Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Racing timing and scoring problems are continuing Friday at California Speedway.

After producing hard copies of lap times following Formula Xtreme practice, the first session Friday morning, AMA timing and scoring stopped producing hard copies of practice times (from subsequent sessions) for competitors and media representatives.

According to AMA Pro Racing Superbike Media Manager Donnie Clark, who relayed information from AMA timing and scoring boss Ken Rogers, “unusual photo cell hits” during Superstock practice, the second session of the day, were being investigated and identified. The goal, according to Clark, was to insure accurate times were produced and the problem solved for the rest of the weekend. Clark said the problem was believed to be moisture related.

Over an hour after Superstock practice ended, AMA timing and scoring produced a hard copy of Superstock lap times listing Jake Holden as fastest with a 1:22.705, approximately 2.4 seconds under Mat Mladin’s Superbike lap record for the track.

Holden’s second-fastest lap time was a 1:30.221.

AMA timing and scoring monitors have been working from the first practice session at California Speedway.

Friday Morning AMA Superstock Practice Times:

1. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:22.705
2. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.630
3. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:27.973
4. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.010
5. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:28.505
6. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.951
7. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.965
8. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.012
9. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.506
10. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:29.807
11. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.853
12. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.953
13. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:30.422
14. Anthony Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:30.466
15. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.631


Revised Friday Morning Superstock Practice Times:

1. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.630
2. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:27.973
3. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.010
4. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:28.505
5. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.951
6. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.965
7. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.012
8. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.506
9. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:29.807
10. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.853
11. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.953
12. Jake Holden, Suzuki, 1:30.221
13. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:30.422
14. Anthony Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:30.466
15. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.631
16. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.673
17. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.951
18. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.105
19. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.454
20. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.701
21. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.300
22. Christopher Ancien, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.861
23. Chris Siglin, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:34.924
24. John Chen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.000
25. Garry Combs, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.495

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Best AMA Trap Speeds From Friday Afternoon Practice At California Speedway (as measured at start/finish by AMA Pro Racing):

Superbike:

1. Eric Bostrom, Ducati 999F04, 183.095 mph
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR1000RR, 179.924 mph
3. Steve Crevier, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 178.763 mph
4. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR1000RR, 178.380 mph
5. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R1, 177.998 mph
6. Marty Craggill, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 176.862 mph
7. Ben Bostrom, Honda CBR1000RR, 176.122 mph
8. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 175.369 mph
9. Jeff Williams, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 174.632 mph
10. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 173.539 mph
11. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 171.746 mph
12. Cory West, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 171.039 mph
13. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 171.039 mph
14. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 171.039 mph
15. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 170.688 mph
16. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 170.688 mph
17. Robert Christman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 170.338 mph
18. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 170.338 mph
19. Jeremy Toye, Yamaha YZF-R1, 169.990 mph
20. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 169.990 mph


Superstock:

1. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YF-R1, 175.000 mph
2. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 174.632 mph
3. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, 173.177 mph
4. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 173.177 mph
5. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 172.459 mph
6. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 172.459 mph
7. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 170.688 mph
8. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 170.688 mph
9. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 169.643 mph
10. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 168.953 mph
11. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 168.953 mph
12. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 168.953 mph
13. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 168.611 mph
14. Anthony Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 168.611 mph
15. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 168.269 mph
16. Jeremiah Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 168.269 mph
17. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 167.929 mph
18. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 167.591 mph
19. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 167.254 mph
20. Jeremy Toye, Yamaha YZF-R1, 167.254 mph


Formula Xtreme:

1. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 167.929 mph
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, 166.583 mph
3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, 162.990 mph
4. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R600, 162.037 mph*
5. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R600, 158.939 mph
6. Reno Karimian, Yamaha YZF-R6, 157.732 mph
7. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R600, 157.732 mph
8. Steve Crevier, Suzuki GSX-R600, 157.434 mph
9. Marc Palazzo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 156.840 mph
10. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R600, 155.374 mph
11. Jeff Williams, Suzuki GSX-R600, 155.084 mph
12. Tamer Kekhia, Suzuki GSX-R600, 154.795 mph
13. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R6, 154.795 mph
14. Garth Dillon, Yamaha YZF-R6, 154.507 mph
15. Heath Small, Yamaha YZF-R6, 153.651 mph
16. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R600, 153.367 mph
17. Kenan Rappuchi, Yamaha YZF-R6, 152.523 mph
18. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha YZF-R6, 152.523 mph
19. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R600, 151.965 mph
20. Nathan Hester, Yamaha YZF-R6, 150.589 mph


Supersport:

1. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R600, 161.722 mph
2. Chris Peris, Suzuki GSX-R600, 160.783 mph
3. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 159.856 mph
4. Michael Barnes, Yamaha YZF-R6, 159.856 mph
5. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 159.549 mph
6. Craig Connell, Suzuki GSX-R600, 159.243 mph
7. Nate Wait, Honda CBR600RR, 159.243 mph
8. Grant Riggs, Yamaha YZF-R6, 159.243 mph
9. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 158.333 mph
10. Tyler Jones, Yamaha YZF-R6, 157.732 mph
11. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6, 157.434 mph
12. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 156.544 mph
13. Chris Siglin, Yamaha YZF-R6, 156.544 mph
14. Jason Perez, Yamaha YZF-R6, 156.250 mph
15. Doug Venezia, Yamaha YZF-R6, 156.250 mph
16. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 155.665 mph
17. Chris Siebenhaar, Honda CBR600RR, 155.374 mph
18. Nicky Moore, Honda CBR600RR, 154.795 mph
19. Joseph Shelton, Yamaha YZF-R6, 154.507 mph
20. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R600, 154.507 mph

*Speed from Friday morning practice

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Afternoon AMA Superbike Practice Times:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.616
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:26.797
3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:26.939
4. Ben Bostrom, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:27.458
5. Eric Bostrom, Ducati 999F04, 1:27.493
6. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.147
7. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.771
8. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.018
9. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.053
10. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.248
11. Steve Crevier, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.620
12. Marty Craggill, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.448
13. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.579
14. Jeremy Toye, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:30.595
15. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.609
16. Clint McBain, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.994
17. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.291
18. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.305
19. Robert Christman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.414
20. Jeff Williams, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.635

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Formula Xtreme
California Speedway, Fontana, California
4/2/04
Practice Lap Times:

1. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:29.750
2. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:31.357
3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:31.697
4. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:32.076
5. Larry Pegram, Yamaha, 1:32.132
6. Jake Holden, Suzuki, 1:33.267
7. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:33.470
8. Corey Eaton, Suzuki, 1:34.116
9. Steve Crevier, Suzuki, 1:34.184
10. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:34.860
11. Marc Palazzo, Yamaha, 1:34.890
12. Heath Small, Yamaha, 1:35.216
13. Brien Whitlock, Suzuki, 1:35.318
14. Mark Ledesma, Honda, 1:35.605
15. Reno Karimian, Yamaha, 1:36.852
16. Jay Tanner, Yamaha, 1:36.874
17. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 1:36.879
18. Jeff Williams, Suzuki, 1:37.175
19. Garth Dillon, Yamaha, 1:37.365
20. Craig Mclean, Honda, 1:38.550

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Supersport
California Speedway, Fontana, California
4/2/04
Unofficial Friday Morning Practice Times:

1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:28.467
2. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:28.555
3. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:28.621
4. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:29.073
5. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:29.601
6. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:29.676
7. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:30.120
8. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:30.708
9. Michael Barnes, Yamaha, 1:31.295
10. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:31.786
11. Ben Attard, Suzuki, 1:31.990
12. Chris Peris, Suzuki, 1:32.741
13. Chris Siglin, Yamaha, 1:33.099
14. Nate Wait, Kawasaki, 1:33.165
15. Danny Eslick, Suzuki, 1:33.322
16. Criag Connell, Suzuki, 1:33.507
17. Clint McBain, Suzuki, 1:33.594
18. Jason Perez, Yamaha, 1:33.851
19. Nickoles Moore, Honda, 1:33.932
20. Heath Small, Yamaha, 1:34.402

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Infineon Raceway, Supercuts Agree to Strategic Partnership

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – Infineon Raceway and Supercuts have agreed to a multi-faceted strategic partnership that will extend through the 2006 motor racing season, officials from both companies announced.

Supercuts, which has been a partner of the raceway’s since 2002, will become presenting sponsor of the annual National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) POWERade Drag Racing event, which is the second-highest attended event at Infineon Raceway each year (July 30-Aug. 1 in 2004). The event will be known as the NHRA FRAM Autolite Nationals, presented by Supercuts.

Supercuts will also become title sponsor of all running events during the California Outdoor Sports Championships, presented by Infineon Technologies, May 14-16. The Supercuts 12K Road Run will take place on Saturday, May 15, with the Supercuts 10K Trail Run set for Sunday, May 16. The weekend will also include a bevy of cycling events, both on the road course and around the property.

Supercuts will also become title sponsor of the Sunday main event during the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) annual Superbike weekend. The Supercuts Superbike Challenge, which features the top pavement motorcycle road-racers in the country, will take place on Sunday, May 2. It will be part of the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown weekend, presented by Cycle Gear, April 30-May 2. Supercuts had been title sponsor of the race weekend since 2002.

