Willow Springs International Raceway will install gravel traps outside turn two prior to the AMA National scheduled for September 13-16 at the Rosamond, California track.
Willow Springs’ Greg Huth revealed the plan in a May 8 phone call to Roadracing World headquarters.
In the same phone call, Huth pledged $3000 on behalf of Willow Springs Raceway toward the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund.
Aaron Yates’ high-speed crash into an air barrier at Sears Point during the televised 600cc Supersport race made a big impact on viewers, including racers and crew members who saw the crash on TV monitors along pit lane.
In what may be karma, Yates and his wife Heather upped their donation to our Air Fence fund by $300 to a total of $500 the day before his crash into one of the few Air Fence modules in action at Sears Point.
Yates went into the air barrier neck and shoulders first, and his father, Lucky, pointed out that such an impact into haybales (or worse, into a bare concrete or steel barrier) can be very, very serious.
Yates went out of his way to mention Air Fence on the Superbike podium later in the day and in the post-Superbike-race press conference, and to specifically mention roadracingworld.com’s efforts to obtain more Air Fence for our racers.
The section of inflated air barrier that Yates hit was an Air Fence module. Although it was not tied down properly, it was still effective and prevented Yates from suffering any injuries.
The AMA currently owns three Air Fence sections and Sears Point itself owns an additional seven sections of Air Fence. Sears Point deploys its Air Fence sections in turns one and 10 for all motorcycle races.
TV coverage of the impact led Rob Nance of Austin, Texas to send this e-mail to roadracingworld.com:
“I am curious what the folks at Roadracing World have to say about the Speedvision coverage of the AMA weekend, more specifically, their comments about Air Fence in the AMA Supersport 600 race. When Yates went down, the announcers quickly stated that the Air Fence placed by the AMA saved his life in more or less words. Nothing was said about the fact that he hit one of just several at the track that day, and the fact that the AMA had put off requisition of the aformentioned 29 sections they had been talking about.
“Yates lucked out; thankfully, due to the efforts of John Ulrich, Roadracing World, and the great fans of motorcycle racing everywhere, the next guy won’t have to get lucky. I guess the Speedvision guys could have gotten in a lot of trouble for mentioning the fact that there was very little Air Fence used at Sears Point, but I think the additional ‘AMA cares about racers’ they alluded too was a bit much, considering how false the assumption is.
“Keep up the great work Roadracing World!”
There will be 15 new sections of Air Module at Road Atlanta May 15, along with two representatives of Alpina Safety Systems to oversee correct deployment and installation of the sections. Additional sections of Air Fence will arrive shortly after the Road Atlanta weekend.
Meanwhile, OMRRA President Spiros Gabrilis sent this message of supprt:
“On behalf of its membership, the OMRRA Board has pledged $500 toward the Air Fence safety fund. OMRRA employees a small section of Air Fence and we can attest to the life-saying benefits of the barriers. It’s a comforting feeling to see that so many in the industry and the sport have answered your call. More important, though, we can all draw certain unambiguous conclusions from the glaring absence of certain names from your list.
“In any motorsport event, rider safety must be the first concern of all involved. Alot of people seem to understand that. One wonders why others who should, don’t.
“Thanks for your efforts.”
At Sears Point, Dennis Pegelow’s DP Enterprises and Stratton Racing’s Stuart Stratton contributed to the fund.
An updated posting of new contributions and total donations will be posted soon.
Ducati issued a press release at the Spanish Grand Prix stating that the company will investigate building a four-stroke GP bike but will remain committed to the Superbike World Championship. The release read as follows:
“THE STUDY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUR-STROKE GP CLASS DUCATI PROTOTYPE BIKE GETS UNDERWAY – OFFICIAL INVOLVEMENT IN WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP TO CONTINUE
“Jerez de la Frontera, May 4, 2001
“Ducati Motor Holding SpA has decided to entrust its dedicated racing structure, Ducati Corse, with the task of studying the construction of a four-stroke prototype, which will eventually take part in the Grand Prix World Championship in the near future.
