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Updated Post: Tommy Hayden Takes Pole Position, Hacking Crashes On Injured Shoulder In AMA Superstock Qualifying At Laguna Seca

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Updated Post: Tommy Hayden Takes Pole Position, Hacking Crashes On Injured Shoulder In AMA Superstock Qualifying At Laguna Seca

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Kawasaki’s Tommy Hayden earned the pole position for the AMA Superstock race during qualifying Friday at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. Riding his factory ZX-10R, Hayden used a Dunlop qualifying tire to turn a 1:26.382, which was not only two seconds under Josh Hayes’ lap record (1:28.598), but also a full second faster than the time turned by provisional World Superbike pole-sitter Steve Martin (1:27.396).

Hayden also earned a bonus Championship point for taking pole position. “For sure, every point you can get is really important. So that was good,” said Hayden, who continues to sit third in the AMA Superstock Championship standings behind Jamie Hacking and Aaron Gobert. “Jamie is not 100 percent. We’re trying to take advantage of that.”

Graves Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo was at the top of the order when he went out on his third qualifier (which went unused by Hacking), but he was unable to improve on his second-fastest 1:26.669.

“If I had 20 qualifiers I don’t know if I could’ve got that time. My time was good, but Tommy must have nailed that lap!” said DiSalvo.

Hayden’s teammate and younger brother Roger Lee Hayden qualified third with a 1:26.685, said he felt he didn’t use his qualifiers well enough but was excited about starting the race from the front row.

Another member of the Graves Yamaha team, Aaron Gobert earned the last spot on the front row with a 1:26.766.

Jamie Hacking (who is riding with a freshly-plated, 11-day-old broken collarbone) was running well up the order during the session when he crashed in turn three. The crash was a simple lowside, according to his crew, but Hacking landed on his injured shoulder. Hacking looked to be in considerable pain after getting back to the pits.

Hacking’s qualifying time to that point (1:27.212) earned him the fifth spot on the grid.

Hooters Suzuki’s John Haner appeared to have blown an engine on the front straightaway during the qualifying session and pulled off the track near turn one.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp crashed his GSX-R750 in turn 10 late in the session. He was uninjured.

With two minutes remaining in the session, all timing and scoring monitors on pit lane and in the media center went blank. Only after the session was over did the times re-appear, with Tommy Hayden overtaking Jason DiSalvo in the qualifying order.

Provisional AMA Superstock Qualifying Results:

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:26.382
2. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:26.669
3. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:26.685
4. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:26.766
5. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:27.212
6. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.288
7. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.337
8. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.298
9. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.537
10. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.603
11. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.919
12. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.099
13. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.954
14. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:31.087
15. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.404
16. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.599
17. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.682
18. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.409
19. David White, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.629
20. Jesse Janisch, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.834

Buckmaster, Craggill Return From Injury To Ride At Laguna Seca

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Buckmaster, Craggill Return From Injury To Ride At Laguna Seca



Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yamaha/Graves Yamaha’s Damon Buckmaster and Corona Extra Suzuki’s Marty Craggill, both out for several weeks due to injury, will return to action this weekend during the AMA/World Superbike event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Buckmaster, who suffered a broken scaphoid bone in his left wrist/hand in a crash during practice at Barber Motorsports Park in May, will ride even though his fracture isn’t completely healed.

“I just saw (Dr. Arthur) Ting (Thursday morning). He said it hasn’t healed, but it’s healing. So it depends on how you look at it. He said, it’s up to you if you ride or not. I thought I’d give it a go, at least turn a wheel and see how bad it is, especially for Yamaha and Graves. (Ting) is going to bring a brace out, strap it on and see how we go,” said Buckmaster, adding that he will try to ride both his Supersport and Superstock Yamahas.

Out since the California Speedway round of the series in early-April, when he crashed and fractured a vertebra in his neck, Craggill is hoping for a top-10 finish in his return to the Superbike class in spite of being less than 100 percent.

“I have the flu,” said Craggill. “And from the flight, I’m jet lagged, because it was a last-minute thing. I thought I would come back at Mid-Ohio, then the doctor said it was OK to come here. I would’ve liked to have been better prepared physically. There’s nothing like riding the bike anyway.”

Craggill said his long recovery period (three months) was full of delays but was mostly because he wanted to make sure he was completely healed before coming back.

Updated Post: DiSalvo Tops AMA Superstock Practice With New Lap Record At Laguna Seca

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Updated Post: DiSalvo Tops AMA Superstock Practice With New Lap Record At Laguna Seca

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Graves Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo led the first AMA Superstock practice of the weekend Friday morning at Laguna Seca. Not only was DiSalvo’s 1:27.288 the fastest time, it was well under Josh Hayes’ Superstock lap record of 1:28.598.

“The bike felt really comfortable,” DiSalvo told Roadracingworld.com. “It was one of the first times all year I just hopped on and everything felt good. The R1 felt like my 600 today.”

DiSalvo credited some of his success to the confidence he carried out of Brainerd, where he finished on the Superstock podium for the first time, and “breakthroughs” he and his team found while testing at Mid-Ohio last week.

The surprise of the session was Jamie Hacking, who rode with a freshly-plated, 11-day-old broken collarbone and recorded the fourth-fastest time (1:28.799).

“I’m pretty sore,” said Hacking. “It just totally screws up my riding style. In the right handers, I can’t do shit. I’m sitting up on the bike and everything, and pain shoots up my neck. I’m just trying to be careful on the exits of the corners. I can’t be losing the rear and have it all moving around on me. I’m just taking it easy.”

Another member of the Graves Yamaha team and the walking wounded at Laguna Seca is Damon Buckmaster, who turned the seventh-fastest lap time in the Superstock session but did so in considerable pain.

“I’m hurting pretty good,” said Buckmaster. Asked if he would continue riding, he added, “I’m gonna try to ride the 600 now.”

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp was 19th-fastest after suffering mechanical problems early in the 40-minute practice.

Six riders were under Hayes’ Superstock lap record in the first Superstock practice session, including Hayes himself at 1:28.235.


