Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Pikes Peak International Raceway will host Thursday promoter practice this Thursday, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Riders can enter the sessions at the track. Sign-up will be held in a garage.
On-track time has been limited to accommodate AMA Pro Racing’s schedule for setting up the racetrack.
From a press release issued by Mat Mladin’s publicist:
MAT MLADIN Racing – MEDIA INFORMATION
For immediate release
Tuesday, 28 May 2002
Rounds 6 & 7, 2002 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Pikes Peak International Raceway, Fountain, Colorado, USA
Event preview
MLADIN LOOKS FOR CHANGE OF FORM AT PIKES PEAK
High in the mountains of Colorado, Pikes Peak International Raceway will host round eight of the AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship this weekend (June 1 – 2) and for defending AMA Superbike champion Mat Mladin, he is hoping that it will be the place where he and his Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki team will begin their resurgence to the front of the championship.
For the three-times champion, the 2002 season has been the toughest since he began competing in the AMA championships in 1996. With seven rounds of the championship completed, he has had only one podium finish, a third at round three of the series at the California Speedway, This is not a situation that the Australian is used to as in previous season his ability to be on the podium at each round has been the key to his championship success.
Mladin currently lies fifth overall in this year’s points standing, trailing American Honda’s Nicky Hayden by 99-points, with only 19-points separating himself and second placed Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki).
His title defence was initially disrupted by an arm injury that forced him to miss the opening round at Daytona and hinder his pace at the following rounds. Another factor is that he and his Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki teammates Aaron Yates and Jamie Hacking have all been having difficulties in getting their chassis / suspension set ups right with the new 2002 model Suzuki GSX-R750. In recent weeks the team have been working overtime to find a remedy to their handling problems and tested at Road America (Elkhart Lake) last week prior to heading to Colorado.
“As many people would know, I’m not happy with how the season has started for myself and the team, but I can assure you that we won’t be taking it lying down,” said Mladin. “We are working hard to sort out the handling problem with the new bike and I think we made some more progress after the test at Road America last week.
“The start of the year has been a bit of a disaster,” Mladin added. “But hopefully from this weekend, the second half of the year will be a form reversal for us. I don’t like being the last factory bike across the line as I was at Road Atlanta, so that in itself is a good incentive to get things back on track. As far as the championship goes, everyone will need Nicky (Hayden) to have a couple of dnf’s to bring him back to the field, to have a chance. For us, I think we will be using the second half of the year as a development program to make sure that we are on the pace for the start of the 2003 season. We were definitely caught out at the start of this year and that won’t happen again.”
In preparation for the weekend’s round, Mladin has already arrived in Colorado where he is training and acclimatizing himself to the high altitude conditions. Last year’s race was won by Hayden, with Mladin finishing fourth.
PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY – FAST FACTS
Circuit length:
2.12 km (1.315 miles)
2001 Pole position:
Nicky Hayden (American Honda) 0:53.776
2001 Race result:
1. Nicky Hayden (American Honda)
2. Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki)
3. Doug Chandler (Team Kawasaki)
4. Mat Mladin (Team Yoshimura Suzuki)
Superbike lap record: Nicky Hayden (American Honda) 0:53.776 (2001)
2002 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship (points after 7 rounds)
1. N. Hayden 253; 2. E. Bostrom 173 3. A. Yates 172; 4. P. Picotte 155; 5. M. Mladin 154; 6. M. DuHamel 146; 7. B. Livengood 138; 8. J. Hacking 131; 9. B. Parriott 127; 10. A. Gobert 118.
This just in from racer Scott Jensen:
I was out at Road Atlanta by myself and crashed in Superbike qualifying Saturday morning, breaking the subfame mounts off my frame. The guys from GMD Computrack took my bike back to their shop Saturday evening and checked to make sure the frame and everything was straight, then repaired the broken tabs, and I made the Superbike race on Sunday.
Since I do not have a back-up bike, without their help I would have had to pack up and head back to Phoenix, Arizona without even racing.
They were great.
Thanks.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
Kosco Harley-Davidson/Buell’s Michael Barnes won his second consecutive Buell Lightning Series race during Formula USA’s Summit Point Cycle Fest Sunday, shortly before a severe thunderstorm shut down all on-track activity at Summit Point Raceway and ended the event entirely.
Barnes took a narrow victory in the nine-lap Buell race over Summit Point homeboy Bryan Bemisderfer, then immediately jumped on to his Team Hooters Mountain Dew Suzuki GSX-R600 for the Pro Honda Oils 600cc Sportbike race.
Barnes led the first four laps of the shortened (from 16 laps to 10) Sportbike race before rain began to fall and made the oil-covered infield section exceptionally slick. Barnes continued at speed, even though he later said that he probably would have crashed on the next lap, while others in the lead pack raised their hands at start/finish asking race officials to stop the race.
Officials did stop the race, saying afterward that they did so not because riders raised their hands but, instead, due to dangerous lightning conditions; after the red flag, riders began talking on pit lane about who would and who wouldn’t race on the slick, wet track when the race was re-started.
Before any decisions were made, the rain turned into a full-fledged thunderstorm that included high winds that blew pit-lane canopies away, produced hail and delivered a torrential downpour of rain that sent rivers through the pits and flooded corners on the track with 12-inch-deep lakes.
At 4:00 p.m., the storm passed as quickly as it started, racers surveyed the damage to their equipment and race officials started assessing the situation.
At the time on-track action was stopped, seven of a scheduled 12 races had been run. Races yet to run included the Sportbike and Unlimited Superbike feature events.
After a series of discussions and meetings between Formula USA officials and regular riders, a decision was made to pay out the entire cash purse for both Sportbike ($10,000) and Unlimited Superbike ($20,000) classes to riders according to how they qualified. Rejected options included running a make-up event at Pocono in August, or running the Summit Point race on the Friday prior to the Pocono races. The idea of holding the races over to run on Monday, May 27 at Summit Point was quickly ruled out because cornerworkers and F-USA staff members would not be available.
