Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Thursday Morning AMA Superbike Practice Times:

1. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:49.220
2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:49.408
3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:49.579
4. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:49.599
5. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC51, 1:49.929
6. Anthony Gobert, Ducati 998RS, 1:50.102
7. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:50.418
8. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:50.744
9. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:50.832
10. Larry Pegram, Ducati 998RS, 1:52.260
11. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:52.398
12. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:52.457
13. Warwick Nowland, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:52.715
14. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:53.120
15. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:53.179
16. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:53.252
17. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:53.757
18. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:53.952
19. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.130
20. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.158
21. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.300
22. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.363
23. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.427
24. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.477
25. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.489
26. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.563
27. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.597
28. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.652
29. Andrew Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.352
30. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.892
31. Michael Luke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:56.328
32. Doug Chandler, Honda CBR954RR, 1:56.430
33. Michael Hannas, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.509
34. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:56.544
35. John Ashmead, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:56.587
36. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.603
37. Sandor Bitter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:56.754
38. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR954RR, 1:56.800
39. Thomas Montano, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.833
40. James Randolph, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:56.842

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Canadian teenager Andrew Nelson went from having flaking paint to factory suspension pieces on his 2003 Honda CBR600RR in between the CCS/Formula USA and AMA weekends at Daytona International Speedway.

Nelson, who plans to race the entire Parts Canada Canadian National series, arrived at Daytona February 26 with a freshly painted but completely stock CBR600RR supplied to him by Honda Canada. While at the Speedway, Nelson received and fitted the first Hindle exhaust made for the new bike, then went on to score a fourth-place finish in the F-USA Sportbike race (despite running off the track when he bottomed the stock front forks under braking) and a fifth-place finish in the F-USA Superbike final.

But as the CCS/Formula USA weekend wore on, more and more of Nelson’s last-minute paint job came off in big flakes. “Yeah, you like that?” joked Nelson. “It was about 20 below (Fahrenheit) outside and two below inside the garage we painted it in. I guess the paint froze before it took to the bodywork.”

During the AHRMA races Monday and Tuesday, March 3-4, Nelson took his bodywork to Custom World in Tampa, Florida for a new paint job. Meanwhile, his CBR600RR was fitted with a factory Showa shock and fork internals in preparation for the AMA weekend.

Nelson had to start from scratch on his set-up but was still 18th fastest in the second AMA Supersport practice Wednesday with a 1:57.006 and improved to 1:56.421 in Thursday morning’s Supersport practice, 20th fastest.

From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway’s PR Department:

Ben Bostrom Captures Pole For 62nd Daytona 200 By Arai

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (March 6, 2003) – Ben Bostrom is back.

Making his return to the United States after three years in World Superbike, Bostrom, riding the No. 155 American Honda RC51, captured the pole on Thursday for Sunday’s 62nd Daytona 200 By Arai.

With a speed of 118.255 mph, Bostrom took home his first Daytona 200 pole and his fifth career AMA Superbike pole. Bostrom, 28, of Las Vegas, will be awarded one point toward the AMA Superbike championship and a Rolex watch.

“The Honda worked really well, a big thanks to the team for setting it up,” said Bostrom, whose best finish in the Daytona 200 was a fourth in his most recent start in 1999.

Rounding out the front row will be Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts (118.061), Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin (118.060) and Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates (117.947).

Only the front row is locked into the field. The remainder of the field will be finalized on Friday in a final round of qualifying for the Daytona 200.

Mladin, while holding the pole with his fastest time in the first session featuring the even-numbered riders, took a spill on his No. 66 Yoshimura Suzuki in the chicane. Shortly after, Roberts turned his fast lap to overtake Mladin for the pole.

Mladin, the two-time Daytona 200 champion, quickly returned to his pit area and climbed aboard his backup Suzuki and returned to the track to try to eclipse Roberts’ speed only to come up short.

In the second session with the odd-numbered riders, Bostrom toured the 3.56-mile road course to secure the Daytona 200 pole.

