Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

After a brief ride during Formula Xtreme practice Saturday morning at Sears Point, Corona Extra Suzuki’s Steve Rapp abandoned all hope of racing at the Sonoma, California racetrack this weekend.

Rapp was injured Tuesday, April 30 when he crashed a motocross bike while training in Lake Elsinore, California.

Rapp made a handful of laps on his GSX-R1000 Formula Xtreme bike, with a shoulder brace attached to the outside of his leathers, but pitted during the session to tell his team the bad news.

“I can’t ride,” said Rapp. “It’s just too painful to do the left-right transitions, and that’s all this track is. It’s probably the most physically-demanding track that we go to. If it had been some of the other tracks we go to, it might have worked, but the pain is too much.” Rapp took over-the-counter pain killers before riding.

Rapp consulted with Dr. Baum, a Corona, California orthopedist who has worked on several motocross racers, and was told that he could not have his broken right collarbone plated because the break was too close to the end of the bone, close to the neck, leaving no room to attach the plate. But Rapp said that the pain from a broken rib was what actually prevented him from racing.

“I wanted to be here to support the team,” said Rapp, sporting numerous abrasions on his arms. “But I didn’t want to be sitting around wondering if I could ride. Now I know I can’t.” Rapp added that he would stay at Sears Point, his home track, and do public relations work and sign autographs for his team.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Formula Xtreme Practice Times:

1. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R7/R1, 1:34.459
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:34.729
3. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.052
4. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.585
5. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.823
6. Marty Craggill, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.948
7. Mike Hale, Honda CBR954RR, 1:36.065
8. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR954RR, 1:36.806
9. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.943
10. Dave Stanton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.115
11. Lance Isaacs, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:37.827
12. Jason Curtis, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:39.108
13. James Compton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.320
14. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:39.639
15. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:39.698
16. Clint McBain, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:40.000
17. Cory Call, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:40.387
18. Simon Forder, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:40.578
19. Kevin Pate, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:41.320
20. John Wilson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:41.844

From a press release:

American Rider To Race Two MV Agusta F4s at TT 2002

Spearheaded by Dwight David Mitchell, M&A Racing will once again contest the Isle of Man TT races in 2002 after last year’s cancellation due to the foot and mouth epidemic in the UK. Practice for the 2002 event is scheduled to start on Saturday, the 25th of May and continue through the week with the first of eight races taking place on Saturday, the 1st of June.

The team is pleased to partner with MV Agusta to ride the new F4S at this year’s event. The name MV Agusta evokes memories of a bygone age where nearly every race winner, every world champion rode the same type of motorcycle – MV Augusta. It is the most successful name in motorcycle road racing and has won more championships than any other motorcycle brand. With 75 world championships, 270 Grand Prix victories no other manufacturer has equaled their record.

The team spent the whole winter enhancing already spectacular motorcycles, which Dwight likes to refer to it as “taking the bikes to an even higher level”. The motorcycles were stripped, parts were ordered or fabricated, fiberglass was painted and mounted, dyno test were done, and now it’s time to go racing.

In 1999 Dwight formed a team of Americans which captured the ACU International Club Team Award in the 600 Supersport TT which is one of 8 different machine classes. This year Dwight is not fielding a multi-rider team. Just to complete the race is considered an accomplishment but this year he is looking to concentrate more on racing and less on team management so that he can bring home an individual replica to go along with the silver one he won in the team event.

The race, which is extremely dangerous and difficult, is conducted on a mountain circuit of ordinary roads. This is real road racing, and there is simply nothing like it anywhere in the world. It attracts competitors and fans from every corner of the globe and is arguably the most unique and exciting of all-motorcycling experiences.

Dwight, the middle of three children, works as an international computer consultant. This has allowed him to visit many different countries. His wife Eva, who is also the team manager among many other things, is from Spain and has been living in the USA for 4-1/2 years. They have an active 3-1/2 year old son named Bryce who loves motorcycles and wants to go for rides daily.

Dwight has appeared on Speedvision, BBC-TV, WLIB, Manx Radio, and at local high schools. He has been featured in the following publications: BET Weekend, Longriders, Tourist Trophy, Backroads, Motorcycle Post, Roadracing World, American Roadracing, Solo Moto Treinta, Moto Mania, Motorcyclist Magazine, City Bike, Bikes & Spikes, Lockhart Phillips Catalog, Vanson Catalog, The Star Ledger, Courier News, Home Tribune, Manx Independent, Examiner, and Manx Courier Newspapers.

