Champions Again

Aprilia USA/Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Wins Second Consecutive SunTrust MOTO ST Series SST Championship

 

Italian Manufacturer’s Powerful Production-based Tuono 1000R V-Twin Retains No. 1 Plate, Also Wins Manufacturer’s Championship

 

NEW YORK, October 23, 2008 – Aprilia USA/Lloyd Brothers Motorsports successfully defended its SunTrust MOTO-ST Series Super Sports Twins (SST) class championship in the season’s final round at Daytona International Raceway on October 18.  Bringing home the Number 1 plate for the second consecutive season are riders Ty Howard, Weatherford, Texas and Mike Himmelsbach, Quakertown, Penn, as well as a top-notch support team.  Aprilia also earned the series’ coveted manufacturer’s championship with a total of 227 points, besting a field of four other manufacturer competitors, including BMW, Buell, Ducati and Suzuki

 

Aboard Aprilia’s powerful production-based Tuono 1000R V-Twin, the No. 1 team tallied 225 total points, outdistancing its nearest competitor by a strong 18 point margin.  Contributing to the top performance season were first-place finishes at the series’ prestigious first race, the Daytona 300, as well as subsequent checkered flags at the Virginia International Raceway VIR 500K, and Thunderbolt 500k.  The team also stepped up to the victory podium for second-place finishes in the Road America 500K and Barber 500K.  For a complete review of the season’s racing action, visit www.moto-st.com .

 

“We are very happy that the team was able to once again take home the No. 1 plate,” says Aprilia Brand Manager Rick Panettieri.  “We knew from the start of the season that winning the championship would be more difficult with the new Ducati 848 and Buell 1125 in our class, but the team did a great job at running consistently fast laps and pit stops at each of the events.  The Tuono 1000R has been one of our top sellers for the past few years and this championship once again demonstrates Aprilia’s racing DNA and how fast the Aprilia is compared to the newer competitors.”

 

Lloyd Brothers Motorsports team co-owner David Lloyd said: “Our 2008 season track record speaks volumes about the Tuono’s tough character.  The bikes gave the riders the right mix of performance and reliability all season and let them do what it takes to be No. 1 – finish and get on the podium race after race.

 

“We are really thrilled to be able to win this prestigious title two years in a row.  Competing in both the Moto-ST Series and the AMA Grand National Flat Track Series in the same year is an extremely busy schedule. Our crew and riders did an outstanding job all season.”

 

“The entire team truly went the extra mile and we are very proud of every one of them,” said team co-owner, Michael Lloyd.  “They are absolutely the best.  We especially want to thank Chuck Looper, David Gamble, Bill and Bearl Himmelsbach, Dean Phelps, Steve Mora, Steve Stivers and everyone else who pitched in this year on the track, in the pits, on the road and back home.”

 

The competition in this series is tough and each race was always a challenge, continued Michael.  “Mike and Ty are extremely talented riders and we feel lucky to have them on our team. Bryan West, Henry Wiles and Zac Chapman also rode very well on our second entry earlier in the year. Bryan did a great job as our third rider at the last race.”

 

The Aprilia USA /Lloyd Brothers Motorsports team thanks the following marketing partners: Aprilia USA, American Agip, F3 Motorsports, Penske Racing Shocks,  Motion Pro,  K & N Filters, Vesrah Brakes, Diamond Chain, Vortex, Leo Vince, Dynojet, Suzuka Tire Warmers, Martin Eurosports, Sharkskinz, Saddlemen, RaceImage, Tech Care, Strapless Transport Systems, Af1 Racing Aprilia, Daniel Kalal, FI Research, Yuasa Batteries and Arai Helmets

 

About Aprilia and Piaggio Group Americas

 

Aprilia world headquarters are in Noale (Venice, Italy).  Founded in 1962, the company designs and manufactures motorcycles in Noale, with production facilities in Scorzè.  With 39 motorcycling world championship titles (33 road and 6 off-road) under its belt, Aprilia is the only European manufacturer to have a complete on- and off-road model portfolio, ranging from sporty scooters, innovative off-road bikes and tough adventure tourers to award-winning super sport bikes.  For information on Aprilia’s complete U.S. model line, visit the company’s website at www.apriliausa.com. 

 

In December 2004 Aprilia became part of the Piaggio Group, Europe’s leading manufacturer of two wheelers and one of the world’s most recognized and respected names in motorcycle and scooter production.

 

With approximately 7,000 employees, approximately 708,500 vehicles sold in 2007, 5 R&D centers, 7 production facilities in Europe and Asia, and operations in over 50 countries, the Piaggio Group has a consolidated leadership in the European 2 wheeler market.  Its production includes scooters, motorcycles and mopeds in the 50cc to 1,200 cc displacement range, marketed under the Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera, Derbi, Aprilia, Scarabeo and Moto Guzzi brands.