All riders who qualified for the Sportbike and Unlimited Superbike finals also received eight Championship points, except for Larry Pegram and Michael Barnes, who earned a single extra point each for qualifying on the pole position for the Unlimited Superbike and Sportbike classes, respectively.
Racers entered in F-USA NRRS classes that were gridded by series points received an entry credit for a later event.
Buell Lightning Series Final Results (all on Buell 1200s):
1. Michael Barnes, 9 laps
2. Bryan Bemisderfer
3. Richie Morris
4. Clint Brotz
5. Jeffrey Johnson
6. Anthony Fania, Jr.
7. Steve Luxem
8. Jeff Harding
9. Joseph Rozynski
10. Sam Rozynski
11. Douglas Burton
12. Darren James
13. Shawn Smith
14. Gregory Avello
15. Michael Myers
16. Patrick Wakefield
17. John Spinelli, -1 lap
18. Alan Cheese, -1 lap
19. Jason Smith, -5 laps, DNF, mechanical
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By Glenn LeSanto
Bayliss sails to another victory in high water
World Champion Troy Bayliss fought off a strong challenge by Colin Edwards to take win number nine of the 2002 World Superbike Season, int he second race at Silverstone.
Although the race started wet, the conditions were slightly improved over race one. This caused problems for many riders who had chosen a ‘very wet’ set-up over merely a wet set-up, running full rain tires instead of intermediates. Neil Hodgson and Noriyuki Haga were both victims of such a tire choice. They selected rain tires to combat aquaplaning, something many riders suffered earlier in the day. The choice proved a poor one, as the rain tapered off late in the race and the track dried slightly. Hodgson dropped back to sixth after an early charge and Haga finished 10th after battling for the lead at the start of the race.
As Bayliss and Edwards took to the front a battle developed behind them between a gaggle of British riders. Ruben Xaus escaped this battle to take third, a welcome result for a rider who has suffered from indifferent results at the last few races. The battle behind for fourth continued between Michael Rutter, Shane Byrne, Chris Walker and Neil Hodgson.
For a while it was British Superbikes year 2000 all over again as Hodgson and Walker engaged in some frighteningly close racing. It looked like it would end in tears as neither rider showed any intention of giving way. But as the track dried, Hodgson’s tire choice began to play its part and he dropped back to finish sixth. But Walker kept the pressure on for a brilliant fourth.
Rutter, normally such an expert in poor conditions, pushed too hard and crashed out on lap eight while battling for fourth. Shane Byrne kept it together to finish fifth.
Ben Bostrom, who doesn’t enjoy wet weather racing at all, didn’t have such a good race, finishing eighth. His brother Eric had an even harder time in the wet, coming home 16th.
Edwards put some late pressure on Bayliss, and for a while it looked like he might be able to break the champion’s run of form for the second time in one day. He nosed ahead for two laps but Bayliss did what he seems to be able to do with apparent ease this year, he turned up the wick and disappeared for another win.
Silverstone World Superbike Race Two Results:
1. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 20 laps
2. Colin Edwards, Honda, -4.909 seconds
3. Ruben Xaus, Ducati
4. Chris Walker, Kawasaki
5. Shane Byrne, Ducati
6. Neil Hodgson, Ducati
7. Juan Borja, Ducati
8. Ben Bostrom, Ducati
9. James Toseland, Ducati
10. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia
11. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati
12. Broc Parkes, Ducati
13. Alessandro Antonello, Ducati
14. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki
15. Peter Goddard, Benelli
16. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki
Mark Heckles, Honda, DNF
Steve Hislop, Ducati, DNF
Michael Rutter, Ducati, DNF
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. Arclight Suzuki’s Scott Harwell took three wins in the WERA National Challenge Series/Cycle Jam event at Virginia International Raceway, the most wins by a single rider in featured classes on Sunday, after being challenged in each race by Vesrah Suzuki riders. The three-day event drew about 400 riders and the paddock was packed. Harwell started the day by winning the Open Superstock race on his Suzuki GSX-R1000. Vesrah Suzuki’s Mark Junge challenged Harwell in the first half of the race before having to pit with fuel problems. The next victory for Harwell came in the Dunlop 600cc Superstock race, after holding off John Jacobi. The two riders, both on Suzuki GSX-R600s, swapped positions four times on the last lap and made contact twice, before Harwell edged by to win. Harwell’s third win came in the 750cc Superstock race on his Suzuki GSX-R750. Harwell had to get past Vesrah’s Tray Batey, who had the advantage for most of the race. Harwell took the lead on the white flag lap and held on for the win. Matt Furtek took the lead in 600cc Superbike after early leader Ken Snyder crashed, then barely held off Adam Coco to take the win. Furtek, 17, was riding a Yamaha YZF-R6. After his crash in 600cc Superbike, Snyder was able to win the 750cc Superbike race on his Suzuki GSX-R750. Furtek took the lead again in Formula One, still on his Yamaha, but was outpowered by GSX-R1000-mounted Scott Carpenter, who passed Furtek for the lead on the front straight just before crossing the finish line. Local racer Brian Kcraget took two convincing wins, in 125cc Grand Prix and Formula 2. Tray Batey again took the win in Heavyweight Twins, gaining an early gap on the field on his Suzuki TL1000R. Dave Yaakov won Lightweight Twins on his Suzuki SV650, battling for the entire race with MB Motorsports’ Bradley Champion and winning by about half-a-bikelength.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Sunday Morning Practice Times:
Lockhart-Phillips Unlimited Superbike:
1. Larry Pegram, Suzuki, 1:15.359
2. Mike Himmelsbach, Aprilia, 1:15.475
3. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:15.585
4. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, 1:15.684
5. Eric Wood, Suzuki, 1:16.008
6. Matt Wait, Honda, 1:16.017
7. Craig Connell, Suzuki, 1:16.049
8. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki, 1:16.538
9. Geoff May, Suzuki, 1:16.672
10. Tim Bemisderfer, Honda, 1:16.790
Pro Honda Oils 600cc Sportbike:
1. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:16.281
2. Craig Connell, Suzuki, 1:16.991
3. Larry Pegram, Suzuki, 1:17.283
4. Matt Wait, Honda, 1:17.373
5. Jeff Wood, Suzuki, 1:17.733
6. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, 1:17.760
7. Owen Weichel, Kawasaki, 1:18.769
8. Jim Lester, Honda, 1:18.895
9. David Lamb, Yamaha, 1:19.697
10. Eoin Smith, Yamaha, 1:19.788
Buell Lightning Series (all on Buell 1200s):
1. Richie Morris, 1:22.081
2. Michael Barnes, 1:22.928
3. Anthony Fania, Jr., 1:23.248
4. Clint Brotz, 1:24.598
5. Darren James, 1:25.573
6. John Spinelli, 1:26.888
7. Joseph Rozynski, 1:26.938
8. Steve Luxem, 1:27.210
9. Jason Smith, 1:27.499
10. Michael Myers, 1:27.821
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By Glenn LeSanto
Edwards takes a wet win in style
Colin Edwards pulled off a dominant victory in a treacherous first WSB race at Silverstone. The Texan inherited the lead from a wild Troy Bayliss and was followed home by Nori Haga and Neil Hodgson. Highlight of the race was Bayliss’ ride to fifth – the Aussie had to twice charge through the field after sliding off the rain-lashed track.
It was Haga who made the best start, leaving the field in his wake as he got the holeshot into Copse. Edwards was right in his slipstream with Bayliss tucked into third. Bayliss looked most at home in the conditions and by the time the field had reached Stowe for the first time, it was the Number One bike that had snatched the lead. Edwards had also drafted past Haga on the Aprilia, who was now coming under the close attention of wildcard rider Michael Rutter.
Rutter has made his name in conditions like this and slipped by Haga into Stowe. It wasn’t to last, though. At the very next corner Rutter was lying in a gravel trap, the Renegade Ducati getting away from him under braking into Vale.
Neil Hodgson made a less-than-amazing start and was engulfed in the pack, but by the end of the first tour he had moved his way up into fifth. He was fighting hard with the impressive Frankie Chili, who was using all his experience to keep on the black stuff. Frankie was unable to hold Hodgson, who was soon past and set about overhauling Haga for third. By the third lap he was past the Japanese rider and up into a podium place.
Bayliss and Edwards were running away from it at the front, but disaster was soon to strike. Exiting Vale on lap three, a fraction too much throttle on the Infostrada Ducati was all it took to send the Aussie tumbling into the gravel. The bike was undamaged and although he kept the engine running, by the time he had got going again, the reigning World Champion was at the back of the pack.
Edwards had to take to the grass to avoid the flying Bayliss and although he inherited the lead, he was now coming under pressure from Hodgson, his lead over the HM Plant Ducati being reduced to less than a second.
Edwards was soon able to take control and pulled away at a rate of over a second a lap, leaving Hodgson and Haga to scrap it out for the runner-up spot. The Aprilia and the Ducati traded paint and places for lap after lap, until an easing off of the rain handicapped Hodgson and his more rain-biased set up. The pair had some huge moments, the biggest of which was Hodgson’s ride along the grass after a monster slide through Woodcote. “There was more grip on the grass than the road!” quipped Hodgson after the race.
Bayliss, obviously wanting to make amends after his mistake, was on a real charge. The Aussie was two seconds a lap faster than anyone else, his Ducati seemingly finding drive where other bikes spun up and slid. Just as impressive as his pace, was the way he dealt with traffic. He ruthlessly cut through the field, passing teammates Ben Bostrom and Ruben Xaus as if they were out on a Sunday ride. Bayliss’ confidence was soon to catch him out again–the Aussie pushed too hard when scrapping with the MonsterMob Ducati of Steve Hislop, losing the front end and sliding off in a shower of sparks into the Luffield gravel trap. The World Champion is not one to give up and as soon as the bike came to a rest, he was digging it out and wanting to have another go at the pack. Bayliss’ hand could be seen squeezing the clutch lever throughout his slide, keeping the engine running.
The Aussie’s second comeback ride of the race was just as impressive as the first He charged by all the people he had passed before and was up to fourth by the flag. “The first crash happened because I was struggling getting heat into the tires. Unfortunately after the second the bike was running rough. I think I got some stones in the airbox,” commented Bayliss.
While Bayliss was impressing everyone with his do-or-die antics, British rider Mark Heckles was having the ride of his career. The Honda privateer was revelling in the sort of conditions that didn’t penalize his underpowered bike, running as high as fifth before being taken by the recovering Bayliss. “The rain gave a great chance to see who could actually race, it’s a great leveller,” said Heckles. “The conditions were dangerous and when Bayliss passed me for fifth I took it easy as he was so much faster. I’m unbelievably happy. This is so good for my career.”
Edwards took a commanding victory. “That was the slowest wet weather race I’ve been in, but we made a commitment to race at the start, so we had to stick with it,” said the Texan. “I had a couple of big moments but now I’ve won, all I want to do is warm up!”
Noriyuki Haga was second, with Neil Hodgson racking up another podium place with a good third place. Bayliss hard-earned fifth means Colin Edwards only made up 14 points on the defending World Champion.
The rain continued to fall heavily after race one, guaranteeing another wet race later today.
