Pirate Mad Max on the Portiamo podium.

2010 HANNspree World Superbike Championship, Portiamo Round 2 of 11
 
Biaggi /Aprilia Doubles at Portiamo World Superbike
Portimao, Portugal, March 26-28th 2010 - In front of 77.000 people, Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) won both 22-lap races at Portimao today on Sunday to go second in the championship rankings, behind the rider who took two second places, Leon Haslam (Alstare Suzuki). The margin of victory for Biaggi was 0.200 seconds in race one, and 0.191 seconds in race two, as Max took his career win total to six. He scored his first SBK double win today, having started the race second on the grid. Haslam now has 85 points, Biaggi 69.

Leon Haslam and Max Biaggi battled for the lead in both races.

Portiamo Preview: SBK 2nd Round Shaping Up To Be Another Classic
Portimao, Tuesday 23 March 2010 - After the first round of the championship delivered thrills and excitement all the way at Phillip Island last month the eyes of the world will be focused on Portimao this coming weekend, as WSBK reconvenes at another highly rated and very popular venue.

The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve is a remarkably feat of modern engineering and design, with the undulating track layout and circuit facilities both coming in for high praise. The track was completed in time for the WSBK weekend in 2008, making this the third competitive visit to the 4.592 km circuit for some of the riders and teams. An official test in January of this year saw virtually all Superbike and Supersport World Championship teams set laps in changeable conditions, meaning the one universal wish from a strong 2010 entry is for sunshine on the Algarve coast for the next few days.
 
All TO PLAY FOR AND ALL IN PLAY: A total of 17 regular SBK riders have already scored points of some kind in 2010, and all of the seven competing manufacturers - Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha - have also scored points in the Manufacturers’ Championship at the first attempt. Leading the Riders’ Championship now is Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) who won the first race in Australia, and in doing so took his first WSB win, in his first full factory ride. He is followed in the early rankings by Michael Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) and PI second race winner, privateer Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati). As events in Australia showed very clearly, there will be any number of official or supported private teams who should be capable of podium finishes at some stage in 2010. The combination of experience and relative youth, and the closely regulated technical rules mean that opportunities will be available for all. This coming weekend should be no exception.
 
PACK OF ACES: The line-up of riders at Portimao features no fewer than 15 who have won at least one SBK race in their careers, plus two former champions in this category, and four other riders with a major world title to their name. Joining the fray for the first time in 2010 will be Makoto Tamada, riding as a stand-in for the injured Roland Resch in the Reitwagen BMW Team, teaming-up with Andrew Pitt for this weekend only. If we look to last year as a guide to form in 2010, Fabrizio won the second race in Portugal, while still active SBK riders Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox), Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) all scored podium finishes on the weekend.
An even better gauge of how this weekend should turn out is possibly the results of the official test at Portimao, between 22 and 24 January this year. Rea topped the rankings then, followed by Haslam, Shane Byrne (Althea Ducati), Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda Team), Fabrizio and James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda team).
 
ON THE UP: BMW Motorrad Motorsport riders Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus will be out for an overall improvement on their PI results, with Xaus in particular keen to turn around his recent fortunes, having not started either race in Australia. Joining Biaggi in Portugal is Leon Camier, the least experienced of the seven British riders in WSB, but a British-based French rider has already made a real mark in his rookie season. Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare) finished a close fourth in one race last time out, sixth in the other, and is therefore an impressive fifth overall.
 
FIGHT FOR FITNESS AND FORM: Chris Vermeulen (Kawasaki Racing Team) suffered some knee tissue injuries in a crash at Phillip Island but the tough Aussie is determined to ride in Portugal, alongside his team-mate Tom Sykes. Max Neukirchner (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) is expecting better results for his new team this weekend, while Pedercini Kawasaki duo Matteo Baiocco and Roger Lee Hayden are determined to move into points scoring places this time out, as is Vittorio Iannuzzo (SCI Honda Garvie Image). Promising opening weekends for Jakub Smrz (PATA B&G Ducati) and Lorenzo Lanzi (DFX Ducati) in Australia didn’t bear too much fruit so each will be ready for bigger helpings now. Joining the championship at this round is Luca Scassa, on his Supersonic Racing Team Ducati.
  
Points (after 1 of 13 rounds): 1. Haslam 45; 2. Fabrizio 36; 3. Checa 34; 4. Haga 27; 5. Guintoli 23; 6. Rea 23; 7. Biaggi 19; 8. Corser 16; 9. Camier 10; 10. Lanzi 9. Manufacturers: 1. Ducati 45; 2. Suzuki 45; 3. Honda 23; 4. Aprilia 19; 5. BMW 16; 6. Yamaha 7; 7. Kawasaki 3
  
SUPERSPORT 600: Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) dominated the first race of 2010 at Phillip Island and the last race of 2009 Honda at Portimao, and he is out to repeat the trick at his team’s home circuit this weekend. His toughest opponents will surely be Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Provec Motocard.com) but in a field with real quality in its upper echelons, riders like Fabien Foret (Lorenzini by Leoni Kawasaki), Davide Salom (ParkingGO BE-1 Triumph), Katsuaki Fujiwara (Kawasaki Motocard.com) and many others will have a real chance of top five places. Arguably the rider most keen to shine is local competitor Miguel Praia (Parkalgar Honda) who wants to put in a career best finish in front of his local fans. Matthieu Lagrive (ParkinGO Triumph BE1) joins the championship for this round, alongside regular rider Chaz Davies.
 
Points (after 1 of 13 rounds): 1. Laverty 25; 2. Lascorz 20; 3. Sofuoglu 16: 4. Salom 13; 5. Foret 11; 6. Roccoli 10; 7. Harms 9; 8. DiSalvo 8; 9. Praia 7; 10. Rea 6. Manufacturers: 1. Honda 25; 2. Kawasaki 20; 3. Triumph 13.
 
SUPERSTOCK 1000: The Superstock classes kick off at this the first European race of the 2010 season, with the Superstock 1000 category featuring a number of possible champions and a vast number of competing manufacturers. Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Race Junior), Davide Giugliano (Team 06 Suzuki), Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) and others are well established riders in this competitive class, but with some top riders moving up from 600 Superstock racing, and a field of over 30 riders in total, Superstock at Portimao is set to be fight all the way.
 
SUPERSTOCK 600: A mass exodus of the top riders in 2009 means that the European Superstock 600 class is completely wide open in 2010, for riders of Honda, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha machinery. Nine countries will be represented by at least one rider in this class where the machines on show most resemble the streetbikes they are based on. A new era of Superstock 600 is beginning and new stars are about to be born.

Leon Haslam has the Alstare Suzuki on top after the team's difficult 2009 season with the new K9 model.
 
Friday Practice: Haslam leads after one day in the Portuguese sun
Portimao, Friday 26th - Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) made best use of a dry and steadily improving track surface to record the best qualifying time so far and take provisional pole with a 1’43.476. Late charger Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) was only 0.032 seconds back in second, with Phillip Island race winner Carlos Checa (Ducati Althea) third.

Aprilia Alitalia rider Max Biaggi was a competitive fourth quickest on his latest spec of machine, with Yamaha Sterilgarda rider and double WSBK World Champion James Toseland fifth, having been the first rider to get under the 1’44 barrier. SBK rookie Cal Crutchlow (Sterilgarda Yamaha) was a fine sixth, and was one of seven riders to take their place at the top of the timesheets at some stage of the first qualifying session, before Haslam left his name on top.

