Brainerd, MN Zalusky Advanced Riding School and Track Days (ZARS) held its second round of the Shootout Series Championship and Track Day on May 30, 2011, at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota.

The Track Day Event drew in racers and riders from all across the Midwest. The Shootout was presented by Worldwide Machining and Welding, Inc., and awarded $1080 in cash prizes to all the top 4 finishers in each of the four classes.

In the Expert GP 3/4, Zach Hughes aboard his Yamaha YZF-R1 started on the last row and quickly worked his way to the front of the pack. After battles a few battles, Zach finished 1st followed by Nick Campbell in 2nd and Kris Skellenger in 3rd. Aboard a Yamaha 450, Christian Schmidt stole the show with an impressive victory in the Expert GP1/2 with Karl Rehpohl in 2nd and Mark Miller in 3rd respectively.

In the Novice ranks, Cole Speer had a fierce battle with challenger, Brett Folkerts. Cole came away victorious with his first win of the season in the Novice GP3/4 with Brett Folkerts in 2nd and Adam Purves in 3rd. In the Novice GP 1/2, Jake Northrup put together a dominating performance for the win with Jonathon Champ in 2nd and Stefan Dorn rounding off the podium in 3rd.

ZARS also showcased the Midwest’s most talented Track Day riders in the Rider Challenge. Nick Johnson led an impressive sprint and ultimately took the checkered flag.

“The level of riding in the Midwest is incredible and Zach Hughes and Christian Schmidt dominated the day,” stated Jessica Zalusky.

The next round of the Shootout will be held during the ZARS Track Day Event on June 26 at Brainerd International Raceway.

About – Zalusky Advanced Riding School and Track Days (ZARS) is a Track Day organization based in the Upper Midwest that provides riding and education opportunities for riders and racers of all skill levels. For more information, visit www.ridezars.com

Top 6 Results from May 30:

Expert GP 3/4: 1 Zach Hughes ((Yam YZF-R1) 2 Nick Campbell (Suz GSX-R1000) 3 Kris Skellenger (Hon CBR600) 4 Scott Stall (Suz GSX-R600) 5 Eric Purves (Yam YZF-R6) 6 Jonathon Shore (Yam YZF-R6)

Expert GP 1/2: 1 Christian Schmidt (Yam YZ450) 2 Karl Rehpohl (Suz SV650) 3 Mark Miller (Duc 900SS) 4 Geoff Egerman (Yam YZ450)

Novice GP 3/4: 1 Cole Speer (Yam YZF-R6) 2 Brett Folkerts (Suz GSX-R750) 3 Adam Purves (Suz GSX-R600) 4 Colin Cowles (Yam YZF-R6) 5 Peter Troyer (Hon CBR6000) 6 Mark Klein (Yam YZF-R6)

Novice GP 1/2: 1 Jake Northrup (Suz SV650) 2 Jonathon Champ (Suz SV650) 3 Stefan Dorn (Suz SV650) 4 Stephen Johnson (Suz SV650) 5 Douglas Jurcich (Suz GS500)

Rider Challenge: 1 Nick Johnson (Hon CBR1000RR) 2 Mike Foy (Hon CBR929RR) 3 Mike Schley (Hon CBR600RR) 4 Bjorn Iverson (Hon CBR1000RR) 5 Chad Malikowski (Kaw ZX-10R) 6 Jim Larson (Duc 1198)

More, from a press release issued by Josh Galster’s publicist:

Tooele, UT, just outside Salt Lake City, hosted the 3rd round of the AMA Pro Road Racing series.

Josh Galster finished with an outstanding 8th place finish in the rain at Miller Motorsports Park where he was in a race-long battle with Danny Eslick, Tommy Aquino, and Joey Pascarella.

Saturday morning’s practice session was cold and Galster had 40 minutes to get the bike set up for the fast flowing track before qualifying later that day. In practice, the bike was handling okay, but Galster still had some issues in the fast, high speed corners with getting the bike to feel planted, and he had not yet found the best tire combination. With a different tire selection and a warming track Galster was able to get more comfortable with the bike but was still chasing the instability in the front end. At the end of qualifying Galster was only able to come away with a 1.59.8 which placed him 21st in provisional qualifying. Not satisfied with how the bike was handling and after consulting Barry Wressel at KFG Racing, Galster and Sean Bratt, who was helping Josh in the pits, made some big changes to help settle the front end of the bike.

On Sunday morning the weather was quite different then the day prior and the riders were greeted with rain and cold weather. After throwing a set of rain tires on and making a few adjustments to compensate for the rain, Galster set out to see how the bike felt and to see what the track conditions were like. With just a quick 20-minute session Josh started out easy and with every lap he was able to knock seconds off his time and was getting more and more confident with the grip levels.

