Race News from Around the World,  February 2004 c/o mcnews

 

Anthony Gobert has now been officially confirmed aboard an Erion CBR1000RR in American Superstock this year. He will team with younger brother Alex.

 

From a bulletin released by AAP, February 17th, 2004

An elusive daredevil whose motorcycle was clocked repeatedly at up to 220kph in the Sydney Harbour Tunnel has finally been nabbed by police. Operation Knievel was set up to catch the biker, who over several weeks allegedly rode at speeds of between 159kph and 220kph in the 80kph tunnel. He was always clocked on weekdays between 4.30am and 5.40am (AEDT). The speedster was detected originally by stationary cameras in the tunnel but proved difficult to identify because he obscured his number plates, said police, who named their operation after the US motorcycle stuntman Evel Knievel. A concerted effort to apprehend him was mounted yesterday, with police officers waiting at the tunnel's entrance and exit and on the Warringah Freeway. However, the Evel Knievel wannabe still eluded them, taking police on a 5am pursuit at alleged speeds of more than 200kph at the tunnel's exit and then on the Warringah Freeway. The chase was terminated because of safety concerns. But the numbers on the motorcycle's licence plate eventually proved the daredevil's undoing. Officers saw some of the numbers, and investigations led to a 31-year-old Cronulla man who worked at Lane Cove. Police arrested him and seized his motorcycle. He was charged with five counts of speeding, speeding in a dangerous manner, failing to stop and five counts of obscuring a number plate. Police said they expected to lay further charges. He will appear at Hornsby Local Court on March 9.

 

Phillip Island MotoGP testing day 1 - Unofficial times, February 17th, 2004.

These times are unofficial but we believe they are accurate

  1. Edwards (Honda) 1m31.06
  2. Gibernau (Honda) 1m31.37
  3. Rossi (Yamaha) 1m31.40
  4. Biaggi (Honda) 1m31.40
  5. Hayden (Honda) 1m31.50
  6. Barros (Honda) 1m31.75
  7. Tamada (Honda) 1m31.85
  8. Capirossi (Ducati) 1m32.16
  9. Bayliss (Ducati) 1m32.45
  10. Hodgson (Ducati) 1m33.23

 

Phillip Island Testing - Kawasaki - Day 1, February 23rd, 2004.

After the tropical heat and energy sapping humidity of Sepang, the Fuchs Kawasaki Racing Team were met with near perfect conditions as they arrived at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia for their final overseas test before returning to Europe. But while the Phillip Island circuit provides an ideal testing ground, its proximity to the sea can cause unexpected problems for the riders. Shinya Nakano was forced to cut short three test runs this afternoon, following high speed collisions with low flying sea gulls. The 26-year-old Japanese rider was uninjured in the collisions, which, unfortunately, is more than can be said for the sea gulls involved.

 

The Phillip Island circuit is sold, subject to a few formalities, February 24th, 2004.

Placetac Pty Ltd, the current owners of the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit have reached an agreement to sell the venue to Linfox Property Group Pty Ltd for an undisclosed figure. The sale is subject to the resolution of some formalities. Placetac Pty Ltd have been the owners of the Circuit for the past twenty years and the proposed sale includes the venue, visitor centre, approved hotel site and surrounding farmland.

 

Warning, February 27th, 2004.

Warning - Watch out on the Reefton Spur, rumours abound that there are now four unmarked police motorcycles fitted with video recording equipment.  Apparently the video will then be used to issue infringements by mail with the video evidence used if the matter has to go to court.  Sometimes they will also work in conjunction with unmarked patrol cars.

 

World Superbike 2004 - Round 1 - Valencia - Race 1, February 29th, 2004.

  1. Toseland - Ducati
  2. Chili - Ducati - 4.7secs
  3. Walker - Petronas - 22.1secs
  4. Borciani - Ducati - 53secs
  5. Haslam - Ducati - 62secs
  6. Nannelli - Ducati - 71.2secs
  7. McCoy - Ducati - 85.2secs
  8. Fuertes - Suzuki - 86.5secs
  9. Saiger - Yamaha - 1 lap
  10. Mrkyvka - Ducati - 1 lap

 

World Supersport 2004 - Round 1 - Valencia - Race Report, February 29th, 2004.

  1. Vd Goorbergh - Yamaha
  2. Foret - Yamaha - 5secs
  3. Fujiwara - Suzuki - 16secs
  4. Lanzi - Ducati - 18secs
  5. Chambon - Suzuki - 20secs
  6. Iannuzzo - Suzuki - 22secs
  7. Daemen - Honda - 25secs
  8. Muggeridge - Honda - 25secs
  9. Curtain - Yamaha - 44secs
  10. Cruciani - Kawasaki - 53secs

 

World Superbike 2004 - Round 1 - Valencia - Race 2, February 29th, 2004.

Haga took the win, Toseland came home a couple of seconds behind while Steve Martin just managed to hold off Frankie Chili to score a podium finish.

  1. Haga - Ducati
  2. Toseland - Ducati
  3. Martin - Ducati
  4. Chili - Ducati
  5. Vermeulen - Honda
  6. McCoy - Ducati
  7. Walker - Petronas
  8. Borciani - Ducati
  9. Haslam - Ducati
  10. Sanchini - Kawasaki

 

Championship Points

  1. Toseland 45
  2. Chili 33
  3. Haga 25
  4. Walker 25
  5. Borciani 21
  6. McCoy 19
  7. Haslam 18
  8. Martin 16
  9. Vermeulen 15
  10. Fuertes 12

 

Manufacturers Points

  1. Ducati 50
  2. Petronas 25
  3. Honda 15
  4. Suzuki 12
  5. Yamaha 8
  6. Kawasaki 8