Supersport:
1. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:25.622*
2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:36.370
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:36.888
4. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:37.036
5. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, 1:37.177
6. Mike Hale, Honda, 1:37.242
7. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:37.329
8. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:37.383
9. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:37.410
10. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:37.556
11. Owen Weichel, Kawasaki, 1:37.720
12. Brian Parriott, Honda, 1:38.017
13. Ty Howard, Suzuki, 1:38.471
14. Owen Richey, Yamaha, 1:38.491
15. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:38.801
16. Michael Hannas, Kawasaki, 1:38.806
17. Jeff Tigert, Suzuki, 1:38.875
18. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:39.352
19. Scott Simpson, Kawasaki, 1:39.442
20. Andrew Nelson, Kawasaki, 1:40.303
*Short-cut lap


Formula Xtreme:
1. Marty Craggill, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.168
2. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.423
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R7/R1, 1:35.492
4. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:35.817
5. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.255
6. Mike Hale, Honda CBR954RR, 1:36.508
7. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.007
8. Dave Stanton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.180
9. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.604
10. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR954RR, 1:38.285
11. Lance Isaacs, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:39.083
12. Robert Mesa, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:40.015
13. Clint McBain, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:40.524
14. Jason Curtis, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:40.870
15. Cory Call, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:41.002
16. Kevin Pate, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:41.504
17. Simon Forder, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:41.600
18. Kim Nakashima, Suzuki, 1:41.617
19. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:41.758
20. G. Combs, 1:41.847



Superstock:
1. Mike Hale, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:36.729
2. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.077
3. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.359
4. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.557
5. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:37.632
6. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR60F4i, 1:38.032
7. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:38.102
8. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:38.655
9. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:38.791
10. Andrew Nelson, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:39.4620
11. Owen Weichel, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:39.4623
12. Owen Richey, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:39.470
13. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:39.492
14. Michael Hannas, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:39.503
15. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:39.700
16. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:39.896
17. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:40.000
18. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:40.003
19. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:40.298
20. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:40.342


250cc Grand Prix:

1. Roland Sands, Yamaha, 1:36.663
2. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 1:37.099
3. Simon Turner, Yamaha, 1:37.420
4. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 1:38.175
5. Jason DiSalvo, Honda, 1:38.355
6. J. Davis, Yamaha, 1:40.263
7. Ed Marchini, Yamaha, 1:41.186
8. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, 1:41.380
9. R. Yates, Yamaha, 1:42.059
10. Cory West, Yamaha, 1:42.282
11. Frank Aragaki, Yamaha, 1:43.064
12. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, 1:43.470
13. Jonah Miller, Aprilia, 1:43.549
14. Darren Fulce, Yamaha, 1:44.192
15. John France, Honda, 1:44.219
16. Al Salaverria, Aprilia, 1:44.925
17. Ty Piz, Yamaha, 1:45.290
18. Richard Denman, 1:45.612
19. Richard Snowden, Honda, 1:45.624
20. John Williams, Yamaha, 1:45.665

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

When the third round of official AMA practice took to the track at Sears Point Friday morning, the timing and scoring system was down again, failing to display times on monitors along pit lane and in the press room.

Problems with AMA Timing & Scoring during the opening day of official practice have become the norm at AMA Nationals.

AMA Pro Racing has resisted the idea of sending the timing & scoring crew in early, to check out equipment and get the system up and running on Thursday, prior to the start of official practice.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Superstock:

1. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:35.564
2. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.466
3. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:37.654
4. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.717
5. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.727
6. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.955
7. Owen Richey, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:38.242
8. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:38.551
9. Mike Hale, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:38.628
10. Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:38.835
11. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:39.149
12. Brian Parriott, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:39.608
13. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:39.732
14. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:39.733
15. Andrew Nelson, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:40.170
16. Owen Weichel, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:40.316
17. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:40.472
18. Jeff Tigert, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:40.499
19. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:40.587
20. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:40.846

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

1. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:33.954
2. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R7, 1:34.010
3. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.577
4. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:34.932
5. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.149
6. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.339
7. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:35.409
8. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.411
9. Doug Chandler, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.560
10. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.541
11. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.560
12. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.671
13. Owen Richey, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.907
14. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.916
15. M. Foster, 1:38.651
16. Ty Howard, Suzuki GSXR750, 1:38.740
17. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:38.852
18. Thomas Montano, Ducati 998S, 1:39.011
19. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:39.027
20. E. Milhausen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:39.284

