ROW THREE START FOR MASON Stobart Honda rider Gary Mason ended up in tenth position following a hectic second qualifying session at an overcast Oulton Park today at round eleven of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship. The 26 year old from Lichfield held provisional pole position following a rain interrupted first session and was hopeful that the forecast afternoon showers materialised but sadly for him they didn’t. Mason bravely hung on for a front slow slot until late in the session before being bumped down to the third row in the dying throes. “I’m very happy with my race times. I’ve only gone a tenth of a second quicker on my qualifier than on the race tyre so I’m very confident for tomorrow and looking forward to it. The bike feels awesome and the good thing is that it feels great on race tyres” said Mason. Meanwhile team mate Michael Laverty struggled due to injury and ended up in 26th position aboard the VK, Vent Axia and The Mob backed Stobart Honda. The 24 year old from Toomebridge is still carrying the legacy of his huge Silverstone crash and is a doubt for tomorrow’s two races. “Its frustrating riding the bike knowing I can go a lot faster and my body won’t let me. It’s too much for the strength I’ve got. I’m talking to the team tonight to see if I’m going to race tomorrow or not. I can’t expect too much from my body too soon, but another two weeks rest should see me OK again for Donington” said Laverty. Team owner Paul Bird was away contesting round six of the MSA National Gravel Rally Championship and in his absence Crew Chief Phil Borley commented: “I think Gary was a bit disappointed with his time on the qualifier but he has got a good race set up so we’re hoping for a top five from him tomorrow. Michael is still struggling with injuries from Silverstone and can’t muscle the bike around so he might not ride tomorrow. We will be speaking with Paul later before making a decision.” Superbike Qualifying 1, Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 1m36.312s, 2, Tommy Hill (Yamaha) 1m36.397s, 3, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 1m36.435s, 4, John Reynolds (Suzuki) 1m36.508s, 5, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) 1m36.537s, 6, Leon Haslam (Ducati) 1m36.577s, 7, Karl Harris (Honda) 1m36.806s, 8, Dean Thomas (Kawasaki) 1m36.895s, 9, James Haydon (Suzuki) 1m36.904s, 10, Gary Mason (Stobart Honda) 1m37.014s. More, from a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki: JR on the front row at Oulton Park RIZLA SUZUKI’S John Reynolds will start from fourth on the front row of the grid for tomorrow’s 11th round of the British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park. Morning qualification was blighted by rain but the afternoon session was dry and decided the grid for both races. JR headed the timesheets for much of the 50-minutes as he tested tyres and new suspension settings. Traffic hampered his final qualifying lap but he ended the day happy with a front row start. Rizla Suzuki racer James Haydon was battling with JR for the fastest time throughout qualification. Like his team mate, James was baulked by slower riders on his final qualifying laps and finished 9th to head the third row of the grid. Less than one second separated the top 11 riders and Ducati’s Gregorio Lavilla took pole position. Superbike racing starts at 1325hrs on Sunday, September 11th, at Oulton Park in Cheshire. All the action will be covered live on Sky Sports and will be followed by a highlights package on Channel 4 the following weekend. JR: “Well done to my technicians for making big improvements with the handling of my Rizla Suzuki throughout the day. In the morning I wasn’t happy with the fork settings on my bike as it felt like I was pushing the front end through the corners. By the end of the day it felt much more confidence inspiring and that helped me get on to the front row. “While my Rizla Suzuki feels good, I still don’t think it is 100 per cent and there is more to come. I am pushing the team hard to make further improvements. We have a chance tomorrow to challenge for the podium.” James: “My final qualifying laps were spoiled by slower traffic out on circuit. On my last lap I was on a real flier, setting my fastest first sector split and going for it until I caught a slower rider who was holding the racing line mid-corner. That ended my challenge but I’m okay with ninth it’s the right side of the track for the first corner and I am confident of getting a good start off the line. “My Rizla Suzuki feels good and we made very few adjustments to it today as it is giving me the feedback and control I want. I feel I can run with anyone on race tyres and I’m optimistic.” Robert Wicks, Team Manager: “Qualification was exciting and it was great to see both our riders at the top of the time sheets during the session – that was firing up the whole team. “Traffic played its part towards the end of the session and James in particular was unlucky not to improve in the dying minutes. He is very happy with the handling and performance of his GSX-R1000 and if he can get a good start tomorrow he’ll be in the reckoning. JR is still pushing for more from his bike and that’s encouraging as he is focused on the podium and nothing else. “The weather report is mixed for race day. As long as it is either completely wet or completely dry we will be in good shape. If it is something in-between, then it’s a lottery as we will need to guess which tyres to pick. Either way it’s going to be exciting for the crowds and TV viewers.” Qualifying Times: 1: Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 1:36.312, 2: Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +0.085, 3: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +0.123, 4: JOHN REYNOLDS (RIZLA SUZUKI) +0.196, 5: Glen Richards (Kawasaki) +0.225, 6: Leon Haslam (Ducati) +0.265, 7: Karl Harris (Honda) +0.494, 8: Dean Thomas (Kawasaki) +0.583, 9: JAMES HAYDON (RIZLA SUZUKI) +0.592, 10: Gary Mason (Honda) +0.702.

