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Walker Tops First World Superbike Practice At Brands Hatch

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Walker Tops First World Superbike Practice At Brands Hatch

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc

Friday Morning World Superbike Practice Times:

1. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:36.863
2. Michael Rutter, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.875
3. John Reynolds, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.697
4. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:37.994
5. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:38.090
6. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.138
7. Shane Byrne, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.268
8. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 1:38.403
9. Sean Emmett, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.620
10. Leon Haslam, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.904
11. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.714
12. James Haydon, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:41.581
13. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:41.688
14. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:41.718
15. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:41.886
16. Nick Medd, Ducati 998RS, 1:42.047
17. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:42.148
18. Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:42.963
19. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:43.217
20. Sergio Fuertes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:43.620

Eric Bostrom Sitting Out Friday AMA Superbike Qualifying, May Not Race At Mid-Ohio

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Eric Bostrom Sitting Out Friday AMA Superbike Qualifying, May Not Race At Mid-Ohio

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom is sitting out AMA Superbike qualifying Friday afternoon and may not race this weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course due to injuries he suffered July 13 in a crash during the World Superbike races at Laguna Seca Raceway.

“I don’t feel so good, obviously,” said Bostrom Friday in the Kawasaki transporter.

After making 20 laps in Superbike practice Friday morning, it became evident to Bostrom that he would not be able to ride competitively this weekend.

“The torn muscle in my ribs on the left side…I can’t turn the bike with that side of my body,” explained Bostrom. “The air in my lungs just evaporates, and it doesn’t come back. I thought I could push the bike around with my right side, but the (shoulder) dislocation is not so good. I thought it wasn’t so bad, but I guess it’s worse than I thought. Basically, I can’t turn the bike with my upper body.”

Wearing a therapeutic ice-water-and-compression wrap, Bostrom said he would wait and see how he feels in Saturday morning’s Superbike qualifying session before deciding whether he would race or not, but he added that he wouldn’t go out and just circulate for points. “I don’t think the team wants that, and I know I don’t want to do that,” said Bostrom.

Eric Bostrom is currently second in the AMA Superbike point standings, six points behind Mat Mladin, with three rounds and six races remaining.



Roberts, Mladin, Pridmore, Yates On Provisional AMA Superbike Front Row At Mid-Ohio

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Roberts, Mladin, Pridmore, Yates On Provisional AMA Superbike Front Row At Mid-Ohio

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday’s Provisional AMA Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:27.383
2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.731
3. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.815
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.972
5. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:28.312
6. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC51, 1:28.681
7. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.734
8. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 998RS, 1:29.220
9. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.362
10. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.441
11. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.653
12. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.659
13. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.671
14. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.787
15. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.845
16. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.345
17. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.587
18. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.696
19. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.801
20. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.905
21. Greg Moore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.211
22. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.267
23. Chris Voelker, Ducati 996, 1:32.335
24. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.681
25. Troy Green, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:32.710


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

AMERICAN SUPERBIKE PROVISIONAL FRONT ROW FOR MLADIN AT MID-OHIO

Lexington, Ohio, USA (Friday, 25 July) – After being the fastest rider on the circuit during the morning’s opening practice session, Australia’s Mat Mladin was pushed back to second in the closing minutes of the first qualifying session for this weekend’s Double-Header AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship being held at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

Mladin, the current points leader in this years 18-race championship, recorded a fastest time of 1-min 27.731-secs during the one-hour timed session before being edged off the top spot by Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts who set the quickest time of 1:27.383 with four minutes of the session remaining.

Third fastest was privateer rider Jason Pridmore (Attack Suzuki, 1:27.815) who split the Yoshimura Suzuki pair of Mladin and Aaron Yates, with Yates being the last rider to dip into the 1:27s with a 1:27.972

“It was fairly difficult out there today,” said Mladin. “The track is definitely bumpier than when we were here last year and I think it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to get near my lap record time from a couple of years ago. The tyre situation is still critical. After having a few options to choose from two weeks ago at Laguna, we arrive here with a reduced selection. I set my time on what could be our race tyre. It was a bit warm this afternoon and with tomorrow’s final session being in the morning, track conditions may be a little cooler and offer something for us.”

Mladin arrives at Mid-Ohio holding a slender, yet important, six-point lead in the series over Team Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom with 12-rounds now completed. This weekend, Bostrom is hampered by injuries that he received at the Laguna Seca round of the World Superbike Championship two weeks ago and opted out of today’s qualifying session in preference to tomorrow’s final session. Yates lies third in the championship, eleven points adrift of Mladin.

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


QUALIFYING, Friday – Top 10
1. Kurtis Roberts (Erion Honda) 1:27.383 mins
2. Mat Mladin (Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:27.731
3. Jason Pridmore (Attack Suzuki) 1:27.815
4. Aaron Yates (Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:27.972
5. Miguel DuHamel (American Honda) 1:28.312
6. Ben Bostrom (American Honda) 1:28.681
7. Ben Spies (Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:28.734
8. Giovanni Bussei (Ducati Austin) 1:29.220
9. Jordan Szoke (Corona Extra Suzuki) 1:29.362
10. Josh Hayes (Attack Suzuki) 1:30.441


MID-OHIO SPORTS CAR COURSE – FAST FACTS

Circuit length: 3.86km / 2.40 miles
2002 Pole position: Nicky Hayden (American Honda) 1:27.130
Lap Record: Mat Mladin (Team Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:26.498 (2001)

2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship (points after 12 of 18 rounds)
1. M Mladin (356); 2. E Bostrom (350); 3. A Yates (345); 4. K Roberts (321); 5. B Bostrom (320); 6. M DuHamel (303); 7. S Higbee (252); 8. J Pridmore (251); 9. L Pegram (211); 10. V Haskovec (199).



AMA Supermoto Race In Colorado Cancelled

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AMA Supermoto Race In Colorado Cancelled

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING CONFIRMS COPPER MOUNTAIN EVENT REMOVED FROM AMA RED BULL SUPERMOTO CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — As announced on July 21, round two of the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship will take place on Aug. 30, 2003 at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Va. It was announced earlier in the year that the series would visit Copper Mountain Ski Resort outside of Denver, Colo., but that event will not take place.

AMA Pro Racing Associate Director of Commercial Development Chris Bradley cited a number of environmental and logistical concerns as the primary reasons the series will not visit Copper Mountain. “It proved to be impossible to construct a track that would meet AMA Pro Racing criteria,” said Bradley. “When we announced the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship in March we believed that the Copper Mountain site could be suitable, but unfortunately, that’s just not the case.”

The opening round of the inaugural AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship took place at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on July, 11-13. The six race series will conclude in Las Vegas on Nov. 21 as part of the AMA Awards Banquet. Details for the remaining three rounds are being finalized and will be announced shortly.

About AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the AMA Supercross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship, the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship and the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship. Nearly 2 million race fans attended AMA Pro Racing events during the 2002 season.

Updated Post: Muggeridge On Provisional World Supersport Pole, Webster Fastest In Sidecar At Brands Hatch

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Updated Post: Muggeridge On Provisional World Supersport Pole, Webster Fastest In Sidecar At Brands Hatch

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn Le Santo

Muggeridge tops wet Supersport qualifying at Brands

The rain fell heavily at Brands Hatch for the first timed qualifying for round eight of the World Supersport championship. But it didn’t bother the toughest competitors in world motorcycle racing who took to the track despite driving rain and standing water on some sections.

Well known throughout the paddock as one of the hard men of the Supersport scene, Ten Kate Honda’s Karl Muggeridge made the best of the conditions to post the fastest lap of 1m 38.786.

“Everyone would rather have sunshine at Brands Hatch but I don’t care about the weather,” said Karl Muggeridge in true Aussie spirit

The wet conditions can be an equalising factor in the race for horsepower, and that’s just what Pere Riba needs right now. He was second fastest on his Kawasaki ZX-6R, continuing the run that started with the ZX-6R’s first win by Riba’s team mate Fabien Foret at Misano.

Former Supermoto champion, Thierry VD Bosch put his sideways skills to good use around the undulating Brands circuit going third fastest on the Yamaha France R6.

Championship leader, Chris Vermeulen was taking it easy on his Ten Kate Honda in the poor conditions, not wanting to risk his championship lead in the appalling conditions. “I’m riding well but not pushing past 100%, there’s no point in risking my championship lead for a wet Friday qualifying session!”



