Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday MotoGP Qualifying Results:

1. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, 1:45.451
2. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:45.532
3. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 1:45.619
4. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:45.787
5. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 1:45.842
6. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:45.923
7. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:45.948
8. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR-500, 1:45.967
9. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 1:46.057
10. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 1:46.187
11. Daijiro Kato, Honda NSR500, 1:46.245
12. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, 1:46.264
13. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, 1:46.328
14. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 1:46.506
15. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, 1:46.806
16. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:46.810
17. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, 1:46.839
18. Pere Riba, Yamaha YZR500, 1:47.571
19. Akira Ryo, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:47.931
20. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 1:48.405
21. Alex Hofmann, Yamaha YZR500, 1:49.063

From Telefonica MoviStar Suzuki:

Team Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki rider Sete Gibernau was a stunning second fastest in today’s first timed practice for Sunday’s Catalunyan GP, with team-mate Kenny Roberts less than four tenths slower, on the second row of the provisional starting grid.

Both riders enjoyed the benefit of not only the latest generation of Michelin tyres, which they are using for the first time, but also a series of engine upgrades – part of the continual programme of development to the new Suzuki GSV-R, youngest of the three new-generation Japanese 990cc MotoGP four-strokes.

The power-up engine improvements include a new Mk3 crankcase, with reduced internal friction, and revised engine control mapping for the ECU. But engine designer Kunio Arase, at the track along with fellow factory engineers and factory rider Akira Ryo, was anxious to stress this is just another interim stage. Development is constant, and the factory is determined to continue the rapid rate of improvement already achieved in the bike’s first five races. Ryo, second in Japan and a wild card entry for this GP, placed 19th today, his first ride on the GSV-R on Michelin tyres. He uses Dunlops racing the bike at home in Japan.

Held in blazing sunshine at the 4.727km circuit outside Barcelona, the first session was very close. Gibernau was just eight hundredths slower than provision pole qualifier Loris Capirossi, and the first 13 riders were within one second of Capirossi’s time.

SETE GIBERNAU – Second Position, 1:45.532

“I had one or two small problems this morning, so I’m happy with the time this afternoon. You have to remember that it was only one lap, and Loris (Capirossi) helped me a lot, because I was following right behind him. The whole GSV-R package is becoming much better. The Michelins are part of the package, and we have to thank them for the new tyres. I’m hoping to have no problems tomorrow, and to pick up my pace to do strings of fast laps.”

KENNY ROBERTS Jr. – Sixth Position, 1:45.923

“I think my level is probably the closest we’ve been to the other bikes all year, especially in terms of race settings. I’m pretty comfortable, and able to do consistent laps. My time came on the fifth or sixth lap, and using race tyres. It wasn’t just one lap, tucked in, balls out and hope you survive the lap, which is what I’ve had to do a couple of times this year. The new tyres are a big jump – the biggest jump since 1999, when I changed to Michelins for the first time. The new engine also seems to be an improvement. There are a couple of kilometres more top speed and it’s a little stronger mid-range.”

KUNIO ARASE: Engine Designer

“This is the third generation of crankcase, designed to reduce further the mechanical losses. The exact way we do it is a secret; the result is a little more horsepower through the rev range. This is the first race for the new crankcases, but they have undergone extensive reliability testing in Japan. The other difference here is a refinement to the engine management mapping, which improves the performance in back-shifting by reducing engine braking. We are continuing work in that area, but the main priority at the moment is increased engine power. This engine is improved, but I don’t believe by enough. I can’t say when we will have more power, but it will be during this season.”

WARREN WILLING: Technical Advisor

“The new crankcases and mapping are another small step, and the bike is more consistent now in engine braking. The 2002 tyres are definitely more consistent, with better steering characteristics. We’re playing catch-up to an extent with getting the bike settings right for the tyres, but not with choice – like all the Michelin teams we had a choice of two this morning, and having established which variation we prefer we then got another choice in that direction. On average, the bigger footprint of the rear tyre allows softer compounds. It’s a definite improvement.”

RYO SETTLES IN

Japanese Superbike Champion Akira Ryo made a steady start to his three-stop MotoGP campaign in Catalunya, taking 18th place in the first qualifying session before Sunday’s race. Ryo’s time of 1.47.931 was just 2.468 slower than the provisional pole position time of 1.45.451 set by Italian rider Loris Capirossi,and he is confident that he can improve even further as he settles in to his first ever race outside of Japan.

Suzuki gained three ‘wild-card’ MotoGP entries for Ryo, starting with this weekend’s race in Catalunya, then moving on to the next round at Assen in the Netherlands and finally Donington Park in the UK.

Ryo gave the new GSV-R four-stroke race machine a sensational second place debut at the first round of the new MotoGP series back in April, when he took a home wildcard entry at Suzuka, leading for most of the race before losing out to World Champion Valantino Rossi in the closing laps.

