tokyo press conference, when he was officially presented to the local media.

After the final, very wet, session at the recent Jerez IRTA tests the Italian said: “There’s not very much to say because of the bad weather, except that I’m pleased with the way the bike has gone in the wet. It is still not bad to ride and the tyres felt okay too. Anyway this is the end of the winter tests and I’m very happy with our progress.

“I completely feel I am a Yamaha rider now. In fact I felt this even by our second day together in Sepang in January! It’s great, we are working together to improve the bike and to get to the top together. Certainly every test so far has been really important for us because we started from the beginning with this bike and are all working to the same goal.

“When I spoke with Yamaha in the beginning I got a great feeling from them because they wanted me so much to come and join them to go for victory. My work with Honda was finished so now with Yamaha we are trying to make another dream, to make a fresh start and to come back to the top. This is so good for motivation and to keep that motivation at 100 per cent.”

When asked of his hopes for first race he stated: “It’s difficult to say, we hope to improve a bit from now, and to arrive at the first race ready to fight for the podium. That is our target, it might not be easy but we will try.”

CHECA LOOKING FOR RESURGENT FORM TO CONTINUE
It’s been a busy winter for Carlos Checa. Having put in sterling work at the Phillip Island test sessions Carlos also put in an appearance at the Yamaha World press test of the new R1 at the Eastern Creek circuit near Sydney, before coming back to Europe via California, where he dropped in to visit old friend and Yamaha legend Wayne Rainey.

Always a force to be reckoned with when all things are equal, Checa is enthused beyond measure at the prospect of the new season, and feels Welkom will be good to him.

“Welkom is a circuit I like quite a lot,” said the London resident. “It feels like we are going to our first race this year at just the right moment in our development. Anything can happen but for sure it’s going to be really tough this year because everyone is at such a high level. It’s really not easy to predict who could win the first race. The new rule change to have three guys per row on the starting grid will make things very tricky, but exciting.”

In relation to some previous seasons, Checa thinks he and his machinery are in perfect shape to challenge. “I feel completely different in my approach to the championship this year compared to last year. At the start of 2003 we had some problems with the bike and it did not evolve as much as I would have liked during the winter. I didn’t really feel ready to start racing at the Suzuka GP and it was the same at Welkom last year, when I had problems with rear grip and stability, and just could not break through the pack to fight with the top guys. By the time of Jerez we had made significantly good progress with the bike but unfortunately I had some unlucky problems with the engine in the race there.

“We have made great progress with the M1 since then and I really want to prove that at this first race, where the results will give us our reference point for the rest of the season. I am very excited, in fact I think maybe this is the most excited I have felt before a season in all my years with Yamaha. It’s going to be great.”

DAVIDE BRIVIO LOOKS FORWARD TO THE CHALLENGE AHEAD
“I’m happy to start racing finally!” said Davide Brivio, Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team Director, summing up the feelings of his motivated and determined team. “We’re all very curious to see how competitive we are going to be. It’s seemed like a longer winter than ever with all the testing and it will be great to go racing. It feels like an extra special moment because we are involved in this new challenge that Valentino chose to take on board with Yamaha. We are fully committed to giving him the necessary support, and to succeed with him in the challenge. It’s just the beginning of a two-year plan so we still have a lot of time to develop our bike and grow up further.”

Brivio is confident that his riders will be well able to handle the challenge of the first event of the year, but stops short of making predictions. “At the last two tests in Spain we had very strange and difficult weather conditions but even then our bike showed good potential, both with Valentino and Carlos, and with the other Yamaha riders. We aim of course to do our best, and I don’t want to make any specific results predictions now!” he stated.

“All I can say is that Yamaha has been very busy for many months redesigning many chassis parts and reviewing the engine. Valentino seems quite satisfied with the bike and that makes me relaxed, as it’s a good sign that our engineers have done a good job so far. We need to see how the bike copes at the last part of the race under race conditions.”

Brivio explained the team’s technical approach to Welkom. “Valentino has tested four different chassis and four different engine specs during the winter. He has selected a final race package that was also given to Carlos at the recent test in Barcelona and that combination seems to be the right one to use for Welkom. Carlos also had an important part to play in the bike’s winter development as he has worked a lot on the chassis. At the IRTA tests we saw that he can be up there in the top positions. We hope to see both him and Valentino in the top group from Welkom onwards. We are motivated, excited, and ready to race!”

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
The Phakisa circuit, a stand-alone facility near Welkom in the South African gold fields, is a flat and frequently dusty track, ringed by a speed bowl designed for CART-style car racing. Not used as a venue for pre-season testing, it always throws up some peculiarities come race weekend and has a consistent reputation of featuring a slippery surface due to the dusty environment.

More than most tracks, the key to a quick lap time at Welkom is good machine balance, with a harmonious relationship of chassis and engine, allied to a keen tyre choice for the prevailing conditions. Always bumpy, the low change in gradient over the lap distance of 4.242 kilometres is a factor in suspension set-up. The front and rear suspension needs enough pliability to handle the staccato bumps at full lean, but enough firmness during acceleration to keep the rear tyre in contact with the tarmac at all times, thus preventing understeer on the exit.

