From a press release issued by series organizers:

BOWMANVILLE, ON – Pascal Picotte grabbed pole position for the fourth and fifth rounds of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Mosport International Raceway Friday.

The St-Cecile de Milton, QC racer took his Picotte Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 around the 2.46-mile Mosport road course in 1:22.436 during qualifying for the Miller Genuine Draft presents the Chevy Trucks Mosport Double Header.

Francis Martin of Rock Forest, QC will start second in each race of the Superbike doubleheader after setting a time of 1:22.659 on his Coors Light Racing/Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R1000. Teammate Clint McBain of Calgary was third fastest at 1:22.733 on his Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Parts Canada Superbike Championship points leader Jean-Francois Cyr of Joliette, QC completes the front row for the doubleheader after recording a 1:22.889 on his Michelin Yamaha YZF-R1.

Picotte actually finished qualifying third in the ranking behind Frank Trombino of Kleinburg, ON and Chardon, OH racer Tom Kipp. But Trombino’s Brooklin Yamaha YZF-R1 and the Canadian Kawasaki Motors Kawasaki ZX-7RR of Kipp exceeded the class 155 horsepower limit and were penalized.

As a result Picotte claimed the $500 MPM/Array Pole Award and four points toward the Parts Canada Superbike Championship.

“I don’t like to do it this way but I’ll take it,” said Picotte after learning of the penalties to Trombino and Kipp. “This is good for Yamaha and good for the championship. These two races are going to be interesting.”

The first of this weekend’s two Parts Canada Superbike feature events goes Saturday afternoon at 3:15 p.m. The second race is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

Picotte jumped ahead of the Suzukis of Martin and McBain in the final five minutes of the Superbike qualifying session.

A crash by Kevin Lacombe with just under five minutes left brought out a red flag, and set-up a final shootout for the top qualifying spot. Picotte was the only one of the frontrunners to improve his time, however.

“Just before the red flag came out I had a good lap and I was working on a better one when I saw the red,” said Picotte, who became the fourth different pole qualifier of the season. “I thought the session was over but I got another chance.”

Friday’s action also included practice for the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike and International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike national support classes.

Cyr paced the Pro 600 Sport Bike category with a time of 1:25.237 on his Michelin Yamaha YZF-R6. Bill Card of Wellesley, ON led Amateur 600 Sport Bike at 1:28.012 on a Honda CBR600RR.

Qualifying for the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike and International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike classes will also run Saturday afternoon.

This weekend’s event will be televised on TSN in two parts. The first show will air on Saturday, Aug. 9 at 12:30 p.m. EDT with the second on Sunday, Aug. 10, also at 12:30 p.m. Mosport action will also be shown later this year on Quebec’s RDS and across Canada on the Outdoor Life Network.

Results Friday from qualifying for the fourth and fifth rounds of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Mosport International Raceway in Bowmanville, ON, showing qualifying position, rider name, hometown, type of motorcycle and qualifying time:

1.Pascal Picotte, St-Cecile de Milton, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:22.436; 2. Francis Martin, Rock Forest, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:22.659; 3. Clint McBain, Calgary, AB, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:22.733; 4. Jean-Francois Cyr, Joliette, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:22.889; 5. Kevin Lacombe, Granby, QC, Honda RC51, 1:22.974; 6. Jeff Williams, Harrowsmith, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:23.161; 7. Michael Taylor, Toronto, ON, Honda RC51, 1:23.223; 8. Steve Crevier, Maple Ridge, BC, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:23.435; 9. Darryn Wilbur, Maple, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:24.039; 10. Andrew Nelson, Kars, ON, Honda CBR954RR, 1:24.421; 11. Benoit Pilon, St-Jerome, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:24.590; 12. Michael Leon, Montreal, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.698; 13. Chris Peris, Calgary, AB, Honda CBR600RR, 1:25.808; 14. Brian Nielsen, Edmonton, AB, 1:25.901; 15. Matthew McBride, Toronto, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:25.925; 16. John Brundl, Toronto, ON, Honda CBR954RR, 1:26.953; 17. Bruce McDonald, Mt. Albert, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:27.143; 18. Joel McDonald, North York, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:27.261; 19. Owen Weichel, Toronto, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.679; 20. Barry French, Brampton, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.147; 21. Chris Murray-Audain, Scarborough, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.242; 22. Darren Womack, Windsor, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:29.493; 23. Guy Tomlinson, Calgary, AB, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:30.667

