Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Results
World Superbike Race Two
Laguna Seca Raceway, 28 laps
1. Ruben Xaus, Ducati, 28 laps
2. Neil Hodgson, Ducati, -11.565 seconds
3. Chris Walker, Ducati, -13.064
4. Regis Laconi, Ducati, -15.560
5. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki, -16.354
6. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati, -19.685
7. Juan Borja, Ducati, -33.494
8. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki, -35.564
9. Marco Borciani, Ducati, -35.859
10. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati, -39.330
11. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki, -1 lap, DNF, crash
12. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, -4 laps, DNF, crash
13. James Toseland, Ducati, -11 laps, DNF, crash
14. Luca Pedersoli, Ducati, -11 laps, DNF, mechanical
15. Troy Corser, Petronas, -14 laps, DNF, retired
16. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati, -24 laps, DNF, crash
17. James Haydon, Petronas, -25 laps, DNF, crash
18. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda, -25 laps, DNF, crash
19. David Garcia, Ducati, -26 laps, DNF
20. Steve Martin, Ducati, -28 laps, DNF, mechanical
21. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati, -28 laps, DNF, crash
22. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, DNS
23. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, DNS


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

Walker returns to World Superbike podium

Chris Walker finished third in the second World Superbike leg at Laguna Seca after a spectacular battle for the lower podium positions behind runaway race winner Ruben Xaus. However, there was no such joy for his HM Plant Ducati team-mate James Toseland who crashed out of second place on lap 17.

Walker repeated Toseland’s success from the first race to give the HM Plant Ducati team a superb double podium in California. The popular Nottingham rider inherited second place from his younger team-mate after an incident at the infamous Corkscrew bend, but had to give way to championship leader Neil Hodgson in the closing stages of another scintillating 28-lap Superbike race.

“I’m delighted to be back on the podium for the third time this season,” said Walker who retained his sixth place in the championship overall. “It’s been a long haul back from the injuries I sustained at Sugo in April, but I’m regaining my confidence with every event.

“That was a brilliant race and I really enjoyed dicing with the leading pack once again. I guess that I had a bit of luck and things went my way, but I’m pleased with the result. I would like to thank the team for all of their hard work and everyone else who has supported me. We have made a lot of progress this weekend and we can take many positive things with us to the next round.”

Toseland’s emotions were in stark contrast to those of the first race: “It was all going so well and then I had my second podium finish of the day taken away from me. I’m obviously very disappointed, but I’m pleased for Chris at the same time. On a positive note, I’ve strengthened my position in the championship overall and we’re going to the next round in top form.”

The HM Plant Ducati team will next appear in the ninth round of the Superbike World Championship in front of their home fans at Brands Hatch on 25-27 July.


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

Mixed fortunes for Foggy PETRONAS Racing in USA

Troy Corser’s eighth place in the first race at Laguna was the only bright spot for Foggy PETRONAS Racing in round eight of the World Superbike championship at Laguna Seca, USA.

The Australian was set for another top ten finish in race two before an electrical problem reduced the bike to running on two cylinders and he was forced to retire on the 15th lap.

Team-mate James Haydon suffered more appalling misfortune when, after a split water pipe caused a crash on the second lap of the first race, he was wiped out from behind by Walter Tortoroglio at the top of the Corkscrew on lap four of race two, badly twisting his knee .

It was a day full of thrills and spills in front of a three-day attendance of 92,000, with only 13 riders finishing the first race and just 11 completing the second. Frankie Chili followed his race one win with a crash on lap two of the second race, while Ruben Xaus recovered from his race one spill while leading to comfortably claim the second race victory.

Carl said: “Even though there were a few crashes in the first race, the result was not bad. After seeing the qualifying results, I would have been happy with a top ten finish and eighth was probably as good as we could have hoped for at the moment. We have just got to carry on picking up points and learning for next year. If there is any bad luck to be had at the moment, James seems to be at the front of the queue. I just hope he can pick himself up in time for Brands Hatch in two weeks.”

Troy was forced to start the warm-up lap for the re-started race one from the pits after his bike suffered minor damage when he was unable to avoid the second corner mayhem which ruled Eric Bostrom out of both races with a dislocated shoulder.

Troy said: “The tyres were pretty consistent but I was losing the back end going into corners so it took me a few laps to change my lines and try to use different parts of the tyre. I also tried to get around the problem by picking the bike up before accelerating out of corners. The temperature was also going up and down, which seemed to be affecting the engine, so it took me a while to get used to that as well. If you take out the two wild cards Mat Mladin and Aaron Yates, it was a sixth place which is not too bad.

“I had another great start in race two and came round the outside of everyone at turn one and was doing better lap times after changing the front and rear suspension, despite the fact the bike was running slower. The temperature was high from the start again and it was very frustrating to have to retire through the electrical problem.”

James was also forced to start the race two warm-up lap from race two after an oil leak on the out-lap. He said: “I had a terrible start for race two as someone ran wide and I had to pick the bike up. My second bike wasn’t running as well as my number one bike but I knew that if I could finish the race there was a good chance of picking up points. Then I was rammed straight from the back, which is a problem when you are running where you shouldn’t be. There’s not much I can say about my luck at the moment.

“I could see fluid spraying onto the screen in the first race and the next thing I knew I was down. There was nothing I could do about it – the bike was covered in water. I am just thankful that it happened at the final turn, the slowest on the circuit.”


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

Regis Laconi disappointed after Laguna Seca races

It could be a great day today in Laguna Seca for Regis Laconi, on the contrary the French rider of Ducati 998RS Caracchi NCR Nortel Network leaves California very disappointed. A fall, not for his fault in Race-1 while he was leading the race and a mistake in the tyre selection in Race-2 allow to Regis only a fourth place, however positive because his rivals for the championship didn’t obtain a really better result.

