By Steve Reeves

Robbie Baird set the fastest time on a Radar’s Team Yamaha YZF-R1 to secure pole position for this weekend’s Yamaha Formula Xtreme event, held at Sydney’s Oran Park Raceway.

Baird set a best time of 1:11.729 around the 2.62-kilometer (1.63-mile) Narrellan circuit, 0.254-second second quicker than New Zealand’s Tony Rees on the Bikebiz Yamaha YZF-R1.

Yamaha YZF-R1s dominated qualifying and took the top five positions of the grid, with Damian
Cudlin (Bikebiz Yamaha, 1:12.217) and the Radar’s Team Yamaha pair of Jamie Stauffer (1:12.246) and Craig Coxhell (1:12.292), trailing the top two.

Baird, who currently leads the 2001 Yamaha Xtreme Tri-State Series, is quietly confident of increasing his points lead overall this weekend.

“I would have liked to have done a bit more testing and spent a bit more time on the bike before we got here, but so far things have worked out well,” said Baird. “The changes that they have made to the bottom of the straight where the new pits are going in has meant that the line and speed through turn one is much different to before. It will definitely make things interesting at that part of the track. For tomorrow, I’ll be looking for a good, clean start so that I can keep out of any trouble that may occur behind me and get the best results that I can to add to the points lead that I’ve got at present.”

Stauffer had an uneventful day, but made steady progress with the YZF-R1 and is looking forward to tomorrow’s four 9-lap sprints.

“It took a while to get the bike set up for this track as it is quite a bit bumpy in places, but I’ve got onto the front row, so that’s a better starting place than where I was at Eastern Creek in February,” said Stauffer. “The aim in qualifying was to get on the front row so that I could have every chance of being with the leaders from the start.”

Young Coxhell, 18, recovered from a fall in the opening qualifying session to finish with the fifth-fastest time for the Formula Xtreme class. He bruised his right foot and hip after highsiding at the tight right-hander before the run up onto the bridge, but will be fit for tomorrow’s racing.

“I’d been caught up with some slower riders and had just got a clear lap and was building up my speed when the rear just let go and flicked me over the top,” said Coxhell. “It was a pretty big crash, but I’m not happy that it happened so early in the session. I had to change over to the spare bike for the second session and I was happy with the time that I set, considering that I was trying not to make any more silly mistakes.”


Qualifying

1. Robbie Baird, Yamaha, 1:11.729
2. Tony Rees, Yamaha, 1:11.983
3. Damian Cudlin, Yamaha, 1:12.217
4. Jamie Stauffer, Yamaha, 1:12.246
5. Craig Coxhell, Yamaha, 1:12.292
6. Josh Brooks, Honda, 1:12.503
7. Graeme Morris, Suzuki, 1:12.653
8. Jay Taylor, Kawasaki, 1:12.754
9. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:13.130
10. Luke Phillips, Honda, 1:13.410

According to a press release from the FIM, anti-doping control testing was carried out during the Grand Prix weekend at Suzuka, Japan. All the tested riders passed the test, with negative results for banned substances.

Those tested included 125cc riders Masao Azuma of Japan and Manuel Poggialli of Spain, along with 500cc riders Valentino Rossi of Italy, Kenny Roberts of the USA, and Shinya Nakano of Japan.

By Glenn LeSanto

Two teams dominate the front row for Sunday’s Supersport race in Sugo after a crash-infested final qualifying session Saturday afternoon, Japan time. Sharing the front row are teams Belgarda Yamaha and Ten Kate Honda. Pole sitter Paolo Casoli snatched his fastest time with 19 minutes of the session remaining, and was the only rider to dip below the 1:33 mark with a fastest lap at 1:32.913 on his YZF-R6 Yamaha.

Alongside him for tomorrow’s race will be Ten Kate rider Fabien Foret on his CBR600F4i with a time of 1:33.184. Third-fastest, and surprise front-row man was James Whitham, also on a Belgarda Yamaha. Not normally a good qualifier, Whitham headed the first half of the session and recorded a fastest lap of 1:33.194. Completing the front row is Foret’s Ten Kate Honda teammate –and current joint Championship points leader– Pere Riba. He finished the session with a best time of 1:33.337.


The session was peppered with crashes, many of them spectacular highsides, and was red-flagged three times. The first red flag was waved after Iain MacPherson’s Kawasaki blew up early in the proceedings, dumping oil onto the circuit. Then Italian Antonio Carlacci highsided his DFX Racing Ducati 748 causing the red flag to be waved again. The qualifying session was stopped for a third time when Japanese rider Osamu Deguchi also highsided, was hit by his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R600 and lay dazed on the track for a moment.

