Team Pro-Motion’s Glenn Goldman said Friday that it wasn’t his fault that Grant Lopez hit a row of haybales placed in a run-off area during the Pro-Motion track day at Pocono International Raceway on Tuesday, and that he had nothing to do with the placement of the haybales.

Formula USA officials said Wednesday that they could see no reason for the haybales to be placed at that location. The haybales were removed for the start of practice on Thursday.

A post on roadracingworld.com identified Lopez’s crash as occuring during the Pro Motion track day and, based on reports from his mechanic, Todd Fenton, stated that Lopez ran off the track and hit the inexplicably-placed row of haybales. On Friday, Team Pro Motion instructor Mike Himmelsbach said that he saw the incident and in fact Lopez crashed and then slid into the haybales.

Whatever happened, it resulted in Lopez hitting the row of haybales, being knocked out and suffering a concussion and being airlifted to an area hospital. Lopez was conscious prior to arrival of the helicopter, but Fenton was told that it was standard procedure for an airlift to be summoned if a rider is unconcious, and that once the helicopter took off it was too late to call off the airlift.

Complaining about the roadracingworld.com post on Lopez’s crash, Goldman said “Pocono Raceway runs the safety aspects of the track during my club days. Pro-Motion has rider’s meetings, control riders, and cornerworkers but the track controls haybale placement and issues related to safety.” Goldman added that when Lopez fell Tuesday that he was not allowed near the crash scene by Pocono officials.

“I feel that I run a safe environment at my Pro-Motion club days,” continued Goldman. “I average about one hospital transport out of every six of my track riding days. I only have about three crashes at each day total. That’s a lot less than some other clubs that run track days at Pocono.”

Goldman said that he limits his track days to 160 riders divided into four groups of 40 and says that other organizations have no limits for their days or for track density.

One track official, who asked to remain anonymous, said that Goldman’s Pro-Motion days are probably as safe if not safer than any of the motorcycle track riding clubs that offer track time at Pocono. That same official said that the decision to airlift Lopez from the track was made by a paramedic on the scene that was following set procedures based on Lopez’s symptoms of unconsciousness, labored breathing and gurgling sounds. The track official also added that if the medical staff did make an error in judgement that they erred on the side of safety and precaution.

The paramedics absolutely shredded Lopez’s Kushitani leathers–with multiple cuts up the chest, each in the middle of a panel instead of even attempting to cut near seams, a typical practice of paramedics familiar with motorcycle racing and which would have allowed the suit to be repaired. The paramedics also cut off Lopez’s inner suit and even cut the belt of his back protector instead of unfastening the plastic buckle.

Ben Spies won the 750cc Supersport race at Pikes Peak International Raceway by 2.475 seconds from series points leader Jimmy Moore, with RoadracingWorld.com’s Chris Ulrich third.

Spies moved into second in points while Rich Alexander dropped from second to fourth by crashing out of third place on lap five of the 29-lap race, just after being passed by Moore.

Spies took the lead on the first lap and pulled away, while Moore moved up from fourth and Ulrich moved up from eighth.

Results follow:
(All Suzuki GSX-R750 unless indicated)
1. Ben Spies, 29 laps
2. Jimmy Moore
3. Chris Ulrich
4. Vince Haskovec
5. Tony Lupo
6. John Dugan
7. David Ortega
8. Alan Schmidt
9. Erik Schnackenberg
10. Scott Jensen
11. Robb Martin, Yamaha YZF-R6, 28 laps
12. Jeremy Chisum, 28 laps
13. Justin Blake, 28 laps
14. Kurt Marmor, Honda CBR600F4i, 28 laps
15. Martin Sims, Yamaha YZF-R6, 28 laps
16. Jason Chisum, 28 laps
17. Justin Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R600, 28 laps
18. Don Blattert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 28, laps
19. Geoff Pestes, Suzuki GSX-R600, 28 laps
20. Don Medina, Yamaha YZF-R6, 28 laps
21. Rick Hogge, Yamaha YZF-R6, 27 laps
22. Eric Haugo, 27 laps
23. Tony Meiring, 26 laps
24. Jeff Bostrom, 25 laps
25. Jason Swan, 18 laps
26. Jeff Tigert, Honda CBR600F4i, 9 laps, DNF, mechanical
27. Rich Alexander, 5 laps, DNF, crash
28. Stuart Stratton, Yamaha YZF-R6, 4 laps, DNF

Point standings:
1. Moore, 278 points
2. Spies, 225
3. Haskovec, 205
4. Alexander, 196
5. Ulrich, 193

Teardown for the 750cc Supersport class consisted of a visual inspection of the airbox and the wiring harness.

