From a press release issued by American Suzuki:

Suzuki Announces U.S. Team to Contest First-Ever Suzuki Worldwide GSX-R Cup Final America

BREA, Calif. – American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) announces the U.S. team that will campaign the 2004 Suzuki Worldwide GSX-R Cup Final to be held at Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA, on Oct. 15-17. The event will be run in conjunction with the WERA GNF and Suzuki Cup Finals.

The Cup Final features 30 of the best privateer Suzuki riders from 14 different countries battling against each other aboard identically prepared Suzuki GSX-R750 motorcycles on Dunlop tires. Riders earn their way to the event by participating in either match races or a series of events held in each country. The third annual 2004 Cup Final marks the first time this event has been held in the United States. The two previous events were held in Magny-Cours, France.

“American Suzuki is honored to be hosting such a prestigious event,” said ASMC Vice President of the Motorcycle/ATV Division Mel Harris. “We are looking forward to putting on a great show for the fans and the international competitors.”

The U.S. team comprises: Jake Holden, Puyallup, WA, who races for Lion Racing Suzuki; Brian Stokes, of Kingston, GA, who is the top privateer in Formula-USA; and Robert Jenson, Chaffee, ND, who won the challenge race at Mid-Ohio.

ASMC will pay contingency money for the event, split between two legs:

1$3,000
2$2,000
3$1,000
4$800
5$700
6$600
7$500
8$400
9$300
10$200


U.S. Team members also receive a Suzuki support package for 2005 consisting of the use of a Suzuki GSX-R750 for the season and a parts budget. Thus far, the best U.S. finishes in this event for the Suzuki team have been third and fifth place in 2002 by Jason DiSalvo and John Dugan, respectively.

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

SUZUKI AIM FOR OULTON ONE-TWO

Rizla Suzuki’s John Reynolds and Yukio Kagayama are looking for a repeat one-two performance when the Think! British Superbike Championship returns to Oulton Park in Cheshire this weekend for the penultimate round of the 2004 series.

Kagayama and Reynolds dominated the previous event there in May and Reynolds, who is leading the Championship by 33-points from his nearest rival Michael Rutter, will use experience gained from this event year to maintain or extend his series lead.

Yukio comes off the back of an emotional victory at Cadwell Park and is now only six points behind third place in the Championship standings. He has won the last three BSB races at Oulton Park in convincing style and is the man everyone else must beat. He has the potential to play a pivotal role in the racing this weekend, and, as well as going for personal glory, he is ready to assist his team mate and Rizla Suzuki in whatever way he can to secure overall title honours.

Oulton Park is a `racers’ track with plenty of elevation changes, fast-flowing turns and overtaking opportunities peppering its 2.362-mile length. Superbike racing starts at 1:15pm on Sunday, September 12th. The final round of the Championship takes place at Donington Park one week later on Sunday, September 19th.

John Reynolds:

“It’s boiling down to a two-round dash for the Championship. Looking at it coolly and professionally, I have a few advantages that I am now going to concentrate on to give myself the best chance of taking the title.

“I am leading the series by 33 points, which gives me a decent margin on my rivals and allows me to manage the position if needed. Oulton is a strong track for Rizla Suzuki and Donington is my home circuit, so I am optimistic about our ability to get results. It’s going to be a tough fortnight, but for the fans watching, it should be a rare treat of some of the best racing ever seen in BSB!”

Yukio Kagayama:

“Oulton Park is a very good circuit for me. I win many times and last time I had epic battle with John-san to take victory in both races. I want to win races again but have many thoughts.

“Rizla Suzuki is a good team and does not give me orders, but I want us to win the Championship with John-san, so I will do my best to help. My priority now is to take as many points away from Rizla Suzuki rivals as possible and to take third overall.”

