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.”

From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

BKM Honda team withdraw from World Supersport Championship

The BKM Dark Dog Honda team have announced their withdrawal from the Supersport World Championship with immediate effect. The two-man team of Australian Broc Parkes and Frenchman Christophe Cogan will not race at the Dutch round of the series that takes place at Assen this coming weekend, September 5 – 7.

BKM team manager Michael Bartholemy cited budget problems for the team’s demise. He said: “The missing payments of one of my sponsors makes it impossible to cover the ongoing costs. The respective sponsor has not fulfilled our agreement. For us it is a hard decision particularly with regard to the already signed two-year (2003 – 2004) contract with our main sponsor Dark Dog who has always given us the accorded support.”

From Linda Hopkins, John Hopkins’ mother, who sent us this five times between 11:16 p.m. EDT September 2 and 1:00 a.m. EDT September 3, with copies sent to the Suzuki Racing website:



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I regret to be writing this e-mail, it really shouldn’t be necessary!

I feel a great sadness that Suzuki is not fulfilling its obligations to its MotoGp efforts.

I have heard a lot of negative statements that Kenny Roberts Jr. needs to stop whining and leave MotoGp racing. What a sad thing to say! Kenny has earned his right of passage and Suzuki needs to supply him with a bike that is performing!

My son, John Hopkins, did not sign with Suzuki to be a last place finisher either.

Suzuki, you have money, ability and riders. Please get your act together.

I was at Jerez and saw John 3rd off the line, only to suffer mechanical problems. Other riders would have parked the thing, he finished 7th. Please show him the respect he shows you!

I have met all his mechanics and crew chief, they are wonderful and would do anything for John but they can’t work miracles! Help them out, you will benefit!

Respectfully Yours,

Linda Hopkins
Ramona, California



Reaction, from a reader:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Regarding Mrs. Hopkins’ e-mail, she’s right! Suzuki has two great riders, but they’ve saddled them with piss-poor MotoGP motorcycles. They do need to get their act together. Same goes for the Aprilia machine. In the words of another mother (mine), “Shape up or ship out!”

Of course, in AMA, we have a situation with my (I hate to say it) favorite rider who’s got a great machine. Ben Bostrom has shown that he can ride around in fourth in just about any series. Unlike Hoppy, KRJ, and Colin, he’s got nowhere to point but at himself. Suzuki and Aprilia, give these guys the equipment to be competitive. Don’t give them the chance to point at the bike as their excuse!

Best Regards,

Mike Wolf
Folsom, California


More reaction, from another reader:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

First, I am a HUGE Suzuki fan. I would LOVE to see Hopper and Roberts kicking butt. Sadly it’s just not happening this year.

The people complaining to Suzuki about the MotoGP bike, including Hopkins’ Mommy need to get a clue. Do you really think Suzuki enjoys looking bad? Do you think they can simply say “Ok, that’s enough losing, let’s win now,” flip a switch and do it? Do you think the Suzuki engineers say “Nah, let’s not build that, it might work.” Come on!

Think about this. The GSVR is one of the trickest motorcycles designs on the planet. It is typically 1-2 seconds off the pole pace. ONE to TWO seconds! And that makes it a sled? Gimme a break. Sure, that’s a lifetime in a racing situation, but getting that last 2 seconds has only been done by a couple manufacturers, with a few bikes and a few riders.

As for Momma Hopper, Desi and everyone else complaining about something Suzuki already knows, can you do better? If not, be quiet and let them work on it.

David Leatham
Mesa, Arizona

P.S. I really feel sorry for John now. His Mom’s letter has got to be the most embarrasing moment in his life.

From a press release issued by Willow Springs International Raceway:

Willow Springs Offers Toll-Free Ticket Line For Golden Anniversary Weekend

Reduced Ticket Prices Through Oct 10th

Rosamond, CA – To accommodate the strong demand shown by race enthusiasts throughout the West for tickets to its historic Golden Anniversary Weekend, Willow Springs Raceway has established a toll-free ticket line: Tickets may now be purchased by calling (800) 496-1398.

