Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel took pole position for the AMA Formula Xtreme event during qualifying Friday at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. Duhamel turned a time of 1:38.132 on his Dunlop-shod factory CBR600RR, a new lap record for the revised, 11-turn, 2.2-mile road course.
“I messed up the last three corners,” Duhamel told reporters. “When I came by start/finish and saw a 1:38.1, I was happy. It’s a testament to the team. It’s (Honda CBR600RR) an awesome bike.”
No Limit Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore did not record a qualifying time after encountering mechanical problems with his GSX-R600.
Provisional AMA Formula Xtreme Qualifying Results:
1. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, 1:38.133
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, 1:38.625
3. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:39.531
4. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 1:40.085
5. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:40.938
6. Steve Crevier, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:41.110
7. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:41.379
8. Michael Barnes, Buell XB9R, 1:42.193
9. Heath Small, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:42.347
10. Mike Ciccotto, Buell XB9R, 1:42.377
11. Andrew Nelson, Honda CBR600RR, 1:42.464
12. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:42.894
13. Jeff Williams, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:43.064
14. Brien Whitlock, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:43.515
15. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:43.627
16. Tom Montano, Honda CBR600RR, 1:44.231
17. Nathan Hester, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:44.434
18. Garth Dillon, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:44.748
19. Mickey Lane, Honda CBR600RR, 1:45.867
20. Jay Tanner, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:45.967
21. Michael Leon, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:46.080
22. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:46.274
23. Brian Bartlow, Honda CBR600RR, 1:46.902
24. Ed Sorbo, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:47.271
25. Chad Rolland, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:47.390
26. Mike Krynock, Ducati 748R, 1:47.566
27. Kenan Rappuchi, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:47.993
28. Bob Siebenhaar, Honda CBR600RR, 1:48.563
29. Tim Knutson, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:49.064
30. Reno Karimian, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:49.248
31. Ruben Munoz, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:49.854
DNQ. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R600, no time
More, from a press release issued by Valvoline EMGO Suzuki:
HASKOVEC THIRD IN QUALIFYING AT INFINEON RACEWAY
Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki was back in action today, taking to the 2.2-mile, 12-turn Infineon Raceway near Sonoma, CA for the third round on the 2004 AMA roadracing calendar.
The charismatic Vincent Haskovec led the charge on Friday, guiding his Michelin slick-shod Suzuki GSX-R600 to a front row Formula Xtreme starting position. The Czech Republic born rider now living in California set a fast time of 1:39.531 to claim the third spot on the grid for Sunday’s 17-lap final.
“I want to thank my team and Michelin. They really put in a lot of effort to try to give me everything I was asking for,” Haskovec said afterwards. “It’s our brand new bike and we didn’t have so much data for Sears, so I’m really exited about our times today. I’m sure we can go even faster yet this weekend.”
Haskovec was also inspired by the circuit that reminds him of his riding roots. “Coming from riding on the street, in the canyons, this place really suits my style. The first time I was here I fell in love with it. I thought it was an unbelievable track. It was also really difficult to get a good rhythm, and I crashed many times at this place, but over the years this track has come to feel like home.”
Haskovec put forth a strong showing in the day’s Superstock practice sessions as well, setting the 10th best time (1:41.314) aboard his 750cc GSX-R while competing against a deep field of 1000s.
His teammate, Steve Rapp, wasn’t far behind in twelfth on the day (1:41.527). The two could be well poised to surprise during the race this weekend thanks to their strategy to take advantage of the smaller bike’s nimble and more tire-friendly characteristics at the undulating Northern California circuit.
Rapp broke into the top ten aboard his GSX-R600 Supersport machine; the Californian was tenth best in the combined free practice order with a fast lap of 1:41.545.
Young Canadian Chris Peris had a solid start to his weekend as well, posting a 1:42.569 in the second Supersport practice, good enough for 13th best overall on Friday.
Saturday will see the team qualify their Superstock and Supersport-spec GSX-Rs, with a full day of racing set for Sunday.