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It Comes Down To Nicky Hayden Vs. Eric Bostrom This Weekend At VIR

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It Comes Down To Nicky Hayden Vs. Eric Bostrom This Weekend At VIR

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA Chevy Trucks Superbike Championship Showdown at VIR

Pickerington, Ohio – It all comes down to this. The 2002 AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship will be decided this weekend, August 9-11, during the VIR Lightning Nationals at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia. Honda’s Nicky Hayden and Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom are the two riders left in contention for the title. Hayden comes to this weekend’s Superbike doubleheader at VIR the defending winner of the race and holds a 35-point lead over Bostrom in the series standings. Bostrom rides into the series finale having won two of the last three Superbike races and is looking to close the season on a winning note.

Hayden, who turned 21 last week, is having an outstanding season. He’s ridden his factory Honda RC51 to eight victories this year. That’s the second highest number of AMA Superbike wins during a single season in the history of the series. Hayden has an opportunity at VIR to match Fred Merkel’s 1984 record of 10 AMA Superbike wins in a year if he manages to take both rounds. If Hayden wins the championship, he will become the youngest rider in the history of the series to win the AMA U.S. Superbike Championship.

He seems cautiously optimistic on his chances of winning the title. “Any little mistake and it’s out the window,” Hayden said. “So I’m real excited about Virginia. It’s a track I like a lot and hopefully I’ll go in there and just get it done. I’m pretty excited about being in this position with two races to go, but I’m not going to let up at all. I’m just going in there to try to do whatever it takes to win the title.”

Bostrom’s plate has been full this year competing in both the Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship and select rounds of the World Superbike Championship. The results have been impressive. The world competition seems to have made Bostrom a better rider and the results have been showing during the second half of the season. Since the Pikes Peak round, which marked the midway point in the season, Bostrom has been the winningest rider in the series.

It’s possible that this could be the last opportunity for U.S. racing fans to watch both Hayden and Bostrom race in person for a while. Both are being mentioned as top candidates for world championship MotoGP and or World Superbike rides for next season.

While the focus will be on the Hayden/Bostrom battle, several other riders hope to close the season on a high note. Chief among those would be three-time and defending AMA Superbike champion Mat Mladin, who holds the official track record with a lap of one minute, 25.428 seconds at 95.238 miles per hour on a Suzuki GSXR750. At VIR, Mladin will be trying to keep from having his first winless season in six years. Last year at VIR, the Aussie was protecting his series lead, but this year he’ll likely pull out all the stops to put his No. 1 Suzuki atop the podium.

Miguel Duhamel is the all-time wins leader in AMA Superbike and is ranked third in the series coming into this weekend’s doubleheader. At 35, Duhamel shows little sign of slowing down. He’s added two more wins to his victory tally already this year with his Road America doubleheader sweep and would love nothing better than to end the season with another pair of victories. This is the second year of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship has visited the recently renovated Virginia International Raceway. The facility has quickly become a rider and fan favorite with its scenic rural surroundings and the track itself offers a great combination of low and high-speed corners and offers viewers some spectacular vistas with its elevation changes.

For additional information contact VIR at (434) 822-7700 or visit www.virclub.com.

Same-day coverage of the Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship begins at 3:30 p.m. Eastern, Saturday, Aug. 10 (Superbike race 1), with repeats at 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. Sunday’s Superbike final will be live and coverage begins at 3 p.m. Eastern, with repeats at 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., Aug. 11, all on Speed Channel. For immediate post-race results, points, and live transponder scoring from each race in the championship, log on to amaproracing.com’s Superbike Mediacenter, the official home of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship.

A Tul-aris Race Report From Dr. Rob Tuluie

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A Tul-aris Race Report From Dr. Rob Tuluie

From a press release issued by Dr. Rob Tuluie:

Just a quick update from our first Formula USA National at Road America on Aug 4th:

For those of you unfamiliar with Road America, it is one of the best racing circuits in the U.S. and was a recent contender to bring the World Championship Grand Prix back to America. It’s north of Milwaukee, WI, is 4 miles long and features long straights, fast sweepers and several technical turns with elevation changes.

We had been to the track once before in April, but were unable to practice or race most of the time due to horrible weather, with high temperatures in the 40s and continual rains throughout the weekend. Not so this time, the weather was almost perfect and we got in all of our practice sessions. Early on, we noticed a substantial lack of power, which was most likely due to a change of transfer port roof angle I should had avoided in hindsight. We were able to gain some of this back before the race by advancing the ignition timing and praying that the Nutec GP2 fuel would hold the detonation in check (which it did), but were still down about 12 hp (according to the very convenient Formula USA dynojet dyno we used at the track) from what this strong Hot Seat Performance motor produced earlier in the year on the Manley Cycle dyno. While in April we had excellent top speed and the bike would power wheelie all the way to the start finish line, this time around it was noticeably slower on the uphill front straight and required lower overall gearing. In addition, our otherwise excellent AP Brakes proved a bit too aggressive for the entry into Canada corner, which required a very subtle brake manipulation while leaned over and braking hard from top gear into this 2nd gear turn. We retained the AP radial master cylinder but switched to stainless rotors (instead of the cast ones we typically use) and sintered EBC pads rather than the Performance Friction carbon pads which served us so well when we set the lap record at Blackhawk recently. Sounds easy, but it took us several practice session to arrive at the desired combination. So, with the limited practice time available for this huge race event, it was not until the Sunday morning warm-up practice that we finally had the right package together for Steve to put into action. Tom Mason of MRT mounted a fresh set of Michelin slicks and we were ready for the race.

Steve started the Unlimited GP race (also called the “shootout”) in 8th position and promptly knocked 4 seconds of his previous best practice time on the second lap! He was running in the front pack of riders that included Formula USA Unlimited GP champion Mike Himmelsbach, Eric Wood and Vincent Haskovec among others. However, on lap 3 or 4 Steve lost the draft and was unable to stay with the pack, eventually finishing the race in 7th place behind Mike Himmelsbach. On the other hand, Steve finished ahead of about 20 other racers, including many top club racers on GSXR 1000s and 750s, R1s, etc. All considering, a decent finish considering that this was essentially our first time racing at this track. We did learn that it is not enough to have the package all together come race day, but instead need to be closer when we get to the track so Steve can take advantage of a good setup and get used to it during practice. This way he can push the bike early on and allow us to make those subtle but important adjustments to our Ohlins suspension and bike geometry that gain a few tenth of a second here or there. One thing that amazes me is how huge of an overall improvement in laptimes we can produce by getting these details and subtle nuances right. Having a fast bike/rider combination is not just about power, weight or trick bolt-on components, but just as importantly about balance, feel, feedback and working with the rider to make the bike feel the way it works best for him. Using our Pi data acquisition with MTS software and some sound physical reasoning helps a lot in this respect, but experience is just as important. Considering that this was the first time we ran against the national level competition at Formula USA at this demanding track, Steve and I are pretty sure that the next time we can finish on the box! And, by the way, we had jet another full racing weekend of no mechanical/electrical failures or issues.

Eric Bostrom Previews VIR

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Eric Bostrom Previews VIR

From a press release issued by Eric Bostrom’s manager:

Eric ready for VIR showdown

Although he still needs to erase a 35 point deficit, Eric Bostrom is going to throw everything he has at Nicky Hayden this weekend at the season finale of the AMA Superbike Championship. The finale will take place at the popular VIR circuit in Alton, Virginia (www.virclub.com). “It’s certainly one of the coolest tracks and facilities on the national circuit that we travel to. It’s got a challenging and clean layout, and it’s pretty safe. Unfortunately, passing is limited. It’s certainly a tough track to pass. But that makes you work harder and makes for really close passing.”

It’s clearly been a Nicky vs. Eric battle all year. And despite Nicky having a 250cc displacement advantage over Eric’s bike, it’s been a remarkably close battle between the two. Many people have asked Eric to describe his tough competitor. “Nicky and I first raced against each other back in ’96 on a dirt track. That was probably the first time. Since then, we’ve been going at it and have had some good battles. When it comes down to it, I think Nick and I are two guys you don’t really want to be racing with at the end. We’re pretty aggressive and we do what it takes to win. Maybe our strategies are different in that I really like to set the pace. I like to get out there and set things on fire early. But we both have an aggressive, charge-the-corners riding style. He’s a tough competitor. But I think the same of myself.”

In order for Eric to win the AMA Superbike title this weekend, he needs to not only win both races, but he needs for Nicky to make a big mistake. How does he see the drama unfolding come Sunday? “I don’t know, actually. That’s what’s great about racing. You never know. You obviously show up wanting to win, and nothing else is good enough. And no matter how it ends up, I want to win both races and hold my head up high. And if I can break away from the start and build a big lead and win like that, that’s certainly the ideal way to win. But if I have to race for it till the end, I’ll put myself in the right position to lead across the stripe. Any lower than first place would be a big disappointment for me.”

Roadracingworld.com Action Fund Tops $200,000

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Roadracingworld.com Action Fund Tops $200,000

The Roadracingworld.com Action Fund has reached a new grand total of $209,698, an increase of over $22,000 since the last total was announced at the end of June, thanks to a series of prize raffles and the continuing support of racers’ fans and friends.

The total grew greatly with the raffle of a Suzuki TL1000R project bike by Lockhart-Phillips USA, which raised a total of $18,870. The raffle was started back in February, 2002, by Lockhart-Phillips President Wendell Phillips, and ended with the winning name being drawn by Roadracingworld.com Action Fund founder John Ulrich during the World Superbike/AMA races at Laguna Seca on Sunday, July 14.

The winner of the highly-modified Suzuki V-Twin was David Caldwell of Maryville, Tennessee, near Knoxville.

The donation of the raffle proceeds by Lockhart-Phillips, together with Wendell Phillips’ previous donation of $2500, brings the company’s total to $21,370, making it the largest single contributor to the Fund.

HMC Ducati raised another $1804 for the Fund at Laguna Seca by raffling off a two-up ride around the track with racer Doug Chandler.

Wendy Hogg, press officer for HMC Ducati, organized the raffle, and the winner of the lap of Laguna was drawn by HMC Ducati guest, actor Ewan McGregor. A motorcycle fan, McGregor is best known for his starring roles in Star Wars Episodes I and II and in Black Hawk Down. On Sunday, McGregor drew the name of winner Rhonda Nickle.

In addition to her hot lap of Laguna Seca on the back of Chandler’s bike July 14, Nickle also received a Suomy helmet autographed by Chandler.

Rich Oliver came up with a unique way to celebrate his AMA 250cc Grand Prix win at Laguna Seca and contribute to the Fund. “What I’ve decided…is to auction off my Sears Point bodywork that I crashed and broke my arm in. And that bodywork smashed into the haybales because there was no Air Fence there. And what I’m going to do is, I’m going to sell raffle tickets (for the bodywork) and all of the money is going to go to the (Roadracingworld.com Action) Fund and maybe next year, we’ll have some Air Fence in that corner where there was no Air Fence. Plus I thought that would be a good cause and it gets the bodywork to some fans that might appreciate it and then the fans will know they’re supporting the Air Fence fund. I think everybody wins that way.”

