From a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:

UNPRECEDENTED FOURTH AMERICAN SUPERBIKE TITLE AWAITS MLADIN AT ALABAMA

An unprecedented fourth American Superbike Championship title lies in waiting for Australian Mat Mladin, with this year’s AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship winding down this weekend with the final double-header round of the series taking place at Barber Motorsports Park, near Birmingham, Alabama.

Having won three consecutive AMA Superbike titles from 1999 to 2001, the 31-year-old currently holds that distinction with three legends of the sport, Reg Pridmore, Fred Merkel and Doug Chandler.

The Australian and his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 have been the dominant force in this year’s championship, having won ten of the sixteen races held to date, but his season has not been without it’s problems as the increasing performance levels of modern Superbikes push the boundaries of components and more specifically tyres. A number of tyre failures during the season have cost Mladin valuable championship points while holding down a strong on-track position, but his experience and determination have seen his team overcome a number of these hurdles to place themselves in a strong position as they head into the final round of the championship.

Mladin will arrive at Alabama holding a 37-point lead in the championship over his Yoshimura Suzuki teammate Aaron Yates, with the pair a further 24-points clear of American Honda’s Ben Bostrom. Given the importance of the weekend, Mladin will have a number of race and championship scenarios on his mind as he takes to the new 16-turn 3.70km (2.3 miles) circuit which makes its first appearance on the AMA Superbike calendar.

“It’s going to be one of those weekends, where I’ve got a good points lead heading into the round and will only need to bring it home to wrap up the championship and then there’s a chance to go out and break some records as well,” said Mladin. “Having won ten races this year, I’ve been able to equal the all-time wins in a season record, so there’s a chance to come away with a record there and then there’s the all-time career win record where I’m two races short of that mark. So there’s a bit of pressure from those people interested in record books, but for me, it’s like I’ve said all year, the championship title is the one thing that we all want, not only from a personal level, but also from a team and Suzuki point of view.”

“I would love to win a couple more races, but it will be difficult to put all of the hard work that the team has done all year on the line just to win a race while a championship is there for us. At the end it will be a case of playing it smart and doing what it takes to win the championship.”

“We found that the Alabama circuit was tough on tyres when we tested there, so given the problems that we have had this year with tyres, we will need to come up with a race plan that gets us through. It’s a nice facility, but I honestly feel that it’s a bit tight for Superbike racing.”

Mladin’s on-track performances this season have seen him close in on, equal and extend a number of AMA records. His 30 career pole positions sees him well clear as the fastest qualifier in AMA Superbike, while his tally of 24 career race wins has him just two short of Miguel DuHamel’s all-time record of 26, ten of which were won this year, equally the all-time season win record held by former AMA and World Superbike champion Fred Merkel.

Qualifying for this weekend’s final round commences on Friday, with the final grid positions being determined during Saturday mornings second and final qualifying session prior to the opening 28-lap race which takes place later in the afternoon. The eighteenth and final AMA Superbike race of the season will then take place on Sunday afternoon.

BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK, – FAST FACTS

Circuit length: 3.70km / 2.3 miles

First time appearance on the AMA Superbike Championship calendar

16 turns, most of which are flowing

2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship (points after 16 of 18 rounds):

1. M. Mladin (493); 2. A. Yates (456); 3. B. Bostrom (432); 4. K. Roberts (405); 5. M. DuHamel (393); 6. E. Bostrom (350); 7. S. Higbee (346); 8. J. Pridmore (339); 9. J. Szoke (260); 10. V. Haskovec (241).

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING CONFIRMS TV COVERAGE OF FINAL ROUND OF AMA CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Sept. 17, 2003) — This weekend’s action from the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship finale at Barber Motorsports Park will air on Speed during the race weekend, not a few days later as previously reported. A highlight of the action will be a live broadcast of the final race of the AMA 250 Grand Prix Series on Sunday.

This weekend’s coverage was originally scheduled to be shown starting Tuesday, Sept. 23. While neither of the AMA Superbike races will be shown live due to other commitments by Speed, both races will receive same-day coverage. Live coverage of Sunday’s Supersport race will begin at 1 p.m. and the 250 GP race at 2 p.m.