From a press release:

XSBA Announces More Incentives to Ride

X-Treme Sport Bike Association Announces More Bonus for Performing Riders

AURORA, Ill.–Clear Channel Entertainment’s Motor Sports division announces today that Mirror Image Custom Cycles of Linden, New Jersey confirmed their participation in the X-Treme Sport Bike Association as the first XSBA contingency sponsor. Mirror Image will present $3000 in XSBA Championship bonus certificates to the top three stunt competitors in points following the final round of competition in Portland September 8, 2002.

Valuable points will be earned at each round of competition with one bonus point going to each top qualifier. At the conclusion of the 2002 season, an XSBA National Champion will be crowned. Mirror Image will award an $1800 certificate to the XSBA National Champion, $700 certificate to the runner up, and a $500 certificate to the 3rd place stunt rider in Championship points. The certificates can be redeemed at Mirror Image Custom Cycles for custom painting, wheel polishing, and performance suspension upgrading.

The 2002 XSBA Championship Series wheelies for the first time in 2002 at the Summit Point Cycle Fest at Summit Point Raceway on May 24 & 25. XSBA is in its second year of existence as a motorcycle performance stunt exhibition/competition at selected events including the Formula USA Cycle Fest events. Road America, Pocono, and Portland ‘SCENES’ will complete the 2002 XSBA season. For more details on the XSBA, the point structure, and rules, please visit www.XSBA.com.

For ticket information, please visit www.formulausa.com or call 800-216-7482 to charge by phone. Tickets are also available through
Ticketmaster.com.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday’s FIM 250cc Grand Prix Qualifying Times:

1. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, 1:45.710
2. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, 1:45.915
3. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:46.004
4. Franco Battani, Aprilia, 1:46.072
5. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, 1:46.253
6. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:46.297
7. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:46.383
8. Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, 1:46.490
9. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:46.554
10. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:46.955
11. Alex Debon, Aprilia, 1:47.133
12. David Checa, Aprilia, 1:47.466
13. Shahrol Yuzy, Yamaha, 1:47.700
14. Haruchika Aoki, Honda, 1:47.831
15. Raul Jara, Aprilia, 1:48.182

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday’s MotoGP Qualifying Times:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 1:42.736
2. Daijiro Katoh, Honda NSR500, 1:43.075
3. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 1:43.519
4. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 1:43.843
5. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, 1:44.216
6. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:44.295
7. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, 1:44.391
8. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 1:44.486
9. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, 1:44.503
10. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, 1:44.507
11. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:44.689
12. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 1:44.811
13. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 1:45.121
14. Garry McCoy, Yamaha YZR500, 1:45.398
15. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, 1:45.528
16. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 1:45.785
17. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 1:46.111
18. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 1:46.216
19. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 1:46.221
20. Pere Riba, Yamaha YZR500, 1:46.630

Friday morning MotoGP practice times from Jerez:
1. Rossi, 1:44.787
2. Katoh, 1:45.534
3. Ukawa, 1:45.669
4. Abe, 1:45.798
5. Barros, 1:45.929
6. Checa, 1:46.069
7. McWilliams, 1:46.633
8. McCoy, 1:46.661
9. Aoki, 1:46.817
10. Roberts, 1:46.846
11. Nakano, 1:46.894
12. Jacque, 1:46.999
13. Laconi, 1:47.164
14. Gibernau, 1:47.217
15. Hopkins, 1:47.352
16. Harada, 1:47.380
17. Capirossi, 1:47.758
18. Goorbergh, 1:47.773
19. Biaggi, 1:47.922
20. Riba, 1:48.322


More, from Red Bull Yamaha:

SPANISH GRAND PRIX – JEREZ
FRIDAY 3RD MAY
QUALIFYING PRACTICE NO. 1

GARRY McCOY- 14TH – 1:45.398

“I’m finding the track slippery and the conditions are very dusty. We’re working on the tyre and chassis set up to find what will give me grip. For me it also seemed a bit windy in that session and I’m still having trouble in the right handers because of my leg but I’m feeling okay.”


