Losail Circuit
Doha, Qatar
February 24
Provisional Qualifying
World Supersport

1. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600RR, 2:03.841
2. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Honda CBR600RR, 2:04.808
3. Michel Fabrizio, Honda CBR600RR, 2:04.909
4. Fabien Foret, Honda CBR600RR, 2:05.006
5. Kevin Curtain, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:05.196
6. Christophe Cogan, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:06.364
7. Broc Parkes, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:06.436
8. Stephane Chambon, Honda CBR600RR, 2:06.597
9. Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati 749R, 2:07.438
10. Tatu Lauslehto, Honda CBR600RR, 2:07.454
11. Alessandro Antonello, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 2:07.474
12. Javier Fores, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:07.586
13. David Garcia, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 2:08.034
14. Pawel Szkopek, Honda CBR600RR, 2:08.169
15. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Ducati 749R, 2:08.200

More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

WORLD SUPERSPORT QUALIFYING:

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Javi Fores is positive that tomorrow will be a lot better than today and that he will be able to move further up the World Supersport grid from 12th position.

JAVI FORES – 12th, 2:07.586:

“I am not happy to be so low down the order, but I didn’t have a good feeling with my bike today and I think that showed in the results. My bike felt hard in the corners and sometimes it seemed as if the rear wanted to overtake the front! I lost a lot of time in the slow corners but in the fast turns the bike felt much better. Tomorrow we will change the balance of one bike and later the set-up of the other and see what progress we can make. I am hoping for a big improvement.”

More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

PROVISIONAL ONE-TWO FOR WINSTON TEN KATE HONDA

Frenchman S�©bastien Charpentier took provisional pole position in this afternoonâ��s first qualifying session for Saturdayâ��s opening World Supersport championship round at the Losail circuit in Qatar. After showers during this morningâ��s free practice, warm and sunny conditions saw Charpentierâ��s Winston Ten Kate Honda team-mate Katsuaki Fujiwara go second fastest as the new blue Honda CBR600RRs dominated the 45-minute session.

Ronald ten Kate � Winston Ten Kate Honda team manager:
That was an incredible time by S�©bastien because itâ��s not often that you see a gap of almost a second between first and second in this championship. Iâ��m very happy that itâ��s Katsuaki in second place because he is still working hard to get used to the chassis characteristics of the CBR, and his crew is still getting used to the way he likes it. We still have some changes to try tomorrow but this afternoon confirms the good shape that the bikes, the crew and the riders are in.

S�©bastien Charpentier: position â�� 1st, time â�� 2:03.841
It�s OK! The wind is quite strong when you�re riding into it so we may need to do some more work on the gearing and the front goes a bit light on the last of the three right-handers here. But I�m really quite happy with the front now, which we�ve been working hard on. I�m sure my team manager would like me to go two seconds faster but, for now, it�s OK!

Katsuaki Fujiwara: position � 2nd, time � 2:04.808
It�s good to finally get the season underway after all the hard work and the bad weather we�ve had in testing. The CBR is a fantastic bike and I am still getting used to the way the chassis performs, but we still have tomorrow to try some things that we didn�t get the chance to try in the rain this morning. The team is working really well together and we�re definitely going in the right direction and I�m really happy to be where I am.

More, from a press release issued by Scuderia SC Caracchi Ducati:

In Supersport Gianluca Nannelli on the 749R, after a brilliant fourth fastest in the morning wet session, had a crash during the initial stage of qualifying session, ending as ninth fastest, far from the leader.

“I had any physical damage for the crash”. – reassures Gianluca Nannelli at the end of the practice. “But to rejoin the pit and to control the spare bike we lose some time. Our situation is very similar of the last test: today too I’ve been the fastest in the first intermediate, then in the central sector I lose time. The bike is still the fastest under the speed trap. Obviously the wet track during the morning, as well useful to set the bike for wet conditions in the possibility, very improbable for the truth, of wet race condition, and the crash during qualifying in the afternoon didn’t help us today.”� 

From a press release issued Kawasaki Racing Team:

HIGH WINDS CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR FUCHS KAWASAKI AT PHILLIP ISLAND

High winds across the whole of Phillip Island made conditions especially difficult for Alex Hofmann and Shinya Nakano as the two Fuchs Kawasaki riders started their second day of testing at the Australian circuit.

