Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday World Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:41.089
2. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:41.452
3. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R 1000, 1:41.523
4. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:41.723
5. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:41.759
6. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 1:41.876
7. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:42.089
8. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:42.107
9. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:42.427
10. Sebastien Gimbert, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:42.796
11. David Garcia, Ducati 998RS, 1:42.807
12. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:42.897
13. Leon Haslam, Ducati 998RS, 1:43.135
14. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:43.397
15. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:43.775
16. James Haydon, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:43.868
17. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:43.908
18. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:44.274
19. Bertrand Stey, Honda RC51, 1:44.619
20. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:44.771


Friday World Supersport Qualifying Results:

1. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600RR, 1:43.881
2. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR600RR, 1:44.143
3. Fabien Foret, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:44.630
4. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600RR, 1:44.699
5. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:44.926
6. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:44.979
7. Broc Parkes, Honda CBR600RR, 1:45.114
8. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:45.223
9. Julien Da Costa, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:45.335
10. Pere Riba, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:45.470
11. Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:45.619
12. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:45.730
13. Werner Daemen, Honda CBR600RR, 1:45.855
14. Iain MacPherson, Honda CBR600RR, 1:45.869
15. Christophe Cogan, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:45.895
16. Robert Ulm, Honda CBR600RR, 1:46.102
17. Simone Sanna, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:46.113
18. Thierry Vd Bosch, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:46.116
19. Ludovic Holon, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:46.735
20. Gianluca Nannelli, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:46.869


Friday European Superstock Qualifying Results:

1. Michael Fabrizio, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:45.165
2. Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati 999S, 1:45.180
3. James Ellison, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:46.670
4. Lorenzo Alfonsi, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:46.884
5. John Laverty, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:47.037
6. Ilario Dionisi, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:47.083
7. Gianluca Vizziello, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:47.179
8. Pierrot Vanstaen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:47.206
9. Bernat Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:47.468
10. Jose Manuel Hurtado, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:47.528


Friday Superside Qualifying Results:

1. Tom Hanks, Yamaha, 1:49.360
2. Jörg Steinhausen, Suzuki, 1:49.463
3. Steve Webster, Suzuki, 1:49.723
4. Klaus Klaffenböck, Yamaha, 1:51.714
5. Jock Skene, Suzuki, 1:52.846
6. Renaud Dernoncourt, Suzuki, 1:52.849
7. Sébastien Delannoy, Suzuki, 1:52.875
8. Jean-Noël Minguet, Suzuki, 1:53.328
9. Bill Philp, Yamaha, 1:53.556
10. Tim Reeves, Yamaha, 1:53.668


MOre, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist:

2003 Superbike World Championship
Round 12, Magny Cours, France , Friday 17th October, Friday Qualifying
Circuit: 4.411 kms, Weather: Dry, mostly sunny 16 C.

TROY HAPPY WITH 7TH ON OPENING DAY.
Troy was pretty happy with seventh on the first day of qualifying at Mangy-Cours today and is looking forward to improving his lap times tomorrow. The weather was much colder then when Troy tested about two weeks ago, so he and the team had a lot of work to do today. At the end, Troy’s lap times were more or less the same as the tests despite the start-finish straight being narrower at both ends. Briton Chris Walker (Ducati) set the quickest time today, with a lap of 1:41.089, ahead of local hero Regis Laconi (Ducati). Spaniard Gregorio Lavilla (Suzuki) posted the third fastest lap, James Toseland (Ducati) completing the front row of the grid. Frankie Chili (Ducati) is fifth, Ruben Xaus (Ducati) sixth and Troy seventh.

TROY – 7th, 1:42.089
The conditions were much better when we tested here two or so weeks ago, so there was quite a lot to do again. Also, they’ve made the track narrower at both ends of the start-finish straight, so to do more or less them same lap times (on race tyres as well!) we did at the tests is very good, so I’m pretty happy. I think, I’ll be able to get into the low 1:41s – or maybe even into the high 1:40s. On my first lap on a qualifying tyre I got into turn one a bit too hot and I must have lost about four tenths of a second, so I know that I can improve substantially. At the moment, the bike doesn’t feel the same as it did at the tests, but I’ll sit down with the team and work out what changes we need to make for tomorrow.