JOHN HOPKINS ­ 19TH – 1:46.221

“This is my first time at this track and I’m trying to find my limits on how hard to push. The track here is so much smoother than South Africa but the dust here is a problem. The track is really dusty and I don’t want to risk
running wide in these conditions. I’m keeping it on line as it’s loose out there.

“Still I’m looking okay and we have some fine tuning to do before tomorrow. We’re up in the air on tyre choice at the moment and we have a few more suspension adjustments to make”.



More, from Suzuki:

Team Suzuki News Service

RESHOD SUZUKIS GO STRAIGHT INTO THE TOP 10

Jerez de la Frontera, Spain – Friday, May 3:

TEAM Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki riders Kenny Roberts Jr and Sete Gibernau were sixth and eighth in today’s first qualifying session for Sunday’s Spanish GP – an excellent result in their first time out on Michelin tyres this season.

The team switched from the still-developing Dunlop tyres to the established Michelins after its new GSV-R four-stroke proved more competitive than expected at the early rounds. This changed the target from a year of machine and tyre development to a decision to work directly towards race results.

Today was the first run on the well-established French tyres for the blue baritone Suzuki four-strokes … and the results were promising, to say the least. Not only were both bikes in the top 10, but they were the first four-strokes apart from the pair of Hondas which finished first and second at the previous race.

This was in spite of having taken a step backwards to go forwards. Previous development data gained with the Dunlop tyres is no longer relevant, and in a sense the team and riders are making a fresh start. The situation is made more complex by a new surface on the circuit, where extensive building work is still in progress. The level of grip is improving almost lap by lap, as the dust clears and rubber builds up on the racing line … giving engineers a moving target as they optimise machine settings for the new tyres.

There is one more day of qualifying before Sunday’s race, the third of 16 rounds in the championship, and the first of the summer-long European season.

KENNY ROBERTS: Sixth Position, 1:44.295
“It’s all real new, and we’re trying to get the bike as good as possible as quickly as possible. For the first day, the grip and consistency is good, and the bike seems to be adapting well to the change in tyres. We’re able to work directly on machine set up, which makes it a lot easier. I didn’t expect to be in the top six, but the position is not so important. My outlook after two non-finishes is to finish this race in the points. I’m working on getting into a rhythm, finding out where our base is, and going form there.”

SETE GIBERNAU: Eighth Position, 1:44.486
“We need to keep working in our new situation – to get used to the new tyres, and work round the bits and pieces we were doing before. For tomorrow, we need to get the bike to turn in better and to hold the line better, so I can improve corner speed and do the same or better lap times more easily. We made a lot of changes today, but we’ve been going forward all the time. I like the track, and I’m feeling confident.”

WARREN WILLING: Technical Adviser
“At the moment, we’re just finding out where we are, and dialling the bike in to these tyres. The race-track is constantly changing as it gets cleaner … we’re trying to find base settings at the same time as keeping up with the improving grip. We’re finding out where we stand on chassis stiffness, balance and geometry, and we’re able to focus more on the machine.”



More, from Proton:

PROTON RIDERS ON THE PACE IN SPAIN

Round 3: Spanish GP, Jerez de la Frontera First Qualifying: Friday May 3, 2002

Jeremy McWilliams: 13th, 1:45.121
Nobuatsu Aoki: 15th, 1:45.528

Proton Team KR riders Jeremy McWilliams and Nobu Aoki were in the top 15 and eyeing the points after the first qualifying session for the Spanish GP, at the circuit where the team had successful first tests with the new Bridgestone tyres during the winter.

The track has been fully resurfaced, and extensive building alterations to the pit buildings were still in progress, leaving the surface dusty and slippery, but improving all the time as the motorcycles swept it clean and laid rubber down on the racing line. These changing conditions made it difficult to settle on machine settings.

Conditions for the first day of the European season were warm and sunny, and both riders made progress, slashing lap times from morning to afternoon. For McWilliams, however, the dry conditions triggered a bout of hayfever that left him below his best.

There is one more day of practice for Sunday’s GP, the first European round of the new MotoGP world championship that pits 990cc four-strokes against the established 500cc two-strokes like the Proton KR3. Defending champion Valentino Rossi (Honda four-stroke) claimed provisional pole position.


JEREMY McWILLIAMS
“Everything’s going to plan – though I missed out on the last five minutes of practice because of a minor problem with a tyre we’d fitted. But I haven’t been going for fantastic lap times – more working towards finding a good race set-up to make sure we can go well on Sunday. You have to be so aggressive at Jerez, but it’s hard to find settings when the grip changes every time you go out.”


