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Nicky Hayden To Have Carpal Tunnel Surgery

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Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

American Honda’s 20-year-old Nicky Hayden said on Friday, August 10 that he would most likely have post-season surgery to fix a numbing problem in his right hand caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Speaking via cell phone from a photo shoot at a Honda test facility in the desert near Mojave, California, Hayden said, “My hand has kind of been going tingly on me. As practice wears on or the race, my pointer and my middle finger and thumb are going numb on me. So they (physicians at Dr. Arthur Ting’s office) did a test, and I have Carpal Tunnel in my wrist. I guess it’s real common for racers to get it from all of the abuse the wrist takes. That’s been bothering me lately. It bothers me worse at some tracks and not so much at others.”

Hayden did not seem worried about the surgery; he’s discussed it with former World Champions Kevin Schwantz and Freddie Spencer, who both have had the same procedure done. Schwantz has actually had Carpel Tunnel Surgery on each wrist…twice.

Hayden also mentioned that his left wrist still isn’t 100% following surgery to screw the scaphoid bone back together in March. Hayden said he planned to get an MRI at the end of the season to “check things out.”

Meanwhile, Hayden continued to endure two days of the part of a factory rider’s job that isn’t exactly glamorous. Outside still and video photography are dependent on natural light, and the best light is just after dawn and just before dusk, the result being that photo shoots involve extremely long hours. “My wake-up call this morning was 3:45 a.m.,” said Hayden. “We met in the hotel lobby at 4:15. We didn’t back to the hotel last night until almost 9:00 p.m.”

The location of the photo shoot doesn’t ease matters as the daytime temperatures can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in the Mojave desert. And as for the security at Honda’s top-secret test facility, “I think I could get into Fort Knox easier than it is to get into this place,” said Hayden.

What Happened To That CCS Race At Road Atlanta?

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Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The sign in front of Road Atlanta read “NO CCS EVENT” on Friday, August 10 with good reason–a race date originally appearing on the CCS schedule was never reserved at the Braselton, Georgia track.

According to Road Atlanta spokesperson Dave Levi, a race appearing on the CCS schedule for August 11-12 at Road Atlanta was a “publisher’s error”.

“We didn’t write it. Somebody wrote that saying that we were gonna have a race, but we never said that we were going to,” explained Levi before confirming that CCS made the mistake. Levi also said that a Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School is confirmed for the track this weekend, August 11-12.

Reached via telephone in his Fort Worth, Texas office, CCS National Road Race Manager Kevin Elliott said, “The first I learned of it was February 1st while I was in California at the first CCS race at the Streets of Willow. Our booking department called to say that we didn’t have a date at Road Atlanta. Usually what happens is that when you have a date with a track, they hold that date for you for the following year. I guess they (Road Atlanta) were unhappy with our spectator turn out, but we (CCS) told them that we were not really a spectator series. We’re real disappointed that the track didn’t even call to tell us that they were unhappy with the spectator turn out. We had to call them to find that out.”

Elliott said that the August 11-12 weekend was originally given to a vintage car racing group, but later scheduled to hold a Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School.

“I’m also disappointed that they didn’t offer the track to us when the vintage car deal fell through. It’s not like Schwantz’s school is a spectator event,” added Elliott. “We’re looking at having two events at Road Atlanta in 2002 with hopefully one of them a Formula USA National Road Race event.”

Hudson Valley Ride For Kids Raises $156,319

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From a press release:

The 10-annual Hudson Valley Ride For Kids raised $156,319 Sunday, August 5 in upstate New York to go toward research to find the cause and cure of pediatric brain tumors. Hundreds of motorcyclists enjoyed a police-escorted ride from Harriman State Park to Piermont, New York. In Piermont, the group joined in a “Celebration of Life” where past and current brain tumor victims and survivors told success stories and expressed their appreciation.

The top fund-raising dealership was Prestige Harley-Davidson with $9771 donated. GWRRA NY-S got the top honors for donations by a club at $62,393. Ed and Brigitte Pugliese were the top individual fund raisers with $44,740.

The next Ride for Kids event will be August 19, 2001 in N. Oxford, MA. For additional information, contact the Ride for Kids at 800-253-6530 or visit www.ride4kids.org or www.pbtfus.org.


Suzuki GSX-R1000s Fill Top Six Grid Spots For Oschersleben 24-hour

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With an average time of 1:31.801 on a Suzuki GSX-R1000, GMT94’s Christophe Guyot, Sebastien Scarnato and Nicolas Dussauge earned the pole position for the 24-hour Endurance World Championship race at the Motopark Oschersleben in Germany on Friday.

Unfortunately, Dussauge, GMT94’s fastest rider, was seriously injured during the qualifying session and will not participate in the race, the penultimate round of the series. GMT94’s reserve rider, Phillippe Dobe, will ride in Dussauge’s place.

Zong Shen’s three riders turned an average lap time of 1:31.916 on a Suzuki GSX-R1000 for second on the grid. Schafer-MO-Devil Racing Team’s three riders, on another Suzuki GSX-R1000, averaged 1:31.992, third on the grid. France’s Castrol Suzuki team earned the fourth spot on the grid with an average time of 1:32.094.

Zong Shen’s second team qualified fifth with an average time of 1:32.293 on another GSX-R1000.

Reigning Endurance World Champions Whirley Phase One recorded an average lap time of 1:32.952 on a Suzuki GSX-R1000.

The top five qualifying positions, all taken by SuperProduction-class Suzuki GSX-R1000s, were separated by a mere 0.4-second.

The fastest Superbike qualifier is the current World Championship points leader, Wim Motors, on a Honda RC51 with an average time of 1:32.976.

Americans Michael Barnes and John Jacobi, along with Herman Verboven Suzuki teammate Jeff Vermeulen, qualified as the second fastest Superbike entry, 10th overall, with a 1:33.694 on a GSX-R750.

The fastest-qualifying StockSport team is Team KFM Motorrader in 12th overall with an average time of 1:34.323 on a Yamaha YZF-R1. World Endurance StockSport regular, Police Nationale, was second-fastest in the class and 14th overall at 1:34.742 on a Kawasaki ZX-9R.

Maxim Experience, 13th overall, led the Open Class in qualifying with a 1:34.366 on an MV Agusta F4.

There are 54 teams qualified for the race with a strong local turnout.

It is possible that Wim Motors could clinch the Endurance World Championship this weekend. Only Superbike class entries race for the FIM Endurance World Championship. SuperProduction Class teams race for the Endurance World Cup.



G.M.D. To Appear At Texas World August 17-19

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From a press release issued by RPM, the WERA affiliate based in Texas:

RPM has confirmed that G.M.D. Computrack Atlanta will be supporting the RPM/WERA Texas World Speedway Round 6 weekend August 17-19 and open to service your motorcycle.

You can email G.M.D. at [email protected] for appointments. For more information go to www.gmdcomputrack.com

Ducati Donne Day To Give Women Racers Chance To Ride 996SPS

From a Ducati press release:

Ducati Donne to break the mold for women

Ducati is out to destroy the misconception that woman don’t ride motorcycles. Women ride, they ride often and they ride well. They have a long history in motorcycling and, in this new millennium, a stronger place in the sport than ever. We at Ducati aim to show the world just how far women have come in what many people still regard as a male pastime and we hope to help pave the way for more women wanting to take a more competitive interest in motorcycling.

Ducati North America is proud to announce the inclusion of a women’s-only race school, Ducati Donne (“Ducati Women”), at Ducati Revs America in Las Vegas this October. It is being organized by Ducati and marshalled by Ducati World Superbike stars Ben Bostrom and Troy Bayliss, with a brief talk by former World Motorcycle Champion Freddie Spencer. Ducati have set aside 15 of their limited edition 996SPS hypersport motorcycles for the school. Probably no other race school in history has had such an exclusive array of machinery and personnel.

Run on Saturday, October 27, at Las Vegas Speedway, the two-hour program is designed for women who race, or plan to race, and will feature track time on the Vegas short circuit, a condensed training lecture by Freddie Spencer, and a technical workshop on racebike set-up hosted by motojournalist and racer Nick Ienatsch.

There are only 30 places available for the Saturday session and discussions are already underway on whether to double the number of places available by extending the program to two days.

Ducati is serious about females in motorcycle sport, and through Ducati Donne they hope to not only broaden the minds of many motorcyclists, but smooth the path for more women to pursue professional racing careers.

If you are interested in Ducati Donne please contact Wendy Hogg on (262) 573-4256 or by e-mail at [email protected]. We want to stress that this program is designed for women who aim to race and, as there are only limited spaces available, we hope that all applicants have this in mind.

Ride For Kids Collects Two More Records And $185,000

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In two separate Ride For Kids events, $185,984 was raised to help support the continued research to find the cause and cure for pediatric brain tumors.

Participants in the July 22 Minnesota Ride For Kids braved rainstorms on a 45-mile, police-escorted ride from the Minnesota State Capital to Century College in White Bear Lake, Minnesota to raise a record $64,184. The top fund-raising individual was Dee Rasmussen with $5795. The best club fund raisers were members of the Southern Chapter of the Minnesota Wings at $9085. Moon Motors was the largest dealership fund-raiser with $16,406. Rasmussen also won the drawing for a new Honda motorcycle.

