Dom Jones in the USA

[Shaun]

One, Spies Minimizes Damage With Second Place Saturday At VIR
Aug 19, 2006

Copyright 2006, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Superbike Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited
VIRginia International Raceway
Alton, Virginia
August 19
Provisional Race Results:

1. Mat Mladin (Suz GSX-R1000), 28 laps
2. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R1000), -19.530 seconds
3. Neil Hodgson (Duc 999F06), -26.126 seconds
4. Miguel Duhamel (Hon CBR1000RR), -30.035 seconds
5. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), -32.453 seconds
6. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR1000RR), -35.272 seconds
7. Jason Pridmore (Suz GSX-R1000), -39.284 seconds
8. Tommy Hayden (Kaw ZX-10R), -46.697 seconds
9. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-10R), -51.902 seconds
10. Steve Rapp (Suz GSX-R1000), -78.259 seconds
11. Ben Bostrom (Duc 999F06),-87.207 seconds
12. Larry Pegram (Hon CBR1000RR), -1 lap
13. Cory West (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 1.919 seconds
14. Jake Holden (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 9.278 seconds
15. Jason Curtis (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 11.275 seconds
16. David Weber (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 14.955 seconds
17. John Haner (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 17.575 seconds
18. Scott Jensen (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 24.479 seconds
19. Dean Mizdal (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 53.085 seconds
20. Kenny Noyes (Yam YZF-R1 LE), -1 lap, 53.777 seconds
21. Dominic Jones (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 54.261 seconds
22. Brad Hendry (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 64.070 seconds
23. Michael Sanchez (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 66.243 seconds
24. Scott Carpenter (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 68.227 seconds
25. Akira Tamitsuji (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 73.351 seconds
26. Marco Martinez (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 80.782 seconds
27. Mark Crozier (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 87.535 seconds
28. Andi Notman (Suz GSX-R1000), -2 laps
29. Eric Wood (Suz GSX-R1000), -21 laps, DNF, crash
30. Matt Lynn (Suz GSX-R1000), -22 laps, DNF
31. Taylor Knapp (Suz GSX-R1000), -28 laps, DNF




Dom playing with the big boys! and doing a very fine job of it in that level of racing, Dom is doing it the old 1980's way, get a van, get a bike, now go racing, he is dragging his but all over the USA on his own! Full respect to you Dom

[k14]

Man, thats awesome. Been following his results but hard to keep up with which meeting he's at each weekend.

How long is he going to be over there for?

GO DOM!!

[Shaun]

Another 2-3 months I believe

[Joni]

I look forward to him getting back and hearing all the stories :yes:

Well done Dom!

[Shaun]

Hi all you little boys and girls

Sorry I an't been coresponding much lately but I've been on the road since the middle of July so struggle to find a computer and time. Started out at Laguna Seca in California for Moto GP weekend. Qualified 27th in the superbikes after getting no practise time so was happy. The track is mad as with big elevation changes and nice sweeping curves. Felt real good for easy top 20 in the race but only got as far as turn one after getting involved in abit of bike recking.

Then went down to San Diego for the week and hanged out with some guys that I meet at their ranch. Its pretty cool down there.

Then picked the old man up from LAX on Friday morning and drove 1100km to the track for a race weekend. I t ended up worth going as I got a win, two seconds and a third and helped pay off some of my bills. Finally things were going as planned. Hope it an't cause of the old man.

Then drove 3000km out to Ohio for the next weekend, AMA Superbikes. I ran a old set for qualifing on Friday which let me run some soft glue on Saturday morning. Ended up parking the bike on a tire wall bout 1.5m high. So crafty Pete worked his crapy magic and soughted the bike out for Saturday. Luckly qualified and off we went. Saturdays race, bout three laps in the powercommander(fuel injection) killed the engine so see ya later race result. Soughted out the problem and came back to a conservative 20th place on Sunday after what had happen during the course of the weekend.

Then shot off to New Hampshire via the Niagaria Falls. New Hampshire is in the top east corner and reminded us of home for once which was cool. The track was pretty dangerous as it ran inside a Nascar oval and had lots of nice naked concrete walls to help rearange your body parts for ya. Liked the track and came away with two wins and a third so another cool weekend for once.

Now I am just down at VIR in Virginia on Saturday night having finished 21st in the first Superbike race. I seem to be struggling abit here so kinda happy with the result so far. Well tomorows another day and we will see what the weather brings.

Oh yeah, by the way it was like 43C out in California and about 37C at the moment here so hope you guys are enjoying the same warm weather that I'm getting.

