Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

DFXtreme Sterilgarda’s Steve Martin claimed the second Superpole of his season and of his career Saturday at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Martin did not use qualifying tires during Friday and Saturday timed qualifying, opting inside to work on bike set-up and race tire testing. But in the one-flying-lap Superpole session, the 36-year-old Australian put his Pirelli qualifier to good use, turning a 1:26.912 to top all others.

Fila Ducati’s James Toseland will start second in Sunday’s World Superbike races, after the 23-year-old Brit posted a 1:27.787 in Superpole on his gradually-improving 999F04.

His first time at Laguna Seca, Chris Vermeulen continued to impress, lapping at 1:26.987 on his Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR to earn the third grid spot.

Pierfrancesco Chili will start Sunday’s races from the fourth and final spot on the front row, but the veteran Italian, who led Saturday morning’s qualifying session, was not happy with how the Superpole session played out.

Renegade Ducati’s Noriyuki Haga, the second-to-last rider to go out in Superpole, realized he had a problem with his rear Pirelli before he finished the warm-up. The rear tire lit up while the Japanese rider was straight up and down or if he even brushed the throttle while leaned over. Haga pointed to his rear tire on the front straightaway as he started his flying lap, more or less put his 999RS on cruise control and turned a 1:46.603 Superpole lap. But Haga’s problems continued on his cool-off lap, and he crashed in the turn four area of the track, just before Chili came through on his flying Superpole lap.

With yellow flags waving, Chili backed off just enough that he lost any chance of beating Martin’s time.

Haga was seen walking away from his crash.

Provisional World Superbike Superpole Results:

1. Steve Martin, Ducati 999RS, 1:26.912
2. James Toseland, Ducati 999F04, 1:26.943
3. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:26.987
4. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.200
5. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:27.441
6. Regis Laconi, Ducati 999F04, 1:27.485
7. Garry McCoy, Ducati 999RS, 1:27.518
8. Leon Haslam, Ducati 999RS, 1:27.597
9. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.150
10. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.152
11. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.181
12. Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.295
13. Marco Borciani, Ducati 999RS, 1:28.328
14. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.229
15. Alessio Velini, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.605
16. Noriyuki Haga, Ducati 999RS, 1:46.603


More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Corser confident of California challenge for FPR

Troy Corser is confident of mounting a meaningful challenge amongst the front-runners for tomorrow’s two races of the seventh round of the Superbike World Championship at Laguna Seca, California.

Corser, three times a winner at the technical circuit, qualified in fifth place on the grid, with fellow Aussie Steve Martin clinching pole position.

Foggy PETRONAS Racing team-mate Chris Walker made significant progress during the afternoon free practice session but missed out on the chance to improve his qualifying position in Superpole after failing to make the top 16 in the final morning qualifying session.

Troy, a former champion of the American domestic superbike championship in 1994, had qualified fifth fastest in morning qualifying with his best time of the weekend, 1:27.167 – three tenths quicker than his fastest lap at Laguna last year.

But technical difficulties during the free practice session interrupted the continuity of his Superpole preparations and he was unable to improve on his position at the head of the second row.

Troy said: “I feel pretty confident because my times on race tyres are within three tenths of a second of the fastest times. Superpole was a little frustrating because I feel sure I could have got into the 26s on the bike that had an engine problem during the afternoon session. I was hoping to be on the front row but fifth is around where I expected to be as we are still losing a little bit on acceleration, especially through the second split. You need to be in the top three or four here in the first lap as it is easy to lose a lot of time if you are dicing early on.”

Chris said: “The problems we had yesterday cost us too much track time as all we needed to make Superpole was another 0.08 of a second. But I did make a few improvements in the free practice session and we are already in better shape for tomorrow. I could ride around at the pace of the top ten, so I am back to where I should be. I have a couple of things to try in warm-up tomorrow and then I need a couple of Stalker starts! But it is not the easiest start in the world because you go over a blind crest and then through a long hairpin, so there aren’t really any obvious passing places.”

Superpole results, Superbike World Championship, round 7, Laguna Seca, USA: 1 Martin 1:26.912; 2 Toseland +0.031; 3 Vermeulen +0.075; 4 Chili +0.288; 5 Corser +0.529; 6 Laconi +0.573; 7 McCoy +0.606; 8 Haslam +0.685; 9 Clementi +1.238; 10 Pedercini +1.240; 11 Sanchini +1.269; 12 Nannelli +1.383; 13 Borciani +1.416; 14 Bontempi +2.317; 15 Velini +2.693; 16 Haga +19.691