Shane Byrne (Althea Ducati) held off Jakub Smrz (Pata B&G Racing Ducati) for seventh. Aprilia Alitalia rider Leon Camier pushed his machine to ninth place, and yet another British rider, Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) was once again the top Honda runner, tenth. Jonathan had suffered a high speed crash in the first untimed practice session, but got going again in the afternoon.

Troy Corser took his BMW Motorrad Motorsport S1000RR to 12th, and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) posted a top Kawasaki ranking of 15th. His team-mate Chris Vermeulen elected not to ride in the qualifying session, to help his injured right knee heal up faster.

A total of 14 riders were covered by a second today, with an even closer level of competition expected in the next qualifying session, to be held tomorrow morning. The fastest 20 riders will then make it into Superpole, on Saturday afternoon, to fight for their ultimate grid positions.

Leon Haslam: “It is all feeling good here even though we are not as quick as we were at the winter test. We did a lot of laps on the same tyre to get ready for the race and it is pretty satisfying to be fast on the first day.”
 
Michel Fabrizio: “I only really got the chance to go for one quick lap time in the session but with a couple of more chances I think I could have gone faster. We worked well on the set-up today for the race and I am relaxed and confident that we will go even faster tomorrow.”
 
Carlos Checa: “We worked in the morning session to find a good set-up and as soon as we used the softer tyre in the afternoon session we were something like one second faster. We are only losing some time in the final split so we are now working on how to make that up.”
 
Superbike Practice / Provosional Pole: 1.Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'43.476; 2. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'43.508; 3. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1'43.645; 4. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'43.688; 5. Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'43.735; 6. Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'43.769; 7. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'43.881; 8. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'43.932; 9. Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F.1'44.041; 10. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'44.042; 11. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'44.098; 12. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'44.203; 13. Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1'44.272; 14. Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'44.423; 15. Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'44.559; 16. Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'44.851

Supersport World Championship - Laverty steps it up
Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) moved up to the provisional pole position at his team’s home race, setting a best of 1’45.797. His nearest competitor is Michele Pirro (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Michele’s team-mate Kenan Sofuoglu was third. Chaz Davies proved to be top Triumph ParkinGO BE1 rider - fourth - with the best Kawasaki under the control of Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) in fifth place.
 
Supersport600cc times: 1. Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 1'45.797; 2. Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'46.027; 3. Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1'46.116; 4. Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 1'46.281; 5. Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'46.484; 6. Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 1'46.725; 7. Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'46.759; 8. Salom D. (ESP)Triumph Daytona 675 1'46.760
 
Superstock 1000 FIM Cup
 Ayrton Badovini topped the first official timed session on his BMW Motorrad Italia machine, followed by Sylvain barrier in the Garnier Junior racing BMW. The unofficial session leader Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Race Junior) was third when it came to the first qualifying session, and a straight run of three French riders was completed by former European 600 Superstock champion, Loris Baz (MRS Racing Yamaha).
 
Times: 1. Badovini A. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 1'46.566; 2. Barrier S. (FRA) BMW S1000 RR 1'47.215; 3. Berger M. (FRA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'47.343; 4. Baz L. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'47.631; 5. Giugliano D. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 1'47.701; 6. Petrucci D. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'47.703; 7. Antonelli A. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'47.834; 8. Mähr R. (AUT) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'47.852            
 
European Superstock 600 Championship
 Florian Marino (Ten Kate Junior Honda) upped the ante in the 600 Superstock class, leading the time sheets in the first qualifying session of the new season. Norwegian Frederik Karlsen (MTM Racing Yamaha) was a close second; Gauthier Duwelz (MTM Racing Team Yamaha) joined his team-mate in the upper reaches, going third.
 
Times: 1. Marino F. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 1'49.452; 2. Karlsen F. (NOR) Yamaha YZF R6 1'49.731; 3. Duwelz G. (BEL) Yamaha YZF R6 1'49.985; 4. Lombardi B. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'50.185; 5. Guarnoni J. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'50.243; 6. Lanusse R. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'50.447; 7. Calero Perez N. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R6 1'50.844; 8. Fanelli D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'50.918

Cal Crutchlow tops Superpole.

Crutchlow conquers the first European Superpole of 2010 at Portimao
Portimao, Portugal, Saturday May 27th: Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike rider Cal Crutchlow set himself apart from the class this afternoon, storming through the Superpole heats to take pole and breaking the Best Lap record in the process. Crutchlow unleashed the full potential of the Yamaha R1's power in ideal track conditions, leaving a gap of over four tenths of a second to second placed Aprilia rider Max Biaggi. Team-mate James Toseland had also been progressing well through the sessions with fast consistent speed until an unfortunate high-side on the last corner of the circuit in heat two relegated him to 15th on the grid for tomorrow's two Superbike races. Although bruised Toseland was luckily uninjured in the high speed crash.

Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (1st, 1'42.092)
"The Superpole lap wasn't really a surprise to me to be honest, we had a good session beforehand and I knew we could go really well in the qualifying session this morning. We left a lot in reserve, so down in 14th place I wasn't panicking. I knew we had a good pace for the pole session, I only used one qualifying tyre and we only needed one lap to do it. Yamaha's done a fantastic job in the last month, it was hard work but we've got there in the end, all working together. I'm quietly confident we'll do a good job tomorrow as well.

The second qualifying session of the race weekend earlier in the day saw both riders focussing on the set up for race day whilst ensuring they remained within the times for the subsequent Superpole sessions. Incredibly the first 14 riders of the session were within 0.7 of a second of each other. Crutchlow's time, just 0.6 off the front man was particularly impressive considering the entire session was run on just one set of tyres.

Superpole Times: 1. Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'42.092; 2. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'42.513; 3. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098 R 1'42.586; 4. Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'42.596; 5. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'42.807; 6. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'42.8897. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'42.960; 8. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'43.152; 9. Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'42.984; 10. Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'42.999; 11. Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'43.039; 12. Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'43.199; 13. Neukirchner M. (GER)   Honda CBR1000RR 1'43.380; 14. Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'43.568; 15. Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R11'49.401; 16. Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'44.249

Baiggi's (3) and Haslem's (91) exciting fight for the lead traded places both races, never more than this far apart.

World Superbike Race 1
Max Biaggi held off Haslam for the race one win but only after a strong man-to-man fight throughout. Jonathan Rea went third for Hannspree Ten Kate Honda, when Cal Crutchlow fell off his Sterilgarda Yamaha late in the race, remounting to go 14th.

Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) had to work hard to keep Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) behind as he scored fourth place. Shane Byrne (Althea Ducati) rode through the pain of a big crash on Saturday to take sixth. Noriyuki Haga recovered from his fifth row start to take eighth and the first BMW Motorrad machine home belonged to Troy Corser, ninth.
 
