Updated Post: Hayes Takes AMA Superstock Pole At Laguna Seca With New Lap Record

Updated Post: Hayes Takes AMA Superstock Pole At Laguna Seca With New Lap Record

© 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Attack Suzuki’s Josh Hayes took his fourth AMA Superstock pole position of the 2003 season with a new Laguna Seca lap record time of 1:28.429.

The previous lap record of 1:29.429 was set by Vincent Haskovec in 2001. Hooters Suzuki’s Haskovec also beat his old record time with a 1:29.293 but qualified sixth in the highly-competitive field.

All of the top six qualifiers went faster than the old lap record.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp, winner of the last two Superstock races, qualified second with a 1:28.706 on his Michelin-shod machine.

Corona Extra Suzuki’s Adam Fergusson and Tommy Hayden, riding the Kawasaki 636cc ZX-6R, also qualified on the front row Friday in Monterey, California.

Provisional AMA Superstock Qualifying Results:

1. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.598
2. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.706
3. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.796
4. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:29.131
5. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.169
6. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.293
7. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.683
8. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:29.969
9. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.087
10. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.219
11. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.638
12. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.827
13. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.940
14. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.012
15. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.787
16. Jason Perez, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.811
17. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.961
18. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.034
19. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.193
20. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.471


More, from a press release issued by 1-888-FASTLAP:

1-888-FASTLAP RIDERS 9TH AND 19TH IN SUPERSTOCK QUALIFYING; CAYLOR IN TOP TEN DESPITE INJURY

MONTEREY, Calif.- 1-888-FASTLAP’s Opie Caylor qualified ninth for AMA Pro Racing’s Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock race at Laguna Seca Raceway, despite riding with an injured knee.

Caylor, who has only ridden the challenging road course once before, set a time of 1:30.087 to take the ninth spot in qualifying on the 1-888-FASTLAP/Team EMGO Taiwan Suzuki GSX-R750.

Several days before the event, Caylor injured his left knee while training on his bicycle. A deep cut has caused him discomfort on the racetrack, but it did not stop him from earning a top-ten qualifying position.

“We were a bit off the pace in the last practice,” said Caylor. “My mechanic Grant (Matsushima) had a theory about the gearing, and we changed it for the qualifying session. It was a lot better. We went a second faster in qualifying, on race tires, than we did in practice. Grant made a good call. We’re always trying to go faster, but we should be good for the race.”

Stokes, who also rides under the 1-888-FASTLAP banner, qualified 19th on the Team Embry Suzuki GSX-R750. His quickest time of the qualifying session was a 1:32.193. Stokes is riding at Laguna Seca for the first time.

“It’s a hard track to get a good grasp of,” commented Stokes. “Up until qualifying my gearing was totally wrong. Between finding the right setup and getting acquainted with the track, I wasn’t as quick as I’d hoped to be. From turns five to ten I feel strong, but I need to get through the first five turns better. This is the toughest of all the AMA tracks I’ve ridden this year.”

Caylor and Stokes also qualified for the AMA Superbike race, which will be held on Saturday, July 12. Caylor qualified 16th with a time of 1:30.773 and Stokes will start from the 28th position after qualifying with a time of 1:32.527.

The Superstock race will be held on Sunday, July 13, at 1:30.

1-888-FASTLAP owner Paul Wright is also riding at Laguna Seca for the first time. Wright has been learning the track on his Yamaha TZ250 in preparation for the MBNA 250 GP Series race on Sunday. Qualifying will be held on Saturday.

In addition to learning a new track, Wright faces several additional challenges. He has been off the bike for over a month, and is preparing to undergo knee surgery due to a recent injury.



More, from a press release issued by Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki:

Rapp Second-fastest In Superstock Qualifying At Laguna

Friday at Laguna Seca saw Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki continue a strong midseason charge, qualifying two men on the front three rows for Sunday’s Superstock final. Steve Rapp led the way, claiming the second spot on the grid, while Chris Ulrich continued to show lead-pack speed, qualifying 12th despite a minor crash during practice.

The 30-year-old Rapp led much of the Superstock session, until being bumped a spot late. While the pole position would have been a nice reward for his strong form, Rapp proved last time out at Brainerd International Raceway that he has no problems winning from the second spot on the front row. Running under the old lap record again on Friday, Rapp is firmly in contention to grab his third consecutive Superstock win, despite having a sore shoulder that limited his track time.

“We led much of the session and I think it’s clear we have the speed to run up front again in this race,” Rapp said. “I’m still having some problems with the shoulder and we will have to wait and see how we do in the race. I’ll give it my best effort, of course.” Rapp has won the last two Genuine Suzuki Accessories AMA Superstock races, first at Road America and then at Brainerd.

After the first Supersport practice session was cancelled due to fog, Chris Ulrich fell in Superbike practice but recovered to put himself on the third row of the Superstock grid, then immediately left the track for treatment of his aggravated shoulder by famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. Art Ting and his physical therapist, Tuan Nyugen. Ulrich, who won his first Superstock National here at Laguna Seca two years ago, will look for a good start on Sunday to achieve his goal of a top-five finish. Ulrich and his Michelin-shod Suzuki have made considerable progress the past two events and the second-generation racer is returning to form after a slow, injury-hampered start to 2003.

Meanwhile, young Matt Furtek continued to learn the nuances of the tricky 2.2-mile circuit, a task in no way helped by the morning weather. He qualified 22nd. “I’m still figuring out the fast way to get around here,” the teenager remarked. “The morning session got fogged out, so we didn’t get as much track time as we would have liked.”

Saturday will see Rapp on the big Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R1000, seeking a podium finish in the 17-lap Formula Xtreme final.


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