Munich/Stephanskirchen. This weekend (23rd to 25th September), Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport travels to the iconic “žAutodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari” in Imola (ITA). This is the venue for the eleventh of thirteen rounds in the 2011 FIM Superbike World Championship. At the beginning of the month, the team demonstrated the potential of the BMW S 1000 RR in both wet and dry conditions at its home race at the Nürburgring (GER). The two factory riders Leon Haslam (GBR) and Troy Corser (AUS) are now determined to back that performance up as they return to Italy for the third time this year. After ten of the 2011 race weekends, Leon is fifth in the Riders’ Championship on 176 points, while Troy is fifteenth on 67. Between the two of them, they have scored 243 points for Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport this season. In the Constructors’ Championship, towards which only the best result at each race counts, BMW currently lies in fourth place with 214 points. Following the race weekend at the Nürburgring, BMW Motorrad and Leon agreed to continue working together into the 2012 season. The second factory rider for the coming season will be announced at a later date. Leon Haslam: “žI am really excited that we can continue working together next season and am very happy that I can have one more year with BMW Motorrad. With the changes we made this year, along with the changes we are making for next year, we are really excited about next season. For now, however, we focus on the last three rounds of this year. I am looking forward to Imola. We have made good progress with the bike and it is one of my favourite circuits. I really enjoy racing there and the atmosphere is always fantastic. The track is very bumpy and very undulating. You really need to have your bike set up properly, as the circuit is very demanding with different tarmac in places and a lot of changes of direction.” Troy Corser: “žThe track is very bumpy in places. It has four different surfaces around it where they resurfaced some parts of the circuit. It is very fast, particularly through the back part, which is known as ‘Acque Minerale’. It is important that the bike turns very well on the throttle on the crests coming over the hill and I think this is the case with our bike and engine. The brakes also play a big part there. They help to make the bike more stable. I am confident that we can get a good result with our bike. If we can get everything sorted out for Superpole and qualify in the front or second row, I hope we can get some podiums during the run in at the end of the season.” Bernhard Gobmeier, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “žThe last race weekend at the Nürburgring showed that we are definitely on the right track. Leon was able to clock very good lap times in both wet and dry conditions. Towards the end of the race he was one of the fastest out there. Unfortunately he crashed out, otherwise there were definitely podium finishes in it maybe even more. For that reason, what we saw at our home race puts us in a very positive frame of mind ahead of the run in.” Background: Imola is located in the Northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, about 40 kilometres south-east of Bologna. The town has a population of about 69,000. Motorsport has played an important role there since the 1940s. The first races in and around Imola were held on public roads. The foundations for the first racetrack were laid in 1950 and it was opened in 1952. The circuit was originally called the “žAutodromo Dino Ferrari”, named after Enzo Ferrari’s son, who died at an early age. When Enzo Ferrari died in 1988, it was renamed the “žAutodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari”. The Motorcycle World Championship held its first race in Imola on 7th September 1967, while the FIM Superbike World Championship made its debut in Emilia-Romagna in 2001. In 2011 the series returns to Imola for the ninth time. Following the deadly crashes that took the lives of Formula One drivers Ayrton Senna (BRA) and Roland Ratzenberger (AUT), the circuit was modified in 1994. The site was then the subject of extensive renovations in 2006, during which it was modified to meet the latest safety standards. What used to be the final chicane the “žVariante Bassa” was completely rebuilt. A long straight which veers slightly to the right now runs between “žRivazza” and the “žTamburello” corner. The layout of the circuit, which is negotiated in an anti-clockwise direction, is not the only thing to have been changed. A new pit lane building was erected, as well as a media centre and tower, which houses the race management team. Imola is a real challenge for motorcycles, and not just as a result of the many bumps that are characteristic of this circuit. Imola also features several chicanes, the first of which comes straight after the start-finish straight. For this reason, the bike must be excellent when it comes to braking, steering into corners, and accelerating out of bends. Stability is also important, as almost every chicane is lined with kerbs, which unsettle the bike as the riders cut over them. At the same time, overtaking is very difficult in Imola. The rider must be very aggressive if he wants to move through the field during the