Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

World Supersport
Phillip Island, Australia
Final Qualifying Results
3/27/04

1. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600RR, 1:35.994
2. Kevin Curtain, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.164
3. Broc Parkes, Honda CBR600RR, 1:36.384
4. Joshua Brookes, Honda CBR600RR, 1:36.425
5. Fabien Foret, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.533
6. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600RR, 1:36.555
7. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.838
8. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:36.943
9. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:37.278
10. Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati 749R, 1:37.300
11. Max Neukirchner, Honda CBR600RR, 1:37.410
12. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 749R, 1:37.510
13. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:37.589
14. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:37.855
15. Alessio Corradi, Honda CBR600RR, 1:37.998 16. Stefano Cruciani, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:38.069
17. Walter Tortoroglio, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:38.074
18. Matthieu Lagrive, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:38.847
19. Matteo Baiocco, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:39.320
20. steve Brogan, Honda CBR600RR, 1:39.375
21. Denis Sacchetti, Honda CBR600RR, 1:39.546
22. Brendan Clarke, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:40.115
23. Mark Stanley, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:40.896
24. Yaniv Peleg, Honda CBR600RR, 1:41.200

From a press release issued by MSS Discovery Kawasaki Team:

British Supersport / Superstock Championships ­ Round one ­ Silverstone
Saturday March 27 2004

POLE POSITION FOR ZX-10R AND MSS DISCOVERY KAWASAKI AT SILVERSTONE

The MSS Discovery Kawasaki team made a dream debut with the new ZX-10R machine as Steve Allan blasted to pole position for Sunday’s opening round of the National Superstock Championship at Silverstone, Northants.

And MSS Discovery Kawasaki Supersport team-mates Pere Riba and Rob Frost are predicting explosive action in Sunday’s opening British round after a thrilling final qualifying session at Silverstone on Saturday.

Allan’s Superstock pole position means the Scotsman heads the grid for the first time in his career in the class and provides the perfect start to the campaign for the new Kawasaki ZX-10R.

“I can’t fault the machine at all,” said Allan. “It’s got the speed and handles superbly and it’s all left me really excited about tomorrow’s race and the year ahead.”

Allan’s pole position time came in Saturday morning’s qualifying session before the 29-year-old crashed out of the final session of the day.

Allan explained: “It was a really stupid crash and I’m embarrassed by it. I was actually slowing down to pull into the pits when I lost control of the front. There was a bit of cement dust about from an earlier crash and I think that distracted me.”

Allan heads the grid for the 18-lap Superstock battle while his team-mates in the MSS Discovery Kawasaki squad are in action earlier in the day for the British Supersport Championship encounter.

Spaniard Riba scooped a second row start for the 20-lap race with seventh place on the grid and the former Grand Prix and World Superbike star is confident of challenging for victory in Sunday’s race.

“We’re still learning about the ZX-6RR and I go faster each time I take to the track,” reported the Barcelona ace. “I’m not worried at all about the race, I’m certain I’ll be able to race with the leaders.

“We have a good race set-up and I know I could have qualified higher but ran out of time. We have a completely new machine so we’re thinking as much about a 13-round championship as we are about one race.

“We are still to find the perfect qualifying setting with the machine so we can make full use of the softer compound tyres for a fast lap.”

Frost starts the Supersport battle from 18th place on the grid and the hard-charging Lincolnshire rider expects to be challenging for a placing much higher up the pack on Sunday afternoon.

Frost commented: “We got a little bit lost on set-up in the final qualifying session but there is so much to come from the machine over the next few weeks that I’m certain we’ll just keep getting better and better.”

Frost continued: “Starting from where I am on the grid is not a problem and we’re confident about our race set-up so I’ll be going for it as hard as I can from the start.”

British Supersport Championship final qualifying times:

1. Simon Andrews, Yamaha, 1:29.692
2. Jay Vincent, Honda, 1:29.858
3. Karl Harris, Honda, 1:29.903
4. Craig Jones, Triumph, 1:29.954
5. Leon Camier, Honda, 1:30.120
6. Cal Crutchlow, Honda, 1:30.315
7. Pere Riba, Kawasaki, 1:30.362
8. Michael Laverty, Ducati, 1:30.502
9. Tom Sykes, Suzuki, 1:30.657
10. Jonathan Rea, Honda, 1:30.666

18. Rob Frost, Kawasaki, 1:31.916


National Superstock Championship final qualifying times:

1. Steve Allan, Kawasaki, 1:30.292
2. Ben Wilson, Suzuki, 1:30.439
3. Andy Tinsley, Suzuki, 1:30.591
4. Danny Beaumont, Yamaha, 1:30.727
5. Jamie Morley, Suzuki, 1:30.738
6. Mark Heckles, Yamaha, 1:30.744
7. Tristan Palmer, Suzuki, 1:31.004
8. Les Shand, Yamaha, 1:31.296
9. David Johnson, Yamaha, 1:31.369
10. Craig Fitzpatrick, Suzuki, 1:31.503


More, from a press release issued by Hawk Kawasaki:

BSB Championship, Round 1
Silverstone
Qualifying

SMART QUALIFIES SIXTH FOR OPENING BSB ROUND

Hawk Kawasaki rider Scott Smart qualified in sixth place for the opening BSB round at an overcast Silverstone today. The number 88 rider set his 1:27.567 lap in the last five minutes of the day’s second qualifying session, which looked as though it might be rained off as threatening clouds moved in over the Northamptonshire circuit. Smart was also forced to use his second bike to set the time after his number one machine suffered technical problems.

