From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

FIRST INTERNATIONAL WIN FOR DUCATI 749R SUPERSPORT

Bologna (Italy), 27 April 2004: MonsterMob Ducati Supersport rider Michael Laverty moved into the lead of the British Supersport Championship after a superb debut victory on the 749 at Snetterton on Sunday.

Laverty becomes the first rider to take Ducati’s all-new 749R to a win in the Supersport category. His victory came at the end of a superb fight-back through the field after he finished the first lap in eleventh place.

The 22-year-old from Toomebridge, Northern Ireland snatched the lead with three laps to go but the race was red-flagged a lap short after an accident. However, Laverty was in the lead when the race was stopped and as a result took his second victory in three years at the Norfolk circuit:

“I had an awful first lap and dropped back to 11th but I rode a steady race and picked them off one by one as I didn’t want to try too hard early on. I never thought I would get through to the front but I was strong at the end of the race. The bike was brilliant and the tyres were good and it all just worked out for me” said a delighted Laverty.

The 749R Supersport, which was unveiled to the international press at Valencia at the end of February during the presentation of the 749R streetbike, from which the racing version is derived, is already obtaining considerable success out on the track.

After three rounds of the World Supersport Championship, one of the most hard-fought and prestigious of all time with the presence of all four Japanese manufacturers together with Ducati, the Ducati Breil rider Lorenzo Lanzi has already obtained some positive results.

The 22-year-old Italian from the province of Romagna has already scored two top 6 finishes, at Valencia (fourth) and Misano (sixth). Laverty’s win with a 749R of Ducati’s satellite structure in Britain, Paul Bird’s MonsterMob team, is a clear indication that the project is on the right track.

Development work on the new bike will now continue on an Italian and international level, starting with the next appointments for Lanzi with the 749R Breil; round 2 of the Italian Supersport Championship, scheduled for May 9 at the Imola circuit, and then in the fourth round of the world championship the following weekend at the Autodromo di Monza.

From a press release:

Sport Bike Night
at HARD ROCK CAFE

Dunlop Tires, Arai Helmets and Alpinestars are proud to present a special SPORT BIKE NIGHT at the HARD ROCK CAFE in downtown Sacramento on Wednesday night, April 28th, from 7 to 9pm.

Join us for a great evening featuring top riders from the upcoming AMA National Road Race at Infineon Raceway. On hand for dinner, bench racing and autograph signing will be TEAM YOSHIMURA SUZUKI’S AARON YATES. Joining Aaron will be TEAM VALVOLINE EMGO SUZUKI’S STEVE RAPP and young Canadian CHRIS PERIS. Also on hand will be 750cc AMA National Road Race winner, TONY MEIRING of ATTACK KAWASAKI.

We will also have ticket representatives from INFINEON RACEWAY who will be offering special ticket packages, that include a lap of the track on Friday, for the weekend’s AMA NATIONAL ROAD RACE SPONSORED BY KAWASAKI.

And, as usual, we will have several lovely members of UMBRELLA GIRLS USA on hand for photos with you or your bike. Don’t be surprised if we have a few “special guests” drop in as well.

The HARD ROCK CAFE is excited to host this special SPORT BIKE NIGHT and will be offering its full dinner and appetizer menu as well as its regular drink service. The doors will open at 6:30pm for SPORT BIKE NIGHT guests. Program starts promptly at 7pm.

Also present will be representatives from GPR Stabilizers, and GALFER BRAKES. D & W IMAGES will also be there offering photos for purchase of your favorite riders.

There will be special motorcycle parking on 7th Street along the side of the HARD ROCK CAFE and any covered parking is free with HARD ROCK CAFE validation.

BEST BIKE AWARD will also be given out.

We will also have information on how you can attend a special screening of the MOTO GP MOVIE FASTER on Thursday and Friday night at Race Place Motorsports

From a press release issued by Telefonica Movistar Honda/Gresini Racing:

Jerez de la Frontera: First European round of the 2004 Championship

GP OF SPAIN: Preview

After the South African GP, the World Road Racing Championship flew back to the old continent for the first European round to be held at Jerez de la Frontera on Sunday, May the 2nd.

The racetrack was built in 1986 and hosted the first edition of MotoGP the following year, in 1987. Since the 1st edition, the Spanish venue is one of the favourite events of the season because of his public and the layout of the track, a technical and balanced track that offers a good variety of short, medium and long turns as well as uphill and downhill braking.

