From motogp.com
Ducati Marlboro rider Casey Stoner was the pacesetter in the first practice of the Gran Premio bwin de España on Friday, ahead of Jorge Lorenzo and Nicky Hayden.
Valentino Rossi was fifth as he dealt with his painful shoulder, with an improved Dani Pedrosa fourth.
Looking to bounce back from his disappointment in Qatar Stoner led the times as he went round the Andalusian circuit in a best lap of 1:39.731 before sliding out at turn 9 with two minutes to go – a fall that resulted in no ill effects.
“I’m feeling a lot more confident than I ever have at this circuit," Stoner said. "Immediately from the first lap on this bike I knew things were different to past years, and the bike felt so much more confident than it ever has. I have a great feeling, the rear is a lot calmer, it’s not pumping all over the track, and things feel very good. Everybody else is going to be ready for a good fight this weekend and I think it’s going to be the first chance I’m going to have to fight for maybe a victory here.”
“I’m not really too sure (what happened),” said Stoner when asked about the fall at Turn 9. “The lap before I went into that corner a little bit too fast, so I thought on the next lap I’d ease it off a little bit, and a similar thing happened to what did in Qatar. We just didn’t have enough weight on the front, so I think we might be getting a little bit of a wrong indication from the bike of what we need to do with it.
"I think this is actually a good thing to happen to us because now we’ve had the same thing happen twice and this is going to give us a lot better indication of how to improve the problem for tomorrow, and the rest of the season. So far we’re very happy with the situation we’re in.”
Fiat Yamaha rider Lorenzo, who has started the past two races at the circuit from pole position, was second fastest of the session as he lapped at just over a tenth of a second off the Australian’s pace.
"I'm really happy with this first day,” stated Lorenzo. “Everything has gone well and I don't have any pain in my hand any more. I feel as good on the bike as I felt last year when I got pole, although my aim is to make sure I don't repeat the same mistake in the race this time!
"I always feel like I ride well here and I've already got a good pace; with some small modifications we can be even better. I don't think the perfect MotoGP bike exists but our Yamaha is definitely nearly there, maybe we just need a bit more top speed.”
Stoner’s Marlboro Ducati team-mate Nicky Hayden completed the top three times as he set out on a positive foot, pacing at a fraction over 0.4 secs. off his colleague’s lap time.
“The session went well and I’m really happy right now because this is a big one for us,” he commented. “I was fast in Malaysia and Qatar but that was after a lot of testing at those tracks, experimenting with many different settings, but we’ve come here and been fast out of the gate, which was one of my goals for this season – to be on the pace on Fridays.
"We didn’t set the world on fire or break any track records so we’re not getting carried away but the bike is close and if we can get it a little better in the fast corners we should have a good package.
“The team made one little change today that helped a lot and on my last exit I was able to stay in the 1:40s from the first lap to the last. It’s a good start and if we keep working in this way we can have a good weekend.”
Repsol Honda rider Pedrosa will be one of the Spanish contingent looking to make home advantage count this weekend as he seeks a vast improvement, and he was fourth in the hour-long session as he took his RC212V around at just under half a second off Stoner’s marker.
World Champion Rossi was the fifth fastest as he found his level of comfort affected by the injured shoulder he sustained in a motocross training accident during the week following his opening-round win in Qatar. The Italian was 0.628 secs. off Stoner, and placed ahead of compatriot Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) and Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider Colin Edwards.
"The shoulder is a bit sore, especially in the two or three harder braking areas, but the most important thing is that I can ride," said Rossi, who rode 25 laps. "Of course this pain makes it more difficult but I was able to do 25 laps today without painkillers, and the pain didn't get any worse as the session went on. I didn't take any painkillers because I wanted to understand the level and so tomorrow and Sunday we will consider something for the pain.
“Today we used two different settings and now we will decide which direction to go in for the rest of the weekend. We need to find a bit more rear grip in order to be more competitive, because at this moment this is slowing us down more than the shoulder."
Impressive showings from Héctor Barberá (Páginas Amarillas Aspar) and Álvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) placed the Spanish rookies eighth and ninth, respectively, after both had experienced falls without consequence – Barberá after just 10 minutes and Bautista in the latter half of the session.
Marco Melandri (San Carlo Honda Gresini Team) completed the top 10, with Ben Spies (Monster Yamaha Tech3), Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) and Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda) next on the timesheet.
A three-week break failed to take any of the hunger out of Alex Debón’s appetite for speed in the Moto2 class, as the Spanish rider started his home GP at Jerez by setting the quickest time in the first free practice session on Friday.
Nine different chassis manufacturers were represented in the top 10 times and less than a second separated them all, with Debón’s best time of 1:44.419 on his FTR frame the marker.
The 34-year-old, who finished second at the Qatar season opener, was followed by Gabor Talmacsi (Fimmco Speed Up) at a gap of 0.461 secs. and Kenny Noyes (Jack&Jones by Antonio Banderas), who was a further four-hundredths of a second behind the Hungarian.
Pol Espargaró made sure that he secured the early psychological boost in the first practice session of the 125cc class at Jerez, leading an all-Spanish, all-Derbi top three which was almost a second faster than the remainder of the field.
Posting a super quick time of 1:47.327 on his 20th and final lap of the session, Espargaró was just under a second quicker than Julián Simón’s 2009 pole position time, and was followed by Marc Márquez (Red Bull Ajo Motorsport) and Tuenti Racing team-mate Efrén Vázquez.
MotoGP Practice Times
1. Casey STONER (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1:39.731
2. Jorge LORENZO (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1:39.875
3. Nicky HAYDEN (USA) Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1:40.148
4. Dani PEDROSA (SPA) Repsol Honda Team Honda 1:40.200
5. Valentino ROSSI (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1:40.359
6. Loris CAPIROSSI (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1:40.716
7. Colin EDWARDS (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1:40.913
8. Hector BARBERA (SPA) Paginas Amarillas Aspar Ducati 1:41.034
9. Alvaro BAUTISTA (SPA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1:41.093
10. Marco MELANDRI (ITA) San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1:41.190
11. Ben SPIES (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1:41.200
12. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (ITA) Repsol Honda Team Honda 1:41.277
13. Randy DE PUNIET (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1:41.293
14. Mika KALLIO (FIN) Pramac Racing Team Ducati 1:41.297
15. Marco SIMONCELLI (ITA) San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1:41.533
16. Aleix ESPARGARO (SPA) Pramac Racing Team Ducati 1:41.742
17. Hiroshi AOYAMA (JPN) Interwetten Honda MotoGP Honda 1:41.837
Friday, April 30, 2010
Silverstone launches new circuit
From motogp.com
Silverstone Circuits Limited unveiled the new Silverstone Grand Prix circuit on Thursday, showing off the new section of track that the MotoGP World Championship riders will experience when the AirAsia British Grand Prix takes place from June 18-20.
His Royal Highness the Duke of York formally cut the ribbon to open the major new section of track, which represents the first stage of a multi-million pound investment at the venue. Among those present at the circuit for the ceremony was former World Championship rider Ron Haslam.
Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits Limited, said: “This new Grand Prix track combined with the redevelopment of Stowe Circuit and facilities, that was also completed this year, are a very exciting part of our overall redevelopment plan.
“Work has already started on a new pit and paddock complex that will be completed in 2011 and we feel we are well on the way to being one of the best motorsport facilities in the world for competitors, organisers and spectators alike. 2010 is an extremely important year for the circuit with Formula One being re-joined by MotoGP and superbikes on our calendar. It is going to be exciting to watch those races played out on this stunning new circuit.”
Silverstone Circuits Limited unveiled the new Silverstone Grand Prix circuit on Thursday, showing off the new section of track that the MotoGP World Championship riders will experience when the AirAsia British Grand Prix takes place from June 18-20.
His Royal Highness the Duke of York formally cut the ribbon to open the major new section of track, which represents the first stage of a multi-million pound investment at the venue. Among those present at the circuit for the ceremony was former World Championship rider Ron Haslam.
Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits Limited, said: “This new Grand Prix track combined with the redevelopment of Stowe Circuit and facilities, that was also completed this year, are a very exciting part of our overall redevelopment plan.
“Work has already started on a new pit and paddock complex that will be completed in 2011 and we feel we are well on the way to being one of the best motorsport facilities in the world for competitors, organisers and spectators alike. 2010 is an extremely important year for the circuit with Formula One being re-joined by MotoGP and superbikes on our calendar. It is going to be exciting to watch those races played out on this stunning new circuit.”
Holden joins Crozier Roberson Motorsports
From Crozier Roberson Motorsports
DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Crozier Roberson Motorsports has announced that it has signed well-known road racer Jake Holden to pilot its No. 14 DNA Energy Drink Ducati 848 in the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike class beginning at the West Coast Moto Jam, May 14-16 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA.
"We are really excited about having Jake join our team," said team manager and co-owner Mark Crozier. "His talent speaks for itself and we feel that he will be a great asset to the team. In short, both Robbie (Roberson) and I feel that the combination of Jake and Bobby Fong will give us a very strong team."
Born and raised in Washington, Holden has been racing since he was six years old. Beginning with Dirt Track in the Pacific Northwest, he made the transition to road racing when he was 15. He moved into AMA racing in 2004 and immediately began to carve a name for himself. Last season, Holden finished 10th overall in AMA Pro American Superbike.
"I am really happy to be a member of the Crozier Roberson Motorsports team," Holden said. "They run an excellent program and the entire team is really motivated and determined to win, which is exactly my goal."
"Having Jake on board will allow me to concentrate on running the team," added Crozier. "Managing the team, working with sponsors and trying to race was like trying to work two full time jobs at the same time. I decided I could bring far more to the program by concentrating on the management aspect of things. Not racing will let me put all my energy into putting DNA Energy Drink and Crozier Roberson Motorsports in Victory Lane. I know every track we race on and I will be able to help both Bobby and Jake get on the podium every time out."
In addition to managing the team, Crozier will handle all the test riding and will compete in selected races during the season.
Crozier Roberson Motorsports is sponsored by DNA Energy Drink, Quality Brands, Inc., Arai Helmets, Race Tech, Motion Pro, Pit Bull, EBC Brakes, EK, Melillimoto Ducati, Moto-Heaven.com, XES, Thrust Company, HEL, Woodcraft, Armour Bodies, Puma, Held Gloves, GP Tech, Active, Zero Gravity and Christopher Bean Coffee.
Steeves ready to ride again
From Steeves Motorsports
HALIFAX, NS -- The coming season is shaping up to be an exciting one for the Steeves Motorsports team.
Rider Terry Steeves has completely recovered from his injuries sustained last July and has been training very hard during the off season. He is in the best shape of his life, in large part thanks to sponsors Slim-Gyms Fitness for Men. They have been coaching him through his injury and pushing him to build up his endurance and fitness.
New for 2010 is the team's switch to Suzuki GSX-R equipment. Steeves will be campaigning a Suzuki GSX-R1000 superbike in Atlantic Roadracing League Championship events and select Parts Canada Superbike Championship rounds.
New sponsors for 2010 include Suzuki and Pro-Cycle. Both have long been supporters of racing in Atlantic Canada.
Suomy has renewed its support of the team. Steeves' excellent Suomy suit and helmet worked perfectly during his unfortunate accident last July and saved him from what could have been far worse injury.
Importations Thibault and Vicious Cycle have both renewed their support for 2010. Also returning are Atlantic Roadracing League, Accelerated Technologies, Slim Gyms, Pirelli Tires, Parts Canada Superbike Championship, Dionne Signs, Repsol lubricants, AFAM, D.I.D Racing Chains and Brad Boutilier Photo & Press.
Terry would also like to thank his fiancé Nicole for her support, understanding and encouragement.
HALIFAX, NS -- The coming season is shaping up to be an exciting one for the Steeves Motorsports team.
Rider Terry Steeves has completely recovered from his injuries sustained last July and has been training very hard during the off season. He is in the best shape of his life, in large part thanks to sponsors Slim-Gyms Fitness for Men. They have been coaching him through his injury and pushing him to build up his endurance and fitness.
New for 2010 is the team's switch to Suzuki GSX-R equipment. Steeves will be campaigning a Suzuki GSX-R1000 superbike in Atlantic Roadracing League Championship events and select Parts Canada Superbike Championship rounds.
New sponsors for 2010 include Suzuki and Pro-Cycle. Both have long been supporters of racing in Atlantic Canada.
Suomy has renewed its support of the team. Steeves' excellent Suomy suit and helmet worked perfectly during his unfortunate accident last July and saved him from what could have been far worse injury.
Importations Thibault and Vicious Cycle have both renewed their support for 2010. Also returning are Atlantic Roadracing League, Accelerated Technologies, Slim Gyms, Pirelli Tires, Parts Canada Superbike Championship, Dionne Signs, Repsol lubricants, AFAM, D.I.D Racing Chains and Brad Boutilier Photo & Press.
