Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc

By David Swarts

Kneedraggers.com Yamaha’s Matt Wait dominated both the Formula USA Sportbike and Superbike races on his Pirelli-equipped 2003 Yamaha YZF-R6 at Daytona International Raceway during a Sunday that started wet and ended dry.

Wait, the defending F-USA Grand National Champion, got the holeshot in the 18-lap Sportbike feature event, fending off Mike Ciccotto on the Hal’s Performance Advantage Buell Firebolt XB9R for two laps before pulling away with consistent mid-1:57 lap times to win by nearly 20 seconds.

Ciccotto lost touch with Wait and was caught by Bettencourt/Argo Cycles’ Jeff Wood late in the race. Ciccotto and Jeff Wood were lining up for a classic Daytona drafting battle to the line when Ciccotto’s Buell ran out of fuel coming off NASCAR turn four. Jeff Wood took second easily, and his teammate Scott Greenwood passed a coasting Ciccotto to claim the last spot on the podium.

Ciccotto’s fourth place was then taken away by race officials when his Buell didn’t have enough gas left in its frame/tank to make the mandatory post-race dyno run. The Hal’s Performance Advantage crew lobbied for Formula USA officials to allow them to add fuel while trying to start their Firebolt on the dyno but were unsuccessful in both efforts.

Formula USA/CCS Racing boss Kevin Elliott told Ciccotto’s team, “I have to go by the rulebook. I have an appeal board decision from last year that told us we have to go 100 percent by the rules. I have no choice…it has to be run as it came off the racetrack.”

Ciccotto was disqualified from the results, promoting Canadian young gun Andrew Nelson up to fourth; Nelson had run his 2003 Honda CBR600RR off the track during the race. First-year Expert Alex Barrera finished fifth. Hooters Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec took sixth after starting on row 13 on the grid, in the second wave. Concept Five’s Jason Perez drafted by Chris Peris to finish seventh. Mexican rider R. Jonathan Gomez Martinez was ninth on a Yamaha YZF-R6 while Arclight Suzuki’s Scott Harwell rounded out the top 10 in the 66-rider race.

Wait came back moments later on his Supersport-spec Yamaha and DOT-labeled Pirellis to go even faster (high-1:55s) in the 660cc Superbike class.

“That race was really good for us,” Wait said from the podium. “We made a few suspension changes and it obviously worked pretty good. Our goal was to go out there and put in some good laps and try to beat my own race pace from the last race and just better it. I really wanted to prove a point to everyone that I’m fully back (from injuries). This gives me a lot of confidence going into next week (AMA event).”

The battle for second place was a much more entertaining race. After Arclight Suzuki’s Michael Hannas–running second at the time–slowed and pitted with a chunked rear tire, Harwell, Jeff Wood and Annandale Honda’s Craig Connell held a drafting battle for the runner-up spot. Riding a big-bore GSX-R600 on 16.5-inch Pirelli slicks, Harwell used a horsepower advantage to lead into and out of the chicane on the last lap and hold on for second. Connell’s Michelin-DOT-shod CBR600RR Superport bike did not have enough gearing for the tri-oval and he finished third. Jeff Wood rode around the outside of Connell and Harwell in the infield and chicane but lacked top speed and finished fourth.

Nelson took fifth. No Limit Honda’s Doug Chandler, Haskovec, Chandler’s teammate Jason Curtis, Arclight/Tapeworks’ Lee Acree and Barrera – all coming from the second wave of the 60-rider grid – filled out the top 10.

In other Formula USA racing, Kosco Harley-Davidson/Buell’s David Estok won the red-flag-shortened, wet Thunderbike final on an oil-leaking Buell Superbike.

Prieto Racing’s Michael Barnes made the Pirelli rain tires on his Suzuki GSX-R1000 last long enough on a drying track to win the Unlimited Grand Prix by over five seconds.

Defending USGPRU National Champion Brian Kcraget won the USGPRU 125cc Grand Prix by 45 seconds.


More, from a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway’s PR office:

Wait begins Formula USA title defense with a victory at Daytona International Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 2, 2003) – Californian Matt Wait had little trouble in the opening round of the Formula USA SportBike Series Sunday at Daytona International Speedway. Wait pulled away to a convincing 18-second victory in the class on his KneeDraggers.com Yamaha R6. New Englanders Jeff Wood and Scott Greenwood rounded out the top three finishers on a pair of Suzukis. The hard luck rider of the day was Sebastian, Florida’s Mike Ciccotto. Ciccotto battled Wood for second, but as the duo sped down the DIS trioval, Ciccotto’s Buell sputtered and lost power. He coasted across the finish line in fourth.

The race was held on a drying track after morning rains.

“I didn’t know how this race was going to start out because of the weather,” said Wait, a former Moto Grand Prix rider from Lodi, Calif. “but we prevailed and everything came out all right. I basically set my own pace and rode a calm race. I had a little challenge at the beginning and then just put my head down and pulled away. We decided about a minute before the race that DOTs (tires) would be the way to go since the track was drying out.”

Later in the day Wait came back to win the Formula USA SuperBike race.

It was a Buell sweep in the Thunderbike final. Buell racing veteran David Estok, from nearby New Smyrna Beach, held on for the win despite the fact that his bike was losing power and began leaking oil late in the race. Estok held off Daytona Beach native Richie Morris to win the shortened event. The race was called with eight of 10 laps complete due to oil on the circuit. Estok has been racing Buells for seven years and was the winner of the very first Buell event at Daytona in 1996.

American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association takes to the track tomorrow for two days of classic cycle racing. AMA Pro Road Racing starts Wednesday. Tickets for any of the Speedway events are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-7223.