Charpentier Tops World Supersport Qualifying In Germany 1. Sebastian CHARPENTIER, Honda CBR600RR, 1:42.017 2. Kevin CURTAIN, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:42.157 3. Fabien FORET, Honda CBR600RR, 1:42.327 4. Broc PARKES, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:42.548 5. Michel FABRIZIO, Honda CBR600RR, 1:42.961 6. Stephane CHAMBON, Honda CBR600RR, 1:43.128 7. Katsuaki FUJIWARA, Honda CBR600RR, 1:43.214 8. Robbin HARMS, Honda CBR600RR, 1:43.337 9. Matthieu LAGRIVE, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:43.423 10. Alessio CORRADI, Ducati 749R, 1:43.433

Lanzi Takes Eurospeedway World Superbike Superpole 1. Lorenzo LANZI, Ducati 999F05, 1:39.019 2. Troy CORSER, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.092 3. Chris VERMEULEN, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:39.275 4. James TOSELAND, Ducati 999F05, 1:39.665 5. Andrew PITT, Yamaha YZF-R!, 1:39.899 6. Karl MUGGERIDGE, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:39.924 7. Noriyuki HAGA, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:40.109 8. Max NEUKIRCHNER, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:40.187 9. Yukio KAGAYAMA, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:40.191 10. Steve MARTIN, Petronas FP-1, 1:40.282 11. Pier Fancesco CHILI, Honda CBR1000RR,1:40.494 12. Ivan CLEMENTI, Ducati 999RS, 1:40.564 13. Ben BOSTROM, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:40.825 14. Michael SCHULTEN, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:40.875 15. Norick ABE, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:41.448 16. Marco BORCIANI, Ducati 999RS, 1:41.600 17. Garry MCCOY, Petronas FP-1, 1:41.127 18. Giovanni BUSSEI, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:41.128 19. Sebastian GIMBERT, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:41.224 20. Jose Luis CARDOSO, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:41.268 More, from a press release issued by Xerox Ducati: SENSATIONAL LANZI STORMS TO POLE POSITION FOR DUCATI XEROX TEAM – TOSELAND COMPLETES THE FRONT ROW Lausitz (Germany), Saturday 10 September: Italian Lorenzo Lanzi caused a major sensation in World Superbike this afternoon as he stormed to pole position on the Xerox-backed Ducati 999F05. 23-year-old Lanzi, who was called in this week by Ducati Corse from Scuderia Caracchi to sub for the injured Régis Laconi, has been in terrific form ever since he sat on the bike for the first time on Friday morning. Lanzi’s time of 1m39.019s was the quickest lap ever recorded around the 4.265 km Eurospeedway Lausitz circuit and his pole position was the first by an Italian in factory Ducati colours since Pierfrancesco Chili at Assen in 1998. “To be honest I really didn’t expect to set pole, but seeing as how well I began the weekend on Friday, I was really hoping to be able to do it. After all that’s what I’m here for and today I demonstrated that I can stay with the best of them” declared Lorenzo. “Getting on a new bike, one of the best in the world championship and immediately setting pole position with the riders that there are around today is not an easy task, but I succeeded, and in particular it gives me great pleasure to beat Corser, who is a real Superpole specialist. Today I couldn’t ask for more and I am so happy! This morning I crashed but it helped me to find the limits of this bike, I only slid off and it wasn’t serious. I’ve got a fantastic feeling with this bike, hopefully tomorrow I’ll get a good start and then we’ll see in the races!”. James Toseland was not far behind on the #1 Ducati 999 and the British rider lines up on the outside of the front row for tomorrow’s races, alongside Lanzi and the other two front row men, Troy Corser (Suzuki) and Chris Vermeulen (Honda). “I’m happy to be on the front row, it’s been a bit difficult this weekend. Friday morning was good but then we hit a bit of a brick wall and we just need to take that one little step further” commented James. “I had a tumble this morning and bruised my arm but it was only a slow crash and I’m all right. We’re going to try something tomorrow morning but I’m quietly confident for the races. We’re just losing a bit of time in one section but it’s mainly me really and we need to sort it out. I need to be on the front row here, it’s very important to get a good start and stay with these boys and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. But big congratulations to the other guy in the Ducati Xerox Team, Lorenzo Lanzi, who really deserved it today, first time in the team and first pole position!”. More, from a press release issued by Team Klaffi Honda: Frankie Chili finished 9th in qualifying but lost two places in Superpole. So Frankie starts from position 11 in the third row tomorrow. Team Max Neukirchner took position 8 in the second qualifying session. In the free practices before Superpole Max crashed cause there was dirt on the track. But only some minutes later Max proved his performance in Superpole again. He did a 1’40.187 lap time. So he will start from 8th position tomorrow. Max Neukirchner roguish as he is: “žIt was like popping down to the shops! ” Tatu Lauslehto/Supersport achieved starting position 14, guest rider Steve Mizera 28. More, from a press release issued by World Superbike Press Office: LANZI TAKES SUPERPOLE WIN IN XEROX DUCATI DEBUT – ESTABLISHED ORDER REARRANGED BY FASTEST LAP OF THE WEEKEND Lorenzo Lanzi’s first chance to ride