Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

AMS Ducati’s Jeff Nash and Ricky Lundgren are trying to build an AMA Superbike team with sponsorship from Yahoo! Sports. Thanks to a relationship he has with a marketing consultant, AMS’s Lundgren raced in Pro Thunder at Daytona wearing Yahoo! Sports’ graphics, colors and advertising slogans as a test bed for Yahoo becoming involved in two-wheel racing.

“This buddy of mine, we used to play college hockey together,” explained Lundgren. “He pretty much controls the advertising purse strings of Visa, Charles Schwab and Yahoo. He sets up sponsorship deals for golf tournaments and other sporting events all the time.

“They feel like they’ve really missed out on getting involved with Supercross and the X Games-type stuff. But I can’t just go to him and say, ‘Hey, you’ve got to throw all of this money into road racing because we think it’s the greatest sport.’ We have to show them something.”

Lundgren said that he and Nash were trying to arrange more rides for himself and Daytona Pro Thunder winner Kirk McCarthy in classes with more television exposure this season in hopes of attracting enough sponsorship from Yahoo! Sports to run a full 2003 season of AMA Superbike on Ducatis.

Nash recently told Roadracingworld.com that moving AMS to a larger facility over the off-season was the first step toward expanding his race team.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Colin Edwards stayed in control as he blasted out a Superpole lap at Phillip Island today. His reward was the pole position for Sunday’s two World Superbike Championship races.

Edwards looked cool on his Honda as he lapped at 1:32.767 and beat reigning World Superbike Champion and native Australian Troy Bayliss back into second on the grid.

Bayliss only had himself to blame after making a couple of mistakes on his lap and slipping off provisional pole into second spot.

Britain’s Neil Hodgson made a big improvement on his qualifying position, jumping from a provisional 11th to the front row to take fourth spot. He’ll line up alongside Noriyuki Haga who also moved up the grid, from sixth to third.

Ruben Xaus, who crashed in free practice just before Superpole, slipped from third to sixth. Pierfrancesco Chili was another crasher in practice, and he also dropped down the grid from fifth to ninth.

World Superbike Superpole times
Phillip Island, 23 March 2002

1: Colin Edwards USA Honda 1:32.767
2: Troy Bayliss AUS Ducati 1:33.316
3: Noriyuki Haga JPN Aprilia 1:33.560
4: Neil Hodgson GBR Ducati 1:33.629
5: Ben Bostrom USA Ducati 1:33.715
6: Ruben Xaus ESP Ducati 1:33.954
7: H Izutsu JPN Kawasaki 1:33.961
8: Juan Borja ESP Ducati 1:34.018
9: Pierfrancesco Chili ITA Ducati 1:34.383
10: James Toseland GBR Ducati 1:34.672
11: Brock Parkes AUS Ducati 1:34.685
12: L Pedercini ITA Ducati 1:34.909
13: Steve Martin AUS Ducati 1:34.992
14: Chris Walker GBR Kawasaki 1:35.081
15: Gregorio Lavilla ESP Suzuki 1:35.145
16: M Borciani ITA Ducati 1:35.752


Superpole rider quotes

Superpole winner Colin Edwards, Honda, Michelin tires: “I’ve had to listen to the radio telling everyone to come to Phillip Island to support two Aussie World Champions and to be honest that’s really been pissing me off. They’re reminding me that I’m not the Champ while I’m on my way to and from the circuit everyday.

“Things are looking good for tomorrow, though, we’ve done 16 and then 22 laps on race tires and I’ve gone faster on race rubber than ever before here.

“I like the track, it’s got everything, off-camber turns, on camber turns, undulations, a long straight and even some wind–everything you need to make a real rider’s circuit

“Riders seem to lose time in sector two and I think that’s only because it’s much longer than the other two sectors. But to go fast here your bike needs to be working well in sector two.

“I don’t think it will be a runaway start for any one rider in the races. You get a real big draftt here, if you’re sat behind two guys you get such a big pull you can put your feet up and smoke a cigarette!”


Second on the grid, Troy Bayliss, Ducati, Michelin tires

“I made a couple of mistakes on my lap, I think I was trying too hard.

