Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin earned the provisional pole position for this weekend’s AMA Superbike double-header at Road Atlanta with a lap time of 1:23.520 on his GSX-R1000.

Ducati Austin’s Anthony Gobert recorded the second-fastest qualifying time of 1:24.304 late in the session on his Ducati 998RS.

Gobert recently switched back to older, conventional Ohlins forks in place of the pressurized Ohlins units that came with his Ducati customer Superbike. Gobert said he had been struggling with the new forks so far in the 2003 season.

Aaron Yates qualified third-fastest with a time of 1:24.368 on the second Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Ben Bostrom took the final spot on the provisional front row with a 1:24.474 on his factory Honda RC51. Ben Bostrom’s flier came late in the session and displaced younger brother Eric from the provisional front row.

Friday’s AMA Superbike qualifying sessions was stopped twice during the 60-minute period. First, Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp crashed in turn four, and his GSX-R1000 ghost rode into a wall before bursting into flames.

The second stoppage was caused by a high-speed crash in turn nine, a kink at the end of the back straightaway, involving HSA Racing/Kaufman Trailers’ Brian Livengood. Livengood was flown to a local hospital, but his condition was not known at post time.

Friday AMA Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:23.520
2. Anthony Gobert, Ducati 998RS, 1:24.304
3. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:24.368
4. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC51, 1:24.474
5. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:24.512
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:24.645
7. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:24.825
8. Larry Pegram, Ducati 998RS, 1:25.905
9. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.414
10. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.543
11. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.858
12. Jason Prdimore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.962
13. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.098
14. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.412
15. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.708
16. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.932
17. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.068
18. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.082
19. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.235
20. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.345
21. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.507
22. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.555
23. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.565
24. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.571
25. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.837
26. Greg Moore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.948
27. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.036
28. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.113
29. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.198
30. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.368
31. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.608
32. Jacob Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.013
33. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.364
34. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.652
35. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.819
36. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.837
37. Doug Duane, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.119
38. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.148
39. Chuck Allen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.191
40. Chuck Ivey, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.643
41. Kevin Hanson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.760
42. Chris Voelker, Ducati, 1:31.821
43. Jason Knupp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.495
44. Jeff Muskopf, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.985
45. Rick Narup, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.999
46. Mike Johnston, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.321
47. Anthony Fania, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.707
48. Rick Shaw, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.292
49. Michael Hanley, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.563
50. James Bonner, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:37.344
51. R. Todd Keesee, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.613


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

MLADIN TOPS SUPERBIKE QUALIFYING TIMESHEETS AT ROAD ATLANTA

Braselton, Georgia, USA -– Mat Mladin has set the fastest time during the opening qualifying session for this weekend’s double header AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship round at the Road Atlanta circuit in Braselton, Georgia.

The Yoshimura Suzuki rider set a time of 1-min 23.520-secs to head an Australian one – two at the top of the timesheets as Anthony Gobert posted his best qualifying result of the season with a 1:24.304 aboard his Ducati.

Rain threatened throughout the day, but held out long enough for the days practice and qualifying sessions be completed, but the one-hour afternoon qualifying session was disrupted by two serious incidents that forced the officials to stop proceedings on each occasion before the session was finally completed.

Mladin continues to be the form rider of the championship having won four of the opening five races of the season and arrived at the round holding the points advantage over his rivals before taking to the circuit and dominating both the free practice session in the morning, then the important afternoon qualifier.

“It was important to get in a good lap time today as no-one is real sure as to what the weather will do tomorrow,” said the three-times American Superbike champion. “We managed to get a pretty good set up early on with the bikes, but as usual we are always trying to make them better. This afternoon it was a bit difficult to get a clear lap in. There was a lot of traffic out there and you had to plan it as best you could to get a clear break to allow a good shot at a fast lap. Itt all worked out well at the end, so we’ll just and see what tomorrow brings.”

Third fastest was Mladin’s teammate Aaron Yates with a time of 1:24.368, followed by American Honda’s Ben Bostrom who completes the front row of the grid with a time of 1:24.474.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Lap, Running Order

