Rider Files

The cover of Today’s Motor Sports in July 193 featured Ronnie Doyle, of Abilene, Texas, racing his No. 14 Harley-Davidson just ahead of the No. 68 Triumph of John Platchek of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, in the 1963 Daytona.

Racer Gordon Lunde cleaned out his house and was good enough to send me some of the old magazines in his collection.

One was this July 1963 issue of Today’s Motor Sports, an auto racing photo magazine that covered the 1963 Daytona 200.

Pictured on the cover is Ronnie Doyle, of Abilene, Texas, racing his No. 14 Harley-Davidson just ahead of the No. 68 Triumph of John Platchek of Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

Doyle finished ninth that year and Platchek was 39th. It marked the first time the AMA allowed full fairings on race bikes.

It was a mixed bag of riding styles back then. With flat track dominating the AMA Grand National schedule many riders put their foot down through the turns even at road races as Doyle does here. Platchek used the more traditional “European” riding style with knees firmly planted on the tank as he cornered.

Doyle and Platchek must have been either photogenic or lucky. Less that a year later a racing photo of Doyle was featured on the cover of Cycle. A year earlier Platchek made that magazine’s cover.

As far as I can find Today’s Motor Sports magazine didn’t last much beyond 1963.

This week’s Cycle News is packed with good features this week. Henny Ray Abrams coveres the opening MotoGP and talks about problems with Daytona, Kit Palmer was on hand for the crazy Jacksonville Supercross, National Enduro and GNCC coverage, BMW’s gorgeous K1600 is reviewed and much more.

Click here.

(NEWS RELEASE)

Villopoto: “I was really disappointed with how things went in Jacksonville”

 AURORA, Ill (March 22, 2011) – Through 11 races, the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship season, makes its lone international stop from Toronto’s Rogers Centre on Saturday night. Last weekend in Jacksonville, Fla., American Honda’s Trey Canard, of Shawnee, Okla., claimed his second victory of the season and now sits just 27 points out of the lead. In the Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class championship, GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia, of  Ochlocknee , Ga., also locked in his second victory of the season and currently leads the division by 17 points.

Media day will be held Thursday, March 24 from Noon – 2:00 p.m. in the Baseball Press Box at Rogers Stadium. Riders in attendance will be available for interviews and will ride the track for the media.

In a shocking turn of events, Supercross class leader and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, who came into Jacksonville with a three-race win streak, crashed in his heat race, which forced him into the last chance qualifier. As the gate dropped for the LCQ, on the first turn, Villopoto was forced off the track and lost valuable ground to the rest of the pack. Unable to rebound and earn a spot in the top two, Villopoto, for the first time this season, did not qualify for the main event.

“I was really disappointed with how things went in Jacksonville,” said Villopoto. “I have been feeling really good and it didn’t show. Everyone has bad days and I’m really glad I got out of there healthy. My focus remains the same and I just want to get back out there so I can make up the points I lost.”

After dominating his heat race, Team San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart suffered a horrific crash after a rhythm following turn one. Stewart, a two time Supercross class champion, was carted off the track by the Asterisk Mobile Medical Team, losing valuable points in the championship race. With Villopoto failing to make the main event, it was an opportune time for Stewart to close in on the 26-point gap that separated him from Villopoto. Stewart will use this week to heal up for Toronto.

“I was really hoping to pull this one out,” Stewart said. “It was my home state, I’m familiar with the tracks, all my fans were there cheering me on and it’s just really disappointing for me, my team, my sponsors and my fans. It’s all about Toronto and the rest of the season now.”

American Honda’s Trey Canard earned his second win of the season last weekend and looks to extend his winning streak this Saturday in Toronto. (Photo Credit: Hoppenworld.com)

With all this action happening back at turn one, American Honda’s Trey Canard pulled out in front with TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Racing’s Chad Reed and Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey in tow. Canard led the first 18 laps before Reed made a pass for the lead that was quickly answered back by Canard before riding to victory.

“Opening the main, I was really excited about my start, which has been my downfall this year,” said Canard. “I thought the first 12 laps were solid, I rode really well. Late in the race, I switched up my line in the whoops and it was definitely not working which made me run up into a few lappers and lose momentum. Reed really closed up on me at the end and I felt the pressure. He passed me at one point, but something clicked and I charged right back to the front. The last two laps I rode good and did what I needed to do to take the win.”

