From a press release:

COPPER MOUNTAIN TO HOST SUZUKI CYCLEFEST AUG. 27-29, 2004

Motorcycle Rally Returns to the Resort for its Second Year

Copper Mountain, CO – Thousands of spectators from across the country are expected to convene on Copper Mountain Aug. 27-29, 2004 for the second annual Suzuki CycleFest. The rally will deliver a weekend of exciting activities for every member of the family, especially true motorcycle enthusiasts. The rally kicks off at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27 with registration located at Copper Mountain lodging check-in.

CycleFest attendees will enjoy a massive motorcycle mall set up throughout the Village at Copper packed with 50 vendors offering great deals on all cycling products. New this year, spectators can collect stamps from the vendors for their Motorcyclist Passport making them eligible for free gifts and great prizes. Those interested in the latest and the greatest bikes will be able to test ride next year’s models from Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda, Buell, Triumph, Kawasaki, BMW and Aprilia. Demo rides will occur throughout the weekend and will be free for CycleFest participants.

Also part of the festivities, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) also will hold its only double-header race of the Supermoto season, the Fay Myers Suzuki Supermoto Classic presented by McGraw Insurance with main events running Saturday and Sunday. The AMA race will take place on a specially designed track at the base of Copper in the Alpine Parking Lot and will feature top stars Jeremy McGrath, Mike Metzger, Kevin Schwantz and more.

Guided and self-guided group rides through the surrounding Rocky Mountains will be offered to visitors who bring their own motorcycles. Road rides will be reserved for sportbikes and cruisers, while dual sport motorcycles will go off-road and tackle some challenging mountain passes. Additionally, beginner motorcycle riders ages five to 14 will have an opportunity to learn the basics of bike handling under the guidance of the American Supercamp instructors on an enclosed track.

Each day guests can take part in the scheduled events of CycleFest, as well as enjoy the numerous summer activities at the resort including free scenic chairlift rides, guided hikes, lake activities and free outdoor concerts.

Pricing for CycleFest ranges from $5 for a one-day child pass to $40 for a three-day adult pass, which includes admission to the races and activities. For only $10 per day, spectators can purchase a Paddock Pass to gain access to the pit area for the Supermoto Race, providing an even closer look at the action on and off the track. More information on pricing can be found at www.cyclefestco.com.

For a complete schedule of events for Suzuki CycleFest 2004, including details on the seminars, parties and concerts throughout the festival, visit www.cyclefestco.com. For a list of summer activities at Copper and the latest lodging deals, go to www.coppercolorado.com or call (800) 458-8386 ext.

From a press release issued by Dunlop’s advertising and public relations agency, Vreeke & Associates:

Buffalo, NY: Dunlop Motorcycle Tire announced today that the company is investigating the rear tire failure that occurred on the YZF-R1 ridden by Graves Motorsports Yamaha factory rider Jamie Hacking in the American Motorcyclist Association¹s Superstock race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio on Sunday, July 25.

“The tire is being transported to our design center in England to undergo thorough analysis,” said Jim Allen, senior road race manager. “We are very thankful that Jamie was not seriously injured.”

Two Dunlop rear tires failed on July 17 and 18 at the Canadian Superbike Championship at Mosport International Raceway in Ontario, Canada. Those tires have also been sent to England for analysis, but Allen cautioned that it is premature to speculate whether the two incidents are related. “No conclusive evidence at this time has identified the cause of the failures,” he said. “We take these matters very seriously and will focus our considerable testing resources toward determining the cause.”

About Dunlop Tires
Dunlop Tires is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S. and the only manufacturer of motorcycle tires in North America. With North American operations headquartered in Buffalo, NY, Dunlop has been making and selling high-quality tires in the U.S. since 1923. For more information, please contact visit www.dunlopmotorcycle.com.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI FILA’S TOSELAND RETURNS TO FORM IN TIME FOR BRANDS HATCH

Bologna (Italy), Monday 26th July: This weekend’s British Round of the 2004 World Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch in Kent sees a welcome return to form for Ducati Fila rider James Toseland, hot off the heels of a determined performance at Laguna Seca two weeks back.

