Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Graves Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking won the Repsol AMA Superstock race Sunday at Infineon Raceway on a Dunlop-equipped YZF-R1.

Hacking was trailing teammate Damon Buckmaster when the race was stopped on lap nine of 17 for a bad crash involving Raul Padilla, who was airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial hospital.

On the re-start, leg one leader Buckmaster jumped out front, but he was chased down by Hacking, who looked to be matching Buckmaster’s pace with ease. After sizing it up several times, Hacking made the pass for the lead on the brakes for the turn nine chicane four laps from the end. Hacking then pulled away to win comfortably.

Buckmaster held on to second. Aaron Gobert, also on a Graves Yamaha YZF-R1, reeled Buckmaster in to finish a close third. Tommy Hayden, fourth, was inches behind Gobert. Jason DiSalvo finished fifth on the fourth Graves Yamaha.


Provisonal AMA Superstock Race Results:

1. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 17 laps
2. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, -1.761 seconds
3. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, -1.926 seconds
4. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, -2.075 seconds
5. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, -5.211 seconds
6. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -13.604 seconds
7. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, -14.626 seconds
8. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, -16.374 seconds
9. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, -17.272 seconds
10. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, -18.175 seconds
11. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, -20.546 seconds
12. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, -23.567 seconds
13. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -27.463 seconds
14. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -37.027 seconds
15. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -37.079 seconds
16. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -38.438 seconds
17. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -41.928 seconds
18. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -46.235 seconds
19. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -46.235 seconds
20. Garry Combs, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -67.590 seconds
21. Montez Stewart, Yamaha YZF-R1, -69.292 seconds
22. James King, Yamaha YZF-R1, -70.331 seconds
23. Mark Simon, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -90.437 seconds
24. Ruben Munoz, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -3 laps
25. Lash Mullen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -4 laps
26. David Guy, Szuuki GSX-R1000, -6 laps
27. Peter Doyle, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -8 laps
28. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -9 laps
29. Raul Padilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -10 laps, DNF, crash
30. David White, Suzuki GSX-R750, -16 laps, DNF, crash
31. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R1000, DNS
32. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R1000, DNS
33. Jeremiah Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, DNS

Provisional AMA Superstock Point Standings:

1. Hacking, 98 points
2. Buckmaster, 93 points
3. Aaron Gobert, 91 points
4. Spies, 87 points
5. Tommy Hayden, 80 points
6. DiSalvo, 78 points
7. Roger Lee Hayden, 71 points
8. Rapp, 69 points
9. Haner, 59 points
10. Higbee, 56 points
11. TIE, Acree/Holden, 50 points
13. TIE, Hayes/Haskovec/May, 48 points
16. TIE, Alex Gobert/Wood, 45 points
18. Jason Pridmore, 39 points
19. Eaton, 36 points
20. Caylor, 25 points

From a press release:

ACCLAIMED RACING DOC FASTER HELD OVER FOR SECOND WEEK AT ARCLIGHT CINEMAS IN HOLLYWOOD

FASTER, the award-winning documentary about world championship motorcycle racing, has been extended for a second week at the ArcLight Cinemas in Los Angeles. Fans will be able to continue to see the action-packed movie through Thursday, May 6th. For showtimes and advanced ticket sales, see WWW.ARCLIGHTCINEMAS.COM.

The Los Angeles Times praises FASTER for “tak[ing] viewers into the thrilling world of the MotoGP,” and the LA Weekly calls it “awesome.” MotorcycleUSA.com says, “Relayed with passion and moments of artistic grace, it very well captures MotoGP’s grit, speed and pageantry,” and Variety, the top entertainment-business publication, describes FASTER as “Often thrilling, always compelling, [It] provides the kind of involving human element achieved by the best sports docus.”

FASTER will be seen on May 29th & 30th in Santa Cruz, Ca.; and June 4th-6th in Duluth, Mn. Additional bookings are expected to be announced shortly

Narrated by Ewan McGregor(“Star Wars” I, II & III, “Big Fish”) FASTER is the most true-to-life look at grand prix motorcycle racing ever brought to screen. Crossing five continents during the 2001-2002 MotoGP championship seasons, award-winning filmmaker Mark Neale captures the speed, the egos, the broken bones and the babes in the fastest, most glamorous and most extreme bike races in the world.

FASTER is the first release by the newly founded Slamdance on the Road. The distribution company launched this month with an exclusive L.A. exhibition agreement at ArcLight Cinemas, Hollywood’s premiere movie theater.

