Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday Morning AMA 250cc Grand Prix Practice Times:

1. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 1:30.573
2. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, 1:35.287
3. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 1:38.068
4. Simon Turner, TSR Honda, 1:38.275
5. Greg Esser, Honda, 1:38.275
6. Darren Fulce, Yamaha, 1:39.878
7. Chris Pyles, Honda, 1:40.048
8. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, 1:40.933
9. Barrett Long, Yamaha, 1:41.311
10. Stephen Bowline, Honda, 1:41.321
11. Nobi Iso, Aprilia, 1:41.368
12. Sandy Noce, Yamaha, 1:41.511
13. Ed Marchini, Yamaha, 1:41.946
14. Rick Merhar, Yamaha, 1:41.946
15. Jeremy Bonnett, Yamaha, 1:42.241

Note: Stargel Aprilia’s Chuck Sorensen missed Saturday morning practice while getting his right hand examined by doctors. Sorensen crashed in the newly-added turn three chicane section Friday.

From a press release issued by Proton Team KR:

Jeremy’s First Ride

McWill throws a leg over his new bike

Proton Team KR works rider, Jeremy McWilliams had his first taste of the team’s new four-stroke V5 on Wednesday afternoon. The motorcycle, which is still in development was rolled out at the Turweston airstrip near the team’s base in England.

McWilliams did several high speed passes getting familiar with the clutch and gear change.

The development team has been working day and night to get the Proton KR V5 ready for it’s circuit debut, which is hoped to be next weekend at Le Mans.

Jeremy McWilliams:
I’m really impressed with the smoothness of the engine. It feels bloody quick. When I give it throttle it just takes off. Since it was my first time on the bike I wanted to get acquainted with it, so I just ran it up and down to get a feel of the engine and systems. I can’t wait to get it to the race track, because it feels like it’s going to be everything it was designed to be.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Muggeridge smashes records to go pole at Monza

Karl Muggeridge blasted his way to pole position in the Supersport at Monza, beating his Ten Kate Honda team mate Chris Vermeulen by nearly a second and going 1.7 seconds under the existing best lap time.

When Karl Muggeridge returned to the pits and looked at the lap times, his first words were quite simple: “Some gap!” said the Australian as he glanced at the timing monitors.

It wasn’t the easiest of qualifying session for Muggeridge as riders hung around waiting for a slipstream partner.

“The hardest part of that was traffic,” he explained. “At one point I had to actually stop on the track because so many people were waiting for a tow, and the problem with that is that your tyres go cold.”

Still suffering from a thumb injury from the first free practice on Friday where he snapped the ligaments in his right thumb, Chris Vermeulen was very happy with second on the grid.

“I did the same time on race tyres as I did on qualifiers because of my thumb injury, I just couldn’t make use of the extra grip.

“The pain is worse on the brakes and that is going to make it hard to pass people in the race. But with the Ten Kate Honda I might get away with using the power to pass riders.”

Kawasaki’s Pere Riba moved back from MotoGP after a disastrous season and has had some teething problems with the new model Kawasaki ZX-6RR. But the Kawasaki France team have been working hard and improvements at the last two rounds saw him qualified third.

“At the beginning of the season I wasn’t happy with the bike,” explained the Spaniard and former Ten Kate rider. “In Japan we made big changes to the chassis and suspension and here in Monza we have made some modifications to in the engine to find more power.”

Alstare Suzuki of Katsuaki Fujiwara edged out Scotsman Iain MacPherson by 0.08 second to snatch the final front row start.



