Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Pihokken Wins Shootout, Martinez Wins Most

CCS Florida Region
Moroso Motorsports Park
West Palm Beach, Florida
August 29, 2004

By Lisa Theobald

CCS Florida’s Number One rider, Jim Pihokken, won the featured Unlimited Grand Prix race at Moroso Motorsports Park after nailing the holeshot and leading every lap of the race. His main challenger during the race was Marco Martinez, who got a bad start, but worked his way up to second place by the middle of lap two. Michael Barnes was expected to be a major competitor, but didn’t even make it to the grid. After crashing his “A” bike during the Middleweight Supersport event, Barnes decided to pack it up and not risk any damage to his “B” bike in preparation for the upcoming AMA races at Road Atlanta next weekend.

Pihokken was on the gas from the drop of the green flag and had secured a 20-bikelength lead over second place with his GSX-R1000 very early on the first lap of the Shootout. Behind him, GSX-R750 pilot Ed Lis was being challenged by Martinez, who had worked his way up to third place by the end of the first lap. Halfway through lap two, Martinez maneuvered his GSX-R1000 around Lis to take over second place and started to reel in Pihokken. By lap three, he was a mere five bikelengths behind the leader. Martinez was able to catch the leader with a late-braking maneuver into turn seven and challenged Pihokken in every corner thereafter. The two would run wheel-to-wheel down the straightaways with Martinez attempting to pass Pihokken around the outside of every turn. But Pihokken was able to hold his advantage and keep the lead. On the white flag lap of the race, Pihokken was out front, all by himself. Martinez had crashed in the turn three/four chicane. He was able to re-enter the race, but could not regain his position. Pihokken continued to lead the final lap without challenge. He crossed the start finish line with a big, big gap over second-place Lis. Alvaro Toledo finished third, followed by Michael Rouleau and Martinez.

On the podium, Pihokken commented on his battle with Martinez stating, “At first, I was cruising. I thought he was on the 750. When I looked back and saw him there, I started to step it up. He ran into me twice going into turn two, but I don’t know if that caused him to go down. But, if it did, I apologize.” Pihokken went on to thank Sean Prieto and all the guys at Prieto Racing for helping get his bike ready. “They did an awesome job,” said Pihokken. “Barnes is here and I have to thank him, because he rode this bike last year and helped set it up.” He also thanked the corner workers and the entire CCS crew stating, “A couple of weeks ago, I went down pretty hard and those guys were right there. You guys do an awesome job and I really appreciate you.”

Pihokken also won the first race of the day, GTO, after taking the lead from his teammate, Lis, on lap two and dominating from that point forward.

Barnes won the GTU race after passing holeshot winner Greg Melka for the lead on the first lap. From then on, he was simply untouchable. With each lap, Barnes continued to increase the gap on the rest of the field. He had the entire back straightaway all to himself on the white flag lap and took the checkered flag without challenge. But Barnes crashed out of the lead of the Middleweight Supersport race, putting an early end to his day and any chances of taking home Yamaha contingency monies.

Martinez was, yet again, the biggest winner of the day, taking home a total of six first-place trophies. He won the Unlimited Supersport, Middleweight Supersport, Heavyweight Supersport, Middleweight Superbike, Heavyweight Superbike, and Middleweight Grand Prix races.

The next CCS Florida event is scheduled for the weekend of September 11-12 at Jennings GP in Jennings, Florida.

From a press release issued by BMW:

BMW AND CPSC ANNOUNCE VOLUNTARY RECALL OF SLIDECARVER

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, BMW of North America, LLC is recalling 161 Slidecarvers sold though its dealers and on-line. Customers are asked to stop using the Slidecarver immediately and return the product to BMW dealers for a full refund.

In addition to a full refund, customers will receive a $200 gift certificate that can be redeemed for BMW lifestyle merchandise at the dealership where the product was purchased.

The Slidecarver is a three-wheeled scooter with adjustable hydraulic twin-disc brakes, front and rear wheel steering system and a folding mechanism.

The product, sold from December 2003 until July 2004, could have been made with a component that does not meet manufacturing specifications. The supplier did not follow specifications and changed the manufacturing process on a front structure part from a forging to a casting. The cast parts do not meet impact resistance standards. If a Slidecarver with a cast front structure runs into a rigid object with significant force (e.g., a curb), breakage to that structure could occur. Breakage of the front structure may cause the operator to lose control and result in a fall, possibly causing injuries.

The company has received one report of an incident with minor injuries.

The Slidecarver, is no longer produced or sold through BMW.

Customers with questions about this recall can contact 1-800-831-1117.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

British Superbike Race One Results From Cadwell Park:

1. Michael RUTTER, Honda, 15 laps, 22:31.896
2. Ryuichi KIYONARI, Honda, -0.195 second
3. Yukio KAGAYAMA, Suzuki, -0.493 second
4. James HAYDON, Yamaha, -7.093 seconds
5. Tommy HILL, Yamaha, -8.034 seconds
6. Dean THOMAS, Ducati, -9.011 seconds
7. Glen RICHARDS, Kawasaki, -12.671 seconds
8. Kieran CLARKE, Yamaha, -13.291 seconds
9. John McGUINNESS, Kawasaki, -1 lap
10. Sean EMMETT, Ducati, -1 lap
11. Gary MASON, Yamaha, -1 lap
12. Jon KIRKHAM, Suzuki, -1 lap
13. Paul BROWN, Ducati, -1 lap
14. James ELLISON, Yamaha, -1 lap
15. Chris MARTIN, Suzuki, -1 lap

