Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Roadracingworld.com’s Michael Hannas qualified on pole and led both races from flag to flag to take the overall victory in the Deep South Classic XR100 (dirt track) National Sunday in Cullman, Alabama. Aaron Yates finished second in both races and Jason Pope recorded 3-3 finishes to take the final podium position.

Hannas set a new track record in Superpole with a 24.03 lap time, smashing Chuck Sorensen’s old record of 24.93 and putting him on the pole for both legs of the final. Hannas was joined on the front row by Jason Pope, Brian Parriott and Yates.

In Race One, Hannas rocketed off the line in the lead and immediately started pulling away from the field. Yates was chasing, but couldn’t quite keep pace and settled for second. Jason Pope finished behind Yates, with Brian Parriott taking fourth from Josh Hayes after a race-long battle. Hayes rounded out the top five.

Race Two was a repeat of Race One, with Hannas again taking the lead from the start with Yates right behind. Again, Hannas pulled away from the field, with Yates unable to keep up. Pope was close behind Yates for the whole race but not close enough to make a pass. Hayes got the better of Parriott this time, giving him fourth overall over Parriott. Parriott rounded out the top five.

Said Hannas after the race, “From the Superpole results, I knew I could pull away from the field, but I needed to go hard in the first few laps so that Aaron wouldn’t be close enough. It worked out well, and I’m stoked. The trophy is going back to Cali again, where it belongs.”

Deep South Classic National
Overall Results (MX Scoring)
1. Michael Hannas (1-1) Honda XR100
2. Aaron Yates (2-2) Suzuki DR-Z125
3. Jason Pope (3-3) Honda XR100
4. Josh Hayes (5-4) Yamaha TTR125
5. Brian Parriott (4-5) Honda XR100
6. Chris Pyles (7-8) Yamaha TTR125

Superpole Results (Four laps, best one counts)
1. Hannas 24.03
2. J. Pope 24.53
3. Parriott 24.78
4. Yates 24.80
5. Hayes 24.87
6. Calvin Brown 24.88 (Honda XR100)

From a press release issued by Rich Oliver:

I would like to announce the new Web-Site for Team Oliver Yamaha, www.richoliver.net.

Not only will you find all the latest news about Team Oliver Yamaha, but I have included information on the Rich Oliver Mystery School and Fun Camps.

I have also built a comprehensive online art gallery, filled with paintings, sculptures, and even furniture.

Lot’s of credit goes to Brian Nelson for his beautiful photographs. Thank you also to everyone who helped with editing and spelling, and to Kodak for a great digital camera!

I really hope you enjoy looking around, and if you can pass the word to any of your friends and associates who may be interested in looking at the site as well I would really appreciate it.

Thank you as always for your support of Team Oliver Yamaha.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Aaron Yates, riding a Suzuki DR-Z125, came from the back of the grid and ripped through the field to take the win in the Deep South Classic XR100 Invitational Trophy Dash Saturday in Cullman, Alabama.

Due to sloppy track conditions caused by recent poor weather (including rain through Friday night), Deep South officials decided to run the Trophy Dash on Saturday and postpone the XR100 National until Sunday, in hopes of better conditions.

The event has three main rules, which include stock exhaust with stock baffle, 125cc maximum displacement, and no knobby tires.

Three heat races determined which of the 21 riders entered would make the Trophy Dash Main, with the top three in each heat gaining a transfer.

Heat One was won by Josh Hayes, with Michael Hannas right behind.

Heat Two was won by Aaron Yates, with Brian Parriott close behind.

Heat Three was won by Jason Pope, a friend of Yates, with Calvin Brown in second. After the heat, Deep South officials noticed that Brown was running an illegal exhaust on his bike, and he was forced to ride “The Pile” penalty bike in the Trophy Dash.

When the Trophy Dash Main started, Jeff Griffin rocketed off the line in the lead, followed by Lee Pope and James Siddall, with Parriott close behind in fourth.

With the heat-race winners starting from the last row of the inverted grid, Yates and Hayes were coming from the back. Jason Pope and Hannas were also working their way through the field from the back.

Yates took the lead from Griffin when Griffin had a moment in the fast sweeper. Griffin made another mistake in the next corner, which allowed both Pope brothers, Parriott, and Hannas by.

