From a press release:
Rounds 15 & 16, 2002 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Virginia, USA
First Qualifying Session Report
MLADIN SETS FASTEST TIME WITH NEW LAP RECORD AT VIRGINIA
Three times American Superbike champion Australian Mat Mladin, has set the fastest time in the opening qualifying session for this weekend’s season ending Double-Header round of the 2002 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship at the Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia.
Mladin broke his own existing lap record (1:25.428) with a time of 1:25.328 during the opening qualifying session aboard his Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750. Second fastest was teammate Aaron Yates (1:25.47), with championship rivals American Honda’s Nicky Hayden (1:25.63) third, ahead of Team Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom (1:26.31).
Mladin is the all-time AMA Superbike pole position record holder with a total of 24 poles, but amazingly has not been able to add to that incredible tally this season. His opening time today may put him in a good position to add to that during tomorrow morning’s final qualifying session prior to the first of the two scheduled 28-lap Superbike Nationals.
“Basically what we can put the good times down to is that we have finally got the suspension parts we’ve been waiting for all season,” said Mladin. “All year I’ve been saying about how badly the suspension has been working. We’ve known for a while that there were parts available, but we just couldn’t get them. We got some for the rear shock at the last round at Mid Ohio and that made it a bit better, but for this round we have a few new front fork internals, plus some more for the rear. It has made a huge difference, but all too late for this year.
“I was happy with the times from today and we did a lot of quick times during the session,” added Mladin. “I think that the times will be even quicker tomorrow as the track appears to be faster earlier in the day when the track temperature is a bit lower.”
After a three-year domination by Mladin, this year’s championship will be fought out between Hayden and Bostrom. Just 35 points separate the pair and with points for two races up for grabs, there are ample opportunities for either rider to take their first title.
Qualifying, Friday (Top ten)
1. Mat Mladin (Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750), 1:25.328 mins
2. Aaron Yates (Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750), 1:25.47
3. Nicky Hayden (American Honda RC51), 1:25.63
4. Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki ZX-7RR), 1:26.31
5. Jamie Hacking (Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750), 1:26.50
6. Miguel DuHamel (American Honda RC51), 1:26.55
7. Doug Chandler (HMC Ducati 998RS), 1:26.60
8. Pascal Picotte (Austin / Blue Bayou Ducati 998RS), 1:26.78
9. Kurtis Roberts (Erion Honda RC51), 1:26.85
10. Robert Jensen (Suzuki GSX-R750), 1:28.86
Superbike Lap Record: Mat Mladin (Team Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:25.428 (2001)
