From a press release issued by World Superbike:


PRESS RELEASE
Round 3 – Japan – Sugo,
Sugo, 27 April 2003

Six Motorcycle Manufacturers on the Sugo Starting Grid

The Japanese round of the World Superbike Championship promises to be a breath-taking show at the highest technical level. The starting grid brings together six manufacturers and seven different models. This year’s change of regulations, made at the beginning of this season, has opened the class to four cylinder 1000cc machines, enriching and broadening the technical panorama by bringing together two, three and four cylinder bikes ranging in displacement from 750cc to 1000cc. In 2004 the rules will change again, establishing a 1000cc limit for all machines regardless of the number of cylinders. Performance will be equalized for engines from two to six cylinders by minimum weight limits and inlet tract restrictors, used at present only on four cylinder 1000cc models.
Here are the magnificent six manufacturers prepared to square off against each other at Sugo.

DUCATI – The reigning manufacturers champion enters two models, the all-new 999 and the glorious 998F02. The new machine has made the best of possible debuts, winning the first four races of the 2003 season in the capable hands of Neil Hodgson. The 998 is also putting in good results. Both bikes are fuel injected, twin-cylinder machines with trellis frames. The works Fila Ducati bikes are shod by Michelin, the satellite, works-supported GSE team runs Dunlop tires while the satellite DFX squad is working to develop tires for the Pirelli company, a firm that is becoming more and more involved in World Superbike.

HONDA – In 2002 the Japanese giant won the riders’ championship with Colin Edwards. For the Sugo race HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) has entered a works VTR-SPW 1000cc twin, ridden by the newly-signed Hitoyasu Izutsu. The big twin was first entered by Honda in the World Superbike Championship in 2000 and took the title in two of the last three seasons. At Sugo the VTR-SPW has won three of the last four races, and now it is up to Izutsu. The factory Honda will run on Michelin tires. This model will be retired in 2004 and will probably be replaced by a four cylinder machine to continue the fascinating battle with Ducati and the other seasoned challengers.

SUZUKI – Suzuki is the first brand to accept the four cylinder 1000cc challenge. Although development of the GSX1000R began only in January, the results so far are very promising. In Australia the new Suzuki allowed Gregorio Lavilla to earn a place on the podium and record the second fastest lap of the day. At Sugo Suzuki will add a second machine in the hands of national champion Atsushi Watanabe. The big Suzuki makes a claimed 200 horse power, ten more than the Ducati and Honda twins. The works Suzukis are equipped with Dunlop tires.

PETRONAS Foggy FP1 – This is the big news in the 2003 Superbike season. The giant Petronas concern, the world’s fourth largest petroleum company, has taken up the challenge to build a large capacity road bike, starting from scratch to take on the world’s leading manufacturers. The ambitious project is headed up by four times World Champion Carl Fogarty, the most successful rider in World Superbike history. Petronas has managed to build a three-cylinder 900cc bike in only a year and managed to start the first race of the season on the front row. In 2004 Petronas may convert the Foggy FP-1 to full 1000cc displacement and become a true threat to the other factories. These future challengers are being ridden by former World Champion Troy Corser and young James Hayden. The Petronas is equipped with Michelin tires.

YAMAHA – The Iwata factory is present via the UnionBike GiMotorsport team that enters the capable Giovanni Brussei on the R1 1000cc fuel injected four cylinder machine, running on Dunlop tires. The Yamaha R1 won the opening round of the Italian Superbike Championship, ridden by Alex Gramigni.

KAWASAKI – The ZX-7RR, homologated in 1996, is the oldest bike on the grid. The Italian Bertocchi team is running the 750cc fours, ridden by Mauro Sanchini and Ivan Clementi. The factory from Akashi won the World Championship in 1993 with Scott Russell and carefully following the evolution of the Superbike regulations with an eye to the probable entry of a new 1000cc machine in 2004.

SBK Press Office

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn Le Santo

Although he didn’t actually win it, Gregorio Lavilla was the real glory man in the second WSB race in Sugo.

Neil Hodgson took win number six at Sugo in race two, but only after he had to work really hard to shake off a determined challenge from Lavilla on the constantly improving GSX-R1000 Suzuki.

Lavilla actually led the race in the early stages, for three laps, before Hodgson blasted past him on the main straight to claim the lead. But Lavilla didn’t give up, and chased Hodgson all the way home.

“I was struggling for rear grip,” said Lavilla, “I simply couldn’t get on the throttle as early as Neil and this gave me a disadvantage on the straights.”

Hodgson enjoyed the pressure supplied by the Alstare Suzuki rider, “That was the best race of the season for me without doubt,” he said. “If you win a race by a distance then it just becomes like qualifying. I am a racer and I want to race with other bikes like today, it was fun!”

The pair were chased all the way by Frankie Chili, who was unhurt in the spectacular first-race, turn-one pile-up. At the end he’d used up too much rear tire catching them and just didn’t have the grip left to make a move.

“At the end of the race Neil just opened the throttle and I simply couldn’t stay with him,” said Chili. “At that point I decided third was a good result!”

Ruben Xaus took fourth, just under a second in front of James Toseland. Hitoyasu Izutsu was the first wild card home, in sixth place.

Results
World Superbike Championship
Round Three, Sugo, Japan
Race Two

1. Neil Hodgson, UK, Ducati 999F03, 37:56.499, best lap 1:30.207

2. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 37:57.317, best lap1:30.247

3. Pierfrancesco Chili, Italy, Ducati 998RS, 37:57.969

4. Ruben Xaus, Spain, Ducati 999F03, 38:06.969

5. James Toseland, UK, Ducati 998F02, 38:07.632

6. Hitoyasu Izutsu, Japan, RC51, 38:18.103

7. Regis Laconi, France, Ducati 998RS, 38:18.452

8. Ivan Clementi, Italy, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 38:45.356

9. Juan Borja, Spain, Ducati 998RS, 38:58.269

10. Mauro Sanchini, Italy, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 39:01.788

11. Giovanni Bussei, Italy, Yamaha YZF-R1, 39:05.824

12. Troy Corser, Australia, Foggy PETRONAS FP1, 39:11.783

13. Marco Borciani, Italy, Ducati 998RS, 38:03.204

14. Kenichiro Nakamura, Japan, Honda RC51, 38:06.205

15. Walter Tortoroglio, Italy, Honda RC51, 38:15.758

16. Atsushi Watanabe, Japan, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 13 laps, DNF

17. Noriyasu Numata, Japan, Ducati 996 RS, 7 laps, DNF

18. James Haydon, UK, Foggy PETRONAS FP1, 7 laps, DNF

19. Steve Martin, Australia, Ducati 998RS, 4 laps, DNF

20. Chris Walker, UK, Ducati 998F02, 2 laps, DNF

21. Lucio Pedercini, Italy, Ducati 998RS, 0 laps, DNF

Fastest Lap: Chili, 1:30.146

Championship Point Standings after race two, round three:
1. Hodgson, 150
2. Xaus, 106
3. Lavilla, 75
4. Toseland, 67
5. Laconi, 63


More, from a press release issued by the SBK Press Office:

HODGSON DOUBLES UP AGAIN IN PERFECT STYLE

A truly dramatic day of race action at Sugo saw Neil Hodgson (Ducati Fila) secure two wins on his full factory 999 machine, giving him a perfect six-from-six start to the 2003 season.

The clear championship leader, now by a margin of 44 points, had to start from fifth place in each race, but enjoyed a seven second win over second place man Regis Laconi (Ducati NCR) in the 25-lap opener. Laconi had started from pole, and took his first podium finish of the year in race one, a seventh in race two.

A four-rider crash at the first corner of race one saw Troy Corser (Foggy Petronas), Ivan Clementi (Bertocchi Kawasaki), Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) and Chris Walker (HM Plant Ducati) all crash, without serious injury. The race continued, with some riders having to make up significant ground after being run off track, even if they did not fall.

James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) escaped the first corner collision, and ended up third, after local wild card rider Atsushi Watanabe (Team Suzuki) went straight on at one corner on lap five, returning to finish eighth after restarting in last place, only 1.470 seconds behind Hodgson.

In race two the hard charging Gregorio Lavilla (Alstare Suzuki) had an excellent race with Hodgson, losing out over the line by only 0.8 seconds after having led three laps in the early stages. Pierfrancesco Chili put in another of his gritty rides to take third place on his 998 Ducati.

For Ruben Xaus, Hodgson’s team mate, Sugo proved to be a major obstacle to his championship ambitions, as he fought his way to a pair of fourth places. Remote from the leading group.

Toseland’s third in race one was converted to fifth in the second race and his team mate Walker ended the day with two no scores after he crashed, re-started and was forced to retire in race two.

With Lavilla fifth in race one, surging through from an off track excursion after the first lap pile up, local wild card rider Hitoyasu Izutsu (HRC Team) could only finish sixth on both races, failing to emulate his Kawasaki double race win in the 2000 SBK season.

Ivan Clementi made up for his exit in race one with a fighting eighth in the re-run, ahead of Juan Borja (DFX Ducati) and Mauro Sanchini (Bertocchi Kawasaki). The last top ten places in race one were shared out between Lucio Pedercini (Pedercini Ducati) in seventh, through Watanabe, James Haydon (Foggy Petronas) to Juan Borja (DFX Ducati) in tenth.

In the overall championship standings, Hodgson has a perfect score of 150, from Xaus on 106 and Lavilla on 75.

In the Supersport World Championship, Yamaha rider Christian Kellner made it three different winning manufacturers in as many races this season, holding off a spirited challenge from long term leader Ryuichi Kiyonari, who was entered as a wild card rider by the BKM Honda team.

In third place early leader Stephane Chambon (Alstare Suzuki) took the last podium position, with Yamaha wild card Tekkyu Kayo fourth and World Championship leader Chris Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda) fifth, one place ahead of his team-mate Karl Muggeridge.

This result puts Vermeulen ten points clear of Suzuki rider Katsuaki Fujiwara, who fell while in second place and remounted to finish 15th. Kellner’s win promoted him to third overall.

The next rounds of both Superbike and Supersport championships take place at Monza on May 18.


More, from a press release issued by Steve Martin’s publicist:

A weekend to forget for Steve Martin

It was another weekend in Japan that will be best forgotten for Steve Martin after a finishing 15th in race one and pulling out with an oil leak in race two.

It was never going to be an easy weekend at what is in effect Dunlop’s test track, appalling weather on Friday and Saturday just made matters worse.

