Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Former AMA 250cc Grand Prix racer Ty Piz has published a new book, entitled Soccer Talk, Verbal Communications Skills Manual.

Piz specializes in youth soccer coaching and is a consultant on appropriate behavior by players, parents and coaches, on and off the soccer field.

Piz can be contacted at (303) 349-7717 or online at www.soccertalkuniversal.com

From a press release:

Keith Code’s “Control Trainer”



The California Superbike School has added yet another unique training device to its long list of innovations in the field of rider training. The newest device, called the Control Trainer, teaches riders to operate and correctly time their control operations for the three advanced methods of changing gears: 1) simultaneous braking and downshifting done smoothly; 2) upshifts without the clutch; 3) downshifts without the clutch.

Simultaneous braking and downshifting is the most complex control sequence in riding. Up to 40 separate actions can be performed by a rider in about 2 seconds to make five downshifts while maintaining control of the front brake lever and doing it smoothly.

Code’s training device voice prompts the student rider through each of the steps, one at a time, until they are mastered. The Kawasaki ZX-9R platform bike is stationary, the student can see on the computer screen if his control usage is within spec and is reminded by voice prompts of what he did wrong and how to correct it.

The ZX-9R’s throttle, brake, clutch and gear change lever information is routed through the device’s computer which measures each control action for how long and how much it is used and if it is being used at the right time in coordination with the other controls.



Code says, “I’ve surveyed over 5000 street riders on their braking and downshifting skills and found that only about 2 out of 20 are confident with it. Even someone who is totally uncoordinated can master the control sequences to make it smooth in about 1/2-hour, more talented riders take around 5 minutes, even if they’ve never tried it before.

“I’ve seen magazines say that we don’t have to learn how to do this and have heard some trainers say it is too complex for most riders to master but It feels good when you do it right and riders get an enormous satisfaction once they learn and that makes it completely worthwhile all by itself.

“Riders generally master the upshift drill in a matter of minutes and we still have some bugs in the program for the clutchless downshifts but it’ll be sorted out soon.”

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

Chandler and Ducati add Italian spice to Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (June 1, 2004) — Three-time AMA Superbike Champion and future Hall of Famer Doug Chandler made his return to AMA road racing a little over a week ago in the Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series race at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Chandler rode his Ducati Austin 749R to a very respectable third-place finish. Not bad for debuting a new bike that was described by crew chief Gary Medley as basically stock, with a rider who hasn’t been a regular on the tour in two years. Chandler looks to challenge longtime rival Miguel Duhamel and fellow former dirt track racer Jake Zemke as the Formula Xtreme Series comes to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin’s Road America on June 4-6, for the Suzuki Superbike Doubleheader Weekend.

Chandler’s return in Formula Xtreme helps renew a rivalry with his adversary Duhamel that dates back almost a decade when the two had a couple of epic seasons battling for the AMA Superbike title.

Duhamel is thrilled to have Chandler back in the series. “Personally, I think the guy should have stayed retired,” Duhamel joked. “Seriously, I don’t think he should have ever left. He’s an incredible asset to our series and obviously his abilities are still intact. The fans were going nuts when he got on the podium at Pikes Peak. It’s great to have Doug back, that is up to the point when he starts beating me of course.”

Duhamel is leading the championship, but his Honda teammate Jake Zemke has closed the gap by scoring two wins in a row. He now sits only five points behind Duhamel.

Duhamel acknowledged the great riding of Zemke and said it’s time for him to step up to the next level. “I started out the season great, but have sort of been treading water lately,” Duhamel added. “With Jake coming on strong and Chandler now in the series it’s really time to make my move. I love Road America. I think my CBR600RR will eat up the course. The fans there are really knowledgeable and have been big supporters of mine for years. It’s definitely one of my favorite stops of the season.”




Hacking now clear-cut favorite in Repsol Superstock

It took seven long years for Jamie Hacking to win his first AMA championship. The Graves Yamaha rider doesn’t appear to want to wait another seven to win his next. The 32-year-old rider from North Carolina has emerged as the rider to beat in Repsol Superstock after winning three consecutive rounds. “Hacker” has opened a 23-point lead over teammate Aaron Gobert in the series and is looking forward to the upcoming event in Elkhart Lake, Wis.

