From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

SEASON-ENDING AMA CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT TO BE TELECAST THIS WEEKEND

ESPN2 to Broadcast Final 250 Round Sunday at 1 p.m. EST

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Sept. 5, 2003) — Round 11 of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship (250 class) will air on ESPN2 Sunday, Sept. 7. The 125 race will air one week later Sunday, Sept. 14. Additionally, each race will be re-aired.

The event from Steel City Raceway in Delmont, Pa., was supposed to be the penultimate round in the series. Unfortunately, the final round was cancelled due to excessive rains and flooding at the facility set to host the last event, Kenworthy’s Motocross Park in Troy, Ohio. As the Troy event had already been postponed once for the same reasons, extending the season even longer was impossible.

Both the 125 and 250 championships were decided at Steel City.

Original and repeat airtimes are as follows (All times EST. Check local listings):

9/7/03, Sunday, 1 p.m.: 250 class original broadcast

9/14/03, Sunday, 1 p.m.: 125 class original broadcast

9/18/03, Thursday, 5 p.m.: 250 class re-air

9/19/03, Friday, 5 p.m.: 125 class re-air

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Lavilla Takes Provisional Pole at Assen

A crash by wild card Austrian Karl Truchsess (Yamaha YZR-R1) in the final minutes of the first Superbike qualifying practice caused a red flag with just over three minutes left in the hour. This created a mad-dash last lap when qualifying was resumed, and produced a quickest lap of 2:02.603 by Spain’s Gregorio Lavilla (Alstare Corona Suzuki GSX-R1000) with Chris Walker (HM Plant Ducati), Neil Hodgson (Ducati Fila) and Pier Francesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) completing the Friday provisional front row.

“The times were so slow this morning that I wondered if it was the track,” said Lavilla, “but then I made some suspension changes and put in a section time that was 0.6 of a second quicker. The lap time was poor because I was balked, but I knew which way to go. The quick lap on qualifying tires was good, but I am happier about the good feeling from the bike when the track temperature got up to 24 degrees. If it stays dry I think we can improve.”

Fifth was Ruben Xaus (Fila Ducati) with Ivan Clementi on the Bertocchi Kawasaki ZX-7RR a surprising sixth in front of Regis Laconi (NCR Ducati) and James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati.)

Toseland sat out the final last-minute sprint.

In Supersport qualifying Championship leader Chris Vermeulen and Karl Muggeridge were first and second on their Ten Kate Hondas clocking times of 2:05.736 and 2:05.921, with Stephane Charpentier third on his Flaffi Honda. Then came the three men who still have an outside of taking the title from Vermuelen (who leads by 37 points): Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Belgrada Yamaha) and the two Alstare Coronas Suzukis of Katsuaki Fujiwara and Stephane Chambon.

Both Vermuelen and Muggeridge were under the lap record of 2:06.077 set last year by Vermuelen.

Forecast for tomorrow is dry and sunny but there is a threat of rain for Sunday.



More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

HODGSON AND XAUS (DUCATI FILA) THIRD AND FIFTH IN ASSEN FRIDAY QUALIFYING

Assen (Netherlands), Friday 5 September: Neil Hodgson (Ducati Fila) started off this weekend’s crucial Dutch round of the World Superbike championship in fine style with provisional third place in Friday qualifying at the Assen TT Circuit.

The 29-year-old British rider, who needs just 10 points to clinch this year’s title, was quickest throughout the morning’s free practice session on his Ducati 999 F03 and topped the timesheets on race tyres until three minutes from the end of first qualifying, which was interrupted when a slower rider crashed. With all riders then on qualifying tyres, Neil was edged out of the top two places by Lavilla and Walker.

“Everything felt good, it was great to be back on the bike after such a long break” declared Neil. “The bike feels hard round here because it’s a physical track, but luckily I’ve done a lot of training recently. My 999 is quite smooth through the corners but there is certainly a bit more to come. It probably won’t improve the lap times much, because the bike just feels harder to move around than last year. I didn’t really ride too well in the last couple of minutes because I had spent most of the time on race tyres. The plan tomorrow is to try more tyres and do race distance as always. Obviously I’ve had a lot on my mind recently but now it feels fantastic to be back on the bike again, and I know I’ve got a job to do this weekend”.

Team-mate Ruben Xaus said he felt a little rusty after the five-week break but was convinced that there was more to come on the second Fila Ducati 999.

“It wasn’t easy because I felt a bit rusty after the holidays and not riding the bike” said Ruben. “It’s more a question of set-up and reaction to fast corners, because I spent the summer riding supermoto bikes and it’s not easy to get back into the swing, with the Assen corners coming at you one after another. I find the rear a bit stiff and not reacting, but I’m sure we can solve that problem and then we can be good. If we can find a tenth everywhere I know we can be up at the front because last year I did 2:01 easily. It’ll come tomorrow, I feel sure”.