“Racing forms part of Ducati’s ‘DNA’ and has always represented the main promotional ‘vehicle’ for the Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer.
“Ducati is the most successful manufacturer in the history of World Superbike, the championship reserved for four-stroke, large capacity production-based sportsbikes, and has won 17 titles (8 Riders’ and 9 Manufacturers’) in this category of racing since 1990.
“This remarkable record, which has been achieved with its ‘desmodromic’ twin cylinder bikes, has contributed to the extraordinary commercial success of the Ducati marque, which has paralleled success in the World Superbike Championship.
“A careful analysis of the opportunities offered by the new regulations, which allow 990cc four-stroke prototypes to take part in the GP category, together with the company’s recent success, which saw a record production run of 39,000 motorbikes in the year 2000, has convinced Ducati to embark on this ambitious new project.
“Ducati Corse engineers are working on taking the concept of the twin-cylinder ‘desmodromic’ engine to its extreme limit. This radical new engine will eventually be inserted in a tubular trestle frame, in the best tradition of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer. The aim is to build a competitive and innovative prototype while at the same time maintaining the features that have made Ducati famous and successful throughout the world.
“Innovative and avant-guard ideas, which have become the key characteristics of the success and exclusivity of Ducati bikes all over the world, will in the future be experimented not only in Superbike but also in GP racing and will help to further increase the quality and performance of Ducati’s road models.
“In the coming years Ducati will therefore be involved with factory teams on two fronts: in Superbike for the promotion and development of its own production bikes and in Grands Prix for the experimentation of new technologies.”
Copyright 2001 Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Four-time AMA 250cc Grand Prix Champion Rich Oliver has split with mechanic/fiance Jocelin and is looking for a new mechanic, and has also signed with a new agent, Jeff Haney of OMS Ltd.
Oliver announced his engagement to the racer formerly known as Jocelin Veilleux at the Pikes Peak AMA National last August, after working with her as his mechanic for part of the season. Veilleux changed her legal name to just “Jocelin” prior to meeting Oliver.
Until he can find a new full-time mechanic, Oliver is being helped out by long-time sponsor Wilson’s Motorcycles of Fresno. At Sears Point, Oliver was assisted by Robert Ward, a mechanic who formerly worked with Erion Honda and Muzzy Kawasaki and now is a line mechanic at Wilson’s. At Road Atlanta, Oliver will work with Gary Georges, a former racer and line mechanic who is now General Manager of Wilson’s.
Oliver crashed while leading the 250cc Grand Prix race at Sears Point, in turn one, but was uninjured.
Oliver said in an April 30 phone interview that he is happy to have signed with OMS Ltd., a management firm, and to be working with former racer and long-time friend Jeff Haney.
“It means alot to me that Haney is involved with them (OMS),” Oliver said. “Haney and I go way back, to high school.”
As for working with OMS, Oliver said “It’s nice to have a little bit of backing behind you. I don’t mind working on the little deals, the product sponsors, but as far as actually searching for a major team sponsor or negotiating my contract with Yamaha, I’d rather have OMS do that.”
Oliver said that Jocelin’s desire to be a professional racer instead of concentrating on his career contributed to the break-up, and that information was posted on Roadracing World last week. But in an e-mail to Roadracing World, Jocelin disputed that, writing, “To start off, I split with Rich, and it had nothing to do with racing, the truth, actually is quite hair-raising. I respect Rich’s career, and have kept my reasons for leaving Rich quiet for this because I do, however, I don’t feel it is fair that I am the one attacked for this. I’m sure you know that I did nothing short of supporting Rich and his ‘Championship-winning program’. Rich cannot deny, I offered to quit racing SEVERAL times to concentrate on only his program, especially after Daytona, he did not want that. The four race weekends that I attended while I was with Rich, was not only his idea, but pretty much set up by him.”