Prices for the three-day event that includes the inaugural running of Roadracing World’s 250/50 and the 2nd Annual Toyota 200 are just $20 per person through October 10th, $30 each thereafter. Prices include free camping and pit passes. Children eight and under are free.

With purses and contingencies totaling nearly a quarter of a million dollars, Willow Springs Anniversary Weekend is destined to go into the record books as motorcycle road racing’s richest weekend ever. For complete information and ticket information, call (800) 496-1398 or visit www.willowspringsraceway.com.

For race entry information visit www.race-wsmc.com.

From a press release issued by Alice Aprilia Racing Press Information:

A NEW CHALLENGE CLOSE TO THE OCEAN

This is the hot zone of the world championship: the Portuguese GP of this Sunday will be the last European race before leaving for Brasil, Japan, Malaysia and Australia to end the championship in Valencia in the first week of November. The challenge is difficult but the Alice Aprilia Racing Team is ready considering all the news as usual. Marcellino Lucchi went to Mugello last week (Wednesday and Thursday) in order to test some solutions for the chattering problems that prevented the improvements of the Rs Cube in the last three races. A difficult job for the technicians and Michelin staff as well who tried new tyres on the Noale bike. Anyway Haga and Edwards worked hard to reach that objective.

The Japanese rider became daddy for the second time last 25 of August but he did not decide the name yet as the Japanese tradition allows him to wait for two weeks before taking the decision. Maybe the announcement could be made Saturday night during a special event organized by Aprilia in the hospitality unit. Colin Edwards came to Europe some days ago after the presentation of the new RSV1000 at the Nürburgring track.

Anyway the Aprilia riders will find a difficult track this week end with a long main straight (almost 1 km) and a series of slow corners in the final part. Moreover the wind is very strong bringing a lot of saddle into the track changing the grip features. Nothing easy for the MotoGP riders!!!

GIGI DALL’IGNA (Project Leader): “We did not make any vacation during the summer break: we still want to get better results in the final part of the season. For this reason the team worked hard in order to solve the chattering problems we had especially at Brno. Marcellino Lucchi tested several solutions working in the suspensions system. Then we had a good cooperation with Michelin (our official tyres supplier) that is going to create a new rear tyre exclusively for our bike. Finally a new fairing that will be used only in the next oversea races. Well. the development of the bike is increasing and I expect something interesting for this Portuguese race”.

THE TRACK

Fernanda Pires da Silva – Estoril: lenght 4.182 metres, equal to 2.599 miles.

Lap record: 1:40.683 Loris Capirossi (Honda 2001)

2002 Pole: 1:39.793 Carlos Checa (Yamaha 2002)


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Press Information:

HONDA RIDERS OUT IN FRONT IN CHAMPIONSHIP RUN-IN

The MotoGP entertainment machine is fully fired up and running at the rev-limiter as the concluding six races of a compelling season of racing so far begin at Estoril, near Lisbon in Portugal on Friday. Reigning World MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda RC211V) predicted his Championship defence would be harder than ever this year — and so it is proving.

But the Italian, with able assistance from title hopefuls Sete Gibernau (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) and Max Biaggi (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V), is providing some of the closest racing yet seen in the premier class. At Brno in August the top five riders were covered by just 1.17 seconds before Rossi snatched the lead from Gibernau on the last lap, breaking the lap record as he won by just four hundredths of a second from the Spaniard.

As the title race intensifies, this level of fully committed combat looks set to continue at Estoril. The three main protagonists are looking to change the shape of the World Championship points table before the Rio Grand Prix in Brazil and before MotoGP later moves east for three rounds in close succession: Motegi in Japan, Sepang in Malaysia and Phillip Island in Australia. Then the series returns to Europe for the final race at Valencia in Spain in November.

Estoril is thus a pivotal race in the Championship and Rossi, who has tasted success in Portugal in 2001 and 2002 will be looking to secure a bigger points lead in Sunday’s race. He heads the Championship from Gibernau by 34 points with Biaggi in third place just 37 points behind Gibernau. With 150 points up for grabs from six races, the destiny of the 2003 title is by no means certain.

