Preliminary reports are that Ty Howard underwent a CAT scan with normal results, and has a class one concussion. Meanwhile, Craig Connell suffered a shoulder injury and broken ribs in Sunday’s pile-up early in the second Formula USA Unlimited Superbike race at Portland International Raceway.

John Dugan, also involved, suffered a knee injury. Dugan and Mike Sullivan were scheduled to fly to France on Monday to participate in the Bol d’Or 24-hour. At post time it was unknown whether or not Dugan would be able to race at Bol d’Or.

Young American John “Hopper” Hopkins tested today at Estoril, Portugal, riding a Red Bull Yamaha YZR500. It is the third test with the team for Hopkins, from Ramona, California.

Hopkins took to the track around 10:00 a.m. and rode until lunch. Shortly after the lunch break, Hopkins lowsided a YZR500 and slid into a gravel trap.

Hopkins was unhurt while the racebike suffered minor damage.

The crash ended Hopkins’ testing and he is expected to arrive back in the United States on Tuesday.

The team is negotiating with Hopkins for the 2002-2004 World Championship Grand Prix seasons.

From an AMA press release:


MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME INDUCTS CLASS OF 2001

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Twenty-eight legendary figures in the history of American motorcycling were inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame today (September 8), during ceremonies at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio.

The Motorcycle Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to motorcycling, including those known for their contributions to road riding, off-road riding and all categories of racing, as well as those who have excelled in business, history, design and engineering.

The new inductees join 241 others already enshrined in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, located on the lower level of the Museum. The Motorcycle Hall of Fame features a plaque recognizing each inductee, along with related motorcycles, photos and memorabilia.

This year’s class includes racers, tuners, engineers and media figures. Among the notables: Mike Baldwin, five-time AMA road-racing champion; Mark Barnett, winner of four motocross and Supercross championships; Allen Carter, the engineer responsible for many motorcycles produced by Indian; Charles Clayton, who, with his wife, Sharon, developed Cycle News into America’s weekly newsmagazine of motorcycling; Erv Kanemoto Jr., the tuner who helped Freddie Spencer and others win world road-racing championships; Larry Maiers, race announcer and TV personality; Fred Merkel, three-time AMA and two-time world Superbike champion; and Joe Parkhurst, founder of Cycle World magazine.

“We see the Motorcycle Hall of Fame as an important part of the Museum’s mission,” said Don Emde, chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which runs the facility. “Preserving the heritage of American motorcycling means more than displaying a collection of classic machines. It means keeping alive the memory of those who built that heritage.”

Emde, winner of the 1972 Daytona 200, is a Hall-of-Famer himself, as is his father, Floyd, who won the same event in 1948.

Any motorcycling enthusiast may submit a person to be considered for induction into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame; complete biographical information should accompany the submission. Inductees are chosen by six committees consisting of Hall-of-Famers and independent experts in various disciplines. The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2002 will be announced next May.


THE MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME
CLASS OF 2001

Walt Axthelm: First American to ride the ISDT (1960). Many-time winner of off-road events on Catalina Island.

Mike Baldwin: 1978, ’82-’85 AMA Formula One Champion. 16 AMA National wins and a top contender in 1980s AMA Superbike racing.

Mark Barnett: Factory Suzuki rider and off-road star of the 1980s. 1980-’82 AMA 125cc and 1981 AMA Supercross champion. On 1983 winning Motocross des Nations team.

Mike Bell: Son of famous race tuner Bill Bell and top off-road star in his own right. Won the 1980 Supercross title.

Ron Bishop: This Baja legend has ridden all 33 Baja 1000s, 27 Baja 500s, 17 Tecate 500 Enduros, and two ISDTs. Dealer in Escondido still prepping race bikes.

Bill Brokaw: Trials competitor for 50 years. Three-time Southern California champion; enduro, hare and hound, ice-racing competitor. Dealer for 35 years.

Don Brown: Former Cycle magazine editor, later executive for Johnson Motors Triumph, BSA Inc., Suzuki. Now a respected industry consultant.

Allen Carter: Engineer at the Indian Motocycle Company in the 1930s. Played a key role in the design of many new models.

Charles Clayton: With wife, Sharon, he turned a West Coast publication into the weekly Cycle News that serves to sport to this day.

Babe DeMay: Successful dirt-track racer, won 1966 National at Lincoln, Illinois. Later tuned for Mark Brelsford and many other top riders.

