Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

World Superbike Race One
Laguna Seca Raceway, 28 laps
1. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati
2. Neil Hodgson, Ducati, -3.068 seconds
3. James Toseland, Ducati, -6.072
4. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, -12.322
5. Chris Walker, Ducati, -21.605
6. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, -21.891
7. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati, -27.068
8. Troy Corser, Petronas, -49.287
9. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki, -49.679
10. Marco Borciani, Ducati, -50.261
11. Juan Borja, Ducati, -67.878
12. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda, -1 lap
13. L. Pedersoli, Ducati, -1 lap
14. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki, -6 laps, DNF, crash
15. Regis Laconi, Ducati, -12 laps, DNF, crash
16. Ruben Xaus, Ducati, -17 laps, DNF, crash
17. Steve Martin, Ducati, -17 laps, DNF, crash
18. L. Pedercini, Ducati, -17 laps, DNF, crash
19. David Garcia, Ducati, -24 laps, DNF, mechanical
20. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati, -24 laps, DNF, mechanical
21. James Hayden, Petronas, -27 laps, DNF, crash
22. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki, -27 laps, DNF, crash
23. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, DNS, crash



Lap Leaders
Laconi, laps 1-3
Mladin, laps 4-8
Xaus, laps 9-11
Mladin, lap 12
Laconi, laps 13-16
Chili, laps 17-28


Note: American Suzuki Racing PR rep Wendy Black announced that Mat Mladin would not participate in the second World Superbike race at Laguna Seca.


More, from a press release issued by Yoshimura Suzuki:

It is with great disappointment that Team Yoshimura Suzuki announces that current AMA Superbike Championship points leader Mat Mladin is unable to compete in the second leg of today’s SBK Superbike World Championship race.

According to the team, Mladin is feeling a little under the weather and knows he can’t give 100 percent during the race. In the best interest of overall rider safety, the team feels it’s better for Mladin to sit out this race.

“After this weekend, I’m just out of gas,” said Mladin. “It’s just been too big of a weekend. About halfway through the first race, I realized that I couldn’t keep up the pace. I’ve just put in too many laps at too high of a level. With all of the crashes and with what happened to Eric Bostrom, I just don’t want to go out and try to be a hero. I’d rather play it smart.”


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

Podium finish for Toseland at Laguna Seca

James Toseland finished third in an action-packed first race at the eighth round of the Superbike World Championship at Laguna Seca behind fellow Ducati riders Frankie Chili and Neil Hodgson. The 22-year-old Sheffield star rode a calculated race on his HM Plant Ducati to collect a deserved podium finish with his team-mate Chris Walker taking fifth position after 28 laps around the undulating Californian track.

There was a dramatic start to the race with a multi-bike pile-up going into turn two. The carnage led to a restart, which worked out well for Toseland – he had stalled his bike on the warm-up lap and missed the start. So, with both HM Plant Ducatis on the grid after a 30-minute delay, Toseland and Walker got off the line safely and completed the first lap in sixth and eighth positions respectively.

It was a closely fought race with seven riders disputing the lead in the early stages. Toseland maintained station towards the front of the field for the entire race, but Walker was unable to maintain this pace. So, as Toseland made steady progress up to his seventh podium finish of the year, Walker maintained station until the chequered flag.

“I was very lucky after stalling the bike before the first start,” said Toseland. “Once the race got underway, the bike was going well and I was able to make good progress throughout. I was very pleased with the set-up after all the hard work we had put into qualifying. It was a great race and I am delighted to be on the podium for the first time at Laguna Seca.

“Once I saw that I was up to fourth and closing on Mladin, I had to bide my time. It was difficult to overtake him because my front tyre had started to push. Fortunately, he had a big slide at turn four and I was able to get underneath him at the next corner. After that I knew that I was faster and pulled away.”

Walker rode sensibly throughout to bring the HM Plant Ducati home in fifth and take 11 invaluable points towards his championship challenge. “I was glad that they showed the red flags after the crash because I got held up quite badly,” said the Nottingham rider. “Fortunately, the restart went OK but I wasn’t able to hold on to the leading group. It was a lonely race, but I was able to keep my concentration and held off Aaron Yates’ challenge in the closing stages.”


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

Corser eighth for Foggy PETRONAS Racing in USA

Troy Corser finished a creditable eighth place for Foggy PETRONAS Racing in the first race of round eight of the World Superbike championship at Laguna Seca, USA.

The Australian capitalised on an action-packed race, with only 13 riders finishing out of an original field of 23, to hold off the challenge Mauro Sanchini and Marco Borciani and clinch his third consecutive top ten finish on the FP1 – the Malaysian superbike.

But team-mate James Haydon suffered more misfortune when, on the second lap after an excellent start, a split water pipe caused him to crash at the final turn, bring Ivan Clementi down in turn.

Troy, who started the warm-up lap from the pit-lane after being involved in the first lap mayhem involving race winner Frankie Chili, Eric Bostrom and Neil Hodgson, 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.”