The Ohio Ride For Kids was held in conjunction with the Honda Homecoming July 28 at Honda’s Marysville, Ohio manufacturing facility. The combined event brought 500 participants and raised a new record total of $121,800. The top fund-raising club was the Marysville GWRRA Chapter D3 with $16,094. The Top fund-raising dealer was Competition Accessories with $6335. The top individual fund raiser was Richard Silva with $12,005. Silva, the father of a brain tumor victim who passed away seven years earlier, also won the drawing for a brand new Honda motorcycle.

Ride for Kids events are held across the USA to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the US (PBTFUS). For more information about the Ride for Kids and the programs of PBTFUS, call 800-253-6530 or visit the websites at www.ride4kids.org or www.pbtfus.org. The Ride For Kids is the official Charity of the Honda Riders Club of America.

Memo To Readers: Don’t Leave This Type Of Stuff In Your Truck In A Motel Parking Lot

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This Just In:

“Stolen: WERA racer and MotorcycleWorld.com VP Lee Parks had his Ford Pickup Truck broken into on Friday August 3. Parked at the Knights Inn in Charles Town, West Virginia, over $15,000 worth of items were taken. They included a red Craftsman toolbox full of professional-quality tools, a gray and yellow Dell Inspiron laptop and a Canon G1 digital camera. His riding gear was also taken which included a white Arai RX-7RR helmet, Alpinestars boots and a custom set of yellow and black Z Custom leathers with the name ‘Lee’ on the front and a yin/yang sign on both sides. If you have any information on the wearabouts of any of this gear, please contact him at 330-715-3943 or send an e-mail to [email protected].”

Next Round Of Improvements Starts At Sears Point Raceway

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From a press release issued by Sears Point Raceway:

Sears Point Raceway Kicks Off Second Phase of Modernization Plan

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – Sears Point Raceway has begun phase two of its $35 million Modernization Plan as huge Caterpillar machinery has, once again, taken over the road course and drag strip.

Phase two officially kicked off on Sunday, August 5, at the conclusion of the NHRA FRAM Autolite Nationals when drag racers John Force and Gary Scelzi ripped up portions of the drag strip while piloting Caterpillar bulldozers.

The ripping of the drag strip was a premonition as the second phase will focus heavily on both the road course and drag strip. Phase one, conversely, was centered on infrastructure, traffic access and circulation and environmental mitigation. The bulk of the track improvements and spectator amenities is expected to be complete by the NASCAR Winston Cup event in June, 2002.

“It has been interesting and somewhat challenging to stage our 2001 event season in the midst of a major remodel, but our staff has done a spectacular job making it all work. Now it’s time to move back into our construction mode,” said Steve Page, President and General Manager of Sears Point Raceway.

Phase two of the $35 million Modernization Plan will feature the following elements:

· Construction of 30,000 hillside terrace seats alongside Turns 7-9, bringing the total to 64,000 hillside terrace seats.

· Construction of a go-kart track on the south side of the property.

· Construction of a 10,000 seat permanent grandstand at Turn 7.

· Construction of a 15,000 seat permanent grandstand along the west side of start/finish line, bringing the total to 25,000 permanent grandstand seats. Twenty-two suites will be built along the top of the grandstands.

· Creation of a 660-foot concrete launching pad for drag racing and separation of the road course from the drag strip. Construction of drag strip return road.

· Increased run-off on the road course at Turns 8, 8a, 9 and 10.

· Enlargement of pit road to accommodate a 43-car starting grid for road-race events.

· Repaving of the road course and drag strip. The width of the road course will also increase from 40 to 50 feet.

· Expansion of paddock by more than 70 percent.

· Pedestrian tunnels under start/finish line and Turn 10.

· Remodeling Trackside Tower, Media Center and Driver’s Lounge.

The official groundbreaking ceremonies for the project took place in September, 2000, and since then, more than 5,000,000 cubic yards of dirt have been moved. The two-phase plan will give fans a state-of-the-art facility that provides all of the amenities seen at today’s modern sports venues.

Phase one, which was completed over the summer, featured the construction of 34,000 hillside terrace seats above Turns 2-4; construction of shuttle and shade shelters; permanent garages (40) for teams; dramatically expanded entrance and access roads to reduce traffic congestion around the raceway; a new entrance for fans at Gate 7 alongside Highway 121; and increased run-off on the road course at turns 1, 2, 3, 3a, 4, 6 and 7, among other things.

“We had hoped for a good response from fans who tried the new terrace seating this season. As it turned out, the reaction has been enthusiastic beyond anything we could have expected,” Page said. “The seats are roomy, comfortable and the views are breathtaking. We can’t wait to complete the terraces on the east side of the track.”

The specific improvements to the road course in phase two will give competitors a state-of-the-art surface, featuring a wider track, more run-off for safety and a repaved circuit. The improved drag strip, with a 660-foot concrete launch pad and re-paved surface, will also make Sears Point Raceway one of the top venues on the NHRA circuit.

“It’s great to be part of Bruton Smith’s master plan for this track,” said John Force, 10-time NHRA Winston Funny Car champion. “You can bet this will be a super track once they’re through with it. I can’t wait to get out here next year.”

Fans will also enjoy the tunnel under the start/finish line, which will expedite pedestrian traffic flow around the property, as well as the 30,000 hillside terrace seats, which will be built along Turns 7-9. The first hillside terrace seats were utilized during the 2001 main-event season above Turns 2-4 and were a huge success among fans. The same is expected for the seats above Turns 7-9.


Sears Point Raceway is owned by Speedway Motorsports Inc (NYSE: TRK)., a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. SMI also owns and operates the following premiere facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. SMI also provides food, beverage and souvenir merchandising services through its Finish Line Events subsidiary, and manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars through its 600 Racing subsidiary.

20 Sections Of Air Fence Will Be Available For F-USA/CCS And For WERA GNF/Suzuki Cup Finals

Professional and amateur racers alike will benefit from a new deal that will see 20 sections (about 560 linear feet) of Alpina Air Module available for F-USA races at Pocono, Portland and Daytona as well as for CCS ROC action at Daytona and WERA GNF/Suzuki Cup Finals action at Road Atlanta.

Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. has reached an agreement with Alpina Safety Systems to fly in 20 rental sections of Air Module in return for cash and advertising space. The deal will allow more sections of Air Module to be available for F-USA, CCS, WERA and Suzuki Cup racers than would have been possible by simply buying sections, especially since collections are still running behind pledges to the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund.

Alpina is providing air transportation from Austria as well as use, deployment and maintenance of the Air Modules, under the direction of Dan Lance, as part of the deal.

Formula USA Director Of Road Racing Bill Syfan and WERA President Evelyne Clarke have both agreed to deployment of the sections of Air Module at their events, including the Pocono, Portland and Daytona F-USA/CCS races and the WERA GNF/Suzuki Cup Finals at Road Atlanta. Both organizations have also agreed to help defray ground transportation costs for the Air Modules.

“We really appreciate all the efforts of John Ulrich and Roadracingworld.com to bring Air Fence to Road Atlanta for the WERA GNF and the Suzuki Cup Finals,” said Jeff Wilson of the Suzuki Sports Promotion Department, which oversees the Suzuki Cup program. “The effort made–in addition to helping with the Air Fence at the AMA Nationals–to help out the club racers and other sanctioning bodies like WERA and Formula USA, is really appreciated.”

So far, $145,026 has been pledged to the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund, with $140,361 actually collected and $4665 outstanding. So far, $104,104 has been distributed to AMA Pro Racing for the purchase, maintenance and deployment of portable Air Fence/Air Module, with another $11,000 going toward non-portable Air Fence Bike now in use at Texas World Speedway for events sanctioned by CMRA/CCS and RPM/WERA.

Another $30,000 has been earmarked for buying modules for F-USA use but the purchase and delivery has been delayed by the lag in collections. A list of people and companies that pledged money but have not actually paid appears at the end of this post.

The new deal with Alpina will provide professional and amateur racers with Air Module protection in the short term, while more funds are generated and collected for the purchase of Air Module/Air Fence for long-term use. The deal will also demonstrate the financial viability of Air Module/Air Fence rental and/or purchase compared to haybale purchase by race promoters and sanctioning bodies.

The latest contributors to the Air Fence Fund include Bo Poulsen at $250, Roger Lyle/In Memory of Jimmy Adamo at $200, Berde Brothers Racing at $100, Ted Johnson/ Last Chance Racing at $100, Mark Anzalone at $50, Charles Lederer at $30, Peter Gallant at $25 and Anonymous at $10.

With his contribution, Roger Lyle wrote, “Thank you for spearheading this project. Enclosed you will find a check from me for Air Fence at the Formula USA and CCS races. Keep up the great reporting of what happens at the races. For those of us who cannot be at all the races, Roadracing World keeps us informed and educated. Knowledge is power. Race on! My contribution to the Air Fence project is made in the memory of Jimmy Adamo, and all my friends and heroes who have lost their lives after hitting a wall at the racetrack. Your friend, on and off the track, Roger Lyle.”

