Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Welkom, South Africa
Phakisa Freeway
4/18/04
125cc Grand Prix Results:

1. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 25 laps, 40:34.318
2. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, -0.071 second
3. Casey STONER, KTM, -2.203 seconds
4. Pablo NIETO, Aprilia, -2.416 seconds
5. Mike DI MEGLIO, Aprilia, -12.312 seconds
6. Gino BORSOI, Aprilia, -13.270 seconds
7. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, -14.457 seconds
8. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, -15.046 seconds
9. Alvaro BAUTISTA, Aprilia, -24.835 seconds
10. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, -25.266 seconds
11. Julian SIMON, Honda, -29.356 seconds
12. Mika KALLIO, KTM, -33.134 seconds
13. Mattia PASINI, Aprilia, -33.237 seconds
14. Simone CORSI, Honda, -33.682 seconds
15. Youichi UI, Aprilia, -36.977 seconds

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Jeremy Toye beat Attack Kawasaki’s Josh Hayes twice during WSMC action at Willow Springs Sunday, winning the featured Toyota Cup Unlimited Formula 1 race and the Open Superbike race, after losing the first race of the day to Hayes, Open Modified Production.

Marc Palazzo mounted a serious challenge to Will Eikenberry’s overall WSMC points lead with wins in two classes with large turnouts–600cc Modified Production with 30 starters and 650cc Superbike with 25 starters–which under WSMC rules pay more points. Palazzo also won the Formula 2 race with 16 starters, and finished second behind Jason Perez in 600cc Superstock with 24 starters.

Eikenberry won the 750cc Modified Production race with 17 starters, won the Formula 40 Lightweight race with 20 starters, finished third behind Palazzo and Perez in 650cc Superbike, finished second behind Palazzo in Formula 2, and won the 750cc Superstock race with 13 starters.

This weekend paid double points in all classes, maximizing Palazzo’s gains on Eikenberry. Official overall WSMC points were not available at post time.

Britt Bohannan won her first WSMC 125cc Grand Prix race, beating Quentin Wilson, and Michael Montoya beat Mark Watts in the Roadracingworld.com 250cc GP race.

Results follow, in chronological order.

L&L MOTORSPORTS 750cc SUPERBIKE (14 starters)
1. Jeff Stern (Suz GSX-R750)
2. Skye Girard (Suz GSX-R750)
3. Ruben Munoz Jr. (Suz GSX-R750)
4. Mark Watts (Hon RC30)
5. Jeff Longbottom (Yam YZF-R6)
6. David Littlebrook (Suz GSX-R750)

OPEN MODIFIED PRODUCTION (20 starters)
1. Josh Hayes (Kaw ZX-10R)
2. Jeremy Toye (Suz GSX-R1000)
3. Robbie Dowie (Suz GSX-R1000)
4. Stoney Landers (Suz GSX-R1000)
5. Chris Ulrich (Suz GSX-R1000)
6. Stephen Hewitt (Suz GSX-R1000)

550cc SUPERBIKE (15 starters)
1. Steve Atlas (Suz SV650)
2. Bradley Adams (Suz SV650)
3. Ritchie Thorup (Yam FZR400)
4. Horace Knight (Hon)
5. Michael Pastore (Apr RS250)
6. Brienne Thomson (Suz SV650)

FORMULA SINGLES (2 starters)
1. Jim Rau (MZ)
2. Clint Solomon (Hon RS125)

REDLINE MOTORSPORTS 600cc MODIFIED PRODUCTION (31 starters)
1. Marc Palazzo (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Sam Carnibucci (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Blair Sullenger (Yam YZF-R6)
5. Ryan Hoffman (Yam YZF-R6)
6. Tom Aquino (Yam YZF-R6)

GRAVES MOTORSPORTS OPEN SUPERSTOCK (18 starters)
1. Stoney Landers (Suz GSX-R1000)
2. Chris Ulrich (Suz GSX-R1000)
3. Clinton Whithouse III (Suz GSX-R1000)
4. Marcel Graeber (Suz GSX-R1000)
5. Anthony Lanzara (Yam YZF-R1)
6. John Ashker (Hon)

750cc MODIFIED PRODUCTION (18 starters)
1. Will Eikenberry (Kaw 636 ZX-6R)
2. Jeff Stern (Suz GSX-R750)
3. Skye Girard (Suz GSX-R750)
4. Ruben Munoz Jr. (Suz GSX-R750)
5. Dale Kiefer (Suz GSX-R750)
6. David Littlebrook (Suz GSX-R750)

