Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Picotte Performance Yamaha’s Pascal Picotte surprised no one by running away with the Hindle Exhausts 600cc Sportbike race Sunday at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant, in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada. After leading every practice session and qualifying, Picotte convincingly won the 12-lap race, clinching his second consecutive Championship in the class at round seven of the eight-round series.

After the first start was aborted for a crash and fluid clean-up on the track, DXS Diablo Suzuki’s Steve Crevier got the holeshot and led the first two laps, but Crevier’s run at the front was short-lived. Picotte passed Crevier heading into the right-hander at the end of the long back straightaway on lap three. Once in front, Picotte instantly built a lead with the fastest lap of the race, a 1:41.82, before eventually winning by a comfortable margin.

Crevier continued to race for second, very closely at times, with Fast Company/Honda Canada’s Jordan Szoke and Kawasaki Canada’s Francis Martin.

On lap 11, both Szoke and Martin got around Crevier, who later said he was struggling for side drive grip. Szoke finished second, Martin earned his first podium finish of the year with third and Crevier took fourth.

Provisional Hindle Exhausts 600cc Sportbike Race Results:

1. Pascal Picotte (Yam YZF-R6), 12 laps, 22:15
2. Jordan Szoke (Hon CBR600RR), -1.514 seconds
3. Francis Martin (Kaw ZX-6RR), -2.292 seconds
4. Steve Crevier (Suz GSX-R600), -2.912 seconds
5. Clint McBain (Suz GSX-R600), -7.369 seconds
6. Jeff Williams (Suz GSX-R600), -8.553 seconds
7. Matt McBride (Kaw ZX-6RR), -9.785 seconds
8. Andrew Nelson (Hon CBR600RR), -22.199 seconds
9. Frank Trombino (Yam YZF-R6), -27.382 seconds, crash
10. Chris Peris (Suz GSX-R600), -28.436 seconds
11. Michael Leon (Suz GSX-R600), -29.459 seconds
12. Zenon Nelson (Suz GSX-R600), -33.140 seconds
13. Stuart Nodell (Kaw ZX-6RR), -38.460 seconds
14. Yannick Beaureguard (Hon CBR600), -48.560 seconds
15. Barry French (Yam YZF-R6), -52.136 seconds
16. Jeremy French (Hon CBR600), -64.810 seconds
17. Jeremy Burgess (Suz GSX-R600), -69.392 seconds
18. Yannick Morin (Kaw ZX-6), -81.034 seconds
19. Andrew Murray (Kaw ZX-6), -6 laps, DNF
20. Sebastien Michel (Suz GSX-R600), -8 laps, DNF

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning Parts Canada Superbike Practice Times:

1. Pascal Picotte (Yam YZF-R1), 1:39.277
2. Clint McBain (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:40.943
3. Steve Crevier (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:41.086
4. Jordan Szoke (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:41.187
5. Kevin Lacombe (Yam YZF-R1), 1:41.482
6. Jeff Williams (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:42.209
7. Frank Trombino (Yam YZF-R1), 1:42.299
8. Andrew Nelson (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:42.591
9. Francis Martin (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:43.051
10. Matt McBride (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:43.213
11. Matt Binns (Duc 999R), 1:43.546
12. Chris Peris (Suz GSX-R750), 1:44.284
13. Philip Onisto (Suz), 1:45.300
14. Hugo Brisson (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:45.948
15. Stuart Nodell (Kaw), 1:45.948

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning Hindle Exhaust 600cc Sportbike Practice Times:

1. Pascal Picotte (Yam YZF-R6), 1:42.116
2. Clint McBain (Suz GSX-R600), 1:42.950
3. Steve Crevier (Suz GSX-R600), 1:43.336
4. Frank Trombino (Yam YZF-R6), 1:43.924
5. Andrew Nelson (Hon CBR600RR), 1:44.305
6. Francis Martin (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:44.390
7. Jordan Szoke (Hon CBR600RR), 1:44.629
8. Jeff Williams (Suz GSX-R600), 1:45.315
9. Matt McBride (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:45.475
10. Chris Peris (Suz GSX-R600), 1:45.592

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Flammini Group, the promoter of the Superbike World Championship Series, may hold a round of the 2005 series in the U.S., on its traditional date, in direct conflict with the MotoGP race that replaced World Superbike on Laguna Seca’s 2005 calendar.

