FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chip
Spalding, Team Manager
KWS
Motorsports
4657
Franchise Street
North
Charleston, SC 29418
Phone:
1-877-RACE-KWS
Millennium/KWS Suzuki Battles Through Injury to Get Another Top Ten
Finish
Tooele, UTÐ May 2008 -- Millennium/KWS Suzuki sponsored by Suzuki of OrangeburgÕs
Ben Thompson returned to action this week at Miller Motorsports Park near Salt
Lake City, Utah. Thompson broke both of his hands in a crash at California
Speedway five weeks earlier and had to have two titanium plates and fourteen
screws installed in his right hand. Although healed, Thompson struggled with
strength, endurance, and dexterity through out the weekend.
Miller Motorsports Park is now the longest track the AMA Superbike series visits
at almost 4.5 miles in length and its also one of the fastest with top speeds
of over 185mph. With over twenty-one named turns and lap times approaching
almost three minutes in length, there was plenty of action to thrill the fifty-thousand
fans in attendance. In Superstock qualifying Thompson was able to turn a lap
of 2:51.371 to qualify on the second row in the eight position on his Dunlop
shod Suzuki GSX-R1000.
Although ThompsonÕs hand got better with each session the team decided to focus
its efforts on the Superstock class using the Superbike sessions for practice
and testing. The Millennium Technologies team plans to return its focus to
both Superbike and Superstock at Road America next week when ThompsonÕs hand
should be closer to 100%.
In the Superstock race Thompson got a great start and immediately found himself
in a four bike battle for the top ten. Thompson rode a smart race, conserving
his hand and saving his strength for the end. On the penultimate lap, Thompson
passed Halof SuzukiÕs Hawk Mazzotta for ninth position to finish with a solid
top ten result.
Ben Thompson Ð ÒIt was a good weekend overall. I was very happy to be back
on the bike again. My right hand was really bothering me in the beginning,
but with each session it got better and better. I think we will be back to
our previous form at Road America next week. Michael Godin, Dustin Cyr, and
Chip Spalding did a great job all weekend and the bikes were awesome. I want
to thank all the sponsors and friends for the well wishes while I was recovering,
especially the crew from Millennium Technologies.Ó
Kevin Hunt (Team Owner) Ð ÒThe team did good this week. We came into the weekend
knowing that we were behind the eight ball from the start and we had a goal
of a top ten finish. Ben rode a smart race and we achieved our goals. It took
Ben a while to get back up to speed physically and we expected that. Ben is
a very tough rider and very focused. It is pretty amazing that he was able
to do as well as he did considering the injury. Most of us wouldnÕt have been
able to ride to the store five weeks after that kind of surgery. I want to
thank the sponsors for helping us out last week, especially LeoVince Exhaust,
Suzuki and Pit Bull. This is a group effort between the team and the sponsors
and we couldnÕt do this without their help. I also want to wish Lee Acree a
quick recovery. He is at home in North Carolina recovering and our thoughts
are with him everyday. Get well soon Lee!Ó
Millennium/KWS Suzuki is proudly sponsored by:
Millennium Technologies, American Suzuki, Suzuki of Orangeburg, Dunlop Tires,
Pit Bull, LeoVince Exhaust, K&N Filters, GP Tech, Galespeed, Active, Bazzaz
Performance, Sebimoto, Yoyodyne, Ohlins, VP Fuels, EK Chains, Wiseco Pistons,
BG Lubricants, Webcam, Performance Friction Brakes, Shock Doctor, Worldwide
Bearing, Zero Gravity, XT Racing, APE, CTR Suspensions, Chicken Hawk Racing,
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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