YOUNG DUCATI RACER WINS $10,000 IN CCS RACE OF CHAMPIONS THIS WEEKEND Ryan Andrews and Bill Keros victorious in Expert and Amateur Supertwins, respectively Cupertino, CA This weekend’s CCS Race of Champions was a fierce competition for Ducati’s $10,000 racing contingency prize in the Expert Supertwins class with Ducati 999s finishing first and second. The Amateur Supertwins class also saw two Ducati’s on the top steps of the podium with first place won by Bill Keros of Section 8 Superbike aboard a Ducati 749. Ryan Andrews, whose experience includes the AMA Formula Xtreme series racing a 749R, decided to try racing a 999 this weekend. The transition was natural for the 18-year-old resident of Waco, Texas. “The 749R that I raced in Formula Xtreme was one of the ex-HMC bikes so it’s a fully prepared racebike and a bit of a handful at times. The 999S I won with this weekend is actually much easier to ride, especially because ours was mostly stock.” The race was a true underdog story with a stock 999S against many race prepared 999R’s. However, that didn’t discourage Andrews who rode with his heart and used the draft to pass people under braking despite a horsepower disadvantage. “I had only been to Daytona once before and we tried to gear the bike for the draft. Most of the other guys would accelerate away from me out of the chicane but I had the bike geared right and I could draft them and pass on the brakes going into turn 1,” said Andrews. The young rider was quickest through the infield section and when he came upon a lapped rider he didn’t get the drive out onto the banking that he hoped. Waiting for another racer to blow past him, he took a low route on the banking and ultimately crossed the finish line in first place. Andrews said, “I knew I had a chance to win it but our main competition was sitting on the pole and I was starting from row six! I was really surprised at the end but it was also very rewarding. Everyone showed up to the race on these impressive racebikes and I was riding a 999S with a completely stock motor and only an exhaust system. This victory is sweet.” RESULTS: Expert Supertwins: 1. Ryan Andrews (Ducati 999) 2. Larry Denning (Ducati 999) 3. Aaron Clark (Aprilia) 4. Brian Stokes (Aprilia) 5. Christopher Boy (Ducati) 6. Marco Martinez (Ducati 999) 7. Thomas Fournier (Ducati 996) 8. Chales Sandoz (Aprilia) 9. Eric Moucatel (Ducati 749) 10. Douglas Gross (Ducati 999) Amateur Supertwins: 1. Bill Keros (Ducati 749) 2. Carlos Contreras (Ducati 996) 3. Eric Schnorrbusch (Aprilia) Expert Heavy Superbike: 1. Jesse Janisch (Suzuki) 2. Joe Ribeiro (Suzuki) 3. Elio Net (Ducati 996) 4. Dario Marchetti (Ducati 999) 5. R. Bryan Land (Yamaha) 6. Jones Conception (Ducati 999) Expert UltraLight Superbike: 1. Rodney Burr (Ducati SS800) 2. Daniele Lenarduzzi (Aprilia 250) 3. Duane Francis (Triumph) More, from a press release issued by Blue Springs Racing: Sipp says goodbye to the Daytona curse! Daytona, FL Walt Sipp finished 5th in the final round of the Formula USA Thunderbike Championship. Qualifying was held on Saturday in good, but humid weather conditions. After equaling his best Daytona qualifying to date; 7th 1.53.250 things appeared to be going well. “I’m a little disappointed with my position really. I was hoping for a little more. I went out by myself, but I should have hooked up with somebody. I just needed a little bit of a tow through the tri-oval. Anyway, second row isn’t too bad. I believe my race pace will be a little better,” said the Blue Springs Harley-Davidson sponsored Buell rider. Things didn’t get started too well in the race though. “I got distracted on the grid and got a horrible start. I wound up getting pasted by what felt like everybody,” said Sipp. While not everyone passed him, he was only 15th into turn one. That seemed to be the turning point though. He slowing started making his way through the field. A combination of a fast running bike and being strong on the brakes into turn one allowed him to work his way up to 5th with only a couple laps to go. Walt said, “Yeah, I kind of settled into a rhythm after I got past everybody. I could see the lead pack of four in front of me, but I knew by myself I wasn’t going to catch them. I really needed some drafting help. I’m happy though. That’s my best finish here so I’ll take it!” After a tough start to the season, the Blue Springs crew was able to turn it around at the end. The last four races saw Sipp finish 6th at VIR, 5th at Barber, 6th at Autobahn and 5th at Daytona. Sipp said, “We were on a good run of form here late in the season. We missed a top five in season points by only seven points. That’s tough, but we’ll be back strong next year.” Look for Walt and the Blue Springs crew to be back strong and to better there position next year. To find out more about more, visit www.waltsipp.com and www.bluespringsharleydavidson.com .