Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning’s Provisional AMA Superbike Practice Times:

1. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.431
2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.673
3. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:26.713
4. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:27.282
5. Ben Bostrom, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:27.479
6. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.846
7. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.911
8. Eric Bostrom, Ducati 999F04, 1:29.219
9. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.549
10. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.749
11. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.767
12. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.177
13. Mike Smith, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.850
14. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.990
15. Michael Sanchez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.101
16. Jeremy Toye, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:31.223
17. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.603
18. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.791
19. Mark Ledesma, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:31.998
20. Mike Sullivan, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:32.121
21. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.384
22. Scott Jensen, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:32.753
23. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.998
24. Cory Denton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.194
25. Christian Pistoni, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.195
26. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.298
27. Byron Barbour, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.484
28. Jack Pfeifer, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:33.602
29. Kevin Hanson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.646
30. C.R. Gittere, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.744
31. Lenny Beckman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.538
32. Jeremiah Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.693
33. John Jacobi, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.966
34. A.J. Ammann, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.020
35. Corey Sarros, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.021
36. Rick Narup, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.031
37. Michael Hanley, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.106
38. Kevin Pate, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:36.197
39. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.847
40. James Kerker, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:38.150
41. James Bonner, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:38.440
42. Ron McGill, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:38.774

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

After topping the dry morning practice session, Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp was again quickest in Friday afternoon AMA Supersport practice, before a short rain shower soaked Barber Motorsports Park.

Most riders only got in four or five laps before the rains came Friday afternoon, and Rapp’s 1:30.684 on his Michelin-shod GSX-R600 was fastest of the session. Rapp came into the pits, changed to rain tires, continued riding and again turned in the fastest time (1:51.659) of the few riders who tested in the wet conditions.

Rapp’s 1:28.520 from the morning session was the quickest Supersport time of the day.

The Supersport qualifying groups (faster and slower riders) will be split based on Friday morning practice times.

Friday Afternoon’s Provisional AMA Supersport Practice Times:

1. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:30.684
2. Michael Barnes, Yamaha, 1:31.120
3. Chris Peris, Suzuki, 1:31.846
4. Ben Attard, Suzuki, 1:31.860
5. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:32.517
6. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:32.763
7. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:32.805
8. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:32.870
9. Jason Perez, Yamaha, 1:33.062
10. Blake Young, Suzuki, 1:33.062
11. Danny Eslick, Suzuki, 1:33.260
12. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:33.313
13. Michael Sanchez, Yamaha, 1:33.645
14. Heath Small, Yamaha, 1:33.951
15. Darren Luck, Suzuki, 1:34.035
16. John-O Bowman, Yamaha, 1:34.582
17. Ryan Andrews, Triumph, 1:34.796
18. Giovanni Rojas, Yamaha, 1:34.925
19. Nicky Moore, Suzuki, 1:34.945
20. Daniel Doty, Yamaha, 1:35.116
21. Jeremy Haiduk, Yamaha, 1:35.728
22. William Meyers, Yamaha, 1:35.730
23. Dirk Sanchez, Kawasaki, 1:35.862
24. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:36.059
25. Nathan Dressman, Yamaha, 1:36.071
26. Montez Stewart, Yamaha, 1:36.093
27. Pedro Valiente, Yamaha, 1:36.365
28. Chad Klock, Honda, 1:36.572
29. Jason Peters, Suzuki, 1:36.612
30. Brad Hendry, Yamaha, 1:38.331
31. Michael Morgan, Suzuki, 1:38.883
32. Steven Breckenridge, Triumph, 1:38.938
33. Chris Siebenhaar, Honda, 1:38.957
34. Richard Ford, Yamaha, 1:40.968
35. Lindsay McGregor, Yamaha, 1:41.635
36. David Sanchez, Honda, 1:42.402
37. Robert Terando, Kawasaki, 1:42.704
38. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:45.536
39. Robert Hilliard, Yamaha, 1:47.226
40. Nathan Hester, Yamaha, 1:49.949
41. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:55.228
42. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:59.702
43. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 2:12.047

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Provisional MotoGP Qualifying Results:

