Home Blog Page 555

World Endurance: Ben Young Racing In Suzuka 8-Hours

David Swarts
-
0
World Endurance: Ben Young Racing In Suzuka 8-Hours

Ben Young to race Suzuka 8 Hours with Team Taro Plus One BMW

Hamilton, ON – Three-time CSBK champion Ben Young will enter a star-studded field at this year’s prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours event, joining Team Taro Plus One BMW for the historic Endurance World Championship round.

Young, who currently leads the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship standings, will ride alongside former Grand Prix rider Taro Sekiguchi and Kyosuke Okuda (both of Japan) in the Team Taro Plus One garage for his World Endurance debut next month, July 19-21.

The renowned event – launched in 1978 – has grown into the premier race on the EWC calendar, attracting various stars from MotoGP and World Superbike, amongst other series.

Young most recently proved himself against reigning EWC champions YART Yamaha at the Daytona 200, where he finished ninth and just behind the duo of Karel Hanika (fifth) and Marvin Fritz (sixth).

The Collingwood, Ontario native recently completed a private test with Team Taro Plus One BMW at Suzuka, roughly five hours from Tokyo, and felt very comfortable aboard the M1000RR (a similar version to the Van Dolder’s Home Team machine he rides in Canada).

“The bike felt really good, and the team and everyone there is great to deal with,” Young said. “Already we’re about half a second from our target time, so hopefully we can put on a good show and get a strong result.”

The Team Taro Plus One BMW squad finished an impressive 16th out of 50 teams at last year’s Suzuka 8 Hours, achieving a best result of 14th in 2022.

Young’s trip to Suzuka will take place just days after the fourth round of the CSBK season in Nova Scotia, as he chases his fourth Canada Cup and third in a row in 2024.

The 31-year-old has been no stranger to racing in various series and paddocks, having competed in MotoAmerica, British Superbike, and as a wildcard in the 125cc World Championship during his illustrious career.

Only a handful of Canadians have ever competed in the Suzuka 8 Hours through its history, an exclusive list that includes Ruben McMurter, Steve Crevier, and most recently Jordan Szoke, amongst others.

In the meantime, Young will try to extend his lead atop the Canadian Superbike Championship in round two action this weekend, June 7-9, at the Grand Bend Motorplex.

More information can be found on the series’ official website at CSBK.ca.

Isle Of Man TT: Supertwin TT Race Two Report

David Swarts
-
0
Isle Of Man TT: Supertwin TT Race Two Report

MICHAEL DUNLOP WINS ENTIRE COVER SUPERTWIN TT RACE 2

Michael Dunlop took his second win of the day at the Isle of Man TT Races on Saturday when he won the Entire Cover Supertwin TT Race 2, victory on the MD Racing Paton giving him his 29th TT win.

Peter Hickman (Swan Racing Yamaha) took second with Mike Browne (Scott Racing Aprilia) completing the podium in third.

Getting underway at 3.45pm, Dunlop again seized control early and led Hickman through Glen Helen by 3.5 seconds with Jamie Coward (KTS racing powered by Steadplan Kawasaki) a further 1.2 seconds adrift. Browne was just four tenths of a second behind with Dominic Herbertson (Burrows Engineering/RK Racing Paton) only 0.005 seconds down on Browne as Barry Furber (DC Autos Newtown Yamaha) slotted into an excellent sixth.

Stefano Bonetti (VAS Engine Paton), Davey Todd (Dafabet Racing Kawasaki), Adam McLean (Flitwick Motorcycles/SMV Yamaha) and Bonetti’s team-mate Pierre-Yves Bian rounded out the early leaderboard.

Dunlop added a further 3 seconds to his lead over Hickman on the run to Ballaugh, but Coward had cut the gap to Hickman to less than a second whilst Herbertson was right in the mix for the final podium position as he lay just 0.3 seconds further back from Browne.

Aided by the best ever sector time from Ballaugh, Dunlop extended his lead to 8.9 seconds round Ramsey Hairpin for the first time as Hickman edged away slightly from Coward but the latter soon began to slow over the Mountain and eventually pulled in to retire at the Creg Ny Baa.

With another new best sector time, from the Bungalow to Cronk ny Mona, a superb opening lap of 122.451mph gave Dunlop the lead but Hickman got up and over the Mountain quicker, bringing his deficit down to 6.4 seconds ahead of the second and final 37.73 miles. Coward’s demise meant it was now Browne in third ahead of Herbertson, Jordan and Todd.