Provisional Friday Morning AMA Superstock Practice Times:

1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.288
2. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.499
3. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:27.607
4. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.799
5. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.094
6. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.235
7. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:28.706
8. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.972
9. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.316
10. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.935
11. Jake Holden, Suzuki, 1:31.221
12. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.350
13. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.455
14. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:32.064
15. David White, 1:32.482
16. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.167
17. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.642
18. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.147
19. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.220
20. Garry Combs, 1:34.477

Ducati Previews Sachsenring MotoGP

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Ducati Previews Sachsenring MotoGP

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

GERMAN GRAND PRIX – Ducati Marlboro Team preview
Sachsenring, July 16/17/18 2004

DUCATI MARLBORO MEN BRING MOMENTUM TO MIDWAY GP

The 2004 MotoGP World Championship reaches half-distance in Germany next weekend with the Ducati Marlboro Team gathering momentum after strong races in the Netherlands and Brazil. Riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss are therefore confident of good performances at the Sachsenring, where they ran well this time last year. The team has been rejuvenated by the arrival of Ducati’s new Twin Pulse engine, which offers riders more user-friendly horsepower to help them cut faster lap and race times. For the first time both riders will have two bikes each equipped with the new engine.

While the Rio GP winner’s race time was 14 seconds faster than last year’s, Capirossi’s was 18 seconds quicker.

“We plan to equip both riders with two Twin Pulse bikes from the Sachsenring onwards,” says Ducati Marlboro Team director Livio Suppo. “The last two races really proved the potential of the new ‘package’. If Loris hadn’t had bad starts at Assen and Rio I believe he could have fought for podium finishes, because in both races his pace was very similar to guys who finished on the rostrum. Anyway, his results at those races prove beyond doubt that we have made a major step forward with the Twin Pulse, especially considering how much the MotoGP pace has increased this season. Finally, we are definitely heading in the right direction, and the bike is still growing with this engine which makes us feel very confident for the next few races. Loris has got his confidence back and I am sure Troy will do the same in Sachsenring”.

Ducati Marlboro Team technical director Corrado Cecchinelli also feels his crew’s fortunes are improving after a difficult few races at the start of 2004. “Last year the Sachsenring was good for us and this year we hope it will be even better,” he says. “The Twin Pulse engine should improve drive out of the slow corners; it’s not a track where straight-line speed is that important. What matters at this circuit is nimble handling and easy turning, but we won’t make any big changes to our chassis set-up because both Loris and Troy feel very confident on the bike at the moment, so we don’t want to jeopardise that. Like all tracks, you need a compromise between manoeuvrability and stability, but for the Sachsenring I’d say you err on the side of manoeuvrability.”

CAPIROSSI READY TO BUILD ON TWIN PULSE RESULTS
Loris Capirossi comes to Germany fresh from strong result in Brasil, where he finished close to the podium. Assen and Rio races proved beyond doubt that the Twin Pulse engine is the way to go, so the hard-riding Ducati Marlboro Team rider can’t wait to get back on board at the Sachsenring where he finished fourth last year despite a painful crash during the warm up.

“Assen and Rio showed the potential of the Twin Pulse, it’s a much nicer engine to use, especially over race distance,” says Capirossi, currently eighth in the World Championship points standings after scoring points at all seven races, being now only 9 point to 4th position. “The Sachsenring isn’t a bad track, and yet it’s tricky because it’s easy to go backwards if you make one small mistake. Also, it’s very tight and mostly slow, so overtake isn’t at ball easy, which means doing well in very important. You don’t use full throttle a lot around the Sachsenring, maybe a bit in the second part of the lap but the first section is all half throttle. For sure it’s a good track for the people who are watching, and the Germans fans are incredibly enthusiastic.”

BAYLISS ALL SET TO GET BACK ON TRACK
Troy Bayliss may not have enjoyed the best of results recently but he is nonetheless confident that the German GP may turn the tide for him. The Ducati Marlboro Team man has suffered DNFs at the past three GPs – a broken gearbox bearing at Assen and crashes at Catalunya and Rio – but if last year’s German GP is anything to go by he is in for a better result next weekend.

“We had a good run there last year, ending up on the podium, so let’s hope we can do that again,” says Bayliss. “It’ll be nice to have both bikes with the same engine, I look forward to that. The tests we did at Rio proved again that the Twin Pulse is the way to go – it’s definitely smoother and easy to ride over race distance. The Sachsenring is quite a strange track, especially the first section. And when you get on the bike and ride around it, it’s even slower than it looks from the TV. But I don’t mind it, it’s a bit unusual, with a few blind turns and some bumps, but I enjoy riding around there. Anyway, it’s no good arriving at a track thinking you don’t like it.”

THE TRACK
The Sachsenring first appeared on the World Championship calendar way back in 1961. The high-speed street circuit quickly became one of racing’s most popular venues, regularly attracting a quarter of a million sports-starved East German fans who flocked there to see Western teams take on the Eastern Bloc factories who were using groundbreaking two-stroke technology. The lethal street circuit hosted its last GP in 1972, an all-new short circuit returning the venue to the calendar in 1998. At that time the new circuit was the slowest in GP racing, with a lap speed of just 143kmh/89mph. Revisions for 2000 upped the pace to 150kmh/93mph and the addition of an extra loop in 2001 (which omitted the only remaining part of the old street circuit) increased lap speeds to 156kmh/97mph.

Initially deemed too slow, the Sachsenring is now a popular venue with most GP riders. Nevertheless the character of the anti-clockwise circuit is still tight and twisty, putting the emphasis on delicate mid-range engine performance rather than brute top-end horsepower. Riders use full throttle for less than 20 per cent of a lap at Sachsenring, as they ease on the power through the twists and turns.

