From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

Australia Welcomes SBK for the 14th Time

The long-established venue of Phillip Island provides the magnificent backdrop for the second round of the World Superbike Championship, the 14th time the classically sculpted 4.445km circuit has hosted one of the most exciting forms of racing ever devised.

The previous winner’s roll reads like a who’s who of World Superbike legends, with all six of the most recent World Superbike champions having taken wins at this most naturally sculpted and challenging of contemporary race tracks. The most recent PI race winner in the current field is 1996 World Champion and native Australian Troy Corser (Petronas FP-1), who secured a win on the Island in the second leg of the 2000 event.

The ever-improving three-cylinder Foggy Petronas FP-1 machine secured its first ever podium finish at round one in Valencia, thanks to the efforts of Corser’s team-mate Chris Walker and thus Corser sees Phillip Island as one of the main opportunities to score his first podium on the unique machine. “I’m obviously looking forward to going back to Phillip Island,” he stated. “I think that all the riders think that it’s the best track on the calendar, especially for me as it’s my home race. I’ll have a lot of family, friends and supporters there and I will be trying hard to improve on last year’s best finish of fifth. The flowing nature of the circuit should help us, but you can get held up if you are dicing with another rider. At this stage of our engine development, there are probably only the Siberia and Honda corners where we will lose a bit on acceleration. The competition may have improved since last year but you have to take each day as it comes at Phillip Island as a lot can depend on the weather, when local knowledge can come in handy.” With so many riders in with a chance of joining an illustrious list of previous Island winners, Corser will have no end of competition at this race – not to mention over the entire season.

The first race at Round One in Valencia, affected by changeable weather, provided some unexpected results, but none could deny the excellence and commitment show by both race winners James Toseland (Ducati Fila 999 F04) and Noriyuki Haga (Renegade Ducati 999).

Toseland does not have to look hard for his expected closest competitor this weekend, as Superpole winner from Valencia, Regis Laconi, is his team-mate in the other side of the Fila Ducati garage. With no points compared to Toseland’s 45, Laconi will be desperate to notch as many points as possible in Australia, and has great experience of the circuit from previous SBK and GP campaigns.

For Haga and his Renegade Ducati team the Valencia win was a tremendous boost in their first weekend of full-time SBK competition and the Japanese rider will be out to score his own second Phillip Island win, his previous Aussie highlight coming in 1998.

The list of possible winners, in something of a bumper year for potential podium placers, includes the multiple SBK race winner Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) who continues in a one-man team for the 2004 season. A force to be reckoned with at Valencia, after swapping his new 999 Ducati for his existing 998 model, Chili could ride either bike in qualifying in Australia.

On the opposite end of the age spectrum from the 39-year-old Chili, 20-year-old Renegade Ducati rider Leon Haslam is a full-time SBK rookie, as is the multiple GP race winner, Garry McCoy – another fast rider of local origin.

One of the most exiting prospects for the 2004 season is the combination of reigning World Supersport Champion Chris Vermeulen and the Ten Kate Honda Fireblade, both new inductees into SBK racing. Already enjoying some level of success on a still developing motorcycle, Vermeulen is expected to be the most effective four-cylinder rider on display. As winner of the Supersport race at Phillip Island last year, Vermeulen may surprise a few with his on-bike flair on raceday.

Possible the most underrated rider in the series in recent years, Steve Martin, demonstrated his true prowess at the previous SBK race, finishing third in race two after the heartbreak of retiring from a similar position in race one. The DFX Extreme Sterilgarda Ducati rider is currently the Phillip Island National Superbike lap record holder, and is more than capable of securing his first SBK race win on Sunday.

The fast and flowing nature of Phillip Island lends itself to intense and often tactile competition in all classes. In this year of increased competition and with a level playing field for tyres, both SBK races are expected to be some of the closest of the season.

In the Supersport World Championship, an especially important event at this venue, due to the high numbers of local riders who have beaten a 600cc sized path to prominence in recent years, there are also unprecedented numbers of fast and well-equipped riders.

