TURNER’S CYCLE RACING’S KRIS TURNER FINISHES 11TH AT THE 70TH ANNUAL HISTORICAL DAYTONA 200. Kris Turner and Turner’s Cycle Racing completed a successful season opener at Daytona last weekend. Qualifying on the 5th row in 19th was a little disappointing for Turner, and maybe just enough inspiration to pick up the pace a little, with Turner dropping to 12th quickest in Sunday’s morning warm up. The Daytona 200 was nothing short of an exciting cluster of surprises. With three red flags and some of the most wild passes and crashes witnessed. Turner started off strong with a decent start, and began working his way up through the pack, passing up to 9th place. With a gas-n-go only planned pit stop on lap 18, Turner was hoping to pick up even more positions. But a TV crew loitering on pit road was obstructing his view, Turner missed his pit stall and had to make another lap for a second stop. At the first red flag, Kris started to make up for his mistake and got to 14th. Kris Turner- “I knew I made a mistake on the first pit stop, even with outside help it was my mistake. I was so disappointed in myself all day after that. I was riding really great and was really comfortable riding at a really quick pace. When I saw the red flag come out I knew it was second chance for me to make up what I lost in the pits. Everything that happened during that first crazy red flag break was just back ground work going on, I was really trying to keep my head in the race so I could pick it up and go right from the first lap, I knew if I could just find about a half second or second in the second segment I could run with the leaders.” After the mandatory tire change, and mandatory tire swap to another new front tire, and a nice speed center break for the live TV, the lights were out again. Turner knew he had his work cut out for him on the first lap with his quick shifter no longer working. That wasn’t the only problem he was having: Turner- ” We were planning on doing the whole race on one front and one rear, gas only. I really think it would have worked out great if we didn’t have a semi used rear tire on the warmer for an hour and a half between racing. Having a tire heated for 4 to 5 hours will make it a little greasy and I started to chase that rear all over the place. I knew without my quick shifter and limited traction the only place left to make up time was on the brakes in the chicane and turn one.” Turner held off a hard fighting Nash for 11th place in official results. Turner- “After the way the last two Daytona 200s have been, this is such a relief. This race usually sets the mood for the rest of the year and I am really excited to get rolling. I’m going to do what I can to catch the lead pack and see if I can’t race up front a little this year. I really need to thank my crew for staying in the game, even with my confusion in the pits, they never slipped once when I did make it in. They had a very quick stop and had me in and out at a very quick time.” “This is really a great race, even on days like this. It’s a historical race world wide and I am happy to be a part of it.” Turner’s Cycle Racing wants to thank the whole Parton family, James (Mr. Parton himself), Donald and son Nathaniel for all their help this weekend. Also Joe Calabro for driving all the way down to help out, it made things a bit easier in the end. Nathaniel Parton commenting on the weekend- “I had fun even in the whole tire changing mess. We went from being the last one to have our tire changed at Dunlop to the first one to have it swapped for another. Kris rode great in the race and I’m happy to see him do well.” Turner’s Cycle Racing wants to thank all their sponsors for the 2011 season. Turner’s Cycle, MJ Moto Gear, Arai, RS Taichi, Moto Liberty, Sidi, DP Brakes, Vortex and Spider Grips. More, from a press release issued by Öhlins USA: Öhlins Wins 70th Daytona 200, Thanks to Team Latus Motors Racing & Jason DiSalvo Hendersonville, North Carolina: Öhlins USA congratulates Team Latus Motors Racing, and its rider Jason DiSalvo, for their historic win of the 70th running of the Daytona 200. This is Ducati’s first win of this classic one-rider endurance race on the high banks. Though the race didn’t go it’s full scheduled distance, the Daytona 200s have a history of perplexity and weirdness, caused by the anomalous contingencies of racing on 31-degree banking. It tests the metal of men (and a woman or two also) and every team and rider has an equal chance of not winning, of not being lucky, of not being first to the finish line. Team Latus won this latest Daytona 200 after they’d witnessed themselves lose it. But they didn’t give up. After the race, DiSalvo said, “I thought the race was over for us when the bike was behind the pit wall. And then there I was back on the grid, with a new engine, in time for the restart. “Then I thought we’d lost it again when I felt something strange in the front end going into turn