From a press release:
DAYTONA SURPRISE: BEMISDERFER NABS BUELL LIGHTNING TITLE
Johnson Wins Thunderbike Championship Watching from the Sidelines
Bryan Bemisderfer of Greencastle, Pa. won an unexpected series championship in the Formula USA Buell Lightning Series, presented by Buell Pro Series Accessories at the final event of the season at Daytona International Speedway, and he nearly nabbed another in Thunderbike.
Bemisderfer, the large and likeable racer who had the Buell Lightning Series points lead going into the penultimate round at Portland, came to Daytona in third place after his team unexpectedly pulled out of the series. He arrived at Daytona with race bikes provided by Harley-Davidson of Frederick but no team support, and with a 14-point deficit, little hope of winning the title. His chances looked especially slim after series points leader Michael Barnes of Kosco Harley-Davidson/Buell-Innovative Motorcycle Research claimed the pole and another point with a 2:01.823 lap in qualifying, placing him just two points ahead of Hal’s Harley-Davidson/Buell rider Clint Brotz in the series standings.
The first title contender to drop out was Brotz, who crashed along with his Hal’s Harley-Davidson/Buell teammate Richie Morris in turn one on the second lap of the eight-lap race. Barnes, meanwhile, was streaking ahead to a big lead and what looked like a certain victory when he crashed violently in the dogleg on lap six. The race win went to Barnes’ Kosco teammate Dave Estok, with Bemisderfer 11.4 seconds back in second place, good for 20 points and the series title. Mark Reynolds (Boston H-D/Buell), Darren James (H-D/Buell of Toronto) and Greg Avello (Milwaukee H-D/Buell) rounded out the top five. Bemisderfer ended the season with 120 points to 117 for Barnes and 113 for Brotz.
“I guess I should buy some lottery tickets today,” said Bemisderfer after the race. “To be honest I didn’t even know I’d won the title, because I couldn’t tell Barnes had crashed. My crew told me when I got back to the pits.”
Bemisderfer found himself in position to grab another championship when Thunderbike series points leader Jeff Johnson of Hoban Brothers/Buell of Appleton failed to take the start of the race due to damage sustained in a minor spill on pit lane. In order to overcome Johnson’s point advantage, Bemisderfer would have to win the race, and all Johnson could do was watch from pit lane as Bemisderfer led the opening laps. Johnson’s points lead proved to be safe when Bemisderfer lost positions to Ed Key (Suzuki) and Tripp Nobles (Tilley H-D/Buell). Johnson’s championship is the third consecutive Thunderbike championship won by a Buell racer.
“That’s not how we wanted our weekend to go,” said Johnson. “But we’ll take the championship.”
The Formula USA Buell Lightning Series, presented by Buell Pro Series Accessories, is a horsepower and weight-restricted Buell-only spec class. The Formula USA Thunderbike Series is a class open to all different brands of motorcycles with single, twin and triple cylinder engines. 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. Call 1-800-4909-9635 for the Buell dealer nearest you. Or pull into www.buell.com.