Further back, Brookes, McLean, Furber and Bonetti completed the top ten but having been forced to start from the back of the field when his SMT Racing Paton refused to fire, Rob Hodson was charging and was up to sixth through Ramsey.

With clear road ahead of him, Dunlop added some three seconds to his lead over Hickman on the second and final run to Glen Helen and although Browne was a further ten seconds behind, he was holding a slender advantage of 1.7 seconds over Herbertson in the battle for third.

Dunlop was increasing his lead through every timing point with another four seconds on the high-speed run to Ballaugh and the famous landmark saw a change in the race for third, Herbertson nosing four tenths of a second ahead of Browne.

At Ramsey, Dunlop was more than seven seconds inside his 2018 lap record having now set the quickest ever time in three of the six sectors but as he descended the Mountain for the final time, the race was stopped due to a red flag.

The race was declared a result at the end of lap one and so Dunlop got the win from Hickman and Browne, Herbertson unluckily missing out in fourth. Jordan finished fifth ahead of Hodson, Todd, Brookes, McClean and Furber.

Isle Of Man TT: Supersport TT Race Two Report

David Swarts
-
0
Isle Of Man TT: Supersport TT Race Two Report

DUNLOP ASSERTS HIMSELF AS GREATEST OF ALL TIME WITH 28TH TT WIN IN THE MONSTER ENERGY SUPERSPORT TT RACE 2

Michael Dunlop took his 28th victory at the Isle of Man TT Races on Saturday afternoon when he won the Monster Energy Supersport TT Race 2 by just under four seconds, the MD Racing Yamaha rider taking his sixth successive Supersport win and 13th in total.

He saw off the challenge of Dean Harrison (Honda Racing UK) as Davey Todd (Powertoolmate Ducati) completed the podium in third.

After a delay due to small, isolated showers at various parts of the Mountain Course, the two-lap race eventually got underway at 13:00 and it was Dunlop who grabbed the early initiative, heading Todd by 0.558 seconds round Glen Helen for the first time. James Hillier (Bournemouth Kawasaki) was only 0.136 seconds adrift in third with Harrison just another 0.3s back in fourth as just one second covered the top four. Peter Hickman (Trooper Triumph by PHR Performance) and Jamie Coward (KTS Racing powered by Steadplan Triumph) lay in fifth and sixth, the duo separated by half a second.

On the first run to Ballaugh, Dunlop still led with the gap to Todd now 0.8 seconds as Harrison overhauled Hillier for third, albeit by just three tenths of a second. Hickman was losing ground in fifth but now had James Hind (North Lincs Components Suzuki) close behind him on time, the gap between them only 0.2 seconds.

Further back Mike Browne (Boyce Precision Engineering/Russell Racing Yamaha) and Michael Evans (Smith Racing Triumph) were running well in eighth and ninth, but Dominic Herbertson retired the Burrows Engineering/RK Racing Yamaha) shortly afterwards at Kerromoar.

At Ramsey Hairpin, Dunlop doubled his advantage over Todd with Harrison a similar distance back in third and with an opening lap of 127.389mph, the Northern Irishman led. However, his lead had been cut by new second placed rider Harrison (127.281mph) to just 0.9 seconds.

Todd (127.119mph) had slipped back to third, 1.3 seconds behind Harrison, with Hickman, Coward and Hillier now the running order behind. Behind them, the remainder of the top ten now read Browne, Hind, Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing Honda) and Evans. 2023 Senior Manx GP winner Joe Yeardsley was also running well in 13th on the Spin Arena Yamaha.

As the riders reached Glen Helen for the second and final time, Dunlop stretched his lead to 1.79 seconds with Todd still well in touch, the gap between second and third almost identical. The race for fourth was red hot too with Hickman less than half a second ahead of Coward.

Dunlop doubled his lead between Glen Helen and Ballaugh, the lead moving up to 3.2 seconds, with Todd taking half a second back on Harrison but it now looked like it was Dunlop’s race to lose. The gap between Hickman and Coward remained at half a second with just half a lap to go but Hind’s good run came to end as he stopped at Ballacraine.

