Team M4 EMGO Suzuki enjoyed a solid conclusion to the Mid-Ohio weekend on Sunday but entered the day aiming for even stronger results then they were ultimately rewarded with. Michael Barnes’ terrific front-row qualifying performances had the team focused on securing a pair of podiums this weekend, but it wasn’t to be. The Floridian backed up his fourth-place finish in Saturday’s Formula Xtreme race by claiming seventh in Sunday’s 16-lap Superstock race.
Barnes ran as high as fourth early, but wasn’t able to hold the position. He still looked good for a top-five result in the race, but unfortunately was bumped back a couple positions on the final lap and crossed the line seventh. It was a respectable showing in the hotly contested big-bore class, but it was still less than team hoped for after displaying their potential so clearly on Friday and Saturday.
Geoff May took his Pirelli-shod GSX-R1000 to a top-ten result as well, even though a shoulder injury bothered him. The Georgian put in a steady ride to tenth place, his fourth top-ten Superstock finish of the 2005 season. May then finished out the weekend with an eleventh place showing in the 60k Supersport final.
Team Crew Chief Keith Perry commented, “Today was very disappointing. We qualified on the front row for two big races and looked like we had a shot, but we ended up going backwards. We’ve got some reevaluating to do to make sure we’re not missing something. Everybody is working hard, the riders are trying hard, and Pirelli is doing a good job, we know that. We just need to make sure we get all the pieces put in the right places.”
Team M4 EMGO Suzuki will next race at VIR August 24-26. The team will also test at Road Atlanta next month in anticipation of the AMA finale to be held at the track in September.