Larry and Momi Pointer, of Fastrack Riders, had a daughter, Leilani Raelle Pointer, May 20, 2002 in Newport Beach, California.
© , Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Hacking Loses AMA Supersport Points For Illegal Wheel At Road Atlanta
From an AMA press release:
JAMIE HACKING LOSES POINTS, TEAM BLIMPIE YOSHIMURA SUZUKI FINED FOR EQUIPMENT VIOLATION AT ROAD ATLANTA
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Pro Racing has deducted 10 championship points from Jamie Hacking and fined his Team Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki team $2000 for using a non-production rear wheel in the AMA Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport race Sunday, May 20 at the Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship event at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga.
The wheel, which was impounded after customary post-race inspection, proved to be lighter than an OEM stock wheel.
(AMA Pro Racing issued revised point standings, showing Aaron Yates leading with 142 points and Hacking in second with 109 points, followed by Damon Buckmaster with 106 points.)
(Editorial comment: The points deduction launched more controversy regarding inconsistencies in AMA rules enforcement. While Hacking lost 10 points for running a lightened wheel at Road Atlanta, and while Ben Spies lost 32 points for running with a disconnected air injection line–designed to reduce emissions–in the Superstock race at Fontana, Damon Buckmaster lost no points for running an illegal frame in Formula Xtreme at Fontana, Sears Point and Road Atlanta. All of which led Jason Pridmore to state, “They took points from Ben, they took points from Jamie, and they didn’t take any points away from Damon for riding an illegal motorcycle. It’s beyond me.”)
Coca-Cola Announced As Title Sponsor For Formula USA NRRS
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
Formula USA Director of Road Racing Bill Syfan announced Friday that Coca-Cola will be the new title sponsor for the Formula USA National Road Race Series. Syfan made the announcement during the riders’ meeting at the start of the F-USA/CCS Summit Point Cycle Fest at Summit Point Raceway, in Summit Point, West Virginia.
Syfan said that the deal had been completed on Tuesday, May 21, adding that he had no details, but expected Coca-Cola to make the first official announcement of the relationship soon.
Later in the day, F-USA NRRS Manager Ken Abbott added, “We are very excited about the possibilities of this multi-year relationship with Coca-Cola. We’re hoping to do some cross-promotional activities, such as offering Coca-Cola product samples at F-USA events and being included in Coca-Cola P.O.P. (point-of-purchase) advertising displays in stores.”
Webster Fastest In Friday Sidecar Qualifying At Silverstone
From a press release:
Webster from Abbott and Steinhausen
Steve Webster celebrated his return to Silverstone with a provisional pole in today’s Superside qualifying. But fellow British rider Steve Abbott was breathing down his neck as the Superside Championship thundered around the former aerodrome in Northamptonshire.
“It takes some time to learn the track,” said Webster’s passenger Paul Woodhead. “There’s some fast bits, and there are also some niggly bits, like the chicanes. And there’s also some really fast corners, or ‘big ball corners!’ where you’ve got to be committed to go fast.”
Commenting on the pressure the Liveonscreen.com team were coming under from Steve Abbott and Jamie Biggs, Woody said; “Quite frankly I’d rather it was them than Klaffenbock. We’re happy to fight it out with Steve and Jamie, especially with Klaffenbock down in fifth! Klaffi kept trying to get a tow behind us today, but each time I saw him try I tapped on Steve’s shoulder and he slowed down. Then, when Klaffenbock had passed us, we let him get way ahead and that gave us some clear track to put in our fast lap.”
Steve Abbott was especially pleased with his performance, “We’ve come in second today despite using our ‘middle’ sized 1080cc engine. We’re 13 kph down on top speed but only under half-a-second behind Steve. The outfit is handling really well and we’ll be looking for a little more top speed tonight. I think we’re in a good position for a win tomorrow,” predicted Steve.
Third on the time sheet was pairing Steinhausen and Hopkinson, back in full swing after a spot of upside down grasstracking at Monza.
“What people don’t realise,” pointed out Jorg, “was that we were upside-down at well over 200 kph! And even Trevor didn’t realise until afterwards that he’d dislocated his shoulder in the crash.”
“It takes some time to get your confidence back after an incident like that,” admitted Trevor Hopkinson, “but I think that session’s a sign that we’re getting it together again, if we don’t go even faster tomorrow I’ll be really disapointed.”
Hanks and Biggs brought the Halton Fabrications outfit in fourth fastest, continuing their impressive run of form this season. They’ll be looking for results to back up their qualifying progress in Saturday’s race.
Meanwhile, Klaffenbock, winner of the sensational Monza race, was back in fifth, perhaps suffering from a simple lack of cubes around the fast, flowing Silverstone track.
Arroyo Seco, New Mexico Champion Roger Heemsbergen Answers Charges Of Cherry Picking, Or, More Proof That It’s Apparently A Crime To Be The Local Fast Guy
Leaving the obvious question, if the local fast guy should be thrown out, doesn’t that make the local second-fastest guy eligible to be thrown out, and then the third-fastest, and then the fourth-fastest, and, eventually, who will be left? At any rate, here’s a missive forwarded to Roadracingworld.com us by Dr. Bob Brownell of Arroyo Seco: The following letter is from Roger Heemsbergen #1 in 3 ASMA Classes during 2001 Racing at Arroyo Seco. Roger was the 2001 ASMA Season Champion, 2001 ASMA Formula Extreme Champion and 2001 ASMA Open Superbike Champion. “Dr. Bob, Please forward this to all ASMA riders. This is kind of long so please bear with me. “First of all I would like to let everybody know I recieved my new Shoei helmet today and it’s absolutely the nicest helmet I’ve ever owned. It’s for my fiancee, Michelle, because she needed a good helmet and I already have a nice one. (Thanks, Jimmy…Jimmy Moore gave Roger a helmet last year). “Second, I want everybody to know I will not be contesting the 750 Superbike race at Arroyo Seco next month, or for the rest of the year for that matter. There is another Shoei top-of-the-line helmet up for the winner of this race and believe me it’s worth more than anything CCS has given out for the winner of Unlimited GP! “As we all know we’re struggling with a low turnout this year and I hope it will turn around in June so if you’re thinking about coming out, a chance of winning a top-of-the-line-helmet is a real treat. “Another thing I wanted to let everybody know is that I will not be riding anymore Twins races this year. Trent and Brenda McCalmon were nice enough to let me ride their Suzuki SV650 at the first two events and I had alot of fun on that bike, but I’m not interested in trying to win 7 class championships. In fact I wasn’t planning on running any Twins classes after the first weekend but my good friend, Doug Schmitz drove out all the way from Oklahoma City, OK to race his SV and I just had to run one class with him. He was my very first teammate in 1994 with Town and Country Honda in Chandler, AZ. “Also I would like to thank Ron Costa for letting me ride his Zia Homes CBR600F4i during the first two events. Last year there was some talk that I was only winning because I was riding the R1, so I felt I had a point to prove by riding a 600. Ron let me race his 2002 F4i, which still had a headlight, turn signals and perfect bodywork! What can you say about somebody who would let me race that bike! After winning my second Shoei helmet, this time on Ron’s bike, I gave him the helmet because I only won it because of his bike. I enjoyed riding the smaller bike so much I have recently purchased an R6 to contest the 600 class and am planning on retiring the R1 (the R1 will be for sale soon if anybody’s interested) “HISTORY LESSON: That leaves 4 classes that I will be contesting, the fastest 4 classes and I might drop it down to 3 later in the year. I made this decision at the last race weekend and since then I’ve heard from a few people that I’m cherry picking. I’ve been told that more than one person has said that I shouldn’t even be allowed to race in OUR club! I don’t recall EVER being anything but nice and helpful out at the track. I spend WAY more time helping/teaching everyone than working on my bikes or practicing/testing. I know my skill level is higher than most but it comes from years of experience. I’m trying to pass that experience on to everyone, It’s how I’ve always been. When I was winning regularly in CCS I was trying to bring the competition up to the same level, showing my competition lines and