Genuine Suzuki Accessories 750cc Supersport Final Results:
1. Lee Acree, 17 laps
2. Jimmy Moore, +4.863 seconds
3. Robert Jensen, +5.841 seconds
4. Mike Ciccotto, +15.786 seconds
5. Scott Harwell, +17.475 seconds
6. Rich Conicelli, +28.672 seconds
7. Vincent Haskovec, +28.871 seconds
8. Andy Caldwell, +29.136 seconds
9. Anthony Lupo, +51.752 seconds
10. David Ortega, +54.700 seconds
11. Tony Meiring
12. Chris Rankin
13. Justin Blake
14. Billy Ethridge
15. John McGarity, Suzuki GSX-R600
16. Chris Ulrich, 14 laps
17. Richard Alexander, Jr., 14 laps
18. Jamie Thompson, 6 laps
19. Michael Barnes, 5 laps
20. Jeremy Barker, 4 laps

All riders were on Suzuki GSX-R750s unless noted.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Ben Spies and Hooters Suzuki’s Mike Ciccotto each crashed out of the lead of the race. Ciccotto re-mounted his bike to finish fourth.

The win was Arclight Suzuki’s Lee Acree’s first AMA National win.

Spies’ crash dropped him from second to third in the final 750cc Supersport point standings. Moore’s teammate Vincent Haskovec finished the season second in the Championship.

Rich Alexander hit Chris Ulrich on the first lap, and both crashed.

Saturday Morning Formula Xtreme Practice Times:
1. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.291
2. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1/R7, 1:27.941
3. Josh Hayes, Honda CBR929RR, 1:28.075
4. Grant Lopez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.310
5. John Hopkins, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.539
6. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1/R7, 1:28.740
7. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR929RR, 1:28.795
8. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.234
9. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR929RR, 1:29.585
10. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.807
11. Francis Martin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.918
12. Mark Miller, Honda CBR929RR, 1:30.188
13. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.600
14. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.119
15. Tim Bemisderfer, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.030

By Glenn Le Santo

Last-minute set-up changes and some cool-headed riding catapulted Aprilia into the first two front-row places for tomorrow’s final World Superbike race at Imola, Italy. Troy Corser, who had qualified back in 12th place for Superpole, pulled a blistering lap out of the bag to snatch pole position. Corser, who has yet to confirm a ride for next season, lapped at 1:48.694, almost two seconds faster than his previous best lap time of 1:50.329.

“We made some radical changes for the final free practice session,” explained Corser. “We turned the machine on its end and it made all the
difference. I felt really comfortable on the bike for Superpole and just kept my head, kept it smooth – exactly what you need to do for a good
Superpole lap.”

Corser admitted that a good result in Sunday’s race is crucial for him, “My job probably depends upon it!” he quipped. “But apart from that, we’re in Italy, I’m riding an Italian bike and for Aprilia’s sake we need a good finish here.”

Corser may have to battle his own teammate for that result, and maybe even the team place as it looks likely Aprilia will run a one-man team in 2002. Fellow Aprilia rider Regis Laconi wasn’t far behind Corser in Superpole with a lap at 1:48.776. Unlike most of the other competitors Laconi has raced at Imola before, both on 250cc and 500cc GP bikes. “The track is a little different since I last raced here,” said Laconi, “but I’m glad to lap it faster today than I did on a 500.” Laconi waved a small American flag in support of the victims of the horrific events of September 11th as he posed for photographers after Superpole.

Ruben Xaus looked set to make yet another front-row start until he ran out of ground clearance on the final corner and lowsided his Ducati. Superpole rules mean he’ll now have to start back on the second row, in eighth spot. His teammate Troy Bayliss, now the 2001 World Superbike Champion, kept his silver-painted Ducati on its wheels for third on the grid, with a time
of 1:49.146.

