Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Crew Chiefs and Team Managers said they prefer the new-for-2004, single 40-minute practice sessions versus the normal two, 20-minute practice sessions of the past at Daytona International Speedway.

“It gives you more time to go through tire choices, more time to get the set-up for the tires,” said Yamaha Crew Chief Tom Halverson. “It gives you more ability to work on your strategy for the session and try something different back-to-back on the A-bike and B-bike. I just wish the Supersport and Superstock practice sessions weren’t back-to-back.”

“I generally like these (longer sessions) more,” said Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki Crew Chief Keith Perry. “It’s better to test tires, to put race-distance on tires, especially here at Daytona where tires are so important.”

“I think it’s better to have the longer session,” said Yoshimura Suzuki Team Manager Don Sakakura. “Once you get your test items going it’s better to keep rolling in the session.”

But the feeling was not completely unanimous among AMA team leaders.

“I’d like to have two sessions no matter what, but I like the long session,” said Kawasaki Team Manager Michael Preston. “It’s nice to have two sessions in case you have an issue and it gives your riders time to think and sort stuff out. But we’ve got a good crew of guys, and it’ll be fine.”