Hooters Suzuki’s Mike Ciccotto learned June 28 that an action photo of him on his Hooters Suzuki GSX-R750 appears on the official event poster for the Suzuka 8-hours World Endurance race scheduled for August 5 in Suzuka, Japan.

“Steve (DeCamp, Hooters Suzuki team owner) told me last week,” Ciccotto said July 4 in the Laguna Seca paddock. “I haven’t seen it, but Steve says that it also says, ‘American rider Mike Ciccotto’ on the poster. It will be distributed in Japan. I guess there hasn’t ever been an American team in the Suzuka 8-hour.”

(Actually, several American teams have raced in the Suzuka 8-hours over the years, including teams fielded by Yoshimura Suzuki and American Honda as well as Ontario Moto Tech.

Ciccotto and teammate Michael Barnes will ride in the Formula Xtreme open class at Suzuka, on a GSX-R1000.

The sponsor responsible for the Hooters Suzuki Suzuka effort is the team’s exhaust sponsor, Ti Force.

Ciccotto is competing in the Buell Pro Thunder class at Laguna Seca, riding his Hal’s Performance Advantage Buell, but is injured as the result of a crash last Sunday during a Formula USA Unlmited Superbike race at VIR.

“I have a broken right index finger and probably a fracture in my right wrist,” said Ciccotto just before having his hand and wrist taped by Dr. Dave Kieffer, M.D., a fellow Buell Pro Thunder competitor.

By Glenn LeSanto

Regular World Superbike rider Ben Bostrom recorded the fastest time in Friday’s qualifying session at Laguna Seca, just beating his brother Eric Bostrom to the top spot. Eric spent most of the session at the head of the time sheet but as the session drew to a close Ben Bostrom on the L&M Ducati pulled himself up to provisional pole. Then, with only a minute left on the clock, Eric Bostrom put his Kawasaki Motorsports ZX-7R back in front–only to see his brother Ben put in a faster time on his very last lap. Ben Bostrom finished just a few tenths of a second faster than his brother with a fastest lap of 1:25.248 compared to Eric’s 1:25.556. The pair’s lap times
were half-a-second faster than the rest of the pack, with Ben’s time being three-quarters-of-a-second faster than third-fastest Troy Bayliss. Laguna Seca is used as a test track by Dunlop so it was no surprise to see two Dunlop riders on the top of the time sheet and a total of eight Dunlop users in the top 10.

Third-fastest man Bayliss on the Infostrada Ducati had spent much of the session languishing way down the order. But with the clock ticking down the final seconds he got out on the track to put himself onto the provisional front row with a lap at 1:26.075. Colin Edwards was fourth-fastest on the Castrol Honda. Both Bayliss and Edwards run Michelin tyres. British rider Neil Hodgson (GSE Ducati) had spent most of the session on the provisional front row, only to be demoted down to fifth as the session drew to a close.

Troy Corser, the subject of much speculation recently in the Italian press regarding his recent drop-off in form, finished the session sixth-fastest on the Axo Aprilia.

World Superbike Qualifying Session #1 Results:

1. Ben Bostrom, Ducati, 1:25.248
2. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:25.556
3. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 1:26.075
4. Colin Edwards II, Honda, 1:26.112
5. Neil Hodgson, Ducati, 1:26.163
6. Troy Corser, Aprilia, 1:26.235
7. Doug Chandler, Kawasaki, 1:26.287
8. Pierfrancesco Chili, Suzuki, 1:26.539
9. Regis Laconi, Aprilia, 1:26.605
10. James Toseland, Ducati, 1:26.612
11. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki, 1:26.779
12. Gregorio Lavilla, Kawasaki, 1:26.985
13. Tadayuki Okada, Honda, 1:27.031
14. Ruben Xaus, Ducati, 1:27.050
15. Steve Martin, Ducati, 1:27.134
16. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati, 1:27.192
17. Akira Yanagawa, Kawasaki, 1:27.372
18. Robert Ulm, Ducati, 1:27.415
19. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati, 1:27.437
20. Marco Borciani, Ducati, 1:27.507
21. Peter Goddard, Benelli, 1:27.550

Ruben Xaus crashed unhurt in turn two in the second half of the qualifying session.

Ten of the top 12 qualifiers were on Dunlops with only Colin Edwards and Troy Bayliss on Michelin.

Troy Corser recorded the highest trap speed (by 7 kph over the next fastest bike) at 246 kph, or 152 mph, on the front straight.