Fabrizio Pirovano was another faller late in the session, also highsiding his GSX-R600 and also being hit by his machine, although this time the red flag stayed down. While Pirovano and Carlacci escaped with cuts and bruises Japanese wild-card entrant Deguchi was detained in the medical center while doctors decided if he needed to be moved to the hospital for X-rays as this report was filed.



Supersport Final Qualifying times
Sugo, Japan


1. Paolo Casoli, Yamaha, 1:32.913

2. Fabien Foret, Honda, 1:33.184

3. James Whitham, Yamaha, 1:33.194

4. Pere Riba, Honda, 1:33.337

5. Pier Bontempi, Yamaha, 1:33.507

6. Fabrizio Pirovano, Suzuki, 1:33.514

7. Kevin Curtain, Honda, 1:33.523

8. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki, 1:33.623

9. Christian Kellner, Yamaha, 1:33.654

10. Jorg Teuchert,Yamaha, 1:33.768

With our Air Fence fund up over $104,000 and with negotiations with AMA in full swing over cooperative deployment, it’s time to designate new donations from this point on towards Air Fence for use at non-AMA races.

All contributors will still be listed in the contributor list, but additional donations pledged (as a result of our website postings) after 9:00 a.m. PDT Friday, April 27 will not be used for the purchase, transport, maintenance and deployment of Air Fence at AMA races. Instead, the additional money will be used to obtain and deploy Air Fence for the protection of racers at non-AMA events.

Many of the riders who compete at AMA races also compete in, for example, Formula USA races and WERA National Challenge races as well as at their home tracks.

And, as Metzeler/Pirelli’s Andreas Bronnen, himself a racer, points out, we need to protect all our racers and try to prevent all serious injuries, because “For me there is no difference if some guy gets killed in an AMA or CCS race,” such an event is equally tragic no matter what the sanctioning body.

So we’re continuing the Air Fence fund for the overall good of our racers nationwide, no matter what their sanction or affiliation.

Our first additional project will be to fund four sections of Air Fence for use in the turn at Texas World Speedway where Ryan Smith died two seasons ago, with use of the sections to be shared by CMRA and RPM when the Texas-based organizations hold races at Texas World.

Anyone who has already mailed a contribution we have not yet received, and who objects to the continuation of the Air Fence project with funds directed at non-AMA races and venues, should contact us for a complete refund. All funds received prior to this announcement will go towards the use of Air Fence at AMA events or at AMA-sanctioned events, or at events at which AMA officials wish to deploy Air Fence.

Direct questions/comments to [email protected]

By Glenn LeSanto

The Japanese round of the World Superbike Championship has one feature in common with the
British rounds, the local wild-card riders have their strongest showing of the year in both countries. Friday’s first timed practice sessions were true to this form with local hero Makato Tamada leading the charge on his Cabin Honda V-Twin. Makato, who was third in last years All-Japan Superbike series, headed the pack with a time of 1:28.658, a full second ahead of fellow
Japanese rider and Cabin Honda teammate Shinicho Ito, whose fastest lap was 1:29.650. The lap record for Sugo stands at 1:29.996, set by Hitoyasu Izutsu last year so Tamada is not hanging about. Ito was the All-Japan Superbike
champ in 1998 and won the Suzuka 8-Hours race the same year.

Upholding the honor of the World Superbike regulars is Troy Corser, third-fastest on Friday
afternoon at 1:29.666. The Australian might be disappointed to see that his Axo Aprilia, normally the bike to beat on top end, was trailing nearly 10 kph (6.2 mph)behind Tamada’s Honda. Corser’s top speed for the session was clocked at 226.6 kph (140.8 mph) against Tamada’s 230.2 kph (143.0 mph). Gregorio Lavilla, Colin Edwards, Neil Hodgson and Pierfrancesco Chili all made it into the top 10, which consisted of five regular and five wild-card riders.

Meanwhile, Japanese regular Tady Okada could only manage 12th-fastest on his Castrol Honda.

Tamada was obviously pleased with his performance today, and said “My time is almost one second faster than my previous best lap but we still have more work to do on set-up and we need to choose a tire for the race. I enjoy riding with the WSB riders although I find them a little wilder than the riders in the All-Japan championship.”