Sorry again for keeping yous in the dark.

See ya later
Dom

__________________________________________________ _______________
Efforts like this make me really proud of being involved with Dom Jones

[Kickaha]

Keep onto him to put his reports up, bloody good to hear about how he is doing and see him getting some awesome results

we'll still kick his arse in buckets though :yes:

[Maha]

Do you think he will sing 'Whats new Pussycat' ......:wait:

[Shaun]

Do you think he will sing 'Whats new Pussycat' ......:wait:


You on drugs or what

[Brian d marge]

I dont think people have a appriciation of the distances he is driving to race , 1100km ...almost the lemgth of NZ, that got to be 16 hours straight

then race

I hope someone can take the load off him

wish him the best

Stephen

[k14]

I dont think people have a appriciation of the distances he is driving to race , 1100km ...almost the lemgth of NZ, that got to be 16 hours straight
Yeah then 3000km the week later. That van must be getting a darn good working over.

[Shaun]

Yeah then 3000km the week later. That van must be getting a darn good working over.

I bought that van last year off the side of the road for $800 US DOLLARS, WHAT A DEAL

[k14]

I bought that van last year off the side of the road for $800 US DOLLARS, WHAT A DEAL
Ha nice, probably not too dissimilar to my one then. Hope he's taking care of it typical dom style

[Two Smoker]

Far out!!! Thats some awesome results Dom :niceone: Will be good to hear some stories when you are back in NZ :niceone:

[Shaun]

1. Mat Mladin (Suz GSX-R1000), 28 laps
2. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), -5.278 seconds
3. Miguel Duhamel (Hon CBR1000RR), -12.340 seconds
4. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R1000), -27.830 seconds
5. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR1000RR), -31.445 seconds
6. Ben Bostrom (Duc 999F06), -31.734 seconds
7. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-10R), -36.633 seconds
8. Jason Pridmore (Suz GSX-R1000), -54.644 seconds
9. Matt Lynn (Suz GSX-R1000), -78.083 seconds
10. Eric Wood (Suz GSX-R1000), -78.958 seconds
11. Larry Pegram (Hon CBR1000RR), -84.858 seconds
12. Cory West (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap
13. Scott Jensen (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 3.420 seconds
14. Taylor Knapp (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 10.776 seconds
15. Jason Curtis (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 23.152 seconds
16. Dominic Jones (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 37.044 seconds



Young Dom in 16th place in the AMA Superbikes, who ever said Kiwi's can't do it:first:

[cowpoos]

bloody hell he's doing fucking well!!!!

[Shaun]

bloody hell he's doing fucking well!!!!

Mate, he is doing this all from his own money, Not one sponsor involved with him in any way! He does have a very good family support base but that is it,

A TRUE BLUE KIWI FROM THE OLD SCHOOL!

[Brian d marge]

Young Dom in 16th place in the AMA Superbikes, who ever said Kiwi's can't do it:first:

Kiwis/anyone can , you just have to ,,,eerrr do it. He must be though racking up a bit of a fuel bill, I hope a sponsor does take him under thier wing to offset some of the costs

Still at the end of the day , he can still say ....I did that ...

My little play in the mud, for 2 races one in the north and one in the south at the end of the day I was out of pocket 860 dollars ...now thats affordable excluding airfare ( I think)
So for those people who say it cant be done .....rubbish

16th in the standings of the Ama class is proof....

( just thinking and dont know the ins and outs , but If I was a NZ company , I would be supporting this fella just to break into the American market ...just thinking of that Vodka maker ...sub 41 or whoevver they are called ..)


Stephen

[Kickaha]

It'll be interesting to see his pace on the local circuits when he returns

[Shaun]

There is talk at the moment that Dom may not race here this season so as to come home and focus on working and getting money together to go back and work on what he has learnt this year!

Whilst I feel this totally show's the maturity of the guy, and fully respect his planning and commitment, arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr:shit: Going to have to change that and get him on a well sponsored package for once!

[k14]

Get him back in 125's!!!!

[Brian d marge]

never did like the whole advertising /marketing thing. As a consumer , I know what I want, I go I look at the item read on the back what its got , make a decition , pay go home

I never have chosen anything because of a signage telling me Washy X is best ...

Now back to bikes , I wish there was another way of funding a racing season without relying on the marketing budget of others. I mean, I go to work , I produce a product , Can a Racer genuinely produce a tangable increase in taking of the sponsor?

