Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Ever wonder why factory team riders and managers often suggest that Thursday practice should be eliminated from AMA National road race weekends?

The reasons tossed about by team managers include complaints that their semi-trucks have to show up to park on Wednesday instead of Thursday, that their mechanics are away from home too much and risk burn-out, and that it increases costs in terms of hotel bills, food, etc.

But it may just be because their riders don’t need it, thanks to extensive stand-alone testing.

(Note here that any increases in incremental costs or mechanic time away from home associated with participating in Thursday practice are tiny compared to the cost of stand-alone testing, which includes additional travel expenses and time.)

Since January 1, Chino, California-based Yoshimura Suzuki has tested at the following locations, for the indicated time periods:

Sepang, Malaysia, 4 days

Laguna Seca, Monterey, California, 2 days

Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia, 3 days

Pikes Peak International Raceway, Fountain, Colorado, 2 days

VIR, Alton, Virginia, 3 days

Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Alabama, 3 days

VIR, Alton, Virginia, 2 days

Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida, 2 days

That totals 21 days, or, more than twice the number of Thursday practice days (9) available to non-factory riders prior to AMA race weekends this year.

And during those 21 test days, very few riders were on the track at any given moment, and the track was open all day instead of being divided into separate sessions.