Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Graves Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking surprised no one when he took the AMA Superstock pole position during qualifying Saturday at Brainerd International Raceway. Not only was it Hacking’s third Superstock pole position of the season, but the bonus Championship point for earning pole breaks a tie between Hacking and his teammate Aaron Gobert for the Championship points lead.

“I’m riding hard because I’ve got some ground to make back up. Now we’re back leading the Championship again, and that’s a comfortable thing to know. I don’t want to be chasing,” said Hacking. “My guys are doing a good job, and we’ve got this thing working good through (turns) one and two, which is a key part of this racetrack. Plus, it’s working in the tight stuff. You can only do those times if you’re really comfortable, and I’m really comfortable. I’m pretty confident about the race.”

Hacking’s lap of 1:36.232 was over three seconds faster than Josh Hayes’ AMA Superstock lap record of 1:39.402, set in 2003 on a Suzuki GSX-R750.

Hayes also went better than his old mark, qualifing second-fastest at 1:37.028 on his Attack Kawasaki ZX-10R. Hacking’s teammate Jason DiSalvo used the draft of another rider to record a 1:37.244 and move up to third in the order. Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies said he had his fastest lap of the weekend going through the first two lap segments but his GSX-R1000 jumped out of gear in the final segment, relegating him to fourth, the final spot on the front row, with a 1:37.341.

Kawasaki’s Tommy Hayden had worse luck than Spies when his factory ZX-10R quit on the out lap of the session. After losing substantial time getting back to the pits, Hayden could do no better than an eighth-fastest 1:38.280 on his back-up bike.

Alex Gobert said a major change to the rear shock of his Erion Honda CBR1000RR allowed him to drop three seconds from his best lap time and qualify ninth with a 1:38.758, while riding in the slower of two qualifying groups.

A total of 14 riders qualified under the old Superstock lap record.

Provisional AMA Superstock Qualifying Results:

1. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:36.232
2. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:37.028
3. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:37.244
4. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.341
5. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:37.363
6. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:37.844
7. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:38.074
8. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:38.280
9. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:38.758
10. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:38.766
11. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:38.968
12. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.238
13. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:39.338
14. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.395
15. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:40.210
16. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:40.318
17. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:40.694
18. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:42.961
19. James Kerker, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:43.527
20. Montez Stewart, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:44.872
21. Jesse Janisch, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:44.933
22. Jessica Zalusky, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:45.816
23. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:46.249

112 percent of fast time: 1:47.780

24. Tom Grant, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:49.163
25. Eric Dooyema, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:49.657
26. C.R. Gittere, Suzuki GSX-R1000, no times

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

WSMC racer Albert Medina and wife Denise had a son, Christopher Scott Medina, June 24 in Whittier, California.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

250cc Grand Prix Race Results:

1. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, 18 laps, 37:26.576
2. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, -2.566 seconds
3. Toni ELIAS, Honda, -4.038 seconds
4. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, -8.024 seconds
5. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, -13.596 seconds
6. Anthony WEST, Aprilia, -20.405 seconds
7. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, -26.477 seconds
8. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, -27.302 seconds
9. Roberto ROLFO, Honda, -27.357 seconds
10. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, -43.693 seconds
11. Alex BALDOLINI, Aprilia, -43.945 seconds
12. Alex DEBON, Honda, -44.181 seconds
13. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, -52.638 seconds
14. Eric BATAILLE, Honda, -52.768 seconds
15. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, -52.900 seconds
16. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, -59.865 seconds
17. Hector FAUBEL, Aprilia, -63.776 seconds
18. Hugo MARCHAND, Aprilia, -63.994 seconds
19. Taro SEKIGUCHI, Yamaha, -78.056 seconds
20. Johan STIGEFELT, Aprilia, -78.128 seconds


250cc GP World Championship Point Standings:

1. DE PUNIET, 111 points
2. PEDROSA, 110 points
3. PORTO, 88 points
4. ELIAS, 70 points
5. NIETO, 64 points
6. DE ANGELIS, 51 points
7. ROLFO, 48 points
8. WEST, 46 points
9. TIE, AOYAMA/DEBON, 41 points

From a press release issued by Vmoto:

The Bell Microproducts Vmoto Vintage Challenge

Mountain View, CA. Vmoto announced today a new series for vintage road racing motorcycles on the West Coast of the United States and a new series sponsor, Bell Microproducts.

The Bell Microproducts Vmoto Vintage Challenge will be contested in a series of races at Portland on July 9-11, Reno on September 18-19, Thunderhill on October 16-17, and the final round at Laguna Seca on November 22-23.