Jocelin, who crashed and broke a wrist during practice for the Formula USA weekend April 20, riding her TZ250, also denied reports that she caused the collision with Michael Hannas that led to her fall. “As for the crash at Willow involving…Michael Hannas,” wrote Jocelin, “it is a shame. I went looking for him many times with Tom Sera (who saw the incident, and had a bit of a different story). I wanted to chat with Hannas and find out what happened. When I passed Hannas, he was on the far left of the straight and I was on the far right. I never pulled in front of anyone. I held my line and pulled my brakes at my marker. I feel badly we were involved in a crash on only the first lap of practice, and I am sure he does, too.
“Anyway,” concluded Jocelin in her e-mail regarding the original post on roadracingworld.com, “I hope I am not coming across in the wrong way, I am in no way telling you what to write, just frustrated by the slack I’ve gotten over the article. Although we all enjoy a good story, it’s even better when it is the truth.”
In a May 7 phone call to Roadracing World, eyewitness Tom Sera confirmed Jocelin’s version of the incident involving Hannas at Willow Springs, and said he saw Hannas move over behind Jocelin after she passed him. Sera did say, however, that Jocelin put on the brakes relatively early for the corner, and that it appeared that Hannas was surprised by that.
Sears Point Raceway issued a press release announcing a new sponsorship deal with Kawasaki, but the racetrack will continue to be known at Sears Point and will not become Kawasaki Point.
The release read as follows:
“Sears Point Goes Racing With Kawasaki
“Sears Point Raceway has formed a partnership with Kawasaki that will make the manufacturer the ‘Official Motorcycle and ATV’ of the raceway.
“The deal is three years in length, with Kawasaki providing cash sponsorship and vehicles to meet the needs of Sears Point Raceway.
“‘We are excited to partner with Kawasaki and their quality products,’ said Tim Schuldt, Vice President of Sales/Marketing at Sears Point Raceway. ‘We also look forward to working with Kawasaki and helping the company achieve its goals in the marketplace.’
“Kawasaki begins its relationship with Sears Point Raceway as the facility continues work on its $35 million modernization plan that will transform the raceway into one of the premier entertainment and motorsports venues in the country.
“From the class leading Ninja® sportbikes and thundering Vulcan* cruisers to the rugged Prairie® ATVs and Mule* utility vehicles, Kawasaki products lead the powersports industry around the globe. The secret of Kawasaki’s success is in designing and manufacturing products that offer balanced performance, high quality, reliability and excellent fit and finish.
“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.”
Valentino Rossi won the 500cc race at Jerez Sunday. Results follow:
1. Valentino Rossi, Honda
2. Norike Abe, Yamaha
3. Alex Criville, Honda
4. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha
5. Tohruo Ukawa, Honda
6. Alex Barros, Honda
7. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki
8. Loris Capirossi, Honda
9. Garry McCoy, Yamaha
10. Steve Gibernau, Suzuki
11. Max Biaggi, Yamaha
12. Noriyuki Haga, Yamaha
13. Jurgen van den Goorbergh, Proton KR
14. Carlos Checa, Yamaha
15. Anthony West, Honda
500cc Points standings:
1. Rossi, 75
2. Abe, 44
3. Nakano, 37
4. Capirossi, 36
5. Criville, 33
6. Biaggi, 29
7. McCoy, 27
8. Ukawa, 27
9. Barros, 27
10. Roberts, 27
250cc results
1. Daijiro Katoh, Honda
2. Tetsuya Hartada, Aprilia
3. Mareco Melandri, Aprilia
4. Marcellino Lucchi, Aprilia
5. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia
6. Emilio Alzamora, Honda
7. Roberto Rolfo, Aprilia
8. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia
9. Franco Battaini, Aprilia
10. Jeremy McWilliams, Aprilia
125cc results
1. Masao Azuma
2. Lucio Cecchinello
3. Gino Borsoi
4. Noburo Ueda
5. Angel Nieto Jr.
6. Angel Rodriguez
Mike Ciccotto came from last on the grid to first place in the Pro Thunder race at Sears Point, riding a Hal’s Performance Buell 1200.
