During the mandatory riders’ meeting held during Friday’s lunch break at Sears Point, several issues were covered by AMA Superbike Operations Manager Ron Barrick.

The first issue on Barrick’s agenda was a proposed change to turn one. In the past, AMA officials have always used cones to create a false apex in turn one to keep speeds down in the corner, which has historically had minimal run-off. With the new turn 11 offering a shorter run to the corner and more run-off room now available outside the turn, Barrick proposed changing the apex of turn one to open up the turn to a configuration that the local club, AFM, runs.

The topic was debated back-and-forth for some time. Riders in favor of a change to the AFM-style turn one were led by racers local to Sears Point like Brian Parriott and Steve Rapp. Riders against the change included riders who were already fast on the existing track, such as Anthony Gobert, along with riders who wanted to avoid a mess similar to the multiple chicane changes seen last year at Pikes Peak, such as Chris Ulrich.

The debate seemed to die out when Miguel Duhamel said that he felt turn one was the best that it’s ever been, and that if it was going to be changed, it should have been changed before Thursday promoter practice.

Some riders expressed sarcastic shock that AMA officials had actually pushed the wall back in turn one, but then asked why a wall remained in turn two’s impact area. Renovations made to Sears Point to improve rider safety and spectator viewing areas opened up more run-off room outside of turn two, the first right-hander on the track. However, as Mike Ciccotto pointed out, there is still a concrete wall in that new runoff area.

The wall is made up of portable concrete sections protected by haybales and tires. Ciccotto asked why the concrete wall was even there when haybales and tires would do the job of slowing down a rider without the unforgiving results of impacting a concrete wall. In response, Barrick promised that he would look into the situation with the wall.

The situation of overshooting turn one during qualifying was addressed and riders who do not manage to make turn one will not have their lap time counted. Mat Mladin lost his pole position at the Sears Point AMA National in 1999 when he overshot turn one on his fastest lap.

All of the Honda CBR929RR Formula Xtreme bikes fielded by Erion Honda and Bruce Transportation Group are wearing CBR600F4i bodywork at Sears Point. Bruce Transportation Group’s Josh Hayes said that the ram air inlets on the F4i bodywork are more effective and that the belly pan fits tighter against the bike, giving more ground clearance.

The first of the Suzuki GSX-R1000 Formula Xtreme bikes made their debut at Sears on Thursday. While the Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R1000s appeared to have fairly stock chassis with the addition of Ohlins forks, a Penske shock and Performance Machine wheels, Attack Suzuki’s big GSX-Rs featured custom fabricated swingarms and rear suspension links, in addition to Ohlins forks. Attack’s Richard Stanboli said that he had left many other trick parts at his shop, including aluminum gas tanks, kit radiators, radial-mounted brake calipers, different shocks, and lighter fairing brackets because he did not receive related parts in time to mount everything for this weekend’s race.

Attack’s Jason Pridmore and Richie Alexander were unable to ride Thursday due to their points standings and the AMA’s rule banning riders who are top-10 in Superbike or 600cc Supersport points. So Attack enlisted the services of James Lickwar, a Sears Point regular and an AMA racer, to give the Attack Formula Xtreme bikes shake-down runs. Unfortunately, Lickwar crashed one of the virgin machines in Sears Point’s tight Turn 11. The crash was a lowside with minimal damage to the machine, but Lickwar suffered a broken collarbone.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s John Hopkins crashed Thursday morning on his GSX-R1000 when he tangled bars with Frank Aragaki’s Kawasaki Superbike going into turn three. Both riders were unhurt with little damage to their bikes.

Andreas Meklau was riding Scott Russell’s HMC Ducati Superbikes Thursday at Sears Point. When asked his thoughts on the track’s layout and safety, Meklau laughed and said, “I’ve never seen anything like it before in the world.” Meklau has nearly 10 years of experience racing in World Superbike, World Grand Prix, and various European domestic series.

According to an inside source, Nicky Hayden’s RC51 suffered the same mechanical failure at Daytona that has plagued other factory Honda RC51 riders around the world, including Colin Edwards and Tadayuki Okada. According to the source, the problem was half in the engineering and half in the manufacturing of an internal engine part that he was not allowed to specify. The source said that problem had been fixed as evidenced by the RC51s’ performance at Sugo, Japan, and also pointed out that all three factory RC51s at Sears Point have new radial-mounted front brake calipers. No one at Honda had to point out Miguel Duhamel’s new leathers and paint job as part of the Universal Studios promotion of the new feature movie “The Mummy Returns.”

When riders showed up at Sears Point, they found temporary concrete barriers in turns one and two, positioned close to the racetrack with nothing behind them. The wall in turn one, which was extremely dangerous, looked like it could be moved back as much as 30-40 feet. The wall in turn two, which had already been moved back from the edge of the track following the previous weekend’s Vintage Motorcycle Days, looked like it still could be pushed back as much as 20 feet. But the walls remained in place during Thursday practice at Sear Point, which was run as a promoter practice with no official involvement by the AMA.