one a few laps into the final run. You have to respect that track and the riders around you, so I slowed in the infield to be clear of them so I could take a quick look over the fairing to reassess the bike. It all looked good so I thought I must have just run over something. “Then I was 2-and-a-half seconds back and in danger of losing the pack. I put my head down and ended up setting the fastest lap of race, about 1-and-a-half seconds faster than the others were going at the time. I knew I was back in it. But I didn’t know I’d win until I had won. Maybe five feet from line I didn’t feel the push of someone coming by, so I was feeling good. When someone’s drafting a pass you can feel them pushing your bike with the air in front of them.” Öhlins USA would also like to congratulate Dan Kyle and Kyle Racing for their contributions to DiSalvo’s win. Plus, congratulations to Blake Young and Rockstar Makita Suzuki for their wins of both Superbike races at Daytona, and David Gaviria and Team LTD Racing for their win in Saturday’s Supersport race. And, a big heads up to Joe Kopp, for his exciting 3rd-place finish in the Harley-Davidson XR1200 class. Öhlins USA distributes and services the world’s leading performance suspension for automobiles, motorcycles, ATVs, and snowmobiles. Öhlins develops its proprietary and innovative suspension components at the highest levels of racing from open-wheel car racing, to Moto GP, to off-road competition on two and four wheels. Öhlins USA also provides training for service centers and dealers. www.Ohlinsusa.com. More, from a press release issued by STAR Motorcycle School: STAR MOTORCYCLE SCHOOL-SPONSORED JAMES RISPOLI FINISHES A FINE THIRD AT DAYTONA James Rispoli raced his ANT-Racing.com, STAR School, National Guard-sponsored Suzuki GSX-R600 to a hard-fought third place in Saturday’s AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport race at Daytona International Speedway on March 12. Rispoli had finished seventh in Friday’s race, and made changes on the bike to improve on those results and run with the leaders on Saturday. After a good start and catching the draft of the leaders, he ran in fourth and benefitted from a tip-over by another rider to take over third near the end of the race. The combined results give Rispoli second place in the East SuperSport points championship after Daytona. “I got a great start and we were right there,” said Rispoli. “I was fourth, and the first couple of laps I was pushing pretty hard to stay in the draft. It was tough for me to get off the corners with the other guys. Once I got to sixth gear the top speed was alright where I could reel them back in. I almost made a pass down in turn one to take third early in the race, but I had to ride a fine line every lap just to stay with them. The tires started heating up and I started spinning a lot. It got really difficult to ride. I kept pushing, and luckily we had a 10-second gap on the next guy. I ran it into turn one, and went a little wide. I brought it back in, took a peek behind, saw that we had a good gap. I was trying to run around up near the wall to have less air to push. Luckily we brought it home for a third place finish.” “I met Jason through Rich Alexander, and we connected,” Rispoli continued. “I understand everything that he’s saying, and I do it because I trust him 100%, and it has never failed yet. Every time I do what he says, it’s like, wow, I can’t believe I didn’t think of that myself. Bringing Jason and STAR School on board has been huge, and I can’t wait to do more schools and keep working with them.” Look for James Rispoli and the ANT-Racing.com, STAR School, National Guard team at their next event at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA on May 13-15, 2011. The Skills and Techniques for Advanced Riding Motorcycle School was created to help you become a more proficient, more confident rider. STAR is sponsored by American Suzuki, Dunlop Tires, Two Brothers Racing, Dainese Leathers, AGV Helmets, Cycle Gear, Motorex, Motion Pro, Ancra and ProtectAll. For more information on the STAR Motorcycle School, visit www.starmotorcycle.com or call 562-802-7061. Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/starmotorcycleschool. More, from a press release issued by Jake Morman’s publicist: Loganville, GA. Unfortunately for Jake Morman, Daytona 2011, his first Pro race weekend was a Bust. After the abbreviated start to the weekend with a wet track delaying first practice/qualifying on Thursday, Jake took 13th position into a very cold 43 degree Friday morning final qualifying session. Looking for more with an overnight meeting with his team and subsequent gearing and suspension change, it all ended in the T2 wall as he swapped the rear multiple times eventually running out of track and being forced to lay it down. With a broken ankle, stretched and sore inner leg tendons and muscles, bruised knee and slight concussion, he