Ryo’s three-race MotoGP campaign is designed to accelerate the on-going development programme of the new Suzuki GSV-R machine alongside the official factory MotoGP Telefonica Movistar Suzuki team riders, Kenny Roberts and Sete Gibernau. Ryo’s machine is identical to the other two Suzuki pilot’s bikes, but he is racing in the factory’s official blue and white livery.

Commenting on his first qualifying session, Ryo said, “All the testing and racing I have done so far on the GSV-R has been on Dunlop tyres and so I am still getting used to the different feel of the Michelin’s that we are racing on here. We have played with a number of different settings today and I think that we have made some progress. Tomorrow, if the weather holds, we will make more progress I am certain.”

More, from Yamaha:

Checa set for a front row start

Round: 6 – Catalunya MotoGP
Circuit: Catalunya
Date: 14 June 2002
Temp: 32°C
Weather: Sunny

Sweltering heat greeted the 21-bike contingent for the opening qualifying session of the Catalan MotoGP, held June 14. Carlos Checa (Marlboro Yamaha Team) set the early benchmark for his home event before finishing the day with the fourth fastest time. The Spaniard held provisional pole position until a five-way bullfight began between Loris Capirossi (Honda, 1’45.451), Sete Gibernau (Suzuki, 1’45.532), Tohru Ukawa (Honda, 1’45.619), Checa (1’45.787) and Valentino Rossi (Honda, 1’45.842) – the quintet finishing in that order with only 0.391 seconds separating them.

Max Biaggi’s (Marlboro Yamaha Team, 1’45.948) best put him seventh fastest – 0.497 seconds off pole, and only 0.025 seconds behind sixth-placed Kenny Roberts (Suzuki, 1’45.923). The YZR-M1 mounted Italian was closely followed by the ever-improving John Hopkins; the young American posting a 1’45.967 aboard the Red Bull Yamaha WCM YZR500 to be eighth fastest.

Norick Abe (Antena 3 Yamaha d’Antin, 1’46.264) completed day one in 12th, just ahead of Shinya Nakano (Gauloises Yamaha Tech 3, 1’46.328), while the most recent Red Bull Yamaha rider replacement, Alex Hofmann, completed the lineup in 21st with a 1’49.063.

Marlboro Yamaha Team

Carlos Checa 4th, 1’45.787:
“We’re very focused for this weekend, but so far we’re quite far from where we want to be. We had a few settings problems this morning and, although we worked hard to improve things this afternoon, we’ll need to make a few more changes for tomorrow. The heat means that everyone’s lap times aren’t fantastic, and while I wasn’t using a soft tyre at the end of the session, I was trying my maximum on my best lap. Tomorrow I’ll need the bike to keep rolling more easily through the corners, and I’ll also need better feeling on the corner exits. But compared to before, we’re okay. This was never a good track for us with the 500, but this bike already feels better here. Now we’re working to make sure it’s even better at the end of the weekend.”

Max Biaggi 7th, 1’45.948:
“We had a few little problems this afternoon, which held me back a bit. The power didn’t seem to be consistent, sometimes I would lose power out of a corner, other times it would be fine. But I’m not too worried; it’s always better to have your problems in practice rather than in the race! All being well, we should have more time to work on settings tomorrow. We started this morning with a base setting we came up with at Valencia, then we made a small change for this afternoon and now we need to further adapt the bike to this track, mostly working on the front-end. There’s more to do but I feel we should be okay here for race day.”

Red Bull Yamaha WCM

John Hopkins 8th, 1’45.967:
“I think half a second is the closest to pole position that I’ve been so far this year. I’m really happy with my performance throughout that whole session, but I know I can still improve as I made a few small mistakes, even on my best lap. We also think we can modify the set-up to improve the feedback too, which should help.

Hopkins closes in on the leaders
“The grip levels weren’t great, I think it’s a combination of the high temperatures and the circuit beginning still a little dirty. I focused on finding a race set-up rather than just a fast lap. I only put on a softer rear in the last few minutes and I couldn’t have timed it better. I got out just behind Capirossi and Gibernau when they put in their fast laps and it was great to see what they can do.”

Alex Hofmann 21st, 1’49.063:
“I’m just trying to get to know the bike at the moment. I focused on learning how the bike will respond with each chassis modification, this way I have a better understanding of its limitations, and mine. Feel is the main thing I’m looking for, and we’ve got some ideas to help improve things in that area, and then we’ll look at improving the grip.”

Antena 3 Yamaha d’Antin

Norick Abe 12th, 1’46.264:
“It is so hot out there today! These are very difficult conditions to be riding in, not only for the rider but the bike too. When it is this hot the bikes tend to lose power, and the tyres lose grip. I did try a softer tyre in the last few minutes, and it help to better my time, but it wasn’t enough to make much of a difference to my position. We have some things we’d like to try with the front set-up, so that the bike turns in better, and then we’d like to look at improving the drive off the turns.”

