MotoAmerica Starts Its Second Half In Utah
Utah Motorsports Campus Set For Round Six
COSTA MESA, CA (July 18, 2018) – On paper, the fast layout of the Utah Motorsports Campus should favor defending MotoAmerica Motul Superbike Champion Toni Elias and his Yoshimura Suzuki teammate Roger Hayden. After all, the pair finished first and second in both races last year at the circuit on the outskirts of Salt Lake City on their new GSX-R1000s, with Elias sweeping to his second and third career wins at UMC.
But if we just went by the paper, there’d be no need to have races.
As the series arrives in Utah for the Championship of Utah at Utah Motorsports Park, the second half of the 2018 MotoAmerica Series begins after half a season of awesome racing and high drama. And, unlike last year, we get to Utah with Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing’s Cameron Beaubier leading the MotoAmerica Motul Superbike Championship after completely turning his season around in the last two rounds and four races. He comes to Utah with four straight wins and a 29-point lead in the championship. He’s also a former Superbike race winner at UMC, with a victory in race one in 2016.
“We struggled a little bit at Utah last year and, in the past, it hasn’t been one of the best tracks for us,” said Beaubier in the week leading into the race. “It hasn’t been terrible. I’m definitely going to start my weekend there like I do every other weekend and see where we are at. Our bike is definitely quite a bit different than it was there last year. I will go in with an open mind and see what we have. Utah’s been a good track for him (Elias) the last few years and we will need to be on our A game and do the best we can at Utah. I want to take advantage of the races and the racetracks that suit our R1. If Utah is not one of them, I will be as smart as I can and move on.”
Although he’s 29 points behind and coming off a rough patch in his season, Elias draws confidence by returning to a track where he’s had a lot of success. He also knows that four races ago he had a 35-point lead in the championship before things flipped upside down at Road America and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
“We did a little test in Fontana (Auto Club Speedway) and everything seems like back to normal,” Elias said. “Not 100 percent, but very close. I think we have a good base to start everything in Utah and start to feel the front (end) again. I crashed a lot when the tire (Dunlop’s newest version of its KR451 N-Tek, which is larger in circumference) arrived, but the front (feeling) is back. Normal feeling is back so I am happy. Now Cameron (Beaubier) has pretty much the advantage I had before. He is strong and so ready and very consistent, but 20 something points is not enough to relax. I will be there to reduce this distance and we have time enough. This is my goal, so let’s do it.”
The man who sits third in the Motul Superbike title chase coming into UMC is Attack Performance/Herrin Compound’s Josh Herrin. Herrin is 68 points behind Beaubier but has been a factor in the last four races with three second-place finishes. His only hiccup was a crash in race two at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca while running second to Beaubier. Herrin has also tasted Superbike success at UMC as he won race one there in 2013, the year he won his lone AMA Superbike Championship.
“I think we should be close enough,” Herrin said when asked about winning races at Utah. “We’ll see how the power is at Utah compared to the other teams. We are there for the wins. In the past two rounds, four races, we had the bike to win. I just messed up on all of them.”
Yamalube/Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz started the season like gangbusters, finishing second and third at the opening round at Road Atlanta before winning in the rain in round two at Circuit of The Americas in Texas. He struggled at Road America but seemed to find his way again at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca where he finished fifth and fourth in the two races. The South African comes to UMC fourth in the series standings, six points behind Herrin and 31 points ahead of fifth-placed Garrett Gerloff, the Texan racing in his rookie season of Superbike with the Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing team.
The rest of the top 10 in the Motul Superbike class are tightly knit with M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Jake Lewis just three points behind Gerloff. Then comes SC Project/KWR’s Kyle Wyman, 13 points behind Lewis.
Hayden, who finished second at UMC last year by 2.4 seconds in race one and just .459 of a second in race two, has bounced back from his horrible start to the season with three straight podium finishes. He sits eighth in the championship, three behind Wyman. Scheibe Racing’s Danny Eslick is next, just four points behind Hayden, and Fly Street Racing’s David Anthony rounds out the top 10 heading into round six.
