Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Top Speeds From Final MotoGP Qualifying At Mugello:

1. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 204.8 mph
2. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 202.8 mph
3. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 200.5 mph
4. Max Biaggi, Honda, 200.4 mph
5. Alex Barros, Yamaha, 200.2 mph
6. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha, 199.5 mph
7. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, 199.3 mph
8. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 199.3 mph
9. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 199.2 mph
10. Colin Edwards, Aprilia, 199.1 mph
11. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 199.1 mph
12. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha, 199.0 mph
13. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 199.0 mph
14. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 198.9 mph
15. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 198.5 mph
16. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, 198.4 mph
17. Tohru Ukawa, Honda, 198.3 mph
18. Garry McCoy, Kawasaki, 198.1 mph
19. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 197.8 mph
20. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, 197.3 mph
21. Alex Hofmann, Kawasaki, 196.3 mph
22. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton, 188.5 mph
23. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton, 184.8 mph

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

250cc Qualifying Results:

1. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:53.586
2. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 1:53.832
3. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:54.676
4. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:54.984
5. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:55.639
6. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:55.969
7. Sebastian Porto, Honda, 1:56.163
8. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 1:56.452
9. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:56.585
10. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, 1:56.939
11. Johan Stigefelt, Aprilia, 1:57.112
12. Joan Olive, Aprilia, 1:57.117
13. Anthony West, Aprilia, 1:57.252
14. Hector Faubel, Aprilia, 1:57.352
15. Alex Debon, Honda, 1:57.646
16. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, 1:57.657
17. Chaz Davies, Aprilia, 1:58.225
18. Christian Gemmel, Honda, 1:58.576
19. Eric Battaille, Honda, 1:58.582
20. Alex Baldolini, Aprilia, 1:58.677

Qualifying Cut-off Time (107 percent): 2:01.537

25. Katja Poensgen, Honda, 2:03.163, DNQ


125cc Qualifying Results:

1. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:58.914
2. Stefano Perugini, Aprilia, 1:58.977
3. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 1:59.012
4. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 1:59.043
5. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 1:59.115
6. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 1:59.143
7. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 1:59.251
8. Youichi Ui, Aprilia, 1:59.406
9. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, 1:59.433
10. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 1:59.608
11. Arnaud Vincent, KTM, 1:59.790
12. Hector Barbera, Aprilia, 1:59.934
13. Gioele Pellino, Aprilia, 2:00.044
14. Gabor Talmacsi, Aprilia, 2:00.140
15. Marco Simonelli, Aprilia, 2:00.155
16. Mirko Giansanti, Aprilia, 2:00.303
17. Simone Corsi, Honda, 2:00.404
18. Jorgo Lorenzo, Derbi, 2:00.617
19. Max Sabbatani, Aprilia, 2:00.739
20. Roberto Locatelli, KTM, 2:00.949

23. Emilio Alzamora, Derbi, 2:01.236


More, from a press release issued by MS Aprilia Press Information:

TOO MUCH TRAFFIC: MANUEL AVOIDED THE LAST LAPS

As Manuel already got the pole position yesterday, he concentrated his efforts on the choice of the tyres for tomorrows race trying to improve the setting of his bike as well. He reached his objective but Manuel decided to avoid the last laps of the session because of the traffic so the Aprilia rider has not been able to maintain his pole. Anyway Manuel feels satisfied.

Manuel Poggiali: “At the end there was to much traffic and I decided to stop because it could be dangerous. Even if the marshals show the blue flag someone always rides in the middle of the track: I want to discuss it with Uncini because it’s not correct. I do not care about the pole: the most important thing is the setting of my bike and I feel at 100% now. We also found a good solution for the tyres. Now I am expecting a dry race somehow.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin came from behind to take his sixth AMA Superbike win of the season Saturday at Road America over American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel and Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts.