With the weather staying the same all day the Daytona Sportbike race was deemed a wet race and the whole field was going to be riding on rain tires. Starting in 21st, Galster knew he had to get a good start, which he did, and he was able to make up quite a few positions by running right alongside the pit wall before he had to slot his way back on the track before he hit the very slick Astroturf in the braking zone of Turn 1. With Galster taking a chance running on the outside of the field in a wet Turn 1 he was able to make up more ground and slotted himself well ahead of where he started. Galster, Eslick, Aquino, and Pascarella made up the second group of riders and were dicing it out lap after lap. With the long 3500 ft long straightaway and Galster’s EDR-built Yamaha R6, Josh was able to draft up to and pass riders in front of him to make for an eventful race with many position changes. With the laps counting down and the track drying out, the rain tires were being pushed to the limit and started losing traction. With just a couple laps left Galster put down his fastest times of the race with a 2:06.640 trying to pass Eslick and missed out by .4 of a second to finish 8th.

Galster would like to thank his sponsors, Grandprix Motorsports, EDR Performance, California Superbike School, Slednecks, Dunlop, Bazzaz Performance, Arai, LeoVince, KFG Racing, gpguns.com, Scorpion leathers, Attack Performance, EBC, GPR, Lockhart Phillips

If you are interested in helping, supporting, or sponsoring Josh Galster with his racing for the season, contact him at [email protected] for more information.

Josh Galster AMA Pro Road Racer #174

Sponsors: Grandprix Motorsports, EDR Performance, California Superbike School, Slednecks, Dunlop tires, Bazzaz Performance, Arai helmets, LeoVince exhaust, KFG Racing, gpguns.com, Scorpion leathers, Attack Performance, EBC brakes, Lockhart Phillips

www.facebook.com/joshgalster www.slednecks.com

More, from a press release issued by Waznie Racing:

Szoke Pulls Off a Podium In CSBK Round #1

Competition Systems/Kawasaki and Jordan Szoke rolled in to the 2.8 km Circut ICAR in Mirabel Quebec early in the week to get some much needed test time on their new Kawasaki ZX10. This would be the very first round of the newly managed Canadian Superbike series and the team was anxious to get some laps in after their last test in Jennings GP in April.

Szoke watched in dismay from under the Kawasaki canopy as raindrops fell during each and every early test session. “It’s a serious gamble to go out to test in the wet here at ICAR.” says Szoke. “The track is laid out on an airport concrete surface with painted lines and guardrail, it makes for a pretty sketchy session because it is very (very) slippery, one mistake and you’ll end up in the guardrail.” With just one short dry practice session on Thursday before Superbike Qualifying on Saturday Szoke knew he had his work cut out for him.

Using Qualifying to test some last minute changes the Competition Systems Team worked furiously to assist Szoke to achieve a fastest lap of 1:23.458. With Superpole cancelled, Szoke managed to secure 2nd on the grid for the race. “I’m pretty happy with how qualifying went, although I am really frustrated with the weather, we really needed to put some more testing time in.” With raindrops still falling on Sunday Race day, Szoke opted for one wet session first thing in the morning to get one bike set up for rain conditions, “just in case”.

With rain delays dampening everyone’s spirits, Superbike Race #1 of the CSBK series was finally underway late in the afternoon under dry conditions. Szoke got a great start into the treacherous first corner of the ICAR circut, and settled into second place with lap times steadily dropping to catch the race leader when disaster struck.

“With our limited testing time due to the weather, we took a gamble with the set-up and made come changes for the race which turned out to be a catastrophe. That was the ride of my life and I am really lucky to be here on the podium and snagging some very important points.” says Szoke. Jordan finished a hard fought 3rd place during the 20 lap 56 km race.

Szoke now sits in 3rd place in the 2011 Pro Superbike Season Championship Points Standings with 6 rounds remaining.

Watch for Szoke furiously defending his #1 plate during Round #2 of the CSBK series Round 2 & 3 doubleheader weekend July 1-3 at Shannonville Motorsports Park. Click for Directions

Jordan Szoke would like to thank: Waznie Racing Inc, Parts Canada, Alpinestars, HJC, Monster Energy, Thor, Competition Systems/Kawasaki, Oakley, Ogio, BK Designs, Just Transmissions , Strodes, Bicycle Works, Robot Pirate Ninja Productions, photobOb, PUG

More, from a press release issued by Celtic Racing/Fast by Ferracci:

Jacobsen Earns First AMA Pro Podium at BigM Weekend

Nyack, New York: Ducati privateer and New York racer PJ Jacobsen scored a career best second place finish at this past weekend’s BigM AMA Pro Superbike event, which was held at Miller Motorsports Park, in Tooele, Utah.

Racing in front of a global audience, Jacobson started the weekend out strong and asserted himself as an early frontrunner. The young racer scored the fastest warmup time, and followed that up by qualifying second with a best time of 1.55.61.

“Practice and qualifying went really well. I was feeling really good because we had just tested at Miller a few weeks back, and we got the bike set up perfectly. In qualifying, DiSalvo just beat us straight up, but I was still pumped to be on the front row and in second spot. I knew if I could just get a strong start, I would be able to keep it up front,” said Jacobsen.

