SONOMA, Calif. - Infineon Raceway will be the site for the first Supersport Comparison Test of the 2008 season on Thursday, April 3. This is a rare opportunity to witness the on-track performance testing first-hand.
The event, hosted by Cycle News and MotorcycleUSA.com, will feature a day of testing over the twisting 12-turn road course, followed by the all important quarter-mile showdown on Infineon's own world-class drag strip.
Manufacturers supplying motorcycles for this prestigious test include: Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati, Triumph and Honda. Riders from Cycle News and MotorcycleUSA.com will put a total of 12 Supersport machines equipped with Pirelli control tires to the test throughout the afternoon.
"Year after year we conduct these tests in secrecy, so we thought it would be great to make it open to the public," said MotorcycleUSA.com Editor Ken Hutchison. "This is always one of our most popular tests. From the OEM's perspective, and as far as I can tell, a win here is almost as important as a win at the races, so everyone takes it very seriously. Don't think for a minute we aren't having fun though, so come and check it out because this is a great opportunity to see how the bikes stack up before the story is even written."
The morning and afternoon will focus on turning as many laps as possible on the road course and then to cap it all off, the road-test editors will make passes over the quarter-mile drag strip in the all-important quest for a low E.T.
"Conducting our test at a track of this caliber proves how important this is to everyone involved," says Cycle News Road Test Editor Steve Atlas. "As far as I know, no magazine has ever invited fans to come out and watch us do our thing, so it will be interesting to see what everyone thinks of it."
Some of the notable riders participating in the test include America's own Isle of Mann TT competitors Jimmy Moore (2-time AMA Supersport champion) and Tom Montano (AMA Pro Thunder champion), along with AMA 250 Grand Prix champion Chuck Sorenson; Infineon AFM-course track record holder Michael Earnest and six-time OMRRA/two-time WMRA Superbike Champion Shawn Roberti.
Race fans are invited FREE to Infineon Raceway to watch the test, which will get started shortly after 8 a.m. on Thursday, April 3. The comparison test wraps Two-Wheel Thunder at Infineon Raceway, which features a 3Js Motorcycle Days charity event (http://www.3jstrackdays.com/) on Monday, March 31, followed by a two-day Yamaha-sponsored AMA Test Session, April 1-2.
Race fans are encouraged to attend the AMA test on Tuesday, April 1, where they can not only watch their favorite factory riders, but also watch Supermoto USA and SBFreaks Street Freestyle demonstrations throughout the day. Admission is also FREE. Visit http://www.infineonraceway.com/ for details.
The raceway will host the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts, May 16-18. Visit the Web-site or call 800-870-RACE for tickets.
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