Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Afternoon AMA Superstock Practice Times:

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:28.308
2. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.492
3. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:28.677
4. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.777
5. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.922
6. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:28.962
7. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.146
8. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.299
9. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.614
10. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.657
11. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.736
12. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.978
13. Lee Acree, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.162
14. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.188
15. James Ellison, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.465
16. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.581
17. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.337
18. Darren Luck, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.422
19. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.430
20. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.667
21. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.752
22. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.925
23. Steve Atlas, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.639
24. Jason Peters, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.784
25. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.960

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning 250cc Grand Prix Practice Times:

1. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 1:28.849
2. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, 1:30.727
3. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 1:32.005
4. Barrett Long, Yamaha, 1:34.851
5. Sean Wray, Yamaha, 1:35.454
6. Sandy Noce, Yamaha, 1:35.595
7. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, 1:35.796
8. John France, Honda, 1:36.317
9. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, 1:36.784
10. Sean McNew, Honda, 1:36.981
11. Steve Scott, Yamaha, 1:37.487
12. Bill Himmelsbach, Yamaha, 1:38.128
13. Shawn Murray, Honda, 1:39.366
14. Glen Christianson, Yamaha, 1:39.522
15. James Bonner, Yamaha, 1:39.573
16. Stephen Bowline, Honda, 1:40.700
17. Keith Floyd, Yamaha, 1:40.744
18. Bruce Lind, Yamaha, 1:41.313
19. Craig Secosan, Honda, 1:41.428
20. Justin Long, Yamaha, 1:41.787

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Afternoon AMA Supersport Practice Times:

1. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:28.709
2. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:29.127
3. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:29.232
4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:29.332
5. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:29.372
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:29.573
7. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:29.793
8. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:29.871
9. Marty Craggill, Honda, 1:30.257
10. Lee Acree, Yamaha, 1:30.456
11. Ty Howard, Honda, 1:30.466
12. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:30.579
13. Mike Hale, Yamaha, 1:31.111
14. Chris Rankin (of Texas), Honda, 1:31.255
15. Darren Luck, Suzuki, 1:31.563
16. Jeff Wood, Yamaha, 1:31.613
17. Chris Peris, Honda, 1:32.139
18. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:32.152
19. Giovanni Rojas, Yamaha, 1:32.340
20. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki, 1:32.374

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning Superstock Practice Times:

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:27.814
2. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.444
3. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.520
4. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:28.655
5. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.096
6. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:29.315
7. Lee Acree, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.402
8. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.727
9. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.748
10. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.807
11. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.877
12. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.024
13. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.248
14. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.315
15. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.517
16. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.678
17. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.724
18. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.791
19. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.049
20. James Ellison, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.153
21. Darren Luck, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.462
22. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.618
23. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.852
24. Steve Atlas, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.139
25. Chris Rankin (of Texas), Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.139

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates may run in the British Superbike Championship race September 26-28 at Donington Park in England.

“It’s something we’re talking about,” said Yates Friday at VIR. “Cliff’s (Nobles, Yates’ manager) working on it. It’s at Donington Park, that’s why I want to do it. I don’t know if it will happen.”

Yates said he recently re-signed with Yoshimura Suzuki for two more years, through the 2005 season. In addition to Superbike, Yates said he will ride either Supersport or the new Superstock, depending on the final 2004 rule structure. “I want to ride the 1000cc,” said Yates.

From a press release issued by series organizers:

PICOTTE LEADS THE WAY

SHANNONVILLE, ON – Parts Canada Superbike Championship points leader Pascal Picotte set the pace in practice for this weekend’s final round at Shannonville Motorsport Park Friday.

The St-Cecile de Milton, QC racer recorded a time of 1:46.958 on his Picotte Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 in the day’s final practice session. Calgary rider Clint McBain was second Friday aboard his Coors Light Racing/Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R1000 with a 1:47.506 he set in the morning practice. His teammate Francis Martin of Rock Forest, QC was third at 1:47.521, also from the morning.

Picotte is trying to win his first national Superbike title at Shannonville this weekend. He comes into the event with a 17-point lead over Steve Crevier in the standings, 277-260. Martin is third in points with 245.

“In a situation like this it’s good to be fastest,” Picotte said. “I’ve got to get the job done and I’m feeling the pressure. I’m a little nervous.”

Crevier was seventh fastest Friday on his Diablo Performance Suzuki GSX-R1000. The Maple Ridge, BC rider, who has six Canadian Superbike titles to his credit set a best time of 1:48.232.

Joliette, QC’s Jean-Francois Cyr is fourth in the Parts Canada Superbike standings with 229 points and also has a shot at the title. He was sixth fastest Friday on his CyRacing/Michelin Yamaha YZF-R1 with a top lap of 1:48.143.

