Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Wild card on pole at Brands Hatch

Heavy rain fell this afternoon at Brands Hatch forcing the organisers to call a Wet Superpole. This means the riders all have 50 minutes, and a maximum of 12 full laps to record their fastest lap time – instead of the usual one lap per rider dash.

The wild cards continued to put the pressure on the regular riders, with Rizla Suzuki rider John Reynolds embarrassing the World Championship riders by stealing pole from them.

It was almost a case of walking on water for Walker on the HM Plant Ducati as the rain fell hard enough to leave standing water in parts of the historic British race track. He used every bit of his intimate knowledge of the circuit to claim second on the grid ahead of Sunday’s two races. Shane Byrne and Regis Laconi got their Ducati’s on the front row making it two wild cards and two regulars heading the pack.

The second row reflects the first, with two wild cards and two regulars with Michael Rutter heading the row from Ruben Xaus, Sean Emmett and James Toseland.

Championship leader Neil Hodgson is way back in tenth, taking it relatively easy and not willing to risk too much in the appalling conditions while leading the title race.

Sunday is expected to stay dry, ensuring some real racing instead of a wet-weather lottery but it also means teams and riders will be left guessing settings with only the morning warm up to test in prior to the race.



World Superbike Superpole Results:

1. John Reynolds, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.706
2. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:36.299
3. Shane Byrne, Ducati 998F02, 1:36.320
4. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.419
5. Michael Rutter, Ducati 998F02, 1:36.630
6. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 1:36.663
7. Sean Emmett, Ducati 998RS, 1:37.915
8. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:38.319
9. Leon Haslam, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.336
10. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.351
11. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:38.415
12. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:38.613
13. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:38.940
14. Dean Ellison, Ducati 996, 1:41.563
15. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:44.026
16. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:44.532

The rest of the grid:

17. Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.892
18. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.312
19. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.499
20. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:28.589
21. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:28.926
22. James Haydon, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:29.016
23. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:29.017
24, Sergio Fuertes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.579
25. Nick Medd, Ducati 998RS, 1:29.862
26. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda RC51, 1:30.375
27. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 998RS, 1:30.871
28. Luca Pedersoli, Ducati 998RS, 1:31.625
29. Giancarlo De Matteis, Ducati 998RS, 1:32.189


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

Foggy PETRONAS Racing face the changes at Brands

Foggy PETRONAS Racing’s Troy Corser maintained his qualifying position in a wet Superpole session to start from the third row of the grid for tomorrow’s ninth round of the World Superbike championship at Brands Hatch.

The Australian gambled a portion of his 12 laps on testing the slightly drier conditions at the start of the 50 minute session, before setting his fastest time on his final flying lap in the pouring rain to qualify 12th for a grid dominated by British wild card riders, with veteran John Reynolds claiming pole.

With dry weather forecast for tomorrow’s races, the team was robbed of more valuable set-up time in dry conditions when the arrival of the afternoon rain effectively curtailed the final free practice session after 20 minutes. But Troy is confident that the FP1 – the Malaysian superbike – is better suited to the dry conditions around the 4.221km Kent circuit.

He said: “In Superpole it was a case of going straight out to get a feel for the conditions but we probably should have waited until the track was wetter, as that is when the tyres had more grip. That is why I didn’t rush straight back out after my first set of laps. But I went a second quicker in the wet than I did yesterday, and the throttle connection feels better in the dry. If it is dry for warm-up tomorrow there are a couple of set-up changes we might try and a couple of variations on the rear tyre to test, although I am very happy with the Michelin front.”

James Haydon again suffered from the limited opportunity to concentrate on a consistent setup. He missed out on Superpole after finishing the morning session in 22nd with a time of 1:29.016, less than 1.5 seconds outside Troy’s best of 1:27.016. Then an engine problem in the afternoon session left him stranded at the far side of the circuit, before the rain further hindered set-up progress.