Friday’s World Supersport Qualifying Results:

1. Karl Muggeridge, Honda, 1:38.786
2. Pere Riba, Kawasaki, 1:38.850
3. Thierry Vd Bosch, Yamaha, 1:38.941
4. Michael Laverty, Honda, 1:40.378
5. Chris Vermeulen, Honda, 1:40.433
6. Iain MacPherson, Honda, 1:40.805
7. Stefano Cruciani, Kawasaki, 1:40.861
8. Barry Veneman, Honda, 1:40.941
9. Robert Ulm, Honda, 1:40.945
10. Tom Sykes, Yamaha, 1:41.049
11. Christian Kellner, Yamaha, 1:41.101
12. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki, 1:41.103
13. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki, 1:41.305
14. Dean Thomas, Honda, 1:41.468
15. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda, 1:41.554
16. Broc Parkes, Honda, 1:41.744
17. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha, 1:42.322
18. Gianluca Nannelli, Yamaha, 1:42.595
19. Christophe Cogan, Honda, 1:42.599
20. Werner Daemen, Honda, 1:42.609
21. Jorg Teuchert, Yamaha, 1:42.692
22. Fabien Foret, Kawasaki, 1:42.946
23. Jan Hanson, Honda, 1:43.072
24. Simone Sanna, Yamaha, 1:43.415
25. Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha, 1:43.606
26. Alessio Corradi, Yamaha, 1:43.938
27. Jamie Robinson, Yamaha, 1:44.814



Sidecar Qualifying:
Superside World Championship
Brands Hatch, Europe

1. Steve Webster, GB, Suzuki, 1:43.877
2. Tom Hanks, GB, Yamaha, 1:44.425
3. Jörg Steinhausen, Germany, Suzuki, 1:44.684
4. Tim Reeves, GB, Yamaha, 1:45.136
5. Steve Abbott, GB, Suzuki, 1:45.398
6. Jock Skene, GB, Suzuki, 1:45.744
7. Richard Gatt, GB, Yamaha, 1:47.059
8. Klaus Klaffenböck, Austria, Yamaha, 1:47.184
9. Bill Philp, GB, Yamaha, 1:47.243
10. Martien van Gils, Holland, Suzuki, 1:47.429


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

Rain fails to stop play for Ten Kate Honda at Brands Hatch

Ten Kate Honda rider Karl Muggeridge shrugged off appalling conditions at Brands Hatch for the first timed qualifying session for round eight of the World Supersport Championship.

Muggeridge was typically Australian about the English weather; “Everyone would rather have sunshine at Brands Hatch but I don’t care about the weather! Pirelli have worked very hard and brought along a new wet weather tyre which is working really well.”

Championship leader Chris Vermeulen was unwilling to risk his title lead by pushing too hard in the wet.

“I feel I am riding well but I’m not taking silly risks, I’m not pushing it past 100%,” admitted the young Australian. “It’s not worth the risk, especially as better weather is forecast for later in the weekend. The Honda CBR600RR is working really well here and WP and Pirelli have once again produced the goods.”

The wet conditions always present problems but Ten Kate Honda team manager was satisfied that the team had responded to the challenge – once again.

“It’s a good start back after the short break, despite the rain,” said Ronald ten Kate. “It’s great to be here at Brands Hatch, the circuit is steeped in history and the atmosphere his is brilliant. Of course, we’d rather have good weather but at least it’s given us a chance to work out some settings to go with the new wet weather tyre from Pirelli.”


More, from a press release issued by Superside series organizers:

WEBSTER FASTEST IN THRILLING FINALE

Steve Webster and passenger Paul Woodhead pulled off a dazzling last lap to snatch provisional pole position in Friday’s qualifying session for round six of the Superside World championship at Brands Hatch, Europe.

The teams started on wet-weather tyres but conditions improved during the session leading to changes in tyre selection.

“We had wets to begin with, switched to intermediates and then tried out our slick tyres towards the end,” explained Webster, who continues to astound in qualifying.

The earlier morning times were shattered with regularity as the fight for qualifying supremacy had everyone on tenterhooks until the very last seconds of the session.

Jörg Steinhausen looked set to post the fastest time but the Misano winner was foiled by Webster on his very last lap. Championship leader Klaus Klaffenbock recorded the third fastest time ahead of reigning world champion, Steve Abbott.

“We were in third position on the last lap but lady luck looked down on us. The bike’s really good,” added Webster, who is looking for his fourth win of the campaign.

New boys, Tim and Tristan Reeves, completed the top five and Bill Philp posted an excellent seventh. “We are over the moon with our time given the deficiency we have in horsepower,” said team manager, Lee Collins.

Friday’s Superside World championship qualifying times:
1. Steve Webster, GB (Suzuki) 1:34.015
2. Jörg Steinhausen, Germany (Suzuki) 1:34.892
3. Klaus Klaffenböck, Austria (Yamaha) 1:35.310
4. Steve Abbott, GB (Suzuki) 1:36.050
5. Tim Reeves, GB (Yamaha) 1:36.798
6. Tom Hanks, GB (Yamaha) 1:36.932
7. Bill Philp, GB (Yamaha) 1:36.979
8. Martien van Gils, Holland (Suzuki) 1:37.590
9. Richard Gatt, GB (Yamaha) 1:37.750
10. Gerhard Hauzenberger, Austria (Yamaha) 1:38.587

Updated Post: Rapp Crushes AMA Superstock Lap Record, Takes Pole Position At Mid-Ohio

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Updated Post: Rapp Crushes AMA Superstock Lap Record, Takes Pole Position At Mid-Ohio

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp crushed the AMA Superstock lap record during qualifying Friday at Mid-Ohio to earn pole position for Saturday’s 16-lap race. Rapp’s best lap of 1:29.782 bettered Mike Smith’s mark of 1:31.075 set in 2002 by nearly 1.3 seconds.

“It was just like any other lap,” said Rapp. “I just held it on a little longer, braked a little deeper and got on the gas a little sooner all the way around. My GSX-R750 and my Michelin tires were awesome. I felt like I was hooked up on rails.”

Attack Suzuki’s Josh Hayes, Hooters Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec and Team EMGO Taiwan’s Chris “Opie” Caylor also qualified on the front row with times faster than the old lap record time. In fact, eight riders recorded laps faster than the old record during qualifying Friday.

The session was stopped near the halfway point when Annandale Honda’s Ty Howard crashed in turn nine and needed medical attention. Howard suffered a concussion and was transported to a local hospital for a CT scan, according to Team Manager Anna Johnston.

Friday was Howard’s first time back on track after fracturing his hip in a crash while racing at Pikes Peak International Raceway May 31.

Provisional AMA Superstock Qualifying Results:

1. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.782
2. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.003
3. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.348
4. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.385
5. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.402
6. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.432
7. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.493
8. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.808
9. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.242
10. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:31.250
11. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.594
12. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.737
13. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.894
14. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.896
15. Greg Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.919
16. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:32.021
17. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.126
18. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.254
19. Lance Isaacs, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.397
20. Ty Howard, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.500
21. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.546
22. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:33.239
23. Darren Luck, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.684
24. Jeff Muskopf, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.781
25. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.864
26. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600RR, 1:33.909
27. Jason Peters, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.967
28. Chris Rankin, Honda CBR600RR, 1:33.967
29. Kevin Pate, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.288
30. Steve Atlas, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.327
31. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.340
32. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.369
33. Travis King, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.715
34. Mike Scruggs, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.025
35. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.109
36. Dr. Jeffrey Purk, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.098
37. Jake Johnson, Honda CBR600, 1:36.296
38. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.322
39. Nathan Dressman, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.543
40. Daniel Doty, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.749
41. Joseph Ford, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.863
42. James Kerker, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:37.086
43. Giovanni Rojas, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:37.210
44. Matt Malterer, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.662
45. Michael Kosta, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:38.339
46. Michael Radke, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.551
47. Paul Timman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:38.714
DNQ. David Alley, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:40.622

More, from a press release issued by Marietta Motorsports:

1-888-FASTLAP RIDERS AT MID-OHIO: STOKES WINS AMA HORIZON AWARD, CAYLOR ON
FRONT ROW FOR 750 SUPERSTOCK RACE

LEXINGTON, Oh. – 1-888-FASTLAP’S Brian Stokes and Opie Caylor have had a busy and successful week at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, as each rider has earned new achievements in their racing careers.

Stokes participated in the AMA Grand Championship, held prior to the weekend’s AMA event. Stokes was riding at Mid-Ohio for the first time, and had only four practice sessions before the first race. “The first time I was on the track, I didn’t like it,” commented Stokes. “The third time out, I realized that all of the concrete patches wouldn’t be a problem, and then I hooked up with a couple of guys and that helped.”

Stokes was on the race podium five times during the Grand Championship on the Team Embry/FREEWEBTOWN.com Suzuki GSX-R600 and GSX-R750 machines. He won Supersport and Formula Xtreme, finished second in Middleweight Superbike
and Superbike, and took third in Superstock.

At the end of the event, Stokes was announced as the winner of the annual AMA Sports Horizon Award, a prestigious award that is given to the racer does the best during the Grand Championship and who shows the most potential as a professional racer. Caylor won the Horizon Award in 2002, meaning that a 1-888-FASTLAP rider has been the recipient for the past two years.

“I was really surprised to win the Horizon Award,” enthused Stokes. “The company I am in with that- guys like Nicky Hayden- everybody that has won has gone on to bigger and better things. It’s the biggest accomplishment in road racing that I’ve ever had, and will probably ever have. It’s a big honor and a great privilege.”

Following the Grand Championship, Stokes and Caylor began practice for the Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock race. In qualifying, Caylor turned a fast lap of 1:30.385 on the 1-888-FASTLAP/Team EMGO Taiwan Suzuki GSX-R750 to qualify fourth. It is the best qualifying position Caylor has earned in the series, and it will be his first start from the front row.

Stokes qualified 11th with a time of 1:31.594 on his Suzuki GSX-R750. It was his best time of the entire weekend, and he will start the race from the third row.

The Superstock race will be held on Saturday, July 26, at 3:00 pm EDT.

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

Rapp On Superstock Pole At Mid-Ohio, Re-signs With Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki For 2004

Steve Rapp further cemented his place among the Superstock elite on Friday at Mid-Ohio, qualifying the Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R750 on the pole. The 30-year-old posted a blistering 1:29.782 to claim the honor, more a second beneath than the old track record.

