With the recent shutdown of Buell Motorcycle Company, Shawn Higbee of Higbee Racing has decided to race multiple brands for its 2010 program. For this year’s West Coast Race Series, Wheels In Motion, Trump Motors, and SoCal DucWorx have come together to provide a competitive Yamaha R6. “As a rider, I’ve been associated with Buell for the last 10 years, however the R6 is proving to be rather competitive. It definitely has its differences, but I feel good about the flickability and tirewear. It’s a great bike. I think I must have stared at the fuel injection system for a solid two hours when I first got it,” laughed Higbee. Bazazz Performance, Chicken Hawk Racing and Galfer Brakes were recently added to Higbee’s current list of sponsors. “With the present state of the economy, sponsorship packages have been more difficult to obtain in the racing circuit, so you can imagine the importance of acquiring such brands as these,” Higbee said. “Going privateer in 2009 had its ups and downs, but sponsorship is what makes it all happen. Luckily, on the R6, parts are more readily available than were on the Buell. This fact has definitely made it easier.” Higbee Racing is currently seeking sponsorship to race the Buell 1125R in the Daytona 200. “The 1125R has always done particularly well for me at Daytona,” said Shawn Higbee, who rode his privateer Buell to 5th place in the 2009 Daytona 200 race. “I’ve learned this season [switching bikes] that although you can teach an old dog new tricks, I’d still like to climb back on it one more time for the 200,” smiles Higbee. “The Buell will always have a place in my heart.”