It was a scorcher for the sixth round of the CVMA 2025/2026 winter series, with a relentless heat wave engulfing the Desert Center area just days before the event. On Friday, as riders prepared for practice, the mercury soared to a sweltering 108 degrees, setting the stage for an intense weekend. Even as the sun dipped, the oppressive heat lingered, creating a challenging atmosphere for both riders and fans.

Saturday morning teased with a brief cool spell during qualifiers, but it didn’t take long for the temperature to rise again, mirroring the fierce competition unfolding on the track. The atmosphere was electric as riders revved their engines, navigating tight corners and battling for position under the blazing sun.

Despite the sweltering conditions, the weekend delivered an exhilarating spectacle of racing, with competitors in every class pushing their limits. The close battles on track highlighted the stakes at hand, as each rider aimed to snag crucial championship points in this penultimate round of the series. The heat only seemed to intensify their determination, making for a thrilling experience that left spectators on the edge of their seats.

• Saturday Qualifying

The fastest of all in Saturday morning qualifying, Nicholas Ciling topped the field of open-class bikes, turning a 1:45.540 lap time.

Jack Roach was fastest on a middleweight, turning a 1:47.547 lap time.

Gio Alvarez was fastest on a lightweight bike with a 1:49.617 lap time.

Nathan Gravelle was fastest on an ultra-lightweight bike with a 1:56.744 lap time.

Joel Ohman was fastest on a CVMA Hooligan bike with a 1:49.665 lap time.

• Saturday Races

Saturday’s Supersport Middleweight race was a barn burner. Jack Roach got the hole shot and led the entire race while a battle for the remaining spots on the podium raged behind him. Parker Mayer, Ryan Breckenridge, and Nicholas Telliard traded positions several times throughout the race. The last lap of the race saw several passes, and in the end, Roach took the win with Mayer second and Breckenridge rounding out the podium in third.

Gio Alvarez won three races on his lightweight class bike and set a lap record in the Formula Twins class in the process.

Sawyer Lafayette came from the very back of the grid, starting last, to win the Formula Ultralightweight race. Joel Ohman won both CVMA Hooligans races.

• Sunday Shootouts

In the premier race of the day, The Shootout, Nicholas Ciling (Yamaha YZF-R1) got the holeshot and led the first lap. Ceiling was followed closely by Michael Gilbert (Yamaha YZF-R1) and Danilo Lewis (Honda CBR1000RR) in second and third, respectively. On lap two, Lewis used the power of his CBR to motor past Gilbert on the back straight, taking second place. Gilbert lost another position on lap 2 to Corey Alexander (Ducati Panigale V4) when Alexander went by on the brakes into turn three. At the end of the second lap, it was still Ciling at the front,but Lewis and Alexander were now in second and third. Lewis was able to get by Ciling on the fifth lap to take the lead, and Alexander also passed Ciling for second, demoting him to third. Lewis and Alexander raced nose to tail for the second half of the race while Gilbert was able to get by Ciling to take third position. On lap eight, Alexander was able to pass Lewis for the lead approaching the white flag. Alexander was able to fend off Lewis on the final lap for the win. At the finish, it was Alexander winning, Lewis second, and Gilbert third.

The Formula Lightweight Twins Shootout started with Gio Alvarez (Aprilia RS660) leading into turn one, followed by Justin Bordonaro (Aprilia RS660) and Geiser Hernandez (Aprilia RS660). Alvarez set a new lap record for the class on lap two and was never challenged. Hernandez was able to pass Bordonaro for second on the third lap, and that would set the final order. Alvarez took the win, Hernandez second, and Bordonaro third.

At the start of the Formula Ultra Lightweight Shootout, Nathan Gravelle (Kawasaki Ninja 500) led into turn one with Anthony Estrada (Kawasaki Ninja 400) in second. Sawyer Lafayette (Kawasaki Ninja 400) was able to come from last on the grid to run third at the end of the first lap. Lafayette passed both Estrada and Gravelle in turn 13 to take the lead. At the end of the second lap, it was Lafayette leading, Gravelle, and Estrada. Lafayette traded the lead back and forth on laps four and five. A mistake on lap six forced Lafayette down to third, but he was ableto work his way back into second before the end of the lap. On the final lap, Gravelle was leading at the start, but Lafayette was able to make a pass on the entry to turn five and hold on to the lead until the finish. At the strip, it was Lafayette for the win, Gravelle second, and Estrada third.

In the Middleweight Shootout, Jack Roach(Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R) led into turn one, followed by Haydn Meng (Suzuki GSX-R750) in second and Joel Ohman (Suzuki GSX-R750) in third. The running order never changed.

Full race results can be found on Speedhive: https://speedhive.mylaps.com/events/3432964

Check out the replays of the races on the 951 Live YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@951live

Next Round. Come out and join us for the final round of the CVMA 25/26 Winter Series on 4/24-26/26. This is a double points round, so don’t miss out!

CVMA offers two full days of racing every race weekend and also includes Saturday qualifying for grid position in all classes, amateur, and expert, as well as a wide variety of classes to choose from.

CVMA offers free reciprocity as a means of encouraging racers from other clubs to come out and compete. CVMA also offers a New Racers School for those starting in racing on the Fridaybefore each race weekend. Log on to www.cvmaracing.com to sign up or for more information.

CVMA. For racers by racers and offering the best racing experience around!

CVMA would also like to thank the 2024/2025 Winter Series Sponsors: Support Moto Racing, Apex Assassins, Ryder Gear, CaliPhotography, Racers Edge/Dunlop, Del’s Flooring, The California Superbike School, Ride HMVC, First Team IT, Yamaha, CT Racing/Pirelli, Compact Octane Trackdays, 2 Fast Track Days, LapSnap

NRS Sponsors: Alpinestars, 6D Helmets, Five Gloves, and Racers Edge/Dunlop