Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Picotte Yamaha’s Pascal Picotte is one step ahead of the field at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant, round seven of the eight-round Parts Canada Superbike Championship series.

Riding his YZF-R1 Superbike, Picotte lapped at 1:39.898 in Friday afternoon practice, under his official motorcycle lap record (1:40.240) of the 2.65-mile track and over one second faster than any other Superbike competitor.

“Yeah, not bad, and there’s not much grip out there. The track feels really green,” Picotte told Roadracingworld.com. “I ran that time on a 640 (-compound rear Dunlop slick), the hardest tire they have. And I don’t like that bike as much as I like my other one. With a qualifier, I should be able to do a low-1:39.”

Picotte said many factors have played into his increased speed this year at Mont Tremblant. “The new bike is definitely better, the tires are better, the team is way better than last year and my confidence level is really high after winning all these races,” said defending Parts Canada Superbike Champion.

Picotte was also the quickest rider in the Hindle Exhausts 600cc Sportbike class, turning a 1:42.156 in Friday morning practice, 1.7 seconds faster than the next-fastest 600cc rider.

Friday afternoon’s 600cc Sportbike practice was stopped early for a bad crash involving Craig Connell. According to his mechanic, Doug Clavier, Connell lost the front end of his Coors Light Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R600 in turn one, a fourth-gear kink, and slid under Alpina inflatable air modules placed against a concrete barrier just 35 feet off the racing surface.

Connell was transported to a local hospital in Ste. Agathe, Quebec, Canada, where he underwent surgery to stabilize a fractured pelvis, according to series organizer Colin Fraser. Connell also suffered injuries to his lower right leg/ankle.

Rain is forecast for Saturday, when qualifying for both the Superbike and 600cc Sportbike classes is scheduled.

Parts Canada Superbike Championship
Round 7 of 8
Le Circuit Mont Tremblant
Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada

Friday Afternoon Superbike Practice Times:

1. Pascal Picotte (Yam YZF-R1), 1:39.898
2. Jordan Szoke (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:41.155
3. Clint McBain (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:41.220
4. Steve Crevier (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:41.461
5. Jeff Williams (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:41.648
6. Kevin Lacombe (Yam YZF-R1), 1:42.355
7. Francis Martin (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:42.504
8. Andrew Nelson (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:42.546
9. Frank Trombino (Yam YZF-R1), 1:43.116
10. Matt McBride (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:44.306

Friday Morning Superbike Practice Times:

1. Picotte, 1:40.506
2. McBain, 1:41.402
3. Szoke, 1:41.745
4. Craig Connell (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:41.888
5. Crevier, 1:42.404
6. Williams, 1:42.780
7. Nelson, 1:42.887
8. Trombino, 1:42.943
9. Martin, 1:43.555
10. Lacombe, 1:43.689


Friday Afternoon Hindle 600cc Sportbike Practice Times:

1. Clint McBain (Suz GSX-R600), 1:44.007
2. Craig Connell (Suz GSX-R600), 1:44.211
3. Jordan Szoke (Hon CBR600RR), 1:44.321
4. Chris Peris (Suz GSX-R600), 1:44.467
5. Matt McBride (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:44.533
6. Jeff Williams (Suz GSX-R600), 1:44.691
7. Francis Martin (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:44.889
8. Steve Crevier (Suz GSX-R600), 1:45.280
9. Frank Trombino (Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.700
10. Sebastien Michel (Suz GSX-R600), 1:47.845

26. Pascal Picotte (Yam YZF-R6), no time
27. Andrew Nelson (Hon CBR600RR), no time

Friday Morning Hindle 600cc Sportbike Practice Times:

1. Picotte, 1:42.156
2. Crevier, 1:43.875
3. Martin, 1:43.885
4. Connell, 1:44.309
5. McBain, 1:44.324
6. Szoke, 1:44.327
7. McBride, 1:44.566
8. Trombino, 1:44.863
9. Nelson, 1:45.573
10. Williams, 1:45.930


More, from a press release issued by series organizers:

PICOTTE BACK ON TOP

MONT-TREMBLANT, QC Granby, QC’s Pascal Picotte was back on top of the heap on the opening day of practice for the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Circuit Mont-Tremblant on Friday.