SACHSENRING
3.671km/2.281 miles
Lap record: Max Biaggi (Honda), 1m 24.630s,156.157kmh/97.031mph
Pole position 2003: Max Biaggi (Honda), 1m 23.734s

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM DATA LOGS
LORIS CAPIROSSI
Age: 31 (April 4, 1973)
Lives: Monaco
Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP4
GP victories: 23 (1xMotoGP, 2×500, 12×250, 8×125)
First GP victory: Britain, 1990 (125)
First GP: Japan, 1990 (125)
GP starts: 207 (37xMotoGP, 59×500, 84×250, 27×125)
Pole positions: 36 (3xMotoGP, 5×500, 23×250, 5×125)
First pole: Australia, 1991 (125)
World Championships: 3 (125: 1990, 1991, 250: 1998)
Sachsenring 2003 results. Grid: 3rd. Race: 4th

TROY BAYLISS
Age: 35 (March 30, 1969)
Lives: Monaco
Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP4
First GP: Australia, 1997 (250)
GP starts: 24 (23xMotoGP, 1×250)
World Superbike victories: 22
World Championships: 1 (Superbike: 2001)
Sachsenring 2003 results. Grid: 6th. Race: 3rd

2004-2005 Supercross And Arenacross Tickets On Sale This Month

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2004-2005 Supercross And Arenacross Tickets On Sale This Month

From a press release:

2004-2005 THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series, National and Regional Arenacross Series and IFMA Freestyle Motocross On-Sale Dates Announced

AURORA, Ill. (July 8, 2004) – Clear Channel Entertainment’s Motor Sports division today announced the on-sale dates for THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series, National and Regional Arenacross Series and IFMA Freestyle Motocross.

July 17-19 Cross Club On-Sale: Cross Club members can purchase tickets before the general public. July 24-30 Internet Pre-Sale: Fans can purchase tickets online only. July 31 National On-Sale: Fans can purchase tickets at all outlets.

Fans interested in joining the Cross Club will receive special benefits, including the ability to purchase tickets before the general public to Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports events, including supercross, arenacross and freestyle motocross. In addition, Cross Club members receive the monthly Cross Club newsletter and stay up to speed on Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports news. Memberships to the Cross Club are free at supercross.cc.com, fmx.cc.com and arenacross.com.

Tickets for supercross can be purchased at the following: supercross.cc.com, www.ticketmaster.com, and www.tickets.com (San Francisco only), and www.unlvtickets.com (Las Vegas only)

Tickets for Arenacross can be purchased at the following: arenacross.com, www.ticketmaster.com, www.centreevents.com (Rockford, Ill. Only), www.tickets.com (Guthrie, Okla.). www.ticketstar.com Green Bay, Wis.)

Tickets for IFMA Freestyle Motocross can be purchased at the following: fmx.cc.com, www.ticketmaster.com and www.tickets.com Greensboro, N.C.)


About Clear Channel Entertainment
Clear Channel Entertainment, the world’s largest producer and marketer of live entertainment events, is a subsidiary of Clear Channel Worldwide (NYSE: CCU), a global leader in the out-of-home advertising industry. Clear Channel Entertainment currently owns, operates and/or exclusively books 135 live entertainment venues, including 44 amphitheaters in the U.S. and 28 venues in Europe. Each year, more than 62 million people attend approximately 26,000 events promoted and/or produced by the company, including: Live music events; Broadway, West End and touring theatrical shows; family entertainment shows; and specialized sports and motor sports shows.

In addition, Clear Channel Entertainment owns leading talent management businesses that specialize in the representation of athletes and broadcasters, including independently operated baseball, basketball and football businesses. Clear Channel Entertainment is headquartered in New York City.

About AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the THQ AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Chevrolet Motocross Championship, the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship, the AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship and the AMA Supermoto Championship.

More On Vmoto Vintage Event At Portland

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More On Vmoto Vintage Event At Portland

From a press release issued by Proforma:

VMOTO EVENT AT PORTLAND HISTORICS TO INCLUDE JOURNALIST STEVE MIKOLAS

Vmoto announced today that motorcycle journalist/school instructor Steve Mikolas will race a West Coast Racing-prepared BSA B-50 in the Bell Microproducts Vmoto Vintage Challenge to be held in conjunction with the Portland Classics in Portland, Oregon, July 9-11. This is the first time in the 27-year history of the Portland Classics that motorcycles will be featured with a full race group at the event.

Vmoto is a new series for vintage road racing motorcycles on the West coast of the United States. The Bell Microproducts Vmoto Vintage Challenge Series will consist of races at Portland, Oregon on July 9-11, Reno, Nevada on September 18-19, Thunderhill Raceway on October 16-17 and the final round at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on November 22-23. In keeping with Vmoto’s philosophy of vintage racing, points will be given not only for best finishing position, but also most consistent lap times and most period-correct bike.

About Vmoto The purpose of Vmoto is to encourage the restoration, preservation and use of historic, vintage, and classic road racing motorcycles. Vmoto events are, in effect, rolling museums where historic bikes of the past can be ridden once again in a venue that respects their historic value. Vmoto believes in preserving the history of the bikes and giving the rider an opportunity to experience what it was like to race in the past. For more information on Vmoto, call (650) 903-4882 or visit their website at www.vintagemoto.com.

About Bell Microproducts
Bell Microproducts is an international, value-added provider of a wide range of high-technology products, solutions, and services to the industrial and commercial markets in the Americas and Europe. For more information on Bell Microproducts, visit their website at www.bellmicro.com.


AMA Racing On TV

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AMA Racing On TV

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING ON TV THIS WEEK

(All times Eastern)

AMA Chevrolet Motocross Championship (125cc/250cc), Red Bud Track ‘N Trail, Buchanan, Mich., Saturday, July 10, 12-2 p.m. ESPN2

AMA Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme/Repsol Supertock, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, Calif., Sunday, July 11, 2-3 p.m. SPEED Channel

AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, Calif., Sunday, July 11, 5-6 p.m. SPEED Channel LIVE

AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport presented by Shoei, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, Calif., Tuesday, July 13, 12-1 p.m., SPEED Channel

All times subject to change. Check local listings



Investment Expert: Buying Aprilia Could Sink Ducati

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Investment Expert: Buying Aprilia Could Sink Ducati

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

By Bob Holcomb

The recent press release announcing that Ducati Motor Holdings (DMH) is offering to acquire a controlling stake in Aprilia frightens me. I am hoping that whatever combination is cooking dies a quick death. Should it not, I fear the great Ducati marqué will not survive. Let me frame my remarks by assuring you that I am a Ducatisti. I love Ducatis. I have two and am considering a third (the Mutistrada, of all things). I even think their new Superbikes are better then the 916-based collection, and even more deserving as an artistic benchmark.

