Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday’s 250cc GP Qualifying Results:

1. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:33.679
2. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, 1:34.339
3. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:34.360
4. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:35.174
5. Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, 1:35.299
6. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:35.309
7. Haruchika Aoki, Honda, 1:35.313
8. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:35.324
9. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:35.425
10. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, 1:35.509
11. Alex Debon, Aprilia, 1:36.052
12. David Checa, Aprilia, 1:36.053
13. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, 1:36.234
14. Shahrol Yuzy, Yamaha, 1:36.554
15. Vincent Philippe, Aprlia, 1:36.626


Friday’s 125cc GP Qualifying Results:

1. Manuel Poggiali, Gilera, 1:38.078
2. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 1:38.437
3. Youichi Ui, Derbi, 1:38.606
4. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 1:38.858
5. Lucio Cecchiello, Aprilia, 1:38.989
6. Arnaud Vincent, Aprilia, 1:39.035
7. Masao Azuma, Honda, 1:39.103
8. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 1:39.179
9. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, 1:39.207
10. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 1:39.395

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIM rules restrict track time for “riders contracted to compete in the Championships” during the six days prior to a World Superbike race (on the track the race will be held on) but do not mention restrictions on wild card riders and allow specifically exemptions.

The exemptions include “Official practice sessions of a National Championship event organized by the FMN which issued the rider’s license.”

In the case of Laguna, the involved FMN (or National federation) would be the AMA.

Which means that even if the restrictions are applied to wild card riders at Laguna Seca, practice for the AMA Superbike race is not included in the restrictions.

Leaving one to wonder, what was World Superbike Race Director Roberto Nosetto talking about in the first place, and never mind which year he was talking about!

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Provisional 2003 MotoGP Race Calendar:

3/23 Welkom, South Africa
4/6 Suzuka, Japan
5/4 Jerez, Spain
5/25 Le Mans, France
6/8 Mugello, Italy
6/15 Catalunya, Spain
6/28 Assen, Holland
7/13 Donington Park, United Kingdom
7/27 Sachsenring, Germany
8/24 Brno, Czech Republic
9/7 Estoril, Portugal
9/20 Jacarepagua, Brazil
10/5 Motegi, Japan
10/12 Sepang, Malaysia
10/19 Phillip Island, Australia
11/2 Valencia, Spain

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Bayliss shows he’s the boss in the Laguna Seca sunshine

The man of the moment in World Superbike racing, Troy Bayliss, piled on the style to win a big battle for provisional pole here at Laguna Seca, California, this afternoon.

Despite a concerted challenge from both Bostrom brothers and Matt Mladin and Neil Hodgson, Infostrada Ducati Troy Bayliss grabbed the provisional pole at the last moment with a scorching lap time of 1:25.127. Bayliss dipped inside Anthony Gobert’s long standing record lap time of 1:25.185 set in 1999. But because Bayliss’ time was set in qualifying, Gobert’s lap record remains on the books for now.

For a short while it looked like the wild card riders might pull off a surprise, with Mat Mladin on the Suzuki and Eric Bostrom on the Kawasaki both setting fast laps. Officially Eric Bostrom is a regular, because he’s actually still filling in for the injured Hitoyasu Izutsu. But as the last minutes ticked away the World Superbike regulars rallied with Ben Bostrom taking provisional second at 1:25.233 and Neil Hodgson third with 1:25.721 both on Dunlop shod Ducatis. Mladin was relegated to fourth in front of Eric Bostrom. All the wild card riders are using Dunlop tyres with Xaus, Bayliss and Edwards the only riders fielding Michelins.

Noriyuki Haga was sixth fastest in the session ahead of another wild card, Aaron Yates. Meanwhile Colin Edwards, who everyone had expected to do well back home in America, languished in eighth on 1:26.121. Nicky Hayden plummeted to 12th as the session matured, that was after setting an early pace fast enough to get him into the top three on the time sheet.

