Reigning Formula USA Team Challenge overall and GTO Champions Mid-Cities Motorsports started their title defense with a win Thursday at Daytona International Speedway. Calvin Martinez, Dave Ebben and new team member 16-year-old Jesse Janisch completed 49 laps on their Suzuki GSX-R1000 to win the twice-red-flagged race.
Provisional Formula USA Team Challenge Results:
1. Mid-Cities Motorsports (Calvin Martinez/Dave Ebben/Jesse Janisch), Suz GSX-R1000, GTO, 49 laps
2. Shaw Racing (Rick Shaw/Brian Shaw), Suz GSX-R1000, GTO, -36.077 seconds
3. Himmelsbach Racing (Bill Himmelsbach/Mike Himmelsbach), Yam YZF-R6, GTU, -61.392 seconds
4. WAM Cycles (William Meyers III/Robert Presby), Kaw ZX-6R, GTU, -1 lap
5. Hooters Northeast (Tom Bibeau/Scott Greenwood/Matt Silva), Suz GSX-R750, GTO, -1 lap
6. Baker Race Gear (Brian Baker), Suz, GTO, -2 laps
7. Mid-Cities Motorsports 2 (Calvin Martinez/Dave Ebben/Jesse Janisch), Suz, GTO, -2 laps
8. Biohazard Racing (Chad Smith/David Tullier), GTU, -2 laps
9. Team Celtic Racing (Des Conboy/Hilton Hinks), Yam YZF-R6, GTU, -2 laps
10. Czaia Racing (C.J. Czaia/John Linder), Suz SV650, GT Lights, -3 laps
More, from a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:
Mid Cities Motorsports Captures Team Challenge At Daytona
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Feb. 26, 2004) — Mid Cities Motorsports and riders Dave Ebben and Calvin Martinez captured Thursday’s 56-lap Team Challenge event as motorcycle racing kick off at historic Daytona International Speedway.
Ebben, of Appleton, Wis., rode the first and last stint aboard a Suzuki while teammate Martinez, of Slinger, Wis., took the middle shift as Mid Cities Motorsports earned a 36-second victory over Shaw Racing and riders Rick and Brian Shaw.
Mid Cities Motorsports overcame a major hurdle early in the race when their bike experienced rear end problems.
“About five laps into the race, the rear tail section came off,” Ebben said. “The bolts broke. We had to zip tie it back on. I was trying to hold the seat on for about 25 percent of the race with my legs. Other than that, there were no flaws. The bike ran great.”
Rounding out the overall top three were Shaw Racing (No. 775 Suzuki 100) and Himmelsbach Racing (No. 10 Yamaha 600) with riders Mike Himmelsbach and Chris Rich.
Mid Cities Motorsports also took the GTO class victory while Himmelsbach Racing claimed the GTU class.
In the GTL class, the No. 69 Czaia Racing Suzuki 650 with riders John Linder and C.J. Czaia took top honors.
Motorcycle racing continues on Friday at Daytona International Speedway. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.
Results
Overall: 1. Mid Cities Motorsports (Calvin Martinez and Dave Ebben), Suzuki; 2. Shaw Racing (Brian Shaw and Rick Shaw), Suzuki; 3. Himmelsbach Racing (Mike Himmelsbach and Chris Rich), Yamaha.
GTL Class: 1. No. 69 Czaia Racing (John Linder and C.J. Czaia), Suzuki.
GTO Class: 1. No. 1 Mid Cities Motorsports (Calvin Martinez and Dave Ebben), Suzuki.
GTU Class: 1. No. 10 Himmelsbach Racing (Mike Himmelsbach and Chris Rich), Yamaha.