“I’m pleased to be starting from the second row, especially after the
problems we’ve suffered throughout practice and qualifying, but it’s
a bit of a shame we couldn’t get the suspension set-up sorted on the
other bike because we’ve been struggling to find a good race set-up
all weekend,” said Smart. “To do the lap times we really have to
stick our necks out. That’s going to make it hard work tomorrow
because when the tyre’s not there the bike’s a real handful.
Obviously we’re working to sort that out, but at the moment we’re not
there. I’m hopeful we can make more progress before tomorrow’s race
though.”

His team mate, Glen Richards, suffered a more frustrating day. The
Aussie topped the times sheets for much of the first session, but was
dropped to third place after a crash ruled him out of the final 10
minutes. Richards was one of several riders caught out by an oil spill
at turn one, but fortunately he was uninjured an able to take part in
the afternoon’s final hour of qualifying.

The Hawk rider again looked to be running strongly until a crash at
Priory ended the number 75 rider’s session. His previous best time of
1:27.667 dropped Richards to ninth on the grid for tomorrow’s race.

“We could have done without those two offs today,: said Hawk Kawasaki
Team Principal Stuart Hicken. “But nobody falls off on purpose.
Certainly Glen’s first one was down to someone else’s spillage, then
he tipped off again with just two or three minutes to go of the second
session. Unfortunately the bike bounced in the gravel, and that made a
load more work, but we can get that one up and running again for
tomorrow. The encouraging bit is that we’re not a million miles away
from the front row, which is quite nice, because the bikes are so stock
at the moment it’s ridiculous. They might look like race bikes at the
moment, but the engines are still very standard and there’s still a
lot to come from them. Hopefully tomorrow will be dry because we do
need laps on the bike. The more laps we get, the more we can get the
bike on the pace and that’s the important bit. If it stays dry we’ll
have a good setting from the chassis by the first race tomorrow, for
sure.”


Combined Qualifying
1) Michael Rutter, Honda, 1:26.135
2) Sean Emmett, Ducati, 1:26.679
3) John Reynolds, Suzuki, 1:26.937
4) Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 1:27.274
5) Stuart Easton, Ducati, 1:27.431
6) Scott Smart, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:27.567
7) Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, 1:27.593
8) Dean Thomas, Ducati, 1:27.632
9) Glen Richards, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:27.667
10) Steve Plater, Yamaha, 1:27.915
11) Gary Mason, Yamaha, 1:28.542
12) Jon Kirkham, Suzuki, 1:28.965 (P)
13) James Buckingham, Suzuki, 1:29.155 (P)
14) Dennis Hobbs, Suzuki, 1:29.185 (P)
15) Sam Corke, Suzuki, 1:29.296 (P)

(P) = Privateer

From a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:

ROSSI RECEIVES FIRST MOTOGP TROPHY DURING WASHOUT DAY IN BARCELONA

Day two of the official MotoGP IRTA Tests at the Montmelo circuit near Barcelona proved a frustrating washout as the rain, which halted activity yesterday, continued throughout the day. Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Carlos Checa chose not to risk the wet weather and stayed with their teams inside the pit garage, while just a few riders braved the elements and took to the track for some wet-weather practice.

A bit of light relief from the inactivity was provided for the media after lunch when Dorna presented five-times World Champion and new Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi with the first ever official MotoGP trophy. The sculpture, which has been created by top international artist Lorenzo Quinn, son of Hollywood actor Anthony Quinn, is the first such trophy to commemorate the MotoGP World Championship in its 55 year history. The trophy has already been inscribed with the name of 2003 World Champion Valentino Rossi, who won last year’s title with Honda before making his switch to Yamaha. Rossi was presented with the prize by Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta.

Speaking to the packed press room during the presentation the 25-year-old Italian said, “I am very happy to be receiving this trophy and I think it is a good idea to have something like this in MotoGP. I like it; it reminds me of the Indy Car trophy and I hope to have my name inscribed on it again in the future!”

The Catalunya IRTA Tests conclude tomorrow, although unfortunately more rain is forecast. The MotoGP teams then move down to southern Spain for two final days of official IRTA testing in Jerez on Wednesday 31 March and Thursday 1 April before the first race in South Africa on 18 April.

