Nakatomi 12th and 15th Thanks to two fast and consistent races, Shinichi Nakatomi earned some championship points in Brno in both races. He is now in 19th position in the World Superbike standings, where the level of competition is very high. Nakatomi was in 15th position after the first lap of race 1, when the leader was Troy Corser (Yamaha) in front of Max Biaggi (Ducati), Troy Bayliss (Ducati), Michel Fabrizio (Ducati) and Fonsi Nieto (Suzuki). Shinichi Nakatomi did some good lap times: 2’01.1 in the first heat and 2’01.0 in the second one. He raced again Kenan Sofuoglu (Honda), Karl Muggeridge (Honda) and Niccolo Canepa (Ducati) in the first event and did a great job finishing in front of the wild card Italian factory Ducati rider. Starting 14th in the second race, the Japanese rider raced hard against Gregorio Lavilla (Honda) and David Checa (Yamaha), finishing finally in 15th position and receiving a point for the championship. This second race was the occasion for the Ducatis to finish in the top 3, with Bayliss winning in front of Fabrizio and Biaggi. Shinichi Nakatomi: “In the first race, the beginning of the event was good, but then I ran into problems after 10 laps with the front tyre and it was difficult to keep a fast pace. I could not beat Sofuoglu and Muggeridge but I was happy to finish in front of Canepa that I passed in the last lap. I had a good start in the second race, then I had again some trouble with the front tyre. I kept on fighting, but it was not easy against the Hondas and Ducatis. There were a lot of changes in the positions and it was a hard race.” Team-manager Martial Garcia: “I am very satisfied because we earn points in both races. The distance with the winner is very small in the first race. After a good start in the second race, Shinichi could one more time finish in the top 15 and get some points. This shows the result of all the work that we have done during the first part of the season.” Race 1: 1- Bayliss (Ducati), 2-Corser (Yamaha), 3-Fabrizio (Ducati), 4-Biaggi (Ducati), 5-Kiyonari (Honda) — 12-Nakatomi (Yamaha) Race 2: 1- Bayliss (Ducati), 2- Fabrizio (Ducati), 3- Biaggi (Ducati), 4- Corser (Yamaha), 5-Neukirchner (Suzuki) — 15- Nakatomi (Yamaha) Superbike World Championship standings: 1-Bayliss (Ducati) 309 points, 2- Neukirchner (Suzuki) 230, 3- Corser (Yamaha) 218, 4-Checa (Honda) 215, 5- Haga (Yamaha) 21 — 19- Nakatomi (Yamaha) 29 Round 10 of the Superbike World Championship: August 3 / Brands Hatch (United Kingdom) Team YMF Yamaha Superstock YZF Yamaha Junior Team FIM Cup Superstock 1000 Barrier not able to race Sylvain Barrier’s crash on Saturday did not look too bad, but unfortunately a pocket of blood developed during the following night in his leg and Sylvain was not able to start the race. This pocket of blood was compressing some veins and the doctors in charge of the championship could not allow the French rider to participate to the event. Sylvain went back to France very disappointed and he will be operated shortly to solve the problem, so he can participate at the race in Brands Hatch in two weeks. FIM Cup Superstock 1000 race results: 1-Berger (Honda), 2-Roberts (Ducati), 3-Polita (Ducati), 4-Antonelli (Honda), 5-Simeon (Suzuki) FIM Cup Superstock 1000 Championship standings: 1- Roberts (Ducati) 96 points, 2- Simeon (Suzuki) 95, 3- Berger (Honda) 84, 4- Polita (Ducati) 83, 5-Pirro (Yamaha) 73 More, from a press release issued by Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki: PIETRI RACES SUPERBIKE CLASS AT LAGUNA SECA Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki’s Robertino Pietri put in a productive weekend at Laguna Seca racing in front of a three-day crowd of more than 130,000 spectators as the MotoGP World Championship joined the AMA Superbike Championship for the high-profile race meeting. With the Superstock classes taking the weekend off, the former Venezuelan and Latin American Superbike champion focused his efforts on the Superbike class, knowing that the set-up and tire data gleaned this weekend could