Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Michael D. Green

The AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days event at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course wrapped up on Sunday after a three-day extravaganza of AHRMA road racing, motocross, trials, and flat-track along with a 900-vendor swap meet.

Pat Mooney dominated the headline Premier 500 class on his Petty Manx Norton Replica, winning the event on both Saturday and Sunday. Mooney was shadowed closely in both races by Jay Richardson and his Manx Norton replica.

Dave Roper made a welcome return to AHRMA competition, although he was not riding under the Team Obsolete banner. Roper won the 350 GP event on Saturday on a Honda and finished third in Sunday’s Premier 500 race on a Manx Norton.

Paul Vitale on a Ducati 748 battled with Eric Gulbransen on a Ducati 996 in AHRMA’s Twins events. Vitale finished the weekend with three race wins, but he was beaten by Gulbransen in Sunday’s Sound of Thunder race. Al Charles won both Super Mono races on the Ducati SuperMono that he purchased new in 1993.

Results are available from AHRMA’s website at

http://www.ahrma.org/results/rr2002-13-14.htm

Racer Eric Falt married Diane Groves April 28 in Dallas, Texas. Racer Brian Roach is engaged to marry Laura Granato in April 2003. (Handy editorial hint: Submit wedding, engagement, birth and other milestone information via e-mail sent to [email protected]. Include your contact information, daytime phone number and evening phone number in case further information is needed.)

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The AMA National At Mid-Ohio July 26-28 has one of the largest purses in the Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship. The Superbike purse totals $82,000 with half paid out in each of two Superbike races. The four support races each have a purse of $9500.

Chevy Trucks Superbike
Total Purse $82,000
(Half paid for each race)
1. $10,450
2. $7350
3. $5000
4. $4000
5. $3500
6. $3150
7. $3050
8. $2950
9. $2850
10. $2750
11. $2650
12. $2550
13. $2450
14. $2350
15. $2250
16. $2150
17. $2050
18. $2000
19. $1950
20. $1850
21. $1750
22. $1650
23. $1550
24. $1450
25. $1300
26. $1200
27. $1100
28. $1000
29. $900
30. $750
31. $550
32. $450
33. $400
34. $350
35. $300


MBNA 250 Grand Prix
Lockhart Phillips Formula Extreme
Pro Honda Oils Supersport
Suzuki Genuine Accessories Superstock
$9500 Purse Each
1. $1500
2. $1200
3. $900
4. $650
5. $600
6. $550
7. $500
8. $450
9. $400
10. $375
11. $350
12. $325
13. $300
14. $275
15. $250
16. $225
17. $200
18. $175
19. $150
20. $125

From a press release:

SHANE PRIETO HANGS ‘EM UP

In last Sunday’s CCS Florida Region race at Moroso, Shane Prieto graciously announced his retirement. A dominant rider for 10 years, Prieto left holding several records, including Most Consecutive Unlimited Grand Prix victories with 12. And, Most Unlimited GP Victories All-Time. “I had been thinking about it for awhile, and last week, it just clicked in my head that it was time,” said Prieto. “I intend to spend weekends water-skiing with my family now.” When Prieto was younger his family did that together and he misses it. He is an accomplished bare-foot skier.

By the time racing started Sunday morning, everyone in the paddock had heard the news, and there was more attention than usual paid to the battles throughout the day between Prieto and this year’s champ Marco Martinez. These two have produced some very exciting contests throughout the last several years, and this event was no exception. In this day’s Unlimited GP, both were riding Suzuki GSX-R1000s.

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Prieto jumped out to a 15-bike lead before Martinez made an outside pass in turn seven, to mixed emotions from the crowd, on lap five of the six-lap sprint. On lap three, Martinez set a new track record running him down on the newly tightened course. Prieto was on Pirelli DOTs and Martinez used Dunlop slicks.

Shane Prieto was the overall champion for two different seasons riding with the Number One plate in 1995 and 2001. Mounted on Suzukis, his brother Sean Prieto has been his mechanic, operating out of Prieto Racing, Inc. in Pompano Beach, FL. Prieto Racing is now the foremost road racing shop in Florida.

Florida Region Promoter Henry DeGouw says: “I hate to see him go, he’s been such a fixture here.” DeGouw, a former Florida Champ too, knows what he’s going through. He retired after three years himself, sat out for a year and “I was going crazy” he said. “Then I came back for 18 more years.”