In keeping with Vmoto’s philosophy of vintage racing, points will not only be given for best finishing position, but also most consistent lap times and most period correct bike. The winners in each of the Vmoto classes will receive free entry to all 2005 Vintage Challenge events. In addition, all late entry fees will be dropped for the 2004 Vintage Challenge.

Vmoto classes: Class 1 ‹ Pre-War GP (to September 1939)

Class 2 ‹ Post-War GP (from October 1939 to September 1949)

Class 3 ‹ Grand Prix (from October 1949 to December 1968)

Class 4 ‹ Formula 750 (from January 1969 to December 1972)

Regularity ‹ Any pre 1974 road or race bike is eligible

To enter the series go to http://www.vintagemoto.com or call the Vmoto
office at 650-903-4882

Vmoto is pleased and honored to welcome Bell Microproducts as the 2004 Vintage Challenge Sponsor!

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. The company’s offering includes semiconductors, computer platforms, peripherals, and storage products of various types including desktop, high-end computer and storage subsystems, fibre channel connectivity products, RAID, NAS and SAN storage systems, back-up products, storage management software, and extensive support, integration and installation services. Bell Microproducts is an industry-recognized specialist in storage products and is one of the world’s largest storage-centric value-added distributors.

The company’s products are available at any level of integration, from components to subsystem assemblies and fully-integrated, tested and certified system solutions. The company adds value with a broad range of services including testing, software loading, kitting, mass storage system integration, and computer system integration. Trained and certified technical personnel complete each of these processes at Bell Microproducts’ ISO 9001:2000 facilities. Bell Microproducts markets and distributes more than 125 brand name product lines, as well as its own Rorke Data storage brands, to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contract electronic manufacturing services (EMS) customers, value-added resellers (VARs) and system integrators in the Americas and Europe. More information can be found in the company’s SEC filings, or by visiting the Bell Microproducts Web site
at http://www.bellmicro.com.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

125cc Grand Prix Race Results:

1. Jorge LORENZO, Derbi, 17 laps, 37:13.859
2. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, -0.235 seconds
3. Casey STONER, KTM, -0.564 seconds
4. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, -0.606 seconds
5. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, -3.865 seconds
6. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, -11.450 seconds
7. Marco SIMONCELLI, Aprilia, -11.756 seconds
8. Pablo NIETO, Aprilia, -11.764 seconds
9. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, -11.913 seconds
10. Imre TOTH, Aprilia, -29.339 seconds
11. Mattia PASINI, Aprilia, -29.851 seconds
12. Mike DI MEGLIO, Aprilia, -30.394 seconds
13. Gioele PELLINO, Aprilia, -30.428 seconds
14. Stefano PERUGINI, Gilera, -39.233 seconds
15. Angel RODRIGUEZ, Derbi, -39.346 seconds


125cc GP World Championship Point Standings:

1. DOVIZIOSO, 109 points
2. LOCATELLI, 93 points
3. TIE, BARBERA/STONER, 84 points
5. NIETO, 63 points
6. TIE, LORENZO/JENKNER, 58 points
8. GIANSANTI, 52 points
9. SIMONCELLI, 43 points
10. PASINI, 25 points

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday Morning MotoGP Practice Times:

1. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 2:00.003
2. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 2:00.236
3. Carlos CHECA, Yamaha, 2:00.758
4. Colin EDWARDS, Honda, 2:00.846
5. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 2:00.994
6. Alex BARROS, Honda, 2:01.061
7. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 2:01.103
8. Neil HODGSON, Ducati, 2:01.230
9. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 2:01.402
10. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Aprilia, 2:01.422
11. Ruben XAUS, Ducati, 2:01.647
12. Marco MELANDRI, Yamaha, 2:01.796
13. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, 2:02.015
14. Norick ABE, Yamaha, 2:02.127
15. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 2:02.150
16. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, 2:02.248
17. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 2:02.286
18. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 2:02.288
19. Shane BYRNE, Aprilia, 2:02.498
20. Troy BAYLISS, Ducati, 2:02.629
21. Michel FABRIZIO, Harris WCM, 2:04.646
22. Kurtis ROBERTS, Proton, 2:04.988
23. Nobuatsu AOKI, Proton, 2:05.002
24. Chris BURNS, Harris WCM, 2:05.184

From a press release issued by the FIM:

Assen, June 26

Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix

Decisions of the Grand Prix Commission

The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Claude Danis (FIM), Sito Pons (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), with the presence of Paul Butler (Secretary), in a meeting held yesterday, has unanimously decided to introduce the following modifications to the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations:

As from November 1st, 2004:

1.11 Entries

1.11.1 Each team, being a member of IRTA, must submit to the Secretariat of IRTA, by 28 February of the year in question, an entry for their team which will, except when special dispensation is granted, be valid for all races in the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix. At the same time, the team must indicate the riders designated and the class in which they will participate together with the Testing Circuits designated by teams in the 125cc and 250cc classes.