prove vital when the Superstock season finale takes place at Laguna Seca in late September. Facing a deep field consisting of the AMA Superbike Championship regulars as well as many of the top Superstock stars, Pietri qualified on the inside of row five aboard his Superstock-spec GSX-R1000, posting the 17th fastest time of the abbreviated qualifying session with a best lap of 1:27.256. In the race, Pietri jumped up to 14th early aboard his Pirelli-shod racer and picked up one addition spot during the 28-lap final to conclude his Superbike outing in 13th position. Teammate Chris Ulrich sat the weekend out as he continues to recuperate from his Road America practice crash in preparation for a return to action when the Superstock series picks back up in a couple of weeks. Ulrich explained, “I sat on the bike and thought about racing this weekend, but my hand is still quite painful and the bone is still healing. I only have about 60 degree of motion so we decided it was best to continue to rest up and come back strong at the next one. I was looking forward to riding, but there was no Superstock race at Laguna Seca and that championship is our primary focus.” Pietri, fresh off his first AMA podium scored in the Superstock race at Road America, and Ulrich, who earned a podium earlier in the season at Barber Motorsports Park, are eager to add to their 2008 trophy haul over the second half of the season. The next race weekend will take place on August 1-3 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course where Ulrich was victorious in the Superstock class in 2002. More, from a press release issued by Misti Hurst: Mixed Emotions for Slednecks Racers, Misti Hurst and Josh Galster at Mazda Raceway, Laguna Seca July 22, 2008- Monterey California- Slednecks racers, Misti Hurst and Josh Galster experienced mixed emotions during this weekend’s AMA Supersport Race that took place during the Red Bull US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca. With an extremely shortened schedule, the two California Superbike School coaches took to the track for one early morning practice on Friday and then, under completely different riding conditions, had 25 minutes to qualify later on in the afternoon. Unfortunately for Hurst, she just missed the qualifying cut off time after Ben Bostrom lay down a smoking fast lap time of 1:26.2, while Galster qualified 27th with a time of 1:32.4 “I was so disappointed that I didn’t make the cut.” Said Hurst after the qualifying session. “This was a big race and I was excited to be here during the Grand Prix weekend. I felt like I let everyone down. I just found it tough with so little practice time to get everything sorted out in time.” Hurst wants to thank her sponsors, friends and fans that supported her during the weekend and Keith Code for spending some valuable time coaching her on areas of the track that needed improvement. “I went faster in qualifying after working with Keith and coming up with a plan for areas that I was struggling with.” Said Hurst. “It just wasn’t fast enough. I’ll make it up at the next race weekend in Mid Ohio. I’ll do well there!” Galster, who also found it difficult to get up to pace in qualifying with so little practice time, dropped seconds off his best time in the race to finish 21st, 6 places up from where he started. After getting a decent start he hung with the pack for a few laps before settling into a groove alone. With no one to race with his times remained consistent in the 1:31’s until Chaz Davies passed him after crashing off the start, then Galster time dropped down to his best of the race, a 1:29.9 a whopping 2.5 seconds faster than his qualifying time. “When Chaz went by, he sucked me into turn two faster than I had gone before and I tried to stay with him for a while. It was awesome!” Said Galster. “Overall it was a fun race, my first at this track and I’m happy with my finish. I’d like to thank all my sponsors, as well as John Parker, Michael Pesicka, Adam Fetter and Deb Barton for their help at the track this