Did Not Start – Dan Durkovic, Ottawa, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1

Frank Trombino, Kleinburg, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1, Penalized five positions due to 1 hp over on dyno

Tom Kipp, Chardon, OH, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, Disqualified from Qualification due to 3.9 hp over on dyno

Larry Orde, Peterborough, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1, Disqualified from Qualification due to leaving Pit Lane during Qualification

From a press release issued by Cariffe Promotions:

Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports and Cariffe Promotions are pleased to announce a joint relationship for the series final round of the SB2 Supermoto US National Championship, to be held at the UMB Bank Pavilion in suburban St. Louis on September 6th and 7th.

“The SB2 Supermoto series has developed a foundation to attract spectators, sponsors and top level race teams,” says Mike Kidd, V.P of Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports. “Having the series finals in the central part of the country at the UMB Pavilion in St. Louis allows us the opportunity to promote a first-class event while attracting many of the top names.”

The racetrack will utilize the facilities of the UMB Pavilion and will follow FIM World Championship guidelines, consisting of 75% to 80% pavement and 20% to 25% dirt. This first-class venue offers spectators great viewing areas along with amenities that will allow racing fans the comfort to enjoy a day at the races.

Lou Cariffe, Cariffe Promotions says, “The plan is to build this sport while bringing the racing to the people through the use of venues located conveniently in major metropolitan areas such as the UMB Pavilion.”

The sixth and final round of the championship series will be a double point paying event with a purse of $7,500 to be split between the Open class and the 450cc class entrants.

In addition to the purse and awards, the top 2 finishers in the season points standings in both classes will receive an invitation to participate in the Parts Unlimited Superbikers Invitational scheduled for October 4th, 2003 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar in California.

From a press release issued by Troy Lee Designs:

Last weekend at the Inaugural Supermoto event, Troy Lee Designs Team rider Troy Lee was injured during Saturday’s heat race. Troy has a few bumps and bruises and is doing just fine, but he is still not quite ready to get back on a bike. Team Troy Lee Designs has accepted a stand-in for Troy to race the Long Beach event to be held this weekend, July 19-20, at the Queen Mary.

Team Honda Pro Superbike racer, Jake Zemke will throw a leg over the #25 bike and is anticipated to do very well. Jake is honored to step in for Troy and the feeling is mutual. Both are excited and look forward to the weekends event.

Remember, there is no admission to the race. Tickets are not needed and all are welcome. Races will run both Saturday and Sunday.

From a press release:

Superside announces European championship for 2004

Superside is proud to announce an agreement with the Union Européenne de Motocyclisme (UEM) to run the Superside UEM Sidecar European championship from 2004.

Although the calendar is still to be finalised, it is expected that the series will run over eight rounds in conjunction with either the European motorcycle championship or as a feature race at National championship level.

Technical rules will be identical to the current World championship and the use of 1000cc four-stroke production based engines with limited tuning opportunities will ensure exciting three-wheeled action. The 1080cc Suzuki GSXR W engine will only be allowed in the first year of competition.

“This new championship presents a fantastic opportunity for sidecar racing. Not only does it provide an officially sanctioned European championship, but the series will serve as a stepping stone to the World championship,” commented Superside’s Malcolm Haisell.

Yokohama tyres will support the new European championship with a comprehensive service and Eurocup series coordinator, Eckart Rösinger, has been appointed secretary and coordinator of the Superside UEM European championship series.

The calendar for 2004 is under negotiation. Visit the Superside World championship official website at www.superside.com for the latest news.

