Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.


Vincent Haskovec, Jeremy Toye, Chuck Graves and Jeff Tigert were the stars of Saturday’s WSMC races at Willow Springs International Raceway.

Haskovec, riding an Attack Suzuki GSX-R1000 in place of injured Jason Pridmore in preparation for Sunday’s Toyota 200, took the Premier Toyota Cup Unlimted Formula One victory. Lee’s Cycles’ Toye took commanding wins in Open Superbike and 750cc Superbike as well as third in Formula One. Graves Yamaha YZF-R6-mounted Chuck Graves won in 600cc Superstock, finished a close second in Open Superbike to Toye, was drafted at the line by Jason Perez in 650cc Superbike and finished fourth in the Toyota Cup race.

Tigert, riding a Twin Works Factory Suzuki SV650 in preparation for the upcoming Suzuki Cup, took wins in 550cc Superbike (which allow ups to 650cc V-Twins) and B.O.T.T. Middleweight. In both races Suzuki SV650 rider Danny Ayala finished second.

The Premier Toyota Cup Unlimited Formula One race was a preview of Sunday’s Toyota 200 with the majority of the top qualifiers entering for extra practice. Haskovec used his track knowledge and Formula Xtreme-spec GSX-R1000 to take a five-second victory over teammate-for-the-weekend and recently crowned AMA Superstock Champion Josh Hayes.

2002 WSMC Champion Toye got the holeshot on his Suzuki GSX-R1000, but was quickly passed by Haskovec going into turn two. Haskovec then gapped Toye, who was passed by 17th-place starter Hayes on the second lap. Hayes looked set to give Haskovec a run for the money but was unable to make up any ground on Haskovec, who was consistently turning laps in the low-1:20 range. Toye kept the hard-charging Graves at bay for third. Jack Pfeifer and Adam “Crusty” Fergusson battled for fifth for the second half of the 12-lap race with Pfeifer coming out on top. Suzuki GSX-R1000-mounted Stoney Landers finished seventh followed by Perez on a Graves Yamaha YZF-R1. Will Eikenberry took ninth and Jeff Stern rounded out the top ten.

Saturday also featured the two qualifying heat races for Sunday’s Roadracingworld.com 250/50. Rich Oliver dominated heat race one, winning by over 10 seconds, while Mike Montoya took a six-second win in the second race and will join Oliver and second place finishers Mark Watts and Darren Fulce on the front row. All four riders are on Yamaha TZ250s.

Finishing third in the first heat race was Aprilia-mounted Colin Jensen, who was followed by Ed Sorbo on a TZ250 while Honda RS250 rider Alex White rounded out the top five.

In the second heat race third through fifth was close with all three finishing nose-to-tail. Wes Totsubo on a Honda RS250 came out on top despite being passed in turn nine the last two laps by fourth-place finisher John Ulrich on a Roadracingworld.com Yamaha TZ250.

Aprilia RS250 rider Nobi Iso worked his way up from the back of the grid to finish fifth, less than three seconds behind Ulrich.

Complete results will be posted when they become available.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Final World Supersport Qualifying Results:

1. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR600RR, 1:43.548
2. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600RR, 1:43.881
3. Fabien Foret, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:43.894
4. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600RR, 1:43.930
5. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:44.325
6. Broc Parkes, Honda CBR600RR, 1:44.510
7. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:44.520
8. Pere Riba, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:44.770
9. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:44.771
10. Julien Da Costa, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:44.808
11. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:45.068
12. Simone Sanna, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:45.116
13. Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:45.128
14. Christophe Cogan, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:45.323
15. Thierry Vd Bosch, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:45.631
16. Michael Schulten, Honda CBR600RR, 1:45.683
17. Werner Daemen, Honda CBR600RR, 1:45.805
18. Iain MacPherson, Honda CBR600RR, 1:45.869 19. Ludovic Holon, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:46.032
20. Gianluca Nannelli, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:46.089


Final European Superstock Qualifying Results:

1. Michel Fabrizio, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:45.165
2. Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati 999S, 1:45.180
3. James Ellison, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:45.739
4. Ilario Dionisi, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:46.178
5. Alessio Velini, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:46.367
6. Enrique Rocamora, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:46.571
7. Bernat Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:46.614
8. R. Jose Manuel Hurtado, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:46.820
9. Lorenzo Alfonsi, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:46.884
10. John Laverty, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:47.037

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Top Speeds From Saturday’s MotoGP Qualifying Session:

Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 204.54 mph
Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 203.36 mph
Valentino Rossi, Honda, 203.36 mph
Max Biaggi, Honda, 201.07 mph
Makoto Tamada, Honda, 200.57 mph
Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 200.32 mph
Tohru Ukawa, Honda, 200.26 mph
Colin Edwards, Aprilia, 200.26 mph
Shinya Nakano, Yamaha, 199.70 mph
Carlo Checa, Yamaha, 199.64 mph
Olivier Jacque, Yamaha, 199.45 mph
Nicky Hayden, Honda, 198.65 mph
Sete Gibernau, Honda, 198.59 mph
John Hopkins, Suzuki, 198.09 mph
Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, 197.72 mph
Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, 197.41 mph
Alex Barros, Yamaha, 196.54 mph
Garry McCoy, Kawasaki, 196.11 mph
Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton, 193.69 mph
Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, 192.01 mph
Jeremy McWilliams, Proton, 189.66 mph
Chris Burns, Harris WCM, 188.54 mph
David De Gea, Harris WCM, 187.24 mph
Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 178.87 mph

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

CONFORTI ON POLE FOR GSX-R CUP.

GSX-R Cup Final Press Office. Magny Cours, France. October 18th 2003

Italy’s Luca Conforti lived up to the No 1 plate on his GSX-R750 by storming to pole position on the grid for tomorrow’s two GSX-R Cup races in the last few seconds of today’s final qualification session.

The 28 year old from Roncadella in Italy snatched the top spot from yesterday’s provisional pole man Herbert Kaufman, who had looked certain to maintain his position as the session came to a close in fading light conditions. But Conforti crossed the line with his winning 1:49.382 lap just as the chequered flag came out, and Spain’s Oriol Fernandez followed a few seconds later with a 1:49.461 time, to push Kaufman down to third.

Switzerland’s Thomas Flueckiger completed the front row of the grid with fifth and sixth placed Thomas Metro from France and Britain’s Steve Brogan the only other riders to stay under the 1:50.00 mark.

A total of 28 Suzuki GSX-R riders from 15 countries around the world qualified for tomorrow’s GSX-R Cup Final by competing in qualifying races in their home countries for a place on the start line of this unique event. The riders drew lots for their identically prepared GSX-R750 machines which are basically stock specification with Yoshimura exhaust and brake components, Michelin Pilot tires, Motul Oils, Sunstar Sprockets, NGK race plugs and RK race chain.

The two GSX-R Cup final races are part of the program for the final round of the World Superbike Series here at Magny Cours.

For the latest 2003 Suzuki Worldwide GSX-R Cup final news visit: www.suzuki-racing.com/gsx-r


GSX-R CUP – FINAL QUALIFYING

1. Conforti. Italy. 1:49.382
2. Fernandez. Spain. 1:49.461
3. Kaufmann. Germany. 1:49.729
4. Flueckiger. Switzerland. 1:49.743
5. Metro. France. 1:49.845
6. Brogan. UK. 1:49.968
7. Di Fogia. France. 1:50.320
8. Nebel. Germany. 1:50.495
9. Kennaugh. South Africa. 1:50.597
10. CHRIS “OPIE” CAYLOR. USA. 1:50.930
11. Bugden. Australia. 1:51.095
12. TRAY BATEY. USA. 1:51.130
13. Mancuso. Italy. 1:51.304
14. Teramoto. Japan. 1:51.349
15. Melone. Italy. 1:51.825
16. Vleugels. Belgium. 1:51.837
17. Tamitsuji. Japan. 1:51.875
18. COREY EATON. USA. 1:51.904
19. Nelson. Canada. 1:52.529
20. Kispataki. Hungary. 1:52.786
21. Kaltenbacher. Austria. 1:52.941
22. Peh. Germany. 1:53.009
23. Mossey. UK. 1:53.076
24. Butler. Australia. 1:53.934
25. Everest. UK. 1:55.162
26. Stavroulakis. Greece. 1:55.245
27. Neilsen. Canada. 1:56.536
28. Mercer. France. 1:57.649

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

CCS Amateur racer Bryan Cassell, 28, was killed in a two-bike incident Saturday morning during practice at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) in Daytona Beach, Florida.

According to an eyewitness, Cassell encountered problems with his Ducati on Daytona’s east banking during the Lightweight/Thunderbike practice session which led to the incident.

“It looked to me like the guy, I think it was a Ducati in front, it looked he might have seized or something,” said racer Walt Sipp. “The back end stepped out and [he] fell over, and the guy behind him, I think on an [Suzuki] SV or something, drilled him and the bottom of the bike and went over the top.

“The Ducati looked like it was slowing down. It looked like the guy behind him was trying to move over, but when the bike tipped over in front of him, he didn’t have anywhere to go but hit him.” The incident occurred at the exit of NASCAR Turn Four, according to Sipp.

