The following press release was issued by the AMA:

“AMA puts motorcycle fatality statistics in context

“PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has become aware of recent media reports about the increasing number of fatalities among motorcyclists over age 35. While the AMA is concerned about any increase in motorcycle-related fatalities, these reports fail to consider other relevant statistics.

“According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) overall motorcycle-related fatalities actually declined substantially between 1990 and 1999. Although fatalities did see a slight increase over the past two years, that followed a decade during which motorcycle-related fatalities declined by 48% — a far better track record than any other form of highway transportation.

“In focusing on increased fatalities among riders over age 35, the media reports overlooked the overall demographics of motorcyclists. Between 1990 and 1999, according to statistics provided to the AMA by NHTSA, the mean age of fatally injured motorcyclists rose from 29.3 years to 36.5 years. During the same period, the mean age of motorcycle owners rose from 26.9 years to 38.1 years.

“In other words, the fatality statistics simply show that when there are more motorcyclists of a given age group on the road — no matter what that age group — more accidents come out of that group.

“A spokesman for NHTSA agrees.

“‘What we see here seems to track the census data–it’s a function of the numbers,’ said Rae Tyson, public information officer for NHTSA. ‘I don’t think that anyone disagrees that we need new information. There’s a crying need for research.’

“‘The most important revelation in these media reports is the need for a comprehensive nationwide study of motorcycle accident data,’ said Robert Rasor, President of the American Motorcyclist Association. ‘The AMA has been working closely with NHTSA on the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety, and we’re anxious for the research to begin.’

“Last year, the AMA–along with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and other industry groups–succeeded in incorporating a motorcycle-accident study in the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety. As a result, NHTSA officials have said they hope to begin such a study in the near future.

“Statistics quoted in recent media reports come from NHTSA’s annual report on highway fatalities. The most recent comprehensive federal study of motorcycle accident data was published in 1980, and sampled accident data only in Southern California.”

The total purse for the June 7-10 AMA Superbike National at Road America is $90,000 while the total purse for the June 14-17 AMA Superbike National at Loudon is $113,000.

The Superbike purse at Road America, which is split between two races, one on Saturday and one on Sunday, totals $60,000 with $16,000 in the 250cc Grand Prix race, $7000 in the Formula Xtreme race, $3500 in 750cc Supersport and $3500 in 600cc Supersport.

The Superbike purse at Loudon totals $65,000 with $30,000 in the 250cc Grand Prix race, $10,000 in Pro Thunder, $8000 in Formula Xtreme and no purse in 750cc Supersport and 600cc Supersport.

Purse payout details follow:

Road America June 7-10
Chevy Trucks Superbike
Purse Payout
Race One, Race Two
1. $4000, $4000
2. $3000, $3000
3. $2250, $2250
4. $1700, $1700
5. $1500, $1500
6. $1350, $1350
7. $1250, $1250
8. $1150, $1150
9. $1100, $1100
10. $1050, $1050
11. $1000, $1000
12. $950, $950
13. $900, $900
14. $850, $850
15. $800, $800
16. $700, $700
17. $625, $625
18. $600, $600
19. $575, $575
20. $550, $550
21. $412, $412
22. $387, $387
23. $362, $362
24. $337, $337
25. $312, $312
26. $287, $287
27. $262, $262
28. $237, $237
29. $200, $200
30. $175, $175
31. $175, $175
32. $175, $175
33. $175, $175
34. $175, $175
35. $175, $175


Loudon June 14-17
Chevy Trucks Superbike
Purse Payout
1. $10,500
2. $7000
3. $4500
4. $4000
5. $3500
6. $2900
7. $2700
8. $2500
9. $2300
10. $2100
11. $2000
12. $1900
13. $1800
14. $1700
15. $1600
17. $1400
18. $1300
19. $1200
20. $1100
21. $1000
22. $900
23. $800
24. $700
25. $600
26. $400
27. $400
28. $400
29. $400
30. $400
31. $200
32. $200
33. $200
34. $200
35. $200


The 250cc Grand Prix payout at Loudon pays $6000 to win versus $3000 for victory at Road America, as follows:

Road America June 7-10
MBNA 250cc Grand Prix
Purse Payout
1. $3000
2. $2400
3. $1600
4. $1200
5. $1050
6. $900
7. $850
8. $800
9. $750
10. $700
11. $650
12. $600
13. $550
14. $500
15. $450


Loudon June 14-17
MBNA 250cc Grand Prix
Purse Payout
1. $6000
2. $4500
3. $3000
4. $2400
5. $2100
6. $1800
7. $1650
8. $1500
9. $1350
10. $1200
11. $1050
12. $975
13. $900
14. $825
15. $750


The Formula Xtreme purse at Road America totals $7000 while the Formula Xtreme purse at Loudon totals $8000.

