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The Second AMA Formula Xtreme Red Flag Came Too Late At Road Atlanta

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The Second AMA Formula Xtreme Red Flag Came Too Late At Road Atlanta

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

First Person/Opinion

By Melissa Berkoff

I was watching the Formula Xtreme race on Sunday at Road Atlanta from the hill overlooking turn 10a and the braking area at the end of the back straightaway. Jason Pridmore had just completed a stop-and-go penalty for jumping the first start and was running behind the entire field. As he came down the hill into the braking area for 10a, I saw smoke start pouring off of his bike. Recognizing oil smoke, I yelled “Red flag!”

Pridmore straightened up and made a beeline for the gravel trap on the outside of the corner as the bike began fishtailing, and continued to slide until he left the pavement. He rode it into the gravel trap where it sank so deep he was able to dismount and leave it standing upright. I looked at the flag station. There was no red flag, or even an oil flag, displayed.

I then started jogging down the hill to talk to Pridmore. Zigzagging in between all the spectators and the terraces on the hill, I made it down to where Pridmore was just as Ben Spies and Jake Zemke began tumbling off the track after crashing in Pridmore’s oil. Pridmore turned to look and said, “Didn’t they see my motor blow up?” We looked down at his boot, which was covered with oil. Then they finally threw the red flag.

From the time I yelled red flag to the time Spies and Zemke crashed, I estimate about 45 seconds passed. It was obvious to me from my position on top of the hill that there was oil down all over the braking area. There was no mistaking the smoke pouring off of Pridmore’s motor, and the resulting out-of-control attitude of the bike sliding around on oil, for tire smoke from a locked rear brake. Pridmore was all alone on the track at that moment so all attention should have been on him. I was incredulous that race control waited until the leaders crashed before they stopped the race. When the clean-up crew finished putting down oil dry on the oil line, the line stretched from the first brake marker all the way through the corner to the spot where Pridmore ran off the track.

Updated Post: Trombino Wins Canadian Opener

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Updated Post: Trombino Wins Canadian Opener

From a press release issued by the race promoters, which originally claimed that Michael Taylor had crashed but was later corrected to reflect his mechanical DNF:

TROMBINO WINS OPENER

SHANNONVILLE, ON – Frank Trombino made a spectacular debut with the Honda Canada/Orion Motorsport racing team, winning the opening round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Shannonville Motorsport Park Sunday.

The Kleinburg, ON rider led all 18 laps of the Honda Motorcycles Challenge for his third career national Superbike win. Brantford, ON’s Jordan Szoke placed second on the Suzuki Canada/Blackfoot Motosports Suzuki GSX-R1000, 12.621 secs. behind Trombino, and Owen Weichel of Toronto was third on the Canadian Kawasaki ZX-7RR.

“I just put my head down right from the start,” said the 27-year-old Trombino. “I didn’t want to get caught in any traffic. Later on I just tried to maintain a comfortable pace and my crew kept me informed of the gap at all times.”

Trombino’s win on his Honda RC51 gave him the early lead in the Parts Canada Superbike point standings while several of the title favorites ran into setbacks.

His teammate and two-time defending champion Steve Crevier of Maple Ridge, BC, who had qualified on pole aboard his Honda RC51, was unable to start after injuring his knee in a morning warm-up fall.

Sherbrooke, QC’s Francis Martin was another non-finisher after crashing his Coors Light Racing Fast Company Team Suzuki GSX-R1000 on the second lap of the race, unhurt.

Michael Taylor of Toronto retired with clutch failure on lap 15–while battling Szoke for second place–on his Yamaha Motor Canada/Brooklin Cycle Yamaha YZF-R1.

In other action at Shannonville Calgary’s Clint McBain, riding the Suzuki Canada/Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R1000, edged the Diablo Suzuki GSX-R1000 of Kevin Lacombe for the victory in the opening round of the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Open Sport Bike feature.

McBain also beat Lacombe in the first race of the Yoshimura 600 Sport Bike Championship on his Suzuki GSX-R600. McBain took the lead from the Granby, QC rider on lap 5 of the 14-lap race and edged clear for a 3.317-sec. victory.

Dave Wright of Magnetawan, ON won the Diablo Paintball Can-Am 125GP Challenge season opener with a last lap pass of Ajax, ON’s Stuart Nodell.

This weekend’s event will be televised on TSN on Sunday, June 23 at 6:00 pm EDT and later this year on Quebec’s RDS and across Canada on the Outdoor Life Network.

The Parts Canada Superbike Championship resumes at Calgary’s Race City Motorsport Park June 7-9. The event will feature a Superbike doubleheader, with races for the feature class on Saturday and Sunday.

Results of the opening round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship, the Honda Motorcycles Challenge, at Shannonville Motorsport Park on Sunday showing finishing position, rider name, hometown and type of motorcycle:

1.Frank Trombino, Kleinburg, ON, Honda RC51; 2. Jordan Szoke, Brantford, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 3. Owen Weichel, Huntington Beach, CA, Kawasaki ZX-7RR; 4. Kevin Lacombe, Granby, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 5. Benoit Pilon, St-Jerome, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1; 6. Jean-Francois Cyr, Joliette, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1; 7. Philip Onisto, Bolton, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 8. Darryn Wilbur, Maple, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1; 9. Michael Leon, Beaconsfield, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 10. Bruce McDonald, Mt. Albert, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6; 11. Dave Young, Woodstock, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 12. John Brundl, Etobicoke, ON, Honda CBR954RR; 13. Clint Hines, Burlington, ON, Suzuki GSX-R750; 14. Dave Hodge, Ballinafad, ON, Suzuki TL1000S; 15. Mike Desmarais, North Bay, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000; NF. Michael Taylor, Toronto, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1; NF. Jim Proulx, Ottawa, ON, Kawasaki ZX-7RR; NF. Francis Martin, Sherbrooke, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000; NF. Ugo Levert, Lorraine, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000; NS. Steve Crevier, Maple Ridge, BC, Honda RC51; NS. Clint McBain, Calgary, AB, Suzuki GSX-R1000; NS. Chris Tufford, Hamilton, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6; NS. Victor Paiva, Mississauga, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R; NS. Derek Vammus, Brampton, ON, Honda RC51; NS. Jerome Plourde, St-Jerome, QC, Suzuki GSX-R600
Margin of Victory: 12.621 secs.
Average Speed: 132.80 km/h