Softer springing and damping rates are generally the starting point for the Phakisa set-up, moving progressively firmer as the lap times drop and the work done by the suspension becomes more demanding.

The most significant factor affecting the performance of the engine is the relatively high altitude in that part of South Africa. The thinner air robs any engine of outright power, due to the decreased density of the incoming fuel/air mixture and thus the lower energy yield of each combustion cycle. With all MotoGP machines producing comfortably over 200bhp at present, this may be less of a factor across the board than it may at first appear. Fast work in qualifying, and reference to data from previous seasons, will nonetheless be required to make the necessary fuelling adjustments to the M1 in preparation for raceday.

VALENTINO ROSSI: INFORMATION
Age: 25
Lives: London, UK
Bike: Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team YZR-M1
GP victories: 59 (20 X MotoGP, 13 X 500cc, 14 X 250cc, 12 X 125cc)
First GP victory: Czech Republic, 1996 (125cc)
First GP: Malaysia, 1996 (125cc)
GP starts: 124 (32 x MotoGP, 32 x 500cc, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc)
Pole positions: 30
Welkom 2003 results (Honda):
Grid: 2nd, Race: 2nd

CARLOS CHECA: INFORMATION
Age: 31
Lives: London, UK
Bike: Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team YZR-M1
GP victories: 2 (500cc)
First GP victory: Catalunya, 1996 (500cc)
First GP: Europe, 1993 (125cc)
GP starts: 152 (32 x MotoGP, 92 x 500cc, 27 x 250cc, 1 x 125cc)
Pole positions: 2 (1 x MotoGP, 1 x 500cc)
First pole: Spain, 1998 (500cc)
Welkom 2003 results (Yamaha):
Grid: 7th, Race: 9th


Welkom MotoGP lap record
Valentino Rossi (Honda) 1:33.851 2003

Circuit best lap
Sete Gibernau (Honda) 1:33.174 2003


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

Camel Honda fires up engines as world championship gets underway in Welkom, South Africa

It’s upon us: on 18 April in South Africa the spotlights will be trained on what looks all set to be one of the most spectacular seasons of recent years – certainly one of the most long-awaited. The winter tests raised expectations for a truly hard fought season in which the outcome is by no means a foregone conclusion. The two Team Camel Honda riders, Max Biaggi and Makoto Tamada, were at any rate constantly among the fastest whenever they had time to set up their RC211Vs properly. So both are setting off for Welkom with one imperative: to make the very best of the four practice sessions and find the settings best suited to the African circuit. Since it was built in 1999, the “Phakisa” has acquired a reputation as a circuit with dirty and rippled tarmac. Last year the problem was reduced by repaving, but the fact that few races are held here means the inconvenience of having almost no rubbering in – and thus very little grip – comes round every year. Another characteristic of the Phakisa is the altitude, as the rarefied air reduces the power of the engines by as much as 15%: a challenge within the challenge that the Team Camel Honda technicians and riders are ready to take up.

Max Biaggi #3: (Michelin tyres)

“As for South Africa, I can say that I quite like the track: it’s got a nice layout and it’s pleasant to ride. The weather’s normally good… though I do feel like making a gesture to ward off ill-fate when I say that. What’s sure is that 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 – and this is going to be even tougher, with the new three-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.”

Makoto Tamada #6: (Bridgestone tyres)

“I can’t wait to be in Welkom when the first green light of the season goes on. 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 discontinuous. The cold weather didn’t let our simulate the GP in conditions like what I think we’ll be finding 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 and competitions, 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 variable. So there may be a few surprises – but I’d like to be the biggest of all: going fast during the four hours of practice and getting out in front in the race.”

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. WERA West and WSMC racers John-Mark Arechiga and Britt Bohannan (who also races USGPRU) married on March 26th in San Diego, California. Five-time AMA Pro 250cc Grand Prix Champion Rich Oliver married Karin Kelsey on March 27 in Auberry, California.

Copyright 2004, carolinabreeze.com, reposted with permission:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

What Does it Take to Earn Respect from the Public?

By Papa Thiam

Based on motorcycle racing fans’ behavior, multiple championships and dozens of wins are not the answer. Australian-born AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin has been ruling what is arguably the most prestigious national motorcycle road racing championship with an iron fist since 1999.

His reign was only interrupted during 2002 by phenom racer Nicky Hayden, who went on in 2003 to compete in the MotoGP world championship for the best team in the paddock. Hardly someone one would be embarrassed to lose to. Yet Mladin has managed to gather an impressive crowd of haters in the United States, a following that any WWF bad guy would be proud to claim as his own. Listening to the “fans”, it appears that one main factor is responsible for this sentiment: His attitude.

