Mika Kallio to miss USGP Laguna Seca Race

After the accident occurred last June 27th during the Dutch GP, Pramac Racing rider Mika Kallio will miss the next MotoGP round in Laguna Seca, USA. The ring finger of his left hand, injured during the accident on the Assen circuit, doesn’t allow the Finnish rider to step on his Ducati Desmosedici GP9 Sat next 5th July for the US Grand Prix. The finger, during the fall, was burnt in the final part reaching the bone and making lose forever the nail to Mika. Luckily the nervous system of the finger hasn’t been damaged. At the moment a bandage has been placed on the finger so the it can be disinfected daily, but soon, probably after Sachsenring and Donington race, a new part of skin will be stitch up on the top of the finger to definitely close it. During the next two European races Mika will have to use an imitation skin protection on the injured finger. Pramac Racing Team has decided to don’t substitute the Scandinavian rider for Laguna Seca weekend, but will race only with Niccolò Canepa.

Fabiano Sterlacchini – Pramac Racing Team Technical Director

“Mika’s condition are surely better than what we thought straight after the race, but notwithstanding this we preferred to give him a weekend off to recover. This would have been for him the first time in Laguna Seca and with his precarious physical conditions we preferred to don’t take any more risk and make him be at the best in three weeks time for Sachsenring. Mika will not go under surgery in these weeks before the German GP, but will continue to follow medications and cleaning of the injured finger to avoid infection and further complications. For this motive the Pramac Racing Team will race in Laguna Seca only with one rider, Italian Niccolò Canepa who will make his debut on the Californian circuit.”

Mika Kallio – Pramac Racing Rider

“I was so excited to race in Laguna Seca, but I guess destiny wanted to be this way and I will have to renounce. It’s a pity. We have taken this decision together with Pramac Racing Managers and I think this is probably the best solution. Laguna would have been a new circuit to learn for me and with precarious physical conditions we thought it would have been too risky. I will look after my self in the best way possible to be in good form at the Sachsenring, which is by the way one of my favorites circuits of the world championship. I wish all the best to Niccolò who will have to do well for the Pramac Team this weekend.”

Rossi Quickest During Friday Free Practice at 2009 US Grand Prix

In perfect conditions at the Laguna Seca circuit on Friday afternoon, with blue skies, Californian sunshine and temperatures of 24°C, the MotoGP riders got the eighth race weekend of the year underway – the World Champion Valentino Rossi putting down the fastest time late in FP1.

The current MotoGP ‘big three’ were on top again as the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix commenced, Rossi followed on the timesheet by his Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo and Ducati’s Casey Stoner.

Rossi’s 1’21.981s lap around the shortest track on the MotoGP calendar, on the last of his 32 laps, was enough to put him 0.112s ahead of the young pretender to his crown Lorenzo.

A first lap crasher in the 2008 race on his Laguna Seca debut, Lorenzo will aim to put the memories of last year’s contest behind him and already looks comfortable around the picturesque American track.

Stoner was just 0.189s down on Rossi’s pace himself as he tested his condition following the severe exhaustion he has experienced in recent weeks. The 2007 Laguna race-winning Australian is out for revenge over Rossi this weekend following their epic 2008 battle which Rossi won in such style.

In fourth place was Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa. The Spanish rider is still fighting back to 100% fitness this weekend, although he is already in far better shape than last year when he went home after the Friday practices due to injuries he sustained at Sachsenring.

There was a good start to the weekend for San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Toni Elías who immediately benefitted from the introduction of the new chassis on the Honda RC212V to lap fifth quickest.

Italian pair Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) and Marco Melandri (Hayate Racing) were sixth and seventh, respectively 0.899s and 1.159s down on the pace.

Rizla Suzuki’s Chris Vermeulen crashed at the beginning of the session but soon got back out on track to complete 27 laps in total and still managed to go round eighth fastest.

Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Alex de Angelis (San Carlo Honda Gresini) rounded out the top ten, whilst Edwards’ compatriot Nicky Hayden made a sluggish start to his American Ducati debut in 14th place.

Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

1. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha), 1:21.981
2. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha), 1:22.093
3. Casey Stoner (Ducati), 1:22.170
4. Dani Pedrosa (Honda), 1:22.637
5. Toni Elias (Honda), 1:22.682
6. Andrea Dovizioso (Honda), 1:22.880
7. Marco Melandri (Kawasaki), 1:23.140
8. Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki), 1:23.217
9. Colin Edwards (Yamaha), 1:23.285
10. Alex De Angelis (Honda), 1:23.406
11. Randy De Puniet (Honda), 1:23.439
12. Loris Capirossi (Suzuki), 1:23.637
13. James Toseland (Yamaha), 1:23.690
14. Nicky Hayden (Ducati), 1:23.747
15. Sete Gibernau (Ducati), 1:24.533
16. Gabor Talmacsi (Honda), 1:24.926
17. Niccolo Canepa (Ducati), 1:25.511

Niccolò Canepa Unveils New Livery at Laguna Seca

Prama Racing Team unveils the new racing colors for the 2009 US Grand Prix round in Laguna Seca.  The new racing livery will only be run by Niccolo Canepa for this race as Miak Kalio is still out of action due to his finger injury obtained in Assen.

POWERMATE, American company leader in the portable generators owned by Pramac Spa since May 2008, will be on the livery of he Pramac Racing Team bikes as TITLE sponsor for the weekend of racing at the Grand Prix of Unites States of America this 3rd, 4th and 5th of July. The GP will be held on the famous Californian circuit of Laguna Seca in the Monterey County.

MotoGP World Championship leader Valentino Rossi made an early foray onto the Laguna Seca tarmac today, taking part in a Superkart exhibition alongside fellow Yamaha legends Kenny Roberts, Eddie Lawson and Wayne Rainey. The foursome made four laps in Superkarts powered by a specially-prepared Yamaha TZ 250 engines, which lap the 3.601km California circuit just a couple of seconds slower than the MotoGP bikes.

The Italian and the three Americans hold an impressive 18 Grand Prix World Championship titles between them, including three each for Yamaha.

Valentino Rossi
“Honestly I was bit nervous about the Superkarts before because I know how fast these things are! I sometimes drive one in Italy with friends, just for fun, but I know that Kenny, Eddie and Wayne like to race and they’re quite serious! Also this isn’t the easiest track… Anyway, it was great fun and I enjoyed myself a lot. The kart is quite incredible; the gearbox is very good and in the hard braking areas it’s really impressive. It feels very fast and it’s possible to have a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to getting back on my bike tomorrow however!”

Yoshimura R&D of America has just re-launched its website with a new look and additional special features that cater to the needs of Yoshimura’s customers as well as the media.

The new site highlights the company’s 55-year history and keeps enthusiasts up to date on product and racing news. The expanded racing section carries race reports plus rider profiles for Rockstar Makita Suzuki Road Racing and ATV teams as well as the Honda Red Bull Supercross/Motocross team. Riders seeking sponsorships can also get their contact information here.

Yoshimura’s home page gives easy access to the company’s well-stocked video archives. Visitors can quickly access detailed product information and how-to instructions. In addition, there are exclusive interviews with Mat Mladin, Tommy Hayden, Dustin Wimmer, Doug Gust and Gary Jones as well as industry celebrities like Rockstar’s Mike Kelso and Wayne Hinson of Hinson Clutches. Want to see what is inside the Yosh race trailer or a sneak peak in the dyno room? How about getting a private ATV lesson with Kory Ellis? Check it out!

The media center sets you up with wallpapers, newsletters and links to Yoshimura’s YouTube, myspace, facebook and twitter pages. A press room has been set up for easy media access to all Yoshimura’s race reports and press releases.

