Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn Le Santo

Muggeridge tops wet Supersport qualifying at Brands

The rain fell heavily at Brands Hatch for the first timed qualifying for round eight of the World Supersport championship. But it didn’t bother the toughest competitors in world motorcycle racing who took to the track despite driving rain and standing water on some sections.

Well known throughout the paddock as one of the hard men of the Supersport scene, Ten Kate Honda’s Karl Muggeridge made the best of the conditions to post the fastest lap of 1m 38.786.

“Everyone would rather have sunshine at Brands Hatch but I don’t care about the weather,” said Karl Muggeridge in true Aussie spirit

The wet conditions can be an equalising factor in the race for horsepower, and that’s just what Pere Riba needs right now. He was second fastest on his Kawasaki ZX-6R, continuing the run that started with the ZX-6R’s first win by Riba’s team mate Fabien Foret at Misano.

Former Supermoto champion, Thierry VD Bosch put his sideways skills to good use around the undulating Brands circuit going third fastest on the Yamaha France R6.

Championship leader, Chris Vermeulen was taking it easy on his Ten Kate Honda in the poor conditions, not wanting to risk his championship lead in the appalling conditions. “I’m riding well but not pushing past 100%, there’s no point in risking my championship lead for a wet Friday qualifying session!”



Friday’s World Supersport Qualifying Results:

1. Karl Muggeridge, Honda, 1:38.786
2. Pere Riba, Kawasaki, 1:38.850
3. Thierry Vd Bosch, Yamaha, 1:38.941
4. Michael Laverty, Honda, 1:40.378
5. Chris Vermeulen, Honda, 1:40.433
6. Iain MacPherson, Honda, 1:40.805
7. Stefano Cruciani, Kawasaki, 1:40.861
8. Barry Veneman, Honda, 1:40.941
9. Robert Ulm, Honda, 1:40.945
10. Tom Sykes, Yamaha, 1:41.049
11. Christian Kellner, Yamaha, 1:41.101
12. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki, 1:41.103
13. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki, 1:41.305
14. Dean Thomas, Honda, 1:41.468
15. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda, 1:41.554
16. Broc Parkes, Honda, 1:41.744
17. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha, 1:42.322
18. Gianluca Nannelli, Yamaha, 1:42.595
19. Christophe Cogan, Honda, 1:42.599
20. Werner Daemen, Honda, 1:42.609
21. Jorg Teuchert, Yamaha, 1:42.692
22. Fabien Foret, Kawasaki, 1:42.946
23. Jan Hanson, Honda, 1:43.072
24. Simone Sanna, Yamaha, 1:43.415
25. Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha, 1:43.606
26. Alessio Corradi, Yamaha, 1:43.938
27. Jamie Robinson, Yamaha, 1:44.814



Sidecar Qualifying:
Superside World Championship
Brands Hatch, Europe

1. Steve Webster, GB, Suzuki, 1:43.877
2. Tom Hanks, GB, Yamaha, 1:44.425
3. Jörg Steinhausen, Germany, Suzuki, 1:44.684
4. Tim Reeves, GB, Yamaha, 1:45.136
5. Steve Abbott, GB, Suzuki, 1:45.398
6. Jock Skene, GB, Suzuki, 1:45.744
7. Richard Gatt, GB, Yamaha, 1:47.059
8. Klaus Klaffenböck, Austria, Yamaha, 1:47.184
9. Bill Philp, GB, Yamaha, 1:47.243
10. Martien van Gils, Holland, Suzuki, 1:47.429


More, from a press release issued by Ten Kate Honda:

Rain fails to stop play for Ten Kate Honda at Brands Hatch

Ten Kate Honda rider Karl Muggeridge shrugged off appalling conditions at Brands Hatch for the first timed qualifying session for round eight of the World Supersport Championship.

Muggeridge was typically Australian about the English weather; “Everyone would rather have sunshine at Brands Hatch but I don’t care about the weather! Pirelli have worked very hard and brought along a new wet weather tyre which is working really well.”

Championship leader Chris Vermeulen was unwilling to risk his title lead by pushing too hard in the wet.

“I feel I am riding well but I’m not taking silly risks, I’m not pushing it past 100%,” admitted the young Australian. “It’s not worth the risk, especially as better weather is forecast for later in the weekend. The Honda CBR600RR is working really well here and WP and Pirelli have once again produced the goods.”

The wet conditions always present problems but Ten Kate Honda team manager was satisfied that the team had responded to the challenge – once again.

“It’s a good start back after the short break, despite the rain,” said Ronald ten Kate. “It’s great to be here at Brands Hatch, the circuit is steeped in history and the atmosphere his is brilliant. Of course, we’d rather have good weather but at least it’s given us a chance to work out some settings to go with the new wet weather tyre from Pirelli.”


More, from a press release issued by Superside series organizers:

WEBSTER FASTEST IN THRILLING FINALE

Steve Webster and passenger Paul Woodhead pulled off a dazzling last lap to snatch provisional pole position in Friday’s qualifying session for round six of the Superside World championship at Brands Hatch, Europe.

The teams started on wet-weather tyres but conditions improved during the session leading to changes in tyre selection.

“We had wets to begin with, switched to intermediates and then tried out our slick tyres towards the end,” explained Webster, who continues to astound in qualifying.

The earlier morning times were shattered with regularity as the fight for qualifying supremacy had everyone on tenterhooks until the very last seconds of the session.

Jörg Steinhausen looked set to post the fastest time but the Misano winner was foiled by Webster on his very last lap. Championship leader Klaus Klaffenbock recorded the third fastest time ahead of reigning world champion, Steve Abbott.

“We were in third position on the last lap but lady luck looked down on us. The bike’s really good,” added Webster, who is looking for his fourth win of the campaign.

New boys, Tim and Tristan Reeves, completed the top five and Bill Philp posted an excellent seventh. “We are over the moon with our time given the deficiency we have in horsepower,” said team manager, Lee Collins.

Friday’s Superside World championship qualifying times:
1. Steve Webster, GB (Suzuki) 1:34.015
2. Jörg Steinhausen, Germany (Suzuki) 1:34.892
3. Klaus Klaffenböck, Austria (Yamaha) 1:35.310
4. Steve Abbott, GB (Suzuki) 1:36.050
5. Tim Reeves, GB (Yamaha) 1:36.798
6. Tom Hanks, GB (Yamaha) 1:36.932
7. Bill Philp, GB (Yamaha) 1:36.979
8. Martien van Gils, Holland (Suzuki) 1:37.590
9. Richard Gatt, GB (Yamaha) 1:37.750
10. Gerhard Hauzenberger, Austria (Yamaha) 1:38.587