The previous Valencia race was a game of two contrasting halves, with Honda riders largely dominating qualifying before the Yamaha Italia duo of eventual winner Jurgen van den Goorbergh and second placed Fabien Foret scooped the biggest prizes on offer. Alstare Suzuki rider Katsuaki Fujiwara, currently third in the championship, will be challenging for honours as ever, joined by 1999 World Champion Stephane Chambon and Vittorio Iannuzzo.

Lorenzo Lanzi heads a one man Ducati Breil 749 challenge but the best bets for local glory may well come from the Ten Kate Honda camp. Karl Muggeridge and Broc Parkes were the leading lights in qualifying in Spain and each has intimate track knowledge, plus the impetus of a partisan crowd behind them. Kevin Curtain (Yamaha Motor Germany) is another fast Aussie, but in this class of racing, there are seldom such things as pre-race favourites.

Qualifying for all classes starts on Friday 26 March, culminates on Saturday 28, and while racing for real begins on Sunday 28th with two Superbike and one Supersport contest. SBK Championship leader at present is James Toseland, on 45 points.

The pre-race build up got underway on Thursday 25th March, with the novelty of an SBK ‘Shear-Off’ competition, during which the top International, Australian and Supersport competitors rose to the challenge of shearing some of the many sheep which surround the Phillip Island circuit – against the clock and each other. The International team won this particular contest, by a short head.

For those who do not have access to live TV coverage, the weekend action can be followed in real time on the SBK website, www.worldsbk.com.

From a press release issued by Aprilia:

APRILIA EMBARKS ON ITS 2004 MOTOGP ADVENTURE FROM GENOA

A typical Italian Spring day welcomed the press presentation of the MS Aprilia Racing Team, which will race with the new Rs Cube.

Candido Cannavò introduced the event at Genoa’s Aquarium, the naturalistic window in the ancient harbour of the city of the “Lanternas”.

Mr. Gianni Plinio, Vice President of the Liguria Region said: “I’m very pleased to present the MS Aprilia Racing Team in Genoa’s Aquarium. As you all know, – added Mr. Plinio – this year Genoa is the capital of European Culture, which, considered in its various aspects, can also be defined as the culture of business and therefore Aprilia’s way of life!”.

“I’m here basically because I am Aprilia’s President Ivano Beggio friend”, added Candido Cannavò. Later, when talking of Aprilia’s history in World Championship, Mr Cannavò remembered the 22 World Championships won over the past 20 years and how some of the current biggest champions started their careers on Aprilia racing bikes.

“This new Rs Cube – said Mr Ivano Beggio – contains 235 new elements. This means that we believe in this project and strongly wish to improve it. Aprilia invested many resources in races and this season is definitely centered on the growth and development of the RS Cube”. Aprilia has always built winning racing bikes, but our specialties are the 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines, which are extremely difficult to produce”.

Such complexity is, in fact, Jan Witteven’s mission, Tech-in-Chief of the Aprilia Racing Team, who believes in the three-cylinder engine. “Last year – said Witteven – we delayed the development because of certain misleading strategic choices; but I am ready to bet on this project today!”.

The new RS Cube has a new white pretty as well as two new riders. Jeremy McWilliams came back to Aprilia after three years and Shane “Shakey” Byrne is a rookie in the MotoGP series, instead. Jeremy knows Aprilia’s style very well and Shakey is the British champion, who won two races in the World Superbike Championship.

Both riders are optimistic for the 2004 season. “Our target is to be in the top ten”, said Jeremy McWilliams. Jeremy spoke about the bike, defining it as “very fast!!”. He then added “I’m very positive for the 2004 season”.

He concluded by saying: “I’m looking forward to the Irta test in Barcelona to measure my real potential on this bike, and I’m very happy to be part of this Team.”