Thanks to his location and the favourable weather conditions, Jerez is one of the most popular venue for testing for bikes and cars. All in all Jerez has hosted 7 editions of F1 championships and 16 editions of MotoGP.

Jerez has two alternative tracks of 4,423 and 4,428 m) and a motocross track of 1,877m built in 1992.

In 2002 the track was renewed, the safety measures were improved (new run off areas and resurfacing of the tarmac) and the facilities – the press room, the control tower and the pit garages – were renovated.

The hills that surround the Andalusian racetrack build a natural amphitheatre that offers an incredible view of the track. With a capacity of 50 thousands seats for a total of 250 thousands spectators, Jerez is one of the best tracks in the world for public facilities. The atmosphere you can experience at Jerez is unique: a hug of more than 200 thousands aficionados packed on the grandstands and the natural hills.

At night the show goes on in town where the fans can show their ability at riding in extempore competitions in the alleys of the town.

The Track

Venue of the World Road Racing Championship since 1987, Jerez de la Frontera is one of the most beloved events of the season: 4,423 m lapped for 25 times in a packed racetrack where more than 200,000 aficionados crowded the grandstands and the public areas of the track for three days.

Jerez in fact has a very good reputation both for his public and the layout of the track. It’s a very balanced racetrack with a little bit of everything – a good selection of short, medium and long turns plus uphill braking and downhill braking – which is why the Spanish venue is so popular for testing.

Sete Gibernau comments for us the Spanish racetrack:

“Firstly I’d like to say that because of the features of this track, it’s very important to find the right setting and a good balance of the bike.

“The front tyre is very important at Jerez, you need the front to turn well and to have a good feeling. The two most important sections of the track are the two last fast rights and right-hander onto the back straight, through there the front needs to do a lot of turning at the same lean angle. The rear tyre is obviously hugely important as well because the big thing is with these bikes is how fast you get on throttle out of corners, to use all that power.

“For me the best overtaking points are the first and the last corner after the back straight, whereas it’s difficult to be fast in the infield (the part of the track that follows the back straight).

“My favourite part of the track is the two last, fast rights. You can always feel when you get them right because the revs are really high and you may touch the rev limiter before the final hairpin. If you do that, and the rest of the lap was good, you know that it’s going to be a fast one.”

Sete Gibernau: A CHANCE OF REVENGE AT THE HOME GP

Sete Gibernau did not disappoint the expectations and at the first round of the 2004 championship he scored the third place of the podium after a spectacular and hard-fought race. Despite some problems at the setting of the bike, Gibernau fought with the first riders lapping at a very high rhythm of 1’33” for two third of the race finishing third.

“I’m satisfied with the result of the South African GP. Fighting for the podium without having found the right setting of the bike, for me it’s like a victory.

“With my team I will try to solve the problems we had at Welkom in order to be very competitive. I have a great confidence in myself and I believe that if we find the right setting I can ride for the win. I have matured a lot At a personal level.

“For a Spanish rider it’s very important to score a good result at the Spanish GP: Jerez is very special, it’s one of the best racetracks in the world not only for the layout of the track. The public there is unique, it’s a home GP I’d like to give a big satisfaction to Spanish aficionados and to all the spectators that come to Jerez for the race”.

COLIN EDWARDS : “MOVE ON TO JEREZ”

“Let’s move on to Jerez”, Colin Edwards looks forward to the race at Jerez where he is determined to do well and to show all his talent.

His first race with Telefonica MoviStar Honda MotoGP colours, was below expectations if we consider the lap time he recorded during the practices on Friday and Saturday at Welkom, where he lapped at a very high rhythm without particularly problems of setting or chattering. During the race instead a problem he had a big problem of chattering and he He just finished seventh, but he couldn’t explain why. Rather, he knew there was a front end bounce holding him back, but he had no idea where it had come from.

“On Saturday everything was perfect. We changed nothing. Same tyres, same everything, same bike. Morning warm-up was good. We didn’t really have much of a problem, not a chatter, but bumps and rough. But today the chattering started since the first lap and it never stopped, the bike didn’t turn That’s easy. But you look on the computer. Whereas the chatter yesterday would be little bits, today it just started miles before it, lots bigger, and ended miles after it. It’s like you’re not even looking at the same bike. There is no explanation. I will study the problem with my mechanics in order to be competitive at Jerez.”