weekend.” See Misti and Josh race next in both the AMA Supersport and Formula Extreme classes at Mid Ohio, August 1-3 For more information please visit www.mistihurst.com or www.slednecks.com More, from a press release issued by Millennium KWS Suzuki: Monterey, CA July 2008 — Millennium/KWS Suzuki sponsored by Suzuki of Orangeburg did not get the results they wanted this weekend, but they did come away with a lot of good set up information for the final AMA round at Laguna Seca held in September. The July Laguna Seca AMA round is held in support of the MotoGP series with the Superbike and Supersport only. The Millennium Technologies team decided to use practices, qualifying and the race to prepare for the September event which will run the Superstock series. In Qualifying, the team used both bikes and several different set-ups to turn a time of 1:27.866 for nineteenth position on the grid. In the race Thompson got a bad start and entered turn two in last place. This turned out to be a good thing as he was able to avoid incident in turn two involving three rider’s right in front of him. Thompson quickly put his head down and began to fight his way back through the field. On lap 12 Thompson pulled in and the team made some adjustments to his Dunlop shod GSX-R1000. The bike continually got better through out the race and Thompson was able to turn his fastest lap at the very end. Ben Thompson “The weekend did not turn out how we wanted it to, but we learned a lot and we will be much better prepared for the next round at Laguna. I want to thank Michael and Chip for all their hard work and the sponsors for all their support.” Kevin Hunt (Team Owner) “The factory teams have tested at Laguna twice this season so we knew that we were going to be behind. The guys put their best effort in, but they could never get the front suspension right until the last part of the Superbike race. We have four more races to go and we feel very confident going into this last half of the season.” More, from a press release issued by Fasttrax: NELSONS LEDGES, Ohio The pit crew for Rush Hour Racing scrambled to keep riders on the track in the fourth round of the Fasttrax endurance series at Nelson Ledges road course on Saturday handling three groups of riders. Rush Hour Racing’s teams took first and second overall as they captured first place in both the Heavyeweight and Middleweight classes and Rush Hour also fielded a solo rider in the Iron Butt division. Fasttrax is a family-oriented club racing organization with its home track at Nelsons Ledges, Ohio. For information on all of Fasttrax’s events and programs visit www.Fasttraxlive.com RESULTS 30-minute Solo Mini-Endurance: Heavyweight: 1. Michael Molnar (Hon CBR1000RR) 24 laps; 2. Andrew Sexton (Duc 999) 24 laps; 3. Ray Delaney (Suz GSX-R1000) 24 laps; 4. Timothy Kennedy (Suz GSX-R1000) 22 laps; 5. Robert Kovach (Suz GSX-R1000) 22 laps; 6. Daniel Shetler III ( Hon RC51) 21 laps. Middleweight: 1.Ron Ruppert (Suz GSX-R600) 24 laps; 2. Jim Vaughn (Hon CBR600RR) 24 lapts; 3. Kurt Russman (Hon CBRF4I) 23 laps; 4. Randy Turner (Yam YZF-R6) 22 laps; 5. Mark Gainer (Buel XB9R) 22 laps; 6. Adrian Mobilia, (Suz GSX-R600) 21 laps. Lightweight: 1. Sammy Snellenberger, Suz SV650) 24 laps; 2. Tim Batten, (Suz SV650) 23 laps; 3. Todd Narduzzi (SV650) 23 laps; 4. Jeff Manley (Suz SV650) 23 laps: 5. Justin Barker (Suz SV650) 23 laps; 6. Elwood Smith (Suz SV650) 22 laps; 7. Bill Smith (Buell XB9R) 22 laps; 8. John Noel Bartlett (Suz SV650) 16 laps. 3-hour Endurance: Heavyweight: 1. Rush Hour Racing II (Suz GSX-R1000) 145 laps; 2. Team Bones (Suz GSX-R750) 135 laps; 3. Crooked River Racing (Duc 999s) 133 laps; 4. Team ICR (Suz GSX-R750) 108 laps. Middleweight: 1. Rush Hour Racing I (Yam YZF-R6) 142 laps; 2. Madhouse Racing (Yam YZF-R6) 139 laps: 3. Localriders.com (Tri Daytona 675) 130 laps; 4. BLT Racing (Yam YZF-R6) 126 laps: 5. Team Bumble Bee (Hon CBR600RR) 126 laps. Lightweight: 1. Empty Pockets Racing (Duc PS1000LE) 140 laps; 2. Team DAYAM (Suz SV650) 137 laps; 3. Birdmen