Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday Morning 250cc GP Practice Times From Donington Park:

1. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:33.920
2. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:34.594
3. Marco Melnadri, Aprilia, 1:34.734
4. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:35.154
5. Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, 1:35.199
6. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:35.616
7. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:35.628
8. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:35.736
9. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, 1:35.745
10. Haruchika Aoki, Honda, 1:35.769
11. Alex Debon, Aprilia, 1:35.868
12. Shahrol Yuzy, Yamaha, 1:36.081
13. Jay Vincent, Honda, 1:36.216
14. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:36.347
15. David Checa, Aprilia, 1:36.485


Saturday Morning 125cc Practice Times:

1. Manuel Poggiali, Gilera, 1:38.169
2. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 1:38.266
3. Arnaud Vincent, Aprilia, 1:38.565
4. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 1:38.809
5. Youichi Ui, Derbi, 1:38.920
6. Jorge Lorenzo, Derbi, 1:39.343
7. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 1:39.347
8. Simone Sanna, Aprilia, 1:39.348
9. Joan Olive, Honda, 1:39.397
10. Chaz Davies, Aprilia, 1:39.414

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Edwards fails to budge Bayliss

Despite putting in a lap at 1:25.022–way under the track record–Edwards was still beaten to provisional pole by Troy Bayliss. The Ducati factory rider, who’s running away with all the honors this season, became the first rider to dip into the 1 minute 24 second zone at Laguna Seca on a Superbike by lapping at an incredible 1:24.833. He put the lap in with only just over a minute of the session remaining.

Neil Hodgson, who was recently named as a factory rider in the Infostrada Ducati team next season, was third fastest. He qualified just over a tenth of a second back from Edwards but ahead of fellow Ducati pilot Ben Bostrom. The American completed the provisional front row a tenth of a second back from Hodgson.

When Jiri Mrkyvka’s Ducati dropped the contents of its crankcases on the entry into a turn Edwards had a chance to try his hand being a racer, cornerworker and race director all in one. Edwards crashed on the 30-yard stripe of oil left by the stricken Ducati and took hold of a track marshal’s red flag and waved it to stop the race. He followed that with a hand gesture that made his feelings on the incident patently obvious!

Mat Mladin had a big spill when he highsided his Suzuki coming out of turn 10 causing the red flag to be waved for the second time. With only just over 11 minutes left in the one-hour session he wasn’t able to get out again and improve on his time and had to settle for 10th going into Superpole. Ruben Xaus also crashed; going down at the Corkscrew he jumped on his spare bike and qualified the factory Ducati way down in 13th.

Nicky Hayden was the fastest wild card rider in the last qualifying practice. He qualified a provisional fifth. Another wild card, Aaron Yates, made it into sixth. Noriyuki Haga and Chili were seventh and eighth, rounding off the provisional second row.

With Superpole still to come, any rider in the top 16 places has a chance to move up, or down, the grid.


1. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, 1:24.833
2. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 1:25.022
3. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, 1:25.138
4. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, 1:25.233
5. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:25.553
6. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:25.604
7. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, 1:25.665
8. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:25.672
9. Doug Chandler, Ducati 998RS, 1:25.678
10. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:25.834
11. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:25.875
12. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.129
13. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, 1:26.290
14. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:26.336
15. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, 1:26.337
16. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.569
17. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:26.666
18. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:26.703
19. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.071
20. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, 1:27.104
21. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.451
22. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:27.640
23. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R7, 1:27.883
24. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:28.168
25. Serafino Foti, Ducati 996RS, 1:28.319
26. Alessandro Antonello, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.792
27. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, 1:28.884
28. Bertrand Stey, Honda RC51, 1:30.304
29. Mark Miller, Honda RC51, 1:30.638
30. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 996RS, 1:30.980

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Playstation 2 Aprilia’s Noriyuki Haga was the fastest rider in the 60-minute SuperPole warm-up period with a 1:25.234, his fastest lap time of the weekend. Meanwhile, the practice session was stopped with about 10 minutes remaining. Early reports indicate that World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss crashed and was taken to the track medical center for evaluation. No more details were available at post time.

World Superbike SuperPole Warm-up Times (Note: American wild card riders were only permitted to ride in the final 30 minutes of the 60-minute session.):

1. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, 1:25.234
2. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, 1:25.260
3. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, 1:25.567
4. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 1:25.570
5. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, 1:25.698
6. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, 1:25.812
7. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:25.977
8. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:26.376
9. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:26.417
10. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:26.452
11. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.513
12. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, 1:26.600
13. Doug Chandler, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.709
14. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:26.814
15. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.016
16. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.301
17. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.719
18. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.845
19. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.115
20. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, 1:28.266

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Superbike Race Results:

1. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 28 laps
2. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, -9.798 seconds
3. Doug Chandler, Ducati 998RS, -16.693 seconds
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, -17.762 seconds
5. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, -25.100 seconds
6. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998RS, -25.130 seconds
7. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R7, -86.173 seconds
8. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, -86.925 seconds
9. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
10. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
11. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
12. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
13. Christopher Rankin, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
14. Mike Sullivan, Honda RC51, -1 lap
15. Tom Montano, Ducati 996R, -1 lap
16. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
17. Andrew Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
18. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
19. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
20. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap

33. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, DNF, crash
34. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, DNF, crash
35. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, DNF


Provisional AMA Superbike Point Standings:
1. Hayden, 381 points
2. Bostrom, 345 points
3. Duhamel, 298 points
4. Yates, 287 points
5. Picotte, 277 points
6. Parriott, 235 pointd
7. Chandler, 209 points
8. Hacking, 208 points
9. Mladin, 207 points
10. Brian Livengood, 201 points

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

1. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:33.558
2. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, 1:33.810
3. Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, 1:34.035
4. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, 1:34.159
5. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:34.360
6. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:34.399
7. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:34.748
8. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:34.830
9. Taro Sekiguchi, Yamaha, 1:34.961
10. Haruchika Aoki, Honda, 1:34.965
11. Alex Debon, Aprilia, 1:35.001
12. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:35.092
13. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:35.401
14. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, 1:35.484
15. David Checa, Aprilia, 1:36.053

From an AMA Pro Racing press release:


Four more AMA Superbike racer sign on for AMA Pro Racing’s officially licensed merchandise program

7-13 – Four more AMA Superbike racers, Kurtis Roberts, Jamie Hacking, Tommy Hayden and Roger Lee Hayden, have signed on to AMA Pro Racing’s official merchandise program, it was announced today. All four riders have reached an agreement with AMA Pro Racing’s new merchandising partner, Wateree Sports Group, that will allow fans to purchase gear at AMA Superbike events and also online at www.amaproracing.com/speedshop. The lines of merchandise will also be available for sale this weekend at Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca for the World Superbike/AMA Superbike racing weekend.

“Announcing these four riders caps a great week for our AMA Pro Racing merchandising program,” said Chris Bradley, AMA Pro Racing vice president of commercial development. “We were pleased to announce the signing of Anthony Gobert and Doug Chandler this week, and today we add Kurtis, Jamie, Tommy and Roger Lee to the list. The success of the program is really being shown by all the quality riders who have signed on.”

AMA Pro Racing, the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the U.S., has launched an officially licensed merchandise program, bringing a new level of authenticity to race fans. An official line of AMA Pro Racing products have been produced, giving race fans the opportunity to display their passion for each of the company’s U.S. Championship racing brands.

The program kicked off with the announcement of a three-year licensing deal with the Rock Hill, S.C.-based Wateree Sports Group who produces an officially licensed product and apparel line for AMA Pro Racing. The lineup includes series apparel for all AMA U.S. Championships, as well as merchandise for various manufacturers, teams and riders.

Race fans can find the new line of official AMA Pro Racing products at multiple distribution points, including all AMA U.S. Motocross and U.S. Superbike events as well as several top AMA U.S. Flat Track Championship rounds. At the races, products will be for sale under the roof of Wateree’s newly created, 18-wheel interactive merchandise tractor-trailer. Products can also be purchased online via amaproracing.com, 1800FlatTrack.com and USMotocross.com.

Located in the heart of NASCAR country, Wateree Sports Group has extensive experience in merchandise distribution and corporate identity programs. The company’s impressive list of corporate clients includes General Mills, Sprint and Conseco Financial Services; Winston Cup drivers Kyle Petty, John Andretti, Buckshot Jones; and retired drivers and teams owners A.J. Foyt and 7-time Winston Cup Champion Richard Petty.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Edwards takes pole at home in an action packed Superpole

Colin Edwards celebrated riding at his home round in fine style at Laguna Seca, he took pole! He also set a new outright best lap pace at 1:24.888. But that doesn’t count as a lap record as WSB rules require record laps to be set in race conditions. He was the only rider into the 1:24 bracket during Superpole.

Troy Bayliss crashed heavily in turn three during free practice in the afternoon and was visibly shaken as he sat in the pits prior to Superpole. Despite the spill he still put in a fast time, lapping the twisting Laguna track at 1:25.301 to take third on the grid.

Ben Bostrom had even worse luck than his teammate Bayliss. ­Bostrom didn’t even get to start his flying lap. He had a fluke spill while cruising around on his warm up lap. “There’s no way you can crash like that,” said the disappointed Californian. “I had just removed a tear off and put my hand back on the bar and then the front end just flew away from me ­even though I was just cruising. I thought I’d got caught out by dirt or gravel but Bayliss reckoned I’d slipped on a tear-off faceshield.” The crash moves Bostrom to the back of the second row, ­one row back from his pre-Superpole qualifying position on the front row and in accordance with WSB rules. He’ll start Sunday’s races from eighth.