From a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:

2004 American AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship
Round 2 – California Speedway, Fontana, California, USA
Event Preview

HECTIC TESTING PROGRAM HAS MLADIN READY FOR CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY SUPERBIKE ROUND

Victory at the opening round of the 2004 American AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship at Daytona on March 6 has not left defending series champion Mat Mladin and his Yoshimura Suzuki team sitting in any sort of comfort zone, having just completed two, two-day test sessions as the second round of the championship looms close next weekend, April 3 & 4.

In the past two weeks, Mladin and his crew have tested their Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike at Infineon Raceway at Sonoma, California and more recently have just completed a test at Monterey’s Laguna Seca Raceway.

Mladin was very happy with the results and information gathered by his team at both venues, but his trip to Laguna was met with a minor incident on the opening day that left the four times American Superbike champion slightly winded.

“I ran a little wide on the first right-hander and the front tucked under as it hit the white line, I got it back together, but I ran out of space with the wall being so close and was forced to jump off the bike before it impacted the wall,” said Mladin in reference to his opening day crash. “I followed the bike in and when it rebounded I caught the rear wheel in the chest and it knocked me about a bit. I managed to get out of it without any injury and the guys were able to get the bike back together ready for that afternoon.

“The test went very well aside from that. It was very productive for us. We worked through the disruption of the first day and then today, we started and made the most of perfect conditions until just after lunch when the wind picked up. Any time when you have a crash and your body ploughs into something, you are battered and bruised and I was feeling some effects of it today. We learned a lot of stuff from this test and I think it’s got us in good shape for next weeks race at Fontana.”

A week earlier Mladin had posted the fastest time of the contingent of Superbike riders who tested at Infineon. His best time was a reported 1:37.4.

“The test there went really well. The lap time s were promising, but we are struggling a bit with acceleration and speed, but I enjoy tracks like Infineon because you don’t need a lot of that to go fast, it’s all about getting the bike set up as best you can. The resurfaced track has made it very smooth, making it a lot safer than what it was 12 months ago and I think everyone is looking forward to heading back there for the race. Also if the circuit continues to work on some of the track safety issues, I feel it can develop into a very good and enjoyable race track.”

With testing complete for the interim, Mladin and his Yoshimura team will prepare for next weekend’s round at California Speedway.

Mladin was a dominant force at the corresponding round last year, taking both race wins which followed a lap record breaking run to take pole position.

With his Daytona win now behind him, Mladin arrives at California holding a five-point lead over Jake Zemke (37 – 32), with Miguel DuHamel third with 29.

FAST FACTS – California Speedway

Circuit Length: 3.70km / 2.30 miles
2003 Pole position: Mat Mladin (Team Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:25.123
2003 Race results:

Race 1
1. Mat Mladin (Team Yoshimura Suzuki)
2. Aaron Yates (Team Yoshimura Suzuki)
3. Ben Bostrom (American Honda)

Race 2
1. Mat Mladin (Team Yoshimura Suzuki)
2. Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki)
3. Miguel DuHamel (American Honda)

Superbike lap record: Mat Mladin (Team Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:25.123 (2003)

2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship (Points after 1 of 18 rounds)
1. Mat Mladin (37); 2. Jake Zemke (32); 3. Miguel DuHamel (29); 4. Jack Pfeifer (27); 5. Lee Acree (26); 6. Rick Orlando (25); 7. Pascal Picotte (24); 8. Chris Caylor (23); 9. Scott Jensen (22); 10. Eric Wood (21).

From a press release issued by d’Antin Ducati:

Hodgson and Xaus back into action

This weekend the d’Antin MotoGP riders go back into action in the Catalunyan Circuit, where all the teams will take part in the Official MotoGP Test. Three days of hard work will end on a Sunday 45 minutes timed session where the fastest rider will get a valuable price.

Neil Hodgson, Superbikes World Champion, is a fast laps’ specialist with another objective: “I like this circuit although since 1995 I have not had the chance of running here and I remember that at that time I was in a bad patch. Anyway, I am longing to ride the bike once again and to take the very best of this working days. We need to keep making progress and I think that there are other riders more interested in getting the best time on the next Sunday’s session, above all to annoy their rivals and that is not our trouble for the moment”.

