From a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing Team:

NAKANO SET TO DEAFEN TOKYO SHOPPERS THIS WEEKEND

Saturday afternoon shoppers at Tokyo’s Shinagawa Seaside Forest Oval Garden will need to take ear plugs with them this weekend, as Fuchs Kawasaki’s Shinya Nakano will make an appearance aboard his Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machine ahead of next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi.

Nakano will be appearing at the Tokyo shopping centre from 2.15pm onwards on Saturday 11th September. The Fuchs Kawasaki star will take part in a one hour talk show, before signing autographs and posing for photographs with fans.

Determined to bring a little of the MotoGP pit lane ambience to the centre of Tokyo, Nakano will also be treating the assembled crowd to the sound of a 990cc inline four-cylinder engine through open exhaust pipes, when he fires up his Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machine on the main stage.

The noise limit for MotoGP machines is an ear splitting 130dB, which is equivalent to standing 100 metres behind a jumbo jet on takeoff, and right on the edge of the pain threshold. The Ninja ZX-RR is loud enough when it’s started and warmed up in pit lane, which is why all the Kawasaki Racing Team mechanics wear ear plugs during practice sessions, but in the confines of the Oval Garden the noise promises to be truly deafening!

For those fans unable to make the Tokyo event, Nakano will also be appearing on the KAZE and Bridgestone stands during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend at Motegi. The 26-year-old Fuchs Kawasaki rider, together with team-mate Alex Hofmann, will take part in a live question and answer session at the KAZE stand on Saturday 18th September at 16.00, after which they’ll sign autographs and pose for photographs before heading over to the Bridgestone stand at 16.30.

“Obviously Motegi is an important race for me as it’s the only time we race in my home country this season,” commented Nakano, who flew to Japan immediately after the Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril. “The build up to the race is pretty special too, and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone at the Oval Garden and letting them hear just how loud the Ninja ZX-RR is close up. I hope everyone remembers to bring ear plugs!”

“The amount of support we get at every race is incredible, but there’s something extra special about racing in front of your home crowd. Motegi will be a busy weekend, both for me and for the team, but I think it’s important that we get out and meet the people who’ve travelled so far to see us during the course of the weekend. I just hope we get a good turnout at the KAZE and Bridgestone stands on the Saturday, and that we can give everyone something to cheer about in Sunday’s race,” continued the affable Japanese rider.

The Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi is the 12th round of the MotoGP World Championship and marks the start of four consecutive overseas races, taking in Qatar and Malaysia and ending in Australia on October 17th.

From a press release issued by MSS Discovery Kawasaki:

MSS DISCOVERY PAIR LOOKING TO SCOOP HAT-TRICK

MSS Discovery’s Pere Riba and Steve Allan are aiming to give the team a third successive win in the British Supersport Championship and National Superstock Championship at Oulton Park on Sunday.

The team has landed wins at the previous two rounds, in the National Superstock rounds, in the hands of team newcomer, Julien da Costa of France.

Da Costa is racing in the Bol d’Or 24-hour event this weekend and Riba and Allan want to keep the Kawasaki-backed team’s success rolling on.

Supersport ace Riba believes: “Going back to Oulton Park is a big bonus for me. It was a totally new circuit for me at the round in May and I was riding injured after a testing crash in France. This time I would really like to get myself and the Kawasaki ZX-6RR dialled in and hopefully challenge for a win.”

Riba is fourth in the championship point standings and the Spaniard knows that the final two rounds, at Oulton Park and Donington Park, offer excellent opportunities for him to take his first win of the year.

“We always knew that this year would be a little tricky with a new rider, new team and new machine,” adds Riba. “But, overall, I think we’re all pleased with the way the season has developed. I’m now looking for that to improve to another level with a good race here at Oulton Park and next week at Donington Park.”

Allan was back on the point-scoring trail with fourth place at Cadwell Park in round 10 of the National Superstock Championship two weeks ago and the Scotsman is hopeful of improving on that at Oulton Park.

