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

After the summer break, the MotoGP circus returns to rev its engines for the tenth race of the Championship. On August 22nd, the Brno track (Czech Republic) will host this well known and followed race. This is a race very much loved by the numerous spectators that every year attend this appointment.

Thanks to the Podium double at Donington Park, the Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda is leading the teams classification, whereas Sete Gibernau is back is second position of the riders championship and Colin Edwards moves up to fourth position.


THE TRACK

Fast and technical, Brno maintains the difficulty and fascination of a real circuit: a mixture of fast corners and windy bits which represent for both riders and bikes an excellent way to prove their worth. Many riders love this track because it is so challenging and fast. The main characteristic of this Czech circuit is the frequent altitude changes throughout the track: the circuit winds around the forest filled hills and consequently many corners and is often in descent. To take on these descending corners the riders know how is essential as well as having a perfect bike set up. We mustn’t forget the valuable technical contribution the Michelin engineers give us in fact of tyres. Very important is also power, because on this Brno circuit the MotoGP, often refraining from total freedom of power on other slower tracks, can finally pull out all the stops and use their powerful engines.


SETE’S CHASE FOR THE TITLE AT BRNO

After the podium scored at Donington Park and an important test session on the English track on Tuesday after the British GP, Sete Gibernau finished successfully the first 9 races of the championship.

For him a well deserved summer break: a week in Ibiza with his friends and a week in Switzerland with his personal trainer to train in preparation of the Czech GP.

Sete arrives at Brno ready to fight for the title: “We are going to fight for this World Championship” repeats the Spaniard who has always been convinced of that fact, even when two crashes put him to the test.

Sete Gibernau is back in second position in the championship, 22 points behind Valentino Rossi and he renovates his challenge for the title at Brno, one of his favourite track.

“Brno is a track I love a lot, one of my favourites of the Championship. This is thanks to both the position the track is situated in and the technical difficulties of it. It has good grip and very few holes.

The circuit characteristic: from the first corners to about three fourths the length of the track the circuit tends to be in descent, while for the last quarter the ascent is very pronounced with two chicanes, a very slow one and another very fast one which brings you to the straightaway. I always like racing in Brno.”


COLIN EDWARDS, READY TO STEP UP AGAIN AT BRNO

The American rider of the Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda is ready to face the second half of the season with a new determination.
After a difficult start of the championship, Colin Edwards – thanks to the job of his team and his chief mechanic Fabrizio Cecchini – has finally found the right balance of his RC211V and is ready to stay in front fighting for the win. Colin suffered a lot from chattering problems during the first eight races of the season and he couldn’t express his talent.

The Donington GP represented a real turning point: once the rear and front settings were fixed and found the correct weight distribution, the two times world SBK Champion demonstrated to be back after a successfully race weekend.
Ready for the demanding track of Brno, Colin Edwards arrives in Czech Republic after a period of relax spent in Texas with his family and his friends.

“I really like the track, it has a good character, I like the track in itself. The best section of the track is about halfway around the track you have a little stadium area, it’s difficult on a motorcycle but it’s good.
At Brno, Bike setting and the correct line are very important. It’s a nice flowing track but you have to use the correct line. I also like the atmosphere at Brno, it’s great, there are so many spectators”

From a press release issued by Ducati Motor Holding, S.p.A.:

DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING ANNOUNCES FIRST HALF 2004 RESULTS

– Across the board improvements with significant net debt reduction –

Bologna, Italy – Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (NYSE: DMH, Borsa Italiana S.p.A: DMH), a leading manufacturer of high performance motorcycles, today announced first half 2004
financial results.

First half 2004 revenues were Euro 221.0 million, up 6.9% excluding forex effects, (or up 5.6% including forex effects) versus first half 2003. Revenues from motorcycles for the period increased 0.9% to Euro 175.4 million and represented 79.4% of revenues. Motorcycle-related products, including spare parts,
technical accessories and apparel, increased 21.3% to Euro 42.3 million over the comparable period in the previous year.

Gross margin was 35.9% versus 34.3% last year, thanks to product cost reduction and operational
efficiencies partly offset by negative forex effect. EBITDA was Euro 28.0 million, or 12.7% of revenues, up 16.4% excluding forex effects (or up 8.5% including forex effects), versus Euro 25.8 million, or 12.3% of revenues in first half 2003.

