Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Former racer Phil McDonald remains heavily sedated in intensive care at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, while being treated for injuries suffered in a streetbike crash over the weekend.

According to his father, Norm, Phil McDonald suffered compound fractures of both arms and extensive left shoulder damage, including torn ligaments and nerves. Norm McDonald said that a bystander applying a tourniquet to Phil’s left arm saved his life, and that he needed seven pints of blood when he reached the hospital. Phil McDonald also suffered a broken right foot.

According to Norm McDonald, a truck pulled out of a parking lot, hitting Phil McDonald and sending him into the center median, which had an 8-inch curb. The impact with the curb sent Phil McDonald airborne, and he flew into a highway sign, bending the sign pole flat and continuing on another 150 feet.

McDonald thanked Roadracing World readers for their calls and e-mails. “When you put that on Roadracingworld.com (yesterday), we started getting calls from everywhere in the U.S.,” said Norm McDonald “It makes you really feel good when you’re down and have that kind of support.

“We really appreciate it, it’s just overwhelming the amount of calls and e-mails we’ve gotten, it makes you really proud to be a part of motorcycling,” Norm McDonald continued.

“The guy that hit him came up to the hospital, he was so devastated,” said Norm McDonald. “He said ‘The traffic was so heavy I just didn’t see him.’ He and his wife just stayed out there and bawled and bawled. There was so much blood on the scene when the TV crew showed up that they put it on as a motorcycle fatality, but didn’t give any names, thankfully. Somebody must have been looking out for us because thankfully somebody at the scene put a tourniquet on him. Most of the time people don’t want to get involved.”

Cards can be sent to:
Phil McDonald
c/o K&N Motorcycles
6105 New Sapulpa Rd.
Tulsa, OK 74131

E-mail can be sent to Phil McDonald c/o [email protected]

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

KAGAYAMA JOINS HOPKINS AT ASSEN

Team Suzuki regular John Hopkins will have a new temporary team-mate at the Dutch TT at Assen next Saturday.

With 2000 Suzuki World Champion Kenny Roberts Junior sidelined by injury for a second successive race, factory Suzuki rider Yukio Kagayama makes a Grand Prix return on the second GSV-R MotoGP prototype.

Hopkins, who turned 20 earlier this year, will be maintaining his 100-percent start record in his first season with the factory Suzuki team. Hopkins was also injured at the Italian GP, where Roberts suffered chest injuries; but was able to ride on through the pain barrier one week later at the Catalunyan GP.

Kagayama, Suzuki rider since 1993, has ridden in GPs as a substitute and a wild card several times over the years, with a best of sixth in 1998 in Malaysia. The 29-year-old Japanese rider, who has earned a reputation as a determined and spirited racer, comes to Assen hotfoot from Brands Hatch, where he is campaigning a Rizla Crescent Suzuki GSX-R1000 in the British Superbike championship series.

The pair will face one of the greatest challenges on the World Championship trail at the long and technically challenging Assen circuit. Although one section was revised last year, the circuit has retained all the character and difficulty that earned it the respectful nickname: the Cathedral.

With Suzuki’s new 2003 GSV-R developing race by race, Hopkins and Kagayama hope that the circuit might help them take another step towards the radical new motorcycle’s obvious full potential. Assen replaces the more usual modern tight corners with long and complex sets of faster more sweeping curves. Technique, and a well-set-up motorcycle, can be combined to iron out other performance differences.

The team is fresh from two days of testing after the last round at Catalunya, where 1993 Suzuki World Champion Kevin Schwantz was in the pits and at the trackside. All-time racing hero Schwantz achieved all of his 25 500cc GP wins riding a factory Suzuki, and gave valuable support and advice.

“I believe that the new GSV-R is capable of being competitive, but there are some problems that need to be fixed, especially with handling. I’ll do whatever I can to help them find the answers,” said Schwantz, who in retirement runs a series of racing schools in the USA, and now also in Europe.

Team manager Garry Taylor welcomed the input. “The factory engineers and the team are working flat out. Kevin’s help has given us even more impetus, and helped the team spirit.

“We really appreciate John’s efforts, especially in recent weeks, and wish Kenny a speedy recovery and return. We’re also looking forward to working with Yukio again – he really gives it everything he’s got.

“And we’re all confident of success in our goal … of putting the factory Suzuki riders back up front, where they belong.”

Assen is the seventh of 16 rounds in the World Championship.