Dunlop didn’t produce a special qualifying tire for the Daytona 200 By Arai so riders were unable to break last year’s pole-winning record speed of 119.580 mph (1:47.174) set by Nicky Hayden.

Shaw Is In: Rick Shaw, who needs only two laps to eclipse Warren Sherwood’s Daytona 200 mileage record, cleared a huge hurdle in pursuit of that record as he qualified for Sunday’s race aboard his No. 79 Suzuki.

Shaw, a police officer from Miami, removes a load of pressure from his shoulders as he went fast enough to guarantee a spot in Sunday’s race.

“The pressure was really, really on today,” Shaw said. “Actually, the pressure has been on for months and months and months. Now, it’s over and done with. The race is going to be anti-climatic. Getting in was the hard thing.”

Pro Honda Oils Supersport: Miguel Duhamel, six-time winner of the Pro Honda Oils 600 Supersport At Daytona, captured the pole for Friday afternoon’s 18-lap race.

Duhamel, riding the No. 17 American Honda, posted a speed of 113.632 mph during Thursday’s qualifying session. Rounding out the front row were Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking (113.600) and Aaron Gobert (113.471) and Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts (113.191).

Duhamel was grateful for the drafting help that he received from his teammate Ben Bostrom during the qualifying session.

“He really took one for the team as far as that is concerned,” Duhamel said. “Our bikes are running really good. I think if I would’ve got in front and gave him the same tow he gave me maybe he would be up here talking right now.”

Genuine Suzuki Accessories 750 Superstock: Two-time Genuine Suzuki Accessories 750 Superstock winner Jason Pridmore of Ventura, Calif., qualified for the pole for Friday’s 15-lap race with a record speed of 114.873 mph.

BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup: The first of two sessions of qualifying for the inaugural BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup put the United Kingdom’s Richard Cooper atop the provisional pole with a speed of 102.845 mph. There will be a final qualifying session on Friday.

The inaugural BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup is Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and it’s the first time the series has made a stop in the United States.

On tap: Friday’s schedule at the Speedway is a busy one that includes qualifying for the Daytona 200 By Arai, the MBNA 250 Grand Prix and the BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup and the finals for the Genuine Suzuki Accessories 750 Superstock and the Pro Honda Oils 600 Supersport.

Tickets and information on any of the Speedway events are available online at
http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-7223.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Tommy Hayden turned the fastest lap time in Thursday morning AMA Superstock practice on a 636cc Kawasaki ZX-6R.

Hayden’s crew chief Joey Lombardo said the team made a set-up improvement to the rear shock which resulted in the improved time.

Meanwhile, other Superstock racers riding Suzuki GSX-R750s continue working to find a compromise between lap times and tire life.

Corona Extra Suzuki’s Adam Fergusson lowered his best lap time from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning by over three seconds as he continued to learn Daytona International Speedway; this is Fergusson’s first trip to the Florida track.

Roger Lee Hayden crashed his Erion Honda CBR600RR during the Superstock session and rode back in on the crash truck before walking back to his garage.

Thursday Morning Superstock Practice Times (all on Suzuki GSX-R750 unless noted):

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:52.694
2. Josh Hayes, 1:52.784
3. Steve Rapp, 1:53.313
4. Ben Bostrom, Honda CBR600RR, 1:53.351
5. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:53.406
6. Jamie Stauffer, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:54.059
7. Adam Fergusson, 1:54.221
8. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:54.227
9. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, 1:54.413
10. Mike Ciccotto, 1:54.414
11. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:54.560
12. Jimmy Moore, 1:54.661
13. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:54.757
14. Kurtis Roberts, Honda CBR600RR, 1:54.804
15. Jordan Szoke, 1:54.822
16. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 1:54.924
17. Jason Pridmore, 1:55.037
18. Matt Furtek, 1:55.074
19. Craig Connell, Honda CBR600RR, 1:55.089
20. Scott Greenwood, 1:55.131
21. Chris Ulrich, 1:55.199
22. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600RR, 1:55.351
23. Ty Howard, Honda CBR600RR, 1:55.372
24. Vincent Haskovec, 1:55.611
25. John Haner, 1:56.082
26. Andrew Nelson, Honda CBR600RR, 1:56.175
27. John Dugan, 1:56.356
28. Jason Peters, 1:56.610
29. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:56.611
30. Scott Harwell, 1:56.688
31. Michael Hannas, 1:56.836
32. Lee Acree, 1:57.165
33. Brian Stokes, 1:57.290
34. Hawk Mazzotta, 1:57.919
35. Thad Halsmer, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:58.372
36. Jake Holden, 1:58.893
37. J.J. Roetlin, 1:59.422
38. Owen Weichel, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:59.816
39. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:59.935
40. Kevin Pate, 2:00.055