500cc SUPERSTOCK (8 starters)
1. Clinton Whitehouse III (Yam RZ350)
2. J.C. Gibbs (Yam FZR400)
3. Arnold Tuason (Yam FZR400)
4. Dean Chin (Yam FZR400)
5. Michael Gougis (Kaw EX500)
6. Kevin Jones (Yam FZR400)

660cc SINGLES (1 starter)
1. Jim Rau (MZ)

500cc SINGLES (1 starter)
1. Tom Nichols (Kaw)

SPORT TIRE SERVICES FORMULA 40 HEAVYWEIGHT (11 starters)
1. Stephen Hewitt (Suz GSX-R1000)
2. Claudio Szyszkowski (Duc 999)
3. Jeff Stern (Suz GSX-R1000)
4. Clinton Whitehouse III (Suz GSX-R1000)
5. Ken Kramer (Suz GSX-R750)
6. Bob Setbacken (Duc 748)

FORMULA 40 LIGHTWEIGHT (20 starters)
1. Will Eikenberry (Kaw 636 ZX-6R)
2. Tom Aquino (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Pete Ellis (Yam TZ250)
4. Mark Hargis (Yam YZF-R6)
5. Jeff Graham (Yam YZF-R6)
6. Ritchie Thorup (Yam FZR400)

FORMULA 50 (9 starters)
1. Howard Lynggard (Yam YZF-R1)
2. John Thomas (Suz GSX-R750)
3. Jeff Rheume (Suz GSX-R1000)
4. John Ulrich (Yam TZ250)
5. David Molitor (Yam YZF-R1)
6. Mike Gephart (Yam FZR1000)

APRILIA CHALLENGE (All Aprilia RS250) (9 starters)
1. Patrick Tracey
2. Michael Pastore
3. Britt Bohannan
4. Ruben Archilla
5. John Melich
6. Craig Smith

VINTAGE HEAVYWEIGHT DINOSAURS (5 starters)
1. James Dobson (Yam)
2. Russ Lomanto (Hon)
3. Lloyd Johnson (Duc)
4. Scott Fabbri (Suz)
5. Scott MacAdam (Kaw)

BOTT LIGHTWEIGHT (4 starters)
1. Chris Shadoan (Kaw EX500)
2. Tom Nichols (Kaw EX500)
3. Mario Rubio (Kaw EX500)
4. Jim Rau (MZ)

650cc SUPERBIKE (25 starters)
1. Marc Palazzo (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Will Eikenberry (Kaw 636 ZX-6R)
4. Sam Carnibucci (Yam YZF-R6)
5. Ryan Hoffman (Yam YZF-R6)
6. William Clarke (Yam YZF-R6)

SANTA BARBARA MOTORSPORTS BOTT MIDDLEWEIGHT (13 starters)
1. Richy Headley (Duc 749R)
2. Bob Setbacken (Duc 748)
3. Steve Atlas (Suz SV650)
4. Jonathon Lowery (Duc 748)
5. Michael Sirolli (Duc 748)
6. Bradley Adams (Suz SV650)

VINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHT DINOSAURS (4 starters)
1. James Dobson (Yam)
2. Barry King (Yam)
3. Tom Nichols (Kaw)
4. Warren Spradlin Jr. (Yam)

PERFORMANCE UNLIMITED/GOLDEN CANTINA FORMULA TWINS (8 starters)
1. Claudio Szyszkowski (Duc 999)
2. Richy Headley (Duc 749R)
3. John-Mark Arechiga (Apr RSV1000R)
4. Bob Setbacken (Duc 748)
5. Joshua Welch (Duc)
6. Bradley Adams (Suz SV650)

ROADRACINGWORLD.COM 250cc GP (19 starters)
1. Michael Montoya (Yam TZ250)
2. Mark Watts (Yam TZ250)
3. Pete Ellis (Yam TZ250)
4. John Ulrich (Yam TZ250)
5. Joel Manes (Hon RS250)
6. Roger Baker (Yam TZ250)
7. Clinton Whitehouse III (Yam TZ250)
8. Robin Clark (Yam TZ250)
9. Joji Tokumoto (Hon RS250)
10. Andy Edwards (Apr RSV250)