At Ramsey, Dunlop increased his lead by another 1.5s and he wasn’t to be denied his sixth successive Supersport victory, a second lap of 129.071mph seeing come home 3.889 seconds clear of Harrison who saw off the challenge of Todd by 2.34 seconds. Coward’s strong ride saw him set his best ever Supersport lap, 128.668mph, as he took an excellent fourth ahead of Hickman and Hillier.

Browne, Jordan, Evans and Josh Brookes on the second Boyce Precision Engineering machine completed the top ten, less than three quarters of a second separating the latter two. Other strong rides came from Yeardsley (12th), the Manxman setting a new personal best lap of the Mountain Course at 123.268mph, and Craig Neve (15th) who was having his first ride since a spill in qualifying.

Joey Thompson (17th), Barry Furber (19th) and Frenchman Eddy Ferre (21st) also scored good results with newcomer Loris Majcan taking 34th with a strong final lap of 118.053mph.

101st Loudon Classic: Scott On Top Heading Into Final Qualifying

David Swarts
-
0
101st Loudon Classic: Scott On Top Heading Into Final Qualifying

Tyler Scott remains on top after the first two of three rounds of qualifying for the 101st Loudon Classic Saturday morning at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, in Loudon, New Hampshire. Riding his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 Next-Gen Supersport bike on Dunlop tires, the 18-year-old defending Champion’s lap time 1:10.707 remains the fastest. 

The fastest 32 riders now advance to the third and final qualifying session.

 

101st Loudon Classic

New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Loudon, New Hampshire

June 8, 2024

Round One and Two Combined Qualifying Results (top 32 riders only):

  1. Tyler Scott (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:10.707
  2. Bobby Fong (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:10.850
  3. Teagg Hobbs (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:10.932
  4. Hayden Gillim (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:10.942
  5. Stefano Mesa (Duc Panigale V2), Pirelli, 1:10.965
  6. Eric Wood (Duc 848), Dunlop, 1:11.220
  7. Eli Block (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:11.445
  8. Ben Gloddy (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:11.769
  9. Alex Dumas (Suz GSX-R600), Bridgestone, 1:11.925
  10. Joseph LiMandri, Jr. (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:11.973
  11. Tyler Sweeney (Yam YZF-R6), 1:12.061
  12. David Anthony (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:12.066
  13. Jacob Crossman (Yam YZF-R6), 1:12.214
  14. Shane Narbonne (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:12.304
  15. Tyler O’Hara (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:12.568
  16. Carl Soltisz (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:13.020
  17. Spencer Humphreys (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:13.324
  18. Justin Landry (Yam YZF-R6), 1:13.547
  19. Ian Beam (Tri Daytona 675), Pirelli, 1:13.700
  20. Harlan Hildebrand (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:13.883
  21. Daniel Weems (Yam YZF-R6), 1:13.956
  22. JC Camacho (Suz), 1:13.970
  23. Ezra Beaubier (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:14.029
  24. Levi Badie (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:14.296
  25. Asher Rubright (Suz GSX-R750), 1:14.338
  26. Michael Lee (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.376
  27. Kevin Nolde (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.515
  28. Brian Fernald (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.732
  29. Joel Laub (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.896
  30. Rick Doucette (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:14.984
  31. Kyle Thompson (Yam YZF-R6), 1:15.020
  32. Paul Duval (Yam YZF-R6), 1:15.351

101st Loudon Classic: Scott Tops Opening Round Of Qualifying

David Swarts
-
0
101st Loudon Classic: Scott Tops Opening Round Of Qualifying

Tyler Scott topped the first of three rounds of qualifying for the 101st Loudon Classic Saturday morning at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, in Loudon, New Hampshire. Riding his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 Next-Gen Supersport bike on Dunlop tires, the 18-year-old defending Champion lapped the 1.6-mile infield road course in 1:10.707 to lead the field of 51 entries.

After round two of qualifying the field will be cut down to 32 riders who will then have a third round of qualifying.

Riders’ fastest times from all three sessions will count toward their final qualifying position.

In the other classes: Eli Block was 2.1 seconds quicker than anyone else in the first Pro 500 Superbike qualifier, Jacob Crossman led the first Pro Thunderbike qualifier, and Tyler O’Hara was 9.4 seconds faster than anyone else in the first ASRA Outlaw Bagger qualifying session.