Ciccotto had to start on the back of the grid because he was disqualified from his heat race win after his bike’s fuel failed to pass tech.
Results folow:
1. Mike Ciccotto, Buell, Metzeler
2. Tom Montano, Ducati, Dunlop
3. Dave Estok, Buell, Dunlop
4. Jeff Nash, Ducati, Dunlop
5. Zoran Vujasinovic, Suzuki, Michelin
6. Ricky Lundgren, Ducati
7. Mike Krynock, Ducati
8. Dr. Dave Kieffer, Ducati
9. Michael Hardin, Ducati
10. Charlie Hewett, Ducati
Tripp Nobles led early but DNF, mechanical.
Anthony Gobert edged Nicky Hayden in a hard-fought, back-and-forth Superbike battle at Sears Point. The race drew a record crowd in perfect conditions.
On the podium and again in the post-race press conference, third-place Aaron Yates praised “God and Sears Point” for the Air Fence he hit during the 600cc Supersport race. Yates said that if there hadn’t been Air Fence in the corner where he fell, he probably couldn’t have made the Superbike race.
Yates went on to say that, after the experience, he was looking forward to Road Atlanta and seeing the new Air Fence “that John Ulrich and roadracingworld.com have been working on getting for us.”
Nicky Hayden said he feels like he needs to start winning races if he is to have a shot at the Championship, which is his goal.
Anthony Gobert missed the post-race press conference and was being treated in the track medical center for heat exhaustion, where he was being given IVs.
AMA press officer Larry Lawrence took a tape recorder and got a quote from Gobert before being escorted from the care center by the police.
“It was great,” Gobert said. “Probably the best feeling I’ve had for victory in my whole life. I got a bad start. All weekend we were fastest on race tires. (But) After the start I knew I had my work cut out for me.
“After the 600 race, I pushed so hard trying to beat Aaron Yates I was pretty tired and pretty dehydrated. In the Superbike, the last 10 laps I was just dying, but I wanted to win so bad. Nicky put up one hell of a fight but luckily I had enough for him.”
The race marked Yamaha’s first AMA Superbike win since 1998 at Daytona with Scott Russell and Yamaha’s first win at Sears Point since 1994 with Colin Edwards. The victory was Gobert’s sixth in AMA Superbike competition.
Results follow:
1. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha
2. Nicky Hayden, Honda
3. Aaron Yates, Suzuki
4. Mat Mladin, Suzuki
5. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki*
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda
7. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki
8. Doug Chandler, Kawasaki
9. Steve Rapp, Ducati
10. Larry Pegram, Ducati
11. Kurtis Roberts, Honda
12. Pascal Picotte, Harley-Davidson
13. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha
14. Jordan Szoke, Harley-Davidson
15. Andreas Meklau, Ducati
16. Mike Smith, Harley-Davidson
17. James Randolph, Suzuki
18. Robert Mesa, Suzuki
19. Tony Lupo, Suzuki
20. Tony Meiring, Suzuki
21. Jim Doerfler, Suzuki
*According to monitored radio communications between AMA officials, Hacking jumped the start and would be docked a lap for failing to respond to a blue flag for a stop-and-go penalty.
Jimmy Moore took over the 750cc Supersport standings after Sears Point. Rich Alexander is second in points and Ben Spies, who rode with a broken wrist and finished eighth in the race, is third in points.
1. Jimmy Moore, 59
2. Rich Alexander, 58
3. Ben Spies, 57
4. Vince Haskovec, 47
5. Alan Schmidt, 40
6. Anthony Lupo, 39
7. Brian Parriott, 38
8. Jason Pridmore, 36
9. Tony Meiring, 34
10. Chris Ulrich, 27
11. Lee Acree, 26
12. Brian Gibbs, 26
13. John Ashmead, 24
14. James Randolph, 24
15. John Jacobi, 23
Willow Springs International Raceway will install gravel traps outside turn two prior to the AMA National scheduled for September 13-16 at the Rosamond, California track.