APEX PREDATOR RACING 125cc GRAND PRIX (9 starters)
1. Britt Bohannan (Hon RS125)
2. Quentin Wilson (Hon RS125)
3. Mark Wilson (Yam TZ125)
4. Sharyn Namnath (Hon RS125)
5. James Wilberger (Hon RS125)
6. Kirk Snell (Hon RS125)

TOYOTA CUP UNLIMITED FORMULA 1 (17 starters)
1. Jeremy Toye (Suz GSX-R1000)
2. Josh Hayes (Kaw ZX-10R)
3. Robbie Dowie (Suz GSX-R1000)
4. Stoney Landers (Suz GSX-R1000)
5. Jeff Stern (Suz GSX-R1000)
6. Stephen Hewitt (Suz GSX-R1000)

501-650cc MIDDLEWEIGHT NOVICE (29 starters)
1. Tim Larson (Yam YZF-R6)
2. John Colvin (Hon CBR600)
3. David Khaykin (Suz GSX-R600)
4. Hagop Bismejian (Suz GSX-R600)
5. Fred Kallberg (Hon CBR600)
6. Khachik Kejejian (Suz GSX-R600)

GOLDEN WEST TRAILERS FORMULA 2 (16 starters)
1. Marc Palazzo (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Will Eikenberry (Kaw 636 ZX-6R)
3. Mark Watts (Yam TZ250)
4. San Carnibucci (Yam YZF-R6)
5. Blair Sullenger (Yam YZF-R6)
6. Michael Beck (Yam YZF-R6)

651cc-OPEN HEAVYWEIGHT NOVICE (24 starters)
1. Dan Tanger (Yam)
2. Andrew Krajacic (Suz)
3. Mitchell Wissner (Suz)
4. Bill Lapham (Suz)
5. Kent Russell (Suz)
6. Kent Nakanishi (Suz)

CALIFORNIA RACE SERVICES 600cc SUPERSTOCK (25 starters)
1. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Marc Palazzo (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Sam Carnibucci (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Blair Sullenger (Yam YZF-R6)
5. Michael Beck (Yam YZF-R6)
6. William Clarke (Yam YZF-R6)

OPEN SUPERBIKE (18 starters)
1. Jeremy Toye (Suz GSX-R1000)
2. Josh Hayes (Kaw ZX-10R)
3. Robbie Dowie (Suz GSX-R1000)
4. Jeff Stern (Suz GSX-R1000)
5. Stephen Hewitt (Suz GSX-R1000)
6. Stoney Landers (Suz GSX-R1000)

RACERS EDGE 750cc SUPERSTOCK (13 starters)
1. Will Eikenberry (Kaw 636 ZX-6R)
2. Skye Girard (Suz GSX-R750)
3. Ruben Munoz Jr. (Suz GSX-R750)
4. Dale Kiefer (Suz GSX-R750)
5. David Littlebrook (Suz GSX-R750)
6. Ken Kramer (Suz GSX-R750)

BATTLE OF THE TWINS HEAVYWEIGHT (4 starters)
1. John-Mark Arechiga (Apr RSV1000R)
2. Michael Sirolli (Duc)
3. Warren Luciano (Suz)
4. Alfredo Barcia (Duc)

500cc MODIFIED PRODUCTION (9 starters)
1. Horace Knight (Hon)
2. J.C. Gibbs (Yam FZR400)
3. Clinton Whitehouse III (Yam RZ350)
4. Dean Chin (Yam FZR400)
5. Arnold Tuason (Yam FZR400)
6. Chris Shadoan (Kaw EX500)

0-500cc LIGHTWEIGHT NOVICE (12 starters)
1. Kris Provost (Apr)
2. Richard Sadler (Hon)
3. Barry King (Yam)
4. Mike Lytle (Yam)
5. Michael Sumner (Hon)
6. Steven Baker (Yam)

From a press release issued by Advanstar:

Mike Kidd Finds a New Position Among Old Friends in Advanstar’s Powersports Group


Santa Ana, CA – The Powersports Group, one of the largest producers of trade and consumer shows worldwide for the motorcycle, Big Twin and ATV markets, today announced the group has just hired on 35-year powersports industry veteran Mike Kidd as Business Development Director. Kidd, most recently a Vice President in the motorsports division of Clear Channel Communications, will now be focused on finding and pursuing key growth opportunities for the Powersports Group.