Final World Supersport Qualifying Results:

1. Karl Muggeridge, Honda, 1:51.480
2. Chris Vermeulen, Honda, 1:52.311
3. Pere Riba, Kawasaki, 1:52.570
4. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki, 1:52.922
5. Iain MacPherson, Honda, 1:53.003
6. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki, 1:53.159
7. Werner Daemen, Honda, 1:53.255
8. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Yamaha, 1:53.331
9. Alessio Corradi, Yamaha, 1:53.332
10. Fabien Foret, Kawasaki, 1:53.246
11. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda, 1:53.639
12. Robert Ulm, Honda, 1:53.667
13. Simone Sanna, Yamaha, 1:53.742
14. Gianluca Namelli, Yamaha, 1:53.755
15. Christophe Cogan, Honda, 1:53.769
16. Alessandro Polita, Yamaha, 1:53.830
17. Christian Kellner, Yamaha, 1:53.846
18. Barry Veneman, Honda, 1:53.876
19. Jorg Teuchert, Yamaha, 1:54.283
20. Broc Parkes, Honda, 1:54.315


More, from a press release issued on behalf of Ten Kate Honda:

Ten Kate Honda dominate final qualifying at Monza

Karl Muggeridge and Chris Vermeulen showed the dominance of the Ten Kate Hondas by taking the top two grid positions for Sunday’s race at the historic Monza circuit.

Muggeridge blew the opposition into the weeds going almost a full second quicker than Vermeulen and more than a second faster of Pere Riba in third.

But it wasn’t all easy for Muggeridge. “There was so much traffic out there it made it tough,” he explained. “Riders were slowing down in the middle of the track to wait for a tow. It didn’t only mean that the lap was ruined but also let the tyre go cold. The Honda CBR600RR is great and the Pirelli tyres are fantastic here. Getting pole is a real confidence booster for me because it’s taken a few races to adjust to the new bike.”

While Karl’s performance was impressive his team mate Chris Vermeulen’s second on the grid is nothing short of incredible considering his thumb injury.

“Braking is very painful,” said Chris after the session. “My time on qualifying tyres was the same as on race tyres because I couldn’t make use of the extra grip due to my thumb. In the race passing on the brakes will be difficult, but if I can’t pass on the brakes I’ll have to use the power of the Ten Kate Honda instead.”

Team manager Ronald ten Kate was obviously pleased to see both his riders at the top of the timesheet.

“Incredible! I’m literally speechless,” was all he could say at first after qualifying. But then he found words to describe his riders’ efforts. “Being on pole is great but to see Karl smash the best lap record by 1.7seconds is amazing. It shows that we are constantly improving the new bike and that we have two very capable riders. Chris did so well today despite his injury and I’m sure that in the race he’ll be running on pure adrenaline.”


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

FRONT ROW FOR KATS

2003 Supersport World Championship ­ Round 4, Monza, Italy. Final qualifying, Saturday 17th May.
Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Katsuaki Fujiwara made a dramatic improvement at Monza today to earn himself a place on the front row of the grid.

Kats posted a lap of 1:52.22 after changing almost everything on his GXSR600 Alstare Suzuki. Fujiwara’s team mate Stephane Chambon also improved his lap times considerably and ended up sixth quickest.

The final qualifying was dominated by the ultra-fast Hondas of Karl Muggeridge and Chris Vermeulen. Both had topped yesterday’s standings and today was just the same. Aussie Muggeridge took nearly a second off his best time yesterday to take pole position ahead of his team mate Vermeulen. Third quickest was Spaniard Pere Riba (Kawasaki), just two tenths of a second faster then Fujiwara.

KATSUAKI FUJIWARA ­ 4th, 1:52.922: We made many changes after yesterday: Suspension, gearbox and the balance of the bike and it all worked much better. This morning I felt under a lot of pressure to qualify better, so now I am much happier that we are on the front row of the grid. It’s very important to be on the front row here and make a good start, because the first chicane is very tight and you don’t want to get caught up in a pack. The Hondas are very fast here and it’s not possible to draft them and then pull out and pass, so tomorrow’s race is going to be very, very hard.