Sunday’s Results:
Thunderbike: 1. Dave Estok, New Smyrna Beach, Fla, Buell; 2.Joseph Rozynski, Newton, NJ, Buell; 3. Richie Morris, Elkhart Lake, WI, Buell.
Expert Unlimited Grand Prix: 1. Michael Barnes, Boca Raton, Fla, Suzuki; 2. Brian Stokes, Kingston, GA, Suzuki; 3. Geoff May, Alpharetta, GA, Suzuki.
USGPRU 125 GP Final: 1. Brian Kcraget, Danville, VA, Honda; 2. Stewart Aitken-Cade, Mt. View, CA, Honda; 3. Scott Jackson, Honda.
Sportbike: 1. Matt Waite, Lodi, CA, Yamaha; 2. Jeff Wood, Mansfield, Mass., Suzuki; 3. Scott Greenwood, Dunbarton, NH, Suzuki.
Amateur Unlimited Grand Prix: 1. William Meyers II, Jacksonville, Fla., Kawasaki; 2. David Loikits, Northhampton, PA., Suzuki; 3. Brian Shaw, Miami, Fla., Suzuki.
Formula USA SuperBike: 1. Matt Wait, Lodi, CA., Yamaha; 2. Scott Harwell, Lincolnton, NC, Suzuki; 3. Craig Connell, Cresson, TX., UNK.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Hodgson does a ‘Bayliss’ with a double win season opener

By Glenn LeSanto

Neil Hodgson inherited Troy Bayliss’ ride when the Australian changed over to MotoGP racing at the end of last season, and it seems he may have inherited his form too!

Two convincing wins for a factory Ducati rider at the first WSB meeting of the year has a familiar ring about it, Troy Bayliss did it here last season and now Hodgson is literally following in Bayliss’ tyre tracks.

Hodgson dominated race two from start to finish and ever looked seriously threatened by second place-man and team mate Ruben Xaus. All the Spaniard could do was follow for a safe second.

Behind the Fila Ducati pair a repeat of the first race struggle between the two HM Plant Ducati riders was being re-enacted. This time James Toseland got the better of Chris Walker to take the third step on the podium.

Behind Walker Steve Martin won a race-long duel with Gregorio Lavilla to take an impressive fifth. It was Pirelli vs Michelin vs Dunlop as the three struggled for supremacy. In the end the Pirelli-shod Ducati twin clinched it from Lavilla on the Dunlop Suzuki and Corser on the FP1 Triple running Michelins.

World Superbike Race Two Results:

1. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 36:46.191
2. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 36:48.810
3. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 36:56.659
4. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 37:09.617
5. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 37:22.730
6. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 37:24.785
7. Troy Corser, Foggy FP1, 37:29.160
8. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 37:37.816
9. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 37:39.015
10. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 37:40.912


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corsa:

CONVINCING DOUBLE DEBUT WIN FOR HODGSON (TEAM DUCATI FILA) AND THE DUCATI 999 AT VALENCIA

Valencia (Spain), Sunday 2 March: Britain’s Neil Hodgson (Team Ducati Fila) took a convincing double win at Valencia today in the opening round of the 2003 World Superbike Championship. The Spanish round marked the Superbike debut of the Italian manufacturer’s latest creation, the Ducati 999, and Hodgson’s two wins, which took his WSBK tally to 5, were the first time the Isle of Man resident has won races outside his home country.

In race 1 Hodgson got a slow start but then passed compatriot Toseland down the main straight. “There was a lot of wind out there today which made the races a bit more physical because you are leaning forward and using the back brake a lot to keep the front wheel down, which was quite scary” he declared. “The early stages of race 1 were quite an experience because you have to get used to the start again after six months of no racing. I was just looking at what everyone else was doing and then made my move.”

In race 2 Neil led from start to finish, smashing Bostrom’s lap record on the way, to notch up 50 points in the first round of the season. “Fastest in every practice session, pole, lap record, double win on my worst track so I’m so pleased with everything. I made one mistake in race 2, when I was braking into the first corner with a backmarker on the inside. He moved to the outside and nearly pushed me off the track so I was screaming in my helmet, thinking it was all over.”

Xaus slotted in behind Hodgson as the Brit took the lead in race 1 to finish second and then shadowed his Ducati Fila teammate throughout race 2 to repeat the result. “Even though the bike is good and the tyres are perfect, all this weekend things have not been working exactly the way I wanted them to” declared Ruben. “The set-up was not 100% and halfway through the race I lost Neil, so I just settled for second place. There wasn’t much I could do today about my Ducati Fila teammate, who rode two excellent races. It’s been a hard weekend for me with the front not quite right, but I came away with two seconds and 40 points, which is good for the championship.”

POINTS: Riders – 1. Hodgson 50; 2. Xaus 40; 3. Toseland 29; 4. Walker 29; 5. Martin 21; 6. Lavilla 19. Manufacturers – 1. Ducati 50; 2. Suzuki 19; 3. Foggy 13; 4. Kawasaki 8; 5. Yamaha 5.

NEXT ROUND: Phillip Island (Australia), March 30th

Earlier in the morning 20-year-old Lorenzo Lanzi (Team Rox-Ducati Pisa) scored the Ducati 999’s maiden win when the Italian took the chequered flag in round 1 of the European Superstock Championship.


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

2003 World Superbike Championship
Round 1, Valencia, Spain, Sunday 2nd March
Circuit: 4.005 kms, Weather: Dry, mostly sunny 16-20 degrees C.

A GREAT START FOR TROY
A crash in the first race wasn’t enough to dampen a great start for Troy and the new Foggy Petronas FP1 at Valencia today. Troy made up for the fall in race one by challenging for fifth spot in race two, before finally settling for seventh place towards the end of the 23-lapper. But the finish and the nine points that came with it, marked a debut that many doubters said would never take place. Both races today were won by Briton Neil Hodgson – he had dominated all the practice sessions and was in a class of his own. Runner up in both races was his Ducati team mate Ruben Xaus, with third going to Chris Walker in race one and to James Toseland in race two.

TROY CORSER
“I’m satisfied with race two, but disappointed in race one. But generally, I feel pretty happy with today and I think it’s a great result for us all.