Hacking said his plan for the season is starting to fall into place. “That’s what everyone is here to do,” he explained. “Get the points lead and extend it as much as possible. Going into these next events like Road America, I think I’ll be strong and in position to really capitalize.”

With a win at Road America Hacking could establish the longest single-season winning streak in the series since Tom Kipp won five in a row in 1999, when the class was known as 750 Supersport.

Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp is the defending winner of the Road America Superstock race. The Northern California native has struggled somewhat in the revamped class so far this year. His best result was a sixth-place run in Birmingham, Ala., in mid-May. The team has experimented with both the GSX-R1000 and 750cc model in trying to find the perfect combination of horsepower and handling. Rapp will likely opt for the sheer power of the big Gixxer at Road America — the longest track in the series. He could easily move up from his current ranking of seventh with a repeat of last year’s performance.

SPEED Channel will televise both the Formula Xtreme and Superstock races from Road America on June 15 as part of the network’s Two Wheel Tuesday lineup.

For additional information on the Suzuki Superbike Doubleheader weekend call (800) 365-RACE or visit the track’s website at www.roadamerica.com

From a press release:

One Shot Racing To Host Charity Event For Aunt Hattie’s Place at Summit Point Raceway rescheduled for Nation’s only All African-American Motorcycle Racing Team to support
Baltimore Youth Facility with “Day at the Races”

WHO: One Shot Racing (OSR) and Aunt Hattie’s Place (www.oneshotracing.com)

WHAT: “Day at the Races” tour, instructional and safety demonstrations, photographs on track

WHEN: Sunday, June 13, 2004, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: Summit Point Raceway, Charles Town, WV (www.summitpoint-raceway.com)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – One Shot Racing (OSR), a pioneering all-African-American Professional Motorcycle Racing team, will host a “Day at the Races” with Aunt Hattie’s Place at Summit Point Raceway in Charles Town, WV on Sunday, June 13, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The original May 2 date was postponed due to weather.

Launched in 1995, Aunt Hattie’s Place is a residential care facility for young boys, ages 9-18, who have special educational needs and are in foster care. Wrap around services reflect a holistic approach to care. Social work intervention is integrated with other services in response to the physical, social, educational, spiritual and emotional needs of the children. The facility is directed by Sarsfield S. Williams.

Activities at the raceway include: Tour of the racing facility, race track and pit areas, introduction to OSR racers and other competing race teams, education on motorcycle safety and the sport, assistance in timing of racers and other team related duties, participation in a “fantasy” race game and photographs of the kids on team race bikes.

“OSR is excited about the chance to provide a new experience for the children of Aunt Hattie’s Place,” said Jeff Coles, OSR’s President and CEO. “Racing is an exciting and rewarding sport that can provide many possible career opportunities. These kids will be able to experience this excitement – up close and personal. I know it will leave a lasting positive impression on their young minds.”

OSR began the 2004 season by receiving the “AFDIM Award” and “Horizon Award” during the 3rd Annual Awards Celebration Honoring Diversity in Motorsports on February 21. The AFDIM Award is presented to groups or organizations that educate African-Americans and other communities about the industry. The Horizon Award is presented to minority competitors showing great promise in motorsports. The Association for Diversity in Motorsports (AFDIM), Winston-Salem State University, Urban Sports Entertainment and NASCAR have partnered to produce this
event.

OSR BACKGROUND:

Based just outside Washington, D.C., in Bowie, MD, these pioneers are currently the first and only African-American owned, staffed and sponsored race team in the American Motorcycle Association (AMA). OSR will look to compete in nearly a dozen races this season, in three different race leagues and travel over 4,000 miles with two fiercely competitive riders poised for success on the track after qualifying for the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) Championship Race Series in 2003.

Business leader of this groundbreaking team is Jeffrey Coles, President and Chief Executive Officer of One Shot Racing. Coles, who earned his BA in Architecture from Howard University and MBA from American University, provides strategic planning for OSR’s future. Completing the visionary business team is Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Rudy Blyden, a television editor and graduate of Morgan State University, who partners with Coles, provided the initial inspiration behind this effort.

The riders on the motorcycles are two Washington, D.C. metropolitan area athletes.

William “Storyteller” Johnson, 31, of Fort Washington, MD, is the former 2001 WERA Heavyweight Twins Champion. A prolific personal writer, thus the nickname, Johnson races two Suzuki GSX-R 600’s and competes in the 600cc Supersport and Formula Extreme classes.