Superbike Race 1 Results:
 POS      NO.         RIDER                                   BIKE                                      TIME                 TYRES (all Pirelli)
1              3            Biaggi M. (ITA)                 Aprilia RSV4 1000 F.        37'59.283 (159,562 kph) B/A
2             91           Haslam L. (GBR)               Suzuki GSX-R1000            0.200                             B/A
3             65           Rea J. (GBR)                    Honda CBR1000RR            6.901                            B/A
4               7           Checa C. (ESP)                Ducati 1098R                      7.457                            B/A
5               2           Camier L. (GBR)                Aprilia RSV4 1000 F.          7.564                            B/A
6             67           Byrne S. (GBR)                 Ducati 1098R                      11.420                          B/A
7             52           Toseland J. (GBR)            Yamaha YZF R1                 18.391                          B/A
8             41           Haga N. (JPN)                   Ducati 1098R                      18.536                         A/A
9             11           Corser T. (AUS)                 BMW S1000 RR                  24.514                         C/A
10          111          Xaus R. (ESP)                  BMW S1000 RR                  32.427                         B/A       
11            84          Fabrizio M. (ITA)                Ducati 1098R                      35.045                         B/A       
12            57          Lanzi L. (ITA)                     Ducati 1098R                      36.816                        B/A       
13            50          Guintoli S. (FRA)               Suzuki GSX-R1000              36.841                        B/A
14            35          Crutchlow C. (GBR)           Yamaha YZF R1                  44.678                         B/A
15            66          Sykes T. (GBR)                  Kawasaki ZX 10R               44.942                         B/A
16            31          Iannuzzo V. (ITA)              Honda CBR1000RR          59.135                           B/A
17            32          Morais S. (RSA)                 Honda CBR1000RR          59.852                           B/A
18            95          Hayden R. (USA)               Kawasaki ZX 10R           1'00.097                           B/A       
19            15          Baiocco M. (ITA)                Kawasaki ZX 10R           1'10.151                           B/A
20            99          Scassa L. (ITA)                  Ducati 1098R                                                          B/A
RET         88           Pitt A. (AUS)                      BMW S1000 RR                                                                 B/A                       
RET         96           Smrz J. (CZE)                     Ducati 1098R                                                         B/A       
RET         76           Neukirchner M. (GER)        Honda CBR1000RR                                                B/A

Jonthan Rea battles (65) just behind the rae leaders with Haga (41), Camier (2) and Xaus (111).
 
World Superbike Race 2
 A close four-rider fight for the win went to Biaggi again, from Leon Haslam, who was not quite able to overtake Biaggi and make it stick, as Max used his superior drive out of the final corner to pass Leon when it mattered. Cal Crutchlow scored his second career SBK podium, and his first as a series regular, running his Yamaha to third. Carlos Checa was fourth - and only 1.015 seconds covered the whole top four after another tense race. In the championship Haslam leads with 85 points, Biaggi is second on 69 and Checa third with 60.
 
FOUR MANUFACTURERS IN EACH TOP FOUR
In each race today there were four different manufacturers in the top four - Aprilia, Suzuki, Honda and Ducati in race one, and Aprilia, Suzuki, Yamaha and Ducati in race two. The second race saw a vee-four, a conventional ‘screamer’ four, a cross-plane crankshaft four and a 1200cc vee-twin fill the top four places - all the engine configurations competing in SBK this year within a second of each other after 22 laps and almost 160km of close racing.
 
VAST IMPROVEMENT
It was only last October that the previous Portimao round was run, but in those short months the progress has been amazing. Race one today was 16 seconds faster than it’s equivalent in October and race two was 13 seconds faster this year compared to last.
 

Jonthan Rea on the grid.

RIDER COMMENTS
Max Biaggi: “It is great to get my first double win in World Superbike. The feeling is great and the first double win of anybody this year so I feel confident and we are in a good rhythm. We go to Valencia next and we will ask very much of ourselves there as well. We had good speed down the straight today but if you saw how fast we could exit the last corner then you would know it was not just the engine. Our bike is fast but other bikes are also fast.”

Leon Haslam: “I was trying everything to pass Max and in race two I timed it so I could be in the lead with a few laps to go and make a break, but Max came back past me on the straight. It was hard racing today from lap one right to the end. We got two podiums and although I was disappointed not to get another win, we are still leading the championship. That puts a smile back on my face.”

Jonathan Rea: “Somebody ran me a bit wide on the first turn of race one and I was held up a lot after that, so when I picked up some pace it opened my eyes to what I could do. In race one I think I made one mistake and had to catch up quite a few riders, but I still finished third.”

Cal Crutchlow: “The places where I was losing time where the places I was using the tyre a lot, and I was making a few small mistakes as well. I had Carlos right behind me for most of the second race and that kept me on my toes. Fortunately Max and Leon made a few little mistakes running wide and that allowed me to hang on in there until the end.”
 
Superbike Race 2 Results:
 POS       NO.         RIDER                                   BIKE                                TIME                      TYRES (all Pirelli)
1               3           Biaggi M. (ITA)                  Aprilia RSV4 1000 F.    38'06.128 (159,084 kph)B/A
2             91           Haslam L. (GBR)               Suzuki GSX-R1000             0.191                                      B/A
3             35           Crutchlow C. (GBR)           Yamaha YZF R1                  0.658                                     B/A
4               7           Checa C. (ESP)                 Ducati 1098R                      1.015                                     B/A
5               2           Camier L. (GBR)                Aprilia RSV4 1000 F.           3.123                                     B/A
6             52           Toseland J. (GBR)             Yamaha YZF R1                 9.131                                     B/A
7             67           Byrne S. (GBR)                  Ducati 1098R                    11.033                                     B/A
8             41           Haga N. (JPN)                   Ducati 1098R                     13.452                                     A/A
9             50           Guintoli S. (FRA)               Suzuki GSX-R1000            13.964                                     B/A
10            11          Corser T. (AUS)                 BMW S1000 RR                16.377                                      B/A
11            84          Fabrizio M. (ITA)                Ducati 1098R                    26.351                                      B/A
12          111          Xaus R. (ESP)                   BMW S1000 RR                27.964                                      B/A
13            66          Sykes T. (GBR)                  Kawasaki ZX 10R             33.566                                      B/A
14            57          Lanzi L. (ITA)                     Ducati 1098R                   33.823                                      B/A       
15            76          Neukirchner M. (GER)        Honda CBR1000RR          37.372                                     B/A
16            99          Scassa L. (ITA)                  Ducati 1098R                   45.611                                      B/A
17            95          Hayden R. (USA)               Kawasaki ZX 10R             56.512                                      B/A
18            15          Baiocco M. (ITA)                Kawasaki ZX 10R             58.980                                      B/A
19            49          Tamada M. (JPN)               BMW S1000 RR             1'15.819                                     B/A       
20           88           Pitt A. (AUS)                      BMW S1000 RR             1'41.672                                     B/A      
RET        32           Morais S. (RSA)                 Honda CBR1000RR                                                           B/A
RET        96           Smrz J. (CZE)                    Ducati 1098R                                                                     B/A       
RET        65           Rea J. (GBR)                     Honda CBR1000RR                                                           B/A
RET        31           Iannuzzo V. (ITA)              Honda CBR1000RR                                                           B/A
 
Championship standing (after 2 Rounds of 13): 1. Haslam 85; 2. Biaggi 69; 3. Checa 60; 4. Fabrizio 46; 5. Haga 43; 6. Rea 39; 7. Guintoli 33; 8. Camier 32; 9. Corser 29; 10. Crutchlow 25
 
Manufacturers standing: 1. Suzuki 85; 2. Ducati 71; 3. Aprilia 69; 4. Honda 40; 5. Yamaha 32; 6. BMW 29; 7. Kawasaki 7

 
World Supersport sees Sofuoglu supreme in Portugal
Kenan Sofuoglu (Ten Kate Honda) won a thrilling Supersport race by 0.031 seconds from Joan Lascorz (Motocard.com Kawasaki) and Sofuoglu’s team-mate Michele Pirro. Long time leader Eugene Laverty was caught and passed by both Sofuoglu and Lascorz with a few laps left to run and soon after lost the front, falling but restarting to finish 11th. After Laverty crashed out of third place, Sofuoglu held off a determined challenge from Lascorz, extending his record tally of World Supersport wins to 15 and taking a one-point championship lead as Pirro took a lonely third place, nine seconds back. Chas Davies (ParkinGO Triumph BE1) was fourth on his three-cylinder machine. Local rider Miguel Praia was forced to stop on his Parkalgar Honda.

