Moto #1
Saturday morning came on in a blaze of heat and with the crowd swelling to over 21,000 race fans; Mike was ready for the running engine start on the shore of Marine Stadium. Drawing the outside lane, normally not the most advantageous position for racing into the first turn, Mike vaulted into the lead and sprung ahead in an all out 10 lap drag race in which Mike left the other boats in his wake. He finished the race, taking the checkered flag a full 9 seconds ahead of the second place rider.
Moto #2
Saturday’s Moto #2 in the afternoon once again found Mike lined up in the outside lane, and like the morning Moto, he grabbed the lead at the first turn buoy and never relinquished it. Outrunning a Sea Doo® RXP® and a Honda®, Mike showed the field the power and handling that Bill Chapin had promised to deliver by leading every lap to take the win and gaining the maximum 200 points for the day’s two rounds and making up significant ground in the Season Overall Points battle.
Moto #3
With an even larger crowd and the weather heating up to over 80 degrees on Sunday, Mike was ready to take on the competition when they lined up to take the green flag for the first Moto. Taking off from the beach, Mike found himself chasing the factory Honda rider Nick Vanis who had the hole shot The two went at it for the lead and during their battle both stretched out a 9 second lead on the rest of the field. But Mike, aboard his FZR, went on to take the checkered flag for the third time this weekend
Moto #4
The huge crowd was pulling for Mike to sweep the weekend and showed their support loudly during the parade lap before Moto #4. Mike was clearly the favorite and he didn’t disappoint as he went on to win Moto #4 and complete his four Moto sweep of the series.
Savoring the wins, Mike signed autographs and let the fans get a close up look at his Yamaha FZR in the pits after the races. A perfect day for the Yamaha FZR and Yamaha R&D Team Follmer, as he gained the maximum amount of points (400) for the weekend. |