CALABOGIE, Ontario (May 26, 2008) -

The first motorcycle race ever held at the Calabogie Motorsports Park circuit allowed spectators to witness a historical performance by Steve Crevier as a member of the Deeley Harley-Davidson® Canada Racing team.

Under the sponsorship of Deeley Harley-Davidson® Canada, the Canadian racing legend Steve Crevier was the first racer on a Buell® 1125R bike in Superbike competition in the world. This debut, requiring the support of a strong team and in conjunction with Buell Motorcycle Company, was expected to be a testing opportunity, especially in light of the fact that the only available engine for this date was a stock 1125R. The higher horsepower 1125R engine is still in development and is expected to be available for upcoming race dates.

At Saturday’s qualifying session and with an engine at least 30 to 40 hp less than other motorcycles in the class, Crevier still managed to secure eighth position for the starting grid. On Sunday, the Deeley Harley‑Davidson® Canada Racing team was looking at a Top 10 finish as more than satisfactory considering the power disadvantage and the 1125R being untested in actual Superbike race conditions.

From the beginning of the race, it became obvious why Crevier is a legend on the Canadian circuit. The race became an ongoing battle between Crevier and the Suzuki GSX-R1000 of Francis Martin, former two-time Superbike Champion. By lap 18, due to other rider mishaps and a determined Buell 1125R bike, Crevier was in fourth place in the twenty lap race.

Despite the disadvantage of competing with over forty less horsepower than Martin, Crevier’s twin-cylinder Buell motorcycle passed the Suzuki on lap 19 and held on to finish a third place position on the podium, preceded by Kevin Lacombe in second place, and Jordan Szoke, 2007 Parts Canada Superbike Champion.

A clearly inspired Crevier commented, “It’s quite amazing as we only recently received the motorcycles and the crew has been slaving for a solid week. We even had to use a DOT rear tire because our rim was too narrow for the slick.”

As understated as Crevier may have been, the victory served notice that Buell is a legitimate contender and rapidly becoming a force to be considered on the racing circuit. Hopes are high for the next national round to be held from June 26 to June 29 in Calgary, Alberta.

Estok third in Canadian Thunder season opener
Darren James Places in Top 5

CALABOGIE, Ontario (May 26, 2008) – Ruthless Racing/Deeley Harley-Davidson® Canada racer Dave Estok gave the new Buell® 1125R bike a promising debut, placing third in the Canadian Thunder class of the Parts Canada Superbike series opener at Calabogie Motorsports Park this past weekend.

Saturday’s qualifying session saw Estok improve his personal best with a time of 1:12.729, setting him up for a front row start in Sunday’s Canadian Thunder final. Darren James, the previous multiple Canadian Thunder Champion, qualified seventh, which slated him for a second row start.

Ruthless Racing’s Dave Estok racked up Buell’s first podium appearance of the season with a splendid third place finish in Canadian Thunder. “I started this season with the goal of the championship and this is a good start towards that. I really want to thank Deeley Harley-Davidson® Canada for having the confidence in me, and Crew Chief Thomas Morin and the guys for doing such a great job, and thanks to all the fans that came out.” Ducati captured the first and second positions.

Darren James, owner of Ruthless Racing, brought the second Buell 1125R bike home in fifth spot. “Well, I’m never happy finishing off the box; in fact, I only like the top step, but I guess I’m ok with it. We did make a lot of progress this weekend and we’re real happy for Dave and hey, it’s far from over, we’ve got six races left.”

In the air-cooled Sports Twin class of Canadian Thunder, Buell air-cooled riders Olivier Spilborghs (Ruthless Racing), Jim Proulx (Harley-Davidson® of Ottawa), Dan Thompson (Harley-Davidson® of Ottawa), Keith McPhail (Jacox Harley-Davidson®), Scott Kerr (Jacox Harley-Davidson®), and Dale Wood rounded out the field.

With a dominating performance, Jim Proulx captured victory in the Sport Twins final. His margin of victory was the largest recorded on the weekend, which earned Proulx the Tirox Big Winner Award. Olivier Spilborghs of Ruthless Racing finished third, putting two Buell racers on the podium, a notable accomplishment for him after starting at the back of the grid. Spilborghs’ XB9R bike, closest to the required horsepower limit without going over, earned the Ruthless Racing Team the Brembo Tuners Award.

All in all, an exciting first Canadian Thunder round of the 2008 Parts Canada Superbike Series that reflected the hard work of the Ruthless Racing team and the performance of Buell motorcycles.