In the Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class championship, there have been four different winners in five races. GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia kicked off the night by taking an early lead with GEICO Honda teammate Blake Wharton and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson trailing closely. Barcia carried this lead for all 15 laps to earn his fourth career win in the Supercross Lites class. Finishing second and third were Wilson and DNA Shred Stix/Star Yamaha’s Ryan Sipes, respectively.

“I knew I was going to have a good day early on,” said Barcia. “It was rough in the middle of the day and I tweaked my wrist a bit. It wasn’t a pretty win that’s for sure, but I’m just glad to get out of here safe.”

In the Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class championship, GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia controls the points lead by 17 heading into the sixth race of the Supercross Lites Class season from Toronto’s Rogers Centre this Saturday. (Photo Credit: Hoppenworld.com)

Last year, Monster Energy Supercross’ only visit outside the United States was a resounding success as 42,083 devoted Canadian fans packed into Toronto’s Rogers Centre for the 10^th race of the season. Villopoto raced to his fifth win of the year, while Justin Barcia, of Ochlocknee, Ga., captured the first Lites class win of his career.

The first AMA Supercross race held in Toronto was December 4, 2004 when Ricky Carmichael won on a Honda. When Toronto became a regular part of the Monster Energy Supercross schedule on March 29, 2008, Chad Reed won on a Yamaha. James Stewart is the only two-time Supercross class winner in Toronto.

Supercross Class Results: Jacksonville

1. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
4. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM
6. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
7. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM
8. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Yamaha
9. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Yamaha
10. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Kawasaki

Supercross Class Season Standings

1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 221
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda – 214
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki – 203
4. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 198
5. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda – 194
6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM – 145
7. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 121
8. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C, Yamaha – 121
9. Davi Millsaps, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha – 118

10.  Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki – 107

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Results: Jacksonville

1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
2. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki
3. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, Ky., Yamaha
4. Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Kawasaki
5. P.J. Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
6. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Honda
7. Les Smith, York, S.C., Honda
8. Taylor Futrell, Clinton, N.C., York, S.C., Honda
9. Hunter Hewitt, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki

10.  Justin Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Kawasaki

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Season Standings

1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda – 116
2. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, Ky., Yamaha – 99
3. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki – 97
4. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki – 85
5. Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Kawasaki – 69
6. Blake Wharton, Aubrey, Texas, Honda – 69
7. P.J. Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 62
8. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki – 53
9. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki – 44

10.  Lance Vincent, Youngsville, La., Honda – 43

Past Winners in Toronto

Supercross Class

March 13, 2010:             Ryan Villopoto

March 28, 2009:             James Stewart

March 29, 2008:             Chad Reed

December 2, 2006:                    Chad Reed

December 3, 2005:                    James Stewart

December 4, 2004:                    Ricky Carmichael

Supercross Lites Class

March 13, 2010:             Justin Barcia

March 28, 2009:                            Christophe Pourcel

March 29, 2008:             Shaun Skinner

December 2, 2006:                    Martin Davalos

December 3, 2005:                    Davi Millsaps

December 4, 2004:                    Nate Ramsey

Tickets are available at the Rogers Centre Box Office, SupercrossOnline.com, all Ticketmaster retail locations, online at www.ticketmaster.ca , or charge by phone at  416.870.8000. Practice and qualifying begins at 12:30 p.m., and the main event begins at 7:00 p.m. Gold level tickets: $40; Extreme tickets: $25; Treadhead tickets: $15; Pizza Pizza Kids tickets: $15.

SPEED will broadcast the AMA Supercross class at 12:00 p.m. EST/9:00 a.m. PST and the AMA Supercross Lites class at 6:00 p.m. EST/3:00 p.m. PST on March 27, 2011.

For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig dhartwig@feldinc.com or 630-566-6305. To follow Monster Energy Supercross on Facebook and Twitter, log on to http://www.facebook.com/supercrosslive and http://twitter.com/supercrosslive.

