Saturday was a long and frustrating day at Mid-Ohio for Team M4 EMGO Suzuki with multiple rainstorms interrupting the action. Recurring rainfall in the area forced a number of long waits for a dry track and there were only fleeting moments of on-track activity. However, in one brief appearance beforea third shower prematurely ended the day, Michael Barnes put on an impressive performance.
‘Barney’ topped the charts in the 20-minute afternoon Formula Xtreme practice, the only time Team M4 EMGO Suzuki circulated the Mid-Ohio racecourse on Saturday. The Floridian registered a 1:30.358 aboard his Pirelli-shod GSX-R600 to set the pace.
Better weather is expected for what’s promising to be an extremely busy Sunday to conclude the 2006 AMA season. Barnes and May will qualify in morning (Barnes in Supersport and May in Supersport and Superstock) before the squad turns their attention to a trio of races to round out the year.
Barnes will first take on the Formula Xtreme contest and then May will race his GSX-R1000 in Superstock. Team M4 EMGO Suzuki’s final race will be in the Supersport class, where May and Barnes have taken two consecutive 2-3 finishes and stood 1-2 in Friday’s opening practice this weekend.
