Rapp leads Kawasaki Attack on Daytona 200
If success is about adapting, Attack Performance Kawasaki should have a good year.
Although Steve Rapp, from Manhattan Beach, California, qualified ninth on the grid, a full 1-1/2 seconds behind pole-sitter Miguel Duhamel, Rapp came out in Saturday morning practice and laid down the fastest time.
Then a few hours later, Rapp gave Kawasaki its first win ever in the AMA Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series when he won the 66th running of the Daytona 200 by Honda.
"That first stint, it was hard racing, but I made my first pit stop and I got a break and I was able to run away," Rapp said. "I was backing off so bad the last four laps. I was thinking that if I run out of gas, I'll never forgive myself. It was amazing. I was thinking that it can't be this easy. This can't be right."
Rapp was followed across the line by his Attack Performance Kawasaki teammate Ben Attard in second and M4 Emgo Suzuki rider Michael Barnes in third. Perhaps significantly, though most of the riders on the grid were running Dunlops, the three motorcycles on the podium were shod with Pirellis.
Rapp's move to the front came after the first pit stop--a pit stop that came a few laps too late for factory Honda riders Miguel Duhamel and Jake Zemke. Both riders, along with Erion Honda's Aaron Gobert had fuel problems on lap 21 and had to call it a day.
Once out front, Rapp rode a measured race to lead through another round of pit stops. He was never challenged the rest of the race.
"This year was a big change for me," said Rapp, who made the move from the Jordan Suzuki team in 2006. "Attack Performance Kawasaki took me in, and I'm glad to reward them with the first big win of the year."
The biggest battle down the stretch was for third place between Barnes and Celtic Performance Yamaha rider Chaz Davies. Although he would fall short in the last few laps, Davies had one of the more inspiring rides at the Daytona 200.
The former 125 and 250 Grand Prix rider qualified sixth on the grid despite running non-factory equipment, having limited experience on a 600cc motorcycle, and having no experience at Daytona International Speedway.
Although Duhamel would fall to attrition and Hayes would be hampered by making an extra pit stop for a splash of fuel, ultimately finishing sixth, the two Honda riders had an incredible battle with Barnes for the lead the first leg of the 68-lap race.
The three exchanged the lead several times in the first 20 laps, repeatedly drafting past each other and weaving through lapped traffic for a thrilling start to America's biggest motorcycle race.
Seven manufacturers were represented by 61 riders at the 66th running of the Daytona 200 by Honda, in qualifying order: Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati, Kawasaki, Buell and Triumph.
© 2007, American Motorcyclist Association