Terry would also like to thank his fiancé Nicole for her support, understanding and encouragement.
Rossi admits to injury worries
From motogp.com
The 2010 MotoGP World Championship resumes this weekend at Jerez, with the Gran Premio bwin de España now the second race of the season following the postponement of last weekend's race in Japan, due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland.
Valentino Rossi arrives at Jerez leading the Championship standings after a victory in Qatar that surprised even 'The Doctor' himself. Rossi has won six times in the premier class at Jerez, but is unsure of a repeat performance this weekend after injuring his shoulder in a bruising motocross crash the week after returning from Qatar.
The postponement of the Japanese Grand Prix played into the Italian's hands, giving him an extra week to recover from the crash before facing his Championship rivals once again.
"Unfortunately the shoulder is still a problem and there is some pain," said Rossi during the pre-event press conference. "Normally this injury takes three weeks to heal and it's two weeks since it happened now, so I really need another seven days to be fully fit again.
"I was very lucky that Motegi was postponed as it has given me an extra week to work on the shoulder and it has improved very much, but we will only find out how much tomorrow [Friday].”
The 2010 MotoGP World Championship resumes this weekend at Jerez, with the Gran Premio bwin de España now the second race of the season following the postponement of last weekend's race in Japan, due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland.
Valentino Rossi arrives at Jerez leading the Championship standings after a victory in Qatar that surprised even 'The Doctor' himself. Rossi has won six times in the premier class at Jerez, but is unsure of a repeat performance this weekend after injuring his shoulder in a bruising motocross crash the week after returning from Qatar.
The postponement of the Japanese Grand Prix played into the Italian's hands, giving him an extra week to recover from the crash before facing his Championship rivals once again.
"Unfortunately the shoulder is still a problem and there is some pain," said Rossi during the pre-event press conference. "Normally this injury takes three weeks to heal and it's two weeks since it happened now, so I really need another seven days to be fully fit again.
"I was very lucky that Motegi was postponed as it has given me an extra week to work on the shoulder and it has improved very much, but we will only find out how much tomorrow [Friday].”
Fast start for Kruger in China
By John Hopkins
Canadian road racer Dan Kruger picked up a class win and another podium finish in the opening round of the Pan Delta Series at the Zhuhai circuit in China April 25.
Riding a 2009 ZX-6R for his BG-Kawasaki team, the former Canadian Superbike regular worked his way up from sixth to place third overall in the feature race and first in Class 3 (Supersport). He was only only 0.18 secs. behind the overall runner-up Yamaha YZF-R1. Kruger actually gained two spots on the final lap in his charge to the front.
He had finished second in the opening race of the weekend.
The result came after a fraught weekend of technical challenges for the BG-Kawasaki team.
"We destroyed the transmission and had serious mapping issues on the 600 and it was a stressful time leading up to the race," Kruger explained in an email. "The team worked all night to repair the transmission and clutch. We had a factory custom map emailed to us from the Malaysia FIM ASIA GP Team 15 minutes before the race start and the guys were programming the bike right up until the warm up lap of my event. It was a big risk that paid off huge."
Kruger is scheduled to run a ZX-10R in the premier class of the Pan Delta Series but mapping issues with the kit wiring harness forced the team to park the bike for the weekend.
The Montreal native expects to be back on the ZX-10R for round 2 of the series back at the Zhuhai Circuit June 18-20.
"This is shaping up to be a very good year for myself and the team," Kruger added. "I am doing more PR and off track interviews and it is helping the exposure side of things in Asia. It is also starting to look like I will be entered into the Macau Grand Prix in November as well as the final round of the FIM Asia GP Series. I have so much support over here, it is really quite amazing."
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Motorcycle Experience back on Saturday
From Whistlestop TV
Toyota Truck presents Motorcycle Experience this Saturday, May 1 at 11:30am (EDT) on TSN and TSN HD.
In this episode host Dave Hatch rides a classic Vincent Black Shadow, former National 600 Sportbike Champion Clint McBain looks at how to overtake a vehicle, moto journalist Steve Bond samples the all new Honda Shadow RS750 retro cruiser and Dave and Norm continue their Ultimate Ride in Arizona and stumble upon a ghost town.
Motorcycle Experience will be repeated on TSN and TSN HD on Monday, May 3 at midnight and Wednesday, May 5 at 4:00pm. The show will also broadcast on TSN 2 on Saturday, May 1 at 2:30pm, Sunday, May 2 at 8:00am, Monday, May 3 at 4:30am, Wednesday, May 5 at 7:00pm and Thursday, May 6 at 9:30pm. All times are Eastern.
Motorcycle Experience is created with the support of Toyota Canada, Yamaha Motor Canada, Honda Canada, BMW Motorrad, Suzuki Canada and Motovan.
For more info visit www.motorcycleexperience.ca.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Dirt Track goes indoors
From Chesterman's
Canadian dirt track motorcycle racers will have a chance to hone their skills before the CMA National Championships kick off with the announcement that Chesterman’s of Tillsonburg, ON is promoting an indoor motorcycle flat track race scheduled for May 15.
Dave Chesterman and his crew will be shaping the covered oval much the same as the sprint cars use at this same venue.
“With stock gearing the 450s will run this track in second gear,” commented Doug Lawrence, who is acting as adviser to Chesterman. “It should make for some good close racing."
Fans attending this event will be treated to a comfortable raised lounge from which to view the action and the riders have a choice of indoor or outdoor pits. The facility itself is well ventilated and many riders of the flat track community are aware of the amenities offered here -- Chesterman's is used by all the top riders to help stay in shape in the off season.
Practice for the races begins at 1:00pm and spectators are admitted for just $10.
See www.chesterman.ca for more information.
The first race of the Canadian Motorcycle Association National Championships for 2010 is scheduled for June 5 at Niagara Raceway in Welland, ON.
Christie confirms 2010 program
From Jodi Christie Racing
Up-and-coming road racer Jodi Christie has a new team name and some new sponsors on board for his second Pro season in Canada.
His squad, formerly known as Roz-Gar Racing, is now running as Jodi Christie Racing and he has obtained dealer support from Durham Honda Powerhouse in Whitby, ON.
The 2009 HJC Pro Rookie of the Year will be riding two new Honda CBR600RRs with motors prepared by Fast Company and the bikes built by lead mechanic Jim Brooks. Suspension components have been handled by John Sharrard.
For the Parts Canada Superbike national series Sharrard will lend his years of experience as crew chief and suspension tuner. Brooks will return as head mechanic with Gary Christie in charge of logistics.
“I am looking forward to this season, my second year as a Pro," said the Keene, ON native. "We are well prepared and testing at Shannonville went well. I trained hard all winter and am ready.”
Jodi Christie Racing will contest RACE SuperSeries regionals in the 600 and Superbike classes and all rounds of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship.
Sponsorship for the 2010 program comes from Accelerated Technologies Suspension, Arai, Armour Bodies, Jim Brooks, BlueStreak Racing/Tony Blue, Bickle Tire Warmers, Brake-Tec Rotors, CCH Industrial, Dainese, Durham Honda Powerhouse, Forensi-Tech Racing, Flair Photo, Fast Company R & D, GMD Computrack/Adrian Baird, Honda Canada, Hindle Exhaust, HM Shifter, OPP Racing/Litech, Mad Fabrication, Orion Motorsports, Riders Choice and Scott Reinhart Trailers.
Up-and-coming road racer Jodi Christie has a new team name and some new sponsors on board for his second Pro season in Canada.
His squad, formerly known as Roz-Gar Racing, is now running as Jodi Christie Racing and he has obtained dealer support from Durham Honda Powerhouse in Whitby, ON.
The 2009 HJC Pro Rookie of the Year will be riding two new Honda CBR600RRs with motors prepared by Fast Company and the bikes built by lead mechanic Jim Brooks. Suspension components have been handled by John Sharrard.
For the Parts Canada Superbike national series Sharrard will lend his years of experience as crew chief and suspension tuner. Brooks will return as head mechanic with Gary Christie in charge of logistics.
“I am looking forward to this season, my second year as a Pro," said the Keene, ON native. "We are well prepared and testing at Shannonville went well. I trained hard all winter and am ready.”
Jodi Christie Racing will contest RACE SuperSeries regionals in the 600 and Superbike classes and all rounds of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship.
Sponsorship for the 2010 program comes from Accelerated Technologies Suspension, Arai, Armour Bodies, Jim Brooks, BlueStreak Racing/Tony Blue, Bickle Tire Warmers, Brake-Tec Rotors, CCH Industrial, Dainese, Durham Honda Powerhouse, Forensi-Tech Racing, Flair Photo, Fast Company R & D, GMD Computrack/Adrian Baird, Honda Canada, Hindle Exhaust, HM Shifter, OPP Racing/Litech, Mad Fabrication, Orion Motorsports, Riders Choice and Scott Reinhart Trailers.
Yamaha launches 'Yamabucks' program
From Yamaha Motor Canada
Yamaha Motor Canada has announced a sweeping customer appreciation program that will include various track day organizations and major amateur motocross, enduro and ATV racing events.
“Let’s face it. A lot of our customers take their Yamaha motorcycle or ATV out to the tracks to ride and compete. We wanted to do something that supported them, if even in a small way,” commented PR specialist, Bryan Hudgin.
Street motorcyclists who take their Yamaha to selected track day organizations will receive a one time, $75 'Yamabuck' at event registration. Racers will receive varying amounts based on their finishing position in the classes specified.
The Yamabuck certificate is redeemable at Yamaha dealers for purchase towards anything Yamaha Motor Canada sells including units, parts, accessories and apparel.
“What’s unique about ‘Yamabucks for You’ is that, for the racing portion of the program, amateur racers may not even need a podium finish to reap the rewards. If a racer finished ninth but was the third finishing Yamaha in the class, the racer would still qualify for a Yamabuck,” relayed Hudgin, “It’s a way for us to say 'thank you' to many of the customers who have chosen Yamaha and help support them a little at the track.”
All Yamabucks will be distributed by track and series promoters at the event or the conclusion of the series for which it is designated to.
The offer is good only while supplies last. For more information visit www.yamaha-motor.ca.
Yamaha Motor Canada has announced a sweeping customer appreciation program that will include various track day organizations and major amateur motocross, enduro and ATV racing events.
“Let’s face it. A lot of our customers take their Yamaha motorcycle or ATV out to the tracks to ride and compete. We wanted to do something that supported them, if even in a small way,” commented PR specialist, Bryan Hudgin.
Street motorcyclists who take their Yamaha to selected track day organizations will receive a one time, $75 'Yamabuck' at event registration. Racers will receive varying amounts based on their finishing position in the classes specified.
The Yamabuck certificate is redeemable at Yamaha dealers for purchase towards anything Yamaha Motor Canada sells including units, parts, accessories and apparel.
“What’s unique about ‘Yamabucks for You’ is that, for the racing portion of the program, amateur racers may not even need a podium finish to reap the rewards. If a racer finished ninth but was the third finishing Yamaha in the class, the racer would still qualify for a Yamabuck,” relayed Hudgin, “It’s a way for us to say 'thank you' to many of the customers who have chosen Yamaha and help support them a little at the track.”
All Yamabucks will be distributed by track and series promoters at the event or the conclusion of the series for which it is designated to.
The offer is good only while supplies last. For more information visit www.yamaha-motor.ca.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Rossi aims for more Jerez success
From motogp.com
After a three-week break in which the Grand Prix of Japan was rescheduled for Oct. 3 due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland, the 2010 MotoGP World Championship resumes at Jerez this weekend with the Gran Premio bwin de España.
It is a circuit which has in recent seasons been a favourite of Valentino Rossi, who won there in 2007 and 2009 and finished second in the year in between. His Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo’s pace at the track is undoubted – he has secured pole position there in his two MotoGP races to date, but is yet to win in the premier class at Jerez. The pair arrive in Spain first and second respectively in the 2010 standings after the opening round in Qatar.
The Gran Premio bwin de España will provide Ducati Marlboro rider Casey Stoner with the opportunity to get his campaign off to a genuine start after he crashed out on lap 6 when leading at Losail in round 1. The Australian finished third at Jerez last season, and a podium will be the only result he will have his eyes this time around on as he looks to make up the early points deficit on Rossi and Lorenzo.
Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) got his season off to a thrilling start by beating Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro) to the final podium spot in Qatar, and the duo will both be looking to at least consolidate if not better their respective results at Jerez.
Displaying his lightning pace off the starting grid in round 1 was Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) and the Spaniard will want to carry that through to race distance at Jerez where he won in 2008 and finished second last year, while Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech3) and Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) are still striving to get the most out of their bikes. The veteran Italian won the race in 2006, whilst Edwards finished on the podium in 2007.