JOHN HOPKINS – READY TO KEEP LEARNING
It’s been good to have a weekend off to recuperate … I was feeling pretty knocked about after Mugello, and the whole weekend in Catalunya was very difficult and very uncomfortable. Assen is an awesome track, and I’m looking forward to going back there. I was seventh last year, my best finish of the year, and I really enjoyed it. They say you learn more about Assen every time you go back, so here’s hoping.

YUKIO KAGAYAMA – I FEEL LUCKY
I rode the GSV-R a lot last year, including at GPs and in the All-Japan championship, where I won three races. We were working on developing the new 2003 machine, and this will be my first chance to race it. Also my first time at Assen. I feel very lucky.

ABOUT THIS RACE
The Dutch TT is the most historic race on the World Championship calendar, pre-dating the World Championship series, now in its 55th year. The first TT on the public roads around the town of Assen, in the flat and windswept northern province of Drenthe, was held in 1925, and “Speed Week” has continued ever since, interrupted only by World War Two. Held close to mid-summer’s day, the race draws huge crowds, a northern rival to Jerez as the most popular GP. Tradition dictates that the Dutch TT is held on a Saturday – all other GPs take place on Sunday. This year, after the success of a similar change last year during the football World Cup, racing has been delayed by an hour over the normal schedule to make the most of the long daylight. At the same time, strict crowd control measures have been introduced, banning alcohol and canned drinks at the track, to reduce the likelihood of a track invasion, as happened last year. “Enjoy, don’t destroy,” is the motto of the event.

ABOUT THIS TRACK
The longest and fastest track on the calendar was altered last year –the stretch behind the paddock moved backwards to make more space, while reproducing the previous layout as far as possible. As a result, Kevin Schwantz’s 1991 lap record, set on a 500cc Suzuki, was never broken. The new version has lost 22 metres and now measures 3.745 miles, and the average speed rose by almost one mile an hour, preserving the status as the fastest circuit at more than 110mph. The new version still retains traces of its public-roads origins – it only became a closed circuit in the Nineties, when a new bypass road was completed. It is especially unique in its complexity – each section of the circuit is made up of strings of mainly high-speed corners. A mistake in any one bend costs times throughout the remainder of that section, and Assen puts a premium on good machine handling, as well as smooth and accurate riding. The “cathedral of motorcycle racing” has earned its status, and is a favourite with fans and riders alike.


GP DATA

Assen Circuit

Circuit Length: 3.745 miles / 6.027 km

Lap Record: 2:00.973 – 111.446 mph / 179.355 km/h. Valentino Rossi (Honda) 2002


2002 Results

Race Winner: Rossi (Honda)

Race Average: 38.49.425 -109.966 mph / 176.973 km/h

Fastest Race Lap: see lap record

Pole Position: Rossi (Honda) 2:01.691

Kenny Roberts: Sixth, qualified third, 2:01.836 (Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki)
Fastest Race Lap: 2:02.896

Sete Gibernau: DNF, qualified 16th, 2:03.908 (Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki)
Fastest Race Lap: 2:03.563

John Hopkins: Seventh, qualified tenth, 2:02.764
Fastest Race Lap: 2:03.507

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Racer Monty Warsing and wife Dianna had a daughter, Carleigh Jean Warsing, June 22 in Frederick, Maryland.

Racer Troy Corser and wife Sam had a son, Kalanie Gray Corser, June 24 in Monaco.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

SECOND HALF OF AMA LOCKHART PHILLIPS USA FORMULA XTREME SERIES BEGINS AT BRAINERD

Buckmaster could earn a share of all-time wins leader in the class

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (June 24, 2003) — The second half of the 2003 AMA Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series begins Saturday, June 28 at Brainerd International Raceway. If the next five rounds are as exciting as the first five, then race fans are in for a real treat. Australian veteran Damon Buckmaster of Team Yamaha holds a narrow two-point lead over young Ben Spies from the Yoshimura Suzuki squad. Not far behind are five other leading riders vying to earn the series championship; any one of whom could conceivably leave Brainerd with the series lead. The series has been very competitive so far this season. In the first half of the year there have been three winners in five rounds and the points chase has witnessed three different riders atop the standings.

Buckmaster, the 30-year-old former Australian Supersport champion, finds himself leading the series after winning two straight rounds on his factory Yamaha R1. Buckmaster comes to Minnesota looking for his first victory at Brainerd. If he manages to win Saturday, Buckmaster would tie Kurtis Roberts and Eric Bostrom as the all-times wins leader in Formula Xtreme. Roberts and Bostrom have nine wins apiece to lead the category.