“The race is important, we’re very close to Ducati’s factory,” explained Bayliss. “But I won’t be riding above myself,” he admitted, “you only do that if you really need to. But I’m looking forward to the race, and I’m happy with my set-up.”

Former Superbike World Champion Colin Edwards completes the front row. Akira Yanagawa, who qualified in 16th position, fell in free practice Saturday morning and didn’t start Superpole. He was concussed in the fall and no announcement
has been made yet on whether he’ll be fit to start in Sunday’s races.

Imola Superpole Results:
1. Troy Corser, Aprilia, 1:48.694
2. Regis Laconi, Aprilia, 1:48.904
3. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 1:49.146
4. Colin Edwards, Honda, 1:49.366
5. Ben Bostrom, Ducati, 1:49.371
6. Alessandro Antonello, Aprilia, 1:49.746
7. Neil Hodgson, Ducati, 1:49.748
8. Ruben Xaus, Ducati, no time, crash
9. Tadayuki Okada, Honda, 1:50.076
10. James Toseland, Ducati, 1:50.189
11. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki, 1:50.792
12. Pierfrancesco Chili, Suzuki, 1:51.026
13. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati, 1:51.227
14. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati, 1:51.479
15. Broc Parkes, Ducati, 1:51.971
16. Akira Yanagawa, Kawasaki, no time


Muggeridge claims pole for the season’s final Supersport race

Karl Muggeridge claimed pole position for tomorrow’s World Supersport finale in Imola, Italy. The Australian Suzuki star pulled a fast lap out of the bag as the session came to an end to push championship contender Paolo Casoli back into second place. Casoli crashed his Yamaha just after setting a pole time, which no doubt played into Muggeridge’s hands, as Casoli didn’t go
back out on the track to defend his provisional pole. Instead, championship leader Casoli had to watch from the pit lane as Muggeridge snatched pole from him.

Yesterday’s provisional pole-sitter, Pere Riba, was another faller–he lowsided his Honda half way through the session and had to make do with just one bike for the rest of qualifying. He slipped down the order and will start 8th. His teammate Fabien Foret showed maturity by keeping his head and settling for third on the grid as others crashed out trying to better their times. “I took it easy after my fast lap, the front row is better than the medical center!”

Casoli’s Championship rivals didn’t fare so well. Only Casoli, Andrew Pitt and reigning champion Jorg Teuchert can win the title on Sunday. Teuchert’s chances don’t look great at the moment, he will have to start from the fourth row, while Pitt is on the second row. So Casoli has the head start, both on points and grid position for the race. But anyone who’s been watching Supersport racing knows that literally anything can happen in the close racing that typifies the class. With the Superbike championship already decided, the Supersport race is likely to be the most exciting event on Sunday, the final day of WSBK this year.

Final World Supersport qualifying times
Imola, Italy
1. Karl Muggeridge, AUS, Suzuki, 1:53.554
2. Paolo Casoli, ITA, Yamaha, 1:53.559
3. Fabien Foret, FRA, Honda, 1:53.590,
4. Vittoriano Guareschi, ITA, Ducati, 1:53.690
5. James Whitham, GBR, Yamaha, 1:53.937
6. Stefano Cruciani, ITA, Yamaha, 1:53.943
7. Andrew Pitt, AUS, Kawasaki, 1:54.023
8. Pere Riba, ESP, Honda, 1:54.027
9. Katsuaki Fujiwara, JPN, Suzuki, 1:54.074
10. Vittorio Iannuzzo, ITA, Suzuki 1:54.365

600cc Supersport Combined Qualifying Results:
1. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:28.246
2. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:28.302
3. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:28.330
4. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha, 1:28.927
5. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:28.960
6. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:28.964
7. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:29.248
8. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:29.776
9. Chris Caylor, Suzuki, 1:29.833
10. Josh Hayes, Honda, 1:30.024
11. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:30.035
12. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:30.286
13. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:30.350
14. Grant Lopez, Suzuki, 1:30.369
15. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:30.749
16. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:30.811
17. Robert Jensen, Suzuki, 1:30.938
18. Daigoro Suzuki, Kawasaki, 1:31.757
19. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:33.252
20. Chuck Neighoff, Yamaha, 1:33.509

Attack Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore crashed during the qualifying session and broke his left collarbone. It is unknown whether Pridmore will attempt to race with a broken collarbone as he did at Road Atlanta.

