Team DaytonaSportbikes.com Takes Fourth in GTL Class of Team Challenge at Daytona

Daytona Beach, FL Team DaytonaSportbikes.com Racing took their #386 Suzuki SV650 to a fourth place finish in the GTL class of their first-ever competition in the ASRA Michelin Team Challenge this past Saturday on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway. The 200km race began and ended with cold, pouring rain making track conditions hectic for all riders and crew.

The team began practice with Team Hammer on Friday, putting in competitive lap times with all three riders on similar pace. The riders decided to sit out the Saturday morning warm-up due to a light drizzle that had begun to cover the track surface. With only minutes before the race and many teams debating which tires to run in the worsening rainy conditions, the DaytonaSportbikes.com team decided to switch to their Pirelli rain tires to run the duration of the Team Challenge.

With their early entry, Team DaytonaSportbikes.com Racing was granted the pole position of the GTL wave. Rider Jeff Hoffman began the wet race for the team, putting in consistent times during his 15-lap stretch. Hoffman then came in for the team’s first rider change and refuel. Having practiced this maneuver multiple times in the days leading up to the race, crew members were swiftly able to get the SV650 refueled and ready to remain competitive in the GTL battle.

The team’s second rider, Joe Fields, then mounted the #386 SV650 and tore off down pit lane to continue the race. Unfortunately, Fields lost the front end on the slick asphalt of the west horseshoe, damaging both front levers. Fields was uninjured and able to get the bike onto the crash truck for a ride back to the pits. The team quickly recovered the motorcycle and repairs were made with minimal time lost due to the accident. Rider Kelly Daniels resumed the race and put in the team’s fastest times in the wet weather, taking the checkered flag to the cheers of the team’s hard-working pit crew and fans.

Rider Jeff Hoffman:

“My first 15-lap stint went very well, even though I could not see through the visor, and 10 laps into it my hands and feet went numb as a result of the cold and rain. The track was horribly treacherous and any painted line was slick as black ice, plus the standing water made racing life very tough. Our pit board was super clear and easy to read in the drenching rain, so big kudos to [crew members] Ray and Justin. Our first pit stop went absolutely perfect, no hiccups, no delays absolutely perfect. Thanks pit crew!”

Rider Joe Fields:

“With the rain coming down and temperatures in the lower 40s, Jeff came into the pits and told me that the track was treacherous. I took that and told myself to take things slow, no matter what. Finishing was the only thing on my mind, not throwing down good lap times. I let the bike engine brake all the way up to the west horseshoe. I moved my butt to the right, started to lean the bike over and began to lean my body as well. I had maybe only 10 degrees of lean and the next thing I knew, I was on the ground sliding and watching the bike follow suit. I was picked up by the guys in the crash truck and dropped off near the pits. The whole crew was slinging duct tape, zip ties, and spare parts like I couldn’t believe. Watching them work so fast was hard to keep track of, and they did a fantastic job reviving the wounded DSB machine. Kelly took the helm, fired up the bike, let the clutch out, and took off down pit road with a roar of cheers that you could hear from the grandstands. It was powerful to watch really. Even though my race day was cut extremely short, the experience was priceless. I’m even more determined to do better the next go around. Thanks everyone for an amazing weekend.”

Rider Kelly Daniels:

“Coming in after the race, I was confused. I would usually just go back to the pits, but the whole team was standing there at pit in. Everyone was cheering and smiling. It was quite moving. I could barely get my frozen fingers back around the brake lever to stop. The overwhelming sense of accomplishment, teamwork, and happiness will linger for a long time. Thanks for letting me be a part of this!”

Crew Chief Jon Hatcher:

“We got the bike set-up as well as we could during practice, adjusting some issues with the fairings and windscreen so that our riders could get into the bubble a bit easier. We considered our options to switch tires, and just a few minutes before the race, knowing the downpour was not going to let up, we threw on the Pirelli rains. We were very happy to get the pole position for our class, and our riders and crew were pumped up for the race. The crew was prepared for refuels and rider changes, but we definitely hadn’t practiced doing duct-tape and zip tie repairs! For our very first outing and the conditions we faced, getting fourth place is an absolutely fantastic result. Thanks very much for the hard work put in by our riders, crew, and our forum members.”

Team Captain Dave Brichler:

“I’m very proud of the effort made by the whole team and appreciate the support we got from our local sponsors. I also want to thank all of the forum members for their support leading up to the event.”

Team DaytonaSportbikes.com would like to thank their generous sponsors: OT Training Solutions, Arthur Kowitz Realty, PCS Daytona, Christian Sport Bike Racing, Houligan’s Irish Sports Pub, Attorney Dave Robinson, and Naarden Sportbike Superstore.

The overwhelming success of DaytonaSportbikes.com Racing’s first outing has encouraged the team to pursue a second round of the ASRA Michelin Team Challenge at Roebling Road Raceway in mid-July. Look for the #386 machine on the grid!