“Mike Kidd embodies the forward-thinking attitude the Powersports Group is known for,” says Vice President, Mike Webster. “Our vision as a group doesn’t just apply to making our present products the best they can be. It extends to our idea of where the industry is headed and how our group can best serve the industry’s needs. Mike will be a valuable asset to the group as we work to bring this vision for the future to fruition.

“Plus Mike’s not only a great addition to our team,” adds Webster, “but a great friend, too. Mike, Tracy and I first met at his premier Arenacross event at the Tarrant County Convention Center in 1984. Together, we’ve developed a long working history.”

Mike Kidd comes to the Powersports Group after seven years serving as a Vice President in the motorsports division at Clear Channel Communications. Mike is perhaps best known for launching Arenacross racing in the U.S. in 1984. A few years prior to the inception of Arenacross, Mike was awarded the prestigious title of 1981 AMA Grand National Champion. In 1997 he sold his company and moved to Clear Channel.

“Mike is a wonderful addition to the group. Not only does he understand the industry from a business perspective, he also benefits from his perceptions as a life-long enthusiast” says Powersports Group General Manager, Tracy Harris. “Mike’s working knowledge of the industry provides a great foundation as he works on strengthening the group’s relationship with key industry contacts, exploring future sponsorship and partnership opportunities, and improving the attendee marketing and growth of our events.

“I’m anxious to get started,” says Kidd. “This is a great opportunity to work with a staff I’m already very familiar with, and a company that shares my growth-oriented vision of the future. I look forward to exploring new areas of the industry with a very experienced team of visionaries and enthusiasts.”

Mike Kidd begins as Business Development Director of Advanstar’s Powersports Group, starting immediately. He will be working for the Powersports Group out of Fort Worth, Texas.

For more information on the Powersports Group, please contact Marguerite Gervais at: (714) 513-8646 or visit our show websites at: www.teampowersports.com, www.motorcycleshows.com, www.bigtwinexpo.com and www.dirtexpo.com

About the Powersports Group

The Powersports Group is one of the biggest producers of trade and consumer shows worldwide. The group also produces the single largest aftermarket trade-only event for the powersports industry, the Dealernews International Powersports Dealer Expo. In addition to Dealer Expo, our powersports shows encompass nearly every product in all segments of the industry. Our Big Twin East and West shows represent the passion of Big Twin, bringing together the manufacturers, builders, and buyers who power the marketplace. Dirt Expo is the premier event for the off-road powersports industry, which runs alongside the Maxxis U.S. Open of Supercross in Las Vegas. Targeting key motorcycle markets across the country, the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows presented by Toyota Trucks draws more than 500,000 eager powersports consumers of all levels.

About Advanstar

Advanstar Communications Inc. is a worldwide business information company serving specialized markets with high-quality information resources and integrated marketing solutions. Advanstar has 105 business magazines and directories, 80 trade shows and conferences, numerous websites, and a wide range of direct marketing, database and reference products and services. Advanstar serves targeted market sectors in such industries as art, automotive, beauty, collaboration/e-learning, CRM/call center, digital media, entertainment/marketing, fashion, healthcare, manufacturing and processing, pharmaceutical, powersports, science, telecommunications and travel/hospitality. The company has nearly 1,300 employees and operates from multiple offices in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.advanstar.com.

From a press release issued by Connie Kassel:

Nicky Wimbauer, a 16-year-old American young gun riding for the Italian Team Trasimeno, finished in 16th position at his first World SuperSport race in Misano, held under difficult track conditions. Rain gave way to sunshine but left a wet track for the 23-lap event.

Nicky had a good start and avoided a three-rider crash in turn one. He closely followed Fabien Foret (retired) & Massimo Roccoli (finished 11th) until lap nine when a loose chain caused the rear wheel to skip which resulted in an off-track ride in turn one; Nicky limped into the pits. The team frantically fixed the problem and Nicky was back out, two laps down and worked his way to a nice 16th position at the checkered flag.

Nicky said, “I had a great race in that I met two of my goals: First, qualify, and second, take a checkered flag at a World SuperSport race. I am excited to have finished but I really wanted that first World Supersport point and I could have finished higher. I have to focus now on next week with the Italian series and Monza
later. Thank you to Team Trasimeno, my Dad, Connie, Rich, TI and everyone! I raced my first World SuperSport!”

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

For what officials said was the first time in WSMC history, a racebike was stolen during a WSMC weekend at Willow Springs Raceway, on Saturday.

The theft occured some time between the end of racetrack activities and midnight, when the track gates were locked.