Colin Edwards flew from South Africa directly to Italy where he is going to move with his wife Alyssia and his the 15 months baby, Gracie. In the week before Jerez he is going to move on the new house, located near the Gresini Racing Racing Dept and near the Misano. I’m happy to live in Italy “near the racing dept, near the beach and with the best food in the world”.

He will spend the week also continuing his physical preparation, training with one of the two supermotard that the team put at his riders’ disposal.

THE TEAM’S COMMENT

Fausto Gresini, team manager:

“If we look back to the South African Grand Prix, I can say that this year the championship will be very demanding for everybody. It’s very important to be very strong and fast at every track.

“The first race was though – Sete was very good, he pushed hard and scored the third place despite we hadn’t found the best setting for the bike. I’m happy with this result, the Spaniard demonstrated to be very competitive and we are confident for the next race.

“Colin suffered from a problem of chatter since the first lap and he couldn’t show his talent and all his potential. All in all, I’m confident because the Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda MotoGP has two top riders and we hope that they can demonstrate soon all their potential.”

The team is confident for the GP of Spain. The data we got during the last test session at Jerez will be important for the setting of the bike. We are motivated to do well, the Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda MotoGP is ready for the next challenge to be held at Jerez on the Sunday the 2nd of May.

The squad will test at Jerez with HRC for a two-day test session.

From a press release issued by Infinity Investing:

INFINITY INVESTING AND HOOTER GIRLS INVADE LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEED WAY

HOOTER GIRLS ENTICE RACERS AND AUDIENCE

Las Vegas, NV (May 1 and 2, 2004) — As The USGPRU National Championship Series travels to this desert city for the 3rd round of the 10 round circuit, more than adrenaline and speed will entertain the crowd. The world famous Hooter Girls from the Hooters Las Vegas will be present to sign calendars for all and hold umbrellas for the racers.


WHEN:
Saturday May 1 and Sunday May 2, 2004
All day

WHERE:
Infinity Investing Team Pit
Las Vegas International Speed Way
www.lvms.com
Las Vegas, Nevada

WHO:
Hooters Las Vegas, Hooter Girls
Championship Series Racers


DETAILS:
Fun in the sun, while watching hair raising turns, incredible speeds and the world famous Hooter Girls from the Hooters Las Vegas on Sahara ave.

From a press release issued by Honda Racing Information, in which Valentino Rossi’s win on a Yamaha at Welkom seems to be characterized as “a freak result”:

Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez
May 30, June 1/2 2004

FIRST RACE IN EUROPE KEY TO TITLE AMBITIONS IN ALL CLASSES

Welkom in South Africa, this season’s curtain-raising Grand Prix, is now consigned to the history books, as Jerez looms large this weekend. Many riders believe the World Championship begins for real in Spain at Jerez with round two of this 16-race season. The first race sometimes throws up a freak result due to the unfamiliar nature of Welkom, which is visited only once a year by MotoGP teams (who don’t test there either).

But no matter what the result of the first race, where four Honda RC211Vs came home in the top five, the atmosphere at Jerez when the bikes hit the grid on raceday is seldom matched anywhere in the world for sheer volume and raw energy. More than 150,000 people will pack the Andalucian venue, a natural amphitheatre, for what promises to be one of the high dramas of the 2004 MotoGP series.

Max Biaggi (Camel Honda RC211V) lies second to reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) after a memorable battle with his great rival two weeks ago. The Roman gladiator will be taking the fight to Rossi here in Spain as he tries to close a five point gap on the current points leader with a win.

For Sete Gibernau (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) Jerez represents a chance to stamp his authority on this year’s title chase. He will want no repeat of last year’s race where he fell, throwing away valuable title points. While Alex Barros (Repsol Honda RC211V) will use his vast experience to put pressure on the three riders ahead of him in the title stakes at this stage.

Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) is now a year wiser and the young American can really get his title challenge on track here and turn up the heat on his rivals as the European rounds gather momentum from here on. And Jerez is a typically European track laid using the natural contours of the area to provide a challenging test.

Built in 1986, Jerez hosted its first Grand Prix the following year and has remained on the World Championship calendar ever since. The track is a true measure of rider talent as much as a test of machine performance. Most of the 4.423km track’s corners merge into each other requiring a neat, flowing style from the riders and a solid all-round performance from the motorcycle.