With the corporatization of motor racing, competitors have become talking billboards any time their helmets are off. This has conditioned the fans to a point where they expect to hear nothing but positive comments about everything at all times. Race fans demand a smile and gratitude they feel entitled to by virtue of turning their television set on. And when they are not satisfied, they threaten to boycott whatever products the offending racer is promoting through his sponsorship. Many racers conform to what the public expects from them, especially in disciplines with extensive media coverage such as NASCAR. And then there are people like Mladin.

Like all great champions, Mladin is extremely focused on his job and works as hard as anyone to stay on top of the game. And of course, he demands as much of others as he does of himself. This has led part of the public to categorize any complaint he voices as “whining.” This becomes even more blatant when similar comments are made by Mladin and by popular American racers such as Kenny Roberts Jr. When others complain about having an inferior machine, they are “merely stating facts.” When Mladin says the same thing, he is “whining.”

Even when his complaints are directed at serious safety items that the AMA fails to adequately address, things that other racers think but are too afraid express, Mladin’s detractors find reasons to criticize him. Fortunately, he has yet to behave like a corporate puppet and remains dedicated to and focused on his task regardless of how this affects his public image. And as a result, he has become the most successful AMA superbike competitor ever.

Racing fans have also been known to complain about Mladin’s accessibility during race weekends. Because some racers are able to smile at all times and willingly pose for pictures or sign autographs between practice sessions, the fans demand the same accessibility to everyone. After all, they paid for a ticket to the event so they are entitled to anything they please, right? Wrong. A ticket buys you a seat for the race and a walk through the paddock.

How would you feel if someone walked into your office during a transaction and asked you to smile for a picture? Just because some are nice enough to do it every time does not mean Mladin has to. People will argue that this is part of what Suzuki pays him for. I am willing to bet that so long as he can deliver championships and Daytona 200 wins, and stays away from drugs, fist fights and other career-limiting habits, he does not have to worry about smiling. Suzuki is paying him to win and so far, he has delivered.

Another favorite complaint about Mladin is his lack of involvement in a world championship series. For every fan who marvels at Mladin’s achievements in AMA superbike racing, there is one person who quickly points out that “if he was so good he would be racing in the World Championship.” What many American fans seem unaware of is that Mladin briefly raced a Cagiva in the 500 GP World Championship long before he won on Superbikes in the U.S..

He was offered that ride very early in his career and was not as successful as he might have been later. And the machine was no Honda. Regardless, none of the critics who have been complaining that Mladin stays in the AMA to avoid a real challenge have been able to produce an example of a good MotoGP offer that Mladin turned down.

The reality is that his success has come at an age when racers do not typically get World Championship offers. Leasing a competitive machine for World Championship racing requires a budget in the millions of dollars. Team managers, manufacturers and sponsors must use more criteria than just speed to ensure a return on their investment.

One of those criteria is the potential for a career long enough to maximize that return. At age 30, a rookie GP racer likely offers a potentially shorter lifespan at the top than a 25-year-old of similar skills. Other factors such as nationality also play a role. A Spanish sponsor may prefer a Spanish rider to promote their products. A motorcycle manufacturer may feel that the size of the American market dictates the choice of an American racer over an Australian. At the end of the day, major-league racing is still a business.

So, is Mat Mladin perfect? Not by any means. But anyone with a minimum of objectivity should recognize that he clearly is untouchable by all but the very best (e.g. Nicky Hayden) and deserves the respect that goes with the kind of racing résumé he has built for himself. What he lacks in the promotion and marketing departments, he more than makes up for on the racetrack. And the latter is what racing history books will be made of.

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Suzuki’s Mladin Looks for Repeat at Infineon Raceway

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – Mat Mladin is off to a perfect start in the chase for the 2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship, and he hopes to continue his hot streak at Infineon Raceway, April 30-May 2, during the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Cycle Gear.

Mladin, who rides for Yoshimura Suzuki, opened the season with a victory at the prestigious Daytona 200 and followed that with a doubleheader sweep at California Speedway in Fontana, April 3-4. But things could change when he visits the Sonoma Valley, the first true road course on the 2004 AMA schedule.

“I enjoy the Infineon Raceway layout, simply because it’s a technical circuit,” said Mladin, a native of Australia. “They’ve obviously made some changes there (increased runoff at Turns 1 and 6), and the new paving has made the race track a little smoother and a little safer. The track is certainly in better shape than it was 12 months ago.”

And so is Mladin. He won an AMA-record fourth Superbike championship in 2003, and he became the top winner in Superbike history with his victories in Fontana, giving him 27 for his career. Moreover, he enters the doubleheader weekend in Sonoma with a ton of confidence, having swept both main events there in 2003, leading 53 out of a possible 56 laps. Overall, he has three Superbike wins at Infineon Raceway, the other coming in 1999.

“You really couldn’t ask for a better start to the season, but you’ve got to put it in perspective and realize you’re here to win the championship,” Mladin said. “And to win that fifth championship would be very important for me.”