From a press release issued by Team Proton KR:

PROTON TEAM KR CONFIRM DUNLOP TYRES FOR 2004

Circuit of Catalunya, Spain – March 27, 2004: Proton Team KR today confirmed that they will run on Dunlop tyres for the forthcoming 2004 MotoGP season, re-establishing long-standing links between the team owned by principal Kenny Roberts and the Anglo-Japanese tyre manufacturers.

The England-based squad will be the only major MotoGP team to use Dunlops, offering a unique opportunity for joint tyre development aimed specifically at the special needs of the fast-developing Proton KR V5 990cc MotoGP prototype racer. The bike is soon to start its first full racing season, after a ten-race development programme in 2003.

The 2004 machine is a significant step forward from the first “shake-down” prototype version, with input from F1 car racing and the aerospace industry in the chassis construction, and extra power and performance from the revised V5 engine. The link with Dunlop offers the chance for further development, with the Proton Team KR engineers working hand in hand with Dunlop tyre engineers … a relatively short distance (less than 100km) between the team base in Banbury and the Dunlop factory in nearby Birmingham.

Team principal Kenny Roberts was clear on the positive aspects of the new alliance, and the opportunities offered for joint R&D for special tyres for the Proton KR V5, especially using the latest computer-aided design technology. His opinion is reinforced by engineering chief and formula F1 guru John Barnard, who joined Proton Team KR last year, and has played the major part in the redesign to the 2004 KR V5.

“With his F1 background, John Barnard has been pushing us to step up our activity in this area,” said Roberts.

“It seems to us that Dunlop have a similar belief. They have established a specialist R&D group, using the latest software modelling package that is specifically design to perform predictive modelling on tyre profiles and constructions,” the former triple 500cc World Champion and legendary team owner added.

Dunlop’s chief designer Dave Watkins echoed the enthusiasm. “Together with our Japanese colleagues in Kobe, we have been focusing more and more on this computer-aided development over the past 12 months, which has helped us to work even more closely to introduce new materials and technology.

“This a really exciting chance to work in this field, hand in hand with a specialist constructor, whose sole activity is MotoGP. Like us, they are able to respond quickly to the pressures and demands of MotoGP racing. And even in today’s world of instant IT technology, the fact that our base is less than 100 km from the Proton headquarters is a big help.

“It means our computer modelling group can frequently get together with the Proton Team KR engineering team, and develop a really close working relationship that will benefit us both,” said Watkins.

From a press release issued by former racer Balz Renggli, Manager, Aprilia-Ducati of Oceanside:

Aprilia-Ducati of Oceanside is proud to be Southern California’s latest Husqvarna dealer. With a total of 67 World Championship titles including the 2003 World Enduro and Supermoto Championships, Husqvarna is one of the most recognized names in Off-Road racing. You can see the exiting lineup of new Husqvarnas at 525 S. Coast Hwy. Oceanside, Calif. or call 760-722-7704.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

MotoGP World Championship
IRTA Test
Catalunya, Spain
March 26, 2004

Lap times:
1. Alex BARROS, Honda, 1:45.464, 18 laps
2. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 1:45.542, 27 laps
3. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 1:45.803, 28 laps
4. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 1:45.855, 26 laps
5. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 1:45.913, 43 laps
6. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 1:45.949, 26 laps
7. Colin EDWARDS, Honda, 1:46.165, 27 laps
8. Shinichi ITOH, Honda, 1:46.281, 46 laps
9. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 1:46.424, 21 laps
10. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 1:46.782, 29 laps
11. Neil HODGSON, Ducati, 1:46.798, 54 laps
12. Carlos CHECA, Yamaha, 1:46.834, 27 laps
13. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 1:46.902, 27 laps
14. Ruben XAUS, Ducati, 1:46.932, 44 laps
15. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, 1:47.089, 31 laps
16. Troy BAYLISS, Ducati, 1:47.585, 34 laps
17. Shane BYRNE, Aprilia, 1:47.746, 36 laps
18. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, 1:47.800, 34 laps
19. Marco MELANDRI, Yamaha, 1:48.443, 21 laps
20. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Aprilia, 1:48.741, 31 laps
21. Norick ABE, Yamaha, 1:48.869, 28 laps
22. Nobuatsu AOKI, Proton, 1:49.385, 19 laps
23. Vittoriano GUARESCHI, Ducati, 1:50.186, 23 laps
24. Gregorio LAVILLA, Suzuki, 1:50.801, 11 laps
25. Michel FABRIZIO, Harris WCM, 1:50.868, 29 laps
26. Marcellino LUCCHI, Aprilia, 1:53.391, 7 laps

