Future Stars To Race At Red Bull Indianapolis GP
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Benny Solis of N. Hollywood, Calif., was the quickest rider during the opening day of the second 2008 Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup test March 25 at Barber Motorsports Park near Birmingham, Ala.
Solis' best lap was 1:36.179 on the 16-turn, 2.3-mile circuit. Colombia's Tomas Puerta was second at 1:36.223, with Bryce Prince, from Bakersfield, Calif., third at 1:36.302.
Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup riders will race during the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sept. 12-14 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Twenty-three young riders ages 13 to 16 will race in the program in 2008.
The Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup is a unique program for fostering motorcycle talent in promising young riders who compete on actual road racing circuits in front of race day crowds, on identical 125cc KTM Grand Prix bikes and under identical conditions.
Solis, 13, and Puerta, 15, rode in close quarters during the final session, passing each other at various points on the track -- including on the brakes in Turn 1. Solis was unhurt in a crash in Turn 2 one lap after recording his best time.
"I was a bit surprised because Tomas and I were going back and forth, lap after lap," Solis said. "He was showing me some of the fast lines and braking points, and I was helping him out some, too. Every tenth helped since Bryce was close to us in third spot."
Puerta was pleased with his performance.
"Benny and I rode together, and we helped each other out," Puerta said. "It was fun for me to ride with him. I was happy with the training from Kevin Schwantz and want to thank the mechanics for working so hard. My bike worked well today, and I was able to lower my lap times."
Prince, 15, steadily improved his times in the final session and recorded four consecutive laps in the 1:36 range.
"Today was a good day for me," Prince said. "I was happy and felt good on the bike, very confident. My mechanic and I worked with the suspension and got it handling well for the track. I think the experience of riding at the Selection Event really helped me, especially with the wind."
The test took place at the same site as last fall's Selection Event. The morning weather was in the 40s when the riders first took to the track under the tutelage of Rookies Cup riding coach and 1993 World Champion Kevin Schwantz, with temperatures remaining cool all day.
"I was pleased with how the guys rode, for the most part," Schwantz said. "We had a few bikes tip over, but we've been on the tires for a few sessions now and we had cold and wind. It was important for the guys to feel what it's like to ride in conditions like this because race conditions aren't always perfect.
"We'll see how the guys do tomorrow, and I'm encouraged with how well everyone is doing. Everyone needs to stay upright because more laps leads to more confidence."
***
Red Bull Indianapolis GP tickets: Tickets are on sale for the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sept. 14, 2008.
Tickets can be purchased either online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time; on the phone by calling (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or (317) 492-6700 locally between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; or visiting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office on the first floor of the IMS Administration Building at 4790 W. 16th St. in Indianapolis from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
All tickets for this event are three-day tickets, with both reserved and general admission seating available.
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