No program data available
  • Media
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Check out the latest SPEED podcasts on iTunes
  • Mobile
This could be your avatar!
Username
Password
Register
speed_staff's avatar
Author:
SPEED Staff
Login For More
Rate this article:
  • 0/5 Stars
SPEEDtv.com Store
"NASCAR Legends"
“NASCAR Legends” by Don Hunter and Ben White belongs on the shelf of every true NASCAR fan...
Our Price: $19.98
Visit Button
Buy Button
"Hot Rod Pinups II"
A Sequel to his 2005 bestseller Hot Rod Pin-ups, ace photographer David Perry offers an all-new collection of images.
Our Price: $35.00
Visit Button
Buy Button
Mickey Thompson: The Fast Life and Tragic Death of a Racing Legend
The complete story of this true American legend is one worth slowing down for.
Our Price: $25.00
Visit Button
Buy Button
Footer Bg
  • Zoom More Photos Button
  • Camera Icon
Rapp Takes Supersport Podium for Pirelli, Fong Gets Famous
Written by: SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com   
07/21/2008 - 10:28 AM
Charlotte, NC
 
Steve Rapp running in third place is chased by fourth plaace Danny C. Eslick and fifth place Bobby Fong. (Photo: Brian J. Nelson) ยป More Photos

Racer Steve Rapp rode his Attack Kawasaki to a sound third-place finish in Saturday’s AMA Supersport race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, again adding to Pirelli’s 2008 record-setting number of AMA podium finishes.

Rapp’s teammate, Chaz Davies, started the Supersport race from row one but in turn two on the opening lap Rapp was squeezed over into Davies who then fell. Davies remounted and charged from 31st to a hard-earned 16th place finish, carving his way through the field on a set of Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tires. Meanwhile, Rapp stayed close to the front, running down and passing two riders to take third, where he battled for position for most of the race. On the last lap Rapp was momentarily put back into fourth but won the drag race to the finish line on his ZX-6R to finish third. About Steve’s latest podium, Cyrcee, Rapp’s girlfriend, grid positioner, and walking marketing machine, said, “Life is too short to go slow.”

Adding to the excitement of Rapp’s podium was his race-long challenge from Bobby Fong on a Safety First Suzuki. Fong? Yes, Fong, who had been running strong all weekend long, earned his best ever and first fifth-place finish in an AMA Supersport race at what most consider to be one of the most technical tracks on
the calendar. Fong said afterwards, “I like the technical tracks better than the fast tracks. I just seem to do better on them. And all the tracks for the rest of the season are technical so you will see me on the podium.” Fong’s fifth was barely three tenths of a second behind Rapp’s third-place finish, showing just how close he is to the podium already.

Also finishing in the top ten in Supersport was M4 EMGO Suzuki’s Martin Cardenas, coming home an incredible seventh-place finish in just his second race since his devastating crash at Fontana earlier in the season, where he broke his femur. Both Fong and Cardenas ride Suzuki GSX-R600s.

Pirelli Tire North America specializes in the manufacture and marketing of high-performance tires for passenger vehicles, motorcycles and motorsports. An industry leader in technology and quality, Pirelli operates its highly advanced Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) in Rome, Georgia, to better serve the North American OEM and Replacement markets. For more information please visit: www.us.pirelli.com, or www.us.pirellimoto.com.

View All Comments