From a press release issued by the FIM:

INTERMOT – Munich
FIM presence at the 4th International Trade Fair for Motorcycles and Scooters

The fourth edition of INTERMOT, the International Trade Fair for Motorcycles and Scooters, will take place in Munich (Germany) from 15 to 19 September next. This year, the Fair coincides with the Centenary of the FIM. Thus the FIM will be present on a stand together with its German affiliated Federation DMSB, for the celebration of this anniversary. On the stand (459, hall B5) will be displayed a series of vintage motorcycles, showing the evolution of this vehicle throughout the 100 years since the FIM foundation back in 1904, in contrast with the latest models of the motorcycle industry for the year 2005, shown during this exhibition, one of the largest in the world, expecting more than 180.000 visitors during the five days open to the public. The FIM Vice-President Jean-Pierre Mougin and the FIM Chief Executive Officer will attend the official opening of the Fair on Wednesday 15 September.

From a press release issued by Vmoto:

Entry is still open for Vmoto’s, Reno Historic Road Races.

September 10, Mountain View CA. The Vintage Motorcycle Racing Association (Vmoto) will stage the second round of the Bell Micorproducts Vmoto Vintage Challenge at the new Reno-Fernely Raceway in Fernely, Nevada on September 18th and 19th. Entry for the event is still open with no post entry or late entry fees. Participants can enter via the web at http://www.vintagemoto.com, call the Vmoto office at 650-903-4882 or at the track when registration opens at 3:00 on Friday the 17th.

All American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) road race bikes are eligible for this event. Participants must have a current competition license.

This event is being run in conjunction with the Historic Motor Sports Association (HMSA) vintage automobile races at Reno-Fernely. HMSA is the sanctioning body for the famed Monterey Historic Races. As a result, participants can enjoy both vintage motorcycles and vintage race cars together at the same event.

The Bell Microproducts Vmoto Vintage Challenge is a series of 4 races for pre 1974 vintage motorcycles on the west coast. The season kicked off at the Portland Historic races on July 8-9, continues with the Reno event Sept 18-19, followed by Thunderhill Oct. 16-17 and finishing up at Laguna Seca Nov. 22-23. The winner of the series will win a free entry to all Vmoto events for the 2005 season.

For more information on Vmoto go to:
www.vintagemoto.com
650-903-4882

For more information on Reno-Fernley Raceway go to: www.reno-fernleyraceway.com

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Former full-time MotoGP riders Tohru Ukawa and Olivier Jacques are entered as wild cards in next weekend’s Grand Prix of Japan at Motegi Twin-Ring, according to the FIM.

Dorna is reporting that HRC official test rider and former MotoGP race winner Ukawa will race the 2005 version of the Honda RC211V at the Honda-owned track.

Jacque, the 2000 250cc World Champion, who rode for Gauloises Yamaha in 2003, will ride a Moriwaki MD211VF on Dunlops.

The Motegi race was not one of the five wild card entries Moriwaki announced it had acquired for the 2004 season.

Moriwaki normally fields 2001 World Supersport Champion Andrew Pitt on its Honda V5-powered prototype. There has been no announcement as to why Jacque is riding for Moriwaki at Motegi and not Pitt.

Riding in a one-race deal, Pitt piloted a Belgarda Yamaha YZF-R6 to third in the World Supersport race at Assen, September 5.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI MARLBORO MEN BEGIN OVERSEAS ODYSSEY

The Ducati Marlboro Team arrives at Twin Ring Motegi to begin a gruelling run of four overseas races over just five weekends. Competing in the Land of the Rising Sun for the first and only time this year, the Italian squad is anxious to continue the progress made with its Desmosedici GP4 over the last few months.

Although riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss didn’t get close to the podium at the Marlboro Portuguese GP on September 5, both men rode determined races, racing through the pack from the fourth and fifth rows of the grid. But there’s no doubt that they face another tough weekend at Motegi, a Honda-owned circuit constructed by the Japanese manufacture to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 1998, at a cost of US$350 million.

“We think this may be our most challenging race of the year,” says Ducati Marlboro Team director Livio Suppo. “We never test in this track and we’ve only been there once in 2003 for the Pacific GP. Last year we had a tough time at Motegi, but we really learned a lot, so we’re approaching this year’s race in a positive state of mind. Although our results at Estoril don’t look that great, our race pace was good, so I think we again showed we are improving. We know that we are heading in the right direction, so we’ll keep going in that direction.”

The Motegi track is very stop-and-go, dominated by slow-speed hairpins, so the most important performance factors are braking and low-gear acceleration. This requires a delicate compromise in set-up.