Silverstone World Superbike Race One Results:
1. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 20 laps, 43:27.508
2. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, -7.358
3. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, -32.990
4. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, -51.598
5. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, -54.722
6. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, -61.128
7. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, -62.631
8. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, -72.525
9. Shane Byrne, Ducati 998RS, -75.226
10. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, -83.670
11. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -88.618
12. Michael Rutter, Ducati 998RS, -88.844
13. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, -94.598
14. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -120.294
15. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -1 lap
16. Dean Ellison, Ducati 996RS, -1 lap
17. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -2 laps, DNF
18. Steve Hislop, Ducati 998RS, -10 laps, DNF
19. Glen Richards, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -11 laps
20. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, -11 laps, DNF
21. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, -12 laps, DNF
22. Serafino Foti, Ducati 996RS, -12 laps, DNF
23. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, -13 laps, DNF
24. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 996RS, -16 laps, DNF
25. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, -17 laps, DNF
26. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, -17 laps, DNF
27. Alessandro Antonello, Ducati 998RS, -17 laps, DNF
28. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, -19 laps, DNF
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Red-hot Burns scorches to victory
By Glenn LeSanto
British riders filled all three podium places in a damp European Superstock race at Silverstone. Suzuki rider Chris Burns got the best start, beating pole-man Kieran Murphy away from the lights, and was never headed. Burns raced to a victory margin of over three seconds on the rapidly-drying track.
Kieran Murphy made a break from the pack with what looked to be a comfortable second place, but was reeled in by Steve Brogan who snatched the runner-up spot in the dying laps.
Best of the Championship regulars was Walter Tortoroglio, who ran as high as third on his Fireblade, before being beaten to the line by Murphy. Championship leader Vittorio Iannuzzo finished fifth on his GSX-R1000 and now leads the championship by 17 points.
European Superstock Championship:
Silverstone Results
1. C. Burns, GBR, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 24:42.374
2. S. Brogan, GBR, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 24:45.474
3. K. Murphy, GBR, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 24:45.926
4. W. Tortoroglio, ITA, Honda CBR954RR, 24:45.982
5. V. Iannuzzo, ITA, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 24:46.025
6. O. Four, FRA Suzuki GSX-R1000, 24:46.980
7. L. Alfonso, ITA, Ducati, 24:47.128
8. G. Vizziello, ITA, Yamaha YZF-R1, 24:47.218
9. G. Romanelli, ITA, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 24:52.868
10. D. Vankeymeulen, BEL, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 25:03.143
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By Glenn LeSanto
Weather wins in Supersport race
The weather was the winner in the World Supersport race at Silverstone today. The race started in rain and the weather just got more severe as the race progressed.
On lap 14 Paolo Casoli, who had been battling and swapping the lead with his team mate James Whitham, crashed out. Whitham inherited the lead but then immediately crashed out himself. Luckily for the two Belgarda Yamaha riders the race control decided the conditions had deteriorated too much to continue racing and out came the red flag. The result was taken back to the last completed lap, lap 13, handing the win to Whitham who had been leading at the end of that lap.
Karl Muggeridge on the Honda UK CBR600 had his best finish of the season, coming in third, over 16 seconds back on the Belgarda Yamaha pair. Behind him Jorg Teuchert got the better of a race-long battle with Iain MacPherson to take fourth place. MacPherson’s fifth was his best of the season, a fitting present to himself on his 34th Birthday.
Chris Vermeulen, who qualified second on the grid, was robbed of a possible good result when his tyre warmers were accidentally left switched off before the race. This meant Vermeulen entered turn one with cold tyres, almost crashing as a result. Because of the heavy rain, Vermeulen was unable to get any heat into his tyres and finished back in 14th as a result.
Pole man Fabien Foret rode home in seventh, a good result for a rider not known for his rain skills. It was also a good result for his title challenge because championship leader Stephane Chambon finished eighth. Foret closed up another point leaving the gap at only three points.
Katsuaki Fujiwara, who took the holeshot, dropped back to finish sixth.
The lead pair, and Teuchert were both riding on Dunlop tyres, while Muggeridge and MacPherson were using Pirelli rubber.
Silverstone World Supersport Results:
1. Jamie Whitham, Yamaha, 13 laps, 28:15.649
2. Paolo Casoli, Yamaha, -0.269
3. Karl Muggeridge, Honda, -16.995
4. Jorg Teuchert, Yamaha, -21.654
5. Iain MacPherson, Honda, -21.888
6. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki, -24.160
7. Fabien Foret, Honda, -31.689
8. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki, -39.571
9. Diego Giugovaz, Yamaha, -43.131
10. Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha, -48.724
11. Christian Kellner, Yamaha, -58.442
12. Stefano Cruciani, Yamaha, -61.111
13. Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati, -68.372
14. Chris Vermeulen, Honda, -71.619
15. John McGuiness, Honda, -74.037
16. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda, -79.209
17. Werner Daemen, Honda, -79.544
18. Alessio Corradi, Yamaha, -79.868
19. Kyro Verstraeten, Honda, -80.762
20. Christian Zaiser, Yamaha, -90.227
21. Robert Frost, Yamaha, -92.753
22. Antonio Carlacci, Yamaha, -144.526
23. David De Gea, Honda, -149.761
24. Claudio Cipriani, Yamaha, -1 lap
25. Jon Kirkham, Honda, -1 lap
26. Tom Tunstall, Suzuki, -1 lap, DNF
27. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Ducati, -2 laps, DNF
28. Christophe Cogan, Honda, -4 laps, DNF
29. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, -4 laps, DNF
30. Stuart Easton, Ducati, -7 laps, DNF
31. Ben Wilson, Honda, -9 laps, DNF
32. Kevin Curtain, Yamaha, -10 laps, DNF
33. James Ellison, Kawasaki, -11 laps, DNF
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Pikes Peak International Raceway will host Thursday promoter practice this Thursday, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Riders can enter the sessions at the track. Sign-up will be held in a garage.
