Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Two customer 998RS Ducatis led the way in the Friday World Superbike qualifying session at Phillip Island, Australia, with the first factory bikes third and fourth.

Pierfrancesco Chili was fastest at 1:33.729, ahead of Regis Laconi at 1:33.941, both riding private Ducatis.

Neil Hodgson was third-fastest on his factory Ducati 999F03 at 1:34.273 and homeboy Troy Corser was fourth-fastest in his works Petronas Triple at 1:34.508.

Hodgson’s teammate Ruben Xaus was sixth fastest on his works Ducati 999F03 at 1:34.585, behind Lucio Pedercini on another Ducati 998RS customer bike at 1:34.572.

James Toseland (Ducati 998F02) at 1:34.661, Juan Borja (Ducati 998RS) at 1:34.760, Gregorio Lavilla (Suzuki GSX-R1000) at 1:34.811 and Chris Walker (Ducati 998F02) at 1:34.906 rounded out the top 10.


More, from Glenn LeSanto

Chili goes to provisional pole at Phillip Island

Pierfrancesco Chili is the surprise provisional pole-sitter after the first WSB qualifying session at a windy Phillip Island.

After totally dominating proceedings at Valencia Neil Hodgson was obviously expected to come to Phillip Island and repeat the process, but Chili had other ideas. Despite the wind, which was blowing into the faces of the riders on the main straight, Hodgson still managed to record a top speed of 291.4 kph (181.1 mph). But without the power of the 999 engine, it wasn’t as easy for Chili. “The wind is holding back our top speed,” he said.

Top speed or not Chili and Regis Laconi, who like Chili is riding a privateer Ducati, both managed to lap under 1:34. Chili’s best time of 1:33.729 compares with 1:33.941 for Laconi and 1:34.273 for Hodgson.

Bizarre as it may sound, the fact that Hodgson is on the latest version of the venerable Ducati V-Twin could be counting against him. “We have an-all new bike so our 2002 data is not much use to us – we have to work it all out from scratch and that’s held us up a little today.” Hodgson also said his bike felt nervous at speed and while they were able to make substantial improvements before Hodgson ran out of time. Meanwhile Chili was busy getting down and getting fast using all his vast experience and the advantage of a well-proven bike to put in some really impressive looking laps.

Troy Corser’s also on an all-new bike, the Foggy FP1, but he has the advantage of having been here testing in the winter. He used that advantage well, finishing the session fourth fastest with a 1:34.508.

Friday’s World Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:33.729
2. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:33.941
3. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:34.273
4. Troy Corser, Petronas Foggy FP1, 1:34.508
5. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:34.572
6. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 1:34.585
7. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:34.661
8. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:34.760
9. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.811
10. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:34.906
11. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.034
12. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.094
13. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:35.149
14. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:35.404
15. Nello Russo, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.577
16. David Garcia, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.630
17. James Haydon, Petronas Foggy FP1, 1:36.111
18. Giovanni Bussei, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:36.709
19. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda RC51, 1:37.049
20. Jay Normoyle, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:38.780
21. Steven Cutting, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.545
22. Alistar Maxwell, Honda CBR954RR, 1:40.856
23. Davide Messori, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:41.622


More, from a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

HM Plant Ducatis in close formation

The HM Plant Ducatis of James Toseland and Chris Walker have finished seventh and tenth respectively after the first day of qualifying at Phillip Island in Australia. However, with just over a second covering the top ten riders, it looks like the second round of the Superbike World Championship could be one of the most hotly contested events for years around the 4.445km circuit near Melbourne.

Frankie Chili topped the time sheets after the first day, with Regis Laconi second and double Valencia winner Neil Hodgson in third. Only the Foggy Petronas team has tested at Phillip Island over the winter, so the majority of the 23-strong field spent the free practice and first qualifying sessions looking for the best race set-up. However, the mood is optimistic in the HM Plant Ducati camp, with both riders already ahead of their Superpole qualifying times from last season.

James Toseland has made a promising start to his third season in World Superbikes and is confident that he can continue the good from that he has shown. “Today’s times may not look that impressive, but it’s early days and there’s a lot more to come from me this weekend,” said the 22-year-old Sheffield star.

“I’ve found it really hard to adjust to the different circuit configuration here at Phillip Island after all the testing and racing that we did at Valencia. In many ways, I feel that I’ve hit a brick wall and I need to sit down with the team overnight to assess where I’m losing time. This is such a fast circuit compared to the slow first gear corners at Valencia, that I’m almost having to learn to ride the bike again in a different way – I’m sure that I’ll be OK.”

