ROAD RACE
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
ROAD RACE SERIES
of each other, swapping back and forth
constantly.
Checcinello's luck was to take the
lead down the straight with two laps
left. At the next comer came Manako's
extraordinary crash. He had just tipped
it over when the bike abruptly swapped
ends. He was still wheels down and in
the saddle when Giansanti crashed into
him head on. Both of course went flying,
but a minute later they were trackside,
laughing and slapping each other's
backs.
Melandri and Kikuchi had passed the
fading Sakata on the 21st lap, and carried on their battle of inches to the finish, Melandri weaving down the finish
straight to stay just ahead.
Sakata retained his title lead, with
111 points to Manako's 81. Melandri
is now third on 72, with Asuma and
Cecchinello o.n 59 and 53, respectively.
I'~
Cirulto de Jarama
Madrid, Spain
Results: June 14, 1998 (Round 6 of 15)
US QUALIFYINC, I. Kozuto s.kata 0~8.952); 2.
Emilio Alzamora 0:39.420); 3. Marco Melandri
(l :39.553); 4. Roberto Locatelli tt 5mar' (1,35.600); 19. Eskil Suter
(1 :35.828); 20. Fernando Cristobal (1 :36.606); 21. Fabio
Corpani.Cl~.980).
500 CRAND PRIX: 1. Carlos Checa (Hon); 2.
orick Abe (Yam); 3. Sete Gibemau (Hon); 4. obuatsu
Aoki (Suz); 5. Alex Cnville (Han); 6. Max Biaggi CHon);
7. Regis Laconi (Yam); 8. Simon Crafar (Yam); 9. Alex
Barros (Hon); 10. Ralf Waldmann (Mod); 11. Carry
McCoy (Han); 12. Scott Smart (Han); 13. \: 1. Alex CriviUe
(10312 wins); 2. Max Biaggi (98/1); 3 Carlos Checa
(95/1); 4. Mick Dooh.n (90/2); 5. orick Abe (51); 6.
obuatsu Aoki (4n; 7. John Kocinski (43); 8. Sete
Gibernau (34); 9. Alex Barros (34); 10. Simon Cr.far (34);
11. T.dayuki Okadil (29); 12. R.lf W.ldmann (28); 13.
Regis Laconi (22); 14. Kenny Roberts jr. (20); 15.
Noriyuki Haga (16); 16. (TIE) Kyoji Nanba/Carry
McCoy OS); 18. (TIE) Yukio Kagayama/Luca Cadalora
(10); 20. Norihiko Fujiwara (9).
Upcoming Rounds:
Round 7 - Assen, Holland, June 27
Round 8 • Donington Pari<, England, July 5
buildings is now completed. work was suspended for several
weeks and has only just recommenced. It is by no means certain
that it will be finished in time for the race.
Honda's new 250cc parts arrived at last - a comprehensive
engine revision induding cylinders, exhausts. crankcases and ignition. But the beleaguered works riders were not out of the woods.
At first, the new parts reduced revs by more than 500 rpm.
according to one "f the technicians. Once they g<:>t over that problem. the improvement in power still left them well short of tbe
Aprilias. "It's better in acceleration. but we are stili down on top
speed." said rider Tohru Ukawa. who mana~ed to get onto the
front row of the grid among the Aprilias. HRC chief Shinozaki
admitted that the bike was still not up to scratch. "We are working vety hand to improve It. We mean to win four GPs this year.•
he said. One problem was that the side radiators of the compact
new design had not proven effective. "The engine runs a little hot.
and loses pOlNer. The reason why we won at Suzuka was
because the weather was cool.' he "",d.
Photographers rebelled after a daft new rule from Dorna
sought to ban the use of scooters to travel around the track serVice roads. Dorna hoped instead to lay on buses. which they
could turn into a source of income by seiling the opporturuty to
the motor Industty. In Jarama. a large fleet of Chtysler Yoyagers
fulfjiled the role. covered with extensive signage. Photographers
are used to more freedom of movement. however. and an out- .
raged Australian Lou Martin led the revolt. He was successful in
winning a concession for a limited number of scooters.
Spanish Superbike rider Gregorio Lavilla declined the opportunity to ride the MuZ (formerly known as Elf>. after testing the bike
after the French GP. Clearly the experience left him cold. and he
decided to stick with his Ducati Superbike ride. Factoty test rider
Eski,l Suter was back on the machine. which was originally to have
been ridden by injuty victim Doriano Rombo~i.
The new engine for the Modenas KR3 may be ready in two
ra'ceo time. according to team owner Kenny Roberts. The Mk2
motor is intended to eliminate the vibretion that has caused so
many reliability and other difficulties. 'We'li have it on the dyno on
two weeks. and should be ready to race in time for the German
GP on July 1g. or maybe even the British GP two weeks earlier.'
said Roberts.
.
