From a press release issued by Buell American Motorcycle Company:

FINALISTS OF BUELL SLAY THE DRAGON II SWEEPSTAKES CARVE UP DEAL’S GAP

Winner Chooses 2003 Buell XB9R Firebolt

Knoxville, Tenn. — (Finalists in the 2003 Buell Slay the Dragon II Sweepstakes carved up Deal’s Gap aboard Buell motorcycles on September 25. Each of them won a free trip to the ultimate sportbike riding location to experience the handling of Buell motorcycles, but only one would be chosen as the grand prize winner of either a 2003 XB9R Firebolt or XB9S Lightning. At a stop along the ride, veteran Buell racer Tripp Nobles pulled the name of Maurice “Moe” O Connor, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the handling and performance of the Buell motorcycles we rode at Deal’s Gap,” O Connor said. “I pushed them hard and they were very responsive. The location was amazing.” He praised the cornering ability of both the Firebolt and Lightning, but chose the Firebolt because he preferred its riding position. As a rider for more than three decades, O Connor has owned several motorcycles, including some race machines. His last motorcycle was a Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King.

Deal’s Gap is a unique stretch of road that follows U.S. 129 through North Carolina along the Tennessee State line. It is infamous among motorcycle riders as one of the most exciting roads in the United States, boasting 318 turns in just 11 miles. Nicknamed “The Dragon” because of its challenging twists and turns, thousands flock to the area each year to experience the thrill of the road and the area’s scenic Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Slay the Dragon II group included four of the five customers whose entries were chosen from the sweepstakes drawing earlier this spring. In addition to O Connor, Steven Fling of Arnold, Mo., Jay Fedorenko of Mandan, N.D. and Gerald Tilley of Shelby, N.C. attended the Deal’s Gap event. Dennis Munchel of Berkley Hts., N.J. was one of the finalists, but was not able to make the trip.

Six Buell dealer employees also accompanied the group, chosen based on their outstanding Buell sales performance; Dave Kiesow of Illinois Buell in Berwyn, Ill., Phil Smith of Santa Barbara Buell in Carpinteria, Calif., Matt Blackney of Century Buell in Medina, Ohio, Eddie Arb of Capitol City Buell in Madison, Wis., Jan Dordick of Woodstock Buell in Kingston, N.Y., and Bruce Minor of Valley Buell in Wheeling, W.Va.

To learn more about Buell Motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style, and performance only found on board a Buell. Call 1-800-490-9635 for the Buell dealer nearest you. Or pull into www.buell.com.