helping them because it’s more fun when you have guys who might beat you. I am trying to do the same thing here so If you need help or have questions all you have to do is ask. To those who think I should stop racing here and go do AMA or F-USA, I’ve tried that but racing a motorcycle with a bone-stock motor and only enough money for one set of tires per weekend will put you on your head or outside the top 20 real fast. My very first national was the AMA National at Firebird in ’95 where I qualified 13th in 600 Supersport. Unfortunately I only had enough money for one set of tires and had to race on the same ones I practiced and qualified on. Guess what, speed overwhelmed traction and I crashed out. I repeated this underfunded exercise a total of three times before I got hurt bad enough to quit racing altogether. Without the resources even top guys couldn’t do the times the AMA boys do, and I’m nowhere near the caliber of guys like Aaron Yates. When Dr. Bob brought racing here to Arroyo Seco I decided to give local racing one more try and have been having fun. I’m now 33 years old, 34 in three months, and while I still like to win races, I also like watching other people win races. Looking at the class point standings made my stomach turn. I don’t want all those championships. I don’t want all those wins. I don’t want to win every helmet. I want everyone else that comes out to get a chance to win. What I do want is to keep my #1 plate unless somebody starts beating me on a regular basis. If that happens I will gladly take a higher number. I feel that the fastest guy should have the lowest number and unfortunately that’s not always the case when a total points system is in place. i.e. CCS races most of the top 10 numbers people are riding 8 or more classes every weekend. In 1995 and 1996 I had the highest win percentage in the southwest region of CCS and ended up with the #6 plate both times. One of those years the guy who got #3 was someone who I lapped two times in every race but since he ran 13 races a weekend he got more points. I guess I was just making sure that didn’t happen again. Sorry. “BOTTOM LINE: It was expected that going to a total points system would encourage more people to run more classes but I think my running more classes has actually discouraged some people from racing. I don’t want this to be the case, if it is please come out knowing I will only be running a few classes. Dr. Bob will only be running one more race weekend and then it’s up to US, the riders to run the remaining events. I have contacted a quite a few people and chances are we will have some good support at the last three events for making them sucessful. If anyone has any questions email me at [email protected]. “Sorry this was so long winded but I felt I needed to explain these things and get them off my chest. I would also like to thank my sponsors and hope they understand why I won’t be contesting those other classes for the rest of the year, Zia Homes, Western Body and Paint, Dunlop/SportTire Services, Lockhart Phillips, AGVSport,Rock Oil and the Hidalgo County Hearald for giving all our ASMA races newspaper coverage.” Dr. Bob’s Comments: If you missed the point??? To give everyone else a shot at winning an $ 800 Shoei Helmet, Roger will not be Racing in 750 Superbike on June 9th. Roger is giving you the opportunity, so all you Fast Racers out there, put up or shut up! You want an $800 Shoei Helmet? You can Win one here on June 9th. Just Win the 750 Superbike Race. No more excuses. Jump on it. I have been around Motorcycle Racing since 1963. In almost 40 years of Living at Motorcycle Races, I have seen numerous (20 or 30) Very Fast Racers with Tremendous Talent. Roger is 1 of those Very Talented Racers!!!! Period. If I had the money to start an AMA National road race Team. Roger Heemsbergen would be my # 1 Rider. Roger has the talent and experience to race anywhere, anytime. With the proper support, Roger could race and win against almost anyone. My #2 Rider would be Sammy Richards. My #3 Rider would be Mike Shreve. Racing is racing and New Mexico should be very proud of these under-financed racers. These 3 racers are very fast pioneers of road racing in New Mexico. You will probably be very happy that I have to run, so that it is it for now. Take Care and keep the Rubber Side Down! Sincerely, Dr. Bob
Vesrah Wins, AOD Second Overall In WERA 4-Hour At VIR
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By Beth Wyse
Vesrah Suzuki continued to dominate the 2002 WERA/GMD Computrack National Endurance Series by taking a fourth consecutive victory, in a 4-hour race at Virginia International Raceway held Friday. Vesrah’s Tray Batey and John Jacobi won the red-flag-plagued race on a Suzuki GSX-R1000.
Army of Darkness (AOD) riders Jim Williams and Mark Crozier wound up second overall, 65 seconds behind the leaders, on a Suzuki GSX-R600. AOD also topped the Mediumweight Superbike class after an early-race battle with Vesrah Suzuki II.
S&S Endurance took third overall and first in Mediumweight Supersport in its first endurance race as a team. Red-flag delays allowed Scott Harwell to ride the entire race on the S&S Suzuki GSX-R600, without breaking series rules regarding the length of on-track riding stints (120 consecutive minutes) and off-track breaks between stints (30 minutes).
Batey pulled a gap on the field of 47 bikes at the start of the race, but the first red flag came out just short of the one-hour mark for a rider down in turn three. Batey took the lead again on the restart, but only rode for seven minutes before the second red flag came out for a bike that left oil through turns two and three before catching fire.
After a long clean-up period, the race was started for the third time just past the halfway point on the official race clock. Batey was still on the Vesrah Suzuki bike and once again took the lead. The third red flag flew with 15 minutes remaining for another bike on fire, and the race was called complete.
In the Heavyweight Supersport class, moto-heaven.com finished first in class and 11th overall. Justin Marm and Phil Caudill shared the riding on a Honda CBR600F4. Team Infotech took first in Lightweight Superbike and 14th overall with Bobby Miosek and Tommy Bauchiero on a Suzuki SV650.
Overall Results
1. Vesrah Suzuki (Tray Batey/John Jacobi), Suz GSX-R1000, HSB, 94 laps
2. AOD (Jim Williams/Mark Crozier), Suz GSX-R600, MSB, 94 laps
3. S&S Endurance (Scott Harwell), Suz GSX-R600, MSS, 94 laps
4. Vesrah Suzuki II (Dave Yaakov/Brian Stokes), Suz GSX-R600, MSB, 93 laps
5. Team Outa Sight (Jason Peters/Adam Coco), Suz GSX-R600, MSS, 91 laps
6. Northern Getaway (Mark Morrow/Tim Kephart), Suz GSX-R750, HSB, 91 laps
7. Team Velocity (Paul Aalderks/Chuck Ivey), Suz GSX-R600, MSS, 91 laps
8. Team Life (Joe Milanesi/Kevin Warner/Justin Marm), Yam YZFR6, MSS, 91 laps
9. Cycle Therapy Racing (Neil Mummau/Cole Regal/Ricky Ford), Suz GSX-R1000, HSB, 90 laps
10. Velocity Crew (Kevin Perkins/Paul Youngman), Suz GSX-R600, MSB, 90 laps
FIM Superbike Commission Votes To Allow 1000cc Fours For 2003
From an official FIM press release:
In a meeting held today in Silverstone, the Superbike Commission, composed of Messrs. Claude Danis (FIM), Paolo Alberto Flammini (SBK International), Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA) and Giulio Bardi (Team representative), has
unanimously approved the following proposal:
-To allow 1000cc 4-cylinder motorcycles to take part in the 2003 Superbike World Championship. The 1000cc 4-cylinder motorcycles will compete under the current Superbike World Championship Technical Rules and Specifications except from:
a) The engines will have an air restrictor specified as follows:
-26.3 millimetres by 1
-18.7 millimetres by 2
b) Minimum weight: 168 kg
The above rule will therefore be included in the 2003 Superbike World Championship rulebook. For the sake of clarity, the current FIM Superbike World Championship rules will remain unchanged in 2003, save for the above provision.
FIM Road Racing Commission President Claude Danis will present this modification to the rules to the Managing Council in its session of June 22-23.
Bayliss, On Friday Qualifying At Silverstone
From a press release issued by Troy Bayliss publicist:
TROY BAYLISS Racing – Media Information
For immediate release
Friday, 24 May 2002
Round 6, 2002 Superbike World Championship
Silverstone Circuit, England
First Qualifying Session Report
RAIN SLOWS SUPERBIKE QUALIFYING AT SILVERSTONE
Northamptonshire, England – A torrential downpour moments before the start of the opening qualifying session for this weekend’s sixth round of the Superbike World Championship at the Silverstone circuit in England forced a delayed start to the session that saw Britain’s Neil Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati) set the fastest time, while defending World Champion Troy Bayliss fell from his Infostrada Ducati in the closing minutes denying him a chance to challenge for the lead position.