Buckmaster earned his eighth-career win with his victory in Elkhart Lake, Wis., earlier this month.

“This is developing into a great championship race,” said Buckmaster, whose best finish in the Brainerd Formula Xtreme race was fourth last year. “It’s a bit more of a challenge for me since I’m in the middle of this and the Supersport title chase. I would love to win two AMA titles in one year. It would help make up for being so close so many times in the past.”

Spies is looking to get back on top of the series at Brainerd. The 18-year-old Texan dominated the first two rounds on his factory Suzuki before running into some bad luck that knocked him out of the series lead. A win at Brainerd would put young Spies back atop the championship.

Josh Hayes earned his first podium finish of the year in Elkhart Lake. That result moved him up to third in the Formula Xtreme championship.

Insiders say that the oft-injured Hayes is completely healthy and gaining more confidence in his racing ability each week. Hayes could easily break through to win his first AMA National in four years this weekend.

Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke held the Formula Xtreme Series lead before crashing at the last round in Elkhart Lake, Wis. Zemke has been successful at Brainerd over the last few seasons. He won the Formula Xtreme race there in 2001 and the Pro Honda Oils Supersport event last year. Look for Zemke to be a major factor at BIR.

Marty Craggill is the defending Brainerd Formula Xtreme winner. Craggill switched teams and now rides for the Bruce Transportation Group Honda squad. Craggill won last year’s race with a broken foot so you can rest assured that the Aussie rider is eager to take to the track 100 percent fit in Minnesota.

Another factor to consider at Brainerd are local riders. Over the years locals who club race regularly at BIR have broken through a few times to surprise the AMA series regulars. Few will forget Minnesotan Greg Fryer’s surprising Formula Xtreme victory on a soggy Brainerd circuit in 1997.

Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Series

Corona Extra Suzuki’s Jimmy Moore hopes to become the first rider to win three Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock races at Brainerd. Moore is running a two-year Brainerd winning streak coming into this weekend’s race. Czech immigrant Vincent Haskovec leads the Superstock series. The likable Haskovec is attempting to give the Hooters Suzuki teams its first AMA Championship. Meanwhile Kawasaki’s Tommy Hayden could tie Fred Merkel for fourth on the all-time AMA Superstock wins list should he take victory at BIR. Moore’s Corona Extra Suzuki teammate Adam Fergusson is a close third in the series behind Haskovec and Hayden. Fergusson is looking to earn his first Superstock win of the year. Also, look for Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp to post a strong showing coming off his Superstock victory at Road America.

MBNA 250 Grand Prix Series

As every week goes by Rich Oliver solidifies his claim to being the best MBNA 250 Grand Prix rider of all time. Oliver and his Team Oliver Yamaha remain undefeated this season coming into Brainerd having won six straight so far this year. Defending 250GP champ Chuck Sorensen, of Stargel Aprilia, hopes to stop Oliver’s streak this weekend. Brainerd was the site of Sorensen’s very first AMA National win back in 1994. Since that year it’s been either him or Oliver that have won every Brainerd round. When Sorensen won his first race in 1994 he was riding for Team Oliver Yamaha.

The Brainerd Formula Xtreme round along with highlights of Superstock and 250 Grand Prix action will be taped and shown on Speed Channel’s Two-Wheel Tuesday lineup on July 8 at 10 p.m. EST.

For additional information on the race contact BIR at (218) 824-7220 or visit www.brainerdraceway.com.

From a press release issued by the AMA:

AMA PRESENTS “BRIGHTER IMAGE AWARD” TO NASCAR DRIVER KYLE PETTY

PICKERINGTON, OHIO — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that Kyle Petty is the latest recipient of the AMA Hazel Kolb Brighter Image Award. The presentation took place this morning in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The award, presented to Petty for his commitment to a wide range of charitable causes, is the AMA’s highest honor for activities that generate positive publicity for motorcycling.

An avid motorcyclist, Petty is best known as the driver of the #45 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. In 1995, he founded the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America to benefit children’s charities. Since then, the event has logged over 24,000 miles, involved over 3,000 riders, and generated over $3.5 million for children’s hospitals across the country.

