From a press release issued by Learning Curves:

THE LEARNING CURVES OF RIVERSIDE MOTORSPORT TECHNOLOGY PARK



Announcing the planned development of a motorsports technology park proposed to be constructed in an Industrial area of Riverside County only minutes away from beautiful downtown Riverside, in Southern California. This facility will have the ability to accommodate many different types of road going, street and non street specialty equipment. The Learning Curves is a new concept in motorsports that will bring driver and rider education, recreational track use and club level motorsports to a modern and safe facility that is located within a major urban market area. This facility will provide a base for educational, recreational, enthusiast, and commercial motorsport activities that will serve the needs of a large car driver and motorcycle rider user group market in Southern California. Driver and rider training schools will be a primary focus.

This facility is located Within 1 mile of the
Interstate 215/91/60 freeway interchange and is on approx. 30 acres of industrial land directly across the street from the historic ADAMS KART TRACK. The multi – use road course will offer four basic configurations each useable in clockwise and counter clockwise direction. ½ to 1 mile in lengths and 32 feet in width the courses will simulate rural country and mountain road style driving and riding conditions that will offer an exhilarating, challenging and safe environment that is perfect for training, testing and tuning without the hazards and legal restrictions of public roads and highways.

The LEARNING CURVES RIVERSIDE will be supported by high quality “Park” style features designed to accommodate the needs of families, clubs, schools, manufacturers, film, magazine, corporate and private interests. Amenities will include viewing and display areas, paddock and classroom facilities as well as fuel, tire, and vendor services. This facility will also be able to accommodate social, musical, sales type events and technical/informational demonstrations and exhibitions. Other activities such as car and bike shows, swap meets, fairs and competitions, club challenges and fund raising activities will all be possible.

The LEARNING CURVES RIVERSIDE is privately owned and operated by local native Riverside real estate developers/contractors, Trinidad and Chayo ‘Zack’ Rios and Michael Peters. The Rios family along with close friend and expert licensed road racer Michael Peters have recognized the need for a road course facility to accommodate a diverse and fast growing consumer motorsports market. The location of the facility is within a community already rich in motorsport history, Riverside is easy driving distance from most of Southern California. Top quality hotels, food, shopping, and motorsport equipment dealers and service centers already exist and are close by.

Well Known motor circuit designer Mr. Alan Wilson Is the course architect and well understands the tremendous need for this facility. We at the Learning Curves are focused on developing a facility that will be a valuable economic asset to its surrounding community, while being a safe and affordable venue for the masses to use and enjoy. The stepping stone to the super speedway is about to be paved! Please help support our project by logging on to our web site!

LEARN TO DRIVE – LEARN TO RIDE – IN RIVERSIDE!

Info: Michael Peters (909) 684 – 6416 Email:
[email protected] www.learningcurvesriverside.com

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

LRRS racer Dan Martin and wife Barbara had a son, Shane Bentley Martin, April 1st in Dover, New Hampshire.

CCS Southwest racer Dave Yeski and wife Dee had a son, Ryan David Yeski, April 7th, in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

From a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

MonsterMob Ducati British Superbike and Supersport Championship Team

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

EMMETT STORMS TO POLE AT BRANDS

MonsterMob Ducati rider Sean Emmett dominated each of the qualifying sessions at the second round of the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch today to secure his first pole position of the season.

Emmett set the fastest ever lap of the Kent Indy circuit with a time of 45.811 seconds early on in the final qualifying session and despite a late onslaught from his main title rivals, could not be bettered.

As a result, the 34 year old Londoner was pleased to be back on top at his local circuit aboard the Ducati 999 F04.

“It’s the first time we’ve been fastest every time out and we’ve been on the pace since the first session. We’ve just been testing tyres really and my fastest time on a race tyre would have put me on pole anyway. Its great news and I’m feeling very confident for the race, I just want good weather for the tyres tomorrow as I know we can consistently lap in the 46s. I’m relaxed and enjoying it” said a delighted Emmett.

Team mate Michael Laverty claimed 17th fastest time aboard the Ducati 749 in the Supersport class after struggling throughout qualifying with his machine set up and will start tomorrow’s race from the fifth row on the grid.

“I’m struggling with the set up at the moment. I’m doing the same times on qualifiers as race tyres so its messed up my grid position. Hopefully I can make a good start in the race tomorrow and then I know I will be OK” said Laverty.

