Brammo takes the win and is joined the podium by newcomers Virginia Tech BOLT racing and Veteran Ely Schless...

In a marked contrast to yesterday’s downpour, race day started out in glorious sunshine.  As word about the Motoczsyz withdrawal spread through the paddock, Michael Czsyz graciously took to the commentators booth to explain why... Paraphrasing here, Czsyz explained that the bikes had only been return to the teams Portland head quaters hours before the race weekend begun, straight from the Isle of man.  A 37 3/4 mile race with two major inclines is a very different animal to a fast track and short race like PIR. He likened it to the difference between drinking Congac or shooting Tequila.  The TT required a slow release of energy. Sipping the drink to make it last a longer time rather than chugging it back for a quick burst. For the more technical this means building the pack from energy cells that support a lower C rate than the "power cells" they'd use for a TTXGP race.    

Because the bikes were delayed in transit, the team didnt have the time needed to switch battery pack so were running the TT purpose designed packs but on a fast track... inevitably, as racers do, they pushed the bikes hard which resulted on one of the bikes (Christopher Ancien's) experiencing a thermal runaway or for the layman, overheating creating smoke. The teams experience and knowledge allowed them to control the situation and cool down the pack quickly.  The fact that they had already put in an impressive performance in the qualifying session with a fastest lap time of  1:15.839 in damp to drying conditions, made the decision to pull out from the race both difficult yet sensible.  While they still had one bike in running order that could have raced today, it would have been with the risk of the same thermal problem occurring.  

This left a starting grid which included 7 racers  with Brammo Icon moving up the grid to take pole position and without any major competition, they took  the maximum number of champioship points available.  Steve Altas made really light work of  the race, putting in a stirling performace on a clearly impressive machine. 1:17.768 was his best time within the race; it should be pointed out that this race was most likely the FASTEST race in TTXGP history by average lap speed and top speed on the straights.  it's an impressive display of how far the technology has come.  The next opportunity to go faster won't come until we run on the banking at Daytona...  

"Team Icon Brammo is thrilled to come away from Round 2 with the maximum result - a 1st place finish! It's been a grueling start to the season with the crashes at Infineon, and we're happy to put that behind us and truly get our season underway with this result.  It's too bad Motoczysz weren't able to repair their bikes in time to join us on the track, as I think the racing would've been really good.  We had some power in reserve and finished the race with plenty left in the tank, so I guess we'll have to wait until Laguna to see where everyone really stacks up..." commented  Brian Wismann team leader. 

Check back later in the week with interviews with all new racers including second place racer, Matt Kent.