YOSHIMURA SUZUKI RACING COLLECTS TWO MORE SUPERBIKE PODIUM FINISHES AT ROAD AMERICA
June 3, 2012
ELKHART LAKE, WI (June 3, 2012) – Team Yoshimura Suzuki Racing was the picture of consistency at this past AMA Pro Superbike Championship double-header weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI. In front of his home crowd, Wisconsin native Blake Young raced his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 to two podium finishes. The weekend also saw Yoshimura Suzuki teammate Chris Clark enjoy his best overall weekend performance of the season, thanks to seventh-place results on Saturday and Sunday.
The first Superbike race of the weekend was delayed and shortened due to powerful storms sweeping through the area. Despite the gusting wind and torrential rains, Yoshimura Suzuki’s Young put his head down and got a good start from the second spot on the grid. Young conservatively clicked off smooth laps to finish second. On Sunday, the weather improved and Young turned in a more aggressive performance on his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000, dicing with his competition right down to the wire before bringing home second. These results bring Young’s podium tally to nine in as many races this year.
“I admit I’m a little disappointed,” said Young. “I’d hoped to win at my home track. But this weekend was definitely a learning experience, and I know that we have some improvements to make. We have a few weeks before the next race, so we’ll go back and figure out what we need to do to come out strong for Barber.”
Yoshimura Suzuki teammate Clark was undaunted by the bad weather and had a good showing at Road America. He started both Superbike races from the third row and then slotted his Yoshimura Suzuki GSXR1000 into solid positions in both rain and shine. After running as high as fifth on Sunday, Clark carded two seventh-place finishes at the end of the weekend. Currently, Clark is tied for eighth in the overall championships points.
“Right before the first race, we caught the tail end of a big storm,” said Clark. “But by the time the race started, it was drying. Unfortunately, I got behind a rider whose bike was spitting oil. Once he was off the track, I put my head down on the Yoshimura Suzuki GSXR1000 and gained time. By the white flag, it was raining again and the race was red flagged, but I kept pushing and cut the gap even more. Sunday’s race was a hard-fought battle for fifth. Unfortunately, I made a mistake and wound up seventh. But I’m happy with the bike and my lap times show that. Now, I’m looking forward to Barber and moving forward.”
Team Yoshimura Suzuki Racing’s next event of the 2012 AMA Pro Superbike Championship series is at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL, the weekend of June 22 - 24, 2012.
Road America SBK Race 1:
1. Josh Hayes
2. Blake Young
3. Josh Herrin
4. Ben Bostrom
5. Larry Pegram
6. Jason Farrell
7. Chris Clark
8. Geoff May
9. Chris Fillmore
10. Stefan Nebel
Road America SBK Race 2:
1. Josh Hayes
2. Blake Young
3. Josh Herrin
4. Ben Bostrom
5. Danny Eslick
6. Geoff May
7. Chris Clark
8. David Anthony
9. Chris Fillmore
10. Larry Pegram
2012 Superbike Standings:
1. Josh Hayes – 257
2. Blake Young – 237
3. Josh Herrin – 151
4. Roger Hayden – 126
5. Geoff May – 123
6. Larry Pegram – 123
7. Ben Bostrom – 111
8. Danny Eslick – 107
9. Chris Clark – 107
10. Chris Fillmore – 101
About Yoshimura R&D of America: Yoshimura is “The Leader in Performance” and has been for more than 55 years. With unmatched skills, knowledge and passion for racing, Yoshimura is on the forefront of the aftermarket exhaust industry. Yoshimura pipes are race bred and feature the same legendary performance, fit, and quality that have been their trademark for more than five decades. To learn more about Yoshimura and view their wide variety of performance products, visit www.yoshimura-rd.com.
About American Suzuki: Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) founded the Motorcycle and ATV Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), Brea, CA, in 1963. ASMC markets motorcycles and ATVs via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. ASMC's parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation, based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of motorcycles, ATVs, scooters, automobiles and marine engines. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, it has 146 distributors in 198 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzukicycles.com. Follow Suzuki Scoop on facebook for exclusive team content www.facebook.com/suzukiscoopfans.
Team Yoshimura Suzuki is grateful for the support of their sponsors: Yoshimura R&D, Suzuki, Parts Unlimited, Dunlop, Motorex, Renthal, BMC Air Filter, Zero Gravity, Catalyst, RK Racing Chain, Motion Pro, Chicken Hawk Racing and Speedcell.
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