With the 5.094km Northamptonshire circuit covered in water at the start of the one-hour long qualifying session, Bayliss was quick to adapt to the conditions consistently setting fast times in less than ideal conditions.
With the track conditions improving in the closing minutes, Bayliss along with a number of other riders switched from using full wet weather tyres and went to a combination of an intermediate front tyre, with a slick rear. The combination allowed the lap times to drop dramatically and saw a number of riders promote themselves well up the leader board.
Unfortunately for Bayliss, he was unable to capitalise on the improving track conditions as he fell from his Ducati 998 F-02 with less than five minutes remaining at the first of the double left-handers before the pit complex. He escaped any injury in the fall, but missed an opportunity to finish higher on the time sheets, finally being credited with the tenth fastest time of 1:56.705.
“With about five minutes to go we put a slick tyre on the rear and we ready to start doing some quick laps, but another rider fell just in front of me and I’m not sure what happened next, but the result was that I lost the front end of the bike and slid off the track,” said Bayliss. “I think it just baulked me a bit at the time and that was enough. There was no time left for me to go back out and do any more laps. For sure I would have liked to be higher, but that’s how it goes. It is only Friday and I was happy that I did the fastest time in the dry during this morning’s free practice session, so I’m just looking forward to tomorrow now.
“While the track was wet we did try a few different combinations with the bike, but didn’t spend too much time trying to work out a set up for totally wet conditions,” Bayliss added. “This track seems to dry quickly and the weather passes over just as quickly also. It’s not looking the best weather wise at the moment, but hopefully it will clear before Sunday.”
Fastest during today’s session was Neil Hodgson with a best lap of 1:54.095, followed by Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda, 1:54.404), Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati, 1:55.098) and Chris Walker (Fuchs Kawasaki, 1:55.795). Even though the track was drying, the times were well down from Bayliss’ fast time of 1:49.709 set during the morning’s practice session.
Qualifying concludes tomorrow morning before the top sixteen riders take to the circuit later in the afternoon for the all important grid position determining Superpole one-lap dash.
First Qualifying Session, Friday (Top ten)
1. Neil Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati, 1:54.095
2. Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda), 1:54.404
3. Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati), 1:55.098
4. Chris Walker (Fuchs Kawasaki), 1:55.795
5. Ruben Xaus (Infostrada Ducati), 1:56.146
6. Glen Richards (Hawk Racing Kawasaki), 1:56.216
7. Steve Hislop (Monstermob Ducati), 1:56.216
8. Michael Rutter (Renegade Ducati), 1:56.382
9. James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati), 1:56.643
10. Troy Bayliss (Infostrada Ducati), 1:56.705
2002 World Superbike championship points (after 5 of 13 rounds)
1. T. Bayliss, 224; 2. C. Edwards, 186; 3. N. Hodgson, 131; 4. N. Haga, 103; 5. Ben Bostrom, 102; 6. R. Xaus, 96; 7. J. Toseland, 68; 8. G. Lavilla/C. Walker, 58; 10. Hitoyasu Izutsu (Kawasaki), 47.
More, from an official press release issued by the series organizers:
PRESS RELEASE
Round 6 – Great Britain – Silverstone,
24 May – 26 May 2002
Silverstone, 24 May 2002
Hodgson On Provisional Pole
Changeable weather conditions and high winds made life hard for all riders during the first competitive SBK action at Silverstone.
The downpour that ruined the end of the Supersport session had abated by the time the first Superbike Qualifying Session came around, although the 5,094 metre track was fully wet at the start of the one hour qualifying slot.
Despite some consistent areas of running water and damp patches under the bridges, the track dried rapidly in many places, making for dramatic changes of fortunes as the qualifying order changed with every few seconds that passed.
Ultimately the fastest man was Neil Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati) thanks to his mark of 1:54.095.
Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda) almost took pole from the local hero, but could not quite exploit his final opportunity to set the best lap and finished 0.309 seconds down.
Languishing outside the top ten for significant periods, Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati) shot towards the provisional front row in the last minute, and was joined on the top plateau of times by fourth-fastest qualifier Chris Walker (Kawasaki Racing Team).
Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) enjoyed his session, finishing fifth fastest and rebuilt some confidence after his recent spells of misfortune and injury.
Glen Richards (Hawk Racing Kawasaki) enjoyed a spectacular result on day one, the privateer wild card putting in a great performance against the big boys as he gambled on slick tyres front and rear and celebrated a big first day payout.
British Superbike Championship leader Steve Hislop (Monstermob Ducati) peaked a little too soon on the rapidly drying circuit, but still held off the Renegade Racing Ducati of Michael Rutter.
Regular SBK competitor James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) took the first position on the third row of the provisional grid, thanks to his ninth-fastest time.
Troy Bayliss (Infostrada Ducati) fell from his machine in the last minutes and injured the ring finger of his left hand. He followed his physical fall with a tumble from his previously high qualifying position down to tenth.
A bumper day for the local entrants saw Shane Byrne (Renegade Ducati) take an excellent 11th.
Pierfrancesco Chili (NCR Ducati) did not have the opportunity to practice during the official test day on Wednesday 22 May, but nonetheless scored 12th place on the opening day of true competition.
Noriyuki Haga had a tough qualifying session scoring 16th and last provisional qualifying place on his FGF Aprilia, just beating factory Benelli rider Peter Goddard to a provisional Superpole start.
The unsettled weather conditions may see the times set today being the ones which are ultimately used for the determination of Superpole qualifying, and final grid positions for all other riders
In the Supersport Championship session, Fabien Foret, the Monza race winner, scored the psychological first blow, taking his Ten Kate Honda to the top of the timesheets.
Teenager Chris Vermeulen rode well to score second overall on his Van Zon Honda, with Karl Muggeridge in third on another Honda. Katsuaki Fujiwara, the third Monza podium finisher in the top four at Silverstone, took the fourth-best time on his Alstare Suzuki. The top finishing local rider was Iain Macpherson (Ten Kate Honda) fifth, with James Ellison (Kawasaki) 15th and James Whitham (Yamaha Belgarda) 17th.
The 45-minute Supersport session was interrupted by the aftermath of an accident, and then effectively lost the last five minutes due to a sudden downpour, causing a slight delay in the running of each subsequent session.