Oliver drew the two winning tickets from the 250cc Grand Prix podium Sunday afternoon, July 14. The raffle raised $283.

Other recent donations include: Steve Thompson, $340 (eBay helmet auction); Nancy T. Grimm, $100; William Torbert, $100; Ted Killilea, $100; Anonymous/In the name of Papa Thiam, $100; Chris Monge, $50; Jarrett Coco/In Dedication to Papa Thiam, $25; D. Michael Bootes, $20; Kevin Meehan, $5; Anonymous, $5; Don Costello, $2. Also, Phillips Motorsport Group Quarterly Payback Time Charity Program donated $100 each in the following Team Members’ names: Jeremy Dodd, Eric Pinson, Justus Standley.

There have been no recent donations to the fund for dirt track.

An accounting of money collected and spent by the Roadracingworld.com Action Fund appears at the bottom of this post.

The list of road racing contributors now reads:
Lockhart Phillips USA Project Bike Raffle $18,870
Anonymous $9450
Erik Buell/Buell Motorcycle Company $5800
Trent Thompson/Paramount Racing $5000
Wegman Benefit Fund/Gordon Lunde Sr. $5000
Brooks Gremmels/Shogun Motorsports $4150
Ken Hill $3351 (eBay auction of Bostrom leathers)
Dynojet Research $3200
Steve Brubaker/Race Tire Service $3000
Patrick Roskam/HangingOff.com $3000
RPM $3000
John Ulrich/Roadracing World $2900
Aprilia USA $2900
American Suzuki Motor Corp. $2900
Ducati North America $2900
Jonathan Glaefke $2900
Susie and Bruce Meyers/BCM Racing Ducati $2900
Performance Machine $2900
Dunlop Motorcycle Tire Co. $2900
Max McAllister/Traxxion Dynamics $2900
Tom Chauncey/Team Wreckless $2900
Willow Springs Int’l Raceway $2900
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick C. Bittner/In Honor of Papa Thiam $2900
Wendell Phillips/Lockhart Phillips $2500
Robb Meier $2152 (eBay auction of Mat Mladin AGV Helmet)
Advanced Motor Sports/In Memory of Dirk Piz $2000
Lindemann Engineering $2000
Marcus McBain $2000
Stephen Barnes $1825 (eBay auction of Duhamel Shoei race helmet)
HMC Ducati Laguna Seca Chandler Ride $1800
L.A. Bikers/labiker.org $1760
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing $1700
Dennis Smith/Sport Tire Services $1500
Gearbox International $1500
Marc Salvisberg/Factory Pro Tuning $1450
Bob Dragich/Roadracing World $1450
Fred Renz/Yoyodyne $1450
Andre Espaillat $1325 (eBay auction of Barnacle Bill leathers)
Bob Blandford/N.E. Sportbike Assn. $1100
Chuck Warren/Arclight Suzuki $1000
Jim Rashid/4&6 Cycle $1000
Scott Willock/In Memory of Larry Schwarzbach $1000
Don Emde/In Memory of Cal Rayborn $1000
Jason Pridmore’s Star Motorcycle School $1000
Mark E. Dobeck/Techlusion Performance Group $1000
G.M.D. Computrack Network $1000
California Superbike School $1000
Tachyon Racing/Tachyon Sports Injury Research Foundation $1000
Team Pro-Motion Sportbike Club $1000
Anthony and Aaron Gobert $1000
Andrew M. Cross $1000
Andy Kettle/Honda of Milpitas $1000
Dale Pestes/Tuff Dog Racing $1000
Sheila Barnes $1000
Anonymous $1000
Barnett Tool & Engineering $1000
Linda, John & Susanne Hopkins/In Memory of Roy Hopkins $895
Jason Routhier $810 (eBay auction of Jamie James leathers & boots)
Intrepid Café Racers $775
Marcus Mc Bain $760 (eBay auction of Ruben Xaus Suomy helmet)
Yoshimura Racing $750
Team Daemon Racing $600
Derek and Gordon King $600
CMRRA $537
Don Lemelin/Scuderia West $500
Kevin Erion/Erion Racing $500
Pinky’s Pizza of Walnut Creek $500
Doug Gonda $500
Jerry Wood/Penguin School $500
Mike Canfield/Chandelle Motorsports $500
Jim Davis/J6 Racing/In Memory of Dirk Piz $500
Jim Di Salvo/Alien Racing $500
Dale Kieffer/Racers Edge Performance $500
The Plummer Menapace Group $500
Reg Kitrelle $500
Specialty Sports Ltd/Teknic $500
Ronnie Lunsford/Northwest Honda $500
Bob Holcomb $500
Aaron Yates $500
James D. Randolph $500
OMRRA $500
Terry Knott $500
Shawn Higbee/Team KWS/Millenium Technologies $500
Harley Davidson of Reno $500
Walt Schaefer $500
Gary Christopher/American Honda $500
Full Spectrum Design $500
Indigo Sports $500
Ed Robinson/Robinson Partners $500
MotorcycleUSA.com $500
Anonymous $412 (eBay auction of Team Honda autograph helmet)
Bill St. John/Project Monza $400
Tom Drumm $400
Empty Pockets Racing $400
Steve Thompson (eBay Helmet Auction) $340
Jerry Jirkovsky $330
“Old Slo Gene Templet”/CMRA $325
Eric Kelcher/Blockworks $320
Ice Holes $301
Richard Hood/Reptillian Racing $300
Edward S. Siccardi, Jr. $300
Dan Fischer/Copier1.com $300
David Finniff $300
Marietta Motorsports $300
Brendan Guy $300
Dean Scarpa $300
Anonymous $300
Kurtis Roberts $300
James Siddall/World Sports/Corbin Grand Prix $300
Zachry Lee $300
N.I.T.R.O. (Northern Illinois Touring and Riding Organization) $300
Martin Von Wyss $300
In Memory of Charles Wooldridge, Sr. $300
Brian Parriott $300
Thomas Patch $300
James Lickwar $290
Rich Oliver crashed Bodywork Raffle $280
Texas Sport Bike Association $260
Scott Fisher/Fisher Technical Services $250
Chris Pyles & Beth Walters $250
Peter Hively $250
Brian Mitchell $250
Al Ludington $250
Tim Simpson $250
Spectrum Motorsports/VJB Racing $250
David Roy, Ducati N. America $250
Debbie Roy/Frenotec $250
Joshua Hayes $250
Gina Nadeau $250
Jeannne Pyles $250
John Ross/Ross Racing $250
Brian Cincera $250
C. Renard Fiscus $250
Bruce & Edith Lind $250
Andre Espaillat $250
Aramel Racing $250
WMRRA $250
Bo Poulsen $250
Walter S. Pasicznyk $250
Leo Sulpy $250
Putnam Park $250
Papa Thiam/WERA BBS $200
Bill Capshaw/ICE Motorsports $200
Scott Decker $200
Terry Embury $200
Jim “Dutch” MacKenzie/WERA BBS $200
Scott Jenkins/Desmoto-sport $200
Cliff Nobles $200
Jodie York/RPM Cycles Ventura/WSMC #11 $200
Mostro.org/Jeffrey Fillmore $200
Jeff Bowis $200
Rich & Lynda Alexander/In Memory of Dirk Piz $200
Nils Menten $200
Melissa Tomlinson/G-Man Racing $200
DP Enterprises $200
Jeffrey S. Stathes $200
RPM $200
Wayne Nielsen/sportbikeworld.com $200
Dennis Woods/Doppio Racing $200
Tom David $200
Sierra Sportbike Association $200
Terry McKeever $200
“Barnacle” Bill Burns $200
Scott Greenwood/New England Performance $200
Roger Lyle/In Memory of Jimmy Adamo $200
Big Show Racing/Chicago, IL $200
John and Richard Haner/Haner Motor Sports $200
Crew & Friends of the R/V Point Sur/In Memory of Stuart Stratton $200
Ken & Joan Snyder/Team Snyder Racing $200
Patrick Flora $200
Michael and Sammy Garofalo $200
Ned “Peanut” Brown/NESBA/TPM $200
Logan Young $200
Bob & Sherrie Young $200
Jeremy Dodd/Phillips Motorsports $200
Justus Standley/Phillips Motorsports $200
Chris Kelley/California Cycleworks $150
Robb Mc Elroy $150
Tim Chin/Team Bandit $150
Ed & Catherine Sorbo $150
Damon Buckmaster $150
Chris Hamilton/Grand Prix Direct $150
Marc Palazzo/Synergy Racing Honda $150
Stuart Stratton/Stratton Racing $150
Hewitt & Prout Attorneys at Law $150
Calhoun Clark $150
Hal Coughlin/Central Vermont Motorcycles $130
Thomas Pfuner/I & E Innovative Homes Racing Team $130
Jim Williams/13x.com $125
David Boosales/WERA BBS $125
Pete Martins $125
SpaCovers.com $120
B.O.S.S. ’02 Raffle $116
Road Atlanta Crash Truck Crews $111
Gar’s Sports Center 50/50 Raffle $105
Chris Normand/Firestorm Racing $101
Lucky Deleoni $100
Pat Stricker $100
Gary Rand/In Memory of Rusty Bradley $100
Michael Roberson/WERA BBS $100
Sean Jordan/WERA BBS $100
Army of Darkness $100
Stuart Gregg $100
Pinky’s Pizza/Lippman Racing $100
Bob Szoke $100
TyrSox $100
Ron West/Omzig Productions $100
Joe Facer $100
Preston Rash $100
Geoff Maloney/GP Tech $100
Melissa Berkoff/Neighbor Of The Beast $100
Caesar Gonzales/WERA BBS $100
Dorina Groves $100
Dorina Groves/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
Philip Rusin/RC51.net $100
Allen “Spence” Spencer $100
Matt Wadsworth $100
Dean N. De St. Croix $100
Tony Tugwell/TZ250.com $100
Bart Fuqua/Team LGC $100
Brian Stokes/Marietta Motorsports $100
Chris “Opie” Caylor/Marietta Motorsports $100
David McElvain/NEDoD $100
Vance Hacecky $100
Patrick Mee $100
Dave and Jason Parker $100
David Brown $100
Steve Moonitz/Team Squid Pro Quo $100
Jake Swan $100
Chris Story $100
Chris Eklund $100
Randy Ball/WERA BBS $100
Mark Hellvig $100
Gary Schilling/On Time Racing/WERA BBS $100
Steve Sumner $100
Laura Granato/WERA BBS $100
Norm Viano/Lawdog Sports Mgmt $100
Kevin Jordan/Jordan Motorsports $100
Val Gregory/In Memory of Dirk Piz $100
Dave Gess $100
Rob Berlind $100
Paul Black $100
Steve Hewitt $100
Mike Ciccotto $100
Tripp Nobles $100
Scott Rehl $100
Steve & Lorraine Aledort $100
Jeff Rozycki/29dreams.com Racing $100
Chris Ulrich/In Memory of Russ Paulk And Toby Jorgensen $100
Giorgio Milesi/Galfer Brakes USA $100
Al Lyons/CMRRA $100
Linda Hopkins $100
John Hopkins/In Memory of Jamie Bowman and Toby Jorgensen $100
Vicky&Michael Menard $100
Silvia Salenius/Ducati.net Online $100
HG Racing/AMA Pro Thunder $100
Red Fox Racing $100
Greg Ruffin $100
John Donald/PTC Racing $100