The complete schedule is as follows. All times EST.
AIR DATE TIME CLASS
Sat., Sept. 20 – 11 p.m. Superbike Race 1
Sun., Sept. 21 – 1 p.m. Supersport (LIVE)
Sun., Sept. 21 – 2 p.m. 250 GP (LIVE)
Sun., Sept. 21 – 5 p.m. Superbike Race 2
Tues., Sept. 23 – 4 p.m. Superbike Race 1
Tues., Sept. 23 – 5 p.m. Superbike Race 2
Tues., Sept. 30 – 5 p.m. Formula Xtreme

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

There is so much joy when I think of Dave. When I first met him in the early eighties he was riding a 250 tuned by Bob Endicott, winning back to back Nationals at Laguna and enjoying life to the fullest. It didn’t matter what he was on, he was always competitive and he loved nothing better than a good race. About 12 years ago Dave came to work with the dP Safety School. Dave became a friend and riding buddy, a wonderful teacher who was able to infect others with his love for riding and mastering the art of high-speed competition. I remember one day he was so proud that he’d helped a student get to the point where he (Dave) couldn’t keep up! The student went on to win a couple of AFM titles.

Dave also introduced me to his wonderful family, I’d competed against Don in the early seventies and had enjoyed watching Dave win races and titles, after I’d quit racing and returned to college. It’s been wonderful riding with Nancy, and Chris, meeting Floyd and Flo, and watching Brian grow up. A couple of days before Daves’ accident some friends and I were riding on Hwy 36 in Northern California and my thoughts were of Dave and the first time I’d ridden this strech of road. When Dave rode with our School Sept 1, we’d made plans to get together for some road riding. He’ll always be riding with my memories. He made so many friends by sharing his love for riding, and life.
Godspeed Dave.
Dennis Pegelow
dP Safety School


FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I would like to thank all of the friends and fans of Dave’s that have reached out to our family at this very difficult time. It brings us great comfort to hear all of the favorite experiences that they shared with Dave.

To keep this on the lighter side, I would also like to share one of my most unforgettable times with my brother. In 1992 Dave was working at Laguna Seca Raceway for Russell Racing. As a sideline he began working for Dennis Pegelow at DP Safety School as Head Instructor. A few years later, I was able to go up to Monterey to spectate at one of the DP track days. It was very impressive seeing how this whole thing worked. I couldn’t believe that a regular motorcycle rider was permitted to ride around the race track at Laguna Seca! How cool was that! After a few sessions, Dave came up to me and offered me a ride around the track. I jumped at this opportunity, not realizing at the time what he had in store for me.

When Dave wheelied up the front of the pit lane with me trying to stay on the back, I knew I was in for the ride of my life! As we entered the infield I thought, this is good, he will have to slow down now. Not a chance! As we worked our was through the corkscrew and back down through turns to the front straight away Dave accelerated even faster.

It was like turning on a light. This is what it feels like to go really fast! I had never had been on a Motorcycle at these speeds before! How great it was to feel what it feels like to be a Champion Motorcycle Road Racer!

The cornerworkers that day really had a great show as well, commenting on Dave’s smooth style, even with this chick on the back!

After a few more laps we came into the pits, where there were a bunch of guys that had big grins on their faces. Someone said, “That was your E-ticket ride”!

I am grateful for this fond and very fast memory. Thanks Dave!

Godspeed! I know he will have trouble keeping up with you!

Nancy Emde

TrailBoss Tours
Cardiff-By-The-Sea, California

From a press release issued by Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd.:

TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES INTRODUCES THRUXTON 900



Triumph Café Racer Legacy Continues with Thruxton’s Performance, Styling and Sound

NEWNAN, Ga. — Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., announced today the world introduction of a second exciting new motorcycle in the company’s 2004 model line-up — the Thruxton 900. This new machine was unveiled during a Triumph Motorcycles Limited press conference in Milan, Italy at the International Motorcycle Show. Also making its debut to the European market at this show is the Rocket III, Triumph’s thrilling new 2.3 liter power cruiser that was introduced to the world from the United States several weeks ago.

“The 2004 Triumph Thruxton remains true to its rich heritage,” said Ross Clifford, Triumph Motorcycles Product Manager, “with clip-on handlebars, rearset footpegs and megaphone silencers, this new motorcycle is the first Triumph café racer of the modern era.”

Named after a well-known racing circuit in Hampshire, England, the Thruxton pays homage to the original successes of Triumph’s 1969 sweep of first, second and third-place in the Thruxton 500 (a 500-mile endurance race), when a series of specialized racing Bonnevilles was born. During that time, the Bonneville Thruxtons were essentially racers for the road with well tuned engines and a pared-down, high performance look and riding position – an exciting, distinctive style that inspired the café racing street motorcyclists of the time.