Road America June 7-10
Lockhart Phillips Formula Xtreme
Purse Payout
1. $1800
2. $1200
3. $700
4. $600
5. $500
6. $450
7. $400
8. $350
9. $300
10. $200
11. $100
12. $100
13. $100
14. $100
15. $100

Loudon June 14-17
Lockhart Phillips Formula Xtreme
Purse Payout
1. $2100
2. $1500
3. $1000
4. $650
5. $575
6. $450
7. $400
8. $300
9. $250
10. $200
11. $150
12. $125
13. $100
14. $100
15. $100


There is no Pro Thunder race at Road America, but the Pro Thunder race at Loudon pays a total of $10,000 as follows:

Loudon June 14-17
Buell Pro Thunder
Purse Payout
1. $2500
2. $1700
3. $1200
4. $750
5. $600
6. $550
7. $500
8. $450
9. $400
10. $350
11. $300
12. $250
13. $200
14. $150
15. $100



The Loudon 600cc Supersport and 750cc Supersport races have no purse money, paying manufacturer contingency only. Road America posts $3500 for each Supersport class, paying out as follows:

Road America June 7-10
Genuine Suzuki Accessories 750cc Supersport
Purse Payout
1. $550
2. $475
3. $400
4. $350
5. $300
6. $250
7. $225
8. $175
9. $150
10. $125
11. $100
12. $100
13. $100
14. $100
15. $100

Road America June 7-10
Pro Honda Oils 600cc Supersport
Purse Payout
1. $550
2. $475
3. $400
4. $350
5. $300
6. $250
7. $225
8. $175
9. $150
10. $125
11. $100
12. $100
13. $100
14. $100
15. $100

By Glenn LeSanto

Neil Hodgson got the win he’s been waiting for in the first race at the Donington round of the World Superbike Championship. The GSE Ducati rider swept into the lead early in the race with fellow Brit Steve Hislop close behind. But the frantic pace set by Hodgson in the damp conditions proved too much for wild card rider Hislop, who took to the grass and dropped back to sixth place. As Hodgson roared home to take the checkered flag Scotsman Hislop fought his way back through the pack and got up to second place. But on the last corner Italian Suzuki rider Pierfrancesco Chili nipped inside to deny the Scot the runner-up spot.

Championship points leader Troy Bayliss had a difficult race, sliding backwards through the field after a good start. The Australian suffered tire problems and finished back in 13th. The Ducati Infostrada rider finished behind rival Australian Troy Corser, who brought his Aprilia home in 11th. Reigning World Champion Colin Edwards was fifth, behind his Castrol Honda teammate Tady Okada in fourth.

1. Neil Hodgson, GB, Ducati, 39:46.490
2. Pierfrancesco Chili, Italy, Suzuki, 39:49.182
3. Steve Hislop, GB, Ducati, 39:49.320
4. Tady Okada, Japan, Honda, 39:50.508,
5. Colin Edwards, USA, Honda, 39:51.131
6. Ben Bostrom, USA, Ducati, 39:51.883
7. Ruben Xaus, Spain, Ducati, 39:58.560
8. James Toseland, GB, Ducati, 40:07.263
9. Stephane Chambon, France, Suzuki, 40:07.465
10. Gregorio Lavilla, Spain, Kawasaki, 40:11.106

By Glenn LeSanto
Reigning World Sidecar Champion Steve ‘Webbo’ Webster’s troubled season continued at Donington when he was forced to retire for the second race running. This time it wasn’t mechanical problems that sidelined the Team Liveonscreen.com Racing outfit-–it was due to passenger Paul Woodhead’s knee problem. Woodhead, who has had two operations on the knee in the last few weeks, was forced to throw in the towel when he lost mobility in the knee joint while the pair were leading the race. If the passenger can’t move freely about the sidecar the rider can’t push hard, so Webster had no choice but to pull in. Woodhead was rushed to the medical center for examination as soon as the pair returned to the pitlane.

Webster’s arch rival Klaus Klaffenbock inherited the lead and kept it to record his third win in three races. Klaffenbock, who finished second in the title chase behind Webster last year, now has a commanding lead in the series. Steve Abbott grabbed second place from Steinhausen in an audacious last corner move that saw the two outfits touch going into Goddards. As both outfits looked ready to spin out of control it was Abbott who kept things together to get the drive out of the bend and secure second.