This weekend’s race lost one of its favorites when Orion Motorsport Honda rider Michael Taylor suffered a heavy fall in the final turn late in the morning practice session. The Toronto racer was originally transported to hospital in nearby Belleville with a broken pelvis, but was scheduled to be airlifted to St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto Friday evening to undergo surgery.

In other action at Shannonville, Harrowsmith, ON’s Jeff Williams led the way in practice for the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike national support class. Williams set a time of 1:49.263 on his Diablo Performance Suzuki GSX-R600.

Picotte, who has already clinched the series title was second on his Picotte Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 at 1:49.458 and Crevier placed third at 1:49.769 on the Diablo Performance Suzuki GSX-R600.

Wellesley, ON racer Bill Card set the fastest time in practice for the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike class on his McBride Cycle Riders’ Club Honda CBR600RR with a time of 1:53.340.

Kitchener rider Craig Dixon placed second riding the Pro Action Yamaha YZF-R6 at 1:53.433 and Ottawa’s Dan Henri was third with a time of 1:54.112 on the Barkman Racing Yamaha YZF-R6.

Class points leader Jeremy Leduc was eighth in practice on his Kelowna Yamaha-sponsored Yamaha YZF-R6 at 1:55.485.

Qualifying for all three national classes will take place Saturday afternoon with feature races set to go on Sunday.

This weekend’s event will be televised on TSN on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 1:00 p.m. and on the Outdoor Life Network on Sunday, Oct. 26, also at 1:00 p.m. Action from Shannonville will also be shown later this year on Quebec’s RDS.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Provisional AMA Superbike Qualifying Results:
1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.573
2. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:26.486
3. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.802
4. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.862
5. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC51, 1:26.905
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:27.099
7. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.102
8. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.308
9. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.630
10. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.694
11. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.837
12. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.907
13. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.591
14. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.838
15. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.913
16. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.269
17. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.459
18. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.489
19. John Haner, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:30.549
20. Chris Voelker, Ducati 996, 1:30.786
21. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSXR-R750, 1:31.356
22. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.684
23. Doug Duane, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.734
24. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.744
25. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.936
26. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.005
27. David Duprey, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.041
28. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.102
29. Rob Christman. Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.115
30. Tony Fania, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.120
31. Monte Nichols, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.284
32. Rick Narup, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.558
33. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.608
34. Chuck Allen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.673
35. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.824
36. James Kerker, Honda CBR954RR, 1:33.094
37. Kevin Hanson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.186
38. Dyron Barbour, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.414
39. Chris Greer, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.475
40. Kevin Lehman, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:34.007
41. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.242
42. Jeremiah Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.421
43. Shane Gonyea, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.815
44. Mickey Lane, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.090
45. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.893


Top speeds at Start/Finish:

1. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 169.186 mph
2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 168.168 mph
3. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 167.936 mph
4. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 167.122 mph


Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates crashed in turn five with two minutes remaining in the session. He was seen walking away from the incident.


More, from a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:

Rd’s 15 & 16 – 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Virginia, USA
First Qualifying Session Report

MLADIN SETS FASTEST TIME IN OPENING SUPERBIKE QUALIFYING SESSION AT VIRGINIA

Alton, Virginia, USA (Friday, 29 August) – Three times American Superbike champion, Australian Mat Mladin, has dominated the first day of official practice and qualifying for this weekend’s penultimate double-header round of the AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship being held at Virginia International Raceway.

Mladin was the fastest rider around the 3.58km (2.225 miles) layout, heading the time sheets in both the morning’s opening practice session and then later in the afternoon in the first of two qualifying sessions scheduled for the weekend.

In hot and humid conditions, Mladin rode his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 to a best time of 1:25.572, to lead the field by almost a second. Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts posted the second fastest time with a 1:26.486, followed by Italian Giovanni Bussei (Ducati Austin) with a 1:26.802 and Attack Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore who completes the provisional front row of the grid with a 1:26.861.

“We were a bit off the times that we have done there over the past couple of years, but we still achieved what we needed to do so far” said Mladin. “It is difficult to get a clear lap in around here because of the nature of the track, but everyone is in the same situation as us. I was a bit surprised to see how much of a time gap we had on the others, so I’m not sure what they were up to. I know there was room for us to go a bit quicker, but we still have tomorrow to try and find a bit more with the bike.”

Heading into this weekend’s round, Mladin leads the championship points chase with a total of 431 and holds a 33-point break over second placed Aaron Yates on the second of the Yoshimura Suzuki’s. Yates posted the seventh fastest time in today’s qualifying session, which also saw him walk away from a crash in the final minutes of the session.

Qualifying for this weekend’s Double-Header Superbike round concludes tomorrow morning, before the first of two 26-lap AMA Superbike races takes place later in the afternoon.