“We had so little dry weather track time during qualifying that in race one my set up was way out,” explained Steve.

His team worked hard during the interval to get a better set up for race two.

“We changed just about everything, including tyres, ride height, springs, damping, you name it, we changed it,” said Steve.

It was a risky strategy but one that could have paid off if it hadn’t been for an unforeseen problem early in the race.

“The bike was much better, it was competitive. But when my foot started slipping off the peg I realised I had a big problem, I looked down and there was an oil mist coming from the motor. I had no choice but to retire from the race,” he said. Frustratingly for Steve the oil leak was caused by an engine cover fastener that had worked loose.

Steve now travels direct to Italy to prepare for the next round in Monza. “I’ll be glad to get to Europe and forget all about this weekend!”



More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION

HODGSON TAKES DUCATI WSBK VICTORY TOTAL TO 199 WITH DOUBLE WIN IN JAPAN

TWO FOURTHS FOR DUCATI FILA TEAMMATE XAUS

Britain’s Neil Hodgson scored Ducati’s first victory in Japan since 1995 as he powered to his fifth and sixth wins of the season at the Sugo Sportsland circuit. Fellow Brit Carl Fogarty was the last rider to take the honours for the Italian manufacturer when he won race 2 in his 1995 championship-winning year. Neil’s third successive double win of the year also took Ducati’s total race win haul to 199 in 16 years of World Superbike.

Hodgson’s superb start from the outside of row 2 helped him avoid the first corner pile-up that eliminated three top riders, Corser (Foggy Petronas), Walker (HM Plant Ducati) and Chili (PSG-1 Ducati). Hodgson then passed Laconi for the lead on lap 4 and took the chequered flag a comfortable 7 seconds ahead of the Frenchman. “If I hadn’t got such a good start, I might have been involved in the crash” declared Neil, “so I was really pleased with my start. Because of the limited practice time in the dry, I’d only tried my race tyre once so I took things easy on the first lap and then in the middle I eased off a bit as well. We are on a brand-new bike and when you come to a new circuit, you’ve got no baseline settings so we had to work that bit harder than usual”.

Hodgson was made to work much harder for his win in race 2. After swerving at the start to avoid Laconi (NCR Ducati) on the front row, he then took the lead on lap 5 from Lavilla. The Suzuki rider pressured him until lap 20 before Hodgson broke away to take his sixth successive win. “It was pretty scary at the start because Laconi almost stopped in front of me and I had to shut the throttle” declared Neil. “Gregorio gave me a hard time today, he kept the pressure on and his Suzuki and my Ducati were pretty evenly matched. Five laps to go I picked up the pace deliberately and that was enough. The old Neil Hodgson wouldn’t have done that but I’m starting to use my head a bit now and administer the races better!”

Ruben Xaus came away from Sugo with two fourth places, which keep him in second place in the table. The Spanish rider was lucky not to get caught out in the first corner incident in race 1 and lost a lot of time. Then in race 2 he had a good start and moved into fourth on lap 9, a position he held to the flag after a great scrap with Toseland. “I started 12th and finished 4th twice today so that’s quite good” declared Ruben. “I was really slow in the first split and it was here that I lost the race and the whole weekend. That was the only reason – between the second corner entry and third corner exit, everyone was faster than me. The bike felt mine today, and only today. In the warm-up we improved a lot and I had a better feeling with the bike in both races today. I think if I hadn’t lost all that time in the first split, I could have been fighting with Lavilla and Chili for sure”.



More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

PODIUM SECOND PLACE FOR GREGORIO!

Team Alstare Suzuki rider Gregorio Lavilla stormed his way to a superb second place of the Superbike World Championship race at Sugo today. He took the lead on the second lap and held off Neil Hodgson (Ducati) for three laps before being overtaken. He then stuck to Hodgson’s rear for rest of the 25-lapper, taking a well deserved second place. The Ducati’s superior performance allowed Hodgson to pull out the smallest of margins with a couple of laps remaining and that was enough to ensure victory. Gregorio took a comfortable second, with Chili(Ducati) nearly one and a half seconds behind the Alstare rider. Gregorio’s runner-up spot followed a tremendous fifth in the first race. Gregorio had been forced into the gravel on the opening lap after a four-rider incident in turn one, but managed to keep his Alstare Suzuki upright and steer it through the mud and slush from yesterday’s heavy rain. By the time he rejoined the race he was one place off last, but he put his head down and charged back into the reckoning. Lap after lap, he moved his way up through the field and by lap eight was up to fifth behind fellow countryman Xaus (Ducati). He began to close in on Xaus, but had worn out his tyres in the chase and had to settle for fifth instead. Hodgson won the race comfortably, with Laconi second and Toseland third ­ making it a clean sweep for the Bologna marque. Gregorio’s second in race two will get the glory, but his performance in the first race was no less impressive.

GREGORIO LAVILLA Race 1: 5th, Race 2: 2nd
If I can do races like today, I’m happy. If I had finished 30 seconds behind the leader, I would not have been pleased, but to lead the race and be right with Hodgson for the whole race is a good feeling. Hodgson’s Ducati has been developped over many years, but our Suzuki is brand new and we only received it in January, so I think we are doing very well. Our top speed is still not as fast as we’d like and I’m losing grip exiting the corners, but we’re working hard at making the bike as good as possible. I lost ground to Neil (Hodgson) on the exits and couldn’t keep with him there, so I had to make up for it on the brakes. It’s a pity that I was forced off the track in the first race, because I was certain I could get a podium. I could’ve pulled in, but I thought I might as well push hard and see what happens and that’s what I did. It was very satisfying to get all the way up to fifth from nearly last ­ almost as good as my second place in race two! We still have a lot of work to do, but if we can get the bike to work a bit better in some areas, I’d like to think I can win a race this year.



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

2003 World Superbike Championship
Round 3, Sugo, Japan, Sunday 27th April 2003
Circuit: 3.737 kms, Weather: Dry, sunny 18-21 Deg C.

WEEKEND TO FORGET FOR TROY
The third round of the championship was one that Troy would happily forget, thanks to a DNF in the first race and a lowly twelfth in the second. The DNF was not of his own making, but the no-score and the four points in the second meant that is the worst weekend so far this year. Troy didn’t even get further then turn one in the first race. A collision on the front straight caused an incident, which ended up taking out four riders. For a while it looked like the race would be red-flagged, but it carried on leaving Troy and three others out of contention. Troy injured his left calf and thigh in the fall, but no bad enough to cause him to take part in race two. Neil Hodgson (Ducati) went on to win it by a comfortable margin, with Laconi (Ducati) second and Toseland (also Ducati-mounted) third. Troy was in ninth place at the end of lap one in race two, but after two or three laps the rear tyre started spinning and then his left foot began to slip off the gear lever. A small oil seepage was the cause and soon it also affected the right footpeg. Troy kept an eye on the situation, but decided to carry on and ended up by taking twelfth place. The race was once again won by Hodgson, but this time he faced a fierce challenge from Lavilla (Suzuki) throughout the 25-lapper. The Spaniard hounded him right to the flag, but could not find enough to pass the Briton. Chili (Ducati) took third spot, ahead the Ducatis of Xaus and Toseland, with Izutsu (Honda) slotting into sixth.

TROY – Race 1: DNF, Race 2: 12
Well, what I’d like to say is that this is a weekend to forget! It didn’t start particularly well and it just got worse. The first race was a disaster, because I never even got to complete a lap! On the way down to turn one after the start, somebody hit me and then I got tangled up with Clementi I think, My elbow had been hit and I was hanging off the front of the bike trying to recover. Clementi went on to the grass and then came back onto the track and then hit me. After that it was bikes and bodies flying everywhere – I think I hit Chris (Walker) and we both hit Frankie (Chili) and that was that. My left ankle was a bit sore, but otherwise I was OK.

Race two started OK, but then I felt the rear spinning and my left foot began to slip. I looked down and saw what looked like a little bit of oil; so I thought I’d take it steady and see what happened. Later, my right foot started slipping and after that it was just a case of trying to nurse the bike home and get some points. The only good news is that we’ve taken part in another race and I’ve given the mechanics lots of data to analyse. There’s still lots to improve, but it’s a brand new bike and we’re learning all the time. Here’s to Monza!



More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

PODIUM SECOND PLACE FOR GREGORIO!

2003 Superbike World Championship.
Round 3, Sugo, Japan.
Sunday 27th April 2003

Team Alstare Suzuki rider Gregorio Lavilla stormed his way to a superb second place of the Superbike World Championship race at Sugo today. He took the lead on the second lap and held off Neil Hodgson (Ducati) for three laps before being overtaken. He then stuck to Hodgson’s rear for rest of the 25-lapper, taking a well deserved second place. The Ducati’s superior performance allowed Hodgson to pull out the smallest of margins with a couple of laps remaining and that was enough to ensure victory. Gregorio took a comfortable second, with Chili(Ducati) nearly one and a half seconds behind the Alstare rider. Gregorio’s runner-up spot followed a tremendous fifth in the first race. Gregorio had been forced into the gravel on the opening lap after a four-rider incident in turn one, but managed to keep his Alstare Suzuki upright and steer it through the mud and slush from yesterday’s heavy rain. By the time he rejoined the race he was one place off last, but he put his head down and charged back into the reckoning. Lap after lap, he moved his way up through the field and by lap eight was up to fifth behind fellow countryman Xaus (Ducati). He began to close in on Xaus, but had worn out his tyres in the chase and had to settle for fifth instead. Hodgson won the race comfortably, with Laconi second and Toseland third ­ making it a clean sweep for the Bologna marque.

Gregorio’s second in race two will get the glory, but his performance in the first race was no less impressive.

GREGORIO LAVILLA Race 1: 5th, Race 2: 2nd
If I can do races like today, I’m happy. If I had finished 30 seconds behind the leader, I would not have been pleased, but to lead the race and be right with Hodgson for the whole race is a good feeling. Hodgson’s Ducati has been developped over many years, but our Suzuki is brand new and we only received it in January, so I think we are doing very well. Our top speed is still not as fast as we’d like and I’m losing grip exiting the corners, but we’re working hard at making the bike as good as possible. I lost ground to Neil (Hodgson) on the exits and couldn’t keep with him there, so I had to make up for it on the brakes. It’s a pity that I was forced off the track in the first race, because I was certain I could get a podium. I could’ve pulled in, but I thought I might as well push hard and see what happens and that’s what I did. It was very satisfying to get all the way up to fifth from nearly last ­ almost as good as my second place in race two! We still have a lot of work to do, but if we can get the bike to work a bit better in some areas, I’d like to think I can win a race this year.


