Loudoun Motorsports’ Ken Snyder and Bryan Bemisderfer rode a Suzuki GSX-R1000 to a one-lap margin of victory over Edge Motorsports’ Mike Fitzpatrick and Gabriel Henning in the 200-mile Team Challenge race at Virginia International Raceway Friday afternoon.

Third overall and third in the GTO class went to imotosports.com’s Sterling Strauser, Brandon Bashore and Peter Friedman on an Aprilia Mille R, another lap behind.

Brotz Motorsports won in the GTU class on a Yamaha YZF-R6 at fourth overall. Edge Junior Varsity was seciond in GTU, 8th overall on a Suzuki GSX-R600. Naked Boy Racing was third in GTU on a Yamaha FZR400 at ninth overall.

Results follow:

1. Loudoun Motorsports, Suzuki GSX-R1000, GTO, 89 laps
2. Edge Motorsports, Suzuki GSX-R750, GTO, 88 laps
3. imotosports.com, Aprilia Mille R, GTO, 87 laps
4. Brotz Motorsports, Yamaha YZF-R6, GTU, 85 laps
5. Bad Apple Racing, Suzuki GSX-R1000, GTO, 84 laps
6. Siemens Patent Services, Suzuki GSX-R750, GTO, 83 laps
7. Go Fast Racing, Kawasaki ZX-7R, GTO, 82 laps
8. Edge Junior Varsity, Suzuki GSX-R600, GTU, 81 laps
9. Naked Boy Racing, Yamaha FZR400, GTU, 72 laps
10. Annandale Racing, Kawasaki ZX-6R, GTU, 29 laps
11. Legal Racing, Suzuki GSX-R750, GTO, 17 laps
12. Whizzie Racing, Yamaha YZF-R6, GTU, 7 laps

Mike Ciccotto took his Hooters Suzuki to pole position for tomorrow’s first Formula USA Unlimited Superbike race at VIR, ahead of Paul Harrell, Shawn Higbee and Lee Acree.

Late in the session, Harrell collided with Jim Bonner and both crashed.

Times follow:

1. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki, 1:29.060
2. Paul Harrell, Yamaha, 1:29.565
3. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki, 1:29.721
4. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:29.833
5. Brian Parriott, Suzuki, 1:29.968
6. Tray Batey, Aprilia, 1:30.061
7. Craig Connell, Ducati, 1:30.208
8. John Haner, Suzuki, 1:30.474
9. Joe Prussiano, Yamaha, 1:30.476
10. Grant Lopez, Suzuki, 1:30.638
11. Eric Wood, Suzuki, 1:30.675
12. Mike Himmelsbach, Aprilia, 1:31.034
13. Ken Chase, Suzuki, 1:31.049
14. Brian Stokes, Suzuki, 1:31.149
15. Chuck Chouinard, Suzuki, 1:31.158
16. Ken Snyder, Suzuki, 1:31.367
17. Gabriel Henning, Suzuki, 1:31.595
18. Marc Palazzo, Honda, 1:32.346
19. Tim Bemisderfer, Yamaha, 1:32.547
20. Aaron Clark, Aprilia, 1:32.556
21. Byron Barbour, Suzuki, 1:32.651
22. Roland Williams, Suzuki, 1:32.828
23. Anthony Fania Jr., Suzuki, 1:32.874
24. Chris Rankin, Suzuki, 1:32.998
25. Mark Ledesman, Aprilia, 1:33.119
26. Mike Fitzpatrick, Suzuki, 1:33.716
27. Russ Masecar, Suzuki, 1:33.909
28. Fritz Kling, Kawasaki, 1:34.149
29. Ray Yoder Jr., Kawasaki, 1:34.584
30. Joseph Spina, Suzuki, 1:34.628
31. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki, 1:35.115
32. Brian Boyd, Yamaha, 1:36.769
33. Jim Bonner, Yamaha, 1:37.990
34. Brett Boyd, Suzuki, 1:38.001
35. Peter Friedman, Suzuki, 1:39.748
36. Brian Baker, Suzuki, 1:40.680

Max Biaggi was credited with the win in the 500cc Grand Prix at Assen Saturday, when a cloudburst hit the track on the 16th of 20 scheduled laps and the race was red-flagged and called complete, and scoring was backed up a lap.

Biaggi’s advantage over Rossi in official results was 0.126-second with Loris Capirossi another 0.606-second behind.