At EBT level, the result was a profit of Euro 3.5 million versus a loss of Euro 1.6 million in first half 2003 thanks to a Euro 2.2 million increase in EBITDA and a Euro 3.5 million one-off restructuring cost accrued in 2003.

The Company’s net debt at June 30, 2004 was Euro 100.4 million, down versus the Euro 112.2 million at the same date a year earlier and down versus Euro 117.2 million at December 31, 2003.

The company’s gearing ratio was 62% at June 30, 2004 versus 71% at the same date a year earlier and versus 74% at December 31, 2003.

In first half 2004 unofficial Ducati worldwide registrations, were up 2% versus last year, in a flat market, with the US up 33%, non-subsidiary countries up 6%, France up 5% and Italy up 3%, while the UK was down 4%, Germany down 13%, the Benelux Countries down 13% and Japan down 14%.

“In a difficult environment, where the two-wheeled market remains weak, Ducati continues to grow by focusing on its niche strategy”, said Federico Minoli, President and CEO of Ducati Motor Holding. “First half financial results showed significant improvements across the board, and in particular a reduction of our net debt position. Though, the second quarter was weaker than 2003, following the excellent results of the first quarter”.

“Our cost control and cash management efforts are bearing fruit and drove first half financial results, with return to profit and improvement of the Debt/Equity ratio”, said Enrico D’Onofrio, Chief Financial Officer of Ducati. “We will continue to pay particular attention to these issues for the rest of 2004, as we pave the way for the growth of sales expected in 2005”.

As for the second quarter, revenues were Euro 120,7 million, down 5.5% excluding forex effects,
(or down 5.7% including forex effects) over the same period in 2003, due to lower bike sales.
Gross margin was 35.8% of revenues, versus 32.6% in the same period a year ago, thanks to product costs and operational efficiencies. EBITDA was Euro 15.7 million, down 4.3% excluding forex (or
down 7.0% including forex effects), versus Euro 16.8 million of 2003, representing 13.0% of revenues in line with the same period year ago.

In the second quarter of 2004, earnings before tax were Euro 2.7 million versus Euro 4.6 million last year. The decrease was mainly due to lower EBITDA and higher financial charges. By the end of June 2004, the Company had re-purchased 1,260,096 shares, equivalent to Euro
1,840,351 or 0.79% of its stock capital.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Contrary to the impression created by a recent news story on another motorcycle racing website, Anthony Fania Jr. never followed up with prosecutors regarding assault charges stemming from an incident with Aaron Yates during the Daytona 200 last March, and the case has been dropped.

Cyclenews.com ran a post headlined “8/16/2004 – Fania Files Charges– Anthony Fania has filed charges against Aaron Yates” which created the impression that Fania just filed charges, some six months after the incident happened, when in fact Fania never followed up on his initial discussion with prosecutors.

The post led to a new firestorm of criticism of Fania on various Internet bulletin boards.

Fania, an experienced journeyman racer with several top-15 finishes in the Daytona 200, was being lapped by Yates when they collided and crashed entering the West Horseshoe late in the 2004 Daytona 200. After the crash, Yates attacked Fania, and a confrontation between crews on pit lane followed. Yates was subsequently fined $25,000 by American Suzuki and $5000 by the AMA, was suspended for one race weekend by the AMA, and was put on probation by the AMA as well. Fania was not sanctioned in any way, although his GSX-R1000 racebike was seriously damaged.

Fania, who is currently undergoing treatment for compartment syndrome on both forearms, did not pursue charges because he just wanted to forget about the whole thing, according to sources close to the Fania family.

The post was triggered by an anonymous FAX to Cycle News, which included a July 16 letter from the prosecutor to Fania which basically stated that nothing would happen until and unless Fania provided the prosecutors with videotape, which he has not.

In other words, the post was triggered by a month-old letter that basically told Fania the case was being blown off due to his lack of follow-up.

From a press release:

The USCRA is pleased to introduce Motogiro-USA this year to the vintage motorcyclist. Motogiro-USA is a two-day street enduro / tour for all pre 1968 and like type motorcycles manufactured at a later date with a maximum displacement of 250cc. The AMA Sanctioned event will be held September 18th and 19th at the Plattekill Ski Resort in the town of Roxbury, NY.

