From a press release issued by Aprilia:

Aprilia Racing Press Information

Valencia (Spain) World Superbike Test 23/25 February 2002

Monday 25

Last contest between competitors before the launch of the World Championship for the RSV Mille. Haga in great form, third best time. His “black arrow” from Noale achieves highest speed of all in these tests.

Great work by the talented Noriyuki Haga and the Playstation2 FGF Team in the Superbike tests in Valencia. The Aprilia RSV Mille proves to be one of the top contestants for the World Championship slated to begin in less than two weeks’ time. The twin-cylinder from Noale came top of the speed charts in 6 out of 11 test sessions over the past three days, hitting the absolute top speed in yesterday’s tests: 284 kmh on the short Valencia straight. Haga continued getting the perfect feel for his Aprilia “black arrow”. Countless tweaks to the set-up enabled the team to find the perfect balance between the potential performance of the RSV and the spectacular racing style of the Japanese ace. This is a rider who puts his heart and soul into it, as he managed to break the track record on the first lap of the test sessions (yesterday afternoon) before turning his attention to the painstaking work of preparation for the forthcoming races in March. He clocked up constant lap times, providing the team with exactly the information they need. And on race tyres every single time. Just a few minutes from the end, he put on a pair of qualifying tyres, made a final lunge and achieved third quickest overall time in the tests.

Noriyuki Haga and his RSV Mille notched up 227 laps in the three days: That’s 910 km. And he beat all the previous records set last year and in 2000 (by another Aprilia RSV Mille) in Valencia.

As Giacomo Guidotti (technical manager of the Playstation2 – FGF Team) put it, referring to the positive outcome of the last test session before the imminent World Championship, “With Noriyuki, we’ve been able to work on some very practical solutions, without needing to go all out for incredible lap speeds: We’ve only been working for the forthcoming races. We’ve got some excellent references and on the Saturday before the race, we’ll be making our final choices. I can see Noriyuki’s getting a better feel by the minute for the RSV Mille and we’re all ready for the challenge.”

“We’ve made enormous progress since the first tests in Australia,” added Noriyuki Haga. “It’s been an intense three days and I’ve really been getting to grips with my RSV. It’s like no other bike and it has unique qualities, so I’m adapting my style to suit it. We did lots of set-up and tyre tests. The World Championships are just about upon us and the next time I’ll be in the saddle will be at the race weekend. With the team, we’ve found a good solution which doesn’t put too much long-term stress on the tyres, while keep the lap times very high. Just a few adjustments here and there to the set-up and the bike will be even easier to handle. I’m all set for the green light.”

Final times for the three days:
1st Bayliss (Ducati) 1:34.261
2nd Bostrom (Ducati) 1:34.401
3rd Haga -Playstation2 FGF Team (Aprilia) 1:34.777
4th Xaus (Ducati) 1:34.908
5th Edwards (Honda) 1:35.053
6th Izutsu (Kawasaki) 1:35.169
7th Hodgson (Ducati) 1:35.459
8th Lavilla (Suzuki) 1:35.584.

VALENCIA RECORDS:

Race: Troy Corser (Aprilia) 1:36.128 average 149.988 km/h (2001)

Qualifying: Troy Corser (Aprilia) 1:35.504 average 150.967 km/h (2001)

Superpole: Troy Corser (Aprilia) 1:36.185 average 149.899 km/h (2000)

Distance: Troy Corser (Aprilia) 23 laps in 37:15.171 average 148.362 km/h (2001)




And from a press release issued by Haga’s team, Playstation2-FGF Team:

Playstation2 – FGF Team – Press Information

Valencia 23/25 SBK International Test

Monday 25 February 2002

HAGA, 3rd ABSOLUTE TIME IN VALENCIA TESTS

Noriyuki Haga betters his performance today and stops the clock at 1:34.777, third absolute time in the Valencia test sessions. On the other hand, the record time he made yesterday on his Aprilia RSV Mille remains unbroken. 284 kmh, and the record remained unbeaten today. The Japanese ace completed all the pre-Championship tests concentrating on the set-up of his bike in view of the first races, to be held here in Valencia in less than two weeks’ time. His feeling for the twin-cylinder from Noale is improving no end, and his natural talent and acrobatic style are becoming one with his machine. An alliance close to perfection. 910 kilometres on the dial, in three days which have enabled the rider and the team to register all the references they need for the first rendezvous of the World Championship.

