Local mechanic to take part in big race

GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING-Mechanic Mark Elder, an Agoura High School alumnus, works on Loris Capirossi's No. 65 Ducati, which will compete in next month's Laguna Seca Moto GP races. The United States will host some of fastest and most fearless competitors in the world of motorcycle racing when the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix arrives next month at the Laguna Seca raceway in Monterey.

A former Agoura Hills resident will be hard at work as the only American mechanic in the Moto GP paddock.

You may not have heard of Mark Elder, but he's been in the victory circle many times.

Elder got his first taste of championship racing in 1997 working with Eric "Boz" Bostrom.

Elder, a 1986 graduate of Agoura High School, later worked with Bostrom's brother, Ben, and Ducati. Ducati is to motorcycling what Ferrari is to automobiles. Granted, you may not need one, but that won't keep you from wanting one.

Growing up, Elder was always somewhat of a tinkerer. Like most kids, he enjoyed taking things apart to see what made them tick. To his surprise, the gadgets always went back together and still worked.

After viewing the motorcycle cult classic "Easy Rider," Elder felt compelled to buy a HarleyDavidson. After a few calls he came across a 1977 Shovelhead Harley and the classic was soon parked in his garage.

And so it began, first working on his new ride, and then as his confidence grew, working on other people's bikes and realizing his dream.

"This is what I wanted to do," said Elder, who graduated from the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in 1994.

He never imagined that soon after he picked up his first clapped-out Harley he would be spinning wrenches for one of the premier racing team in the world, Marlboro Ducati.

Now, after six years of living in Bologna, Italy-and married with a baby on the way- Elder is sure to be grinning from ear to ear.

Made in America

Mark Elder won't be the only American with a hand in next month's proceedings.

Nicky Hayden from Team Honda is the 2002 American Superbike champ who notched his first Moto GP win last year at Laguna Seca. After eight races in this year's campaign the "Kentucky Kid" leads the Moto GP series. Last week Hayden took first in the in Assen, Holland event.

John Hopkins, a Suzuki rider, is the brash Californian often noted for trying hard but ending up on the ground. But there's good news for Hopkins fans. At the June 24 Assen race, "Hopper" secured his first Moto GP pole position.

Colin Edwards, the "Texas Tornado," is a Yamaha pilot and former American Motorcyclist champion. Edwards has struggled over the years on the tarmac, and while leading at Assen with the finish line within sight, he faltered again.

Another American to watch for is Kenny Roberts Jr., the former world 500cc champion from Modesto, Calif. who was raised in the paddock and carries the racing pedigree in his blood. Roberts' father was a three-time world champ and is the current owner of Proton Team Roberts.

For more information about the July 21-23 Laguna Seca motorcycle races, visit www. redbullusgrandprix.com.