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

By Glenn Le Santo

Troy Bayliss took the holeshot from pole position in the first World Superbike race at Assen, grabbed an early lead, battled with teammate Ruben Xaus, and was ahead when the race was red-flagged on lap 15 of 16 due to heavy rain.

Bayliss’ lead was only threatened by teammate Xaus, who nudged ahead briefly before allowing Bayliss back past. Both Infostrada Ducati riders were giving their all on the dry circuit to stay ahead of Colin Edwards. The Texan could only sit and watch as on lap 15 of the 16 lap race, the rain fell heavily and the race, which had been declared dry at the start, was red-flagged. With enough distance completed to allow the organizers to declare a race result, the win went to Bayliss.

The win now means Bayliss is on target for his first World Superbike Championship. With 344 points compared to Edwards’ tally of 311, a favorable result in the second race could decide the title. Even if the race had continued it looked unlikely that Edwards could catch and pass even one of the two Ducatis in front of him.

Pierfrancesco Chili finished fourth as Neil Hodgson, who started from back on the fourth row, managed to fight his way through the field to fifth.

Results
1. Troy Bayliss, Australia, Ducati, 27:08.793
2. Ruben Xaus, Spain, Ducati, 27:08.959
3. Colin Edwards, USA, Honda, 27:09.875
4. Pierfrancesco Chili, Italy, Suzuki, 27:13.860
5. Neil Hodgson, Great Britain, Ducati, 27:21.544
6. Troy Corser, Australia, Aprilia, 27:22.131
7. Tadayuki Okada, Japan, Honda, 27:24.051
8. Akira Yanagawa, Japan, Kawasaki, 27:24.399
9. Regis Laconi, France, Aprilia, 27:24.604
10. James Toseland, Great Britain, Ducati, 27:29.375
11. Ben Bostrom, USA, Ducati, 27:29.804
12. Gregorio Lavilla, Spain, Kawasaki, 27:34.400
13. Stephane Chambon, France, Suzuki, 27:42.176
14. Juan Borja, Spain, Yamaha, 27:54.928
15. Lucio Pedercini, Italy, Ducati, 28:02.475
16. Giovanni Bussei, Italy, Ducati, 28:02.817
17. Peter Goddard, Australia, Benelli, 28:03.819
18. Martin Craggill, Australia, Ducati, 28:04.585
19. Mauro Sanchini, Italy, Ducati, 28:07.829
20. Steve Martin, Australia, Ducati, 28:09.640

Championship points:

1. Bayliss, 344
2. Edwards, 311
3. Bostrom, 281
4. Corser, 248
5. Hodgson, 243

Young gun John Hopkins is in Estoril, Portugal for this weekend’s World Championship Grand Prix, as a guest of the Red Bull Yamaha team.

The team has arranged a full program of activities for the young American, including listening in during debriefing sessions with Garry McCoy and Crew Chief Hamish Jamieson as well as participating in track scouting and qualifying observation missions with team Director Peter Clifford.

Hopkins’ manager, Doug Gonda of ProTac, Inc., is also in Portugal, as is Hopkins’ girlfriend.

Hopkins is expected to arrive back in the United States on Tuesday, before heading out to Willow Springs for next weekend’s AMA National.

Hopkins is tied for the AMA Formula Xtreme points lead with Damon Buckmaster, Hopkins riding a Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R1000 and Buckmaster riding a Graves Yamaha YZF-R1. Two races remain in the AMA series, at Willow Springs and at Virginia International Raceway at the end of the month.

By Glenn Le Santo

The line-up for World Superbike Superpole at Assen was decided by Friday’s times, after a short-but-heavy shower soaked the track at the start of Saturday’s final qualifying. If
the track stays wet, then Superpole will be run in the ‘wet’ format, as used in Oschersleben, where each rider has 50 minutes to turn a maximum of 12 laps. The rider’s fastest lap decides his grid position.