To create the new Thruxton 900, the Bonneville’s 790cc air-cooled twin-cylinder engine was enlarged to 865cc, then tuned with new cams, new carburetors and megaphone-style exhausts for more power and torque. The Thruxton’s engine has a peak power output of 69bhp at 7,250rpm and peak torque of 53ft.lb at 5,750rpm.

Revised telescopic forks and longer rear shocks (both with preload adjustment) enhance the suspension action while sharp steering geometry delivers responsive handling. A fully floating front disc and twin-piston brake caliper provide powerful, yet sensitive, braking performance. The tubular steel twin cradle frame and box section swingarm maximize the engine’s increased power output.

Polished engine covers, clip-on handlebars, rearset footpegs and a short front mudguard, further reinforces the bike’s café-racer detail. Color options are jet black or sunset red, both with a checkered-flag tank graphic and silver mudguards. The MSRP for the 2004 Thruxton 900 is $ 7,999.00 to be available at Triumph US dealerships in April 2004.

From a press release issued by WERA:

BIG FIELDS AND CLOSE COMPETITION FEATURED DURING WERA NATIONAL AT BARBER

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The WERA National Series visited Barber Motorsports Park for the first time during the weekend of September 13-14, and the large grids provided plenty of close competition for round nine of the series.

In the Dunlop/WERA National Endurance Series four-hour race held on Saturday, Vesrah Suzuki won by three laps. Tray Batey, Mark Junge and John Jacobi rode the Suzuki GSX-R1000, clinching their overall championship in the series.

Army of Darkness finished second overall, winning Mediumweight Superbike on a Suzuki GSX-R600. Sam Fleming and Jeff Walker rode for the team. Bradley Champion, Nicky Wimbauer and Brian Hanson won Mediumweight Superstock and finished third overall on the Team InfoTech/ValterMoto Yamaha YZF-R6.

Team OMC won Heavyweight Superstock with Morgan Broadhead, Corey Eaton and Opie Caylor on a Suzuki GSX-R1000. They finished sixth overall. Roaring Toyz won Lightweight Superbike in their first endurance race ever. Robert Fisher and Steve Leckie rode the Suzuki SV650 to a finish of 20th overall.

The grids for Sunday’s WERA National Challenge Series races were some of the largest of the season, and a number of AMA Pro racers entered the 8-lap sprints for extra practice before the upcoming AMA round at Barber.

AMA racer Lee Acree worked his way from the back of the pack to win 600 Superstock on his Triad Powersport Yamaha YZF-R6. Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki earned two victories during the day. Matt Furtek won 750 Superbike on a Suzuki GSX-R750 and Chris Ulrich won Pirelli Formula 1 on a Suzuki GSX-R750.

Vesrah Suzuki’s Tray Batey was the only expert to stand at the top of the podium more than once, winning 750 Superstock on a Suzuki GSX-R750 and Heavyweight Twins on a Suzuki TL1000R.

Mark Junge won Open Superstock on Vesrah Suzuki GSX-R1000, and David Weber won 600 Superbike on the XT Racing Suzuki GSX-R600.

Brian Kcraget rode his NESBA.com/Speed Werks Honda RS125 to a victory in 125 GP, while Chris Pyles won Formula 2 on a Honda RS250. Bradley Champion took his ninth win in Lightweight Superbike on a Suzuki SV650.

Sunday also featured a Suzuki World Cup Qualifier race. Opie Caylor made a last-lap pass to win by a bike length over Jake Holden on his Suzuki GSX-R750. Caylor will be one of three representatives at the Suzuki World Cup in France this fall.

In the novice races, Matt Lynn rode to three victories, the most of any racer that day. Lynn won the STAR School 600 Superstock, 600 Superbike and 750 Superstock races on his Suzuki GSX-R600.

James Chance III won both Lightweight Twins and Formula 2 on his Suzuki SV650.

Ryan Elleby won 750 Superbike on a Suzuki GSX-R750 and Fred Bittner rode his Ducati 996 to a win in Heavyweight Twins.

The tenth and final round of the WERA National Series will be held during the WERA Grand National Finals at Road Atlanta, October 29-November 2.

More information about WERA, including complete results from round nine at Barber, can be found on the Internet at www.WERA.com.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I will miss Dave Emde:

…. dicing with him at local track days.

…..the way he’d ride any bike way past the limit of adhesion.

…. how he’d late apex and scare the crap out of us.

