TOOELE, Utah (June 24) — GEICO Suzuki racer Chris Ulrich is ready to make some more good memories at Miller Motorsports Park when he races in the MotoAmerica (AMA/FIM) Superbike Challenge this weekend.
Ulrich raced to a podium finish in the GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Series race here last year and would love to duplicate that feat this weekend.
“I am looking forward to another weekend at Miller Motorsports Park,” Ulrich said. “It’s a track I like a lot. Last year I was on the podium for the GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Series, so I have some good memories there. I look forward to going back.”
The key to a good finish in the two Superbike races on Sunday is a good start in practice. The fastest 10 racers advance to the crucial Superpole 2 qualifying session on Saturday, which sets the field for both 18-lap races Sunday.
“I’m looking for a fast start to the weekend to make sure I move straight through to Superpole 2 and try to get into a good position from there,” Ulrich said. “I need to put in two solid races on Sunday.”
In addition to the 3.048-mile, 15-turn race course, Ulrich will have to contend with altitude and high temperatures this weekend. The track is more than 4,000 feet above sea level, meaning less oxygen is available for riders and their motorcycles.
“This track is the highest track in elevation in the circuit, which causes the bikes to be a little easier to ride,” Ulrich said. “The elevation after a couple days starts to affect you physically just a little bit, but I train very hard for that.”
Temperatures are forecast to be in the upper 90s all three days at Miller, with 100-degree temps expected on Sunday.
“We have two long races on Sunday, so that could be a challenge,” Ulrich said. “Last weekend at Barber we had high humidity and a short track with no wrecks, but I felt like I performed well. I feel like I am ready for Miller. Physically I’m ready and I am up for the challenge.”
Two hour-long Superbike practices are slated for Friday at 11:20 a.m. and 2:50 p.m. MT, with a 40-minute session scheduled for 10:40 a.m. Saturday. Superpole 1 qualifying is at 2:10 p.m. Saturday, with Superpole 2 immediately following. The two races Sunday are scheduled for 12:30 and 4 p.m.