Team boss Paul Bird was pleased with qualifying.
“That’s an excellent start to the weekend. We knew that Brands Hatch would be a strong track for us so we need to take it with both hands and make sure we get two good results tomorrow. As soon as I saw Sean on Friday I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was up for it this weekend. Everyone’s pulled out all the stops, including Dunlop with the tyres.”

Superbike Qualifying
1, Sean Emmett (MonsterMob Ducati) 45.811
2, John Reynolds (Suzuki) 46.142
3, Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) 46.208
4, Michael Rutter (Honda) 46.248
5, Dean Thomas (Ducati) 46.348
6, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) 46.375
7, Scott Smart (Kawasaki) 46.517
8, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 46.691
9, Stuart Easton (Ducati) 46.740
10, Jon Kirkham (Suzuki) 46.820

Supersport Qualifying
1, Jay Vincent (Honda) 47.313
2, Karl Harris (Honda) 47.587
3, Danny Beaumont (Yamaha) 47.640
4, Simon Andrews (Yamaha) 47.655
5, Craig Jones (Triumph) 47.672
6, Leon Camier (Honda) 47.711
7, Luke Quigley (Suzuki) 47.803
8, Jonathan Rea (Honda) 47.817
9, Adrian Coates (Suzuki) 47.831
10, Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 47.909
17, Michael Laverty (MonsterMob Ducati) 48.090



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

British Supersport/National Superstock Championships
Round two
Brands Hatch

Sunday April 11 2004

FROST AND RIBA READY FOR BRANDS HATCH BATTLE

The MSS Discovery ZX-6RR Kawasakis of Rob Frost and Pere Riba took 11th and 12th places respectively on the grid for round two of the British Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch, Kent on Sunday.

Frost’s 11th place left the Lincolnshire man in confident mood for Monday’s 28-lap race aboard the MSS Discovery team machine, he said: “We’ve got a brilliant setting for the race with the ZX-6RR. I just chose the wrong rear compound tyre to try and get a faster qualifying lap.

“The track temperature was a bit low for the rear tyre I chose. I would have been better putting a race tyre in. Starting from the third row is not a problem. It’s a 28-lap race so if I’m 28th on the first lap there¹s only one rider to pass per lap!”

Riba was disappointed with 12th place, completing the third row of the grid, but the methodical Spaniard remains hopeful of success aboard his Kawasaki and in his first race on the 1.22-mile Brands Hatch Indy circuit.

“Tomorrow’s will be a long race around this short circuit but I’m able to put in a good, consistent pace on the race tyre and race setting,” Riba explained. “When I tried hard with a softer compound rear tyre in qualifying it upset the machine’s handling.

“It was cold and the grip from the rear made the front tyre push outwards, especially around the fast, Clearways right-hander. We’re still trying to fully match the tyres to the suspension but we are now very close to the ideal base setting I¹m looking for.”

Luckless Steve Allan will start round two of the National Superstock Championship from 10th place after his final qualifying session was cut short.

Allan explained: “Today was very frustrating. I’ve struggled all weekend but in that last qualifying session I went out on old tyres to test the suspension changes we¹d made and the ZX-10R felt fantastic.

“Then, with about 13 minutes to go, someone crashed at the first corner and I think they ran out of time to finish our session–that was it, chequered flag. I was certain of being up there and was confident enough to have even taken pole position.”

Allan starts the 26-lap race from the third row of the grid after missing out on giving the MSS Discovery ZX-10R a second successive pole position.

British Supersport Championship final qualifying times:
1 Jay Vincent, Honda, 47.313s
2 Karl Harris, Honda, 47.587s
3 Danny Beaumont, Yamaha, 47.640s
4 Simon Andrews, Yamaha, 47.655s
5 Craig Jones, Triumph, 47.672s
6 Leon Camier, Honda, 47.711s
7 Luke Quigley, Suzuki, 47.803s
8 Jonathan Rea, Honda, 47.817s
9 Adrian Coates, Suzuki, 47.831s
10 Cal Crutchlow, Honda, 47.909s
11 Rob Frost, Kawasaki, 47.937s
12 Pere Riba, Kawasaki, 47.942s

National Superstock Championship final qualifying positions – no times, alternate positions taken from each qualifying group:

1 Ben Wilson, Suzuki
2 Danny Beaumont, Yamaha
3 Paul Young, Honda
4 Andy Tinsley, Suzuki
5 Tristan Palmer, Suzuki
6 Mark Heckles, Yamaha
7 David Johnson, Yamaha
8 Darren Mitchell, Suzuki
9 Les Shand, Yamaha
10 Steve Allan, Kawasaki


More, from a press release issued by Hawk Kawasaki:

SECOND ROW START FOR HAWKS AT BRANDS

Hawk Kawasaki riders Glen Richards and Scott Smart will start tomorrow’s two 30-lap BSB races at Brands Hatch, Kent, from the second row of the grid. Richards looked sure to take his first front row start aboard the new ZX-10R, after lying fourth for most of the second qualifying session, until a low speed crash at Graham Hill bend, minutes before the end of the session, robbed the Aussie of his planned final charge.

“I went down on my first flying lap on a new tyre and the tyre would still have been shiny on the left hand side,” explained the Aussie. “My out-lap was really slow because there were people everywhere, so I didn’t get the tyre as scrubbed as I could have. I think we’ve got a good set-up for the race tomorrow though. I’ve just got to keep my fingers crossed and make sure I stay on – four crashes in two meetings is not a good record.”

His team mate Smart was also impressive throughout the day’s two qualifying sessions, running as high as third in the first outing and posting consistent 47s laps in the second, but he struggled to find the same level of feel in the afternoon. “I found it harder this afternoon than I did this morning, but I don’t really know why,” he said. “I think I’m riding the bike ok, but at the moment I don’t quite know where to look for that extra 0.3 a lap. This morning definitely felt better than this afternoon, whether it’s a difference in track temperatures I’m not sure, but the bike felt more aggressive.”

Despite Richards fall, Hawk Team Principal Stuart Hicken was pleased to have made more positive steps with the team’s new ZX-10Rs in the dry conditions. “We made big progress with both bikes today,” he said. “Scott’s running the new Motec system, which he’s working on, and we’ve also been concentrating on Glen’s chassis set-up and that’s proved to be good. We’re learning a lot about the bike because the weather’s been drier. Glen’s run 28 laps on the race tyre that we’re looking at for tomorrow and we’ve proved that we can do good laps with it. He slipped off, but when you’re doing 46s consistently that can happen, but you’ve got to happy with sixth and second on the grid, which a major improvement on Silverstone, plus the boys are getting better feel from the bikes and we’ve got a reasonable chassis set-up to work with now.”

BSB Combined Qualifying Times
1) Sean Emmett, Ducati, 45.811. 2) John Reynolds, Suzuki, 46.142. 3) Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, 46.208. 4) Michael Rutter, Honda, 46.248. 5) Dean Thomas, Ducati, 46.348. 6) Glen Richards, Hawk Kawasaki, 46.375. 7) Scott Smart, Hawk Kawasaki, 46.517. 8) Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 46.691. 9) Stuart Easton, Ducati, 46.740. 10) Jon Kirkham, Suzuki (P), 46.820. 11) Gary Mason, Yamaha, 46.837. 12) Sam Corke, Suzuki (P), 47.013. 13) Steve Plater, Yamaha, 47.209. 14) Kieran Clarke, Yamaha, 47.321. 15) Tommy Hill, Yamaha, 47.355.


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

RIZLA SUZUKIS D0MINATE BSB FRONT ROW

Team Suzuki Press Office. April 11 2004.
Rizla Suzuki dominated qualifying for the second round of the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch, with John Reynolds and Yukio Kagayama qualifying in second and third place on the grid for tomorrow’s Bank Holiday Monday races.

On a dry track in bright sunshine, JR and Yuki worked on the set-up of their Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 race bikes and left it until the dying moments of qualifying to go for outright lap times. Both riders finished qualification happy to be on the front row and with ideas of how to go even faster tomorrow. Ducati’s Sean Emmett took pole position at his home circuit.

Top privateer in the Superbike Cup was Crescent supported Jon Kirkham on a GSX-R1000 in 10th place overall.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Bruce Wilkins

Alton, VA — Easter Sunday saw a second day of rising young gun Nicky Cummings recording convincing wins and building momentum early in his 2004 road racing season. Adding two wins today to his two wins on Saturday, Cummings and his CBR600RR Honda capped a remarkable early-season weekend in the CCS Southeast/Mid-Atlantic event at VIRginia International Raceway.