On-track time has been limited to accommodate AMA Pro Racing’s schedule for setting up the racetrack.
From a press release issued by Mat Mladin’s publicist:
MAT MLADIN Racing – MEDIA INFORMATION
For immediate release
Tuesday, 28 May 2002
Rounds 6 & 7, 2002 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Pikes Peak International Raceway, Fountain, Colorado, USA
Event preview
MLADIN LOOKS FOR CHANGE OF FORM AT PIKES PEAK
High in the mountains of Colorado, Pikes Peak International Raceway will host round eight of the AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship this weekend (June 1 – 2) and for defending AMA Superbike champion Mat Mladin, he is hoping that it will be the place where he and his Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki team will begin their resurgence to the front of the championship.
For the three-times champion, the 2002 season has been the toughest since he began competing in the AMA championships in 1996. With seven rounds of the championship completed, he has had only one podium finish, a third at round three of the series at the California Speedway, This is not a situation that the Australian is used to as in previous season his ability to be on the podium at each round has been the key to his championship success.
Mladin currently lies fifth overall in this year’s points standing, trailing American Honda’s Nicky Hayden by 99-points, with only 19-points separating himself and second placed Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki).
His title defence was initially disrupted by an arm injury that forced him to miss the opening round at Daytona and hinder his pace at the following rounds. Another factor is that he and his Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki teammates Aaron Yates and Jamie Hacking have all been having difficulties in getting their chassis / suspension set ups right with the new 2002 model Suzuki GSX-R750. In recent weeks the team have been working overtime to find a remedy to their handling problems and tested at Road America (Elkhart Lake) last week prior to heading to Colorado.
“As many people would know, I’m not happy with how the season has started for myself and the team, but I can assure you that we won’t be taking it lying down,” said Mladin. “We are working hard to sort out the handling problem with the new bike and I think we made some more progress after the test at Road America last week.
“The start of the year has been a bit of a disaster,” Mladin added. “But hopefully from this weekend, the second half of the year will be a form reversal for us. I don’t like being the last factory bike across the line as I was at Road Atlanta, so that in itself is a good incentive to get things back on track. As far as the championship goes, everyone will need Nicky (Hayden) to have a couple of dnf’s to bring him back to the field, to have a chance. For us, I think we will be using the second half of the year as a development program to make sure that we are on the pace for the start of the 2003 season. We were definitely caught out at the start of this year and that won’t happen again.”
In preparation for the weekend’s round, Mladin has already arrived in Colorado where he is training and acclimatizing himself to the high altitude conditions. Last year’s race was won by Hayden, with Mladin finishing fourth.
PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY – FAST FACTS
Circuit length:
2.12 km (1.315 miles)
2001 Pole position:
Nicky Hayden (American Honda) 0:53.776
2001 Race result:
1. Nicky Hayden (American Honda)
2. Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki)
3. Doug Chandler (Team Kawasaki)
4. Mat Mladin (Team Yoshimura Suzuki)
Superbike lap record: Nicky Hayden (American Honda) 0:53.776 (2001)
2002 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship (points after 7 rounds)
1. N. Hayden 253; 2. E. Bostrom 173 3. A. Yates 172; 4. P. Picotte 155; 5. M. Mladin 154; 6. M. DuHamel 146; 7. B. Livengood 138; 8. J. Hacking 131; 9. B. Parriott 127; 10. A. Gobert 118.
This just in from racer Scott Jensen:
I was out at Road Atlanta by myself and crashed in Superbike qualifying Saturday morning, breaking the subfame mounts off my frame. The guys from GMD Computrack took my bike back to their shop Saturday evening and checked to make sure the frame and everything was straight, then repaired the broken tabs, and I made the Superbike race on Sunday.
Since I do not have a back-up bike, without their help I would have had to pack up and head back to Phoenix, Arizona without even racing.
They were great.
Thanks.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
Kosco Harley-Davidson/Buell’s Michael Barnes won his second consecutive Buell Lightning Series race during Formula USA’s Summit Point Cycle Fest Sunday, shortly before a severe thunderstorm shut down all on-track activity at Summit Point Raceway and ended the event entirely.
Barnes took a narrow victory in the nine-lap Buell race over Summit Point homeboy Bryan Bemisderfer, then immediately jumped on to his Team Hooters Mountain Dew Suzuki GSX-R600 for the Pro Honda Oils 600cc Sportbike race.
Barnes led the first four laps of the shortened (from 16 laps to 10) Sportbike race before rain began to fall and made the oil-covered infield section exceptionally slick. Barnes continued at speed, even though he later said that he probably would have crashed on the next lap, while others in the lead pack raised their hands at start/finish asking race officials to stop the race.
Officials did stop the race, saying afterward that they did so not because riders raised their hands but, instead, due to dangerous lightning conditions; after the red flag, riders began talking on pit lane about who would and who wouldn’t race on the slick, wet track when the race was re-started.
Before any decisions were made, the rain turned into a full-fledged thunderstorm that included high winds that blew pit-lane canopies away, produced hail and delivered a torrential downpour of rain that sent rivers through the pits and flooded corners on the track with 12-inch-deep lakes.
At 4:00 p.m., the storm passed as quickly as it started, racers surveyed the damage to their equipment and race officials started assessing the situation.
At the time on-track action was stopped, seven of a scheduled 12 races had been run. Races yet to run included the Sportbike and Unlimited Superbike feature events.
After a series of discussions and meetings between Formula USA officials and regular riders, a decision was made to pay out the entire cash purse for both Sportbike ($10,000) and Unlimited Superbike ($20,000) classes to riders according to how they qualified. Rejected options included running a make-up event at Pocono in August, or running the Summit Point race on the Friday prior to the Pocono races. The idea of holding the races over to run on Monday, May 27 at Summit Point was quickly ruled out because cornerworkers and F-USA staff members would not be available.
