FIM Superbike World Championship Silverstone, England May 26 Provisional Qualifying Results: 1. Troy BAYLISS (Duc 999F06) 1:27.011, crash (twice) 2. Troy CORSER (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:27.068 3. Fonsi NIETO (Kaw ZX-10R) 1:27.205 4. Noriyuki HAGA (Yam YZF-R1) 1:27.364 5. James TOSELAND (Hon CBR1000RR) 1:27.418, crash 6. Andrew PITT (Yam YZF-R1) 1:27.539 7. Yukio KAGAYAMA (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:27.599 8. Karl MUGGERIDGE (Hon CBR1000RR) 1:27.648 9. Chris WALKER (Kaw ZX-10R) 1:27.656, crash 10. Regis LACONI (Kaw ZX-10R) 1:27.721, crash 11. Sebastien GIMBERT (Yam YZF-R1) 1:27.730 12. Tommy HILL (Yam YZF-R1) 1:27.807 13. Ruben XAUS (Duc 999F05) 1:27.810 14. Alex BARROS (Hon CBR1000RR) 1:27.940 15. Michel FABRIZIO (Hon CBR1000RR) 1:28.078 16. Norick ABE (Yam YZF-R1) 1:28.246 17. Lorenzo LANZI (Duc 999F06) 1:28.290, crash 18. Ivan CLEMENTI (Duc 999RS) 1:28.492 19. Max NEUKIRCHNER (Duc 999RS) 1:28.492, crash 20. Shinichi NAKATOMI (Yam YZF-R1) 1:28.503, crash 21. Josh BROOKES (Kaw ZX-10R) 1:28.561 22. Gianluca NANNELLI (Hon CBR1000RR) 1:28.766 23. Roberto ROLFO (Duc 999F05) 1:28.835 24. Craig JONES (Foggy Petronas FP1) 1:28.866 25. Fabien FORET (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:28.909 26. Vittorio IANNUZZO (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:28.980 27. Steve MARTIN (Foggy Petronas FP1) 1:29.199, crash 28. Marco BORCIANI (Duc 999F05) 1:30.533, crash More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse: BAYLISS (DUCATI XEROX) BOUNCES BACK FROM TWO QUALIFYING CRASHES TO TAKE PROVISIONAL POLE Silverstone (UK), Friday 26 May: It was an extraordinary first qualifying session for Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) at the Silverstone circuit as he bounced back from two crashes in difficult conditions to take the provisional pole position. The 37-year-old Australian, whose last Silverstone race was in 2002, albeit on the long circuit, ended up with a quickest time of 1m27.011s to head his closest championship rival Troy Corser (Suzuki) by a fraction. Fonsi Nieto (Kawasaki) and Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) took the other two top 4 places as four different manufacturers filled the front row. “Two crashes in one session, you wouldn’t exactly call that going to plan,” declared Troy. “It’s a typical British track, the sort of thing I remember from the British championship, you always encounter weather like this and it always makes for strange accidents. The first one was in the first series of rights before the back straight, I ran a bit wide but touched the wet ripple strip and it was like soap on a window. I went down quite hard on my hip but I was OK. I got going on the second bike and a lot of guys crashed on damp patches at the same corner, after you come under the bridge just before Priory. I went in and was looking at Toseland picking himself up, and then before I knew it the back came around and flung me through the air and down I went, cracking my head. James came and helped me up which was nice of him! I thought my session was finished but the guys had fixed the first bike which had mowed the grass basically and I got in a rhythm again and we ended up with the fastest lap which is what it’s all about.” Lorenzo Lanzi also crashed out in the slow Complex part of the track 25 minutes into the session and was unable to make the provisional cut-off mark for Superpole. “It’s a pity because for the moment I’m just out of the Superpole,” commented Lorenzo. “I went for a slide at the start of the session, where Troy, Toseland, Walker, Borciani and Martin all crashed so I’m in good company! The conditions of the track were very slippery but at the end we managed to recover a bit. The only problem was the others put on new tyres in the last ten minutes and we had used them half-way through the session so everyone improved at the end. That’s probably the only small mistake we made. Tomorrow let’s hope it’ll be dry, I must get into Superpole, I’ve always gone well here in the past, it’s a track I like a lot so I’m sure I can do it.” TIMES: 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1m27.011s; 2. Corser (Suzuki) 1m27.068s; 3. Nieto (Kawasaki) 1m27.205s; 4. Haga (Yamaha) 1m27.364s; 5. Toseland (Honda) 1m27.418s; 6. Pitt (Yamaha) 1m27.539s; 7. Kagayama (Suzuki) 1m27.599s; 8. Muggeridge (Honda) 1m27.648s; … 17. