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ESTOK WINS ASRA THUNDERBIKE NATIONAL AT BARBER PARK

Posted by Staff
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
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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