Saturday qualifying times: 1 Chili (PSG-1) 1:26.782; 2 Haga (Renegade Ducati) 1:26.831; 3 Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda) 1:27.103; 4 Laconi (Ducati Fila) 1:27.142; 5 Corser (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:27.167; 6 Borciani (DFX) 1:27.243; 7 Martin (DFX) 1:27.282; 8 Toseland (Ducati Fila) 1:27.417; 9 Pedercini (Team Pedercini) 1:27.501; 10 Haslam (Renegade Ducati) 1:27.739; 17 Walker 1:28.422

Saturday free practice times: 1 Chili 1:27.109; 2 Haga 1:27.130; 3 Toseland 1:27.241; 4 Vermeulen 1:27.364; 5 Martin 1:27.436; 6 Haslam 1:27.525; 7 Laconi 1:27.664; 8 McCoy 1:27.701; 9 Corser 1:28.081; 10 Pedercini 1:28.300; 12 Walker 1:28.481


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

TOSELAND MOVES TO THE FRONT IN SUPERPOLE WITH SECOND QUICKEST TIME – ROW 2 START FOR SIXTH-PLACED LACONI

Laguna Seca (USA), 10 July 2004: James Toseland (Ducati Fila) put in his most impressive Superpole performance of the year to set second quickest time in the final qualifying session for round 7 of the World Superbike Championship at a sunny Laguna Seca, California.

Australian Steve Martin (DFX Ducati) edged Ducati Fila’s 23-year-old British rider out by just three-hundredths of a second to take the top slot, while France’s Regis Laconi (Ducati Fila) could only manage sixth quickest time and will start tomorrow’s races from row 2 of the grid.

Toseland was one of the best improvers in the crucial Superpole session, the 23-year-old knocking half second off his morning qualifying
time to take the second grid slot.

“I always enjoy racing at Laguna Seca and I feel I’m riding really good around here” he declared. “We’ve made steady progress all weekend, it’s all suddenly come good and we’re second on the grid. The tyres are working really well, I’ve got the bike settled in and I’m feeling more confident than I’ve ever done with it so hopefully this is the start of something
good. The races are going to be interesting and close, there have been ten guys in a second all weekend so it’ll be fantastic to watch and I’m looking forward to getting two podiums instead of the one last year.”

Third quickest in qualifying, Laconi slipped down to sixth after Superpole but is still confident of getting good results in tomorrow’s two races.

“I didn’t do a particularly good Superpole lap, after going a bit wide in the first corner and if you lose immediately you do a bad lap. I tried to push hard but we always seem to be losing a little bit in the final split. For tomorrow we will try different gear ratios because I think we are losing there, we are too much on the limiter. The bike’s general set-up is fine, and I am really satisfied with the tyres I have chosen so I am sure of doing a couple of good races tomorrow.”


More, from a press release issued by Xerox Ducati Nortel Networks – Scuderia Caracchi:

Row two start for seventh-placed Garry McCoy

Garry McCoy was today one of the best improvers in the always exiting Superpole session, rising from his 13th morning’s qualifying time up to seventh position in the starting grid. For tomorrow’s races, 28 laps for 100,856 kms, the Australian rider of 999RS Xerox Ducati Nortel Networks will start from the second row.

“I got a good feeling with the new qualifying tyres and finally I’m fine in the timed lap.” – commented Garry McCoy. “The bike set up is fine and I’m satisfied with the tyres we’ve chosen for tomorrow’s races. This morning we had to test some new tyre, but we hadn’t the attended results. So we returned to yesterday’s set up, which gave us good results and during the afternoon’s free practice session I recorded good lap time for a long lap sequence, so I’m quite satisfied. For tomorrow’s races I’m looking for a good result; this is a demanding track and doesn’t allow to overtake easily, but after this afternoon’s prectice I’m confident in a good result.”

Miguel Praia repeated his yesterday’s performance, but when he was going to use the soft tyres for a fast lap an exhaust broken forced him to stop and he lost some grid position.

“It’s a pity because I was improving my feeling with this track.” – said a bit disappointed Miguel Praia at the end of the day. “Just when we would select the qualifying tyres to improve my yesterday lap time I broke the exhaust and I must join the pit. However I repeated exactly the lap time I recorded yesterday with soft tyres using race tyres, so I’m sure of running a satisfying race tomorrow.”


Vermeulen Third After Superpole

Chris Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) continued the upward trend of rookie rider, team and bike in the World Superbike Championship, securing third best Superpole time on his very first visit to the American venue.

In finishing third he not only beat his regulation qualifying best, after setting a single flying lap of 1:26.987, but also replicated his earlier third best qualifying position. His Superpole time was only 0.075 seconds slower than eventual pole position rider Steve Martin (Ducati) and 0.043 off second best rider James Toseland (Ducati).

Vermeulen, enjoying the Californian sunshine and the abilities of his ever improving machine, stated. “We made a big leap forward at Silverstone and we’ve carried on the progress here. I had never seen this circuit before and my team has never been here. We’ve gone quite well all weekend so to be on the front row of the grid? I think we’re all happy. We’ll just have to see how the race turns out. I’m still learning the track and I overshot the Corkscrew twice, one of the other blind corners as well, but I enjoy the place and I’m having fun.”

