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Spectrum Day At Willow Scheduled

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From a press release:

Spectrum Motorsports Track and School Day May 9th with Steve Rapp and Vicky Jackson-Bell

Lake Forest, CA – Honda-Aprilia dealer Spectrum Motorsports will hold its second track and school day May 9th on the big track at Willow Springs International Raceway. There will be three skill levels, Beginner/Street, Intermediate/Advanced and Race. The guest instructor is, well-known racer Steve Rapp who will assist the advanced/race group and Spectrum’s Vicky Jackson-Bell will provide a mix of classroom and track instruction for the beginner/street and intermediate riders. Race Tech’s Paul Thede will put on a suspension seminar and then have his technicians available to assist with suspension set up on rider’s motorcycles.

Spectrum has enlisted Pacific Track Time and its staff to put together the infrastructure of the day and provide a support staff with course control. Continental breakfast, a catered lunch, photography, and refreshments will be included.

For more information contact Spectrum Motorsports at 949-859-3186 or www.spectrumotorsports.com


Sears Point Will Have Thursday Practice, The 112% Rule Will Apply In 250cc GP Qualifying, And Leftover Purse Money Goes Into Points Fund

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Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

There will be Thursday practice at next week’s AMA National at Sears Point International Raceway, the 112% rule will be applied to timed qualifying for the 250cc Grand Prix class, and leftover (unawarded) purse money goes into the points fund.

That’s the latest word from the racetrack (on practice), from AMA Pro Racing Director Of Competition Merrill Vanderslice (on timed qualifying), and from AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth (unused purse).


The question on purse was posed by Sean Edin, as follows:

Rich (Oliver) and I were discussing the prize money for the AMA racing events. Curiosity arrived at the thought of what happens to the money that is NOT paid either to a rider due to low grid numbers and/or 11 bikes are missing from the grid due to the 112% rule in effect at the particular race? Is there a kickback to the head of road racing operations? Why isn’t the money put back into the overall purse for the class and distributed equally to the riders? The money is already allocated for the event in case it has to be paid in full. I know there are less than 35 bikes on the Superbike grid, which is also funny because the AMA only pays points to the top 30 riders, yet money to the top 35! If there are only 27 top Superbikes who finish the race that leaves approx $2700 to the remaining 8 spots that goes unpaid. Heck you could put that into a bonus check for the top privateer finisher, kinda like the American LeMans Series where at the end of the year over $1 million gets distributed to the privateers of the series.

Just curious and thought you could answer these questions about this ongoing AMA saga!

Sean Edin, PTA, ATC
Team Oliver Yamaha

Toughest Battle At CCS Road America Races On Saturday Was Man Versus Nature, Including Wind, Rain And Sleet

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Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

CCS racers at Road America on Saturday not only battled each other but also fought to stay on two wheels in terrible weather conditions, including rain, freezing rain and 40-mph winds.

The day started with very cold, but dry, conditions. During the dry weather, Rick Beuer got the holeshot and led the large Unlimited Supersport field through the first corners. Riding a 1999 Yamaha YZF-R1 on Dunlop tires, Dan Nygaard took the lead under braking for turn five and began to pull out a large lead, while some of the other top riders worked their way up from their back of the grid starting spots. On lap two, Nygaard had a one-second advantage over a group of four including Jason DiSalvo, Fritz Kling, Scott Ruehle (riding a nearly stock 2002 Yamaha YZF-R1) and Geoff May.

As May dropped off the pace on lap three, DiSalvo took charge of the pack chasing Nygaard and began closing the 2.5-second gap. On the final lap, Nygaard crashed under braking for turn five and escaped serious injury, thanks to Road America moving a concrete wall over the winter. DiSalvo assumed the race lead for two corners before the red flag stopped the race short of the checkered flag–a crashed bike was lying in the track at turn 14. Scoring was reverted to lap three and Nygaard was declared the winner over DiSalvo, Ruehle and Kling.

DiSalvo would rebound later to win the Heavyweight Supersport race, on a dry track. DiSalvo left Road America before the wet weather arrived, in order to meet the second half of his Team America crew, and his Honda RS250, for testing at Laguna Seca.

When the expected rain arrived around 2:00 p.m. local time, grids diminished and a crash fest began. Conditions progressively worsened until the final races of the day were run with ambient temperatures near freezing, very little daylight, those 40-mph winds mentioned earlier and stinging sleet.

Multiple race winners Saturday included Monte Nichols (Middleweight Supersport, Middleweight GP), Roger Hendricks (Heavyweight Superbike, Formula 40) and Ed Key (Lightweight Supersport, Lightweight Superbike). Other race winners included Geoff May in Unlimited GP, Jeff Chen in Singles GP, Bryan Bemisderfer in Super Twins and Richie Morris in Heavyweight Sportsman.

Among the heroes of the day were CCS race officials, a diehard crew of cornerworkers controlled by Bill Ritger, and a staff of safety workers dispatched by Road America Safety Director Carson Wilkinson. At post time, there had been only one rider transported to a hospital all day and no serious injuries reported.

The weather forecast for Sunday’s CCS sprint races, according to www.weather.com, calls for temperatures in the 50’s and no precipitation.

RESULTS:

UNLIMITED GP EXPERT: 1. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R1000); 2. Kevin Gordon (Suz GSX-R750); 3. Roger Hendricks (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Dr. Jeffrey Purk, DDS (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Brian Boyd (Suz GSX-R750); 6. Michael Heuer (Yam YZF-R6).

UNLIMITED GP AMATEUR: 1. Michael Chachere (Suz GSX-R600); 2. David Vaughn (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Larry Rising (Kaw ZX-6R); 4. Alfredo Cantu, Jr. (Suz GSX-R600); 5. Thomas Laning; 6. Donald Hooks (Yam YZF-R6).

UNLIMITED SUPERSPORT EXPERT: 1. Dan Nygaard (Yam YZF-R1); 2. Jason DiSalvo (Suz GSX-R750); 3. Scott Ruehle (Yam YZF-R1); 4. Fritz Kling (Suz GSX-R1000); 5. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R1000); 6. Kevin Gordon (Suz GSX-R750).

UNLIMITED SUPERSPORT AMATEUR: 1. Michael Shallcross (Suz GSX-R750); 2. Michael Chachere (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Donald Hooks (Yam YZF-R6); 4. Paulette Ani (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Robert Fuszner (Suz GSX-R750).

HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERSPORT EXPERT: 1. Jason DiSalvo (Suz GSX-R750); 2. Scott Hermersmann (Suz GSX-R750); 3. Kevin Gordon (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Dr. Jeffrey Purk, DDS (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Jason Swan (Suz GSX-R750); 6. Jason Knupp (Suz GSX-R750).

HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERSPORT AMATEUR: 1. David Didier (Suz GSX-R600); 2. James Stancel (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Michael Chachere (Suz GSX-R600); 4. Robert Fuszner (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Alfredo Cantu, Jr. (Suz GSX-R600); 6. Brian Logan (Suz GSX-R750).

MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPERSPORT EXPERT: 1. Monte Nichols (Yam YZF-R6); 2. Scott Ruehle (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Kevin Gordon (Yam YZF-R6); 4. Chris Weeden (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Michael Heuer (Yam YZF-R6); 6. Brian Salazar (Suz GSX-R600).

MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPERSPORT AMATEUR: 1. David Didier (Suz GSX-R600); 2. James Stancel (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Andy Feuersthaler (Suz GSX-R600); 4. Brian Johnson (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Michael Chachere (Suz GSX-R600); 6. Jim Roach (Yam YZF-R6).

LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERSPORT EXPERT: 1. Ed Key (Suz SV650); 2. Matt Malterer (Suz SV650); 3. Matt Gerard (Suz SV650); 4. Jeff Wick (Suz SV650); 5. Charles Wright (Suz SV650); 6. Frank Andreas, Jr. (Suz SV650).

LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERSPORT AMATEUR: 1. Mike Wemmer (Suz SV650); 2. Mark Sorensen (Suz SV650); 3. Joe Fanara (Suz SV650); 4. Jim Holmen (Suz SV650); 5. Joseph Zuengler (Duc 750 SS); 6. Rhiannon Lucente (Yam FZR400).

HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERBIKE EXPERT: 1. Roger Hendricks (Suz GSX-R750); 2. Dr. Jeffrey Purk, DDS (Suz GSX-R750); 3. Brian Baker (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Chuck Stephan, Jr. (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Kevin Gordon (Suz GSX-R750); 6. Adam Waheed (Suz GSX-R750).

HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERBIKE AMATEUR: 1. Chris Lossie (Hon 600); 2. Paulette Ani (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Carl Kozeniewski (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Michael Shallcross (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Alfredo Cantu, Jr. (Suz GSX-R600); 6. Chuck Tomczyk (Suz GSX-R600).

MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPERBIKE EXPERT: 1. Gary Carter (Yam YZF-R6); 2. Maurice Golladay; 3. Chuck Stephan, Jr. (Hon CBR600); 4. Russell Voigt (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Daniel Doty (Yam YZF-R6).

MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPERBIKE AMATEUR: 1. Michael Chachere (Suz GSX-R600); 2. David Vaughn (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Andy Feuersthaler (Suz GSX-R600); 4. Chris Lossie (Hon CBR600); 5. Eric Custar (Kaw ZX-6R); 6. Thomas Laning.

LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERBIKE EXPERT: 1. Ed Key (Suz SV650); 2. Matt Carter (Duc 750 SS); 3. Charles Wright (Suz SV650); 4. Mark Holden (Suz SV650); 5. Mike Riebe (Suz SV650); 6. Charles Buse (Suz SV650).

LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERBIKE AMATEUR: 1. Edgar Dorn (Suz SV650); 2. Joseph Zuengler (Duc 750); 3. Mike Gantz (Yam FZR400); 4. Christopher Onwiler (Yam FZR560); 5. Harry Gambill (Suz SV650); 6. Jim Holmen (Suz SV650).

MIDDLEWEIGHT GP EXPERT: 1. Monte Nichols (Yam YZF-R6); 2. Dan Bilansky (Buell X-1); 3. Daniel Doty (Yam YZF-R6); 4. Chuck Stephan, Jr. (Hon CBR600); 5. Gary Carter (Yam YZF-R6); 6. Rick Bretl (Yam YZF-R6).

MIDDLEWEIGHT GP AMATEUR: 1. Michael Chachere (Suz GSX-R600); 2. Andy Feuersthaler (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Thomas Laning; 4. Paulette Ani (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Josh Lenz (Yam YZF-R6); 6. Warren Wagner (Yam YZF-R6).

LIGHTWEIGHT GP EXPERT: 1. Dan Bilansky (Buell X-1); 2. Mark Stiles (Yam TZ250); 3. Charles Buse (Suz SV650); 4. Ed Key (Suz SV650); 5. Charles Wright (Suz SV650); 6. Steve Kessenich (Apr RS250).

LIGHTWEIGHT GP AMATEUR: 1. Nicholas Cummings (Hon RS125); 2. Edgar Dorn (Suz SV650); 3. Michael Luke (Yam TZ250); 4. Dirk Schumann (Yam RZ350); 5. Joseph Zuengler (Duc 750); 6. Brian Kwak.

SUPER TWINS EXPERT: 1. Bryan Bemisderfer (Buell X-1); 2. Rick Breur (Hon RC51); 3. Kris August (Hon RC51); 4. Matt Carr (Duc 750 SS); 5. Christopher Kinman (Duc 996); 6. Thomas Grant (Suz TL1000R).

SUPER TWINS AMATEUR: 1. Andrew Thieme (Duc 996); 2. Timothy Barrett (Hon RC51); 3. Matthew Singer (Duc 996); 4. John George (Suz TL1000); 5. Thomas Fredericks (Buell X-1); 6. John McCallum (Duc 996).

GP SINGLES: 1. Jeff Chen (Hon RS125); 2. Taylor Knapp (Hon RS125); 3. Robert Rawlins (Hon RS125); 4. Eric Kancir (Hon RS125); 5. Larry Devore (Hon RS125); 6. Doug Root (Hon RS125).

SUPER SINGLES: 1. Taylor Knapp (Hon RS125); 2. Nicholas Cummings (Hon RS125); 3. Dawn Vankampen (Hon RS125); 4. Brian Lacy (Rotax 676).