Randy de Puniet of the LCR Honda team will seek to build on his solid start in Qatar, where he finished sixth, and having taken fourth at Jerez last season the Frenchman will no doubt be eyeing another impressive result on board his RC212V machine.
Ben Spies (Monster Yamaha Tech3) announced his arrival as a full-time member of the MotoGP grid in style with a fifth-placed finish in Qatar, and the American now heads to a track he does not know.
Spies was the highest finisher of the rookies in round 1, but Hiroshi Aoyama (Interwetten Honda MotoGP), Álvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) and Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini) will all look to capitalize on their experiences of winning in the 250cc or 125cc classes at Jerez.
Moto2 got off to a fantastic start at round 1 and the action was frantic from the very start in Qatar, with three of the front row not making it past the end of the first lap.
In Spain Stefan Bradl (Viesmann Kiefer Racing), Alex de Angelis (RSM Team Scot) and Julián Simón (Mapfre Aspar) will all be desperate to make amends at the second round of the World Championship.
Taking the honour of the first ever victory in the category was Shoya Tomizawa of the Technomag-CIP team, with the youngster riding his race to perfection to secure the first Grand Prix win of his career.
A thrilling start to the 2010 125cc World Championship was delivered in the opening round in Qatar. Nico Terol heads the standings after just one round courtesy of his tactically sound ride at Losail, where he led an all-Spanish podium, and he will try to replicate his result at the Gran Premio bwin de España.
After a three-week break in which the Grand Prix of Japan was rescheduled for Oct. 3 due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland, the 2010 MotoGP World Championship resumes at Jerez this weekend with the Gran Premio bwin de España.
It is a circuit which has in recent seasons been a favourite of Valentino Rossi, who won there in 2007 and 2009 and finished second in the year in between. His Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo’s pace at the track is undoubted – he has secured pole position there in his two MotoGP races to date, but is yet to win in the premier class at Jerez. The pair arrive in Spain first and second respectively in the 2010 standings after the opening round in Qatar.
The Gran Premio bwin de España will provide Ducati Marlboro rider Casey Stoner with the opportunity to get his campaign off to a genuine start after he crashed out on lap 6 when leading at Losail in round 1. The Australian finished third at Jerez last season, and a podium will be the only result he will have his eyes this time around on as he looks to make up the early points deficit on Rossi and Lorenzo.
Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) got his season off to a thrilling start by beating Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro) to the final podium spot in Qatar, and the duo will both be looking to at least consolidate if not better their respective results at Jerez.
Displaying his lightning pace off the starting grid in round 1 was Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) and the Spaniard will want to carry that through to race distance at Jerez where he won in 2008 and finished second last year, while Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech3) and Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) are still striving to get the most out of their bikes. The veteran Italian won the race in 2006, whilst Edwards finished on the podium in 2007.
Randy de Puniet of the LCR Honda team will seek to build on his solid start in Qatar, where he finished sixth, and having taken fourth at Jerez last season the Frenchman will no doubt be eyeing another impressive result on board his RC212V machine.
Ben Spies (Monster Yamaha Tech3) announced his arrival as a full-time member of the MotoGP grid in style with a fifth-placed finish in Qatar, and the American now heads to a track he does not know.
Spies was the highest finisher of the rookies in round 1, but Hiroshi Aoyama (Interwetten Honda MotoGP), Álvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) and Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini) will all look to capitalize on their experiences of winning in the 250cc or 125cc classes at Jerez.
Moto2 got off to a fantastic start at round 1 and the action was frantic from the very start in Qatar, with three of the front row not making it past the end of the first lap.
In Spain Stefan Bradl (Viesmann Kiefer Racing), Alex de Angelis (RSM Team Scot) and Julián Simón (Mapfre Aspar) will all be desperate to make amends at the second round of the World Championship.
Taking the honour of the first ever victory in the category was Shoya Tomizawa of the Technomag-CIP team, with the youngster riding his race to perfection to secure the first Grand Prix win of his career.
A thrilling start to the 2010 125cc World Championship was delivered in the opening round in Qatar. Nico Terol heads the standings after just one round courtesy of his tactically sound ride at Losail, where he led an all-Spanish podium, and he will try to replicate his result at the Gran Premio bwin de España.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Yoshimura Suzuki set for Monza debut
From Team Suzuki Press Office
Following its no show at last weekend's fourth round of the World Superbike Championship at Assen, Holland, due to flight restrictions in Europe caused by the Icelandic volcano eruption, the Japanese Yoshimura Suzuki Racing Team is now set to debut at the Italian fifth round at Monza next month.
With European flights cancelled from Tokyo Narita airport last week, the team was unable to make the grid for the first of three 2010 World Superbike wildcard entries. But last-minute permission has now been granted by the Italian organizers which will see the team - and long-time Team Suzuki rider Yukio Kagayama - take part at the race on May 9.
"Since our Assen WSBK cancellation due to the airline chaos caused by volcanic activities in Iceland, the Yoshimura Suzuki Racing Team has been working to reschedule its debut and we will now participate at the next round in Monza," said team manager Yohei Kato. "Without the support from everyone, it could not have been done and we are glad to have this opportunity to challenge at this stage."
The team will also compete in the Imola, Italy round on Sept. 26 with Daisaku Sakai riding, and in Magny-Cours, France on Oct. 3 with Kagayama back on board.
Muggeridge sweeps German opener
From KTM Racing
KTM Superbike Team Germany enjoyed a positive start to the International German Superbike Championship (IDM) on Sunday with Martin Bauer overcoming a crash in the first race to be on the podium in the second, while Stefan Nebel, the 2009 vice-champion was twice fourth for a strong start to the season.
Both riders already had constantly fast times in the two training sessions to demonstrate the good form of the team with Bauer securing second place on the grid with his new racing machine behind the Australian Karl Muggeridge, who went on to win both races. Teammate Nebel started both 18-lap races sixth on the grid at the Eurospeedway Lausitzring.
Some 34 starters lined up to contest the first race of the 2010 IDM season with Nebel and Bauer mastering the first eye of the needle on the Eurospeedway in places fifth and sixth respectively. Bauer, spurred on by his top training results had stormed to the front of the field within five laps. Then the Austrian lost control of the front wheel of his RC8R and crashed, sacrificing his chance of victory in his first ever race with the 1200-twin.
The race went better for vice champion Nebel, who had worked himself into fourth place by the halfway mark and went on to secure 13 valuable points in the season's opener.
Bauer was also very impressive in the second race, this time with a better outcome because he was able to hang onto the leaders Muggeridge and Jorg Teuchert right up to the end of the race. Instead of adopting an all or nothing attack, the Austrian rode his 190 hp strong racing bike into third place. His teammate Nebel crossed the line just behind him in fourth place. The orange duo had hunted down the frontrunners for almost the entire race distance and in doing so put a five-second gap between them and the rest of the field.
"Everything went very well for the first few laps of the first race, in fact a bit too good," Bauer admitted. "When I was in front then I lost the front wheel and was really frustrated. But I was fully motivated for the second race. I almost didn't make it on the podium because in the middle of the race I couldn't force it any more. I had to stave off all the slips with my knee. Also, I had Stefan right behind me putting the pressure on. But I was able to laugh at the end.
"I'm happy for the team that we managed a podium after our intensive test program in winter. Nevertheless I'm not yet satisfied."
Race One Results
1. Karl Muggeridge (AUS), Honda
2. Gabor Rizmayer (HUN), Suzuki
3. Barry Veneman (NL), BMW
4. Stefan Nebel (GER), KTM
5. Didier van Keymeulen (BEL), Yamaha
Race Two Results
1. Karl Muggeridge (AUS), Honda
2. Joeg Teuchert (GER), Yamaha
3. Martin Bauer (AUT), KTM
4. Stefan Nebel (GER), KTM
5. Andy Meklau (AUT), Suzuki
IDM Championship Standings
(after 2 of 16 races)
1. Karl Muggeridge 50 points
2. Stefan Nebel, 26
3. Barry Veneman, 26
4. Joerg Teuchert, 20
5. Gabor Rizmayer, 20
Dunlop partners with Mid-Ohio School
From TrueSports PR
DUBLIN, OH – TrueSports, Inc., owners and operators of The Mid-Ohio School and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, have announced an enhanced affiliation with Dunlop Tire Corporation for its Performance Track Riding (PTR) program for two years through the end of 2011.
After being the presenting sponsor of the Honda Super Cycle Weekend for nearly two decades, Dunlop has expanded its partnership with TrueSports, Inc. to include The Mid-Ohio School. Dunlop motorcycle tires will now be available for sale through The Mid-Ohio School at its PTR events.
The Dunlop Q2s and D211 GPA GPs will be specially priced for PTR customers. These discounted prices are a special benefit from The Mid-Ohio School to offer one-stop, affordable shopping. Each participant will be allowed to purchase one set per PTR track date attended. In addition to sales, this will also include tire service at nearly all PTR dates.
“We see this as a natural extension of our long time relationship with TrueSports, Inc. and Mid Ohio Sports Car Course,” said Amateur Roadrace and Schools Manager Les Washbon. “Dunlop has always tried to encourage motorcycle rider training and education. We feel The Mid-Ohio School’s PTR program will meet this goal.”
“Dunlop has been a loyal supporter of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for years, and we’re excited it decided to expand that partnership to The Mid-Ohio School,” said Steve Bidlack, The Mid-Ohio School Director. “Being able to supply our customers with outstanding tire sales and service at our PTR events as part of this agreement really stretches the program to a full service track day.”
The Mid-Ohio School provides professional driving and riding instruction to drivers and motorcyclists of all skill levels. The motorcycle side features three Performance Track Riding formats. For more information or to enroll, visit www.midohioschool.com.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Rea scores Assen double
From the World Superbike Championship
The venerable Assen circuit has seen many moments of drama but the latest 4.542km version delivered two Superbike World Championship races Sunday that were right up there with the very best.
The local fans enjoyed two partial home wins as well, as Hannspree Ten Kate Honda rider Jonathan Rea was victorious in each 22-lap race, riding for a squad based in the Netherlands. He had to work hard on a sunny afternoon in Holland to make sure he headed up two podiums ceremonies that featured British riders in each and every place for the first time since 2003.
“It has been great and I could not have done this without my team," Rea said. "They gave me a fantastic bike. We changed the balance of the bike for this weekend and made it more comfortable.
"Both races are probably the smartest races I have ever ridden. I never got frustrated in traffic and when it was time to pull the pin I did. I am really happy with the double. It was a clean sweep, so I am proud as punch and I cannot wait to take this result on. I will savour the moment.”
Rea won a close opening race with two strong laps right at the end, finishing one second ahead of fellow Britons James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda) and Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia). This was Camier’s first SBK podium finish, and it was memorable one.
“It was a bit hotter today than the previous days so we were moving around a bit, but it was awesome to get a result for Aprilia," said the defending British Superbike champion. "They have put a lot of effort into me, and good faith. It is gradually coming together, and now we are getting some good results.”
Slow-starting Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) was a good fourth, with the BMW of Troy Corser fifth, having led for much of the race.
Leon Haslam (Alstare Suzuki), the championship leader, struggled to 11th with a partial puncture.
Suzuki, Ducati, Aprilia and now Honda machines have all won races in WSB so far this year.
The last double win for Honda happened in the UK in 2008 but on Sunday Rea took a double on his CBR1000RR by winning race 2 by 1.942 secs. The extent of his final victory did not do justice to the second combative race of the day, with the top six or seven riders frequently riding and fighting as one.
Haslam overcame his race one troubles to go second. Third was Toseland to give the second all British podium of the day.
"To come from 10th on the grid to take a second and a third was a great result for the team and myself," Toseland said. "It has been coming slowly but it was nice to get two consistent podium results.
"I said before the season started there could be some British 1-2-3 results, and there are a lot of British riders out there. But we are all running up the front and doing a fantastic job, so we deserve to be there. It is great for the fans in the UK and I am sure we are all looking forward to Silverstone.”
Max Biaggi was a strong fourth and Corser fifth after another classic race at the classic circuit.
Sixth came Phillip Island race winner Checa on his Althea Ducati, only just ahead of another Ducati privateer, Pata B&G racing rider Jakub Smrz.
In the points table Haslam now has 148, Biaggi 128, Rea 110 and Carlos Checa 103.
“Race one was definitely the hardest race I have ever had, battling against a puncture, but it is just one of those things," said the championship leader. "To get back on the podium in race two was great. I had a really great battle with Johnny and it was really good. There was a bit of argy-bargy out there and it was disappointing not to challenge in the last couple of laps. But, my second place extended my championship lead again, so it’s all good.”
Rea doubled his career win total to four and in going third overall renewed a championship challenge that was waning after some recent disappointing results. Rea left Assen with the Superpole win, the new lap record of 1:36.312 (set in race two) and two wins. He now has his sights firmly set on Monza for the next round, on May 9.
