Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Afternoon 250cc Qualifying Results:

1. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:53.247
2. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:53.545
3. Yuki Takahashi, Honda, 1:54.351
4. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 1:54.418
5. Hiroshi Aoyama, Honda, 1:54.567
6. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:54.573
7. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 1:54.785
8. Sebastian Porto, Honda, 1:54.888
9. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:55.058
10. Alex Debon, Honda, 1:55.159
11. Tomoyoshi Koyama, Yamaha, 1:55.214
12. Choujun Kameya, Honda, 1:55.338
13. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:55.464
14. Chaz Davies, Aprilia, 1:55.741
15. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:55.925
16. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, 1:55.933
17. Anthony West, Aprilia, 1:56.231
18. Dirk Heidolf, Aprilia, 1:56.343
19. Alex Baldolini, Aprilia, 1:56.621
20. Hector Faubel, Aprilia, 1:56.751


More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Honda:

Dissatisfied Rolfo ninth in first qualifying session

Motegi, Japan – Friday October 3. Roberto Rolfo ended the first qualifying session for the Pacific 250 Grand Prix, to be contested at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Japan, this weekend. Rolfo is far from satisfied with the results of today but is not worried about the situation because he and the team know exactly what they have to do to improve in final qualifying tomorrow.

Rolfo took delivery of a series of new parts from Honda but it I difficult to test new parts during grand prix practice and qualifying and he failed to adjust his riding style the machine while using the latest configuration. In respect to this the Altadis will take a step backwards and return to the engine configuration the Fortuna Honda Team used successfully at the Rio GP.

“We changed a series of parts on the engine but they proved to be inadequate and for that reason the Fortuna Honda Team has decided what we have to do to improve resort to solutions we already know will be successful, and in my view more suited to this circuit.” Explained the Altadis rider.

“We lacked acceleration today at this circuit and the engine just did not feel as fast as we need it to be. However, that is something we can find solutions to for tomorrow by returning to the engine configuration we ran at Rio. We also have a little work on some points on the chassis to give me more confidence with the front end.” Confirmed the Fortuna Honda rider.

“The position we find ourselves in today I not a worry because we know exactly what we have to do, and we will do it tonight.” Commented Rolfo with conviction. Rolfo now holds second place in the world championship standings and aims to close the point’s gap on the series leader.