FORMULA 40 EXPERT: 1. Roger Hendericks (Suz GSX-R750); 2. Chuck Stephan, Jr. (Suz GSX-R750); 3. Christopher Kinman (Duc 996); 4. Michael Studelska (Yam FZR400); 5. Michael Schook (Hon CBR600); 6. Karl Kegel (Buell X-1).

FORMULA 40 AMATEUR: 1. Jim Holmen (Suz SV650); 2. Edward Bingham (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Timothy Marotz (Suz GSX-R750); 4. John McCallum (Duc 750); 5. Mike Peters (Hon CBR600); 6. Kevin Clark (Suz GSX-R600).

HEAVYWEIGHT SPORTSMAN EXPERT: 1. Richie Morris (Buell X-1); 2. Charles Buse (Suz SV650); 3. Charles Wright (Suz SV650); 4. Karl Kegel (Buell X-1); 5. Greg Smith (Suz SV650).

HEAVYWEIGHT SPORTSMAN AMATEUR: 1. Edgar Dorn (Suz SV650); 2. William Casper (Hon 600); 3. Joe Broadus (Buell X-1); 4. Kenny Oyen (Hon 600); 5. Thomas Fredericks (Buell X-1).

MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORTSMAN EXPERT: 1. Steve Kessenich (Apr RS250); 2. Charles Wright (Yam FZR400); 3. Chad Konop (Yam TZ250); 4. Brian Jaworski (Hon 650).

MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORTSMAN AMATEUR: 1. Rhiannon Lucente (Yam FZR400); 2. Lon Allen, Jr. (Cagiva 650); 3. Joseph Zuengler (Duc 750); 4. Gregory Moon (Hon 650); 5. Jim Holmen (Hon 650); 6. Nick Digilio (Hon 650).

LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTSMAN EXPERT: 1. Lon Allen (Duc 650).

LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTSMAN AMATEUR: 1. Lon Allen, Jr. (Cagiva 650); 2. James Jessie (Suz GS500); 3. Michael Fredricks (Yam RZ350); 4. Don Pengra (Yam RD400); 5. Richard McManimen (Kaw EX500).

ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. Rhiannon Lucente (Kaw)

A Message From Hopper

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Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

This just in from Red Bull Yamaha’s young American GP star John Hopkins, who, along with girfriend Desiree Crossman, has relocated to Clermont-Ferrand, France, near the team’s trainer:

Hi everyone, can’t talk long due to the no-phone-hookup-in-apartment dilema and using the internet cafe. We are good, it’s beautiful here and the weather is lovely. We leave for Spain next week for a week and then off to Italy. We bought a car the other day, it’s an Alfa Romero. It looks like a Ford Focus kind of. It’s alright. Parking here, though, is a bitch!

We’ve been kept busy and we like our apartment. It’s right dab in the middle of the city center so it’s busy! We have a great view, problem is my camera died so I have no battery to take pics. I will find one ASAP. We will keep in touch whenever we can. We’re trying to get internet access ASAP cuz these French keyboards are irritating. Salù…. John and Des

Pridmore Team Qualifies Second-Fastest, Barnes/Ciccotto Fourth For Imola 200 World Endurance

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Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Jason Pridmore and teammate Mark Edwards qualified second-fastest for the 200 Miglia di Imola World Endurance race at the historic Enzo e Dino Ferrari racetrack in Imola.

After the final qualifying session was held on Saturday, QB Phase One’s Pridmore and Edwards were second-fastest, at 1:56.200, on a SuperProdution-class Suzuki GSX-R1000. Zongshen 2’s Warwick Nowland and Giovanni Bussei were on pole at 1:56.064, riding another SuperProduction Suzuki GSX-R1000.

GMT 94’s Sebastien Scarnato and William Costes were third-quickest at 1:56.610 on another SuperProduction Suzuki GSX-R1000, while Americans Michael Barnes and Mike Ciccotto were fourth-fastest at 1:57.269 on Herman Verboven Racing 5’s Suzuki GSX-R750, listed in official qualifying results as being entered in the SuperProduction class although the team has previously competed in the Superbike class.

In total, 51 teams have entered Sunday’s race.

And Now, The Correct Phone Number For RES

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The phone number listed in an advertisement for Racing Engine Service (RES) appearing in the May 2002 issue of Roadracing World is incorrect.

The correct phone number is (817) 783-6699.

New SuperMoto World Championship Includes Race In Bakersfield

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Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The new SuperMoto World Championship includes an event in Bakersfield, California on November 3.

The series schedule follows:

July 14, Namur, Belgium
August 25, Valkenswaard, Holland
September 22, Toulouse-Muret, France
October 13, Kaerntenring, Austria
October 20, TBA
November 3, Bakersfield, California
November 10, Broadford, Australia
November 17, Palmerston, New Zealand

More information is available from the FIM at www.fim.ch or via e-mail at [email protected]

Jason DiSalvo Wins In Friday CCS Action At Road America

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Copyright 2002 Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Team America Grand Prix Racing’s Jason DiSalvo took a dramatic, come-from-behind victory in the 30-minute Expert GTO race Friday in a CCS regional event at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin Friday.

Rick Breuer got the early lead in the solo endurance contest on his Honda RC51, but AMA regular J.J. Roetlin took charge of the race by the time the 38-entry field reached turn five. Roetlin led lap one on his GSX-R750, but Embry Motorsports’ Geoff May rode around Roetlin in the carousel on lap two to take the lead. Roetlin slipped back to an eventual fourth, as May was joined at the front by Yamaha YZF-R1 rider Dan Nygaard, from row eight, and DiSalvo, from row six of the grid.

After May dropped out of contention for the win with brake troubles, Nygaard and DiSalvo pushed ahead, dropping into 2:21 lap times on the green track and reaching over 170 mph on Road America’s long front straight, according to a radar gun belonging to DiSalvo’s team. Competing in the CCS event to learn the Road America track before the AMA National in June, DiSalvo looked in control and set for the win, but Nygaard was able to stay close with the draft until the two encountered lapped traffic late in the race.

Electing to go around the outside of a backmarker in turn five on the last lap, DiSalvo got pushed wide, and Nygaard snatched the lead. However, 18-year-old DiSalvo caught back up to Nygaard in time to watch the Minnesota racer push slightly wide exiting the final corner. DiSalvo nailed the last turn and drove past Nygaard to win by a bikelength.

