Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
Team Stargel Aprilia’s Chuck Sorensen was the fastest qualifier in Saturday’s 20-minute MBNA 250cc Grand Prix qualifying session. Sorensen’s time of 1:29.196 earned a bonus Championship point, and, as a result, Sorensen now only has to finish 26th or better in today’s 17-lap final to clinch his third AMA 250cc Championship.
27 riders qualified for the race.
Team Oliver Yamaha’s Rich Oliver (1:29.413) was the fastest rider before the red flag flew, but a mechanical problem prevented Oliver from bettering his time in the closing minutes of qualifying.
AMA 250cc Grand Prix Qualifying Results:
1. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, 1:29.196
2. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 1:29.413
3. Simon Turner, Yamaha, 1:30.882
4. Jason DiSalvo, Honda, 1:30.948
5. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, 1:32.639
6. Chris Pyles, Yamaha, 1:32.682
7. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 1:32.782
8. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, 1:33.895
9. John France, Honda, 1:35.010
10. Steve Scott, Yamaha, 1:35.499
11. Ty Piz, Yamaha, 1:35.982
12. Greg Esser, Honda, 1:36.819
13. Barrett Long, Yamaha, 1:36.853
14. Jeremy Bonnett, Yamaha, 1:37.043
15. Chad Healy, Yamaha, 1:37.813
16. James Bonner, Yamaha, 1:38.255
17. Stephen Bowline, Honda, 1:38.626
18. Jamie Worthington, Aprilia, 1:39.125
19. Gert Van Der Merwe, Yamaha, 1:39.182
20. Bryan Hoelzer, Honda, 1:39.204
21. Sean Wray, Yamaha, 1:39.632
22. Joji Tokumoto, Honda, 1:40.728
23. Glen Christianson, Yamaha, 1:40.767
24. Michael Deblanco, Yamaha, 1:40.781
25. Richard Merhar, Yamaha, 1:41.843
26. Andrew Edwards, Yamaha, 1:41.929
27. Mark Vanderwerf, Yamaha, 1:44.424