goes home to heal and work to come back strong for his second round in the Supersport East Championship at Barber Motorsports in June. The 16 year old Georgian has a well deserved reputation as a tough competitor, having lost a large portion of his right pinkie finger in a racing accident and returning on track a week later during his Red Bull Rookies Cup campaign. This kid will be back with the same smooth and precise style he’s known for with a renewed sense of hunger. Keep up with Jake on his facebook fan page. “With all the wet weather on Thursday, having to combine practice and qualifying into one session was tough. We really needed to get the bike set up correct as this was the only chance before the race on Friday” said Jake. “After discussing the issues with the team we decided to make some changes and hope for the best. I was really hoping for a good qualifying session on Friday to redeem myself from Thursday’s time, but second lap around going through turn one I was really going in hot and thought I could pull it off but the tires just wouldn’t grip and I saved it twice before finally losing the rear end completely and hitting the wall. It looks like I will be out for about 4-5 weeks to heal the ankle which is not what I wanted to hear, but what needs to be done so I can be 100% for the Barber round.” Jake would like to thank all of the people who supported his efforts at Daytona, The Schwantz School, Pant Saggin Dezigns, Arai Helmets, Dainese, Livengood Motorsports, Ohlins USA, Motul, Dunlop, Dwayne Hopper & Billy Abrams at Total Appearance, Adam Howard, Paul Johnson, Rich DuBarton, Carol Butler, and Allen and Kayla Brand. More, from a press release issued by FOGI Racing: The Highs and Lows of Ben Young’s AMA Daytona Debut. Thornbury ON, CANADA – March 15, 2011 – FOGI Racing’s Ben Young AMA Pro Road Racing debut on the legendary banks of Daytona International Speedway resulted in highs and lows on and off the track at this past weekend’s series opener of the AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport series. Leading up to the series opener is a challenging time for all teams and riders. This certainly was no different for the young Canadian racer. Young’s Yamaha R6 was far from being race-ready. Prior to heading to the U.S. his bike was still on the work bench in Atlanta waiting for the last few parts to arrive. Team sponsor, Turn 2 Superbike School came to the rescue by lending the team a 2009 Yamaha R6. The team picked up the loner machine the day they left for Jennings, Florida for pre-season testing. By the time the team and Young arrived at Daytona, the bike was ready to go with the exception of the reinforced front brake lines. Rain is typically something that no rider wishes for however the showers that arrived Thursday morning were a blessing disguise as it allowed them time to fit the lines which arrived that morning. The bike, with stock motor and only a Power Commander for engine management was now ready for tech and the weekend ahead. Due to the rain delay, riders went straight into the first qualifying session. It was a daunting time for the 17 yr old rider not knowing what to expect from the historic Daytona track and tackling it aboard the R6 for the first time with a completely stock machine. Young’s experience, determination and maturity shown through resulting in a provisional 17th on the grid out of 42 highly compensative entries. After the second qualifier, Young’s combined qualifying placed him 18th overall on the starting grid for Friday’s AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport race. Friday’s weather cooperated and the grid was set for the first of two AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport races to be held over the weekend. Young, excited to be back in saddle, was ready to show what he was made of. Young, aboard the #86 FOGI Racing/Lean Angle supported Yamaha R6, got a good start but battled to stay in the draft and finished 17th. “I was left running by myself most of the time,” said Young. “The group in front of me just got away and I rode as hard as I could to get back with them. It’s all about drafting here.” Young learned from the previous day’s race and was ready to apply these lessons to Saturday’s race, the second of the doubleheader at Daytona. Once again lining up 18th on the grid, he launched the FOGI Racing/Lean Angle backed Yamaha R6 off the line but this time he battled his way up to 8th before the end of the first lap. This well earned advantage was short lived as the Red Flag was displayed ending the race before the completion of the first lap. The riders then re-gridded in preparation of a restart. Young returned from the sighting lap and immediately knew something was wrong. The clutch had failed. “I couldn’t believe it.” said the disappointed rider “I tried starting but the engine was screaming and I had to retire, It is so disappointing as I know how much