No word yet on where the race would be held.

Whether or not AMA National classes will be run at Laguna Seca in support of the MotoGP class has yet to be determined.

Stay tuned…

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Final 250cc Grand Prix Qualifying Results:

1. Sebastian Porto, Aprilia, 2:14.261
2. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 2:14.457
3. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 2:14.528
4. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 2:15.846
5. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 2:15.952
6. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 2:16.216
7. Toni Elias, Honda, 2:16.257
8. Hiroshi Aoyama, Honda, 2:16.639
9. Arnaud Vincent, Aprilila, 2:16.965
10. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 2:17.385
11. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 2:17.542
12. Anthony West, Aprilia, 2:17.656
13. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 2:18.061
14. Alex Debon, Honda, 2:18.149
15. Alex Baldolini, Aprilia, 2:19.057
16. Jakub Smrz, Honda, 2:19.477
17. Manual Poggiali, Aprilia, 2:19.873
18. Johan Stigefelt, Aprilia, 2:20.175
19. Chaz Davies, Aprilia, 2:21.027
20. Eric Bataille, Honda, 2:21.244

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday Morning Practice Times:

MotoGP (dry):

1. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 1:58.801
2. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 1:59.185
3. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 1:59.286
4. Colin EDWARDS, Honda, 1:59.788
5. Alex BARROS, Honda, 1:59.828
6. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 1:59.853
7. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 1:59.952
8. Carlos CHECA, Yamaha, 1:59.966
9. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 1:59.989
10. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 2:00.038
11. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 2:00.040
12. Troy BAYLISS, Ducati, 2:00.795
13. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, 2:00.889
14. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, 2:00.956
15. Norick ABE, Yamaha, 2:01.249
16. Neil HODGSON, Ducati, 2:01.518
17. Marco MELANDRI, Yamaha, 2:01.618
18. Gregorio LAVILLA, Suzuki, 2:01.971
19. Kurtis ROBERTS, Proton, 2:02.022
20. Nobuatsu AOKI, Proton, 2:02.060
21. Shane BYRNE, Aprilia, 2:02.491
22. Andrew PITT, Moriwaki, 2:02.660
23. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Aprilia, 2:02.837
24. Ruben XAUS, Ducati, 2:02.841
25. Michel FABRIZIO, Harris WCM, 2:04.541
26. James ELLISON, Harris WCM, 2:07.202


250cc Grand Prix (dry):

1. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, 2:03.136
2. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, 2:03.449
3. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, 2:03.703
4. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, 2:04.058
5. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, 2:04.271
6. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, 2:04.564
7. Sylvain GUINTOLI, Aprilia, 2:04.630
8. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, 2:04.659
9. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, 2:04.812
10. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, 2:04.861
11. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, 2:05.177
12. Roberto ROLFO, Honda, 2:05.250
13. Toni ELIAS, Honda, 2:05.319
14. Alex BALDOLINI, Aprilia, 2:05.390
15. Eric BATAILLE, Honda, 2:05.883
16. Anthony WEST, Aprilia, 2:05.984
17. Alex DEBON, Honda, 2:06.086
18. Arnaud VINCENT, Aprilia, 2:06.143
19. Erwan NIGON, Aprilia, 2:06.275
20. Hector FAUBEL, Aprilia, 2:06.306


125cc Grand Prix (dry):

