From a press release issued by Proforma:

EMPIRE RACING SUZUKI POWERS UP FOR FONTANA

Empire Racing Suzuki heads into round two of the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship at California Speedway in Fontana, CA this weekend with confidence after their solid performances in three different classes during Bike Week at Daytona. After running essentially stock production motorcycles at Daytona, the team has had almost a full month of bike development on their 2004 Suzuki GSX-R600s and GSX-R1000s, which will help riders Opie Caylor and Lee Acree be even more competitive at the front of the fields. Team engine builder Grant Matsushima is well-known for producing class-winning performance.

“I can’t wait to get back to Fontana,” said Caylor, who has qualified on the front row of the Superstock class at California Speedway the last two years. “I went out and tested at Fontana earlier in the month, and it went really well. Grant and I were able to get a lot of things sorted out for the race weekend, like gearing, tires and stuff. Plus, I’ve been training like crazy since I got back, so I’m ready to go!”

“The bikes were good at Daytona, but they’re gonna be so much better at Fontana,” said Acree. “We’ve had a chance to catch our breath and really focus on engine and chassis development. My 600 was showroom stock at Daytona, so I’m looking forward to having a full-tilt motor from Grant in there for Fontana. I think our 1000s were pretty conservative for Daytona as well, so Opie and I should be right there at the front on those, too.”

Both Lee and Opie will ride their GSX-R1000s in the Repsol Superstock class, as well as in both rounds of the Superbike class, where they currently sit fifth and eight in points, respectively. Lee will also compete in the Pro Honda Oils Supersport event, where he finished 12th at Daytona.


More, from another press release issued by Proforma:

HAS/SHOGUN BACK ON TRACK AT FONTANA

After separating his shoulder at Daytona a month ago, HAS/Shogun Racing rider Heath Small is fit and ready to race at round two of the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship at California Speedway in Fontana, CA this weekend, April 2-4. Heath will compete in both the Pro Honda Oils Supersport and Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme classes over the three day event on the team’s Yamaha R6 machines.

“I’d say my right shoulder is about 85 to 90 percent, but it’s getting better every day'” said Small. “I’m pretty familiar with this injury, actually, because I’ve separated my left shoulder three times in the past when I played football, but this is the first time for my right one. I’ve been rehabbing it myself and riding my bicycle a lot. I’m ready”.


More, from yet another press release issued by Proforma:

MILLENNIUM TECHNOLOGIES SUZUKI HEADS WEST TO CALIFORNIA

With solid results at the first round of the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship in Daytona, Millennium Technologies Suzuki riders Shawn Higbee and Danny Eslick head to California Speedway in Fontana, California this weekend, April 2-4, for round two of the series. Higbee finished 11th in the Repsol Superstock final at round one in Daytona, and is looking to better that result at Fontana, while also competing in both rounds of the Chevrolet Superbike class at the event on his Suzuki GSX-R1000. Eslick comes to Fontana after a 16th place finish at Daytona in his first-ever Pro Honda Oils Supersport class competition.

“I’m really looking forward to riding Superbike at Fontana,” said Higbee of Big Bend, Wisconsin, who finished sixth in the 2003 AMA Superbike Championship and earned the 2003 AMA Top Superbike Privateer award. “We’ll get more track time, which will help a lot. We just weren’t able to work through everything we wanted to try at Daytona. I know we can make the bike better at Fontana, plus we’ll be on regular tires, compared to Daytona. I’ve been working out, doing some light fitness at my home gym, plus I’ve been doing some snowmobiling, that really helps.”

Eslick will also pull double duty at Fontana, competing in the Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme class as well as Supersport. “Fontana was my first-ever AMA National last year, so I’m looking forward to going back,” said Danny, the 17-year-old from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. “I’ve been hanging out with Jason Pridmore for the last week. I did a STAR School at Laguna, then I caddied for Jason at a golf tournament in Ventura that he ended up winning. Jason shot a 67 the second day, so I guess he could teach me some golf stuff as well as motorcycle racing! We’ve been going to the gym and riding bicycles, it’s been a lot of fun, but I’m ready to go racing!”