Willow Springs’ Greg Huth revealed the plan in a May 8 phone call to Roadracing World headquarters.
In the same phone call, Huth pledged $3000 on behalf of Willow Springs Raceway toward the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund.
Aaron Yates’ high-speed crash into an air barrier at Sears Point during the televised 600cc Supersport race made a big impact on viewers, including racers and crew members who saw the crash on TV monitors along pit lane.
In what may be karma, Yates and his wife Heather upped their donation to our Air Fence fund by $300 to a total of $500 the day before his crash into one of the few Air Fence modules in action at Sears Point.
Yates went into the air barrier neck and shoulders first, and his father, Lucky, pointed out that such an impact into haybales (or worse, into a bare concrete or steel barrier) can be very, very serious.
Yates went out of his way to mention Air Fence on the Superbike podium later in the day and in the post-Superbike-race press conference, and to specifically mention roadracingworld.com’s efforts to obtain more Air Fence for our racers.
The section of inflated air barrier that Yates hit was an Air Fence module. Although it was not tied down properly, it was still effective and prevented Yates from suffering any injuries.
The AMA currently owns three Air Fence sections and Sears Point itself owns an additional seven sections of Air Fence. Sears Point deploys its Air Fence sections in turns one and 10 for all motorcycle races.
TV coverage of the impact led Rob Nance of Austin, Texas to send this e-mail to roadracingworld.com:
“I am curious what the folks at Roadracing World have to say about the Speedvision coverage of the AMA weekend, more specifically, their comments about Air Fence in the AMA Supersport 600 race. When Yates went down, the announcers quickly stated that the Air Fence placed by the AMA saved his life in more or less words. Nothing was said about the fact that he hit one of just several at the track that day, and the fact that the AMA had put off requisition of the aformentioned 29 sections they had been talking about.
“Yates lucked out; thankfully, due to the efforts of John Ulrich, Roadracing World, and the great fans of motorcycle racing everywhere, the next guy won’t have to get lucky. I guess the Speedvision guys could have gotten in a lot of trouble for mentioning the fact that there was very little Air Fence used at Sears Point, but I think the additional ‘AMA cares about racers’ they alluded too was a bit much, considering how false the assumption is.
“Keep up the great work Roadracing World!”
There will be 15 new sections of Air Module at Road Atlanta May 15, along with two representatives of Alpina Safety Systems to oversee correct deployment and installation of the sections. Additional sections of Air Fence will arrive shortly after the Road Atlanta weekend.
Meanwhile, OMRRA President Spiros Gabrilis sent this message of supprt:
“On behalf of its membership, the OMRRA Board has pledged $500 toward the Air Fence safety fund. OMRRA employees a small section of Air Fence and we can attest to the life-saying benefits of the barriers. It’s a comforting feeling to see that so many in the industry and the sport have answered your call. More important, though, we can all draw certain unambiguous conclusions from the glaring absence of certain names from your list.
“In any motorsport event, rider safety must be the first concern of all involved. Alot of people seem to understand that. One wonders why others who should, don’t.
“Thanks for your efforts.”
At Sears Point, Dennis Pegelow’s DP Enterprises and Stratton Racing’s Stuart Stratton contributed to the fund.
An updated posting of new contributions and total donations will be posted soon.
Ducati issued a press release at the Spanish Grand Prix stating that the company will investigate building a four-stroke GP bike but will remain committed to the Superbike World Championship. The release read as follows:
“THE STUDY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUR-STROKE GP CLASS DUCATI PROTOTYPE BIKE GETS UNDERWAY – OFFICIAL INVOLVEMENT IN WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP TO CONTINUE
“Jerez de la Frontera, May 4, 2001
“Ducati Motor Holding SpA has decided to entrust its dedicated racing structure, Ducati Corse, with the task of studying the construction of a four-stroke prototype, which will eventually take part in the Grand Prix World Championship in the near future.