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

Toseland moves up to fourth in championship

James Toseland has moved up to fourth place overall in the 2003 Superbike Championship after taking fifth place on his HM Plant Ducati in the second race at Sugo, which was won by former team-mate Neil Hodgson. Chris Walker was once again out of luck on the second HM Plant Ducati as he crashed out of contention on the third lap of the race.

The Superbike field successfully negotiated the tricky first turn at the start of the race and the HM Plant Ducatis were riding in close formation among the leading group. However, with Toseland running in a strong top five position, Walker lost his mount at turn 10 (Horse Back Corner).

“It didn’t feel like I had made a mistake,” said the unfortunate Nottingham rider who has slipped from third to sixth in the overall standings as a result of his two DNFs in Japan. “I went into the corner as normal and the front end just went from beneath me. With so little dry track time and being taken out on the first corner of the first race, I hadn’t really had the benefit of running a full race distance. My feet are in agony after the crashes I’ve had this weekend, but I had to have a go in the second race in an attempt to score some points.”

With Hodgson, Lavilla and Chili making a break at the front of the field, Toseland was left in a titanic battle with Fila Ducati’s Ruben Xaus. Try as he might, the HM Plant Ducati rider was unable to take the advantage over the Spaniard in the dash to the chequered flag.

“It was a struggle for everyone out there today,” said Toseland. “I was getting good side grip, but then was struggling to get traction out of the corners. That meant that I wasn’t able to carry the momentum of the HM Plant Ducati past Xaus – it was a case of swings and roundabouts on our set-up. That was a faster race than the first one and I didn’t finish that far behind the race winner, which was a good performance in front of our guests from HM Plant and Hitachi Construction Machinery at their home event.”



HM Plant Ducati Team Manager Colin Wright summarised the mixed fortunes experienced by his riders: “You get good and bad days in racing. Fortunately for James, it was one of his good days. Unfortunately, for Chris it was one to forget. As a result, I’ve got mixed feelings from today, but I’d like to thank the team for all the hard work they’ve put into this weekend. I think we’ll all look forward to getting back to Europe and the next round of the series at Monza next month.”


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

Haydon highlight of tough Japanese debut for Foggy PETRONAS Racing

A second race dogged by mechanical problems completed a frustrating third round of the World Superbike championship at Sugo, Japan, for Foggy PETRONAS Racing.

Having secured his first top ten fnish of the season in race one, James Haydon was forced to retire after seven laps of race two when the FP1, the Malaysian superbike, showed signs of engine seizure. Team-mate Troy Corser, who was involved in a four-man crash at the first corner of the first race, was able to compete in the afternoon repeat, but was also the victim of mechanical misfortune on his way to a 12 th -placed finish.

Team owner Carl Fogarty said: “It has been a frustrating weekend for us and it’s clear we have some issues to sort out before the championship gets back to Europe. The one positive was James’ performance in the first race, his best result of the season, and at a new circuit for him.”

Team manager Nigel Bosworth said: “We didn’t really expect to be both competitive and reliable at this stage of the project but the good start to the season probably hid the fact that we still have a long way to go and a lot of hard work to do. James slugged it out well in the first race, considering the fact that his bike was over-heating, and found a better set-up for the future. It was unfortunate that Troy suffered intermittent miss-firing in the second race.”

James said: “Obviously I’m pleased with the first race and we made some changes for the second, stiffening the rear. I felt that was a step forward until my water bottle started filling up and spraying over me, the first sign of an engine problem. It then tightened a couple of times and slowed as though I was on the back brake. It then cut out and I started to feel like I was going to crash so I thought it was best to come in so we could identify the problem, rather than blowing the engine. It has been a difficult weekend but I think we will be able to take some positives into Monza and make some changes.”

Troy said: “That was a day I want to forget! After the crash in race one I had problems from the start of race two with the electrics and also leaking oil. I thought I would have to come in but I basically slowed down so I could at least score some points.”


More, from a press release issued by Steve Martin’s publicist:

A weekend to forget for Steve Martin

It was another weekend in Japan that will be best forgotten for Steve Martin after a finishing 15th in race one and pulling out with an oil leak in race two.

It was never going to be an easy weekend at what is in effect Dunlop’s test track, appalling weather on Friday and Saturday just made matters worse.

“We had so little dry weather track time during qualifying that in race one my set up was way out,” explained Steve.

His team worked hard during the interval to get a better set up for race two.

“We changed just about everything, including tyres, ride height, springs, damping, you name it, we changed it,” said Steve.

It was a risky strategy but one that could have paid off if it hadn’t been for an unforeseen problem early in the race.

“The bike was much better, it was competitive. But when my foot started slipping off the peg I realised I had a big problem, I looked down and there was an oil mist coming from the motor. I had no choice but to retire from the race,” he said. Frustratingly for Steve the oil leak was caused by an engine cover fastener that had worked loose.

Steve now travels direct to Italy to prepare for the next round in Monza. “I’ll be glad to get to Europe and forget all about this weekend!”


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

Laconi runner-up at Sugo!

In a splendid springtime day Regis Laconi rode the 998RS Ducati Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks onto the winner rostrum in Race-1 at Sugo, with a fantastic second place behind the Neil Hodgson’s factory 999 Ducati. The French rider started in a pefect way from the pole position, leading the race for three out of 25 of scheduled laps, then Hodgson overtook him in the long line downhill and Regis could only manage his runner-up, defending it from the attacks of evo factory Suzuki of Watanabe and from Toseland. In race-2 instead at the start the Laconi’s bike broke the O-ring of hydraulic clutch shaft and the bike started a bad wheelie; Laconi lost several positions, ending the first lap only in 11th position. Despite the clutch troubles he remounted very fast, stopped only by Izutsu’s factory Honda; the two riders fighted for several laps, then Laconi finally overtook his rival, but at the last braking for the chicane the gearbox failed remaining neutral, just due to the clutch trouble, an Izutsu passed him again, scoring the final sixth place under the chequered flag.

“The clutch’s trouble has been really a pity.” – commented Laconi back in the pit – “The bike has done a bad wheelie and a lot of riders overtook me, so I found me in the middle of the group and to pass I needed several lap, also because the clutch wasn’t running well anymore. In the start confusion I believe also that I touched Pedercini and I am sorry about it, just because I couldn’t manage correctly the bike. When I reached Izutsu I spent a lot of time to pass him, because on this track isn’t easy to pass, finally I’ve been able to overtook him, but just at the last lap braking at the chicane, the clutch failed once more and the gearbox got the neutral position, so the Honda passed me and in the hill climbing I’ve been not able to recover. Race-1 has been fantastic. I started very fast, then during the fourth lap Hodgson passed me, but I was able to manage al the other rivals and to finish second has been great. They have been three days of hard work, most of all for the weather conditions, but at the end this result pays for all the work all the team has done, and also the problem in race-2 is not due to the team work. It’s a pity for the Championship standing, because after race-1 I was only 2 points behind the third position, but also if now the gap increased I’m still very close and now I’m waiting for Monza. I must thank all people of the team and I’m happy to give them this satisfaction, and of course I’m happy for me too!”

From a press release issued by Mat Mladin’s publicist:

2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Rounds 4 & 5 – Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, California, USA
Event preview

MLADIN AIMS TO CONSOLIDATE AMERICAN SUPERBIKE POINTS LEAD

The early rounds of the 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship are beginning to accumulate, with Australia’s Mat Mladin hoping to extend his current points lead in this year’s championship following this weekend’s (May 3 & 4) ‘Double Header’ round at the revised Infineon Raceway (formerly known as Sears Point).

A former race winner at the track in 1999, Mladin and his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 have been in dominating form this season and will head into this weekend’s fourth and fifth round of the championship holding a seven point lead over Honda’s Miguel DuHamel.

Since taking a double race win at the last round at Fontana, Mladin and his team have been busy undertaking further testing to their new Superbike-spec GSX-R1000s and arrive at Infineon full of confidence.

“The team has been busy since the last round at Fontana as we have been able to complete two separate test sessions, so I’m looking forward to heading to Infineon and having a good weekend, where hopefully we can come away with an extended points lead,” said three-times American Superbike champion Mladin.

“It’s a crucial stage of the championship where there are still 15 races to go, but we need to push on as hard as we can for the next six or eight races and then see where we are at that point in time.”

Since last year’s corresponding round, the 12-turn circuit has undergone minor changes, which has shortened its overall length from 2.32 miles (3.73km) to its new length of 2.2 miles (3.54km)

“I don’t mind the circuit layout that they have there,” added Mladin. “I haven’t been there since they made the minor circuit changes, but I don’t think that will be a big deal for us. The changes have supposedly made the track safer, so that’s what counts.

“The track bothers me less, knowing that I’ve got a good motorcycle under me and that it’s working well. It steers how I want it to steer and we’ve made some further improvements with set up as a result of our testing, so as long as the bike feels comfortable, which way the track goes doesn’t really matter.”

Qualifying for round begins on Friday (May 2), before final qualifying and the first of the two 28-lap Superbike races are held on Saturday, followed by the second on Sunday afternoon.

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

TROMBINO TOPS IN TESTING

SHANNONVILLE, ON – Frank Trombino set the pace as the Parts Canada Superbike Championship conducted a preseason test at Shannonville Motorsport Park Thursday.

The Kleinburg, ON rider toured the 1.53-mile Shannonville ‘Pro’ Track in 1:08.282 aboard his Brooklin Cycle Yamaha YZF-R6. Orion Motorsport Honda riders Michael Taylor of Toronto and Kevin Lacombe from Granby, QC were second and third quickest, respectively. Taylor set a time of 1:08.442 while Lacombe recorded a 1:09.384.

Trombino is making his return to the Brooklin Yamaha team after riding for Honda last season. He won back-to-back International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Open Sport Bike national titles with the team in 2000 and 2001.

Trombino will ride Yamaha’s YZF-R1 in the Parts Canada Superbike feature class this summer and race a new YZF-R6 in the Hindle Pro 600 Sport Bike national support class.

“The team’s fantastic,” Trombino said. “I feel like we’re picking up from where we left off in 2001. I was very comfortable right off the start.”

