Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Defending AMA Formula Xtreme Champion Jason Pridmore did not ride in AMA practice Friday at California Speedway because he had no bike to ride.

“My bike’s not here,” said Pridmore when asked why he wasn’t on the track. “I’ve got the Number One plate and no bike to race.”

Pridmore said that Attack Suzuki team owner Richard Stanboli was working to finish his 2003 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Formula Xtreme bike as he spoke, but Pridmore did not have a Formula Xtreme racebike to ride Friday.

“The thing I’m bummed about,” continued Pridmore, “is that other people (Yoshimura Suzuki) are getting their bikes in November. I don’t understand that.

“My team is the best. I love my guys. This is no reflection on Richard Stanboli or my team, but I don’t know who to blame. All I know is I’m here, I’m ready to ride, I don’t have a bike and it shouldn’t be like that.”

When asked about Pridmore’s situation, American Suzuki’s Pat Alexander said that the American Suzuki AMA support teams – Corona Extra Suzuki, Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki and Attack Suzuki – all received their bikes within a few days of the AMA race at Daytona and Yoshimura Suzuki got its bikes first because it is the Suzuki factory AMA Superbike team.

Alexander added, “My understanding is that Jason’s team ran into problems during the bike’s preparation. As you know, the GSX-R1000 was a late release, and they just wanted it to be right.”

Corona Extra Suzuki put the finishing touches on its three 2003 GSX-R1000s at the racetrack Thursday and Friday. Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki concentrated on getting one, topline 2003 GSX-R1000 Formula Xtreme bike built for rider Steve Rapp for the California Speedway race and planned to have Chris Ulrich’s 2003 GSX-R1000 built in time for the Sears Point race.

Pridmore’s teammate Josh Hayes rode on of the team’s 2002-model GSX-R1000s Friday at Fontana, and the team plans to have Pridmore’s new bike at the track on Saturday.

Attack Suzuki also fielded young gun Danny Eslick on a GSX-R750 Superstock bike Friday. The Oklahoma teenager made his AMA debut wearing the number 69 on his Suzuki.