Michael Himmelsbach Starts F-USA Summit Point Cycle Fest With A Win And A New Lap Record
Blackmans Aprilia’s Michael Himmelsbach rode his new AMA Superbike-spec Aprilia RSV1000 Mille R to a new motorcycle lap record for Summit Point Raceway en route to winning the CCS GTO Expert event, starting the Summit Point Cycle Fest at the West Virginia track. 14K The Movie’s Eric Wood got the holeshot for the 30-minute GTO event, but Himmelsbach took the lead on the first lap and set a new mark of 1:15.22, according to the starter’s hand-held stopwatch, on lap two. The old mark belonged to Arclight Suzuki’s Lee Acree at 1:15.488. Himmelsbach pitted mid-race to make adjustments, but shortly after, the race was stopped for a spectacular crash in turn 10. Realizing that he could re-start the race from the pole position after scoring was reverted to the last completed lap, Himmelsbach took the re-start, got the holeshot, led the remaining four laps and won the race by 2.4 seconds over KWS Motorsports’ Shawn Higbee on a Suzuki GSX-R750/813. Higbee had not raced at Summit Point for 13 years before Friday. Des Conboy took third on a Pepsi-sponsored GSX-R750 ahead of new Expert Nathan Kern, Roadracingworld.com’s Geoff May in fifth on a GSX-R1000 and Glenn Szarek on a Semoff Brothers Racing Suzuki GSX-R750. Szarek hadn’t raced for eight months prior to coming to Summit Point. Tim Bemisderfer rode away with the win in the Expert GTU 30-minute race on his Shenandoah Honda CBR600F4i over Jeff Wood and Eion Smith. Loudoun Motorsports’ Greg Harrison and Chuck Neighoff ran away with the SPR 250K Team Challenge race win. Harrison and Neighoff rode a Pirelli-slick-shod GSX-R1000 to win by two laps over second overall and GTU class winners Kevin Coles and Jeff Gochenour, riding the Yamaha of Camp Hill YZF-R6, and Rollin Fast’s Gregory Faiella and Anthony Fania, on another Yamaha R6. Team Orient Express’ Nathan Kern had run down Loudoun from behind early in the race on his Hooters Suzuki GSX-R600, but after he caught Harrison, Kern forgot that he was learning to shift in his partner Michael Barnes’ preferred GP-shift pattern, back-shifted to first instead of upshifting to third and crashed out of contention. Kern was unhurt and returned to ride the vast majority of his team’s race. Nearly every race winner Friday at Summit Point Raceway participated in the Team Hammer track day on Thursday. RESULTS: EXPERT GTO: 1. Michael Himmelsbach (Apr RSV1000R); 2. Shawn Higbee (Suz GSX-R750/813); 3. Des Conboy (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Nathan Kern (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R1000); 6. Glenn Szarek (Suz GSX-R750). AMATEUR GTO: 1. Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R750); 2. Tomer Levy (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Howard Cho (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Brian Clippinger (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Sean Corbett (Kaw ZX-7RR); 6. Kevin Jones (Hon CBR600). EXPERT GT LIGHTS: 1. Grady Anderson (Suz SV650); 2. Bob Robbins (Suz SV650); 3. Randy Rega (Suz SV650); 4. Samantha Cotter (Hon RS125); 5. Thane Stielow (Hon 700); 6. Mark Johnson (Hon RS125). EXPERT GTU: 1. Tim Bemisderfer (Hon CBR600F4i); 2. Jeff Wood (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Eoin Smith (Yam YZF-R6); 4. David Lamb (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Dustin Moore (Duc 998); 6. Arthur Diaz (Yam YZF-R6). AMATEUR GTU: 1. Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R600); 2. Kenneth Dreyer (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Mark Denisiuk (Yam YZF-R6); 4. Tomer Levy (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Thomas German (Hon CBR600); 6. David Hockenberry (Hon CBR600). EXPERT MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. Donnie Unger (Duc 750); 2. Thane Stielow (Hon 700); 3. Patrick Salonis (Apr RS250); 4. Brian McClain (Apr RS250); 5. Brian Kjar (Apr RS250); 6. Scott Chatigny (Apr RS250). AMATEUR MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. Timothy Ballard (Apr RS250); 2. Robert Glittone (Duc 750); 3. Ken White (Suz 400); 4. Raymond Nicolich (Suz GS500); 5. Matthew Patton (Suz GS500). GP SINGLES: 1. Samantha Cotter (Hon RS125); 2. Christopher Parsons (Yam TZ125); 3. Aaron Butler (Hon RS125); 4. Richard Rorilarz (Hon RS125). EXPERT LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. David Watson (Yam 600). AMATEUR LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. Chris Dunn (Yam YZF-R6); 2. Matthew Patton (Suz GS500); 3. James Smith (Suz GS500); 4. Raymond Nicolich (Suz GS500). SUPERSINGLES: 1. Bob Robbins (Yam YZ426F); 2. Michael Tiberio (Apr 650). SPR 250K TEAM CHALLENGE: GTO: 1. Loudoun Motorsports (Greg Harrison/Chuck Neighoff), Suz GSX-R1000, 78 laps; 2. New England Motorsports (Gus Holcomb/Mark Reynolds), Suz GSX-R600, 73 laps; 3. Dragging On Asphalt (Eric Lashley/Geoffrey Allen), Kaw ZX-9R, 72 laps; 4. Recchione Racing (Ryan Lettich/Chad Klock/Thomas German), Kaw ZX-7R, 68 laps; 5. Brontos R Us Racing (Russell Bigley), Yam TZ750, 49 laps. GTU: 1. Team Yamaha of Camp Hill (Kevin Coles/Jeff Gochenour), Yam YZF-R6, 76 laps; 2. Rollin Fast Moto (John Costa/Gregory Faiella/Anthony Fania, Jr.), Yam YZF-R6, 75 laps; 3. T And T Racing (Tony Tinsley/Anthony Cammack/Paolo Mariano), Suz GSX-R600, 73 laps; 4. T Bone Racing (Gregory Tymon/Glenn Jacobi/David Jacobi), Yam YZF-R6, 73 laps; 5. Pit Stop Motorsports (John Dempsey/Dale Dandrea/Mervin Roderick), Yam YZF-R6, 73 laps; 6. Team Knee Dragon (Matt Albertson/Michael Feast/Marc Sherwood), Suz GSX-R600, 72 laps. GT Lights: 1. Cycle Pros Racing (Sebastian Di Pinto/Romeo Carelli), Suz SV650, 73 laps; 2. Reduc Racing (Papa Thiam/Patrick O’Hara), Suz SV650, 72 laps; 3. Team All Star Pepsi (John Lounsbury/Malcolm Bradsher/Rich Doucette), Suz SV650, 71 laps; 4. Bare Bones (Patrick Salonis/Richard Biebel, Jr./Frank Cupo), Suz SV650, 70 laps; 5. Naked Boy Racing (Harold Jordan/Cordell Green), Buell Firebolt XB9R, 65 laps; 6. GS Flyers (Matthew Patton, Raymond Nicolich), Suz GS500, 10 laps.
Hodgson Leads Provisional World Superbike Qualifying At Silverstone, Edwards 2nd, Ben Bostrom 3rd, Eric Bostrom 24th
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Friday Qualifying Times:
1. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, 1:54.095
2. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 1:54.404
3. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, 1:55.098
4. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:55.795
5. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, 1:56.146
6. Glen Richards, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:56.216
7. Steve Hislop, Ducati 998RS, 1:56.284
8. Michael Rutter, Ducati 998RS, 1:56.382
9. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, 1:56.643
10. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, 1:56.705
11. Shane Byrne, Ducati 998RS, 1:56.971
12. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:57.182
13. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:58.858
14. Dean Ellison, Ducati 996RS, 1:58.929
15. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:59.267
16. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, 1:59.765
17. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, 1:59.917
18. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 2:00.208
19. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:00.390
20. Serafino Foti, Ducati 996RS, 2:01.033
21. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, 2:01.566
22. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 2:01.648
23. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, 2:02.297
24. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 2:03.185
More, from a press release issued by Ducati:
WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 6 – Silverstone (Great Britain)
Friday Qualifying
PROVISIONAL FRONT ROW FOR BOSTROM (DUCATI L&M) – FIFTH FOR XAUS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) – BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) TENTH AFTER LAST-MINUTE CRASH
Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) powered to third quickest time in Friday’s first qualifying session at Silverstone today, as rainstorms lashed the Grand Prix circuit and made conditions difficult for the WSBK riders on their first visit to the Northamptonshire track. As the track dried out in the last few minutes, championship leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) had a minor crash at Priory on his final run, ending the session in tenth. Team-mate Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) was always up at the front throughout the hour and finished in provisional fifth place. Ducati HM Plant rider Neil Hodgson continued his recent run of good form to take the overnight pole mark ahead of Colin Edwards (Honda), while Ducati ‘wild-card’ riders Steve Hislop (Monster Mob) and Michael Rutter (Renegade) also put in excellent performances to finish seventh and eighth respectively.
“Basically I just lost the front right at the end in the twisty section”, explained Troy. “I was pushing it a little too hard, we had just put a new tyre on and I was ready to go on the rapidly-drying track but just went down. There was a little bit of a damp spot there and I hurt my finger a little bit, but no dramas. We were at the top the whole session, just the last part let me down. I lost the front on an intermediate, I feel sure it would have been a good lap, but we’ll be up at the front tomorrow”.
“It was a really strange practice, you’re going out and in all the time and the lap times in the last five minutes went crazy” said Ruben. “We decided to put a slick on the back but it wasn’t easy to set a quick time in these conditions, especially when you come up on backmarkers. There’s only one line although it wasn’t dry all the way round, and everyone here is riding at a really high level so it’s difficult to pass because as soon as you make a move here you’re on the wet”.
“We had a really bad middle split on my quick lap when I got caught behind a Kawasaki halfway around” declared Ben, “but I’m happy to be third because if it rains tomorrow, it means I’m in the top four. The bike and the tyres are great, I just didn’t go fast enough. We’ve still got a bit more to learn around Silverstone, but I’m pretty happy with my performance today”.
