2013 Pirelli Motorcycle Roadrace Competition Update for February 16-17, 2013 Pirelli starts strong At Texas CMRA Opener Pirelli equipped racers supported by John Hutchinson’s South Central Race Center showed well at Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA) round one action at MSR Houston in Angleton, Texas. Top Pirelli ace was former series Champ Danny Kelsey, running a pair of KMC Controls-backed Suzuki’s, including a just-completed brand new GSX-R1000. Kelsey opened his season with victory in Expert 750 Superstock, leading most of the race utilizing Pirelli latest Diablo Supercorsa tires. In RaceWorX-sponsored Open Superstock, Kelsey again competed using the new Supercorsa DOT option, using a Medium compound front and a Soft rear. Kelsey grabbed the lead from the start, and then had to do it all over again thanks to a red flag. He then set the fastest lap of the day, up to that point in the program, on his way to the win. For 750 Superbike, Kelsey led all the way for another victory, chased by runner-up Derek Wagmon. The CMRA Formula One feature class promotes Breast Cancer Research Awareness, and Kelsey’s new GSX-R1000 utilized a Medium front and Soft rear Superbike slicks. In Sunday late morning qualifying, Kelsey (without spare wheels!) ran Pirelli rubber with 60 laps of prior use to net third on the grid, among a field of 30 Pro competitors. In the F-1 race, he pushed to a strong second, running right with fellow pace setter and inaugural premier CMRA race winner Ty Howard. Howard and Pirelli main man Kelsey again faced off for first in Open Superbike, Kelsey again running Pirelli Superbike-branded slick tires. Kelsey optimized a strategy of taking charge from the start, clearing traffic early to edge Howard by 2.5 seconds at the finish. Along the way to another win, Kelsey set his best lap of the day with his Marcus McBain-built GSX-R1000, turning a tour of 1:33.487 around the popular MSR Houston venue. In support race action, Pirelli riders continued to do well among a large group of entries at the Texas opener, taking advantage of warm (72 degrees F) but very windy conditions. Provisional Novice David Thompson, in one of his first weekend’s of competition, used Pirelli rubber to win over a strong field of 43 entries in Moto Liberty-sponsored 600 Superstock Novice with a Honda CBR600RR. P1 Racing Suzuki GSX-R600 equipped Chris Hamlett beat a 47 rider strong grid to win Novice 600 Superbike. Pirelli slick shod Richard Peery won Novice Formula 40 Lightweight on a P1 Racing Suzuki SV650, while in Rookie Expert Lightweight action; Frank Rodriguez was victorious with his FCA Racing SV650 twin. Connor Toner was the victor in Expert Motard aboard his Diablo Supercorsa shod Aprilia SXV 5.5, while in Expert Classic Karl Hansen was Pirelli slick equipped on his way to first with his vintage Honda CBR600. For further information, please contact John Hutchinson at South Central Race Center, [email protected] More, from another press release issued by Orion Motorsports/Pirelli: 2013 Pirelli Motorcycle Roadrace Competition Update for February 16-17, 2013 Pirelli opens 2013 Florida Series with Silva Brothers Success The 2013 North American motorcycle roadracing season is now well under way, with Pirelli equipped racers performing strongly at the opening Championship Cup Series (CCS) competition at Homestead-Miami Speedway in south Florida. Pirelli racers in this region are supported by Competition Motorsports South. At Homestead, the top Pirelli runners were the three Silva Brothers of Miami: Bruno, Fernando and Lucas. In unseasonably very cool and windy conditions, the Prieto Performance and GMD Computrack-backed Brazilian trio were on-form around the famed oval-and-road course venue. Bruno opened his season with success in the Pirelli sponsored Expert GTO class, winning with the Pirelli Superbike slicks on his Kawasaki ZX-10R. Bruno Silva next triumphed in Unlimited Supersport, followed home by the similarly Pirelli shod BMW S1000RR of Canadian Superbike front runner Francois Dumas. Silva was just over three seconds clear of runner-up Dumas after nine laps. The Feature race of the Florida CCS program was Unlimited Grand Prix, shortened by a red flag and oncoming darkness! Bruno Silva netted a strong second, turning his fastest lap of the event at 1:25.4 while chasing eventual winner, AMA Pro National regular Santiago Villa. Fernando Silva used his Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa DOT-class shod middleweight Yamaha YZF-R6 to take second in Middleweight Superbike and in Middleweight Supersport action. He was also third in Expert Middleweight Grand Prix. The youngest Silva race, 14-year-old Lucas, continued his strong form aboard a Yamaha TZ125 Grand Prix machine. Using durable Pirelli Superbike slicks, Lucas earned runner-up honors in both Ultra Lightweight and Lightweight G.P. class races. The CCS Florida opener featured a very strong rider turnout, an encouraging sign for motorcycle sport enthusiasts. Next event in this Championship is at Roebling Road Raceway near Savannah, GA., March 9-10. For further information, please contact Leon Eddins at Competition Motorsports South, [email protected], 904 384 8398