…..how we were supposed to be teaching, but ended up racing.

…..his support after crushing injuries.

…..drinking beer at the end of another fun track day.

…..his positive attitude, no matter who got the better of whom that day.

…..his humility–he never mentioned his conquests.

…..his pride for his son.

Godspeed Dave!

Mark C. Foster
Foster Enterprises
Redwood City, California



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I met David in 1973 or 1974 at local So. Cal AFM races. He and I finished eighth and ninth in the Daytona 250 race in 1975. We rode together the entire race, swapping positions the entire way. He finished ahead of me and when the race was over and I was sitting in my pit area, he walked all the way down to my end of the garages with a coke in each hand. He gave one to me and one to my girlfriend and said “Hey Norm…Thanks, that was really fun.”

He was good man.

Hey David…..Thanks, that was really fun.

Norm Fraijo
Dana Point, California

From a press release issued by Don Emde:

DETAILS OF DAVID EMDE FUNERAL SERVICES

Date: Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2003

Time: Noon

Location: Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita CA 91902. Ph: 619-498-4600.

General driving directions: Bonita is east of Chula Vista. For those coming from the north, take 805 South through Mission Valley and National City to the Chula Vista area. Take the “E Street / Bonita Road” exit and turn left. Glen Abbey is approx. 1 mile East of 805 on the right. Take the first entrance to Glen Abbey and follow the signs to “The Little Chapel of the Roses.”

Other notes:

All friends and family of David are invited to attend.

Motorcycles are more than welcome.

Dress as you like, casual is okay.

There will be a few pre-planned speakers, but we will open up the service for anyone who would like to say a few words about David.

There will not be any activities at Glen Abbey prior to the services, but there will be a reception afterwards in the Rancho Bernardo area and everyone is welcome to come. Maps will be handed out at the service.

For anyone coming in the night before, there is a La Quinta Inn at the 805/Bonita Road exit. We checked and as of Tuesday, they had rooms available for Monday night 9/22. Their local phone number is 619-691-1211 (Toll free 800-531-5900). They have setup a group rate, just say you are in for the David Emde services at Glen Abbey.

Regarding donations, in cooperation with Ron Ketchum of Escondido Cycle Center, the Emde family is setting up a fund for David’s son Brian. A fundraiser event is planned by ECC and donations are also encouraged. Send to: Brian Floyd Emde Scholarship Fund c/o Escondido Cycle Center, 1415 Montiel Rd., Escondido CA 92026. For information on the fund contact either Don Emde (949-215-4780) or Ron Ketchum (760-745-1615).

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

HAYES, HAYDEN EXTEND AMA SUPERSTOCK BATTLE TO THE WIRE

Spies poised to win Formula Xtreme at Barber Motorsports Park

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Sept. 17, 2003) — The final AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship race of the season at Barber Motorsports Park on Sept. 19-21, will see the crowning of four champions. The closest of the title races this year has been the Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Series. Attack Suzuki’s Josh Hayes narrowly leads Kawasaki’s Tommy Hayden by just 8 points. Hooters Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec, third in the series rankings, still has an outside shot at the title. In the Lockhart-Phillips Formula Xtreme Series five-race winner Ben Spies has a commanding 30-point lead and needs only to finish 23rd or better to clinch his first AMA Pro Racing Championship. Mat Mladin needs only 38 points from the combined Superbike doubleheader to clinch the Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship title. While Rich Oliver already has the MBNA 250 Grand Prix title secured all eyes will be on the longtime racing veteran to see if he can complete a perfect undefeated season in that series.




Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Series

After opening the Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock season with an 11th and 10th-place finish in the first two rounds, no one considered Attack Suzuki’s Josh Hayes a serious contender for the title. However, a second-place result at Road Atlanta made some sit up and take notice of Hayes. Then the rider from Gulfport, Miss., put together a solid run of five-straight podium finishes, including wins at Monterey, Calif., and Lexington, Ohio, which catapulted him to the top of the standings. Conversely Kawasaki’s Tommy Hayden looked to be a shoo-in for the series title after winning the opening three rounds of the series aboard a specially built for Superstock ZX636. But then a mid-season slump that saw Hayden miss the podium in four straight races cost the Kentuckian the series lead.

The top two riders had a great showdown last month at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Va. Hayden held on to win his fourth Superstock race of the year over Hayes, but Hayes cited caution as part of his explanation of why he didn’t make a strong move for the lead late in the Virginia race. “I had to be smart at VIR and come out of there with the points lead,” Hayes said of the VIR race. “There are still 17 laps to go in this championship. When we get to Barber it will be a different story and I’ll take a few more chances to make sure I win the series.”