The second rider involved was Jeff Tatham of Andrews, North Carolina, according to DIS spokesman David Talley. Tatham was still in Halifax Medical Center at post time. No details of Tatham’s condition were available at post time.

Cassell wrote a First Person/Opinion article, “The Road To Fulfilling A Lifelong Dream, Or…How I Became A Road Racer,” which appeared in the May 2003 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology.

According to the Daytona Beach News Journal, a daily newspaper, Cassell’s death is the eighth motorcycle racing fatality at the Speedway since its opening in 1959 and the 35th racing fatality at the Speedway overall.

More, from a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway.

Medical Update

Bryan Cassell, #944 rider of the Mighty Duc Racing Team, passed away from injuries sustained during practice today at Daytona International Speedway.

Cassell, 28, of Cape Coral, Fla., was pronounced dead after being transported to Halifax Medical Center following a two-rider incident.

Statement from the Speedway

Everyone at Daytona International Speedway, Formula USA & Clear Channel are deeply saddened by this morning’s incident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Bryan Cassell.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Australian Grand Prix
Phillip Island, Australia
Saturday Morning Practice Times:

MotoGP:

1. Valentino ROSSI, Honda, 1:31.147
2. Troy BAYLISS, Ducati, 1:31.259
3. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 1:31.795
4. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 1:31.814
5. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 1:31.972
6. Garry McCOY, Kawasaki, 1:32.061
7. Shinya NAKANO, Yamaha, 1:32.194
8. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 1:32.233
9. Tohru UKAWA, Honda, 1:32.286
10. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Proton, 1:32.433
11. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 1:32.437
12. Marco MELANDRI, Yamaha, 1:32.461
13. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 1:32.559
14. Alex BARROS, Yamaha, 1:32.693
15. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 1:32.707
16. Carlos CHECA, Yamaha, 1:32.713
17. Olivier JACQUE, Yamaha, 1:32.731
18. Colin EDWARDS, Aprilia, 1:32.951
19. Andrew PITT, Kawasaki, 1:33.392
20. Noriyuki HAGA, Aprilia, 1:33.523
21. Nobuatsu AOKI, Proton, 1:33.618
22. Ryuichi KIYONARI, Honda, 1:34.221
23. David DE GEA, Harris WCM, 1:35.483
24. Chris BURNS, Harris WCM, 1:35.871


250cc:

1. Toni ELIAS, Aprilia, 1:34.310
2. Anthony WEST, Aprilia, 1:34.790
3. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, 1:34.957
4. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, 1:34.996
5. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, 1:35.144
6. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, 1:35.216
7. Sebastian PORTO, Honda, 1:35.297
8. Sylvain GUINTOLI, Aprilia, 1:35.478
9. Jaroslav HULES, Honda, 1:35.831
10. Roberto ROLFO, Honda, 1:35.951


125cc:

1. Gino BORSOI, Aprilia, 1:38.108
2. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, 1:38.110
3. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, 1:38.173
4. Jorge LORENZO, Derbi, 1:38.420
5. Stefano PERUGINI, Aprilia, 1:38.564
6. Thomas LUTHI, Honda, 1:38.573
7. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 1:38.976
8. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, 1:38.983
9. Mika KALLIO, KTM, 1:39.001
10. Pablo NIETO, Aprilia, 1:39.074

From a press release issued by AMA:

AMA PRESENTS ‘BESSIE STRINGFIELD AWARD’ TO MARGARET WILSON

PICKERINGTON, OHIO — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that Margaret Wilson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is the latest recipient of the AMA Bessie Stringfield Memorial Award for Superior Achievement by a Female Motorcyclist. The presentation took place on Saturday, October 4, during ceremonies connected with the 2003 Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductions.

The award, presented to Margaret for more than 50 years of active involvement, leadership, and excellence in motorcycling, recognizes individual women who have been instrumental in showing other women they can be active participants in the world of motorcycling. Created in 2000, the AMA Bessie Stringfield Award is presented to those acknowledged by their peers as true leaders in the sport, women who have had a significant positive impact on the role and image of women in motorcycling over a sustained period of time.

Margaret’s love of motorcycling began in 1946, when her husband, Mike, gave her a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Beginning in 1950 and for the next 25 years, Margaret and Mike also were business partners in Wilson’s Motorcycle Sales of Cedar Rapids. She’s a Golden Life Member of the Motor Maids, having joined this renowned national women’s motorcycle organization in 1951, and she helped form the Corn State Riders Motorcycle Club in the early 1950s. Over the years she has assisted with many motorcycle races and events, and has logged more than 555,000 miles throughout the United States and Canada. Margaret and Mike currently both serve on the Board of Directors of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum and are among the Museum’s principal benefactors.