Larry Pegram $100
Pamela Skaff/WERA BBS $100
J.D. Hord/Meccanica Corse Racing $100
Mark Sutton $100
Steve Scott/LRRS#47 $100
Eric Putter $100
Jim Doerfler $100
Ira Englebardt $100
Joe & Nancy Fenech $100
Earl Hayden $100
Chuck Sorensen $100
Jeff Wilson/American Suzuki $100
Adam Vella/Webcrush Racing $100
Chuck Gault/Motobama $100
Gary Longren $100
Stephan Hottenrott $100
David Kunzelman $100
C.R. “Critter” Gittere/WERA BBS $100
John Light/Lightsmith Racing $100
Ken & Arlene Block (Ed Sorbo’s Mom) $100
Chris Link/CMRA/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
Josh Steinberg $100
Broad Squad/CCS NE $100
Ann Sands $100
Troy Green/www.TG-Racing.com $100
Colin Fowler $100
Asphalt & Gas $100
CelentoHenn Architecture + Design $100
Norm Mc Donald/CMRA $100
Andrew S. Mueller/WERA BBS $100
Mary Miskovic $100
Mark Van Hoff/The Plastic Doctor/WERA BBS $100
Anonymous $100
Mauro Cereda/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
James B. Norwood/Bad Iguana Racing $100
Bakersfield Yamaha $100
Matt Gerard/In Memory of Gordy Lunde Jr. $100
MMCZYK/Concerned Fan $100
Kendall Davis/WERA #326 $100
Jerry Daggett $100
Miller’s Modern Garage $100
TFS Racing $100
Sabrina Phillips 100
Jane Phillips $100
Twin Cities Yamaha $100
Fernando Peris $100
Louis Gagne $100
Peter Christensen & Stasia Moore $100
Paul D. Harrell $100
Manny Otmane/Team Hooters $100
Rich Desmond/WERA BBS $100
Larry Lawrence $100
Tony Iannarelli $100
Marcel Fortney $100
Tim Fowler $100
Dennis Hurst/Deken Power $100
Tommy Bright/Logistics & Information $100
John F. Penrose $100
Russ & Lisa Dancho $100
Leonard Lloyd $100
Blake/www.BadWeatherBikers.com $100
Loren Chun, $100
Joe & Pam Axberg $100
Paul Sedillo $100
Robert C. Vester $100
Dale W. Dandrea $100
Bob Domenz/3D Racing $100
Justin Blake $100
Berde Brothers Racing $100
Ted Johnson/Last Chance Racing $100
Bruce Liddle $100
Schenk Racing $100
John Lemak $100
Donald P. Randolph $100
Ken & Lori Hill/Rt. 6 Sales & Service, $100
Alex Peabody $100
Joe Kimble $100
Anonymous $100
MZ Scorpion Cup Racers $100
Todd Telkamp/Bent Racing $100
Jeff Caco $100
Wrenn H. Smith $100
Daryl Tschoepe/RatBike Racing $100
Robert Sunday $100
Chuck Perry $100
Emmett Dibble $100
Michael Janes(WERA,CCS) $100
Charcoal Pit Racing $100
Pete Friedman $100
Jim Martin (CCS Racer) $100
Anonymous/In Memory of Cain Hicks $100
David J. Kopfinger $ 100
Adam Mashike $100
Mahlon Pitt $100
Allan Lockheed $100
Jim Van Beek/Jupiter 8 Racing $100
Patrick J. Robinson $100
Grady Anderson $100
Emile Mullick and Jack Pittman $100
Steve Karson $100
Jason Temme/Serpent Racing $100
Team Bozo/In Honor of Papa Thiam $100
John Ulrich/In Honor of Papa Thiam $100
Nancy T. Grimm $100
William Torbert $100
Anonymous/In Name of Papa Thiam $100
Eric Pinson/Phillips Motorsports $100
Ted Killilea, $100
A-1 Products/RORH Racing/Edward Barlow, Jr. $94
Larry Spektor/In Memory of Toby Jorgenson $80
David Yesman $80
Tyson Kamp $75
Vito Dionisio/WERA BBS $75
Joe Davidson/Comet Racing/In Memory of Toby Jorgensen & Jamie Bowman $75
Paul Nonno $75
Mark Green $75
R.J. McLeod $60
George Gervasi/Projekt9 Racing $60
Christopher Gosch $60
Kelly Thornton $58
Erica B. Smith & John F.X. Walsh $55
Stephen Bauman $55
Max Buxton/NEDoD $50
Nelo Hakola $50
Tyler Sandell $ 50
Aaron Loyd $50
Martin Voelker $50
Steve Hopkins $50
Louis DeBlois $50
Leigh Taunton/EMGO $50
Randy Sinisi $50
Danny Hull $50
Team Skidmark Racing $50
Ryan Meskimen/WERA BBS $50
Erik Astrup $50
Paul Zavada $50
James Greeson/WERA BBS $50
Victor Mokler $50
Steve Clark/J. Guthridge/Tight Squeeze Racing $50
Nate Olsen $50
Anthony Moey $50
Dustin Miller $50
Steve Martinez $50
Mike Hodgson/WERA BBS $50
Chris Borre/Motorcycleroadracer.com $50
Richard Barker/AIM/In Memory of Dirk Piz $50
Mike Reish/Reish Dot Net $50
Kenyon Kluge/K2 Racing $50
Darin Nichols/Team Unit $50
Richard Davis $50
Allen Lyon/Ducati.net Online $50
Eric H. Mathy $50
Steve Breckenridge $50
Jim Race/Speaksy Racing $50
James Aragon $50
James Hayton/Kochenbaulz Racing/WERA BBS $50
Anthony D’Augusta $50
Norm Brown $50
Isaac Ward $50
Jason K. Michelson $50
Qi Guo/WERA BBS $50
Schaefer Brothers Racing $50
Tommy Lancaster/Tommy Built Fireplaces $50
James Gaal $50
Rod Mahr/Follow the Helmet Racing $50
Charles Brothers/CMRA $50
Francisco Prats $50
Keith Mc Cammon $50
Rick Haskins $50
Larry, Janice & Jimmy /Moto Liberty $50
Friends & Family/Firestorm Racing $50
Akos Feher $50
Brian Cox/CMRA#318 $50
Greg Gorman $50
James E. Schaefer $50
Kevin Hanson $50
Nick Tulloh/In Memory of Jimmy Adamo $50
Robin Clark, $50
Carl Liebold, $50
Peter Young, $50
John Walsh $50
John Caudle/Thanks to Grigg Racing $50
Jim Frost $50
Jack Giesecke $50
Mark Anzalone $50
George M. Noeth $50
Greg Avello/Milwaukee H-D/Buell Racing $50
Bernard Ayling $50
Charles Helming $50
Andrew Culpepper $50
Wayne Gaylord and Dorothy Urbanski CCS Novice SE #424 $50
Michael Reeves $50
Douglas Thompson $50
Ryan Cilley/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $50
Masahiro & Katsuo Iizuka/In Memory of Jamie Bowman/Toby Jorgenson $50
EFF Hatten Group $50
Jonathan D. Spinney $50
Derek Mc Manus $50
Chris Monge $50
John Coleman $44
Rod Klebsch $40
Mark Crane, $40
Stephen J. Richardson $40
Karl Axelson $39
Don Moody $35
Andy & Kate Kupfer, $35
Lindsey Leard $30
Dave Deggendorf/WERA BBS $30
Bob Elam $30
The Heidepriems/WERA BBS $30
Kimberly Scheffel/rider/race fan/pit keeper $30
Bryan Norton $30
Scott D. Cortese $30
Stephen Warburton/Ducati Online $30
John Scherer $30
Charles Lederer $30
Greg Gabis $29
Ripley Howe $29
Mark Hatten/Meccanica Corse Racing $29
Ted Angle $25
Susanne Hopkins $25
Nolan Ballew $25
Josh Loberant $25
Charles Tomes $25
Jon DeMent $25
Timothy Wilson $25
Mark Novak $25
Rene Ferron $25
Sean Patrick Brisini $25
Richard Korol $25
Eric and Christine Loranger $25
Dee Moses $25
Kyle Kirschenmann/Bayou Riders of Louisiana $25
Marc Asmus $25
Mike Henry $25
Henry Hallmark $25
Ronnie Reyes/CMRA $25
Kathleen Mc Laughlin $25
John Jancoski $25
John C. Pfeiffer $25
Bernis B. Conatser $25
Tony Day $25
Harlan Weishahn $25
Chad Littrell $25
David Osser $25
Margaret Corra $25
Kerry Lynn Hanley $25
T. Kershaw $25
Allan Karman, $25
Anonymous $25
Peter Gallant $25
Jeff Mc Bride $25
Squirrel/YTAK Racing $25
Chuck D./Fosters $25
Louis Acosta $25
Jay Barfield $25
Everett B. Miller $25
James Lane $25
Erik H. Mathy $25
North American Synergy Co. $25
Gary Koppelman $25
Steve Price $25
Scott C. Bunn $25
Cory Mann $25
Eric Farrow $25
Allan Karman $25
FastSigns of Delaware/Charcoal Pit Racing $25
Jarrett Coco $25
Craig Rollins $25
Jarrett Coco/In Dedication to Papa Thiam $25
D. Michael Bootes $20
Garrett King/Guns For Hire $20
Frank Gonzales $20
Rob Armstrong/Maryland Motor Sports Racing $20
David Smith $20
S.C. Pittman $20
Jamieson D. Yonker $20
Garret Swearingen $20
Darrin Zumbaum $20
Andy Lenz/CMRRA $20
Dave Harrison $20
Jeff Harrison $20
Sled/Cross $20
David L. Osser $20
Carlos Bonds $20
Team Backbone/CMRA/In Memory of Buddy Walker $20
Pellack Family $15
Michael W. Morgan $10
Irwin Arnstein/CMRA $10
Frank Shacklee/CMRA $10
John & Arlene Gerard/In Memory of Gordy Lunde Jr. $10
Becky Rechek, $10
Lee D’Amico $10
Johnny Newell, $10
Christopher Clark $10
Glen Hewitt $10
Jan Steven/Carpet Dog $5
Anonymous $5
Joe Knight $5
Anonymous $5
Kevin Meehan, $5
Don Costello $2
Erik Schmitt/CMRA $1

The list of dirt track contributors now reads:
Chris Carr $2900
Yuasa Battery $2900
Steel Shoe Fund $2900
Continental Tires $2900
7th Annual Flat Track Golf Tournament $1500
E.F. Dutch Hauhe $1000
Lindemann Engineering $900
www.Johnnymurphree.com $500
Tor Kovacs $300
Tim & Debby Coziahr $250
Gerald & Ann Carr $200
Dorina Groves $200
Mr. & Mrs. C.H. Wilcox $100
Michael Sturdevant $100
Jeff Wilson $100
Debra Fay $100
Glynn & Holly Hewitt/In Loving Memory of Darell Davis 96w $100
Steven R. Boggs $100
Wrenn H. Smith $90
Don Potter $67
Jack Alexander/In Memory of Toby Jorgenson $50
Rick Matheny $50
www.flattrack.com $50
Pro Plates $50
Tom Chapel $50
Larry Woodward $50
EFF Hatten Group $50
Yamaha 650 Society/Econobiker $50
Derek Mc Manus $50
John Tucker $25
Scott C. Bunn $25
Dana Sweet $25
Old59R $20
Don Bok $20
Darby E. Ryan/In memory of Davy Camlin #27 $15
Stewart Barber $10
Craig Grismore/In memory of Donnie Estep R.I.P. $10
Thank you Will Davis $10
Broz $10

To pledge a contribution, call Roadracing World at (800) 464-8336 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, when operators will be standing by. Credit cards accepted. Pledges can also be made by e-mailing [email protected]. Make checks payable to Roadracing World, and mail to P.O. Box 1428, Lake Elsinore CA 92531. Money raised will be used for buying Air Module/Air Fence sections, as well as for deployment expenses and for shipping, tax and import duties.