Giacomo Guidotti (Technical Manager of the Playstation2 – FGF Team) commented: “With Noriyuki, we’ve been able to work out some very practical solutions, without going all out for any incredible lap times. We’ve only been working for the forthcoming races. We’ve got some excellent references and on the Saturday before the race, we’ll be making our final choices. I can see Noriyuki’s getting a better feel by the minute for the RSV Mille and this means we really can hope for the best from the first contest of the 2002 season.”

“We’ve made enormous progress since the first tests in Australia,” said Noriyuki Haga. “It’s been an intense three days and I’ve really been getting to grips with my RSV. It’s like no other bike and it has some unique qualities, so I’m adapting my style to suit it. We did lots of set-up and tyre tests. The World Championships are just about upon us and the next time I’ll be in the saddle will be at the race weekend. With the team, we’ve found a good solution which doesn’t put too much long-term stress on the tyres, while keeping the lap times very high. Just a few adjustments here and there to the set-up and the bike will be even easier to handle. I’m all set for the green light.”

From a press release:

Playstation2 – FGF Team – Press Information

Valencia 23/25 SBK International Test

Sunday 24 February 2002

HAGA AND APRILIA RSV FORGING AHEAD

On the second day of Superbike tests in Valencia (Spain), Noriyuki Haga knocks another half second off his performance of the previous day, when he had already broken the official track record, and inches even closer to the leader. The Playstation2-FGF Team programme is going ahead without the slightest hitch: taking advantage of the ideal weather conditions, Haga continued his apprenticeship in the saddle of the Aprilia RSV with which he will be making his World Championship debut in two weeks’ time here in Valencia. Today the Japanese rider concentrated on testing the set-up and calibration of the suspension. He made his fastest lap using race tyres. His Aprilia also proved to be the fastest bike, reaching a full 284 kmh at the end of the finishing straight. The tests in Spain will come to an end tomorrow.

GIACOMO GUIDOTTI(Technical Manager of the Playstation2-FGF Team) commented: “We’re very pleased with the way these tests are going. Haga just goes on improving and he’s already matching the principal candidates for the world title. We mustn’t forget he’s only been out three times on our bike. Tomorrow, in the last day of tests, we’ll be trying out some completely original set-up solutions to see if our work so far has reached its limit or not.”

“Another tough day of work testing the calibration of the suspension”, said Noriyuki Haga. “This is because I’m trying to find a set-up which doesn’t put too much stress on the tyres and makes us more efficient on medium distances. I’m also concentrating on getting a real feel for the bike. This is only my first time out and I’m really starting from scratch. You hardly ever have to brake hard, so it’s not that necessary to make the bike slide. This is a precious quality and I’ll be adapting my style to suit it. There’s no doubt about it: we’re competitive. This can be seen by the unofficial track record in the early afternoon which was later improved on by Bayliss.”

From a press release:

Superside engine using Catalytic Converter

Reduced emissions from Superside race engine

Another step forward in technology for Superside machines was used in the testing sessions in Cartagena with the first international look at the new Rennteam Eilers machine.

The machine uses the excellent new Suzuki GSX-R1000 engine, but with a specially designed catalytic converter that reduces exhaust emissions. This is a unique for motorcycle sport, and uses the catalytic converter together with fuel injection to obtain to high horsepower requirements for Superside.

Dieter Eilers, together with the Rennteam Eilers team have been working since the middle of last year to combine the new Suzuki engine with the catalytic converter from HJS. They choose to use the smaller but newer 1000cc engine partly to comply with proposed rule changes, but also to add fuel injection to their engine management plan.

“In the future motorcycle sport will only work without pollution. I think that it will move forward like car racing. As in the past, Superside will lead these major changes with technology in the paddock”, commented Dieter.

Eilers tested the new specification with his two passengers, Helmut Engelmann and Andy Kolloch in Spain with good results, getting down to a 1:48.544 at the two-day sessions.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Melissa Berkoff

Ducati Infostrada’s Troy Bayliss finished the second day of the final three-day World Superbike 2002 pre-season test at the top of the time sheets. Bayliss’ 1:34.922 was 0.6-second under the lap record of 1:35.504 set by Troy Corser in 2001. After two days of testing in ideal warm and sunny conditions, Bayliss and Aprilia’s Noriyuki Haga were the only riders in the 1:34 range. Times follow.