FASTER is a film by Spark Productions in association with Dorna Sports SL. Executive producers are Ian MacLean, Mark Neale and Chris Paine. Produced by Stephen Lim.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Combined British Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. John REYNOLDS, Suzuki, 1:36.646
2. Michael RUTTER, Honda, 1:36.865
3. Dean THOMAS, Ducati, 1:36.867
4. Yukio KAGAYAMA, Suzuki, 1:37.624
5. Gary MASON, Yamaha, 1:37.990
6. Scott SMART, Kawasaki, 1:38.113
7. Sean EMMETT, Ducati, 1:38.247
8. Leon HASLAM, Ducati, 1:38.418
9. Steve PLATER, Yamaha, 1:38.834
10. Glen RICHARDS, Kawasaki, 1:38.926
11. James ELLISON, Yamaha, 1:39.204
12. Tommy HILL, Yamaha, 1:39.405
13. Jon KIRKHAM, Suzuki, 1:39.438
14. Noriyuki HAGA, Ducati, 1:39.459
15. Sam CORKE, Suzuki, 1:39.513
16. Stuart EASTON, Ducati, 1:39.567
17. Craig COXHELL, Honda, 1:39.632
18. Kieran CLARKE, Yamaha, 1:39.668
19. Dennis HOBBS, Suzuki, 1:40.065
20. James BUCKINGHAM, Suzuki, 1:40.151


Combined British Supersport Qualifying Results:

1. Karl HARRIS, Honda, 1:40.645
2. Simon ANDREWS, Yamaha, 1:40.850
3. Tom SYKES, Suzuki, 1:40.890
4. Michael LAVERTY, Ducati, 1:40.951
5. Cal CRUTCHLOW, Honda, 1:41.026
6. Jay VINCENT, Honda, 1:41.048
7. Pere RIBA, Kawasaki, 1:42.087
8. Matt LLEWELLYN, Ducati, 1:41.308
9. Jonathan REA, Honda, 1:41.362
10. Leon CAMIER, Honda, 1:41.377
11. Luke QUIGLEY, Suzuki, 1:41.436
12. Adrian COATES, Suzuki, 1:41.518
13. Craig JONES, Triumph, 1:41.676
14. Lee JACKSON, Honda, 1:41.976
15. Iain MacPHERSON, Honda, 1:42.343
16. Jamie ROBINSON, Yamaha, 1:42.500
17. Shane NORVAL, Honda, 1:42.534
18. Tom TUNSTALL, Honda, 1:42.536
19. Kieran MURPHY, Honda, 1:42.577
20. Rob FROST, Kawasaki, 1:42.772

27. Nicky MOORE, Honda, 1:44.422


More, from a press release issued by MSS Discovery Kawasaki:

British Supersport / National Superstock Championships ­ Round four ­ Oulton Park, May 3 2004

Sunday May 2 2004

RIBA GRABS SECOND ROW GRID SPOT AT OULTON PARK FOR MSS DISCOVERY TEAM

MSS Discovery rider Pere Riba bounced back from a troubled first day of qualifying to take a second row start for Monday’s fourth round of the British Supersport Championship.

The Spanish ace ­fourth in the championship – will start from seventh place on the grid on his ZX-6RR Kawasaki and on his debut at the demanding Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire.

“I struggled a bit on Saturday with the circuit but today we really got going and I’m very pleased with seventh place and being on the second row for the race ­ especially as I did my best time in full race set-up,” said Riba.

He added: “This is a very technical circuit but I’m starting to get a real feel for it and I’m sure I can challenge for a top three finish in tomorrow’s race.”

The MSS Discovery team’s Rob Frost will start from 20th place on the grid but the determined Kawasaki rider is hopeful of a solid finish in Monday’s outing.

“I was struggling a bit today but I’m hoping for a good race,” said Frost. “I finished fourth here last year so I’d like to think I can repeat that tomorrow. I know the machine is capable of it and I’ve just let myself down in qualifying.”

The MSS Discovery team’s National Superstock Championship rider, Steve Allan will start from ninth place after a thrilling final qualifying session.

“I was third quickest on Saturday and hoping for a front row start but the final session was a bit frantic and I was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” reported Allan. “It was all a bit busy but we’ve got a good race set-up and I’m really looking forward to Monday’s race.”

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

Yamaha GMT94 have won the Zhuhai 6 Hours round of the FIM World Endurance Championship after a race long battle with Suzuki Castrol Suzuki Castrol had lead the race constantly from the first half hour until a crash dropped them out of the lead with less than ten minutes to go, after a final splash-and-dash fuel stop. Second place went to Suzuki Zongshen Team 81 and third to Yamaha Endurance Moto 38.

Both Yamaha GMT94 and Suzuki Castrol made less than perfect starts, and the opening laps were dominated by a battle between Suzuki Zongshen 81, Yamaha Phase One Endurance and Yamaha Endurance Moto 38. Phase One briefly took the lead before Suzuki Castrol and GMT94 caught and passed them.