From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway’s PR Department:

Riders Feel The Need For Speed During Practice At Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The beautiful Florida sunshine broke through at Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday for daylong practice sessions in preparation for the upcoming Daytona 200 Week events.

Motorcycles competing in the Daytona 200 By Arai, Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport, Suzuki Genuine Accessories Superstock, the MBNA 250 Grand Prix and the inaugural BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup were all on track as riders prepare their two-wheel machines for qualifying sessions.

Fastest among the Superbikes in the first practice session was Kurtis Roberts, who rides the No. 80 Erion Honda RC51. Roberts posted a speed of 117.240 mph.

In last year’s Daytona 200, Roberts gave Nicky Hayden a formidable challenge in the early portion of the 57-lap race but Roberts’ rear tire failed and Hayden captured the victory in dominating fashion.

Roberts, the son of legendary motorcycle rider Kenny Roberts, is unsure if that experience will help him challenge for a victory in this year’s Daytona 200 By Arai, which is the AMA Superbike season opener.

“It did and it didn’t,” Roberts said. “For one, if I had been there on Lap 57 last year, everyone would have seen what I would have done then. I think being consistent and making sure you’re there for the finish is what’s going to win this thing. We’ll see what everyone else is doing, but it looks like we’re right where we need to be right now and we just need to keep improving on that.”

Rounding out the top five in the first session was Aussie Mat Mladin (116.573), Aaron Yates (115.399), Eric Bostrom (115.397) and Miguel Duhamel (115.024).

In the second session, Mladin was fastest rider with a speed of 117.134. Mladin, who won the Daytona 200 in 2000 and 2001, never got a chance to compete for a third straight in last year’s race. He suffered an arm injury during a practice incident which prevented him from defending his title.

“It’s working well,” Mladin said. “It’s obviously the first race for the new bike. We didn’t get as much as testing as what we would’ve liked so we’re still going through some stuff. The thing in general is working pretty well.”

Rounding out the top five in the second session was Roberts (116.803), Duhamel (116.351), Ben Bostrom (115.724) and Aaron Yates (115.684).

Jamie Hacking was fastest overall in the two Supersport practice sessions with a speed of 113.523 mph while his Yamaha teammate Jason DiSalvo lurked close behind with a lap of 113.326. In Superstock, Jason Pridmore led the way with a speed of 112.869.

In MBNA 250 Grand Prix, Rich Oliver posted the fastest speed at 110.915.

The BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup teams took to the track for the first time at Daytona.

Making its first and only appearance in the United States during Daytona 200 Week, the BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup features an international field aboard BMW R 1100 S Motorcycles. The BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup is slated for Sunday at 11:30 a.m. before the Daytona 200 By Arai.

The fastest during the lone practice session on Wednesday was Germany’s Markus Barth with a fast lap of 100.515.

“For me everything is new,” Barth said. “I’ve never raced on oval, so I’m very surprised that I have the fast time.”

On tap for Thursday at the Speedway is qualifying for Pro Honda Oils Supersport, BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup, Suzuki Genuine Accessories Superstock and the Daytona 200 By Arai (top four qualifiers locked-in).

Tickets for any of the Speedway events are available online at
http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-7223.


