Superbike Stars Test at VIR, Look Forward to Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Alton, Va. All of the top teams in the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited were on hand at VIRginia International Raceway this week for a two-day test in advance of the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals, scheduled for the weekend of August 26-28. Topping the time sheets was five-time and defending Superbike champ Mat Mladin of Team Yoshimura Suzuki with a reported track-record lap of 1:24.1. Mladin’s time eclipsed the lap record set by Honda’s Miguel Duhamel in qualifying last year at 1:24.404. Mladin is having another great year, having won seven of the 10 races held to date, putting him in position to break his own record of 10 wins in a single season and further his unprecedented string of championships, as no other rider in series history has won more than three. “Obviously most of that’s got to do with the new bike, the GSX-R1000,” he said, “so it’s all gone pretty well so far. We first threw a leg over this bike in February of this year, and it’s still very young in its development process. We’re certainly looking at developing it more and more as the year goes on.” Much of the talk in the VIR paddock during the test was the fact that the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals was a late addition to the 2005 schedule for the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, and that it will now be promoted by the Colorado-based Race Promotion Management (RPM) group, who have had huge success in their past promotions at Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca. “I know that they do a good job,” said Mladin of RPM, “so I’m sure with them here at VIR, and Suzuki on board as the major sponsor, it will be a really good event again.” Austin Ducati’s Eric Bostrom echoed Mladin’s comments, saying, “It’s always nice to come to VIR; it’s one of the best tracks the circuit goes to. It should be fun. A big thanks to Parts Unlimited and RPM for getting things worked out. (Having the VIR race off the schedule) was a big blow to the entire paddock. It seems like the crowd’s been pretty good here, and there are a lot of motorcycle enthusiasts in the area.” Bostrom had high praise for RPM, saying, “Those guys just put on a good show. Typically things run smoother, and there is more excitement because they bring in extra attractions. I think overall that they just create this kind of catalyst that makes the race weekend more fun and entertaining.” Roger Lee Hayden, on hand to test his Superstock and Supersport machines for Team Kawasaki, said fans can expect a big weekend for the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals. “They can expect the best, that’s all I can say,” he said. “They used to do Road Atlanta and they used to do Laguna Seca, and everything was run professionally. They do their job, and I think they’re the best. I wish they’d put every one of our races on. “I’m glad to see VIR back on the schedule, because this is a good event and we get a lot of fans. It’s a good track, and a safe track. It would’ve been a real shame if it wasn’t on the schedule, so I want to thank the guys at RPM for stepping up and bringing us back to this great facility.” The event schedule for the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals will include three days of racing action, including two feature races for the headlining AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited as well as feature races for the supporting classes including the Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei, AMA Repsol Lubricants Superstock Series and Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series. There are a number of advance ticket packages available for the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals at VIR. Advance packages include the Flag Room (three-day admission, paddock access, car parking pass, official event program and hospitality on Saturday and Sunday), for $140; Youth Flag Room (5-12 years of age) for $50; the Big Kahuna Super Ticket (three-day admission, paddock and pit walk pass, lap of track, car parking pass and official 2005 Big Kahuna t-shirt) for $99; three-day general admission with paddock access for $55; and pit walk passes (limited availability, good for all practice and qualifying sessions, requires closed-toe shoes) for $30. At the gate, ticket availability will be limited to three-day passes for $60, single-day tickets (Friday only) for $10 and pit walk passes for $40. Currently, RPM is offering a Tiki Man Promotion to fans who purchase their tickets early. While supplies last, each fan who purchases an admission ticket prior to July 8 can choose from one of four free items: free parking (cars only), a free official event t-shirt, a free official event program or a free parade lap of the VIR circuit. To purchase advance tickets, visit www.virclub.com or www.rpmcolorado.com. VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston, Va., and just north of historic Milton, N.C. In addition to its 3.27-mile natural-terrain road racing circuit (designed to be operated as two autonomous, full-service courses), VIR is the cornerstone of VIR Club, America’s first motorsports country club; the VIR Raceplex Industrial Park; the VIR Gallery, which is a sales showroom for high-end collector and racing cars; the VIR Safety and Security Institute, which provides specialized training for U.S. Government and military groups; The Lodge at VIR, a 27-room hotel overlooking the track; and the Oak Tree Tavern, a full-service restaurant located within the circa-1840 Plantation Clubhouse. VIR made history from 1957 to 1974 and is doing so again. The 2.25-mile VIR North Course circuit on which the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals will take place has 17 challenging turns and 130 feet of elevation change. In addition to spectator events, the track is also available to rent for testing, driving schools and club days. For more information on VIRginia International Raceway, visit the track’s website at www.virclub.com or contact VIR at 434-822-7700. For more information on Race Promotion Management, visit their website at www.rpmcolorado.com or contact them via telephone at 303-377-3278. For more information on the AMA Superbike Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited, visit their website at www.amasuperbike.com.