Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies earned his sixth pole position of the seven-race-old 2003 AMA Formula Xtreme season Thursday at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California.

Spies, who turns 19 years old Friday, lapped the 2.2-mile, 11-turn Laguna Seca circuit in 1:26.738 for a new lap record.

The old record of 1:27.855 was set in 2002 by Damon Buckmaster, who crashed unhurt in turn five late in Thursday’s qualifier but still earned the third spot on the front row with a 1:27.620.

Corona Extra Suzuki’s Adam Fergusson was second-fastest with a 1:27.123, and Attack Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore finished what he called the best day of his season with a fourth-fastest 1:27.678.

Both Fergusson and Pridmore rode GSX-R1000s.

Roger Lee Hayden’s session was cut short when his Erion Honda CBR954RR suffered and electrical problem. Hayden ended up 10th with a 1:28.912.

Josh Hayes lost 10 minutes at the end of qualifying when his Attack Suzuki’s battery went dead. Hayes qualified ninth with a 1:28.561.

Steve Rapp crashed his FX bike hard in morning practice, highsiding in turn 10 and injuring his right shoulder. He qualified eighth on his spare bike.

The Formula Xtreme class does not have a practice session on Friday, but many of the FX racers who ride Superbike-legal bikes plan to continue their set-up searches in Friday’s Superbike practice session.

The 17-lap Formula Xtreme final is the last event scheduled for Saturday.

Provisional AMA Formula Xtreme Qualifying Results:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.738
2. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.123
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.620
4. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.678
5. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.694
6. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:27.964
7. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.378
8. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.436
9. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.561
10. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.912
11. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR954RR, 1:31.299
12. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.911
13. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.537
14. Garry Combs, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.678
15. Mark Ledesma, Honda CBR954RR, 1:32.719
16. Thomas Montano, Ducati 999S/R, 1:32.893
17. Kim Nakashima, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.916
18. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.964
19. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.489
20. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.633
21. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.149
22. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.187
23. Oliver Jervis, Kawasaki ZX-9R, 1:35.058
24. John Scott Wilson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.081
25. Alex McElyea, Honda CBR954RR, 1:35.170
26. Kevon Hanson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.382
27. Nathan Hester, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.443
28. James King, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.449
29. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.563
30. Jeremy Chisum, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.599
31. Jason Knupp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.657
32. David Guy, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.045
33. Kenan Rappuchi, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.199
34. Jose Quyintanar, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:36.354
35. Mark Simon, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.566
36. Jeremiah Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.620
37. Travis Graham, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.720
38. Mark Degross, Honda CBR954RR, 1:37.611
39. Crash Lowe, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.891
40. Sean Fey, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:38.231
41. Tony Cook, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:41.141
42. Jay Jacobson, Suzuki SV650, 1:41.812
43. Michael Dantonio, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.690
44. Doug Pitcock, Suzuki GSX-R750, 24:39.357