The statements released by the CEO of Ducati are certainly passionate, but they strike me as delusional. The very first comment states that Ducati is not a financial investor. That they are moved by passion and dedicated to the long term success of Italian bikes worldwide. Then he goes on to profess that success will depend on how well they preserve brand individuality, respective markets, manufacturing locales, and their respective histories. He also brings up the classic B school notion of scale economies though combination. As sort of a validation, the CEO refers to their success in turning around Ducati.

1. With all due respect, Ducati is in fact a financial investor. They are a publicly owned business and all management performance is measured and priced by their owners every single trading day. The public stockholder is a ruthless and transient master. He absolutely requires financial returns. Anything otherwise is best left to private companies (which DMH should probably be). Since DMH isn’t private, they are relentlessly pressed to deliver financial performance quarter over quarter. If they fail, they eventually lose access to capital and die. To the capital markets, all that other stuff like ‘passion’ etc. is just rhetoric.

2. Case histories suggest the notion of preserving product and market individuality is certainly an important ingredient to successful brand combinations. However, it is no easy task. Moreover, it flies in the face of the concept of synergistic or scale gains. Few have carried it off.

3. Importantly, Ducati is not yet a successful turnaround. I understand that their VC is still stuck in the deal, which I suspect was not their plan when they made their investment. While Ducati has made incredible strides on most fronts, it has only been us Ducatisti that have been truly rewarded so far (and we are a pretty small group). The notion of bailing a bleeding scooter company seems ridiculous to me.

4. Regarding the claimed commercial advantages of Italian motorcycle consolidation; that must be some sort of government pitch. In fact, a lot of the statement seems more like government speak then business speak.

Perhaps the whole offer is being fostered by a government desire to preserve Aprilia for national pride. Or maybe it’s a deal promoted to get Aprilia’s lenders out of their jam. Maybe it is both. But it is not a plan to reward investors.

Ducati is a small company. They are marginally in the black and they struggle to produce unit sales growth. The Ducati market seems to be topped at around 40,000 units a year. If that’s the reality, acquiring brands that bring them new market segments is a sound solution for renewed growth. At the right price, Aprilia’s Guzzi line might make sense. It seems a bite-size fit and Aprilia has already sunk a fortune into nicely updating it. The heavy lifting has been done, so if DMH can take Guzzi at a steep discount, it is probably worth the risk. But to take over the entire Aprilia company is suicide. When manufacturing complexes go upside down, they eat cash every single minute they operate. If DMH were given Aprilia for free, I fear it would still sink them. It is just too big and complicated for their little balance sheet and small staff to handle. Just too many leaks and not enough patches in the tool box. I say assign Aprilia to somebody else.


Bob Holcomb is a managing executive with a prominant U.S. investment firm. His son, Gus, is a racer…Editor.

Eric Bostrom: I’m Excited To Go To My Favorite Track

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Eric Bostrom: I’m Excited To Go To My Favorite Track

From a press release issued by Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin:

BOSTROM HEADS TO FAVORITE LAGUNA SECA CIRCUIT IN CONFIDENT MOOD

Monterey (California): Winner of two AMA Superbike races at Laguna Seca, Eric Bostrom is hoping to record his third superbike win at the Monterey peninsula circuit during the combined AMA and World Superbike weekend, a round which in recent years has seen fan attendance regularly exceed 90,000.

Currently fourth overall in points, Bostrom’s recent Michelin test in France showed positive results as he stayed on pace with the race leaders throughout the contest at Brainerd. Ducati Corse’s World Superbike experience from last year on a Michelin-shod 999 will also give the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin team a head start with their set-up for the Laguna Seca round.

Heading into last year’s Laguna Seca race only six points back in the AMA championship lead, Eric’s season was prematurely ended when he was caught up in a crash that resulted in injuries which kept him from being able to continue his battle for last year’s superbike title.

“I’m excited to go to my favorite track,” said the 27-year-old from Las Vegas, Nevada. “I know it’s going to be a lot of work and a difficult race to win, but I also know that we need to win. And everyone is riding really well right now so it’s going to be a great race. I’m anxious to be a part of the best event in America. Unfortunately we can’t ride as wildcards in the World Superbike races because of their spec tire rule, and I know the fans will be disappointed to not see the local wildcards, but we hope to give them a good show in the AMA Superbike race.

“The crowd size and enthusiasm are normally really incredible, and Ducati always has a strong presence with Ducati Island and they have some cool activities planned, so I’m looking forward to being a part of that. It’s going to be a great weekend.”

The Laguna Seca event also plays host to the international launch of the new U.S. version of the 999R, based on the motorcycle representing Ducati in this year’s American Superbike Championship with Eric Bostrom and the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin team.

The Circuit
During the 1950s, the “Pebble Beach Road Races” attracted some of the world’s best sports car drivers as they tested their skills on the winding roads of the coastal town. The prestigious races brought fans and money to the Monterey Peninsula but within a few years the event had outgrown the area and the cars had become too fast for the open road. The races needed a new home, and Laguna Seca Raceway was born.

Laguna Seca Raceway is recognized as one of the greatest and most spectacular road-racing circuits in the USA. Built by the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) in 1957, it has hosted some of the world’s greatest racing series, including CART, NASCAR, FIA GT, GP Motorcycle and the Superbike World Championship. The 2.238 mile (3.610 km), 11-turn track is famous for its beauty and daunting Corkscrew turn, which features a difficult left-right swoop plunging more than 50 feet.

POINTS: 1. Mladin 358; 2. Duhamel 352; 3. Zemke 348; 4. E Bostrom 262; 5. May 241; 6. B Bostrom 210; etc.

Ducati 999R Press Launch Going On Now At Laguna Seca

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Ducati 999R Press Launch Going On Now At Laguna Seca

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Ducati North America is hosting a press intro for the 2005 Ducati 999R homologation special at Laguna Seca Raceway today.