More rider quotes, from another press release issued by Daytona International Speedway’s PR Department:

NOTES AND QUOTES
March 5, 2003

DAYTONA 200 By Arai – FIRST PRACTICE SESSION
Eric Bostrom, No. 32 Kawasaki (Bostrom ran wide in turn one and tipped over in the wet grass) “I’m OK. The front brakes (were bad). We were breaking in new brake pads and I didn’t have anything going into the turn.”

Anthony Gobert, No. 16 Ducati Austin
“We achieved what we wanted. We did just a few laps and we’re happy. I just did a few laps, came in and talked to the boys. It’s the first session so there’s no point in rushing anything. We’re happy with what we achieved.”

Kurtis Roberts, No. 80 Honda
“Things felt really good. Just right now being consistent and you know, not showing everything we have until Sunday on the last couple of laps.”
DID THE RACE LAST YEAR TEACH YOU ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO DO TO WIN THIS YEAR’S RACE?
“It did and it didn’t. For one, if I had been there on Lap 57 last year, everyone would have seen what I would have done then. I think being consistent and making sure you’re there for the finish is what’s going to win this thing. We’ll see what everyone else is doing, but it looks like we’re right where we need to be right now and we just need to keep improving on that.”

Ben Bostrom, No. 155 Honda
HOW WAS YOUR FIRST SESSION?
“Not so good. We had a few small problems, but in general the bike is pretty good. We were working on setup and trying to weed out the problems.”

Ben Spies, No. 11 Yoshimura Suzuki
HOW WAS YOUR SESSION?
“The bike was good. We came up with a different setup that we’ve been running at Malaysia and at the past couple of tests. It wasn’t too far off. We know exactly what we’ve got to do. I know there was a second in me with that time and the bike is going to be setup a whole lot better the next time. So we’ll be right there.”
DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’LL GAIN SOME MORE SPEED?
“It’s mostly me getting comfortable on the bike. It’s just my second time on a Superbike at Daytona. These tires are a bit different. I have to learn that. The race isn’t until Sunday. So it’s a long ways away.”

FOLLOWING THE SECOND DAYTONA 200 BY ARAI PRACTICE
Mat Mladin, No. 66 Yoshimura Suzuki
“It’s working well. It’s obviously the first race for the new bike. We didn’t get as much as testing as what we would’ve liked so we’re still going through some stuff. The thing in general is working pretty well. We’re looking forward to getting into the race on Sunday and then head North and finish off a championship.
HOW IMPORTANT WAS THE MALAYSIA TEST?
“It was a good test. Hot conditions – the sort of conditions that we race over here mostly. Certainly without that test, we would’ve been behind the eight ball.”

Aaron Yates, No. 20 Yoshimura Suzuki
“It’s going pretty decent so far. It looks like we have our work cut out for us in the 600 (Supersport), but we’ve got some things to try and we’ll get the bike going better than today. The Superbike is new and it really pulls good around Daytona and you just have to hold on. The thing wants to spin around everywhere. I was kind of used to the old Superbike and it takes some getting used to, but it’s going to be good.”


Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Practice
Jason DiSalvo, No. 40 Yamaha
HOW’S THE BIKE?
“The bike is great. Everything is running perfect out there right now. We come into this with a good base setup. That’s how I like to do things — none of this swapping back forth and changing the bike all around. We’re just fine-tuning it. It’s really makes my job easier fine tuning on the first day”

ON YAMAHA’S SUPERSPORT PROGRAM
“Yamaha’s Bike and team is by far one of the best paddock. This year, we’re not running Superbike. We’re sticking to production bike racing. It really shows. These are the bikes that we sell to the public. There are the same bikes that are performing well on the track.”

TALK ABOUT THE COMPETITION IN SUPERSPORT
“It’s going to be a tough race. I’ve watched the tape from last year over and over. The whole race is going to be hairball. I think it’s going to be a good race, interesting to say the least.”

Jamie Hacking, No. 2 Yamaha
HOW’S THE BIKE?
Everything is going really well. The guys at Yamaha have built us a helluva bike to come down here and hopefully do something with these guys on the red bikes. This morning, we couldn’t really get anything done. The track was so green. It’s kind of coming in. It’s still green right now. I still think right now that everybody is still taking it easy. I think it’s going to get better, weather permitting.”