The product section remains unchanged where visitors can discover the various pipe options for their bike as well as see what new products are being designed or just released. New features include a convenient PDF download of Yoshimura’s Book of Speed catalog and the option for consumers to order replacement parts for their exhaust systems.

The interface has a fresh new look sporting Yoshimura’s signature red and black colors and has been designed with easy navigation in mind.
Please visit www.yoshimura-rd.com for a full tour.

Nicky Hayden Ready for 4th of July Laguna Seca Race

One of the most eagerly-anticipated and important events on the MotoGP calendar for Ducati and its riders arrives this weekend, with the US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca. It is one of two home races for Nicky Hayden and the scene of his debut victory in motorcycle racing’s elite competition, which came in 2005 and was followed up by identical success on his way to the world title in 2006. Casey Stoner picked up the baton with victory in 2007 and the Australian was one half of an epic battle with Valentino Rossi last year. The pair fought elbow to elbow around the rollercoaster circuit but the fans were denied a grandstand finale when Stoner ran off track and crashed, returning to claim second place, such was the gap they had built up over the rest of the field.

Whilst the Ducati MotoGP Team riders both have great pedigree at the Californian circuit, the event also has special significance for the Borgo Panigale factory, with the US market one of their most important. On the opposite side of the Atlantic to its home, the Ducati brand has become a symbol of quality, high technology and exclusivity – the distinctive characteristics of a product bearing the “Made in Italy” stamp.

Determination, dedication and hard work are the hallmarks of the Ducati MotoGP Team, which is ready to give full support to its two riders as they prepare to tackle the next challenge. Hayden is desperate to perform in front of his home fans and following a gritty and combative performance in Holland he is looking to continue with the progress he has made over the last few weeks. Stoner, meanwhile, is hoping to overcome the physical problems that have prevented him from challenging for victory in the last two races at Assen and Catalunya, although on both occasions he was able to stay in the championship hunt thanks to podium finishes achieved with the hard work and support of his team.

LIVIO SUPPO, MotoGP Project Director
“It is always great to race at Laguna and particularly so this year, with Nicky in our team! We’ll do everything we can to make sure Casey is in the best physical condition possible and to give Nicky the opportunity to ride at the level we all know he is capable of at his favourite circuits, where he has scored two wonderful victories in the past. The bike is improving all the time and we’re confident we can do well with both our riders this weekend.”

CASEY STONER, Ducati MotoGP Team (3rd in the championship on 122 points)
“We have had some setbacks over the past couple of races that have prevented us from showing our full potential. We have done a lot of work on the bike and found a great set-up for the race on both occasions but I have not been in good shape when it was the moment to take advantage of that work. We have come straight to America from Assen and there hasn’t been much time to recover, although I do feel better already. What we learned from last weekend is not to underestimate the symptoms. I have always liked Laguna, with its natural elevation changes, I love racing in America and the Ducati has always gone well here. We have the potential to challenge for a good result again but we’ll wait until we get out on track and see how things shape up.”

NICKY HAYDEN, Ducati MotoGP Team (15th in the championship on 26 points)
“We still have a lot of work to do but it has been nice to see a little progress over the last few weeks and at Laguna I really need to take another big step. I don’t have any big plan or anything – it’s not that easy! All I know to do is keep trying and working at it and hope it will come. Laguna is a great track and very challenging. There are a few points that stick out but in general it is different to most tracks, which usually have a few different sections, whereas Laguna is basically just one section and you have to put it all together to make a good lap. This year we’re racing in America on the 4th of July weekend and it’s perfect – I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the holiday than at the US Grand Prix! Also the fact my brothers will be racing on the same weekend in the AMA championship helps make it special for me. This will be the first time my American fans get to see me on a Ducati so that will be cool because there are a lot of strong Ducati fans in the states. No predictions or anything but we’ll go full gas and see what happens.”