Rapp, the 1998 Mid-Ohio Superstock victor, will be looking to get back to his winning ways in tomorrow’s 16-lap final at the tricky Midwestern track. The Californian saw his two-race win streak snapped last time out at Laguna Seca, when he was forced off track on the opening lap by another rider and made a spirited charge back into the top five.

“We’re on pole again in Superstock, which is great. The bike is handling really well, doing everything I’d like it to do. Thanks to the team for all their hard work,” Steve said after taking pole. “I think there is some more time left in the bike though. I think we can go even faster.

Rapp has re-signed with the team for the 2004 season. “Re-signing with Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki is fantastic. This year has been my best season in a long time and I think we can continue moving forward next year.”

“It’s great to have Steve coming back again,” said Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Keith Perry. “You know he’s always going to give you 100% when he’s out there, and you can’t ask for more than that. We’re starting to get a good understanding of working together and have made some big strides lately. We expect even bigger things in the future.”

Rapp was also in the top ten during both Formula Xtreme practices on Friday.

Defending Mid-Ohio Superstock winner Chris Ulrich will start from third row in his bid to repeat. Ulrich improved upon his morning and afternoon practice rankings to qualify 12th.

Team manager Keith Perry commented further on the team’s Friday. “Today went reasonably well for us. We’re really happy with how things are going on the 750 but we’ve got some work to do yet on the Formula Xtreme bike. This is a tough place to sort out a bigger bike.”

Matt Furtek went home to consult with his doctors after practice on Friday, due to problems with numbness in his right hand.

World Supersport Practice In England Led By Charpentier

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World Supersport Practice In England Led By Charpentier

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning World Supersport Practice Times:

1. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda, 1:38.479
2. Iain MacPherson, Honda, 1:38.749
3. Karl Muggeridge, Honda, 1:38.973
4. Barry Veneman, Honda, 1:39.211
5. Chris Vermeulen, Honda, 1:39.300
6. Robert Ulm, Honda, 1:39.344
7. Michael Laverty, Honda, 1:39.489
8. Jan Hanson, Honda, 1:39.663
9. Christian Kellner, Yamaha, 1:39.719
10. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha, 1:39.851
11. Thierry Vd Bosch, Yamaha, 1:39.871
12. Jorg Teuchert, Yamaha, 1:39.994
13. Pere Riba, Kawasaki, 1:39.995
14. Broc Parkes, Honda, 1:40.071
15. Tom Sykes, Yamaha, 1:40.553
16. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki, 1:40.852
17. Werner Daemen, Honda, 1:41.191
18. Dean Thomas, Honda, 1:41.327
19. Alessio Corradi, Yamaha, 1:41.346
20. Gianluca Nannelli, Yamaha, 1:41.423

Rossi Fastest In Friday Morning MotoGP Practice At Sachsenring

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Rossi Fastest In Friday Morning MotoGP Practice At Sachsenring

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning Practice Times:

MotoGP:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 1:25.210
2. Max Biaggi, Honda, 1:25.219
3. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 1:25.348
4. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 1:25.406
5. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 1:25.537
6. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton, 1:25.701
7. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 1:25.826
8. Tohru Ukawa, Honda, 1:25.893
9. Norick Abe, Yamaha, 1:26.016
10. Alex Barros, Yamaha, 1:26.061
11. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 1:26.082
12. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, 1:26.175
13. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha, 1:26.184
14. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:26.264
15. Garry McCoy, Kawasaki, 1:26.306
16. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha, 1:26.344
17. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, 1:27.027
18. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:27.376
19. Alex Hofmann, Kawasaki, 1:27.417
20. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton, 1:27.461
21. Makato Tamada, Honda, 1:27.602
22. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, 1:27.761
23. Colin Edwards, Aprilia, 1:28.734
24. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 1:29.229
25. David De Gea, ROC Yamaha, 1:29.989
26. Chris Burns, ROC Yamaha, 1:30.326


250cc Grand Prix:

1. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:26.788
2. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:26.818
3. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 1:27.102
4. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:27.125
5. Sebastian Porto, Honda, 1:27.192
6. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 1:27.375
7. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:27.441
8. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:27.674
9. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:27.700
10. Jakub Smrz, Honda, 1:28.443
11. Anthony West, Aprilia, 1:28.469
12. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, 1:28.727
13. Alex Debon, Honda, 1:28.747
14. Chaz Davies, Aprilia, 1:28.748
15. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, 1:28.795


125cc Grand Prix:

1. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:29.692
2. Mika Kallio, Honda, 1:29.831
3. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 1:29.878
4. Max Sabbatani, Aprilia, 1:30.058
5. Youichi Ui, Aprilia, 1:30.114
6. Mirko Giansanti, Aprilia, 1:30.313
7. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 1:30.365
8. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 1:30.509
9. Arnaud Vincent, KTM, 1:30.599
10. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 1:30.621
11. Gabor Talmacsi, Aprilia, 1:30.651
12. Alex DeAngelis, Aprilia, 1:30.765
13. Thomas Luthi, Honda, 1:30.906
14. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 1:30.921
15. Marco Simoncelli, Aprilia, 1:30.925

Updated Post: Friday Afternoon AMA Practice Times From Mid-Ohio

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Updated Post: Friday Afternoon AMA Practice Times From Mid-Ohio

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Afternoon AMA Practice Times:

Supersport:

1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:30.481
2. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:30.727
3. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:30.776
4. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:30.996
5. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:31.345
6. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:31.427
7. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:31.778
8. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:31.924
9. Ty Howard, Honda, 1:31.927
10. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:31.988
11. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:32.019
12. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha, 1:32.020
13. Marty Craggill, Honda, 1:32.270
14. Lance Isaacs, Honda, 1:33.043
15. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:33.138
16. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki, 1:33.525
17. Chris Rankin, Honda, 1:33.781
18. Darren Luck, Suzuki, 1:34.217
19. Jason Curtis, Honda, 1:35.135
20. Dirk Sanchez, Kawasaki, 1:36.608


Formula Xtreme:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.376
2. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.653
3. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.808
4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.112
5. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:29.215
6. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.749
7. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.798
8. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.931
9. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR954RR, 1:30.274
10. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.311
11. Ty Howard, Honda CBR954RR, 1:30.628
12. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 1:30.876
13. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.674
14. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR954RR, 1:32.815
15. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.598
16. Doug Duane, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.083
17. Monte Nichols, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.818
18. Mike Scruggs, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.019
19. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.873
20. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.939


Superstock:

1. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.271
2. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.806
3. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:30.932
4. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.947
5. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.083
6. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.348
7. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.429
8. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.463
9. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.486
10. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.843
11. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.877
12. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:32.086
13. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:32.110
14. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.143
15. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:32.150
16. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:32.527
17. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.538
18. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.757
19. Lance Isaacs, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.760
20. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.772


250cc Grand Prix:

1. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, 1:32.015
2. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 1:32.160
3. Simon Turner, TSR Honda, 1:34.284
4. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 1:34.650
5. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, 1:36.571
6. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, 1:36.660
7. Barrett Long, Yamaha, 1:37.600
8. Geoff Maloney, Yamaha, 1:37.763
9. Greg Esser, Honda, 1:37.792
10. Sandy Noce, Yamaha, 1:37.920
11. John France, Honda, 1:38.163
12. Chris Pyles, Honda, 1:38.420
13. Bill Himmelsbach, Yamaha, 1:39.186
14. Sean Wray, Yamaha, 1:39.485
15. Sean McNew, Honda, 1:39.667
16. Ed Marchini, Yamaha, 1:39.835
17. Shawn Murray, Honda, 1:40.754
18. Steve Scott, Yamaha, 1:40.855
19. Keith Floyd, Yamaha, 1:41.161
20. Mark Stiles, Yamaha, 1:41.477

Updated Post: Xaus Takes Provisional World Superbike Pole Position At Brands Hatch

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Updated Post: Xaus Takes Provisional World Superbike Pole Position At Brands Hatch

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn Le Santo

Brits dominate in wet Brands Hatch World Superbike qualifying

Heavy rain marked the first timed qualifying session for this weekend’s massive World Superbike Championship meeting held at the historic Brands Hatch circuit in South-East England.

Although Ruben Xaus was able to nip into provisional pole ahead of Chris Walker on the HM Plant Ducati right at the close of the session, no less than seven British riders in the top ten head the provisional grid. Walker was demoted to second by a last-gasp charge by Xaus on the factory Ducati.

Regis Laconi made it to provisional third, he’s holding back a tide of wild card riders headed up by Renegade Ducati rider Leon Haslam, young son of former GP star ‘Rocket’ Ron Haslam. Sean Emmett riding a privateer Ducati heads up the provisional second row in front of John Reynolds on the first of the two Rizla Suzukis. James Toseland, who’s shown promising form so far this year, lies in seventh ahead of yet another wild card rider, Michael Rutter.



