Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Thursday Morning AMA Supersport Practice Times:

1. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:29.063
2. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:29.766
3. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:29.775
4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:30.002
5. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:30.122
6. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:30.262
7. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:30.358
8. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:30.440
9. Ben Bostrom, Honda, 1:30.568
10. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:30.678
11. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:30.743
12. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:31.420
13. Marty Craggill, Honda, 1:31.921
14. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:31.927
15. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki, 1:31.927
16. Chris Rankin, Honda, 1:32.395
17. Jason Curtis, Honda, 1:32.725
18. Lance Issacs, Honda, 1:33.262
19. Chris Peris, Honda, 1:34.052
20. Jason Perez, Suzuki, 1:34.243

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies earned his sixth pole position of the seven-race-old 2003 AMA Formula Xtreme season Thursday at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California.

Spies, who turns 19 years old Friday, lapped the 2.2-mile, 11-turn Laguna Seca circuit in 1:26.738 for a new lap record.

The old record of 1:27.855 was set in 2002 by Damon Buckmaster, who crashed unhurt in turn five late in Thursday’s qualifier but still earned the third spot on the front row with a 1:27.620.

Corona Extra Suzuki’s Adam Fergusson was second-fastest with a 1:27.123, and Attack Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore finished what he called the best day of his season with a fourth-fastest 1:27.678.

Both Fergusson and Pridmore rode GSX-R1000s.

Roger Lee Hayden’s session was cut short when his Erion Honda CBR954RR suffered and electrical problem. Hayden ended up 10th with a 1:28.912.

Josh Hayes lost 10 minutes at the end of qualifying when his Attack Suzuki’s battery went dead. Hayes qualified ninth with a 1:28.561.

Steve Rapp crashed his FX bike hard in morning practice, highsiding in turn 10 and injuring his right shoulder. He qualified eighth on his spare bike.

The Formula Xtreme class does not have a practice session on Friday, but many of the FX racers who ride Superbike-legal bikes plan to continue their set-up searches in Friday’s Superbike practice session.

The 17-lap Formula Xtreme final is the last event scheduled for Saturday.

Provisional AMA Formula Xtreme Qualifying Results:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.738
2. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.123
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.620
4. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.678
5. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.694
6. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:27.964
7. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.378
8. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.436
9. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.561
10. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.912
11. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR954RR, 1:31.299
12. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.911
13. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.537
14. Garry Combs, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.678
15. Mark Ledesma, Honda CBR954RR, 1:32.719
16. Thomas Montano, Ducati 999S/R, 1:32.893
17. Kim Nakashima, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.916
18. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.964
19. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.489
20. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.633
21. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.149
22. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.187
23. Oliver Jervis, Kawasaki ZX-9R, 1:35.058
24. John Scott Wilson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.081
25. Alex McElyea, Honda CBR954RR, 1:35.170
26. Kevon Hanson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.382
27. Nathan Hester, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.443
28. James King, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.449
29. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.563
30. Jeremy Chisum, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.599
31. Jason Knupp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.657
32. David Guy, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.045
33. Kenan Rappuchi, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.199
34. Jose Quyintanar, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:36.354
35. Mark Simon, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.566
36. Jeremiah Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.620
37. Travis Graham, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.720
38. Mark Degross, Honda CBR954RR, 1:37.611
39. Crash Lowe, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.891
40. Sean Fey, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:38.231
41. Tony Cook, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:41.141
42. Jay Jacobson, Suzuki SV650, 1:41.812
43. Michael Dantonio, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.690
44. Doug Pitcock, Suzuki GSX-R750, 24:39.357

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Thursday Afternoon AMA Superstock Practice Times:

1. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.357
2. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.423
3. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.649
4. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:29.844
5. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:30.497
6. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.599
7. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.648
8. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:30.656
9. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.052
10. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.124
11. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.388
12. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.396
13. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.694
14. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.704
15. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.739
16. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.365
17. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600RR, 1:33.474
18. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.541
19. Jason Perez, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:33.915
20. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.217

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Current AMA Superstock lap record for Laguna Seca: 1:29.429, Vincent Haskovec, 7/5/01.

Thursday Morning AMA Superstock Practice Times:

1. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.235
2. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.595
3. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.004
4. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.008
5. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:30.132
6. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:30.224
7. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.240
8. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:30.524
9. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.551
10. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.565
11. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.194
12. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.213
13. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.291
14. Chris Rankin, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.802
15. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.819
16. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.953
17. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.324
18. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.342
19. Lance Issacs, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.399
20. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.443

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Provisional AMA Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:25.549
2. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:26.228
3. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:26.314
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:26.591
5. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:27.369
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:27.632
7. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati, 1:27.633
8. Ben Bostrom, Honda, 1:27.981
9. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki, 1:29.120
10. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 1:29.257
11. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki, 1:29.706
12. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, 1:29.763
13. James Randolph, Suzuki, 1:29.954
14. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:30.204
15. Tom Montano, Ducati, 1:30.747
16. Chris Caylor, Suzuki, 1:30.773
17. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki, 1:30.820
18. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, 1:31.149
19. Jake Holden, Suzuki, 1:31.300
20. John Dugan, Suzuki, 1:31.340

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Corona Extra Suzuki’s Adam “Crusty” Fergusson says he has lost 8.5 pounds since the last round of the series, at Brainerd International Raceway two weeks ago. Fergusson says he has stopped drinking alcohol and has started training hard on a new Specialized mountain bike.

