Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Racing issued the following press release:

Erion Racing’s Roger Lee Hayden filed a visual protest of the main frame of the #6 Formula Xtreme machine.

After an inspection of the frame in question, AMA Road Race Manager Ron Barrick determined that the frame in question complies with the Formula Xtreme frame requirements.

Graves Motorsports team owner Chuck Graves said Sunday morning he knew of no protests filed against Buckmaster’s bike, but added that when five different teams filed protests against Buckmaster’s previous Formula Xtreme machine at California Speedway, he wasn’t informed officially by AMA officials. “They told me that they needed to keep the bike for a little longer at tech,” said Graves.

From a HMC Ducati press release:

Qualifying Report: AMA Chevy Trucks Superbike Round 5

Date: June 1, 2002

Circuit: Pikes Peak Raceway, Colorado

HMC Ducati rider Doug Chandler completed today’s final qualifying session in seventh position, setting his fastest time on race tires, choosing not to run a hot lap on a qualifier. The Californian is still recovering from injuries sustained in a crash during last round’s qualifying session at Road Atlanta and admits he is having some difficulties with muscle tightness, which is restricting his movement on the bike.

The scorching heat, that has been ever present this race weekend, was replaced by high winds, towards the end of the today’s qualifying session, catching the riders as they entered turn two. The heat will return for tomorrow with predicted temperatures in the 90s.

“I thought we did well considering we didn’t use a qualifier and I’m not 100%,” smiled Chandler. “There’s more discomfort than pain but it’s still slowing my movement on the bike, which is important at this track. Yesterday was spent getting me comfortable on the bike after the crash and today we focused on bike set-up. We’re still not completely there but we have time tomorrow morning to try a few things and get the bike ready for the race.

“I really thought we had a good chance of finishing on the front row but tomorrow’s a long race and the times seem fairly close (0.64 seconds between seventh and pole). It should be competitive for the first part, until we get into the traffic. Hopefully we’ll have our game plan worked out early enough.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning MotoGP Practice Times:

1. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:52.563
2. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 1:52.566
3. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:52.620
4. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:52.953
5. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 1:53.079
6. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:53.175
7. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 1:53.276
8. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 1:53.395
9. Daijiro Kato, Honda NSR500, 1:53.685
10. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, 1:53.694
11. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 1:53.758
12. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, 1:53.773
13. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, 1:53.980
14. Nobuatsu Aoki, PRoton KR3, 1:54.027
15. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 1:54.283
16. Shinya Nakana, Yamaha YZR500, 1:54.339
17. Jean Michel Bayle, Yamaha YZR500, 1:54.388
18. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:54.464
19. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 1:54.494
20. Pere Riba, Yamaha YZR500, 1:55.768

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday 125cc GP Qualifying Results:

1. Manuel Poggiali, Gilera, 1:59.369
2. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 1:59.409
3. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 1:59.536
4. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, 1:59.738
5. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 1:59.781
6. Jakub Smrz, Honda, 2:00.014
7. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 2:00.020
8. Simone Sanna, Aprilia, 2:00.190
9. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 2:00.384
10. Youchi Ui, Derbi, 2:00.602

From a press release:

ITALIAN GRAND PRIX, MUGELLO
Final Qualifying, Saturday June 1 2002

MARLBORO YAMAHA MEN IN THE HEAT OF THE BATTLE

Marlboro Yamaha Team riders Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa qualified second and third fastest in this afternoon’s stiflingly hot final qualifying session at Mugello, the second successive race for which the pair have both qualified in the top three. And Checa, who took provisional pole position in yesterday ‘s opening session, would almost certainly have done better if his number-one bike hadn’t suffered a problem during this afternoon’s final outing.

Following improvements to the YZR-M1’s engine-braking system for last month’s French GP, the bike’s performance has been further improved here with a new chassis that allows Biaggi and Checa to attack corners at a higher speed.

“The most important things are that Max and Carlos stayed on the front row and that we are making the bike better, race by race,” said Marlboro Yamaha Team director Davide Brivio. “Max’s last run was very impressive, he kept going rather than stop for new tyres and he was on pole for a few minutes before Rossi went quickest. Carlos’ bike had an electrical problem, but we couldn’t solve it during session, even though we changed some of the software and some parts. I’d like to apologise to Carlos. The technicians are now looking into the problem so that we can fix it for tomorrow and then I think both riders will be able to ride an interesting race.”

