AMA Superbike race - Miller - Preview
BOSTROM AND HODGSON BLAZE INTO INAUGURAL UTAH RACES FOR PARTS
UNLIMITED DUCATI
Tooele (Utah) 14 June 2006: The Parts Unlimited Ducati Team
will compete in the inaugural Miller Motorsports Park AMA
Superbike race in Utah this weekend. Racers Neil Hodgson and
Ben Bostrom will race their Ducati 999 Superbikes on the brand
new 3.06-mile course located near Salt Lake City. The riders,
who have finished every 2006 Superbike race thus far in the
top ten, have completed a promising test the test at the circuit
last month.
Ben Bostrom was the quickest rider at that two-day test at
Miller Motorsports Park. The Californian seemed to find his
form on the European-style circuit. "It's a nice circuit
and suits both the bike and me well," said the former
AMA series champion. "It's a 'real' racetrack for sure.
We hope to do well out there. We've improved the bike a lot
at the last few races and tests and for sure we are getting
closer to where we want to be. I think we're actually a lot
closer than people think right now and I'm looking forward
to a good weekend."
Neil Hodgson is in the midst of a consistent season. Apart
from one sixth place finish at Barber, the hard-charging former
World Superbike champion has finished fourth or fifth in every
AMA Superbike race this year. Hodgson has earned fourth place
in AMA Superbike points in the ultra-competitive AMA class
so far in 2006.
Hodgson says he enjoys the Miller Motorsports Park circuit.
"The track is absolutely brilliant. In my opinion, the
track is the best layout in America. The facilities are very
nice. It's very safe, a long lap with a bit of everything
for the rider," said Hodgson. "We were very close
on lap times when we tested here and feel good about our setup
going into the race. As always, the competition in the series
is tough, but we feel up to the challenge."
The Superbike doubleheader will feature races on Saturday
and Sunday.
The Circuit: The Miller Motorsports Park
course has several variations, but the AMA Superbike stars
will race on the 3.06-mile (4.9-kilometer) "Outer course"
that promises to be one of the fastest road courses in North
America. Featuring 15 turns and flowing sections, the track
designers have added several elevation changes to the track's
natural topography.
AMA Superbike points (after nine races):
1. Ben Spies, Suzuki 322 2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki 301 3. Miguel
Duhamel, Honda 251 4. Neil Hodgson, Parts Unlimited Ducati
236 5. Aaron Yates, Suzuki 229 6. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki 220
7. Ben Bostrom, Parts Unlimited Ducati 215 8. Jake Zemke,
Honda 214 9. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki 192 10. Larry Pegram,
Honda 170
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