Team M4 EMGO Suzuki claimed their second podium finish of the young 2005 season on Saturday at Barber Motorsports Park. Vincent Haskovec challenged for victory throughout the Formula Xtreme race before ultimately finishing third in a thrilling three-rider dogfight.
Haskovec wisely chose to sit behind his factory Honda rivals aboard his Pirelli slick-shod GSX-R600 to conserve his tires throughout most of the race before making his bid for the win during the final three laps. The Czech Republic native brought the huge Alabama crowd to their feet, slicing up into the lead more than once during the contest’s dramatic final moments.
Unfortunately, a bold last gasp effort to capture the victory fell just short and Haskovec wound up third at the stripe following a fairing-bashing final lap.
Haskovec explained his strategy after missing out on the FX win by just .621 seconds, “I was hoping those guys were going to work their tires too hard. I could tell in the slow corners they got some work done on those tires. I thought they were going to be sliding around the last three laps. It didn’t work out. They slid around for sure, but they didn’t give up. That’s the only thing I didn’t plan on. It was definitely a good race. I have to tip my hats to both those guys. Of course it’s disappointing, but still great.”
Haskovec also took part in the Superbike race aboard his Superstock-spec GSX-R1000. Despite being outgunned by the full-blown factory Superbike machinery, he took a fine top-ten finishing, crossing the line in ninth.
Earlier on Saturday, Haskovec and teammate Geoff May qualified for Sunday’s Supersport and Superstock finals. Haskovec lapped the 2.3-mile Barber Motorsports Park circuit with a best time of 1:26.836, good enough to secure him the fifth spot on the grid for the 60k Superstock final.
May was right on his teammate’s heels, posting a 1:27.144. The lap was seventh best overall, strong enough to earn him a second row starting position of his own. He then went on to qualify his GSX-R600 eleventh for the Supersport contest with a quick time of 1:29.832.
