From a press release issued by Buell:

ESTOK WINS RACE, BEMISDERFER CLINCHES THUNDERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

Buell Riders Storm Formula USA Thunderbike Round at Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS – Evo-Twin Racing/Harding Harley-Davidson rider Bryan Bemisderfer clinched the 2004 Formula USA National Thunderbike championship with a second-place finish aboard his Buell Firebolt at the Las Vegas Classic road course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Bemisderfer locked up the title with one race left on the 2004 Formula USA schedule.

The Las Vegas race was won by Bemisderfer’s Evo-Twin Racing/Harding teammate, David Estok, who led from the pole and crossed the finish line 3.8 seconds ahead of Bemisderfer. It was Estok’s second Thunderbike win of the season. Hal’s Performance Advantage Buell rider Dan Bilansky finished third on a Buell Firebolt.

“I think I was one of the few people who realized that we’d clinched the title,” said Bemisderfer. “I was excited and jumping around after the race, and I’d just finished second. Then everyone started to figure it out. This is a great team that really knows how to set up the Buell for me so I can stay focused on riding. Last year we were in the fight but had a couple of DNFs and got disqualified for going over the horsepower limit once. That really tore us up. This year my goal was to stay consistent and race for the title,” Bemisderfer said.

The 2004 Thunderbike title is the third national championship won by Bemisderfer. The 36-year-old racer from Greencastle, Pa., won the 2001 Formula USA Thunderbike title and the 2002 Formula USA Buell Lightning championship. He has been roadracing since 1984.

For the Corning, N.Y.-based Evo-Twin Racing/Harding Harley-Davidson team, the Thunderbike title is its first national championship. Team owner Jeff Harding started roadracing in 1993, competing in the AMA Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 class. Last season he took on Bemisderfer as a rider, and this season added defending Thunderbike champion Estok to the team. The team is also sponsored by Evolution Industries, Wiseco Pistons, Penske Shocks, Traxxion Dynamics and Dunlop Tires.

“This is a great boost for our program,” said Harding. “Everyone at the dealership works hard to support this team. I have crew chief Shannon Destasio and mechanic Bill Ripley at the races, but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes, too.”

With 105 points and the Thunderbike title in the bag, Bemisderfer is looking forward to the season-ending Formula USA event, Oct. 21-24, at Homestead Miami Speedway in Florida. “I can go to Homestead with a different frame of mind,” said Bemisderfer, whose only Thunderbike win this season came on June 27 at Virginia International Raceway. “I want to match Estok with two wins this season, and now I can just go and race to win without worrying about the title.”

The Points Race

The battle for second place in the Thunderbike championship is tight, with Estok and Suzuki rider David Yaakov tied at 66 points, Suzuki rider Darren Danilowicz following behind with 65 points and Bilansky in close contention with 62 points.

The Formula USA National Thunderbike series is a horsepower-to-weight ratio restricted class, open to a variety of production-based motorcycles. Buell-mounted riders competing in the eight-event 2004 Thunderbike series are racing for a share of the $70,500 contingency fund posted by Buell Motorcycle Company and Buell Riders Adventure Group (BRAG).