work everyone put in to get me here. Unfortunately it happens”. Young went on to explain how he felt about the weekend as a whole. “I had a great time! Daytona is awesome track. I had heard so many different stories and experiences from other riders, it was an absolute blast and can’t wait to race here again”. The team’s next AMA race is at Barber Motorsports Park June 17/19th. The team has promised Ben they will have his new Supersport Spec bike ready to go prior for testing. Ben Young would like to thank, FOGI Racing, Lean Angle, Orient Express, Hitman, Motul, Arai, EBC Brakes, K&N, Hindle Exhausts, Bickel Racing, TechSpec Gripsters, MICS, Turn2 Sportbike School, Woodcraft and Arlen Ness. More, from a press release issued by Iron Horse BMW/ESP: Team Iron Horse BMW/ESP (Tucson, AZ) with Rider Chris Peris Proves Competitive at Daytona Lining up for race one in AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike at Daytona as the top BMW S1000RR was Team Iron Horse BMW/ESP with rider Chris Peris. The only team in the top ten that didn’t attend the Daytona Tire Test was 7th on the grid after qualifying two. Chris Peris and Team Iron Horse BMW/ESP shaved 1.4 seconds off their time between qualifying one and two for a best lap of 1:39.024. After more tuning and development, the team was ready for a wicked race and in contention to put the first S1000RR on the box. It was a huge disappointment for the entire team as rider Chris Peris was taken out by another rider, the second closest BMW S1000RR on the grid, in turn four of the first lap. With no rider error or mechanical issue, Peris was in the wrong place at the wrong time as the other rider lost the front end of his motorcycle and it shot like a torpedo into Chris Peris. With a total of four bikes down in the first lap of race one, only Peris was taken to medical as both he and the bike had a hard landing. Tough as nails and determined to get back up, Peris sprinted back from the medical center to the hot pit to assess the bike and get back out on the track. With the red flag thrown and only three minutes to make repairs, the team deemed it unwise for both the rider and the bike to re-enter race one. That afternoon, the team went back to work and not only rebuilt the damaged bike, but anticipated all the development that was gained by the rest of the grid from the 15 laps of race data. Saturday morning came early with an 8:00 am 20 minute warm-up. With just barely enough time to warm the tires before getting on the track, this session was vital to ensure the bike was ready to race. Indeed it was, as Peris was 5th in warm-up with a very sore body and a freshly revived bike. Team Iron Horse BMW/ESP was again optimistic for race two and had a strong start that led the two top S1000RRs into an awesome 13 lap battle. The two S1000RRs were alone and neck in neck for all but the final two laps as some crash damage wiggled its way to the surface and left Peris, at the time in 6th position and the leading S1000RR, riding the last two laps in 2nd gear to an amazing 10th place finish. Evan Steel – Crew Chief: “I am so proud of our team. We worked nonstop and made constant forward progress despite some pretty big setbacks that we had no control over. Our first session was rained out so first qualifying was our first time on track but Chris did an outstanding job of getting up to speed at a very high mile per hour track with no practice. The fact that he was consistently in the top 5 to 7 is very encouraging, as we still have a lot of room to improve our bike. It was unfortunate to get taken out of race one, but that’s racing sometimes. Even worse was that hidden damage from that crash cost us a 6th place finish in race two. Overall we did a great job of catching up to the teams that were here earlier this year testing, and I am looking forward to the rest of the season. We will be working flat out from now until the Infineon round to try to bridge the gap to the front.” Jennifer Cartwright – Team Manager: “I am so thrilled with our team. We worked so hard and brilliantly together. This round, even with the disappointments, has validated that we have everything it takes to be one of the top teams this season. Daytona is a hectic round as it is the first, the furtherest and the most expensive round of the season. ESP did a remarkable job developing the S1000RR with only 4 AMA rounds in 2010 as well as limited and high pressure circumstances at the track. Our amazing rider Chris Peris, as always, exceed expectation and rode like a champ. We learned a tremendous amount from this round, but all in all we feel like we have the big stuff figured out and we will have the small stuff hammered down to be in front at Infineon.” This would not be possible without the support of all our amazing sponsors: BMW North America, Iron Horse Motorcycles, Peris Riding School, E-MotoTires.com, Ohlins, Kyle Racing, GPR, Driven, Hotbodies, USMegaMax.com, XCEL