The 23-year-old from Sheffield, an enthusiastic and skilled pianist in his spare time, bounced back to the top of the points standings with a fourth and a second place at the US Round, but it was his performance, rather than the actual results achieved, that made onlookers sit up and take notice.

Toseland, whose only win this season has come in the Valencia opener, dug in his heels to keep Ducati Fila team-mate Regis Laconi at bay in the first counter, and then hounded eventual winner Vermeulen (Honda) all the way to finish runner-up in the second race.

We took this opportunity to catch up with Toseland to quiz him about his Laguna Seca performance, the changes that have enabled him to return to being a front-runner and his views on the Brands Hatch race.

HOW DID YOU FEEL AFTER YOUR GRITTY PERFORMANCE AT LAGUNA SECA?

Quite relieved really that I was able to do what I am able to do on a bike again. It was a good performance. If I ride well and hard then I’m happy with myself. To come back from second to leading the championship again was my main aim but the first race with Laconi has really sparked off quite a few people’s imagination and it’s been quite nice to be honest. I know I have struggled a bit with the bike but on the Sunday I just dug deep and pulled my finger out and got some decent results that kept me in touch with the championship. It was nice to prove we had the capabilities to run at the front and pass people and it was a very positive weekend for both myself and the team.

DID YOU AND REGIS HAVE A TALK ABOUT YOUR RACE 1 CLASH AFTER?

Not really, there was nothing to sort out to be honest. There was nothing dangerous about the passing manoeuvres, it was aggressive, it was close and we touched a couple of times but that’s racing, that’s what it’s all about and that’s what people enjoy watching. I was at Mallory Park the other weekend for the BSB race, walking over the bridge with the public and someone shouted out: “Don’t overtake him there because he’ll have you off the edge!”. Little things like that make an impression because people appreciate that kind of riding; they appreciated it from Fogarty, he was a battler and I’ve always dug deep but wasn’t in a position to stuff it up a few people this year. But now the bike’s at a certain stage, we’re actually able to ride this way.

WHAT EXACTLY HAS CHANGED ON THE 999F04 TO MAKE YOU FEEL HAPPIER WITH IT?

We’ve been playing around with it to get some feeling. Basically we just shortened the bike through the swing-arm, we made some modifications on the rear shock from race 1 to race 2 to help the grip, we got new handlebar clamps to bring the handlebars closer in to get more feeling for the front, we dropped the forks through to make the front a little bit higher, just bits and bobs. On previous weekends when we’d tried this we went in circles, but at Laguna Seca everything just got better and better. The first race wasn’t perfect with the rear grip but when we’d made the change I was able to ride lap 1 to the last lap with very consistent times and keep up with Chris Vermeulen who was riding really well.

VERMEULEN AND THE HONDA HAVE WON THE LAST THREE RACES AND ARE A POWERFUL COMBINATION AT THE MOMENT…

I think Laguna was an awakening for Ducati because the performance of Vermeulen and the Fireblade was a little unexpected. I know Ducati haven’t put that much development into the bike from last year to this year, but it’s certainly been a bit of a shock. Having said that, I know my bike is as good as that Fireblade at the moment and it’s up to me to win these races. But obviously now we need to think about upping our game and developing as quick as Honda. There’s no reason why we can’t, but everyone now needs to dig deep to get this championship wrapped up.

WHAT SORT OF A RELATIONSHIP DO YOU HAVE WITH THE BRANDS HATCH TRACK?

It’s good. Brands Hatch is my home track and there will be a lot of pressure and a lot of expectation not only from everyone else but from myself as well. I look forward to it, it’s always one of those weekends when you get to Sunday night and get two good results and have a big deep breath and think thank god that’s over and done with. But primarily I have had good results there, I beat all the World Superbike boys there last year, finishing third behind the wild-cards in race 2. I know we can go fast round there and I’m looking forward to getting out on Friday.

