Yamaha and Graves Motorsports Thanks Josh Hayes on his 2010 AMA Superbike Championship Cypress California – Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A. and Graves Motorsports would like to congratulate Josh Hayes on his first AMA American Superbike Championship. The Championship is also the first for Yamaha in America’s premier road racing class since 1991 when Floridian Thomas Stevens won the title aboard a Vance & Hines Yamaha-prepared FZR750RR OW01 works bike. “I cannot thank Yamaha and my crew enough for giving me this shot at the Superbike Championship,” said Josh. “I am glad I was able to add my name to the record book and bring home the R1’s first AMA Superbike Championship”. “We have partnered with Yamaha for 13 years now, and during this tenure we’ve been part of other Championships,” said Chuck Graves, “But this one is the pinnacle. I’d like to sincerely thank Josh Hayes, Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A. and all of our associate partners.” Yamaha’s Racing Division Manager Keith McCarty said “Josh came to us with a plan and great desire to win this title and he accomplished the goal. On behalf of everyone at Yamaha I would like to say thanks for a job well done!” Yamaha Road Racing Team Manager Tom Halverson added, “Congratulations to all of the Yamaha family and Graves Team, we appreciate your support over the years and are very proud to win this Championship”. More, from a press release issued by Dainese USA: Dainese Tops 2010 World Superbike and AMA Daytona Sportbike Championships! With a thrilling double victory at the AMA Daytona Sportbike’s final round at Barber Motorsports Park, M4 Monster Energy Suzuki’s Martin Cardenasclinched the 2010 title after an incredible season. The Colombian kept an impressive pace during the season, ending with 9 victories out of 18 races. The first win came in Fontana, followed with a double victory at Road Atlanta, then more wins at Road America, Infineon, Laguna Seca and New Jersey Motorsports Park. Martin won the 2010 AMA Daytona Sportbike Championship using Dainese leather suit, gloves, boots as well as back protector: the same equipment that can be purchased at any Dainese authorized retailer in the US. Congratulations to Martin Cardenas and the M4 Monster Suzuki for the great season! We also want to congratulate Dainese-sponsored Tomas Puerta for his 2010 AMA Supersport season that saw him finish just a point behind the 2010 title. The Colombian won a pole in Laguna Seca and six podiums during the season confirming his great talent. A great comeback was made by Dainese-sponsored Rockstar Makita’s Blake Young in AMA Superbike after a devastating back injury. Blake won an exciting race during the Sunday finale, where 5 racers battled closely to the finish line. Dainese- and AGV-sponsored Roadracingworld’s Chris Ulrich finished the AMA Superbike season in eighth position while Dainese-sponsored Michael Jordan Suzuki’s Brett McCormick finished ninth. A special thanks go to veteran Dainese- and AGV-sponsored racer Team Latus’ Steve Rapp for his great 2010 season, earning 7 podiums and introducing the new AGV T-2 helmet in the U.S., and also to James “The Rocket” Rispoli, getting his first AMA Supersport victory in New Jersey under the Dainese and AGV flag. Last, but not least. You’ve probably already heard the news: 39-year-old Max Biaggi clinched his fifth world title, becoming the 2010 World Superbike Champion. For many reasons, this was the most exciting championship for the Italian. Dainese would like to congratulate Max and thank him for choosing the best protection Dainese for his entire career. More, from a press release issued by GBRacing: GBRacing wins in Germany GBRACING supported Damian Cudlin has claimed his first major International title in Europe, securing the 2010 IDM Supersport Championship in Hockenheim last weekend. After more than six years of racing in Europe, and most of the world, the long awaited title finally fell to the Aussie who held onto his championship lead against fiercest rival Michi Ranseder at the final round. However it didn’t come easy and no one could have predicted the drama that played out in front of them. Heading into the event with a 16 point advantage over Ranseder, Cudlin was determined not to settle for minimum requirements in Saturday’s opening race, favouring to wrap up the title early if the situation proved possible. Blasting to an early lead thanks to a blinding start, Ranseder lead proceedings for the opening half of the 19 lap race as Cudlin moved from third to second ahead of local hero Kevin Wahr. Soon Cudlin set his sights on Ranseder and began to close the gap, increasing the pace with a controlling accuracy. With three laps to go, Cudlin was right on Ranseder’s tail and it became obvious that a last lap showdown was imminent. As Ranseder entered the hairpin defensively for the final time, Cudlin swooped from the outside and made a text book pass into the following left hander, taking the Austrian by complete surprise. As he stretched his advantage on his strongest part of the race track, Cudlin headed into the stadium section clearly in front and just three corners from certain victory. What happened next shocked the thousands of people in the Sachs curve grandstand as Ranseder collided with Cudlin from behind, sending the championship leader into the air fence with an awful crash. Remaining on his motorcycle to finish the race, Ranseder was booed and heckled by the boisterous crowd as race officials immediately began reviewing the video and photographic evidence from the incident. Ranseder was found to be guilty of “unsportsman like behaviour” and was excluded from the results to the relief of the angry crowd of Cudlin supporters. Having seen his possible 21 point advantage stolen from him at the last moment, Cudlin remained 16 points in front of Ranseder heading into the final race on Sunday. “I knew I didn’t have to win on Saturday to win the title, but I didn’t want to leave anything to chance on Sunday and while I was in such a strong position I decided to go for the win.” Cudlin explained after Saturday’s race. “I’ve raced hard but clean with Ranseder all year, and I did the same in the race. I timed my run perfectly and the race was over; it was mine. Thousands of people saw what happened next and I don’t really have to say anymore than that. I’m just thankful that the race officials acted so professionally and I wasn’t seriously hurt in the crash.” The air was thick on Sunday as Ranseder still held a chance of stealing the #1 plate in the final race, with Cudlin having to finish sixth or better to claim the title. Having rebuilt the bike overnight, Cudlin’s team and crowds of supporters watched anxiously as the race got underway. They needn’t have worried. While Ranseder ran away at the front, Cudlin rode a calculating race, staying safe and out of trouble to cross the line in fourth position and as new IDM Supersport Champion. “Winning the championship feels great and it’s a huge relief to know it’s finally over and the title is ours.” Cudlin said after Sunday’s race. “There have been a lot of people who’ve worked bloody hard for this championship and I feel great for them too, as they deserve this as much as I do. I want to also thank my wife who’s been battling away with me over all these years. This is one of the toughest sports on earth and it’s been really hard at times, but the moments like these make all the crap suddenly seem worth it.” Cudlin will now turn his attention to his World Endurance Championship commitments with the BMP Elf BMW Team, who will be chasing their first WEC win in Qatar in November. GBRacing designs, develops and manufactures in North London the only MCRCB and FIM approved bolt on, composite injection moulded nylon 6.6 long glass fibre 60 per cent, secondary engine covers that means they are super tough and protect a motorcycle’s engine in a crash, minimizing chances of a holed crank case or generator and therefore saving potentially thousands of pounds. For further information visit www.gbracing.eu or call Graham Banks on 0208 275 2630 or 07801 186172. 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