*Air Fence is a registered trademark of Airfence Safety Systems of Australia.

Accounting Details to Date

Road Racing Expenditure Details

Direct purchase of soft barriers: $74,850
Shipping: $1149.01
Bank Fees: $238
Air Fence Deployment Crew Training: $700
Corporation/Business Fees: $592
Online Auction Fees: $221.99
Misc Supplies: $19
Donation to AMA Pro Racing for Air Fence: $104,104

Total Spent: $181,874
Total Collected: $209,698
Cash on hand: $27,824

Dirt Track Expenditure Details

Total Spent: $0
Total collected: $17,827
Cash on hand: $17,827

All administrative costs, including the percentage taken by credit card companies on credit card donations, have been absorbed by Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Aprilia Femmoto Is This Friday At VIR, On South Course

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Aprilia Femmoto Is This Friday At VIR, On South Course

From a press release:

Virginia rocks to Aprilia Femmoto

Aprilia USA proudly welcome aboard Michelin Tires as a sponsor of their all-women’s test ride day at Virginia International Raceway, Friday August 9. The US importer will also host two workshops throughout the day, given by Ron Wood and Walt Schaefer, Michelin race specialists.

The one-day event, held on the track’s south course, is booked almost to capacity with only a few test rides left available in the afternoon sessions. This has pleased the Italian motorcycle importers no end, as the fleet available for test riding is made up exclusively of their sports and sports touring fleet. The day has attracted participants new to track riding along with female road racers.

For more information on Aprilia’s Femmoto, contact us directly at 414-305-9901.

Mladin Previews VIR

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Mladin Previews VIR

From a press release:

Rounds 15 & 16, 2002 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Virginia, USA

Event preview

MLADIN CHASES SEASON FINALE VICTORIES AT VIRGINIA

Alton, Virginia, USA – The 2002 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship draws to an end this coming weekend with a Double-Header round at Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Virginia.

For defending and three times AMA Superbike champion Mat Mladin, the weekend will also mark the end to what has been one of the most frustrating seasons in his racing career.

A combination of injury and suspension problems has kept the Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki away from many podium finishes this season. A crash during practice at the opening round of the championship left him with a badly damaged left elbow which ruled him out of the race at Daytona. More recently, he injured the backs of both hands in a fall during qualifying for the World Superbike round at Laguna Seca, that culminated his withdrawal part way through the AMA Superbike race held on the same weekend.

An area that Mladin has had a season long battle with has been suspension. His team have tried numerous ways to get the new Suzuki GSX-R750 to handle in a way that will be suitable for Mladin. It has proven to be an extremely difficult task, but one that has not stopped their commitment to finding a solution.

At the corresponding round last season, Mladin arrived at Virginia, with his third title all but wrapped up. He secured pole position for the event in lap record-breaking time, before taking a very conservative 12th place finish to secure up the title. This weekend however, things are very different as the Australian currently holds down seventh place on the championship point’s table.

“Certainly going there under different circumstances this year, just basically trying to win a race,” said Mladin. “It’s been probably the most frustrating year of my racing career, with the injuries and bike problems that we’ve had during the year. It just never was this year. The bike itself was good, but we just had so many dramas with the suspension for some reason. The crashes that I had this year are the sort of crashes that I just don’t have. They can happen any time, no doubt about that, but I contribute a lot of it to the rear suspension and the suspension in general. I don’t think we were well done by in that regard.”

“I feel that I have been riding well this season and I am as determined as ever to get onto the podium and hopefully grab a race win. After the season that I’ve had, that would be a great result.”

The battle for championship honours this year is being fought out between American Honda’s Nicky Hayden and Team Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom. After a blistering start to the year Hayden holds a 35-point lead over Bostrom, who has been the form rider of late.

Qualifying for the weekend’s round begins on Friday, with final qualifying scheduled for Saturday morning prior to the first of the two Superbike nationals.

Pit Daddy Racer Beauty Pageant To Raise Money For Injured Riders At VIR

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Pit Daddy Racer Beauty Pageant To Raise Money For Injured Riders At VIR

From a press release issued by HMC Ducati’s Wendy Hogg, the driving force behind this bizarre charity event:

Pit Daddy comes to mama

In only one week’s time America will see crowned the most anticipated champion of the 2002 motorcycle racing season when the Pit Daddy beauty pageant is run and won. The championship that everyone has been hanging on reaches its climax at Virginia International Raceway, Sunday August 11, where the final and deciding round of the AMA Superbike Championship will add action in the lead-up to the show.

AMA road racers are frantically buffing and toning, choosing their swimwear and rehearsing their dance steps, ready to compete in the inaugural Pit Daddy fund-raising contest.

Late-breaking news is that the Annandale team, well-known for its crew of female mechanics, is in a state of confusion as its four male riders preen themselves for their catwalk calling—-not that the girls let them have any choice in the matter.

The all-female organizing committee for Pit Daddy has denied reports they’ve come to blows over who gets to hand out swimwear, apply the Parts Unlimited temporary tattoos to the contestants, and assist Mat Mladin as he slips a Chiko Roll into a tactically advantageous place.

Bets are already being placed on who will be the first to end up in the VIR swimming pool.

This is your last chance to purchase raffle tickets online. Online ticket sales cease on Tuesday August 6, then all raffle sales will be restricted to the Cycle News booth and VIR merchandise stands during the VIR race weekend.

Great new additions to the prize pot are still pouring in. The American Honda team have donated a team shirt signed by their riders and all the team members too.

D&W Images have donated a 16 x 20 action shot of Anthony Gobert, Nicky Hayden and Eric Bostrom that will be personally signed and will include an additional picture of each in their Pit Daddy attire. All raffle winners will receive a free picture of Kevin Schwantz in his Pit Daddy pose.

Former AMA racer-turned-film maker, Mark Miller, has not only become an associate sponsor of the event, he’s bringing his camera to include the footage in his documentary Sportbike Life. That will add a whole new dimension to film.

We’ve added ten sets of EBC high performance brake pads to the list of thousands of unbelievable prizes and some last minute WSB prizes are rumored to be on their way.

For your last chance to purchase raffle tickets, go online to www.cyclenews.com/pitdaddy, with all proceeds going to the Clayton Memorial Foundation.

Who’s YOUR daddy?

Clint Brotz Wins F-USA Buell Lightning Race At Road America, Michael Barnes DNF

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Clint Brotz Wins F-USA Buell Lightning Race At Road America, Michael Barnes DNF

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Clint Brotz won his second Buell Lightning race, this time at Road America, and now has a four-point lead in the series over Bryan Bemisderfer, with three races remaining. Pre-race favorite Michael Barnes did not finish, encountering mechanical problems, and is now third in points, 20 behind Brotz.

Formula USA Buell Lightning Series Race Results (all on Buell 1200s):

1. Clint Brotz, 7 laps
2. Richie Morris, -0.058 second
3. Bryan Bemisderfer, -14.648 seconds
4. Jason Smith, -15.233 seconds
5. Jeff Johnson, -28.694 seconds
6. John Spinelli, -36.689 seconds
7. Joseph Rozynski, -37.628 seconds
8. Jeff Harding, -37.707 seconds
9. Paul James, -59.393 seconds
10. Greg Avello, -70.321 seconds

Michael Barnes DNF, mechanical

Provisional Point Standings:

1. Brotz, 84 points
2. Bemisderfer, 80 points
3. Michael Barnes, 64 points
4. Morris, 52 points
5. Johnson, 50 points
6. Smith, 40 points
7. Harding, 39 points

Arclight Suzuki’s Lee Acree Will Not Ride In F-USA Unlimited Superbike At Road America, Will Race 600cc Sportbike

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Arclight Suzuki’s Lee Acree Will Not Ride In F-USA Unlimited Superbike At Road America, Will Race 600cc Sportbike

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Arclight Suzuki’s Lee Acree will not ride in the Formula USA Unlimited Superbike races Sunday at Road America due to injuries sustained over the last two race weekends.

“He’s just in too much pain,” said Arclight Suzuki co-owner/Crew Chief Chuck Warren.

Acree suffered second-degree burns to the inside of his left thigh during the AMA event at Mid-Ohio July 26-28, and during the week in between events, the burns have become infected.

“Riding the big bike is just too painful and too hard,” said Warren. “He’s kind of out of the Unlimited Superbike points, but he’s second in the 600 (Sportbike) points. So he’s going to only ride in the 600 race today then try to rest before Virginia next week.”

Acree, who is second in the AMA Superstock point standings, 26 points behind Jimmy Moore, won the AMA 750cc Supersport race at Virgina International Raceway last year.

Acree is second in the F-USA Pro Honda Oils 600cc Sportbike standings, eight points behind teammate Craig Connell. Acree is the two-time and defending Champion in the F-USA Sportbike class.

Acree is eighth in the Formula USA Unlimited Superbike standings, 61 points out of the lead.

The Arclight Suzuki team replaced the engine in Acree’s GSX-R70 F-USA Unlimited Superbike Saturday night and converted the machine into a back-up bike for Craig Connell. Acree’s engine broke two laps into qualifying on Saturday. Connell leads the F-USA Unlimited Superbike point standings.