Trombino and Brooklin Yamaha teammate Darryn Wilbur of Maple, ON enjoyed some track time earlier this spring in Jennings, FL, where they both took part in regional racing events.

Taylor has moved back to the Honda camp after running Yamahas last season. He will ride a CBR954RR in the Superbike division and the brand new CBR600RR in Pro 600 Sport Bike competition. He was the pacesetter for much of the day.

“The 954 is similar to the bike I rode a couple of years ago,” said Taylor, who raced a Honda CBR929RR in 2001. “It’s got more power and torque. We just don’t have it handling yet. The 600 is a dream.”

Lacombe is a heavy favorite for the 2003 Parts Canada Superbike title after winning the final race last season. He will again race the Honda RC51, which has been modified to reflect the new Superbike rules that limit horsepower and restrict modifications.

He will also race a CBR600RR in the Hindle Pro 600 Sport Bike class.

“I have the best of everything. Now I just have to go out and do the job,” Lacombe said.

Yamaha riders Jean-Francois Cyr of Laval, QC, Wilbur and Benoit Pilon of St-Jerome, QC had the fourth through sixth fastest times, respectively.

Australian Robbie Baird, making his first appearance in Canada, was seventh fastest for the Orion Motorsports Honda squad.

The teams from Canadian Kawasaki Motors, Coors Light Racing/Blackfoot Suzuki and Diablo Suzuki did not take part in the Shannonville test as they continued preseason preparations in the U.S. Diablo’s Steve Crevier and Coors Light Racing/Blackfoot Suzuki rider Clint McBain were both at Shannonville to perform television duties.

The Parts Canada Superbike season opens on Shannonville’s ‘Pro Track’ May 16-18.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn Le Santo

He’s been in great form all weekend, fast, but not as fast as Neil Hodgson. But Regis Laconi was fastest when it counted, on his Superpole lap – while a mistake from Hodgson pushed him back onto the second row.

Superpole was interrupted by spectacular crash when Nello Russo lost the rear end in turn two. At first he seemed to have saved a highside but as the bike ran into the gravel trap he was flipped off the machine and landed heavily in the safety bales. He was taken to the medical center and the latest report is that he’s hurt, possibly with broken bones, but he’s not in a serious condition. He’s been airlifted to Sendai hospital for precautionary brain scans.

After the restart it was Walker who impressed–riding with a serious injury to his left foot, Walker nonetheless finished sixth, just behind Hodgson. Pierfrancesco Chili tried hard to rob Laconi of pole, failing by just 0.02-second.

“I had a few set-up problems in Superpole,” said Chili, “but I think we’ll have a better set up for the Sunday.”

Laconi not only took his first-ever pole position but was the first Frenchman to take pole for 11 years.

“Normally I prefer fast tracks, and here there are many slow turns,” said Laconi. “But I am happy because it seems now I am fast in both fast and slow turns. I am also happy to put an Italian bike on pole in Japan.”

Third on the grid was taken by Gregorio Lavilla on the ever-improving Suzuki GSX-R1000.

“Every time we go take the bike out on the track I can feel some improvement,” commented Lavilla. “I am very happy with today’s result which again demonstrates the potential of the GSX-R. But I think in Monza we’ll see the real level of the bike!”

The three regular riders are joined on the grid by All-Japan Champion Atsushi Watanabe who claimed to have only ridden his bike for the first time two weeks ago. This prompted a clearly sceptical Chili to shout, “Pinocchio!” suggesting Watanabe might have been a little economic with the truth.

World Superbike Championship
Round Three, Sugo, Japan
25-26-27 April 2003-04-25

Superpole result:

1. Regis Laconi, FRA, Ducati, 1:30.064
2. Pierfrancesco Chili, ITA, Ducati, 1:30.084
3. Gregorio Lavilla, ESP, Suzuki, 1:30.496
4. Atsushi Watanabe, JPN, Suzuki, 1:30.582
5. Neil Hodgson, GBR, Ducati, 1:30.636
6. Chris Walker, GBR, Ducati, 1:31.033
7. James Toseland, GBR, Ducati, 1:31.053
8. Troy Corser, AUS, FP1, 1:31.369
9. H. Izutsu, JPN, Honda, 1:31.500
10. Lucio Pedercini, ITA, Ducati, 1:31.593



More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

HODGSON (TEAM DUCATI FILA) MISSES OUT ON FRONT ROW START IN SUPERPOLE – XAUS DOWN IN TWELFTH

Team Ducati Fila riders Neil Hodgson and Ruben Xaus will start the Japanese Round of the World Superbike Championship at Sugo from row 2 and 3 respectively after this afternoon’s Superpole session.

29-year-old Hodgson set the pace in the morning’s second and final qualifying session, ending up with a time of 1:30.708, but an improvement of just one-tenth of a second in the one-lap dash left him fifth quickest, half a second away from eventual polesitter Regis Laconi (NCR Ducati). “I didn’t put a good lap together really and you only get one chance. I had a few slides and pushed hard but it didn’t feel right at all” said Neil. “My set-up for the race is not 100% perfect but I don’t think anyone will have a perfect set-up, we just didn’t get enough lap time. I set my quickest qualifying time on my race tyre and did a good long-run so I’m pretty happy with the way the bike is. Starting from row 2 shouldn’t be that much of a problem because you can judge the start a little bit better”.

Teammate Xaus continued to struggle on the second factory Ducati 999 and will start from row 3 after setting 12th-quickest time. “All weekend I haven’t had the right feeling and I can’t even do a 1:31 lap time” declared Ruben. “I think it’s a set-up problem because I know I’m not that slow. The 999 is a new bike and it’s quite difficult to ride around this circuit, the other guys have gone pretty fast so what we needed to do was find the right direction to go and we didn’t do that. If I get a good feeling in the races, I can fight for top 3 but I need that feeling, otherwise I’m not going to push hard for nothing. I’ve started from row 3 before, it’s not so good but that’s not the problem for me. I need to ride the bike and at the moment the bike is riding me.”



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

2003 World Superbike Championship
Round 3, Sugo, Japan, Saturday 26th April 2003, Final Qualifying
Circuit: 3.737 kms, Weather: Dry, mostly sunny 23 C.

SECOND ROW FOR TROY
After a difficult opening day of qualifying yesterday, it was back to regular business today at Sugo. The heavy overnight rain had left the track sodden, but by the time the morning qualifying started there was a dry line virtually around the whole track. But there were still a few damp patches about to catch out the unwary and there were many fallers in both the sessions today. Troy used the better weather to his advantage and steadily improved throughout the day. His Superpole lap was not one of his best, but he still managed to his Foggy Petronas FP1 onto the second row of the grid without a problem. Frenchman Regis Laconi (Ducati) took pole position today, with a time of 1:30.064 – the first time a Frenchman has been on pole in eleven years! Second quickest is Pierfrancesco Chili (Ducati), with Gregorio Lavilla (Suzuki) third and ‘wild card’ rider Atshusi Watanabe (Suzuki) fourth.

TROY – 8th, 1:31.369
Well I’m a lot happier then I was at the same time yesterday! Today we spent a lot of time trying different gearing, because this track gearing is critical. You have to get it spot on, but it’s always a bit of a compromise here. We maybe will try and change the internals for tomorrow’s warm-up and see if that makes our life a bit easier. At the moment the bike is handling pretty reasonably round here, but we’re just lacking a bit of grunt and acceleration. We’re using second gear a bit too much round here and running too high revs in the corner, so we’ll try and fix that for tomorrow. I had a small get-off this morning; when I went straight on at turn one. I was upright and OK, but the rain had made the run-off a mudbath and I just slipped over at slow speed. In the afternoon, I had a mechanical problem with one bike, but we can fix that also. In the wet yesterday, we had a bit of a tyre problem, so all us Michelin riders will be hoping it’s dry tomorrow. As long as it is, and I make a good start, I think we can get a couple of good results.


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

Second row start for Foggy PETRONAS Racing in Japan

Foggy PETRONAS Racing rider Troy Corser made the second row of the grid for tomorrow’s two World Superbike championship third round races at the Japanese circuit of Sugo.

The Australian went into the afternoon Superpole session 11th fastest but climbed three places on his FP1, the Malaysian superbike, with a time of 1:31.369. His best time of the day had been posted in the afternoon practice session, at 1:31.152.

Team-mate James Haydon was unable to qualify in the top 16 by the end of his first hour at this testing circuit in dry track conditions, following yesterday’s rain. But he made encouraging progress in the afternoon practice session to finish 17th fastest, more than a second quicker than his morning time, with 1:33.104.

Troy decided against using a qualifying tyre in the morning session, following a slow crash after over-shooting turn one and then an engine problem towards the end of the session. But he put together a typically smooth Superpole lap to start ahead of factory Ducati rider Ruben Xaus and three of the four local wild cards, with Regis Laconi claiming pole position.

Troy said: “I should probably have used a new front tyre for my Superpole lap, instead of one which had already done seven laps. I am going to go shorter overall with the gearing for tomorrow and make second gear longer internally, as I’m using fifth down the straight and second round the rest of the track. The crash this morning was similar to the one in warm-up for the races in 1998 but this time, instead of trying to turn in, I accelerated through the gravel up the hill and dropped it down. I am happy with the second row but need a good start as we might struggle out of the final chicane and it is difficult to pass on other parts of the circuit. But I feel that a top ten finish is achievable.”

James said: “The whole story has been about time for me as this is the type of circuit where there is no substitute for laps. There are so many line entries, little bumps and the final chicane makes such a difference. I am still not totally comfortable with the bike, which certainly doesn’t help at a new circuit, but it is getting better all the time. My best lap time in the afternoon was on race tyres and if I had done that in the previous session, when I ran out of time after a spark plug problem, I would have qualified for Superpole. I have never failed to qualify for Superpole before and, starting from the back row, I am going to need the kind of good start that I have been having so far.”

Team manager Nigel Bosworth said: “It would have been better to have sorted the gearing out yesterday, but we are effectively two hours behind after yesterday’s weather. On a new bike, at a new circuit, that makes such a big difference. Troy’s performance was very encouraging and James made good progress through getting his head down and learning the circuit. We feel we have good race tyres and a repeat of our Phillip Island results would be an achievement.”


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

Close formation for HM Plant Ducatis

Chris Walker and James Toseland have qualified in sixth and seventh positions respectively for the third round of the Superbike World Championship at Sugo in Japan. The HM Plant Ducati riders continued their trend of lapping in almost identical times in 2003, but shared contrasting fortunes in the dry conditions after Friday’s downpour.

