Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

1. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:55.043
2. Chris Vermeulen, Honda, 1:55.408
3. Regis Laconi, Ducati 999F04, 1:55.415
4. Noriyuki Haga, Ducati 999RS, 1:55.522
5. Gianluca Nanelli, Ducati, 1:55.932
6. Marco Borciani, Ducati, 1:55.977
7. James Toseland, Ducati 999F04, 1:55.984
8. Garry McCoy, Ducati 999RS, 1:55.987
9. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati, 1:56.169
10. Troy Corser, Petronas FP1, 1:56.279
11. Steve Martin, Ducati, 1:56.354
12. Ivan Clemeti, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:56.413
13. Leon Haslam, Ducati 999RS, 1:56.435
14. Chris Walker, Petronas FP1, 1:56.621
15. James Ellison, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:56.701

From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

Archibald takes Senior TT – Farquhar takes Production 600 TT

The luck of the Irish changed for the better on the final day of the Isle of Man TT Racing Festival as first Ryan Farquhar and then Adrian Archibald took the victories on a day of despair for John McGuinness (Yamaha) who had started out with high hopes of becoming the first rider in the history of the event to win five races in a week.

But, in first the 600cc Production race, and then Senior, McGuinnes the Yamaha rider was sidelined by mechanical problems after setting the early pace.

Shrugging aside his earlier frustrations, McGuinness had set a furious pace on the opening lap of the Senior race, grabbing an 11 seconds advantage with an opening lap of 127.19 mph and then doubling that as he headed for the half distance pit-stops for both fuel and tyres.

Archibald (Suzuki) was hanging in, having taken second place, just from the determined Honda rider Ian Lougher, but by Glen Helen on the third lap, it was all change. McGuinness was touring, and he pulled off at Kirk Michael with clutch problems. Archibald, last year’s winner was ahead on the TAS Suzuki and battling to end a lean week on high note.

Ian Lougher was strong in second place, but, as he took Ramsey Hairpin for the third time, the Honda rider stopped, with electrical problems. That moved Kiwi Bruce Anstey (Suzuki) into second place with local fireman Paul Hunt third, though shortly afterwards he stopped with clutch problems.

“That was a good end to what has been a tricky week for me,” smiled Archibald, who also earned a bonus of £10,000 and the Joey Dunlop Trophy as the best placed rider over the TTF1 and Senior races. He finished half a second clear of Anstey, and enjoyed his ride: “The bike never missed a beat – it was good, enjoyable, though it was unfortunate for John, but that is the sort of thing that happens here.

Anstey was second, Gary Carswell (Suzuki) took third with Mark Parrett (Yamaha), Martin Finnegan (Yamaha) heading off sixth placed Honda rider Chris Heath. Guy Martin (Suzuki) held off Gordon Blackley (Honda) with David Bell (Suzuki) ninth from Ian Armstrong (Yamaha).

Earlier, Farquhar (Kawasaki) had enjoyed his maiden triumph on the Island to end a problematic week of machine and fuel problems on the Island, but the young Ulsterman had to work frantically throughout to taste the winner’s champagne in the three lap 600cc Production race.

McGuinness had set the early pace, nosing his Yamaha into a slender one second lead as they reached Ramsey on the first lap, but, Farquhar had overhauled that to grab the lead on the descent of the mountain.

The Kawasaki rider, who had one or two scary moments on the opening lap, run on a course left treacherous in places with damp patches after morning rain, took charge of the action with a second lap at 118.94mph, which, as he pitted for fuel gave him the advantage by five seconds.

However, his hard charging riding was not matched by the pit-stop, and as he re-joined, McGuinness, having a slick service halt was back in front, but four second. Farquhar was having none of it, and as they reached Glen Helen for the final time, he was on level terms, and then pulling away.

McGuinness was experiencing problems, riding with a broken steering damper, and hanging on as best he could, but having to concede second place to Anstey, who put in fast charge over the mountain to close in, finishing just two seconds down on Farquhar.

“Perfect,” smiled Farquhar. “It takes a bit of sinking in that I’ve won – I had a few slides on the opening lap, then lost time in the pits, but after running out of fuel in the Junior race it was case of better safe that sorry. After the disasters of the three races, this is superb.”

Anstey, second, admitted: “it was tight, I couldn’t do anything about it -it was a hard race, while McGuinness, disappointed with third commented: “after the problem with the damper I just wanted to bring the bike home in one piece.”

