World Superbike Superpole Results:

1. Regis LACONI, Duc 999F05, 2:01.593

2. Troy CORSER, Suz GSX-R1000, 2:01.641

3. Sebastien GIMBERT, Yam YZF R1, 2:01.889

4. Yukio KAGAYAMA, Suz GSX-R1000, 2:02.643

5. Andrew PITT, Yam YZF-R1, 2:02.670

6. Jose Luis CARDOSO, Yam YZF-R1, 2:02.745

7. Noriyuki HAGA, Yam YZF-R1, 2:02.766

8. Chris VERMEULEN, Hon CBR1000RR, 2:02.960

9. Ivan SILVA, Yam YZF-R1, 2:03.049

10. Pierfrancesco CHILI, Hon CBR1000RR, 2:03.100

11. Chris WALKER, Kaw ZX-10R, 2:03.138

12. Giovanni BUSSEI, Kaw ZX-10R, 2:03.189

13. James TOSELAND, Duc 999F05, 2:03.357

14. Max NEUKIRCHNER, Hon CBR1000RR, 2:03.671

15. Norick ABE, Yam YZF-R1, 2:04.354

Final World Supersport Qualifying Results:

1. Sebastien CHARPENTIER, Hon CBR600RR, 2:03.841, 2:10.025 – 2:03.841

2. Katsuaki FUJIWARA, Hon CBR600RR, 2:04.808, 2:08.514 - 2:04.808 18 

3. Michel FABRIZIO, Hon CBR600RR, 2:04.909, 2:05.933 - 2:04.909

4. Fabien FORET, Hon CBR600RR, 2:05.006, 2:09.591 - 2:05.006

5. Kevin CURTAIN, Yam YZF-R6, 2:05.196, 2:07.032 - 2:05.196

6. Christophe COGAN, Suz GSX-R600, 2:06.364, no time – 2:06.364

7. Broc PARKES, Yam YZF-R6, 2:06.436, 2:09.614 - 2:06.436

8. Stephane CHAMBON, Hon CBR600RR, 2:06.597, no time - 2:06.597

9. Javier FORES, Suz GSX-R600, 2:07.586, 2:06.844 – 2:06.844

10. Gianluca NANNELLI, Duc 749R, 2:07.438, 2:09.312 - 2:07.438

11.Tatu  LAUSLEHTO, Hon CBR600RR, 2:07.454, 2:07.600 – 2:07.454

12. Alessandro ANTONELLO, Kaw ZX-6RR, 2:07.474, 2:07.893 – 2:07.474

13. David GARCIA, Kaw ZX-6RR, 2:08.034, 2:08.663 - 2:08.034

14. Pawel SZKOPEK, Hon CBR600RR, 2:08.169, 2:09.339 - 2:08.169

15. Jurgen VD GOORBERGH, Duc 749R, 2:08.200, 2:09.831 –2:08.200

Friday Morning World Supersport Practice Times:

1. Sebastien Charpentier, Hon CBR600RR, 2:03.747
2. Kevin Curtain, Yam YZF-R6, 2:04.831
3. Michel Fabrizio, Hon CBR600RR, 2:05.096
4. Fabien Foret, Hon CBR600RR, 2:05.988
5. Stephane Chambon, Hon CBR600RR, 2:06.185
6. Broc Parkes, Yam YZF-R6, 2:06.238
7. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Hon CBR600RR, 2:07.203
8. Christophe Cogan, Suz GSX-R600, 2:07.335
9. Alessandro Antonello, Kaw ZX-6RR, 2:07.375
10. Tatu Lauslehto, Hon CBR600RR, 2:07.439
11. Gianluca Nannelli, Duc 749R, 2:07.502
12. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Duc 749R, 2:07.875
13. Javier Fores, Suz GSX-R600, 2:08.081
14. David Garcia, Kaw ZX-6RR, 2:08.434
15. Andrea Berta, Duc 749R, 2:09.188

Friday Afternoon World Superbike Practice Times:

1. Troy CORSER, Suz GSX-R1000, 2:01.466

2. Yukio KAGAYAMA, Suz GSX-R1000, 2:01.713

3. Regis LACONI, Duc 999F05, 2:01.876

4. Jose Luis CARDOSO, Yam YZF-R1, 2:02.094

5. Chris VERMEULEN, Hon CBR1000RR, 2:02.285

6. Pierfrancesco CHILI, Hon CBR1000RR, 2:02.309

7. Ivan SILVA, Yam YZF-R1, 2:02.625

8. Andrew PITT, Yam YZF-R1, 2:02.640

9. Lorenzo LANZI, Duc 999RS, 2:02.780

10. Sebastien GIMBERT, Yam YZF-R1, 2:03.008

11. Norick ABE, Yam YZF-R1, 2:03.103

12. Chris WALKER, Kaw ZX-10R, 2:03.151

13. Steve MARTIN, Foggy Petronas FP1, 2:03.269

14. Max NEUKIRCHNER, Hon CBR1000RR, 2:03.455

15. Noriyuki HAGA, Yam YZF-R1, 2:03.460

16. Ivan CLEMENTI, Kaw ZX-10R, 2:03.495

17. Ben BOSTROM, Hon CBR1000RR, 2:03.545

18. Karl MUGGERIDGE, Hon CBR1000RR, 2:03.626

19. James TOSELAND, Duc 999F05, 2:03.632

20. Gianluca VIZZIELLO, Yam YZF-R1, 2:03.902

21. Giovanni BUSSEI, Kaw ZX-10R, 2:03.903

22. Mauro SANCHINI, Kaw ZX-10R, 2:04.055

23. Marco BORCIANI, Yam YZF-R1, 2:04.193

24. Lucio PEDERCINI, Duc 999RS, 2:04.490

25. Fonsi NIETO, Duc 999RS, 2:04.568

26. Miguel PRAIA, Yam YZF-R1, 2:04.790

27. Garry MCCOY, Foggy Petronas FP1, 2:04.933

28. Alessio VELINI, Duc 999RS, 2:05.204

29. Talal AL NUAMI, Yam YZF-R1, 2:13.381

World Superbike Qualifying Results After Second Timed Session:

1. Troy Corser, Suz GSX-R1000, 2:01.244, 2:25.345 – 2:01.244
2. Jose Luis Cardoso, Yam YZF-R1, 2:01.388, no time – 2:01.388
3. Regis Laconi, Duc 999F05, 2:01.980, 2:23.844 – 2:01.980
4. Sebastien Gimbert, Yam YZF-R1, 2:02.217, 2:24.187 – 2:02.217
5. Max Neukirchner, Hon CBR1000RR, 2:02.236, 2:28.398 – 2:02.236
6. Yukio Kagayama, Suz GSX-R1000, 2:02.284, 2:26.013 – 2:02.284
7. Chris Vermeulen, Hon CBR1000RR, 2:02.468, 2:25.330 – 2:02.468
8. Pierfrancesco Chili, Hon CBR1000RR, 2:02.507, 2:32.534 – 2:02.507
9. Noriyuki Haga, Yam YZF-R1, 2:02.687, 2:25.941 – 2:02.687
10. James Tosleand, Duc 999F05, 2:02.754, 2:26.992 – 2:02.754
11. Ivan Silva, Yam YZF-R1, 2:02.759, 2:21.602 – 2:02.759
12. Andrew Pitt, Yam YZF-R1, 2:02.769, 2:25.419 – 2:02.769
13. Norick Abe, Yam YZF-R1, 2:02.868, 2:26.584 – 2:02.868
14. Chris Walker, Kaw ZX-10R, 2:02.921, 2:23.646 – 2:02.921
15. Marco Borciani, Yam YZF-R1, 2:03.178, no time – 2:03.178
16. Giovanni Bussei, Kaw ZX-10R, 2:03.268, 2:37.644 – 2:03.268
17. Lorenzo Lanzi, Duc 999RS, 2:03.314, 2:37.321 – 2:03.314
18. Karl Muggeridge, Hon CBR1000RR, 2:03.532, 2:24.041 – 2:03.532
19. Fonsi Nieto, Duc 999RS, 2:03.956, 2:26.555 – 2:03.956
20. Steve Martin, Foggy Petronas FP1, 2:04.045, 2:27.986 – 2:04.045
21. Gianluca Vizziello, Yam YZF-R1, 2:04.587, 2:27.786 – 2:04.587
22. Miguel Praia, Yam YZF-R1, 2:04.627, no time – 2:04.627
23. Ivan Clementi, Kaw ZX-10R, 2:04.630, 2:27.214 – 2:04.630
24. Mauro Sanchini, Kaw ZX-10R, 2:04.689, 2:29.356 – 2:04.689
25. Garry McCoy, Foggy Petronas FP1, 2:04.991, 2:26.472 – 2:04.991
26. Lucio Pedercini, Duc 999RS, 2:05.182, no time – 2:05.182
27. Alessio Velini, Duc 999RS, 2:05.777, no time – 2:05.777
28. Ben Bostrom, Hon CBR1000RR, 2:08.199, 2:25.164 – 2:08.199