Troy Bayliss (Duc) 1:34.922
Noriyuki Haga (Apr) 1:34.957
Ben Bostrom (Duc) 1:35.260
Colin Edwards (Hon) 1:35.261
Ruben Xaus (Duc) 1:35.327
Pierfrancesco Chili (Duc) 1:35.668
Steve Martin (Duc) 1:35.962
Lucio Pedercini (Duc) 1:35.962
Hitoyasu Izutsu (Kaw) 1:36.032
James Toseland (Duc) 1:36.305
Neil Hodgson (Duc) 1:36.358
Gregorio Lavilla (Suz) 1:36.595

From a press release:

DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION

DUCATI CORSE 2002 WORLD SUPERBIKE PROGRAMME PRESENTED IN VALENCIA

Ducati Corse’s main aim for this year will be to repeat its triumphant 2001 season when the World Superbike contenders converge on the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia (Spain) on March 10th for the first round of the 15th edition of the championship.

The Italian manufacturer’s 2002 WSBK programme was illustrated to international media guests Saturday at the Valencia circuit at the end of
the first day of official pre-season testing, organised by SBK International.

Last year Ducati took a clean sweep of the World Superbike titles, winning a ninth Riders’ crown with Troy Bayliss and a tenth Constructors’ trophy with its 996R bike.

The team programme was presented by Ducati Corse Managing Director Claudio Domenicali, who was flanked on the stage by Paolo Alberto Flammini, President of SBK International and the three factory Ducati riders, world champion Troy Bayliss, Ruben Xaus and Ben Bostrom.

Claudio Domenicali illustrated the modifications, mainly regarding the engine, that had been made to the 998R Factory ’02 for the new season: “We did an incredible job on the engine, which has been almost completely redesigned”, he declared. “We tried to have more horsepower and driveability which were so successful last year. So we decided to increase the bore from 100mm to 104mm, which gives 13 HP more than the 2001 engine. Everything has been redesigned so it’s much easier to say the parts that are the same rather than those that are different”.

Paolo Flammini said it was a pleasure and an honour to be a guest of Ducati Corse at the media presentation. “For us as a championship organiser it’s always an element of pride to see the effort that a manufacturer like Ducati puts into Superbike” he declared. “With a team like this and three rides like Bayliss, Bostrom and Xaus, we couldn’t expect more”.

Bayliss, 32, from Taree, Australia and Xaus, 24, from Barcelona, Spain, will start their second season as team-mates in the Ducati Infostrada team, backed by the Italian telecommunications company.

Champion Bayliss said he was determined to keep the # 1 slot this year: “There are quite a few guys who will win races this year, but I think the championship battle will be between Edwards, Haga and myself. The new bike really feels comfortable and I can’t wait to get the season underway, especially after today’s test here which went really well”.

Xaus will be aiming to start his second WSBK season the same way as last year – on the winners’ podium: “This is my second year with the factory Ducati Infostrada team and I obviously feel a lot more at home than twelve months ago. Now I want to become one of the challengers for the title. I went really well in the last few races of last year, so now I aim to continue where I left off”

27-year-old Californian Bostrom, who will line up for the 13-round championship in Ducati L&M colours, was also confident of being one of the main contenders this year after his spectacular 2001 season: “I want to start the ball rolling in the best way this year. Although I won early on in 2001, it took me a few races to get moving and I don’t want to make the same mistake twice. This year, I want to get points on the board because I plan to win”.

All three riders will have at their disposal the latest weapon from the Borgo Panigale manufacturer, the 998R Factory ’02, the definitive version of which was seen out on the Valencia track today.

The Factory ’02 is an extreme evolution version of last year’s successful bike, in particular in the engine department. It is characterized by an increase in bore size from 100 mm to 104 mm, and the Testastretta engine now produces 188 HP @ 12500 rpm, an increase of 13 HP over the 2001 bike.

The design of the 998R Factory ’02 engine got underway in July 2000, and it ran on the dyno for the first time in December 2000.

Meanwhile on day 1 of testing, Bayliss, Xaus and Bostrom set third, fourth and fifth quickest times respectively. World Superbikes will continue to test on Sunday and Monday, in preparation for the start of the championship
in two weeks time.

TIMES:
1. Edwards (Honda) 1:35.168
2. Haga (Aprilia) 1:35.460
3. BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) 1:35.495
4. XAUS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) 1:35.648
5. BOSTROM (DUCATI L&M) 1:35.650
6. Martin (Ducati DFX) 1:36.127
7. Chili (Ducati NCR) 1:36.128
8. Pedercini (Ducati) 1:36.223
9. Lavilla (Suzuki) 1:36.423
10. Izutsu (Kawasaki) 1:36.547.