Team Manager Ronald Ten Kate said, “Really we have to be pleased with the speed of our progress, especially at a circuit we have only ever seen on TV before. I think it says a lot about Chris, the technical guys in our team and the Honda CBR1000RR. We have worked hard this weekend as usual and we have already seen some results of that. We are looking forward to the race and getting the best results possible.”


More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist:

TROY JUST MISSES OUT ON THE FRONT ROW

Final qualifying ended with Troy fifth fastest after the Superpole shoot-out today. It should’ve been the front row, but Troy’s number one bike suffered an engine problem ten minutes or so before the end of the afternoon untimed qualifying and so he had to use his spare bike instead.

Troy had only done about ten laps on his number two bike, so had to be a bit cautious on his Superpole lap. In the end, he finished it with a time of 1:27.441 – nearly three tenths of a second slower then his best lap in regular qualifying. Superpole was won by Steve Martin (Ducati), with a time of 1:26.912, ahead of James Toseland (Ducati), Chris Vermeulen (Honda) and Pierfrancesco Chili (Ducati).


TROY -5th, 1:27.441

That was a bit disappointing because I really believed that I’d be able to do a 1:26 lap in Superpole today. But my number one bike had an engine problem towards the end of the last session before Superpole and the team
had to work frantically to put the clutch from that bike into the number two bike. I couldn’t use the number two bike as it was because it had a new type of clutch in it and I didn’t feel we’d done enough laps on it to use in Superpole.

Obviously, I didn’t know the bike so well, so I was a bit cautious on my Superpole lap and couldn’t get into the 1:26’s. Otherwise, I’m pretty happy with the tyres for the race. I’ll use the hardest front and then decide between one of two rears – depending on tomorrow’s warm-up and how hot it is. At the moment, I’d prefer the conditions to be a bit cooler, but I’ll take whatever comes.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Provisional Saturday Morning AMA Supersport Practice Times:

1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:28.621
2. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:28.755
3. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:28.960
4. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:29.429
5. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:29.622
6. Ben Attard, Suzuki, 1:29.842
7. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:29.848
8. Michael Barnes, Yamaha, 1:30.486
9. Chris Peris, Suzuki, 1:30.618
10. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:30.810
11. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:30.892
12. Jason Perez, Yamaha, 1:31.939
13. Alan Schmidt, Yamaha, 1:32.147
14. Jeff Tigert, Honda, 1:32.324
15. Heath Small, Yamaha, 1:32.346
16. Chris Siglin, Yamaha, 1:32.355
17. Darren Luck, Suzuki, 1:32.369
18. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, 1:32.721
19. Blake Young, Suzuki, 1:32.907
20. Nicky Moore, Suzuki, 1:33.047
21. Danny Eslick, Suzuki, 1:33.235
22. Darin Edwards, Suzuki, 1:34.043
23. Nathan Hetser, Yamaha, 1:34.397
24. Scott Jackson, Suzuki, 1:34.599
25. Matt Zurbuchen, Yamaha, 1:34.722
26. Giovanni Rojas, Yamaha, 1:34.834
27. Grant Riggs, Yamaha, 1:35.096
28. Ben Carlson, Suzuki, 1:35.199
29. Daniel Doty, Yamaha, 1:35.645
30. Montez Stewart, Yamaha, 1:36.163
31. Chris Siebenhaar, Honda, 1:36.218
32. Davd Lambert, Suzuki, 1:36.781
33. Brad Gua, Suzuki, 1:36.784
34. Tyler Jones, Yamaha, 1:36.887
35. Darren Murray, Yamaha, 1:37.404
36. Matt Weathers, Honda, 1:37.510
37. Phil Clarke, Yamaha, 1:37.985
38. Jeremy Haiduk, Yamaha, 1:38.510
39. Corey Sarros, Honda, 1:39.698
40. Eric Pinson, Triumph, 1:40.045
41. Hector Romero, Honda, 1:40.690

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Graves Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking did not ride in AMA Superstock practice Saturday morning at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. According to his team owner Chuck Graves, Hacking, on the advice of Dr. Arthur Ting, chose to sit out the session and save his battered body for the Superstock race later Saturday afternoon.

Hacking is riding with a freshly-plated, 11-day-old broken right collarbone at Laguna Seca. He crashed in turn three during Superstock qualifying Friday, landing on his injured shoulder.

Last night, Dr. Ting X-rayed Hacking’s shoulder to make sure the surgical plate holding his collarbone together was still intact and in place but recommended Hacking sit out the morning practice.

Hacking holds a 14-point lead in the AMA Superstock Championship over teammate Aaron Gobert, and he holds an 18-point advantage over Kawasaki’s Tommy Hayden.