Cummings, of Mt. Morris, Michigan, started 21st in the Expert Middleweight Superbike race, yet by the end of the first lap had already worked his way up to fifth. By the second lap he was within a few bikelengths of race leader Trey Younce of Charleston, South Carolina. On the fourth lap, Cummings passed Younce going down the front stretch and held on to a solid lead for the remainder of the race. Cummings’ fastest lap of the race was a 1:31.7.

Younce, on a YZF-R6 Yamaha, finished second, but noticed rapidly-deteriorating transmission problems when he came into the paddock. That ended his day and the possibility of a repeat of the day before when Cummings and Younce battled virtually the entire afternoon.

Finishing third in the Expert Middleweight Superbike race was Greg Ludt, a U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant from the Cherry Point Marine Air Station, in his first-ever podium finish as an Expert. Former professional skateboarding star Ned “Peanut” Brown finished fourth. Both Ludt and Brown piloted YZF-R6 Yamahas.

In the Expert Speedscreen Unlimited GP race, Cummings again started from far back on the grid. Despite racing against several riders on 1000cc and 750cc bikes, Cummings took only a couple of laps to pull up close to race leader Matt Elliott on a GSX-R1000 Suzuki.

During the intense see-saw battle, Cummings dominated on the technical side of the course on the 600, while Elliott would regain the lead on the front stretch with the 1000. On the final lap, as the two bikes headed side-by-side into Turn 1, they swapped paint hard and Cummings went into the grass. He remained upright, managed to quickly return to the track, and finished only several seconds behind Elliott. Shannon Huffman came in third on a GSX-R750 Suzuki.

While Elliott apologized to Cummings in the post-race interview over the track public address system, there apparently was no apology needed as Cummings good-naturedly took the incident as just “some hard-racing” and let it go at that. “It was a battle for the lead…that’s all, and I just went off in the grass… things like that happen,” Cummings said. “I think we were just both having a good time out there.”

While Cummings had close racing with Younce in the Middleweight Superbike race and Elliott in the Speedscreen Unlimited GP race, the Expert Middleweight SuperSport race was a different matter entirely. Cummings took very little time to work his way not only to the front, but to distance himself away from the field, taking the checkered flag while the rest of the podium finishers where still in the Hogpen turn before the beginning of the front stretch.

Jason Moss of Greensboro, North Carolina finished second on a YZF-R600 Yamaha, while Ludt earned his second podium finish of the day on his Yamaha.

Tom Cummings, father of Nicky Cummings and former holder of a National Number in AMA dirt track, was satisfied with the weekend. “I think he’s got up to speed, where we were last year, so we’re happy,” Cummings said. Keeping his son’s bike fast and together was mechanic Robert Zerbisias. The team will return to VIR for both the WERA Cycle Jam in May and the Formula USA event in June, the elder Cummings said.

In other races, Dan Burnette won the Amateur Middleweight Superbike race on a Suzuki, Tommy Eckefeldt won the Expert SuperTwins race on a Ducati; and William Baragona won the Amateur SuperTwins event on a Suzuki.

Joe Ribeiro won the Expert Heavyweight Superbike race on a Suzuki. Burnette recorded his second and third wins of the day in the Amateur Heavyweight Superbike and the Amateur Speedscreen Umlimited GP races.

Darren Danilowicz won the Expert Lightweight Grand Prix event on a SV650 Suzuki with Michael Santelia finishing second on a RS125 Honda. Meanwhile, Nicholas Colley won the Amateur Lightweight Grand Prix race on a Yamaha, with Niels Grove finishing second on a Suzuki.

The Amateur Middleweight SuperSport event was won by Kenny Rodriguez on a Honda; Danilowicz collected his second victory of the day in the Expert Lightweight Superbike race; and Baragona won the Amateur Lightweight Superbike race.

Reet Das won the 125 Grand Prix event on a Honda with Steve Scott finishing second on a Yamaha. Don Poetzsch won the Expert Ultra Light Superbike event on a MZ, while James Hillis won the Amateur Ultra Light Superbike class on an Aprilia.



