Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies earned the pole position for the Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme final by lapping California Speedway’s 2.3-mile infield road course in a new record time of 1:25.945.

The previous record was held by defending AMA Formula Xtreme Champion Jason Pridmore at 1:26.027 from 2002.

Spies missed the beginning of the session with fuel pump problems before turning his fast lap late in the red-flag-interrupted 35-minute qualifying period.

Graves Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking, who said he wasn’t completely comfortable with his set-up yet, saved his best effort for his last lap and qualified second with a time of 1:26.528 on his YZF-R1.

Corona Extra Suzuki’s Adam Fergusson, a California Speedway first-timer, qualified third with a time of 1:26.590 on his Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp made steady progress all weekend on his two-day-old 2003-model GSX-R1000 and was happy with the fourth-fastest time of 1:27.091.

The 17-lap AMA Formula Xtreme final is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Sunday.


AMA Formula Xtreme Qualifying Results:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.945
2. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:26.528
3. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.590
4. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.091
5. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.104
6. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:27.395
7. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.415
8. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR954RR, 1:27.671
9. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.689
10. Craig Connell, Honda CBR954RR, 1:27.692
11. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 1:27.845
12. Doug Chandler, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.805
13. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.476
14. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.171
15. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R1000,1:30.502
16. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR954RR, 1:30.713
17. Mark Ledesma, Honda CBR929RR, 1:30.858
18. James Randolph, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.780
19. Lenny Beckman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.789
20. David Guy, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.982
21. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.374
22. Sandor Bitter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.734
23. Mickey Lane, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.539
24. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.718
25. John Wilson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.950
26. Steve Engelbrecht, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.112
27. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.227
28. Mark Simon, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.719
29. James King, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.148
30. Kim Nakashima, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.386
31. Michael Kosta, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.392
32. Alex McElyea, Honda CBR929RR, 1:35.592
33. Nathan Hester, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.823
34. David Bell, Aprilia RSV1000, 1:36.004

112 Percent Of Fast Time: 1:36.258

DNQ. Michael Dantonio, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.925
DNQ. Christopher Ancien, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.217
DNQ. Stephen Hewitt, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.599
DNQ. Tony Cook, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:40.261