“At Motegi you need to set up the bike mostly for braking and acceleration, rather than corner speed,” says Ducati Marlboro Team technical director Corrado Cecchinelli. “But you have to be careful, because the two things usually don’t come together. If we choose the correct springs and suspension settings we can improve braking without hurting the bike’s attitude during acceleration and vice versa. Last year at Motegi we had a tough time, but it was our first visit to the place, so at least now we know what the troubles may be.”

After Sunday’s racing the MotoGP circus continues its end-of-season overseas odyssey, with the Marlboro Qatar GP two weeks hence, followed immediately by the Marlboro Malaysian GP and the Australian GP. The season concludes at Valencia, Spain, on October 31.

CAPIROSSI HOPES FOR BETTER LUCK AT MOTEGI

Loris Capirossi may only have finished seventh at Estoril two weeks ago but his ride was one of the most impressive of the day, considering he had been rammed off the track on lap one, regaining the tarmac in 19th place. At Motegi he hopes for better luck so he can display to full effect the recent improvements made to his Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP4.

“I like Motegi very much,” says Capirossi. “The track isn’t particularly technical – just full throttle, brake, full throttle, brake. And all the hairpins make it very difficult for a rider to make a real difference over his rivals. But some sections are quite enjoyable. My favourite is under the bridge and then through the fast series of curves. I think the most important aspect of bike set-up is braking stability for all the hairpins. The bike gets better and better, so my current aim is to keep making progress, going for the best championship position and working to make sure we have an even better bike for next season.”

Loris’s third place of Motegi in 2002 was also the last time a two-stroke 500cc GP bike scored a podium finish.

BAYLISS RETURNS TO MOTEGI WITH A POINT TO PROVE

Troy Bayliss is looking forward to riding Motegi, after enjoying his first visit to the track last year. Unfortunately the Ducati Marlboro Team rider’s race ended after a few hundred metres, when he was taken out by another rider. So like team-mate Capirossi, the Aussie is also hoping for some help from Lady Luck at Motegi.

“I enjoyed riding the track last year,” says Bayliss. “But we didn’t really get things so good for the race, then I got taken out at the first corner, which was a bit of a bummer. Overall it wasn’t a great weekend, so hopefully we’ll have a better weekend this time around. It’s a pretty straightforward kind of a track. What you really need is good braking stability into all the hairpins because you can make up a lot of time on the brakes. And you need good low-gear acceleration and traction for the hairpin exits. We’ve had a couple of good results this year – Mugello and Donington – and we’ve made some pretty good progress, but it’s also been a bit frustrating at times. But all you can do is keep working at it.”

THE TRACK

Twin Ring Motegi is stop-and-go in character with few high-speed corners. The track features plenty of slow turns linked by medium-length straights which puts the emphasis on braking and acceleration performance. It’s not so popular with many MotoGP riders because they feel the track’s uninspiring layout doesn’t test their riding skills to the limit. On a positive note, the track is grippy, smooth and pretty safe. The venue hosted its inaugural Grand Prix, the Japanese GP, in 1999. Over the past four years Motegi’s world round has been called the Pacific GP, but this time the track once again hosts the country’s national GP.

The circuit, christened Twin Ring Motegi because it features both a Grand Prix track and an Indy oval, is one of the newer circuits on the GP calendar. The venue is located in the hills to the north west of Tokyo, between the cities of Mito and Utsonomiya. Motegi’s construction entailed a massive civil engineering project that included the razing of seven hills and the filling of two valleys.