Recent Birth: Leilani Raelle Pointer
Larry and Momi Pointer, of Fastrack Riders, had a daughter, Leilani Raelle Pointer, May 20, 2002 in Newport Beach, California.
Hacking Loses AMA Supersport Points For Illegal Wheel At Road Atlanta
From an AMA press release:
JAMIE HACKING LOSES POINTS, TEAM BLIMPIE YOSHIMURA SUZUKI FINED FOR EQUIPMENT VIOLATION AT ROAD ATLANTA
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Pro Racing has deducted 10 championship points from Jamie Hacking and fined his Team Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki team $2000 for using a non-production rear wheel in the AMA Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport race Sunday, May 20 at the Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship event at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga.
The wheel, which was impounded after customary post-race inspection, proved to be lighter than an OEM stock wheel.
(AMA Pro Racing issued revised point standings, showing Aaron Yates leading with 142 points and Hacking in second with 109 points, followed by Damon Buckmaster with 106 points.)
(Editorial comment: The points deduction launched more controversy regarding inconsistencies in AMA rules enforcement. While Hacking lost 10 points for running a lightened wheel at Road Atlanta, and while Ben Spies lost 32 points for running with a disconnected air injection line–designed to reduce emissions–in the Superstock race at Fontana, Damon Buckmaster lost no points for running an illegal frame in Formula Xtreme at Fontana, Sears Point and Road Atlanta. All of which led Jason Pridmore to state, “They took points from Ben, they took points from Jamie, and they didn’t take any points away from Damon for riding an illegal motorcycle. It’s beyond me.”)
Coca-Cola Announced As Title Sponsor For Formula USA NRRS
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
Formula USA Director of Road Racing Bill Syfan announced Friday that Coca-Cola will be the new title sponsor for the Formula USA National Road Race Series. Syfan made the announcement during the riders’ meeting at the start of the F-USA/CCS Summit Point Cycle Fest at Summit Point Raceway, in Summit Point, West Virginia.
Syfan said that the deal had been completed on Tuesday, May 21, adding that he had no details, but expected Coca-Cola to make the first official announcement of the relationship soon.
Later in the day, F-USA NRRS Manager Ken Abbott added, “We are very excited about the possibilities of this multi-year relationship with Coca-Cola. We’re hoping to do some cross-promotional activities, such as offering Coca-Cola product samples at F-USA events and being included in Coca-Cola P.O.P. (point-of-purchase) advertising displays in stores.”
Webster Fastest In Friday Sidecar Qualifying At Silverstone
From a press release:
Webster from Abbott and Steinhausen
Steve Webster celebrated his return to Silverstone with a provisional pole in today’s Superside qualifying. But fellow British rider Steve Abbott was breathing down his neck as the Superside Championship thundered around the former aerodrome in Northamptonshire.
“It takes some time to learn the track,” said Webster’s passenger Paul Woodhead. “There’s some fast bits, and there are also some niggly bits, like the chicanes. And there’s also some really fast corners, or ‘big ball corners!’ where you’ve got to be committed to go fast.”
Commenting on the pressure the Liveonscreen.com team were coming under from Steve Abbott and Jamie Biggs, Woody said; “Quite frankly I’d rather it was them than Klaffenbock. We’re happy to fight it out with Steve and Jamie, especially with Klaffenbock down in fifth! Klaffi kept trying to get a tow behind us today, but each time I saw him try I tapped on Steve’s shoulder and he slowed down. Then, when Klaffenbock had passed us, we let him get way ahead and that gave us some clear track to put in our fast lap.”
Steve Abbott was especially pleased with his performance, “We’ve come in second today despite using our ‘middle’ sized 1080cc engine. We’re 13 kph down on top speed but only under half-a-second behind Steve. The outfit is handling really well and we’ll be looking for a little more top speed tonight. I think we’re in a good position for a win tomorrow,” predicted Steve.
Third on the time sheet was pairing Steinhausen and Hopkinson, back in full swing after a spot of upside down grasstracking at Monza.
“What people don’t realise,” pointed out Jorg, “was that we were upside-down at well over 200 kph! And even Trevor didn’t realise until afterwards that he’d dislocated his shoulder in the crash.”
“It takes some time to get your confidence back after an incident like that,” admitted Trevor Hopkinson, “but I think that session’s a sign that we’re getting it together again, if we don’t go even faster tomorrow I’ll be really disapointed.”
Hanks and Biggs brought the Halton Fabrications outfit in fourth fastest, continuing their impressive run of form this season. They’ll be looking for results to back up their qualifying progress in Saturday’s race.
Meanwhile, Klaffenbock, winner of the sensational Monza race, was back in fifth, perhaps suffering from a simple lack of cubes around the fast, flowing Silverstone track.
Arroyo Seco, New Mexico Champion Roger Heemsbergen Answers Charges Of Cherry Picking, Or, More Proof That It’s Apparently A Crime To Be The Local Fast Guy
Leaving the obvious question, if the local fast guy should be thrown out, doesn’t that make the local second-fastest guy eligible to be thrown out, and then the third-fastest, and then the fourth-fastest, and, eventually, who will be left? At any rate, here’s a missive forwarded to Roadracingworld.com us by Dr. Bob Brownell of Arroyo Seco: The following letter is from Roger Heemsbergen #1 in 3 ASMA Classes during 2001 Racing at Arroyo Seco. Roger was the 2001 ASMA Season Champion, 2001 ASMA Formula Extreme Champion and 2001 ASMA Open Superbike Champion. “Dr. Bob, Please forward this to all ASMA riders. This is kind of long so please bear with me. “First of all I would like to let everybody know I recieved my new Shoei helmet today and it’s absolutely the nicest helmet I’ve ever owned. It’s for my fiancee, Michelle, because she needed a good helmet and I already have a nice one. (Thanks, Jimmy…Jimmy Moore gave Roger a helmet last year). “Second, I want everybody to know I will not be contesting the 750 Superbike race at Arroyo Seco next month, or for the rest of the year for that matter. There is another Shoei top-of-the-line helmet up for the winner of this race and believe me it’s worth more than anything CCS has given out for the winner of Unlimited GP! “As we all know we’re struggling with a low turnout this year and I hope it will turn around in June so if you’re thinking about coming out, a chance of winning a top-of-the-line-helmet is a real treat. “Another thing I wanted to let everybody know is that I will not be riding anymore Twins races this year. Trent and Brenda McCalmon were nice enough to let me ride their Suzuki SV650 at the first two events and I had alot of fun on that bike, but I’m not interested in trying to win 7 class championships. In fact I wasn’t planning on running any Twins classes after the first weekend but my good friend, Doug Schmitz drove out all the way from Oklahoma City, OK to race his SV and I just had to run one class with him. He was my very first teammate in 1994 with Town and Country Honda in Chandler, AZ. “Also I would like to thank Ron Costa for letting me ride his Zia Homes CBR600F4i during the first two events. Last year there was some talk that I was only winning because I was riding the R1, so I felt I had a point to prove by riding a 600. Ron let me race his 2002 F4i, which still had a headlight, turn signals and perfect bodywork! What can you say about somebody who would let me race that bike! After winning my second Shoei helmet, this time on Ron’s bike, I gave him the helmet because I only won it because of his bike. I enjoyed riding the smaller bike so much I have recently purchased an R6 to contest the 600 class and am planning on retiring the R1 (the R1 will be for sale soon if anybody’s interested) “HISTORY LESSON: That leaves 4 classes that I will be contesting, the fastest 4 classes and I might drop it down to 3 later in the year. I made this decision at the last race weekend and since then I’ve heard from a few people that I’m cherry picking. I’ve been told that more than one person has said that I shouldn’t even be allowed to race in OUR club! I don’t recall EVER being anything but nice and helpful out at the track. I spend WAY more time helping/teaching everyone than working on my bikes or practicing/testing. I know my skill level is higher than most but it comes from years of experience. I’m trying to pass that experience on to everyone, It’s how I’ve always been. When I was winning regularly in CCS I was trying to bring the competition up to the same level, showing my competition lines and helping them