factory equipment in his rookie SBK season may have only come due the absence through injury of Xerox Ducati regular Regis Laconi, but the talented privateer snatched at his opportunity with both hands and a cool head, backing up his great form in regular qualifying with his first ever Superpole win. His time of 1’39.019 was the fastest of the weekend, and a new track record in qualifying. It improved his personal best at this track by over half a second, and a total of six riders set their quickest laps of Lausitz in Superpole. The weather conditions proved to be every bit as favourable as those experienced on the first hot and dry day, and the track conditions appeared to improve all the more with use. Thanks to the continuing high pace of 2004 World Champion James Toseland, each of the Xerox Ducatis earned front row starts, after Toseland posted fourth fastest time, his personal best of the weekend at 1’40.053. CORSER MISSES OUT DESPITE FASTEST REGULATION QUALIFYING TIME Troy Corser (Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki) looked to be on course for yet another pole position place, but a slow middle sector and a small problem downshifting on two occasions stopped him from capitalising on his good early pace, and he had to settle for second on the grid. His team-mate Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki) went ninth (only good enough for a third row start) experiencing two lurid rear wheel slides in Superpole as he exited the slowest corners on the track. VERMEULEN FRONT ROW AS MUGGERIDGE GOES SIXTH Assen double race winner Chris Vermeulen (Winston Ten Kate Honda) earned himself a useful start from the front row with his third fastest Superpole time, relieved to have a good chance of being one of the leading riders into the tortuous first section of the circuit, where overtaking is almost impossible and rider-to-rider contact probable. His team-mate Karl Muggeridge was third last away, thanks to qualifying third in regulation, but ended up on the second row, battling to the sixth fastest time of the Superpole session. PITT THE LEADING YAMAHA RIDER ON THE GRID Yamaha Motor Italia rider Andrew Pitt joined the top five elite after Superpole, outdoing his team-mate Noriyuki Haga by two positions, even if each still starts from the second row. Both riders are now on the same riding packages they have used for most of the season, after a temporary new engine spec appeared at Assen for Haga, and testing of a new rear swingarm took place earlier in Lausitz qualifying. MAX ON SECOND ROW AT HIS HOME RACE IN GERMANY Max Neukirchner (Klaffi Honda) was the top placed German rider on show, taking his CBR to eighth place and a start from the second row for Sunday’s Superbike races. Looking fast and smooth, he has most of the hopes of an expectant home nation riding on his shoulders, after wild card entry Michael Schulten (Alpha Technik van Zon Honda) slipped down from his regulation qualifying eighth place to 14th. He thus starts from the fourth row. SBK regulars Ben Bostrom (Renegade Honda Koji) and Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France IPONE) were 13th and 15th fastest, with Marco Borciani’s Ducati 16th and last in Superpole. Star of the privateer challengers in Superpole was Ivan Clementi (Pedercini Ducati) took a third row start in 12th, one place behind Pierfrancesco Chili (Klaffi Honda). PETRONAS REPEATS FAMILIAR PATTER Not for the first time in 2005 the Petronas pairing of Steve Martin and Garry McCoy experienced different qualifying fortunes. After finishing 11th after the regulation session, Martin battered his way to an untidy but highly rewarding start from tenth on the grid. His team-mate McCoy missed out on Superpole by a place, and starts from the front of row five, in 17th place from 29 qualifiers. More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki: CORSER JUST MISSES SUPERBIKE POLE Team Suzuki Press Office – September 10, 2005. Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Troy Corser made a small mistake on his Superpole lap and missed out on pole position for tomorrow’s German World Superbike round at Lausitzring by just 73/100ths of a second. He had been up on his first split but then a small error on the back straight lost him time and another Superpole win. Team mate Yukio Kagayama finished with the ninth fastest lap and was disappointed because his time was very close to a second-row grid place. Lorenzo Lanzi – standing in for injured Regis Laconi – surprised everybody by taking Superpole on the factory Ducati. Third quickest is Chris Vermeulen (Honda), with James Toseland (Ducati) fourth. Troy Corser – 2nd, 1:39.092: “I could have had Superpole but I didn’t and it was my fault. My first sector was good, but on the back straight I went from fifth to third gear instead of going into second. I ran wide and lost some time and that was enough to push me down to second place. But I’m on the front row and that’s what counts. “I normally make good starts so I’m pretty confident of getting away pretty well. Today we ran a race distance as a test of the tyres and I’m very happy with how the front behaved. I hope the rear works as well, but the races are long tomorrow and a lot will depend on the last eight or so laps. Lausitzring is not a particularly good place for overtaking so I’ll want to be in the lead or the top three or so right from the start. There are a lot of bumps on the track, so 24 laps round here times two