CCS Racing in Florida features 12 races this year at Moroso Motorsports Park in West Palm Beach, Homestead Miami Speedway, and North Florida Motorsports Park in Jennings, FL.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

A lack of Thursday practice prior to this weekend’s AMA Pro National at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and the inclusion of a qualifying round for the World GSX-R Cup drew a contingent of AMA Pro-licensed riders to the AMA Grand National Championships held Monday and Tuesday at the Lexington, Ohio racetrack.

Participating Pro riders include Rich Conicelli, who has been in the top 10 in AMA Superbike points this year, as well as Jason DiSalvo, who won the AMA Superstock National at Road America in June.

The appearance of Pro-licensed racers has reignited the debate over who should be allowed to participate in an “Amateur” event, and never mind that manufacturer contingency money has been posted for the races.

Complicating matters is the fact that AMA Pro Racing Director of Competition Merrill Vanderslice has in the past suggested that Thursday practice is not important and that riders can participate in club races prior to AMA Nationals if they need more set-up and practice time than that afforded in official AMA practice starting on Friday of a race weekend. Now, when AMA Pro riders have shown up at a club race as suggested by Vanderslice, AMA Amateur officials have discouraged their participation and in at least one case went so far as to briefly suggest that they might be disqualified if they insisted on racing.

At least one rider has pointed out that the AMA Pro riders are AMA members, are legal entrants and have complied with all published rules.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Brian Livengood won the second of three slots for U.S. riders in the Suzuki World GSX-R Cup scheduled for September 14 at Magny Cours, France, by finishing second in a qualifying race at Mid-Ohio Tuesday.

Livengood, who is currently 10th in AMA Superbike points, and his mechanic will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the World GSX-R Cup, which will match riders from various countries on identical Suzuki GSX-R750s fitted with Michelin tires.

Ty Howard won the race at Mid-Ohio in a runaway but was ineligible because he did not have any Suzuki Cup points.

Livengood came out on top of a battle for second that also included John Jacobi–who had crashed in the heat race and started at the back of the grid–Rich Conicelli and Jason DiSalvo.

The final World GSX-R Cup qualifier will be decided during next weekend’s WERA National Challenge Series event at Summit Point Raceway.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

John Dugan of Washougal, Washington became the first rider to qualify to represent the U.S. in the World GSX-R Cup scheduled for September 14 in Magny-Cours, France.

Dugan won the qualifying race at Portland, Oregon on Sunday, July 21, beating Allan Schmidt and Nathan Hester.

Dugan was racing with a cracked pelvis sustained in a crash at Laguna Seca during the AMA National/World Superbike weekend.

Schmidt crashed in turn nine while leading the first lap during the morning heat race held to determine the grid, and his racebike was destroyed. Schmidt’s crew installed the engine in a spare chassis and Schmidt started the final from the back of the grid.

Dugan and a mechanic will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to France for the World GSX-R Cup final, which features riders on spec bikes drawn by lot. The World GSX-R Cup bikes will be fitted with Michelin tires.

Another qualifying round will be held during a Fasttrax event tomorrow at Mid-Ohio and the final qualifying round will be held during the WERA National scheduled for Summit Point, West Virginia on August 3-4. A total of three riders will qualify to represent the United States in the World GSX-R Cup event.

From a press release issued by series organizers:

SZOKE STREAKS TO RECORD

BOWMANVILLE, ON – Parts Canada Superbike Championship points leader Jordan Szoke continued his dominance of the 2002 season by winning his fourth event in a row at Mosport International Raceway Sunday.

Riding the Coors Light Racing/Fast Company Team Suzuki GSX-R1000 the Brantford, ON racer led virtually all the way to establish a new record for consecutive race wins in a single season. He had shared the mark of three wins with Steve Crevier.

Michael Taylor finished second on his Brooklin Cycle Yamaha YZF-R1 after briefly leading Szoke on the opening lap and hounding him most of the way. The Toronto rider was 5.040 secs. behind at the finish after he was forced to back off with mechanical trouble.

“There was a ton of pressure to win this weekend,” said Szoke after his 13th career national Superbike win, placing him second on the all-time list. “It’s Mosport. It’s the place. But we just put our head down in the race and got it done.”

Huntington Beach, CA resident Owen Weichel finished third on his Canadian Kawasaki ZX-7RR after a dramatic battle with the Coors Light Racing/Fast Company Suzuki GSX-R1000 of Francis Martin and Kevin Lacombe’s Orion Honda RC51.

Szoke picked up a perfect score of 56 points for qualifying on pole, winning and leading the most laps in Sunday’s race and moved into an almost insurmountable lead in the Parts Canada Superbike point standings.

