Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Michael Barnes was fastest in F-USA Unlimited Superbike qualifying at Daytona Saturday, turning a best lap at 1:50.937 at an average speed of 115.525 mph. Barnes rode a Hooters Suzuki GSX-R750 on Pirelli tires.

Eric Wood was second fastest at 1:51.484 on a 14k The Movie Suzuki GSX-R750 on Dunlops, followed by Craig Connell at 1:51.526 on an Arclight Suzuki GSX-R750 on Pirellis and Larry Pegram at 1:51.611 on another Hooters Suzuki on Pirellis.

Barnes also topped Buell Lightning Series qualifying at 2:01.823 while Connell took pole in Honda Pro Oils Sportbike qualifying, earning an extra point and thus clinching the championship.

Times follow.

Lockhart Phillips USA Superbike:
1. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, Pirelli, 1:50.937
2. Eric Wood, Suzuki, Dunlop, 1:51.484
3. Craig Connell, Suzuki, Pirelli, 1:51.526
4. Larry Pegram, Suzuki, Pirelli, 1:51.611
5. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki, Dunlop, 1:51.940
6. Lee Acree, Suzuki, Pirelli, 1:52.370
7. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, Michelin, 1:52.589
8. Geoff May, Suzuki, Pirelli, 1:53.160
9. Matt Furtek, Suzuki, Michelin, 1:53.335
10. Mike Himmelsbach, Aprilia, Pirelli, 1:54.012
11. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki, Dunlop, 1:54.017
12. Tony Fania, Suzuki, 1:54.953
13. Marco Martinez, Suzuki, Dunlop, 1:55.041
14. Larry Denning, 1:55.139
15. Michael Luke, Suzuki, 1:55.243
16. Robert Jensen, Suzuki, Michelin, 1:55.290
17. John Ashmead, Suzuki, Dunlop, 1:55.393
18. John Madden, 1:56.092
19. Jeff Williams, Suzuki, 1:56.239
20. Ray Bowman, 1:56.265
(Old record, Barnes, 1:53.045, 2000)

Honda Pro Oils Sportbike:
1. Connell, 1:54.527
2. Acree, 1:54.683
3. Matt Wait, Yamaha, 1:54.707
4. Pegram, 1:54.770
5. Barnes, 1:55.150
6. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, Dunlop, 1:55.453
7. Jeff Wood, Kawasaki, Dunlop, 1:55.523
8. Furtek, 1:55.601
9. Andrew Nelson, Honda, 1:55.712
10. Danny Eslick, Suzuki, Michelin, 1:56.147
11. Greenwood, 1:57.400
12. Eric Wood, Buell, Dunlop, 1:57.428
13. Nate Wait, 1:57.519
14. Bowman, 1:57.634
15. Luke, 1:57.849
16. Jensen, 1:57.884
17. Cory West, 1:57.954
18. Steve Atlas, Suzuki, Michelin, 1:58.400
19. Chris Peris, Honda, 1:58.617
20. Mark Ledesma, Honda, 1:58.904
(Old record, Mike Ciccotto, 1:56.213, 2001)
*Note: After qualifying, Matt Wait was demoted to last on the grid for taking his bike behind pit wall before reporting to post-qualifying dyno testing.

Buell Lightning:
1. Barnes, 2:01.823
2. Clint Brotz, 2:04.110
3. David Estok, 2:04.528
4. Jeff Johnson, 2:06.157
5. Bryan Bemisderfer, 2:06.404
6. Tripp Nobles, 2:06.517
7. Richie Morris, 2:06.683
8. Joe Rozynski, 2:09.243
9. Mark Reynolds, 2:09.402
10. Darren James, 2:10.115
11. Paul James, 2:12.185
12. Steve Luxem, 2:13.604
13. Greg Avello, 2:13.971
14. Tom Fritz, 2:14.090
15. Sam Rozynski, 2:14.721
(Old record, Higbee, 2:04.058, 2000)

Saturday CCS Races:

Expert Unlimited Supersport
1. John Ashmead, GSX-R1000
2. Larry Denning, YZF-R1
3. Geoff May, GSX-R1000
4. John Madden, GSX-R1000
5. Donald Pepin, GSX-R1000
6. Tony Fania, GSX-R750