MOTEGI DATA

Twin Ring Motegi: 4.801km, 2.983 miles
Lap record: Valentino Rossi (Honda), 1:48.885
Pole position 2003: Max Biaggi (Honda), 1:47.696

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM RIDER DATA LOGS

LORIS CAPIROSSI
Age: 31 (April 4, 1973)
Lives: Monaco
Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP4
GP victories: 23 (1xMotoGP, 2×500, 12×250, 8×125)
First GP victory: Britain, 1990 (125)
First GP: Japan, 1990 (125)
GP starts: 211 (41xMotoGP, 59×500, 84×250, 27×125)
Pole positions: 36 (3xMotoGP, 5×500, 23×250, 5×125)
First pole: Australia, 1991 (125)
World Championships: 3 (125: 1990, 1991, 250: 1998)
Motegi 2003 results: Grid: 6th. Race: 8th

TROY BAYLISS
Age: 35 (March 30, 1969)
Lives: Monaco
Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP4
First GP: Australia, 1997 (250)
GP starts: 28 (27xMotoGP, 1×250)
World Superbike victories: 22
World Championships: 1 (Superbike: 2001)
Motegi 2003 results: Grid: 10th. Race: DNF

From a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

CAMEL HONDA RIDE AT HOME IN JAPAN

The forthcoming Camel Grand Prix of Japan is a crucial event for the Camel Honda team and its two riders. Both of them love the race in the land of the rising sun: especially Makoto, who rides at home, but also Max, who has close ties to the country and his Japanese fans, so much so that there is a local headquarters of his fan-club in the city of Yokohama. Beside all that, this race is a chance for him to make up for the misfortune he suffered in the Portuguese GP, whilst Makoto looks to continue the rich vein of form he finds himself in. The duo both like the Motegi track, last year Max took a brilliant victory whilst Makoto showed himself to be a competitive force.

Sito Pons – Camel Honda (Team Principal)
“The Grand Prix of Japan is a significant race for all the team, for our title sponsors Camel who have lent their name to the Grand Prix, for Honda who are at their home track, the same goes for Makoto, and also it is special for Max who took a splendid triumph there last year. For the team it was a second successive victory, given that the year before we got the same result with Barros. Our engineers have shown themselves capable of interpreting the track perfectly for the bike’s set-up, an important factor at this circuit, and so our objective is to continue in the winning ways of the previous two years.”

Max Biaggi #3: (Michelin Tyres)
“To go and race at Motegi is something that will help me get over what happened in Portugal, not only because I like the track, but also because I like being in Japan, I have a lot of friends there and an exceptional fan club. As regards the GP itself, I aim to do a good race of course, as I did last year. I have worked very hard with the team on the bike, none of us have rested for a second, and we have succeeded, also thanks to the fundamental support of the Honda engineers, to get a good base set-up. The RC211V is a top level bike, and by collaborating with the factory technicians I should be able to enjoy it to its full potential.”

Luca Montiron – Camel Honda (Makoto Tamada Team Manager)
“The entire squad is happy to be going to Japan, because it is the home race for our rider, for our sponsor, for the factory we ride for and also for our tyre manufacturers! So our objective is obviously to get a great result, and everything is in place to be able to do so. The bike is going well, and the technicians have got the set-up of the RC211V working at all kinds of tracks. Bridgestone has made some significant progress and Makoto is in good shape at the moment. He likes Motegi and the fact of riding in front of his home fans and riding in his home country gives him enormous motivation, as with all the riders. We’re confident we will go well.”

Makoto Tamada #6: (Bridgestone Tyres)
“I can’t wait to ride in Japan. I love Suzuka and this year I missed it, but at last the Motegi race has come around. I left straight from the Portuguese GP to spend a bit of time at home but now I’m eager to get out onto the track. The bike is going well and the tyres have improved considerably, while the team know the requests I’m going to make. My aim is to get a fantastic result in Japan.”

2003 podium

1. M. Biaggi (Honda)
2. V. Rossi (Honda)
3. N. Hayden (Honda)


Pole Position
M. Biaggi (Honda -2003)
1:47.696


Official Record
V. Rossi (Honda – 2003)
1:48.885


Nº of laps
24 (115.224 km)



MotoGP Timetable:
6.00am CET
14.00 local time. (GMT + 9)




Characteristics
Length: 4,801 m
Width: 12-15m
Right turns: 8
Left turns: 6
Constructed in: 1997
Last modified: n/a

From a press release issued by FW Developments:

FW DEVELOPMENTS APPOINTED UK WISECO DISTRIBUTORS

As part of their continued development, Lancashire-based FW Developments have been appointed the UK distributors for Wiseco motorcycle four stroke road and race pistons.

