AMA Superbike's season opener and the Formula Xtreme Daytona 200 are coming up this Saturday on Speed (starting at 11 am LIVE). Both races look like they're going to shape up to be pretty interesting.

You guys can go find all of the practice times on Soup but here's the latest:

Superbike

Spies actually led Mladin in the previous practice until he decided to drop the hammer for this morning's session.

1 Mat Mladin American Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:37.534
2 Ben Spies American Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:38.245
3 Ben Bostrom Parts Unlimited Ducati Ducati 999R 1:38.380
4 Jake Zemke American Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1:38.450
5 Neil Hodgson Parts Unlimited Ducati Ducati 999R 1:38.705
6 Miguel Duhamel American Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1:39.086
7 Roger Lee Hayden Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX-10RR 1:39.273
8 Tommy Hayden Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX-10RR 1:40.045
9 Aaron Yates American Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:40.115
10 Geoff May M4 EMGO Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:40.253
11 Jason Pridmore Jordan Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:40.598
12 Steve Rapp Jordan Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:41.011
13 John Haner Lion Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:41.069
14 Larry Pegram Hotbodies Honda CBR1000RR 1:41.670
15 Eric Wood Hooters Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:42.11

Formula Xtreme

To be honest I didn't think the Hondas were gonna be close but they're in the ball park now. Apparently for this morning's session Zemke only got 3 laps in with some issues and traffic so he's probably a good deal faster too.

1 Jason DiSalvo Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R6 1:41.300
2 Miguel Duhamel American Honda Honda CBR600RR 1:41.310
3 Jake Zemke American Honda Honda CBR600RR 1:42.279
4 Eric Bostrom Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R6 1:42.714
5 Josh Hayes Erion Honda Honda CBR600RR 1:42.716
6 Aaron Gobert Erion Honda Honda CBR600RR 1:43.226
7 Pascal Picotte Yamaha Canada Yamaha YZF-R6 1:43.951
8 Ryan Andrews Honda CBR600RR 1:44.065
9 Jeremy McWilliams Buell XBRR 1:44.103
10 Alastair Seeley Yamaha YZF-R6 1:44.254
11 Danny Eslick MPTracing.com Suzuki GSX-R600 1:44.261
12 Eric Wood Honda CBR600RR 1:44.269
13 Rico Penzkofer Buell XBRR 1:45.179
14 Rob Frost Kawasaki ZX-6RR 1:45.524
15 Tyler McDonald Yamaha YZF-R6 1:45.560



Modified by JMU R1 at 4:59 PM 3/11/2006

 

Its Kawasaki's First year in Superbike, I assume being on a New Bike and New to the Class that They will score some top finishes by the end of the year, I would love to see them Place well at Daytona!!!

And Don't forget Super Sport....

Looks like Kawasaki will Dominate again!


Provisional Wednesday Afternoon AMA Supersport Qualifying Results:

1. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:41.552
2. Jamie Hacking (Yam YZF-R6), 1:41.668
3. Tommy Hayden (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:41.921
4. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R600), 1:42.226
5. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R600), 1:43.217
6. Ben Attard (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:43.425
7. Alastair Seeley (Yam YZF-R6), 1:43.436
8. Damon Buckmaster (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:43.707
9. Pascal Picotte (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.077
10. Danny Eslick (Suz GSX-R600), 1:44.089
11. Tyler McDonald (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.859
12. Michael Barnes (Suz GSX-R600), 1:45.019
13. Blake Young (Suz GSX-R600), 1:45.046
14. Darren Luck (Suz GSX-R600), 1:45.052
15. Rob Frost (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:45.398
16. Ryan Elleby (Hon CBR600RR), 1:45.429
17. Barrett Long (Yam YZF-R6), 1:45.987
18. Will Gruy (Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.016
19. Chris "Opie" Caylor (Suz GSX-R600), 1:46.648
20. Nathan Hester (Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.860

 

What I don't get.....is why does the AMA have two separate 600cc classes when the times are virtually identical. I was talking with a friend this morning and we both agree the AMA needs to re-evaluate their pro racing model. Four classes (2 1000, 2 600) littered with backmarkers is just not good.

On topic, I hope to Ben and Neil give Mladin a good run for the championship this year. And Honda needs to talk with the boys in WSBK and get some ideas of what they are doing, though they seem to be off to a decent start this season.

 

damn this is gunna be on at 8am on the west coast looks like i gotta get up early

 

@8am@hootersinAnaheim

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Brian*E30 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What I don't get.....is why does the AMA have two separate 600cc classes when the times are virtually identical. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah I don't know what's up with that, I need to read over the rules to see what could be causing the FX bikes to be so so slow. In theory, if FX is a 600 cc Superbike class it should be somewhere around 2 seconds off Superbike.

The Kwaks are indeed looking good, which is all the more reason Yamaha should be ashamed of themselves for not contesting Superbike. They say they need 2 years of lead time but the Kawasaki folks didn't make their decision until last December and look where they are now.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MSchu &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">@8am@hootersinAnaheim </TD></TR></TABLE>

hooters isnt opened at 8am. i dont think. i wish, id be down to go and watch it.
AMA and MotoGP have my heart :sigh:

 

Here is what else is weird:

FX - any tire approved for racing (slicks)
Supersport - must be grooved and be DOT approved

How the heck are bikes that are supposed to make less power and have less grip turning in similar lap times??

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Brian*E30 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Here is what else is weird:

FX - any tire approved for racing (slicks)
Supersport - must be grooved and be DOT approved

How the heck are bikes that are supposed to make less power and have less grip turning in similar lap times??</TD></TR></TABLE>

IMO, 600's don't make enough power to fully exploit slicks. And tire manufacturers have come a long way in tire technology. DOT tires are just that good nowadays I guess.