Friday’s World Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 1:36.441
2. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:36.575
3. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.598
4. Leon Haslam, Ducati 998RS, 1:37.482
5. Sean Emmett, Ducati 998RS, 1:37.756
6. John Reynolds, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.783
7. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:37.825
8. Michael Rutter, Ducati 998F02, 1:37.830
9. Shane Byrne, Ducati 998F02, 1:37.984
10. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.722
11. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.512
12. Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.521
13. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:39.535
14. Sergio Fuertes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.638
15. Dean Ellison, Ducati 996, 1:39.768
16. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:40.245
17. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:40.443
18. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:40.689
19. James Haydon, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:40.924
20. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:41.570
21. Nick Medd, Ducati 998RS, 1:41.663
22. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:41.890
23. steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:42.303
24. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda RC51, 1:42.335
25. Giancarlo De Matteis, Ducati 998RS, 1:42.540
26. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:44.018
27. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:44.372
28. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 998RS, 1:45.089
29. Redamo Assirelli, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:45.185
30. Luca Pedersoli, Ducati 998RS, 1:46.864


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

A Walker on water

Chris Walker backed up his pre-event pledge and gave his legion of fans something to cheer about at the Brands Hatch European round of the Superbike World Championship – the biggest event on championship calendar.

In conditions that could only be described as atrocious, the HM Plant Ducati rider put on a breathtaking display of skill and bravery to take second place on the provisional grid for Sunday’s Superbike double-header. His team-mate James Toseland took a slightly different approach to the session, literally preferring to test the waters with a brisk but reserved seventh place time of 1:37.825, in preparation for Saturday’s second qualifying and Superpole.

The unpredictable nature of the British climate is something UK residents have become accustomed to, however riding a 190bhp Superbike through heavy rain and standing water is a different story all together. Unfortunately, this was the unenviable task that faced the HM Plant Ducati riders when they tackled first qualifying for the ninth round of the series.

After riding injured for several rounds, Walker is determined to make an impact in front of the team’s home crowd. The 31-year-old rider from Nottingham dominated the majority of the timed session. After feeling his way around the slightly revised Grand Prix circuit for the first 20 minutes, the second half of the session saw him turn up the heat considerably – despite the terrible weather. Walker started out fast and just got faster, but he saw provisional pole snatched away from him by Spaniard Ruben Xaus in a last lap charge that left the Brit with no time to retaliate.

“I’ve raced at Brands quite a few times in the past,” said Walker, “but the track conditions round the back of the GP circuit are as bad as I’ve ever seen them. Everybody was taking it easy for the first half of the session and I spent a bit of time getting dialled in, but after a few laps I knew that my Dunlop wets were spot-on and that we had some great settings for the HM Plant Ducati, so I decided to wind it up a bit. It’s supposed to dry out over the weekend which will be better for the fans but I don’t think I’ve ever felt so comfortable in conditions like those and it won’t faze me at all if it keeps on raining.”

James Toseland posted the seventh fastest time of the day. With experienced riders such as Michael Rutter, Frankie Chili, Gregorio Lavilla and Neil Hodgson all circulating slower than the 22-year-old sensation, he is in a strong position for Saturday’s qualifying.

“Chris seems to be on a mission this weekend,” said Toseland. “But for me there wasn’t much point in pushing so early in conditions as bad as those. It was just a case of getting dialled in and sussing the tyres to start with – then everybody upped the pace a bit at the end. The wild cards are always strong in Britain and they didn’t have anything to lose by giving it some today, but the weather forecast is better for tomorrow and if it’s right, today’s times will be blown away.”


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

Rain obstructs Foggy PETRONAS Racing set-up at Brands Hatch

Appalling weather conditions robbed Foggy PETRONAS Racing riders Troy Corser and James Haydon of valuable set-up time on the first day of round nine of the World Superbike championship at Brands Hatch.

Constant rain left standing water on certain sections of the track, in particular the newly-extended sections around Dingle Dell. On the FP1’s first competitive action at the circuit, and with seven wild card riders demonstrating their local knowledge of the Kent circuit, the team had hoped that dry conditions would aid optimum data collection in advance of Sunday’s two races.

James Haydon finished the first practice session in 12th and managed to reduce his lap time during the afternoon’s torrential rain with a best time of 1:41.581, 19th fastest. Team-mate Troy Corser was 17th in both sessions, improving his morning time by nearly two seconds to 1:40.443.

James said: “The conditions were unbelievable, with a lot of standing water, and are probably the worst I have ridden in. It was so dark it was like riding at night. I tried a few different set-ups, none of which were perfect, and I was struggling for front end grip, especially on the left-hand side. But I had forgotten how valuable it is to know which way you are going round a circuit, which made the weather even more frustrating as I know what I need to do round here. I had trained really hard for this event but I am hardened to the task in hand by now.”

Troy said: “I hope it is dry tomorrow because the engine feels more responsive, probably due to the cooler temperature. It’s hard to find a dry line through the new sections as the water is just lying there. But I have managed to get the set-up balanced so that I am reasonably happy with it. I tried a full treaded front at the end and dropped nearly a second and a half and it will be okay if I could get the same feel in the rear.”


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

Third Laconi in a wet Brands Hatch

Bad surprise this morning for the rider at Brands Hatch in the practice’s debut day for the ninth round of World Superbike: an appalling rain scourged the circuit along all the practice time. That’s been a perfect occasion for a challenge between the British rain master riders and the riders from the continent, as at the end have been the winners. Regis Laconi, as third fastest in today’s first qualifying, is the fastest rider on a “replica” bike in a group of eleven factory bikes. The 998RS Ducati Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks has recorded the highest top speed in the speed trap placed in the Hawthorn Hill straight.

“I’m rather satisfied for the moment.” – said Laconi at the end of the practices – “I could grab a faster laptime i the last lap available, but I found a parked rider in the last split and I’ve lost a lot of time to pass. I preferred to went out to get the best feeling with the different tyres and so I mounted the best tyre late in the session. So I hadn’t enough time to try a faster lap, otherwise I believe that I could be a bit faster. The bike performs very well and the engine push hardly. The new track’s profile look to be more safe, also if in the new part the grip in wet conditions isn’t the best.”

Also satisfied at the end of the day Giancarlo De Matteis; the rider native from Sanremo, who replaces the injured Garcia, had never seen neither the track nor the bike, but has been however able to grab a laptime good enough to be qualified, while a total of five rider are at the moment out of qualifying limit.

“I’m quite satisfied about this debut day.” – told at the end De Matteis – “I’m confident to be faster. Actually I’ve not selected the easiest occasion for this debut, on a very hard track and in wet conditions! At the beginning of the session we had a small trouble at the electronic gear, but it has been easily solved. More another problem has been that I’m not allowed to take part at the morning’s free practice session this morning, because after a terrific fly travel yesterday I arrived to late to be present at the compulsory briefing session, and I’ve not admitted to the first free practice session. So I’m confident that tomorrow I’ll be able to do a bit better.”


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

XAUS (DUCATI FILA) GRABS PROVISIONAL POLE AS HODGSON SETS 13TH QUICKEST TIME IN FRIDAY QUALIFYING

Ruben Xaus (Ducati Fila) was the master of the appalling weather conditions in Friday qualifying at Brands Hatch as the Spanish rider put in a quick lap at the end of the session to take provisional pole. Championship leader Neil Hodgson found the going tough on the wet and slippery tarmac and could only set thirteenth quickest time.

Ruben, winner of three of the last four races, was feeling confident after knocking Chris Walker off the top slot with a 1:36.441 lap.

“There’s too much water out there and it’s too cold to heat the tyres up quickly” said Ruben. “I went out to get a good feeling with the different tyres and to get to know how my 999 behaves around Brands Hatch. I wanted to do many laps with that pace in those conditions and I did it. The feeling wasn’t that bad, we tried different set-ups and I’m quite happy for the moment. I’m trying to do as many laps as possible, even in the wet and although the feeling is not the same as in the dry and the track is bumpy, it’s important to do that because we have already missed one day in dry conditions”.

Despite only clocking thirteenth quickest time with a 1:39.535 lap, Neil was not too downhearted with his performance and was confident for tomorrow’s final qualifying sessions.

“I’m getting there now in these conditions and I don’t feel I’m too far off the pace” declared Neil. “I didn’t have a very good feeling early on so now I’m going faster nearly every lap and feeling more and more confident. In my career in wet conditions, I’ve always been slow at the beginning and it takes me a lot to get the right feeling. I need more and more laps to generate more heat in the tyres to get more grip to go faster. It works like that in the wet but today it was a pity because in the final part of the session while the others were improving, my visor misted up and I had to stop and it broke my rhythm”.


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

TROY TAKES IT STEADY IN THE WET.

The first day of qualifying for the eighth round of the Superbike World Champion ship at Brands Hatch was blighted by wet conditions and Troy and
the rest of the riders took it fairly steadily. With the weather scheduled to improve for tomorrow and raceday on Sunday, nobody wanted to risk crashing so early on in the proceedings. Brands Hatch has a new section at Dingle Dell this year and the tarmac there was more slippery then the rest of the track, so caution was the name of the game today. With less tyres to try then his competitors, Troy used today to re-familiarise himself with the track and try and find a good set=up for his Petronas FP1. As the
conditions improved a little in the afternoon, Spaniard Ruben Xaus (Ducati) claimed provisional pole, with Chris Walker (Ducati) second. Regis Laconi (Ducati) set the third fastest time, ahead of Leon Haslam (Ducati) – a superb performance from the youngster who was riding a Superbike for the first time.

TROY – 17th, 1:40.443

Well it’s more or less what we thought today, though we only had one rear tyre to try in the first session and that probably hampered our progress.