Pere Riba 18th, 1’47.571:
“I’m quite happy with that, even if I am still only 18th. The time is not that much better than what I did during the test earlier in the year, partly because of the high temperatures, but I’m feeling much more comfortable now at this speed. I can feel what the bike is doing where before I was just guessing. The test we recently had in Valencia really helped out in this regard, as track time is just what I’ve been needing all along.”

Gauloises Yamaha Tech 3

Shinya Nakano 13th, 1’46.328:
“We concentrated on one bike this afternoon, using a chassis geometry based on what we ran here last year. It seems to have been a good choice through the medium and high-speed sections of the circuit, but I’m lacking some feel from the front in the last stage. Tomorrow we’ll try a few things that should improve the front-end feel. I hope that will be the case, for my fan club at least, which has come all the way from Japan to watch me race this weekend.”

Olivier Jacque 21st, 1’49.063:
“I just can’t seem to get the feedback I need from the front of the bike, which is crucial around here for a fast time. Combine the lack of feel with the limited grip we have in these conditions and I just don’t have the confidence to push hard. The crash I had didn’t help either. It was only my second lap on a new set of tyres and I wasn’t even pushing hard. We’ll have a good think about it tonight and hopefully come out fighting tomorrow.”

Even more, from Red Bull Yamaha:

HOT LAP HOPKINS ON THE FASTEST 2 STROKE YAMAHA

John Hopkins the 19 year old American rookie has put in another exceptional performance in Friday’s qualifying session in Barcelona aboard the Red Bull Yamaha YZR 500. Finishing 8th in the scorching 34 degree temperature, Hopper is very pleased with his performance in this his sixth MotoGP event of his career.

Hopkins performance today, positions him as the fastest 2 stroke Yamaha in the session and sees him again in Fridays Top Ten list, a feat he accomplished for the first time at the Italian GP, 2 weeks ago.

Only a mere 0.125 seconds behind the reigning World Champion, Valentino Rossi (in 5th position), Hopper clocked the Fastest Top Speed for a 2 stroke Yamaha at 306.6km, ahead of his nearest 2 stroke Yamaha rival Shinya Nakano.

Newcomer to the team, German Alex Hofmann, made history today as the first German ever to ride a 500cc Yamaha 2 stroke. Hofmann improved on this mornings practice session by 1.719 seconds and with each lap, the young 22-year-old begins to understand the performance of the YZR 500.

This weekend, the Red Bull Yamaha riders line up as the 2 youngest riders on the MotoGP grid.


JOHN HOPKINS – 8th – 1’45.967

“I’m getting more comfortable on the bike now, I’m learning to understand it more at each race and I am working in really well with the team and my mechanics.

“I’m pretty happy with my performance today and I feel like I found my rhythm fast here. I had a full two dry days testing here in March and I know about the track straight up so I can concentrate on the bike from first thing Friday morning.

“We have a lot of work to do tonight, to select the tyres for the heat here; we will be working on the grip and our race set-up. I am focusing on the beginning of the race and the start so I can get stronger here. I want to be on the second row on Sunday and I will do all I can to achieve that.”


ALEX HOFMANN – 21st – 1’49.063

“I am feeling better on the bike with each lap and getting more comfortable on the 500 and I am making progress. We are fighting for grip on the rear in these hot conditions and I have been sliding a lot in this session and going sideways. So we have to make some changes for the set-up for tomorrow to improve this.”


Peter Clifford – Team Manager

“Just another step forward for John and its incredible to see how steady and sure his progress is. We have to thank Dunlop for the work they are putting in, which is helping with John’s progress.

“It’s only Alex’s second day riding with the Team and it was another professional and intelligent session as he gets use to the motorcycle.”

More, from Aprilia:

Laconi and RS Cube make third provisional row with ninth time in qualifying practice.

With 9th quickest time in the qualifying sessions today, Laconi has placed the RS Cube on the third provisional row for the start, just 6 tenths from the (again provisional) pole scored by Loris Capirossi. Régis’s time, 1’46.057, was clocked during the final sorties in this afternoon’s session after the rider mounted qualifying tyres. The minimal gap from today’s leader shows that yet another step forward has been made in developing the Cube, and that the tests at Mugello straight after the Italian GP made a yet another considerable improvement. The qualifying tyres gave some good results, and tomorrow’s work will concentrate on choosing the race tyres and testing them over a distance.


# 55 Regis Laconi – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 9th – 1’46.057

“We worked hard this morning with the bike in qualifying configuration. I tried a front tyre that gave a great sensation and let me break harder and take the corners faster. So I’m feeling quite relaxed and happy with the Cube in “qualifying mode”: now we’ve got to work on the best race configuration. The distance from today’s best time is really minimal: just 6 tenths. I think that says a lot about the bike’s potential. And that’s not all: in terms of speed, we made third fastest today, and we’ve only got two Honda four-strokes in front of us. We’ve sure go the power. Tomorrow, we’ll sort out the fine details to make sure we have a good race. The track’s full of potholes, which are annoying but I’ve got the secret for solving the problem: I’ll just go faster!”.


