From a press release issued by 1-888-FASTLAP:

1-888-FASTLAP’S OPIE CAYLOR HEADS TO FRANCE FOR SUZUKI WORLD GSX-R CUP

MAGNY COURS, France- 1-888-FASTLAP rider Opie Caylor has been racing for eight years, but from October 17-19, he will turn a wheel on a European track for the first time as he represents the United States in the Suzuki World GSX-R Cup in Magny Cours, France.

Caylor will be one of three United States representatives in the race, which is comprised of the top privateer Suzuki racers from 15 different countries. Three Suzuki Cup Qualifier races were held in the U.S. during the 2003 season, and the winner from each race earned the trip to France.

Each competitor in the Suzuki World GSX-R Cup race will be furnished with a fully prepped Suzuki GSX-R750. Two 30-minute races will be held during the weekend, which is also the season finale for World Superbike and World Supersport, giving Caylor and the other competitors the thrill of racing in front of thousands of fans.

Caylor won the third and final Suzuki Cup Qualifier, held at Barber Motorsports Park on Sunday, September 14. Timed practice was held the day prior to the race to determine the starting grid, and Caylor earned the pole with a fast lap time of 1:29.598, more than a second faster than the rest of the field.

At the start of the race, Caylor was in second behind Brian Stokes, another 1-888-FASTLAP rider, before taking the lead on his 1-888-FASTLAP/Team EMGO Taiwan Suzuki GSX-R750. After only several laps, he was passed by Jake Holden. On the final lap, with only two turns remaining, Caylor was able to pass Holden to take the win by one bike length.

“I got a pretty decent start,” explained Caylor. “Brian Stokes beat me off the line. I was behind him for a lap then I worked my way around. I went into turn one on the third lap and before I could tilt in Jake (Holden) came underneath me. He came by and he just started to go, his bike was working well and his tires were hooking up. So I started to go and I had a couple of slides here and there.

“At one point he started to gap me and I thought, ‘I can’t let this happen if I’m going to go to France,’ so I decided to hold back a little bit and let the tires cool off. Once the tire felt like it was okay again I tried to alter my style a little bit, get the bike up on the big part of the tire more. And I reeled him back in. On the last lap, going into the last two corners, I realized it was now or I wouldn’t get to go. He made a little mistake in turn 14 and when he flicked it back to the right he ran wide. I squared up 14 just right and at the exit I drove up underneath him. I just kept it wide in the last couple of corners, made sure I hit all my marks coming onto the front straightaway, and got him at the line.”

Caylor will be joined at the Suzuki World GSX-R Cup by Tray Batey and Corey Eaton, who are the other two U.S. representatives. He will also be accompanied by his mechanic Grant Matsushima.

“I’m pretty stoked about going to France,” enthused Caylor. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. I’ve always wanted to do something internationally. I’m looking forward to going over there. Kevin (Schwantz) is going to be in attendance, plus one of my American teammates over there is going to be Tray Batey, who is a Schwantz School instructor along with me. I’m looking forward to a lot of fun, a European track, and of course good Suzukis.”

Fans can keep up with Caylor’s adventures in France by reading his online journal at www.1888FASTLAP.com.