STEPHANE CHAMBON ­ 6th, 1:53.159: We changed many settings from yesterday, including the gearbox and I’m happy that it made an improvement. Yesterday I was struggling a lot with a front-end problem, but today was much better. I don’t really get on with this track, so I know I’m in for a very difficult race tomorrow. A good start is important ­ especially from my second row grid position ­ because the first chicane is so difficult and tight.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Hodgson wins the battle of two Superpoles

Neil Hodgson kept his head in difficult conditions after rain stopped the first Superpole session and forced the organisers to restart the session as wet Superpole.

In wet Superpole the riders have 50 minutes to complete 12 laps. Although called wet, by the time the riders got back out on track the circuit was more-or-less dry so all riders were using slicks. But after about 20 minutes the light rain intensified slightly, forcing the riders back into their pit boxes.

When the rain eased off again, with just under 10 minutes remaining, Britain’s James Toseland stormed into provisional pole. This prompted Hodgson and Frankie Chili to get back into the saddle. With just minutes to go Chili took pole, only to return to his pit box just in time to see Hodgson finish a fantastic lap and snatch pole.

Toseland was demoted to third, with Regis Laconi completing a all-Ducati front row. Ruben Xaus, who wasn’t allowed to start the session due to concussion suffered as a result of his earlier crash, went to the back of the third row.

Because of the unique conditions, all riders who had already completed a Superpole laps were allowed an extra tyre, 14 instead of the regulation 13.


World Superbike Superpole Results From Monza:

1. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:46.981
2. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:47.096
3. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:47.502
4. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:47.537
5. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:47.964
6. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:48.281
7. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:49.003
8. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:49.350
9. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:49.829
10. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:50.172
11. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:50.244
12. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:50.903
13. Giovanni Bussei, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:51.417
14. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:51.714
15. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, no time
16. Paolo Blora, Ducati 996RS, no time

17. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:50.579
18. Serafino Foti, Ducati 998RS, 1:50.990
19. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:51.039
20. James Haydon, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:51.399


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

Third row start for Foggy PETRONAS Racing at Monza
Foggy PETRONAS Racing’s Troy Corser will start from the third row of the grid for tomorrow’s two races in round four of the World Superbike championsip at Monza.

On a challenging day for the team at the fast Italian circuit, a combination of mechanical trouble and misfortune resulted in team-mate James Haydon failing to qualify for the Superpole battle for the top 16 grid positions. That Superpole session was restarted in the Wet format in light rain, with riders allowed 12 laps in which to post their best time, but only after Corser had already posted one lap under Dry Superpole conditions. That lap left him set for a minimum 10th place qualifying position and although he was able to set his best time of the weekend 1:50.320 during the re-start, he slipped to 11th place on the grid.

Team manager Nigel Bosworth said: “We knew that Monza would pose a tough challenge, as we do not yet have the high speeds necessary for this circuit. To be on the third row was probably as much as we could have hoped for here. It has been a frustrating day, especially for James.”

Troy said: “I have improved my set-up today and the bike is handling better, although the gearing still has big jumps. I have done 11 or 12 laps on a race tyre and was doing better times than on a qualifier. So hopefully I will be able to run in the second group in the races and achieve a realistic goal of a top ten finish. I have not however been able to concentrate fully on my laps as I have had a problem with oil leaks and this is the last place where you want that to happen.”

James said: “I know we will get there but right now I am struggling with my own limit and the bike’s limit. I need to get my rear suspension working for me, so that I can ride on deteriorating tyres and slide on them. Today’s crash, at the last corner, was the first when I was really pushing the front. It’s one thing to crash when you are dicing for a win, but another thing when you feel you are off the pace. I was feeling battered after yesterday’s crash – now I just feel a bit more battered and my confidence is low. This morning’s events did not help, although I had my one moment of luck this weekend when my gearbox jumped and I looked down to see the engine smoking. If I had gone round the next corner I would have been off. I then had to use my second bike, which had a problem with gear selection internally, causing me to run wide. When this happened at the first corner I tried to cut through the bales at the chicane but a marshall grabbed my arm off the clutch, the bike stalled and they refused to give me a push start.”