TIMES: 1. Lavilla (Suzuki) 2:02.603; 2. Walker (HM Plant Ducati) 2:02.736; 3. Hodgson (Ducati Fila) 2:02.834; 4. Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) 2:03.112; 5. Xaus (Ducati Fila) 2:03.137; 6. Clementi (Kawasaki) 2:03.370; 7. Laconi (NCR Ducati) 2:03.539; 8. Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) 2:03.553


More, from a press release issued by FGSport:

RED FLAG CHANGES QUALIFYING FORTUNES

A high speed crash for Austrian privateer Karl Truchsess, in the final minutes of the first one hour qualifying session at Assen, caused the red flag to be brought out with just three minutes remaining – just enough time for the field to fit qualifying rubber and go for one final flying lap.

Almost all of the top contenders took advantage of this situation, with many riding in groups to help their lap times, thanks to the use of slipstreaming improving their combined top speeds.

The biggest benefactor from this unexpected turn of events proved to be Gregorio Lavilla (Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000), who took provisional pole with a time of 2:02:603. With a good set-up already Lavilla has firmly installed himself into the position of one of the pre-race favourites.

A major re-shuffle of the order before the red flag incident saw Chris Walker jump up to second place on his HM Plant Ducati, with the Englishman the first of many Ducati runners.

Neil Hodgson (Fila Ducati 999 F03) lost out in the last minute blast around the 6.027km Assen track, after he was demoted from fastest to third fastest overall – all at a meeting he is expecting to leave with the status of World Champion.

One rider who has already beaten Hodgson in a race situation this season is Pierfrancesco Chili and he took his PSG-1 Ducati 998 RS to fourth place, the final position on the provisional front row. Hodgson’s team-mate Ruben Xaus, the only man with a mathematical chance of preventing Hodgson’s victory celebrations, was fifth fastest.

A surprise package, Ivan Clementi (Kawasaki Bertocchi ZX-7RR) took his four-cylinder 750ccc machine to an excellent sixth, running among the fast group on the last lap.

Sixth fastest man was Regis Laconi (Caracchi NCR Nortel Ducati 998RS) ahead of deposed second fastest qualifier James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati 998 F02) who did not manage to set a lap in the last portion of the session.

All the top eight riders finished within one second of provisional pole and the first man over that margin was young Brit wild card Leon Haslam, son of British star Ron. Another British Superbike regular John Reynolds (Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000) rode to tenth, despite suffering a crash. Twenty-nine of the 32 entrants are currently in a qualifying position. Truchsess, who suffered severe contusions on his back, continues to undergo medical checks but his conditions is not described as serious. Another faller, Vittorio Iannuzzo (Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000) was sent for a scan after suffering a concussion.

In the World Supersport Championship, the runaway leader Chris Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) set a new track best Supersport time with his 2:05.736, enough to easily secure the provisional pole position. One day remains for the Supersport pack to set their best times in qualifying but already Vermeulen and his Ten Kate team-mate and Aussie countryman Karl Muggeridge have set an immaculate pace out front.

Next closest challenger at the fast Assen circuit is Sebastien Charpentier (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) with a best time of 2:06 630 – almost a second shy of Vermeulen. Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha Belgarda R6), put one non-Honda on the overnight front row.

Katsuaki Fujiwara (Alstare Suzuki GSX-R600) went fifth fastest, closely followed by his team-mate Stephane Chambon. Local man Barry Veneman (Esha Kobutex Honda TKR) ripped his way to seventh with former Dutch Championship contender and multiple WSS race winner Iain Macpherson in eighth.


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

GREGORIO LEADS THE FIELD!

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Gregorio Lavilla ended the first day of qualifying on top of the world! His time of 2:02.603 was over a tenth of a second quicker then his nearest rival and good enough to put him on provisional pole position. Second fastest today was Briton Chris Walker (Ducati), with fellow countryman Neil Hodgson (Ducati), third. Italian Frankie Chili – also Ducati mounted -completes the provisional front row of the grid.

Gregorio’s team mate Vittorio Iannuzzo suffered two heavy falls and was taken to hospital for a precautionary check up. No bones appeared to have been broken, but Iannuzzo gave his head a bit of a bang in the second crash, so it was decided to go to hospital to make sure everything was OK. He only finished five laps in the afternoon timed session before his crash so ended the day nineteenth on the leaderboard.

GREGORIO LAVILLA – 1st, 2:02.603
Today was a good start and I’m very happy to be the fastest rider out there. Everything went very well today and although I was on the limit on my fast lap, it wasn’t anything crazy. I had a good tyre and I made a good lap. I’m happy for myself and also for my team, especially as it’s been a long time since the last race – it shows that I haven’t forgotten how to ride a bike! We have a few ideas to try out tomorrow – nothing major – just to see if we can make my job a bit easier. We knew Assen would probably suit my Alstare Suzuki and so far it’s gone well. Now let’s see what tomorrow (and Superpole) brings.