Cabin Honda team manager Nobuo Ono promised there
was more to come, “The All-Japan Championship hasn’t started yet,” explained Ono. “So this is our first race this year. For the Superpole the riders will show what they have done during the off season.”

British rider Neil Hodgson recorded the highest absolute top speed at 232.2 kph (144.3 mph) on his GSE Ducati, identical to the speed set by wild-card Akira Ryo on his GSX-R750. Colin Edwards was a fraction down on the pair at 231.7 kph (143.9 mph).

In sharp contrast to last weekend’s Phillip Island round, the weather at the track owned by Yamaha was perfect for racing, full-on sunshine with a cooling breeze.

Results
Timed Practice First Session (Friday):
1. M. Tamada, Japan, Honda 1:28.658
2. S. Ito, Japan, Honda 1:29.650
3. T. Corser, Australia, Aprilia 1:29.666
4. T. Serizawa, Japan, Kawasaki 1:29.738
5. G. Lavilla, Spain, Kawasaki 1:29.935
6. C. Edwards, USA, Honda 1:30.035
7. W. Yoshikawa, Japan, Yamaha 1:30.126
8. A. Ryo, Japan, Suzuki 1:30.151
9. N. Hodgson, GB, Ducati 1:30.164
10. P. Chili. ITA. Suzuki 1:30.176

New donations for our expanded fund-drive to raise money to deploy Air Fence at non-AMA races brought our grand total so far to $106,451.

When our Air Fence fund got up over $104,000 and with negotiations with AMA in full swing over cooperative deployment, we figured it was time to designate new donations towards Air Fence for use at non-AMA races.

All contributors will still be listed in the contributor list, but additional donations pledged (as a result of our website postings) after 9:00 a.m. PDT Friday, April 27 are not being used for the purchase, transport, maintenance and deployment of Air Fence at AMA races. Instead, the additional money is being used to obtain and deploy Air Fence for the protection of racers at non-AMA events.

Many of the riders who compete at AMA races also compete in, for example, Formula USA races and WERA National Challenge races as well as at their home tracks.

And, as Metzeler/Pirelli’s Andreas Bronnen, himself a racer, points out, we need to protect all our racers and try to prevent all serious injuries, because “For me there is no difference if some guy gets killed in an AMA or CCS race,” such an event is equally tragic no matter what the sanctioning body.

So we’re continuing the Air Fence fund for the overall good of our racers nationwide, no matter what their sanction or affiliation.

Our first additional project will be to fund four sections of Air Fence for use in the turn at Texas World Speedway where Ryan Smith died two seasons ago, with use of the sections (we hope) to be shared by CMRA and RPM when the Texas-based organizations hold races at Texas World.

Anyone who has already mailed a contribution we have not yet received, and who objects to the continuation of the Air Fence project with funds directed at non-AMA races and venues, should contact us for a complete refund. All funds received prior to April 27 at 9:00 a.m. PDT will go towards the use of Air Fence at AMA events or at AMA-sanctioned events, or at events at which AMA officials wish to deploy Air Fence.

Direct questions/comments to [email protected]

And now, on to new donations, headed up by $500 from Bob Holcomb, the father of Aprilia Cup Challenge racer Gus Holcomb. Donations of $200 came from Mostro.org/Jeffrey Fillmore, Jeff Bowis, Rich & Lynda Alexander/In Memory of Dirk Piz, and Nils Menton. A donation of $101 came from Chris Normand/Firestorm Racing, with $100 donations coming in from Chris Link/CMRA/In Memory of Jamie Bowman, Josh Steinberg, Broad Squad/CCS NE, Logan Young, and Bob & Sherrie Young. Racer Vito Dionisio/WERA BBS donated $75, Erica B. Smith & John F.X. Walsh together donated $55, Anthony D’Augusta donated $50 and Mike Henry donated $25.

That brings our new total to $106,451 raised in nine business days.

Erica B. Smith wrote with her donation:
“You are doing a wonderful thing. My husband and I decided we would rather spend the money on Air Fence than on renewing our AMA memberships. So the check’s in the mail for $55, the amount of my full AMA membership and my husband’ associate membership.”

Catherine Sorbo, wife of racer Ed Sorbo, wrote (with her previous donation):
“Hello! I am writing this memo to give you little feedback, from a racer’s wife’s vantage point. As a matter of courtesy I am copying this memo to Ron Barrick, Roadracing World and Ed Sorbo (my husband/racer).