Ruben Xaus looks forward to this special meeting because he is from Barcelona and will ride at home: “I already have ridden here, but from 1996 up I have not had the chance and I am thrilled to ride here. Also we will have a chance to work for next June’s Grand Prix and to get some information as we have no reference about this track. We have two bikes and I hope we will manage to take advantage of our possibilities along those three days. As for the Sunday timed session I must admit it is not our objective but if I feel at ease I will do as much as I can”.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Thursday’s 250cc Lap Times From The IRTA Test At Catalunya:

1. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, 1:47.096
2. Toni ELIAS, Honda, 1:47.311
3. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, 1:47.526
4. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, 1:47.822
5. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, 1:47.912
6. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, 1:47.996
7. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, 1:48.711
8. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, 1:48.930
9. Anthony WEST, Aprilia, 1:49.000
10. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, 1:49.096
11. Jakub SMRZ, Honda, 1:49.421
12. Roberto ROLFO, Honda, 1:49.653
13. Joan OLIVE, Aprilia, 1:49.673
14. Arnaud VINCENT, Aprilia, 1:49.791
15. Sylvain GUINTOLI, Aprilia, 1:50.008
16. Gregory LEFORT, Aprilia, 1:50.087
17. Erwan NIGON, Yamaha, 1:50.213
18. Alex DEBON, Honda, 1:50.624
19. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, 1:50.655
20. Alex BALDOLINI, Aprilia, 1:50.685
21. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, 1:50.835
22. Hector FAUBEL, Aprilia, 1:50.916
23. Eric BATAILLE, Honda, 1:51.019
24. Johan STIGEFELT, Aprilia, 1:51.589
25. Max SABBATANI, Yamaha, 1:52.133
26. Hugo MARCHAND, Aprilia, 1:52.286
27. Taro SEKIGUCHI, Yamaha, 1:52.667
28. Christian GEMMEL, Honda, 1:54.118
29. Dirk HEIDOLF, Aprilia, 1:54.501


Best Overall Lap Ties Of Test:

1. DE PUNIET, Aprilia, 1:47.096
2. ELIAS, Honda, 1:47.311
3. PORTO, Aprilia, 1:47.422
4. POGGIALI, Aprilia, 1:47.822
5. PEDROSA, Honda, 1:47.912
6. DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, 1:47.996
7. BATTAINI, Aprilia, 1:48.711
8. NIETO, Aprilia, 1:48.821
9. AOYAMA, Honda, 1:48.930
10. WEST, Aprilia, 1:49.000
11. DEBON, Honda, 1:49.205
12. SMRZ, Honda, 1:49.421
13. ROLFO, Honda, 1:49.588
14. OLIVE, Aprilia, 1:49.673
15. VINCENT, Aprilia, 1:49.791
16. MATSUDO, Yamaha, 1:49.799
17. GUINTOLI, Aprilia, 1:50.008
18. LEFORT, Aprilia, 1:50.087
19. NIGON, Yamaha, 1:50.213
20. BATAILLE, Honda, 1:50.569
21. BALDOLINI, Aprilia, 1:50.685
22. DAVIES, Aprilia, 1:50.835
23. FAUBEL, Aprilia, 1:50.916
24. MARCHAND, Aprilia, 1:51.016
25. STIGEFELT, Aprilia, 1:51.589
26. SABBATANI, Yamaha, 1:52.133
27. SEKIGUCHI, Yamaha, 1:52.667
28. GEMMEL, Honda, 1:54.118
29. HEIDOLF, Aprilia, 1:54.501

From a press release issued by Yamaha:

BARCELONA CROWDS TREATED TO AN ACTION PREVIEW AS YAMAHA UNVEILS ITS NEW LINE-UP

Yamaha launched its MotoGP effort for 2004 with an action-packed ceremony in the centre of Barcelona this afternoon. Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Carlos Checa were joined by Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 team-mates Marco Melandri and Norick Abe as they unveiled their 2004 MotoGP machines in full race livery for the first time in front of a packed press conference. The local public were then treated to a stunning display of wheelies and burn-outs as the four riders took to the streets in the shadow of Montjuic Castle and showed off the power of their YZR-M1s.