Corser could not quite get to the fourth place he scored in Valencia at the previous round but the weekend’s two fifth places were even more impressive rides, particularly when added to the fact that Corser topped combined qualifying, and was third fastest in Superpole on Saturday. Corser is now overall seventh, on 68 points.
Ruben Xaus fell in race 1 but got a top 10 in race two on the other factory BMW.
A troubled time for the official Ducati team continued at Assen, as Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) retired in race two, and was only 11th in race one. His team-mate Michel Fabrizio scored in each race, 13th and 12th respectively.
Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) made it two World Supersport wins in consecutive seasons at Assen, as he also won his second race of 2010 on Sunday.
In second place, Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) now leads the title battle on 85 points, with third place finisher at Assen, Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), second in the series on 77 points. Laverty is now third overall, on 66 points, with nine races to go.
Chaz Davies took his Triumph ParkinGO BE1 machine to fourth place.
Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) won his third Superstock 1000 race in succession, outpacing pole man Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Race Junior Honda) and Davide Giugliano (Team 06 Suzuki).
After three rounds, Badovini has 75 points and Giugliano 45.
World Superbike Race 1 Results
1. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 35:38.483 (168.216km/h)
2. Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF-R1 +1.106
3. Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. +1.249
4. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R +1.548
5. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR +2.738
6. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. +2.813
7. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R +6.296
8. Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF-R1 +12.022
9. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R +12.146
10. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R +19.753
11. Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +22.204
12. Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX-10R +22.282
13. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R +22.780
14. Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +23.364
15. Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R +37.097
16. Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R +39.467
17. Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX-10R +46.468
18. Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-10R +57.170
19. Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX-10R +1:01.634
20. Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR +1:04.295
RET Parkes B. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR
RET Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR
World Superbike Race 2 Results
1. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 35:43.137 (167.85km/h)
2. Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +1.942
3. Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF-R1 +3.928
4. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. +4.067
5. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR +4.176
6. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R +4.525
7. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R +4.682
8. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R +7.698
9. Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR +9.903
10. Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR +11.465
11. Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R +15.489
12. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R +23.604
13. Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +29.085
14. Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX-10R +35.401
15. Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-10R +44.330
16. Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX-10R +50.830
17. Parkes B. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR +58.819
RET Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F.
RET Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF-R1
RET Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R
RET Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R
RET Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX-10R
World Superbike Standings (after 4 rounds of 13)
1. Haslam 148
2. Biaggi 128
3. Rea 110
4. Checa 103
5. Toseland 86
6. Haga 85
7. Corser 68
8. Guintoli 55
9. Fabrizio 53
10. Crutchlow 49
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Rea takes first career Superpole
From worldsbk.com
Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) won the first World Superbike Superpole prize of his career in qualifying for round 4 of the series at Assen on Saturday, after setting a 1:34.944.
"I am happy and excited to have won Superpole," Rea said. "I can't quite believe that this is my first ever World Championship pole, so it is good to win it. On a serious note, tomorrow is raceday and there will be at least three or four guys who have good pace, so it will be 22 long laps in each race."
Rea is the only rider to have gone under the 1:35 mark on the new Assen layout, although Jakub Smrz (Pata B&G Ducati) came close with his second place time of 1:35.062.
"Practice and qualifying has gone pretty well, always in the first few places, and we all did a good job," said Smrz, who was fastest after qualifyong on Friday. "The set-up and tire choice is good but for sure in the race other guys will be very strong and I think it will be a tough race. A few things will depend on temperature tomorrow."
Troy Corser starts from the front row on his official BMW, the first time a BMW has started this high up in WSBK.
"This is my best qualifying for BMW so far, so I am pretty happy," Corser said. "The engineers have done a great job away from the track, we have done a fair bit of testing and it has definitely improved the bike. I feel more comfortable on the bike now and when you feel comfortable you push more, and can go a bit faster. I am looking forward to the race."
Leon Haslam went fourth for Suzuki Alstare, having spent most of practice working on race set-up, but having enough left to make a good job of Superpole.
Leon Camier made it five different makes in the top five on his Aprilia Alitalia RSV4, as he continues to strive to find a perfect set-up.
Behind the leading handful of riders, the second row will be completed for Sunday's 22-lap Superbike races by Carlos Checa, his team-mate Shane Byrne and factory Ducati rider Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox).
Each rider had perfect conditions to run in on the modified Assen circuit, with the top riders getting more and more used to the new 4.542km layout, with a major change at Ruskenhoek and a minor one at the right of Hoge Heide.
Of the eight riders who did not make the final Superpole 3 shoot-out, Cal Crutchlow was closest to the final session, with his Yamaha Sterilgarda team-mate James Toseland just behind him and 10th on the grid.
Struggling to deal with his machine at this round, Max Biaggi was 11th overall on his Aprilia, Ruben Xaus 12th and a late faller in the second Superpole session.
Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare), Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) and Max Neukirchner (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) rounded out the top 16 places, and the fourth row of the starting grid.
The tense and unpredictable nature of Superpole came to the fore again when Superpole started, with comeback rider Chris Vermeulen crashing his Kawasaki Racing Team machine by highsiding at a fast section of track, but escaping uninjured.
Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) took pole position in World Supersport despite crashing in the final qualifying session. The Turkish rider set a new best of 1:37.908, to hold off Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda), who put in a 1:38.421.
Sofuoglu's team-mate Michele Pirro was third quickest, one place up on Joan Lascorz (Motocard.com Kawasaki).
In Superstock 1000, Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Race Junior Honda) took his first pole of the 2010 season with a 1:39.105, ahead of Suzuki rider Davide Giugliano (Team06 Suzuki). Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) could not add to his pole total of two so far, and starts this race third on the grid.
Florian Marino (Ten Kate Race Junior Honda) scored his second win of the year in the Superstock 600 race and moved to within 11 points of the championship lead at Assen. He was only 0.154 secs. up on second place rider Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Racing Yamaha), who still leads the championship.
World Superbike Qualifying Results
1. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1:34.944
2. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1:35.062
3. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1:35.306
4. Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:35.330
5. Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1:35.633
6. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1:35.892
7. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1:35.909
8. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1:36.405
9. Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:36.027
10. Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:36.061
11. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1:36.069
12. Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1:36.094
13. Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:36.327
14. Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1:36.348
15. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1:36.574
16. Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1:36.581
17. Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1:36.906
18. Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1:36.989
19. Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1:38.378
20. Parkes B. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR 1:38.622
21. Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1:38.471
22. Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1:38.769
Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) won the first World Superbike Superpole prize of his career in qualifying for round 4 of the series at Assen on Saturday, after setting a 1:34.944.
"I am happy and excited to have won Superpole," Rea said. "I can't quite believe that this is my first ever World Championship pole, so it is good to win it. On a serious note, tomorrow is raceday and there will be at least three or four guys who have good pace, so it will be 22 long laps in each race."
Rea is the only rider to have gone under the 1:35 mark on the new Assen layout, although Jakub Smrz (Pata B&G Ducati) came close with his second place time of 1:35.062.
"Practice and qualifying has gone pretty well, always in the first few places, and we all did a good job," said Smrz, who was fastest after qualifyong on Friday. "The set-up and tire choice is good but for sure in the race other guys will be very strong and I think it will be a tough race. A few things will depend on temperature tomorrow."
Troy Corser starts from the front row on his official BMW, the first time a BMW has started this high up in WSBK.
"This is my best qualifying for BMW so far, so I am pretty happy," Corser said. "The engineers have done a great job away from the track, we have done a fair bit of testing and it has definitely improved the bike. I feel more comfortable on the bike now and when you feel comfortable you push more, and can go a bit faster. I am looking forward to the race."
Leon Haslam went fourth for Suzuki Alstare, having spent most of practice working on race set-up, but having enough left to make a good job of Superpole.
Leon Camier made it five different makes in the top five on his Aprilia Alitalia RSV4, as he continues to strive to find a perfect set-up.
Behind the leading handful of riders, the second row will be completed for Sunday's 22-lap Superbike races by Carlos Checa, his team-mate Shane Byrne and factory Ducati rider Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox).
Each rider had perfect conditions to run in on the modified Assen circuit, with the top riders getting more and more used to the new 4.542km layout, with a major change at Ruskenhoek and a minor one at the right of Hoge Heide.
Of the eight riders who did not make the final Superpole 3 shoot-out, Cal Crutchlow was closest to the final session, with his Yamaha Sterilgarda team-mate James Toseland just behind him and 10th on the grid.
Struggling to deal with his machine at this round, Max Biaggi was 11th overall on his Aprilia, Ruben Xaus 12th and a late faller in the second Superpole session.
Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare), Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) and Max Neukirchner (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) rounded out the top 16 places, and the fourth row of the starting grid.
The tense and unpredictable nature of Superpole came to the fore again when Superpole started, with comeback rider Chris Vermeulen crashing his Kawasaki Racing Team machine by highsiding at a fast section of track, but escaping uninjured.
Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) took pole position in World Supersport despite crashing in the final qualifying session. The Turkish rider set a new best of 1:37.908, to hold off Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda), who put in a 1:38.421.
Sofuoglu's team-mate Michele Pirro was third quickest, one place up on Joan Lascorz (Motocard.com Kawasaki).
In Superstock 1000, Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Race Junior Honda) took his first pole of the 2010 season with a 1:39.105, ahead of Suzuki rider Davide Giugliano (Team06 Suzuki). Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) could not add to his pole total of two so far, and starts this race third on the grid.
Florian Marino (Ten Kate Race Junior Honda) scored his second win of the year in the Superstock 600 race and moved to within 11 points of the championship lead at Assen. He was only 0.154 secs. up on second place rider Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Racing Yamaha), who still leads the championship.
World Superbike Qualifying Results
1. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1:34.944
2. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1:35.062
3. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1:35.306
4. Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:35.330
5. Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1:35.633
6. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1:35.892
7. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1:35.909
8. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1:36.405
9. Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:36.027
10. Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:36.061
11. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1:36.069
12. Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1:36.094
13. Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:36.327
14. Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1:36.348
15. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1:36.574
16. Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1:36.581
17. Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1:36.906
18. Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1:36.989
19. Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1:38.378
20. Parkes B. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR 1:38.622
21. Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1:38.471
22. Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1:38.769
Friday, April 23, 2010
Privateer Smrz fastest at Assen
From worldsbk.com
Jakub Smrz was the fastest rider on his Pata B&G Racing Ducati, setting a new circuit best of 1:36.041 Friday afternoon in qualifying for round 4 of the World Superbike Championship at a sun-kissed Assen circuit.
The privateer Ducati 1098 rider made the best of the slightly changed Assen layout, adapting to it even more effectively than Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), who had tested on the new track layout last week.
"I have a very good feeling with this track and every time I come back it is very satisfying to ride here," Smrz said. "I like the new section but I do not have the gearing correct yet for that part, so there is more to come. I am ready for the rest of the weekend and I hope I will be battling for the top positions, especially at this track."
Rea was second quickest, despite suffering a late technical issue.
"We did a nice race run this morning and also went through a few tires to find the best choices for the race, and I think we will try the best combination of front and rear tomorrow," Rea said. "I am really enjoying riding and in a rhythm now. I do not have to ride on the edge to achieve a lap time. We have more grip on the rear after our test here and we still managed to keep a good front end feeling."
The hour long first qualifying session at Assen was halted for a few minutes to clean up an oil spill, leaving only one last flying lap for the riders to improve their early qualifying pace.
The official BMW Motorrad Motorsport S1000RR of Troy Corser was third quickest at the end of day one, proving that the BMW team has made a jump following the team's best ever fourth place finish at Valencia last time out.
"The team has done a great job and the traction control is working very well," Corser said. "The bike feels very connected. Both throttle and engine braking systems have given me a good feeling and our engine is pushing strongly. From first to fifth gear the acceleration is really hard.
"Overall, the bike is a good package now. Unfortunately, someone crashed in the last chicane when I was on my flying lap at the end of qualifying, and I lost another chance to go faster."
Corser was 0.4 secs. from provisional pole man Smrz, on this 4.542km track, which features a faster Ruskenhoek chicane section than last year.
Championship leader Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) rounded out the early top four, proving his prowess once again at another different layout and character of circuit.
Cal Crutchlow (Sterilgarda Yamaha) crashed more than once in the first session but still went into the top five, making it five different types of machine in the top handful of spots again.
Sixth was the early result for privateer rider Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) and Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) outqualified his team-mate Max Biaggi, going seventh to Biaggi's 16th.
Chris Vermeulen's comeback ride put him 20th on the opening day for the official Kawasaki Racing Team, but his team-mate Tom Sykes was top ZX-10R rider, 12th from the 22 riders.
Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and his team-mate Michele Pirro were first and second respectively in World Supersport qualifying at the new-look Assen circuit, making it a dream start for their Dutch-based team.
Sofuoglu was the clear leader, by 0.317 secs., making the most of a recent test at Assen.
Third quickest man was Fabien Foret (Lorenzini by Leoni Kawasaki). Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) was fourth in the early rankings, leading two Triumph riders, David Salom and Matthieu Lagrive.
Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Junior Honda) and championship leader Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) went 1-2 in the opening qualifying session of the Superstock 1000 class.
Florian Marino (Ten Kate Race Junior) made it a great day for his team when he scored provisional pole for the Superstock 600 class at Assen, ahead of Jeremy Guarnoni's MRS Racing Yamaha.
World Superbike Qualifying Times
1. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1:36.041
2. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1:36.339
3. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S 1000 RR 1:36.489
4. Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:36.618
5. Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:36.752
6. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1:36.805
7. Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F 1:37.064
8. S.Byrne (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1:37.081
9. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1:37.165
10. Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:37.166
11. Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1:37.344
12. Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1:37.434
13. Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1:37.453
14. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1:37.462
15. Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1:37.506
16. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV 1000 4F 1:37.580
Jakub Smrz was the fastest rider on his Pata B&G Racing Ducati, setting a new circuit best of 1:36.041 Friday afternoon in qualifying for round 4 of the World Superbike Championship at a sun-kissed Assen circuit.
The privateer Ducati 1098 rider made the best of the slightly changed Assen layout, adapting to it even more effectively than Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), who had tested on the new track layout last week.
"I have a very good feeling with this track and every time I come back it is very satisfying to ride here," Smrz said. "I like the new section but I do not have the gearing correct yet for that part, so there is more to come. I am ready for the rest of the weekend and I hope I will be battling for the top positions, especially at this track."
Rea was second quickest, despite suffering a late technical issue.
"We did a nice race run this morning and also went through a few tires to find the best choices for the race, and I think we will try the best combination of front and rear tomorrow," Rea said. "I am really enjoying riding and in a rhythm now. I do not have to ride on the edge to achieve a lap time. We have more grip on the rear after our test here and we still managed to keep a good front end feeling."
The hour long first qualifying session at Assen was halted for a few minutes to clean up an oil spill, leaving only one last flying lap for the riders to improve their early qualifying pace.
The official BMW Motorrad Motorsport S1000RR of Troy Corser was third quickest at the end of day one, proving that the BMW team has made a jump following the team's best ever fourth place finish at Valencia last time out.
"The team has done a great job and the traction control is working very well," Corser said. "The bike feels very connected. Both throttle and engine braking systems have given me a good feeling and our engine is pushing strongly. From first to fifth gear the acceleration is really hard.
"Overall, the bike is a good package now. Unfortunately, someone crashed in the last chicane when I was on my flying lap at the end of qualifying, and I lost another chance to go faster."
Corser was 0.4 secs. from provisional pole man Smrz, on this 4.542km track, which features a faster Ruskenhoek chicane section than last year.
Championship leader Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) rounded out the early top four, proving his prowess once again at another different layout and character of circuit.
Cal Crutchlow (Sterilgarda Yamaha) crashed more than once in the first session but still went into the top five, making it five different types of machine in the top handful of spots again.
Sixth was the early result for privateer rider Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) and Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) outqualified his team-mate Max Biaggi, going seventh to Biaggi's 16th.
Chris Vermeulen's comeback ride put him 20th on the opening day for the official Kawasaki Racing Team, but his team-mate Tom Sykes was top ZX-10R rider, 12th from the 22 riders.
Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and his team-mate Michele Pirro were first and second respectively in World Supersport qualifying at the new-look Assen circuit, making it a dream start for their Dutch-based team.
Sofuoglu was the clear leader, by 0.317 secs., making the most of a recent test at Assen.
Third quickest man was Fabien Foret (Lorenzini by Leoni Kawasaki). Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) was fourth in the early rankings, leading two Triumph riders, David Salom and Matthieu Lagrive.
Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Junior Honda) and championship leader Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) went 1-2 in the opening qualifying session of the Superstock 1000 class.
Florian Marino (Ten Kate Race Junior) made it a great day for his team when he scored provisional pole for the Superstock 600 class at Assen, ahead of Jeremy Guarnoni's MRS Racing Yamaha.
World Superbike Qualifying Times
1. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1:36.041
2. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1:36.339
3. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S 1000 RR 1:36.489
4. Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:36.618
5. Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:36.752
6. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1:36.805
7. Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F 1:37.064
8. S.Byrne (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1:37.081
9. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1:37.165
10. Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:37.166
11. Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1:37.344
12. Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1:37.434
13. Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1:37.453
14. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1:37.462
15. Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1:37.506
16. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV 1000 4F 1:37.580
Sharp drop in motorcycling deaths
From the American Motorcyclist Association
PICKERINGTON, OH -- A just-released report shows that motorcycling fatalities in the United States dropped by at least 10 per cent in 2009, which is the first decline in 12 years, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.
Based on preliminary data, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), which represents the state highway safety offices nationwide, projects that motorcycling deaths declined from 5,290 in 2008 to 4,762 or fewer in 2009. The projection is based on data collected from the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The report is based on a survey of GHSA members, who reported fatality numbers for their states. The GHSA notes that while data are still preliminary, most states have final fatality counts for at least nine months of 2009, giving GHSA confidence to predict that the death count will be down by at least 10 per cent for the year.
The GHSA cautioned that the report only involves one year, so it's too soon to predict a steady decline.
"We will need to see three to five years of decline before we are ready to say that a positive trend has developed," said GHSA Chairman Vernon Betkey.
In fact, the report points out that fatalities have significantly decreased in the past but then rose again. For example, from 1980 to 1997 motorcycling fatalities dropped by almost 60 per cent. But then fatalities increased steadily from 1997 through 2008.
2,294 motorcyclists were killed in 1998, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which gathers its data from the same sources as the GHSA. That number increased steadily each year, reaching 5,290 in 2008.
"The death of any motorcyclist is one too many, so this news that fatalities are down is encouraging," said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. "While we are pleased that the number of motorcycling fatalities dropped dramatically in 2009, we need to see that trend continue."
Moreland cautioned that there will be speculation about why the numbers are down so significantly in 2009, and noted that there aren't any solid answers.
Tucker Rocky joins Mid-Ohio School
From TrueSports PR
DUBLIN, OH – TrueSports, Inc., owners and operators of The Mid-Ohio School and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course have announced a new partnership with Tucker Rocky Distributing.
Tucker Rocky joins as the Official Track Gear Provider of The Mid-Ohio School’s Performance Track Riding (PTR) program. All track coaches will be outfitted with Twist of Fate leathers from the Speed & Strength brand. Additionally, Tucker Rocky will provide a limited number of suits available for riders to rent for the day at all PTR dates throughout the year.
“We are proud to work with such an esteemed organization as The Mid-Ohio School. As one of the nation’s largest power sports aftermarket parts and accessory distributors, we consider it a privilege,” commented Rick Dorfmeyer, regional sales manager for Tucker Rocky Distributing.
“The Mid-Ohio School’s Performance Track Riding program is the perfect venue to demonstrate the quality and value of our apparel. We’re thrilled to have the track coaches wear the Speed & Strength Twist of Fate one-piece suit,” said Bruce Parker, brand manager and founder of the Speed & Strength brand.
The partnership between the two companies is an initial one-year agreement for the 2010 PTR season.
“Tucker Rocky joining The Mid-Ohio School and the Performance Track Riding program is a great addition to our growing list of partners. Our track coaches and participants will be thrilled to wear leathers from the Speed & Strength line. Tucker Rocky is at the top of its class in providing its high quality products to motorcycle enthusiasts, and it’s what we aspire to achieve with our PTR offerings,” said Steve Bidlack, The Mid-Ohio School Director.
The Mid-Ohio School provides professional driving and riding instruction to drivers and motorcyclists of all skill levels. The motorcycle side features three Performance Track Riding formats. For more information or to enroll, visit www.midohioschool.com.
Motorcycle Experience on Saturday
From Whistlestop TV
Toyota Truck presents Motorcycle Experience this Saturday, April 24 at 11:00am (EDT) on TSN and TSN HD.
In this episode host Dave Hatch rides the Zero S electric motorcycle, former National 600 Sportbike Champion Clint McBain looks at rain riding, this week’s guest rider samples the all new BMW K1300GT middleweight cruiser, and Dave and Norm continue their Ultimate Ride in Arizona and grab a coffee in Sedona.
Motorcycle Experience will be repeated on TSN and TSN HD on Monday, April 26 at 1:30am and Wednesday, April 28 at 1:30pm. The show will also broadcast on TSN 2 on Saturday, April 24 at 2:00pm, Monday, April 26 at 4:30am, Tuesday, April 27 at 8:30pm, Wednesday, April 28 at 4:30pm, and Friday, April 30 at 4:00am. All times are Eastern.
Motorcycle Experience is created with the support of Toyota Canada, Yamaha Motor Canada, Honda Canada, BMW Motorrad, Suzuki Canada and Motovan.
For more info visit www.motorcycleexperience.ca.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Coin to mark Suzuki Manx milestone
From Suzuki Canada
RICHMOND HILL, ON – Suzuki made its international motorcycle racing debut in the Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) race in 1960. To celebrate this, the Isle of Man has marked the 50th anniversary of Suzuki’s TT debut with the issue of a commemorative 50-pence coin.
The obverse of the coin bears a profile of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse bears an image of racer Mitsuo Itoh on the Suzuki RM63, the 50cc bike on which he became the first-ever Japanese-born TT winner in 1963.
The Isle of Man TT was first held in 1907 and is the world’s oldest motorcycle road race. Suzuki first competed in 1960. It claimed its first victory in 1962 in the newly created 50cc class and enjoyed a second consecutive year of TT glory with Itoh’s victory in 1963. Itoh is the only Japanese winner in the TT’s 103-year history.
This year’s Isle of Man TT runs from May 29 to June 11. The Isle of Man’s Manx Museum will have an exhibition marking Suzuki’s 50th year of TT participation from the end of May to the beginning of September.
RICHMOND HILL, ON – Suzuki made its international motorcycle racing debut in the Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) race in 1960. To celebrate this, the Isle of Man has marked the 50th anniversary of Suzuki’s TT debut with the issue of a commemorative 50-pence coin.
The obverse of the coin bears a profile of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse bears an image of racer Mitsuo Itoh on the Suzuki RM63, the 50cc bike on which he became the first-ever Japanese-born TT winner in 1963.
The Isle of Man TT was first held in 1907 and is the world’s oldest motorcycle road race. Suzuki first competed in 1960. It claimed its first victory in 1962 in the newly created 50cc class and enjoyed a second consecutive year of TT glory with Itoh’s victory in 1963. Itoh is the only Japanese winner in the TT’s 103-year history.
This year’s Isle of Man TT runs from May 29 to June 11. The Isle of Man’s Manx Museum will have an exhibition marking Suzuki’s 50th year of TT participation from the end of May to the beginning of September.
Inside Motorcycles & Inside MotoX and Off Road - CEC sponsorship
From World Enduro Canada
World Enduro Canada is pleased to announce that one of our main media partners - Inside Motorcycles and their sister publication Inside MotoX and Off Road Magazine - will be returning as sponsors for the 2010 Royal Distributing Canadian Enduro Championship presented by Parts Canada. Both publications pride themselves as being on the cutting edge of the Canadian Motorcycle scene with a large readership.
Inside Motorcycles will sponsor the Top Pro Junior award. At each of the four events the Top Pro Junior (age 20 or younger as of the first event in July) over both days of the event will receive a special recognition award from Inside Motorcycles. At the final round in Labelle, QC on September 19th Inside Motorcycles will present the Top Pro Junior from all 4 events combined a cheque for $500. Last year's winner was Ryan Graffunder and his success landed him a spot on the Feeding Performance Husqvarna team for 2010!
Inside MotoX and Off Road will once again be sponsoring the East and West Amateur Championships. There will be an East and West champion crowned in all 6 amateur classes - A, B, C, Vet (40+), Super Vet (50+) and Ladies. The individual champions will be presented with prize packages put together by Inside MotoX in Penticton, BC and Labelle, QC.
For further information please contact David Weber at Inside Motorcycles 519-869-4969
World Enduro Canada
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Szoke rides Rocket
From Joe Rocket Canada
Bruce Parker, President of Joe Rocket Canada has announced a comprehensive sponsorship agreement with reigning Canadian Superbike and Sport Bike Champion Jordan Szoke.
"Jordan has been an integral part of our heritage, our success on the racetrack, and to Canadian motorcycle culture," said Parker. "As Canada's winningest Superbike racer, Jordan reflects all that we strive for as we develop motorcycle apparel designs that meet the unique demands of Canadian riders."
Szoke will defend his national titles during the 2010 race season on board his Waznie Racing Honda CBR Superbikes and Sport Bikes. To spur him on in the chase, Jordan's wife Amy joins him on the team, piloting her CBR600RR in the Amateur 600 series.
"I'm thrilled to be again working with my friends at Joe Rocket Canada. We've shared great victories in the past and together we're committed to meeting whatever challenges the 2010 race season throws at us," said Jordan.
