Steve Rapp may be a name that has a strong association with the AMA racing series, yet now he is taking a leap onto the world stage in the MotoGP™ series with two wildcard appearances on board his Attack Performance CRT machine. Read more.
Archive for July 20th, 2012
(NEWS RELEASE)
Grace Chen
SONOMA, Calif. (July 20, 2012) – Grace Chen has been named Director of Marketing at the raceway in Sonoma, raceway officials announced.
Chen will manage and oversee all aspects of marketing, including advertising campaigns around the raceway’s major events such as the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend. Chen will also oversee the raceway’s Web-site, social networking and at-event entertainment, as well as developing new and creative ways to market the raceway. Chen will report to John Cardinale, Vice President of Marketing and Communications.
Prior to coming to the raceway, Chen was the Director of Marketing for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. While with the Kings, Chen launched the team’s successful BeHEARD campaign.
“Grace brings a wonderful breadth of experience to this position that should not only keep our marketing operation in high gear, but also broaden all of our horizons as well,” said Steve Page, president and general manager of the raceway. “We are delighted to welcome Grace to the raceway team.”
Chen has also worked for the Charlotte Bobcats, Charlotte Sting, PGA Tour, and spent several years in China working on projects with Major League Baseball, the Olympic Games and in the action sports industry. She also produced China’s first surfing documentary.
Chen received her B.A. in Sports Management and Communications from the University of Michigan and her M.A. in Communication Management from the University of Southern California. She currently resides in San Francisco.
(NEWS RELEASE)
The meet was highlighted by Bill Warner's 290.295 mph pass on a highly modified Suzuki Hayabusa-based racebike. From a standing start, it charged to the highest top speed ever recorded for a sit-on motorcycle in a one-mile sprint.
DAYTON, Ohio. (July 20, 2012) — Brock’s Performance proudly congratulates the land-speed racers who used an array of its off-the-shelf products to score 15 records at the Loring Timing Association’s Maine Event, which took place July 14 and 15 at Loring Air Force Base, in Limestone, Maine.
The meet was highlighted by Bill Warner’s 290.295 mph pass on a highly modified Suzuki Hayabusa-based racebike. From a standing start, it charged to the highest top speed ever recorded for a sit-on motorcycle in a one-mile sprint.
Making his comeback after a violent wreck nine months ago that would have led mere mortals to retire, Warner quickly got up to speed and broke his previous one-mile record by 12 mph–this time in fifth gear, no less, after missing a shift when trying to engage sixth. The turbocharged, methanol-fueled, 586 lb., 8 ft.-long monster makes 1000 horsepower and rolls on DOT-approved BST carbon-fiber wheels with World Wide bearings that accelerate and decelerate quicker and more efficiently than heavier metal rims.
Warner took his home-built machine to an incredible 311 mph last year at Loring. Still undergoing physical therapy for his injuries, this modest Florida fish farmer and marine biologist was admittedly nervous getting back in the saddle: “When I got to the starting line, the bad thoughts began to fade away. Once the clutch lever was halfway out, the racer in me took over. Then, I just enjoyed the ride. I’m happy with 290 mph, but could have gone faster if I didn’t make any mistakes.”
Racheal Johnson had near-perfect runs on her street-legal 2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R, which was outfitted exclusively with Brock’s Performance bolt-on parts. She set a class record for her blazing one-mile standing start, joining Loring’s exclusive 200 mph club after six years of land speed racing with a 206.528 mph trip across the finish line. On this same pass, Johnson held the throttle to the stops for another half mile, ringing up a terminal velocity of 212.898 mph and engraving her name in the history books once more. Recognized as the world’s fastest ZX-14R, her bike doesn’t have any major modifications, it’s simply fitted with BST wheels with World Wide ceramic bearings, a Brock’s CT Megaphone exhaust, low-friction chain, lowering kit, steering stabilizer and clutch mods.
What it’s like being a woman in what is generally considered a man’s sport? “I was a tomboy growing up,” said the gas technician from Virginia, “so I don’t give it too much thought. I love the sport and am addicted to speed. It’s way cool to have the fastest ZX-14R in the world.”
Speed freak Greg Neal and his TLN Motorsports team set 15 records on the 14,200 ft.-long, 300 ft.-wide runway. Piloting a 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R, Neal put a dozen in the books while competing on both courses using BST carbon-fiber wheel with World Wide ceramic bearings and a Brock’s Performance ShortMeg exhaust system. Prior to adding this pipe, the 40-year racing veteran’s best top speed was 205 mph. At Loring, he shattered this number by going 208.212 mph on the 1.5-mile course. As if 12 records weren’t enough, he piloted a Kawasaki ZX-6 to another three on the short and long courses.