Sunday’s race day dawned with cool temperatures and rain, but that didn’t slow down the racing. Jacobsen grabbed the early lead on his Ducati 848EVO motorcycle, and immediately set off to make some time on his competitors. The battle was fast and furious, and at times, there were seemingly eight riders competing for the lead group, and jockeying back and forth for the top positions.

“Man, the race was awesome. I just wanted to get a good start, as I knew I could go fast in the wet. Coming from New York, the rain is something we deal with all the time. By the time we were half way into the race, there was a big battle for the lead pack. I just tried to check out, but Josh and I ended up battling all the way to the very end. The track was slowly drying during the race, and it presented some unique challenges, but it was really fun. Overall, it was just awesome to get up on the podium. I am really looking forward to Road America, as it is a track I know well,” said PJ.

Barry Gilsenan, Celtic Racing Fast By Ferracci Team Owner, as well as a long time personal sponsor of PJ, was ecstatic about the result. “Well, the team is very happy, and so am I. After five years of working with and helping PJ along in his career, it was just awesome to get him his first AMA Podium. I must really thank all our sponsors, family and friends. This result personally means the most for me, and is hopefully the first of many more to come.”

Jacobsen and the entire Celtic Racing Fast By Ferracci Team will now turn their attention to round four of the AMA Pro Series, which takes place this weekend at Road America, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

For more information, including pictures from the parking lot pit stop testing, please visit the team’s website at www.celticracing.com or “like” us on Facebook at Facebook.com/celticracing.

Celtic Racing Fast By Ferracci is sponsored by Freedom Road Financial, ARMA Energy Snax, Millennium Technologies, Battery Tender, Siamsa Irish Pub, Terterboro R.A.M.S., Associated Building Services, Olde Village Inne, Design Star 3, Orient Express, Revit!, K-Tech, Yoyodyne, Spectro, Armour Bodies, PitBull, K&N, Galfer, Dyno Jet, Irish Bike Magazine, Motion Pro, DID Racing and Maverick Moto Media.

More, from a press release issued by P.J. Jacobsen’s publicist:

First Podium for PJ Jacobsen and the Celtic Racing – Fast By Ferracci – Ducati 848 EVO Team

Round Three of the 2011 AMA Pro Superbike Series was held this past weekend at Miller Motorsports Park. The weather was a little cool, but PJ Jacobsen was hot on the Celtic Racing – Fast By Ferracci Ducati 848 EVO.

PJ and his team showed up in Utah eager to capitalize on the momentum they gained after earning two fourth place finishes during Round Two at Infineon.

Jacobsen demonstrated this energy and concentration by posting top times throughout warm-ups.

The final round of qualifying would hold some challenges. Unusually cold temperatures were enough to contend with, but then it began raining as well. Eraldo Ferracci supervised the crew in making the changes for the new track conditions. Jacobsen went out to brave the weather and was two seconds ahead of the pack when a minor mistake caused him to go down. Even so, he ultimately qualified in 2d Position.

More preparations were in store for Ferracci and his crew as they now had to prepare the backup bike for the race. But even in this, the team exuded confidence and enthusiasm. They knew their rider was up to all the challenges that the race would present, and they made adjustments to the bike with precision and speed.

PJ Jacobsen got off to a great start and held the lead for almost every lap. He pushed hard during every single lap. The rider was attuned to both the machine and track, and held his lead.

There was a talented field to contend with, and PJ’s lead was constantly threatened. Several times he was overtaken, but came right back with an adjustment in style or focus to regain the front spot.

Jacobsen had only two laps to go, and would try and break the pack. Only one other rider would be able to go ahead with him. Suddenly, the race became a two-way battle to reach the checkered flag. On the final lap, Jacobsen would fall behind his pursuit to finish second. It was an outstanding race for the seventeen year old Jacobsen, and a well-earned overall second place finish.

PJ acknowledged both his team and his competition in post-race comments. “It was awesome to be going back in forth with all these guys in the pack. I was able to hold on against some really great racers. I knew from the morning qualifier that my team had the perfect set-up for my bike. It feels great to come out of this on the podium, and to get some more points for my team.”

It was not only PJ who showed such great excitement about the race. Fans were supportive throughout the race, and cheered PJ along the entire way. It’s nice to see fans responding to this young talent.

The team also had high praise for Jacobsen. Celtic Racing owner Barry Gilsenan very happy how the day ended. “I have been waiting a long time to show what PJ has, and today we made some noise. PJ really showed what he is capable of doing.”

Eraldo Ferracci could barely contain his own excitement. “Man, that kid has talent. He did whatever he could to hold these guys, and he did a great job. He has a lot of talent.”

And so, with accolades, a podium trip, and increasing momentum, PJ and team are on their way to Road America in Wisconsin for Round Four.