“Motorcyclists, as a group, are among the most active and generous Americans,” said Robert Rasor, President of the AMA. “Through his Charity Ride Across America, Kyle Petty has shown extraordinary leadership, showing what can be accomplished through commitment and passion, and he’s most deserving of this award.”

In October 2000, Kyle and his wife, Pattie, partnered with actor Paul Newman to launch The Victory Junction Gang Camp, a medical camp for children and their families living with chronic and/or life-threatening illnesses. The project was founded in honor of the Pettys’ son Adam, who was killed five months earlier during practice for a NASCAR Busch Grand National Series race.

Petty, 43, also works with numerous other charities, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Winston Cup Racing Wives Auxiliary. In 2000, he was named, along with his father, Richard, as “Persons of the Year” by NASCAR Winston Cup Illustrated magazine for their charitable work.

For more information about the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, visit www.kylepettycharityride.com or call (704) 714-4545.

The American Motorcyclist Association, founded in 1924, is a non-profit organization with more than 250,000 members. The Association’s purpose is to pursue, protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members. For more information, visit the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com, or call 1-800-AMA-JOIN.

From a press release issued by Mat Mladin’s publicist:

2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Round 11 – Brainerd International Raceway, Minnesota, USA
Event Preview

MLADIN CHASES MAIDEN VICTORY AT BRAINERD

Brainerd, Minnesota, USA (Tuesday, 24 June) – Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin arrives at Minnesota’s Brainerd International Raceway, host of round 11 of the 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship holding down second place in the championship, just one point shy of Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom.

The season has been a battle of wills for the Australian. He has won six of the ten races held this season, but has had his consistency affected by tyre related problems. With just seven races remaining for the season, Mladin will be digging deep to obtain the results that he needs to regain the championship lead.

Brainerd is one of Mladin’s favourite circuits on the American race calendar and always looks forward to the cross-country trip.

“Along with Road America, Brainerd is a place that I look forward to,” said Mladin. “I like the countryside around here where you can get out and do a few different outdoor activities. I also like the circuit itself. It’s a place that we’ve done well at in the past, but are yet to crack it for a win, hopefully we can change that this weekend.”

While the three-times AMA Superbike champion does like the circuit and is the existing Superbike lap record holder around the 4.828km (3.00miles) complex, he has never won there. He has been runner-up on three occasions, but his last two visits saw him leave empty handed after suffering a first lap crash in 2001 and engine problems last year. With the new Suzuki GSX-R1000 at his disposal this year, Mladin will be aiming at a return to the winner’s podium this weekend. Further incentive for Mladin to aim for the top step on the podium is that Suzuki have never won at Brainerd in the 20-year history of the event.

“We need to get back to winning. It was good to get the win at the first race at Road Atlanta, but we made a wrong tyre choice for the second race and paid the price. Tyres have definitely been the most crucial factor for us this year. We have been working closely with Dunlop, so hopefully we can get a tyre from them that will suit the needs of the Suzuki.”

Preparations for this Sunday’s 21-lap Superbike national get underway with practice and qualifying sessions commencing on Friday and continuing through Saturday.



BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY – FAST FACTS

Circuit length: 4.828km (3.00miles)
2002 Pole position: Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki ZX-7RR) 1:36.421

2002 Results:
1. Nicky Hayden (American Honda RC51)
2. Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki ZX-7RR)
3. Doug Chandler (HMC Ducati 998RS)
Lap Record: Mat Mladin (Team Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:35.320 (2001)

2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship (points after 10 of 18
rounds)
1. E Bostrom (294); 2. M Mladin (293); 3. A Yates (276); 4. B Bostrom (274); 5. K Roberts (272); 6. M DuHamel (246); 7. L Pegram (211); 8. S Higbee (207); 9. J Pridmore (200); 10. V Haskovec (159).

From a press release issued by Speed TV:

SPEED CHANNEL SCHEDULE CHANGE BRINGS WIND TUNNEL, AUTO PROGRAMMING TO PRIME TIME

FASTEST GROWING SPORTS NETWORK DEBUTS NEW SCHEDULE AUG. 4

Closing in on 60 million U.S. cable households, SPEED Channel will shift its Monday-Thursday Prime Time lineup beginning Aug. 4.

“This is something we have been working on for some time,” said SPEED Channel President Jim Liberatore. “Much of our first year was spent developing relationships with multiple race series and accumulating additional programming. The new schedule is the next step in SPEED’s natural evolution. We think this new lineup is a more attractive mix of some of our stronger programs and better defines the network moving forward.”