He now has 262 points to the 177 of Weichel with a total of 112 points available in the final two races of the season. The series continues at Atlantic Motorsport Park Aug. 9-11.

In other action at Mosport, Australian Craig Connell completed a perfect weekend by winning the National Pro Honda Oils/Yoshimura 600 Sport Bike race over Arclight Suzuki teammate Lee Acree.

After sweeping both legs of Saturday’s Lockhart-Phillips Superbike/International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Open Sport Bike event Connell beat Acree by 4.585 secs. on his Suzuki GSX-R600.

Coors Light Racing/Blackfoot Suzuki’s Clint McBain won a wild battle for third to extend his lead in the Yoshimura 600 Sport Bike standings.

Connell’s performance helped Team USA defeat Team Canada in the SUPERSHOW 2003 presents the Coors Light Canada vs. USA Match Races and gave him the “King of Mosport” crown.

This weekend’s races will be televised on TSN Saturday, Aug. 10 and Saturday, Aug. 24. Start time for both shows is 11:30 am EDT. Action from Mosport will also be shown later this year on Quebec’s RDS and across Canada on the Outdoor Life Network.


Results of Sunday’s fifth round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Mosport International Raceway, showing finishing position, rider name, hometown and type of motorcycle:

1.Jordan Szoke, Brantford, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 2. Michael Taylor, Toronto, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1; 3. Owen Weichel, Huntington Beach, CA, Kawasaki ZX-7RR; 4. Francis Martin, Sherbrooke, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 5. Geoff May, Cumming, GA, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 6. Frank Trombino, Kleinburg, ON, Honda RC51; 7. Jeff Williams, Harrowsmith, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 8. Benoit Pilon, St-Jerome, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1; 9. Kevin Lacombe, Granby, QC, Honda RC51*; 10. Ugo Levert, Lorraine, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 11. Jean-Francois Cyr, Joliette, QC, Yamaha YZF-R6; 12. Greg Boki, Montreal, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 13. Darryn Wilbur, Maple, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1; 14. Philip Onisto, Bolton, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 15. Dave Young, Woodstock, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 16. Jerome Plourde, St-Hubert, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 17. Gaston Labrie, Brossard, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 18. Joel McDonald, North York, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6; 19. Clint Hines, Burlington, ON, Suzuki GSX-R750; 20. Pauly Sherer, Freeport, NY, Suzuki GSX-R750; 21. Steve Dufresne, St-Barthelemy, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000

DNF. John Brundl, Etobicoke, ON, Honda CBR954RR; DNF. Mike Walsh, Toronto, ON, Suzuki GSX-R750; DNF. Chris Murray-Audain, Scarborough, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1; DNF. Dean Osborne, Ajax, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000; DNF. Mike Desmarais, North Bay, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000

* — Kevin Lacombe penalized four positions for a jump start

Time of Race: 23:47
Margin of Victory: 5.040 secs.
Fastest Lap: Jordan Szoke, 1:21.911 on lap 5

Parts Canada Superbike Championship point standings following the fifth round at Mosport International Raceway Sunday, showing position, rider name and point total:

1.Jordan Szoke, 262; 2. Owen Weichel, 177; 3. Francis Martin, 145; 4. Kevin Lacombe, 144; 5. Frank Trombino 141; 6. Michael Taylor, 138; 7. Jean-Francois Cyr, 107; 8. Benoit Pilon, 100; 9. Darryn Wilbur, 88; 10. Philip Onisto, 84; 11. Ugo Levert, 73; 12. Bruce McDonald 64; 13. Tim Easton, 49; 14. Jeff Williams, 48; 15. John Brundl, 29; 16. Geoff May, 29; 17. Dave Young, 27; 18. David Klassen 27; 19. Nick Ienatsch, 21; 20. Michael Leon 21; 21. Matthew McBride 19; 22. Jerome Plourde, 18; 23. Greg Boki, 15; 24. Clint Hines 15; 25. Gaston Labrie, 14; 26. Tony Bouffard, 12; 27. Dave Hodge 12; 28. Mike Desmarais 10; 29. Steve Crevier 4; 30. Joel McDonald, 4; 31. Jim Proulx 4; 32. Pauly Sherer, 1

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Jeremy Toye again beat Chuck Graves in a wheel-to-wheel showdown in Toyota Cup Unlimited Formula One action at Willow Springs Raceway Sunday, in a battle that came down to a chance encounter with a lapped rider and a desperate last-half-lap scramble.