Which is why there is no practice going on for this weekend’s AMA races, which are held in conjunction with World Superbike at the Monterey, California racetrack.

The production machines being introduced to the press today were built to meet AMA requirements for homologation of the Ducati Eric Bostrom rides in the AMA Superbike Series.

Updated Post: Tommy Hayden Takes Pole Position, Hacking Crashes On Injured Shoulder In AMA Superstock Qualifying At Laguna Seca

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Kawasaki’s Tommy Hayden earned the pole position for the AMA Superstock race during qualifying Friday at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. Riding his factory ZX-10R, Hayden used a Dunlop qualifying tire to turn a 1:26.382, which was not only two seconds under Josh Hayes’ lap record (1:28.598), but also a full second faster than the time turned by provisional World Superbike pole-sitter Steve Martin (1:27.396).

Hayden also earned a bonus Championship point for taking pole position. “For sure, every point you can get is really important. So that was good,” said Hayden, who continues to sit third in the AMA Superstock Championship standings behind Jamie Hacking and Aaron Gobert. “Jamie is not 100 percent. We’re trying to take advantage of that.”

Graves Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo was at the top of the order when he went out on his third qualifier (which went unused by Hacking), but he was unable to improve on his second-fastest 1:26.669.

“If I had 20 qualifiers I don’t know if I could’ve got that time. My time was good, but Tommy must have nailed that lap!” said DiSalvo.

Hayden’s teammate and younger brother Roger Lee Hayden qualified third with a 1:26.685, said he felt he didn’t use his qualifiers well enough but was excited about starting the race from the front row.

Another member of the Graves Yamaha team, Aaron Gobert earned the last spot on the front row with a 1:26.766.

Jamie Hacking (who is riding with a freshly-plated, 11-day-old broken collarbone) was running well up the order during the session when he crashed in turn three. The crash was a simple lowside, according to his crew, but Hacking landed on his injured shoulder. Hacking looked to be in considerable pain after getting back to the pits.

Hacking’s qualifying time to that point (1:27.212) earned him the fifth spot on the grid.

Hooters Suzuki’s John Haner appeared to have blown an engine on the front straightaway during the qualifying session and pulled off the track near turn one.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp crashed his GSX-R750 in turn 10 late in the session. He was uninjured.

With two minutes remaining in the session, all timing and scoring monitors on pit lane and in the media center went blank. Only after the session was over did the times re-appear, with Tommy Hayden overtaking Jason DiSalvo in the qualifying order.

Provisional AMA Superstock Qualifying Results:

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:26.382
2. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:26.669
3. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:26.685
4. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:26.766
5. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:27.212
6. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.288
7. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.337
8. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.298
9. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.537
10. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.603
11. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.919
12. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.099
13. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.954
14. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:31.087
15. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.404
16. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.599
17. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.682
18. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.409
19. David White, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.629
20. Jesse Janisch, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.834

Buckmaster, Craggill Return From Injury To Ride At Laguna Seca



Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yamaha/Graves Yamaha’s Damon Buckmaster and Corona Extra Suzuki’s Marty Craggill, both out for several weeks due to injury, will return to action this weekend during the AMA/World Superbike event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Buckmaster, who suffered a broken scaphoid bone in his left wrist/hand in a crash during practice at Barber Motorsports Park in May, will ride even though his fracture isn’t completely healed.

“I just saw (Dr. Arthur) Ting (Thursday morning). He said it hasn’t healed, but it’s healing. So it depends on how you look at it. He said, it’s up to you if you ride or not. I thought I’d give it a go, at least turn a wheel and see how bad it is, especially for Yamaha and Graves. (Ting) is going to bring a brace out, strap it on and see how we go,” said Buckmaster, adding that he will try to ride both his Supersport and Superstock Yamahas.

Out since the California Speedway round of the series in early-April, when he crashed and fractured a vertebra in his neck, Craggill is hoping for a top-10 finish in his return to the Superbike class in spite of being less than 100 percent.

“I have the flu,” said Craggill. “And from the flight, I’m jet lagged, because it was a last-minute thing. I thought I would come back at Mid-Ohio, then the doctor said it was OK to come here. I would’ve liked to have been better prepared physically. There’s nothing like riding the bike anyway.”

Craggill said his long recovery period (three months) was full of delays but was mostly because he wanted to make sure he was completely healed before coming back.

Updated Post: DiSalvo Tops AMA Superstock Practice With New Lap Record At Laguna Seca

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Graves Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo led the first AMA Superstock practice of the weekend Friday morning at Laguna Seca. Not only was DiSalvo’s 1:27.288 the fastest time, it was well under Josh Hayes’ Superstock lap record of 1:28.598.

“The bike felt really comfortable,” DiSalvo told Roadracingworld.com. “It was one of the first times all year I just hopped on and everything felt good. The R1 felt like my 600 today.”

DiSalvo credited some of his success to the confidence he carried out of Brainerd, where he finished on the Superstock podium for the first time, and “breakthroughs” he and his team found while testing at Mid-Ohio last week.

The surprise of the session was Jamie Hacking, who rode with a freshly-plated, 11-day-old broken collarbone and recorded the fourth-fastest time (1:28.799).

“I’m pretty sore,” said Hacking. “It just totally screws up my riding style. In the right handers, I can’t do shit. I’m sitting up on the bike and everything, and pain shoots up my neck. I’m just trying to be careful on the exits of the corners. I can’t be losing the rear and have it all moving around on me. I’m just taking it easy.”

Another member of the Graves Yamaha team and the walking wounded at Laguna Seca is Damon Buckmaster, who turned the seventh-fastest lap time in the Superstock session but did so in considerable pain.

“I’m hurting pretty good,” said Buckmaster. Asked if he would continue riding, he added, “I’m gonna try to ride the 600 now.”

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp was 19th-fastest after suffering mechanical problems early in the 40-minute practice.

Six riders were under Hayes’ Superstock lap record in the first Superstock practice session, including Hayes himself at 1:28.235.


