Yoshimura Suzuki’s Jamie Hacking set the pace in Thursday morning’s 600cc Supersport practice with a lap time well under the existing class record. Hacking’s 1:53.502 was 0.64-second better than Kurtis Roberts’ pole position-winning time from 2000. When asked about the time, Hacking said, “I think we can go quicker. If the weather holds and the wind stays down, I think we could see some 1:52s. I think the regular guys will be there in the race, though. John Hopkins might come into play. His Suzuki is faster than mine.”

Team Honda’s Nicky Hayden, 19, was second-fastest, and said “My bike is the fastest factory (Supersport) Honda I’ve ever ridden.”

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s John Hopkins, 17, was third-fastest at 1:54.272.

600cc Supersport times from Thursday morning practice follow:

1. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:53.502
2. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:54.272
3. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:54.274
4. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:54. 643
5. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:54.770
6. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:54.784
7. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:55.130
8. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:55.254
9. Owen Weichel, Kawasaki, 1:55. 437
10. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:55.461
11. Josh Hayes, Honda, 1:55.519
12. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:55.853
13. Grant Lopez, Suzuki, 1:56.192
14. Roger Hayden, Honda, 1:56.284
15. Joe Gill, Yamaha, 1:56.241

Once again, Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s 16-year old Ben Spies topped 750cc Supersport practice Thursday morning, with a time near the existing class lap record.

750cc Supersport times from Thursday morning practice follow:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSXR750, 1:54.085
2. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:54.174
3. Kurtis Roberts, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:54.306
4. Josh Hayes, Honda CBR600F4i 1:54.306
5. Richard Alexander, Jr., Suzuki GSXR750, 1:54.745
6. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSXR750, 1:54.856
7. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSXR750, 1:54.943
8. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:55.187
9. John Hopkins, Suzuki GSXR600, 1:55.606
10. Brian Gibbs, Suzuki GSXR750, 1:55.735
11. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSXR600, 1:55.838
12. Owen Weichel, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:55.949
13. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:55.980
14. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSXR600, 1:56.512
15. Roland Williams, Suzuki GSXR750, 1:56.616


In 250cc Grand Prix practice Thursday morning, Rich Oliver reasserted his authority, running almost a full second quicker than second-fastest Roland Sands. Times follow:

1. Rich Oliver, 1:55.472
2. Roland Sands, 1:56.417
3. Jason DiSalvo, 1:57.228
4. Randy Renfrow, 1:58.272
5. Simon Turner, 1:58.526
6. Thomas Palander, 1:58.864
7. Perry Melneciuc, 1:59.498
8. Jimmy Filice, 2:00.222
9. Eric Wood, 2:00.660
10. Derek McKelvie King, 2:01.275