The Supersport class comes to UMC with JD Beach in the catbird seat with a 52-point lead in the championship he won in 2015. Beach has won five of the seven races thus far in 2018.
The men who have beaten him in those two races will likely be his biggest challengers at UMC: Hayden Gillim and Valentin Debise.
Rickdiculous Racing’s Gillim beat Beach in the rain in race two in the series opener at Road Atlanta and M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Debise won his race in his comeback from injury at Road America in race one. Gillim is second in the title chase with Debise already up to fifth despite missing the first four races of the season.
Cory West filled in for Debise in those four races and he did an admirable job of it. West is third in the series standings coming into UMC and now rides a TSE Racing Yamaha R6.
Behind the top three comes a string of riders fighting to get into the top three in the title chase: M4 medAge Suzuki’s Nick McFadden (nine points behind West), the aforementioned Debise, Quicksilver/LEXIN/Hudson Motorcycles’ Richie Escalante, YCRS/Mazziotto Racing’s Anthony Mazziotto III, Tuned Racing’s Braeden Ortt, KWR’s Bryce Prince and Rickdiculous Racing’s Jason Aguilar.
The Liqui Moly Junior Cup Championship is being led by KTM Orange Brigade/JP43’s Alex Dumas, the winner of five of the seven races. Dumas, who turned 16 this week, lead the championship by 26 points and it could be worse for the competition if he hadn’t failed to start one of the races and crashed out of another.
Dumas is being chased by fellow KTM Orange Brigade rider Sean Ungvarsky and Yates Racing’s Ashton Yates, the Georgian the only other race winner in the series thus far with his wins coming in the rain at Road Atlanta and at Road America in race two. Yates is just a single point behind Ungvarsky in third place.
MP13 Racing’s Cory Ventura (Yamaha) and Attack Performance/Herrin Compound’s Gavin Anthony (Yamaha) round out the top five heading into the UMC round.
Utah Motorsports Campus will host both the Stock 1000 and the Twins Cup classes, which are both new to the MotoAmerica Series in 2018.
Ghetto Customs’ Chris Parrish leads the Twins Cup Championship into Utah on his Suzuki SV650, but by just two points over Altus Motorsports’ Jason Madama and his Yamaha FZ-07/MT-07. Those two have three wins between them (Madama two, Parrish one) with Xavier Zayat the other race winner in 2018. Zayat, who only competed in the round he won at VIRginia International Raceway, is returning to the class for the UMC round.
The Stock 1000 class is also close with RiderzLaw Racing Kawasaki ZX-10R-mounted Andrew Lee leading the BMW of Weir Everywhere Racing’s Travis Wyman by 10 points with Kiwi Shane Richardson another 12 points behind in third on the Woolich Racing Kawasaki. Wyman has won two of the three races with Richardson winning the other one. Lee has finished second in all three races held thus far.
Utah Motorsports Campus Notes
The winningest Superbike racer of all time at Utah Motorsports Campus is retired Texan Ben Spies. Spies won five races in Utah during his career, including his first-ever Superbike race at UMC in 2006. The active rider with the most wins at UMC is Toni Elias, the Spaniard having won three Superbike races in Utah, including both last year.
When Cameron Beaubier won both races at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca last month the wins were the 27th and 28th of his Superbike career. The 28th win moved him into a tie for fourth with Ben Spies on the all-time win list for the class. Four more wins for the Californian and he’d be tied for third with Miguel Duhamel with 32 wins.
The other active MotoAmerica riders on the all-time Superbike win list are Toni Elias (21 wins/sixth), Roger Hayden (nine wins/19th) and Josh Herrin (four wins/26th).
Three of Elias’ career wins have come at Utah Motorsports Campus. Elias won race two in 2016 won both Motul Superbike races at UMC last year. In race one he beat teammate Roger Hayden by 2.4 seconds and in race two he barely beat Hayden – by .459 of a second. The wins were Elias’ fifth and sixth of the 2017 season. Cameron Beaubier crashed out of race one but bounced back to finish third in race two, 6.6 seconds behind Elias, who left Utah with a 30-point lead in the championship that he would go on to win.