“I am overwhelmed by it all. Every run was special,” said the retired military man from North Carolina. “We support the Wounded Warrior Project. Our record-breaking success helps us keep this charity in the public eye. The men and women in this program are our heroes. We all owe them so much.”
Dan Millholland, who works with Kawasaki’s Consumer Events team, also got in on the action. His record-breaking run was a 1.5-mile, 207.994 mph pass on his 2009 ZX-14, which uses BST Wheels with World Wide ceramic bearings and a Brock’s CT Single exhaust
Brock’s Performance President Brock Davidson, a license-holding member of land-speed racing’s 200 mph club, is ecstatic with these achievements: “From top pros to average Joes, our land-speed racers have been rewriting the record books for years. I’m proud of every one of them.
“We have a well-deserved reputation for using the exact same parts on our race bikes that we sell to the general public. These world records weren’t set with one-off exotic products, they were pulled from our shelves just like any others, even the highly stressed BST wheels. For two seasons, Bill’s 1000-horsepower turbo bike has been using the same 8.5 in. x 18 in. carbon rear rim that most custom sportbikes and V-MAX power cruisers roll on. When world-class racers have such success on the track, it builds tremendous confidence in our street products.”
For more information on BST wheels and other Brock’s Performance parts, go to BrocksPerformance.com. Additional company-related news is available in its Facebook page and Twitter postings.
COMPANY INFORMATION
Brock’s Performance
Founded: 1996
Website: BrocksPerformance.com
Facebook Page: Facebook.com/BrocksPerformance
Twitter Feed: Twitter.com/BrockDavidson
Sales & Customer Service Phone Number: 937-912-0054
Sales & Customer Service E-mail Address: Sales@BrocksPerformance.com
Mailing Address: 4064 East Patterson Rd., Dayton, OH 45430
Dianne Traynor, president and co-founder of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and co-founder of the Ride for Kids motorcycle charity program, died today in Atlanta after a long illness. She was 67. Read more.
(NEWS RELEASE)
Second Moto Coverage to be Featured on NBC Sports Network
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (July 20, 2012) – The eighth round of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, kicks off tomorrow, July 21, with the Peterson CAT Washougal National. Scenic Washougal MX Park, in Washougal, Wash., will host the world’s best riders and broadcast coverage of the event will begin at 4 p.m. Eastern with live first moto coverage of the 450 and 250 Classes on FUEL TV and AlliSports.com.
NBC Sports Network will provide coverage of the second motos, with a same-day telecast of the 450 Class beginning at 11 p.m. Eastern. The final moto of the 250 Class will be broadcast on Sunday, July 22, beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern.
Additionally, coverage of both second motos can be seen internationally on SPEED Australia, ESPN Brazil, FUEL TV Europe and throughout the Americas on ESPN Latin America. The chart below shows the times for SPEED Australia and ESPN Brazil.
SPEED Australia: 9:00 a.m. AEST (on July 22)
ESPN Brazil: 20:00
*Check local listings for respective air times from FUEL TV Europe and ESPN Latin America
For easier access domestically, here are FUEL TV and NBC Sports Network channels from some major television providers:
FUEL TV
DIRECTV – Channel 618
DISH Network – Channel 398
Verizon FiOS – Channel 198
AT&T U-verse – Channel 536
NBC Sports Network
DIRECTV – Channel 603 & 604 (Alternate)
DISH Network – Channel 151
Verizon FiOS – Channel 90 & 590 (HD)
AT&T U-verse – Channel 640 & 1640 (HD)
*Check local listings for cable operators
Festivities for the Peterson CAT Washougal National begin at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, with practice and qualifying. Opening ceremonies start at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
For fans who missed any of the action from the seventh round of the season at Spring Creek, all four moto archives from the 450 and 250 Classes, in addition to the weekly highlight show, are available on AlliSports.com.
Tickets for the remaining rounds of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship can be found at www.allisports.com.
For additional information please visit AlliSports.com/motocross also, “like” the American Motocross Facebook page, “follow” @AmericanMX on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content and information on the latest Lucas Oil Motocross news and developments.
For media information about the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, please contact MX Sports Pro Racing via email at media@mxsportsproracing.com.
MX Sports Pro Racing
MX Sports Pro Racing manages and produces the world’s most prestigious motocross series – the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. The industry leader in off road powersport event production and management, its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators. Visit www.mxsportsproracing.com.
Alli Sports
Alli Sports, is an action sports lifestyle brand whose mission is to connect fans with athletes and brands through best in class events, media, and authentic branded products. Alli Sports includes: the Dew Tour, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship and the Red Bull Signature Series; Alli Media, which creates, produces, and distributes original content; Alli RideShop, an online retailer carrying top skate and BMX consumer products; and Alli MotoShop an online retailer carrying top moto consumer products. Alli Sports is owned by NBC Sports. More information can be found at www.allisports.com.
AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing sanctioning body in the United States, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization sanctions professional motorcycle racing competition, which includes, AMA Pro Motocross, AMA Pro Road Racing, and AMA Pro Flat Track. Visit www.amaproracing.com.
NBC Sports Group
When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in January of 2011, the broad reach and storied history of NBC Sports united with Comcast’s 24/7 ability to super-serve fans to create the NBC Sports Group. The new sports media company consists of an array of broadcast television, cable television and digital sports assets, including NBC Sports & Olympics, Golf Channel, Versus, 11 SportNets (regional sports networks) and their respective websites. Together, the new combined assets of the NBC Sports Group possess an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the Olympics, NFL, NHL, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, USGA, IndyCar, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, Wimbledon, French Open, Tour de France and Kentucky Derby.
FUEL TV
FUEL TV is the only cable and satellite television network that features the exciting world of adrenaline and thrill-seeking sports including UFC, surfing, motocross, snowboarding and more. This new generation of sports provides a rich landscape of some of the most vibrant and action-packed television entertainment in the world. With more hours of UFC coverage than any other network, FUEL TV is the place to be for live fights, weigh-ins, prelims, pre- and post-fight coverage, specials and events you won’t see anywhere else. See why adrenaline sports fans call FUEL TV the channel they never turn off. FUEL TV, part of FOX Sports Media Group, was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in more than 36 million U.S. homes and can be accessed by broadband, mobile devices and other digital platforms such as iTunes®. FUEL TV programming is available in more than 50 countries around the world with 24/7 channels operating in Australia and Europe. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4 FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.
Lucas Oil Products
Lucas Oil is a worldwide leader in the production of oils, lubricants and additives. Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest-growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry, featuring a premium line of oils, lubricants and problem-solving performance additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top-selling additive line in the American truck-stop industry. Lucas Oil is involved in an array of motorsports sponsorships, including the “Official Motor Oil of the Pro Motocross Championship.” Visit www.LucasOil.com.
(NEWS RELEASE)
Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Ducati) improved on his morning time to also head up the first qualifying session at Brno, setting a time of 1 minute 59.452 seconds before rains arrived at an inopportune moment, then falling heavier at the end of the session.
Brno (Czech Republic), July 20th 2012 – Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Ducati) improved on his morning time to also head up the first qualifying session at Brno, setting a time of 1 minute 59.452 seconds before rains arrived at an inopportune moment, then falling heavier at the end of the session.
Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) went second quickest, Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing) was third, with Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) into the top four and placing four different machines into the top four places in the process.
Fifth place so far went to Carlos Checa (Althea Racing Ducati), with local favourite Jakub Smrz (Liberty Racing-Team Effenbert) scoring sixth on his vee-twin.
Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia GoldBet) and his team-mate Michel Fabrizio posted similar times to take them into the top eight places. The constantly learning Chaz Davies (ParkinGO MTC Racing Aprilia) was ninth, Leon Haslam 10th on his BMW Motorrad Motorsport bike and Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) 11th. The top 11 riders were within a second of each other, and John Hopkins (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) was only 1.075 seconds from provisional pole and the first Suzuki in the rankings, 12th.
Times: 1. Giugliano (Ducati) 1′59.452 average 162.834 kph; 2. Melandri (BMW) 1′59.545; 3. Laverty (Aprilia) 1′59.693; 4. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1′59.850; 5. Checa (Ducati) 2′00.180; 6. Smrz (Ducati) 2′00.226; 7. Badovini (BMW) 2′00.244; 8. Fabrizio (BMW) 2′00.322; 9. Davies (Aprilia) 2′00.391; 10. Haslam (BMW) 2′00.422; 11. Baz (Kawasaki) 2′00.441; 12. Hopkins (Suzuki) 2′00.528; 13. Camier (Suzuki) 2′00.615; 14. Biaggi (Aprilia) 2′00.746; 15. Rea (Honda) 2′00.911; 16. Berger (Ducati) 2′00.978; etc.
World Supersport
Broc Parkes (Ten Kate Racing Products Honda) headed up a three-rider Honda assault on the time sheets in the first qualifying session, with the Aussie setting a time of 2 minutes 03.440 seconds to lead Sam Lowes (Bogdanka PTR Honda) and Jules Cluzel (PTR Honda). The top three were separated by only 0.055 seconds.
The next best rider was Kawasaki Intermoto Step competitor Fabien Foret, with South Africa’s Ronan Quarmby (PTR Honda) fifth. Championship points leader Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Lorenzini), who recently had a successful operation on his left knee, went sixth quickest, one place up on 207 125cc world champion Gabor Talmacsi (PRORACE Honda). Andrea Antonelli (Bike Service R.T.) was the top Yamaha runner in eighth place.