“Racing forms part of Ducati’s ‘DNA’ and has always represented the main promotional ‘vehicle’ for the Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer.
“Ducati is the most successful manufacturer in the history of World Superbike, the championship reserved for four-stroke, large capacity production-based sportsbikes, and has won 17 titles (8 Riders’ and 9 Manufacturers’) in this category of racing since 1990.
“This remarkable record, which has been achieved with its ‘desmodromic’ twin cylinder bikes, has contributed to the extraordinary commercial success of the Ducati marque, which has paralleled success in the World Superbike Championship.
“A careful analysis of the opportunities offered by the new regulations, which allow 990cc four-stroke prototypes to take part in the GP category, together with the company’s recent success, which saw a record production run of 39,000 motorbikes in the year 2000, has convinced Ducati to embark on this ambitious new project.
“Ducati Corse engineers are working on taking the concept of the twin-cylinder ‘desmodromic’ engine to its extreme limit. This radical new engine will eventually be inserted in a tubular trestle frame, in the best tradition of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer. The aim is to build a competitive and innovative prototype while at the same time maintaining the features that have made Ducati famous and successful throughout the world.
“Innovative and avant-guard ideas, which have become the key characteristics of the success and exclusivity of Ducati bikes all over the world, will in the future be experimented not only in Superbike but also in GP racing and will help to further increase the quality and performance of Ducati’s road models.
“In the coming years Ducati will therefore be involved with factory teams on two fronts: in Superbike for the promotion and development of its own production bikes and in Grands Prix for the experimentation of new technologies.”
Copyright 2001 Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Four-time AMA 250cc Grand Prix Champion Rich Oliver has split with mechanic/fiance Jocelin and is looking for a new mechanic, and has also signed with a new agent, Jeff Haney of OMS Ltd.
Oliver announced his engagement to the racer formerly known as Jocelin Veilleux at the Pikes Peak AMA National last August, after working with her as his mechanic for part of the season. Veilleux changed her legal name to just “Jocelin” prior to meeting Oliver.
Until he can find a new full-time mechanic, Oliver is being helped out by long-time sponsor Wilson’s Motorcycles of Fresno. At Sears Point, Oliver was assisted by Robert Ward, a mechanic who formerly worked with Erion Honda and Muzzy Kawasaki and now is a line mechanic at Wilson’s. At Road Atlanta, Oliver will work with Gary Georges, a former racer and line mechanic who is now General Manager of Wilson’s.
Oliver crashed while leading the 250cc Grand Prix race at Sears Point, in turn one, but was uninjured.
Oliver said in an April 30 phone interview that he is happy to have signed with OMS Ltd., a management firm, and to be working with former racer and long-time friend Jeff Haney.
“It means alot to me that Haney is involved with them (OMS),” Oliver said. “Haney and I go way back, to high school.”
As for working with OMS, Oliver said “It’s nice to have a little bit of backing behind you. I don’t mind working on the little deals, the product sponsors, but as far as actually searching for a major team sponsor or negotiating my contract with Yamaha, I’d rather have OMS do that.”
Oliver said that Jocelin’s desire to be a professional racer instead of concentrating on his career contributed to the break-up, and that information was posted on Roadracing World last week. But in an e-mail to Roadracing World, Jocelin disputed that, writing, “To start off, I split with Rich, and it had nothing to do with racing, the truth, actually is quite hair-raising. I respect Rich’s career, and have kept my reasons for leaving Rich quiet for this because I do, however, I don’t feel it is fair that I am the one attacked for this. I’m sure you know that I did nothing short of supporting Rich and his ‘Championship-winning program’. Rich cannot deny, I offered to quit racing SEVERAL times to concentrate on only his program, especially after Daytona, he did not want that. The four race weekends that I attended while I was with Rich, was not only his idea, but pretty much set up by him.”
