Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies took the AMA Superstock pole position Saturday during qualifying at California Speedway in Fontana, California.

Riding his Dunlop-slick-shod GSX-R1000, Spies turned a lap of 1:25.341 on the 2.36-mile, 17-turn road course. Not only was Spies’ time good enough for pole and a class lap record for the revised-for-2004 Superstock class (the old record of 1:27.989 was set in 2003 by Tommy Hayden on a 636cc Kawasaki ZX-6R), it would have put the 19-year-old Texan second on the AMA Superbike grid.

“I’ve always gone real good here,” Spies told reporters. “I like this place. It’s a lot of hard braking, a lot of tight chicanes.”

Counting his Championship-winning 2003 AMA Formula Xtreme season and the 2004 race at Daytona, Spies has earned 12 consecutive pole positions on GSX-R1000s.

Graves Yamaha’s Damon Buckmaster, Aaron Gobert, Jamie Hacking and Jason DiSalvo qualified second, third, fourth and fifth, respectively, on their Yamaha YZF-R1s.

Buckmaster was disappointed with his second-best 1:25.882 but more upset with AMA Pro Racing for refusing to adjust the Sunday schedule so that the Superstock and Supersport races would not run back-to-back.

Buckmaster races in both classes.

Gobert said he had a problem with the front end of his Yamaha, which was made worse by mounting a sticky Dunlop qualifying tire, but he still managed a 1:26.019.

Tommy Hayden was the first rider on a Kawasaki, turning a sixth-fastest 1:26.838 on his factory ZX-10R.

Recent improvements to his Erion Honda CBR1000RR allowed Alex Gobert to qualify 10th, first Honda rider, with a 1:27.859.

Prieto Racing’s Geoff May, 12th-fastest with a 1:28.165 on his Pirelli-sponsored Suzuki GSX-R1000, was the fastest non-factory-supported rider.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp qualified 13th with a 1:28.210 in the AMA debut of the 2004-model GSX-R750.

The eldest Gobert brother, Anthony, qualified 16th on the Erion Honda CBR1000RR with a 1:38.800.

Provisional AMA Superstock Qualifying Results:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.340
2. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:25.882
3. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:26.019
4. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:26.136
5. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:26.796
6. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:26.838
7. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.442
8. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:27.578
9. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:27.626
10. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:27.859
11. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.903
12. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.165
13. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.210
14. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.460
15. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.477
16. Anthony Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:28.800
17. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.813
18. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.046
19. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.228
20. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.948
21. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.081
22. David Sanders, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.030
23. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.035
24. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.718
25. Mark Ledesma, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:32.401
26. Brien Whitlock, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.911
27. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.010
28. Christopher Ancien, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.225
29. John Scott Wilson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.741
30. John Chen, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.793
31. Garry Combs, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.083
32. Kevin Hanson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.435
33. Montez Stewart, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:34.451
34. Raul Padilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.643
35. Brad Puetz, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.924
36. Paul Timman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.211
37. Tony Cook, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:43.947

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday Morning’s Provisional AMA Superstock Practice Times:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.209
2. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:26.878
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.118
4. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.634
5. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:28.367
6. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:28.585
7. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.662
8. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:28.701
9. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.962
10. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:29.104
11. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.365
12. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.666
13. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.767
14. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.020
15. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.190
16. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.301
17. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.646
18. Jeremy Toye, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:30.871
19. Clint McBain, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.983
20. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.367
21. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.484
22. Anthony Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:31.556
23. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.625
24. David Sanders, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.713
25. Mark Ledesma, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:32.436

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Provisional Saturday Morning AMA Formula Xtreme Practice Times:

1. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, 1:27.595
2. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, 1:27.869
3. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 1:28.752
4. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:29.328
5. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:30.215
6. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.360
7. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:30.894
8. Marc Palazzo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.432
9. Steve Crevier, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.524
10. Jeff Williams, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:32.212
11. Heath Small, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:32.406
12. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:33.103
13. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:33.310
14. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:33.548
15. Garth Dillon, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:34.846

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The AMA Formula Xtreme race scheduled to take place at California Speedway Saturday afternoon, following the first Superbike race, has been postponed due to rain.

The revised schedule for Sunday, April 4 follows:

9:00-9:30 a.m. Superstock Practice
9:35-10:05 a.m. Supersport Practice
10:10-10:40 a.m. Superbike Practice
10:45-11:10 a.m. Formula Xtreme Practice
11:10 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Lunch Break

Final Events:
12:00 p.m. Repsol Superstock Race (17 laps)
1:00 p.m. Pro Honda Oils Supersport Race (17 laps)
2:00 p.m. Chevrolet Superbike Race (28 laps)
3:00 p.m. Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Race (17 laps)

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday Morning’s Provisional AMA Supersport Practice Times:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:27.559
2. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:27.773
3. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:27.875
4. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:28.242
5. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:28.514
6. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:28.693
7. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:29.541
8. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:30.136
9. Michael Barnes, Yamaha, 1:30.161
10. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:30.262
11. Clint McBain, Suzuki, 1:31.012
12. Nicky Moore, Honda, 1:31.133
13. Chris Siglin, Yamaha, 1:31.205
14. Chris Peris, Suzuki, 1:31.324
15. Ben Attard, Suzuki, 1:31.599
16. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:31.637
17. Nate Wait, Kawasaki, 1:31,713
18. Jason Perez, Yamaha, 1:32.457
19. Heath Small, Yamaha, 1:32.860
20. Craig Connell, Suzuki, 1:32.877

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning AMA Superbike Practice Times:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.495
2. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:27.581
3. Ben Bostrom, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:27.817
4. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:27.980
5. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.593
6. Eric Bostrom, Ducati 999F04, 1:28.649
7. Larry Pegram, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:28.913
8. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:29.196
9. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.416
10. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.584
11. Marty Craggill, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.022
12. Steve Crevier, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.683
13. Jeff Williams, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.794
14. Jeremy Toye, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:31.889
15. Clint McBain, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.907
16. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.928
17. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.293
18. Chris Siglin, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:32.836
19. Robert Christman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.838
20. Garry Combs, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.550

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