Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki wrapped up their activities at Road America on Sunday. Saturday Superstock victor Steve Rapp had a less memorable afternoon Sunday, retiring from the Formula Xtreme final after running in the top 10, due to mechanical problems.
Chris Ulrich was unable to participate in the race after aggravating a nagging shoulder injury this weekend. He flew back to California early to get checked out by his orthopedic specialist.
Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki Crew Chief Keith Perry reflected on the weekend with Rapp’s Superstock victory on Saturday at the forefront. “We were looking for that win … we really needed it. We found a good set-up that Steve liked and the Michelins were great. He was getting a super drive out of all the tight corners and the tire kept getting better as the race wore on.”
Unfortunately, Sunday’s race wasn’t a repeat win for Rapp. “Today we encountered clutch problems with Steve’s bike,” Perry said. “A combination of things including that uphill start might have caught us out.
“As for Chris, he’s struggling with his shoulder and knows he’s not riding as well as he can at the moment,” Perry said about the two-time Superstock race winner and polesitter for last year’s Road America Superstock race.
Perry also commented about the return of teenager Matt Furtek to the fold. “Matt just came back from a surgery he had to help cure some problems with his hand. He had been experiencing numbness in his hand and the surgery completely cured two out of the four fingers. It might take a combination of things to get him back to 100%, and he has another test and possible surgery scheduled on Tuesday,” Perry said.
Still, Perry is convinced Furtek’s ability will show in his results soon. “Matt hasn’t shown his full potential yet. We he gets things figured out, he’ll really come up.”