Eligibility and rules are kept simple. Riders are given a route sheet (map) and a low legal average speed to travel from a starting point to a finishing point. If the rider has made all his correct turns and not had any delay problems, he should arrive at the finish at his predetermined time and not accumulate any points for arriving early or late. Sections will average less than 100 miles. An AM section and a PM section will be done on Saturday, and one longer AM section will be done on Sunday. There will be some special tests prior to or after each section to test precision riding skills. Special tests will be conducted on a 20 meter course and timed to a hundreth of a second. An example might be to travel the 20 meter course in 9.2 seconds. Penalty points will be given to the rider for arriving late or early at the end of the 20 meter section, stopping, putting a foot down etc. The overall winner of each class will be the person that has accumulated the least number of penalty points during the two days.

Classes are determined by engine displacement. There will be a 65cc class, a 125 class, a 200cc class, and a 250cc class. All motorcycles must be legally registered and insured for operation on the public roads of New York State. All participants must be legally licensed to drive on the roads and be a current AMA member. AMA memberships will be sold at the event.

Awards will be given in each class to the top finishers. All finishers will recieve a finishing award. Additionally, special awards will be given in the spirit of the event and all participants will be given event memorabilia .

Accommodations for those who wish to stay at the ski resort overnight are $10 for a camper and $5 for tent. There are several motels available in the area for those who want more upscale accomodations. Additional hotel information will be forthcoming. The ski lodge offers bathrooms and Porta Johns will be available on campgrounds. There are no shower facilities for those camping but a large pond on site can be utilized for “freshening up”.The lodge has a bar and a food service facility. Go to http://www.plattekill.com/ for more information on start / finish site.

This event is designed as a low pressure, good time touring event. Participants will be given a simple map to follow that will direct them over and through some really lovely country. The course will have route arrows posted at turns where appropriate. The first section on Saturday, will end in historic Cooperstown, New York. There will be time alloted between Saturday’s sections one and two to eat in one of Cooperstown’s beautiful little restaurants or cafes. The second section will start from Cooperstown and end up back at the ski resort. A special dinner is planned for Saturday night.

Pre -entry is strongly recommended for the event and food planning. Entry forms are available at http//www.race-uscra.com./ September 10th will be the pre-registration deadline. Entry fee will be $80 per rider.

Motogiro-USA is slotted to become a regular vintage touring event on the USCRA calendar. It will move throughout the country each year incorporating rural and scenic destinations geared toward the vintage machines and riders.

From a press release issued by Pro Italia:

Pro Italia invites you our 10th annual Italian motorcycle show, Cafe Desmo.

Glendale, CA – Pro Italia, one of the nation’s top dealers of exotic Italian motorcycles, is pleased to invite you to Cafe Desmo, our annual Italian motorcycle show, Wednesday night, August 18th from 5:30pm – 8:30pm.

A summer tradition here at the foot of the San Gabriel mountains, Cafe Desmo gives our customers a chance to show off their beautiful machines as well as share their enthusiasm for Italian motorcycles with others. The collection of bikes will be wide and varied as all makes, manners and years are welcome; from rare timeless classics to wildly custom displays of style and from daily workhorses to the latest polished ride just purchased that afternoon.

Entry is free. There will be classes for classic and modern bikes as well as lots of awards (will you be the furthest travelled this year?) Pro Italia will also be featuring special pricing on selected parts and apparel for this night only.

We feel Italian motorcycles are the most stirring and exciting made today. We cordially invite you to attended Cafe Desmo to see some of these machines from today as well as years past and feel the enthusiasm they generate.

Pro Italia
3319 N Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91208
818 249-5707
818 249-3402
[email protected]
http://proitalia.com/

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Jason Pridmore will be sponsored by Michael Jordan Motorsports and will carry Jumpman and Michael Jordan Motorsports logos on his Suzukis during upcoming AMA National weekends at Road Atlanta and VIR.

Pascal Picotte has been running Jumpman and Michael Jordan Motorsports logos on his Canadian race machines since he substituted for injured Montez Stewart at Road America in June. But Pridmore–who has been golfing with Jordan several times and recently hosted the basketball icon during a televised session of his STAR riding school at Gingerman Raceway–has the inside line on picking up 2005 season sponsorship from Jordan. Jordan’s team hopes to campaign a works Suzuki Superbike in Jumpman colors.