“I’ve had a pretty grim middle to the year after making such a good start,” admits Allan who suffered a broken collarbone at Mallory Park in July. “But the ZX-10R is really feeling like the finished article now and I’m more than confident that I can challenge for a win on Sunday.”

Allan continues: “After taking sixth place here in May I know I can improve on that and I’d really like to keep the team’s run of wins going after Julien’s excellent performances at Croft and Cadwell Park.”

MSS Discovery team owners Stuart Simmonds (Discovery) and Nick Morgan (MSS) remain in confident mood as the season draws to a close and believe a return to Oulton Park will benefit the entire team.

Morgan says: “We went through a pretty steep learning curve at the beginning of the year with new bikes, new riders and a totally new team. Now that we’re settled in the results are beginning to come.

“We’ve won almost a third of the National Superstock races this year and the momentum is with us. Plus, we’ll hopefully have some exciting 2005 plans to announce at Oulton Park.”

British Supersport Championship points after 11 of 13 rounds: 1 Karl Harris (Honda) 197, 2 Jay Vincent (Honda) 167, 3 Michael Laverty (Ducati) 158, 4 Pere Riba (MSS Discovery Kawasaki) 110, 5 Luke Quigley (Suzuki) 91, 6 Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 87, 7 Leon Camier (Honda) 85, 8 Simon Andrews (Yamaha) 83, 9 Cal Crutchlow (Honda) and Craig Jones (Triumph) 57.

National Superstock Championship points after 10 of 13 rounds: 1 Tristan Palmer (Suzuki) 157, 2 Andy Tinsley (Suzuki) 149, 3 Danny Beaumont (Yamaha) 148, 4 Ben Wilson (Honda) 139, 5 Les Shand (Yamaha) 100, 6 Steve Allan (MSS Discovery Kawasaki) 72, 7 Howie Mainwaring (Yamaha) 54, 8 Marshall Neill (Suzuki) 53, 9 Julien da Costa (MSS Discovery Kawasaki) 50, 10 Craig Fitzpatrick (Suzuki) 44.

From a press release issued by the FIM:

Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix
Decisions of the Permanent Bureau

The Grand Prix Permanent Bureau, composed of FIM President Francesco Zerbi and Dorna Managing Director Carmelo Ezpeleta, confirmed the following decision taken unanimously by the Grand Prix Commission :

– Yellow Flag

“Shown waved at the flag marshal post, this flag indicates that there is a danger ahead. The riders must slow down and be prepared to stop. Overtaking is forbidden up until the point where the green flag is shown.

– Any Infringement of this rule during a practice session will result in the cancellation of the time of the lap during which the infraction occurred.

– (New:)In case of infringement of this rule during the race, the rider must go back to his position prior to the overtaking. The penalty will be first communicated to the team and then a board will be displayed for the rider on the finish line during a maximum of 3 laps. If the rider did not return to his previous position after the board has been presented 3 times, he will be penalized by a ride through (application: immediate).

– In both cases, further penalties (such as fine – suspension) may also be imposed.

– If immediately after having overtaken, the rider realise that he did an infraction, he must raise his hand and let pass the rider(s) that he has overtaken. In this case, no penalty will be imposed.

During the final inspection lap, this flag must be waved at the exact place where the flag marshal will be positioned during the practices and races”.

The Permanent Bureau also confirmed the decision taken by the majority of the members of the Grand Prix Commission:

In the MotoGP class only, in case of rain, the race will not be interrupted. (application: 1.1.2005)

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Effective immediately, quick-change equipment should be banned from the Toyota 200. Because only a few teams have access to the costly equipment. The AMA has already seen the problem and taken the initiative by disallowing its use for the Daytona 200. WSMC should do the same with the Toyota 200.