ON YAMAHA’S SUPERSPORT PROGRAM
“These guys have really worked hard over the offseason. They’ve done a really good job on these motorcycles. It’s showing. All of us are running really well. We’ve got the new kid (Jason DiSalvo) here that only weighs 52 pounds. We need to tag on the end and let him pull us around for qualifying. These guys deserve every bit of the credit we get because they’ve done a hell of a job.”

Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Practice
Jason Pridmore, No. 43 Attack Suzuki
“We didn’t get any laps this morning, so it was the first time on the bike. We had a couple of little problems this morning so we only did like a lap. It feels good. We’re just discussing what we can do to make it a little better. It was the first time I’ve been around here on a 750 in a couple of years. The track is getting better. I think the more rubber that gets laid down the faster the times will be. I think all the times are off a little bit right now, but once we get everything sorted out I think it will be OK.”

Steve Rapp, No. 51 Valvoline EMGO Suzuki
“Everything is great. I’m happy to be on this team. The bike is running good and the track is coming in nice. I can’t complain for the first day.”
Did you get a draft on your fast lap?
“No. All my laps were pretty much by myself.”

Chris Ulrich, No. 18 Valvoline EMGO Suzuki
“I dropped my lap times a little bit from this morning. We’re just making some progress and slowly chipping away at it. Our goal is to get top five, if not a podium and leave here with some good points.”

BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup
Markus Barth, No. 6 BMW (From Germany)
“For me everything is new. I’ve never raced on oval, so I’m very surprised that I have the fast time. The tactic for the race is very important here, and also the slipstream. I used slipstream from some other guys, so I feel that’s the best solution for the race.”

Jay Springsteen, No. 19 BMW
“It was all right. We’ve got to do a little work because the wheels start chattering. You’ve got to get on the brakes, then get off them again to get the wheels settled down. Me and a couple of guys were going at it up on the banking and I waved at a few of them. It was fun.”

MBNA 250 Grand Prix
Rich Oliver, No. 97 Team Oliver Yamaha
“We had a good run today. I haven’t ridden a 250 since Virginia last year. The last memory for me riding a 250 was laying on my rear end in the corner after the gearbox locked up. So it’s nice to get off the bike on purpose (laughs). We were fast right out of the chute and then in the afternoon we battled with Chuck Sorensen on the Aprilia and we eked out a better time by about two-tenths. For not riding for six months I feel like I’m a little rusty and taking it a little cautiously. Last year I broke my pelvis here, so I don’t know if I have a little more respect for the place, a little more respect for my body, or I’m just getting old.”

Chuck Sorensen, No. 1 Stargel Aprilia
“We’re still working on the setup of the motorcycle. That was just our second time out on the motorcycle here and I think there’s still some more to go. We’re really stoked that these kinds of times are coming. I think the track is a little faster with the new chicane, but we’re already going faster even with the correction. We’re running a conservative engine setup and we don’t have the top speed we had last year as of yet. The main improvement is in the chassis.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

“All weekend I’ve been trying to learn the track since I’ve never been here before,” 19-year-old Richard Cooper told reporters. “I was kind of running at the back really trying to get clear track time. Watching the other classes I see that you need to have to be with a bunch of riders to get a good time. I thought I’d go out and try to get in with the bunches and get into the slipstream and see how much it makes a difference, and it sure did. I was really surprised that I was over a second quicker than anybody out there and it gives you real good confidence for the weekend to come.”

Cooper raced in the British CB500 Cup, the British Honda Hornet Cup, finished second in the 2001 British Supersport Championship and finished sixth in the 2002 BMW Boxer Cup Championship.

