JORGE LORENZO/Fiat Team Yamaha pipped CASEY STONER/Ducati Team Ducati on his last lap clocking a 1:21.799 after the checkered flag had flown. Stoner’s fastest lap was set on his thirteenth lap of the 23 he rode. He was in the pits when Lorenzo’s time knocked him off the top. Lorenzo had led at three other times during the session, and Stoner topped twice.
Stoner had to pit during the session to rest, and the team spokesperson said he was really exhausted after the session, and is resting now until qualifying. A photog who was shooting him could tell by his body language on the bike that he didn’t feel well.
Lorenzo’s teammate, VALENTINO ROSSI, was third, after leading three times.
Fourth and fifth were TONI ELIAS/San Carlos Honda Gresini Honda, who led once early on, and ANDREA DOVIZIOSO/Repsol Honda Team Honda, who later fell while running eighth. He was not hurt.
Saturday’s top times were also fastest overall for four of the top five riders. Rossi’s Friday time was faster but still kept him in third place overall.
American NICKY HAYDEN/Ducati Team Ducati led once during the session, and later fell off his bike. He went back out and was ninth overall. He was not hurt and there was only minor damage to his motorcycle. On his cool-off lap he popped wheelies in Turn Three and photogs in that area said he really looked happy.
The other Yankee, COLIN EDWARDS/Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha, also fell off, and pitted to nurse the fingers on his right hand. But he got got back out and was seventh overall for the session.
CHRIS VERMEULEN/Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki fell off his motorcycle for the second day in a row. Friday he was all right. Saturday he walked away stiff and limping.
Other leaders during the session included MARCO MELANDRI/Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki, DANI PEDROSA/Repsol Honda Team Honda, and JAMES TOSELAND/Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha.
The session started out with a marine layer overcast and 58 degrees F/14C, and while it didn’t warm up much, the sun did break through half way through the hour-long session.
All seventeen riders were on course.
Little known fact – Rossi did not put a photo sticker of his dog on his SuperKart Thursday for the SuperKart race. “Only for MotoGP” said he. Rossi personally affixes this photo sticker of his dog on the seat of his motorcycle before each race. One of his superstitions.
MotoGP qualifying is at 1:55 PM local time/4:55 PM EDT
GILL CAMPBELL, President & General Manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca said this year’s MotoGP ticket sales were somewhat down, which was expected given the current economic climate. This year the fans were waiting later to purchase tickets, compared to previous years. But Friday’s ticket sales were up over 2008. The Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca is the only MotoGP venue to allow fans in the MotoGP paddock, and 5,000 were in Pit Lane Friday. The economic impact of MotoGP on the Monterey Peninsula is $100 million, half of the annual overall economic impact Laguna Seca has on the community. Overall, only five percent of the annual ticket sales at Laguna come from locals. Most of the race fans come from elsewhere. Expected Saturday attendance is 32-35,000, and 132,000 for the weekend.