|
| |
Australian Grand Prix 2002
Sunday 20th October 2002
SPEED TO NO AVAIL
The Aussie crowd were expecting the best from their hero, Garry McCoy at
today's Australian Grand Prix and his fans launched him off the grid to the
chant of Aussie, Aussie Aussie McCoy, McCoy, McCoy.
But elation soon dropped to bitter disappointment when McCoy pulled into the
pits on Lap 14 with a blistered Dunlop rear tyre. A quick tyre change by Garry's
pit crew and he was back out in the race, fighting head to head with the leading
pack of Rossi and Barros but a lap behind.
Setting a lightning speed lap of 1'32.877 McCoy set the third fastest lap of all
riders on Lap 18, when his second Dunlop started to perform perfectly for him.
His two-stroke machine keeping pace with the four-stroke giants. But it seemed
it was too little too late for the Australian as he ended the day in 18th place.
Hopkins was not impressed with his ride today either and is hoping for his best
result in Valencia to finish his rookie year in the Top Ten. Hopkins, who raced
today for the first time in Phillip Island, is looking forward to returning to
Valencia, a track that he has tested on in pre-season testing.
GARRY McCOY 18th
World Championship Classification 20th on 53 points
"What can I say better luck next year. I think unfortunately the tyre
we chose for the race must have been just the bad one in the batch, as we used
exactly the same tyre in the second half of the race and it seemed okay.
The four strokes got a good jump off the start, compared to us and it wasn't
looking too bad at the start. We started to scrap out there and the tyre started
to drop off quickly, losing grip mid-corner nearly spitting me off a couple of
times. No point to continue, so I just came in for a new tyre.
I did not think about passing Barros or Rossi, I could of passed them when they
went wide but I just backed off and kept out of their way."
JOHN HOPKINS 16th
World Championship Classification 13th on 33 points
"I got off the start alright but I was riding a bit off the pace in the
beginning and I was a fraction shy on the braking markers early on. I started
going backwards after a few laps and I calmed myself down and the rear then
started to slide around a bit.
By the time I was back on the pace, the tyre had no edge grip. I got too hot on
the corner around the back horseshoe and lost the front on the grass. I picked
it up and rejoined the race at the least, I had to beat Pitt."
PETER CLIFFORD DIRECTOR OF RACING
"It doesn't get much more of an anti-climax than that. Words inadequately
express the disappointment. A single bright point to take away from this is the
skill and determination exhibited by Garry and John."
Saturday 19th October 2002
Final Qualifying
MAGIC FROM McCOY
Australian, Garry McCoy attacked the 4.448 km Phillip Island track and in
what has been the highlight of his season so far, secured a front row start for
his home Grand Prix.
"The Slide King" sliced almost a full second off his qualifying time from
yesterday and set a scorching time of 1'32.325 just 0.406 seconds off pole, set
by two-stroke rival Jeremy McWilliams.
For the first time this year, the front row consists of only two-stroke machines
a factor that McCoy can't quite explain.
"Its surprised me all weekend. I thought it being a fast flowing track with
sweeping turns that it would suit the four-strokes. I really don't know whatıs
happening." said the 30 year old Australian.
In 2001, McCoy started his "home" GP from the 4th row in 14th place and due to
mechanical problems was unable to finish the race. He is making sure this
weekend that his memory of Phillip Island is replaced by something far more
positive.
Team-mate to McCoy, 19 year old American John Hopkins, found another 1.987
second improvement today from yesterday's qualifying session and lines up
tomorrow on the fourth row of the grid. Hopkins who is rounding off his rookie
year in the Moto GP has been impressive and consistent all season. 4 top Ten
finshes under his belt so far with intentions to finish this his first Moto GP
championship in the Top Ten.
GARRY McCOY 2nd 1'32.325
"It's my best qualifying yet this Season and I'm happy to be on the front
row. The two-strokes are working pretty well here and I think itıs going to be
a tough race tomorrow. It will be good to see what's going to happen with all
the different tyre manufactures and different machinery. I'm pretty confident
with the tyres for tomorrow although we have not done a full race distance yet.
Iıve got a bit of a cold and I feel under the weather so I'd really like to feel
"unsick."
JOHN HOPKINS 14th 1'33.424
"I thought I did quite well today and I am pretty happy with it. Yesterday
my fastest time was a '35.4 so I've made a big improvement today and gained
about 2 seconds. The wind is so strong and it just blows you around everywhere
but I've just had to adapt to the conditions and learn the new track.
The track has a lovely layout and we're looking like we've got pretty good
set-up for the race. I felt good out there today and I'm pretty happy all in
all."
PETER CLIFFORD DIRECTOR OF RACING
"Brilliant ride from Jeremy. Damn him.
Congratulations to the Roberts Team but I'm sure that Garry is going to make
sure tomorrow does not come out the same way.
On whole our team has put in a fantastic performance and its just shows that
Garry and John are two of the best riders on the grid."
Friday 18th October 2002
McCOY HOT AT HOME
Australian Garry McCoy took to the fast flowing, 4.448km Phillip Island track
today eager to give it all in front of his home crowd. On a track that McCoy
knows better than most, the 30-year-old was in dazzling form on his two-stroke
YZR 500.
Setting a qualifying time today of 1.33.152, McCoy claimed second position, on
the front row of the provisional grid for the 15th and penultimate round of the
Moto GP World Championship.
In this afternoons blustery conditions "The Slide King" moved his YZR 500 onto
provisional pole for the majority of the closing half of the hour-long session.
In similar conditions in 2000 in wind-swept Portugal, McCoy won that GP, so
perhaps this is an indicator that Garry thrives in these, less than ideal,
conditions.
In form Honda 4-stroke rider Alex Barros, winner of the Pacific GP two weeks ago
and third in last weeks Malaysian GP, pipped McCoy at the post on his last
flying lap to claim provisional pole. Just a year ago, McCoy secured provisional
pole at the Australian GP with a time of 1.34.104. His time today a massive
1.052 seconds faster than last year.
With 13 four strokes on the grid, McCoy and Hopkins find themselves now in the
minority group of 9 riders on the, soon to be extinct two-stroke machinery,
which today claimed 3 of the top 4 positions.
Teammate to McCoy, American John Hopkins struggled in the increasingly gusty
conditions at this picturesque seaside circuit. This is Hopper's first visit to
Phillip Island and to Australia; and is focusing on learning the track.
GARRY McCOY 2nd 1'33.152
"I am pretty happy with the result today and being at home and knowing the track
has given me some advantage in these really windy conditions. The wind is
inconsistent and incredibly strong, stronger than anything I have raced in all
year and a bit like Portugal in 2000. You never know here what the weather will
do, it could be raining tomorrow so I had that in my mind and I really wanted to
give it a big effort today. I felt I could have even gone a bit quicker in that
last session. The tyres are working pretty good in the cooler conditions and
it's an ideal day today, to be running Dunlops.
JOHN HOPKINS 21st 1'35.411
I'm feeling good on the bike and although the position today is not what I want,
I know I can improve again tomorrow and have a competitive set-up for the race.
I took about 2 seconds off my practice time from this morning and with some more
time on the track tomorrow I know I can move further up the grid. I really like
the track, but its tough to learn the lines when the wind just blows you off
line. The Dunlops are working well in these cooler conditions, so all I need now
is some time on the track.
PETER CLIFFORD DIRECTOR OF RACING
That's the real McCoy. A fantastic performance and something that we knew he was
capable of all year. Itıs just such a shame that injury ruined such a large
proportion of it. Another intelligent ride from John for his first time on
what is a technical and difficult circuit.
|