race. More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki Alstare: Team Alstare Suzuki rider Michel Fabrizio is all fired-up and ready to race at this weekend’s 11th round of the World Superbike Championship in Imola. The Italian is no stranger to the podium at the Autodromo Internationale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, having won race two there in 2009 after a third place in race one. He also won the penultimate round of the 2003 Superstock Championship at the Italian circuit, and then went on to take the title by just three points. That was on an Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000, so Fabrizio would like nothing better to be on the podium again on another Alstare bike. This year will be the third year in a row that the World Superbike Championship has visited the popular 4.936 kilometre circuit. The track features a variety of ups and downs, a couple of blind corners and is regarded as technically challenging. Whilst it is not that difficult to learn, it is quite hard to shave-off those last fractions of a second chasing a quick lap in qualifying. Superpole, however, has not been a favourite time for him this year but once again he will attack it with his usual determination and try and get on the front row of the grid. Michel Fabrizio: “Imola is one of my favourite tracks, not just because I have had some successes there but also because it is a great track to ride. Technically it is challenging because there are lots of changes of elevation and also because their are some blind corners and so you need a good bike set-up and know where and when to brake. It is a track where it easy to make up time and very easy to lose time; especially if you get held-up at the start. If that happens, it is very difficult to make up the time. It is very important to be on the first two rows of the grid and then make a good start for the approach to the first couple of turns. “It’s no secret that Superpole has caused us a few problems this year. By not qualifying well, it means that I have a lot of work to do catch the leaders and if I push too hard, the tyres get worn out more quickly. My aim, as usual, is to try and qualify well and give myself a chance at the start of the race. I know that my race-pace is good, but that’s no good if I am down in eighth, ninth or 10th or so at the start. I need to be in the top four or five at the beginning and be fighting with the leaders. “My last podium was in Monza, in May, so I think it’s about time I was there again; especially as I failed to score any points in the last round. There are just three rounds left this year and I want to do the very best I can in all of them and finish the last part of the season on a high.” 2010 results: Race 1: 1 Carlos Checa (ESP-Ducati), 2 Lorenzo Lanzi (ITA-Ducati), 3 Noriyuki Haga (JPN-Ducati) 7 Michel Fabrizio (ITA-Ducati). Race 2: 1 Checa, 2 Haga, 3 Cal Crutchlow (GBR-Yamaha). Michel Fabrizio (ITA-Ducati) DNF. More, from a press release issued by Yamaha: The Yamaha WSB Team Set Out for Imola Ready to Fight for the Championship The Yamaha World Superbike Team are back on track this weekend at the iconic “Autodromo Enzo and Dino Ferrari” in Imola, for the third Italian race of the 2011 season. This marks the tenth and third last round of calendar and is the third “home race” for Marco Melandri and the Yamaha World Superbike Team. Fresh from two very successful days testing in Misano last week, where Melandri was the fastest rider to lap the track throughout the two days, the Italian will be looking to pocket a home victory. Despite being a local track, Imola is yet another unfamiliar circuit for the Romagnolo. From the results so far this year it is clearly evident that new tracks are not an obstacle for Melandri, determined to shine on his home turf, backed by the numerous Italian spectators. Laverty on the other hand has unfinished business in Imola and intends making up for the lack of results last year, having fallen from his machine on the last lap in the World Supersport race, while in third place. As the season showdown begins, this round is crucial as it could be the title decider, with points leader Carlos Checa holding a 74 point advantage on Melandri, with just 150 points up for grabs in the remaining three rounds. Melandri sets out for Imola aiming for victory in order to keep the Championship title within reach. Team-mate Laverty heads to Imola in fourth place in the standings, just 49 points behind 2010 champion Max Biaggi and with his sights firmly on an obtainable third place. Marco Melandri Yamaha World Superbike Team “Imola is yet another track I am unfamiliar with, it has been more than ten years since I’ve been there. This doesn’t really concern me as I have done well in other new tracks this season and hopefully, I can get good results in Imola also. The two days testing in Misano went well, we made some adjustments to the brake system which I have struggled with on various occasions this year and this has helped me gain more confidence on my machine. It will be an interesting race, where Checa could win the championship. I will give it 100% and do my very best to keep the championship open, even though it won’t be easy.” Eugene Laverty Yamaha World Superbike Team “Fresh from the positive tests we just completed in Misano, I’ll be heading to Imola on a high note, which