Wiseco is a top quality brand well known in four stoke tuning circles and the American owned company has an ongoing commitment to the recreational and racing industries through engineering, testing and manufacturing the finest aftermarket pistons available today. It is a well known fact that Wiseco pistons are far superior to those supplied as standard in many production engines.

The company motto is “Quality People Building a Quality Product” and the synergy felt throughout Wiseco’s organisation reflects the quality, integrity and service that have become the backbone of the company’s success over the years.

Commenting on the deal, FW Developments Managing Director Frank Wrathall was delighted with the news:

“We only deal with top quality products and Wiseco pistons are the best there is in our opinion. We have supplied them to a number of top British Superbike teams whereby performance and reliability are pre-requisites and they have performed beyond all expectations. Wiseco prides itself in meeting or exceeding our customer’s expectations for each piston every time. The piston is the first line of defence against the extreme heat and pressures seen in the internal combustion engine. Good sealing, good reliability and tight clearances are of the utmost importance in making good horsepower and Wiseco wins hands down.”

Wiseco’s corporate headquarters is in Mentor, Ohio and boasts of over 150,000 square feet of state-of-the-art manufacturing and marketing space. Along with the Ohio location, Wiseco also has fully stocked and strategically located distribution centres throughout the USA and North America as well as outlets in South America, Africa, Australia and Asia as well as Europe, there’s little doubt as to why Wiseco has emerged as the world leader in the manufacturing of high performance forged pistons for the motorcycle, ATV, snowmobile, personal watercraft, outboard marine, kart and automotive markets.

For further information, brochures and details, please contact Frank or Janice Wrathall on 01995 600680 or via e-mail [email protected]

From a press release issued by WERA:

WERA NATIONAL SERIES RETURNS TO NELSON LEDGES

GARRETTSVILLE, Oh.- After a long absence, the WERA National Series will make its return to Nelson Ledges this weekend, September 11-12, to stage round eight of the season in northern Ohio.

The Dunlop/WERA National Endurance Series will start the weekend off with a six-hour endurance race at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 11. Veteran teams of the series have the advantage of having competed at Nelson Ledges in past years, including 24-hour events. New to everyone this year, however, is a repaved track surface. Teams will be faced with the challenge of learning the new surface and finding the appropriate tire compounds that will survive the quick but lengthy endurance stints.

This season, Vesrah Suzuki’s dominance in the endurance series has been challenged by both Army of Darkness, a Mediumweight Superbike-class team, and Heavyweight Superstock entrant Team Velocity Racing. A number of crashes and mechanical problems for all three teams have built up excitement at every round.

The WERA National Challenge Series sprint races will be held on Sunday, September 12, beginning at 12:30 PM. The ten-lap races will feature the top amateur motorcycle roadracers in the United States, as well as plenty of close competition.

Vesrah Suzuki’s Tray Batey has been at the top of the field in several classes this season, including 750 Superstock, Formula One and Heavyweight Twins. Batey has become the proverbial carrot for the other entrants to chase, and the ensuing close racing and daring passes have become a trademark of WERA racing.

Other classes in the WERA National Challenge Series include Open Superstock, 600 Superstock and Superbike, 750 Superbike, Lightweight Twins and Formula 2. All of the races with the exception of Formula One and Open Superstock include both novice and expert classes, giving fans a full day of racing.

Tickets for the weekend, including an all-day practice on Friday, are available for $30. A Saturday/Sunday pass is $20, and Sunday-only is just $15 after 10:00 AM. Camping is available, as well. Nelson Ledges is located on Route 305 near Garrettsville, Ohio. Directions can be found at www.WERA.com or by calling the track at (216) 548-8551.

More information about the WERA National Challenge Series and the Dunlop/WERA National Endurance Series can be found online at www.WERA.com.

From a press release issued by Fastrack Riders Association:

Still haven’t made plans for the weekend or had your races cancelled??

Come on out to Barber Motorsports Park. Check out the museum too!!

Fastrack Riders is at Barber Motorsports Park this Saturday and Sunday and still have space available for all levels. Registration will open at 7:15am on Saturday morning. Three group rotation throughout the day insures plenty of tracktime for all.

For additional information for this weekend please contact us at 714-425-2159, Larry Pointer