FOR MANY YEARS FOGARTY WAS THE CROWD FAVOURITE AT BRANDS, FOLLOWED BY HODGSON. NOW IN A WAY YOU HAVE TAKEN OVER THAT MANTLE.

I’ve just been fortunate to follow the path of those riders, but now it’s got to the stage when I’m in the best team, I’ve got the best package and I’m leading the championship. It makes the job easier, but it’s always nice to know that everything you’ve got is down to you.

WHAT PARTICULAR SET-UP DO YOU NEED FOR BRANDS? IT’S ANOTHER VERY UNDULATING CIRCUIT, A BIT LIKE LAGUNA WITH UPS-AND-DOWNS AND LOTS OF COMPRESSIONS ON THE BIKE.

Hopefully the setting we’ve got from Laguna Seca and the things we’ve changed will mean that we’re not going to be too far out as we go out, given the similar characteristics of the two circuits. It hasn’t worked out that way in a couple of races this year, but now with the good feeling I’ve got, we can be on the pace first thing Friday morning.

WHAT PART OF THE BRANDS CIRCUIT GIVES YOU A PARTICULAR BUZZ AS YOU GO THROUGH IT?

Dingle Dell! The new Dingle Dell is not as good but it’s still very exciting. It’s dangerous…. I’m a bit sick in that respect, danger kind of gives me a buzz!

AND THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE TRACK?

Surtees is a very tricky corner before you go onto the back straight, but there isn’t one corner where I think ‘I can’t get round this one’. Certainly Surtees is critical to get right…

BRANDS HATCH IS THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN FOR WORLD SUPERBIKE IN A WAY. WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE COME THERE AND WHY SHOULD THEY BE THERE THIS WEEKEND?

They should come because they’ve got some good British riders who they can hopefully watch doing well. Like myself, Walker, Haslam; Leon’s not going to be 100% fit with his broken hand but he did win a British Superbike Championship race there this year. At Brands you’re close to the track, you can see a lot, there’s a fantastic atmosphere, and hopefully the weather will be nice. It’s just a great event, to see the bikes and the racers so close is what Brands Hatch is all about.

JAMES TOSELAND FACTFILE:

Born – October 5th, 1980 in Sheffield
(England).
Status – Single.
Hobbies – Training, motocross, playing the
piano.

2004 season:
Team – Ducati Fila.
Bike – Ducati 999F04. Number – 52.

World Superbike Career 2001-2004:
Races – 88.
Wins – 2.
Podiums – 18.
Poles – 1.
Fastest Laps – 0.

Championship Positions: 2001 – 13th. 2002 – 7th. 2003 – 3rd.

From a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

MCN Supersport Cup – DoningtonPark, Leicestershire – 23/25 July 2004

LAVERTY BATTLES TO SIXTH AT DONINGTON

Despite the wet weather conditions, MonsterMob Ducati British Supersport rider Michael Laverty battled his way to a sixth place finish in the inaugural MCN Supersport Cup at DoningtonPark today.

The 23 year old Ulsterman qualified the 749 MonsterMob Ducati in eighth position for the race which formed part of the British Grand Prix support race package and was confident after the two timed sessions but just as the bikes were assembling on the grid, the rains came and with it, any hopes Laverty had of winning in front of many of the 82,000 fans who had stayed on to watch the race.

Despite a good start, Laverty dropped back as a combination of suspension and grip problems thwarted his bid but gamely battled on to claim sixth position at the chequered flag after 22 difficult laps.

“I’m not happy with my performance but I was really struggling out there. I lost the front end twice on the warm up lap and every time I tried to push it in the race, it just kept wanting to break away so it was just a case of bringing it home. I really need to get it together and win at Croft next time out” declared Laverty.

Team boss Paul Bird was echoed his rider’s thoughts: “We need to be winning these races and I think had it stayed dry; Michael would have had a good chance. We got so little practice, it was a gamble and on this occasion, it didn’t pay off for us” said Bird.