Hannas was able to work his way around Parriott, but couldn’t get by the Pope brothers and ended up fourth, with Jason Pope and Lee Pope second and third, respectively.

Yates was not distracted by the gorgeous flag girl and took the checkered for the win, and the Deep South Classic Trophy Dash Piston Wreath.

The main event will run Sunday, with Superpole, the Deep South Classic Invitational XR100 National, and the Deep South Classic Invitational Consolation Race on the schedule.

Heat Race 1
1. Josh Hayes, Yamaha TTR125
2. Michael Hannas, Honda XR100
3. Jeff Griffin, Honda XR100

Heat Race 2
1. Aaron Yates, Suzuki DR-Z125
2. Brian Parriott, Honda XR100
3. Lee Pope, Honda XR100

Heat Race 3
1. Jason Pope, Honda XR100
2. Calvin “Cheater” Brown, Honda XR100
3. James Siddall, Honda XR100

Deep South Classic XR100 Trophy Dash
1. Aaron Yates, Suzuki DR-Z125
2. Jason Pope, Honda XR100
3. Lee Pope, Honda XR100
4. Michael Hannas, Honda XR100
5. Brian Parriott, Honda XR100
6. Josh Hayes, Yamaha TTR125
7. Jeff Griffin, Honda XR100
8. Calvin Brown, Honda XR100
9. James Siddall, Honda XR100

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

2002 FIM 125cc Grand Prix World Champion Arnaud Vincent has signed a two-year deal to ride for the KTM factory 125cc Grand Prix team, starting in the 2003 FIM World Championship. Frenchman Vincent, 27, will team with 2000 125cc GP World Champion Roberto Locatelli.

In other MotoGP news, Gresini Honda team owner Fausto Gresini has said he will not field a 250cc World Championship team in 2003. Instead, Gresini’s team will focus its efforts on the MotoGP class with Daijiro Kato and Sete Gibernau riding Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211Vs.

Gresini ran Roberto Rolfo and Emilio Alzamora on Fortuna Honda Gresini machines in the 2002 250cc World Championship; the team won the 2001 250cc World Championship with Kato on a Telefonica Movistar Honda.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Heavy rains have postponed the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix for only the second time in the race’s 36-year existence, according to a press release issued by the Macau Grand Prix Committee. The last time the race was postponed was in 1987 when a typhoon forced the entire event to wait until Monday.

The 36th Macau Motorcycle GP will now run a shortened race distance, 10 laps versus 15 of the 3.8-mile Guia street circuit, on Sunday.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

American teen John Hopkins ended three days of testing with the Suzuki MotoGP team at Sepang by going faster on race tires than he went in qualifying for the Malaysian Grand Prix earlier this year.

The session at Sepang was Hopkins’ first test on the Suzuki GSV-R.

From a press release issued by SBK International, which organizes the Superbike World Championship:


New SBK Season Shapes Up

The stunning conclusion of the 2002 World Championship is still a fresh memory for all those who were privileged to watch the culmination of the 13 round, 26-race series at Imola on September 29.

As the final chequered flag of the season fell, however, the plans for 2003 were already in various stages of advanced completion, for organizers and competitiors alike.

With the 16th season of SBK racing beckoning, Neil Hodgson (Ducati Infostrada) was an early call up for the official factory effort, and the talent of Ruben Xaus, a 2002 factory Ducati rider in his own right, has recently joined the Lancastrian. Both riders have tested their 2003 mount on separate occasions, the all-new Ducati 999R, at this season’s favourite test venue of Valencia.

For Hodgson, third in the championship in 2002 and the only man to consistently mix it with Colin Edwards and Troy Bayliss, the new season presents a gilt-edged opportunity to become the first Briton since Carl Fogarty in 1999 to win the World Championship. A proven SBK race winner and former British Superbike Champion, Hodgson’s hunger and consistency will be matched to top class machinery this season, making him the pre-season favourite for most.

A new season invariably means new signings but this year SBK welcomes a whole new manufacturer – PETRONAS – in the form of the Foggy Petronas Racing team, led into the breach by four-time Champion Carl Fogarty.

The eagerly anticipated Anglo-Malaysian Foggy Petronas entrants have been hard at work in the workshop and on the racetrack, moulding the curvaceous FP1 three-cylinder machine to the rigours of World Superbike competition. The initial competitiveness of any new machine is always an unknown until points are up for grabs but the seriousness of the new team’s intention to win as soon as possible has been underlined many times.