With a lack of rear grip causing problems yesterday, Hofmann was hoping to get his test back on schedule today. Ignoring the wind that made it difficult to hold a line around the more exposed sections of the circuit, the 23-year-old German rider spent the morning working on the rear set up of his Ninja ZX-RR. The work continued in the afternoon until an excursion through the gravel forced him to switch to his number two bike for the rest of the day.

After finding a chassis set up that worked well around the Phillip Island circuit this morning, Nakano was forced to cut short his planned tyre test this afternoon while mechanics made some modifications to the engine in his number one bike. Returning to the circuit on his spare machine, the 26-year-old Japanese rider spent the afternoon familiarising himself with the clutch on his Ninja ZX-RR by practicing his racing starts.

The Fuchs Kawasaki Racing Team return to Phillip Island tomorrow for the penultimate day of testing, during which Nakano and Hofmann will concentrate on evaluating tyres in conjunction with Bridgestone.

Alex Hofmann: 1:32.92 (66 laps)
“The wind, which is a lot stronger today than it was yesterday, has caused us a few problems. It gets under the bike all around the circuit, which makes it difficult to stay on line, but where it’s losing us the most time is on the start finish straight. Out of the last turn and onto the main straight you’re riding into a headwind, which means I was a lot slower through this section of the track today than yesterday. We also suffered a minor mechanical problem today, which resulted in me running wide and having to lay the bike down in the gravel trap to avoid hitting the barrier on the outside of the turn. There was no damage to myself or the bike, but it meant that we were limited to testing with the older bike for most of the afternoon. Even so, I still managed to lap consistently below my lap time from yesterday, so I’m happy enough with our progress today. If tomorrow brings calmer conditions then I’m confident that we can continue to improve both the bike and the lap times.”

Shinya Nakano: 1:32.94 (61 laps)
“This morning we continued to work on fine tuning the chassis, eventually finding a set up that seems to work quite well around this circuit. This afternoon we were hoping to continue tyre testing, but the wind made holding a line very difficult at some corners and then I had to switch to my second bike while my mechanics worked on my number one machine. Instead, I took the opportunity to try some practice starts, as the Kawasaki clutch is very different to what I’m used to. The results were a little disappointing, but the fact that I was able to talk directly to the person who designed the clutch means that I’m confident that we’ll see an improvement in this area in time for our first European test. As long as the wind drops overnight then we’ll spend tomorrow tyre testing for Bridgestone.”

From a press release issued by Spectrum Motorsports:

Matrix at The Southern California Ducati Dealers Track Day Plus factory trained technicians to help set up bikes.

The much talked about but previously never seen (except in the movie “Matrix Reloaded” ) Metallic dark green 998 Matrix replica will be on Display at California Speedway, Monday March 15th when the Southern California Ducati Dealers host their track day. If you cannot make it to the track day on March 15th the bike is now on display in the Ducati Area at Spectrum Ducati Aprilia. It is the last developement of the iconic 998 family and boasts the “Testastretta” engine, now found on the 999 models.

Spectrum Ducati will have factory trained technicians at the track day on March 15th to offer advice and help any rider with bike set up and preparation. If you sign up for the track day, cost $195, at Spectrum Ducati you will receive a free Ducati Corse hat or Spectrum Ducati Tee-shirt.

Spectrum Ducati Aprilia.
949 859 3186.
www.spectrumotorsports.com

Spectrum Ducati Aprilia is located in the Irvine Auto Center, California

From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

FOR FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY, THE MOTOGIRO D’ITALIA WILL EXPLORE THE ISLE OF SICILY IN SOUTHERN ITALY FROM MAY 25-29, 2004

This year’s edition of the Motogiro d’Italia, the historic motorbike competition, will take place in Sicily from May 25-29. Ducati Motor is once again the main sponsor of the event, organized by Dream Engine.

The itinerary has now been confirmed for this year’s Motogiro d’Italia, the historical revival of the pioneering Italian motorbike race started in 1914. The five day event will explore the Isle of Sicily in southern Italy marking the first time in the event’s long history to do so. With the last three revival editions covering the central and northern parts of the Italian peninsula, this spring’s itinerary will mark an exciting change, as participants witness the costal and inland glories of this rugged and mystical island. The Motogiro d’Italia consists of five day’s of riding with an average of 250 km each day.