20. Scott SMART, Kawasaki, -1 lap
21. Steve PLATER, Yamaha, -1 lap, DNF

24. Craig COXHELL, Honda, -6 laps, DNF

26. John REYNOLDS, Suzuki, -11 laps, DNF

Fastest Lap: KAGAYAMA, Suzuki, 1:29.105, lap 9


British Superbike Race Two Results From Cadwell Park:

1. Yukio KAGAYAMA, Suzuki, 18 laps, 27:37.598
2. Scott SMART, Kawasaki, -6.592 seconds
3. Sean EMMETT, Ducati, -27.925 seconds
4. Dean THOMAS, Ducati, -28.001 seconds
5. Glen RICHARDS, Kawasaki, -30.238 seconds
6. James HAYDON, Yamaha, -45.587 seconds
7. Kieran CLARKE, Yamaha, -48.132 seconds
8. John REYNOLDS, Suzuki, -52.300 seconds
9. John McGUINNESS, Kawasaki, -63.422 seconds
10. James ELLISON, Yamaha, -67.207 seconds
11. Sam CORKE, Suzuki, -67.392 seconds
12. Gus SCOTT, Suzuki, -72.259 seconds
13. Craig COXHELL, Honda, -82.488 seconds
14. Jon KIRKHAM, Suzuki, -90.356 seconds
15. Michael PENSAVALLE, Ducati, -90.797 seconds
16. Ryuichi KIYONARI, Honda, -1 lap

20. Michael RUTTER, Honda, -10 laps, DNF

22. Steve PLATER, Yamaha, -12 laps, DNF
23. Gary MASON, Yamaha, -15 laps, DNF

25. Paul BROWN, Ducati, -17 laps, DNF

Fastest Lap: KAGAYAMA, Suzuki, 1:29.995, lap 13


British Superbike Championship Point Standings (After 22 of 26 races):

1. REYNOLDS, 370 points
2. RUTTER, 337 points
3. SMART, 296 points
4. KAGAYAMA, 290 points
5. EMMETT, 262 points
6. KIYONARI, 170 points
7. TIE, HAYDON/THOMAS, 155 points
9. HILL, 116 points
10. MASON, 100 points


More, from a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

PODIUM FINISH FOR EMMETT AT CADWELL PARK

MonsterMob Ducati Superbike rider Sean Emmett bounced back from a disappointing tenth place in race one to claim a superb rostrum finish in front of a massive crowd at round eleven of the THINK! British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park today.

The 34 year old Londoner gambled on a dry tyre choice amidst the rain showers that hit the Lincolnshire circuit, and battled his way through the field before making a last lap move to claim the final rostrum place for the first time in six races.

“It’s pleasant to say that I am back on the rostrum. I thought I was going to get a nosebleed as I’ve not been up there for so long! I was struggling against the boys today and in the dry I couldn’t really hold a candle to them. The conditions are a good leveller for the bike. It’s nice to be back, just a shame it’s not at the top of the rostrum but it’s a start” said Emmett who consolidated fifth place in the Championship.

Meanwhile for MonsterMob Ducati Supersport rider Michael Laverty it was a case of what could have been when he threw away a certain rostrum position by overshooting the new Link Chicane on the final lap.

The young Ulsterman led for most of the race but his hopes of victory were banished when he made the mistake with half a lap to go.

“I thought I had it in the bag. Every time Vincent passed me I was a lot stronger than him and was able to pass him back. He got back past me on the back straight and I overshot at the chicane. I was gutted. But that’s the way it goes sometimes, and hopefully I can learn from my mistake” said Laverty.

Team owner Paul Bird had the following to say: “It’s good to be on the rostrum at long last. Sean rode well, dug in and showed good spirit. I’m disappointed for Michael. He knew he had to win the race to keep any Championship hopes alive. We’re used to race wins at Cadwell but we’ll settle for a rostrum on this occasion”.


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

KAGAYAMA TAKES CADWELL VICTORY!
Team Suzuki Press Office – August 30, 2004.

After suffering a near fatal accident at Cadwell Park a year ago, Rizla Suzuki’s Yukio Kagayama took an emotional victory and a podium third on his courageous return to the Lincolnshire circuit at the 11th round of the Think! British Superbike Championship today.

Kagayama decimated the opposition in the second race of the day, which was run under wet but drying conditions, leading from start to finish and never looking like he would be challenged. When he crossed the finish line, the crowd of almost 40,000 went wild, leaving the Japanese rider in no doubt how much they have taken him to their hearts.

His fourth win of the season, on top of a third in the first race, takes Yukio to within six points of third place in the overall standings with two of his favourite circuits still to come at Oulton and Donington Park. It also marks Rizla Suzuki’s 22nd consecutive rostrum of the year out of 22 starts – including nine victories – which gives Suzuki a strong 77-point lead in the manufacturers table with just 100-points left to score.

Championship leader John Reynolds did not finish the first race after tumbling off his GSX-R1000 Suzuki but scored a solid eighth place in the second event to go into the final two rounds of the Championship with a healthy 33-point advantage over his nearest rival, Michael Rutter, who won the first race but failed to finish in the second.

The 12th and penultimate round of the 2004 Championship takes place at Oulton Park on September 12th, the scene of Rizla Suzuki’s double one-two victory celebrations earlier in the season, and a happy hunting ground for the team.

Yukio Kagayama:

“Before I came here, I had many bad memories of Cadwell Park from last year and my big accident. But now I have only good memories and thoughts. I wanted so much to win and beat Cadwell Park. I am so happy.