because it’s more fun when you have guys who might beat you. I am trying to do the same thing here so If you need help or have questions all you have to do is ask. To those who think I should stop racing here and go do AMA or F-USA, I’ve tried that but racing a motorcycle with a bone-stock motor and only enough money for one set of tires per weekend will put you on your head or outside the top 20 real fast. My very first national was the AMA National at Firebird in ’95 where I qualified 13th in 600 Supersport. Unfortunately I only had enough money for one set of tires and had to race on the same ones I practiced and qualified on. Guess what, speed overwhelmed traction and I crashed out. I repeated this underfunded exercise a total of three times before I got hurt bad enough to quit racing altogether. Without the resources even top guys couldn’t do the times the AMA boys do, and I’m nowhere near the caliber of guys like Aaron Yates. When Dr. Bob brought racing here to Arroyo Seco I decided to give local racing one more try and have been having fun. I’m now 33 years old, 34 in three months, and while I still like to win races, I also like watching other people win races. Looking at the class point standings made my stomach turn. I don’t want all those championships. I don’t want all those wins. I don’t want to win every helmet. I want everyone else that comes out to get a chance to win. What I do want is to keep my #1 plate unless somebody starts beating me on a regular basis. If that happens I will gladly take a higher number. I feel that the fastest guy should have the lowest number and unfortunately that’s not always the case when a total points system is in place. i.e. CCS races most of the top 10 numbers people are riding 8 or more classes every weekend. In 1995 and 1996 I had the highest win percentage in the southwest region of CCS and ended up with the #6 plate both times. One of those years the guy who got #3 was someone who I lapped two times in every race but since he ran 13 races a weekend he got more points. I guess I was just making sure that didn’t happen again. Sorry. “BOTTOM LINE: It was expected that going to a total points system would encourage more people to run more classes but I think my running more classes has actually discouraged some people from racing. I don’t want this to be the case, if it is please come out knowing I will only be running a few classes. Dr. Bob will only be running one more race weekend and then it’s up to US, the riders to run the remaining events. I have contacted a quite a few people and chances are we will have some good support at the last three events for making them sucessful. If anyone has any questions email me at [email protected]. “Sorry this was so long winded but I felt I needed to explain these things and get them off my chest. I would also like to thank my sponsors and hope they understand why I won’t be contesting those other classes for the rest of the year, Zia Homes, Western Body and Paint, Dunlop/SportTire Services, Lockhart Phillips, AGVSport,Rock Oil and the Hidalgo County Hearald for giving all our ASMA races newspaper coverage.” Dr. Bob’s Comments: If you missed the point??? To give everyone else a shot at winning an $ 800 Shoei Helmet, Roger will not be Racing in 750 Superbike on June 9th. Roger is giving you the opportunity, so all you Fast Racers out there, put up or shut up! You want an $800 Shoei Helmet? You can Win one here on June 9th. Just Win the 750 Superbike Race. No more excuses. Jump on it. I have been around Motorcycle Racing since 1963. In almost 40 years of Living at Motorcycle Races, I have seen numerous (20 or 30) Very Fast Racers with Tremendous Talent. Roger is 1 of those Very Talented Racers!!!! Period. If I had the money to start an AMA National road race Team. Roger Heemsbergen would be my # 1 Rider. Roger has the talent and experience to race anywhere, anytime. With the proper support, Roger could race and win against almost anyone. My #2 Rider would be Sammy Richards. My #3 Rider would be Mike Shreve. Racing is racing and New Mexico should be very proud of these under-financed racers. These 3 racers are very fast pioneers of road racing in New Mexico. You will probably be very happy that I have to run, so that it is it for now. Take Care and keep the Rubber Side Down! Sincerely, Dr. Bob
Vesrah Wins, AOD Second Overall In WERA 4-Hour At VIR
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By Beth Wyse
Vesrah Suzuki continued to dominate the 2002 WERA/GMD Computrack National Endurance Series by taking a fourth consecutive victory, in a 4-hour race at Virginia International Raceway held Friday. Vesrah’s Tray Batey and John Jacobi won the red-flag-plagued race on a Suzuki GSX-R1000.
Army of Darkness (AOD) riders Jim Williams and Mark Crozier wound up second overall, 65 seconds behind the leaders, on a Suzuki GSX-R600. AOD also topped the Mediumweight Superbike class after an early-race battle with Vesrah Suzuki II.
S&S Endurance took third overall and first in Mediumweight Supersport in its first endurance race as a team. Red-flag delays allowed Scott Harwell to ride the entire race on the S&S Suzuki GSX-R600, without breaking series rules regarding the length of on-track riding stints (120 consecutive minutes) and off-track breaks between stints (30 minutes).
Batey pulled a gap on the field of 47 bikes at the start of the race, but the first red flag came out just short of the one-hour mark for a rider down in turn three. Batey took the lead again on the restart, but only rode for seven minutes before the second red flag came out for a bike that left oil through turns two and three before catching fire.
After a long clean-up period, the race was started for the third time just past the halfway point on the official race clock. Batey was still on the Vesrah Suzuki bike and once again took the lead. The third red flag flew with 15 minutes remaining for another bike on fire, and the race was called complete.
In the Heavyweight Supersport class, moto-heaven.com finished first in class and 11th overall. Justin Marm and Phil Caudill shared the riding on a Honda CBR600F4. Team Infotech took first in Lightweight Superbike and 14th overall with Bobby Miosek and Tommy Bauchiero on a Suzuki SV650.
Overall Results
1. Vesrah Suzuki (Tray Batey/John Jacobi), Suz GSX-R1000, HSB, 94 laps
2. AOD (Jim Williams/Mark Crozier), Suz GSX-R600, MSB, 94 laps
3. S&S Endurance (Scott Harwell), Suz GSX-R600, MSS, 94 laps
4. Vesrah Suzuki II (Dave Yaakov/Brian Stokes), Suz GSX-R600, MSB, 93 laps
5. Team Outa Sight (Jason Peters/Adam Coco), Suz GSX-R600, MSS, 91 laps
6. Northern Getaway (Mark Morrow/Tim Kephart), Suz GSX-R750, HSB, 91 laps
7. Team Velocity (Paul Aalderks/Chuck Ivey), Suz GSX-R600, MSS, 91 laps
8. Team Life (Joe Milanesi/Kevin Warner/Justin Marm), Yam YZFR6, MSS, 91 laps
9. Cycle Therapy Racing (Neil Mummau/Cole Regal/Ricky Ford), Suz GSX-R1000, HSB, 90 laps
10. Velocity Crew (Kevin Perkins/Paul Youngman), Suz GSX-R600, MSB, 90 laps
FIM Superbike Commission Votes To Allow 1000cc Fours For 2003
From an official FIM press release:
In a meeting held today in Silverstone, the Superbike Commission, composed of Messrs. Claude Danis (FIM), Paolo Alberto Flammini (SBK International), Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA) and Giulio Bardi (Team representative), has
unanimously approved the following proposal:
-To allow 1000cc 4-cylinder motorcycles to take part in the 2003 Superbike World Championship. The 1000cc 4-cylinder motorcycles will compete under the current Superbike World Championship Technical Rules and Specifications except from:
a) The engines will have an air restrictor specified as follows:
-26.3 millimetres by 1
-18.7 millimetres by 2
b) Minimum weight: 168 kg
The above rule will therefore be included in the 2003 Superbike World Championship rulebook. For the sake of clarity, the current FIM Superbike World Championship rules will remain unchanged in 2003, save for the above provision.
FIM Road Racing Commission President Claude Danis will present this modification to the rules to the Managing Council in its session of June 22-23.
Bayliss, On Friday Qualifying At Silverstone
From a press release issued by Troy Bayliss publicist:
TROY BAYLISS Racing – Media Information
For immediate release
Friday, 24 May 2002
Round 6, 2002 Superbike World Championship
Silverstone Circuit, England
First Qualifying Session Report
RAIN SLOWS SUPERBIKE QUALIFYING AT SILVERSTONE
Northamptonshire, England – A torrential downpour moments before the start of the opening qualifying session for this weekend’s sixth round of the Superbike World Championship at the Silverstone circuit in England forced a delayed start to the session that saw Britain’s Neil Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati) set the fastest time, while defending World Champion Troy Bayliss fell from his Infostrada Ducati in the closing minutes denying him a chance to challenge for the lead position.