Jordan Szoke is a 12-time Canadian National Champion and has won four consecutive Superbike and Sport Bike titles.
Jordan and Amy Szoke launch into action at the Canadian Superbike Series season opener - May 28-30 in Mirabel, QC.
Online registration for Vintage Championships
From the American Motorcyclist Association
PICKERINGTON, OH -- AMA Racing has announced that online registration is now available for the 2010 AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships. The amateur national championship event takes place during AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days July 9-11 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, OH.
Competitors in all disciplines can access online pre-entry via AMARaceManager.com. Supplemental rules, class structures, a weekend schedule and downloadable entry forms in PDF format can be found at AMARacing.com.
The AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships include amateur championship racing in motocross, hare scrambles, trials and road racing at the sprawling Mid-Ohio complex. The dirt-track event, which is a round of the AMA Racing Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series, will be held at the nearby Ashland County Fairgrounds in Ashland.
"Vintage motorcycle racing is unique in its accessibility and laid-back atmosphere, and it's a pleasure for AMA Racing to return to the premier vintage motorcycling event in America -- AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days -- with the national championship competition of the AMA Vintage Grand Championships," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. "For casual participants and hard-core vintage racers, we welcome your participation and support of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. We're confident you'll find a place for your skill level and machine in our class structure."
In addition to national championships and the right to run and defend No. 1 plates at the 2011 AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships, riders in designated "A" classes will vie for the honors of AMA Track Racing Vintage Grand Champion and AMA Off-Road Vintage Grand Champion. The AMA Track Racing Vintage Grand Champion will be the single rider with the highest point total in select classes in dirt track and roadracing. The AMA Off-Road Vintage Grand Champion will be the rider with the highest point total in select classes in motocross, hare scrambles and trials.
Last year, Cory Buttrick was the AMA Off-Road Vintage Grand Champion, while Winnipeg's Paul Germain was the AMA Track Racing Vintage Grand Champion.
In addition to vintage motorcycle competition, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days includes North America's largest motorcycle swap meet, educational seminars, bike shows, demo rides of current production bikes, motorcycling seminars, stunt shows, the new product Manufacturers' Midway, and club corrals featuring marque and regional clubs.
Husqvarna is the 2010 Marque of the Year, with off-road racing legend Malcolm Smith serving as grand marshal.
Proceeds from AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. For tickets to AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, see MidOhio.com. For more information about the event, visit AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com.
New Japan GP date confirmed
From motogp.com
Following the postponement of the Grand Prix of Japan due to the recent volcanic eruption in Iceland that stopped all international travel in and out of Europe, the FIM has accepted the proposal made by the Grand Prix Permanent Bureau to reschedule the event for Oct. 3.
The amended 2010 calendar for the MotoGP World Championship is as follows, with the change in bold:
April 11* – Qatar – Losail
May 2 – Spain – Jerez
May 23 – France – Le Mans
June 6 – Italy – Mugello
June 20 – Great Britain – Silverstone
June 26** – Netherlands – Assen
July 4 – Catalunya – Catalunya
July 18 – Germany – Sachsenring
July 25*** – United States – Laguna Seca
Aug. 15 – Czech Republic – Brno
Aug. 29 – Indianapolis – Indianapolis
Sept. 5 – San Marino & Riviera di Rimini – Misano
Sept. 19 – Aragon – Motorland Aragon
Oct. 3 – Japan – Motegi
Oct. 10 – Malaysia – Sepang
Oct. 17 – Australia – Phillip Island
Oct. 31 – Portugal – Estoril
Nov. 7 – Valencia – Ricardo Tormo Valencia
* Already run
** Saturday race
*** Only MotoGP class
Following the postponement of the Grand Prix of Japan due to the recent volcanic eruption in Iceland that stopped all international travel in and out of Europe, the FIM has accepted the proposal made by the Grand Prix Permanent Bureau to reschedule the event for Oct. 3.
The amended 2010 calendar for the MotoGP World Championship is as follows, with the change in bold:
April 11* – Qatar – Losail
May 2 – Spain – Jerez
May 23 – France – Le Mans
June 6 – Italy – Mugello
June 20 – Great Britain – Silverstone
June 26** – Netherlands – Assen
July 4 – Catalunya – Catalunya
July 18 – Germany – Sachsenring
July 25*** – United States – Laguna Seca
Aug. 15 – Czech Republic – Brno
Aug. 29 – Indianapolis – Indianapolis
Sept. 5 – San Marino & Riviera di Rimini – Misano
Sept. 19 – Aragon – Motorland Aragon
Oct. 3 – Japan – Motegi
Oct. 10 – Malaysia – Sepang
Oct. 17 – Australia – Phillip Island
Oct. 31 – Portugal – Estoril
Nov. 7 – Valencia – Ricardo Tormo Valencia
* Already run
** Saturday race
*** Only MotoGP class
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
FIM endorses International Female Ride Day
From Motoress
TORONTO, ON – The 2010 International Female Ride Day has officially received the endorsement of the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme, the international body that governs motorcycle racing and activities around the world.
“This is important recognition for International Female Ride Day,” said Vicki Gray, founder of the International Female Ride Day and of MOTORESS. “It shows that this event has succeeded in increasing awareness of women motorcycle riders in the broadest sense of the activity. We are so pleased to have the support of the FIM. Unquestionably, this will allow International Female Ride Day to reach a new summit of women rider participation.”
This 4th edition of International Female Ride Day has also once again received the recognition of the Canadian Motorcycle Association (CMA), the national body representing the FIM in Canada.
At its inception in 2007, the campaign became an immediate success as women embraced the concept and the chance to participate. International Female Ride Day “fever” significantly magnifies each year and 2010 expects to host more riders and participants than ever before. Canada, United States, Australia, England, The Netherlands, Greece, Italy, Poland, Israel, Qatar, Hungary, Switzerland, Denmark, South Africa and numerous other countries who once again will be contributing to the campaign in large numbers.
“International Female Ride Day is truly gaining its popularity and following with all the support from motorcycle governing bodies," added Gray. “The popularity of this event comes from its simple concept and focus on the female rider; inviting women enthusiasts of all brands, styles and types of motorcycling to play a role. Additionally, the campaign gives the industry a huge opportunity to share their support and get involved and making it incredibly easy to do so.”
For more online information about International FEMALE RIDE DAY visit www.motoress.com/femalerideday.asp.
Volcanic ash postpones Japan GP
From motogp.com
The recent volcanic eruption in Iceland has caused an ash cloud that has halted all international air travel in and out of Europe.
This situation has prompted the Grand Prix Permanent Bureau, which is comprised of FIM President Vito Ippolito and Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, with the agreement of the Grand Prix Promoter, Mobilityland Corporation, to postpone the Grand Prix of Japan which was originally scheduled for April 25.
The Grand Prix Permanent Bureau has subsequently proposed a rescheduled date for the event of Oct. 3 to the FIM.
The recent volcanic eruption in Iceland has caused an ash cloud that has halted all international air travel in and out of Europe.
This situation has prompted the Grand Prix Permanent Bureau, which is comprised of FIM President Vito Ippolito and Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, with the agreement of the Grand Prix Promoter, Mobilityland Corporation, to postpone the Grand Prix of Japan which was originally scheduled for April 25.
The Grand Prix Permanent Bureau has subsequently proposed a rescheduled date for the event of Oct. 3 to the FIM.
Mid-Ohio school kicks into gear
From Truesports
DUBLIN, OH – The Mid-Ohio School, based at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, OH, begins its fifth season of Performance Track Riding for motorcycle enthusiasts with a pair of dates this weekend, April 24-25.
The Mid-Ohio School has enhanced the Performance Track Riding (PTR) program in a number of ways heading into the 2010 riding season. Paramount to those changes is the school taking operation of the program entirely in house. In January, Brett Roubinek was added as general manager of the program after serving in the role on an interim basis the last part of 2009. Roubinek comes to The Mid-Ohio School after over 20 years of experience in management in the racing school and motorsports industry.
“After coming back home to Ohio and working with The Mid-Ohio School as an instructor last year, I’m excited to get the Performance Track Riding season started. We made a few changes to improve the rider experience since last year and we are excited to see the results,” Roubinek said.
The Mid-Ohio School will exclusively sell Dunlop motorcycle tires for Performance Track Riding events. In addition to sales, this will also include tire service at nearly all PTR dates. Sunoco 98 Octane fuel is offered at the garage paddock for riders so they can fuel up as needed without having to haul it to the track. Additionally, Tucker Rocky Distributing is providing a limited number of Twist of Fate leathers from the Speed & Strength line for riders to rent. Overnight camping is also offered at no cost for riders on the first night of a Standard Two-Day program.
There are 22 dates on the Performance Track Riding calendar currently stretching from this weekend through late September with potentially more dates to be added. The Mid-Ohio School offers three formats: Standard Day, Max Time and Max Time Twilight. Discounts are available on Standard Two-Day enrollments.
KTM, the official motorcycle of The Mid-Ohio School, will be providing sportbike riders with several unique opportunities throughout the year. During the first two PTR dates this weekend, the KTM Ride_Orange Street Demo Rig will roll into the paddock providing PTR participants and their families and friends the chance to ride one of several models including the 690 SMC, 690 Duke, 690 Enduro, 950 Enduro, 990 ADV, 990 SMT 990 SMR 990 Super Duke. KTM will have demo times available from 1pm–6pm on Saturday and 10am–6pm on Sunday. Spots will be filled first-come, first-serve, and riders must be 25 years old and present a valid motorcycle license.
The following Monday and Tuesday, April 26 and 27, mark the first two dates of the KTM Race_Orange Track Day Experience. This program features the motorcycle manufacturer bringing the KTM RC8 to the track for an ‘arrive and ride’ format. This event is also scheduled for July 7 and 19. All dates are sold out except Tuesday, April 27. Additionally, KTM will provide a fleet of three RC8s and RC8Rs for the PTR track coaches to ride.
Kawasaki team wins at Le Mans
From Pirelli
Last weekend at the famous Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans, France, the Team GSR-Kawasaki equipped with Pirelli Diablo Superbike tires raced to victory at the 33rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Moto 2010.
This event represents the opening round of the 2010 Qtel FIM Endurance Championship and is considered the world’s most competitive 24-hour motorcycle endurance race.
From the very beginning of the weekend, the #11 Kawasaki of Team GSR (Gilles Stafler Racing) and its three riders, Julien Da Costa, Olivier Four and Gregory Leblanc set the tone by taking the Superpole after leading all the qualifying sessions.
Taking the race lead after just few laps and despite constant attempts by its competitors, the No. 11 Kawasaki took advantage of the night to gradually increase its lead by as much as 11 laps until the checkered flag was drawn on its second crew. The reliability of the motorcycle, the organization and preparation of the team, teamwork by its riders and the performance Pirelli tires allowed team 'green' to defeat the former-champion Yamaha R1 bike of the YART-Yamaha Austria Racing Team and the runner-up Suzuki GSX-R of Team RAC 41-City Bike.
The second round of the 2010 Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship will take place on May 22 in Spain, which will host the 8 Hours of Albacete.
Ducati expands Monster family
From Ducati North America
CUPERTINO, CA – Ducati North America has announced the newest member of its internationally acclaimed Monster range - the Monster 796.
The 2011 Monster 796 combines the top level components and style of the Monster 1100 with the user friendliness of the Monster 696. Priced at $11,495, it will be invading streets nationwide this June in white, black and Ducati red. All three colours share the lightweight Ducati trellis frame in red, along with red wheel striping.
The Monster 796’s air-cooled engine produces a potent 87hp and 56lb/ft of torque, which is enough to propel the svelte 367lb bike to any destination in a rapid fashion. In the interest of rider comfort; the Monster 796 has adopted a comfortable new seat, higher handlebars and optional passenger grab handles to enable an optimum riding experience. Borrowing from its 1100cc sibling, the Monster 796 features a single sided swingarm and four piston Brembo brakes. These features combine with an APTC slipper clutch, blackened foot rests, and new five-spoke wheels to make the ultimate middleweight Monster.
Arriving alongside the latest Monster are the new ‘Monster Art’ body kits for all three members of the Monster family; giving riders the chance to accessorize and customize the look of their bikes with 10 all-new colour choices.
The new Monster Art body kits allow Monster 696, 796, 1100 and 1100S owners to extend their personal style by changing up panels to suit any mood or event. Monster lovers can ‘dress’ their bikes in as little as 10 minutes, giving a new look to their two-wheeled beauty each day. The Monster Art kit includes tank covers, a mudguard, a micro-bikini fairing and seat cover.
