Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Kawasaki has sold out of the ZX-10R at the wholesale level and no more 2004 models are scheduled for production or delivery to dealers.

That’s the word from Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A. spokesperson Jan Plessner, in response to an inquiry from Roadracingworld.com.

We asked the question after receiving an e-mail from a reader who had been told by his local dealer that the bike was sold out and no more were coming.

Plessner said, however, that there are examples of the ZX-10R still on various dealer floors around the country, and that Kawasaki is encouraging dealers to use the company’s unsold bike locater service to find machines for their customers.

From a press release:

Saturday July 17th 2004 12 noon – 11pm
The Queen Mary Event Park, Long Beach, CA

Huge Saturday Blues Festival featured at the
Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show

It’s the biggesT custom and high performance motorcycle show in America, and highlighting this year’s Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show 2-day weekend event July-17-18th is a day long Mini Blues Festival on Saturday the 17th, 12 noon to 8pm in the Queen Mary Event Park. Featured acts include the Southland’s popular 2000lbs of Blues with special guests Lynwood Slim on hermonica and beautiful vocalist Taryn Donath. Other acts scheduled to appear throughout the afternoon and into the evening to fit the beautiful pinup calendar girl theme of the Show are Francesa & the Flames, Jill Sharpe, Mama’s Boys with Lisa Cee, and Jessie Payo from Jessie and the Raindogs.

And then on Saturday night from 9-11pm the Show will continue onboard the historic Queen Mary in the beautiful Observation Room Bar with Jill Sharp performing on guitar and vocals at the Iron & Lace Calendar Builders’ Party. Spectator admission to the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show and Blues Festival, including the Queen Mary and the Saturday Night Builder’s Party is just $20 for the day. Additional information can be found on the FastDates.com website at
http://www.FastDates.com/BIKESHOW.HTM

From a press release issued by the Penguin Racing School:

Jeff Wood rode a BCM Motorsports-prepped Ducati 900 Supersport to victory in the FUSA Thunderbike race at the Loudon Classic this past weekend. I was not only Wood’s first appearance in the class but also the first win for the air-cooled Ducati. Wood and his Ducati dominated both practice and qualifying all weekend long and secured the win over Buell-mounted Bryan Bemisderfer and Suzuki-mounted Rick Doucette.

“The bike was really easy to ride and the race was a lot of fun” Wood remarked after the race. “It’s very similar to the bikes we teach the Penguin Racing School on every week. I think that after this race even more people will realize how good these bikes are for not only Thunderbike but also for all the CCS lightweight classes.”

Wood won the LRRS Lightweight Supersport and Thunderbike races earlier this season on a completely stock Ducati 900 Supersport, prompting him to put together his FUSA Thunderbike effort for the Loudon Classic. More information on racing Ducati Supersport bikes is available from the Penguin Roadracing School.

From a press release:

Michelin to sponsor Trofeo Ducati AMA Superbike race at Brainerd International Raceway

BRAINERD, Minn. ­ Brainerd International Raceway today announced that Michelin will be the presenting sponsor of the Trofeo Ducati U.S. Superbike AMA Championship, which is scheduled for June 25-27 on BIR’s world-class 3-mile road course.

The event will be known as the Trofeo Ducati U.S. Superbike AMA Championship presented by Michelin. The Michelin brand will be prominently featured throughout the race weekend with signage, advertising and on-track announcements.

“We’re very pleased to be involved in such a world-class event,” Michelin Two Wheel Product Manager Bernard Jarrousse said. “Superbike racing has helped Michelin develop products like the soon-to-be-introduced Pilot Power sportbike tire. This is an ideal opportunity for Michelin to communicate its message of technological leadership and quality to AMA Superbike fans.”

“Michelin has excellent brand recognition in the racing world and has become a major force in Superbike racing,” BIR General Manager Scott Quick said. “We’re excited to have Michelin on board as a first-year sponsor for this event and we look forward to growing this relationship.”

The Trofeo Ducati is a perennial favorite at BIR. It features some of the top Superbike racers, including Eric Bostrom, Miguel Duhamel, Aaron Yates, Mat Mladin and Ben Bostrom. They challenge the 10-turn road course at speeds of up to 190 mph. Qualifying takes place Friday and Saturday for most of the classes, with finals on Sunday.