 

101st Loudon Classic Presented by NEMRR

New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Loudon, New Hampshire

June 8, 2024

Round One Combined Qualifying Results:

  1. Tyler Scott (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:10.707
  2. Teagg Hobbs (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:10.932
  3. Hayden Gillim (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:10.942
  4. Stefano Mesa (Duc Panigale V2), Pirelli, 1:10.965
  5. Bobby Fong (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:11.508
  6. Eric Wood (Duc 848), Dunlop, 1:11.689
  7. Eli Block (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:11.917
  8. David Anthony (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:12.066
  9. Ben Gloddy (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:12.205
  10. Alex Dumas (Suz GSX-R600), Bridgestone, 1:12.291
  11. Jacob Crossman (Yam YZF-R6), 1:12.294
  12. Joseph LiMandri, Jr. (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:12.372
  13. Shane Narbonne (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:12.482
  14. Tyler Sweeney (Yam YZF-R6), 1:12.542
  15. Tyler O’Hara (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:12.759
  16. Carl Soltisz (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:13.020
  17. Spencer Humphreys (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:13.324
  18. Justin Landry (Yam YZF-R6), 1:13.547
  19. Harlan Hildebrand (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:13.883
  20. Ian Beam (Tri Daytona 675), Pirelli, 1:14.286
  21. Levi Badie (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:14.296
  22. JC Camacho (Suz), 1:14.323
  23. Michael Lee (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.376
  24. Daniel Weems (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.572
  25. Kevin Nolde (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.731
  26. Brian Fernald (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.732
  27. Ezra Beaubier (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:14.765
  28. Asher Rubright (Suz GSX-R750), 1:15.035
  29. Rick Doucette (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:15.045
  30. Geoffry Bonnard (Yam YZF-R6), 1:15.495
  31. Nicolai Greco (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:15.827
  32. Paul Duval (Yam YZF-R6), 1:15.979
  33. Sam Martin (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.166
  34. Wojciech Kasperuk (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.180
  35. Lincoln Gottier (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.216
  36. Tim Barrows (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.326
  37. Kyle Thompson (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.374
  38. Paul Hosue (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.444
  39. Michael Guarino (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:16.576
  40. Semir Fazlic (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.595
  41. Houk Nichols (Suz GSX-R600), 1:17.086
  42. Brandie Cox (Suz GSX-R600), 1:17.809
  43. Joseph Townsend (Yam YZF-R6), 1:17.893
  44. Josh Gallusser (Suz GSX-R), 1:18.131
  45. Robbie Nigl (MV Agusta F3 RR), 1:18.760
  46. Mavrick Cyr, no lap time recorded
  47. Gabriel Da Silva, no lap time recorded
  48. Jimmy Fassino, no lap time recorded
  49. Scott French (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded
  50. Vicente Frontinan (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded
  51. Joel Laub (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded

Canadian Superbike: Young Earns Pole Position At Grand Bend

David Swarts
-
0
Canadian Superbike: Young Earns Pole Position At Grand Bend

Young squeaks out pole position for round two at Grand Bend

Grand Bend, ON – Ben Young escaped with a predictable pole position for the second round of the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship on Friday, but by a much closer margin than expected at the Grand Bend Motorplex, presented by Southwest Marine & Powersports.

The GP Bikes Pro Superbike championship leader and overwhelming weekend favourite topped both the initial Q1 session and put in a late flyer to capture BS Battery Pole Position in Q2, but it was hardly a straightforward process as he fought through a number of different challengers.

Home favourite David MacKay led the opening stint of Q2 behind an excellent lap of 1:03.115, looking set for his first career Superbike pole in just his second weekend, but he was replaced by another Honda-mounted local in Steven Nickerson around the midway point of the top-ten shootout.

Things began to look very out of sorts for Young as he tumbled down the order to fifth, falling behind Nickerson, MacKay, and title rivals Jordan Szoke and Sam Guerin with roughly six minutes to go.

The three-time champion seemed to unlock something in the final moments, however, rocketing up the timesheets to post a lap of 1:02.634 – just a quarter-second off the lap record despite cooler conditions – as he overcame a bit of a scare to earn his 15th career BS Battery Pole Position and seventh in the last nine rounds.

“I didn’t think we’d need to put another tire on at the end, but these guys really pushed us. We’re going to have to give it all we got tomorrow, for sure,” Young said. “It’s great to see a close field, even though that makes it tougher for us. Thankfully the team and the BMW are working phenomenally as always, so I’ll put my head down and try and reward them this weekend.”

The Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW rider did admit they have encountered some front suspension issues – a possible reason for his morning practice crash – though it didn’t seem to prevent him from another BS Battery Pole Position award as he extends his lead in the season-long prize standings.

As for Nickerson, it will be a career-best grid position as he lines up alongside Young this weekend, falling just 0.248 seconds shy of a dream pole position in his season debut for DeWildt Honda. 

The local rider has plenty of experience at Grand Bend despite his CSBK hiatus, and he will look to convert his front row qualifying spot into a maiden Superbike podium this weekend.

Completing the front row was championship runner-up Sam Guerin, who put in a much-needed late time attack of his own to move off the second row.

Guerin revealed the EFC Group BMW squad was sorting out various setup changes during the day, but he finally looked to be comfortable in the final moments as he leapfrogged MacKay for third, pace he will hope to continue building on this weekend.

As for MacKay, the ODH Snow City Cycle Honda rider saw his hopes of a first career BS Battery Superbike pole evaporate in the final five minutes as he tumbled to fourth, though it will still be an excellent starting position for the home favourite as he headlines the second row in just his second weekend on the CBR1000RR.

Starting alongside him will be Jordan Szoke and Trevor Daley, who both showed front row flashes during the qualifying process but ultimately had to settle for second row spots.

Szoke briefly led Q2 before giving way to MacKay, something the CKM Kawasaki rider will try to replicate in his race pace, while Daley continued his strong return weekend with a sixth-place qualifying finish aboard his OneSpeed Suzuki.

Missing from the weekend action will be local star Trevor Dion, who exited round two as he recovers from arm pump. The Economy Lube Ducati rider’s future remains uncertain, though his unfortunate absence will leave one less threat for Young to tackle.

In other action at Grand Bend, Elliot Vieira secured his first career national pole position in a thrilling Economy Lube Pro Sport Bike qualifying. 

The full recap can be found here.

In the AIM Insurance Amateur Superbike class, it was a pivotal pole position for title frontrunner Tyler Brewer, as he looks to even the standings with championship leaders Goran Radisic and Tyrone Tavares, who qualified second and fourth, respectively.

Andrew Alcampado will start from pole position in the EBC Brakes Amateur Sport Bike category, snatching his first career honour from championship leader Serge Boyer in second. Fellow title protagonist Laurent Laliberte-Girard will start fourth.

Vincent Wilson escaped with another pole in the Importations Thibault Pro-Am Twins class, though the amateur star claimed the outright top spot by just 0.003 seconds from pro J.P. Tache, who returns to the series for the first time since 2007.

Fourth in the split-class session was Mack Weil, who headlines the Niagara Race Crafters Ninja ZX-4RR Cup for a second consecutive weekend as the top pro, while Rob Lepp took a first career pole as the top amateur ZX-4RR rider.

Teenage sensation Ryan Beattie continued his spectacular start to the Super Sonic Road Race School Pro-Am Lightweight season, taking outright pole position over fellow amateur and title rival Zaim Laflamme. Gary McKinnon will line up as the top pro in fourth, three spots clear of next-best pro Jacob Black.

Full results from Friday’s qualifying action can be found on the series’ official website at CSBK.ca.

World Endurance: Yamalube YART Yamaha On Pole For 8 Hours Of Spa

David Swarts
-
0
World Endurance: Yamalube YART Yamaha On Pole For 8 Hours Of Spa

Editorial Note: Americans Michael Gilbert, Andrew Lee, and Jason Pridmore, riding their JP43 Racing by Maco Yamaha YZF-R1, qualified 33rd overall and 19th in the Superstock category.

BACK-TO-BACK POLE TIME FOR EWC CHAMPION TEAM YART AS FRITZ BREAKS SPA LAP RECORD

*Yamaha-powered squad secures second-consecutive 2024 EWC pole with sub-lap record run 

*F.C.C. TSR Honda France and Yoshimura SERT Motul complete the top three

*Team Étoile charges to maiden Superstock pole position ahead of Wójcik and No Limits

(7 June 2024): Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team made it back-to-back pole positions in the FIM Endurance World Championship as Marvin Fritz underlined the Austrian squad’s dominant display with a new qualifying lap record at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps this afternoon (Friday).

