Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

BRIEFLY••• American Honda's Miguel DuHamel continued his campaign for the race to be run on VIR's big track. the 3.27·mile layout. though there's little hope it will ever happen. "There are just a few things that need to be done," DuHamel. who admitted there were safety issues. said. "It definitely could be done for next year. I hope it Is. " The speed of the big track would favor the Honda RC·51 s. which don't get around the smaller layout quite as well as some of the more nimble·handling motorcycles. But there are too many issues for it to ever happen. according to AMA Road Race Manager Ron Barrick. The layout is too narrow and hilly for the Superbikes. HMC Ducali's Doug Chandler got airbome through one section. The far end of the course is dominated by a huge oak tree. which would have to be altered. Running straight through one sequence could send rider and bike into the path of oncoming riders from another section. Then there are the more practical concerns. Lengthening the track would spread out the spectators, forcing the track to find more security. comer workers, ambulances, medical personnel, custodians. restrooms, etc. Speed Channel would have to lay that much more cable: though, as DuHamel pointed out, the track at Road America. at four miles, is longer. And, the spectators would see less. the riders would make less laps and come around less often. Eric Bostrom is heading to Italy on the Monday following the race. but it's not to talk to Aprilia. as rumored. Instead. he's going to spend the remaining three weeks of the World Superbike sum· mer break with his brother Ben. starting on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. Then the Bcstroms retum to the Italian mainland where they'II drive Ben's motorhome to the next round of the WSB championship. at Ochsersleben, in Germany, September 1. Eric is also contesting the following round at Assen. Holland. Though Eric isn't going to Italy to visit Aprilia, that doesn't mean they're not interested. According to his manager, Norm Viano. Aprilia is "an option we're looking at for World rSuperblkel." he said. "We might stop [at Aprilia), but probably not." Viano said Eric is being careful in choosing his career path. "It's got to be the right situation," he said. As for his staying at Kawasaki. Viano said that he's got "three years of brand loyalty at Kawasaki." But he added recent communi· cations have suggested that Eric won't be getting one of the seats on Kawasaki's MotoGP team. which means one fewer seats. "There's not that many rides," he said. "We were really hoping for that Kawasaki GP ride. Discussions we've had the last few months lead us to believe it's not going to happen." Nicky Hayden swapped seats with Michael Andretti during a one·off test session at Mid·Ohio. just after the AMA/Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike weekend. "It was really cool: Hayden said about his laps in Andretti's Motorola Honda Lola. "It was bad. The thing was so fast. It was an awesome experience for me." The one thing Hayden felt odd about was being tightly strapped into the cockpit. Hayden's best time around the 2.258·mile road course was a 1:30. though that was bypassing the tum-two Keyhole sequence. which the Indy cars don't use. "It wasn't like they said 'Go for it,'" he said. To put it into perspective, the fastest lap time is held by Dario Franchltti. who tumed a 1:05.347 during the 1999 running of the race. The time was also well off the 1:27.130 Hayden clocked to take the pole for the AMA race. Hayden managed to spin the Honda once at the end of the back straight. The telemetry showed that the rear was still light when he got on the gas. Hayden didn't know how Andretti fared. though he said that a stiff new pair of boots made shifting difficult. "Andrettl acted like he liked it." Hay· den said. The Andrettl family has long been involved with motorcy· cles. Michael grew up on street bikes. Michael owns Michael Andretti Powersports (www.andrettipowersports.com). a string of four Honda/Kawasaki/Yamaha/Suzuki dealerships in his native Pennsylvania and neighboring New Jersey. He brought the man· agers of the four dealerships to the Mid·Ohio test. Hayden and Andretti swapped helmets at the end of the test. Nicky Hayden said that he didn't think he'd compete in any of the remaining rounds of the World Superbike or MotoGP Championships. as had been rumored since early in the year. "I don't think so. Obviously, I'd love to do it. seeing what I learned at Laguna Seca. I