There were plenty of incidents, Hodgson retired with smoke pouring from his HM Plant Ducati early on, returning to the fray on his spare bike. Bayliss was also out on his number two bike, having parked his stricken Infostrada Ducati early on. Mladin made an unsporting gesture during qualifying, which may yet get him into trouble with the race organisers. He used a one-finger salute to inform Ruben Xaus of exactly what he thought of the Spaniard using the racing line on an out lap!

On Saturday there’s another timed qualifying session followed by Superpole in the afternoon.

Friday’s World Superbike Qualifying Times:

1. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, 1:25.127
2. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, 1:25.233
3. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, 1:25.721
4. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:25.834
5. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:25.875
6. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, 1:26.015
7. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:26.025
8. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 1:26.121
9. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.141
10. Doug Chandler, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.315
11. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, 1:26.390
12. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:26.420
13. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.637
14. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, 1:26.770
15. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:26.955
16. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.961
17. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:27.218
18. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.317
19. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.471
20. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, 1:28.030
21. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.452
22. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:28.588
23. Serafino Foti, Ducati 996RS, 1:28.771
24. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R7, 1:28.826
25. Alessandro Antonello, Ducati 998RS, 1:29.395
26. Bertrand Stey, Honda RC51, 1:30.304
27. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, 1:30.501
28. Mark Miller, Honda RC51, 1:30.649
29. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:30.663
30. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 996RS, 1:30.980

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Everybody involved is now claiming that it was a misunderstanding and that wild card riders will be able to compete in both the AMA Superbike National and the World Superbike races at Laguna Seca this weekend.

This new version of reality followed an urgent meeting between Dan Murphy of RPM and Paulo Flammini of World Superbike.

An RPM spokesman now says that World Superbike Race Director Roberto Nosetto was refering to next year, when he he told RPM’s Cameron Gray, in front of a reporter, that wild card riders at Laguna Seca would have to choose between racing in AMA Superbike or World Superbike and couldn’t do both.

Gray immediately called Murphy, and said Murphy would meet with Flammini to sort out the matter.

The fact that the meeting between Murphy and Flammini took place at all testifies to the fact that Nosetto was refering to this event, this year.

In any case, wild card riders will now face certain restrictions on their participation in World Superbike practice sessions, but will be allowed to compete in both AMA and World Superbike.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

First Person/Opinion:

By John Ulrich

There are a lot of people upset with the proposed 2003 AMA road racing rules.

I don’t blame people for being upset: The new Superbike rules are radically different, and the stated justification for eliminating Pro Thunder (in 2003) and 250cc Grand Prix (in 2004) looks like bullshit meant to cover up the shortcomings of current AMA Pro Racing management to get a handle on operations, and I don’t think their problem is too much to do.

Having said that, I still think that paddock dwellers should be rejoicing that we’re having this argument now, instead of in December, and that the new rules package is a proposal and wasn’t just dropped in everybody’s lap as being how it would be, period. Simply declaring new rules, period, has been AMA Pro Racing standard operating procedure for years; we need only look back a year or two to find examples of finalized rules being issued at the last minute, with no chance to comment at all.

This deal where proposed rules are announced in June, with input invited for 30 days, is a major shift in how AMA Pro Racing operates, and it was a hard-fought change.

Much of the anger in the paddock stems from long-standing mistrust of AMA Pro Racing, a mistrust built up over decades; people have learned the hard way not to believe what AMA Pro Racing officials say, and many think that offering any input will be an exercise in futility.

Some of the anger comes from how the proposed rule changes were announced, via e-mailed press release during the Brainerd National weekend, with no senior representative of AMA Pro Racing on hand to field questions and take input.

And, of course, it is possible that meaningful input will be ignored, and that the rules will be enacted as currently written.

But I don’t think that will happen.

Participants in AMA road races should make their input, participate in the process, and see what happens.

I’m not ready to write off this deal quite yet, and I remain optimistic that it will turn out well.