He said: “This morning was my first here in the dry on this bike, and threw up a number of directions for us to try but unfortunately, the way things developed, there are still a few question marks. I am still not decided on my rear tyre and am still not totally happy with my set-up. I still felt we could have gone quicker in the qualifying session and it did not help that I did not get a clear lap on my qualifier.”


More, from a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

Walker surfs to second on the grids

Heavy rain fell throughout the afternoon at Brands Hatch, forcing the organisers to call a wet Superpole. This gave the riders 50 minutes and a maximum of 12 full laps – instead of the usual one lap per rider dash – to record their fastest time.

As on Friday, it was almost a case of walking on water for Walker because the rain fell hard enough to leave inch-deep pools scattered around the historic British racetrack. However, he still came up with the goods when he splashed to his best ever WSB starting position of second on the grid.

“To be honest, I prefer the 12 lap system,” said Walker, “I find it easier to cope with than the mad dash that is Superpole. I also think I had an advantage today because I’m very familiar with the track and know how it responds to bad conditions. Nobody seems sure what the weather will do tomorrow, but I’m well up for it come rain or shine.”

It wasn’t such a satisfying session for James Toseland who struggled to come to terms with the treacherous circuit, eventually finishing eighth. Both HM Plant Ducati riders started the session on intermediate tyres, unfortunately conditions were wetter than the team had anticipated. After three or four of his allocated laps Toseland had no choice but to return to the garage for a switch to full wets. This had an unsettling effect and he struggled to get back into the groove for the remainder of the session.

“It was tough to get things going again after the tyre swap,” admitted Toseland. “But I’m reasonably happy despite my grid position, because my closest rival in the championship, Ruben Xaus, is on the same row and the championship leader is behind me.”

British wild card rider John Reynolds took pole in front of those hardy soles that braved the rain to watch the qualifying action. However, Sunday is expected to be dry, which will mean that the riders and teams will enter the race with very little dry weather practice.


More, from a press release issued by Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks:

Front row for Regis Laconi under the flood at Brands Hatch

Regis Laconi will start at Brands Hatch too from the front row, after a Superpole session scourged by the rain. Regis has been the fastest for long part of the session, then his rivals got advantage of a moment when the French rider of 998RS Ducati Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks joined the pit garage while the rain had a pause to overtake him, profiting of the light better track conditions, however inundated. Then the rain increased once more, vanishing all final assault. At the end of the practice Regis was fourth fastest, the same result he got in morning’s qualifying, a result which put him in the front row for the fifth time during the season.

“I’m satisfied, but it could be better.” – admitted Laconi at the end of the day – “The rain made me a bad joke during Superpole. I joined early the track at the beginning of the session to verify the bike with a new engine and I recorded the fast laptime, so I stopped to the pit to wait for a right moment to try the fast lap, but the rain stopped for some instant, the track improved and the riders who were running in that moment immediately improved their laptime, so I’ve lost some position. Then the rain started heavily once more and at that moment there was too much water on the track to improve. If tomorrow will rain too all the British rider will be fierce adversary. It’s important start from the front, to not be prisoner in the water cloud made by the group and lose in this way too much time in the early laps.”

Giancarlo De Matteis got his first goal, grabbing the qualifying for tomorrow’s race. Unfortunately for De Matteis his gearbox had troubles this morning too and forced him to the pit, limiting his experience possibilities.

“This circuit doesn’t show me his secrets.” – said De Matteis at the end of practices with a bitter smile – “I need to ride and ride to get experience and the gearbox trouble stopped me some time. In the second free practice session I’ve been able to ride longer, improving the set up for tomorrow race. Now my main goal is to finish both the races in this first contact with a splendid arena like World Superbike.”


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

THIRD ROW FOR TROY

Superpole was declared a ‘Wet Superpole’ at Brands Hatch and the conditions changed dramatically throughout the fifty-minute session. At the end, Troy finished with the twelfth quickest time and so will start from the third row of the grid for tomorrow’s race. ‘Wild card’ rider John Reynolds (Suzuki) took pole position with a time of 1:35.706, with Chris Walker (Ducati) second, another ‘wild card’ Shane Byrne (Ducati) third and Regis Laconi (Ducati). Runaway series leader Neil Hodgson (Ducati) could only finish eleventh today and faces a difficult raceday tomorrow.

