Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Arclight Suzuki’s Craig Connell extended his Formula USA Pro Honda Oils 600cc Sportbike point lead by earning pole position, and the bonus point that comes with it, in Saturday’s 40-minute qualifying session at Road America. Connell turned a lap of 2:17.451 early in the session for a new lap record, beating the old lap record held by John Hopkins at 2:20.265 from May of 2000. The top six 600cc Sportbike qualifiers went faster than Hopkins’ old record, set on a 2000 GSX-R600 in AMA 600cc Supersport trim.

Team Hooters Mountain Dew Suzuki’s Larry Pegram was second-fastest from the outset of the session and steadily worked closer to Connell’s mark, but came up short with a time of 2:17.735 on his Suzuki GSX-R600. Pegram’s teammate Michael Barnes and Connell’s teammate Lee Acree, third- and fourth-fastest qualifiers respectively, will also start from the front row for Sunday’s 12-lap Sportbike final.

Lee Acree suffered second-degree burns during last weekend’s AMA National round at Mid-Ohio, and his task at Road America was made that much more difficult by a high-speed crash Saturday morning due to fluid on the track from another machine. “I’ve felt better,” said Acree as he changed bandages on his burned thigh Saturday afternoon.

Bettencourt Suzuki’s Jeff Wood was fifth-fastest on his back-up bike, Matt Wait qualified sixth on a borrowed Big Show Racing Suzuki GSX-R600, regional racer Monte Nichols was seventh-fastest on his Citgo-backed Yamaha YZF-R6 and young gun Steve Atlas qualified eighth on his Numbskullz Suzuki.


Honda Pro Oils Sportbike Qualifying Results:

1. Craig Connell, Suzuki, 2:17.451
2. Larry Pegram, Suzuki, 2:17.735
3. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, 2:18.233
4. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 2:19.013
5. Jeff Wood, Suzuki, 2:19.399
6. Matt Wait, Suzuki, 2:20.141
7. Monte Nichols, Yamaha, 2:20.393
8. Steve Atlas, Suzuki, 2:21.109
9. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki, 2:21.303
10. Andrew Nelson, Honda, 2:22.548
11. David Wappler, 2:22.651
12. Ray Bowman, Honda, 2:22.879
13. Cory West, Honda, 2:23.058
14. Dr. Jeff Purk, Suzuki, 2:23.859
15. Darrin Mitchell, 2:24.275
16. Dave Rosno, Suzuki, 2:25.415
17. Scot Stevens, 2:25.698
18. Jason Temme, Yamaha, 2:25.700
19. Kurt Marmor, Ducati 748, 2:26.796
20. Rick Bretl, 2:26.937

Previous Sportbike lap record: 2:20.265, John Hopkins, 5/00

From a press release from the SBK Press Office:

Superbike International and the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo together to 2005

London: The President of Superbike International Mr. Paolo Alberto Flammini and the General Circuit Director Jose Maria Oltra have signed a three-year contract.

The Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo will host the FIM World Superbike Spanish Round in the years 2003, 2004 and 2005.

The circuit has already held a Superbike Round in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Moreover, attendance has increased constantly each year for both media and public.

Jose Maria Otra declared: “This is a great opportunity for the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo to become the green light of the Superbike World Championship, and we are very confident of the success the Superbike races will have.”

Mister Paolo Alberto Flammini said: “I am very happy about the 3-year agreement which will give the Circuit and SBK the possibility to build a tradition of Superbike in the Country and in one of the most beautiful Spanish circuit. In a short time the synergy between both Companies will produce the same success that the Superbike World Championship has achieved all around the world.”

From a press release:

Prieto Racing, Inc. announces expansion of its racer support to include an all-new trackside garage. Upgrades, repairs, and service will be performed at the track, on an as-needed basis.

The addition of post-crash repairs, consultations, oil changes, gearing changes, various installations, etc. will be available to assist riders at the racetrack. Along with the parts and accessories currently available at the races, the current level of inventory will be increased to provide improved trackside service.

Shane Prieto’s retirement from racing is not related to Prieto Racing, Inc.; Sean and Wendy Prieto continue to provide services at the shop and at the track, as well as sponsorship to Amateur racer Ralph Fernandez.

For more information contact Prieto Racing, Inc. at 954 788-7528 or visit their website at www.prietoracing.com.

From a press release:

DUCATI MOTOGP AND SBK TESTING CONCLUDES AT MUGELLO

Two days of testing for Ducati Corse at the Mugello Circuit in Italy concluded today without any problems, both for the ‘laboratory’ version of the new Ducati Desmosedici MotoGP and the Superbike version of the new Ducati 999.

Today the Desmosedici, in the hands of Italian test-rider Vittoriano Guareschi, did a total of 38 laps, while Australian Steve Martin of the Ducati DFX team and Ducati Corse tester for the two days, completed 51 laps.