Second quickest time, first provisional row for Marco “Macio” Melandri in sweltering Catalunya

Blistering heat in the 250 practice sessions too. Tough work for Marco Melandri, but certainly not easy for the others either. Once the Ravenna-born rider was satisfied with the set-up of his Aprilia RSW 250, he turned his full attention to the choice of tyres for a race which is going to be truly gruelling due to the extreme weather conditions, with over 30 degrees in the shade and almost 44 on the tarmac.

A number of different tyre solutions were tried out and, in the end, the best choice turned out to be a slightly softer mix than had been used at the start of the session.



# 3 Marco Melandri – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 2nd – 1’48.490

“Taking into account the scorching heat, we started the session using really hard tyres, but then towards the end – just 10 minutes before time was up – we tried out some softer ones we’d used in other races. Things got better and I went off to see if I could get provisional pole. It’s a pity De Puniet managed to go faster – I very nearly made it. The slightly softer tyres seem much less easy to handle when you need to control the bike in a skid, while harder ones don’t have this problem. Now we’ll need to see if the choice we’ve made can last out an entire race. Tomorrow we’ll be doing all the various tests. If the heat keeps up like this on Sunday, it’s the tyres that are going to make the difference. Otherwise, I’m very pleased with the set-up of the bike and I’m fully confident things’ll go well in the race the day after tomorrow.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Josh Hayes, injured during practice for the AMA National at California Speedway in April, will return to the track for the first time this weekend, during a WERA National Endurance Series and National Challenge Series event at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway in Talladega, Alabama.

Hayes will ride a Suzuki GSX-R600.

He hopes to return to AMA competition at The Colonel’s Brainerd International Raceway June 27-30.

From a press release:


ARAI INTRODUCES
NEW XXS AND XXXS SIZES
FOR WOMEN AND YOUNGER RIDERS


(Daytona, FL) Arai has added new, smaller XXS and XXXS sizes to its Quantum/f full-face model. The move acknowledges the ever-growing number of women riders, and also the increased number of younger riders drawn to Arai helmets, based on the company’s latest research. The new XXS size is for heads measuring 51-52cm in circumference; XXXS for those measuring 49-50cm.

---

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According to Bruce Porter, Arai’s Marketing Manager, the necessity of Arai introducing smaller sizes for female riders came from his own experience. “I attend all of the wintertime consumer shows, where we are constantly measuring riders’ heads, helping them learn how to get the proper helmet size and shape for their particular heads, and for several years I’ve been measuring women motorcyclists who have head sizes as small as 47cm, much smaller than our 53-54cm XS size. I mentioned this to Mr. Arai at a meeting at Arai Japan’s headquarters, along with figures on the ever-growing number of new women riders. I further reported that it had been my experience that almost all petite female consumers had distinctly round-shaped heads and that consequently they would fit our Quantum series shell shape very well.

“Mr. Arai responded to this unique need almost immediately by ordering the construction of the XXS and XXXS sizes in the Quantum/f.”

As if the women’s market wasn’t enough reason for Arai to move to smaller sizes, the company reported that its research over the past several years has shown a definite trend toward more younger riders buying Arais than ever before.

Arai’s Quantum series’ features include the company’s LRS tool-less shield removal mechanism, Arai’s unique “Double Delta-2” ventilation system, the advanced FFS “FreeFlow System” (whose cheekpad design, neck roll, and extended pull-down chinbar spoiler all combine to further reduce wind turbulence while increasing the exhaust of hot air from the face area), and removable, replaceable cheekpads in optional thicknesses for more personal comfort and fit (an Arai innovation now used by most other helmet makers).

Also, like all Arai Helmets, the Quantum series benefits from Arai’s handmade quality, exhaustive attention to detail, and multiple-density foam interiors that are still hand-fit into place, all combining to provide a level of comfort and fit so special that they have helped Arai just earn its fourth consecutive J.D. Power & Associates Award as the highest-ranking motorcycle helmet in customer satisfaction.*

Arai’s Quantum series helmets are available in sizes XXXS through XXL. MSRPs range from $426.95 to $533.95 depending on color and design.

From a press release issued by Red Bull Yamaha:

HOFMANN MAKES HISTORY AT CATALUNYA GP

German Alex Hofmann makes racing history this weekend at the Catalunya GP in Spain aboard the Red Bull Yamaha YZR500. Hofmann, who has recently celebrated his 22nd birthday, has the honor this weekend of being the first German rider ever to race on a Factory 500 Yamaha.


Alex Hofmann
“I am the first German ever to compete on a Factory 500 Yamaha as well as the first German to race in the new MotoGP class so it’s history in the making this weekend. I am so happy to be here and to be given this opportunity. I am here to have fun and ride the bike at one of my favorite tracks. I am racing in the best class, with the best riders on the best bikes and I will be pushing myself to the limit.