In other Saturday action at Pikes Peak, Rich Oliver and Jim Filice each won a 250cc Grand Prix heat race, with Filice’s faster race time putting him on pole for tomorrow’s 250cc final.

Qualifying Heat Race 1
(All Yamaha TZ250 unless indicated)
1. Jim Filice
2. Roland Sands
3. Don Hough
4. Mike Hannas
5. Perry Melneciuc
6. Cory West
7. Ed Sorbo
8. Jeff Leggitt, Honda RS250
9. Ty Piz
10. Adrian Webb
11. Andy Edwards
Race Time, 4:44.402
Margin of Victory, 0.211 seconds

Qualifying Heat Race 2
(All Yamaha TZ250 unless indicated)
1. Rich Oliver
2. Chuck Sorensen
3. Simon Turner
4. Ed Marchini
5. Colin Jensen, Aprilia RS250
6. Greg Esser, Honda RS250
7. Roy De Groot
8. Russell Strobridge
9. John France, Honda RS250
10. Dale Whelan
11. Sean Wray
Race Time, 4:45.500
Margin of Victory, 0.062 seconds

From a Marlboro Yamaha Press Release:

CZECH GRAND PRIX, BRNO
First Qualifying, Friday August 24 2001

Marlboro Yamaha Team riders Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa returned from their midseason holidays in storming form today, Biaggi recording the fastest-ever official lap of Brno to take provisional pole position, while Checa clocked a personal best for a spot on the provisional second row.

Biaggi’s near-perfect lap stunned the paddock, for he was almost a second inside his pole time at last year’s Czech GP. “That’s the kind of form he’s on, Max is a very special rider,” grinned Marlboro Yamaha Team manager Geoff Crust. “We had a good test here with both guys at the end of last month and you can see that Max is really enjoying himself out there, he’s riding on a high and that was an incredible lap time. We’re running the same set-up he used at the tests and concentrating on finding the best race tires for the conditions. Carlos is going okay, too, this isn’t his best track but he’s in the second group at the moment and we’ll be working to move him up from there.”

BIAGGI SURPRISES HIMSELF

Winner of two of the past three GPs and way ahead of the pack today, Max Biaggi is on a roll as the season reaches its most crucial stage. The Marlboro Yamaha Team man’s best lap in today’s first qualifying session was 0.740-second ahead of his closest challenger and that’s the kind of gap that usually covers the entire first two rows. Following his recent tests here, Biaggi is aiming to inflict another defeat on World Championship leader Valentino Rossi (Honda), who now leads his arch-rival by just 10 points.

“I’ve got to be happy with that, it was an unbelievable lap,” said Biaggi, whose 2:00.347 best was well inside his 2000 pole time of 2:01.291. “I felt really confident because the bike’s working so well but I couldn’t believe the time when I went over the line. I think it was a nearly perfect lap, I say nearly because someone else could always go faster tomorrow. Psychologically they now know that such a time is possible, so I want to improve further and do that kind of time consistently. I’m all the more
satisfied because the lap was nine tenths faster than last year when everyone was using qualifying tires. So far we’re only using the 16.5-inch rear but we may try the 17 tomorrow. I’m very motivated at the moment because the gap between me and Rossi is getting smaller and I want to get even closer here.”

CHECA FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE

Carlos Checa ran in the leading group throughout much of the session, eventually ending up eighth, just 0.060-second behind Valentino Rossi. The Marlboro Yamaha Team rider, who scored second behind teammate Max Biaggi at last month’s German GP, is confident of another good ride here. “I’m fairly happy because I did my best-ever lap, half-a-second faster than during our tests,” he said. “But there’s room for improvement. I’m struggling in the transition area from brake-on to brake-off and I can’t keep my line off throttle. We’ve been trying a few little suspension adjustments and I think we should be able to find the answer for tomorrow.”