Parts Canada Superbike Championship point standings following the Honda Motorcycles Challenge at Shannonville Motorsport Park on Sunday, showing position, rider name and point total:

1. Frank Trombino 55; 2. Jordan Szoke 42; 3. Owen Weichel 37; 4. Kevin Lacombe 32; 5. Benoit Pilon 29; 6. Jean-Francois Cyr 27; 7. Philip Onisto 25; 8. Darryn Wilbur 23; 9. Michael Leon 21; 10. Bruce McDonald 19; 11. Dave Young 17; 12. John Brundl 15; 13. Clint Hines 13; 14. Dave Hodge 12; 15. Mike Desmarais 10; 16. Steve Crevier 4; 17. Michael Taylor 2; 18. Francis Martin 1

AMA Formula Xtreme Appeal Board Hearing Now Scheduled For Tomorrow

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AMA Formula Xtreme Appeal Board Hearing Now Scheduled For Tomorrow

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

An AMA Pro Racing Appeal Board hearing regarding protests of Damon Buckmaster’s Yamaha YZF-R7 Formula Xtreme bike will be held tommorrow, May 21, at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio.

AMA Pro Racing officials denied multiple protests–filed April 7 at the Fontana AMA National–of Buckmaster’s bike.

Protestors believe that the Yamaha YZF-R7 is not eligible for the Formula Xtreme class because it was never sold for street use in the United States and is a World Superbike homologation special.

AMA Pro Racing officials are arguing that the R7 is legal because it is unclear what the rule they wrote means, and because it appears on an unpublished list of eligible machines that class participants have been unable to obtain from AMA Pro Racing over a two-year period.

Appeal Board members are selected by AMA Pro Racing officials and protesting parties don’t know who is on the Appeal Board until the hearing begins.

Instead of following convention and scheduling the Appeal Board hearing at the next National, which was held at Sears Point on May 2-5, AMA Pro Racing officials originally scheduled the hearing for May 14 at AMA headquarters, on the Tuesday prior to the May 16-19 AMA National at Road Atlanta. After numerous planned participants encountered scheduling problems, the hearing was rescheduled for Tuesday, May 21.

In the meantime, Buckmaster won the Formula Xtreme races at Fontana, Sears Point and Road Atlanta and leads the series point standings.

After Three Red Flags, Buckmaster Wins AMA Formula Xtreme Race At Road Atlanta

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After Three Red Flags, Buckmaster Wins AMA Formula Xtreme Race At Road Atlanta

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Formula Xtreme Results:

1. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R7/R1, 15 laps
2. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, -0.972 seconds
3. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, -8.554
4. Marty Craggill, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -8.827
5. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -13.618
6. Mike Hale, Honda CBR954RR, -14.997
7. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -15.190
8. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR954RR, -31.413
9. Mark Crozier, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -33.807
10. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -39.488
11. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -45.806
12. James Compton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -48.905
13. Michael Fitzpatrick, Suzuki GSX-R750, -57.988
14. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R750, -67.801
15. James Kerker, Honda CBR929RR, -77.033
16. Jamie Thompson, Suzuki GSX-R750, -77.367
17. Timothy Falcone, Suzuki GSX-R750, -78.513
18. Chuck Allen, Suzuki GSX-R750, -83.585
19. Robert Hilliard, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -88.006
20. Kenyon Kluge, Suzuki GSX-R750, -91.511
21. Michael Hanley, Suzuki GSX-R750
22. James Bonner, Yamaha YZF-R1
23. David McPherson, Yamaha YZF-R1
24. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -6 laps, mechanical
25. Lance Isaacs, Yamaha YZF-R1, -6 laps
26. Jason Curtis, Yamaha YZF-R1, -6 laps, crashed
27. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -12 laps, mechanical


Formula Xtreme Point Standings:

1. Buckmaster, 113 points
2. Zemke, 90 points
3. Pridmore, 82 points
4. Hale, 79 points
5. Spies, 78 points
6. Alex Gobert, 67 points
7. Craggill, 56 points
8. Kipp, 54 points
9. Compton, 51 points
10. Bostrom, 49 points

Hacking Beats Yates, Tommy Hayden, Buckmaster And Spies In Terrific AMA Supersport Battle

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Hacking Beats Yates, Tommy Hayden, Buckmaster And Spies In Terrific AMA Supersport Battle

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Road Atlanta AMA Supersport Results:

1. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 15 laps
2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, -0.3513
3. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, -0.420
4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, -0.735
5. Ben Spies, Suzuki, -1.049
6. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, -10.015
7. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, -10.592
8. Jake Zemke, Honda, -10.592
9. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, -15.935
10. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, -17.571
11. Mike Hale, Honda, -18.377
12. Andrew Nelson, Honda, -30.159
13. Alex Gobert, Honda, -32.347
14. Ty Howard, Suzuki, -47.356
15. Jimmy Filice, Kawasaki, -53.952
16. Michael Hannas, Kawasaki, -57.233
17. Scott Hermersmann, Suzuki, -63.873
18. Jeff Muskopf, Suzuki, -70.790
19. James Stroud, Suzuki, -76.208
20. Chuck Ivey, Suzuki, -76.305

Provisional Supersport Point Standings:

1. Yates, 142 points
2. Hacking, 119 points
3. Buckmaster, 106 points
4. Spies, 99 points
5. Pridmore, 91 points
6. Hale, 90 points
7. Kipp, 88 points
8. TIE, Tommy Hayden/Zemke, 81 points
10. Meiring, 80 points

DiSalvo Leads Sunday Morning AMA 250cc GP Practice At Road Atlanta

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DiSalvo Leads Sunday Morning AMA 250cc GP Practice At Road Atlanta

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

250cc GP Practice Times:

1. Jason DiSalvo, Honda, 1:28.551
2. Simon Turner, Yamaha, 1:30.523
3. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 1:32.041
4. Chris Pyles, Yamaha, 1:32.443
5. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, 1:33.250
6. Bill Himmelsbach, Yamaha, 1:34.876
7. Darren Fulce, Yamaha, 1:36.391
8. John France, Honda, 1:36.757
9. Leon Cortes, Honda, 1:37.057
10. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, 1:38.389

Hayden Even Faster In Superbike Warm-up At Road Atlanta

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Hayden Even Faster In Superbike Warm-up At Road Atlanta

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning Superbike Warm-up Times:

1. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:23.270
2. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:23.654
3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:23.889
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:24.171
5. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998RS, 1:24.223
6. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:24.265
7. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:25.181
8. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.331
9. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.351
10. Doug Chandler, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.445
11. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.452
12. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.640
13. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.048
14. Larry Pegram, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.329
15. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.579
16. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.671
17. Shane Clarke, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.969
18. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.000
19. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.097
20. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.141

AMA Superbike: Nicky Hayden Fends Off Bostrom’s Last Lap Charge To Win At Road Atlanta

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AMA Superbike: Nicky Hayden Fends Off Bostrom’s Last Lap Charge To Win At Road Atlanta

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Superbike Race Two Results:

1. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 25 laps
2. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -0.194 seconds
3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, -13.836
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, -16.683
5. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998RS, -30.121
6. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, -44.930
7. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
8. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
9. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
10. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
11. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
12. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
13. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
14. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
15. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
16. Michael Fitzpatrick Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
17. Shane Clarke, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
18. Mark Crozier, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
19. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
20. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
21. Douglas Duane, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
22. Christopher Rankin of Texas, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
23. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
24. Justin Blake, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
25. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
26. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
27. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
28. James Compton, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
29. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
30. Robert Christman, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
31. Andrew Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R750, -3 laps, DNF
32. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, -11 laps, DNF
33. Larry Pegram, Suzuki GSX-R750, -15 laps, DNF
34. Chris Rankin of Maryland, Suzuki GSX-R750, -15 laps, DNF

AMA Superbike Point Standings:

1. Hayden, 253 points
2. Bostrom, 173 points
3. Yates, 172 points
4. Picotte, 155 points
5. Mladin, 154 points
6. Duhamel, 146 points
7. Livengood, 138 points
8. Hacking, 131 points
9. Parriott, 127 points
10. Anthony Gobert, 118 points
11. Deatherage, 108 points
12. Conicelli, 107 points
13. Doug Chandler, 99 points
14. Haskovec, 73 points
15. Dugan, 71 points

AMA Formula Xtreme Warm-up At Road Atlanta Led By Roger Lee Hayden

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AMA Formula Xtreme Warm-up At Road Atlanta Led By Roger Lee Hayden

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Formula Xtreme Practice Times:

1. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 1:25.019
2. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.344
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R7/R1, 1:25.427
4. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:25.485
5. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.591
6. Marty Craggill, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.192
7. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.775
8. Mike Hale, Honda CBR954RR, 1:26.858
9. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.133
10. Lance Isaacs, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.697
11. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.896
12. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.920
13. Jason Curtis, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.724
14. Mark Crozier, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.936
15. James Compton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.743
16. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.001
17. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.122
18. Jamie Thompson, Suzuki, 1:33.127
19. Chuck Allen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.426
20. James Kerker, Honda, 1:35.259

Rossi Wins Rain-shortened French Grand Prix, Roberts Fifth, Hopkins 11th

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Rossi Wins Rain-shortened French Grand Prix, Roberts Fifth, Hopkins 11th

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

MotoGP Final Results From Le Mans:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 34:22.335, 22 laps
2. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, -0.217 seconds
3. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, -0.604
4. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, -1.701
5. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, -8.464
6. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, -10.212
7. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, -12.437
8. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, -15.231
9. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, -17.155
10. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, -21.847
11. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, -25.121
12. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, -25.919
13. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, -26.227
14. Jean-Michel Bayle, Yamaha YZR500, -27.011
15. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, -30.342
16. Jose Luis Cardoso, Yamaha YZR500, -36.574
17. Daijiro Kato, Honda NSR500, -10 laps, DNF, crashed
18. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, -11 laps, DNF, retired
19. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, -11 laps, DNF, retired
20. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, -13 laps, crashed

World Championship Point Standings:
1. Rossi, 95 points
2. Ukawa, 61 points
3. Capirossi, 45 points
4. Abe, 43 points
5. Kato, 39 points
6. Barros, 29 points
7. Aoki, 28 points
8. Checa, 27 points
9. Biaggi, 23 points
10. Ryo, 20 points
11. Roberts, 19 points
12. Laconi, 18 points
13. TIE, Jacque/Harada, 15 points
15. Hopkins, 14 points
16. Itoh, 13 points
17. TIE, Nakanao/Gibernau/Goorbergh, 11 points
20. McCoy, 7 points
21. McWilliams, 6 points
22. Riba, 3 points
23. Bayle, 2 points


More, from an Aprilia press release:

Laconi and the Cube ninth past the chequered flag at Le Mans.

Régis Laconi’s record holds: for the 28th time in a row, he made the points zone in motorcycling’s leading class.

The Cube and Régis made points again today, coming in ninth. Régis made a further step forward with his personal record by making the points zone for the 28th consecutive time in the number one class.

The MotoGP race was stopped by rain on the 21st lap, five laps before the scheduled end. Laconi rode as spirited a race as ever, urged on even more by the presence of his home public. At the end of the race, the 135,000 spectators at Le Mans roared a spectacular “OLA” for Régis, who was called to the podium to greet the crowd. After a rather poor start, Laconi immediately started fighting his way past the others. He gradually worked his way up to ninth place, 17 seconds from Rossi, the winner, with the best result obtained so far by the RS Cube on a dry track. An indication of the progress being made day by day by the project team.

# 55 Régis Laconi – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 9th – 34:39.430
“The rain came during the closing stages of the race and it was right for it to be stopped. The curbing is used a lot on this track and when the first drops came down, they started getting very slippery. It would have been a pity to ruin a great race like the one today in France. I didn’t make a fast start at the green light, and let the clutch slip too much: I was last round the first curve and it was hard work making my way up towards the heart of the pack. On this track, it isn’t easy to get past opponents while braking, so it was pretty tough. At the start, I felt the weight of the full tank and sensed that this was making the front tyre less stable. Even so, I did all I could to ride fast and aggressively. Today, the Cube distilled the results of all the work we’ve done here at Le Mans over the past few days. The configuration’s good and it let me get the best result with the Cube so far on a dry track. The team did a really great job. After the pressure I felt racing on my home track, we’re now off to Mugello, another venue where I’ll have to do my best: it’s the track of my second home – Italy.”