Dave Ekins: Won numerous off-road events, including Baja, Catalina and Greenhorn Enduro. 1964 and ’66 ISDT Gold Medal winner. Later, a motorcycle journalist.

George Everett: 1957 & ’58 Peoria TT National winner, ranked in top six in points 1956-’57.

Erv Kanemoto Jr.: Tuner for many top U.S. road-racers. With Freddie Spencer aboard, his machines won the 1985 250cc and 500cc World Road Racing Championships.

Carey Loftin: Ex-speedway racer who found great success in movie stunt work in the 1930s and ’40s. Member of traveling stunt show.

Larry Maiers: Worked at Penton Imports and announced races in the 1970s and ’80s. Later moved on to television with “MotoWorld” and Speedvision.

Fred Merkel: 1984-’86 AMA Superbike Champion; 1988-’89 World Superbike Champion; 20 career AMA Superbike National wins. 1982 250cc GP class runner-up.

John McLaughlin: Winner of Catalina Grand Prix 250cc & 350cc classes the same year. Greenhorn Enduro winner. AFM #1 500cc three years.

Joe Parkhurst: Founder/publisher of Cycle World magazine. He changed the way motorcycle magazines covered the sport. Co-founded Saddleback Park in Southern California.

Mike Parti: Successful sidecar racer in scrambles and Bonneville speed trials. Today, he is one of the most respected restorers of antique motorcycles.

Leo Payne: Famous drag racer who amassed many records and won numerous championships. First non-streamliner to go over 200 mph at Bonneville.

Ronnie Rall: Top 1960s and ’70s Midwest dirt-track racer. Ranked third in AMA Grand National points in 1964; won five AMA Nationals.

Jim Rice: Versatile 1960s and ’70s dirt-track star. He won six AMA Nationals during the 1970 season alone, and over his career.

Dave Schultz: Six-time NHRA National Pro Stock Champion; 45 NHRA National event wins in 23-year racing career.

Shell Thuet: Legendary race tuner. In the 1960s, his rider, Elliott Schultz, dominated Ascot. Later sponsored Wayne Rainey and Eddie Lawson.

Marty Tripes: Won the inaugural Superbowl of Motocross race at age 16. Went on to win 11 AMA Nationals in his career.

Ralph White: 1963 Daytona 200 winner; finished 1963 ranked third in AMA Grand National points. 1965 winner of Loudon, Indianapolis and Springfield Nationals.

Jack Wilson: Dealer, tuner, sponsor in AMA Class C races; especially well-known for his role in numerous Bonneville speed records.

Steve Wise: Superbikers Champion, top-10 ranking in AMA 250cc Supercross 1975, 1978 and 1980. Top-10 ranking in 125cc, 1976-’78. Later won an AMA Superbike National.

500cc Results
1. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 47:25.357
2. Loris Capirossi, Honda, 47:27.113
3. Garry McCoy, Yamaha, 47:39.387
4. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 47:49.694
5. Max Biaggi, Yamaha, 47:56.705
6. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, 47:47.282
7. Jurgen van den Goorbergh, Proton, 48:02.497
8. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha, 48:06.400
9. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha, 48:15.630
10. Jose Luis Cardoso, Yamaha, 48:23.584
11. Haruchika Aoki, Honda, 48:52.496
12. Anthony West, Honda, 48:52.816
13. Johan Stigefelt, Sabre, -1 lap
14. Brendan Clarke, Honda, -1 lap
15. Barry Veneman, Honda, -1 lap
16. Noriyuki Haga, Yamaha, -3 laps, DNF
17. Leon Haslam, Honda, -10 laps, DNF
18. Alex Barros, Honda, -16 laps, DNF
19. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki, -26 laps, DNF
20. Tohru Ukawa, Honda, -28 laps, DNF
21. Alex Barros, Honda, -28 laps, DNF
22. Norick Abe, Yamaha, -28 laps, DNF

250cc Results
1. Daijiro Katoh, Honda, 44:38.464
2. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, 44:55.547
3. Tetsuya Harada, Aprilia, 45:05.824
4. Roberto Rolfo, Aprilia, 45:12.671
5. Jeremy McWilliams, Aprilia, 45:15.380
6. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 45:15.565
7. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 45:22.905
8. David Checa, Honda, 45:23.860
9. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 45:27.666
10. Sharol Yuzy, Yamaha, 45:29.536
20. Katja Poensgen, Honda, -1 lap