“I understand everyone is concerned about safety issues, and everyone wants to make things better, yet it seems there is a standoff between some folks. You see, I look at the AMA, racers and Roadracing World as organizations, made from groups of individuals, instead of the big picture, as individual people vote/make decisions, not organizations or their icons. I want to stress my understanding that rider safety is a highly emotional subject with strong feelings on all sides, as I would never want to entertain the thought that decision-makers would compromise safety, to save a dollar; or use rider safety in a barter for some other idea that one would want to see to fruition. I believe you can make things happen, when everyone on a team has the same goal.

“Personally, if I were the leader of a team and safety was a priority, only individuals with safety as a priority would be on my team, as anyone with an agenda differing would ultimately be voting to harm someone. I am correct in assuming that safety is a priority, right?

“I know that individuals can become the ‘whipping boys’ when problems and concerns arise. I believe you could all accomplish a great deal more if you kept personalities and personal feelings out of the way (if there are differences). Issues and concerns must not become grudge matches or opportunities to take cheap shots at someone. It should be an opportunity to increase safety awareness and embrace the spirit of camaraderie within the racing organization (the amount of money raised for Air Fence, in such a short time, speaks volumes!).

“The communication breakdown is not between organizations, it is between individuals; and this breakdown is affecting the safety of the men and women, who get on the tracks to race; and most of all depend on the wise and thoughtful decisions of individuals, to ensure the safety of all racers. I know the AMA, as an organization, places a great deal of importance on the relationship it has with its racing members, yet somehow it seems to not be working very well. In the light of this situation it is easy to forget the times you have worked hard to solve a problem or deal with a concern, taking the guff from whoever, yet continuing to do your best, as I know you will concerning this issue (I understand your position because mine is similar, yet on a much smaller scale).

“When racers become upset, they will first complain about the programs and services they are (not) receiving, then they quit depending on the AMA for assistance, then they start forming associations outside of the AMA and try to get things done, which will further weaken the relationship, thus the relationship becomes very adversarial. Judging by the number of people who have donated to the Air Fence Fund, one can clearly see the priority of motorcycle racing fans and racers versus the AMA organization.

“I know that John Ulrich/Roadracing World created the Air Fence Fund out of frustration, compassion and concern, with rider safety as his number one priority, nothing more. John Ulrich/RW kept his nose to the grindstone and he did what he needed to do, to get this program going. Besides raising enough money, it has generated many conversations concerning safety; and maybe within one of those conversations a rider learned a lesson or two regarding safety, thus preventing a mishap down the road.

“We should all be thankful that John Ulrich/RW took action and got the program going. I, for one, am grateful beyond words. This could be a wonderful opportunity for all concerned and chance to work together, towards a great relationship, benefiting all sides. I also know that the AMA has had to deal with a lot of Bull (uh, droppings?) from RW, at times, yet it has always been in an effort to try and make things better for those at risk of losing something needlessly. This can be a good thing, because if someone cares enough to speak up about important issues, you can get honest perspectives, rather than people-pleasing answers. Then you can get a team together to work toward possible solutions. To me, this is how business is done, looking at all sides, even the uncomfortable and not so fun sides of an issue, then learning and growing, together. Everyone and their opinion is valuable and I do my best to incorporate everyone’s ideas and concerns, even if they seem a bit outlandish at first. To me, it not who had the idea first, or who did the best job getting it done, it’s the benefits of the end result. I’ll bet you a nickel that is how the AMA organization started.

“Please, please, please understand that the above is my personal opinion, based on the fact my husband is a racer and I want him to be as safe as humanly possible to enjoy his passion, with the least amount of frustrations. I am motivated to voice my concerns because Ed’s safety is my number one priority, because before he is Eddie the Racer, he is Eddie the Husband! If there is anything you can humanly do to increase his safety, I know you will get beyond the ‘politics’ and get things done. Thank you very much, in advance, for taking care of all the riders and the people who love them and the people who come out and watch them.

“Kindest regards, Eddie the Racer’s wife,
“Catherine Sorbo

“PS: Plus, the more people see racing with the AMA as the safest way to go, then more racers will race, then more people will watch, then more people will join, then more people will buy products, then the bottom line just becomes bigger, with less effort, then everyone is happy! Okay, I will get off my soapbox and go to work. 🙂 Thank you again for taking the time to read this memo/novel. Guess it is obvious how much this racer’s wife cares! Of course we are donating to the Air Fence Fund, $150.”



