Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin and Aaron Yates recorded identical 1:26.70 lap times on the watch of Team Manager Don Sakakura to lead all times during AMA team testing Thursday morning at California Speedway in Fontana, California.

Mladin, Yates and teammate Ben Spies spent all morning lapping the 2.36-mile infield road course on their GSX-R1000s, which have about 15 more horsepower and 10 percent more torque than the 2002 Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750 Superbike, according to Mladin Crew Chief Peter Doyle.

Larry Pegram suffered a harmless lowside crash in turn six Thursday morning and later rode the same Ducati 998 after minor repairs.

After his YZF-R1 Formula Xtreme bike caught fire following a few laps Thursday morning, Aaron Gobert switched to his factory Yamaha YZF-R6 and set the fastest Supersport lap time thus far in the test at a 1:29.59.

Gobert said, “I’m just starting to get back to my old form. I’m a bit more race-fit and able to think about what I’m doing more out there.”

With his FX bike down, Aaron Gobert said he might go home early Thursday to continue recovering from his flu-like illness.

Weather conditions have remained fair at the track.

Thursday Morning’s Unofficial Lap Times:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.70
2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.70
3. Anthony Gobert, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.06
4. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.54
5. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.60
6. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:27.64
7. Larry Pegram, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.85
8. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:28.05
9. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.59
10. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR954RR, 1:30.20
11. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:30.34
12. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.60
13. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.73
14. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R (636cc), 1:31.08
15. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.70
16. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.55
17. Thad Halsmer, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.21