More, from a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

Superbike World Championship
Round 12: Magny-Cours, France
Friday 17 October 2003

First qualifying

HM Plant Ducatis on front row

The HM Plant Ducati team has started its last ever Superbike World Championship round in superb form with Chris Walker and James Toseland on the provisional front row. Walker was in pole position with a time of 1:41.089 and his team-mate was only 0.634 seconds behind the Nottingham rider in fourth place.

It has been a promising start for HM Plant Ducati at Magny-Cours’ first ever World Superbike event. On the French 4.411km circuit, Walker and Toseland also topped this morning’s free practice in first and second positions respectively. The British duo is already looking good for possible podium finishes in Sunday’s two races.

“Generally speaking, I’ve been quite strong on the first day of qualifying this year,” said Walker, who last qualified on provisional pole at Sugo in Japan in April. “I am determined that I’m going to remain focussed on Sunday’s two races, and that means I’m not going to get too carried away at this stage.

“The HM Plant Ducati has been working really well today and we’ve been fine-tuning our race set-up with Dunlop. I’m expecting that the other riders will come back strongly tomorrow, but I feel that I’ve got a bit more in reserve for the second qualifying session and Superpole.”

Toseland, who celebrated his 23rd birthday earlier this month, is also in good shape. “I was a bit anxious about coming here after missing one of the two test days last week,” said the Sheffield star, who has signed to ride for the Fila Ducati team in next year’s series. “However, I needn’t have worried because the team has done a great job with the HM Plant Ducati and I’m confident that we can move up a gear tomorrow.”


More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

First day progress for Corser and Haydon at Magny Cours

Foggy PETRONAS Racing riders Troy Corser and James Haydon both made good progress on the opening day of the final round of the World Superbike championship at the French circuit of Magny-Cours.

Troy finished the afternoon qualifying session seventh fastest with a time of 1:42.089, exactly one second off the pace set by Chris Walker. The Australian had spent most of the afternoon session holding the third fastest time on race tyres and admitted that a mistake on his flying lap on a qualifying tyre had prevented him from finishing higher up the day one standings.

Troy said: “I am pretty happy with the time, especially on race tyres, although I know I can be in the low 41s or even high 40s by tomorrow. The best times are pretty much the same as the test here two weeks ago, despite the fact they have made the start-finish straight slower by narrowing it at both ends. On my first lap on the qualifier I ran into the first corner too fast and probably lost four tenths. The bike isn’t responding quite the way it did at the test, but we are going to work on that overnight.”

James Haydon was also pleased to have improved his best test time by 1.5 seconds and, on his qualifying tyre set the seventh best first split. He said: “It makes such a difference to have tested here already. I really like the bike through the fast-flowing first section but am struggling through the hairpins and slower corners. I seem to be following the bike rather than having it follow me. But we have made a few steps in the right direction. Hopefully I will be using one of the new spec engines tomorrow so I am confident I can make a lot more progress.”


More, from a press release issued by Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks:

Laconi second and Garcia eleventh in Magny Cours friday qualifying

Regis Laconi managed today the second fastest in the debut day of the last round on the WSBK Championship on the 4411 meters circuit of Magny Cours.

The French rider of Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks, that next 2004 season will run under factory Ducati Fila banner, has leaded the group long more as half session, overtaken only in the final part, but he looks to be confident for Sunday race in front of the French fans:

“Well, all the job we have done during the test at the beginning of October is to throw away!” – said at the end of the day a disappointed Regis Laconi – “The weather conditions, two weeks later, are totally different ant those unusually cold conditions the tyres we selected did not performe well, so we must start once more from the first beginning, with the weather forecast promising about the same over the week end. Of course that’s what happen to everybody, but it’s a pity are not able to use the very good work we have done two weeks ago. The bike looks to perform well and we scored the third overall top speed of the grid, the fastest between the 998RS Ducati. Tomorrow we’ll have the possibility to look for the final set up, we’ll have a lot to do because here, in front of French crew, I want to offer a very great show.”

