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.

From an FIM Press Release:

Mugello, June 6

Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix

Italian Grand Prix: decision of the Race Direction and the FIM Stewards

Following the decision taken at the South African Grand Prix to disqualify the Harris WCM motorcycles (see Press Release of April 25), the Technical Director decided to refuse the Harris WCM motorcycles as eligible for the Italian Grand Prix, for non conformity to the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Technical Regulations, Art. 2.2.1. The machines were found to be of the same design as those disqualified in Welkom (South Africa Grand Prix), Jerez (Spanish Grand Prix) and Le Mans (French Grand Prix).

A protest lodged by the manager of the WCM team against this decision was declared not founded by the Race Direction. This decision of the Race Direction was subsequently confirmed in appeal by the FIM Stewards.

The decision of the FIM Stewards is final.


More, from another press release issued by the FIM:

Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix
Decision of the Grand Prix Commission

The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Claude Danis (FIM), Sito Pons (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), with the presence of Paul Butler (Secretary), has unanimously decided to implement the following modifications to the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations, for immediate application:

SPORTING REGULATIONS

1.6, Race Direction

1.6.6, The duties of the Race Direction are :

a – To impose penalties on riders for any infringement of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations occurring during the event. (…)

c – To adjudicate on any protest relating to infringements of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations occurring during the event.



1.22.1, Flags and lights used to provide information:

–Yellow and red striped flag

Oil, water or another substance is affecting adhesion. The adhesion on this section of the track could be affected by any reason other than rain. This flag must be shown motionless at the flag marshal post.


To add:

–White flag with diagonal red cross

Drops of rain on this section of the track.

This flag must be shown motionless at the flag marshal post.

–White flag with diagonal red cross + Yellow and red striped flag

Rain on this section of the track.

These flags must be shown together motionless at the flag marshal post.

DISCIPLINARY AND ARBITRATION CODE

3.3.1.2, Authority and Competence (of The Race Direction)

The Race Direction has the authority to penalise automatically:

– riders, participants, officials and promoters/organisers for infringements of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix regulations occurring during an event. (…)

The Race Direction is competent to adjudicate upon a protest lodged during an event. relating to infringements of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Supersport:

1. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:21.919
2. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:22.312
3. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 2:22.525
4. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:22.686
5. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, 2:22.808
6. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:22.978
7. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:23.151
8. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:23.399
9. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600RR, 2:24.775
10. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 2:24.915
11. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 2:24.986
12. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:25.769
13. Doug Chandler, Honda CBR600RR, 2:26.048
14. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR600RR, 2:27.202
15. Craig Connell, Honda CBR600RR, 2:27.328
16. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR600RR, 2:28.165
17. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, 2:28.681
18. Ray Yoder, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:28.780
19. Darrin Mitchell, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:28.897
20. Giovanni Rojas, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:31.011

Superstock:

1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:40.394
2. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 2:52.164
3. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:52.998
4. Mark Junge, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:53.822
5. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 2:55.429
6. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:55.601
7. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:57.124
8. Jason Hobbs, Yamaha YZF-R6, 3:20.587
9. Jessica Zalusky, Suzuki GSX-R750, 3:35.793
10. Jason Peters, Suzuki GSX-R750, 3:36.239
11. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 4:08.291

Formula Xtreme:

1. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:37.090
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 3:11.284
3. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR954RR, 3:16.691
4. Michael Kosta, Suzuki GSX-R750, 3:22.719
5. Matt Drucker, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 3:30.383
6. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 4:07.30
7. Rad Greaves, Suzuki GSX1300R, 4:21.356
8. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 6:14.432


250cc Grand Prix:

1. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 2:50.506
2. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, 2:54.647
3. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, 3:02.803
4. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 3:06.765
5. Shawn Murray, Honda, 3:13.672
6. Michael Rentschler, Yamaha, 3:13.809
7. Simon Turner, TSR Honda, 4:47.450
8. Sean McNew, Honda, 5:04.647

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Supersport Practice Times:

1. Jake Zemke, Honda, 2:22.329
2. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 2:22.478
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 2:23.119
4. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 2:23.483
5. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 2:23.545
6. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 2:24.020
7. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 2:24.337
8. Marty Craggill, Honda, 2:24.392
9. Matt Wait, Yamaha, 2:24.858
10. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 2:25.248
11. Alex Gobert, Honda, 2:26.157
12. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 2:26.828
13. Doug Chandler, Honda, 2:26.980
14. Craig Connell, Honda, 2:27.114
15. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki, 2:27.184
16. Roger Lee Hayden, honda, 2:28.194
17. Ray Yoder, Yamaha, 2:29.520
18. Darrin Mitchell, Suzuki, 2:31.633
19. Giovanni Rojas, Yamaha, 2:32.267
20. Aaron Risinger, Suzuki, 2:32.271

