A Honda France RC51 Superbike topped final qualifying for the Le Mans 24-Hour, the opening round of the FIM Endurance World Championship. A Yamaha YZF-R7 Superbike fielded by Yamaha France qualified second-fastest, and the GMT94 team qualified third-fastest on a Super Production-class GSX-R1000. Suzuki-Castrol Racing Team qualified fourth overall on another Super Production Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Seventh-fastest overall and first in the Prototype/Open category is the Scratch Moto Angers team on a Kawasaki ZX-12R. Although the team’s bike is said to be the heaviest in the field at over 210 kg, or 463 pounds, the Scratch Moto Angers ZX-12R is said to produce over 200 horsepower. In Thursday night practice, the ZX-12R-mounted team was fourth fastest.

Former AMA 750cc Supersport Champion and current Attack Suzuki rider Jason Pridmore is riding for defending Endurance World Champions Whirley Phase One Suzuki,a dn the team qualified 11th fastest qualifier overall and fourth in the GSX-R1000-dominated Super Production class. The top six teams in Super Production qualifying ran on the new GSX-R1000s, but Whirley Phase One’s Suzuki is said to be the lightest at 174 kg, or 383.6 pounds.

The fastest Stocksport qualifier is the Team 22 Police Nationale on a Kawasaki ZX-9R at 16th overall. The Police Nationale Kawasaki heads a field full of Yamaha YZF-R1s.

The 22nd-fastest qualifier is the Maxim Endurance Team on an MV Agusta F4. The MV is second fastest in the Prototype class behind the ZX-12R Kawasaki.

Former Formula USA Champion Michael Barnes is riding for Herman Verboven Racing on a Suzuki GSX-R750. The German HVR team qualified 25th overall and 11th in the Superbike class.

Returning Le Mans veteran and new Shogun Motorsports signee Joe Prussiano and his Bikeshire Racing qualified 40th overall and 11th out of 12 entries in the Super Production class on a Yamaha YZF-R1. During Thursday’s night practice, Bikeshire was 35th fastest out of 62 entries.

Last on the grid is the Russian squad of Yukos Motorsport International on a Stock Sport Yamaha YZF-R1.

There are 17 entries in the Superbike class, 12 in Super Production, 29 in Stock Sport, and 4 in Prototype/Open.

Superbikes must follow the same rules as most Superbike classes the world over. Starting with a homologated frame of a 750cc four-cylinder or 1000cc two-cylinder production bike, everything about the bike may be modified within the engine displacement limits. Generally, Le Mans Superbikes are retired factory Superbikes that have been de-tuned for reliability and longevity although factories have been known to roll their dice sending out a front-line Superbike weapon.

Super Production is a new class for 2001. Starting from the Stock Sport rules, the Super Production machines are allowed up to 1000cc for four-cylinder and three-cylinder bikes or 1200cc for twin-cylinder bikes. The Super Production machines are basically stock 1000cc motors in Superbike chassis as rules allow the changing of suspension, frame modification, a 24-liter fuel tank made of any material, and slick tires. The rules do not allow the removal of the electric starter or any modifications to the engine, airbox, carburetors or fuel injectors. Remapping of the EFI and the use of different exhausts are allowed. The FIM has reserved the right to institute air flow restrictions during the course of the season to keep the playing field level.

Stock Sport is similar to American Supersport rules restricting engine and chassis modifications. The only differences being that slicks are used and quick-fill gas caps may be installed. The stock wiring harness must remain in place including the connections for the turn signals.

The Prototype/Open class is a special class allowed by the individual event organizer and does not compete for FIM Championship points or the posted purse.

The 24-Hours of Le Mans starts at 3:00 p.m. Central European Time, or 6:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Saturday April 14, 2000.

Tour Master has asked the public’s help in tracking down 2000 Tour Master Cortech Sport Jackets stolen at gunpoint from a trucking yard in Wilmington, California last weekend.

According to press release issued by the company and sent to Roadracing World, “armed gunmen broke into a guarded, Wilmington, California trucking storage yard and stole two overseas containers, one of which held 2000 Tour Master Cortech® Sport Jackets. The yard holds recently-arrived overseas shipments awaiting delivery to their final destinations, and is under 24-hour security. But the gunmen subdued the guard on duty and held him for three hours while they ransacked the yard’s containers to find what they wanted. Police say the thieves have struck before, and for this reason a special task force has been established to investigate a series of similar commercial thefts.