When the checkered flag flew, Toye and his Lee’s Cycle Suzuki GSX-R1000 had beaten Graves and his Graves Yamaha YZF-R1 powered YZF-R7 Superbike, both on Dunlop slicks. Chris Ulrich finished third on a Superstock GSX-R1000 on Michelin DOT-labelled tires.

The lapped rider pulled it down on Graves as Toye went around the outside in turn four and Graves’ best chance to win was gone; Toye then ran wide in turn five and got a poor drive off turn six, yet still held off Graves in turn eight. Graves got up outside Toye in turn nine but Toye’s bike was stronger in the run to the line.

Toye did most of the leading in the 12-lap race, Graves trying to get underneath into turn one several times before making it happen, and Toye quickly repassing in the run to turn two. Graves had the lead to the line two laps from the finish with Toye trying to get around on the outside into turn one, the pair so close together as they dove for the apex that it seemed certain they would collide–but they didn’t. On the last lap Toye led into turn one.

The pace was 1:21s, faster than Toye qualified last month for the front row of September’s $50,000-to-the-winner Toyota 200, which will be 80 laps on the 2.5-mile Willow Springs course.

Toye also won the 750cc Superstock, L&L Motorsports 750cc Superbike, and 750cc Modified Production races.

Graves won Saturday’s Solo GTO race and Sunday’s Performance Machine Open Superbike, Open Superstock, Graves Motorsports 650cc Superbike, and Roadracingworld.com 600cc Superstock races. In Open Superstock, Graves won on a 2002 Yamaha YZF-R1 that he had run three laps of practice on.

On Friday, Aaron Gobert locked in a front-row starting position for the Toyota 200, qualifying at 1:23.896, 107.276 mph. Gobert crashed out of Saturday’s Solo race and sat out Sunday with bruises. Gobert was structurally uninjured, according to his Graves Yamaha crew.


More, from a Willow Springs press release:

WILLOW SPRINGS TOYOTA 200 QUALIFYING UPDATE!

Yamaha’s Aaron Gobert joins last month’s fast qualifier Jeremy Toye with a guaranteed start position on the front row for Willow Springs Raceway’s $150,000.00 200 mile roadrace event to be held on September 15, 2002.

At the 2nd round of qualifying on Friday, July 19th Gobert, on his factory Yamaha YZF-R6 600cc supersport-spec bike, ran a best lap of 1:23.896 averaging over 107 mph around the 2.5 mile Willow Springs road course.

Toye remains fastest with last months fast lap of 1:22.960 on his Suzuki GSX-R1000. Upcoming qualifying dates are on Friday, August 16 and Friday, September 13 and the fastest rider each date will join Toye and Gobert on the front row of the 40 rider field. Other top times to date include Jack Pfeifer at 1:23.502, former 250cc GP National Champ David Emde at 1:25.652 and Clinton Whitehouse at 1:25.814.

Info on racer entry and spectator ticket information is online at www.willowspringsraceway.com

Spectators may also call 661.256.6666 for special advance ticket information packages currently available from WSIR.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing, and we think what it’s trying to say is, these guys have already won two or three races during Mid-Ohio doubleheader weekends, and hope to end next weekend with a fourth or fifth race win:

YATES, CHANDLER AND DUHAMEL VYING TO BECOME FIRST FOUR-TIME AMA CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. SUPERBIKE WINNER AT MID-OHIO DOUBLEHEADER

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates and HMC Ducati’s Doug Chandler come to Lexington, Ohio, this weekend, July 26-28, as the only three-time winners of the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course doubleheader round of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship. Both AMA Superbike veterans have the chance this weekend to become the first four-time, or even five-time if things go really well, Superbike winner at Mid-Ohio. Then again, Honda Racing’s Miguel Duhamel, who has two Superbike wins at the scenic Central Ohio circuit, could sweep the doubleheader weekend and come away as the first four-timer. But while all three of these top riders hope to come away from Mid-Ohio victorious, they’ll likely have to figure out a way to get around Nicky Hayden and Eric Bostrom, the two hottest riders in the series this year. AMA Superbike round 13 will be held on Saturday and Sunday will see round 14 of the 16-race series.

Hayden, 20, from Owensboro, Ky., leads the championship with seven wins on his factory Honda RC51 — the most Superbikes wins in a single season since Fred Merkel won a record 10 of 13 Superbike rounds in 1984. With the Mid-Ohio and Virginia International Raceway doubleheaders left to go, Hayden has at least a fighting chance to break Merkel’s longtime record. He could also move past Wayne Rainey for third on the all-time AMA Superbike career wins list this weekend.