Jason Griffiths,(Yamaha) took fourth ahead of Honda’s Ian Lougher. Raymond Porter (Suzuki) took sixth from Chris Heath (Yamaha) with Gordon Blackley taking eight for Honda. Adrian Archibald (Suzuki) and Mark Parrett (Honda) completed the top ten finishers.


Production 600 Results Friday Race
PSN / NO-DRIVER / CC / MACHINE / HOME TOWN / TIME / SPEED

1 /6-RYAN FARQUHAR /600 /MCADOO Kawasaki ZX6 /DUNGANNON NI /57 46.6 /117.54

2 /5-BRUCE ANSTEY /600 /TAS Suzuki GSXR K4 /NEW ZEALAND /57 48.9 /117.46

3 /3-JOHN McGUINNESS /600 /Yamaha R6 /MORECAMBE /57 57.9 /117.16

4 /4-JASON GRIFFITHS /600 /Yamaha R6 /RAMSEY IOM /58 07.9 /116.82

5 /2-IAN LOUGHER /600 /Honda CBR RR /DROMORA NI /58 21.1 /116.38

6 /7-RAYMOND PORTER /600 /SUZUKI /LIFFORD EIRE /58 44.0 /115.63

7 /9-CHRIS HEATH /600 /PRO CET YAMAHA /BALDRINE IOM /58 45.8 /115.57

8 /16-GORDON BLACKLEY /600 /BRANSON HONDA /RAF BRIZE NORTO /58 48.0 /115.50

9 /1-ADRIAN ARCHIBALD /600 /TAS Suzuki GSXR /BALLYMONEY NI /58 51.7 /115.37

10 /10-MARK PARRETT /600 /Honda CBR RR /MIDHURST /58 55.3 /115.26

11 /41-TOMMY CLUCAS /600 /BULLOCK HONDA /PEEL IOM /58 59.1 /115.13

12 /13-SHAUN HARRIS /600 /BALCKS BIKE SHOP HONDA /NEW ZEALAND /59 01.8 /115.05

13 /8-RICHARD BRITTON /600 /DPH Racing Honda CBR /ENNISKILLEN NI /59 08.7 /114.82

14 /12-MARTIN FINNEGAN /600 /ROUNDTOWER YAMAHA /LUSK EIRE /59 11.3 /114.74

15 /38-DAVY MORGAN /600 /John Bell Yamaha R6 /SAINTFIELD NI /59 33.1 /114.04
TOTAL LAP COUNT 217; TOTAL MILEAGE 8187.41; FASTEST LAP TIME 19 01.9;
FASTEST LAP SPEED 118.94; FASTEST RIDER RYAN FARQUHAR; LAP NUMBER 2


Senior TT Results Friday Race
PSN / NO-DRIVER / CC / MACHINE / HOME TOWN / TIME / SPEED

1 /1-ADRIAN ARCHIBALD /1000 /TAS Suzuki GSXR/BALLYMONEY NI /113 08.1 /123.81

2 /5-BRUCE ANSTEY /1000 /TAS Suzuki GSXR K4 /NEW ZEALAND /1 13 38.3 /122.96

3 /14-GARY CARSWELL /1000 /HM Suzuki GSXR /MAUGHOLD IOM /1 15 03.3 /120.64

4 /10-MARK PARRETT /1000 /Kingscourt Yamaha R1 /MIDHURST /1 15 09.9 /120.47

5 /12-MARTIN FINNEGAN /1000 /ROUNDTOWER YAMAHA /LUSK EIRE /1 15 10.7 /120.44

6 /9-CHRIS HEATH /1000 /HONDA /BALDRINE IOM /1 15 22.1 /120.14

7 /29-GUY MARTIN /1000 /Suzuki GSXR /DERRY NI /1 15 24.9 /120.07

8 /17-GORDON BLACKLEY /1000 /Honda CBR RR /RAF BRIZE NORTO /1 16 00.0 /119.14

9 /44-DAVID BELL /1000 /Suzuki GSXR /CHESTER LE STRE /1 16 20.4 /118.61

10 /24-IAN ARMSTRONG /1000 /CABLE DIRECT YAMAHA /SOWERBY BRIDGE /1 16 32.3 /118.30

11 /41-JUN MAEDA /998 /Honda CBR RR /JAPAN /1 16 36.1 /118.21

12 /27-CHRIS PALMER /1000 /SUZUKI /CASTLETOWN IOM /1 16 37.8 /118.16

13 /20-NIGEL BEATTIE /1000 /Rockett Yamaha /LAXEY IOM /1 16 49.8 /117.86

14 /36-ANDY WALLACE /750 /SUZUKI /CULLODEN /1 17 01.4 /117.56

15 /30-ALEX DONALDSON /1000 /Suzuki GSXR /LIMAVADY NI /1 17 05.7 /117.45
TOTAL LAP COUNT 287; TOTAL MILEAGE 10828.51; FASTEST LAP TIME 17 47.9;
FASTEST LAP SPEED 127.19; FASTEST RIDER JOHN McGUINNESS; LAP NUMBER 1