“The stolen Tour Master Jackets are all identified by the I.D. #105569 located below the Care Instructions on the lower right-hand side of both the jacket liner and shell. Five colors of jackets are involved: Black, Black/Red, Black/Blue, Black/Silver, and Black Yellow, in sizes XS through XXL.

“Police ask that consumers or retail dealers coming in contact with any of the stolen jackets, or being approached by someone trying to sell them, should take no action other than noting the circumstances and contacting Task Force detectives immediately at one of the 24/7 pager numbers below. The thieves are considered armed and dangerous.

“Contact: Detective Mark Zavala: (213) 920-1832;
Detective Dan Nee: (661) 290-7563; Sergeant Dave Owens: (213) 360-3106

“Trying to make the best of the situation, and with characteristic humor, Phil Bellomy, Vice President and Partner of Helmet House, Inc., the Calabasas Hills, California-based importer of the Tour Master line of motorcycle apparel, gloves, rainsuits, bags and luggage, said, ‘We knew Tour Master’s popularity was really growing, but I guess this definitely makes us the “hottest” jackets in the industry now.'”

The following are some tops speeds caught on radar during team testing at Road Atlanta:

Tommy Hayden
Yamaha Superbike
Thursday
164.0 mph

Anthony Gobert
Yamaha Superbike
Thursday
164.0 mph

Larry Pegram
Ducati Superbike
Wednesday
166.1 mph
Thursday
164.0 mph

Mike Smith
Harley-Davidson Superbike
157.0 mph

Ben Spies
Suzuki 750cc Supersport
156.0 mph

Grant Lopez
Suzuki GSX-R1000 Formula Xtreme
171.1 mph

Jamie Hacking
Suzuki Superbike
165.6 mph
Suzuki 600 Supersport
150.5 mph

Aaron Yates
Suzuki Superbike
166.7 mph

Doug Chandler
Kawasaki Superbike
165.8 mph

Eric Bostrom
Kawasaki Superbike
166.2 mph

Thursday afternoon fastest lap times:

Larry Pegram
Ducati Superbike
1:25.1

Anthony Gobert
Yamaha Supebike
1:24.4
Yamaha 600 Supersport
1:27.8

Tommy Hayden
Yamaha Superbike
1:24.7
Yamaha 600
1:27.8

Ben Bostrom
Kawasaki Superbike
1:24.2
Kawasaki 600
1:28.3

Jamie Hacking
Suzuki Superbike
1:24.6

Aaron Yates
Suzuki Superbike
1:24.6

The following is a press release from the Wegman Benefit Fund, which is endorsed by Roadracing World:

Wegman Benefit Fund, Inc.
7033 W. Verona Ct.
Milwaukee, WI 53219-3926
414-321-2338

e-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.wegmanfund.org

We are proud to announce the 15th Annual Wegman Benefit Auction to be held Saturday July 7, 2001 at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in Rockton, IL. This event is held in conjunction with a CCS Midwest Region motorcycle roadrace weekend.

The Wegman Benefit Fund is the longest running national road racer benefit fund in the country. Through the generous donations of individuals and businesses like you, we have assisted seriously injured racers with over $96,000 paid to date toward medical bills not covered by insurance.

We are again asking you to support our annual fund-raiser with donations of goods and/or services to be offered at auction during our event. The Wegman Benefit Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-deductible organization. All donations to the fund are tax deductible.

It is our sincere hope you will give consideration to participating in our annual event to help those participants in the road racing community that have unfortunately been seriously injured in racing accidents.

With your contribution, please include a brief summary of your donated item(s) as well as information about your business so we may recognize your generosity at the time of the auction. Also please include any promotional posters, brochures, stickers, etc. to be displayed and/or distributed at the event. Your company will also be listed/linked on our “Contributors” page on our website at: www.wegmanfund.org.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact me at the information above or Dave Doe at 402-562-1302, e-mail : [email protected].

Your donation will help to make this another successful event in the history of the Wegman auctions. Thank you for your time and consideration. We Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,


Gordon Lunde, Sr.
Wegman Benefit Fund, Inc.

The fastest machine on radar during team tests at Road Atlanta Wednesday was a Formula Xtreme GSX-R1000 ridden by Grant Lopez.

Riding his Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R1000, Lopez registered 171 mph on a radar gun operated by Yoshimura Suzuki’s Don Sakakura. The fastest Superbike on Sakakura’s radar was a Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750 ridden by Aaron Yates, at 166 mph.