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 1m28.290s. More, from a press release issued by Winston Ten Kate Honda: FIFTH FOR TOSELAND AND EIGHTH FOR MUGGERIDGE ON DAY ONE Despite a first qualifying session that was red flagged twice, and suffering a highside crash at the slow Priory corner, James Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) scored the fifth fastest time of a disjointed first day. Karl Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda) slotted into eighth place on the grid, with all the times improving as the track dried out after a wet opening unofficial practice session. Several riders fell during the single hour of qualifying, but Muggeridge kept his machine upright throughout, to qualify for Superpole with ease, should the final qualifying session on Saturday prove to be wet. Ronald Ten Kate Team Manager “I am quite happy about how the weekend has started for us on the Superbike side of things. James did very well all day; even in the wet this morning, he was up there. This afternoon we had a dry session, which started off really well, but then he hit some dirt or something on the track, which caused him to crash. We had to go to James’ second bike and we had to make some adjustments throughout the session to make the bike work the same as his number one machine. We are quite happy because in the first three sectors we are quite fast, but we have to focus a bit from now on the last sector. James was frequently up on the first splits only to lose his pole time in the final part. For Karl it is good to see him getting back up to fitness and getting on better with the bike. To have both riders in the positions they are in right now is good, but we know we have a lot of work to do to improve the bikes. I’m sure all the staff will work as hard as ever to make the bikes the best they can be.” James Toseland Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider (4th Position 1’27.418) “I fell on some oil or dirt on the track. Troy Bayliss and I fell at the same time, and I landed on my ankle and my knee, but I am OK. We have quite a few things to try tomorrow, because we are losing a lot of time in just one particular section. I’m having to do it in first gear at the moment but I want to do it in second, like I did last year.” Karl Muggeridge Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider (8th Position 1’27.648) “My back is a bit stiff right now but I will have a good rubdown and then I’ll be good for tomorrow. We are trying a lot of things on the bike at the moment, even which one to use as a number one bike. We are not really clear in that we need to achieve, so after this session it will become clearer when we sit down and work out what to do tomorrow. I’m not 100% satisfied right now and we basically need to improve the handling, so we can soak up the bumps and keep the line. We also need to get more traction and in different parts of the track we need to work on different things.” More, from a press release issued by FGSport Group: BAYLISS BUMPS AND GRINDS HIS WAY TO PROVISIONAL POLE – TWO CRASHES CAN’T HALT THE PROGRESS OF BAYLISS A day of crashes, stoppages, changeable weather and the usual intense Superbike competitiveness was finally put to rest by the impressive pace of Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox), who beat the existing race lap record with a 1’27.011 lap. His best circuit of the Silverstone track was set on race tyres, and came despite a double fall in the twice-interrupted first qualifying session in the afternoon. Just behind Bayliss, only 0.057 seconds down, Troy Corser (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) went second quickest, and in a dazzlingly close session, the top 26 qualifiers were all within two seconds of pole. The true competitiveness of the 2006 series was indicated again, even at an early stage, when five different manufacturers filled the top five places on the provisional grid. Third place went to the late charging Fonsi Nieto (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse), fourth to the Yamaha of Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) and fifth to 2004 champion and 2005 Silverstone race winner, James Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda). WET AND DRY FOR EVERYONE AS CRASH TOTAL MOUNTS With a high possibility of poor weather for Saturday’s final regulation qualification, today’s times may well end up as those which determine the top 16 to go forward to Superpole – and thus could be the times that determine grid positions for all the other competitors. The wet morning session limited the dry testing time for all riders, enough to make the qualifying period a real challenge of character and set-up skill, even before the two