With the 5.094km Northamptonshire circuit covered in water at the start of the one-hour long qualifying session, Bayliss was quick to adapt to the conditions consistently setting fast times in less than ideal conditions.
With the track conditions improving in the closing minutes, Bayliss along with a number of other riders switched from using full wet weather tyres and went to a combination of an intermediate front tyre, with a slick rear. The combination allowed the lap times to drop dramatically and saw a number of riders promote themselves well up the leader board.
Unfortunately for Bayliss, he was unable to capitalise on the improving track conditions as he fell from his Ducati 998 F-02 with less than five minutes remaining at the first of the double left-handers before the pit complex. He escaped any injury in the fall, but missed an opportunity to finish higher on the time sheets, finally being credited with the tenth fastest time of 1:56.705.
“With about five minutes to go we put a slick tyre on the rear and we ready to start doing some quick laps, but another rider fell just in front of me and I’m not sure what happened next, but the result was that I lost the front end of the bike and slid off the track,” said Bayliss. “I think it just baulked me a bit at the time and that was enough. There was no time left for me to go back out and do any more laps. For sure I would have liked to be higher, but that’s how it goes. It is only Friday and I was happy that I did the fastest time in the dry during this morning’s free practice session, so I’m just looking forward to tomorrow now.
“While the track was wet we did try a few different combinations with the bike, but didn’t spend too much time trying to work out a set up for totally wet conditions,” Bayliss added. “This track seems to dry quickly and the weather passes over just as quickly also. It’s not looking the best weather wise at the moment, but hopefully it will clear before Sunday.”
Fastest during today’s session was Neil Hodgson with a best lap of 1:54.095, followed by Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda, 1:54.404), Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati, 1:55.098) and Chris Walker (Fuchs Kawasaki, 1:55.795). Even though the track was drying, the times were well down from Bayliss’ fast time of 1:49.709 set during the morning’s practice session.
Qualifying concludes tomorrow morning before the top sixteen riders take to the circuit later in the afternoon for the all important grid position determining Superpole one-lap dash.
First Qualifying Session, Friday (Top ten)
1. Neil Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati, 1:54.095
2. Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda), 1:54.404
3. Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati), 1:55.098
4. Chris Walker (Fuchs Kawasaki), 1:55.795
5. Ruben Xaus (Infostrada Ducati), 1:56.146
6. Glen Richards (Hawk Racing Kawasaki), 1:56.216
7. Steve Hislop (Monstermob Ducati), 1:56.216
8. Michael Rutter (Renegade Ducati), 1:56.382
9. James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati), 1:56.643
10. Troy Bayliss (Infostrada Ducati), 1:56.705
2002 World Superbike championship points (after 5 of 13 rounds)
1. T. Bayliss, 224; 2. C. Edwards, 186; 3. N. Hodgson, 131; 4. N. Haga, 103; 5. Ben Bostrom, 102; 6. R. Xaus, 96; 7. J. Toseland, 68; 8. G. Lavilla/C. Walker, 58; 10. Hitoyasu Izutsu (Kawasaki), 47.
More, from an official press release issued by the series organizers:
PRESS RELEASE
Round 6 – Great Britain – Silverstone,
24 May – 26 May 2002
Silverstone, 24 May 2002
Hodgson On Provisional Pole
Changeable weather conditions and high winds made life hard for all riders during the first competitive SBK action at Silverstone.
The downpour that ruined the end of the Supersport session had abated by the time the first Superbike Qualifying Session came around, although the 5,094 metre track was fully wet at the start of the one hour qualifying slot.
Despite some consistent areas of running water and damp patches under the bridges, the track dried rapidly in many places, making for dramatic changes of fortunes as the qualifying order changed with every few seconds that passed.
Ultimately the fastest man was Neil Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati) thanks to his mark of 1:54.095.
Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda) almost took pole from the local hero, but could not quite exploit his final opportunity to set the best lap and finished 0.309 seconds down.
Languishing outside the top ten for significant periods, Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati) shot towards the provisional front row in the last minute, and was joined on the top plateau of times by fourth-fastest qualifier Chris Walker (Kawasaki Racing Team).
Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) enjoyed his session, finishing fifth fastest and rebuilt some confidence after his recent spells of misfortune and injury.
Glen Richards (Hawk Racing Kawasaki) enjoyed a spectacular result on day one, the privateer wild card putting in a great performance against the big boys as he gambled on slick tyres front and rear and celebrated a big first day payout.
British Superbike Championship leader Steve Hislop (Monstermob Ducati) peaked a little too soon on the rapidly drying circuit, but still held off the Renegade Racing Ducati of Michael Rutter.
Regular SBK competitor James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) took the first position on the third row of the provisional grid, thanks to his ninth-fastest time.
Troy Bayliss (Infostrada Ducati) fell from his machine in the last minutes and injured the ring finger of his left hand. He followed his physical fall with a tumble from his previously high qualifying position down to tenth.
A bumper day for the local entrants saw Shane Byrne (Renegade Ducati) take an excellent 11th.
Pierfrancesco Chili (NCR Ducati) did not have the opportunity to practice during the official test day on Wednesday 22 May, but nonetheless scored 12th place on the opening day of true competition.
Noriyuki Haga had a tough qualifying session scoring 16th and last provisional qualifying place on his FGF Aprilia, just beating factory Benelli rider Peter Goddard to a provisional Superpole start.
The unsettled weather conditions may see the times set today being the ones which are ultimately used for the determination of Superpole qualifying, and final grid positions for all other riders
In the Supersport Championship session, Fabien Foret, the Monza race winner, scored the psychological first blow, taking his Ten Kate Honda to the top of the timesheets.
Teenager Chris Vermeulen rode well to score second overall on his Van Zon Honda, with Karl Muggeridge in third on another Honda. Katsuaki Fujiwara, the third Monza podium finisher in the top four at Silverstone, took the fourth-best time on his Alstare Suzuki. The top finishing local rider was Iain Macpherson (Ten Kate Honda) fifth, with James Ellison (Kawasaki) 15th and James Whitham (Yamaha Belgarda) 17th.
The 45-minute Supersport session was interrupted by the aftermath of an accident, and then effectively lost the last five minutes due to a sudden downpour, causing a slight delay in the running of each subsequent session.