About Feld Motor Sports®
Feld Motor Sports^®, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment.  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam^®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz℠, and IHRA^® Nitro Jam^®.  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment.  For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

(NEWS RELEASE)

AURORA, Ill. (March 22, 2011) – Just three rounds remain in the 2011 AMA Arenacross Series and over the past six weeks, only one rider has stood atop the podium and has put himself in position to claim the Arenacross class title. Babbitt’s Monster Energy/TiLUBE Kawasaki presented by Maxxis’ Tyler Bowers is in the midst of an eight-race winning streak and this weekend, the Kentucky-born rider will look to keep his dominance going inside Verizon Arena in Little Rock, Ark.

Last weekend over two nights of action from Council Bluffs, Iowa, Bowers put forth a pair of impressive efforts to sweep the weekend. On Friday evening, Bowers worked his way through the field to make a remarkable last-lap pass for the win. On Saturday, he took matters into his own hands, grabbing the lead early and distancing himself from the field.

Bowers’ series-leading 10 wins surpasses his total from the 2010 championship and through 15 races this season, he has finished on the podium 13 times. His advantage in the standings now sits at 46 points and he continues to inch closer to claiming his first professional title.

“One might think by being in the position he’s in that Tyler would ride more conservatively,” said AMA Arenacross Series Director Jayme Dalsing. “Based on his efforts in Council Bluffs, I’d say he’s not interested in settling for anything but first and I expect him to continue to lay it all on the line for the next three weeks.”

While Bowers continues to compile one of the most statistically impressive seasons in AMA Arenacross Series history, the battle for second in the championship continues to progress.

Entering the weekend, TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson and Babbitt’s Monster Energy/TiLUBE Kawasaki’s Chad Johnson sat knotted for the runner-up spot in the standings. Coming off four consecutive second-place efforts, Johnson carried the momentum into Iowa, but was forced to work his way through the field on each night, salvaging fourth and fifth-place efforts. Meanwhile, Gibson bounced back after a tough stretch of competition to land on the podium on both nights, in second and third. The duo resumes their battle this weekend.

In the Arenacross Lites class, the Eastern Regional Championship resumes with Foremost Insurance/Spinechillers/HondaofFairfield.com’s Patrick Massie leading the way. The Ohio native has one win to his credit this season and has been the most consistent rider in the championship. He boasts a 29-point lead with two rounds remaining and will look to extend his advantage in Arkansas.

The AMA Arenacross Series is returning to Little Rock for the first time since 2008. All the excitement from Verizon Arena kicks off on Saturday night at 7 p.m. CT.

Advance tickets are available for the Little Rock Arenacross at the Verizon Arena Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone and ticketmaster.com. Tickets cost $2 more the day of the race.

Arenacross Class Points (After Race 15 of 19)

1. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki – 352
2. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda – 306
3. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki – 298
4. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda – 239
5. Gray Davenport, Lehi, Utah, Kawasaki – 224      
6. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 207
7. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., Yamaha – 207
8. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, Yamaha – 179
9. Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki – 166
10. Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, Honda – 154

Arenacross Lites Class Eastern Regional Points (After Race 7 of 10)

1. Patrick Massie, Washington Court, Ohio, Honda – 125
2. Austin Coon, Spencer, W.V., Honda – 96
3. Adam Gulley, Jonesburg, Mo., Kawasaki – 95
4. Steve Mages, Sardinia, Ohio, Kawasaki – 86
5. Tyler Sehr, Belleville, Ill., Honda – 65
6. Kyle Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki – 63
7. Austin Primavera, Larue, Ohio, Suzuki – 56
8. Kenneth Henry, Ashtabula, Ohio, KTM – 56
9. Scott Zont, Algonquin, Ill., Honda – 47
10. Kyle White, Freeport, Ill., Honda – 38

New for 2011! Live timing and scoring from each round of the AMA Arenacross Series. To follow the intense racing action live, log onto www.Arenacross.com.  For all media requests, please contact Brandon Short at brandon@nextlevelsportsinc.com or 949-365-5750.

Never miss out on the latest news! Follow the AMA Arenacross Series on Facebook and Twitter! Log on to http://www.facebook.com/AMAarenacross and http://twitter.com/arenacross today!

