Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Lee’s Cycles’ Jeremy Toye claimed the first, front-row grid position for the WSMC Toyota 200 Friday, June 14 at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California.

Riding a Dunlop-shod Suzuki GSX-R1000 in the extreme heat of the Mojave desert, Toye lapped at 1:22.9 to secure his starting position on the front row of the September race, but the San Diego rider’s qualifying effort was not without drama.

Toye mounted one of Dunlop’s new rear Superbike slicks, a 756-compound, but Toye wasn’t aware that the tire was significantly larger in diameter than ordinary Dunlops. The larger tire upset Toye’s chassis causing a front end push at 140-plus mph through Willow Spring’s turn eight. He pitted for adjustments before rejoining the 30-minute session and setting his fast time.

The second-fastest qualifier in the first of four qualifying sessions was Team Orthopedics’ Jack Pfeifer with a 1:23.5 on another Suzuki GSX-R1000.

The front row for the $150,000-purse race will be determined by the fastest qualifier in each of four separate qualifying sessions. The remaining qualifying sessions will be held July 19, August 16 and September 13. The WSMC Toyota 200, which pays $50,000 to the winner and $1000 to every racer who qualifies for the 40-entry grid, is scheduled for September 15.

The order of the front row will be determined by the fastest time. The remaining 36 grid spots will also be determined by fastest time regardless of which qualifying sessions they were set in.

For more information about the WSMC Toyota 200, go to www.race-wsmc.com or call (661) 256-1234.