More, from a press release issued by OMS Sports:

Nick Cummings Takes Four At Virginia International Raceway

Defending Formula USA Grand National Champion rebounds from a slow start at Daytona to dominate CCS expert race action at VIR – winning four classes on one bike, the Honda CBR600RR

ALTON, Va., (April 12, 2004) – Teenage flyer Nick Cummings (Mt. Morris, Mich.) survived a gnarly get off at Virginia International Raceway this past weekend to capture race wins in four separate CCS expert classes (GTO, Middleweight GP, Middleweight Supersport and Middleweight Superbike) – all on one bike, the versatile Honda CBR600RR.

“This year I was more focused, that’s for sure,” said Cummings, who raced twice at VIR last year without getting on the box. “And we tried a bunch of new things on the bike and we seemed to come up with a pretty good combination. I really just needed the seat time and it turned out to become great racing.”

Coming from behind in two of his races, Cummings did suffer a fairly spectacular accident as well. “Yeah, I went down, did a bunch of flips and my hand ended up being pretty swollen all weekend,” said Cummings. “But I had it X-rayed today and nothing’s broken. The doctor said I probably just pulled a muscle, so I’ll for sure be ready to go at the next Formula USA race at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisc. (April 23-25).”

In his last Formula USA race at Daytona, Cummings scored two top 15 finishes in the superbike class (13th) and sportbike class (12th). He’s amped to be racing Road America, a track that’s he’s only raced on one other occasion.

“I raced 125s at Road America a while ago,” said Cummings. “All I can remember was that it was raining, I was leading, then I crashed. So I’m definitely looking forward to putting the Honda CBR600RR up on the box there. The track’s got great flow, so we’ll see how the weekend pans out. But I plan on putting some respectable times up the first day we’re there.”

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

World Endurance
Assen, Netherlands
4/11/04
Final Qualifying Results:

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

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

3.Yamaha – GMT 94, FRA, Yam YZF-R1 (William Costes, FRA/Sébastien Gimbert, FRA/David Checa, SPA):

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

5. Herman Verboven Racing 2, BEL, Suz GSX-R1000 (Barry Veneman, NED/Hoen Vleugels, BEL);

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

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

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

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

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

From a press release issued by Keith Code of California Superbike School:

Will Eikenberry smoked all comers at The Streets of Willow Springs CCS event today, repeating his 5-for-5 performance from the WSMC races held on the Willow Springs big course two weeks ago.

Eikenberry, who held the previous lap record at The Streets, retained the distinction of being the fastest man around the newly re-configured circuit, setting a new official motorcycle lap record of 1:18.7 on his Dunlop-shod, California Superbike School-sponsored, stock-engined 636cc Kawasaki ZX-6R.

Eikenberry is chief mechanic for the California Superbike School, preparing and maintaining the school’s fleet of Kawasakis.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

After reading your post 4/7/2004 AMA Pro Road Racing Participation Declining and reading some of the various opinions on message boards and websites, it is abundantly clear that racing has taken a significant step backwards in the United States. It is my opinion that everyone is to blame, but AMA Pro Racing and the manufacturers should take the brunt of the responsibility.

The AMA has failed the racing community in three areas. The first of which is that the AMA has ignored the real-world challenges of the privateer racer. It also has failed to promote a class that is undeniably a “Pro” class. The fundamental cause of the previous two points in my opinion is the lack of any consistent integrity when dealing with manufacturers. The AMA has not been able to successfully sanction and encourage promoters in a manner that creates product value. Because of this, AMA Pro Racing is nothing less than a courtesan to preferred manufacturers. It can only be reasoned that AMA Pro Racing has taken this position in lieu of the current class structure. Supporting this statement is the fact that a privateer has no choice but to compete in a class that has no less than 6-10 full and/or semi factory riders. This points to the idea that rather than have the manufacturers (factory teams) compete in one or two “Pro” classes, it appears each manufacturer picked one or two of the four classes to compete in that gave them the easiest chance to win. This would be laughable was it not for the fact it is damaging the viablity of this sport in the United States. Again, the situation with the manufacturers would not even play out, if AMA Pro Racing provided one ounce of product value and direction.

The factory riders need to take the blame also. Although the Pro (paid by a factory) riders that have consistently whined about privateers, WHEN HAVE THEY ONCE APPROACHED THE AMA to create a privateer class or classes? They haven’t. Did they forget what it was like to be a privateer? The factory riders have additionally failed to do anything to promote their own and privateer safety. It must be true that we would all sell our soul to be a factory rider, because many (not all) seem to forget where they came from. I have a great admiration for the talents of Aaron Yates, but I wonder if he ever once sat down to think about the solution to his alleged problem with backmarker at Daytona?