Trackdays, On The Level (OTL), RunGP, HT Moto, KurveyGirl.com, Speedcell, Top-Line Printing, BMW Motorcycle Magazine, Shoei, XpedX For Sponsorship inquiries contact Jennifer Cartwright: (+1) 520 271 1596 or email: [email protected] Team Iron Horse BMW/ESP Win on Sunday, sell on Monday. Team Iron Horse BMW/ESP was created to maximize the strengths of both organizations and for the sheer love of racing. Iron Horse BMW is focused on their customers’ ownership experience. ESP is an independent sport bike shop that focuses on the racer and track day rider. This is the reason Iron Horse BMW teamed up with ESP. ESP understands the sport bike market, and they have the skills and experience Iron Horse BMW needs to be able to sell the S1000RR to new customers with the knowledge only racing provides. Iron Horse BMW/ESP will use their racing experience to further develop the S1000RR. Team Iron Horse BMW/ESP will use AMA Superbike competition to develop chassis, suspension and motor parts and accessories that will be made available to S1000RR owners, allowing them to enjoy the BMW S1000RR for years to come. Iron Horse BMW Iron Horse BMW is Arizona’s premier BMW dealer, located in Tucson, Arizona. Iron Horse is dedicated to providing their customers with the best possible ownership experience. The staff are passionate and avid motorcyclists from motocross to roadracing and everything in between. They have the experience and ability to help riders get the most out of their motorcycles. To make your dream of S1000RR ownership a reality, contact Iron Horse at (+1) 520 327 0773 or www.ironhorsemotorcycles.com Evan Steel Performance Evan Steel Performance is a small, personal, specialized shop located in Tucson, Arizona that deals with all aspects of motorcycle road racing. ESP bikes have had some of the highest trap speeds in their classes at AMA Nationals, as well as the highest top speed at start/finish at the 50th annual Macau Grand Prix. In 2009, ESP clinched the Supersport East title with numerous victories. In 2008, ESP scored a very rare privateer podium at the VIR AMA National in the Superstock class with Chris Peris. ESP is open to any level of racing, from basic race prep to planning a season at the Nationals. ESP can be reached at (520) 294 3050 or www.evansteelperformance.com More, from a press release issued by Putter Power Media on behalf of Chicken Hawk Racing: CHICKEN HAWK RACING-EQUIPPED RIDERS SWEEP DAYTONA AMA PRO ROADRACES RED HOOK, N.Y. (March 15, 2011) – Every race was won by a rider using Chicken Hawk Racing tire warmers during the season-opening AMA Pro Racing weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Beginning its 10th year of partnership with Yoshimura, Chicken Hawk Racing congratulates Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Blake Young on two big wins in the hard-fought Superbike class and teammate Tommy Hayden on his podium finishes. Daytona 200 victor Jason DiSalvo, of Team Latus Motors Racing Ducati, relied upon Chicken Hawk Racing tire warmers, too. Even young guns who are serious about winning used Chicken Hawk Racing tire warmers to top the SuperSport field. Miles Thornton took pole position, then LTD Racing’s Tomas Puerta and teammate David Gaviria scored the race wins. XR1200 winner Kyle Wyman has been on Chicken Hawk Racing tire warmers since he began racing. Polesitter Steve Rapp also used the company’s products. Chicken Hawk Racing President and Founder David Podolsky, a championship-winning roadracer himself, was happy with the results of the opening round of the series: “This is our 16th year in the AMA paddock and we are proud to be involved with such professional race teams. We’d like to congratulate race winners Blake Young, Jason DiSalvo, Kyle Wyman, Tomas Puerta and David Gaviria. They are awesome competitors of the highest caliber.” As America’s top racers have demonstrated, Chicken Hawk Racing products, which are designed and manufactured in New York, allow serious grip from the drop of the green flag. They’re built from the finest U.S.-sourced materials, are easy to mount, simple to remove and efficiently bring today’s high-tech rubber up to optimum temperature and hot pressure for immediate traction. Working directly with elite racers, top teams and the world’s best tire engineers, Chicken Hawk Racing continues to prove-and improve-its products in America’s premier motorcycle roadracing series. For more information on how to lead the pack with Chicken Hawk Racing tire warmers and related products, log on to ChickenHawkRacing.com. More, from a press release issued by KTM: Reekie rules Pro-Thunder aboard KTM RC8R at Formula Xtreme opener Multiple-time national Supermoto champion Angus Reekie has continued his successful transition to road racing, winning the opening round of the Pro-Thunder series in the Australian FX-Superbike Championship at Eastern Creek in NSW last weekend. Reekie was in superb form at