Amateur Heavyweight Supersport
1. Kane Lasky, GSX-R750
2. Alex Barrera, GSX-R750
3. Michael Sanchez, GSX-R750
4. Ralph Fernandez, GSX-R750
5. Michael Chachere, GSX-R600
6. John Briody, GSX-R750

Amateur Heavyweight Superbike
1. Kane Lasky, GSX-R750
2. Alex Barrera, GSX-R750
3. Michael Sanchez, GSX-R750
4. Ralph Fernandez, GSX-R750
5. Tomer Levy, YZF-R6
6. Scott Cunningham, YZF-R6

Expert Middleweight Superbike
1. Jason DiSalvo, YZF-R6
2. Jeff Wood, ZX-6R
3. Andrew Nelson, CBR600F4i
4. Larry Denning, YZF-R6
5. Danny Eslick, GSX-R600
6. Darren Luck, GSX-R600

Amateur Middleweight Superbike
1. Kane Lasky, GSX-R600
2. Michael Sanchez, GSX-R600
3. Alex Barrera, GSX-R600
4. Joe Ford, YZF-R6
5. Trey Yonce, GSX-R600
6. Scott Cunningham, YZF-R6

Expert Lightweight Superbike
(All Suzuki SV650)
1. Ed Key
2. Eric Falt
3. John Linder
4. Tim Hall
5. Jason Rice
6. Eric Maillard

Expert Lightweight Grand Prix
1. Greg Esser, Honda RS250
2. Eric Falt, Suzuki SV650
3. Ed Key, Suzuki SV650
4. Steve Genter, Honda RS250
5. Mark Stiles, Yamaha TZ250
6. Barrett Long, Yamaha TZ250

Expert Supertwins
1. Mike Himmelsbach, RSV Mille R
2. Tom Fournier, Ducati 996
3. John Dierickx, Ducati 996
4. Alex McElyea, Honda RC51
5. Doug Gross, Ducati 996
6. John Porlier, Honda RC51

Expert Formula 40
(All Suzuki GSX-R750)
1. Pat Mooney
2. Mike Luke
3. Richard Croly
4. Joe Ribeiro
5. Robert Caraway
6. Donald Pepin

More, from a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Connell Wraps Up Championship In Qualifying

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 19, 2002) – With his fast lap in qualifying for Sunday’s Pro Honda Oils Sportbike race, Craig Connell today walked away with the pole and the series championship. 

The extra point Connell was awarded for taking the pole with a time of 1:54.527 in the timed qualifying for the Pro Honda Oils Sportbike race, gave the Aussie rider the edge he needed to secure the series championship.

“I still want to win the race tomorrow,” said Connell, denying that having the championship in the bag will take away his hunger for the checkered flag. “I feel like I’m going to be able to go out and see how the race pans out and if I think I can win, I’ll win. If I don’t I’ll still do the best I can. I’ll want to cross the finish line first.”

Connell still faces an imminent threat from Michael Barnes in Sunday’s Lockhart-Phillips Unlimited Superbike race. The Superbike series championship is on the line and only 10 points separate Barnes and Connell after Barnes captured the pole for Sunday’s Superbike race today.

If Barnes wins the Lockhart-Phillips Unlimited Superbike, Connell must finish no less than second in order to capture the series championship.

“For me I’ll probably run the race tomorrow and see how Michael is going,” said Connell. “I’ll sit on his tire or something and see how the race is panning out. I don’t care if he wins the race as long as I win the championship.”

Connell expressed confidence that his team and his bike will help him bring home another championship on Sunday.

“My Superbike is running really well,” said Connell of his Suzuki. “Our tires are lasting reasonably well and I think we’ve got a very good package for the race.”

The final day of Fall Cycle Scene racing at Daytona International Speedway will begin with CCS Sprint Races at 10 a.m. At 1 p.m., the final features begin with Buell Lightning Series followed by the 600cc SuperSport, the Honda Pro Oils Sportbike the NRRS Thunderbike, and the Lockhart-Phillips Superbike.

Tickets for Fall Cycle Scene are available at the gate or by calling the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-7223.