As part of the new schedule, SPEED Channel will create a one-hour, Prime Time block of auto enthusiast programming Mondays through Thursdays beginning at 8 p.m. ET, including Car Crazy, American Muscle Car, AutoWeek, Dream Car Garage, Hot Rod TV, MotorWeek, My Classic Car and Two Guys Garage.

In addition, SPEED Channel’s Friday night viewer call-in program, Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain, will now go live four nights a week in Prime Time, running Monday through Thursdays beginning at 9 p.m.

“The auto programs have performed well for us in the weekend morning time slot and we want to be more aggressive in serving that section of our viewing audience,” Liberatore said. “Wind Tunnel is a program that we believe in and want to profile as one of our signature shows. Dave does a great job of engaging our passionate viewers in discussions on everything from their favorite race series to their favorite muscle car.”

NASCAR TV, which includes the popular Inside Winston Cup and Trackside, will anchor the Prime Time lineup, airing from 6 to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and all night on Friday. The 10 p.m. to midnight block will be dedicated to racing.

“Our new lineup is a reorganization of our existing programming with more emphasis on our highest rated programs,” Liberatore said. “We also have created a lineup that facilitates more effective promotion of those programs. We have not dropped any racing series, as racing remains a critical component of SPEED Channel. To make room, we removed several race replays that simply weren’t performing well enough to be part of SPEED’s Prime Time lineup.”

In 2003, SPEED Channel is the exclusive U.S. cable home for many of the top motor sports series in the world, including Formula One, The Champ Car World Series, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, USAC, World Rally, ASA, IHRA, ALMS, Grand American Road Racing, F3000 and live coverage of AMA and FIM motorcycle road racing events. Now available in more the 62 million homes in North America, SPEED Channel is the fastest growing sports cable network in the country and the home to NASCAR TV.

From a press release issued by FGSPORT GROUP:

The FIM World Endurance Championship visits eight international circuits over seven months, featuring five different race formats with a truly diverse range of machinery all competing for overall championship honours. The first three rounds of the Championship have all gone down to the wire, with the Suzuki Zongshen 1 bike of Nowland and Mertens winning at Imola and Brno, and the Zongshen No.2 bike of Jerman and Bonhuil taking the honours at Assen.

Zongshen 1 lead the championship standings with 66 points, but Suzuki GB Phase One (Four, Ellison, Pridmore, Lindstrom) have taken two second places and a third to stay in touch in second place with 56 points. Third place is held by the Suzuki Police Nationale team, on 33 points, and fourth by Yamaha GMT94 on 30 points. With five races to go and 150 points (the Oschersleben 24 Hour race awards 50 points to the winner, shorter races just 25) available the championship is still wide open, but for both Zongshen 1 and Phase One only a win will be good enough. Zongshen 1, Phase One, Police Nationale and the Swiss Suzuki Jet Team are the only teams to have scored points in every round so far.

Albacete 12 Horas Nocturnas

The Albacete race will, as the title suggests, run for 12 hours through the night. The race will start at dusk on Saturday evening, running non-stop through until Sunday morning. Although the circuit will be fully illuminated (and is the only such circuit outside Japan) night racing has its own very specific demands. The body reaches its lowest ebb in the early hours of the morning, and this can affect the concentration of pit crews as well as riders. As we have seen at Brno, fuel strategies will be vital and the slightest miscalculation could cost a team the race. With the race starting at sunset and ending after dawn the track conditions will also change significantly during the race; tyre life and grip could be significantly affected.

This will also be the longest race of the championship so far this year, and will test the durability and stamina of both man and machine. In ideal conditions teams will make refuelling and rider changes at around one hourly intervals, with the leading contenders changing both front and rear tyres at each stop. The wear rates of items such as brake pads must also be monitored; pads typically last around three hours but changing them adds both time and risk to stops. The levels of coolant and oil must be checked, and running with full lights will place extra loading on the bikes’ electrical systems.

The Albacete race will present a real endurance challenge to all the competitors. The winning team will be the one which manages to combine lap after lap at qualifying speed with faultless pit stops and a fuel strategy that keeps the bike on track and at racing speed for as long as possible.

Last Year’s Race

There was no round of the World Endurance Championship at Albacete last year. The last time the championship visited Spain was in 1987, when the Jerez 8 Hour race was won by the Suzuki team of Moineau and Le Bihan. The same pair went on to win the World Championship later that year.