The itinerary is as follows:

Mon., May 24 Preliminary preparations will take place in a hotel (exact address to be confirmed) located in Civitavecchia, 2 kilometres from the port, followed by the ferry departure in the afternoon. For those who want to leave their vehicles behind, there will be an insured parking lot available nearby. Participants must complete preliminary preparations by 6:00pm, as participants must be at Civitavecchia port by then.

Participants depart by ferry from mainland port of Civitavecchia (near Rome) to Palermo, Sicily. The overnight transfer will be made by Grimaldi Cruise Ferries.

Tuesday, May 25 DEPARTURE OF MOTOGIRO

1st leg: Palermo-Bagheria, Cefalù, Castelbuono, Pollina Along each leg of the tour throughout the Motogiro, rest stations will be set up with snacks and refreshments.

Wednesday, May 26 2nd leg: Pollina, Alimena, Caltavuturo, Pollina

Thursday, May 27 3rd leg: Pollina, Cerda, Corleone, Terrasini

Friday, May 28 4th leg: Terrasini, Erice,Trapani, Marsala, Terrasini

Saturday, May 29 5th leg:Terrasini, Piana degli Albanesi, Montelepre, Mondello. Departure to Civitavecchia The customary gala dinner and prize giving ceremony will take place on board the ferry, in transit to Civitavecchia.

The Motogiro d’Italia has grown steadily since its revival in 2001 and all four editions have been made possible by the event’s main sponsor Ducati Motor. Today, the event enjoys enthusiastic participation of hundreds of vintage motorcyclist from around the world. The Motogiro d’Italia has become a critical date on the international motorcycling calendar, welcoming riders from the original 1950’s edition of the Motogiro—including Giuliano Maoggi, Remo Venturi, and Leopoldo Tartarini—who have all returned as guest participants riding the finest in Italian vintage machinery, including motorbikes by Ducati, Morini, Moto Guzzi, Benelli, MV Agusta, Bianchi, Gilera, Motobi.

The number of participants has increased since 2001 (with 250 participants) to the 350 participants that came for the 2003 edition and are expected for the 2004. For 2004, 150 participants have already enrolled and at least another 250 are expected to join in, making an estimated total of 400 participants. The international event welcomes motorcycle enthusiasts from around the globe, including: Great Britain, Germany, France, Holland, Sweden, USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Japan.

The Motogiro d’Italia is proud to have the generous support of Ducati Motor as its main sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. The event is also made possible by the support of: Motociclismo d’Epoca, Corriere dello Sport-Stadio, Shell, Marzocchi, Presidenza Regione Siciliana, Assessorato Regionale al Turismo, Provincia Regionale di Palermo, AAPIT (Azienda Autonoma Provinciale per l’Incremento Turistico di Palermo), and the Comune di Palermo.

The Motogiro d’Italia 2004 is organized by Dream Engine, the Bologna-based entertainment company. Techincal support for the Motogiro is provided by the Terni Motoclub “L. Liberati” and the Italian Motorcycle Federation provides additional assistance. For the Touring Class, Dream Engine counts on the technical collaboration and expertise of the experienced professionals on the Curve&Tornanti team.

The Motogiro is open to motorcycles of all marques and is divided into three classes: the Vintage Racing Class, Taglioni Memorial Class and Touring Class.

Vintage Racing Class

With an overall limit of 120 participants, this class features motorbikes of up to 175cc manufactured prior to 1957. Competitors in the Vintage Racing Class will be subject to timed, competitive ability tests en-route. The winner of this class will take home a custom-designed “Motogiro 2004” motorbike. Motorbikes inspired by original Motogiro bikes yet manufactured subsequent to 1957 may also apply.

Taglioni Memorial Class

In its third consecutive year, the Taglioni Memorial Class highlights the decade in which Ducati engineer Fabio Taglioni created his legendary 2 cylinder motorbikes. This class is open to street legal and insured motorbikes and sidecars of all marques and cc produced between 1968 and 1978. Competitors in this class take part in ability trials and the winner will take home a special prize.

Touring Class

For riders of newer bikes, this class is designed for those who wish to participate in the excitement of the Motogiro on a non-competitive basis. The Touring class follows the same itinerary as the Vintage Racing and Taglioni Memorial Class but at a more relaxed pace. New rule for Touring Class 2004: entrants will be divided into groups of 25 bikes and assigned a group leader who will act as a guide and provide instructions which must be adhered to at all times.