“I wasn’t worried,” said DiSalvo. “I knew I could draft him to the line, but when he ran wide in that last corner, I just thought, ‘Sucker!'”

Nygaard finished second, well clear of third-place Monte Nichols on his Citgo-sponsored Yamaha YZF-R6. Nichols, winner of the 1999 AMA Pro Thunder race at Road America, also won Friday’s Expert GTU race on his Pirelli DOT-equipped R6.

In 2001, the April CCS event at Road America set a new record for race entries with 2024. According to CCS boss Kevin Elliott, the attendance of the 2002 event is only slightly behind last year’s race weekend, despite high temperatures only in the 40s (F) and a weekend forecast that calls for rain and/or snow. The success of the 2002 weekend is due, in part, to a twin-sprint format (two races per class during the weekend, one each day) with some manufacturer contingency programs paying on both days. The event is also a round of the Aprilia Cup and USGPRU 125cc Grand Prix series.

Road America’s staff has worked to promote the event locally and has attracted television news crews on both days, Thursday and Friday, of the weekend thus far. Thursday featured a Team Hammer Advanced Riding School & Track Ride, including practice sessions for competitors attended by DiSalvo, May and GTO Amateur winner Leonard Santangelo.

Friday’s CCS Results From Road America:

GTO Expert: 1. Jason DiSalvo (Suz GSX-R750); 2. Dan Nygaard (Yam YZF-R1); 3. Monte Nichols (Yam YZF-R6); 4. J.J. Roetlin (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Montez Stewart (Suz GSX-R750); 6. Kevin Gordon (Suz GSX-R750).

GTO Amateur: 1. Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R600); 2. David Didier (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Robert Borowicz (Yam YZF-R6); 4. Chris Lossie (Hon CBR600); 5. Michael Chachere (Suz GSX-R600); 6. Carl Kozeniewski (Suz GSX-R750).

Akrapovic GTU Expert: 1. Monte Nichols (Yam YZF-R6); 2. Kevin Gordon (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Brian Salazar (Suz GSX-R600); 4. Dave Rosno (Suz GSX-R600); 5. Chris Weeden (Yam YZF-R6); 6. David Wappler (Hon CBR600).

Akrapovic GTU Amateur: 1. David Didier (Suz GSX-R600); 2 Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Andy Feuersthaler (Suz GSX-R600); 4. Robert Borowicz (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Michael Chachere (Suz GSX-R600); 6. Ross Coleman (Hon CBR600).

GT Lights Expert: 1. Charles Buse (Suz SV650); 2. Bryan Bemisderfer (Buell X-1); 3. Matt Carr (Duc 750 SS); 4. Jeff Chen (Hon RS125); 5. Steve Romel (Suz SV650); 6. Matt Gerard (Suz SV650).

GT Lights Amateur: 1. Mike Wemmer (Suz SV650); 2. Mark Sorensen (Suz SV650); 3. Dirk Schumann (Suz SV650); 4. Mike Gantz (Yam FZR400); 5. Christopher Onwiler (Yam FZR560); 6. Jim Holmen (Suz SV650).

Three-time AMA Grand National Champion Joe Leonard To Serve As Grand Marshall For Vintage Laconia Event

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Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Joe Leonard has been selected to serve as Grand Marshall for the June 8-10 “Vintage Laconia” event in New Hampshire.

Leonard won the AMA Grand National Championship in 1954, 1956 and 1957; the USAC Championships several times; the Daytona 200 twice on the beach course and also raced for nine years in Champ (Indy) car racing, including a pole position at Indianapolis in 1968.

More, from a USCRA press release:

As Grand Marshal for Vintage Laconia, Joe will return to the original “Laconia” road course in Gilford, N.H. that ran from 1938 to 1963 and preside over the historic Vintage event. The US Classic Racing Association in conjunction with the Gunstock Recreational Area reopened the original Laconia one-mile paved road course in 1998 to run the Belknap Classic motorcycle road races at the start of the world famous Laconia race week.

On Sunday, June 9, thousands of spectators will be treated to the sights and unmuffled sounds of those old race machines racing the original Laconia track in the hands of today’s fastest American and Canadian Vintage racers. As part of the Sunday race program, the Reunion Riders Race is a truly historic event for the men that raced Laconia during its active AMA National years, 1938 to 1963. Legends like Ben Campanale, Dick Klamfoth, Ed Fisher, Jody Nicholas, Ed Kretz Jr., Sid Swan, Whitey Anderson, Frank Antonelli, Nate Sheldon and scores of other racers that raced the original track return to either ride the Reunion Riders Race or reminisce on the past.

The Vintage Laconia event will also include a Reunion Riders BBQ Saturday night, June 9, and rounds of the FIM/NAMU North American Vintage Observed Trials Championship, on June 8, and FIM/NAMU North American Vintage Road Race Championship, on June 10.

For more information, call John Strempfer, Public Relations, USCRA, at (603) 321-5233, or e-mail [email protected].


Cards And Prayers Requested For Injured CCS Racer Luis Garcia

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From an e-mail, sent by Joe Davidson:

CCS racer Luis Garcia was injured Sunday April 21st at Moroso Park. His helmet faired okay, didn’t break, but was ground down. He fell at 80-100, with an abrupt touching of the brake lever against another rider just before the first turn, all were accelerating. His bars turned right, sharply, and he basically dove over them and immediately downward.

He was unconscious and coughing up blood when he was airlifted out. On Monday, Luis is still in the trauma ICU, and still in a coma. The ear doc said he looks good, from his perspective, because blood was coming from his ear yesterday, but it had stopped. CAT scans reveal only ‘microscopic’ damage. His swelling is down a lot. His upper arm is apparently broken as well, but it’s minor compared to other conditions, at present (head, spine). On Tuesday, he’s stable, but is more responsive. He’s responding to a doctor who tried to check his eyes. He kept trying to close them. Small step, good sign. Everything else is stable and he’s getting stronger, medicine is doing its job. It could be really any amount of time before he is conscious. They can’t give any time. Please keep him in your thoughts & prayers. He is married and has two young children.

Cards are being forwarded to him by a close friend Luis Wassmann:

Please send cards & letters to:
Luis Wassmann
PO Box 143290
Coral Gables, FL 33114

A PayPal account has also been established to help defray costs of travel, babysitters, etc. during his hospitalization: [email protected]

The account is in the name of Luis Wassmann, a close family friend.

