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Superbikes: Heavy Rains Force Kawasaki to Cancel Test Session at Sears Point

1 February 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

SONOMA, Calif. - For the second time in less than one month, rain canceled a two-day test session by Kawasaki and riders Doug Chandler and Eric Bostrom at Sears Point Raceway.

The duo was scheduled to test on Sunday and Monday (January 30-31) on the modified 12-turn, 2.32-mile road course, but heavy rains forced the sessions to be canceled.

This was the second time Kawasaki was hampered by the elements as Chandler and Bostrom managed just 40 minutes of track time January 10-11 before the rains came at Sears Point.

Kawasaki was joined by AMA Road Race Manager Ron Barrick , who had hoped to inspect the modified course. Two changes were made in the off-season at Turns 5 and 11 designed to enhance safety. Both upgrades were made under the guidance of Chandler, who worked closely with raceway officials.

Turn 11 was shortened by two-tenths of a mile, giving riders nearly 300 feet of run-off room, as compared to less than 20 feet prior. The re-configured Turn 11 will also eliminate the chicane at Turn 12, as riders will now come out of the turn and onto a near-straightaway at Turn 12. The second safety enhancement came at Turn 5, where there is now more than 100 feet of run-off room, as compared to 20 feet a year ago. More than 27,000 cubic yards of dirt was removed to create the additional run-off.

Barrick walked the track with Chandler, but was unable to test the new Turn 11. However, Barrick was extremely pleased with the increased run-off at Turn 5. "It looks good up at (Turn) 5. There is certainly quite a bit more run-off room," he said.

Barrick will try and re-visit Sears Point April 3-4 when Vance & Hines Ducati and Yamaha come for a two-day test session.

The changes were made by raceway officials, under the direction of Chandler, who served as the AMA's representative. In the last five years, increased run-off has been made available at turns 3A, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 and 11, while turns 4 and 7 were repaved prior to the 1998 season.

The Progressive Motorcycle Insurance AMA Superbike Challenge will take place at Sears Point Raceway May 5-7. It will be the only springtime appearance of the year by the AMA in Northern California.

Text Provided by Kawasaki

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