From a press release issued by SBK, organizers of the Superbike World Championship:

YEAR OF YEARS
The history ‘Circuito Enzo and Dino Ferrari’ at Imola has been as convoluted as only an Italian circuit’s could be. Originally build on public roads in 1950, Imola was the backdrop for the Gold Cup and 200 Miler, and in 1979 the circuit was turned into a purpose-build racing facility.

After hosting F1 and motorcycle GPs in the mid nineties, Imola embraced the charms of SBK racing for the first time in 2001,in an event adjudged a big success by all who were present to see some classic racing at one of the Meccas of global motorsports.

This year, as last, an open paddock has been declared on the Thursday before the race, with free entry for all those interested in having a close up look at the inner workings of the paddock, before the action cracks off for real on Friday 27th.

With only one previous SBK round at Imola, last season, the formbook may be somewhat thinner than at many other SBK circuits, however, quantity and quality should never be confused.

Two riders who had never won SBK races before took the final two wins of the 2001 year. In the first race, Troy Bayliss made an unexpected mistake and took out Aprilia’s Regis Laconi – on his way to breaking his collarbone.
Ruben Xaus therefore swept to an excellent race win from Aprilia rider Troy Corser and Colin Edwards.

With the vast majority of the 2001 Imola leading group missing this season, there will be some new podium finishers for sure.

With only Edwards, Bayliss and Japanese wild card Makoto Tamada (Honda) having won races this year, the competition will be nothing short of desperate. Especially given Imola’s fast nature and 16 distinct turns, complete with never-ending elevation changes.

Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada 998F02) and Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda VTR 1000 SP2) have done the lion’s share of the winning in 2002, scoring 14 and nine race wins respectively. Each rider has now smashed through the magic barrier of 500 points – even though no single rider has reached this level of points scoring in the 15 year championship – a perfect illustration of just how unique this year has been in the 15 season history of SBK racing.

Choosing the best rider, even at this late stage, is almost impossible. From Oschersleben on, Edwards has had a more powerful and refined machine to count on, regaining some of the small performance disadvantages he had laboured under for most of the year. He has made good use of his revamped machinery, helping him in the latter stages of his record seven race wins in the last seven races. 23 podiums in 24 attempts, however, has been the real secret of Edwards’ season, racking up points behind his ostensibly more successful rival.

Bayliss, for his part, was the early season winning machine, racking up full pointers almost at will, interspersed with the odd fall or reversal of fortune.

With two talents like the aforementioned American and Australian on display, it would be easy to think that they are the only class acts in the championship. Many would disagree; not least the best of the Dunlop shod riders, Neil Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati 998 F01). The Englishman has fought a couple of disadvantages bravely all year, and has racked up a lot of podium finishes and good points.

Still 200 points behind the leaders, Hodgson is a man to reckon with at Imola.

Noriyuki Haga (PlayStation2 Team FGF Aprilia RSV 1000 SP) has had a hard 2002 season so far, while Imola will mark the end of the involvement of Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M 998 F02) in SBK for the time being.

The most extreme rider in the World Superbike class is, arguably, Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada 998 F02) with a commitment to going for the win at all costs that borders on the fanatical. A winner at Imola last year, he is simply desperate to take a victory after his 2001 triumph.

The best young rider in the series has proved to be James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati 998 F01), who leads the most experienced rider in the pack, Pierfrancesco Chili (Ducati NCR AXO 998 RS).

In the world of four-cylinder 750s, one rider has been consistently the most successful, often in trying circumstances, and that man is Chris Walker (Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-7RR. His battling riding style has bested Gregorio Lavilla (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra GSX-R750 Y) as the Spaniard slugged it out over a season in a one-man team.

There is one three-cylinder entry at Imola, Peter Goddard (Benelli Sport Tornado Tre 900), with the team and rider hoping to score more points in their quest for global recognition.

In the privateer world, there will be several men with top ten ambitions.

Broc Parkes (Ducati NCR Parmalat 998 RS), Lucio Pedercini (TeamPedercini Ducati 998 RS), Marco Borciani (Team Pedercini Ducati 998 RS), Juan Borja (Spaziotel Racing Team Ducati 998 RS), Ivan Clementi (Team Kawasaki Bertocchi ZX-7RR), Mauro Sanchini (Team Kawasaki Bertocchi ZX-7RR) and Steve Martin (D.F.X. Racing Ducati Pirelli 998 RS) are all potential points scorers, while the somewhat outpaced Mark Heckles (Castrol Honda Rumi VTR 1000 SP2) combination will be hoping to make more ground on Rumi’s home tarmac.