Team owner Carl Fogarty was disappointed in the decision to switch the rules from a Dry Superpole to Wet session. He said: “If the Superpole session starts under Dry rules, it should stay under those rules. If it had rained harder then the later starters might have suffered, so it looked to me that the organisers were trying to make sure the Ducatis were on the front row.”


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

FRUSTRATION FOR TROY

Small problems made the final day of qualifying at Monza a very frustrating day for Troy. Throughout the two days, Troy had experienced some oil leaks and so never completely managed to push his hardest and set a really quick lap time. The bike was down on acceleration as well and Troy found it very hard top match the lap times of his rivals at the super-fast 5.793 kilometre circuit. A slight sprinkling of rain three quarters the way through the 16-rider Superpole shoot-out, caused all the laps up to then void and the riders were then given a ‘Wet Superpole’ session. All the riders were given fifty minutes in which to complete a maximum of twelve laps and Troy ended up eleventh on the grid. Series leader Neil Hodgson (Ducati) stole pole position from local hero Frankie Chili just two minutes from the end of the session with a lap of 1:46.981 ­ the faster two-wheeled lap of Monza ever recorded.

TROY- ­ 11th, 1:50.244

It has been a very frustrating couple of days and I never had a chance to really go for it. Our bike is losing out on acceleration and taking too long to get to its top speed and that’s hurting us a lot. I’ve been having to try and make up for that by riding flat-out in the corners. We’ve changed the gearbox ratios, but so far I haven’t found exactly what I’m looking for. Also, I’ve had some oil leaks and that caused me to lose my confidence in the bike a little. Monza is not the kind of track I would want to have a crash. The plus side is that I did my best time on a race tyre and that I know what tyres I will use in tomorrow’s races. This bike has never been here before, so we had no information or data from before. We have to just try and catch up as best we can. Tomorrow is going to be a long, hard day.


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

Laconi at Monza set front row once more

998RS Ducati Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks rider Regis Laconi set front row for Sunday’s fourth round of World Superbike championship at Monza with the fourth fastest time in the Superpole. After recording the fourth fastest laptime in the morning’s final qualifying session, Laconi confirmed his position also in a Wet Superpole, a 50 minutes session with a maximum of 12 laps availables. The session to define the starting grid for the tomorrow’s 16 laps two races has been a suffered session for the French rider: Superpole really started as Dry Superpole, but just during Regis’ timed lap started raining and Laconi has been stopped by red flag. After the 15 minutes of interval following the FIM procedure started a new Wet Superpole, but actually the track was dry and only a bit more slippery for a few rain drops, anyway to use soft tyres to grab a fast laptime.

“It has been some chaos moment, because in such conditions it’s always a lottery to adopt the right racing tactics and the right moment to start for a fast lap.” – said at the end of the day Regis Laconi – “When they stopped me in my time lap with the red flag I was very angry thinking that this stop ruined my precious marked soft tyres. At the end of the session I got only four laps available, so I must decide if I could use a soft tyre for a couple of laps or a race tyre to complete the session, but thank to the Dunlop help we could have a new soft tyre to mark, and so I preferred the first tactics. Actually at the end I’ve been able to do only a fast lap because during the second fast lap, when I got in the first split the fastest time, I found at Roggia’s chicane a doubled rider: he let me pass correctly, but anyway I must move a bit from the right line and with the soft tyre at the second lap I hadn’t a complete feeling and I preferred slow down. But I’m satisfied because, despite all the difficulties, we grabbed at the end the front row and on such fast track like Monza that’s very important. The guys have been perfect and never lose the control of the situation, thi bike runs well and for tomorrow I’m confident in a couple of good results.”

Satisfaction for Marco Masetti too and tomorrow he’ll start from the sixth row after upgrading his laptime today too.

“Very slowly I’m getting a better feeling and today I made less mistakes.” – commented Masetti – “When I’ve been able to stay behind some one of the good I could learn a lot of things and at the end I’ve seen the result. For tomorrow I’m confident to get something good.”


