By David Swarts

Edge Motorsports’ Michael Fitzpatrick and Greg Leffler won the Engine Ice-sponsored Formula USA 200-Mile Team Challenge at Portland International Raceway Friday, on a Pirelli-slick-shod Suzuki GSX-R750. Edge was second at the start, passed early leaders Beaverton Honda Yamaha 35 minutes into the race, and went on to win by one lap.

Beaverton Honda Yamaha’s Todd Frey and Andrew Cox stretched one set of Dunlop slicks on a Yamaha YZF-R1 to place second at their home track. Any hopes Beaverton Honda Yamaha had of catching Edge Motorsports at the end were dashed when the team’s Yamaha got stuck in fifth gear due to a broken shift linkage. Beaverton Honda Yamaha still managed to lap fast enough–turning 1:12s–in the final 12 laps to maintain second place.

Loudoun Motorsports’ Greg Leffler and Bryan Bemisderfer hitched a ride for their Suzuki GSX-R750 from Virginia to Portland, worked without a pit crew, and made one set of Metzeler slicks last for 102 laps to take third overall.

The GTU class win and fifth overall went to Edge Junior Varsity’s Tony Tinsley, Paulo Maria and Anthony Cammack on a Suzuki GSX-R600. Edge Junior Varsity trailed GTU class points leader Brotz Motorsports early in the race until Brotz retired with a mechanical failure after 66 laps. Edge Junior Varsity cruised on to win the GTU division by 33 laps over Brotz. Annadale Racing finished third in GTU on a Kawasaki ZX-6R.

Engine Ice 200-Mile Team Challenge Final Overall Results:
1. Edge Motorsports, Suz GSX-R750, 104 laps
2. Beaverton Honda Yamaha, Yam YZF-R1, 103 laps
3. Loudoun Motorsports, Suz GSX-R750, 102 laps
4. Circuit One, Yam YZF-R1, 98 laps
5. Edge Junior Varsity, Suz GSX-R600, 97 laps
6. Powersports, Kaw ZX-9R, 90 laps
7. Brotz Motorsports, Yam YZF-R6, 66 laps
8. Annandale Racing, Kaw ZX-6R, 33 laps