The stolen bike, which belonged to racer Calvin Beck, is a black and yellow 2002 Suzuki GSX-R600 equipped with a Yoshimura exhaust system, a Scotts damper, Pro-Tek rearsets, Sharkskinz bodywork, Galfer front brake lines and rotors and Dunlop D208A tires. At the time of the theft it carried Beck’s WSMC number, 812.

The bike has about 7000 miles on the odometer and its VIN is JS1GN7BA422107651.

Beck is offering a cash reward for information leading to the recovery of the bike. Beck can be contacted at (818) 355-6363 or via e-mail at [email protected]

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Final 125cc GP Qualifying Results:

1. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 1:40.942
2. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, 1:41.024
3. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, 1:41.193
4. Mike DI MEGLIO, Aprilia, 1:41.195
5. Casey STONER, KTM, 1:41.204
6. Pablo NIETO, Aprilia, 1:41.373
7. Marco SIMONCELLI, Aprilia, 1:41.483
8. Alvaro BAUTISTA, Aprilia, 1:41.550
9. Youichi UI, Aprilia, 1:41.619
10. Julian SIMON, Honda, 1:41.644
11. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, 1:41.682
12. Gino BORSOI, Aprilia, 1:41.754
13. Jorge LORENZO, Derbi, 1:41.762
14. Gabor TALMACSI, Malaguti, 1:41.866
15. Mika KALLIO, KTM, 1:41.896


More, from a press release issued by KTM Red Bull:

The second day of practice in South Africa was a little bit windy but always sunny. The 125class finished the official combined practice time with the Italian Andrea Dovizioso first. KTM took the 5th result with Casey Stoner while Mika Kallio finished 15th.

Stoner – It’s much better than yesterday. I had some problem with the front tyre and I couldn’t push too much but I’m confident.

Kallio – We tried a different rear tyre which at the end was too hard and when I change it I only had few minutes left and being alone I couldn’t improve this morning result. It’s a pity not to be in the front rows.

Bartol – We are fine: Mika didn’t find the good lap time and unfortunately will start in 4th row; Casey improved his yesterday time. I’m confident for both riders.

From a press release issued by Aprilia:

APRILIA Racing is proud to announce one of its strongest ever line-ups for the 2004 world championship season.

With 16 bikes in the 125 category, 17 in the 250 class and two in the premier MotoGP world championship, Aprilia’s racing department – led by Jan Witteveen – is ready to show the results of some of the best technology in the world.

It is that technical expertise that has already delivered 22 world championships for the Italian manufacturer, including 13 rider world titles and nine constructor wins.

Aprilia has been associated with finding and developing great talent including Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi, and that philosophy is continuing with riders like Manuel Poggiali and Alex de Angelis.

And the Noale factory is as committed and determined to continue a long-standing tradition of winning races and world championships at the highest level of racing.

That is reflected in the entry lists for the season’s opening race in South Africa. Of the 85 bikes on the starting grids, 35 will be Aprilia machines, further reflecting the commitment in all three classes of GP racing.

Aiming to continue an excellent record in GP racing, Aprilia’s race department now employs 80 people. Thirty of those are made up of engineers that are specifically focused on the research and development of the RS125, RSW250 and RS Cube machines.

Such has been the highly competitive state of the 125 and 250 machines, that at the end of the 2003 season last November, the 2004 versions were immediately delivered to teams to commence the long and intensive winter testing programme.

“The development of our bikes does not finish at the moment we deliver them to the riders. It is an on-going process and the development continues throughout the entire season, “said Witteveen.

He added: “Our engineers are in constant contact with the technicians and riders from all of the teams and that information collected is used to make the bikes better. In 250 for example, we did a lot of work this year on the chassis and the suspension to permit the riders to have a bike that is simple and effective. It is our aim that everybody shares information to make the best bike possible, and surely that was demonstrated in last year’s world 250 championship won by Manuel Poggiali. That shows that our working methods work very well.”

One of the most important aspects of Aprilia’s 2004 racing strategy is to continue showcasing the high level technology in the MotoGP class with the RS Cube.

Witteveen added: “We have not stopped development of our technology in 125 and 250 and that is the same in MotoGP. In 2004, Aprilia’s MotoGP project once again be one of constant research and development. We are working to simplify the RS Cube. We want to make the bike more simple and to permit the riders and the team to do well. Our bike is a third of a Formula One engine and also features pneumatic valves. So we do not believe there is a loss of power compared to others who have more than three cylinders. All the riders who have tried the RS Cube have not had any problem with the horsepower. We are convinced that this project has a lot more development ahead of it and we have a lot of new innovations that will be seen later in the 2004 world championship.”

