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.”

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

A dispute with the City of Birmingham over a vacant building threatens the government funding George Barber needs to bring a MotoGP event to Barber Motorsports Park, a local newspaper reports.

To read the report, go to:

http://www.al.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/108685910348430.xml?birminghamnews?nmet

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Edge Performance Riding Courses will host a track day event June 28, the Monday following the AMA Superbike event at Brainerd International Raceway, according to a press release.

The event is open to all makes and models of motorcycles, and pre-registration is not required.

For additional information, call Edge Performance at (763) 531-1947 or go to www.edgeracing.net

From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

DUCATI NORTH AMERICA EXPANDS CUPERTINO BASED TEAM WITH TWO NEW EMPLOYEES

Moving into its second year at the new location in Cupertino, California, Ducati North America continues to increase the strength of its staff.

June 2004 – Ducati North America continues to grow the headquarters-based team with the addition of two new members of the management team. With a 35% growth in sales during the first five months this expansion reflects the increasing popularity of Ducati in the U.S. market.

Greg Zanghi joins Ducati North America as the National After Sales Manager. His overall responsibilities include customer care, service communications, legal matters, systems and development. Zanghi has a recent background in the motorcycle industry. For the past 3 years he worked as the general manager at Eastside MotoSports, a Bellevue, Washington based Ducati dealership.

“I’m excited about working with the team at Ducati and continuing to build its strength. Ducati ownership is unique and we will improve the customer experience even further. Strong relationships with our Ducati fans are very important to the company.” Zanghi said.

John Cupp will take over the position of Area 23 Sales Manager, which includes California, Arizona, Hawaii, and Nevada. The incumbent, Brad Hagi, takes up a new position for Ducati this fall within the Export Sales department at Ducati’s World Headquarters in Bologna, Italy. Mr. Cupp joins Ducati with experience in positions at American Honda where he worked in Customer Service and as a District Sales Manager. An avid motorcyclist, John has raced with the Willow Springs Motorcycle Club in Southern California.