From another press release:

DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION

WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Superbike Testing – Valencia (Spain)
Sunday February 24th 2002

BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) LEADS THE WAY ON DAY 2 OF VALENCIA TESTING

Ducati Infostrada’s Troy Bayliss led the way on the second day of World Superbike pre-season testing in Valencia, Spain. The 2001 world champion powered round the 4.005 km circuit in a time of 1:34.922, a fraction ahead of Noriyuki Haga (Aprilia) and Ducati L&M rider Ben Bostrom. Honda’s Colin Edwards was fourth quickest, with Bayliss’s Ducati Infostrada teammate Ruben Xaus one-tenth behind in fifth.

Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada), who completed 80 laps on the 2002-spec Ducati 998R Factory ’02, declared: “I did two long runs today, that’s two race distances, and my times in both were better than last year. The new bike feels really nice underneath and that’s important. I did a constant 1:35.5 on my race tyre, while tomorrow we’ll try a couple more things and then I’ll go out and do a quick lap in the afternoon”.

Bostrom (Ducati L&M) covered 68 laps around Valencia, clocking third quickest time of 1:35.260 in the late morning session. “We were making a lot of progress today but then ran into a bit of ‘chattering’ at the rear, which slowed us down”, he said. “Once we get that over with, I know we’ll be there, because I’m planning on doing a mid 1:34 on race tyres around here tomorrow.”

Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) had two harmless crashes today during his 53 laps, but still managed to set his quickest time of 1:35.327 late in the final session. “Apart from my crashes which dented my confidence a bit, things went OK”, he said. “I did my fastest lap on race tyres late on but overall I’m very happy with my lap times, and we were up at the front all day.”

TIMES:
1. BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) 1:34.922
2. Haga (Aprilia) 1:34.957
3. BOSTROM (DUCATI L&M) 1:35.260
4. Edwards (Honda) 1:35.261
5. XAUS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) 1:35.327
6. Chili (Ducati NCR) 1:35.668
7. Martin (Ducati DFX) 1:35.962
8. Pedercini (Ducati) 1:35.962
9. Izutsu (Kawasaki) 1:36.032
10. Toseland (Ducati HM Plant) 1:36.305

Colin Edwards (Hon) 1:35.168
Noriyuki Haga (Apr) 1:35.460
Troy Bayliss (Duc) 1:35.495
Ruben Xaus (Duc) 1:35.648
Ben Bostrom (Duc) 1:35.650
Steve Martin (Duc) 1:36.127
Pierfrancesco Chili (Duc) 1:36.128
Lucio Pedercini (Duc) 1:36.223
Gregorio Lavilla (Suz) 1:36.423
Hitoyasu Izutsu (Kaw) 1:36.547
James Toseland (Duc) 1:36.558
Neil Hodgson (Duc) 1:36.619

From a press release:

EDWARDS FIRES NEW SP-2 TO HEAD OF LEADERBOARD

Castrol Honda¹s Colin Edwards recorded his fastest ever lap around the Valencia circuit in Spain on the opening day of a three-day World Superbike test session on Saturday.

Edwards topped the leaderboard and was one second inside the lap record at the Spanish track, the first visit for Edwards aboard the new-for-2002
Castrol SP-2 machine.

“The machine constantly improved all day today and by late afternoon I knew a good time was possible,” said the Texan who celebrates his 28th birthday next week. “I’ve gone a full second faster than I went here last year and we’ve still got two days to go.”

Noriyuki Haga, returning to World Superbike on an Aprilia, was second fastest with defending world champion Troy Bayliss third. Bayliss’s teammate, Spaniard Ruben Xaus took fourth place with the third of the factory Ducatis fifth, in the hands of Ben Bostrom.

Mark Heckles, riding the HRC kit Castrol Honda Rumi machine, completed a handful of laps for photography purposes, recording the 20th best time.

Heckles commented: “The SP-2 kit machine feels very good, a lot better than I expected. We weren’t quite ready for this test so we just came today to honour some other duties but the chance to get a few laps was a bonus. We’ll be in good shape for the first round here in two weeks time.”