More, from a Red Bull Yamaha press release:

FRENCH GRAND PRIX – LE MANS – SUNDAY 19TH MAY RACE DAY

Red Bull Yamaha rider, John “Hopper” Hopkins, a newcomer to the Moto GP this year, finished his 4th GP of the Season with his best result to date, in 11th place. Hopkins was competing against 19 other riders who on a combined average have 104 GPs each so Hopper with only 4 starts has excelled in his performance today. Hopkins teamed up this weekend with the 2002 Red Bull Test Rider, the legendary Jean-Michel Bayle who finished the race in 14th place after only riding in the Saturday practice and qualifying session due to Garry McCoy’s withdrawal on Friday evening. The race was red – flagged on the 21st of 28 laps due to rain.

John Hopkins – 11th Place
World Championship Classification 15th – Fourteen points

“I felt really good racing today and on the starting grid I had my sights set on catching the guys 2 rows ahead of me. I had a really good start and it all got a bit wild going into the first chicane but I just put my head down and worked my way through the field. I had Jean-Michel on my tail in the first early laps but I was focused on the riders in front of me and I started to chase down McWilliams. I moved up to 12th position and I was determined to chase down Sete Gibernau. I thought I could take him on the back double apex so I planned my move, got a good early line, held it tight and just flew on by. I am finding that my strongest point on the bike is under braking. I am so happy again to have scored points for Red Bull Yamaha. This is my best ever result in the Moto GP and only my 4th GP ever. I turn 19 next week so it looks like the week is off to a good start for me.”

Colin Davies (Race Engineer – John Hopkins)

“We are pleased with John’s performance today and we are really happy with the race set up we have found for him. He continues to improve each race and this is his best result of the year, so, yes, I am pleased with the progress we are making.”

Jean-Michel Bayle – 14th place – scoring 2 points

“I had some trouble at the beginning of the race with the grip of the tyres but as the race progressed I was getting faster and able to slide the bike some more. As I did not ride on Friday I was short on set-up time but it’s good that I finished in the points. I really need some more time to set this bike up for myself and some more time on the track. Today though, I did not want to do anything crazy or crash and I wanted to improve on my time each lap. It is not so bad, 2 points but we still have some work to do with the bike and tyres.”

Christophe Bourguignon (Race Engineer – Jean- Michel Bayle)
“Very delighted with today’s session. It took him a few laps to get into the race but after lap 10 he improved almost every lap, catching the riders in front of him. Today Jean-Michel raced with a soft front and a medium rear Dunlop.”

Peter Clifford – Team Manager
“A wonderful ride from both guys. Not only was John Hopkins’ result excellent but his race pace equalled even those in front of him as it did at the last race at Jerez. So this is real solid progress for John.

“Jean-Michel Bayle had a great ride today also and he clocked his fastest lap of the race on Lap 18 at 1:38.336 which shows he was getting quicker as the race progressed. We are obviously very happy to continue with Jean-Michel Bayle as our test rider for the remainder of the year.”


More, from a Marlboro Yamaha press release:

FRENCH GRAND PRIX, LE MANS
Race Day, Sunday May 19 2002

MARLBORO YAMAHA MAKE ‘HUGE PROGRESS’ AT LE MANS
Marlboro Yamaha Team riders Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa played a starring role in today’s wet ‘n’ dry French Grand Prix at Le Mans. Benefiting from crucial improvements to the YZR-M1’s computer-controlled engine-braking system, the pair ran up front until Checa tumbled out, leaving Biaggi to briefly lead before finishing third.

This was the best weekend so far for the mighty M1, with Checa and Biaggi qualifying second and third quickest, and Biaggi’s bike the fastest in the race, clocking 297kmh on Le Mans’ uphill start/finish straight, 2.2kmh faster than winner Valentino Rossi’s Honda RCV.

“The bike looked okay here, we were more competitive,” said Marlboro Yamaha Team director Davide Brivio. “We didn’t get the win but we were close to the winner. I hope this weekend will prove to be a restart for our team, just like Le Mans was last year when Max won and Carlos got second. We showed that the bike is fast and we’ve started to close the gap on the Honda, which is huge progress since the last race. The new parts for the engine-braking system made a big difference and we have a new chassis on the
way for both riders for the next race at Mugello. The aim is to improve handling and turning, though Max and Carlos will start the Italian GP weekend with one new chassis and one existing chassis each, because we aren’t able to go testing before the event. Max’s result was a real boost for the team and the factory, so my thanks go to everyone: our crew, the Yamaha engineers and Michelin, too.”

BIAGGI LEADS FRENCH GP, FINISHES THIRD
Max Biaggi scored a first podium finish with his Marlboro Yamaha Team YZR-M1 in tricky conditions at Le Mans this afternoon. The Italian rode hard
throughout, chasing the leading Honda duo of Valentino Rossi and Tohru Ukawa and moving ahead when drizzle began to fall at the top of the circuit. For several laps the trio were more than a second off their usual pace, Biaggi then slipping to second as Ukawa went in front. When heavier rain began to fall the race was red flagged, six laps short of full distance, Biaggi credited with third place, just 0.604 seconds behind winner Rossi.

“Maybe a win was too much to ask for today because our last race was a real struggle,” smiled Biaggi, who had had a luckless start to the season, including an exclusion from the Spanish GP two weeks ago. “I’m very pleased with today’s result, though it was a very difficult race with the rain coming and going and making the track very slippery in places. It was also great to follow Rossi and Ukawa, though they seemed to have an advantage in the slower corners and that’s what we must work on next. I’m also pleased for Yamaha and I’d like to thank everyone within the factory and the team for their work.

CHECA OUT OF LUCK AGAIN
Carlos Checa was looking good for his second podium finish of the year until he crashed on gravel that had been scattered on to the Chemin aux Boeufs chicane by a rival’s earlier off-track excursion. At the time the Marlboro Yamaha Team man had been shadowing team-mate Max Biaggi, Ukawa and Rossi, waiting for the race to develop before deciding on his late-race strategy.

“Rossi had slowed a little which allowed me and Max to close the gap,” said a bitterly disappointed Checa after his second DNF in a row. “As I went to flick the bike right in the chicane I saw Max move a little, like he was avoiding something, but it was too late for me to change the line, so I hit the gravel and lost it. I never saw any warning flags, so I didn’t know there was a problem at that corner. It was very bad luck, especially since everything had been going so well; the bike felt good and I felt
comfortable. It’s a real shame, but we must keep looking forward to the next race.”