Craig Connell Wins Formula USA Sportbike At Road America

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Craig Connell Wins Formula USA Sportbike At Road America

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Formula USA Pro Honda Oils 600cc Sportbike Race Results:

1. Craig Connell, Suzuki, 12 laps
2. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, -3.220 seconds
3. Lee Acree, Suzuki, -3.516 seconds
4. Larry Pegram, Suzuki, -12.045 seconds
5. Monte Nichols, Yamaha, -26.950 seconds
6. Jeff Wood, Suzuki, -27.472 seconds
7. Andrew Nelson, Honda, -50.818 seconds
8. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki, -50.918 seconds
9. Cory West, Honda, -58.882 seconds
10. Ray Bowman, Honda, -58.935 seconds

DNF, Matt Wait, Suzuki, -2 laps, DNF, mechanical,

Provisional F-USA Sportbike Point Standings:

1. Connell, 79 points
2. Barnes, 63 points
3. Acree, 61 points
4. Pegram, 54 points
5. Jeff Wood, 39 points
6. Greenwood, 32 points

It Comes Down To Nicky Hayden Vs. Eric Bostrom This Weekend At VIR

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA Chevy Trucks Superbike Championship Showdown at VIR

Pickerington, Ohio – It all comes down to this. The 2002 AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship will be decided this weekend, August 9-11, during the VIR Lightning Nationals at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia. Honda’s Nicky Hayden and Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom are the two riders left in contention for the title. Hayden comes to this weekend’s Superbike doubleheader at VIR the defending winner of the race and holds a 35-point lead over Bostrom in the series standings. Bostrom rides into the series finale having won two of the last three Superbike races and is looking to close the season on a winning note.

Hayden, who turned 21 last week, is having an outstanding season. He’s ridden his factory Honda RC51 to eight victories this year. That’s the second highest number of AMA Superbike wins during a single season in the history of the series. Hayden has an opportunity at VIR to match Fred Merkel’s 1984 record of 10 AMA Superbike wins in a year if he manages to take both rounds. If Hayden wins the championship, he will become the youngest rider in the history of the series to win the AMA U.S. Superbike Championship.

He seems cautiously optimistic on his chances of winning the title. “Any little mistake and it’s out the window,” Hayden said. “So I’m real excited about Virginia. It’s a track I like a lot and hopefully I’ll go in there and just get it done. I’m pretty excited about being in this position with two races to go, but I’m not going to let up at all. I’m just going in there to try to do whatever it takes to win the title.”

Bostrom’s plate has been full this year competing in both the Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship and select rounds of the World Superbike Championship. The results have been impressive. The world competition seems to have made Bostrom a better rider and the results have been showing during the second half of the season. Since the Pikes Peak round, which marked the midway point in the season, Bostrom has been the winningest rider in the series.

It’s possible that this could be the last opportunity for U.S. racing fans to watch both Hayden and Bostrom race in person for a while. Both are being mentioned as top candidates for world championship MotoGP and or World Superbike rides for next season.

While the focus will be on the Hayden/Bostrom battle, several other riders hope to close the season on a high note. Chief among those would be three-time and defending AMA Superbike champion Mat Mladin, who holds the official track record with a lap of one minute, 25.428 seconds at 95.238 miles per hour on a Suzuki GSXR750. At VIR, Mladin will be trying to keep from having his first winless season in six years. Last year at VIR, the Aussie was protecting his series lead, but this year he’ll likely pull out all the stops to put his No. 1 Suzuki atop the podium.

Miguel Duhamel is the all-time wins leader in AMA Superbike and is ranked third in the series coming into this weekend’s doubleheader. At 35, Duhamel shows little sign of slowing down. He’s added two more wins to his victory tally already this year with his Road America doubleheader sweep and would love nothing better than to end the season with another pair of victories. This is the second year of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship has visited the recently renovated Virginia International Raceway. The facility has quickly become a rider and fan favorite with its scenic rural surroundings and the track itself offers a great combination of low and high-speed corners and offers viewers some spectacular vistas with its elevation changes.

For additional information contact VIR at (434) 822-7700 or visit www.virclub.com.

Same-day coverage of the Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship begins at 3:30 p.m. Eastern, Saturday, Aug. 10 (Superbike race 1), with repeats at 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. Sunday’s Superbike final will be live and coverage begins at 3 p.m. Eastern, with repeats at 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., Aug. 11, all on Speed Channel. For immediate post-race results, points, and live transponder scoring from each race in the championship, log on to amaproracing.com’s Superbike Mediacenter, the official home of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship.

A Tul-aris Race Report From Dr. Rob Tuluie

From a press release issued by Dr. Rob Tuluie:

Just a quick update from our first Formula USA National at Road America on Aug 4th:

For those of you unfamiliar with Road America, it is one of the best racing circuits in the U.S. and was a recent contender to bring the World Championship Grand Prix back to America. It’s north of Milwaukee, WI, is 4 miles long and features long straights, fast sweepers and several technical turns with elevation changes.

We had been to the track once before in April, but were unable to practice or race most of the time due to horrible weather, with high temperatures in the 40s and continual rains throughout the weekend. Not so this time, the weather was almost perfect and we got in all of our practice sessions. Early on, we noticed a substantial lack of power, which was most likely due to a change of transfer port roof angle I should had avoided in hindsight. We were able to gain some of this back before the race by advancing the ignition timing and praying that the Nutec GP2 fuel would hold the detonation in check (which it did), but were still down about 12 hp (according to the very convenient Formula USA dynojet dyno we used at the track) from what this strong Hot Seat Performance motor produced earlier in the year on the Manley Cycle dyno. While in April we had excellent top speed and the bike would power wheelie all the way to the start finish line, this time around it was noticeably slower on the uphill front straight and required lower overall gearing. In addition, our otherwise excellent AP Brakes proved a bit too aggressive for the entry into Canada corner, which required a very subtle brake manipulation while leaned over and braking hard from top gear into this 2nd gear turn. We retained the AP radial master cylinder but switched to stainless rotors (instead of the cast ones we typically use) and sintered EBC pads rather than the Performance Friction carbon pads which served us so well when we set the lap record at Blackhawk recently. Sounds easy, but it took us several practice session to arrive at the desired combination. So, with the limited practice time available for this huge race event, it was not until the Sunday morning warm-up practice that we finally had the right package together for Steve to put into action. Tom Mason of MRT mounted a fresh set of Michelin slicks and we were ready for the race.

Steve started the Unlimited GP race (also called the “shootout”) in 8th position and promptly knocked 4 seconds of his previous best practice time on the second lap! He was running in the front pack of riders that included Formula USA Unlimited GP champion Mike Himmelsbach, Eric Wood and Vincent Haskovec among others. However, on lap 3 or 4 Steve lost the draft and was unable to stay with the pack, eventually finishing the race in 7th place behind Mike Himmelsbach. On the other hand, Steve finished ahead of about 20 other racers, including many top club racers on GSXR 1000s and 750s, R1s, etc. All considering, a decent finish considering that this was essentially our first time racing at this track. We did learn that it is not enough to have the package all together come race day, but instead need to be closer when we get to the track so Steve can take advantage of a good setup and get used to it during practice. This way he can push the bike early on and allow us to make those subtle but important adjustments to our Ohlins suspension and bike geometry that gain a few tenth of a second here or there. One thing that amazes me is how huge of an overall improvement in laptimes we can produce by getting these details and subtle nuances right. Having a fast bike/rider combination is not just about power, weight or trick bolt-on components, but just as importantly about balance, feel, feedback and working with the rider to make the bike feel the way it works best for him. Using our Pi data acquisition with MTS software and some sound physical reasoning helps a lot in this respect, but experience is just as important. Considering that this was the first time we ran against the national level competition at Formula USA at this demanding track, Steve and I are pretty sure that the next time we can finish on the box! And, by the way, we had jet another full racing weekend of no mechanical/electrical failures or issues.

Eric Bostrom Previews VIR

From a press release issued by Eric Bostrom’s manager:

Eric ready for VIR showdown

Although he still needs to erase a 35 point deficit, Eric Bostrom is going to throw everything he has at Nicky Hayden this weekend at the season finale of the AMA Superbike Championship. The finale will take place at the popular VIR circuit in Alton, Virginia (www.virclub.com). “It’s certainly one of the coolest tracks and facilities on the national circuit that we travel to. It’s got a challenging and clean layout, and it’s pretty safe. Unfortunately, passing is limited. It’s certainly a tough track to pass. But that makes you work harder and makes for really close passing.”

It’s clearly been a Nicky vs. Eric battle all year. And despite Nicky having a 250cc displacement advantage over Eric’s bike, it’s been a remarkably close battle between the two. Many people have asked Eric to describe his tough competitor. “Nicky and I first raced against each other back in ’96 on a dirt track. That was probably the first time. Since then, we’ve been going at it and have had some good battles. When it comes down to it, I think Nick and I are two guys you don’t really want to be racing with at the end. We’re pretty aggressive and we do what it takes to win. Maybe our strategies are different in that I really like to set the pace. I like to get out there and set things on fire early. But we both have an aggressive, charge-the-corners riding style. He’s a tough competitor. But I think the same of myself.”

In order for Eric to win the AMA Superbike title this weekend, he needs to not only win both races, but he needs for Nicky to make a big mistake. How does he see the drama unfolding come Sunday? “I don’t know, actually. That’s what’s great about racing. You never know. You obviously show up wanting to win, and nothing else is good enough. And no matter how it ends up, I want to win both races and hold my head up high. And if I can break away from the start and build a big lead and win like that, that’s certainly the ideal way to win. But if I have to race for it till the end, I’ll put myself in the right position to lead across the stripe. Any lower than first place would be a big disappointment for me.”

Roadracingworld.com Action Fund Tops $200,000

The Roadracingworld.com Action Fund has reached a new grand total of $209,698, an increase of over $22,000 since the last total was announced at the end of June, thanks to a series of prize raffles and the continuing support of racers’ fans and friends.

The total grew greatly with the raffle of a Suzuki TL1000R project bike by Lockhart-Phillips USA, which raised a total of $18,870. The raffle was started back in February, 2002, by Lockhart-Phillips President Wendell Phillips, and ended with the winning name being drawn by Roadracingworld.com Action Fund founder John Ulrich during the World Superbike/AMA races at Laguna Seca on Sunday, July 14.

The winner of the highly-modified Suzuki V-Twin was David Caldwell of Maryville, Tennessee, near Knoxville.

The donation of the raffle proceeds by Lockhart-Phillips, together with Wendell Phillips’ previous donation of $2500, brings the company’s total to $21,370, making it the largest single contributor to the Fund.

HMC Ducati raised another $1804 for the Fund at Laguna Seca by raffling off a two-up ride around the track with racer Doug Chandler.

Wendy Hogg, press officer for HMC Ducati, organized the raffle, and the winner of the lap of Laguna was drawn by HMC Ducati guest, actor Ewan McGregor. A motorcycle fan, McGregor is best known for his starring roles in Star Wars Episodes I and II and in Black Hawk Down. On Sunday, McGregor drew the name of winner Rhonda Nickle.

In addition to her hot lap of Laguna Seca on the back of Chandler’s bike July 14, Nickle also received a Suomy helmet autographed by Chandler.

Rich Oliver came up with a unique way to celebrate his AMA 250cc Grand Prix win at Laguna Seca and contribute to the Fund. “What I’ve decided…is to auction off my Sears Point bodywork that I crashed and broke my arm in. And that bodywork smashed into the haybales because there was no Air Fence there. And what I’m going to do is, I’m going to sell raffle tickets (for the bodywork) and all of the money is going to go to the (Roadracingworld.com Action) Fund and maybe next year, we’ll have some Air Fence in that corner where there was no Air Fence. Plus I thought that would be a good cause and it gets the bodywork to some fans that might appreciate it and then the fans will know they’re supporting the Air Fence fund. I think everybody wins that way.”