“Now I know that we’re pretty close to competing with the top guys and considering how soon this project has come to fruition, I think we’ve done a pretty good job. Many people thought we wouldn’t even get this far, so to come here, be competitive and get some good points is great. I was in ninth in race one, when I tipped off. On the inspection lap, I knew something was wrong but I thought that maybe the tyre wasn’t up to temperature. Then on the first lap, I knew it was going to be a struggle. I thought that the tyre would heat up and I might be OK, but it seems that the rear had lost a bit of pressure and going into the hairpin, I ran a bit wide, then saved it and then found myself heading into the gravel. When I saw the armco getting closer, I just laid the bike down. No problem and no injury.

“I used the same bike and the same tyre for the second race and there were no problems. I was in fifth spot and having a good time, but I made a little mistake when I overshot the first turn and Lavilla and Martin got past me. Their bikes seemed to have a bit better acceleration and, although I could catch them on the brakes, I just couldn’t get past. I’m happy with Michelins and they suit my style, but yesterday was the first time I had ever used a Michelin qualifier, so I took it a bit steady on the Superpole lap. I was really happy with the Michelin front today. The rear is a bit more of a gamble, but we’re new to all this and it’s going to take a bit of time.

“I feel generally pretty fit, but I’m lacking a little race fitness and race concentration. I haven’t been on a start line for eighteen months or so, but when the lights went, it was just like old times again. So all in all – apart from the first race – I think we had a pretty good day. One thing I will say though, is that it is a great relief (for me and the whole team) to get this first race under our belt. Now we’re off to Phillip Island – a track I know a bit – and I think we can look forward to some good results.”


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

SOLID START FOR GREGORIO

2003 Superbike World Championship. Round 1, Valencia, Spain. Sunday 2nd March.

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Gregorio Lavilla started the new season with a pair of solid finishes at Valencia today. After two days of mostly superb weather, today dawned overcast and that’s how it stayed for most of the day – but fortunately there was no rain. Gregorio took seventh place in the first race and then went one better in the second of the 23-lappers. Briton Neil Hodgson comfortably won both races, with team mateRuben taking a pair of runner-up spots. Chris Walker and James Toseland took a third apiece to give Ducati complete control of the podium.

GREGORIO LAVILLA Race 1. 7th, Race 2. 6th – We’ve struggled a little this weekend and I don’t think we ever got the bike to where would’ve liked. That made our life difficult and if we had found a good set-up, I’m sure the results would’ve been better. We changed our rear shock setting for race two and the bike felt better and also the
rear tyre lasted longer and had more feeling. The Alstare Suzuki’s engine feels strong – but in some areas I don’t yet like – and I think we have to carry on the work we are doing in the mapping. I’m sure there’s quite a bit to come, it’s just a little frustrating not being able to get there quicker.”


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

Toseland turns the tables

James Toseland managed to turn the tables on his team-mate Chris Walker by storming to an impressive third-place finish in race two at Valencia, despite having to go out on his spare bike. The 22-year-old Brit left nothing to chance and strung 23 consistently fast laps together to earn himself the second podium placing of his SBK career behind Fila Ducati’s Ruben Xaus and race winner Neil Hodgson. Walker put in a very solid performance to secure fourth place but was not quite able to catch the Yorkshire rider. This reversal of fortune sees the two HM Plant Ducati riders currently tied for third place in the overall championship standings with 29 points apiece.



Hodgson led the race from start to finish with Xaus following in his wake. Toseland likewise doggedly refused to give up the hunt and remained hot on the heels of the Spaniard. For the first half of the race Walker matched the pace of his team-mate and the pair lapped in tandem with less than half a second separating them. However, Toseland was the one who managed to find that little bit extra and pulled away from the other orange bike – eventually finishing almost ten seconds ahead of it.



“I had some gearbox problems with my number one bike in the first race so we decided to use the spare just in case,” said Toseland. “I knew that if the bike was good I’d be able to get in the top three – and it was perfect. By about half distance I knew that I had third place in the bag if I could just maintain my lap times. It became quite a long race then but I adapted my riding style to suit the tyres. The new rubber that Dunlop has produced for us this year is superb so I just concentrated on being smooth, carrying a lot of corner speed and not getting too heavy handed with the throttle. I probably could have done faster laps here and there but consistency was what got me on the rostrum – I just wish that I’d ridden the same way in the first race then I could have had a double podium!”



Walker was pleased with the outcome of his first two races on a twin-cylinder machine since 1996. Although Toseland was able to pull away from him, the four-time British Superbike runner-up put on a confident display and passed the chequered flag over 13 seconds ahead of his nearest pursuer.



“I tried everything I could to stick with James,” said the man nicknamed The Stalker. “My HM Plant Ducati and Dunlop tyres were faultless – I think the only thing that let me down was that I’m still not quite back to full fitness after breaking my leg. To be third equal in the championship at this is early stage of the season is an excellent position to build on and I’m going to be training really hard over the next two weeks so that I’m back on form by the time Philip Island rolls around.”



Race two result: 1. N. Hodgson (Ducati) 36:46.191; 2. R. Xaus (Ducati) +2:619; 3. J. Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) +13.468; 4. C. Walker (HM Plant Ducati) +23.426; 5. S. Martin (Ducati) +36.539; 6. G. Lavilla (Suzuki) +38.594; 7. T. Corser (Foggy) +42.969; 8. J. Borja (Ducati) +51.625; 9. L. Pedercini (Ducati) +52.824; 10. M. Borciani (Ducati) +54.721; 11. G. Bussei (Yamaha) +1:00.510; 12. D. Garcia (Ducati) +1:02.114; 13. M. Sanchini (Kawasaki) +1:02.114; 14. I. Clementi (Kawasaki) +1:09.885; 15. N. Russo (Ducati) +1:17.697

Points after round one: 1. Hodgson 50; 2. Xaus 40; 3.= Toseland 29; 3.= Walker 29; 5. Martin 21; 6. Lavilla 19; 7. Pedercini 15; 8. Borciani 13; 9. Laconi 11; 10. Borja 10


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

Unlucky Regis Laconi, very fast Garcia at Valencia

(Valencia 2003, Marzo 2)

Actually not a lucky day for Regis Laconi the 2003 World Superbike debut race today here in Valencia circuit. In race-1 Regis found some problem on the front, ending however in fifth position after a strong fight against Corser first and the Martin. In the second leg Regis had a very fast start and was riding close behind the couple of GSE Ducatis factory ’02 when the engine started to give problems, forcing the Ducati Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks rider to join the pits.