ROBERTS SWAPS MOTORS & TIRES FOR MORE SPEED

Kenny Roberts (Suzuki) has made a dramatic switch in bike spec as he searches to regain the form that took him to last year’s world title. The American has yet to finish in the top five this year and has switched to a ‘screamer’ engine spec and 17-inch Michelin rear in a bid to get back on the pace.

“The engine sacrifices some top speed and acceleration but it gives me a better connection between myself and the rear tire,” said Roberts, third fastest so far. “We tested the combination at Mugello last week and for the first time in ages I feel comfortable using the same lines and opening the throttle at the same time as the other guys.”

ROSSI EXPECTS TOUGH WEEKEND

Well beaten for the first time this season at the last race, Valentino Rossi badly needs a top result this weekend to fend off a growing threat from Max Biaggi. But the World Championship leader expects a difficult time. “We’re at a big disadvantage here because we’ve not tested,” said Rossi, seventh today. “We’ll try our best but it’s going to be hard. I qualified on the third row at the last two races and I need to make sure I make the front row here, so I can get a good start.”

First 500cc Qualifying Session
1. Max Biaggi, Yamaha, 2:00.347
2. Loris Capirossi, Honda, 2:01.087
3. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, 2:01.142
4. Alex Criville, Honda, 2:01.518
5. Garry McCoy, Yamaha, 2:01.665
6. Alex Barros, Honda, 2:01.687
7. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 2:01.836
8. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 2:01.896
9. Norike Abe, Yamaha, 2:02.102
10. Jurgen van den Goorbergh, Proton, 2:01.135
11. Oliver Jacque, Yamaha, 2:02.142
12. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki, 2:02.821
13. Jose Luis Cardoso, Yamaha, 2:03.119
14. Noriyuki Haga, Yamaha, 2:03.125
15. Tohru Ukawa, Honda, 2:03.243
16. Leon Haslam, Honda, 2:03.826
17. Haruchika Aoki, Honda, 2:04.861
18. Anthony West, Honda, 2:05.279
19. Brendan Clarke, Honda, 2:06.250
20. Johan Stigefelt, Sabre, 2:07.624


First 250cc Qualifying Session
1. Tetsuya Harada, Aprilia, 2:03.563
2. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, 2:04.225
3. Daijiro Katoh, Honda, 2:04.263
4. Jeremy McWilliams, Aprilia, 2:04.353
5. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 2:04.415
6. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, 2:04.531
7. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, 2:04.747
8. Randy de Puniet, Aprilia, 2:04.853
9. Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, 2:05.029
10. Roberto Rolfo, Aprilia, 2:05.149
32. Jason DiSalvo, Honda, 2:11.547


First 125cc Qualifying Session
1. Youichi Ui, Derbi, 2:10.198
2. Simone Sanna, Aprilia, 2:10.666
3. Nobby Ueda, Honda, 2:10.735
4. Masao Azuma, Honda, 2:10.908
5. Gabor Talmacsi, Honda, 2:10.914
6. Toni Elias, Honda, 2:10.921
7. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 2:11.034
8. Mirko Giansanti, Honda, 2:11.449
9. Max Sabbatani, Aprilia, 2:11.458
10. Arnaud Vincent, Honda, 2:11.489

Unlimited Superbike Practice Times, Morning Session:
1. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:42.693
2. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:43.986
3. Chuck Chouinard, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:43.987
4. Tray Batey, Aprilia RSV1000R, 1:44.323
5. Tim Bemisderfer, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:44.385
6. Aaron Clark, Aprilia RSV1000R, 1:44.470
7. Michael Himmelsbach, Aprilia RSV1000R, 1:44.856
8. Ty Howard, Kawasaki ZX-9R, 1:45.060
9. Paul Harrell, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:45.785
10. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:45.943
11. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:45.954
12. Marc Palazzo, Honda CBR929RR, 1:46.640
13. Ken Chase, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:47.294
14. Justin Blake, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:47.966
15. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:48.260


Unlimited Superbike Practice Times, Afternoon Session:
1. Acree, 1:41.379
2. Himmelsbach, 1:41.850
3. Batey, 1:41.892
4. Parriott, 1:42.039
5. Wood, 1:42.519
6. Chouinard, 1:42.725
7. Higbee, 1:43.046
8. Howard, 1:43.378
9. Barnes, 1:43.403
10. Harrell, 1:43.538
11. Palazzo, 1:44.160
12. Anthony Fania, Jr., Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.252
13. Bemisderfer, 1:44.472
14. Chase, 1:44.872
15. Roland Williams, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:45.106

Formula USA Unlimited Superbike Points Leader Craig Connell crashed his Advanced Motor Sports/Ducati Performance racebike in practice Friday, August 24 at Pocono International Raceway and was hospitalized. Connell rode off the outside of the track while exiting turn one, crashed, tumbled, and was hit by his Ducati 996SPS.