Mladin took the lead early, exchanged the top spot with Duhamel and Roberts through the middle of the 16-lap race, passed Duhamel to take the lead one last time in turn five on the final lap and held on to collect the 20th AMA Superbike win of his career by 0.280 second. Duhamel got second, with Roberts only 0.790 second behind Mladin in third.

Duhamel’s teammate Ben Bostrom finished a lonely fourth ahead of Ducati Austin’s Anthony Gobert, Attack Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore, Millennium Technologies/Kaufman Trailers’ Shawn Higbee, Corona Extra Suzuki’s Jordan Szoke, Hooters Suzuki’s Mike Ciccotto and Team Embry’s Geoff May.

Eric Bostrom pitted at the end of lap 14/beginning of lap 15 and returned to finish 13th.

Aaron Yates DNF with mechanical problems.

Provisional AMA Superbike Race One Results:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 16 laps
2. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, -0.280 second
3. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, -0.790 second
4. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC51, -9.852 seconds
5. Anthony Gobert, Ducati 998RS, -25.154 seconds
6. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -39.616 seconds
7. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -72.983 seconds
8. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -80.108 seconds
9. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -81.742 seconds
10. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -81.787 seconds
11. Larry Pegram, Ducati 998RS, -91.489 seconds
12. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -91.489, seconds
13. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -91.589 seconds
14. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -124.551 seconds
15. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, -126.683 seconds
16. John Jacobi, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -131.055 seconds
17. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, -131.425 seconds
18. Mike Sullivan, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -140.352 seconds
19. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, -142.367 seconds
20. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
21. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
22. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
23. Kevin Lehman, Yamaha YZF-R1, -1 lap
24. Monte Nichols, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
25. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
26. Doug Duane, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
27. Dr. Jeffrey Purk, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
28. Roger Hendricks, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
29. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
30. Brian Boyd, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
31. Kevin Hanson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -2 laps
32. Jason Knupp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -3 laps
33. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -3 laps
34. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, -8 laps
35. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -15 laps
36. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, -15 laps
37. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -20 laps, DNF, mechanical


Provisional AMA Superbike Point Standings:

1. Mladin, 272 points
2. Eric Bostrom, 257 points
3. Roberts, 250 points
4. Ben Bostrom, 248 points
5. Yates, 244 points
6. Duhamel, 219 points
7. Higbee, 183 points
8. Pegram, 182 points
9. Pridmore, 175 points
10. Haskovec, 159 points
11. Szoke, 139 points
12. Anthony Gobert, 126 points
13. Michael Barnes, 118 points
14. Ciccotto/May, TIE, 115 points
16. Scott Jensen, 93 points
17. Andy Deatherage/John Dugan, TIE, 82 points
19. Steve Crevier, 81 points
20. Jack Pfeifer, 77 points


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

MLADIN TAKES POLE THEN WINS OPENING SUPERBIKE RACE AT ROAD AMERICA

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, USA (Saturday, 7 June) – Mat Mladin not only returned to the winners podium today, but regained the points lead in the 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship after a titanic three-way battle saw Mladin take the chequered flag in the first of the weekend’s double header Superbike races at Road America in Wisconsin.

Mladin’s 20th career AMA Superbike win was also his sixth for the season and sees him regain the number one position on the points table, fifteen points clear of Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki). Point’s leader coming into the round, Aaron Yates, was forced out of the race with mechanical problems and has slipped back to fifth on the point’s table.

It was a good day for Mladin and his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000. Prior to the 16-lap Superbike race, he had scored his 28th career AMA Superbike pole position with a time of 2-min 15.159-secs for the 6.44km (4.00miles) Wisconsin circuit during the morning’s final qualifying session. Second fastest was Mladin’s teammate Aaron Yates (2:15.710), followed by Kurtis Roberts (Erion Honda, 2:15.825) and Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki, 2:16.030).