1. 65 15 12 21 3 7 46 11 45 19 41 56 4 99 33 10 6 88 9 69 8 66

2. 65 46 15 12 3 21 7 11 45 19 41 56 4 33 6 99 10 9 88 69 8 66

3. 65 46 115 12 3 7 21 11 19 45 41 4 56 33 6 99 10 9 69 88 66 8

4. 46 65 3 12 21 11 19 41 4 33 45 6 56 99 10 9 69 88 66 8

5. 46 15 3 65 12 21 11 4 19 41 6 33 45 56 99 10 69 9 88 66 8

6. 46 15 3 65 12 21 11 4 19 6 41 33 56 45 99 10 69 9 88 66 8

7. 46 3 65 12 21 4 11 6 19 41 56 33 45 99 69 10 9 88 66 8

8. 46 3 65 12 4 21 11 6 19 41 56 33 45 99 69 9 10 88 66 8

9. 46 3 65 12 4 21 11 6 19 41 56 33 45 9 99 10 88 66 8

10. 46 3 65 12 4 21 6 11 33 41 19 56 45 9 99 10 88 66 8

11. 46 3 65 12 4 6 11 21 33 41 56 19 45 9 99 10 88 66 88

12. 46 3 65 12 4 6 11 21 33 56 41 19 9 99 45 10 88 66 8

13. 46 3 12 4 6 11 21 56 33 41 19 9 99 45 10 88 66 8

14. 46 3 12 6 4 11 21 56 41 19 9 99 33 45 10 88 66 88

15. 46 3 12 6 4 11 21 56 41 19 99 33 9 45 10 88 66 8

16. 46 3 12 6 4 11 21 56 19 41 99 9 45 10 88 66 33 8

17. 46 3 12 4 6 11 21 56 19 41 9 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

18. 46 3 12 4 11 6 21 56 19 9 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

19. 46 3 12 4 11 6 21 56 19 9 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

20. 46 3 12 4 11 6 21 56 9 19 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

21. 46 3 12 4 11 6 21 56 9 19 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 88

22. 46 3 12 11 4 6 21 56 9 19 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

23. 46 3 12 11 4 6 21 56 9 19 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

24. 46 3 12 11 4 6 21 56 9 19 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

25. 46 3 12 11 4 6 21 56 9 19 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

26. 46 3 12 11 4 6 21 56 9 19 41 99 10 45 88 66 33 8

27. 46 3 12 11 4 6 21 56 9 19 41 99 10 45 88 66 33

The following statement was issued by Road Atlanta:

Brian Livengood Air-lifted To Grady Memorial Hospital

4:45 p.m. Friday May 16, 2003

Brian Livengood of Snellville, GA was air-lifted by Emory Flight to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta Friday afternoon following a single motorcycle accident at Road Atlanta during AMA Superbike qualifying.

The initial diagnosis was that Livengood suffered a concussion and the track trauma physician was “cautiously optimistic”. There were no immediately apparent bone fractures or breaks.

Livengood crashed in Turn 9 because of suspected tire failure, according to AMA officials.

Further updates will be issued as they are available.

From a press release issued by FGSPORT GROUP:

Assen 200 Miles Entry List Announced

Ten Kate Honda debut in World Endurance

The list of entries for the next week Assen 200 Miles, second round of the World Endurance Championship, has been announced. A total of thirty nine teams and ninety two riders will compete with more local entrants expected to sign up in the next couple of days.

Supersport Super Stars

Ten Kate Honda, the team currently leading the World Supersport series, have entered their Honda CBR600RR for the Assen race. This is their home circuit, and although the team manager has described the event as a chance to further develop the bike, riders Chris Vermeulen and Karl Muggeridge will be unhappy with anything less than a win.

Endurance Experience

Amongst the teams making a one-off entry for Assen are a number of endurance racing regulars. Herman Verboven Racing have contested the championship for many years, and are practically on home turf at Assen.

German teams Bergmann & Soehne Racing and PS Schlesinger Endurance are also making a comeback and are expected to race at other rounds later in the year.

Multiple Manufacturers

Seven motorcycle manufacturers are represented in the Assen entry list. Suzukis are the most prevalent, with both their GSX-R1000 and GSX-R750 models entered. Yamaha R1s are present in both SBK and SuperProduction specifications, while Honda have examples of the CBR900RR Fireblade and CBR600RR entered. Ducati are represented in the shape of a 999R and 748RS, there are two Aprilia RSV1000s entered, and also a single example of Kawasaki’s ZX9R and Mondial’s Piega.

Junior Teams

Two of the permanent contracted teams run junior bikes aimed at giving younger riders a break onto the world stage, and both of these have different rider line-ups for Assen. The Phase One Juniors have only entered Martin Jessop and Henry Fincher, with David Carr still sidelined due to injuries after a spill at Imola, and Warren Watson will join the Trackdaze 11 bike alongside James Hutchins and Kevin Flacke.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Annandale Honda’s Ty Howard was 10th-fastest on his Michelin-equipped Honda CBR954RR with a time of 1:28.007, but Howard lost the front and crashed at the exit of turn 12 in the second half of the session. Howard was seen walking away from the high-speed get-off into the Airfence, but his condition was not known at press time.