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

All-Japan Road Race Series
Suzuka, Japan
3/28/04
JSB1000 Race Results:

1. Tatsuya Yamaguchi, Honda CBR1000RR, 17 laps, 37:32.214
2. Hitoyasu Izutsu, Honda CBR1000RR, -0.821 second
3. Keiichi Kitagawa, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -3.054 seconds
4. Toshiyuki Hamaguchi, Honda CBR1000RR, -6.642 seconds
5. Osamu Deguichi, Honda CBR1000RR, -9.224 seconds
6. Yoshiteru Konishi, Honda CBR1000RR, -13.525 seconds
7. Akira Yanagawa, Kawasaki ZX-10R, -15.949 seconds
8. Nobuyuki Ohsaki, Yamaha YZF-R1, -23.587 seconds
9. Akira Tamitsuji, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -23.852 seconds
10. Takeshi Tsujimura, Honda CBR1000RR, -30.855 seconds

38. Atsushi Watanabe, Suzuki GSX-R1000, – 8 laps, DNF

Fastest Lap of the Race: Yamaguchi, Honda CBR1000RR, 2:11.084

Fastest Qualifying Time: Watanabe, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:10.011

Race starters: 44

Race finishers: 37

From a press release issued by Moto1 Promotions:

Moto 1 goes live!

Who is Britain’s best all-round motorcyclist? Which one of our top Road Racers, Motocrossers, Supermoto, Trials and Enduro stars can cut it in all four disciplines and become the UK’s best all-rounder?

Moto 1 Promotions are proud to present Moto 1, a prestigious new event designed to find the UK’s number one all-round motorcycle competitor. It’s all taking place on the 30th and 31st October 2004 at the UK’s premier motorcycle venue, Donington Park.

Moto 1 will see twenty-four of the United Kingdom’s best riders all compete in trials, moto-cross, supermoto and road racing over the two-day event. The rider with the best overall score from the four events will take home the Moto1 plate.

In addition to the multi-discipline Moto1 event, the promoters are planning an action-packed weekend of motorcycle entertainment. Events confirmed so far include the final round of the World Stunt Riding Championship and a freestyle motocross event. Extra entertainment will be provided by the Purple Helmets whilst the infield area will also see a 30,000 sq. ft. covered exhibition featuring displays and trade stands – all with a Bikesport theme.

Further events and activities are currently being negotiated.

Moto1 is the brainchild of Robbie and Margaret Allan, successful promoters of the Scottish Motorcycle show for the past 26 years. They’ve been developing the concept of Moto 1 for the past four years and are looking forward to turning their dream into reality.

“We’ve got an experienced board of directors with recognised pedigrees in motorsport, a perfect venue and we’re looking forward to providing a fantastic weekend’s entertainment.” commented Allan after signing with Donington Park recently. “Donington is the ideal venue for all of our events – it’s got GP-standard facilities, and lots of accessible infield where we will run the motocross and supermoto. There’s even a wooded area well suited to trials,” he continued.

Donington Chief Executive Robert Fearnall has welcomed Moto1 as an ‘exciting addition to the calendar.’ He added, “we are delighted to host a new event that should provide some really good competition combined with maximum attraction as a family day out”.

From a press release issued by Edge Performance Riding Courses:

2004 Schedule:

April 19th, Trackday/Trackschool, Mid-America Motorplex, Pacific Junction, IA

May 10th, Trackday, Heartland Park, Topeka, KS

June 21st, Trackday, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN

July 19th, Trackday/Trackschool, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN

July 24th, Trackday, Heartland Park, Topeka, KS

August 23rd, Trackday/Trackschool, Blackhawk Farms Raceway, South Beloit, IL

September 6th, Trackday/Trackschool, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN

September 20th, Trackday, Mid-America Motorplex, Pacific Junction, IA

October 4th, Trackday, Blackhawk Farms Raceway, South Beloit, IL

For additional information; call (763) 531-1947, e-mail [email protected] or go to www.edgeracing.net

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

DUHAMEL ADDS LOCKHART-PHILLIPS USA FORMULA XTREME WIN TO IMPRESSIVE RESUME

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Miguel Duhamel will lead the charge of Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme riders into round two of the series at California Speedway on April 2-4 for the Yamaha Superbike Challenge Weekend. Duhamel is already the all-time winningest rider in AMA Chevrolet Superbike and Pro Honda Oils Supersport. Now the ageless veteran has started a winning tradition in another class. Duhamel won the opening round of the overhauled Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series at Daytona. Formula Xtreme now features modified 600cc machines, or mini-Superbikes as some have called them. Duhamel is a natural for this class with his extensive background in both Superbike and Supersport racing.