“In the past two years, we have seen an increase in store visits by fans who saw our signage at the track, visited our booth, or saw our name on broadcasts of the Supercuts Superbike Challenge. Many of our stylists have also become race fans and love to cut hair at the Supercuts booth during “our” events,” said Ron Groves, franchisee owner, San Francisco and Sacramento-area Supercuts. “We’re very excited to expand our relationship with Infineon Raceway to include two more events.”

The partnership will also include a substantial ticket and hospitality package at the raceway, as well as a highly visible signage presence. Supercuts will have the “Official Hair Salon” designation and will receive use of the Infineon Raceway name and logo in consumer promotions.

“Supercuts is a strong brand and have shown themselves to be a strong promotional partner. We look forward to their expanded involvement throughout our racing season,” said Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway.

From a press release issued by California Speedway:

Don’t miss Cycle Trader Moto Expo, California Speedway’s Superbike Display/Vendor area

FONTANA, Calif. – Demo rides, vendor displays and refreshments, oh my-it’s the Cycle Trader Moto Expo at California Speedway! That’s right, the largest source of cycles for sale by owners in the Western United States is joining “America’s Ultimate Race Place” to bring Yamaha Superbike Challenge race goers the best event experience to date.

The Cycle Trader Moto Expo, previously known as the Display/Vendor area, will house more than fifty vendors, displays and charities yearning to catch the interest of California Speedway attendees. Located in the VIP Motorcoach area and extending from the Water Tower east toward Turn 1, will feature several manufacturer displays, mini-bike exhibition, the new Toyota Tundra NASCAR Craftsman Truck display, a huge retail midway, California Speedway Display, where event programs will be passed out free of charge (while supplies last) and much more.

Also, be sure to stop by the Cycle Trader Moto Expo and pick up your free copy of Cycle Trader during the Yamaha Superbike Challenge weekend.

Cycle Trader is the source for buying and selling motorcycles, ATVs and snowmobiles. This network of weekly publications brings together thousands of ads from both individuals and businesses to help you to find exactly what you need. In every issue you’ll find hundreds of photo ads for motorcycles, ATVs and snowmobiles being sold by both individuals and businesses. Tickets to the Yamaha Superbike Challenge are $10 on Friday, $30 on Saturday and $30 for Sunday. Two-day packages are available for $50 and three-day packages are available for $60. For ticket and event information call 800-944-RACE (7223) or log onto www.californiaspeedway.com.

From a press release issued by Rich Oliver Mystery School:

The airdate for the Rich Oliver Mystery School feature is this Saturday, April 3rd at 11:30am EST/PST on SPIKE TV’s “MotoWorld”!

MotoWorld’s Gunner came to the Mystery School in February and filmed a segment for the show. He rode one of the Mystery School Yamaha TT-R’s during a Fun Camp weekend and even captured Rich flat tracking with an on-board camera mounted to his helmet.

Rich Oliver’s Mystery School teaches a one-day MSF Dirtbike School for beginning riders, a 2-Day Fun Camp for intermediate level riders and a 5-Day Pro Camp with intensive physical training and mental preparation for advanced riders. All classes are conducted on a custom facility in Auberry, CA.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin earned the provisional AMA Superbike pole position Friday during qualifying at California Speedway in Fontana, California.

Riding his GSX-R1000 around the 2.36-mile, 17-turn infield road course, Mladin turned a 1:25.157, just off his track record of 1:25.123, and Mladin did it easily – in fading darkness, with rain sprinkling and without the aid of a qualifying tire.

“I didn’t need it today,” said Mladin, calmly answering reporters’ questions on why he chose not to use a qualifying tire. The four-time Champion described his laps during the session as “not fliers, just laps.”

“We went quicker than that in testing here, so we know what we can do with a qualifying tire,” Mladin continued.

Mladin complimented the hard work of Showa and Dunlop over the off-season but said his Suzuki was 4 mph slower through California Speedway’s speed traps versus last year and felt “like a big Supersport bike” coming off the turns.

“It’s slow, but it does work good,” said Mladin.

Riding their factory Honda CBR1000RRs, Ben Bostrom, Jake Zemke and Miguel Duhamel earned the second, third and fourth positions on the provisional front row, respectively.

Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin’s Eric Bostrom was fifth-fastest, the last of the full-factory Superbike riders.

Final AMA Superbike qualifying is set for Saturday morning.