“Thank you to my fans for supporting me and to my team for helping me so much to win this race. Now, one year later, I have finished with bad memories and my body is nearly completely healed. We’ve come full circle and I now want to win more races this year and help John-san to take title for the best team in British Superbikes.”

John Reynolds:

“I normally shift from fourth to third on the change of direction at turn one. I missed getting the bike into third and ran wide and crashed early on in the first race. Luckily I wasn’t hurt physically although my Championship hopes took a bit of a fall in that turn. Thank you to all the fans along the start-finish straight who cheered and applauded as I walked back to the pits: You gave me a big lift just when I needed it most.

“Race two and the wet-but-drying conditions are probably the worst for any rider to try and race under. It’s a tyre lottery and even then, you can be caught out very quickly by track conditions. I rode as hard as I could with my bike and tyre set-up and was determined to finish at all costs. I achieved that and stole a few points back on Michael in the process. It’s game-on for the Championship still: Oulton Park, where we visit next, is historically a good track for Rizla Suzuki. I’ll be looking for a change in my recent fortune when we go there in two weeks time and need to win races.”

Paul Denning – Team Manager:

“Yukio Kagayama is a true hero. He showed determination, effort, riding ability and sheer courage at Cadwell Park today, especially when you consider the life-threatening crash he suffered here last August. It is a fairytale ending for a very difficult time in general for Yuki and the whole team salutes him as the world-class rider and competitor he is.

“JR had a challenging day but he leaves here leading the series and still very much the man everyone else needs to beat. Oulton Park is a circuit where Rizla Suzuk i scored its best ever results last time we visited and we’ll be looking for more of the same in a fortnight’s time. The Championship is still JR’s aim and Yuki is back on track to challenge for third in the series; those are the targets and we have the riders, the bikes and the team to achieve them.”

From a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:

WSS R6 set-up report, round eight: Assen

Race date: 5 September 2004
Track length: 6027m
Year opened: 1954
2003 WSS winner: Karl Muggeridge (Honda)
Lap record: 2:06.922 Katsuaki Fujiwara (Suzuki)
Fastest supersport ever lap : 2:05.736 Chris Vermeulen (Honda)



Assen – a grand old circuit
Located in the north of The Netherlands, near the town of Groningen, the historic Assen circuit is a favourite fans and riders.

The track itself dates back to 1925, when the first Dutch TT was held on a 14km public road course. Thirty years later the current venue was built and although it has been updated over the years the circuit has retained much of its character. Assen is also popular with fans, many of whom travel from neighbouring Britain and Germany to enjoy the great racing and party atmosphere that even the all too common wet weather can’t put a dampener on.

Yamaha will have a fifth rider racing in its colours at Assen. Australian Andrew Pitt, champion in 2001, joins the Yamaha Motor Italia team alongside regular riders Jurgen van den Goorbergh and Fabien Foret, who will race despite breaking his ankle in a crash five weeks previously.

YZF-R6 set-up report
At over six kilometres Assen is a long circuit, but in terms of bike set-up it is less challenging than most other tracks. Most tracks have corners that range from extremely fast to extremely slow and which require some major compromises in bike set-up. But at Assen, the majority of corners are highly cambered second and third gear sweeps which demand similar characteristics from the machine. Grip levels are outstanding, even in the wet, and the combination of this, high speeds and extreme camber angles produce high G-forces which force the bike onto the asphalt during cornering. For this reason hard springs and high compression settings will be chosen, and the smooth surface means that the usual concerns about using such stiff settings – lack of grip and instability under braking – do not apply here.

A neutral chassis set-up giving riders confidence to carry lots of speed through the flowing corners is the aim. Gearbox settings should also be relatively straightforward. Bikes will need to be geared for over 250kph top speed down the back straight and, with no really slow corners to dictate a short first or second gear, the teams will be able to select a close ratio gearbox without compromises.

Jurgen van den Goorbergh’s guide to Assen
Turn one is a fast right called Haarbrocht, where I use third gear. I then accelerate through to fifth before Madjik corner in third, and then it’s up to fourth and back to second to enter Ossebroeken, which is short but with a lot of banking. It is difficult to keep the front wheel down coming out of here. Die Strubben is a long second gear corner and a fantastic place to watch. I then accelerate through Veenslang until Ruskenhoek corner. Braking into here is difficult because the bike is leaned over and you are also thinking about the next corner, named Stekkenwal.

De Bult is the most banked of all the corners and has good grip; the following two corners, Mandeveen and Duikersloot, have no banking, and therefore less grip. Meeuwenmeer is a very flat, fast corner; I then accelerate to get to Ramshoek, before which I get up to fourth gear. Finally Timmerbocht is a second gear chicane. You have to be careful because it is easy to lose the front on entry and on exiting it is easy to lose the rear.

Last year’s race – tough time for the R6 riders
Last year’s visit to Assen proved to be lowlight of Yamaha’s 2003 world supersport campaign, especially for Jurgen van den Goorbergh. The Dutchman disappointed his home crowd when he crashed out while battling for the lead with eventual winner Karl Muggeridge (Honda) and Chris Vermeulen (Honda). Yamaha Motor Germany’s Jörg Teuchert was the top Yamaha rider in seventh.