All riders who qualified for the Sportbike and Unlimited Superbike finals also received eight Championship points, except for Larry Pegram and Michael Barnes, who earned a single extra point each for qualifying on the pole position for the Unlimited Superbike and Sportbike classes, respectively.
Racers entered in F-USA NRRS classes that were gridded by series points received an entry credit for a later event.
Buell Lightning Series Final Results (all on Buell 1200s):
1. Michael Barnes, 9 laps
2. Bryan Bemisderfer
3. Richie Morris
4. Clint Brotz
5. Jeffrey Johnson
6. Anthony Fania, Jr.
7. Steve Luxem
8. Jeff Harding
9. Joseph Rozynski
10. Sam Rozynski
11. Douglas Burton
12. Darren James
13. Shawn Smith
14. Gregory Avello
15. Michael Myers
16. Patrick Wakefield
17. John Spinelli, -1 lap
18. Alan Cheese, -1 lap
19. Jason Smith, -5 laps, DNF, mechanical
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By Glenn LeSanto
Bayliss sails to another victory in high water
World Champion Troy Bayliss fought off a strong challenge by Colin Edwards to take win number nine of the 2002 World Superbike Season, int he second race at Silverstone.
Although the race started wet, the conditions were slightly improved over race one. This caused problems for many riders who had chosen a ‘very wet’ set-up over merely a wet set-up, running full rain tires instead of intermediates. Neil Hodgson and Noriyuki Haga were both victims of such a tire choice. They selected rain tires to combat aquaplaning, something many riders suffered earlier in the day. The choice proved a poor one, as the rain tapered off late in the race and the track dried slightly. Hodgson dropped back to sixth after an early charge and Haga finished 10th after battling for the lead at the start of the race.
As Bayliss and Edwards took to the front a battle developed behind them between a gaggle of British riders. Ruben Xaus escaped this battle to take third, a welcome result for a rider who has suffered from indifferent results at the last few races. The battle behind for fourth continued between Michael Rutter, Shane Byrne, Chris Walker and Neil Hodgson.
For a while it was British Superbikes year 2000 all over again as Hodgson and Walker engaged in some frighteningly close racing. It looked like it would end in tears as neither rider showed any intention of giving way. But as the track dried, Hodgson’s tire choice began to play its part and he dropped back to finish sixth. But Walker kept the pressure on for a brilliant fourth.
Rutter, normally such an expert in poor conditions, pushed too hard and crashed out on lap eight while battling for fourth. Shane Byrne kept it together to finish fifth.
Ben Bostrom, who doesn’t enjoy wet weather racing at all, didn’t have such a good race, finishing eighth. His brother Eric had an even harder time in the wet, coming home 16th.
Edwards put some late pressure on Bayliss, and for a while it looked like he might be able to break the champion’s run of form for the second time in one day. He nosed ahead for two laps but Bayliss did what he seems to be able to do with apparent ease this year, he turned up the wick and disappeared for another win.
Silverstone World Superbike Race Two Results:
1. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 20 laps
2. Colin Edwards, Honda, -4.909 seconds
3. Ruben Xaus, Ducati
4. Chris Walker, Kawasaki
5. Shane Byrne, Ducati
6. Neil Hodgson, Ducati
7. Juan Borja, Ducati
8. Ben Bostrom, Ducati
9. James Toseland, Ducati
10. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia
11. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati
12. Broc Parkes, Ducati
13. Alessandro Antonello, Ducati
14. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki
15. Peter Goddard, Benelli
16. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki
Mark Heckles, Honda, DNF
Steve Hislop, Ducati, DNF
Michael Rutter, Ducati, DNF
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. Arclight Suzuki’s Scott Harwell took three wins in the WERA National Challenge Series/Cycle Jam event at Virginia International Raceway, the most wins by a single rider in featured classes on Sunday, after being challenged in each race by Vesrah Suzuki riders. The three-day event drew about 400 riders and the paddock was packed. Harwell started the day by winning the Open Superstock race on his Suzuki GSX-R1000. Vesrah Suzuki’s Mark Junge challenged Harwell in the first half of the race before having to pit with fuel problems. The next victory for Harwell came in the Dunlop 600cc Superstock race, after holding off John Jacobi. The two riders, both on Suzuki GSX-R600s, swapped positions four times on the last lap and made contact twice, before Harwell edged by to win. Harwell’s third win came in the 750cc Superstock race on his Suzuki GSX-R750. Harwell had to get past Vesrah’s Tray Batey, who had the advantage for most of the race. Harwell took the lead on the white flag lap and held on for the win. Matt Furtek took the lead in 600cc Superbike after early leader Ken Snyder crashed, then barely held off Adam Coco to take the win. Furtek, 17, was riding a Yamaha YZF-R6. After his crash in 600cc Superbike, Snyder was able to win the 750cc Superbike race on his Suzuki GSX-R750. Furtek took the lead again in Formula One, still on his Yamaha, but was outpowered by GSX-R1000-mounted Scott Carpenter, who passed Furtek for the lead on the front straight just before crossing the finish line. Local racer Brian Kcraget took two convincing wins, in 125cc Grand Prix and Formula 2. Tray Batey again took the win in Heavyweight Twins, gaining an early gap on the field on his Suzuki TL1000R. Dave Yaakov won Lightweight Twins on his Suzuki SV650, battling for the entire race with MB Motorsports’ Bradley Champion and winning by about half-a-bikelength.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Sunday Morning Practice Times:
Lockhart-Phillips Unlimited Superbike:
1. Larry Pegram, Suzuki, 1:15.359
2. Mike Himmelsbach, Aprilia, 1:15.475
3. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:15.585
4. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, 1:15.684
5. Eric Wood, Suzuki, 1:16.008
6. Matt Wait, Honda, 1:16.017
7. Craig Connell, Suzuki, 1:16.049
8. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki, 1:16.538
9. Geoff May, Suzuki, 1:16.672
10. Tim Bemisderfer, Honda, 1:16.790
Pro Honda Oils 600cc Sportbike:
1. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:16.281
2. Craig Connell, Suzuki, 1:16.991
3. Larry Pegram, Suzuki, 1:17.283
4. Matt Wait, Honda, 1:17.373
5. Jeff Wood, Suzuki, 1:17.733
6. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, 1:17.760
7. Owen Weichel, Kawasaki, 1:18.769
8. Jim Lester, Honda, 1:18.895
9. David Lamb, Yamaha, 1:19.697
10. Eoin Smith, Yamaha, 1:19.788
Buell Lightning Series (all on Buell 1200s):
1. Richie Morris, 1:22.081
2. Michael Barnes, 1:22.928
3. Anthony Fania, Jr., 1:23.248
4. Clint Brotz, 1:24.598
5. Darren James, 1:25.573
6. John Spinelli, 1:26.888
7. Joseph Rozynski, 1:26.938
8. Steve Luxem, 1:27.210
9. Jason Smith, 1:27.499
10. Michael Myers, 1:27.821
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By Glenn LeSanto
Edwards takes a wet win in style
Colin Edwards pulled off a dominant victory in a treacherous first WSB race at Silverstone. The Texan inherited the lead from a wild Troy Bayliss and was followed home by Nori Haga and Neil Hodgson. Highlight of the race was Bayliss’ ride to fifth – the Aussie had to twice charge through the field after sliding off the rain-lashed track.
It was Haga who made the best start, leaving the field in his wake as he got the holeshot into Copse. Edwards was right in his slipstream with Bayliss tucked into third. Bayliss looked most at home in the conditions and by the time the field had reached Stowe for the first time, it was the Number One bike that had snatched the lead. Edwards had also drafted past Haga on the Aprilia, who was now coming under the close attention of wildcard rider Michael Rutter.
Rutter has made his name in conditions like this and slipped by Haga into Stowe. It wasn’t to last, though. At the very next corner Rutter was lying in a gravel trap, the Renegade Ducati getting away from him under braking into Vale.
Neil Hodgson made a less-than-amazing start and was engulfed in the pack, but by the end of the first tour he had moved his way up into fifth. He was fighting hard with the impressive Frankie Chili, who was using all his experience to keep on the black stuff. Frankie was unable to hold Hodgson, who was soon past and set about overhauling Haga for third. By the third lap he was past the Japanese rider and up into a podium place.
Bayliss and Edwards were running away from it at the front, but disaster was soon to strike. Exiting Vale on lap three, a fraction too much throttle on the Infostrada Ducati was all it took to send the Aussie tumbling into the gravel. The bike was undamaged and although he kept the engine running, by the time he had got going again, the reigning World Champion was at the back of the pack.
Edwards had to take to the grass to avoid the flying Bayliss and although he inherited the lead, he was now coming under pressure from Hodgson, his lead over the HM Plant Ducati being reduced to less than a second.
Edwards was soon able to take control and pulled away at a rate of over a second a lap, leaving Hodgson and Haga to scrap it out for the runner-up spot. The Aprilia and the Ducati traded paint and places for lap after lap, until an easing off of the rain handicapped Hodgson and his more rain-biased set up. The pair had some huge moments, the biggest of which was Hodgson’s ride along the grass after a monster slide through Woodcote. “There was more grip on the grass than the road!” quipped Hodgson after the race.
Bayliss, obviously wanting to make amends after his mistake, was on a real charge. The Aussie was two seconds a lap faster than anyone else, his Ducati seemingly finding drive where other bikes spun up and slid. Just as impressive as his pace, was the way he dealt with traffic. He ruthlessly cut through the field, passing teammates Ben Bostrom and Ruben Xaus as if they were out on a Sunday ride. Bayliss’ confidence was soon to catch him out again–the Aussie pushed too hard when scrapping with the MonsterMob Ducati of Steve Hislop, losing the front end and sliding off in a shower of sparks into the Luffield gravel trap. The World Champion is not one to give up and as soon as the bike came to a rest, he was digging it out and wanting to have another go at the pack. Bayliss’ hand could be seen squeezing the clutch lever throughout his slide, keeping the engine running.
The Aussie’s second comeback ride of the race was just as impressive as the first He charged by all the people he had passed before and was up to fourth by the flag. “The first crash happened because I was struggling getting heat into the tires. Unfortunately after the second the bike was running rough. I think I got some stones in the airbox,” commented Bayliss.
While Bayliss was impressing everyone with his do-or-die antics, British rider Mark Heckles was having the ride of his career. The Honda privateer was revelling in the sort of conditions that didn’t penalize his underpowered bike, running as high as fifth before being taken by the recovering Bayliss. “The rain gave a great chance to see who could actually race, it’s a great leveller,” said Heckles. “The conditions were dangerous and when Bayliss passed me for fifth I took it easy as he was so much faster. I’m unbelievably happy. This is so good for my career.”
Edwards took a commanding victory. “That was the slowest wet weather race I’ve been in, but we made a commitment to race at the start, so we had to stick with it,” said the Texan. “I had a couple of big moments but now I’ve won, all I want to do is warm up!”
Noriyuki Haga was second, with Neil Hodgson racking up another podium place with a good third place. Bayliss hard-earned fifth means Colin Edwards only made up 14 points on the defending World Champion.
The rain continued to fall heavily after race one, guaranteeing another wet race later today.
