From a press release issued by SBK International:

SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

SBK Winter Test – Valencia 23 – 24 – 25 February 2002

Valencia, Ricardo Tormo Circuit

25 February 2002

The hot lap times matched the summery conditions at Valencia, with Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) scorching around the Valencian circuit in an astonishing 1:34.261, almost as fast as the all-time circuit motorcycle record of 1:34.070.

The existing official Superbike lap record of 1:36.128, set in race conditions, was simply demolished by the top 12 riders.

Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati), riding on Dunlops as opposed to Bayliss’ Michelins, was second quickest, with a personal best lap of 1:34.401 coming in the penultimate session.

Noriyuki Haga’s Aprilia was quick enough for the Japanese rider to leave the track third quickest overall, while Ruben Xaus, Bayliss’ Ducati Infostrada teammate, was the last of the fast four inside the 1:34 bracket.

2000 season World Champion Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda) crashed trying to improve his best time in the final session, but was still fifth fastest.

Hitoyasu Izutsu proved the speed of man and Kawasaki Racing Team machine by moving up to sixth fastest overall, giving the four cylinder manufacturers a shot in the arm in the run up to the season proper.

Neil Hodgson took the top privateer slot despite feeling frustrated by his seventh-fastest time.
Gregorio Lavilla, the local favourite, was faster than the man he replaced in the Alstare Suzuki camp, Pierfrancesco Chili.

Lucio Pedercini, the third private Ducati rider in the top ten, performed excellently over all three days, and just edged James Toseland out into 11th.

Steve Martin (DFX Pirelli Ducati) could not improve on his times from day two but he did finish inside the lap record with a 1:35.962.

Twenty-five riders took part in Superbike the tests, but despite improving his time in the final day, Peter Goddard was disappointed to finish only 21st fastest on the factory Benelli.

Frenchman Fabien Foret was in unstoppable World Supersport form at Valencia, performing a similar job to Bayliss in a different class of racing.

The Ten Kate Honda rider waited right until the final session to set his magnificent 1:37.749 time, almost 1.3 seconds better than his previous pole position record of 1:39.061, obtained in 2001. It was also over two seconds faster than the previous fastest race lap, also set in 2001. The first four riders were all running Pirelli tyres, with the European Champion Alessio Corradi finishing second quickest thanks to his 1:38.069. Behind him came Foret’s teammate, Pere Riba, only 0.037 seconds slower than Corradi.

Yamaha rider Stefano Cruciani rounded out the Pirelli-supported top four, before Jörg Teuchert gave Dunlop and his Yamaha Motor Deutschland team fifth place on the time sheets, with James Whitham running in sixth in the dying seconds of the final session.

Piergiorgio Bontempi upheld Ducati’s honour, finishing 11th fastest on the NCR entered V-Twin.

SBK Press Office

From a Ducati press release:

DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION

WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Superbike Testing – Valencia (Spain)
Monday February 25th 2002

BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) SETS BLISTERING PACE IN VALENCIA TEST

World champion Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) fired out a warning to his WSBK rivals with quickest time during the three-day pre-season test session at Valencia, Spain. His time of 1:34.261, set on qualifying tyres on the
final day, was well over a second under the circuit record and even quicker than the extraordinary time of 1:34.56 recorded by Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) last December.

Troy, who also set a blistering pace on race tyres, was upbeat about the overall result of the Valencia tests. “Everything was good these three days and in every test we’ve done since the end of last year, we’ve made a major improvement”, he declared. “I did three long-runs on race tyres and their performance was excellent, while on my qualifying tyre I did the fastest lap I’ve ever done around here. Now I’m really looking forward to the race in two weeks time and feeling really confident about the season ahead”.

Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) finished the three-day test in second place, just a fraction behind his fellow Ducati Corse rider. “We got the bike dialled in really good during these three days, and although I did the fastest time around here on race tyres, 1:34.7, I know there’s a lot more to come because I was held up on my really quick lap and lost a few tenths”, declared Bostrom. “I’m really excited about the season ahead because I’ve been waiting for it to start since last May, when I injured my shoulder at Monza!”

Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) was always one of the top 5 throughout, but crashed again today, at the first right-hander. He was fourth quickest with a time of 1:34.908, a tenth slower than Aprilia’s Noriyuki Haga and a shade quicker than Colin Edwards (Honda). “I’m pretty happy about the times I recorded around here, but we have to find out about why I’m falling because I don’t really have any explanation for it”, declared Xaus. “Maybe the track just doesn’t suit my style of riding, because I wasn’t pushing that hard and
my times came easily or perhaps we’ll just have to use a different tyre because I’ve got no real problems in the front. I was one of the fastest on
race tyres today but really didn’t have the chance to go for a quick qualifying time”.

The 13-round World Superbike Championship gets underway on March 10th at Valencia.

AGV Sports is now accepting applications for its 2002 Racer support Program.

Contact [email protected] or FAX 301-663-8950 for more information.

AFAM USA is now accepting resumes from racers for a support program that involves discounts.


Resumes can be sent to:

AFAM USA, Inc.
5953 Engineer Dr.
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
(800) 290-9040

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Ground Zero Racing’s effort to raise money for the Uniformed Firefighters Association/Fire Department of New York Memorial Scholarship Fund is off to a flying start, reports team coordinator Kathy Manett.

Since an article about the four-rider AMA road racing team appeared on roadracingworld.com, the team has picked up several sponsors to aid its fund-raising efforts, according to Manett.

Manett is also trying to work with representatives of Daytona International Speedway to coordinate fund-raising efforts with local fire departments.

On February 22, team riders Rick Manett, Jim Doerfler and Mike Johnston tested at Virginia International Raceway; fourth team member Andrew “Woody” Deatherage was unable to make the test session.

The track time on VIR’s North/AMA course was donated by the owners of VIR to help Ground Zero Racing prepare for their AMA season opener at Daytona in March. According to Doerfler, Ground Zero used the opportunity to “break-in new equipment and dust the cobwebs off our brains” as well as get some baseline settings for the AMA race at VIR later in the season.

Ground Zero Racing is trying to raise money for the UFA/FDNY Scholarship Fund through exposure brought by their racing. The team hopes to coordinate with local fire departments at each AMA National event to collect funds and support for the scholarship fund. Despite all of the support raised for disaster relief following the September 11 attacks on New York, only $15,000 was in the account of the UFA/FDNY Scholarship Fund this past December, according to Ground Zero Racing. The team has the full support of the UFA/FDNY in writing.

For additional information on Ground Zero Racing, call Rick or Kathy Manett at (440) 285-3937 or e-mail Rick Manett at Rmanett@mmsa.

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