Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Miguel Duhamel, Hon CBR1000RR, 1:24.404
2. Mat Mladin, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:24.542
3. Ben Bostrom, Hon CBR1000RR, 1:24.574
4. Aaron Yates, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:25.263
5. Jake Zemke, Hon CBR1000RR, 1:25.746
6. Josh Hayes, Kaw ZX-10R, 1:25.866
7. Lorenzo Lanzi, Duc 999F04, 1:25.891
8. Regis Laconi, Duc 999F04, 1:26.556
9. Geoff May, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:26.921
10. Larry Pegram, Yam YZF-R1, 1:27.551
11. Jake Holden, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:27.652
12. Marty Craggill, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:27.856
13. Eric Wood, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:27.984
14. David Weber, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:28.165
15. Shawn Higbee, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:28.213
16. Jimmy Moore, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:28.867
17. Chuck Sorensen, Yam YZF-R1, 1:29.081
18. Matt Lynn, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:29.543
19. Jesse Janisch, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:29.570
20. Jeremy Toye, Yam YZF-R1, 1:29.660
21. Byron Barbour, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:29.848
22. Cory West, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:30.069
23. Mike Smith, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:30.072
24. Heath Small, Yam YZF-R1, 1:30.140
25. Dean Mizdal, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:30.374
26. J.J. Roetlin, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:30.480
27. Roger Bell, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:30.501
28. Anthony Fania, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:30.552
29. Marco Martinez, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:31.150
30. Roland Williams, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:31.394
31. Scott Jensen, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:31.496
32. David Bell, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:31.519
33. Andy Deatherage, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:31.610
34. James Kerker, Hon CBR1000RR, 1:31.881
35. Greg Fryer, Yam YZF-R1, 1:32.061
36. Steve Scott, Yam YZF-R1, 1:32.725

110 percent of fast time: 1:32.845

37. Rick Narup, Suz GSX-R1000, 1:33.942
38. Sean Wray, Yam YZF-R1, 1:34.543
39. John Haner, Suz GSX-R1000, no time
40. Jeremiah Johnson, Suz GSX-R1000, no time
41. Scott Greenwood, Suz GSX-R1000, no time
42. Eric Bostrom, Duc 999F04, no time


More, from a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:

MLADIN QUALIFIES ON FRONT ROW FOR AMERICAN SUPERBIKE FINALE AT VIRGINIA

Alton Virginia, USA (Saturday, October 9) – Four-times and defending American Superbike champion Mat Mladin, will start from the front row of the grid for tomorrow’s season Finale double header round of the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship after recording the second fastest time in today’s single qualifying session at Virginia International Raceway.

Mladin figured prominently throughout the session and led for much of it, but was denied his fifth pole position of the season after Miguel DuHamel jumped from third to first in the final moments of the session to set the fastest time and take pole for tomorrow’s two 28-lap Superbike nationals.

DuHamel edged Mladin off pole with a lap record-breaking time of 1-min 24.404-secs as opposed to Mladin’s 1:24.542 set aboard his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R 1000. The front row is completed by Ben Bostrom (1:24.574) and Mladin teammate Aaron Yates (1:25.263).

Mladin’s main championship rival Jake Zemke had a difficult day, crashing in one of the earlier practice sessions and finished with the fifth fastest time of 1:25.746 in the 25-minute qualifying session.

“Qualifying went well for us and to be honest I couldn’t tell you what any of the others were up to as we were focussed on what we need to do over the weekend,” said Mladin.

“We’ve got a job to do this weekend, so that’s our focus and we’ll take it as it comes. I wasn’t too perturbed about producing a fast lap today and sticking my neck out to get pole. We went out and posted a good time early in the session, but were unable to get under that mark later on, but we’re still in good shape. I’m not going to risk throwing away a championship just to get pole position during qualifying.”

Due to the rescheduling of this weekend’s final round (as a result of the threats of Hurricane Ivan) the AMA made a number of changes to the event structure of the weekend. The event was trimmed back to a 2-day meeting, with two practice sessions and a single qualifying session assigned to the Superbike competitors.

“The format seemed to work alright, but if they (the AMA) are going to run so many classes, then it may not work. You really don’t have a lot of time to do anything as far as figuring out tyres that will last the race, let alone which offer the best grip. Depending on how many classes they plan to run, will determine if the 2-day format could work or not. We’re down significantly on track time compared to our regular schedule.”

And in another first, both 100km (28-lap) Superbike races will be held on Sunday, giving riders and teams approximately one and a half hours to turn their machines around for the final race of the championship.

With qualifying now complete, Mladin has his full attention focussed on tomorrow’s races where he will be aiming for a history breaking fifth American Superbike Championship.

“The bike is exactly the same as how we left it after the test here a couple of months back. We knew what we were going to have for a motorbike and didn’t really have enough time to spend changing too many settings today and just concentrated on sorting through our tyre options. Dunlop have brought some new tyres for us to try again and it looks like we’ll use one of those on the rear. All in all we’re looking alright for tomorrow.”

The Australian holds a 42-point buffer over Zemke and only needs to finish in the top 24 in the opening race to secure the title.


More, from a press release issued by Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin:

ROW 2 START FOR EUROPEANS LANZI AND LACONI – BOSTROM OUT OF EVENT

Alton (Virginia) – October 9, 2004: Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin’s three-rider team kicked off the Virginia International Raceway weekend with promising performances from Europeans Regis Laconi and Lorenzo Lanzi, but also with the unfortunate withdrawal of American Eric Bostrom from the event.

Laconi and Lanzi, racing for the first time in AMA Superbike competition, qualified on the second row for tomorrow’s races. The Ducati 999 pilots saw a hectic day, with two 30-minute practice sessions and one qualifying period held in cool and clear fall conditions at the scenic Virginia track.

World Supersport rider Lorenzo Lanzi qualified seventh with a time of 1:25.892, despite a late crash that left him unhurt. “Lorenzo was doing really well. He was up in fourth place with just a few minutes to go,” explained Racing Manager Tom Bodenbach. “Unfortunately, they had to bring his bike back on the crash truck.”

Despite never haven ridden at Virginia International Raceway before, World Superbike rider Regis Laconi qualified eighth with a time of 1:26.556. “Regis was doing well for his first time on the track. He hit the curb with his knee so we ended his qualifying session a little early,” said Bodenbach.

“With the short practices, we have to go step-by-step to make sure we don’t go too far or do something wrong,” commented Laconi. “I am new to this track and these tires, and we had only 30 minutes in each session. For the race, I think I will be happy. We will see tomorrow, but we have changed some small things on the bike for the warm-up. This track is a lot like the European tracks. We are still learning, trying to get a bike that will run in the 1:25s.”

“The knee is okay,” continued the Frenchman. “At first we were a little worried but it is not a problem.”

Eric Bostrom attempted to come back from injuries sustained in his Road Atlanta crash, but the Pikes Peak winner is out after declaring himself unfit to race.

“I’m really disappointed not to be racing this weekend,” said Bostrom. “I just didn’t have the strength to ride fast laps. What makes it even worse is that we really improved the bike for Atlanta. The Michelin tires were working great and they really suit the Ducati well. The team had made some progress with the handling and I was looking forward to getting the results I think we are capable of earning.”

The 28-lap (100 km) races are scheduled to take place tomorrow at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. EDT.