Pridmore has also been working with the team as a rider coach for Montez Stewart, team owner and manager James Casmay, Jordan and other team affiliates, making time available at the STAR Schools in Colorado, Elkhart Lake, and Gingerman. Private instruction in the classroom and on the track has been included in the sessions.

Casmay recently requested an upgrade of his CCS race license from Amateur to Expert status, after winning several regional races earlier in the season. He finished fourth in his first Expert class race, at Gingerman on the weekend of August 1st.

Montez Stewart, a personal friend of Jordan, will continue to campaign the team’s Yamahas at Road Atlanta and VIR.

From a press release issued by SpeedWerks:

SpeedWerks Expands Shop and Services for its Customers

Dover, DE, August 16, 2004 – SpeedWerks has expanded its shop space to better service its customers and provide additional space to house a shipping and receiving department for their new online store (launching soon). SpeedWerks, located in Dover, DE, in business for almost ten years, has built over 50 championship winning race bikes and has customers who race WERA, CCS, FUSA, and USGPRU, to name a few.

The shop, formerly 2,600 square feet of flex space, has been upgraded with an additional 1,300 square feet—bringing their shop space to almost 4,000 square feet. Adding more space has allowed for a reorganization of the shop’s internal structure, providing more room to add additional services for its customers.

Over the past ten years, SpeedWerks has primarily focused on road racing and street riders, but a growing market in drag bikes, American motorcycles, and bike repairs has prompted the shop to expand its services. SpeedWerks now has a separate area for its dyno, machining and welding services, and American motorcycle mechanic, in addition to the already allocated space for suspension tuning and their current mechanics.

To assist customers with keeping crash repair costs at a minimum, SpeedWerks’ has added a machinist to their extensive list of offerings to provide repairs on items riders may have normally just replaced. Pipe welding and repair, sub-frame and frame repair, and custom-built sub-frame extenders are just a few of services offered. Additionally, with the growing number of American motorcycle riders looking to SpeedWerks as the reputable shop in the area to perform general maintenance and custom work, they have brought aboard an additional mechanic, specializing in these bikes.

The shop expansion has also increased the retail and customer area that showcases products and their favorite race bikes, a Suzuka 8 hour 2-player motorcycle game, and a lounging area for watching motorcycle racing while perusing catalogs and photos from previous SpeedWerks Race Team racing events.

About SpeedWerks – SpeedWerks is an independently owned and operated shop located in Dover, DE, servicing all makes and models of road race, drag, street bikes and cruisers. In business for almost ten year, SpeedWerks has built championship winning racebikes for its customers to compete in WERA, CCS, USGPRU, and FUSA, and the SpeedWerks Racing Team holds numerous championships for themselves, as well. In addition to servicing bikes, SpeedWerks sells apparel, helmets, parts and accessories and more on their website www.SpeedWerks.com. The shop can be reached at 302.672.RACE.

From a press release issued by Proforma:

JIMMY MOORE READY FOR ROAD ATLANTA



Two-time AMA Superstock champion Jimmy Moore is ready for his return to the 2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbikes Series at the upcoming round at Road Atlanta, September 3-5, 2004. Jimmy started the 2004 season as teammate to Jason Pridmore on the No Limit Motorsport Suzuki team, but Jimmy re-injured the same arm he broke at Brainerd in 2003 in a near-crash at California Speedway in April. Following successful surgery by Dr. Art Ting, Jimmy has been rehabilitating his arm in anticipation of his return at Road Atlanta. With the financial woes of the No Limit Motorsports team, Jimmy is joining forces with the Corona Extra Suzuki team, with whom he won back-to-back AMA Superstock championships with in 2001 and 2002.

“I’m ready to go right now,” said Jimmy from his home in Eugene, Oregon. “I just did a OMRRA (Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association) race last weekend on my GSX-R750, and it went really, really well. I got two laps of practice on Sunday, did the heat races, and ended up winning the 750 Supersport race. I did some set-up on the bike, and went faster everytime I got on the track. The arm is not an issue, I didn’t even think about it all weekend. I’ve got a couple of track days coming up before Atlanta, and I’ll keep riding my bicycle and dirt bikes and going to the gym.”