Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Team Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates earned the provisional pole position for this weekend’s AMA Superbike double-header at Mid-Ohio with a lap of 1:28.044 on his Dunlop-equipped GSX-R750.

The first half of the hour-long qualifying session was held on a damp but drying track. Yates did his fastest lap late in the crowded session.

Yamaha’s Anthony Gobert did not ride in Friday afternoon’s Superbike qualifying session and may not race his YZF-R7 Superbike this weekend at Mid-Ohio.

Final Superbike qualifying will take place Saturday morning.

Friday’s Provisional AMA Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.044
2. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:28.305
3. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.567
4. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998RS, 1:29.136
5. Doug Chandler, Ducati 998RS, 1:29.151
6. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:29.350
7. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:29.936
8. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:30.154
9. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.446
10. Jason Disalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.956
11. John Jacobi, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.662
12. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.931
13. Andrew Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.088
14. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.162
15. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.272
16. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.314
17. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.337
18. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.369
19. Shane Clarke, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.418
20. Michael Himmelsbach, Aprilia RSV1000R, 1:34.467
21. Eric Spector, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.586
22. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.681
23. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.816
24. Christopher Rankin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.890
25. Justin Blake, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.913
26. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.271
27. Robert Christman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.790
28. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.833
29. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.936
30. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.173


More, from a press release issued by Mladin’s publicist:

DAMP TRACK SEES MLADIN THIRD FASTEST AT MID-OHIO

Lexington, Ohio, USA (Friday, July 26) – A damp, but drying track, made for a difficult opening qualifying session for this weekend’s Double Header AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship, but it didn’t stop defending
champion Mat Mladin from setting the third fastest time in the disrupted session.

For a greater part of the one-hour session, the riders waited in pit lane in anticipation of a dry line emerging around the 3.86km/2.40 miles Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course which plays host to rounds 13 and 14 of the championship. With one more session remaining tomorrow morning, before the first of the two Superbike nationals, it was important that a good time was posted as the weather is forecast to be clear, but with patchy showers.

Mladin set a best lap time of 1-min 28.567-secs aboard his Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750, as he chased teammate Aaron Yates, who went on to
secure the fastest time of the session in the closing seconds with a 1:28.044. Second fastest was Team Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom with a 1:28.305,
with Pascal Picotte completing the provisional front row of the grid with a 1:29.136 aboard his Austin/Blue Bayou Ducati.

With the track drying, the lap times were still a long way off from challenging Mladin’s lap record mark of 1:26.498 set at last year’s event where he grabbed pole position and took the race win in the first of the two Superbike races.

“We had a bit of rain roll through, but other than that it was alright,” said Mladin. “The rain came just before the qualifying session, but the track dried out pretty well, but there were still a few damp spots around. We just went out to get a good time. We didn’t use a qualifying tyre, like Aaron (Yates) did, as we felt that the track wasn’t in a good enough condition to warrant using one. If the weather clears for tomorrow, the times will come down for sure, so we’ll just have to see what happens.

Mladin’s season has been troubled handling problems, but this weekend, the team’s suspension suppliers Showa, have arrived with some new components for the rear shock absorber on Mladin’s GSX-R750 and they appear to be getting the results that they have been searching for.

“The bike is actually coming around as we have some new stuff to try from Showa this weekend and the bike feels really good,” added Mladin. “It’s amazing, it’s the first time that I’ve said that all year. When I first rode out of the pits this morning, it felt like a motorcycle that I could ride properly. It’s the first time that it’s felt like that all year. It’s good to get some stuff that is working. Now it’s just a matter of getting confidence back with the bike and pushing it to see what it will do.”

Qualifying continues tomorrow morning with the first of the two 26-lap AMA Superbike races scheduled for Saturday afternoon, with the second race being held on Sunday.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Mike Smith knocked Chris Ulrich off the Superstock pole in the closing moments of the second qualifying session at Mid-Ohio.

Ulrich had been fastest in the first session, for even-numbered machines, turning a 1:31.198 on Michelin race tires. Jason DiSalvo was second in the session at 1:31.926, ahead of Tommy Hayden on a ZX-6R at 1:32.241 and Robert Jensen at 1:32.538; Jensen jumped up six places in the order after coming in for a Michelin qualifying tire. DiSalvo and Hayden were on Dunlop race tires.