Formula Xtreme:

1. Jake Zemke, Honda, 2:16.190
2. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 2:16.954
3. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 2:16.960
4. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 2:17.626
5. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 2:17.727
6. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 2:18.084
7. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 2:18.856
8. Marty Craggill, Honda, 2:19.218
9. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 2:19.423
10. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 2:20.048
11. Doug Chandler, Honda, 2:20.271
12. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 2:20.640
13. Craig Connell, Honda, 2:23.430
14. Jason Curtis, Honda, 2:23.832
15. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, 2:25.330
16. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki, 2:27.167
17. Jason Knupp, Suzuki, 2:28.476
18. Kevin Hanson, Suzuki, 2:30.059
19. David Bell, Suzuki, 2:31.581
20. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki, 2:31.600

Superstock:

1. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:20.455
2. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:21.139
3. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:21.531
4. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:21.834
5. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:22.284
6. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:22.396
7. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:22.613
8. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 2:22.652
9. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:22.819
10. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:22.992
11. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:23.122
12. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:23.177
13. Mark Junge, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:23.898
14. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 2:23.93015. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, 2:24.056


250cc Grand Prix:

1. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, 2:24.999
2. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 2:25.125
3. Simon Turner, TSR Honda, 2:28.172
4. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 2:32.632
5. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, 2:32.883
6. Chris Pyles, Honda, 2:33.185
7. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, 2:33.513
8. Ed Marchini, Yamaha, 2:34.360
9. Greg Esser, Honda, 2:35.051
10. John France, Honda, 2:35.250
11. Barrett Long, Yamaha, 2:35.652
12. Sandy Noce, Yamaha, 2:37.856
13. Bill Himmelsbach, Yamaha, 2:37.970
14. Jim Bonner, Yamaha, 2:38.201
15. Jeremy Bonnett, Yamaha, 2:38.566
16. Sean McNew, Honda, 2:38.653
17. Sean Wray, Yamaha, 2:39.134
18. Glen Christianson, Yamaha, 2:41.976
19. Shawn Murray, Honda, 2:42.473
20. Bryan Hoelzer, Honda, 2:43.261
21. Steve Scott, Yamaha, 2:44.134
22. Stephen Bowline, Honda, 2:44.243
23. Christopher Spargo, Yamaha, 2:51.945
24. David Bothell, Honda, 2:52.485
25. James Worthington, Aprilia, 2:54.271
26. Andy Edwards, Yamaha, 2:57.107

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday’s FIM 250cc Grand Prix Qualifying Results:

1. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 1:54.290
2. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:54.676
3. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:54.688
4. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:55.552
5. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:55.639
6. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:56.444
7. Sebastian Porto, Honda, 1:56.524
8. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:56.959
9. Johan Stigefelt, Aprilia, 1:57.112
10. Joan Olive, Aprilia, 1:57.117
11. Hector Faubel, Aprilia, 1:57.352
12. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 1:57.659
13. Anthony West, Aprilia, 1:57.685
14. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, 1:57.814
15. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, 1:58.497
16. Alex Debon, Honda, 1:58.570
17. Christian Gemmel, Honda, 1:58.576
18. Chaz Davies, Aprilia, 1:58.790
19. Alex Baldolini, Aprilia, 1:59.034
20. Jakub Smrz, Honda, 1:59.938

Not qualified (Out 107%) 2:02.290

98 Katja Poensgen, Honda, 2:04.649


Friday’s FIM 125cc Qualifying Results:



1. Youichi Ui, Aprilia, 1:59.406
2. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:59.492
3. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 1:59.544
4. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 1:59.609
5. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 1:59.647
6. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 1:59.767
7. Stefano Perugini, Aprilia, 1:59.783
8. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 2:00.117
9. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, 2:00.209
10. Gioele Pelllino, Aprilia, 2:00.491
11. Jorge Lorenzo, Derbi, 2:00.617
12. Simone Corsi, Honda, 2:00.630
13. Mirko Giansanti, Aprilia, 2:00.701
14. Max Sabbatani, Aprilia, 2:00.739
15. Gabor Talmacsi, Aprilia, 2:00.828
16. Arnaud Vincent, KTM, 2:00.863
17. Thomas Luthi, Honda, 2:00.970
18. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 2:01.002
19. Emilio Alzamora, Derbi, 2:01.236
20. Hector Barbera, Aprilia, 2:01.340


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

PROVISIONAL POLE FOR THE HOME GRAND PRIX

After the unlucky French GP, Manuel Poggiali started to ride again on hi Aprilia and he feels at 100%. On the other hand the Aprilia rider is leading the world championship thanks to his two victories and a fourth place. Manuel will try to maintain his supremacy on the exciting and fast track of Mugello with a speed average of 165 km/h. Today Manuel has been the fastest one before Nieto and De Puniet.

