Attack Kawasaki’s Rapp Takes His First Supersport Podium By A Tenth At Laguna Seca

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Press Release Issued By Kawasaki Racing (July 20, 2008)

Monterey, Calif. (July 19, 2008) – Attack Kawasaki’s Steve Rapp made his final lap count as he beat out fourth-place by less than one-tenth of a second to earn his first AMA Supersport podium of the year at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. His exciting last-second pass helped Rapp notch another podium finish at the track, making it his third-consecutive podium in Monterey. Teammate Chaz Davies finished 16th after going down on the first lap.

Kawasaki Under the Kawasaki Tent

Go, Go, Go!
When Rapp turned the final corner of the final lap, he was sitting in fourth. His “fight till the end” mentality kept him pushing till the checkered flag and helped him take the spot by just a tenth of a second.

“He got by me just before the final turn and I knew that I had to push it as hard as I could,” said Rapp. “It was a great race. We had a really good bike and it showed when I needed it.”

Dogfight
The third-place and fourth-place positions were constantly changing and it was anyone’s race on the final lap. The riders rode smart and used every bit of track to make their passes.

“Eslick was riding really good and I knew I was going to have to fight till the end,” said Rapp. “I wasn’t giving up the spot and neither was he. It made for good racing and that’s what racers love.”

Second Turn Mayhem
As the riders funneled together and rounded the first and second turns, a bike came over into Rapp causing him to move outside and into his teammate Davies. The collision caused Davies to go down, but he picked his bike up and worked his way through 15 riders to finish 16th.

“I didn’t have anywhere to go,” said Rapp. “I felt so bad when I saw him go down because there was nothing I could do but move out, and he happened to be there. I’m glad he’s alright, but I was bummed the rest of the race.”

Short Weekend
With the weekend being shared with the MotoGP series, the AMA riders will only be racing the Superbike and Supersport classes. Rapp and Davies rode their race and will be able to enjoy a bit of downtime during tomorrow’s racing action, featuring Kawasaki rider Jamie Hacking.

Results

AMA Superbike Series
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca – Monterey, Calif.
July 19, 2008

AMA Supersport Results
1. Ben Bostrom, Malibu, Calif., Yamaha
2. Jake P. Zemke, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda
3. STEVE RAPP, MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIF., ATTACK KAWASAKI
4. Danny Eslick, Broken Arrow, Okla., Suzuki
5. Bobby Fong, Stockton, Calif., Suzuki
6. Josh Hayes, Gulfport, Miss., Honda
7. Martin Cardenas, Columbia, Suzuki
8. Tommy Aquino, Saugus, Calif., Yamaha
9. Michael Beck, Simi Valley, Calif., Yamaha
10. Josh Herrin, Dublin, Ga., Yamaha
16. CHAZ DAVIES, KNIGHTON, UK, ATTACK KAWASAKI

AMA Supersport Points Standings
1. Ben Bostrom, Malibu, Calif., Yamaha, 229
2. Jake Zemke, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 219
3. Josh Hayes, Gulfport, Miss., Honda, 177
4. Blake Young, Wanuakee, Wis., Suzuki, 175
5. Josh Herrin, Dublin, Ga., Yamaha, 174
6. CHAZ DAVIES, KNIGHTON, UK, ATTACK KAWASAKI, 154
7. Danny Eslick, Broken Arrow, Okla., Suzuki, 146
8. Aaron Gobert, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 145
9. Cory West, Eureka Springs, Ark., Suzuki, 139
10. Michael Beck, Simi Valley, Calif., Yamaha, 24
12. STEVE RAPP, MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIF., ATTACK KAWASAKI, 101

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