Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday Morning AMA Superbike Practice Times:

1. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:25.983
2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:25.989
3. Doug Chandler, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.037
4. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:26.166
5. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:26.325
6. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:26.613
7. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:26.862
8. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:27.085
9. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.159
10. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R7, 1:27.980
11. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.976
12. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.062
13. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.24
14. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.31
15. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.49
16. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.63
17. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.73
18. Tom Montano, Ducati 996R, 1:30.90
19. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.34
20. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.49
21. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.59
22. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.64
23. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.78
24. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.83
25. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.88

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Final MotoGP Qualifying Results:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 1:31.563
2. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:31.651
3. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 1:31.803
4. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 1:31.828
5. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:31.906
6. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 1:31.977
7. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 1:32.042
8. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:32.123
9. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:32.182
10. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, 1:32.361
11. Daijiro Kato, Honda NSR500, 1:32.408
12. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, 1:32.446
13. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, 1:32.586
14. Akira Ryo, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:32.707
15. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, 1:32.810
16. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 1:32.861
17. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:33.055
18. Garry McCoy, Yamaha YZR500, 1:33.153
19. Alex Hofmann, Yamaha YZR500, 1:33.903
20. Pere Riba, Yamaha YZR500, 1:34.009
21. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, did not qualify


More, from Red Bull Yamaha:

BRITISH GP – DONINGTON
Final Qualifying – Saturday July 13th 2002

HOPKINS HITS THE SECOND ROW

John Hopkins has claimed the British GP as his “Home away from Home” race and his brilliant performance again today is winning him plenty of English fans. In the final qualifying session, Hopper was red-hot in the closing few minutes, pushing his two stroke Yamaha to the limit, to again claim the best performing YZR500 of the day. Hopkins who is younger than the reigning 125 Champion Manuel Poggiali and the current leader of the 250 Championship Marco Melandri, is in only the 8th GP of his career, making this, his rookie year simply outstanding. “Hopper” also achieved a 6th place grid position in Barcelona in Round 6 of the Championship.

The utterly determined, super-fit, American tumbled in this morning’s free practice session after losing the front and sliding onto the grass at Craner Curve. Hopkins, who walked away unharmed was given a card from fans in the area welcoming him to the “Craner Curve Club.” John is delighted to be in the company of such other prestigious riders, such as Doohan, Lawson and Schwantz but was hoping to avoid membership for some time to come.

Garry McCoy, who returns to racing after an 8 week recuperation, is disappointed in his qualifying today, even though he has improved on his times from yesterdays session and today’s free practice. McCoy, a 3 times 500cc GP winner was on the front row of the grid here two years ago, and we know the 30 year old “Slide King” has the grit, ability and experience to finish in the front group tomorrow.

John Hopkins: 6th – 1:31.977
“I achieved the time I wanted in the session getting into the 31’s but I really was aiming for a front row start. I made a couple of mistakes in the final few hot laps when I was pushing really hard so I didn’t have a clean run all the way through. I’m on the 2nd row in 6th position so I’ve equalled my best grid position of the season. My bikes working really well here and I’m confident that I will race well.

“I’m planning to finish in the top five tomorrow and I really think its possible with the Dunlops we have, they’re working really well. I’ve got plenty of family support here this weekend and its great to see them in the crowd cheering me on.”

Garry McCoy – 18TH 1:33.153
“I’m a little disappointed. I thought I could of done better than that but maybe I’m expecting too much first time back after a long break. My best lap was on a race tyre and I really still haven’t got use to getting the maximum out of a qualifying tyre which it seems the other guys are able to do.”

Colin Davies (Race Engineer – John Hopkins)
“A great session from John today and his done a fantastic job considering he has never raced here before. The crew did a good job in getting John’s bike ready after this morning’s tumble in the free practice. We really have to thank Dunlop, they are making great progress with the tyres and we’re very pleased with the tyre-related feedback from John.”

Christophe Bourguignon (Race Engineer -Garry McCoy)
“Well, we are disappointed with our grid position but tomorrow is race day and that’s what counts. Garry did his best lap on a race tyre today and I’m confident that he will race better than he qualified today.”

Peter Clifford – Team Manager
“Another sensational day from John and Garry has obviously clicked into gear as far as the race tyres are concerned but a blinding fast qualifying lap wasn’t on the cards in his first outing.”



More, from Aprilia:


Tough time for Régis Laconi at Donington

The Italo-French rider had a good free practice on the RS Cube in the morning, coming in with 10th best time, but the afternoon qualifying session was much harder. He was attempting to improve his lap time to secure a good position on tomorrow’s starting grid, but problems of grip coming out of corners meant he was not able to improve on the 1’32.861 he made half an hour into the session (12th best performance at the time). Régis qualified sixteenth, putting him on the fourth row at the start of tomorrow’s race.


# 55 Régis Laconi – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 16° – 1’32.861

“My lap time on race tyres, during the free practice in the morning, put me into tenth place at the end of the session. But during the qualifying, it was quite clear that I’d have to reduce this time by quite a bit in order to secure a good place on the grid tomorrow. I just wasn’t able to, and I still had the problems which have beset me in both of these first two days at Donington: when it’s time to open up the gas coming out of the corners, the tyre slips and I have to do all I can to physically prevent coming a cropper. The track here is short, with rapid accelerations, and it’s clear you need to use short gears to get the most out of it, but it’s also clear that when you force all that power down onto the tarmac, you’ve just got to have adherence. That’s what I haven’t got. So it’s hard to hope for a better result and I really do have my doubts about the race. I don’t think the best tyres – the ones with the most constant grip – would last me out from beginning to end.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

125cc Grand Prix Final Qualifying Results:

1. Manuel Poggiali, Gilera, 1:38.078
2. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 1:28.216
3. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 1:38.437
4. Youichi Ui, Derbi, 1:38.606
5. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, 1:38.620
6. Joan Olive, Honda, 1:38.646
7. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 1:38.692
8. Andrea Ballerini, Honda, 1:38.758
9. Mike Kallio, Honda, 1:38.878
10. Masao Azuma, Honda, 1:38.893

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

MotoGP Practice Times From Donington Park:

1. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 1:32.220
2. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:32.421
3. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:32.453
4. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:32.544
5. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 1:32.576
6. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:32.817
7. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 1:33.002
8. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 1:33.130
9. Garry McCoy, Yamaha YZR500, 1:33.193
10. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 1:33.232
11. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, 1:33.296
12. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 1:33.346
13. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, 1:33.510
14. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, 1:33.545
15. Nobatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, 1:33.587
16. Daijio Kato, Honda NSR500, 1:33.688
17. Pere Riba, Yamaha YZR500, 1:34.032
18. Akira Ryo, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:34.359
19. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:34.460
20. Alex Hofmann, Yamaha YZR500, 1:35.058
21. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, no time

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Superstock Practice Times:

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:30.527
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:30.765
3. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.803
4. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.881
5. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.976
6. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.012
7. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:31.214
8. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.427
9. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.468
10. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.753
11. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.792
12. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.846
13. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.866
14. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.882
15. Christopher Rankin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.102
16. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.348
17. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.451
18. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.817
19. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.941
20. Andrew Nelson, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:32.949

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.