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

SECOND ROW FOR GREGORIO

2003 Superbike World Championship – Round 4, Monza, Italy. Friday qualifying, 16th May.
Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Gregorio Lavilla ended the first day of qualifying at Monza in sixth place, but knows that a front row grid position is still a possibility. Gregorio is the first non-Ducati rider in the top six and will have to find a bit more pace, if he’s to challenge the front-runners here at the ultra-fast Monza track.

Briton James Toseland set the day’s fastest time, with a lap of 1:47.713 – just three tenths of a second outside the official lap record set by Troy Bayliss last year.

Former European Superstock Champion Vittorio Iannuzzo joined Gregorio at Monza for this event. Iannuzzo was riding a very standard bike, with a Yoshimura kit and qualified a very creditable twelfth place.

LAVILLA – 6th, 1:48.371: Everything went pretty much OK today. We had one bike with some good things and some bad things and the other bike had different good things and bad things. So we’ll try and put the best things on both bikes into one bike for tomorrow and hopefully we’ll improve. Hodgson’s Ducati is very fast through the first split and that’s where we’re all losing time to him. We’re going to try and get closer to him there or it’s going to be two very long, hard races for sure. They’re going to be hard races anyway because Monza is like that. We’ve still some work to do and we’ll have to see how tomorrow pans out and then go hard on race day.

IANNUZZO – 12th, 1 min 49.946: I’ve had very limited time on a GSXR1000 this year – just one test session and one race in the Italian Championship. We’ve lots of work to do and many changes to make here, but I’m enjoying riding against the best Superbike riders in the world.


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Neil Hodgson took his third pole position of the year in the final minute of the Superpole session this afternoon ahead of tomorrow’s Italian World Superbike Round at Monza. In a session declared wet but mainly run in the dry, the 29-year-old Ducati Fila rider just edged out Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) with a record lap of 1’46.981, setting up a classic showdown between the championship leader and the local crowd favourite.

“It’s not going to be easy tomorrow,” declared Neil, “because the unexpected can always happen on this track. I don’t think anyone will be able to pull away at the front, but hopefully I can get Ducati’s 200th win. I’ve not got a strategy for tomorrow and I won’t have until the race starts. What will be important are the last few laps and I know for sure we’re looking good on our race tyre.”

Ruben Xaus was forced to miss Superpole after an incident just a couple of minutes into the morning’s final qualifying session. Xaus slammed into Clementi’s Kawasaki on the track after the Italian had crashed seconds before. Ruben remained unconscious on the track for about one minute before being taken to the circuit medical centre with concussion and chest trauma, as well as a cut on his inner thigh which required a few stitches. He returned to the Ducati garage to watch the end of Superpole and a decision will be taken tomorrow morning on whether Ruben can race. He will eventually line up on row 4.

“Unfortunately I found a Kawasaki on the track in front of me at the Ascari chicane and I just couldn’t see a thing through all the dust that had been thrown up,” declared Ruben , “so I ended up hitting him. For some time I couldn’t remember much about the incident but I’ve had a rest and feel OK now and I’ll be on the grid tomorrow for the two races.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning Superbike Practice Times:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:23.539
2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:24.474
3. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:24.651
4. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:24.749
5. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC51, 1:24.953
6. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:25.033
7. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:25.069
8. Anthony Gobert, Ducati 998RS, 1:25.268
9. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.216
10. Larry Pegram, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.346
11. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.739
12. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.456
13. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.571
14. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.779
15. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.003
16. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.009
17. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.066
18. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.370
19. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.458
20. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.854
21. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.979
22. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.088
23. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.130
24. Greg Moore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.170
25. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.256
26. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.438
27. Jack Pfeifer, Szuuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.630
28. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.676
29. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.687
30. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.765
31. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.061
32. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.262
33. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.799
34. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.864
35. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.439
36. Chuck Ivey, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.027
37. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.139
38. Chris Voelker, Ducati, 1:32.216
39. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.573
40. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.841

From a press release issued by the Parts Canada Superbike Championship:

SHANNONVILLE, ON – A new era of Canadian Superbike racing dawns this weekend as the 2003 Parts Canada Superbike Championship opens at Shannonville Motorsport Park.