The event will feature an array of entertainment for fans, including live music Friday and Saturday nights, fireworks, contests, a bike show, a bike tour around the Brainerd Lakes Area, autograph sessions and more. It’s family entertainment at its finest, with camping available in BIR¹s 162-site PleasureLand RV Park or on 600 acres of rustic camping.

BIR President Bill Singleterry joined Quick in welcoming Michelin to BIR as a sponsor and looks forward to a long-lasting relationship.

Michelin North America is a division of Group Michelin, one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers, with 2003 worldwide net sales of $18.6 billion. Michelin manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs 23,920 and operates 22 plants in 17 locations.

BIR is a subsidiary of Michigan-based Sports Resorts International Inc., a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ exchange (SPRI). Now in its 35th season, BIR is one of North America’s largest racetracks. It’s about 120 miles north of the Twin Cities. Visit www.brainerdracewayandresort.com.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Howard, Ball Top TWS Sprints

June 19-20, 2004

By Shan Moore

Ty Howard continued his trend as the CMRA racer with the fattest wallet as the Ride Smart/Shogun Motorsports/Motion CycleSports/Michelin/Hot Bodies/Vesrah/Typhoon PowerSports/Racing Performance Services-sponsored rider pocketed over $7300 at round six of the CMRA Championship Road Racing Series held at Texas World Speedway in College Station, Texas. Howard stubbed his toe only once during the day, taking a back seat to Shannon Ball in the Formula 1 event, but posted wins in the C Superbike, A Superstock, B Superstock and C Superstock Expert races en route to the cash and yet another track record. Howard’s new mark was a 1:44.329, set on lap two of the Formula 1 event and eclipsed the old mark of 1:44.85, credited to Joe Prussiano and set way back in April, 2001.

Ball took home just over $2500 for his three-race effort, adding a fourth-place finish in the A Superstock Expert race and a second in the B Superbike Expert race to his Formula 1 win.

Other money winners included Ronnie Lunsford, who won the Heavyweight Twins event; Will Gruy, who won the 125cc GP race and Michael Nellis, who claimed top prize in the Mr. Corder Racing Formula 40 Heavyweight Expert race.

The race drew 536 sprint entries, including 10 riders from Mexico and Bermuda, and riders braved 100-degree F temperatures during the 20 sprint races on Sunday. Track temperatures reached 128 degrees during the day.

On Saturday, 55 teams competed in the Lone Star Track Days CMRA Endurance Series Presented by Shogun Motorsports. The 8-hour event was won by Desert-Rats.net thanks to consistently fast lap times on a Suzuki GSX-R750 and quick pit stops, beating GMAN Racing’s Kawasaki ZX-9R and Northwest Honda Racing’s Honda CBR954RR in the closest endurance finish of the year. The top three teams all finished on the same lap with Desert-Rats.net taking the lead in the final hour.

The Village Idiots Yamaha YZF-R6 led during the second hour of the race after series leader Vinyl Edge Racing’s CBR954RR threw a rod. A crash on the back side of the track put Village Idiots five laps down, but the team managed to recover two of those laps to finish fifth overall and first in the Middleweight Superbike class. Short Bus Racing also suffered an early crash, but recovered for a sixth overall and first in Middleweight Superstock on a Yamaha YZF-R6, while Faltless Racing ran a faultless race for best Lightweight Superbike honors, on a Suzuki SV650.

The CMRA returns to Hallett Motor Racing Circuit on July 16-18 with a full slate of sprint action, a 5-hour CMRA Endurance event and a 2-hour Mini Endurance race. More info can be found at www.cmraracing.com.