Mladin will be tested in Sonoma by four-time Infineon Raceway Superbike winner Miguel Duhamel (Honda), as well as Ducati’s Eric Bostrom, who placed second behind Mladin in Fontana and is a native of nearby Petaluma in the North Bay.

###



WHAT: Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Cycle Gear.

WHEN: April 30-May 2.

SCHEDULE: Friday, April 30 – Practice and qualifying. Saturday, May 1 – Pro Honda Oils Supersport qualifying at 1 p.m.; AMA Superbike main event (28 laps), 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 2 – Pro Honda Oils Supersport main event (17 laps), 1 p.m.; Supercuts Superbike Challenge (28 laps), 2 p.m. In addition, there will be racing in two other divisions, as well as Supermoto, a blend of on- and- off-road racing, on both Saturday and
Sunday.

ADVANCE COST: $10 Friday, $30 Saturday and $30 Sunday. $55 for a weekend pass. Children 12 and under are free. Parking is free.

TICKETS: 800-870-RACE, www.infineonraceway.com or www.ticketmaster.com

From a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

MonsterMob Ducati British Superbike and Supersport Championship Team

12th April, 2004
British Superbike Championship
Round 2
Brands Hatch, Kent
11/12 April

EMMETT WINS AT BRANDS

Amidst what looked at one point to be a disaster, MonsterMob Ducati riders Sean Emmett and Michael Laverty salvaged a pair of creditable results in front of a massive Bank Holiday crowd at Brands Hatch today.

British Superbike star Emmett overcame a first race crash to bounce back with his first win of the 2004 campaign in race two whilst Laverty had to battle through from a row five start to claim sixth place in the British Supersport race to move into second place in the series.

Superbike race one saw 34 year old Emmett crash out at the start of lap two at Paddock Hill bend whilst well placed after a front end slide but the pole position setter defied the pain barrier of a suspected broken finger to claim an emotional start to finish victory at his local track in the day’s second outing.

As a result, the Londoner moved into fourth in the series after four of the scheduled twenty-six races aboard the Silkolene, VK Vodka Kick and Cetelem (UK) supported Ducati 999 F04.

“I don’t think I have ever been so disappointed to win a race. I’m relieved and really happy for the team because it’s the least they deserve but I am just desperately disappointed. I had visions of doing the double here after being so strong all weekend but that’s racing though. It’s a win and it’s what the team needs and it shows the Ducati is still a very strong package and if I can win injured like that, just watch out when I’m feeling fit! Its Snetterton next which is another one of my favourite circuits and I’ve done the double there. Everyone has their share of bad luck and hopefully I’ve now had mine. I’ll just keep my head down and hopefully I can peg the points back from here” said Emmett.

22 year old team mate, Michael Laverty looked as if a good result was not on the cards but a spirited performance from the Ulsterman netted him some more important points.

The Toomebridge rider struggled with grip aboard the Ducati 749 Supersport bike amidst an incident packed race which saw the safety car out for three laps mid race.

“That was a race of survival for me. I couldn’t get the grip down and I was just spinning everywhere. I can’t believe I’ve salvaged sixth place as I was only riding at 80%” said Laverty.

Team boss, Paul Bird was happy with the end results: “Sean did a sterling job in the second race and showed his true character. It’s nice to be back on the top step as I was beginning to forget what it was like. It will be a long battle though. Michael also did a good job as we took a bit of a gamble with the tyres and he struggled for grip. I’m happy that he’s got second position in the championship as we haven’t got him going yet and hopefully we will see some improvements over the next few meetings.”

Superbike Race One Results
1, John Reynolds (Suzuki) 24:28.876
2, Michael Rutter (Honda) -1.852 second
3, Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) -3.234
4, Scott Smart (Kawasaki) -4.421
5, Gary Mason (Yamaha) -18.325
6, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) -22.387
7, Sam Corke (Suzuki) -24.737
8, Jon Kirkham (Suzuki) -27.624
9, Tommy Hill Yamaha) -29.722
10, Kieran Clarke (Yamaha) -29.797

Superbike Race Two Results
1, Sean Emmett (MonsterMob Ducati) 23:26.496
2, Michael Rutter (Honda) -0.159 second
3, John Reynolds (Suzuki) -7.069
4, Scott Smart (Kawasaki) -11.212
5, Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) -12.418
6, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) -12.789
7, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) -17.197
8, Dean Thomas (Ducati) -25.069
9, Gary Mason (Yamaha) -27.202
10, Tommy Hill (Yamaha) -31.133

Supersport Race Result
1, Jay Vincent (Honda) 23:19.965
2, Luke Quigley (Suzuki) -1.530 seconds
3, Simon Andrews (Yamaha) -1.686
4, Pere Riba (Kawasaki) -4.692
5, Tom Tunstall (Honda) -4.802
6, Michael Laverty (MonsterMob Ducati) -5.508
7, Kieran Murphy (Honda) -6.719
8, Lee Jackson (Honda) -8.678
9, Jamie Robinson (Yamaha) -8.702
10, Shane Norval (Honda) -8.870

