Unofficial Lap Times:
1. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-750, 1:54.998
2. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.369
3. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.587
4. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.809
5. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:57.747
6. Larry Pegram, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:57.851
7. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:57.866
8. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:58.027
9. Owen Richey, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:59.872
10. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:00.086

From a press release issued by Buell:

BUELL PRO RACING SUPPORT PROGRAMS REVEALED

AMA Buell Pro Thunder and Formula USA Buell Lightning Series to Return in 2002

MILWAUKEE, Wis.–Buell Motorcycle Company recently revealed its professional racing programs for the 2002 season, announcing support for the five-round national AMA Buell Pro Thunder series and the eight-round national Formula USA Buell Lightning Series, presented by Buell Pro Series Accessories.

“Both Buell customers and dealers are actively involved in amateur level racing around the world. And we’re excited to add to that involvement by once again sponsoring programs that give our customers and our dealers an opportunity to compete at the national level in professional roadracing,” said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer of Buell Motorcycle Company.

The AMA Buell Pro Thunder series, which pits Buell racers against twin-cylinder, triple- cylinder and single-cylinder motorcycles from many other manufacturers, will be a featured event at select AMA Superbike rounds. The events will be held in Daytona, Fla. on March 10; Fountain, Colo. on June 2; Elkhart Lake, Wis. on June 9; Brainerd, Minn. on June 30 and Monterey, Calif. on July 14. The championship runner-up Hal’s Buell team and the Tilley’s Buell and Kosco’s Buell team will be among the top dealer-sponsored teams competing in the Buell Pro Thunder class.

The Formula USA Buell Lightning Series, presented by Buell Pro Series Accessories, is a horsepower and weight restricted Buell-only spec-class. The F-USA events will be held in Daytona, Fla. on March 3; Summit Point, W.Va. on May 26; Loudon, N.H. on June 16; Toronto, Ontario on July 21; Elkhart Lake, Wis. on August 4; Long Pond, Pa. on August 25; Portland, Ore. on September 8; and Daytona again on October 20. Defending class champion Kosco’s Buell will return along with many other Buell dealer teams to compete in the series.

To learn more about Buell motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style and performance only found onboard a Buell. Call 1-800-490-9635 for the Buell dealer nearest you. Or pull into www.buell.com.

Amateur GTO: 1. Robert Kruger (Suz GSX-R1000); 2. Jeff Walker (Suz GSX-R750); 3. Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Ralph Fernandez (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Scott Cunningham (Duc 996).

Expert GT Lights: 1. Steve Keener (Suz SV650); 2. James Monson (Apr RS316); 3. Tim Hall (Suz SV650); 4. Aaron Risinger (Apr RS250); 5. Brian Kcraget (Apr RS250).

Amateur GT Lights: 1. Alex Ferreira (Suz SV650); 2. Darren Danilowicz (Suz SV650); 3. Gregory Moon (Hon Hawk 700); 4. Tom Holley (Suz SV650); 5. Shannon Santoni (Suz SV650).

Akrapovic Amateur GTU: 1. Nathan Kern (Suz GSX-R600); 2. Jeff Walker (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Scott Cunningham (Yam YZF-R6); 4. Jorge Arana (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R600).

Expert GTU: 1. Scott Greenwood (Suz GSX-R600); 2. Josh Hayes (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Jason DiSalvo (Hon RS250); 4. Michael Barnes (Suz GSX-R600); 5. Larry Pegram (Suz GSX-R600).

GP Singles: 1. Brian Kcraget (Hon RS125); 2. Darrin Mitchell (Hon RS125); 3. Steve Genter (Hon RS125); 4. Dale Greenwood Jr. (Hon RS125); 5. Steve Wenner (Hon RS125).

SuperSingles: 1. Elliot Burgess (MuZ 760); 2. Jerry Wood (Duc 570); 3. Gary Cotterell (Duc 720); 4. Herbert Robinson (BMW); 5. Clive Chitty.

Ultra-Lightweight Sportsman: 1. Harry Barlow (Yam 250); 2. David Roe (Yam 250); 3. Duane Francis.

Expert Heavyweight Superbike: 1. Michael Himmelsbach (Apr RSV1000R); 2. Scott Hermersmann (Suz GSX-R750); 3. Darren Luck (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Chris Ulrich (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Anthony Fania (Suz GSX-R750).