Friday qualifying
1 GREGORIO LAVILLA (E-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA) 2;02.603, 2 Walker (GB-Ducati) 2:02.736, 3 Hodgson (GB-Ducati) 2:02.834, 4 Chili (I-Ducati) 2:03.112, 5 Xaus (E-Ducati) 2:03.137, 6 Clementi (I-Kawasaki) 2:03.370, 19 VITTORIO IANNUZZO (I-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 2:06.677


More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist:

TROY HAPPY

Troy spent the day learning the revised Assen circuit and was happy to get into the 2:04s at the end of the first day of qualifying. Despite only setting the day’s thirteenth quickest time, Troy and his Petronas FP1 team were satisfied with their work today and are looking forward to improving tomorrow. Troy is pleased with the new engine modifications and will be pushing a lot harder in tomorrow’s two sessions and in the Superpole shoot-out. Today’s fastest lap was posted by Spaniard Gregorio Lavilla (Suzuki) – the first time he has been on provisional pole this season. Second is Briton Chris Walker (Ducati), with fellow countryman Neil Hodgson (Ducati) third. Completing the front row of the grid is Italian Frankie Chili – also Ducati mounted.

TROY – 13th, 2:04.865
It’s a good job I’m not superstitious! But I’m not concerned about where I ended up today, I was just happy to break the 2:04 barrier. I haven’t raced here for a couple of years and since then the track has been revised a bit. I think I could’ve gone a bit quicker, but a slow rider held me up, otherwise it might have been a low 2:04 instead. I really only started remembering what Assen is all about towards the end of the second session, so I’m satisfied with what we achieved today. Tomorrow we’ll try a few things – different rear shock and gearing for a start. I’m in between gears in some corners and although we made some alterations today, I feel that we can improve a bit more. The engines mods have helped getting rid of a flat spot in the power curve and I think the bike has definitely improved a little. The front Michelin feels pretty good, but I’ve still got a few rears to try. We’ll see how it all pans out tomorrow.


More, from a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

Walker’s last minute dash

The huge buzz of expectation at the Dutch round of the Superbike World Championship at Assen centres on the crowning of Neil Hodgson as World Champion. However, while the runaway series leader was fastest for most of today’s free practice and first qualifying sessions, it looks likely that he will be under threat from his previous team – HM Plant Ducati – as he has been for most of this year.

Hodgson’s fellow Brits Chris Walker and James Toseland have finished second and eighth on the provisional grid for Sunday’s two Superbike races. The HM Plant Ducati riders may be out of the reckoning for the title but they are focussing on their personal goals in the remaining three rounds of the championship.

Toseland in particular has much to play for and is only 19 points behind Ruben Xaus in the battle for second place. The 22-year-old Sheffield star won his first World Superbike race this year and has come of age in his third year of racing in the series for GSE Racing/HM Plant Ducati.

However, the times at the end of the first day do him an injustice. He was second in the closing stages of the session, when the red flag was shown due to an incident involving one of the wild card riders. With only three minutes remaining, he opted to sit out the quick two-lap dash to the chequered flag.

“I’m really happy with how I’ve performed today,” said Toseland. “I was second for nearly all of the first qualifying session, having set my time on race tyres. There was no point in me wasting a qualifying tyre with dry weather forecast for tomorrow. We’ve got some more tyres to test but we’re looking at a good race set-up from the outset.”

Team-mate Chris Walker moved onto the provisional front row behind Gregorio Lavilla, relegating Hodgson to third. “I opted to use a qualifying tyre in the closing moments of qualifying and it paid off,” said the popular Nottingham rider.

“This is the first time that I have ridden a Ducati at Assen and so I’m having to put the work in to get the bike set up to my liking. It’s going well so far and I’m confident of making further progress tomorrow. Like all the British riders, I’m looking forward to the support we’re going to enjoy over the weekend – let’s hope that we can give them some results to cheer about.”


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

Progress for Foggy PETRONAS Racing on first day at Assen

Foggy PETRONAS Racing riders Troy Corser and James Haydon made progress throughout the first day of qualifying for the tenth round of the World Superbike championship at Assen, Holland. On the team’s first visit to the fast and flowing circuit, both riders had to learn the new back section of the circuit, in use for only the second year.

Troy shaved 1.5 seconds off his morning practice time to finish the afternoon session in 13th with a time of 2:04.865, 2.262 seconds off the pace set by Gregorio Lavilla. James also improved his morning time by more than three seconds with a best lap of 2:08.030.