TROY ­ 12th, 1:38.613

Well I’ve got the series leader right next to me on the third row of the grid, so that’s pretty indicative of how trying the conditions were this afternoon. I probably should’ve waited for the track to get wetter before I went out because my wet tyre seemed to have pretty good grip. That’s why I didn’t push so hard after my first set of laps. I managed to go one second in the wet today then the wet yesterday, but really I’d prefer it to be dry tomorrow. I don’t feel we had enough time to get a good set-up in the wet or the dry here. I’m happy with my front tyre for a dry or wet race, but not sure about the rear. If you take the ‘wild cards’ out, I would have ended up seventh today, so I can’t be too unhappy.


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

XAUS AND HODGSON SIXTH AND ELEVENTH QUICKEST IN WET SUPERPOLE SESSION AT BRANDS HATCH

Ruben Xaus will start tomorrow’s European Round of the World Superbike championship from sixth place on the grid while points leader Neil Hodgson could only set eleventh quickest time during a wet Superpole session at Brands Hatch and will start from row 3.

“I’m pretty happy with the bike today, things went exactly as I expected with the wild-cards up there, but it’s nothing major” commented Neil. “I managed to get a good set-up pretty quickly in the morning dry qualifying and did some consistent laps on my race tyres. In Superpole I timed things badly when the rain came and I just needed one more lap. I’m very confident with my dry weather set-up, a bit less with the wet, so hopefully tomorrow it won’t rain”.

In the morning session Ruben Xaus crashed at the bottom of Paddock Hill Bend and injured the ring finger on his right hand, but this did not prevent him from putting in some quick laps in the afternoon session and in particular during Superpole in appalling conditions.

“The thing is we only tested on wet yesterday so the set-up in the rain is ready” declared Ruben. “In the dry we’re struggling a bit because we had a little problem with when I fell off losing precious time. There’s a big hole in my finger and it hurts, for sure it’s broken, but the race is the most important thing for me. I like to race and win in the dry but I still need to find the right set-up, we’re all going to work hard and find the right way for the races tomorrow in the warm-up if it is dry”.



More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

UNLUCKY THIRTEENTH FOR GREGORIO

Team Suzuki Press Office Saturday July 26th 2003.

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Gregorio Lavilla fell foul of the changing conditions in a Wet Superpole and ended up on the fourth row of the grid. The morning session had been dry, but the rain started just before Superpole and the one-lap shoot out was changed to a Wet Superpole. At first the track was only just damp and Gregorio’s front tyre turned out to be the wrong one for the conditions. By the time, he returned to the pits for a new tyre, the rain had begun to fall more heavily and he was not able to set a quick time. Pole was set today by ‘wild card’ John Reynolds (Suzuki), with Chris Walker (Ducati) second and another ‘wild card’ Shane Byrne (Ducati) in fourth.

GREGORIO LAVILLA – 13th, 1:39.940
I’m not sure if it was my fault or what, but I used a wet tyre and went a bit quicker and then the conditions changed and suddenly I was down in twelfth. The rain began to fall heavily and I knew I couldn’t go faster and so I ended up thirteenth! Obviously I’m not very happy and it will be very hard to get a high result because there aren’t so many passing places here. I need a very good start in both races if I’m to have any chance at all. I would prefer a dry race because I’m reasonably happy with the set-up we found for dry conditions. For a wet race, I think we’re not quite right. Also, if it rains, it is so easy to make a mistake and crash or get taken out by somebody else making a mistake. It’s going to be two very hard and long races tomorrow – whatever the conditions.