From a press release issued by d’Antin Ducati:

HODGSON AND XAUS REMAIN CONFIDENT

The dice have been rolled, and the grid for the first race of the season has been decided after an exciting final qualifying session in Welkom. The d´Antin MotoGP riders managed to refine the set-ups of their respective Ducati Desmosedici machines, and will go into the first race tomorrow confident in their ability to get a good result.

For the first time, the starting grid will be made up of rows of three riders instead of four, and because of this Hodgson and Xaus will be starting from the fifth and sixth rows respectively.

Reigning World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson improved his Friday time by over two seconds, ending up in fifteenth place and knows tomorrow’s first MotoGP race will be tough, “Today I’m much happier than yesterday, I think we’ve made some good progress and to be honest I don’t think grid position is too important. At the moment we can’t think about this. The set-up for tomorrow is quite good, although there’s still some work to do in the warm-up, however I’m confident in our chances. Where would I like to finish? To be in the top twelve would be fantastic to start with.”

Rubén Xaus suffered a minor crash during the session, but with no lasting damage he could get back on the bike, and with a little strategy change took sixteenth spot on the grid, “I’ve got that bad feeling that I could have done more, but things weren’t necessarily all bad because I’ve discovered that I’ve got a good rhythm on my race tyre. I crashed when using a soft rear, because it pushed the front more and I went into the bend crossed a little. There were less than fifteen minutes remaining and I could finish the lap to return to the box. I went out on the other bike, but I hadn’t touched it all weekend and so I couldn’t improve my time. We need to keep our feet on the ground, but I’m confident and I think that tomorrow I can go out and have a good race.”


TIMES:

1st V.ROSSI 1:32.647
2nd S.GIBERNAU 1:32.682
3rd M.BIAGGI 1:32.919
4th N.HAYDEN 1:33.098
5th C.EDWARDS 1:33.111

15th N.HODGSON 1:33.977
16th R.XAUS 1:34.103

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

TEAM SUZUKI UP THE PACE AT WELKOM

Team Suzuki MotoGP riders Kenny Roberts Jr. and John Hopkins both upped the pace and bettered their qualifying times for the opening round of the series, the Africa’s GP at Welkom tomorrow.

Roberts, fifth yesterday, put in a time of 1:33.543 and Hopkins moved from 14th to 11th with 1:33.598. Both riders will be on the fourth row of the grid in the newly-introduced three-per-row echelon format, but are confident with the new machine and their tyre choices.

Roberts cut three-tenths of a second as he perfected his tyre choice and bike settings to match, while Hopkins made a huge improvement, some 1.5 seconds better today than yesterday to move up three positions. Times were very close, with both Suzukis within one second of pole time.

The strong qualifying performances by both riders confirm the significant improvements to the Suzuki as well as the obvious strengths of the team’s new Bridgestone tyres. The Suzuki lap times were a second better than the same riders set at the same track last year and both reported consistent performance from bikes and tyres, which bodes well for tomorrow’s race.

Today’s second and final timed session took place in fine, sunny weather at the high-altitude 4.242km Phakisa Freeway, outside the Free State gold mining town of Welkom. Yesterday’s wind had died away and forecast rain showers failed to materialise.

KENNY ROBERTS Jr: 10th Position, 1:33.543:

“We found a good race tyre that did a high 33, and that’s the one we’ll race tomorrow. John put more than 20 laps on it and it stayed consistent so that’s good news. We got pretty much everything out of the bike, within reason. With maybe a little more risk, I could have knocked off another three of four tenths of a second, but in reality it’s a long race and I have to get a good start and try and not make any mistakes. This is an easy track to make mistakes on. We know where we are at with the bike and we’re getting the most out of it. The level of engine performance and engine braking has improved from last year, but at the same time we’re probably still hurting compared with the other bikes … we have something coming after the next race to help cure that. There’s a lot of one laps out there by a lot of people. I did three or four 33s, and one of them was on race tyres, so I think we have got the best possible package out of our machine. The team deserves good results, so tomorrow I’ll do the best I can, and be aggressive, and see what happens from there.”