“But I’ve had a good weekend so far and I’m generally happy and I’m on the front row.

“It’s looking good for the Michelin guys, although I think the Dunlop riders have been struggling.

“The only pressure I’ve got this weekend is in my tires!”


Third place on the grid, Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, Dunlop tires:

“I like the circuit but speaking in English is difficult!

“I came here in February testing and didn’t have such a good set-up then. I still don’t have a perfect set-up and we have a few small problems.

“I think it’ll be a struggle for the tires to make race distance.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Now that HMC Ducati has announced that Doug Chandler has officially joined the team, we called team owner Mitch Hansen to find out if they have added any new personnel to their crew.

“We’re gonna add one person, but I’m talking to two people right now,” said Hansen, reached Friday at his dealership in Wisconsin. “We’re really close, but it’s not a done deal. I’d like to have the new guy at Laguna next week to work with Doug. Hopefully, it will come together quickly.

“It’s been a rough week. I’ve been hammered in the press. Now, I’m starting to get hammered by Pascal’s (Picotte) fans. I made the decision that I felt in my heart was right, and I’m going to have to live with it. I’ll tell you this, it was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. Pascal is a quality rider and a quality person, but things just didn’t gel like they needed to and that’s important.”

Sources inside the HMC Ducati team have said that conversations between current Kawasaki engine development chief and former Chandler crew chief Gary Medley have taken place.

From a Castrol Honda press release:

World Superbike – free practice – Friday morning

1 Troy Bayliss Australia Ducati 1:32.997

2 Colin Edwards USA Castrol Honda 1:33.640

3 Noriyuki Haga Japan Aprilia 1:34.186

4 Ben Bostrom USA Ducati 1:34.194

5 Ruben Xaus Spain Ducati 1:34.235

6 Pier-Francesco Chili Italy Ducati 1:34.691

7 Neil Hodgson GB Ducati 1:35.020

8 James Toseland GB Ducati 1:35.057

9 Steve Martin Australia Ducati 1:35.071

10 Hitoyasu Izutsu Japan Kawasaki 1:35.257

From a Ducati Corse press release:

WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

Round 2 – Phillip Island (Australia), 24 March 2002

PREVIEW

The spectacular Phillip Island circuit south of Melbourne plays host to the second round of the World Superbike Championship just a fortnight after the season opener at Valencia, where a brace of wins by reigning champion Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) enabled the Australian to get his 2002 campaign off to the best possible start. Bayliss returns to his home country brimming with confidence now that round 1 is in the bag and will be eager to score his first ever World Superbike victory on this track. During late January testing at Phillip Island Troy was the quickest rider around the 4.445km track, clocking a best lap of 1:32.944, just under the existing Superbike lap record.

“I’m really looking forward to going to Phillip Island this year”, declared Bayliss after his Valencia win. “We tested there a few weeks ago, unlike in 2001 and as a result we’ve got a few things up our sleeve. I’m feeling very confident at the moment, especially after the two wins at Valencia and looking forward to getting some more good results at the Island. Even though living in Europe means that you are away from home most of the year, it’s nice to know you’ve got a lot of fans back home to cheer you on when you come back”.

Troy will be backed up by his Ducati Infostrada teammate, the young Spaniard Ruben Xaus, who scored a fifth and a DNF in front of his home crowd in the opening round. “I like racing at Phillip Island, the circuit is really good, let’s just hope the weather is better than last year! I fell off in Valencia, which was my fault, and I just have to put that behind me and forget it. There are 26 races in a season and it’s difficult to do them all without dropping any points. Once again I’ll be trying to do my best and stay up at the top with the others this weekend”.

Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) will be looking to continue his excellent start to the season with more strong results to add to his 3rd and 4th in the opening round. “Phillip Island is going to be a real challenge”, declared Bostrom, “because I’ve never done particularly well here. Last year I was on the front row, but it rained and I crashed so it can’t get any worse than that. I think it’s all going to come down to tyres here, but you also have to ride well on this circuit… and pray for good weather! I think you also need to get dialled in to the speed pretty quickly, because coming from a slow track like Valencia to here where nearly every corner is quick, a rider needs to get up to speed quickly”.

