Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The racing debut of the Ducati 999 saw Ducati France’s Frederic Protat and David Muscat qualify on pole position for the 200 Miglia di Vallelunga, the final round of the 2002 Endurance World Championship, with a time of 1:20.256.

According to a press release from Octagon Motorsports, the organizers of the Endurance World Championship, it is the first time a Superbike class machine has qualified on pole this season.

Fifty-six teams have entered the 200-mile endurance race at Vallelunga.

Vallelunga World Endurance Qualifying Results:

1. Ducati France (Frederic Protat/David Muscat), Ducati 999, 1:20.256

2. GMT94 (Sebastien Scarnato/William Costes/Christophe Guyot), Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:20.507

3. Zongshen 9 (Stephane Mertens/Warwick Nowland), Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:20.636

4. QB Phase One (Mike Edwards/D. Cudlin), Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:20.744

5. Zongshen 2 (Bruno Bonhuil/Igor Jerman/Pierrott Lerat), Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:20.821

6. Herman Verboven 6 (Didier Vankeymeulen/Jehan D’Orgeix), Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:20.876

7. Trackdaze 54 (Chris Burns/C. Jones), Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:21.322

8. Piazza Corse (Dario Marchetti/Marc Garcia/Bernard Garcia), Duc 998, 1:21.550

9. Axo Delmo Racing (Davide Messori/Ilario Dionisi), Aprilia RSV1000, 1:21.629

10. Team Pedercini (Paolo Blora/Marco Gerbaudo/Serafino Foti), Ducati 998, 1:22.000