Consistency pays off for Pianykh as he takes the win in King of the Mountain
July 14 and 15, 2018, at the East Track configuration of the Utah Motorsports Campus located in Grantsville, Utah
There was a feeling of excitement in the air as the opening day of round three of the Masters of the Mountains race series commenced. Everyone was looking forward to racing, and everyone was really looking forward to Sunday’s KOM race. Round 3 is just one weekend prior to the arrival of the MotoAmerica series, and several of the KOM O and KOM U competitors are planning to race with MotoAmerica this weekend. It promised to be an action packed race. KOM grids are typically decided by qualifying, and this race was no exception. The first few laps of the 15 minute qualifying system proved to be a forecast of the actual race. At the end of the session, Joshua Bronfman was sitting on pole position, just two tenths of a second ahead of Oleg Pianykh. Chad Lewin was just under a second behind Pianykh, and Justin Delong was nipping at their heels by just a half second. Unfortunately for Bronfman, he crashed out of qualifying in the final few minutes. He was up immediately, and everyone expected that the quick rebound meant that he would either be able to repair any damage done to his bike, or get his “B” bike to the start line for the race.
Unfortunately, when the KOM competitors lined up for the start of the race, Bronfman was absent. He had apparently suffered some injury that kept him from competing. It was a blow to the grid as he is a tremendously fast rider, and always provides excellent competition at the front of the pack. With Bronfman absent, that put Piankyh in the front of the grid, giving him an excellent opportunity for the hole shot into the notoriously difficult east course turn 1. When the red light went out, it was a mad dash to turn 1. The fastest riders quickly asserted themselves, moving to the front of the field and started to open a sizable gap. Oleg Pianykh, Michael Bradshaw, Justin Delong, and Chad Lewin got into a tight group, and began to set a blistering pace that started to leave the other competitors behind. It looked like it could end up being a 4 way battle for 1st for the entire race, but then a rider suffered a nasty lowside crash at the bottom of a series of tight turns called “The Attitudes”, resulting in a red flag condition halfway through lap 6.
The racers were sent to their pits to get their bikes back on warmers, and to get them out of the heat while the race organizers scrambled to make a new starting grid. Due to the fact that the race had run more than two laps, Utah SBA rules state that the race will be restarted in the running order from the first full lap previous to the red flag, and that only the balance of the laps would be run. Once the grid was established, riders took to the course again for the second start of the race. This start saw Chad Lewin jump to the forefront of the crowd, and he opened a dominating lead. He was followed by Pianykh in second, and Bradshaw in third. Barring any incidents, it really looked like the podium for KOM O was set. The next 5 laps were fairly uneventful for the top three…and then Lewin suffered a mechanical coming down the front straight, prematurely ending his race.
With Lewin out, Pianykh took over the lead, with Bradshaw never far from striking distance in Pianykh were to make a mistake. There were still several battles going on behind them, especially in the KOM U class. Ryan Richardson of Trackstar Racing, who suffered from a bad start due to another rider mistakenly taking his grid position charged through the field for the entire race, eventually closing the gap and challenging his teammate for the number two spot in the U grid. When the white flag waved to signal the final lap, the running order for the O class was still the same, and didn’t look likely to change. Richardson had a legitimate shot to take second from his teammate Genaro Lopez, as he started the final lap just a tenth of a second behind Lopez.
Frustratingly, a rider that was only halfway through his 13th lap suffered a massive highside coming into the corners called “The Attitudes”. When the rider didn’t immediately show movement, the race was quickly red-flagged for the second time, and this time it signaled the end of the race. Fortunately, the rider finally got up, and was assessed to be relatively OK. The finish positions were determined by running order at the start of the 13th lap. Pianykh, who was running just as fast as anyone out there showed the consistency to not make any mistakes major enough to cost him a position, and took the win. Bradshaw took second, followed by Eric Jones in third. For the U race, Kory Cowan took first, followed by Genaro Lopez, and Richardson rounded out the top three.
There were many outstanding performances throughout the weekend. Of note, Grayson Davidson, specializing in, Production 500, Production 300, and Moto 3 took the win in every class he entered. The only person in the field able to offer him challenge was Brian Jackson, and the two of them put on an exciting show every time they were on the grid together. Jackson actually managed to take the lead in Moto 3 for a short time, but Davidson was able to squeak back by half a lap later, and held on to take the win in that race.
Overall, the weekend was a success, with many racers happy with their performances. The heat was intense, and riders had to make sure to stay properly hydrated. In heat like that, it was patently obvious when the rider ran out of gas physically or mentally, almost all of it due to the heat. Due to the arrival of several riders that had not previously raced this year, the points leaders in almost all of the classes are not safe yet. There are three rounds left, and everything is still up for grabs.
