WSBK round 12, Chariot racing in Rome

Biaggi's home race in Vallelunga this weekend. I only know this track from the Playstation. I find it a little bit tight for WSB, but I can be totally wrong.

Toseland can become champion this weekend. He currently has a lead of 41 points on Haga. If he leaves with points lead of 51 or more he'll be the champ.

I just hope the championship will be decided in Magny Cours.

WSB standings:
1. JAMES TOSELAND HANNSPREE TEN KATE HONDA 375
2. NORIYUKI HAGA YAMAHA MOTOR ITALIA 334
3. MAX BIAGGI ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA 322
4. TROY BAYLISS DUCATI XEROX 296
5. TROY CORSER YAMAHA MOTOR ITALIA 254
6. RUBEN XAUS STERILGARDA DUCATI 177
7. LORENZO LANZI DUCATI XEROX 173
8. ROBERTO ROLFO HANNSPREE TEN KATE HONDA 166
9. MAX NEUKIRCHNER SUZUKI GERMANY 130
10. YUKIO KAGAYAMA ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA 116
11. REGIS LACONI KAWASAKI PSG-1 CORSE 113
12. MICHEL FABRIZIO D.F.X. CORSE HONDA 112
13. FONSI NIETO KAWASAKI PSG-1 CORSE 82
14. JAKUB SMRZ CARACCHI DUCATI SC 61
15. KARL MUGGERIDGE ALTO EVOLUTION HONDA 47

In the Supersport it has been a Broc Parkes - Yamaha story the last 2 rounds. I think he is the favourite again for this race (Sofuogluo wont be far behind). The fight for 2nd and 4th in the standings is still really close!

1 Sofuoglu TUR 226 (champion)
2 Foret FRA 126
3 Parkes AUS 100
4 Fujiwara JPN 87
5 Roccoli ITA 84
6 Harms DEN 83
7 Veneman NED 70
8 West AUS 66
9 Jones GBR 58
10 Nannelli ITA 49

Well I'd like the title fight to continue on, so I'm hoping for a good weekend from Haga. I also wouldn't mind seeing Max win in front of his countrymen. I don't know much about the circuit. Anyone have any insight about the place?

It's a tight piece of **** in the Italian country?

Well, no there are some fast flowing bits here and there, but there is this silly little loop thing that looks like it was taken from the Daytona Infield...:)

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h41/bestfit/vallelunga_track.jpg

I don't mind the layout except for the infield section. I wonder if, like Donnington, they put this in to make up circuit length.

Thanks for that bestfit. Hmmm, the infield does look pants. But the rest seems ok I suppose.

I wonder if, like Donnington, they put this in to make up circuit length.

Apparently a 1km extension was added in 2004 to bring it up to it's current length 4.085km, so this seems to be the case.

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACI_Vallelunga_Circuit)

looks like a good track - fast bits & slow bits... just hope for good racing & with a bit of luck the title will still be up for grabs once the weekend is over :beer:

surely the italian boys are the ony ones with experience here :rolleyes:

The extension is the north loop, afaik.

I think I remember this track...was it not on the first ToCA Race Driver game?

Or should I not ask this in a bike forum? ;)

The extension is the north loop, afaik.

Yes the circuits most recent extension is that loop at the top of the picture, if you call up Google Earth, it hadn't even been added when the image was taken.

Provisional pole goes to Corser, who was also quickest in the first practice session:

WSBK qualifying times (1) – Vallelunga:

1. Troy Corser
2. Troy Bayliss
3. Noriyuki Haga
4. Max Biaggi
5. James Toseland
6. Roberto Rolfo
7. Michel Fabrizio
8. Regis Laconi
9. Shinichi Nakatomi
10. Ruben Xaus

In World Supersport provisional pole went to Charpentier. He lapped the circuit in 1min 39.733secs, a time which would have placed him within the top twelve in the Superbike class.

