[Geo147]

Yes they can.
Have you tried using this method

HOW TO BOOT DVDR BACKUPS WITH AR2V2 and PS2 No-Solder R-Mod
1. Put the dongle into slot 2.
2. Load the AR2v2 disk.
3. At the main screen press "Eject".
4. Swap the AR2v2 disk for a BIG DVDrom ORIGINAL
(It must be bigger than the DVDr you want to load).
5. Select "CODES".
6. Select "DAVE MIRRA".
7. Press "X" to choose the cheat.
EVERY CHEAT SHOULD BE ACTIVE.
8. Press "Start".
9. Select "Start game WITH codes".
10. Press "X".
A message will say "Too many codes active".
The DVD original will now stop spinning.
11. Now hold eject till the disk comes out, and swap with your backup DVD
the disc will go back in after 5 seconds.
12. Press "X".
You will be taken back to the "CODES" screen.
13. Press "Start".
14. Select "Start game WITHOUT codes".
15. Press "X".
The DVDr backup will now boot.

The next time you boot a DVDr (as long as you havent selected a different cheat code)
you can miss out sections 5,6 & 7.