Lopez’s best lap time was a 1:25.5, faster than the Formula Xtreme lap record at Road Atlanta, and about in the middle of lap times turned by Superbike riders at Road Atlanta Wednesday.

FIM President Francesco Zerbi has issued a public letter of reprimand to Max Biaggi and Valentino Rossi for televised incidents during the 500cc Grand Prix at Suzuka, in which Biaggi pushed Rossi off the track and onto the grass, followed by Rossi repassing Biaggi, cutting in front of Biaggi and then flipping Biaggi off in the middle of turn one.

While Zerbi admits in the letter that “It is not my role to establish if what happened during the event could have been sanctioned as a sporting offense and what measures could or should have been taken: In this connection, it was the Race Direction at the scene”, Zerbi goes on in the letter to say “I think that after having verified the events and the–rightly called negative–reactions which materialized in negative judgements in your regard and in the regard of our sport, it is my dury to intervene.”

In the letter, Zerbi continues, “My intervention is two-fold: The first is a reproach to you both, in order to invite you to more attentively and correctly control your actions and reactions, without taking anything away from the fighting instinct and your desire for victory, your skill, your courage and the sporting qualities that a true champion shows to all the world…

“The second, much simpler but more direct, aims to avoid repeating situations in the future where the persons who must intervene do not know the manner in which to do so.

“For this reason, the Grand Prix Permanent Bureau will request the Race Direction to intervene with the appropriate sanctions according to the gravity of the actions and/or reactions that could happen during an event, or in the area of an event, and which could manifest itself not only as a sporting offense already provided for in the rules, but also more generally as ‘anti-sporting or censurable behavior’. I realize that this description is generic, even if it is precise, but it is not possible to establish a list of cases and actions that would define this behavior.

“We will watch to see that the persons charged with applying the sanctions are, as far as is humanly possible, the most attentive, moderate and conscious of their very important role.

“Mistakes can be made, but is is important to do all that is possible to avoid them being made and to avoid them being repeated, and that the persons who make these errors are punished appropriately.”

It is unclear if Zerbi’s letter, which was FAXed to media outlets by the FIM, means that sanctions will be taken against Biaggi and Rossi.

Fastest Lap Times From Team Testing At Road Atlanta So Far, i.e., after Thursday morning sessions:

Doug Chandler
Kawasaki Superbike
Tuesday, 1:25.0
Wednesday, 1:24.8
Thursday, 1:24.1
Chandler is now done with testing, and says he’s not feeling 100 percent.

Eric Bostrom
Kawasaki Superbike
Wednesday 1:25.2
Thursday 1:24.2
Kawasaki Supersport 600
Tuesday 1:28.7

Aaron Yates
Suzuki Superbike
Wednesday 1:24.26
Thursday 1:23.3

Jamie Hacking
Suzuki Superbike
Wednesday 1:25.66
Thursday 1:24.5
Suzuki Supersport 600
Wednesday 1:27.66

Mike Smith
Harley-Davidson Superbike
Thursday 1:25.7

Anthony Gobert
Yamaha Superbike
Thursday 1:24.5
Yamaha Supersport 600
Thursday 1:27.9

Tommy Hayden
Yamaha Superbike
Thursday 1:25.0
Yamaha Supersport 600
Thursday 1:28.0

Grant Lopez
Suzuki GSX-R1000 Formula Xtreme
Wednesday 1:25.5
Thursday 1:25.42

Ben Spies
Suzuki Supersport 750
Wednesday 1:27.38

Jordan Szoke
Harley-Davidson Superbike
Wednesday 1:28.0
Thursday 1:26.78

The AMA Superbike National at Willow Springs is back on the schedule and will be held September 13-16. The race is being promoted by the racetrack itself, according to Greg Huth.

“You were really a help on this,” Huth told Roadracing World in a 9:40 a.m. PDT, April 12 phone call from his office at the Rosamond, California racetrack.

Huth reported that once he got in touch with AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth, “Everything really went well and worked out. He’s a really nice guy and we got everything handled smoothly.”

Roadracing World played a key role in getting Greg Huth and his father, racetrack owner Bill Huth, in contact with Hollingsworth, Greg Huth said.

While terms of the deal have been agreed, Greg Huth said that Hollingsworth is FAXing him the final paperwork.