Yamaha GMT94 riders David Checa and William Costes pressurised Suzuki Castrol’s Vincent Phillipe, Olivier Four and Matthieu Lagrive for the next five and half hours, proving able to match them on lap times but unable to stay out on track as long between fuel stops. The Suzuki’s better fuel consumption looked set to give them an unbeatable advantage over the Yamaha until the crash in the final laps allowed GMT94 through into first place.

The battle for second third and fourth place was just as closely fought; Yamaha Endurance Moto 38 caught and passed Kawasaki Bolliger with only minutes to spare. Yamaha Austria finished fifth and Suzuki Castrol held onto sixth place.

Rider Quotes

David Checa, Yamaha GMT94, first place: “I didn’t know I was in the lead at the end of the race. In the last relay we know that we have a little problem with the gear box, and when I saw the board telling me to go slow I thought maybe it was because of that or the tyres. It wasn’t until I was going up the stairs to the podium that Christophe told me that we had won. At Assen I gave one hundred percent and we finished second and here again I pushed all the time so to finish first was unbelievable. This season I hoped to win with GMT94 so I am very happy.”

William Costes, Yamaha GMT94, first place: “It feels very good to win because this was the first race for everyone here. The track was very good but the weather was difficult and we only had two riders; I feel very good but very tired. The R1 is very good. We have made a lot of improvements to the chassis and now we must work on the efficiency of the engine.”

Stephane Mertens, Suzuki Zongshen Team, second place: “Second place feels good for me, but most importantly for Zongshen – and for Michel Marqueton the race organiser who did very well in world endurance and has now proved that he can organise a race in China. Zongshen have done a fantastic job and I’m proud to give them this present of second place.”

The first international motorsport event to be held in the People’s Republic of China has been a great success for all involved, bringing new levels of competitiveness into the country and broadening the horizons of the World Endurance Championship teams.


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

CRASH RUINS SUZUKI ENDURANCE WIN

A crash in the closing stages of the World Endurance Championship in Zhuhai, China halted Team Castrol Suzuki’s chances of increasing its series lead.

The French SERT trio of Vincent Phillipe, Olivier Four and Matthieu Lagrive had kept their Suzuki GSX-R1000 ahead at the five-hour mark until disaster struck, allowing Yamaha GMT94 and Zongshen 81 Suzuki through.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

250cc Grand Prix Race Results From Jerez:

1. Roberto ROLFO, Honda, 26 laps, 52:20.145
2. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, -8.740 seconds
3. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, -32.623 seconds
4. Anthony WEST, Aprilia, -32.844 seconds
5. Alex DEBON, Honda, -58.884 seconds
6. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, -63.950 seconds
7. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, -65.322 seconds
8. Arnaud VINCENT, Aprilia, -68.923 seconds
9. Gregory LEFORT, Aprilia, -107.081 seconds
10. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, -109.191 seconds
11. Alex BALDOLINI, Aprilia, -115.028 seconds
12. Toni ELIAS, Honda, -121.756 seconds
13. Hugo MARCHAND, Aprilia, -1 lap
14. Johan STIGEFELT, Aprilia, -1 lap
15. Taro SEKIGUCHI, Yamaha, -1 lap
16. Dirk HEIDOLF GER, Aprilia, -1 lap
17. Hector FAUBEL, Aprilia, -1 lap
18. Jarno RONZONI, Yamaha, -1 lap
19. Radomil ROUS, Aprilia, -1 lap
20. Joan OLIVE, Aprilia, -1 lap
21. Gregory LEBLANC, Aprilia, -2 laps
22. Alvaro MOLINA, Aprilia, -2 laps, DNF, crash
23. Sylvain GUINTOLI, Aprilia, -3 laps, DNF, crash
24. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, -3 laps, DNF, crash (twice)
25. Christian GEMMEL, Honda, -3 laps, DNF, crash
26. Jakub SMRZ, Honda, -9 laps, DNF, retired
27. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, -18 laps, DNF, crash
28. Max SABBATANI, Yamaha, -21 laps, DNF, retired
29. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, -22 laps, DNF, crash
30. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, -23 laps, DNF, crash
31. Eric BATAILLE, Honda, -23 laps, DNF, crash
32. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, -26 laps, DNF, crash

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Provisional Sunday Morning AMA Superstock Practice Times:

1. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:38.491
2. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:38.587
3. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:38.806
4. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.077
5. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:39.227
6. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:39.728
7. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:40.526
8. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:40.612
9. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:40.678
10. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:40.685
11. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:41.108
12. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:41.125
13. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:41.128
14. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:41.147
15. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:41.163