not qualified

29. Talal Al Muami, Yam YZF-R1,2:11.590, 2:40.092 – 2:11.590

Alex Hofmann got the opportunity to test the big bang version of Kawasaki’s Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machine for the first time during the third and final day of testing at the Jerez circuit in Southern Spain.

Hofmann started today’s test schedule with the screamer engine he has used in his Ninja ZX-RR for the past two days, but after running confirmation tests on development chassis components and settings during the morning, he switched over to the big bang motor for the afternoon session.

After familiarising himself with the characteristics of the new engine, the 24-year-old German rider concentrated on refining basic set-up, and working with Kawasaki engineers on fuel injection mapping.

After stepping off the bike at the conclusion of the test, Hofmann commented that he could feel the potential the revised firing order offered, but felt that there was still a lot of work to do before the full potential could be realised.

Running a big bang engine with a slightly different specification to that of his team-mate, Shinya Nakano completed the test and development programme started on Wednesday. The 27-year-old Japanese rider completed 59 laps during a full day of testing, and was rewarded with a lap time that was one second faster than his previous best.

Nakano will continue the development of the big bang 2005 Ninja ZX-RR at the Valencia circuit during a two-day test on 7/8 March and a one-day test on 16 March, before being rejoined on track by Alex Hofmann for the annual IRTA tests at Catalunya and Jerez.

Alex Hofmann: 54 laps (1:42.8)
“This morning I retested some of the components and settings from yesterday, just to confirm our findings. Then it was onto the big bang bike for the first time. Today was all about getting a first impression of the new engine, and you can feel that there is definitely potential there, but it’s still in the early development stages and it won’t be until we arrive at a better base set-up that we’ll be able to judge exactly how much potential this engine has. Hopefully Shinya will be able to take things to the next step at the next test. Overall I’m pretty happy with how things have gone over the past three days. We’ve tested a lot of new components and settings during an intensive test schedule, and I leave here having achieved a reasonable lap time for the conditions.”

Shinya Nakano: 59 laps (1:41.7)
“We continued to work on the new engine today. Finding the right set-up for such a new engine is not so easy, but this afternoon we found some good settings and that allowed me to improve my lap time. I also tested a new swinging arm on the bike this afternoon, and the results were also positive. It felt like it improved traction out of the corner, especially when hard on the gas. Overall I’m happy with the progress we’ve made. It’s been a busy test, and there’s still a lot of development work needed before the start of the season. But we leave here having found a good base set-up with the new bike, ready for the next round of testing at Valencia, which is just ten days away.”

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
“We’ve seen a small step forward with the big bang bike during this test, which shows that development is heading in the right direction, but we are well aware that time is not on our side. The first race of the season is lgetting ever closer and we know we have a lot of hard work to do between now and then if we are going to realise the full potential of the latest Ninja ZX-RR. Shinya is definitely earning his salary this year, and I know that everyone in the team appreciates the effort he’s putting into developing this new engine. And Alex has worked hard to evaluate changes designed to improve the chassis. Overall this has been a positive test for the team.”

From a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing Team:

CHASSIS CHANGES LEAD TO IMPROVEMENT FOR HOFMANN

Better weather greeted the Kawasaki Racing Team as they arrived at Jerez this morning, to start the second day of a planned three-day test at the venue for the opening Grand Prix of the 2005 season.

Alex Hofmann made the most of the improved weather conditions to complete 81 laps of the Jerez circuit, during a test schedule focussed on evaluating revised chassis components on his screamer-engined Ninja ZX-RR.

Despite cold track temperatures and reduced grip, due to dirt on the back part of the circuit, the 24-year-old German rider saw an improvement in his lap time, which he attributed to more traction from the rear and better acceleration out of the turns.

Shinya Nakano returned to the circuit aboard his Ninja ZX-RR today, after sitting out most of yesterday’s test as a result of a minor, but painful, injury sustained during his first on track session.