crash-inspired interruptions when possible grid positions were won and lost. An unidentified slippery patch caused havoc in the timed session, and as well as the second of Bayliss’ two crashes, a further five riders were to slide off or highside at the infamous 21st marshal’s post. The lead in the timed session changed no fewer than 16 times. PITT, KAGAYAMA AND MUGGERIDGE PROVE TEAM-MATE POWER Despite having to watch their team-mates finish ahead of them on the opening day’s time sheets, Andrew Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia), Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) and Karl Muggeridge scored provisional second row starts, with Pitt sixth and Muggeridge eighth. PSG-1 Kawasaki team-mates Chris Walker and Regis Laconi secured top ten finishes, one place ahead of two time leader of the pack in the first session, Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha Motor France Ipone) WILDCARD HILL CLIMBS INTO TOP 12 BSB regular Tommy Hill (Virgin Mobile Yamaha) enjoyed his first day in the top flight at Silverstone, pushing Ruben Xaus (Sterilgarda Berik Ducati) and Alex Barros (Klaffi Honda) to 13th and 14th places respectively. The wildcard rider is well used to the International Silverstone layout, as used in BSB racing. Michel Fabrizio (DFX Honda) and Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France Ipone) complete the current Superpole qualified 16. Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) has not currently qualified for Superpole, and will be wishing for dry weather on Saturday morning, to give himself a chance to improve. WORLD SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) got his Silverstone weekend off to a flying start by posting the provisional pole time, 1’30.516, after an opening qualifying session which was twice red-flagged to a halt. In the first incident Robbin Harms crashed out on his Honda and in the second, former full time WSS rider and current UK Supersport wild card rider Pere Riba fell from his Kawasaki. With only 45 seconds left on the clock, and the earlier delay, the session was halted at that point. Yamaha Motor Germany rider Kevin Curtain scores second quickest time, his team-mate Broc Parkes third and Riba, despite his crash, fourth. Massimo Roccoli (Yamaha Team Italia) and Matthieu Lagrive (Intermot Czech Klaffi) went fifth and sixth fastest). SUPERSTOCK 1000 FIM CUP Claudio Corti (Yamaha Team Italia) took the fastest time in the Superstock 1000 class, with double 2006 race winner Alessandro Polita (Celani Suzuki) second, almost half a second down on his countryman. Luca Scassa (EVR Corse Ormeni Racing) went third on his MV Agusta, and the Lightspeed Kawasaki of Riccardo Chiarello made it four Italian riders in the top four, but four different makes of machines in the top positions to boot. EUROPEAN 600 SUPERSTOCK CHAMPIONSHIP Niccolo Canepa (Ducati Xerox 749R) boomed his way to provisional pole in the smallest Superstock division, finishing an impressive 0.790 seconds clear of second place rider, Davide Guigliano (Lightspeed Kawasaki). Another Lightspeed Kawasaki rider, Davide Guigliano, posted the third fastest time, in a field of 35 entrants. More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist: MIXED CONDITIONS, BUT TROY EASILY SECOND The first day of qualifying at Silverstone saw very mixed conditions, so Troy rode used his head and took advantage of a dry track in the afternoon to finish second fastest. His fellow countryman Troy Bayliss (Ducati) posted the day’s best time, with a lap of 1:27.011. Third was Fonsi Nieto (Kawasaki), with Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) completing the provisional front row of the grid. The track was very wet in the morning session but, in the afternoon, conditions improved. Nearly half the timed qualifying session took place in the dry and that was when all the riders set their best lap times. TROY – 2nd, 1:27.068 Today went pretty well really and I’m reasonably happy. In the morning session it was very wet and we didn’t have the best set-up on our bike, so I took it fairly steadily. The weather improved a bit in the afternoon timed qualifying and I reckon we got about half an hour maybe of pretty dry track time. But there were still some damp patches around, so you had to take care of your line. Obviously some people didn’t, because there were quite a few crashes! When the track dried, we went back to the set-up we used here last year and it worked pretty well straightaway. Silverstone is very much a one-line track, so the last thing we all need is a wet