Bo Poulsen wrote: “Saved by the…..Fence. I sat a little distance up the hill above turn 4 at this year’s fabulous SBK2001 (at Laguna Seca), as the races were about to begin. The music and the pre-race speculative chat cleared out and some man of the clergy got on the P.A. system and blessed the riders and the track. I sat through this with a whimsical smile, as I usually do when heavenly powers are called upon to preside over these hell-bent-for-leather events. I am not a religious person, as you may glean. The theorems of Sir Isaac Newton appeared to be firmly documented among racers and spectators alike, judging by the many casts, scars, irregular gaits, crutches, etc., and I have a few of my own. Now the national anthem was sung in the ubiquitous, quivering soprano of some erstwhile diva. I shot to my feet and removed my hat like everybody else, save for the occasional stray Libyan or Iraqi. We all have our favorites and our pet peeves. Is this a great country, or what?
“It was then that I thought about your great project, the Air Fence fund. What a totally non-controversial issue, one that nobody could conceivably object to, except for a few AMA officials who huffed and puffed a bit when you made it happen, miraculously, just before they were about to take action on the issue. Must have been E.S.P. Anyway, I wanted to personally thank you for providing the initial thrust that has made it happen. Aaron Yates didn’t fly far enough to be saved by an Air Fence at Laguna, but your efforts may well have saved him at Sears Point’s turn 10. Greater yet, many amateur racers who are not of Yates’ caliber, in terms of riding ability, physical fitness to weather a hard crash, or having the very best, top-shelf riding gear, stand to gain even more from this implementation in years to come.
” Please accept my contribution to the fund. Could you spare a column from time to time to show how much is needed vs. how much has been raised?”

The list of contributors now reads:

Erik Buell/Buell Motorcycle Company $5800
Trent Thompson/Paramount Racing $5000
Anonymous $4725
Wegman Benefit Fund/Gordon Lunde Sr. $3850
Dynojet Research $3200
Steve Brubaker/Race Tire Service $3000
Willow Springs Int’l Raceway $3000
Patrick Roskam/HangingOff.com $3000
John Ulrich/Roadracing World $2900
Aprilia USA $2900
American Suzuki Motor Corp. $2900
Ducati North America $2900
Jonathan Glaefke $2900
Susie and Bruce Meyers/BCM Racing Ducati $2900
Performance Machine $2900
Dunlop Motorcycle Tire Co. $2900
Max McAllister/Traxxion Dynamics $2900
Tom Chauncey/Team Wreckless $2900
Wendell Phillips/Lockhart Phillips $2500
Advanced Motor Sports/In Memory of Dirk Piz $2000
L.A. Bikers/labiker.org $1810
Dennis Smith/Sport Tire Services $1500
Marc Salvisberg/Factory Pro Tuning $1450
Bob Dragich/Roadracing World $1450
Fred Renz/Yoyodyne $1450
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing $1450
Lucky Deleoni $1300
Bob Blandford/N.E. Sportbike Assn. $1100
Chuck Warren/Arclight Suzuki $1000
Jim Rashid/4&6 Cycle $1000
Scott Willock/In Memory of Larry Schwarzbach $1000
Don Emde/In Memory of Cal Rayborn $1000
Jason Pridmore’s Star Motorcycle School $1000
Mark E. Dobeck/Techlusion Performance Group $1000
G.M.D. Computrack Network $1000
California Superbike School $1000
Tachyon Racing/Tachyon Sports Injury Research Foundation $1000
Team Pro-Motion Sportbike Club $1000
Anthony and Aaron Gobert $1000
Andrew M. Cross $1000
Andy Kettle/Honda of Milpitas $1000
Lindemann Engineering $1000
Linda, John & Susanne Hopkins/In Memory of Roy Hopkins $895
Intrepid Café Racers $775
Yoshimura Racing $750
Team Daemon Racing $600
Derek and Gordon King $600
CMRRA $537
Don Lemelin/Scuderia West $500
Kevin Erion/Erion Racing $500
Pinky’s Pizza of Walnut Creek $500
Doug Gonda $500
Jerry Wood/Penguin School $500
Mike Canfield/Chandelle Motorsports $500
Jim Davis/J6 Racing/In Memory of Dirk Piz $500
Brooks Gremmels/Shogun Motorsports $500
Jim Di Salvo/Alien Racing $500
Dale Kieffer/Racers Edge Performance $500
The Plummer Menapace Group $500
Reg Kitrelle $500
Specialty Sports Ltd/Teknic $500
Ronnie Lunsford/Northwest Honda $500
Bob Holcomb $500
Aaron Yates $500
James D. Randolph $500
OMRRA $500
Terry Knott $500
Shawn Higbee/Team KWS/Millenium Technologies $500
Harley Davidson of Reno $500
Walt Schaefer $500
Gary Christopher/American Honda $500
Full Spectrum Design $500
Anonymous $500
Indigo Sports $500
Ed Robinson/Robinson Partners $500
Bill St. John/Project Monza $400
Jerry Jirkovsky $330
Ice Holes $301
Richard Hood/Reptillian Racing $300
Edward S. Siccardi, Jr. $300
Dan Fischer/Copier1.com $300
David Finniff $300
Marietta Motorsports $300
Brendan Guy $300
Dean Scarpa $300
Anonymous $300
Kurtis Roberts $300
James Siddall/World Sports/Corbin Grand Prix $300
“Old Slo Gene Templet”/CMRA $300
Eric Kelcher/Blockworks $300
Zachry Lee $300
N.I.T.R.O. (Northern Illinois Touring and Riding Organization) $300
Martin Von Wyss $300
In Memory of Charles Wooldridge, Sr. $300
James Lickwar $290
Scott Fisher/Fisher Technical Services $250
Chris Pyles & Beth Walters $250
Peter Hively $250
Brian Mitchell $250
Al Ludington $250
Tim Simpson $250
Spectrum Motorsports/VJB Racing $250
David Roy, Ducati N. America $250
Debbie Roy/Frenotec $250
Joshua Hayes $250
Gina Nadeau $250
Jeannne Pyles $250
John Ross/Ross Racing $250
Brian Cincera $250
C. Renard Fiscus $250
Bruce & Edith Lind $250
Andre Espaillat $250
Aramel Racing $250
WMRRA $250
Bo Poulsen $250
Papa Thiam/WERA BBS $200
Bill Capshaw/ICE Motorsports $200
Scott Decker $200
Terry Embury $200
Jim “Dutch” MacKenzie/WERA BBS $200
Scott Jenkins/Desmoto-sport $200
Cliff Nobles $200
Jodie York/RPM Cycles Ventura/WSMC #11 $200
Mostro.org/Jeffrey Fillmore $200
Jeff Bowis $200
Rich & Lynda Alexander/In Memory of Dirk Piz $200
Nils Menten $200
Melissa Tomlinson/G-Man Racing $200
DP Enterprises $200
Jeffrey S. Stathes $200
RPM $200
Wayne Nielsen/sportbikeworld.com $200
Dennis Woods/Doppio Racing $200
Tom David $200
Sierra Sportbike Association $200
Terry McKeever $200
“Barnacle” Bill Burns $200
Roger Lyle/In Memory of Jimmy Adamo $200
MZ Scorpion Cup Racers $175
Chris Kelley/California Cycleworks $150
Robb Mc Elroy $150
Tim Chin/Team Bandit $150
Ed & Catherine Sorbo $150
Damon Buckmaster $150
Chris Hamilton/Grand Prix Direct $150
Marc Palazzo/Synergy Racing Honda $150
Texas Sport Bike Association $260
Stuart Stratton/Stratton Racing $150
Hewitt & Prout Attorneys at Law $150
Jim Williams/13x.com $125
David Boosales/WERA BBS $125
Mike Brown/Team 222 $125
Pete Martins $125
Road Atlanta Crash Truck Crews $111
Chris Normand/Firestorm Racing $101
Pat Stricker $100
Gary Rand/In Memory of Rusty Bradley $100
Michael Roberson/WERA BBS $100
Sean Jordan/WERA BBS $100
Army of Darkness $100
Stuart Gregg $100
Pinky’s Pizza/Lippman Racing $100
Bob Szoke $100
TyrSox $100
Ron West/Omzig Productions $100
Joe Facer $100
Preston Rash $100
Geoff Maloney/GP Tech $100
Melissa Berkoff/Neighbor Of The Beast $100
Caesar Gonzales/WERA BBS $100
Dorina Groves $100
Dorina Groves/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
Philip Rusin/RC51.net $100
Allen “Spence” Spencer $100
Matt Wadsworth $100
Dean N. De St. Croix $100
Tony Tugwell/TZ250.com $100
Bart Fuqua/Team LGC $100
Brian Stokes/Marietta Motorsports $100
Chris “Opie” Caylor/Marietta Motorsports $100
David McElvain/NEDoD $100
Ned “Peanut” Brown/NESBA/TPM $100
Vance Hacecky $100
Patrick Mee $100
Dave and Jason Parker $100
Paul Kingsburgh/RC45.net $100
Tom Drumm $100
David Brown $100
Steve Moonitz/Team Squid Pro Quo $100
Jake Swan $100
Chris Story $100
Chris Eklund $100
Randy Ball/WERA BBS $100
Mark Hellvig $100
Gary Schilling/On Time Racing/WERA BBS $100
Steve Sumner $100
Laura Granato/WERA BBS $100
Norm Viano/Lawdog Sports Mgmt $100
Kevin Jordan/Jordan Motorsports $100
Val Gregory/In Memory of Dirk Piz $100
Dave Gess $100
Rob Berlind $100
Paul Black $100
Steve Hewitt $100
Mike Ciccotto $100
Tripp Nobles $100
Scott Rehl $100
Steve & Lorraine Aledort $100
Jeff Rozycki/29dreams.com Racing $100
Chris Ulrich/In Memory of Russ Paulk And Toby Jorgensen $100
Giorgio Milesi/Galfer Brakes USA $100
Al Lyons/CMRRA $100
Linda Hopkins $100
John Hopkins/In Memory of Jamie Bowman and Toby Jorgensen $100
Vicky&Michael Menard $100
Silvia Salenius/Ducati.net Online $100
HG Racing/AMA Pro Thunder $100
Red Fox Racing $100
Greg Ruffin $100
John Donald/PTC Racing $100
Larry Pegram $100
Pamela Skaff/WERA BBS $100
J.D. Hord/Meccanica Corse Racing $100
Mark Sutton $100
Steve Scott/LRRS#47 $100
Eric Putter $100
Jim Doerfler $100
Ira Englebardt $100
Joe & Nancy Fenech $100
Earl Hayden $100
Chuck Sorensen $100
D&D Thrush Farms $100
Jeff Wilson/American Suzuki $100
Adam Vella/Webcrush Racing $100
Chuck Gault/Motobama $100
Gary Longren $100
Stephan Hottenrott $100
David Kunzelman $100
C.R. “Critter” Gittere/WERA BBS $100
John Light/Lightsmith Racing $100
Ken & Arlene Block (Ed Sorbo’s Mom) $100
Chris Link/CMRA/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
Josh Steinberg $100
Broad Squad/CCS NE $100
Logan Young $100
Bob & Sherrie Young $100
Ann Sands $100
Troy Green/www.TG-Racing.com $100
Colin Fowler $100
Asphalt & Gas $100
CelentoHenn Architecture + Design $100
Norm Mc Donald/CMRA $100
Andrew S. Mueller/WERA BBS $100
Mary Miskovic $100
Mark Van Hoff/The Plastic Doctor/WERA BBS $100
Anonymous $100
Mauro Cereda/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
James B. Norwood/Bad Iguana Racing $100
Bakersfield Yamaha $100
Matt Gerard/In Memory of Gordy Lunde Jr. $100
MMCZYK/Concerned Fan $100
Kendall Davis/WERA #326 $100
Jerry Daggett $100
Miller’s Modern Garage $100
TFS Racing $100
Sabrina Phillips 100
Jane Phillips $100
Twin Cities Yamaha $100
Fernando Peris $100
Louis Gagne $100
Peter Christensen & Stasia Moore $100
Paul D. Harrell $100
Manny Otmane/Team Hooters $100
Rich Desmond/WERA BBS $100
Larry Lawrence $100
Tony Iannarelli $100
Marcel Fortney $100
Tim Fowler $100
Dennis Hurst/Deken Power $100
Tommy Bright/Logistics & Information $100
John F. Penrose $100
Russ & Lisa Dancho $100
Leonard Lloyd $100
Blake/www.BadWeatherBikers.com $100
Loren Chun, $100
Joe & Pam Axberg $100
Paul Sedillo $100
Robert C. Vester $100
Berde Brothers Racing $100
Ted Johnson/ Last Chance Racing $100
Larry Spektor/In Memory of Toby Jorgenson $80
Tyson Kamp $75
Vito Dionisio/WERA BBS $75
R.J. McLeod $60
George Gervasi/Projekt9 Racing $60
Christopher Gosch $60
Kelly Thornton $58
Erica B. Smith & John F.X. Walsh $55
Stephen Bauman $55
Max Buxton/NEDoD $50
Nelo Hakola $50
Tyler Sandell $ 50
David J. Kopfinger $ 50
Aaron Loyd $50
Martin Voelker $50
Steve Hopkins $50
Louis DeBlois $50
Leigh Taunton/EMGO $50
Randy Sinisi $50
Danny Hull $50
Team Skidmark Racing $50
Ryan Meskimen/WERA BBS $50
Erik Astrup $50
Paul Zavada $50
James Greeson/WERA BBS $50
Victor Mokler $50
Steve Clark/J. Guthridge/Tight Squeeze Racing $50
Nate Olsen $50
Anthony Moey $50
Dustin Miller $50
Jim Frost/NEDoD $50
Steve Martinez $50
Jason Temme/Serpent Racing $50
Mike Hodgson/WERA BBS $50
Chris Borre/Motorcycleroadracer.com $50
Richard Barker/AIM/In Memory of Dirk Piz $50
Mike Reish/Reish Dot Net $50
Kenyon Kluge/K2 Racing $50
Darin Nichols/Team Unit $50
Richard Davis $50
Allen Lyon/Ducati.net Online $50
Eric H. Mathy $50
Steve Breckenridge $50
Jim Race/Speaksy Racing $50
James Aragon $50
James Hayton/Kochenbaulz Racing/WERA BBS $50
Anthony D’Augusta $50
Norm Brown $50
Isaac Ward $50
Jason K. Michelson $50
Qi Guo/WERA BBS $50
Schaefer Brothers Racing $50
Tommy Lancaster/Tommy Built Fireplaces $50
James Gaal $50
Rod Mahr/Follow the Helmet Racing $50
Charles Brothers/CMRA $50
Francisco Prats $50
Keith Mc Cammon $50
Rick Haskins $50
Larry, Janice & Jimmy /Moto Liberty $50
Friends & Family/Firestorm Racing $50
Akos Feher $50
Brian Cox/CMRA#318 $50
Greg Gorman $50
James E. Schaefer $50
Kevin Hanson $50
Nick Tulloh/In Memory of Jimmy Adamo $50
Robin Clark, $50
Carl Liebold, $50
Peter Young, $50
John Walsh $50
John Caudle/Thanks to Grigg Racing $50
Mark Anzalone $50
David Yesman $40
Rod Klebsch $40
Mark Crane, $40
Don Moody $35
Brent Kilgore/Clark Kilgore/Kevin Bridges/Slow To Heal Racing $35
Andy & Kate Kupfer, $35
Lindsey Leard $30
Dave Deggendorf/WERA BBS $30
Steve Sturm/Squidvision Racing $30
Bob Elam $30
The Heidepriems/WERA BBS $30
Kimberly Scheffel/rider/race fan/pit keeper $30
Bryan Norton $30
Scott D. Cortese $30
Stephen Warburton/Ducati Online $30
John Scherer $30
Charles Lederer $30
Greg Gabis $29
Ripley Howe $29
Mark Hatten/Meccanica Corse Racing $29
Ted Angle $25
Susanne Hopkins $25
Nolan Ballew $25
Josh Loberant $25
Charles Tomes $25
Jon DeMent $25
Timothy Wilson $25
Mark Novak $25
Rene Ferron $25
Sean Patrick Brisini $25
Richard Korol $25
Eric and Christine Loranger $25
Dee Moses $25
Kyle Kirschenmann/Bayou Riders of Louisiana $25
Marc Asmus $25
Mike Henry $25
Henry Hallmark $25
Ronnie Reyes/CMRA $25
Kathleen Mc Laughlin $25
John Jancoski $25
John C. Pfeiffer $25
Bernis B. Conatser $25
Tony Day $25
Harlan Weishahn $25
Chad Littrell $25
David Osser $25
Margaret Corra $25
Kerry Lynn Hanley $25
T. Kershaw, $25
Allan Karman, $25
Anonymous $25
Peter Gallant $25
S.C. Pittman $20
Jamieson D. Yonker $20
Garret Swearingen $20
Darrin Zumbaum $20
Andy Lenz/CMRRA $20
Dave Harrison $20
Jeff Harrison $20
Sled/Cross $20
David L. Osser $20
Irwin Arnstein/CMRA $10
Frank Shacklee/CMRA $10
John & Arlene Gerard/In Memory of Gordy Lunde Jr. $10
Becky Rechek, $10
Lee D’Amico $10
Johnny Newell, $10
Anonymous $10
Jan Steven/Carpet Dog $5
Anonymous $5
Joe Knight $5
Erik Schmitt/CMRA $1

To pledge a contribution, call Roadracing World at (800) 464-8336 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, when operators will be standing by. Credit cards accepted. Pledges can also be made by e-mailing [email protected]. Make checks payable to Roadracing World, and mail to P.O. Box 1428, Lake Elsinore CA 92531. Money raised will be used for buying Air Module/Air Fence sections, as well as for deployment expenses and for shipping, tax and import duties.