Superbike Championship Standings (after Round 2)
1, John Reynolds (Suzuki) 82 pts
2, Michael Rutter (Honda) 81 pts
3, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 60 pts
4, Sean Emmett (MonsterMob Ducati) 49 pts
5, Scott Smart (Kawasaki) 47 pts
6, Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) 40 pts
7, Gary Mason (Yamaha) 27 pts
7, Dean Thomas (Ducati) 27 pts
9, Tommy Hill (Yamaha) 26 pts
10, Steve Plater (Yamaha) 19 pts

Supersport Championship Standings (after Round 2)
1, Jay Vincent (Honda) 33 pts
2, Michael Laverty (MonsterMob Ducati) 26 pts
2, Pere Riba (Kawasaki) 26 pts
4, Karl Harris (Honda) 25 pts
4, Luke Quigley (Suzuki) 25 pts
6, Craig Jones (Triumph) 20 pts
7, Kieran Murphy (Honda) 19 pts
8, Simon Andrews (Yamaha) 16 pts
9, Tom Tunstall (Honda) 14 pts
10, Leon Camier (Honda) 11 pts



More, from a press release issued by MSS Discovery Kawasaki Team:

British Supersport/National Superstock Championships
Round two
Brands Hatch
Monday, April 12, 2004

RIBA FOURTH TO TAKE SECOND PLACE IN POINTS STANDINGS FOR MSS DISCOVERY

Determined Spaniard Pere Riba took fourth place aboard his MSS Discovery Kawasaki in Monday’s second round of the British Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch, Kent.

And fourth place in a crash-ridden race was enough for the experienced and consistent Riba to move into second place in the points standings for the 13-round Championship.

“I’m happy to take fourth but what a crazy race,” said Riba. “I have never witnessed so many crashes. And it’s the first time I’ve been on the track with a safety car! It was really, really mad but I think the luck was with me today.”

Riba added: “With the stage we’re at with developing the ZX-6RR I’m happy to finish fourth again and I know that very soon we will find the extra half a second a lap which we need to start qualifying on the front row regularly and challenging for race wins.”

Riba’s team-mate Rob Frost suffered an eventful race after holding third place in the early stages. Frost tangled with Danny Beaumont in their battle for third and the two ran off the track. Frost returned and was in 20th place when he crashed out, escaping injury, four laps later.

“I couldn’t do anything about the first incident, Beaumont just took my front wheel from me,” explained Frost. “Then I got hit by another rider at Clearways and that was my race over.”

Frost continued: “I’m gutted for the team. The effort that goes in is incredible and we need to get a race finish and hopefully that will come in the next round at Snetterton.”

Luckless Steve Allan was a first lap crasher in the second round of the National Superstock Championship. The lanky Scotsman escaped serious injury but was disappointed not to have added to his opening round third place finish.

“I’d actually be a little happier if I could explain what happened,” said Allan. “The rear tyre let go, a classic Clearways, first lap high-side. I wasn¹t even trying that hard and I knew what I could expect from today so I really did feel in control.

“Then the rear just broke away and, before I knew what was happening, I was over the bars. I’ve got a bit of a sore back but I’ll be OK.”

British Supersport Championship, round two result (28 laps ­ 34.16 miles):
1 Jay Vincent, Honda, 23:19.965
2 Luke Quigley, Suzuki, 23:21.495
3 Simon Andrews, Yamaha, 23:21.651
4 Pere Riba, Kawasaki, 23:24.657
5 Tom Tunstall, Honda, 23:24.767
6 Michael Laverty, Ducati, 23:25.473
7 Kieran Murphy, Honda, 23:26.684
8 Lee Jackson, Honda, 23:28.643
9 Jamie Robinson, Yamaha, 23:28.667
10 Shane Norval, Honda, 23:28.835

Championship points after two of 13 rounds: 1 Vincent 33, 2 Riba and Laverty 26, 4 Karl Harris, Honda and Quigley 25, 6 Craig Jones, Triumph 20, 7 Murphy 19, 8 Andrews 16, 9 Tunstall 14, 10 Leon Camier, Honda 11.

National Superstock Championship, round two result (26 laps ­ 31.72 miles):
1 Andy Tinsley, Suzuki, 21:29.891
2 Danny Beaumont, Yamaha, 21:31.093
3 Tristan Palmer, Suzuki, 21:32.325
4 Ben Wilson, Suzuki, 21:33.698
5 Darren Mitchell, Suzuki, 21:40.049
6 Mark Heckles, Yamaha, 21:42.794
7 Les Shand, Yamaha, 21:42.795
8 Kelvin Reilly, Ducati, 21:43.245
9 John Crockford, Suzuki, 21:56.580
10 Craig Fitzpatrick, Suzuki, 21:56.747

Championship points after two of 13 rounds: 1 Tinsley 45, 2 Wilson 38, 3 Palmer and Beaumont 29, 5 Shand 20, 6 Steve Allan, Kawasaki and Heckles 16, 8 Reilly 15, 9 Fitzpatrick 14, 10 Mitchell 11.