Supersport Race Result

1, Simon Andrews (Yamaha) 39:16.992, 2, Karl Harris (Honda) +20.384, 3 Adrian Coates (Suzuki) +31.538, 4 , Leon Camier (Honda) + 31.801, 5 Danny Beaumont (Honda) +55.877, 6, Michael Laverty (MonsterMob Ducati) +1:12.582s.


More, from a press release issued by JR Motorsports:

MIXED FORTUNES FOR JR MOTOSPORT AT DONINGTON

Holmfirth-based British Supersport Championship Team JR Motosport endured mixed fortunes when they contested the MCN Supersport Cup race which supported the British Grand Prix at Donington Park this weekend.

After a sterling performance at the recent British Supersport race at MalloryPark, team leader Jamie Robinson was hoping to continue his good form on the Yamaha R6 and posted 14th fastest time during the limited qualifying session around the full 2.5 mile GP track.

But as soon as the bikes lined up on the grid, the rain which had held off for the MotoGP came and with no wet settings around the recently resurfaced track, the team had to gamble on a race set up for the 22 lapper in front of many of the 82,000 trackside fans who had stayed back to watch.

28 year old Robinson’s cause wasn’t helped when he was forced onto the grass on the sighting lap and despite his best efforts in the race, they came to nothing when the motor inexplicably slowed on the eighth lap and forced him out:

“Everything was going just fine and then coming down the straight I felt it cut out and when I tried to put the power on again, there was nothing there. We’d had a problem with the electrics on the grid and had to bump the bike off so we’ll pull it apart and see what the problem is” said the dejected former 250cc British Champion.

It was better news for his team mate Paul Veazey, however, who overcame the treacherous conditions to record his best ever four stroke result with a battling 13th place at the flag.

After qualifying in 21st position on the grid, the Middlesbrough teenager was still suffering from the arm-pump problems that affected him at the previous race at Mallory but gamely battled on to the finish despite being one lap in arrears:

“The only thing you can do in those conditions is to bring the bike home and not crash. I got a good start and rode my own race but kept it as smooth as possible and it worked out for me although I would have liked to have beaten some of those who fell off fair and square” said the 17 year old.

The team’s next outing is in round 10 of the British Supersport Championship which takes places at Croft Circuit over the weekend of August 13/15th although they plan on testing at the North Yorkshire venue on the Media Day there on August 5th.

From a press release issued by series organizers:

SUPERBIKES IN MONTREAL

TORONTO, ON An invitational event for competitors in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship has been announced for Montreal’s Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve Aug. 27-29.

The race, which will not count for points toward the 2004 series championship will be held in conjunction with the Molson Indy Montreal Champ Car World Series event, making it the most high profile fixture for Canada’s Superbike competitors.

The 12-lap race around the famous 2.709-mile road course will take place on the Sunday morning of the race weekend as the last event before the Champ Car feature. In a first for Canadian motorcycle racing it will be televised live on Quebec’s Reseau des Sports (RDS).

The idea of adding Superbikes to the Champ Car schedule was conceived by Alan Labrosse, President of the Molson Indy Montreal and a former Canadian racing star on both two wheels and four. Motorcycle races ran at the track in 1981, ’82 and ’87. In 1981 and ’82 the races were support events to the Canadian Grand Prix Formula 1 World Championship car race.

The 1987 event counted toward the Canadian National Superbike Championship and was won by Michel Mercier on a Suzuki.

“It’s a natural,” said Labrosse, who competed in the motorcycle races at the circuit in 1981 and ’82, and in a car support race in ’87. “It is an opportunity for the series to take part in one of the biggest Canadian motorsport events and in one of the motorcycle industry’s biggest markets.

“People who own motorcycles are looking for destinations. Now they don’t have to go to Daytona or Loudon. We will have our own ‘Festival of Motorsports’ right here in Montreal. We want to give people a total motorsport experience.”