If Elias or Hayden win this weekend at UMC, it will be the 200th career AMA Superbike win for Suzuki.
Roger Hayden earned pole position last year for the two Motul Superbike races at UMC with his lap of 1:48.941 in Superpole. Elias was second fastest with a 1:49.219 and Josh Hayes completed the front row with his 1:49.347.
Last year’s two Supersport races were drama filled with JD Beach winning his fifth race in a row in race one. In race two, things went upside down for both of the Graves Yamaha riders with Beach running into teammate Garrett Gerloff and taking them both out of the race. The win went to M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Valentin Debise.
The KTM RC Cup races (now Liqui Moly Junior Cup) were won by Cory Ventura and Jackson Blackmon. Ventura’s win was the first of his MotoAmerica career.
The now-defunct Superstock 600 race on Saturday last year was won for the first time by Jason Aguilar, the Californian moving to within two points of then series leader Conner Blevins. A day later, Aguilar won again and took over the points lead, which he would hold on to for the rest of the season. Team MG55’s Michael Gilbert also had a good weekend in Utah in 2017 with two second-place finishes.
More, from a press release issued by Yamalube/Westby Racing:
Mathew Scholtz Is Coming Into “The Attitudes” With An Attitude Of His Own: Winning
Tulsa, OK – July 18, 2018 – Round 6 of the 2018 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship gets under way this Friday at Utah Motorsports Campus in Tooele, Utah. And, at the 3.048-mile, 15-turn high-desert track that features the tricky left-right-left series of turns known as “The Attitudes,” Mathew Scholtz and the Yamalube/Westby Racing team are bringing their winning attitude that was girded by top-five finishes at WeatherTech Laguna Seca during the previous MotoAmerica round, followed by a summer break that gave the “Durban Dynamo” a new perspective and renewed optimism heading into the second half of the season.
“After our solid race weekend at Laguna, I went to Colorado to spend some time with (good friend and fellow MotoAmerica Superbike rider) Cam Petersen and our girlfriends at a house that Cam rented,” Mathew said. “It was a great time. Very relaxing, and we saw some beautiful scenery. But now, it’s back to business, and I can’t wait to get to Utah Motorsports Campus, which is a track I really like because it’s fast and flowing, and it favors the setup of my #11 Yamalube/Westby Racing Yamaha R1 Superbike. We’ve got the bike dialed in to the new Dunlop 200/60 rear tire that was introduced at Road America, and we’re ready to race.”
Mathew is currently fourth in the 2018 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship and just six points out of third with 5 rounds and 10 races left in the season. “We’ve got half the races left in the Championship,” added Mathew. “The bike is set up to win, and that’s exactly what we intend to do this weekend in Utah.”
Superbike Qualifying Practice sessions begin on Friday, and Superbike Superpole (Qualifying) is on Saturday at 11:30 AM Mountain Time. Superbike Race 1 will go green on Saturday at 3:30 PM Mountain, and Superbike Race 2 is on Sunday also at 3:30 PM Mountain.
Meet Mathew, Get An Autographed Poster, And More
Mathew will be available for autographs at the Yamalube/Westby Racing transporter in the Utah Motorsports Campus paddock during the Dunlop Paddock Autograph Session on Saturday from 12 to 12:45 PM. The Dunlop Hot Pit Walk & Autograph Session, scheduled for 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Sunday on pit lane at UMC, is another great opportunity to meet Mathew. He’ll be handing out free, autographed posters and other team items, and you can also get your picture taken with him.
Check Out The Yamalube/Westby Racing Sponsor Showcase
Evol Technology, Lacomoto Bodywork, Pro-Bolt Fasteners, and Speedcell Technologies will be the featured team sponsors on display in the Yamalube/Westby Racing paddock area, so be sure to stop by to say hello and learn about some of the companies that support the team.
For more updates about Yamalube/Westby Racing, including news, photos, and videos, visit http://www.WestbyRacing.com
Also, follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites.