BIAGGI FASTEST FOR A MOMENT
This afternoon’s final session was run in strength- and performance-sapping 32-degree (C) heat, so it wasn’t until the closing stages that riders began to beat yesterday’s times. Marlboro Yamaha Team man Max Biaggi was the first to dislodge team-mate Carlos Checa from pole when he went quickest with three minutes to go. He stayed there until Valentino Rossi (Honda) bettered his time.

“We’ve been working towards the race, rather than just going for one-off times, so I know I can ride a good race tomorrow,” said Biaggi, who was also second yesterday, behind Checa. “It’ll be a hard race but I’m much happier with the bike now and I’m enjoying myself much more. The set-up we’ve got with the new chassis is okay, though we’re not seeing the full benefits of it just yet. We need to work on the settings some more, so next week’s test at Valencia will be very important.”

CHECA’S CHARGE BLUNTED BY PROBLEM
Fastest yesterday, Carlos Checa had every hope of securing his first-ever MotoGP pole position today, until his number-one bike struck a problem at the very beginning of this afternoon’s crucial final qualifier. In normal circumstances this wouldn’t have been a problem, the Marlboro Yamaha Team rider would simply have switched to his second bike, which would’ve featured a near identical set-up. But Checa and Biaggi were equipped with one new chassis apiece yesterday, which they tried for the first time in morning practice and immediately liked. Since then both men have used the new chassis exclusively because it offers better steering and handling, so when Checa switched to his number-two machine, he wasn’t able to match yesterday’s stunning performance.

“It was annoying to run into this trouble in final qualifying but at least we’re still on the front row,” said Checa. “The bike was good yesterday, so we left the set-up basically the same, but it wasn’t running right from the beginning of the session. I came back to the pits and took my other bike which didn’t give me such a good feeling. We made some changes but I only had a few laps left and couldn’t improve my time. I hope the guys can fix things for the race, and if they can, I think we can look towards a podium finish.”

ROSSI GRABS POLE AT LAST GASP
Valentino Rossi tried hard all session to better the Marlboro Yamaha men, snatching pole from Max Biaggi on his very last lap. “Basically, the Yamahas seem to be at the same level as us now, so it was a difficult session,” said Rossi, third yesterday. “We’ve had some problems here, we’ve fixed some of them but still have more work to do. Tomorrow won’t be easy.”

Rossi’s team-mate Tohru Ukawa became the fastest bike racer in history when he clocked 322.3kmh on Mugello’s 1.14km uphill main straight during final qualifying. In imperial figures that’s 200.27 mph, surpassing the magic ‘double ton’.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Racing issued this medical status update at about 11:15 a.m. on Sunday:

“Ty Howard is currently undergoing surgery for a fractured hip. Update later today.

“James Davis is still under observation. Update later today.”

From a press release issued by Castrol Honda:

TT LAP FOR SUPERBIKE STAR EDWARDS

Castrol Honda World Superbike rider Colin Edwards completed a closed roads lap of the Isle of Man TT course on Saturday after an invite from organisers to ride in the course car, between the Formula One and Sidecar TT races.

Edwards completed the lap, with driver David Mylchreest, in 26 minutes, at an average speed of 86 mph.

“It was fantastic,” beamed Edwards. “We managed 145 mph out of the car down Sulby Straight then we got held up by the other course car.”

Edwards continued: “David said he can get around in about 23 minutes on a good run but what we did was fast enough for me.”

World Superbike champion in 2000, Edwards is on the island as a guest of Honda, taking a break from the world championship which resumes at
Lausitzring, Germany next Sunday, June 9.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Thunder Qualifying Results:

1. Kirk McCarthy, Ducati 748RS, 0:57.386
2. Shawn Higbee, Buell XB9R, 0:57.843
3. Dave Estok, Buell XB9R, 0:57.869
4. Mike Ciccotto, Buell XB9R, 0:58.088
5. Tripp Nobles, Buell XB9R, 0:58.292
6. Thomas Montano, Ducati 748R, 0:59.127
7. Leo Venega, Ducati 748, 0:59.917
8. Heath Small, Ducati 748RS, 1:00.093
9. Carlos Macias, Ducati 748RS, 1:00.332
10. Shane Turpin, Ducati 748, 1:00.419
11. Kurt Marmor, Ducati 748, 1:01.446
12. Josh Bryan, Buell XB9R, 1:01.690
13. Clark Freatman, Duc 748, 1:01.794
14. Tom Hull, Ducati 944SS, 1:01.990
15. Charlie Hewett, Ducati 748, 1:02.068
16. Tom Chauncey, Ducati 748, 1:02.688
17. Michael Kludt, Buell 1200, 1:03.121
18. Dale Pestes, Ducati 748, 1:03.251
19. Jessica Zalusky, Ducati 748, 1:03.418
20. Brian Destarac, Suz SV650. 1:03.508
21. Charles Sipp, Buell 1200, 1:05.237
22. Deborah Venega, Ducati 748, 1:05.722
23. Peter Bohlig, Suz SV650, 1:06.520

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday MotoGP Qualifying Results:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 1:51.258
2. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:51.837
3. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:52.977
4. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, 1:52.107
5. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 1:52.237
6. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, 1:52.237
7. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 1:52.434
8. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 1:52.532
9. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 1:52.630
10. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:52.656
11. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, 1:52.740
12. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 1:52.751
13. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 1:52.923
14. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, 1:52.990
15. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:53.40
16. Daijiro Kato, Honda NSR500, 1:53.120
17. Jean Michel Bayle, Yamaha YZR500, 1:53.440
18. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:53.566
19. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, 1:53.828
20. Pere Riba, Yamaha YZR500, 1:54.882


MotoGP Combined Qualifying Results:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 1:51.258
2. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:51.837
3. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:52.086
4. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, 1:52.107
5. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 1:52.237
6. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, 1:52.237
7. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 1:52.434
8. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 1:52.532
9. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 1:52.630
10. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:52.656
11. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, 1:52.740
12. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 1:52.751
13. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 1:52.923
14. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, 1:52.990
15. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:53.40
16. Daijiro Kato, Honda NSR500, 1:53.120
17. Jean Michel Bayle, Yamaha YZR500, 1:53.440
18. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:53.493
19. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, 1:53.765
20. Pere Riba, Yamaha YZR500, 1:54.882


More, from a Red Bull Yamaha press release:

HOPKINS ACHIEVES HIS BEST GRID POSITION AT MUGELLO


Red Bull Yamaha riders John Hopkins and Jean-Michel Bayle both improved their times in this afternoon’s qualifying session. Hopkins improved by 0.427 seconds and has placed himself on the inside of the 4th row, his highest grid position in his short but outstanding Moto GP racing career. Hopkins has scored points in every single GP so far this season and aims to finish the Italian GP in the Top 10. Jean-Michel Bayle, the team’s Test Rider for 2002 who is the replacement rider for the injured Garry McCoy, clocked a time 0.699 seconds faster than his Friday session.


JOHN HOPKINS – 13th at 1:52.923

“I feel okay after the crash but I am really pissed off over the entire crash situation. The bike just slid, and I stayed with it, holding the same body position all the way. I jumped onto my second bike soon as I got back into the garage and ended up doing a better time on it. I tried really hard not to think about what happened in the lap when I crashed, I just focused on going faster. I have set my sights on a Top 10 finish in the race and I will be trying my best to race with the pack on the second row.”


Colin Davies – Race Engineer for John Hopkins

“John is more comfortable on his number one bike that he crashed early in the qualifying session even though he did set his best time on the second bike this afternoon. We tried a couple of different tyres thoroughout that session and we have made our decision on what tyres to race with. Tonight we will repair the bike from John’s crash today. We don’t have to change the frame because we have already checked it and it is straight.”


JEAN-MICHEL BAYLE – 17th at 1:53.440

“I am happy with today, the bike felt really good both this morning and this afternoon, I improved on my time from yesterday so this is good. I have found a race tyre for tomorrow and the set-up is fine.

“This is now my second race on the Red Bull Yamaha, I try to improve the bike and myself at each race.”