Some companies have it right, FCC clutches here in Japan do the clutches for moto Gp bikes and such like, they have a race program in place, which for them must be cheap and a rolling test bed ,,,so great value for money for them

Anyway, back to NZ wouldnt it be nice to see someone like Dom racing a fully funded bike where A, He is Fully funded and has quality equipment , and B, the company who sposors the whole thing gets awesome value and a clear tangable result...


Sorry bout the post but I was watching Imax Nascar , and was looking closely at the level these guy are at , I still saw the weak link being the sponsor, without which ....well

Stephen

[oyster]

Yep, Hi there from Dom's old man. I'm not gonna tell his stories but can say few things. I came over after Luguna Seca. He was staying down in San Diego with some people he met. They have pet rattlesnakes. Dom always likes pets, not sure who he coped with these. He came and picked me up the off to Salt Lake City and Miller Motorsports. Stinkin hot thro Nevada / Las Vegas. Dom wouldn't turn the aircon on cos it cost too much extra petrol he says. I even offered to pay the $2.37 it would cost but no, he's the boss. Miller went well with good placings and a bank account top up to make it well worthwhile. Really funny, the commentator gave a really excited coverage until Dom led, cos hwe had bno idea who he was it went all silent. After a chat with Dom, on the Sunday when he led the first 4 laps he was as excited as ever "a foreigner leads OUR race!!" Off down and around south end of Colorado. Pretty interesting, the mountain passes are up high, one at 11 600 feet. That just short of the top of Mount Cook! Then about 27 hrs straight drive east thru Kansas (Dead flat) Shared driving, sleeping on top of all the stuff in the back of the old Chev Astro. Thru Indy home base for few hours and on to Columbus Ohio to stay. Up to Lexington and Mid Ohio track for AMA. Interesting weekend with a bit of drama but in the end a tidy result.
Then off up north thu Pennsylvania and around edges of Lake Eries, Ontario.
Stopped off at Niagara Falls for a look. Around top of New York state mountains etc and to NewHampshire Speedway. A really good weekend, camped at the circuit. He won his first 2 races, but the 2 local hotshots (one exAMA) gassed it up for the third, putting Dom back to 3rd. They were cool guys, came over later sayin they'd gone another second or two faster than usual. Dom had motivated them! Off up thru northern New Hampshire, across thru Maine and down South via Boston, New York. Above Boston it's really pretty country, neat little towns with the classic layout and architecture you's expect somewhere settled 200 years before us. Back west to Virginia International Raceway, New Danville Virginia. A stunning track, like Mid Ohio, a park setting in the forest with lots of hills and a tracked tortured in 3 dimensions. Dom found it hard at first, thought he was doing no good. But they were all struggling, and the truth came in a good qualifying and truly stunning last race performance. He rode like the some of the best, the lesser placings reflects his bike is only Superstock, not Superbike. The real factory bikes rev so hard they sound like 600's. They get get new motors put in pretty often to to stay tagether and producing that extra 30hp more that Dom's, who keeps the revs down and need his to last 25 race meetings! There's no doubt about it though, these new Suzukis are an amazingly good bike. Now we're in Minnisota, with a day off and a good computer for a bit of catchup. This week we're at Brainerd. Dom's looking forward to it. It has USA's fastest corner. Knee down at 260km/hr plus apparently. I come home then. Time for meeting with my Credit Card account...
Dom's then off to Road Atlanta in Georgia for anther AMA round. Then to the Toyota 200 endurance race at Willow Springs in California. Good money there so he's after a bit of that. Dom's eating habits: get a loaf of 50c bread, packed sliced ham, same of cheese and a lettuce. Put in chiller bin with cheap bottled water. Then a few times a day make up a sandwich, wash down with water. I don't want to see a cheese, lettuce and ham sandwich ever again.... maybe if he does well after Toyota 200 he might put a bit of tomato in. He complains I'm spoiling him by taking him to Burger King sometimes for a salad, miniwhopper and sprite. Total $3. He finds this waste hard..... After Toyota it's back to Mid Ohio for last AMA, then down to Nelson Ledges for Wera final, then to Daytona. All done by end of October and he'll store his stuff in Indy, on his way home to do a bit of butt kickin in the Buckets over the summer before going back in Feb.
That's about it. Plenty of other stories and things we've seen over here, when we're back if anybody's interested just ask a question. My real conclusion is after being here with Dom is that he has done exactly the right thing. He got himself up to a good level level in new Zealand, then just got on the road in USA where there is racing and money enough each weekend to keep going without going broke. I hope he is just the first of many young Kiwis who see the this model as the pathway to being a world class pro rider.
A BIG, BIG thanks to to Shaun Harris. He is the one who prepared Dom as a rider and presented him with this opportunity. Without Shaun, this would never have been possible. The MNZ High Performance Programme has been important too. I hope all MNZ members see the value of this programme. Look today, all 5 members are racing full time internationally. And one is a new World Champion!
Dom doesn't have any significant sponsors in USA, but there are people and companies who have been very good to him. A big thanks to Suzuki, Pirelli, Arai, Mirror Image, and Nan and Nev in Indy
As they say
Seeyaall