For general information and registration forms please contact:

Dream Engine
Via Saffi 4 – 40131 Bologna – Italia
Tel. +39 051 6494472 – Fax +39 051 5286378
email: [email protected]

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

CLARK NAMED AMA CHEVROLET SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA MANAGER

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Pro Racing has appointed Donnie Clark as Media Manager for the 2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship season.

The announcement comes in preparation for the 63rd Daytona 200, the traditional start of the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship. This year’s event is set for March 6, at historic Daytona International Speedway.

As Media Manager, Clark will oversee pre-event and onsite efforts with local, national and industry media. He will also work in conjunction with promoters, series sponsors, teams and riders to help promote the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship.

“We are looking to Donnie to help strengthen our media relationships as well as promote our series nationwide,” AMA Pro Racing Vice President, Director of Communications Kerry Graeber said. “His familiarity with road racing and his knowledge of media management will help our series continue to gain recognition as the pinnacle of motorcycle road racing in the United States.”

Clark brings ample motorsports and agency experience to the Media Manager role. Prior to joining AMA Pro Racing, he served as Media Manager for Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and the Cleveland Grand Prix. Other media relations experience includes positions with two marketing communications firms and various non-profit organizations.

“My goal is to continue partnering with the media to cover and promote the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship,” Clark said. “I really enjoy the opportunity to work with all the great athletes and their sponsors in promoting such a competitive sport.”

From a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
PRESEASON TESTING – PHILLIP ISLAND, AUSTRALIA
23RD FEBRUARY 2004

WILDLIFE WORRIES FOR NAKANO AT PHILLIP ISLAND

After the tropical heat and energy sapping humidity of Sepang, the Fuchs Kawasaki Racing Team were met with near perfect conditions as they arrived at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia for their final overseas test before returning to Europe.

But while the Phillip Island circuit provides an ideal testing ground, its proximity to the sea can cause unexpected problems for the riders. Shinya Nakano was forced to cut short three test runs this afternoon, following high speed collisions with low flying sea gulls. The 26-year-old Japanese rider was uninjured in the collisions, which, unfortunately, is more than can be said for the sea gulls involved.

While Nakano returned to Japan following the recent Sepang test, Alex Hofmann made the most of the break by heading to Australia’s Gold Coast for a well earned holiday. But it was back to work for both riders today, as they continued their preparations for the 2004 MotoGP World Championship, which kicks off in South Africa on April 18th.

Both Nakano and Hofmann started the day with the same bike set up as they’d finished the Sepang tests, before starting the process of fine tuning chassis geometry and suspension settings to better suit the fast and flowing characteristics of the Phillip Island track.

The Fuchs Kawasaki riders also took the opportunity today to evaluate a number of different ignition maps, designed to smooth the power delivery of the 990cc, inline four-cylinder ZX-RR engine.

Shinya Nakano: 1:33.32 (78 laps)
“Phillip Island is a fast circuit and a lot of fun to ride; I really enjoy testing and racing here. High speed grip is very important to lap times at this track, so we’ve focussed today on testing different chassis settings to find an improvement in this area, and we’ve definitely seen some positive results. Tomorrow we will focus more on finding a good setting for the rear of the bike and, hopefully, this will lead to further improvements in high speed grip. This is my third test on the Ninja ZX-RR and I felt a lot more confident on the bike today. The sea gulls are a bit of a problem here; you can see them coming, but you’re moving so fast that there’s just no chance to avoid them. All you can do is duck behind the screen and hold on.”

Alex Hofmann: 1:33.56 (82 laps)
“We started today on the settings from Sepang, but we knew we were going to have to make quite a few changes to the bike for it to work around such a fast circuit as Phillip Island. Once we started working on set up I struggled a bit with the rear of the bike; I just didn’t have the confidence in the rear grip. But we made a small improvement late this afternoon and that’s given me the confidence that tomorrow, with fresh tyres on the bike, we can continue to make improvements in this area.”

From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Winning No. 8 Awaits Motorcycle Fans

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Feb. 23, 2004) — When motorcycle enthusiasts visit Daytona Beach and Daytona International Speedway during Daytona 200 Week, they’ll have the opportunity to check out the Daytona 500-winning No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet of Dale Earnhardt Jr. at DAYTONA USA, the official attraction of NASCAR.

