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

From a press release issued by Edge Racing:

EDGE PERFORMANCE RIDING COURSES CONTINUES TO OFFER MOTORCYCLE TRACK TIME AND RIDING SCHOOLS IN UPPER MIDWEST IN 2003

Exciting Opportunity for Enthusiasts and Racers

EDGE PERFORMANCE RIDING COURSES (EPRC) will continue to offer Open Track Days and Riding Schools at selected Upper Midwest road racing venues in 2003. These events will provide regional motorcyclists with a safe and controlled environment in which to develop and test their motorcycling skills. Events will be held at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, MN and at Mid-America Motorplex in Council Bluffs, IA.

According to Sean Edgett, president of EPRC, “We had a successful season in 2002. We were very pleased with the turnout at all of our events and had many people who participated in multiple track days and schools. We look forward to even more enthusiast’s making their way to the track in 2003. Today’s high performance motorcycles have capabilities that can only be exploited on a racetrack. I want to give riders a place to do just that. Our Open Track Days will provide a controlled environment for riders to test their skills”

Edgett continued, “In addition to our Open Track Days, we will continue to offer our Track Riding Schools. These schools will be a mix of classroom and on-track training provided by highly qualified instructors. This year we are expanding our school to include a race license level for the CCS and CRA racing organizations.

Edge Performance Riding Courses is pleased to have Gareth Jones, the Chief New Riders Instructor of the Central Roadracing Association, back for 2003. Gareth will continue to operate the track schools and provide instruction. Edgett adds, “Gareth’s 30 years of racing experience, which includes the Manx Gran Prix, will provide students with a unique experience.”

Edge Performance Riding Courses is pleased to announce the formation of “The Edge Kneedragger’s Club” for 2003. A $30 annual membership fee entitles riders to receive special pricing on track days. This club is unique due to the fact that the more track days a member attends the cheaper the track days become.

The 2003 Edge Performance Riding Courses schedule:

Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Mn
May 5th
June 20th***
July18th***
August 4th
September15th

MidAmerica Motorplex, Pacific Junction, Ia
April 10th ***
May 26th
July 7th***
August 30th
August 31st
***Track School dates. On these dates the Track Day and Track School will be run concurrently. Track Day participants will receive a full day of track time.

To get more information or pre-register please visit www.edgeracing.net. The site contains all necessary information concerning schedule, bike prep, rules, registration, and safety. Contact Edge Performance Riding Courses by phone at 763-531-1947 or by email: [email protected].

Edge Performance Riding Courses and Edge Racing would like to also thank our sponsors for 2003. Yamaha, Sharkskinz, Lithium Motorpsorts, Bridgestone Tires, Pinnacle Signs, and Squad 19.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

High Winds Slow Supersport Qualifying

By Glenn LeSanto

Few World Supersport riders were able to better their Friday qualifying times due to high winds and problems with grip at Valencia.

Katsuaki Fujiwara clung onto pole position with a time of 1:37.687, set during Friday’s session. Young Queenslander Chris Vermeulen came close to bettering his Friday time, lapping today on the new Honda CBR600RR at 1:37.846 compared to his Friday time of 1:37.839, but it wasn’t enough to shake the Suzuki off pole. Although Vermeulen’s time wasn’t enough to snatch pole, it was the fastest time set today and made him the only rider to make it into the 1:37s today.

“I would like to have taken pole,” said Vermeulen, “but the conditions were really difficult, the wind was lifting the front wheel off the track in mid-turn.”

Vermeulen’s Ten Kate Honda teammate Karl Muggeridge couldn’t get as close to his Friday time. Muggeridge, also a native of Queensland, Australia, was down from 1:37.927 to 1:38.723, almost a second slower than his teammate and countryman.

Robert Ulm also relied on his Friday time to hang onto his front row start and making it three Hondas and one Suzuki on the front row for Sunday’s debut World Supersport race of the 2003 season.

World Supersport Final Qualifying Results:

1. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:37.687
2. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR600RR, 1:37.839
3. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600RR, 1:37.927
4. Robert Ulm, Honda CBR600RR, 1:37.940
5. Jorg Teuchert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.101
6. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.128
7. Gianluca Nannelli, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.282
8. Pere Riba, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:38.355
9. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.382
10. Fabien Foret, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:38.401
11. Alessio Corradi, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.537
12. Werner Daemen, Honda CBR600RR, 1:38.597
13. Christophe Cogan, Honda CBR600RR, 1:38.646
14. Broc Parkes, Honda CBR600RR, 1:38.674
15. Ian MacPherson, Honda CBR600RR, 1:38.817
16. Simone Sanna, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.860
17. Michael Schulten, Honda CBR600RR, 1:38.882
18. Gianluigi Scalvini, Honda CBR600RR, 1:38.981
19. Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:39.209
20. Kenan Sofuoglu, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:40.289


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:

HONDA’S NEW CBR600RR ON FRONT ROW

Honda’s new CBR600RR took three of the four front row places as the grid line-up was confirmed for Sunday’s opening round of the World Supersport championship at Valencia in Spain.

Strong winds in Saturday afternoon’s final, 45-minute qualifying session slowed riders and none of the top five qualifiers from Friday afternoon’s session improved on their times.

The grid will be headed by Katsuaki Fujiwara with promising young Australian Chris Vermeulen second on the Ten Kate Honda. Vermeulen’s best lap on Saturday was only 0.01s slower than his time from Friday but strong winds prevented him from a possible third pole position of his career.

“The wind was behind you down the start and finish straight so as soon as you turned left into the first corner it was into your side, picking the front wheel up and blowing you across the track,” Vermeulen explained. “But we’ve got a good setting for the race so I’m hopeful of a win.”

His fellow Australian and fellow Ten Kate Honda rider Karl Muggeridge starts from third, the 28-year-old was happy with a front row start as he chases his fifth career win.

Muggeridge said: “I went out early in today’s session, the track was a bit dirty and dusty and I almost crashed a couple of times. I rode like a plonker for the rest of the session but it didn’t really matter in the end anyway.”

Robert Ulm on the Klaffi CBR600RR completes the front row of the grid for Sunday¹s 23-lap race at the 2.49-mile circuit on the outskirts of Valencia.

“I may have been able to improve on my qualifying time but at the start of my very last lap another rider pulled out of pitlane in front of me, I lost one full second so there was no pulling that back,” explained Ulm. “I’m pleased for the team to be starting on the front row and it’s also the first time Pirelli have had three riders on the front row.”

Werner Daemen, on the first of the Van Zon Hondas, will start from 12th place on the third row, he said: “I was sixth fastest in this afternoon¹s session so I’m quite happy. The third row is OK but this circuit is not very good for overtaking so I know I need to be strong off the startline.”

BKM Honda’s Christophe Cogan took 13th place, the Frenchman commented: “I’m confident for the race. We have a good rear race tyre and so long as I can make a good start I think I can be in the top 10 tomorrow.”

Cogan¹s team-mate Broc Parkes was disappointed not to be higher up the grid than 14th but the gritty Australian is determined to impress on his World Supersport debut. He said: “The wind was the biggest problem today, without doubt. But I was worried about the front end of the machine as well, after crashing at the same left-hander twice. Tomorrow will be fine.”