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Yamaha bLU cRU Road Racers Head to Utah Motorsports Campus This Weekend for MotoAmerica Round 6
Beaubier and Beach Ready to Continue Championship Points Leads
Cypress, CA – July 18, 2018– Following a one-month break from racing, the 2018 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship resumes this weekend, July 20-22, with Round 6 at Utah Motorsports Campus (UMC) in Tooele, Utah. Yamaha bLU cRUroad racers are feeling refreshed and ready to hit the pavement of UMC’s 3.048-mile road course, known for its fast, flowing and wide layout.
Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing Superbike Team
Superbike points leader Cameron Beaubier heads into the second half of the season with a four-race winning streak behind him. Despite facing a few challenges earlier in the season, Beaubier and the Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing Team found the momentum needed to garner a 29-point lead with 10 races remaining in the season.
Beaubier’s teammate, Garrett Gerloff, holds a top-five position in the Superbike standings as he continues to lay a consistent foundation in his rookie season on the R1. Having already captured three podium finishes in the premier class, Gerloff is set to be a top contender at UMC.
Cameron Beaubier – #6 YZF-R1
“We had a good little break after Laguna. I’ve been riding some motocross and bicycles, doing my normal thing. It was nice going into a little break on a positive note. We are only at the halfway mark though, and I’m ready to get back on my R1 and try to keep this momentum going with my guys.”
Garrett Gerloff – #31 YZF-R1
“I love going to UMC, it’s one of the most “GP Style” tracks that we have. I feel like the layout, with the fast sweeping corners, and the flow of the track, is a big help for me and the way I like to ride. I feel like the bike and I are in a good place and I’m ready to go give it all I have! I’ve really been focusing a lot over the last month on consistency, which isn’t really something you can find from a bike setup. At the end of a race, it’s a given that the bike is going to be different and not work as well as at the beginning of the race, so adapting and still doing the same times as before is where it counts. That’s something that I’ve struggled with a little bit with the new bike but definitely something that I’m improving every time I ride. We’ve worked hard the last month to have the right mindset to do that, so let’s go do it!”
2018 MotoAmerica Superbike Standings – 10 of 20 Series Races Completed
Pos. Rider Points
1 Cameron Beaubier – Yamaha 203
2 Tony Elias – Suzuki 174
3 Josh Herrin – Yamaha 135
4 Mathew Scholtz – Yamaha 129
5 Garrett Gerloff – Yamaha 98
6 Jake Lewis – Suzuki 95
7 Kyle Wyman – Yamaha 82
Superbike Superpole (Qualifying) is on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. MDT, Superbike Race 1 will go green on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. MDT and Superbike Race 2 is on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Monster Energy/Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha Supersport Team
Monster Energy/Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha’s JD Beach holds a 52-point lead in the Supersport Championship after seven races in the series. With five victories behind him, Beach has showcased his ability to prevail in all types of race conditions, and he looks to extend his points lead over the competition this weekend.
JD Beach – #95 YZF-R6
“I’m really excited to get back to racing in Utah after this little break we’ve had. It’s been great to be at home a couple weeks and put in a lot of time on my bicycle and motocross bike, but I feel well-prepared to finish the year out strong starting this weekend at the amazing circuit in Tooele.”
2018 MotoAmerica Supersport Standings – 7 of 18 Series Races Completed
Pos. Rider Points
1 JD Beach – Yamaha 165
2 Hayden Gillim – Yamaha 113
3 Cory West – Yamaha 79
Supersport Qualifying at Utah Motorsports Campus is Saturday at 10:50 a.m. MDT, Supersport Race 1 is scheduled for Saturday at 2:30 p.m., and Supersport Race 2 will go green on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Meet the Yamaha bLU cRURoad Racers Twice This Weekend!
All your favorite Yamaha bLU cRUroad racers will be available for autographs at their Team Transporters during the Dunlop Paddock Autograph Session on Saturday from Noon to 12:45 p.m., and again on Sunday during the Dunlop Hot Pit Walk & Autograph Session on pit lane from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
For the complete MotoAmerica race schedule and event details, visit: http://motoamerica.com/.
For more Yamaha racing news, results, photos, and videos, visit http://www.YamahaMotorsports.com/Racing
Also, check out “YamahaMotorUSA” on your favorite social media site.