James said: “I could see fluid spraying onto the screen 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 Mat Mladin Motorsports:

FATIGUE KEEPS MLADIN OFF WORLD SUPERBIKE PODIUM

Monterey, California, USA (Sunday, 13 July) – The high intensity of four days of riding and competing at the highest levels took a physical toll on Australia’s Mat Mladin as he was forced to ease his pace in the opening leg of the Laguna Seca round of the Superbike World Championship, finishing just off the winners podium in fourth place.

Mladin had been the star of the meeting leading into today’s two 28-lap races, having already set pole position and taken a race win the day before in the American AMA Superbike Championship race aboard his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000, before claiming pole position for the SWC races yesterday afternoon.

Exhausted after completing the opening race, Mladin and his team agreed that it was in the interest of his safety and fitness that he should withdraw from the second SWC race.

“Half way through the first race I just had nothing left in the tank,” said Mladin afterwards. “There was just too much on for us with having to be out there for so many practice and qualifying sessions as well as the 28-lap races, it just took so much out of me. For us the whole weekend revolved around winning the AMA race yesterday and that’s what we did, it was the first time that I’ve won at Laguna so it was great. It put us back on top of the points table and even though we were running strong in the SWC races, the AMA is the one we are after.”

“Even to back up for Superpole after the AMA race was tough,” added Mladin. “Today I felt good for the first ten or fifteen laps, but then I just basically ran out of gas myself. It was very draining. I was that fatigued after the race and then when I heard about Eric’s (Bostrom) injuries I basically said that that was enough. We had a talk about it and made the decision. As much I wanted to have done well in those races, the workload just caught up with me. I train 3 to 4 hours a day at present and feel that I’m in the best condition that I’ve ever been in, but that goes to show you how physical it is out there under those conditions.”

“It was still a good weekend for us though. We got to see where the World Superbike guys are at and how the guys in the AMA compare to them so I guess it shows that the AMA is a world class championship if so many of us are near the front of SWC qualifying and in the race.”

“Also to do well at Laguna was a real buzz. The crowd was fantastic. I could hear them cheering after the AMA race and they were even louder when I took Superpole. It was a great feeling that’s for sure and I’d like to thank them for their support.”

He led the opening SWC race for a total of six laps as a number of riders fell out of contention in the hectic pace of the opening laps which saw the track temperature soaring above 50*C. The opening race was forced to undergo a restart after four riders fell heavily on the entry to the fast Turn One on the opening lap. Those who fell included World Superbike points leader Neil Hodgson (Fila Ducati), Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati), Australian Troy Corser (Foggy Petronas) and American wild card riders Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki) and Mladin’s teammate Aaron Yates, who appears to have been the initial rider to fall.

In an amazing twist, Chili went on to score his sixteenth career SWC victory, finishing ahead of Hodgson and fellow Englishman James Toseland (HM
Plant Ducati). Victory in race two went to Spaniard Ruben Xaus (Fila Ducati) ahead of teammate Hodgson, with Chris Walker (HM Plant Ducati) third. Hodgson continues to lead the championship with a total of 355 points, with Xaus second on 233.

Mladin’s attention is now focussed on the upcoming double-header round of the American AMA Superbike Championship scheduled for the Mid-Ohio Sports Car complex on the weekend of July 26 & 27.

After taking victory in yesterday’s AMA race, Mladin heads to Ohio holding a six-point advantage over Eric Bostrom, with six races remaining.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The official three-day attendance of the combined AMA/World Superbike event at Laguna Seca was announced by the Superbike World Championship press office at 92,000.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning AMA Superstock Practice Times:

1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:28.796
2. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.951
3. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.161
4. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:29.397
5. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.625
6. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.865
7. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:29.889
8. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.068
9. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.189
10. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.350
11. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.148
12. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.316
13. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.362
14. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.545
15. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.562
16. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.737
17. Jason Perez, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.947
18. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.366
19. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.390
20. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.716

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Tommy Hayden made a last-lap, last-corner pass on Josh Hayes to take the lead in the Superstock race at Laguna Seca, but Hayes repassed him in the run to the flag and won.

Hayes, Adam Fergusson and Hayden escaped a first-lap, second-corner crash melee that delayed the rest of the field and left several riders running off or upside down in the dirt.

Tony Meiring finished fourth. Steve Rapp took to the dirt in the turn two incident and was 27th at the end of the first lap, but recovered to finish fifth, with black tire marks on the left side of his bike’s fairing.

Vincent Haskovec, who led the points into Laguna Seca, finished ninth; the points now are led by Hayes ahead of Hayden and Haskovec.

The victory was Hayes’ first since he won at Daytona in 1999.

Crashers included Jason DiSalvo, John Dugan and Opie Caylor.