[Racey Rider]

Thanks for writing all that. Was a Great read.

Go Dom! (No idea who Dom is, but it sounds like I and the rest of the world soon will).

What sort of prize money is on offer in these race days?
Might have to take Blue Thunder over there. :scooter: (P/T)

[loosebruce]

Yea second that, thanks for the read, some great results so far, hope better to come for him, there's some pretty big names in that feild, max respect to the effort and commitment he and others are putting in.

:rockon:

[Maido]

Hey Pete, thanks for the great update,

I also hear a nasty rumor that he finally cut his hair to fit a new helmet!!!:gob:

At the moment the Hayden boys are a top feature in the AMA, they will have to make room for the Jones boys soon, I see cameron was going well at Levels.

[Shaun]

Hey Pete, thanks for the great update,

I also hear a nasty rumor that he finally cut his hair to fit a new helmet!!!:gob:

At the moment the Hayden boys are a top feature in the AMA, they will have to make room for the Jones boys soon, I see cameron was going well at Levels.


And there lies the future path!

[Two Smoker]

Wicked Read Oyster... Glad to see Dom going so well... Gives me a possible idea in a couple of years if i prove to have the right stuff...

[madkeenandy]

Awesome update thanks pete! Good to see Dominic up there, I hope he gets funded soon!

Whats this about kicking ass in buckets?! What bucket?! Gotta see that.

Cam is going well, gets beaten by Zac but thats it, and thats pretty amazing for a 14 year old!

Hope the good times continue,
Andy.

[oyster]

Hi all
Dom went to Brainerd in Minnesota this weekend. Yep, pretty amazing first corner. A big long straight, tallest gearing he's ever run, it comes up 183mph on the speedo......... then remains flat out thru turn one, slight back off for turn 2.
Idea was to run low budget, try and beat all but one rider, who's the countries best privateer, and this his home track. So Sat race, not much practice, old tyres, pads worn out, pump fuel. A real battle with 2 locals, finally Dom was passed 2 corners to go to lose that 2nd place and the good money that comes with it. He wasn't too happy. On sunday, new pads, better (expensive) fuel and
better (still old) tyres and a good first race for a WIN. A no money race, but good practice. Then the final race, a new rear tyre and a top performance with a best lap only 1 second off the top guy, who was on his best pace. A tidy second, bills are paid, and another track sorted. Dom pretty happy and packing up to go south to Atlanta next weekend.
Peter

[cowpoos]

he's doing so bloody well......people will start taking note soon....without a doubt!

[Kickaha]

he's doing so bloody well......people will start taking note soon....without a doubt!

Will they? what coverage is he getting over here?

If Shaun and Oyser didn't post about him who would know?

perhaps they should hit up Kiwirider for a column for him :yes:

[k14]

Hi all
Dom went to Brainerd in Minnesota this weekend. Yep, pretty amazing first corner. A big long straight, tallest gearing he's ever run, it comes up 183mph on the speedo......... then remains flat out thru turn one, slight back off for turn 2.
Idea was to run low budget, try and beat all but one rider, who's the countries best privateer, and this his home track. So Sat race, not much practice, old tyres, pads worn out, pump fuel. A real battle with 2 locals, finally Dom was passed 2 corners to go to lose that 2nd place and the good money that comes with it. He wasn't too happy. On sunday, new pads, better (expensive) fuel and
better (still old) tyres and a good first race for a WIN. A no money race, but good practice. Then the final race, a new rear tyre and a top performance with a best lap only 1 second off the top guy, who was on his best pace. A tidy second, bills are paid, and another track sorted. Dom pretty happy and packing up to go south to Atlanta next weekend.
Peter
Cheers Pete, awesome to keep in the loop of whats going on. Keep us up to date with his progress. What meeting is at south atlanta?

[Shaun]

I think it is for the AMA Superbike round at Road Atlanta.