“I tested the bike for only one day last week in Assen, so I plan to get as much track time as possible on Friday and Saturday so I can get a feeling for the bike. I have no expectations but I want to make solid progress over the weekend.

“I am sure that the German fans will pay more attention to the MotoGP class this weekend with a German racing a 500 and I guess there will be more watching the TV coverage and cheering me on from the sidelines, pushing me on. I am here to work hard and to do my best.”

Alex, who contested the 250 World Championship last season for the Aprilia Racing Factory Team will be competing on bike #66 this weekend, his racing number since 1995.

Hofmann rides the Red Bull Yamaha this weekend in place of the injured Jean-Michel Bayle, who is resting his torn left arm bicep muscle. Bayle, the 2002 Test Rider himself replaced Garry McCoy who is anticipated to be racing at the UK Grand Prix.

John “Hopper” Hopkins, teammate this year to McCoy, Bayle and Hofmann, is looking to score points again in this GP. The young American rookie who has finished in the points at every GP this year is hoping for his first Top 10 finish. Hopkins tested here in March this year so this will be one track that he has had a chance to get to know before the race weekend.


John Hopkins
“I like this track, the elevation changes, the layout and the tight corners. It will be good to get on the bike on Friday and concentrate solely on the bike set-up and not have to learn a new track. I feel like I’m in really good physical condition and the heat here is just like being at home on a Summer day in San Diego, California.”

This just in:

AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship
Presented by Parts Unlimited
Honda International Superbike Classic
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
July 11-14, 2002


Wednesday, July 10th

Registration: Riders, Crew, Sponsors & Guests (in paddock at race information), 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Tech Inspection: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM


Thursday, July 11th

Registration: Riders, Crew, Sponsors & Guests (in paddock, race information), 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Tech Inspection: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Practice (in the following order): 8:30 AM – 11:50 PM
1. Buell Pro Thunder
2. Chevy Trucks Superbike
3. Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme
4. Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport

Lunch Break/FIM Track/Medical Inspection, 11:50 AM – 12:50 PM

Mandatory Rider Briefing for All Classes, 12:10 PM

Buell Pro Thunder Qualifying, 12:50 PM – 1:40 PM

Chevy Trucks Superbike Qualifying, 1:50 PM – 2:50 PM

Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Qualifying, 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM

Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Qualifying, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Friday, July 12th

Registration: Riders, Crew, Sponsors & Guests (Embassy Suites, Seaside), 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Tech Inspection: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Practice (in the following order): 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
1. Buell Pro Thunder
2. Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport
3. Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock

FIM Track/Medical Inspection, 10:00 AM

WSBK Practice, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Lunch Break, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Final (60k – 17 laps), 12:30 PM

MBNA 250 Grand Prix Practice, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

WSBK Qualifying, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM

Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Qualifying, 3:20 PM – 4:10 PM

Buell Pro Thunder Final, (60k – 17 laps) 4:30 PM


Saturday, July 13th

Registration: Crew, Sponsors & Guests (Embassy Suites, Seaside), 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Tech Inspection: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

MBNA 250 Grand Prix Practice, 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM

Chevy Trucks Superbike Practice, 9:10 AM – 9:50 AM

Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Practice, 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM

FIM Track/Medical Inspection, 10:40 AM

WSBK Qualifying, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Lunch Break, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

Stunt Show (Front Straight),12:00 PM – 12:15 PM


FINAL EVENTS (in the following order)

Chevy Trucks Superbike (100k – 28 laps),12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme (60k – 17 laps), 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

WSBK Practice,2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

WSBK Superpole,4:00 PM

MBNA 250 Grand Prix Qualifying,5:00 PM – 5:30 PM


Sunday, July 14th

Registration: Crew, Sponsors & Guests (Embassy Suites, Seaside), 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Tech Inspection Opens:8:30 AM

MBNA 250 Grand Prix Practice, 8:40 AM – 9:00 AM

FIM Track/Medical Inspection, 9:05 AM

WSBK Warm-up, 9:20 AM – 9:40 AM

Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Practice, 9:50 AM – 10:20 AM

Fan Ride/Keith Code Lap, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Stunt Show (Front Straight), 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM

WSBK Race #1(100.856k – 28 laps), 12:00 PM
Lunch Break/Stunt Show (Turn 4)12:50 PM – 1:30 PM

Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Race (60k – 17 laps), 1:30 PM

MBNA 250 Grand Prix (60k – 17 laps), 2:20 PM – 3:00 PM

WSBK Race #2 (100.856k – 28 laps), 3:30 PM
Stunt Show (Front Straight), 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

From a Honda press release:

2002 MotoGP 500 World Championship, round 6
Catalan Grand Prix, Catalunya
June 14/15/16 2002

RELENTLESS RCV RIDERS ROSSI & UKAWA AIM TO MAINTAIN 100% RECORD

Motorcycling superstar Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda Team RCV211V) comes to one of his two most successful circuits this weekend, aiming to continue his relentless progress in the new MotoGP World Championship. The Italian hero has already won four GPs from his last five appearances at Catalunya, and another win at the Spanish track on Sunday would extend his already impressive lead in this year’s series.