It was the 23-year-old Italian’s first World Supersport podium in his debut year with the Hannspree Ten Kate team, and Pirro underlined his winning potential by setting a new Portimao lap record early in the race. After the second round, Sofuoglu leads the championship, 41 points to Lascorz’ 40. Laverty has 30 points in third.

Kenan Sofuoglu "I’m so happy to win this race because the competition is so tight this year, but the good thing is that my bike is really strong this year, too! Yesterday in qualifying, my crew asked me how was the bike and I replied that there was only one problem: I was not good enough for it! I promised them that today I would show the potential of the CBR600RR and already in warm-up this morning I set a new best lap. I took it a bit easy in the beginning of the race, and then pushed in the last part to take the lead. Lascorz was very strong in the last laps but I held on because I really wanted this win. I was disappointed after Phillip Island, so this victory is really important and I want to give big, big thanks to the team."
 
Supersport 600cc Results: 1. Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 35'21.143 (155,871 kmh); 2. Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 0.031; 3. Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 8.879; 4. Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 15.270; 5. Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 22.096; 6. Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 23.041; 7. Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 30.830; 8.Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 35.171; 9.Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 35.225; 10. Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 35.239
 
Championship standing (after 2 Rounds of 13): 1. Sofuoglu 41; 2. Lascorz 40; 3. Laverty 30; 4. Foret 22; 5. Salom 19; 6. Harms 18; 7. Davies 17; 8. Roccoli 17; 9. Pirro 16; 10. Fujiwara 15
 
Manufacturers standing: 1. Honda 50; 2. Kawasaki 40; 3. Triumph 26
 
Superstock 1000 FIM Cup: Badovini wins debut race for BMW
The arrival in Superstock 1000 of the S1000RR was an immediately successful one, as Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) took the win after race long rival Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Racing Junior) ran off track and lost 2.5 seconds on the final lap. Third was Loris Baz (MRS Racing Yamaha) meaning there were three different machines on the podium.
 
Superstock 1000cc Results: 1. Badovini A. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 21'18.245 (155,193 kmh); 2. Berger M. (FRA) Honda CBR1000RR 2.744; 3. Baz L. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R1 13.154; 4. Barrier S. (FRA) BMW S1000 RR 13.800; 5. Bussolotti M. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 15.304; 6.La Marra E. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 15.861; 7. Giugliano D. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 16.727; 8. Antonelli A. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 17.334; 9. Petrucci D. (ITA)Kawasaki ZX 10R 20.558; 10. Savary M. (SUI) BMW S1000 RR 22.386         
 
Championship standing (after 1 Round of 10): 1. Badovini 25; 2. Berger 20; 3. Baz 16; 4. Barrier 13; 5. Bussolotti 11; 6. La Marra 10; 7. Giugliano 9; 8. Antonelli 8; 9. Petrucci 7; 10. Savary 6
 
Manufacturers standing: 1. BMW 25; 2. Honda 20; 3. Yamaha 16; 4. Suzuki 9; 5. Kawasaki 7; 6. KTM 5; 8. Aprilia 4

Elena Myers Redefines "Debutante"
99.99% of the club racers in the 11 Western states have had their trash kicked repeatedly over the last 5 years by a young lady named Elena Myers. Having turned 16, she skipped the Debutante Ball and graced the High Banks of Daytona International Speedway instead where she finished 6th and 7th in her two 600cc Supersport races at her first ever AMA Pro Events.

This weekend at California Speedway she finished even higher, after a Turn One crash with another rider that Red Flagged Race One and sent her to the hospital on Saturay, Elena retrurned to Tace Two on Sunday and finished 4th, the highest placing ever for a Woman in AMA Pro Roadracing. You go girl!

Larry Pegram came from behind to win Saturday's Superbike Race 1 to give Ducati its first American win in years. Larry wasalso leading Superbike race 2 on Sunday when he crashed out.

2010 AMA National Roadrace Championship, Fontana Round 2 of 10

AMA Pro Racing Comes to Auto Club Speedway
FONTANA, CA, March 25, 2010 - AMA Pro Racing kicks off its 2010 West Coast season at Auto Club Speedway March 26-28 with the Suzuki AMA Pro SuperBike Challenge.. Josh Hayes, Ben Bostrom (Malibu), AMA Pro National Guard American SuperBike returnee John Hopkins (Ramona), Aaron Yates, Tommy Hayden, Jake Zemke (Paso Robles) and Geoff May headline the AMA Pro American SuperBike class this year.  With seven-time champion Mat Mladin's retirement, the field is wide open.  The American SuperBike final scheduled for Saturday, March 27 will be at 1:30 p.m. (21 laps/50 miles) while the American SuperBike final for Sunday, March 28 will be at 4 p.m. (21 laps/50 miles).

This year's AMA Pro Daytona SportBike presented by AMSOIL field sees the return of 2009 champion Danny Eslick on his new GEICO Powersports RMR Suzuki.  Also returning will be Graves Yamaha riders Josh Herrin (Clovis) and Tommy Aquino (Saugus).  Martin Cardenas will be riding the M4 Suzuki and 2009 SunTrust Moto-GT champion Mark Crozier will be running his DNA Ducati 848.  Saturday, March 27's SportBike final is set for 4:30 p.m. (21 laps/50 miles) while Sunday's final gets underway at 1p.m. (21 laps/50 miles).

The AMA Pro Racing SuperSport class showcases riders aged 16 to 21 against the more experienced Top Gun class of riders which is comprised of more experienced expert licensed riders and local talent.  Saturday's SuperSport race is at 2:45 p.m. and Sunday's race (17 laps/40 miles) begins at 2:15 p.m.
 
What to do this Weekend!
 Ride like the pros... for just $10!  The Motorcycle Fan Lap is a huge hit for amateur riders who can get right on the track and ride the same road course the AMA Pro Riders will race on.  Fans riding in the Motorcycle Fan Lap must wear a helmet and must be 18 years or older.  Purchase your Motorcycle Fan Lap at the Gate 16 ticket booths or at the Motorcycle Fan Lap Staging Area.
 
Get up close and personal to your favorite rider and walk the grid during opening ceremonies.  To purchase the Fan Walk Pit Pass for just $20, visit the ticket booths at Gate 16.
 
Bring your rider memorabilia and have it signed by your favorite rider at the All Pro Rider Autograph Session in the infield on the east end of the garages closest to Turn 1 on Sunday, March 28th at 11:15am. The autograph session is FREE and will include the stars of AMA Pro Road Racing including Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin, Ben Bostrom, Josh Hayes, Jake Zemke, Tommy Hayden, Blake Young and many more. 