1. Colin EDWARDS, Honda, 1:33.870
2. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 1:33.966
3. Carlos CHECA, Yamaha, 1:34.207
4. Marco MELANDRI, Yamaha, 1:34.260
5. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 1:34.288
6. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 1:34.303
7. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 1:34.307
8. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 1:34.328
9. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, 1:34.381
10. Alex BARROS, Honda, 1:34.535
11. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 1:34.557
12. Troy BAYLISS, Ducati, 1:35.033
13. Ruben XAUS, Ducati, 1:35.041
14. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 1:35.213
15. Norick ABE, Yamaha, 1:35.441
16. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 1:35.463
17. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Aprilia, 1:35.627
18. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, 1:35.718
19. Neil HODGSON, Ducati, 1:35.721
20. Shane BYRNE, Aprilia, 1:36.543
21. Nobuatsu AOKI, Proton, 1:36.819
22. Kurtis ROBERTS, Proton, 1:37.800
23. Michel FABRIZIO, Harris WCM, 1:38.245
24. Chris BURNS, Harris WCM, 1:38.823


250cc Grand Prix:

1. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, 1:38.090
2. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, 1:38.417
3. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, 1:38.661
4. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, 1:38.698
5. Roberto ROLFO, Honda, 1:39.127
6. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, 1:39.176
7. Toni ELIAS, Honda, 1:39.311
8. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, 1:39.358
9. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, 1:39.412
10. Sylvain GUINTOLI, Aprilia, 1:39.644
11. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, 1:39.749
12. Anthony WEST, Aprilia, 1:40.054
13. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, 1:40.144
14. Alex DEBON, Honda, 1:40.203
15. Hector FAUBEL, Aprilia, 1:40.211
16. Erwan NIGON, Yamaha, 1:40.249
17. Jakub SMRZ, Honda, 1:40.274
18. Joan OLIVE, Aprilia, 1:40.304
19. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, 1:40.368
20. Eric BATAILLE, Honda, 1:40.374


125cc Grand Prix:

1. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 1:42.887
2. Jorge LORENZO, Derbi, 1:42.990
3. Youichi UI, Aprilia, 1:43.529
4. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, 1:43.609
5. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, 1:43.614
6. Marco SIMONCELLI, Aprilia, 1:43.711
7. Pablo NIETO, Aprilia, 1:43.780
8. Simone CORSI, Honda, 1:43.956
9. Casey STONER, KTM, 1:43.975
10. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, 1:44.006
11. Mattia PASINI, Aprilia, 1:44.342
12. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, 1:44.435
13. Julian SIMON, Honda, 1:44.449
14. Mika KALLIO, KTM, 1:44.652
15. Mike DI MEGLIO, Aprilia, 1:44.790

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Afternoon’s Provisional AMA Formula Xtreme Practice Times:

1. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, 1:28.811
2. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:29.226
3. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, 1:29.235
4. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 1:29.725
5. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:30.342
6. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.099
7. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.147
8. Mike Smith, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.299
9. Mike Ciccotto, Buell XB9R, 1:31.490
10. Michael Barnes, Buell XB9R, 1:32.194
11. Heath Small, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:32.246
12. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:32.529
13. Darin Eli Edwards, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:33.014
14. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:34.404
15. Nathan Hester, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:35.235
16. Carlo Gagliardo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.144
17. Nicky Moore, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:36.188
18. Joseph Arico, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.252
19. Derek Keyes, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.902
20. Marcus Winfree, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:38.901
21. Adrian Jones, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:39.539
22. William Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:39.632
23. Robert Deily, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:39.827
24. Jim Davis, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:40.260

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Graves Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo set the fastest time in Friday morning AMA Superstock practice at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. Riding his Dunlop-equipped YZF-R1, DiSalvo turned a 1:27.822 on the 2.3-mile, 14-turn course, shortly before crashing in turn two. DiSalvo was seen walking away from the incident.

In other Superstock class news, Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies told Roadracingworld.com that he will consider racing his GSX-R750 this weekend at Barber, especially if it rains. Spies rode his GSX-R750 in Friday morning Superstock practice.