ROSSI WINS AGAIN TO EXTEND LEAD
Valentino Rossi won his third race of the year today, beating team-mate Tohru Ukawa by just 0.217 seconds. Starting from pole position, the Italian led the first half of the race before slipping to third as drizzle fell, then fighting back to take the lead just before the red flags came out. “The rain made that very difficult,” said Rossi. “It only rained on one part of the track and some laps it was more slippery than others. I started to push again near the end and I was lucky to be ahead when the race was stopped.”

Daijiro Kato (Honda) fell victim to the rain while chasing the leaders, tumbling spectacularly at the first chicane. He was unhurt.

The Second AMA Formula Xtreme Red Flag Came Too Late At Road Atlanta

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

First Person/Opinion

By Melissa Berkoff

I was watching the Formula Xtreme race on Sunday at Road Atlanta from the hill overlooking turn 10a and the braking area at the end of the back straightaway. Jason Pridmore had just completed a stop-and-go penalty for jumping the first start and was running behind the entire field. As he came down the hill into the braking area for 10a, I saw smoke start pouring off of his bike. Recognizing oil smoke, I yelled “Red flag!”

Pridmore straightened up and made a beeline for the gravel trap on the outside of the corner as the bike began fishtailing, and continued to slide until he left the pavement. He rode it into the gravel trap where it sank so deep he was able to dismount and leave it standing upright. I looked at the flag station. There was no red flag, or even an oil flag, displayed.

I then started jogging down the hill to talk to Pridmore. Zigzagging in between all the spectators and the terraces on the hill, I made it down to where Pridmore was just as Ben Spies and Jake Zemke began tumbling off the track after crashing in Pridmore’s oil. Pridmore turned to look and said, “Didn’t they see my motor blow up?” We looked down at his boot, which was covered with oil. Then they finally threw the red flag.

From the time I yelled red flag to the time Spies and Zemke crashed, I estimate about 45 seconds passed. It was obvious to me from my position on top of the hill that there was oil down all over the braking area. There was no mistaking the smoke pouring off of Pridmore’s motor, and the resulting out-of-control attitude of the bike sliding around on oil, for tire smoke from a locked rear brake. Pridmore was all alone on the track at that moment so all attention should have been on him. I was incredulous that race control waited until the leaders crashed before they stopped the race. When the clean-up crew finished putting down oil dry on the oil line, the line stretched from the first brake marker all the way through the corner to the spot where Pridmore ran off the track.

Updated Post: Trombino Wins Canadian Opener

From a press release issued by the race promoters, which originally claimed that Michael Taylor had crashed but was later corrected to reflect his mechanical DNF:

TROMBINO WINS OPENER

SHANNONVILLE, ON – Frank Trombino made a spectacular debut with the Honda Canada/Orion Motorsport racing team, winning the opening round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Shannonville Motorsport Park Sunday.

The Kleinburg, ON rider led all 18 laps of the Honda Motorcycles Challenge for his third career national Superbike win. Brantford, ON’s Jordan Szoke placed second on the Suzuki Canada/Blackfoot Motosports Suzuki GSX-R1000, 12.621 secs. behind Trombino, and Owen Weichel of Toronto was third on the Canadian Kawasaki ZX-7RR.

“I just put my head down right from the start,” said the 27-year-old Trombino. “I didn’t want to get caught in any traffic. Later on I just tried to maintain a comfortable pace and my crew kept me informed of the gap at all times.”

Trombino’s win on his Honda RC51 gave him the early lead in the Parts Canada Superbike point standings while several of the title favorites ran into setbacks.

His teammate and two-time defending champion Steve Crevier of Maple Ridge, BC, who had qualified on pole aboard his Honda RC51, was unable to start after injuring his knee in a morning warm-up fall.

Sherbrooke, QC’s Francis Martin was another non-finisher after crashing his Coors Light Racing Fast Company Team Suzuki GSX-R1000 on the second lap of the race, unhurt.

Michael Taylor of Toronto retired with clutch failure on lap 15–while battling Szoke for second place–on his Yamaha Motor Canada/Brooklin Cycle Yamaha YZF-R1.

In other action at Shannonville Calgary’s Clint McBain, riding the Suzuki Canada/Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R1000, edged the Diablo Suzuki GSX-R1000 of Kevin Lacombe for the victory in the opening round of the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Open Sport Bike feature.

McBain also beat Lacombe in the first race of the Yoshimura 600 Sport Bike Championship on his Suzuki GSX-R600. McBain took the lead from the Granby, QC rider on lap 5 of the 14-lap race and edged clear for a 3.317-sec. victory.

Dave Wright of Magnetawan, ON won the Diablo Paintball Can-Am 125GP Challenge season opener with a last lap pass of Ajax, ON’s Stuart Nodell.

This weekend’s event will be televised on TSN on Sunday, June 23 at 6:00 pm EDT and later this year on Quebec’s RDS and across Canada on the Outdoor Life Network.

The Parts Canada Superbike Championship resumes at Calgary’s Race City Motorsport Park June 7-9. The event will feature a Superbike doubleheader, with races for the feature class on Saturday and Sunday.

Results of the opening round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship, the Honda Motorcycles Challenge, at Shannonville Motorsport Park on Sunday showing finishing position, rider name, hometown and type of motorcycle:

1.Frank Trombino, Kleinburg, ON, Honda RC51; 2. Jordan Szoke, Brantford, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 3. Owen Weichel, Huntington Beach, CA, Kawasaki ZX-7RR; 4. Kevin Lacombe, Granby, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 5. Benoit Pilon, St-Jerome, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1; 6. Jean-Francois Cyr, Joliette, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1; 7. Philip Onisto, Bolton, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 8. Darryn Wilbur, Maple, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1; 9. Michael Leon, Beaconsfield, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 10. Bruce McDonald, Mt. Albert, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6; 11. Dave Young, Woodstock, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 12. John Brundl, Etobicoke, ON, Honda CBR954RR; 13. Clint Hines, Burlington, ON, Suzuki GSX-R750; 14. Dave Hodge, Ballinafad, ON, Suzuki TL1000S; 15. Mike Desmarais, North Bay, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000; NF. Michael Taylor, Toronto, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1; NF. Jim Proulx, Ottawa, ON, Kawasaki ZX-7RR; NF. Francis Martin, Sherbrooke, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000; NF. Ugo Levert, Lorraine, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000; NS. Steve Crevier, Maple Ridge, BC, Honda RC51; NS. Clint McBain, Calgary, AB, Suzuki GSX-R1000; NS. Chris Tufford, Hamilton, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6; NS. Victor Paiva, Mississauga, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R; NS. Derek Vammus, Brampton, ON, Honda RC51; NS. Jerome Plourde, St-Jerome, QC, Suzuki GSX-R600
Margin of Victory: 12.621 secs.
Average Speed: 132.80 km/h