Season so far – Jurgen and Kevin lead the way
Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha Motor Italia) and Kevin Curtain (Yamaha Motor Germany) are Yamaha’s top two riders in the championship, going to Assen second and fourth in the championship respectively. Both have proved consistent: in seven races Curtain has been on the podium twice, while the Dutchman has taken one race win and been on the podium a further four times. It’s these performances, plus Fabien Foret’s outstanding win at Silverstone, which has earned Yamaha the lead in the manufacturer’s world championship with three races remaining.

European Superstock Championship – which R1 wins?
Another one-two finish for Yamaha Lorenzini by Leoni team-mates Gianluca Vizziello and Lorenzo Alfonsi in the last round at Brands Hatch ensured that the 2004 European Superstock title will go to one of the Italian R1 riders – the question that won’t be answered in Assen is which one.

Vizziello has a 21 point advantage over his team-mate, meaning that with three rounds currently remaining even a win for him will not secure the title in the Netherlands. Alfonsi is the only man to have defeated Vizziello this year and is the only other rider with a mathematical shot at the title, although he knows that a third victory is vital to boost his chances in the last two races. The battle for third is just as intense, with Yamaha Motor Germany’s Turkish starlet Kenan Sofuoglu currently occupies this position after finishing on the podium in Brands. Team-mate Didier van Keymeulen missed the race at Brands after crashing in practice and has slipped back to sixth place, albeit just three points behind Sofuoglu. The Belgian will ride at Assen this weekend after proving himself in a Dutch national race there last weekend.

From a press release issued by MSS Discovery Kawasaki:

MSS DISCOVERY SENSATION DA COSTA POWERS ZX-10R TO CADWELL PARK VICTORY

Sensational Frenchman Julien da Costa put the MSS Discovery Kawasaki ZX-10R on the top step of the podium as he won his second successive race in the National Superstock Championship at Cadwell Park on Monday.

Da Costa made a dream debut at the tricky Lincolnshire circuit as he added to his victory aboard the all-conquering ZX-10R at Croft two weeks ago. He led from the start but briefly lost the advantage to Danny Beaumont before edging ahead for victory with three laps to go in the 15-lap affair.

“This race was much harder for me,” explained Costa. “I was challenged for the lead but I was also able to see where I was stronger than the other rider. I had the ZX-10R set up perfectly for me to ride and I knew that a victory was possible from the start.”

Costa misses the next round­ at Oulton Park in two weeks ­to race at the Bol d¹Or 24-hour race for Kawasaki France before returning to the MSS discovery squad for the final round at Donington Park on September 19.

Da Costa’s team-mate Steve Allan took an excellent fourth place, battling with the pain from the collarbone he broke five weeks ago at Mallory Park.

“I managed to get third place as we started the last lap but then ran wide at the end of the back straight,” explained Allan. “I was conscious of a challenge at that corner and I was also thinking about my shoulder and just finishing the race.”

Pere Riba took seventh place in the British Supersport Championship round to retain fourth in the point standings. The Spaniard, starting from eighth on the grid made a disappointing start but fought through from 12th place at the end of the opening lap.

“It was always going to be a difficult race if I didn’t get off the startline well and I didn’t,” admitted Riba. “But I tried hard and after not finishing the last two races I’m reasonably happy to see a chequered flag and still have fourth place in the championship.”


British Supersport Championship, round 11 result (16 laps ­ 34.88 miles):

1 Jay Vincent, Honda, 25m 40.032s ­ 81.53mph
2 Tom Sykes, Suzuki, 25m 40.449s
3 Stuart Easton, Ducati, 25m 40.558s
4 Michael Laverty, Ducati, 25m 41.177s
5 Matt Llewellyn, Ducati, 25m 46.287s
6 Luke Quigley, Suzuki, 25m 46.676s
7 Pere Riba, MSS Discovery Kawasaki, 25m 55.604s
8 Craig Jones, Triumph, 25m 55.847s
9 Simon Andrews, Yamaha, 25m 56.535s
10 Paul Young, Honda, 26m 00.034s

Championship points after 11 of 13 rounds: 1 Karl Harris (Honda) 197, 2 Vincent 167, 3 Laverty 158, 4 Riba 110, 5 Quigley 91, 6 Sykes 87, 7 Leon Camier (Honda) 85, 8 Andrews 83, 9 Cal Crutchlow (Honda) and Jones 57.
Next round: Oulton Park, Cheshire ­ September 12.


National Superstock Championship, round 10 result (15 laps ­ 32.70 miles).

1 Julien da Costa, MSS Discovery Kawasaki, 23m 18.989s ­ 84.14mph
2 Danny Beaumont, Yamaha, 23m 20.367s
3 Marshall Neill, Suzuki, 23m 23,326s
4 Steve Allan, MSS Discovery Kawasaki, 23m 23.765s
5 Ben Wilson, Honda, 23m 33.302s
6 Howie Mainwaring, Yamaha, 23m 38.266s
7 Craig Fitzpatrick, Suzuki, 23m 38.625s
8 Aaron Zanotti, Suzuki, 23m 38.917s
9 Lee Jackson, Yamaha, 23m 39.193s
10 Andy Tinsley, Suzuki, 23m 41.533s

Championship points after 10 of 13 rounds: 1 Tristan Palmer (Suzuki) 157, 2 Tinsley 149, 3 Beaumont 148, 4 Wilson 139, 5 Les Shand (Yamaha) 100, 6 Allan 72, 7 Mainwaring 54, 8 Neill 53, 9 Da Costa 50, 10 Fitzpatrick 44.
Next round: Oulton Park, Cheshire ­ September 12.