The 16-lap Superbike race quickly turned into a furious high-speed battle between Suzuki mounted Mladin and the Honda’s of Miguel DuHamel and Kurtis Roberts, with each taking turn at holding the race lead. Mladin kept his best for last as his final lap produced an amazing new lap record of 2:14.740 which saw him pass DuHamel at Turn Five on his way to his sixth race victory of the season. At the end, just 0.79 of a second separated Mladin from DuHamel and Roberts.

“That was probably the best race that I’ve had for a long time,” said Mladin. “This year we’ve either won races by a long margin or have had tyre problems that have kept us out of it, so it was nice to go out there and race against a few guys. Mind you I wouldn’t want that every race, but every now and then would be good.

About half way round the final lap I was able to get by Miguel, then after that I just put my head down and did the fastest lap of the race,” added Mladin. “Obviously from the time we set on the last lap, the bike is working well. We took a few measures before the race to make sure the tyre was going to be OK, we didn’t have the best grip that we could have had and definitely didn’t have the ultimate set up with the bike, but it was the best we could do to get the bike and the tyres to last the race distance.”

“Honda do well here, so we were expecting a bit of a race from them, but we’ll see how we go when we get to a track with a few more corners in them. It did show however that the horsepower between the Honda and the Suzuki is quite similar which at the end is all good for the series.”

Heading into tomorrow’s second 16-lap Superbike race, Mladin holds a fifteen-point lead (272 – 257) in the championship over Eric Bostrom who finished thirteenth today after he made a late race pit stop. Roberts holds down third with 250; followed by Ben Bostrom (248), Yates (244) and DuHamel (219).


More, from a press release issued by Dream Team Ducati:

Dream Team Racing Ducati’s Larry Pegram was hoping for rain today after a strong 2nd in yesterday’s provisional qualifying. However, without a chance to find a dry setup this morning, Pegram, had to settle for 9th on the start grid. In the race Larry moved into 8th place where he remained for 12 out of 17 laps until his bike began to slow with a mechanical problem. At one point he was in 12th but on the last lap he was able to stay ahead of Vincent Haskovec to finish 11th.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Aaron Gobert has four fractures in his left wrist and hand that will require surgery.

Sue Gobert, mother and manager of the young Australian racer told Roadracingworld.com Saturday morning that Aaron, “has four fractures, quite major, across the left wrist and his left thumb knuckle. He also had some slight bleeding on his brain, but they’re (doctors at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) letting him go today. They just told us to keep a close eye on him in case he starts acting weird, as if that would be easy to tell with ‘Az'”

Sue Gobert said Aaron and his girlfriend Melanie Riley would stay in Milwaukee for the rest of the weekend, take their scheduled flight home to Ontario, California on Monday before flying to Fremont, California to see noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. Arthur Ting on Tuesday, June 10.

More, from a press release issued by Road America:

Rider Condition Report: Aaron Gobert

Yesterday, June 6, Aaron Gobert was transported to Valley View Hospital in Plymouth and subsequently sent to Foedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Milwaukee, where he was treated for a broken wrist and thumb. Gobert, who competes in the Pro Honda Oils 600 and Formula Xtreme classes, fell at the exit of Canada Corner, Turn 12. He was on his Formula Xtreme bike, on slicks, when it started to rain.

He will have Dr. Ting, Fremont, Calif., pin his wrist.

Gobert, whose brother, Anthony, qualified on the pole for the Superbike race, will return to the race track Saturday afternoon.

