2008

By Mike Nicks Shane Byrne and the loping power of his Airwaves Ducati 1098R again broke the challenge of British superbike racing's young guns in the first of today's two 20-lap races on the 2.3-mile grand prix circuit.

Felipe Massa has joked that he should maybe try to get himself a Turkish passport, after confirming the Turkish Grand Prix as 'his' race with his third win there in as many years.

Felipe Massa: "It's fantastic to have got the hat-trick here in Istanbul - it might really almost be worth asking for a Turkish passport! It was a very tough race but the team worked magnificently, giving me a great car.

Motorsport's governing body has said that it will review security measures at the Istanbul Park circuit after Bruno Senna was taken out of Sunday's GP2 Series sprint race by a collision with a stray dog.

1. Noriyuki Haga JPN Yamaha Motor Italia YZF-R1 18 laps 2. Max Neukirchner GER Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 +0.009 secs 3. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR +0.051 secs

By Mike Nicks Shane Byrne and the loping power of his Airwaves Ducati 1098R again broke the challenge of British superbike racing's young guns in the first of today's two 20-lap races on the 2.3-mile grand prix circuit.

Hannspree Stiggy Honda's Josh Brookes had overturned Broc Parkes' pole position to take an early lead over the Yamaha rider, while Broc's team-mate Foret initially lost ground from third on the grid.

Following a massive response to our recent survey on whether or not you would be interested in acquiring a full-set of Autocourse titles in a digitised format, Crash Media Group can confirm that we will now be digitising our 'Back Catalogue' of books.

TV unilaterals Q: Felipe, you like winning from pole. The Turkish Grand Prix always results in a winner from pole and everything delivered for you today.

After bouncing back from his horrific high-speed accident in the Spanish Grand Prix just two weeks ago, Heikki Kovalainen has joked that maybe getting hit on the head there was a positive thing - as he stormed to the maiden front row start of his Formula 1 career in Istanbul this weekend.

Felipe Massa: "It's fantastic to have got the hat-trick here in Istanbul - it might really almost be worth asking for a Turkish passport! It was a very tough race but the team worked magnificently, giving me a great car.

Despite having appeared pessimistic about his chances of landing a seat for the 'greatest spectacle in racing', John Andretti will attempt to qualify for his ninth Indianapolis 500 having replaced Jay Howard in the #24 Roth Racing car for Pole Day.

Last year's double Monza winner Noriyuki Haga is predicting a flat-out fight during Sunday's World Superbike races at the high speed Italian circuit, but is hoping for last minute set-up progress after failing to match his 2007 pace in qualifying.

Felipe Massa: "I am very happy to have taken a third consecutive pole at this circuit. It is really motivating and it would be fantastic to do the same again tomorrow in the race.

A stunning first sector saw Bayliss pull half a second over the previous fastest rider, Hannspree Ten Kate's Carlos Checa, before increasing his advantage to 0.7secs through the middle of the lap and then 0.835secs over the Spaniard by the flag.

'I own this track', Felipe Massa had vowed on Friday in Turkey, and the Brazilian would prove as good as his word in qualifying around the challenging Istanbul Park circuit, by storming to his second pole position of the 2008 campaign ahead of an impressive Heikki Kovalainen.

Red Bull Racing endured a day of two halves during the opening couple of practice sessions for this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix, with David Coulthard showing strongly towards the upper reaches of the timesheets, but Mark Webber going off heavily in the sister RB4.

Dale Coyne Racing crew member Charles Buckman was taken to Indianapolis' Methodist Hospital on Friday after being hit by another car as he worked in pit-lane at the Brickyard.

The reigning World Supersport champion had finished Friday qualifying at Monza an impressive eighth fastest for Hannspree Ten Kate Honda, but will play no further part in the weekend.

Pictures by Ken Richardson While James Ellison took his first BSB podium in race two at Oulton Park, brother Dean experienced very different fortunes - being left unconscious after smashing into a stationary motorcycle, ruling him out of this weekend's Brands Hatch round.

Bruising and a broken foot sustained during a spectacular collision with Tom Sykes' Rizla Suzuki in race two at Thruxton was aggravated by heavy accidents in both races at last Monday's Oulton Park round.

The V8 Supercar Series could be racing on a new purpose-built facility in Western Australia with a matter of years, after plans to create a 'state-of-the-art motorsport precinct' were given a commitment by the state government.

"This is the right time to enter the market and India is set to become an important destination for premium bikes," said Ducati CEO Gabriele Del Torchio, as the Italian manufacturer introduced its range of exotic motorcycles to India.

Jarno Trulli has slammed some of his Formula 1 rivals for refusing to join the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), suggesting they 'don't care' about safety.