From a press release:

Team Stargel Aprilia Regains Championship Form

The ninth round of the AMA 250GP series at Mid-Ohio saw Team Stargel Aprilia return to their class leading ways.

Acknowledging the importance of the possibility of their first American championship, the Aprilia Race Department in Italy prepared a new engine for the team and delivered it, along with the assistance of former Valentino Rossi engine builder, Fausto Colombo. The new engine proved to be both fast and reliable as the team set the fastest time in Friday morning’s practice session.

After logging the top time in Saturday morning’s practice, Team Stargel Aprilia hoped to capture pole position in the afternoon qualifying session. Turning three laps in the 1:31 range, Chuck Sorensen looked to secure the pole, only to have it snatched away by .07 of a second on the last lap.

Sunday’s race began with Sorensen getting a lackluster start that found him in fourth place going into turn one. He moved into second place to start lap two and immediately set his sights on the leader. On lap three, Sorensen passed for the lead and led the next four laps. After being repassed, Sorensen began to encounter lapped traffic and unfortunately was dealt with some unlucky breaks. The gap from first to second quickly grew to about two seconds and Sorensen wisely brought his Aprilia home to finish second and secure 32 championship points.

It is worth noting that on lap seven Sorensen posted a time of 1:31.141 seconds. This proved to be the fastest lap of the 250GP race.

Recently, the AMA has decided to discontinue the 250GP race effective immediately after the 2003 race season. As for factors in making this decision, they cited a lack of fan support and poor competitiveness of the class. Upon comparing lap times, you will see that Sorensen’s best race lap was a full half-second faster than any lap turned in either the 600 supersport race or the 750 superstock race. In regards to the seeming lack of fan support, Team Stargel Aprilia only wished that they had brought more posters, hats, and t-shirts to Mid-Ohio as hundreds were gobbled up by eager, well-wishing fans.

As the tenth and final 2002 AMA 250GP race at Virginia International Raceway beckons, Team Stargel Aprilia holds a 31 point lead in the championship with 267 points. The team will make every effort to win their fifth race of the season and help Sorensen to claim his third career AMA 250GP title.

Team Stargel Aprilia would like to thank the supporters who make their efforts possible: Aprilia USA, Aprilia Italy, FGF Corse, Dunlop, Performance Powersports, VP Racing Fuels, Castrol, EBC Brakes, Shoei, Helimot, Held Gloves, Daytona Boots, Fox Racing, Smith Sport, TC’s Specialized Graphics, Regina Chains & Factory Pro Tuning, Mr. Fausto Colombo.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

This just in from Jim DiSalvo:

I received the AMA schedule for VIR which does not indicate a practice on Thursday, August 8, 2002. In speaking with Jack Abbott at VIR there in fact is a track practice from noon until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 8th. $150.00 for AMA riders with one bike and $50.00 extra for each additional bike.

Jack also asked if you would post on your breaking news that water rationing is in effect and would advise all race teams to wash their vehicles prior to arriving at the track.


(Editorial note: This information should have been included in the AMA Pro Racing mailer for the race. The fact that it was not is another example of AMA Pro Racing’s continuing inability to effectively communicate with AMA race promoters and with AMA members who hold AMA Pro Racing licenses.)

From a press release:

Spanish-based American Kenny Noyes, the 2000 Formula USA Pro Singles Dirt Track Champion, made his first podium appearance on July 28th at Cartagena, Spain, when he finished third on his Cibertel Honda CBR954RR in round four of the Superseries National Championship for production 1000cc bikes running on Superstock engine regulations and spec DOT Dunlop tires.

Kenny started poorly from the second row and was seventh, four seconds back from the group of four fighting for third, after five laps. The track temperature was a sizzling 117 degrees and as the machines began to slide around Noyes began a charge that could eventually take him to third, just 0.082 back of second-place finisher and reigning National Superseries Champion Alex Sirera on his Ducati 996.

Race winner Isaac Martin (R1) won his third race of the season to extend his points lead over Sirera after other top runners, Enrique Rocamora and Victor Carrasco (both on Suzuki GSX-R1000s) crashed out. Noyes, who is now fifth in the points table, had a previous best result of seventh place at Valencia.

“This is the first time I have really ever felt I was getting near the limits of the Honda,” said Kenny. “I ride this same bike but with different preparation and on Michelin slicks in the National Formula Xtreme series and I’m looking forward to the next round of that Championship in Albacete to try and keep building on this result.