Aaron Gobert is currently third in points in the Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport by Shoei point standings and 11th in Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Formula Xtreme Qualifying Results:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:15.417
2. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 2:16.103
3. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR954RR, 2:17.027
4. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 2:17.066
5. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 2:17.370
6. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:17.728
7. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:17.810
8. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:17.946
9. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 2:18.004
10. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:18.056
11. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:18.180
12. Doug Chandler, Honda CBR954RR, 2:19.983
13. Craig Connell, Honda CBR954RR, 2:21.371
14. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:23.962
15. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR954RR, 2:25.358
16. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:27.526
17. David Guy, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:28.283
18. Doug Duane, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:28.525
19. Jason Knupp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:29.704
20. Mark Vandel, Yamaha YZF-R1, 2:29.895
21. Mark Kittel, Honda, 2:30.789
22. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:31.550

112 percent of fast time: 2:31.667

23. James Bonner, Yamaha YZF-R1, 2:31.716
24. Chad Rolland, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:31.989
25. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:32.087
26. Michael Kosta, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:33.328
27. Alex Freeman, Yamaha YZF-R1, 2:33.453
28. Rad Greaves, Suzuki GSX1661R, 2:34.478
29. Matt Drucker, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:34.526
30. Tom Grant, Suzuki, 2:41.634
31. Nathan Hester, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 3:03.473
32. Roger Hendricks, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 3:11.040

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

WBAL-TV Channel 11 reported that racer Michael Fitzpatrick, who finished 11th in the 2002 Daytona 200, was arrested Thursday for operating what authorities described as a motorcycle “chop shop.”

According to the report, police raided Fitzpatrick’s Elkridge, Maryland business, Edge Motorsports, and found a number of stolen motorcycles and parts.

The complete story can be seen on the WBAL-TV website,

http://www.thewbalchannel.com/news/2251665/detail.html


(Thanks to reader Chris Hoagland of San Antonio, Texas for this news tip.)

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Supersport:

1. Jake Zemke, Honda, 2:32.776
2. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 2:33.787
3. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 2:34.446
4. Alex Gobert, Honda, 2:35.035
5. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 2:35.139
6. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki, 2:35.150
7. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 2:36.209
8. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 2:36.315
9. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 2:36.866
10. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 2:38.256
11. Doug Chandler, Honda, 2:39.836
12. Craig Connell, Honda, 2:40.999
13. Matt Wait, Yamaha, 2:41.073
14. Ray Yoder, Yamaha, 2:43.634
15. Marty Craggill, Honda, 2:44.085
16. James Kerker, Honda, 2:44.108
17. Mark Kittel, Honda, 2:44.889
18. Dirk Sanchez, Kawasaki, 2:44.897
19. Giovanni Rojas, Yamaha, 2:45.074
20. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 2:45.968
21. Hector Romero, 2:46.841
22. Gordan Halsey, Yamaha, 2:47.577
23. Daniel Doty, Yamaha, 2:48.033
24. Dr. Jeff Purk, Suzuki, 2:53.530
25. Darby Brauning, Yamaha, 2:54.546
26. David Guy, Suzuki, 2:55.074
27. Jeremy Haiduk, Yamaha, 2:55.661
28. Scott Stevens, Suzuki, 2:55.740
29. Tim Mitchell, Yamaha, 2:56.710
30. Michael Radke, Yamaha, 3:00.349
31. Calvin Martinez, Suzuki, 3:06.362
32. Jessica Zalusky, Yamaha, 3:09.580


Superstock:

1. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:23.428
2. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:24.432
3. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:24.951
4. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 2:26.071
5. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:26.096
6. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 2:26.130
7. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:26.678
8. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:27.041
9. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:27.762
10. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:27.836
11. Steve Atlas, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:28.773
12. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:29.136
13. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:29.724
14. Mark Junge, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:30.009
15. Jason Peters, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:30.092
16. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:30.745
17. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:32.494
18. Matt Malterer, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:33.993
19. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:34.642
20. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:36.307
21. James Kerker, Honda CBR600, 2:37.035
22. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:43.564
23. Russ Intravartolo, Kawasaki ZX-7, 2:43.779


Formula Xtreme:

