(Photo by Brandon W. Mudd)
Last year, NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle newcomer Jerry
Savoie turned heads aboard his White Alligator Racing Suzuki by reaching the
final round at the esteemed Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, maintaining one of the
best average reaction times in the class, and closing out his rookie season
perched deservedly in the Full Throttle Series top 10.
With the 2012 season set to kick off in just a few weeks
for the two-wheeled competitors in Gainesville, Fla., the amiable alligator
farmer from the bayou has a new weapon in the arsenal: a White Alligator Racing
Buell.
"We aren't abandoning the Suzuki," said crew
chief Mark Peiser, who hasn't seen much outside of the race shop during the
off-season. "Our plan is to run both, whichever bike will work best for
the different conditions and different racetracks.
"Our decision to acquire the Buell was based on a
couple of things.
Number one, we feel like the Buell has an advantage over
the Suzuki, and we'll know for certain once we get deep into it and see what we
can do with one. Secondly, I've had a whale of a time getting parts for the
Suzuki. The S&S parts are just more accessible. George Smith and Steve
Rominski from S&S have been really helpful, along with Derek Churchwell
from Star Racing, and with this Buell deal, there is really a family atmosphere
in terms of customer support. You know they want you to do well. We've got a
lot to learn in a short period, but I believe that with this support system,
the transition will be a lot easier."
In addition to the team hoping that the double-barrel
approach to the new season will put them on a more-even playing field, Savoie
is confident that switching between the bikes will not be an insurmountable
task.
"I've been on all kinds of motorcycles in my
life," said 52-year-old Savoie, who hadn't raced in over 30 years before
jumping on the Suzuki to make his NHRA debut last year. "After proving to
myself that I could take on the challenge of riding a Pro Stock Motorcycle, I
feel like I can adapt to just about anything. I'm pretty excited – I'm not in
the groove yet because I haven't been down the track on it, but I know that
once I make that first pass, I'm going to get the fever."
Savoie will have his chance soon as the team plans to
test the week before the 43rd annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals in
Gainesville, March 8-11.
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