The Utah Sport Bike Association is a Utah Non-Profit dedicated to promoting education, safe riding and competition in the Intermountain West. You can find more information about the USBA, upcoming events, and schools at www.utahsba.com or find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/utahsba/
The Law Tigers Combined KOM
1. Oleg Pianykh (YAM YZF-R1)
2. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)
3. Eric Jones (YAM YZF-R1)
4. Nicholas Ciling (KAW ZX-10R)
5. Kory Cowan (YAM YZF-R6)
6. Genaro Lopez (YAM YZF-R6)
The Moto Station KOM GTO
1. Oleg Pianykh (YAM YZF-R1)
2. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)
3. Eric Jones (YAM YZF-R1)
4. Nicholas Ciling (KAW ZX-10R)
5. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)
6. Ryan McGowan (KAW ZX-10R)
Rickdiculous Racing KOM GTU
1. Kory Cowan (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Genaro Lopez (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Ryan Richardson (YAM YZF-R6)
4. Dennis Stowers (TRI 675R)
5. Cody Steggell (SUZ GSX-R600)
Wright’s M/C Parts and Accessories Production 300 (Race 1)
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW NINJA 300)
2. Chad Carson (KAW EX250)
3. Mark Barton (KAW EX250)
4. Holly Hendrickson (KAW NINJA 300)
Wright’s M/C Parts and Accessories Production 300 (Race 2)
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW NINJA 300)
2. Chad Carson (KAW EX250)
3. Mark Barton (KAW EX250)
4. Holly Hendrickson (KAW NINJA 300)
The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash 1 (Expert)
1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)
2. Braden Jones (YAM YZF-R1)
3. Justin Delong (BMW S1000RR)
4. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)
5. Wes Farnsworth (KAW ZX-10R)
6. Kevin Dolan (SUZ GSX-R1000)
The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash 1 (Novice)
1. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
2. Kellen Birch (HON CBR 600RR)
3. Kate Heffernan (YAM YZF-R6)
4. Todd Mauer (YAM YZF-R6)
5. Raymond Clark (SUZ GSX-R600)
6. Goran Bojanic (SUZ GSX-R1000)
Harrison Eurosports Combined GTO
1. Tom Webb (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Spencer Kruger (YAM YZF-R1)
3. Helmut Kohler Jr (YAM YZF-R1)
4. Marshall Miller (BMW S1000RR)
5. Kellen Birch (HON CBR 600RR)
6. Raymond Clark (SUZ GSX-R600)
Fastline Race Tire Moto 2
1. Michael Bradshaw (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Genaro Lopez (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Ken Yee (KAW ZX-6R)
4. Jason Johnson (KAW ZX-6R)
5. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R6)
6. Kate Heffernan (YAM YZF-R6)
Utah Sport Bike Association Moto 1
1. Chad Lewin (YAM YZF-R1)
2. Oleg Pianykh (YAM YZF-R1)
3. Joshua Bronfman (YAM YZF-R1)
4. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)
5. Justin Delong (BMW S1000RR)
6. Erik Grim (BMW S1000RR)
Utah Sport Bike Association Novice GTU
1. Lee McNutt (SUZ GSX-R600)
2. James Krstich (SUZ GSX-R600)
3. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
4. Kate Heffernan (YAM YZF-R6)
5. Kellen Birch (HON CBR 600RR)
6. Raymond Clark (SUZ GSX-R600)
The Green Pig Pub Open Twins
1. Daniel Egbert (DUC 1199)
2. Scott Rybarik (DUC 899)
3. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
4. Jeff Dinger (HON RC51)
5. Zack Cooper (DUC 959)
6. James Riggs (KTM RC8R)
Carey’s Cycle Production 500 (Race 1)
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW NINJA 400)
2. Brian Jackson (KAW EX500)
3. Liam Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
4. Chad Carson (YAM YZF-R3)
5. Brad Moore (YAM YZF-R3)
6. Jason Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
Carey’s Cycle Production 500 (Race 2)
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW NINJA 400)
2. Brian Jackson (KAW EX500)
3. Liam Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
4. Brad Moore (YAM YZF-R3)
5. Jason Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
6. Chad Carson (YAM YZF-R3)
Trackstar Racing Middleweight Superstock
1. Michael Bradshaw (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Genaro Lopez (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Tom Webb (YAM YZF-R6)
4. Ken Yee (KAW ZX-6R)
5. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R6)
6. Steve Kozicki (YAM YZF-R6)
South Valley Motorsports Open Superstock