Crashers included Carlos Checa, who knocked down Norike Abe, and Alex Criville, who crashed by himself. Results follow:

1. Max Biaggi, Italy, Yamaha, 30:56.346
2. Valentino Rossi, Italy, Honda, 30:56.472
3. Loris Capirossi, Italy, Honda, 30:57.078
4. ALex Barros, Brazil, Honda, 30:57.577
5. Shinya Nakano, Japan, Yamaha, 31:06.190
6. Kenny Roberts, USA, Suzuki, 31:06.968
7. Sete Gibernau, Spain, Suzuki, 31:10.605
8. Tohru Ukawa, Japan, Honda, 31:14.966
9. Jurgen van den Goordbergh, Holland, Proton, 31:15.203
10. Noriyuki Haga, Japan, Yamaha, 31:18.903
11. Olivier Jacque, Grance, Yamaha, 31:28.975
12. Jose Luis Cardoso, Spain, Yamaha, 31:56.662
13. Leon Haslam, Great Britain, Honda, 31:56.807
14. Haruchika Aoki, Japan, Honda, 31:57.032
15. Anthony West, Australia, Honda, 31:32.622


Jeremy McWilliams won the 250cc Grand Prix at Assen on a drying track. Key to McWilliams’ victory was his choice of cut slicks.

Points leader Diajiro Katoh was 11th, and Championshiop contender Tetsuya Harada pitted to trade rain tires for slicks and finished 24th and out of the points despite turning the fastest lap of the race.

American Jason DiSalvo did not finish, 29th on the results sheet and 10 laps behind McWilliams, and Katja Poensgen also did not finish, 3 laps behind. Results follow:

1. Jeremy McWilliams, Great Britain, Aprilia, 39:28.516
2. Emilio Alzamora, Spain, Honda, 39:44.887
3. David DeGea, Spain, Yamaha, 40:06.925
4. Sylvain Guintoli, France, Aprilia, 40:07.730
5. Franco Battaini, Italy, Aprilia, 40:37.977
6. Marco Melandro, Italy, Aprilia, 40:57.984
7. Luca Boscoscuro, Italy, Aprilia, 41:05.979
8. Riccardo Chiarello, Italy, Aprilia, 41:10.475
9. Jeronimo Vidal, Spain, 41:10.803
10. David Tomas, Spain, Honda, 41:13.231
11. Daijiro Katoh, Japan, Honda, – 1 lap
12. Alex Hofmann, Germany, -1 lap
24. Tesuya Harada, Japan, Aprilia, -1 lap
27. Katja Poensgen, Germany, Aprilia, -3 laps
29. Jason DiSalvo, USA, Honda, -10 laps


In the wet 125cc race, Spanish teen Toni Elias, 18, beat France’s Arnaud Vincent by 0.607-second to win. Gino Borsoi led, crashed, and picked up his bike to finish sixth, with points lead Manuel Poggiali crashed out. A total of 16 riders crashed in the race. Results follow:

1. Toni Elias, Spain, Honda, 41:34.738
2. Arnaud Vincent, France, Honda, 41:35.345
3. Steve Jenkner, Germany, Aprilia, 41:57.991
4. Noboru Ueda, Japan, TSR-Honda, 42:08.717
5. Jakub Smrz, Czech Republic, Honda, 42:19.934
6. Gino Borsoi, Italy, Aprilia, 42:23.294
7. Mirko Giansanti, Italy, Honda, 42:23.630
8. Jaroslav Hules, Czech Republic, Honda, 42:32.736
9. Alessandro Brannetti, Italy, Aprilia, 42:48.801
10. Jarno Mueller, Germany, Honda, 42:49.798

Loris Capirossi took pole position for tomorrow’s 500cc Grand Prix at Assen, Holland, qualifying fastest in Friday’s second and final qualifying session. Arch-rivals Max Biaggi and Valentino Rossi qualified second and third fastest, and were joined on the front row by fourth-fastest Alex Barros. Times follow:

1. Loris Capirossi, Italy, Honda, 2:00.743
2. Max Biaggi, Italy, Yamaha, 2:00.876
3. Valentino Rossi, Italy, Honda, 2:01.185
4. Alex Barros, Brazil, Honda, 2:01.492
5. Shinya Nakano, Japan, Yamaha, 2:01.646
6. Kenny Roberts, USA, Suzuki, 2:01.773
7. Carlos Checa, Spain, Yamaha, 2:01.897
8. Norike Abe, Japan, Yamaha, 2:02.218
9. Sete Gibernau, Spain, Suzuki, 2:02.440
10. Alex Criville, Spain, Honda, 2:02.521
11. Tohru Ukawa, Japan, Honda, 2:02.913
12. Olivier Jacque, France, Yamaha, 2:03.026
13. Noriyuki Haga, Japan, Yamaha, 2:03.116
14. Jurgen van den Goordbergh, Holland, Proton, 2:03.134
15. Leon Haslam, Great Britain, Honda, 2:04.589