Chris Walker may have just beaten his team-mate in Superpole, but the gutsy Nottingham star is riding through the pain barrier after a crash in this morning’s second qualifying session. The HM Plant Ducati highsided at turn four with Walker breaking his little toe and losing some skin off the top of his foot as a result of the accident.

“That was painful,” said a brave Walker, who currently lies third in the championship after the first two rounds at Valencia and Phillip Island. “My foot is very uncomfortable and I’m anticipating that I’m going to be in agony tomorrow. This type of injury always feels worse on the second day after the adrenalin has died down a bit. The crash was my fault – I was pushing too hard in the first dry session before I had got the right balance for the set-up of my HM Plant Ducati.”

Team-mate James Toseland had a better day at the 3.737km circuit near Sendai. “I don’t feel that my Superpole lap gives a true reflection of my prospects for tomorrow,” said the 22-year-old Sheffield rider. “If it rains, I‘ve got a fantastic set-up on the HM Plant Ducati, but I think we’d all prefer dry conditions. I believe that I’ve been riding smoothly enough to get the best out of the bike around this circuit. I’d like to have been on the front row of the grid, but I’m in good shape for the two races and I should be able to run quite strongly.”

The timesheets were headed by Regis Laconi and Frankie Chili on Ducatis, with championship leader Neil Hodgson in fifth position after Superpole. Hodgson had been fastest after qualifying on his Ducati Corse 999, with a clear advantage over his team-mate and title challenger Ruben Xaus. Ducati hasn’t won a race at Sugo since 1995, but the signs look good in 2003, with the HM Plant Ducati team looking to extend its excellent start to the season.


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

Laconi in pole at Sugo!

(Sugo 2003, April 26)

The weather let in peace Sugo area today, and also if cloudy the practice could run in dry conditions. With a perfect Superpole session Regis Laconi earned his first pole position in a world championship event of his career, bringing on the top a French rider after more as ten years (Roche’s time) for a front row formed exceptionally by all Dunlop rider.

After his third fastest in qualifying session Regis has been really fantastic in Superpole, without any small mistake, and neither Chili nor’ Hodgson, started after him, have been able to get a better performance. That’s an historical pole position, the first for Scuderia Caracchi NCR in Superbike World Championship in the modern era.

Regis is of course at the seventh heaven and his word show his happiness: “Everything did run in a perfect way and the team gave me a perfectly setted bike as well as tyres which worked very well. When I crossed the finish line I’ve seen on the cockpit the laptime that I’ve recorded I left my hand to the heaven for a joyful exploit because I’ve seen immediately that also for my rivals could not be easy to do better. Chili has been very fast, but not enough, and Hodgson rode a bad Superpole lap. Of course the race will be tomorrow, but for the moment I could offer this success to the team and I’m very happy for that. For the race Hodgson will be for sure a hard challenger, as well as Chili and the Suzuki’s riders, but for the moment we could enjoy this moment, it’s not easy for a private team that could happen. Usually I love the track with fast corners, but from today on I love Sugo too!”

The happiness for Laconi’s performance has been ruined from the bad crash in the morning of David Garcia: he started the final qualifying session a bit nervous due all the problems he had yesterday. Then David was starting to push looking for a good qualifying laptime when he has done a mistake, putting the front wheel out of the track on the wet grass and the crash has been inevitable. It has been a bad crash and David suffered the fracture and dislocation of the right thumb, as well several contusions and bruises. The dislocation has been fast recovered by the Clica Mobile people, but the fracture needs a surgery operation that will be done at the return in Europe, with the goal to be ready for Monza’s round next May 18.

“My God, what unbelievable day! ” – comments Garcia – “Yesterday I not actually practised, so this morning I started a bit nervous. I stopped several times to the pit for setting the bike that yesterday I wasn’t able to set, then about 20 minutes to the end of the session I started to push; at the moment of my crash my split time was the eleventh fastest, and it was just the second lap that I was pushing, but I put my front wheel on the grass and, when I rejoined the asphalt the bike put itself askance and did throw me out. I have been a lot of time asking the marshals to put my helmet out because I wasn’t able to do by myself due my hands pain, but they didn’t understand me and I wasn’t able to breathe! It has been a terrible moment. Back in Europe I’ll have a surgery operation at the hand, and I’m confident I’ll be able to race in Monza.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn Le Santo

Neil Hodgson waited until the final minute of qualifying to snatch provisional pole in front of Frankie Chili and Regis Laconi.

The clouds cleared enough to allow some sunshine to dry out the track surface after heavy overnight rain. The surface wasn’t completely dry as there were still some damp patches, principally where water was draining across the track.

In the closing moments of the session a battle for pole developed between Chili, Hodgson, Laconi and Atsushi Watanabe, with all four sharing a spell at the top. But with the clock already down to zero, it was Hodgson who got the best of the battle with his final lap with a lap at 1:30.708. Chili, who crossed the line after Hodgson, managed to secure provisional second on the grid.

Despite the improved conditions there was a spate of crashes during the session; the worst involved David Garcia who ran wide in a turn, got his wheels on the grass and crashed heavily. Garcia dislocated his right wrist and suffered deep cuts and bruising to his shoulder, left elbow and his right knee. He will not race this weekend as a result of these injuries.

There were 10 crashes in total, two more than in the terrible conditions on Friday. Troy Corser crashed twice and his teammate James Haydon once. Japanese Star Hitoyasu Izutsu also crashed, spoiling his challenge for a provisional front row position. Chris Walker, who had been a contender for provisional front row place suffered severe abrasion to the 4th and 5th toes on his left foot. At the time of posting this article no announcement had been made on whether he would or wouldn’t appear in Superpole, or Sunday’s race.

World Superbike Championship
Round Three, Sugo, Japan
25-26-27 April 2003-04-25

Saturday Qualifying, best lap times:

1. N. Hodgson, GBR, Ducati, 1:30.708
2. P. Chili, ITA, Ducati, 1:30.863
3. R. Laconi, FRA, Ducati, 1:31.192
4. A. Watanabe, JPN, Suzuki, 1:31.351
5. G. Lavilla, ESP, Suzuki, 1:31.446
6. L. Pedercini, ITA, Ducati, 1:31.607
7. C. Walker, GBR, Ducati, 1:31.971
8. J. Toseland, GBR, Ducati, 1:31.994
9. H. Izutsu, JPN, Honda, 1:32.027
10. R. Xaus, ESP, Ducati, 1:32.413

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

SPIES EMERGES AS FRONTRUNNER IN AMA LOCKHART PHILLIPS USA FORMULA XTREME SERIES

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – Ben Spies might be re-thinking his pre-season goals after easily winning the opening round of the Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series in Fontana, Calif., last month. After being hired by Yoshimura Suzuki this winter Spies hoped to get a few podiums and at least be a top challenger in the series, but now he’s thinking championship all the way. Spies, 18, from Longview, Texas, comes into round two of the 10-race Formula Xtreme Series on May 3 at Infineon Raceway (formerly Sears Point Raceway) the heavy favorite.

Spies, a former AMA Horizon Award winner during his amateur racing career, is now in his third year of professional racing and seems to be fulfilling the promise he showed as an amateur. At Fontana he totally dominated – setting the pole by over a half-second faster than second-place qualifier Jamie Hacking and then led every lap of the 17-lap final en route to a 5.5-second margin of victory over Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke.

“My confidence is high right now,” Spies allowed. “I have the best team behind me and the best bike, so all I really need to do is just ride it up to its potential and I should come out okay. I know it’s a long season so I’m not going to get too pumped up about leading the series at this point, but I have to admit that Fontana was a pleasant surprise.”

Spies comes to Infineon seeking his first victory at the Sonoma, Calif., circuit. He finished fifth in the Formula Xtreme race there last year. If he is to win he’ll have to overcome the likes of Damon Buckmaster and Jason Pridmore, both former Formula Xtreme winners at Infineon Raceway.

Both past winners have some catching up to do at Infineon. Buckmaster finished fifth in the season opener on his factory Yamaha R1. The friendly Aussie has to feel that he’s long overdue to win a Formula Xtreme title. Buckmaster led nearly the entire season in 2001, only to lose the championship by one point to John Hopkins in the last race. Last year Buckmaster again led the Formula Xtreme point standings for much of the season only to suffer bad luck mid-season. He is the winningest rider in the series and one of the crowd favorites coming into this round. Expect to see him near the front.

Pridmore’s title defense got off to an even shakier start. His Attack Suzuki blew up at the season opener and he comes into this weekend’s race needing to quickly regroup. Pridmore has always been strong at Infineon, so look for him to be a top runner.

Jake Zemke was runner up to Buckmaster at Infineon last year and he’ll be looking for another strong showing on the Erion Honda CBR954 this Saturday.

Marty Craggill came back strong after having surgery to repair a crushed disk in his neck during the off-season. The Aussie rider took third in the season opener aboard the Bruce Transportation Honda. Craggill was third at Infineon last year, so he has what it takes to be a leading contender.

Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking is expected to be another leading contender this weekend. He crashed out of the season opener while running third.

The Infineon Raceway Formula Xtreme round will be shown on Speed Channel on Tuesday, May 13 at 10 p.m. EST.


Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Series

Tommy Hayden is proving that Kawasaki’s ZX636 just might have the perfect combination of handling and speed to outdo the bigger 750cc bikes in the Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Series. Hayden is riding a three-race winning streak in the series dating back to last year’s season finale. The eldest of the racing Hayden brothers already has built a solid 18-point lead in the Superstock series over Adam Fergusson of Corona Suzuki. Hayden’s teammate Tony Meiring, from nearby Tracy, Calif., is third in the standings. Hayden will attempt to be the first rider to put a bike smaller than a 750 atop the Infineon Raceway Superstock podium. The large field of Suzuki GSX-R750-mounted riders will do everything they can to prevent that.


MBNA 250 Grand Prix Series

Rich Oliver, a 23-year veteran of AMA racing, comes into Infineon Raceway leading the MBNA 250 Grand Prix Series with two wins. Oliver, 41, of Auberry, Calif., is a four-time 250 GP winner at Infineon, but is looking for his first win at the track since 1997. He announced at the start of the season that this would be his last full year as a pro racer. Defending series champ Chuck Sorensen, of San Jose, Calif., is second to Oliver coming into this weekend’s race. Sorensen has won three of the last four 250 Grand Prix races at Infineon.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn Le Santo

Katsuaki Fujiwara took pole position for Sunday’s World Supersport race in Sugo in a dry final qualifying session.

