Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The Michelin logos are gone from the paddock bridge and the timing and scoring tower at Road Atlanta after a four-year run.

The timing and scoring tower now displays Pirelli logos and the bridge is blank, without logos, pending approval of a proposed logo layout by Pirelli executives in Italy. Because the Pirelli logo will not fit proportionally on the bridge, multiple logos run side by side may be used instead.

In addition to becoming a new Road Atlanta sponsor, Pirelli has also signed on as the official tire of the Panoz car racing school.

Michelin did not renew its sponsorship agreement with the racetrack and Pirelli, which recently relocated its U.S. headquarters to Rome, Georgia, jumped on the opportunity.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Afternoon Supersport Practice Times:

1. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:27.657
2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:27.763
3. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:27.914
4. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:28.277
5. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:28.395
6. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, 1:28.882
7. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:29.045
8. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:29.105
9. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:29.289
10. Mike Hale, Honda, 1:29.676
11. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:29.685
12. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:30.161
13. Larry Pegram, Suzuki, 1:30.489
14. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:30.757
15. Ty Howard, Suzuki, 1:30.773
16. Andrew Nelson, Honda, 1:30.810
17. Jim Filice, Kawasaki, 1:31.546
18. Tyler Wadworth, Yamaha, 1:31.930
19. Michael Hannas, Kawasaki, 1:33.155
20. Ted Cobb, Suzuki, 1:33.186

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Afternoon Qualifying Results:
1. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:43.775
2. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:45.644
3. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, 1:45.683
4. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:45.743
5. Alex Debon, Aprilia, 1:46.720
6. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, 1:46.853
7. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:48.000
8. Thierry Van Der Bosch, Aprilia, 1:48.499
9. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:49.048

Did Not Qualify (Out of 107%):
Jay Vincent
Haruchika Aoki
Marco Melandri
David Checa
Sebastian Porto
Toni Elias
Raul Jara
Jarno Janssen
Shahrol Yuzy


More, from an Aprilia press release:

Aprilia Racing Press Information

2002 MotoGP World Championship

Round 4 – Le Mans (France) 17/18/19 May 2002

250 Class – Friday

Marco Melandri tests in the wet

Fine but intense rain started falling just a few minutes after the 250 test sessions started. The first out on the track, when it was still dry, stopped the clocks at times which most of those who went out after in the wet were unable to match. Only nine participants qualified, with the remaining 20 unclassified as they attained times over 107% slower than that of the leader (Battaini – Aprilia). Tomorrow’s official tests will ensure that today’s 20 unclassified riders will be able to sort out their positions.

Even so, the totally different track conditions in the afternoon meant that Marco Melandri was able to make some good laps in the wet and thus help work out the set-up of the bike if adverse weather conditions continue.

Marco Melandri # 3 (MS APRILIA RACING) – 2:02.824

“I feel good on the bike, and my ankle’s not playing up – it was only towards the end that I started getting tired and had some difficulty changing gear. The good thing is that the afternoon session was very useful for trying out the settings in the wet – it’ll come in handy if the weather doesn’t improve. In the morning, when the track was dry, we found out what to do for the race, but the rain put an end to the programme we’d drawn up. I really like this track, but it can be terribly slippery in the wet. If the rain keeps falling, we’ll be working to get the right set-up to adapt to the characteristics of this particular tarmac.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning Practice Times:
1. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:27.26
2. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:27.67
3. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:27.95
4. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, 1:28.40
5. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:28.61
6. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:28.78
7. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:29.30
8. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:29.31
9. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:29.49
10. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:29.54
11. Mike Hale, Honda, 1:29.63
12. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:29.83
13. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:30.36
14. Ty Howard, Suzuki, 1:30.91
15. Jimmy Filice, Kawasaki, 1:31.32
16. Tyler Wadsworth, Yamaha, 1:32.13
17. Andrew Nelson, Honda, 1:32.24
18. James Stroud, Suzuki, 1:33.23
19. Jeff Muskopf, Suzuki, 1:33.54
20. Chuck Ivey, Suzuki, 1:33.87

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

For the first time this year, Timing and Scoring displays were operating along pit lane at the start of official practice on Friday morning of an AMA race weekend.