THE PHILLIP ISLAND CIRCUIT

The Phillip Island circuit, situated two hours drive south of Victoria State capital Melbourne, has been home to motor racing for more than 70 years since the first Australian Grand Prix was held on a 6.5 mile public road course in 1928. World Superbikes first raced there in 1990 and since then many improvements have been made to the circuit, including a pit-lane complex with 40 garages, a media centre and hospitality unit. The Phillip Island Motor Sports organisers are committed to maintaining current high standards at the picturesque circuit, which is loved by drivers, riders and spectators alike.


From a Castrol Honda press release:

Issued: Thursday March 21 2002

EDWARDS CHASING REPEAT PERFORMANCE

Castrol Honda’s Colin Edwards is hoping to repeat last year’s victory as the World Superbike championship moves to round two at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia on Sunday.

Edwards won a rain-lashed opening race at the coastal circuit in April last year before the second race and the event itself were cancelled due to torrential weather.

“We’re here a month earlier this year so we shouldn’t see that sort of rain again,” says Texan Edwards. “The forecast is for a very hot day on Sunday and I’m pretty certain the racing will be close.

“After we tested here in February everyoneís in good shape and it’ll just be a matter of who’s got the tyres to last the race distance. We certainly got the SP-2 dialled in so I’m confident I can win here again.”

Edwards, whose father is Australian, rates the Phillip Island circuit as his favourite. He adds: “The locals have adopted me as a full Aussie which is great and I really do like this place. The circuit has a bit of everything and the setting is superb.”

Edwards will take to the track at 10:30 am on Friday for a one-hour free practice session, followed by the opening one-hour qualifying session at 2:15 pm. Saturday’s schedule includes two identical sessions and ends with Superpole final qualifying at 4:00 pm. Sunday’s two 22-lap races start at 12:00 noon and 3:30 pm.



From yet another Castrol Honda press release:

MUGGERIDGE BANKING ON LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Honda’s Karl Muggeridge is hoping his experience at the Phillip Island circuit can take him to victory in Sunday’s second round of the World Supersport Championship at the Australian venue.

Muggeridge, from Tweed Heads in New South Wales, has now recovered from the broken ankle he sustained in testing four weeks ago and is in determined mood for Sunday’s race.

“I’ve raced a lot at Phillip Island and I know that that circuit knowledge will help me,” says Muggeridge. “In the test here in February I had a practice race against Fabien Foret and there was nothing between us.

“Fabien’s gone on and won the first round of the championship in Spain two weeks ago so I’m hopeful of winning here. The CBR just improves all the time and we’ve got more changes for this race so Iím confident of getting a strong finish and getting my season under way properly.”

Muggeridge finished 14th in the Valencia, Spain opening round despite his injury. Muggeridge’s teammate John McGuinness has withdrawn from the Australian round to aid the recovery of a shoulder injury, sustained pre-season. The twice Isle of Man TT winner will be back in action in round three at Kyalami, South Africa on April 7.

The World Supersport hopefuls get the Phillip Island schedule under way with a 45-minute practice session at 9:30 am on Friday, followed by a 45-minute qualifying session at 1:15 pm. Friday’s schedule is repeated on Saturday with Sunday’s 21-lap race starting at 1:20 pm.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Foret in front again

By Glenn LeSanto

Fabien Foret snatched the provisional World Supersport pole right at the end of the first qualifying session at Phillip Island on Friday, with a blistering 1:35.528 lap.

The Flying Frenchman had languished in the middle of the timesheet for much of the session, an unfamiliar position for Foret, who was pole-sitter at Valencia after dominating qualifying. The team blamed going in the wrong direction on set-up for Foret’s struggle to lead the session. Foret’s fastest lap was his last flying lap.

“Although we have already tested here during the pre-season tests our set-up is quite different this weekend,” explained Ten Kate Honda team manager Ronald ten Kate. “It is much warmer this weekend. After this morning’s free practice we made some changes to the set-up and unfortunately we went in the wrong direction. But we worked it out and Foret was able to resume his familiar position at the top of the timesheet.”