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

World Supersport Qualifying
Phillip Island, Australia
March 26, 2004

1. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600RR, 1:35.994
2. Kevin Curtain, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.164
3. Broc Parkes, Honda CBR600RR, 1:36.585
4. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600RR, 1:36.798
5. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:36.943
6. Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati 749R, 1:37.300
7. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:37.589
8. Joshua Brookes, Honda CBR600RR, 1:37.610
9. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:37.685
10. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:37.784
11. Fabien Foret, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:37.844
12. Max Neukirchner, Honda CBR600RR, 1:37.875
13. Alessio Corradi, Honda CBR600RR, 1:37.998
14. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 749R, 1:38.074
15. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:38.396
16. Walter Tortoroglio, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:38.457
17. Matthieu Lagrive, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:39.007
18. Stefano Cruciani, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:39.086
19. Denis Sacchetti, Honda CBR600RR, 1:39.658
20. Matteo Baiocco, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:39.930
21. Steve Brogan, Honda CBR600RR, 1:40.582
22. Mark Stanley, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:40.896
23. Brendan Clarke, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:41.008
24. Yaniv Peleg, Honda CBR600RR, 1:42.096


More, from a press release issued by FGSport Group:

SUPERSPORT: Muggeridge Fastest After Day One – In the Supersport World Championship, local rider Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) secured the provisional pole position, leaving it late to record a session best of 1:35.994. An Aussie clean sweep of the top three positions had Yamaha Motor Germany rider Kevin Curtain second, on his return to familiar territory, while Muggeridge’s team-mate Broc Parkes took the third quickest lap, 0.591 seconds down on provisional pole. Honda’s good early showing continued with Sebastien Charpentier (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) also on the overnight front row, ahead of fastest Suzuki lapper, Katsuaki Fujiwara (Alstare Suzuki GSX-R600).

Lorenzo Lanzi, the lone Breil Ducati factory entrant on the 749 vee-twin, went fifth fastest, having used his experience of the track from a previous winter test outing. Stephane Chambon (Alstare Suzuki GSX-R600), the 1999 World Champion, was sixth quickest, ahead of top wildcard rider, Josh Brookes on a Castrol Honda.


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

Muggeridge Heads Provisional Front Row

A keenly contested first qualifying session at Phillip Island, held in blustery but dry conditions, saw Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) secure the provisional pole as the 45-minute session drew to a close. With the Ten Kate Hondas proving to be the fastest machines on the track once more – recording top speeds of 283 kph (175 mph) – Muggeridge’s team-mate Broc Parkes went third in the Supersport classification, despite running a set-up which can still be improved on.

The Ten Kate pairing, happy to be so competitive on home soil during the first day of testing, were nonetheless affected by the usual Phillip Island winds, which get under the machines on some key corners, preventing any immediate improvement in the qualifying lap record of 1:35.291.

Muggeridge proved the only rider capable of cracking the 1:35 barrier at the classic Australian circuit, posting a best of 1:35.994 with Parkes just behind with a 1:36.585. Another Aussie rider, Kevin Curtain, split the Ten Kate pilots by going second quickest overall on his Yamaha.

Muggeridge, who is looking for his first win on home soil, explained why he made such a late move into provisional pole, having been deposed from the top of the times with over ten minutes to go. “We were just a bit slow off the mark this morning, and we needed every minute of the timed session to get the bike better.” He continued, “I wasn’t trying any harder than this morning, we just got the bike better. The time speaks for itself and the bike was much easier to ride and easier to get around. I didn’t do anything special. It’s a bit windy the gusts are coming from the landward side, not coming from the sea for a change. Coming round the fast left towards Honda Corner it gets right under the bodywork and pushes you wide. Tomorrow I want to be a bit more consistent with the times.”

“I was a little bit late to get the right direction to go in to get the bike to handle,” said Parkes. “I missed out on changing something at the end but that’s OK. The bike’s fast – I just need to get the set-up better. Right now I’m a bit shy in pushing a bit more – and I hope there is less wind tomorrow!”

Team Manager Ronald Ten Kate gave some background on the team’s preparations for the PI race. “We have the same spec of machines as Valencia, the next release of engine will be ready at Misano. The bike we have here is still fast because both riders went 283 kph – the next best is 270 something – so we’re pleased with that.”


More, from a press release issued by Belgarda Yamaha Racing:

STEADY START FOR JURGEN AND FABIEN

The opening day of the second round of the 2004 Supersport World championship saw Jurgen van den Goorbergh and Fabien Foret make a steady start to the weekend. Problems finding good settings for their YZF-R6 Yamahas caused them to finish in tenth and eleventh places respectively. But both riders are very optimistic about their chances of improvement tomorrow and of qualifying on the first two rows of the grid. Today’s qualifying was somewhat affected by the wind, but it didn’t stop Aussie ace Karl Muggeridge (Honda) claiming provisional pole position with a time of 1:35.994. Aussies Kevin Curtain (Yamaha) and Broc Parkes (Honda) finished second and third fastest, with Frenchman Sebastien Charpentier (Honda) fourth.