Troy said: “I was happy to get down into the 4s by the end of the qualifying session. On my flying lap I was trying to get a tow from Chili but we came up behind a slower rider. Frankie got past him, I didn’t, and he was away. I’m only now really starting to remember where the track goes, and the new section is a little bit tricky. Its first chicane is easy but the long right and left section is very fast and I still need to find the right spot where to turn in.

“I have been playing with the rear shock and am still not 100 per cent happy with the setting yet. I have also changed the gearing and am still in between gears in some corners, although the changes have helped. The modifications to the engine seem to have got rid of a flat spot in the power curve. The front Michelin tyre feels pretty good but the track was a little bit dirty, so I still have a few rears to try.”

James said: “We have made steps forward and one particular rear made a big difference. It was a real shame that the session was stopped for a red flag with just three minutes remaining, as I was on a hot lap on a qualifier. When I went back out there was too much traffic. I still need to change where I am riding the track slightly. You can take 1.5 seconds off your time with just tiny improvements at each corner here.”


More, from a press release issued by Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks:

Assen opens the final stage of World Superbike

The 6027 meters of Assen circuit, in The Netherlands, guest the World Superbike riders for the tenth round, after stop for summer holidays longer as a month. Assen guested the Superbike Circus in a splendid weather, light sun and ideal temperature, also if weather forecast for tomorrow say that we’ll have sky partly cloudy and possibility of light rain in the late afternoon, just in time for the possibility of a wet Superpole.

Regis Laconi is arrived in Assen with the left hand thumb wrapped for an injury suffered in a small accident riding during a training on his enduro motorbike, but the French rider of 998RS Ducati Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks immediately reassured the team about his physical condition and started quick his work to reach the best set up for the two 16 laps races next Sunday.

“I’m rather satisfied.” – said Laconi at the end of practices – “I felt a bit rusty after the holidays pause in the first morning practice session this morning, but very quick ether myself as the team got the correct pace. As fastest lap we could be better, no doubts, because today we concentrate in a long job looking for the best set up: Assen is a fast bike and requests a good pace, with the corners coming at you very fast, one after another, left and right. The bike looks quite good, but it isn’t still perfect, but I’m confident to solve all the problems tomorrow and the we may be good. My thumb? It’s nothing serious and I have any pain. Physically I’m in a perfect shape.”

David Garcia, 25th birthday for him today and the Spanish rider has been celebrated by the team, is quite satisfied too, also if his left arm is not in a good shape.

“Well, this first day has not been too bad. ” – told Garcia at the end of the day – “For sure I could be faster: at the end of qualifying session I was fast in the split time, then I’ve done a mistake in a corner and I’ve lost a lot of time. My arm works better and better as in Laguna Seca, I feel stronger. Here in Assen therefore, in I’m better in braking, I have some difficult to move the bike in the corners series, so tomorrow we’ll try to find a set up less hard for riding and easier in the corners.”



Sidecar qualifying at Assen, from a press release:

WEBSTER QUICKEST AT ASSEN

Steve Webster and Paul Woodhead picked their moment to perfection to record provisional pole after Friday’s combined qualifying at Assen, Holland in rounds seven and eight of the 2003 Superside World championship.

Webster said: “There were a lot of guys out there. I waited two minutes for the track to clear and managed to put in a fast lap.”

The eight times world champion improved on his early morning time by almost two seconds but was pushed hard by Steve Abbott and Jamie Biggs. Jörg Steinhausen and Trevor Hopkinson posted the third quickest time.

“I am pleased. We ran a new engine this morning and it’s ok,” said reigning world champion Steve Abbott, who currently sits in fourth place in the championship standings with 62 points.

Tom Hanks and Phil Biggs were fourth with crowd favourites, Martien and Tonnie van Gils in fifth. Klaus Klaffenböck and Christian Parzer – second in the overall standings, six points adrift of Webster and Woodhouse – registered the sixth quickest time.


Superside World championship – Assen, Holland

1. Steve Webster, Suzuki, 2:10.976
2. Steve Abbott, Suzuki, 2:11.633
3. Jörg Steinhausen, Suzuki, 2:12.536
4. Tom Hanks, Yamaha, 2:13.783
5. Martien van Gils, Suzuki, 2:14.472
6. Klaus Klaffenböck, Yamaha, 2:16.149
7. Jock Skene, Suzuki, 2:16.377
8. Bill Philp, Yamaha, 2:16.978
9. Jean-Nöel Minguet, Suzuki, 2:17.790
10. Richard Gatt, Yamaha, 2:17.928