More, from a press release issued by Scott Smart Racing:

FACTORY KAWASAKI British Superbike racer Scott Smart scored a brace of brilliant fourth places at Brands Hatch today and managed to get within four points of fourth place in the championship, despite having a minor coming together with Suzuki’s Yukio Kagayama in the early part of race two.

The York-based 27-year-old, who is campaigning Kawasaki’s new ZX-10R, managed to qualify in sixth place yesterday which stood him in good stead for the two legs today and was just behind team-mate Glen Richards.

“I got off the line really well in race one,” said Smart. “Trouble was, I got blocked through Paddock and then had to get good drive up to Druids. I went very hot into there (sorry Dean), got it all sideways and stood everyone up. Anyway, we got down to a reasonable pace and Glen, Sean (Emmett) and I were making progress. All three of us were taking different lines out of Paddock and it happened that Glen and Sean had a coming together, but I managed to keep out of the way as Sean lobbed it and took Glen with him. Thankfully, they were both OK, even though Glen was looking a bit battered and bruised.

“The safety car came out, we all bunched up again and, going into Graham Hill bend, I managed to outbrake Yukio, but he got better drive and was back in front by the time we got to Surtees. Then my tyre began to go away from me and I realised we were really missing a bit of steam coming out of Clearways, so stuck at it, defended my lines and got it home in fourth.”

Race two saw a similar start from Scott and he was up to third in the first couple of laps. “I was away with the front runners, snatched third and then managed to do Yukio into Graham Hill again. We were side by side into Surtees and I turned in to find him already there, we touched and both went onto the grass. This allowed a couple more guys to get in front of both of us, including John Reynolds. Fortunately, we came back onto a relatively clear track and I managed to re-pass Kiyo. I just wasn’t close enough to chase down JR for third. I’m really happy with the weekend. I’ve never been a big fan of Brands, even though it’s my home track. We have still got a lot of work to do with the motor and suspension before we get to the next round at Snetterton.

“Snet is a big horsepower track. Both Glen and I will struggle with the long straights, but, as we both showed today, we can more than make up the steam deficit with good braking and corner speed.”

Championship standings after round two:
1. J Reynolds Suzuki 82pts
2. M Rutter Honda 81pts
3. R Kiyonari Honda 60pts
4. S Emmett Ducati 49pts
5. S Smart Kawasaki 46pts


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

REYNOLDS RACES TO BSB SERIES LEAD!

Team Rizla Suzuki’s John Reynolds scored his fourth podium of the year at today’s second British Superbike Championship round at Brands Hatch, Kent to inch ahead of Michael Rutter in the series.
JR raced his Suzuki GSX-R1000 to victory in the opening race and followed up with third in the second, while team mate Yukio Kagayama took a podium third place and then backed that up with a fifth in the second – his best performance in his comeback from injury.

In the first race, JR led from start to finish in domineering style. Yuki was a close second until he encountered back markers on the 23rd of 30 laps and was demoted to third; a place he held until the finish line.

In the second, back markers again played their part with JR being held up towards the end. He fought his way from ninth at the end of the first lap to run with the leaders. Then on lap 24, he was caught behind a slower rider, letting the leaders escape and allowing Ducati’s Sean Emmett to take the spoils. Yuki had led early in the race, but after tangling with Kawasaki’s Scott Smart and going off track, he was happy with fifth place at the finish.

After entering the second round as co-leader of the series with Michael Rutter, JR is now one-point ahead of the Honda rider who took two second place finishes.

* Crescent Suzuki-supported Jon Kirkham took a win and second place in the British Superbike Cup and leads that Championship after two rounds.

* Luke Quigley, racing the Knotts Buildbase Suzuki, achieved the new, 2004 GSX-R600’s first podium finish in the British Supersport series with a fighting second place.

John Reynolds:

“A first and third place finish matches our results from Silverstone and these are good solid points in the bag. It would have been nice to have competed for the win in the second race but a back-marker got in the way, which is always a hazard at the short Indy circuit.

“Overall though, we proved that the Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 is going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2004. The next round at Snetterton favours horsepower and we will go there confident of getting good results.”

Yukio Kagayama:

“Today’s results for me are very nice. In race one I make many mistakes and choose wrong lines through corners but still finish on the podium. In the second race I am much lucky after running onto the grass and still finishing fifth.

“I will return to Japan tomorrow to see my new daughter Nana and my family. I am happy with my results; these are maybe topside of my expectations for the early season and give me much hope. I think the next circuits are my favourites and suit the Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 and soon I pray I can win.”

Gary Keogh, Brand Manager for Rizla:

“JR put on a superb show today and is clearly targeting the title this year. It is telling that he is disappointed at finishing third in the second race; this team is used to winning. We are ahead of our 2003 position and well and truly leading the Championship race. Last year JR was injured and missing races, but this year he’s leading the points table after two rounds.