“I leave Laguna Seca really disappointed.” – confessed Regis at the end of the day – “I knew that I could get a good result today and on the contrary some misfortune and a wrong evaluation didn’t allow us what we was hoping to get. In Race-1, out of race Xaus, I was in front, managing Chili’s attack, when atAndretti Hairpin, where happened the multiple crash at the first start, I founded a fairing screen piece and I lose the front end; I was calm, the bike performed well as I recorded the fastest lap of the day. Before Race-2 I would absolutely use a new front tyre and I selected a tyre we tested in Friday’s practice and I was sure it could give me what I wish. On the contrary it has been a disaster, with the warmer afternoon’s temperature, 53°C on the track, and at every right corner I lose the front end. So I was accepting the result, then a few laps to go I’ve seen Toseland out and I decided a final attack to Lavilla to get more points and I passed him at the end of the finish line. What a pity, it could be a great day and on the contrary everyting run in the wrong way. But the occasion will arrive later, because in this week end we showed that we have the potential to win, the bike had always the best top speed and without that mistake I could be able to fight for the victory.”

David Garcia didn’t finish both races, entering the pits after a few laps because the pain in his arm, but in the few laps I rode I’ve been always in the points area, racing in Race-2 in the top ten before to be forced to stop.

“It has been a pain race fore some lap.” – said Garcia – “But I would start in Race-2 too after the great work that the team has done. When I stopped I was downright in ninth position, but actually it was impossible to go on.”


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Ruben Xaus (Ducati Fila) put the seal on a great day’s racing at Laguna Seca circuit in California in front of 92,000 spectators with a win in race 2 after crashing out of the lead in the first race. Championship leader Neil Hodgson twice finished runner-up to increase his lead in the standings over his team-mate to 122 points.

Frankie Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) scored a hugely popular win from Neil in race 1, his first since Donington 2001, after a first lap crash involving Hodgson, Frankie, Bostrom, Yates and Corser had forced a restart, while the victory in race 2 went to Ruben, who took control on lap 4 to lead to the flag for his third win of the year.

“I think that the races offered us a different scenario from qualifying, where we suffered a little, but in the end the Ducati 999F03 performed really well,” declared Ducati Corse CEO, Claudio Domenicali. “The bikes have benefited from the depth of development which goes into the Michelin tyres and the Shell Advance motorcycle oils supplied to the team. With Michelin we have often found Laguna Seca a difficult track, but in the last two years their tyres have been well up to the situation, while the oils Shell Advance supplied us with this weekend are designed to excel under the hot and dry conditions of this track.”

“I was leading the first race pretty easy and my lap times were consistent,” declared Ruben Xaus, “but I had a really hard tyre and I pushed it too much at the slowest corner of the track and crashed. Races are like that, but the second race I wanted to show everyone I am the fastest and the winner here. I found in the morning warm-up that I had the right tyre to last 28 laps and be capable of running 26 lows and that gave me the power for the race. I could have won two races but that’s ok, I know I’m getting better and better all the time.”

“My second place in race 1 is one of the best I’ve ever earned because it was a really difficult race,” declared Neil. “I’ve not felt comfortable all weekend with the set-up but in the race I just took my time. It’s difficult to pass round here and you have to wait for people to make mistakes, so thankfully people made mistakes! Race 2 was probably the most eventful race in my career. I’ve never seen so many crazy things happening, especially on the first lap. I nearly crashed then Frankie somersaulted and then James crashed in front of me and I ran off the track into the gravel. Thankfully I finished second – points are everything because I want to win the championship.”


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

FRUSTRATION FOR TROY

Troy had a frustrating day at Laguna Seca, ending with a DNF in the second race after a hard-fought for eighth in the first. Laguna Seca was always going to be a difficult track for Troy and the Petronas FP1, but after the first race, Troy was thinking of another top eight finish in the second.

But a broken spark plug cap ruined Troy’s chances of a pair of good finishes and left him thinking of what could’ve been. Troy made a good start in race one, but was then involved in a five-rider melee at turn one and was forced to take to the gravel trap. His Petronas stalled and Troy appeared to be out of the race, but the red flag was put out and Troy was able to make the re-start. He rode consistently in the re-start and ended up eighth. Italian Frankie Chili (Ducati) won the 28-lapper after race leaders Ruben Xaus (Ducati) and Regis Laconi (Ducati) crashed out. Second was series leader Neil Hodgson (Ducati), with James Toseland (Ducati) third.

Troy made a good start in the second race, but his Petronas FP1 started running hot after about three or four laps. He tried to carry on, but when the bike went onto two cylinders he knew his race was over, so he pulled into the pits to avoid further damage. Ruben Xaus won the race, after taking command after three laps, with team mate Hodgson second and Chris Walker (third).

TROY Race 1: 8th Race 2: DNF
I feel a bit frustrated because I really thought I could leave here with a pair of top eight finishes and that would’ve been a good result considering qualifying. I suppose I was fortunate that the first race was red-flagged because that would’ve been a no-score otherwise. I had nowhere to go in the pile-up, but I kept the bike upright and went into the gravel. The bike stalled and I couldn’t get it started again, so it’s just as well there was a re-start. The gear lever had to be replaced because it was so badly bent, but that was all. The tyres worked consistently, but I was losing the back end running into corners, so it took me a few laps to change my lines and adapt. I got a good start in race two and overtook a few riders into turn one, but it wasn’t long – maybe three or four laps – that the temperature gauge began moving erratically. The water temperature went up to about 115 C and some of it sprayed over me, but I wanted to keep going. The suddenly the bike went onto two cylinders and slowed dramatically, so I had no choice but to pull in. It was a shame because I’m sure I could’ve had another top eight finish.

