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

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

ASSEN , THE UNIVERSITY OF MOTORCYCLES

The Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda is ready for the challenge on Saturday, 26th of June. The GP of Holland is planned to be raced on the track of Assen, the only circuit which has hosted every year a GP round since its opening in 1955 (1949 was the first year of the Motorcycle Championship). This fast circuit offers fantastic grip even when it rains given the special pavement which dries quickly, and also thanks to a particular profile of the track which allows the water to drain rapidly. Even if it causes some counterslopes which require a lot of attention in the setup of the bike: a setup which offers both major stability and agility.


The weather however remains the biggest incognito, in fact here the climatic conditions change rapidly and the risk of rain is always high.


# 15 SETE GIBERNAU

The leader of the Championship and the Assen challenge


Sete Gibernau arrives to the Ducth Gp leading the Moto GP Championship. After the two races of Mugello and Barcelona the gap with Valentino Rossi is reduced to 5 points. Assen therefore must be interpreted in the best of ways in order to keep the lead. Sete is a strong rider who doesn’t get influenced by other riders: he gives his best every time he gets onto his bike and he remains concentrated on his goal, that is to get a podium finish every single race.

On this challenging and technical Dutch TT track, Sete Gibernau is called to repeat himself after last years win. Assen is always a special appointment, it is a technical track and quick, one where the bike must be fast in the change of direction and must also have an optimum stability.


“I have nice memories regarding this track: Here I was on the podium in 1999 when I was racing in the 500 cc class and first last year in MotoGP. The Dutch TT has a very long history and a wonderful affluence of spectators not only because of how many come, but because these fans are all very passionate and also understand a lot about bikes.

It is a difficult track and it is easy to commit errors. To make a good lap it is important to not make mistakes because if you make one mistake during a corner, then even the next corners will not be taken on correctly. The setup will be fundamental; we are aiming for the stability and agility of the bike.”

# 45 COLIN EDWARDS

Determined to score a good results in MotoGP at the Dutch TT after many victories in SBK


Extremely determined, Colin Edwards can’t wait to get to Assen, a technically challenging circuit which adapts well to his style of riding. The 6 km of the Dutch TT are familiar for the Texan. Here in fact Edwards won many times in Superbike.

“Assen is a track I like a lot, here I’ve won many times when I raced in Superbike and it is a circuit I like both when it is dry and when it’s wet. I can’t wait to get ! to Holland and obtain a great result. I know the track well and I am sure to have a good pace. I’m more confident after the test session that we did at Barcelona the day after the GP.

During the test we tried many different type of tyres in order to find, together with Michelin, the right mix. The thing that counts though is not only our aim to reduce these chattering phenomena to the max, but also to learn to ride with this problem. I have to regain confidence with my rear wheel and ride less aggressively in order to return to having a clean ride which will allow for a more sustained pace during the race.”

From a press release issued by MSS Discovery:

MSS DISCOVERY’S RIBA SPLASHES TO THIRD AT BRANDS HATCH

MSS Discovery’s Pere Riba equalled his best finish of the year with third place in Sunday’s rain-soaked seventh round of the British Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch, Kent.

Riba held second place for much of the race in the tricky conditions before losing out in the battle for runner-up place on the final in the 17-lap battle.

“The race was comfortable for me really,” reported Kawasaki ZX-6RR ace Riba. “I tried to pass Karl Harris for the lead in the early stages but couldn’t see anything. It was difficult to see my braking points and even the corners.

“I eased up a little so I could see where I was going. On the last lap I came across two backmarkers, I didn’t want to throw it away so I took it easy into the Stirlings left-hander ­ but Jason Vincent took a gamble, got ahead of me and just held on.”

MSS Discovery’s Steve Allan qualified in third place for a National Superstock Championship race that was abandoned following a first lap, multi-bike pile-up at the Pilgrim’s Drop area of the circuit.

“With the rain and slippery surface it was probably the best decision to abandon the race,” said Allan who had made the holeshot and was leading when the red flag appeared to stop the race.

British Supersport Championship, round seven result (17 laps ­ 43.52 miles):

1 Karl Harris, Honda, 28:47.398
2 Jay Vincent, Honda, 28:49.518
3 Pere Riba, MSS Discovery Kawasaki, 28:50.026
4 Matt Llewellyn, Ducati, 28:55.305
5 Simon Andrews, Yamaha, 28:55.934
6 Danny Beaumont, Honda, 29:00.984
7 Michael Laverty, Ducati, 29:11.280
8 Jonathan Rea, Honda, 29:24.933
9 Martin Buckles, Yamaha, 29:25.450
10 Lee Jackson, Honda, 29:25.793

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

British Superbike Race One Results From Brands Hatch:

1. John REYNOLDS, Suzuki, 20 laps, 33:42.324
2. Sean EMMETT, Ducati, -5.561 seconds
3. John McGUINNESS, Kawasaki, -5.665 seconds
4. Yukio KAGAYAMA, Suzuki, -7.231 seconds
5. Michael RUTTER, Honda, -10.231 seconds
6. James HAYDON, Yamaha, -12.736 seconds
7. Tommy HILL, Yamaha, -12.791 seconds
8. Leon HASLAM, Ducati, -16.842 seconds
9. Sam CORKE, Suzuki, -21.069 seconds
10. Dean THOMAS, Ducati, -22.890 seconds
11. Dennis HOBBS, Suzuki, -25.060 seconds
12. Chris PLATT, Kawasaki, -25.694 seconds
13. Jon KIRKHAM, Suzuki, -26.953 seconds
14. Craig COXHELL, Honda, -27.844 seconds
15. James ELLISON, Yamaha, -31.856 seconds
16. Iain MacPHERSON, Ducati, -33.577 seconds
17. Adam HITCHCOX, Suzuki, -51.299 seconds
18. Ryuichi KIYONARI, Honda, -71.144 seconds
19. Nick MEDD, Ducati, -92.705 seconds
20. Kiel BRYCE, Honda, -1 lap
21. Gary MASON, Yamaha, -2 laps, DNF
22. James BUCKINGHAM, Suzuki, -5 laps, DNF
23. Denver ROBB, Suzuki, -8 laps, DNF
24. Malcolm ASHLEY, Ducati, -10 laps, DNF
25. Scott SMART, Kawasaki, -12 laps, DNF
26. Steve BROGAN, Yamaha, -16 laps, DNF
27. Noriyuki HAGA, Ducati, -17 laps, DNF
28. Chris MARTIN, Suzuki, -20 laps, DNF

Fastest Lap: John REYNOLDS, 1:34.820

Copyright 2004, Roadracing Publishing, Inc.


Two weeks after he crashed while training on a motocross bike and dislocated his left elbow and broke bones in his left hand (which were surgically pinned together), Robbie Dowie removed a medical brace, fit his leathers over a soft cast and rode his GSX-R1000 Suzuki to a commanding victory in the 20-lap, 50-mile Solo GTO race at Willow Springs Raceway Saturday. The WSMC race was run in relatively mild conditions with ambient temperature about 90 degrees F with moderate wind. Marte Cooksey finished second on his Suzuki GSX-R750.

J.T. Roberts topped the provisional Solo GTU results ahead of Matthias Jezek.

In the combined 20-lap, 50-mile Solo GT-GP and Solo GT-Lights race, John Ulrich won overall on his TZ250, marking his first race win since May 1996. The victory means that Ulrich, 50, has now won motorcycle road races in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and the 2000s.

The battling duo of Bradley Adams on a Suzuki SV650 and Ritchie Thorup on a Yamaha FZR400 finished second and third overall, and first and second in the Solo GT-Lights class. Mark Wilson ran second overall on his Honda RS250 for most of the race but then highsided in the closing laps. Joel Manes finished second in the Solo GT-GP class on another Honda RS250.

Official Results:

SOLO GTO:
1. Robbie Dowie (Suz GSX-R1000);
2. Marte Cooksey (Suz GSX-R);
3. Jerry Mendzar (Suz GSX-R);
4. Martin Szwarc (Suz GSX-R);
5. Rich Gann (Suz GSX-R);
6. Andrew Krajacic (Suz GSX-R).

SOLO GTU:
1. J.T. Roberts (Suz GSX-R600);
2. Matthias Jezek (Kaw ZX-6R);
3. Alex Eisner (Yam YZF-R6);
4. Romeo Jereza (Yam YZF-R6)
5. David Brown (Yam YZF-R6);
6. Mark Hargis (Yam YZF-R6).

SOLO GT-GP:
1. John Ulrich (Yam TZ250);
2. Joel Manes (Hon RS250);
3. Keith Giglio (Apr RS250);
4. Jamie Lenore (Apr RS250);
5. Gordon Wood (Yam TZ250);
6. Jay Pilster (Hon RS125).

SOLO GT-LIGHTS:
1. Bradley Adams (Suz SV650);
2. Ritchie Thorup (Yam FZR400);
3. Craig Smith (Apr RS250);
4. Brienne Thompson (Suz SV650);
5. Arnold Tuason (Yam).

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

WSMC racer Lazarus Landin was seriously injured in a first-lap, first-turn multi-bike crash at Willow Springs Raceway Sunday, and was evacuated by helicopter.

Landin was apparently hit by at least one other bike in the incident, which involved four or five motorcycles and happened in the 750cc Modified Production race at the Rosamond, California racetrack.

Further information on Landin’s condition was not available at post time.