This will be the first race for the national Superbike tour under performance restrictions designed to level the playing field for competitors in Canada’s premier motorcycle road racing class.

As a result of the new regulations, the battle for the 2003 crown is as wide open as it has ever been, with as many as 10 riders having a legitimate shot at the win in Sunday afternoon’s season opener on the 1.53-mile Shannonville ‘Pro’ track.

Adding to the unpredictable nature of this year’s title chase is the absence of 2002 Parts Canada Superbike Champion Jordan Szoke. The Brantford, ON rider is competing in the United States this summer and will not try to retain his Canadian crown.

Leading the field of challengers is 2000 and 2001 champion Steve Crevier of Maple Ridge, BC, who will be bidding for a record seventh Canadian Superbike crown. Crevier will be riding for the Diablo Suzuki team after spending the last three years with Honda.

Crevier will face some tough competition within the Suzuki ranks, however. Harrowsmith, ON’s Jeff Williams returns to the Diablo squad in 2003 while 1999 Superbike champion Francis Martin of Sherbrooke, QC joins Calgary’s Clint McBain on the Coors Light Racing/Blackfoot Suzuki team.

After winning two straight Superbike titles with Crevier, Honda will attempt to regain the crown with its three-rider Orion Motorsports squad. Kevin Lacombe of Granby, QC will aim to carry the momentum that saw him win the final round of last year’s series. He is joined in the Orion pit by two-time Canadian Superbike champion Michael Taylor of Toronto and Australian newcomer Rob Baird.

Former HJC Pro Rookie of the Year Andrew Nelson of Nepean, ON will also be Honda-mounted, riding for the Z1 Cycletech team.

A pair of returning riders leads Yamaha’s efforts in the national series. Granby, QC’s Pascal Picotte returns to Canadian competition this
year after a successful 12-year stint in the U.S. Picotte will run his own team for the first time in his career.

Frank Trombino of Kleinburg, ON, a race winner last year, is back with the Brooklin Cycle Yamaha team after a year with Honda.

Kawasaki’s program is led by Toronto native Owen Weichel, who is coming off a preseason injury suffered in California earlier this month.

This weekend’s action includes the opening round of the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike Championship. McBain will attempt to defend his title in that class.

Shannonville will also see the debut of the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike Championship, a new series designed to help Canada’s up-and-coming racers gain exposure and experience at the national level.

Official practice for the first round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship opens Friday with qualifying for all three national classes Saturday and races on Sunday.

This weekend’s event will be televised on TSN on Sunday, June 15 at 11:00 am EDT and later this year on Quebec’s RDS and across Canada on the Outdoor Life Network.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Superstock Qualifying Results:

1. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:26.760
2. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:26.913
3. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:26.973
4. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:27.017
5. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.086
6. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.163
7. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.174
8. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.213
9. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.475
10. Mike Smith, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.553
11. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.572
12. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.580
13. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.585
14. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.797
15. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.946
16. Greg Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.164
17. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.449
18. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:28.461
19. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.764
20. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:29.198
21. Jason Peters, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.425
22. Rich Conicellli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.642
23. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.703
24. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.788
25. Ty Howard, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.189
26. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.696
27. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.962
28. Chuck Ivey, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.143
29. Kevin Pate, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.672
30. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.988
31. Darren Luck, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.990
32. Thad Halsmer, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:32.020
33. Arash Hoshmandy, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.167
34. Jeff Muskopf, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.327
35. Heath Small, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:32.539
36. John McGarity, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.639
37. William Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.013
38. Nathan Hester, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.208
39. Douglas Rose, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.004
40. Mike Scruggs, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.210
41. Joseph Ford, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.585
42. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.100
43. Chris Greer, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:35.386
44. Robert Hilliard, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:35.515
45. Michael Kosta, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.733
46. Darrin Mitchell, Suzuki GSx-R600, 1:36.004
47. R. Todd Keesee, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.374
48. David Lambert, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:37.427
49. Stacy Summers, Kawasaki 600, 1:37.650
50. James Kerker, Honda CBR600, 1:39.809
51. Jessica Zalusky, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.233