Racing (Sux SV650) 124 laps: 4. Team Racer RX (Sux SV650) 77 laps. Iron Butt Solo: 1. Wayne’s World Racing (Suz SV1000) 128 laps; 2. Rush Hour Racing Solo, 117 laps. More, from another press release issued by Fasttrax: NELSONS LEDGES, Ohio Michael Molnar of Wilmington, Ohio with a 1:11.417 lap time set the fasted pace of the day Sunday as he took first place in GTI Expert in Fasttrax Sprint Series racing Sunday at Nelson Ledges Road Course. Track conditions became challenging for the second and third races of the day with sprinkles of rain becoming a downpour, dropping the race pace for everyone. However, the track had largely dried by the sixth race when Molnar set the day’s best time. Fasttrax is a family-oriented club racing organization with its home track at Nelsons Ledges, Ohio. For information on all of Fasttrax’s events and programs visit www.Fasttraxlive.com Results: Formula 40: 1. Greg Massie (Suz GSX-R1000; 2. Robert Matejka (Kaw ZX6); 3. Jim Fear (Hon CBR600RR; 4. Michael Farmer (Suz GSX-R 600). Formula 40 Light: 1. Jeff Manley (Suz SV650); 2. Tim Batten (Suz SV650); 3. Sean Wilson (Suz SV650). Superbike Light Expert: 1 Eric Boettcher (Yam FZR400). Veterans 70 Heavy: 1. Bill Bloom (Kaw GPZ550); 2. Sam Williams (Kaw Z1000); 3. Aaron Lacefield (Kaw GPZ750). 600 Superbike Expert: 1. Jim Vaughn (Hon CBR600RR). Unlimited Superbike Expert: 1. Michael Molnar (Hon CBR1000RR); 2. Tony Ruggerio (Suz GSX-R750). Unlimited Superbike Novice: 1. Greg Massie (Suz GSX-R1000) Unlimited Supersport Notice: 1 Garrett Rosania (Kaw ZX-6) Medium Twins Expert: 1. Sammy Snellenberger (Suz SV650); 2. Tim Batten (Suz SV650). Medium Twins Novice: 1. Broderick Crain (Suz SV650); 2. Casey Crain (Suz SV650); 3. John Noel Bartlett (Suz SV650). Sportsmen: 1. Steve Nero (Suz GS500); 2. Bill Bloom (Kaw GPZ550). Veterans 90 Medium: Todd Perdue (Hon CBR600F3). 600 Supersport Novice: 1. Lee Barbicas (Suz GSX-R600); 2. Michael Farmer (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Brandon DeAngelis (Kaw ZX-6); 4. Donald Quallen (Suz GSX-R600); 5. Michael Hall (Kaw ZX-6). Buell: 1. Bill Smith (Buell XB9R). Supertwins Novice: 1. Chris Gustin (Suz SV1000). Veterans 70 Light: 1. Sam Williams (Kaw Z1000) 2. Bill Bloom (Kaw GPZ550); 3. Aaron Lacefield (Kaw GPZ750). Veterans 80 Heavy: 1 Jim Sublet (Kaw FZS1000). Veterans 80 Light: 1. Eric Boettcher (Yam FZR400); 2. Steve Nero (Suz GS500); 3. Randy Grove (Suz SV650). GTI Expert: 1. Michael Molnar (Hon CBR1000RR); 2. Tony Roggerio (Suz GSX-R750); 3. Jim Vaughn (Hon CBR600RR). GTI Novice: 1.Greg Massie (Suz GSX-R1000); 2. Michael Farmer (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Donald Quallen (Suz GSX-R600). GTII Expert: 1. Sammy Snellenberger (Suz SV650); 2. Eric Boettcher (Yam FZR400) GTII Novice: 1. Sean Wilson (Suz SV650); 2. Broderick Crain (Suz SV650); 3. John Noel Bartlett (Suz SV650); 4. Bill Smith (Buell XB9R); 5. Casey Crain (Suz SV650). 600 Superbike Novice: 1. Michael Farmer (Suz GSX-R600); 2. Jim Fear (Hon CBR600RR); 3. Donald Quallen (Suz GSX-R600); 4. Lee Barbicas (Suz GSX-R600). More, from a press release issued by Safety First Racing: Safety First Suzuki Bobby Fong Hits the Top Five! Safety First Suzuki rolled into Laguna with confidence as Bobby Fong continues to mature and improve every weekend with a crew that is firing on all cylinders. Team owner, Kevin Hanson, gave his perspective on the weekend. “What a great weekend! We finished today where no one expected us to finish in the ultra-competitive Supersport class. It was actually kind of nice heading to tech after the race and getting torn down. The truth though is that Bobby has improved and ran closer to the front every weekend this season. He just got a little overzealous at times and hit the ground in some races. I’m so proud of him for how he rode in the Supersport race. He showed the maturity of a veteran AMA racer, not an impatient 17 year old. After qualifying on the second row, he got a great start and ran the entire race dicing for a podium finish. He was relaxed during the race