Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Parts Unlimited PJ1 Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke took pole position for the AMA Formula Xtreme event during qualifying Friday at California Speedway.

Zemke used a 950-compound “soft race” rear Dunlop slick on his CBR600RR to turn a 1:27.376, a lap record for the revised-for-2004 class.

Zemke’s late lap knocked American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel (1:27.592) off the pole. Duhamel, the Daytona Formula Xtreme race winner, tried to get back out on track and better Zemke’s mark but ran out of time.

No Limit Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore was third-fastest qualifier on his GSX-R600, but his 1:28.715 was over a second off the times of the well-developed factory Hondas. Pridmore said his Suzuki was the best handling bike on the track but was down on horsepower to the Hondas.

Triangle Cycles Yamaha’s Larry Pegram switched to his less powerful back-up YZF-R6 after developing engine trouble with his A-bike but still managed to claim the final spot on the front row with a 1:29.194.

Zemke’s teammate Alex Gobert lost considerable time to minor bike repairs during the session but came back to post the fifth-quickest time, 1:29.456.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec used injections to numb the pain in his injured right thumb (injured in a crash during practice) and recorded the sixth-fastest time of 1:29.777 on his GSX-R600.

Pridmore’s teammate Jimmy Moore sat out Formula Xtreme qualifying after he injured his left shoulder in a near-crash during Friday afternoon’s Superstock practice. If his injury allows, Moore hopes to use a provisional start to join Saturday’s race.

Moore missed half of the 2003 season after badly breaking his left arm at Brainerd International Raceway.


Provisional AMA Formula Xtreme Qualifying Results:

1. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, 1:27.377
2. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, 1:27.592
3. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:28.715
4. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.194
5. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 1:29.596
6. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:29.778
7. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:29.993
8. Steve Crevier, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.128
9. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.593
10. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.725
11. Marc Palazzo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.980
12. Brien Whitlock, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:32.929
13. Jeff Williams, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:33.133
14. Heath Small, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:33.301
15. Jay Tanner, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:34.056
16. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:34.101
17. Nathan Hester, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:34.848
18. Garth Dillon, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:35.062
19. Craig Mclean, Honda CBR600RR, 1:36.154
20. Brian Bartlow, Honda CBR600RR, 1:36.635
21. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:36.886
22. Kenan Rappuchi, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.964
23. Ron Northrup, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:37.598

112 percent of fastest time: 1:37.861

DNQ. Tamer Kekhia, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:37.921
DNQ. Paolo Mariano, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:38.203
DNQ. Charlie Hewett, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:38.790
DNQ. James Davis, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:39.623
DNQ. Reno Karimian, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:02.537
DNQ. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R600, no times
DNQ. Mark Ledesma, Honda CBR600RR, no times