JOHN HOPKINS – 11th Position, 1:33.598:

“Right from the get-go this morning, I was able to get on it. I immediately went quicker than the day before. We’d made some suspension changes and looked at places where I needed to pick up the pace. I had a little think about that and then did it. We had no problems today. Everything went smoothly. In the morning I narrowed down a selection of possible race tyres, then in the afternoon picked from those. I did half race distance on one rear in the morning, then the rest of the distance in the afternoon and over 28 laps the times stayed consistent. Then I put qualifying tyres on and though I made a couple of little mistakes and it wasn’t perfect, I’m happy with it. I don’t expect anything but good things tomorrow.


More, from a press release issued by John Hopkins’ publicist:

HOPKINS EARNS CAREER-BEST AFRICA’S GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING RESULT

WELCKOM, South Africa (April 17, 2004) – Suzuki’s John Hopkins turned in his best ever Africa’s Grand Prix qualifying result Saturday in Welkom, South Africa. Hopkins, 20, of Ramona, Calif., turned a lap of one minute, 33.598 seconds on the 4.2 kilometer Phakisa Freeway circuit to place him 11th on the grid for Sunday’s opening round of the 2004 MotoGP season. He was pleased with the result.

“I spent most of the session simulating race distance on our race tire,” Hopkins explained. “I’m really happy with the race set-up we’ve been able to find. The bike is greatly improved and the Bridgestone tires are working great. Toward the end of the session we put on the soft tires and I went out to try and get a good time. I’d done so many laps on race tires I was in a rhythm that I found hard to shake out of.

“On the final lap of the session I made it past start-finish just before they waved the checkered flag, so I was fortunate. I put my head down and tried to put in the best lap I could. I sort of left it all on that final lap and I made a few mistakes, but still managed a decent time.”

The 11th-place qualifying position is the best Hopkins betters his previous effort in South Africa. In 2002 he qualified 14th and last year 16th.

“There are a 13 or 14 bikes all within a second of one another on race tires so it should be a pretty wild race,” Hopkins added. “I’m encouraged by the progress Suzuki has made during the off-season. Things are looking up for sure.”

Hopkins’ qualifying run was less than a second off the pole time set by defending world champion Valentino Rossi. Kenny Roberts qualified a solid 10th and the two Suzuki teammates will start side-by-side on the third row of Sunday’s grid.

“Bridgestone has only been to this circuit twice,” said Hopkins, who is starting his third season in MotoGP. “So it’s amazing what they’ve been able to accomplish. The race tire we have is consistent throughout so we should be in a good position for tomorrow’s race.”

Sunday’s race will be shown in America on Speed Channel at 2 p.m. Eastern.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Final World Supersport Qualifying Results From Misano:

1. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600RR, 1:40.422
2. Broc Parkes, Honda CBR600RR, 1:40.662
3. Stefano Cruciani, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:41.356
4. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600RR, 1:41.365
5. Antonio Carlacci, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:41.523
6. Kevin Curtain, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:41.606
7. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:41.616
8. Matthieu Lagrive, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:41.827
9. Alessio Corradi, Honda CBR600RR, 1:41.917
10. Walter Tortoroglio, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:41.967
11. Matteo Baiocco, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:42.112
12. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:42.145
13. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:42.439
14. Maurizio Tumminello, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:42.616
15. Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati 749R, 1:42.666
16. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 749R, 1:42.685
17. Chritian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:42.807
18. Max Neukirchner, Honda CBR600RR, 1:43.070
19. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:43.318
20. Fabien Foret, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:43.718

24. Nicky Wimbauer, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:45.328


More, from a press release issued by Ten Kate Honda:

Front Rows Starts For Ten Kate Honda Duo

A flurry of initial activity in the final qualifying session at Misano brought about an almost immediate change at the top of the timesheets, but not enough to depose the Ten Kate riders Broc Parkes and Karl Muggeridge from their front row start positions with Parkes overall second and Muggeridge fourth.

After a fully wet first session, and with the prospect of a largely dry circuit awaiting them, all the top Supersport riders attacked the track in the first few laps, but by the end of the final 45-minute session both riders maintained their front row status.

The track conditions proved to be treacherous and inconsistent, making qualifying a game of risk versus reward, a game played well by the experienced Ten Kate Team.