From a press release:

2003 Yamaha Formula Xtreme TT Series
Round 5, Eastern Creek Raceway, NSW
Race Report

CURTAIN CROWNED ‘KING OF XTREME’ FOR THE FIFTH TIME AS YAMAHA SCOOP FOUR MAJOR XTREME TITLES

Kevin Curtain reaffirmed his position as the ‘King of Xtreme’ after he wrapped up his fifth Yamaha Formula Xtreme title in the seven-year history of the series after a frantic final round battle at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway with Nikon Yamaha teammate Daniel Stauffer.

To add to his Xtreme success, Curtain took of the FX Supersport title giving him unprecedented back to back wins in each class.

Adding to Curtain’s success were fellow Yamaha riders Craig Trinder who made a successful defence of his NakedBike title aboard his Nikon Yamaha FZ1 and Taree teenager Alex Cudlin, who in his first full season of road racing took out the Superstock title aboard his Fineline Motorcycles Yamaha YZF R6 and is certain to be a talent to watch for the future.

Curtain has been the man to beat all series, but he was under immense pressure from teammate Daniel Stauffer (in Formula Xtreme) and Brendan Clarke (in Supersport) heading to the final round. He trailed Stauffer by six points when he arrived and emerged victorious by four after taking three race wins and a second, compared to Stauffer’s single win and three seconds. In his rookie year, Clarke was drafted into the team from round two and quickly grew comfortable with the R1 and completed a strong clean sweep for the team by finishing third overall.

“I must say that it’s getting harder and harder each year,” said Curtain after his title win. “It came right down to the wire at the end, so it’s a fantastic relief to be able to have come away with another win. I did everything I could to get the win in that final race as it came down between Daniel and myself as to whoever won that race would win the title. I gave it everything and came up trumps. The Nikon Yamaha team have prepared a great bike for me to ride in the shape of the YZF R1 as have Dunlop who gave us some great tyres to use this year.”

The Xtreme class has provided Yamaha riders with great results in 2003, especially for the strong contingent of privateer riders who support the series. A total of eight Yamaha’s filled the top ten placings in the premier class.

This charge was led by Victorian Cameron Donald who finished the series fourth overall aboard his Gay O’Brien Yamaha. He took out the overall round win at the penultimate round of the series in Queensland, but commitments to race in Asia this weekend forced him to miss the final, but he was rewarded by retaining his place on the points table.

One of the performances of the final round was that of 1997 Formula Xtreme champion Benn Archibald. The Aluma-Lite Racing rider rode solidly all weekend to finish third overall for the round and moved up to fifth on the point’s table. Victorians Nicholas Barton (SCR Yamaha) and Stephen Tozer (Stafford Yamaha) have been competitive all series and finished seventh and ninth respectively.

Curtain’s run at the Supersport title was equally as impressive. He arrived at the Creek with a 20-point advantage over Clarke, but an uncustomary crash in race two left the pair all square on points as they lined up for the penultimate race of the series. Curtain responded as a true champion taking the win and backing it up with another in the final to take the title by 10 points from Clarke.

“I just love the R6,” said Curtain. “It’s such a great package. You don’t have top do that much work to them, just work out how to go around corners fast and they work out very good. Again the team has done a great job in preparing the bike, while Dunlop have really stepped up to the mark this year and have been able to supply a great tyre for the class.”

“It’s getting harder to win races and titles because a few of the other guys are starting to learn how to ride fast. They are thinking seriously about going fast instead of just coming here and having a bit of fun. They now know how well I have gone overseas, so when I set the pace it gives them something to aim for. There’s little difference between my bike and everyone else’s and it just comes down to the rider and preparation.”

Curtain’s blistering charge over the weekend was rewarded even further as he set new lap records in both the Formula Xtreme (1:32.981) and Supersport (1:35.225) classes.

Sydney privateer Glen Allerton continued his great year, finishing fourth overall in the series with his best result being his overall round win at Queensland aboard his Yamaha YZF R6. Lismore Motorcycles rider Mark Stanley had posted a number of strong top ten finishes during the series and finished ninth overall even though he was absent from the final round as he was competing in the Asian championship held over the same weekend.

The Yamaha sponsored Superstock class unearthed another future talent as 16-year-old Alex Cudlin scored his first career open title. Riding his Fineline Motorcycles Yamaha YZF R6, Cudlin has dominated the class all series even though he was up against a number of vastly more experienced riders.

“We had a good weekend scoring a win and three seconds which was enough to have secured the win in the Superstock series,” said Cudlin. “It’s been a really good year. I wasn’t sure how far up near the front we would get, but we got the Yamaha YZF R6 running very well and came away with the title. The Superstock class has been a very good place to have spent my first year of road racing. I’ve learned a lot so that will help a lot as we step up to the Supersport class next year.”

Craig Trinder wrapped up the NakedBike title at the previous round and traded his leathers for a shirt and tie as he took up a guest commentary role for the weekend. In his absence the Yamaha flag was waved by Graeme Wilshaw aboard his Procycles Yamaha FZ1.

Wilshaw completed the weekend third on the outright points table for the class, but did give Yamaha victory in the NakedBike privateers class. He had a strong season and was consistently chased home by fellow Yamaha FZ1 riders Matthew Waldron and Lee Munro who finished fourth and fifth on the outright table.

“The Yamaha FZ1 has been faultless all series, giving us no problems at all,” said Wilshaw. “We’ve given it a bit of a hard time and it proved itself well. We’ve been on the podium at each round, picked up a couple of lap records along the way and won a few races. It’s been good.”