the Sydney-based circuit aboard his KTM Racing 1190 RC8R, grabbing pole position in qualifying before comfortably going on to win all three races on Sunday. The win marks Reekie’s second in a row after his team took out the Production category in last year’s 6 Hour at Phillip Island, and he’s enjoying every minute of it as he takes full advantage of his Supermoto experience on the blacktop. “My expectations weren’t to go and win, mostly just to get a good result,” Reekie said. “After qualifying we knew we were in a good position to challenge for victory and it worked out really well on Sunday. “The RC8R is the same bike that we won the Production class at the 6 Hour, so it was pretty much standard. It’s just so easy to ride fast and consistent. Handling-wise, it’s just on rails. “I really need to thank the guys from KTM Jeff Leisk, Rob Twyerould and Johnny Distefano PC Motorcycle Engineering, Motorex, Monza Imports, Dunlop, and of course, my dad for all of his help at the races.” Round one of the Pro-Thunder series is scheduled to be televised on SBS Speedweek at12:30pm on Sunday, 3 April. Formula Xtreme will continue at Wakefield Park Raceway in Goulburn, NSW, on 29 April-1 May. For further information on the KTM RC8R and the entire On Road range available from the Austrian manufacturer, visit www.ktm.com.au. More, from a press release issued by Sportsbike Ducati Only: RACE REPORT Rd1 AUSTRALIAN PRO-THUNDER CHAMPIONSHIP EASTERN CREEK RACEWAY SYDNEY : 11 13 MARCH 2011. THE HOTLY CONTESTED PRO THUNDER CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS. Sportsbike Ducationly rider Peter Martin has had a mixed start to the Australian Pro-Thunder Championships last Weekend, while improving on lap times, setting a respectable qualifying time and posting three good results on the Ducati 1198S at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway, Martin expected much more as every racer does. The 5 lap races were unusually short for a Championship, this made a good start vital and Martin struggled to get the Ducati off the line. While lap times were improved by 3 seconds over the last Eastern Creek outing, the short races ensured finishing positions were less than expected. The new Championship boasted a field of 30 riders using a limited number of ‘Dunlop Control’ tyres with a questionably short grip life. To save the tyres for the three races, Martin chose to do just 3 laps of Qualifying, while it was enough to place him 17th on the Grid, it was an error as Martin did not master the starts and spent too much time playing catch up during the races. After Round 1, Martin sits 16th overall and 8th in Formula 1. RIDER COMMENTS: PETER MARTIN Australian Pro-Thunder #31 “It is great to be back in an Australian Championship again although I am disappointed that I did not get the results I know I am capable of. There are 18 Races over 6 rounds so anything can happen and there is time to catch up. While the Ducati 1198S worked flawlessly all weekend, I have turned the Traction Control off to get on the gas earlier in corners, the other side of that is how do I get a good start? I have not yet found a way to get the bike off the line. I am confident that my starts will improve as will every other aspect of my riding as I get match fit, more determined and ride with more commitment. The 1198S is too good a bike not to lift my game.” “Once I got going I could see the second group of 7 riders ahead, each Lap I closed around the back and lost a little through the fast turn one and into two. Once I caught up, they were setting faster lap times yet holding me up around the back, I now see where I could go even faster. This is encouraging, I now see where I am strong and what to work on.” “I seriously question how a 5 lap race could be considered a National Championship event. At Eastern Creek a 5 lap race is only 19.65Km race distance and that is no test of rider or machine, people ride further to the Corner Shop. In my view a National Championship Race should be at least 30Km (8 Laps) to have any credibility or worth.” “I am still trying to work out what Saturday’s racing is about, no one appears to take it seriously as a Race Day. It could be put to better use to make a more credible two day Championship of say 4 longer races over two days.” “The suspension and geometry changes made by Shock Treatment have worked a treat and I feel I have good control. The Dunlop Control tyres however are a disappointment, they are good for one race then loose grip, both front and rear were letting go far too easily, it would benefit both Dunlop and the Championship to provide quality tyres.” “My thanks to Terry, Gloria, the Officials and Flaggies for their effort and a good race meeting. Thanks also to Judy for Pit Crewing and to Dean, Mario and Grant Hay for their assistance over the weekend.” More, from a press release issued by Top Shelf Motorcycles: Sadowski Brothers avoid disaster at