THE TRACK
Laguna Seca played host to the US Grand Prix on six occasions between 1988 and 1994 before being removed from the calendar. A series of major structural improvements to the facility saw the World Championship return in 2005, although only for the MotoGP class. The track, which flows around the undulating hills on the outskirts of Monterey, is most famous for the Corkscrew, a tight and spectacular left-right downhill chicane. In fact, the entire circuit is a rollercoaster ride, with a few short straights and a series of fast corners and elevation changes that often leave the front wheel pawing at the air. The 3.610km track is the perfect amphitheatre for the fans and is surprisingly straightforward in terms of machine set-up, with little opportunity to maximise full throttle. Frequent downhill braking zones put extra stress on the front end and make tyre wear a crucial factor.

SBK 2009 – Donington Race 1 Highlights

SBK 2009 – Donington Race 1 Best Lap

SBK 2009 – Donington Race 2 Highlights

SBK 2009 – Donington Race 2 Best Lap

Honda’s last MotoGP victory came at round seven of the 2008 world championship, and the RCV win drought remains a long way from over after both factory riders crashed out at the same corner in round seven of the 2009 championship.

Both Dani Pedrosa – Honda’s only winner of the 800cc era, who took his most recent victory in last year’s Catalan Grand Prix – and team-mate Andrea Dovizioso crashed out of fourth place at turn one of Saturday’s Dutch TT at Assen; Pedrosa on lap 5 and Dovizioso on lap 11. Both were using the modified RCV chassis.

The double Repsol exit meant that the top Honda rider was seventh place Randy de Puniet (LCR) and that Honda has now gone 18 races without a MotoGP win, which is one race more than the present world championship season.

“The good news is that I didn’t hurt myself in the fall and, considering my recent run of luck with injuries, this is a big relief,” admitted Pedrosa, who led the field into turn one. “But of course I’m disappointed with the result today because, even though it’s unlikely I could have won the race, I was feeling strong on the bike and believe I could have made the podium.

“My feeling on the machine this weekend has been much better and I have been able to ride close to my maximum potential, so I was quite confident coming into this race. I made a fast start and found a good rhythm, so the crash was very unexpected – for the whole weekend I had no warning this might happen.”

As a result of the accident, Pedrosa is now joint fifth in the championship with Colin Edwards, with Dovizioso just two points ahead – but 53 points from Casey Stoner.

“At the beginning the race was going well and I was lapping with a fast pace – the same as in the practice sessions,” said Dovi, after his first DNF of the year. “Fourth place was looking on the cards and I believe that would have been an achievable and a reasonable result for us this weekend, so I’m very disappointed about the crash at Turn 1.

“I had a good start but I was trapped by a bunch of riders and it took me a few laps to get by them. Once I was past I was feeling quite , although I wasn’t sure I could catch Stoner. Then, while I was in the middle of the corner at the maximum lean and I lost the front. I wasn’t on the brakes when it happened – we have to lean a long way over in the middle of the turn and that’s when it caught me out.”

Noriyuki Haga’s 2009 World Superbike Championship title hopes are potentially still very much alive after the Ducati Xerox team confirmed his injuries following a crash at Donington Park aren’t as serious as first feared.

While a later update at Derby Hospital revealed the originally suspected fractured vertebra was an ailment from another accident, potentially years earlier, further tests have been carried out to confirm the extent of his injuries.

Currently, Haga will only need to undergo surgery to insert a plate and screws into his forearm following a fracture to the right ulna. He will also be inspected for a pain in his shoulder, although x-rays have ruled out any serious damage.

With Haga set to return home to Italy within two days, attention is now focused on the injured forearm, which the Ducati Xerox team hope will heal in time for him to return to competition for the next World Superbike round at Brno in a month’s time.

The news is particularly good for Haga’s title hopes after Ben Spies reduced the deficit to 14 points following his double victory at Donington Park. He now has until July 26th to get fit in time to resume his spot on the 1198.

The Japanese rider is renowned for his ability to race on through pain, most notably last season when he shrugged off a broken collarbone to win both races at the Nurburgring just two weeks later.