Sidecar Results
Donington, England

1. Klaffenbock/Parzer, 38:21.628

2. Abbott/Biggs, 38:44.378

3. Steinhausen/Hopkinson, 38:45.877

4. Hanks/Biggs, 39:09.804

5. Van Gils/Van Gils, 39:26.846

6. Guy/Peach, 39:31.642

7. Hauzenberger/Hanni, 39:52.287



Sidecar World Championship Points Standings:

1. Klaffenbock, 75

2. Abbott, 53

3. Steinhausen, 32

4. Hauzenberher, 31

5. Van Gils, 27

6. Hanks, 24

7. Liechti, 24

8. Webster, 20

By Glenn LeSanto

James Ellison took the European Superstock race win at his home circuit of Donington Park to nudge ahead of Italian rider Walter Tortoroglio in the title chase. Ellison’s victory came after the pair had been locked in a race-long battle. Despite suffering from serious chatter from the front end of his Suzuki GSX-R1000, Ellison managed to hold it all together in the difficult conditions at Donington Park where rain had fallen prior to the race, leaving the surface wet in places.

The front forks on Ellison’s machine were bouncing like a pogo stick as he braked hard for the tighter bends such as the difficult Melbourne Hairpin. Tortoroglio, or ‘Torto’ as he is known, managed to get by Ellison on the brakes going into Redgate Corner in the closing laps, only for Ellison to blast back into the lead a few corners later. Chris Burns led the race in the early stages until he crashed unhurt on lap 10. Mark Heckles recovered from a poor start to take third place.

European Superstock Championship
Donington Park
Race Result
1. James Ellison, GB, Suzuki, 24:52.807
2. Walter Tortoroglio, Italy, Suzuki, 24:53.233
3. Mark Heckles, GB, Honda, 25:01.389
4. Markus Wegscheider, Italy, Suzuki, 25:06.112
5. Dario Tosolini, Italy, Ducati, 25:08.409
6.Gary Mason, GB, Honda, 25:11.695.

By Glenn LeSanto


Pierfrancesco Chili snatched the win in race two at Donington to rob local hero Neil Hodgson of a double World Superbike victory.

It was the first World Superbike win of the year for a four-cylinder 750cc machine; all the other races have been won by 1000cc V-Twins.

Hodgson led for much of the race, having passed early leader Colin Edwards. It looked like Hodgson would repeat his performance in race one and run away with another victory. But Chili and Aprilia rider Troy Corser had other plans and, with some determined riding that saw Chili set the fastest lap of the race, the pair caught Hodgson in the closing stages of the race.

Hodgson managed to hold them at bay for several laps but Chili kept piling on the pressure. With Corser dropping back the scene was set for a last-lap thriller after Chili snatched the lead on the penultimate lap. Hodgson tried everything to get back in front, but Chili was a match for him and held his nerve. Even braking very late into the final bend failed to faze Chili who blasted across the line just a fraction ahead of Hodgson to claim his first win of the season.

While Hodgson was obviously disappointed not to have made the double he can console himself with by far his best result of the season.


American Ben Bostrom finished fourth with a fading Edwards sixth.

At the top of the championship points table the gap was closed by Corser’s third place, as championship leader Troy Bayliss came home a lowly ninth. Bayliss still leads the title race with 160 points but Corser has closed the gap and is now 17 points down on 143 points. Edwards remains third in the title chase with 141 points and Chili is fourth with 119.


Donington Park
World Superbike
Second race results

1. Pierfrancesco Chili, Italy, Suzuki, 39:30.374

2. Neil Hodgson, GB, Ducati, 39:30.499

3. Troy Corser, Australia (Aprilia) 39:30.930

4. Ben Bostrom, USA, Ducati, 39:37.788

5. John Reynolds, GB, Ducati, 39:39.742

6. Colin Edwards, USA, Honda, 39:42.092

7. Tadayuki Okada, Japan, Honda, 39:42.246

8. Akira Yanagawa, Japan, Kawasaki, 39:43.427

9. Troy Bayliss, Australia, Ducati, 39:46.910

10. Ruben Xaus, Spain, Ducati, 39:48.611


World Superbike Championship points after six of 13 rounds:

1. Bayliss, 160

2. Corser, 143

3. Edwards, 141

4. Chili, 119

5. Hodgson, 103

6. Bostrom, 97

7. Yanagawa, 89

8. Lavilla, 77

9. Laconi, 63

10. Chambon, 61


Manufacturers points:
1. Ducati, 218
2. Honda, 187
3. Aprilia, 162
4. Kawasaki, 142
5. Suzuki, 131
6. Yamaha, 20

Next round: Lausitzring, Germany – June 10

By Glenn LeSanto

The organizers of the Superbike World Championship made it crystal clear in a press release issued Saturday morning at Donington, England, that the series will not be merged with the motorcycle Grand Prix Championship. The pronouncement was made to stem the tide of speculation regarding the future of the Superbike Championship when four-stroke motorcycles return to the Grand Prix series for the 2002 season.