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Aprilia Announces Superbike Team

by Bob Dragich

Aprilia’s Robert Pandya announced that Aprilia would field a Superbike Team in AMA racing with the new 2004 RSV1000 Factory R. The team, named Italica Racing, is owned by Jeff Jensen, director of “High Speed,” a British Film Co. release about World Superbike Racing. During filming, Jensen formed a close relationship with Aprilia, who supplied motorcycles and support for the movie. Attorney David Lewis, who has managed Colin Edwards, Doug Polen, Roberto Guerrero and others, will be the team director. Riders will be Mike Hale and Matt Wait, with AMA paddock veteran Vic Fasola as Crew Chief.

Hale, a former dirt-tracker and 1990’s Camel Pro Rookie of the Year, started his road racing career in 1993 in the AMA Twin Sports class, and went on to rider for Smokin’ Joe’s Honda in 1994. He was runner-up in both the Supersport and Superbike classes in 1995, and went on to race World Superbike in 1996-97. Hale rode for Kenny Roberts’ 500cc GP team in 1999, before turning to NASCAR racing.

Wait won the Twin Sports championship in 1996, beating current American Honda rider Ben Bostrom. In 1998, Wait rode an under-powered V-twin in the 500cc GP Championship Series, a year that Wait would later describe as “a great learning experience.” After a Ducati ride with Fast by Ferracci in 1999, Wait won the Formula USA Grand National Championship in 2002.

Fasola’s career as a sought-after professional road racing mechanic spans 20 years. From 1987 to 1991, Fasola was crew chief for Scott Russell, years in which Russell won four 750cc Supersport championships and was second in the Superbike class three times. In 1992, Fasola was crew chief for Doug Polen when he won the World Superbike Championship. From 1999 to 2002, Fasola was crew chief for Aaron Yates, first with Muzzy Kawasaki and then with Yoshimura Suzuki, with the highlight being Yates’ 600cc Supersport Championship in 2002.

Hale, who smiled broadly throughout the press confidence, said, “I’m looking forward to the opportunity and challenge of riding the Aprilia.”

According to team officials, the team would debut some time in June, but they did not say at which round.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday’s MotoGP Qualifying Times:

1. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 1:46.997
2. Troy BAYLISS, Ducati, 1:48.224
3. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, 1:48.359
4. Alex BARROS, Honda, 1:48.533
5. Shane BYRNE, Aprilia, 1:50.058
6. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Aprilia, 1:50.283
7. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 1:50.311
8. Norick ABE, Yamaha, 1:51.077
9. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 1:51.166
10. Marco MELANDRI, Yamaha, 1:51.409
11. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, 1:51.657
12. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 1:52.276
13. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 1:52.756
14. Carlos CHECA, Yamaha, 1:52.934
15. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 1:52.935
16. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 1:53.136
17. Michel FABRIZIO, Harris WCM, 1:54.007
18. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 1:54.342
19. Kurtis ROBERTS, Proton, 1:54.418

Not qualified (Out 107%) 1:54.486

20. Neil HODGSON, Ducati, 1:54.524
21. Nobuatsu AOKI, Proton, 1:54.853
22. Colin EDWARDS, Honda, 1:55.824
23. Ruben XAUS, Ducati, 1:56.466
24. Chris BURNS, Harris WCM, 1:58.332

Crashes: Burns

Final Combined MotoGP Qualifying Results:

1. ROSSI, Yamaha, 1:40.818
2. GIBERNAU, Honda, 1:41.198
3. CHECA, Yamaha, 1:41.427
4. BIAGGI, Honda, 1:41.546
5. TAMADA, Honda, 1:41.631
6. NAKANO, Kawasaki, 1:41.645
7. HAYDEN, Honda, 1:41.911
8. EDWARDS, Honda, 1:42.000
9. BARROS, Honda, 1:42.141
10. ROBERTS, Suzuki, 1:42.312
11. MELANDRI, Yamaha, 1:42.479
12. XAUS, Ducati, 1:42.945
13. HOPKINS, Suzuki, 1:42.954
14. HOFMANN, Kawasaki, 1:43.004
15. CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 1:43.008
16. BYRNE, Aprilia, 1:43.024
17. BAYLISS, Ducati, 1:43.349
18. HODGSON, Ducati, 1:43.627
19. McWILLIAMS, Aprilia, 1:43.730
20. ABE, Yamaha, 1:44.058
21. AOKI, Proton, 1:44.536
22. ROBERTS, Proton, 1:45.899

Not qualified (Out of 107%)

23. FABRIZIO, Harris WCM, 1:48.485
24. BURNS, Harris WCM, 1:48.602