QUALIFYING, Friday – Top 10
1. Mat Mladin (Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:25.572 mins
2. Kurtis Roberts (Erion Honda) 1:26.486
3. Giovanni Bussei (Ducati Austin) 1:26.802
4. Jason Pridmore (Attack Suzuki) 1:26.861
5. Ben Bostrom (American Honda) 1:26.905
6. Miguel DuHamel (American Honda) 1:27.099
7. Aaron Yates (Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:27.102
8. Shawn Higbee (KWS Suzuki) 1:28.308
9. Jordan Szoke (Corona Extra Suzuki) 1:28.631
10. Michael Barnes (Prieto Suzuki) 1:28.693

2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship (points after 14 of 18 rounds):
1. M Mladin (431); 2. A Yates (398), 3. B Bostrom (376); 4. E Bostrom (350); 5. K Roberts (349), 6. M DuHamel (332); 7. J Pridmore (315); 8. S Higbee (299), 9. V Haskovec (221), 10. J Szoke (212).

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Superstock Qualifying
Provisional Times
1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:27.637
2. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.861
3. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.003
4. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.037
5. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.184
6. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:28.347
7. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.481
8. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:28.570
9. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.733
10. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.811
11. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.839
12. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.898
13. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.007
14. Lee Acree, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.166
15. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.286
16. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.623
17. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.818
18. James Ellison, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.127
19. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.185
20. Darren Luck, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.386
21. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.317
22. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.478
23. Jason Peters, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.513
24. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.717
25. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.105
26. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.130
27. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.952
28. Steve Atlas, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.025
29. Nathan Dressman, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:33.930
30. Mickey Lane, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.263
31. Dirk Sanchez, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:34.638
32. Gio Rojas, Triumph TT600, 1:34.893
33. Crash Loew, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.920
34. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.020
35. Jeremiah Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.168
36. William Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.460
37. Adrian Jones, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:35.620



More, from a press release issued by Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki:

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki Back In Action At Virginia

Following a month-long break in the AMA road racing schedule, Team Valvoline Suzuki got back onto the track Friday at Virginia International Raceway. The day produced mixed results for the Michelin-equipped squad, with all three riders will looking to improve on their Friday times as the weekend progresses.

Steve Rapp has grown accustomed to running up front in Superstock competition, having scored three podiums — including two race wins — over the past four events. So the Californian was understandably less than impressed by his third-row qualifying performance on Friday.

“I’m not quite sure what the problem was today,” admitted Rapp, who qualified eleventh with a 1:28.839. “I felt pretty fast, but the times just weren’t there. I’ll have to look over the splits, but I’m confident we’ll get everything sorted and move back up front.”

The new AMA rules designed to keep factory riders out of certain classes ended up hurting Rapp and Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki this weekend at VIR. Rapp, who has entered the Superstock, Formula Xtreme and Superbike classes at many events this year, was initially told he would be forced to only enter Formula Xtreme class and not be allowed in Superbike this weekend. Eventually the AMA relented and allowed Rapp to choose Superbike over the Formula Xtreme class. Steve was 12th in Superbike on Friday with a time of 1:28.907.

Youngster Matt Furtek also qualified on the third row aboard his Michelin-shod GSX-R750. Just one spot behind Rapp in 12th with a best lap of 1:28.898, Furtek has continued to show improvement over the course of the season.

Afterwards he commented, “Today went really well for me. This has been my best day at the track this year and all the hard work is starting to pay off. Thanks to the team for having faith in me. It helps too that my arm is feeling a lot better since the surgery I had for the nerve problem earlier this summer. Hopefully tomorrow will be even better day for us.”

Chris Ulrich was just one position behind Furtek, qualifying 13th for Saturday’s 17-lap Superstock final. Chris might have turned in a better time but the beginnings of a rainstorm on his fast lap made him think better of it.

Ulrich explained, “I was going pretty well today until the end when it came time to do one quick lap. On my fast lap, I was catching Matt (Furtek) but I noticed some rain drops on my windscreen. I was faster than him in the first section but it was a judgment call. I eased up, he didn’t. After that, I was watching him go around in front of me and thinking he would crash but he never did. It turns out he made the right move.

“Race day will be a different story because some of the other guys in front of us used soft tires that won’t last the race,” Ulrich said.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Jimmy Moore is attempting to come back to AMA racing this weekend at VIR after missing the previous three events due to injury.

“I’m just going to go out and see if I can ride,” said Moore Friday morning at VIR. “I’ve been trying to ride here ever since I got hurt. I was told it was going to be eight weeks, and this is eight weeks since my crash.”

Moore was seriously injured June 26 in a 160 mph crash during Thursday practice at Brainerd International Raceway. He suffered fractures to his hip, ribs, left arm and shoulder as well as a ruptured spleen, and it is the lack of strength in his left arm and shoulder that most hampers Moore.

“I know it’s pushing it to be here, but I want to be here trying instead of not trying, you know?” said Moore.