We got a good front and I am happy with that, but if I could’ve got a rear with the same feeling, I could’ve gone quite a bit quicker. But in the end, if it is dry tomorrow, then we’ll have to start again anyway! Brands isn’t
one of my favourite circuits and the new section feels a bit different to the rest of the track. We were playing with throttle settings today as
well, so I’m not too bothered about positions. We’ll progress tomorrow for sure.

Walker Tops First World Superbike Practice At Brands Hatch

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc

Friday Morning World Superbike Practice Times:

1. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:36.863
2. Michael Rutter, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.875
3. John Reynolds, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.697
4. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:37.994
5. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:38.090
6. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.138
7. Shane Byrne, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.268
8. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 1:38.403
9. Sean Emmett, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.620
10. Leon Haslam, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.904
11. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.714
12. James Haydon, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:41.581
13. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:41.688
14. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:41.718
15. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:41.886
16. Nick Medd, Ducati 998RS, 1:42.047
17. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:42.148
18. Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:42.963
19. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:43.217
20. Sergio Fuertes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:43.620

Eric Bostrom Sitting Out Friday AMA Superbike Qualifying, May Not Race At Mid-Ohio

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom is sitting out AMA Superbike qualifying Friday afternoon and may not race this weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course due to injuries he suffered July 13 in a crash during the World Superbike races at Laguna Seca Raceway.

“I don’t feel so good, obviously,” said Bostrom Friday in the Kawasaki transporter.

After making 20 laps in Superbike practice Friday morning, it became evident to Bostrom that he would not be able to ride competitively this weekend.

“The torn muscle in my ribs on the left side…I can’t turn the bike with that side of my body,” explained Bostrom. “The air in my lungs just evaporates, and it doesn’t come back. I thought I could push the bike around with my right side, but the (shoulder) dislocation is not so good. I thought it wasn’t so bad, but I guess it’s worse than I thought. Basically, I can’t turn the bike with my upper body.”

Wearing a therapeutic ice-water-and-compression wrap, Bostrom said he would wait and see how he feels in Saturday morning’s Superbike qualifying session before deciding whether he would race or not, but he added that he wouldn’t go out and just circulate for points. “I don’t think the team wants that, and I know I don’t want to do that,” said Bostrom.

Eric Bostrom is currently second in the AMA Superbike point standings, six points behind Mat Mladin, with three rounds and six races remaining.



Roberts, Mladin, Pridmore, Yates On Provisional AMA Superbike Front Row At Mid-Ohio

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday’s Provisional AMA Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:27.383
2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.731
3. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.815
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.972
5. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:28.312
6. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC51, 1:28.681
7. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.734
8. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 998RS, 1:29.220
9. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.362
10. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.441
11. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.653
12. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.659
13. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.671
14. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.787
15. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.845
16. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.345
17. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.587
18. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.696
19. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.801
20. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.905
21. Greg Moore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.211
22. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.267
23. Chris Voelker, Ducati 996, 1:32.335
24. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.681
25. Troy Green, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:32.710


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

AMERICAN SUPERBIKE PROVISIONAL FRONT ROW FOR MLADIN AT MID-OHIO

Lexington, Ohio, USA (Friday, 25 July) – After being the fastest rider on the circuit during the morning’s opening practice session, Australia’s Mat Mladin was pushed back to second in the closing minutes of the first qualifying session for this weekend’s Double-Header AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship being held at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

Mladin, the current points leader in this years 18-race championship, recorded a fastest time of 1-min 27.731-secs during the one-hour timed session before being edged off the top spot by Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts who set the quickest time of 1:27.383 with four minutes of the session remaining.

Third fastest was privateer rider Jason Pridmore (Attack Suzuki, 1:27.815) who split the Yoshimura Suzuki pair of Mladin and Aaron Yates, with Yates being the last rider to dip into the 1:27s with a 1:27.972

“It was fairly difficult out there today,” said Mladin. “The track is definitely bumpier than when we were here last year and I think it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to get near my lap record time from a couple of years ago. The tyre situation is still critical. After having a few options to choose from two weeks ago at Laguna, we arrive here with a reduced selection. I set my time on what could be our race tyre. It was a bit warm this afternoon and with tomorrow’s final session being in the morning, track conditions may be a little cooler and offer something for us.”

Mladin arrives at Mid-Ohio holding a slender, yet important, six-point lead in the series over Team Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom with 12-rounds now completed. This weekend, Bostrom is hampered by injuries that he received at the Laguna Seca round of the World Superbike Championship two weeks ago and opted out of today’s qualifying session in preference to tomorrow’s final session. Yates lies third in the championship, eleven points adrift of Mladin.

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


QUALIFYING, Friday – Top 10
1. Kurtis Roberts (Erion Honda) 1:27.383 mins
2. Mat Mladin (Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:27.731
3. Jason Pridmore (Attack Suzuki) 1:27.815
4. Aaron Yates (Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:27.972
5. Miguel DuHamel (American Honda) 1:28.312
6. Ben Bostrom (American Honda) 1:28.681
7. Ben Spies (Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:28.734
8. Giovanni Bussei (Ducati Austin) 1:29.220
9. Jordan Szoke (Corona Extra Suzuki) 1:29.362
10. Josh Hayes (Attack Suzuki) 1:30.441


MID-OHIO SPORTS CAR COURSE – FAST FACTS

Circuit length: 3.86km / 2.40 miles
2002 Pole position: Nicky Hayden (American Honda) 1:27.130
Lap Record: Mat Mladin (Team Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:26.498 (2001)

2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship (points after 12 of 18 rounds)
1. M Mladin (356); 2. E Bostrom (350); 3. A Yates (345); 4. K Roberts (321); 5. B Bostrom (320); 6. M DuHamel (303); 7. S Higbee (252); 8. J Pridmore (251); 9. L Pegram (211); 10. V Haskovec (199).



AMA Supermoto Race In Colorado Cancelled

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING CONFIRMS COPPER MOUNTAIN EVENT REMOVED FROM AMA RED BULL SUPERMOTO CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — As announced on July 21, round two of the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship will take place on Aug. 30, 2003 at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Va. It was announced earlier in the year that the series would visit Copper Mountain Ski Resort outside of Denver, Colo., but that event will not take place.

AMA Pro Racing Associate Director of Commercial Development Chris Bradley cited a number of environmental and logistical concerns as the primary reasons the series will not visit Copper Mountain. “It proved to be impossible to construct a track that would meet AMA Pro Racing criteria,” said Bradley. “When we announced the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship in March we believed that the Copper Mountain site could be suitable, but unfortunately, that’s just not the case.”

The opening round of the inaugural AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship took place at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on July, 11-13. The six race series will conclude in Las Vegas on Nov. 21 as part of the AMA Awards Banquet. Details for the remaining three rounds are being finalized and will be announced shortly.

About AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the AMA Supercross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship, the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship and the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship. Nearly 2 million race fans attended AMA Pro Racing events during the 2002 season.

Updated Post: Muggeridge On Provisional World Supersport Pole, Webster Fastest In Sidecar At Brands Hatch

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn Le Santo

Muggeridge tops wet Supersport qualifying at Brands

The rain fell heavily at Brands Hatch for the first timed qualifying for round eight of the World Supersport championship. But it didn’t bother the toughest competitors in world motorcycle racing who took to the track despite driving rain and standing water on some sections.

Well known throughout the paddock as one of the hard men of the Supersport scene, Ten Kate Honda’s Karl Muggeridge made the best of the conditions to post the fastest lap of 1m 38.786.

“Everyone would rather have sunshine at Brands Hatch but I don’t care about the weather,” said Karl Muggeridge in true Aussie spirit

The wet conditions can be an equalising factor in the race for horsepower, and that’s just what Pere Riba needs right now. He was second fastest on his Kawasaki ZX-6R, continuing the run that started with the ZX-6R’s first win by Riba’s team mate Fabien Foret at Misano.

Former Supermoto champion, Thierry VD Bosch put his sideways skills to good use around the undulating Brands circuit going third fastest on the Yamaha France R6.

Championship leader, Chris Vermeulen was taking it easy on his Ten Kate Honda in the poor conditions, not wanting to risk his championship lead in the appalling conditions. “I’m riding well but not pushing past 100%, there’s no point in risking my championship lead for a wet Friday qualifying session!”