is going to be pretty physical. Tomorrow is going to be tough, for sure.” Yukio Kagayama – 9th 1:40.191: “I am disappointed to be on the third row because my times were so close to Haga and he’s on row two. It is going to make life difficult for sure but I usually make good starts so I am hoping to be in touch with the leaders straight from the start. A lot depends on the rhythm of the leaders in the early laps: If they go off very fast, they may open out a gap and then it will be very hard to catch them again. I want good starts, good fights and good results.” Final Superbike Qualifying: Lanzi (I-Ducati) 1:39.019, 2 Troy Corser (Aus-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 1:39.092, 3 Vermeulen (Aus-Honda) 1:39.275, 4 Toseland (GB-Ducati) 1:39.665, 5 Pitt (Aus-Yamaha) 1:39.899, 6 Muggeridge (Aus-Honda) 1:39.924, 7 Haga (J-Yamaha) 1:40.109, 8 Neukirchner (D-Honda) 1:40.187, 9 Yukio Kagayama (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 1:40.191, 10 Martin (Aus-Petronas) 1:40.282. SUPERSTOCK 600 RACE: Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Xavi Simeon finished in a podium third position in the eight round of the Superstock 600 European Championship race at Lausitzring. He made a good start, then a small mistake on the brakes on the first lap let three riders pass him. He kept up a good rhythm and chased the leaders for the rest of the race. On the last lap, leader Corti (Yamaha) crashed in the final chicane and was hit by second place Tiberio (Honda) allowing third placed Berger (Honda) through to take the flag. Tiberio remounted immediately and managed to takes second with Xavi third. Xavi Simeon – 3rd: “I saw a cloud of dust on the last lap and thought it was the winner celebrating so it was a surprise to see Corti and his bike down in the gravel. But, I am very happy with my podium because my bike worked very well and I enjoyed my race a lot.” Superstock 600 Results: 1 Berger (F-Honda), 2 Tiberio (F-Honda), 3 Xavi Simeon (B-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra), 4 Antonelli (I-Kawasaki), 5 Jezek (CZ-Kawasaki), 6 Ten Napel (NL-Honda). Superstock Points: 1 Corti 168, 2 Tiberio 130, 3 Berger 85, 4 Canepa 85, 5 Xavi Simeon 69. SUPERSTOCK 1000 QUALIFYING: Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Riccardo Chiarello finished qualifying with the seventh fastest time and will start tomorrow’s 14-lap race from the second row. Chiarello was still in pain from his injuries sustained in the last round but managed to stay in touch with the leading group today. Sofuoglu (Yamaha) took pole position ahead of Vankeymeulen (Yamaha) and Scassa (Yamaha). Riccardo Chiarello – 7th: “My right arm and left shoulder still hurt so I don’t think row two is too bad. I had a little carburation problem and then ran into a lot of traffic when I was trying to make my quick laps so maybe I could have got onto the second row if I had been more lucky. This track is very physical so I need to find a good, comfortable rhythm and then maybe I can chase a good result.” Final Superstock 1000 Qualifying: 1 Sofuoglu 1:42.226, 2 Vankeymeulen 1:42.867, 3 Scassa 1:43.283, 4 Roccoli 1:43.365, 5 Coxhell 1:43.451, 6 Martinez 1:43.708, 7 Riccardo Chiarello (I-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 1:43.773. MORALES ON SUZUKI GSX-R CUP POLE Carmelo Morales left it until the dying minutes of qualifying for the Suzuki GSX-R European Cup to set pole position for tomorrow’s 12-lap race at Lausitzring in Germany. The young Spaniard beat fellow countryman David Salom by less than 200ths-of-a-second in this afternoon’s 40-minute session run in hot, dry conditions. Third overall went to Championship leader Hudson Kennaugh who changed his gearing, pitted for new tyres and shaved two seconds off his previous best time from yesterday. Said Morales: “It was very hard today and I had a good battle with David. This track is so physical and the many changes of direction make you work very hard. There are not many chances to rest at all so the race tomorrow is going to be a very big fight. I think any one of about three or four riders can win, but I hope it is going to be me!” Top British rider was Mike Edwards in 12th position with a time of 1.47’966 with Rob Barber 21st (1.50’542) and Magnus Houston 23rd (1.50’646). Said Edwards: “I had a pain-killing injection to my injured thumb but I couldn’t feel it as it was totally numb. I tried to get in a quick lap as soon as possible but I couldn’t push hard. I really want to try and finish tomorrow and get a good result.” Barber said: “I was faster today well off the pace. I’ve done more laps than anyone trying to learn the circuit and I’m confident I can go faster in the race.” Houston said: “I was feeling good before qualifying but as soon as I exited the pitlane, the front end didn’t feel right. Just as I got on my first flying lap I dropped it at the hairpin. I just couldn’t get it together after that. I’m disappointed and I just want to get on and race tomorrow.” GSX-R Cup Qualifying: 1 Carmelo Morales (Spain) 1.45’398, 2 David Salom (Spain) 1.45’543, 3 Hudson Kennaugh (South Africa) 1.46’432, 4 Dominic Lammert (Germany) 1.46’527, 5 Xavier Simeon (Belgium) 1.46’887, 6 Ismael Ortega (Spain) 1.46’897, 7 David Fouloi (France) 1.47’018, 8 Enrico Pasini (Italy) 1.47’090, 9 Max Weymann (Germany) 1.47’096, 10 Frank Heidger (Germany) 1.47’151. 12 Mike Edwards (GB) 1.47’966, 21 Rob Barber (GB) 1.50’542, 23 Magnus Houston (GB) 1.50’646.