had a great time. I don't think It's going to be possible." Hayden is off to Califomia after VIR. but will retum to join his brothers Tommy and Roger Lee in racing the Peoria TT. and dethroning the Prince of Peoria. Chris Carr. "I'm not committed to anything, but If I'm in town and can get a good bike. I'll try it." Nicky said. though it's a near certainty he'lI be there on a machine being shipped in from Honda and prepared by his Superblke mechanic Dan Fahey. The Haydens have built a replica of the Peoria TT on the family farm. Before he left, Nicky and Tommy each did around 160 laps, with Roger Lee also putting in Significant track time. Roger Lee will be riding a Honda at the dirt track. and Tommy will be on a black bike. Kawasaki's Tommy rode what was clearly a non·badged blue Yamaha VZ426F at the Springfield TT. where the brothers swept the podium. Nicky Hayden also said that he's still seeking the Grand Siam and would like to win a mile dirt track this season. He mentioned the September 1 Springfield Mile as a possibility. The Hayden clan and their friends. 19 in total. chartered a plane for the VIR race. Not only were they able to fly directly from their home in Owensboro, KentuckY. to Danville Regional Airport. but they were able to work half a day Thursday and will be home on Sunday night. The commercial flight Involved a 3 1/2 hour layover in St. Louis. then a long drive from Raleigh/Durham. Erion Honda's Kevin Erion said he expects to run the same program for 2003. though he will no longer be providing support for the Bruce Transportation Group team. "I hope everything 14 AUGUST 21 • 2002' cue I • n e _ stays the same," Erion said. "I have no reason to think it won·t. " Erion has Roger Lee Hayden under contract for 2003 and will be looking for another rider. The team will campaign in the Supersport and Formula Xtreme classes, and possibly in Superbike, depending on the final form of the AMA rules. "If the new rules are close to what the Formula Xtreme rules are. we might let our guys run select Superbike races." he said. As for the Bruce team, Erion said, "We're not going to be involved next year." For the past three years, the Bruce team has been, essentially. a tumkey operation. Erion provides machinery, personnel. support, etc .. everything you need to run a race team. For 2003. Bruce is going in another direction, Erion said. "Probably the best way to put it is he's [Brucel is looking for outside money. So there's a chance that he will or will not run a team. My feeling is we gave him a product he can take and make work... The racing season continues for a trio of Suzuki riders who were chosen to represent the U.S. at the World GSX·R Cup Final at Magny-Cours, France. In mld·September. John Dugan. Brian Livengood and Jason Disalvo eamed the right to go to the finals with their finishes at three different races in the U.S. Dugan qualified through a race in Portland. Oregon: Livengood through the AMA Grand National Finals at Mid-Ohio: Disalvo at a race in Summit Point. West Virginia. Suzuki is flying the riders and their mechanics to France for the Magny-Cours weekend, the same weekend as the running of the Bol d·Or. The riders will draw lots for the identically prepared Suzuki GSX-R-750s. This is the Rrst year of American participation In the event, which will draw 27 riders from 15 countries. Two 10-lap races are to be run. with outdoor motocross scoring being used to determine the winner. American Honda's Miguel DuHamel, one of the few riders under contract for 2003. may ride Honda's new 600 next year. "It's an option. It's not an obligation. We'll see how it goes." he said. Teammates NickY Hayden and Kurtis Roberts will head to Daytona later in the month for Dunl.op's August tire test. The tire firm usually invites three or four riders to the track in August to go through the preliminary docket of tires, which are then whittled down to the batch to be made for the December test. Honda is the obvious choice this year since. with the impending rules changes. they're the only team that knows what machinery they'll be racing next year. The Roberts and Hayden crews had their hands full prepping the bikes after both riders crashed and both of their RC·51 s caught fire In Sunday's Superbike race. The test was delayed when Dunlop UK racing boss Dave Watkins was chosen for jury duty in England. Blimpie/Yoshimura Suzuki had one of the worst weekends ever in AMA Superbike history. None of the machines finished in Saturday's Superbike race or In Sunday's Supersport race. all the riders