RoadAmerica07

Road America
Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin June 1-3, 2007 A Wet Weekend - Images From Pitlane by Bree Poland

ELLISON TAKES SEASON BEST FIFTH AT WET AND WILD ROAD AMERICA SUPERBIKE DOUBLEHEADER

Photo by Brian J. Nelson James Ellison rode a terrific race to finish fifth, his best finish this season, in the second race of this weekend’s SuperBike doubleheader at Road America. The variable weather was the main topic for conversation with heavy rain, thunder and lightning on both race days. Once again at a track for the first time, James’ usual quick study was hampered by the heavy rain showers that meant quality practice was sporadic. Additionally, a mechanical hiccup early in qualifying sidelined Ellison on the backside of the 4.3 mile course causing him to miss much of the session. Still he was able to qualify on the fourth row with a respectable time for his first event here.

James said, “The bike is working well, its just time on-track to learn the course. It’s a lot longer mile-wise than all the other tracks so that time makes a difference!”

The first SuperBike race was delayed due to the weather with a big shower soaking everything just before the start. The race was declared “wet” but it seemed whoever was controlling the weather smiled on the event because within minutes of the start the sun came out and dried up the course. The race started in almost perfect conditions but not with a perfect ending for James whose clutch burned out in the start, forcing him to retire at the end of the lap. A very disappointed Ellison said, “ I got a great start off the line and was fanning the clutch to keep the “R’s” up and it just fried the clutch, slipping from then on real bad so that was that!”

The crew put in a new clutch for race two and with everyone crossing their fingers for a good race the heavens once again opened, deluging the track and all everyone attending! The race was designated wet just like race one, but this time it was well deserved with heavy rain all around the track. James got a good start and was in the front “pack” but the race was red-flagged after one lap due to lightning strikes around the track.

The conditions were much the same for the restart half an hour later and once again James was up in the front group, in thirteenth at the end of lap one. Thereafter bikes were crashing left and right in the very slippery and hard-to-see conditions but Ellison used his wet-weather MotoGP experience to keep it upright and pick off riders ahead. By the end of the race he had collected eight positions to finish a super 5th and the first Honda home.

A jubilant Ellison said afterwards, “The conditions were very slippery. There were a couple of corners, turns 2 and 5, where I didn’t know if I would make it – every lap! Every where else it was OK and I just rode as fast as I could. The crew did a great job getting the bike set up for the conditions so it was a fun race!” Ellison is currently eleventh in the SuperBike Championship points order.

Speed Channel once again had a camera on James’ bike for the weekend. Viewers will see the field behind from the rear-facing view.

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