The 27-year-old Japanese rider completed 57 laps of the Jerez circuit, as he worked with engineers from Japan and Europe to improve throttle response on the big bang version of Kawasaki’s 990cc, inline four-cylinder Ninja ZX-RR motor.

Kawasaki test rider, Kazuki Shimizu, was again on hand today to assist Nakano with development work on the new ZX-RR engine.

The Kawasaki Racing Team will complete their three-day test schedule at the Jerez circuit tomorrow.

Alex Hofmann: 81 laps (1:42.4)
“Today we tested the modifications made to the chassis after the Sepang test at the beginning of the year. Track conditions weren’t really ideal for testing today but, overall, the results have been positive. I managed to improve my lap time and the bike definitely feels better accelerating out of the turns; it just seems to hook up better when you get hard on the gas. We’ll continue the evaluation tomorrow.”

Shinya Nakano: 57 laps (1:42.69)
“The focus today was again on the big bang engine. We know from the Sepang test that this engine has a number of advantages over the old one, but there is still a lot of set-up work to do if we are to realise it’s full potential. This is what we concentrated on today. At the moment we are working to improve throttle response, because the throttle still feels a little disconnected from the engine when you get on the gas, but we also need to collect the data necessary to further the development of the big bang Ninja ZX-RR. We will run the same engine again tomorrow, but with slightly different settings.”

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP TO VISIT VIR IN AUGUST

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Pro Racing has confirmed the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited round at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in Alton, Va., tentatively scheduled for Sept. 17-18, is now confirmed for the weekend of Aug. 26-28.

Prior to the date change, the race was to be a two-day meet highlighted by a single round of the AMA Superbike Championship. The expanded three-day format now calls for an AMA Superbike Championship doubleheader along with all support classes including the Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei, AMA Repsol Lubricants Superstock Series and Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series.

The event will be promoted by RPM Productions.

“The VIR date has been listed as tentative on our calendar since the schedule was originally released. In finalizing the championship schedule we felt an earlier date along with making the event a Superbike doubleheader was a positive step for the series,” AMA Vice President, Commercial Development John Farris said.

“Also, the addition of RPM Productions as a promotional partner should help ensure continued growth of the event,” Farris added.

With the additional VIR Superbike round resulting from the doubleheader format, the 2005 AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited now includes 17 races on the season. The 2005 schedule gets underway at Daytona International Speedway, March 9-12, and concludes this year at Road Atlanta, Sept. 2-4, for a Labor Day weekend doubleheader.

Losail Circuit
Doha, Qatar
February 24
Free Practice Times:

World Superbike (wet):

1. Garry McCoy, Foggy Petronas FP1, 2:41.775
2. Steve Martin, Foggy Petronas FP1, 2:46.327
3. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 2:49.966
4. James Toseland, Ducati 999F05, 2:50.901
5. Gianluca Vizziello, Yamaha YZF-R1, 2:51.202
6. Pierfrancesco Chili, Honda CBR1000RR, 2:57.564
7. Max Neukirchner, Honda CBR1000RR, 3:00.344
8. Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati 999RS, 3:01.903
9. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 3:04.140

World Supersport (dry):

1. Fabien Foret, Honda CBR600RR, 2:05.975
2. Michel Fabrizio, Honda CBR600RR, 2:06.515
3. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600RR, 2:07.349
4. Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati 749R, 2:07.694
5. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Honda CBR600RR, 2:08.019
6. Broc Parkes, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:08.044
7. Tatu Lauslehto, Honda CBR600RR, 2:08.244
8. David Garcia, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 2:08.484
9. Kevin Curtain, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:08.626
10. Pawel Szkopek, Honda CBR600RR, 2:08.654
11. Alessandro Antonello, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 2:08.925
12. Christophe Cogan, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:09.238
13. Tomas Miksovsky, Honda CBR600RR, 2:09.263
14. Javier Fores, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:10.213
15. Andrea Berta, Ducati 749R, 2:11.829
16. Matteo Baiocco, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 2:15.000
17. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Ducati 749R, 2:18.660
18. Stephane Chambon, Honda CBR600RR, 2:29.383

According to news reports, former Congressman Bill Janklow has been unsuccessful in his attempt to weasel out of his conviction for running a stop sign and killing motorcyclist Randy Scott.

For more, go here:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-02-24-janklow_x.htm