Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Chris Carr won the Springfield Mile Sunday, and Nicky Hayden finished eighth in the restarted race.

So no AMA Grand Slam for young Hayden at this point.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Orion Motorsports Honda’s Steve Crevier won Sunday’s Yoshimura 600cc Sportbike race at Shannonville Motorsports Park in Ontario, Canada, but Blackfoot Suzuki’s Clint McBain wrapped up the 600cc Championship with a sixth-place finish.

Crevier’s teammate, Kevin Lacombe, was only three points behind McBain in the Championship standings, but Lacombe crashed on lap two of the race, handing the title to McBain.

In post-race dyno checks, Crevier’s Honda CBR600F4i was found to be 0.8-horsepower over the class’ 110-horsepower limit, giving the official race win to Kawasaki’s Owen Weichel.

Crevier’s penalty does not change the outcome of the Championship.

Canadian 600cc Sportbike Race Results:

1. Owen Weichel, Kawasaki
2. Ugo Levert, Suzuki
3. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki
4. Andrew Nelson, Honda
5. Clint McBain, Suzuki
6. Matthew McBride, Honda
7. Bruce McDonald, Yamaha
8. Jeff Williams, Suzuki
9. Jean-Francois Cyr, Yamaha
10. Joel McDonald, Yamaha
11. Corey Warren, Yamaha
12. Zenon Nelson, Suzuki
13. Kevin Lacombe, Honda, DNF, crash
14. Steve Crevier, Honda, DQ, over horsepower

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Fujiwara ends Foret’s pole run

By Glenn LeSanto

Prior to coming to Oschersleben it looked like Frenchman Fabien Foret was going to make pole position his permanent address. He’s qualified pole five times this year, and four of them came in a row. But Fujiwara put in a stunning lap to claim the Breil pole-winner’s watch this weekend. Foret ended qualifying second on the grid riding his Ten Kate Honda.

“The most important thing is the race,” Foret said. “OK, I always like to make it into pole position but I am on the front row and that¹s important here. I made some mistakes on my two fastest laps, which cost me time, I think I would have claimed pole without them. My race set up is very good, as always my Ten Kate Honda CBR600FS is very fast but the race will be close again. I will try to conserve my tyres and my energy for a strong finish in the race.”

Fujiwara’s teammate Stephane Chambon put another Suzuki on the grid qualifying third just in front of Christian Kellner on a Yamaha R6. Chris Vermeulen was fifth, Iain MacPherson and Karl Muggeridge eighth. All three ride bikes with Ten Kate power, making it four Ten Kate bikes in the top eight. Christian Cogan put his BMK Honda between them in seventh.

Final World Supersport qualifying times:
1. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:29.920
2. Fabien Foret, Honda CBR600, 1:29.963
3. Stéphane Chambon, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:30.037
4. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.164
5. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR600, 1:30.280
6. Iain MacPherson, Honda CBR600, 1:30.334
7. Christophe Cogan, Honda CBR600, 1:30.346
8. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600, 1:30.464
9. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:30.522
10. Robert Ulm, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.541
11. Jörg Teuchert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.655
12. Paolo Casoli, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.685
13. Jan Hanson, Honda CBR600, 1:30.697
14. Michael Schulten, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.874
15. Kevin Curtain, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.878
16. Werner Daemen, Honda CBR600, 1:30.905
17. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600, 1:30.926
18. Alessio Corradi, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.043
19. Antonio Carlacci, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.145
20. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Ducati 748R, 1:31.313
21. Stefano Cruciani, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.355
22. James Ellison, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:31.650
23. Jürgen Oelschläger, Honda CBR600, 1:31.823
24. Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.854
25. Robert Frost, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.954
26. Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati 748R, 1:32.116
27. Gianluigi Scalvini, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:32.119
28. Rico Penzkofer, Ducati 748R, 1:32.124
29. John McGuinness, Honda CBR600, 1:32.195
30. Laurent Brian, Honda CBR600, 1:32.707
31. Claudio Cipriani, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:32.981

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Hodgson on pole, Eric Bostrom Hurt

By Glenn LeSanto

Neil Hodgson smashed the best lap time at Oschersleben, lapping at 1:26.502 to take pole for Sunday¹s races. Colin Edwards, second-fastest, was the only other rider to make a lap in the 1:26 bracket.