“I was on a 600 last year and never felt comfortable but this big Fireblade always has enough power to break the rear loose. I feel more in control when the bike is moving around, but sometimes it gets so hooked up on the slicks that I’m just not sure where the limit is. Our season runs into late November, so I’ve got plenty of races and plenty of time to get on the pace in Xtreme and try to win one in Superseries.

“This was my first podium since Del Mar in 2000 and I haven’t won one since the Phoenix half mile that same year. I’m finally starting to feel on the road racer like I used to feel on the dirt tracker, but it has been a long, hard year-and-a-half.”

From a press release issued by WERA:

WERA National Series Brings Motorcycle Roadracing to Summit Point Near the Nation’s Capitol; Suzuki World Cup Qualifier Race to be Held

SUMMIT POINT, W. Va.- Summit Point Raceway will host the WERA National Challenge Series and the WERA/GMD Computrack National Endurance Series August 2-4, bringing some of the most competitive motorcycle road racing in the nation to West Virginia.

Round seven of the WERA/GMD Computrack National Endurance Series will be held on Saturday, August 3. The six-hour race will feature plenty of action on the track among the five classes of motorcycles. Bikes are divided according to engine size and the amount of modifications made to them. The fastest class is Heavyweight Superbike, with the Vesrah Suzuki GSX-R1000 at the top of the field.

During the endurance race, fans will enjoy the opportunity to get a close-up view of pit stops. Each team consists of three to four riders, and teams will stop periodically for a rider change, refueling and tire changes. Pit strategy plays a key role in endurance racing and some teams are able to complete a pit stop in less than 20 seconds.

The WERA National Challenge series gets underway on Sunday, August 4. Twelve sprint races, consisting of 10 laps each, will feature some of the best racers in the country battling in close competition. Vesrah Suzuki’s Tray Batey and John Jacobi, Scott Harwell of Arclight Racing, Mark Crozier and Washington, D.C., resident Dave Yaakov are among the riders who will be present.

Featured races throughout the day include Open Superstock, for stock racebikes of unlimited engine size and Formula One, with riders on highly modified bikes of unlimited size.

The Dunlop 600cc Superstock race is for 600cc stock motorcycles, including the Suzuki GSX-R600 and the Yamaha YZF-R6.

The 125 GP race is a favorite among fans for the exciting racing and the fast cornerspeed of the Honda RS125 and similar machines.

One of the highlights of the weekend at Summit Point will be the third and final qualifying race for the Suzuki World GSX-R Cup for Suzuki GSX-R 750 racebikes. The winner of the race will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Magny Cours, France, where they will compete against riders from all over the world in the World GSX-R Cup race on September 14.

Tickets are available for the weekend for only $25. Sunday-only tickets are just $15. Camping is available for fans, and Summit Point has a beautiful wooded area in the infield for campers.

Summit Point is a two-mile, 10-turn road course set in West Virginia, just 70 miles west of downtown Washington, D.C. More information about the track, including directions, can be found on the track’s website at www.SummitPoint-Raceway.com or by calling Summit Point at 304.725.8444

Since 1974, WERA Motorcycle Roadracing has showcased the talents of amateur motorcycle racers. Many of WERA’s former champions have gone on to successful professional careers in AMA Pro Racing, Grand Prix, World Superbike and Formula USA. Close competition and fresh talent are the hallmark of WERA Motorcycle Roadracing.

From a press release issued by VIR:

Hayden Looking Forward to VIR Return

America’s best motorcycle road racers will return to VIRginia International Raceway over the weekend of Aug. 9-11 for the VIR Lightning Nationals, the double-header season finale for the Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, and defending race winner Nicky Hayden is hoping for a repeat performance.

Hayden, from Owensboro, Ky., rides for the factory Honda team and is currently leading the point standings in this year’s championship 381-345 over Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom, who won the most recent round at Laguna Seca Raceway. With one race remaining at Mid-Ohio before the series returns to VIR and 37 points available from each of the season’s three remaining races, Hayden thinks it will be a fight to the finish.

“I’m sure it’s going to go down to the wire,” he said. “VIR is going to be a double-header, so I’m sure that’s where the title will be decided. It’s going to be huge weekend for us.”

With seven victories from 12 starts so far this season, Hayden has been the dominant rider, failing only once to finish in the top five. He loves a good race, and he thinks VIR will be the perfect venue to settle the issue.

“VIR is definitely one of the best tracks we have in America,” he said, “as far as safety and fun, and just being a real road course. I enjoy it. It’s a track that you’ve definitely got to ride around, too, so I like that. There are a lot of really technical sections, and you’ve kind of got to get in a rhythm and put them all together. You screw up one little corner, it’s going to cost you for a long way. The track is difficult, but it’s a good challenge.”