Today Stephanie Huth said the decision to ban the equipment was made due to time constraints. She went on to say there was not enough time for the teams to respond to the rule change. She was very forthright in accepting blame and said the mistake rested squarely on her shoulders.

Not enough time? I would understand if the decision were reversed. If all of a sudden quick-change equipment were to be allowed, several teams would not be ready. Additionally it is doubtful if the great majority of teams have the financial resources to acquire the prohibitively expensive equipment. For that matter, the most teams would find it difficult to justify the expense for a once a year event.

If the decision were made today that only conventional tire changes would be allowed, everyone could make their changes the old fashioned way. That, in my opinion, is fair.

If all race teams were to change tires conventionally, everyone is in the same boat.

As it is now, you have a few racers with deep pockets, or assistance from factory teams that have access to specialized equipment. That is unfair for the majority of racers.

You are a champion of the underdog–-a voice for the little people. I challenge you to rise up in defense of the privateer and fight for what is right and fair!

Tommy McComas
AMA SuperMoto #65
Los Angeles, California



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

By John Ulrich
Roadracing World

We are in favor of banning quick-change equipment. We are not in favor of banning quick-change equipment just five weeks before an annual race that has allowed it (and has been billed as “run what ya brung”) from its inception. Quick-change equipment should be banned for the 2005 Toyota 200, not now, especially since several privateer riders have been accumulating quick-change equipment and wheels for over a year.

From a press release issued by American Honda:

Honda unveils 2005 Motorcycle Models in Nashville

Nashville, TN— American Honda’s Motorcycle Division unveiled their 2005 product line-up at the company’s annual dealer show Wednesday night September 8 at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville.

Representing the continuing Honda branding strategy of “Performance First”, the new products are designed to strengthen Honda’s number one position in the American powersports market.

“This year’s convention theme is Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’,” said Ray Blank, Honda’s Motorcycle Division Vice President. “Honda has incredible momentum in the motorcycle industry. In fact, over the last five years we have added more than one million customers to the Honda family. It’s a good time to be a Honda dealer”.

Honda’s model announcements included fifteen brand new or highly revised models: a new cruiser, one super-sport motorcycle, two motocross bikes, a new off-road competition bike, one scooter, six ATVs, two personal watercraft and a police motorcycle.

Dealers who have already benefited from over 35 new Honda launches in the previous four years were delighted with the new additions. Honda’s product lineup is the broadest in the industry, with over 70 motorcycle, scooter, ATV and personal watercraft models.



2005 New & Updated Model Preview

VTX1800F – This sport custom performance cruiser adds a whole new look to the VTX line-up for 2005.



CBR600RR – This next generation super-sport motorcycle incorporates a host of upgrades to the 2004 Formula Xtreme championship-winning machine.



CR250R – A completely new engine and host of chassis improvements compliment this favorite motocross race machine.



CR125R – An all-new 125cc engine makes this bike the most potent two-stroke motocrosser in its class.



CRF450X – Start with the championship and award winning CRF450R motocross machine and create the ultimate open class off road racer, which includes electric starting.



Big Ruckus – This machine combines the convenience and comfort of a scooter with the open feel of a motorcycle for an exciting new product.



FourTrax Foreman 4×4 ES/FourTrax Foreman 4×4/FourTrax Foreman – These outstanding new ATVs deliver 500cc of big bore power loaded with Honda features such as TraxLok (2WD-4WD), ESP (Honda’s Electric Shift Program) and front disc brakes.

AquaTrax F-12X with GPScape – This exciting new turbocharged four-stroke Honda personal watercraft offers the addition of GPScape, Honda’s on-board GPS navigation system.

ST1300P – With this motorcycle, law enforcement agencies can tap into Honda’s latest technology while enjoying legendary Honda quality and reliability.



AquaTrax F-12 – A next-generation engine and jet pump keep the three-person AquaTrax F-12 at the forefront of the personal watercraft market.