Jerez is a track with a little bit of everything – short, medium and long turns, uphill braking, and downhill braking. The Spanish track is used by many teams for MotoGP testing precisely because of the all-round demands it makes on machine set-up. And it puts a premium on front tyre grip.

Max Biaggi knows this season is his big chance to lift the premier class crown that has so far eluded him. “I like the Jerez track because it’s technical, fairly difficult and very complete,” he said. “In the sense that there are many different types of corner, from rapid sweeps to medium-slow, with a number of pretty abrupt braking points. There are no particular ups and downs but otherwise there’s everything it takes to ensure plenty of fun. The chassis settings are fundamental on this type of track and we’ll certainly be starting out with the ones we used in Welkom which proved to be very effective.”

Barros is equally upbeat. “I’m looking forward to racing at Jerez. My physical condition is coming better all the time. Welkom was a hard race; the most physical effort I have placed on my shoulder since the operation and it was good. Every day I’m stronger. I will need to be to fight for the World Championship this year. The competition will be very tough and every point will be important. The machine felt good at the tests earlier this month and I look forward to the weekend.”

Nicky Hayden is simply itching to get going. “It was great to be back in a race atmosphere again after what seemed like a long winter break,” he said. “It wasn’t the easiest weekend but we got some points and we have to look forward to the next race. Jerez wasn’t great last year. Qualifying was difficult and the bike broke in the race so I didn’t finish – my only non-finish of last year. We tested there a few weeks back and the 2004 bike felt real good – when we were riding, as the weather was so bad. I’ve just got to get my head down this weekend and focus on getting a good result.”

Makoto Tamada (Camel Honda RC211V) riding on Bridgestone tyres is eager to get his season up and running. “I’m anxiously awaiting the second round of the world championship at Jerez. I’m very pleased with the bike, the 2004 RC211V is much more powerful than last year’s but despite this improvement in performance, it’s still very easy to handle and ride. I love the Jerez de la Frontera circuit and I’m hoping to find the right weather conditions so that I can work well. What we’re aiming for is to get the package of bike-plus-new-tyres really balanced so we can stay out in front and make it up to the podium.”

Colin Edwards (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) is ready to meet the challenge head-on. “This is one of the best racetracks in the world,” said the Texan Tornado. “We’ll solve the problems we had at Welkom, and even then we were fighting for a podium, and I think we’ll be very competitive. I’m confident.”

Which leaves home favourite Sete Gibernau to put Jerez in perspective. “You need balance in the settings but the front end is the most important,” he said. “The bike needs to turn well and give you good feeling. There are the two fast rights before the main straight and the bike needs to turn well at a high lean angle. The other big thing is getting the rear set up so you can get on the throttle early out of the turns.”

The 250 class will see Danny Pedrosa (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW) endeavour to repeat his astonishing performance at Welkom where he won first time out on his graduation to the quarter-litre class.”Winning at Welkom was a special experience for us and a happy result but this is a learning year for me in 250 racing,” he said.

“We don’t yet know what the maximum potential is for us in the 250 class. I did 2,000 kilometres in pre-season testing but have had only one race. The team policy is a step by step approach, no pressure and we will keep to our plan. I’m not yet 100% fit, I can walk but not run. I like racing at Jerez and of course love the atmosphere the fans create, it’s like no other in racing. This year will be special for me because so many fans gave me their support while I was recovering during the winter and I will do my best to thank them at Jerez.”

Pedrosa’s teammate, Hiroshi Aoyama, the reigning All Japan 250 Champion, makes his European debut at Jerez, only his second race outside Japan.
“Welkom was my first GP outside Japan and it was so different to anything in the Japanese championship. The racing was absolutely a different experience for me. I am discovering a lot of new things about GP racing. I am racing a prototype machine and constantly testing and evaluating new parts. That’s sometimes good, sometimes not so good. But I have tested at Jerez so I will not lose a day finding a base set up and my way around the track and that will help me. The team has told me how exciting Jerez can be so I’m looking forward to the race.” Said Aoyama.

Roberto Rolfo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) is aiming to keep up his astonishing record of consistency, having scored points in every round last season -and so far this season too. “I like racing the Jerez circuit and the bike ran okay at the IRTA test down there,” said the genial Italian. “But we can see from the Welkom result that we have a lot of work to do before we get there. We have to analyse the performance at Welkom and try and find a base to work from. In South Africa we had a lot of front-end problems. The race will be very hard, that’s for sure.”