Friday’s World Supersport Qualifying Results:

1. Karl Muggeridge, Honda, 1:38.786
2. Pere Riba, Kawasaki, 1:38.850
3. Thierry Vd Bosch, Yamaha, 1:38.941
4. Michael Laverty, Honda, 1:40.378
5. Chris Vermeulen, Honda, 1:40.433
6. Iain MacPherson, Honda, 1:40.805
7. Stefano Cruciani, Kawasaki, 1:40.861
8. Barry Veneman, Honda, 1:40.941
9. Robert Ulm, Honda, 1:40.945
10. Tom Sykes, Yamaha, 1:41.049
11. Christian Kellner, Yamaha, 1:41.101
12. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki, 1:41.103
13. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki, 1:41.305
14. Dean Thomas, Honda, 1:41.468
15. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda, 1:41.554
16. Broc Parkes, Honda, 1:41.744
17. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha, 1:42.322
18. Gianluca Nannelli, Yamaha, 1:42.595
19. Christophe Cogan, Honda, 1:42.599
20. Werner Daemen, Honda, 1:42.609
21. Jorg Teuchert, Yamaha, 1:42.692
22. Fabien Foret, Kawasaki, 1:42.946
23. Jan Hanson, Honda, 1:43.072
24. Simone Sanna, Yamaha, 1:43.415
25. Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha, 1:43.606
26. Alessio Corradi, Yamaha, 1:43.938
27. Jamie Robinson, Yamaha, 1:44.814



Sidecar Qualifying:
Superside World Championship
Brands Hatch, Europe

1. Steve Webster, GB, Suzuki, 1:43.877
2. Tom Hanks, GB, Yamaha, 1:44.425
3. Jörg Steinhausen, Germany, Suzuki, 1:44.684
4. Tim Reeves, GB, Yamaha, 1:45.136
5. Steve Abbott, GB, Suzuki, 1:45.398
6. Jock Skene, GB, Suzuki, 1:45.744
7. Richard Gatt, GB, Yamaha, 1:47.059
8. Klaus Klaffenböck, Austria, Yamaha, 1:47.184
9. Bill Philp, GB, Yamaha, 1:47.243
10. Martien van Gils, Holland, Suzuki, 1:47.429


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

Rain fails to stop play for Ten Kate Honda at Brands Hatch

Ten Kate Honda rider Karl Muggeridge shrugged off appalling conditions at Brands Hatch for the first timed qualifying session for round eight of the World Supersport Championship.

Muggeridge was typically Australian about the English weather; “Everyone would rather have sunshine at Brands Hatch but I don’t care about the weather! Pirelli have worked very hard and brought along a new wet weather tyre which is working really well.”

Championship leader Chris Vermeulen was unwilling to risk his title lead by pushing too hard in the wet.

“I feel I am riding well but I’m not taking silly risks, I’m not pushing it past 100%,” admitted the young Australian. “It’s not worth the risk, especially as better weather is forecast for later in the weekend. The Honda CBR600RR is working really well here and WP and Pirelli have once again produced the goods.”

The wet conditions always present problems but Ten Kate Honda team manager was satisfied that the team had responded to the challenge – once again.

“It’s a good start back after the short break, despite the rain,” said Ronald ten Kate. “It’s great to be here at Brands Hatch, the circuit is steeped in history and the atmosphere his is brilliant. Of course, we’d rather have good weather but at least it’s given us a chance to work out some settings to go with the new wet weather tyre from Pirelli.”


More, from a press release issued by Superside series organizers:

WEBSTER FASTEST IN THRILLING FINALE

Steve Webster and passenger Paul Woodhead pulled off a dazzling last lap to snatch provisional pole position in Friday’s qualifying session for round six of the Superside World championship at Brands Hatch, Europe.

The teams started on wet-weather tyres but conditions improved during the session leading to changes in tyre selection.

“We had wets to begin with, switched to intermediates and then tried out our slick tyres towards the end,” explained Webster, who continues to astound in qualifying.

The earlier morning times were shattered with regularity as the fight for qualifying supremacy had everyone on tenterhooks until the very last seconds of the session.

Jörg Steinhausen looked set to post the fastest time but the Misano winner was foiled by Webster on his very last lap. Championship leader Klaus Klaffenbock recorded the third fastest time ahead of reigning world champion, Steve Abbott.

“We were in third position on the last lap but lady luck looked down on us. The bike’s really good,” added Webster, who is looking for his fourth win of the campaign.

New boys, Tim and Tristan Reeves, completed the top five and Bill Philp posted an excellent seventh. “We are over the moon with our time given the deficiency we have in horsepower,” said team manager, Lee Collins.

Friday’s Superside World championship qualifying times:
1. Steve Webster, GB (Suzuki) 1:34.015
2. Jörg Steinhausen, Germany (Suzuki) 1:34.892
3. Klaus Klaffenböck, Austria (Yamaha) 1:35.310
4. Steve Abbott, GB (Suzuki) 1:36.050
5. Tim Reeves, GB (Yamaha) 1:36.798
6. Tom Hanks, GB (Yamaha) 1:36.932
7. Bill Philp, GB (Yamaha) 1:36.979
8. Martien van Gils, Holland (Suzuki) 1:37.590
9. Richard Gatt, GB (Yamaha) 1:37.750
10. Gerhard Hauzenberger, Austria (Yamaha) 1:38.587

Updated Post: Rapp Crushes AMA Superstock Lap Record, Takes Pole Position At Mid-Ohio

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp crushed the AMA Superstock lap record during qualifying Friday at Mid-Ohio to earn pole position for Saturday’s 16-lap race. Rapp’s best lap of 1:29.782 bettered Mike Smith’s mark of 1:31.075 set in 2002 by nearly 1.3 seconds.

“It was just like any other lap,” said Rapp. “I just held it on a little longer, braked a little deeper and got on the gas a little sooner all the way around. My GSX-R750 and my Michelin tires were awesome. I felt like I was hooked up on rails.”

Attack Suzuki’s Josh Hayes, Hooters Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec and Team EMGO Taiwan’s Chris “Opie” Caylor also qualified on the front row with times faster than the old lap record time. In fact, eight riders recorded laps faster than the old record during qualifying Friday.

The session was stopped near the halfway point when Annandale Honda’s Ty Howard crashed in turn nine and needed medical attention. Howard suffered a concussion and was transported to a local hospital for a CT scan, according to Team Manager Anna Johnston.

Friday was Howard’s first time back on track after fracturing his hip in a crash while racing at Pikes Peak International Raceway May 31.

Provisional AMA Superstock Qualifying Results:

1. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.782
2. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.003
3. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.348
4. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.385
5. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.402
6. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.432
7. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.493
8. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.808
9. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.242
10. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:31.250
11. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.594
12. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.737
13. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.894
14. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.896
15. Greg Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.919
16. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:32.021
17. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.126
18. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.254
19. Lance Isaacs, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.397
20. Ty Howard, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.500
21. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.546
22. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:33.239
23. Darren Luck, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.684
24. Jeff Muskopf, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.781
25. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.864
26. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600RR, 1:33.909
27. Jason Peters, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.967
28. Chris Rankin, Honda CBR600RR, 1:33.967
29. Kevin Pate, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.288
30. Steve Atlas, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.327
31. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.340
32. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.369
33. Travis King, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.715
34. Mike Scruggs, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.025
35. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.109
36. Dr. Jeffrey Purk, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.098
37. Jake Johnson, Honda CBR600, 1:36.296
38. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.322
39. Nathan Dressman, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.543
40. Daniel Doty, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.749
41. Joseph Ford, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.863
42. James Kerker, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:37.086
43. Giovanni Rojas, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:37.210
44. Matt Malterer, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.662
45. Michael Kosta, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:38.339
46. Michael Radke, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.551
47. Paul Timman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:38.714
DNQ. David Alley, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:40.622

More, from a press release issued by Marietta Motorsports:

1-888-FASTLAP RIDERS AT MID-OHIO: STOKES WINS AMA HORIZON AWARD, CAYLOR ON
FRONT ROW FOR 750 SUPERSTOCK RACE

LEXINGTON, Oh. – 1-888-FASTLAP’S Brian Stokes and Opie Caylor have had a busy and successful week at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, as each rider has earned new achievements in their racing careers.

Stokes participated in the AMA Grand Championship, held prior to the weekend’s AMA event. Stokes was riding at Mid-Ohio for the first time, and had only four practice sessions before the first race. “The first time I was on the track, I didn’t like it,” commented Stokes. “The third time out, I realized that all of the concrete patches wouldn’t be a problem, and then I hooked up with a couple of guys and that helped.”

Stokes was on the race podium five times during the Grand Championship on the Team Embry/FREEWEBTOWN.com Suzuki GSX-R600 and GSX-R750 machines. He won Supersport and Formula Xtreme, finished second in Middleweight Superbike
and Superbike, and took third in Superstock.

At the end of the event, Stokes was announced as the winner of the annual AMA Sports Horizon Award, a prestigious award that is given to the racer does the best during the Grand Championship and who shows the most potential as a professional racer. Caylor won the Horizon Award in 2002, meaning that a 1-888-FASTLAP rider has been the recipient for the past two years.

“I was really surprised to win the Horizon Award,” enthused Stokes. “The company I am in with that- guys like Nicky Hayden- everybody that has won has gone on to bigger and better things. It’s the biggest accomplishment in road racing that I’ve ever had, and will probably ever have. It’s a big honor and a great privilege.”

Following the Grand Championship, Stokes and Caylor began practice for the Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock race. In qualifying, Caylor turned a fast lap of 1:30.385 on the 1-888-FASTLAP/Team EMGO Taiwan Suzuki GSX-R750 to qualify fourth. It is the best qualifying position Caylor has earned in the series, and it will be his first start from the front row.

Stokes qualified 11th with a time of 1:31.594 on his Suzuki GSX-R750. It was his best time of the entire weekend, and he will start the race from the third row.

The Superstock race will be held on Saturday, July 26, at 3:00 pm EDT.

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

Rapp On Superstock Pole At Mid-Ohio, Re-signs With Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki For 2004

Steve Rapp further cemented his place among the Superstock elite on Friday at Mid-Ohio, qualifying the Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R750 on the pole. The 30-year-old posted a blistering 1:29.782 to claim the honor, more a second beneath than the old track record.