The 10 new colour options include three vibrant solid colours, and seven historical Ducati liveries -- 'Giallo Ducati' Ducati Yellow; 'Lilla Glamour' Lilac; 'Arancione Scrambler' Ducati Scrambler Orange; 'Ducati Corse' inspired by the new Ducati Corse logo; 'Imola 72' in honor of the Imola 200 winning 750SS; 'Darmah' modeled after the legendary black and gold striping of the late seventies; 'Isle of Man 79' tribute to Ducati’s 1978 Senior TT win; 'Pantah', Ducati’s iconic logo from the eighties; 'Mach 1', a vibrant red in the spirit of the 1960’s; 'Sport 100', a historic blue from Ducatis of the past.
For details on the Monster 796, and the Monster Art kits, please visit www.ducatiusa.com.
Cardenas repeats in Atlanta SportBike
From AMA Pro Racing
BRASELTON, GA - As the afternoon sun shone on the beautiful Road Atlanta road course, the second of two AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race took to the track to see if they could improve on what was a spectacular show on Saturday. For the many fans in attendance, the field of 31 Daytona SportBikes did not disappoint. And at the end of another spellbinding race it was Martin Cardenas who took Sunday's win on his M4 Monster Energy Suzuki.
At the start, it was Steve Rapp on his Team Latus Motorsports Ducati that shot into the lead, but it was hard to tell as the pack behind scrambled for any opening they could find on the opening lap. In a blink of an eye, Cardenas was by Rapp into first but Rapp repaid the favour on lap 2. Behind Rapp and Cardenas was a complete line of 10 to 15 motorcycles, literally on a string running up and down the hills of the 2.56-mile natural road course.
Over the next 10 laps, Cardenas and Rapp traded the lead with any number of riders behind them, poised to make a move as well. Team Graves Yamaha teammates Josh Herrin and Tommy Aquino took up station behind the first two and Danny Eslick riding his GEICO Powersports Suzuki, Vesrah Suzuki rider Cory West, again showing excellent form, and Project 1 Atlanta Yamaha teammates Clinton Seller and Dane Westby were all part of the action. A number of riders took turns leading, Herrin was up front for a lap, and then, in the move of the race, West made a dive through the pack as they flared out for the turn 10 complex and went from sixth to the lead.
Prior to that incredible move, lap after lap, the riders would go three and four wide down into the first part of turn 10. Things really started to heat up as the perennial charger Eslick put himself in contention for the win by moving up from running outside of the top five to fourth position with three laps to go. In a big move up to second with one lap to go, it looked like Eslick could challenge for the win, but it wasn't to be and he slipped to fourth at the flag.
A big shuffle occurred as the group came down to the wire and Herrin was forced wide in turn 12 with three laps to go but he fought back to take another well deserved second place to keep his lead in the overall points standings. West slipped back to third but he wasn't disappointed with his second podium finish of the weekend and Eslick was fourth.
Pole position winner Aquino on his Team Graves Yamaha was fifth ahead of the early leader Rapp on his Team Latus Motorsports Ducati with Seller seventh on the Project 1 Atlanta Yamaha. Chris Fillmore took eighth on the other Vesrah Suzuki, Jake Holden was ninth on the Ducshop Racing Ducati and rounding out the top 10 was Bobby Fong, who was the victim Saturday of a freak mishap when he actually fell after riding over a wayward hat on the track, which caused considerable damage to his DNA Energy Drink CNR Motorsports Ducati.
After the dramatic action in Saturday's AMA Pro SuperSport race, it seemed that there was no way these talented group of young riders could possibly top it, but once again, J.D. Beach and his Rockwall Yamaha teammate Cameron Beaubier put on a display of skill and finesse that thrilled the sun baked crowds around the 2.56-mile Road Atlanta road course during the Suzuki SuperBike Showdown weekend.
Beach, in winning his second race in two days, stamped his mark on the series that so far has been dominated by LTD Yamaha Racing's star rider, Joey Pascarella. Unfortunately for Pascarella, he sustained an injury to his right shoulder in Saturday's race warm-up and wasn't able to compete in Sunday's final.
Daytona SportBike Results (Top 15)
1. Martin Cardenas (M4 Monster Energy Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R600 20 Laps
2. Josh Herrin (Team Graves Yamaha) Yamaha YZF-R6 +1.683
3. Cory West (Vesrah Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R600 +1.741
4. Danny Eslick (GEICO Powersports, RMR, Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R600 +2.182
5. Tommy Aquino (Team Graves Yamaha) Yamaha YZF-R6 +2.391
6. Steve Rapp (Team Latus Motors Racing) Ducati 848 +2.642
7. Clinton Seller (Project 1 Atlanta) Yamaha YZF-R6 +8.555
8. Chris Fillmore (Vesrah Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R600 +16.037
9. Jake Holden (Ducshop Racing) Ducati 848 +16.144
10. Bobby Fong (DNA Energy Drink CNR Motorsports Ducati) Ducati 848 +17.708
11. Geoff May (GMR Racing) Suzuki GSX-R600 +30.215
12. P. J. Jacobsen (Celtic Racing) Suzuki GSX-R600 +32.189
13. Dane Westby (Project 1 Atlanta) Yamaha YZF-R6 +34.985
14. Lenny Hale (Hale Racing) Yamaha YZF-R6 +49.133
15. Russ Wikle (Wikle Racing) Suzuki GSX-R600 +49.252
27. Marie-Josee Boucher (Boucher Racing) Honda CBR600RR
Race Time: 30:01.287
Margin of Victory: 1.683
Best Race Lap: Josh Herrin (1:28.809)
Daytona SportBike Point Standings (Top 15)
1. Josh Herrin 117
2. Danny Eslick 111
3. Martin Cardenas 103
4. Cory West 91
5. Dane Westby 90
6. Steve Rapp 86
7. Tommy Aquino 63
8. Clinton Seller 51
9. Chris Fillmore 51
10. Bobby Fong 47
11. Geoff May 35
12. Shawn Higbee 33
13. Lenny Hale 28
14. Fernando Amantini 26
15. Jake Holden 24
Young wins again; McCormick DNF
From AMA Pro Racing
BRASELTON, GA - Blake Young on his Rockstar Makita Suzuki took an extremely hard fought and popular win in race two of the Suzuki SuperBike Showdown at Road Atlanta on Sunday. Josh Hayes on the Team Graves Yamaha passed Young's Rockstar Makita Suzuki teammate Tommy Hayden on lap 4 and Young and Hayes put on a display of clean, hard fought motorcycle racing of the highest possible quality all the way to the end of the 20-lap AMA Pro National Guard American SuperBike race.
After the difficult situation surrounding Saturday's AMA Pro American SuperBike race where AMA Pro officials made an error enforcing a penalty to Hayes for a jumped start, it was determined after a thorough examination of various factors and information that a time penalty was given to Hayes, which moved him from first place in Saturday's race to sixth. Young was declared the winner, his first in AMA Pro American SuperBike competition but everyone, fans and participants would have liked to have seen Young take the checkers outright for his first victory.
On Sunday, both Young and Hayes set out to give the fans another great race and this time each wanted to win it in style. The two did not disappoint. Once Hayes got past Hayden, he fought every inch of the way in battling only inches behind Young lap after lap. Those two just plain disappeared into the distance and only Hayden could even keep in touch with the battling duo.
Jake Zemke riding his National Guard Jordan Suzuki tried hard to stay with the first three but he and the others behind had nothing for the very determined first two riders. Larry Pegram on his Foremost Insurance Pegram Racing Ducati fought hard all day with first Taylor Knapp on his RidersDiscount.com Suzuki and then also a rejuvenated John Hopkins on his M4 Monster Energy Suzuki.
Hopkins's M4 Monster Energy Suzuki teammate Chris Ulrich also had another strong ride and he fought the good fight with Hopkins. Ben Bostrom had a tough day on his Pat Clark Motorsports Yamaha and he pitted early to check for a mechanical problem before pulling back in to the pits for good to end his day.
It really was just a two-man show and Hayes tried everything he could, even falling back just slightly for a few laps but then as the race wound down, he made another valiant charge to get by Young. Hayes had the slightest wobble coming out of turn 7 on the last lap and that was all Young needed as he dove down into the turn 10 complex for the final time, Hayes just wasn't close enough to try a pass.
Coming out from under the bridge down to the last corner, Young braked as late as he could, the Yoshimura Suzuki twitching under the strain of his later than late braking but he held it together nicely and took the flag for what is officially his second AMA Pro National Guard American SuperBike win.
AMA Pro Racing long time official starter Bobby Lemming presented Young with the traditional honour of the actual race checkered flag to commemorate the well deserved win. Hayes was a classy second and is now back at the pace that brought him seven wins in 2009. Hayden took third, completing a strong weekend for him and the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team.
Zemke took fourth ahead of Hopkins, Pegram, Knapp and Ulrich eighth. Chris Clark on the second Pat Clark Motorsports Yamaha was ninth and Barret Long on the Longevity Racing Ducati finished 10th.
Zemke holds a four-point lead over the solid Hayden, 145-141. The battle will be rejoined next at Infineon Raceway in California, May 14-16.
Race Results
1. Blake Young (Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 20 Laps
2. Josh Hayes (Team Graves Yamaha) Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.136
3. Tommy Hayden (Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +16.986
4. Jake Zemke (National Guard Jordan Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +18.370
5. John Hopkins (M4 Monster Energy Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +25.143
6. Larry Pegram (Foremost Insurance/Pegram Racing) Ducati 1098R +26.560
7. Taylor Knapp (RidersDiscount.com) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +26.734
8. Chris Ulrich (M4 Monster Energy Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +45.476
9. Chris Clark (Pat Clark Motorsports) Yamaha YZF-R1 +1:27.276
10. Barrett Long (Longevity Racing) Ducati 1098R +1 Lap
11. Shane Narbonne (DASPerformance.com) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +7.588
12. Skip Salenius (Run 1 Racing Motorsports) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +25.468
13. Eric Pinson (Blue Moon Liberty Waves BMW) BMW S1000RR +47.478
14. Johnny Rock Page (Aussie Dave Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +1:11.274
15. Tim Hunt (Aussie Dave Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +2 Laps
16. Brett McCormick (Jordan Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +11 Laps
17. Ben Bostrom (Pat Clark Motorsports) Yamaha YZF-R1 +14 Laps
NS. Tray Batey (Vesrah Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000
Race Time: 28:32.635
Margin of Victory: 0.136
Best Race Lap: Blake Young (1:25.129)
Point Standings (Top 15)
1. Jake Zemke 145
2. Tommy Hayden 141
3. Blake Young 130
4. Josh Hayes 107
5. Larry Pegram 92
6. Chris Ulrich 76
7. Taylor Knapp 72
8. Ben Bostrom 70
9. John Hopkins 62
10. Aaron Yates 59
11. Chris Clark 52
12. Shane Narbonne 39
13. Brett McCormick 37
14. David Anthony 34
15. Barrett Long 33
Hill extends British Superbike lead
From Team Suzuki News Service
Tommy Hill increased his lead significantly in the British Superbike Championship by taking a race victory and second place in Sunday's Thruxton second round.
With an identical scorecard to the Brands Hatch opener, the Worx Crescent Suzuki rider again put together a commanding performance in race one and then backed it up with a strong performance in race two, limiting his risks and building his Championship lead.
"There's not much to say," Hiill said. "Another two fantastic results and to come away with a much bigger Championship lead is a great bonus. I've been a bit stiff today after that 120mph highside yesterday but, to be honest, once you're on the bike and the adrenalin is flowing you don't notice it."
Race 1 Results
1. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki)
2. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +0.818s
3. Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +1.185s
4. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +1.510s
5. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +5.670s
6. Martin Jessopp (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +7.490s
7. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +9.154s
8. Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +9.300s
9. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +9.493s
10. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +17.014s
Race 2 Results
1. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda)
2. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.391s
3. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +7.112s
4. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +7.146s
5. Martin Jessopp (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +7.263s
6. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +7.789s
7. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +8.241s
8. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +10.378s
9. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +12.218s
10. Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +12.240s
Championship points (after 2 rounds)
1. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 90
2. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 56
3. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) 50
4. James Ellison (Swan Honda) 41
5. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 40
Young takes first win; McCormick falls
From AMA Pro Racing
BRASELTON, GA - Blake Young scored his first AMA Pro National Guard American SuperBike win at Road Atlanta on Saturday after apparent winner Josh Hayes was penalized.
Young, riding his Rockstar Makita Suzuki, had claimed pole in final qualifying and lined up next to Daytona double winner Jake Zemke on his National Guard Jordan Suzuki. Team Graves Yamaha rider Josh Hayes was next up with Auto Club Speedway winner Tommy Hayden on his Rockstar Makita Suzuki completing the front row.
The fireworks started early as Hayes started rolling slightly before the start and was deemed to have gained a competitive advantage by leading into turn 1. Hayden had a great start and was second going up the hill into turn 1, followed by Young, Zemke, Larry Pegram on his Foremost Insurance Pegram Racing Ducati and an impressive Tray Batey, making his return to AMA Pro Racing on his Vesrah Suzuki.