JURGEN VAN DEN GOORBERGH ­ 10th, 1:37.784

It has been a tough Friday almost as usual really and I just couldn’t find a good suspension setting in combination with the tyres. Right at the end of the qualifying session, we found a bit of an improvement, but we’d run out of time by then. We lost about twenty minutes this afternoon because of some problems with a brake lever and then with a red light that kept coming on in the dash display. As the session is only forty-five minutes, losing twenty of them is a lot. I like racing here and it’s one of my favourite tracks in the world, but at the moment I’m not happy with it because I’m not where I want to be in order.

FABIEN FORET ­ 11th, 1:37.844

My biggest problem today was finding a good setting for my bike. I spent all day trying to find a good feeling ­ especially the front end ­ but we still have some work to do. I did try pushing hard, but the lap times just didn’t come probably I wasn’t confident enough with the bike. I don’t know why, but I’m always slow here on the first day despite the fact that I like the circuit because it’s fast and has lots of high-speed corners. Tomorrow we’ll try some changes, but I’m sure we’ll improve a lot.

FOX ON THE BOX

Host broadcasters FOX TV (transmitters of the signal of the Supersport race this weekend to the European networks) made two long special interviews with Yamaha Motor Italy riders Jurgen van den Goorbergh and Fabien Foret at Phillip Island before the action began. Jurgen’s and Fabien’s interviews will be broadcasted just before the race start.

MATTEO BAIOCCO

Team Lorenzini by Leoni rider Matteo Baiocco finished the first day of qualifying in twentieth place on his YZF R6 Yamaha.


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

FUJIWARA AND CHAMBON ON FRONT ROWS

2004 Supersport World Championship, Round 2, Phillip Island, Australia. Friday qualifying, 26th March. Circuit: 4.445 kms.
Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra’s Katsuaki Fujiwara posted fifth fastest time in today’s opening qualifying session for Sunday’s World Supersport second round at Phillip Island in Australia, with team mates Stephane Chambon and Vittorio Iannuzzo seventh and 15th.

The day was a mixed one for the team; since the last race at Valencia, they have worked hard developing the new 2004 Suzuki GSX 600R and today was a small step in the continuing programme.

The bike has improved, but at the moment, top-end speed is a little bit down on the top bikes and that means that Phillip Island is going to be a difficult track for the team.

Aussie Karl Muggeridge (Honda) dominated the qualifying session and took provisional pole with a time of 1:35.994, ahead of fellow countrymen Kevin Curtain (Yamaha) and Broc Parkes (Honda).

KATSUAKI FUJIWARA 5th, 1:36.943:

“The team has worked hard on the new bike since the last round and there is definitely an improvement for sure. For me the chassis and the bike’s balance is a better, but obviously there is still a lot of work to be done. I think that we will improve further for the next race at Misano, but in the meantime we are struggling a little with top speed. Today the fastest rider’s top speed was almost seventeen kilometres per hour quicker then me, which is a lot! I’m having a few little problems with getting the bike stopping the way I’d like, but I hope that will be better tomorrow also. It’s going to be a hard weekend for sure, but first I want to qualify on the front row of the grid tomorrow. Then we’ll see what happens on race day.”

STEPHANE CHAMBON 7th, 1:37.589:

“Today I had some chassis problems and also some problems with the wind. Every time I come here, I feel that the winds are against me and because I am small, it can be difficult controlling the bike properly. I’m not sure exactly what my problem with the bike’s set-up was today, but we’ll change a few things and see how much we can improve. I like this circuit a lot, but I would like my bike to be a faster because at the moment I am nearly 19kph slower then Muggeridge!”

VITTORIO IANNUZZO 15th, 1:38.396:

“I’m not so happy because my times are so different to the leaders.I had some set-up problems today, but we’ll make changes for tomorrow and I hope I can improve a lot. I’d like to think that I can finish qualifying with a place on the second row of the grid and that’s what I’ll be aiming for tomorrow. Phillip Island is one of the best tracks in the world so I’d love to make a good race here.”

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

MotoGP World Championship
IRTA Test
Catalunya, Spain
March 26, 2004

Friday’s Best Top Speeds:

1. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 210.0 mph
2. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 208.4 mph
3. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 206.5 mph
4. Max Biaggi, Honda, 205.6 mph
5. Colin Edwards, Honda, 205.4 mph
6. Alex Barros, Honda, 204.4 mph
7. Neil Hodgson, Ducati, 204.2 mph
8. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 204.2 mph
9. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, 204.1 mph
10. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 203.9 mph
11. Ruben Xaus, Ducati, 203.4 mph
12. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 203.1 mph
13. Shinichi Itoh, Honda, 202.5 mph
14. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, 202.1 mph
15. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 201.4 mph
16. Norick Abe, Yamaha, 201.0 mph
17. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 201.0 mph
18. Vittoriano Guareschi, Ducati, 199.7 mph
19. Shane Byrne, Aprilia, 199.7 mph
20. Shinya Nakano, Kawasaki, 198.8 mph
21. Jeremy McWilliams, Aprilia, 197.3 mph
22. Marcellino Lucchi, Aprilia, 194.5 mph
23. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton, 194.5 mph
24. Alex Hofmann, Kawasaki, 192.8 mph
25. Michel Fabrizio, Harris WCM, 189.6 mph
26. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki, 181.4 mph

From a press release:

For 2004, the Parts Canada National Roadracing Series will use new software from racetrakIT in their Yamaha Timing System. The 2004 season begins at Shannonville Motorsport Track May 20-23. This new software will use the existing dBcom transponders and receivers, only the data management, presentation and timing software change. Transponder placement and operation are governed in the 2004 rules.

