Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday Morning AMA Superstock Practice Times:

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:28.769
2. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.780
3. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.436
4. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.671
5. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.241
6. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.552
7. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:30.553
8. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.582
9. Jacob Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.624
10. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.712
11. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.078
12. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.233
13. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.320
14. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.451
15. Thad Halsmer, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.628
16. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.159
17. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.166
18. Jason Perez, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:32.506
19. Andrew Nelson, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.785
20. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.167
21. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.236
22. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.899
23. Brian Mussekman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.934
24. Mickey Lane, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.963
25. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.034

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday Morning 125cc Grand Prix Practice Times:

1. Gabor Talmacsi, Aprilia, 2:34.200
2. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 2:35.571
3. Mirko Giansanti, Aprilia, 2:35.843
4. Mika Kallio, Honda, 2:36.070
5. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 2:36.495
6. Masao Azuma, Honda, 2:36.643
7. Alvaro Bautista, Aprilia, 2:36.739
8. Shuhei Aoyama, Honda, 2:37.101
9. Jorge Lorenzo, Derbi, 2:37.309
10. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 2:37.430
11. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 2:37.671

15. Arnaud Vincent, KTM, 2:39.138
16. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 2:39.254

22. Emilio Alzamora, Derbi, 2:40.765
23. Youichi Ui, Aprilia, 2:41.002

26. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 2:42.506

32. Max Sabbatani, Aprilia, 2:44.805
33. Roberto Locatelli, KTM, 2:44.831

From a press release issued by Octagon Motorsports:

OCTAGON MOTORSPORTS SIGNS MERCHANDISING LICENCE AGREEMENT

Octagon Motorsports, organiser of the FIM Superbike World Championship, is pleased to announce that it has signed a three-year merchandise licence agreement with Firebrand Live.

Official merchandising forms a integral part in the development of the Superbike brand and is always in high demand by the Championship’s loyal and ever-expanding fan base.

London-based Firebrand Live has contracted an significant client roster that is as impressive as it is diverse. With a strong music and popular events base, Firebrand Live delivers merchandise solutions for clients that include Cream, Party in the Park, Capital FM, Alanis Morrissette and Sophie Ellis Bextor.

“We are very pleased to have concluded the agreement with Firebrand as our global merchandising partners for the Championship. They are very experienced in delivering a strong merchandising presence at large events and feel that they will be able to offer our fans a broad range of quality merchandise that reflects the spirit of the Championship,” said SBK Marketing Manager, Robert Wicks.

Firebrand Live MD Danny Oakes is excited at the prospect: “From the outset, we have always attempted to bring something fresh and dynamic to the merchandising business with emphasis on customer satisfaction. In the World Superbike context, we want to create a merchandising operation that reflects the culture of the Championship and its fans.”

“We want to provide fans with more attractive, visible and effective vending facilities at the track and at the same time deliver a comprehensive product range that sees an improvement on design and product quality plus the introduction of new products that haven’t been part of the Superbike merchandise experience in the past,” added Oakes.

Another initiatives include the development of extensive on-line retailing facilities with product exclusives, competitions and discounts to reward the Superbike community.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Several of the AMA factory teams are displaying interest in young Australian racer Jamie Stauffer following his impressive performance at Daytona.

Stauffer, 23, was fast in most practice sessions and in qualifying at Daytona before finishing seventh in the Supersport final on a privateer Yamaha YZF-R6 he built. Stauffer says he was contacted after the Daytona event by several of the AMA factory teams who displayed interest in working with him on a variety of levels.

“They are talking about helping me with parts and bikes, and some are talking about maybe having me join their team,” said Stauffer Friday before adding that the Yamaha factory team gave him some parts for his R6 in the week prior to the Fontana race.

But the factory teams want to see Stauffer repeat his Daytona performance before they talk contracts.