YAMAHA XTREME Overall points standings after round 5 of 5:

1. Kevin Curtain (340); 2. Daniel Stauffer (336): 3. Brendan Clarke (210); 4. Cameron Donald (165); 5. Benn Archibald 162); 6. David Butler (160); 7. Nicholas Barton (151); 8. Robert Bugden (145); 9. Stephen Tozer (143): 10. Ben Attard (133)


YAMAHA SUPERSPORT Overall points standings after round 5 of 5:

1. Kevin Curtain (375); 2. Brendan Clarke (365); 3. Russell Holland (287); 4. Glen Allerton (231); 5. Wayne Maxwell (190); 6. Simon Rattenbury (178), 7. Mark Aitchison (159): 8. Josh Waters (94): 9. Mark Stanley (82); 10. Christopher Seaton (77).

YAMAHA SUPERSTOCK Overall points standings after round 5 of 5:
1. Alex Cudlin (505); 2. Alex Tomasetti (437); 3. Jarrod Curren (396); 4. Benjamin O’Brien (300); 5. Matthew Whalen (234).

NAKEDBIKE Overall points standings after round 5 of 5:
1. Craig Trinder (385); 2. John Allen (382); 3. Graeme Wilshaw (342); 4. Matthew Waldren (275); 5. Lee Munro (228).

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning World Superbike Practice Times:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.492
2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.831
3. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.034
4. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:26.128
5. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.149
6. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 1:26.163
7. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:26.277
8. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:26.301
9. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.431
10. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:26.456
11. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.929
12. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.215
13. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:27.517
14. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.634
15. Lucio Pederchini, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.695
16. Juaj Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.776
17. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:27.937
18. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:28.044
19. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda RC51, 1:29.991
20. James Haydon, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:30.128

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

By John Joss

Laguna traffic has always been chaotic, with no one seemingly in charge or possessing a vision of how traffic should flow. You’d think that after 40+ years and millions of visitors they’d have it figured out by now. You’d be waaaay wrong.

Consider only the primary entrance/exit at Hwy 68. This entrance/exit is about 200 yards from a traffic light at Laureles Grade, but estimates by the CHP (interviewed by me earlier this year) indicate that it will take at least five years to put in the 200 yards of asphalt on the Laguna Seca property that would go far to relieve the entire mess, permitting eastbound traffic to Salinas to exit on the light while westbound traffic to Monterey could leave from the present road. This would feed relief back all the way to the track, where the exits are typically choked for an hour or more (much more) on the ‘big’ day, Sunday.

Five years!

In addition to freeing up the heavy exit traffic, it would also greatly reduce the cost of hiring CHP and Sheriff officers to manage the flow manually, which would in all probability offset the cost of the 200 yards of asphalt.

Five years!

From the great musical “My Fair Lady” (all together, now):
“Why is thinking something people never do?
Why is logic never even tried?
Fixing up their hair is all they ever do.
Why don’t they fix up … the mess that’s inside.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The FIM-sanctioned 2004 World Superbike, World Supersport and European Superstock Championships will run on spec tires and Superbike rules across the world will be “globalized,” according to FGSport Group, the organizers of the World Superbike Championship series.

The announcement came from Paolo Flammini, the Managing Director of FGSport Group, and Maurizio Flammini, the President of FGSport Group, in a special press conference held Friday, July 11 at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California. The press conference was organized due to overwhelming demand from the media present at Laguna Seca for reaction to recent press releases from the FIM and MSMA regarding proposed 2004 World Superbike rules.

In the press conference Maurizio Flammini, who answered nearly all of the questions, confirmed that there would be spec tires used in the 2004 Superbike World Championship series. “We really would like to have the teams who compete with the same possibility to win,” said Flammini. “Maybe you remember three or four years ago, instead of three or four riders who can win, like today, we had 10, 12 even 14. This is something we really want to go back to.

“We like what Michelin, Pirelli and Dunlop are doing. Unfortunately, there are very different performance caused by the performance of the tires, not from the performance of the motorcycle or the performance of the rider.”

Flammini said the tire companies were only supplying one or two teams with the best tires while the rest of the field getting “bad tires, not good tires, not competitive tires. This is not a good thing.

“You know if you have an engine that is 20 horsepower better than the other you can win two tenths, three tenths on the lap. But if you have a tire that is better than the others you can win one second. So if you don’t have the tire you can’t win.”

Flammini did not say teams would be provided the spec tires free of charge but said the deal would significantly reduce the cost of racing for the smaller teams that have to buy tires. “We will solve a big problem for the medium-level/low-level team,” said Flammini. “You know that today a medium-level team spends a lot of money, lots of money on tires. And they will spend a lot less, that is for sure.

“We can tell you that next year the teams will spend 50 percent less than this year, which is very good news for them.”

Flammini also confirmed that spec tires, the same brand as World Superbike, would be used in the World Supersport Championship and the European Superstock Championship. “The tires in Supersport and Superstock…I believe that will be the same, will be spec tires for everybody,” said Flammini. “I believe it will be one brand for everybody, but I can’t say now (which brand it will be).”

Pirelli currently supplies spec tires for the European Superstock Championship.

Flammini said it was possible that several different compounds from one tire supplier would be available to all racers in 2004. “For sure you remember when Formula One had spec tires for a number of years,” said Flammini. “You have three or four or five kinds of tires. All the tires are for everybody.

“So in the end you can have different…you can choose a tires that fits better your bike than the other one, also the type of riding. If you’re an aggressive rider that needs a different tire.”

World Superbike insiders believe that FGSport Group is close to making a deal with Pirelli, if the deal hasn’t already been completed. Flammini implied that Michelin and Dunlop did not take Superbike World Championship management seriously up to this point, saying , “Maybe this is incentive enough for everybody. So maybe Dunlop will wake up finally, maybe Michelin will finally come.”