Jamie Whitham had led for much of the session but was pushed back to fourth fastest as Foret, Pitt and Bontempi all set last-gasp fast laps.

Friday’s World Supersport qualifying times:

1 Fabien Foret, France (Honda) 1:36.553
2 Piergiorgio Bontempi, Italy (Ducati) 1:36.728
3 Andrew Pitt, Australia (Kawasaki) 1:36.817
4 James Whitham, GB (Yamaha) 1:36.882
5 Iain MacPherson, GB (Honda) 1:36.999
6 Stephane Chambon, France (Suzuki) 1:37.050
7 Jorg Teuchert, Germany (Yamaha) 1:37.091
8 Chris Vermeulen, Australia (Honda) 1:37.115
9 Christophe Cogan, France (Honda) 1:37.249
10 James Ellison, GB (Kawasaki) 1:37.393



More, from a Castrol Honda press release:

HONDA’S FORET ON TOP IN AUSTRALIA

Honda’s Fabien Foret led the way with the fastest lap in Friday’s opening qualifying session for round two of the World Supersport Championship at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia.

Foret–winner of the opening round of the series in Spain two weeks ago–was in dominant mood aboard his Ten Kate CBR600 as he clipped 1.2 seconds off the existing lap record.

Ducati’s Piergiorgio Bontempi was second fastest with defending World Champion Andrew Pitt third and Briton James Whitham, the Phillip Island lap
record holder, fourth to complete the provisional front row of the grid for Sunday’s 21-lap race.

Foret’s teammate Iain MacPherson was fifth fastest with former World Champions Stephane Chambon and Jorg Teuchert sixth and seventh respectively.


Yet more, from a Fuchs Kawasaki press release:

WORLD SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 2 – PHILLIP ISLAND, AUSTRALIA
22 MARCH 2002 – FRIDAY PRACTICE & QUALIFYING

PROVISIONAL FRONT ROW START FOR PITT AT PHILLIP ISLAND

Fuchs Kawasaki rider, and defending World Champion, Andrew Pitt, secured a provisional front row start at his home circuit of Phillip Island this afternoon; finishing the first 45 minute qualifying session third fastest, after briefly holding pole position during the closing stages.

Suspension problems during this morning’s free practice session left Pitt down in ninth place on the timesheet but, by the time the bike was wheeled out for qualifying proper, the problems had been rectified and normal service was quickly resumed. Pitt waited until there were just four minutes of the session remaining before stealing provisional pole, with the Australian eventually having to settle for third on the provisional grid following fast laps from Foret and Bontempi in the dying minutes.

‘We had quite a few problems setting the bike up this morning but, I’m happy to say, the team managed to get everything sorted for this afternoon,’ said Pitt. ‘The bike still feels a little hard over the bumps, but that’s something we should be able to dial out quite easily. Although anywhere on the front row would do me for the race, I’ll definitely be looking for pole position during tomorrow’s qualifying session. I topped the timesheets briefly today and, with slight refinements to the bike overnight, there’s no reason why I can’t stick it on pole tomorrow.’

Relatively inexperienced in World Supersport terms, James Ellison demonstrated that’s he’s finding his feet fast in this ultra-competitive series. The 20-year-old British rider waited until the final two minutes of the qualifying session before posting his fastest time; jumping up the timesheet from 16th to 10th in the process.

‘I matched my fastest time from pre-season testing this afternoon, so I’m pretty happy with my qualifying position,’ declared Ellison. ‘I managed to hook onto the back of Andrew as he came round to start a flying lap and I thought I’d tuck in behind him and see where he was quicker than me. It almost didn’t work, as I got better drive out onto the start and finish straight and had to roll it off slightly to avoid overtaking him. Qualifying top ten has really given me a real confidence boost this afternoon, but I won’t be resting on my laurels and I’ll definitely be looking to improve tomorrow.’