In a multi-team test at VIR last month Hayden set the unofficial fastest time, posting a 1:25.060 lap over the 2.225-mile VIR North Course to best the pole-winning 1:25.428 set by Suzuki’s Mat Mladin in last year’s inaugural Lightning Nationals. Hayden feels like he and the team are in good shape for the run to the finish.

“It’s going to be good,” he grinned. “I’m ready to go. I think it’s going to be really fun. I’ve got a little bit of a lead right now, but not a lot. We’re just going to try to keep doing what we’re doing, and hopefully when we come back to VIR we’ll be in a good position. It’s going to be tough, but I’m really excited about the rest of the year.”

Following Hayden and Bostrom in the championship point standings are Hayden’s teammate, Miguel Duhamel (298), Suzuki’s Aaron Yates (287) and Ducati’s Pascal Picotte (277). Rounding out the top 10 in the points chase currently are privateer Suzuki rider Brian Parriott (235) and a tightly-bunched pack comprising Ducati’s Doug Chandler (209), Suzuki teammates Jamie Hacking (208) and defending series champ Mladin (207) and the Suzuki-mounted privateer Brian Livengood (201).

In addition to the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship, the VIR Lightning Nationals will also include the season finales for the Pro Honda Oils U.S. SuperSport Championship, the Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series, the Genuine Suzuki Accessories SuperStock Series, and the MBNA 250 Grand Prix Series.

Three-day advance Super Tickets priced at $50 and single-day advance tickets for Saturday ($30) and Sunday ($35) will be available through July 25. Check VIR’s website, www.virclub.com, for ticket outlets. At the gate, three-day Super Tickets will be priced at $55 and one-day tickets for Friday ($10), Saturday ($35) and Sunday ($40) will also be available. VIR is a family-friendly facility, where children 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Spectator camping is available.

VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located on the Dan River 12 miles east of Danville, Va., and just north of historic Milton, N.C. In addition to its 3.27-mile natural-terrain road racing circuit (which is also designed to be operated as two autonomous, full-service courses), VIR is the cornerstone of VIR Club, America’s first motorsports country club, and the VIR Raceplex Industrial Park.

VIR made history from 1957 to 1974 and is doing so again. The renovated original circuit has 17 challenging turns and 130 feet of elevation change. In addition to spectator events, the track is also available to rent for testing, driving schools and club days. Future plans for VIR include resort lodging and the VIR Euro Rally School and Corporate Motorsport Experience, which will feature three rally stages plus a kart track, motocross track, ATV and SUV training grounds and an advanced safari course.

For more information, contact VIR at 888-RACE099 or visit the track’s website at www.virclub.com.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Racer John Hopkins underwent surgery today, when Dr. Arthur Ting screwed together a broken bone in his left hand. Desiree Crossman reports:

Well, everyone, John got through his operation. It lasted only about 45 minutes at Dr. Ting’s office. He placed in three screws and the bone looks like it wasn’t even broken from the X-rays. He said that it was a good idea that he did get it operated on due to some muscle tissue grown in between the broken area which was the metacarpal.

The healing will take about three full weeks but John can be back to his regularily scheduled program of training by the end of the week, but only light. Before the Czech race, he will have to use the muscles more to get full movement to ride the bike.

Other then that, it went well, we see him tomorrow for a post-surgery observation and that’s it. Good as new.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki Parts & Logistics Manager Kelly Collopy escaped serious injury when he fell asleep at the wheel of the team’s crew van and crashed on I-65, about 20 miles north of Bowling Green, Kentucky late Sunday night, (actually about 2:30 a.m. Monday).

The van left the freeway and crossed a drainage ditch, then went down a hill and into a wooded ravine.

Collopy was returning from the AMA National at Mid-Ohio to his home near the team’s shop in Alabama and elected to drive straight through instead of stopping at a motel with the rest of the team. Collopy suffered a scratched cornea and severe facial bruising, possibly from the van’s air bag. He was treated and released from a hospital Monday morning.

Todd Fenton, Tom Kipp’s mechanic, was also in the van; he escaped injury.

The van was destroyed.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Colin Edwards makes it two wins in a row

Colin Edwards took victory in race one at the European round of the World Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch. Edwards hunted down Neil Hodgson, passing the British rider on the inside through Sterlings Bend. Once in front Edwards never looked back, quickly building up a lead of around one second and using it to control the race.

Despite riding with a broken rib, runaway Championship points leader Troy Bayliss managed to finish on the podium in third place, and even set a new lap record doing so. He pushed the leading pair hard all the way, only backing off when he knew there was no way he could catch Hodgson in the last few laps.