Data Base

Riders enter their data [name, address, phone, contacts, vehicle, team, sponsors etc.] directly, rather than hand written on a form that gets entered into a system at the track. The information is the same as if the form were used, however the rider will enter the information including team sponsors directly. The rider is able to modify this data [name, address, phone, contacts, vehicle, team, sponsors etc.] at anytime required during the season.

This same data will be used for all public information such as the track announcer or TV production. In essence the rider data will be associated to the provided transponder and resulting timing information by racetrakIT. The rider becomes responsible for their own data.

Once the rider has filled out their data, they can enter the races they will compete in.

racetrakIT is providing on-line registration capabilities for the Parts Canada National Roadracing Series. This registration is accessed through the series official web site, www.cdnsuperbike.com. Once in the racetrakIT program, access is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the rider will log on to their data with a password. Using this password whenever the system is accessed not only protects the integrity of the data, but provides rapid, easy access virtually from anywhere. The rider can share this password [and responsibility] with other team members, as this access will also provide additional features at the track.

By using ‘on-line’ pre-entry, the time spent in registration will be substantially reduced. But the best part will be the capability of the team to gain entrance to the track, and even have the motorcycle through technical inspection before the rider is at the track. This will reduce the time spent waiting for inspection, as the ‘rush hour’ we usually experience once the rider is at the track will be reduced, as the bulk of the teams show up earlier than their riders.

If a rider has not pre-entered their data, they will be required to do so at a computer at event registration, so every rider is encouraged to pre-enter and reduce their workload at the event.

Registration/Entry

When the team/rider arrives at the track, they proceed to registration as always. Using the pre-entered data, registration will print out a waiver for team signature. The entry fees must be paid at this time, all appropriate crew passes will be handed out to the ‘authorized’ signatory.

The rider must sign their waiver and pick up their own pass.

On-line payment of entry fees will not be available at this time, but this possibility is under investigation, and may be available for certain events. Check www.cdnsuperbike.com to review the status.

Technical Inspection

As each motorcycle is presented to Technical Inspection, the inspector will pull the computer data up by using the number on the motorcycle. If the entry has been paid, and the team waivers have been signed, the motorcycle inspection will be allowed. If the registration/entry has not been completed, the motorcycle will be refused inspection. No forms will be required, as all the information will be handled by racetrakIT across the PMP computer network at the track.

Once the motorcycle has been passed by technical inspection, the required inspection sticker will be applied to the motorcycle as is currently done. Now, once the rider has registered at the event, the rider will be activated in the Yamaha Timing System.

Additionally, every time a rider has crashed while on the track, the motorcycle will be deactivated until it has been re-inspected and cleared requirements. If the team is switching to a back up motorcycle, the team must notify any PMP staff of this intention to reactivate the motorcycle. In the case of using a back up motorcycle, every attempt should be made to use the rider’s transponder.

If the track requires a medical inspection of a rider for any reason, the rider will be deactivated in all classes until this has been resolved.

If a rider makes it onto the track without these critical conditions being met, PMP staff will detect the error on the racetrakIT software, and will insure swift, appropriate action that may include disqualification for that class at the event.

Track Session Reporting

Prior to track access every motorcycle will be checked for a working transponder.

racetrakIT has been developed to facilitate multiple users live constant access to session [practice, qualifying or race] data via a WiFi computer network called PMP’net. Anyone with wireless 8.02.111 B/G capabilities on their computer can view the times/results on their web browser. The coverage area will include the entire paddock area and pit lane. Those without computer capabilities at the track can still view Yamaha Timing results video through the existing cable network. Only racetrakIT is interactive.

No pass words are required to view the web cast on racetrakIT, fans with some personal devices that can handle WiFi and internet images can also view the session data. Live web cast on www.cdnsuperbike.com is being investigated at this time.

This access also provides the entrant additional capabilities, where they can review, save or print the overall times, plus details of their individual laps. The password they established by entering on-line will provide them this access to this data.

Technical questions or specifications for the PMP’net can be reviewed at www.cdnsuperbike.com. Questions may be submitted via email to [email protected] On-site assistance is available with racetrakIT/PMP personnel at the track.

Reports

All session reports will be available on the PMP’net as well as being posted as currently done. All of these un-official reports are time stamped to facilitate the protest period and Technical Inspection. Once this period has elapsed without incident, and all technical inspections have been satisfied, they will be authorized official. Any penalties will be indicated on the official report.