WSS qualifying times (1) – Vallelunga:

1. Sebastien Charpentier
2. Gianluca Vizziello
3. Kenan Sofuoglu
4. Katsuaki Fujiwara
5. Tommy Hill
6. Craig Jones
7. Josh Brookes
8. Broc Parkes
9. Sebastien Gimbert
10. Arne Tode

Would love to see Corser bag a win as well. Think he's the only one out of the front runners that hasn't been on the top step.

Yeah, if Corser won I'd literally crack a half-smile.

The tight bit always was there since the first tarmac track there in 1958, before that it was just a dirt oval. It got extended for '63 and then extended again recently.

OTish : What FIA grade licence is it?

Super A or what ever? They Test F1 there so isn't that the highest?

Super A or what ever? They Test F1 there so isn't that the highest?

Of course, it would be 1T then.

Super Pole results

1 Troy Bayliss Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 999 R 1:35.890
2 Troy Corser Yamaha Motor Italia Yamaha YZF R1 1:36.016
3 Ruben Xaus Team Sterilgarda Ducati 999 R 1:36.737
4 Max Biaggi Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K7 1:36.925
5 Noriyuki Haga Yamaha Motor Italia Yamaha YZF R1 1:36.996
6 Lorenzo Lanzi Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 999 R 1:37.428
7 Michel Fabrizio D.F.X. Treme Honda CBR 1000RR 1:37.430
8 James Toseland Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Team Honda CBR 1000RR ----
9 Roberto Rolfo Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Team Honda CBR 1000RR 1:37.589
10 Shinichi Nakatomi Yamaha Motor France - IPONE Yamaha YZF R1 1:37.775
11 Marco Borciani Ducati 999 1:37.902
12 Max Neukirchner Suzuki Germany Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K6 1:37.942
13 Regis Laconi Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse Kawasaki ZX 10R 1:38.067
14 Jakub Smrz Team Caracchi Ducati SC Ducati 999 R 1:38.110
15 V. Ianuzzo Kawasaki ZX 10R 1:38.153
16 Fonsi Nieto Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse Kawasaki ZX 10R 1:38.619

Toseland takes a tumble.

Why is it that JT starts from the second row? He came off, and never set a time as far as I can see, so on what basis is his second row start position built on?

I don't understand this, anyone care to put me in the picture?

Craig Jones got the pole in the Supersport class :eek: - well done :beer:

Why is it that JT starts from the second row? He came off, and never set a time as far as I can see, so on what basis is his second row start position built on?

I don't understand this, anyone care to put me in the picture?

:yeah:

This goes right back to when Super Pole was first introduced. From memory the riders complained that they had already worked hard to qualify and then the top 16 were required to do another hot lap in Super Pole. This lap could potentially ruin all the work done in regular qualifying. ie you could qualify fastest after regular qualifying, then have a fall or mechanical problem during their SP lap and end up starting 16th.
So now (again from memory) the rule is that if they fail to complete their SP lap, their grid position is dependent on where they finished in regular qualifying -

1 to 4 in regular qualifying = 8th
5 to 8 in regular qualifying = 12th
9 to 12 in regular qualifying = 16th
13 to 16 in regular qualifying = no change.

Something like that :)

Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaame.

Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaame.

I don't necessarily agree when it is put into the context of how super pole was introduced.
Super Pole wasn't a change to the qualification system as a whole, it was tacked onto the existing qualifying system in an attempt to create some added excitement. They still run 2 full qualifying sessions before super pole.
The teams/riders concern was that after 2 qually sessions, the top 16 had to put it all on the line again to "put on a show" for no real purpose, but a fall or mechanical problem could potentially lose them 15 places on the grid. As a compromise it was decided to limit the "damage" to 1 row in the event of a non completed SP lap.

Thanks for the clarification. Not sure how I feel about it to be honest.

Thanks for the answer.

Whilst it's good that it means the top riders will be somewhere near the front and not at the back of the grid so it would aid, in theory, a competetive and exciting race. However, I'd be a bit miffed if I was Rolfo and saw my teammate ahead of me on the grid even though they hadn't quite made it the full distance in qualifying.

It's only because it applies to Toesland. :)


Biaggi is skinning them alive here! I wonder if his tyre will melt?