The updated list of contributions now reads:
Erik Buell/Buell Motorcycle Company $5800
Trent Thompson/Paramount Racing $5000
Anonymous $4725
Dynojet Research $3200
Steve Brubaker/Race Tire Service $3000
John Ulrich/Roadracing World $2900
Aprilia USA $2900
American Suzuki Motor Corp. $2900
Ducati North America $2900
Jonathan Glaefke $2900
Susie and Bruce Meyers/BCM Racing Ducati $2900
Wegman Benefit Fund/Gordon Lunde Sr. $2900
Performance Machine $2900
Dunlop Motorcycle Tire Co. $2900
Max McAllister/Traxxion Dynamics $2900
Wendell Phillips/Lockhart Phillips $2500
Advanced Motor Sports/In Memory of Dirk Piz $2000
L.A. Bikers/labiker.org $1810
Dennis Smith/Sport Tire Services $1500
Marc Salvisberg/Factory Pro Tuning $1450
Bob Dragich/Roadracing World $1450
Fred Renz/Yoyodyne $1450
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing $1450
Bob Blandford/N.E. Sportbike Assn. $1100
Chuck Warren/Arclight Suzuki $1000
Jim Rashid/4&6 Cycle $1000
Scott Willock $1000
Don Emde/In Memory of Cal Rayborn $1000
Jason Pridmore’s Star Motorcycle School $1000
Mark E. Dobeck/Techlusion Performance Group $1000
G.M.D. Computrack Network $1000
California Superbike School $1000
Tachyon Racing/Tachyon Sports Injury Research Foundation $1000
Intrepid Café Racers $775
Yoshimura Racing $750
Team Daemon Racing $600
Don Lemelin/Scuderia West $500
Kevin Erion/Erion Racing $500
Pinky’s Pizza of Walnut Creek $500
Doug Gonda $500
Jerry Wood/Penguin School $500
Mike Canfield/Chandelle Motorsports $500
Jim Davis/J6 Racing/In Memory of Dirk Piz $500
Brooks Gremmels/Shogun Motorsports $500
Jim Di Salvo/Alien Racing $500
Dale Kieffer/Racers Edge Performance $500
The Plummer Menapace Group $500
Bill St. John/Project Monza $400
Jon Rust $400
Jerry Jirkovsky $330
Richard Hood/Reptillian Racing $300
Edward S. Siccardi, Jr. $300
Dan Fischer/Copier1.com $300
David Finniff $300
Marietta Motorsports $300
Brendan Guy $300
Dean Scarpa $300
Anonymous $300
Kurtis Roberts $300
James Siddall/World Sports/Corbin Grand Prix $300
Scott Fisher/Fisher Technical Services $250
Chris Pyles & Beth Walters $250
Peter Hively $250
Brian Mitchell $250
Al Ludington $250
Tim Simpson $250
Spectrum Motorsports/VJB Racing $250
David Roy, Ducati N. America $250
Debbie Roy/Frenotec $250
Joshua Hayes $250
Gina Nadeau $250
Jeannne Pyles $250
John Ross/Ross Racing $250
Papa Thiam/WERA BBS $200
Bill Capshaw/ICE Motorsports $200
Scott Decker $200
Terry Embury $200
Jim “Dutch” MacKenzie/WERA BBS $200
Scott Jenkins/Desmoto-sport $200
Cliff Nobles $200
Aaron Yates $200
Jodie York/RPM Cycles Ventura/WSMC #11 $200
Mostro.org/Jeffrey Fillmore $200
Jeff Bowis $200
Rich & Lynda Alexander/In Memory of Dirk Piz $200
Nils Menton $200
MZ Scorpion Cup Racers $175
Chris Kelley/California Cycleworks $150
Robb Mc Elroy $150
Tim Chin/Team Bandit $150
Ed & Catherine Sorbo $150
Damon Buckmaster $150
Chris Hamilton/Grand Prix Direct $150
Jim Williams/13x.com $125
David Boosales/WERA BBS $125
Mike Brown/Team 222 $125
Chris Normand/Firestorm Racing $101
Pat Stricker $100
Gary Rand $100
Michael Roberson/WERA BBS $100
Sean Jordan/WERA BBS $100
Army of Darkness $100
Stuart Gregg $100
Pinky’s Pizza/Lippman Racing $100
Bob Szoke $100
TyrSox $100
Ron West/Omzig Productions $100
Joe Facer $100
Preston Rash $100
Geoff Maloney/GP Tech $100
Melissa Berkoff/Neighbor Of The Beast $100
Caesar Gonzales/WERA BBS $100
Dorina Groves $100
Dorina Groves $100/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
Philip Rusin/RC51.net $100
Allen “Spence” Spencer $100
Matt Wadsworth $100
Dean N. De St. Croix $100