Kneedraggers.com’s Robert Jensen won two CCS races Friday, September 9, on the 2.1-mile, 15-turn South Circuit at Autobahn Country Club, in Joliet, Illinois, but crashed out of a third race, escaping injury but putting one of his racebikes out of action for the rest of the weekend. Jensen started his day by riding his Michelin-shod Suzuki GSX-R750 to victory in Expert GTO, beating Argo Cycles’ Jesse Janisch and Baker Race gear’s Andy Feuersthaler in the 11-rider contest. In the next race, GTU, Jensen started from row two and passed three riders to instantly take the lead, but he crashed his Yamaha YZF-R6 over the bumps in high-speed turn five. Arclight Suzuki’s Jeff Wood went on to win the 14-lap race over Janisch’s team owner Scott Greenwood (Kawasaki ZX-6R) and Champions/Martin Moto Yamaha’s Michael Himmelsbach. Jensen came back later on his GSX-R750 to beat Wood and Janisch in the Suzuki-contingency-paying seven-lap Unlimited Supersport race. Other CCS race winners Friday included: Millville & Wildwood Buell’s Dave Estok in Thunderbike and Woodfield Motorsports’ Jason Temme in Formula 40. In other action Friday, Team Vallely Racing took the overall and GTO class victories in the 76-lap Formula USA Team Challenge. With the win Team Vallely Racing took over the GTO class point lead, but Team Yochum Motorsports held onto the overall Championship point lead by finishing second overall. Team Vallely Racing II completed the overall podium of the 13-entry endurance race.

AMA Pro Racing spokesman Kerry Graeber said that the fact that Miller Motorsports Park will host a 2006 AMA Superbike National on New Hampshire International Raceway’s traditional Father’s Day weekend date does not mean that the series will definitely not return to the Loudon, New Hampshire racetrack. “We’re still a long ways off from anything developing at Loudon,” wrote Graeber in an e-mail to roadracingworld.com. “After the meeting with Ron Barrick, Mat Mladin, Kevin Schwantz etc., the next steps included NHIS exploring whether or not they could even make the necessary changes. Their plan is to dig into that AFTER their NASCAR event in September. “Miller’s date was chosen because it gives us another June event and helps the overall schedule flow better. It had nothing to do with what may or may not happen at Loudon. “IF we return to Loudon at some point in the future their preferred date will be considered.” See related post: NHIS Hopes Of Regaining AMA National Dashed By Placement Of Utah Race On Traditional Loudon Dates ~https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=23952~

2005 CORONA EXTRA SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PRESS RELEASE FIRST QUALIFYING 10TH ROUND – EUROSPEEDWAY LAUSITZ 9th , 10th, 11th SEPTEMBER Eurospeedway Lausitz, Friday 9th September 2005 VERMEULEN FASTEST UNDER SIZZLING GERMAN SKIES – YOUNG AUSSIE TOPS THE LOT AFTER A FINAL FLOURISH Chris Vermeulen (Winston Ten Kate Honda) snatched the top spot in first qualifying from world championship leader Troy Corser (Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki) with a final lap squeezed in just as the one hour session timed out. The young Aussie rider was the only one to break into the 1’39 mark, with a best of 1’39.847. Nonetheless, the top 11 riders at Eurospeedway Lausitz set times within one second of the best, proving his the strength of the field has heightened weekend on weekend. The greatest recent improvements in raceday form have come from Vermeulen and his Ten Kate team and the Eurospeedway Lausitz perspective thus far is that Vermeulen has not even used a qualifier to help him so far, adopting the same tactics as at Assen. If he repeats his jump in lap time from there, we can expect a lap possibly into the 1’38s, if weather conditions allow it. Today the circuit experienced temperatures of 28°C during the session, but with changeable weather forecast, anything could happen in the next two days. HAGA THIRD FASTEST AND LANZI A SENSATIONAL FOURTH Yamaha Motor Italia put both their riders on the provisional front two rows. Noriyuki Haga, a winner this season, took third best time, his team-mate Andrew Pitt eighth fastest. After an unfortunate arm injury suffered by team regular Regis Laconi, ruling him out of this meeting, the Ducati Xerox factory squad provided an adept replacement in the form of Lorenzo Lanzi. The Italian rider stepped into Laconi’s breach with aplomb, taking fourth best time, and making it four different bikes in the top four places. Outpacing his temporary team-mate James Toseland, who ended up seventh fastest in this super-close session, Lanzi’s ride was nothing if not attention grabbing. MUGGAS IN THE MIX AS CHILI RETURNS TO FORM Karl Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda) put himself into the top echelons of Superbike riders after first qualifying, setting fifth fastest time on his big Honda. Pierfrancesco Chili has not always found the requisite feel and sensitivity from his 2005 Klaffi Honda, but today he bounced back from two disappointing Assen rides with a spirited sixth fastest time. LOCALS IN THE TOP TEN Max Neukirchner (Klaffi Honda) may live just up the freeway from the EuroSpeedway, but as a World Superbike regular he impressed once more, finishing ninth best. Local wild card rider Michael Schulten (Alpha Technik van Zon Honda) finished out the top ten, making a positive mark for the one-off contestants. BIG BEN CHIMES IN AS PRIVATE RIDERS SHOW METTLE Ben Bostrom continues to advance in company with his Renegade Honda, setting 11th best time in a field of 29 entrants. Steve Martin once more transcended the rulebook at one of his favourite circuits, piloting his