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning MotoGP Practice Times:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 1:40.101
2. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 1:40.561
3. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 1:40.682
4. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 1:40.904
5. Tohru Ukawa, Honda, 1:41.000
6. Max Biaggi, Honda, 1:41.190
7. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 1:41.219
8. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 1:41.550
9. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, 1:41.614
10. Alex Barros, Yamaha, 1:41.759
11. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:41.902
12. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 1:42.142
13. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha, 1:42.227
14. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha, 1:42.504
15. Colin Edwards, Aprilia, 1:42.608
16. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton, 1:42.719
17. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:42.828
18. Garry McCoy, Kawasaki, 1:42.853
19. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, 1:42.954
20. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton, 1:43.189
21. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, 1:43.902
22. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 1:44.224
23. Chris Burns, Harris WCM, 1:45.548
24. David De Gea, Harris WCM, 1:45.594

Friday Morning 250cc Grand Prix Practice Times:

1. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:43.220
2. Sebastian Porto, Honda, 1:43.685
3. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 1:43.698
4. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:43.896
5. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:43.948
6. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:44.114
7. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 1:44.139
8. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:44.317
9. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:44.472
10. Anthony West, Aprilia, 1:44.747
11. Johan Stigefelt, Aprilia, 1:45.607
12. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, 1:45.911
13. Christian Gemmel, Honda, 1:45.941
14. Dirk Heidolf, Aprilia, 1:46.160
15. Alex Debon, Honda, 1:46.316
16. Alex Baldolini, Aprilia, 1:46.321
17. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, 1:46.413
18. Jakub Smrz, Honda, 1:46.613
19. Eric Bataille, Honda, 1:46.703
20. Joan Olive, Aprilia, 1:46.838

27. Katja Poensgen, Honda, 1:49.302.


Friday Morning 125cc Grand Prix Practice Times:

1. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 1:47.784
2. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 1:48.137
3. Simone Corsi, Honda, 1:48.186
4. Stefano Perugini, Aprilia, 1:48.266
5. Hector Barbera, Aprilia, 1:48.330
6. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 1:48.401
7. Jorge Lorenzo, Derbi, 1:48.492
8. Mika Kallio, KTM, 1:48.554
9. Roberto Locatelli, KTM, 1:48.598
10. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 1:48.915
11. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 1:49.027
12. Thomas Luthi, Honda, 1:49.035
13. Arnaud Vincent, Aprilia, 1:49.103
14. Gabor Talmacsi, Aprilia, 1:49.103
15. Mirko Giansanti, Aprilia, 1:49.247
16. Marco Simoncelli, Aprilia, 1:49.276
17. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:49.424
18. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 1:49.430
19. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, 1:49.653
20. Youichi Ui, Gilera, 1:49.791

From a press release issued by Triumph:

Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd. announced today that senior executive, Mike Vaughan has resigned from Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd. to pursue other career opportunities.

“Triumph gratefully recognizes Vaughan’s five years of dedication to Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., and applauds his many accomplishments,” stated Mark Brady, General Manager of Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd.

“Over the past six months, Triumph has conducted a major corporate strategic review and we have strengthened our marketing efforts by building a strong central marketing team to manage all aspects of Triumph’s business,” Brady said. “We look forward to taking these achievements to the next level.”

With its rich legacy, current state-of-the-art technology and modern styling, Triumph is one of the most famous names in motorcycling on the streets today. In August, the company unveiled Triumph’s new power cruiser – the Rocket III – the first cruiser to break the 2-liter barrier and the biggest standard production motorcycle being built. Today, Triumph has a line of thirteen motorcycles that are distributed throughout the world. These motorcycles come with nine different frames and five engine configurations ranging from twins, to triples, to four cylinders – all designed and built at the Hinckley facility. The company plans to launch other exciting new bikes in the near future.

Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triumph Motorcycles, Ltd., the manufacturer of Triumph motorcycles and accessories. Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., is located in Newnan, GA and services the Triumph dealer organization throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America.

From a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:

MAT MLADIN DONATES RACE WINNING LEATHERS TO JAMIE BROCKMAN APPEAL ON eBAY

On hearing the news of the injuries received by young Australian motocross rider Jamie Brockman, former Australian and three-times American Superbike champion Mat Mladin has undertaken to support an appeal for the injured rider by donating a set of his race winning leathers and placing them on eBay with all proceeds going to the Jamie Brockman Foundation.

Brockman, who hails from Western Australia and has been racing motocross in America for the past three seasons, suffered spinal injuries and remains in a serious condition after a race fall while competing at the Spring Creek (Millville, Minnesota) round of the American AMA Motocross Championship on August 17.

“I have just found out about Jamie Brockman and the injuries that have left him as a quadriplegic,” said Mladin. “No-one likes to hear about these sorts of things happening and I felt that it would be an appropriate cause to make a donation to.”

The leathers which Mladin will be placing on eBay are those that he wore when he won AMA Superbike races at Laguna Seca, Mid-Ohio double-header and
Virginia.

Auction details:
The Auction is setup to start Friday, September 5 at 6:00pm (USA, Pacific Time) and will run for 10 days. All funds will be forwarded to the Jamie Brockman Foundation.