With riders of the calibre of 1996 SBK World Champion and 23 times race-winner Troy Corser plus the mercurial British Superbike race winner James Haydon on their books, the FPR team may just achieve some ambitions earlier than anyone could realistically expect.

Another team with their plans sorted early is the HM Plant Ducati squad, who will field Britons James Toseland and Chris Walker on 2002-spec factory Ducatis. A Supermoto injury has seen Walker undergo a restorative operation on his left ankle recently, but he and Toseland are both expected to be testing in mid December.

Fans’ favourite Pierfrancesco Chili, 15 times World Superbike race winner, will be taking to the tracks again in 2003, this time on a privately entered PSG-1 Ducati. Having scored a podium finish in 2002, he will be another looking for regular top three placings on one of many quick privateer Ducatis in the 2003 field.

All the private riders will be helped by the new restrictions placed on the numbers of rear tyres used in timed and untimed qualifying, with only 13 tyres per rider permitted in pre-race sessions.

Tyres will be a pivotal topic for the DFX Pirelli Ducati team, three riders strong this year. Aussie Steve Martin returns for another European based campaign, and he will be joined by former factory Ducati star Juan Borja and rising Italian talent Marco Borciani.

Long-time SBK supporters Team Kawasaki Bertocchi are back in the fold, with Mauro Sanchini and Ivan Clementi also taking on the Team Pedercini Ducatis of Lucio Pedercini and Serafino Foti for the honour of top Italian privateer team.

In addition to the traditional saddle swapping between seasons, another SBK dynamic has been the main talking point in recent weeks. Two new tracks will be added this year – although technically Magny-Cours in France is a returnee to the SBK fold, having been the venue for the French race in 1991. A date change to 19 October has been announced from the original pre-calendar slot for the welcome return of France to the SBK circus.

The endlessly impressive Sepang circuit in Malaysia is, however, an all-new track to the fold, and should deliver strong local and vocal support for the new PETRONAS entry.

Before the racing gets underway there will be an official SBK test session, at Valencia, on 21-23 February, a test that will give the top teams a chance to measure their off-season progress a mere two weeks before the start of the season in Spain.

The Supersport World Championship returns for its fifth season as a full status World Championship, and the competition in the class will be made even keener by the arrival of three new machines. The existing Suzuki GSX-R600 will line up against the new boys, the Honda CBR600RR, Yamaha YZF-R6 and Kawasaki ZX-6RR, in what will be one of the most closely contested series on the planet.

Yamaha field their usual combination of Christian Kellner and 2000 Champion Jörg Teuchert in the Yamaha Germany team, with Paolo Casoli and James Whitham challenging for honours in the Belgarda squad.

Honda have flooded eight factory CBRs into the grid this year, for the Ten Kate, van Zon, BKM and OPCM teams, which include the riding talents of Karl Muggeridge, Chris Vermeulen, Iain Macpherson, Kevin Curtain and Broc Parkes.

Kawasaki, Champions in 2001, has given the factory team status to Kawasaki France for 2003, and the new/old team will be supporting reigning champion Fabien Foret and Spaniard Pere Riba in their very own dream team.

Diminutive Italian rider Alessio Corradi scored an early pre-season success at Supersport tests in Valencia on 13/14 November, setting the fastest time on his Team Italia Spadaro Yamaha.

A new era of World Superbike racing dawns in 2003 when 1000cc four-cylinder machines, fitted with air-restrictors, will be welcomed into the SBK grid for the first time, allowing SBK to continue the close links with the road-going machines the class itself is based on.