Rossi won last year’s 500 GP at Catalunya after a superb ride through the pack from a slow start, and also scored 250 success at the circuit in 1999
and 1998 and a 125 victory in 1997. He’s particularly looking forward to this year’s Catalan event following last week’s crucial private tests at Brno, venue for August’s Czech GP. With a clean sweep of race victory, pole position and lap record at all five races so far this season, it might seem that the last thing that Rossi and team-mate Tohru Ukawa (Repsol Honda Team RCV211V) needed was more research and development with the amazing RCV V5. But the RCV is still in its early stages of development and there is still much to be learned about the 220 horsepower machine which recently became the fastest GP bike in history, Ukawa clocking 324.5kmh/201.5mph at Mugello two weeks ago, and the taller, heavier Rossi hitting 321.1kmh/199.5mph.

“Although the results have been good this year we must keep developing the bike,” affirms Noriaki Nakata, Repsol Honda team manager. “The other factories are working hard and we are determined to keep ahead. The aim of the tests was to improve rear traction, feel and edge grip and we think we’ve made progress in all those areas.”

Rossi was also happy with progress during the session, which gives him extra confidence for the next few GPs, including this weekend’s race, the second of the season’s three MotoGP rounds in Spain. “I’m really looking forward to Catalunya,” says the 23-year old, who goes for his 44th GP success at the circuit constructed outside Barcelona in the early nineties. “We got some vital set-up data from our Catalunya tests in March and we arrive in Spain straight from Brno where we were working hard to find extra traction and grip. Michelin and Showa have been helping a lot and we are making improvements in the right direction. Although we’ve made a great start to the season we have to keep focused as the competition is getting closer”.

Ukawa may not have recorded any victories at Catalunya, but Japan’s number-one GP rider of the moment scored three podium finishes at the track during his 250 days, taking second in 2000 and 1999 and third in 1997. Last year he finished seventh in the Catalan 500 GP, less than five seconds down on winner Rossi, and this weekend he is determined to defeat his team-mate, repeating his Welkom victory in April.

“Catalunya needs to be good for me,” says Ukawa, who slid off without drama during the Brno tests. “Although I’m lying second in the championship I want to close the gap between Valentino and myself. I was third fastest in pre-season testing at Catalunya in March, when I knocked 1.5 seconds off my 2001 qualifying time. Certainly the Brno tests have helped and I now feel that I have more grip mid-corner which I always had a little problem with.”

The new breed of MotoGP four-strokes, like Honda’s RCV, are expected to rule once again at Catalunya, where they should excel through the circuit’s sweeping turns and along the 1.4km/0.87 mile start-finish straight. But as always the ‘old school’ 500 two-strokes will be doing everything in their power to end the four-strokes’ monopoly of 2002. Leading the two-stroke charge will be Sito Pons’ local-based West Honda Pons team, with riders Loris Capirossi (West Honda Pons NSR500) and Alex Barros (West Honda Pons NSR500). The Barcelona crew knows the track better than most and went testing there before the recent Italian GP. Capirossi finished third in 2001, after Barros slid off while holding second place.

“This will be another tough race for us, but maybe we’ll be a bit closer to the four-strokes than we were at Mugello,” says Capirossi, who was just two tenths slower than fastest-man Rossi in preseason tests at the track and is currently best-placed two-stroke in third overall. “I was close to Rossi in the tests but I think it will be more difficult in a race situation. Although we do know this track well, this is one of the circuits that the four-strokes have visited previously, so they’ll be in a better situation than they were at the last two races.”

“Catalunya is always an important race for us, it’s the team’s home, so I want to give them a good result,” says Barros, who finished top 500 in Italy. “I had a good race at Mugello and I think we can still improve from there. We should have a good set-up this weekend, so I aim to make the most of that in the fight with the four-strokes.”

The team’s technical director Antonio Cobas adds: “This track is completely different to Mugello, with not so much grip and plenty of ripples, which makes suspension set-up very difficult. Also, the surfaces causes a lot of tyre wear, and sometimes the front gets used more than the rear, which isn’t normal.”

Daijiro Kato (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR500) aims to get back on track this weekend after a couple of fraught GPs on his NSR500. The 250 World Champion had made a brilliant start to his debut campaign in the premier class, taking fourth place in round two and a close-run second at Jerez in May. But even Kato’s inspired talent is taking a while to properly cope with a doubling in horsepower, and he crashed out of both the French and Italian GPs.