“In the first leg I had some trouble in the front, the bike seems to have the tyre deflated, as well Dunlop has made a control just before to start on the grid. At the start Hodgson wasn’t too fast and so I must remain behind Corser that was slower as me, so the leading group took some advantage. When I overtook Corser then Martin arrived at my shoulder: he was very fast and only in final laps I’ve been able to earn some meter. In race-2 I started well and I was able to run together the two GSE Ducatis when, suddenly the engine started to run not correctly and I entered the pit-garage. We don’t know exactly what happened, we must open the engine in the workshop. It has really a pity because it would be not easy to recover in the pointstanding table a good result throw away like this!” – commented a disappointed Regis at the end of the day.

The Race Direction, following the FIM/CCR rules, has not considered as a force majeure the not participation of David Garcia at the Superpole session because the bike damaged in the crash and the short time (no more as 20 minutes) between the end of the free practices and the start of Superpole. So the Spanish rider, who recorded a 14th fastest in qualifying, has been forced to start from the last position of the starting grid. But with a fantastic race David has been able to finish in tenth position in the first leg, scoring his first World Superbike points. In race-2 Garcia was riding better and better, but the pain of the crash started forced him to lose positions in the final. Almeria’s rider is however very satisfied about his World Superbike debut: “When Stefano told me that I must start from the last position I feel myself like dead, but I made two good starts and at the end of the first lap I was in good position. In race-2 I was riding very well, I was fighting for the eith position, but in the final laps the pains didn’t allow me to ride comfortably, I had pain in the leg and no more power in the arms for braking. Anyway I’m really satisfied about my debut in front of Spanish spectators and the result is just what I was waiting to get.”

Valencia results:

Race-1 (23 laps = 91,115 km)

1.HODGSON Neil (Ducati) in 36’56.205 at 149,631 km/h; 2.XAUS Rueben (Ducati) at 4.700; 3.WALKER Chris (Ducati) at 12.377; 4.TOSELAND James (Ducati) at 12.682; 5.LACONI Regis (Caracchi NCR Ducati Nortel Networks) at 24.068; 6.MARTIN Steve (Ducati) at 27.006; 7.LAVILLA Gregorio (Suzuki) at 39.792; 8.PEDERCINI Lucio (Ducati) at 49.662; 9.BORCIANI Marco (Ducati) at 56.200; 10.GARCIA David (Caracchi NCR Ducati Nortel Networks) at 1’06.328

Race-2 (23 laps = 91,115 km)

1.HODGSON in 36’46.191 at 150,311 km7h; 2.XAUS at 2.619; 3.TOSELAND at 13.468; 4.WALKER at 23.426; 5.MARTIN at 36.539; 6.LAVILLA at 38.594; 7.CORSER Troy (Foggy Petronas) at 42.969; 8.BORJA Juan Batista (Ducati) at 51.625; 9.PEDERCINI at 52.824; 10.BORCIANI at 54.721;. 12.GARCIA David (Caracchi NCR Ducati Nortel Networks) at 1’00.510

World Championship Points Table

1.HODGSON Neil (Ducati) 50 points; 2.XAUS Rueben (Ducati) 40; 3.TOSELAND James (Ducati) 29; 4.WALKER Chris (Ducati) 29; 5.MARTIN Steve (Ducati) 21; 6.LAVILLA Gregorio (Suzuki) 19; 7.PEDERCINI Lucio (Ducati) 15; 8.BORCIANI Marco (Ducati) 13; 9.LACONI Regis (Caracchi NCR Ducati Nortel Networks) 11; 10.BORJA Juan Bautista (Ducati) 10; 11.GARCIA David (Caracchi NCR Ducati Nortel Networks) 10

Chandler Hoping Medley Magic Works For Him In From a press release issued by Daytona International Raceway:

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (March 2, 2003) – Doug Chandler twice came agonizingly close to winning the Daytona 200 by Arai. The 37-year-old Salinas, Calif., native is one of the veterans of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship. The three-time AMA Superbike champ has raced at Daytona since 1988, but despite being one of the favorites nearly ever year and finishing runner-up in 1997 and 1998, Chandler has yet to find the combination to win America’s most prestigious motorcycle race.

This year Chandler is with the new No Limit Honda and he hopes to finally get the one victory that has eluded him all these years. Chandler has a winning Daytona mechanic, Gary Medley, to help him reach his goal.

Medley has had considerably more luck as a tuner over the years than Chandler has as a rider in the Daytona 200. Medley was the man behind John Ashmead’s surprise victory in the 1989 Daytona 200. He then tuned for Scott Russell during the Georgian’s Kawasaki days when he won three of his record five Daytona 200s. Medley will turn the wrenches for Chandler’s No Limit Honda CBR954RR entry.

“We’ve worked a lot of years together and I think it just speeds up the learning curve for the new team,” said Chandler of Medley, who’s been a mechanic on the circuit for nearly 20 years. “We’ve got a lot of new people in here, but they’re all a bunch of good guys and have been around the races for a long time. It’s a new team, yet there’s a lot of knowledge in our structure.”

If Chandler could manage to win next Sunday, it would match the longest time a rider had to wait from their first appearance to finally earn a victory in the Daytona 200. Dick Mann won the race in 1970 — 15 years after his first appearance.

