From a press release issued by Team Stargel:

Team Stargel Tests Yamaha Superbike At Jennings GP

On June 12th and 13th, Team Stargel conducted an initial test of a 2004 Yamaha R1 at Jennings GP. After receiving the bike, the team was anxious to sample it as soon as possible. The motorcycle was ridden by team rider Chuck Sorensen in an almost total showroom form. This included stock bodywork, exhaust, and even the headlight still in place.

Team Stargel had originally set the Jennings GP outright track record in 2002, and then returned in 2003 to once again set the current record. After taking a day to familiarize himself with the Yamaha, Sorensen returned on the second day to lap within three seconds of his previous record pace. When asked his impressions of the Yamaha R1, Sorensen responded, “To be able to do these lap times on a motorcycle straight off the showroom floor just really shocks me. The amount of progress that has been made in the past few years is truly incredible. I feel that with what I know my team is capable of doing to this motorcycle I could lap under my previous best time here. I can’t wait to race this bike.”

Team Stargel will now begin the process of transforming the motorcycle into a top flight superbike. The team plans to do further testing with additional modifications and will then contest the final three rounds of the AMA Superbike season beginning at Mid-Ohio in July.