1.15.1 Practice Restrictions

i) Contracted Teams who benefit from a Participation Agreement to take part in the MotoGP class of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix and their designated riders in that class are prohibited from practising at any circuit between the 1st December of one year and the 20th January of the following year, both dates being inclusive.

ii) Contracted Teams who benefit from a Participation Agreement to take part in the 125cc and the 250cc classes of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix and their designated riders in those classes may only conduct “winter testing” i.e. tests between the end of the season and the first event of the following season, at circuits in the Continental Zone where the team is based (Europe, Asia/Oceania, Africa, the Americas).

iii) Contracted Teams who benefit from a Participation Agreement to take part in the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix in any class and their designated riders in any class are prohibited from practising:

a) at any circuit included in the Grand Prix calendar of the current year after the date that is 14 days prior to first race of the season.

b) at any circuit included in the Grand Prix calendar of the current year during “breaks”. A break in the Championship is defined as two consecutive weekends where events are not scheduled. The period of the break extends from 09.00 hrs. on the Wednesday after the Grand Prix until the following Grand Prix.

iv) The following exceptions will apply to iii) A) above:

a) Free practice or qualifying practice at the event.

b) Practice at any circuit after the event at that circuit except during a break as defined above.

c) Official practice sessions organised by IRTA.

d) Practice by contracted Teams who benefit from a Participation Agreement to take part in the 125cc and the 250cc classes of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix and their designated riders in those classes, at the two testing circuits designated by each team (see 1.11.1) which may take place up to 14 days before the race scheduled for the circuit, but not during a break as defined above.

v) Practice restrictions do not apply to wild card riders except that they may not practice or race at any Grand Prix circuit within 14 days of the race.


Technical Regulations:

As from January 1st, 2005:
Art. 2.6.3 – Fuel tanks must be filled with fire retardant material or be lined with a fuel cell bladder.

Fuel tanks made of metallic material (steel, aluminium, etc.) must be filled with fire retardant material, or be fitted with a fuel cell bladder.

In the MotoGP class, fuel tanks made of composite materials (carbon fibre, aramid fibre, etc.) must have passed the FIM Standards for fuel tanks and be lined with fuel cell bladder.

Tanks made of composite material must bear the label certifying conformity with FIM Fuel Tank test Standards. Such labels must include the fuel tank manufacturer’s name, date of tank manufacture and name of testing laboratory.

Full details of the FIM fuel tank test standards are available from the FIM.

As from January 1st, 2007:
Art. 2.2.1 – The maximum engine capacity in the MotoGP class will be reduced to 900cc.
Art. 2.5.1 – The minimum weights required for the motorcycles will be the following:
2 cylinders or less 133 kg
3 cylinders 140,5 kg
4 cylinders 148 kg
5 cylinders 155,5 kg
6 cylinders or more 163 kg
The use of oval pistons will be forbidden.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Provisional Saturday Morning AMA Formula Xtreme Practice Times:

1. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, 1:38.306
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, 1:38.618
3. Doug Chandler, Ducati 749R, 1:39.413
4. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:39.525
5. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:40.590
6. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 1:40.711
7. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:41.285
8. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:42.784
9. Michael Barnes, Buell XB9R, 1:42.870
10. Heath Small, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:43.016
11. Blake Young, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:43.192
12. Mike Ciccotto, Buell XB9R, 1:43.412
13. Nicky Moore, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:43.695
14. Perry Melenciuc, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:45.131
15. Nathan Hester, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:45.858
16. Matt Prentice, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:46.369
17. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:48.265
18. Josh Bryan, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:48.569

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel outlasted Jake Zemke in a race-long duel to take his fifth AMA Formula Xtreme race win of the season Saturday at Brainerd International Raceway.

Duhamel and Zemke, both CBR600RR-mounted, went back-and-forth throughout the 13-lap race. The familiar foes drafted each other on the front straightaway and exchanged the lead numerous times in Brainerd’s fast turns one, two, three and the final corner, but neither rider displayed a clear advantage.