is nice. I struggled with the track a lot two years ago but I feel that last year I cracked it, even though I was unfortunate and came off at the end. I’m curious to try the track with the Superbike machine but it’s so powerful I’m pretty sure it’ll feel like an entirely different track. I’m looking forward to the weekend. It could be very interesting as it could also be the title decider. Checa will be stronger than ever to claim the championship, but I think the Yamahas will also put on a strong fight.” Imola technically speaking according to Silvano Galbusera Marco Melandri’s Crew Chief “The majority of the track has been re surfaced with new asphalt and we are confident that this should bring an improvement compared to last year. We should experience less problems with bumps on the surface and hopefully the new asphalt will provide good grip. However often new track surfacing takes some time to clean up and therefore it may be tough on tyre wear. We just had two very good days testing in Misano where we worked mainly on improving the brake system with the introduction of new calipers and we also made small adjustments to our electronics. With the strong results at the recent tests we are heading to Imola confident we can have two races and come away with good results.” Imola technically speaking according to Frankie Carchedi Eugene Laverty’s Crew Chief “Since Nurburgring we have tested at Misano where we were able to evaluate some different geometries and set-ups. We lapped consistently faster than earlier in the year when we raced there, showing the progress that we have made since then. To be successful at Imola you need to be strong in all departments, strong on brakes and a bike that handles well. In the past Imola has been the most difficult track to maintain grip, especially in the hotter temperatures. This year the track has been re surfaced in some areas and could make set-up more difficult. We will start with our base set-up, and during the weekend incorporate the changes we made at the test” Andrea Dosoli – Yamaha World Superbike Team Manager “Imola is the first of three rounds which will take place in just four weeks, an intense four weeks for the team and riders, where the championship title will be decided on. We are confident we can be competitive in Imola and that both riders can express their talent and capabilities on the historic track, making the most of the progress made during the recent tests in Misano. Even if it has been more than ten years since Marco has ridden the track, he will give it 100% and be highly competitive in front of his numerous local fans as Imola is infact just a few km from his Ravenna.” More, from a press release issued by Team Pedercini: The eleventh round of the Superbike World Championship and the eighth round of the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup will take place at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo and Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy, over the weekend of September 23/24/25. The Autodromo Enzo and Dino Ferrari is an auto and motorcycle racing circuit near the Italian town of Imola, 40 km east of Bologna and 80 km east of the Ferrari factory in Maranello. The circuit is named after Ferrari’s late founder Enzo and his son Dino who had died in the 1950s. Before Enzo Ferrari’s death in 1988 it was called ‘Autodromo Dino Ferrari. Unlike many circuits, Imola is actually run in an anti-clockwise direction. It’ll be a special event for Roberto Rolfo as he is going to get the 100th race start of his World Superbike career, in Imola race 1. Circuit main characteristics : Length : m.4959 Pole Position : left Left turns : 10 Right turns : 6 Superbike lap record : Carlos Checa 2010 – 1’48″877 Superbike best lap : Michel Fabrizio 2009 1’47″735 Superstock 1000 lap record: Ayrton Badovini – 2010 1’51″535 Superstock 1000 best lap: Ayrton Badovini – 2010 1’50″680 Team Pedercini Superbike riders interviews Roberto Rolfo :” Racing at Imola is always pretty special. The Santerno track is full of history, just think of the 200Mile race, the international races of the 80’s and more recent, breathtaking, MotoGP and SBK battles. I haven’t raced here since 2006 and that last time I was competing in SBK on a privateer Ducati. It’s a really emotional experience, braking at the Piratella, Acque Minerali and Rivazza corners, where you go from crazy speeds to violent braking, also downhill braking, which gives you the feeling the bike will come off the ground! I feel I am in great shape and can’t wait to get on the bike and I hope the feeling I have with my Kawasaki continues to improve so I can finish this season on a high. See you all at Imola! Mark Aitchison :”This weekend for me can really not come around fast enough. Since the Nurburgring two weeks ago, I have been anticipating the races ahead with a lot of excitement. The Imola circuit is very technical and requires good bike balance with all the undulation changes. It’s a real rider’s track, so I fully expect the racing to be close and hard fought. We didn’t have the best of luck in the final race in Germany, so I am very motivated to turn that around, perform well and have two solid races come Sunday”. More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki: Imola The Next Stop For Sykes and Lascorz WSBK, Imola, Italy, 20 September 2011 