“Luckily I was unhurt, now we just need to stay focused for the next few GPs,” observes Kato, who won last year’s 250 race at Catalunya. “I fell at Mugello after getting a bad start because the bike wheelied away from the grid, but I’m feeling good about this weekend’s race because since Italy we’ve been working on the set-up of the machine. “

This will be an interesting GP for Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Kanemoto Racing Honda NSR500), who will be able to judge his progress and that of his new Bridgestone tyres, comparing his pace to the preseason IRTA tests in March. “We’ve been doing a lot of racing and testing since then, gathering data all the time,” says van den Goorbergh, who has scored points in the last four Grands Prix. “I believe we still need a second a lap to be fully competitive with the other two-strokes, and we think that gap is coming down all the time. We hope to continue making forward steps at Catalunya.”

Tetsuya Harada (Pramac Honda NSR500) continues to grow in stature on his NSR. After a steady start to his first season on the V4, following a broken collarbone sustained in February, Harada is on the pace. The former 250 champ qualified on the second row at the last two GPs and is looking forward to getting even quicker. “I had quite a good race in Italy two weeks ago, and I think we can do as well or better this weekend,” says the Japanese. “Me and my team are beginning to understand the NSR, every race we make some more improvements on set-up, so I’m feeling quite optimistic about the next few GPs.”

Former 125 World Champion Emilio Alzamora (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250) goes into the biggest weekend of his year at Catalunya. And the local rider, who finished third at Jerez in May, hopes home-track fortune will be on his side once again.

“We’ve been testing since Mugello, so I think we can hope for a better result this weekend,” says Alzamora, who had a difficult race at Mugello a fortnight back, finishing 11th. “We’ve been trying to improve our base set-up, which should allow us to make better progress during qualifying. Obviously, Catalunya is a big race for me. I’ll be trying as hard as ever to give the fans something to cheer about.”

Team-mate Robby Rolfo (Fortuna Honda Gresini NSR250) also had a tough time at Mugello, a month after finishing a brilliant second at Jerez, but he is optimistic of his future chances following the team’s tests. “Our biggest problem has been qualifying,” says the Italian youngster who joined Honda this year. “If we can improve the overall set-up, then we know we can qualify better and that will help us to get closer to the front in the race.”

This is also a home race for teen Spanish 125 hero Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica Movistar Jr Team Honda RS125R), who hails from Sabedell, just a few kilometres from the Catalunya track. The 16-year old currently lies fourth in the 125 World Championship, just 20 points behind leader Manuel Poggiali (Gilera).

“This is my home race, so I’ve been dreaming about a good result!” smiles Pedrosa. “We battled hard at Mugello and ended the race just five tenths off the podium. We will keep working in the same way this weekend, but I hope to do better. All the different bikes are very close on performance at the moment, so I expect another tight race, just like Mugello.”

Following this weekend’s racing, the GP action shifts north for the Dutch GP at Assen, the most historic venue on the World Championship calendar. The June 29th event is one of two GPs that take place on a Saturday, and race times have been slightly adjusted to avoid clashes with the football World Cup.



More, from Yamaha:

INSIDE LINE
MARLBORO YAMAHA TEAM GRAND PRIX PREVIEW No 6
Marlboro Catalan Grand Prix, Catalunya
June 14/15/16 2002

ONWARD AND UPWARD FOR HARD-WORKING MARLBORO YAMAHA TEAM
Marlboro Yamaha Team riders Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa roll up at Catalunya this weekend aiming to maintain their impressive forward progress of recent weeks. Some superb work from Yamaha’s racing department in Japan has pushed the mighty YZR-M1 towards the front of the MotoGP pack at the last two GPs in France and Italy, where Biaggi and Checa both qualified in the top three.

A fortnight back at Mugello, Biaggi scored the M1’s best-ever finish, coming home a close-run second, and now he wants to go one better. Checa had set the early pace at Mugello, taking provisional pole on day one, and though some cruel luck consigned him to a fourth-place finish, he knows he’s ready to fight for victory when things go his way.

The main reasons for the M1’s extra performance are a new chassis and seat/tank unit, used for the first time at Mugello, and new parts for the bike’s innovative computer-controlled engine-braking system, run for the first time at Le Mans. Last week both Biaggi and Checa tested at Valencia to further improve the performance of these latest upgrades, and they will have each of their bikes equipped with the new chassis and seat/tank units this weekend.

After Sunday’s racing the MotoGP season moves into its northern European phase, with the next three events in the Netherlands, on Saturday June 29th, Britain, on Sunday July 14th and Germany, on Sunday July 21st.


HOME-FAVOURITE CHECA GETS FASTER AND FASTER
Local favourite Carlos Checa knows that he and his Marlboro Yamaha Team YZR-M1 are almost ready for their first MotoGP victory; all he needs is a little luck. The Spanish star made a superb start to GP racing’s new four-stroke era, finishing the first two races in third and fifth, and he gets faster and faster, as more and more new parts arrive from Yamaha’s hard-toiling race department. In France last month he qualified a superb second quickest and he was third on the grid in Italy. But the last three races have not been kind to him and Checa hopes he can leave his run of bad luck behind, starting this weekend.