A twenty four hour race at Barcelona was a permanent fixture in the calendar for many years during the nineteen seventies, with the Montjuich Park circuit proving so popular that Laverda named one of their bikes after it. The Barcelona 24 Hour race still runs today as a Spanish national event, with the 2002 race being won by the Yamaha R1 of Folch Endurance 1, ridden by Eduard Ullastres, Alex Hervas and Guim Roda. A number of the Barcelona competitors are expected to take part in the Albacete 12 Horas Nocturnas, where their local circuit knowledge and long-distance race experience will prove useful.

Protagonists’ Quotes

Michel Marqueton, team manager of Zongshen has seen mixed results from his two bikes so far this year, and this is reflected in his thoughts on the Spanish race: “Albacete will be very tough because it’s a very short track, very twisty, with heavy braking then acceleration then braking. It’s not really made for Suzukis, so my prediction is that the other teams have a good chance here; we will just have to take our chances.”

Russell Benney, Team manager of Suzuki GB Phase One is much more upbeat about the coming weekend: “Brno was not one of our best meetings. We had crashes in qualifying and the race but outstanding performances from Olivier Four and Jason Pridmore made up for that. Dean Ellison (brother of regular rider James Ellison) joins us for Albacete, and I have no doubt that he will be one of the quickest riders there.

We’re well up for the challenge of Albacete!”

For the riders, Albacete will set its own challenges. Mike Edwards, rider and tutor for Trackdaze, tested there over the winter: “The circuit is flat and smooth but quite tight, so passing others is hard. A home for the ‘late brakers’ and brave hearted.”

Stephane Mertens, rider for Zongshen 1, has raced at Albacete many times before: “It’s a very nice track but very technical – very hard for the rider, and it will be hot in qualifying. I’m looking forward to racing in the night – the real spirit of endurance.”

From a press release issued by F-USA:

Formula USA Update:

Formula USA, CCS, and XSBA riders prepare for the 3rd Annual Virginia Festival of Speed at Virginia Int’l Raceway this weekend June 27-29. Formula USA, Championship Cup Series, and the exciting new X-treme Sport Bike Association return to Virginia Int’l Raceway for another fast-paced weekend of action. Beautiful VIR plays host to one of America’s largest regions of racers as they race at over 160 miles per hour only inches apart.

Jeff Wood (Bettencourt / Honda) leads the Formula USA “Sportbike” class after Round 3 at Loudon, taking advantage of the double point weekend by posting a win and a second place in the two legs of competition. Scott Greenwood (Agro Cycles Suzuki) also posted a second and a win in the “Sportbike” two-leg main event at Loudon increasing his position in the point standings with Matt Wait (Kneedraggers.com Yamaha) out with injuries. Don’t miss the street freestyle action of the XSBA throughout the weekend as well … no-handed wheelies, one-handed endos, too insane to miss!

Mike Hale to ride Kneedraggers.com Yamaha with Matt Wait and Texas youngster Ryan Andrews at Round 4 of the Formula USA Championships at Virginia Int’l Raceway this weekend. Hale, a former dirt track racer turned road racer, is the perfect addition to the team since the Kneedraggers.com team’s main focus is to retain the Formula USA Grand Nat’l Championship title, which consists of road race and dirt track events under the Formula USA umbrella. With Matt Wait injured at Loudon, he will have some recovery time, but plans to ride at VIR this weekend. Hale should help provide a points buffer between Jeff Wood and Scott Greenwood, who are both now ahead of Wait in Championship points, while Wait is recovering. Team Manager / Crew Chief Chuck Giachetto said Monday, “We have a lot of confidence in Matt’s ability, Matt IS the Kneedraggers.com program, he is our #1 guy, and will remain our #1 guy throughout this season and beyond. But the Kneedraggers.com Yamaha team is here to win, and we think that Mike Hale is the perfect rider to have on our bikes right now with his road race and dirt track experience. We are very confident that Mike can provide the results that we are used to… Winning.

“Matt will still race this weekend and attempt to collect valuable Championship points, however the Sportbike event is a very long race, and VIR is a very physical track, so it will be very hard for him to keep a competitive pace for that long,” adds Giachetto.

