Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Chambon fastest as Supersport returns to Kyalami

By Glenn LeSanto

The World Supersport Championship returned to Kyalami for the first time since 1999 and was greeted by beautiful sunshine. Stephane Chambon took advantage of the sun to set the fastest time in Friday’s qualifying session.

Britain’s Jamie Whitham again looked fast in qualifying, not a thing that he’s been known for in the past. But he was pushed down into provisional third on the grid by his teammate Paolo Casoli.

Reigning champion and winner of the previous race, Andrew Pitt, took the final place on the provisional front row, qualifying fourth fastest.

Chris Vermeulen continued to shine with a provisional fifth place in a session that featured more than its fair share of yellow flag waving. One incident saw Supersport regular Stefano Cruciani lose his front end while riding on the inside of local rider Arushen Moodley. Both riders crashed heavily, wrecking their machines. Thankfully the two of them were
later declared fit to ride again this weekend.

World Supersport Championship
Friday Qualifying, 5 April 2002
Best Times

1. Stephane Chambon, FRA, Suzuki, 1:46.647
2. Paolo Casoli, ITA, Yamaha, 1:46.943
3. Jamie Whitham, GBR, Yamaha, 1:47.277
4. Andrew Pitt, AUS, Kawasaki, 1:47.296
5. Chris Vermeulen, AUS, Honda, 1:47.530
6. Christian Kellner, GER, Yamaha, 1:47.577
7. James Ellison, GBR, Kawasaki, 1:47.823
8. Jorg Teuchert, GER, Yamaha, 1:47.985
9. Trevor Crookes, RSA, Ducati, 1:47.991
10. Piergiorgio Bontempi, ITA, Ducati, 1:47.998


More, from a Fuchs Kawasaki press release:

WORLD SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 3 – KYALAMI, SOUTH AFRICA
5 APRIL 2002 – FRIDAY PRACTICE & QUALIFYING

PROVISIONAL FRONT ROW FOR ANDREW PITT AT KYALAMI

Reigning Champion, Andrew Pitt secured a provisional front row start for Sunday’s 25-lap Supersport race at Kyalami this afternoon, overcoming a stomach bug to post the fourth quickest lap of the opening qualifying session on his Fuchs Kawasaki ZX-6R.

‘I’m pretty happy to have finished fourth this afternoon, because I’m definitely not feeling 100%,’ said Pitt. ‘I’m starting to feel better after picking up this stomach bug, but I still feel a little weak on the bike and I was suffering cramps, brought on by dehydration, during the latter part of the session. I’m sure my condition will have improved even more by tomorrow, and I’m hoping to be back to full fitness come race day. I just need to make sure that, when I am fully fit, I’ve qualified far enough up the grid to get away with the leading group in the race.’

For James Ellison, the day certainly ended better than it started. Having struggled to post a fast lap during the opening free practice session this morning, the 20-year-old British rider stormed his way to seventh place, and the provisional second row, during this afternoon’s 45-minute first qualifying session.

‘The track was real dusty this morning, so I didn’t want to push it too hard,’ said Ellison. ‘We were also working on suspension settings and, judging from the way the bike felt this afternoon, we’re definitely moving in the right direction. The new qualifying rubber we got from Dunlop for this weekend is good for two flying laps, rather than just one like the previous tyres, and this is a big improvement. There’s less pressure when you know you’ve got two laps in which to set your best qualifying time and it’s always easier to put in a quick lap off the back of another – it allows you to settle into a rhythm.’




And a Ten Kate Honda release:

Troubled start for Ten Kate Honda at Kayalami

The Ten Kate Honda team struggled during the first qualifying session at Kyalami. Fabien Foret finished the session down in 13th place, not a position he is at all accustomed to. His team mate Iain MacPherson was one place further down the timesheet in 14th.

“The track is completely new to the team,” explained Team Manager Ronald ten Kate. “We’ve not raced or even tested here before so we have no
experience and no data to work on at all. The feeling is not good for us; we are not used to seeing our riders so far down the time sheet. But we remain confident that we can come good in the next session. We are working very hard with our partners at Pirelli and WP Suspension to arrive at a good race and qualifying set up and I am sure that both riders will improve their grid position before the race on Sunday.”

Fabien Foret spent his time trying to learn the track, which he had never even seen before this weekend. “It’s a challenging circuit and I have to learn it before I can go fast,” said Foret, who won the opening race at Valencia. “Unfortunately, even when I felt I knew my way around a bit I didn’t get much chance to really do any quick laps today. There were yellow flags and even red and yellow oil flags waving every time I tried for a fast lap, forcing me to back off which was very frustrating. But I will be pushing as hard as possible tomorrow to get a faster time.”