Tony Tugwell/TZ250.com $100
Bart Fuqua/Team LGC $100
Brian Stokes/Marietta Motorsports $100
Chris “Opie” Caylor/Marietta Motorsports $100
David McElvain/NEDoD $100
Ned “Peanut” Brown/NESBA/TPM $100
Vance Hacecky $100
Patrick Mee $100
Dave and Jason Parker $100
Paul Kingsburgh/RC45.net $100
Lucky Deleoni $100
Tom Drumm $100
David Brown $100
Steve Moonitz $100
Jake Swan $100
Chris Story $100
Chris Eklund $100
Randy Ball/WERA BBS $100
Mark Hellvig $100
Gary Schilling/On Time Racing/WERA BBS $100
Steve Sumner $100
Laura Granato/WERA BBS $100
Norm Viano/Lawdog Sports Mgmt $100
Kevin Jordan/Jordan Motorsports $100
Val Gregory/In Memory of Dirk Piz $100
Dave Gess $100
Rob Berlind $100
Paul Black $100
Steve Hewitt $100
Mike Ciccotto $100
Tripp Nobles $100
Scott Rehl $100
Steve & Lorraine Aledort $100
Jeff Rozycki/29dreams.com Racing $100
Chris Ulrich/In Memory of Russ Paulk And Toby Jorgensen $100
Giorgio Milesi/Galfer Brakes USA $100
Al Lyons/CMRRA $100
Linda Hopkins $100
John Hopkins/In Memory of Jamie Bowman and Toby Jorgensen $100
Vicky&Michael Menard $100
Silvia Salenius/Ducati.net Online $100
HG Racing/AMA Pro Thunder $100
Red Fox Racing $100
Greg Ruffin $100
John Donald/PTC Racing $100
Larry Pegram $100
Pamela Skaff/WERA BBS $100
J.D. Hord/Meccanica Corse Racing $100
Mark Sutton $100
Steve Scott/LRRS#47 $100
Eric Putter $100
Jim Doerfler $100
Ira Englebardt $100
Joe & Nancy Fenech $100
Earl Hayden $100
Chuck Sorensen $100
D&D Thrush Farms $100
Jeff Wilson/American Suzuki $100
Adam Vella/Webcrush Racing $100
Chuck Gault/Motobama $100
Gary Longren $100
Stephan Hottenrott $100
David Kunzelman $100
C.R. “Critter” Gittere/WERA BBS $100
John Light/Lightsmith Racing $100
Ken & Arlene Block (Ed Sorbo’s Mom) $100
Chris Link/CMRA/In Memory of Jamie Bowman $100
Josh Steinberg $100
Broad Squad/CCS NE $100
Logan Young $100
Bob & Sherrie Young $100
Tyson Kamp $75
Vito Dionisio/WERA BBS $75
Erica B. Smith & John F.X. Walsh $55
Max Buxton/NEDoD $50
Nelo Hakola $50
Tyler Sandell $ 50
David J. Kopfinger $ 50
Aaron Loyd $50
Martin Voelker $50
Steve Hopkins $50
Louis DeBlois $50
Leigh Taunton/EMGO $50
Randy Sinisi $50
Danny Hull $50
Team Skidmark Racing $50
Ryan Meskimen/WERA BBS $50
Erik Astrup $50
Paul Zavada $50
James Greeson/WERA BBS $50
Victor Mokler $50
Steve Clark/J. Guthridge/Tight Squeeze Racing $50
Nate Olsen $50
Anthony Moey $50
Dustin Miller $50
Jim Frost/NEDoD $50
Steve Martinez $50
Jason Temme/Serpent Racing $50
Mike Hodgson/WERA BBS $50
Chris Borre/Motorcycleroadracer.com $50
Richard Barker/AIM/In Memory of Dirk Piz $50
Mike Reish/Reish Dot Net $50
Kenyon Kluge/K2 Racing $50
Darin Nichols/Team Unit $50
Richard Davis $50
Allen Lyon/Ducati.net Online $50
Eric H. Mathy $50
Steve Breckenridge $50
Jim Race/Speaksy Racing $50
James Aragon $50
James Hayton/Kochenbaulz Racing/WERA BBS $50
Anthony D’Augusta $50
Don Moody $35
Lindsey Leard $30
Dave Deggendorf/WERA BBS $30
Steve Sturm/Squidvision Racing $30
George Gervasi/Projekt9 Racing $30
Bob Elam $30
The Heidepriems/WERA BBS $30
Kimberly Scheffel/rider/race fan/pit keeper $30
Greg Gabis $29
Ripley Howe $29
Mark Hatten/Meccanica Corse Racing $29
Ted Angle $25
Susanne Hopkins $25
Nolan Ballew $25
Josh Loberant $25
Charles Tomes $25
Jon DeMent $25
Timothy Wilson $25
Mark Novak $25
Rene Ferron $25
Sean Patrick Brisini $25
Richard Korol $25
Eric and Christine Loranger $25
Dee Moses $25
Kyle Kirschenmann/Bayou Riders of Louisiana $25
Marc Asmus $25
Mike Henry $25
S.C. Pittman $20
Jamieson D. Yonker $20
Garret Swearingen $20
Darrin Zumbaum $20