The item will be on eBay under: Mat Mladin 2003 Agv Sport Leathers and will be placed under the SPORTS category. Item number is 2751485764.

http://www.ebay.com

Messages of support:
For those wishing to send messages and cards expressing support for Jamie, they can be sent to the following address:
Jamie Brockman Foundation
Staybridge Suites
1211 Second St
SW Rochester Minnesota
USA 55902

http://www.jamiethejet.com



Mat Mladin on the podium at the Laguna Seca round of the AMA Superbike Championship, wearing the leathers that will be placed on eBay this week.

From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

VERMEULEN AND CBR600RR CHASE ASSEN GLORY

Honda’s Chris Vermeulen is in position to secure the World Supersport championship title ­ should events run his way in Sunday’s ninth round of the series at Assen in Holland.

Vermeulen heads nearest challenger Jurgen van den Goorbergh by 37 points but is well aware that the experienced Dutchman will be seeking victory and 25 points on home soil.

“Assen is a special place for me too,” revealed Vermeulen. “My grandfather’s Dutch, my Ten Kate team is based about 30 miles down the road and it’s where I made my World Supersport debut.

“It’s a tricky one for me this weekend. I’ve got everything I need to win the race ­ especially after some good testing at Assen this year ­ but I’ve got to make sure I don’t make mistakes and must leave on Sunday night with a similar points advantage.”

Vermeulen is also looking to secure a fifth win of the year for the new CBR600RR Honda. The machine has won in Australia, Italy, Germany and Great Britain. Suzuki took victory in Spain and Great Britain (2) while Kawasaki won the San Marino round and Yamaha ran out victorious in Japan.

Vermeulen’s Ten Kate Honda team-mate Karl Muggeridge is as determined as he has ever been to lift a second World Supersport race win ­ his last coming at Brands Hatch in 2000, also on a Ten Kate Honda.

“We’re in very good shape,” Muggeridge admitted. “Gerrit ten Kate has put a lot of effort into machine development since the last round at Brands Hatch. I’ve done a lot of miles around Assen this year and I want to win on Sunday
for the team.”

Broc Parkes and Christophe Cogan have taken their CBR600RRs to 11th and 12th places respectively but, sadly, the pair will be missing from the Assen action due to their BKM team¹s withdrawal from the championship, for financial reasons.

Klaffi Honda’s Sebastien Charpentier has been a revelation since his introduction to the championship in round four. The Frenchman, third in the last round at Brands Hatch, lies 13th in the championship and is looking to Assen for further success.

“I love the Assen circuit and while all of the attention will be on the Ten Kate Honda team and perhaps Jurgen van den Goorbergh I’d like to think I can steal a result!” said Charpentier.

Charpentier is joined in the Klaffi Honda squad by Austrian Robert Ulm who currently holds 15th place in the championship.

Ulm commented: “I’m really looking forward to the Assen event. I really like the track and it will be good to race again after a five-week break. I
managed to contest two Supermoto races in that break so I’ve had some time on a machine.”

The Van Zon Honda pairing of Iain MacPherson and Werner Daemen also arrive at Assen with improved, Ten Kate-prepared motors and Scotsman MacPherson is looking for a least a repeat of his runner-up finish in last year’s race.

“We’ve got the new motors and I’m over the injuries I suffered in a Magny-Cours test crash a couple of weeks ago,” explained MacPherson. “I’ve
got more than enough experience around Assen to win so I’ll be going all out.”

Daemen said: “We’ve had some good track time at Assen this year so I’m going there in confident mood for what I hope will be my best finish of the year so far.”

The Assen World Supersport action gets under way on Friday with a 45-minute free practice followed by a 45-minute qualifying session in the afternoon. That schedule is repeated on Saturday and Sunday’s 16-lap race starts at 1.20pm.

From a press release issued by No Limit Motorsports Honda:

The 2003 race season for the No Limit Motorsports Honda team has come to an early finish. Due to injuries suffered by Lance Isaacs at the Mid-Ohio race, and Jason Curtis during the Formula Xtreme race in Virginia, neither rider can race the final event at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama. With both riders on the disabled list, the team’s season is over.

Lance’s leg was badly broken during his race at Mid-Ohio, and he remains under the care of Dr. Arthur Ting in Northern California. The break required that the bone be pinned for faster healing. Although he is healing fast, the Barber race is just too soon, and Dr. Ting has recommended he not participate.

Jason has some major damage to his left small finger due to a crash and long slide in turn 3 at Virginia International Raceway. It isn’t yet clear what caused the high speed low-side, but it is suspected that he may have encountered some of the oil that had been laid down earlier in the event. The injury is serious enough to prompt Dr. Ting to instruct Jason not to ride until he is fully healed.