If you think about a MotoGP machine.. light as a feather, power for days, and the best tires in the world.. compare the lap times at last years Laguna Seca vs. Mat Mladin's times on his Superbike.. it's not that far apart.

But it's always the last couple ticks that are the hardest to find.

 

FX is also pretty much open for engine mods, and they can use whatever forks they want for suspension (S-Sport is limited to factory forks with reworked internals). Their class structure just seems kind of pointless, is basically what I'm saying

 

Dammit Mladin.....

1 Mat Mladin American Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:37.075
2 Ben Spies American Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:37.559
3 Ben Bostrom Parts Unlimited Ducati Ducati 999R 1:38.012
4 Miguel Duhamel American Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1:38.337
5 Jake Zemke American Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1:38.398
6 Neil Hodgson Parts Unlimited Ducati Ducati 999R 1:38.491
7 Roger Lee Hayden Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX-10RR 1:38.573
8 Tommy Hayden Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX-10RR 1:38.904
9 Aaron Yates American Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:39.429
10 Jacob Holden Jordan Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:40.470
11 Robertino Pietri Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:40.807
12 Eric Wood Hooters Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:41.046
13 Steve Rapp Jordan Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:41.048
14 Jason Pridmore Jordan Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:41.064
15 Norino Brignola Ducati 999R 1:41.387
16 John Haner Lion Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:41.422
17 Marty Cragill Mat Mladin Motorsports Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:41.759
18 Cory West Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:41.766
19 Matt Lynn Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:42.199
20 Chris Ulrich Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:42.300

And that's for the pole

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Wimpy. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

hooters isnt opened at 8am. i dont think. i wish, id be down to go and watch it.
AMA and MotoGP have my heart :sigh: </TD></TR></TABLE>

What the scuttlebutt is that they will be for daytona!!! but only in anaheim.! I have yet to confirm this, but good sources are telling me so. I live 5 minutes away so no skin off my butt if they are not open. I think they will be though, but maybe not, however I would error on the side that they will be... I guess

 

call and find out or stop by after work if u can. maybe we can get some official get together for some AMA racing. put some money on whose gonna win I got $10 on Mladdin. haha

 

K.... I got $50 says he doesn't

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MSchu &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">K.... I got $50 says he doesn't </TD></TR></TABLE>

sounds like a good bet, but im strapped for cash this week. hmmmm we'll see

 

K, this has been confirmed... sat @8am

 

cool deal man. im down. see if any of my buddies want to meet up down there.

 

FX Qualifying - Go Duhamel!

1 Miguel Duhamel American Honda Honda CBR600RR 1:40.928
2 Jason DiSalvo Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R6 1:41.014
3 Eric Bostrom Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R6 1:41.341
4 Jake Zemke American Honda Honda CBR600RR 1:41.911
5 Josh Hayes Erion Honda Honda CBR600RR 1:42.154
6 Aaron Gobert Erion Honda Honda CBR600RR 1:42.189
7 Ryan Andrews Honda CBR600RR 1:42.283
8 Jeremy McWilliams Buell XBRR 1:42.536
9 Geoff May Suzuki GSX-R600 1:43.520
10 Danny Eslick MPTracing.com Suzuki GSX-R600 1:43.717
11 Alastair Seeley Yamaha YZF-R6 1:43.928
12 Eric Wood Honda CBR600RR 1:43.943
13 Pascal Picotte Yamaha Canada Yamaha YZF-R6 1:44.332
14 Rico Penzkofer Buell XBRR 1:44.359
15 Mike Ciccotto Buell XBRR 1:44.538
16 Steve Crevier Buell XBRR 1:44.604
17 Blake Young Suzuki GSX-R600 1:44.785
18 Tyler McDonald Yamaha YZF-R6 1:44.990
19 Ryan Elleby Honda CBR600RR 1:45.194
20 Ty Howard Honda CBR600RR 1:45.450

 

damn jake zemke seems like hes off to a good start

 

Here we go boys, who's watching this (LIVE)?

 

Morning Practice times:

1 Mat Mladin American Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:38.197
2 Jake Zemke American Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1:38.506
3 Neil Hodgson Parts Unlimited Ducati Ducati 999R 1:38.581
4 Ben Spies American Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:38.726
5 Miguel Duhamel American Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1:38.781
6 Roger Lee Hayden Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX-10RR 1:38.849
7 Ben Bostrom Parts Unlimited Ducati Ducati 999R 1:39.044
8 Aaron Yates American Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:39.473
9 Tommy Hayden Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX-10RR 1:39.823
10 Larry Pegram Hotbodies Honda CBR1000RR 1:40.808
11 Steve Rapp Jordan Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:41.298
12 John Haner Lion Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:41.600
13 Cory West Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:41.609
14 Eric Wood Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:41.786
15 Jason Pridmore Jordan Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:41.903
16 Jacob Holden Jordan Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:42.180
17 Marty Craggill Mat Mladin Motorsports Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:42.819
18 Matt Lynn Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:43.132
19 Norino Brignola Ducati 999R 1:43.337
20 Akira Tamitsuji Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:43.750

 

thanks! totally forgot

 

Wow! What a finish!

 

So did he plan that or was it a mistake. I think he planned that. Im not gonna use any names for people who havent seen it.

 

Damnit Ben! Everyone knows you NEVER lead coming onto the banking at Daytona! I mean come on, Hacking pulled the exact same move on DiSalvo earlier this week, you'd think he'd have known *shakes head*.

Those Kwaks were looking damned good. They're gonna be a force this season. Good to see that overall all of the factory bikes are pretty close. It'll be interesting to see if everyone can close the gap to the Suzukis.