Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin and Aaron Yates are riding their GSX-R1000 Superbikes in Formula Xtreme practice at Infineon Raceway.

“We missed that one test (at Infineon Raceway),” said Yoshimura Suzuki Team Manager Don Sakakura. “We’ll use the Formula Xtreme practice to get used to what’s been changed on the track.”

Under the new-for-2003 rules, most AMA Superbikes are legal to run in AMA Formula Xtreme, but some heavily-modified AMA Formula Xtreme bikes are not legal to run in AMA Superbike.


Ducati North America/Munroe Motors’ Thomas Montano has a 2003 Ducati 999S/R at Infineon Raceway but cannot run the new Italian machine in the AMA Superbike class because Ducati has not homologated the 999 for AMA Superbike, says Montano. As a result, Montano will run the Ducati 999S, equipped with 999R Ohlins forks and radial-mount Brembo brakes, in the more liberal Formula Xtreme class.


Kawasaki Canada’s Owen Weichel may not be running in any class at Infineon Raceway. During promoter practice Thursday, Weichel collided with fellow Canadian Clint McBain entering turn 11. McBain escaped relatively uninjured, but Weichel staggered away from the crash scene holding his left arm and appearing to be in considerable pain. Unconfirmed reports from sources close to Weichel indicate he broke bones in his left arm/wrist. Weichel could not be reached at post time.

Weichel plans to contest the 2003 Parts Canada Superbike Championship on a ZX-7RR and the Hindle 600cc Sport Bike Championship on a ZX-6RR.


Canadian young gun Chris Peris will trade his private Honda CBR600F4i for Roger Lee Hayden’s Erion Honda CBR600RR this weekend.

“He’s 17, good looking, shows some positive results; so we’ll see what he can do on some good equipment,” said Parts Unlimited PJ1 Erion Honda Team Owner Kevin Erion.

Hayden plans to attend the races at Infineon Raceway but will not ride due to recent surgery to his left hand. Erion says Hayden will be back on his bikes when he is ready.


Lee Acree is making his official return to the Arclight Suzuki team this weekend. Acree tested the GSX-R600 Superbike he will race in the 2003 Formula USA series during Thursday’s promoter practice, but the North Carolina rider will race an ex-Formula USA Unlimited Superbike GSX-R750 in the two AMA Superbike races. Acree won the AMA Superstock race at then Sears Point in 2002.

Arclight Suzuki raced in every Formula USA and AMA National event in 2002, but plans to only race in Formula USA with selected AMA appearances in 2003.


New Yoshimura Suzuki signee Jamie Stauffer says the Yamaha YZF-R6 he built accelerated a little better than his new factory GSX-R600. Stauffer added that the Suzuki has more top-end power and handles better and said that he is confident that he will be able to go faster on the Suzuki than on his private Yamaha.


Rain stopped Formula Xtreme practice at Infineon Raceway at approximately 12:25 p.m.

Formula Xtreme was the second practice group of the day.


When the session ended, Damon Buckmaster was fastest on his Yamaha YZF-R1. More times follow:

1. Damon Buckmaster, YZF-R1, 1:40.187
2. Ben Spies, GSX-R1000, 1:40.216
3. Aaron Yates, GSX-R1000, 1:40.415
4. Adam Fergusson, GSX-R1000, 1:41.321
5. Mat Mladin, GSX-R1000, 1:41.402
6. Steve Rapp, GSX-R1000, 1:41.834
7. Jamie Hacking, YZF-R1, 1:41.875
8. Aaron Gobert, YZF-R1, 1:42.061
9. Doug Chandler, CBR954RR, 1:42.225
10. Lee Acree, GSX-R750, 1:43.671
11. Chris Ulrich, GSX-R1000, 1:43.671
12. Jason Curtis, CBR954RR, 1:44.452
13. Jimmy Moore, GSX-R1000, 1:44.872
14. Stoney Landers, GSX-R1000, 1:45.048
15. Mickey Lane, 1:46.971