and didn’t ride over his head. Heck, after the race he was barely sweating! He’s come a long way this year and worked hard on his diet and conditioning and I can’t thank my crew enough for all of their hard work. I’ve got a great bunch of guys that are really dedicated, but have a lot of fun every weekend. I get to show up to the races and hangout and just stay out of their way. I think my biggest concern during the race weekend is what are we having for lunch,” joked Hanson. “I know Gabor wanted a better result this weekend after finishing in the top ten at the last race,” commented Hanson. “However, Gabor has never been to Laguna and I think after finishing 15th with an extremely small amount of track time, he achieved a very respectable result,” stated Hanson. Bobby Fong Supersport: Qualified 5th, Finished 5th “I rode a really smart and mature race. I think I possibly could have made a gutsy last lap braking pass to get by Eslick and Rapp for a podium. The old Bobby would have stuffed it in their hoping it was going stick, but the new Bobby was just trying to be patient and wait. I was kind of hanging out until the end of the race waiting for them to take each other out or make a mistake, but it didn’t happen. I just wanted to make sure I got a good finish and bring it home for my guys who have been working really hard,” commented Fong. “The bike was setup perfect this weekend. I know some people have been complaining that the track is bumpier this year, however I didn’t feel any bumps out there. We made a small rear spring change in the last practice session to the bike which helped it come off the corners a little better. However, we really haven’t changed anything on the bike since Fontana. I think we’ve got a really good package with the Pirelli’s, Traxxion Gas Cartridge forks and Penske shocks that soak up everything and Mark Junge building some wicked fast motors. I just keep trying to focus on my riding by staying relaxed and learning more every weekend. I’m really stoked about finishing 5th this weekend though!” exclaimed Fong. Gabor Rizmayer Supersport: Qualified 16th, Finished 15th I’m not very happy with my result. The track was good, but difficult because not enough track time. I’m very happy with my team and how well they are working together. I’ve seen a big change in everyone working together as a team since I was here last at Barber. I’m looking forward to returning at VIR and getting more track time to learn all of the tracks the rest of year,” stated Rizmayer. Safety First Suzuki heads to Mid Ohio for the next AMA event. Gabor Rizmayer logs more frequent flyer mileage and heads back to Germany to compete in the German Championship. Safety First Racing was formed in 2004 by police officer/racer, Kevin Hanson, based out of Chicago, IL. For 2008, Safety First Suzuki will be competing in the Supersport class in the AMA Superbike series Checkout www.SAFETYFIRSTRACING.com to see the latest line of apparel and performance products from Safety First Racing. Kevin Hanson continues to give away Bell bicycle helmets to elementary school children nationwide and educate children about the importance of helmet usage. More, from a press release issued by Patrick McGoey: Young Gun, Shane “Go Go” McGoey, at his first weekend at Willow Springs raceway was able to pull off two wins at the “Fastest Road in the West”. After a full day of practice on a hot and breezy Friday, and getting some help from local riders on how to traverse the 2.5 mile 9 turn course, McGoey was able to start from the back of the Solo GTU race on Saturday to finish first with a 13 second buffer. “This is a great track, and so fast, said Shane.” I really like turn 8 and 9, I don’t know of any other turns where you are going so fast. I really needed this solo race just to get used to a race pace.” Sunday came in with a light cloud cover and cooler temps, and 1 practice session for Shane to warm up, he felt ready to race. Shane commented “We put on some fresh Dunlops, they have been working so well, and went with the medium hards, they need to last a couple of races for me”. Shane gridded in last place in race #2, the 16 rider Modified Production field, on his 07′ LaMonica’s Sponsored Kawasaki ZX-6R. Shane got a good start, enough to work his way around 13 riders approaching the 2nd lap, but entering turn 1 on the outside, and getting squeezed a little bit put him out in the dirt between T1 and T2. 