Safety First Suzuki headed to round two of the AMA Superbike Series armed with their new 2008 Suzuki GSXR 600s. Team owner, Kevin Hanson, explained what’s been happening at the race shop since Daytona. It’s been absolutely nuts! We received our new bikes less than a month ago and everybody on the team has really been working long hours getting them ready. The week before Barber we went to Texas to test at Cressen on Thursday and Friday. That was a nightmare getting there because American Airlines cancelled half of our flights. Bobby had to catch a red eye with 3 connecting flights to make it Thursday. Bob and I had to road trip 16 hours in the Sprinter van through severe thunderstorms all night long to make it to Cressen. There simply weren’t any flights available to get to Dallas which is American’s main hub, explained Hanson.



At Cresson, we were supposed to be testing the new Michelins that we’ve been waiting for since before Daytona. Michelin wasn’t able to provide us with the new fronts that we were looking for in providing more front end feel, explained Hanson. I really enjoy working with Ron Wood and the Michelin guys. However, Michelin couldn’t guarantee when the new stuff would be here. I think it comes down to Ron’s hands are really tied in what Michelin will send from overseas. After testing Pirelli’s, I made the tough decision to switch tire manufacturers. Bobby was immediately fast on the Pirelli’s and Gabor currently races on them in Europe, stated Hanson.

Upon arriving at Barber, Bobby and Gabor were quickly up to speed. Bobby had dipped into the 28s by Saturday with Gabor right behind him. Qualifying went pretty well with Bobby qualifying 14th and Gabor struggled a little bit and qualified 16th.



Supersport Race Results: Bobby Fong 12th Gabor Rizmayer 13th



At the start of the race, Bobby settled into a good battle with Garret Carter, Aaron Gobert, Michael Beck and Gabor. When I was behind Carter I could see that he was pushing the front and spinning the rear everwhere on the track, At that point, I just sat behind him for awhile and decided where I wanted to make my pass because we had lost touch with the group in front of us. I got around him with a few laps to go and just soldered on to the finish. I’m little disappointed in my finish because I made a wrong rear tire choice, commented Bobby. I really like the Pirelli’s and just need to get used to them a little more and get better at tire selection. I’ve really got a lot of confidence in the front and how hard I can push it stated Fong.



I thought it was an ok race for me, stated Rizmayer. I need to qualify better so I am not so far back because I always get faster as the race goes on. I caught up to Bobby, but the other riders were too far ahead to do anything. Now I am off to the Germany for the next round of the German Championship next weekend and unfortunately have to miss Fontana, stated Rizmayer.



Upon righting this press release, Kevin Hanson, got a call from mechanic and semi driver Michael Neely that someone had just backed into the semi and smashed the mirror among other things at a truckstop in Oklahoma. I guess it never ends and people thought racing was easy!

See you at Fontana for the next round as we test our ability be autobody experts as well.



Thanks,

Kevin