Developments

racetrakIT will be developing the system as the season progresses, any news will be posted on cdnsuperbike.com and available as hard copy hand outs at each event.

Your post event feedback is encouraged and appreciated.

Start Up

The official day the racetrakIT On-Line capabilities will be available is April 5. Check www.cdnsuperbike.com for more information.

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

Laconi Fastest on the Island

Regis Laconi (Ducati Fila 999F04), who had such poor fortune on raceday at the opening round of the season at Valencia, was once more the king of qualifying, heading the time sheets at Phillip Island after one timed session. His best lap of 1:34.068 netted him overnight pole position, after some serious pressure from SBK new boy Garry McCoy (NCR Ducati Nortel 999). The little Aussie battler was fully on the pace, fastest at one stage before Laconi gritted his teeth against the blustery winds and finally slotted into top placing on the stopwatch, 0.426 seconds clear of McCoy.

Second quickest was nonetheless an excellent early result for a rider in only his second World Superbike race. Local riders were well represented on the top of the timesheets, with Steve Martin (DFX Extreme Sterilgarda Ducati 999 RS) securing third fastest time, just ahead of his team-mate Marco Borciani. Valencia race two winner Noriyuki Haga (Renegade Ducati 999) slipped to fifth place, while 998 Ducati privateer Lucio Pedercini made use of his years of experience and good circuit set-up knowledge to storm through to sixth place – ahead of many more powerful machines.

Young Aussie Chris Vermeulen, the 21-year-old reigning World Supersport champion, battled to seventh on his still developing Ten Kate Honda Fireblade, missing out on the chance to finish higher up the order after technical gremlins struck just as he fitted a qualifying tyre. Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati 999RS) rode his newer spec machine to the eighth fastest lap of the day, ahead of 20-year-old Brit Leon Haslam (Renegade Ducati).

James Toseland (Ducati Fila) had a difficult day, falling from his factory machine on two separate occasions, only qualifying in 10th place. His fellow countryman, Chris Walker, rode his three-cylinder Petronas FP-1 to 11th place, one ahead of his team-mate Troy Corser – still the fastest man around Phillip Island in qualifying and race conditions.

The final qualifying session takes place on Saturday morning, with the later Superpole session determining the final grid positions for the top 16 qualifiers.

For those who do not have access to live TV coverage, the weekend action can be followed in real time on the SBK website, www.worldsbk.com.


World Superbike Qualifying
Phillip Island, Australia
March 26, 2004

1. Regis Laconi, Ducati 999F04, 1:34.068
2. Garry McCoy, Ducati 999RS, 1:34.494
3. Steve Martin, Ducati 999RS, 1:35.028
4. Marco Borciani, Ducati 999RS, 1:35.080
5. Noriyuki Haga, Ducati 999RS, 1:35.346
6. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.443
7. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:35.614
8. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 999RS, 1:35.633
9. Leon Haslam, Ducati 999RS, 1:35.743
10. James Toseland, Ducati 999F04, 1:35.752
11. Chris Walker, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:35.832
12. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:35.871
13. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:35.935
14. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:35.936
15. Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.017
16. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.016
17. Sergio Fuertes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.187
18. Warwick Nowland, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:38.745
19. Alessio Velini, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:39.082
20. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 998RS, 1:40.564
21. Miguel Praia, Ducati 999RS, 1:41.182


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

ROW THREE FOR TROY ON OPENING DAY

Troy finished the first day of qualifying at Phillip Island with the 12th quickest time after experiencing some tyre problems in the two sessions today. Troy was looking forward to a good performance at one of his favourite circuits, but today didn’t go entirely to plan. Frenchman Regis Laconi (Ducati) led the charge today and ended with a time of 1:34.068 and provisional pole. Second fastest today is Garry McCoy, ahead of Steve Martin and Marco Borciani – all Ducati-mounted.

TROY
I am struggling a bit with the front tyre at the moment and getting some chattering. We couldn’t fix it this morning, so I just had to try and ride round the problem. The wind kept changing direction, so that didn’t help either! We changed the front fork later on today and I felt better, but then we lost some grip! At the moment I’m not happy with the set-up and I’m not happy because we are quite a bit down on our top speed – ten kph slower then Regis (Laconi). We’ll change the front tomorrow for sure and maybe a little adjustment to the rear as well. So far, the engines are being consistent, but I feel that they are a tad slower then normal, so we’ll have to see how it pans out tomorrow. I certainly don’t want to be on row three after Superpole!


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

LACONI (DUCATI FILA) HITS TOP FORM AT PHILLIP ISLAND

Phillip Island (Australia), Friday 26 March: Regis Laconi (Ducati Fila) powered his Ducati 999 to the top of the timesheets in the opening qualifying session at Phillip Island after getting the best of Garry McCoy (Xerox Ducati 999) in the final few minutes.

His Ducati Fila team-mate James Toseland was less fortunate, the British youngster recording his second crash of the day at the start of qualifying to end up an unfamiliar tenth quickest.