After seeing his four-race winning streak come to an end at the previous series round at Atlantic Motorsport Park, the rider of the Team Yamaha / Picotte Performance Yamaha YZF-R1 set a fastest lap of 1:39.898, almost half a second below the lap record of 1:40.240 he established last year.

Picotte was the only racer to dip under the 1:40 barrier. Brantford, ON’s Jordan Szoke was second on his Honda Canada / Fast Company Honda CBR1000RR with a time of 1:41.155 and Calgary racer Clint McBain set the third fastest time of 1:41.220 on the Coors Light Racing / Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R1000.

“I’ve been looking forward all season long to Mont-Tremblant so I’m really enjoying it,” Picotte said. “The track definitely suits my riding style.”

Picotte could wrap up his second straight Parts Canada Superbike crown here on Sunday. He comes into this event, the penultimate round of the season 71 points clear of his nearest rival, fellow Granby, QC rider Kevin Lacombe. A rider can earn a maximum of 56 points at each series round.

Lacombe won the previous event at AMP but was only seventh fastest in practice at Mont-Tremblant on Friday with a time of 1:42.355 aboard the Lacombe Racing / Brooklin Cycle Yamaha YZF-R1.

Action at Mont-Tremblant was marred by a serious accident involving Australian Craig Connell, McBain’s teammate on the Coors Light Racing / Blackfoot Suzuki squad. Connell crashed in turn 1 during practice for the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike series and was taken to hospital in nearby Ste-Agathe, where he underwent surgery on a broken pelvis.

A team member reported the surgery went well and Connell was due to be transferred to Montreal later on Friday.

Picotte came back from a morning practice crash to also set the fastest time Friday in Pro 600 Sport Bike practice. The class points leader recorded a 1:42.156 on his Yamaha YZF-R6.

Maple Ridge, BC’s Steve Crevier was second quickest on the DXS Diablo Racing Team Suzuki GSX-R600 with a time of 1:43.875 and Canadian Kawasaki Motors rider Francis Martin of Rock Forest, QC placed third at 1:43.885 on his Kawasaki ZX-6RR.

Action at Mont-Tremblant also featured the opening practice sessions for the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike Championship competitors. Thomas Macsanszky of Richmond Hill, ON was fastest overall with a time of 1:48.806 on his Yamaha YZF-R6.

Points leader Rudy Raposo of Mississauga, ON placed ninth overall at 1:50.881 on his Yamaha.

Qualifying for all three national classes will take place Saturday afternoon with races on Sunday.

This weekend’s event will be televised on TSN on Oct. 10 at 1:00 p.m. EDT and on Quebec’s RDS on Oct. 23 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. The action will also appear in one-hour format this fall on TORONTO1 and A-Channel stations in Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton.

FIM announcement. 2005 MotoGP pre-calendar

From a press release issued by series organizer Dorna:

The pre-calendar for the 2005 MotoGP World Championship announced by the FIM is the following:

Grand Prix Circuit
10-4 Spain Jerez
17-4 Rio or South Africa * Jacarepagua or Welkom
1-5 China Shanghai
15-5 France Le Mans
29-5 Italy Mugello
5-6 Catalunya Catalunya
19-6 Great Britain Donington Park
25-6 Netherlands *** Assen (sat)
10-7 United States ** Laguna Seca
24-7 Germany Sachsenring
28-8 Czech Republic Brno
18-9 Japan Motegi
1-10 Qatar *** Losail
9-10 Malaysia Sepang
16-10 Australia Phillip Island
30-10 Portugal Estoril
6-11 Valencia Valencia

*: to be confirmed
**: only MotoGP class
***: Saturday

DORNA COMMUNICATIONS
www.motograndprix.com

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning Practice times From The Czech Republic Grand Prix:

MotoGP (damp):

1. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 2:02.112
2. Carlos CHECA, Yamaha, 2:02.424
3. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 2:02.962
4. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 2:03.136
5. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 2:03.831
6. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 2:03.870
7. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, 2:04.176
8. Alex BARROS, Honda, 2:04.411
9. Gregorio LAVILLA, Suzuki, 2:04.573
10. Ruben XAUS, Ducati, 2:04.732
11. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 2:04.922
12. Shane BYRNE, Aprilia, 2:05.978
13. Colin EDWARDS, Honda, 2:06.432
14. Norick ABE, Yamaha, 2:06.601
15. Neil HODGSON, Ducati, 2:06.945
16. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Aprilia, 2:07.085
17. Troy BAYLISS, Ducati, 2:07.877
18. Marco MELANDRI, Yamaha, 2:07.970
19. Nobuatsu AOKI, Proton, 2:08.523
20. Michel FABRIZIO, Harris WCM, 2:08.691
21. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, 2:09.215
22. Kurtis ROBERTS, Proton, 2:09.327
23. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 2:09.762
24. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 2:10.311
25. Andrew PITT, Moriwaki, 2:10.500
26. James ELLISON, Harris WCM, 2:19.911


250cc (wet):

1. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, 2:22.676
2. Arnaud VINCENT, Aprilia, 2:24.563
3. Roberto ROLFO, Honda, 2:24.823
4. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, 2:24.962
5. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, 2:25.612
6. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, 2:26.045
7. Toni ELIAS, Honda, 2:26.058
8. Johan STIGEFELT, Aprilia, 2:26.299
9. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, 2:26.499
10. Anthony WEST, Aprilia, 2:26.504
11. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, 2:26.674
12. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, 2:26.743
13. Alex DEBON, Honda, 2:26.822
14. Jakub SMRZ, Honda, 2:27.404
15. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, 2:27.488
16. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, 2:27.692
17. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, 2:27.926
18. Alex BALDOLINI, Aprilia, 2:28.086
19. Erwan NIGON, Aprilia, 2:30.498
20. Hugo MARCHAND, Aprilia, 2:31.568


125cc (dry):

1. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 2:09.279
2. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, 2:10.088
3. Casey STONER, KTM, 2:10.961
4. Mika KALLIO, KTM, 2:11.248
5. Robbin HARMS, Honda, 2:11.502
6. Lukas PESEK, Honda, 2:11.613
7. Jorge LORENZO, Derbi, 2:11.672
8. Thomas LUTHI, Honda, 2:11.866
9. Alvaro BAUTISTA, Aprilia, 2:11.875
10. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, 2:11.951
11. Andrea BALLERINI, Aprilia, 2:11.981
12. Julian SIMON, Honda, 2:12.000
13. Marco SIMONCELLI, Aprilia, 2:12.019
14. Mattia PASINI, Aprilia, 2:12.029
15. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, 2:12.123

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday’s Provisional 125cc GP Qualifying Results:

1. Marco SIMONCELLI, Aprilia, 2:26.157
2. Andrea BALLERINI, Aprilia, 2:26.805
3. Casey STONER, KTM, 2:27.042
4. Julian SIMON, Honda, 2:27.479
5. Lukas PESEK, Honda, 2:27.700
6. Simone CORSI, Honda, 2:28.045
7. Gabor TALMACSI, Malaguti, 2:28.127
8. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 2:28.635
9. Robbin HARMS, Honda, 2:28.749
10. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, 2:29.333
11. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, 2:29.562
12. Gino BORSOI, Aprilia, 2:29.574
13. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, 2:29.576
14. Pablo NIETO, Aprilia, 2:29.753
15. Mattia PASINI, Aprilia, 2:29.786

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday’s Provisional 250cc GP Qualifying Results:

1. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, 2:14.261
2. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, 2:14.457
3. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, 2:14.528
4. Sylvain GUINTOLI, Aprilia, 2:15.846
5. Roberto ROLFO, Honda, 2:15.952
6. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, 2:16.216
7. Toni ELIAS, Honda, 2:16.257
8. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, 2:16.639
9. Arnaud VINCENT, Aprilia, 2:16.965
10. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, 2:17.385
11. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, 2:17.542
12. Alex DEBON, Honda, 2:18.149
13. Anthony WEST, Aprilia, 2:18.385
14. Alex BALDOLINI, Aprilia, 2:19.057
15. Jakub SMRZ, Honda, 2:19.477
16. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, 2:20.005
17. Johan STIGEFELT, Aprilia, 2:20.175
18. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, 2:21.192
19. Eric BATAILLE, Honda, 2:21.244
20. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, 2:21.803