David Garcia too, despite missing the last session test, has been quite fast; his main problem of the young Spanish rider of 998RS Ducati Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks is still the hand injured in Japan: “Also if I missed the test I’m very satisfied of today’s result.” – confirms David Garcia back to the garage – “The bike is quite fast and I founded a good feeling. It has been a pity that during qualifying session a failure to the electronic gearbox stopped us for long time in the pit, but later also with the mechanical gearbox I scored very good lap times. I’m afraid about my hand; probably just at the end of the championship I’ll have a new surgery operation and I don’t want to have new troubles; so, looking at the race, I’ll made some medical preparation, but not for practice sessions and the pain doesn’t allow me to ride for several laps without stopping.”


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

XAUS SIXTH AND HODGSON NINTH IN MAGNY-COURS

Ducati Fila riders Ruben Xaus and Neil Hodgson could only manage sixth and ninth quickest times respectively in Magny-Cours first qualifying as Chris Walker (HM Plant Ducati) headed Regis Laconi (NCR Ducati) for the top slot.

Both the Spaniard and the British rider complained of lack of grip around the 4.411 km circuit but were confident they would improve in tomorrow’s final session. Conditions were unusually cold throughout the day at Magny-Cours, with the weather forecast promising more of the same over the weekend.

“I didn’t expect to be that far down on the grid” declared the new world champion, Neil Hodgson, “especially after we tested here last Friday. We’ve got a lot of work to do in all areas basically because the bike just doesn’t feel the same as it did last week. In particular we’re struggling with the gearing and with the tyre spinning coming out of the slow corners, but we’ll make a few changes tomorrow and I’m sure you’ll see me up at the front at the end of the day”.

“I have a lot of problems with the rear at the corners, but not when I come out, it’s when I go in” explained Ruben Xaus. “I can’t stop the bike at the reference points I had last week, because I go really long. The conditions are different for sure, including the temperature, so maybe the rear doesn’t grip as much and you tend to brake more at the front and that makes the rear lighter. When you go long in the corners, that ruins your exit. We know what we have to do, we’ve had a few Fridays like this before, Sunday is the race, that’s the important thing”.


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

TOP THREE FOR GREGORIO!

Team Suzuki Press Office Friday 17th October 2003.
Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra ride Gregorio Lavilla finished the first day of qualifying at Magny-Cours with the third quickest time, but is looking for further improvement tomorrow. Conditions today were very different to when Gregorio and most of the other teams tested two weeks or so ago and the much colder weather affected the Suzuki’s settings considerably. Despite posting the third fastest time of the day, Gregorio is trying to get the GSXR1000 Suzuki’s feeling the same as during the tests and once he does that, the his lap times will fall even more. Briton Chris Walker (Ducati) set today’s fastest time, with a lap of 1:41.089, with local favourite Regis Laconi (Ducati) second. Joining them and Gregorio on the front row of the grid is James Toseland (Ducati), with Frankie Chili (Ducati) fifth and Ruben Xaus (Ducati) sixth.

GREGORIO LAVILLA – 3rd, 1:41.523
So far it’s been OK, but the conditions are very different to when we were here a couple of weeks ago. I don’t know exactly what the temperature was then, but it was definitely a lot warmer then now! Then, I managed to get a good feeling with the GSXR1000 and at the moment, I have not been able to repeat that feeling – probably because of the conditions – even though the lap times are pretty similar. Today the tyres felt different, though that may be because we haven’t got exactly the same tyres as when we tested. This is a one-line track, so it’s very important to be on the front row of the grid and make a good start. The first section of the track (up to the Adelaide hairpin is OK, but the second part is not so good. It’s a track where it’s easy to make a small mistake and lose a lot of time as a result. Also, this is a track where I have to use first gear four times (more then any other circuit) and so getting the gearing right is vital. I hope to get a better feeling tomorrow and push much harder.