If Gobert were to win and collect the bonus point for leading the most laps in the race, Hacking would have to finish seventh or better to hold his lead.

If Hayden, who took pole, were to win and collect the lap-leader point, Hacking would need to finish 10th or better to hold his point lead.

Hacking qualified fifth for the Superstock race.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA Pro Racing Reverses Kopp, Atherton Penalties

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – AMA Pro Racing announced today that it has reversed the penalties assessed to Joe Kopp and Kevin Atherton at round six of the AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship held at Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio on June 26. The penalties were the result of illegal fuel found in the motorcycles of both riders.

In reversing the penalties, AMA Pro Racing Director of Competition, Merrill Vanderslice said that there was concern over the way the fuel was handled during testing. “We conducted an internal review of the steps that were taken in the handling of the fuel samples and determined that the samples were not originally sealed to our standards,” said Vanderslice. “Accordingly, we made the decision to reverse the penalties.”

A field test at the Lima round determined that the fuel was not in compliance with AMA Flat Track rules. An independent lab confirmed the field test but the concern over the handing of the fuel prompting AMA Pro Racing to make its ruling.

“We follow a rigid protocol and must have absolute confidence in our testing process from start to finish. Unfortunately, in this particular instance, we did not,” said Vanderslice.

The 23 points that were taken from each rider have been re-applied to their respective championship totals.


And now a related press release also issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING ANNOUNCES PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP TELEVISION PACKAGE

Seven hours on SPEED Channel

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – AMA Pro Racing today announced that SPEED Channel will produce and air seven hours of original programming for the 2004 AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship in 2004.


Five one-hour shows will be dedicated to the Progressive Insurance Grand National Championship. The Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Series will receive four half-hour programs.

Events on the broadcast schedule include the July 9 round at Route 66 Raceway (Half-mile), Black Hills Speedway (Half-mile) on Aug. 10, the Peoria TT on Aug. 22, the Springfield Mile on Sept. 5 and wrapping up with the Du Quoin Mile on Sept. 25.

2004 AMA PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP SPEED CHANNEL
SCHEDULE

Event Series
Broadcast Date & Time (Eastern)

Route 66 Raceway Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance
Sunday, 08/01/2004, 2:30 p.m.

Joliet, IL (Half-mile) Progressive Insurance Grand
National Sunday, 08/15/2004, 4 p.m.

Black Hills Speedway Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance
Sunday, 08/22/2004, 12:30 p.m.

Rapid City, SD (Half-mile) Progressive Insurance Grand National
Sunday, 09/12/2004, 4 p.m.

Peoria Race Park Progressive Insurance Grand National
Sunday, 11/14/2004, 2 p.m.

Peoria, IL (TT)
Illinois State Fairgrounds Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance
Saturday, 10/16/2004, 1:30 p.m.

Springfield, IL (Mile) Progressive Insurance Grand
National Sunday, 11/14/2004 3 p.m.

Du Quoin State Fairgrounds Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance
Saturday, 11/13/2004, 1:30 p.m.

Du Quoin, IL (Mile) Progressive Insurance Grand
National Sunday, 12/19/2004, 3 p.m.

Schedule subject to change. Check local listings.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Provisional World Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Steve Martin, Ducati 999RS, 1:27.396
2. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.415
3. Regis Laconi, Ducati 999F04, 1:27.593
4. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:27.625
5. Noriyuki Haga, Ducati 999RS, 1:27.729
6. James Toseland, Ducati 999F04, 1:27.787
7. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:27.903
8. Marco Borciani, Ducati 999RS, 1:27.908
9. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.016
10. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.269
11. Garry McCoy, Ducati 999RS, 1:28.646
12. Leon Haslam, Ducati 999RS, 1:28.865
13. Chris Walker, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:28.929
14. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:29.039
15. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.147
16. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 998RS, 1:29.529
17. Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati 998RS, 1:29.895
18. Miguel Praia, Ducati 999RS, 1:31.037
19. Horst Saiger, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:31.070
20. Alessio Velini, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:31.283
21. Warwick Nowland, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.583


More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Corser on the pace at Laguna Seca

Troy Corser signalled his intent for round seven of the Superbike World Championship with a controlled first day of qualifying at Laguna Seca.

The Australian stayed in the top three places for most of the opening day’s action at the challenging Californian circuit. He ended the afternoon session seventh fastest, with Steve Martin setting the pace with a time of 1:27.396, as a host of other riders opted to use qualifying tyres for their fastest laps.

Team-mate Chris Walker was hampered by a succession of technical problems and was only able to complete 14 laps in the morning session. He finished 13th fastest, a second behind Troy’s best time of 1:27.903.

