Fast moving thunderstorms that drenched Road Atlanta forced cancellation of the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund Contributor Party, originally scheduled to be held at the Ballzee trailer in the vendor area on the hill above the Pro paddock.

The 40 pizzas already en-route to the track were consumed by Air Fence Fund contributors who made their way into the Pro Paddock at Road Atlanta, along with cornerworkers.

An Air Fence autograph session has been scheduled for between 11:00 a.m. and 1:30. a.m. Sunday morning, weather permitting. Air Fence Fund contributors who wish to autograph a section of Air Fence should gather in the winner’s circle area at about 11:00 a.m.; contributors who are unable to get to the winner’s circle area to autograph a section of Air Fence will get another chance to autograph a section at a future Road Atlanta event.

Similar signing sessions will be held at other AMA Nationals throughout the rest of the racing season.

At 11:00 a.m., Roadracing World’s John Ulrich is scheduled to present AMA Pro Racing Superbike Operations Manager Ron Barrick with a giant ceremonial check made out to AMA Pro Racing in the amount of $104,000.

Roadracing World Air Fence Fund money in excess of the $104,000 given to AMA Pro Racing is being used to buy Air Fence for use at races sanctioned by other organizations.

Contributions are still being accepted and can be made by calling (800) 464-8336 or (909) 245-6411.

Jamie Hacking, Mat Mladin and Aaron Yates finished 1-2-3 in the first of two AMA Superbike races scheduled for this weekend at Road Atlanta.

The Saturday schedule was juggled due to thunderstorms moving into the area mid-day. The 250cc heat races and the Formula Xtreme race scheduled to run before the televised Superbike race did not run, with the 250cc heat races cancelled and the Formula Xtreme race rescheduled for after the Superbike race.

The track progressively dried throughout the race, starting wet and finishing dry with damp spots.

Mladin, who gambled and started with a slick rear tire, moved from third to a close second, challenging Hacking, on the last two laps. Earlier in the race Mladin caught a big slide over a wet spot but ran off the track and back on.

Provisional results of the 24-lap Superbike race follow:

1. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki
2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki
3. Aaron Yates, Suzuki
4. Nicky Hayden, Honda
5. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki
6. Doug Chandler, Kawasaki
7. Pascal Picotte, Harley-Davidson
8. Larry Pegram, Ducati
9. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha
10. Steve Rapp, Ducati
11. Kurtis Roberts, Honda
12. Mike Smith, Harley-Davidson
13. Jordan Szoke, Harley-Davidson
14. Andreas Meklau, Ducati
15. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki
16. Mauro Cereda, Suzuki, 23 laps
17. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki, 23 laps
18. Wade Buffington, Suzuki, 23 laps
19. Dr. Jeff Purk, DDS, Suzuki, 23 laps
20. Chris Normand, Suzuki, 23 laps
21. John Ashmead, Suzuki, 23 laps
22. Greg Fryer, Yamaha, 23 laps
23. Andres Perez, Ducati, 23 laps
24. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 21 laps
25. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki, 17 laps
26. Rick Shaw, Suzuki, 16 laps
27. Matt Bonasera, Suzuki, 13 laps
28. James Doerfler, Suzuki, 12 laps
29. Carlos Macias, Ducati, 9 laps
30. Randall Mennega, Suzuki, 4 laps
31. Chuck Allen, Suzuki, 4 laps
32. Anthony Gobert, 0 laps, DNF, mechanical

The Roadracing World Air Fence Fund Contributor Appreciation Pizza Fest, originally scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Friday, May 18, has been moved to 7:00 p.m. May 19 at Road Atlanta.

The change in date was made to accommodate AMA Pro Racing officials and Road Atlanta corner workers who have to attend an AMA Pro Marshalls training program and AMA Pro Racing Advisory Board meeting, both scheduled for Friday night.

Roadracing World was first notified by AMA Pro Racing Superbike Operations Manager Ron Barrick of the scheduling conflict Thursday, May 17th, despite having announced plans for the Air Fence Fund Contributor Appreciation Pizza Fest two weeks ago.