Expert Lightweight Supersport: 1. David Yaakov (Suz SV650); 2. R. Todd Keesee (Suz SV650); 3. Erick Maillard (Suz SV650); 4. Brian Suffridge (Suz SV650); 5. John Linder (Suz SV650).

Amateur Lightweight Supersport: 1. Alex Ferreira (Suz SV650); 2. Tom Holley (Suz SV650); 3. Shannon Santoni (Suz SV650); 4. Darren Danilowicz (Suz SV650); 5. Terry Walker (Suz SV650).

Expert Lightweight Sportsman: 1. E. Cary Pigman (Lav 668); 2. Paul Conley (MuZ 720); 3. Trey Godwin (Kaw EX500).

Amateur Lightweight Sportsman: 1. Jacquelyn Halpa, (Kaw EX500); 2. Duane Francis (Kaw EX500).

Expert Middleweight Sportsman: 1. James Monson (Apr RS316); 2. Arthur Wagner (Hon 600); 3. Brian Salazar (Apr RS250); 4. Bob Close (Duc 750SS); 5. Charles Burnett (Hon Hawk 650).

Amateur Middleweight Sportsman: 1. Gregory Moon (Hon Hawk 700); 2. Jay Carpentier (Apr RS250); 3. Bruce Kahlhamer (Apr RS316); 4. MacAllister Griffiths (Apr RS250); 5. James Martin (Apr RS250).

Amateur Middleweight Supersport: 1. Nathan Kern (Suz GSX-R600); 2. Scott Cunningham (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Chris Tardieu (Suz GSX-R600); 4. Jeff Walker (Suz GSX-R600); 5. Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R600).

From a press release:

DUCATI AND NEW LINE CINEMA REV UP FOR MARCH 22ND RELEASE OF BLADE II WITH WESLEY SNIPES

Limited Edition Blade/Ducati Motorcycle to be Unveiled at Daytona

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Ducati North America teams up with New Line Cinema to unveil the Ducati ST2 motorcycle designed for the movie Blade II during Daytona Bike Week. Wesley Snipes will be on hand on March 8th at 8:00 p.m. at the Corbin Showroom on Main Street in downtown Daytona Beach to introduce this limited-edition Ducati designed by Blade II conceptual artist Ty Ruben Ellingson. The new film, a follow-up to the 1998 hit , opens March 22nd.

“Like Blade, this motorcycle is sleek, cool and powerful,” said Josh Ravetch, vice president of production resources for New Line Cinema. “We are delighted to work with Ducati in bringing something so emblematic of Blade’s world to the public at large.”

In addition to the creation of the limited edition bike, New Line and Ducati will host several sweepstakes including the giveaway of two of the specialty bikes and three of the actual motorcycles used in the film. Details of these sweepstakes will be announced shortly. Also, promotions with Best Buy and Musicland will include the giveaway of 25 Ducati Performance D-Generation Jackets.

Between March 8 and April 8, entrants can sign up at local Ducati dealerships or online to win a trip to World Ducati Week in Italy, which will be given away on April 17, 2002. This event, which began in 1998 with a weekend at the Misano racetrack, is now a full week celebration taking place on the beautiful Romagna coast June 14 to the 22, 2002. In addition to the exciting activities at the racetrack, like the stuntman shows, drag racing, vintage car and motorcycle rallies, and non-stop music there will also be beach activities, such as volleyball, fitness lessons, shows, museum and factory tours as well as regional gastronomical delights. To win this wonderful trip, simply visit your local Ducati dealer to fill out the WDW self addressed entry postcard and mail it in or visit the Ducati website at www.ducati.com and fill out the online entry form starting March 8, 2002.

Lastly, the first 35 people to visit local participating Ducati dealerships between March 4 and 16, 2002 for a test ride on a Ducati Sport-touring model will receive either Blade screening passes or other Blade merchandise. To find your local Ducati dealer call 1-888-Ducati-2. You must have a valid motorcycle license to participate in the test ride program.

Join us for an immortal ride!

From a press release issued by Ten Kate Honda:

Riba leaves Ten Kate Honda

Spaniard Pere Riba has shocked the Supersport paddock by quitting the Ten Kate Honda team just days before the first race at Valencia. Riba has been lured away by Luis d’ Antin to ride a two-stroke Yamaha 500 for the Spanish team as a replacement for Alex Criville.

Winter testing showed the great potential of the Ten Kate Honda CBR600FS and Riba had always professed himself to be very happy with the bike, the Pirelli tyres and the WP suspension. He looked set to be a serious contender in the competition and stood a very real chance of being World Champion at the end of the season.