First Free Practice World Superbike Times From Laguna Seca:

1. Ben Bostrom, Ducati, 1:26.583
2. Troy Corser, Aprilia, 1:26.708
3. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:26.755
4. Colin Edwards II, Honda, 1:26.935
5. Neil Hodgson, Ducati, 1:27.008
6. Pierfrancesco Chili, Suzuki, 1:27.338
7. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 1:27.437
8. Doug Chandler, Kawasaki, 1:27.698
9. Gregorio Lavilla, Kawasaki, 1:27.743
10. James Tosland, Ducati, 1:27.815
11. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki, 1:27.867
12. Akira Yanagawa, Kawasaki, 1:28.171
13. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati, 1:28.210
14. Marco Borciani, Ducati, 1:28.301
15. Ruben Xaus, Ducati, 1:28.342
16. Tadayuki Okada, Honda, 1:28.355
17. Regis Laconi, Aprilia, 1:28.513
18. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati, 1:28.537

AMA Teams hauled sections of Air Fence from Loudon to Laguna Seca at the request of AMA officials who said they had a transportation problem, but the sections of Air Fence sat in the paddock, unused, as bikes circulated around the track Thursday morning.

According to a spokesman for Speedvision Productions, which promotes the combined World Superbike and AMA Superbike races at Laguna Seca, the company was told by AMA officials that they didn’t have anybody to drive a truck carrying Air Fence sections to Laguna Seca and that the Air Fence sections wouldn’t be there. So Speedvision Productions bought 23,000 haybales along with deploying the $50,000 worth of Air Fence Bike sections Speedvision Productions purchased expressly for use at Laguna Seca.

Reached by cell phone at Laguna Seca and asked why the AMA Air Fence had not been deployed instead of haybales, AMA Pro Racing Media Relations Consultant Larry Lawrence said that the AMA’s sections of Air Fence were not needed because the track had already been FIM homologated with haybales and Speedvision’s Air Fence Bike sections in place.

Lawrence said that AMA officials asked that an additional six sections of AMA Air Fence be positioned in the area where Jamie Bowman hit a concrete wall and was fatally injured last year, and that obtaining permission to deploy the additional Air Fence in that area involved a certain amount of FIM red tape. Lawrence said that the additional six sections of AMA Air Fence would be deployed during the lunch break Thursday.

Buell Pro Thunder Qualifying Times From Laguna Seca

1. Thomas Montano, Ducati 748, 1:32.258
2. David Estok, Buell 1200, 1:33.073
3. Jeffrey Nash, Ducati 748RS, 1:34.492
4. Tripp Nobles, Buell 1200, 1:35.345
5. Nick Ienatsch, Ducati 748, 1:35.530
6. Dean Mizdal, Ducati 748, 1:35.722
7. Mike Ciccotto, Buell 1200, 1:36.253
8. John Dugan, Ducati 748, 1:36.328
9. Mike Sullivan, Ducati 748, 1:36.845
10. David White, Honda Hawk 700, 1:36.968
11. Rich Thorwaldson, Ducati 748, 1:37.211
12. Dr. David Kieffer, M.D., Ducati 748, 1:37.544
13. Tyler Sandell, Suzuki SV650, 1:38.844
14. Ricky Lundgren, Ducati 748, 1:39.546
15. Charlie Hewitt, Ducati 748, 1:39.986

Due to the crowded schedule of the combined AMA and World Superbike weekend, both Buell Pro Thunder and MBNA 250cc Grand Prix will have timed qualifying sessions instead of their normal heat races.

1. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:29.766
2. Mark Miller, Honda, 1:30.195
3. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, 1:30.584
4. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:30.753
5. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:31.076
6. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:31.151
7. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:31.453
8. Josh Hayes, Honda, 1:31.575
9. Grant Lopez, Suzuki, 1:32.410
10. Thomas Montano, Ducati, 1:32.883
11. Andrew Deatherage, Suzuki, 1:33.097
12. David Estok, Buell, 1:33.265
13. Tripp Nobles, Buell, 1:34.198
14. Jeremy Toye, Yamaha, 1:34.700
15. Chris Voelker, Honda, 1:34.858

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Grant Lopez crashed unhurt in the session while fourth-fastest.

1. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:30.164
2. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:30.236
3. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha, 1:30.574
4. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:30.650
5. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:31.078
6. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:31.288
7. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:31.581
8. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:31.707
9. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:31.903
10. Josh Hayes, Honda, 1:31.921
11. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:32.341
12. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, 1:32.605
13. Grant Lopez, Suzuki, 1:32.938
14. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:33.137
15. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:33.376
16. Lance Isaacs, Honda, 1:33.952
17. Stuart Stratton, Yamaha, 1:35.354
18. Marc Palazzo, Honda, 1:35.510
19. Bryan Kovarick, Yamaha, 1:36.249
20. Kevin Carter, Yamaha, 1:36.944

This Just In, from racer Richie Morris:

After reading comments from riders bashing F-USA on decisions made in Sunday’s Superbike race, I felt I should express my feelings toward the F-USA program.