Tony Elias (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) said, “We have a lot of work to do before we get to Jerez. It’s a track I like very much and I hope to go well there, not just because we are in Spain. I was not happy after my result at Welkom. The bike ran OK at the IRTA test at Jerez but we will have to make it a lot better before we go there to race. I love the spectators who come to Jerez, they are super enthusiastic and they give me extra motivation.”

Alex Debon (Wurth Honda BQR RS250R) is ready to take on all-comers. “I am very motivated for Jerez after the race in South Africa,” he said. “The bike was great at Welkom the kit is so much better than last year. The engine has more pull and both the frame and suspension are really good. We did good work at the IRTA test and I am confident I will do well at Jerez, I have been fast there in the past.”

In the 125cc category, which is so close to Spain’s sporting heart, Andrea Dovizioso (Team Scot Honda RS125R) leads the point’s standings after his storming win at Welkom. “I like Jerez but it’s a track I never ride well,” he said. “Last year I was ninth but didn’t ride as well as I can. Now with the bike running as well as it is and the Showa suspension working really well in the way I need it to, I will go there ‘with a different head on.’ I will race with much more confidence this time.”

Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) is hoping for a big result here. “I have raced at Jerez four times and I like the circuit, it has a good variety of corners and I have always been able to find a good rhythm at that track. After what happened to me at Welkom I will hope to have a much better race. I was 12th in the Jerez race last year and I’m confident I can improve on that.”

From a press release:

A NEW LOOK FOR AVON’S MOTORCYCLE WEBSITE

Cooper-Avon Tyres Limited has launched their new website geared to motorcycle enthusiasts and buyers of Avon motorcycle tyres.

The site, www.avonmotorcycle.com, provides visitors with an opportunity to select their region of the globe and find the Avon motorcycle tyres available to them. Riders can also access the on-line fitment guide to select the tyre best suited to their modern or classic bikes. They can then use the dealer locator to find their nearest stocking Avon dealer.

Users can also access tyre maintenance tips, which include information on the importance of running tyres at the correct pressures, tread pattern depths and visual inspection of tyres. For the keener enthusiast, there is information on tyre identification, construction, manufacturing and even an insight into a day in the life of a tyre tester. And don’t forget to watch for breaking news on the latest Avon motorcycle tires and developments.

Currently available in English, major European language versions of the site will be available later this year.

Visit www.avonmotorcycle.com and check out the new site.

From a press release issued by Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team:

GAULOISES FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM PREVIEW

Spanish Grand Prix
Jerez, Spain
April 30, May 1-2 2004

WINNING START BOOSTS GAULOISES FORTUNA YAMAHA’S 2004 CAMPAIGN

Having supplied the tools and expertise to allow new signing Valentino Rossi to take a sensational first race win of the season, at the Africa’s Grand Prix on April 18, the Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team enters round two at Jerez in southern Spain riding a wave of confidence. The Factory Team’s recent acquisition of Rossi’s services has delivered success at the first time of asking and the team has been hard at work since, aiming to emulate their recent success this weekend in Jerez.

Jerez, now the venue for the traditional first round MotoGP stop-off in Europe, is always a celebration of MotoGP excess. The enthusiastic and passionate local crowd, some 200,000 strong over a typical weekend, will be paying particular attention the Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha team, containing as it does two of their heroes; global star Rossi and their own ever-popular Spanish compatriot Carlos Checa.

Having performed well in off-season testing, Rossi showed what a hard winter of development on the YZR-M1 could achieve at the first attempt. His form at Welkom was nothing short of dominant, heading up both qualifying sessions on his way to a close-fought but nonetheless emphatic win over his oldest rival in the premier class, Max Biaggi (Honda). The race-long fight was proof that the consistently fast times set in pre-season testing were no fluke and, more importantly, proved the potency of the M1 over a full race distance. It was also a record breaking feat for 25-year-old Rossi, who scored GP win number 60 in all classes, and has become the first premier-class rider ever to win his first race after making a move to a different manufacturer. It was Yamaha’s first premier-class race win since October 2002, in Malaysia.

The impact of the Welkom win for Yamaha sent ripples through the sporting world. Media and fans ran out of superlatives to heap on Rossi, his experienced pitcrew and the M1 development programme, which has been so adroitly pursued by Yamaha since even before the signing of Rossi last winter.