Ulrich’s time held up for most of the second session, for odd-numbered machines, until Smith turned a 1:31.076 late in the session, on Pirelli tires. Ty Howard then bumped DiSalvo back a spot with a 1:31.257, also on Pirelli tires. John Jacobi, Jimmy Moore, Ben Spies and Chris “Opie” Caylor earned spots on the second row, all setting their times in the second session.

The track was mostly dry with some small damp areas left over from an earlier rain shower.

Times follow:

Superstock Qualifying
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Lexington, Ohio
(All Suzuki GSX-R750 unless indicated)

1. Mike Smith, 1:31.076
2. Chris Ulrich, 1:31.198
3. Ty Howard, 1:31.257
4. Jason DiSalvo, 1:31.926
5. John Jacobi, 1:31.926
6. Jimmy Moore, 1:31.967
7. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:32.056
8. Chris Caylor, 1:32.102
9. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:32.241
10. Robert Jensen, 1:32.538
11. Adam Fergusson, 1:32.569
12. Brian Livengood, 1:32.714
13. Vincent Haskovec, 1:33.414
14. Shane Clarke, 1:33.519
15. Lee Acree, 1:33.547
16. Kevin Pate, 1:33.654
17. Craig Connell, 1:33.696
18. Alan Schmidt, 1:33.703
19. Rich Conicelli, 1:33.978
20. Chris Rankin, 1:34.065
21. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:34.398
22. Jeff Bostrom 1:34.738
23. Eric Spector, 1:34.746
24. Justin Blake, 1:34.830
25. Troy Green, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:35.011
26. Monte Nichols, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:35.239
27. John Haner, 1:35.261
28. Andrew Nelson, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:35.346
29. Michael Hannas, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:35.424
30. Jake Holden, 1:35.462

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning AMA Superstock Practice Times:

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:32.298
2. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.371
3. Mike Smith, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.697
4. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.702
5. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.884
6. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.895
7. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.180
8. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.272
9. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:33.300
10. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:33.631
11. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.124
12. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.136
13. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:34.300
14. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.053
15. Michael Hannas, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:35.365
16. Jeff Muskopf, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:35.401
17. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:35.494
18. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.556
19. Jimmy Filice, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:35.605
20. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.677

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning World Superbike Practice Times:

1. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 1:26.724
2. Michael Rutter, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.072
3. Shane Byrne, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.374
4. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, 1:27.417
5. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.065
6. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, 1:28.071
7. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, 1:28.088
8. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, 1:28.178
9. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, 1:28.297
10. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, 1:28.306
11. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.653
12. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:28.669
13. Glen Richards, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:28.793
14. Dean Ellison, Ducati 996RS, 1:29.041
15. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.163
16. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:29.165
17. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, 1:29.277
18. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:29.311
19. Alessandro Antonello, Ducati 998RS, 1:29.629
20. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:29.910
21. Hitoyasu Izutsu, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:30.429
22. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:30.564
23. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:30.919
24. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, 1:31.271
25. Bertrand Stey, Honda RC51, 1:31.728
26. Thierry Mulot, Ducati 996SPS, 1:31.956
27. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, 1:32.385
28. Yann Gyger, Honda RC51, 1:47.169

From a press release issued by Tory Bayliss’ publicist, Steve Reeves:

BAYLISS CHASES ENGLISH SUCCESS AT BRANDS HATCH

Kent, England (Thursday, July 25) – The historic Brands Hatch Circuit plays host to the European round of the Superbike World Championship this weekend (July 27-28) with defending champion Troy Bayliss eager to add to his tally of fourteen race wins for the 2002 season.

After winning the British Superbike championship in 1999, Bayliss has always enjoyed racing in front of the huge English crowds that Brands Hatch attracts and this weekend will be no different for the likable Australian.

“I like winning in front of the English people,” said Bayliss. “I’ve got a lot of fans in England, but for some reason I just want to go there and win. I would love to go there and get the double. It’s the busiest round of the year for us. It has the most spectators and there’s a lot of work to be done both on and off the track. Hopefully the weather will be a lot better than what it was at Silverstone.”