The rain means that Ruben Xaus, who was fastest in Friday’s dry qualifying, hangs on to provisional pole in front of Troy Corser. Everything can, and probably will, change during Superpole. Akira Yanagawa recorded the fastest
time in the wet on his Kawasaki, lapping at 2:13.679. Neil Hodgson was second fastest in the wet, he lapped at 2:14.947 compared to
third-fastest Ruben Xaus at 2:15.311. Xaus lapped at 2:02.409 in the dry on Friday.

Fastest times in Saturday final qualifying, (These are times set today in wet, Friday’s faster times decide Superpole qualification):

1. Akira Yanagawa, Japan, Kawasaki, 2:13.679
2. Neil Hodgson, Great Britain, Ducati, 2:14.947
3. Ruben Xaus, Spain, Ducati, 2:15.311
4. Troy Corser, Australia, Aprilia, 2:16.192
5. Troy Bayliss, Australia, Ducati, 2:16.546
6. James Toseland, Great Britain, Ducati, 2:16.807
7. Colin Edwards, USA, Honda, 2:16.875
8. Steve Martin, AUS, Ducati, 2:17.259
9. Pierfrancesco Chili, Italy, Suzuki, 2:18.155
10. Ben Bostrom, USA, Ducati, 2:19.115

Unlimited Superbike Practice Times:
1. Brian Parriott, Suz GSX-R750, 1:07.842
2. Michael Barnes, Suz GSX-R750, 1:07.859
3. Lee Acree, Suz GSX-R750, 1:07.876
4. Shawn Higbee, Suz GSX-R750, 1:08.131
5. Grant Lopez, Suz GSX-R750, 1:08.370
6. Michael Ciccotto, Suz GSX-R750, 1:08.436
7. Craig Connell, Duc 996, 1:08.679
8. Alan Schmidt, Suz GSX-R750, 1:08.731
9. Ty Howard, Kaw ZX-9R, 1:08.870
10. Ken Chase, Suz GSX-R750, 1:08.969
11. Tray Batey, Apr RSV1000R, 1:09.058
12. Eric Wood, Suz GSX-R750, 1:09.377
13. Josh Bryan, Suz GSX-R750, 1:09.510
14. Michael Himmelsbach, Apr RSV1000R, 1:09.526
15. John Dugan, Suz GSX-R750, 1:09.574


Pro Sportbike Practice Times:
1. Lee Acree, Suz GSX-R600, 1:09.216
2. Brian Parriott, Suz GSX-R600, 1:09.242
3. Michael Barnes, Suz GSX-R600, 1:09.330
4. Michael Ciccotto, Suz GSX-R600, 1:09.490
5. Paul Harrell, Yam YZF-R6, 1:09.773
6. Clint McBain, Suz GSX-R600, 1:10.166
7. Ty Howard, Yam YZF-R6, 1:10.309
8. Shan Ball, Suz GSX-R600, 1:10.485
9. Eric Wood, Suz GSX-R600, 1:10.657
10. Stoney Landers, Suz GSX-R600, 1:10.893


Buell Lightning Series Practice Times (All on Buell 1200s):
1. Jeff Vermeulen, 1:14.829
2. Bryan Bemisderfer, 1:15.618
3. Tripp Nobles, 1:16.148
4. Jason Smith, 1:16.544
5. Daniel Bilansky, 1:16.572
6. Brian Bodine, 1:16.824
7. Steve Luxem, 1:17.008
8. Jeff Johnson, 1:17.255
9. Darren James, 1:17.422
10. Brian Frank, 1:18.073

Michael Barnes, the fastest Buell racer in Friday practice, did not ride Saturday morning.

Aprilia Cup Challenge Practice Times (All on Aprilia RS250s):
1. Jeff Wood, 1:15.686
2. Shannon Silva, 1:15.959
3. Josh Sortor, 1:17.813
4. Dan Fischer, 1:17.938
5. John Lemak, 1:18.182
6. Brent Prindle, 1:24.888

Aprilia Cup racer Thad Halsmer was not using his timing transponder during Saturday morning practice.