going out while in second place. Aaron Yates was first out when he hit the curbing with his chassis. unloading the rear tire. Then Jamie Hacking went out with a broken valve. Finally, it was Mat Mladin's tum, his rear shock malfunctioning before he chunked a rear tire. just after losing second place to HMC Ducati's Doug Chandler, The tide continued to sweep through the Super. sport race. Hacking was the first out this time. appearing to low side in the final comer before the front straightaway. Yates was down several laps later while just 1.6 seconds behind leader Tommy Hayden with less than five laps to go. Sunday's Super. bike race provided the redemption, at least partially. Yates sur· vived a crash and three red flags to take third. with Mladin a shadow second to Eric Bostrom. The racing season doesn't end for Mat Mladin at VIR. One way or another. Mladin is going to race. His hope is to secure a wild· card ride on the Telefonica MoviStar Suzuki for the October 20 Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island. "Mel [Harrisl requested that I have a ride. and Kevin Schwantz talked to ITelefonica MeviStar Suzuki team managerl Garry Taylor to say I'm interested," Mladin said. "It'd be nice to try the new bike and see how it is. especially in front of the home crowd." Mladin said he had no expectations. "Just try to get it sorted out and go for it: That's what he'll be doing at the end of August at Eastem Creek. Mladin Is planning to race August 29 in the final round of the Australian Formula Xtreme series on a Suzuki GSX·Rl000 under the colors of his dealership. Mat Miadin Motorsports. Yoshimura. and Suzuki. Mladin said that Australian Formula Xtreme rules are considerably different from their American counterparts. The Australian rules allow for modifications to the heads and cams. Standard forks must be used, though intemals can be altered. "The chassis is more like Supersport over here." Mladin said. Standard wheels are mandated, along with a standard fuel tank and bottom end, The airbox can be changed. Fellow Australian Marty Craggill might also extend his racing season. He's hoping to secure a good ride for the same Eastem Creek race that Mladin's racing. He also said that he may team with Mladin at a six-hour endurance race. possibly at Winton, In Melboume, Victoria. Craggill sat out the races at VIR after suffer· ing a hand injury. Anthony Gobert's fans have a chance to become Charter Members of the Anthony Gobert Fan Club by visiting his website, www.anthonygobert.com. If they sign up by October 15. 2002, they'll receive a limited edition t-shirt and a fiex-fit hat with Anthony's embroidered Grim Reaper logo and the number 16. Also included in the package will be a Spy photo card signed by Gobert. and his Troy Lee Designs "Grim Reaper" sticker. "I'm start· ing this up because the last few years have been rough here." Gobert said. "I'm a bit more established now, and I have a lot of fans over here in America and in general, and it's something I'll do for them to become a member of the fan club, Good for myself and good for everyone. They get good. cheap t·shirts and hats and everything's good. It's not something I'm doing for profit. it's something I'm doing more for the people. We've had a lot of people show a lot of interest in it. so hopefully a lot of people will show up." After the rear tire on the BlimpielYoshimura Suzuki of Mat Mladin failed in the Saturday's Superbike race. Dunlop's Jim Allen pulled that particular tire from the Superbike field. even though it was the same tire. the 758. that American Honda's Nicky Hayden won with. There was some speculation that the problem was caused because Mladin's shock failed. Allen disagreed. "The bottom line is that we had a failure and the tire shouldn't fail." he said. Mladin was on the fence between two tires, the standard 587 and the new 758 and chose the newer tire, which was supposed to run cooler, on Allen's recommenda· tion. The 758 was one of three tires that was built specifically for VIR. Another had little grip, leaving one new tire. There was such a wide choice of rear tires that at one time early in the race. before attrition hit. there were three different rears among the top four riders. Graves Motorsports Yamaha's Damon Buckmaster compromised his Formula Xtreme title hopes with a fall in the final practice session on Saturday. "I just came up around tum 14 down the left and nearly hlghsided. and it flung me off, and I landed back on the bike and had to run off," Buckmaster said. "Once I got down there. I thought. 