Manuel Poggiali: “This day of practices has been very positive. I worked in order to be at 100% for the race testing different suspension regulations and several tyres. Here we already got a good base and during last winter tests we made the major part of the work so today we just refined that material. My objective is the improvement of the feeling with the bike and I feel quite satisfied about it. So I achieved the best lap time and also a good pace for the whole session. It’s really hot but I do not care while I am riding. Only the tyres will suffer the hot temperature. It’s all new for me and I have many things to learn as demonstrated in the last two GPs. In particular I understood how hard is to end the race wit the used tyres in the last Spanish GP: at that time I was a bit surprised but now I feel more confident.”

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

THE TWO-SEATER DESMOSEDICI MAKES ITS DEBUT AT MUGELLO

The International Race-Track of Mugello – Making its debut at the Italian GP in Mugello will be the Ducati two-seater Desmosedici. This full-blooded MotoGP bike is virtually identical to the ones raced by Ducati Marlboro Team riders, Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss, and has been specially designed by Borgo Panigale’s racing division to let guests and VIPs experience the thrill of the Desmosedici’s 220+ BHP! At certain GP venues (Mugello, Barcelona, Donington, Estoril, Valencia) celebrities from the world of entertainment, fashion, cinema and sport will be selected to ride pillion – and enjoy the unforgettable exhilaration of a high-speed lap around the track.

The “two-seater” Desmosedici will be ridden by none other than Randy Mamola – a name that guarantees a perfect mix of talent, skill, technique and just a pinch of calculated recklessness that is sure to offer up a shiver of excitement for those lucky enough to take to the track with him.

“I tried out the bike last Friday in France, on the Ladoux circuit!” says Mamola, “and it is simply fantastic. I can’t wait to try it out at Mugello and give my passengers the chance to experience the same thrill.”

For the first time, then, a passenger will be able to experience the excitement of riding a real 4-stroke MotoGP motorcycle. A privilege reserved for a lucky few who’ll be getting a first-hand taste of just how fast and powerful this amazing bike is.

The modifications made to the “two-seater” version essentially regard allowances for the presence of a passenger. While there is a different suspension set-up, all the other key components – the frame and the generous Ducati V4 engine – remain unchanged. The saddle support has, of course, been fully re-designed and reinforced to take a passenger and the fuel tank now features two slots which house safety grips, indispensable for the passenger to offset the incredible forces of acceleration and into-the-bend braking. Additional footrests complete the two-seater kit.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning MotoGP Practice Times:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 1:51.848
2. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 1:52.698
3. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha, 1:52.760
4. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha, 1:52.764
5. Tohru Ukawa, Honda, 1:52.821
6. Max Biaggi, Honda, 1:52.946
7. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 1:53.010
8. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 1:53.146
9. Colin Edwards, Aprilia, 1:53.401
10. Alex Barros, Yamaha, 1:53.916
11. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 1:53.984
12. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, 1:54.037
13. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, 1:54.038
14. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:54.223
15. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:54.226
16. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 1:54.344
17. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 1:54.651
18. Alex Hofmann, Kawasaki, 1:55.123
19. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton, 1:55.441
20. Garry McCoy, Kawasaki, 1:56.165
21. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, 1:57.185
22. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton, 1:57.286
23. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 1:57.953

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Ducati Austin’s Anthony Gobert splashed around Road America’s wet four-mile course Friday to earn provisional pole position in AMA Superbike qualifying with a best lap time of 2:42.075 on his Dunlop-equipped Ducati 998RS Superbike.

While several other riders crashed during the 60-minute session, Gobert was clearly comfortable with the slippery conditions and frequently wheelied his Ducati out of the track’s 14 corners. Later in the post-qualifying press conference, Gobert said the power of the V-Twin was easy to use in the wet and that he nearly matched his fastest time with a full fuel tank.

Dream Team Ducati’s Larry Pegram made it a Ducati 1-2 by sliding his Michelin-shod machine to a 2:43.657 lap. Pegram told reporters that the new Bend chicane had good grip in the wet and was much safer than the old Kink.

Eric Bostrom slowly worked his confidence up to turn the third-fastest lap on his Kawasaki, and Jason Pridmore said he used his recent World Endurance experience to ride his Suzuki GSX-R1000 fast enough to earn the final spot on the provisional front row.