Troy Bayliss could only manage sixth-fastest, leaving him with plenty to do in Sunday’s two Superbike races. Oschersleben is a tough place to pass at, making a front-row start all the more critical. Bayliss had a lucky escape when he ran very wide early in his lap. He ran right over the rumble strips onto the dirt but despite getting very sideways he managed to keep his Infostrada Ducati upright to complete his lap.

Ruben Xaus had one of his better Superpole rides to take the final front-row spot.

Ben Bostrom was happy to make it onto the front row, running third behind Edwards. But his brother Eric hasn’t had such a good day–he was forced to withdraw from Superpole with a suspected cracked wrist sustained in a crash during the morning qualifying session. This allowed Antonello to have a go at Superpole.

Juan Borja also couldn’t compete, having thouroughly trashed his bike in free practice just prior to Superpole. His cash-strapped team was unable to repair it in time for Superpole.

Superpole Results:

1. N Hodgson, GBR, 1:26.502

2. C Edwards, USA, 1:26.595

3. B Bostrom, USA, Ducati, 1:27.166

4. R Xaus, Spain, Ducati, 1:27.391

5. N Haga, Japan, Aprilia, 1:27.645

6. T Bayliss, Aus, Ducati, 1:27.664

7. P Chili, Italy, Ducati, 1:28.183

8. J Toseland, GBR, Ducati, 1:28.208

9. G Lavilla, Spain, Suzuki, 1:28.382

10. C Walker, GBR, Kawasaki, 1:28.640

11. S Martin, Aus, Ducati, 1:28.977

12. B Parkes, Aus, Ducati, 1:29.074

13. L Pedercini, Italy, Ducati, 1:29.122

14. M Borciani, Italy, Ducati, 1:29.732

15. A Antonello, Italy, Ducati, 1:30.143



More, from a press release issued by Castrol Honda:

SECOND PLACE FOR EDWARDS

Castrol Honda’s Colin Edwards will start from second place on the front row of the grid in tomorrow’s crucial 11th round of the World Superbike championship here at Oschersleben in Germany.

Edwards set the second fastest time in this afternoon’s Superpole final qualifying competition, just 0.09s behind polesetter Neil Hodgson.

Texan Edwards commented: “I got my best lap of the weekend in Superpole but it just wasn’t enough to topple Neil. I thought a 1:26.5 lap would be good enough but I didn¹t bank on Neil getting one too!”

Edwards continued: “I can’t say enough about the effort being made to win the championship. Honda have done their job with the new motor, Michelin are constantly giving us new, improved tyres and the new oil from Castrol has carried on from our success with it at the Suzuka 8 hours.”

SP-2 rider Edwards is chasing a 39-point deficit to championship leader Troy Bayliss and believes tomorrow’s races could help him close that gap. Edwards goes into tomorrow’s races having won the last three races, one at Laguna Seca, USA and a double victory at Brands Hatch five weeks ago.

“We’ve got a good race set-up,” added the 28-year-old. “If I can get a good start in both races I’ll be looking for a double here then move onto Assen next week and keep the pressure on.”


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

ROW 2 FOR BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) AS HODGSON (HM PLANT DUCATI) GRABS POLE – FRONT ROW START FOR BOSTROM (DUCATI L&M) & XAUS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA)

Championship leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) could only manage sixth-quickest time in the Superpole qualifying session for the German Round of the World Superbike Championship at Oschersleben, as Britain’s Neil Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati) smashed the outright circuit record to grab pole. Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) was the quickest factory Ducati rider today in third, closely followed by Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) while Troy’s chief rival Colin Edwards (Honda) will line up on the grid directly ahead of the Australian on the front row.

Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) was third quickest after the two qualifying sessions, but put his Ducati 998’s wheels on the grass in the first split and then hit the ripple-strip immediately after, which ruined his Superpole lap. The Australian set a time of 1:27.664 and will line up on the second row, alongside Haga (Aprilia) and directly behind Edwards. “Row 2 is obviously not where I wanted to be for the race tomorrow and I find myself in a position similar to last year. I’ve still got a few more things to try in the Sunday morning warm-up, which is a bit of a pain, but you can’t have it all your own way. These things bring out the best in you, so hopefully we’ll come up with something in the morning. I’m not entirely satisfied with my race set-up, all I can do is try and improve and keep Colin within striking distance tomorrow”.