Huzzah, Bayliss -> 2nd

This goes right back to when Super Pole was first introduced. From memory the riders complained that they had already worked hard to qualify and then the top 16 were required to do another hot lap in Super Pole. This lap could potentially ruin all the work done in regular qualifying. ie you could qualify fastest after regular qualifying, then have a fall or mechanical problem during their SP lap and end up starting 16th.
So now (again from memory) the rule is that if they fail to complete their SP lap, their grid position is dependent on where they finished in regular qualifying -

1 to 4 in regular qualifying = 8th
5 to 8 in regular qualifying = 12th
9 to 12 in regular qualifying = 16th
13 to 16 in regular qualifying = no change.

Something like that :)

Yeah, thats right. Remember when Haga almost came off in his superpole lap at Assen (until that point he was quickest)? If he had dropped it at that point he would have started 8th, instead he started 12th or something like that...

WSBK race 1 results

1 Biaggi M. Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 39'24.967 24
2 Bayliss T. Ducati Xerox Team. Ducati 999 F07 39'30.605 24
3 Toseland J. Hannspree Ten Kate Honda. Honda CBR1000RR 39'32.419 24
4 Haga N. Yamaha Motor Italia. Yamaha YZF-R1 39'35.046 24
5 Fabrizio M. D.F.X. Corse. Honda CBR1000RR 39'47.224 24
6 Lanzi L. Ducati Xerox Team. Ducati 999 F07 39'50.629 24
7 Laconi R. Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse. Kawasaki ZX-10R 39'59.778 24
8 Nieto F. Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse. Kawasaki ZX-10R 40'03.042 24
9 Nakatomi S. Yamaha YZF. Yamaha YZF-R1 40'04.037 24
10 Iannuzzo V. Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse. Kawasaki ZX-10R 40'12.669 24
11 Smrz J. Team Caracchi Ducati SC. Ducati 999 F05 40'12.773 24
12 Borciani M. Team Sterilgarda. Ducati 999 F06 40'18.455 24
13 Muggeridge K. Alto Evolution Honda. Honda CBR1000RR 40'19.476 24
14 Martin S. Celani Team Suzuki Italia. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K6 40'26.934 24
15 Tiberio Y. Alto Evolution Honda. Honda CBR1000RR 40'33.258 24
16 Morelli L. D.F.X. Corse. Honda CBR1000RR 40'33.484 24
17 Ellison D. Team Pedercini. Ducati 999RS 39'27.030 23
18 Xaus R. Team Sterilgarda. Ducati 999 F06 15'40.330 9
19 Brignola N. Team Guandalini. Ducati 999 F05 5'10.735 3
20 Neukirchner M. Suzuki Germany. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K6
21 Corser T. Yamaha Motor Italia. Yamaha YZF-R1
22 Rolfo R. Hannspree Ten Kate Honda. Honda CBR1000RR

WSBK Race 2 results

1 Bayliss T. Ducati Xerox Team. Ducati 999 F07 39'30.861 24
2 Biaggi M. Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 39'32.292 24
3 Haga N. Yamaha Motor Italia. Yamaha YZF-R1 39'35.327 24
4 Corser T. Yamaha Motor Italia. Yamaha YZF-R1 39'44.627 24
5 Rolfo R. Hannspree Ten Kate Honda. Honda CBR1000RR 39'51.709 24
6 Xaus R. Team Sterilgarda. Ducati 999 F06 39'52.791 24
7 Lanzi L. Ducati Xerox Team. Ducati 999 F07 40'00.708 24
8 Nieto F. Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse. Kawasaki ZX-10R 40'00.847 24
9 Nakatomi S. Yamaha YZF. Yamaha YZF-R1 40'10.987 24
10 Neukirchner M. Suzuki Germany. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K6 40'11.594 24
11 Toseland J. Hannspree Ten Kate Honda. Honda CBR1000RR 40'13.405 24
12 Iannuzzo V. Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse. Kawasaki ZX-10R 40'25.365 24
13 Muggeridge K. Alto Evolution Honda. Honda CBR1000RR 40'25.885 24
14 Martin S. Celani Team Suzuki Italia. Suzuki GSX-R1000 K6 40'26.165 24
15 Tiberio Y. Alto Evolution Honda. Honda CBR1000RR 40'30.642 24
16 Brignola N. Team Guandalini. Ducati 999 F05 40'31.470 24
17 Morelli L. D.F.X. Corse. Honda CBR1000RR 40'37.783 24
18 Borciani M. Team Sterilgarda. Ducati 999 F06 40'49.089 24
19 Ellison D. Team Pedercini. Ducati 999RS 39'40.931 23
20 Laconi R. Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse. Kawasaki ZX-10R 20'06.597 12
21 Fabrizio M. D.F.X. Corse. Honda CBR1000RR 13'22.600 8
22 Smrz J. Team Caracchi Ducati SC. Ducati 999 F05 1'49.455 1