The No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet that catapulted Earnhardt Jr. to his first career Daytona 500 victory on Sunday, Feb. 15 rests inside Gatorade Victory Lane at DAYTONA USA and will be returned to the team before the start of the 47th annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 20, 2005.

The car is in the same condition as it was when it first rolled into Gatorade Victory Lane inside Daytona International Speedway after the Daytona 500 and bears the signatures of all of the crew members including Earnhardt Jr.

Besides checking out Earnhardt Jr.’s winning ride, DAYTONA USA also has other activities to do including three different motion simulators that deliver the sensation of what it’s like to drive at the “World Center of Racing.”

Toyota Tundra’s Thunder Road, which made its debut during the 2003 Pepsi 400 weekend, is a two-seat full motion simulator with a 360-degree roll. In ACCELERATION ALLEY (additional $5 charge), guests experience the sensation of going 200 mph in 80 percent scale NASCAR simulators that combine motion video projection and sound for the ultimate head-to-head experience.

In DAYTONA DREAM LAPS, race fans can sit back and enjoy the ride in the IWERKS motion simulator ride based on the “Great American Race.” This ride takes guests for a full-range motion experience of the Daytona 500 – the richest and most prestigious stock car race in the world.

DAYTONA USA is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call (386) 947-6800 for more information or visit www.DAYTONAUSA.com

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI BREIL SUPERSPORT TEAM LAUNCHED IN VALENCIA

Valencia (Spain), 23 February 2004: The Ducati Breil team that will take part in the 2004 World Supersport Championship has been presented in Valencia, Spain as part of a two-day full-scale circuit test organised for the 749R streetbike, the most advanced twin-cylinder machine ever produced by the Bologna company.

The racing version of the 749R, which was unveiled in its head-turning black livery, sports the logo of new title sponsor, Italian watch manufacturer Breil, who will accompany the team throughout the season.

The last time Ducati Corse officially took part in World Supersport was in 2000, when Paolo Casoli and Ruben Xaus won three races with the 748 and its return with the new 749R adds considerable prestige to the series. Ducati also won the Riders’ and Manufacturers’ titles in 1997 with Casoli and the 748, when Supersport moved to a world level for the first time.

“2004 will be a testing year for us and we chose to have just one rider for the development of the 749R” declared Ducati Corse Managing Director Claudio Domenicali. “We are entering the championship for the first time in three years, with a completely new bike and will make every effort to make the 749R competitive. We tried to include into the production bike all the features that we thought it would need directly for racing and most probably the 749R is the most advanced twin-cylinder bike ever built in the company. Development work has also been carried out with Ducati’s long-standing technical partner Shell Advance, to improve the performance of the bike.

“Racing is in our DNA and the 749R is in our sportsbike product range so in a way it was a natural decision for us to go Supersport racing” added Domenicali. “Our fans were waiting for us to race the 749R, so here we are and we will try to do the best possible this year and develop the bike further with the aim of running a two-rider team in 2005.”

The rider chosen to spearhead Ducati’s return to the Supersport arena is the young Italian Lorenzo Lanzi. The 22-year-old from Cesena steps up from European Superstock, where he finished runner-up in 2003, to the World Supersport championship.

“In our opinion Lorenzo has great potential” adds Team Director Paolo Ciabatti. “Last year he did extremely well on the Ducati 999S Superstock, and we should consider that it was his first time on a four-stroke machine. We know that the Supersport championship has a very competitive field of riders and bikes, but we are sure that our ‘package’ is good and that the results will come soon. We will also enter Supersport veteran and current Ducati Desmosedici test rider Vittoriano Guareschi in selected events, at the moment Monza and Imola are confirmed.”

The 11-race World Supersport Championship schedule, run on the same programme as World Superbike, kicks off with the opening round this coming weekend at Valencia, Spain.

From a press release issued by Dunlop’s advertising and public relations agency, Vreeke & Associates:

For Immediate Release
February 23, 2004

Daytona 200 Win Record Correction

Buffalo, NY: As a correction to an earlier press release dated January 31, 2004, Dunlop has won 10 of the last 11 AMA Superbike races at Daytona, and
is looking forward to extending its winning heritage in this prestigious event in 2004.