NOBUATSU AOKI
“This morning I was very confident with the bike, and things were coming quite easily. In the afternoon, something changed, and I had absolutely no grip from the front tyre. It was strange. We only made a small change to the front suspension, but the feeling changed completely. I’m a little confused. I need the engineers to find the reason.”


KENNY ROBERTS – Team Owner
“So far so good. The engines are running well, and we’re getting through tyre testing. And we still have all day tomorrow. The problems we had in South Africa were one-offs: a little wear on Jeremy’s shifter, and a split hose for Nobu that caused an oil leak. We haven’t needed to make any changes.”



More, from Marlboro Yamaha:

MARLBORO SPANISH GRAND PRIX, JEREZ
First Qualifying, Friday May 3 2002

DIFFICULT BUT ENLIGHTENING DAY FOR MARLBORO YAMAHA
Marlboro Yamaha Team riders Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa had a difficult but enlightening first qualifying session at sun-blessed Jerez this afternoon, ending the day 11th and 12th quickest.

Their performance suggests that the Marlboro Yamaha Team has much to do to get their bikes fully on to the pace but YZR-M1 project leader Ichiro Yoda believes that both riders gained invaluable knowledge during today’s track time. Yamaha are already working on a different chassis for the M1, which is planned for June.

“We learned a lot today, so now we know the situation and we can react as necessary,” said Yoda. “It seems that this chassis has too much weight transfer, this is what we are focusing on at the moment. Both riders say that the front end goes light when they want to open the throttle, especially in fast corners, and, of course, high-speed corners are very important for a good lap time. Also, they are both losing time braking at the end of the back straight because there’s too much weight transfer to the front. This wasn’t a problem with the chassis we used before Suzuka, so its clear what we need to do. We’ve also brought some new fuel tanks here to try. Max was having a problem as the M1 tank is quite wide so we’ve brought two narrower units for him to try. Carlos had asked for a shorter tank so that he could transfer more weight to the front. He tried it today but it still hasn’t given him the feeling he wants.”

BIAGGI WORKS AT IMPROVEMENTS
Max Biaggi ended this afternoon’s opening qualifier 0.122 seconds ahead of team-mate Carlos Checa but 1.953 seconds off provisional pole position.

Riding as hard as ever, the Marlboro Yamaha Team rider hopes he can climb further up the order tomorrow after fine tuning his M1’s settings but knows he must wait a little longer to get back up front.

“We’ve got problems, it’s easy to see that from the lap times,” said the Italian. “At the moment it’s not easy for us to fight with the other four-strokes, and even some of the 500 two-strokes, but we’re looking to get the best set-up possible, to put what we’ve got together as best we can. At the moment we can’t expect much more because the bike is essentially the same as it was at the first two races. We’re all working very hard and hopefully we can take a big step forward when we get the new chassis.”

CHECA NEEDS MORE WEIGHT UP FRONT
Local hero Carlos Checa made it into the top ten at one stage during this afternoon’s session but ended the outing 12th fastest. Like team-mate Max Biaggi, the Marlboro Yamaha Team rider is doing the best he can with the M1 and working hard to give his engineers the best-possible feedback to help them make the required improvements.

“The main problem for me is that there’s not enough front grip available when I’m at a high lean angle and trying to get on the throttle,” said the Spaniard who is currently second in the World Championship after scoring third- and fifth-place finishes at the opening two GPs of the 2002 MotoGP season. “It seems that the problem is worse at this track. Getting out of a corner as quickly as possible is obviously a crucial part of getting a good lap time and I can’t do that at the moment.”

ROSSI OFF TRACK BUT STILL AHEAD
Valentino Rossi (Honda) recovered from an off-track excursion to take provisional pole at Jerez today. The World Championship leader spent much of the session battling back and forth with RCV team-mate Tohru Ukawa, who beat him in South Africa two weeks ago, before upping his pace in the closing stages. “We came here testing in November so we do have some data but the new surface means that we’re almost starting all over,” he said. “The four-stroke is easier to ride than the 500 but it’s harder to make the difference once you get to a certain level.”

MotoGP newcomer Daijiro Kato dislodged Ukawa from second at the end of the session, his NSR500 two-stroke just 0.339 seconds off Rossi’s four-stroke best. Fellow NSR rider Alex Barros was fourth.