The Infostrada Ducati rider arrives in England still nursing his lower back as a result of the crash during practice for the previous round of the championship at Laguna Seca. As a result his training program has been modified to include additional swimming and less work in the gym in an attempt to allow the injury to heal, while maintaining his fitness.

“I’ll be giving it everything that I’ve got this weekend as after that we’ve got a month off before the next rounds, which will be good as I can spend that time to get myself fully fit,” added Bayliss. “Obviously I did well there at Laguna, but my lower back was quite sore. It’s not going to affect me at Brands, but that month off will allow me to get into my best shape for the final three rounds.”

The undulating 4.22km Brands Hatch circuit will see a number of riders in contention alongside Bayliss. Of the British riders, Neil Hodgson has been the best performed this season on his HM Plant Ducati and will be out to impress his home fans. The main focus for Bayliss will once again be arch rival Colin Edwards. The two shared the wins at Laguna Seca less than two weeks ago and with the championship entering the business end of the season, Bayliss will be looking to increase his points margin over the Texan. Bayliss currently heads the championship points table with a 53-point break over Edwards, while Hodgson holds down third overall.

“It’s going to be a lot faster than last year. My Infostrada Ducati 998F-02 is working extremely well at the moment as are the Michelin tyres. As has been the case all year I’ll be keeping a close eye on Colin (Edwards). Last year we had a few problems in qualifying and that put us behind the eight ball all weekend, but I’m sure we’ll be better prepared this time around.”


BRANDS HATCH, SWC FAST FACTS

Circuit Length: 4.221km

2001 Superpole: Neil Hodgson (GSE Ducati) 1:26.769

Lap record: Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati) 1:26.884 (2001)

2001 Race Results:
Race 1/10 laps
1. Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati)
2. Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda)
3. Neil Hodgson (GSE Ducati)
5. Troy Bayliss (Infostrada Ducati)

Race 2/15 laps
1. Neil Hodgson (GSE Ducati)
2. Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati)
3. Troy Bayliss (Infostrada Ducati)

2002 World Superbike championship points (after 9 of 13 rounds):
1. T Bayliss 405; 2. C Edwards 352; 3. N Hodgson 221; 4. B Bostrom 184; 5. N Haga 182;
6. R Xaus 172; 7. J Toseland 124; 8. C Walker 108; 9. P Chili 90; 10. G Lavilla 84.

From a press release issued by Team Hammer, Inc.:

Josh Hayes and Team Hammer, Inc., racing as Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki, have reached an agreement which will see Hayes leave the team following the AMA National at Virginia International Raceway August 9-11.

The team and Hayes have negotiated a settlement of his contract.

“We think the world of Josh and wish him the best in everything he does,” said team owner John Ulrich. “We regret that we were not able to provide Josh with the combination he needed to fulfill his potential, and his expectations, in 2002.”

From a press release issued by Rich Miller:

Jonah Miller has announced his seperation from Veloce Racing and team owner Spiros Gabrilis.

Miller won the 125 OMRRA championship last season riding the Aprilia 125 for Veloce Racing, and this year has seen limited riding opportunties with appearances at the Sears Point AMA 250 race and recently the Laguna Seca AMA 250 support race where mechanical failures kept him from a respectable finish.

We would like to thank Spiros for all of his effort on Jonah’s behalf over the past two seasons. Jonah is weighing his options now, but can be contacted @ 541-760-5411.

From Ducati Corse:

WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

Round 10 – Brands Hatch (UK), 28 July 2002

PREVIEW – EUROPEAN ROUND

After some of the most spectacular racing seen all year at Laguna Seca, World Superbike returns to Europe for the most popular event on the calendar at Brands Hatch. The Kent circuit, on the outskirts of London, offers exciting racing and unparalleled viewing for the 100,000 plus crowd that is expected to turn up to see whether or not Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) can continue his extraordinary run of success.

The reigning world champion, winner of 14 of the 18 races so far this season, needs just three more wins to reach the all-time record held by Doug Polen (Ducati) in 1991. The Australian’s success story continued last week in the USA, where he shared the wins with eternal rival Colin Edwards (Honda), increasing his championship lead to 53 points over the Texan, with four rounds remaining and 200 points still left on the board.