“I’m optimistic that things will be better this weekend, I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve so much bad luck!” says Checa. “Catalunya is obviously a very big race for me. We have three GPs in Spain every year but this is really my home GP, because this is where I grew up. There’s always a lot of friends and family in the paddock, so I want to make them smile on Sunday, like I did in ’96 when I won my first GP there.

“We tested at Valencia for two days last week, which helped us to better understand the new chassis we got for first practice at Mugello, I just hope the chassis gives as good a feeling at Catalunya. We chose Valencia because it’s tight and it’s been the tighter tracks that have caused us problems. The way we are going at the moment, we aren’t far off being able to fight for the win. I think the four-strokes will once again have the advantage over the two-strokes at Catalunya, though maybe not as big an advantage as they had at Mugello. There’s a lot of long corners, so you’re at maximum angle for a long time, and the four-stroke gives better traction in this situation. Also, the start-finish straight is longer than Mugello’s, so the fastest four-strokes will probably be running more than 320kmh again. My only concern is that they had a truck race at Catalunya last week, which can damage the track surface.”

Marlboro Yamaha Team director Davide Brivio shares Checa’s confidence. “If it wasn’t for some bad luck, Carlos would have had better results at the last two races, for sure,” says the Italian. “But we are looking forward to the next few races because the bike is on the way up and we know that Carlos is capable of competing for a win if his luck changes. The M1 has improved a huge amount since we tested at Catalunya in early March, and last week’s tests at Valencia were useful because we were able to try different set-ups with the new chassis. Our speed at the last two races shows just how far we’ve come and just how much effort Yamaha are putting into this project. The factory and the team have been working so hard, now we deserve some good results for our efforts.”

M1 project leader Ichiro Yoda adds: “We can use more aggressive geometry settings for Catalunya, compared to Mugello, which is why it was good to go to Valencia because that track also demands quick turning. The new chassis offers improved front-end traction, which also means better braking into turns, and I’m glad that Carlos and Max will have two new chassis each this weekend, instead of just one each, like they had at Mugello.”


UPBEAT BIAGGI GETTING CLOSER TO A WIN
Two weeks ago in Italy Max Biaggi scored his best result on his Marlboro Yamaha Team YZR-M1, taking a hard-fought second place, just 2.4 seconds off the win. A fortnight earlier he finished third in the French GP, which suggests that the Italian star and his hardworking back-up crew are edging towards achieving the M1’s first victory.

Biaggi has been impressed with the recent efforts of his Yamaha engineers, who have turned the M1 into a competitive MotoGP machine in the space of a few weeks, after a difficult start to GP racing’s new four-stroke era. Improved engine and chassis performance allowed him to lead both the French and Italian GPs, after qualifying third and second quickest, just a fraction of a second off pole. Last week’s team tests at Valencia should allow the former 250 World Champion to increase his impressive pace still further.

“I would like to thank Yamaha for all their efforts during the last few weeks,” Biaggi says. “I’m feeling more positive now, much more so than at the start of the season, but if we are to win, we must keep working hard. The new chassis we got for Mugello gives me a better feeling from the front end, though we still need to work at lightening the handling. I think the biggest improvements we’ve had this year are the upgrade parts for the engine-braking management system which we got before the French GP.

“I like Catalunya a lot, it’s one of my favourite tracks, the layout is fun. We tested there at the start of the season when things weren’t looking so good, we were having problems with engine braking at that time, but I know we will be more competitive this weekend, so I’m smiling more now!

From a Marlboro Yamaha press release:

MARLBORO CATALAN GRAND PRIX
Barcelona, Spain
Thursday June 13th 2002

‘EL TORO’ SWIMS WITH THE SHARKS

Marlboro Yamaha Team rider Carlos Checa experienced one of the scariest moments of his life today, but the Spanish MotoGP star was nowhere near a 320kmh racing motorcycle. Instead Checa was at L’Aquarium Barcelona, where he swam with sharks, along with fellow GP riders Sete Gibernau and Alex Barros.

“Swimming with the sharks was an amazing experience, and a bit scary when one of them came towards me,” grinned Checa, who is a keen diver. “But the people from the aquarium were very professional, everything seemed under control, and they assured me that it was safe, well, 90 percent safe! They’ve never had a problem before and I was giving the sharks a lot of respect! I was given a few instructions before we went in the water, and one of them was not to touch the sharks, just the moonfish.”

Checa learned to dive three years ago, off Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and he has also dived off the Malaysian coast. Tomorrow he resumes his normal duties, commencing practicing and qualifying for Sunday’s Marlboro Catalan Grand Prix, round six of the 2002 MotoGP World Championship.

While Checa was at the aquarium, Marlboro Yamaha Team-mate Max Biaggi was in the Yamaha hospitality unit within the Catalunya paddock, watching Italy draw with Mexico in their final ‘qualifying’ match in the football World Cup.

From a press release:

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