Iain MacPherson has raced at Kyalami before; in fact he holds the current World Supersport lap record around the South African circuit. “I don’t have Fabien’s excuse about being new to the circuit, I know the track well and I know I can be fast here. I did better in the morning’s free practice session than in actual qualifying, but we changed a few settings for qualifying and it looks like we went the wrong way. But I know the team will work hard to resolve the problems ready for the final qualifying session.”

Chris Vermeulen, who rides a Ten Kate Racing prepared Honda CBR600FS for the Van Zon Honda TKR team had a much better qualifying session, finishing in provisional fifth on the grid.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Superbike Practice Times:

1. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R7, 1:25.824
2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:26.330
3. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:26.592
4. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:26.719
5. Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:26.762
6. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:26.779
7. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:27.357
8. Doug Chandler, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.306
9. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:28.334
10. Pascal Picotte, Ducati 996RS, 1:28.518
11. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.198*
12. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.154*
13. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.152*
14. Robert Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.345*
15. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.114*
16. Owen Richey, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.122*
17. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.330*
18. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.374*
19. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.379*
*Superstock bike

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Supersport Practice Times:

1. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:30.116
2. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:30.628
3. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:30.826
4. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:30.907
5. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:31.131
6. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:31.533
7. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:31.680
8. Mike Hale, Honda, 1:31.826
9. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, 1:31.854
10. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 1:31.997
11. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:32.385
12. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:33.092
13. Tiger Sohwa, Honda, 1:33.134
14. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:33.589
15. Ty Howard, Suzuki, 1:33.769
16. Mark Ledesma, Honda, 1:34.231
17. Owen Richey, Yamaha, 1:34.429
18. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:34.565
19. Matt Hartlieb, Suzuki, 1:35.034
20. Jeff Tigert, Suzuki, 1:35.282

The start of practice was delayed from 8:30 a.m. until 9:50 a.m. due to a wet racetrack.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday Morning MotoGP Practice Times From Suzuka:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 2:04.748, 306.3 kph
2. Akira Ryo, Suzuki GSV-R, 2:04.761, 302.8 kph
3. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, 2:04.775, 297.1 kph
4. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 2:05.079, 306.1 kph
5. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 2:05.191, 300.5 kph
6. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 2:05.242, 300.0 kph
7. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 2:05.259, 295.5 kph
8. Daijiro Katoh, Honda NSR500, 2:05.329, 296.6 kph
9. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, 2:05.667, 295.4 kph
10. Shinichi Itoh, Honda RC211V, 2:05.884, 304.4 kph
11. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 2:05.947, 295.4 kph
12. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, 2:06.028, 294.7 kph
13. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 2:06.094, 298.5 kph
14. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 2:06.227, 305.6 kph
15. Olivier Jacques, Yamaha YZR500, 2:06.365, 296.9 kph
16. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 2:06.761, 295.1 kph
17. Garry McCoy, Yamaha YZR500, 2:07.240, 293.2 kph
18. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 2:07.273, 291.1 kph
19. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR3, 2:07.420, 281.6 kph
20. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR3, 2:07.533, 283.5 kph
21. Jurgen van der Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 2:07.797
22. Pere Riba, Yamaha YZR500, no time available.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Afternoon Supersport Practice Times:

1. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:28.922
2. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:28.927
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:29.503
4. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:29.554
5. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:29.598
6. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:30.075
7. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:30.232
8. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:30.339
9. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, 1:30.440
10. Mike Hale, Honda, 1:30.709
11. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:30.854
12. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 1:31.055
13. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:31.510
14. Tiger Showa, Honda, 1:31.680
15. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:32.331
16. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:32.407
17. Owen Richey, Yamaha, 1:32.674
18. Michael Hannas, Kawasaki, 1:32.722
19. Ty Howard, Suzuki, 1:32.835
20. Jeff Tigert, Suzuki, 1:33.294

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Webbo leads the charge in Kyalami

By Glenn LeSanto

Steve Webster took provisional pole at Kyalami despite fitting a ‘safe’ engine to his outfit for Kyalami.

“We built a safe motor for this round as we thought it would be better to go for reliability over outright speed,” explained Webster. “We struggled to get the carbs right but we’re somewhere near getting it right now. The problem is the altitude–it makes it feel like the engine has no power.” Steve looked happy and relaxed after the session but he’s serious about getting maximum points this weekend. “We want to have a good finish and stay in the title hunt.” Steve also admitted that he’d forgotten his way around the circuit after two years away, “I got lost a couple of times! But it’s a lovely track, but with all the left-handers it’s hard on passengers.”