“Mid-Ohio is always a fun race for me,” said Hayden, the 1999 AMA Pro Athlete of the Year. “It’s the closest race to home so a lot of my friends from Owensboro usually come up. It’s a challenging track. You have to be at your best to do well there because of the combination of tight turns and high-speed sections. It’s a real racers’ track.”

Bostrom is second in the championship with eight podium finishes to date, including wins at Pikes Peak and Laguna Seca. If the Kawasaki ace is to have any chance of catching Hayden he will have to experience a breakthrough at Mid-Ohio. Bostrom has never won the Superbike race at the track. His best result was runner-up last year to defending series champ Mat Mladin in Saturday’s race.

Yates always seems to do well at Mid-Ohio. The tall Georgian excels on twisty and technical circuits like Mid-Ohio. Yates is the only rider who has swept the Mid-Ohio doubleheader and he accomplished that feat in 2000.

Chandler seems ripe for another win at Mid-Ohio. The veteran rider from Salinas, Calif., has three wins at the track dating back to 1989. He’s finished on the podium in the last two rounds and looks to be improving on the HMC Ducati each week out. If Chandler manages to win one of the races this weekend it would mark his first victory in the series in three years.

Austin Bleu Bayou Ducati’s Pascal Picotte is yet another former winner at Mid-Ohio. The Canadian’s last win on the Superbike tour came at Mid-Ohio in 1996.

One of the big stories in the series this year is the strong showing by privateer Superbike riders. Californian Brian Parriott is sixth in the championships on his White Tip Racing Suzuki. Parriott has earned seven top-10 finishes in the championship this year. HSA Suzuki’s Brian Livengood is ranked 10th. The Georgian has also scored seven top-10 finishes in the Superbike ranks.

For additional information contact Mid-Ohio at (614) 793-4600 or visit www.midohio.com.

Tune into Speed Channel for live coverage of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship on Saturday, July 27 beginning at 2 p.m., and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 28, with repeats on Tuesday, July 30 at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., 1 a.m. and 2 a.m.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship
Presented by Parts Unlimited

Honda Super Cycle Weekend Presented by Dunlop Tires

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – July 26-28, 2002

Thursday, July 25
Registration: Riders, Crew, Sponsors & Guests, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Tech Inspection: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Friday, July 26
Registration: Riders, Crew, Sponsors & Guests 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Entries Close for all Classes at 10:00 AM
Tech Inspection: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Practice (in the following order) from 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
1. Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport
2. Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme
3. Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock
4. MBNA 250 Grand Prix

Chevy Trucks Superbike Practice, 10:40 AM – 11:40 AM

Lunch Break, 11:40 AM – 12:40 PM

Mandatory Rider Briefing for All Classes at 12:00 PM

Practice in same order as morning session, 12:40 PM – 2:30 PM

Chevy Trucks Superbike Qualifying, 2:40 PM – 3:30 PM

Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Qualifying, Even #s 4:20 PM – 4:40 PM

Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Qualifying, Odd #s 4:50 PM – 5:10 PM


Saturday, July 27

Registration: Crew, Sponsors & Guests, 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Tech Inspection: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Practice (in the following order) from 8:00 AM – 9:40 AM
1. Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport
2. MBNA 250 Grand Prix
3. Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock
4. Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme

Chevy Trucks Superbike Qualifying, 9:50 AM – 10:50 AM

Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Qualifying, Even #s 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM

Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Qualifying, Odd #s 11:30 AM – 11:50 AM

Lunch Break, 11:50 AM – 12:40 PM

Chevy Trucks Superbike Practice, 12:40 PM – 1:00 PM

Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Qualifying, 1:10 PM – 1:45 PM


FINAL EVENTS

Chevy Trucks Superbike Race 1 (100K – 26 laps), 2:00 PM

MBNA 250 Grand Prix Qualifying, 20 Minute Session

Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Race (60k – 16 laps)


Sunday, July 28

Registration: Crew, Sponsors & Guests, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Tech Inspection Opens: 9:00 AM

Practice (in the following order): 9:00 AM – 10:50 AM
1. Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport
2. MBNA 250 Grand Prix
3. Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme
4. Chevy Trucks Superbike

Lunch Break, 11:00 AM


Nondenominational Chapel Service, 11:10 AM


FINAL EVENTS (in the following order)starting at 12:00 PM:

Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Final (60k – 16 laps)

MBNA 250 Grand Prix (60k – 16 laps)

Chevy Trucks Superbike Race 2 (100k – 26 laps) 2:00 PM

Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme (60k – 16 laps)