Oliver drew the two winning tickets from the 250cc Grand Prix podium Sunday afternoon, July 14. The raffle raised $283.

Other recent donations include: Steve Thompson, $340 (eBay helmet auction); Nancy T. Grimm, $100; William Torbert, $100; Ted Killilea, $100; Anonymous/In the name of Papa Thiam, $100; Chris Monge, $50; Jarrett Coco/In Dedication to Papa Thiam, $25; D. Michael Bootes, $20; Kevin Meehan, $5; Anonymous, $5; Don Costello, $2. Also, Phillips Motorsport Group Quarterly Payback Time Charity Program donated $100 each in the following Team Members’ names: Jeremy Dodd, Eric Pinson, Justus Standley.

There have been no recent donations to the fund for dirt track.

An accounting of money collected and spent by the Roadracingworld.com Action Fund appears at the bottom of this post.

The list of road racing contributors now reads:
Lockhart Phillips USA Project Bike Raffle $18,870
Anonymous $9450
Erik Buell/Buell Motorcycle Company $5800
Trent Thompson/Paramount Racing $5000
Wegman Benefit Fund/Gordon Lunde Sr. $5000
Brooks Gremmels/Shogun Motorsports $4150
Ken Hill $3351 (eBay auction of Bostrom leathers)
Dynojet Research $3200
Steve Brubaker/Race Tire Service $3000
Patrick Roskam/HangingOff.com $3000
RPM $3000
John Ulrich/Roadracing World $2900
Aprilia USA $2900
American Suzuki Motor Corp. $2900
Ducati North America $2900
Jonathan Glaefke $2900
Susie and Bruce Meyers/BCM Racing Ducati $2900
Performance Machine $2900
Dunlop Motorcycle Tire Co. $2900
Max McAllister/Traxxion Dynamics $2900
Tom Chauncey/Team Wreckless $2900
Willow Springs Int’l Raceway $2900
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick C. Bittner/In Honor of Papa Thiam $2900
Wendell Phillips/Lockhart Phillips $2500
Robb Meier $2152 (eBay auction of Mat Mladin AGV Helmet)
Advanced Motor Sports/In Memory of Dirk Piz $2000
Lindemann Engineering $2000
Marcus McBain $2000
Stephen Barnes $1825 (eBay auction of Duhamel Shoei race helmet)
HMC Ducati Laguna Seca Chandler Ride $1800
L.A. Bikers/labiker.org $1760
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing $1700
Dennis Smith/Sport Tire Services $1500
Gearbox International $1500
Marc Salvisberg/Factory Pro Tuning $1450
Bob Dragich/Roadracing World $1450
Fred Renz/Yoyodyne $1450
Andre Espaillat $1325 (eBay auction of Barnacle Bill leathers)
Bob Blandford/N.E. Sportbike Assn. $1100
Chuck Warren/Arclight Suzuki $1000
Jim Rashid/4&6 Cycle $1000
Scott Willock/In Memory of Larry Schwarzbach $1000
Don Emde/In Memory of Cal Rayborn $1000
Jason Pridmore’s Star Motorcycle School $1000
Mark E. Dobeck/Techlusion Performance Group $1000
G.M.D. Computrack Network $1000
California Superbike School $1000
Tachyon Racing/Tachyon Sports Injury Research Foundation $1000
Team Pro-Motion Sportbike Club $1000
Anthony and Aaron Gobert $1000
Andrew M. Cross $1000
Andy Kettle/Honda of Milpitas $1000
Dale Pestes/Tuff Dog Racing $1000
Sheila Barnes $1000
Anonymous $1000
Barnett Tool & Engineering $1000
Linda, John & Susanne Hopkins/In Memory of Roy Hopkins $895
Jason Routhier $810 (eBay auction of Jamie James leathers & boots)
Intrepid Café Racers $775
Marcus Mc Bain $760 (eBay auction of Ruben Xaus Suomy helmet)
Yoshimura Racing $750
Team Daemon Racing $600
Derek and Gordon King $600
CMRRA $537
Don Lemelin/Scuderia West $500
Kevin Erion/Erion Racing $500
Pinky’s Pizza of Walnut Creek $500
Doug Gonda $500
Jerry Wood/Penguin School $500
Mike Canfield/Chandelle Motorsports $500
Jim Davis/J6 Racing/In Memory of Dirk Piz $500
Jim Di Salvo/Alien Racing $500
Dale Kieffer/Racers Edge Performance $500
The Plummer Menapace Group $500
Reg Kitrelle $500
Specialty Sports Ltd/Teknic $500
Ronnie Lunsford/Northwest Honda $500
Bob Holcomb $500
Aaron Yates $500
James D. Randolph $500
OMRRA $500
Terry Knott $500
Shawn Higbee/Team KWS/Millenium Technologies $500
Harley Davidson of Reno $500
Walt Schaefer $500
Gary Christopher/American Honda $500
Full Spectrum Design $500
Indigo Sports $500
Ed Robinson/Robinson Partners $500
MotorcycleUSA.com $500
Anonymous $412 (eBay auction of Team Honda autograph helmet)
Bill St. John/Project Monza $400
Tom Drumm $400
Empty Pockets Racing $400
Steve Thompson (eBay Helmet Auction) $340
Jerry Jirkovsky $330
“Old Slo Gene Templet”/CMRA $325
Eric Kelcher/Blockworks $320
Ice Holes $301
Richard Hood/Reptillian Racing $300
Edward S. Siccardi, Jr. $300
Dan Fischer/Copier1.com $300
David Finniff $300
Marietta Motorsports $300
Brendan Guy $300
Dean Scarpa $300
Anonymous $300
Kurtis Roberts $300
James Siddall/World Sports/Corbin Grand Prix $300
Zachry Lee $300
N.I.T.R.O. (Northern Illinois Touring and Riding Organization) $300
Martin Von Wyss $300
In Memory of Charles Wooldridge, Sr. $300
Brian Parriott $300
Thomas Patch $300
James Lickwar $290
Rich Oliver crashed Bodywork Raffle $280
Texas Sport Bike Association $260
Scott Fisher/Fisher Technical Services $250
Chris Pyles & Beth Walters $250
Peter Hively $250
Brian Mitchell $250
Al Ludington $250
Tim Simpson $250
Spectrum Motorsports/VJB Racing $250
David Roy, Ducati N. America $250
Debbie Roy/Frenotec $250
Joshua Hayes $250
Gina Nadeau $250
Jeannne Pyles $250
John Ross/Ross Racing $250
Brian Cincera $250
C. Renard Fiscus $250
Bruce & Edith Lind $250
Andre Espaillat $250
Aramel Racing $250
WMRRA $250
Bo Poulsen $250
Walter S. Pasicznyk $250
Leo Sulpy $250
Putnam Park $250
Papa Thiam/WERA BBS $200
Bill Capshaw/ICE Motorsports $200
Scott Decker $200
Terry Embury $200
Jim “Dutch” MacKenzie/WERA BBS $200
Scott Jenkins/Desmoto-sport $200
Cliff Nobles $200
Jodie York/RPM Cycles Ventura/WSMC #11 $200
Mostro.org/Jeffrey Fillmore $200
Jeff Bowis $200
Rich & Lynda Alexander/In Memory of Dirk Piz $200
Nils Menten $200
Melissa Tomlinson/G-Man Racing $200
DP Enterprises $200
Jeffrey S. Stathes $200
RPM $200
Wayne Nielsen/sportbikeworld.com $200
Dennis Woods/Doppio Racing $200
Tom David $200
Sierra Sportbike Association $200
Terry McKeever $200
“Barnacle” Bill Burns $200
Scott Greenwood/New England Performance $200
Roger Lyle/In Memory of Jimmy Adamo $200
Big Show Racing/Chicago, IL $200
John and Richard Haner/Haner Motor Sports $200
Crew & Friends of the R/V Point Sur/In Memory of Stuart Stratton $200
Ken & Joan Snyder/Team Snyder Racing $200
Patrick Flora $200
Michael and Sammy Garofalo $200
Ned “Peanut” Brown/NESBA/TPM $200
Logan Young $200
Bob & Sherrie Young $200
Jeremy Dodd/Phillips Motorsports $200
Justus Standley/Phillips Motorsports $200
Chris Kelley/California Cycleworks $150
Robb Mc Elroy $150
Tim Chin/Team Bandit $150
Ed & Catherine Sorbo $150
Damon Buckmaster $150
Chris Hamilton/Grand Prix Direct $150
Marc Palazzo/Synergy Racing Honda $150
Stuart Stratton/Stratton Racing $150
Hewitt & Prout Attorneys at Law $150
Calhoun Clark $150
Hal Coughlin/Central Vermont Motorcycles $130
Thomas Pfuner/I & E Innovative Homes Racing Team $130
Jim Williams/13x.com $125
David Boosales/WERA BBS $125
Pete Martins $125
SpaCovers.com $120
B.O.S.S. ’02 Raffle $116
Road Atlanta Crash Truck Crews $111
Gar’s Sports Center 50/50 Raffle $105
Chris Normand/Firestorm Racing $101
Lucky Deleoni $100
Pat Stricker $100
Gary Rand/In Memory of Rusty Bradley $100
Michael Roberson/WERA BBS $100
Sean Jordan/WERA BBS $100
Army of Darkness $100
Stuart Gregg $100
Pinky’s Pizza/Lippman Racing $100
Bob Szoke $100
TyrSox $100
Ron West/Omzig Productions $100
Joe Facer $100
Preston Rash $100
Geoff Maloney/GP Tech $100
Melissa Berkoff/Neighbor Of The Beast $100
Caesar Gonzales/WERA BBS $100
Dorina Groves $100
Dorina Groves/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
Philip Rusin/RC51.net $100
Allen “Spence” Spencer $100
Matt Wadsworth $100
Dean N. De St. Croix $100
Tony Tugwell/TZ250.com $100
Bart Fuqua/Team LGC $100
Brian Stokes/Marietta Motorsports $100
Chris “Opie” Caylor/Marietta Motorsports $100
David McElvain/NEDoD $100
Vance Hacecky $100
Patrick Mee $100
Dave and Jason Parker $100
David Brown $100
Steve Moonitz/Team Squid Pro Quo $100
Jake Swan $100
Chris Story $100
Chris Eklund $100
Randy Ball/WERA BBS $100
Mark Hellvig $100
Gary Schilling/On Time Racing/WERA BBS $100
Steve Sumner $100
Laura Granato/WERA BBS $100
Norm Viano/Lawdog Sports Mgmt $100
Kevin Jordan/Jordan Motorsports $100
Val Gregory/In Memory of Dirk Piz $100
Dave Gess $100
Rob Berlind $100
Paul Black $100
Steve Hewitt $100
Mike Ciccotto $100
Tripp Nobles $100
Scott Rehl $100
Steve & Lorraine Aledort $100
Jeff Rozycki/29dreams.com Racing $100
Chris Ulrich/In Memory of Russ Paulk And Toby Jorgensen $100
Giorgio Milesi/Galfer Brakes USA $100
Al Lyons/CMRRA $100
Linda Hopkins $100
John Hopkins/In Memory of Jamie Bowman and Toby Jorgensen $100
Vicky&Michael Menard $100
Silvia Salenius/Ducati.net Online $100
HG Racing/AMA Pro Thunder $100
Red Fox Racing $100
Greg Ruffin $100
John Donald/PTC Racing $100