Michael Himmelsbach Starts F-USA Summit Point Cycle Fest With A Win And A New Lap Record
Blackmans Aprilia’s Michael Himmelsbach rode his new AMA Superbike-spec Aprilia RSV1000 Mille R to a new motorcycle lap record for Summit Point Raceway en route to winning the CCS GTO Expert event, starting the Summit Point Cycle Fest at the West Virginia track. 14K The Movie’s Eric Wood got the holeshot for the 30-minute GTO event, but Himmelsbach took the lead on the first lap and set a new mark of 1:15.22, according to the starter’s hand-held stopwatch, on lap two. The old mark belonged to Arclight Suzuki’s Lee Acree at 1:15.488. Himmelsbach pitted mid-race to make adjustments, but shortly after, the race was stopped for a spectacular crash in turn 10. Realizing that he could re-start the race from the pole position after scoring was reverted to the last completed lap, Himmelsbach took the re-start, got the holeshot, led the remaining four laps and won the race by 2.4 seconds over KWS Motorsports’ Shawn Higbee on a Suzuki GSX-R750/813. Higbee had not raced at Summit Point for 13 years before Friday. Des Conboy took third on a Pepsi-sponsored GSX-R750 ahead of new Expert Nathan Kern, Roadracingworld.com’s Geoff May in fifth on a GSX-R1000 and Glenn Szarek on a Semoff Brothers Racing Suzuki GSX-R750. Szarek hadn’t raced for eight months prior to coming to Summit Point. Tim Bemisderfer rode away with the win in the Expert GTU 30-minute race on his Shenandoah Honda CBR600F4i over Jeff Wood and Eion Smith. Loudoun Motorsports’ Greg Harrison and Chuck Neighoff ran away with the SPR 250K Team Challenge race win. Harrison and Neighoff rode a Pirelli-slick-shod GSX-R1000 to win by two laps over second overall and GTU class winners Kevin Coles and Jeff Gochenour, riding the Yamaha of Camp Hill YZF-R6, and Rollin Fast’s Gregory Faiella and Anthony Fania, on another Yamaha R6. Team Orient Express’ Nathan Kern had run down Loudoun from behind early in the race on his Hooters Suzuki GSX-R600, but after he caught Harrison, Kern forgot that he was learning to shift in his partner Michael Barnes’ preferred GP-shift pattern, back-shifted to first instead of upshifting to third and crashed out of contention. Kern was unhurt and returned to ride the vast majority of his team’s race. Nearly every race winner Friday at Summit Point Raceway participated in the Team Hammer track day on Thursday. RESULTS: EXPERT GTO: 1. Michael Himmelsbach (Apr RSV1000R); 2. Shawn Higbee (Suz GSX-R750/813); 3. Des Conboy (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Nathan Kern (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R1000); 6. Glenn Szarek (Suz GSX-R750). AMATEUR GTO: 1. Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R750); 2. Tomer Levy (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Howard Cho (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Brian Clippinger (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Sean Corbett (Kaw ZX-7RR); 6. Kevin Jones (Hon CBR600). EXPERT GT LIGHTS: 1. Grady Anderson (Suz SV650); 2. Bob Robbins (Suz SV650); 3. Randy Rega (Suz SV650); 4. Samantha Cotter (Hon RS125); 5. Thane Stielow (Hon 700); 6. Mark Johnson (Hon RS125). EXPERT GTU: 1. Tim Bemisderfer (Hon CBR600F4i); 2. Jeff Wood (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Eoin Smith (Yam YZF-R6); 4. David Lamb (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Dustin Moore (Duc 998); 6. Arthur Diaz (Yam YZF-R6). AMATEUR GTU: 1. Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R600); 2. Kenneth Dreyer (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Mark Denisiuk (Yam YZF-R6); 4. Tomer Levy (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Thomas German (Hon CBR600); 6. David Hockenberry (Hon CBR600). EXPERT MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. Donnie Unger (Duc 750); 2. Thane Stielow (Hon 700); 3. Patrick Salonis (Apr RS250); 4. Brian McClain (Apr RS250); 5. Brian Kjar (Apr RS250); 6. Scott Chatigny (Apr RS250). AMATEUR MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. Timothy Ballard (Apr RS250); 2. Robert Glittone (Duc 750); 3. Ken White (Suz 400); 4. Raymond Nicolich (Suz GS500); 5. Matthew Patton (Suz GS500). GP SINGLES: 1. Samantha Cotter (Hon RS125); 2. Christopher Parsons (Yam TZ125); 3. Aaron Butler (Hon RS125); 4. Richard Rorilarz (Hon RS125). EXPERT LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. David Watson (Yam 600). AMATEUR LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. Chris Dunn (Yam YZF-R6); 2. Matthew Patton (Suz GS500); 3. James Smith (Suz GS500); 4. Raymond Nicolich (Suz GS500). SUPERSINGLES: 1. Bob Robbins (Yam YZ426F); 2. Michael Tiberio (Apr 650). SPR 250K TEAM CHALLENGE: GTO: 1. Loudoun Motorsports (Greg Harrison/Chuck Neighoff), Suz GSX-R1000, 78 laps; 2. New England Motorsports (Gus Holcomb/Mark Reynolds), Suz GSX-R600, 73 laps; 3. Dragging On Asphalt (Eric Lashley/Geoffrey Allen), Kaw ZX-9R, 72 laps; 4. Recchione Racing (Ryan Lettich/Chad Klock/Thomas German), Kaw ZX-7R, 68 laps; 5. Brontos R Us Racing (Russell Bigley), Yam TZ750, 49 laps. GTU: 1. Team Yamaha of Camp Hill (Kevin Coles/Jeff Gochenour), Yam YZF-R6, 76 laps; 2. Rollin Fast Moto (John Costa/Gregory Faiella/Anthony Fania, Jr.), Yam YZF-R6, 75 laps; 3. T And T Racing (Tony Tinsley/Anthony Cammack/Paolo Mariano), Suz GSX-R600, 73 laps; 4. T Bone Racing (Gregory Tymon/Glenn Jacobi/David Jacobi), Yam YZF-R6, 73 laps; 5. Pit Stop Motorsports (John Dempsey/Dale Dandrea/Mervin Roderick), Yam YZF-R6, 73 laps; 6. Team Knee Dragon (Matt Albertson/Michael Feast/Marc Sherwood), Suz GSX-R600, 72 laps. GT Lights: 1. Cycle Pros Racing (Sebastian Di Pinto/Romeo Carelli), Suz SV650, 73 laps; 2. Reduc Racing (Papa Thiam/Patrick O’Hara), Suz SV650, 72 laps; 3. Team All Star Pepsi (John Lounsbury/Malcolm Bradsher/Rich Doucette), Suz SV650, 71 laps; 4. Bare Bones (Patrick Salonis/Richard Biebel, Jr./Frank Cupo), Suz SV650, 70 laps; 5. Naked Boy Racing (Harold Jordan/Cordell Green), Buell Firebolt XB9R, 65 laps; 6. GS Flyers (Matthew Patton, Raymond Nicolich), Suz GS500, 10 laps.
Hodgson Leads Provisional World Superbike Qualifying At Silverstone, Edwards 2nd, Ben Bostrom 3rd, Eric Bostrom 24th
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Friday Qualifying Times:
1. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, 1:54.095
2. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 1:54.404
3. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, 1:55.098
4. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:55.795
5. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, 1:56.146
6. Glen Richards, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:56.216
7. Steve Hislop, Ducati 998RS, 1:56.284
8. Michael Rutter, Ducati 998RS, 1:56.382
9. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, 1:56.643
10. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, 1:56.705
11. Shane Byrne, Ducati 998RS, 1:56.971
12. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:57.182
13. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:58.858
14. Dean Ellison, Ducati 996RS, 1:58.929
15. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:59.267
16. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, 1:59.765
17. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, 1:59.917
18. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 2:00.208
19. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:00.390
20. Serafino Foti, Ducati 996RS, 2:01.033
21. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, 2:01.566
22. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 2:01.648
23. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, 2:02.297
24. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 2:03.185
More, from a press release issued by Ducati:
WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 6 – Silverstone (Great Britain)
Friday Qualifying
PROVISIONAL FRONT ROW FOR BOSTROM (DUCATI L&M) – FIFTH FOR XAUS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) – BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) TENTH AFTER LAST-MINUTE CRASH
Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) powered to third quickest time in Friday’s first qualifying session at Silverstone today, as rainstorms lashed the Grand Prix circuit and made conditions difficult for the WSBK riders on their first visit to the Northamptonshire track. As the track dried out in the last few minutes, championship leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) had a minor crash at Priory on his final run, ending the session in tenth. Team-mate Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) was always up at the front throughout the hour and finished in provisional fifth place. Ducati HM Plant rider Neil Hodgson continued his recent run of good form to take the overnight pole mark ahead of Colin Edwards (Honda), while Ducati ‘wild-card’ riders Steve Hislop (Monster Mob) and Michael Rutter (Renegade) also put in excellent performances to finish seventh and eighth respectively.
“Basically I just lost the front right at the end in the twisty section”, explained Troy. “I was pushing it a little too hard, we had just put a new tyre on and I was ready to go on the rapidly-drying track but just went down. There was a little bit of a damp spot there and I hurt my finger a little bit, but no dramas. We were at the top the whole session, just the last part let me down. I lost the front on an intermediate, I feel sure it would have been a good lap, but we’ll be up at the front tomorrow”.
“It was a really strange practice, you’re going out and in all the time and the lap times in the last five minutes went crazy” said Ruben. “We decided to put a slick on the back but it wasn’t easy to set a quick time in these conditions, especially when you come up on backmarkers. There’s only one line although it wasn’t dry all the way round, and everyone here is riding at a really high level so it’s difficult to pass because as soon as you make a move here you’re on the wet”.
“We had a really bad middle split on my quick lap when I got caught behind a Kawasaki halfway around” declared Ben, “but I’m happy to be third because if it rains tomorrow, it means I’m in the top four. The bike and the tyres are great, I just didn’t go fast enough. We’ve still got a bit more to learn around Silverstone, but I’m pretty happy with my performance today”.