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2001-07-01
Sportbike Final at Virginia International Raceway
Reigning Sportbike Champion Takes First Win of the Year
July 1, 01 - Alton, VA - There was nothing easy about Arclight Suzuki rider Lee Acree's victory in the Formula USA Pro Sportbike 18 lap event. Teammate Brian Parriott had the advantage at the start getting the holeshot into turn one and closely followed by Acree. Michael Barnes #34 Hooters Suzuki GSXR600 was trailing Shogun Motorsports Paul Harrell in fourth but would get past him on the third lap.
Parriott had the advantage in the lead over the first couple laps and while Lee was giving chase and looking like he would make the pass, a big slide by the #1 plate holder would see him drop back two positions. Harrell used Acree's mistake to his advantage and began his approach to take the lead from Parriott. Close to making his move on Parriott, Harrell had an off-track excursion that cost him some valuable time.
Brian Livengood was giving chase to the top three on his #54 EBC/Penske/GMD Computrack backed Yamaha R6 while a battle for fifth, sixth and seventh was being fought behind him. Sparks Steak House backed Chuck Chouinard, Dianetics Racings Stoney Landers and Synergy Racing Technologies Marc Palazzo would continue that battle through much of the race while the battle for the lead was heating up. Harrell was right on the tail of Parriott approaching lap 11 and would take the lead after Brian crashed in turn 15 just after the halfway point of the race. Livengood also crashed in lap 11 moving Landers into fourth.
Acree and Harrell continued their drafting wars down the front straight while Barnes was some six seconds behind the duo in third. Fourth was being fought over by Landers, Champaign and Marc Palazzo, Stoney ultimately winning the battle as well as the K & N Air Filters Fuel Efficiency award of $250. K & N Filters awards the Pro Sportbike fourth place finisher this check at each race for their valiant efforts.
With the narrow 2.25 mile course having limited places to make safe passes, Harrell sat behind Acree deciding where he would make his move. Unfortunately each time he planned to get around him, Lee was making sure to block him and when the checkered flag fell it would be Lee with the win followed by Paul and Michael Barnes in second and third.
Barnes would later say in podium interviews that he wasn't really up for the battles he had at various times during the race. "I hate making excuses but my shoulder was hurting out there and I also wish Mike had been in the mix with us", referring to Ciccotto's crashing out of the race.
Harrell went on to say he was sitting in second waiting for Lee to cook his tires. "I knew there were three places I could pass him but each time he had me covered." Paul also said that a new Penske shock has really increased the performance of the Yamaha R6.
Lee Acree could barely get the words out in the first part of his victory speech, appearing very happy and emotional to take his first win of the year after winning the championship in 2000. He went on to thank his team and wife for their hard work and support and giving great thanks to Metzler for a great tire that helped make the win possible.
Formula USA Pro Sportbike Official Results
1. Lee Acree - Suzuki Arclight Suzuki
2. Paul Harrell - Yamaha Shogun Motorsports
3. Michael Barnes - Suzuki Hooters Suzuki
4. Stoney Landers - Suzuki Dianetics Racing
5. Charles Chouinard - Suzuki Sparks Steak House
6. Marc Palazzo - Honda Synergy Racing Technologies
7. Brett Champagne - Suzuki Dallas Cycle Sports
8. Shawn Conrad - Suzuki Conrad Motorsports
9. Roland Williams - Suzuki ATR Technologies
10. Brian Stokes - Suzuki M & M Mortgage
11. Kevin Pate - Kawasaki Honda/Kawasaki West
12. Steve Luxem - Yamaha Conrad Motorsports
13. Shannon Ball - Suzuki Dallas Cycle Sports
14. Gregory Faiella - Yamaha Leesville Cycle Salvage
15. BJ Bradley - Suzuki Westbrook Custom Cycle
16. John Costa - Yamaha Rollin Fast Motorsports
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