The 2.598km circuit is likely to provide intriguing racing. With one long straight the Autodromo Fernanda Pires Da Silva on the Atlantic coast 30km north west of Lisbon puts something of a premium on top speed. But it is also one of the ‘slowest’ tracks on the calendar with a series of 13 turns, some tight, some long constant radius and with a tricky chicane on the back section of the circuit too.

Machine set-up requires a bike that has good balance with stable turn-in, as braking into the entries to the corners is crucial, especially in the final two turns that lead onto the start/finish straight. Good drive out of the turns is also a prime requirement and a machine that can ‘hook-up’ well out of the corners is what riders will be searching for during the two days of qualifying.

The track also has its fair share of bumps, especially through turns one and two, and as ever, a balanced trade-off between agility, stability and the ability to ride the rippled tarmac of the early corners will be the ideal. That Rossi, Gibernau and Biaggi are all Honda RC211V-mounted only adds to the pressure that all three be under as they begin the long process of maximising the performance of their V5 four-stroke Hondas.

Wind and dust are also factors to be taken into account on this coastal track. High winds, and frequently rain, are never a surprise here, and the dust that the winds blow onto the track can often reduce grip levels considerably – until the bikes have ‘laid down’ rubber on the racing line and cleaned the surface to the extent that grip becomes more predictable.

Rossi is on a roll after Brno. With four wins to his credit so far, the World Champion will be gunning for an Estoril victory. “The last race really was the result we needed,” he said. “Now we return to Estoril where I have done okay in the past and we’re hoping for another good result before the very hard flyaway part of the season. We tested after Brno which was positive and we are in good shape.”

His nearest challenger Gibernau expects Estoril to be a happy hunting ground. “I have something with the Portuguese track,” he said. “I like it a lot. Last year I was having a good race until I crashed towards the end. I had it in my hand and I threw it away. But my form is very encouraging and I feel it’s payback time for me in Estoril. I like the track, the bike is working well and I’m battling with Valentino. We just have to keep on doing the things we are doing well and keep working at it.”

Biaggi knows he needs a big result here. Having won only one race so far this year, the Roman needs a win to put pressure on the title contenders ahead of him and after riding 85 laps of Brno in the Czech Republic in testing last month, he is determined to make Estoril count for him. “We are all determined and working hard,” he said. “We are nearly where we want to be with the new parts we tested and now it’s time to get back to work.”

Biaggi’s team-mate Tohru Ukawa (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) has been buoyed by a very positive test at Brno and the Japanese should enjoy a return to form in Portugal. He was fastest by seven tenths of a second at Brno – faster than Rossi, Biaggi and Gibernau – and he knows Estoril is a critical race of the season for him. “I now feel much more comfortable on the bike,” he said. “And I have to make this feeling count now and keep working.”

American Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) is enjoying his rookie year in MotoGP and returns to Europe invigorated by the summer break. “It’s been real good getting back home for a bit and just chillin’ with my friends and family,” he said. “But I’m looking forward to getting back on the Honda and pushing higher up the table. There are six races to go and I’ve ridden the last four tracks so I should be able to push from the start.”

Japanese rookies Makoto Tamada (Pramac Honda RC211V) and Ryuichi Kiyonari (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) have yet to ride at Estoril. “I will be working on my starts,” said Tamada. “I have had to work too hard in races because I haven’t always been able get away with the main pack.” Kiyonari…

In the 250 class it’s tight at the top too. Manuel Poggiali heads the overall standings with 145 points, from Fonsi Nieto, who won here last year, (both Aprilia) on 136 and Roberto Rolfo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) on 135 is fighting with great skill and measured determination to get the better of the Italian machines.

“I enjoy racing at Estoril, I’ve had some good results there,” said Rolfo. “The Honda chassis is really good and I think we have the opportunity to do well this time. The handling characteristics of the Honda will be an advantage but we still need a little more speed. Good acceleration off the last corner onto the straight is vital at Estoril, if we find that we will have a chance on Sunday. I just hope it doesn’t rain, it’s not a good track to race on in wet conditions.”

The hugely experienced Argentine rider Sebastian Porto (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW) is confident Estoril will suit his V-twin machine. “I like Estoril and had a good week here last year,” he said. “I was on pole and finished third in the race. The track will suit the Honda more than Brno because there is just one straight and the corners are closer together which is ideal for the handling and suspension characteristics of the bike.”