Webbo’s arch rival Klaus Klaffenbock was happy with his provisional second on the grid even though he is still using a carburetted R1 and giving away capacity, and of course power, to Webster’s Suzuki GSX-R-based motor. He expects to have the new injected R1 engine fitted by Monza.

Jorg Steinhausen was third fastest after an eventful day on the circuit. His passenger Trevor Hopkinson tested out the little green pipes that stick out of the ground on the chicane. “I thought they were made of some soft plastic until I hit one with my leg,” said Hopkinson, “but I soon found out how hard they really are and thought I’d broken my leg!”

Martien van Gils and his son Tonnie enjoyed their first taste of the 2002 Superside Championship. Despite only having tested once before coming to Kyalami, and that in the rain, the pair finished the session fourth fastest, just easing Muldoon and Peach down into fifth on their last lap. What’s more that test had ended with them crashing and turning their outfit over!

From a press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HARLEY-DAVIDSON CEO JEFFREY L. BLEUSTEIN APPOINTED TO PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL ON 21ST CENTURY WORKFORCE

Council to advise president on business and labor issues

MILWAUKEE — (April 5, 2002) Jeffrey L. Bleustein, chairman and chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc., has been appointed by President George W. Bush as a member of the President’s Council on the 21st Century Workforce.

The Council provides information and advice to the president through the secretary of labor, the Office on the 21st Century Workforce within the Department of Labor, and other federal officials. The Office on the 21st Century Workforce gathers and disseminates information relating to future workforce changes including technology, globalization, education, and training by conducting summits, conferences, meetings and other appropriate forums designed to encourage the participation of organizations and individuals interested in such issues.

“I am extremely honored to be appointed by President Bush to the Council on the 21st Century Workforce,” Bleustein said. “I look forward to working with the Council and the secretary of labor on the challenging issues facing business, labor and government in the coming century. I am confident we can use some of the experience and lessons we’ve learned at Harley-Davidson to give both businesses and workers the chance to grow and succeed.”

Bleustein’s appointment along with nine others to the 13-member Council was announced recently by U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “I am very excited to work with such a talented group of individuals in providing the president critical information and advice that will be a catalyst for positive change in our workforce,” Chao said. “I am sure the Council is eager to identify where the government needs to get out of the way of change and to develop strategies for effectively addressing workforce issues.”

Since joining Harley-Davidson in 1975, Bleustein has served in many capacities. In 1997, he became president and chief executive officer and in 1998 he assumed his current role as chairman of the board and chief executive officer.

Other appointees to the Council are Douglas Banes, General Vice President, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners; James Hoffa, General President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters; Anna Cabilik, President, ANATEK Inc.; Anna Cabral, CEO, Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility; Tom Donahue, President, US Chamber of Commerce; Jim Glassman, Host, Tech Central Station; former Rep. Joe Scarborough; David Lee, Chairman, eOn Communications Corp.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel, and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport and sport-touring motorcycles. Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. provides wholesale and retail financing, insurance and credit card programs to Harley-Davidson dealers and customers.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Loris Capirossi on a Honda NSR500 two-stroke was faster than Valentino Rossi on a Honda RC211V four-stroke in the first round of MotoGP qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit Friday.

American Young Gun John Hopkins was 16th fastest on a Yamaha YZR500 in his MotoGP debut.

Times follow:

1. Loris Capirossi, Honda NSR500, 2:05.052

2. Valentino Rossi, Honda RC211V, 2:05.096

3. Tohru Ukawa, Honda RC211V, 2:05.561

4. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki GSV-R, 2:05.630

5. Shinichi Itoh, Honda RC211V, 2:05.650

6. Carlos Checa, Yamaha YZR-M1, 2:05.846

7. Daijiro Katoh, Honda NSR500, 2:05.858

8. Max Biaggi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 2:05.910

9. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha YZR500, 2:06.253

10. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha YZR500, 2:06.339

11. Akira Ryo, Suzuki GSV-R, 2:06.378

12. Norick Abe, Yamaha YZR500, 2:06.567

13. Jurgen van den Goorbergh, Honda NSR500, 2:06.731

14. Sete Gibernau, Suzuki GSV-R, 2:06.964

15. Alex Barros, Honda NSR500, 2:07.015

16. John Hopkins, Yamaha YZR500, 2:07.686

17. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR, 2:07.822

18. Regis Laconi, Aprilia RS3, 2:07.916

19. Garry McCoy, Yamaha YZR500, 2:07.976

20. Tetsuya Harada, Honda NSR500, 2:08.168

21. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton KR, 2:08.294

22. Pere Riba, Yamaha YZR500, 2:15.140, Did Not Qualify, outside 107% of pole time.


More, from a Suzuki press release:

Team Suzuki News Service

ROBERTS CLAIMS PROVISIONAL FRONT-ROW START

Suzuka – April 5, 2002.