Chris Walker shares third place in the Superbike World Championship after the first round with his team-mate, so there’s all to play for between the popular British riders. “I felt really comfortable out there today – this is my kind of track,” said the Nottingham rider. “We worked hard on improving the set-up of the HM Plant Ducati from the base setting that we had for Valencia. So far, we’ve made good progress and I’m pleased with my times on race tyres. In fact, it was going so well that I decided not to go out on a qualifying tyre and conserve my energy for tomorrow.”


More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Corser on provisional front row at Phillip Island

Troy Corser qualified on the provisional front row of the grid after Foggy PETRONAS Racing’s first day of action at the second round of the World Superbike championship at Phillip Island.

The Aussie former world champion made the most of home advantage to set the fourth fastest time on the FP1 on Michelin race rubber. And, with the two fastest times of the afternoon being set on qualifying tyres by Frankie Chili and Regis Laconi, Troy was effectively second fastest behind series leader Neil Hodgson, with a time of 1:34.508.

Troy, who made the front row in the first two races of the season at Valencia, was consistently fast throughout the first day of qualifying for Sunday’s two races. He said: “I was reasonably happy with today and I know there is more to come tomorrow. We are already closer to the front than we were in the first round and I think we will be close to running at the front for the race.

“This is the kind of circuit where, if you can get out in front by yourself and do consistently fast lap times, you will pull away because others will slow themselves up by dicing with each other. So the aim will be to get out in front and I think I can make the front row again tomorrow. It wasn’t important for me to use a qualifier in the second session as were just concentrating on finding a race tyre that would have durability and consistency. We have narrowed the choice down but still have some way to go.”

Team-mate James Haydon also concentrated on race tyre selection during the two one-hour sessions and is confident that overnight set-up changes will provide improvement. Having finished 15th in the morning free practice, he managed to take 0.8seconds off his time in the afternoon but slipped two places.

He said: “I only used four of my tyre allocation today, which means I will have lots to try tomorrow. In hindsight I wished I had used another race tyre option or a qualifier in the afternoon, as that would have knocked a second off, because I am pretty horrified to find myself in 17th position!”


More, from a release from Troy Corser:

FRONT ROW FOR TROY!
Local hero Troy Corser didn’t disappoint the home fans today – putting the new Foggy Petronas FP1 on the provisional front row of the grid after the first day of qualifying. Troy’s time of 1:34.508 was well outside the lap record he set here in 1999, but the two sessions today were beset by strong winds and a greasy track. At the end of the day though, Troy was happy to be fourth quickest – especially as he hadn’t used any qualifying tyres.

Provisional pole today was a bit of a surprise. Instead of a factory bike occupying the top spot, it was privateer Pierfrancesco Chili who set the day’s quickest time. The Italian, riding a private PSG-1 Ducati, lapped in 1:33.729 – nearly three-quarters of a second outside the official lap record. Second was another privateer – Regis Laconi (Ducati) – with Neil Hodgson on the factory Ducati in third place.

TROY

I’m pretty happy with today. The track felt a bit greasy and the wind caused a few problems for sure. If conditions are perfect then I think it’s possible to beat my 1999 lap record time, but everything needs to be right.

Today I didn’t use any qualifying tyres because we had some new stuff to try and we needed to put in the laps. But doing that, made me just ride the bike and that was good. We’ve got some better tyres here, but this morning I used tyres I knew we wouldn’t use in the race – because we had to put in the laps. Since Valencia, I feel we’ve made a step forward with the engine and the chassis of the bike. The chassis is great – it changes direction well and the bike is very stable on the brakes. All we’re lacking is a little acceleration coming out of the turns.

The bike is easy to ride and I’m getting more confident with it. Don’t forget that until Valencia, I hadn’t been in a race for over a year and it takes a bit of getting used to again. I’m glad to have those two races (Valencia) under my belt and I’m getting back to just going out and racing without having to think what I’m doing. I know I still need to concentrate more, but that’s coming. Every time I get on the bike, it’s improving. You can practice as much as you like, but there’s no substitute for actually racing.

The limited number of rear tyre we all have has helped the non-factory boys (and us) quite a bit, because you just have to ride the bike now. I like Phillip Island and if we can make a bit of a jump tomorrow (which I think we can) then a podium could be on the cards on Sunday. That’s what I’m after.