People and companies that pledged but have not paid the pledge:
D&D Thrush Farm, $100
Mike Brown, $125
Jim Frost, NEDod, $50
Brent/Clark Kilgore, $35
Paul Kingsburgh/RC45.net, $100
Max McAllister/Traxxion Dynamics, $2900
MZ Scorpion, $75
Steve Sturm/Squidvision Racing, $30

Nicky Hayden To Have Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

American Honda’s 20-year-old Nicky Hayden said on Friday, August 10 that he would most likely have post-season surgery to fix a numbing problem in his right hand caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Speaking via cell phone from a photo shoot at a Honda test facility in the desert near Mojave, California, Hayden said, “My hand has kind of been going tingly on me. As practice wears on or the race, my pointer and my middle finger and thumb are going numb on me. So they (physicians at Dr. Arthur Ting’s office) did a test, and I have Carpal Tunnel in my wrist. I guess it’s real common for racers to get it from all of the abuse the wrist takes. That’s been bothering me lately. It bothers me worse at some tracks and not so much at others.”

Hayden did not seem worried about the surgery; he’s discussed it with former World Champions Kevin Schwantz and Freddie Spencer, who both have had the same procedure done. Schwantz has actually had Carpel Tunnel Surgery on each wrist…twice.

Hayden also mentioned that his left wrist still isn’t 100% following surgery to screw the scaphoid bone back together in March. Hayden said he planned to get an MRI at the end of the season to “check things out.”

Meanwhile, Hayden continued to endure two days of the part of a factory rider’s job that isn’t exactly glamorous. Outside still and video photography are dependent on natural light, and the best light is just after dawn and just before dusk, the result being that photo shoots involve extremely long hours. “My wake-up call this morning was 3:45 a.m.,” said Hayden. “We met in the hotel lobby at 4:15. We didn’t back to the hotel last night until almost 9:00 p.m.”

The location of the photo shoot doesn’t ease matters as the daytime temperatures can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in the Mojave desert. And as for the security at Honda’s top-secret test facility, “I think I could get into Fort Knox easier than it is to get into this place,” said Hayden.

What Happened To That CCS Race At Road Atlanta?

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The sign in front of Road Atlanta read “NO CCS EVENT” on Friday, August 10 with good reason–a race date originally appearing on the CCS schedule was never reserved at the Braselton, Georgia track.

According to Road Atlanta spokesperson Dave Levi, a race appearing on the CCS schedule for August 11-12 at Road Atlanta was a “publisher’s error”.

“We didn’t write it. Somebody wrote that saying that we were gonna have a race, but we never said that we were going to,” explained Levi before confirming that CCS made the mistake. Levi also said that a Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School is confirmed for the track this weekend, August 11-12.

Reached via telephone in his Fort Worth, Texas office, CCS National Road Race Manager Kevin Elliott said, “The first I learned of it was February 1st while I was in California at the first CCS race at the Streets of Willow. Our booking department called to say that we didn’t have a date at Road Atlanta. Usually what happens is that when you have a date with a track, they hold that date for you for the following year. I guess they (Road Atlanta) were unhappy with our spectator turn out, but we (CCS) told them that we were not really a spectator series. We’re real disappointed that the track didn’t even call to tell us that they were unhappy with the spectator turn out. We had to call them to find that out.”

Elliott said that the August 11-12 weekend was originally given to a vintage car racing group, but later scheduled to hold a Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School.

“I’m also disappointed that they didn’t offer the track to us when the vintage car deal fell through. It’s not like Schwantz’s school is a spectator event,” added Elliott. “We’re looking at having two events at Road Atlanta in 2002 with hopefully one of them a Formula USA National Road Race event.”

Hudson Valley Ride For Kids Raises $156,319

From a press release:

The 10-annual Hudson Valley Ride For Kids raised $156,319 Sunday, August 5 in upstate New York to go toward research to find the cause and cure of pediatric brain tumors. Hundreds of motorcyclists enjoyed a police-escorted ride from Harriman State Park to Piermont, New York. In Piermont, the group joined in a “Celebration of Life” where past and current brain tumor victims and survivors told success stories and expressed their appreciation.

The top fund-raising dealership was Prestige Harley-Davidson with $9771 donated. GWRRA NY-S got the top honors for donations by a club at $62,393. Ed and Brigitte Pugliese were the top individual fund raisers with $44,740.

The next Ride for Kids event will be August 19, 2001 in N. Oxford, MA. For additional information, contact the Ride for Kids at 800-253-6530 or visit www.ride4kids.org or www.pbtfus.org.


Suzuki GSX-R1000s Fill Top Six Grid Spots For Oschersleben 24-hour


With an average time of 1:31.801 on a Suzuki GSX-R1000, GMT94’s Christophe Guyot, Sebastien Scarnato and Nicolas Dussauge earned the pole position for the 24-hour Endurance World Championship race at the Motopark Oschersleben in Germany on Friday.

Unfortunately, Dussauge, GMT94’s fastest rider, was seriously injured during the qualifying session and will not participate in the race, the penultimate round of the series. GMT94’s reserve rider, Phillippe Dobe, will ride in Dussauge’s place.

Zong Shen’s three riders turned an average lap time of 1:31.916 on a Suzuki GSX-R1000 for second on the grid. Schafer-MO-Devil Racing Team’s three riders, on another Suzuki GSX-R1000, averaged 1:31.992, third on the grid. France’s Castrol Suzuki team earned the fourth spot on the grid with an average time of 1:32.094.

Zong Shen’s second team qualified fifth with an average time of 1:32.293 on another GSX-R1000.

Reigning Endurance World Champions Whirley Phase One recorded an average lap time of 1:32.952 on a Suzuki GSX-R1000.

The top five qualifying positions, all taken by SuperProduction-class Suzuki GSX-R1000s, were separated by a mere 0.4-second.

The fastest Superbike qualifier is the current World Championship points leader, Wim Motors, on a Honda RC51 with an average time of 1:32.976.

Americans Michael Barnes and John Jacobi, along with Herman Verboven Suzuki teammate Jeff Vermeulen, qualified as the second fastest Superbike entry, 10th overall, with a 1:33.694 on a GSX-R750.

The fastest-qualifying StockSport team is Team KFM Motorrader in 12th overall with an average time of 1:34.323 on a Yamaha YZF-R1. World Endurance StockSport regular, Police Nationale, was second-fastest in the class and 14th overall at 1:34.742 on a Kawasaki ZX-9R.

Maxim Experience, 13th overall, led the Open Class in qualifying with a 1:34.366 on an MV Agusta F4.

There are 54 teams qualified for the race with a strong local turnout.

It is possible that Wim Motors could clinch the Endurance World Championship this weekend. Only Superbike class entries race for the FIM Endurance World Championship. SuperProduction Class teams race for the Endurance World Cup.



G.M.D. To Appear At Texas World August 17-19

From a press release issued by RPM, the WERA affiliate based in Texas:

RPM has confirmed that G.M.D. Computrack Atlanta will be supporting the RPM/WERA Texas World Speedway Round 6 weekend August 17-19 and open to service your motorcycle.

You can email G.M.D. at [email protected] for appointments. For more information go to www.gmdcomputrack.com

Ducati Donne Day To Give Women Racers Chance To Ride 996SPS

From a Ducati press release:

Ducati Donne to break the mold for women

Ducati is out to destroy the misconception that woman don’t ride motorcycles. Women ride, they ride often and they ride well. They have a long history in motorcycling and, in this new millennium, a stronger place in the sport than ever. We at Ducati aim to show the world just how far women have come in what many people still regard as a male pastime and we hope to help pave the way for more women wanting to take a more competitive interest in motorcycling.

Ducati North America is proud to announce the inclusion of a women’s-only race school, Ducati Donne (“Ducati Women”), at Ducati Revs America in Las Vegas this October. It is being organized by Ducati and marshalled by Ducati World Superbike stars Ben Bostrom and Troy Bayliss, with a brief talk by former World Motorcycle Champion Freddie Spencer. Ducati have set aside 15 of their limited edition 996SPS hypersport motorcycles for the school. Probably no other race school in history has had such an exclusive array of machinery and personnel.

Run on Saturday, October 27, at Las Vegas Speedway, the two-hour program is designed for women who race, or plan to race, and will feature track time on the Vegas short circuit, a condensed training lecture by Freddie Spencer, and a technical workshop on racebike set-up hosted by motojournalist and racer Nick Ienatsch.

There are only 30 places available for the Saturday session and discussions are already underway on whether to double the number of places available by extending the program to two days.

Ducati is serious about females in motorcycle sport, and through Ducati Donne they hope to not only broaden the minds of many motorcyclists, but smooth the path for more women to pursue professional racing careers.

If you are interested in Ducati Donne please contact Wendy Hogg on (262) 573-4256 or by e-mail at [email protected]. We want to stress that this program is designed for women who aim to race and, as there are only limited spaces available, we hope that all applicants have this in mind.

Ride For Kids Collects Two More Records And $185,000

In two separate Ride For Kids events, $185,984 was raised to help support the continued research to find the cause and cure for pediatric brain tumors.

Participants in the July 22 Minnesota Ride For Kids braved rainstorms on a 45-mile, police-escorted ride from the Minnesota State Capital to Century College in White Bear Lake, Minnesota to raise a record $64,184. The top fund-raising individual was Dee Rasmussen with $5795. The best club fund raisers were members of the Southern Chapter of the Minnesota Wings at $9085. Moon Motors was the largest dealership fund-raiser with $16,406. Rasmussen also won the drawing for a new Honda motorcycle.

