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08.16.2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Contact: Paul James (414) 343-8735
paul.james@harley-davidson.com
ESTOK WINS ASRA THUNDERBIKE NATIONAL AT BARBER
PARK
Buell Riders Finish First and Third; Estok Adds to Series Points Lead
LEEDS, Ala. (August 12, 2007) - Deeley H-D/Buell
Canada/Ruthless Racing rider Dave Estok rode a Buell Firebolt XB12R to win
the American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) Pro Thunderbike National
at Barber Motorsports Park. Hal's H-D/Buell/Hal's Speed Shop rider Dan
Bilansky finished third, also on a Buell XB12R.
Because of a tight weekend schedule, there was no
qualifying session for ASRA National classes. Thunderbike riders were
positioned for the start of the 10-lap race based on season points, which
placed Estok on the pole and Bilansky beside him in second position. Estok
jumped out to a quick lead at the start of the 10-lap national, but was
soon engaged in a wheel-to-wheel battle with BMW rider Nate Kern. The pair
raced in tight formation the entire distance, with Kern taking a brief
lead on lap four, only to be immediately re-passed by Estok. At the
finish, Estok prevailed by 1.164 seconds over Kern, followed by Bilansky.
"That was quite a battle," said Estok.
"Kern pushed me the entire race and never let me relax. Thanks to the
Deeley crew for putting a strong Buell under me again today as we race for
the Thunderbike championship."
Buell rider Joe Rozynski (Sound Waves/Hal's Speed
Shop) finished fourth, ahead of the Suzuki of Alex Marshall, and Buell
riders Greg Avello (Badger Motorsports/Hal's Speed Shop), Sam Rozynski
(Sound Waves/Hal's Speed Shop), David Meyers (Delta Distributing) and
James Delk Jr. (Jimmy-Turner).
Bilansky, the defending ASRA Pro Thunderbike
national champion, was hospitalized with a respiratory infection the week
before the race, and drove from his Wisconsin home on Saturday to make the
Thunderbike start at Barber.
"I told the doctors I was leaving to make this
race," said Bilansky. "I didn't want to give this championship
to Dave (Estok) by missing a race. By placing third the Hal's team stays
in contention for the title."
Another title contender missed the Thunderbike
national at Barber. Deeley H-D/Buell Canada/Ruthless Racing rider Darren
James, second in Thunderbike points coming into the weekend, had a
scheduling conflict and raced in his native Canada on Sunday. James is the
defending Canada Thunder national champion and was third in 2007 Canada
Thunder points after three events coming into this weekend. He placed
fourth in the Canada Thunder race held this weekend at Atlantic
Motorsports Park in Shubenacadie, N.S.
After six of eight ASRA Pro Thunderbike rounds,
Buell riders dominate the ASRA Pro Thunderbike season points standings.
Estok leads the series with 182 points. Bilansky (145 points) moves ahead
of James (120), followed by Sam Rozynski (116) and Joe Rozynski (112).
In Championship Cup Series (CCS) sprint racing on
Saturday, Estok rode a Buell XB12R to win the Expert Thunderbike event. On
Sunday, Estok won the CCS Expert SuperTwins race, also a Buell XB12R.
The next event on the eight-race 2007 ASRA Pro
Thunderbike series schedule is the Summer's End Cycle Fest, September 8-9,
at Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, W.V.
Buell Motorcycle Company, a subsidiary of
Harley-Davidson, produces sport motorcycles, motorcycle parts, accessories
and apparel. To learn more about Buell motorcycles, visit your local Buell
dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style and
performance only found on board a Buell. For the Buell dealer nearest you,
pull into www.buell.com.
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