“That was not so bad but it was very windy in the afternoon and it was so hard to make the same lap time as this morning, but it’s the same for everyone” declared Laconi. “We still have some work to do because I’m not so happy with the feeling of the front of the bike. For the rest it’s OK, we’ll see what’s happening tomorrow and if there is not so much wind, we should improve. It was good to see McCoy up there, he is at his home track but I give my best to be still at the front”.

Toseland was frustrated to find himself down in tenth position on the second Ducati Fila 999. “Well, that was probably my worst day in quite a few years. I crashed twice and both times I got up wondering what happened” he explained. “I want it to be my fault when I crash so I can kick myself and find out why. I’m sure I’m not making any mistakes but I’m finding myself on the floor, so we’ve got to find out why and understand it and then I can alter what I’m doing wrong.

“We’ve tried a few things on the bike and that’s made it better but there are a few places where I just don’t have any feeling at all” he added. “I just want to be able to get rid of that and work on the bike and push again because there’s no point in pushing if that happens. We’re not far away but at the moment I feel right on the limit doing slow times and that’s very frustrating. But I’m sure we’ll sort things out and get the job done tomorrow.”


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

Garry McCoy second fastest in the debut day at Phillip Island

Garry McCoy started in the best of ways his home WSBK race on the 4445 meters of Phillip Island circuit. The Australian rider of Scuderia Xerox Ducati Nortel Networks has been outright the leader of the first qualifying session until 27 seconds to the end, when Laconi on the factory Ducati overtook him. However the Xerox Ducati Nortel Networks 999RS of Scuderia Caracchi has been the fastest machine on the track, in the morning’s free practice, when Garry scored the third fastest, and as well during afternoon qualifying, with a brilliant result for the engineer crew managed by Marco Mozzone.

“I’m quite satisfied of this debut day.” – said a smiling Garry to the group of Australian media representatives who were interviewing him – “During the morning session the bike, despite its high top speed, the feeling of the bike wasn’t very good. Its front was too high and it wasn’t steering. Then, after the new set up everything was running well. In the afternoon the track was faster and the tyres were working very well, the rear was sliding, but just like I love. So in such track conditions we took the decision to use a qualifying tyre and I scored easily a fast laptime. The tyres during the afternoon session were running perfectly, even though I haven’t actually a perfect feeling with Pirelli, but I must say that everybody is in the same conditions, but some riders that have done developing tests. The new rules imposes a particular strategy for using the available tyres, to avoid to miss the right tyre for Superpole, which is the session to settle the starting grid and it’s very important. The bike has a good reaction to the set up changes we have made this afternoon, so, depending on the weather, I’m confident that tomorrow too I could get a good result.”

On the other side it was a black day for Miguel Praia, not qualified at the moment for the race.

“I found some difficulties.” – tell a disappointed Praia – “I’ve not been able to find a good set up for the bike and select the tyres. During the morning’s free practice I heared a strange noise from the bike, so I stop. Later in the garage the bike was running perfectly and not even the data recording found something wrong. In the afternoon I’ve been faster, but Laconi and Garry were actually two rockets, so I’ve been not able to catch the qualifying limit. But every time I practice I’m faster, so I hope tomorrow to be able to qualify.”


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

Vermeulen Goes Seventh After First Day of Qualifying

Home tarmac and a subtly improved CBR1000RR allowed World Supersport Champion Chris Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda) to make an impressive mark in only his second ever World Superbike race weekend, with the 21-year-old Queenslander securing seventh spot after the first day of his home race meeting.

His best lap of 1:35.612 was put in on race tyres, a good sign for further improvement come race day, and keeps Vermeulen in touch with the provisional pole man Regis Laconi (Ducati), who set a 1:34.068 lap.

“That wasn’t too bad,” said Chris. “We made some changes to the bike set-up and got it working better. I was consistently inside the top five until the end, then we had a small problem with the bike and we didn’t get to use a qualifying tyre. It’s just a teething problem with the new bike and this is only our second race with it. Both bikes are the same spec really, but only one has got a quick shifter. This is the first time I’ve really ridden with one – because they aren’t allowed in Supersport – and I really enjoyed the experience. There is a big difference. I’m happy. We’ve been to Valencia but this place is so different in terms of set-up. But we’re getting there, slowly but surely.”

For the team, Phillip Island is another new challenge on the new CBR1000RR. “When everyone was still using race tyres we were up in fourth place and making steady progress,” said team manager Ronald Ten Kate. “Improving the new bike is the biggest issue for us again. When we put in the qualifying tyre at the end of the session we had a little problem with the bike so we couldn’t really get full use of it. But we are happy, making good steps in all directions. The bikes are basically up to the same spec right now and we’ve found a reasonably happy set-up for tomorrow, so overnight we will build both bikes the same. We had different geometry and spring rates on each bike, playing around with some options but tomorrow we now know the direction to go in.”