The Roadracing World Air Fence Fund Contributor Appreciation Pizza Fest will be held at the Ballzee display trailer on the hill behind the Road Atlanta pro paddock and will include an opportunity for Air Fence fund contributors to examine and autograph a section of Alpina air module/Air Fence.

AMA officials red-flagged the Formula Xtreme race at Road Atlanta when Jason Pridmore crashed while running third behind Josh Hayes and John Hopkins. Pridmore was in an impact zone with a broken leg and needed medical attention. Pridmore was riding with a broken left collarbone suffered in a crash during Formula Xtreme qualifying Friday.

Before the race could be re-started, a fast-moving thunderstorm drenched Road Atlanta, complete with lightning strikes and a power failure in timing and scoring.

AMA officials decided to call it a day and have declined to declare the Formula Xtreme race complete because the last-place rider had not yet taken the halfway flag when Pridmore crashed.

The 750cc Supersport race, originally scheduled to be held after Formula Xtreme, was postponed.


The revised schedule for Sunday follows:

11:00 a.m.: Presentation of Roadracing World Air Fence Fund check for $104,000 to AMA, at Winner’s Circle

12:00 noon: Pro Honda 600cc Supersport (15 laps)
MBNA 250cc Grand Prix (15 laps)
Lockhart-Phillips F-Xtreme (8 laps)
3:00 p.m. Chevy Trucks Superbike (25 laps)
Genuine Suzuki Accessories 750cc
Supersport (15 laps)

Live television commitments limited scheduling flexibility. The 600cc Supersport and Superbike races are scheduled to be broadcast live on Speedvision.



The Formula Xtreme running order at the red-flag (after seven laps) was:

1. Josh Hayes, Honda CBR929RR
2. John Hopkins, Suzuki GSX-R1000
3. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000
4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R7/R1
5. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR929RR
6. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R7/R1
7. Richie Alexander, Suzuki GSX-R1000
8. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750
9. Grant Lopez, Suzuki GSX-R1000
10. Steve Grigg, Muzzy Raptor 835
11. Billy Ethridge, Suzuki GSX-R1000
12. Troy Vincent, Suzuki GSX-R1000
13. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R750
14. Jamie Thompson, Suzuki GSX-R750
15. John Ross, Suzuki GSX-R750
16. James Compton, Yamaha YZF1000R
17. Robert Hill, Suzuki GSX-R750
18. Chuck Allen, Suzuki GSX-R1000
19. Jim Bonner, Suzuki GSX-R1000
20. Rick Narup, Suzuki GSX-R750

(Roger Lee Hayden had already retired with blown motor. Mark Miller had pitted with his rear brake leaking fluid and on fire.)

Ricci Motorsports’ Anthony Lupo became the second rider to test new sections of Air Fence deployed at Road Atlanta when he crashed during Friday’s 750cc Supersport qualifying.

Lupo slid into Air Fence sections positioned in front of the concrete wall outside turn 12, at about 100 mph.

“I was manning the watches and looking for Tony to come by,” said Ricci’s Sean Lindseth. “He was due, and all I saw was smoke and a sliding motorcycle. He was just flying down the hill really.”

Crew men on pit lane shouted at the sight of the crash. By the time people not initially looking in that direction turned their heads to look, Lupo’s bike was at least 20 feet in the air after missing the Air Fence and bouncing off a tire wall.

Lupo himself slid into the first of several new Air Fence modules positioned in the turn. Afterwards, Lupo walked into the ambulance, having suffered a concussion.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Grant Lopez and Attack Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore will both ride in the 15-lap Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme final Saturday despite each crashing and suffering injuries in Friday’s action.

Lopez crashed in turn 12 at over 100 mph, dislocating his shoulder and chipping a bone in his shoulder socket in Friday’s first practice. “We’ll see,” said Lopez when asked about whether he will ride the entire length of
the race. Lopez rode in Saturday morning’s Formula Xtreme practice session with his shoulder heavily taped and the handlebars of his GSX-R1000
slightly adjusted for the injury by tuner Todd Fenton.

