Joe Roberts was the fastest rider during provisional qualifying for the Bazzaz Superstock 600cc class Friday at the MotoAmerica AMA/FIMNA Mid-Atlantic Superbike Road Racing Championship at VIRginia International Raceway.
In spite of never competing on VIR’s 2.25-mile North Course before, Roberts posted a lap time of 1:27.857 on his Wheels in Motion/Motosport.com/Meen Yamaha YZF-R6 to lead the field.
“I love this track,” said Roberts. “It’s one of my favorites. It’s super flowing and super technical, really physically demanding, fun. Plus, it’s dry. This is the first time we’ve had a dry first practice this season. So I just had to go out and relearn the track in the first session, and then I tried to lay it down in qualifying.”
Mexican rider Richie Escalante was second-best with a time of 1:28.887 on his Escalante Racing Yamaha YZF-R6.
Travis Wyman, riding his Millennium Technologies/KWR Yamaha, was third-quickest with a 1:29.675, giving him the final spot on the provisional front row.
The Superstock 600cc class is scheduled to have its final qualifying session at 9:10 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.
MotoAmerica AMA/FIMNA Mid-Atlantic Superbike Road Racing Championship
VIRginia International Raceway
Alton, VA
May 15, 2015
Bazzaz Superstock 600cc Qualifying Session One Results (all using Dunlop tires):
1. Joe Roberts (Yam YZF-R6), 1:27.857
2. Richie Escalante (Yam YZF-R6), 1:28.887
3. Travis Wyman (Yam YZF-R6), 1:29.675
4. Bryce Prince (Yam YZF-R6), 1:30.119
5. Nick McFadden (Suz GSX-R600), 1:31.171
6. Jason Aguilar (Yam YZF-R6), 1:31.253
7. Christian Crosslin (Suz GSX-R600), 1:31.323
8. JC Camacho (Yam YZF-R6), 1:31.530
9. Ryan Jones (Hon CBR600RR), 1:31.619
10. Andy DiBrino (Yam YZF-R6), 1:31.642
11. Curtis Murray (Suz GSX-R600), 1:31.654
12. Michael Gilbert (Yam YZF-R6), 1:32.005
13. Ian Tetrick (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:32.639
14. Wyatt Farris (Yam YZF-R6), 1:32.763
15. Joseph Giannotto (Yam YZF-R6), 1:33.546
16. Cody Wyman (Yam YZF-R6), 1:33.741
17. Casey Tobolewski (Yam YZF-R6), 1:33.762
18. Conner Blevins (Yam YZF-R6), 1:33.849
19. Anne Roberts (Yam YZF-R6), 1:33.922
20. Eziah Davis (Yam YZF-R6), 1:34.136
21. Jay Newton (Yam YZF-R6), 1:34.143
22. Timothy Wilson (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:34.368
23. George Letakis (Suz GSX-R600), 1:34.455
24. Jeremy Simmons (Yam YZF-R6), 1:34.631
25. CJ LaRoche (Yam YZF-R6), 1:34.905
26. Patricia Fernandez (Yam YZF-R6), 1:35.001
27. Gavin Elstad (Yam YZF-R6), 1:35.473
28. Rob Woodworth (Yam YZF-R6), 1:35.955
29. Syrus DeJong (Yam YZF-R6), 1:37.642
30. Shane Hobgood (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:38.049
31. Humberto Baca (Yam YZF-R6), 1:40.590
32. Samuel Wong (Tri Daytona 675), 1:41.591
33. Ryan Haddock (Yam YZF-R6), no time recorded
34. Jason Zelibor (Suz GSX-R600), no time recorded