Saturday World Superbike test times:
1 Colin Edwards, USA (Castrol Honda) 1:35.168
2 Noriyuki Haga, Japan (Aprilia) 1:35.460
3 Troy Bayliss, Australia (Ducati) 1:35.495
4 Ruben Xaus, Spain (Ducati) 1:35.648
5 Ben Bostrom, USA (Ducati) 1:35.650
6 Steve Martin, Australia (Ducati) 1:36.127
7 Pier-Francesco Chili, Italy (Ducati) 1:36.128
8 Lucio Pedercini, Italy (Ducati) 1:36.223
9 Gregorio Lavilla, Spain (Suzuki) 1:36.423
10 Hitoyasu Izutsu, Japan (Kawasaki) 1:36.547


From another press release:

Issued: Sunday February 24 2002

BAYLISS TOPS TIMES AT VALENCIA

Reigning world champion Troy Bayliss moved to the head of the leaderboard on Sunday evening after the second day of the three-day World Superbike championship tests at the Valencia circuit in Spain.

Bayliss edged out Castrol Honda¹s Colin Edwards from the top spot as Aprilia¹s Noriyuki Haga moved into second place.

Edwards stands third fastest with Monday¹s final action expected to see many of the title contenders end the final pre-season test of the year with their fastest laps.

Edwards said: “We did a race distance today on a potential rear race tyre from Michelin and it couldn’t have gone much better. The consistent lap times give us a lot of hope and expectation for the races here in two weeks.”

The 1000cc SP-2 rider continued: “I haven’t tried a Superpole qualifying tyre yet, that’ll come tomorrow and I know I can improve on my best lap.
When everyone gets going at the end of the final session tomorrow there will definitely be some fireworks!”

Ben Bostrom improved on his Saturday time and holds fourth place overall with his Ducati team-mate Ruben Xaus fifth despite crashing out of the morning’s opening session, escaping injury.

Pier-Francesco Chili, riding for the NCR Ducati team, improved to sixth place with Australian Steve Martin seventh.


Combined times after Sunday’s sessions:
1 Troy Bayliss, Australia (Ducati)
1:34.922
2 Noriyuki Haga, Japan (Aprilia) 1:34.957
3 Colin Edwards, USA (Castrol Honda) 1:35.168
4 Ben Bostrom, USA (Ducati) 1:35.260
5 Ruben Xaus, Spain (Ducati) 1:35.327
6 Pier-Francesco Chili, Italy (Ducati) 1:35.668
7 Steve Martin, Australia (Ducati) 1:35.962
8 Lucio Pedercini, Italy (Ducati) 1:35.962
9 Hitoyasu Izutsu, Japan (Kawasaki) 1:36.032
10 James Toseland, GB (Ducati) 1:36.305

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Mike Seate

If all goes according to plans, motorcycles should have a home for road racing in Western Pennsylvania by late June. Partners from Speed 4U, the investment group behind the planned Beaverun Motorsports Complex located 50 miles north of Pittsburgh, held a press conference on Saturday, February 23 to celebrate the imminent completion of Phase I of their multi-use road course.

Chief organizer and patent attorney Tim Silbaugh said paving will begin on the 1.6-mile North Course, designed by famed track designer Alan Wilson, by June.

Beaverun officials took investors on a tour of the complex which, at the moment, is still a muddy field. However, marketing director George Patterson said all $6 million needed to complete the first phase is in place and rough grading of the track has been completed.

Already the official VP Fuel distributor and contingency program administrator for WSMC events, L&L Motorsports has been named the official VP Fuel distributor and administrator for CCS Southwest and Pacific regional road races. In addition to sponsoring the 750cc Superbike class in the WSMC series, L&L Motorsports is an official Dynojet Power Commander tuning center providing high performance engine work and tuning services on a mobile Dynojet Model 250 dyno at WSMC, CCS and select CMRRA events.

For additional information, call L&L Motorsports at (661) 944-9043 or e-mail at [email protected] or go to www.landlmotorsports.com.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Team America Grand Prix Racing’s Jason DiSalvo equaled the unofficial lap record at North Florida Motorsports Park during testing on Friday, February 22. Riding his A-kitted 2001 Honda RS250, DiSalvo turned a lap at 1:17.53 while preparing for the season-opening races at Daytona International Speedway starting with the CCS/Formula USA event February 28.

The lowest unofficial lap time at the Jennings, Florida track is also held by Team Stargel’s Chuck Sorensen on an ex-Jeremy McWilliams Aprilia RSV250 Grand Prix bike. A two-time AMA 250cc GP Champion, Sorensen will race against 18-year-old DiSalvo in the 2002 AMA season.