The privateer rider is also to blame. We have continued to support a series that doesn’t provide value to us. I am as guilty as any as I will participate in an AMA National this year, and my desire to race only overrides my common sense. It can be said that it is much harder to influence change from the outside, but there is no legitimate audience to hear the privateer on the inside.

Lastly, we need to look at the manufacturers. I would ask them, “Is the spirit of competition gone? Is it that difficult to compete on a level playing field? Are you so desperate to win, that you would drive our racing in this country down the toilet?” I encourage the manufacturers to spend less money per team and support “satellite” networks that would be able to pursue outside sponsorship. Outside sponsorship will be the key to making racing in this country something more than a hobby for the financially able.

It is my final opinion that the AMA really blew it this year. Last year was arguably the best class structure and rules that I have seen. The 750 (Superstock) class was a true privateer class with only one or two factory teams. This afforded a non-factory rider a great avenue to show their skills. The structure of the Superbike/Formula Xtreme/Superstock allowed privateer riders to enter more classes and get the valuable track time required to get a safe and competitive set-up together. It also allowed a privateer more revenue opportunities. Lastly (and most important), the current Superbike class structure (over the last two years) allowed privateers to build affordable competitive machines that a good rider could beat a factory rider with. (Is this why the factories bailed out of this class?)

AMA Pro Racing is broken. The treatment that should have cured the illness but failed (Take Back The AMA platform) only emphasizes the cancer that is deeply rooted in the organization. Sometimes the most humane way to treat a lame animal is to shoot it. I don’t know if we are at that point yet.

Marcus McBain
Houston, Texas

From a press release issued by MSS Discovery Kawasaki Team:

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

CHAMPIONSHIP CHASE MOVES TO BRANDS HATCH FOR MSS DISCOVERY SQUAD

British Championship action resumes for the MSS Discovery Kawasaki team on Monday with round two of the Supersport and Superstock encounters at Brands Hatch, Kent.

Fourth place for Pere Riba in the opening Supersport round at Silverstone two weeks ago has left the Spaniard and his ZX-6RR team in buoyant mood.

“With the first race out of the way and some points scored I’m so pleased to be able to say I’m really happy with the team and the new machine,” reports Riba.

The former World Championship race winner adds: “This will be my first time on the short circuit at Brands Hatch which will be fun and we’re heading there with an improved chassis setting and improved tyres.”

Riba’s fellow ZX-6RR rider in the MSS Discovery team, Rob Frost, will be looking to secure championship points as he bids to make amends for a first round crash.

“The Silverstone round was far from perfect for me,” recalls Frost. “I never really felt like we had a good machine setting all weekend so it’s time to put that right at Brands Hatch.

“I know from Pere’s performance at Silverstone and from my experience now with the machine what kind of result is expected of me and I’ll definitely be looking for a top three finish on Monday.”

MSS Discovery’s Superstock ace Steve Allan is looking to improve on his third place in the championship after an opening round podium finish, preceded by pole position on the all-new ZX-10R Kawasaki.

Allan reckons: “The Brands Hatch Indy circuit is good for me, I qualified in third place there last year. We know the ZX-10R is very good and since Silverstone we’ve improved the suspension ­ we were running too soft in the first round.

“We’ve also got the full race specification exhaust system so there should be a little more power too. Silverstone was a dream start and I’d like to improve on that with a first win for the ZX-10R at Brands Hatch.”

Team owners Stuart Simmonds and Nick Morgan are confident their Kawasaki stars can compete for victories in Monday’s races.

Morgan comments: “We came away from Silverstone quite happy really. We had a mad rush to get ready for the first round but to grab the results we did has provided a solid starting point in both the Supersport and Superstock championships.”


British Supersport Championship points after one of 13 rounds: 1 Karl Harris, Honda 25, 2 Craig Jones, Triumph 20, 3 Michael Laverty, Ducati 16, 4 Pere Riba, Kawasaki 13, 5 Leon Camier, Honda 11, 6 Kieran Murphy, Honda 10, 7 Cal Crutchlow, Honda 9, 8 Jay Vincent, Honda 8, 9 Adrian Coates, Suzuki 7, 10 Tom Sykes, Suzuki 6.

