Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Arclight Suzuki’s Lee Acree will not ride in the Formula USA Unlimited Superbike races Sunday at Road America due to injuries sustained over the last two race weekends.

“He’s just in too much pain,” said Arclight Suzuki co-owner/Crew Chief Chuck Warren.

Acree suffered second-degree burns to the inside of his left thigh during the AMA event at Mid-Ohio July 26-28, and during the week in between events, the burns have become infected.

“Riding the big bike is just too painful and too hard,” said Warren. “He’s kind of out of the Unlimited Superbike points, but he’s second in the 600 (Sportbike) points. So he’s going to only ride in the 600 race today then try to rest before Virginia next week.”

Acree, who is second in the AMA Superstock point standings, 26 points behind Jimmy Moore, won the AMA 750cc Supersport race at Virgina International Raceway last year.

Acree is second in the F-USA Pro Honda Oils 600cc Sportbike standings, eight points behind teammate Craig Connell. Acree is the two-time and defending Champion in the F-USA Sportbike class.

Acree is eighth in the Formula USA Unlimited Superbike standings, 61 points out of the lead.

The Arclight Suzuki team replaced the engine in Acree’s GSX-R70 F-USA Unlimited Superbike Saturday night and converted the machine into a back-up bike for Craig Connell. Acree’s engine broke two laps into qualifying on Saturday. Connell leads the F-USA Unlimited Superbike point standings.