Troy said: “I am as fast as anyone out there on race tyres, so today has been not too bad and I have saved my qualifiers for tomorrow. My lap times have been consistent as well, although we have still not made decisions on race tyres for the front or rear. We can still improve the set-up of the bike but a lot is down to the tyres sliding, especially on the straights that have kinks, and you cannot stop that with changes to the suspension. I changed the gearing from the morning to make it shorter going up the hill, and that helped.”

Chris said: “Today has been very hard work for not a lot of reward. But you do get days like this and hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. I just got into my stride for the last half a dozen laps but by that time the session was over. We have a direction for tomorrow by shortening the gearing, which will shorten the wheel base and improve grip. We also want to try a modification to the rear shock.”

Friday qualifying times, Superbike World Championship, round 7, Laguna Seca, USA: 1 Martin 1:27.396; 2 Chili 1:27.414; 3 Laconi 1:27.593; 4 Vermeulen 1:27.625; 5 Haga 1:27.729; 6 Toseland 1:27.787; 7 Corser (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:27.903; 8 Borciani 1:27.908; 9 Pedercini 1:28.016; 10 Sanchini 1:28.269; 13 Walker 1:28.929

Friday morning free practice times: 1 Borciani (DFX) 1:27.868; 2 Haga (Renegade Ducati) 1:28.123; 3 Corser (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:28.201; 4 Martin (DFX) 1:28.216; 5 Laconi (Ducati Fila) 1:28.478; 6 Clementi (Kawasaki Bertocchi) 1:28.845; 7 Pedercini (Team Pedercini) 1:28.882; 8 Toseland (Ducati Fila) 1:28.907; 9 Chili (PSG-1) 1:29.014; 10 Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda) 1:29.133; 12 Walker (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:29.280


More, from a press release issued by Xerox Ducati Nortel Networks – Scuderia Caracchi:

Positive the opening day at Laguna Seca for the Team

The opening day of the seventh round for World Superbike Championship on the Californian track of Laguna Seca has been quite positive for the Xerox Ducati Nortel Networks Team. Garry McCoy on his 999RS Xerox Ducati Nortel Networks ended the first qualifying session today in eleventh position, despite a small technical trouble at the end, but his main goal today was to find once more a good feeling with this track that he misses since eleven years.

“In the morning I had a little bit difficult.” – told Garry McCoy at the end of the day. “I contested Laguna Seca during 1993 season, but then I rode a 125 and I found the track very large at that time. Now on this bike I find the track quite narrower, so all the morning’s session has been spent to get a good feeling on the 999RS Ducati for this track. Then in the afternoon’s session we spent most of the time to test tyres and we found a good solution that allow us several fast laps in a row, so I’m satisfied. Unfortunately when we put the qualifying tyres a small trouble with the sprocket didn’t allow me to manage the throttle outing the corners as I’m used to. Tomorrow we’ll spend some time to test new tyres for the race; for the front no problem, at the moment I’m happy, but at the rear I’m confident we could be able to improve something.”

Miguel Praia selected once more the 998RS for Laguna Seca too. The young Portuguese rider feels that bike easier to manage and finally the long job done to find a good feeling starts to give positive results.

“Today I’m quite satisfied for what we obtain on such a demanding track, totally unknown for me.” – said Miguel at the end of the session. “In Portugal I’ve done a long training riding a Supermotard machine on a very twisted track, to accustom myself at the wheelie by the engine power, which until now gave me several difficulties. I’m quite satisfied because I improved my lap time during all the day. Now we’ll look for a better setting on the bike and for tomorrow I’m confident to do better.”


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:


STEADY START FOR LACONI (THIRD) AND TOSELAND (SIXTH) IN LAGUNA SECA OPENING QUALIFYING SESSION

Laguna Seca (USA), 9 July 2004: Ducati Fila riders Regis Laconi and James Toseland got their California weekend off to a steady start with third and sixth quickest times respectively in the opening World Superbike qualifying session at the spectacular Laguna Seca circuit.

Championship leader Laconi bolted on a softer rear tyre in the final part of the session to set third-quickest time behind provisional polesitter Martin (DFX Ducati).

“I tried to make the bike comfortable for me to ride but the main change we made was to the rear tyre” commented Regis. “We switched from a hard one to a softer one about twenty minutes from the end and it was a lot faster. The last lap I did with the same tyre and it had already done 13 laps so I am quite happy with its performance.”

“The feeling with the bike is OK, the main problem was the back which is coming a lot better now but I’m sure we’ll make more progress tomorrow. Today basically I got good feedback from the bike and the tyre, and when you see that you feel good in the mind” concluded Laconi.

Toseland took a little time to adapt in qualifying but was generally also quite pleased with his Friday performance.

“It was a good session, although it took a few laps at the beginning to try and to find a comfortable setting on the bike. But we made a couple of changes, a stiffer front fork and a different linkage on the rear and it helped dramatically. I also moved the handlebars slightly closer in like the GP guys and that seemed to make a bit of a difference.