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Interview by David Swarts

In his first interview since his crash on Daytona’s banking during the AMA Supersport race, Yamaha’s Aaron Gobert spoke through pain and the effects of pain medication to tell Roadracingworld.com about his current condition and about coming home.

RW: How’re you doing?

AG: “I just got two new plaster casts on my feet. So I’m just laying here waiting to go home tomorrow (March 22).”

RW: How’s your shoulder?

AG: “I had to get a skin graft, off the thigh muscle, and get that put up onto the shoulder. It’s sort of on the top, sort of across the back of the neck, you know what I mean? I had the leather burn all the way across my shoulder to the side of my neck, and the bit that was so bad that it wouldn’t heal was around the side of my neck.”

RW: Are they going to have to re-construct your shoulder?

AG: “Nah, hopefully, it’s gonna be alright. They said that it got compressed, the socket got compressed. It seems it should be alright. They keep saying that it won’t need anything. They can never really predict what motorcycle racing does to them.”

RW: Didn’t you break both your shoulders few years back motocrossing?

AG: “Yeah, I already had all of the reconstruction done to them both. That’s what they were worried about. It got squashed and maybe it could turn the operation.”

RW: So how long are you going to be out?

AG: “They’re talking about four to six weeks for my legs and then about two or three weeks more with my shoulder, because the skin graft is going to be about a week, and it’s broken as well. So I have to wait and bed it in slowly, don’t do anything too quick.”

RW: We heard Anthony say that you were trying to get off the pain medicine. Is that true?

AG: “Yeah, I slowed down a little bit on that sh*t, trying to get off it a bit. I wanted to start feeling it out, see what it was actually feeling like, you know? See how much pain I was really in. It’s been pretty hard because my back and all my ribs are broken. You lay around all day, then your back starts hurting. You have to get out of bed to stop that from hurting. Then that starts off a chain reaction of everything hurting. So there’s no real way around it, the pain. I guess it’s just a matter of time. I think I just have to hang on, hold out and wait a little longer.”

RW: Did you see the tape of the crash yet?

AG: “I’ve seen a bit of a tape now, but I don’t remember anything from like two days before the race. I don’t remember coming here, meeting some of the nurses and ladies working here in my ward. I don’t remember any of that. It’s pretty funny. I missed out on a whole week of sh*t.”

RW: What did you see on the tape?

AG: “It didn’t look as bad as what it turned out to be. I guess the tape I saw didn’t have that good of footage. I guess Anthony run me over pretty good, too. He was sort of under the thought that he didn’t run me over, but then when he saw it, he was like, ‘Ah sh*t! I guess I did run you over pretty good.’

“If Tommy (Hayden) run me over, it was up by my head area. He didn’t run over my whole body or anything.”

RW: Will you be flying in an air ambulance?

AG: “I’m just going in an ordinary (commercial) plane back to Ontario (Airport). I’m pretty good (on sitting up) now, not so as bad as I was. I’ve got the prescription. So I’ll just take ‘em all and get ready for the trip.”

From a press release:

Changes to AHRMA national schedule

Two changes have been made to the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association’s Progressive Suspension Historic Cup Series/Motorcycleindustry.com Singles, Twins & Thunder Series:

a.. The Sept. 7-8 rounds at New Mexico’s Sandia Motorsports Park have been canceled due to scheduling problems. The event will not be replaced.

b.. Because of a conflict with a NASCAR race in the area on the original weekend, the Oct. 5-6 rounds at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway in Alabama have been moved to Sept. 28-29, with a practice day on Sept. 27.

There are now 20 rounds in the 2002 series. An updated entry form is available for downloading on AHRMA’s website, www.ahrma.org.

Willow trial now on Saturday.
The Speed & Sport national trial at California’s Willow Springs has been moved one day earlier. It now will take place on Saturday, May 4.

For additional information, call 615-851-3674 or visit www.ahrma.org.