“He’s sending us the final contract by FAX and we’re going to sign it and return it with a check,” said Greg Huth.

The AMA weekend will start with a Team Hammer Pro Practice on Thursday, September 13 with official AMA practice and qualifying starting on Friday, September 14. Races will be held September 15 and 16.

In an April 12 phone interview from his headquarters in Anaheim, California, Erion Honda team owner Kevin Erion said that his team had completed a successful one-day test at Willow Springs International Raceway on Wednesday, April 11.

“Sometimes shop time is just as valuable as track time,” said Erion. “We weighed our options of spending the time getting to and from Road Atlanta and felt that that time would be better spent in the shop. Then we went out to Willow for one day and got everything that we wanted to accomplished.”

Erion confirmed that his three riders–Kurtis Roberts, Mark Miller and Jake Zemke–were all healthy and ready for the next round of the AMA series, and (in the case of Miller and Zemke) the first Formula Xtreme race, at Sears Point May 4-6.

Copyright 2001 Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

More than a decade after he last rode one, Kevin Schwantz was back on a Yoshimura Suzuki Superbike during team tests at Road Atlanta Tuesday.

Schwantz took five laps on the bike with an on-board camera to gather video footage that will be used to promote the AMA Superbike National at Road Atlanta. Previously, Schwantz had last ridden a Yoshimura Suzuki Superbike at Daytona in 1988, when he won the Daytona 200.

“It makes Road Atlanta seem like a pretty tight little racetrack,” said Schwantz about the bike he rode, which is normally ridden by Mat Mladin. Mladin missed the test with a broken lower left leg.

“The biggest thing that I noticed about it is how quick you need to be ready to shift gears when you get off turn seven and twist it wide open,” continued Schwantz. “It’s almost like you have to preload your foot and be ready to get two, maybe three gears bam-bam-bam.

“I’m not used to riding stuff that’s that fast. Well, I did ride Kenny’s bike in November but that’s different, it was at Philip Island, a big, long place,” Schwantz said, refering to a brief ride he had on Kenny Roberts 500cc World Championship-winning RGV500 during post-season tests following the last Grand Prix of 2000, in Australia.

“And it sure liked to stop, it stopped right now,” Schwantz said, refering again to the GSX-R750. “(Yoshimura’s) Don (Sakakura) was on the back straight with a radar gun when I was on it and I reached 163 mph on the back straight and the fastest (Superbike) through there for the day was 165, 166. And it sure seems to stop itself quick, and the bike feels really stable on the brakes.

“Just like Kenny’s bike it feels real nervous to me, probably because it’s been so long since I’ve ridden something that fast and I’m not riding it hard enough and not loading it enough. It was probably a little stiff for me.

“Speedvision had a camera on it, for some TV spots for the Big Kahuna (AMA Superbike race scheduled for May 17-20).

“I was kind of hoping they didn’t get any footage and we’d have to try it again. It was fun. I really enjoyed it.

“I think I did 32 on it, it shows that you’ve got to go out and really push to go as fast as most of these guys are going now.

“Low 25 is what (Aaron) Yates did, but most of those guys are in the high 25s, 26 is what these guys did. Everybody who’s here is basically within a second of each other and I was five or six seconds off that so it just shows you the level of the playing field these days.

“It was a very pleasant experience,” concluded Schwantz.

Schwantz also said that the track was covered with fallen pollen which looked like yellow dust when bikes disturbed it. The pollen had to have some affect on traction, especially off line, Schwantz said.

Schwantz added that Grant Lopez’s Valvoline EMGO Suzuki Formula Xtreme GSX-R1000 registered the highest top speed on Sakakura’s radar gun, reaching 168 mph. The highest AMA Superbike reading was between 165 and 166 mph, Schwantz said.

Besides Yates and Lopez, riders testing at Road Atlanta include Jamie Hacking, Steve Crevier, Mike Smith, Jordan Szoke, Anthony Gobert, Tommy Hayden, Doug Chandler, Eric Bostrom, Ben Spies, Chris Ulrich and Larry Pegram.

Hacking spent all day on his GSX-R600 Supersport bike, while Yates switched back and forth between his 600 and his Superbike.

Hayden and Gobert ran 600s in the morning and Superbikes in the afternoon.

Spies and Ulrich were riding Formula USA GSX-R750s all day. Lopez started the day on his Formula USA GSX-R750 and then switched to his Formula Xtreme GSX-R1000.