While monitors were not initially displaying lap times in the press room and in the announcer’s booth, the information was being relayed to team monitors when Supersport machines rolled onto the Road Atlanta track for the first official practice session of this weekend’s AMA Big Kahuna National.

The three previous rounds of the AMA U.S. Superbike Championship Championship–at Daytona, Fontana and Sears Point–saw delays of up to 3 hours before monitors along the pit wall and in the press room displayed lap time information.

May 17, 2002
For Immediate Release

Kevin Schwantz Named Grand Marshall of March of Dimes 2002 Atlanta Ride to Save Babies

Kevin Schwantz, the 1993 500cc Grand Prix World Champion, has been named Grand Marshall of the March of Dimes annual fundraising motorcycle event, the 2002 Atlanta Ride to Save Babies. He will ride at the head of a pack of more than 2000 motorcycles during the Sunday, October 6th charity ride with National Ride Chairman Eric Estrada, who is best known for his portrayal of a California Highway Patrol officer on the TV show, “ChiPs”.

The Atlanta Ride to Save Babies is the second-largest motorcycle fundraising event in the United States, and largest East of the Mississippi River. Since 1992, the Atlanta Ride to Save Babies has raised more than $3.75 million. Ride participant’s donations directly touch the lives of babies born in Georgia. All proceeds raised in the 2002 Ride for Babies will go towards the funding of Georgia’s Newborn Metabolic Screening Project.

With the support of Governor Roy Barnes, the Center for Disease Control, Emory University and the Department of Human Resources, the March of Dimes Georgia Chapter will purchase new technology for newborn metabolic screening that will directly help to give Georgia’s 133,000 babies a healthy start in life.

“I am honored to be a part of such a tremendous project,” Schwantz says. “Anything you can do for children is great, and we are proud to help raise funds in order to give children a better start in life.

“The motorcycle racing community — and that includes cruisers, sport riders and all the professional and amateur racers — just enjoy riding and sharing their love of motorcycles. The Ride to Save Babies is a great way to bring us all together for a terrific charity.”

Schwantz raced only one way — to win. He won 25 World Grand Prix races and the 1993 500cc World Grand Prix championship. He set 21 lap records and 29 pole positions. He also won 14 career AMA Superbike events. Today, he runs the Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School (www.schwantzschool.com) at Road Atlanta.

He recently was elected to the American Motorcyclist Association Board of Directors and was named to the AMA Pro Racing Board.

When asked about the ride, perennial Grand Marshal Estrada says, “I’m proud to serve once again as National Honorary Co-Chair for the March of Dimes Ride! As a father of two healthy sons and a beautiful baby girl, I know the importance of giving every baby the best chance for a healthy start in life. And that is what Ride’s all about. So let’s all rev up our engines and take to the road to help the March of Dimes save babies!”

Now held in over 50 cities across the nation, the March of Dimes Ride is the recipient of the MVP award from the American Motorcyclist Association for the volunteers contribution and efforts in the advancing the cause of motorcycling in America and improving the enjoyment of motorcycling.

Schwantz and Estrada will lead national and local celebrities and thousands of motorcyclists from around the country in the 2002 Ride to Save Babies. Various pre-Ride events will be held in and around Atlanta beginning in July and leading up to the Ride weekend October 5th and 6th.

Riders can sign up for the 2002 Atlanta Ride to Save Babies at the March of Dimes tent in Vendor Village during the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals at Road Atlanta May 17-19.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services education, and advocacy to save babies.

For more information, visit www.modridega.org or contact Ride Director Brian Lucy at 404-350-9800 or [email protected].