Adrian “Buzzoman” Jones, 26, of Upper Marlboro, MD, made his mark as a rookie 2002 WERA 750cc Superbike Champion. An information technology professional, Jones, races two Suzuki GSX-R 600’s and like his teammate competes in the 600cc Supersport and Formula Extreme classes.

OSR is a private entity launched in 2003 with no corporate backing, an amazing feat in today’s racing market. Sponsorship development is now in full-gear with the original backers coming from the Super Bike industry. “The fact that we made it to the AMA without corporate backing lets those potential sponsors know just how passionate we are about this sport ” Coles said.

SPEED Channel (www.speedtv.com), the leading racing cable channel in the U.S. reaching over 70 million homes, will broadcast all of the races OSR will compete in. Off the track, an important cultural and socio-economic component of OSR is their target approach for style and apparel for the Urban demographic, lead by Miline Leather (www.milineusa.com).

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

A funeral will be held tomorrow for Susan Murphy, who drowned while swimming in a Nebraska lake on Memorial Day.

She is the wife of Laguna Seca World Superbike/AMA Superbike race promoter Dan Murphy.

Funeral services will be held at Butherus Love Funeral Home, 4040 A Steet, Lincoln, NE 68510, (402) 488-0934, at 3:00 p.m.

Memorial donations can be made to the Susan Murphy Outreach Fund, c/o S. Freimuth, Colorado Business Bank, P.O. Box 8779, Denver CO 80201.

From a press release:

Monona, Wisconsin-based Team MS announces the kick-off of their new website. www.teamms.org

*The site is designed to allow individuals and their families who suffer with Multiple Sclerosis the research and information they can use when dealing with this disease.

* Theweb site also shows people how they can help in the fight against MS. Team MS is open to all individuals who compete in any endeavor. Be it running, bicycling, motorcycle racing or even walking around the block.

* Team MS announces the kick off of the Sticker Awareness Campaign. In an effort to increase awareness, people can request a Team MS sticker that can be placed on a window; helmet or anywhere people might notice. It is a small but effective way to let people know that a cure for MS needs to be found. Stickers can be requested at no charge on the team website.

For information about Team MS, contact:
Jim Haraughty
AMRMA #258, WERA #158
[email protected]

From a press release issued by Pirelli’s advertising and public relations agency, Plummer Menapace:

PIRELLI PREVIEWS THE ISLE OF MAN

History Past: The Origins Of The TT; History Present: Pirelli’s Domination Of Recent TTs

HISTORY PAST – THE BEGINNING: The Isle of Man. Just the mention of the words brings images of what is arguably the world’s most popular road race, with a history harkening back to the days when all road races were run on public roads, to the days of leather helmets, ribbed tires, megaphone exhausts. And iron men. The days before the corporate sanitation – and safety – of closed-course, purpose-built race tracks. A time when the “corner workers” were miners and farmers, and then boy scouts. An event that, except for a few notable exceptions like Joey Dunlop, Mike Hailwood, Steve Hislop, and most recently, David Jeffries, is run by racers whose names most Americans aren’t familiar with. An event we’re drawn to because of its uniqueness, its setting, its heritage. Its danger. The danger that has cost the lives of more than a few racers, including, most recently, Jeffries, the newest TT hero and multi-record holder who died tragically in practice for the 2003 event. An event that spawned a bike name as famous as the place itself, the famed Norton “Manx”, the 500cc thumper named after the island’s inhabitants and their particular dialect of the Gaelic (Celtic) language, now largely extinct, called Manx.

Pretty impressive stuff for a small island just 33 miles long tip to tip, in the middle of the Irish Sea, surrounded by England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

The Isle of Man motorcycle races began as an offshoot of the automobile racing that had moved to the island because the British Parliament had prohibited racing on that country’s roads. It began when a venue was needed so the fledgling British automobile industry and its enthusiasts could have roads for the development of the English machines to hold trials to contest the annual international race between nations that had begun in 1900, created, oddly enough, by an American named James Gordon Bennett.

In 1904, the King of England gave his consent for the Isle of Man to hold automobile racing on its public roads after a proposition put forth by the Isle’s governing body. A year later, the idea was put forth that the maybe the Isle of Man would also be a great place to test and further the development of motorcycles because, although the first commercially viable British motorcycle first appeared in 1901, motorcycles were already outselling cars by 1902.