“That’s promising for sure,” Chandler says upon learning that statistic.

At this time last year Chandler was sitting at home in Salinas, Calif., without a ride after a long relationship with Kawasaki had ended.

“It was tough,” said Chandler of his feelings on missing the race. “As the days got closer I just kept thinking that the phone was going to ring and something would come up, but it never happened. And then during that week (of the race) I felt terrible just sitting around and not being here riding. It feels good to get back out here. This morning I finally had a partially dry track and pushed the bike around a bit and had a little fun with it.”

Even if Medley is able to get Chandler’s No Limit Honda ready to go for the 200 next Sunday, the team will still be considered an underdog.

“I’ve always felt that I’ve worked for underdog teams, said Medley. “We’ve never necessarily had the best equipment. I think it’s the preparation and the people you’ve had working for you that determines the outcome. Working with some of the best riders kind of helps me along.”

Chandler is using this weekend’s Formula USA/Championship Cup Series races as a tune-up for next week’s competition. On Saturday, Chandler finished ninth in the Expert Heavyweight Superbike aboard a Honda 600.

Tickets for any of the Speedway events are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-
7223.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sportbike Qualifying:
1. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:59.454
2. Jack Pfeiffer, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:03.111
3. Mike Ciccotto, Buell, 2:03.316
4. Michael Himmelsbach, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:03.903
5. Martin Milanese, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:04.067
6. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600F4i, 2:04.127
7. Eric Spector, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:04.168
8. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:04.360
9. Alex Barrera, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:05.449
10. Jonathan Gomez, 2:05.603
11. Chris Siglin, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:05.639
12. Antonio Piccioni, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:05.672
13. Jeff Wood, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:05.741
14. Nate Kern, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:05.833
15. Juan Ortiz, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:06.233
16. Jeff Binford, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:06.434
17. Andrew Nelson, Honda CBR600RR, 2:06.707
18. Eric Wood, Buell, 2:06.734
19. Gus Holcomb, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:06.746
20. Jason Smith, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 2:06.764
21. Dave Ebben, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:06.792
22. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:07.887
23. Unknown, 2:08.170
24. Nicky Cummings, Honda CBR600F4i, 2:08.672
25. Des Conboy, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:08.725
26. Andre Bibeau, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:08.959
27. Jason Perez, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:09.361
28. Ryan Lettich, Kawasaki, 2:09.477
29. Nahun Alvarez, Honda CBR600, 2:09.619
30. Ty Howard, Honda CBR600RR, 2:10.179


Superbike Qualifying:
1. Jeff Wood, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:08.030
2. Tripp Nobles, Buell, 2:09.533
3. Michael Himmelsbach, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:09.677
4. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:10.183
5. Andrew Nelson, Honda CBR600RR, 2:11.165
6. Unknown, 2:12.653
7. Brad William Graham, Honda CBR600, 2:13.821
8. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:14.402
9. Chris Siglin, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:14.424
10. Michael Hannas, II, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:14.748
11. Jeffrey Smalls, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:14.839
12. Unknown, 2:14.859
13. Nate Kern, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:14.873
14. Eric Spector, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:15.321
15. Des Conboy, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:15.835
16. Gus Holcomb, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:15.835
17. Brent Bennett, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:17.289
18. Darrin Mitchell, 2:18.323
19. Tomer Levy, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:19.477
20. Trey Younce, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:20.748


Thunderbike Qualifying:
1. Tripp Nobles, Buell, 2:09.155
2. Dave Estok, Buell, 2:12.705
3. Clint Brotz, Buell, 2:12.881
4. Derek Keyes, Suzuki SV650, 2:16.306
5. Jerry Wood, Ducati 944, 2:16.517
6. Joseph Rozynski, Buell, 2:16.894
7. Alex Ferreira, Suzuki SV650, 2:17.932
8. Richie Morris, Buell, 2:18.305
9. Bryan Bemisderfer, Buell, 2:18.498
10. Arthur Wagner, Jr., Honda CBR600, 2:18.691

13. Jeffrey Johnson, Buell, 2:21.718


Unlimited Grand Prix Qualifying:
1. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:06.503
2. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:07.590
3. Darren Luck, Suzuki, 2:08.380
4. John McGarity, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:11.386
5. Jimm Groshong, Honda CBR929RR, 2:11.638
6. Arthur Wagner, Jr., Honda CBR600, 2:12.624
7. Rich Thorwaldson, Honda CBR929RR, 2:12.928
8. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:13.993
9. Unknown, 2:18.357
10. Steven Fontanez, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:19.628


USGPRU 125cc Grand Prix Qualifying Times:

1. Scott Moxey, Honda RS125, 2:21.277
2. Brian Kcraget, Honda RS125, 2:23.945
3. Stewart Aitken-Cade, Honda RS125, 2:26.397
4. Mark Johnson, Honda RS125, 2:31.030
5. Reet Das, Honda RS125, 2:33.280
6. Eric Joern, Yamaha TZ125, 2:34.577
7. Scott Jackson, Honda RS125, 2:35.099
8. Samantha Cotter, Honda RS125, 2:35.618
9. Shawn Scott, 2:39.335
10. James Lovejoy, Honda RS125, 2:39.884

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Note: Races were delayed by large oil spill on infield.