In the statement, SBK officials said that it is their belief that “the Superbike World Championship is one of the most interesting sports products that motorsport has ever produced and, therefore, excludes the possibility of a merger with the Grand Prix.”

The statement contained a quote from Aprilia President Ivano Beggio affirming the Italian manufacturer’s commitment to the World Superbike series, “we are linked to this formula and we will continue to be so to the best of our ability.”

There was also reference to future rule changes in Superbikes, aimed at allowing 1000cc four-cylinder motorcycles to compete in the series. The Motorsport Manufacturers Association (MSMA), of which Beggio is also President, is currently considering “modifications to the performance balance between the various engine’s configurations allowed by the technical regulation (2/3/4 cylinder, etc).” The MSMA hopes to have the any proposed changes defined before the next FIM meeting, which takes place in October this year.

World Superbike officials have acknowledged that while 750cc four-cyinder motorcycles and 1000cc twin-cylinder motorcycles made a logical mix at one time, the move in the marketplace away from 750cc four-cylinder machines and toward 1000cc four-cylinder machines now makes inclusion of 1000cc four-cylinders more realistic. The only manufacturer currently selling large numbers of 750cc four-cylinder machines is Suzuki, the GSX-R750 having vanquished its 750cc four-cylinder rivals from (non-Superbike)races and from the sales floor.

By Glenn LeSanto

Paolo Casoli ran away with the race win at Donington Park to extend his lead in the World Supersport Championship. The Italian led from the start and was soon several seconds ahead of the pack on his Belgarda Yamaha. Casoli was blissfully unaware of the mayhem behind him that was the battle for second place. Australian Karl Muggeridge eventually won that battle, which saw riders banging fairings in mid-corner in an all-out effort to make it to the podium.

While Casoli romped away with the lead, James Whitham, his Belgarda Yamaha teammate, fought tooth-and-nail with Muggeridge on his Suzuki, reigning Supersport Champion Jorg Teuchert and Muggeridge’s teammate Katsuaki Fujiwara. Whitham, who was struggling for grip towards the end of the race, lost out as Teuchert and Muggeridge managed to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. The pair clashed in the final corner as they fought for the best drive onto the start finish straight. Muggeridge got the advantage, and second place as the pair powered out of the final corner.

Paolo Casoli’s victory was especially welcome as his closest rivals in the title hunt all finished lower down the order, allowing the Italian to take a commanding points lead as they prepare for the next round in Germany on June 10. Casoli now has 83 points and Muggeridge has jumped from sixth to second in the table with 57 points. Kevin Curtain stays in third place with fellow Australian Andy Pitt in fourth, both with 56 points. Pole sitter Vitto Guareschi retired early in the race with tire problems.

Donington Park, UK
World Supersport Championship Race Result
1. Paolo Casoli, Italy, Yamaha, 37:30.193
2. Karl Muggeridge, Australia, Suzuki, 37:38.778
3.Jorg Teuchert, Germany, Yamaha, 37:38.923
4. James Whitham, GB, Yamaha, 37:39.001
5. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Japan, Suzuki, 37:39.259
6. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Italy, Yamaha, 37:40.289
7. Karl Harris, GB, Suzuki, 37:43.606
8. Kevin Curtain, Australia, Honda, 37:43.866
9. Fabrizio Pirovano, Italy, Suzuki, 37:44.599
10. Andrew Pitt, Australia, Kawasaki, 37:45.024.


Championship points after five of 11 rounds:
1. Casoli, 83
2. Muggeridge ,57
3. Curtain and Pitt, 56

5. Teuchert ,54
6. Pere Riba, Spain, Honda, 53
7. Bontempi, 39
8. Whitham, 38
9. Pirovano, 31
10. Vittoriano Guareschi, Italy, Ducati, 30

Manufacturers points:
1. Yamaha, 104
2. Honda, 76
3. Suzuki, 61
4. Kawasaki, 56
5. Ducati, 30.

Next round: Lausitzring, Germany – June 10

Team Pennzoil’s Chris “Opie” Caylor and Scott Harwell won the second round of the 2001 WERA National Endurance Series, a 4-hour at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway in Talladega, Alabama Saturday by a margin of 21 seconds. A total of 43 teams entered the race.