Speaking about his move from Honda to Yamaha, Italian World Champion and Yamaha new recruit Valentino Rossi said: “For sure it was a big decision, a big change and a big challenge for me, my mechanics and Yamaha. We know that it’s going to be more difficult than last year, but I’m confident we can get some good results. My situation is different from 2003, we know that we are still a little behind and need more time to work on the bike, so that means that there’s not as much pressure to win each race. But all this is a big motivation! I am very happy with where we are at the moment and with what we’ve achieved in only two months – Yamaha has worked very hard and that looks good for the future.”

Local star Carlos Checa, who starts his sixth season in the Yamaha Factory Team this year, said: “Each year you expect a lot from the new season, but so far this year the impression I have is even more positive than usual. Yamaha has made a big change since last year. We’ll have to wait and see what happens when the racing starts but I do feel optimistic. It’s a great pleasure for me to have Valentino Rossi as my team mate and to stay working with Yamaha. He’s the number one rider in the world so it’s a big motivation to ride with him.”

Presented by BBC Motorsport Correspondent Suzi Perry, Barcelona’s Sports Minister Mr Pere Alcober welcomed the guests to Barcelona. He was followed by Masao Furusawa, General Manager of Yamaha Motor Company’s Technology Development Division, who spoke briefly about his excitement for the coming season and the arrival of the five-time World Champion. Mr. Jean-Dominique Comolli and Mr. Pablo Isla, co-presidents of Altadis, the parent company of Yamaha’s title sponsors Gauloises and Fortuna, also spoke for a short time about the forthcoming season and the importance of the MotoGP programme to their brands.

The riders were preceded on stage by their Team Managers – Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team Director Davide Brivio and his Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 counterpart Herve Poncharal. Brivio commented: “It’s been a very busy winter with something new to try and evaluate at every test. But the machinery is getting better each time. It’s going to be interesting at these last two tests to see where we are with the competition before we start racing.”

After the press conference the four riders took their M1 race bikes in new 2004 livery out onto the avenue to great applause and cheers from the crowd, who had been gathering for hours in the sunshine. The presentation finished just in time. After a 20 minute display, during which the riders took turns to show off their new-look bikes in the dramatic surroundings, the sun disappeared and Barcelona was treated to a violent hail and thunderstorm.

The Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha team, which has completed four tests so far this year in Malaysia and Australia, begins the first of the two official IRTA group tests tomorrow at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona. They will test there for three days before moving on to Jerez in southern Spain next week for the final test before the season-opening Grand Prix in South Africa on 18 April.

From a press release issued by the AMA:

AMA ANNOUNCES 2006 WOMEN & MOTORCYCLING CONFERENCE

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that the fourth AMA Women & Motorcycling Conference will be held June 29 through July 3, 2006 in Athens, Georgia.

“The AMA is pleased to once again host the Women & Motorcycling Conference,” said Robert Rasor, President of the AMA. “Based on the success of our previous conferences, we’re confident that the 2006 event will be a valuable experience for all who attend.”

The first three AMA Women & Motorcycling Conferences were held in 1997, 2000, and 2002. Nearly 700 women and men attended the 2002 conference, from nearly every U.S. state and several foreign countries.

Athens was chosen as the site of the 2006 AMA Women & Motorcycling Conference for its excellent facilities, and for its proximity to great motorcycle riding. The AMA is working closely with the leadership of national women’s motorcycling organizations — including Motor Maids, Twisty Sisterz, Women in the Wind, Women on Wheels, Women’s International Motorcycle Association-USA, and Women’s Motorcyclist Foundation — to plan the 2006 conference.