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Stalker becomes Mr Nasty for Silverstone

The influence of Foggy PETRONAS Racing team boss Carl Fogarty has rubbed off on his rider Chris Walker in the build-up to this weekend’s British round of the Superbike World championship at Silverstone, Great Britain.

Chris, nicknamed The Stalker for his gutsy pursuit of success, has adopted the legendary Foggy focus as he and team-mate Troy Corser prepare for tomorrow’s first action at the sixth round of the championship.

Chris said: “It’s a good thing that I feel angry and nasty as, just like Carl did, I tend to do better when I am in that mood! Although I didn’t do too well here last year, I do enjoy the circuit and it will be great to have the support of my home crowd.

“I never really know what to expect on this bike until we ride round as we have done better at some circuits than we have expected. But the FP1 is definitely going better and I think we can go well if we get a good set-up. The team has been working really hard with the PETRONAS engine development team on existing data to make as much improvement as possible from the last round.

“Silverstone is one of those tracks where a good lap builds from the fast first corner, which takes you onto the straight and where you tend to push the front. But if you start the lap fast it really does flow as each corner leads into the next. Then the two chicanes give you chance to catch your breath before you go again! It’s an important track to be smooth on and carry good corner speed, so that aspect of it might suit us. However, the last chicane is very slow and exits onto a fast section so we may struggle there.”

The initial focus for Troy and Chris will be on setting the bike up for the Pirelli race tyres. With James Haydon missing the round through injury last year, the team was only able to acquire limited data from Troy’s bike. And, with the Australian failing to qualify for Superpole as a result of technical problems, his 16th place in the first race after an early mistake was the stark return from a disastrous weekend. Much of last year’s challenge centred on chatter from the Michelin tyres and, with the track also being bumpy in braking areas due to the `carpet effect’ caused by F1 racing, effective suspension set-up will again be a key factor.

Carl said: “The first thing I am hoping is that we do better than last year, especially as we are at our home track. We are hoping for more improvements from the engine at the next round, Laguna Seca, so to have Troy and Chris in the top six at this round would be an achievement. It’s becoming harder to say which tracks will suit us and which won’t, but our bike is still not as fast as a lot of the other machines so we will be down on top speed again.”

Circuit information: Silverstone, Great Britain

Best lap: Neil Hodgson, 1:52.875 (Superpole, 2003)
Lap record (race): Gregorio Lavilla 1:53.629 (2003)
Pole position: Right
Circuit length: 5.094km
Corners: 7 left, 8 right

Standings (after 5 of 11 rounds)

Riders: 1 Toseland 157; 2 Laconi 155; 3 Chili 113; 4 McCoy 107; 5 Haga 94; 6 Vermeulen 92; 7 Haslam 89; 8 Corser 79; 9 Walker 78; 10 Martin 73

Manufacturers: 1 Ducati 250; 2 Petronas 112; 3 Honda 99; 4 Kawasaki 64; 5 Suzuki 56; 6 Yamaha 26

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI FILA DUO HEAD TO SILVERSTONE FOR 400TH WORLD SUPERBIKE RACE

Silverstone (UK), 10 June 2004: The World Superbike Championship notches up the 400-race mark this weekend at the legendary Silverstone circuit in Northants, England as the Ducati Fila duo of Regis Laconi and James Toseland try to help maintain the Italian manufacturer’s stranglehold on the championship.

Current Ducati Fila team manager Davide Tardozzi was the man who took the first-ever World Superbike championship win, back in 1988 at Donington and he will be urging on the latest generation of Ducati factory riders from the pit-wall as they aim to conquer the fast and flowing Formula 1 circuit.

After a brace of second places at Oschersleben, James Toseland comes back to Britain for round 6 with a slender championship lead, but the 23 year-old from Sheffield knows that a win in front of his home fans will do his championship challenge no harm at all.