Having any process at all is already an improvement…

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

1. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:29.798
2. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:29.900
3. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:30.228
4. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:30.334
5. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:30.592
6. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:30.789
7. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:30.812
8. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:30.908
9. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:30.912
10. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:31.285
11. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:31.473
12. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:31.500
13. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:31.546
14. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki, 1:31.661
15. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, 1:31.782
16. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 1:32.582
17. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:32.646
18. Andrew Nelson, Honda, 1:32.992
19. Ty Howard, Suzuki, 1:33.184
20. Michael Hannas, Kawasaki, 1:33.487
21. Mike Hale, Honda, 1:33.602
22. Jeffrey Tigert, Suzuki, 1:34.822
23. Tyler Wadsworth, Yamaha, 1:35.343
24. Scott Simpson, Kawasaki, 1:35.552
25. Matt Zurbuchen, Suzuki, 1:35.579
26. Robert Campbell, Kawasaki, 1:36.122
27. Chris Siglin, Suzuki, 1:36.799
28. Patrick Dowd, Suzuki, 1:37.252
29. Dirk Sanchez, Kawasaki, 1:37.559
30. Kevin Pate, Suzuki, 1:37.600
31. G. Hugh Pestes, Suzuki, 1:37.731
32. Chris Siebenhaar, Honda, 1:37.809
33. Justin Blake, Suzuki, 1:37.904
34. Daryl Woodward, Yamaha, 1:38.077
35. David Guy, Suzuki, 1:38.827
36. Michael Ellsworth, Kawasaki, 1:38.867
37. Tom Wertman, Suzuki, 1:39.168
38. Martin Sims, Suzuki, 1:40.209
39. Tyrone Toloy, Honda, 1:40.752
40. Alex Florea, Kawasaki, 1:40.823
41. Brian Lowe, Suzuki, 1:41.629

From AMA Pro Racing:

DOUG CHANDLER SIGNS ON FOR AMA PRO RACING’S
OFFICIALLY LICENSED MERCHANDISE PROGRAM

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – Three-time AMA Superbike champion Doug Chandler has signed on to AMA Pro Racing’s official merchandise program, it was announced today. Chandler has reached an agreement with AMA Pro Racing’s new merchandising partner, Wateree Sports Group, that will allow fans to purchase his gear at AMA Superbike events and also online at www.amaproracing.com/speedshop.

Chandler’s line of merchandise will be available for sale this weekend at Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca for the World Superbike/AMA Superbike racing weekend.

“Yesterday, we announced the signing of Anthony Gobert to our merchandising program, and today we are pleased to announce the signing of Doug Chandler,” said Jeff Reeves, vice president of Wateree Sports Group. “This is a very exciting time for us, as more and more of the top riders sign on to our project. We are thrilled to have him on board.”

Chris Bradley, AMA Pro Racing associate vice president of commercial development, said, “As a three-time AMA Superbike champion, Doug has earned a legion of loyal fans and is clearly one of the most respected men in the series. Having him in our program is a definite boost.”

Chandler is excited about the cross-license program. “I am proud to be associated with Wateree Sports Group as the company has such high standards and proven performance in the NASCAR community.”

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.

For more information about the new merchandise program, contact Wateree Sports Group’s Jeff Reeves at (803) 327-2776.

For immediate post-race results, points, and live transponder scoring from each race in the championship, log on to amaproracing.com’s Superbike Mediacenter, the official home of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship.

About Wateree Sports Group
Wateree Sports Group, founded in 1990, is a merchandise company specializing in the development and implementation of programs for corporate, sports and entertainment properties. WSG helps clients achieve their goals through various distribution channels. These channels include event distribution, corporate identity programs, direct mail, e-commerce and retail based POS programs. Current corporate clients include General Mills, Sprint, Georgia Pacific, Schneider Electric, Petty Enterprises, Lockheed Martin and Conseco Financial Services. Wateree’s driver list includes the 7-time Winston-Cup Champion Richard Petty, Kyle Petty, AJ Foyt, John Andretti, Buckshot Jones and aerobatic pilots Sean Tucker and Patty Wagstaff.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Superstock Qualifying Results (all on Suzuki GSX-R750 unless noted):