Parts Canada Superbike Championship point standings following the Honda Motorcycles Challenge at Shannonville Motorsport Park on Sunday, showing position, rider name and point total:

1. Frank Trombino 55; 2. Jordan Szoke 42; 3. Owen Weichel 37; 4. Kevin Lacombe 32; 5. Benoit Pilon 29; 6. Jean-Francois Cyr 27; 7. Philip Onisto 25; 8. Darryn Wilbur 23; 9. Michael Leon 21; 10. Bruce McDonald 19; 11. Dave Young 17; 12. John Brundl 15; 13. Clint Hines 13; 14. Dave Hodge 12; 15. Mike Desmarais 10; 16. Steve Crevier 4; 17. Michael Taylor 2; 18. Francis Martin 1

AMA Formula Xtreme Appeal Board Hearing Now Scheduled For Tomorrow

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

An AMA Pro Racing Appeal Board hearing regarding protests of Damon Buckmaster’s Yamaha YZF-R7 Formula Xtreme bike will be held tommorrow, May 21, at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio.

AMA Pro Racing officials denied multiple protests–filed April 7 at the Fontana AMA National–of Buckmaster’s bike.

Protestors believe that the Yamaha YZF-R7 is not eligible for the Formula Xtreme class because it was never sold for street use in the United States and is a World Superbike homologation special.

AMA Pro Racing officials are arguing that the R7 is legal because it is unclear what the rule they wrote means, and because it appears on an unpublished list of eligible machines that class participants have been unable to obtain from AMA Pro Racing over a two-year period.

Appeal Board members are selected by AMA Pro Racing officials and protesting parties don’t know who is on the Appeal Board until the hearing begins.

Instead of following convention and scheduling the Appeal Board hearing at the next National, which was held at Sears Point on May 2-5, AMA Pro Racing officials originally scheduled the hearing for May 14 at AMA headquarters, on the Tuesday prior to the May 16-19 AMA National at Road Atlanta. After numerous planned participants encountered scheduling problems, the hearing was rescheduled for Tuesday, May 21.

In the meantime, Buckmaster won the Formula Xtreme races at Fontana, Sears Point and Road Atlanta and leads the series point standings.

After Three Red Flags, Buckmaster Wins AMA Formula Xtreme Race At Road Atlanta

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Formula Xtreme Results:

1. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R7/R1, 15 laps
2. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, -0.972 seconds
3. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, -8.554
4. Marty Craggill, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -8.827
5. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -13.618
6. Mike Hale, Honda CBR954RR, -14.997
7. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -15.190
8. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR954RR, -31.413
9. Mark Crozier, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -33.807
10. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -39.488
11. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -45.806
12. James Compton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -48.905
13. Michael Fitzpatrick, Suzuki GSX-R750, -57.988
14. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R750, -67.801
15. James Kerker, Honda CBR929RR, -77.033
16. Jamie Thompson, Suzuki GSX-R750, -77.367
17. Timothy Falcone, Suzuki GSX-R750, -78.513
18. Chuck Allen, Suzuki GSX-R750, -83.585
19. Robert Hilliard, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -88.006
20. Kenyon Kluge, Suzuki GSX-R750, -91.511
21. Michael Hanley, Suzuki GSX-R750
22. James Bonner, Yamaha YZF-R1
23. David McPherson, Yamaha YZF-R1
24. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -6 laps, mechanical
25. Lance Isaacs, Yamaha YZF-R1, -6 laps
26. Jason Curtis, Yamaha YZF-R1, -6 laps, crashed
27. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -12 laps, mechanical


Formula Xtreme Point Standings:

1. Buckmaster, 113 points
2. Zemke, 90 points
3. Pridmore, 82 points
4. Hale, 79 points
5. Spies, 78 points
6. Alex Gobert, 67 points
7. Craggill, 56 points
8. Kipp, 54 points
9. Compton, 51 points
10. Bostrom, 49 points

Hacking Beats Yates, Tommy Hayden, Buckmaster And Spies In Terrific AMA Supersport Battle

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Road Atlanta AMA Supersport Results:

1. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 15 laps
2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, -0.3513
3. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, -0.420
4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, -0.735
5. Ben Spies, Suzuki, -1.049
6. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, -10.015
7. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, -10.592
8. Jake Zemke, Honda, -10.592
9. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, -15.935
10. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, -17.571
11. Mike Hale, Honda, -18.377
12. Andrew Nelson, Honda, -30.159
13. Alex Gobert, Honda, -32.347
14. Ty Howard, Suzuki, -47.356
15. Jimmy Filice, Kawasaki, -53.952
16. Michael Hannas, Kawasaki, -57.233
17. Scott Hermersmann, Suzuki, -63.873
18. Jeff Muskopf, Suzuki, -70.790
19. James Stroud, Suzuki, -76.208
20. Chuck Ivey, Suzuki, -76.305

Provisional Supersport Point Standings:

1. Yates, 142 points
2. Hacking, 119 points
3. Buckmaster, 106 points
4. Spies, 99 points
5. Pridmore, 91 points
6. Hale, 90 points
7. Kipp, 88 points
8. TIE, Tommy Hayden/Zemke, 81 points
10. Meiring, 80 points

DiSalvo Leads Sunday Morning AMA 250cc GP Practice At Road Atlanta

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

250cc GP Practice Times:

1. Jason DiSalvo, Honda, 1:28.551
2. Simon Turner, Yamaha, 1:30.523
3. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 1:32.041
4. Chris Pyles, Yamaha, 1:32.443
5. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, 1:33.250
6. Bill Himmelsbach, Yamaha, 1:34.876
7. Darren Fulce, Yamaha, 1:36.391
8. John France, Honda, 1:36.757
9. Leon Cortes, Honda, 1:37.057
10. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, 1:38.389

Hayden Even Faster In Superbike Warm-up At Road Atlanta

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning Superbike Warm-up Times:

1. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:23.270
2. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:23.654
3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:23.889
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:24.171
5. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998RS, 1:24.223
6. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:24.265
7. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:25.181
8. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.331
9. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.351
10. Doug Chandler, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.445
11. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.452
12. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.640
13. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.048
14. Larry Pegram, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.329
15. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.579
16. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.671
17. Shane Clarke, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.969
18. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.000
19. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.097
20. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.141

AMA Superbike: Nicky Hayden Fends Off Bostrom’s Last Lap Charge To Win At Road Atlanta

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Superbike Race Two Results:

1. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 25 laps
2. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -0.194 seconds
3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, -13.836
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, -16.683
5. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998RS, -30.121
6. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, -44.930
7. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
8. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
9. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
10. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
11. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
12. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
13. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
14. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
15. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
16. Michael Fitzpatrick Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
17. Shane Clarke, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
18. Mark Crozier, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
19. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
20. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
21. Douglas Duane, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
22. Christopher Rankin of Texas, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
23. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
24. Justin Blake, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
25. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
26. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
27. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
28. James Compton, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
29. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
30. Robert Christman, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
31. Andrew Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R750, -3 laps, DNF
32. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, -11 laps, DNF
33. Larry Pegram, Suzuki GSX-R750, -15 laps, DNF
34. Chris Rankin of Maryland, Suzuki GSX-R750, -15 laps, DNF

AMA Superbike Point Standings:

1. Hayden, 253 points
2. Bostrom, 173 points
3. Yates, 172 points
4. Picotte, 155 points
5. Mladin, 154 points
6. Duhamel, 146 points
7. Livengood, 138 points
8. Hacking, 131 points
9. Parriott, 127 points
10. Anthony Gobert, 118 points
11. Deatherage, 108 points
12. Conicelli, 107 points
13. Doug Chandler, 99 points
14. Haskovec, 73 points
15. Dugan, 71 points

AMA Formula Xtreme Warm-up At Road Atlanta Led By Roger Lee Hayden

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Formula Xtreme Practice Times:

1. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 1:25.019
2. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.344
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R7/R1, 1:25.427
4. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:25.485
5. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.591
6. Marty Craggill, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.192
7. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.775
8. Mike Hale, Honda CBR954RR, 1:26.858
9. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.133
10. Lance Isaacs, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.697
11. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.896
12. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.920
13. Jason Curtis, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.724
14. Mark Crozier, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.936
15. James Compton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.743
16. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.001
17. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.122
18. Jamie Thompson, Suzuki, 1:33.127
19. Chuck Allen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.426
20. James Kerker, Honda, 1:35.259

Rossi Wins Rain-shortened French Grand Prix, Roberts Fifth, Hopkins 11th

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

MotoGP Final Results From Le Mans:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 34:22.335, 22 laps
2. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, -0.217 seconds
3. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, -0.604
4. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, -1.701
5. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, -8.464
6. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, -10.212
7. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, -12.437
8. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, -15.231
9. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, -17.155
10. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, -21.847
11. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, -25.121
12. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, -25.919
13. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, -26.227
14. Jean-Michel Bayle, Yamaha YZR500, -27.011
15. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, -30.342
16. Jose Luis Cardoso, Yamaha YZR500, -36.574
17. Daijiro Kato, Honda NSR500, -10 laps, DNF, crashed
18. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, -11 laps, DNF, retired
19. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, -11 laps, DNF, retired
20. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, -13 laps, crashed

World Championship Point Standings:
1. Rossi, 95 points
2. Ukawa, 61 points
3. Capirossi, 45 points
4. Abe, 43 points
5. Kato, 39 points
6. Barros, 29 points
7. Aoki, 28 points
8. Checa, 27 points
9. Biaggi, 23 points
10. Ryo, 20 points
11. Roberts, 19 points
12. Laconi, 18 points
13. TIE, Jacque/Harada, 15 points
15. Hopkins, 14 points
16. Itoh, 13 points
17. TIE, Nakanao/Gibernau/Goorbergh, 11 points
20. McCoy, 7 points
21. McWilliams, 6 points
22. Riba, 3 points
23. Bayle, 2 points


More, from an Aprilia press release:

Laconi and the Cube ninth past the chequered flag at Le Mans.

Régis Laconi’s record holds: for the 28th time in a row, he made the points zone in motorcycling’s leading class.

The Cube and Régis made points again today, coming in ninth. Régis made a further step forward with his personal record by making the points zone for the 28th consecutive time in the number one class.

The MotoGP race was stopped by rain on the 21st lap, five laps before the scheduled end. Laconi rode as spirited a race as ever, urged on even more by the presence of his home public. At the end of the race, the 135,000 spectators at Le Mans roared a spectacular “OLA” for Régis, who was called to the podium to greet the crowd. After a rather poor start, Laconi immediately started fighting his way past the others. He gradually worked his way up to ninth place, 17 seconds from Rossi, the winner, with the best result obtained so far by the RS Cube on a dry track. An indication of the progress being made day by day by the project team.

# 55 Régis Laconi – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 9th – 34:39.430
“The rain came during the closing stages of the race and it was right for it to be stopped. The curbing is used a lot on this track and when the first drops came down, they started getting very slippery. It would have been a pity to ruin a great race like the one today in France. I didn’t make a fast start at the green light, and let the clutch slip too much: I was last round the first curve and it was hard work making my way up towards the heart of the pack. On this track, it isn’t easy to get past opponents while braking, so it was pretty tough. At the start, I felt the weight of the full tank and sensed that this was making the front tyre less stable. Even so, I did all I could to ride fast and aggressively. Today, the Cube distilled the results of all the work we’ve done here at Le Mans over the past few days. The configuration’s good and it let me get the best result with the Cube so far on a dry track. The team did a really great job. After the pressure I felt racing on my home track, we’re now off to Mugello, another venue where I’ll have to do my best: it’s the track of my second home – Italy.”


More, from a Red Bull Yamaha press release:

FRENCH GRAND PRIX – LE MANS – SUNDAY 19TH MAY RACE DAY

Red Bull Yamaha rider, John “Hopper” Hopkins, a newcomer to the Moto GP this year, finished his 4th GP of the Season with his best result to date, in 11th place. Hopkins was competing against 19 other riders who on a combined average have 104 GPs each so Hopper with only 4 starts has excelled in his performance today. Hopkins teamed up this weekend with the 2002 Red Bull Test Rider, the legendary Jean-Michel Bayle who finished the race in 14th place after only riding in the Saturday practice and qualifying session due to Garry McCoy’s withdrawal on Friday evening. The race was red – flagged on the 21st of 28 laps due to rain.