“I can do eight laps,” said Pridmore after riding in Saturday morning’s Formula Xtreme practice with a broken left collarbone supported by a brace under his leathers. Pridmore highsided coming down left-hand turn four during Friday’s FX qualifying session. Pridmore’s injury was compounded by delays in the the local emergency room and his not getting back to his motor home at the race track until after 11:00 p.m. local time.

If either Lopez or Pridmore can complete eight laps of the race, they can retire and still collect some Championship points as there are only 23 entries in the Formula Xtreme class and points are paid down to 30 positions

Times for each class will be added to this post as available.

Final Superbike Qualifying Saturday Morning:
1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:22.735
2. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:23.257
3. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:23.226
4. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:23.246
5. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:23.999
6. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha, 1:24.190
7. Steve Rapp, Ducati, 1:24.231
8. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:24.385
9. Doug Chandler, Kawasaki, 1:24.431
10. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:24.716
11. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:24.744
12. Larry Pegram, Ducati, 1:24.799
13. Mike Smith, H-D, 1:25.029
14. Jordan Szoke, H-D, 1:25.380
15. Andreas Meklau, Ducati, 1:25.406
15. Pascal Picotte, H-D, 1:25.455
16. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:27.400*
17. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:27.701*
18. Brian Parriott, Suzuki, 1:27.765*
19. Vince Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:27.453*
20. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki, 1:29.064

*Rider on 750cc Supersport racebike




Formula Xtreme Saturday Morning Practice:

1. John Hopkins, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.405
2. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR929RR, 1:25.657
3. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1/R7, 1:25.970
4. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR929RR, 1:25.981
5. Mark Miller, Honda CBR929RR, 1:26.485
6. Rich Alexander, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.453
7. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.929
8. Steve Grigg, Kawasaki 840, 1:29.090
9. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.141
10. Grant Lopez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.290
11. Troy Vincent, Suzuki, 1:30.868
12. Billy Ethridge, Suzuki, 1:31.466
13. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki, 1:31.660
14. Robert Hilliard, Suzuki, 1:33.393
15. James Compton, Yamaha, 1:34.474
16. Jim Bonner, Yamaha, 1:34.542
17. Rick Narup, Suzuki, 1:35.441



750cc Supersport Saturday Morning Practice Times:

1. Mike Ciccotto, 1:26.889
2. Chris Ulrich, 1:27.928
3. Ben Spies, 1:28.346
4. Richie Alexander, 1:28.424
5. Vincent Haskovec, 1:29.214, Suzuki GSX-R600
6. Brian Parriott, 1:29.254, Suzuki GSX-R600
7. Gabriel Henning, 1:29.381
8. Lee Acree, 1:29.423, Suzuki GSX-R600
9. Daigoro Suzuki, 1:29.488
10. Scott Brown, 1:29.753
11. Jimmy Moore, 1:29.830, Suzuki GSX-R600
12. Tony Meiring, 1:29.898
13. Mauro Cereda, 1:30.082
14. David Ortega, 1:30.784
15. Brian Stokes, 1:30.883

Note: All riders on Suzuki GSX-R750s except where noted.


600cc Supersport Saturday Morning Practice Times:

1. Aaron Yates, 1:26.689, Suzuki
2. Jamie Hacking, 1:27.141, Suzuki
3. Kurtis Roberts, 1:27.304, Honda
4. Josh Hayes, 1:27.385, Honda
5. Eric Bostrom, 1:27.670, Kawasaki
6. Brian Parriott, 1:27.824, Suzuki
7. Jake Zemke, 1:27.943, Honda
8. Tommy Hayden, 1:28.024, Yamaha
9. John Hopkins, 1:28.124, Suzuki
10. Miguel Duhamel, 1:28.184, Honda
11. Roger Lee Hayden, 1:28.417, Honda
12. Aaron Gobert, 1:29.422, Yamaha
13. Lee Acree, 1:29.482, Suzuki
14. Jimmy Moore, 1:29.649, Suzuki
15. Vincent Haskovec, 1:30.347, Suzuki
16. Steve Patterson, 1:30.364, Suzuki
17. Edward Ted Cobb, 1:30.680, Suzuki
18. Scott Gardner, 1:31.156, Yamaha
19. Scott Brown, 1:31.490, Suzuki
20. Brian Livengood, 1:31.511, Yamaha