Rapp, the 1998 Mid-Ohio Superstock victor, will be looking to get back to his winning ways in tomorrow’s 16-lap final at the tricky Midwestern track. The Californian saw his two-race win streak snapped last time out at Laguna Seca, when he was forced off track on the opening lap by another rider and made a spirited charge back into the top five.

“We’re on pole again in Superstock, which is great. The bike is handling really well, doing everything I’d like it to do. Thanks to the team for all their hard work,” Steve said after taking pole. “I think there is some more time left in the bike though. I think we can go even faster.

Rapp has re-signed with the team for the 2004 season. “Re-signing with Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki is fantastic. This year has been my best season in a long time and I think we can continue moving forward next year.”

“It’s great to have Steve coming back again,” said Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Keith Perry. “You know he’s always going to give you 100% when he’s out there, and you can’t ask for more than that. We’re starting to get a good understanding of working together and have made some big strides lately. We expect even bigger things in the future.”

Rapp was also in the top ten during both Formula Xtreme practices on Friday.

Defending Mid-Ohio Superstock winner Chris Ulrich will start from third row in his bid to repeat. Ulrich improved upon his morning and afternoon practice rankings to qualify 12th.

Team manager Keith Perry commented further on the team’s Friday. “Today went reasonably well for us. We’re really happy with how things are going on the 750 but we’ve got some work to do yet on the Formula Xtreme bike. This is a tough place to sort out a bigger bike.”

Matt Furtek went home to consult with his doctors after practice on Friday, due to problems with numbness in his right hand.

World Supersport Practice In England Led By Charpentier

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning World Supersport Practice Times:

1. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda, 1:38.479
2. Iain MacPherson, Honda, 1:38.749
3. Karl Muggeridge, Honda, 1:38.973
4. Barry Veneman, Honda, 1:39.211
5. Chris Vermeulen, Honda, 1:39.300
6. Robert Ulm, Honda, 1:39.344
7. Michael Laverty, Honda, 1:39.489
8. Jan Hanson, Honda, 1:39.663
9. Christian Kellner, Yamaha, 1:39.719
10. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha, 1:39.851
11. Thierry Vd Bosch, Yamaha, 1:39.871
12. Jorg Teuchert, Yamaha, 1:39.994
13. Pere Riba, Kawasaki, 1:39.995
14. Broc Parkes, Honda, 1:40.071
15. Tom Sykes, Yamaha, 1:40.553
16. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki, 1:40.852
17. Werner Daemen, Honda, 1:41.191
18. Dean Thomas, Honda, 1:41.327
19. Alessio Corradi, Yamaha, 1:41.346
20. Gianluca Nannelli, Yamaha, 1:41.423

Rossi Fastest In Friday Morning MotoGP Practice At Sachsenring

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning Practice Times:

MotoGP:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 1:25.210
2. Max Biaggi, Honda, 1:25.219
3. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 1:25.348
4. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 1:25.406
5. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 1:25.537
6. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton, 1:25.701
7. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 1:25.826
8. Tohru Ukawa, Honda, 1:25.893
9. Norick Abe, Yamaha, 1:26.016
10. Alex Barros, Yamaha, 1:26.061
11. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 1:26.082
12. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, 1:26.175
13. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha, 1:26.184
14. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:26.264
15. Garry McCoy, Kawasaki, 1:26.306
16. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha, 1:26.344
17. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, 1:27.027
18. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:27.376
19. Alex Hofmann, Kawasaki, 1:27.417
20. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton, 1:27.461
21. Makato Tamada, Honda, 1:27.602
22. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, 1:27.761
23. Colin Edwards, Aprilia, 1:28.734
24. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 1:29.229
25. David De Gea, ROC Yamaha, 1:29.989
26. Chris Burns, ROC Yamaha, 1:30.326


250cc Grand Prix:

1. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:26.788
2. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:26.818
3. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 1:27.102
4. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:27.125
5. Sebastian Porto, Honda, 1:27.192
6. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 1:27.375
7. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:27.441
8. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:27.674
9. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:27.700
10. Jakub Smrz, Honda, 1:28.443
11. Anthony West, Aprilia, 1:28.469
12. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, 1:28.727
13. Alex Debon, Honda, 1:28.747
14. Chaz Davies, Aprilia, 1:28.748
15. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, 1:28.795


125cc Grand Prix:

1. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:29.692
2. Mika Kallio, Honda, 1:29.831
3. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 1:29.878
4. Max Sabbatani, Aprilia, 1:30.058
5. Youichi Ui, Aprilia, 1:30.114
6. Mirko Giansanti, Aprilia, 1:30.313
7. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 1:30.365
8. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 1:30.509
9. Arnaud Vincent, KTM, 1:30.599
10. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 1:30.621
11. Gabor Talmacsi, Aprilia, 1:30.651
12. Alex DeAngelis, Aprilia, 1:30.765
13. Thomas Luthi, Honda, 1:30.906
14. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 1:30.921
15. Marco Simoncelli, Aprilia, 1:30.925

Updated Post: Friday Afternoon AMA Practice Times From Mid-Ohio

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Afternoon AMA Practice Times:

Supersport:

1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:30.481
2. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:30.727
3. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:30.776
4. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:30.996
5. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:31.345
6. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:31.427
7. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:31.778
8. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:31.924
9. Ty Howard, Honda, 1:31.927
10. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:31.988
11. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:32.019
12. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha, 1:32.020
13. Marty Craggill, Honda, 1:32.270
14. Lance Isaacs, Honda, 1:33.043
15. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:33.138
16. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki, 1:33.525
17. Chris Rankin, Honda, 1:33.781
18. Darren Luck, Suzuki, 1:34.217
19. Jason Curtis, Honda, 1:35.135
20. Dirk Sanchez, Kawasaki, 1:36.608


Formula Xtreme:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.376
2. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.653
3. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.808
4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.112
5. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:29.215
6. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.749
7. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.798
8. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.931
9. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR954RR, 1:30.274
10. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.311
11. Ty Howard, Honda CBR954RR, 1:30.628
12. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 1:30.876
13. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.674
14. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR954RR, 1:32.815
15. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.598
16. Doug Duane, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.083
17. Monte Nichols, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.818
18. Mike Scruggs, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.019
19. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.873
20. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.939


Superstock:

1. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.271
2. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.806
3. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:30.932
4. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.947
5. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.083
6. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.348
7. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.429
8. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.463
9. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.486
10. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.843
11. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.877
12. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:32.086
13. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:32.110
14. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.143
15. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:32.150
16. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:32.527
17. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.538
18. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.757
19. Lance Isaacs, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.760
20. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.772


250cc Grand Prix:

1. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, 1:32.015
2. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 1:32.160
3. Simon Turner, TSR Honda, 1:34.284
4. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 1:34.650
5. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, 1:36.571
6. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, 1:36.660
7. Barrett Long, Yamaha, 1:37.600
8. Geoff Maloney, Yamaha, 1:37.763
9. Greg Esser, Honda, 1:37.792
10. Sandy Noce, Yamaha, 1:37.920
11. John France, Honda, 1:38.163
12. Chris Pyles, Honda, 1:38.420
13. Bill Himmelsbach, Yamaha, 1:39.186
14. Sean Wray, Yamaha, 1:39.485
15. Sean McNew, Honda, 1:39.667
16. Ed Marchini, Yamaha, 1:39.835
17. Shawn Murray, Honda, 1:40.754
18. Steve Scott, Yamaha, 1:40.855
19. Keith Floyd, Yamaha, 1:41.161
20. Mark Stiles, Yamaha, 1:41.477

Updated Post: Xaus Takes Provisional World Superbike Pole Position At Brands Hatch

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn Le Santo

Brits dominate in wet Brands Hatch World Superbike qualifying

Heavy rain marked the first timed qualifying session for this weekend’s massive World Superbike Championship meeting held at the historic Brands Hatch circuit in South-East England.

Although Ruben Xaus was able to nip into provisional pole ahead of Chris Walker on the HM Plant Ducati right at the close of the session, no less than seven British riders in the top ten head the provisional grid. Walker was demoted to second by a last-gasp charge by Xaus on the factory Ducati.

Regis Laconi made it to provisional third, he’s holding back a tide of wild card riders headed up by Renegade Ducati rider Leon Haslam, young son of former GP star ‘Rocket’ Ron Haslam. Sean Emmett riding a privateer Ducati heads up the provisional second row in front of John Reynolds on the first of the two Rizla Suzukis. James Toseland, who’s shown promising form so far this year, lies in seventh ahead of yet another wild card rider, Michael Rutter.



Friday’s World Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 1:36.441
2. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:36.575
3. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.598
4. Leon Haslam, Ducati 998RS, 1:37.482
5. Sean Emmett, Ducati 998RS, 1:37.756
6. John Reynolds, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.783
7. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:37.825
8. Michael Rutter, Ducati 998F02, 1:37.830
9. Shane Byrne, Ducati 998F02, 1:37.984
10. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.722
11. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.512
12. Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.521
13. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:39.535
14. Sergio Fuertes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.638
15. Dean Ellison, Ducati 996, 1:39.768
16. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:40.245
17. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:40.443
18. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:40.689
19. James Haydon, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:40.924
20. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:41.570
21. Nick Medd, Ducati 998RS, 1:41.663
22. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:41.890
23. steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:42.303
24. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda RC51, 1:42.335
25. Giancarlo De Matteis, Ducati 998RS, 1:42.540
26. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:44.018
27. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:44.372
28. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 998RS, 1:45.089
29. Redamo Assirelli, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:45.185
30. Luca Pedersoli, Ducati 998RS, 1:46.864


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

A Walker on water

Chris Walker backed up his pre-event pledge and gave his legion of fans something to cheer about at the Brands Hatch European round of the Superbike World Championship – the biggest event on championship calendar.