“For me the softer tyre on the rear is the best solution but let’s not forget that the race is 25 laps, so we’ll see tomorrow. Pirelli have produced a couple of soft compounds for here and the softer one seems to be the best.”

“Everything seems to be going in the right direction and I’m happy with the consistency I achieved on the race tyres – I did high 27s/low 28s most of the day” concluded Toseland.


More, from a press release issued by FGSport Group:

FRIDAY QUALIFYING

MARTIN THE DAY ONE MASTER

STEVIE WONDER: Bouncing back from some recent misfortunes and injuries Steve Martin marked his first day back at Laguna with the provisional pole time of 1:27.396, jumping up the order with his final lap. The former Aussie Superbike Champion, from the Italian DFX Racing Team, overhauled long time provisional pole sitter Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) by only 0.019 seconds.

FRANKIE FLIES: Chili once more showed why 22 years of racing experience counts for a lot in the early sessions at any SBK race weekend by taking second place in the first competition against the stopwatch, thanks to a time of 1:27.415. Running his usual hybrid 998RS with a 999 engine spec, Chili was a winner at Laguna last year.

LACONI LIFTS FORWARD: Regis Laconi (Ducati Fila 999F04) claimed a provisional front row start of third after a late run in qualifying, looking like it would be he and not Martin to go pole until the last split was revealed. Laconi’s team-mate James Toseland (Ducati Fila 999F04) qualified sixth, 0.391 seconds off the provisional pole time.

VERMEULEN VELOCITY: For the first time visitors to Laguna, the Ten Kate Honda team, their first experience was a sweet one, with Chris Vermeulen taking his CBR1000RR to the provisional front row, with a fourth best time. The remarkable progress of rider, bike and team was especially noteworthy at such a difficult to learn venue.

HAGA HAMMERS IN A TIME: Genuine Championship winning prospect Noriyuki Haga (Renegade Ducati 999RS) skated and slid his way around the 45°C track surface, attacking the curves and whumps of Laguna to take fifth fastest time on the opening day, his booming Ducati one of many in the top ten. A former Laguna race winner, Haga knows the intricacies of this track better than most and is expected to pull out even more in the second session on Saturday morning. His team-mate Leon Haslam, already with a podium finish to his name in 2004, was 12th quickest.

THREE PRONGED ATTACK: Troy Corser (Petronas FP-1) was only deposed from a possible front row start in the later stages of the race, dropping to seventh quickest. Chris Walker, who had some problems in the early session, was 13th. The provisional second row was filled by the fastest man in the morning’s unofficial session, Marco Borciani, who had to watch his DFX team-mate Martin secure provisional pole. The Italian privateers Lucio Pedercini (Pedercini Ducati 998RS) and Mauro Sanchini (Kawasaki Bertocchi ZX-10) were ninth and tenth. Such was the competition that Borciani was only 0.873 seconds from the provisional pole time.

McCOY RE-LEARNS: Garry McCoy (Xerox Ducati 999RS) has ridden at Laguna in his GP racing days, but his re-learning process was a slow one, with the Phillip Island race winner in 11th spot after two hours of track time.

Final qualifying for each class takes place on Saturday 10 July, with Superpole the final test to determine starting positions for the top 16 SBK qualifiers.


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

New Boys Make Great Showing in USA

In a season of firsts and new experiences for the Ten Kate Honda team the latest baptism of fire was dealt with in some style by Chris Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) and his Netherlands-based team, each vastly experienced in Supersport but new to Superbike.

The challenge of the 3.610km Laguna circuit is one which regular SBK riders approach with some trepidation, especially the awe-inspiring Corkscrew chicane, a sheer drop down a left and right chicane at the highest part of the circuit. For the Ten Kate team and rider, the challenge has been risen to with great success so far, as Vermeulen qualified fourth overall in the first timed session of the weekend. His time of 1:27.625 was an outstanding achievement, only 0.229 seconds behind the provisional pole position rider, Steve Martin (Ducati). One more hour-long session remains to decide the final line up of the pre-Superpole grid, with the top 16 regular qualifiers going forward to the single lap competition of Superpole. Vermeulen stated, “I had to spend some parts of today just learning my way around. At one time Haga was behind me for quite a while so I pulled over to let him pass. I’m the one who needs to learn something from him here, not him learn something from me! My aim was to be in the top eight in the first day so to be top four is better than we expected. I’m sure we can find some more tomorrow as well.” Team Manager Ronald Ten Kate showed true admiration for his team and rider’s work. “Even in the European races, at circuits we have some experience of, we sometimes make a slow start. It was like that here in the beginning as we looked for a good set-up and then Chris learned his way around this very peculiar track. It is a very special track and we had no data for it, and a corner like the Corkscrew is a thing all its own. We have been very busy getting a good set-up and Chris did a great job by having a clever mind when it counted, setting a really good lap. He is already rookie of the year but he may well be showing that he’s more than that.” World Superbike Championship Round Seven – Laguna Seca, USA 9 – 11 July 2004 First Qualifying Session 1. S. Martin, AUS, Ducati 999 RS, 1:27.396 2. P. Chili, ITA, Ducati 998 RS, 1:27.415 3. R. Laconi, FRA, Ducati 999 F04, 1:27.593 4. C. Vermeulen, AUS, Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR, 1:27.625 5. N. Haga, JPN, Ducati 999 RS, 1:27.729 6. J. Toseland, GBR, Ducati 999 F04, 1:27.787 7. T. Corser, AUS, Petronas FP1, 1:27.903 8. M. Borciani, ITA, Ducati 999 RS, 1:27.908 9. L. Pedercini, ITA, Ducati 998 RS, 1:28.016 10. M. Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX 10, 1:28.269