Daytona The front tire problem that plagued the field at the Daytona 200 also struck the Top Shelf Motorcycles Ducati of David Sadowski Jr. After overcoming bike setup issues in qualifying, David Jr. and Matt Sadowski piloted their Ducati 848 Evo’s into position for a very respectable finish in the race. Taking advantage of excellent pit stops and with a team strategy to run the entire race with one front tire, the brothers’ sites were set on a top 10 finish when the first red flag flew. The inspection of David’s front Daytona spec Dunlop revealed many blisters and quarter sized areas of tread missing. If it were not for the timely decision by AMA pro racing to red flag the event, David would have suffered a massive front tire failure within moments. After the tire replacement delay the action returned to the track. On the second restart, Matt Sadowski had what he described as the scariest racing incident he has ever faced. A piece of debris on the tri -oval, very possibly tire material off of a competitor’s bike, destroyed his front fender and brake lines leaving him without front brakes heading into turn one around 160mph! With quick thinking and a bit of luck, Matt avoided disaster by successfully maneuvering his Ducati through the hay bale barriers, back onto the race track at NASCAR turn one, and finally came to a stop at the famed raceway’s high banked turn two without falling off the bike! Maybe he did have an angel over his shoulder like his mother claimed after witnessing the incident. “This was the strangest Daytona 200 I have ever raced” said David Jr. “Our team was really working the strategy necessary to finish strong in the 200 and I was feeling confident when the tire problem happened. When Al Ludington made the right decision to shorten the race, it didn’t play into our bike setup or race strategy and I had to settle for 19th. Hopefully Dunlop can put this issue behind us and next year the race goes off without any problems”. Disappointed he didn’t complete his first outing in the 200, Matt was grateful he escaped his incident without harm. “I’m still trying to wrap me head around it all” said Matt. “The whole team went and checked out my rear wheel skid mark the day after the race. It had to be three hundred yards long before I split the bales and then I showed them where I came to a stop. I’m just really lucky that no one was coming out of the infield when I went flying through there!” Top Shelf Motorcycles would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support . Arai Helmets, Race Tech, GPR Stabilizers, EBC Brakes, RK Chains, Zero Gravity, SpeedyMoto, Leo Vince Exhaust, Pit Bull and Chicken Hawk Tire Warmers. Look for action videos, updates and more on Facebook or at www.topshelfmotorcycles.com More, from a press release issued by Wyman Brothers Racing: KYLE WYMAN WINS AT DAYTONA! BATAVIA, NY (March 15th, 2011) – Despite the adversity, Kyle Wyman pulled through for the inaugural AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 series race at Daytona International Speedway to claim his first AMA Pro Road Racing victory. Kyle crossed the line just .016 seconds ahead of RMR/Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Racing/Revolution Performance teammate Chris Fillmore after a last lap pass for the win. “It’s amazing.” Said Kyle, “Last time I was here I ended up going to the hospital, so it’s always been kind of weird coming back here (Daytona International Speedway), but I was able to put it out of my mind and go out there and win. More importantly I was able to put out all the adversity of this week, because we were just down to the wire, like Chris said. It’s amazing to be first and go 1-2 for the team after all we’ve been through.” The week leading up to the race turned into a last minute thrash as the team encountered problems with the motors after testing at Jennings GP the weekend before. Kyle’s bike arrived at the speedway just 45 minutes before the first qualifying session. “Big hats off to my Dad and the Daytona Harley crew for all the hard work they put in for the team without them here we wouldn’t have been able to grid up for the race.” Kyle will lead the championship points race in the AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 series going into the next round at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. “I feel confident for the rest of the season,” said the New Yorker, “I have my first win out of the way, so now I can concentrate on going out there and performing as well as I can without much pressure. Infineon is a track I’ve never been to, so I’m eager to get out there and see what I can do.” Kyle would like to thank his sponsors: Richie Morris Racing, Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Racing, Revolution Performance, Geico Powersports, Lucas Oil, Race Tech, EBC, Arai Helmets, Held USA, Sidi, Motion Pro, Pilot Leathers, Kicker Performance Audio and Webster Dental Group.