From a press release issued by Ride For Life:

SpeedTV’s Pit Reporter and popular show host Greg White will serve as honorary Grand Marshall of the Fourth Annual Ride for Life in Raleigh NC tomorrow. Ride organizer and CCS racer Stan Simmerson received a voice mail from Greg White on thursday morning asking if there might be some room for the host of “Greg’s Garage” to participate in the ride.

“I was completely blown away by the call,’ Simmerson related, “and I’m honored to have him along for the ride, this will really help raise awareness for this charity ride. The Ride for Life is an annual charity motorcycle ride to benefit the Duke Children’s Hospital. Now in it’s fourth year, the event keeps growing and expanding, and now with Greg White on board, it should grow even more.

“I’d really like to thank Greg White and the folks at Yamaha for making this all possible, since they are providing a bike for him to ride on Saturday”, Simmerson said. “There are a lot of great people in the world, and I’m honored to have so many of them supporting the kids from Duke”.

The ride departs from Scooter’s Bar and Grill at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning. Contact Scooters at 919-9542171 for more info.

From a press releease issued by FGSport Group:

A1-Ring 6 Hour

Welcome Return to the Austrian Circuit

The A1-Ring 6 Hour starts here; the World Endurance circus has arrived at the Austrian circuit and is preparing for a full weekend of track action. Two free practice sessions will be held on Friday morning, with the first qualifying session taking place on Friday afternoon. This is the first time the championship has visited Austria since 1987 so the pressure is on to find base suspension and gearing settings as quickly as possible to make best use of the track time.

Final qualifying will be held on Saturday morning, with an additional warm-up session before the first three hour leg of the race starts at 14:30. The bikes will be held in a parc fermé overnight, being released in time for five minutes of preparation before reforming the grid for the start of the second three hour leg at 13:00 on Sunday. The overall result will be decided on aggregate time, but as we saw at Brno, the riders will be going flat-out from flag to flag rather than worrying about any timing screen advantage.

With the Zongshen Suzuki GSX-R1000s having won every race so far this year, the pressure is on the rest of the field. Local heroes Yamaha Austria have shown they have both the speed and the reliability needed – but not yet from the same motor, while Suzuki GB Phase One are holding second in the championship and have said that they are now going after race wins rather than safe points. First place is the only option for both of these teams.

The German and Swiss teams – KFM Herber, Bolliger, Jet Team, Hofmann Racing and Rookie Racing are also treating this as a home round, with a chance to impress supporters and sponsors. Italians DRE Ducati and Mondial X-One are back for this round; DRE Ducati with Mike Edwards on board and Mondial having successfully launched the Piega to the world’s press. French teams Police Nationale and Endurance Moto38 were disappointed after Albacete and will be hoping to make amends, while GMT94 are hoping that this weekend might bring the success they know they deserve.

With 125 points still to be won the championship has a long way to go, but this weekend marks the start of the second half of the season. Anything could happen in the next four races…

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

Yamaha Austria on Provisional Pole

Austrian Team Fastest At Home Round

Local heroes Yamaha Austria have taken provisional pole position for tomorrow’s A1-Ring Six Hour World Endurance Race. The fastest time of today’s first qualifying session was 1:34.118, set by Horst Saiger. His team mates also qualified well, with Karl Truchsess fastest in his group and Erwin Wilding second fastest in his.

The first five places on the provisional grid are covered by a second, with all five teams having dipped into the one minute thirty four second bracket. These times are expected to fall further tomorrow as riders learn the circuit and teams find suspension and gearing setups to suit the conditions. This is the first time that championship has visited the circuit in recent years and only Yamaha Austria have significant experience here. Track conditions were slippery for this morning’s free practice sessions, but have improved during the course of the day.

The teams holding second, third and fourth places all experienced problems this afternoon. Second placed Suzuki Zongshen No.1 once again struggled to find a brake set-up that worked well, Piergiorgio Bontempi on the Suzuki Zongshen No.2 bike hit a slowing rider on his second fast lap, and Jason Pridmore on the Suzuki GB Phase One snapped a drive chain at the start of his session, only completing three laps.