More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist:

TROY HAPPY ON OPENING DAY

Troy Corser finished the first day of qualifying at Laguna Seca happy to be seventh quickest in the afternoon timed session. Troy was happy because the day had gone a lot better then the opening day last year and also because he had been running at the top of the leaderboard until the last ten minutes. Then, his competitors put on qualifying tyres and upped their times, pushing Troy down to seventh. Troy could’ve opted for some soft sticky rubber, but decided to carry on working on a good race set-up instead. Troy’s fellow countryman Steve Martin (Ducati) posted the day’s quickest time with a lap of 1:27.396. Pierfrancesco Chili (Ducati) was second quickest, ahead of Regis Laconi (Ducati) and Chris Vermeulen (Honda).

TROY – 7th, 1:27.903

For the first day, I’m pretty happy. It has been a lot better then last year for sure! The track feels a bit more bumpy this year and today I thought it was a bit sandy. It was also a bit windy in places, so I just used today to try and get a good bike set up. We’re using the same spec engine as we used at Silverstone, but here we’ve also got a new clutch to try out. But it takes quite a bit of time to change it, so I spent most of the time on the other bike getting a good set-up for the race. We tried quite a few tyres today and although there were some differences between them, the differences were not that great. They spun and slid a bit and it will be interesting if the temperature goes up, as the tyres seem to work better the hotter the conditions. I was at the top of the pile for a while this afternoon, but then the others put on the soft stuff and went quicker. I did my best time on race rubber, so I know I can run with them OK. This is a track where you have to have a good rhythm and at the moment I’m not quite there. But, as I said, I’m pretty happy with how today has gone.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Italica Racing, the Aprilia USA-backed AMA Superbike effort announced at Infineon Raceway and slated to make its debut at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, is not racing at the Monterey, California track this weekend due to a lack of funding.

Riders Mike Hale and Matt Wait are at the track to lead two Aprilia-owners-only fan rides.

Wait said the lack of funding was caused by a delayed wire transfer from overseas.

Aprilia is on the brink of financial disaster and is actively seeking investors to bail it out of its money troubles. Ducati Motor Holdings offered to buy the company last week.

Mechanic Jerry Daggett, who was hired by Italica Racing to build its chassis, is at Laguna Seca but working with Attack Kawasaki.

“You can only work so long without getting paid,” said Daggett of his relationship with Italica Racing. “They owe me a substantial amount of money.”

Italica Racing team principals, who Wait said are at Laguna Seca, could not be reached immediately for comment.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. Media Relations Coordinator Mel Moore was seriously injured Thursday, July 8 in a single-bike motorcycle accident while riding from Southern California to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.

According to Kawasaki’s Russ Brenan, Moore was transported to a hospital in San Jose via helicopter, with broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

According to an eyewitness, Moore had just passed a car on California Highway 1, about 50 miles south of Monterey, when he lost control and crashed.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

D.F.Xtreme Sterilgarda’s Marco Borciani led Friday morning World Superbike practice with a time of 1:27.868 on his Ducati 999RS.

Renegade Ducati’s Noriyuki Haga was second-fastest with a 1:28.123, in spite of crashing in turn six halfway through the session. Haga appeared to be uninjured in the crash and rode his bike away from the incident.

Armed with new engine parts and last year’s set-up information, Troy Corser was third-quick on the Foggy Petronas FP1 at 1:28.201 and only 3 kph down on the fastest top speed of 243 kph, which was obtained by four riders.

Making his return to action after sitting out with a broken wrist, Steve Martin, Borciani’s teammate, was fourth-fastest with a 1:28.216.

Fila Ducati’s Regis Laconi looked strong in the session until he developed a mechanical problem which appeared to leak fluid onto his rear tire, nearly causing him to highside in turn four. Laconi parked his factory Ducati 999 in the Corkscrew, returned to the pits, took his back-up bike out for the remainder of the session but could not improve on his time.