From a press release:

For the next time you decide to go out racing or trail/desert riding, following is information about why you might consider having one of these on you…

TOTALLY FREE EMERGENCY MEDICAL DECALS

About two months ago, a friend of Dave Kimmey, president of Engine Ice, was at a local motocross track and got hurt really bad–bad enough to get flown out. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he had brought his five-year-old son with him.

A riding buddy was there, but he soon realized that he only knew the downed rider’s name and home phone. That was no help, being no one was at home and he didn’t know what to do about the rider’s 5 yr. old boy.

Have you been in this situation before?

Engine Ice Hi-Performance Coolant realized that many riders do not have and/or, do not carry any emergency information on them when they’re riding. Many tracks only require you to sign a waiver, but keep no actual information on each and every rider.

As a public service to anyone who rides and/or races a motorcycle (street or dirt), Engine Ice has decided to help do something about this.

TOTALLY FREE EMERGENCY MEDICAL DECALS

It is a high quality, vinyl decal specially coated with a write-on surface and is the size of a business card. It fits cleanly on the underside of a motocross helmet visor without distracting your vision. On the card is space for riders name, Date of Birth, Medical Allergies, Medical History and Emergency Phone #.

“This could save your life or the life of a friend. Myself and the staff at Engine Ice hope that by year’s end, every rider will have one of these, or something similar on his or her helmet,” said Engine Ice president David Kimmey.

To receive your free Medical Decal, send a Postage Paid, self addressed envelope to:

Engine Ice
Dept.: Medical Decals
707 SW 3rd Ave
Boynton Beach, FL 33426

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

RYO AND KAGAYAMA THIRD QUICKEST IN QUALIFYING AT SUZUKA

2002 FIM World Endurance Championship – Qualifying Session, Round 4, Suzuka, Japan, Friday, August 2, 2002.

In the first morning qualifying session, Team Suzuki rider Akira Ryo raced to the top of the A group with a time of 2:07.593. Team Suzuki’s Yukio Kagayama was next out in the second morning session and managed to gain a time of 2:07.309, the second quickest of the session, just before it started to rain.

In the third rider’s session, Team Suzuki rider Atsushi Watanabe finished with the quickest lap.

Team Suzuki ended the morning session ranked 3rd overall courtesy of Kagayama’s time.

The first afternoon session saw Ryo put in a few laps before the rains came. Kagayama went out in the second session on a dry track but was unable to beat his time set in the morning qualifying.

Overall, Team SUZUKI finished third fastest in the overall standings with Kagayama’s second time taken as the qualifying time. Barros/Takeda (Honda) qualified first and Kato/Edwards (Honda) qualified in second.

Akira Ryo – 2:07.593
“We had planned to use the morning session to find a good set-up for the bike and then use the afternoon session to put some quick laps in. But when I was ready for the time attack in the afternoon session, it started to rain and we were unable to get any good lap-times in. The bike has been really good so far and the temperature has not been too bad yet. It was just a rehearsal today. I hope to keep us on track for the final race by not risking too much.”

Yukio Kagayama – 2:07.309
“I had my chance to do my best lap-times robbed by a shower in the morning and by slow riders in the afternoon. I am disappointed with the time of 2:07 as I had expected to bag a 2:06 lap, and I sure that my pace today was good enough to make it. But, I’m happy with the bike – it’s been improved by each ride and we now have a really competitive machine. So, I think we have done everything we need to do. I hope it will not be too hot at the Special Stage and that we can get a good position for the final race.”

Qualifying session:

1. Barros/Takeda (Honda)

2. Kato/Edwards (Honda)

3. Ryo/Kagayama (TEAM SUZUKI)

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Gauloises Yamaha Tech 3 test rider Sylvain Guintoli will race a Yamaha YZR500 as a wild card at the Czech Republic Grand Prix at Brno August 23-25, say sources in Europe.

The 20-year-old Frenchman previously raced in the 2001 250cc Grand Prix at Brno, finishing 13th.

From a press release issued by Team Oliver Yamaha regarding the Mid-Ohio AMA 250cc Grand Prix race:

Oliver wins 60th Grand Prix race in front of Sorensen, Disalvo, and Turner! TZ250 Yamaha again on top of podium!

Rich Oliver of Team Oliver Yamaha was again the dominate rider in Sunday’s 250 Grand Prix race, during the Mid-Ohio AMA Superbike race weekend. Rich was able to ease out a 5-second win with a strategy of observe, copy, execute, then slice and dice.

Asked about this confusing strategy, Rich commented thusly; “Well, Chuckie was riding really well as usual, so in the race I thought if I followed his lines I could learn where I was slower. Then what I did was adjust my lines to copy his where they were better, and keep my lines the same where mine worked pretty well. At that point I was getting around the track quite quickly and decided to take the lead. This put me in great position to take any advantage possible to scrape him off in traffic, which I was able to do after a couple attempts. Then all that was left was to hammer out a few fast laps, and build a lead to the finish.