About Feld Motor Sports^®
Feld Motor Sports^®, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment.  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam^®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz^®, and IHRA^® Nitro Jam^®.  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment.  For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

(NEWS RELEASE)

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The country’s fastest amateur roadracers will converge on the Putnam Park Road Course near Greencastle, Ind., for the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships on Oct. 8-9. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce that it is partnering with the U.S. Grand Prix Racers Union (USGPRU) to promote and sanction the event.

“We’re excited to give AMA competition members a premier event on such an exciting track where they can showcase their talent against the country’s best amateur roadracers,” said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “In addition, we’re looking forward to working with the USGPRU to assemble a solid program, a quality class structure and a well-run and timely weekend of racing.”

“The USGPRU’s vision for the AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships is one of a capstone race weekend that brings together the top club-level teams from across the country to compete for the prestigious AMA Amateur National Championships in roadracing,” said USGPRU President Stewart Aitken-Cade. “We are already working on an updated class structure and format, and will announce more details about the weekend’s program shortly.”

The AMA Racing Road Race Grand Championships will determine amateur national champions in numerous expert and novice classes that are broken down by combinations of bike displacement, weight, and intent (GP vs. Street). The event will run as a full doubleheader weekend combined with extended length races. The national championship for each class will be determined by the rider’s best overall performance in two separate races.

Not only do riders get ample track time and an opportunity to race against the country’s fastest amateur racers, but the best compete for the AMA Roadracing Horizon Award, which is awarded to the rider showing the most promise for success in the professional ranks. The Horizon Award will be awarded based on a rider’s best two finishes in separate classes, allowing racers with only one bike and a limited budget to compete for the title.

Past winners of the AMA Roadracing Horizon Award have included Hayden Gillim, Miles Thornton, Jason DiSalvo, Ben Spies and Blake Young.

Other awards at the event include the AMA Racing Top Novice Award, the AMA Racing Youth Award — presented to an outstanding racer under the age of 16 — and the AMA Racing Vet/Senior Award, presented to a standout rider who’s 30 years old or older.

The Putnam Park Road Course is a 1.78-mile road course with 10 turns. It is located 35 miles west of Indianapolis, about 1.5 miles south of U.S. 40. More information about the track can be found at PutnamPark.com.

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its support of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

(NEWS RELEASE)

INDIANAPOLIS, Tuesday, March 22, 2011 – Veteran sports publicist Tom Surber recently joined the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as public relations manager.

Indiana native Surber will be responsible for media relations and promotions for IMS and its three world-class events, the Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400 and Red Bull Indianapolis GP.

“As a native Hoosier, I’ve always had the greatest respect for the history, tradition and majesty of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and what it means to sports fans around the world,” Surber said. “Having the opportunity to work for IMS is a tremendous honor, and I look forward to the challenges ahead.”

Surber comes to IMS after working as media information manager at USA Track & Field, the national governing body for track & field, long distance running and race walking, since 1987. He assisted local, regional and international media with coverage of competitions worldwide, including the IAAF World Championships, and has worked with U.S. Olympic greats such as Carl Lewis, Michael Johnson and Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

During his tenure at USATF, Surber also assisted with game-day operations for the Indianapolis Colts and was statistician for NBC’s television coverage of Notre Dame home football games.

Surber also served as media/public relations manager for the Indianapolis Checkers hockey team from 1985-87 and worked during the early 1980s on the sports staff at WPFR-FM and WTWO television in Terre Haute, Ind.

“I’m excited to welcome Tom to our talented, dedicated staff of professionals,” said Mark Dill, IMS vice president of marketing and public relations. “Tom’s vast experience in sports public relations will strengthen existing relationships with worldwide media and find new avenues to promote IMS and its extraordinary events.”

Surber received a bachelor’s degree in journalism, with a minor in broadcasting, in 1980 from Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

***

2011 IMS tickets: Tickets are on sale for all three races in 2011 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 29, the Brickyard 400 on Sunday, July 31 and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday, Aug. 28 – at www.imstix.com.

For more information, call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or visit the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street. Ticket office and phone hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.

Children 12 and under will receive free general admission to any IMS event in 2011 when accompanied by an adult general admission ticket holder.