Roger Lee Hayden suffered problems with his Erion Honda CBR954RR in turn seven on the opening lap of practice and sat out the entire Formula Xtreme session.

Friday Morning AMA Formula Xtreme Practice Times:

1. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:24.906

2. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.390
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:25.549
4. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR954RR, 1:26.769
5. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:26.779
6. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.927
7. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.983
8. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.278
9. Craig Connell, Honda CBR954RR, 1:27.751
10. Ty Howard, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.007
11. Doug Chandler, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.254
12. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.807
13. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR954RR, 1:31.338
14. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.272
15. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.349
16. John McGarity, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.489
17. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.516
18. Doug Duane, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.997
19. Marcus McBain, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:35.307
20. Nathan Hester, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.610

29. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:38.954

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday afternoon’s AMA Superbike qualifying session at Road Atlanta was stopped with just a few minutes remaining due to a crash involving HSS Racing/Kaufman Trailers’ Brian Livengood.

Details of the accident are unclear, but the end results were tire skid marks on the track and a damaged Suzuki GSX-R1000 and a motionless Livengood lying near a haybale-lined wall on rider’s left outside of turn nine on the back straightaway.

Speeds through turn nine on a Suzuki GSX-R1000 could exceed 160 mph.

Medical personnel responded to the scene, worked quickly to get Livengood into an ambulance, drove Livengood to the racetrack’s helipad and the 31-year-old Georgian was loaded into a helicopter and flown to a local hospital.

Cornerworkers were instructed to deliver his bike to an impound area instead of returning it to Livengood’s crew.

No information on Livengood’s condition was available at post time.

AMA Superbike Qualifying Times (at the time of the second red flag):

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:24.517
2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:24.981
3. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:25.006
4. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:25.281
5. Anthony Gobert, Ducati, 1:25.340
6. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:25.695
7. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:26.453
8. Ben Bostrom, Honda, 1:26.552
9. Larry Pegram, Ducati, 1:26.574
10. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, 1:27.412
11. Chris Caylor, Suzuki, 1:27.557
12. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki, 1:28.068
13. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:28.211
14. Geoff May, Suzuki, 1:28.229
15. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:28.507
16. Brian Stokes, Suzuki, 1:28.555
17. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki, 1:28.571
18. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki, 1:28.664
19. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:28.705
20. John Dugan, Suzuki, 1:28.837

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning Superstock Practice Times:

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:27.905
2. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:28.445
3. Mike Smith, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.841
4. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:28.918
5. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.937
6. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.009
7. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.279
8. Jamie Stauffer, Szuuki GSX-R600, 1:29.381
9. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, 1:29.435
10. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:29.693
11. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 1:29.850
12. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.057
13. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.426
14. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.569
15. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.633
16. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.710
17. Jason Peters, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.743
18. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.818
19. Craig Connell, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.824
20. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.235
21. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.399
22. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.513
23. Greg Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.858
24. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.552
25. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.566
26. Chuck Ivey, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.089
27. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.397
28. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.400
29. Nathan Hester, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.719
30. Arash Hoshmandy, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.925
31. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.938
32. Kevin Pate, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.018
33. Heath Small, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:34.591
34. Darrin Mitchell, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:34.738
35. John McGarity, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.549
36. William Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.610
37. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.833
38. Robert Hilliard, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:37.392
39. David Guy, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.809
40. Mike Scruggs, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:37.862
41. Joseph Ford, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:38.046
42. Chris Greer, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.555
43. David Lambert, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:39.811
44. R. Todd Keesee, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:44.124

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn LeSanto

Ten Kate out front in Monza qualifying

Despite riding with a badly damaged ligament in his right thumb Chris Vermeulen still managed to get provisional second on the grid during Friday qualifying. His team mate Karl Muggeridge was in a class of his own, streaking ahead into pole and almost a second quicker than Vermeulen.

Vermeulen fell during morning practice while braking for the Ascari chicane. He caught his right thumb as he fell. But he bounced back in timed qualifying and rode through the pain.

“This circuit is all braking,” said Vermeulen after qualifying. “My hand hurts when I put pressure on it so braking is painful. I have to be cautious everywhere because of my thumb, I am riding with a little margin for error.”

Muggeridge, who has successfully fought off some infections that plagued him during the winter, is now back to full health and form and he proved it by being almost a second faster than second-placed Vermeulen.

“I’m really stoked about the time,” said Muggeridge, “Everything is going so well. The bike is really fast and the tyres and suspension are working great.”

It wasn’t all plain sailing for Muggeridge, “There was a lot of crashes in the session and it made it really hard to do a flying lap because you kept coming up against traffic and yellow flags.”