From a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:

MLADIN CHASES ROAD ATLANTA SUPERBIKE VICTORIES

The American AMA Superbike Championship may have enjoyed a six-week break in racing action before heading into this weekend’s penultimate double-header round of the season, but for current championship point’s leader Mat Mladin, the break has brought with it plenty of encouragement as he strives to convert his current 21-point advantage into an unprecedented fifth American Superbike crown.

The Australian and his Yoshimura Suzuki team have worked overtime during the break chasing increased performance from their Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike.

The team tested at Road Atlanta, the venue for this coming weekend’s round of the series, in the week following the last round at Mid-Ohio, with Mladin emerging with the fastest time of the two-day test. Last week, the team then headed to Virginia International Raceway, host of the final round of the series, where Mladin again set the quickest time of the test.

The tests provided the team with a vast amount of technical information relating to tyres, chassis and engine performance.

“The Road Atlanta test went even better than we expected,” said the four-times American champion. “We’ve been very competitive there in the past and this time we found four or five different tyres that we can potentially race on, that were all very good as far as lap times went.”

“Last week we spent two days at Virginia and it was good for us just to get back out on the bike after having nearly a month off it. It proved very worthwhile as we found something there with the set up of the bike that made a big difference in a few areas allowing us to drop our lap times.”

“Suzuki have made some improvements with the bike since the Atlanta test, plus the team has also been busy working on some improvements, so overall I think we have the best package that we have had all year. It’s great that we have made these improvements at this point of the year.”

With testing now complete, there are just two double-header Superbike rounds (four races) remaining. Mladin arrives at Road Atlanta with a 21-point break over Jake Zemke (457 – 436), with Miguel DuHamel (413) third.

“I’ve been saying it all year, I’d prefer to be in front than chasing,” added Mladin, a six time race winner this year. “It certainly holds true the closer you get to the end of the year, that’s for sure.”

“We’re in a position where we can’t relax. We have to get out there and get it done in Atlanta and hopefully if we do a good job it will allow us to enjoy the final round at Virginia.”

“As far as the championship and everything else is concerned, this is by far the most important weekend of the year. We can really do a lot to put the championship away this weekend. We’ve had a good build up with the tests and have made further improvements with the bike, so it’s up to us now.”

Mladin has four race wins to his credit at Road Atlanta, taking the double in 2000, as well as single victories in 2001 and 2003. He has also set the fastest single lap time in recent years with the lap record and last year’s pole position to his credit.

Practice and qualifying for the weekend commences on Friday, before the first of the Superbike nationals take place on Saturday afternoon.

ROAD ATLANTA – FAST FACTS

Circuit length: 4.087km (2.54miles)

2003 AMA Pole position: Mat Mladin (Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:23.520

2003 AMA Results:

Race 1
1. Aaron Yates (Yoshimura Suzuki)
2. Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki
3. Kurtis Roberts (Erion Honda)

Race 2
1. Mat Mladin (Yoshimura Suzuki)
2. Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki)
3. Kurtis Roberts (Erion Honda)

Lap Record: Mat Mladin (Team Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:22.735 (2001)

2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship (Points after 14 of 18 rounds)
1. Mat Mladin (457, 6 wins); 2. Jake Zemke (436, 2 win), 3. Miguel DuHamel (413, 4 wins), 4. Eric Bostrom (336, 1 win), 5. Ben Bostrom (306, 1 win), 6. Geoff May (299); 7. Aaron Yates (272), 8. John Haner (262), 9. Eric Wood (239), 10. Josh Hayes (237).

From a press release issued by Telefonica Movistar Honda/Gresini Racing:

MOTO GP BIDS FAREWELL TO EUROPE

This weekend in Estoril the motoGp is preparing to salute Europe. In fact the GP of Portugal closes the long series of European Grand Prix disputed on the continent (nine to be exact). Sunday night the Moto Gp circus will start to prepare for the long extra European transfers – Japan, Qatar, Malaysia and Australia – before the Grand Finale in Valencia, Spain on the 31st of October.

Of the slower circuits, Estoril is very unusal: 70% of its corners are slow – the uphill chicane is probably the slowest corner of the entire championship- the straightaway is quick (almost a kilometer long), followed by a strong braking into the first bend, the last corner however, a quite quick one, is decisive to gain precious thousandths of a second.

In such a slow track it is of utmost importance to recuperate in the quicker segments like the last corner and the right corner which brings to the straight opposite the pits.

This circuit is famous for its unevenness and potholes which definitely hinder the chattering problem. The closeness of the track to the Atlantic Ocean is also cause for frequent climatic changes and heavy rain. The sand which is often carried by the wind is also cause for the Fernanda Pires da Silva track to be dirty most of the time.

A difficult compromise: even though slow, this Portuguese track is not easy for riders and techs who have to find the correct compromise for the contrasting characteristics of the circuit. A difficult track to interpret as the search for a good balance between front and back, a good stability while braking and agility during direction changes is essential.

The grip on the track is compromised because of the sand brought by the wind. This alters the adhesion of the tyres and makes the entire situation quite unpredictable. The Michelin technicians will be very busy trying to choose the best compound to guarantee the most grip possible.


#15 SETE GIBERNAU – STRONGER THAN EVER

After the well deserved summer break the Championship has found Sete much more of a fighter. Practically perfect, concentrated, lucid, the Spaniard of the Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda gave a huge show of strength in Brno where he lead the race for 22 interminable laps, fighting off the attacks of Valentino Rossi. The first step of the podium reduced the gap to 17 points between Sete and Valentino but the Championship is still long and hard.

