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AMA: Pridmore Leads Superbike Qualifying as Eight Riders Crack PPIR Record

6 September 1998

FOUNTAIN, Colo. - This might not have been the best week on Wall Street but at least one rider in this weekends American Motorcyclist Association MBNA Superbike race at Pikes Peak International Raceway isnt going to be looking for any tall buildings from which to jump.

Jason Pridmore holds the provisional pole with his Vance & Hines Ducati after the first day of qualifying in the Cruise America Superbikes Weekend presented by Suzuki after covering the 1.3-mile road course in a record 54.881 seconds.

"I hope my stock went up a little," said Pridmore, who entered the race 24th in the standings.

"We had a good setup for qualifying and were able to get the provisional pole but I think the times will be faster (Saturday). I think we have a little bit left in our bike."

Qualifying resumes Saturday for all six pro classes in addition to championship races in the 750 SuperSport and Formula Xtreme classes.

The unseasonal heat on the Front Range didnt effect Pridmore.

"When you get riding you really dont think about (the heat) much. Im just happy with the way things are going now."

It apparently didnt affect performance as eight riders broke the Doug Chandlers year-old track record of 55.575 seconds.

While some riders said they were affected by PPIRs 5,357-foot elevation, Pridmore of Ventura, Calif., said it didnt impact his performance.

"Ive been training hard and sticking to my nutritional program," he said. "I know I have the bike to win so I dont want my body to let me down."

Others, though, including No. 2-qualifier Aaron Yates, said the altitude took a little out of their sails.

"Its hot where I come from, so it must be the elevation thats getting to me here. But Im having a lot of fun," said Yates of Milledgeville, Ga who is .056 seconds behind Pridmore

Chandler, the points leader who is going for his fourth Superbike season championship, fell off the pace to sixth on his Muzzi Kawasaki but qualified higher than he anticipated.

"We didnt really use the tires we had saved for qualifying," said Chandler of Salinas, Calif.. "I elected to save them for (Saturday) hoping the track will be a little bit better.

"Im not too disappointed. I think we were pretty close. I didnt expect to be at the top just because I didnt use my (best) tires."

Ben Bostrom of Granada Hills, Calif., trails Chandler by 2 points in the standings and qualified fifth.