Michelin Team Challenge Round 2 Sanctioned by ASRA Kershaw, SC. With a beautiful forecast of mid-70’s and a 0% chance of rain, the Michelin Team Challenge rolls into the Carolinas for round 2 of the 8 round series on Sunday April 11th. After facing a slew of riders practicing for the Daytona 200 in round 1, the series settles into championship mode as the serious contenders take on one of the most demanding tracks in the series. Carolina Motorsports Park, a 2.3 mile 14-turn course located in Kershaw SC, has the reputation of being a technically demanding track that rewards skill and patience more than top speed. With three classes, GTL (Lightweight Twins), GTU (600cc four-cylinders) and GTO (Unlimited displacement) battling for class position and the Overall Championship, this track really levels the playing field for all the teams. While physically easier to ride with a lighter machine, racing is still the playground of horsepower and CMP is one place where the teams must strike the balance between sheer speed and demands that this course puts on your body, if they want to have a chance to win this event. Defending Michelin Team Challenge National Champion Chester Auto Repair, captained by Eric Helmbach, moved from GTU into the GTO class for 2010 with their new BMW S1000RR and now must face not only the tough CMP course, but must face the veteran GPG Racing and their captain Gene Gilchrist. Gilchrist brings his Suzuki 1000 to fray, hoping to use his many years experience in the series to overtake the defending champions. Adding to the flavor of the series, Tim Ivanhoff’s Thrashed Bike Racing team will compete at CMP on their Buell 1125R, counting on the bike’s handling to help challenge the class favorites for another Buell victory. Perennial contenders, and former champions, RnR Repsol Racing bring their Kawasaki 636 back to CMP to try to top the leader board and the championship once again. With Chester Auto moving up to GTO, RnR Repsol will now face the WisconsinSportBikes Triumph 675, captained by Eric Tourdot. Daniel Dougherty returns to compete for the Premier Racing Team on a Yamaha 600, looking to upset the established teams and take some GTU glory home for himself and his team. The top two GTL teams from the opening round will renew their battle at CMP as 2009 GTL National Champion Grease Monkey Racing tries to hold off the challenge of Born Cross-Eyed Racing. Grease Monkey Racing, riding a Suzuki SV 650,, was able to best the Born Cross-Eyed Team’s Buell 1200 at Daytona by a full lap, but Jay Smith and his team are looking return the favor this weekend. Smith, who rode with Design Integrity to a second in GTL last year, will look to tie the point standings if his team can finish ahead of the Grease Monkey Team captained by Eric Helmbach. If Daytona is any indication, this will be the season long battle for the two teams and it should go the the final race before it’s decided. Gates open at 7:00am on Saturday with a full slate of CCS Championship Sprints in the starting at 11:30am. Sunday CCS races start at 9:30am and the Michelin Team Challenge Final starts at Noon. Credentials for the weekend are $25 or just $15 for Sunday only. For more information go to www.ASRAracing.com/schedule and click on the Carolina Motorsports Park link.