The Flamminis were then asked about the recent press releases, which, among other things, indicated that World Superbike would no longer use air restrictors in 2004. “This is correct,” said Flammini. “We will not have anymore. The performance balance will be obtained through different systems. Clearly the target is to have less tuning to the engines in order to keep the costs low.

“In order to get the performance (with air restrictors), you need to tune up the engine and make it very sophisticated and then you limit the performance through the limitation of the air you let into the engine. The way we would like, we will follow is that you don’t limit the air in the engine. In this way you will not need to have a sophisticated engine and therefore the cost.

“Until today everybody was concentrating on spending a fortune on tuning up the engine. Tomorrow this cost will be one-tenth of today.”

Then the Flamminis were asked to respond to the press release from the Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers’ Association (MSMA), which, in a strongly-worded statement, said all of the factories were pulling their support from the World Superbike series as of 2004.

“Maybe the MSMA people are upset,” said Flammini. “We understand that. They are upset because we worked together for a number of years and we developed a regulation. And finally this regulation was approved the third of September 2001. There is a press release that says – that they signed – that this regulation was approved on condition that the manufacturers will not leave World Superbike in the next three years.

“We accepted this regulation at the time because of the promise of the manufacturer.

“We understand there was a number of problems, and the cost was the first problem.”

Flammini said costs got out of control because “part of the regulation implies full freedom in the engine. You can use very sophisticated materials, you can use technologies and you produce a lot of power.

“We accepted that because the manufacturers said, ‘we are going to produce bikes, we are going to produce bikes also for an affordable cost.’

“After three years we understood that the bikes are not available. In fact, at the last meeting with the MSMA, they said, unfortunately we can only guarantee you one manufacturer, not more than that. Not counting Ducati. Ducati already confirm that they were in the Championship. But between the Japanese, only one was going to confirm that.

“We understand that certainly the motorcycles were not available. Some motorcycles eventually available for a huge price. So practically World Superbike 2004 was not possible to be organized.

“And then we spoke to the teams, we spoke to the riders, we spoke with the manufacturers also, we spoke with the various organizations of the world – like AMA, like UK, like the Germans. We very quickly formed an agreement, and the agreement is based on having motorcycles available to the rider for an affordable price and that can be competitive, can be fairly competitive.

“To give you some idea about, the technical regulations will be very similar to the AMA and the UK. So it will be something in the middle.”

Flammini mentioned that Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki would all have new bikes in 2004 that should be competitive under the new regulations.

“We want to announce the new rules very soon, very, very soon,” said Flammini. “The goal is the end of the month, but we will announce the new rules together with our other organizers like UK, the AMA, Italy. So we want to coordinate everything.”

Flammini said the World Endurance Championship, which is managed by FGSport Group, will also use the new Superbike regulations in 2004.

New support classes, including a “naked” class, for the FGSport Group’s 2004 series are also being considered, according to Paolo Flammini.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

MBNA 250 Grand Prix rider Sean McNew (#161) of Tijeras, N.M., crashed in turn three in this morning’s 250 GP practice session. He was transported by ground to the Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP) for a precautionary CATSCAN. He is alert and awake and has no broken bones.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Ducati Corse may not field an official factory team in the 2004 World Superbike Championship due to the spec tire plan unveiled by FGSport Group, organizers of the World Superbike Championship.

That’s the word from Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Corse. “We have a long-lasting Michelin tradition,” said Domenicali Saturday in the paddock at Laguna Seca Raceway. “I think if we have to change it, we’ll have to think about it, you know?

“We have not been told who is the one tire manufacturer. I think it’s more possible it’s not Michelin.”

Asked if it is possible there may not a Ducati Corse team in World Superbike next year, Domenicali said, “Yeah, everything is changing, so we will plan next year when everything is more clear. We have a lot of interest in Superbike, World Superbike. So we would like to be present at a good level, but let’s see what happens.”

Domenicali said FGSport Group officials talked to him in detail about new Superbike technical rules but did not consult Ducati Corse about spec tires.

“We talked a lot about the regulation but not about the tires,” said Domenicali. “With the spec tire, it is too early to say. It is a brand-new concept, so we have to get used to it. We have to see how different people feel.

“On the sporting side, with one tire manufacturer it is possible to have more competitive race. On the other hand, the World Championship is used by tire manufacturers to develop product also. So you have to find the proper balance, you know?”

Domenicali also said that there will be a satellite MotoGP team in 2004 using 2003-spec Desmosedici machines, but “who will be riding where, we will not know this until the end of the month. We are in discussion with several teams and riders.”

Domenicali is attending the races at Laguna Seca rather than the British Grand Prix in order to attend meetings over Superbike technical rules proposed by FGSport Group.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Superbike:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:25.295
2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:25.896
3. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:26.199
4. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:26.393
5. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati, 1:26.793
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:26.889
7. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:26.928
8. Ben Bostrom, Honda, 1:27.097
9. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki, 1:28.638
10. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 1:28.785
11. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki, 1:29.131
12. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, 1:29.440
13. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki, 1:29.468
14. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:29.864
15. Chris Caylor, Suzuki, 1:30.700
16. Geoff May, Suzuki, 1:30.885
17. James Randolph, Suzuki, 1:31.257
18. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki, 1:31.395
19. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki, 1:31.423
20. Mike Sullivan, Suzuki, 1:31.610

AMA 250cc Grand Prix:

1. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 1:31.140
2. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, 1:31.644
3. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 1:33.224
4. Simon Turner, TSR Honda, 1:33.851
5. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, 1:33.879
6. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, 1:35.154
7. Michael Montoya, Yamaha, 1:35.253
8. Mark Watts, Honda, 1:35.925
9. Greg Esser, Honda, 1:36.011
10. Ed Marchini, Yamaha, 1:36.267
11. Chris Pyles, Honda, 1:36.493
12. Barrett Long, Yamaha, 1:36.729
13. M. Ben Welch, Yamaha, 1:38.344
14. Wes Totsubo, Honda, 1:38.464
15. Steve Scott, Yamaha, 1:38.774
16. Billy Dalu, Yamaha, 1:38.871
17. John France, Honda, 1:38.887
18. Darren Fulce, Yamaha, 1:39.203
19. Nobi Iso, Aprilia, 1:39.264
20. Sandy Noce, Yamaha, 1:39.398

AMA Formula Xtreme:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.834
2. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.297
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.566
4. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:27.653
5. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.777
6. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.906
7. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.476
8. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.481
9. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.341
10. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.545
11. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR954RR, 1:31.133
12. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.173
13. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.424
14. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.695
15. Tom Montano, Ducati 999S/R, 1:33.132
16. Garry Combs, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.183
17. Mark Ledesma, Honda CBR954RR, 1:33.493
18. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.886
19. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.261
20. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.359

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.


By Glenn Le Santo

Yoshimura Suzuki wild card rider Mat Mladin continued his total domination of the WSB weekend in Laguna Seca, USA by running off with the Superpole best lap in front of the WSB regulars at 1:25.561, slightly down on his best lap in qualifying.

Mladin held off Regis Laconi, the strongest WSB rider so far this weekend, to hang onto the pole he’s held all weekend. Frankie Chili was another World Superbike campaigner trying to take on Mladin, but he had to be content with third on the grid. Aaron Yates, Mladin’s teammate, was just able to hang onto his front-row spot, despite the efforts of Gregorio Lavilla, also on a Suzuki, to get on that all-important Laguna front row.

WSB regulars James Toseland, Ruben Xaus and Championship-leader Neil Hodgson completed the second row. Eric Bostrom, AMA Championship leader until today’s AMA Superbike race victory by Mladin ribbed him of the title lead, came home in 10th. Giovanni Bussei was the last wild card rider home, in 12th, behind Steve Martin.

World Superbike Superpole Results:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.561
2. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:25.999
3. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.162
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.476
5. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.583
6. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:26.622
7. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 1:26.667
8. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:26.838
9. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:26.841
10. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:26.947
11. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.055
12. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.187
13. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.269
14. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:27.447
15. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:27.851
16. David Garcia, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.974

The rest of the grid:

17. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.446
18. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.501
19. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:27.644
20. James Haydon, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:28.472
21. Lucio Pedersoli, Ducati 998RS, 1:29.141
22. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda RC51, 1:29.489
23. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 998RS, 1:29.774


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

Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, California, USA
SWC Qualifying and Superpole Report

WORLD SUPERBIKE POLE POSITION FOR MLADIN AT LAGUNA SECA

Monterey, California, USA (Saturday, 12 July) – In a sensational final Superpole qualifying session, Australia’s Mat Mladin produced the quickest time of the 16-rider group and will start tomorrow’s two 28-lap Superbike World Championship races from pole position at Laguna Seca Raceway, California.

Mladin has been untouchable in both SWC qualifying sessions held this weekend and reproduced that form to score his first ever SWC pole position after scorching around the 3.610km (2.2miles) in a time of 1:25.561.

“It felt good to have gotten the win in the AMA Superbike race earlier today, leaving us with just one bike to focus on for the rest of the weekend,” said Mladin.

“So far this weekend everything has gone well with setting up the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 in SWC spec. The package with the bike and Dunlop tyres is working well, so after today’s efforts I feel that we are in a very good position for tomorrow.

“The World Superbike race is very difficult for us. Yes, I would like to win a race or two like everyone else does, but having to put some much effort into one race meeting has been hard for all of us in the team.

“We’ve had to prepare a complete new bike for this meeting so that it meets the rules of the SWC. The engine and the feel of the bike is different to that the one that we use here in the AMA Championship, but the overall performance of the bike isn’t that different.

“We are looking forward to tomorrow’s races and it would be nice to give Suzuki their first World Superbike win of the year.”

Joining Mladin on the front row of the grid will be Frenchman Regis Laconi, who was the only other rider to drop into the 1:25 mark setting a time of 1:25.999 aboard his NCR Ducati. His lap was 0.438 seconds off Mladin’s mark.

Third on the grid is Italian veteran Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati, 1:26.162), with Mladin’s teammate Aaron Yates completing the front row of the grid after setting a time of 1:26.476 on his flying lap.

Current World Superbike points leader Neil Hodgson (Fila Ducati) will start from position eight, while fellow Australians Steve Martin (DFX Ducati) and Troy Corser (Foggy Petronas) will start from positions eleven and fourteen respectively.


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

Regis Laconi confirms second fastest at Laguna Seca

Also if the local hero Mladin will start tomorrow from the pole the American fans present at Laguna Seca for the US Round of World Superbike hot applauded Regis Laconi and his Ducati 998RS Caracchi NCR Nortel Network, that have been always attached “with the glue” to the AMA Superbike Championship leader. Mladin actually found a perfect set up with soft tyres, but with the race setting Laconi is very close to Suzuki’s rider and for the tomorrow’s races he is confident in a good result.

“I would like to thank grabbing the pole the team guys that yesterday night did extemporise a nice garage-party for my birthday.” – said Regis at the end of Superpole – “We know that on this track the presence of AMA Championship wild card riders will made things more difficult; more Mladin, at least in qualifying set up, was just rippin. I’ve not been able to grab the pole, but everyone in the team, and I’m the first, is really satisfied because in those conditions a second fastest is equivalent to a pole between the WSBK riders, and more in those two days we made a very, very good job. This morning’s crash happened because I was riding actually too hard for a last fast lap, my front end washed out in turn three and I biffed it. Turn three is actually unfaithful and slippery, but has been a fall without any consequence and the bike too had ridiculous damages; later during Superpole I badly skid at turn four, but I don’t believe that I could be able to be faster as Mladin. For tomorrow’s race we worked a lot on the set up and tyres and at the end we found a good solution; I made a 20 laps long run and the tyre performed perfectly. I feel that with race set up Mladin isn’t unapproachable and so I’m confident to fight to win tomorrow.”

