Ferrer Wins First, Silva Awarded Number One Plate

CCS Florida – Homestead-Miami Speedway

December 2-3, 2017

by Lisa Theobald

Armando Ferrer won his first Shootout during CCS Florida’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Also, this year’s number one rider, Stefano Mesa handed off the number one plate to the Overall Points leader, Lucas Silva for next season. Silva finished the year with six individual class championships and had already amassed enough of a points lead going into the weekend’s season finale event to secure his 2018 title as the number one rider for next season.

As Mesa handed over the number one plate to Silva, he said, “It’s a honor to give this number one to Lucas Silva, and all their crew. They’ve worked really hard for it, I know that. The kid’s grown up from – literally we’ve seen him grow – up all the way through. So, my hat’s off to him to his family, to his two brothers, without their support, never, never would we have done this, his whole family and again, congrats pal, you deserve it.” Silva finished the season with championships in the Middleweight Grand Prix, GTU, Heavyweight Superbike, Middleweight Superbike, Heavyweight Supersport, and Middleweight Supersport classes as well as Overall Points. Silva also ended the weekend with three first place finishes in the GTU, Middleweight Superbike, and Middleweight Grand Prix classes.

Ferrer won the Unlimited Grand Prix race in the last lap of a very hotly contested, all out battle for the lead. Eric Wood led the race for the first three laps with position shuffling happening at every lap behind him. But, Wood was shown the meatball flag for a jumped start and lost the lead in the six lap sprint race during his stop-and-go penalty and pulled out of the race shortly thereafter. Felipe MacLean was out front at the halfway mark with Ferrer behind and Mesa working his way up to third from a sixth position start. With just over one lap to go, Ferrer made his passing move going through turn eleven and took over the lead, bringing Mesa with him to take his first Shootout win. Mesa finished second, and MacLean third with Max Angles and Lucas Silva rounding off the top five.

On the podium, MacLean exclaimed, ” It was a great weekend, great race. We posted good lap times, fastest in the races even though I didn’t win. We came out strong for this race. Armando did a tremendous pass. I had a couple of moments. We were pushing a lot. So, at the same time you have to protect your line, so it’s a tricky situation. Congrats to Armando and Stefano for coming back strong, injured. Good job guys. Learning to be on top, one thing is to go fast, another thing is to win races. So, I’m getting there. We did a great, I say the best weekend I’ve had here. It’s a good way to end the year and looking forward to next year.”

Mesa commented, “Great racing as always. Since I had my little injury at Daytona, I’m kind of just taking it easy trying not to push it as hard as I can because I can not honestly afford to get hurt again. We’re just taking it easy having a great time. My hat’s off to Armando. All these people all these guys are riding amazing. Great racing is going to come this way, so I’m waiting for it.” Earlier in the day, Mesa won the only other race he entered, Unlimited Superbike.

On the podium, Ferrer was presented with a set of Dunlop tires for winning the race. He stated, ” I’m sorry, I little bit speaking English. Thank you very, very, very much Dunlop Tires, Brian Gomez, Rodolfo Ramirez, Orlando. Is very, very happy. The ride is good, the bike is good, it’s very fast. McLean is fast, Mesa is fast, it’s not easy. Is very, very happy, thank you!” Mesa helped translate for him when asked about his passing move for the lead. Ferrer stated that it was a crazy last lap, and was very hard to pass. But It was a good race as all of them are very fast. He further exclaimed that he was very grateful to everybody who helped him get here and dedicated the win to his teammate, Brian Gomez, for all his help and dedication, which he is greatly appreciative.

Charlie Mavros wrapped up the season second overall in expert points with five championship titles. Mavros will be awarded the number two plate during CCS Florida’s awards ceremony at the season opener in 2018. Mavros dominated the lightweight classes winning championships in the GT Lights, Lightweight Grand Prix, Lightweight Supersport, Lightweight Superbike, and Ultralight Superbike classes.

Mesa finished the season fourth in Expert Overall Points with four class championships. He won the Unlimited Grand Prix, GTO, Unlimited Superbike and Unlimited Supersport class championships.

Gal Golan finished the season as the Amateur Overall Points leader and three class championships for 2017. Golan won the GTU, Heavyweight Supersport, and Middleweight Supersport classes. Golan also won three races during the season finale, finishing first in Amateur GTU, Middleweight Supersport, and Heavyweight Supersport.

The next round for CCS Florida will be the 2018 season opener, schedule for February 10-11th at Homestead-Miami Speedway. For lap times, points standings, full results, and additional information on past and future events, please go to: www.ccsracing.us.

RESULTS:

EXPERT UNLIMITED GRAND PRIX:

1. Armando Ferrer (BMW S1000RR)

2. Stefano Mesa (Kaw ZX-10R)

3. Felipe MacLean (Kaw ZX-10R)

4. Max Angles (Kaw ZX-10R)

5. Lucas Silva (Kaw ZX-10R)

6. Huntley Nash (Duc 1199)

7. Eric Wood (Kaw ZX-10R)

8. Sean Dwyer (Kaw ZX10R)

AMATEUR UNLIMITED GRAND PRIX:

1. Todd Wagner (Yam YZF-R1)

2. Brian Gomez (BMW S1000RR)

3. Peter Polakovic (Kaw ZX-10R).