Former AMA Superbike Champion Josh Herrin bounced back from a big crash to claim the provisional pole position during Supersport qualifying Friday at the MotoAmerica AMA/FIMNA Mid-Atlantic Superbike Road Racing Championship at VIRginia International Raceway.
Herrin badly damaged one of his Wheels in Motion/Motosport.com/Meen Yamaha YZF-R6 racebikes when he crashed during free practice Friday morning, but the seasoned rider came back strong during the afternoon’s qualifying session and led the field with a lap time of 1:26.798.
“We made some changes after the fall earlier,” Herrin told Roadracingworld.com, “and whatever they did made it way, way better. It was effortless to do that lap time, and it really flowed. I kind of surprised myself with that lap time because I didn’t have any sketchy moments out there.”
Australian David Anthony was the best of the rest during provisional qualifying, having done a lap at 1:27.378 on his M4 SportbikeTrackGear.com Suzuki GSX-R600.
Earning the final spot on the provisional front row was J.D. Beach, who did a 1:27.538 on his Yamalube/Y.E.S./Graves Yamaha YZF-R6.
Provisional qualifying was halted early in the 60-minute session when Beach’s teammate Garrett Gerloff crashed in the Turn Nine area and needed medical attention. Gerloff was assessed at the track, according to his team, before being transported to a local hospital by ambulance. The 19-year-old Texan is believed to have broken the little finger and possibly broken the ring finger on his left hand, again according to his team, but he may still try to ride on Saturday.
Gerloff posted a 1:28.089 lap time before he crashed, making him fifth-fastest in the session behind Latus Motors Racing/Castrol Triumph’s Bobby Fong (1:27.920), who is recovering from a broken arm.
Kyle Wyman also crashed during the session and suffered soft tissue damage to his left forearm. He told Roadracingworld.com that he will try to ride on Saturday.
MotoAmerica AMA/FIMNA Mid-Atlantic Superbike Road Racing Championship
VIRginia International Raceway
Alton, VA
May 15, 2015
Supersport Qualifying Session One Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Josh Herrin (Yam YZF-R6), 1:26.798
2. David Anthony (Suz GSX-R600), 1:27.378
3. JD Beach (Yam YZF-R6), 1:27.538
4. Bobby Fong (Tri Daytona 675R), 1:27.920
5. Garrett Gerloff (Yam YZF-R6), 1:28.089, crash
6. Tomas Puerta (Yam YZF-R6), 1:28.280
7. Kyle Wyman (Yam YZF-R6), 1:28.643, crash
8. Cameron Petersen (Yam YZF-R6), 1:29.008
9. Hayden Gillim (MV Agusta F3 675), 1:29.174
10. Ben Young (Yam YZF-R6), 1:29.277
11. Corey Alexander (Yam YZF-R6), 1:29.756
12. Javelin Broderick (MV Agusta F3 675), 1:31.754
13. Melissa Paris (Suz GSX-R600), 1:32.271
14. Kaleb De Keyrel (Yam YZF-R6), 1:32.763
15. Mitch Card (Hon CBR600RR), 1:33.955