“They want to make sure that it wasn’t a fluke,” said Stauffer.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday’s 250cc Qualifying Times:

1. Hiroshi Aoyama, Honda, 2:17.930
2. Katsuyuki Nakasuga, Yamaha, 2:18.105
3. Alex Debon, Honda, 2:18.274
4. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 2:19.990
5. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 2:20.018
6. Sebastian Porto, Honda, 2:20.285
7. Yuki Takahashi, Honda, 2:20.998
8. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 2:22.111
9. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 2:22.457
10. Jakub Smrz, Honda, 2:22.464
11. Alex Baldolini, Aprilia, 2:22.811
12. Tekkyu Kayo, Yamaha, 2;22.869
13. Johan Stigefelt, Aprilia, 2:23.476
14. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, 2:23.717
15. Jaroslav Hules, Yamaha, 2:24.348
16. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 2:24.692
17. Anthony West, Aprilia, 2:25.134
18. Hector Faubel, Aprilia, 2:25.496
19. Dirk Heidolf, Aprilia, 2:26.028
20. Randy DePuniet, Aprilia, 2:26.560
21. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, 2:26.613
22. Tamoyoshi Koyama, Yamaha, 2:26.730
23. Christian Gemmel, Honda, 2:27.509
24. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 2:28.281
25. Henk vd Lagemaat, Honda, 2:28.804
26. Katja Poensgen, Honda, 2:28.988
27. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 2:29.312
28. Joan Olive, Aprilia, 2:33.222
29. Eric Bataille, Honda, 2:33.886
30. Chaz Davies, Aprilia, 2:37.382

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Defending AMA Formula Xtreme Champion Jason Pridmore did not ride in AMA practice Friday at California Speedway because he had no bike to ride.

“My bike’s not here,” said Pridmore when asked why he wasn’t on the track. “I’ve got the Number One plate and no bike to race.”

Pridmore said that Attack Suzuki team owner Richard Stanboli was working to finish his 2003 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Formula Xtreme bike as he spoke, but Pridmore did not have a Formula Xtreme racebike to ride Friday.

“The thing I’m bummed about,” continued Pridmore, “is that other people (Yoshimura Suzuki) are getting their bikes in November. I don’t understand that.

“My team is the best. I love my guys. This is no reflection on Richard Stanboli or my team, but I don’t know who to blame. All I know is I’m here, I’m ready to ride, I don’t have a bike and it shouldn’t be like that.”

When asked about Pridmore’s situation, American Suzuki’s Pat Alexander said that the American Suzuki AMA support teams – Corona Extra Suzuki, Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki and Attack Suzuki – all received their bikes within a few days of the AMA race at Daytona and Yoshimura Suzuki got its bikes first because it is the Suzuki factory AMA Superbike team.

Alexander added, “My understanding is that Jason’s team ran into problems during the bike’s preparation. As you know, the GSX-R1000 was a late release, and they just wanted it to be right.”

Corona Extra Suzuki put the finishing touches on its three 2003 GSX-R1000s at the racetrack Thursday and Friday. Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki concentrated on getting one, topline 2003 GSX-R1000 Formula Xtreme bike built for rider Steve Rapp for the California Speedway race and planned to have Chris Ulrich’s 2003 GSX-R1000 built in time for the Sears Point race.

Pridmore’s teammate Josh Hayes rode on of the team’s 2002-model GSX-R1000s Friday at Fontana, and the team plans to have Pridmore’s new bike at the track on Saturday.

Attack Suzuki also fielded young gun Danny Eslick on a GSX-R750 Superstock bike Friday. The Oklahoma teenager made his AMA debut wearing the number 69 on his Suzuki.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Afternoon Supersport Practice Times:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:29.182
2. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.254
3. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.504
4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.659
5. Jamie Stauffer, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.021
6. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.037
7. Doug Chandler, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.080
8. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.204
9. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.208
10. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:30.283
11. Ty Howard, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.557
12. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.685
13. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.211
14. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.622
15. Craig Connell, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.686
16. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.762
17. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:32.337
18. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:32.640
19. Steve Crevier, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.747
20. Jason Perez, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:33.113

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Kawasaki’s Tommy Hayden rode a 636cc ZX-6R to the AMA Superstock pole position Friday at California Speedway in Fontana, California. Hayden’s time of 1:27.989 beat Ben Spies’ 2002 Superstock lap record (1:28.987) by nearly a second.