1. Pablo NIETO, Aprilia, 2:09.212
2. Jorge LORENZO, Derbi, 2:09.402
3. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, 2:09.409
4. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 2:09.490
5. Casey STONER, KTM, 2:09.771
6. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, 2:09.810
7. Lukas PESEK, Honda, 2:09.838
8. Simone CORSI, Honda, 2:09.941
9. Gabor TALMACSI, Malaguti, 2:09.972
10. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, 2:10.106
11. Marco SIMONCELLI, Aprilia, 2:10.210
12. Mika KALLIO, KTM, 2:10.239
13. Mattia PASINI, Aprilia, 2:10.341
14. Julian SIMON, Honda, 2:10.360
15. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, 2:10.435

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Signs indicating a possible tire failure were found on a 17-inch rear Dunlop slick used on the Brooklin Cycles Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike of Frank Trombino during Saturday morning Canadian Superbike practice at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant.

The tire, a 758-compound, or “medium,” with the manufacturing date code of 2204 (indicating manufacture in the 22nd week of 2004) and with approximately 20 laps on it, was found by Trombino’s crew to have a line of cuts diagonally across one section of the tread.

The first cut was approximately a half-inch long and at least a half-inch deep. The second cut, perfectly in line with the first, was also a half-inch long but slightly less deep. Two additional cuts, much shallower but in perfect alignment with the first two, were found on the other side of the tread.

Brooklin Cycles Yamaha Team Owner Rob Egan told Roadracingworld.com, “I’ve seen this before. It’s never caused a problem, but now everyone’s paranoid. We don’t want to take any chances. We knew this track would be punishing with all the high cornering loads.”

Egan said Trombino did not feel the tire doing anything out of the oridnary.

The concern over the unusual damage to the tire comes from three Dunlop 17-inch rear slicks failing within an eight-day period in July, causing Jamie Hacking to crash at Mid-Ohio July 25, and teammates Jeff Williams and Steve Crevier to crash during a Canadian Superbike event July 17-18 at Mosport. All three riders crashed at very high speed but escaped serious injury.

“I haven’t seen the tire yet,” Crevier said of Trombino’s Dunlop. “Hopefully, his is only chunking and not coming apart like mine, Jeff’s and Hacking’s.”

Crevier feels the problem may come from the Mont Tremblant track’s lack of grip and Trombino’s chassis set-up. “I think everyone is sprung pretty tight,” said Crevier. “The suspension is topping out over all these crests causing a lot of tire spin. I’m seeing a lot of spinning out there, and spinning is bad for any tire.”

Pascal Picotte also suffered damage to his rear Dunlop slick, a 950-compound “soft” with three laps on it, during the same session, but the single, three-quarter-inch-long cut on his tire was not believed to be a precursor of a tire failure, according to Picotte’s crew.

Almost all of the top Canadian Superbike riders use Dunlop tires, and no other unusual tire damage has been reported at Mont Tremblant.

Parts Canada Superbike series officials have notified every team of Trombino’s tire damage.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Final 125cc GP Qualifying Results:

1. Marco SIMONCELLI, Aprilia, 2:24.458
2. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 2:24.638
3. Julian SIMON, Honda, 2:25.218
4. Jorge LORENZO, Derbi, 2:25.549
5. Gabor TALMACSI, Malaguti, 2:25.831
6. Casey STONER, KTM, 2:25.967
7. Simone CORSI, Honda, 2:26.232
8. Lorenzo ZANETTI, Aprilia, 2:26.390
9. Lukas PESEK, Honda, 2:26.516
10. Gino BORSOI, Aprilia, 2:26.605
11. Andrea Ballerini, Aprilia, 2:26.805
12. Robbin HARMS, Honda, 2:26.855
13. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, 2:26.978
14. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, 2:27.128
15. Tomoyoshi KOYAMA, Yamaha, 2:27.131

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Picotte Performance Yamaha’s Pascal Picotte earned pole position for round seven of the Parts Canada Superbike series during qualifying Saturday at Le Circuit Mont Tremblant in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada.

Riding a Dunlop-shod Yamaha YZF-R1, Picotte’s time of 1:38.930 was not only good enough for the first spot on the grid but it was also well under Picotte’s old lap record of 1:40.240.