Results
1. Josh Hayes, Suzuki
2. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, -0.028 second
3. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki, -5.820 seconds
4. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, -13.287
5. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, -19.708
6. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki, -27.185
7. Jake Holden, Suzuki, -29.093
8. Jason Perez, Suzuki, -38.724
9. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, -39.734
10. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, -39.957
11. Chris Peris, Honda, -49.642
12. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki, -52.830
13. John Haner, Suzuki, -60.190
14. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki, -63.670
15. Tom Wertman, Suzuki, -66.217
16. Cory Eaton, Suzuki, -66.630
17. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki, -67.577
18. Opie Caylor, Suzuki, -70.944
19. Brian Stokes, Suzuki, -75.335
20. Matt Furtek, Suzuki, -77.285
21. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki, -77.619
22. Doug Pitcock, Suzuki, -1 lap
23. Nathan Hester, Suzuki, -1 lap
24. Chad Rolland, Suzuki, -1 lap
25. Mickey Lane, Suzuki, -1 lap
26. Eric Haugo, Suzuki, -1 lap
27. Martin Sims, Suzuki, -1 lap
28. Crash Lowe, Suzuki, -1 lap
29. Corey Sarros, Suzuki, -1 lap
30. Jeremy Chisum, Suzuki, -1 lap
31. David Lambert, Suzuki, -1 lap
32. John Dugan, Suzuki, -8 laps, DNF, crash
33. Mark Simon, Szuuki, -8 laps, DNF
34. Kenan Rappuchi, Suzuki, -9 laps, DNF
35. David Bell, Suzuki, -11 laps, DNF
36. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, -17 laps, DNF
37. Jason Chisum, Suzuki, DNS


Provisional AMA Superstock Point Standings:

1. Hayes, 228 points
2. Tommy Hayden, 227 points
3. Haskovec, 226 points
4. Fergusson, 206 points
5. Meiring, 196 points
6. Caylor, 175 points
7. DiSalvo, 166 points
8. Ciccotto, 162 points
9. Rapp, 151 points
10. Jimmy Moore, 142 points


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

RAPP FIFTH FOR TEAM VALVOLINE EMGO SUZUKI

While Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp’s two-race Superstock victory streak was snapped at Laguna Seca on Sunday, he still managed to impress. Rapp was the innocent victim of a first-lap incident in the Andretti Hairpin and was forced off track — spoiling his hard-earned front row starting position — but finished fifth in the AMA National held between World Superbike races.

The 30-year-old refused to give in despite being dropped to the back of the field on the opening lap, and proceeded to charge through the field to an eventual top five placing. Rapp worked his Michelin-shod GSX-R750 up to 27th by the end of lap one and picked up more than 20 additional places over the next ten laps.

“It was unfortunate that I got pushed off course there at the start,” Rapp commented. “But it was a great race after that. The bike was really working, and I was putting in lap times as fast as the guys at the front. We’ll just have to try to start up a new streak at Mid-Ohio.”

Teammate Chris Ulrich put a second Valvoline-backed GSX-R750 in the top ten. Ulrich was hampered by his injured shoulder once again and will see Dr. Ting immediately after the race weekend concludes. Despite the pain, Chris fought through to claim tenth.

Matt Furtek came home 20th in his Laguna Seca debut weekend. The teenager essentially used the visit as an extended practice, learning the difficult northern Californian circuit.

Team manager Keith Perry reflected on the Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki riders’ days. “That was a heck of a charge by Steve,” he said. “He really had nothing to gain, being at the back of the pack. But he wouldn’t quit and got us back to fifth. He’s got a lot of heart, and you can always count on him giving 100%.

“Chris rode a pretty strong race. He’s still fighting the shoulder injury, but he was generally happy with the bike and the tires. For Matt, it was learning experience. It was another track he’d never seen before, and he only got around 45 laps all weekend to learn this difficult track.”


More, from a press release issued by Proforma:

HANER FIGHTS BACK AFTER FIRST LAP MELEE

HAS/Shogun Racing’s John Haner fought back to 13th place in the AMA Genuine Accessories Superstock event today at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca after a fist lap, turn two melee that saw one rider crash and several front runners,
including John, take to the gravel to avoid crashing themselves. John returned to the track in 33rd position and passed 20 riders before the 17 lap race was finished.

“I was sixth going into turn two,” said Haner. “I saw (Jason) Disalvo fall and I steered right to miss his bike, and it kept coming and I had to keep going to the right, and I got out in the deep gravel. The bike was stuck, I had to paddle and work it hard to get out, I saw (Steve) Rapp and Opie (Caylor), I guess Disalvo was still on the ground. I finally got out and started charging, and just tried to put in some good laps.”

“My hand felt really good,” said John, who had carpal tunnel surgery on June 13th. “It’s perfect, it’s completely fixed. None of the problems like I had earlier in the year.”

Haner remains 11th in the point standings in AMA Genuine Accessories Superstock after this event, and has earned points in all seven rounds that he has attended.

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.”