David Garcia grabbed also in Laguna Seca the right to contest Superpole, and with the presence of four American wild card that a precious result; now he’s focused for the 28 laps of tomorrow’s races: “In practice I ride well, but now I must prepare myself for the races. I know that 28 laps are hard and I’m sure I’ll be not able to mantain a consistent race rhythm, because after a few laps I have hard pains in my left arm, but thank the help of Clinica Mobile staff I’ll try to do it.”


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

Foggy PETRONAS Racing were confronted by the challenges posed by the testing Laguna Seca circuit during qualifying for tomorrow’s races at round eight of the World Superbike championship in the USA.

With both riders struggling for grip, Troy Corser focused on the gearing for the FP1 – the Malaysian superbike – while James Haydon concentrated on his set-up.

Troy, who has recovered from a bout of acute food poisoning, was unhurt in an afternoon crash that robbed him of valuable track time in the countdown to Superpole. His one-off lap was 14th fastest, with local wild card Matt Mladin claiming pole position after winning the domestic AMA race earlier in the day. James qualified in 20th place, missing out on Superpole in his return to action after missing the two previous rounds through injury.

Troy said: “We tried a few different gearings today but every corner is different here, so it is really hard to get it right. You do have to compromise with gearing at Laguna but, at present, we don’t have enough torque to pull the bike through that compromise. I tried a new tyre and did quicker race times, although the lap times are still not great.

“I made a mistake through Corkscrew on my Superpole lap but it did not make too much difference. The crash during free practice was my fault. I was on a harder front and it was probably a bit too hard and I lost the front end without any warning. I wanted to use the same bike for Superpole, so the crash meant that I didn’t have the chance to try another qualifier before Superpole.”

James said: “I was almost starting from scratch today after a mistake with set-up yesterday sent us the wrong way, which explained why we were going round the houses in the afternoon. So we changed the bike back today and made a lot of set-up changes and I took two seconds off my time in the morning, but that was on a kamikaze lap!

“We still haven’t got to the crux of setting the bike up as I need it. In the afternoon, we changed gearing, head angle, offset, trail and rebound but my preferred bike could only do three or four laps. But the rest of the session did give us a better idea of how I will start tomorrow’s races. The team had felt they had made big steps forward with set-up over the last couple of rounds but those changes did not work for me and I now know that Troy’s set-up information is irrelevant for me. I never dreamed I would still be in this position at this stage of the season.”


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Ruben Xaus and Neil Hodgson will start from row 2 of the grid for the U.S. round of the World Superbike Championship at Laguna Seca after setting seventh and eight quickest time in this afternoon’s Superpole session.

Multiple AMA Superbike champion Mat Mladin was on pole, followed by the two private Ducatis of Regis Laconi (Ducati NCR) and Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati), while Giovanni Bussei will start from the third row of the grid with the Ducati Austin 998.

Both Ducati Fila riders struggled to find a perfect set-up in today’s qualifying and free sessions, but remain cautiously optimistic for the races tomorrow.

“As always my Superpole lap was not so good,” declared Ruben. “The right hand corners here are difficult as soon as you get out onto the track and I made a mistake and didn’t lean into the curve enough, and that cost me some time. Free practice was much better; our race distance was good, so we think we are closer to the guys in front with race set-up. I hope to do a good start, because the race will be long. If the tyre I chose keeps going for 28 laps and is constant, then I know I will do a good job tomorrow.”

“We haven’t been able to find the right feeling with the bike,” declared Neil. “We’ve had a few problems with grip and we never really found the right front-end feeling we’re used to. I didn’t do a really good Superpole lap either – basically I didn’t get into the right rhythm. The tyres gave us some good indications during the afternoon free practice so I’m pretty confident for tomorrow because they are similar to the ones used last year, when they performed well in both races.”


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

HM Plant Ducatis on second and third rows

The top three riders in the 2003 Superbike World Championship were relegated to the second row of the grid in a day of surprises during qualifying for the eighth round of the series at Laguna Seca. With wild card rider Matt Mladin setting the pole position time of 1:25.561 at the Californian circuit, leading British riders James Toseland and Chris Walker qualified their HM Plant Ducatis in sixth and ninth places respectively for what should be one of the most closely contested events of the season to date.

It was role reversal for championship leader Neil Hodgson and his nearest challengers for the coveted title Ruben Xaus and Toseland. Hodgson and Xaus failed to beat Toseland’s Superpole time of 1:26.622 on their Fila Ducatis and will therefore line up behind the talented 22-year-old Sheffield rider for Sunday’s two Superbike races. Walker improved his time and position on Saturday, but just missed out on a second row starting position by a fraction of a second.

It was a day of mixed fortunes for the HM Plant Ducati team-mates as they sought to find their optimum race set-ups. Walker was happy with the progress that he had made: “I’d like to thank the team for all their hard work over the past two days. We have taken some positive steps forward in today’s sessions and I believe that we now have a good race set-up.

“It’s a shame that I wasn’t able to perform better in Superpole. I don’t think that my time and position are representative of where we should be for tomorrow’s races. I need to get a good start from the third row, because this is such a hard track to overtake if you get stuck in the chasing pack.”

Toseland was unable to fine-tune the settings of the HM Plant Ducati to his liking: “I’ve had quite a frustrating day as we’ve gone one way and then the other in our efforts to find the right balance. As I went into Superpole, the bike was a bit nervous at high speed and was prone to wheelies out of the slow turns.