Jocelin, who crashed and broke a wrist during practice for the Formula USA weekend April 20, riding her TZ250, also denied reports that she caused the collision with Michael Hannas that led to her fall. “As for the crash at Willow involving…Michael Hannas,” wrote Jocelin, “it is a shame. I went looking for him many times with Tom Sera (who saw the incident, and had a bit of a different story). I wanted to chat with Hannas and find out what happened. When I passed Hannas, he was on the far left of the straight and I was on the far right. I never pulled in front of anyone. I held my line and pulled my brakes at my marker. I feel badly we were involved in a crash on only the first lap of practice, and I am sure he does, too.
“Anyway,” concluded Jocelin in her e-mail regarding the original post on roadracingworld.com, “I hope I am not coming across in the wrong way, I am in no way telling you what to write, just frustrated by the slack I’ve gotten over the article. Although we all enjoy a good story, it’s even better when it is the truth.”
In a May 7 phone call to Roadracing World, eyewitness Tom Sera confirmed Jocelin’s version of the incident involving Hannas at Willow Springs, and said he saw Hannas move over behind Jocelin after she passed him. Sera did say, however, that Jocelin put on the brakes relatively early for the corner, and that it appeared that Hannas was surprised by that.
Sears Point Raceway issued a press release announcing a new sponsorship deal with Kawasaki, but the racetrack will continue to be known at Sears Point and will not become Kawasaki Point.
The release read as follows:
“Sears Point Goes Racing With Kawasaki
“Sears Point Raceway has formed a partnership with Kawasaki that will make the manufacturer the ‘Official Motorcycle and ATV’ of the raceway.
“The deal is three years in length, with Kawasaki providing cash sponsorship and vehicles to meet the needs of Sears Point Raceway.
“‘We are excited to partner with Kawasaki and their quality products,’ said Tim Schuldt, Vice President of Sales/Marketing at Sears Point Raceway. ‘We also look forward to working with Kawasaki and helping the company achieve its goals in the marketplace.’
“Kawasaki begins its relationship with Sears Point Raceway as the facility continues work on its $35 million modernization plan that will transform the raceway into one of the premier entertainment and motorsports venues in the country.
“From the class leading Ninja® sportbikes and thundering Vulcan* cruisers to the rugged Prairie® ATVs and Mule* utility vehicles, Kawasaki products lead the powersports industry around the globe. The secret of Kawasaki’s success is in designing and manufacturing products that offer balanced performance, high quality, reliability and excellent fit and finish.
“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.”
Valentino Rossi won the 500cc race at Jerez Sunday. Results follow:
1. Valentino Rossi, Honda
2. Norike Abe, Yamaha
3. Alex Criville, Honda
4. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha
5. Tohruo Ukawa, Honda
6. Alex Barros, Honda
7. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki
8. Loris Capirossi, Honda
9. Garry McCoy, Yamaha
10. Steve Gibernau, Suzuki
11. Max Biaggi, Yamaha
12. Noriyuki Haga, Yamaha
13. Jurgen van den Goorbergh, Proton KR
14. Carlos Checa, Yamaha
15. Anthony West, Honda
500cc Points standings:
1. Rossi, 75
2. Abe, 44
3. Nakano, 37
4. Capirossi, 36
5. Criville, 33
6. Biaggi, 29
7. McCoy, 27
8. Ukawa, 27
9. Barros, 27
10. Roberts, 27
250cc results
1. Daijiro Katoh, Honda
2. Tetsuya Hartada, Aprilia
3. Mareco Melandri, Aprilia
4. Marcellino Lucchi, Aprilia
5. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia
6. Emilio Alzamora, Honda
7. Roberto Rolfo, Aprilia
8. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia
9. Franco Battaini, Aprilia
10. Jeremy McWilliams, Aprilia
125cc results
1. Masao Azuma
2. Lucio Cecchinello
3. Gino Borsoi
4. Noburo Ueda
5. Angel Nieto Jr.
6. Angel Rodriguez
Mike Ciccotto came from last on the grid to first place in the Pro Thunder race at Sears Point, riding a Hal’s Performance Buell 1200.