(Updated as results released)

Race 1
ThunderBike, 6 laps, wet (red-flagged due to oil spill)
1. Dave Estok, Buell
2. Joseph Rozynski, Buell
3. Richie Morris, Buell
4. Arthur Wagner Jr., Honda 600
5. Derek Keyes, Suzuki SV650

Race 2
Unlimited GP Expert, 9 laps, wet
1. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R1000
2. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750
3. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000
4. Alexander Barrera, Suzuki GSX-R750
5. John McGarity, Suzuki GSX-R750
6. Darren Luck, Suzuki

Race 3
USGPRU 125cc GP, 9 laps, drying
(All Honda RS125)
1. Brian Kcraget
2. Stewart Aitken-Cade
3. Scott Jackson
4. Samantha Cotter
5. Mark Johnson
6. Reet Das


Race 4
Sportbike, 18 laps, drying
1. Matt Wait, Yamaha
2. Jeff Wood, Suzuki
3. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki
4. Mike Cicotto, Buell
5. Andrew Nelson, Honda
6. Alex Barrera, Suzuki
7. Jason Perez, Suzuki
8. Chris Peris, Honda
9. Jonathon Gomez Martinez, Yamaha
10. Scott Harwell, Suzuki
11. Doug Chandler, Honda
12. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki
13. Joseph Ford, Yamaha
14. Des Conboy, Suzuki
15. Michael Hannas, Suzuki
16. Antonio Piccioni, Yamaha
17. Dave Ebben, Suzuki
18. Jeff Binford, Yamaha
19. Eric Spector, Suzuki
20. Martin Milanese, Yamaha
21. Gus Holcomb, Suzuki
22. Shawn Scott, Kawasaki, 17 laps
23. Nick Cummings, Honda, 17 laps
24. Scott Cunningham, Yamaha, 17 laps
25. Brent Bennett, Yamaha, 17 laps
26. Nate Kern, Suzuki, 17 laps
27. Nahun Alvarez, Honda, 17 laps
28. Jason Smith, Kawasaki, 17 laps
29. Shawn Robert Hill, Yamaha, 17 laps
30. Thomas Aquino, Yamaha, 17 laps
31. Darrtin Klemens, Kawasaki, 16 laps
32. Paolo Mariano, Suzuki, 16 laps
33. Walter Sipp, Suzuki, 16 laps
34. Michael Fields, Kawasaki, 15 laps
35. Thad Halsmer, Yamaha, 15 laps



Race 5
Unlimited GP Amateur, dry
1. William Meyers, Kawasaki 750
2. David Lokits, Suzuki GSX-R1000
3. Brian Shaw, Suzuki GSX-R750
4. Henry Chin, Suzuki GSX-R1000
5. Fernando Garcia, Suzuki GSX-R1000
6. David Sadusky, Suzuki GSX-R750


Race 6
Superbike, 9 laps, dry
1. Matt Wait, Yamaha
2. Scott Harwell, Suzuki
3. Craig Connell, Honda
4. Jeff Wood, Suzuki
5. Andrew Nelson, Honda
6. Doug Chandler, Honda
7. Chris Peris, Honda
8. Jason Curtis, Honda
9. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki
10. Alex Barrera, Suzuki
11. Des Conboy, Suzuki
12. Eric Spector, Suzuki
13. Mike Himmelsbach, Suzuki
14. Thad Halsmer, Yamaha
15. Gus Holcolmb, Suzuki
16. Brent Bennett, Yamaha
17. Nate Kern, Suzuki
18. Tomer Levy, Yamaha
19. Barrett Long, Yamaha TZ250
20. Brad Graham, Honda

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning World Superbike Times:

1. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:35.177
2. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 1:35.709
3. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:35.988
4. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:36.194
5. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.333
6. Troy Corser, Foggy FP1, 1:36.391
7. Pierrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:37.063
8. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.260
9. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:37.423
10. James Haydon, Foggy FP1, 1:37.803
11. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:37.921
12. David Garcia, Ducati 998RS, 1:37.924
13. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:38.020
14. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.108
15. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:38.259
16. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:38.272
17. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.389
18. Giovanni Bussei, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:38.975
19. Sergio Fuertes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.697
20. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda RC51, 1:40.578

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

HODGSON (TEAM DUCATI FILA) TAKES OPENING SUPERPOLE AT VALENCIA

Valencia (Spain), Saturday 1 March – Neil Hodgson (Team Ducati Fila) powered the brand-new Ducati 999 to its debut pole position on his first appearance for the factory team, during today’s qualifying sessions for the opening World Superbike round at Valencia, Spain.

Hodgson’s time of 1:34.863 around the 4.005 km Ricardo Tormo circuit earned him the eleventh Superbike pole position of his career and the 29-year-old British rider will line up on the grid for tomorrow’s two races with James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) alongside in second place. The front row was completed by Ducati Fila team-mate Ruben Xaus and Troy Corser (Foggy Petronas).

“So far so good” declared Neil after Superpole, “but I’m not getting carried away because tomorrow is the big day. I’ve got the best ever race set-up I’ve ever had here and I’ve been racing for about thirteen years so I know I’ve got a great feeling with the bike. I seem to have overcome my notorious hatred for this circuit now that I’m on pole, and I actually quite enjoy riding around the place! I’ve got the track dialed, I know all the points, it doesn’t seem like an effort at all to go quick around here. Testing and practice has gone really well so far and I’ve fitted into the team. I had decided I was going to have to deal with everything one round at a time, but I’ve changed my tactics and it’s one session at a time now! So all that I’m thinking about is the morning warm-up and then the races tomorrow.”

“I feel a lot more comfortable on this track this year with the new Ducati 999” commented Ruben. “My Superpole lap time was not so bad but there was a lot of wind everywhere and it pushes you to one side a bit. For me it’s important to win the championship this year, not just do well in Superpole. The season is long and I can’t wait to get started tomorrow. Everything is new this year, a new bike, a new sponsor and a new team-mate. For sure there ‘s pressure at my home circuit, especially with Neil going well. The front of the bike is not working as well as last weekend and that changes my style of riding a bit, but I’m looking forward to racing tomorrow because I’m happy with my set-up on my race tyres.”