The AMA will announce more details about the 2006 AMA Women & Motorcycling Conference in the coming months. For more information, visit www.womenandmotorcycling.com or www.AMADirectlink.com, or call 1-800-AMA-JOIN.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

TOSELAND (DUCATI FILA) AIMS HIGH DOWN UNDER

Phillip Island (Australia): Ducati Fila rider James Toseland goes into this weekend’s second round of the World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island, Australia with a 12-point lead after a superb start to the season in the Valencia opener.

The 23-year-old from Sheffield, England crashed out in January’s pre-season testing on the spectacular Australian circuit, but returns to the island brimming with confidence following a win and a second place in Spain.

“I love everything about racing at Phillip Island, the circuit is picturesque, fast and exciting and it is a real riders’ track” declared James. “I especially like the fast bit through Haystacks, but after my crash in January’s test I would say the worst part is between Honda hairpin and Siberia, where they really ought to put some softer tarmac down!”

Toseland hasn’t had great results at Phillip Island in his three appearances there, his best performance being a fifth place last year. “I was battling for third in race 1 but then my fairing fell off and I was black-flagged!” he explained.

“The main thing about Phillip Island is that you need to set up the bike different to all the other tracks but you’ve really got to be smooth round here” he added. “The last two lefts are critical because you can lose so much time there”.

“I’m feeling really good this season and I’m enjoying my racing. I’m giving 110% every time I go out, and although I’m leading the championship, I’ve still got to keep it all together because anything can happen over a race weekend – just look at Regis!” he concluded.

Team-mate Regis Laconi wants nothing better than to put his nightmare start to the season behind him after scoring two DNFs in the Valencia opener. The 28-year-old Frenchman crashed out on a wet track surface in the first race and then retired with a mechanical problem early in race 2.

“I was not happy with the result at Valencia” Laconi explained, “but I feel confident about the next round. I know I am quick, I was faster than everyone else in testing, practice and qualifying so now I just want to get some racing under my belt, start off the season at Phillip Island, and take my first win of the year.

“I like the Phillip Island circuit so much, it’s a place where the rider can really make all the difference. In the fast corners you can push hard but in the two slow corners it’s easy to make a mistake and ruin your lap. Because the corners are so long and fast, the left side of the tyre needs to be fast for all the race and that makes all the difference” he added.

POINTS (after 1 of 11 rounds): Riders – 1. Toseland 45; 2. Chili 33; 3. Haga 25; 4. Walker 25; 5. Borciani 21; 6. McCoy 19; etc.

Manufacturers – 1. Ducati 50; 2. Petronas 25; 3. Honda 15; 4. Suzuki 12; 5. Yamaha 8; 6. Kawasaki 8.

CIRCUIT INFO: Name: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. Length: 4.445 km. Pole Position: Left. Corners Left/Right: 7/5. Finish Line Length: 835 m. Capacity: 150,000 spectators.

STATISTICS: Best lap: Corser (Ducati), 1:32.193 (1999). Lap record: Corser (Ducati), 1:33.019 (1999). Superpole: Corser (Ducati), 1:32.193 (1999).

TV COVERAGE: Eurosport (pan-European) – Sunday 28 March, 0400 Race 1 (live), 0730 Race 2 (live). La 7 (Italy), Saturday 27 March, 1100 Superpole (delayed); Sunday 28 March, 1400 Race 1 (delayed), 1725 Race 2 (delayed).

From a press release issued by New Hampshire International Speedway:

THE EIGHTY-FIRST ANNUAL LOUDON CLASSIC WEEK: THE TRADITION CONTINUES

By Ron Meade

(LOUDON, N.H. – March 24, 2004) — The Eighty-first Annual Loudon Classic Week is shaping up to be one of the most action-packed in the event’s storied history. The Classic has recaptured the excitement of past years with top level, handlebar-to-handlebar, nose-to-tail pack racing run rain or shine. A number of Canadian riders have been invited to the Classic to test our best at the nation’s oldest professional race meet in the fan favorite Diablo 125 GP Can-Am Challenge.

