Team Looks for Another Podium Finish at VIR

With just three rounds remaining in this season’s AMA Pro Road Racing’s SunTrust MOTO-GT Series, Czaia & Gallagher’s TeamHurtByAccident.com will be looking to take another podium finish at Virginia International Raceway on Saurday, August 18.

Taking a third place finish at Heartland Park Topeka two weeks ago, moved their No. 69 Suzuki GSX R600 into third place; nine points out of the lead and just four points off second place.

"The points have been close all season," says team owner C.J. Czaia. "I think the championship will boil down to the 8 Hours At Daytona. Our game plan is to really be consistent and land on the podium at both VIR and New Jersey Motorsports Park. If we can do that, we have an excellent chance at the title."

Piloting the team’s No. 69 Suzuki will again be Rodolfo Ramirez and Santiago Villa who took the podium finish at Heartland Topeka.

"Ramirez and Villa make a good duo," says Czaia. "They keep the bike upright and work well together. In fact, Villa just rode the WERA Cycle Jam Nationals at VIR this past weekend with Chris Ulrich and Russ Wikle and the team took third."

Riding the No. 64 Ducati PS1000E in GT-2 will be the duo of Robert Fisher and John Linder who both missed Topeka due to prior commitments.

"I am really looking forward to VIR," says Fisher who has earned numerous championships and racing accolades through the years. The president of Roaring Toyz in Sarasota, Fla., Fisher has earned a standout reputation as a rider and as a designer and builder of custom sport bikes and components. "It is a really good track and I have done well there in the past.

Equally as pleased to be returning to VIR is John Linder, who hails from Tampa, Fla.

"VIR is a great track and fun to ride," says Linder. "To do well you really need to consistently hit your marks each and every lap and that adds to the challenge and the fun. We took a podium finish here in 2007 despite suffering a crash and having to pit for repairs. If we could do well under those circumstances, we should be able to do it again with no problem."

"Our team has really come together," says Czaia. "Everyone has a great attitude and is ready to get the job done. We are definitely good to go."