“The theory has been how good would I go if I worked out hard, thinned down and took it serious,” joked Fergusson. “Whether it works out or not, we’ll see, but I’ve got to do something because I’m getting killed off the corners by some of these littler guys.”

Fergusson also has an eye toward the grueling Suzuka 8-Hours, which he will race with Anthony Gobert.


No Limit Motorsports Honda has brought in South African Lance Issacs to ride the bikes left vacant by Doug Chandler’s recent departure from the team.

Issacs rode for No Limits last season in AMA Formula Xtreme and finished fifth in the Championship. The former World Superbike rider has been racing in South Africa and been contesting some European rounds of the BMWMotorrad Boxer Cup series in 2003.

A crash in the Assen round of the Boxer Cup has left Issacs with a broken right wrist, but he said cortizone injections are allowing him to ride.

Chandler is at Laguna Seca to race in the AMA Red Bull Supermoto races.


Yamaha’s Aaron Gobert is back in action at Laguna Seca after breaking his wrist one month ago when he hit a wall at Road America. Gobert said he is 75 percent sure he will race at least in the Supersport class this weekend.

If the middle Gobert brother chooses to sit out, SPEED Channel’s Greg White will race Gobert’s factory Yamaha YZF-R6 in the Supersport race.


American Honda’s Ben Bostrom and Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts will join Miguel Duhamel in the Supersport class at Laguna Seca, but none of the three riders will participate in the World Superbike races.

One Honda crew member pointed out the irony that the Laguna Seca event is called the Honda International Superbike Classic yet there will only be one, privately-entered Honda in the World Superbike races.


Erion Honda has acquired new sponsorship from MTX Audio, a company that specializes in car audio electronics. Team Owner Kevin Erion said the deal was for “the rest of this year and all of the next year. We will have a MTX Audio show car on display by the truck this weekend. MTX is getting pretty heavy into motorcycle stuff. He (Loyd Ivey, CEO of MTX Audio) sees it as a big crossover.” Erion added that Ivey is a motorcyclist.


There are 204 racers with a total of 313 AMA Pro race entries at Laguna Seca. There are 64 entries in Superbike, 63 in Supersport, 64 in Formula Xtreme, 63 in Superstock and 59 in 250cc Grand Prix.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Thursday Morning AMA Superbike Practice Times:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:25.757
2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:26.717
3. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:26.876
4. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:27.212
5. Ben Bostrom, Honda, 1:27.358
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:27.814
7. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati, 1:28.106
8. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:28.532
9. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 1:30.000
10. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:30.049
11. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki, 1:30.438
12. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki, 1:30.794
13. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, 1:31.714
14. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki, 1:31.927
15. Thomas Montano, Ducati, 1:32.211
16. Ricky Orlando, Suzuki, 1:32.464
17. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki, 1:32.610
18. Shane Turpin, 1:32.661
19. Jake Holden, Suzuki, 1:32.746
20. Robert Mesa, Suzuki, 1:32.805

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

A1-Ring 6 Hour

Spielberg Spectacular for Suzuki?

The World Endurance Championship travels to Austria next week, for the fifth round of the eight race series.

The A1-Ring 6 Hour race will be held at the spectacular Spielberg A1-Ring circuit last visited by the championship in 1987. The track has been extensively re-worked since then, and is up to Formula 1 standards.

Split Six-Hour

The six hour race will be run in a split format, with three hour stages held on both Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th of July. The starting grid for Saturday’s race will be based on qualifying times as usual.

Sunday’s grid will be based on the finishing order of Saturday’s race, with the overall result decided on the aggregate time of both races.

Championship Challenge

Suzuki Zongshen No.1 are currently leading the championship by 25 points, and riders Warwick Nowland and Stephane Mertens will be hoping to consolidate this lead. Second placed Suzuki GB Phase One will field a strong line-up; Olivier Four, James Ellison and Jason Pridmore will settle for nothing less than a win.

Local Heroes

The A1-Ring 6 Hour race is the home event for the Yamaha Austria team, and they will be hoping that local knowledge will give their Superbike specification Yamaha R1 an extra edge over the leading Suzukis.

Team manager Mandy Kainz says “We want to be on the podium again. At the A1-Ring, attack is the best defence.”

Italian Interest

Ducati DRE will return to the championship, with ultra-experienced rider Mike Edwards joining Dario Marchetti and Marc Garcia; the A1-Ring circuit should suit the Ducati well. Also making a welcome return for the Austrian race is the X-One Mondial Piega, building on good results earlier in the season.

Austria shares borders with Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia and the Czech Republic; all countries represented in the championship. With strong support expected from all sides, the A1-Ring race looks set to be a classic.