“I’d like to start a new winning tradition in Formula Xtreme,” Duhamel said. “Honda has given me a bike in the CBR600RR that’s almost an unfair advantage. Maybe I had a little benefit because of my experience at Daytona and I held off Ben at the line. It’s nice to have a perfect record in the class. I don’t know how long that’s going to last. I’m sure Fontana is going to be a little tougher.”

Duhamel’s Honda teammate Ben Bostrom finished a close second at Daytona, but is not slated to ride in the class at Fontana.

Honda was the class of the field in Daytona, sweeping the top four sports in the series opener. Fontana could be a different story. While the Hondas of Duhamel, Jake Zemke and Alex Gobert are favored Suzuki could be strong at Fontana with former AMA champs Jason Pridmore and Jimmy Moore. Both Pridmore and Moore had miserable outings at Daytona – neither finished the race – and both will be looking for a strong comeback at Fontana. Vincent Haskovec signed with Valvoline EMGO Suzuki during the off-season and scored sixth in the season opener at Daytona. Haskovec, a native of the Czech Republic who now lives in Lake Elsinore, Calif., would love to earn a podium finish at what has become his home track.


Rugged Aussie rebounds from injury to lead AMA Repsol Superstock Series

If toughness counts in racing then Graves Yamaha’s doggedly determined Aaron Gobert has a very bright future. The 23-year-old middle brother of Australia’s most famous motorcycle racing family was on his way to making a name for himself when he was involved in a freak accident that took out much of the lead pack in the 2002 Daytona Supersport final, leaving Gobert injured and with an uncertain racing future. Two years later Gobert has made a complete recovery, put the accident behind him and is now leading the AMA Repsol Superstock Series after a breathtaking victory in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway.

Gobert leads the revamped series as it moves from the East Coast to West Coast. California Speedway, in Fontana, will host round two of the Repsol Superstock Series, part of the Yamaha Superbike Challenge on April 2-4.

It was a dramatic beginning to the 1,000cc era of Superstock racing at Daytona, impressing even the riders involved in the last-lap dice. As veteran racer Hacking noted, “That was something else.”

Gobert took the victory by a scant .01 seconds on his Graves Yamaha R1, and the top five riders crossed the line in a bunch separated by just 0.131 seconds.

Gobert sloughed off his horrifying crash two years earlier that almost ended his racing career. “I don’t think about it anymore,” he said after winning at Daytona. “I’ve been fortunate to be able to comeback and have a second chance. I plan on taking full advantage of that opportunity.”

Yamaha’s veteran Hacking finished just inches behind his young teammate at Daytona, extending his hard-luck streak at the famous Speedway. Hacking has no such jinx at Fontana. He is the defending Supersport winner at the track and is one of the favorites to win this year’s Superstock race. Graves Yamaha has an incredibly strong team. In addition to Gobert and Hacking, there is also Damon Buckmaster and Jason DiSalvo. Buckmaster, a former Fontana winner, has perhaps the most experience with the big-bore bikes and DiSalvo is considered perhaps the most promising up-and-coming riders in the championship.

Kawasaki’s new ZX-10R proved competitive right out of the box. At Daytona Tommy Hayden took third and his younger brother Roger Lee was fifth. The Haydens are counting on the rapid development of the new bike to help put them on top of the podium.

Defending Formula Xtreme champ Ben Spies is impatiently waiting to return to Fontana where he dominated the Formula Xtreme race last year. Spies is ranked eighth in Superstock after being forced to serve a stop-and-go penalty at Daytona for jumping the start. Spies is eager to show that the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 is up to the task of competing in the new Superstock formula. Suzuki dominated the series for years when it featured 750cc bikes but now, with all the major manufacturers fielding teams, Suzuki has its work cut out. Veteran rider Steve Rapp will be on the Valvoline EMGO Suzuki coming off a ninth place finish at Daytona.

Honda is stepping up big time in Superstock at Fontana with the expected entry of Anthony Gobert. Gobert won an AMA Superbike race at Fontana two years ago and is expected to be a leading competitor in the class once he shakes off the rust of having not raced regularly since the middle of last season. He is joining his youngest brother Alex on the Erion Honda squad.