No matter how important the prospect of securing a point or two is to the tenacious private riders, the eyes of the world will be on the man-to-man fight for the title. Edwards or Bayliss – who will overcome their nerves and opponents better after two times of asking at Imola?
In the Supersport World Championship, a similar situation exists to the Superbike class.
There are only two men capable of being crowned champion at Imola – Fabien Foret (Ten Kate Honda) and Katsuaki Fujiwara (Suzuki).

Of the two, Foret is the undeniable favourite, having 17 points in hand, and a total of four race wins to his credit. Any over-confidence from the Ten Kate camp will be tempered by the knowledge of what happened in 2001, when Paolo Casoli (Yamaha Belgarda R6) saw his almost certain world championship disappear in a shower of sparks the retribution after tangling with another rider. He is back this year, as are the usual suspects James Whitham, Christian Kellner, Karl Muggeridge, Andrew Pitt, Chris Vermeulen, Stephane Chambon and a host of others.

The tight and twisty chicanes, after some flat-out sweeps, will make Imola a challenge of nerves for the top two contenders, but whatever the outcome of the season itself, the Imola meeting is bound to be as memorable as always.



More, from a press release issued by Suzuki:

LAVILLA LOOKS FORWARD TO SUPERBIKE FINALE

World Superbike Championship – Preview, Round 13, Imola, Italy, September 29, 2002.
The thirteenth and final round of the 2002 World Superbike Championship takes place at the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit at Imola in Italy this weekend. Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Gregorio Lavilla is looking forward to the Imola showdown as recently the Suzuki team have made good progress with the bike and the Spaniard has been able to push much harder during qualifying, so his season should end on a positive note.

GREGORIO LAVILLA

“It feels like a long season, but I’m happy with how we’ve performed recently. I think we’ve made some good progress in the last couple of rounds and we’ve improved our understanding of the bike. At times it has been quite frustrating this year, but the team have worked really hard and so it would be nice to end the season with a good result. Last year I was on a different bike, so we will be starting from scratch in the first practice session ­ but that¹s been the story of this season and we know the task ahead.”

2001 results

Gregorio Lavilla – Race 1: 7th, Race 2: 6th


FUJIWARA READY TO APPLY PRESSURE

World Supersport Championship – Preview, Round 12, Imola, Italy, September 29, 2002.
The final round of the 2002 Supersport World Championship takes place at the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit at Imola in Italy this weekend and will be where the title is decided. Frenchman Fabien Foret holds a significant points lead in the race for the title and only one rider can now spoil his party ­ Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Katsuaki Fujiwara. The Japanese rider has been riding consistently well this season and seems to have shaken off his bad luck of the last two seasons, but he knows that Foret has to have a very bad day if he is to have a chance of the title. At the moment, Fujiwara trails Foret by 17 points but, as has happened before, anything could happen in the final round. Team-mate Stephane Chambon is currently third in the championship 14 points clear of fourth place.

KATSUAKI FUJIWARA

“With a bit more luck this year, I would’ve been even closer to Foret in the title race then I am. But I am going into the final round in a very positive frame of my mind and I am going all-out for a win. Foret has a 17-point advantage, so really I have nothing to lose. I can rid as hard as I like and put lots of pressure on him and see how he responds. Last year a crash at the first chicane completely changed the course of the title and the same thing could easily happen again, so we will have to wait and see. I’m happy with my season this year and I have really enjoyed riding the Suzuki GSXR600. It’s good to be going into the last race with the possibility of a title ­ even though it might be a slim possibility ­ and I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.”

STEPHANE CHAMBON

“The last round was disappointing for me and it ended my dreams of challenging for the title all. Now I want to win the last round and end the season on a high. Of course, I shall watch what is happening to Foret and team-mate Katsuaki and if I can help Kats, I will happily do it. It’s a hard task for Kats to win because he has a lot of points to catch up. But if Foret crashes or DNF’s and Kats can finish first or second then he can take the title. It’s an intriguing prospect for sure and a great way to end the season.”



More, from a press release issued by Castrol Honda:

EDWARDS LOOKING FOR IMOLA DOUBLE VICTORY

Castrol Honda’s Colin Edwards believes concentrating on two race wins in Sunday’s 13th and final round of the World Superbike championship at Imola in Italy will help him clinch a second world title.

Edwards holds a one-point lead over rival Troy Bayliss heading into this weekend’s dramatic final action of the year.

“I’ve won the last seven races and we know how and why we¹ve achieved that,” says Edwards. “I don¹t see any reason to change anything and I’ll be chasing two wins to end the season on a real high.”

Edwards was 1.2 seconds inside the lap record around the 3.04-mile circuit during a test session last week, in a time of 1:48.10.

The much anticipated World Superbike action gets under way with free practice on Friday morning followed by a one-hour session in the afternoon. Saturday¹s action includes two one-hour sessions with the Superpole final qualifying competition at 4pm. Sunday’s two 21-lap races start at 12noon and 3.30pm.