More, from a press release issued on behalf of Marietta Motorsports:

1-888-FASTLAP RIDERS CAYLOR AND STOKES QUALIFY 6TH AND 8TH FOR 750 SUPERSTOCK AT ROAD ATLANTA

BRASELTON, Ga.- 1-888-FASTLAP riders Opie Caylor and Brian Stokes qualified sixth and eighth for the 750 Superstock race at the Suzuki Superbike Showdown at their home track of Road Atlanta this weekend.

Caylor rode his 1-888-FASTLAP/Team EMGO Taiwan Suzuki GSX-R750, turning a fast time of 1:27.163 (104.907 mph). His time put him sixth among the field, giving him a second-row start for the race.

“I went out first on a supersoft Pirelli, and did a 1:27.3. I wanted to get a pretty decent time in early, so I knew I had something to rely on,” said Caylor. “I came in for my first qualifying tire and headed back out. They’re only good for two, maybe three laps. I came back in and got another qualifier and felt like I really had a clean lap; I really had it going. Coming under the bridge in turn 10a, I got balked by another rider, but I still did a 27.1.

“I feel really good about the race. I can do 27.1’s all day, and even did a 27.0 in Superbike qualifying on a race tire.”

1-888-FASTLAP rider Stokes set a fast lap time of 1:27.213 (104.847 mph) on the Team Embry Suzuki GSX-R750. His time was quick enough to put him in the eighth qualifying position.

“I had no one to run with, and was only doing 29s,” commented Stokes. “Then I came in and put a new tire on and went out and did one lap. Then I saw Josh (Hayes) coming on the back straight, and he motioned to me ‘let’s go’ and I hooked up with him for two laps. I set a 27.3 and a 27.2 back to back. My fuel light had been on for three laps, so I had to come in.”

The 750 Superstock race will get underway on Saturday, May 17, following the first Superbike race, which starts at 2:00 pm EDT .

More information about 1-888-FASTLAP can be found on the Internet at www.1888FASTLAP.com.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning AMA Supersport Practice Times:

1. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:27.384
2. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:27.717
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:28.175
4. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:28.557
5. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:28.605
6. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:28.919
7. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:29.536
8. Ty Howard, Honda, 1:29.830
9. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:29.910
10. Marty Craggill, Honda, 1:29.993
11. Craig Connell, Honda, 1:30.097
12. Matt Wait, Yamaha, 1:30.206
13. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki, 1:30.231
14. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:30.396
15. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:30.898
16. Doug Chandler, Honda, 1:31.429
17. Jason Curtis, Honda, 1:33.367
18. Giovanni Rojas, Triumph, 1:33.536
19. Darrin Mitchell, Suzuki, 1:36.239
20. Thad Halsmer, Yamaha, 1:36.459
21. Heath Small, Yamaha, 1:37.016
22. Jason Hobbs, Yamaha, 1:37.064
23. Quentin Wilson, Yamaha, 1:37.333
24. Caesar Gonzales, Kawasaki, 1:37.532
25. Steven Breckenridge, Triumph, 1:37.867
26. Robert Hilliard, Yamaha, 1:37.871
27. Dirk Sanchez, Kawasaki, 1:38.933
28. David Guy, Suzuki, 1:40.196
29. Joseph Ford, Yamaha, 1:40.354
30. Chris Greer, Yamaha, 1:41.943
31. Jeremy Haiduk, Yamaha, 1:42.843

American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel did not ride in Friday morning’s Supersport practice session.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin earned the provisional pole position for this weekend’s AMA Superbike double-header at Road Atlanta with a lap time of 1:23.520 on his GSX-R1000.