Yamaha MotoGP Technical Director Masao Furusawa and his colleagues realised that the other manufacturers would redouble their efforts to outdo Yamaha and its new signing, in what was already flagged as the most competitive MotoGP season in history. The work carried out over the past few months has nonetheless already reaped a sweet harvest. Rossi and Yamaha top the Riders’ and Manufacturers’ Championship tables respectively, each with 25 points.

The ominous news for Rossi’s rivals is that, while the Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team entered Welkom with data only for the 2003 spec machine, at Jerez Rossi and Checa will both have some degree of experience of the latest evolution M1, gathered at the recent IRTA tests there in early April. The team’s confidence levels will be fuelled even more by the knowledge that Rossi was fastest during that test, with team-mate Carlos Checa in the top four.

The Spaniard found less than smooth qualifying sessions at the Welkom track and eventually finished 10th in the race. Checa now hopes that the mid-race traction concerns that held back his most recent progress on the M1 will be solved quickly in Jerez this weekend. The partisan Spanish crowd will be the tonic Carlos needs as he approaches what is the first of three ‘home’ races for the 31-year-old this season.

ROSSI AIMING FOR REPEAT PERFORMANCE

The fame of Rossi, already a global motorsport icon, was redoubled after his Welkom race win. The laid-back native of the hill town of Tavullia, near the Adriatic coast of Italy, was so overcome with emotion at winning his first ever MotoGP race for Yamaha that he stopped out on track on the slow-down lap and wept tears of pure joy and relief. His comments before Welkom had hinted that a podium prize of any colour would be an achievement of note. To take the ultimate prize at the first attempt was doubly satisfying.

With some distance between him and his most recent day of glory, Rossi stated, “Obviously after our success in Welkom I am really looking forward to Jerez. Our tests went well there so it will be interesting to see if we can be on top for the race as well. It was such a great moment in Welkom but we must not let that stop us from continuing to work as hard when we arrive in Jerez, and at least we already have some experience with the Jerez circuit. It’s a circuit that I like quite a lot, it holds many happy memories for me and also my favourite corner of any track is at Jerez, the last right hand turn before the hairpin.

“We are ahead of where I was expecting us to be at this stage so even more reason why we should not sit back and relax. Welkom was such a close race and the Honda bike and Honda riders are obviously really competitive, there is not much between us. Anyway we will of course be aiming for a podium again, as we will at every race this year.”

CHECA WORKING FOR STRONG HOME RESULT

After some excellent pre-season performances, and much hard work in terms of machine and tyre development, Carlos Checa may have expected more from his latest African adventure.

“Obviously I was very disappointed with the South African race and I was a bit unlucky with the problems I had there,” affirmed Checa, now a London resident. “After the Welkom race I had a meeting with my mechanics and we discussed the reasons behind the problems I had over the weekend. They will decide what the best way forward is and we will work together to make the necessary changes.”

The recent IRTA tests at Jerez may offer some valuable data for Checa’s back-up crew, as he attempts to overturn his recent Welkom ill-fortunes. “In Spain we will start with one bike with the same set-up as we used during the last Jerez test. We will then work from there to find the best race setting. We used a different set-up in South Africa which we won’t use this time. I have had bad luck for the last two years in Jerez and have been unable to finish the races due to problems over which I had no control, so I hope that this time things will be better!”

Checa acknowledges that a home race can be hard work off track as well as on.

“Spain is a bit different; there are friends everywhere and many fans. It is a track I know well and the fans there give me a strong feeling of encouragement; I hope I can give them a good show. I am comfortable at this track and I know the corners and the braking points well. It is also safer than it used to be due to some alterations that have been made to the circuit.”

Checa welcomes the addition of Rossi to the team this year, recognising the potential benefits to his own campaign. “Valentino’s result in Welkom proved that the bike can go faster and, although I don’t want to say I can do the same as him straight away, this provides me with some encouragement. It is in our hands to improve our position and it is my biggest wish to be at a point in Jerez where I can fight at the front.”