The Ohio Ride For Kids was held in conjunction with the Honda Homecoming July 28 at Honda’s Marysville, Ohio manufacturing facility. The combined event brought 500 participants and raised a new record total of $121,800. The top fund-raising club was the Marysville GWRRA Chapter D3 with $16,094. The Top fund-raising dealer was Competition Accessories with $6335. The top individual fund raiser was Richard Silva with $12,005. Silva, the father of a brain tumor victim who passed away seven years earlier, also won the drawing for a brand new Honda motorcycle.

Ride for Kids events are held across the USA to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the US (PBTFUS). For more information about the Ride for Kids and the programs of PBTFUS, call 800-253-6530 or visit the websites at www.ride4kids.org or www.pbtfus.org. The Ride For Kids is the official Charity of the Honda Riders Club of America.

Memo To Readers: Don’t Leave This Type Of Stuff In Your Truck In A Motel Parking Lot

This Just In:

“Stolen: WERA racer and MotorcycleWorld.com VP Lee Parks had his Ford Pickup Truck broken into on Friday August 3. Parked at the Knights Inn in Charles Town, West Virginia, over $15,000 worth of items were taken. They included a red Craftsman toolbox full of professional-quality tools, a gray and yellow Dell Inspiron laptop and a Canon G1 digital camera. His riding gear was also taken which included a white Arai RX-7RR helmet, Alpinestars boots and a custom set of yellow and black Z Custom leathers with the name ‘Lee’ on the front and a yin/yang sign on both sides. If you have any information on the wearabouts of any of this gear, please contact him at 330-715-3943 or send an e-mail to [email protected].”

Next Round Of Improvements Starts At Sears Point Raceway

From a press release issued by Sears Point Raceway:

Sears Point Raceway Kicks Off Second Phase of Modernization Plan

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – Sears Point Raceway has begun phase two of its $35 million Modernization Plan as huge Caterpillar machinery has, once again, taken over the road course and drag strip.

Phase two officially kicked off on Sunday, August 5, at the conclusion of the NHRA FRAM Autolite Nationals when drag racers John Force and Gary Scelzi ripped up portions of the drag strip while piloting Caterpillar bulldozers.

The ripping of the drag strip was a premonition as the second phase will focus heavily on both the road course and drag strip. Phase one, conversely, was centered on infrastructure, traffic access and circulation and environmental mitigation. The bulk of the track improvements and spectator amenities is expected to be complete by the NASCAR Winston Cup event in June, 2002.

“It has been interesting and somewhat challenging to stage our 2001 event season in the midst of a major remodel, but our staff has done a spectacular job making it all work. Now it’s time to move back into our construction mode,” said Steve Page, President and General Manager of Sears Point Raceway.

Phase two of the $35 million Modernization Plan will feature the following elements:

· Construction of 30,000 hillside terrace seats alongside Turns 7-9, bringing the total to 64,000 hillside terrace seats.

· Construction of a go-kart track on the south side of the property.

· Construction of a 10,000 seat permanent grandstand at Turn 7.

· Construction of a 15,000 seat permanent grandstand along the west side of start/finish line, bringing the total to 25,000 permanent grandstand seats. Twenty-two suites will be built along the top of the grandstands.

· Creation of a 660-foot concrete launching pad for drag racing and separation of the road course from the drag strip. Construction of drag strip return road.

· Increased run-off on the road course at Turns 8, 8a, 9 and 10.

· Enlargement of pit road to accommodate a 43-car starting grid for road-race events.

· Repaving of the road course and drag strip. The width of the road course will also increase from 40 to 50 feet.

· Expansion of paddock by more than 70 percent.

· Pedestrian tunnels under start/finish line and Turn 10.

· Remodeling Trackside Tower, Media Center and Driver’s Lounge.

The official groundbreaking ceremonies for the project took place in September, 2000, and since then, more than 5,000,000 cubic yards of dirt have been moved. The two-phase plan will give fans a state-of-the-art facility that provides all of the amenities seen at today’s modern sports venues.

Phase one, which was completed over the summer, featured the construction of 34,000 hillside terrace seats above Turns 2-4; construction of shuttle and shade shelters; permanent garages (40) for teams; dramatically expanded entrance and access roads to reduce traffic congestion around the raceway; a new entrance for fans at Gate 7 alongside Highway 121; and increased run-off on the road course at turns 1, 2, 3, 3a, 4, 6 and 7, among other things.

“We had hoped for a good response from fans who tried the new terrace seating this season. As it turned out, the reaction has been enthusiastic beyond anything we could have expected,” Page said. “The seats are roomy, comfortable and the views are breathtaking. We can’t wait to complete the terraces on the east side of the track.”

The specific improvements to the road course in phase two will give competitors a state-of-the-art surface, featuring a wider track, more run-off for safety and a repaved circuit. The improved drag strip, with a 660-foot concrete launch pad and re-paved surface, will also make Sears Point Raceway one of the top venues on the NHRA circuit.

“It’s great to be part of Bruton Smith’s master plan for this track,” said John Force, 10-time NHRA Winston Funny Car champion. “You can bet this will be a super track once they’re through with it. I can’t wait to get out here next year.”

Fans will also enjoy the tunnel under the start/finish line, which will expedite pedestrian traffic flow around the property, as well as the 30,000 hillside terrace seats, which will be built along Turns 7-9. The first hillside terrace seats were utilized during the 2001 main-event season above Turns 2-4 and were a huge success among fans. The same is expected for the seats above Turns 7-9.


Sears Point Raceway is owned by Speedway Motorsports Inc (NYSE: TRK)., a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. SMI also owns and operates the following premiere facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. SMI also provides food, beverage and souvenir merchandising services through its Finish Line Events subsidiary, and manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars through its 600 Racing subsidiary.

20 Sections Of Air Fence Will Be Available For F-USA/CCS And For WERA GNF/Suzuki Cup Finals

Professional and amateur racers alike will benefit from a new deal that will see 20 sections (about 560 linear feet) of Alpina Air Module available for F-USA races at Pocono, Portland and Daytona as well as for CCS ROC action at Daytona and WERA GNF/Suzuki Cup Finals action at Road Atlanta.

Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. has reached an agreement with Alpina Safety Systems to fly in 20 rental sections of Air Module in return for cash and advertising space. The deal will allow more sections of Air Module to be available for F-USA, CCS, WERA and Suzuki Cup racers than would have been possible by simply buying sections, especially since collections are still running behind pledges to the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund.

Alpina is providing air transportation from Austria as well as use, deployment and maintenance of the Air Modules, under the direction of Dan Lance, as part of the deal.

Formula USA Director Of Road Racing Bill Syfan and WERA President Evelyne Clarke have both agreed to deployment of the sections of Air Module at their events, including the Pocono, Portland and Daytona F-USA/CCS races and the WERA GNF/Suzuki Cup Finals at Road Atlanta. Both organizations have also agreed to help defray ground transportation costs for the Air Modules.

“We really appreciate all the efforts of John Ulrich and Roadracingworld.com to bring Air Fence to Road Atlanta for the WERA GNF and the Suzuki Cup Finals,” said Jeff Wilson of the Suzuki Sports Promotion Department, which oversees the Suzuki Cup program. “The effort made–in addition to helping with the Air Fence at the AMA Nationals–to help out the club racers and other sanctioning bodies like WERA and Formula USA, is really appreciated.”

So far, $145,026 has been pledged to the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund, with $140,361 actually collected and $4665 outstanding. So far, $104,104 has been distributed to AMA Pro Racing for the purchase, maintenance and deployment of portable Air Fence/Air Module, with another $11,000 going toward non-portable Air Fence Bike now in use at Texas World Speedway for events sanctioned by CMRA/CCS and RPM/WERA.

Another $30,000 has been earmarked for buying modules for F-USA use but the purchase and delivery has been delayed by the lag in collections. A list of people and companies that pledged money but have not actually paid appears at the end of this post.

The new deal with Alpina will provide professional and amateur racers with Air Module protection in the short term, while more funds are generated and collected for the purchase of Air Module/Air Fence for long-term use. The deal will also demonstrate the financial viability of Air Module/Air Fence rental and/or purchase compared to haybale purchase by race promoters and sanctioning bodies.

The latest contributors to the Air Fence Fund include Bo Poulsen at $250, Roger Lyle/In Memory of Jimmy Adamo at $200, Berde Brothers Racing at $100, Ted Johnson/ Last Chance Racing at $100, Mark Anzalone at $50, Charles Lederer at $30, Peter Gallant at $25 and Anonymous at $10.

With his contribution, Roger Lyle wrote, “Thank you for spearheading this project. Enclosed you will find a check from me for Air Fence at the Formula USA and CCS races. Keep up the great reporting of what happens at the races. For those of us who cannot be at all the races, Roadracing World keeps us informed and educated. Knowledge is power. Race on! My contribution to the Air Fence project is made in the memory of Jimmy Adamo, and all my friends and heroes who have lost their lives after hitting a wall at the racetrack. Your friend, on and off the track, Roger Lyle.”