TEAM Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki rider Kenny Roberts Jr claimed fourth-fastest time today in the first ever timed practice session for the all-new MotoGP class – an excellent debut for the new V4 Suzuki GSV-R.

Team-mate Sete Gibernau and wild card entry Akira Ryo were close behind on lap times, but further down the order in the highly competitive field, with the Japanese rider 11th fastest, and Gibernau 14th. Both were confident of improvement tomorrow.

The first day of practice was fine and sunny, but high winds in the afternoon made for difficult conditions in the qualifying session for the new era of motorcycle racing. The rorty new 990cc four-stroke V4 GSV-R Suzuki, with a distinctive growling exhaust note, was launched a full year earlier than planned to join the racing revolution of the new top class of motorcycle racing.

One more day of practice, with one more hour-long timed qualifying session, remains before Sunday’s Japanese GP, the first of 16 races this year.

KENNY ROBERTS – Fourth Position, 2:05.630
“Today was incredibly windy – and at this circuit it makes for a difficult situation. With all the hills and valleys, the wind comes from all directions. We had to adjust the chassis to the weather conditions rather than the ideal settings, and we seem to have made some small improvements from morning to afternoon. Engine-wise, again we made some improvements, but there is a lot more to come as we develop it. I still feel there’s room for improvement for the ultimate lap time, especially if the wind dies down. My time came on a race tyre rather than a qualifier.”

AKIRA RYO – 11th Position, 2:06.378
“I wasn’t able to make a time attack today with the strong wind, coming from all directions. I spent the time searching for a good tyre for the race. For tomorrow we have a few small chassis and engine setting changes, then I will try for a fast qualifying time. The feeling of the bike is really good, and I am optimistic.”

SETE GIBERNAU – 13th Position, 2:06.964
“This morning was not so bad, but in the afternoon I was struggling to run even within one second of that time. We’d made some small changes that shouldn’t have made much difference, but I could hardly ride the bike. I ran on twice at the chicane, and almost at Turn One. I came in and we put the bike back the way it was this morning. Still no better. It was only at the end of the session we found something that was causing me problems and we will fix it. It should be different tomorrow.”

GARRY TAYLOR – Team Manager
“It’s fair to say that a lot of people didn’t expect us to take a provisional front row grid position with such a new position. It’s a good start. Now let’s carry on.”


And now a release from Proton, which didn’t get the rain team owner Kenny Roberts the elder had hoped for:

PROTON HAS A HARD START TO THE NEW YEAR

Round 1: Japanese GP, Suzuka First Qualifying: Friday April 5, 2002

Nobuatsu Aoki: 17th, 2:07.822
Jeremy McWilliams: 21st, 2:08.294

Proton Team KR riders Nobu Aoki and Jeremy McWilliams faced a hard start to the new MotoGP season. Both riders crashed today on the first day of practice for Sunday’s Japanese GP, costing both the chance of a better showing on the time sheets.

Aoki fell heavily in the morning’s free training session, severely damaging one of his machines, and sustaining heavy bruising, though lucky to escape more serious injury. Against all expectations, he went out again for the afternoon session – a heroic effort.

McWilliams fell in the afternoon, the victim of high and very unpredictable winds. Although he was unhurt and able to go out again on his spare bike, the lap times were not forthcoming because of minor machine problems.

There is one more day of practice for Sunday’s GP, the opening round of the new MotoGP world championship, that pits 990cc four-strokes against the established 500cc two-strokes like the Proton KR3. First honours today went to a two-stroke, with Honda rider Loris Capirossi claiming provisional pole position.


NOBUATSU AOKI
“That was a really difficult afternoon. I am hurting everywhere. For sure the bike is capable of a faster lap time. I only hope that tomorrow I will be a bit stronger so that I can achieve it.”


JEREMY McWILLIAMS
“The wind was really strong and unpredictable. I’m not sure if that was why I fell, but I believe so. I’d just put on a soft qualifying tyre and done a warm-up lap, and I was committed to Turn One when the front just went away and I fell. The front was pushing at many places on the track, and we’ll have to change the set-up of the bike if it stays like this. I don’t think that will help the lap time.”


CHUCK AKSLAND – Team Manager
“Sometimes you have bad days – and it was not for want of trying on the part of both riders. We didn’t even expect Nobuatsu to go out in the afternoon, so that was a pretty good effort. From test results we know that our bike is capable of going faster. Jeremy went out to try and do that after he fell, but he had some bike problems. If the weather is good tomorrow, I’m sure we can do better.”