4 bikes had gone by and Shane found himself in 7th. Shane put his head down and started reeling in rider after rider until at lap 4 he was leading. with all the sliding, and movement from his stock front end, Shane then leveled out to win by a very close margin of only .5 seconds. Race# 9 650 superbike saw McGoey not only gridded last but up against a contingent of fast riders, lead by an AMA pro rider (Michael Beck), and the Willow Springs #1 plate holder (Karl Lowry), as well as a very fast Brandt Wiwi (former #1 Willow Springs plate holder) and Fabrice Vilder, up ahead of him. Everyone was chasing contingency money, and was ready to put down. Shane did his best to get a good start and slotted into 5th place where he would finish, still riding fast but on a fading rear tire. Race #16 600 superstock was a repeat of the superbike race against Beck, Lowry, and Wiwi, with McGoey coming in fourth and still riding fast, but unable to catch the very fast guys with lots of Willow experience. All in all it was a great day, at a very fast track. More, from a press release issued by Keith Amor’s publicist: Amor gets back to winning ways at Kells Keith Amor enjoyed an excellent debut at the Kells road races on Sunday and the Falkirk ace was able to claim both of the Supersport 600cc races after hard fought battles with Ryan Farquhar. He also took second place in the two Open races and he left the Crossakiel circuit with a whole clutch of silverware that included the Man of the Meeting and Best Newcomer accolades. Having been forced to miss the previous weekend’s Walderstown meeting due to a virus, Keith was keen to make amends and he did so immediately, just pipping Farquhar to the line in the 600cc Championship race on the Wilson Craig Honda. In the following Open race, there was again only fractions between the pair and, on this occasion, it was Keith who had to settle for second, just 0.8seconds adrift. The non-Championship 600cc saw the two rivals again go head to head but it was Keith who came out on top at the end of the 8 laps for his second win of the day but such was the closeness of the race, there was only 0.097seconds between the dicing duo at the chequered flag. In the Grand Final, Keith, again on board the Phoenix Motorcycles Superstock Honda, took his second runner-up spot but he did have the consolation of setting the fastest lap of the day at 111.736mph. After picking up his Man of the Meeting award, a delighted Keith said: ‘Without doubt, this has been one of the most enjoyable day’s racing I’ve ever had. The atmosphere was electric and the fans were unbelieveable, I’ve never seen anything like it – simply superb. The organisers put on a great meeting and couldn’t do enough for me, so it’s been a pleasure to be here.’ ‘Having missed the racing at Walderstown, I concentrated on getting fit for this one and the racing’s been some of the toughest ever. There was nothing between Ryan and myself in any of the races and sometimes we were practically touching over the jumps – at 150mph! It was close but good, clean racing and you know Ryan will never do anything untoward so the pair of us gave it our all on every single lap!’ ‘We had a good bit of banter between the races and, like I say, it’s been a terrific meeting and although I would have liked to have got the big bike wins, I can’t be too greedy! The Dunlop boys were over again so it was great to repay them with some top class results and the Phoenix Honda again proved itself out on the roads so thanks to everyone for their support once more.’ Keith will now make his way to the Faugheen road races, with race day taking place on Sunday July 27th.