The Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin team
will wrap up their 2005 racing season in the Superbike doubleheader at Road
Atlanta this weekend. Riders Neil Hodgson and Eric Bostrom will attempt to
add to their four wins and nine podium finishes aboard their 999 Superbikes
this season.
Neil Hodgson will finish his "rookie" season in AMA Superbike at this
race. Hodgson has been on the podium five times, including his win in the
wet at Road America. Neil has faced some tough challenges this season, but
the former World Superbike champion has impressed everyone with his talent
and professionalism, including riding ill at Fontana and getting up to speed
quickly at difficult tracks like Daytona. "I'm looking forward to racing at
Road Atlanta. We'd like to end the year on a high note and go into the
off-season with a positive result," said Neil. "I enjoyed the test and have
some catching up to do because all the other guys have years of experience
around the place. I really liked the track."
The highlights of Eric Bostrom's season have been wins at Pikes Peak,
Laguna Seca, and Mid-Ohio, but the Californian wants more. "We didn't do as
well at we would have liked at VIR, but we had a few days to think about it
before Road Atlanta," said Bostrom. "Our test went pretty well and the crew
and I are extremely motivated to get good results." Eric currently lies
third in AMA Superbike points.
"It's the last race of the season and the team has worked hard all
year," said team owner Terry Gregoricka. "We'd like to end the year with
some good results and finish on a positive note. We've won some races this
year but the last race is the one you think about most in the off-season, so
we'd like to do well. Road Atlanta is a track where it seems like all
different makes of Superbikes are competitive, so if you can win one there,
it's a worthy accomplishment."
One Superbike race will be held on Saturday afternoon, with the season
finale to follow on Sunday.
The Circuit - Road Atlanta is a classic road course, with plenty of
elevation changes, tight turns with passing opportunities, and a long
straight to showcase top speed. The 12-turn, 2.54-mile (4.09-kilometer)
track is located outside of Atlanta, Georgia, in Braselton. Known as a
"rider's track", the first part of the lap consists of several quick rights
and lefts that require the racer to push the bike to the limits in order to
save time. The final part of the lap features a long straight, followed by a
chicane and the daunting turn 12, a downhill right-hander.