Another patient of Dr. Ting, Jason had reconstructive surgery the day after returning to California, in fact shared a room with Jason Pridmore of the Attack Suzuki Team who suffered a broken leg in a separate crash at the Virginia round. It is said that having two racers named Jason in the same room undergoing surgery at nearly the same time kept the staff at Dr. Ting’s clinic on their toes.

The No Limit Motorsports Honda team wishes to thank all their sponsors and friends that assisted them this year. Special thanks to American Honda, for all their support, and assistance.

From a press release issued by F-USA:

SIX NATIONALS – SIX WINNERS

Clear Channel Motor Sports, Fort Worth, TX — The K&N Filters Pro Series is going strong with six different winners after six national events. Defending National Dirt Track Champion Terry Poovey predicted early this year this would be the most competitive ever.

The title chase moves to the ultra-fast Sacramento Mile on Saturday, September 13th. Every rider knows it takes horsepower and a bike that can transfer horsepower to the ground. Many of the Sacramento events have been won on the last lap with a good drive out of turn four down the long straight to the finish.

Current point leader Bryan Smith riding the 1stlegal/Team Honda won the Rochester, NY Half-Mile National back in June and has been the most consistent rider each week. Smith finished seventh at Beaver Dam, WI on his American Honda CRF450R and added to his point lead. “I feel good about that (increasing point lead), and I’m glad that I’m healthy. I’m still learning these groove tracks, but from here we go to Sacramento – where I usually do pretty well – and then Del Mar”.

With rookie sensation Rob Pearson’s win, Durelle’s runner-up placing and Poovey’s DNF in Beaver Dam the point standings were significantly shuffled. Smith currently enjoys a 54-point lead over Durelle, who has a two-point lead over Poovey, who is two ahead of Pearson, who is two ahead of McCoy. Despite his DNF, Poovey refused to concede the championship chase just yet. “We’ve got three rounds left, and anything can happen.”

Top 15 after Beaver Dam, Wisconsin held Saturday, August 30th

1. Bryan Smith (1 win) 174
2. Davey Durelle (1) 120
3. Terry Poovey (1) 118
4. Rob Pearson (1) 116
5. Willie McCoy 114
6. Nick Cummings 102
7. Kenny Coolbeth (1) 100
8. Dan Stanley 90
9. Glen Schnabel Jr. 90
10. Jethro Halbert 88
11. Kyle Ragsdale 84
12. Jared Mees 80
13. Rich King 76
14. Joe Kopp (1) 72
15. Logan Myers 64

REMAINING EVENTS
September 13, Sacramento, CA, Mile
October 4, Del Mar, CA, Short Track
October 5, Del Mar, CA, Mile

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

HODGSON (DUCATI FILA) FACES CROWNING CAREER MOMENT AT ASSEN

Assen (Netherlands), Thursday 4 September : Britain’s Neil Hodgson (Ducati Fila), father of newly-born Holly Jean, will be facing up to the most crucial race of his career this weekend at Assen, Netherlands as he attempts to clinch the 2003 World Superbike championship crown. After clinching its twelfth Manufacturers’ title at Brands Hatch, Ducati Corse is now ready to face another important chapter in its history this weekend.

The 29 year-old Isle of Man resident has led the points table since Valencia’s opening round in March and 11 wins and 5 seconds have powered him to an almost unassailable 140 points lead over his closest rival, Ducati Fila team-mate Ruben Xaus, which he should be able to turn into championship gold at the Dutch circuit on Sunday.

“I feel really awesome and my batteries are totally recharged after Brands Hatch” says Neil. “Going all out for the win is the plan but if that doesn’t work and I get eleven points for fifth place then I’ll say that was my strategy all along!. Assen is a fast track and carries a lot of corner speed so good upper body strength is needed as you have to wrestle the bike around the circuit. The middle part, which is called a straight but is anything but, is the most difficult part. It’s flat-out but difficult to move the bike around as it’s very physical. The weather is always a bit of a mixed bag with rain showers and sun all the time but despite that the track is still pretty ‘grippy’. My form is average but that actually seems to be a good omen. My best position was fourth last year but I was on for a third before Haga ran into me”.

Ruben Xaus, who has shown some terrific form recently, currently lies second in the table on 246 points on the second Fila-sponsored Ducati 999. “I feel relaxed and hoping to have better luck than in the last round and try and show I’m on top form in the coming races” commented Ruben. “Brands Hatch performance was also good, but I had some bad luck in both races. Assen is one of my favourite tracks, the bike seems to be good here, the tyres too, so we’re going to try and get some good results here. At Assen you need to find a good set-up, but you need to do it slowly and carefully because it’s a long track and it takes a long time to get your lap times down. If the weather holds up, you will see the good lap times by second practice on Saturday afternoon”.