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Formula Xtreme Practice Times:
1. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 1:25.481
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:25.535
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R7/R1, 1:25.682
4. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.782
5. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.041
6. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.511
7. Marty Craggill, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.828
8. Mike Hale, Honda CBR954RR, 1:27.278
9. Lance Isaacs, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.964
10. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.851
11. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.691
12. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR954RR, 1:29.958
13. Jason Curtis, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:30.145
14. James Compton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.921
15. K. Crozier, 1:30.922
16. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.997
17. Kevin Pate, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.557
18. Chuck Allen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.765
19. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.682
20. James Kerker, Honda CBR929RR, 1:34.004

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Superbike Qualifying Times:
1. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:23.287
2. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:23.567
3. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R7, 1:23.674
4. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:23.991
5. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:24.033
6. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:24.272
7. Doug Chandler, Ducati 998RS, 1:24.508
8. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:24.683
9. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998RS, 1:24.692
10. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.206
11. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.275
12. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.431
13. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.516
14. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.552
15. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.576
16. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.639
17. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.737
18. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.837
19. Larry Pegram, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.970
20. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.071
21. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.161
22. Brian Gibbs, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.282
23. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.381
24. Douglas Duane, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.493
25. Mark Crozier, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.739
26. Christopher S. Rankin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.872
27. Geoff May, Suzuki, GSX-R750, 1:29.898
28. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.017
29. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.291
30. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:330.363
31. Chris Rankin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.368
32. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.627
33. Michael Fitzpatrick, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.698
34. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.742
35. James Compton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.988
36. Justin Blake, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.992
37. Giovanni Rojas, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.157
38. Pedro Valietne, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.305
39. Chuck Allen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.323
40. James Doerfler, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.454
41. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.615
42. Colin Gilbert, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.634
43. Robert Christman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.817
44. Dr. Jeff Purk, DDS, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.212
45. Shane Clarke, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.362
46. Scott Hermersmann, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.684
47. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.364
48. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.502
49. Matthew Bonasera, Suzuki TL1000R, 1:34.091
50. Rick Shaw, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.233
51. Anthony Ruggiero, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.974

Gobert had been on provisional pole when he crashed and the session was stopped to transport Gobert and replace damaged Alpina Air Module sections. Gobert was transported to Northeast Georgia Regional Medical Center where he was diagnosed as having a broken right fibula.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Corona Extra Suzuki has brought 27-year-old Australian Adam Fergusson in to ride in the AMA National at Road Atlanta this weekend, in place of visa-less Canadian Jordan Szoke, but as of Thursday, the team did not know which classes Fergusson would compete in.

During Thursday promoter practice, Corona team members said that they had no information on the status of Superstock/Formula Xtreme rider Jordan Szoke, but a representative from American Suzuki said that he did not expect Szoke to be at Road Atlanta. In response to the possibility of Szoke’s absence, Corona Extra Suzuki’s Tim Saunders reached Adam Fergusson, through a mutual contact, on May 9. Fergusson flew to America Tuesday, May 14, arrived at Road Atlanta Wednesday, rode in the Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School Wednesday, then participated in promoter practice on Thursday, May 16. Fergusson only rode Szoke’s GSX-R750, his first-ever ride on a 750cc machine, and was turning competitive lap times by the end of the day Thursday.

In 2000, Fergusson rode in the Australian Superbike series and, in 2001, rode a CBR600F4i for the Alpha Tecknic Castrol Honda team in the World Supersport Championship, finishing on the podium twice during the season.

Corona Extra Suzuki’s Steve Rapp is expected to come to Road Atlanta and attempt to ride. In the event that Rapp cannot compete, due to the broken collarbone and rib he suffered in a crash on his motocross bike two weeks ago, Rapp’s team has held discussions with veteran racer Tripp Nobles about riding their bikes. Nobles said Thursday that he wanted to ride, but the deal was being held up by a sponsor conflict.

Katja Poensgen, the German road racing star who rode for the Corona Extra team at Sears Point, is unavailable because she is racing in the German domestic series this weekend.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning Superbike Practice Times:
1. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:24.146
2. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R7, 1:24.260
3. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:24.264
4. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:24.393
5. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:24.650
6. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:24.716
7. Doug Chandler, Ducati 998RS, 1:24.977
8. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:25.101
9. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998RS, 1:25.943
10. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.327
11. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.343
12. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.611
13. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.811
14. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.082
15. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.101
16. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.393
17. Larry Pegram, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.409
18. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.598
19. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.822
20. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.850