Times: 1. Parkes (Honda) 2′03.440 average 157.573 kph; 2. Lowes (Honda) 2′03.481; 3. Cluzel (Honda) 2′03.495; 4. Foret (Kawasaki) 2′04.120; 5. Quarmby (Honda) 2′04.475; 6. Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) 2′04.661; 7. Talmacsi (Honda) 2′04.662; 8. Antonelli (Yamaha) 2′04.944; etc.
Superstock 1000
Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Kawasaki) topped the times in the first official qualifying session in the Czech Republic, from another top regular Sylvain Barrier (BMW Motorrad Italia GoldBet). Local rider Ondrej Jezek (SK Energy Racing Team Ducati) was third on his 1098R machine. Christoffer Bergman (BWG Racing Kawasaki) scored fourth place on the provisional grid, with Motorland Aragon race winner Bryan Staring (Team Pedercini Kawasaki) fifth after day on. One more qualifying session remains before the race on Sunday morning.
Times: 1. Guarnoni (Kawasaki) 2′04.031 average 156.822 kph; 2. Barrier (BMW) 2′04.071; 3. Jezek (Ducati) 2′04.562; 4. Bergman (Kawasaki) 2′04.644; 5. Staring (Kawasaki) 2′04.851; 6. Reiterberger (BMW) 2′05.174; 7. Lussiana (Kawasaki) 2′05.199; 8. Savadori (Ducati) 2′05.211; etc.
Superstock 600
Team Italia FMI Yamaha rider Riccardo Russo led the early running at Brno, heading off the MTM Racing Yamaha of Gauthier Duwelz and the EAB Ten Kate Junior Honda Team bike of Michael van der Mark with a time of 2 minutes 06.963 seconds. Alex Schacht (Schacht Racing SBK ONE Honda) slipped into fourth place, as Aussie rider Adrian Nestorovic (MTM Racing Yamaha) put in a fifth best time. Twenty-six riders set qualifying times first time out, as they aim for the best possible start position for Saturday’s 11-lap race.
Times: 1. Russo (Yamaha) 2′06.963 average 153.201 kph; 2. Duwelz (Yamaha) 2′07.138; 3. Vd Mark (Honda) 2′07.162; 4. Schacht (Honda) 2′07.723; 5. Nestorovic (Yamaha) 2′08.043; 6. Cocco (Yamaha) 2′08.102; 7. Gamarino (Kawasaki) 2′08.410; 8. Ponsson (Kawasaki) 2′08.501; etc.
KTM European Junior Cup
Lukas Wimmer secured the fastest lap of the first free session in the KTM Junior Cup Championship, with his fellow Austrian Tom Busch second, 0.205 seconds behind. Giuseppe Scarcella took his KTM Duke to third fastest time, with Adrian Pasek fourth overall.
Times: 1. Wimmer (KTM) 2′21.153 average 137.799 kph; 2. Busch (KTM) 2′21.358; 3. Scarcella (KTM) 2′21.784; 4. Pasek (KTM) 2′22.014; 5. Fazzina (KTM) 2′22.332; 6. Vidal (KTM) 2′22.427; 7. Orellana (KTM) 2′22.454; 8. Miñana (KTM) 2′22.619; etc.
Coppa dei Due Paesi (Two-Nations Cup)
Leandro Biliotti (Team Trasimeno Yamaha) posted the quickest first qualifying lap in the international Coppa dei Due Paesi contest at Brno, 0.4 seconds ahead of Denis Sacchetti (SD Rider Team Kawasaki). Patrik Vostarek (Motorpower Honda) put three different manufacturers into the top three. Local rider Tomas Vavrous (Montaze Bros Racing Team Yamaha) was the fourth out of a healthy total of 21 entrants.
Times: 1. Biliotti (Yamaha) 2’07.585; 2. Sacchetti (Kawasaki) 2’07.985; 3. Vostarek (Honda) 2’08.897; 4. Vavrous (Yamaha) 2’09.551; 5. Averkin (Kawasaki) 2’10.297; 6. Vlasov (Yamaha) 2’10.687; 7. Spigariol (Kawasaki) 2’10.734; 8. Dusek (Yamaha) 2’10.973; etc.
Doug Polen, riding his Fast by Ferracci Ducati 888, stalks fellow Texan Colin Edwards aboard the Vance & Hines Yamaha YZF750 during the AMA Superbike race at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin’s Road America in June of 1993. Polen eventually made the pass to win the race. That season was the year Polen dominated the series to the extent that rules were changed mid-season to make the Ducati carry more weight. It didn’t work; Polen went on to easily win that year’s championship.
Doug Polen, riding his Fast by Ferracci Ducati 888, stalks fellow Texan Colin Edwards aboard the Vance & Hines Yamaha YZF750 during the AMA Superbike race at Road America in June of 1993. (Larry Lawrence photo)