Kawasaki’s Bertocchi’s Ivan Clementi, sixth-fastest with a 1:28.845, looked like a contender during the first practice.

Laconi’s teammate James Toseland was slightly off the pace, eighth-fastest with a 1:28.907.

Pierfrancesco Chili rode his PSG-1 Corse Ducati 998RS to the ninth-fastest time, a 1:29.014.

Chris Vermeulen, who along with Leon Haslam, is seeing Laguna Seca for the first time, was 10th-quick on his Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR.

Borciani’s 1:27.868 was significantly slower than the fastest time from the first World Superbike practice in 2003, Laconi’s 1:26.429.

All riders in the 2004 World Superbike Championship use the same selection of Pirelli slicks.

There are no Americans entered in the World Superbike races as wild cards.

Friday Morning World Superbike Practice Times:

1. Marco Borciani, Ducati 999RS, 1:27.868
2. Noriyuki Haga, Ducati 999RS, 1:28.123
3. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:28.201
4. Steve Martin, Ducati 999RS, 1:28.216
5. Regis Laconi, Ducati 999F04, 1:28.478
6. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.845
7. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.882
8. James Toseland, Ducati 999F04, 1:28.907
9. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:29.014
10. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:29.133
11. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:29.275
12. Chris Walker, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:29.280
13. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.498
14. Garry McCoy, Ducati 999RS, 1:29.905
15. Leon Haslam, Ducati 999RS, 1:30.199
16. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 998RS, 1:30.260
17. Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati 998RS, 1:31.029
18. Alessio Velini, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:31.825
19. Horst Saiger, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:32.809
20. Warwick Nowland, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.266
21. Miguel Praia, Ducati 999RS, 1:34.209

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Improvements fuel American dream for Foggy

Carl Fogarty is expecting improvements to the PETRONAS FP1 to bear fruit for riders Troy Corser and Chris Walker at the seventh round of the Superbike World Championship at Laguna Seca, USA, this weekend.

His Foggy PETRONAS Racing team have been working closely with the PETRONAS engine development team to maximise the benefits of the latest modifications to the FP1 – the first Malaysian superbike. And, having achieved greater reliability and consistency during the first half of the season, the aim is now to produce the power and torque output necessary to challenge the front-runners on a regular basis.

Carl said: “I am hopeful for top six finishes at this round and at the next round at Brands because the bike should be more on a par with the others at those circuits. We have done a lot of work on modifications to the engine since Silverstone on the dyno and now it is a matter of fine-tuning that work for the track. We will still be down on speed, but it shouldn’t affect us as much as it did at Silverstone, except maybe out of the last turn.”

Both FPR riders have enjoyed previous success at Laguna, a technical circuit situated near the California resort of Monterey, which is the slowest on the calendar with top speeds around the 240kmh mark. Troy was a winner in 1995, 1998 and 2000, while Chris, who is still recovering from the three fractured ribs he sustained at Silverstone, was on the podium last year.

Troy said: “It’s a flowing circuit where the chassis is more important than the engine, especially through sections like the Corkscrew, which I always enjoy. It’s a riders’ circuit, where you have to be spot on where you put the bike in order to get the best out of a lap. We are hoping to have more acceleration at the top end and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be challenging for a top five finish.”

Chris said: “I am really looking forward to the weekend, despite my injury. I have been struggling to sleep, but I should still be around 70 per cent fit. Troy should go really well here and that should help me. I was on the podium last year but Laguna is not a track I have instantly clicked with. Hopefully, it is only a matter of time before I do and the improvements to the engine should help.”

Those improvements include: a revised bell-mouth geometry combined with inlet port changes, providing a smoother power curve; revisions to the exhaust system, with primary pipe cross-overs improving the scavenging of the cylinders at high rpm in order to produce more power and torque; and a new STM slipper clutch, which provides smoother and more precise control on corner entry as well as off the line.

From a press release issued by Dorna Sports:

Losail International Circuit of Qatar officially opened

The Losail International Circuit of Qatar was official declared open in a special ceremony on Friday. In the presence of dignitaries including the Prime Minister of the State of Qatar H.H. Abdullah Bin Khalifah Al Thani, all the Ministers of the Qatari Government, FIM President Francesco Zerbi and Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, and watched by over 1,500 public spectators, former Grand Prix rider Randy Mamola completed the historic first laps of the circuit aboard the Ducati Desmosedici MotoGP machine.

After Mamola’s inaugurating laps, a further sixty Qatari riders got the chance to ride around the circuit, followed by two stunt riders in a special end to the ceremony which was signalled by a spectacular firework show. The Losail International Circuit will host the thirteenth round of the 2004 MotoGP World Championship, the Marlboro Grand Prix of Qatar, on Saturday 2nd October.