In addition to the Canadian riders, the Loudon Road Racing Series (LRRS) racers will again compete with the Formula USA teams adding to the excitement of this legendary event. The LRRS riders will use their Saturday and Sunday, June 12-13 race weekend as a final tune-up for the Classic.

Throughout that same weekend, the Merrimack Trail Riders will be conducting trail runs from the Speedway to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Society.

On Monday, June 14, the great riders and bikes from the early years of the Loudon Classic will challenge the 1.6 mile road course in the U.S. Classic Racing Association (USCRA) North American Vintage Road Race Championships. Many motorcyclists will join the Gypsy Tour at Weirs Beach and head south for a scenic run that will be highlighted by two parade laps around the NHIS road course.

The Penguin Racing School is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, June 15-16. Present and future road racers can get the necessary training to become fully licensed to compete in the Loudon Road Racing Series events at NHIS. Bikes and leathers can be rented from the school for those who are just getting started.

A Promoter’s Practice Day on Thursday, June 17 gives the teams competing at the Loudon Classic an opportunity to practice and tune their machines for the weekend.

The Eighty-first Annual Loudon Classic officially begins on Friday, June 18 with practice and qualifying sessions for all Formula USA classes. Rally & Race visitors will also have the opportunity to make a second Gypsy Tour to the Speedway from Rally & Race Headquarters.

Friday afternoon features the grueling 100-lap Loudon Team Challenge. Sidecar and Super Motard practice sessions conclude the day’s action.

Saturday, June 19 at the Classic will showcase the talents of both the amateur and professional classes. After the morning practice sessions, the afternoon is filled with amateur races, Formula USA qualifying, and the 2nd Annual Super Motard, an event which combines pavement and dirt racing.

The Eighty-First Annual Loudon Classic concludes on Father’s Day, June 20 with a full slate of Formula USA Championship Series National Road Race Series events. The racing at the track gets underway at noon with the ThunderBikes followed by the Diablo 125 GP Can-Am Challenge, the UL Expert GP, Rising Sun 250 GP, SportBike and SuperBike events. The action will be non-stop all afternoon.

A giant Parade to the Speedway starts at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 20 at the Meredith High School. Last year’s parade saw an estimated 500 bikes make the trip to NHIS. Riders enjoy this run as local residents line the route to thank our visitors for a wonderful week.

Make your plans now to attend the Classic by calling Speedway Guest Services at (603) 783-4931 for money-saving advance sale tickets or visit us online at www.nhis.com. Camping is available for all VIP Weekend ticket holders.

From a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

British Superbike Championship – Round 1 – Silverstone, Northants – 27/28 March

MONSTERMOB DUCATI READY FOR ACTION

Defending double British Superbike Champions MonsterMob Ducati go into this weekend’s opening round of BSB2004 brim full of confidence as their bid for a third successive title gets underway at Silverstone on Sunday.

After the late Steve Hislop’s title success in 2002 followed by Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne lifting the crown again last season before moving onto Moto GP, the Paul Bird Motorsport squad are pinning their hopes on the experienced Sean Emmett in the Superbike class aboard the factory supported Ducati 999 F04.

The 34 year old Londoner has endured a torrid time over the past few seasons and views his chances with Britain’s most successful team in recent years as his best bet for landing the elusive title:

“I’m very confident, especially after the test at Silverstone last week when I was fastest, but I know come race day it will be a different matter. It’s important we leave Silverstone with a good points haul as the next two tracks we go to are two of my favourites but I just can’t wait to get going. A double would be fantastic to get the season rolling but we’ll have to wait and see” declared the former 500cc GP rider.

Another new face joins Emmett in the Penrith-based team in the shape of young Ulsterman Michael Laverty who will be hoping to win back the Supersport title that the team relinquished last season.

The 22 year old County Antrim rider will have the latest works 749cc Ducati at his disposal and starts as one of the favourites going into round one:

“It’s going to be tough but I know I have the best package out there” said Laverty. “We’ve not had as much testing as I’d have liked but I feel very comfortable on the bike and I’m confident we can find a good race set up in order to be on the pace come Sunday.”