The event will be open to the top 25 riders in the 2004 Parts Canada Superbike Championship point standings following the most recent event at Mosport International Raceway July 18. Selected “promoter’s option” riders may also be included to complete the grid. All standard series rules will be in effect.

A purse of $12,000 has been provided by Parts Canada for the race.

“This is a fabulous opportunity for our series and motorcycle racing in Canada,” said Colin Fraser of Professional Motorsports Productions, organizer of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship. “To race in front of such a large crowd and enjoy the benefit of live television coverage is a unique privilege.”

Although he won’t be competing in the race, Canadian Superbike ace Miguel Duhamel will attend the Montreal event as a VIP and help promote the giveaway of a Honda CBR600RR sport bike. Five contestants will have keys for the grand prize motorcycle, one of which will start the Honda. Additionally, all five will enjoy an exhilarating ride with Duhamel, a star rider for the American Honda team in the U.S., around the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.

The Montreal Molson Indy is expected to attract a three-day crowd of over 150,000 spectators and the race track situated on Ile Notre-Dame is easily accessible by public transit from Montreal.

From a press release issued by Dorna:

MotoGP

· Valentino Rossi starts from pole for the fourth time in 2004. If Rossi fails to finish in the top three in the race it will be the first time he has failed to do so in three consecutive races since his first premier-class podium at Jerez in 2000.

· Rossi’s pole position time is the fastest ever lap of the Donington circuit by a motorcycle, more than two seconds faster than Biaggi’s record pole time from last year. The top nineteen riders on the grid have lapped faster than last year’s pole position record.

· Sete Gibernau starts from the front row for the seventh time this year. Gibernau’s second place finish at Donington last year was his first podium at the circuit.

· Loris Capirossi starts from the front row for the first time since the final race of last year at Valencia.

· Fourth place on the grid is the best qualifying result for Troy Bayliss since he qualified in the same position at his home GP at Philip Island last year.

· Colin Edwards’ fifth place on the grid equals his best ever grid position in MotoGP, having also qualified fifth at both Welkom and Le Mans earlier this year.

· Nicky Hayden has finished in third place at the last two races, his first back-to-back podiums in MotoGP.

· Carlos Checa’s best result at Donington was achieved in 2001 when he finished fifth.

· Following his victory at Sachsenring, Max Biaggi is aiming to score back-to-back wins in the premier class for the first time in his career.

· Colin Edwards and Max Biaggi are the only two riders in the MotoGP class to have scored points at each of the first eight races of 2004.

· Alex Barros, who missed the British GP last year due to an injury sustained in a collision with Yukio Kagayama in the morning warm-up session, has finished on the podium on three occasions at Donington.

· Nobuatsu Aoki will be making his 100th start in the premier-class.


250cc

· If any of the Aprilia riders win the race it will be the 100th GP victory for the Italian factory in the class.

· Alex De Angelis starts from pole position for the first time in a 250cc GP in what is only his ninth start in the class.

· Sebastian Porto has qualified on the front row of the grid at each of the first nine races of the year.

· Hiroshi Aoyama has qualified on the front row for the first time since he started from pole as a wildcard at Suzuka last year.

· If Dani Pedrosa wins it will be the first time in his Grand Prix career that he will have scored back-to-back victories.

· Randy De Puniet has failed to qualify on the front row of the grid for the first time in 2004.

· Alex Debon, Fonsi Nieto and Randy De Puniet are the only three riders in the 250cc class to have scored points at each of the first eight races of 2004.

· Chaz Davies has equalled his best ever qualifying result in 12th place. Davies’ time beats Daijiro Kato’s lap record from 2001 and is the fastest ever lap of Donington by a British rider on a 250.


125cc

· Andrea Dovizioso starts from pole for the fourth time this year and for the first time in his career at back-to-back races. Dovizioso is the first rider to finish in the top four in the first eight races of the year in the 125cc class since 1987 when Fausto Gresini won the first ten races of the year.

· The top ten riders on the grid have improved on the record pole time set last year by Stefano Perugini.