Spectrum Day At Willow Scheduled

From a press release:

Spectrum Motorsports Track and School Day May 9th with Steve Rapp and Vicky Jackson-Bell

Lake Forest, CA – Honda-Aprilia dealer Spectrum Motorsports will hold its second track and school day May 9th on the big track at Willow Springs International Raceway. There will be three skill levels, Beginner/Street, Intermediate/Advanced and Race. The guest instructor is, well-known racer Steve Rapp who will assist the advanced/race group and Spectrum’s Vicky Jackson-Bell will provide a mix of classroom and track instruction for the beginner/street and intermediate riders. Race Tech’s Paul Thede will put on a suspension seminar and then have his technicians available to assist with suspension set up on rider’s motorcycles.

Spectrum has enlisted Pacific Track Time and its staff to put together the infrastructure of the day and provide a support staff with course control. Continental breakfast, a catered lunch, photography, and refreshments will be included.

For more information contact Spectrum Motorsports at 949-859-3186 or www.spectrumotorsports.com


Sears Point Will Have Thursday Practice, The 112% Rule Will Apply In 250cc GP Qualifying, And Leftover Purse Money Goes Into Points Fund

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

There will be Thursday practice at next week’s AMA National at Sears Point International Raceway, the 112% rule will be applied to timed qualifying for the 250cc Grand Prix class, and leftover (unawarded) purse money goes into the points fund.

That’s the latest word from the racetrack (on practice), from AMA Pro Racing Director Of Competition Merrill Vanderslice (on timed qualifying), and from AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth (unused purse).


The question on purse was posed by Sean Edin, as follows:

Rich (Oliver) and I were discussing the prize money for the AMA racing events. Curiosity arrived at the thought of what happens to the money that is NOT paid either to a rider due to low grid numbers and/or 11 bikes are missing from the grid due to the 112% rule in effect at the particular race? Is there a kickback to the head of road racing operations? Why isn’t the money put back into the overall purse for the class and distributed equally to the riders? The money is already allocated for the event in case it has to be paid in full. I know there are less than 35 bikes on the Superbike grid, which is also funny because the AMA only pays points to the top 30 riders, yet money to the top 35! If there are only 27 top Superbikes who finish the race that leaves approx $2700 to the remaining 8 spots that goes unpaid. Heck you could put that into a bonus check for the top privateer finisher, kinda like the American LeMans Series where at the end of the year over $1 million gets distributed to the privateers of the series.

Just curious and thought you could answer these questions about this ongoing AMA saga!

Sean Edin, PTA, ATC
Team Oliver Yamaha

Toughest Battle At CCS Road America Races On Saturday Was Man Versus Nature, Including Wind, Rain And Sleet

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

CCS racers at Road America on Saturday not only battled each other but also fought to stay on two wheels in terrible weather conditions, including rain, freezing rain and 40-mph winds.

The day started with very cold, but dry, conditions. During the dry weather, Rick Beuer got the holeshot and led the large Unlimited Supersport field through the first corners. Riding a 1999 Yamaha YZF-R1 on Dunlop tires, Dan Nygaard took the lead under braking for turn five and began to pull out a large lead, while some of the other top riders worked their way up from their back of the grid starting spots. On lap two, Nygaard had a one-second advantage over a group of four including Jason DiSalvo, Fritz Kling, Scott Ruehle (riding a nearly stock 2002 Yamaha YZF-R1) and Geoff May.

As May dropped off the pace on lap three, DiSalvo took charge of the pack chasing Nygaard and began closing the 2.5-second gap. On the final lap, Nygaard crashed under braking for turn five and escaped serious injury, thanks to Road America moving a concrete wall over the winter. DiSalvo assumed the race lead for two corners before the red flag stopped the race short of the checkered flag–a crashed bike was lying in the track at turn 14. Scoring was reverted to lap three and Nygaard was declared the winner over DiSalvo, Ruehle and Kling.

DiSalvo would rebound later to win the Heavyweight Supersport race, on a dry track. DiSalvo left Road America before the wet weather arrived, in order to meet the second half of his Team America crew, and his Honda RS250, for testing at Laguna Seca.

When the expected rain arrived around 2:00 p.m. local time, grids diminished and a crash fest began. Conditions progressively worsened until the final races of the day were run with ambient temperatures near freezing, very little daylight, those 40-mph winds mentioned earlier and stinging sleet.

Multiple race winners Saturday included Monte Nichols (Middleweight Supersport, Middleweight GP), Roger Hendricks (Heavyweight Superbike, Formula 40) and Ed Key (Lightweight Supersport, Lightweight Superbike). Other race winners included Geoff May in Unlimited GP, Jeff Chen in Singles GP, Bryan Bemisderfer in Super Twins and Richie Morris in Heavyweight Sportsman.

Among the heroes of the day were CCS race officials, a diehard crew of cornerworkers controlled by Bill Ritger, and a staff of safety workers dispatched by Road America Safety Director Carson Wilkinson. At post time, there had been only one rider transported to a hospital all day and no serious injuries reported.

The weather forecast for Sunday’s CCS sprint races, according to www.weather.com, calls for temperatures in the 50’s and no precipitation.

RESULTS:

UNLIMITED GP EXPERT: 1. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R1000); 2. Kevin Gordon (Suz GSX-R750); 3. Roger Hendricks (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Dr. Jeffrey Purk, DDS (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Brian Boyd (Suz GSX-R750); 6. Michael Heuer (Yam YZF-R6).

UNLIMITED GP AMATEUR: 1. Michael Chachere (Suz GSX-R600); 2. David Vaughn (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Larry Rising (Kaw ZX-6R); 4. Alfredo Cantu, Jr. (Suz GSX-R600); 5. Thomas Laning; 6. Donald Hooks (Yam YZF-R6).

UNLIMITED SUPERSPORT EXPERT: 1. Dan Nygaard (Yam YZF-R1); 2. Jason DiSalvo (Suz GSX-R750); 3. Scott Ruehle (Yam YZF-R1); 4. Fritz Kling (Suz GSX-R1000); 5. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R1000); 6. Kevin Gordon (Suz GSX-R750).

UNLIMITED SUPERSPORT AMATEUR: 1. Michael Shallcross (Suz GSX-R750); 2. Michael Chachere (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Donald Hooks (Yam YZF-R6); 4. Paulette Ani (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Robert Fuszner (Suz GSX-R750).

HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERSPORT EXPERT: 1. Jason DiSalvo (Suz GSX-R750); 2. Scott Hermersmann (Suz GSX-R750); 3. Kevin Gordon (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Dr. Jeffrey Purk, DDS (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Jason Swan (Suz GSX-R750); 6. Jason Knupp (Suz GSX-R750).

HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERSPORT AMATEUR: 1. David Didier (Suz GSX-R600); 2. James Stancel (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Michael Chachere (Suz GSX-R600); 4. Robert Fuszner (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Alfredo Cantu, Jr. (Suz GSX-R600); 6. Brian Logan (Suz GSX-R750).

MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPERSPORT EXPERT: 1. Monte Nichols (Yam YZF-R6); 2. Scott Ruehle (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Kevin Gordon (Yam YZF-R6); 4. Chris Weeden (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Michael Heuer (Yam YZF-R6); 6. Brian Salazar (Suz GSX-R600).

MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPERSPORT AMATEUR: 1. David Didier (Suz GSX-R600); 2. James Stancel (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Andy Feuersthaler (Suz GSX-R600); 4. Brian Johnson (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Michael Chachere (Suz GSX-R600); 6. Jim Roach (Yam YZF-R6).

LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERSPORT EXPERT: 1. Ed Key (Suz SV650); 2. Matt Malterer (Suz SV650); 3. Matt Gerard (Suz SV650); 4. Jeff Wick (Suz SV650); 5. Charles Wright (Suz SV650); 6. Frank Andreas, Jr. (Suz SV650).

LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERSPORT AMATEUR: 1. Mike Wemmer (Suz SV650); 2. Mark Sorensen (Suz SV650); 3. Joe Fanara (Suz SV650); 4. Jim Holmen (Suz SV650); 5. Joseph Zuengler (Duc 750 SS); 6. Rhiannon Lucente (Yam FZR400).

HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERBIKE EXPERT: 1. Roger Hendricks (Suz GSX-R750); 2. Dr. Jeffrey Purk, DDS (Suz GSX-R750); 3. Brian Baker (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Chuck Stephan, Jr. (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Kevin Gordon (Suz GSX-R750); 6. Adam Waheed (Suz GSX-R750).

HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERBIKE AMATEUR: 1. Chris Lossie (Hon 600); 2. Paulette Ani (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Carl Kozeniewski (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Michael Shallcross (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Alfredo Cantu, Jr. (Suz GSX-R600); 6. Chuck Tomczyk (Suz GSX-R600).

MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPERBIKE EXPERT: 1. Gary Carter (Yam YZF-R6); 2. Maurice Golladay; 3. Chuck Stephan, Jr. (Hon CBR600); 4. Russell Voigt (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Daniel Doty (Yam YZF-R6).

MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPERBIKE AMATEUR: 1. Michael Chachere (Suz GSX-R600); 2. David Vaughn (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Andy Feuersthaler (Suz GSX-R600); 4. Chris Lossie (Hon CBR600); 5. Eric Custar (Kaw ZX-6R); 6. Thomas Laning.

LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERBIKE EXPERT: 1. Ed Key (Suz SV650); 2. Matt Carter (Duc 750 SS); 3. Charles Wright (Suz SV650); 4. Mark Holden (Suz SV650); 5. Mike Riebe (Suz SV650); 6. Charles Buse (Suz SV650).

LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERBIKE AMATEUR: 1. Edgar Dorn (Suz SV650); 2. Joseph Zuengler (Duc 750); 3. Mike Gantz (Yam FZR400); 4. Christopher Onwiler (Yam FZR560); 5. Harry Gambill (Suz SV650); 6. Jim Holmen (Suz SV650).

MIDDLEWEIGHT GP EXPERT: 1. Monte Nichols (Yam YZF-R6); 2. Dan Bilansky (Buell X-1); 3. Daniel Doty (Yam YZF-R6); 4. Chuck Stephan, Jr. (Hon CBR600); 5. Gary Carter (Yam YZF-R6); 6. Rick Bretl (Yam YZF-R6).

MIDDLEWEIGHT GP AMATEUR: 1. Michael Chachere (Suz GSX-R600); 2. Andy Feuersthaler (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Thomas Laning; 4. Paulette Ani (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Josh Lenz (Yam YZF-R6); 6. Warren Wagner (Yam YZF-R6).

LIGHTWEIGHT GP EXPERT: 1. Dan Bilansky (Buell X-1); 2. Mark Stiles (Yam TZ250); 3. Charles Buse (Suz SV650); 4. Ed Key (Suz SV650); 5. Charles Wright (Suz SV650); 6. Steve Kessenich (Apr RS250).

LIGHTWEIGHT GP AMATEUR: 1. Nicholas Cummings (Hon RS125); 2. Edgar Dorn (Suz SV650); 3. Michael Luke (Yam TZ250); 4. Dirk Schumann (Yam RZ350); 5. Joseph Zuengler (Duc 750); 6. Brian Kwak.

SUPER TWINS EXPERT: 1. Bryan Bemisderfer (Buell X-1); 2. Rick Breur (Hon RC51); 3. Kris August (Hon RC51); 4. Matt Carr (Duc 750 SS); 5. Christopher Kinman (Duc 996); 6. Thomas Grant (Suz TL1000R).

SUPER TWINS AMATEUR: 1. Andrew Thieme (Duc 996); 2. Timothy Barrett (Hon RC51); 3. Matthew Singer (Duc 996); 4. John George (Suz TL1000); 5. Thomas Fredericks (Buell X-1); 6. John McCallum (Duc 996).

GP SINGLES: 1. Jeff Chen (Hon RS125); 2. Taylor Knapp (Hon RS125); 3. Robert Rawlins (Hon RS125); 4. Eric Kancir (Hon RS125); 5. Larry Devore (Hon RS125); 6. Doug Root (Hon RS125).

SUPER SINGLES: 1. Taylor Knapp (Hon RS125); 2. Nicholas Cummings (Hon RS125); 3. Dawn Vankampen (Hon RS125); 4. Brian Lacy (Rotax 676).