DAVIDE BRIVIO LOOKS AT THE BIGGER JEREZ VISTA

“We are very much looking forward to the Jerez Grand Prix, especially after the perfect start to the season from Valentino in Welkom”, said Davide Brivio, Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team Director. “We cannot, however, rest for a moment if we want to keep doing the same. Many people have been asking if it will mean even more pressure in Jerez because we won in Welkom. I don’t think it’s a question of more pressure, as the win has given us a bit more confidence. If anything the win has actually lifted the pressure because we know for sure that we are capable of winning, and that all the hard work we have put into renovating the bike has been in the right direction. We will certainly try to win at every race this season, although that might not be possible as our competitors are so close. It depends on the specific situation at each track.

Brivio acknowledges that the Welkom victory will have had a galvanising effect on the opposition. “For sure everyone is now going to be trying even harder to beat us and they will speed up their development accordingly. We need to work hard to combat their reaction. It won’t be easy but we will try to give both riders the ammunition to win.

Of the circuit itself, Brivio stated, “Jerez is a circuit that Valentino likes a lot. He said that the Welkom circuit was not one of his favourites and then he won there, and he says that the Jerez circuit is one he likes a lot, so hopefully that means he will be up at the front again! Most tracks will be new challenges for Valentino on the M1 apart from the tracks he tested at during the winter, so we’re not sure what to expect. But he rode well at the Jerez IRTA test almost a month ago and hopefully he will do so again. Carlos has not had the start to the year we were hoping for, but we have every confidence in him for Jerez. His IRTA test times were good there and we expect to see him fighting at the top in front of his home fans on Sunday.”


TECHNICALLY SPEAKING

The 4.423 km Jerez circuit may have lost the crown of the most popular testing venue on the calendar but its location and perennial appearance of the MotoGP line-up still makes it a favourite in pre-season.

With the Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha team having tested extensively this season in Malaysia and Australia, the Jerez testing was confined to two weather-affected days during the IRTA Tests. Extensive ‘primary’ safety work, in the form of improved run-off, has been a direct result of the increased power and speed of the current breed of MotoGP machines and is the latest in a string of revamps at the Andalusian circuit.

The Jerez circuit features five left and eight right hand corners, a surprising degree of elevation and to some extent camber changes on what, to the casual observer is a largely flat track layout.

Exactness of line makes precise and repeatable chassis set-up a must, and to make the most of the squirts between corners a clean and predictable throttle response is needed throughout the rev-range. With only a 600m main straight, Jerez is not a long-legged track in the classic mould, but was in the vanguard of more safety-conscious arena-style tracks. Thus absolute horsepower comes into play relatively infrequently, the most important factor being set-up for predictable performance through frequent changes of direction.

Some heavy braking points around the track make that aspect of performance vital to a good race result, while the surface is neither the slickest nor most abrasive on the calendar.

With Jerez a well-known quantity, even from previous seasons, the set-up of the bike is expected to be tuned in relatively quickly, with the fight for pole position expected to be another particularly close one. The pressure to do well in qualifying has been redoubled this season, as MotoGP now features a three-rider grid row, down from the previous four. This qualifying for the front row is a more difficult task by far.


VALENTINO ROSSI: INFORMATION

Age: 25

Lives: London, UK

Bike: Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team YZR-M1

GP victories: 60 (21 X MotoGP, 13 X 500cc, 14 X 250cc, 12 X 125cc)

First GP victory: Czech Republic, 1996 (125cc)

First GP: Malaysia, 1996 (125cc)

GP starts: 125 (33 x MotoGP, 32 x 500cc, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc)

Pole positions: 31
Jerez 2003 results (Honda): Grid: 5th, Race: 1st


CARLOS CHECA: INFORMATION

Age: 31

Lives: London, UK

Bike: Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team YZR-M1

GP victories: 2 (500cc)

First GP victory: Catalunya, 1996 (500cc)

First GP: Europe, 1993 (125cc)

GP starts: 153 (33 x MotoGP, 92 x 500cc, 27 x 250cc, 1 x 125cc)

Pole positions: 2 (1 x MotoGP, 1 x 500cc)

First pole: Spain, 1998 (500cc)

Jerez 2003 results (Yamaha): Grid: 10th, Race: DNF



Jerez MotoGP lap record – Valentino Rossi (Honda) 1:42.788 2003

Circuit best lap – Loris Capirossi (Ducati) 1:41.983 2003

From a press release issued by Camel Honda Racing Information:

Spanish GP – MotoGP

Camel Honda team all set for star role in Spanish GP

In South Africa the Camel Honda team fully lived up to expectations: that of playing a leading role right from the beginning in the battle to win the 2004 MotoGP championship, with its 16 races across five continents. Max Biaggi’s 28 laps at Welkom had millions of spectators around the world in breathless excitement and his satisfaction on the podium, together with that of the technicians, gives a clear indication of the spirit with which the team is now heading towards the cradle of Spanish motorcycling, Jerez de La Frontera, in Andalusia. And great determination also fires Makoto Tamada’s technicians, who in South Africa enabled the rider to make huge progress over the weekend and who are now aiming to provide the swift Japanese with the best bike-tyre package so that he can show off his talent to the full. Jerez is a circuit that many riders in the world championship like – and the two standard bearers of the Camel Honda Team are no exception – not just because it is a fine course, technical, medium-fast and almost always blessed with ideal weather conditions, but also because it is in the beautiful region of Andalusia and on the GP weekend it attracts a huge throng of biking fans.

Max Biaggi #3: (Michelin tyres)

“I like the Jerez track because it’s technical, fairly difficult and very complete, in the sense that there are many different types of corner, from rapid sweeps to medium-slow, with a number of pretty abrupt braking points. There are no particular ups and downs but otherwise there’s everything it takes to ensure plenty of fun. The chassis settings are fundamental on this type of track and we’ll certainly be starting out with the ones we used in Welkom – which proved to be very effective – but of course we’ll be adapting them to the different characteristics of Jerez, and we’ll try to perfect the little details we didn’t have time to work out in South Africa. I’m feeling fully geared up after the race two Sundays ago. I’m highly motivated and I feel ready to work absolutely flat out with Honda and my team in order to get out ahead and achieve the result we’re going for.”

Makoto Tamada #6: (Bridgestone tyres)

“I’m anxiously awaiting the second round of the world championship at Jerez. First of all because I want to improve my performance after the race in South Africa. A good race even so, and an honourable eighth place, but I wasn’t happy about the gap separating me from the leader at the finish. I’m very pleased with the bike, the 2004 RC211V is much more powerful than last year’s but despite this improvement in performance, it’s still very easy to handle and ride. I’m also pleased with the tyres, for new materials are constantly being developed, though I was only able to try out the latest during the weekend in Welkom. After the IRTA tests, when it was almost always raining, I hadn’t gathered all the data I needed to get a complete idea of these new models. So we are going to have to make up for some lost time and the four hours of practice at Jerez will be fundamental. I love the Jerez de La Frontera circuit and I’m hoping to find the right weather conditions so that I can work well. What we’re aiming for is to get the package of bike-plus-new-tyres really balanced so that we can achieve the level of competitiveness that will let us stay out in front and make it up to the podium.”

Jerez circuit


2003 podium
1. V. Rossi (Honda)
2. M. Biaggi (Honda)
3. T. Bayliss (Ducati)

2003 Pole Position
L. Capirossi (Ducati-2003)
1:41.983

Official Record
V. Rossi (Honda – 2003)
1:41.983

No. of laps
27 (119.421 km)

MotoGP race time:
14:00 (GMT + 1)
*Greenwich Mean Time + 1 hour


Features
Length: 4,423 m
Width: 11 m
Right-handers: 8
Left-handers: 5
Built in: 1986
Modifications: 1994

From a press release issued by Deeley Harley Davidson Canada and RACE:

2004 CANADIAN THUNDER RACING SERIES

From Buell (Deeley Harley Davidson Canada) and RACE Events Inc. Shannonville Mortorsports Park

The Canadian Thunder Racing Series was first started in 2002 and was designed to provide a competitive arena for modern air-cooled Twins. Since that time, the series has involved many brands including Buell, Ducati, BMW and Motoguzzi. With Thunder racing at both Shannonville and Mosport, a wide variety of competitors have been able to participate and bring the sound of air-cooled excitement to tens of thousands of spectators.

For 2004, the Canadian Thunder Racing Series will have official undercard status for three national Parts Canada Superbike Championship race dates, the first time ever for the series. These dates will be sanctioned by PMP and RACE and they will consist of four dates at Shannonville and two dates at Mosport with a doubleheader for a total of seven races. Attendance for the six weekends is estimated to be a minimum of 40-50,000 spectators. In addition, two of the respective dates will be in conjunction with the Vintage Road Racing Association 10th Anniversary and the RACE 25th.