According to Formula USA Safety Director Roger Lyle, Connell was unconscious when workers reached him but regained consciousness before paramedics arrived on the scene. Connell was awake, alert, talking, knew where he was and what day it was, but was transported to a local hospital with complaints of shoulder and chest pains. Connell’s Ducati was badly damaged but his team does have a back-up bike.

Connell later returned to Pocono International Raceway with his right arm in a sling. Connell said that he separated his right shoulder and broke a rib on the right side of his chest. The Australian road racer remembered nothing from his crash but said that he will try to ride later in the weekend.

Buell Lightning Practice Times:
1. Michael Barnes, 1:50.058
2. Bryan Bemisderfer, 1:53.725
3. Jeff Vermeulem, 1:53.790
4. Anthony Fania, Jr., 1:54.063
5. Brian Kcraget, 1:54.248
6. Richie Morris, 1:56.755
7. Daniel Bilansky, 1:58.838
8. Brian Frank, 2:00.681
9. Gregory Avello, 2:01.142
10. Jeff Johnson, 2:01.648


Aprilia Challenge Cup Practice Times:
1. Jeff Wood, 1:52.991
2. Shannon Silva, 1:53.144
3. Dan Fischer, 1:56.703
4. Gus Holcomb, 1:57.186
5. Josh Sortor, 1:57.434
6. Thad Halsmer, 1:57.888
7. Tim Falcone, 1:58.365
8. Mark Reynolds, 1:59.408
9. Paul Hopkins, 1:59.775
10. Mathew Wissel, 2:01.209


Pro Sportbike Practice Times:
1. Lee Acree, 1:43.225
2. Ty Howard, 1:44.903
3. Brian Parriott, 1:45.274
4. Michael Barnes, 1:45.393
5. Chuck Chouinard, 1:45.868
6. Eric Wood, 1:46.283
7. Paul Harrell, 1:46.928
8. Scott Greenwood, 1:46.942
9. Stoney Landers, 1:47.028
10. Shan Ball, 1:47.338


Engine Ice 200 Mile Team Challenge Practice Times:
1. Loudoun Motorsports, 1:47.521
2. Kevin Pate, 1:54.461
3. Annandale Racing, 1:56.183
4. Siemens Patent Services, 1:58.907
5. Team Motorex, 1:59.753
6. Go Fast Racing, 2:02.466
7. Bad Apple Racing, 2:03.316
8. Imotosports.com, 2:03.474
9. Anthony Cammack, 2:03.557
10. Inursis Racing, 2:03.618


Friday practice has been plagued by a number of red flags thrown in response to crashes and also due to riders dragging their knees through the mud on the inside of the curbless corners and dragging the mud onto the racing surface.

Pro Sportbike Practice Times:
1. Lee Acree, 1:42.896
2. Brian Parriott,1:43.694
3. Michael Barnes, 1:43.856
4. Paul Harrell, 1:44.800
5. Ty Howard, 1:45.059
6. Stoney Landers, 1:45.105
7. Eric Wood, 1:45.118
8. Chuck Chouinard, 1:45.158
9. Jim Lester, 1:45.418
10. Scott Greenwood, 1:45.616
11. Marc Palazzo, 1:45.870
12. Aaron Clark, 1:46.045
13. Shan Ball, 1:46.049
14. Eoin Smith, 1:46.080
15. Shawn Conrad, 1:46.680

Friday Afternoon Buell Lightning Practice Times:
1. Michael Barnes, 1:47.588
2. Bryan Bemisderfer, 1:50.884
3. Anthony Fania, Jr., 1:51.793
4. Jason Smith, 1:53.071
5. Mark Reynolds, 1:53.441
6. Brian Kcraget, 1:54.063
7. Jeff Johnson, 1:54.727
8. Richie Morris, 1:56.104
9. George Federlin, 1:56.728
10. Tim Johnson, 1:58.262