250cc Grand Prix Saturday Morning Practice Times

1. Rich Oliver, 1:26.646, Yamaha
2. Chuck Sorensen, 1:28.332, Yamaha
3. Perry Melneciuc, 1:29.736, Yamaha
4. Roland Sands, 1:30.110, Yamaha
5. Simon Turner, 1:30.522, Yamaha
6. Michael Hannas, 1:30.927, Yamaha
7. Jimmy Filice, 1:31.106, Yamaha
8. Ed Marchini, 1:31.206, Yamaha
9. Derek King, 1:31.557, TSR Honda
10. Cory West, 1:32.626, Yamaha
11. Ben Walters, 1:32.816, Yamaha
12. Greg Esser, 1:32.905, Honda
13. William Himmelsbach, 1:33.078, Yamaha
14. Ed Sorbo, 1:33.097, Yamaha
15. Chris Pyles, 1:34.312, Yamaha


600cc Supersport Final Qualifying:
1. Anthony Gobert, 1:26.797, Yamaha
2. Eric Bostrom, 1:26.870, Kawasaki
3. Aaron Yates, 1:27.068, Suzuki
4. Jamie Hacking, 1:27.071, Suzuki
5. Tommy Hayden, 1:27.109, Yamaha
6. Joshua Hayes, 1:27.676, Honda
7. Lee Acree, 1:27.827, Suzuki
8. Kurtis Roberts, 1:27.833, Honda
9. Roger Lee Hayden, 1:27.910, Honda
10. Brian Parriott, 1:27.955, Suzuki
11. John Hopkins, 1:27.994, Suzuki
12. Miguel Duhamel, 1:28.124, Honda
13. Aaron Gobert, 1:28.228, Yamaha
14. Jake Zemke, 1:28.460, Honda
15. Jimmy Moore, 1:29.178, Suzuki
16. Vincent Haskovec, 1:29.297, Suzuki
17. Damon Buckmaster, 1:29.630, Yamaha
18. Edward Ted Cobb, 1:29.883, Suzuki
19. Daigoro Suzuki, 1:30.300, Kawasaki
20. Steve Patterson, 1:30.687, Suzuki


Yamaha’s Anthony Gobert’s time of 1:26.797 breaks Aaron Yates’ 2000 lap record of 1:27.538. Josh Hayes was the fastest from the odd-numbered qualifying session, but his time was only good enough for sixth-fastest overall.

Yamaha’s Max Biaggi, Suzuki’s Kenny Roberts and Honda’s Valentino Rossi qualified fastest for the tomorrow’s 500cc Grand Prix at LeMans, France.

500cc Qualifying Times Follow:

1. Max Biaggi, Yamaha, 1:38.421
2. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, 1:38.668
3. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 1:38.852
4. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha, 1:38.891
5. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 1:39.093
6. Noriyuki Haga, Yamaha, 1:39.115
7. Norike Abe, Yamaha, 1:39.132
8. Loris Capirossi, Honda, 1:39.247
9. Alex Criville, Honda, 1:39.275
10. Garry McCoy, Yamaha, 1:39.366*
11. Jurgen v.d. Goorbergh, Proton, 1:39.651
12. Toheu Ukawa, Honda, 1:39.973
13. Alex Barros, Honda, 1:40.062
14. Steve Gibernau, Suzuki, 1:40.312
15. Jose Luis Cardoso, Honda, 1:40.509
16. Chris Walker, Honda, 1:40.869



