Geoff May led the Barber Superbike race briefly on Sunday, marking the first time a Buell has led an American Superbike race. (Nelson-Riles photo)
It was quiet an amazing thing to see – during the Sunday Barber Superbike race Geoff May, riding a Buell, chased down and passed the leaders to briefly take the lead. It was a historic moment in the series, the first time a Buell has ever led an American SuperBike race and the first time an American-made motorcycle has led an American Superbike race since Thomas Wilson led in the rain at Mid-Ohio back in 1997 on a Harley-Davidson VR1000.
Actually leading a national on the underdog Buell (a motorcycle that isn’t even for sale any longer) was a cause of major celebration in the Buell pits. It was a testimony to the team chipping away and improving the motorcycle all season and to the renewed vigor of Geoff May, a former AMA Superbike Rookie of the Year.
Geoff May
I talked with May on the phone about what it felt like to lead Barber, how the team got there and what his plans for the future are. He gave me some amazing insights into what is planned for next season.
May, who was battling a cold, sounded incredibly optimistic about the future for Buell in Superbike competition. If things go according to plan a completely new Erik Buell bike will be on the Superbike grid next year and if what May says is true, the bike could truly be a championship contender.
It’s one of the biggest stories going into the 2011 season. One of the potential bright spots that could help restore the popularity of the championship.
What were you thinking when you got into the lead at Barber?
May, Geoff 1
What changes did your team make to the bike before the race?
May, Geoff 2
What was the reaction of Erik Buell and your crew when you took the lead?
May, Geoff 3
Your results steadily improved as the season went on. That has to be a positive for you and the team.
May, Geoff 4
You’ve been a factory-back rider and now you’re racing for a small, underfunded team. Do you feel a bit like you’re starting from square one?
May, Geoff 5
What’s your feeling now about racing for the Buell squad?
May, Geoff 6
What can you tell us about how things shaping up for next year?
May, Geoff 7
Have you tested the prototype of the new bike?
May, Geoff 8
When do you think you’ll find out if the bike is approved?
May, Geoff 9
Do you think much about potentially being the rider on an American-made motorcycle that could be the first true homegrown contender to win an American Superbike championship?
May, Geoff 10
Rider Files 
First off I would like to congratulate Geoff on his Barber ride and wish him and Buell the best on their success. My question is this. Is it truly an American effort? From what I can obtain. Rotax (if this is the power plant)is an Austrian company. I put it in quotes because I do not know for sure the Buell is Rotax powered. If yes. Is it still an Amercian bike? Larry. My answer to your question. “Can an American made motorcycle be a contender in Superbike?” I think yes. Can it be the champion? Sadly. Not yet.
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It would be interesting to see if a small operation like Erik’s could really be competitive. One thing is for sure, they’ll probably fare better than Harley did with the VR1000. Point taken on the Rotax motor. I don’t now why America can’t seem to produce a modern, race-worthy motorcycle engine. I wish Victory would take on the project.
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No big shakes on the Buell using the Rotax motor. Others have done it (use outsourced engines), and others will in the future. What was he going to do? Wait for HD to do the VRod engine right? Kudos to Erik Buell, he was able to get a championship (yeah I know, it was a cheater bike…whatever) in the first year of competition. HD never got that close with the million$ spent on the VR program.
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My understanding is that the Buell/Rotax engine was essentially designed by Buell and built to their specifications by Rotax. Buell and now Erik Buell Racing is not only a truly American effort, but also a total underdog compared to the Japanese factory funded efforts in AMA Pro. Props and maximum respect. Good luck in 2011, we’ll be cheering for you.
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The Rotax motor was designed by a joint engineering team composed of Buell and Rotax folks. The initial design can trace it’s roots back to work Erik did in 1986 with, quite obviously, lots of updating as a result of Rotax/BRP experience. There is a significant amount of Buell specific technology in the motor that Rotax can not transfer (i.e. incorporate in others motors) for a period of time.
Geoff’s showing has been amazing and more impressive taken in the context of competing with some really deep pockets. Erik and a handful of folks have done more in the short time than Harley-Davidson and the Genesis folks accomplished in 10 years of burning through 10’s of millions.
The part that has impressed me the most is the consistency and continuous improvement that Geoff has shown on the Buell from race to race. This is a team that obviously has a plan, takes notes and executes well. The performance of the Buells in Europe this year supports that.
2011 could really be exciting . . Erik’s attracting lots of attention.
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I believe Harley Davidson was one of the Manufacturers asked to build this motor and they declined.Several companies were being considered.
Rotax also supplied all of Aprilias motors (until just recently)and the BMW “Funduro” Dual Sport 650 and 800 F motors.
Designing and supplying motors since the 20’s ,Rotax also builds for Atv’s ,Snowmobiles , Watercraft , Karts ,Marine AND Lightweight Aircraft.
We agree Mr. Canfield , it would appear the motorcycling world has truly taken notice!
I suspect there will be a lot of test track action for Erik’s bikes this Winter, It would be great to see that result in a larger Superbike field!
One populated with a few more 1190’s…..or some future iteration thereof.
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