FourTrax Foreman Rubicon – A favorite among many riders, the FourTrax Foreman Rubicon now comes equipped with TraxLok, front disc brakes, new SUV styling and more.

FourTrax Recon ES/FourTrax Recon – New suspension, ergonomics and SUV-type styling make the best-selling mid-size ATV even better.

TRX400EX – This high-performance sport model now features reverse and new, stylish bodywork for 2005.

About Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and personal watercraft in the U.S. American Honda’s Motorcycle Division conducts the sales, marketing, and operational activities for these products through Honda authorized dealers.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Jake Zemke will be riding for the American Honda factory team in the 2005 AMA Superbike Championship.

“Yeah, it was announced at the (Honda dealer) show (September 8, in Nashville, Tennessee) that I would be with Honda again next year,” Zemke said in a telephone call to Roadracingworld.com today, adding later that he would ride for the factory team instead of in Erion Honda colors. “The contract is just getting its final revision, but it’s pretty much a done deal. I know I’ll be riding a Superbike, but if I’ll be riding in another class and what that class might be, that’s still to be determined.”

Zemke said the contract renewal was for one year only.

Zemke has already clinched second in the 2004 AMA Formula Xtreme Championship, where he has won twice and finished on the podium nine times in 10 races so far this year.

He also currently sits second in the AMA Superbike Championship, 42 points behind leader Mat Mladin with two races remaining. Zemke has won twice and finished on the podium 11 times in 16 races in his rookie year in AMA Superbike.

From a press release:

PIRELLI STEPS UP WITH 2004 AMA SUPERMOTO CONTINGENCY WORTH $29,000

(Rome, GA) Pirelli continues to expand its race-contingency participation in 2004 with the announcement that it is participating in the 2004 AMA Supermoto series.

In fact, the company is posting a substantial $28,920, reportedly the richest tire contingency package in the series. Pirelli is paying in two expert classes, Supermoto Pro and Supermoto Unlimited, for the six-race series – and is paying down to 10th place in both. Racers in these classes will receive $600 for a win, $500 for second, and $400, $300, and $200 for third down to fifth place. Pirelli’s per-event total is $4,820.

Bike-stickering requirements are that Pirelli stickers must be displayed on the front forks and/or fender, the bodywork, and the tail section and/or swingarm.

Please contact one of the following Pirelli race vendors for full information and technical help:

West Coast event support:
CALIFORNIA RACE SERVICES
Huntington Beach, CA
1-800-620-1277

East Coast event support:
TRACKSIDE RACERS SUPPLY
Canton, NC
1-828-235-8400

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

NASCAR, NHRA, IRL Highlight 2005 Schedule at Infineon Raceway

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – Infineon Raceway will feature the most diverse schedule of any racing facility in the country in 2005, including the first road-course race in the history of the IRL IndyCar(r) Series and the annual visit by the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.

The 2005 Big O Tires Racing Season will feature everything from the ground-pounding excitement of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, to the open-wheel cars of the IRL to bicycles on the world-class road course and drag strip.

For the 17th consecutive year, the season will be headlined by the Dodge/Save Mart 350 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, June 24-26, the highest-attended single-day sporting event in Northern California. This will mark one of just two road-course events on the NASCAR schedule for 2005. Jeff Gordon will look for his fifth career victory on the 10-turn, 1.99-mile serpentine circuit.

The speed and power of the NHRA will also return for the 18th consecutive year with the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals, presented by Supercuts, July 29-31. Track records were broken in nearly every category on Infineon Raceway’s quarter-mile drag strip in 2004.

The newest addition to the Infineon Raceway calendar will be the IRL IndyCar(r) Series, set to make its road-course debut, Aug. 26-28. This will mark the first road-course race in the history of the IRL since its inception in 1996. It will also mark the first major open-wheel race at Infineon Raceway since 1970.

“I’m really looking forward to going road-course racing,” said driver Tony Kanaan of Andretti Green Racing. “This is a beautiful part of the country and we’ll put on a good show.”