STARTING-GRID: 1. Hodgson (Ducati Fila) 1:34.863; 2. Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) 1:35.429; 3. Xaus (Ducati Fila) 1:35.827; 4. Corser (Foggy Petronas) 1:35.831; 5. Laconi (Ducati NCR) 1:35.853; 6. Martin (Ducati DFX) 1:35.927; 7. Chili (Ducati PSG-1) 1:36.114; 8. Walker (HM Plant Ducati) 1:36.145; 9. Pedercini (Ducati) 1:36.473; 10. Borja (Ducati DFX) 1:36.974.


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

FABULOUS FRONT ROW FOR TROY

Troy Corser astounded everybody at Valencia today with a superb performance in Superpole and ended up on the front row of the grid. His Superpole lap of 1:35.831 was half-a-second slower then his best in regular qualifying, but most riders didn’t match their previous best times due to strong winds during the afternoon. Troy’s place on the front row was a positive rebuff to all the cynics and doom-merchants who had predicted that he and the new Foggy Petronas FP1 would never even make the grid this year, let alone be competitive. Ahead of Troy on the front row are Ruben Xaus, James Toseland and Superpole winner Neil Hodgson. Toseland was on course for a Superpole win until Hodgson put in the fastest lap of qualifying and took the top spot.

TROY – 4TH, 1:35.831
If anybody would’ve told me that we’d be on the front row six months ago, I wouldn’t have believed them. It’s a great testament to all the hard work the team has put in and it’s great to be here. It’s great to be back at a racetrack and racing again, because it feels like a long time since I last was in race action. I’m happy for the whole team and it’s shown the world that not only could we be here, but also that we can be competitive. It’s good to be racing again, it’s great fun and I’ve missed it. It’s been great to get such a good result today and I hope we can have a successful day tomorrow.

From press releases issued by AMA Pro Racing:

MOORE SHOOTING TO TIE GENUINE SUZUKI ACCESSORIES SUPERSTOCK RECORD

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – Jimmy Moore returns to the 2003 AMA Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Series with a chance to tie Scott Russell’s record of three-straight championships in the class. Moore begins his title defense on his Corona Suzuki GSX-R750 at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, March 7. The opening round of AMA Superstock will be broadcast live at 2 p.m. Eastern on Speed Channel.

It was 11 years ago when Scott Russell rode to his third-straight championship in the series that was then called AMA 750 Supersport. Since that time, Tom Kipp and Moore have managed to win back-to-back titles in the class, but no one has been able to match Russell’s three. Moore could also become the first to win two straight at Daytona International Speedway since Britt Turkington in 1994. He is looking forward to the challenge and sees the class as being more competitive than ever.

“There are so many talented riders coming into the class,” said Moore, a 35-year-old from Eugene, Ore., who will be starting his ninth year on the AMA professional circuit. “It’s going to be tough to get that third title, but I’ve got a great team behind me and I’d like to think that my experience will help me in the long run.”

Corona Suzuki may be the strongest squad in the series. Moore’s teammate Jordan Szoke should also be a frontrunner. Szoke, a two-time Canadian Superbike Champion is returning to race in the U.S. after taking his second Canadian title last year. Adding to the international flavor of the Corona Extra Suzuki Team will be Australian Adam Fergusson.

Another top team is Valvoline EMGO Suzuki with Chris Ulrich and Steve Rapp. Both Ulrich and Rapp have won two AMA Superstock races and would like to add to that tally this season. Ulrich will contest the entire series, while Rapp is slated to ride Daytona and select other rounds in the class.

Hooters Suzuki features both Mike Ciccotto and Vincent Haskovec. Ciccotto won two Superstock races in 2001 and Haskovec was a consistent top-five finisher in Superstock last season.

Suzuki’s long dominance of the class could come under fire this year from factory Kawasaki and Yamaha efforts. While the major Suzuki teams in the series are factory-supported squads, Kawasaki and Yamaha are fielding full-fledged factory teams.

Kawasaki will feature Tommy Hayden and Tony Meiring on Kawasaki’s new Ninja 636, designed specifically to contest the AMA Superstock Series. Kawasaki hopes that combining the nimble handling of a 600 Supersport bike with the extra juice of the 636cc engine will be the recipe that helps them win their first AMA Superstock title in 11 years. Hayden won three Superstock races and was runner-up in the series last year riding a Kawasaki ZX-6R Supersport machine, so he is considered a serious candidate for the championship.

Yamaha brings in youthful Jason DiSalvo, who will ride the company’s R6 Supersport bike against the bigger Superstock machines. DiSalvo, 19, won a round of the series last year at Road America. He will be at a bit of horsepower disadvantage in the Superstock class on his 600cc-based Supersport bike, but he could be tough on the shorter circuits on the schedule. Yamaha last won the series in 1995 with Tom Kipp.

A slew of top privateers could make an impact in Superstock including riders like AMA horizon Award winner and new USSuperbike.com columnist, Chris “Opie” Caylor, up-and-coming Texan John Haner, and New Englanders Eric Wood and Scott Greenwood.

Genuine Suzuki Accessories is sponsoring the series for the third year. Genuine Suzuki Accessories is the Accessory Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation, where they research, develop and market Genuine Suzuki Motorcycle, ATV, Marine and Automotive accessories for the U.S. Genuine Suzuki Accessories offer everything from apparel and color-matched helmets to cruiser windshields. Genuine Suzuki Accessories also provides apparel for factory Suzuki Road Race and Off Road Teams. Most team apparel is available to the consumer through Suzuki Dealers.

Ron Benfield, Accessory Sales Manager at Suzuki was instrumental in continuing Suzuki’s sponsorship. “We’re delighted to continue our relationship with AMA Pro Racing by sponsoring this class. Most importantly, it allows us to gain much needed exposure for our expanding line of Genuine Suzuki Accessories,” stated Benfield.



