NH challenge for DeCouto
Expert motorcycle racer Paul DeCouto will make his debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire this weekend.The 43-year old rider is competing in five different races at the American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) and Champions Cup Series (CCS) event on his modified Cycle Care Limited GSXR 1000.New Hampshire Motor Speedway — which also hosts NASCAR racing — is 1.6 miles long, has 14 turns, elevation changes, runs counter clockwise, is very tight, highly technical and is regarded as one of the toughest tracks to figure out.“I have been warned by a few top riders that this is not a track that you just show up for the first time and are fast on,” DeCouto said. “I am taking them seriously and getting the technical assistance needed.“The learning curve is so steep that I enlisted in the Advanced Racing School with AMA pro rider Eric Wood. He will be giving a step by step tutorial of the ins and outs of getting fast at this particular track. This will include a guided track walk.”DeCouto will put his skills to the test competing in the Expert ASRA Pro Superstock, Expert GTO, Expert Unlimted GP, Expert Formula 40 and Expert Unlimited Superbike.“I am cautiously optimistic and well aware of the challenge that lies ahead over the next few days. And I am confident that I will make the best of the experience hopefully with some decent results.”The Bermudian rider currently leads the Expert ASRA Pro Superstock championship series by 14 points over nearest rival Tim Bemisderfer (USA).Last month saw DeCouto shave nearly three minutes off his previous fastest lap time (1:30) while competing at the ASRA/CCS event at New Jersey Motorsports Park where he managed one podium display, a third-placed finish in the Expert Formula 40 event.