From a press release issued by Superside series organizers:

Saturday final qualifying

Superside World Championship
Brands Hatch, Europe

1. *Steve Webster, GB, Suzuki, 1:30.070
2. Jörg Steinhausen, Germany, Suzuki, 1:31.253
3. Steve Abbott, GB, Suzuki, 1:31.314
4. Tom Hanks, GB, Yamaha, 1:31.992
5. Klaus Klaffenböck, Austria, Yamaha, 1:32.140
6. Richard Gatt, GB, Yamaha, 1:33.308
7. Martien van Gils, Holland, Suzuki, 1:33.361
8. Tim Reeves, GB, Yamaha, 1:33.477
9. Bill Philp, GB, Yamaha, 1:33.912
10. Jock Skene, GB, Suzuki, 1:33.956

*new lap record

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Attack Suzuki’s Josh Hayes took his second consecutive AMA Superstock race win Saturday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Hayes narrowly beat Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp and Hooters Suzuki’s Vincent Hakovec in a twice-red-flagged, three-way battle to the flag.

Corona Extra Suzuki’s Adam Fergusson came from behind to score fourth. Championship contender Tommy Hayden (Kawasaki ZX-6R) was fifth after fending off a late-race charge by John Haner.

Pascal Picotte finished seventh on his Picotte Racing Yamaha YZF-R6. AMA Horizon Award winner Brian Stokes beat Kawasaki’s Tony Meiring and Rapp’s teammate Chris Ulrich for eighth.

Team EMGO Taiwan’s Chris Caylor crashed out on lap five while running fourth, and Jake Holden fell off on lap six while racing for sixth. Jason DiSalvo retired on lap 12 and rode into the pits; he was 11th at the time.

The race was stopped twice. The first stoppage came on lap four when Greg Moore highsided between turns seven and eight and No Limit Motorsports Honda’s Lance Isaacs hit Moore and also crashed.

Isaacs was transported to Mansfield Medical Center with a broken leg, and Moore was transported to the same facility with a broken arm, according to a medical update issued by AMA Pro Racing. The race was flagged off again as a complete 16-lap restart.

The second red flag was thrown when Dr. Jeffrey Purk crashed and slid into the inflatable barriers outside of turn seven and needed medical attention. Dr. Purk’s condition was not known at post time. The race was restarted for eight laps.

Early leader Hayes passed Rapp, who had charged through from third to lead, at the end of the back straight on the last lap and held it in the run to the finish line.

AMA Superstock Race Results (all on Suzuki GSX-R750 unless noted):

1. Josh Hayes, 16 laps
2. Steve Rapp, -0.116 second
3. Vincent Haskovec, -0.362 second
4. Adam Fergusson, -3.186 seconds
5. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, -9.264 seconds
6. John Haner, -9.430 seconds
7. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha YZF-R6, -10.531 seconds
8. Brian Stokes, -14.567 seconds
9. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, -14.643 seconds
10. Chris Ulrich, -15.782 seconds
11. Mike Ciccotto, -17.835 seconds
12. J.J. Roetlin, -28.245 seconds
13. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600RR, -30.921 seconds
14. Kevin Pate, -34.384 seconds
15. Jeff Muskopf, -36.026 seconds
16. Travis King
17. Tom Wertman
18. Darren Luck
19. Jake Johnson
20. David Bell
21. James Kerker, Honda CBR600
22. Daniel Doty, Yamaha YZF-R6
23. Joseph Ford
24. Jeff Bostrom, 15 laps, crashed
25. Matt Malterer, 15 laps
26. Jason DiSalvo, 12 laps, Yamaha YZF-R6, DNF, retired
27. Jason Peters, 11 laps, DNF, crashed
28. Danny Eslick, 9 laps, DNF, crashed
29. Corey Eaton, 9 laps, DNF
30. Dr. Jeff Purk, Yamaha YZF-R6, DNF, crashed
31. Jake Holden, 6 laps, DNF, crashed
32. Chris “Opie” Caylor, 4 laps, DNF, crashed
33. Mike Scruggs, 1 laps, DNF
34. Steve Atlas, 0 laps, DNF, mechanical