When asked about his fast time, Hayden said he thought the revised 2.3-mile course was slower than before but his new Kawasaki was also better. “It’s a lot of fun to ride,” said Hayden. “I have so much fun riding that bike. I don’t think we’ve touched one clicker on it. It’s exactly the way I rode it at Daytona and exactly the way I rode it at the test at Sears Point. We just change the tires and put gas in it.”

Provisional AMA Superstock Qualifying Results:

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:27.989
2. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.125
3. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.879
4. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.913
5. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.926
6. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.253
7. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:29.459
8. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.538
9. Jamie Stauffer, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.689
10. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.902
11. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.091
12. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.289
13. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.353
14. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.510
15. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.523
16. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.675
17. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.809
18. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.898
19. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.948
20. Craig Connell, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.114

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

2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Round 2 & 3 – California Speedway, Fontana, California, USA
First Qualifying Session Report

MLADIN TAKES AMERICAN SUPERBIKE POLE AT FONTANA

Fontana, California, USA (Friday, 4 April) – Australia’s Mat Mladin has set the fastest time during the opening qualifying session for this weekend’s double header, second and third rounds of the 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship being held at California Speedway in Fontana, California.

In taking provisional pole position, Mladin’s fastest time of 1-min 25.123-secs was under the existing lap record of 1:25.250 for the 3.70km / 2.30 mile Californian circuit that is located one hour east of Los Angles.

Mladin, a three times winner of the AMA Superbike Championship, was well clear of his Yoshimura Suzuki teammate Aaron Yates with 0.805 seconds separating the pair, with Yates producing a best time of 1:25.928. The Suzuki GSX-R1000 mounted pair were the only riders to break into the 1:25 barrier.

Third fastest was Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts (1:26.146), with Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom completing the provisional front row of the grid with a time of 1:26.259.

“That was a good session for us this afternoon,” said Mladin. “I was happy with the times and with the progress that we made with the setup of the bike. We’ve got another one hour session in the morning before tomorrow afternoon’s race that will give us some more time to check a few more settings, so it’s looking good at the moment.

“We did a lot of laps when we tested here a few weeks ago and that is definitely paying off. The Showa suspension technicians have worked really hard since that test and have given us some updated parts for this weekend, which have worked well. Last year we had some problems in that area, but it appears that we are now on top of that and it’s great to see the support and responses made by Showa.”

Qualifying for the AMA Superbikes concludes tomorrow morning with the first of the two 28-lap Superbike races being held later on Saturday afternoon.

AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship, Qualifying – Friday
1. Mat Mladin (Team Yoshimura Suzuki), 1:25.123
2. Aaron Yates (Team Yoshimura Suzuki), 1:25.928
3. Kurtis Roberts (Erion Honda), 1:26.146
4. Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki), 1:26.259
5. Larry Pegram (Dream Team Ducati), 1:26.308
6. Miguel DuHamel (American Honda), 1:26.405
7 Anthony Gobert (Ducati Austin), 1:26.460
8. Ben Bostrom (American Honda), 1:26.496
9. Doug Chandler (No Limits Honda), 1:28.081
10. Shawn Higbee (Suzuki),1:28.738


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

Larry Pegram on his Dream Team Racing DUCATI, blazed his way to a very strong 5th place qualifying time against the heavily supported Japanese Factory Teams. He accomplished that feat on his back-up bike after some minor setbacks on his primary bike. In fact his Michelin shod Ducati 998RS03 may find its way to the front row tomorrow depending on if Kurtis Roberts’ qualifying time is made offical or disallowed. (Roberts’ Honda is currently shown in 3rd place.)

Pegram in an interview said, “It’s nice to be the top Ducati on the grid. I felt good today even though I qualified on my secondary 998 after I had a lowside in the tight turn 10-11 section. It really wasn’t a big deal, just enough damage to force me to ride my slightly slower bike for the qualifying session. I want to thank Michelin for working so closely with us at Fontana. The tire testing we did here in February is making a difference in our times. Tomorrow and Sunday should be very interesting.” He said with a smile.

Dream Team Racing (DTR) DUCATI is currently being sponsored by Michelin, Options Italia, Competitions Accessories, Pro Italia, Nutec, Spiegler, Ferodo, Kerker and Ducati Corse.