FORMULA 40 EXPERT: 1. Roger Hendericks (Suz GSX-R750); 2. Chuck Stephan, Jr. (Suz GSX-R750); 3. Christopher Kinman (Duc 996); 4. Michael Studelska (Yam FZR400); 5. Michael Schook (Hon CBR600); 6. Karl Kegel (Buell X-1).

FORMULA 40 AMATEUR: 1. Jim Holmen (Suz SV650); 2. Edward Bingham (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Timothy Marotz (Suz GSX-R750); 4. John McCallum (Duc 750); 5. Mike Peters (Hon CBR600); 6. Kevin Clark (Suz GSX-R600).

HEAVYWEIGHT SPORTSMAN EXPERT: 1. Richie Morris (Buell X-1); 2. Charles Buse (Suz SV650); 3. Charles Wright (Suz SV650); 4. Karl Kegel (Buell X-1); 5. Greg Smith (Suz SV650).

HEAVYWEIGHT SPORTSMAN AMATEUR: 1. Edgar Dorn (Suz SV650); 2. William Casper (Hon 600); 3. Joe Broadus (Buell X-1); 4. Kenny Oyen (Hon 600); 5. Thomas Fredericks (Buell X-1).

MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORTSMAN EXPERT: 1. Steve Kessenich (Apr RS250); 2. Charles Wright (Yam FZR400); 3. Chad Konop (Yam TZ250); 4. Brian Jaworski (Hon 650).

MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORTSMAN AMATEUR: 1. Rhiannon Lucente (Yam FZR400); 2. Lon Allen, Jr. (Cagiva 650); 3. Joseph Zuengler (Duc 750); 4. Gregory Moon (Hon 650); 5. Jim Holmen (Hon 650); 6. Nick Digilio (Hon 650).

LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTSMAN EXPERT: 1. Lon Allen (Duc 650).

LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTSMAN AMATEUR: 1. Lon Allen, Jr. (Cagiva 650); 2. James Jessie (Suz GS500); 3. Michael Fredricks (Yam RZ350); 4. Don Pengra (Yam RD400); 5. Richard McManimen (Kaw EX500).

ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. Rhiannon Lucente (Kaw)

A Message From Hopper

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

This just in from Red Bull Yamaha’s young American GP star John Hopkins, who, along with girfriend Desiree Crossman, has relocated to Clermont-Ferrand, France, near the team’s trainer:

Hi everyone, can’t talk long due to the no-phone-hookup-in-apartment dilema and using the internet cafe. We are good, it’s beautiful here and the weather is lovely. We leave for Spain next week for a week and then off to Italy. We bought a car the other day, it’s an Alfa Romero. It looks like a Ford Focus kind of. It’s alright. Parking here, though, is a bitch!

We’ve been kept busy and we like our apartment. It’s right dab in the middle of the city center so it’s busy! We have a great view, problem is my camera died so I have no battery to take pics. I will find one ASAP. We will keep in touch whenever we can. We’re trying to get internet access ASAP cuz these French keyboards are irritating. Salù…. John and Des

Pridmore Team Qualifies Second-Fastest, Barnes/Ciccotto Fourth For Imola 200 World Endurance

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Jason Pridmore and teammate Mark Edwards qualified second-fastest for the 200 Miglia di Imola World Endurance race at the historic Enzo e Dino Ferrari racetrack in Imola.

After the final qualifying session was held on Saturday, QB Phase One’s Pridmore and Edwards were second-fastest, at 1:56.200, on a SuperProdution-class Suzuki GSX-R1000. Zongshen 2’s Warwick Nowland and Giovanni Bussei were on pole at 1:56.064, riding another SuperProduction Suzuki GSX-R1000.

GMT 94’s Sebastien Scarnato and William Costes were third-quickest at 1:56.610 on another SuperProduction Suzuki GSX-R1000, while Americans Michael Barnes and Mike Ciccotto were fourth-fastest at 1:57.269 on Herman Verboven Racing 5’s Suzuki GSX-R750, listed in official qualifying results as being entered in the SuperProduction class although the team has previously competed in the Superbike class.

In total, 51 teams have entered Sunday’s race.

And Now, The Correct Phone Number For RES

The phone number listed in an advertisement for Racing Engine Service (RES) appearing in the May 2002 issue of Roadracing World is incorrect.

The correct phone number is (817) 783-6699.

New SuperMoto World Championship Includes Race In Bakersfield

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The new SuperMoto World Championship includes an event in Bakersfield, California on November 3.

The series schedule follows:

July 14, Namur, Belgium
August 25, Valkenswaard, Holland
September 22, Toulouse-Muret, France
October 13, Kaerntenring, Austria
October 20, TBA
November 3, Bakersfield, California
November 10, Broadford, Australia
November 17, Palmerston, New Zealand

More information is available from the FIM at www.fim.ch or via e-mail at [email protected]

Jason DiSalvo Wins In Friday CCS Action At Road America

Copyright 2002 Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Team America Grand Prix Racing’s Jason DiSalvo took a dramatic, come-from-behind victory in the 30-minute Expert GTO race Friday in a CCS regional event at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin Friday.

Rick Breuer got the early lead in the solo endurance contest on his Honda RC51, but AMA regular J.J. Roetlin took charge of the race by the time the 38-entry field reached turn five. Roetlin led lap one on his GSX-R750, but Embry Motorsports’ Geoff May rode around Roetlin in the carousel on lap two to take the lead. Roetlin slipped back to an eventual fourth, as May was joined at the front by Yamaha YZF-R1 rider Dan Nygaard, from row eight, and DiSalvo, from row six of the grid.

After May dropped out of contention for the win with brake troubles, Nygaard and DiSalvo pushed ahead, dropping into 2:21 lap times on the green track and reaching over 170 mph on Road America’s long front straight, according to a radar gun belonging to DiSalvo’s team. Competing in the CCS event to learn the Road America track before the AMA National in June, DiSalvo looked in control and set for the win, but Nygaard was able to stay close with the draft until the two encountered lapped traffic late in the race.

Electing to go around the outside of a backmarker in turn five on the last lap, DiSalvo got pushed wide, and Nygaard snatched the lead. However, 18-year-old DiSalvo caught back up to Nygaard in time to watch the Minnesota racer push slightly wide exiting the final corner. DiSalvo nailed the last turn and drove past Nygaard to win by a bikelength.

“I wasn’t worried,” said DiSalvo. “I knew I could draft him to the line, but when he ran wide in that last corner, I just thought, ‘Sucker!'”