Friday Morning’s Provisional AMA Superstock Practice Times:

1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.822
2. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:28.026
3. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1. 1:28.223
4. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:28.279
5. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.555
6. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.976
7. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:29.345
8. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.510
9. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.733
10. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:30.097
11. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.114
12. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.535
13. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:30.771
14. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.833
15. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.931
16. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.498
17. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.510
18. David Weber, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.731
19. Blake Young, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.774
20. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.666

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The standing AMA Superstock lap record, set by Josh Hayes in 2003 on a Suzuki GSX-R750 on DOT-labeled tires, is a 1:27.708.

AMA Pro Racing only recognizes times recorded during official timed qualifying sessions toward lap records.

The AMA Superstock class is now run with 1000cc and 750cc production motorcycles on 17-inch slick tires.

Friday Afternoon’s Provisional AMA Superstock Practice Times:

1. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.574
2. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.643
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.819
4. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.837
5. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.841
6. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.025
7. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.418
8. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.561
9. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.705
10. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.751
11. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.759
12. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.153
13. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:29.180
14. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.196
15. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.530
16. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.580
17. Blake Young, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.318
18. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.100
19. David Weber, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.223
20. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.088
21. Montez Stewart, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:33.239
22. Christian Pistoni, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.614
23. Brian Hall, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.674
24. James Kerker, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:35.773
25. Michael Hanley, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.990
26. Ron McGill, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.996
27. William Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.370
28. Robert Deily, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.788

From a press release issued by Road Atlanta:

Moving Sale!

We’re Moving – You Save!

Road Atlanta is offering a one-time special discount for 3-Day General Admission tickets to the 2004 Suzuki Superbike Showdown, scheduled for Sept. 3-5. You must call between 9 am and 5 pm EDT on Saturday May 15, Sunday May 16 or Monday May 17 in order to receive this special discount.

Fans can call 1-800-849-RACE during the times listed above and purchase two 3-Day General Admission tickets for $50 (not valid with any other discounts or offers). Only the 3-Day General Admission tickets are offered for the special 2-for-1 pricing.

Road Atlanta has hosted an AMA Chevrolet Superbikes doubleheader the third weekend in May for the past six years, but moved to Labor Day weekend at the request of the AMA this year.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

CCS and Fasttrax racer Paul Nonno and wife Angela had a son, Constantine Joseph Nonno, May 1 in Barberton, Ohio.

From a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
GRAND PRIX DE FRANCE – LE MANS
13TH MAY 2004 – EVENT PREVIEW

NEW TRACK SURFACE PROMISES FASTER LAP TIMES AT LE MANS

The world famous Bugatti circuit in Le Mans plays host to the third round of the 2004 MotoGP World Championship this weekend, and after enduring a rain lashed outing at Jerez two weeks ago, Fuchs Kawasaki’s Alex Hofmann and Shinya Nakano are both hoping for a dry race on Sunday.

Le Mans, home of the world renowned 24 Heures de Mans car and motorcycle endurance races, has undergone a transformation over the winter months, with resurfacing work removing the variations in track surface that proved so problematical for riders in the past.

Comprising nine right-hand and four left-hand corners, with only one long straight, the stop and start nature of the Bugatti circuit makes machine set-up extremely tricky. Mainly slow corners linked by short straights necessitate hard acceleration out of the turns, but into the corners the bike must be stable on the brakes and capable of being turned in quickly. Not an easy combination to achieve, especially in the limited track time available to Hofmann and Nakano prior to Sunday’s 28 lap MotoGP race.

But achieve it they must if the success enjoyed by the Fuchs Kawasaki team in the opening two rounds of the season, at Welkom and Jerez, is to continue this weekend in France.

The man responsible for providing Alex Hofmann with the best possible package for Sunday’s race is his Crew Chief, Christophe Bourguignon. Known by everyone in the paddock as ‘Beefy’, the 35-year-old Belgian joined the team at the end of 2003 and has already forged a close relationship with his rider. A crash in South Africa, and the rain at Jerez, means that Hofmann has not had a chance to realise his potential so far this season; a situation he is keen to rectify at Le Mans this weekend, both for himself and for his hardworking crew.