“I came away from Laguna feeling sad and sorry for myself after a couple of crashes, and on Sunday I was a lot sorer than what it looked like on the bike. So basically I’ve just been at home since then getting ready for this race” commented Troy. “Physically I feel at 90% but on the bike it’s completely different and you can be sure I’ll be going out there aiming to win. I enjoy coming to Brands Hatch, it’s a place I’ve raced at a lot, and I’ll be planning to get some good results this weekend. I don’t really have to worry so much, because although the championship is very important I’ve got a points cushion of a couple of races over my closest rival Colin”.

Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) had an up-and-down weekend at Laguna with a superb second place in race 1 before crashing out in the second race. The young Spanish rider currently lies sixth in the table with 172 points. “I really hope to do well this weekend so I can go to the summer break with a lot more points on the board and get close to third place in the championship” declared Ruben. “I’m feeling a bit under the weather with ‘flu at the moment so my aim is to get better in half-a-day to be ready for first qualifying tomorrow. I like all the circuits on the WSBK calendar but Brands Hatch is one of my favourites. There’s always a good crowd here and the atmosphere around the track is simply fantastic”.

Twelve months ago Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) won both races with a superb display of riding around the Kent track. The Californian is fourth in the championship on 184 points. “I’m really excited about the Brands round because it’ll be good to get back on the bike after the big disappointment of Laguna. I will only be satisfied with winning here because that’s the only true satisfaction. Brands Hatch is an interesting circuit, it’s like any other track with its ‘goods’ and ‘bads’. It’s a weird track, you ride around thinking you’re going fast but you’re not, and then on the next lap something just clicks and it works and that’s what makes it so interesting”.

THE BRANDS HATCH CIRCUIT

Motorsport at Brands Hatch dates back to 1926 when a group of enthusiasts used the venue for grass track racing. The surface was asphalted in 1950 and soon became a popular venue for car racing as well. Circuit length was increased to 2.65 miles (4.24 kms) making it ideal for hosting top international races. World Superbikes first came to Brands Hatch in 1993 and every year since 1995 it has hosted the European Round at the start of August. The event has grown massively in popularity over the years and in 2001 a record crowd of 122,000 spectators crammed into the Kent circuit for the World Superbike round.

CIRCUIT RECORDS

Lap record: Bostrom (Ducati) 1’26.884 (2001); Superpole: Hodgson (Ducati) 1’26.381 (2000); Qualifying: Haga (Yamaha) 1’26.235 (2000). Race distance: 2 x 25 laps/105.525 kms.

2001 RESULTS

Race 1: 1. Bostrom (Ducati), 2. Hodgson (Ducati), 3. Edwards (Honda). Race 2: 1. Bostrom (Ducati), 2. Hodgson (Ducati), 3. Bayliss (Ducati).

POINTS (after 9 of 13 rounds): Riders – 1. Bayliss 405; 2. Edwards 352; 3. Hodgson 221; 4. Bostrom 184; 5. Haga 182; 6. Xaus 172, etc. Manufacturers – 1. Ducati 415; 2. Honda 357; 3. Aprilia 182; 4. Kawasaki 157; 5. Suzuki 101, etc.

TV COVERAGE

Eurosport (pan-European): Sunday 28 July, Race 1 1245 CET (live), Race 2 2315 CET (delayed). BBC (UK): Sunday 28 July, Race 1 1145 BST (live), Race 2 1520 BST (live). La7 (Italy): Saturday 27 July, Superpole, 1655 CET (live); Sunday 28 July, Race 1 1255 CET (live), Race 2 1755 CET (delayed).

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

According to a press release issued by the involved companies, TBT Racing will now be located in the service department of Eastside MotoSports, a Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati, Cagiva, MV Agusta and Bimota dealership located in Bellevue, Washington.

Travis Flateau of TBT Racing, (aka Tuning By Travis) will provide machining, engine tuning and suspension set-up services.

More information is available from TBT Racing at (206) 718-8637 (online at www.tbtracing.com) or from Eastside MotoSports at (425) 882-4300 (online at www.eastsidemotosports.com).