Updated Post: GSX-R World Cup Final Underway At Magny Cours, France

Updated Post: GSX-R World Cup Final Underway At Magny Cours, France

© 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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From press releases issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

GSX-R CUP FINAL GETS STARTED

Magny Cours, France, September 10th:

SUZUKI’S first GSX-R Cup Final event got off to an exciting start at Magny Cours, France on Tuesday, September 10.

Riders from all around the world made their way to the French track to enter the prestigious competition that will be run on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th of September in a nail-biting double header that will support the famous Bol d’Or 24-hour endurance race.

With around 80,000 spectators expected to flock to the track, the competing GSX-R Cup nations have pulled out all the stops to assemble a top class field that promises close racing.

Brian Livengood, a regular top-10 rider in the AMA Superbike series, heads the US challenge, while Steve Brogan from the UK comes to the event after finishing a credible third in the eighth round of the European Superstock Championship at Assen last weekend. And the home French team of Oliver Four, Stephane Jond and Jerome Tancre promise to be tough to beat. They are down for racing in the Bol d’Or 24-hour race after the second GSX-R Cup final on Saturday morning.

Alongside these riders are a host of national champions and riders from as far afield as Norway to Brazil or Australia. There is a lot of young new talent on display, as well as a few old hands – Norway’s Rolf Andreas Wallin is a nine-times road racing champion and will be tough to beat.

Today the riders got the chance to meet each other, discuss the super-strict rules that sees them all compete on identical Suzuki GSX-R750 machines with minimal changes allowed, and draw lots for the bikes they’ll ride.

While each rider took it in turn to pick a bike at random, they were informed that they couldn’t pick bike number one – that machine will be used by America’s 1993 500cc World Grand Prix Champion, Kevin Schwantz for demonstration laps later in the week.

With the rules explained by Hiroshi Kochi from Suzuki’s Planning Group, Motorcycle Division I, and the bikes allocated to each rider, all that remains is for the practice sessions to start tomorrow.

Suzuki’s GSX-R Cup Final 2002 brings together the best motorcycle riders from around the globe to compete on identical GSX-R750 machinery. Riders will race in two finals – one on Friday 13th, the second on Saturday 14th. Each competing country is desperate to win the title for national pride. Every rider uses a Suzuki GSX-R in their home country and is already familiar with the awesome performance of the GSX-R range, which started the race-replica class of motorcycles in 1985 with the first GSX-R750.



RIDERS IN ACTION AT THE GSX-R CUP FINAL

Magny Cours, France, September 11th:

THE competitors in the Suzuki GSX-R Cup Final took to the track for the first time today in two un-timed practice sessions.

The first 25-minute long session was blessed with dry conditions until the last five minutes, when rain started to fall.

The second 25-minute session took place less than an hour later and the heavens opened, drenching the circuit in water. Only a handful of brave riders ventured on to the track after the thunderstorm to try out their wet weather tyres. Amongst these hardy souls were the riders who have never raced at Magny Cours before and were desperate to learn the track.

While rain stopped many of the riders from making it out in the second session, it also caused drama for the German and Brazilian teams. With a dry track turning quickly wet in the first session, both riders fell off their bikes. Brazil’s Superbike Champion Jadson Pina Laurett was unhurt and his bike suffered only minor damage. Germany’s Jan Martensen was also unhurt, but a huge dent in the right side of his frame meant a tense wait while officials investigated if his GSX-R750 was damaged beyond repair. Fortunately for him the frame was still straight and he is allowed to continue in the event. There is a one-strike and you are out rule in the GSX-R Cup – if a rider suffers a crash and there is major damage, then they are automatically disqualified.

Without any official times to compare, the riders used most of their practice time on track familiarising themselves with its tight turns.

After receiving their bikes early in the morning, the national teams spent the day making what minor adjustments they are allowed under the rules.

Thursday, September 12th sees the first 25-minute qualification session and the action is expected to heat up quickly, with every rider aiming to win the GSX-R Cup for his home nation.

Suzuki’s GSX-R Cup Final 2002 brings together the best motorcycle riders from around the globe to compete on identical GSX-R750 machinery. Riders will race in two finals – one on Friday 13th, the second on Saturday 14th. Each competing country is desperate to win the title for national pride. Every rider uses a Suzuki GSX-R in their home country and is already familiar with the awesome performance of the GSX-R range, which started the race-replica class of motorcycles in 1985 with the first GSX-R750.

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