Mixed Bag for Leo Vince/Pegram Racing Honda at Daytona Shaking down their brand new HRC kitted Honda motorcycles, Leo Vince/Pegram Racing Honda had mixed results this weekend after a promising start. Team owner Larry Pegram suffered two mechanical failures which put him out of contention in the AMA Superbike race. “I had a part break in qualifying so I only got 1 lap in which resulted in a 21st start position.” Pegram said. With a strong warm-up time Pegram looked forward to moving up the field for the race. “In the race I rode hard and passed 11 riders before another small mechanical with 1 1/2 laps remainning forced me to retire.” Larry concluded. Pegram placed 21st after pulling out of the race. Larry is confident in his new package, with good power and added reliability, plus the Michelin tires, he looks forward to the upcoming rounds in April at Barber and California Speedway. Ryan Elleby had a solid first race weekend for Leo Vince/Pegram Racing Honda. He followed up a 15th in 600 Supersport with an excellent 11th in the Daytona 200. Pegram commented. “I am very happy with Ryan’s first AMA races with the team. To finish near the top 10 in the 200 is a great accomplishment. He was consistant through-out the race and will continue to surprise alot of people this year.” More, from a press release issued by Team M4 EMGO Suzuki: GEOFF MAY TOP SUZUKI FINISHER IN DAYTONA 200 Team M4 EMGO Suzuki concluded a memorable two weeks of racing at Daytona International Raceway with a top-ten result in the prestigious Daytona 200. Adding to the six victories he scored at the circuit last weekend in CCS/ASRA competition and the two impressive results he picked up on Thursday in AMA Supersport and Superstock action, Geoff May finished seventh in the 65th running of the famed race on Saturday afternoon. The hard-charging May filled in for the team’s usual Formula Xtreme rider, Michael Barnes, who was unable to ride due to a knee injury suffered in a fall earlier in the week. May added the Daytona 200 duties to his already busy schedule and the team elected to use his Supersport machine with some special parts from Barnes’ bike. Despite a lack of time on this configuration of the team’s Pirelli-shod machine, the Georgian was immediately on the pace. The team put in a measured performance in the hectic 68-lap race to claim seventh place at the checkered flag. Afterwards, a satisfied May remarked, “That was a lot of fun. I was out there just riding around. Everybody behaved themselves — even the lappers were holding lines. I’m happy to bring Team M4 EMGO Suzuki this bike home. The thing was flawless the entire race and we had no issues. I’m happy. It was a good finish in a difficult race.” Team M4 EMGO Suzuki will travel to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL on April 21-23 for the second round of AMA roadracing competition with hopes of building upon May’s season-opening fourth-place finish in Superstock and seventh-place finishes in Supersport and Formula Xtreme. More, from a press release issued by Parts Unlimited Ducati: HODGSON FIGHTS FOR POSITION IN DAYTONA Daytona (Florida) 11 March 2006: Parts Unlimited Ducati’s Neil Hodgson battled for a podium spot in Saturday’s Daytona Superbike race before finishing a close fourth. Hodgson, who rebounded from a touchy moment in the chicane during the opening laps of the race, used his Ducati 999 to pass several riders and make a strong charge toward the front in the 15-lap race. “I rode as hard as I could and just wish we had a second race here. We’d make a few little changes and be right there in the swing of things,” said the 2003 World Superbike champion. “I quite enjoyed it. Passing a few people made the race for me. The bike feels quite a bit better than last year. I’ve got a great feel from the 999 and hope we can improve that in testing.” Hodgson was 6.017 seconds from the leader at the finish. Ben Bostrom was disappointed to finish seventh with a grip issue after qualifying on the front row. However, he was upbeat after the Daytona race despite the event not living up to his expectations. “The bike’s fantastic, that’s the real bummer,” said Ben. “I really like riding this bike and I think it’s the most fun I’ve ever had roadracing. Off the start, it’s just that the tire felt like it was an old race tire. I could only do a 1:39.5 lap. It never got worse and never got better. The bike’s great, we just needed more grip out there today.” Parts Unlimited Ducati will next race at Barber Motorsports Park, April 21-23. Results: 1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki 2. Ben Spies, Suzuki 3. Miguel DuHamel, Honda 4. Neil Hodgson, Parts Unlimited Ducati 5. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki 6. Aaron Yates, Suzuki 7. Ben Bostrom, Parts Unlimited Ducati 8. Jake Zemke Honda 9. Jason Pridmore, Jordan Suzuki 10. Jake Holden, Jordan Suzuki More, from a press release issued by WMG Management: Jake Zemke Scores the Biggest Win of his Career Daytona, Florida March 13, 2006 In a race that will not soon be forgotten, Jake Zemke had his name forever etched in the history books by winning the Daytona 200, the most celebrated Superbike race the country. Jake Zemke made a big statement this season by winning the Daytona 200, by far the biggest race of the year and one that will guarantee his name is forever tied to the prestigious event. After battling amongst the top five for most of the race, Jake took the lead on lap 43 and never looked back en route to taking the checkered flag after a wild 68 lap race. “The Daytona 200 — as anyone can tell you, if you grew up racing you know all about it. It doesn’t even matter if you’re a motocrosser, everybody knows about it. If you look at the names on the list of the winners of the 200, it’s a ‘Who’s Who.’ I’m proud to put my name up there” remarked an ecstatic Zemke after the race. Much like Nascar’s Daytona 500, the Daytona 200 is superbike’s “superbowl” and winning the event is quite an achievement, especially given the level of the competition that participates. By winning the event, Jake will be the odds on favorite to win most of the races this year and will definitely be considered the man to beat.