Having spent four years riding for a French team Shinya Nakano enjoys a loyal following amongst the thousands of race fans who will turn out for Sunday’s French Grand Prix, with the result that the 26-year-old Fuchs Kawasaki rider regards this event as being like a second home race. Nakano arrives at Le Mans in determined mood, after giving the Fuchs Kawasaki Racing Team their first top ten finish of the season last time out at Jerez.

Alex Hofmann: No.66
“I tested here last year, but I haven’t raced at Le Mans since 2001 and the track has changed considerably since then. This circuit is also very different to the two tracks we’ve raced on already this year, so it will be interesting to see how well the Ninja ZX-RR suits the stop and start nature of the layout, especially now that the whole track has been resurfaced. We haven’t tested at this circuit with the new bike, so finding a good set-up could prove difficult, but I’ve every confidence in my crew and their ability to provide a bike for Sunday’s race that will work well around here.”

Shinya Nakano: No.56
“Having ridden for a French team for such a long time, the French Grand Prix is like a second home race for me. I just hope that the French fans who gave me so much support in the past will continue to do so now I’ve switched teams for this year. The track surface here used to be extremely slippery, especially in the wet, but I went out for a look at the new surface when I arrived here and it definitely seems to be a big improvement. I’ve been told that the new surface means there is a lot more grip to be had, so I just hope it stays dry this weekend so that we can test it out for ourselves. It’s a difficult track to set a bike up for, but I’m confident that we’ll be able to find a good package for the race on Sunday.”



More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

LACONI AND TOSELAND (DUCATI FILA) LINE UP FOR MONZA SLIPSTREAMING ACTION

Monza (Italy), 13 May 2004: The second of two back-to-back World Superbike races in Italy sees the championship regulars head to the legendary Autodromo Nazionale di Monza on the outskirts of Milan, for the usual bout of high-speed slipstreaming action.

Regis Laconi (Ducati Fila) took a major step forward in his title challenge at Misano with a win and a second place in difficult conditions. The 28 year-old Frenchman, third in the table on 70 points, 27 adrift of leader Chili (PSG Ducati), went well at Monza last year, finishing second in race 1 and fourth in race 2, setting fastest lap along the way.

“I feel much happier after Misano than before because I did a couple of good races in difficult conditions” declared Laconi. “Now I feel I’m going in the right direction. I’m looking forward to Monza because I want to do the same there and get more points in the championship.

“I’ve had some good races at Monza. It’s a great place to race, there are very big fights all the time. For sure it’s only long straights, hard braking and the chicanes but it’s a track I like a lot.

“We have been working very well since the start of the season and I’ve got a good feeling with the 999. I think that if it’s dry we can be very fast at Monza. I have everything, a fast bike and a great team, so we should be competitive.”

James Toseland salvaged some points from a difficult Misano weekend with a tenth and sixth place from a row 5 start, but the 23 year-old from Sheffield feels there is a lot more to come following last week’s testing at the Monza track.

“I can’t wait to get back on my 999 after we turned the bike upside-down during last week’s Monza test” declared James. “Basically it seemed to suit Valencia and wasn’t dialled in at all for Phillip Island and Misano, but now we know the right direction to go in.

“I have some good memories of Monza, it’s a great circuit. I’ve always been fast there, it’s just that I’ve never had good results. Last year I was rubbing shoulders with Laconi and Hodgson and eventually finished fourth and fifth. I don’t mind all the slipstreaming and fairing-bashing that goes on at Monza!

“As the podium at Monza over the track is one of the most amazing in the world, I really want to be standing on it on Sunday!”

POINTS (after 3 of 11 rounds): (Riders) 1. Chili 97; 2. Toseland 77; 3. Laconi & Vermeulen 70; 5. Haga 69; 6. McCoy 55; etc. (Manufacturers) 1. Ducati 150; 2. Petronas 71; 3. Honda 70; 4. Kawasaki 36; 5. Suzuki 32; 6. Yamaha 16.

CIRCUIT INFO Name: Autodromo Nazionale di Monza. Length: 5.793 km. Pole Position: left. Corners Left/Right: 5/8. Finish Line Length: 1.195 km.

