The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

AMA: MBNA Superbike Tour Presented By Parts Unlimited to Descend on Phoenix

18 March 1999

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association s (AMA) MBNA Superbike Tour presented by Parts Unlimited will arrive at Phoenix International Raceway the weekend of Mar. 19 -21, to resume the championship points chase that kicked off two weeks ago at Daytona International Speedway.

Canadian Miguel Duhamel put in an incredible performance at the Daytona 200 -- winning both the MBNA Superbike and Pro Honda Oils 600 SuperSport series races aboard his factory Honda machine. But Duhamels Daytona domination still leaves a question mark hanging in the air over Phoenix, where he placed sixth last year.

Lat years MBNA Superbike series race at Phoenix was the site of Australian Anthony Goberts explosive debut in AMA racing. Gobert and the Vance & Hines Ducati team started the season right, taking the win at Phoenix, where the short, tight, track layout of Phoenix was well-suited to both Goberts style and the strengths of the Ducati.

Vance & Hines Ducati Team Manager Jim Leonard returns to Phoenix this year with Gobert and his teammate --1998 MBNA Superbike Champion Ben Bostrom -- and lots of confidence. "The bike does well at Phoenix because theres one turn there where we basically come to a stop, and the Ducati twin is very good at getting out of the corners," said Leonard. "I think all the teams will be better prepared for Phoenix this year, but weve got a good shot at keeping Ducatis perfect record intact."

Leonard is referring to the fact that Ducati has won every MBNA Superbike race at Phoenix: in 1993, 1994, 1997 and 1998. Ironically, three of those four wins were taken by Australians. Texan Doug Polen won the 1993 race, Australian Troy Corser won the 1994 race, and Goberts longtime rival and compatriot Mat Mladin won the 1997 race. Mladin -- riding with the Yoshimura Suzuki team in 1998 -- captured the Interstate Batteries Pole Award at last years Phoenix race, and he joined Gobert on the winners podium with a second-place finish.

Gobert appeared to get a great start at this years season opener at the Daytona 200 -- winning the Interstate Batteries Pole Award and a Rolex watch for his qualifying efforts. But tire worries during the race left Gobert to finish in 11th place, while Mladin dueled with Duhamel and eventually placed second at the checkers.

Duhamel and Honda certainly cant be counted out, but Australians and Ducatis are definitely the ones to beat on the 1.51 mile oval/infield road course of Phoenix International Raceway.

The full compliment of MBNA Superbike Tour presented by Parts Unlimited series will appear at Phoenix International raceway, including:

the MBNA Superbike series presented by Parts Unlimited; Lockhart Phillips USA 750 SuperSport series; Pro Honda Oils 600 SuperSport series, Mazda Trucks 250 Grand Prix series; Progressive Insurance Pro Thunder and the Sunoco Formula Xtreme series.

The MBNA Superbike series presented by Parts Unlimited at Phoenix International Raceway will be broadcast live, Mar. 21, at 4pm eastern time, on Speedvision. Tape delay broadcasts of the Lockhart Phillips USA 750 SuperSport and Pro Honda Oils 600 SuperSport classes will follow the Mar. 21 MBNA Superbike broadcast on Speedvision. The Phoenix race will also air tape-delay, at noon eastern time, Mar. 27, on Fox Sports Net. Check local listings, as broadcast times may vary.

For ticket information, call Phoenix International Raceway at (602) 252-2227.