With three laps to go, however, Duhamel put his head down, reeling off the fastest laps of the race (a 1:38.645 on lap 10, a 1:38.259 on lap 11 and a 1:38.083 on the final lap), and pulled away to win by 0.375-second over Erion Honda’s Zemke.

The win extends Duhamel’s Championship point lead from nine to 15 points.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec, the sixth-fastest qualifier, ran a very strong third behind Duhamel and Zemke. Haskovec made up for a substantial top speed disadvantage to the Hondas on the front straight by attacking the fast first corners and the infield section and was within 0.4-second of the lead mid-race, but the Czech-born racer ran wide late in the race, hit a curb, bent his bike’s front wheel and was forced to nurse his GSX-R600 home to collect his first Formula Xtreme podium of the season.

HMC Milwaukee Ducati’s Doug Chandler, American Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore and Hal’s Performance Buell’s Mike Ciccotto all experienced mechanical difficulties during the race.

Provisional AMA Formula Xtreme Race Results:

1. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, 13 laps
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, -0.375 second
3. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R600, -8.585 seconds
4. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, -26.775 seconds
5. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha YZF-R6, -41.592 seconds
6. Michael Barnes, Buell XB9R, -50.569 seconds
7. Blake Young, Suzuki GSX-R600, -53.042 seconds
8. Larry Pegram Yamaha YZF-R6, -53.087 seconds
9. Heath Small, Yamaha YZF-R6, -56.480 seconds
10. Nicky Moore, Suzuki GSX-R600, -68.107 seconds
11. Nathan Hester, Yamaha YZF-R6, -75.017 seconds
12. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha YZF-R6, -81.289 seconds
13. Matt Prentice, Yamaha YZF-R6
14. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R600
15. Josh Bryan, Yamaha YZF-R6
16. Doug Chandler, Ducati 749R, mechanical
17. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R600, DNF, mechanical
18. Mike Ciccotto, Buell XB9R, DNF, mechanical


Provisional AMA Formula Xtreme Championship Point Standings:

1. Duhamel, 250 points
2. Zemke, 235 points
3. Gobert, 193 points
4. Haskovec, 162 points
5. Pegram, 139 points
6. Jake Holden, 121 points
7. Hester, 118 points
8. Melneciuc, 116 points
9. Barnes, 111 points
10. Small, 107 points


More, from a press release issued by Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki:

HASKOVEC ON BRAINERD FORMULA XTREME PODIUM

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki had reason to celebrate at Brainerd International Raceway on Saturday. The 3.0-mile road course was the scene of the squad’s first podium finish of the AMA season.

At the green light, Vincent Haskovec quickly guided his Formula Xtreme Suzuki GSX-R600 forward from a second row grid position into third place. He then proceeded to track down the front-running factory riders and challenge them for the lead.

“In the morning session we found a solution that
helped us go significantly faster, and I was really looking forward to the race,” Haskovec said after picking up the first Formula Xtreme podium of his career. “The leaders got about three or four seconds ahead of me early, and I was a little surprised I was able to catch up with them.”

For a majority of the final, Haskovec would lose some ground on the straight but he continued to close back in on the leading duo in the infield of the ten turn course. Fighting to maintain the hot pace required to stay up front, Vincent’s hard charging pursuit resulted in a major moment that threatened to end his stellar run. The Czech born rider held onto to finish third, however, a nice reward after several top performances this season that ended short of a podium finish.

“They stepped up their pace into the 1:38s, and I
tried really hard to stay with them,” he continued. “In Turn 6, I went up on the curbing. With the lean angle, I hit the pavement (curb) and bent my front wheel. I just had to concentrate on bring it home in third then. I’m really happy to get that podium.”

Adding to team’s Saturday success was another fine Brainerd performance by Chris Peris. The youngster followed up his impressive top-five Friday practice showing by earning a second row grid position during today’s qualifying session.

The Canadian qualified his Michelin-shod GSX-R600
Supersport machine in seventh position with a best time of 1:40.394.

Steve Rapp will line up directly behind Peris in
tomorrow’s 13-lap Supersport final. The Californian qualified in eleventh after posting a fast lap of 1:41.052.

Haskovec and Rapp will also be competing in Sunday’s Superstock final. As expected, the high-speed characteristics of the raceway with its long straight have not been an ideal fit for the team’s GSX-R750 when compared with the rival 1000cc machines.

Haskovec will start from the third row after
qualifying in eleventh at 1:38.968, while Rapp will line up on the fourth row following his thirteenth place qualifying effort (1:39.338).