Ducati Austin’s Anthony Gobert recorded the second-fastest qualifying time of 1:24.304 late in the session on his Ducati 998RS.

Gobert recently switched back to older, conventional Ohlins forks in place of the pressurized Ohlins units that came with his Ducati customer Superbike. Gobert said he had been struggling with the new forks so far in the 2003 season.

Aaron Yates qualified third-fastest with a time of 1:24.368 on the second Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Ben Bostrom took the final spot on the provisional front row with a 1:24.474 on his factory Honda RC51. Ben Bostrom’s flier came late in the session and displaced younger brother Eric from the provisional front row.

Friday’s AMA Superbike qualifying sessions was stopped twice during the 60-minute period. First, Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp crashed in turn four, and his GSX-R1000 ghost rode into a wall before bursting into flames.

The second stoppage was caused by a high-speed crash in turn nine, a kink at the end of the back straightaway, involving HSA Racing/Kaufman Trailers’ Brian Livengood. Livengood was flown to a local hospital, but his condition was not known at post time.

Friday AMA Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:23.520
2. Anthony Gobert, Ducati 998RS, 1:24.304
3. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:24.368
4. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC51, 1:24.474
5. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:24.512
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:24.645
7. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:24.825
8. Larry Pegram, Ducati 998RS, 1:25.905
9. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.414
10. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.543
11. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.858
12. Jason Prdimore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.962
13. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.098
14. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.412
15. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.708
16. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.932
17. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.068
18. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.082
19. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.235
20. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.345
21. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.507
22. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.555
23. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.565
24. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.571
25. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.837
26. Greg Moore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.948
27. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.036
28. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.113
29. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.198
30. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.368
31. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.608
32. Jacob Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.013
33. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.364
34. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.652
35. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.819
36. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.837
37. Doug Duane, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.119
38. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.148
39. Chuck Allen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.191
40. Chuck Ivey, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.643
41. Kevin Hanson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.760
42. Chris Voelker, Ducati, 1:31.821
43. Jason Knupp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.495
44. Jeff Muskopf, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.985
45. Rick Narup, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.999
46. Mike Johnston, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.321
47. Anthony Fania, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.707
48. Rick Shaw, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.292
49. Michael Hanley, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.563
50. James Bonner, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:37.344
51. R. Todd Keesee, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.613


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

MLADIN TOPS SUPERBIKE QUALIFYING TIMESHEETS AT ROAD ATLANTA

Braselton, Georgia, USA -– Mat Mladin has set the fastest time during the opening qualifying session for this weekend’s double header AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship round at the Road Atlanta circuit in Braselton, Georgia.

The Yoshimura Suzuki rider set a time of 1-min 23.520-secs to head an Australian one – two at the top of the timesheets as Anthony Gobert posted his best qualifying result of the season with a 1:24.304 aboard his Ducati.

Rain threatened throughout the day, but held out long enough for the days practice and qualifying sessions be completed, but the one-hour afternoon qualifying session was disrupted by two serious incidents that forced the officials to stop proceedings on each occasion before the session was finally completed.

Mladin continues to be the form rider of the championship having won four of the opening five races of the season and arrived at the round holding the points advantage over his rivals before taking to the circuit and dominating both the free practice session in the morning, then the important afternoon qualifier.

“It was important to get in a good lap time today as no-one is real sure as to what the weather will do tomorrow,” said the three-times American Superbike champion. “We managed to get a pretty good set up early on with the bikes, but as usual we are always trying to make them better. This afternoon it was a bit difficult to get a clear lap in. There was a lot of traffic out there and you had to plan it as best you could to get a clear break to allow a good shot at a fast lap. Itt all worked out well at the end, so we’ll just and see what tomorrow brings.”

Third fastest was Mladin’s teammate Aaron Yates with a time of 1:24.368, followed by American Honda’s Ben Bostrom who completes the front row of the grid with a time of 1:24.474.