More, from a press release issued by Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks:

Laconi second fastest in first qualifying

Exciting debut day in Australia for Regis Laconi; in a cloudy and windy day, hot and humid, able to weaken most of the riders, the French rider of 998RS Ducati della Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Network recorded the second fastest in the first qualifying session of Australian round of 2003 Superbike World Championship to be run on the 4445 meters of Australian circuit of Phillip Island.

“We worked a lot to find the good gearbox ratios, because on this track the wind always changes.” – commented at the end of the day a satisfied Regis Laconi – “At the end we found the best compromise and we recorded a good result. We worked a lot on the new front fork too that looks to be better and that I feel better, but I’m sure that we could still improve something in front setting. The qualifying tyres worked perfectly, but you have to do everything OK in the fastest lap, because this tyres didn’t allow you a second chance. I’m sure that we could get something more tomorrow, because today the track was quite dirty and the hot and humid weather make me weak me because the otitis that worries me from some time. So I’m confident that tomorrow we could improve a little bit, of course also the other riders will do it, but today we scored really a very important and fantastic result.”

Sixteenth fastest David Garcia, suffering from influenza that keep him from the start to Australia and that he’s not jet been able to combat, neither with the help of Clinica Mobile, also because most of the medicines could bring secondary effects for the doping test and so he could not force too much the medical therapies.

“I feel very weak.” – says Garcia – “The fever worries me from the moment I let my hometown in Spain and I’m able just to ride for a couple of laps and then I must join the pits. That’s a pity because I like this track, but unfortunately in those conditions I’m not able to give any help to my technical crew too for setting the bike that also today was very very fast, scorog the fourth top speed in the speed trap. If I’ll be not better in the next days for me everything is going to become very difficult.”


more, from a press release issued by Alstare Corona Suzuki:

GREGORIO NINTH

Team, Alstare Suzuki rider Gregorio Lavilla ended the first day of qualifying in a steady ninth place. On a day affected by strong winds,Gregorio and the team continued their development of the new 2003 GSXR1000 Suzuki and were content with the progress made. Provisional pole today was set by Italian Pierfrancseco Chili (Ducati) – a surprise, as the privateer was quicker then the factory Ducatis of Neil Hodgson and Ruben Xaus. Chili posted a time of 1:33.729 – three tenths of a second quicker then the official lap record – despite the winds coming in from the Bass Straight.


GREGORIO LAVILLA – 9th, 1:34.811 We started here at Phillip Island with the same set-up we used at Valencia and then began to make progress little by little. We tried little changes today, because we are afraid that a big change will make things worse, so we’re taking a cautious approach for the moment. We really need a big jump, but we don’t want to ruin the work we’re doing. Basically we just need to improve the rideability of the bike and get the set-up of the balance right. We’re not there yet, but it’s a new bike and we’re having to develop it at the racetrack. There’s a lot of work to do, but we’re working 100% and we’re definitely making progress. At the start of the season, I said that it would take until Monza to be competitive and I think that’s still true. The Suzuki seems to like Phillip Island a bit better then Valencia, so I’m hoping that the work we do tomorrow will give us a good chance for a better result on Sunday.


More, from a press release from Ducati Corse:

Ducati Corse Press
Team Ducati Fila riders Neil Hodgson and Ruben Xaus set third and sixth quickest times respectively in first qualifying for Sunday’s Australian round of the SBK championship at Phillip Island, as Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) and Regis Laconi (NCR Ducati) claimed the top two slots.

Neil’s quick lap came in the final few minutes of the session when the 29-year old Brit posted a 1:34.273 around the 4.445 km circuit. “Today was quite difficult because we’ve only tested the 999 at Valencia and this track is as extreme opposite as you can get,” commented Neil. “As we don’t have any base marks, I’m using Valencia settings which I changed a lot after the first session. The bike is still a bit nervous at speed so we are trying to smooth things out by changing the settings to be more and more perfect on the line. My quick time came on a race tyre at the end of the session when we made a couple of changes and stayed out for more laps.”

Ruben Xaus escaped unhurt from a high-speed crash at the entrance to turn 12 during qualifying, but stepped onto his second Fila Ducati 999 bike to post the sixth quickest time. “The bike this morning wasn’t bad for the first time here,” said Ruben, “but I thought it was moving around a lot so we changed direction in the afternoon and made the settings softer. But then I fell off after losing the front. We need to work a lot more on the bike, because the set-up is still not perfect. If tomorrow the grip is better than today, I’m sure Neil and I can both ride in a low 1:33 with race tyres. I used a qualifying tyre to set my time today but it is not as good as what I need for the race.”