Thursday’s BMW Boxer Cup Qualifying Results (all on BMW R1100S):

1. Richard Cooper, UK, 2:04.615
2. Sebastien Legrelle, Belgium, 2:05.622
3. Jason Perez, USA, 2:05.666
4. Tripp Nobles, USA, 2:05.854
5. Brian Parriott, USA, 2:06.043
6. Fernando Cristobal, Spain, 2:06.160
7. Roberto Panichi, Italy, 2:06.169
8. Andy Hofmann, Switzerland, 2:06.241
9. Guillaume Dietrich, France, 2:06.528
10. Markus Barth, Germany, 2:06.598
11. Steven Casaer, Belgium, 2:06.599
12. Thomas Hinterreiter, Austria, 2:06.636
13. Federico Aliverti, Italy, 2:07.023
14. Lex Van Dijk, Netherlands, 2:07.305
15. Alessandro Tomassoni, Italy, 2:07.336
16. Eric Lejeune, Belgium, 2:07.469
17. Michael Galinski, Germany, 2:07.591
18. Klaus Nies, Germany, 2:07.931
19. Jay Springsteen, USA, 2:08.094
20. Norbert Rebholz, Germany, 2:08.381
21. Peter Ottl, Germany, 2:08.493
22. Laurry Fremy, France, 2:08.617
23. Robert Van Der Molen, Netherlands, 2:08.732
24. Jeroen Oudeman, Netherlands, 2:09.199
25. Steve Atlas, USA, 2:09.374
26. Agusti Busquets, Spain, 2:09.779
27. Josep Maria Busquets, Spain, 2:10.256
28. Koen Vleugels, Belgium, 2:10.383
29. Barry Burrell, UK, 2:10.500
30. Francois Cicilliani, France, 2:10.530
31. Alex Busquets, Spain, 2:10.692
32. Ricky Orlando, USA, 2:10.736
33. Gabriele Perri, ITaly, 2:10.796
34. Nate Kern, USA, 2:11.015
35. Matt Layt, UK, 2:11.415
36. Dave Campbell, USA, 2:12.280
37. Rosana Scoleri, Italy, 2:12.354
38. Frank Shockley, USA, 2:12.524
39. Javier Valera, Spain, 2:12.654
40. Guido Stosser, Germany, 2:13.472
41. Greg White, USA, 2:13.711
42. Jimmy Lewis, USA, 2:14.269
43. Brian Catterson, USA, 2:14.290
44. Gerald Young, USA, 2:15.961
45. Sylvester Lemanski, USA, 2:17.477
46. Jorge Diaz, Spain, 2:21.573

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Veteran racer Tripp Nobles set the fastest lap time in BMW Boxer Cup practice on his O/Brien/Rough Stock Racing/Foothills BMW.

BMW Boxer Cup practice has seen extremely aggressive riding by many of the International racers, and the session was stopped for a multi-bike crash in turn one during the Thursday morning session. Javier Valera was able to ride his BMW away from the incident.

American teenager Jason Perez crashed in a separate incident in the chicane. Perez’s BMW suffered heavy damage, but Perez was relatively uninjured in the fall.

Thursday Morning BMW Boxer Cup Practice Times (all on BMW R1100S):

1. Tripp Nobles, 2:06.092
2. Brian Parriott, 2:06.300
3. Thomas Hinterreiter, 2:06.584
4. Markus Barth, 2:06.712
5. Sebastien Legrelle, 2:06.853
6. Roberto Panichi, 2:06.995
7. Richard Cooper, 2:07.074
8. Eric Lejeune, 2:07.207
9. Andy Hofmann, 2:07.232
10. Jason Perez, 2:07.383
11. Alessandro Tomassoni, 2:07.792
12. Steven Casaer, 2:07.921
13. Jay Springsteen, 2:07.923
14. Fernando Cristobal, 2:08.273
15. Michael Galinski, 2:08.314
16. Laurry Fremy, 2:08.327
17. Ricky Orlando, 2:08.509
18. Agusti Busquets, 2:08.531
19. Peter Ottl, 2:08.605
20. Lex Van Dijk, 2:08.769
21. Jeroen Oudeman, 2:09.021
22. Koen Vleugels, 2:09.229
23. Steve Atlas, 2:09.307
24. Norbert Rebholz, 2:09.340
25. Klaus Nies, 2:09.357