The first four quickly broke away but it was determined that Hayes and also fifth starting Taylor Knapp on his RidersDiscount.com Suzuki had violated the jump start rule and were to be assessed a penalty. Hayes came into pit lane for his penalty and unfortunately, the fast running Batey suffered a fall at the turn 6 area of the track. Batey was in a dangerous situation and the red flag was immediately shown to the competitors.
Hayes was in the process of serving his penalty and Knapp hadn't made his way to pit lane to serve his ride through penalty.
Batey was transported to the infield care center and then airlifted to Gwinnett Medical Center for further evaluation.
After a delay, the field resumed racing with 17 laps remaining. At the restart, Hayes lined up in his previous position and he, Young, Hayden and Zemke resumed their intense battle at the front of the field.
Young took the lead and as his teammate dropped back, it looked like Young was going to follow Hayden's example from the last round and take his first AMA Pro American SuperBike win. But both Hayes and Zemke were going to do all they could to prevent this from happening.
Hayes looked like he had the measure of Young, but then it was Zemke that was putting on a charge and he rode up to second place. Behind this battle, it was a somewhat lonely Ben Bostrom on his Pat Clark Motorsports Yamaha ahead of a very solid John Hopkins riding his M4 Monster Energy Suzuki ahead of his teammate, Chris Ulrich on his M4 Monster Energy Suzuki.
The sidelined Aaron Yates watched from the Jordan Team pit as young Brett McCormick rode Yates' regular Jordan Suzuki, but misfortune struck McCormick as he fell off at turn 6 on lap 8.
Zemke had a slight bobble and Hayes was by in an instant, now pressuring Young as the race wound down. Hayden had made a late charge and he was now attacking Zemke and at the finish, Hayden did end up third.
Hayes made a strong pass into the turn 10 complex and held the lead to the line to take the win on the track. Young was a disappointed second, his first win almost in his grasp.
But after the race, two separate protests were filed with AMA Pro Racing officials and after careful deliberation and detailed information from Timing and Scoring, it was determined that Hayes hadn't actually completed his penalty prior to the red flag period and he was given a time penalty of 21.4 seconds which dropped him down to sixth place.
This gave the win to Young and Hayden was now second with Zemke third and Bostrom fourth followed by Hopkins in fifth. Hayes was sixth ahead of Ulrich in seventh.
Taylor Knapp recovered from his completed ride through penalty to finish eighth ahead of Pat Clark Motorsports Yamaha rider Chris Clark and Barrett Long flew the flag for Ducati on his Longevity Racing Ducati, finishing 10th after Pegram suffered mechanical issues which forced him to make a pit stop early and finish 14th.
Race Results
1. Blake Young (Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 20 Laps
2. Tommy Hayden (Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +0.457
3. Jake Zemke (National Guard Jordan Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +0.611
4. Ben Bostrom (Pat Clark Motorsports) Yamaha YZF-R1 +9.450
5. John Hopkins (M4 Monster Energy Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +19.155
6. Josh Hayes (Team Graves Yamaha) Yamaha YZF-R1 +21.216
7. Chris Ulrich (M4 Monster Energy Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +39.046
8. Taylor Knapp (RidersDiscount.com) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +42.648
9. Chris Clark (Pat Clark Motorsports) Yamaha YZF-R1 +1:09.749
10. Barrett Long (Longevity Racing) Ducati 1098R +1:18.312
11. Tim Hunt (Aussie Dave Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +1:21.306
12. Shane Narbonne (DASPerformance.com) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +1:21.431
13. Skip Salenius (Run 1 Racing Motorsports) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +1:29.829
14. Larry Pegram (Foremost Insurance/Pegram Racing) Ducati 1098R +1 Lap
15. Johnny Rock Page (Aussie Dave Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +3 Laps
16. Eric Pinson (Blue Moon Liberty Waves BMW) BMW S1000RR +5 Laps
17. Brett McCormick (Jordan Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +7 Laps
18. Tray Batey (Vesrah Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000
Race Time: 1:02:18.018
Margin of Victory: 0.457
Best Race Lap: Blake Young (1:25.351)
BRASELTON, GA - Blake Young scored his first AMA Pro National Guard American SuperBike win at Road Atlanta on Saturday after apparent winner Josh Hayes was penalized.
Young, riding his Rockstar Makita Suzuki, had claimed pole in final qualifying and lined up next to Daytona double winner Jake Zemke on his National Guard Jordan Suzuki. Team Graves Yamaha rider Josh Hayes was next up with Auto Club Speedway winner Tommy Hayden on his Rockstar Makita Suzuki completing the front row.
The fireworks started early as Hayes started rolling slightly before the start and was deemed to have gained a competitive advantage by leading into turn 1. Hayden had a great start and was second going up the hill into turn 1, followed by Young, Zemke, Larry Pegram on his Foremost Insurance Pegram Racing Ducati and an impressive Tray Batey, making his return to AMA Pro Racing on his Vesrah Suzuki.
The first four quickly broke away but it was determined that Hayes and also fifth starting Taylor Knapp on his RidersDiscount.com Suzuki had violated the jump start rule and were to be assessed a penalty. Hayes came into pit lane for his penalty and unfortunately, the fast running Batey suffered a fall at the turn 6 area of the track. Batey was in a dangerous situation and the red flag was immediately shown to the competitors.
Hayes was in the process of serving his penalty and Knapp hadn't made his way to pit lane to serve his ride through penalty.
Batey was transported to the infield care center and then airlifted to Gwinnett Medical Center for further evaluation.
After a delay, the field resumed racing with 17 laps remaining. At the restart, Hayes lined up in his previous position and he, Young, Hayden and Zemke resumed their intense battle at the front of the field.
Young took the lead and as his teammate dropped back, it looked like Young was going to follow Hayden's example from the last round and take his first AMA Pro American SuperBike win. But both Hayes and Zemke were going to do all they could to prevent this from happening.
Hayes looked like he had the measure of Young, but then it was Zemke that was putting on a charge and he rode up to second place. Behind this battle, it was a somewhat lonely Ben Bostrom on his Pat Clark Motorsports Yamaha ahead of a very solid John Hopkins riding his M4 Monster Energy Suzuki ahead of his teammate, Chris Ulrich on his M4 Monster Energy Suzuki.
The sidelined Aaron Yates watched from the Jordan Team pit as young Brett McCormick rode Yates' regular Jordan Suzuki, but misfortune struck McCormick as he fell off at turn 6 on lap 8.
Zemke had a slight bobble and Hayes was by in an instant, now pressuring Young as the race wound down. Hayden had made a late charge and he was now attacking Zemke and at the finish, Hayden did end up third.
Hayes made a strong pass into the turn 10 complex and held the lead to the line to take the win on the track. Young was a disappointed second, his first win almost in his grasp.
But after the race, two separate protests were filed with AMA Pro Racing officials and after careful deliberation and detailed information from Timing and Scoring, it was determined that Hayes hadn't actually completed his penalty prior to the red flag period and he was given a time penalty of 21.4 seconds which dropped him down to sixth place.
This gave the win to Young and Hayden was now second with Zemke third and Bostrom fourth followed by Hopkins in fifth. Hayes was sixth ahead of Ulrich in seventh.
Taylor Knapp recovered from his completed ride through penalty to finish eighth ahead of Pat Clark Motorsports Yamaha rider Chris Clark and Barrett Long flew the flag for Ducati on his Longevity Racing Ducati, finishing 10th after Pegram suffered mechanical issues which forced him to make a pit stop early and finish 14th.
Race Results
1. Blake Young (Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 20 Laps
2. Tommy Hayden (Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +0.457
3. Jake Zemke (National Guard Jordan Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +0.611
4. Ben Bostrom (Pat Clark Motorsports) Yamaha YZF-R1 +9.450
5. John Hopkins (M4 Monster Energy Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +19.155
6. Josh Hayes (Team Graves Yamaha) Yamaha YZF-R1 +21.216
7. Chris Ulrich (M4 Monster Energy Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +39.046
8. Taylor Knapp (RidersDiscount.com) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +42.648
9. Chris Clark (Pat Clark Motorsports) Yamaha YZF-R1 +1:09.749
10. Barrett Long (Longevity Racing) Ducati 1098R +1:18.312
11. Tim Hunt (Aussie Dave Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +1:21.306
12. Shane Narbonne (DASPerformance.com) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +1:21.431
13. Skip Salenius (Run 1 Racing Motorsports) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +1:29.829
14. Larry Pegram (Foremost Insurance/Pegram Racing) Ducati 1098R +1 Lap
15. Johnny Rock Page (Aussie Dave Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +3 Laps
16. Eric Pinson (Blue Moon Liberty Waves BMW) BMW S1000RR +5 Laps
17. Brett McCormick (Jordan Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +7 Laps
18. Tray Batey (Vesrah Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000
Race Time: 1:02:18.018
Margin of Victory: 0.457
Best Race Lap: Blake Young (1:25.351)
Cardenas wins wild Daytona SportBike race
From AMA Pro Racing
BRASELTON, GA -- Martin Cardenas rode his M4 Monster Energy Suzuki GSX-R600 to victory in the Daytona SportBike race at Road Atlanta on Saturday, edging the Vesrah Suzuki GSX-R600 of Cory West and defending class champion Danny Eslick aboard the GEICO Powersports Suzuki.
Cardenas led the field into the uphill turn 1 at the start of the race. Polesitter Tommy Aquino was in second, his Graves Yamaha teammate Josh Herrin third and a strong starting West up to fourth ahead of Eslick.
It didn't take long for the action to start as Herrin moved up and passed Cardenas and Aquino in one move and as the front six broke away from the rest of the field. Eslick jumped up to first on lap 3 and these three now put on their usual show with pass after pass lap after lap.
The man on the move was West, who worked his way past Cardenas, Herrin and was all over Eslick. Herrin, indicative of just how hard everyone was running, just slid wide at the final turn and found himself in the gravel but in an excellent move kept his bike moving and was able to escape the gravel and rejoin the race, unfortunately back from the lead group.
Aquino was still part of the mix and Dane Westby, riding for local team Project 1 Atlanta Yamaha, also took a turn leading the race. At one point, Eslick got slowed by another of the many passing moves into and out of the turn 10 complex that leads up to the bridge turn coming down the hill onto the front straight and it looked as if it was now between West and Cardenas.
Cardenas was able get by West on the penultimate lap and he rode very hard to make sure no one could pass him at turn 10. West tried as hard as he could, backing up the good form he really has shown all year by finishing second, followed by Eslick, who had a light touch with Aquino on the front straight with two laps left. Westby took fourth ahead of Aquino with Steve Rapp on his Team Latus Motors Racing Ducati who, while well back from the lead group, had a good race with Clinton Seller on the other Project 1 Atlanta Yamaha who finished just behind Rapp.
Herrin was a disappointed eighth, followed by Chris Fillmore on the second Vesrah Suzuki in ninth, rounding out a good day for the Vesrah Team. Taking 10th place was local Georgia rider Geoff May who, on his own team's GMR Suzuki, ran a strong race at his home track in front of friends and family.
JD Beach won the SuperSport race on his Rockwall Performance Yamaha by just 0.108 secs. from teammate Cameron Beaubier. Joey Pascarella, winner of the three previous rounds, crashed on fluid on the warm-up lap and was unable to make the start on his LTD Racing Yamaha.
Daytona SportBike Race Results (Top 15)
1. Martin Cardenas (M4 Monster Energy Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R600 20 Laps
2. Cory West (Vesrah Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R600 +0.844
3. Danny Eslick (GEICO Powersports, RMR, Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R600 +0.878
4. Dane Westby (Project 1 Atlanta) Yamaha YZF-R6 +1.196
5. Tommy Aquino (Team Graves Yamaha) Yamaha YZF-R6 +1.299
6. Steve Rapp (Team Latus Motors Racing) Ducati 848 +14.411
7. Clinton Seller (Project 1 Atlanta) Yamaha YZF-R6 +14.656
8. Josh Herrin (Team Graves Yamaha) Yamaha YZF-R6 +25.123
9. Chris Fillmore (Vesrah Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R600 +27.786
10. Geoff May (GMR Racing) Suzuki GSX-R600 +28.200
11. Russ Wikle (Wikle Racing) Suzuki GSX-R600 +51.760
12. Dominic Jones (Four Feathers Racing) Yamaha YZF-R6 +52.071
13. Kris Turner (Turner's Cycle Racing) Suzuki GSX-R600 +53.101
14. Fernando Amantini (Team Amantini) Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R +53.752
15. Lenny Hale (Hale Racing) Yamaha YZF-R6 +54.624
27. Marie-Josee Boucher (Boucher Racing) Honda CBR600RR +1:23.166
Race Time: 30:05.809
Margin of Victory: 0.844
Best Race Lap: Dane Westby (1:29.290)
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