WSS Results (Red flag finish after an oil spill)

1 Sofuoglu K. Hannspree Ten Kate Honda. Honda CBR600RR 28'42.956 17
2 Jones C. Revè Ekerold Honda Racing. Honda CBR600RR 28'43.137 17
3 Lascorz J. Glaner Motocard.com. Honda CBR600RR 28'48.778 17
4 Parkes B. Yamaha World SSP Racing T.. Yamaha YZF-R6 28'50.019 17
5 Vizziello G. RG Team. Yamaha YZF-R6 28'58.368 17
6 Lagrive M. Intermoto Czech. Honda CBR600RR 29'00.202 17
7 Tode A. Stiggy Motorsport Honda. Honda CBR600RR 29'01.018 17
8 Sanna S. Racing Team Parkalgar. Honda CBR600RR 29'01.521 17
9 Charpentier S. Hannspree Ten Kate Honda. Honda CBR600RR 29'03.632 17
10 Fujiwara K. Althea Honda Team. Honda CBR600RR 29'03.865 17
11 Gowland G. Team Benjan Motoren. Honda CBR600RR 29'07.470 17
12 Kallio V. Pioneer Hoegee Suzuki Racing. Suzuki GSX-R600 29'08.728 17
13 Gimbert S. Yamaha - GMT 94. Yamaha YZF-R6 29'09.485 17
14 Foret F. Team Gil Motor Sport. Kawasaki ZX-6R 29'09.599 17
15 Checa D. Yamaha - GMT 94. Yamaha YZF-R6 29'09.955 17
16 Nebel S. Lightspeed Kawasaki Supp.. Kawasaki ZX-6R 29'20.467 17
17 Corradi A. Extreme Rider Team. Ducati 749R 29'21.356 17
18 Boccolini G. Team PMS Kawasaki Supported. Kawasaki ZX-6R 29'21.745 17
19 Ivanov V. Vector Racing Team. Yamaha YZF-R6 29'22.721 17
20 Tizon A. Yamaha Spain. Yamaha YZF-R6 29'25.961 17
21 Filla M. Intermoto Czech. Honda CBR600RR 29'49.372 17
22 Fores J. HP Racing. Honda CBR600RR 27'24.819 16
23 Alfonsi L. Althea Honda Team. Honda CBR600RR 27'25.611 16
24 Leblanc G. Vazy Racing Team. Honda CBR600RR 27'30.846 16
25 Cruciani S. CRS Grand Prix. Honda CBR600RR 25'54.659 15
26 Riba P. Team Gil Motor Sport. Kawasaki ZX-6R 15'30.799 9
27 Brookes J. Stiggy Motorsport Honda. Honda CBR600RR 13'42.573 8
28 Veneman B. Pioneer Hoegee Suzuki Racing. Suzuki GSX-R600 13'52.147 8
29 Praia M. Racing Team Parkalgar. Honda CBR600RR 12'08.988 7
30 Enjolras J. Tati Team Beaujolais Racing. Yamaha YZF-R6 10'37.182 6
31 Salom D. Yamaha Spain. Yamaha YZF-R6 8'34.449 5
32 Roccoli M. Yamaha Lorenzini by Leoni. Yamaha YZF-R6 6'52.699 4
33 Hill T. Yamaha World SSP Racing T.. Yamaha YZF-R6