· Hector Barbera, who has now finished in the points at the last eighteen consecutive races, scored his debut victory at Donington last year.

· Mika Kallio starts from the front row for the first time since Phillip Island ‘03.

· Simone Corsi’s fourth place on the grid equals his qualifying performance, set at the same circuit last year. This is also the first time this year that Honda have had two riders on the front row.

· Youichi Ui starts from his best grid position since he qualified second at Le Mans last year. Donington is the only circuit where Ui has won more than once.

· Following his victory in Germany, if Roberto Locatelli wins the British Grand Prix he will end a record sequence of thirty-one races without a rider in the 125cc class winning back to back races, since Arnaud Vincent won at Donington and then Sachsenring in 2002.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning Wet Practice Times:

MotoGP:

1. Troy BAYLISS, Ducati, 1:44.198
2. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 1:45.636
3. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 1:45.999
4. Colin EDWARDS, Honda, 1:46.116
5. Carlos CHECA, Yamaha, 1:46.231
6. Ruben XAUS, Ducati, 1:46.928
7. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 1:47.062
8. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 1:47.080
9. Shane BYRNE, Aprilia, 1:47.283
10. Alex BARROS, Honda, 1:47.456
11. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 2:47.758
12. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 1:47.859
13. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Aprilia, 1:47.866
14. Kurtis ROBERTS, Proton, 1:48.310
15. Michel FABRIZIO, Harris WCM, 1:48.940
16. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 1:49.182
17. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, 1:49.455
18. Neil HODGSON, Ducati, 1:50.372
19. Nobuatsu AOKI, Proton, 1:50.589
20. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 1:50.829
21. Chris BURNS, Harris WCM, 1:51.418
22. Norick ABE, Yamaha, 1:52.237
23. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, 1:54.324
24. Marco MELANDRI, Yamaha, no times


250cc

1. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, 1:48.870
2. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, 1:48.877
3. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, 1:48.939
4. Anthony WEST, Aprilia, 1:49.280
5. Sylvain GUINTOLI, Aprilia, 1:49.321
6. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, 1:49.895
7. Alex DEBON, Honda, 1:50.060
8. Toni ELIAS, Honda, 1:50.693
9. Frederik WATZ, Yamaha, 1:50.753
10. Erwan NIGON, Aprilia, 1:50.841
11. Hugo MARCHAND, Aprilia, 1:50.864
12. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, 1:50.887
13. Lee DICKINSON, Honda, 1:51.150
14. Arnaud VINCENT, Aprilia, 1:51.274
15. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, 1:51.315
16. Johan STIGEFELT, Aprilia, 1:51.784
17. Taro SEKIGUCHI, Yamaha, 1:52.007
18. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, 1:52.159
19. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, 1:52.426
20. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, 1:52.587


125cc

1. Marco SIMONCELLI, Aprilia, 1:52.998
2. Pablo NIETO, Aprilia, 1:53.157
3. Alvaro BAUTISTA, Aprilia, 1:53.231
4. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, 1:53.457
5. Eugene LAVERTY, Honda, 1:53.503
6. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, 1:53.508
7. Mika KALLIO, KTM, 1:53.620
8. Julian SIMON, Honda, 1:53.625
9. Simone CORSI, Honda, 1:53.638
10. Youichi UI, Aprilia, 1:53.977
11. Simone SANNA, Aprilia, 1:54.244
12. Kris WESTON, Honda, 1:54.460
13. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, 1:54.637
14. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, 1:54.858
15. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 1:55.061

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

Proposed 2005 AMA Superbike Rule Changes Announced

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (July 25, 2004) — AMA Pro Racing has announced the proposed technical rule changes for the 2005 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship. AMA Pro Racing licensed riders and credential holders may comment on proposed rule changes during a 30-day period beginning Monday, July 26 through Wednesday August 25. Comments can be made on AMA Pro Racing’s RIDERS ONLY website at www.amaproracing.com/ridersonly. At
the conclusion of the 30-day period, AMA Pro Racing will review submissions prior to forwarding the package to the AMA Pro Racing Board of Directors for ratification.