The season starts at Valencia on March 2, with the final calendar expected to be published at the end of November.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Final Qualifying Times For Macau Grand Prix:

1. Michael Rutter, Ducati, 2:28.286
2. John McGuiness, Honda, 2:30.609
3. David Jefferies, Suzuki, 2:32.037
4. Markus Barth, Kawasaki, 2:32.315
5. Brian Morrison, Suzuki, 2:32.356
6. Gus Scott, Suzuki, 2:32.840
7. Iain Duffus, Yamaha, 2:33.217
8. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 2:34.151
9. Alan Patterson, Honda, 2:34.749
10. Jason Griffiths, Suzuki, 2:35.108
11. Franky Heidger, Suzuki, 2:35.296
12. Pete Jennings, Suzuki, 2:35.401
13. Ronnie Smith, Honda, 2:35.508
14. Marcel Kellenberger, Kawasaki, 2:35.555
15. Stephen Thompson, Suzuki, 2:36.278
16. Steve Allan, Kawasaki, 2:36.507
17. Callum Ramsay, Suzuki, 2:36.513
18. Stuart Easton, Ducati, 2:36.584
19. Kevin Lacombe, Honda, 2:36.598
20. Chris Palmer, Sabre, 2:37.794

28. Frank Trombino, Honda, 2:40.999

From a press release issued by Clear Channel Entertainment–Motor Sports:

THQ World Supercross GP and AMA Supercross Series Structure

Rider Eligibility, Purses, Bonuses, Etc.

AURORA, Ill (November 15, 2002) – On December 7, 2002, the sport of supercross will make a historic leap forward toward becoming a global championship that will be recognized throughout the world. The 15 supercross events that have been traditionally produced and presented by Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports in the United States will be joined by two select international events to create the THQ World Supercross GP championship. In 2002-2003, this international series will include two THQ World Supercross GP events in Western Europe: December 7, 2002 at the Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland and December 14, 2002 at the Gelredome in Arnhem, Holland. In addition, the 15 rounds to be held in the U.S. (along with the Daytona, Florida supercross event), comprise the AMA Supercross Series and represent a 16 event, stand-alone domestic championship

Series Structure

The THQ World Supercross GP will be organized using the traditional rules, event format and structure that have been developed over three decades in the U.S. for the AMA Supercross Series. There will be no changes to the class structure, technical rules or event formats. Current FIM rules require the use of unleaded race fuels; however, the FIM has agreed to delay implementation of the unleaded fuels requirement until the 2003-2004 season.

The international events scheduled for December 2002 will include the premier class for 250cc two stroke and 250cc-plus four-stroke machines. The 125cc support class at the international events will be for international riders only. The support class for U.S. events will remain the same with the 125cc eastern and western regional supercross championships. The final 125cc round, the Dave Coombs Sr. 125cc East/West Shootout, will be held on May 3, 2003 in Las Vegas.

The THQ World Supercross GP will crown the inaugural THQ World Supercross GP champion at the traditional supercross banquet that is held annually on the day after the final supercross race in Las Vegas. Additionally, the AMA Supercross Series champion will also be crowned at this banquet.

Rider Eligibility

Each round of the THQ World Supercross GP will feature a prestigious 40-rider field. The 40-rider field for the 250cc class in Geneva, Switzerland and Arnhem, Holland will be comprised of 20 riders based on 2002 final points standings and 20 riders from other nations. In order to qualify for the THQ World Supercross GP championship, riders must compete in the international rounds. However, to be eligible to win the AMA Supercross Series championship, riders will not be required to participate in the international rounds. Riders who compete solely in the 16 rounds conducted in the U.S will be eligible for the AMA Supercross Series title only.

Riders who participate at the events held outside of the U.S. will be required to have an FIM license to compete. Information on FIM licensing will be provided to all riders invited to participate in the international rounds.


Event Purses

The purses for the THQ World Supercross GP events will be $70,000 per round. Purse payouts for each finishing position will be the same for all rounds.

Series Bonus Awards

Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports has established a $250,000 THQ World Supercross GP point’s fund. The THQ World Supercross GP champion will receive a bonus in the amount of $100,000.

In addition, there will be a $100,000 privateer points fund that will be distributed by Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports. The distribution of this point’s fund will be based solely on the finishing positions of the privateers who participate in the AMA Supercross Series.

To be eligible for any THQ World Supercross GP bonus awards, riders must participate in both international rounds, and attend the series banquet in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 4, 2003. Any bonus money earned by riders that do not attend the banquet produced each year by Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports will be distributed equally to all eligible riders from the series that attend the banquet. Exceptions to this provision will be made for riders who are unable to attend the banquet because of injury or documented family emergencies. A separate points fund in the amount of $250,000 will be paid to riders based on their finishing positions in the AMA Supercross Series events.