Sete Gibernau arrives in Estoril even stronger, mentally and physically.

During the two test days on the Czech track following the Grand Prix, Sete tested new Honda material. The results were positive but the final decision regarding what bike will be used in this Grand Prix will be made in Estoril.

“Estoril is a circuit I do not particularly love as I always disputed good qualifications and races but I never brought home the end result I wanted. During the last three years in fact I have been in a position to take a podium finish and, in particular last year, to win the race but I have never been able to obtain my goal. This year I am concentrated and ready to give my best at very track, It isn’t important if I like it or not. As I said at the beginning of the year, my main goal is to better myself with each race, this is the reason I am arriving to Estoril strong and full of hope thanks to the experience I have acquired as a rider and from the entire team.”


#45 COLIN EDWARDS – HUNGRY FOR ANOTHER WIN

Two days of testing after the Czech GP helped the Texan of the Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda to analyse and try to solve the problems encountered during the GP of Brno. His biggest problem remains the chattering, which impedes him to excel and fight up front.

Colin is in fact the only Honda rider with Michelin tyres to still have the old chassis, the same from the beginning of the year. The two test days were important to better understand the bike and Colin has high hopes for the GP of Portugal.

“I’m ready for Estoril, I like the track, especially the first three corners! Bike setting is really important here, you have a few bumps. Estoril can be aggressive but not too much because it will bite you. There are very slow sections such as the chicane going uphill, which needs to be taken in first gear. Here the riding must be very soft. The track is quite slow but there are some good points to overtake, the best ones are the long straight in front of the pits where you can draft or the left corner at the end of the straight opposite the pits.


Fausto Gresini, Team Manager

“Sete Gibernaus’s victory in Brno was a great result for the entire team. Again the Spaniard demonstrated to be strong, concentrated and extremely determined. For all of us it was extremely important to obtain a good result in Brno and Sete gave us a wonderful victory. The gap with Valentino is reduced to 17 points, the Championship is still open. In Brno we even had the chance to try new material which Honda brought us and we are ready for the challenge in Estoril.

We expect to see Colin Edwards up front fighting for the podium. We all know his potential and he demonstrated it in Donington when he rised to the occasion and conquered the second step on the podium together with his team mate Sete Gibernau who finished third.”

The Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda continues to lead the Team championship while Gibernau has re conquered the second position in the Riders Championship, only 17 points behind the leader Valentino Rossi. Colin Edwards is now in fourth place of the Championship.

From a press release:

SLAMDANCE DISTRIBUTION TAKES INDI MOTO GP FILM “FASTER” INTO NATIONAL THEATRICAL RELEASE

Los Angeles, CA – For the first time, motorcycle enthusiasts and action thrill seekers across the country will have a chance to see Mark Neale’s independent film FASTER, the action-packed documentary about grand-prix motorcycle racing, in major theater chains. Slamdance Distribution, an entity of Slamdance Media Group, makes this national theatrical release of FASTER possible.

FASTER takes you on-and off track with the world’s top motorcycle road racers, in an exciting full-throttle-and-sidewise blast through the world of MotoGP racing. The full-length documentary film is a headlong rush into the ultra-dangerous, ultra-competitive world of championship motorcycle racing. Narrated by Ewan McGregor, FASTER documents the lives of four of the sports’ top riders in 2001 — Valentino Rossi, Max Biaggi, Gary McCoy, and John Hopkins — as they travel the globe competing against each other.

From September through October 2004, FASTER (in 35 mm) will open in over 70 screens in major metropolitan markets for excusive two-week runs. Exhibition partners including CineMark, Landmark Theaters, AMC and Pacific Theaters are thrilled about the opportunity to offer this unique heart-pounding, adrenaline-rush film to their audiences. A theatrical premiere event in Atlanta on September 2, 2004 will kick off FASTER’s national theatrical release.

For details on FASTER exhibition dates, theaters and show times please visit www.slamdance.com


Slamdance Media Group (SMG) is a spin-off entity of the Slamdance Film Festival, a successful independent film festival held in Park City, Utah since 1995. Slamdance Distribution, which houses SMG’s theatrical and home entertainment divisions, was created to support independent filmmakers year-round with a commercial enterprise that brings them financial reward by exhibiting their films in theaters across the country. For more information on Slamdance Media Group and the Slamdance Film Festival visit www.slamdance.com.


On the Atlanta premier:

WHAT:Nearly 1,000 motorcycle enthusiasts and action thrill seekers will converge on their bikes for a “ride-in” through the streets of Atlanta to support and celebrate the U.S. theatrical premier of the world famous MotoGP documentary film FASTER, presented by Chevy.

FASTER takes you on and off track with the world’s top motorcycle road racers, in an exciting full-throttle, a sidewise blast through the world of MotoGP racing. The full-length documentary film is a headlong rush into the ultra-dangerous, ultra-competitive world of championship motorcycle racing. Written and producer by Mark Neil and narrated by Ewan McGregor, FASTER documents the lives the sports’ top riders.

WHEN:Thursday, September 2, 2004
Ride-In Rally: 4:30 – 6:00PM, Moto Britalia
Ride Thru Streets of Atlanta: 6:00 – 7:00PM
Bikers Arrive at Theater for FASTER Premier: 7:00PM

WHERE: Moto Britalia, 5530 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30004770.517-4540
Theater: Midtown Art, 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30308
Ride-In from Moto Britalia to Theater Route: (See Attached)

WHO:FASTER Filmmaker Mark Neil
Kevin Schwantz, World Champion MotoGP Rider
Chris Pfeiffer, World Champion Stunt Rider
Geoff May, AMA Superbike Rookie of the Year

VISUALS:* Nearly 1,000 motorcyclists meeting for ride in, riding thru streets and converging at movie theater
* New Chevy Trucks on display at theater
* Replica and vintage race bikes as well as stock Yamaha’s, Ducati’s, Honda’s and Suzuki’s
Event photos and B-roll will be available 9/2 and 9/3.