The 125cc category is typically tight, although the overall points standings don’t quite reflect the intensity of the competition. After his win at Brno Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS125R) heads the table with 162 points from Stefano Perugini (Aprilia) on 137 and Andrea Dovizioso (Team Scot Honda RS125R) on 112.

The young Spaniard Pedrosa is typically frank about the tracks he likes and dislikes, but he knows he has work to do regardless. “At Brno it was important to show the others I was ‘fit’ to win again,” he said. “Estoril is not one of my favourite tracks, but it’s one of 16 we have to race on. As for the Championship there is still a lot of hard work to do in the six remaining races, 25 points is a good cushion – but nowhere near enough.”

Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) faces a medical examination at Estoril on Thursday before deciding if he will race. The young Swiss rider was brought down by a crashing rival at Brno. Luthi emerged with a crack in his upper thigh. “I will have a check up at the Clinica Mobile on Thursday, if I pass I will race. If not I will have to wait until Rio.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Everyone seems so quiet after the second VIR Superbike race was not televised, not to mention
that the FX race will not be shown, either. Has everyone just given up?

I guess we now know for sure that the CEO of SpeedChannel, no matter how much he says that he
enjoys motorcycle racing, really just stretches the truth when it is convenient to keep
people happy for awhile.

Sounds like the CEOs of a lot of companies. Makes me sick.

Paul Trautman
San Jose, California


More, from another reader:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Thanks to Roadracing World for keeping me updated on the second race at VIR. God knows SpeedTV couldn’t. Finally a day off of work and no racing (motorcycles that is). They SUCK!

Just wanted to thank you all for the coverage. Too bad we missed Kurtis’ first SB win.

Douglas J. Russell
Glen Cove, New York


Reaction, from another reader:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I almost forgot they broadcast motorcycles! They almost have me brainwashed into the NASCAR cult. A matter of fact, I was watching TV last night and totally forgot about Two Wheel Tuesday. Or, should it be called Two Wheel Late Tuesday Night – for an hour after most people go to bed.

I am just fed-up to the point where nothing surprises mean anymore!

I’ll just rely on Roadracing World to post results on the web and read the articles when my issue comes.

Justin Marm
Horsham, Pennsylvania

From a press release issued by Honda Racing Press Information:

THE CATHEDRAL CALLS FOR HONDA’S HOPEFULS

After an extended summer vacation the World Supersport Championship contenders gather together in Northern Holland this Friday, to challenge at the unique and timeless Assen circuit once more. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Cathedral’ of bike racing, sometimes called the ‘Riders’ Academy’, Assen is a modern classic with a long history. Its current 6.027km length and 24 corners present a genuine challenge even to riders of the calibre of runaway World Championship leader Chris Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR)

With five free weekends since the previous round at Brands Hatch for most of the competitors, many have made use of their leisure time to relax and recharge their batt eries for the end of season push. For some, like Vermeulen, the thrill of competition has punctuated the holiday period.

The young Aussie, only 21-years-old and one of eight supported Honda riders in this year’s championship fight, competed at the shorter national-level Assen circuit some four weeks ago, as part of the Dutch Championships. Vermeulen’s experience of Supersport machinery and his rapid Ten Kate Honda have been a devastating combination this year, pushing him fully 37 points clear of his closest competitor Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha), with only three races to go.

Vermeulen, an uncomplicated character with a mature head on young shoulders, acknowledges that his recent experiences at Assen even the shorter version of the multiple cambered track may give him an edge on many of his regular competitors.

“Assen should be good for us, partly because the track is so close to the team’s base, and it will be a home round of sorts,” said Vermeulen in the run up to the Dutch event. “We did a National Championship race and although we didn’t use the full track we’ll be racing on in the World Championship event, it does give you a feel for it. I think it will be an advantage for us, especially if it rains, because we have good base settings for the bike in the dry. We don’t have to worry too much if practice is wet but the race itself is dry.”

One of four factory Honda riders to have already tasted the Assen circuit in the aforementioned Dutch National race was Vermeulen’s team-mate, Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR).