Other premier events include the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts, featuring the best in motorcycle racing on the 12-turn road course, May 13-15, as well as the Infineon Grand Prix of Sonoma American Le Mans Series, July 15-17. The Grand Prix will showcase some of the world’s most exotic sports cars, including Porsche, Audi, Ferrari and Corvette.

Other events on the main-event calendar for 2005 are the 19th annual Jaguar Wine Country Classic Vintage Car Races, presented by Bank of the West (June 4-5); Team Superstores NHRA Summernationals Division 7 Drag Races (July 2-3); and the 2nd annual Cougar Mountain Classic (Sept. 3-4).

The Cougar Mountain Classic, which debuted at Infineon Raceway in May, 2004, as the California Outdoor Sports Championships, will feature the best in world-class cycling, including: road circuit racing, road criterion racing, road time trials, mountain bike cross country, mountain bike short track, and gravity disciplines featuring mountain cross and dual slalom.

“We have worked hard to bring the very best in racing to our fans in Northern California,” said Steve Page, president and general manager at Infineon Raceway. “From human powered bicycles to 6,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragsters, and everything in between, the ’05 schedule will have something for every taste.”

Finally, a familiar event will return to the schedule in 2005 with the Goodguys Nostalgia Drag Races, April 23-24. Nostalgia dragsters combine the style of dragsters from the 1960s and 70s with some of the latest drag racing technology and safety equipment. Capable of covering the quarter-mile drag strip in 5.8 seconds at almost 250 mph, these tire-smoking machines are sure to provide exciting on-track action. The Goodguys did not compete at Infineon Raceway in 2004.

In all, there will be nine great weekends of main-event action planned on both the twisting road course and world-class quarter-mile drag strip.

2005 MAJOR-EVENT SCHEDULE:

* Goodguys Nostalgia Drag Races: April 23-24.

* Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown: May 13-15.

* Jaguar Wine Country Classic Vintage Car Races: June 4-5.

* Dodge/Save Mart 350 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup: June 24-26.

* Team Superstores NHRA Summernationals Division 7 Drag Races: July 2-3.

* Infineon Grand Prix of Sonoma American Le Mans Series: July 15-17.

* FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals: July 29-31.

* IRL IndyCar(r) Series: Aug. 26-28.

* Cougar Mountain Classic: Sept. 3-4.

For ticket information, please call 800-870-RACE (7223) or visit www.infineonraceway.com

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA Supermoto Championship coming to Music City USA

Ward leading the series coming into round three in Nashville

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The Tennessee State Fair and Nashville’s Music City Motorplex are set to host round three of the AMA Supermoto Championship this Saturday, Sept. 11. Former multi-time AMA Motocross and Supercross champ Jeff Ward leads the series on his Troy Lee Designs Honda. At 43, Ward shows no signs of slowing down and in fact is proving that American riders are gaining and in some cases surpassing European riders who have vastly more experience in supermoto racing.

The race is part of the State Fair’s Cycle Jam 2004 complete with the AMA Supermoto, presented by 103 WKDF, motorcycle drag racing and fireworks.

Ward took a victory in the opening doubleheader weekend in Copper Mountain, Colo., last month to get the season underway with a seven-point lead over German Jurgen Kunzel. Frenchman Alexandre Thiebault rounds out the top three in the series standings of the international field set to race at the Motorplex this weekend.

Nashville racing fans will get their first look at AMA Supermoto, which combines the high-flying aerobatics of supercross, the knee scrapping lean angles of road racing and the broad sliding of flat track and condenses them into one of the most exciting shows on two wheels. Riders race on converted motocross bikes running road racing slicks. Speeds approach 100 miles per hour on the tight tracks consisting of both paved and dirt sections.