1. Chad Lewin (YAM YZF-R1)
2. Justin Delong (BMW S1000RR)
3. Scott Decker (YAM YZF-R1)
4. Duncan Biles (YAM YZF-R1)
5. Erik Grim (BMW S1000RR)
6. Nicholas Ciling (KAW ZX-10R)
The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash 2 (Expert)
1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)
2. Braden Jones (YAM YZF-R1)
3. Eric Jones (YAM YZF-R1)
4. Nicholas Ciling (KAW ZX-10R)
5. Scott Decker (YAM YZF-R1)
6. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)
Stansbury Concert Series Sportsman
1. Jeff Dinger (HON RC51)
2. Kate Heffernan (YAM YZF-R6)
3. James Krstich (SUZ GSX-R600)
4. Raymond Clark (SUZ GSX-R600)
5. Zack Cooper (DUC 959)
6. Ernie Warner (HON CBR 600RR)
The Mechanic Modern Vintage GTO
1. Kevin Dolan (SUZ GSX-R1000)
2. David Meyer (HON CBR 1000RR)
3. Groan Bojanic (SUZ GSX-R1000)
4. Jeff Dinger (HON RC51)
5. Spencer Kruger (SUZ GSX-R750)
The Mechanic Modern Vintage GTU
1. Cody Steggell (SUZ GSX-R600)
2. Steve Kozicki (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Kellen Birch (HON CBR 600RR)
4. Phil O’Bryan (KAW ZX-6R)
5. James Krstich (SUZ GSX-R600)
6. Grayson Davidson (SUZ SV650)
The Edge Powersports Moto 3
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW NINJA 400)
2. Brian Jackson (KAW EX500)
3. Liam Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
4. Brad Moore (YAM YZF-R3)
5. Jason Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
6. Chad Carson (YAM YZF-R3)
Kimco Combined GTU
1. Tom Webb (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Jason Johnson (KAW ZX-6R)
3. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R6)
4. James Krstich (SUZ GSX-R600)
5. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
6. Kate Heffernan (YAM YZF-R6)
Stansbury Concert Series Sportsman (Makeup from Round 1)
1. Kate Heffernan (YAM YZF-R6)
2. James Krstich (SUZ GSX-R600)
3. Cole Phillips (YAM YZF-R6)
4. River Hawkins (SUZ GSX-R600)
5. Bill Dark (SUZ GSX-R600)
6. Adam Kownatka (KAW ZX-6R)
Southpaw Motorsports Lightweight Twins (Makeup from Round 1)
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW NINJA 400)
2. Brian Jackson (KAW EX500)
3. Mark Barton (SUZ SV650)
4. Brad Moore (YAM YZF-R3)
5. Liam Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
6. Jason Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
Utah Sportbike Association Novice GTO
1. Steven Marco (YAM YZF-R1)
2. Goran Bojanic (SUZ GSX-R1000)
3. Kellen Birch (HON CBR 600RR)
4. James Powelson (TRI 675R)
5. Jeff Dinger (HON RC51)
6. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
The Moto Station Middleweight Superbike
1. Michael Bradshaw (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Ryan Richardson (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Genaro Lopez (YAM YZF-R6)
4. Dennis Stowers (TRI 675R)
5. Jason Johnson (KAW ZX-6R)
6. Cody Steggell (SUZ GSX-R600)
The Moto Station Open Superbike
1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)
2. Nicholas Ciling (KAW ZX-10R)
3. Scott Decker (YAM YZF-R1)
4. Erik Grim (BMW S1000RR)
5. Duncan Biles (YAM YZF-R1)
6. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)
Lamonica’s Restaurant Supply Heavyweight Superbike
1. Genaro Lopez (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Ryan Richardson (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Dennis Stowers (TRI 675R)
4. Scott Rybarik (DUC 899)
5. Spencer Kruger (SUZ GSX-R750)
Harrison Eurosports Formula 40 GTO
1. Scott Decker (YAM YZF-R1)
2. Ryan McGowan (KAW ZX-10R)
3. Kevin Dolan (SUZ GSX-R1000)
4. Steven Marco (YAM YZF-R1)
5. Steve Kozicki (YAM YZF-R1)
6. David Meyer (HON CBR 1000RR)
Harrison Eurosports Formula 40 GTU
1. Ken Yee (KAW ZX-6R)
2. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Jason Johnson (KAW ZX-6R)
4. Lee McNutt (SUZ GSX-R600)
5. James Krstich (SUZ GSX-R600)
6. Phil O’Bryan (KAW ZX-6R)
Stansbury Concert Series Sportsman
1. James Krstich (SUZ GSX-R600)
2. James Powelson (TRI 675R)
3. Cole Philips (YAM YZF-R6)
4. River Hawkins (SUZ GSX-R600)
5. Zack Cooper (DUC 959)
6. Brock Jones (KTM RC390)
Southpaw Motorsports Lightweight Twins
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW NINJA 400)
2. Liam Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
3. Brad Moore (YAM YZF-R3)
4. Mark Barton (SUZ SV650)
5. Jason Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
6. Robert Nolan (YAM FZR 400)