MUGGERIDGE AND LAVERTY CARRY IMOLA HOPES

Karl Muggeridge and Michael Laverty are looking to give the Honda UK team success in the final round of the World Supersport championship at Imola in Italy on Sunday.

Muggeridge is looking to repeat the kind of form which gave him pole position at last year’s Imola event and the Australian starts the weekend in determined mood.

“We’ve had a real up and down year but I’m looking to bring on a celebration for the team on Sunday night,” says Muggeridge. “I really like the Imola circuit and I’m certain I can be in with a chance of victory on Sunday.”

Laverty is replacing John McGuinness for the final race of the year and the 21-year-old Ulsterman is relishing the opportunity to make his World Supersport debut.

“It’s a great chance for me,” reckons Laverty. “I’ve done a few laps today on a scooter and the circuit looks fantastic, I¹m really looking forward to getting out there.”

World Supersport action begins with a one-hour free practice on Friday morning followed by a one-hour qualifying session in the afternoon. That schedule is repeated on Saturday with Sunday’s 21-lap race starting at 1.20pm.


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 13 – Imola (Italy)
27-29 September 2002

Sparks are set to fly this weekend at Imola’s Enzo & Dino Ferrari Circuit, where the final round of the 2002 World Superbike Championship takes place. After Troy Bayliss’s (Ducati Infostrada) unexpected crash during the Dutch round at Assen three weeks ago, which saw the Australian overhauled by Honda rival Colin Edwards, the one point gap between Troy and the Texan (502 to 501) means that everything goes right down to the wire this Sunday at the Santerno track.

The reigning world champion has put the Assen incident out of his mind and comes to Imola determined to reaffirm the supremacy shown during the first part of the championship, in which he picked up 14 wins in 18 races. A positive test session at Mugello last week, in which several improvements were made to his Ducati 998 F02 in view of the Imola round, has left Troy in the best possible condition for the final races of the season.

“I’ve been struggling a little bit with the feeling on my bike since Laguna and the last few rounds haven’t been like they were at the start of the year” said Troy, “but after the Mugello test, I’ve got the same feeling I had at the start of the year again and I’m really looking forward to Imola. I like the track, I was having a good time here until I broke my collarbone! There are a lot of chicanes, you just have to get your bike working well there, it’s an undulating and bumpy circuit so a good all-round package is going to be ideal. I’d say I’ve got a good chance, but my chances are as good as Colin’s. Whoever has the best weekend, will win.”

Unlike Troy, team-mate Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) has positive memories of the Imola track. Last year he picked up a win and a second place, and even though the situation is different this year, the Spanish rider will do everything possible to help the Australian in the battle for the title.

“In Assen I was really fast and it was just that we were a bit unlucky technically, but I hope this weekend nothing will happen and I will just try and do what I did last year, finish both races at the top. Colin and Troy are battling for the championship but I want to be there with them and be the same as last year, be the same Ruben Xaus as before and win races. I’m hungry for a win and hopefully I’ll have a bit of luck this weekend.”

After a difficult season in which he only stepped up onto the podium once, Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) will be aiming to displace Aprilia’s Noriyuki Haga from fourth place in the standings at one of his favourite tracks.

“Although it’s the last race of the season, I have a lot of motivation and I’m really excited now I’ve got everything sorted out for next year” declared Ben. “I’m planning to get fourth place in the championship, even though it’s not exactly what I expected at the start of the year. Imola always produces good races, the track is awesome, the people are great and I went pretty well here last year.”

POINTS (after 12 of 13 rounds):
Riders
1. Edwards (Honda) 502
2. Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) 501
3. Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati) 302
4. Haga (Aprilia) 254
5. Bostrom (Ducati L&M) 248
6. Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) 217
Constructors
1. Ducati 535
2. Honda 507
3. Aprilia 254
4. Kawasaki 197
5. Suzuki 130
6. Benelli 23
7. Yamaha 16.

THE IMOLA CIRCUIT
The history of the ‘Enzo & Dino Ferrari’ at Imola dates back to 1950 with the inauguration of a circuit obtained from roads destined for normal traffic. The most famous motorcycle event to be held here was the Imola 200 Miles in 1972, organised by Francesco Costa and won by Paul Smart on a Ducati, while changes were made to the circuit in the 1970s so that it could become a permanent venue for Formula One races from 1979 onwards. This will be the second time World Superbikes has been to Imola after the Santerno circuit hosted the final round of the championship in 2001.

CIRCUIT RECORDS
Fastest Lap: Corser (Aprilia) 1:49.398 (2001); Qualifying: Xaus (Ducati) 1:48.462 (2001); Superpole: Corser (Aprilia) 1:48.694 (2001).
RACE DISTANCE: 2 x 21 laps (2 x 103.593 km)