The Alstare Suzuki rider fought off a determined challenge from teammate and 2002 race winner Stephane Chambon. Christian Kellner and Pere Riba joined the pair for an all-Dunlop front row.

Fujiwara’s time of 1:32.044 is over one second faster than the first Pirelli rider on the grid, wild card Tekkyu Kayo on the Belgarda Yamaha this weekend. His best lap of 1:33.059 put him on the second row in front of fellow Pirelli riders Karl Muggeridge, Chris Vermeulen and Iain MacPherson. In typical Supersport fashion, only half-a-second separates the riders from 5th place down to 15th place!

World Supersport Championship
Round Three, Sugo
25-26-27 April 2003

Final Qualifying
Fastest Times

1. K. Fujiwara, JPN, Suzuki, 1:32.044
2. S. Chambon, FRA, Suzuki, 1:32.344
3. C. Kellner, GER, Yamaha, 1:32.823
4. P. Riba, Kawasaki, 1:32.995
5. T. Kayo, JPN, Yamaha, 1:33.059
6. K. Muggeridge, AUS, Honda, 1:33.078
7. C. Vermeulen, AUS, Honda, 1:33.089
8. I. MacPherson, GBR, Honda, 1:33.127
9. B. Parkes, AUS, Honda, 1:33.129
10. J. VD Goorbergh, NED, Yamaha, 1:33.132




More, from a press release issued by Ten Kate Honda:

Saturday brings a great improvement for the Ten Kate Honda team

After a disappointing Friday qualifying in terrible conditions, the Ten Kate Honda team worked hard to put both riders onto the second row for Sunday’s race.

Karl Muggeridge, who will start from sixth on the grid said: “I’m really happy we got some dry time today so we could get a proper race set up sorted. I’ve done so many laps in the last two days that I’m now the happiest on the new Honda CBR600RR that I’ve ever been. The bike is great in all areas, we have a good race tyre and I feel this is a perfect opportunity for me to be contesting for a win.”

His team mate Chris Vermeulen, fresh from his win in Phillip Island, will be right beside Muggeridge on the grid after qualifying seventh.

“Things were much better today,” said Vermeulen after qualifying. “And that wasn’t just because it was dry, but because we needed more time on the new bike at this circuit. Remember that Fujiwara and Chambon tested here after Phillip Island and as a result of that test they’re in another world so far this weekend and that’s making life hard for us. But I think on race tyres things are much closer and so I am confident of a good finish.”

Team Manager Ronald ten Kate confirmed his riders feelings, “The entire team has worked very hard with the riders to find a good race setting,” he explained. “We are very confident for Sunday because we know that on race tyres things will be different. We are all getting ready for a very big race on Sunday!”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Combined MotoGP Qualifying Times
Arnette Africa’s Grand Prix
Welkom, South Africa

1. Sete Gibernau, Spain, Honda, 1:33.174
2. Valentino Rossi, Italy, Honda, 1:33.370
3. Max Biaggi, Italy, Honda, 1:33.386
4. Loris Capirossi, Italy, Ducati, 1:33.408
5. Shinya Nakano, Japan, Yamaha, 1:33.548
6. Tohru Ukawa, Japan, Honda, 1:33.586
7. Carlos Checa, Spain, Yamaha, 1:33.662
8. Colin Edwards, USA, Aprilia, 1:33.697
9. Troy Bayliss, Australia, Ducati, 1:33.756
10. Alex Barros, Brazil, Yamaha, 1:33.765
11. Nicky Hayden, USA, Honda, 1:33.838
12. Olivier Jacque, France, Yamaha, 1:33.917
13. Jeremy McWilliams, UK, Proton, 1:33.938
14. Norick Abe, Japan, Yamaha, 1:34.152
15. Nobuatsu Aoki, Japan, Proton, 1:34.269
16. John Hopkins, USA, Suzuki, 1:34.306
17. Kenny Roberts, USA, Suzuki, 1:34.646
18. Makoto Tamada, Japan, Honda, 1:34.670
19. Noriyuki Haga, Japan, Aprilia, 1:34.731
20. Andrew Pitt, Australia, Kawasaki, 1:35.128
21. Garry McCoy, Australia, Kawasaki, 1:35.566



Top Speeds:
1. Capirossi, Ducati, 274.5 kph
2. Rossi, Honda, 272.1 kph
3. Bayliss, Ducati, 271.7 kph
4. Ukawa, Honda, 270.9 kph
5. Hayden, Honda, 270.0 kph
6. Nakano, Yamaha, 269.1 kph
7. Biaggi, Honda, 269.1 kph
8. Gibernau, Honda, 266.8 kph
9. Tamada, Honda, 266.7 kph
10. Hopkins, Suzuki, 266.3 kph
11. McCoy, Kawasaki, 265.3 kph
12. Jacque, Yamaha, 264.4 kph
13. Checa, Yamaha, 264.4 kph
14. Edwards, Aprilia, 264.3 kph
15. Roberts, Suzuki, 263.4 kph
16. Abe, Yamaha, 263.4 kph
17. Barros, Yamaha, 263.0 kph
18. Haga, Aprilia, 261.9 kph
19. Pitt, Kawasaki, 260.4 kph
20. Aoki, Proton, 253.5 kph
21. McWilliams, Proton, 252.1 kph


More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:

African’s Grand Prix
Saturday, 26 April 2003
Welkom, South Africa

FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM MORE UPBEAT AFTER FINAL QUALIFYING

Fortuna Yamaha Team rider Carlos Checa put in a determined effort to improve his grid position for Sunday’s 28 lap race in what was one of the most competitive final qualifying sessions so far in MotoGP, for the Africa’s Grand Prix. In perfect conditions, and with a clean line around the 4242m circuit, virtually every rider in the 21 bike field improved on their Friday times – leaving only one second separating the top 15 riders, and 2.392 seconds separating the entire field.

Following on from the change in direction made yesterday to the suspension set-up of his Yamaha YZR-M1, Checa and his team improved the overall feel and balance of the machine even more today, resulting in a 1.144 second improvement to his Friday time. Consistently strong throughout the hour-long session, even while endurance testing tyres, the Spaniard eventually posted his fastest time, a 1:33.662, only on lap 27 to qualify seventh fastest overall.

Provisional pole sitter Valentino Rossi (Honda) was dislodged from the top of the time sheets when Sete Gibernau (Honda) produced a 1:33.174 in the final stages to clinch the number one position for the start of tomorrow’s main event. Rossi, with a 1:33.370, posted the second quickest time, followed by Max Biaggi (Honda, 1:33.386) and Loris Capirossi (Ducati, 1:33.408) – the latter crashing in the final few minutes of the session. Leaving fifth placed Shinya Nakano (d’Antin Yamaha Team, 1:33.548) to miss out on a front row start by a mere 0.14 seconds.

Checa’s mood was particularly upbeat at the close of the session, “I’m quite satisfied and I think we’ve improved a lot from yesterday, this morning and to now,” said the Spaniard. “At least now I am enjoying the riding much more – I can brake, I can open and flick in the right areas. This has been impossible for me for quite a while, even through this winter in testing and at Suzuka.”

Checa’s crew chief Antonio Jimenez and his team made adjustments to chassis and suspension balance on the YZR-M1 after yesterday’s first qualifying session, and it made all the difference. “We’ve gone back to closer to last year’s set-up,” explained Checa, “and with this new chassis balance I feel more comfortable. Now I have a clearer idea of what we must improve to go faster, even though we’re already close to the limit. I’m so close to the top guys so I’m sure the race will be difficult and this is not an easy circuit to pass at. But I feel quite confident to have a chance to win. I’m mostly happy because I was riding so rigidly before and now I don’t look like a plastic toy rider any more!”

After a somewhat sedate start to the Welkom MotoGP weekend, Fortuna Yamaha Team rider Norick Abe strung together a series of consistent laps that eventually placed him 14th on the timesheets. His time, a 1:34.152, saw him only 0.978 seconds shy of pole.

The Japanese rider and Melandri replacement was very pleased with his performance today, “We changed many settings since yesterday,” said Abe. “My chief mechanic Fiorenzo Fanali and my team worked very well to adjust the front geometry. I think this setting is very good for the race. The lap time I got today was my target, as I said yesterday – to improve by one second, and I got it! I never like qualifying, I like racing, so I think we are in a good position to make a good race tomorrow.”

Team Director Davide Brivio commented, “The team and riders have worked really well together to make improvements since yesterday. Carlos has found a much better feeling, he has taken a big step between yesterday morning and this afternoon. He will start from the second row, and has found a good pace. We can now look forward to tomorrow’s race. Norick has also improved a lot in the two days – tomorrow he can go for the race and enjoy it.”


FRONT ROW

1. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Telefonica Movistar HONDA 1:33.174

2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Repsol HONDA 1:33.370

3. Max Biaggi (ITA) Camel Pramac Pons HONDA 1:33.386

4. Loris Capirossi (ITA) DUCATI Marlboro Team 1:33.408

7. CARLOS CHECA SPA Fortuna YAMAHA Team 1:34.662
14. NORICK ABE JPN Fortuna YAMAHA Team 1:34.152




More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Africa’s GP, Welkom
Final Qualifying
Saturday, April 26 2003

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM GRABS FIRST FRONT-ROW START

Ducati Marlboro Team rider Loris Capirossi stormed back from a late-session tumble in this afternoon’s final Welkom qualifier to grab the team’s first-ever front-row start. Team-mate Troy Bayliss was also gunning for a good grid slot until a minor error in his final run left him on row three, albeit less than sixth tenths off pole.

“We’re very happy with our first front row,” said Ducati Marlboro Team technical director Corrado Cecchinelli. “We’re also happy that we’ve made a big step forward since qualifying for our first MotoGP race at Suzuka three weeks ago. Loris rode a great session, and though he crashed his favourite bike, he still came back on his ‘number two’ machine to move onto the front row. Troy is ninth but very close to the front guys, and this is his first visit to this track.

“The race will be tough – the circuit and the hot weather make it hard for the tyres. The front-tyre wear rate is quite high here and the rear runs high temperatures, but we think we’ve found good race-tyre choices. Both riders did race simulations this morning, though they were cut short when the session was red-flagged.”