From a press release:

WORLD SUPERBIKE & SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS
ROUND 2 – PHILLIP ISLAND, AUSTRALIA
21 MARCH 2002 – PREVIEW

FUCHS KAWASAKI CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS DOWN UNDER

The Fuchs Kawasaki Racing Team head for Australia and round two of the World Superbike and Supersport Championships this weekend, confident that they can repeat the success that saw Hitoyasu Izutsu, Chris Walker and reigning World Supersport Champion, Andrew Pitt, score top-10 finishes at the opening round of the season in Spain just two weeks ago.

For Australian, Andrew Pitt, expectations are high as he returns to his home circuit to continue his world title defence. Despite the added pressure of racing in front of his fellow countrymen, Pitt is confident of a good result at one of his favourite circuits on the World Supersport calendar.

‘I suppose there’s always a bit of added pressure when you’re racing in front of a home crowd, but that just makes a win feel even better I suppose. And that’s exactly what we’re here to do this weekend: Win. Championship points are important but, if I find myself in a position where I can win the race, then you can bet I’ll be going all out to do just that.’

Pitt’s World Supersport teammate, James Ellison struggled with handling problems in the opening round at Valencia, but the 20-year-old European Superstock Champion was fifth fastest during preseason testing at Phillip Island and is looking forward to his second outing on the Kawasaki ZX-6R.

‘I feel a lot more confident going into this weekend than I was prior to the Valencia race. After testing at Phillip Island at the beginning of the year, I know the circuit and the bike goes real well around here; certainly well enough for me to be confident of a top-10 finish on Sunday.’

Less technical than many of the other circuits on the World Superbike calendar, Phillip Island is a real horsepower track; a characteristic that Hitoyasu Izutsu, who celebrated his 31st birthday in Australia on Thursday, will be looking to take maximum advantage of with the awesome top speed of his factory Kawasaki ZX-7RR.

‘I was very happy with the way the bike performed at Phillip Island during preseason testing and I’m looking forward to the weekend ahead. This is a very, very fast circuit, which suits the Kawasaki and, if I can qualify near the front of the grid, then I think I’ll be in with a chance of a good result on Sunday. I will be trying very hard whatever the circumstances.’

Although unhappy with his progress during testing at Phillip Island, two strong performances during the opening round in Spain have bolstered Chris Walker’s confidence and the 29-year-old British rider is looking forward to the weekend ahead.

‘I really like the Phillip Island circuit and the bike goes real well around here speed wise. With the confidence boost that Valencia gave me, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be on the pace this weekend. If I can qualify on the first three rows of the grid, and then get a good start like I did in race one at Valencia, then I reckon I’ll be able to run with the leaders during the two races on Sunday.’

PHILLIP ISLAND STATISTICS

Superbike:
Lap record: Troy Corser, Australia (Ducati) 1:33.019 – 1999

2001 Superpole: Troy Corser, Australia (Aprilia) 1:33.576

2001 Race 1 Winner: Colin Edwards, USA (Castrol Honda)

2001 Race 2 Winner: Race cancelled due to weather

Supersport:
Lap record: Adam Fergusson, Australia (Honda) 1:37.973 – 1999

2001 pole position: Paolo Casoli, Italy (Yamaha) 1:36.917

2001 race winner: Kevin Curtain, Australia (Honda)

TV COVERAGE

Eurosport (Pan Europe): Superbike Race 1, Sunday 24 March 02:00-03:00 (Live), Superbike Race 2, Sunday 24 March 05:30-06:30 (Live), Supersport Race, Sunday 24 March 03:00-04:00 (Live)

BBC (UK): Superbike Race 1&2, Sunday 24 March 16:45-17:45 (Delayed)

LA7 (Italy): Superpole, Saturday 23 March, 17:55 (Delayed), Superbike Race 1 & Supersport, Sunday 24 March 13:50 (Delayed), Superbike Race 2, Sunday 24 March 17:40 (delayed)

From a press release issued by KWS Motorsports:

On Saturday, March 23, KWS will have their Grand re-opening at their new shop located in North Charleston, S.C. at 4675 Franchise Street. For directions call 843-522-7177.

The celebration had been put off due to the preparation of customers’ bikes for the opening of race season. We invite you to come join us for hamburgers and hotdogs between the hours of 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. as our guests. Hope to see you there!