Nygaard finished second, well clear of third-place Monte Nichols on his Citgo-sponsored Yamaha YZF-R6. Nichols, winner of the 1999 AMA Pro Thunder race at Road America, also won Friday’s Expert GTU race on his Pirelli DOT-equipped R6.

In 2001, the April CCS event at Road America set a new record for race entries with 2024. According to CCS boss Kevin Elliott, the attendance of the 2002 event is only slightly behind last year’s race weekend, despite high temperatures only in the 40s (F) and a weekend forecast that calls for rain and/or snow. The success of the 2002 weekend is due, in part, to a twin-sprint format (two races per class during the weekend, one each day) with some manufacturer contingency programs paying on both days. The event is also a round of the Aprilia Cup and USGPRU 125cc Grand Prix series.

Road America’s staff has worked to promote the event locally and has attracted television news crews on both days, Thursday and Friday, of the weekend thus far. Thursday featured a Team Hammer Advanced Riding School & Track Ride, including practice sessions for competitors attended by DiSalvo, May and GTO Amateur winner Leonard Santangelo.

Friday’s CCS Results From Road America:

GTO Expert: 1. Jason DiSalvo (Suz GSX-R750); 2. Dan Nygaard (Yam YZF-R1); 3. Monte Nichols (Yam YZF-R6); 4. J.J. Roetlin (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Montez Stewart (Suz GSX-R750); 6. Kevin Gordon (Suz GSX-R750).

GTO Amateur: 1. Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R600); 2. David Didier (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Robert Borowicz (Yam YZF-R6); 4. Chris Lossie (Hon CBR600); 5. Michael Chachere (Suz GSX-R600); 6. Carl Kozeniewski (Suz GSX-R750).

Akrapovic GTU Expert: 1. Monte Nichols (Yam YZF-R6); 2. Kevin Gordon (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Brian Salazar (Suz GSX-R600); 4. Dave Rosno (Suz GSX-R600); 5. Chris Weeden (Yam YZF-R6); 6. David Wappler (Hon CBR600).

Akrapovic GTU Amateur: 1. David Didier (Suz GSX-R600); 2 Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Andy Feuersthaler (Suz GSX-R600); 4. Robert Borowicz (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Michael Chachere (Suz GSX-R600); 6. Ross Coleman (Hon CBR600).

GT Lights Expert: 1. Charles Buse (Suz SV650); 2. Bryan Bemisderfer (Buell X-1); 3. Matt Carr (Duc 750 SS); 4. Jeff Chen (Hon RS125); 5. Steve Romel (Suz SV650); 6. Matt Gerard (Suz SV650).

GT Lights Amateur: 1. Mike Wemmer (Suz SV650); 2. Mark Sorensen (Suz SV650); 3. Dirk Schumann (Suz SV650); 4. Mike Gantz (Yam FZR400); 5. Christopher Onwiler (Yam FZR560); 6. Jim Holmen (Suz SV650).

Three-time AMA Grand National Champion Joe Leonard To Serve As Grand Marshall For Vintage Laconia Event


Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Joe Leonard has been selected to serve as Grand Marshall for the June 8-10 “Vintage Laconia” event in New Hampshire.

Leonard won the AMA Grand National Championship in 1954, 1956 and 1957; the USAC Championships several times; the Daytona 200 twice on the beach course and also raced for nine years in Champ (Indy) car racing, including a pole position at Indianapolis in 1968.

More, from a USCRA press release:

As Grand Marshal for Vintage Laconia, Joe will return to the original “Laconia” road course in Gilford, N.H. that ran from 1938 to 1963 and preside over the historic Vintage event. The US Classic Racing Association in conjunction with the Gunstock Recreational Area reopened the original Laconia one-mile paved road course in 1998 to run the Belknap Classic motorcycle road races at the start of the world famous Laconia race week.

On Sunday, June 9, thousands of spectators will be treated to the sights and unmuffled sounds of those old race machines racing the original Laconia track in the hands of today’s fastest American and Canadian Vintage racers. As part of the Sunday race program, the Reunion Riders Race is a truly historic event for the men that raced Laconia during its active AMA National years, 1938 to 1963. Legends like Ben Campanale, Dick Klamfoth, Ed Fisher, Jody Nicholas, Ed Kretz Jr., Sid Swan, Whitey Anderson, Frank Antonelli, Nate Sheldon and scores of other racers that raced the original track return to either ride the Reunion Riders Race or reminisce on the past.

The Vintage Laconia event will also include a Reunion Riders BBQ Saturday night, June 9, and rounds of the FIM/NAMU North American Vintage Observed Trials Championship, on June 8, and FIM/NAMU North American Vintage Road Race Championship, on June 10.

For more information, call John Strempfer, Public Relations, USCRA, at (603) 321-5233, or e-mail [email protected].


Cards And Prayers Requested For Injured CCS Racer Luis Garcia

From an e-mail, sent by Joe Davidson:

CCS racer Luis Garcia was injured Sunday April 21st at Moroso Park. His helmet faired okay, didn’t break, but was ground down. He fell at 80-100, with an abrupt touching of the brake lever against another rider just before the first turn, all were accelerating. His bars turned right, sharply, and he basically dove over them and immediately downward.

He was unconscious and coughing up blood when he was airlifted out. On Monday, Luis is still in the trauma ICU, and still in a coma. The ear doc said he looks good, from his perspective, because blood was coming from his ear yesterday, but it had stopped. CAT scans reveal only ‘microscopic’ damage. His swelling is down a lot. His upper arm is apparently broken as well, but it’s minor compared to other conditions, at present (head, spine). On Tuesday, he’s stable, but is more responsive. He’s responding to a doctor who tried to check his eyes. He kept trying to close them. Small step, good sign. Everything else is stable and he’s getting stronger, medicine is doing its job. It could be really any amount of time before he is conscious. They can’t give any time. Please keep him in your thoughts & prayers. He is married and has two young children.

Cards are being forwarded to him by a close friend Luis Wassmann:

Please send cards & letters to:
Luis Wassmann
PO Box 143290
Coral Gables, FL 33114

A PayPal account has also been established to help defray costs of travel, babysitters, etc. during his hospitalization: [email protected]

The account is in the name of Luis Wassmann, a close family friend.

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