“We didn’t have such a good run in the second race at Oschersleben but we certainly got the bike working much better so I’m looking forward to riding at Silverstone” Toseland declared.

“We’ve had a few problems up to now and consistency has meant that I’m leading the championship but now it’s time to win some races and I can’t see any better place to do it than Silverstone in front of my home crowd.”

Regis Laconi lost the championship points lead in Germany but the Frenchman has collected more wins than any other rider this year – 5 – and is surely firm favourite for the honours around the former airfield circuit.

“I really love this track, it’s a place where the rider can really make all the difference. It’s so fast apart from the last part, the right and the left which is far too slow” declared Laconi.

“We had a difficult weekend in Germany and were happy to finish with good points. I will be trying to win the Silverstone race for sure but there is not much of a difference at the top, so my job is to get as many points as possible.”

POINTS (after 5 of 11 rounds) : (Riders) 1. Toseland 157; 2. Laconi 155; 3. Chili 113; 4. McCoy 107; 5. Haga 94; 6. Vermeulen 92; etc.
(Manufacturers) 1. Ducati 250 ; 2. Petronas 112 ; 3. Honda 99; 4. Kawasaki 64; 5. Suzuki 56; 6. Yamaha 26.

CIRCUIT INFO: Name: Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit. Length: 5.036 km.
Pole Position: right.

STATISTICS:
Best lap: Hodgson (Ducati), 1:52.875 (2003).
Lap record: Lavilla (Suzuki), 1:53.629 (2003). Superpole: Hodgson (Ducati), 1:52.875
(2003).
Race Distance: 2 x 20 laps/100.720 km.

2003 RESULTS:
Race 1: 1. Hodgson (Ducati); 2. Toseland (Ducati); 3. Xaus (Ducati).
Race 2: 1. Hodgson; 2. Lavilla (Suzuki); 3. Xaus.

TV COVERAGE: BBC (UK): Sunday 13 June, 1135-1250 SBK 1 (live), 1530-1625 SBK 2 (live); Eurosport News (Europe, via satellite): Sunday 13 June, 1200-1645 (Central European Time) SBK 1 + SS + SBK 2 (live); Eurosport (Europe, via satellite): 1930-2000 (highlights). La 7 (Italy): Saturday 12 June, 1800 Superpole (delayed); Sunday 13 June, 1600 SBK 1 + SS + SBK 2 (delayed).

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World inc.

American Suzuki Motor Corp. has changed the way it pays contingency money, switching from writing and mailing checks to crediting a debit card that riders haven’t received yet.

Several riders have recently complained to Roadracing World that Suzuki has been slow to make contingency payments; Mike Smith, for example, says the company owes him about $20,000 in unpaid 2004 contingency.

We asked American Suzuki’s Morgan Broadhead about the delay, and he said, “It was kind of a late decision, but we decided that we were implementing it on our motocross side so we went ahead and did it for road race. We were a little late in getting our first batch of checks out to everybody, but then instead of checks they’re all going to receive debit cards.”

When asked about the reason behind the change, Broadhead said, “Convenience and ultimately speed because once everybody has got their debit card we’ll be able to get money from our system into their hands faster. In the long run it means that the transfer of money from our contingency program will basically be instant.”

Broadhead said that more details on the program will be announced at the Suzuki Dealer show scheduled for Las Vegas, Nevada on June 14-16.

From a press release issued by Brainerd International Raceway:

Grand Casino extends its sponsorship at Brainerd International Raceway through 2004

BRAINERD, Minn. ­ Brainerd International Raceway officials today announced that Grand Casino Mille Lacs has agreed to extend its sponsorship through the 2004 racing season.

Based in Onamia, Minn., Grand Casino will have significant exposure at the track this year, especially during the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Aug. 13-15. During that event, which draws more than 100,000 drag racing fans each year, Grand Casino will offer promotional giveaways on site and provide shuttle service between the track and the casino.

Grand Casino also will support a contest among on-track campers. Campsites will be judged for creativity, with a significant prize being awarded to the “best dressed” campsite. For many race fans who camp during the NHRA Nationals, it’s tradition to dress up their campsite with a wide variety of unique or special signs and items.

“We are excited to extend our opportunity to participate with BIR this year,” said Ronda Weizenegger, General Manager of Grand Casino Mille Lacs. “By working together to enhance participation and awareness of the local area, it is a win-win situation for all.”