Don't forget to visit the Opportunity, California Motorcycle Expo located in the infield.  Bike manufacturers will have their display booths and will showcase their 2011 models and rider gear all weekend long. 
 
To purchase tickets call 800-944-RACE (7223), or visit www.autoclubspeedway.com.

Saturday: Pegram, Cardenas and Pascarella Named Victors
in Windy Saturday Day 1 for AMA Pro at Auto Club Speedway
Fontana , CA, Saturday March 27, 2010 - Today's action during the Suzuki SuperBike Challenge at Auto Club Speedway saw AMA Pro National Guard American SuperBike and AMA Pro Racing Daytona SportBike presented by AMSOIL pick up right they left off after last month's Daytona season opener.  After a major delay caused by high sustained and gusting winds from the East, teams, riders, and series and track officials pulled together to get in three thrilling races before the sun set on another phenomenal day of action around the 2.36-mile Southern California speedway road course.

After a brief morning warm-up session for the Daytona SportBikes, it was determined that conditions would not allow any further on-track activities until the wind and gusts subsided.  As the officials met with the riders, owners and crew chiefs, a number of scenarios were discussed and once the wind started to subside, a short warm-up session was run in preparation for the National Guard American SuperBike race.  After a short break to check and verify the conditions were acceptable for racing, the SuperBike race started just short of two hours late. 

Saturday Superbike Race 1 - Pegram Gives Ducati the Victory
At the start, Jake Zemke on his Daytona winning No. 54 National Guard Jordan Suzuki jumped ahead of the No. 23 Brand Jordan Suzuki teammate of pole sitter Aaron Yates heading into turn one.  No. 10 Team Iron Horse BMW/ESP rider Chris Peris took a fall in turn one before continuing, but the remainder of the 22-bike field made it through the opening lap without incident.  No. 72 Foremost Insurance Ducati rider Larry Pegram ran third, followed by fast-starting No. 21 M4 Monster Energy Suzuki rider John Hopkins.  Back in seventh, No. 4 Team Graves Yamaha rider Josh Hayes got down to business and started working his way up to the front.  He and Hopkins battled lap after lap, while up front the action was too wild to even follow.  Blake Young, riding his #22 Rockstar Makita Suzuki, was in the middle of the Zemke, Yates and Pegram battle, soon to be joined by Hayes. 

At times, one or two riders would pull out a slight lead and then immediately the lead pack was right back at it, making major moves heading into turn one and continuing all over the 21-turn circuit.  As the front group battled, Hayes was working his way to the lead and eventually took it on lap eleven.  Hayes managed to pull a slight gap as Young ran wide and lost ground to the lead group.  Soon thereafter, Yates had to abort the chicane in turn one and rejoined without losing touch with the leaders. 

By lap 15 of the 21-lap final, the first four had broken away, with a slight lead for Hayes.  He was quickly reeled in by the battling group and Zemke was running as hard as he could to take the lead back on lap 16.  As the race wound down, each rider seemed to have a strong shot at the win before Hayes dropped back, making it a three-horse race of Yates, Pegram and Zemke.  Pegram made the pass for the lead in the infield section on lap 18 and held on for a popular and hard fought victory, followed by Zemke, Yates and Hayes.

After the delay for the windy conditions, the riders said noted the wind at the end of the infield back straight and into turn one but decided to put on one of the best races anyone has ever seen at Auto Club Speedway.

Pegram paid tribute to his wife and entire team as he talked about what it meant for him to put another win on the board after his three wins in 2009, "To win against these teams with all the hard work everyone on our team puts in makes me so proud, I work as hard as I can on the track and my guys work every bit as hard as I do.  I manage the team and my wife puts up with me but when we win I even get a little emotional because it means so much to all of us."

Zemke felt that his season can be even better as he gets used to his new team and the National Guard Suzuki package, "Everything is still new for us and it is a work in progress, I know we can get the bikes better and as I learn to work with the team I know there is more to come."

Rounding out the top ten are the two Rockstar Makita Suzuki's of Young in fifth and a quiet race for Tommy Hayden's No. 22 Suzuki to sixth.  After his strong start, John Hopkins still finished a solid seventh, followed by Ben Bostrom on his No. 155 Pat Clark Motorsports Yamaha, Chris Ulrich on his No. 18 M4 Monster Energy Suzuki and No. 25 David Anthony riding the Aussie Dave Racing Suzuki, recovering nicely after their transporter awning was damaged by the high winds early in the morning. 

The second National Guard American SuperBike race will be the final race of the weekend tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. local time.  Be sure to check your local listings for SPEED's coverage of this weekend's racing.

Cardenas Wins Saturday Daytona SportBike Race One at Auto Club
As the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike presented by AMSOIL teams awoke on Saturday morning, they were met with sustained high winds of at least 20 to 30 miles an hour with some gusts up to 45.  The teams went out for their scheduled morning warm-up session in preparation for the second and final qualifying session and the first of two races at Auto Club Speedway this weekend. 

After a short period, the winds proved to be too severe for any further on track activity to take place.  As the teams, riders and fans tried to make the best of their time, there was nothing anyone could do but wait out the high wind delay.  A number of scenarios were discussed and, after conditions improved, the Daytona SportBike riders readied themselves for a 4:35 p.m. local time start. 

Following the same procedures that were established by AMA Pro Racing officials in conjunction with the riders, teams and track personnel, a short warm-up session was run to ensure the riders were familiar with the track conditions before their race start.  Following the incredible AMA Pro National Guard American SuperBike race, the Daytona SportBikes went ahead and put on a show of their own. 

Danny Eslick on his No. 1 GEICO Powersports/RMR Suzuki led from pole position ahead of a fast-starting Tommy Aquino on his No. 6 Team Graves Yamaha, Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin, also riding a Team Graves Yamaha, and Team Latus Motors Racing Ducati rider Steve Rapp, followed by Dane Westby and Martin Cardenas on his M4 Monster Energy Suzuki. 

Westby, riding his Project 1Yamaha, was the man on the move and he took Cardenas with him towards the front.  Aquino and Rapp fell back and the group comprised of Eslick, Herrin, Westby and Cory West on his Vesrah Suzuki, put on a breathtaking show.  Lap after lap, they fought back and forth, with Eslick holding station at the front for the first six laps.  Occasionally pulling out a slight lead, it was just as quickly diminished as the riders behind fought back on the front banking and all throughout the many twists and turns of the infield section. 

After his heartbreaking Daytona race, a vey determined Cardenas showed why he is a major threat for the championship by fighting his way to the front on lap 12 and holding off the very determined assaults of Eslick, Westby and Herrin.  Westby led for two laps and had one of the greatest saves of the day as he had a huge moment and was somehow able to stay on top of the Yamaha and only lose a couple of seconds to the leaders.  He fought back as Eslick and Cardenas put on a demonstration of hard fought racing with total respect as each rider gave the other only just enough room as they battled for the win. 

On the last lap, Eslick made his final lunge for the win in turn 11 and he and Cardenas ran side-by-side through the corner, inches apart but neither rider giving an inch.  Cardenas held on for the fantastic win ahead of Eslick, Westby, Herrin and West.  Rounding out the top ten were Aquino, who stayed with it and took sixth, Rapp in seventh and Chris Fillmore, riding the other Vesrah Suzuki, taking eighth.  Bobby Fong took a solid ninth place, riding his DNA Energy Drink CNR Motorsports Ducati, and Clinton Seller rounded out a great day for Project 1 Yamaha with tenth place. 

