A proposed new AMA Pro Racing rule changing race gridding from four-straight-across to four-staggered-across has already been implemented, even though the comment period on proposed new rules to go into effect January 1, 2002 doesn’t end until October 14.

A new system touted as heralding a bold new era in communication between AMA officials and affected riders, mechanics and teams includes a specific system for gathering input on proposed new rules well prior to their enactment.

The comment period on the staggered-grid rule opened September 14 and is to run for 30 days.

So it was a surprise when teams showed up at Virginia International Raceway this weekend and found the staggered grid already in use.

So much for the new system of gathering input…

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

BOSTROM STAYS WITH KAWASAKI

October 1, 2001 – Alton, VA. The intense rumors that have been swirling around Eric Bostrom for the past few months are both correct and incorrect. It is true that Eric had significant interest from various teams here and abroad, but the “Boss” has decided to stay with Kawasaki for another season, and compete once again in the AMA Superbike Championship. After clinching the 2001 600cc Supersport Championship this weekend but coming up short in the Superbike Championship (finishing 2nd), Eric will graduate to being a Superbike-only rider and will mount another challenge for the Superbike title in 2002.

“I’m stoked to be back with the same team because of the relationship we’ve been building over the years – and we’ve been stronger each year. Definitely, the crew that works with me is really good, and changing teams can be – well, you can spend a lot of time learning how to work with the crew. So being back with the same team means you start off ahead of the game.”

This just in from cornerworker Sean Jordan:


Just some first-hand info on the fire…

I was the second cornerworker on the scene with one of the Cold Fire extinguishers. My post was corner station 16, and Mladin’s crash was almost directly across from 17a. When Mladin crashed, the cornerworkers at 17 seemed to have things under control, but when we saw the bike burst into flames, I grabbed our extinguisher and started running. Since I had to stay out of the immediate impact zones, I would guess, (very roughly) that the distance I had to run was around 75 yards or more. When I arrived at the bike, the cornerworker from 17 ran out of fluid from his extinguisher. I began to use mine, and had the blaze defeated in somewhere around 2 or so.

The initial fire fighting efforts were hampered due to two reasons. Mr. Crumpton’s assertion that gas was still fueling the fire is correct. Also, Mladin’s bike came to rest with the underbelly pointing more towards the straightaway, and the top of the bike pointed away. The way the wind was blowing, the majority of smoke and fire was around the tank and seat area, and that’s also where the fire was being fed. The first cornerworker was loathe to approach the fire from that angle, and instead fired from behind the fire, and was not able to get the Cold Fire into the area where it was needed most. When I arrived, the wind had changed direction slightly, and I was able to get into the tank area and put out the fire.

In retrospect, I would say that two extinguishers at every station would have provided a greater margin for safety, but under the circumstances, one would have been sufficient if applied more effectively.

(See related post on 9/30/01)

Yamaha’s Anthony Gobert battled with Honda’s Miguel Duhamel and Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates for all 17 laps of the Honda Pro Oils 600cc Supersport final at Virginia International Raceway. The three-way battle was decided when Gobert passed Yates for the lead into turn one on the final lap and was able to navigate through lapped riders better.

With only 27 riders in the race, Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom only had to complete half of the race distance to claim Kawasaki’s first AMA 600cc Supersport Championship since 1993. Bostrom finished seventh in the race.

Honda Pro Oils 600cc Supersport Final Results:
1. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 17 laps
2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, +1.138 seconds
3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, +1.320 seconds
4. John Hopkins, Suzuki, +3.420 seconds
5. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, +7.815 seconds
6. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha, +9.133 seconds
7. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, +20.018 seconds
8. Jake Zemke, Honda, +22.539 seconds
9. Josh Hayes, Honda, +22.594 seconds
10. Grant Lopez, Suzuki, +27.059 seconds
11. Lee Acree, Suzuki, +27.257 seconds
12. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, +35.471 seconds
13. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, +35.565 seconds
14. Chris Caylor, Suzuki, +36.841 seconds
15. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, +55.470 seconds
16. Robert Jensen, Suzuki, +63.538 seconds
17. Daigoro Suzuki, Kawasaki, +70.698 seconds
18. David Ortega, Suzuki, +70.982 seconds
19. Tyler Wadsworth, Yamaha, +91.664 seconds
20. P. Valiente, +94.080 seconds

Unofficial Final 600cc Supersport Point Standings:
1. Eric Bostrom, 285 points
2. Anthony Gobert, 265 points
3. Miguel Duhamel, 259 points

Tom Montano won the Buell Pro Thunder race at Virginia International Raceway Sunday, consolidating his series points lead.

