Grant Lopez came close to the motorcycle lap record at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway Saturday, January 13 while testing an AMA Pro Supersport-legal Suzuki GSX-R600 for the first time.

Lopez’s fastest lap was a 58.710 on DOT-labelled tires, compared to the 58.336 record held by Tray Batey on an Arclight Suzuki GSX-R750 on slicks; The Arclight machine ran in the Heavyweight Superbike class of the WERA National Endurance Series and was often ridden by Batey in WERA National Challenge Series Formula One races as well.

Lopez also rode a completely stock 2001 Suzuki GSX-R1000, on OEM tires with stock gearing and suspension, and turned a 1:01.5.

Also testing on the same day at the track in Talladega, Alabama were Lopez’s Valvoline EMGO Suzuki teammates, John Hopkins and Ben Spies, as well as Vesrah Suzuki’s Mark Junge and Chris Ulrich.