FIM Supersport World Championship Assen, Holland September 1, 2006 Provisional Qualifying Results: 1. Sebastien CHARPENTIER (Hon CBR600RR), 1:41.906 2. Broc PARKES (Yam YZF-R6), 1:42.327 3. Kai Borre ANDERSEN (Suz GSX-R600), 1:42.554 4. Barry VENEMAN (Suz GSX-R600), 1:42.559 5. Yoann TIBERIO (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.035 6. Arie VOS (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.057 7. David CHECA (Yam YZF-R6), 1:43.077 8. Kevin CURTAIN (Yam YZF-R6), 1:43.112 9. Robbin HARMS (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.285 10. Johan STIGEFELT (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.385 11. Gianluca VIZZIELLO (Yam YZF-R6), 1:43.560 12. Kenan SOFUOGLU (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.611 13. Massimo ROCCOLI (Yam YZF-R6), 1:43.767 14. Maxime BERGER (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:43.855 15. Julien ENJOLRAS (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.121 16. Mauro SANCHINI (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.152 17. Katsuaki FUJIWARA (Hon CBR600RR), 1:44.226 18. Matthieu LAGRIVE (Hon CBR600RR), 1:44.354 19. Stephane CHAMBON (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:44.532 20. Vesa KALLIO (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.593 27. Chris PERIS (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.886 More, from a press release issued by Winston Ten Kate Honda: CHARPENTIER LEADS THE PACK ON DAY ONE AT ASSEN Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) kicked off the Winston Ten Kate Honda team’s home weekend with a superb performance in the first qualifying session, taking the fastest lap of the new 4.555km circuit at the first time of asking. Kenan Sofuoglu (Winston Ten Kate Honda) did not enjoy such immediate good fortune at the modified Assen circuit, but was still 12th fastest of out of 38 prospective qualifiers. Charpentier’s lap of 1’41.906 – some 0.421 seconds faster than his nearest challenger – may well prove to be the one that wins pole, if the second and final qualifying session on Saturday proves to be wet. On the opening day track conditions remained dry, but unpredictable weather is forecast for the entire weekend. Ronald Ten Kate Team Manager “With the possibility of changing conditions we knew that we would have to go fast from the start of the weekend. The plan has succeeded for Sebastien, and I am so happy to see him back, as he has had to show a lot of determination in the last couple of months to get himself back on top of the timesheets. He has had to be hard on himself to make such a comeback. Today he made some incredible laps. I hope it stays dry because I think we can still improve the set-up, and therefore the lap time, but I am happy for the moment. Kenan is not on the pace yet, but there are some small issues with the bike that we have to resolve, so he needs to pick up the speed a bit tomorrow. In the past we have seen that he can do that, so I’m sure he will make a good step forward.” Sebastien Charpentier Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider (Pole Position Fastest Lap 1’41.906 16 Laps) “Back at the top and that feels good. I’m happy for the team and for myself. It’s not easy and I worked hard in August. The bike made a good improvement today and the Pirellis are working in a good direction, a high level for me. Tomorrow is a new day and it is possible to be quicker, and I will also work for the race. I think there is a good possibility to finish at the top this weekend. The temperature is not too high but we have something like 85% humidity today, so it has not been easy for anyone. Whatever the weather does, it will be the same for everyone. The team is hungry for the pole and I like a little pressure, no problem for me.” Kenan Sofuoglu Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider (12th Position Fastest Lap 1’43.611 17 Laps) “We didn’t start well, but there are still two sessions more and I hope it stays dry if I am to improve my time. The bike at the moment feels OK but I still have to improve much more, as in the fastest corners I am riding a little bit stop-start. Tomorrow I will try to shine and put it on the first row. We will see.” More, from a press release issued by Beowulf Racing: BEOWULF ON THE BRINK OF THE ABYSS AT ASSEN 2006 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, Rd 7: Assen, The Netherlands Qualifying session 1, Fri 1st September Beowulf Racing and rider Pat McDougall (20) have endured a disastrous opening qualifying session for Sunday’s seventh-round race in the 2006 SIM Superstock 1000 Cup at Assen today. Following one mechanical gremlin after another, the team’s GSX-R Suzuki sits at the bottom of the timesheets on a time almost two seconds outside that required to enter Sunday’s 13-lap race. If the rain predicted for tomorrow falls during the second Superstock 1000 qualifying session, today’s times will stand as the fastest of the weekend meaning that McDougall will not make it to the grid. His problems began during the opening free practice period this morning. Thinking that something was “not quite right” with his machine, McDougall retired from the session early with just eight laps completed. A rapid engine stripdown revealed a cracked piston head to be the culprit. Going out for this afternoon’s official timed qualifying session aboard the team’s second bike, McDougall’s woes got even worse. Pulling in after the first lap the machine was returned to the Beowulf paddock base for an immediate inspection, uncovering a host of additional problems. Although the necessary repairs were carried out with lightning efficiency and Pat was able to return to the track, it was clear that the young ace was uncomfortable with his mount. At the end of the 45 minutes, a dismal time of 1:53.400 emerged as his best lap around the 2.8-mile Dutch circuit. At the other end of the field Italian Claudio Corti (Yamaha) had notched up the fastest lap of the day at 1:44.243. Armed with some of the best mechanics in the paddock, Beowulf Racing are confident that their machine will be returned to competitive trim in time for when the proceedings begin again tomorrow. But they also face the niggling worry that if the expected rain falls at the wrong moment, all of their efforts tonight will have been for nothing. Despite the fact that the odds might seem currently stacked against the Somerset-based squad, the commitment of both rider and team to get on the grid for Sunday’s race is not in question. To learn more about Pat McDougall and Beowulf Racing visit www.beowulf-racing.com FIM SUPERSTOCK 1000 CUP, RD 7: ASSEN Qualifying Session 1 Results 1. Claudio Corti (Ita) Yamaha 1:44.243 2. Ayrton Badovini (Ita) MV Augusta 1:44.255 3. Brendan Roberts (Aus) Suzuki 1:45.148 37. Pat McDougall (GBr) Suzuki 1:53.400