Saturday Morning Superbike Practice Times:
1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:26.006
2. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:26.207
3. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:26.549
4. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:26.683
5. Doug Chandler, Kawasaki, 1:26.696
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:26.778
7. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:26.788
8. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:26.868
9. Steve Rapp, Ducati, 1:26.966
10. Larry Pegram, Ducati, 1:27.389
11. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha, 1:27.500
12. Andreas Meklau, Ducati, 1:27.650
13. Pascal Picotte, Harley-Davidson, 1:27.780
14. Jordan Szoke, Harley-Davidson, 1:28.905
15. Mike Smith, Harley-Davidson, 1:29.180
16. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:29.694*
17. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:30.144*
18. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:31,084*
19. Richard Alexander, Suzuki, 1:31.162*
20. Tony Meiring, Suzuki, 1:31.605*

Saturday Qualifying Times From Imola, with Superpole still to run:
1. Ruben Xaus, Ducati, 1:48.462
2. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 1:48.776
3. Regis Laconi, Aprilia, 1:48.878
4. Ben Bostrom, Ducati, 1:49.218
5. Colin Edwards, Honda, 1:49.475
6. Alessandro Antonello, Aprilia, 1:49.850
7. Neil Hodgson, Ducati, 1:50.150
8. Pierfrancesco Chili, Suzuki, 1:50.173
9. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati, 1:50.235
10. Tadayuki Okada, Honda, 1:50.246
11. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki, 1:50.267
12. Troy Corser, Aprilia, 1:50.329
13. James Toseland, Ducati, 1:50.501
14. Broc Parkes, Ducati, 1:50.535
15. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati, 1:50.674
16. Akira Yanagawa, Kawasaki, 1:50.695
17. Juan Borja, Yamaha, 1:50.781
18. Steve Martin, Ducati, 1:50.794
19. Gregorio Lavilla, Kawasaki, 1:51.272
20. Mauro Sanchini, Ducati, 1:52.182

23. Peter Goddard, Benelli, 1:52.445

There will be no on-bike cameras in use for the TV broadcasts from Virginia International Raceway (VIR) this weekend.

Cameras already installed on various bikes at VIR were removed yesterday.

On-bike cameras feed a signal to an aircraft, which bounces the feed to an on-site TV truck.

FAA restrictions will not allow an aircraft to circle VIR during the race weekend.

Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Final Results:
1. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1/R7, 17 laps
2. Grant Lopez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, +2.788 seconds
3. Josh Hayes, Honda CBR929RR, +2.833 seconds
4. John Hopkins, Suzuki GSX-R1000, +6.573 seconds
5. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1/R7, +12.207 seconds
6. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, +18.269 seconds
7. Francis Martin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, +23.455 seconds
8. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR929RR, +26.173 seconds
9. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, +45.581 seconds
10. Steve Grigg, Muzzy Raptor 835, +46.545 seconds
11. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R1000
12. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000
13. Mauro Cereda, Suzuki GSX-R750
14. Chris Voelker, Honda CBR900RR, 16 laps
15. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R750, 16 laps
16. Jamie Thompson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 16 laps
17. Mark Miller, Honda CBR929RR, 16 laps
18. Michael McAllister, Yamaha YZF-R1, 16 laps
19. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 12 laps
20. Tim Bemisderfer, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 10 laps
21. Thomas Montano, Ducati 748, 10 laps
22. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR929RR, 2 laps

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s John Hopkins, 18, wins the 2001 Formula Xtreme Championship over Graves Motorsports Yamaha’s Damon Buckmaster by one single point, 256 points to 255 points. Hopkins won the 2000 AMA 750cc Supersport Championship over Buckmaster by three points.