Larry Pegram $100
Pamela Skaff/WERA BBS $100
J.D. Hord/Meccanica Corse Racing $100
Mark Sutton $100
Steve Scott/LRRS#47 $100
Eric Putter $100
Jim Doerfler $100
Ira Englebardt $100
Joe & Nancy Fenech $100
Earl Hayden $100
Chuck Sorensen $100
Jeff Wilson/American Suzuki $100
Adam Vella/Webcrush Racing $100
Chuck Gault/Motobama $100
Gary Longren $100
Stephan Hottenrott $100
David Kunzelman $100
C.R. “Critter” Gittere/WERA BBS $100
John Light/Lightsmith Racing $100
Ken & Arlene Block (Ed Sorbo’s Mom) $100
Chris Link/CMRA/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
Josh Steinberg $100
Broad Squad/CCS NE $100
Ann Sands $100
Troy Green/www.TG-Racing.com $100
Colin Fowler $100
Asphalt & Gas $100
CelentoHenn Architecture + Design $100
Norm Mc Donald/CMRA $100
Andrew S. Mueller/WERA BBS $100
Mary Miskovic $100
Mark Van Hoff/The Plastic Doctor/WERA BBS $100
Anonymous $100
Mauro Cereda/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
James B. Norwood/Bad Iguana Racing $100
Bakersfield Yamaha $100
Matt Gerard/In Memory of Gordy Lunde Jr. $100
MMCZYK/Concerned Fan $100
Kendall Davis/WERA #326 $100
Jerry Daggett $100
Miller’s Modern Garage $100
TFS Racing $100
Sabrina Phillips 100
Jane Phillips $100
Twin Cities Yamaha $100
Fernando Peris $100
Louis Gagne $100
Peter Christensen & Stasia Moore $100
Paul D. Harrell $100
Manny Otmane/Team Hooters $100
Rich Desmond/WERA BBS $100
Larry Lawrence $100
Tony Iannarelli $100
Marcel Fortney $100
Tim Fowler $100
Dennis Hurst/Deken Power $100
Tommy Bright/Logistics & Information $100
John F. Penrose $100
Russ & Lisa Dancho $100
Leonard Lloyd $100
Blake/www.BadWeatherBikers.com $100
Loren Chun, $100
Joe & Pam Axberg $100
Paul Sedillo $100
Robert C. Vester $100
Dale W. Dandrea $100
Bob Domenz/3D Racing $100
Justin Blake $100
Berde Brothers Racing $100
Ted Johnson/Last Chance Racing $100
Bruce Liddle $100
Schenk Racing $100
John Lemak $100
Donald P. Randolph $100
Ken & Lori Hill/Rt. 6 Sales & Service, $100
Alex Peabody $100
Joe Kimble $100
Anonymous $100
MZ Scorpion Cup Racers $100
Todd Telkamp/Bent Racing $100
Jeff Caco $100
Wrenn H. Smith $100
Daryl Tschoepe/RatBike Racing $100
Robert Sunday $100
Chuck Perry $100
Emmett Dibble $100
Michael Janes(WERA,CCS) $100
Charcoal Pit Racing $100
Pete Friedman $100
Jim Martin (CCS Racer) $100
Anonymous/In Memory of Cain Hicks $100
David J. Kopfinger $ 100
Adam Mashike $100
Mahlon Pitt $100
Allan Lockheed $100
Jim Van Beek/Jupiter 8 Racing $100
Patrick J. Robinson $100
Grady Anderson $100
Emile Mullick and Jack Pittman $100
Steve Karson $100
Jason Temme/Serpent Racing $100
Team Bozo/In Honor of Papa Thiam $100
John Ulrich/In Honor of Papa Thiam $100
Nancy T. Grimm $100
William Torbert $100
Anonymous/In Name of Papa Thiam $100
Eric Pinson/Phillips Motorsports $100
Ted Killilea, $100
A-1 Products/RORH Racing/Edward Barlow, Jr. $94
Larry Spektor/In Memory of Toby Jorgenson $80
David Yesman $80
Tyson Kamp $75
Vito Dionisio/WERA BBS $75
Joe Davidson/Comet Racing/In Memory of Toby Jorgensen & Jamie Bowman $75
Paul Nonno $75
Mark Green $75
R.J. McLeod $60
George Gervasi/Projekt9 Racing $60
Christopher Gosch $60
Kelly Thornton $58
Erica B. Smith & John F.X. Walsh $55
Stephen Bauman $55
Max Buxton/NEDoD $50
Nelo Hakola $50
Tyler Sandell $ 50
Aaron Loyd $50
Martin Voelker $50
Steve Hopkins $50
Louis DeBlois $50
Leigh Taunton/EMGO $50
Randy Sinisi $50
Danny Hull $50
Team Skidmark Racing $50
Ryan Meskimen/WERA BBS $50
Erik Astrup $50
Paul Zavada $50
James Greeson/WERA BBS $50
Victor Mokler $50
Steve Clark/J. Guthridge/Tight Squeeze Racing $50
Nate Olsen $50
Anthony Moey $50
Dustin Miller $50
Steve Martinez $50
Mike Hodgson/WERA BBS $50
Chris Borre/Motorcycleroadracer.com $50
Richard Barker/AIM/In Memory of Dirk Piz $50
Mike Reish/Reish Dot Net $50
Kenyon Kluge/K2 Racing $50
Darin Nichols/Team Unit $50
Richard Davis $50
Allen Lyon/Ducati.net Online $50
Eric H. Mathy $50
Steve Breckenridge $50
Jim Race/Speaksy Racing $50
James Aragon $50
James Hayton/Kochenbaulz Racing/WERA BBS $50
Anthony D’Augusta $50
Norm Brown $50
Isaac Ward $50
Jason K. Michelson $50
Qi Guo/WERA BBS $50
Schaefer Brothers Racing $50
Tommy Lancaster/Tommy Built Fireplaces $50
James Gaal $50
Rod Mahr/Follow the Helmet Racing $50
Charles Brothers/CMRA $50
Francisco Prats $50
Keith Mc Cammon $50
Rick Haskins $50
Larry, Janice & Jimmy /Moto Liberty $50
Friends & Family/Firestorm Racing $50
Akos Feher $50
Brian Cox/CMRA#318 $50
Greg Gorman $50
James E. Schaefer $50
Kevin Hanson $50
Nick Tulloh/In Memory of Jimmy Adamo $50
Robin Clark, $50
Carl Liebold, $50
Peter Young, $50
John Walsh $50
John Caudle/Thanks to Grigg Racing $50
Jim Frost $50
Jack Giesecke $50
Mark Anzalone $50
George M. Noeth $50
Greg Avello/Milwaukee H-D/Buell Racing $50
Bernard Ayling $50
Charles Helming $50
Andrew Culpepper $50
Wayne Gaylord and Dorothy Urbanski CCS Novice SE #424 $50
Michael Reeves $50
Douglas Thompson $50
Ryan Cilley/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $50
Masahiro & Katsuo Iizuka/In Memory of Jamie Bowman/Toby Jorgenson $50
EFF Hatten Group $50
Jonathan D. Spinney $50
Derek Mc Manus $50
Chris Monge $50
John Coleman $44
Rod Klebsch $40
Mark Crane, $40
Stephen J. Richardson $40
Karl Axelson $39
Don Moody $35
Andy & Kate Kupfer, $35
Lindsey Leard $30
Dave Deggendorf/WERA BBS $30
Bob Elam $30
The Heidepriems/WERA BBS $30
Kimberly Scheffel/rider/race fan/pit keeper $30
Bryan Norton $30
Scott D. Cortese $30
Stephen Warburton/Ducati Online $30
John Scherer $30
Charles Lederer $30
Greg Gabis $29
Ripley Howe $29
Mark Hatten/Meccanica Corse Racing $29
Ted Angle $25
Susanne Hopkins $25
Nolan Ballew $25
Josh Loberant $25
Charles Tomes $25
Jon DeMent $25
Timothy Wilson $25
Mark Novak $25
Rene Ferron $25
Sean Patrick Brisini $25
Richard Korol $25
Eric and Christine Loranger $25
Dee Moses $25
Kyle Kirschenmann/Bayou Riders of Louisiana $25
Marc Asmus $25
Mike Henry $25
Henry Hallmark $25
Ronnie Reyes/CMRA $25
Kathleen Mc Laughlin $25
John Jancoski $25
John C. Pfeiffer $25
Bernis B. Conatser $25
Tony Day $25
Harlan Weishahn $25
Chad Littrell $25
David Osser $25
Margaret Corra $25
Kerry Lynn Hanley $25
T. Kershaw $25
Allan Karman, $25
Anonymous $25
Peter Gallant $25
Jeff Mc Bride $25
Squirrel/YTAK Racing $25
Chuck D./Fosters $25
Louis Acosta $25
Jay Barfield $25
Everett B. Miller $25
James Lane $25
Erik H. Mathy $25
North American Synergy Co. $25
Gary Koppelman $25
Steve Price $25
Scott C. Bunn $25
Cory Mann $25
Eric Farrow $25
Allan Karman $25
FastSigns of Delaware/Charcoal Pit Racing $25
Jarrett Coco $25
Craig Rollins $25
Jarrett Coco/In Dedication to Papa Thiam $25
D. Michael Bootes $20
Garrett King/Guns For Hire $20
Frank Gonzales $20
Rob Armstrong/Maryland Motor Sports Racing $20
David Smith $20
S.C. Pittman $20
Jamieson D. Yonker $20
Garret Swearingen $20
Darrin Zumbaum $20
Andy Lenz/CMRRA $20
Dave Harrison $20
Jeff Harrison $20
Sled/Cross $20
David L. Osser $20
Carlos Bonds $20
Team Backbone/CMRA/In Memory of Buddy Walker $20
Pellack Family $15
Michael W. Morgan $10
Irwin Arnstein/CMRA $10
Frank Shacklee/CMRA $10
John & Arlene Gerard/In Memory of Gordy Lunde Jr. $10
Becky Rechek, $10
Lee D’Amico $10
Johnny Newell, $10
Christopher Clark $10
Glen Hewitt $10
Jan Steven/Carpet Dog $5
Anonymous $5
Joe Knight $5
Anonymous $5
Kevin Meehan, $5
Don Costello $2
Erik Schmitt/CMRA $1

The list of dirt track contributors now reads:
Chris Carr $2900
Yuasa Battery $2900
Steel Shoe Fund $2900
Continental Tires $2900
7th Annual Flat Track Golf Tournament $1500
E.F. Dutch Hauhe $1000
Lindemann Engineering $900
www.Johnnymurphree.com $500
Tor Kovacs $300
Tim & Debby Coziahr $250
Gerald & Ann Carr $200
Dorina Groves $200
Mr. & Mrs. C.H. Wilcox $100
Michael Sturdevant $100
Jeff Wilson $100
Debra Fay $100
Glynn & Holly Hewitt/In Loving Memory of Darell Davis 96w $100
Steven R. Boggs $100
Wrenn H. Smith $90
Don Potter $67
Jack Alexander/In Memory of Toby Jorgenson $50
Rick Matheny $50
www.flattrack.com $50
Pro Plates $50
Tom Chapel $50
Larry Woodward $50
EFF Hatten Group $50
Yamaha 650 Society/Econobiker $50
Derek Mc Manus $50
John Tucker $25
Scott C. Bunn $25
Dana Sweet $25
Old59R $20
Don Bok $20
Darby E. Ryan/In memory of Davy Camlin #27 $15
Stewart Barber $10
Craig Grismore/In memory of Donnie Estep R.I.P. $10
Thank you Will Davis $10
Broz $10

To pledge a contribution, call Roadracing World at (800) 464-8336 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, when operators will be standing by. Credit cards accepted. Pledges can also be made by e-mailing [email protected]. Make checks payable to Roadracing World, and mail to P.O. Box 1428, Lake Elsinore CA 92531. Money raised will be used for buying Air Module/Air Fence sections, as well as for deployment expenses and for shipping, tax and import duties.