race. I hope that it is dry tomorrow and it stays that way for Sunday, because then the racing will be much better for sure. More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing: Superpole challenge after Silverstone misfortune for FPR Foggy PETRONAS Racing riders Craig Jones and Steve Martin came through an eventful first day of qualifying at Silverstone with work to do challenge for Superpole positions. Both riders suffered bruising in high-side crashes at the Brooklands hairpin, where many riders perished during the first day of qualifying for the fifth round of the Superbike World Championship. Craig bounced back from his morning mishap on a greasy section of the circuit, which caught out a number of riders throughout the day, to overcome further set-backs and finish just 0.6 seconds off the Superpole pace. Steve was taken to the medical centre mid-way through the afternoon session but returned to the track, although still in clear discomfort. Just two seconds separated the field at the shortest circuit on the calendar, with Troy Bayliss again leading the way, and the battle for Superpole positions tomorrow morning is expected to be intense, with variable weather conditions also a factor. Craig, 24th fastest, said: “Every time I was getting into a rhythm there was an interruption. I was black-flagged for no reason, next there was a red flag when Steve crashed, and then we had to test something for tomorrow right at the end of the qualifying session when I felt I could have gone quicker. While a lot went wrong, we still came out with a decent result which is not too far off the Superpole pace. And I have been concentrating on set-up today so I can chase times a bit more tomorrow. I am not too focused on making Superpole, as I don’t need to be on the first four rows to have a good start. But this year is all about learning for me and it would be nice to try a qualifying tyre. We are going to concentrate on gearing overnight and try and shorten the bike so that I have more grip through the twisty sections.” Steve, 27th fastest, said: “Things were looking good in the afternoon when I hit a patch where seven riders went down in the afternoon, so something was wrong with the track there. It was a massive high-side and I landed on my back and couldn’t really walk straight after. It is difficult to get back in a groove after a crash like that, particularly on my second bike. Hopefully it will be dry tomorrow so that we can make further improvements but it is going to be tough to make Superpole tomorrow, although this is the kind of place where a little set-up change can make a big improvement.” More, from a press release issued by Team Klaffi Honda: A new race track for Alex Barros on the first day at Silverstone the Brazilian rider of Team Klaffi Honda was busy to get the course under control. And this was not so easy, because after some heavy rainfalls the whole track was wet in the morning and the conditions were not so perfect. Even at the beginning of the first qualifying session some sections of the track were still very slippery and hazardous. Alex Barros: “This was my first practice here under dry conditions though it was slippery in the beginning. The track is new for me and I had some problems. There are still some things we have to try and to optimize. The Silverstone race track is not so much a technical but a physical challenge. I have to improve myself and I hope it will be dry tomorrow.” More, from a press release issued by Beowulf Racing: BEOWULF’S HENDERSON SURVIVES SILVERSTONE SCARE 2006 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, Rd 3 Silverstone, UK Qualifying session 1, Fri 26th May Despite a heart-stopping moment when he bounced the Beowulf Racing Suzuki along the grass, Nick Henderson lies in 25th place after the first day of Qualifying for the third round of the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup at Silverstone in the UK. The Australian, who rides for the British Shepton Mallet-based team, recorded a time of 1:33.430, just over 3 seconds behind Italian Claudio Corti’s (Yamaha) current pole-setting lap of 1:29.781. This weekend’s events are being run on the 2.2-mile International circuit, rather than the more familiar Grand Prix layout used for F1 racing. Although this morning’s half-hour free practice session was run on a saturated track, the overnight rain abated just in time for its start. Henderson’s mission was simple: to log the best time he could whilst ensuring the bike remained upright. Despite one scary moment when the former Australian champion hit