Bo Poulsen wrote: “Saved by the…..Fence. I sat a little distance up the hill above turn 4 at this year’s fabulous SBK2001 (at Laguna Seca), as the races were about to begin. The music and the pre-race speculative chat cleared out and some man of the clergy got on the P.A. system and blessed the riders and the track. I sat through this with a whimsical smile, as I usually do when heavenly powers are called upon to preside over these hell-bent-for-leather events. I am not a religious person, as you may glean. The theorems of Sir Isaac Newton appeared to be firmly documented among racers and spectators alike, judging by the many casts, scars, irregular gaits, crutches, etc., and I have a few of my own. Now the national anthem was sung in the ubiquitous, quivering soprano of some erstwhile diva. I shot to my feet and removed my hat like everybody else, save for the occasional stray Libyan or Iraqi. We all have our favorites and our pet peeves. Is this a great country, or what?
“It was then that I thought about your great project, the Air Fence fund. What a totally non-controversial issue, one that nobody could conceivably object to, except for a few AMA officials who huffed and puffed a bit when you made it happen, miraculously, just before they were about to take action on the issue. Must have been E.S.P. Anyway, I wanted to personally thank you for providing the initial thrust that has made it happen. Aaron Yates didn’t fly far enough to be saved by an Air Fence at Laguna, but your efforts may well have saved him at Sears Point’s turn 10. Greater yet, many amateur racers who are not of Yates’ caliber, in terms of riding ability, physical fitness to weather a hard crash, or having the very best, top-shelf riding gear, stand to gain even more from this implementation in years to come.
” Please accept my contribution to the fund. Could you spare a column from time to time to show how much is needed vs. how much has been raised?”

The list of contributors now reads:

Erik Buell/Buell Motorcycle Company $5800
Trent Thompson/Paramount Racing $5000
Anonymous $4725
Wegman Benefit Fund/Gordon Lunde Sr. $3850
Dynojet Research $3200
Steve Brubaker/Race Tire Service $3000
Willow Springs Int’l Raceway $3000
Patrick Roskam/HangingOff.com $3000
John Ulrich/Roadracing World $2900
Aprilia USA $2900
American Suzuki Motor Corp. $2900
Ducati North America $2900
Jonathan Glaefke $2900
Susie and Bruce Meyers/BCM Racing Ducati $2900
Performance Machine $2900
Dunlop Motorcycle Tire Co. $2900
Max McAllister/Traxxion Dynamics $2900
Tom Chauncey/Team Wreckless $2900
Wendell Phillips/Lockhart Phillips $2500
Advanced Motor Sports/In Memory of Dirk Piz $2000
L.A. Bikers/labiker.org $1810
Dennis Smith/Sport Tire Services $1500
Marc Salvisberg/Factory Pro Tuning $1450
Bob Dragich/Roadracing World $1450
Fred Renz/Yoyodyne $1450
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing $1450
Lucky Deleoni $1300
Bob Blandford/N.E. Sportbike Assn. $1100
Chuck Warren/Arclight Suzuki $1000
Jim Rashid/4&6 Cycle $1000
Scott Willock/In Memory of Larry Schwarzbach $1000
Don Emde/In Memory of Cal Rayborn $1000
Jason Pridmore’s Star Motorcycle School $1000
Mark E. Dobeck/Techlusion Performance Group $1000
G.M.D. Computrack Network $1000
California Superbike School $1000
Tachyon Racing/Tachyon Sports Injury Research Foundation $1000
Team Pro-Motion Sportbike Club $1000
Anthony and Aaron Gobert $1000
Andrew M. Cross $1000
Andy Kettle/Honda of Milpitas $1000
Lindemann Engineering $1000
Linda, John & Susanne Hopkins/In Memory of Roy Hopkins $895
Intrepid Café Racers $775
Yoshimura Racing $750
Team Daemon Racing $600
Derek and Gordon King $600
CMRRA $537
Don Lemelin/Scuderia West $500
Kevin Erion/Erion Racing $500
Pinky’s Pizza of Walnut Creek $500
Doug Gonda $500
Jerry Wood/Penguin School $500
Mike Canfield/Chandelle Motorsports $500
Jim Davis/J6 Racing/In Memory of Dirk Piz $500
Brooks Gremmels/Shogun Motorsports $500
Jim Di Salvo/Alien Racing $500
Dale Kieffer/Racers Edge Performance $500
The Plummer Menapace Group $500
Reg Kitrelle $500
Specialty Sports Ltd/Teknic $500
Ronnie Lunsford/Northwest Honda $500
Bob Holcomb $500
Aaron Yates $500
James D. Randolph $500
OMRRA $500
Terry Knott $500
Shawn Higbee/Team KWS/Millenium Technologies $500
Harley Davidson of Reno $500
Walt Schaefer $500
Gary Christopher/American Honda $500
Full Spectrum Design $500
Anonymous $500
Indigo Sports $500
Ed Robinson/Robinson Partners $500
Bill St. John/Project Monza $400
Jerry Jirkovsky $330
Ice Holes $301
Richard Hood/Reptillian Racing $300
Edward S. Siccardi, Jr. $300
Dan Fischer/Copier1.com $300
David Finniff $300
Marietta Motorsports $300
Brendan Guy $300
Dean Scarpa $300
Anonymous $300
Kurtis Roberts $300
James Siddall/World Sports/Corbin Grand Prix $300
“Old Slo Gene Templet”/CMRA $300
Eric Kelcher/Blockworks $300
Zachry Lee $300
N.I.T.R.O. (Northern Illinois Touring and Riding Organization) $300
Martin Von Wyss $300
In Memory of Charles Wooldridge, Sr. $300
James Lickwar $290
Scott Fisher/Fisher Technical Services $250
Chris Pyles & Beth Walters $250
Peter Hively $250
Brian Mitchell $250
Al Ludington $250
Tim Simpson $250
Spectrum Motorsports/VJB Racing $250
David Roy, Ducati N. America $250
Debbie Roy/Frenotec $250
Joshua Hayes $250
Gina Nadeau $250
Jeannne Pyles $250
John Ross/Ross Racing $250
Brian Cincera $250
C. Renard Fiscus $250
Bruce & Edith Lind $250
Andre Espaillat $250
Aramel Racing $250
WMRRA $250
Bo Poulsen $250
Papa Thiam/WERA BBS $200
Bill Capshaw/ICE Motorsports $200
Scott Decker $200
Terry Embury $200
Jim “Dutch” MacKenzie/WERA BBS $200
Scott Jenkins/Desmoto-sport $200
Cliff Nobles $200
Jodie York/RPM Cycles Ventura/WSMC #11 $200
Mostro.org/Jeffrey Fillmore $200
Jeff Bowis $200
Rich & Lynda Alexander/In Memory of Dirk Piz $200
Nils Menten $200
Melissa Tomlinson/G-Man Racing $200
DP Enterprises $200
Jeffrey S. Stathes $200
RPM $200
Wayne Nielsen/sportbikeworld.com $200
Dennis Woods/Doppio Racing $200
Tom David $200
Sierra Sportbike Association $200
Terry McKeever $200
“Barnacle” Bill Burns $200
Roger Lyle/In Memory of Jimmy Adamo $200
MZ Scorpion Cup Racers $175
Chris Kelley/California Cycleworks $150
Robb Mc Elroy $150
Tim Chin/Team Bandit $150
Ed & Catherine Sorbo $150
Damon Buckmaster $150
Chris Hamilton/Grand Prix Direct $150
Marc Palazzo/Synergy Racing Honda $150
Texas Sport Bike Association $260
Stuart Stratton/Stratton Racing $150
Hewitt & Prout Attorneys at Law $150
Jim Williams/13x.com $125
David Boosales/WERA BBS $125
Mike Brown/Team 222 $125
Pete Martins $125
Road Atlanta Crash Truck Crews $111
Chris Normand/Firestorm Racing $101
Pat Stricker $100
Gary Rand/In Memory of Rusty Bradley $100
Michael Roberson/WERA BBS $100
Sean Jordan/WERA BBS $100
Army of Darkness $100
Stuart Gregg $100
Pinky’s Pizza/Lippman Racing $100
Bob Szoke $100
TyrSox $100
Ron West/Omzig Productions $100
Joe Facer $100
Preston Rash $100
Geoff Maloney/GP Tech $100
Melissa Berkoff/Neighbor Of The Beast $100
Caesar Gonzales/WERA BBS $100
Dorina Groves $100
Dorina Groves/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
Philip Rusin/RC51.net $100
Allen “Spence” Spencer $100
Matt Wadsworth $100
Dean N. De St. Croix $100
Tony Tugwell/TZ250.com $100
Bart Fuqua/Team LGC $100
Brian Stokes/Marietta Motorsports $100
Chris “Opie” Caylor/Marietta Motorsports $100
David McElvain/NEDoD $100
Ned “Peanut” Brown/NESBA/TPM $100
Vance Hacecky $100
Patrick Mee $100
Dave and Jason Parker $100
Paul Kingsburgh/RC45.net $100
Tom Drumm $100
David Brown $100
Steve Moonitz/Team Squid Pro Quo $100
Jake Swan $100
Chris Story $100
Chris Eklund $100
Randy Ball/WERA BBS $100
Mark Hellvig $100
Gary Schilling/On Time Racing/WERA BBS $100
Steve Sumner $100
Laura Granato/WERA BBS $100
Norm Viano/Lawdog Sports Mgmt $100
Kevin Jordan/Jordan Motorsports $100
Val Gregory/In Memory of Dirk Piz $100
Dave Gess $100
Rob Berlind $100
Paul Black $100
Steve Hewitt $100
Mike Ciccotto $100
Tripp Nobles $100
Scott Rehl $100
Steve & Lorraine Aledort $100
Jeff Rozycki/29dreams.com Racing $100
Chris Ulrich/In Memory of Russ Paulk And Toby Jorgensen $100
Giorgio Milesi/Galfer Brakes USA $100
Al Lyons/CMRRA $100
Linda Hopkins $100
John Hopkins/In Memory of Jamie Bowman and Toby Jorgensen $100
Vicky&Michael Menard $100
Silvia Salenius/Ducati.net Online $100
HG Racing/AMA Pro Thunder $100
Red Fox Racing $100
Greg Ruffin $100
John Donald/PTC Racing $100
Larry Pegram $100
Pamela Skaff/WERA BBS $100
J.D. Hord/Meccanica Corse Racing $100
Mark Sutton $100
Steve Scott/LRRS#47 $100
Eric Putter $100
Jim Doerfler $100
Ira Englebardt $100
Joe & Nancy Fenech $100
Earl Hayden $100
Chuck Sorensen $100
D&D Thrush Farms $100
Jeff Wilson/American Suzuki $100
Adam Vella/Webcrush Racing $100
Chuck Gault/Motobama $100
Gary Longren $100
Stephan Hottenrott $100
David Kunzelman $100
C.R. “Critter” Gittere/WERA BBS $100
John Light/Lightsmith Racing $100
Ken & Arlene Block (Ed Sorbo’s Mom) $100
Chris Link/CMRA/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
Josh Steinberg $100
Broad Squad/CCS NE $100
Logan Young $100
Bob & Sherrie Young $100
Ann Sands $100
Troy Green/www.TG-Racing.com $100
Colin Fowler $100
Asphalt & Gas $100
CelentoHenn Architecture + Design $100
Norm Mc Donald/CMRA $100
Andrew S. Mueller/WERA BBS $100
Mary Miskovic $100
Mark Van Hoff/The Plastic Doctor/WERA BBS $100
Anonymous $100
Mauro Cereda/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
James B. Norwood/Bad Iguana Racing $100
Bakersfield Yamaha $100
Matt Gerard/In Memory of Gordy Lunde Jr. $100
MMCZYK/Concerned Fan $100
Kendall Davis/WERA #326 $100
Jerry Daggett $100
Miller’s Modern Garage $100
TFS Racing $100
Sabrina Phillips 100
Jane Phillips $100
Twin Cities Yamaha $100
Fernando Peris $100
Louis Gagne $100
Peter Christensen & Stasia Moore $100
Paul D. Harrell $100
Manny Otmane/Team Hooters $100
Rich Desmond/WERA BBS $100
Larry Lawrence $100
Tony Iannarelli $100
Marcel Fortney $100
Tim Fowler $100
Dennis Hurst/Deken Power $100
Tommy Bright/Logistics & Information $100
John F. Penrose $100
Russ & Lisa Dancho $100
Leonard Lloyd $100
Blake/www.BadWeatherBikers.com $100
Loren Chun, $100
Joe & Pam Axberg $100
Paul Sedillo $100
Robert C. Vester $100
Berde Brothers Racing $100
Ted Johnson/ Last Chance Racing $100
Larry Spektor/In Memory of Toby Jorgenson $80
Tyson Kamp $75
Vito Dionisio/WERA BBS $75
R.J. McLeod $60
George Gervasi/Projekt9 Racing $60
Christopher Gosch $60
Kelly Thornton $58
Erica B. Smith & John F.X. Walsh $55
Stephen Bauman $55
Max Buxton/NEDoD $50
Nelo Hakola $50
Tyler Sandell $ 50
David J. Kopfinger $ 50
Aaron Loyd $50
Martin Voelker $50
Steve Hopkins $50
Louis DeBlois $50
Leigh Taunton/EMGO $50
Randy Sinisi $50
Danny Hull $50
Team Skidmark Racing $50
Ryan Meskimen/WERA BBS $50
Erik Astrup $50
Paul Zavada $50
James Greeson/WERA BBS $50
Victor Mokler $50
Steve Clark/J. Guthridge/Tight Squeeze Racing $50
Nate Olsen $50
Anthony Moey $50
Dustin Miller $50
Jim Frost/NEDoD $50
Steve Martinez $50
Jason Temme/Serpent Racing $50
Mike Hodgson/WERA BBS $50
Chris Borre/Motorcycleroadracer.com $50
Richard Barker/AIM/In Memory of Dirk Piz $50
Mike Reish/Reish Dot Net $50
Kenyon Kluge/K2 Racing $50
Darin Nichols/Team Unit $50
Richard Davis $50
Allen Lyon/Ducati.net Online $50
Eric H. Mathy $50
Steve Breckenridge $50
Jim Race/Speaksy Racing $50
James Aragon $50
James Hayton/Kochenbaulz Racing/WERA BBS $50
Anthony D’Augusta $50
Norm Brown $50
Isaac Ward $50
Jason K. Michelson $50
Qi Guo/WERA BBS $50
Schaefer Brothers Racing $50
Tommy Lancaster/Tommy Built Fireplaces $50
James Gaal $50
Rod Mahr/Follow the Helmet Racing $50
Charles Brothers/CMRA $50
Francisco Prats $50
Keith Mc Cammon $50
Rick Haskins $50
Larry, Janice & Jimmy /Moto Liberty $50
Friends & Family/Firestorm Racing $50
Akos Feher $50
Brian Cox/CMRA#318 $50
Greg Gorman $50
James E. Schaefer $50
Kevin Hanson $50
Nick Tulloh/In Memory of Jimmy Adamo $50
Robin Clark, $50
Carl Liebold, $50
Peter Young, $50
John Walsh $50
John Caudle/Thanks to Grigg Racing $50
Mark Anzalone $50
David Yesman $40
Rod Klebsch $40
Mark Crane, $40
Don Moody $35
Brent Kilgore/Clark Kilgore/Kevin Bridges/Slow To Heal Racing $35
Andy & Kate Kupfer, $35
Lindsey Leard $30
Dave Deggendorf/WERA BBS $30
Steve Sturm/Squidvision Racing $30
Bob Elam $30
The Heidepriems/WERA BBS $30
Kimberly Scheffel/rider/race fan/pit keeper $30
Bryan Norton $30
Scott D. Cortese $30
Stephen Warburton/Ducati Online $30
John Scherer $30
Charles Lederer $30
Greg Gabis $29
Ripley Howe $29
Mark Hatten/Meccanica Corse Racing $29
Ted Angle $25
Susanne Hopkins $25
Nolan Ballew $25
Josh Loberant $25
Charles Tomes $25
Jon DeMent $25
Timothy Wilson $25
Mark Novak $25
Rene Ferron $25
Sean Patrick Brisini $25
Richard Korol $25
Eric and Christine Loranger $25
Dee Moses $25
Kyle Kirschenmann/Bayou Riders of Louisiana $25
Marc Asmus $25
Mike Henry $25
Henry Hallmark $25
Ronnie Reyes/CMRA $25
Kathleen Mc Laughlin $25
John Jancoski $25
John C. Pfeiffer $25
Bernis B. Conatser $25
Tony Day $25
Harlan Weishahn $25
Chad Littrell $25
David Osser $25
Margaret Corra $25
Kerry Lynn Hanley $25
T. Kershaw, $25
Allan Karman, $25
Anonymous $25
Peter Gallant $25
S.C. Pittman $20
Jamieson D. Yonker $20
Garret Swearingen $20
Darrin Zumbaum $20
Andy Lenz/CMRRA $20
Dave Harrison $20
Jeff Harrison $20
Sled/Cross $20
David L. Osser $20
Irwin Arnstein/CMRA $10
Frank Shacklee/CMRA $10
John & Arlene Gerard/In Memory of Gordy Lunde Jr. $10
Becky Rechek, $10
Lee D’Amico $10
Johnny Newell, $10
Anonymous $10
Jan Steven/Carpet Dog $5
Anonymous $5
Joe Knight $5
Erik Schmitt/CMRA $1

To pledge a contribution, call Roadracing World at (800) 464-8336 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, when operators will be standing by. Credit cards accepted. Pledges can also be made by e-mailing [email protected]. Make checks payable to Roadracing World, and mail to P.O. Box 1428, Lake Elsinore CA 92531. Money raised will be used for buying Air Module/Air Fence sections, as well as for deployment expenses and for shipping, tax and import duties.

People and companies that pledged but have not paid the pledge:
D&D Thrush Farm, $100
Mike Brown, $125
Jim Frost, NEDod, $50
Brent/Clark Kilgore, $35
Paul Kingsburgh/RC45.net, $100
Max McAllister/Traxxion Dynamics, $2900
MZ Scorpion, $75
Steve Sturm/Squidvision Racing, $30

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