“We’re very pleased to have Grand Casino back again this year” BIR General Manager Scott Quick said. “It’s a great fit for both BIR and Grand Casino, and Grand Casino’s involvement in the NHRA Nationals adds another dimension that makes that event even bigger and better. We can’t say enough about the integrity and class that Grand Casino brings to BIR.”

BIR President Bill Singleterry and Don Williamson, CEO of Sports Resorts International Inc., both join Quick in welcoming the Grand Casino partnership.

From a press release issued by Belgarda Yamaha:

“WE WANT TO WIN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE TRACK!”

The historic Silverstone circuit is the venue for the next round of the Supersport World Championship. The news on the eve of the sixth round is the readmission of the six Honda riders who had been disqualified in the previous race at Oschersleben (Germany).

ALL AS BEFORE

The FIM technical inspectors enquired about the rear wheel axle’s difference in weight between the one used in racing and the one homologated by Honda themselves. The Oschersleben Race Directors had excluded six riders from the results, including the race winner Karl Muggeridge, but then an appeal was made to FIM Roadrace Stewards panel. Honda succeeded in demonstrating that the rear axle was identical to one used on the CBR-RR road bikes. The FIM therefore reinstalled Muggeridge and the five other disqualified riders, but fined Honda 35 million Swiss francs (approximately 23 million euros) and took away their manufacturers points for the race. Based on this decision, Muggeridge is back on top of the World Championship points standing, just five points ahead of Dutchman Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha Motor Italy).

OFFICIAL COMMENT

“We take notice of the FIM’s decision.” said Claudio Consonni, racing manager of Yamaha Motor Italy. “Muggeridge’s disqualification had given us a big advantage in the points standing, but Yamaha want to win the title by its own means – on the track. We have a very competitive package – bike, team, rider – and are aiming for the title. Jurgen van den Goorbergh has been in the forefront a lot in the races. Supersport is a wonderful championship, but it is necessary that the technical regulations and rules of homologation are completely understood and respected in order not to generate any doubts or suspicions. And then it can be the best!”

THE CLASSIFICATION (after five rounds of ten)
1 Muggeridge (AUS-Honda) 87; 2 Van den Goorbergh (NL-Yamaha R6) 82; 3 Parkes (AUS-Honda) 53; 4 Curtain (AUS-Yamaha R6) 47; 5 Fujiwara (J-Suzuki) 44; 6 Charpentier (F-Honda) 40; 7 Chambon (F-Suzuki) 39; 8 Lanzi (I-Ducati) 37; 9 Neukirchner (D-Honda) 31; 10 Foret (F-Yamaha R6) 30.

MANUFACTURER’S CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Yamaha 90; 2 Honda 84; 3 Suzuki 55; 4 Ducati 45; 5 Kawasaki 12.

GOOD MEMORIES
Silverstone has held Supersport World Championship races since 2002. Before that, the British round was run at Donington. The track is 5.094 kilometres in length and is world-famous for its F1 history. Silverstone used to be a RAF base, but then started motorsport activities after the second world war. The main straights are based on the takeoff and landing strips. It was therefore a very fast layout, but slower sections and a couple of chicanes have been added to make the track safer. In the two previous rounds at Silverstone, Yamaha Motor Italy has always has been the strongest competitor. In 2002, in torrential rain, James Whitham and Paolo Casoli were on their way to an extraordinary 1-2 finish, when they fell off (not far from each other) in sight of the victory flag. But Race Control decided to red flag the race and the results were wound back one lap to give Whitham and Casoli a perfect 1-2! In 2003, Yamaha Motor Italy celebrated Jurgen van den Goorbergh’s second place, behind Chris Vermeulen (Honda).

ON TV
The sixth round of Supersport World Championship (13th June) will be transmitted live on Eurosport News. The 1-hour time difference means it will be shown at 14.20 Italian time. La7 will show the race at 16.45. Eurosport will show the highlights at 19.30.

From a press release issued by Italica Racing:

ITALICA RACING MEETS WITH APRILIA RACING IN ITALY

Malibu, California – Italica Racing owner Jeff Jensen, Team Director David Lewis and crew chief Vic Fasola spent last week with managers and technicians at Aprilia Racing in Noale, Italy discussing the campaigning of their 2004 RSV Factory bikes in AMA Superbike racing. Along with a tour of the racing facility, and some significant insight into the current and past racing programs, the team discussed commercial and sponsor opportunities.

“I’m always blown away by the professionalism and quality of work done at Aprilia racing,” says David Lewis. “The team managers there are looking forward to our racing actual production machines, and have been very forthcoming with information and set-ups.”