Eslick was delighted with his race and had fun too, "I never gave up, and tried everything to stay in front early and then I kept working on trying to win the race.  I saw both the front and back of Dane's leathers when he had his moment and I thought he was going to end up in my lap but somehow he held on and saved it."

Cardenas said he thought Danny had gotten away at the start but he kept working and made some passes and then fought as hard as he could to stay up front until the end, "I knew he (Eslick) was going to try something at the end, I just didn't think he would try and pass me there, I saw his front wheel but I just held on and I knew the Suzuki was good and we took the win."

All in all, it was another incredible race and tomorrow's race two should be just as wild as the same group go at it again at 1:00 p.m. local time Sunday at Auto Club Speedway.  Be sure to check your local SPEED listings for coverage of this weekend's races.

Pascarella takes his Second Season Win in Race One at Auto Club Speedway
After once again showing his skills and outright speed, LTD Yamaha Rider Joey Pascarella put on a clinic today to close out day one in the first of two weekend AMA Pro SuperSport races at Auto Club Speedway.  After delays for high winds, AMA Pro Officials lined up the SuperSport riders at 6:00 p.m. local time for their 17-lap race. 

Following the same procedures as the other two races, the riders had a 15-minute practice session to acquaint themselves with the track conditions.  After qualifying fourth, local rider Elena Myers, on her Richie Morris Racing Roadracingworld.com Suzuki, posted the fastest time in the warm up.  Auto Club Pole-position and Daytona race two winner Pascarella shot ahead at the flag only to have Myers and another rider collide moments after the start, causing a red flag. 

Ms. Myers was checked out at the Auto Club Speedway infield medical facility and was seen sporting a sling on her left arm as she departed the track for a precautionary trip to Redlands Community Hospital with her parents.  Meanwhile another start was set up, and this time everyone got away clean.  Pascarella again just drove off into the distance as first his LTD Yamaha teammate Huntley Hash followed in second with Scott Gilbert on his Team Graves Yamaha in third. 

Nash held on gamely but Pascarella eventually pulled out as much as a ten-second lead, which grew to over thirteen seconds at the finish.  Nash and Gilbert provided the best action, with Gilbert getting by Nash on lap six and holding him off for a satisfying second place finish.  Rounding out the top ten was Top Gun entry Tyler O'Hara on his Yamaha in fourth, Eric Stump on his Honda fifth, local rider Chris Sromalla on his Lucas Oil Suzuki in sixth, Michael Corbino in seventh, Robert Tinagero in eighth, both on Yamaha's.  Ninth was Kawasaki rider Paul-Michael Patterson and tenth was Bruce Bleecker on his Yamaha.

Fighting off the discomfort of facial and hand abrasions suffered on his mountain bike earlier in the week, Joey said he just kept his head down and concentrated on winning the race.  Gilbert may have been the happiest rider today, he injured himself here last year and even though he has a large amount of experience at Auto Club Speedway, this finish may have been the sweetest after missing all of last year due to injury.

Race two for the Young Gun and local Top Gun AMA Pro Racing SuperSport riders is tomorrow at 2:15 p.m. local time and it will be interesting to see if anyone has anything for Pascarella as he continues his march to the Young Gun championship.

Sunday Day 2 at California Speedway - Tommy Hayden's First Career Superbike Win in Race 2 at Auto Club Speedway - Yates Injured
FONTANA, CA, March 28th - It seems hard to believe, but today's AMA Pro National Guard American SuperBike race saw a famous name in motorcycling take his first win in the ultra competitive class. Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider, Tommy Hayden bounced back from a disappointing Saturday race in the windy conditions and came back after an overnight talk to himself to score his very first American SuperBike win at the Suzuki SuperBike Challenge weekend races at Auto Club Speedway.
 
Under calm and clear blue skies, the field was missing its' pole sitter as Aaron Yates suffered an unfortunate fall during Sunday morning's warm-up session. Yates was playing around, wheeling at high speed out of a corner and when his front wheel touched down the front of the bike was still crooked and crossed up, causing the front wheel to not grab the payment and spit him off. A closely following Tommy Hayden could not avoid Yates and ran over his leg. Yates, who also took pole position at the season opening SuperBike race at Daytona, was examined at the track infield care center and then transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center for further examination of what was reported initially by the Jordan Suzuki team to be a right leg injury, possibly with multiple fractures.
 
At the start, Saturday's race winner, Larry Pegram on his Foremost Insurance Pegram Racing Ducati, took the lead with a hard charging Josh Hayes in second on his Team Graves Yamaha, followed by another fast starting John Hopkins on his M4 Monster Energy Suzuki, Hayden and his Rockstar Makita Suzuki teammate, Blake Young. Hayes showed his intentions early as he passed Pegram for the lead on lap two. Hopkins started to fall back as Blake Young and then, a few laps later, National Guard Suzuki rider Jake Zemke got by "Hopper" also. The first three then broke away and then Pegram showed his strength by just plain powering by Hayes on lap five while Hayden ran a patient third around the 21-turn, 2.36-mile speedway road course.
 
Young ran impressively as he closed on teammate Hayden but the big change happened up front when, completely unexpectedly, Larry Pegram slid down as he ran back onto the front straight banking on the end of lap nine. He was able to get back up and after a trip to the pits for an inspection, he rejoined the race and completed fifty percent of the distance giving him three valuable points.
 
Following Pegram's off, Hayes was leading again with a slight gap to Hayden and Young. Zemke was running a lonely fourth while behind him a fierce battle was being waged by M4 Monster Energy Roadracingworld.com Suzuki rider Chris Ulrich, young Canadian Brett McCormick on the Celtic Racing Suzuki and Ben Bostrom on the Pat Clark Motorsports Yamaha. The three swapped places as fast as you could write it down and it was finally settled with Bostrom finishing sixth, McCormick seventh and Ulrich continuing his solid run of results in 2010 in eighth.
 
Rounding out the top ten was Taylor Knapp on his RidersDiscount.com Suzuki in ninth and David Anthony on the Aussie Dave Racing Suzuki in tenth. Meanwhile, back up front, it was a three-man race and Hayden started to inch closer to Hayes pulling off a textbook pass at the start-finish line on lap 18 and riding right around Hayes, who could do nothing but watch Hayden put years of trying to rest as he pulled away for a well judged and well deserved first AMA Pro National Guard American SuperBike victory.
 
Blake Young made a run on Hayes but fell just short as he completed a strong one-three finish for Rockstar Makita Suzuki at the Suzuki sponsored event. Hayes took a solid second with Jake Zemke fourth. In victory lane AMA Pro Racing starter Bobby Lemming awarded Hayden with the checkered flag from the race in honor of his achievement. Hayden reflected after the race, "So many people have been asking me if this was going to be the weekend I finally won a race, and I have been asked this so many times it was starting to really get to me!" 
 
Hayden continued, "I have felt good this year, we were close to a couple of wins at Daytona and other than yesterday when I just didn't run well in the windy conditions, I felt pretty good. Now I can just focus on racing and not worry anymore about when I'm going to win the first race."
 
Josh Hayes was pleased with his weekend too, "Yesterday I ran up front but I wasn't sure I belonged up there, today I felt better but I started making a few mistakes at the end, the heat made a difference today and I started feeling it while I was leading."
 