Bostrom (Ducati L&M) was unfazed by a late crash in the afternoon’s free practice session to move up from fourth in qualifying to an impressive third in Superpole with a lap time of 1:27.166. “Every time we’re on the front row I’m happy” declared Ben. “This is a good spot, the boys did a great job after I crashed in the session before Superpole. The lap was good, the bike felt great and tomorrow’s a new day. At the start of the week I had a lot on my mind, but I’ve been getting more confident as the days go by. Now I realise I just have to ride the bike, a big thanks to the guys in my L&M team because it is just getting better and better all the time.”

Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) also moved up the starting-grid with an excellent time of 1’27.391, which earned him the outside slot on row 1 for tomorrow’s two races. “My Superpole lap was quite good, the quickest I have been all weekend, so it’s better late than never and it’s good to be on the front row” commented Ruben. “My long-run times were not perfect but not bad and I think I can gain some places in the race. In my last laps of my long-run I was doing the same times as in the early laps so that means that in the races I can try to ride at the end like I will at the beginning. The start will be important and I will try and follow Colin like last year and try to push him as much as possible, maybe even try to win!”



More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:

NORIYUKI HAGA TAKES APRILIA UP THE RATINGS

Oschersleben (Germany), Saturday 31 August 2002 – Noriyuki Haga made fifth quickest time in the final qualifying session of the German Superbike GP to be raced at Oschersleben. The Playstation2 – FGF Aprilia Team are back again among the top rankers. Making his debut on this circuit with the RSV, Haga’s eleventh place in Friday’s qualifying let him to get to grips with the trajectories of this track and with the set-up of his bike. The Japanese ace learnt fast and today’s result means he will be starting from second row, gunning for one of the top spots in the two 28-lap races on Sunday.

NORIYUKI HAGA (Playstation2 – FGF Aprilia Team rider) – “Oschersleben is a slow and strange track. To get a good time, you’ve got to jump on and off the curbs, and that’s not a way of riding that comes all that naturally to me. There’s a very tight and slow chicane where we lose a lot of time: the Aprilia is a bit heavy when changing direction, so we’re working to make it easier to ride, especially in that area.

GIACOMO GUIDOTTI (Technical Manager of the Playstation2 – FGF Aprilia Team) – “We’ve made huge strides since Friday. We haven’t turned the bike inside out: it wasn’t necessary. But we have made a few changes to the settings. Haga rode almost always alone so he could study the points where the behaviour of the bike needed attention, and so that he could find the best trajectories. At the end of the day, the results are very positive and the speed on race tyres is extremely promising. We’ll do a couple of tests on the suspension during the warm-up and then I think we’ll be ready for the challenge.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

World Superbike, Saturday Qualifying

Despite not bettering his Friday time, Colin Edwards held onto the provisional pole position, ahead of this afternoon’s World Superbike Superpole at Oschersleben. Neil Hodgson put Edwards under plenty of pressure; the HM Plant Ducati rider improved on his Friday time and was the fastest rider in today’s session, lapping at 1:26.688. Hodgson, second fastest overall, was the only rider making lapping in the 1:26 bracket today.

Ben Bostrom pulled his way up through the ranks, he improved his lap time to go fourth on the grid behind Troy Bayliss, whose Friday time kept him in the top four.

James Toseland looks on form this weekend, currently running fifth-fastest just in front of Ruben Xaus. Steve Martin showed that the development of the Pirelli slicks is coming along, he was seventh quickest.

World Superbike – Oschersleben, Germany – combined qualifying times

1. Colin Edwards,Honda RC51, 1:26.609
2. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, 1:26.688
3. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, 1:26.984
4. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, 1:27.293
5. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, 1:27.368
6. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, 1:27.449
7. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.644
8. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, 1:27.711
9. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.857
10. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:28.053
11. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.122
12. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.138
13. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.188
14. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.572
15. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:28.601
16. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.819
17. Alessandro Antonello, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.912
18. Hitoyasu Izutsu, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:29.736
19. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, 1:29.947
20. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:30.075
21. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, 1:30.144
22. Serafino Foti, Ducati 996RS, 1:30.199
23. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:30.233
24. Yann Gyger, Honda RC51, 1:31.026
25. Thierry Mulot, Ducati 996SPS, 1:31.797
26. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 996RS, 1:32.581
DNQ. Teodor Myszkowski, Yamaha YZF-R7, 1:33.294
DNQ. Giuliano Sartoni, Ducati 996RS, 1:34.053