Proposed technical rule changes for the 2005 season can be viewed at www.ussuperbike.com.

The 2005 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship will include current support classes (Supersport, Formula Xtreme and Superstock) and discussions are ongoing to include a spec class at certain rounds.

Scott Hollingsworth, AMA Pro Racing CEO confirmed that 1000cc Superbikes will remain the premier class in the championship.

“The current technical rules and class structure that went into effect at the end of 2003 have increased parity, lowered equipment costs and produced some of the most competitive, hard fought racing in years,” said Hollingsworth. “We expect to see these technical rules continue through 2006 and believe this stability will result in continued growth in fan interest as well as greater manufacturer participation.”

Currently Ducati, Honda and Suzuki field factory-supported teams. Each manufacturer has earned at least one victory in the 2004 season.

“Expanding the appeal of AMA Superbike racing is one of the core initiatives of AMA Pro Racing,” continued Hollingsworth. “Many of our promotional partners report that AMA Superbike events represent the highest attended spectator event at their respective facilities. We’re confident that our championship will continue to provide positive, long term value to our fans, sponsors, riders and teams.”

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

250cc Grand Prix Results:

1. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, 27 laps, 42:17.705
2. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, -6.003 seconds
3. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, -11.463 seconds
4. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, -12.722 seconds
5. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, -30.430 seconds
6. Anthony WEST, Aprilia, -33.007 seconds
7. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, -51.931 seconds
8. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, -55.055 seconds
9. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, -57.422 seconds
10. Sylvain GUINTOLI, Aprilia, -59.456 seconds
11. Joan OLIVE, Aprilia, -66.270 seconds
12. Alex BALDOLINI, Aprilia, -66.566 seconds
13. Hugo MARCHAND, Aprilia, -81.025 seconds
14. Johan STIGEFELT, Aprilia, -81.800 seconds
15. Jakub SMRZ, Honda, -89.120 seconds

22. Arnaud VINCENT, Aprilia, -3 laps, DNF, retired
23. Toni ELIAS, Honda, -14 laps, DNF, retired
24. Alex DEBON, Honda, -24 laps, DNF, crash
25. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, -25 laps, crash

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

The Suzuka 8 Hours Japanese round of the World Endurance Championship has been won by the No.7 Seven Stars Honda of Ukawa and Izutsu.

The No.11 Seven Stars Honda led the first lap, before being passed by the No.7 Honda, with the No.8 Suzuki and No. 778 FCC TSR close behind. The No.7 Honda then held the lead until the end of the race, a truly impressive feat. Two of the favourite teams went out in the opening hours of the race; the No.11 Seven Stars Honda was crashed by Kamada after only seventeen minutes, and the No.778 FCC TSR Honda was forced to retire after less than two hours on track.

The number 21 Yamaha briefly joined the top three before dropping out of contention, leaving the No.7 Seven Stars Honda, the No.12 Yoshimura Suzuki and the No.8 Kenz Motul Suzuki to stretch away at the front of the pack. This order was maintained until the Kenz Motul Suzuki engine failed in the seventh hour, forcing the team to retire and allowing the No.44 Weider Honda to move up to third place.

Fourth place went to the No.4 Masked Rider Honda, and fifth to Hond Police National Tsukigi. Permanent team Endurance Moto 38’s Gwen Giabanni shared the riding of the Police bike with Toru Kishida. Yamaha GMT94 had steadily worked their way through the field to eighth place, making them the first Yamaha across the line. Yamaha Austria were the second Yamaha to cross the line, finishing in thirteenth place overall.

Yamaha Phase One Endurance finished in a solid seventeenth place but were happy to settle for fifth place in the points. Suzuki Castrol had looked set for a good result – running in seventh place in the early stages – before a crash dropped them down to 52nd place. They were able to work their way through the competitive and crowded field to an eventual 35th place.