Provisional Friday Morning AMA Superstock Practice Times:

1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.288
2. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.499
3. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:27.607
4. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.799
5. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.094
6. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.235
7. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:28.706
8. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.972
9. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.316
10. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.935
11. Jake Holden, Suzuki, 1:31.221
12. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.350
13. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.455
14. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:32.064
15. David White, 1:32.482
16. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.167
17. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.642
18. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.147
19. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.220
20. Garry Combs, 1:34.477

Ducati Previews Sachsenring MotoGP

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

GERMAN GRAND PRIX – Ducati Marlboro Team preview
Sachsenring, July 16/17/18 2004

DUCATI MARLBORO MEN BRING MOMENTUM TO MIDWAY GP

The 2004 MotoGP World Championship reaches half-distance in Germany next weekend with the Ducati Marlboro Team gathering momentum after strong races in the Netherlands and Brazil. Riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss are therefore confident of good performances at the Sachsenring, where they ran well this time last year. The team has been rejuvenated by the arrival of Ducati’s new Twin Pulse engine, which offers riders more user-friendly horsepower to help them cut faster lap and race times. For the first time both riders will have two bikes each equipped with the new engine.

While the Rio GP winner’s race time was 14 seconds faster than last year’s, Capirossi’s was 18 seconds quicker.

“We plan to equip both riders with two Twin Pulse bikes from the Sachsenring onwards,” says Ducati Marlboro Team director Livio Suppo. “The last two races really proved the potential of the new ‘package’. If Loris hadn’t had bad starts at Assen and Rio I believe he could have fought for podium finishes, because in both races his pace was very similar to guys who finished on the rostrum. Anyway, his results at those races prove beyond doubt that we have made a major step forward with the Twin Pulse, especially considering how much the MotoGP pace has increased this season. Finally, we are definitely heading in the right direction, and the bike is still growing with this engine which makes us feel very confident for the next few races. Loris has got his confidence back and I am sure Troy will do the same in Sachsenring”.

Ducati Marlboro Team technical director Corrado Cecchinelli also feels his crew’s fortunes are improving after a difficult few races at the start of 2004. “Last year the Sachsenring was good for us and this year we hope it will be even better,” he says. “The Twin Pulse engine should improve drive out of the slow corners; it’s not a track where straight-line speed is that important. What matters at this circuit is nimble handling and easy turning, but we won’t make any big changes to our chassis set-up because both Loris and Troy feel very confident on the bike at the moment, so we don’t want to jeopardise that. Like all tracks, you need a compromise between manoeuvrability and stability, but for the Sachsenring I’d say you err on the side of manoeuvrability.”

CAPIROSSI READY TO BUILD ON TWIN PULSE RESULTS
Loris Capirossi comes to Germany fresh from strong result in Brasil, where he finished close to the podium. Assen and Rio races proved beyond doubt that the Twin Pulse engine is the way to go, so the hard-riding Ducati Marlboro Team rider can’t wait to get back on board at the Sachsenring where he finished fourth last year despite a painful crash during the warm up.

“Assen and Rio showed the potential of the Twin Pulse, it’s a much nicer engine to use, especially over race distance,” says Capirossi, currently eighth in the World Championship points standings after scoring points at all seven races, being now only 9 point to 4th position. “The Sachsenring isn’t a bad track, and yet it’s tricky because it’s easy to go backwards if you make one small mistake. Also, it’s very tight and mostly slow, so overtake isn’t at ball easy, which means doing well in very important. You don’t use full throttle a lot around the Sachsenring, maybe a bit in the second part of the lap but the first section is all half throttle. For sure it’s a good track for the people who are watching, and the Germans fans are incredibly enthusiastic.”

BAYLISS ALL SET TO GET BACK ON TRACK
Troy Bayliss may not have enjoyed the best of results recently but he is nonetheless confident that the German GP may turn the tide for him. The Ducati Marlboro Team man has suffered DNFs at the past three GPs – a broken gearbox bearing at Assen and crashes at Catalunya and Rio – but if last year’s German GP is anything to go by he is in for a better result next weekend.

“We had a good run there last year, ending up on the podium, so let’s hope we can do that again,” says Bayliss. “It’ll be nice to have both bikes with the same engine, I look forward to that. The tests we did at Rio proved again that the Twin Pulse is the way to go – it’s definitely smoother and easy to ride over race distance. The Sachsenring is quite a strange track, especially the first section. And when you get on the bike and ride around it, it’s even slower than it looks from the TV. But I don’t mind it, it’s a bit unusual, with a few blind turns and some bumps, but I enjoy riding around there. Anyway, it’s no good arriving at a track thinking you don’t like it.”

THE TRACK
The Sachsenring first appeared on the World Championship calendar way back in 1961. The high-speed street circuit quickly became one of racing’s most popular venues, regularly attracting a quarter of a million sports-starved East German fans who flocked there to see Western teams take on the Eastern Bloc factories who were using groundbreaking two-stroke technology. The lethal street circuit hosted its last GP in 1972, an all-new short circuit returning the venue to the calendar in 1998. At that time the new circuit was the slowest in GP racing, with a lap speed of just 143kmh/89mph. Revisions for 2000 upped the pace to 150kmh/93mph and the addition of an extra loop in 2001 (which omitted the only remaining part of the old street circuit) increased lap speeds to 156kmh/97mph.

Initially deemed too slow, the Sachsenring is now a popular venue with most GP riders. Nevertheless the character of the anti-clockwise circuit is still tight and twisty, putting the emphasis on delicate mid-range engine performance rather than brute top-end horsepower. Riders use full throttle for less than 20 per cent of a lap at Sachsenring, as they ease on the power through the twists and turns.