Traveling and Shipping

American riders that are invited to attend the THQ World Supercross GP events scheduled for December 7 & 14, 2002, will receive a travel reimbursement in accordance with the existing provisions established by the FIM. Riders will receive travel and lodging reimbursement for each rider and one mechanic per rider. In addition, Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports will pay the cost of shipping motorcycles and related spare parts and equipment to the international events.

Shipping arrangements for the December 7 & 14 events will be handled by Entertainment Logistics, a company with extensive experience in handling the shipment of such products throughout the world. All motorcycles and related equipment will be shipped by air and will be insured for damage or loss while in transit. Motorcycles that are shipped to the European events will be returned to the U.S. immediately following the December 14th event.

For more information on the 2002-2003 THQ World Supercross GP, please contact Todd Jendro, director of supercross, Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports, at 630-566-6100.

THQ World Supercross GP is a 17-round global series that is produced and promoted by Clear Channel Entertainment. There will be a world champion crowned based upon the points earned in the 17 events. Riders must compete in the international rounds to be eligible to win the world championship. The 17-event THQ World Supercross GP is comprised of the two international rounds and 15 of the 16 events that are included within the AMA Supercross Series. The 16th AMA Supercross Series event held in Daytona Beach, Fla., is independently produced by the International Speedway Corporation, and is not a part of the THQ World Supercross GP. An AMA Supercross Series champion will be crowned for the United States only.

For more information, please contact Denny Hartwig at 630-566-6305 or email at [email protected].

Tickets for the THQ World Supercross GP are also available at all ticketmaster outlets, www.sxgp.com, and www.tickets.com (San Francisco only, and www.unlvtickets.com (Las Vegas only).

About Clear Channel Entertainment
Clear Channel Entertainment, a leading producer and marketer of live entertainment events, is a subsidiary of Clear Channel Worldwide (NYSE: CCU), a global leader in the out-of-home advertising industry. Clear Channel Entertainment currently owns, operates and/or exclusively books approximately 135 live entertainment venues, including more than 100 in North America and 30 in Europe. In 2001, more than 66 million people attended approximately 26,000 events promoted and/or produced by the company, including: Live music events; Broadway, West End and touring theatrical shows; family entertainment shows; and specialized sports and motor sports events. The company, which operates throughout North America, Europe, South America and Australia, also owns independently operated athlete representation businesses, which provide management, marketing and financial consulting services to many of the world’s top professional athletes. More information may be found by visiting www.cc.com and www.clearchannel.com.

About THQ World Supercross GP
THQ World Supercross GP, the premier off road motorcycle racing series in the world, consisting of 17 rounds of competition, is promoted and produced by Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports and sanctioned by the FIM and in the U.S. by AMA Pro Racing. The FIM, Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, is the body that globally governs motorcycling sport at the world level. It groups together 85 affiliated National Federations and 6 Continental Unions, as well as Specialized Associations. Dorna is an international sports management group established in 1988 and focused on major international motorsports events. Headquartered in Madrid, Spain, with branch offices in Barcelona, London and Tokyo, the company is controlled by CVC Capital Partners, an independent private equity provider, with 75% participation. In addition to THQ World Supercross GP, Dorna is involved with MOTO GP, the FIM Motocross World Championship, and the Motocross Des Nations.

About FIM:
The FIM, Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, is the body that governs
motorcycling sport at world level. It groups together 85 affiliated National Federations and 6 Continental Unions, as well as Specialized Associations. The FIM is controlled by its statutes and standing orders, the Championships by the sporting code, and the specific rules of each discipline as well as by the technical rules and codes, disciplinary general to all disciplines. Its different executive, legislative and judicial bodies work for the development and the improvement of the motorcycling sport.

The FIM also takes care of matters concerning the non-sporting aspects of motorcycling: tourism, the motorcycle as a leisure vehicle, the subjects linked to public affairs and road safety. It is also concerned with aspects linked to the environment as well as the development of the motorcycle in general. It is present in Brussels by the intermediary of its representation office within the European Union where it fights for the defense of the interests of all users of mechanized two-wheel vehicles. With about 25 collaborators at FIM Headquarters, the Executive Secretariat takes care of the general administration of all the domains in which the FIM is involved.