All in all, another great weekend for National Guard American SuperBike. A popular first time winner in Tommy Hayden and two exciting events run under very different conditions. Aside from that, everyone felt bad for Aaron Yates and the Jordan team and many people throughout the sport had him in their thoughts as they reflected on the weekends events. Next on the schedule for AMA Pro Road Racing is Road Atlanta, scheduled to be held April 16-18.

Herrin Prevails in Daytona SportBike Duel with Eslick at Auto Club Speedway
 Once again, AMA Pro Daytona SportBike presented by AMSOIL provided one amazing afternoon of action-packed racing on the final day of the Suzuki SuperBike Challenge at Auto Club Speedway. 
 
The talented group of riders showcased just how close and competitive the class is, with the field being led off the line again by Danny Eslick and his No. 1 GEICO Powersports Suzuki under sunny skies and calm condition. Saturday race winner Martin Cardenas on his No. 36 M4 Monster Energy Suzuki, Josh Herrin aboard his No. 8 Team Graves Yamaha, Dane Westby riding his No. 2 Project 1 Atlanta Yamaha all were back up front, but today there were new names to add to the hustling pack at the front.  Steve Rapp riding a fast No. 15 Team Latus Motors Racing Ducati and Bobby Fong with his No. 30 DNA Energy Drink CNR Motorsports Ducati were in the mix. Herrin's No. 6 Team Graves Yamaha teammate, Tommy Aquino and Cory West also were part of the seven- to eight-bike freight train at the front of the field, West was riding his No. 57 Vesrah Suzuki once again.
 
Eslick led a fighting pack of riders that ran inches apart as they all scrapped for any open real estate on the busy but testing 21-turn, 2.36-mile Auto Club Speedway infield road course.  Herrin, Aquino, Rapp, Cardenas, West and Clinton Seller on the No. 4 Project 1 Atlanta Yamaha battled behind the leaders and it was Cardenas who once again fought his way up to the front. He rose as high as third and it looked like a three way battle for the win until a slight gap opened up between the battling Eslick and Herrin.
 
Lap after lap, Herrin would just get Eslick at the start-finish line, only to have the order swap as the duo dove into turn one. At one point early on, the first seven were covered by around 1.9 seconds as the race ebbed and flowed. As Aquino dropped back, Rapp continued his good form and had a pretty good tussle with Cardenas, who looked like he was going to pull off another win today as he began to work his way back up to the front.
 
Rapp then fell back at one point but didn't take long to inch his way back to the front group to make it four riders with a real shot at victory. They were all going to have to beat an inspired Eslick, who rode his Suzuki like every lap was a qualifier. Herrin was giving no quarter as well as he continued to try Eslick on every time they both ran up onto the front banking of the speedway section.
 
The first big change came when the unfortunate Martin Cardenas fell as he entered the front banking on lap 13, allowing Rapp to get up to third. Cardenas rejoined to finish tenth.  Meanwhile, there was another battle going on between Aquino, West and Fong. They also swapped positions lap after lap with the rapidly improving Fong taking fifth ahead of Aquino and West. West's Vesrah Suzuki teammate Chris Fillmore took eighth ahead of Seller, who finished about eight seconds in front of the disappointed Cardenas.
 
Back up front it was down to Eslick, Herrin and Rapp. Going into the last lap, Eslick had his motorcycle every way but straight as he did everything to hold off Herrin, but it wasn't to be and as Eslick led back onto the front straight banking on the final lap, Herrin calmly pulled out of the slipstream and passed him at the line to take the second win of the young season.
 
Herrin commented after the win, "I think I was trying to lead the most laps of the race without actually leading, I was talking to (SPEED TV announcer) Greg White last night and I guess I'm a better race finisher and I just seem to save myself a little for the end. This win is nice, usually I have a lot of friends here and I never run well so it's nice."
 
Eslick paid tribute to Herrin, "Every lap out there was like a qualifying lap, I was riding as hard as I could. It was great racing with Josh."
 
Rapp was also pleased with his finish, "We are a small team and the guys work really hard so this is great for Team Latus Racing.
 
Check your local listings for SPEED's coverage of this weekend's Suzuki SuperBike Challenge at Auto Club Speedway.  After a wild, windy and exciting weekend of racing in California, the AMA Pro Road Racing Series heads to Road Atlanta, April 16-18 for the next round of the 2010 season.

Pascarella Proves his Worth with Second Win in Race One at Auto Club Speedway
16 year old Elena Myers takes 4th the highest finishing girl ever in AMA Pro RR
Joey Pascarella took home every possible point from AMA Pro SuperSport competition at Auto Club Speedway during the Suzuki SuperBike Challenge, claiming pole position, leading every lap around the 21-turn, 2.36-mile speedway road course and winning both races under sunny California skies.
 
AMA Pro SuperSport is a class for the rising stars of the future are able to develop their skills under the halo of the big AMA Pro National Guard American SuperBike and Daytona SportBike presented by AMSOIL weekends.  One rider showing that he is someone to watch for now and the future is double-weekend winner Pascarella and his LTD Racing Yamaha team, putting on another display of skill and speed today as he won his second SuperSport race of the weekend, and third of the season, in dominant fashion.
 
After the winds of Saturday that delayed proceedings, Sunday was a picture perfect day for racing. Making a return to the field was Elena Myers and her Richie Morris Racing Roadracingworld.com Suzuki, feeling fine after her unfortunate coming together with Huntley Nash moments after the start of Saturday's race. This time, the field got away clean and everyone made it down to turn one. It was after that when things again got interesting when Myers had a close call with Nash and was actually touched by Scott Gilbert who was enjoying a superb weekend after his second place finish yesterday on his Team Graves Yamaha.
 
After the near miss, Nash on his LTD Racing Yamaha took up the chase of the quickly disappearing Pascarella with Gilbert in fourth, followed by a very fast starting Tyler O'Hara, a local Top Gun entry on his GP Bike parts Yamaha, Michael Corbino, another Top Gun entry riding the Aussie Dave Racing Yamaha and Eric Stump on his Rapidimage.com Honda.
 
As Pascarella again checked out to another time zone, all eyes were on Gilbert as he got by Elena and set off after Nash to rejoin their battle of Saturday. Myers and O'Hara waged their own battle until the later stages of the race when Myers pulled away to finish a record-setting fourth place, the highest yet for a female rider in AMA Pro Road Racing competition. Meanwhile, Nash and Gilbert were having a sensational race, Nash getting sideways under braking lap after lap and Gilbert doing everything he could to get by.
 
It was a contrast of styles and experience, as Nash hadn't seen the track until this weekend while Gilbert has many laps at Auto Club Speedway and even suffered a season ending injury here in 2008. Making his comeback in a big way, Gilbert got by Nash out of the horseshoe only to have Nash get right back by at the next right-hand turn under hard braking.
 
Gilbert passed Nash on more than one occasion but Nash got him back every time. On lap 14, the race had to be red flagged due to an unfortunate fall by Top Gun Lucas Oil Suzuki rider Chris Sromalla who, up to that point, had been having a pretty nice weekend. Sromalla was able to get safely out of harm's way but, due to his motorcycle being on the race line in the fast turn one banking chicane area, it was decided in the interests of safety to red flag the race. With over eighty percent of the event completed, the race was declared officially complete.
 
