Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.



Graves Motorsports Yamaha’s Damon Buckmaster debuted a new R7/R1 hybrid at Pikes Peak, a machine built with part of a YZF-R1 frame welded onto a YZF-R7 frame. Team owner Chuck Graves has declined to comment on the new machine or on the AMA Pro Racing Appeals Board ruling which outlawed his 100% R7 a little more than a week ago. Graves is thought to be weighing legal action against AMA Pro Racing, and said, prior to the Appeals Board hearing, that he would sue if the R7 was found illegal.

In the meantime, Buckmaster was fast right out of the truck at Pikes Peak, running in the top three in the first practice session for the class, on Friday morning.

Official AMA Timing & Scoring listed Buckmaster at the top of the sheets in error, failing to disqualify a time that Buckmaster told reporters he did by cutting the course.

Buckmaster figured he was actually second or third fastest in the session.

Friday Morning Formula Xtreme Practice Times:

1. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1/R7, 0:54.301
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 0:56.400
3. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 0:56.408
4. Marty Craggill, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 0:56.601
5. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 0:56.645
6. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR954RR, 0:56.757
7. Mike Hale, Honda CBR954RR, 0:56.761
8. Tom Kipp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 0:57.271
9. Lance Isaacs, Yamaha YZF-R1, 0:58.100
10. Mike Ciccotto, Buell XB9R, 0:58.398
11. Shane Prieto, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 0:58.895
12. Mark Ledesma, Honda CBR954RR, 0:58.956
13. Douglas Vickery, Yamaha YZF-R1, 0:59.158
14. James Compton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 0:59.220
15. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 0:59.221
16. Tom Montano, Ducati 748R, 0:59.359
17. Jason Curtis, Yamaha YZF-R1, 0:59.403
18. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 0:59.527
19. Jeff Bostrom, Suzuki GSX-R750, 0:59.851
20. Colin Gilbert, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:00.019