From: gowen@rsbs0.anu.edu.au
Subject: Australian GPs
Organization: Research School of Biological Sciences, Australian National University
Date: 13 Apr 92 10:33:42 +1000

Australian GPs - Eastern Creek 12th April 1992
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I rode up to the Creek at 5.30am yesterday to take in the races.  The weather
was great, fine and mid 20C although I rode through a fair bit of fog on the 
way up. A bit tired and emotional this morning but the news must get through 
8-)  So here we go.

I haven't got the final times for the race placings but I'll post those later 
this week.

125cc Qualifying
----------------
Sakata       1:39.834
Gramigni     1:39.938
Giro         1:40.182
Walderman    1:40.453
Gresini      1:40.512
Cassanova    1:40.519
Martinez     1:40.525
Wakai        1:40.555
Bodelier     1:40.985
Raudies      1:41.018

125cc Race
----------
The race became an incredible battle between the top 3 places, Walderman, 
Casanova and Gramigni.  On the last lap Walderman led Casanova and Gramigni on 
to the main straight. All three were ducking and weaving with Gramigni pulling 
past Casanova and nearly taking Walderman on the line.

125cc Results
-------------
1st  Walderman
2nd  Gramigni
3rd  Casanova
4th  Wakai
5th  Grisini
6th  Martinez
7th  Raudies
8th  Koch
9th  Gianola
10th Debbia
11th Galvin (Oz rider)
26th Walsh  (Lady Oz rider)
---------------------------------------------------------------

250cc Qualifying
----------------
Bradl        1:33.980
Cadalora     1:34.096
Chili        1:34.279
Cardus       1:34.500
Preining     1:34.711
Zeelenberg   1:34.814
Shimizu      1:35.139
Capirossi    1:34.183
Biaggi       1:35.194
Schmid       1:35.290
Ruggia       1:35.372

250cc Results
-------------
1st  Cadalora
2nd  Cardus
3rd  Bradl
4th  Zeelenberg
5th  Reggiani
6th  Romboni
7th  Preining
8th  Biaggi
9th  Ruggia
10th Casoli
------------------------------------------------------------

500cc Qualifying
-----------------
Doohan      1:30.756
Rainey      1:31.193
Beattie     1:31.518
Schwantz    1:31.767
Lawson      1:32.432
Mamola      1:32.496
Chandler    1:32.955
Mackenzie   1:32.990
Criville    1:33.300
Gariga      1:33.502
Goddard     1:33.914
Barros      1:33.970
Laycock     1:34.266
Duhamel     1:34.961
Crine       1:34.961
David       1:35.266
Arakaki     1:35.535
Sarron      1:35.557
Mitchell    1:35.890
Rudroff     1:36.026
Doorakers   1:36.093
Catalano    1:36.353
Papa        1:36.523
Buckmaster  1:37.672
Schmassmann 1:38.004
Graves      1:39.071
Pedercini   1:39.330
Doppler     1:39.387

500cc Race
----------
The track is much better suited to the smaller bikes whereas Phillip Island is 
a 500cc track.  With a difference of 9 seconds between the leaders and the back
markers there were problems with passing on this track. I felt Rainey was held 
up by too many slower riders - at Phillip Island you don't have that problem.

(following description from Alan Sjaarda on the racing server)

>Rainey got a great start, pinching the lead into the first corner
>from Doohan and the rest of the field. Beattie in his first 500GP came out
>of the start in 4th behind Schwantz and ahead of Chandler, after them there
>was a mess of bikes.
>        Doohan appeared to be only just hanging on to Rainey for about the
>first 10 laps. He seemed to be having trouble with grip (hard tyre
>compound?), although Rainey also got out of shape a couple of times.
>Finally Doohan passed Rainey and after 5 or 6 laps (and with the aid of
>traffic) began to pull out a big lead.  Obviously comfortable Doohan pulled
>a couple of spectacular controlled rear wheel slides in the last lap and
>crossed the line about 6 seconds clear of Rainey.
>        Beattie had a lonely race after passing Schwantz, with about 10
>seconds lead on Schwantz and 10 seconds behind Rainey, not bad for a
>Rookie.
>        Schwantz and Chandler had a good battle for 4th, with Chandler
>really pushing hard, (it looked like the old Schwantz vs the new Schwantz).
>        The only fall that I noticed was P.F. Chili (I think) coming down
>on the camera-bike, it made for some great pictures complete with sound
>effects.


Rainey pulled 306km/hr and Doohan 302km/hr down the main straight in the early 
laps.  The Hondas were a lot quicker through the corners than they have been in
 the past years.  The Suzukis didn't look that good around the track.

Lawson and Mamola had a good run back in the minor places.

Results
-------
1st  Doohan 
2nd  Rainey    + approx  5secs
3rd  Beattie   + approx 15secs
4th  Schwantz   + approx 30secs
5th  Chandler   + approx 36secs

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IMHO the Eastern Creek track does not provide enough close racing in the 500 
class. The track layout, facilities, lack of stands detract from the 
"spectacle" that Phillip Island provides. Well we can live in hope that the 
race will return to its proper home

Neal G.
     
_______________________________________________________
Neal Gowen (XJ900 and TY250B)   MRA #204 ;  Ulysses #2458
"Grow Old Disgracefully"
Australian National University
email:  gowen@rsbs0.anu.edu.au
voice:  61 6 249 2942 fax:  61 6 249 2603 
snail:   GPO Box 475 Canberra
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