WSBK points

1 Toseland GBR 396
2 Biaggi ITA 367
3 Haga JPN 363
4 Bayliss AUS 341
5 Corser AUS 267
6 Lanzi ITA 192
7 Xaus ESP 187
8 Rolfo ITA 177
9 Neukirchner GER 136
10 Fabrizio ITA 123

WSS Points

1 Sofuoglu TUR 251
2 Foret FRA 128
3 Parkes AUS 113
4 Fujiwara JPN 93
5 Roccoli ITA 84
6 Harms DEN 83
7 Jones GBR 78
8 Veneman NED 70
9 West AUS 66
10 Charpentier FRA 51

Brilliant superbike races today! You could call the first lap of the first race 'spectacular'.

That very tight left hander in the infield might be a little to tight. It was said that it caught out most of the riders this weekend. Shame for JT (not for us) that it caught him out during the race. Still a brave race from him lapping quicker than the guys directly in front of him (while having to ride around with bend handle bars).

I did not see the Supersport race. Was it any good?

good battle for 1 & 2 - craig jones has been good in the last few races...

where's chunder?

is your man jimmy toseland gonna throw this title down the road or what :eek: :laugh:

where's chunder?

is your man jimmy toseland gonna throw this title down the road or what :eek: :laugh:

Bolded for truth. :)

good battle for 1 & 2 - craig jones has been good in the last few races...

where's chunder?

is your man jimmy toseland gonna throw this title down the road or what :eek: :laugh:

What happened to your mate Mark Aitchison in the superstock 1000 class? :innocent:

:beer:

I see Nakatomi had two 9th place finishes. Good stuff, but where did the pace come from all of a sudden? Was it a case of bike and rider suiting track or was it the prospect of no world superbike ride in 2008 which made him dig deep, which kinda begs the question, why would anyone be riding around not giving it their all, all of the time as long as they are able to. Anyway...

Does anyone know what Smrz is doing next season? I think he was improved greatly and bearing in mind the state of tune of the bike he is riding, I think he has put in some very good rides. I hope he has been noticed by the paddock.

Did anyone else see some of the anti-Rossi banners around the track? I caught a glimpse of one where some character in Roman army uniform was taking a leak on a number 46! I wonder how long that took to paint!:rofl:

Did anyone else see some of the anti-Rossi banners around the track? I caught a glimpse of one where some character in Roman army uniform was taking a leak on a number 46! I wonder how long that took to paint!

Why the anti Rossi campaign? Is it because of the tax problems?

Biaggi territory?

Biaggi territory.

Did anyone else see some of the anti-Rossi banners around the track? I caught a glimpse of one where some character in Roman army uniform was taking a leak on a number 46! I wonder how long that took to paint!:rofl:

The Roman Emperor ****ing on Rossi.

What happened to your mate Mark Aitchison in the superstock 1000 class? :innocent:

:beer:

i see he got a dnf :banghead: - but, what happened?

Euro Superstock 1000 championship should be a thriller in the final round - 4 riders can take the title...

Points after 10 rounds...

1 Matteo Baiocco - 146
2 Niccolo Canepa - 145
3 Xavier Simeon - 138
4 Claudio Corti - 137
5 Mark Aitchison - 121

i see he got a dnf :banghead: - but, what happened?

Euro Superstock 1000 championship should be a thriller in the final round - 4 riders can take the title...

Points after 10 rounds...

1 Matteo Baiocco - 146
2 Niccolo Canepa - 145
3 Xavier Simeon - 138
4 Claudio Corti - 137
5 Mark Aitchison - 121

He crashed while leading...

He crashed while leading...

Doh! :doh:

The Roman Emperor ****ing on Rossi.
Which is why Rossi won so many titles.......

(I'd like anyone to tell an Italian from that region those words! :laugh:)

Gosh golly darn molly floggin Atcho!

Oh well, better luck next time.

Doh! :doh:

that's a bloody BIG doh...

Hehe, dont mention the rugby either!!

Oh after all the crowing recently How I loved not seeing anyone on the podium but the Brit who is as English as any, Corser!!

JT made us work for it but 8 wins says it all, the bike was a pig though!!