Behind them there was a big fight for fourth place, initially between seven riders. But Ruben Xaus and Nori Haga made a break from the other five. They were followed at first by wildcard rider Michael Rutter on his privateer Ducati, but he slid off at Graham Hill Bend on lap 20, leaving the two to fight hard over that fourth place. And fight they did ­ swapping places several times in the last few laps! Coming into Clearways for the final time, with Haga in front, Xaus ran into the back of the Aprilia. Smoke poured off their tires and both riders wobbled dangerously, but both stayed on. Haga took fourth but stopped on the cool-off lap apparently suffering a severe case of sharp contact with a sensitive area of his body on the petrol tank!

Behind them Chris Walker and Ben Bostrom fought to the line over sixth with the Walker just getting his Kawasaki over the line in front of Bostrom’s Ducati.

World Superbike Championship
Brands Hatch
Results, Race One:

1. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 25 laps, 36:27.555
2. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, -1.173 seconds
3. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, -10.327 seconds
4. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, -22.243 seconds
5. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, -22.483 seconds
6. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -26.496 seconds
7. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, -26.535 seconds
8. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, -26.788 seconds
9. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, -32.322 seconds
10. Shane Byrne, Ducati 998RS, -32.634 seconds
11. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, -38.192 seconds
12. Alessandro Antonello, Ducati 998RS, -46.955 seconds
13. Hitoyasu Izutsu, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -47.247 seconds
14. Dean Ellison, Ducati 996RS, -48.785 seconds
15. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, -49.890 seconds
16. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, -57.652 seconds
17. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, -67.542 seconds
18. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, -68.229 seconds
19. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, -81.303 seconds
20. Glen Richards, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -85.120 seconds
DNF. Michael Rutter, Ducati 998RS, -5 laps, crash
DNF. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -13 laps
DNF. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, -17 laps
DNF. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, -19 laps
DNF. Bertrand Stey, Honda RC51, -21 laps
DNF. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -22 laps

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Problems with AMA Pro Racing timing and scoring delayed release of official qualifying results for the Formula Xtreme and 250cc Grand Prix races at Mid-Ohio.

Formula Xtreme
1. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:28.9977
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:29.2847
3. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.4541
4. Roger Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 1:29.5130
5. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.5819
6. Marty Craggill, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.8173
7. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.8543
8. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.9486
9. Mike Hale, Honda CBR954RR, 1:29.5819
10. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.2774
11. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.4004
12. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:31.1692
13. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR954RR, 1:31.7452
14. Lance Isaacs, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:32.5209
15. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.0682
16. James Compton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.5225
17. Troy Green, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:33.6813
18. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.2854
19. Doug Duane, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.3210
20. Jason Curtis, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:35.2022
21. Chuck Allen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.3483
22. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.5513
23. Rick Narup, Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:35.8772
24. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.9034
25. James Kerker, Honda CBR929RR, 1:36.6093
26. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.7981
27. Leo Venega, Ducati 996, 1:37.3006
28. Jim Bonner, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:37.5279
29. Heath Small, Ducati 748, 1:37.6251
30. Tim Falcone, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:38.0030
31. Kenyon Kluge, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:38.6707
32. Mike Johnston, Ducati 748, 1:39.5188


250cc Grand Prix
1. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 1:31.6444
2. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, 1:31.7109
3. Simon Turner, Yamaha, 1:32.6334
4. Jason DiSalvo, Honda, 1:33.5488
5. Chris Pyles, Yamaha, 1:35.3032
6. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 1:35.4469
7. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, 1:36.5468
8. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, 1:37.5719
9. John Davis, Yamaha, 1:38.0363
10. John France, Honda, 1:38.3488
11. Jim Bonner, Yamaha, 1:38.4918
12. Chad Healy, Yamaha, 1:38.6420
13. Steve Scott, Yamaha, 1:38.6994
14. Geoff Maloney, Yamaha, 1:38.8756
15. Chris Nicoloff, Honda, 1:38.9516
16. Rick Merhar, Yamaha, 1:39.1949
17. Leon Cortes, Honda, 1:39.2544
18. John Williams, Yamaha, 1:39.5194
19. Ty Piz, Yamaha, 1:40.0890
20. Barrett Long, Yamaha, 1:40.3710
21. Jeremy Bonnett, Yamaha, 1:40.4883
22. Jamie Worthington, Aprilia, 1:41.3821
23. Steve Bowline, Honda, 1:41.8700
24. Mark Stiles, Yamaha, 1:42.3245
25. Glen Christianson, Yamaha, 1:42.6330