Pascarella, who was still in some discomfort from his mountain bike fall earlier in the week commented, "I just didn't feel that great today. I felt comfortable this morning but for some reason I didn't feel all that good in the race, I was making lots of mistakes."
 
Nash was very happy after the race, "I said yesterday that I didn't have many laps here and today I felt that a lot better, I was riding smoother and I really had a good time today. The bike was sliding a lot, I bet it looked good on TV."
 
Gilbert also had fun, "The track was slicker today. It was not how I like it but it was fine, I just kept trying, I would pass Huntley but he was really good under braking and he got me back."
 
Behind O'Hara was Top Gun Charles Strong riding his Envia Yamaha in sixth, Eric Stump in seventh, Michael Corbino eighth, Robert Tinagero on his G&B CyclePro Yamaha in ninth and Chris Sromalla in tenth as he was classified after his fall.
 
AMA Pro SuperSport heads to Road Atlanta for the next exciting round of this class for up and comers and if Joey Pascarella's form is any indication, he is clearly already on his way up!

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Hot off the Presses!
New 2009-2010 World Superbike and Motocourse Yearbooks
If you are a real roadracing enthusiast, here's the next step in your library collection, the official 2009-2010 season roadracing annuals from SBK World Superbike and Motocourse. Both annuals are beautiful covetable quality books providing exciting race-by-race coverage in story and spectacular photography of the just completed 2009 Championships, along with rider and bike features, and a preview of the upcoming 2010 season.

The Motocourse Annual covers both MotoGP and World Superbike, as well as the Superbike Championships in top countries like Britain and the USA. While the Superbike Yearbook only covers World Superbike, it is our favorite of the two as it includes technical photo features of all the top factory bikes, a feature of the new World Champion which this past 2009 season was American Ben Spies, and it has great articles by World Superbike Press officer Julian Thomas.

New Pirelli Diablo Rosso World Superbike Spec Tire now available in Track and Supersport Street Versions The continuous development of Pirelli tyres in the World Superbike Championship, together with the know–how acquired by endless testing has allowed Pirelli to find further technical areas of improvement for a product that was already the benchmark in the segment. The new Diabalo Rosso improves the contact patch with requires a specific and integrated tyre design as many variables influence it: the dimensions at different angles, the tread cuts inside it, the load distribution, the rigidity. This is the basis of the Pirelli EPT (Enhanced Patch) technology: the entire tyre set components work in coordination to keep perfectly in touch the bike and the ground.

Pirelli’s development has been focused on the latest generations of machinery, characterized by quite different power and torque characteristics, across a wide rev range. They require that even more power be transmitted to the ground. New generations of chassis, with greater rigidity, allow greater responsiveness and benefit from an optimal balance of grip and handling, ergo the front delivers faster corner entries and greater feedback allows more security. The latest generation of electronics and rider aids (i.e. slipper clutches) complete the evolutionary benefits. All this improvement passes through the tyre; all the tyre’s tasks pass through the contact patch, and an
improvement in the contact patch’s behaviour can give benefits greater than the sum of every other single component, for example, a particular compound.

Improving the contact patch performance requires a specific and integrated tyre design, as many variables influence it: the dimensions at different lean angles, tread pattern, load distribution and the overall rigidity.

This is the basis of Pirelli’s EPT (Enhanced Patch Technology): the entire set of tyre components work in coordination to keep the machine in extraordinary touch with the road surface. EPT technology is coordinated with the Functional Groove Design (FGD) that optimizes the tread design and the Ideal Contour Shaping (ICS), originally developed for Diablo. EPT technology brings forth an innovative concept for the tread, a new dynamic profile design, supported by the patented zero degree steel belt radial structure, and new materials.

Details at: http://www.pirellityre.com/web/motorcycle/diablo_rosso/video/default.page

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New look SBK Website
and on FaceBook.com www.worldsbk.com, loaded with a variety of new multimedia content, is online since Thursday the 25 of March just ahead of the second Round of the World Championship in Portimao, Portugal.
 
www.worldsbk.com is even better than before, to satisfy the needs and desire of the million of fans who follow the sport around the world. The new features are many, starting with the look of the site which has undergone a complete facelift to improve the visibility and accessibility of all the pages. The home page will have more space dedicated to news.
 
The official World Superbike Championship website is also available in three languages: English, Italian and now also German.
 
Other new features are the new GO TO SBK section which gives you all the information you need for race days: the Event Schedule (the starting times for different parts of the world), weather forecasts of the area as well as logistical and travel indications.
 
The Youtube Channel has been completely updated and now access to the video content is available directly from the front page.
 
The World Superbike Championship has also now hit, with great enthusiasm, the Social Media Networks across an official Fan Page on Facebook.

The objective for SBK is to create a global platform as a reference point for the world of competitive racing, including all the minor circuits, across sites like Facebook and more.
 
The Fan Page will be updated on a daily basis with dedicated content, from videos, to photos and other special initiatives providing privileged information for all those fervent fans who want to become part of a community and share their passion for the sport.
 
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Yamaha Champions Riding School Travels the USA
 TOOELE VALLEY, UTAH (March 29, 2010) — The Yamaha Champions Riding School, based at Miller Motorsports Park, is offering a series of unique training sessions at selected off-site racing venues during April and May.
 
Having just wrapped up its winter program at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Yamaha Champions Riding School will visit California’s Willow Springs Raceway April 21-22, followed by a visit to Carolina Motorsports Park May 7-8. The YCRS “road trip” will wrap up at New Jersey Motorsports Park May 18-19 before heading back to Miller Motorsports Park for the first school of the season May 24-25 leading up to the HANNspree Superbike World Championship Utah USA Round scheduled for May 29-31.
 
These off-site schools represent a significant cost savings for students since they will be able to ride their own motorcycle, avoid expensive travel costs and minimize lodging expenses while still getting all of the benefits the Yamaha Champions Riding School can bring to their riding.
 
“This is a great opportunity for riders to get the rare chance to train with the Yamaha Champions Riding School and get the great instruction they provide at a track they ride on regularly as opposed to traveling to Miller Motorsports Park or Las Vegas Motor Speedway,” said Dan McKeever, director of the Miller Performance Schools. “And if that weren’t enough, these off-site schools will allow riders to bring their own motorcycles and ride them in the school as long as they are inspected and approved by YCRS staff.”
 
The Yamaha Champions Riding School will bring along a few select Yamaha R6 motorcycles for students who are not able to ride their own machine or would prefer one of the school bikes. These few models will also be available to try out at the school throughout the course.
 
“We are really excited to get out to some of these tracks and bring the Yamaha Champions Riding School closer to some of those who want to attend and ride their own bikes,” said lead instructor Nick Ienatsch. “We are planning to visit a few select tracks each year. This year we start with three great tracks and the schools are filling fast! New Jersey is already full, and the others are not far behind.”
 
“For years I have wished I could attend this school at one of the local tracks I ride regularly,” said Yamaha Champions Riding School student Eddie Soto. “Now, that is exactly what we will get to do. Believe me, I am going to make sure I don’t miss this chance!”
 
This experience cannot be found anywhere else and is limited to only 20 riders per venue.
 
For more information about the Yamaha Champions Riding School or to register for classes, visit Yamaha Champions Riding School.com. For more information on Miller Motorsports Park, visit www.MillerMotorsportsPark.com.

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