Riders who rode off-track or crashed during the Superbike qualifying session included Ben Bostrom, Aaron Yates, Josh Hayes, Jimmy Moore, Steve Rapp, Chris Ulrich, Matt Furtek, John Haner, Geoff May, Jake Holden and Monte Nichols.

Provisional AMA Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Anthony Gobert, Ducati 998RS, 2:42.075
2. Larry Pegram, Ducati 998RS, 2:43.657
3. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 2:43.925
4. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:44.535
5. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:46.520
6. Jimmy Moore, Szuuki GSX-R1000, 2:46.681
7. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:46.795
8. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 2:47.605
9. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:47.936
10. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 2:48.130
11. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:48.505
12. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC51, 2:49.267
13. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:50.191
14. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:51.143
15. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:52.931
16. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:54.044
17. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:55.896
18. Dr. Jeffrey Purk, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:56.460
19. Monte Nichols, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:57.511
20. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:59.128


More, from a press release issued by Mat Mladin’s publicist:

2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Rounds 9 & 10 – Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, USA
First Qualifying Session Report

MLADIN FAST IN MORNING SESSION BEFORE RAIN STRIKES

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, USA – Australia’s Mat Mladin turned the fastest time in the opening practice session for this weekend’s double header round of the AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship at the Road America circuit in Wisconsin, before being forced to take a more conservative approach to the afternoon’s qualifying session after the heavens opened.

The dry opening practice session of the weekend saw Mladin consistently running in the 2-min 15-sec bracket before completing the session with the fastest time of 2:15.064 for the ultra fast 6.44km (4.00miles) Wisconsin circuit. His time was almost 0.7 seconds clear of American Honda’s Miguel DuHamel who posted a 2:15.724, with current championship points leader Aaron Yates third on the second Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000.

“It was good this morning in the dry,” said Mladin. “The bike felt good straight out of the truck and I was very happy with how it ran. It would be nice if it remained dry for us over the weekend, but it sounds as though the forecast is for patchy conditions which will make things interesting, but we’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

The break between the opening practice session and qualifying saw rain begin to fall. Scattered light showers prevailed through to the Superbike qualifying session with the track remaining wet throughout.

Mladin adopted a conservative approach to the session, recognising that it was only Friday and there was plenty of work to be done for the remainder of the weekend. By the completion of the one-hour session, Mladin had set the seventh fastest time with a 2:46.795, over thirty seconds slower than his dry weather time from the morning.

“It wasn’t that wet out there, more that the surface is really slick when it is wet and doesn’t give a whole lot of grip,” added Mladin. “There are a few funny patches in some of the corners that make it really slick as well, so the wet times compared to the dry times aren’t that good. We just did some laps out there in the wet, got used to the track in those conditions and kept it upright. No need to be going hard out there today and crashing, a very straight forward approach given the conditions.”

Fastest rider during the wet qualifying session was fellow Australian Anthony Gobert (Ducati Austin) who set a best time of 2:42.075, followed by Larry Pegram (Dream Team Ducati) with a time of 2:43.657. Third fastest was Team Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom with a 2:43.926, followed by Attack Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore with a 2:44.535.

Mladin heads into tomorrow’s opening 16-lap Superbike national lying third overall on the point’s table, ten adrift of teammate Yates (who was eleventh fastest today), with Eric Bostrom sandwiched between the Suzuki pair.

Qualifying concludes tomorrow morning, before the Superbike competitors take to the track later on Saturday afternoon, for their opening race, with the second scheduled for Sunday afternoon.


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

Road America / Friday Provisional Qualifying

Dream Team Racing Ducati’s Larry Pegram made it a Ducati 1-2 at Road America in Friday’s provisional qualifying session. Pegram finished the day in 2nd behind fellow Ducati rider Anthony Gobert. The conditions were very wet and Larry’s Michelin rain tires performed exceptionally well. Team Manager, Elliot Cho was pleased with both the tires and the Ohlins suspension, which allowed Pegram to feel confident in the treacherous conditions.

Pegram: “These Michelin tires are awesome in the rain. I want to thank my crew for setting up the bike perfect for the wet conditions. I just
kept going faster and faster out on the track. To be 2nd behind one of the best wet weather riders in the world (Gobert) is great. I want to
also thank team owners, Kaming Ko and Deveaux Hill for putting together such a professional organization in only 8 months. Now all we need is a Corporate Sponsor and we will be good to go.”

DTR Ducati is actively courting “Title Sponsorship” for the team. With the highest placing privately owned and sponsored team in the paddock, DTR has alot to offer such a sponsor and everyone involved is optimistic
that their will be an anouncement in the near future.