FASTER Ride-In Route – From Moto Britalia to Midtown Art Theater

1. Start at 5530 WINDWARD PKWY, ALPHARETTA on WINDWARD PKY W – go 0.2 mi
2. Make a U-turn at ,WESTSIDE PKY onto WINDWARD PKY W – go 0.4 mi
3. Turn right to take GA-400 SOUTH/US-19 SOUTH – go 13.8 mi
4. Continue on GA-400 SOUTH – go 4.8 mi
5. Turn right on PEACHTREE RD NE – go 0.2 mi
6. Continue on PEACHTREE RD NE/PEACHTREE RD NW – go 0.2 mi
7. Turn left on PIEDMONT RD NE – go 2.5 mi
8. Continue on PIEDMONT AVE NE/PIEDMONT RD NE – go 0.8 mi
9. Turn left on MONROE DR NE – go 1.2 mi
10. Arrive at 931 MONROE DR NE, ATLANTA

From a press release issued by Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha:

GAULOISES FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM PREVIEW

Portuguese Grand Prix
Estoril, Portugal
September 3, 4, 5 2004

ESTORIL NEXT PORT OF CALL FOR ROSSI AND CHECA
Having taken half of the available race wins in the 2004 MotoGP championship so far, the Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team has proven its abilities with aplomb over the opening ten races. On the approach to the 11th, team riders Valentino Rossi and Carlos Checa are confident in the knowledge that the Yamaha YZR-M1 has proven itself to be a genuine championship contender, despite an all-time high standard of entries in the premier motorcycle racing category.

After a recent test at the Brno circuit in the Czech Republic, the pairing have gleaned an even closer understanding of the M1’s character and are relishing the prospect of the forthcoming Estoril race.

World Champion for the past three years, Rossi has been nothing short of a sensation since his move into the Yamaha factory set-up. The 25-year-old Italian, who resides in London, has scored five wins in ten starts so far, and heads the championship table. He leads by 17 points over Honda rider Sete Gibernau, while his Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha team-mate Carlos Checa sits seventh overall, his personal highpoint a second place at the Le Mans race in May.

Checa has great experience of all specifications and ages of the impressive four-cylinder M1, having been in the team since before the inception of the four-stroke MotoGP category in 2002. The 31-year-old Spaniard, also a London resident in these days of global commuting, has enjoyed former success at Estoril, having taken pole position and an eventual second place there in 2002.

Rossi, for his part, is now the third most successful premier class rider in history with 38 race wins, despite his relatively tender years. More significantly for this forthcoming race he has crowned himself King of Estoril in recent years. The former 125cc and 250cc champion has taken the last three Portuguese MotoGP/500cc race wins in succession.

ROSSI OUT FOR YAMAHA WIN NUMBER SIX

Given his peerless ability to conjure wins out of supposedly difficult situations, Rossi will be going for win number six of his debut Yamaha season in Portugal. His 50% success rate in the winning stakes did not include victory at the last race in Brno, but it was another valuable learning experience for the most renowned rider on the planet.

“Things were going well in Brno until we had some rear tyre problems during the race, but I think that Estoril should be a circuit we can do well at,” said Rossi, shortly before adding a note of caution. “Having said that, it seems each time we go to a circuit we think we can do well at the opposite happens, and vice versa.”

Like almost every circuit this year, Estoril will present Rossi with a new challenge. “It’s my first time there with the M1 so, like Brno, it will mean using every available moment to work hard on set-up. Honda was very strong in Brno and I’m sure the race will be tight again. The points gap has reduced so it’s even more pressure to hold onto a points advantage in Estoril.”

Rossi, who has a handy 17 point advantage with six races remaining stated, “The Estoril track is full of bumps and we have had some problems with this bike on bumps so I hope we can find a good direction early on during the weekend. Apart from Motegi I think all the tracks we have left we have a good chance at, although obviously no one has any idea what Qatar is going to be like. I love all the other tracks we have left so I will try my hardest to fight for the championship.”

CHECA LOOKS FORWARD TO LATEST ESTORIL EXPERIENCE

Despite putting up some excellent showings in both qualifying and races at Estoril in previous seasons, Checa finds the Estoril experience one which is bittersweet.. “Although I’ve had some quite good results in Estoril it’s not one of my favourite tracks,” he affirmed. “It’s quite safe but the last part of the track is slippery, and it’s quite slow. You use only about 10% of the potential of the bike in that part but unfortunately it’s not possible to switch from a MotoGP bike to a scooter, which is what it feels like you should be doing!”

The circuit’s contrasting character is the main factor Checa has to take into account. “The last part’s really slow, and the track is quite bumpy with a long straight. At this point of the season the bike is feeling quite good anywhere that the track is good quality. Brazil has been the worst race for us so far, and I also had a disappointment in Germany when I fell off but the bike has been feeling really good since Brazil. I need to keep consistency during the race from now until the end.”

DAVIDE BRIVIO – TEAM DIRECTOR

After some magnificent performances from his riders and his team in this most competitive year imaginable, Team Director Davide Brivio looks to Estoril as another chance for his Yamaha charges to shine. The reasons for his confidence are not just recent race results, but a good showing in an important test post-Brno Grand Prix.