Provisional Superstock Point Standings:

1. Hayes, 265 points
2. Haskovec, 255 points
3. Tommy Hayden, 253 points
4. Fergusson, 233 points
5. Meiring, 218 points
6. Rapp, 184 points
7. Ciccotto, 182 points
8. Chris Caylor, 175 points
9. Jason DiSalvo, 171 points
10. Haner, 162 points


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

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp fell just 0.116-second short of claiming his third Superstock victory of the season Saturday at Mid-Ohio. Starting from the pole, Rapp found himself in the middle of — and at times leading — an intense three-man battle in the twice-restarted final that saw him leading at the start of the last lap.

The Californian was rejuvenated after the second restart when his crew elected to fit a new Michelin front and rear to his GSX-R750, providing grip he lacked after the first restart. Rapp was particularly impressive in the 2.4-mile circuit’s back section, routinely reeling in several bike lengths in the Carousel turn at Mid-Ohio.

The runner-up placing was his third podium finish in four races. “It was a good fun race — close but safe.

“This has been my best year by far in a long time,” said Rapp, who now sits sixth in the points race despite not participating in three rounds early in the year. “The Valvoline team has been in Superstock for so long that I don’t have to worry about telling them what to do. They do it and I just ride it as hard as I can.”

Teammate Chris Ulrich made it two Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R750s in the top ten. Ulrich moved up to tenth place on lap 14 of 16 and held the position to the race’s conclusion. The result saw Chris leap back into the top ten in points as well. He is now currently tied for ninth.

“The day was looking like it wasn’t going to be all that great until the last eight laps. We didn’t put a new tire on it after the first restart and that might not have been the best move,” the Lake Elsinore, California resident said.

Ulrich persevered until the second red flag when things suddenly got better with more grip. “I was in eleventh at the second red flag. Then we made a tire change at the rear and a suspension change at the front. It ended up paying off in a big way.”

The second generation rider who has suffered with injuries the past two seasons said he made great strides dicing with other riders in the race. “I rode a lot better today and I think I got some of my mojo back,” he said afterward.

Rapp will be back in action at Mid-Ohio on Sunday, competing in the Formula Xtreme final aboard the team’s potent GSX-R1000. He will start from the third row after qualifying tenth today.


More, from a press release issued by Marietta Motorsports:

1-888-FASTLAP’S STOKES 8TH IN SUPERSTOCK AT MID-OHIO, CAYLOR CRASHES OUT OF
4TH PLACE

LEXINGTON, Oh.- The dramatic Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock race at Mid-Ohio brought mixed results for the 1-888-FASTLAP riders as Brian Stokes finished eighth and Opie Caylor crashed while running in fourth.

The 16-lap race was red flagged early because of a crash, and the race was completely restarted. On the restart, Caylor was second on the 1-888-FASTLAP/Team EMGO Taiwan Suzuki GSX-R750. He was running in fourth when he crashed on lap five. Caylor was attempting to run a tighter line through a corner so he would not be easy to pass, but his front tire hit the seam between the track surface and a concrete patch.

Just three laps later, the race was red flagged again. Caylor was not able to restart the race.

The race was restarted from lap eight, and Stokes was able to start on the Team Embry/FREEWEBTOWN.COM Suzuki GSX-R750 from the second row. He got a strong launch and was fifth on the first lap.

Stokes moved into eighth in the first two laps, and he stayed there to earn a career best AMA Pro Racing finish.

“I didn’t change the front tire after running in the Superbike race,” said Stokes. “It was starting to go a little bit, but I was still able to run competitively. After winning the Horizon Award earlier this week, and now getting my best AMA finish ever, I feel like I’ve gained a lot of confidence and I look forward to improving even more.”

Earlier in the day, Stokes rode in the first round of the AMA Superbike race that is being held at Mid-Ohio. He finished 13th.

The next race for Caylor and Stokes will be at Virginia International Raceway, the penultimate round of the Superstock season, August 29-31.