Dutchman Jurgen VD Goorbergh just managed to slot his Yamaha onto the front row in the dying moments of the session, grabbing third in front of Honda mounted Iain MacPherson.

Vermeulen’s championship rival Katsuaki Fujiwara is struggling, he’s twelfth fastest so far but he’ll be keen to improve over the weekend.


Friday’s World Supersport Qualifying Results:

1. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600RR, 1:52.432
2. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR600RR, 1:53.382
3. Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:53.415
4. Iain MacPherson, Honda CBR600RR, 1:53.592
5. Fabien Foret, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:53.638
6. Gianluca Nannelli, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:53.755
7. Simone Sanna, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:53.803
8. Werner Daemen, Honda CBR600RR, 1:53.877
9. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600RR, 1:53.980
10. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:54.157
11. Pere Riba, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:54.162
12. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:54.165
13. Alessio Corradi, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:54.203
14. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:54.268
15. Barry Veneman, Honda CBR600RR, 1:54.285
16. Christophe Cogan, Honda CBR600RR, 1:54.314
17. Robert Ulm, Honda CBR600RR, 1:54.943
18. Antonio Carlacci, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:54.996
19. Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:55.049
20. Jorg Teuchert, YamahaYZF-R6, 1:55.067


More, from a press release issued on behalf of Ten Kate Honda:

Two Ten Kate Honda Heroes at Monza

Both Ten Kate Honda riders were heroes in the first qualifying session at Monza but for completely different reasons. Karl Muggeridge shaved almost a second off the best lap time while Chris Vermeulen qualified second despite injuring his thumb in a fall during the morning’s free practice.

Karl Muggeridge blitzed the opposition in the session, his best lap of 1m 52.432 really sets the pace for the weekend and is almost a second quicker than the rest of the pack.

“I’m really stoked about the time,” said Muggeridge, “everything is going so well. The bike is really fast and the tyres and suspension are working great.”

It wasn’t all plain sailing for Muggeridge, “There was a lot of crashes in the session and it made it really hard to do a flying lap because you kept coming up against traffic and yellow flags.”

Although he’s almost a second down on his team mate, Chris Vermeulen’s time is no less remarkable. Riding with a torn ligament in his right thumb as a result of the morning’s crash, Vermeulen is suffering intense pain under braking.

“This circuit is all braking and my hand hurts when I put pressure on it. I have to be cautious everywhere because of my thumb, I am riding with a little margin for error.”

Team Manager Ronald ten Kate had nothing but admiration for his riders, “I didn’t expect that after Chris’ crash this morning,” admitted ten Kate. “He almost ran into the back of another rider while braking for the Ascari chicane and crashed trying to avoid him. He’s damaged ligaments in his thumb and is obviously riding in pain. To see him go second just a few hours later shows he’s definitely grown up from a boy to a man.

“As for Karl, it’s obvious that he’s right back in peak form after suffering from some minor health problems in the run up to the season. Now he’s just gone 0.7 seconds under the best lap record here and I think he would have been even faster had he not been held up during another very fast lap late in the session.

“The results show what everybody already knows, Ten Kate Hondas are very fast at Monza!”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Afternoon’s Formula Xtreme Practice Times:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:24.593
2. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:24.822
3. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:24.886
4. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:25.700
5. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR954RR, 1:26.155
6. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.192
7. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:26.649
8. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 1:27.136
9. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.180
10. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.182
11. Craig Connell, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.234
12. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.615
13. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR954RR, 1:29.956
14. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.989
15. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.197
16. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.238
17. Doug Duane, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.770
18. Doug Chandler, Honda CBR954RR, 1:32.064
19. Chuck Allen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.289
20. Jason Knupp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.398

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies has been pulling wheelies out of Road Atlanta’s 100-plus-mph turn 12 all day Friday. Asked if he has ever seen someone wheelie out of turn 12 at Road Atlanta before, Spies’ veteran Crew Chief Tom Houseworth said, “Not until about 25 minutes ago. He says they’re power wheelies, too.”

Defending AMA Formula Xtreme Champion Jason Pridmore has been sidelined temporarily by a broken camshaft sprocket in his Attack Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Roger Lee Hayden’s Erion Honda CBR954RR died on the first lap of Friday morning’s Formula Xtreme practice, and Hayden lost the entire session.

Annandale Honda’s Ty Howard only suffered some road rash in his high-speed fall in turn 12 in Friday morning’s Formula Xtreme practice. “He said he was trying to save the front all the way down the hill,” said Annandale Honda’s Dale LeMaster, “and that last bump finally did him in.”