About Dorna:
Dorna is an international sports management group established in 1988 and focused on major international motorsports events. Headquartered from in Madrid, Spain, with branch offices in Barcelona, London and Tokyo, the company is controlled by CVC Capital Partners, an independent private equity provider, with 75% participation. The management controls the remaining 25%. The Dorna group holds the rights to Moto GP since 1992. This is the company’s leading activity, with 16 events across the five continents each year. In 2001, over five billion viewers in 208 countries watched the TV broadcasts. Since 2001, Dorna’s experience in motorsport was extended over the FIM Motocross World Championship, the Motocross Des Nations, and the FIM Supercross World Championship. Its TV images reached 112 countries in 2001. Dorna also markets ‘Ad-Time’ a rotating advertising system, in South America, Japan and Europe. The system in actively used in basketball, volleyball and soccer ((events)).

To fulfill the extreme requirements of such a competitive environment, Dorna counts on a multinational team of professionals with knowledge and expertise in advertising, sports, TV, media, technology and law. Currently 150 full-time employees and approximately 300 additional part-time contracted professionals during racing peaks make up Dorna’s workforce.

About AMA
AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. It sanctions the AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship and the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship. More than 1.7 million fans attended AMA Pro Racing events during the 2001 season.

From a press release issued by Team Yamaha Belgarda:

Date: Thursday 14th November 2002

Circuit: Communitat Valenciana, 4.005 kms, Day 2

THE RAIN HINDERS TESTS
Yamaha Belgarda Supersport team concluded the first of their winter tests at Valencia today, but have only completed a small part of their intended work with the new YZF-R6. Paolo Casoli’s crash yesterday, after just twelve laps, has meant that the team have not been able to do as much development work as originally planned. With regular rider Jamie Whitham not taking part in this test (due to appointments with his knee specialist in England) Italian Gianluigi Scalvini stepped in for the Briton.

POTENTIAL
The few laps that were completed on the new bike confirmed that the new YZF-R6 has a lot of potential. And now Casoli, Whitham and the whole team are eagerly looking forward to the next test on 19th and 20th December. Already it is obvious that the new YZF-R6 Yamaha will be a great bike on the road and give its rider a lot of enjoyment and fun.

CASOLI IMPROVES
Casoli’s crash on Wednesday on the 2002 bike – after only twelve laps — was a tremendous blow to the team. The fall caused caused a cranial trauma but the doctors have have indicated that there is no serious damage. Casoli is still under observation in hospital at Valencia – but only now as a precaution. He is already restless to leave and go back to Italy – and will maybe do so on Friday.

RAIN AND RAIN
Gianluigi Scalvini spent most of the time on the new YZF-R6 Yamaha, trying different Pirelli tyres and suspension set-ups. But, due to the rain, he was only able to complete one dry hour of testing all day. In the afternoon, he tried both the new and old bikes in the wet and also made some practice starts.

TECHNICAL POINTS
“We have not succeeded in collecting all the data we wanted.” explained Yamaha Belgarda Technical Director Silvano Galbusera. “We had quite a lot of lot drawbacks, but we believe the bike has a lot of potential. We will return to our base and carry on our development programme and get ready for the next tests. We are happy with what we could do and also with our first experiences with Pirelli tyres.”

SCALVINI
“The new YZF-R6 has a perfect chassis and it allows me to hold incredible lines. The bike here has nearly a standard engine, but I was very happy with my times. – it’s a sign that Yamaha have done a good job. My fractured wrist from earlier this season prevented me from pushing a lot harder – and of course I was thinking of Casoli, so I didn’t want to do anything stupid.”

CORRADI FLIES
Fastest of this two day test at Valencia was 26-year old Alessio Corradi, who rides for Team Italy-Spadaro – a Yamaha Belgarda satellite team. Corradi posted a time of 1:38.8 – a tenth of a second under the lap record – on the old R6. Corradi will be on the new YZF-R6 in
the next test in December. This superb performance means that the former European Champion will be real contender in 2003.

OVERALL TIMES (13th + 14th November)
1. Corradi (Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:38.80
2. Lagrive (Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:40.40
3. Casoli (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:40.42
4. Kaufmann (Suzuki) 1:40.70
5. Scalvini (Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:40.90
6. Van den Bosch (Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:41.10
7. Kellner (Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:41.30
8. Bolley (Honda) 1:43.0