Ten Kate Honda team manager, Ronald ten Kate was obviously shocked at Riba’slast minute move, “I am absolutely stunned by his decision to quit,” admitted ten Kate. “While I obviously wish him well on the 500 I am very surprised at the move, he had been going so well on the CBR and never once seemed unhappy in the team. Last year he was the model of responsibility, ethics and sportsmanship, so for him to leave us in the lurch like this seems very out of character.”

It seems d’Antin’s hand was forced in the matter, as he relies heavily upon the sponsorship he receives from Spanish Oil giant, Repsol.

“Unfortunately it seems we are the victim of politics as d’Antin’s Repsol insisted that Criville should be replaced by another Spanish rider,” confirmed ten Kate.

“The rest of the team are gutted by Riba’s actions,” he explained, “they’ve worked so hard with Riba and helped him to achieve the level he is now at. But we’re not convinced that this is a good career move by Riba, especially because of the manner in which he has made it.”

Riba’s move leaves the team with less than a week to find a new rider ready for the opening race of the season at Valencia.

“We are already talking with a replacement rider and should be in a position to make an announcement very soon,” confirmed ten Kate. “We very much regret that we may be forced into a situation where we have to poach a rider from another team. But we hope we can resolve any possible situation with another team amicably.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Defending Formula USA Champion Shawn Higbee topped Unlimited Superbike qualifying at Daytona International Speedway Saturday. Morning rain saw officials cone off a section of the chicane known to be very slippery when wet, but the track was mostly dry when qualifying started.

A group of riders said they would not ride if it rained on Sunday, and threatened to boycott the event. The group included Larry Pegram and Lee Acree.

Another meeting of riders concerned with the potential of racing in the rain at Daytona is scheduled for tonight.

During the first of two 20-minute qualifying sessions, a blown engine produced a huge cloud of smoke entering the chicane. When Chris Ulrich backed off at the sight of smoke, he was clipped from behind by Craig Connell; neither fell, although both pitted immediately afterwards.

A scoring system problem resulted in monitors along pit lane being blank for most of the first qualifying session; the system displayed one rider’s name in nine positions when the monitors did display anything, soon followed by a blank screen.

Qualifying results follow:

Unlimited Superbike Qualifying

1. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:53.898
2. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.709
3. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.791
4. Larry Pegram, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.003
5. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.483
6. Mike Himmelsbach, Aprilia RSV Mille R, 1:55.844
7. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.568
8. Matt Wait, Honda CBR929RR, 1:56.945
9. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:57.976
10. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:57.744
11. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:58.368
12. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:58.431
13. Darry Wilbur, 1:58.716
14. Tim Bemisderfer, Honda CBR954RR, 1:58.877
15. Byron Barbour, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:59.871
16. Owen Richie, 2:00.127
17. Stephane Mertens, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:00.223
18. John Ashmead, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:00.496
19. Cory Call, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:01.121
20. Robert Presby, Kawasaki ZX-7R, 2:01.191

Unofficial Practice Group #1 Lap Times:
1. Michael Barnes, 1:57.889
2. Larry Pegram, 1:59.458
3. Craig Connell, 1:59.784
4. Lee Acree, 1:59.932
5. Scott Greenwood, 2:00.578
6. Larry Denning, 2:02.542
7. Shaun Harris, 2:02.817
8. Thomas Pfuner, 2:03.909
9. Brian Salazar, 2:05.862
10. Brian Lee, 2:06.701

Unofficial Practice Group #5 Lap Times:
1. Josh Hayes, 1:57.149
2. Geoff May, 1:57.179
3. Tom Kipp, 1:58.899
4. Tim Bemisderfer, 1:59.777
5. Darren Luck, 2:01.031
6. Rick Shaw, 2:01.807
7. Shaun Harris, 2:02.359
8. George Martinelli, 2:02.446
9. Steve Johnson, 2:05.188
10. Brian Salazar, 2:05.591

Note: Not every motorcycle was equipped with a timing transponder during Friday’s practice sessions.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