SACHSENRING
3.671km/2.281 miles
Lap record: Max Biaggi (Honda), 1m 24.630s,156.157kmh/97.031mph
Pole position 2003: Max Biaggi (Honda), 1m 23.734s

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM DATA LOGS
LORIS CAPIROSSI
Age: 31 (April 4, 1973)
Lives: Monaco
Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP4
GP victories: 23 (1xMotoGP, 2×500, 12×250, 8×125)
First GP victory: Britain, 1990 (125)
First GP: Japan, 1990 (125)
GP starts: 207 (37xMotoGP, 59×500, 84×250, 27×125)
Pole positions: 36 (3xMotoGP, 5×500, 23×250, 5×125)
First pole: Australia, 1991 (125)
World Championships: 3 (125: 1990, 1991, 250: 1998)
Sachsenring 2003 results. Grid: 3rd. Race: 4th

TROY BAYLISS
Age: 35 (March 30, 1969)
Lives: Monaco
Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP4
First GP: Australia, 1997 (250)
GP starts: 24 (23xMotoGP, 1×250)
World Superbike victories: 22
World Championships: 1 (Superbike: 2001)
Sachsenring 2003 results. Grid: 6th. Race: 3rd

2004-2005 Supercross And Arenacross Tickets On Sale This Month

From a press release:

2004-2005 THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series, National and Regional Arenacross Series and IFMA Freestyle Motocross On-Sale Dates Announced

AURORA, Ill. (July 8, 2004) – Clear Channel Entertainment’s Motor Sports division today announced the on-sale dates for THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series, National and Regional Arenacross Series and IFMA Freestyle Motocross.

July 17-19 Cross Club On-Sale: Cross Club members can purchase tickets before the general public. July 24-30 Internet Pre-Sale: Fans can purchase tickets online only. July 31 National On-Sale: Fans can purchase tickets at all outlets.

Fans interested in joining the Cross Club will receive special benefits, including the ability to purchase tickets before the general public to Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports events, including supercross, arenacross and freestyle motocross. In addition, Cross Club members receive the monthly Cross Club newsletter and stay up to speed on Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports news. Memberships to the Cross Club are free at supercross.cc.com, fmx.cc.com and arenacross.com.

Tickets for supercross can be purchased at the following: supercross.cc.com, www.ticketmaster.com, and www.tickets.com (San Francisco only), and www.unlvtickets.com (Las Vegas only)

Tickets for Arenacross can be purchased at the following: arenacross.com, www.ticketmaster.com, www.centreevents.com (Rockford, Ill. Only), www.tickets.com (Guthrie, Okla.). www.ticketstar.com Green Bay, Wis.)

Tickets for IFMA Freestyle Motocross can be purchased at the following: fmx.cc.com, www.ticketmaster.com and www.tickets.com Greensboro, N.C.)


About Clear Channel Entertainment
Clear Channel Entertainment, the world’s largest producer and marketer of live entertainment events, is a subsidiary of Clear Channel Worldwide (NYSE: CCU), a global leader in the out-of-home advertising industry. Clear Channel Entertainment currently owns, operates and/or exclusively books 135 live entertainment venues, including 44 amphitheaters in the U.S. and 28 venues in Europe. Each year, more than 62 million people attend approximately 26,000 events promoted and/or produced by the company, including: Live music events; Broadway, West End and touring theatrical shows; family entertainment shows; and specialized sports and motor sports shows.

In addition, Clear Channel Entertainment owns leading talent management businesses that specialize in the representation of athletes and broadcasters, including independently operated baseball, basketball and football businesses. Clear Channel Entertainment is headquartered in New York City.

About AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the THQ AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Chevrolet Motocross Championship, the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship, the AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship and the AMA Supermoto Championship.

More On Vmoto Vintage Event At Portland

From a press release issued by Proforma:

VMOTO EVENT AT PORTLAND HISTORICS TO INCLUDE JOURNALIST STEVE MIKOLAS

Vmoto announced today that motorcycle journalist/school instructor Steve Mikolas will race a West Coast Racing-prepared BSA B-50 in the Bell Microproducts Vmoto Vintage Challenge to be held in conjunction with the Portland Classics in Portland, Oregon, July 9-11. This is the first time in the 27-year history of the Portland Classics that motorcycles will be featured with a full race group at the event.

Vmoto is a new series for vintage road racing motorcycles on the West coast of the United States. The Bell Microproducts Vmoto Vintage Challenge Series will consist of races at Portland, Oregon on July 9-11, Reno, Nevada on September 18-19, Thunderhill Raceway on October 16-17 and the final round at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on November 22-23. In keeping with Vmoto’s philosophy of vintage racing, points will be given not only for best finishing position, but also most consistent lap times and most period-correct bike.

About Vmoto The purpose of Vmoto is to encourage the restoration, preservation and use of historic, vintage, and classic road racing motorcycles. Vmoto events are, in effect, rolling museums where historic bikes of the past can be ridden once again in a venue that respects their historic value. Vmoto believes in preserving the history of the bikes and giving the rider an opportunity to experience what it was like to race in the past. For more information on Vmoto, call (650) 903-4882 or visit their website at www.vintagemoto.com.

About Bell Microproducts
Bell Microproducts is an international, value-added provider of a wide range of high-technology products, solutions, and services to the industrial and commercial markets in the Americas and Europe. For more information on Bell Microproducts, visit their website at www.bellmicro.com.


AMA Racing On TV

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING ON TV THIS WEEK

(All times Eastern)

AMA Chevrolet Motocross Championship (125cc/250cc), Red Bud Track ‘N Trail, Buchanan, Mich., Saturday, July 10, 12-2 p.m. ESPN2

AMA Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme/Repsol Supertock, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, Calif., Sunday, July 11, 2-3 p.m. SPEED Channel

AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, Calif., Sunday, July 11, 5-6 p.m. SPEED Channel LIVE

AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport presented by Shoei, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, Calif., Tuesday, July 13, 12-1 p.m., SPEED Channel

All times subject to change. Check local listings



Investment Expert: Buying Aprilia Could Sink Ducati

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

By Bob Holcomb

The recent press release announcing that Ducati Motor Holdings (DMH) is offering to acquire a controlling stake in Aprilia frightens me. I am hoping that whatever combination is cooking dies a quick death. Should it not, I fear the great Ducati marqué will not survive. Let me frame my remarks by assuring you that I am a Ducatisti. I love Ducatis. I have two and am considering a third (the Mutistrada, of all things). I even think their new Superbikes are better then the 916-based collection, and even more deserving as an artistic benchmark.