Parkes, second quickest overall, was happy enough with the work done on the second day and feels largely ready to race, whatever the conditions. “Front row is pretty good,” he confessed. “Everything is OK, but I got trapped behind lapped riders right at the end of my last few laps. Otherwise I’m happy, even if I’ve been second four times this weekend! The bike is pretty good but we still have to make some changes. The problem now is deciding on a race tyre.”

“We struggled a little bit,” said Muggeridge. “Just didn’t have the right settings. So I pushed the bike around a little bit to make a good lap time. The conditions weren’t really dry but it’s a good reference when the bike hits a wet patch, and how it reacts to that. You can understand a lot by how the bike reacts and we know what to do now in warm up.”

“Considering the conditions we had out there the main thing was to qualify on the front row,” said Team Manager Ronald Ten Kate. “Pole would have been a nice bonus but it was difficult on a slightly drying track. Both boys are up there and we’re happy with the set-up for the half-dry track. So now we have to see what tomorrow will bring. Warm up will be busy because I don’t see too many people around who have made a definite decision about tyres or set-up if it’s completely dry.”

World Supersport Championship
Round Three – Misano Adriatico, Italy
16 – 18 April 2004
Final Qualifying

1. S. Charpentier, FRA, Honda CBR600RR, 1:40.422
2. B. Parkes, AUS, Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR, 1:40.662
3. S. Cruciani, ITA, Kawasaki ZX6 RR, 1:41.356
4. K. Muggeridge, AUS, Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR, 1:41.365
5. A. Carlacci, ITA, Yamaha YZF R6, 1:41.523
6. K. Curtain, AUS, Yamaha YZF R6, 1:41.606
7. K. Fujiwara, JPN, Suzuki GSX 600R, 1:41.616
8. M. Lagrive, FRA, Suzuki GSX 600R, 1:41.827
9. A. Corradi, ITA, Honda CBR600RR, 1:41.917
10. W. Tortoroglio, ITA, Suzuki GSX 600R, 1:41.967


More, from a press release issued by Belgarda Yamaha:

Yamaha Racing
Yamaha Italia World Supersport Team Newsletter
Date: April 17th 2004
Circuit: Misano m. 4.060
Final Qualifying
Weather: mostly overcast and damp
Temperature: air 13° track 16°
Crowd: 7.000

HARD WORK AHEAD FOR JURGEN AND FABIEN
After yesterday’s difficult conditions, it was hard to believe that things could have become worse ­ but that’s exactly what happened today. A ruling, by the race director, over the condition of the track meant that Yamaha Racing Italia riders Jurgen van den Goorbergh and Fabien Foret were unable to use the tyres they wanted and so both struggled in the final qualifying session.

The afternoon final practice was deemed ‘a dry session’ ­ despite wet patches all over the 4.060 kilometre ­ and there was some confusion about which tyres could be used. Jurgen and Fabien fell foul of the rules and ended 13th and 20th respectively and neither were happy about the situation.

Yamaha Racing Italia Team Co-ordinator Maio Meregalli said afterwards, “The race director declared the final session ‘dry’, but it was a mistake because there were still wet patches on the track. Jurgen and Fabien wanted to use ‘intermediate’ tyres, but the rules ban them because they do not have DOT approval if the session is declared ‘dry.’

On dry tyres, Jurgen and Fabien both felt the bike to be unstable and it was impossible to push as hard as they would’ve liked. However, we are confident that we can quickly get a good set-up for the bikes in the morning warm-up tomorrow and still have a chance of a good race”.

Frenchman Sebastien Charpentier (Honda) took pole position, with a time of 1:40.422, ahead of Broc Parkes (Honda), Stefano Cruciani (Kawasaki) and Karl Muggeridge (Honda).


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

ROW 4 START FOR LANZI (DUCATI BREIL) AT MISANO ADRIATICO

Misano Adriatico (Italy), Saturday 17 April 2004: Italian rider Lorenzo Lanzi will start tomorrow’s third round of the World Supersport Championship at Misano Adriatico from row 4 of the grid after a disappointing final qualifying session with the Ducati 749R.

Eighth after Friday’s first qualifying, the Ducati Breil rider was in a bit of difficulty on a still-damp track and was unable to improve on his position in the afternoon’s final session.

“Qualifying was rather unfortunate because at the start of the afternoon session the track was still a bit damp and we were unable to find the right set-up” declared Lanzi.

“I was only able to record the fifteenth quickest time, and I was struggling to do that as well, because my 749R was sliding around a lot at the rear.

“Today it was really difficult out there” added Lanzi.