Having set the qualifying standard in the season-opening 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans in April, the EWC championship-winning team from 2023 was again out of reach in the battle for the pole position for the 8 Hours of Spa Motos. 

While Niccolò Canepa and Karel Hanika were fastest for YART among the Blue and Red rider groups respectively, it was Fritz’s performance that was particularly noteworthy with his 2m18.552s, set in First Qualifying, bettering Hanika’s qualifying lap record from 2022, a 2m18.845s. Fritz actually went even faster in Free Practice this morning, the 31-year-old clocking a 2m18.551s best, such has been his pace on the spectacular 6.985-kilometre Belgian track.

F.C.C. TSR Honda France – featuring a two-rider-only line-up of Josh Hook, who became a father for the first time yesterday, and Alan Techer following an injury to Mike Di Meglio in a French championship race last weekend – was second fastest as the Japanese outfit bids to rebound from its non-finish in the 24 Heures Motos. Suzuki-powered Yoshimura SERT Motul, which triumphed in round one, was third quickest courtesy of riders Gregg Black, Dan Linfoot and Étienne Masson.

In the Dunlop-supplied Superstock category for the FIM Endurance World Cup, Team Étoile claimed top spot in qualifying in only its second EWC appearance. Kazuki Watanabe combined with Spa rookies Yudai Kamei and Hikari Okubo to deliver a maiden EWC pole position for Takeshi Ichikawa’s BMW-powered outfit from Japan.

“Of course we always have lots we can improve but the day started well because I make a lap record this morning,” Fritz said. “But overall I had a really good lap in qualifying. I didn’t have the best feeling with the front tyre so I always tried to use the rear tyre as much as I could. I expected to be faster but overall I’m pretty happy with the lap time and the new lap record, especially after I took it away from my brother-in-law [Karel Hanika], which is a pretty nice feeling. I’m super-happy about my team-mates, my team, the bike. I think we have a good feeling for tomorrow.”

Watanabe said: “I am the only one from the team with experience of this special circuit but we had a track day on Monday and that helped a lot for my team-mates. I tried to tell my experience to them but it’s the team that is fast here and after I had a fall on Monday, I had some responsibility and I believe I have paid that back just a little bit. But still we have the race tomorrow. Last year it was a 24-hour race, this year it’s only eight hours so it’s like a sprint race. But we haven’t finished a race this year so I would like to try to manage the race for the team.”

Behind the overall top three, BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team was fourth quickest for its home round of the EWC. Honda Viltaïs Racing was the leading independent entrant in fifth, one place ahead of Kawasaki Webike Trickstar. Belgium-based KM 99, Tati Team Beringer Racing, Team Bolliger Switzerland and BMRT3D maxxess Nevers completed the top 10.

Wójcik Racng Team STK, competing with Honda power for only the second time, was the second best Superstock team with Honda No Limits third, National Motos Honda FMA fourth and Tecmas MRP BMW Racing Team fifth.

Friday’s Second Qualifying in focus

Gregg Black set the benchmark time in the Blue Rider group, the Yoshimura SERT Motul star posting a 2m19.458s to head Markus Reiterberger (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team) and Niccolò Canepa, the First Qualifying pacesetter for Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team. Florian Marino (KM 99) was fourth quickest followed by Florian Alt (Honda Viltaïs Racing) and home hero Loris Cresson (BMRT3D maxxess Nevers). Grégory Leblanc was seventh for Kawasaki Webike Trickstar with Hugo Clere (Tati Team Beringer Racing) the next fastest Formula EWC runner ahead of Christoffer Bergman (Maco Racing Team) and Daniel Rubin (Motobox Kremer Racing). The quickest Superstock category time went to Sébastien Suchet (National Motos Honda FMA) with Kevin Manfredi second fastest for Wójcik Raing Team STK followed by Yudai Kamei (Team Étoile), Kevin Calia (Aviobike by M2 Revo) and Enzo De La Vega (Team 18 Sepeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore). 