The bike companies wasted no time taking advantage of their new-found opportunity. England immediately challenged France to a “motor-cycle” race, and the first bike trials on the Isle of Man occurred in the first year of their approval, 1905, to choose the best British team to face the French. The date chosen was May 31.

1905 also saw the addition of the first “all-British” race to be run along with the international Gordon Bennett Trial, as it was known. Sir Julian Orde, the Englishman who had first brought the racing proposal to the Isle of Man’s governor, saw his new event as one for touring cars, with a new prize to be called the Tourist Trophy. And so began the Isle of Man “TT”.

The first motorcycle TT was held in 1907, with two classes that were determined by, of all things, fuel consumption. One class was for single-cylinder bikes that averaged 90 mpg, the other for multi-cylinder bikes that averaged 75 mpg. On May 28, 19 bikes lined up for the beginning of that first Isle of Man Motorcycle TT. The smart money was divided between the arch rivals Triumph and Matchless. A Matchless won the singles race; a Norton, the multi. That first year also included the first competitors from the Continent: two German NSUs.

A year later, 36 entrants lined up, Triumph beat Matchless, and a Belgian bike finished third. In 1909, another “foreign” bike finished second, just under four minutes behind the winner. It came from America. It was an Indian.
Also that year, the King decided he didn’t like car racing, and so the automobile TTs ended, leaving the Manx roads – and history – to motorcycles.

HISTORY PRESENT – PIRELLI’S DOMINATION OF THE LAST TWO TTs: As history has shown, the Isle of Man isn’t just about speed, but endurance as well, a real-world proving ground of what works and what doesn’t.

Last year, Pirelli riders won all six TTs they entered, captured 16 of the 18 podium positions, and took a staggering 54 of the 60 total Top-10 places available in those six TTs.

And Pirelli’s 2003 success came hot on the heels of its near record-breaking domination of the 2002 Isle of Man competition in which Pirelli-mounted riders not only won all six major TTs, but swept the podiums in all of them: the Senior TT, Formula 1 TT, 600cc Production TT, 1,000cc Production TT, 600cc Junior TT, and 400cc Lightweight TT. Pirelli racers also shattered no fewer than three IOM lap records in 2002: Jeffries, the then-reigning TT master, crushed his own Senior TT lap record by 21.6 seconds and his outright lap record by over 5 seconds. In the 600cc Production TT, Jeffries’ then-TAS Suzuki teammate, Ian Lougher set a new class lap record of 120.25 mph.

Looking forward to the beginning of the 2004 event beginning this weekend, June 5 and running through the 11th, Pirelli is again looking to turn fresh pages in the record books. Eddie Roberts, Pirelli’s International Race Manager, took a moment from his “manic” race schedule, to confirm that “all the top teams and riders” will again be present and racing on Pirelli’s latest generation of slicks and Supercorsa DOT radials. Among them are the TAS Suzuki team of Adrian Archibald, winner of last year’s Formula One and Senior TTs, and Bruce Anstey, who gave Triumph its first modern-era win in the 2003 Junior 600; IOM veteran Ian Lougher who took three seconds and a third last year in addition to two wins and three second places in ’02; Richard Britton, who finished second in last year’s Lightweight 400, and fourth in the Production 1000; John McGuinness, who combined a win in the 2003 Lightweight 400 with a second place in the Senior TT and a third in Formula One; and Jason Griffiths who had two fourth-place finishes – in Formula One and the Senior TT. “To name a few”, as Roberts put it.

It’s the Isle of Man. There’s nothing else like it.

From a press release issued by CCS Florida:

CCS Florida Region at Moroso Motorsports Park
May 31, 2004

Champion Racing Team’s Marco Martinez dominated the Memorial Day event at Moroso Motorsports Park, winning seven of the nine classes he entered. He began the day with a bit of a rough start, finishing third in the GTO and GTU races, but found his groove after the lunch break and finished first in all of his afternoon events.