“We stayed on at Brno for a two day test and it had a very positive outcome,” declared Brivio. “We continued to work on engine management maps and settings. Our lap times were very good on Michelin race tyres, even if some of the ones we used were softer.”

Estoril, the slowest circuit on the GP calendar, nonetheless features both fast and slow corners, and a long main straight. “Estoril can be a good track for us because most of the circuit is corners and chicanes and the M1 suits this type of circuit,” said Brivio. “I think we can do well there. Carlos was on pole in 2002 so it’s a place he obviously gets on with. After the Brno test we go to Portugal with more information about the machine, especially on the engine management side. We look forward to maintaining our challenge, and most importantly keeping our lead in the championship.”

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING

Situated only seven kilometres from the Portuguese coast, the Autodromo Fernada Pires de Silva is frequently blessed and cursed by the changing moods of the mighty Atlantic Ocean. At times wet and frequently windy, the 4.182km hilltop circuit is often a hostage of the elements; with accurate prediction of the race weekend weather a near impossibility.

Estoril is a circuit of extreme contrasts. One of the lengthiest main straights in MotoGP allows almost 200mph speeds to be reached and yet the chicane is possibly the slowest corner on the 16-round MotoGP trail. The track itself has the slowest average speed, Rossi’s lap record barely over 150kmph. The 200kmph turn five kink and final Parabolica corner are two of the toughest tests of any rider and machine’s cornering prowess, yet the throttle is seldom overworked on the extensively twisty and tortuous infield sections, riddled as they are by a host of second and third gear bends.

With such contrasting challenges to overcome, the team technicians and Michelin tyre technicians have no choice but to opt for compromise settings. Suspension front and rear has to be generally set to work best towards the end of the race, to aid the tyres after such an extensive workout on the nine right and four left hand corners.

With a lot of transient throttle needed to negotiate the more twisty sections of the circuit good engine mapping and sweet throttle response is a must at Estoril. The extensive work put in at the recent Brno tests have delivered progress of the team in that specific regard, just in time to tackle the nuances and peculiarities of the changeable Estoril track.

VALENTINO ROSSI: INFORMATION
Age: 25
Lives: London, UK
Bike: Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team YZR-M1
GP victories: 64 (25 x MotoGP, 13 x 500cc, 14 x 250cc, 12 x 125cc)
First GP victory: Czech Republic, 1996 (125cc)
First GP: Malaysia, 1996 (125cc)
GP starts: 134 (42 x MotoGP, 32 x 500cc, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc)
Pole positions: 34
Estoril 2003 results (Honda): Grid: 3rd, Race: 1st

CARLOS CHECA: INFORMATION
Age: 31
Lives: London, UK
Bike: Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team YZR-M1
GP victories: 2 (500cc)
First GP victory: Catalunya, 1996 (500cc)
First GP: Europe, 1993 (125cc)
GP starts: 162 (42 x MotoGP, 92 x 500cc, 27 x 250cc, 1 x 125cc)
Pole positions: 2 (1 x MotoGP, 1 x 500cc)
First pole: Spain, 1998 (500cc)
Estoril 2003 results (Yamaha): Grid: 7th, Race: 8th



Estoril MotoGP lap record – Valentino Rossi (Honda): 1:39.189 (2003)
Circuit best lap – Loris Capirossi (Ducati): 1:38.412 (2003)

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

ALSTARE AIMS FOR ASSEN PODIUM

Katsuaki Fujiwara has finished on the Assen podium in Holland twice in the past three years and is looking for another good result at this weekend’s eighth-round World Supersport Championship race to boost his current series position of eighth.

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra team mate Stephane Chambon – currently ninth in the championship – took fourth last year, but was also on the podium in 2000, so he too is no stranger to success at Assen, while team newcomer Vittorio Iannuzzo – 13th in the hunt – is an unknown, not having ridden there last year in World Supersport.

Many riders describe the Assen circuit as their favourite and it’s not hard to see why: The 6.027 kilometre circuit is fast and flowing and is technically and physically demanding. For many years, it has also been a favourite for the fans and the atmosphere has always been very festive.

KATSUAKI FUJIWARA:

“I like Assen because it is fast, flowing and great fun to ride. It is also very technical so you have to have a very good set-up before you can go fast. If your bike is not perfect, then it is very hard to fight for a top result. I hope I can find a good set-up early in practice and then I can challenge for a podium.”

STEPHANE CHAMBON:

“Assen is a very good track for a rider. When you make a good lap it is a great thrill and a wonderful feeling. It is a hard track because it is quite technical, but it is good because it flows really well. I think it’s bad that we have had such a long gap since the last race because we will have to spend the first practice getting back into the swing of things instead of pushing hard straight away. I’ve had a good holiday, but I would’ve preferred a race.”

VITTORIO IANNUZZO:

“Assen is a good track and I am hoping that I can finally get a good result there. This season has not turned out as I expected and I am not sure why. I feel I am trying as hard as I can, but the results have not come my way at all. I want to end the last part of this year on a high and I hope I can do this starting at Assen. I didn’t race Supersport there last year so once again I will be starting from the beginning.”

2003 Results:

1 Muggeridge (Aus-Honda), 2 Vermeulen (Aus-Honda), 3 KATSUAKI FUJIWARA (J-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA), 4 STEPHANE CHAMBON (F-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA). VITTORIO IANNUZZO (I-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA) – DNS.