three-cylinder Petronas to its maximum to attain the final spot on the provisional third row. Other top rides came in from Marco Borciani (DFXtreme Sterilgarda Ducati 999RS) in 13th, Giovanni Bussei (Kawasaki Bertocchi) the top Kawasaki finisher in 15th and Ivan Clementi’s privateer Pedercini Ducati, the last rider in the top 16. BIG NAMES STEADY TO START Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki) was a lowly 14th overall, despite posting 27 laps, while wildcard rider Ralf Waldmann (Alpha Technik Honda van Zon CBR1000RR) started brightly but slowed to finish 22nd overall. WORLD SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP Frenchman Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) carried on the form that saw him crowned champion at Assen a mere five days ago with the best lap of the opening qualifying sessions in Germany. His best of 1:42.533 was a new qualifying best. Kevin Curtain (Yamaha Motor Germany) came close to Charpentier, with a lap only 0.165 seconds slower. Curtain is a former winner at EuroSpeedway Lausitz, the only other being Katsuaki Fujiwara. Fabien Foret (Team Italia Megabike Honda) capitalized on his fine win at Assen to go third on day one. Broc Parkes, Curtain’s team-mate, took the final provisional front row spot. With bad weather possible sometime on Saturday, the current qualifying order may well be set by today’s times. More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse: PROVISIONAL FRONT ROW FOR LANZI ON DUCATI XEROX TEAM DEBUT – TOSELAND SEVENTH Lausitz (Germany), Friday 9 September: Lorenzo Lanzi made a ‘supersub’ debut for the injured Régis Laconi in the Ducati Xerox Team at the Lausitzring as he powered to a provisional front row grid position in first qualifying. The 23-year-old was right on the pace from the morning free practice session and finished the day with fourth quickest time of 1m40.144s, just a fraction away from provisional poleman Chris Vermeulen (Honda). James Toseland was just two-tenths of a second off the front row in seventh place with a time of 1m40.276s, set on race tyres, as the British rider was unable to make the best use of his qualifiers in the final few minutes. “Today was great, I was always up with the front-runners throughout the entire session” declared Lanzi. “It was a pity about the end of the session because I was clearly quicker but there was traffic on the track, and that gives me hope that I can be more competitive. The team has done a great job, it managed to put me at ease both with them and with the bike in just two hours. I am the first Ducati rider and on the front row, I couldn’t ask for more. On a single lap there isn’t much difference between the F05 and the 999RS that I usually ride, but on your race laps, when the tyres start to wear, the F05 consumes them better and you can keep a higher pace, which allows you to stay up at the front. It’s easier to ride and it allows me to enjoy myself, which is important”. “I was really disappointed with myself on the qualifier, I got a bit of traffic on the first lap and the tyre didn’t really hold out on the second lap so I was quite surprised where I ended up because the time Vermeulen did would for me be quite comfortable to reach if I put a good lap together” commented Toseland. “I did my time on race tyres, got a bit of traffic, did three 40.5s on the trot and then went straight on at the chicane, but I’m quietly confident. The circuit is actually quite physically demanding, totally different to Assen and you have to get your head round feeling a bit slow, because it is slow and tight compared to Assen. The things I’ve learned at Assen and the previous round in my riding are all coming together, everything is going to plan and I’m comfortable on the bike now”. TIMES: 1. Vermeulen (Honda) 1m39.847s; 2. Corser (Suzuki) 1m40.092s; 3. Haga (Yamaha) 1m40.102s; 4. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 1m40.144s; 5. Muggeridge (Honda) 1m40.155s; 6. Chili (Honda) 1m40.249s; 7. Toseland (Ducati Xerox) 1m40.276s; 8. Pitt (Yamaha) 1m40.417s; 9. Neukirchner (Honda) 1m40.669s; 10. Schulten (Honda) 1m40.700s; etc. More, from a press release issued by Winston Ten Kate: 2005 World Superbike championship, round ten Eurospeedway Lausitz, Germany Qualifying practice 9 September 2005 VERMEULEN ON PROVISIONAL POLE AT EUROSPEEDWAY Chris Vermeulen followed up last weekend’s double World Superbike championship victory at Assen by taking provisional pole position this afternoon for Sunday’s two tenth round races at Eurospeedway Lausitz in Germany. The Winston Honda rider lapped the 4.3km circuit in a time of 1m38.847s, two tenths faster than fellow Australian and series leader, Troy Corser. Vermeulen’s Winston Ten Kate Honda team-mate, Karl Muggeridge, set the fifth fastest time in this afternoon’s opening qualifying session to line up on the outside of the provisional second row of the grid for Sunday’s two 24-lap races; but the 2004 World Supersport champion feels there is more to come tomorrow. Ronald ten Kate team manager: “Yes, I’m very pleased with the progress we made here this afternoon. Towards the end of that session, we expected Chris to drop a few places down the order because he chose not to use a qualifier. So we put some fresh race rubber on the bike and he was the only rider to lap under 1m40s. Of course, Karl is right up there as well so we’ll carry the progress made this afternoon into tomorrow when we have some more things to try and, hopefully, some more dry sessions.” Chris Vermeulen fastest, 1m39.847s “I did a 40.1 on an old rear and a front that I don’t particularly like so I guess we’re doing OK at the moment. Actually, the front