Waukesha, Wisc. (June 3, 2008) — James Gang/Hoban Brothers Racing will field two GrandSport Twins (GST) Buell teams sponsored by H-D/Buell of Appleton during round three of the SunTrust MOTO-ST series at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisc., held during the AMA Superbike race weekend on June 7.
Regular team riders Paul James and Jeff Johnson raced their Buell Firebolt XB12R to second and third place finishes in the first two SunTrust MOTO-ST rounds at Daytona and VIR respectively and currently sit second in GST points, just three points behind the Richie Morris Racing Buell team.
“Road America is our home track and the backyard of our primary sponsors Hoban Brothers and H-D/Buell of Appleton, so we’ll have plenty of family and friends cheering us on for the win,” said James.
“I must have more than 50 races under my helmet at Road America, it is absolutely my favorite track to ride,” said Johnson. “I’m looking forward to putting our bike on the top of the podium this weekend.”
Veteran Buell racer Greg Avello and young gun Chris Quillman will pilot the second James Gang/Hoban Brothers Racing entry. Avello has two prior SunTrust MOTO-ST GST podiums to his credit, while Quillman’s MOTO-ST debut will mark his first race on a Buell motorcycle as well as his first ever endurance race. The 21-year-old tested the team’s backup Buell Firebolt XB12R for the first time at Blackhawk Farms on May 31st and impressed everyone with his ability to quickly adapt to the new ride.
“I like how the Buell is so easy to ride even if you don’t have a lot of seat time. Also the torque that the Buell V-Twin makes is incredible,” said Quillman, the 2007 CCS Midwest Lightweight Grand Prix Champion on a Bliss Machine Ltd. Yamaha TZ250.
“We’re pretty pumped up to race during the AMA Superbike weekend,” said Avello, who has competed in AMA Pro Thunder rounds in the past at Road America. “It’s a great track and a special atmosphere. We think we can put both Buells on the podium.”
The James Gang/Hoban Brothers Racing crew for the Road America weekend will include Crew Chief Mike Kirkpatrick and Tuner John Dahmer, along with Nancy Birkenstock, Amy James, Pete Johnson, Rita Johnson, Matt King, Tom and Kelli Michels, Rocco Scola and Alex Oppermann.