The Formula Xtreme race win is Aaron Gobert’s first AMA National win.

Pole-sitter Jason Pridmore did not race after breaking his left collarbone in Saturday morning practice.

Pro Thunder Heat Race One Results:
1. David Estok, Buell 1200
2. Tripp Nobles, Buell 1200
3. Thomas Montano, Ducati 748
4. Chris Normand, Suzuki SV650
5. Thomas Fournier, Ducati 748

Pro Thunder Heat Race Two Results:
1. Mike Ciccotto, Buell 1200
2. Steve Keener, Suzuki SV650
3. Josh Bryan, Buell 1200
4. Deborah Venega, Ducati 748

Defending AMA Pro Thunder Champion crashed hard in the final corner on lap two of the second Pro Thunder heat race. Nash broke several ribs in the crash and most likely will not ride in the final.

Hal’s Performance Advantage’s Mike Ciccotto earned the pole position for Sunday’s Pro Thunder final by virtue of winning the faster of the two heat races. Ciccotto won the second heat by over 39 seconds over second place.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

This news just in from Glenn Le Santo, on-site at Imola for the World Superbike Championship (WSB) season finale:

Eric Bostrom will stay with Kawasaki in 2002 and 2003, riding in the AMA series, and will ride multiple World Superbike rounds in 2003.

Chris Walker will ride in the WSB series for Kawasaki, along with Izutsu. Akira Yanagawa will become a development rider for Kawasaki’s new GP1 four-stroke project.

The Grand Prix Series organizer, Dorna, has developed a GP2 formula, based on 600cc production engines with racing frames and slick tires. The new formula will run as a Spanish Championship in 2002, and is likely to replace 250s in 2003 World GPs. With GP1 and GP2 allowing four-strokes, what will become of 125s is unclear, but some speculation is that the class will be reserved for upcoming youth.

WSB officials have made no announcement on rule changes, but insiders say that there will be no significant rule changes for 2002, despite the fact that manufacturers of four-cylinder machines were desperately hoping for some added displacement to help them compete with the 1000cc V-Twins. An announcement is due in December, too late for manufacturers to actually make many capacity changes anyway.

Suzuki’s intentions in the light of this news are unclear. Harald Eckl, Kawasaki team boss, and Andrea Merloni of Benelli, both looked crestfallen and very depressed at the news, as a displacement increase would have given both the four-cylinder Kawasaki ZX-7RR and the three-cylinder Benelli Tornado cheap horspower gains.

Alessandro Antonello has signed to ride Ducatis for DFX racing in 2002, running works 2001 Ducati, the effort being bankrolled by Pirelli. Steve Martin, who has been doing development work for Pirelli, will still ride for DFX in 2002.

Aprilia’s Superbike program has failed to attract significant sponsorship so will only have one rider in 2002. There is no indication as yet who it will be, but given the souring of the team’s relationship with Troy Corser, and the fact that they are unlikely to be able to afford his wage demands, it looks increasingly unlikely he’ll return with them in 2002.

Chris Vermeulen has signed to ride a CBR600F4i in World Supersport with Werner Daemen, in Daemen’s own team, from Belgium, which will be under the umbrella of Ten Kate Honda. Ten Kate will of
course run Pere Riba and Fabien Foret. All four bikes will feature Ten Kate engines and
logos, but the Daemen bikes will have subtle paintwork differences. No other Honda teams will have access to Ten Kate engines in World Supersport.

There will be no Castrol Honda Supersport team, although Honda Britain is considering running a team in World Supersport due to a collapse of confidence in the British series. Honda Britain has withdrawn from the British series in protest, and so an entry onto the world stage is logical, providing the company can find the funding.

James Whitham and Paolo Casoli are returning to the Belgarda Yamaha for WSS in 2002.