Dave Estok was leading when his bike momentarily stopped running while entering a corner 3 laps from the finish–Montano collided with Estok and went by. Estok’s bike started running again shortly afterwards and he took off in pursuit, about six seconds behind Montano. But Estok’s bike then quit for good and he was eventually credited with ninth place.

Mike Ciccotto finished second on a Buell at VIR, 17 seconds behind Montano, with Chris Normand third on a Suzuki SV650.

After the race, Normand was disqualified for his Suzuki SV650 weighing only 352 pounds, under the 380-pound weight limit. The disqualification promoted Thomas Fournier to third.

Results follow:

1. Tom Montano, Ducati
2. Mike Ciccotto, Buell, -17.016
3. Tom Fournier, Ducati, -1 lap
5. Steve Keener, Suzuki, -1 lap
6. Dr. Dave Kieffer, MD, Ducati, -1 lap
7. Charles Walker, Ducati, -1 lap
8. Josh Bryan, Buell, -1 lap
9. Dave Estok, Buell, -2 laps
10. Paul March, Ducati, -2 laps
11. Deborah Venega, Ducati, -2 laps
12. Mark Gardiner, MZ, -3 laps
13. Tripp Nobles, Buell, -7 laps, DNF, crashed

By Glenn Le Santo

If you thought World Superbike racing was in decline, then think again. Ruben Xaus, Troy Bayliss and Regis Laconi showed why the series is still so popular with the people who matter, the spectators, with a memorable display of ultra-close racing in the first World Superbike race at Imola. The three fought hard for most of the race distance, with the lead constantly changing hands as the trio gave everything they had to gain an advantage.

Any of the three could have snatched the win at the historic Imola circuit, but fate intervened on the penultimate lap when Bayliss lost the back end exiting the Curva Rivazza. For a split second it looked like he might save it, but as the bike whipped left and right he was unable to hold on. Bayliss dropped the Ducati right in front of Laconi’s Aprilia.

Luckless Laconi, who was right behind Bayliss at the time, was skittled by Bayliss’ careering bike, sending them both tumbling across the track in an ugly-looking incident. Unfortunately Bayliss broke his collarbone in the incident while Laconi was shaken but uninjured. Laconi had amply demonstrated that he’s a force to be reckoned with in World Superbike racing with a brilliant display of hard racing up until the crash. Xaus had no idea what had occurred behind him and continued to ride like his life depended
upon it, almost crashing as he ran over the curb halfway round the final lap. But he stayed on to take another Superbike win.

Troy Corser inherited second as a result of the crash, with Colin Edwards snatching third. Edwards’ fellow American, Ben Bostrom was fourth and Okada fifth.

Results follow:

1. Ruben Xaus, Spain, Ducati, 38:42.598
2. Troy Corser, Australia, Aprilia, -3.601 seconds
3. Colin Edwards, USA, Honda, -4.079
4. Ben Bostrom, USA, Ducati, -6.340
5. Tadayuki Okada, Japan, Honda, -13.737
6. Steve Martin, Australia, Ducati, -21.421
7. Gregorio Lavilla, Spain, Kawasaki, -24.100
8. Stephane Chambon, France, Suzuki, -24.280
9. Lucio Pedercini, Italy, Ducati, -46.537
10. Neil Hodgson, Great Britain, Ducati, -49.078

DNFs included James Toseland, Troy Bayliss, Pierfrancesco Chili.

