FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chip
Spalding, Team Manager
KWS
Motorsports
4657
Franchise Street
North
Charleston, SC 29418
Phone:
1-877-RACE-KWS
Millennium/KWS SuzukiÕs Ben Thompson in the Top Ten at VIR
Alton, VA Ð August 2007 -- Millennium/KWS Suzuki sponsored by Ron Ayers Motorsports made the best of a difficult situation at VIR with both team riders John Haner and David Weber were unable to ride for the weekend. John Haner was diagnosed with pneumonia earlier this week and David Weber fell in Thursday practice injuring his wrist. Privateer Ben Thompson was brought in to replace Haner for the weekend and did an incredible job of adapting to the Millennium/KWS Suzuki GSX-R1000 and finishing in the top fifteen in both Superbike races and in the top ten in Superstock.
In Superstock qualifying Thompson used the amazing grip of the Dunlop N-Tec tires to put the Millennium/KWS Suzuki GSX-R1000 on the second row with a time of 1:27.137 for seventh position. In Superbike qualifying the young Alaskan rider turned a 1:27.672 for fifteenth position on his Superstock- spec GSX-R1000.
Thompson got a great start in Superbike Race One, moving to ninth in the first turn. The Dunlop sponsored rider raced with the factory MV AugustaÕs for most of the race, but set up issues in the extremely hot weather saw him finishing in the fourteenth position. This made Thompson the highest finishing true privateer.
The team was extremely excited for the first Superstock race in over two months. Ben got a good start but was hit by another rider going into turn one forcing him to the outside however, he was able to stay on track and recover quickly to finish in the eighth position. This was ThompsonÕs best AMA finish to date.
In SundayÕs Superbike Race Two the team was able to correct some of the set up issues from the day before. Thompson got an excellent start and raced with Scott Jensen for most of the race to finish in the twelfth position.
Ben Thompson Ð ÒI had a great weekend! I want to give a huge thanks to Kevin Hunt and the entire Millennium/KWS Suzuki team for giving me this opportunity. The crew was great and we meshed well together. I really want to thank Michael, Rick, Chip, Jim, and Matt for all their hard work. It was a really great experience and I hope to be able to do it again soon.Ó
Kevin Hunt (Team Owner) Ð ÒBen did great this weekend. We only had a few sessions to set the bike up for Ben, while our competition has had all year. Despite the lack of set up time, Ben gave great feed back, rode consistent and got some good results. I want to thank Jimmy Stallings, Tim Calhoun, Chris Hackl and all the sponsors from coming out this weekend and supporting us, we couldnÕt do it with out you!Ó
Millennium/KWS Suzuki is proudly sponsored by:
Millennium Technologies, American Suzuki, Ron Ayers Motorsports, Dunlop Tires,
Pit Bull, LeoVince Exhaust, GP Tech, Penske Suspension, Komodo Gear, Catalyst
Racing Composites, VP Fuels, EK Chains, Wiseco Pistons, BG Lubricants, Webcam,
Performance Friction Brakes, Shock Doctor, Worldwide Bearing, Zero Gravity,
XT Racing, APE, CTR Suspensions, Chickenhawk, K&N Filters, Hel Brake Lines
For Pictures
and more Information: http://www.kwsracing.com or
Contact: chip@kwsmotorsports.com
Phone: 1-877-RACE-KWS
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