1. Michael Barnes, 2:05.345
2. Richie Morris, 2:08.047
3. Jeff Johnson, 2:08.282
4. Bryan Bemisderfer, 2:09.420
5. Jason Smith, 2:10.252
6. Brian Bodine, 2:10.494
7. Chad Healy, 2:10.728
8. Tony Fania, 2:11.154
9. Clint Brotz, 2:11.315
10. Mark Reynolds, 2:12.318
11. Scott Korol, 2:15.108
12. Greg Avello, 2:15.152
13. Darren James, 2:16.072
14. Steve Luxem, 2:16.548
15. Paul James, 2:17.607
16. Jeff Harding, 2:17.851
17. Shawn Smith, 2:18.061
18. Paolo Mariano, 2:18.211
19. Douglas Burton, 2:20.707
20. Steve Luxem, 2:31.619

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Former AMA 250cc Grand Prix (1983), Formula One (1986) and Pro Twins (1989) Champion Randy Renfrow suffered a broken lower right leg at the kneecap, four broken ribs and broken bones in his right foot when he crashed his Honda RS250 on the warm-lap of the CCS Expert GTU race at Daytona Friday.

Though original reports were that Renfrow was hit from behind in the infield dogleg, Renfrow was unsure what happened, and may have been hit from behind or may have lost the front when he hit a crosswind. In either case, Renfrow fell, tangled with his own bike and then got run over by another rider. Renfrow was transported to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, where he was scheduled for surgery Saturday evening.

Marietta Motorsports’ Chris “Opie” Caylor crashed his Suzuki GSX-R750 in practice on Friday and suffered fractures in his left foot. Caylor, a multi-time WERA and Suzuki Cup Champion, highsided exiting the Internationa Horseshoe. Caylor was transported to the Speedway’s infield care center where X-rays revealed his injuries.

“It was the second lap,” said Caylor. “I guess the right side of the tire wasn’t hot yet or I hit something on the track. I mean, it’s weird how it went away so fast. It was instant. I can usually spin it and keep it out there, but not this time.”

Caylor said that he doesn’t know if he will try to race in next week’s AMA event.

“I broke three bones in the foot when it slapped the ground,” explained Caylor. “They are clean breaks and nothing is displaced. So I won’t need a cast, but I use my feet a lot when I ride. I don’t know what I’m going to do right. All I know is that this is not the way I planned on starting the season.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Riding a Todd Fenton-tuned GSX-R600, Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Tom Kipp broke Lee Acree’s Formula USA Sportbike (600cc) lap record during qualifying at Daytona Saturday despite modifications to the chicane that many racers said added 0.5 to 1.0-second to lap times. Kipp used one pair of Michelin Pilot Race 2 race tires and worked alone against swirling winds to turn a 1:56.812 to better Acree’s mark of 1:56.842 set during qualifying for the October 2001 F-USA Sportbike event.

Kipp did his time even though traffic cones were placed on the inside of the left-hand portion of the chicane exit, decreasing riders’ exit speed from the series of switchbacks. Despite some controversy, the cones were put in place Saturday morning, and left in place all day, to prohibit riders from running over an area of the chicane that gets exceptionally slick when wet. On the other hand, the Sportbke class’ horsepower limit has been increased from 112 horseppower in 2001 to 115 horsepower in 2002. In dyno testing, Kipp’s machine made 109 horsepower.

Larry Pegram qualified second in his first outing on his Pirelli-equipped GSX-R600, lapping at 1:57.165 to lead the even-numbered qualifying session. Kipp’s teammate Josh Hayes turned a 1:57.188 for the third-fastest time. Completing the front row, Arclight Suzuki’s Acree turned a 1:57.965 with what he said was a less-than-perfect set-up, on Pirelli tires.

Unofficial Sportbike Qualifying Times:

1. Tom Kipp, GSX-R600, 1:56.812
2. Larry Pegram, GSX-R600, 1:57.165
3. Josh Hayes, GSX-R600, 1:57.188
4. Lee Acree, GSX-R600, 1:57.965
5. Owen Weichel, ZX-6R, 1:58.085
6. Michael Barnes, GSX-R600, 1:58.351
7. Scott Greenwood, GSX-R600, 1:59.146
8. Matt Wait, CBR600F4, 1:59.575
9. Craig Connell, GSX-R600, 2:00.309
10. Jim Lester, CBR600F4, 2:00.392
11. Andrew Nelson, 2:00.555
12. Larry Denning, 2:00.734
13. Ty Howard, GSX-R600, 2:00.782
14. Shaun Harris, 2:00.946
15. Jeff Wood, GSX-R600, 2:01.716
16. Raymond Bowman, 2:02.154
17. Leo Venega, 2:02.332
18. Matt Furtek, 2:02.607
19. John-O Bowman, GSX-R600, 2:03.200
20. Brian Salazar, 2:03.864