Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.



Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke passed and held off American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel to win the AMA Formula Xtreme race at Barber Motorsports Park. Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec, who started from pole, raced with and passed both Zemke and Duhamel several times in the first half of the race, at one point briefly leading, before his rear tire went off and he went backwards. Erion Honda’s Alex Gobert passed Haskovec for third late in the race.

1. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR
2. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, -0.0160 second
3. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, -11.40 seconds
4. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R600, -13.505
5. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R600, -25.862
6. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R6, -27.172
7. Mike Smith, Yamaha YZF-R6, -27.839
8. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R600, -33.471
9. Mike Ciccotto, Buell XB12R, -49.622
10. Michael Barnes, Buell XB12R, -56.549
11. Nicky Moore, Suzuki GSX-R600, -67.562
12. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R600, -68.189
13. Heath Small, Yamaha YZF-R6, -68.254
14. Nathan Hester, Yamaha YZF-R6, -69.949
15. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha YZF-R6, -86.865

16. Carlo Gagliardo, Yamaha YZF-R6, -1 lap
17. Joseph Arico, Yamaha YZF-R6, -1 lap
18. William Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R600, -1 lap
19. Derek Keyes, Yamaha YZF-R6, -1 lap
20. Adrian Jones, Suzuki GSX-R600, -1 lap
21. Darin Eli Edwards, Suzuki GSX-R600, -3 laps, DNF


AMA Formula Xtreme Championship Point Standings (after 4 of 11 races):

1. Duhamel, 143 points
2. Zemke, 132 points
3. Gobert, 112 points
4. Holden, 97 points
5. Haskovec, 81 points
6. Pridmore, 80 points
7. Pegram, 74 points
8. Hester, 68 points
9. Melneciuc, 66 points
10. Corey Eaton, 65 points
11. Eslick, 62 points
12. Small, 50 points
13. Barnes, 44 points
14. Ciccotto, 42 points
15. Ben Bostrom, 33 points


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

HASKOVEC CHALLENGES IN BIRMINGHAM FORMULA XTREME

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki scored several strong results on Saturday at Barber Motorsports Park. Still, the team was left wanting even more following Friday’s performances that saw the team’s riders fastest in their respective classes.

Vincent Haskovec started from the pole in the Formula Xtreme race on his Michelin slick-shod GSX-R600 and diced for the lead over the first half of the 17-lap event. However, warmer than expected weather meant that the hard-riding Haskovec was not able to maintain his pace for full distance, costing him a possible win and a probable podium placing.

He eventually finished fourth, a result that moved him up to fifth in the title chase.

In qualifying for Sunday’s 60k Supersport and Superstock finals, the squad picked up two top ten qualifying positions in each class. Unfortunately, more was expected after dominating the top of the charts on Friday.

Steve Rapp qualified seventh fastest in both classes and will twice start from the second row on Sunday. He posted best laps of 1:27.411 on the GSX-R750 in Superstock and 1:28.934 on the GSX-R600 in Supersport.

Haskovec will line up on the third row to start the Superstock final after qualifying tenth best with a 1:27.474. Chris Peris will start from the same position in the Supersport race thanks to his 1:29.679.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki Crew Chief Keith Perry summed up the day. “We wanted more,” he said. “You always want more. We know Vincent’s capable, and we know the bike’s capable, but things just haven’t fallen our way yet. We thought this was going to be one of our turning points, and I still think it is. We’re starting to show what we’re able to do against factory competition.

“We faded a little bit over the last half of the race,” said the team’s Crew Chief. “It was a little warmer than we thought it was going to be. Vincent rode his heart out, but the combination just wouldn’t allow him to keep up the pace we needed him to.”

Perry is optimistic about tomorrow’s races. “You never know what the weather is going to do. In one respect, Michelin has such outstanding rain tires that we wouldn’t mind if it rained. But if it’s dry, our tires should be the best ones out there in the last half of the race.”