Étienne Masson (Yoshimura SERT Motul) was the Yellow Rider group pacesetter in a time of 2m19.671s followed by Sylvain Guintoli (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team) and Marvin Fritz (Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team). Christian Gamarino posted the fourth best lap for Kawasaki Webike Trickstar as Randy de Puniet (KM 99) completed the top five followed by Danny Webb, the fastest Superstock category contender. Steven Odenaal was the next best Formula EWC runner for Honda Viltaïs Racing followed by Dominik Vincon (Motobox Kremer Racing), Marc Miralles (Mana-Au Competition), Julien Pilot (BMRT3D Maxxess Nevers) and Jurand Kuśmierczyk (Wójcik Racing Team). Behind Webb, National Motos Honda FMA’s Valentin Suchet was second the second fastest Superstock rider, one place ahead of Lorenzo Gabellini (Honda No Limits). Jan Bühn (Tecmas MRP BMW Racing Team) and Baptiste Guittet (Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore) rounded out the top five. JMA Racing Action Bike’s Milan Merckelbagh crashed heavily at the exit of Bruxelles corner but was uninjured. 

Alan Techer topped the Red Rider group for F.C.C. TSR Honda France ahead of Dan Linfoot (Yoshimura SERT Motul) and Karel Hanika (Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team). Illya Mykhalchyk (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team) was fourth ahead of Superstock pacesetter Kazuki Watanabe (Team Étoile). The Formula EWC top 10 was rounded out by Jérémy Guarnoni (KM 99), Corentin Perolari (Tati Team Beringer Racing), Román Ramos (Kawasaki Webike Trickstar), Leandro Mercado (Honda Viltaïs Racing), Pedro Romero (Team Bolliger Switzerland) and Takeshi Ishizuka (Maco Racing Team). Guillaume Raymond was the second fastest Superstock rider for National Motos Honda FMA followed by David Sanchís (Team 33 Louit April Moto), Martin Renaudin (Chromeburner-RAC 41-Honda) and Alessandro Delbianco (Pit-Lane Endurance).

BEST LAPS

First Qualifying Blue Rider: Niccolò Canepa, 2m18.938s / Tom Ward, 2m22.567s

First Qualifying Yellow Rider: Marvin Fritz, 2m18.552s / Lorenzo Gabellini, 2m23.083s

First Qualifying Red Rider: Karel Hanika, 2m18.622s / Johan Nigon, 2m22.815s

Second Qualifying Blue Rider: Gregg Black, 2m19.458s / Sébastien Suchet, 2m22.294s

Second Qualifying Yellow Rider: Étienne Masson, 2m19.671s / Danny Webb, 2m22.777s

Second Qualifying Red Rider: Alan Techer, 2m19.379s / Kazuki Watanabe, 2m21.911s

WHAT’S NEXT? 

The first running of the 8 Hours of Spa Motos is due to get under way at 13h00 CET on Saturday 8 June.

 

8 Hours of SPA Motos - 8 Hours of Spa - Overall Qualifying Ranking (average of the 2 best times) - Overall Qualifying Ranking

101st Loudon Classic: Fong Fastest On Friday

David Swarts
-
0
101st Loudon Classic: Fong Fastest On Friday

Veteran Bobby Fong was unofficially fastest during Friday’s action at the 101st Loudon Classic presented by NEMRR at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS), in Loudon, New Hampshire.

Riding his Wrench Motorcycles Suzuki GSX-R750 MotoAmerica Next-Gen Supersport bike on Dunlop tires, Fong recorded a lap of 1:11.164 around the 1.6-mile infield road course during one of the NEMRR sprint races he was using as practice.

“Today went good,” said Fong, who never rode at the tight and technical track before Thursday’s Penguin Riding School/Racer Practice Day. “We made good progress with the bike, and I’m getting used to the track. I like the track. It didn’t expect it to be so physical, but it’s really physical.

“We had some electrical issues on Thursday, but the crew worked through those and we’ve just been taking some baby steps with the setup and trying to figure out what tires to run in the race.”

Tyler Scott, the defending Loudon Classic Champion, was unofficially second-quickest with a lap time of 1:11.374 on his Dunlop-shod Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750.

 

Tyler Scott (70). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Tyler Scott (70). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

 

“We’re slowly getting the bike dialed in,” said Scott, who didn’t run as many NEMRR sprint races on Friday as other Loudon Classic competitors. “We didn’t do too many laps today. We thought we were going to have that last session, and we didn’t. But I think we have a good setup for the race.”

Alex Dumas, the 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion, ended up third on the unofficial list of lap times with a 1:11.502 on his Bridgestone-equipped MPG Moto/Liqui Moly Suzuki GSX-R600. Dumas said he opted to sit out the 2024 Canadian Superbike season and winning the Loudon Classic — and its $55,000 first-place prize — is his primary racing goal this year.