Vic Fasola added, “There were a lot of guys there who were fired up about production racing again, from the Aprilia racing managers to the techs we met and I think we’re going to also have a lot of fans with Aprilia itself.”

Italica Racing went on to spend some time with potential sponsors in Italy, and meet with managers from the production side of the business.

“We are racing production RSV Factories – not homologation specials,” says Jeff Jensen, the Italica Team owner.” This is going to bring along some challenges, but the racing fans out there should know that we’re on the same machine they can buy at any Aprilia dealer, and with help from Italy, we’re going to develop the best Superbikes we can and take a run at the championship in ‘05.”

Italica Racing, featuring riders Mike Hale and Matt Wait will enter the 2004 AMA Superbike class. They are currently sponsored by The Stuntmen’s Association of Motion Pictures and the upcoming theatrical motion picture “High Speed,” to be distributed by Ardustry Entertainment.

For more information on The Stuntmen’s Association of Motion Pictures log onto their website at www.stuntmen.com. In the very near future, you will be able to keep up with Italica Racing news, by logging on to www.italicaracing.com.

From a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing Team:

NAKANO AND HOFMANN ALL SET FOR CATALUNYA WEEKEND

Fuchs Kawasaki rider Shinya Nakano intends to ride in this weekend’s Catalunya Grand Prix, less than a week after his massive 300 kph crash at Mugello.

As a follow-up to Nakano’s Mugello crash, Kawasaki’s MotoGP tyre partner, Bridgestone, has made a fast response to the tyre problems experienced in the Italian race. Working 24 hours a day, the Bridgestone factory in Japan has produced a revised specification tyre for Barcelona, with initial supplies already at the track and further tyres arriving by air-freight over the weekend.

Apart from a slightly bruised back Nakano is fit and eager to join teammate Alex Hofmann aboard their Ninja ZX-RR machines for the fifth round of the 2004 MotoGP World Championship.

The 26-year-old Japanese rider has quickly put aside the dramas of the high-speed crash that brought an early end to his Italian Grand Prix outing last Sunday. After being cleared by x-rays of any serious injuries, and following just a couple of days rest in Barcelona, Nakano was back into training mid-week.

For Nakano the Catalunya GP is like a second “home race” as he lives near the Olympic Port area of Barcelona during the European season.

Meanwhile Hofmann is also approaching this weekend in a positive mood, after picking up valuable points with a gritty ride in the rain interrupted Italian GP last Sunday.

Hofmann also loves racing in warm and sunny Spain. He made his premier class debut at this track in 2002, riding a factory Yamaha 500 as a replacement for the injured Garry McCoy.

After a day sightseeing in Florence after the Italian GP, Hofmann drove his motorhome to Spain stopping for a day at the beach on the Costa Brava just north of the circuit.

The 4.7km track is one of the fastest on the GP calendar. The main straight is just over one kilometre in length, with a fast flowing sequence of corners through the stadium section rewarding smooth riding. A 500 metre section of the straight, from the starting grid to the main scoreboard, has been resurfaced with new asphalt for this year.

The almost religious fervour of Spanish fans has led to predictions of a 100,000 plus attendance for the race on Sunday.

Shinya Nakano: No.56
“The Barcelona track is one of my favourites and I really enjoy racing here, especially as I can stay in my apartment at Diagonal Mar. I’m feeling fine and even though the Mugello crash was really fast I understand what happened there. Although it’s not easy to put everything aside mentally I’m ready to concentrate on riding here; this is my job. I remember the crash, it was instant with no time to control it, and my main thought was to not hit the concrete wall at Mugello, and the relief that my body was okay.”

Alex Hofmann: No.66
“This is my style of track and I really enjoy it. The fast section from turn two and through turn three is a lot of fun; it’s long and fast and you can really slide the bike as the corner opens up. The two fast corners before the main straight also suit my style. Since Formula One started using the track a lot it has become a little bumpy, but it’s not that a big a problem, it’s manageable. I got some points in Mugello and, hopefully, that will prove to be a turning point for me this season.”

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
“Along with my technical staff and riders I met with Bridgestone today and we are all very impressed with the effort they have made in the four days since Mugello. I was surprised they could achieve so much in such a short time, but they have explained things in detail, and they feel they understand the problem and have found a safe solution. I’m confident that Bridgestone have done a good job. Most importantly, our riders Shinya and Alex can now concentrate on their riding this weekend.”