125cc Qualifying Times Follow:

1. Youichi Ui, 1:47.494
2. Manuel Poggiali, 1:47.582
3. Lucio Cecchinello, 1:47.949
4. Jaroslav Hules, 1:48.097
5. Noboru Ueda, 1:48.104
6. Toni Elias, 1:48.155
7. Mirko Giansanti, 1:48.283
8. Gino Borsoi, 1:48.344
9. Angel Nieto, Jr. 1:48.451
10. Arnaud Vincent, 1:48.629

*crashed in practice, broke scaphoid


250cc Qualifying Times Follow:

1. Daijiro Katoh, Honda, 1:41.065
2. Tetsuya Harada, Aprilia, 1:41.108
3. Marco Melandri, Aprilia, 1:41.328
4. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:41.595
5. Emilio Alzamora, Honda, 1:41.840
6. Randy de Puniet, Aprilia, 1:41.895
7. Jeremy McWilliams, Aprilia, 1:42.117
8. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:42.181
9. Sebastian Porto, Yamaha, 1:42.184
10. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, 1:42.225

Reigning AMA Grand National Dirt Track Champion Joe Kopp Tries Pavement At Road Atlanta

Reigning AMA Grand National Dirt Track Champion Joe Kopp, 32, is at Road Atlanta trying his hand at road racing. “I’ve wanted to try it for a couple of years now,” said Kopp.

Kopp attended Kevin Schwantz’s new riding school on Wednesday May 18, rode in promoter practice Thursday, and was riding as #143 in 600cc and 750cc Supersport practice Friday. “I don’t know if I’m going to race or not. I’m going to practice and qualify and see how comfortable I am out there. If I’m comfortable, I’ll race,” said Kopp.

Although he rode a stock Suzuki GSX-R600 in the Schwantz school Wednesday, Kopp will be riding an ex-Eric Wood Kawasaki ZX-6R purchased for him by
Darrell Jones of Jones Powersports, Columbia, Missouri. Kopp said that he was still trying to gain confidence in his Dunlop tires, but Kopp’s 1:34 lap times showed that he was well on his way to success after only two days of pavement riding, and only one on his Kawasaki.



Michael Barnes And Team Take 12th In World Endurance

Former Formula USA Champion Michael Barnes co-rode with Wim Van Achter and Herman Verboven Suzuki to a fifth in the Superbike class and 12th overall in the 40-entry, 6-hour FIM Endurance World Championship race at Brno, Czech Republic. Barnes said that the team would have finished higher had it not been for tire troubles on a drying track forcing two unscheduled pit stops early in the race. “We might have been on the box if it wasn’t for those two extra stops,” said Barnes. The Boca Raton, Florida resident confirmed that he would be riding the rest of the World Endurance rounds for Herman Verboven Suzuki with the exception of Suzuka. “Few of the World Endurance regulars actually compete at Suzuka,” reported Barnes. “There are so many one-off, factory and wild card teams from Japan that the points you get there is not worth the expence of the trip.”



Riders Meeting Notes

During the Riders Meeting Friday, AMA Superbike Racing Operations Manager Ron Barrick said that, as usual, there would be no intentional stopping or riding without a helmet on track. Barrick also warned against doing celebratory burn-outs in the victory circle area. Barrick did advise that AMA officials are considering designating an area near winners circle where riders could safely do victory burn-outs.



Injured Renfrow Won’t Ride

Former AMA 250cc Grand Prix Champion Randy Renfrow planned to race this weekend at Road Atlanta and rode in promoter’s practice Thursday May 17, but packed up and went home to Virginia before AMA practice started Friday. “I crashed during a track day at Summit Point and busted up some ribs. Another guy went down in front of me and I fell with him,” said Renfrow on Thursday.

Renfrow attempted to ride but could not perform comfortably and left the track the same day. Renfrow’s departure and inability to ride healthy was a shame because there is one of the best 250cc Grand Prix fields at Road Atlanta this weekend.