Silverstone World Superbike Race One Results:
1. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 20 laps, 43:27.508
2. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, -7.358
3. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, -32.990
4. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, -51.598
5. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, -54.722
6. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, -61.128
7. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, -62.631
8. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, -72.525
9. Shane Byrne, Ducati 998RS, -75.226
10. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, -83.670
11. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -88.618
12. Michael Rutter, Ducati 998RS, -88.844
13. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, -94.598
14. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -120.294
15. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -1 lap
16. Dean Ellison, Ducati 996RS, -1 lap
17. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -2 laps, DNF
18. Steve Hislop, Ducati 998RS, -10 laps, DNF
19. Glen Richards, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -11 laps
20. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, -11 laps, DNF
21. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, -12 laps, DNF
22. Serafino Foti, Ducati 996RS, -12 laps, DNF
23. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, -13 laps, DNF
24. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 996RS, -16 laps, DNF
25. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, -17 laps, DNF
26. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, -17 laps, DNF
27. Alessandro Antonello, Ducati 998RS, -17 laps, DNF
28. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, -19 laps, DNF
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Red-hot Burns scorches to victory
By Glenn LeSanto
British riders filled all three podium places in a damp European Superstock race at Silverstone. Suzuki rider Chris Burns got the best start, beating pole-man Kieran Murphy away from the lights, and was never headed. Burns raced to a victory margin of over three seconds on the rapidly-drying track.
Kieran Murphy made a break from the pack with what looked to be a comfortable second place, but was reeled in by Steve Brogan who snatched the runner-up spot in the dying laps.
Best of the Championship regulars was Walter Tortoroglio, who ran as high as third on his Fireblade, before being beaten to the line by Murphy. Championship leader Vittorio Iannuzzo finished fifth on his GSX-R1000 and now leads the championship by 17 points.
European Superstock Championship:
Silverstone Results
1. C. Burns, GBR, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 24:42.374
2. S. Brogan, GBR, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 24:45.474
3. K. Murphy, GBR, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 24:45.926
4. W. Tortoroglio, ITA, Honda CBR954RR, 24:45.982
5. V. Iannuzzo, ITA, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 24:46.025
6. O. Four, FRA Suzuki GSX-R1000, 24:46.980
7. L. Alfonso, ITA, Ducati, 24:47.128
8. G. Vizziello, ITA, Yamaha YZF-R1, 24:47.218
9. G. Romanelli, ITA, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 24:52.868
10. D. Vankeymeulen, BEL, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 25:03.143
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By Glenn LeSanto
Weather wins in Supersport race
The weather was the winner in the World Supersport race at Silverstone today. The race started in rain and the weather just got more severe as the race progressed.
On lap 14 Paolo Casoli, who had been battling and swapping the lead with his team mate James Whitham, crashed out. Whitham inherited the lead but then immediately crashed out himself. Luckily for the two Belgarda Yamaha riders the race control decided the conditions had deteriorated too much to continue racing and out came the red flag. The result was taken back to the last completed lap, lap 13, handing the win to Whitham who had been leading at the end of that lap.
Karl Muggeridge on the Honda UK CBR600 had his best finish of the season, coming in third, over 16 seconds back on the Belgarda Yamaha pair. Behind him Jorg Teuchert got the better of a race-long battle with Iain MacPherson to take fourth place. MacPherson’s fifth was his best of the season, a fitting present to himself on his 34th Birthday.
Chris Vermeulen, who qualified second on the grid, was robbed of a possible good result when his tyre warmers were accidentally left switched off before the race. This meant Vermeulen entered turn one with cold tyres, almost crashing as a result. Because of the heavy rain, Vermeulen was unable to get any heat into his tyres and finished back in 14th as a result.
Pole man Fabien Foret rode home in seventh, a good result for a rider not known for his rain skills. It was also a good result for his title challenge because championship leader Stephane Chambon finished eighth. Foret closed up another point leaving the gap at only three points.
Katsuaki Fujiwara, who took the holeshot, dropped back to finish sixth.
The lead pair, and Teuchert were both riding on Dunlop tyres, while Muggeridge and MacPherson were using Pirelli rubber.
Silverstone World Supersport Results:
1. Jamie Whitham, Yamaha, 13 laps, 28:15.649
2. Paolo Casoli, Yamaha, -0.269
3. Karl Muggeridge, Honda, -16.995
4. Jorg Teuchert, Yamaha, -21.654
5. Iain MacPherson, Honda, -21.888
6. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki, -24.160
7. Fabien Foret, Honda, -31.689
8. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki, -39.571
9. Diego Giugovaz, Yamaha, -43.131
10. Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha, -48.724
11. Christian Kellner, Yamaha, -58.442
12. Stefano Cruciani, Yamaha, -61.111
13. Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati, -68.372
14. Chris Vermeulen, Honda, -71.619
15. John McGuiness, Honda, -74.037
16. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda, -79.209
17. Werner Daemen, Honda, -79.544
18. Alessio Corradi, Yamaha, -79.868
19. Kyro Verstraeten, Honda, -80.762
20. Christian Zaiser, Yamaha, -90.227
21. Robert Frost, Yamaha, -92.753
22. Antonio Carlacci, Yamaha, -144.526
23. David De Gea, Honda, -149.761
24. Claudio Cipriani, Yamaha, -1 lap
25. Jon Kirkham, Honda, -1 lap
26. Tom Tunstall, Suzuki, -1 lap, DNF
27. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Ducati, -2 laps, DNF
28. Christophe Cogan, Honda, -4 laps, DNF
29. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, -4 laps, DNF
30. Stuart Easton, Ducati, -7 laps, DNF
31. Ben Wilson, Honda, -9 laps, DNF
32. Kevin Curtain, Yamaha, -10 laps, DNF
33. James Ellison, Kawasaki, -11 laps, DNF