Capirossi and Bayliss are wearing black arm bands here in memory of fellow MotoGP rider Daijiro Kao who passed away last Saturday night, following his accident at the Japanese GP on April 6. They also have Kato’s number 74 on their fairing screens.

CAPIROSSI TAKES FOURTH AFTER TUMBLE

Loris Capirossi rode a remarkable session this afternoon. The Ducati Marlboro Team man was making a charge for pole position in the final ten minutes when he slid off his Desmosedici into turn two. Unfazed by the fall, he immediately rode back to the pits, collected his other bike and put in his fastest lap of the weekend, lifting himself from fifth to fourth quickest, just 0.234 seconds off pole.

“It’s important to be on the front row here, because it’s so difficult to pass, it’s not like Suzuka,” said the Italian, who started from row four in Japan but was second into the first turn. “We were focusing on some important tests for the race, rather than going for lap times. But don’t forget, we came here with no data for this circuit, and we’ve had just four hours track time, so anywhere on the front row has to be good! After the crash I took my second bike, which I don’t like quite so much, but I was able to go fast enough to get a front row. And my best lap would’ve been faster if I hadn’t had to pass another rider at the final hairpin.”

BAYLISS NINTH BUT CLOSE TO POLE

Ducati Marlboro Team rider Troy Bayliss ended yesterday’s opening qualifier on the provisional front row but slipped back to ninth fastest this afternoon, after a couple of minor errors in the crucial final stages. Nevertheless the hard-charging Aussie is looking forward to tomorrow’s race, which he expects to be particularly gruelling.

“That was quite good but we made a couple of tiny set-up changes towards the end and maybe we went the wrong way,” said Bayliss, just 0.582 seconds off pole. “Then I made a mistake out on the track on my final run, which I wasn’t so happy about. That leaves us on the third row, which isn’t great, but overall we’re not too bad and we’re heading the right way with the bike. It’s going to be a hard race – long and hot, and it’s difficult to pass here. Tyre-wise we’re feeling okay.”



More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

SUZUKIS SIDE BY SIDE IN WELKOM

Welkom, South Africa – Saturday, April 26, 2003

Team Suzuki riders John Hopkins and Kenny Roberts Jr. qualified side by side in the final time sheets for tomorrow’s Africa’s Grand Prix, placed 16th and 17th in an ultra-close list – Hopkins barely a second off pole time.

But the team-mates will start the race on different rows of the grid … Hopkins on the end of the fourth row, and Roberts leading the fifth.

The second of two days of qualifying at the 4.242km Phakisa Freeway circuit, held in blazing sunshine at the high-altitude South African circuit, saw all but one of the MotoGP riders cut their lap times compared with yesterday, with Hopkins taking almost three quarters of a second off his time, and Roberts some three tenths off his.

This was in spite of a puzzling electronic engine-mapping glitch that emerged during the afternoon – each rider had problems that spoiled their chances of moving higher up the grid – a matter of only a few tenths of a second would have gained them one or two rows. The 990cc GSV-R machines they are riding are still at a very early stage of development, and teething troubles – if not welcome – are to be expected.

The weekend has seen a change in the pit-box line-up. With Roberts’s race engineer Bob Toomey temporarily absent for personal reasons, his place has been taken for this race by software engineer and technical coordinator Alfred Willeke.

JOHN HOPKINS – 16th POSITION, 1:34.306
I had quite a good session this morning. We ran through a lot of settings, and dropped almost a second compared with yesterday afternoon. I did a lot of laps and ran race distance on my race tyre, so that was good. I wanted to continue in the afternoon, with a few more little things to try. At the beginning it went okay – I was getting behind people and doing laps. Then things started to go wrong. We made an adjustment that for the first time all day was wrong. Then we ran straight into an engine mapping problem, that I knew we couldn’t cure during the session. So at the end I came in for a new tyre, got behind Troy Bayliss, let him know I wasn’t going to go by, then followed him for a pretty hairball fast lap. I tried my best, and matched my morning time even with the problems. For the race I really want to get the best start possible, then stick in there … stay consistent, give 100 percent, and see what happens.

KENNY ROBERTS Jr – 17th POSITION, 1:34.646
I’m not really sure what kind of day we had, besides a strange one. For the race it’s a different story, as far as getting a start and trying to stay within my lap times. That really doesn’t depend on what we did today. Something happened with my first bike,with the engine mapping system running uncontrollably. So I went out on the other bike and that had a problem of the same sort. I don’t know how to explain it. The best thing is to ask the engineers who designed it, because something happens and the bike becomes somewhat unrideable. I’d backshift, and it would shut off, then come alive again. For the race, my level is not where it needs to be to make us competitive. I need for the engineers to fix the bike so I can ride it tomorrow. Other than that: congratulations to my ex-team-mate Sete, on pole in his first time here on a non-factory bike. That gives me hope.

SATURDAY OFFICIAL QUALIFYING TIMES WELKOM, SOUTH AFRICA

1. Sete Gibernau (Honda) 1:33.174
2. Valentino Rossi (Honda) +0.196
3. Max Biaggi (Honda) +0.212
4. Loris Capirossi (Ducati) +0.234
5. Shinya Nakano (Yamaha) +0.374
6. Tohru Ukawa (Honda) +0.412
7. Carlos Checa (Yamaha) +0.488
8. Colin Edwards (Aprilia) +0.523
9. Troy Bayliss (Ducati) +0.582
10. Alex Barros (Yamaha) +0.591
16. John Hopkins (Suzuki Grand Prix Team) +1.132
17. Kenny Roberts (Suzuki Grand Prix Team) +1.472


More, from a press release issued by Proton Team KR:

PROTON CHALLENGES FAST MEN AS V5 FIRES UP AT HOME

Round 2: Africa’s GP, Welkom
Final Qualifying: Saturday, April 26, 2003

Jeremy McWilliams: 13th, 1:33.938
Nobuatsu Aoki: 15th, 1:34.269

Proton Team KR rider Jeremy McWilliams gave his obsolescent 500cc two-stroke a stirring swansong in the final qualifying session at Welkom today, with a thrilling demonstration of sustained on-the-limit riding. The reward was sixth-fastest time, good enough for the second row of the grid.

The moment did not last, however. In a hectic end to a blazing hot qualifying session. McWilliams was pushed back to head the fourth row in a batch of times so close that tenths of a second made a big difference to position. At the finish, McWilliams was less than eight tenths slower than pole position, almost a second faster than the 4.242km circuit’s lap record, and better than two seconds faster than his qualifying time last year, on essentially the same motorcycle.

Team-mate Nobuatsu Aoki was no less impressive, singing the Bridgestone-tyred two-stroke round the track barely three tenths slower, so he will also start from the fourth row.

The Proton KR3s are the last 500cc two-strokes still racing in the MotoGP class, which last year allowed the new-generation 990cc four-stroke prototypes to join in. Team and riders are both hoping this will be the KR3’s last race, with the team’s own new V5 nearing completion in Britain, and the Spanish GP in two weeks time the target for the four-stroke’s debut.

While the race team was getting the best out of the old bike, team owner Kenny Roberts took the new V5 for its first rolling test, although heavy rain limited the number of runs. Both full-time riders will test the machine at Snetterton circuit in England on Thursday.

Today’s practice took place in hot and sunny conditions. Pole time was set by Sete Gibernau (Honda).

JEREMY McWILLIAMS
I’m feeling a bit frustrated. I thought that time would be good enough to keep me on the third row, but I was pushed off. The lap felt right past the limit, and it was more than I’d expected, so I didn’t do any more like that. Less than a second off is about as close as I got at most races last year, though we were better a couple of times. But when times are so close half-a-second makes a huge difference. I made a little mistake on my fast lap, and that probably cost a tenth or two. It doesn’t matter really, because the four-strokes just drive away from the start. I’ve been practising starts, but they are much faster off the line. But I’m happy with my consistency, and I ran lots of 1:34s. We’ll see how the race goes.

NOBUATSU AOKI
That was hard work. I seemed to get quicker lap by lap, but I stayed in the same position, because others were also improving. But I gave more than 100 percent so I am happy with that. This morning we carried on making the suspension softer, but in the afternoon the track gained some grip, and we made it harder again, which worked well. On a race tyre, I could run comfortable mid to high 1:34s. Then I put on a soft qualifying tyre and it didn’t work well, maybe because of the high temperature. But as long as I am happy with my race tyre, that’s okay.

CHUCK AKSLAND – Team Manager
Both riders did a tremendous job. We didn’t expect to be this close – Jeremy seven tenths off pole, and Nobu right there too. They just keep pushing the bike to the limit, and it’s great to see it. And it will be great to get the four-stroke going, and give them some more power.

Kenny rode the new bike yesterday at Bruntingthorpe airfield. It was raining and there were a few small problems, but he did some runs, and the engine is back on the dyno today. We’re shooting to have both riders test the bike on Thursday, and we’re planning to race it at Jerez.


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:

HONDA RACING INFORMATION

Grand Prix of South Africa at Phakisa Freeway
Final Qualifying, Saturday April 26

EMOTIONAL POLE FOR DETERMINED GIBERNAU

Under a cloudless South African sky in fierce heat and with track temperatures up to 36 degrees, Sete Gibernau (Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V) was convinced he’d received supernatural speed from the spirit of his late team-mate Daijiro Kato. His masterly pole lap of 1m 33.174s was set on his final sprint around the 4.424km Phakisa Freeway as the rest of the pole position protagonists made their bids for the number one slot.

The newly resurfaced track provided more grip than in previous years, and the bumps that made the track so tricky had only been partially eradicated by the recent work. Conditions made qualifying hard work for both riders and machines and the sheer intensity of the final session made securing vital grid positions punishing work.

The narrow track provides few overtaking opportunities and it’s essential to get a good start here. With the top 14 riders covered by only one second, the fast starters who can capitalise on their hard work in qualifying should reap a substantial advantage in tomorrow’s 28 lap race. A race that promises to be a hard one at 1350m above sea-level.

“This has been a tough few days for everyone in the sport,” said Gibernau. “I rode the lap today but it was the push of everyone behind me that helped. I’d like to give this pole position to a great person (Kato) who gave us some great moments and I’d like to thank the fans, the media and everyone in the sport for the respect they’ve shown Kato. Our thoughts are still with his family.”

Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda RC211V) still shrugging off the effects of flu managed to secure a vital front row start from second on the grid. He left it late to improve on his time from Friday, and he finished only 0.196 seconds shy of Gibernau’s pole time.

