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MOTO-ST: Topeka pre-event notes

The SunTrust MOTO-ST Series Set to Debut at Heartland Park Topeka DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 5, 2008) -- Non-stop action-packed racing will definitely abound when the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series makes its debut at Heartland Park Topeka, August ...

Published: Aug 7, 2008, 6:12 PM

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The SunTrust MOTO-ST Series Set to Debut at Heartland Park Topeka

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 5, 2008) -- Non-stop action-packed racing will definitely abound when the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series makes its debut at Heartland Park Topeka, August 16-17.

Featuring a full field of riders in three classes; The Buell Motorcycle Company SuperSport class (SST) which includes motorcycles producing between 90-120 horsepower, the BMW GrandSport Twins class (GST) covering motorcycles producing 75-90 horsepower and Sport Twins (ST) for machines under 75 horsepower, the ability of the riders coupled with the durability of their machines and the team's ability in the pits will all come into play during this spectacular event.

With four rounds complete in this year's seven race tour, the points are incredibly close and a lot will ride on finishes obtained at Heartland Park.

In the SST Class, Aprilia USA/Lloyd Brothers Motorsports leads the field by just seven points. Piloted by Mike Himmelsbach of Quakertown, Pa., and Ty Howard and Zac Chapman, both from Waterford, Texas, this team has so far put their Aprilia Touno 1000R in the Number One spot at Daytona and Virginia International Raceway and scored a second at Road America and Barber Motorsports Park.

Holding down second place is Touring Sport Ducati. Showcasing the talent and skill of Ryan Gordon of Clemson, SC and two-time World Superbike Champion and World Endurance Champion Doug Polen, this team is definitely ready to put their Ducati 848 in first place.

Fresh from a win at Barber Motorsports Park, this standout team has also taken home a second at Daytona and Virginia and a fourth at Road America.

Heading up the GST class by just one point is James Gang Racing/Hoban Brothers out of Waukesha, Wis. Mounted aboard a Buell XB12R riders Paul James and Jeff Johnson have landed on the podium at every race, but still have not taken a win. They are hoping that Heartland Park Topeka will be the scene of their first victory.

Right on their heels is the GST Touring Sport Ducati team. The defending champions, Touring Sport Ducati took the class win at Barber and are more determined than ever to do it again. Sharing riding duties aboard the team's Ducati PS1000E are Peter Friedland of Columbia, S.C., Brad Phillips of Greer, S.C. and Frank Shockley of Greenville, S.C. Well versed in what it takes to become champions, this team is ready to go.

Sitting just five points out of the lead is RightsForBikers.Com. Fielding Justin Filice, the son of AMA Hall of Famer Jimmy Filice, Rudolfo Ramirez, who ran his own team last season and Armando Ferrer of Caracas, Venezuela, this team also competes on a Ducati PS1000E. Extremely motivated and hungry for a win, this team is set to who Topeka fans how it is done.

In the ST class, the points are again tight with just two points separating the Pair-A-Nines team and M4 Avteq Racing.

One of the best known teams in the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series is the Pair-A-Nines team. Run by motorcycle great Gary Nixon and piloted by champions Jay Springsteen and Jim Filice this team also boasts the tuning talents of Bill Werner. All AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame honorees, this dynamic quartet brings an outstanding wealth of talent, championships and accolades to the series.

However, M4 Avteq Racing has no intention of being intimidated by this famous roster of stars. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, this team showcases the talents of Kyle Martin and Ryan O'Donnell, both of Dallas and Dane Westby from Tulsa, Okla. Fresh from a win at Barber, they have high hopes of adding a second victory to their growing list of achievements.

Team racing is certainly one of the most exciting spectacles of two-wheeled racing. Not just simply a test of man and machine, this type of two-wheeled competition requires a number of pit stops during each race necessitating the ability of an entire team, not just the riders. The same as in NASCAR, winning often depends on the ability of the crew in the pits. Each stop is critical and every team's goal is to be the fastest out of the pits and back on the track.

With so much on the line it is obvious that the action will be spectacular when the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series gets underway, August 16-17 at Heartland Park Topeka.

-credit: www.moto-st.com.

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