I don’t know the details about Mike Ciccotto’s beef, nor is it any of my business. All of the Hooters guys are friends of mine and I would like to keep it that way. But just the same, I would like to say that the F-USA program, in my opinion, is the most professionally-run operation that I have been associated with in all of my racing career!

They treat everyone with courtesy and respect, regardless of how big your team is or how fast the rider may be. I personally feel that is refreshing to the sport. At the AMA events if you are not involved with a factory team you are a nobody. Now these guys are trying to build a series that focus on riding ability and fan appreciation. So I feel they need a fair shake.

First, you can approach Bill Syfan or Kenny Abbott with any problem or suggestion you may have and they will listen and take some kind of action. It may not always be to your liking, but they do listen to ALL of the riders. When I arrived at VIR, Roger Lyle ask me to take a few laps with him in a car. He wanted to show me the track and get my opinion on some safety issues. What other series would do that? They pay better money than AMA and you get your check that day. Bottom line, it is a friendly, professional atmosphere and I would invite any and all new riders to check the series out.

In closing, I want to say thanks to everyone who was at VIR for welcoming me back after the Daytona nightmare. I just thank God to be able to ride a motorcycle after the crash, but being able to finish second my first race back cannot be described by words.

Thanks again to F-USA, fellow riders and teams, and the fans for a great welcome in my return to the track!

Richie Morris

This Just In, a press release from Benelli:

“Team Benelli Sport continue their World Superbike campaign with a visit to the awesome Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California this weekend. It’s a significant challenge for the Tornado Racing Team as it’s only their second World Superbike race and to make things harder, it’s also a ‘flyaway’ round. When a race team attends a European round they are able to take all their trucks, hospitality units and support staff. But when attending ‘flyaway’ rounds the trucks and hospitality buses have to stay at home and the team have to work out of temporary units and shipping cases. Even the established teams struggle with this set up so it’ll be a steep learning process for Team Benelli Sport.

“Despite the difficulties they face, the team is upbeat about their first competitive visit to the USA, especially rider Peter Goddard who is really fired up and raring to go.

“‘I am really looking forward to Laguna,’ declared Goddard from his hotel in Monterey. “The aim is to finish both races and get some points! I like Laguna as it is a very challenging rider’s track. It is very unforgiving with a well-used surface and many elevation and camber changes – but that’s exactly what makes it such a challenge!’ Goddard has spent the last week in
America visiting friends and family and adjusting his body clock to the time zone.

“The team is already making great progress in their mission to win the World Superbike Championship, and they’re attracting fantastic support from sponsors and suppliers. They’re also catching the eye of the press and of course racing fans worldwide. The fantastic Tornado Superbike drew the crowds at Misano and is sure to cause a stir in the USA.

“All the attention is great for the team, but the rider and technicians have a tough job to do and they’ve been working hard since Misano preparing the machine and working out settings for Laguna Seca.

“‘We will have access to the best Dunlop Tires from Friday here so that will make a big difference,’ explained Goddard. ‘We will be up against it here with no previous bike experience, only some data which we have used to try to match gearbox and speeds together. But I have raced here for the last three years so I know the place reasonably well. I believe the bike will work fine at Laguna chassis-wise but will need some suspension changes for this special circuit. I have been discussing this with Ohlins and the team and I think we have a good start plan. We have already made some changes to increase ground clearance. We just hope to have a good run with the engine, we have no major engine updates yet as everything has come directly from the Misano round. The weather is forecast to be fine so it could be another hot one like last year.'”

Tom Montano now leads AMA Buell Pro Thunder points, following last weekend’s combined AMA/WERA race at Portland, according to a press release issued today by AMA Pro Racing. Point standings follow:

1. Tom Montano, Ducati, 117 points
2. Mike Ciccotto, Buell, 103 points
3. Dave Estok, Buell, 97 points
4. Jeff Nash, Ducati, 95 points
5. Mike Krynock, Ducati, 69 points
6. Charlie Hewitt, Ducati, 63 points
7. Dean Mizdal, Ducati, 53 points
8. Tom Fournier, Ducati, 49 points
9. Michael Barnes, Buell, 39 points
10. Eric Wood, Ducati, 38 points