“I’m feeling a lot better now thanks to Doctor Costa and his team at the Clinica Mobile,” said the World Champion. “I’m not at 100% but certainly better than in the last few days. We’ve been working very hard for the best race set-up. Tomorrow will be very difficult for sure but it will be difficult for everyone. I tried hard to improve my time but Sete was faster than me and takes the pole. It is good like this with respect for Sete’s team-mate Kato.”

Third place on the grid went to Max Biaggi (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) who’s team fine-tuned his RC211V’s low rev engine response to maximise drive out of the turns. The hot contender for tomorrow’s race knows the value of a front row start here and looks in good shape for the contest.

“For once I’m not too disappointed about missing out on pole,” said the Italian. “It’s gone to Sete and Fausto Gresini’s team and this has been the best way to remember Daijiro Kato. We fixed the technical problems we had yesterday and right from the first session in the morning the bike went perfectly. I wasted some time pitting in the session, but we had to work on the bike set-up. The race will certainly be hard because it’s very hot and the times are very close.”

Loris Capirossi (Ducati) grabbed the factory’s first ever MotoGP front row start despite crashing and remounting late in the session and Shinya Nakano (Yamaha) put his machine at the head of the second row as best qualifying Yamaha rider.

Tohru Ukawa (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) lines up next to his Japanese countryman in seventh and he too recognises the value of the hard work put in to qualify well. Especially as he knocked himself about a bit in a fall in yesterday’s free practice.

“I have a good feeling on the bike,” said Ukawa. “I’m optimistic about the race because I’ve recovered from yesterday’s fall and also because the bike is going really well. It’s so important to make a good start because the track is difficult and overtaking is a complicated business here. We’ll work a bit more on the engine settings because the altitude means we don’t have full power. I don’t think the race will be run at pole-setting pace.”

Carlos Checa (Yamaha), Colin Edwards (Aprilia), Troy Bayliss (Ducati) and Alex Barros (Yamaha) complete the top ten while Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) just missed out on a top ten qualification by only 0.073 seconds after posting a 1:33.838 lap.

“Things felt really good this morning,” said the Kentuckian. “I was really hoping to get into the 1:33, which I did, but then so did a lot of other guys. Man, that is the hardest I’ve ever ridden for 11th on the grid. Everyone is so close so it’s going to be a really tough race. I’ve got to figure out which tyres to use for the race and I’ll be trying to sweeten up my riding a little, especially in the final section which is so important for the whole lap time.”

Makoto Tamada (Pramac Honda RC211V) qualified 18th after slicing a second off his Friday best and he knows he faces an uphill struggle tomorrow after crashing without injury midway through today’s session. “The start won’t be easy tomorrow,” said the resolute Japanese. “We’ve found a great tyre combination and even though I’m starting way back on the grid I know I can maintain a competitive rhythm for the race.”

Randy de Puniet (Aprilia) grabbed pole by a tenth of a second from Manuel Poggiali in the 250cc category with Aprilia riders Franco Battaini and Fonsi Nieto completing the front row. Sebastian Porto (Telefonica Movistar Junior Team RS250RW) put his machine on the front of the second row as first Honda and is not too despondent.

HONDA TEAM QUOTES:

Sete Gibernau, Telefonica Movistar Honda, 1st: “First of all I want to thank the fans, the press, all the teams and everybody for the support they have given us. It fell to me to lead the tribute we all wish to offer Kato, and I think we are here thanks to the closeness and affection we are receiving. I also have to say that this is no coincidence – we had a good preseason and we continue to work hard. Tomorrow will be a tough race but I will continue to give my best and I hope Daijiro continues to give us his support, because today I felt that he was pushing me from above. Hopefully tomorrow I can honour him, his family and all those who have supported us.”

FAUSTO GRESINI, Team Manager
“Sete has been so brave today, he knew to stay focussed – a difficult thing in such a delicate situation. I have nothing to say, only that it is a nice feeling to enjoy this pole with the team.”

Valentino Rossi, Team Repsol Honda: 2nd: “I’m feeling a lot better now thanks to Dr Costa and his team at the Clinica Mobile. I’m not at 100% but certainly better than the last few days. We’ve been working very hard for the best race set-up. Tomorrow will be difficult for sure but it will be difficult for everyone. I tried hard to improve my time but Sete was faster than me and takes the pole position. It is good like this with respect for Sete’s team-mate Kato.”

Max Biaggi, Camel Pramac Pons Team: 3rd: “For once I am not too disappointed about missing out on pole position because it has gone to Sete and Fauto Gresini’steam and this has been the best way to remember Daijiro Kato. We fixed the technical problems we had yesterday and right from the first session in the morning the bike went perfectly. I wasted some time in the box, but we had to work on the bike set-up. The race will certainly be hard because it is very hot and the times are very close.”

Tohru Ukawa, Camel Pramac Pons Team: 6th: “I have a good feeling on the bike and I am optimistic ahead of the race because I have recovered from yesterday’s fall and also because the bike is going very well. It will be important to make a good start since the circuit is difficult and it is complicated to overtake. In the warm-up we must still work on the engine settings because the altitude means we still do not have full power. I do not think the race will run at pole-setting pace and I have no doubts about the bike’s settings.”

Sito Pons: “It is very competitive with 13 riders setting times in 1:33. We must wait and see each rider’s pace tomorrow in the race and I am convinced that both Max and Tohru have the rhythm to be at the front of the race alongside Gibernau, Rossi and Capirossi who will be their main rivals. I am satisfied because we have good grid positions and we have a great chance tomorrow to take victory.”

Nicky Hayden, Team Repsol Honda: 11th: “Things felt really good this morning and I was really hoping to get into the ‘33’s, which I did but so did a load of other guys. Man, that’s the hardest I’ve ever ridden for 11th on the grid! Everybody is so close it’s going to be a really tough race. I gotta figure out which tyres to use and pick a good set for the race. I’ll also be trying to sweeten up my riding a little, especially in the final section which is so important for the whole lap time.”



And now, qualifying times from 250cc and 125cc:

250cc Qualifying
1. Randy De Puniet, France, Aprilia, 1:36.247
2. Manual Poggiali, San Marino, Aprilia, 1:36.344
3. Franco Battaini, Italy, Aprilia, 1:36.523
4. Fonsi Nieto, Spain, Aprilia, 1:36.770
5. Sebastian Porto, Argentina, Honda, 1:37.063
6. Tony Elias, Spain, Aprilia, 1:37.231
7. Anthony West, Australia, Aprilia, 1:37.398
8. Roberto Rolfo, Italy, Honda, 1:37.426
9. Naoki Matsudo, Japan, Yamaha, 1:37.675
10. Hector Faubel, Spain, Aprilia, 1:37.822

125cc Qualifying
1. Youichi Ui, Japan, Aprilia, 1:40.834
2. Pablo Nieto, Spain, Aprilia, 1:40.908
3. Andrea Dovizioso, Italy, Honda, 1:41.449
4. Alex de Angelis, San Marino, 1:41.655
5. Stefano Perugini, Italy, Aprilia, 1:41.658
6. Steve Jenkner, Germany, Aprilia, 1:41.699
7. Daniel Pedrosa, Spain, Honda, 1:41.793
8. Mika Kallio, Finland, Honda, 1:41.813
9. Mirko Giansanti, Italy, Aprilia, 1:41.849
10. Gabor Talmacsi, Hungary, Aprilia, 1:41.973



Yet another press release, this one from John Hopkins’ publicist:

Hopkins qualifies 16th for Africa’s Moto Grand Prix

WELKOM, South Africa – On Saturday afternoon John Hopkins qualified his Suzuki GSV-R Grand Prix bike in 16th position for Sunday’s Africa’s Moto Grand Prix with a time of 1:34.306 on the 14 turn, 4.2 kilometer Phakisa Freeway circuit. While not totally pleased with where he ended up on the grid, Hopkins was positive about improvements made to his factory Suzuki.

“During this morning’s practice session we made a lot of adjustment to the bike,” Hopkins explained. “We did a full race distance during practice and really worked on finding a good race setup. Stuart (Shenton) wanted to work on some things and I would do about six or seven laps and then come in for adjustments.”

In qualifying Hopkins and his teammate Kenny Roberts, Jr. experience what they were told was engine mapping problems.

“I’m not totally sure what happened,” Hopkins admitted. “I’m sure the technicians will go back and take a look at it, but Kenny and I both had the same problem and it happened towards the end of the qualifying session.

“Late in session I got in behind (Troy) Bayliss and tried to stick with him. I had a couple of hairy moments, but I did the best I could. We made a big improvement over Friday’s times, so I’m happy about that.”

Hopkins now turns his attention to Sunday’s race.

“I’m going to try to get a good start and make up as many positions as I can before the first turn,” he said. “And hopefully I can hook up with a group and just do the best I can. I’m going to give it 100 percent.”

Hopkins finished 14th in last year’s race in South Africa.

For up-to-date info go to the web and check out www.hopperracing.com.

From a press release:

KAWASAKI “SPRING ’03” GOOD TIMES™ POWER BUCKS CUSTOMER CASH BACK PROGRAM

$600 value for purchase of new NINJA® ZX-6RR motorcycle

Motorcycle enthusiasts seeking a new middleweight sportbike will want to head over to their local Kawasaki dealer as Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., has launched the “Spring ’03” Good Times™ Power Bucks Customer Cash Program.

Through May 31, 2003, customers who purchase a new limited-production ’03 Kawasaki NINJA® ZX-6RR sportbike will receive $600 in Good Times Power Bucks Customer Cash. The Power Bucks may be applied to the purchase price of the motorcycle or for special factory race kit accessories or the customer can take the Power Bucks as a cash rebate.

With one of the most respected names in high-performance motorcycling, the Kawasaki NINJA ZX-6RR sportbike is designed to meet homologation rules for National and World Supersport racing. Like every new NINJA sportbike, it comes with a 12-month unlimited mileage warranty that can be extended up to three additional years. Plus, NINJA owners can purchase accessories for their new Kawasaki online at www.buykawasaki.com.

Customers are encouraged to contact their local Kawasaki dealer for more details about the “Spring ’03” Good Times Power Bucks Customer Cash Program. For more information about Kawasaki’s complete NINJA motorcycle line or to find the nearest dealer, log on to www.kawasaki.com or call 1-800-661-RIDE.