James Ellison rode a mature and patient race to retain his European Superstock title Sunday at the historic Imola circuit in Italy. Even if his championship rival Walter Tortoroglio won the race, all Ellison needed to do was finish fourth. Ellison knew exactly what the position was before the race and was content to sit at the back of a group of four riders who broke away from the pack early in the race.

Torto, as the likeable Italian is known, rode the wheels off his GSX-R1000, leading the race from start to finish. But with Ellison taking no risks and simply hanging on to the back of the four-man leading pack, it was a frustrating race for Torto.

Ellsion’s fellow British rider Marty Nutt did most of the work for Ellison by running in second and harrying the Italian for the first half of the race. When Nutt made a mistake and dropped back into third, Torto had the lead to himself, and managed to make a small breakaway. To compound Torto’s dilemma Ellison slipped past Nutt late in the race to widen the points gap even further. The pressure started to show on Tortoroglio, who almost crashed as he ran wide over the rumble strips and got his Suzuki sideways in what could have been a decisive moment.

Although Torto no doubt enjoyed another race win, it wasn’t enough to clinch the title, which went to Ellison by 162 points to Torto’s 157. To compound Torto’s disappointment the unfortunate Italian dropped his bike on the slow down lap!

Ellison, still only 19 years old, is the only British rider to win an International Championship in 2001.

Results follow:

1. Walter Tortoroglio, Italy, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 25:18.608
2. Markus Wesscheider, Italy, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -3.009 seconds
3. James Ellison, Great Britain, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -4.805
4. Marty Nutt, Great Britain, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -6.045
5. Mark Heckles, Great Britain, Honda CBR929RR, -6.315
6. Gianluca Vizziello, Italy, Yamaha YZF-R1, -11.699
7. Olivier Four, France, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -11.699
8. Lorenzo Mauri, Italy, Ducati, -27.469
9. Andy Notman, Great Britain, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -27.520
10. Ludovic Fourreau, France, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -29.727

Final points:
1. Ellison, 162
2. Tortoroglio, 157
3. Heckles, 104

Final Combined Superbike Qualifying Results:
1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:25.428
2. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:25.549
3. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:25.886
4. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:26.220
5. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:26.281
6. Steve Rapp, Ducati, 1:26.366
7. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:26.603
8. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:26.613
9. Andreas Meklau, Ducati, 1:26.642
10. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha, 1:26.667
11. Doug Chandler, Kawasaki, 1:26.841
12. Larry Pegram, Ducati, 1:27.039
13. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:27.239
14. Pascal Picotte, Harley-Davidson, 1:27.345
15. Michael Smith, Harley-Davidson, 1:27.681
16. Jordan Szoke, Harley-Davidson, 1:28.756
17. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:29.657*
18. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:29.849*
19. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, 1:30.197*
20. Andrew Deatherage, Suzuki, 1:30.614
21. Mauro Cereda, Suzuki, 1:30.749
22. Robert Jensen, Suzuki, 1:30.843*
23. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki, 1:30.869*
24. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:31.181*
25. Anthony Lupo, Suzuki, 1:31.299*
*Riding 750cc Supersport bike.

By Glenn Le Santo

The World Superbike paddock has been thrown into an uproar by proposed 2004 rules which involve inlet restrictors, 1000cc 4-cylinder racebikes and TREADED TIRES.

Details to follow as available.

By Glenn Le Santo

Regis Laconi fought a race-long duel with Ruben Xaus to take his first-ever World Superbike win. The Frenchman, who is one of the few in the Superbike paddock to have raced at Imola before, in his GP days, burst into tears of joy at the end of the race.

In another display of Superbike racing at its finest Xaus, Laconi, Colin Edwards and Ben Bostrom made a break from the pack, and for a while it looked like the finish would come down to a dust up between the four of them. But as the race wore on, Bostrom started to slip into the clutches of Troy Corser, who was storming through the field to catch the leading bunch. It all went wrong for Corser, though–after passing Bostrom Corser began to try to wear down Edwards, only to crash heavily and forcing the Texan into the gravel to avoid Corser’s flying Aprilia. Edwards didn’t go down but retired a few laps later. At the time Edwards was already sporting a hole in his fairing, caused by stones flying from the rear wheel of Xaus’ Ducati after the Spaniard had taken a radically wide line on one of Imola’s
slower turns.