Aprilia’s Tetsuya Harada qualified fastest for the 250cc Grand Prix, followed by Daijiro Katoh and Marco Melandri. Times follow:

1. Tetsuya Harada, Japan, Aprilia, 2:04.363
2. Daijiro Katoh, Japan, Honda, 2:04.549
3. Marco Melandri, Italy, Aprilia, 2:04.644
4. Jeremy McWilliams, Great Britain, Aprilia, 2:04.911
5. Roberto Rolfo, Italy, Aprilia, 2:05.492
6. Randy de Puniet, France, Aprilia, 2:05.763
7. Naoki Matsudo, Japan, Yamaha, 2:05.874
8. Sebastian Porto, Argentina, Yamaha, 2:06.139
9. Roberto Locatelli, Italy, Aprilia, 2:06.287
10. Shahrol Yuzy, Malaysia, Yamaha, 2:06.318
24. Jason DiSalvo, USA, Honda, 2:10.288
28. Katja Poensgen, Germany, Aprilia, 2:11.725


Gino Borsoi topped 125cc qualifying. Times follow:

1. Gino Borsoi, Italy, Aprilia, 2:12.212
2. Lucio Cecchinello, Italy, Aprilia, 2:12.373
3. Youchi Ui, Japan, Derbi, 2:12.393
4. Steve Jenkner, Germany, Aprilia, 2:12.461
5. Toni Elias, Spain, Honda, 2:12.673
6. Manuel Poggiali, San Marino, Gilera, 2:13.464
7. Jaroslav Hules, Czech Republic, Honda, 2:13.781
8. Pablo Nieto, Spain, Derbi, 2:13.782
9. Alex de Angelis, San Marino, Honda, 2:13.824
10. Daniel Pedrosa, Spain, 2:13.918

Reader Joe Fenech points out that today is Buster Roberts’ 81st birthday. Buster Roberts is the father of three-time 500cc World Champion Kenny Leroy Roberts and the grandfather of reigning 500cc World Champion Kenny Lee Roberts and of reigning AMA 600cc Supersport and Formula Extreme Champion Kurtis Roberts.

Hooters Suzuki’s Mike Ciccotto was fastest in Friday afternoon Unlimited Superbike practice at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in Alton, Virginia. Times follow:

1. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki, 1:30.242
2. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki, 1:30.984
3. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:31.306
4. Brian Parriott, Suzuki, 1:31.378
5. Tray Batey, Aprilia, 1:31.378
6. Grant Lopez, Suzuki, 1:31.602
7. Mike Himmelsbach, Aprilia, 1:31.688
8. John Haner, Suzuki, 1:32.237
9. Eric Wood, Suzuki, 1:32.509
10. Craig Connell, Ducati, 1:32.552
11. Brian Stokes, Suzuki, 1:32.662
12. Tim Bemisderfer, Yamaha, 1:32.713
13. Byron Barbour, Suzuki, 1:32.748
14. Marc Palazzo, Honda, 1:32.979
15. Ken Chase, Suzuki, 1:33.149
16. Chuck Chouinard, Suzuki, 1:33.173
17. Roland Williams, Suzuki, 1:33.351
18. Aaron Clark, Aprilia, 1:33.408
19. Anthony Fania Jr., Suzuki, 1:33.860
20. Mark Ledesma, Aprilia, 1:34.030
21. Gabriel Henning, Suzuki, 1:34.529
22. Chris Rankin, Suzuki, 1:35.000
23. Greg Harrison, Suzuki, 1:35.326
24. Joe Spina, Suzuki, 1:35.805
25. Russ Masecar, Suzuki, 1:36.411
26. Roman Kilgore, Suzuki, 1:36.932
27. Fritz Kling, Kawasaki, 1:37.347
28. Ray Yoder Jr., Kawasaki, 1:38.024
29. Jason D’Amico, Suzuki, 1:39.575
30. Jim Bonner, Yamaha, 1:39.684
31. C.R. “Critter” Gittere, Suzuki, 1:40.045
32. Brian Boyd, Yamaha, 1:40.654
33. Brett Boyd, Suzuki, 1:42.499
34. NA, 1:42.863
35. Brian Baker, Suzuki, 1:43.811


Ciccotto was also fastest in Pro Sportbike practice for 600cc machines Friday afternoon. Times follow:

1. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki, 1:30.620
2. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:31.374
3. Brian Parriott, Suzuki, 1:32.852
4. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, 1:33.803
5. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki, 1:33.869
6. Brian Livengood, Yamaha, 1:33.918
7. Marc Palazzo, Honda, 1:34.014
8. Brian Stokes, Suzuki, 1:34.195
9. Chuck Chouinard, Suzuki, 1:34.350
10. Shannon Ball, Suzuki, 1:34.597
11. Stoney Landers, Suzuki, 1:34.656
12. Brett Champagne, Suzuki, 1:34.710
13. Eoin Smith, Yamaha, 1:35.195
14. Byron Barbour, Suzuki, 1:35.370
15. Shawn Conrad, Suzuki, 1:36.075
16. Kevin Pate, Kawasaki, 1:36.588
17. Roland Williams, Suzuki, 1:36.721
18. Steve Luxem, Yamaha, 1:37.685
19. Greg Faiella, Yamaha, 1:38.090
20. NA, 1:40.288
21. B.J. Bradley, Suzuki, 1:43.533
22. John Costa, Yamaha, 1:44.978
23. William K. Stoltz, Kawasaki, 1:48.530

In Friday afternoon practice for Aprilia Cup Challenge, Derek MacKelvie King was fastest. Times follow:

1. Derek M. King, 1:38.480
2. Jeff Wood, 1:39.596
3. Thad Halsmer, 1:40.941
4. Brian Kcraget, 1:41.220
5. Tim Cochran, 1:41.601
6. Gus Holcomb, 1:42.275
7. John Lemak, 1:42.455
8. Shannon Silva, 1:42.629
9. Mat Wissel, 1:42.961
10. Josh Sortor, 1:43.417
11. Roland Williams, 1:43.591
12. Brian Roach, 1:43.791
13. Andre Castanos, 1:44.016
14. Mark Blackman, 1:44.022
15. Tom Knutson, 1:44.965
16. Chad Healy, 1:45.461
17. Dennis Nourry, 1:45.739
18. Doug Barnes, 1:45.932
19. Mark Wissel, 1:46.118
20. Eric Stevenson, 1:47.571
21. Andras Mak, 1:49.199
22. Raymond Chilson Jr. 1:51.493
23. Anthony Degreif, 1:52.079
24. David Moon, 1:54.232

Michael Barnes was fastest in Buell Lightning practice Friday afternoon at VIR. Note that Richie Morris was sixth-fastest in his race-weekend-return from serious injuries suffered at Daytona. Times follow:

1. Michael Barnes, 1:36.249
2. Bryan Bemisderfer, 1:38.443
3. Jason Smith, 1:39.012
4. Brian Kcraget, 1:40.293
5. Jeff Johnson, 1:40.857
6. Richie Morris, 1:41.528
7. Mark Reynolds, 1:41.869
8. Steve Luxem, 1:42.795
9. Daniel Bilansky, 1:44.809
10. Brian Frank, 1:44.848
11. Brian Bodine, 1:55.151
12. Tim Johnson, 1:55.851
13. David Moon, 1:57.159
14. Patrick Wakefield, 2:02.408

This just in from RPM:

“Twice in one year, RPM Racing L.L.C., the WERA South Central regional affiliate is introducing a new venue to fill its Round 7 near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The date for the RPM Regional Final is September 14-16 with an open practice on Friday. This is to replace Texas Motor Speedway being shut-down due to repaving the NASCAR oval.

“The new speedway is named Grand Bayou Circuit, aka No Problem Raceway. It is located 35 miles Southwest of Baton Rouge. It is a combination drag strip and road coarse. The track is officially 14 turns, 1.8 miles in length, 50 feet wide, and has asphalt mixed with limestone. RPM will host a full weekend of races to include the final rounds of the Coca-Cola 4 Hour and HRD Mini 2 Hour Endurance on Saturday. Sunday will play host to Mini Sprints, Vintage and a full WERA Sportsman Sprint schedule.

“The RPM Steering Riders Committee (Harold Hixon, Scott Howse, David Kagan, Greg Abbott, and Pete Martins) will have made final adjustments to the track safety before the race weekend.

“Go to www.noproblemraceway.com to view shots of the track. RPM has also shot on-board footage that gives more of an updated view of the track. Go to www.rpmraceclub.com message board to view the footage.”

Loris Capirossi was fastest in the first 500cc qualifying session at Assen, Holland on Thursday, followed by Valentino Rossi and Alex Barros.

The Dutch TT, a round of the Grand Prix World Championship, is held on Saturday instead of Sunday, with practice and qualifying starting on Thursday instead of Friday.