[Rossi Gal]

wow what an awesome effort!!! keep up the good work and all the best in the next races!!!!

[Robertson Racing]

Go hard Dom!!! your doing well, I take it you have stopped riding in the wet with slicks hahaha the southland cowboy way!!!

[PSYCHO]

Now that's what I call "living the dream"

Good luck to you Dom

[Chops]

Go Dom!! Good to see you doin so well.
Good luck man!

Later
CHOPS

[oyster]

After Brainerd in Minnesota Dom dropped me at Minneapolis to go home, then he carried on down to Road Altanta, Georgia for an AMA round.
After Brainerd we were worried he might have damaged the engine after the 5 million billion bugs clogged the radiator. So at Altlanta, out with motor, new head gasket but after 23hrs straight work, a few mistakes crept in. Too late, no ride. Then off to Phoenix Arizona and a mates place to work on the bike, motor out again, totally to bits to check and all fixed up OK
At the Toyota 200(mile) endurance race a cruisy Dom qualifying then up thru the feild to around 10th near the end when the lower fairing fasteners failed, and it fell down. First thing he knew he couldn't turn and ran off, fortunately OK but removed the fairing and rode back to the pits. He put a borrowed one on with duct tape and went on to finish 18th, and picked up the much needed $2 000USD prize money. ( He'll be happy but still wished he'd won it for $50 000USD and a Toyota Tundra (Hi Lux)) He rang tonight to say the next 200miles has taken all day in his (previously) trusty $800 Chev Astro van. It seems the fuel pump is dying, he's now stopped completely and planning to fix it tomorrow. No big hurry he says, he has 2 weeks to get to Mid Ohio for the last AMA round. I guess if he really gets stuck there's a bike in the back....

[oyster]

I forgot to say I asked if he borrowed some spare wheels for a tyre change mid race. Nope, he made it go the full distance, although he said the rear definitely went off around one third distance, pretty hairy after that, and nursed it out to full distance! Does anyone want a Superbike Slick, only used once.....

[Tim 39]

Good one Dom go hard have fun!!!

[youcanthackthis]

Hey There Shawn

this may seem pretty random but dom and i were best mates growing up as kids and lived next door, havent seen him around since he buggered off but if ya can could you please tell him that Chris Maher Says Bloody well done BUD!!!:rockon: and that the next time he's back in NZ that we should do a day ride up through the cenrtral lakes?

Cheers Mate.

P.S if there is any way of contacting dominic would you allow me to get his email???

[TonyB]

I met Dom for the first time yesterday, Pete (Oyster) knew I was having trouble with arm pump and said he'd send Dom over to have a chat about it. So here I am flopped down in a folding chair when this young fella, with wild hair that looked like it hadn't seen a comb in months, comes wandering over. Dom introduced himself and then started to chat in depth about how he has battled with arm pump. I learnt a great deal from him. Bren-chch came over, and Dom then spent quite a bit of time describing the technique of using the clutch to avoid wheel lockup and chattering- basicly using it as a human slipper clutch. It sounded hellishly difficult, but clearly to Dom it comes fairly easy.

Having now read this thread for the first time I also realise now what a humble guy he is. He certainly didn't 'talk up' his success in the US, mentioning only that occasionally when his hands were so weakend by arm pump that racing hard was becoming dangerous, he 'muck around pulling wheelies and stuff' to pick up a 20th place or whatever to score the US$800 prize money. Is he going to be racing here this summer? I hope he is.

Much respect to Dom, Oyster and Shaun.

[Shaun]

He is a bloody fantastic young Kiwi man who is doing our nation proud by being out there giving it a go! Very proud to be a part of his efforts

[ajturbo]

I Pete (Oyster) knew I was having trouble with arm pump So here I am flopped down in a folding chair when this young fella, with wild hair that looked like it hadn't seen a comb in months, comes wandering over. and started to chat in depth about how he battled with arm pump. I learnt a great deal from him. .

i need a laugh...

i wonder ... just possible IF you stop wanking... will that kinda help?:innocent: :sunny: :sunny:

[k14]

He is a bloody fantastic young Kiwi man who is doing our nation proud by being out there giving it a go! Very proud to be a part of his efforts
Yeah thats for sure. Awesome guy, always rooting for him.

And to answer tony's question. Last I talked to him he wasn't going to be racing in NZ this season. Saving his $$$ for going back to the states.

[k14]

i need a laugh...

i wonder ... just possible IF you stop wanking... will that kinda help?:innocent: :sunny: :sunny:
Or maybe he needs to do it more......