the grass only to regain control when his machine slided forwards onto a fortunately-placed slip road, Nick succeeded in his mission bagging a time of 1:54.846. In contrast, the afternoon timed qualifying period was run under dry and largely bright conditions. It was clear to see how hard Henderson was trying with his machine squirming around as he braked heavily into the Abbey hairpin on every lap. Although Nick is far from happy with his final position, he’s confident he’ll be further up the grid by the end of tomorrow. “Although I’ve done a track day here before, it was on the shorter National circuit not this layout” he said. “It was a shame in a lot of ways that it didn’t stay wet in the afternoon, because the fresh conditions meant starting again. We’re moving forwards and with the usual overnight adjustments I’m sure there’s more to come tomorrow.” Asked about his early morning excursion onto the grass he commented: “Everyone’s been telling me what a scary moment I had but it really didn’t seem that bad at the time. I guess things must just look different when you’re sat in the saddle.” Team Manager Andy Stone was also in buoyant mood: “We’re a lot, lot closer to the top 15 than we were after the first day at Valencia or Monza” he said. “The aim is to get Nick a start for the race from the front four rows and if we’ve achieved that by the end of tomorrow we’ll be over the moon.” Saturday will consist of a second practice and qualifying period, lasting 30 and 25 minutes respectively. Sunday’s race is over 15 laps and with the Australian desperate to make more of an impact on the International scene, anything could happen at the famous Northamptonshire circuit. To learn more about Nick Henderson and Beowulf Racing visit www.beowulf-racing.com FIM SUPERSTOCK 1000 CUP, RD 3 SILVERSTONE Qualifying Session 1 Results 1 Claudio Corti (Ita) Yamaha 1:29.781 2. Alessandro Polita (Ita) Suzuki 1:30.280 3. Luca Scassa (Ita) MV Augusta 1:30.705 25. Nick Henderson (Aus) Suzuki 1.33.430 More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki: Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Troy Corser took his GSX-R1000 to the second fastest time in today’s opening World Superbike Qualifying session at Silverstone in Britain. On a day of mixed conditions, the Australian rode steadily and finished behind his fellow countryman Troy Bayliss (Ducati). The track was very wet in the morning session but in the afternoon conditions improved and almost half the timed qualifying session took place in the dry. Corser’s team mate Yukio Kagayama finished the day seventh quickest with Team Alstare Engineering Corona Extra rider Fabien Foret 25th. Troy Corser – 2nd, 1:27.068: “I’m reasonably happy with how today went – especially considering the wet conditions this morning. For the first session we didn’t have the best set-up and we struggled a bit. In the afternoon, when the track dried out, we went back to the set-up we used here last year and it worked pretty well straight away. There was some damp on the track but I tried to keep away from it as it really wasn’t the line I wanted. I hope that it is dry tomorrow because Silverstone is a one-line track at the best of times, so the last thing we need is a wet race.” Yukio Kagayama – 7th, 1:27.599: “My wrist and ankle is still a little sore, but once I am on the bike it is no problem. My experience allows me to be able to ride in this condition ok. When the track was full wet, the grip was so-so, but when the track was half wet it was difficult. Today I had many small problems and because we did not have so much dry track time, it was a little difficult to know which direction to take tomorrow. I will sit down with my technicians and we will decide which way to start. For me this track has four sections. I am ok in the first three, but the last one is where I am losing some time, so I need to improve this area tomorrow.” Fabien Foret – 25th, 1:28.909: “It was not such a good day for me and I am disappointed to be so far down the order. I have never ridden a Superbike here before so the first session this morning when it was wet was difficult for me. I didn’t want to do anything stupid, so maybe I was a bit too steady. We got some dry track time this afternoon but it was not enough to make good progress, so I am hoping that we can have two good dry sessions tomorrow.” More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing: Yamaha Motor Italia rider Noriyuki Haga shone in first qualifying at a damp and windy Silverstone today, ending the day in fourth place with team-mate Andrew