1. Jake Zemke, Honda, 2:23.827
2. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 2:26.601
3. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 2:27.208
4. Marty Craggill, Honda, 2:27.240
5. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 2:27.422
6. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 2:28.233
7. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki, 2:31.784
8. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki, 2:32.675
9. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 2:33.470
10. Doug Chandler, Honda, 2:34.194
11. Jason Knupp, Suzuki, 2:36.074
12. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 2:36.350
13. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 2:36.946
14. Mark Kittel, Honda, 2:40.701
15. Mark Vandal, Yamaha, 2:43.938
16. Alex Freeman, Yamaha, 2:45.102
17. James Bonner, Yamaha, 2:48.090
18. Douglas Duane, Suzuki, 2:49.692
19. Chad Rolland, Suzuki, 2:50.331
20. Matt Drucker, Suzuki, 2:50.747
21. David Bell, Suzuki, 2:52.395
22. Tom Grant, Suzuki, 2:56.858
23. Roger Hendricks, Suzuki, 2:58.194
24. Rad Greaves, Suzuki, 2:58.613
25. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki, 3:40.709


250cc Grand Prix:

1. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 2:25.456
2. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, 2:28.640
3. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, 2:34.343
4. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 2:35.229
5. Simon Turner, TSR Honda, 2:36.395
6. Sandy Noce, Yamaha, 2:37.002
7. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, 2:37.191
8. Greg Esser, Honda, 2:39.162
9. John France, Honda, 2:39.306
10. Barrett Long, Yamaha, 2:40.387
11. Bill Himmelsbach, Yamaha, 2:40.496
12. Ed Marchini, Yamaha, 2:40.981
13. Jeremy Bonnett, Yamaha, 2:41.171
14. Glen Christianson, Yamaha, 2:41.780
15. James Bonner, Yamaha, 2:42.468
16. Mark Stiles, Yamaha, 2:42.574
17. Stephen Bowline, Honda, 2:43.264
18. Shawn Murray, Honda, 2:43.650
19. Sean Wray, Yamaha, 2:44.050
20. Bryan Hoelzer, Honda, 2:45.475

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Having fully functioning timing & scoring at the start of morning practice sessions remains an unfulfilled hope at AMA Nationals.

Friday morning at Road America, Supersport practice started with no timing & scoring data available along pit lane, although it was displayed in the press room and in the AMA timing & scoring center.

Saturday morning it was the same story, which motivated Kawasaki to send Theo Lockwood to the press room to check monitors and report times back to the pit lane by radio.

A few laps into the session, the pit lane monitors went live and Lockwood left the press room.

From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

Isle of Man TT Festival – Day 4
June 6, 2003.

Lougher Second for Honda in Production 600 TT

Shaun Harris charged to his second Isle of Man TT victory of the week, powering clear of Honda’s Ian Lougher, to win the Production 600 race which was stopped after two laps as the mist that had delayed the start of racing for four and a half hours rolled back in quickly.

And, on a day of continuing delays and frustrations, lasting till late on in the evening, the organisers finally postponed the finale of the TT Festival, the ‘Blue-Riband’ Senior race until 10.45am on Saturday morning, with race distance remaining at six laps.

Harris, the 30 year Kiwi was on the charge from the start of the Proddie race, pulling out a two seconds advantage on the dash towards Glen Helen. “I came over here with a new mental attitude: total belief in myself, an in depth knowledge in the circuit and total confidence in my bike. I decided to get out there and go for it from the start, doing my own thing.”

Harris was dominant, going further clear on a first high speed dash around the 37.73 mile Mountain Course at an average speed of 119.75mph, completed as he charged over the start line at scorching 146.9mph.

Honda rider Lougher was trying everything he knew to make up time, but the Welshman could make little impression as Harris went on take the race by some 16 seconds. “That’s awesome,” smiled the winner, adding: “I rolled off the power big time coming over the mountain, where it was getting really foggy. I’m glad that the organisers used common sense to stop the race.”

Lougher agreed: “the fog was coming down fast, and visibility was down to ten bike lengths – that apart it was a good ride, and another rostrum finish for me this week, so that’s not too bad.”

