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The American Motorcyclist Association Posted September 25, 2006 |
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Manufacturers Cup final standings |
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| Suzuki |
134 |
| KTM |
110 |
| Yamaha |
10 |
| Kawasaki |
8 |
| Honda |
6 |
This year, he returned as an expert and survived
fast-changing weather conditions and the competition to win the Horizon
Award, the top honor given to an amateur who is ready to move on to the
pro ranks.
“I’m excited, I’m ecstatic," said Burleson. "I can’t believe it can be me. That’s what we were trying for, that’s what I was going for."
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Robert Wilkey put his name on the list as an up-and-coming rider to watch by winning the Top Novice Award for 2006. Wilkey passed many more experienced riders during the weekend and ran lap times that would have made him competitive in many of the Expert class races.
In the Club Challenge, the Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association, led by Burleson, won the title.
After last year's success as a novice, Burleson was aiming for the top award this year, and he and his wife, Merry, made the sacrifices needed to get there.
“I missed quite a few races in the beginning of the year,” he said. “I went to Louisiana and worked to try and get us out of debt from last year’s racing. So I got real little track time."
As this year's Grand Championships got underway, Burleson started strong on Saturday with an impressive win in 750 Superstock Expert. About mid-way through the day, though, the clouds opened up and rain tires had to be slipped on.
Many racers tip-toed around the soaked track and Burleson, with very little experience in the rain, was admittedly uncomfortable.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “So when I got out there on my rains, I didn’t know what it was going to do. I noticed some of the other guys were really comfortable with their rains—and it probably just comes with experience.”
At one point in 600 Superbike Expert, coming out of the
carousel, Burleson got the bike crossed up and went way wide to the
curb (left).
“I was just trying to find the limits of rain tires, and I found ‘em,” he said laughing.
With almost half the field either failing to start or failing to finish, however, Burleson salvaged third.
Later that day, still under wet conditions for the Pro-Am Superstock 1000, he seemed to find a bit more comfort. Pulling the holeshot, Burleson was able to hold off longtime friend and rival Charlie Coleman—at first.
“I couldn’t believe it was Charlie,” he said. “I mean we battled him all last year. I was just waiting for somebody to come up there and pick on me and I couldn’t believe it was Charlie. It just made me try a little harder.”
Coleman eventually passed Burleson, but Burleson kept
the pressure on, never more than a bike length behind, and took second
at the checkered flag (right, giving Coleman a congratulatory pop).
Sunday, the last day of racing, dawned with perfect blue skies. In the first race of the day, Pro-Am Supersport 600, Burleson finished eighth behind another contender for the Horizon trophy, David Grey, who came in sixth. The finishes weren't bad, considering that many racers in the Pro-Am classes aren't eligible for the Horizon Award because they already have professional experience.
Burleson returned to winning in the 750 Superbike Expert
class, besting his old rival Coleman rather convincingly (right), with Grey
coming in third, more than seven seconds back. Then, in 600 Superstock
Expert, disaster struck on the first lap when Burleson tried to make a
pass for the lead and his brake lever touched another bike, locking his
front brake and putting him down.
But on that same first lap, though, Grey went down
entering the carousel (left). He jumped up unhurt, but was unable to continue
and slapped his leathers in frustration at an opportunity lost.
That left only the Pro-Am Superbike 1000, the final race of the day, where Burleson was able to pull of an eighth-place finish riding hard with the pros. It was good enough to earn him the Horizon Award.
“In just one short year Cory proved himself as a road racer and we look forward to continuing to watch his winning streak grow,” said Douglas Neubauer of AMA Sports.
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© 2006, American Motorcyclist Association