Christophe Bourguignon – Race Engineer for Jean-Michel Bayle

“I am really pleased with the tyre selection that Dunlop have given us this weekend and Jean-Michel did a good job to improve on his time from yesterday by 0.699 seconds. We now have a good set-up for the race tomorrow”


Peter Clifford – Team Manager

“Great to see that John could bounce back from this off halfway through the session to go quicker than yesterday. It’s the first time he has fallen during practice and it’s important that he can shake if off and go quickly again. Jean-Michel Bayle continues his valuable role helping sort out the huge number of tyres that Dunlop are suppling us with.”


More, from an Aprilia press release:

President Beggio electrified by the RS Cube at Mugello today

Laconi 5th in the qualifying sessions, a hairsbreadth from first row.

The Aprilia pits were no place for the fainthearted in the closing minute of the qualifying sessions. On the last lap before the chequered flag, Régis Laconi went past the intermediate timing points with a “red helmet”, the visual signal used by the official timing system to indicate on the television screens that the rider is achieving times lower that the absolute best. Another two red helmets and it would be Pole. Moments of tension. That would have been just too much. Régis, going absolutely flat out, made a slight slip on the last corner and made fifth-quickest time and thus second row. The finest result achieved by the Cube since its creation.

“It’s been a really exciting afternoon”, said a visibly satisfied President Beggio. “A great result which gives a good idea of the enormous efforts we are making to do well in this class. And yet another reason for the entire group and the entire company to open up the throttle even wider.”

# 55 Regis Laconi – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 5th – 1:52.237

“That last lap couldn’t have been faster. You really give all you’ve got. It’s thanks to all the work we’ve done over the past few days, to all the determination of the team who’ve given me the competitiveness I need to make a lap like that. It’s also thanks to the excellent grip of the new qualifying tyre: I really risked coming off round the last corner – I came in far too fast. That’s where I lost the chance to make front row tomorrow. Even so, I’m happy about today’s result – the Cube’s best so far. A real boost for tomorrow. Let me thank all those who’re working with me. They’re great!”


More, from Proton:

PROTONS BLAST THE BENDS FOR THIRD-ROW THRILLER

Round 5: Italian GP, Mugello
Final Qualifying: Saturday June 1, 2002

Nobuatsu Aoki: 11th, 1:53.539
Jeremy McWilliams: 12th, 1:53.510

Proton Team KR riders Nobuatso Aoki and Jeremy McWilliams rode a blinding final qualifying session at Mugello today to put the pair of
Proton KR3 three-cylinder lightweights side by side on the third row of the starting grid for tomorrow’s Italian GP.

Lap times that would have challenged for pole position last year, before the arrival of the 990cc four-strokes, prove the strength of the latest version of the Proton triple, at a track where one of the longest straights of the year saw the fastest four-strokes top 200mph in this
afternoon’s warm and sunny session.

The KR3’s strong performance on the fast corners made up for a speed deficit of (in Jeremy’s case) more than 28km/h, underlining not only the bike’s cornering abilities, but also the ever-improving performance of the new-this-year Bridgestone tyres, and the sterling efforts of both riders.

NOBUATSU AOKI
“It seems that the chassis and suspension are working very correctly. Also the soft-compound Bridgestone tyres worked very well. Obviously
they like the heat! It leaves a difficult question for the race. It’s very hard to decide which front tyre to choose, just as it was at Le
Mans two weeks ago. For grip, the medium-soft compound is better but I am worried about endurance. The medium will make the distance, but I am doubtful about the grip. We will have to see what the temperature and conditions are like tomorrow. I will put the decision off until just
before the race.”

JEREMY McWILLIAMS
“That’s the fastest I’ve ever been round this track – last year I’d have been thinking about pole position. The qualifying tyres are really
super. Unfortunately I messed up my last lap – outbraking myself into the corner after Arrabiata, with the back wheel five feet in the air. My next-best lap was done alone, without any slipstream. We have a pretty good race set-up, but tyre endurance is always the question. We did some endurance testing this morning, but the temperature wasn’t high enough to be conclusive. It looks like I’ll stay with the medium rear. That gives the lap times, but tails off a bit after five or six laps. The harder tyre is more than a second slower, so it makes no sense to go
with that.”

KENNY ROBERTS – Team Owner
“Considering how much slower we are down the straight, both riders did an excellent job. They’re obviously making up a lot of time somewhere else. I’m looking forward to our four-stroke … having an extra 30km/h wouldn’t hurt us. We have the bike pretty good now. It has to be good. Considering what we’re up against, we’re doing extremely well.”