The final qualifying session begins at 8:30am tomorrow morning, with the first half of the race scheduled to begin at 2:30pm tomorrow afternoon, and the second half beginning at 1:00pm on Sunday afternoon.

2003, July 18 Quotes

Horst Saiger – Yamaha Austria: “Everyone is very close – Police, Zongshen, Phase One… We will have to see what happens tomorrow.”

Mandy Kainz – Yamaha Austria Team Manager: “Tomorrow our team’s supporters will
arrive; we have given 1000 special tickets to our fan club and they will make us go even faster.”

Stephane Mertens – Zongshen No.1: “I know we can go faster tomorrow, so I am happy. I made a lot of mistakes on my fastest lap so I was surprised to see the time. We have brake pads that work now and the set-up is improving.”

Piergiorgio Bontempi – Zongshen No.2: “On my second lap with the qualifying tyre I caught up with Yamaha Austria when they slowed down, and we touched so I went off line. Tomorrow, with a good lap on a good tyre, will be faster.”

Jason Pridmore – Suzuki GB Phase One: “I only did three laps this session – we don’t normally use the second qualifying session, but tomorrow we will because we can go faster.”

Mike Edwards – DRE Ducati: “This isn’t the best track for the Ducati; there are three straights where the Suzukis can pass us, and then the corners are too slow for us to have any advantage. But I ride at this pace all weekend so it looks good for the race.”

Provisional Top Ten

1st Yamaha Austria (AUT) – Saiger –Wilding -Truchsess 1:34.118

2nd Suzuki Zongshen 1 (CHN) – Mertens – Nowland 1:34.153

3rd Suzuki Zongshen 2 (CHN) – Bontempi – Jerman – Bonhuil 1:34.266

4th Suzuki GB (GBR) – Pridmore – Ellison 1:34.759

5th Suzuki Police Nationale (FRA) – Gabbani – Blora 1:34.939

6th DRE Ducati (ITA) – Edwards – Garcia – Marchetti 1:35.222

7th Phase One Junior (GBR) – Notman – Fincher – Jessop 1:35.312

8th Suzuki Trackdaze (GBR) – Cudlin – Plataci – Pilborough 1:35.388

9th Yamaha GMT94 (FRA) – Foti – Scarnato – Guyot 1:35.473

10th Suzuki Jet Team (SUI) – Monot – Jaggi – Waldmeier 1:36.140

From a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

BYRNE AIMING TO CLOSE IN ON TITLE

After dominating the first half of the season, MonsterMob Ducati’s Shane Byrne is eager to get back to winning ways when round eight of the British Superbike Championship travels across the Irish Sea to Mondello Park this weekend.

‘Shakey’ won nine of the opening eleven races but has managed a just a trio of second places since although his title challenge remains well on course having increased his lead further in the last round at Rockingham to a massive 144 points.

The Minster, Isle of Sheppey rider only needs to finish fifth in all remaining ten races to clinch his first major title and considering his worst result to date is second, it shouldn’t be too hard a task but the 26 year old has his sights set on wrapping things up as soon as possible.

“I hate finishing second so it’s a case of getting back to winning again this weekend. I know that safe points are all I need in every race but it would be good to beat the record of 13 wins in a season. If I could do that I’d be champion but I’m not silly enough to throw things away. But there is no doubt, I want to win again this weekend and increase the advantage past the magical 150 points bracket. Mondello is a new track for us all so it should be interesting” said Byrne.

If Byrne does his fourth double of the season as he is hoping, it means he would need just two more wins to be sure of the title and those could come at the following round at the team’s local track, Oulton Park.

Teammate Stuart Easton is also hoping for success at the Co. Kildare circuit where he arrives 60 points adrift of British Supersport Championship leader Karl Harris (Honda). The Hawick teenager celebrates his birthday this weekend and is hoping for the best present of the lot in the form of 25 points.

“I’ve said it for a few races now but I really do need to win this weekend and hope that Karl drops some points so I can close the gap on him. I’ve had a look at the track and I think it will suit the Ducati so there should be no excuses” said the defending champion.