Picotte did a 1:39.263 (on his race tire) within the first few minutes of the 60-minute qualifying session, before coming into the pits, sitting and waiting for several minutes. When DXS Diablo Suzuki’s Steve Crevier posted a 1:39.328, Picotte mounted a soft-compound rear tire, went back out, recorded his 1:38.390, returned to the pits and sat for the final 20 minutes of the session.

“We waited until the end to go for a lap time in 600cc (Sportbike) qualifying, and it almost didn’t work. We said we wouldn’t do that again, so we tried to do our fast time as soon as possible,” said Picotte.

Crevier’s soft-tire-aided time held up for second on the grid. Honda Canada’s Jordan Szoke qualified third with a 1:40.191, which was also under the old lap record. Completing the front row for Sunday’s 15-lap final was Brooklin Cycles Yamaha’s Kevin Lacombe, who has continued to make chassis improvements to his YZF-R1 throughout the weekend.

Provisional Parts Canada Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Pascal Picotte (Yam YZF-R1), 1:38.930
2. Steve Crevier (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:39.319
3. Jordan Szoke (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:40.191
4. Kevin Lacombe (Yam YZF-R1), 1:40.315
5. Clint McBain (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:40.593
6. Jeff Williams (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:40.740
7. Frank Trombino (Yam YZF-R1), 1:40.917
8. Francis Martin (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:41.739
9. Matthew McBride (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:42.395
10. Andrew Nelson (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:42.613
11. Chris Peris (Suz GSX-R750), 1:43.453
12. Hugo Brisson (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:44.313
13. Zenon Nelson (Suz), 1:45.952
14. Yanick Beaureguard (Hon), 1:46.017
15. Dave Young (Suz), 1:46.336
16. Bill Card (Hon), 1:46.412
17. Stuart Nodell (Kaw), 1:46.532
18. Craig Dixon (Yam), 1:46.551
19. Barry French (Yam), 1:46.867
20. Sebastien Michel (Suz), 1:47.343
21. Philip Onisto (Suz), 1:47.344
22. Larry Orde (Yam), 1:47.436
23. Yannick Morin (Kaw), 1:47.719
24. Jim Proulx (Kaw), 1:48.219
25. Elie Daccache (Suz), 1:48.239
26. Dan Henri (Yam), 1:48.445
27. Jeremy French (Hon), 1:48.547
28. Steve Scott (Yam), 1:48.975
29. Jeremy Burgess (Suz), 1:49.072
30. Terry MacPhee (Hon), 1:52.250
31. Andrew Murray (Kaw), 1:52.735
32. Matt Binns (Duc), 2:24.199

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Final MotoGP Qualifying Results:

1. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 2:09.782
2. Alex BARROS, Honda, 2:10.090
3. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 2:10.470
4. Troy BAYLISS, Ducati, 2:10.923
5. Colin EDWARDS, Honda, 2:11.096
6. Carlos CHECA, Yamaha, 2:11.188
7. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 2:11.662
8. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 2:11.737
9. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 2:11.821
10. Ruben XAUS, Ducati, 2:12.073
11. Marco MELANDRI, Yamaha, 2:12.685
12. Neil HODGSON, Ducati, 2:13.008
13. Norick ABE, Yamaha, 2:13.327
14. Kurtis ROBERTS, Proton, 2:13.345
15. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Aprilia, 2:13.781
16. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 2:13.817
17. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 2:14.031
18. Michel FABRIZIO, Harris WCM, 2:14.223
19. Shane BYRNE, Aprilia, 2:14.304
20. Andrew PITT, Moriwaki, 2:14.397
21. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 2:14.727
22. Nobuatsu AOKI, Proton, 2:15.682
23. Gregorio LAVILLA, Suzuki, 2:16.150
24. James ELLISON, Harris WCM, 2:16.715
25. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, 2:16.723
26. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, 2:17.157