Martinez was able to work his way quickly to the front and then open a gap on the rest of the field in most of his races. But he really had to battle the competition in the most exciting event of the day, the Unlimited Grand Prix race. Jim Pihokken had nabbed the holeshot with Scott Ritchey close behind in second place early in the race. Martinez was not far behind in third. By lap two, he had passed Ritchey and closed in on the leader. Martinez made the winning pass at the entrance to the turn three chicane in lap three. He maneuvered underneath Pihokken at the entrance to the turn and took over the lead. The rest of the race was a two-rider battle for the lead dominated by Martinez. Behind the leaders, Ritchey held fast to his third place position while his teammate, Ed Lis battle with Anthony Cabrera for fourth. In the white flag lap, Cabrera passed underneath Lis in turn two to take over fourth place. In a fight to the finish, Cabrera maintained his position through the checkered flag. Martinez’ lap times during the Shootout dropped to within a fraction of a second from the record had had previously set at Moroso.

On the podium, Martinez commented, “My hat’s off to Jim (Pihokken). He rode really hard. I didn’t think I had anything for him. I was so tired and my hands were hurting. I was cramping and trying to stay with him for the first two laps. And, I felt like, well, if I can hang with him, I can make a move. And then I stepped it up and I was able to get the lead. I don’t know how I pulled this one off. I was just about to be satisfied with third in the Shootout, but thank God, that I had a little bit of strength left and was able to win it.” He went on to praise his team and thanked all of his riders stating, “They did awesome this weekend. I’m really proud of them. And, my crew, Richard, everybody that comes to the track and helps me out. I couldn’t have done it without you guys.”

From a press release issued by Proforma:

MILLENNIUM TECHNOLOGIES SUZUKI READY FOR “LOCAL” RACE

Shawn Higbee, Danny Eslick and the Millennium Technologies Suzuki team head to round six of the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship this weekend, June 4-6, at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. For Shawn and the owners of title sponsor Millennium Technologies, it will be a short drive. Millennium Technologies is based in Plymouth, Wisconsin, just 15 minutes from the track. Shawn lives in Big Bend, Wisconsin, a little over an hour from Road America. The Suzuki bikes are tuned and maintained at KWS Motorsports in North Charleston, South Carolina, and will travel to Wisconsin while Danny Eslick will make the drive from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, a suburb of Tulsa.

Shawn Higbee
While Shawn considers Road America his “home” track, it’s not a place that he gets to ride on a regular basis. “Like everyone else, I really like the track,” said Shawn, who finished seventh in both Superbike races in 2003, Saturday’s race in the dry and Sunday’s race in the rain. “If it rains, it’ll be to our advantage. I ran as high as fourth last year in the rain. Kevin (Hunt, team owner) and the boys are supposed to be building me a hotter motor, similar to what I ran last year, so that’ll help out a lot on the long straights. Up to now, we’ve been running a Superstock-legal motor.”

Danny Eslick
Danny turned 18 on May 29th, and rode at the Springfield TT for a bit of fun on his birthday weekend. “I rode my own DR-Z400 at Springfield, it’s just a stocker,” said Danny, who missed making the show by one position in his scratch semi. “My buddy John Haner showed up with his Hooters mechanic Mike Goden. Mike helped me out a lot, it was good to work with him. There were over 90 guys there trying to make the main, so I didn’t feel too bad about not making it on a stock bike.” This will be Danny’s first trip to Road America’s four-mile road course. “I’m lucky that there’s promoter practice on Thursday, so I’ll be able to learn the track,” Danny said. “But with lap times so long, I won’t get as many laps as I would at a shorter track, so I’m gonna have to make the most of it. I’ll be okay.”



More, from another press release issued by Proforma:

HAS/RACING HEADS TO THE LAND OF CHEESE

The HAS/Shogun Racing team heads to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin for round six of the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship this weekend, June 4-6. Team rider Heath Small is healthy and ready to ride after mishaps earlier in the season saw him riding injured at certain rounds.

“I’m in shape and ready to go,” said Heath, who spent the Memorial Day weekend grading a practice dirt track on property behind the team’s race shop in Waller, Texas. “I got fifth at Road America in 2002 in Pro Thunder on the (Ducati) 748. I wasn’t able to go last year because of my hand injury at Pikes, so I’m looking forward to this year because I like the track.” Heath will again be racing in both the Pro Honda Oils Supersport and Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme classes at the four-mile Wisconsin track. With more power, better chassis components and a better selection of Pirelli tires for the 16.5″ wheels, Heath is anticipating good results on the team’s Yamaha R6-based Formula Xtreme machine. “The Xtreme bike will be a lot of fun,” Heath commented. “It’s not dramatically faster (than the Supersport bike), it just does everything a little bit better.”