| Author | Message | ||
     Jammin_joules |
The No. 8 Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Racing Buell 1125R earned the pole position and finished on the SuperSport Twins podium at the Suntrust MOTO-ST Barber 500K at Barber Motorsports Park July 19-20 after a late-race pit stop problem cost the team the race lead and a shot at a second-straight overall win. After starting on pole and leading the first five of the race’s 93-laps, the No. 8 Buell 1125R ridden by Shawn Higbee and Mike Smith regained the overall lead late in the going but lost the position during its final pit stop when the team had trouble with the rear brake caliper during a rear tire change. The No. 75 Touring Sport Ducati 848 won the race. “There was something unusual with the rear brake caliper; I think the brake pad popped out of the carrier,” Higbee said after the race. “It [the brake pad] was really hot and they had a hard time getting it back in. It cost us a little bit. It seemed like eternity when you're sitting there. “Otherwise, the Buell 1125R was running strong. Fuel strategy really played into this race. We were really close to a two-stop strategy. We ended up pitting early to take advantage of the yellow but it may have cost us our two-stopper because at the end we had to come in and that wasn't planned. But that's the fun and challenge of endurance racing.” In the BMW Motorcycles GrandSport Twins class, the No. 70 Buell Firebolt XB12R of James Gang/Hoban Brothers Racing sponsored by H-D/Buell of Appleton finished third. Riders Jeff Johnson and Paul James steadily worked their way up the order to finish on the final step of the podium and earned the PIAA Lights Award for biggest improvement in class, having started the race in seventh position. The No. 7 Richie Morris Racing/Hal’s Harley-Davidson Buell XB12R piloted by Clint Brotz and Bryan Bemisderfer finished fifth. The No. 77 Touring Sport Ducati PS1000LE took the class win. James Gang/Hoban Brothers Racing retained its points lead in the GST class, now leading by a one-point margin over the No. 77 Touring Sport Ducati Team. “This is our seventh consecutive GST class podium, a streak that dates back to last year at Road America,” said James. “That’s a statement about the durability and reliability of our Buell Firebolt XB12R as well as the dedication and determination of our entire team. We want this championship.” |
