CCS Florida Homestead-Miami Speedway February 13, 2011 Stefano Mesa raced a Ducati 1098 for the first time ever this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway and put himself on top of the podium. This was a weekend of firsts for the 16-year-old Colombian-American rider. It was the first race of the season with the CCS Florida region and his first race weekend on a Ducati with the Desmomaniacs/DucatiMiami team. He won his first race of the day, he won his first featured Unlimited Grand Prix race, and it was the first time he was heralded as one of the winningest racers of the day (tied with Kevin Mendez). Mesa was gridded in the back of the pack for the first race of the day, GTO, and had to work his Ducati 1098 through the 20-racer field to catch up to early leader Sean Dwyer. With just a few laps in, Mesa made his move, passing Dwyer on the outside of Turn 10 to take over the lead and go on to his first victory of the day. Mesa then switched to his Katra-sponsored Yamaha YZF-R6 to take his second victory of the day in the GTU class. Back on board the 1098, Mesa put his head down and worked his way through traffic again to take his first victory in a Supertwins race. He switched to the Yamaha again and won the Middleweight Superbike race before climbing back on board the 1098 for the final race of the day, the Unlimited Grand Prix, better known as “The Shootout.” Mesa again worked his way through traffic to get behind holeshot winner and early race leader Dwyer. Mesa soon made his passing move and never looked back, winning his fifth race of the day and setting a lot of personal firsts. Defending CCS Florida Overall Champion Santiago Villa finished third in the Shootout and said, “They were gone. Stefano spanked me all day and Dwyer did the same thing. They were flying today. I didn’t have anything for Stefano and Dwyer today.” After the race, Dwyer said, “I had nothing for him. The kid’s riding awesome. I’m stoked, actually. Because, the kid is challenging me, he’s going to push me hard, and that’s what I like. The kid’s unbelievable. He’s got so much talent. My hat’s off to him. That was killer!” On the podium, Mesa happily exclaimed, “I think this is a dream right now! And, my dad and my mom made it true. Thanks to Desmomaniacs, all my helpers, the mechanics who worked on my bike, Eric Grey, Dunlop tires, all my fans, everybody. Everybody, thanks!” Kevin Mendez ran undefeated in the Lightweight classes with his two Motorcorse-prepped DB5 Bimotas, winning an impressive five races. Mendez took early leads in each of his events and was untouchable. He won the GT Lights, Lightweight Grand Prix, Lightweight Formula 40, Lightweight Superbike, and Thunderbike races. The Motocorse team also produced the winningest Amateur racer of the weekend, Walter Ferreyra, with four wins on his Ducati Sport Classic 1000. Ferreyra won the Amateur GT Lights, Lightweight Grand Prix, Lightweight Superbike, and Thunderbike events. UNLIMITED GRAND PRIX RESULTS: 1. Stefano Mesa (Duc 1098); 2. Sean Dwyer (Suz GSX-R1000). 3. Santiago Villa (Suz GSX-R1000); 4. Tim Hunt (Suz GSX-R1000); 5. Cody Souza-Saints (Suz GSX-R1000); 6. Waldis Veras (Suz GSX-R1000); 7. Paul DeCouto (Suz GSX-R1000); 8. Robert Buroker (Duc 848); 9. Barrett Long (Duc 1098); 10. Joe Schweigart (Suz GSX-R1000).