From a press release issued by Buell:
BUELL RACERS JEFF JOHNSON AND JOSH GUYER PODIUM AT BARBER
Yaakov Wins; Other Title Contenders Falter at Formula USA Thunderbike National
LEEDS, Ala. – Hoban Brothers/Appleton Buell rider Jeff Johnson and Harley-Davidson of Bloomington’s Josh Guyer finished on the podium at the Formula USA National Thunderbike race at Barber Motorsports Park. Harding Harley-Davidson’s Bryan Bemisderfer saw his championship points lead in the Thunderbike series shrink after a mechanical problem forced him to retire from the race. Hal’s Buell rider Dan Bilansky, who was second in points coming into the race at Barber, also failed to finish, as did Bemisderfer’s teammate and defending Thunderbike champion, David Estok. The race was won by CAD Racing Suzuki rider David Yaakov.
“We may not have had the best lap times, but our bike worked flawlessly all weekend,” said Johnson. “I’ve got to give credit to Mike Arrington of Revolution Performance and to John Dahmer and the entire Hoban Brothers team. Their work allowed me to focus on my riding.”
“I got a good start from the back of the grid and worked my way up to Jeff, but I was pretty worn out when I got there. I didn’t even know it was for the podium,” said Guyer. “Jeff Stevens and the Harley-Davidson of Bloomington crew, especially Joe Stines, have given me a great bike and we’re really making progress.”
A scoring computer malfunction during qualifying forced Formula USA officials to grid the race based on season points, giving Bemisderfer the pole position, but relegating other riders with few season points to the back. It was a break for the Thunderbike championship leader, who tangled with teammate Estok early in the 15-minute qualifying session, causing both riders to fall.
Despite his disappointing weekend, Bemisderfer still leads the Thunderbike National series with 85 points. Yaakov moves from fourth to second with 67 points, now just 18 points behind Bemisderfer, and Johnson moves to third with 61 points. The next stop on the Formula USA National Thunderbike Series is Sept. 17-19 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nev.
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).
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