Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Parts Unlimited PJ1 Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke claimed his third AMA Formula Xtreme pole position of 2004 during qualifying at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, on Friday.

Riding a CBR600RR Superbike, Zemke turned a time of 2:18.851 to set a new lap record for the revised-for-2004 class and close his points deficit to Championship leader Miguel Duhamel from five to four points.

Zemke also set the fastest trap speed at the start/finish line on Road America’s front straightaway, according to AMA Pro Racing timing and scoring, at 163.8 mph.

Duhamel tried to top Zemke’s time with a late, fast lap on his American Honda CBR600RR but came up just short with a 2:19.041. Duhamel’s crew members, however, say they have a stronger race engine ready to install before Saturday’s final event.

DXS Diablo Suzuki’s Steve Crevier, a Canadian Superbike regular making a guest appearance in the AMA series, set the third-fastest time, 2:21.920, on what he said he was a 114-horsepower Suzuki GSX-R600.

The top three qualifiers used Dunlop tires, but the final spot on the Formula Xtreme front row went to Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec with a time of 2:21.945 on his Michelin-shod GSX-R600.

Although the top Formula Xtreme riders have turned slower lap times than top Supersport riders at some tracks during the 2004 season, Zemke’s pole time at Road America was nearly two seconds faster than the existing Supersport lap record, 2:20.654.

The Formula Xtreme class was originally slated to be divided into two, 40-minute qualifying sessions (one for slower riders, one for faster riders), but due to low participation (21 entries) and the length of the Road America track (4.0 miles), the entire field was given one, 50-minute qualifier.

Provisional AMA Formula Xtreme Qualifying Results:

1. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, 2:18.851
2. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, 2:19.041
3. Steve Crevier, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:21.920
4. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:21.945
5. Doug Chandler, Ducati 749R, 2:22.142
6. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:22.257
7. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 2:22.331
8. Mike Ciccotto, Buell XB9R, 2:22.484
9. Michael Barnes, Buell XB9R, 2:22.774
10. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:23.216
11. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:23.481
12. Mark Junge, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:24.492
13. Blake Young, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:24.919
14. Heath Small, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:26.288
15. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:27.960
16. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:28.124
17. Nathan Hester, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:28.823
18. Darren Luck, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:29.382

112 percent of the fastest time: 2:35.513

19. Clavin Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:35.631
20. Geoffrey Maloney, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:36.422
21. Jim Davis, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:39.865


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

HASKOVEC ON ROAD AMERICA FRONT ROW

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki kicked off their AMA racing weekend at Road America on Friday by picking up a front row qualifying position and taking multiple top ten practice rankings.

Vincent Haskovec qualified his Michelin-shod GSX-R600 on the front row for Saturday’s 10-lap Formula Xtreme race. The Czech Republic-born rider now living in California posted a best lap of 2:21.945 around the scenic 4.0-mile circuit to claim the fourth slot on the front row, improving four positions from the morning practice while slashing nearly three seconds off his time.

Meanwhile, the Superstock and Supersport classes only had one 50-minute practice session apiece on Friday.

Steve Rapp and Chris Peris were eighth and ninth best, respectively, in the Supersport session. Rapp set a quick time of 2:23.035, while his young teammate was right on his heels at 2:23.361, as the two ranked as the second and third fastest Suzuki-mounted riders in the class on Friday.

It was another impressive showing by the up-and-coming Peris. “Things are going well for us this weekend and the bike set-up is really coming together. It’s getting easier and easier every weekend. I’m looking forward to continuing that improvement for the team here at Road America,” Peris said. “We tried out several different Michelin tires and I like what they had for us today.”

Peris said he enjoyed racing at the Road America circuit. “We did get to test here but we didn’t get much done because it was so cold. This track has a lot of different aspects to it but I enjoy the quick sections. I like it.”

Rapp also picked up a top ten placing in the day’s Superstock session. The 30-year-old’s tenth place showing (2:19.754) was impressive considering it was achieved aboard the smaller capacity GSX-R750 at the horsepower-hungry venue. Haskovec was a few positions back in thirteenth aboard his 750, setting a best time of 2:21.209.

Saturday will prove to be a busy day for the team, with Supersport and Superstock qualifying on the schedule in addition to the FX final.