It should provide for a great show for the fans with three Kneedraggers.com Yamahas alongside the other series regulars of Stanton and Harwell (Arclight Racing Suzuki), Jeff Wood (Bettencourt Honda), Scott Greenwood (ArgoCycles Suzuki), Jason Smith (Smith Brothers Kawasaki), Eric Wood (Kosco Buell), Mike Ciccotto (Hal’s Performance Buell), Des Conboy (Celtic Suzuki) and Michael Himmelsbach (Hooters Suzuki).

The Roadracingworld.com Action Fund is deploying another three pieces of Airfence–making a total of 23 28-foot sections–at Formula USA/CCS events as a part of an educational program to demonstrate the effectiveness of soft barriers. A soft barrier will be on display at each Formula USA Nat’l Championship round for racers and spectators to become more familiar with the product, and to educate facilities on the effectiveness of soft barriers in reducing injuries. To make donations to the fund, visit RoadracingWorld.com.

Traxxion Dynamics Suspension Service has added a $250 Holeshot Award to the Formula USA Sportbike main event purse. Matt Wait was the first recipient at Mid-America Motorplex, and Scott Greenwood claimed the $250 prize at the 80th Loudon Classic. The award is for the first rider to the apex of turn number one in the Formula USA Sportbike main event at each round of competition throughout the 2003 race season. Encounter “Virtual Max”, who can help answer suspension questions, at Traxxion.com.

Dan Jackson leads XSBA Freestyle Championships after Round 1 in Iowa. With some of the sports top riders including 2002 XSBA Champ Thew Blankstrom and Chris “Teach” McNeil on hand Jackson pulled of his first XSBA Main Event win in two seasons. Jackson was top qualifier in three XSBA Championship Events last year, but was never able to claim the top podium position. Jackson will be absent in this weekend’s round at VIR as will Thew Blankstrom, (both are appearing at an XSBA show during the AMA Prostar event this week at Norwalk Ohio), opening the door for other riders to claim valuable 2003 Championship Points. Jackson and Blankstrom will return to action at Round 3 of the XSBA Freestyle Championship in Topeka Kansas, August 8-10.

Marietta Motorsports (1-888-FASTLAP) has agreed to an XSBA Championship Series sponsorship agreement for the remainder of the 2003 season. The Atlanta area motorcycle dealership has been one of the largest contributors to the road race contingency program offering payments for use of Kobe Leathers, FM Helmets, Rokk Exhaust, and Extreme Tech Steering Dampeners. They have also been a trackside fixture at regional and national events for more than 10 years with apparel, parts and accessories. Call 1-888-FASTLAP, or visit 1888FASTLAP.com.

Vanson Leathers has announced that they will award a special one-of-a-kind jacket to the 2003 XSBA National Freestyle Champion at the 20th Annual Daytona Biketoberfest, along with a cash bonus for the top three riders. Vanson is known worldwide for their top quality racing and casual leather apparel. For more information visit Vanson.com.

Sales of the XSBA 110% Video, (a re-cap of the 2002 XSBA Freestyle Championships), has contributed over $2,000 to the XSBA Nat’l Championship Point Fund, since it’s release this spring. To purchase a copy, visit XSBA.com.

Find Formula USA / CCS, and IHRA drag race event schedules listed in Hooter’s Sports News every month found at all 300 Hooter’s Restaurant locations nationwide. The ad photo features Hooter’s Suzuki rider Nate Kern in action at Daytona .

Formula USA and CCS racers will have the opportunity for additional practice at the remaining Nat’l events held at Heartland Park, Summit Point, and Daytona through track promoted practice days. Contact Heartland Park and Summit Point for more details at those facilities. For Daytona, contact Team Hammer School, or visit FormulaUSA.com.

Nate “Gator” Wait – brother of 2002 Formula USA GNC Champ Matt Wait, leads the 2003 GNC Championships after the first two rounds in New Hampshire. Youngster Nick Cummings was the sensation at the Rochester Dirt Track event, dominating the practice and qualifying, but finished second in the main event. Nate Wait did well at the Dirt Track event, but was surprised to see himself finish 4th in one of the two legs of Formula USA Sportbike competition after a long time off from racing. Visit FormulaUSA.com for results and coming events in the Formula USA Grand Nat’l Championship Series.

From a press release issued by AHRMA:

Barber road race date change.

Due to the scheduling of track maintenance, the AHRMA Pro-Flo/Progressive Suspension Historic Cup rounds at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala., have been changed to Sept. 27-28.

An AHRMA-run practice day will be Friday, Sept. 26.

The previous dates for the event were Oct. 25-26.