Ward is not the only former motocross star making waves in AMA Supermoto. His Troy Lee Designs Honda teammate Doug Henry, himself a three-time AMA Motocross champion, won the first race of the Copper Mountain doubleheader, but had the misfortune of his bike breaking in the second race while in the lead. As a result Henry comes into Nashville ranked seventh in the series, anxious to make up the points gap on the leaders.

In spite of coming into the Music City with the points lead Ward has no thoughts of being conservative. “If you don’t go 100 percent then you’ll get beat in this series,” said Ward, who last raced in Nashville as an Indy Racing League (IRL) driver. “(Doug) Henry showed a lot of speed in Colorado, but I can’t worry just about him. The Europeans, like Kunzel and Thiebault, still have a lot more experience and I’m sure they’re going to be a factor.”

In last year’s inaugural AMA Supermoto season many of the Europeans were fastest in qualifying, yet it was the American riders such as Ward, Henry and road racers Ben Bostrom and Doug Chandler who came away with all the wins.

“The Americans are learning the sport quickly,” said Germany’s Kunzel, a world championship competitor who earned a pole in Colorado. “They are very good athletes and are able to maintain speed for the entire race. As more of the world championship riders come here I think they will be surprised by the intensity of the American series.”

In addition to the individual championship race, AMA Supermoto also features a team championship. Troy Lee Designs Honda leads the team series over the Red Bull KTM squad, while CHM Exhaust Pro Honda Oils is third in the team standings.

Supporting the main AMA Supermoto class at Nashville is the Supermoto Unlimited Series. Red Bull KTM’s Jurgen Kunzel leads that championship after winning the first two rounds. British rider Kurt Nicoll is second followed by Californian Micky Dymond.

The AMA Supermoto Championship is nationally televised on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN). The Nashville race will be taped for later broadcast on OLN. Check your local television listings for show dates and times.

For additional information contact the Music City Motorplex at (615) 726-1818 or visit the website www.musiccitymotorplex.com .

For immediate post-race results, points, live transponder scoring, in-depth series and rider information and much more, log onto www.AMASupermoto.com .



Schedule of Events



Friday, September 10

3:00 – 6:00 PM – Registration: Riders, Crew, Sponsors & Guests

3:00 – 6:00 PM – Tech inspection

6:00 PM – Entries Closed for Event



Saturday, September 11

7:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Registration: Crew, Sponsors & Guests (Will-call only 6:00 – 8:00 PM)

8:00 AM – Tech Inspection Opens

10:00 AM -11:00 AM Practice: 1. Supermoto Group A – 12 minutes; 2. Supermoto Group B – 12 minutes; 3. Honda Red Riders Jr. Supermoto Challenge – 8 minutes; 4. Supermoto Unlimited – 12 minutes

11:15 AM – Mandatory Riders Meeting

12:00 PM – Timed Qualifying Session #1; 1. Supermoto Group A – 12 minutes; 2. Supermoto Group B – 12 minutes; 3. Supermoto Unlimited – 12 minutes; 4. Honda Red Riders Jr. Supermoto Challenge Practice – 10 minutes

1:00 PM – Timed Qualifying Session #2: 1. Supermoto Group A – 15 minutes; 2. Supermoto Group B – 15 minutes; 3. Supermoto Unlimited – 15
minutes

2:00PM – 3:00 PM – Lunch Break

3:00 PM – Heat Races: 1. Supermoto – 4 races, 8 laps; 2. Honda Red Riders Jr. Supermoto Challenge – 6 laps; 3. Supermoto Unlimited – 2 races, 8 laps

8:00 PM – Opening Ceremonies

8:15 PM – Supermoto Superpole (top 8 riders from heats)

7:45 PM – Semi-Finals: 1. Supermoto – 6 laps; 2. Supermoto Unlimited – 6 laps

8:15 PM – Intermission

9:30 PM – Supermoto Final – 24 laps

10:05 PM – Honda Red Riders Jr. Supermoto Challenge Final – 10 laps

10:30 PM – Supermoto Unlimited Final – 24 laps