“There may be no better role model for women, whether or not they ride motorcycles, than Margaret Wilson,” said Robert Rasor, President of the AMA. “Her personal energy and passion, as well as her inestimable contribution to motorcycling over nearly six decades, makes her most deserving of the AMA Bessie Stringfield Award.”

Nominations for the AMA Bessie Stringfield Award for Superior Achievement by a Female Motorcyclist may be submitted by any member of the Association. It is bestowed from time to time at the pleasure of the AMA Board of Directors. Past recipients of the award include Patti Carpenter and Rita Coombs.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Phillip Island, Australia
Friday Morning Practice Times:

MotoGP Practice Times:

1. Valentino ROSSI, Honda, 1:31.617
2. Troy BAYLISS, Ducati, 1:31.850
3. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 1:32.110
4. Garry McCOY, Kawasaki, 1:32.354
5. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 1:32.441
6. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 1:32.534
7. Shinya NAKANO, Yamaha, 1:32.565
8. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 1:32.684
9. Carlos CHECA, Yamaha, 1:32.857
10. Tohru UKAWA, Honda, 1:32.962
11. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 1:33.102
12. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Proton, 1:33.132
13. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 1:33.244
14. Alex BARROS, Yamaha, 1:33.381
15. Colin EDWARDS, Aprilia, 1:33.436
16. Marco MELANDRI, Yamaha, 1:33.452
17. Noriyuki HAGA, Aprilia, 1:33.502
18. Olivier JACQUE, Yamaha, 1:33.544
19. Andrew PITT, Kawasaki, 1:33.576
20. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 1:33.708
21. Nobuatsu AOKI, Proton, 1:33.961
22. Ryuichi KIYONARI, Honda, 1:36.394
23. David DE GEA, Harris WCM, 1:37.171
24. Chris BURNS, Harris WCM, 1:37.251


250cc Practice Times:

1. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, 1:34.412
2. Sebastian PORTO, Honda, 1:34.826
3. Toni ELIAS, Aprilia, 1:35.146
4. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, 1:35.209
5. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, 1:35.269
6. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, 1:35.396
7. Sylvain GUINTOLI, Aprilia, 1:35.503
8. Roberto ROLFO, Honda, 1:35.938
9. Jaroslav HULES, Honda, 1:36.226
10. Anthony WEST, Aprilia, 1:36.270
11. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, 1:36.393
12. Erwan NIGON, Aprilia, 1:36.874
13. Hugo MARCHAND, Aprilia, 1:37.036
14. Johan STIGEFELT, Aprilia, 1:37.231
15. Dirk HEIDOLF, Aprilia, 1:37.336
16. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, 1:37.652
17. Alex BALDOLINI, Aprilia, 1:37.981
18. Alex DEBON, Honda, 1:38.009
19. Joan OLIVE, Aprilia, 1:38.219
20. Hector FAUBEL, Aprilia, 1:38.304

26. Katja POENSGEN, Honda, 1:41.647


125cc Practice Times:

1. Stefano PERUGINI, Aprilia, 1:38.114
2. Mika KALLIO, KTM, 1:38.362
3. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, 1:38.417
4. Gino BORSOI, Aprilia, 1:38.439
5. Jorge LORENZO, Derbi, 1:38.696
6. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 1:38.734
7. Arnaud VINCENT, Aprilia, 1:38.947
8. Lucio CECCHINELLO, Aprilia, 1:38.981
9. Gabor TALMACSI, Aprilia, 1:38.989
10. Casey STONER, Aprilia, 1:39.054

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Vincent Haskovec showed up at Willow Springs today, jumped on an Attack Suzuki GSX-R1000 and was into the 1:20s after four laps.

Earlier this week, Haskovec gave up his ride on a Lion Racing GSX-R1000 tuned by Carry Andrew because he was sick.

Thursday night, Haskovec started feeling better, and coincidentally Attack Suzuki team owner Richard Stamboli read a post on Roadracingworld.com revealing that Haskovec had been replaced on the Lion Racing bike by Adam Fergusson.

Stamboli called Haskovec, told him that Jason Pridmore had been advised by Dr. Arthur Ting to not ride at Willow Springs, and suggested that Haskovec show up and try to ride Pridmore’s bike.

“He called me up after he saw that on Roadracingworld.com and asked me what was wrong with me,” said Haskovec. “I told him I gave up the ride because I didn’t feel strong enough to win. He told me to just come out to ride and see how I feel. That bike is incredible. It’s so good. It’s the best bike I’ve ever ridden. I’m going to be in the 1:19s later this afternoon.”

Pridmore is still recovering from injuries suffered in a crash at Virginia International Raceway in August.