125cc Results
1. Manuel Poggiali, Gilera, 42:55.454
2. Youichi Ui, Derbi, 42:55.455
3. Toni Elias, Honda, 43:03.760
4. Simone Sanna, Aprilia, 43:03.927
5. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 43:21.684
6. Jakud Smrz, Honda, 43:25.893
7. Jaroslav Hules, Honda, 43:25.967
8. Mirko Giansanti, Honda, 43:26.954
9. Max Sabbatani, Aprilia, 43:29.436
10. Arnaud Vincent, Honda, 43:31.007


In the 500cc race, Max Biaggi crashed, rejoined the race and battled Noriyuki Haga until Haga crashed.

Hooters Suzuki’s Mike Ciccotto and Michael Barnes went one-two in the second Formula USA Unlimited Superbike race at Portland International Raceway, with Arclight Suzuki’s Brian Parriott third.

But Ciccotto’s GSX-R750 produced 146.6 horsepower on the official series Dynojet dyno, well over the 145-horsepower limit, and Ciccotto was disqualified. Provisional results follow:

1. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750
2. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSXR-750, -0.906
3. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1.043
4. Tray Batey, Aprilia RSV Mille R, -14.343
5. Grant Lopez, Suzuki GSX-R750, -18.589
6. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, -18.672
7. Ken Chase, Suzuki GSX-R760, -20.702
8. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750
9. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750
10. Greg Leffler, Suzuki GSX-R750
11. Mike Sullivam, Yamaha YZF-R1
12. Jacob Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750
13. Marc Palazzo, Honda CBR929RR
14. Mike Fitzpatrick, Suzuki GSX-R750
15. Jeff Wood, Kawasaki ZX-9R
16. Mark Ledesma, Aprilia RSV Mille R
17. Roland Williams, Suzuki GSX-R750
18. Dan Wilson, Suzuki GSX-R750
19. Chris Anchien, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
20. Briggs Willoughby, Honda RC51, -1 lap
21. Joshua Bryan, Suzuki GSX-R750, -7 laps
22. Aaron Clark, Aprilia RSV Mille R, -13 laps
23. Mike Himmelsbach, Aprilia RSV Mille R, -15 laps, DNF, crash
24. Nathan Hester, Suzuki GSX-R750, -15 laps

DQ, Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750

DNS, John Dugan
DNS, Tim Hudnall
DNS, Craig Connell
DNS, Ty Howard
DNS James Compton

Official Points
1. Higbee, 139 points
2. Acree, 128
3. Parriott, 117
4. Lopez, 98
5. Connell, 82
6. Batey, 72
7. Chase, 62
8. Himmelsbach, 58
9. Barnes, 54
10. Ciccotto, 43

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The second Formula USA Unlimited Superbike race at Portland International Raceway was red-flagged at about 3:40 p.m. local time when three bikes crashed coming out of turn nine onto the front straightaway, with the dislodged fuel tank from one bike catching on fire. The involved riders were Ty Howard, Craig Connell and John Dugan.

Several bikes got into the concrete wall outside the front straight, past the Alpina Air Module sections placed at the beginning of the straightaway. Following the crash, Formula USA Safety Director Roger Lyle took a crew to the nearby Super TT track and took back another section of Air Module and placed it–and a reserve section–to extend coverage on the front straight wall. Lyle said he had not extended the Air Module coverage previously because OMRRA officials warned that riders could hook handlebars on it if they took a wide line onto the straightaway. OMRRA officials said they counted on riders contacting the wall at a shallow angle if they reached it all, at that point on the racetrack.

According to Dugan, the crash started when Lee Acree’s bike puked liquid onto the racetrack, causing Howard to highside; Howard’s spinning bike collected Connell while Dugan got sideways and crashed trying to turn inside the crashed bikes.

Connell’s AMS Ducati lost its gas tank, which caught on fire after spilling fuel.

Arclight Suzuki owner Chuck Warren said that a water hose on Acree’s bike came loose and that the engine had lost all its water. Warren said that the hose may have come off as the result of damage suffered when Acree crashed in the first race. Racer and eyewitness Shawn Higbee said that Acree’s crash in the first race happened after Acree collided with teammate Brian Parriott.

Howard and Connell were unconscious and were transported to the hospital, while Dugan returned to his pit area; Dugan said that he had torn ligaments in his right knee.