From a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 11 – OSCHERSLEBEN, GERMANY
31ST AUGUST 2002 – SATURDAY QUALIFYING AND SUPERPOLE

WALKER ON THE PACE AS INJURIES SIDELINE TEAMMATES

With Eric Bostrom and Hitoyasu Izutsu both sidelined by injury, it was left to Chris Walker to fly the Fuchs Kawasaki flag alone in this afternoon’s Superpole shootout at Oschersleben. The 30-year-old British rider acquitted himself well, finishing tenth fastest to secure a third row start for tomorrow’s two, 28-lap Superbike races.

‘I had a few problems with chatter during free practice this afternoon, which meant I was lapping a second slower than in qualifying this morning for a while,’ said Walker. ‘We got the problem sorted for Superpole, but then I had to try and get myself back up to speed on the warm-up lap. I didn’t quite manage it and I’m a bit disappointed about that, because the bike has been working real well around this circuit and I thought we were in with a real chance of getting onto the second row today. Oschersleben is a real tight circuit, with few overtaking opportunities, so I’ll definitely be looking for a good start tomorrow.’

Problems with the wrist he injured at Sugo meant that Hitoyasu Izutsu was unable to finish higher than eighteenth in this morning’s final regular qualifying session. Obviously in some pain from the old injury, Izutsu opted to sit out this afternoon’s free practice session and rest the wrist, ready for tomorrow’s two races.

‘Oschersleben is very technical, very tight and very twisty, with no opportunity to relax,’ explained Izutsu. ‘This means that I have to work the injured wrist very hard all the time and it gets more painful the more laps I do. Despite the problems, I’m determined to race and I just hope that resting the wrist, as well as some treatment from the team physiotherapist, will improve things for tomorrow.’

Another Kawasaki rider in the wars this weekend is Eric Bostrom. Already suffering with injuries sustained in a boating accident during the summer break, the 26-year-old Californian crashed heavily during morning qualifying and ruled himself out of this weekend’s event with a fractured left scaphoid.

‘I honestly don’t know what caused the crash,’ said a disappointed Bostrom. ‘I tipped into the corner the same way I had done on previous laps and it felt like the rear just let go. I’m real disappointed, because I think I could have gone well here this weekend. I was running in the 27s on race rubber, which was as good as any of the other Dunlop runners, and I was really looking forward to the race. According to the doctors, I’ve only sustained a small fracture to the scaphoid, and it should be as good as new in a few weeks, but this definitely isn’t the way I wanted to end my season.’

From a press release issued by Monstermob Ducati:

MONSTERMOB DUCATI BRITISH SUPERBIKE TEAM

Round 11– 2002 MCN British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park

Saturday 31st August/Sunday 1st September 2002

Rampant Hislop Shoots to Oulton Pole

MonsterMob Ducati rider and British Superbike Championship leader Steve Hislop romped to his second pole position in a week after another record-breaking performance at Oulton Park this afternoon.

The 40-year-old Scot followed up his total domination at Cadwell Park on Bank Holiday Monday to record the fastest ever lap around the 2.77 mile Cheshire circuit in a time of 1:30.664, over six tenths ahead of his nearest rival Michael Rutter aboard the Renegade Ducati.

Fastest in practice during Friday’s test day and after dominating both timed qualifying sessions today, Hislop – who leads the championship by 48 points going into tomorrow’s eleventh round – explained that the lap was less than perfect despite it being over a second inside his own lap record.

“I went to Cadwell Park hungry and I still feel that way. I said that I wanted to grab this championship by the scruff of the neck and it’s all going to plan at the moment. I had a couple of moments during that lap and was in too deep into one of the corners but I’m happy with pole position” said Hislop who claimed his tenth front row start and fourth pole start of the season.

Rizla Suzuki’s John Reynolds ended up third fastest with Shane Byrne on the second Renegade Ducati completing the front row. Hislop’s main championship rival Sean Emmett crashed during morning qualifying injuring his left wrist and will start from the fourth row of the grid aboard his Virgin Mobile Yamaha.

Meanwhile, Hislop’s Supersport teammate Stuart Easton left it late to snatch second place on the grid aboard his 748cc MonsterMob Ducati, just 4/1000ths of a second off pole.