In conditions that could only be described as atrocious, the HM Plant Ducati rider put on a breathtaking display of skill and bravery to take second place on the provisional grid for Sunday’s Superbike double-header. His team-mate James Toseland took a slightly different approach to the session, literally preferring to test the waters with a brisk but reserved seventh place time of 1:37.825, in preparation for Saturday’s second qualifying and Superpole.

The unpredictable nature of the British climate is something UK residents have become accustomed to, however riding a 190bhp Superbike through heavy rain and standing water is a different story all together. Unfortunately, this was the unenviable task that faced the HM Plant Ducati riders when they tackled first qualifying for the ninth round of the series.

After riding injured for several rounds, Walker is determined to make an impact in front of the team’s home crowd. The 31-year-old rider from Nottingham dominated the majority of the timed session. After feeling his way around the slightly revised Grand Prix circuit for the first 20 minutes, the second half of the session saw him turn up the heat considerably – despite the terrible weather. Walker started out fast and just got faster, but he saw provisional pole snatched away from him by Spaniard Ruben Xaus in a last lap charge that left the Brit with no time to retaliate.

“I’ve raced at Brands quite a few times in the past,” said Walker, “but the track conditions round the back of the GP circuit are as bad as I’ve ever seen them. Everybody was taking it easy for the first half of the session and I spent a bit of time getting dialled in, but after a few laps I knew that my Dunlop wets were spot-on and that we had some great settings for the HM Plant Ducati, so I decided to wind it up a bit. It’s supposed to dry out over the weekend which will be better for the fans but I don’t think I’ve ever felt so comfortable in conditions like those and it won’t faze me at all if it keeps on raining.”

James Toseland posted the seventh fastest time of the day. With experienced riders such as Michael Rutter, Frankie Chili, Gregorio Lavilla and Neil Hodgson all circulating slower than the 22-year-old sensation, he is in a strong position for Saturday’s qualifying.

“Chris seems to be on a mission this weekend,” said Toseland. “But for me there wasn’t much point in pushing so early in conditions as bad as those. It was just a case of getting dialled in and sussing the tyres to start with – then everybody upped the pace a bit at the end. The wild cards are always strong in Britain and they didn’t have anything to lose by giving it some today, but the weather forecast is better for tomorrow and if it’s right, today’s times will be blown away.”


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

Rain obstructs Foggy PETRONAS Racing set-up at Brands Hatch

Appalling weather conditions robbed Foggy PETRONAS Racing riders Troy Corser and James Haydon of valuable set-up time on the first day of round nine of the World Superbike championship at Brands Hatch.

Constant rain left standing water on certain sections of the track, in particular the newly-extended sections around Dingle Dell. On the FP1’s first competitive action at the circuit, and with seven wild card riders demonstrating their local knowledge of the Kent circuit, the team had hoped that dry conditions would aid optimum data collection in advance of Sunday’s two races.

James Haydon finished the first practice session in 12th and managed to reduce his lap time during the afternoon’s torrential rain with a best time of 1:41.581, 19th fastest. Team-mate Troy Corser was 17th in both sessions, improving his morning time by nearly two seconds to 1:40.443.

James said: “The conditions were unbelievable, with a lot of standing water, and are probably the worst I have ridden in. It was so dark it was like riding at night. I tried a few different set-ups, none of which were perfect, and I was struggling for front end grip, especially on the left-hand side. But I had forgotten how valuable it is to know which way you are going round a circuit, which made the weather even more frustrating as I know what I need to do round here. I had trained really hard for this event but I am hardened to the task in hand by now.”

Troy said: “I hope it is dry tomorrow because the engine feels more responsive, probably due to the cooler temperature. It’s hard to find a dry line through the new sections as the water is just lying there. But I have managed to get the set-up balanced so that I am reasonably happy with it. I tried a full treaded front at the end and dropped nearly a second and a half and it will be okay if I could get the same feel in the rear.”


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

Third Laconi in a wet Brands Hatch

Bad surprise this morning for the rider at Brands Hatch in the practice’s debut day for the ninth round of World Superbike: an appalling rain scourged the circuit along all the practice time. That’s been a perfect occasion for a challenge between the British rain master riders and the riders from the continent, as at the end have been the winners. Regis Laconi, as third fastest in today’s first qualifying, is the fastest rider on a “replica” bike in a group of eleven factory bikes. The 998RS Ducati Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks has recorded the highest top speed in the speed trap placed in the Hawthorn Hill straight.

“I’m rather satisfied for the moment.” – said Laconi at the end of the practices – “I could grab a faster laptime i the last lap available, but I found a parked rider in the last split and I’ve lost a lot of time to pass. I preferred to went out to get the best feeling with the different tyres and so I mounted the best tyre late in the session. So I hadn’t enough time to try a faster lap, otherwise I believe that I could be a bit faster. The bike performs very well and the engine push hardly. The new track’s profile look to be more safe, also if in the new part the grip in wet conditions isn’t the best.”

Also satisfied at the end of the day Giancarlo De Matteis; the rider native from Sanremo, who replaces the injured Garcia, had never seen neither the track nor the bike, but has been however able to grab a laptime good enough to be qualified, while a total of five rider are at the moment out of qualifying limit.

“I’m quite satisfied about this debut day.” – told at the end De Matteis – “I’m confident to be faster. Actually I’ve not selected the easiest occasion for this debut, on a very hard track and in wet conditions! At the beginning of the session we had a small trouble at the electronic gear, but it has been easily solved. More another problem has been that I’m not allowed to take part at the morning’s free practice session this morning, because after a terrific fly travel yesterday I arrived to late to be present at the compulsory briefing session, and I’ve not admitted to the first free practice session. So I’m confident that tomorrow I’ll be able to do a bit better.”


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

XAUS (DUCATI FILA) GRABS PROVISIONAL POLE AS HODGSON SETS 13TH QUICKEST TIME IN FRIDAY QUALIFYING

Ruben Xaus (Ducati Fila) was the master of the appalling weather conditions in Friday qualifying at Brands Hatch as the Spanish rider put in a quick lap at the end of the session to take provisional pole. Championship leader Neil Hodgson found the going tough on the wet and slippery tarmac and could only set thirteenth quickest time.

Ruben, winner of three of the last four races, was feeling confident after knocking Chris Walker off the top slot with a 1:36.441 lap.

“There’s too much water out there and it’s too cold to heat the tyres up quickly” said Ruben. “I went out to get a good feeling with the different tyres and to get to know how my 999 behaves around Brands Hatch. I wanted to do many laps with that pace in those conditions and I did it. The feeling wasn’t that bad, we tried different set-ups and I’m quite happy for the moment. I’m trying to do as many laps as possible, even in the wet and although the feeling is not the same as in the dry and the track is bumpy, it’s important to do that because we have already missed one day in dry conditions”.

Despite only clocking thirteenth quickest time with a 1:39.535 lap, Neil was not too downhearted with his performance and was confident for tomorrow’s final qualifying sessions.

“I’m getting there now in these conditions and I don’t feel I’m too far off the pace” declared Neil. “I didn’t have a very good feeling early on so now I’m going faster nearly every lap and feeling more and more confident. In my career in wet conditions, I’ve always been slow at the beginning and it takes me a lot to get the right feeling. I need more and more laps to generate more heat in the tyres to get more grip to go faster. It works like that in the wet but today it was a pity because in the final part of the session while the others were improving, my visor misted up and I had to stop and it broke my rhythm”.


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

TROY TAKES IT STEADY IN THE WET.

The first day of qualifying for the eighth round of the Superbike World Champion ship at Brands Hatch was blighted by wet conditions and Troy and
the rest of the riders took it fairly steadily. With the weather scheduled to improve for tomorrow and raceday on Sunday, nobody wanted to risk crashing so early on in the proceedings. Brands Hatch has a new section at Dingle Dell this year and the tarmac there was more slippery then the rest of the track, so caution was the name of the game today. With less tyres to try then his competitors, Troy used today to re-familiarise himself with the track and try and find a good set=up for his Petronas FP1. As the
conditions improved a little in the afternoon, Spaniard Ruben Xaus (Ducati) claimed provisional pole, with Chris Walker (Ducati) second. Regis Laconi (Ducati) set the third fastest time, ahead of Leon Haslam (Ducati) – a superb performance from the youngster who was riding a Superbike for the first time.

TROY – 17th, 1:40.443

Well it’s more or less what we thought today, though we only had one rear tyre to try in the first session and that probably hampered our progress.

We got a good front and I am happy with that, but if I could’ve got a rear with the same feeling, I could’ve gone quite a bit quicker. But in the end, if it is dry tomorrow, then we’ll have to start again anyway! Brands isn’t
one of my favourite circuits and the new section feels a bit different to the rest of the track. We were playing with throttle settings today as
well, so I’m not too bothered about positions. We’ll progress tomorrow for sure.

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