'Oh yeah. I'll ride rt out.' And then it got further down and it just started getting rougher. So it was just a lowside." Buckmaster slid off, whacking his right hand in the process. "This finger swelled up really big. and I got a problem In here," he said, pointing to the top of the back of the hand. "I got it X-rayed. No big bones are broken." Buckmaster rode in the earlier Supersport race. finishing fifth and securing third in the championship. s A crash in Friday's Superbike qualifying meant a short weekend for Arclight Suzuki's Craig Connell. The Australian banged his right knee and severely damaged his Suzuki GSX-R750 in the final-turn crash. Connell decided to sit out the rest of the weekend and prepare for the Formula USA race at Pocono Internalion" al Raceway in two weeks. "I pretty much wrecked the bike a little too much to fix it up," the Australian said. "I've got an FUSA race in two weeks and I'm leading both those series, so that's a little more Important. " Corona Extra/EBSCO Media Suzuki's Jimmy Moore became the first rider to win back-to-back AMA Superstock titles since Tom Kipp accomplished the feat in 1995, when the class was known as 750 Supersport. Suzuki has now won 11 AMA Super· stock Championships (seven straight) dating back to the incep· tion of the series in 1988. Moore joins Scott Russell and Tom Kipp (who each won three championships in the class) as the only riders to have earned multiple championships in AMA Superstock. He is tied with Texans Doug Polen and Britt Turkington for fifth on the all-time AMA Superstock wins list with six·care.er vic· tories. Moore's reply was somewhat surprising when asked if he would like to go for a third championship in the series next year, though. "I would rather not," he said, "I really want to ride a big bike. I want to ride Formula Xtreme. I would like next year to ride 600 [Supersportl and Formula Xtreme. or Formula Xtreme and Superbike. if that's something that becomes a reality." Yamaha's Anthony Gobert admitted in post-race comments at VIR that he may have retumed too soon after suffering a broken ankle at Road Atlanta in May. "I wanted to come back and try to ride and get a Supersport win for Yamaha. but basically it's not happening for me," said a disheartened Gobert. who finished the season ranked 13th after missing half of the races due to a bro· ken ankle. "I have two screws through my ankle, so I have very little movement. With all the right-handers here, instead of my foot naturally coming up and out of the way of the rear brake, it just stays at a certain point and locks the rear wheel. I rode pretty good at the start. but physically it's really tough for me now." Gobert said he was flying back to Los Angeles on Sunday night and would be flying to Northern Califomia to see Dr. Arthur Ting on Monday morning. Ting is to take out a piate and eight screws in his right leg and the two screws in his right ankle. "Get all that taken out. and two weeks after that I'll be 100 percent, apparent· Iy, so I can start getting ready for next year." Gobert said. He also said that he's going to train hard in the off season and be as prepared as possible for next season, even though at this point he's not sure with what team, or even what series he'lI be racing. "I'd like to come back here next year and get the monkey off my back." he said. "I've been trying for a lot of years, and it always seems to be something every year. The last two years I've been Injured. and it's kind of made me determined to try to get the job done. I just want to get on a competitive bike and get 1OO-percent healed up and give it a go a full season without breaking some· thing. " While happy with his Formula Xtreme Championship. Jason Pridmore didn't sound like he was quite ready to retire after the race. "I'd like to be back with Attack Suzuki [next yearl. and this probably didn't hurt things today," Pridmore said. "I'd like to come back and defend the tllie, that's for sure. I wanted to dedicate this to a friend of mine, David Holman. He was a great kid who lived wide open and great friend and had an accident down in Costa Rica jumping down a water cliff and broke his neck and passed away in January. I told his dad I was dedicating this sea· son to him." Nicky Hayden and Eric Bostrom each won $4000 for their Superbike wins and nothing for their DNFs. HMC Ducati's Doug Chandler was the biggest winner, taking home $4800. $3000 for finishing second on Saturday. and $1800 for taking fourth on Sunday.

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