Hayden, the oldest of the three racing Hayden brothers, is trying to become the first rider to win the AMA Superstock Series on a machine with less than 750cc engine displacement. In addition to trying to win his first AMA Pro Championship, Hayden is hoping to give Kawasaki its first Superstock title (in past years known as the 750 Supersport) since Scott Russell won the series in 1992. Suzuki wants to prevent that from happening.

Still in the AMA Superstock Championship picture is Czech native Haskovec. The Hooters Suzuki rider is a first-time winner in the series this season and has become a fan favorite for his sheer enthusiasm for racing.


Lockhart-Phillips Formula Xtreme Series

This series is Ben Spies’ to win or lose. Since moving to the factory Yoshimura Suzuki team this year Spies has blossomed into the leading up-and-coming rider in AMA road racing. After going through a bout of what he called overconfidence mid-season, Spies has come back strong with three straight Formula Xtreme victories. Now only Graves Yamaha’s Damon Buckmaster has what could be best described as a long-shot at winning the title he’s tried so hard to get for three years. Unless Spies fails to finish it appears that Buckmaster will once again walk away thinking “what if”. Buckmaster, who narrowly lost the Formula Xtreme title in 2001 and 2002, led the series for much of this season before Spies made his rally. One consolation for Buckmaster, should he win at Barber, will be the satisfaction that he would tie Kurtis Roberts and Eric Bostrom atop the all-time AMA Formula Xtreme wins list.


MBNA 250 Grand Prix Series

The curtain comes down on the longest running AMA road racing series when the MBNA 250 Grand Prix Series finale runs at Barber on Sept. 21. It would be fitting for Rich Oliver to close the series with a victory. The 42-year-old Californian, the all-time wins leader in AMA 250GP history, announced that this would be his final race. Oliver will be the last champion of a series that includes an illustrious list of past champions such as Randy Mamola, Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson, John Kocinski and Jimmy Filice just to name a few. If Oliver wins Sunday it would mark his third perfect season in MBNA 250 Grand Prix.

Live coverage of the 250GP race begins at 2 p.m. Eastern, Sunday, Sept. 21, on Speed. The Formula Xtreme finale will be shown at 5 p.m. Eastern on Sept. 30. For additional information on this weekend’s doubleheader contact Barber Motorsports Park at (205) 967-4745 or visit www.barbermotorsports.com

From a press release issued by event organizers:

The Church of Speed has secured promises of contingency support for the Festival of Speed III, January 23-25 2004 at No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, Louisiana.

The companies that have commited are Walt Shaefer and Michelin tires, Dunlop Tires, EBC brakes, GPR dampners, SilkolineStore.com and GMD Computrack.

We are hoping others will come on board, interested companies please contact Kevin Nolde at 225-675-5879.

CoS will also post a $200 track record bonus, the NPR track record is currently held by Greg Moore on a GSX-R1000 on Michelin Slicks at a 1:12.33.

CoS is also hosting practice and schools every Monday at NPR. We run a variety of circuits and begin at 8:30 am.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

By John Ulrich

–Meeting Dave circa 1973, when I was a cub reporter, didn’t know anybody, and could hardly get any racers to answer my questions. He answered my questions, with a smile.

–Seeing Dave crash himself up the night before the AMA National at Ontario Motor Speedway, fooling around on an XR70 in the parking lot, circa 1974.

–Watching Dave win late-night minibike short-track races held on the tennis court at Harry Klinzmann’s parents’ house in a ritzy neighborhood in Anaheim Hills, California, with chaise-lounge pads duct-taped to the net poles to provide “safety,” circa 1975.

–Watching Dave on his private Yamaha battle and beat Kenny Roberts on his Yamaha Motor Corp. Yamaha heads-up to win the AMA 250cc race at Laguna Seca, circa 1976.

–Hanging out with Dave at the Suzuka 8-hours, 1980.

–Sharing the podium with Dave (along with his teammate Harry Klinzmann, Eddie Lawson and his teammate Ron Pierce, and my teammate Bruce Hammer) after the AFM Pro Budweiser 6-Hour at Riverside Raceway, in 1981.

–Seeing Dave show up to race at Willow Springs again last year, his mile-wide grin the same as it ever was.

Godspeed, David. Godspeed.