Ciccotto had to start on the back of the grid because he was disqualified from his heat race win after his bike’s fuel failed to pass tech.
Results folow:
1. Mike Ciccotto, Buell, Metzeler
2. Tom Montano, Ducati, Dunlop
3. Dave Estok, Buell, Dunlop
4. Jeff Nash, Ducati, Dunlop
5. Zoran Vujasinovic, Suzuki, Michelin
6. Ricky Lundgren, Ducati
7. Mike Krynock, Ducati
8. Dr. Dave Kieffer, Ducati
9. Michael Hardin, Ducati
10. Charlie Hewett, Ducati
Tripp Nobles led early but DNF, mechanical.
Anthony Gobert edged Nicky Hayden in a hard-fought, back-and-forth Superbike battle at Sears Point. The race drew a record crowd in perfect conditions.
On the podium and again in the post-race press conference, third-place Aaron Yates praised “God and Sears Point” for the Air Fence he hit during the 600cc Supersport race. Yates said that if there hadn’t been Air Fence in the corner where he fell, he probably couldn’t have made the Superbike race.
Yates went on to say that, after the experience, he was looking forward to Road Atlanta and seeing the new Air Fence “that John Ulrich and roadracingworld.com have been working on getting for us.”
Nicky Hayden said he feels like he needs to start winning races if he is to have a shot at the Championship, which is his goal.
Anthony Gobert missed the post-race press conference and was being treated in the track medical center for heat exhaustion, where he was being given IVs.
AMA press officer Larry Lawrence took a tape recorder and got a quote from Gobert before being escorted from the care center by the police.
“It was great,” Gobert said. “Probably the best feeling I’ve had for victory in my whole life. I got a bad start. All weekend we were fastest on race tires. (But) After the start I knew I had my work cut out for me.
“After the 600 race, I pushed so hard trying to beat Aaron Yates I was pretty tired and pretty dehydrated. In the Superbike, the last 10 laps I was just dying, but I wanted to win so bad. Nicky put up one hell of a fight but luckily I had enough for him.”
The race marked Yamaha’s first AMA Superbike win since 1998 at Daytona with Scott Russell and Yamaha’s first win at Sears Point since 1994 with Colin Edwards. The victory was Gobert’s sixth in AMA Superbike competition.
Results follow:
1. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha
2. Nicky Hayden, Honda
3. Aaron Yates, Suzuki
4. Mat Mladin, Suzuki
5. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki*
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda
7. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki
8. Doug Chandler, Kawasaki
9. Steve Rapp, Ducati
10. Larry Pegram, Ducati
11. Kurtis Roberts, Honda
12. Pascal Picotte, Harley-Davidson
13. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha
14. Jordan Szoke, Harley-Davidson
15. Andreas Meklau, Ducati
16. Mike Smith, Harley-Davidson
17. James Randolph, Suzuki
18. Robert Mesa, Suzuki
19. Tony Lupo, Suzuki
20. Tony Meiring, Suzuki
21. Jim Doerfler, Suzuki
*According to monitored radio communications between AMA officials, Hacking jumped the start and would be docked a lap for failing to respond to a blue flag for a stop-and-go penalty.
Jimmy Moore took over the 750cc Supersport standings after Sears Point. Rich Alexander is second in points and Ben Spies, who rode with a broken wrist and finished eighth in the race, is third in points.
1. Jimmy Moore, 59
2. Rich Alexander, 58
3. Ben Spies, 57
4. Vince Haskovec, 47
5. Alan Schmidt, 40
6. Anthony Lupo, 39
7. Brian Parriott, 38
8. Jason Pridmore, 36
9. Tony Meiring, 34
10. Chris Ulrich, 27
11. Lee Acree, 26
12. Brian Gibbs, 26
13. John Ashmead, 24
14. James Randolph, 24
15. John Jacobi, 23