The 18-year-old from Hawick – who leads the championship by 38 points – held fastest time in the opening qualifying before dropping back to second and in the final throes of the final session was down to third before bumping himself back up to second behind Irishman Michael Laverty.

“I tried to get one too many laps out of the qualifying tyre and I ran wide on my fast lap otherwise it could have been a lot different. I’m still regaining my confidence after a few problems in recent races but I’m feeling good for tomorrow. I’m going for the win but at the same time I have to think about the championship” said Easton.

Superpole Result:
1. Steve Hislop (MonsterMob Ducati) 1:30.664
2. Michael Rutter (Ducati) 1:31.301
3. John Reynolds (Suzuki) 1:31.702
4. Shane Byrne (Ducati) 1:31.722
5. Glen Richards (Kawasaki)1.32.735
6. Gary Mason (Honda) 1:32.782
7. Steve Plater (Yamaha) 1:32.921
8. Karl Harris (Suzuki) 1:32.933
9. Simon Crafar (Yamaha) 1:32.981
10. Dean Ellison (Ducati) 1:33.052
11. Dean Thomas (Ducati) 1:33.256
12. Paul Young (Suzuki) 1:33.440
13. Sean Emmett (Yamaha) 1:33.620
14. John Crawford (Suzuki) 1:33.661
15. Adrian Coates (Suzuki) 1:33.841
16. Mark Burr (Kawasaki) 1:34.764

Supersport Qualifying:
1. Michael Laverty (Honda) 1:36.587
2. Stuart Easton (MonsterMob Ducati) 1:37.347
3. Scott Smart (Honda) 1:39.540
4. Jeremy Goodall (Suzuki) 1:38.599
5. Pete Jennings (Kawasaki) 1:38.585
6. Douglas Cowie (Kawasaki) 1:38.991
7. Ben Wilson (Honda) 1:38.782
8. Callum Ramsay (Suzuki) 1:38.669
9. Gary May (Yamaha) 1:39.575
10. Keith Nicholls (Honda) 1:40.077.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

1. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:45.715
2. Michael Taylor, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:45.768
3. Kevin Lacombe, Honda RC51, 1:45.914
4. Frank Trombino, Honda RC51, 1:47.649
5. Francis Martin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:47.876
6. Andrew Nelson, Honda, 1:48.142
7. Owen Weichel, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:48.184
8. Steve Crevier, Honda RC51, 1:48.292
9. Clint McBain, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:49.571
10. Jean-Francois Cyr, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:49.690
11. Benoit Pilon, Yamaha, 1:49.741
12. Ugo Levert, Suzuki, 1:49.779
13. Jeff Williams, Suzuki, 1:50.104
14. Philip Onisto, Suzuki, 1:50.861
15. Bruce McDonald, Yamaha, 1:51.154
16. Joel McDonald, Yamaha, 1:51.725
17. Mike Desmarais, Suzuki, 1:52.404
18. Francis Dubuc, Suzuki, 1:52.415
19. Trevor Booking, Yamaha, 1:52.924
20. Darryn Wilbur, Yamaha, 1:52.986
21. Victor Paiva, Kawasaki, 1:53.521
22. John Brundl, Honda, 1:54.171
23. Gaston Labrie, Suzuki, 1:54.554
24. Corey Warren, Yamaha, 1:54.781
25. Jeff Sneyd, Yamaha, 1:55.088
26. Dave Hodge, Suzuki, 1:55.212
27. Derek Vamus, Honda, 1:55.268
28. Thomas Elsaesser, Ducati, 1:58.606

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning European Superstock Practice Times:

1. Stefan Nebel, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.010
2. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda CBR900RR, 1:33.677
3. Didier Vankeymeulen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.690
4. Gianluca Vizziello, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:34.043
5. Koen Vleugels, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.110
6. Alessandro Brannetti, Honda CBR900RR, 1:34.189
7. Riccardo Chiarello, Ducati 998S, 1:34.583
8. Lorenzo Mauri, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:34.627
9. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.737
10. Benjamin Nabert, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.749

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Tony “The Tiger” Meiring attended a Dp Safety School Thursday, August 29 at Laguna Seca, and spent the day being coached by former Superbike star Jeff Haney.

Following the day on the track, Meiring and Haney went training at a gym.

Haney works as a riding coach and trainer when he’s not instructing at the Freddie Spencer Riding School at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.