With Corser and Edwards out of the picture Tady Okada found himself in with a chance for his third podium appearance of the season. He soon passed Bostrom and was gaining fast on the battling Laconi and Xaus when he simply ran out of laps. He witnessed some scary stuff from Laconi and Xaus as they both rode beyond the limit in a desperate attempt to win the race. In the end, Laconi’s sheer determination, the speed of his Aprilia and possibly his superior track knowledge paid off.

Results

1. Regis Laconi, France, Aprilia 38:33.264
2. Ruben Xaus, Spain, Ducati, -0.021
3. Tadayuki Okada, Japan, Honda, -0.844
4. Ben Bostrom, USA, Ducati, -15.975
5. Steve Martin, Australia, Ducati, -32.975
6. Gregorio Lavilla, Spain, Kawasaki, -37.895
7. Neil Hodgson, Great Britain, Ducati, -38.727
8. Broc Parkes, Australia, Ducati, -38.890
9. Pierfrancesco Chili, Italy, Suzuki, -39.935
10. Giovanni Bussei, Italy, Ducati, -66.646

DNF, crashed:
Troy Bayliss
Colin Edwards
Troy Corser

Final Championship Points:
1. Bayliss, 369
2. Edwards, 317
3. Bostrom, 286
4. Corser, 264
5. Hodgson, 254
6. Chili, 225
7. Xaus, 191
8. Yanagawa, 170
9. Okada, 149
10. Lavilla, 147


Foret Wins 600cc Supersport Race, Pitt Wins Supersport World Championship

Fabien Foret scored a brilliant win in a controversial Supersport race in Imola Sunday. Foret battled hard with Jamie Whitham and Karl Muggeridge to clinch his second win of the season in his debut World Supersport year with the team.

The race was marred with controversy after championship contender Paolo Casoli collided with Karl Muggeridge on the first lap. The incident possibly cost Casoli the World Championship, which was won by Andrew Pitt, who finished fourth on the day. After the race Casoli complained bitterly to journalists, claiming that, in his opinion, Muggeridge had ridden dangerously, or even deliberately collided with him to ruin his championship chances. Jorg Teuchert, the only other rider with a chance of clinching the title, finished back in seventh.

Pitt’s fourth-place finish means he wins the title without actually winning a race. He looked hungry for a win early on, but as the battle between Muggeridge, Foret and Whitham got increasingly fierce, Pitt decided to settle
for fourth and the championship. Foret dived into the lead early in the race, passing all three riders in front of him on one lap, after sitting back for a few laps conserving his tires for a final push. Muggeridge and Whitham tripped each other up in the closing laps, allowing Foret to escape for the win. Whitham made a mistake on the penultimate lap, which cost him any chance he had of clinching the win, and he finished third behind Muggeridge and Foret.

Race results follow:

1. Fabien Foret, Honda, 40:09.883
2. Karl Muggeridge, Suzuki, 40:10.883
3. James Whitham, Yamaha, 40:12.134
4. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, 40:17.905
5. Pare Riba, Honda, 40:22.693
6. Iain MacPherson, Kawasaki, 40:22.849
7. Jorg Teuchert, Yamaha, 40:22.976
8. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki, 40:26.415
9. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Yamaha, 40:32.420
10. Chris Vermeulen, Honda, 40:33.772


Final World Supersport championship points:
1. Pitt, 149
2. Casoli, 147
3. Teuchert, 135
4. Whitham, 106
5. Kevin, 102
6. Riba, 94
7. Muggeridge, 92
8. Foret, 90
9. TIE, MacPherson/Fabrizio Pirovano, 67

Manufacturer points:
1. Yamaha, 219
2. Honda, 184
3. Kawasaki, 161
4. Suzuki, 127
5. Ducati, 50