The California Speedway Formula Xtreme race will be televised on SPEED Channel on Sunday, April 4 at 2 p.m. EST. For additional information on the Yamaha Superbike Challenge call 800-944-RACE (7223) or visit the website www.californiaspeedway.com

From a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

We are delighted to invite you to join the all-conquering MonsterMob Ducati team run by Paul Bird Motorsport as it goes in search of its third successive British Superbike title. Previously restricted to team sponsors and VIP/celebrities, we have been extremely fortunate in securing a very limited amount of hospitality packages at selected rounds during 2004.

From the moment you arrive in the morning you will receive a total VIP experience. Our hostesses will serve you with a light breakfast before taking you on a tour of the team’s pit lane garage, where you will get to meet the entire MonsterMob crew and learn about the behind the scenes secrets of Britain’s leading BSB team.

After meeting Sean Emmett and Michael Laverty, you can enjoy our extensive lunch menu that will leave you well fed and ready for an afternoon of racing action as the MonsterMob riders go in search of victory once again. Before leaving us much later in the day, we will present you with an exclusive gift to remind you of this very special occasion.

The fully inclusive price of £149.95 per person includes entrance to the track, paddock passes and full team hospitality. With a maximum of 20 places available per date, bookings will be dealt with strictly on a first come first served basis.

Call now 0161 763 6660 to make your reservation or for further information.

Group bookings accepted – G2F Europa House Barcroft Street Bury BL9 5BT – [email protected]

Even in the great modern World, winning remains one of the best feelings on earth. Unfortunately we are not all blessed with the talent or chance to experience that amazing sensation that every rider feels as they cross the finish line first, but through this very rare opportunity we aim to take you closer to touching the chequered flag than ever before.

Tasting the victory champagne and enjoying the spoils associated with winning has become very much a part of the MonsterMob Ducati team over the last two seasons. 2002 saw the team dominate the domestic series with a history making double championship victory in both the superbike and supersport classes through the late and great Steve Hislop and fellow Scot Stuart Easton respectively.

Proving that this was no fluke, the Monstermob team confirmed its status as the top Ducati team when they steered Shakey Byrne to the 2003 title, a feat that many felt would never happen.

Looking to continue their winning run, the team has recruited two new riders during the winter months, ready for another full-blooded assault on both championships in 2004. Only a brave man would bet against the MonsterMob pairing of Sean Emmett and Michael Laverty picking up their fair share of silverware in the coming year as the red squad marches onward….

available dates

Rnd 2 12th April Brands Hatch
Rnd 4 3rd May Oulton Park
Rnd 7 20th June Brands Hatch
Rnd 11 30th August Cadwell Park
Rnd 13 19th September Donington Park

From a press release issued by Nikon Yamaha:

Development Continues for Nikon Yamaha at Phillip Island

The Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team continued its impressive development of the brand new Yamaha YZF-R1 during the three Australian Superbike support races held at the second round of the Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island on March 26-28.

In only the second race meeting for the all-new R1 rocket, the Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team – with riders Daniel Stauffer and Shannon Johnson – scored a win and the fastest lap of the weekend to gain further valuable information and development progress in an event that had no bearing on the Australian Championships – although, as usual, plenty of pride was on the line.

Stauffer and Johnson qualified second and sixth respectively, with Dan’s time good enough to put him in the Superpole Shootout for the World Superbikes – a remarkable statistic considering the difference between the specs of the near standard Nikon Yamaha R1 and the international Superbikes. Also, due to time constraints there was no free practice so the first time on the Island track for the year was also the first qualifying session.

The Phillip Island circuit is notoriously tortuous on tyres – particularly the left-hand side as the bikes are leaned over for extraordinarily long periods at high speeds – plus the weekend produced unseasonal high temperatures. Combined with the extra power this new breed of Superbikes are producing and that all riders are limited to only two sets of tyres for the three races, tyre selection would play a critical role in proceedings.

Stauffer took the early running in the first 10-lap race and was in a commanding position fort the majority of the journey and looked certain to grab the win. However, the combination of a lack of development of the new R1 and the all-new 2004-spec Dunlop tyres saw his charge to the front come up just short and he brought the Yamaha home in a gallant second place. Johnson managing to battle through to finish in third position just behind his teammate to score his first podium in only his second meeting with the team.