1. Jimmy Moore, 1:30.141
2. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:30.247
3. Jason DiSalvo, 1:30.495
4. Vincent Haskovec, 1:30.578
5. Craig Connell, 1:30.698
6. Lee Acree, 1:30.822
7. Robert Jensen, 1:30.899
8. Brian Parriott, 1:30.907
9. Ty Howard, 1:31.256
10. Chris Ulrich, 1:31.262
11. Chris Caylor, 1:31.376
12. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:31.528
13. Christopher Rankin, 1:31.545
14. John Dugan, 1:31.878
15. Rich Conicelli, 1:31.924
16. Alan Schmidt, 1:32.507
17. Brian Livengood, 1:32.615
18. Andrew Nelson, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:33.029
19. Jeremy Toye, 1:33.182
20. Owen Richey, 1:33.460
21. Giovanni Rojas, 1:34.105
22. Marco Martinez, 1:34.109
23. Jacob Holden, 1:34.283
24. Justin Blake, 1:34.529
25. Jeremy Chisum, 1:34.782
26. Scott Jensen, 1:34.875
27. Jeff Bostrom, 1:34.974
28. Tom Wertman, Suzuki, 1:34.988
29. Mark Ledesma, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:35.191
30. J.J. Roetlin, 1:35.224
31. Matt Zurbuchen, Suzuki, 1:35.241
32. John Scott Wilson, Suzuki, 1:35.313
33. Jeffrey Tigert, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:35.416
34. Jason Chisum, Suzuki, 1:35.568
35. Scott Simpson, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:35.594
36. Robert Campbell, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:35.682
37. Kevin Pate, 1:35.789
38. G. Hugh Pestes, Suzuki, 1:35.825
39. Michael Kosta, Suzuki, 1:36.350
40. Kevin Burgess, Suzuki, 1:36.496
41. Lance Williams, Suzuki, 1:37.365
42. Jeremiah Johnson, Suzuki, 1:37.748
43. Marty Sims, Suzuki, 1:37.890
44. James Lickwar, Suzuki, 1:38.148
45. Tyler Sandell, Suzuki, 1:38.868
46. Tyler Alexander, Kawasaki, 1:40.166
47. Josh Bryan, Ducati 748, 1:43.258

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The first World Superbike free practice session was halted with 1:54 remaining as a result of two crashes in turn ten.

HM Plant Ducati’s James Toseland crashed in turn ten and ran away, apparantly uninjured, as his Ducati 998 burst into a ball of fire.

Corner workers were on the scene of Toseland’s crash with fire extinguishers instantly and began to tame the flames when World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss lost the front end of his Ducati and slid into the corner at high speed.

The view on a closed-circuit television feed made it appear as if Bayliss’ bike narrowly missed the corner workers fighting the Toseland fire.

Bayliss appeared uninjured and was seen walking back to pit lane with Toseland.

Noriyuki Haga also crashed, a lowside, in turn 11 early in the session. Haga also escaped his fall without major injury and continued to ride during the practice.

Colin Edwards turned his fastest lap, faster than Eric Bostrom’s AMA Superbike pole time of 1:25.716, in the final seconds of the re-started practice session.

American wild cards did not participate in Friday morning’s World Superbike practice.

Friday Morning’s World Superbike Practice Times:

1. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 1:25.419
2. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, 1:25.760
3. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, 1:26.264
4. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, 1:26.594
5. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, 1:26.778
6. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, 1:26.871
7. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, 1:27.387
8. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.520
9. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.041
10. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.519
11. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:28.545
12. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.547
13. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.775
14. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, 1:28.893
15. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:28.965
16. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, 1:29.346
17. Serafino Foti, Ducati 996RS, 1:29.814
18. Alessandro Antonello, Ducati 998RS, 1:30.437
19. Bertrand Stey, Honda RC51, 1:30.880
20. Mark Miller, Honda RC51, 1:31.191
21. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, 1:32.546
22. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:33.308
23. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 996RS, 1:33.539