Results October 19, 2002:

Pro Honda Oils Sportbike Qualifying: 1. Craig Connell, Suzuki; 2. Lee Acree, Suzuki; 3. Larry Pegram, Suzuki; 4. Michael Barnes, Suzuki; 5. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha.

Buell Lightning Series Qualifying: 1. Michael Barnes, Buell 2. David Estok, Buell 3. Jeffrey Johnson, Buell 4. Bryan Bemisderfer, Buell 5. Trip Nobles, Buell.

Lockhart-Phillips USA Superbike Qualifying: 1. Michael Barnes, Suzuki 2. Eric Wood, Suzuki 3. Craig Connell, Suzuki 4. Larry Pegram, Suzuki 5. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki.

Expert Middleweight Supersport: 1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha; 2. Danny Eslick, Suzuki; 3. Matt Furtek, Suzuki; 4. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki; 5. Larry Denning, Yamaha.

Expert Formula 40: 1. Pat Mooney Sr., Suzuki; 2. Michael Luke, Suzuki; 3. Richard Croly Jr., Suzuki; 4. Joe Ribeiro, Suzuki; 5. Robert Caraway, Suzuki.

Amateur Formula 40: 1. Robert Card, Suzuki; 2. Edward Bingham, Suzuki; 3. Paul Knoche, Ducati; 4. Michael Cusano Sr., Honda; 5. Patrick Quinn, Yamaha.

Expert Lightweight Grand Prix: 1. Greg Esser, Honda; 2. Eric Falt, Suzuki; 3. Ed Key, Suzuki; 4. Steve Genter, Honda; 5. Mark Stiles, Yamaha.

Amateur Lightweight Grand Prix: 1. Alex Ferreira, Suzuki; 2. Darren Danilowicz, Suzuki; 3. Philip Dodd, Honda; 4. Terry Walker, Suzuki; 5. Michael Riffell, Suzuki.

Amateur Middleweight Superbike: 1. Kane Lasky, Suzuki; 2. Michael Sanchez, Suzuki; 3. Alexander Barrera, Suzuki; 4. Joseph Ford, Yamaha; 5. Roy Yonce, Suzuki.

Expert Middleweight Superbike: 1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha; 2. Jeffrey Wood, Kawasaki; 3. Andrew Nelson, Honda; 4. Larry Denning, Yamaha; 5. Danny Eslick, Suzuki.

Amateur Heavyweight Superbike: 1. Wayne Lasky, Suzuki; 2. Alexander Barrera, Suzuki; 3. Michael Sanchez, Suzuki; 4. Ralph Fernandez, Suzuki; 5. Tomer Levy, Yamaha.

Expert Supertwins: 1. Michael Himmelsbach, Aprilia; 2. Thomas Fournier, Ducati; 3. John Dierickx, Ducati; 4. Alex McElyea, Honda; 5. Douglas Gross, Ducati.

Amateur Supertwins: 1. Richard Sermax, Honda; 2. Bentley Squires, Honda; 3. Paul Knoche, Ducati; 4. Keith Sanderson, Ducati; 5. Finbar Gilsenan, Ducati.

Expert Lightweight Superbike: 1. Ed Key, Suzuki; 2. Eric Falt, Suzuki; 3. John Linder, Suzuki; 4. Tim Hall, Suzuki; 5. Jason Rice, Suzuki.

Amateur Lightweight Superbike: 1. Alex Ferreira, Suzuki; 2. Darren Danilowicz, Suzuki; 3. Derek Keyes, Suzuki; 4. Edgar Dorn, Suzuki; 5. Christopher Onwiler, Yamaha.

Expert Unlimited Supersport: 1. John Ashmead, Suzuki; 2. Larry Denning, Yamaha; 3. Geoff May, Suzuki; 4. John Madden, Suzuki; 5. Donald Pepin Jr., Suzuki.

Amateur Heavyweight Supersport: 1. Kane Lasky, Suzuki; 2. Alexander Barrera, Suzuki; 3. Michael Sanchez, Suzuki; 4. Ralph Fernandez, Suzuki; 5. Michael Chachere, Suzuki.