“A bonus was that I also won the pole and led the most laps, so I took all 38 points available for the race. This helped my teammate Perry hold on to second in the Championship tally going into the last race next week in Virginia.

“I have to thank Rick Schell for sending me a new crankshaft after Laguna, and of course big kudos go to Robert Ward for spinning the wrenches and changing the brass all weekend long. Also a big thanks goes to Team Stargel for all the kind mentions in their current press release. Shucks guys, you’re going to give me a big head!”


Perry Melneciuc again rides hurt, rides spare bike, but hangs on to second place in the Championship with a 5th-place finish!

Perry Melneciuc finished 5th place in Sunday’s main event, after jumping off his spare machine Saturday morning in a high-speed 5th-gear crash!

Perry executed a front wheel lock-up, shoulder grind, back-spin, low level dismount with a reluctant-grip release. This later was termed a self torpedo with a hot back and finished with a cattle mutilation! (See below for glossary of terms.) Not to be dissuaded, Perry and wife Kellee dove into repair mode, and as the pile of smashed, mangled, grass-and-dirt-clod-filled parts grew higher, the Melneciuc TZ250 slowly came back to life.

Perry dragged his aching and still bleeding carcass out to the line Sunday, and in a gutsy and determined ride raced hard for 4th with Simon Turner and Chris Pyles, Pyles later cracking under the Melneciuc pressure and spinning down going into the infamous keyhole section of the course! Turner was able to finish 4th, Perry going on to finish the hot and humid race in 5th, and stay in the hunt for the AMA 250 Championship!

For the benefit of our fans who hear highly technical terms emanating from inside the Team Oliver tent, and may not completely understanding them, a further explanation in layman’s terms now follows:


CATEGORY: Crashing terms and related topics.

“Leaped off, jumped off, took a fast walk, spun her down, stepped off, took a break early, rode in on the truck, sanded her down, took the shine off, gave up when I was dragging the bar, and, it’s still out there, what’s left anyway!”
These all mean crashing. See also; Get out the bike cover. See also; Santa Rosa Trauma Center. See also; Swimsuit model. See also; Titanium hardware, not from Yoyodyne.


Following are more specific terms for certain types of crashes.

“Human auger!”
Crashing and screwing yourself into the pavement. See also; Kerry Bryant

“Snapped her to heaven!”
Big highside crash. See also; Turning down the damper now. See also; More rear rebound. See also; Hey, my front number is upside down. See also; Water leak.

“I could see my shadow!”
Big highside crash, minimum height at least 10 feet in the air. See also; Duhamel, Laguna. See also; Oliver, Daytona. See also; Momentarily delayed pain. See also; Anticipation of same.

“Head whacker with a twist!”
Banging your helmet and twisting your neck in the process.

“I had some pillow talk!”
Hitting the Air Fence.

“It was a cattle mutilation!”
Hitting the haybales and scattering a cloud of hay. See also; mowing the back 40.

“Torpedoed him!”
Losing the front and crashing into another rider. See also; Oliver, Pomona.


CATEGORY: Engine terms.

“She’s hacking up a lung!”
This refers to overreving of the engine until reed flutter sets in and the engine pops and coughs. See also; Oliver, Pikes Peak

“Blew the fat lady!”
Seizing a big rod end. See also; Oliver, Laguna.

“Dropped a snake!”
Chain came off.

“Locked her down tight!”
Seized the piston to the cylinder

“Running like a raped ape!”
Running well and fast. See also; Laguna, Brainerd, and Pikes Peak.


CATEGORY: Paddock terms, and rider nicknames.

“Circus is in town!” or “Snap the floor, pop the top, set up shop and let’s rock!”
Let’s get to work on setting up the team pit area and tent. See also; Wednesday morning. See also; 9:00 AM. See also; Sharp.

“Five minute break!”
Pretty lady walking by the team tent. See also: Corona Suzuki. See also; A and R racing.

“Rocked, locked and docked at the shore, she’s not sailing anymore!”
Woman is married. See also; Large diamond. See also; Bodybuilder husband.

“Pit fly by!”
When a rider we compete against has crashed earlier, but has now fixed his bike and rides by our tent on same fixed bike revving engine and starring at us. See also; I’m not hurt, just bleeding profusely. See also; Computrack. See also; Sharkskinz. See also; Do you have any spare pipes? See also; OK, well then can I borrow your torches?

Rider Nicknames:

“Sandman”
Roland Sands

“Chuckie”
Chuck Sorensen

“Smoke”
Simon Turner

“Piles”
Chris Pyles

“D’ Salvinator”
Jason DiSalvo

“Sore Hole”
Ed Sorbo

“Mad Bomber, or just yelling FRANCE and rolling the R!”
John France

“T-D-P”
Ty Piz

“Paint job”
Collin Jensen

“The Check”
Perry Melneciuc

“That big-nosed four-eyed old bastard”
Rich Oliver