From a press release issued by James Siddall:

Non-Stop 250 Drama at Pikes Peak…

Corbin Grand Prix’s Jimmy Filice arrived at Pike’s Peak International Raceway, and despite never having ridden the track before, knew his rivals would be in for a tough time. “When I build a dirt track, this layout is basically what I build,” Filice said after taking a sighting lap on a pit scooter before practice.

Filice did not disappoint. After the team came to grips with jetting for the high altitude, Jimmy was on a mission, setting second-fastest time ahead of his chief rival Rich Oliver Saturday morning, and winning the first heat race with the fastest time, qualifying him on pole position, again ahead of Oliver.

Bad luck tried to intercede Sunday morning and put paid to Jim’s Championship aspirations, when his machine ingested some debris, and rattled to a halt on only the second lap of Sunday morning practice. The team was forced into overdrive repair mode, as the race was scheduled for 1:00 p.m., a mere three hours hence. Ed Toomey did an amazing job, stripping the engine, removing the crankshaft for inspection, and reassembling the entire bike in time for the race.

After a few cautious laps to make sure everything was alright, Jim got to work, running down and passing Oliver, who led the opening laps. Jim led Oliver around until lap 17, when Oliver forced his way through at the fast front straightaway chicane, having lined up a good drive down the straight. As Jim tucked in behind for a few laps, third place runner Chuck Sorensen closed up on the pair. Jim would again try to force his way by on the brakes into the slow turn three area, where, under braking, Jim had a clear advantage, his EBC brakes apparently outperforming Oliver’s Ferodos. Unlike his first pass though, Jim misjudged the speed slightly and slid off, losing the front very lightly. He was immediately up and sprinting for his fallen machine. He refired it, and rejoined, able to pass back up to third place by the finish.

Sorensen, meanwhile, had passed Oliver and was pulling away, eager to press his advantage. Unfortunately as he forced his way past a slower rider in the right-hand carousel turn, the rider, unaware of Chuck’s presence, moved over on him, and the two collided heavily. Sorensen was relatively uninjured, but unable to continue. These two miscues handed an easy victory to Oliver, but Jim’s recovery to finish third kept his title hopes alive. After Sorensen fell Roland Sands inherited second, a position he would hold to the finish.

Third place today narrows Jim’s Championship lead to 14 Points with two rounds remaining.

The team now has a mere two weeks to prepare for the penultimate round of the series on September 16th, at the ultra-fast Willow Springs, in the high desert of southern California, and a race that promises to be a real showdown.

Corbin Grand Prix’s Success is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors, who include: Corbin, Yamaha, Red Line Oil, Dunlop, Motion Pro, Swedetech Racing Engines, Scuderia West, Fox Racing Shox, EBC Brakes, Supertech, Tiger Angel, Arai, Alpinestars, Z Gallerie, Hap Jones, Mike Vail Enterprises, Nutec, DID Chain, Aim Sports, Bruce Lind, and Roadracing World.

For More Information about Corbin Grand Prix, contact James Siddall on (415) 401-6250