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From Brand X press
Brand X Yamaha’s Flawless Weekend
Leads to 2nd Overall at Barber
LEEDS, Ala. – Ben Walters and Brett Champagne rode the
Brand X Yamaha YZF-R1 to second overall and second in Heavyweight Superbike
during Saturday’s WERA National Endurance Series race at Barber Motorsports
Park, but their riding skills were just a part of the perfect teamwork that made
the weekend a success
In only their second year as a team, Brand X has
consistently finished on the overall podium, and each weekend has netted better
results. Walters and Champagne are both quick to give credit to their crew for
the good results at Barber. Army of Darkness veterans Tim Gooding, Sam Fleming
and Melissa Berkoff traveled to the Alabama track to act as crew this
weekend.
“It’s been an uphill battle all year, but we’ve been
improving our riding and we’ve been improving as a team,” said Walters. “We
couldn’t have asked for a better race this weekend. The whole crew did an
excellent job with out stops and made great calls that made our jobs as riders
easy. Thanks to Brett, too. He’s been riding well all year and he’s done a lot
for our development.”
“It was a great weekend, just like Summit Point,” agreed
Champagne. “We had the quickest pit stops we’ve had all year, so thanks to the
crew for such a phenomenal job. It was a great weekend and I’ve got a big smile
on my face. I can’t wait until the next race.”
The weekend may have been flawless for Brand X Yamaha,
but it was anything but easy. Walters and Champagne each rode two stints in the
four-hour race, and during Walters’s second hour on the R1 a light rain began to
fall. Champagne took over soon after the rain began, heading out on Michelin
slicks since the track wasn’t completely wet yet. As the rain began to fall
harder, Champagne had to tip-toe around the slippery circuit without giving up
any positions.
Walters rode the final stint on rain tires, and at the
checkered flag Brand X was on the same lap as the eventual race winner, and a
full lap ahead of third place.
Brand X Yamaha is sponsored by Yamaha, Jamie James
Productions, 13x.com, Michelin, Moto-Liberty, Arata, Thrust Company, Motion Pro,
Silkolene, TGDRacing.com, Zero Gravity, Ridersurance.com and G2
Ergonomics.
The WERA Grand National Finals at Road Atlanta will wrap
up the endurance season next month with a four-hour race on October 10. Keep up
with Brand X online at www.BrandX13.com.
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