Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Team Hooters Mountain Dew Suzuki’s Michael Barnes took pole position in Pro Honda Oils 600cc Sportbike Saturday at Portland International Raceway with a new class lap record of 1:08.157 on his GSX-R600.

Arclight Suzuki’s Craig Connell worked together with teammate Lee Acree to record the second-fastest time of 1:08.433.

Acree ended up fifth with a 1:08.687.

Kneedraggers.com’s Matt Wait qualified third with a 1:08.594 on his Yamaha YZF-R6, just ahead of Larry Pegram’s 1:08.603.

The top five qualifiers–all running DOT-labeled Pirelli tires–were under Barnes’ class record of 1:08.910, set in 2001.

Pro Honda Oils 600cc Sportbike Qualifying Times:

1. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:08.157
2. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:08.433
3. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:08.594
4. Larry Pegram, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:08.603
5. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:08.687
6. Andrew Nelson, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:09.140
7. Brian Parriott, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:09.702
8. Jeff Wood, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:09.791
9. Oliver Jervis, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:10.106
10. Raymond Bowman, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:10.339
11. Matt Zurbuchen, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:10.352
12. Cory West, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:10.804
13. Josh Bryan, Ducati 748, 1:10.976
14. Nathan Hester, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:11.038
15. Darrin Mitchell, 1:11.091
16. G. Hugh Pestes, Ducati 748, 1:11.355
17. Paolo Mariano, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:12.121
18. Ricky Fraiser, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:12.415
19. Mitchell Pierce, 1:13.139
20. Craig Fabische, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:13.363
21. Justin Watkins, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:13.524
22. Luke Gaylor, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:14.994
23. Jason Cinqmars, Suzuki SV650, 1:18.177