Team owner Paul Bird too is looking forward to the season ahead as he bids for an unprecedented third title. The Penrith businessman, who has spent much of the winter behind the wheel of his Ford Focus World Rally Car whereby he has rapidly climbed the UK driver’s rankings, is also quietly confident:

“We know that we are the team to beat and that everyone has upped their game this year to try to do just that but we remain confident with the package we have in place. Both riders have points to prove and with the best machinery from Ducati at our disposal, I see no reason why we can’t keep winning. My team of Phil Borley, Stuart Bland and Jonathan Clucas have been working round the clock to get everything ready and I’d like to pay tribute to them all for their efforts and hope the riders can repay them for all their hard work this weekend.”

BSB 2004 Dates

Mar 28: Silverstone, Northamptonshire.
Apr 12: Brands Hatch Indy, Kent.
Apr 25: Snetterton, Norfolk.
May 3: Oulton Park, Cheshire.
May 23: Mondello Park, Ireland.
Jun 6: Thruxton, Hampshire.
Jun 20: Brands Hatch, Kent.
Jul 4: Knockhill, Fife, Scotland.
Jul 18: Mallory Park, Leicestershire.
Aug 15: Croft, North Yorkshire
Aug 30: Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire.
Sep 12: Oulton Park, Cheshire.
Sep 19: Donington Park, Leicestershire

Editorial Note: MonsterMob Ducati also announced new sponsorship deals with “Europe’s largest retail finance partner Cetelem” and “French helmet manufacturer Shark” in separate press releases.


More, from a press release issued by Hawk Kawasaki:

HAWK KAWASAKI PREPARE FOR ZX-10Rs RACE DEBUT

Hawk Kawasaki will race its brand new ZX-10R superbikes for the first time this weekend at the opening round of the British Superbike Championship, at Silverstone, Northamptonshire.

This year’s 13-round series kicks off on the fast and flowing 2.252 mile International circuit where Hawk Kawasaki rider Glen Richards took two third places in last year’s event. Despite an encouraging first test at the track last week the Hawk team is expecting a tough weekend.

“The first thing that’s uppermost in my mind is that I’d like to see both riders finish both races in the top 10,” explains Hawk Team Principal Stuart Hicken. “I will be happy if they do that because the ZX-10 is a totally unraced motorcycle, as a superbike, and it’s only 65 per cent ready as a complete package because we don’t have the race ignition or race pistons in the bike yet, although we do have special Arrow titanium conrods that are made specifically for the ZX-10R in the motor already. We’ve done a lot of work on the bike but we’re still a long way from having a completed motorcycle, so if we finish both races with both riders we’ll have learnt a huge amount about the bike. That’s what we’re aiming to do – learn about the bike and allow the riders to learn how to ride the bike.”

Hawk Kawasaki rider Scott Smart, who has been heavily involved in the development of the team’s 10Rs, has been impressed by the bike in testing, but is aware of how crucial both practice and qualifying will be for the team: “At the moment we just need to get as many laps under our belts as possible. It’s always tough with a new bike because there’s no data to compare against, so you have to learn everything from scratch. The test we had at Silverstone went well for us and the bike felt good, but that was just testing. Racing these things is completely different. We’ve found that the bike works well on fresh tyres, but at the moment it’s not so good when the rear tyre starts to wear – that’s one area we’ve really got to work on this weekend. I’m a little nervous but I’m also excited to be racing again.”

His team mate, Richards, is also keen to get the season underway, but is aware of how critical Friday and Saturday will be for the team: “We’re lucky that the basic package feels so good so soon, but there’s a load of work for us to get stuck into as soon as we get to the track. I’m going to be working hard to get the chassis, and particularly the front end of the bike, feeling the best I can because at the moment we’re still a little down on power compared to the others. I like the track though and if I can get the bike working how I want I’ll be happy.”

Practice for the opening round starts on Friday 26, qualifying is to be run on Saturday 27 and race day is on Sunday 28.