From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

KAUFMANN TAKES PROVISIONAL POLE FOR GSX-

GSX-R Cup Final Press Office. Magny Cours, France. October 17th 2003

Germany’s Herbert Kaufmann showed that age is no barrier in the GSX-R Cup by dominating today’s first qualifying session for Sunday’s two Cup Final races.

Forty two year old Kaufman was the first rider into the 1:51s and then upped the pace to become the only rider to break into the 1:50s.

All riders used the 20 minute session to find base settings with a view to fine-tuning in tomorrow’s second qualifying session.

A total of 28 Suzuki GSX-R riders from 15 countries around the world have been competing in qualifying races in their home countries for a place on the start line of this unique Cup Final event where they all start with an equal chance of winning on identically prepared GSX-R750 machines.

The two GSX-R Cup final races are part of the program in the final round of the World Superbike Series at Magny Cours.

For the latest 2003 Suzuki Worldwide GSX-R Cup final news visit: www.suzuki-racing.com/gsx-r


2003 GSX-R CUP FIRST QUALIFICATION SESSION

1. Kaufman. Germany. 1:50.896
2. Flueckiger. Switzerland. 1:51.088
3. Di Foggia. France. 1:51.264
4. Fernandez. Spain. 1:51.322
5. Metro. France. 1:51.340
6. Kennaugh. South Africa. 1:51.724
7. Brogan. UK. 1:51.903
8. TRAY BATEY. USA. 1:52.118
9. Teramoto. Japan. 1:52.201
10. Nebel. Germany. 1:52.219
11. Conforti. Italy. 1:52.556
12. Bugden. Australia. 1:53.289
13. Vleugels. Belgium. 1:53.382
14. Nelson. Canada. 1:53.509
15. CHRIS “OPIE” CAYLOR. USA. 1:53.597
16. COREY EATON. USA. 1:53.993
17. Kaltenbacher. Austria. 1:54.441
18. Kispataki. Hungary. 1:54.621
19. Peh. Germany. 1:55.074
20. Tamitsuji. Japan. 1:55.406
21. Mossey. UK. 1:55.703
22. Melone. Italy. 1:55.801
23. Everest. UK. 1:57.096
24. Neilsen. Canada. 1:57.424
25. Butler. Australia. 1:57.620
26. Mercer. France. 2:02.175