(NEWS RELEASE)

Rome (Italy), Tuesday 22 March 2011 – The FIM Superbike World Championship returns to Donington Park after an absence of just one year, this time for the European Round, the second event on the 2011 championship calendar. Once again Donington becomes a ‘blast from the past’ as the Leicestershire circuit was the scene for the first-ever World Superbike round, which was held back on April 3rd 1988. It is also worth mentioning that Donington Park was also the first permanent park circuit in England, and the first motor cycle race took place there on Whit Monday in 1931, which is exactly 80 years ago.

Recent history however shows that the slightly revised circuit that lies under the flight path of the nearby East Midlands airport, will be the venue for another fast-paced battle between the protagonists of this year’s championship, starting with Carlos Checa and Max Biaggi.

On his Althea Racing Ducati 1098R, the 38-year-old Spaniard won both races in the opening round at Phillip Island (Australia) and is raring to go for the second round of the season. Checa has not obtained any outstanding results in his Superbike years at Donington, but it must be added that he has never really had a bike as competitive as the one he has been riding since the start of the season.

Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) on the other hand has always had a good feeling with Donington, winning there both in 250cc and in MotoGP. In Superbike, between 2007 and 2009, he was on the podium four times in six races but so far has missed out on the win. This year the reigning world champion intends to make amends for that, especially in the wake of his two second places in the opening round of the season.

Another Italian rider, Marco Melandri, also has a good feeling with Donington. Following his podium in Australia the Yamaha World Superbike Team rider is now aiming even higher on a track where he won in 250 cc in 2002. Michel Fabrizio (Suzuki Alstare) on the other hand has only a best result of third to his name at Donington and is focusing on getting his GSX-R1000 machine closer to the front.

But the men to watch at Donington will undoubtedly be the ‘Brit-Pack’ who have always been able to find that little bit ‘extra’ at their home event. There is always a special atmosphere at the British rounds and this will certainly help to spur on the likes of Rea, Haslam, Sykes et al. Unfortunately the number has been reduced by one as James Toseland (BMW Motorrad Italia), who crashed during testing at Motorland Aragón, has a fractured right wrist and will now have to miss the European Round.

Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) wants to make up for the misfortune that befell him in Australia, when a nasty crash in testing forced him to reign in his natural talents in the race. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) took a hard-earned podium at Phillip Island, and the 2010 championship runner-up picked up a couple of useful results at Donington the year before, a third and a fourth. After leading for a couple of laps and going close to the podium in the opening round, Ireland’s Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) aims to demonstrate that his place on the factory R1 machine that twice won here with Ben Spies in 2009 is fully-deserved, while the other two Brits to follow closely will be Tom Sykes, who was on the Donington podium in 2008 as a wild-card, and Biaggi’s Aprilia team-mate Leon Camier, hopefully fully recovered from a recent debilitating illness.

Points (after 1 round of 13): 1. Checa 50; 2. Biaggi 40; 3. Melandri 27; 4. Haslam 27; 5. Fabrizio 18; 6. Rea 17; 7. Haga 16; 8. Sykes 15; 9. Laverty 14; 10. Smrz 14; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Ducati 50; 2. Aprilia 40; 3. Yamaha 29; 4. BMW 27; 5. Suzuki 18; 6. Honda 17; 7. Kawasaki 15.

World Supersport

Luca Scassa’s last-gasp win on the Yamaha ParkinGO machine over Broc Parkes (Kawasaki Motocard.com) and Sam Lowes (Parkalgar Honda) has added extra flavour to the Supersport World Championship, which is now booming in quality – following the arrival of several talented youngsters – and quantity. A return in grand style for Yamaha has also fleshed out the Honda-Kawasaki duopoly and now there are three manufacturers fighting for the win. Donington will surely see the riders who finished on the podium at Phillip Island again up at the front, with the addition of Fabien Foret (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), who raced injured in Australia, while all eyes will also be on Gino Rea (Step Racing Honda), who hopes to be fully-fit and the promising Italian Roberto Tamburini from the Yamaha Bike Service Racing Team.

Points (after 1 round of 13): 1. Scassa 25; 2. Parkes 20; 3. Lowes 16; 4. Salom 13; 5. Harms 11; 6. Ellison 10; 7. Marino 9; 8. Iannuzzo 8; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Yamaha 25; 2. Kawasaki 20; 3. Honda 16; 4. Triumph 6.