But the first thing AMA officials did Friday morning was to get track workers to move back the wall in turn one, adding a relatively large amount of run off room. The wall in turn two was not moved back any additional distance.

Friday Afternoon 250 Grand Prix Practice Times:

1. Richard Oliver, Yamaha, 1:37.038
2. Roland Sands, Yamaha, 1:37.479
3. Chuck Sorensen, Yamaha, 1:37.505
4. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 1:40.760
5. Ed Marchini, Yamaha, 1:40.838
6. Jim Filice, Yamaha, 1:41.245
7. Andre Castanos, Honda, 1:41.683
8. Simon Turner, Yamaha, 1:42.422
9. Michael Hannas, II, Yamaha, 1:43.102
10. Greg Esser, Honda, 1:43.133


Friday Afternoon Formula Xtreme Practice Times From Sears Point:

1. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.672
2. Grant Lopez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.987
3. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:37.061
4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:37.431
5. John Hopkins, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.965
6. Mark Miller, Honda CBR929RR, 1:38.623
7. Richie Alexander, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:38.668
8. Mike Ciccotto, Buell 1200, 1:39.143
9. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR929RR, 1:39.568
10. Joseph Gill, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:39.994

Aaron Yates topped Friday afternoon 600cc Supersport times at Sears Point. Top times follow:

1. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:37.549
2. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:37.795
3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:37.979
4. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha, 1:38.176
5. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:38.321
6. Brian Parriott, Suzuki, 1:38.403
7. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:38.409
8. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:38.468
9. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:38.632
10. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:38.639
11. Josh Hayes, Honda, 1:38.671
12. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:39.189
13. Roger Hayden, Honda, 1:39.307
14. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:39.375
15. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:39.482
16. Vince Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:40.188
17. Grant Lopez, Suzuki, 1:40.395
18. Stuart Stratton, Yamaha, 1:42.562
19. Jeff Tigert, Honda, 1:42.623
20. David Ortega, Suzuki, 1:43.027

BMW officials are inviting private owners of BMW off-road models, particularly the F650 and R1150GS, to come join them on a ride and photo shoot for the 2002-model F650 and R1150GS in the Death Valley National Park. The ride will take place on Tuesday May 8, 2001 and kicks off at 8:00 a.m. from the Furnace Creek Ranch on California Highway 190. BMW is extending this invitation in order to create an effect similar to the start of the Paris-Dakar Rally, according to a press release from BMW North America.

BMW officials are recommending that riders who wish to participate stay in the area the night before they are well-rested for the ride. BMW will supply bottled water, a catered BBQ lunch, commemorative gifts for participants, and a chase vehicle equipped with a BMW-certified mechanic on the day of the shoot. BMW is recommending that riders be prepared for a physically strenuous ride over a variety of paved and non-paved surfaces and that riders bring plenty of fluids to drink as the daytime temperatures can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The ride will be led by ALEM Team rider Helli Kornton, best known as the rider of the bike in the current BMW R1150GS TV commercials running on ESPN2 and Speedvision.

This photo shoot is part of BMW’s newest marketing plan to include real BMW riders and enthusiasts in marketing material as well as to get direct feedback from the most loyal BMW customers.

For additional information, call BMW Brand and Event Marketing Manager Laurence Kuykendall by phone at (201)307-3926 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Yamaha’s Anthony Gobert was fastest in Friday morning Superbike practice. A computer glitch in the official timing and scoring system delayed the release of official times until after 2:00 p.m., AMA spokesman Larry Lawrence said. The times follow:

1. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:35.351
2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:35.709
3. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:35.891
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:36.086
5. Steve Rapp, Ducati, 1:36.287
6. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:36.325
7. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:36.342
8. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:36.451
9. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha, 1:36.641
10. Doug Chandler, Kawasaki, 1:36.753
11. Pascal Picotte, Harley-Davidson, 1:36.826
12. Larry Pegram, Ducati, 1:36.81
13. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:37.241
14. Mike Smith, Harley-Davidson, 1:37.669
15. Brian Parriott, Suzuki, 1:38.196*
16. Jordan Szoke, Harley-Davidson, 1:38.279
17. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, 1:38.998*
18. Andreas Meklau, Ducati, 1:39.014
19. Mark C. Foster, Yamaha, 1:39.088
20. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:39.387*
21. Rich Alexander, Suzuki, 1:40.106*
22. James Randolph, Suzuki, 1:40.411*
23. Anthony Lupo, Suzuki, 1:40.441*
24. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:41.174*
25. Doug Pitcock, Suzuki, 1:42.244*
26. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki, 1:42.388*
27. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki
28. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:42.819*
29. Tony Meiring, Suzuki, 1:42.967*
30. Shane Reilly, Suzuki, 1:43.702
31. Scott Gooch, Suzuki, 1:43.922*
32. Scott Jensen, Suzuki, 1:44.727*
33. James Doerfler, Suzuki, 1:45.658
34. Eric Haugo, Suzuki, 1:46.135
35. Randall Mennenga, Suzuki, 1:49.050*
36. Greg Fryer, Yamaha, 1:51.722

* = 750cc Supersport entrant on GSX-R750 Supersport bike

Times from the first round of Superbike qualifying at Sears Point follow.