Hero of the melee was Synergy Racing’s Marc Palazzo, who saw Connell lying unconscious in a puddle of fuel near the burning gas tank as the red flag came out; Palazzo stopped his bike, turned around and rode back to Connell, then dragged Connell out of the spilled fuel before it ignited. Palazzo reached Connell before any workers did and said he was assisted by another rider, whom he could not identify.

A complete restart went off at about 4:20 p.m..

Hooters Suzuki’s Michael Barnes won the first Unlimited Superbike race at Portland International Raceway Sunday, beating Arclight Suzuki’s Brian Parriott by 0.307-second. Shawn Higbee finished third and took over the points lead when contenders Lee Acree and Craig Connell both DNF.

Michael Himmelsbach finished fourth on a Blackmans Aprilia RSV Mille R, ahead of Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Grant Lopez and Blackmans’ Tray Batey.

Provisional Results:
1. Michael Barnes, Suzuki 750
2. Brian Parriott, Suzuki 750, -0.307 second
3. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki 750, -2.508
4. Mike Himmelsbach, Aprilia 1000, -5.218
5. Grant Lopez, Suzuki 750, -6.423
6. Tray Batey, Aprilia 1000, -6.845
7. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki 750, -14.230
8. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki 750, -15.008
9. Ty Howard, Kawasaki 900, -15.166
10. Eric Wood, Suzuki 750, -15.665
11. Ken Chase, Suzuki 750
12. Mike Sullivan, Yamaha 1000
13. Nathan Hester, Suzuki 750
14. John Dugan, Suzuki 1000
15. Jacob Holden, Suzuki 750
16. Greg Leffler, Suzuki 750
17. Marc Palazzo, Honda 929
18. Aaron Clark, Aprilia 1000
19. Roland Williams, Suzuki 750
20. Jeff Wood, Kawasaki 900
21. Dan Wilson, Suzuki 750
22. Mark Ledesma, Aprilia 1000
23. Tim Hudnall, Suzuki 750, -1 lap
24. Chris Ancien, Suzuki 1000, -3 laps
25. Joshua Bryan, Suzuki 750, -4 laps, DNF, crash
26. Lee Acree, Suzuki 750, -8 laps, DNF, crash
27. Briggs Willoughby, Honda RC51 1000, -9 laps, DNF
28. Craig Connell, Ducati 996, -11 laps, DNF

Unofficial Point Standings
1. Higbee, 123 points
2. Acree, 118
3. Parriott, 97
4. Lopez, 87
5. Connell, 82
6. Batey, 59


Barnes also won the Buell Lightning race. Provisional results follow:
1. Michael Barnes
2. Richie Morris, -5.489 seconds
3. Tripp Nobles, -6.282
4. Jason Smith, -6.304
5. Daniel Bilansky, -8.053
6. Jeff Johnson, -12.361
7. Bryan Bemisderfer, -24.099
8. Brian Bodine, -34.287
9. Darren James, -40.406
10. Brian Frank, -45.733
11. John Snell, -61.815
12. Greg Avello, -1 lap
13. Michael Moriarty, -1 lap
14. Steve Luxem, -2 laps
15. Bill Laup, -2 laps

By Glenn Le Santo

A perfect performance today by Infostrada Ducati star Troy Bayliss at Assen gave the Australian two wins, enough to clinch the World Superbike title with one round still to go. Bayliss needed a little help from his teammate Ruben Xaus, who took the lead on lap 13 of the 16-lap race after sitting close behind Bayliss since the first lap. But Xaus’ pit signals were no doubt telling Xaus that a win for Bayliss, with Colin Edwards back in 10th place, would secure the World Championship for Bayliss and Ducati.

With only one lap of the race left, and following his team orders to the letter, Xaus stuck out his foot to signal to Bayliss that he was free to pass. On-form Xaus looked capable of winning both races, but held back to help Bayliss to maximum points. Edwards, third in race one but now down in 10th, could do nothing but watch his title slip away. Recent Superbike superman Ben Bostrom finished just behind Edwards for another disappointing race result.

“I love riding motorcycles and it’s great to do it for a living,” said Bayliss after the race, “and now I happen to be World Champion, but I’m the same guy, nothing special and life goes on.” His modesty can’t hide the fact that he’s ridden a brilliant season, winning the title as much due to consistency as to speed. In the races he knew he couldn’t win, he settled down and scored as many points as he could. He hasn’t crashed out of a single race all year and his clutch failure last weekend in Oschersleben was his only DNF of the year.

