This Just In, a press release from Benelli:

“Team Benelli Sport continue their World Superbike campaign with a visit to the awesome Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California this weekend. It’s a significant challenge for the Tornado Racing Team as it’s only their second World Superbike race and to make things harder, it’s also a ‘flyaway’ round. When a race team attends a European round they are able to take all their trucks, hospitality units and support staff. But when attending ‘flyaway’ rounds the trucks and hospitality buses have to stay at home and the team have to work out of temporary units and shipping cases. Even the established teams struggle with this set up so it’ll be a steep learning process for Team Benelli Sport.

“Despite the difficulties they face, the team is upbeat about their first competitive visit to the USA, especially rider Peter Goddard who is really fired up and raring to go.

“‘I am really looking forward to Laguna,’ declared Goddard from his hotel in Monterey. “The aim is to finish both races and get some points! I like Laguna as it is a very challenging rider’s track. It is very unforgiving with a well-used surface and many elevation and camber changes – but that’s exactly what makes it such a challenge!’ Goddard has spent the last week in
America visiting friends and family and adjusting his body clock to the time zone.

“The team is already making great progress in their mission to win the World Superbike Championship, and they’re attracting fantastic support from sponsors and suppliers. They’re also catching the eye of the press and of course racing fans worldwide. The fantastic Tornado Superbike drew the crowds at Misano and is sure to cause a stir in the USA.

“All the attention is great for the team, but the rider and technicians have a tough job to do and they’ve been working hard since Misano preparing the machine and working out settings for Laguna Seca.

“‘We will have access to the best Dunlop Tires from Friday here so that will make a big difference,’ explained Goddard. ‘We will be up against it here with no previous bike experience, only some data which we have used to try to match gearbox and speeds together. But I have raced here for the last three years so I know the place reasonably well. I believe the bike will work fine at Laguna chassis-wise but will need some suspension changes for this special circuit. I have been discussing this with Ohlins and the team and I think we have a good start plan. We have already made some changes to increase ground clearance. We just hope to have a good run with the engine, we have no major engine updates yet as everything has come directly from the Misano round. The weather is forecast to be fine so it could be another hot one like last year.'”

Tom Montano now leads AMA Buell Pro Thunder points, following last weekend’s combined AMA/WERA race at Portland, according to a press release issued today by AMA Pro Racing. Point standings follow:

1. Tom Montano, Ducati, 117 points
2. Mike Ciccotto, Buell, 103 points
3. Dave Estok, Buell, 97 points
4. Jeff Nash, Ducati, 95 points
5. Mike Krynock, Ducati, 69 points
6. Charlie Hewitt, Ducati, 63 points
7. Dean Mizdal, Ducati, 53 points
8. Tom Fournier, Ducati, 49 points
9. Michael Barnes, Buell, 39 points
10. Eric Wood, Ducati, 38 points

Final Formula Xtreme Qualifying From Laguna Seca

1. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, 1:28.243
2. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:28.296
3. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:28.905
4. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:28.963
5. Josh Hayes, Honda, 1:29.091
6. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:29.496
7. Mark Miller, Honda, 1:29.728
8. Grant Lopez, Suzuki, 1:29.755
9. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:29.883
10. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki, 1:31.491
11. Jason Curtis, Yamaha, 1:32.410
12. Mike Sullivan, Yamaha, 1:32.858
13. Marc Palazzo, Honda, 1:32.868
14. Robert Mesa, Yamaha, 1:33.139
15. Daigoro Suzuki, Suzuki, 1:33.143

A crash by Chris Voelker during the 50-minute qualifying session caused a red flag with approximately ten minutes remaining in the session. At the time, Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s John Hopkins had the fastest time with his GSX-R1000 and Michelin race tires.

When the session resumed for the remainder of its time, Dunlop-sponsored teams mounted their qualifying tires and lept to the top of the charts.

Kipp will start from the pole position for the first time ever in the Formula Xtreme class Saturday afternoon.

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:27.249
2. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:27.456
3. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:27.510
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:28.065
5. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:28.188
6. Doug Chandler, Kawasaki, 1:28.561
7. Larry Pegram, Ducati, 1:28.685
8. Steve Rapp, Ducati, 1:28.953
9. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:29.001
10. Pascal Picotte, H-D, 1:29.359
11. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha, 1:29.425
12. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:30.489
13. Andreas Meklau, Ducati, 1:30.597
14. Mike Smith, H-D, 1:30.988
15. Richie Alexander, Suzuki, 1:32.091*
16. Jordan Szoke, H-D, 1:32.215
17. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:32.681*
18. Mike Sullivan, 1:33.152
19. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, 1:33.799*
20. Andrew Deatherage, Suzuki, 1:33.980
*denotes riding 750cc Supersport machine

1. Thomas Montano, 1:34.734
2. David Estok, 1:34.889
3. Tripp Nobles, 1:36.168
4. Dean Mizdal, 1:37.977
5. Jeffrey Nash, 1:38.013
6. Rich Thorwaldson, 1:39.163
7. Dr. David Kieffer, M.D. 1:39.753
8. Mike Ciccotto, 1:39.824
9. Mike Krynock, 1:40.495
10. Ricky Lundgren, 1:41.008

Contributors to the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund will be able to sign a section of Air Fence at Laguna Seca Raceway on Saturday evening, following the conclusion of on-track activities. The signing will be hosted by Roadracing World’s John Ulrich and was arranged with the help of AMA Media Relations Contractor–and Air Fence contributor–Larry Lawrence.