Friday Superbike Qualifying Times From Sears Point

1. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:34.024
2. Larry Pegram, Ducati, 1:34.694
3. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:34.788
4. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:34.835
5. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:35.089
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:35.212
7. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:35.407
8. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:35.464
9. Doug Chandler, Kawasaki, 1:35.556
10. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha, 1:35.646
11. Pascal Picotte, Harley-Davidson, 1:35.666
12. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:35.722
13. Jordan Szoke, Harley-Davidson, 1:36.240
14. Steve Rapp, Ducati, 1:36.378
15. Andreas Meklau, Ducati, 1:36.972
16. Brian Parriott, Suzuki, 1:37.878*
17. Mark Foster, Yamaha, 1:38.086
18. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:38.511*
19. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, 1:38.863*
20. Michael Smith, Harley-Davidson, 1:38.875
21. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:39.192*
22. Rich Alexander, Suzuki, 1:39.236*
23. Tony Lupo, Suzuki, 1:39.576*
24. Vince Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:39.727*
25. James Randolph, Suzuki, 1:40.367*
26. Robert Mesa, Suzuki, 1:41.191*
27. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:41.241*
28. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki, 1:41.811
29. James King, Suzuki, 1:42.050
30. Doug Pitcock, Suzuki, 1:42.053
31. Shawn Reilly, Suzuki, 1:42.136
32. Tony Meiring, Suzuki, 1:42.404*
33. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki, 1:42.828*
34. Ed Milhausen, Suzuki, 1:43.061*
35. James Doerfler, Suzuki, 1:43.252
36. Scott Gooch, Suzuki, 1:43.441*
37. Brian Long, Suzuki, 1:44.023
38. Scott Jensen, Suzuki, 1:44.228
39. Randall Mennenga, Suzuki, 1:46.585
40. Mauro Cereda, Suzuki, 1:47.127
41. Greg Fryer, Yamaha, 1:48.523

* = 750cc Supersport entrant on Suzuki GSX-R750 Supersport bike

1. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 1:37.651
2. Chuck Sorensen, Yamaha, 1:37.684
3. Roland Sands, Yamaha, 1:38.919
4. Jeffrey Leggitt, Honda, 1:41.132
5. Ed Marchini, Yamaha, 1:41.502
6. Jim Filice, Yamaha, 1:41.717
7. Andre Castanos, Honda, 1:42.399
8. Michael Hannas, II, Yamaha, 1:42.616
9. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 1:43.399

Colin Jensen was listed as having the fastest time on his Aprilia RS250, but his 1:09 lap was obviously a cut-through at turn one.

1. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:37.709
2. Brian Parriott, Suzuki, 1:38.566
3. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:38.788
4. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:38.936
5. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:39.030
6. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 1:39.139
7. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:39.200
8. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:39.472
9. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:39.592
10. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:39.592
11. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:39.660
12. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:39.685
13. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:39.808
14. Grant Lopez, Suzuki, 1:40.003
15. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:40.157
16. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:40.276
17. Joseph Gill, Yamaha, 1:40.380
18. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha, 1:40.537
19. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:41.929
20. Damon Buckmaster, Suzuki, 1:42.547

Andreas “Andy” or “Meki” Meklau gained notice by winning the first National Superbike race he entered in his home country of Austria, in 1991. That result led to Meklau’s World Superbike debut later that same year at the Osterriechring in Austria. Meklau came onto the World Superbike scene full time in 1992, and in 1993, Meklau took his one and only World Superbike win at the Osterriechring. During his career, Meklau earned four World Superbike podium finishes and two fastest laps. His 140 World Superbike race appearances places Meklau second among current World Superbike racers, four appearances behind Pierfrancesco Chili (144) and 16 ahead of reigning Superbike World Champion Colin Edwards II (124). Meklau spent most of his time in World Superbike as a privateer, and spent every season on a Ducati. When not racing World Superbike, 33-year-old Meklau records top finishes in the German National Superbike series.

Just prior to the start of the 2001 World Superbike season, the Remus Racing team withdrew from the World Superbike Series, leaving Meklau without a ride. Now Meklau is coming to America to fill the HMC Ducati seat vacated by injured Scott Russell.

Several riders were considered for the open Ducati North America Superbike seats, but were told that they needed to bring a sponsor with them. Candidates included former AMA Superbike/World Superbike/ Grand Prix racer Mike Hale, former Australian Ducati Factory rider Craig Connell and former NCR Ducati World Superbike racer Lance Isaacs, among others.

In addition to his strong ties with the Ducati factory, the fact that Andreas Meklau brought exhaust maker Remus with him as a sponsor was probably the deal maker.

Andreas Meklau’s Superbike World Championship Series Finishes:

1992 34th (tie)
1993 15th (1 win)
1994 6th (behind 1. Fogarty, 2. Russell, 3. Slight, 4. Polen, 5. Crafar)
1995 13th
1996 18th
1997 18th
1998 18th
1999 11th
2000 13th