Pitt an equally strong sixth. Morning practice took place in wet conditions and although the track was mostly dry for the one-hour afternoon qualifying, the tricky conditions caught out many big name riders and led to two stoppages caused by riders crashing. Haga, who gave the Yamaha YZF-R1 its first world superbike podium finish at Silverstone 12 months ago, looked comfortable in both the wet and dry conditions, setting the third fastest time in the rainy morning session. The Japanese rider declared himself happy with the basic set-up of his Yamaha but will work overnight with his team to further improve the machine ahead of Sunday’s two 28-lap races. Pitt made a big improvement in the closing stages of the session to end as the day’s sixth fastest rider at one of his least favourite circuits. Having spent the session experimenting with the set-up of his YZF-R1, the Australian effectively switched back to his base settings to jump up the grid. With quarter of an hour to go Yamaha Motor France’s Sebastien Gimbert topped the leader board. The Frenchman had suffered a spectacular crash in the morning practice, when he slid off his R1 going down the start-finish straight. The accident wrecked his machine and left him with abrasions on his back. Despite the handicap he finished the day 11th. Yamaha Motor France’s Japanese duo had tougher days, with Norick Abe 16th and Shinichi Nakatomi 20th on his first visit to the circuit. Local wild-card Tommy Hill was 12th on another YZF-R1. Grid positions will be decided in tomorrow’s superpole session for the top 16 riders from qualifying. With rain a strong possibility tomorrow morning, the superpole participants could well be decided on today’s times. Fastest rider today was championship leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati), ahead of world champion Troy Corser (Suzuki) and Fonsi Nieto (Kawasaki). Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) “Not so bad although I am a little bit angry not to get pole as I had a small problem on what should have been my fastest lap. The feeling with the bike is already good in both the wet and dry but we will work more tomorrow to try and make it better for the races.” Andrew Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia) “The track was a bit patchy: you’d go in on the dry but then hit a wet bit, but it went ok for us and I’m quite happy. We started the session off well but got a bit lost with the changes we made, before going back to basics to get the lap time. We’ve still got a bit of a problem with the bike wheelying too much but that’s the only point where I think I’m losing some time.” Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha Motor France) “I am happy with how things have gone today. The times are very close with just 0.7 second between me and the pole. It was good to be at the top of the timesheets but at the end I went out to test the race tyre rather than going for an improved time. Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France) “This morning the feeling with the bike was not so good, but then I have never been able to feel comfortable with the superbike in wet conditions. The afternoon was not so bad but the conditions were quite strange, with many riders going down at one corner. Every lap I would see someone else go down there and as a result I was not able to fully attack that corner until the very end. I am still having some problems with the right hand I injured in Monza. This might cause me some problems in the race, as there is a lot of hard braking at this circuit. I am happy to be in the top 16 as I will be in superpole if it rains tomorrow morning, although I hope it is dry and I can show my best.” Shinichi Nakatomi (Yamaha Motor France) “I had a crash at the same corner as all the other riders and this meant I could not be as high as I like. I went out on a different tyre option and it caught me out but I am not injured and hope we can have some dry conditions tomorrow.” Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator – Yamaha Motor Italia) “A good day. Nori’s lap times are very consistent and he seem to be as fast as anyone, while Andrew made just a few changes to the set-up we have used at Monza and Mugello, suggesting that he has found a base setting that really works for him. He started out by following Toseland for a few laps but found that he could pass and go faster on his own. Compared with last year he is looking very strong and I’m pleased because both the riders are happy with their set-ups and seem to have good tyre life around this circuit.”