Team Pennzoil had to overcome the loss of 2nd gear. Meanwhile, a problem that cost an extra 60 seconds at the second pit stop made by Vesrah Racing set the stage for Team Pennzoil to cruise to victory.

A Vesrah crewman had a problem with a cocked brake pad during the team’s front-wheel change and didn’t have a screwdriver handy to pry the pad back into position, setting off a disorganized scramble in the Vesrah pits.

Back on track, Vesrah almost but not quite made up the deficit in the final 60 minutes of the race, with Vesrah’s Mark Junge closing up to within 21 seconds of Pennzoil’s Harwell at the finish.

Junge and teammates Glenn Szarek and Chris Ulrich rode a Suzuki GSX-R1000 while Pennzoil’s Caylor and Harwell rode a GSX-R750, as did third-place Loudoun Motorsports Racing. Paramount Racing finished fourth overall on a GSX-R1000 with Army of Darkness fifth overall on a GSX-R600.

Harwell is an endurance veteran who in past seasons has ridden in long-distance races for Arclight Suzuki and before that Tapeworks.

Pennzoil and Vesrah ran on Metzeler slicks. Loudoun Motorsports, which won in the Heavyweight Superstock class, ran on DOT-labelled Metzeler treaded tires.

Army of Darkness won in the Mediumweight Superbike class on Michelin slicks.

Finishing eighth overall, Team Chaos won in the Mediumweight Superstock division on a GSX-R600.

Intrepid Racing won in the Lightweight Superbike class at 17th overall on a Suzuki SV650.

Racersupply.com had been third overall for the first half of the race but retired with a transmission problem.

By Glenn LeSanto

Steve Hislop and Neil Hodgson showed the rest of the world how it’s done in Superpole Saturday afternoon at Donington Park in the British round of the World Superbike Championship. Hislop, who is entered as a non-regular or “wild card” rider, dominated qualifying on Friday and Saturday, then capped that performance with a brilliant Superpole lap to take pole position for tomorrow’s two World Superbike races. Fellow Brit Neil Hodgson pushed Hislop hard all the way, both in qualifying and in the Superpole. Hodgson set a fast Superpole lap (1:32.899), leaving Hislop, who was the last rider out for Superpole, with everything to do. Hislop rose to the challenge and turned a 1:32.680 lap to put his Monster Mob Ducati onto first place on the grid.

Ben Bostrom was third-fastest in Superpole, making it three Ducatis on the front row. Reigning World Champion Colin Edwards on the Castrol Honda qualified fourth-fastest in Superpole. Edwards’ weekend started badly when he crashed out of the first qualifying session on Friday after only three laps. But the Texan got his act together to grab the last place on the front row, in the Superpole session. Championship leader Troy Bayliss is joined by his Infostrada teammate Ruben Xaus, wild card rider John Reynolds and his rival in the Championship Troy Corser on the second row.


In a press conference held after the Superpole session, Hodgson’s GSE Ducati team explained that their bikes had benefited from a raft of new parts from the official factory racing department, Ducati Corse. “We were disappointed with what happened at Monza,” said team boss Colin Wright, referring to the myriad of mechanical problems they suffered at the historic Italian circuit. “We wanted to put those difficulties behind us this weekend and getting Neil Hodgson onto second place on the grid is a great way to do that!”

Superpole Final Qualifying

1. Steve Hislop, GB, Ducati, 1:32.680
2. Neil Hodgson, GB, Ducati, 1:32.899
3. Ben Bostrom, USA, Ducati, 1:33.207
4. Colin Edwards, USA, Honda, 1:33.315
5. Troy Bayliss, Australia, Ducati, 1:33.482
6. John Reynolds, GB, Ducati, 1:33.530
7. Ruben Xaus, Spain, Ducati, 1:33.552
8. Troy Corser, Australia, Aprilia, 1:33.677
9. Akira Yanagawa, Japan, Kawasaki, 1:33.683
10. Pierfrancesco Chili, Italy, Suzuki, 1:34.243
11. James Toseland, GB. Ducati, 1:34.300
12. Gregorio Lavilla, Spain, Kawasaki, 1:34.515
13. Tadayuki Okada, Japan, Honda, 1:34.592
14. L. Pedercini, Italy, Ducati, 1:34.680
15. Stephane Chambon, France, Suzuki, 1:34.751
16. Robert Ulm, Austria, Ducati, 1:35.158
17. Regis Laconi, France, Aprilia, 1:34.493
18. G. Bussei, Italy, Ducati, 1:34.916
19. Marty Craggill, Australia, Ducati, 1:34.976
20. Steve Martin, Australia, Ducati, 1:35.069