From a press release issued by California-based Fastrack, not to be confused with Ohio-based Fastrax:

FASTRACK RIDERS LVMS & BARBER MOTORSPORTS UPDATE

Saturday, August 28th Fastrack Riders will have a track day on at Las Vegas Motor Speedways 2.5 mile Infield/Oval Track. All riders will have access to air cooled garages to beat the heat. The track itself is fun, technical, and challenging. Come to Vegas and ride for a day and then go play! Bring the spouse or significant other to enjoy a fun weekend in Vegas. To register either go on line to www.fastrackriders.com or call 877-560-2233. Group sizes are limited so please sign up early. You can drop off your trailer Friday @ 5PM and gates will be open for admission Saturday @ 6AM. There will only be camping allowed on Saturday Night.

September 11th & 12th is our final event weekend for Barber Motorsports just outside of Birmingham, Alabama. We had a great event there in August with the weather being almost perfect. It is a very fun track that is 2.3 miles in length, has 17 turns, and over eighty feet of elevation changes. Don’t miss out on the chance to ride this awesome track with Fastrack Riders which does limit group sizes so there is no over crowding. Camping is not available at this event. Come ride for the day and then late in the afternoon go visit the largest collection of motorcycles in the world at the beautiful and stunning Barber Motorsports Museum. Fastrack Riders will haul your bike from California to Barber for $350 round trip. Thereare only a few spaces left so call early to reserve a place.

Powersports Photography will be at both events.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I saw a 999R with 1000 miles posted to ebay with a ‘Buy it now’ price of $3500.00, I thought it was a misprint and the guy REALLY wanted $35,000 for it. So I emailed him for clarification…this has the CLASSIC scam signs.

See below:


Hello,

I received your email regarding my bike. 2003 Ducati 999R Fila with only 1000 miles.

The bike is in great condition, and mostly highway driven. All fluids have been regularly changed and maintenance has always been performed by a mechanic. Bike needs nothing. Title is in hand.

I am the original owner of the bike.The pictures give you a fair glance at the bike’s apprearance

Well-Maintained- Maintenance receipts will be provided to the buyer. Insurance, Title, and Registration on hand. Factory Warranty still in effect. Never down, or rode in rain. Clean like new, always garaged. Used as a recreational, weekend bike.It is my baby. And, It could be yours I could say a lot more good things, but you might already know the credibility of a Ducati .

The bike will be shipped on my expence. Please REPLY WITH YOUR NAME AND SHIPPING ADDRESS IN YOUR NEXT EMAIL.

I am selling this bike because I need a down payment for a house.

The buy it now price is $3,500.

Thank you for your time and interest!


(I checked ebay this morning to see if this ‘miracle bike’ had been sold and for how much. This listing had been removed, not marked as sold. Hmmmmmmmm. A SECOND email was then received with more details including payment info. See below.)

no it´s still available. I canceled the item because of numerous problems with non paying bidders and also i decided to sell it outside ebay. The bike could be yours if you agree my terms and you have the money.I will be more then glad to close this deal with you! The bike will be shipped from Athens,Greece and I will pay the shipping and insurance charges as I have a friend who works at Fedex and it will arange for me a low price shipping.Shipping will take 4-5 days.Also I will declare the item a gift so you will pay NO CUSTOMS WHEN YOU WILL RECEIVE IT!

The buy now price include the shipping and insurence fees.

The price for the item is $3500 (in this price is included the shipping cost).
1. SHIPPMENT :
Fedex service 4-5 days air insured with delivery to your home address and for thet please SEND YOUR ADDRESS IN YOUR NEXT E-MAIL.

2. PAYMENT :
I’m a very serious seller with experience in this field.I’m a fair trader with a good feedback on ebay which is the proof that I have closed a lot of sucessful deals.

You will arrange payment through money order ( www.westernunion.com ). All you have to do is go to Western Union.com and find a local agent near you were you have to go and send the cash.

3. INSURANCE
The product will be insured at the delivery service and insured for the transport.

4. RETURN POLICY
As soon as the package arrives,you will test the item and if it does not matches 100% to your expectations,you will return it in max. 15 days sience the arrival date. In this case I will send you the full amount back and you will send me the product in the original crate and you don´t have to pay the return shipping and insurance.