From a press release:

2003 Yamaha Formula Xtreme TT Series
Round 5, Eastern Creek Raceway, NSW
Event Preview

FORMULA XTREME FINAL SHOWDOWN AT THE ‘CREEK

Can Kevin Curtain make it back-to-back Formula Xtreme and Supersport titles, or will Daniel Stauffer break through to take his first Formula Xtreme crown and can Brendan Clarke snatch the FX Supersport title from the wily veteran?

These and many more questions will be answered this weekend at the fifth and final round of the 2003 Yamaha Formula Xtreme TT Series being held at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway.

While the trio of Nikon Yamaha riders battle it out for the top honours in the Yamaha sponsored Formula Xtreme and Supersport classes, there are a number of other Yamaha supported riders who are in strong positions to stake their claim on a host of other titles to be decided over the weekend.

One rider who does not have to worry about that is Nikon Yamaha’s Craig Trinder. The Queensland veteran has already wrapped up his second NakedBike title aboard his Yamaha FZ1 and will assume a different role over the weekend. Trinder will be working not only behind the scenes within his own team, but will take on some additional commentary work that will see him moving up and down pit lane with a TV crew in tow. His experience showed make for some valued comments and insights over the weekend.

With Trinder taking a back seat role this weekend, the battle is on for those completing the minor placings. Procycles Yamaha rider Graeme Wilshaw lies third on the table, one place ahead of fellow FZ1 mounted Matthew Waldren. The pair will be looking to overhaul John Allen and provide Yamaha with a clean sweep in the NakedBike class.

Not to be outdone by the premier class runners will be Taree teenager Alex Cudlin. The 16-year-old currently leads the Superstock points table aboard his Fineline Motorcycles Yamaha YZF R6 in what has been a great debut year and will be aiming to turn his points lead into a title by Sunday afternoon.

Two Yamaha riders missing from the final round are Cameron Donald (Gary O’Brien Yamaha) and Mark Stanley (Lismore Motorcycles). Both will be competing in a rescheduled round of the Asian Championship. It will be a disappointment for Donald especially as he is fresh from taking the overall round win at Queensland aboard his Pirelli shod YZF R1 and also leads the A Grade privateer point score.

His absence will only make things all the more exciting for those chasing the 2004 model YZF R1 that is up for grabs for the top placed A Grader at seasons end. Two riders within a shot of taking home this great prize are Victorians Nicholas Barton (SCR Yamaha) and Stephen Tozer (Stafford Yamaha). Both are in a position to accept the prize and will no doubt leave nothing
behind as they put everything on the line.

With four Formula Xtreme titles under his belt already, Curtain may arrive at Eastern Creek as the man to beat, but he will have his hands full as he fends off challenges in all directions.

Just six points separates Curtain from current leader Daniel Stauffer. Eastern Creek is seen as a home track for both riders and should set the scene for a great fight for the number one plate. Not to be left out will be their young teammate Brendan Clarke. The Brisbane teenager is a mathematical chance of taking the title, but from a Nikon Yamaha team point of view they will be hoping that he can be there at the end with his teammates to make it a trifecta for the new-look team.

Curtain and Clarke will also back up and continue their battle in the FX Supersport class aboard their YZF R6’s. Curtain holds a 20-point advantage over Clarke heading to the final four races of the series, but the youngster will be eager to showcase his talent and gain the upper hand over his more experienced teammate.

One rider who has shone in the Supersport class in 2003 has been Sydney privateer Glen Allerton. He has pressured his more fancied rivals on more than one occasion during the season and came away with the round win at Queensland last time out. Currently fourth in the points, he will be out to spoil the party for the bigger names in the class.

Qualifying for this weekend’s final round gets underway on Saturday morning before the first eight of the scheduled 24-races for the weekend gets underway later that afternoon. Sunday will provide fans with an action packed 16-race program that should not be missed.

YAMAHA XTREME Overall points standings after round 4 of 5:

1. Daniel Stauffer (251); 2. Kevin Curtain (245); 3. Brendan Clarke (178); 4. Cameron Donald (165); 5. Ben Attard (133); 6. David Butler (132); 7. Nicholas Barton (130); 8. Stephen Tozer (110); 9. Robert Bugden (106); 10. Benn Archibald (101).

YAMAHA SUPERSPORT Overall points standings after round 4 of 5:

1. Kevin Curtain (300); 2. Brendan Clarke (280); 3. Russell Holland (225); 4. Glen Allerton (170); 5. Simon Rattenbury (152); 6. Wayne Maxwell (146); 7. Mark Aichison (138); 8. Mark Stanley (82); 9. Christopher Seaton (76); 10. Rory Rock (60).

YAMAHA SUPERSTOCK Overall points standings after round 4 of 5:

1. Alex Cudlin (335); 2. Alex Tomasetti (301); 3. Jarrod Curren (246); 4. Benjamin O’Brien (200); 5. Scott Evans (155).

NAKEDBIKE Overall points standings after round 4 of 5:

1. Craig Trinder (385); 2. John Allen (282); 3. Graeme Wilshaw (262); 4. Matthew Waldren (211); 5. Lee Munro (176).