“We still have a long way to go in the development of the new R1,” explained Nikon Yamaha’s Team Manager, Steve Trinder. “We have had very little practice as we are doing the development of bikes at the meetings but there is plenty of light at the end of the tunnel. We haven’t been to Phillip Island with the new bikes so we gained heaps of vital information that will be very useful for the final round of the Australian titles later in the year.”

The second leg was another example why the fans crowd the spectator fences and many of the world teams drop tools to have a look at the local talent as the race was a cracker between the usual combatants – a five lap sprint race. Stauffer went out on a harder compound Dunlop on the rear while Johnson elected to use the same tyre so he could have fresh rubber for the critical 10-lap final leg.

Stauffer’s decision was prudent as he took the win and the fastest lap of the three races and just missed out on claiming a new class lap record while Johnson, after being up to third place had to slow towards the end to eventually finish sixth.

The final five-lap leg was held between the two World Superbike races on Sunday afternoon by which time the track temperature had soared to over 42 degrees – unusually high for late March at the island track.

From the start Stauffer took up his now customary position at the front of the field and look set to make it another win but a worn tyre and the intense heat took their toll as he dropped off the pace of the leaders as Johnson on a fresh tyre did the reverse and in the final drag to the line pipped his teammate for fourth spot.

“I suppose I can’t be disappointed as we have still so much work to do but it would’ve been nice to come away with the outright victory over the three races” explained Stauffer. “With the rules the way they are stating that we have to use two sets of tyres for the three races, the nature of the track and the hot conditions it was always going to be hard but I’m happy to get a win and the fastest lap of the weekend.

“The team worked very hard and the new bike is the best thing I have ever ridden. I have to keep reminding myself that it’s still a road bike and virtually stock standard. We still have a lot of work to do to turn the new R1 into a proper race bike but when that happens I reckon they wont see which way we went!”

In only his second meeting on a Yamaha and dealing with a new team and Dunlop tyres Johnson is demonstrating that it won’t be too long before he will be battling with his team mate for outright honours. “I haven’t ridden a Superbike for over a year so I shouldn’t be too down on myself and for sure would’ve liked to have been closer to the front. I’m pretty hard on myself at the best of times but I’m working well with the team as I learn a new bike and new tyres as well.

“I’m happy we have moved forward from the first time on the bike and look forward to testing so I can understand the bike some more and push for podium finishes every time I go out.”

The next meeting for the Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team is the second round of the 2004 Shell Advance Australian Superbike Championships at Wakefield Park near Goulburn (NSW) on April 16-18.

From a press release issued by Russ Hodgson Racing:

Virgin Mobile Yamaha R6 Cup – Round 1 – Silverstone – 28th March 2004

RUSTY’S HOPES SKITTLED AT SILVERSTONE

Just when it looked like Russell Hodgson’s seemingly endless run of bad luck was diminishing, along came another competitor who comprehensively wiped out his hopes of grabbing a deserved victory in round one of the Yamaha R6 Cup at Silverstone.

Having qualified on the front row for the first time in the series – after finishing eighth overall in last season’s inaugural championship – ‘Rusty’ was confident of running a good race pace, a fact which was borne out as he led for the opening ten laps in difficult damp conditions.

But going into the final third of the race, the 22 year old from Hutton Rudby, Cleveland – who celebrated his 23rd birthday the day after the race – was skittled from behind by rival Bob Collins who took Hodgson’s back wheel away at the infamous Woodcote chicane, causing them both to crash out.

“I couldn’t believe he did that” said a devastated Hodgson. “I was just about to get on the gas and head out of the corner and the next thing I was rolling around on the floor. I thought I’d broken my leg at first but luckily it’s nothing more than bad bruising although I could have done without this. It just means I’m even more determined to win at Brands Hatch” he said referring to the next round at the Kent circuit on Easter Monday.

The series rules allow a rider to drop their two worst scores in the 13 round series so all is not lost for Hodgson as he bids for the top prize of a coveted works-supported ride in the Virgin Mobile Yamaha British Superbike Championship Team in 2005.

R6 Cup Round One Results
1, A Jenkinson, 2. J Hillier, 3.C Cummins, 4.K Bryce, 5.G Sanders, 6. V Cox, 7. J Lee, 8. J Edmeades, 9.R Wren, 10. M Pollock.