YATES HOPING TO BECOME FIRST BACK-TO-BACK DAYTONA SUPERSPORT WINNER IN SEVEN YEARS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – Aaron Yates surprised a lot of people with his come-from-behind victory in the Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Series opener last year at Daytona International Speedway. But even after a convincing win in the one race that had eluded him for years, not many people are talking about Yates winning his second Daytona Supersport race, which takes place on Friday, March 7, before a live national television audience on Speed Channel. Yates will ride a factory Suzuki GSX-R600 against arguably the deepest field of any race during Bike Week. He will face the likes of Honda’s Miguel Duhamel, the all-time wins leader in AMA Supersport history; Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom, the 2001 AMA Supersport champ who is making a rare Daytona-only return to the series; and former Daytona winners Kurtis Roberts, Doug Chandler and possibly Michael Barnes, who is still hoping to pick up a last-minute ride to compete in the event.

One of the reasons defending Supersport champ Yates is perhaps being overlooked in pre-race predictions is that while Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki have all implemented major redesigns to their Supersport bikes, Suzuki has only made refinements to its championship-winning GSX-R600. “A lot of people are talking a lot about how improved the other bikes are this year,” Yates said. “I know not many people are saying much about me repeating this year, but that could be to my advantage. Maybe I can sneak up on people like I did at Daytona last year.”

However unlikely it is that anyone with the No. 1 on his machine is going to sneak up on anyone, Yates will have a big chore on his hands if he is to become the first back-to-back winner of the Daytona Supersport race since Duhamel did it in 1995-96. Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki have totally retooled in an effort to dethrone Yates and Suzuki in this year’s championship.

Honda’s Duhamel certainly knows what it takes to win on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway. Honda has won the Daytona Supersport 10 times and half of those victories came with Miguel Duhamel at the controls (Duhamel won the race in 1993 race on a Kawasaki). Duhamel has nothing but rave reviews about Honda’s new CBR600RR. “Before the Hondas were great street bikes with a racing edge so that we could go out there and win,” Duhamel told AMASuperbike.com earlier this year. “This time they totally-totally-stepped away from that concept. Now, they’re going to build a race bike and then we’re going to try and make it street legal if you will, put some flashers on it and send it on the street.”

Honda comes to the Daytona Supersport party with three direct factory riders, Duhamel, Kurtis Roberts and Ben Bostrom, and a remarkable eight riders on factory-supported teams. The total of 11 Honda-backed riders in AMA Supersport is the most any one manufacturer has supported in the history of the class. That’s how serious Big Red is about winning Daytona.

Yamaha also fields a very strong team this year with riders on the redesigned R6. Jamie Hacking and Damon Buckmaster bring a wealth of experience to the team, while Aaron Gobert and Jason DiSalvo inject youthful exuberance into the squad. Yamaha follows only Honda in terms of Daytona Supersport wins. The team was won the race three times, but its last victory at Daytona came in 1990 with Jeff Farmer.

Kawasaki, like Honda, has adopted a race-first philosophy with its new ZX-6RR. In fact, in Kawasaki’s marketing material for the new ZX it states that the machine is designed specifically with the expert and professional racer in mind. Eric Bostrom, Tony Meiring and Tommy Hayden are the factory entries for Kawasaki. The team has twice won the Daytona Supersport race.

Joining Yates on the factory Suzuki AMA Supersport effort is Ben Spies. Suzuki will also field a solid group of factory-supported teams at Daytona.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Pro Honda Oils sponsorship of AMA Supersport racing. Pro Honda Oils has the distinction of being the longest continuous series sponsor in AMA Pro Racing.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Hodgson Continues To Dominate Qualifying

Britain’s Neil Hodgson maintained his grip on qualifying at the first round of the 2003 WSB season here in Valencia this morning.

Although Hodgson was unable to better the time he set in yesterday’s qualifying, he stayed on top of the time sheet as no other rider was able to join him in the 1-minute 34-second bracket.

Hodgson’s Ducati Fila teammate Ruben Xaus came close, lapping at 1:35.069, but then the Spaniard was held up by a couple of slower riders on his final flying lap.

Australian Troy Corser put a smile on his boss’s face as Carl Fogarty watched his number one rider take the Petronas to an impressive third-fastest, lapping the twisting Spanish circuit at 1:35.200. But some question marks hang over the ability of the Foggy Petronas Triple maintaining the pace over race distance–James Hayden’s FP1 suffered a big engine failure during qualifying on Saturday. The Petronas team is not exactly forthcoming with real information and the riders are all under contract to be guarded when talking to the press. Nevertheless, a provisional third place on the grid as we go into Superpole is a brilliant achievement for a bike so young.

Behind Troy Corser, Chris Walker was enjoying himself, posting consistently fast lap times although unable to improve on his Friday time. Only a late charge by Xaus and Corser shifted him down the order to fourth. Walker shared a best lap time of 1:35.347 with his HM Plant Ducati teammate, James Toseland.

Australian Steve Martin did an impressive 1:35.552 on what is still pretty experimental Pirelli rubber. He was obviously pushing his tyres hard and after the session he commented; “I nearly crashed five times on that lap!”

New rules limiting the number of tyres to 13 each session may help keep budgets down but Pirelli engineers feel it counts against them. Whereas Dunlop can experiment with different covers across their many riders, Pirelli have only three men to bring back that all-important feedback, so they are going to make slower progress in choosing the ideal tyres. Creative methods of circumventing the rule have already appeared, with four grooves being hand-cut into slicks to make them “rain tyres.” There are no restrictions on the use of rain tyres in dry conditions, yet.

Combined Qualifying Times:

1. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:34.932
2. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 1:35.069
3. Troy Corser, Foggy FP1, 1:35.200
4. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:35.347
5. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:35.347
6. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.552
7. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.687
8. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.150
9. James Haydon, Foggy FP1, 1:36.176
10. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.305
11. Giovanni Bussei, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:36.492
12. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.499
13. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.551
14. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:36.553
15. David Garcia, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.560
16. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.847
17. Nello Russo, Ducati 998RS, 1:37.037
18. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:37.082
19. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda RC51, 1:37.415
20. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:37.573