If this will be ok with you just e-mail me back with your info and tell me what info you need more about the item and transaction and you will have its.

My full name and address for the payment:
Name: Hanchel Larry
Address: 16 bouboulinas street
Zip Code: 10682
City:Athens
Country: Greece
Regards and all the best!!!


(This guy’s email address is [email protected])

Kirk Deason
Denver, Colorado

From a press release issued by NESBA:

NESBA Hosts Charity Event at Summit Point Benefiting Local Area Elementary School

NESBA, the largest sport bike track day organization in the country is hosting its third annual charity event benefiting Jefferson Elementary school this Monday, August 23, 2004.

For their third year in a row, NESBA is sponsoring a charity track day to benefit Jefferson Elementary. All proceeds from this event are donated to this elementary school, which has 450 students enrolled in grades Kindergarten to Sixth, and is located 5 miles from the track. In 2002 NESBA decided to host a local charity track day and elect a community charity that would receive funds from the event. Jefferson Elementary was the designated recipient of the proceeds. Dutch MacKenzie, Director of Mid-Atlantic Operations for NESBA, said “It’s really great to be able to give something back to the community while participating in a sport we are all so passionate about. Especially when it benefits a neighbor of the racetrack like this event does.”

On Monday, NESBA will present Gretchen Van Camp, Principal of Jefferson Elementary, with a check for $7,000.00, the proceeds from last year’s event. This money is in addition to the $8,500 NESBA raised during their 2002 charity track day, bringing the total donated by NESBA to $15,500 before the 2004 event. The money raised from the first event was used to purchase flashing traffic safety lights for the speed limit signs in front of the school. Van Camp said, “Over the past year, the safety issues have been able to be addressed with the funding. Safety has been the biggest concern for us, and it’s been great to be able to put in the safety lights.” The next check will be going toward school technology, such as new computers, software and other needs.

130 riders, the maximum number allotted to sign up for the track day, are registered to participate in the charity day event on Monday. This is a win-win situation for all involved. NESBA riders get to take to the track and enjoy an exciting day of riding in a safe, controlled environment while raising money for the local children. The charity day has been such a success that it is scheduled to remain a yearly event, and NESBA is proud to be supporting such a worthy cause.

About NESBA – NESBA, a non-profit, volunteer run organization, is the largest sport bike track day organization in the country, providing instruction and safe, controlled track time for motorcycle riders. NESBA offers the most opportunities and venues to ride in the Northeast, Mid Atlantic, Southeast, Mid West, and Northwest United States. Whether you’re a street rider or a racer, NESBA has something for you. Grab your helmet and check us out. You can contact NESBA through their web site, www.nesba.com, or by calling 1-877-AT-NESBA.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The 2005 Daytona 200 could have been a Formula USA 600cc Superbike race if AMA Pro Racing had not agreed to run the event as a Formula Xtreme race, and track officials wanted spec tires to prevent tire companies from using up new-course safety margins by building faster tires with more traction, reducing durability.

That’s the word from insiders involved in the negotiations between Daytona International Speedway and AMA Pro Racing.

In the end, AMA Pro Racing agreed to the Formula Xtreme format, the track agreed to make course modifications, and the spec tire requirement was tabled.

AMA Pro Racing also successfully negotiated for a shorter Superbike race with a reasonable purse to be held at Daytona. Superbike continues to be AMA Pro Racing’s flagship class at least through 2006 and the race at Daytona will pay the usual series points.

Daytona Speedway officials insisted on smaller-displacement machines for the 200-mile race due to concerns over tire failures and rising top speeds. The Speedway does not want 200-mph motorcycles, and does not want a catastrophic crash set off by a rider at the front of a 7-bike drafting train falling due to an exploding rear tire.

Several racers are now claiming that 600cc racebikes will be unable to go the 200-mile distance, although 600cc machines in both Superstock and Superbike trim have been very successful in 4-hour and 6-hour races held as part of the WERA National Endurance Series, and, obviously, tuners can adjust power outputs to suit desired engine life.

Current Formula Xtreme rules do not allow works-type quick-change swingarms with captive sprockets and drop-in wheel hubs, which should reduce the cost of building a competitive machine for the Daytona 200.