Air Fence representative Andy Coffey and Alpina Safety Systems representation Dan Lance will be invited to the signing session to meet Air Fence Fund contributors and answer questions about their energy-absorbing products.

Watch roadracingworld.com for the exact time and place of the Saturday evening Air Fence signing, or listen for public address system announcements.

American Honda has planned several activities and promotions for the 80,000+ fans expected to attend the Laguna Seca Superbike races July 5-8.

It has already been announced that Honda will be involved in a special co-promotion of the feature film Jurassic Park III opening July 18. Nicky Hayden’s leathers, RC51 Superbike, and crew uniforms will feature graphics inspired by the movie as part of a sponsorship deal with Universal Studios. There will be replicas of Hayden’s Jurassic Park III Honda RC51 on display, along with a similarly-decorated replica of Ezra Lusk’s Honda CR250R motocross bike, in the Big Red Tent in the exhibition area of the track infield.

Also under the Big Red Tent will be a display to commemorate Honda’s 500 Grand Prix victories. On Saturday, July 7, from 11:00 a.m. to noon, three-time World Champion Freddie Spencer and five-time World Champion Mick Doohan will sign special posters celebrating Honda’s 500th Grand Prix win.

Honda riders Colin Edwards II, Tadayuki Okada, Miguel Duhamel, Nicky Hayden, Kurtis Roberts, Mark Miller, Jake Zemke, Josh Hayes and Roger Lee Hayden will all be included in autograph sessions at some point during the weekend. Visit the Big Red Tent for session times.

Young race fans haven’t been forgotten by Honda as HRCA partner and American Supercamp founder Danny Walker will be offering demo rides on child-sized Honda off-road motorcycles. Universal Studios/ American Honda mascot Woody Woodpecker is expected to make visits to the kids’ area through the weekend. Games and other activities will also be offered for youngsters.

Final 600cc Supersport Qualifying Times From Laguna Seca:

1. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:28.904
2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:29.246
3. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:29.837
4. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:30.141
5. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha, 1:30.216
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:30.346
7. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:30.358
8. Josh Hayes, Honda, 1:30.669
9. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:30.909
10. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, 1:31.316
11. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:31.345
12. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:31.357
13. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:31.359
14. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:31.507
15. Grant Lopez, Suzuki, 1:32.133
16. Lance Isaacs, Honda, 1:32.795
17. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:32.864
18. Marc Palazzo, Honda, 1:32.960
19. Stuart Stratton, Yamaha, 1:33.709
20. Daigoro Suzuki, Kawasaki, 1:34.001

Eric Bostrom’s pole-winning time breaks his own track record of 1:29.850.

Jake Zemke and Aaron Gobert both ended their sessions early and unhurt with crashes.

When asked why he is racing a 600 at Laguna Seca, Nicky Hayden said, “Just for fun.”

1. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:29.766
2. Mark Miller, Honda, 1:30.195
3. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, 1:30.584
4. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:30.753
5. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:31.076
6. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:31.151
7. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:31.453
8. Josh Hayes, Honda, 1:31.575
9. Grant Lopez, Suzuki, 1:32.410
10. Thomas Montano, Ducati, 1:32.883
11. Andrew Deatherage, Suzuki, 1:33.097
12. David Estok, Buell, 1:33.265
13. Tripp Nobles, Buell, 1:34.198
14. Jeremy Toye, Yamaha, 1:34.700
15. Chris Voelker, Honda, 1:34.858

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Grant Lopez crashed unhurt in the session while fourth-fastest.

Final AMA Superbike Qualifying From Laguna Seca

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:26.100
2. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:26.181
3. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:26.877
4. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:27.018
5. Larry Pegram, Ducati, 1:27.046
6. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:27.075
7. Doug Chandler, Kawasaki, 1:27.204
8. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:27.329
9. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha, 1:27.339
10. Andy Meklau, Ducati, 1:27.787
11. Steve Rapp, Ducati, 1:27.818
12. Pascal Picotte, H-D, 1:28.613
13. Mike Smith, H-D, 1:29.223
14. Jordan Szoke, H-D, 1:30.080
15. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:30.612*
16. Richie Alexander, Suzuki, 1:31.734*
17. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, 1:32.177*
18. Andrew Deatherage, Suzuki, 1:32.384*
19. James Randolph, Suzuki, 1:32.532
20. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:32.618*
*denotes 750cc Supersport bike

Harley-Davidson’s Pascal Picotte crashed his factory VR1000 Superbike during the qualifying session. Picotte’s bike burst into flames and burned. Although he hadn’t fully debriefed Picotte, Harley-Davidson’s Team Manager Jon Baker said that Picotte was unhurt.