From a press release issued by Camel Honda Racing Information:

Camel Honda team aiming for the top in Holland

With the ill-fated Barcelona race quickly put to the back of their minds, the Camel Honda team head to Holland with both riders determined to be back at the front of the action, although the duo will be looking at the historic race from differing perspectives. For Max Biaggi, the track is one of his all-time favourites, and the memory of last season’s podium which came at the end of a hard-fought race in slashing rain, adds to the many positive factors at the Dutch race, including the fact that the event takes place every year in the week of his birthday (June 26th). For Makoto Tamada meanwhile, the track – easily one of the most technically challenging on the calendar – is not one of his favourites. Yet the Japanese rider admits that the task of finding an ideal set-up whilst working out the perfect lines to take around the fast circuit motivates him as much as anything else.(The Dutch TT GP is scheduled on Saturday, June 26th)

Sito Pons – Camel Honda (Team Principal)
“The Assen Grand Prix is very important for us, because we go there on the back of a strange race where our riders didn’t go too well. In Barcelona we were unlucky because Max definitely had the chance to win the race considering the pace and the consistency he showed in practice. In any case, the championship is still wide open and there’s a long way to go, and I still believe that both he and the team are capable of winning the title. Makoto has also been unable to reap the benefits of the positive work he has been doing, especially after having given ample proof of his talents as a fast and determined rider. So we hope to get our just rewards in Holland; a good dose of fortune so we can enjoy our Saturday.”

Max Biaggi #3: (Michelin Tyres)
“The Assen circuit is one of those I really like. Last year I did a great race there in the rain and finished up on the podium. One of the most positive features of the Dutch circuit, besides the beautiful track design, is the asphalt, which drains any water off brilliantly, so it offers impressive amounts of grip even in the most extreme conditions. After the last race, which was simply abnormal because of what happened, I’m really keen to make amends. Everything’s there for us to do well, so together with Honda and Michelin, we’ll be aiming for mine and the team’s first victory, I believe we can do it, and on Saturday I hope to not just be celebrating my birthday.”

Makoto Tamada #6: (Bridgestone Tyres)
“I have to be honest, Assen isn’t one of my favourite tracks, but I think this is down to it being one of the most difficult and technical there is, and because I’ve only raced there once, I haven’t had the chance to learn it properly. You probably want a bit more time there than at other circuits so perhaps after this weekend I’ll like it a bit better! I’m desperate to finish on the podium, and if not at Assen, as soon as possible. The bike is running well and soon we’ll be in a position to fulfil our objective. The weather conditions in Holland should mean that we are at less of a disadvantage with the tyres anyway, although I can’t make any predictions on how they will go because new ones will certainly be arriving. We’ll see, I’m very motivated in any case.”

From a press release issued by Woodcraft:

It has come to the attention of Woodcraft that about 10% of the left side covers (part number 60-0242L) that were sold this season for the new Suzukis (’03-’04 GSX-R1000, ’04 GSX-R600/750) have the potential for a leak. This leak occurs at the bolt hole that is roughly in the 10 o’clock position when looking at the outside of the cover. Most of the affected covers came with a pocket of black filler material on the inside of the cover. If you received a cover that had this black filler material on the inside, or if your cover has a leak at the bolt at the 10 o’clock position, please contact Woodcraft. These covers were sold between January and May of 2004.

We regret any inconvenience that this problem may cause. Woodcraft believes in providing the best customer service in the motorcycle industry. This problem affected about 10% of the Suzuki covers sold this calendar year. We are taking a proactive approach by replacing any of the covers that are in question.

If you think you may have one of the affected covers, please contact Woodcraft at (508)339-5772.

Woodcraft Technologies, Inc.
(508)339-5772
Fax (508)339-5760
www.woodcraft-cfm.com

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. Racer Rich Thorwaldson, a 58-year-old former off-road and motocross star who took up road racing in his retirement, died Sunday from injuries sustained in a crash during an AFM event at Infineon Raceway May 30, 2004. Thorwaldson went off course to avoid a crashed competitor and hit a hillside at the Sonoma, California racetrack, sustaining serious head injuries that left him in a coma. In recent years, Thorwaldson competed regularly in AFM, CCS and WSMC road races. Thorwaldson owned a Honda dealership in Nevada and imported Moriwaki racing parts. He also founded an aftermarket company, Thor. Funeral arrangements are pending.

From a press release issued by FGSport:

NEW INTERNATIONAL PRESS & PR OFFICER FOR SBK

Sandra Strazzari has been appointed as the International Press & PR Officer, by the FGSPORT Group, for the remaining rounds of the 2004 Superbike World Championship. She will take up the appointment at the seventh round of the Series at Laguna Seca, USA on 7th July 2004.