is not so bad and the bike is feeling pretty good. Everybody’s working really hard together. We have the same problem of lacking initial side grip and then rear grip as we exit the corner, but it’s definitely better than it has been. We made some changes after this morning’s free practice session and we’ll find out more tomorrow about how the tyres will last for the race. It’s going to be hard on the brakes here and I found I was having to make a lot of adjustments on the lever this afternoon.” Karl Muggeridge fifth fastest, 1m40.155s “I really messed up the first sector on that quicker lap so I know there’s more to come. It’s going OK but there’s definitely still some work to do. I feel pretty comfortable, although there are a few dramas with the slipper clutch and the way the bike is handling under braking. We haven’t ticked any boxes yet but the bike’s definitely improved after our test here in July. Rear grip feels OK at the moment but we’ll try a new shock and linkage for tomorrow. As far as the riding goes, the corners are all U-turns here so it’s hard to avoid keeping the bike on its side for too long but we’ll try some new techniques tomorrow!” World Superbike, Eurospeedway Lausitz provisional qualifying times: 1 Chris Vermeulen AUS (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 1m39.847s, 2 Troy Corser AUS (Suzuki) 1:40.092, 3 Noriyuki Haga JPN (Yamaha) 1:40.102, 4 Lorenzo Lanzi ITA (Ducati) 1:40.144, 5 Karl Muggeridge AUS (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 1:40.155, 6 Pierfrancesco Chili ITA (Honda) 1:40.249, 7 James Toseland GBR (Ducati) 1:40.276, 8 Andrew Pitt AUS (Yamaha) 1:40.417, 9 Max Neukirchner GER (Honda) 1:40.669, 10 M Schulten GER (Honda) 1:40.700. More, from another press release issued by Winston Ten Kate: 2005 World Supersport championship, round ten Eurospeedway Lausitz, Germany Qualifying practice 9 September 2005 WORLD CHAMPION CHARPENTIER HEADS GERMAN QUALIFYING Following his title win last Sunday, Winston Ten Kate Honda’s Sébastien Charpentier was straight back into his dominant form, setting the fastest time in this afternoon’s opening qualifying session for Sunday’s tenth round World Supersport championship race at Eurospeedway Lausitz in Germany. In warm sunshine, the Frenchman’s best lap around the 4.3km German circuit was just 0.165s faster than second placed Kevin Curtain. Charpentier’s Winston Ten Kate Honda team-mate, Katsuaki Fujiwara, struggled to find the right setting on his Honda CBR600RR, finishing the 45-minute qualifying session in 14th place. Ronald ten Kate team manager: “That was a good job this afternoon from Sébastien, who was immediately back on track after his victory celebrations in Assen last weekend. His performance shows just how eager he is each time he gets on the bike; but it was also important to take provisional pole today because we’re not sure what the weather is going to do tomorrow. For Kats, it was the worst qualifying session of the season and he’s struggling to get to grips with the circuit here at the moment. It’s clear that we have some work to do tonight and tomorrow to move him further up the grid so he can defend second place in the championship.” Sébastien Charpentier fastest, 1m42.533s “Yes, I am happy with this afternoon’s job it was good work from all the team. I was comfortable doing 1m43s laps but tomorrow I want some more good weather so I can improve the time further. Pole position was important today because the weather may not be so good tomorrow but I did a 42.0 during our test here in July and my aim is to at least match that time tomorrow. The bike is good enough to do it and step-by-step it’s getting even better. We’ll just have to look at the sky in the morning.” Katsuaki Fujiwara fourteenth fastest, 1m44.458s “I’m struggling in lots of different areas at the moment and, although we tried some new settings this afternoon, I didn’t really have a good feel from the front of the bike. I know it’s the same bike that was so good last weekend in Assen but I’m finding it difficult to turn in the tighter corners here. I will just have to sit down with the team to find a way to improve things tomorrow.” World Supersport, Eurospeedway Lausitz provisional qualifying times: 1 Sébastien Charpentier FRA (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 1m42.533s, 2 Kevin Curtain AUS (Yamaha) 1:42.698, 3 Fabien Foret FRA (Honda) 1:42.925, 4 Broc Parkes AUS (Yamaha) 1:43.490, 5 Robbin Harms DEN (Honda) 1:43.656, 6 Alexander Tode GER (Honda) 1:43.941, 7 Stephane Chambon FRA (Honda) 1:43.960, 8 Werner Daemen BEL (Honda) 1:44.233, 9 Kai Borre Andersen NOR (Kawasaki) 1:44.321, 10 Michel Fabrizio ITA (Honda) 1:44.373, 14 Katsuaki Fujiwara JPN (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 1:44.458 More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki: CORSER JUST OFF PROVISIONAL POLE Team Suzuki Press Office – September 9, 2005. Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Troy Corser finished the first day of qualifying at the Eurospeedway, Lausitzring in second place after leading most of the afternoon session. World Championship leader Corser had dominated and was on course for provisional pole until Chris Vermeulen (Honda) stole it in the dying minutes. Team mate Yukio Kagayama ended the day 14th, but the time between him and Corser is less than a second on his first visit to the German circuit. Troy Corser – 2nd, 1:40.092: “The bike setting has been not so bad today and then we made some changes from the morning to the afternoon which improved it a bit more. It seems a long time since I was last here and this morning I started to learn the track all over again. It is a pretty featureless place so I found it hard to find my braking points at first. I managed to sort out a few points in the afternoon and then felt much more comfortable with the bike. I wasn’t so comfortable with the bike at Assen so it’s nice to do a couple of sessions and feel happy with the bike again.” Yukio Kagayama – 14th, 1″41.063: “This is my first time here so I have been learning the track today. It is not really like any other track I have been to so it’s not so easy. At the moment, the worst parts are the first chicane and the final section – the slower parts. I do not like these areas so much because you have to change the direction of the bike a lot. I have to improve in these sections if I want to reduce my lap times. I was a little surprised at 14th position because I had felt that I had done a good lap. But with the times so close, I know that just a fraction of a second can make a big difference. I want to close the gap tomorrow and then do a good Superpole because I want some good results on Sunday.” World Superbike Friday Qualifying: 1 Vermeulen (Aus-Honda) 1:39.847, 2 Troy Corser (Aus-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 1:40.092, 3 Haga (J-Yamaha) 1:40.102, 4 Lanzi (I-Ducati) 1:40.144, 5 Muggeridge (Aus-Honda) 1:40.155, 6 Chili (I-Honda) 1:40.249, 7 Toseland (GB-Ducati) 1:40.276, 8 Pitt (Aus-Yamaha) 1:40.417, 9 Neukirchner (D-Honda) 1:40.669, 10 Schulten (D-Honda) 1:40.700, 14 Yukio Kagayama (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 1:41.063. WORLD SUPERSPORT QUALIFYING: Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra Supersport rider Javi Fores finished 17th quickest at the Eurospeedway Lausitzring, but was not too disappointed with the result considering that this is his first time at the circuit. Less than a second separates the 11 riders just ahead of him so if he can pick up some time tomorrow he can still be on for a place on the second or third rows of the grid. Newly-crowned Supersport World Champion Sebastien Charpentier (Honda) took provisional pole with a time of 1:42.533 ahead of Kevin Curtain (Yamaha), Fabien Foret (Honda) and Brock Parkes (Yamaha). Javi Fores – 17th, 1:44.813: “For me this is a very difficult track and some parts remind me of a go-kart track. My main problem today was getting the bike to change direction and, as there is a lot of that to be done here, that is not so easy. Also, I feel that the balance of the bike is not right yet so we must improve that tomorrow. At the moment I am on the fifth row of the grid and that is not good news! My aim is to get on the third row of the grid for sure, but maybe the second if everything works out perfectly.” Friday World Supersport Qualifying: 1 Charpentier (F-Honda) 1:42.533, 2 Curtain (Aus-Yamaha) 1:42.698, 3 Foret (F-Honda) 1:42.925, 4 Parkes (Aus-Yamaha) 1:43.490, 5 Harms (Den-Honda) 1:43.656, 6 Tode (D-Honda) 1:43.941, 7 Chambon (F-Honda) 1:43.960, 8 Daemen (B-Honda) 1:44.233, 9 Andersen(N-Kawasaki) 1:44.321, 10 Fabrizio (I-Honda) 1:44.373. 17 Javi Fores (E-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 1:44.813. SUPERSTOCK 1000 QUALIFYING: Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Riccardo Chiarello posted the seventh fastest time on the opening day of qualifying at the Eurospeedway Lausitzring. Chiarello is still in some discomfort from his injuries sustained in the last round, but is hoping to improve his times and try and get on the front row of the grid. SUPERSTOCK 600 QUALIFYING: Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Xavi Simeon is on the provisional second row of the grid after the first day of qualifying today. Xavi posted a time of 1:50.077 and has some work to do if he is to get on the front row. MORALES TOPS GSX-R PRACTICE Spaniard Carmelo Morales has set provisional pole for Sunday’s fourth-round Suzuki GSX-R European Cup at Eurospeedway, Lausitzring. The 27 year old, currently second in the series behind south African Hudson Kennaugh, set a time of 1:46’303 around the 4.265km German circuit on his GSX-R750K5. Second was German Dominic Lammert (1:46’848) ahead of Spaniard David Salom (1:47’762). Kennaugh, who holds a narrow seven-point lead going into the penultimate round – and is one of only a handful of riders who has never been to the circuit before – finished a lowly 14th on 1:49’162. Top British rider was Mike Edwards in 10th position with a time of 1:48’535. Edwards, who is carrying an injury only completed five laps of the circuit and pulled out in pain. He said: “I couldn’t hold onto the bike, but hopefully after some pain-killing injections I’ll be back to speed and be able to knock at least 1.5 seconds off my time tomorrow.” Magnus Houston took provisional 20th place with 1:50’650. He said: “I’m happy with warm up although I’m losing a lot of time over the last sector and need to focus harder. I’m not sure if it’s the bike or me but I need to sort it out tomorrow.” Third-placed Briton Robert Barber finished in 24th with a time of 1:52’880. He said: “It’s my first time here and I struggled to learn the track. Mike Edwards gave me a tow and showed me some new lines and hopefully I can go at least a second quicker tomorrow.” GSX-R Cup Friday Practice: 1 Carmelo Morales (Spain) 1:46’303, 2 Dominic Lammert (Germany) 1:46’848, 3 David Salom (Spain) 1:47’762, 4 Xavier Simeon (Belgium) 1:47’804, 5 Enrico Pasini (Italy) 1:47’824, 6 Oliver Skatch (Germany) 1:47’861, 7 Max Weymann (Germany) 1:47’883, 8 David Fouloi (France) 1:47’950, 9 Thomas Metro (France) 1:48’233, 10 Mike Edwards (GB) 1:48’535. 20 Magnus Houston (GB) 1:50’650. 24 Robert Barber (GB) 1:52’880. More event information and photos can be found on www.gsxrcup.com.