CIRCUIT: The legendary Circuit Van Drenthe is 2 km away from Assen and just over 100 km north-east of Amsterdam. The first Dutch TT was held in 1925 and racing has continued ever since at the ‘cathedral’ apart from breaks for the two world wars. The 6.027 km track is very fast with a succession of flowing corners but grip levels are high even when it rains and at Assen it rains often! Average lap speeds are also high around the TT Circuit, which can accommodate up to 160,000 spectators.


More, from a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

Back to business

Tomorrow (Friday 5 September) the Superbike World Championship will once more roar into life when the world’s finest production-based motorcycle racing teams take to the legendary Assen TT circuit. The first practice session gets underway at 10.30am CET and for fans and competitors alike it just cannot come soon enough.

For HM Plant Ducati’s Chris Walker and James Toseland the last five weeks have seemed like a lifetime. Both riders are desperate to pick up where they left off before the break and realise that this round could prove crucial to the fulfilment of their championship dreams.

This year has seen both agony and ecstasy for Chris Walker. The massively popular Nottinghamshire rider’s season got off to a great start with a podium at Valencia but injuries picked up at the third round of the championship at Sugo proved hard to shake off and had an impact on his overall fitness for quite some time. However, strong podium finishes at the last two rounds of the championship (Laguna Seca and Brands Hatch) suggest strongly that the man known as The Stalker is back on form.

“I’ve got to admit that it’s been a pretty tough season,” said Walker. “A couple of unlucky injuries have held me back and I’ve been struggling to ride the HM Plant Ducati as hard as I would have liked. Recently I’ve started to feel much more like my old self and I’ve been able to train hard during the break. Now, I feel like I’m in tip-top condition and want to translate that into rostrum finishes. Assen’s a very physical track so I’m going to need every ounce of my strength to wrestle the bike around.

“It’s been frustrating to have such an excellent bike and team and still not be able to do the business, but it should be a very different story from now on. I have to make it into the top five of the championship and I really want to get a win before the end of the season.”

James Toseland has upped his game considerably for 2003. After spending two years in the shadow of his former HM Plant Ducati team-mate Neil Hodgson, he has now emerged as a genuine championship contender. Assen holds special memories for the 22-year-old – last year he earned his first ever World Superbike podium place at the Dutch circuit. This year he is hopeful of more.

“I’m just absolutely gagging to get back on the bike,” said Toseland. “I’ve been really tempted to go out on my motocross bike during the break but I just didn’t dare in case I injured myself and messed up the last few rounds. Neil [Hodgson] has got a good chance of taking the title this weekend but it’s still all to play for as far as I’m concerned. I’m only 19 points adrift of Xaus in the championship, so second place overall is a definite possibility. Neil is good friend of mine and I’ll be really happy if and when he takes the title, but I’d be much more happy if he does it with me winning both races at Assen.

“I managed to beat all the regular World Superbike riders at Brands Hatch, so my confidence is up at the moment. Fast circuits like Assen suit me pretty well and I made it onto the podium there last year, but this time I don’t want to be waiting for the second race to do it. Come to think of it, I haven’t had a World Superbike pole position yet, so one of those wouldn’t go amiss this weekend either.”


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

Haydon fit for Foggy PETRONAS Racing challenge at Assen

Foggy PETRONAS Racing rider James Haydon has been declared fit to compete in the 10th round of the World uperbike championship at Assen, Holland, this weekend.

The Englishman missed the team’s recent two-day test in Valencia, Spain, with recurring neck problems resulting from a crash earlier in the season in Germany. But, following a week’s rest at his home in Andorra, doctors have cleared James to race at the fast and flowing circuit in
Northern Holland, where team owner Carl Fogarty won an incredible 12 of his 16 races. James said: “I felt incredible pain in my neck while getting out of my car on the day before the test. I went down to breakfast on the morning of the first day of the test and it was obvious I wouldn’t be able to ride. The neck had locked up and it needed realigning and I have also been on anti-spasmodic drugs but, although it is not yet perfect, I will be able to compete this weekend and I am looking forward to finishing the season on a positive note.”

The test in Spain was used to assess a modified cylinder head for the engine, which improved the driveability of the FP1 through increased torque. James’ team-mate, Troy Corser said: “The test was useful to get back in the groove after the break and the changes to the engine have made the power curve more progressive. We have not yet had a great chance to see how much difference this might make during a race weekend but I am hopeful that I can achieve a top six finish at Assen. If I am not there, I won’t be too happy. We should not be at too much of a disadvantage here as it is a free-flowing track, rather than stop-start, and I have always done pretty well round here.”

Foggy added: “Our aim now is to finish the season on a bit of a high. Assen suits Troy because he carries a lot of corner speed, as I was able to do here. It is probably the easiest circuit for setting a bike up, so the fact this is our first visit here should not be too much of a problem. The FP1 should handle well here so we are hopeful of top ten finishes. The weather is usually unpredictable at Assen and we have not had a wet race all year, so it would be interesting to see how our bike goes.”