More information about Caylor, Stokes and 1-888-FASTLAP can be found on the Internet at www.1888FASTLAP.com.



More, from a press release issued by Proforma:

HANER FINISHES A FINE SIXTH AT MID-OHIO

HAS/Shogun Racing rider John Haner finished sixth in the Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, site of round nine of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship. Haner closed on fifth place rider Tommy Hayden late in the race, but could not get around the Kawasaki factory rider on the last lap. Haner started the Superstock event on his back-up bike after a clutch problem on his primary bike in the earlier Superbike event.

Haner had qualified seventh, which had given him a good grid position on the second row. He made the most of it with what ended up being three good starts in the twice-red-flagged event. “The last start, which was the most important, I got pinched off a little bit in turn one, I think I came around in ninth place,” said John. “I got around Ciccotto, Stokes and Picotte. Two laps from the end, I was starting to reel in Tommy (Hayden). On the last lap, I was right on him. We were just even down the back straightaway, I reeled him in on the brakes, and got right up on him going into Thunder Valley. I thought I was going to be able to stuff it up underneath him, a clean pass, but I almost hit the curb because I couldn’t see where it was at, I was so close. That was pretty much my last chance (to pass him).”

“I’m looking forward to the last couple of rounds,” said John. “I’m hoping we can get a different clutch and a quick shifter, that would help a lot.”

Haner moves up to tenth in the Superstock points standings, with only 22 points separating fifth through tenth in points. Haner has scored points in every round he has competed in, missing only the Brainerd, MN round to have surgery to correct carpal tunnel syndrome in his right wrist.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

French flavour for Supersport front row

The first two places on the grid for Sunday’s World Supersport Championship race at Brands Hatch. Stephane Chambon took pole on his Alstare Suzuki GSX-R600 ahead of reigning champion Fabien Foret.

Foret, who took his first victory of the season and the debut win for the new ZX-6RR at Misano, probably felt he could have gone a little quicker still, a point he hammered home to Robert Ulm at the end of the session. It seems Foret thought Ulm had interfered with his flying lap and the pair came close to exchanging blows as Foret made his feelings felt!

Behind the French pair sit the two yellow Ten Kate Honda’s of Australian duo Karl Muggeridge and Chris Vermeulen. They also complained of getting caught in traffic while on a qualifying lap but with 27 riders competing for track space, it’s almost inevitable that some riders are going to feel that their best laps have been stinted by traffic.

The rain, which had fallen heavily on Friday, stayed away allowing all the teams to work on their dry settings for the race. The forecast for Sunday at present is for sunshine.



World Supersport Final Qualifying Results:

1. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:28.468
2. Fabien Foret, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:28.692
3. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600RR, 1:28.760
4. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR600RR, 1:28.828
5. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.067
6. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600RR, 1:29.114
7. Katsuwaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:29.146
8. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.196
9. Tom Sykes, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.469
10. Alessio Corradi, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.552
11. Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.603
12. Werner Daemen, Honda CBR600RR, 1:29.640
13. Jorg Teuchert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.716
14. Dean Thomas, Honda CBR600RR, 1:29.720
15. Iain MacPherson, Honda CBR600RR, 1:29.861
16. Broc Parkes, Honda CBR600RR, 1:29.861
17. Robert Ulm, Honda CBR600RR, 1:29.878
18. Christophe Cogan, Honda CBR600RR, 1:29.884
19. Pere Riba, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:29.918
20. Stefano Cruciani, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:30.025
21. Gianluca Nannelli, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.117
22. Simone Sanna, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.134
23. Barry Veneman, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.183
24. Thierry Vd Bosch, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.294
25. Jamie Robinson, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.482
26. Jan Hanson, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.665
27. Michael Laverty, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.087


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

Front row start for Ten Kate Honda

The two Ten Kate Honda World Supersport Championship riders Chris Vermeulen and Karl Muggeridge will start Sunday’s race at Brands hatch from the front row.