Friday Afternoon Aprilia Challenge Cup Practice Times:
1. Joe Ribeiro, 1:50.102
2. Jeff Wood, 1:52.061
3. Dan Fischer, 1:55.380
4. Gus Holcomb, 1:55.413
5. Joshua Sortor, 1:55.957
6. Thad Halsmer, 1:57.226
7. Paul Hopkins, 1:57.364
8. Tim Falcone, 1:57.902
9. Shannon Silva, 1:57.953
10. Mathew Wissel, 1:58.146

Another Australian road racing event is at Oran Park this weekend, this one part of a multi-event series instead of being a stand-alone race and title. This press release from Steve Reeves previews the event as it plugs his client, Radar’s Team Yamaha:

2001 Shell Australian Superbike & Supersport Championships
Oran Park Raceway, NSW – Event Preview

YAMAHA TRIO READY FOR AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP FINALE AT ORAN PARK

Fresh from their successful New South Wales State Title round last weekend, the Radar’s Team Yamaha will remain at Sydney’s Oran Park Raceway to compete in this weekend’s fifth and final round of the 2001 Shell Australian Superbike & Supersport Championships.

Robbie Baird, Craig Coxhell and Jamie Stauffer claimed the top three placings in the feature class last week and will be out to duplicate their efforts this weekend. The only difference being that Baird will be focusing his attentions on the Supersport class, were he currently lies fourth overall, while Coxhell and Stauffer will compete in the Superbike class and cement themselves in the top three final standings.

Baird defeated current Supersport points leader Josh Brookes last weekend and with Brendan Clarke missing this weekend as he continues his guest rides in the World 500 GP, Baird will be looking at a move to third and possibly second in the championship by the end of the weekend.

“Thing’s went well for us last weekend at the State title round, so we’ll be looking for the same results this weekend,” said Baird. “We were able to get the Yamaha YZF-R6 dialed in last week and that showed as we picked up a win and a new Supersport lap record in the process.”

With the Superbike title being retained by Shawn Giles, Coxhell and Stauffer will focus their attentions on winning races and finishing their season off with another pair of top-three placings.

“Last weekend was good and bad for me,” said Coxhell. “I didn’t quite get the results I was looking for, but we did learn a lot about the bike and the Motec system. We had changed a few things and they didn’t work as planned, so we went back and had a look at the data and make some assessments on that. I think we’ll be right for this weekend in the Superbike class.”

Stauffer was in the same mind set as Coxhell as he too took full advantage of the extra races to sort out suspension settings on his YZF-R1.

“I gained a lot of confidence after winning the final race last weekend,” said Stauffer. “We changed a few things on the rear of the bike which allowed us to get the maximum out of a set of tires that we had used all day. So to get a win in those circumstances was good and I’m sure that it will give us a solid base to work from for this weekend.”

Loudoun Motorsports Suzuki’s Ken Snyder and David Yaakov won the Formula USA/Engine Ice 200-Mile Team Challenge on a Metzeler DOT-equipped Suzuki GSX-R1000 at Pocono International Raceway Friday afternoon. Snyder took the lead from the start and handed a one-lap advantage to Yaakov just after the halfway point of the 80-lap race. Yaakov brought Loudoun Motorsports home one minute and 33 seconds in front of second-place Edge Motorsports.

Edge Motorsports’ Greg Leffler and Michael Fitzpatrick finished second overall, and in the GTO class, on a GSX-R750 equipped with a single-sided swingarm and Pirelli slicks. Third overall, and in GTO, went to Imotosports.com’s Brandon Bashore and Fred Stucky on a 109-horsepower Aprilia RSV1000 Mille on Bridgestone slicks. Bashore kept Imotosports.com in second place during an one-hour-fifty-eight-minute riding stint (thanks to an eight-plus-gallon fuel tank fabricated by Semoff Brothers Racing’s Evan Semoff) before Edge Motorsports’ Fitzpatrick passed Stucky late in the race.

A protest filed by Brotz Motorsports prevented the GTU class and overall results past third place from being made final.