Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

BMW Group Niderlassungen Racing Team’s Markus Barth set the fastest time in the first BMW Boxer Cup practice session Wednesday afternoon at Daytona International Speedway at 2:07.503 for an average lap speed of 100.515 mph.

“For me everything is new,” Barth told reporters. “I’ve never raced on oval, so I’m very surprised that I have fast time. The tactic for the race is very important here, and also the slipstream. I used the slipstream from some other guys, so I feel that’s the best solution for the race.”

Americans Brian Parriott, who will contest the entire nine-round BMW Boxer Cup series, and 18-year-old Jason Perez were second and third-fastest respectively.

Wednesday Afternoon BMW Boxer Cup Practice Times (all on BMW R1100 S):

1. Markus Barth, Germany, 2:07.503
2. Brian Parriott, USA, 2:07.527
3. Jason Perez, USA, 2:07.586
4. Roberto Panichi, Italy, 2:07.620
5. Andy Hofmann, Switzerland, 2:07.883
6. Thomas Hinterreiter, Austria, 2:08.142
7. Richard Cooper, UK, 2:08.444
8. Sebastien Legrelle, Belgium, 2:08.471
9. Michael Galinski, Germany, 2:09.117
10. Eric Lejeune, Belgium, 2:09.428
11. Guillaume Dietrich, France, 2:09.602
12. Fernando Cristobal, Spain, 2:10.140
13. Lex Van Dijk, Netherlands, 2:10.150
14. Koen Vleugels, Belgium, 2:10.170
15. Francois Cicilliani, France, 2:10.699
16. Ricky Orlando, USA, 2:10.720
17. Alessandro Tomassoni, Italy, 2:10.933
18. Steven Casaer, Belgium, 2:11.028
19. Steve Atlas, USA, 2:11.040
20. Jay Springsteen, USA, 2:11.179
21. Josep Maria Busquets, Spain, 2:11.259
22. Norbert Rebholz, Germany, 2:11.303
23. Peter Ottl, Germany, 2:11.505
24. Jeroen Oudeman, Holland, 2:11.813
25. Dirk Buylinckz, Belgium, 2:11.949
26. Agusti Busquets, Spain, 2:12.002
27. Alex Busquets, Spain, 2:12.078
28. Javier Valera, Spain, 2:12.510
29. Laurry Fremy, France, 2:12.701
30. Klaus Nies, Germany, 2:12.857
31. Matt Layt, UK, 2:13.883
32. Nate Kern, USA, 2:14.409
33. Jimmy Lewis, USA, 2:14.455
34. Gabriele Perri, Italy, 2:14.923
35. Frank Shockley, USA, 2:14.978
36. Brian Catterson, USA, 2:15.616
37. Barry Burrell, UK, 2:15.664
38. Dave Campbell, USA, 2:15.924
39. Gerald Young, USA, 2:17.239
40. Guido Stosser, Germany, 2:17.587
41. Rosana Scoleri, Italy, 2:18.236
42. Robert Van Der Molen, Holland, 2:18.253
43. Greg White, USA, 2:19.688
44. Jorge Diaz, Spain, 2:24.408