The pair secured their positions at the front of the grid after the weather stayed dry for the second qualifying session. Karl Muggeridge looked set for pole as he blasted around the historic English circuit but got caught up in traffic and ended the session third fastest.

“We’ve got the bike going really well now,” commented Muggeridge. “We lost a little time this morning working out gearing and suspension and when it all came together I got a little held up in traffic on my flying lap.”

It was a similar story for Chris Vermeulen who qualified fourth fastest after also getting caught behind a slower rider on his fast lap.

“Traffic seems to be a problem this year,” noted Vermeulen, “but I’m not too worried as fourth on the grid is actually a good position to be in at Brands Hatch – I’ll have the shortest run to the first turn. We have a great race set up so I am confident for Sunday and, as usual, the Pirelli tyres are working really well.”

Having both his riders on the front row for the race is good enough for team manager Ronald ten Kate.

“Of course I enjoy seeing my riders on pole,” he said. “But today, because good weather is forecast for Sunday, we had to concentrate on finding a set up that worked in the dry for the race. We’ve arrived at a good set up for the present conditions and we are also ready for any improvement in the weather.”


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

CHAMBON STORMS TO POLE!

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Stephane Chambon stormed to his pole position of the season at Brands Hatch today. He posted a lap of 1:28.468, over two tenths of a second quicker then his nearest rival Fabien Foret (Kawasaki). Last year Stephane suffered a heavy fall at Brands, so pole today was a sign that there are no lasting effects from that incident. His team mate Katsuaki Fujiwara finished the day in seventh place after some problems with gear ratios, but is hoping that tomorrow’s warm-up session in the morning will allow him to lap more quickly and confidently. Third quickest today is Aussie Karl Muggeridge (Honda), with team mate and series leader Chris Vermeulen fourth.

STEPHANE CHAMBON – 1st, 1:28.468
I’m very happy to be on pole position today – especially after what happened to me here last year. Yesterday I was a bit nervous in the section of the track where I crashed, but today was no problem for me. I ‘m happy with our set-up for the dry, but not so sure about our set-up for the wet. It’s always important to make a good start and that’s what I will be trying for tomorrow. I’d be happy with a podium, but really I want to win.

KATSUAKI FUJIWARA – 7th, 1:29.146
We improved the bike’s set-up in the morning and then changed the gearbox in the afternoon, but I’m not completely happy with one of the gear ratios. We’ll try to improve it in the warm-up tomorrow morning. I’m happy with my set-up for a dry race, but not 100% sure of our set-up if it is wet. I hope it’ll be dry tomorrow, so that I can really push hard and challenge for a podium. Last year I won here, so I want another podium this year.

From a press release issued by Tony Foster of PCS in Daytona Beach, Florida:

The PCS Daytona 20th Anniversary Open House
scheduled for July 26th has been unavoidably cancelled.

(More information is available from:
PCS Daytona
594 Ballough Rd
Daytona Beach Fl 32114
386.253.2586
386.253.3578 fax
[email protected]

From a press release issued by the FIM:

Superbike World Championship
2004 provisional Calendar

The provisional calendar for the 2004 season of the Superbike World Championship is the following:

February 29, Spain, Valencia

March 7, tba, tba

March 28, Australia, Phillip Island

April 18, San Marino, Misano

May 2, Japan, Sugo (tbc)

May 16, Italy, Monza

May 30, Germany, Oschersleben

June 13, Great-Britain, Silverstone

June 27, tba, tba

July 11, United States, Laguna Seca

July 25, Great-Britain, Brands Hatch

September 5, Netherlands, Assen

September 26, Italy, Imola

October 3, France, Magny-Cours

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning AMA Superbike Practice Times:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.343
2. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.892
3. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:28.565
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.936
5. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC51, 1:29.125
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:29.190
7. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.778
8. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:30.004
9. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.142
10. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.406
11. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.749
12. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.305
13. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.038
14. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.137
15. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.241
16. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 998RS, 1:31.411
17. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.866
18. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.199
19. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.868
20. Greg Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.975