Team owner Paul Bird makes a welcome return to Ireland, having won the Irish Supermoto Championship three times in the late nineties and the superstitious Cumbrian is hoping that his team will have the luck of the Irish this weekend.

“I’ll not be doing anything different with regards to how I used to prepare when I raced over there, that’s for sure! If Shakey can do the business, then I’ll quite happily absorb the pressure that will be on us at the following round but there are a lot of laps to be done before then. Stuart needs to get his finger out and put the Ducati on top of the box as the Supersport trophy cabinet is looking a bit depleted but if we can have a successful weekend, we may just sample some of the black stuff afterwards” he continued.


More, from a press release issued by Hawk Kawasaki:

BSB Round 8, Mondello Park, Eire
18-20 July
Circuit length: 2.268 miles

Hawk Kawasaki hope for the luck of the Irish at Mondello

The British Superbike Championship heads to Ireland this weekend for its first ever non-UK round, at Mondello Park. Record crowds are expected at the tight and technical track, which has played host to British Touring Car Championship rounds for a number of years, when the locals get their first taste of British Superbike action.

Despite never having ridden the 2.268 mile track before, Hawk Kawasaki’s riding trio of Glen Richards, Scott Smart and Lee Jackson are all fired-up for the challenge ahead. ‘I’m really looking forward to this weekend,’ said Richards. ‘I’m not quite sure what to expect, but I’ve been told that it’s a tight, twisty and fairly bumpy track and that should suit the Hawk Kawasaki well. We went well at Thruxton, which is also pretty bumpy, so fingers crossed we can do the same again here.’

Scott Smart, who rode superbly to match his season’s best result of sixth at Rockingham two weeks ago, is equally keen to get round eight of the series underway: ‘I quite like learning tracks because I’ve had to do it throughout my career, so it tends to play into my favour,’ he explained. ‘It’s also quite tight and bumpy, so the advantage of the 1000s won’t be so acute over our 750cc Kawasakis. I’m aiming to build upon the results I achieved at Rockingham, because the bike’s getting better for me at each round. We’ve got to really work on the chassis set-up though, because when you haven’t got so much horsepower you need the chassis set up perfectly.’

Lee Jackson is also in confident mood now that his least favourite track, Rockingham, is behind him. ‘I just want to get out on my pushbike and learn the track as soon as I can,’ said the 26 year-old. ‘The Irish often come over to our championship, so it’ll be good for us to go over there and have a bit of a go in their back yard. I honestly don’t know what to expect of the track because I’ve only seen it on TV before, but I’ll give it my best no matter what.’

BSB Riders’ Championship, after 7 rounds
1) Shane Byrne: 325
2) Michael Rutter: 181
3) John Reynolds: 167
4) Yukio Kagayama: 153
5) Steve Plater: 146
6) Glen Richards: 141
7)
Gary Mason: 126
8) Steve Hislop: 122
9) Scott Smart: 89
10) Sean Emmett: 88
11) John Crawford: 74
12) Lee Jackson: 62
13) Paul Young:
58
14) Mark Heckles: 47
15) John McGuinness: 26
16) Dean Ellison: 25
17) Jon Kirkham: 25
18) Paul Jones: 22
19) Nick Medd: 19
20) Leon Haslam: 15

BSB Premier Team Championship, after 7 rounds
1) Monstermob/ETI Ducati: 1101
2) Virgin Mobile Yamaha: 1031
3) Renegade Ducati: 1022
4) Rizla Suzuki: 1015
5) Hawk Kawasaki: 991
6) TDB Recruit/Appleyard Yamaha: 805
7) Hawk Kawasaki/TDC Suzuki: 790
8) Honda Racing: 775
9) D&B/Renegade Ducati: 634

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems that every time there’s a press release from Alice Aprilia, Colin Edwards’ quotes sound like they were given in English, translated into Italian, then translated back into English.

You notice the same thing? Just thought it was interesting.

Keep up the great work on the magazine and site!

Dave Grace
San Francisco, California