Times follow:

1. Loris Capirossi, Italy, Honda, 2:01.417
2. Valentino Rossi, Italy, Honda, 2:01.649
3. Alex Barros, Brazil, Honda, 2:02.338
4. Kenny Roberts, USA, Suzuki, 2:02.349
5. Norike Abe, Japan, Yamaha, 2:02.707
6. Max Biaggi, Italy, Yamaha, 2:02.806
7. Alex Criville, Spain, Honda, 2:02.921
8. Tohru Ukawa, Japan, Honda, 2:03.150
9. Shinya Nakano, Japan, Yamaha, 2:03.204
10. Carlos Checa, Spain, Yamaha, 2:03.345
11. Jurgen v. d. Goordbergh, Holland, Proton, 1:03.540
12. Sete Gibernau, Spain, Suzuki, 1:03.589
13. Noriyuki Haga, Japan, Yamaha, 1:03.699
14. Olivier Jacque, France, Yamaha, 1:03.707
15. Garry McCoy, Australia, Yamaha, 1:04.046
16. Chris Walker, Great Britain, Honda, 1:04.287
17. Leon Haslam, Great Britain, Honda, 1:05.465
18. Jose Luis Cardoso, Spain, Yamaha, 1:05.561
19. Haruchika Aoki, Japan, Honda, 1:05.607
20. Anthony West, Australia, Honda, 1:06.465


In the first 250cc qualifying session, a quartet of Aprilias led the way with Marco Melandri fastest ahead of Tetsuya Harada, Jeremy McWilliams and Roberto Rolfo. America wild card rider Jason DiSalvo was 28th-fastest, just behind 27th-fastest Katja Poensgen. Times follow:

1. Marco Melandro, Italy, Aprilia, 2:05.194
2. Tetsuya Harada, Japan, Aprilia, 2:05.289
3. Jeremy McWilliams, Great Britain, 2:05.514
4. Roberto Rolfo, Italy, Aprilia, 2:06.088
5. Daijiro Katoh, Japan, Honda, 2:06.094
6. Randy de Puniet, France, Aprilia, 2:06.312
7. Sebastian Porto, Argentina, Yamaha, 2:06.792
8. Emilio Alzamora, Spain, Honda, 2:06.938
9. Alex Hofmann, Germany, Aprilia, 2:06.940
10. Roberto Locatelli, Italy, Aprilia, 2:07.315
27. Katja Poensgen, Germany, Aprilia, 2:12.590
28. Jason DiSalvo, USA, Honda, 2:12.832


In the first 125cc qualifying session, Gino Borsoi was fastest ahead of Lucio Cecchinello and Toni Elias. Times follow:

1. Gino Borsoi, Italy, Aprilia, 2:13.485
2. Lucio Cecchinello, Italy, Aprilia, 2:13.753
3. Toni Elias, Spain, Honda, 2:13.792
4. Youichi Ui, Japan, Derbi, 2:13.890
5. Manuel Poggiali, Italy, Gilera, 2:14.356
6. Jaroslav Hules, Czech Republic, Honda, 2:14.478
7. Steve Jenkner, Germany, Aprilia, 2:14.592
8. Stefano Perugini, Italy, Ital Jet, 2:14.769
9. Noboru Ueda, Japan, TSR-Honda, 2:14.800
10. Angel Nieto Jr., Spain, Honda, 2:14.812

Racer Chuck Chouinard, who was stripped of his second-place finish in the Loudon AMA 750cc Supersport race over allegedly modified valves he says were only cleaned using Scotch-Brite, has now been suspended by AMA Pro Racing.

The suspension continues a crack-down on rider behavior by AMA Pro Racing, which fined Mat Mladin $5000 and one championship point for remarks Mladin allegedly made during a press conference at Loudon. Comparing an AMA press release on the fine and point deduction to a tape recording of Mladin’s remarks shows that the AMA release grossly misrepresented what Mladin said and how he said it. That case is headed for the courts, insiders say, while AMA officials are maintaining a hard line and have privately said that Mladin can go race someplace else if he doesn’t like it.

According to Chouinard associates, Chouinard has been suspended for one year for his conduct following his disqualification at Loudon, when he allegedly spit at an official, threatened to ram the second-place trophy (which he had been ordered to return) up an official’s ass, and came close to hitting an uninvolved grid marshall with his pit bike while leaving the tech area in a rage.

Chouinard and his team have denied all charges and said that he did not spit at an official, did not hit a grid marshall with a pit bike or intentionally even come close to the walking official, and did not threaten to ram a trophy up an official’s ass.

Meanwhile, Roadracing World today took possession of two valves from the involved engine and while preliminary examination showed no metal removal, detailed measurements and photos of the valves and stock valves using a microscope will be taken, and the results will be posted on roadracingworld.com.