National Superstock Championship points after one of 13 rounds: 1 Ben Wilson, Suzuki 25, 2 Andy Tinsley, Suzuki 20, 3 Steve Allan, Kawasaki 16, 4 Tristan Palmer, Suzuki 13, 5 Les Shand, Yamaha 11, 6 Jamie Morley, Suzuki 10, 7 Danny Beaumont, Yamaha 9, 8 Craig Fitzpatrick, Suzuki 8, 9 Kevin Reilly, Ducati 7, 10 Mark Heckles, Yamaha 6.

2004 British Supersport/National Superstock championship calendars
March 28 Silverstone, Northants.
April 12 Brands Hatch, Kent
April 25 Snetterton, Norfolk
May 3 Oulton Park, Cheshire
May 23 Mondello Park, Ireland*
June 6 Thruxton, Hants.
June 20 Brands Hatch, Kent
July 4 Knockhill, Fife
July 18 Mallory Park, Leics**
August 15 Croft, North Yorks
August 30 Cadwell Park, Lincs.
September 12 Oulton Park, Cheshire
September 19 Donington Park, Derbys.
*No Superstock round
** Two Superstock races

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Jason Pridmore crashed and was injured during practice at a CCS Regional event on the Streets of Willow course at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California early Saturday afternoon.

Pridmore suffered a Grade 3+ AC joint separation of his right shoulder as well as a suspected broken foot.

Pridmore highsided his GSX-R1000 in what is known as the bowl turn, a banked 180-degree right-hander taken in third gear.

After being attended to by paramedics, Pridmore was loaded into a car and driven by a friend to well-known orthopedic surgeon Art Ting’s Fremont, California clinic, about 300 miles from Willow Springs.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Bruce Wilkins

Alton, VA — Nicky Cummings, the 17-year-old who won the now-discountinued, combined dirt-track/road-race F-USA Championship in 2003, won two races and finished a close second in a third race Saturday at VIRginia International Raceway. The sprints were part of the CCS Southeast/Mid-Atlantic regional event held on VIR’s North Course.

In two of the races, Cummings and his Honda 2003 CBR600RR had race-long, seesaw battles with Trey Younce and his YZF-R6 Yamaha. Cummings took the Expert GTO win from Yonce, while Younce won a close victory over Cummings in the Acropovic GTU race. The Expert GTO race ended under a red flag with a couple of laps remaining, with Cummings in front when the red flag officially fell.

Cummings then ended his day with an ultra-smooth, eight-second win in the Expert Middleweight Grand Prix event over Randy Rega, who was piloting a Yamaha. Jesse Janisch finished third on a Yamaha.

“Racing with Trey today is definitely one of the most fun things I’ve ever done on a road race bike,” commented Cummings. “To be able to go back and forth and not worry about what the other guy is going to do…that’s awesome. Trey’s definitely a smooth rider and I give him props on how he rides and I think we both had a really good time out there.”

With a racing number of 619, Cummings is more than just a young racer who looks up to MotoGP star Nicky Hayden. In fact, Cummings communicates with Hayden on a regular basis, with the former AMA Superbike Champion offering tips and refinement skills to bolster the young gun’s emerging career.

Cummings’ father, former dirt tracker Tom Cummings, and Earl Hayden are friends. In fact, Nicky Hayden’s first AMA Grand National dirt track win occurred on a bike owned by the elder Cummings and fielded by his TCR team. Both generations of the Haydens and the Cummings are friends and young Nicky Cummings used to spend time on the Hayden farm, riding with Nicky, Tommy, and Roger Lee when he was younger.

“Nicky has taught me a lot, but I think what has been the most important and what has really changed things for me on asphalt is to let the bike flow underneath me,” Cummings said. “Talking with Nicky a lot over the winter, this lesson has been drilled in. I know I still have a whole lot to learn, but this was very, very important.”

The connection to the Haydens can even be seen on the back of Cummings’ leathers. Sewn in bright letters is “Earl’s Racing Team.”

In other CCS races, Dan Burnette won the Amateur GTO event; Joe Ribeiro won the Expert Formula 40 race; and Jeff Flatt won the Amateur Formula 40 event. Joey Thomas won the Expert Lightweight F40 race; Darren Danilowicz won in the Expert Middleweight class; and William Baragona won the Amateur GT Lights race.