“Yuki performed above our expectations by getting a podium and fifth place finish on a track he’s never raced on before. The next two tracks are Yuki’s favourites and as his fitness continues to improve we will see him challenging more and more for the podium and dicing with John for the victories.”

The next round of the British Superbike Championship is at Snetterton in Norfolk on April 25th; a traditionally-strong circuit for the Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 which can make the most of its prodigious horsepower along the fast 190mph Revit Straight.

Race One Results: 1: JOHN REYNOLDS (RIZLA SUZUKI) 24:28.876, 2: Michael Rutter (Honda) +1.852, 3: YUKIO KAGAYAMA (RIZLA SUZUKI) +3.234, 4: Scott Smart (Kawasaki) +4.421, 5: Gary Mason (Yamaha) +18.325, 6: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +22.387, 7: Sam Corke (Suzuki) +24.737, 8: Jon Kirkham (Suzuki) +27.624, 9: Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +29.722, 10: Kieran Clarke (Yamaha) +29.797.

Race Two Results: 1: Sean Emmett (Ducati) 23:26.496, 2: Rutter +0.159, 3: JOHN REYNOLDS (RIZLA SUZUKI) +7.069, 4: Smart +11.212, 5: YUKIO KAGAYAMA (RIZLA SUZUKI) +12.418, 6: Kiyonari +12.789, 7: Glen Richards (Kawasaki) +17.197, 8: Dean Thomas (Ducati) +25.069, 9: Mason +27.202, 10: Hill +31.133.

BSB Championship Standings (after 2 of 13 rounds): 1: JOHN REYNOLDS (RIZLA SUZUKI) 82, 2: Rutter 81, 3: Kiyonari 60, 4: Emmett 49, 5: Smart 47, 6: YUKIO KAGAYAMA (RIZLA SUZUKI) 40, 7: Mason 27, 8: Thomas 27, 9: Hill 26, 10: Steve Plater (Yamaha) 19.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Benelli has announced its new “TNT,” an inline triple naked sports bike based largely on the Tornado Tre, which was raced briefly in World Superbike.

While it shares the same basic chassis with its brother (tubular steel trellis frame and swingarm connected by cast aluminum swingarm pivot plates, 55.8-inch wheelbase), the TNT gets more displacement than the 898cc Tornado Tre via a longer stroke, reportedly for more torque.

With a bore and stroke of 88x62mm (a 12.8mm longer stroke than the Tre), the TNT displaces 1130cc. Add a compression ratio of 11.5:1 (versus 11.0:1 for the Tre) and you have a claimed 140 horsepower “at the shaft” at 9500 rpm and 84 lbs.-ft. of torque at 6750 rpm.

Or as it states on Benelli’s website: “In terms of power and torque values, the bike has more than enough and once you have learnt how to tame its exuberance, the TNT will reward you with acceleration speeds that take your breath away and performances worthy of a motoGP.”

The bike also features chain-driven double overhead cams, electronic fuel-injection, an engine counter balancer, a wet clutch, a six-speed transmission, 50mm inverted Marzocchi forks, 320mm front brake rotors, Brembo four-piston front brake calipers, a two-way adjustable Extreme Technology shock, under-seat exhaust system, an exposed die-cast aluminum subframe, a dual-headlight arrangement with a total of six light bulbs, side-mounted radiators, wide 17-inch wheels and a claimed dry weight of 437.8 pounds.

Benelli did not announce pricing and does not list a U.S. importer on its website.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

World Endurance
Assen, Netherlands
4/12/04
Final Race Results:

1. Suzuki-Castrol Team, FRA, Suz GSX-R1000 (Vincent Philippe, FRA/Olivier Four, FRA/Matthieu Lagrive, FRA);

2. Yamaha – GMT 94, FRA, Yam YZF-R1 (William Costes, FRA/Sébastien Gimbert, FRA/David Checa, SPA), -28 seconds;

3. Endurance Moto 38, FRA, Yam YZF-R1 (Gwen Giabbani, FRA/Frederic Jond, FRA/Stephane Duterne, FRA), -3 laps;

4. WRT-Honda Austria, AUT, Hon CBR1000RR (Erwin Wilding, AUT/Karl Truchsess, AUT);

5.Bridgestone Bikers Profi 1, GER, Suz GSX-R1000 (Tim Röthig, GER/Ralf Schwickerath, GER);