*Air Fence is a registered trademark of Airfence Safety Systems of Australia.

Accounting Details to Date

Road Racing Expenditure Details

Direct purchase of soft barriers: $74,850
Shipping: $1149.01
Bank Fees: $238
Air Fence Deployment Crew Training: $700
Corporation/Business Fees: $592
Online Auction Fees: $221.99
Misc Supplies: $19
Donation to AMA Pro Racing for Air Fence: $104,104

Total Spent: $181,874
Total Collected: $209,698
Cash on hand: $27,824

Dirt Track Expenditure Details

Total Spent: $0
Total collected: $17,827
Cash on hand: $17,827

All administrative costs, including the percentage taken by credit card companies on credit card donations, have been absorbed by Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Aprilia Femmoto Is This Friday At VIR, On South Course

From a press release:

Virginia rocks to Aprilia Femmoto

Aprilia USA proudly welcome aboard Michelin Tires as a sponsor of their all-women’s test ride day at Virginia International Raceway, Friday August 9. The US importer will also host two workshops throughout the day, given by Ron Wood and Walt Schaefer, Michelin race specialists.

The one-day event, held on the track’s south course, is booked almost to capacity with only a few test rides left available in the afternoon sessions. This has pleased the Italian motorcycle importers no end, as the fleet available for test riding is made up exclusively of their sports and sports touring fleet. The day has attracted participants new to track riding along with female road racers.

For more information on Aprilia’s Femmoto, contact us directly at 414-305-9901.

Mladin Previews VIR

From a press release:

Rounds 15 & 16, 2002 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Virginia, USA

Event preview

MLADIN CHASES SEASON FINALE VICTORIES AT VIRGINIA

Alton, Virginia, USA – The 2002 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship draws to an end this coming weekend with a Double-Header round at Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Virginia.

For defending and three times AMA Superbike champion Mat Mladin, the weekend will also mark the end to what has been one of the most frustrating seasons in his racing career.

A combination of injury and suspension problems has kept the Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki away from many podium finishes this season. A crash during practice at the opening round of the championship left him with a badly damaged left elbow which ruled him out of the race at Daytona. More recently, he injured the backs of both hands in a fall during qualifying for the World Superbike round at Laguna Seca, that culminated his withdrawal part way through the AMA Superbike race held on the same weekend.

An area that Mladin has had a season long battle with has been suspension. His team have tried numerous ways to get the new Suzuki GSX-R750 to handle in a way that will be suitable for Mladin. It has proven to be an extremely difficult task, but one that has not stopped their commitment to finding a solution.

At the corresponding round last season, Mladin arrived at Virginia, with his third title all but wrapped up. He secured pole position for the event in lap record-breaking time, before taking a very conservative 12th place finish to secure up the title. This weekend however, things are very different as the Australian currently holds down seventh place on the championship point’s table.

“Certainly going there under different circumstances this year, just basically trying to win a race,” said Mladin. “It’s been probably the most frustrating year of my racing career, with the injuries and bike problems that we’ve had during the year. It just never was this year. The bike itself was good, but we just had so many dramas with the suspension for some reason. The crashes that I had this year are the sort of crashes that I just don’t have. They can happen any time, no doubt about that, but I contribute a lot of it to the rear suspension and the suspension in general. I don’t think we were well done by in that regard.”

“I feel that I have been riding well this season and I am as determined as ever to get onto the podium and hopefully grab a race win. After the season that I’ve had, that would be a great result.”

The battle for championship honours this year is being fought out between American Honda’s Nicky Hayden and Team Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom. After a blistering start to the year Hayden holds a 35-point lead over Bostrom, who has been the form rider of late.

Qualifying for the weekend’s round begins on Friday, with final qualifying scheduled for Saturday morning prior to the first of the two Superbike nationals.

Pit Daddy Racer Beauty Pageant To Raise Money For Injured Riders At VIR

From a press release issued by HMC Ducati’s Wendy Hogg, the driving force behind this bizarre charity event:

Pit Daddy comes to mama

In only one week’s time America will see crowned the most anticipated champion of the 2002 motorcycle racing season when the Pit Daddy beauty pageant is run and won. The championship that everyone has been hanging on reaches its climax at Virginia International Raceway, Sunday August 11, where the final and deciding round of the AMA Superbike Championship will add action in the lead-up to the show.

AMA road racers are frantically buffing and toning, choosing their swimwear and rehearsing their dance steps, ready to compete in the inaugural Pit Daddy fund-raising contest.

Late-breaking news is that the Annandale team, well-known for its crew of female mechanics, is in a state of confusion as its four male riders preen themselves for their catwalk calling—-not that the girls let them have any choice in the matter.

The all-female organizing committee for Pit Daddy has denied reports they’ve come to blows over who gets to hand out swimwear, apply the Parts Unlimited temporary tattoos to the contestants, and assist Mat Mladin as he slips a Chiko Roll into a tactically advantageous place.

Bets are already being placed on who will be the first to end up in the VIR swimming pool.

This is your last chance to purchase raffle tickets online. Online ticket sales cease on Tuesday August 6, then all raffle sales will be restricted to the Cycle News booth and VIR merchandise stands during the VIR race weekend.

Great new additions to the prize pot are still pouring in. The American Honda team have donated a team shirt signed by their riders and all the team members too.

D&W Images have donated a 16 x 20 action shot of Anthony Gobert, Nicky Hayden and Eric Bostrom that will be personally signed and will include an additional picture of each in their Pit Daddy attire. All raffle winners will receive a free picture of Kevin Schwantz in his Pit Daddy pose.

Former AMA racer-turned-film maker, Mark Miller, has not only become an associate sponsor of the event, he’s bringing his camera to include the footage in his documentary Sportbike Life. That will add a whole new dimension to film.

We’ve added ten sets of EBC high performance brake pads to the list of thousands of unbelievable prizes and some last minute WSB prizes are rumored to be on their way.

For your last chance to purchase raffle tickets, go online to www.cyclenews.com/pitdaddy, with all proceeds going to the Clayton Memorial Foundation.

Who’s YOUR daddy?

Clint Brotz Wins F-USA Buell Lightning Race At Road America, Michael Barnes DNF

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Clint Brotz won his second Buell Lightning race, this time at Road America, and now has a four-point lead in the series over Bryan Bemisderfer, with three races remaining. Pre-race favorite Michael Barnes did not finish, encountering mechanical problems, and is now third in points, 20 behind Brotz.

Formula USA Buell Lightning Series Race Results (all on Buell 1200s):

1. Clint Brotz, 7 laps
2. Richie Morris, -0.058 second
3. Bryan Bemisderfer, -14.648 seconds
4. Jason Smith, -15.233 seconds
5. Jeff Johnson, -28.694 seconds
6. John Spinelli, -36.689 seconds
7. Joseph Rozynski, -37.628 seconds
8. Jeff Harding, -37.707 seconds
9. Paul James, -59.393 seconds
10. Greg Avello, -70.321 seconds

Michael Barnes DNF, mechanical

Provisional Point Standings:

1. Brotz, 84 points
2. Bemisderfer, 80 points
3. Michael Barnes, 64 points
4. Morris, 52 points
5. Johnson, 50 points
6. Smith, 40 points
7. Harding, 39 points

Arclight Suzuki’s Lee Acree Will Not Ride In F-USA Unlimited Superbike At Road America, Will Race 600cc Sportbike

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Arclight Suzuki’s Lee Acree will not ride in the Formula USA Unlimited Superbike races Sunday at Road America due to injuries sustained over the last two race weekends.

“He’s just in too much pain,” said Arclight Suzuki co-owner/Crew Chief Chuck Warren.

Acree suffered second-degree burns to the inside of his left thigh during the AMA event at Mid-Ohio July 26-28, and during the week in between events, the burns have become infected.

“Riding the big bike is just too painful and too hard,” said Warren. “He’s kind of out of the Unlimited Superbike points, but he’s second in the 600 (Sportbike) points. So he’s going to only ride in the 600 race today then try to rest before Virginia next week.”

Acree, who is second in the AMA Superstock point standings, 26 points behind Jimmy Moore, won the AMA 750cc Supersport race at Virgina International Raceway last year.

Acree is second in the F-USA Pro Honda Oils 600cc Sportbike standings, eight points behind teammate Craig Connell. Acree is the two-time and defending Champion in the F-USA Sportbike class.

Acree is eighth in the Formula USA Unlimited Superbike standings, 61 points out of the lead.

The Arclight Suzuki team replaced the engine in Acree’s GSX-R70 F-USA Unlimited Superbike Saturday night and converted the machine into a back-up bike for Craig Connell. Acree’s engine broke two laps into qualifying on Saturday. Connell leads the F-USA Unlimited Superbike point standings.

Craig Connell Wins Formula USA Sportbike At Road America

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Formula USA Pro Honda Oils 600cc Sportbike Race Results:

1. Craig Connell, Suzuki, 12 laps
2. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, -3.220 seconds
3. Lee Acree, Suzuki, -3.516 seconds
4. Larry Pegram, Suzuki, -12.045 seconds
5. Monte Nichols, Yamaha, -26.950 seconds
6. Jeff Wood, Suzuki, -27.472 seconds
7. Andrew Nelson, Honda, -50.818 seconds
8. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki, -50.918 seconds
9. Cory West, Honda, -58.882 seconds
10. Ray Bowman, Honda, -58.935 seconds

DNF, Matt Wait, Suzuki, -2 laps, DNF, mechanical,

Provisional F-USA Sportbike Point Standings:

1. Connell, 79 points
2. Barnes, 63 points
3. Acree, 61 points
4. Pegram, 54 points
5. Jeff Wood, 39 points
6. Greenwood, 32 points

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