STATISTICS Best lap: Hodgson (Ducati), 1’46.981 (2003). Lap record: Bayliss (Ducati), 1’47.434 (2002). Superpole: Hodgson (Ducati), 1’46.981 (2003). Race Distance: 2 x 18 laps/104.256 km.

2003 RESULTS Race 1: 1. Hodgson (Ducati); 2. Laconi (Ducati); 3. Lavilla (Suzuki). Race 2: 1. Hodgson; 2. Lavilla; 3. Chili (Ducati)


More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Straight-talking for Foggy PETRONAS Racing at Monza!

Foggy PETRONAS Racing is aiming to consolidate on its eye-opening start to the World Superbike championship when the fast straights of Monza pose a different challenge this weekend.

Having already posted two podium finishes on the more favourable circuits of Valencia and Misano, with Chris Walker’s third place at the opening round being followed by Troy Corser’s second place last month, team owner Carl Fogarty’s expectations for the fourth round of the championship are realistic.

Carl said: “I think this could be a difficult race for us as it is the fastest circuit and we do not have the fastest bike yet. It might be down to the riders and maybe the conditions if we are to get both riders into the top ten. It’s a case of trying to keep our feet on the ground although it will be interesting to see if the improved cooling of the bike will close the gap between the top speed of the FP1 and that of a factory Ducati.”

The stresses placed on a new engine were apparent at last season’s corresponding round when Troy’s 13th place in the first race was all the team could muster, with both bikes being black-flagged in the second race when the old-style silencers caught fire under the intense heat generated by the engine down the long straights at the historic Italian circuit.

However, along with the PETRONAS engine development team, strides forward have been made in temperature management and a new specification engine will be used in the FP1 this weekend. The focus for this stage of development has been to improve reliability and consistency of the engine, and an increased power output is not expected until the next stage of development is available later in the season.

The latest development to the engine incorporates two main features: a revised sealing strategy to prevent oil, water and combustion gas leakages; and new ports, cams and combustion chambers to improve driveability, running temperature, reliability and fuel consumption. Following tests at Bruntingthorpe and Valencia during the last month a revised engine map has been developed in order to optimise the performance of this new engine configuration.

Chris said: “I really enjoy the Monza round because of the nostalgia of the place. But we know it is going to be tough for us here and an immediate test of the work the PETRONAS engine development team have been doing. The key will be to try and qualify well so that we can get off with the leading pack and get a tow down the straights.”

Troy said: “Monza isn’t actually my favourite circuit as it’s not much of a rider’s track. It is purely just a horsepower track. It will be a different kind of race to the last three because of all the drafting. The left hand side of the tyre doesn’t get used much here and stays cold. So you have to be careful at the last chicane before coming onto the back straight because, if you get on the gas too early, you can lose the back end easily.”


Circuit information: Monza, Italy

Best lap: Neil Hodgson, 1:46.981 (Superpole, 2003)
Lap record (race): Troy Bayliss 1:47.434.913 (2002)
Pole position: Left
Circuit length: 5.793km
Corners: 5 left, 8 right
Corner radius: 610m maximum, 12.5m minimum
Maximum slope: 2.4 per cent

Points (after 3 of 11 rounds)

Riders: 1 Chili 97; 2 Toseland 77; 3 Laconi 70; 4 Vermeulen 70; 5 Haga 69; 6 McCoy 55; 7 Martin 54; 8 Walker (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 52; 9 Borciani 49; 10 Corser (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 48

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Ren Vasiliev, a former scorer for an endurance race team, has published a scholarly book exploring the origins of the names of about 2500 places in New York state.

The book, called From Abbotts To Zurich, New York State Placenames, is published by Syracuse University Press.

Vasiliev handled scoring for The Swine Dudes, which became Team Pearls Suzuki, in the WERA National Endurance Series from 1989 through 1995. The team, which won three class Championships, was co-owned by Vasiliev’s husband-at-the-time, Peter Jones, and Tim Taylor.

Vasiliev is an associate professor and chair of the Geography Department of the State University of New York, College at Geneseo.

More information is available from www.SyracuseUniversityPress.syr.edu