“It was good to be able to race at Assen and we have already got reasonably good settings for the race. So a lot of the set-up work is no longer ahead of us anymore and that makes us confident for the race itself,” said Muggeridge. “We only raced the last time on the shorter National circuit but all the information we gathered will be useful this weekend.”

Broc Parkes (BKM Honda CBR600RR) acknowledges Assen is a difficult circuit to master, but nonetheless is looking forward to another high-speed run through the Dutch countryside.

“I have had some reasonably good results there is Superbike and I like the layout of the track,” said Parkes. “I think it’s a place you have to go at least twice before you get it really right. It’s not an easy place to set good lap times right away, because it’s so long. You also have to have a fast bike for Assen it’s a horsepower circuit. You can gain to some extent in the corners, unlike Monza for example, but you do have to have a lot of power.”

Christophe Cogan (BKM Honda CBR600RR) has been a consistent threat to the top ten positions all year but feels that a lack of testing in the run-up to the Assen round will not help his cause.

“We did not get a chance to test in the break so we will have to see how we get on when we get there,” said Cogan.

Robert Ulm (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) eagerly anticipates one of his favourite circuits of the season, an unusual choice for a rider who normally prefers slower tracks such as Valencia or Misano.

“I have only tested a racebike in my head since the break but I have had two Supermoto races, one in Germany and one in Austria,” said the long time World Superbike rider. “The race results themselves were not so good but it is very good training for machine control so I am happy and ready for Assen. It’s a nice circuit for me, a safe track, and I like the fact that there are so many corners.”

Sebastien Charpentier (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) grabbed the unexpected chance to shine in the Klaffi Honda team this year with both hands, and he sees Assen as another circuit he has a realistic chance to score a podium at.

“My feel for Assen is very, very good,” enthused the Frenchman. “I like the track because last year I was fifth in practice, even though my bike was not the fastest. This year the machine is much better so to be at Assen, with the new bike, the new team, my physical condition being OK this is perfect! Assen is normally a pleasure for me in any case.”

Iain Macpherson (van Zon Honda CBR600RR) sharpened his Assen build-up at the recent Dutch National Championship race, behind the two Ten Kate Machines of Vermeulen and Muggeridge.

“I was third at the Assen race but Vermeulen and Muggeridge pulled away from me a little,” stated Macpherson. “I couldn’t understand it at first because I knew I was riding quite well and the bike set-up was good. Those two are riding particularly well but I found out later they were also trying out some new parts. If you do not have quite the same level of equipment as the opposition it’s even more difficult. At Assen we should have exactly the same spec of machine as them so that’s going to be very welcome.”

Werner Daemen (van Zon Honda CBR600RR) turned around his misfortune in the Dutch National at Assen to plan his strategy for the forthcoming WSS round.

“I also raced at Assen after Brands only on the little circuit,” stated the Belgian protagonist. “It was useful for set-up and we learned some good information about race tyres. The tyre I used in the race was unable to go the full distance so we know which tyre to use for the World Championship race distance if the temperatures are the same of course.”

After the Assen race round ten of the championship will take place at another classically sculpted race circuit, Imola in Italy on September 28.


More, from a press release issued by FGSport:

FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

The Netherlands Round 10 – Assen
Assen Race Preview

A SHIFT TO THE CENTRE

The importance of the Assen race to the whole World Superbike paddock is immense, and for more than just the reasons of the Circuit van Drenthe’s long and proud history as a motorcycle racing venue.

Traditionally falling towards the end of the SBK calendar, Assen has frequently been the venue for some titanic battles on track, many of them deciding championships outright or firming up which of any particular year’s hopefuls will be going into the final race or two with a genuine chance of securing the coveted World Championship.

This year may be no different, as championship leader Neil Hodgson (Ducati Fila 999 F03) enjoys a monumental 150 point lead over his team-mate Ruben Xaus, the only man capable of overhauling his total. It will take a Herculean winning run from now to the season climax at the French circuit of Magny Cours on 19 October for Xaus to snatch the laurels from Hodgson, plus a huge amount of misfortune would have to befall the Englishman for anything other than Hodgson’s name to grace the championship trophy.