The impossibly iconic Imola circuit hosts the 11th round of the WSBK championship this weekend, with Joan Lascorz and recent Nürburgring race winner Tom Sykes ready for action once more. Sykes and Lascorz will arrive with a positive recent testing experience at the nearby Misano circuit under their belts, while third team member Chris Vermeulen will miss the Misano race as he is still not quite at 100% fitness. As well as enjoying the recent testing sessions, during which Sykes was second fastest on race tyres and fastest of all on qualifiers, Tom arrives in Imola with the momentum that he and his new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R have built up after the first win at the Nürburgring last time out. He can also look at some impressive front-running periods from last year’s race on the 2010 Kawasaki to add to his already high confidence level. Sykes’ impressive German weekend takes him to 11th in the overall rankings, with Lascorz only a few points behind in 13th. Both riders have the final three rounds, and six remaining points scoring races, in which to lift themselves higher in the overall rankings. Roberto Rolfo and Mark Aitchison (Kawasaki Pedercini Team) will be out for more forays into the top places at what is a home track for both Rolfo and his team. Currently Rolfo is 18th overall, and Aitchison 19th. Tom Sykes: “We had a great weekend in Germany and we could not have wished for anything else, so massive thanks to all my crew and Kawasaki. To get that win under our belt was a fantastic feeling and we can build on that now. We went to Misano for a test last week and we were fastest in qualifying trim and joint second fastest on race tyres. So I am hoping that some of the information we had there would transfer to Imola for this weekend. Imola is very stop and start, narrow and not so much room for error. Hopefully we can be even stronger than last year and if that is the case we could well taste champagne again. We do not want to get carried away but we need to go there with our heads screwed on and build on the latest information we have from the Misano test.” Joan Lascorz: “Our recent tests went well at Misano and we tried some new settings on the machine. They helped me in some areas of the chassis performance so I was happy with that. We will go to Imola to be more consistent in our set-up and get a good grid position in Superpole. Imola can be a very good track for us but we will have to work well to make sure we get away with the leading riders so we can go for the best finish possible in each race.” More, from another press release issued by Kawasaki: Imola Offers Salom And Parkes The Chance To Shine Once Again WSS, Imola, Italy, 20 September 2011 Kawasaki Provec Motocard.com Ninja ZX-6R riding duo David Salom and Broc Parkes enjoyed a recent test at Misano and now hope to score strong results at the forthcoming Imola round. The classic Italian circuit starts a run of three season-ending races in quick succession Imola, Magny-Cours and Portimao with the undulating and frequently high-speed circuit in Italy providing a particular challenge to all riders and machines. Imola is another new race on a Kawasaki WSS machine for Salom but despite only joining the Provec Motocard.com team in the winter he is currently second overall in the championship, having scored two podiums and two pole positions along the way. His consistency is unmatched in the class this year as he has been no lower than eighth in every single one of the nine races so far. Parkes is particularly keen to get back into action as he left the two-day Misano test having found the feedback from his front end set-up that he wanted and is now ready to go for race wins in the last three rounds. Currently Broc has six career WSS wins and 27 podiums, all in 79 race starts. He is overall fourth in the rankings at present, only eight points behind his team-mate Salom. Lorenzini by Leoni Kawasaki competitors Massimo Roccoli and Vittorio Iannuzzo have posted consistent results in some recent races, with Roccoli in particular moving on well after taking two top five finishes in succession. He is now ninth in the championship, Iannuzzo 15th. David Salom: “We had a good test at Misano and our times were even faster than the race weekend. It was a positive period and we tried some new things with the suspension and the geometry. We had a new engine as well and it is a bit faster. Imola is a fast circuit and we will need all the speed we can get there. The track itself has a lot of up and downs and there are a lot of bumps but it is similar to the circuit we use for testing in Spain. I think it will be a good place for us and our bike.” Broc Parkes: “I am really looking forward to the last three rounds because they should really count for us. I have to go to Imola with a positive attitude and the final placings will probably only come out at the very last round. The final races take place at tracks I really like and where the bike works well. Hopefully we can get back up there on the podium this weekend. We were trying out a lot of stuff back-to-back at the Misano tests and we just really tried to confirm a few things. I felt like I had my bike back and our lap times were really good. We bettered the times we did there during race weekend in the summer, which shows that we are making progress still.”