Friday’s Provisional AMA Superbike Qualifying Results From California Speedway:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:25.157
2. Ben Bostrom, Honda, 1:26.556
3. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:26.716
4. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:27.085
5. Eric Bostrom, Ducati, 1:27.627
6. Geoff May, Suzuki, 1:28.475
7. Chris Caylor, Suzuki, 1:28.583
8. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki, 1:28.593
9. Larry Pegram, Yamaha, 1:28.775
10. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki, 1:29.015
11. John Haner, Suzuki, 1:29.826
12. Marty Craggill, Suzuki, 1:30.293
13. Eric Wood, Suzuki, 1:30.512
14. Jeremy Toye, Yamaha, 1:30.716
15. Clint McBain, Suzuki, 1:30.845
16. Jeff Williams, Suzuki, 1:30.859
17. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:30.997
18. Chris Siglin, Yamaha, 1:31.059
19. Scott Jensen, Suzuki, 1:31.102
20. Steve Crevier, Suzuki, 1:31.254
21. Jason Curtis, Suzuki, 1:31.314
22. Cory West, Suzuki, 1:31.738
23. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki, 1:31.877
24. Mark Ledesma, Honda, 1:32.021
25. Rob Mesa, Suzuki, 1:32.148
26. Craig Connell, Suzuki, 1:32.203
27. Garry Combs, Suzuki, 1:32.243
28. Corey Sarros, Suzuki, 1:32.626
29. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki, 1:32.807
30. A.J. Ammann, Suzuki, 1:32.902
31. Jack Pfeifer, Honda, 1:33.003
32. Lenny Beckman, Suzuki, 1:33.337
33. David Bell, Suzuki, 1:33.534
34. Kim Nakashima, Suzuki, 1:33.551
35. Robert Christman, Suzuki, 1:33.609
36. Jeremiah Johnson, Suzuki, 1:33.678
37. James Kerker, Honda, 1:34.365
38. John Scott Wilson, Suzuki, 1:34.538
39. Kevin Hanson, Suzuki, 1:35.065


More, from a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:

PROVISIONAL AMERICAN SUPERBIKE POLE POSITION FOR MLADIN AT FONTANA

Fontana, California, USA (Friday 2 April) – Defending American Superbike champion Mat Mladin had set the fastest time in today’s opening qualifying session to claim provisional pole position for this weekend’s double header round of the 2004 American AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship being held at California Speedway, Fontana, California.

Mladin blasted his Yoshimura GSX-R1000 to a time of 1:25.157 on his seventh of twelve laps completed in the session and was fractionally outside of his own existing lap record of 1:25.123 for the 3.70km / 2.30 miles Californian circuit.

The four times American Superbike champion had set the pace in both of the morning’s free practice sessions and wasted no time in getting down to business as he rolled off a 1:25.859 on just his third lap. By the conclusion he was the only rider to have dropped his times into the 1:25 bracket.

A brace of factory Honda’s filled the remaining three positions on the provisional front row, with Ben Bostrom (American Honda) reeling off a last lap time of 1:25.556 to grab second, 1.399 seconds adrift of Mladin’s time. Third fastest was Jake Zemke (Erion Honda, 1:26.716) followed by Miguel DuHamel (American Honda, 1:27.085).

“Everything went fine for us out there today,” said Mladin. “We got down to business fairly quickly which is always a good thing. The recent track time that we have had here has been a benefit that for sure as we were straight onto the pace this morning. We’ll be looking at a few minor changes for tomorrow’s final qualifying session and then work on finalising our race set up for tomorrow afternoon.”

Qualifying for rounds two and three of this year’s AMA Superbike Championship concludes tomorrow morning with the first of the weekend’s two 28-lap (100km) Superbike nationals being held later in the afternoon.


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

BOSTROM PROVISIONAL FIFTH OVERALL IN DAMP QUALIFYING

Fontana (California) – April 2, 2004: Light rains during qualifying prevented Eric Bostrom from capitalizing upon gains made in morning practice aboard his Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin 999 at California Speedway.

“The track was getting dangerous,” commented 27-year-old Bostrom on the conditions. “It’s too bad about the weather because we made tremendous progress in the last session and unfortunately we didn’t get to improve on that.” During morning practice Bostrom’s 999 was fastest through the speed trap at 183.30 mph.

“We tested here in February and the tires are even better now that Michelin’s had a chance to see the track. We would’ve loved a dry session to really take another step forward, but I guess we’ll have to wait.”

Team owner Terry Gregoricka commented, “At least it looks like we’ll get a dry day tomorrow. We never even put on a qualifying tire; there was no point in having Eric push it under the conditions we had during qualifying.”

Qualifying concludes tomorrow morning with race 1 (100km – 28 laps) of the weekend doubleheader scheduled in the afternoon.

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