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.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Lap, Running Order

1. 65 15 12 21 3 7 46 11 45 19 41 56 4 99 33 10 6 88 9 69 8 66

2. 65 46 15 12 3 21 7 11 45 19 41 56 4 33 6 99 10 9 88 69 8 66

3. 65 46 115 12 3 7 21 11 19 45 41 4 56 33 6 99 10 9 69 88 66 8

4. 46 65 3 12 21 11 19 41 4 33 45 6 56 99 10 9 69 88 66 8

5. 46 15 3 65 12 21 11 4 19 41 6 33 45 56 99 10 69 9 88 66 8

6. 46 15 3 65 12 21 11 4 19 6 41 33 56 45 99 10 69 9 88 66 8

7. 46 3 65 12 21 4 11 6 19 41 56 33 45 99 69 10 9 88 66 8

8. 46 3 65 12 4 21 11 6 19 41 56 33 45 99 69 9 10 88 66 8

9. 46 3 65 12 4 21 11 6 19 41 56 33 45 9 99 10 88 66 8

10. 46 3 65 12 4 21 6 11 33 41 19 56 45 9 99 10 88 66 8

11. 46 3 65 12 4 6 11 21 33 41 56 19 45 9 99 10 88 66 88

12. 46 3 65 12 4 6 11 21 33 56 41 19 9 99 45 10 88 66 8

13. 46 3 12 4 6 11 21 56 33 41 19 9 99 45 10 88 66 8

14. 46 3 12 6 4 11 21 56 41 19 9 99 33 45 10 88 66 88

15. 46 3 12 6 4 11 21 56 41 19 99 33 9 45 10 88 66 8

16. 46 3 12 6 4 11 21 56 19 41 99 9 45 10 88 66 33 8

17. 46 3 12 4 6 11 21 56 19 41 9 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

18. 46 3 12 4 11 6 21 56 19 9 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

19. 46 3 12 4 11 6 21 56 19 9 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

20. 46 3 12 4 11 6 21 56 9 19 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

21. 46 3 12 4 11 6 21 56 9 19 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 88

22. 46 3 12 11 4 6 21 56 9 19 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

23. 46 3 12 11 4 6 21 56 9 19 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

24. 46 3 12 11 4 6 21 56 9 19 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

25. 46 3 12 11 4 6 21 56 9 19 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

26. 46 3 12 11 4 6 21 56 9 19 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

27. 46 3 12 11 4 6 21 56 9 19 41 99 10 45 88 66 33

The following statement was issued by Road Atlanta:

Brian Livengood Air-lifted To Grady Memorial Hospital

4:45 p.m. Friday May 16, 2003

Brian Livengood of Snellville, GA was air-lifted by Emory Flight to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta Friday afternoon following a single motorcycle accident at Road Atlanta during AMA Superbike qualifying.

The initial diagnosis was that Livengood suffered a concussion and the track trauma physician was “cautiously optimistic”. There were no immediately apparent bone fractures or breaks.

Livengood crashed in Turn 9 because of suspected tire failure, according to AMA officials.

Further updates will be issued as they are available.

From a press release issued by FGSPORT GROUP:

Assen 200 Miles Entry List Announced

Ten Kate Honda debut in World Endurance

The list of entries for the next week Assen 200 Miles, second round of the World Endurance Championship, has been announced. A total of thirty nine teams and ninety two riders will compete with more local entrants expected to sign up in the next couple of days.

Supersport Super Stars

Ten Kate Honda, the team currently leading the World Supersport series, have entered their Honda CBR600RR for the Assen race. This is their home circuit, and although the team manager has described the event as a chance to further develop the bike, riders Chris Vermeulen and Karl Muggeridge will be unhappy with anything less than a win.

Endurance Experience

Amongst the teams making a one-off entry for Assen are a number of endurance racing regulars. Herman Verboven Racing have contested the championship for many years, and are practically on home turf at Assen.

German teams Bergmann & Soehne Racing and PS Schlesinger Endurance are also making a comeback and are expected to race at other rounds later in the year.

Multiple Manufacturers

Seven motorcycle manufacturers are represented in the Assen entry list. Suzukis are the most prevalent, with both their GSX-R1000 and GSX-R750 models entered. Yamaha R1s are present in both SBK and SuperProduction specifications, while Honda have examples of the CBR900RR Fireblade and CBR600RR entered. Ducati are represented in the shape of a 999R and 748RS, there are two Aprilia RSV1000s entered, and also a single example of Kawasaki’s ZX9R and Mondial’s Piega.

Junior Teams

Two of the permanent contracted teams run junior bikes aimed at giving younger riders a break onto the world stage, and both of these have different rider line-ups for Assen. The Phase One Juniors have only entered Martin Jessop and Henry Fincher, with David Carr still sidelined due to injuries after a spill at Imola, and Warren Watson will join the Trackdaze 11 bike alongside James Hutchins and Kevin Flacke.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Annandale Honda’s Ty Howard was 10th-fastest on his Michelin-equipped Honda CBR954RR with a time of 1:28.007, but Howard lost the front and crashed at the exit of turn 12 in the second half of the session. Howard was seen walking away from the high-speed get-off into the Airfence, but his condition was not known at press time.

Roger Lee Hayden suffered problems with his Erion Honda CBR954RR in turn seven on the opening lap of practice and sat out the entire Formula Xtreme session.

Friday Morning AMA Formula Xtreme Practice Times:

1. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:24.906

2. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.390
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:25.549
4. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR954RR, 1:26.769
5. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:26.779
6. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.927
7. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.983
8. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.278
9. Craig Connell, Honda CBR954RR, 1:27.751
10. Ty Howard, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.007
11. Doug Chandler, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.254
12. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.807
13. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR954RR, 1:31.338
14. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.272
15. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.349
16. John McGarity, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.489
17. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.516
18. Doug Duane, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.997
19. Marcus McBain, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.307
20. Nathan Hester, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.610

29. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:38.954