“It’s a shame about my Superpole lap, because I had compensated well for these things up until the last corner. I was concentrating on keeping the front wheel down, but as I adjusted my body position, my foot slipped off the gear lever. That was the difference between the first and second row. I’m confident that we can change the bike and find the best compromise in warm-up before the races.”


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

SMALL MISTAKE COSTS TROY.

A small error on his Superpole lap cost Troy a chance of moving a row or two up the grid at Laguna Seca today. The mistake, at the Corkscrew, meant that Troy went four tenths of a second slower then his previous best lap time and left him with a fourth row grid place for tomorrow’s pair of races. Superpole was won by ‘wild card’ rider Mat Mladin (Suzuki), who posted a time of 1:25.561. Second is Regis Laconi (Ducati), with Frankie Chili (Ducati) third and another ‘wild card’ – Aaron Yates (Suzuki) fourth.

Laguna Seca is a renowned Dunlop track, so it was no great surprise that any of the Michelins riders (including Troy) were able to make much of an impact.

TROY – 14th, 1:27.447

I felt better today, but in the end I wasn’t particularly happy to end up on the fourth row of the grid – but I suppose it was more or less what we expected. Michelins never go as well here as Dunlops, but we had some other problems as well. We tried a few different gearings, but every corner is different here, so it’s really hard to get the gearing right. You have to make a compromise but, at present, our bike doesn’t have enough torque to pull the bike through the compromise. This afternoon I tried a new tyre and did quicker race times, but the times were not so great. I had a little crash in the free practice, when I lost the front end without warning at the last turn. We were using a harder front, so maybe that was why. Laguna Seca was always going to be hard for us and so far it has been. It’s going to be a very long day tomorrow.


More, from a press release issued by Alstare Corona Suzuki:

Gregorio misses front row by a whisker

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Gregorio Lavilla missed out on a front row grid position by the narrowest of margins at Laguna Seca today. At the end of Superpole, Gregorio lost his front row spot by just one tenth of a second to one of the local ‘wild card’ riders – Aaron Yates (Suzuki Yoshimura). During today’s two sessions, Gregorio had improved considerably and had slashed over a second off his best time from yesterday. But, more importantly, he was happier with his GSXR1000 and so was able to push that much harder. But he still faces a big challenge tomorrow – especially from the two ‘wild card’ riders on the front row – the Suzuki teamsters Mat Mladin and Aaron Yates. Mladin used his extensive circuit knowledge – and a confidence-boosting win the AMA Superbike race earlier in the day – to take Superpole with a time of 1:25.561. Second fastest today is Regis Laconi (Ducati), ahead of Frankie Chili (Ducati), with Yates in fourth place.

GREGORIO LAVILLA – 5th, 1:26.583 I’m happier for sure and we are improving all the time, but we can still improve some more. We made some suspension and changes to the balance of the bike today and I was more comfortable with the bike. The GSXR1000 is a sensitive bike and sometimes it is not the bike I want and then we have to work to make it the bike I want. Some tracks are better then others and we get close to a good base set-up, then we go to another track and we have to almost start over again. I’ve more or less chosen which tyres I’m going to use – the front is no problem, but I still have to make a decision about the rear. I think, all of us will have tyre wear problems at some stage in tomorrow’s races – it’s normal. The two AMA Superbike riders, who are ahead of me on the grid, show what the GSXR1000 is capable of. They’ve put in many, many more laps of this track then me, and today they rode well. I’ve ridden well against strong, local Suzuki riders before, so it’s nothing so new for me. They have nothing to lose at all, so they’ll push very hard. It’s up to me to try and match them and get a pair of good results and that’s what I’ll be chasing tomorrow.


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

THREE SUZUKI’S IN TOP FIVE AT LAGUNA

Team Suzuki Press Office 13th July 2003.
Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Gregorio Lavilla missed out on a front row grid position by the narrowest of margins at Laguna Seca today. At the end of Superpole, Gregorio lost his front row spot by just one tenth of a second to one of the local ‘wild card’ riders Aaron Yates (Suzuki Yoshimura).

During today’s two sessions, Gregorio had improved considerably and had slashed over a second off his best time from yesterday. But, more importantly, he was happier with his GSXR1000 and so was able to push that much harder. But he still faces a big challenge tomorrow especially from the two ‘wild card’ riders on the front row, The Suzuki teamsters Mat Mladin and Aaron Yates. Mladin used his extensive circuit knowledge and a confidence-boosting win with the AMA Superbike race earlier in the day to take Superpole with a time of 1:25.561. Second fastest today is Regis Laconi (Ducati), ahead of Frankie Chili (Ducati), with Yates in fourth place.

GREGORIO LAVILLA 5th, 1:26.583
I’m happier for sure and we are improving all the time, but we can still improve some more. We made some suspension alterations and changes to the balance and I was more comfortable with the bike. The GSXR1000 is a sensitive bike and sometimes it is not the bike I want and then we have to work to make it the bike I want. Some tracks are better then others and we get close to a good base set-up, then we go to another track and we have to almost start over again. I’ve more or less chosen which tyres I’m going to use the front is no problem, but I still have to make a decision about the rear. I think, all of us will have tyre wear problems at some stage in tomorrow’s races, it’s normal. The two AMA Superbike riders, who are ahead of me on the grid, show what the GSXR1000 is capable of. They’ve put in many, many more laps of this track than me, and today they rode well. I’ve ridden well against strong, local Suzuki riders before, so it’s nothing so new for me. They have nothing to lose at all, so they’ll push very hard. It’s up to me to try and match them and get a pair of good results and that’s what I’ll be chasing tomorrow.