The results were dominated by Honda CBR1000RR Fireblades, with fourteen filling the top twenty places. Two Suzuki GSX-R1000s and four Yamaha YZF-R1s also made the top twenty.


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

Ukawa – Izutsu take Suzuka 8 Hours win aboard the CBR1000RR Honda

Tohru Ukawa and Hitoyasu Izutsu raced their Seven Stars liveried CBR1000RR Honda to a historic victory at the 27th running of the Suzuka 8 Hours, held at the classic Japanese circuit today. The experienced pairing led the race virtually every step of the way, lead off rider Ukawa moving into the lead half way round lap one and from that point on they never looked back.

They finished the race almost two laps ahead of the Yoshimura Suzuki of Watanabe and Kagayama with the ATS DDBOYS CBR1000RR of Hamaguchi and Moriwaki completing the podium places. It was the eighth consecutive Honda victory in the grueling event and their 19th overall.

Ukawa’s victory was his fourth Suzuka 8 Hour triumph a result that gave him an equal share of the record set by Australian Wayne Gardner over a decade ago.

Ukawa said. “It’s fantastic to win the 8hr race. I didn’t feel that long today. During the first session, when I was leading the race, pace cars entered the track and I took the advantage of it. Usually, accidents happen during the early hours, so I was cautious. But I nearly crashed when there were oil patches on the track. After that, everything went smoothly and during my last run, I was not pushing so hard, may be 70% of my performance.”

For team mate Izutsu it was a dream come true. “I joined Honda to win the 8hr race so I am really happy today. Today, many teams retired and there were less back markers towards the end and it was easier to pass them. #11 crashed and retired during the first hour and we had to finish this year. We couldn’t repeat what had happened last year. The gap between us and Yoshimura became bigger toward the end so I didn’t have to push so hard. At the beginning of this weekend, my back ached because I crashed during the testing in June and broke ribs. But today I was in best shape as the temperature was cooler than that of Thursday or Friday. I thank everyone for this victory.

The first hour of the race was a lottery and the winners took full advantage of the confusion caused by the crash that removed the second Seven Stars CBR of Gaku Kamata and Ryuichi Kiyonari from the race. Kamata, who was racing in place of the injured Yuki Takahashi, crashed their CBR after just half an hour. Worse was to follow for Honda when the much fancied pairing of Shinichi Ito and Takeshi Tsujimura (F.C.C. TSR ZIP-FM CBR1000RR) clashed with the Team Harc-Pro CBR of Yoshiteru Konishi and Tsuyoshi Yasuda.

The accidents brought out two pace cars with Ukawa in between them and he eased away to hand over a one minute lead to Izutsu at the first of the seven refueling stops. Barring a crash or mechanical failure the race was Ukawa’s and Izutsu’s to loose.

They made no mistake slowly but surely easing away from the field to give the CBR1000RR a maiden victory in the event repeating the first time victories scored by its predecessors, the twin cylinder VTR1000SP and the RC45.

At half race distance the eventual winners were a lap clear of the Yoshimura Suzuki with the Kenz Motul Suzuki of Saito and Fukami. The race pattern remained the same at the front until the seventh hour when the Kenz Motul Suzuki was forced out handing third to ATS DDBOYS CBR.

The leading trio were never under pressure and finished in that order the Seven Stars Honda two laps clear of the Yoshimura Suzuki with ATS DDBOYS machine a further lap down. Tatsuya Yamaguchi and Kazuki Tokudome brought the Masked Rider Blade Honda home in fourth place with the Team 22 Police Nationale & Tsukigi Racing pairing of Kishida and Giabbani a fine fifth on their CBR1000RR.

Seven Stars Honda Team manager Kazuhiko Yamano was delighted with the performance of the new CBR100RR.

“What a perfect win that was. I relied on both Ukawa and Izutsu so I wasn’t nervous at all. All the members of the team were together to achieve this victory. I want to thank the staff, sponsors and fans for supporting us.”