John Hopkins – 11th Place
World Championship Classification 15th – Fourteen points

“I felt really good racing today and on the starting grid I had my sights set on catching the guys 2 rows ahead of me. I had a really good start and it all got a bit wild going into the first chicane but I just put my head down and worked my way through the field. I had Jean-Michel on my tail in the first early laps but I was focused on the riders in front of me and I started to chase down McWilliams. I moved up to 12th position and I was determined to chase down Sete Gibernau. I thought I could take him on the back double apex so I planned my move, got a good early line, held it tight and just flew on by. I am finding that my strongest point on the bike is under braking. I am so happy again to have scored points for Red Bull Yamaha. This is my best ever result in the Moto GP and only my 4th GP ever. I turn 19 next week so it looks like the week is off to a good start for me.”

Colin Davies (Race Engineer – John Hopkins)

“We are pleased with John’s performance today and we are really happy with the race set up we have found for him. He continues to improve each race and this is his best result of the year, so, yes, I am pleased with the progress we are making.”

Jean-Michel Bayle – 14th place – scoring 2 points

“I had some trouble at the beginning of the race with the grip of the tyres but as the race progressed I was getting faster and able to slide the bike some more. As I did not ride on Friday I was short on set-up time but it’s good that I finished in the points. I really need some more time to set this bike up for myself and some more time on the track. Today though, I did not want to do anything crazy or crash and I wanted to improve on my time each lap. It is not so bad, 2 points but we still have some work to do with the bike and tyres.”

Christophe Bourguignon (Race Engineer – Jean- Michel Bayle)
“Very delighted with today’s session. It took him a few laps to get into the race but after lap 10 he improved almost every lap, catching the riders in front of him. Today Jean-Michel raced with a soft front and a medium rear Dunlop.”

Peter Clifford – Team Manager
“A wonderful ride from both guys. Not only was John Hopkins’ result excellent but his race pace equalled even those in front of him as it did at the last race at Jerez. So this is real solid progress for John.

“Jean-Michel Bayle had a great ride today also and he clocked his fastest lap of the race on Lap 18 at 1:38.336 which shows he was getting quicker as the race progressed. We are obviously very happy to continue with Jean-Michel Bayle as our test rider for the remainder of the year.”


More, from a Marlboro Yamaha press release:

FRENCH GRAND PRIX, LE MANS
Race Day, Sunday May 19 2002

MARLBORO YAMAHA MAKE ‘HUGE PROGRESS’ AT LE MANS
Marlboro Yamaha Team riders Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa played a starring role in today’s wet ‘n’ dry French Grand Prix at Le Mans. Benefiting from crucial improvements to the YZR-M1’s computer-controlled engine-braking system, the pair ran up front until Checa tumbled out, leaving Biaggi to briefly lead before finishing third.

This was the best weekend so far for the mighty M1, with Checa and Biaggi qualifying second and third quickest, and Biaggi’s bike the fastest in the race, clocking 297kmh on Le Mans’ uphill start/finish straight, 2.2kmh faster than winner Valentino Rossi’s Honda RCV.

“The bike looked okay here, we were more competitive,” said Marlboro Yamaha Team director Davide Brivio. “We didn’t get the win but we were close to the winner. I hope this weekend will prove to be a restart for our team, just like Le Mans was last year when Max won and Carlos got second. We showed that the bike is fast and we’ve started to close the gap on the Honda, which is huge progress since the last race. The new parts for the engine-braking system made a big difference and we have a new chassis on the
way for both riders for the next race at Mugello. The aim is to improve handling and turning, though Max and Carlos will start the Italian GP weekend with one new chassis and one existing chassis each, because we aren’t able to go testing before the event. Max’s result was a real boost for the team and the factory, so my thanks go to everyone: our crew, the Yamaha engineers and Michelin, too.”

BIAGGI LEADS FRENCH GP, FINISHES THIRD
Max Biaggi scored a first podium finish with his Marlboro Yamaha Team YZR-M1 in tricky conditions at Le Mans this afternoon. The Italian rode hard
throughout, chasing the leading Honda duo of Valentino Rossi and Tohru Ukawa and moving ahead when drizzle began to fall at the top of the circuit. For several laps the trio were more than a second off their usual pace, Biaggi then slipping to second as Ukawa went in front. When heavier rain began to fall the race was red flagged, six laps short of full distance, Biaggi credited with third place, just 0.604 seconds behind winner Rossi.

“Maybe a win was too much to ask for today because our last race was a real struggle,” smiled Biaggi, who had had a luckless start to the season, including an exclusion from the Spanish GP two weeks ago. “I’m very pleased with today’s result, though it was a very difficult race with the rain coming and going and making the track very slippery in places. It was also great to follow Rossi and Ukawa, though they seemed to have an advantage in the slower corners and that’s what we must work on next. I’m also pleased for Yamaha and I’d like to thank everyone within the factory and the team for their work.

CHECA OUT OF LUCK AGAIN
Carlos Checa was looking good for his second podium finish of the year until he crashed on gravel that had been scattered on to the Chemin aux Boeufs chicane by a rival’s earlier off-track excursion. At the time the Marlboro Yamaha Team man had been shadowing team-mate Max Biaggi, Ukawa and Rossi, waiting for the race to develop before deciding on his late-race strategy.

“Rossi had slowed a little which allowed me and Max to close the gap,” said a bitterly disappointed Checa after his second DNF in a row. “As I went to flick the bike right in the chicane I saw Max move a little, like he was avoiding something, but it was too late for me to change the line, so I hit the gravel and lost it. I never saw any warning flags, so I didn’t know there was a problem at that corner. It was very bad luck, especially since everything had been going so well; the bike felt good and I felt
comfortable. It’s a real shame, but we must keep looking forward to the next race.”



ROSSI WINS AGAIN TO EXTEND LEAD
Valentino Rossi won his third race of the year today, beating team-mate Tohru Ukawa by just 0.217 seconds. Starting from pole position, the Italian led the first half of the race before slipping to third as drizzle fell, then fighting back to take the lead just before the red flags came out. “The rain made that very difficult,” said Rossi. “It only rained on one part of the track and some laps it was more slippery than others. I started to push again near the end and I was lucky to be ahead when the race was stopped.”

Daijiro Kato (Honda) fell victim to the rain while chasing the leaders, tumbling spectacularly at the first chicane. He was unhurt.

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