The last Ducati World Champion, Troy Bayliss, won his single title in 2001 at Assen and Hodgson’s side of the Ducati Corse garage at least will be hoping for a similar trick at this most challenging of circuits.

Fast and curvaceous, long and festooned with cambered corners, Assen belies its completely flat topography by being one of the most challenging and technical circuits imaginable. Much modified from its original closed road nature, being purpose built by the standards of the day in 1954, Assen is a true classic rider’s track, exclusively aimed at motorcycle racing, and despite being widened, shortened and continually remodelled for safety reasons, it is still something of a breathtaking final exam of any rider’s all round abilities.

Machine speed is King at Assen, but it has to be allied to a cool use of racecraft and no little expression of rhythm on behalf of the rider.

Of the current SBK crop, only Pierfrancesco Chili (Ducati PSG-1 998 RS) has been able to score a win at Assen thus far, although in past years there have been close calls for riders like Xaus and Troy Corser (Foggy Petronas FP-1).

Chili has a win under his belt already this year, and he approaches Assen as one of a select band of only five riders to have done so.
Hodgson’s runaway lead is peppered with 11 race wins, Xaus has taken three victories, Chili and James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati 998 F02) one apiece and in the previous round Shane Byrne (Monstermob Ducati 998 F02) took both Brands Hatch victories as a preamble to securing the British Championship.

Arguably the most improved rider in the series this year is James Toseland, who has already suffered pain and injury for his high-speed art, but is now reaping the rewards in status and respect from a watching world. On one of the best bikes in the field, podiums at Assen are a genuine prospect for Toseland, but as the rolling mauls for the top points scoring places have shown this season, the competition will be as stiff as ever at Assen.

Regis Laconi (NCR Nortel Caracchi 998RS) has been close to a win this year and his fourth place in the championship makes him the top ‘true’ privateer, running a fast customer machine rather than a new or season old factory machine.

The awesome early season performances from Gregorio Lavilla and the Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 have stumbled a little of late but each has done enough to show they have what it takes at true world level. Once more the impressive Vittorio Iannuzzo will be in company with Lavilla, on a somewhat less full factory spec machine.
Injury and drama have been constant companions for Toseland’s team-mate Chris Walker this year, putting him sixth overall at present, by the slender margin of 13 points.

With many a DNF to his name Chili matches his race number 7 to his championship position, but he is nonetheless a whopping 62 points ahead of Aussie privateer Steve Martin in eighth place, the Pirelli shod rider just ahead of his team mate Marco Borciani and another perennial SBK privateer, Lucio Pedercini.

The spread of talent this season extends not only to those in possession of a machine currently capable of race wins. The Foggy Petronas effort, a high profile and high class affair has yet to show engine performance capable of taking either Corser or second rider James Haydon to the podium, but few doubt that when the machine is as developed as its unique 900cc three cylinder format allows, top results will be within reach.

As well as four local wild cards, there will be a proliferation of ‘foreign’ competitors, the most high profile being proven SBK race winner John Reynolds on his Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000. The huge attendance of British spectators at Assen, just a ferry hop across the North Sea from the UK, will be entertained by another of their compatriots, Leon Haslam (Renegade Ducati).

In the World Supersport Championship, now approaching round nine, Chris Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR), still enjoys a comfortable 37 point championship lead over Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha Belgarda R6), but the fight for second at this moment in time is as close as it is possible to be.

Katsuaki Fujiwara (Alstare Suzuki GSX-R600) has been as potent a threat as ever, scoring a win, like his team-mate Stephane Chambon, who secured the last race at Brands Hatch. This trio, all chasing Vermeulen as three races remain, are some way clear of fifth place man Christian Kellner (Yamaha Motor Germany R6).

The only other man to have won a race this year is reigning champ Fabien Foret (Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-6RR), who sits in overall eighth place.

A huge 19 factory supported machines have been competing for the World Supersport crown this season, making Vermeulen’s win tally of four an outstanding achievement. This is tempered by the knowledge that all four competing manufacturers have scored at least one win.

Each race weekend from now on features a full card; as the season completes its calendar in Europe – the remaining rounds taking place Imola (September 28) and Magny Cours (October 19).