To pledge a contribution, call Roadracing World at (800) 464-8336 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, when operators will be standing by. Credit cards accepted. Pledges can also be made by e-mailing [email protected]. Make checks payable to Roadracing World. Money raised will be used for buying Air Module/Air Fence sections, as well as for deployment expenses and for shipping, tax and import duties.

The third annual FIM International Riders’ Public Policy Conference starts today, April 27, and runs through the weekend at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio. The 2001 meeting, organized with help from the AMA, marks the first time that the conference has been held outside of Europe.

The agenda for the conference includes the following topics: Globalization of Vehicle Standards (from the riders’ perspective and governments’ perspective); Intelligent Transportation Systems (Telematics); Intelligent Transportation – The Future and the Reality; the threat of “Vision Zero”; MAIDS (European Research on Accidents); NAMS (American Agenda For Road Safety); United Nations Working Party 1.

For more information about how to become involved in the International Riders’ Public Policy Conference call the AMA at (800) AMA-Join, (614) 856-1900, or visit the AMA website at www.ama-cycle.org.

Racer Richie Morris was seen at Willow springs last weekend sporting an external fixator on his left arm and wrist, but was unable to ride. Now Morris has sent the following message to Roadracing World:

“I have read many articles, e-mails and stories about what different people think happened in the Daytona crash involving Dean Mizdal, Scott Russell and myself.

“I wanted to take this opportunity to set the record straight. Unfortunately, I feel I have that right, since I had a bird’s eye seat.

“I can describe the crash very simply. The green flag fell on a professional motorcycle race at Daytona International Speedway and there was a racing accident. End of story!

“It wasn’t Dean’s, Scott’s, AMA’s or my fault. It was just one of those things that can happen when people do what we do. We are motorcycle road racers, things happen in a blink of an eye. We all know every time we suit up and strap on a helmet these things can happen. You just have to pray for the best.

“I truly thank God it wasn’t worse. Sure, Scott and I were hurt, but our friends and families are not dealing with a death, such as Dirk’s passing. That was the real tragedy.

“I am sure you will see Scott and me back on the track. But if that does not happen for me, I am okay with it. Although my career doesn’t compare to Scott’s, I feel fortunate to have done what I love for a living. And the friends I have made over the years is something you can not replace.

“In closing, I would like to thank all the people who visited, sent flowers and cards, and phoned me while I was in the hospital. A big thanks to all of the racers who stopped by, and a special thanks to the Russell family, Mike Smith, and Brent and Tony from Motor Racing Outreach. They spent many hours with my wife, and were a true help.

“Thanks, and hammer down.

“Richie Morris”

Morris can be reached via e-mail at [email protected]

By Glenn LeSanto

James Whitham is not known for qualifying on the front row, his indifferent qualifying form and subsequent bad grid positions have a lot to do with his propensity to crash early in the race, usually while playing catch up to the race leaders. But if Friday’s showing at Sugo during timed qualifying is anything to go by he may have pulled something out of the bag to put that nightmare behind him. Despite riding with a sprained wrist Whitham outpaced the rest of
the World Supersport pack in qualifying with a time of 1:33.194, nearly half-a-second faster
than his Belgarda Yamaha teammate Paolo Casoli’s 1:33.597. Casoli’s top speed was recorded at 235.3 kph (146.2 mph) against Whitham’s 224.4 kph (139.4 mph), indicating that Whitham was making his speed up on the corners, useful at a track like Sugo, which is all twists and turns.