Race 2 Results
1. Troy Bayliss, Australia, Ducati, 33:31.896
2. Ruben Xaus, Spain, Ducati, 33:32.117
3. Troy Corser, Australia, Aprilia, 33:36.471
4. Pierfrancesco Chili, Italy, Suzuki, 33:36.672
5. Neil Hodgson, Great Britain, Ducati, 33:38.607
6. Akira Yanagawa, Japan, Kawasaki, 33:38.717
7. Regis Laconi, France, Aprilia, 33:44.406
8. James Toseland, Great Britain, Ducati, 33:45.745
9. Gregorio Lavilla, Spain, Kawasaki, 33:45.922
10. Colin Edwards, USA, Honda, 33:52.961
11. Ben Bostrom, USA, Ducati, 33:53.523
12. Stephane Chambon, France, Suzuki, 33:53.535
13. Tadayuki Okada, Japan, Honda, 33:54.233
14. Giovanni Bussei, Italy, Ducati, 34:17.284
15. Lucio Pedercini, Italy, Ducati, 34:26.674
16. Hitoyasu Izutsu, Japan, Kawasaki, 34:30.103
17. Mauro Sanchini, Italy, Ducati, 34:31.078
18. Marco Borciani, Italy, Ducati, 34:31.497
19. Peter Goddard, Australia, Benelli, 34:32.207
20. Steve Martin, Australia, Ducati, 34:34.695

World Championship Point Standings:

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


Supersport Results
1. Paolo Casoli, Italy, Yamaha, 34:58.965
2. Andrew Pitt, Australia, Kawasaki, 35:01.422
3. Jamie Whitham, Great Britain, Yamaha, 35:02.613
4. Jorg Teuchert, Germany, Yamaha, 35:04.812
5. Fabrizio Pirovano, Italy, Suzuki, 35:06.174
6. Kevin Curtain, Australia, Honda, 35:08.234
7. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Italy, Suzuki, 35:14.953
8. Iain MacPherson, Great Britain, Kawasaki, 35:16.427
9. Christophe Cogan, France, Yamaha, 35:16.644
10. Fabien Foret, France, Honda, 35:19.140


Klaffee Wins Sidecar Title As Webbo DNFs Again

Another DNF for reigning Sidecar World Champion Steve Webster handed the World title to his arch-rival Klaus Klaffenbock at Assen. Not only did Webbo relinquish his crown, but he also slipped back to third in the title as Steve Abbott took a well deserved win. Webster was forced to retire when his passenger Paul Woodhead got his wrist trapped between a grab handle and the fairing, damaging his arm to such an extent that he could no longer hold onto the outfit. In another bizarre incident, Jorg Steinhausen crashed his outfit when a plastic bag was blown across his visor, obscuring his view. He lost control of his sidecar and crashed.

1. Abbott/Biggs, GBR, Yamaha, 35:51.459
2. Klaffenbock/Parzer, AUT, Suzuki, 37:09.357
3. Van Gils/Van Gils, NED, Suzuki

Klaffenbock and Parzer win the World Superside title with one round remaining.



Superstock Shenanigans

In possibly the most bizarre race seen in recent years, James Ellison saw his Superstock European Championship lead cut to 14 points when he finished sixth and his series rival, Walter Tortorogilo, just squeezed past as they crossed the line, beating Ellison by just 0.014-second.

Seconds before the start of the race, the Assen weather played its infamous trick and as the rain fell to give the track a thorough soaking. Almost everybody dived into the pit lane to change to wet tires. Meanwhile, only 4 riders lined up to take the start. As the lights went off, these four sped off as the other 27, including Ellison and Tortoroglio, were still in the pit lane changing tires.

The race was won by Italian Lorenzo Mauri on a Ducati 996, who forced his way past two local riders, John Bakker and Bob Withag.

Results:

1. Lorenzo Mauri, Italy, Ducati
2. John Bakker, Holland, Ducati
3. Bob Withag, Holland, Honda
4. G. Vizziello, Italy, Yamaha
5. Walter Tortoroglio, Italy, Suzuki
6. James Ellison, Great Britain, Suzuki

Championship Points (with one race remaining)

1. Ellison, 146 points
2. Tortoroglio, 132
3. Heckles, 93