6. JET Team, SUI, Suz GSX-R1000 (Claude-Alain Jaggi, SUI/Eric Monot, FRA/Sylvain Waldmeier, SUI);

7. Diablo 666 Bolliger, GBR, Kaw ZX-10R (James Hutchins, GBR/Nick Pilborough, GBR/Mike Edwards, GBR);

8. Team Spring, ITA, Duc 999R (Lorenzo Mauri, ITA/Matteo Colombo, ITA/Ivo Bellezza, ITA);

9. Team Innodrom Racing, GER, Suz GSX-R1000
(Sandor Bitter, HUN/Frank Spenner, GER/Niggi Schmassmann, SUI);

10. No Limits Team, ITA, Suz GSX-R1000 (Roberto Ruozi, ITA/Andrea Giachino, ITA/Moreno Codeluppi, ITA);

11. Burger King Lust Racing Team, GER, Suz GSX-R1000 (Peter Meyer, GER/Stefan Meyer, GER/Matthias Bormann, GER);

12. Yamaha Endurance België, BEL, Yam YZF-R1 (Danny Scheers, BEL/Koen Reymenants, BEL);

13. Benelli X-One, ITA, Benelli Tornado (Andrea Perselli, ITA/Paolo Tessari, ITA/Maurizio Bargiacchi, ITA);

14. Pajic – Kawasaki, NED, Kaw ZX-10R (Mile Pajic, NED/Arno Visscher, NED);

15. Kawasaki Endurance Deutschland, GER, Kaw ZX-10R (Stefan Sebrich, GER/Andreas Hahn, GER/Thomas Roth, GER);

16. Maco Moto Racing, SVK, Yam YZF-R1 (Martin Kuzma, SVK/Renzo Mazzoli, ITA/Jiri Drazdak, CZE);

17. Road Race Promotion, NED, Suz GSX-R1000 (Eddy Peeters, BEL/Hans Westra, BEL/Patrick De La Ruelle, BEL);

18. Team Polytech, NED, Apr RSV1000 (Jan Blok, NED/Peter Politiek, NED/Stefan Slootjes, NED);

19. Herman Verboven Racing 2, BEL, Suz GSX-R1000 (Leroy Verboven, BEL/Tom Van Looy, BEL);

20. Hummel & DLH Racing Team, GER, Suz GSX-R1000 (Stefan Merkens, GER/Uwe Reisse, GER/Livio Kägi, SUI);

21. Reich Endurance Team, GER, Suz GSX-R1000 (Joachim Hantschmann, GER/Heinz Scheidt, GER);

22. TRAC Racing Team, NED, Suz GSX-R1000 (Bertus Folkertsma, NED/Léon Tijssen, NED);

23. Shell Endurance Academy, GBR, Yam YZF-R1 (Henry Fincher, GBR/Marko Rothlaan, EST/Alek Buseki, POL);

24. RVC Racing Team, BEL, Apr RSV1000 (Dan Huylebroeck, BEL/Giovanni Christiaens, BEL);

25. Yamaha Phase One Endurance, GBR, Yam YZF-R1 (Sébastien Scarnato, FRA/Dean Ellison, GBR/Stéphane Mertens, BEL);

26. Fabi Corse, ITA, Suz GSX-R1000 (Fabio Capriotti, ITA/Patrizio Fabi, ITA/Andrea Clerici, ITA);

DNF. Bridgestone Bikers Profi 2, GER, Suz GSX-R1000 (Stefan Strauch, GER/Thomas Czyborra, GER);

DNF. Bolliger Team Switzerland, SUI, Kaw ZX-10R (Marcel Kellenberger, SUI/Laurent Brian, FRA/David Morillon, FRA);

DNF. Yamaha Austria Racing Team, AUT, Yam YZF-R1 (Horst Saiger, AUT/Thomas Hinterreiter, AUT/Igor Jerman, SLO), mechanical;

DNF. Herman Verboven Racing 1, BEL, Suz GSX-R1000 (Barry Veneman, NED/Hoen Vleugels, BEL);

DNF. Team 76 – Motorrad Klein, AUT, Yam YZF-R1 (Gerhard Klein, AUT/Eric Raunegger, AUT);

DNF. Polizei NRW, GER, Suz GSX-R1000 (Wolfgang Stamm, GER/Eric Van Loock, GER);

DNF. Fagersjo-el.se Team, SWE, Suz GSX-R1000 (Tobias Andersson, SWE/Niklas Carlberg, SWE/Jan Greven, NED), crash.


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

SUZUKI WINS WORLD ENDURANCE OPENER!

Team Suzuki Castrol lead the World Endurance Championship after a sensational victory at the season opener in Assen, Holland.
French team riders Vincent Philippe, Olivier Four and Matthieu Lagrive, racing the new GSX-R1000, clinched the 129 lap, 500km race by just 28 seconds from the Yamaha GMT94 squad after a long battle which saw many lead switches and the lap record beaten by almost two seconds.

Yamaha Endurance Moto 38 took third place, finishing three laps behind the leading pair, and the WRT Honda Austria Fireblade finished in fourth place.

Suzuki Bridgestone Bikers Profi were fifth and Suzuki Jet Team rounded off he top six six.

Said Vincent Phillipe: “This race was very difficult for us because it’s a very physical circuit and to fight with Yamaha GMT94 is always hard. The Suzuki is easy to make fast and Dunlop did a good job for us. I am very happy to win here and it’s a good start to the championship.”