After the session Whitham was his usual humorous self, “Better make the most of it, it won’t last!” he joked. When asked what was different today he replied, “We put on a qualifier and I just tucked in behind Paolo (Casoli).” His left wrist, damaged in his Phillip Island spill, had settled down considerably. “At first I thought it was broken,” explained Whitham. “It swelled up so much I couldn’t get my watch on. But within a few days it had settled down again. I had an X-ray in Australia but they couldn’t see anything broken, but then you often can’t with a wrist injury.”

Phillip Island winner Kevin Curtain, the joint Championship leader, didn’t figure in the top 10 times, and his 1:34.470 put him back in 13th in the order. He put this down to problems with his suspension. “We’ve got a problem with the front end,” explained the Australian who, rides for the BKM Honda team. “We are having trouble rectifying it. So, at the moment I can’t go much faster without throwing it up the road. We were trying different things and the qualifying tire is working very good but the front suspension problems remained. We still have another day to make it work better over these bumps which probably would give us another second”.

Pere Riba, star of the Valencia round and current co-leader in the series along with Curtain, was third-fastest in the session on the Ten Kate Honda CBR600F4i, and his teammate Fabien Foret was fifth-quickest, just behind Pier Bontempi.

The conditions were a welcome contrast to last week’s Phillip Island round, with strong sunshine and a light breeze.

Friday’s World Supersport qualifying times:
1. James Whitham, GB (Yamaha) 1:33.194
2. Paolo Casoli, Italy (Yamaha) 1:33.597
3. Pere Riba, Spain (Honda) 1:33.737
4. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Italy (Yamaha) 1:33.838
5. Fabien Foret, France (Honda) 1:33.852
6. Fabrizio Pirovano, Italy (Suzuki)1:33.998
7. Jorg Teuchert, Germany (Yamaha) 1:34.126
8. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Japan (Suzuki) 1:34.214
9. Iain MacPherson, GB (Kawasaki) 1:34.230
10. Andrew Pitt, Australia (Kawasaki) 1:34.338
17. Chris Vermeulen, Australia (Honda) 1:34.837.

Ducati today “re-issued” a press release announcing AMA-Ducati Performance Racing, which means Jeff Nash’s team is now officially Ducati-sponsored. The release was dated March 22 but we never received a copy, and, judging by the AMS team’s last-minute arrival at Willow Springs last weekend, the deal was news to them, too, until a few days before the Willow F-USA race. The release reads as follows:

“Ducati North America will sponsor 2000 AMA Pro Thunder Champion Jeff Nash and former Australian Superbike rider Craig Connell in competition this season.

“Ducati North America has formed an association with current AMA Pro Thunder Champion and 2001 Daytona winner Jeff Nash and Advanced Motor Sports, to compete in this year’s Pro Thunder Championship. Riding under the Ducati Performance banner, Jeff will compete on 2001 model 748RS’s prepared by AMS’s Superbike gurus Arthur Davis and Stewart Rust. ‘It is a great honor to be involved with Ducati’s racing program this season. Hopefully we will be able to fulfill their high expectations.’

“Asked about his win at Daytona, ‘I’m totally thrilled, I’ve got a great crew, it’s my best victory ever and a dream come true to win at Daytona for Ducati. I let (fellow Ducati rider) Thomas Montano through going into the infield and I thought those guys might give me a bit of a draft to pass them both before the chicane, which worked quite well. I made a block move coming into the chicane and got a good drive coming out.’ This was Ducati’s third consecutive Pro Thunder win at Daytona.

“In SFX Formula USA, former Ducati Australia Superbike rider Craig Connell will compete on Ducati Performance AMS 996SPS’s prepared by Nash and his crew. Connell, who finished second in the first leg at Daytona and was leading prior to a red flag, is a Superbike veteran. Finishing second and third in the Australian Superbike Championship in two consecutive years and finishing eighth and ninth in two consecutive years World Superbike rounds contested in Australia. ‘My bike was great, considering it never turned a wheel until Friday, was down about 15 horsepower to everyone else, and I had never been to Daytona. This will give us a lot of momentum going to Willow Springs which is a track I know pretty well.’

“Unfortunately due to both weather and darkness, the race was not restarted and results from the second race were the ones left standing, which put Connell comfortably in the second position over all in the series. ‘Jeff and Craig rode a great races, and the Pro Thunder race was probably the best ever,’ stated Ducati Manager of Racing Operations David Roy. ‘Both Jeff and Craig are great competitors, having raced against them both last season. Their dedication will lend a lot to our programs in both the AMA and F-USA series.'”



The official team name is Ducati Performance AMS Racing.