The statements released by the CEO of Ducati are certainly passionate, but they strike me as delusional. The very first comment states that Ducati is not a financial investor. That they are moved by passion and dedicated to the long term success of Italian bikes worldwide. Then he goes on to profess that success will depend on how well they preserve brand individuality, respective markets, manufacturing locales, and their respective histories. He also brings up the classic B school notion of scale economies though combination. As sort of a validation, the CEO refers to their success in turning around Ducati.

1. With all due respect, Ducati is in fact a financial investor. They are a publicly owned business and all management performance is measured and priced by their owners every single trading day. The public stockholder is a ruthless and transient master. He absolutely requires financial returns. Anything otherwise is best left to private companies (which DMH should probably be). Since DMH isn’t private, they are relentlessly pressed to deliver financial performance quarter over quarter. If they fail, they eventually lose access to capital and die. To the capital markets, all that other stuff like ‘passion’ etc. is just rhetoric.

2. Case histories suggest the notion of preserving product and market individuality is certainly an important ingredient to successful brand combinations. However, it is no easy task. Moreover, it flies in the face of the concept of synergistic or scale gains. Few have carried it off.

3. Importantly, Ducati is not yet a successful turnaround. I understand that their VC is still stuck in the deal, which I suspect was not their plan when they made their investment. While Ducati has made incredible strides on most fronts, it has only been us Ducatisti that have been truly rewarded so far (and we are a pretty small group). The notion of bailing a bleeding scooter company seems ridiculous to me.

4. Regarding the claimed commercial advantages of Italian motorcycle consolidation; that must be some sort of government pitch. In fact, a lot of the statement seems more like government speak then business speak.

Perhaps the whole offer is being fostered by a government desire to preserve Aprilia for national pride. Or maybe it’s a deal promoted to get Aprilia’s lenders out of their jam. Maybe it is both. But it is not a plan to reward investors.

Ducati is a small company. They are marginally in the black and they struggle to produce unit sales growth. The Ducati market seems to be topped at around 40,000 units a year. If that’s the reality, acquiring brands that bring them new market segments is a sound solution for renewed growth. At the right price, Aprilia’s Guzzi line might make sense. It seems a bite-size fit and Aprilia has already sunk a fortune into nicely updating it. The heavy lifting has been done, so if DMH can take Guzzi at a steep discount, it is probably worth the risk. But to take over the entire Aprilia company is suicide. When manufacturing complexes go upside down, they eat cash every single minute they operate. If DMH were given Aprilia for free, I fear it would still sink them. It is just too big and complicated for their little balance sheet and small staff to handle. Just too many leaks and not enough patches in the tool box. I say assign Aprilia to somebody else.


Bob Holcomb is a managing executive with a prominant U.S. investment firm. His son, Gus, is a racer…Editor.

Eric Bostrom: I’m Excited To Go To My Favorite Track

From a press release issued by Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin:

BOSTROM HEADS TO FAVORITE LAGUNA SECA CIRCUIT IN CONFIDENT MOOD

Monterey (California): Winner of two AMA Superbike races at Laguna Seca, Eric Bostrom is hoping to record his third superbike win at the Monterey peninsula circuit during the combined AMA and World Superbike weekend, a round which in recent years has seen fan attendance regularly exceed 90,000.

Currently fourth overall in points, Bostrom’s recent Michelin test in France showed positive results as he stayed on pace with the race leaders throughout the contest at Brainerd. Ducati Corse’s World Superbike experience from last year on a Michelin-shod 999 will also give the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin team a head start with their set-up for the Laguna Seca round.

Heading into last year’s Laguna Seca race only six points back in the AMA championship lead, Eric’s season was prematurely ended when he was caught up in a crash that resulted in injuries which kept him from being able to continue his battle for last year’s superbike title.

“I’m excited to go to my favorite track,” said the 27-year-old from Las Vegas, Nevada. “I know it’s going to be a lot of work and a difficult race to win, but I also know that we need to win. And everyone is riding really well right now so it’s going to be a great race. I’m anxious to be a part of the best event in America. Unfortunately we can’t ride as wildcards in the World Superbike races because of their spec tire rule, and I know the fans will be disappointed to not see the local wildcards, but we hope to give them a good show in the AMA Superbike race.

“The crowd size and enthusiasm are normally really incredible, and Ducati always has a strong presence with Ducati Island and they have some cool activities planned, so I’m looking forward to being a part of that. It’s going to be a great weekend.”

The Laguna Seca event also plays host to the international launch of the new U.S. version of the 999R, based on the motorcycle representing Ducati in this year’s American Superbike Championship with Eric Bostrom and the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin team.

The Circuit
During the 1950s, the “Pebble Beach Road Races” attracted some of the world’s best sports car drivers as they tested their skills on the winding roads of the coastal town. The prestigious races brought fans and money to the Monterey Peninsula but within a few years the event had outgrown the area and the cars had become too fast for the open road. The races needed a new home, and Laguna Seca Raceway was born.

Laguna Seca Raceway is recognized as one of the greatest and most spectacular road-racing circuits in the USA. Built by the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) in 1957, it has hosted some of the world’s greatest racing series, including CART, NASCAR, FIA GT, GP Motorcycle and the Superbike World Championship. The 2.238 mile (3.610 km), 11-turn track is famous for its beauty and daunting Corkscrew turn, which features a difficult left-right swoop plunging more than 50 feet.

POINTS: 1. Mladin 358; 2. Duhamel 352; 3. Zemke 348; 4. E Bostrom 262; 5. May 241; 6. B Bostrom 210; etc.

Ducati 999R Press Launch Going On Now At Laguna Seca

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Ducati North America is hosting a press intro for the 2005 Ducati 999R homologation special at Laguna Seca Raceway today.

Which is why there is no practice going on for this weekend’s AMA races, which are held in conjunction with World Superbike at the Monterey, California racetrack.

The production machines being introduced to the press today were built to meet AMA requirements for homologation of the Ducati Eric Bostrom rides in the AMA Superbike Series.

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