The other Bostrom brother, Eric, powered his Kawasaki to an impressive fifth on the grid, just behind Nori Haga who had his Aprilia working better after free practice and qualified fourth. Aaron Yates was the top wild card rider in sixth.

Neil Hodgson survived a big rear wheel slide that almost highsided him and took second on the grid alongside Edwards. “The back stepped right out,” explained the HM Plant Ducati rider. “I’m not sure if the actual slide cost me time but it did effect my confidence for the rest of the lap. I’d seen Ben (Bostrom) crash and I didn’t want to blow it!” Hodgson went on to promise to strip buck-naked if he managed to win a race on Sunday. “Normally I just strip down to my Union Jack underpants, but this year’s different, I’ll strip naked!”

Lucio Pedercini also crashed in Superpole throwing his bike away while on his Superpole lap – that relegated him to 15th. Gregorio Lavilla, who crashed earlier in the day, failed to even start Superpole. He’ll be 16th on tomorrow’s grid.

After Superpole Colin Edwards had a message for the FIM, who fined him 3,000 Swiss Franks (US$2,000 or UK£1,303) for grabbing a marshal’s flag and red flagging the morning’s qualifying session after sliding off on oil.

“I was just trying to save someone’s life!” explained Edwards. “And those generous people at the FIM fined me three grand. I’d like all you people out there to write to your local FIM representative and tell them to get f**ked!”

Before the end of the day Saturday, an official SBK Notification of a Sanction to Mr. Colin Edwards was distributed in the media center. The “motive” for the sanction is listed as “On Saturday 13th July 2002 you have acted improperly while on course.” Receipt of the sanction notification was signed for by Castrol Honda Team Manager Neil Tuxworth.

No word on if Edwards will appeal SBK’s decision.


SuperPole Results:

1. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 1:24.888
2. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, 1:25.189
3. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, 1:25.301
4. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, 1:25.429
5. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:25.668
6. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:26.081
7. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, 1:26.091
8. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, no time, crash
9. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, 1:26.129
10. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:26.134
11. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:26.268
12. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.375
13. Doug Chandler, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.406
14. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.695
15. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, no time, crash
16. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, no time, did not ride in SuperPole

The rest of the grid:

17. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:26.666
18. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:26.703
19. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.071
20. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, 1:27.104
21. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.451
22. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:27.640
23. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R7, 1:27.883
24. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:28.168
25. Serafino Foti, Ducati 996RS, 1:28.319
26. Alessandro Antonello, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.792
27. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, 1:28.884
28. Bertrand Stey, Honda RC51, 1:30.304
29. Mark Miller, Honda RC51, 1:30.638

Qualifying Lap-Time (107%): 1:30.772

DNQ. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 996RS, 1:30.980

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Formula Xtreme Race Results:

1. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 17 laps
2. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, -8.641 seconds
3. Michael Hale, Honda CBR954RR, -17.695 seconds
4. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -23.825 seconds
5. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -28.913 seconds
6. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -29.583 seconds
7. Lance Isaacs, Yamaha YZF-R1, -29.737 seconds
8. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, -40.277 seconds
9. David Stanton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -50.692 seconds
10. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR954RR, -64.707 seconds
11. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, -64.801 seconds
12. Mike Sullivan, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -65.414 seconds
13. Robert Mesa, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -66.834 seconds
14. Marty Craggill, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -87.705 seconds
15. Doug Pitcock, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -91.015 seconds
16. Jason Curtis, Yamaha YZF-R1, -1 lap
17. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
18. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
19. Garry Combs, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
20. Steve Smith, Ducati 996, -1 lap
21. Kevin Burgess, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
22. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
23. Sean Denver, Yamaha YZF-R1, -1 lap
24. Nathan Hester, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
25. Mickey Lane, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
26. Michael Kosta, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
27. Bob Siebenhaar, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
28. Bryan Edginton, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
29. Gregory Glennie, Yamaha YZF-R1, -1 lap
30. David Bell, Aprilia RSV1000, -1 lap
31. David McPherson, Yamaha YZF-R1, -1 lap
32. Kenyon Kluge, Suzuki GSX-R750, -2 laps
33. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -3 laps, DNF, crash
34. John Scott Wilson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -4 laps
35. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, -5 laps, DNF, mechanical
36. Shawn Reilly, Kawasaki ZX-9R, -7 laps
37. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -8 laps, DNF, mechanical
38. Michael Hanley, Suzuki GSX-R750, -11 laps, DNF, crash
39. James Compton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -12 laps, DNF, crash
40. Brian Boyd, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -17 laps, DNF, crash


AMA Formula Xtreme Point Standings:

1. Zemke, 217 points
2. Pridmore, 209 points
3. Buckmaster, 208 points
4. Hale, 187 points
5. Spies, 153 points
6. Craggill, 134 points
7. Isaacs, 128 points
8. Alex Gobert, 113 points
9. Curtis, 113 points
10. Kipp, 107 points