Third place went to Ryan Farquhar, riding Kawasaki, just ahead of the Suzuki of Adrian Archibald and Jason Griffiths on a Yamaha, while Honda duo Richard Britton and Martin Finnegan headed Triumph’s Junior race winner Bruce Anstey who had to settle for eighth place.

Anstey had declined to join his Triumph team-mates Jim Moodie and John McGuinness the previous evening (Thursday) when they dined with Prince William, making a private visit to the Island to watch the racing. Moodie was twelfth and McGuinness 18th.

Results from the Isle of Man TT Racing Festival

Production 600TT – two laps, 75.46miles
1 Shaun Harris Suzuki 37m 49.79s
2 Ian Lougher Honda 38.06.10
3 Ryan Farquhar Kawasaki 38 10.17
4 Adrian Archibald Suzuki 38 13.25
5 Jason Griffiths Yamaha 38 17.08
6 Richard Britton Honda 38 31.89
7 Martin Finnegan Honda 38 36.64
8 Bruce Anstey Triumph 38 50.74
9 Chris Heath Yamaha 38 51.01
10 Roy Richardson Kawasaki 39 14.30

From a press release issued by series organizers:

CALGARY, AB – Calgary’s Clint McBain led the way in Friday’s opening day of practice for the second round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Race City Motorsport Park.

McBain took his Coors Light Racing/Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R1000 around the 2.1-mile road course in 1:18.683 in the final session of the day. Steve Crevier of Maple Ridge, BC was second fastest with a time of 1:18.932 on a Diablo Suzuki GSX-R1000 and McBain’s teammate Francis Martin of Rock Forest, QC was third at 1:18.944 on another Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Official qualifying will take place Saturday afternoon with the 16-lap feature event set to go on Sunday.

“There’s still a long way to go but it’s always good to be on top,” said the 30-year-old McBain, who is hoping to earn his first career Canadian national Superbike win on home turf. “The bike wasn’t handling great to begin with but the team worked hard all day and it felt really good this afternoon.”

McBain is third in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship point standings. He placed third in the opening event at Shannonville Motorsport Park last month.

Crevier, Canada’s all time winningest Superbike racer leads the Parts Canada series standings after claiming the victory at Shannonville. The triumph was his record-extending 21st national win.

“I tried really hard from the start,” said Crevier, a six-time Canadian Superbike champion. “My second last lap was a good one but on my last lap I pushed a bit too hard.”

Martin is second in Superbike points and won at Race City in 1999.

“I’m happy. Everything worked good,” he said. “The last practice was not bad but this morning it was hard dealing with the wind.”

Pascal Picotte of St-Cecile de Milton, QC was fourth in practice Friday with a time of 1:19.111 on his Picotte Racing Yamaha YZF-R1. Granby, QC’s Kevin Lacombe completed the top five, setting a 1:19.381 on his Orion Motorsport Honda RC51.

McBain was also fastest in practice for the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike national support class at Race City with a time of 1:20.283 on his Suzuki GSX-R600. Fellow Calgary rider Chris Peris set the second quickest time on a Honda CBR600RR and series leader Picotte was third aboard his Yamaha YZF-R6.

McBain is the defending class champion and won in Calgary last year.

Jeremy Leduc of Keremeos, BC was the pacesetter in practice for the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike class on a Yamaha YZF-R6 with a time of 1:24.734. Derek Bowker of Nepean, ON, also on a Yamaha was second and Wellesley, ON’s Bill Card placed third riding a Honda.

Practice on Saturday starts at 9:00 a.m. with qualifying for all three national classes set to begin at 12:55 p.m. Races will go Sunday.

This weekend’s event will be televised on TSN on Sunday, July 6 at 12:30 p.m. EDT and later this year on Quebec’s RDS and across Canada on the Outdoor Life Network.