Sandra has been involved in motor sport since 1987 when she started working with the national media team at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Imola where she undertook translation work during press conferences. Since then she has worked at the Imola circuit for Formula 1 managing journalist and photographer accreditation, management of the media centre and accreditation centre coordination. Since the Superbike World Championship’s return to Imola in 2001 Sandra has worked in the national press office. Her experience is also supplemented by eleven years of work with the Misano Adriatico circuit where she worked in the national press office for both the Superbike World Championship and FIA European Truck Racing Cup.

“This is a new challenge for me. I’ve run media centres in important motor sport events for many years now in Italian circuits and for this reason I think I can give my support both to Journalists and Organisers involved in this popular Championship. World Superbikes always has a friendly atmosphere in the paddock as well as the media centre and I look forward to helping all the professionals involved by trying to create a efficient and pleasant working environment,” says Sandra.

The International Press & PR Officer’s functions, amongst others, will be to keep the world’s media up to date with SBK news and to ensure that members of the international media have their accreditation and the facilities they need at each event. She will also liaise with the national press officers with regard to the accreditation of national media and be responsible for the event press conferences during each weekend.

Nino Barra retains responsibility for the Italian national media as National Press Officer for Italy.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

Hayden and Hacking battle for career wins in AMA Supersport

Each rider with 10-career victories coming into Brainerd round

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (June 21, 2004) — While Miguel Duhamel and Mat Mladin wage battle for the all-time AMA Superbike wins mark, Tommy Hayden and Jamie Hacking have their own skirmish going in the AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei.

Hayden and Hacking are tied with Doug Polen for fourth on all-time AMA Supersport wins list as the series comes to Brainerd International Speedway on June 27. Both riders have 10-career wins and will be looking to break the tie and take sole possession of fourth on the list and more importantly improve their position in this year’s title chase.

Fans could be in store for one of the best Supersport races of the season. Brainerd, with its long front straight that favors groups of drafting riders, traditionally has been one of the closest races of the season. In the last five years every Brainerd Supersport race has been decided by 3-10ths of a second or less. The Supersport machines have been equally matched again this season with Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha all earning victories.

If one manufacturer seems to be gaining a slight edge on the competition it would be Kawasaki. Brothers and Kawasaki teammates Tommy and Roger Hayden have won the last three rounds on factory Kawasaki ZX-6Rs. Elder brother Tommy has opened a 24-point lead over Roger Lee in the series standings after winning the last two rounds. Tommy is trying to win his first AMA Supersport championship after coming close several times.

Defending champ Jamie Hacking is hanging tough in third place in the series despite not having a win to his credit this season. Hacking and his No. 1 factory Yamaha R6 have the speed. He’s won the pole twice and led the most laps in the most recent round in Elkhart Lake, Wis.

“We’ve been close, but that’s not good enough,” Hacking admitted. “We’ve got to start winning races if we want to get up there to defend the championship, that’s the bottom line. I’ve won Supersport at Brainerd, but it’s been a few years. It’s a tough race because drafting comes into play so much there. It should be a good one.”

Hacking’s teammates Aaron Gobert and Jason DiSalvo are fourth and fifth in the series standings. Both understand that if they are to have any chance of getting into the championship battle in the final five rounds they, like Hacking, are going to have to put some wins in the book.

“At Road America I was chasing the draft all day,” said Gobert. “At Brainerd if you lose the draft you’re in trouble so it’s going to be important to stay in the lead group and try to stay with anyone who tries to break the draft.”

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates won the Brainerd Supersport race in 1998. So far Yates hasn’t cracked the top five in the class. If there’s a track where he can do it BIR should be one of them since Yates is the defending Superbike winner there.

Prieto Racing’s Michael Barnes is the top privateer in the highly competitive class. He is a 14-year pro racing veteran and is experiencing his best season in years. If Barnes manages to put his Prieto Yamaha R6 atop the podium this year it would mark the longest stretch between a first and second win in the history of AMA Supersport.

The Pro Honda Supersport race will receive same-day television coverage on SPEED Channel at 3 p.m. Eastern on June 27.

For additional information on the Trofeo Ducati Brainerd AMA Superbike National call (218) 824-7220 or visit www.brainerdracewayandresort.com