 

Alex Dumas (23X). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Alex Dumas (23X). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

 

Scott’s teammate Teagg Hobbs, who started road racing at NHMS, was unofficially fourth with a 1:11.529. Hobbs crashed during one of Friday’s NEMRR races, but his crew repaired his Suzuki in time for him to take it out in another NEMRR race to make sure everything was good to go for qualifying.

 

Teagg Hobbs (79). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Teagg Hobbs (79). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

 

Hayden Gillim, another MotoAmerica Pro rider racing at NHMS for the first time, unofficially rounded out the top five with a 1:11.541 on the Dunlop-fitted Vesrah/Steel Commander Suzuki GSX-R750 he raced in the Daytona 200 in March.

 

Hayden Gillim (95). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Hayden Gillim (95). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

 

The lost session Scott referred to was the pre-qualifying session scheduled at the end of the day Friday. That session was intended to whittle the field of 51 entries down to 48 ahead of final qualifying sessions on Saturday morning.

Unfortunately, crashes and injuries during Friday’s NEMRR sprint races resulted in most of the track’s ambulances leaving the property with injured riders. All of the riders are expected to recover, according to officials, but not having enough ambulances onsite caused on-track activity to be paused. With daylight running short, NEMRR officials held a riders meeting, polled the field, and decided to postpone Friday’s Loudon Classic, Pro 500 Superbike, Pro Thunderbike, and ASRA Outlaw Baggers qualifying sessions until Saturday morning.

On Saturday morning there will be three rounds of qualifying for Loudon Classic competitors, two 20-minute sessions that will determine the fastest 32 riders, and one 25-minute round for the final 32 riders. Riders’ lap times from all three sessions will count toward their final qualifying position.

Saturday’s revised schedule looks like this:

8:00 AM

500 Superbike – 8min

Pro Thunderbike – 8min

ASRA Outlaw Baggers – 8min

Loudon Classic Group One – 20min (23 Riders)

Loudon Classic Group Two – 20min (23 Riders)

 

9:15 AM

500 Superbike  – 12min

Pro Thunderbike  – 12min

ASRA Outlaw Baggers  – 12min

Loudon Classic Group One – 20min (23 Riders)

Loudon Classic Group Two – 20min (23 Riders)

 

10:45 AM

Loudon Classic Group One – 25min (16 Riders)

Loudon Classic Group Two – 25min (16 Riders)

 

There is no pro practice.

Because there was no official qualifying session on Friday, we have compiled a list of fastest lap times pulled from Friday’s NEMRR races.  

Friday’s Unofficial Best Lap Times (as compiled from Friday’s NEMRR race results):

  1. Bobby Fong (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:11.164
  2. Tyler Scott (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:11.374
  3. Alex Dumas (Suz GSX-R600), Bridgestone, 1:11.502
  4. Teagg Hobbs (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:11.529
  5. Hayden Gillim (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:11.541
  6. Stefano Mesa (Duc Panigale V2), Pirelli, 1:11.756
  7. Jacob Crossman (Yam YZF-R6), 1:12.308
  8. Joseph LiMandri, Jr. (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:12.311
  9. Eric Wood (Duc 848), Dunlop, 1:12.334
  10. Eli Block (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:12.432
  11. Ben Gloddy (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:12.491
  12. David Anthony (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:12.823
  13. Tyler O’Hara (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:13.035
  14. Shane Narbonne (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:13.037
  15. Spencer Humphreys (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:13.761
  16. Carl Soltisz (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:14.139
  17. Ian Beam (Tri Daytona 675), Pirelli, 1:14.652
  18. Justin Landry (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.678
  19. Rick Doucette (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:14.783
  20. Harlan Hildebrand (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:14.848
  21. Kevin Nolde (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.982
  22. JC Camacho (Suz), 1:15.440
  23. Levi Badie (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:15.459
  24. Asher Rubright (Suz GSX-R750), 1:15.848
  25. Michael Guarino (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:16.234
  26. Geoffry Bonnard (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.284
  27. Daniel Weems (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.455
  28. Paul Hosue (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.593
  29. Tim Barrows (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.610
  30. Ezra Beaubier (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:16.635
  31. Wojciech Kasperuk (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.865
  32. Joseph Townsend (Yam YZF-R6), 1:17.008
  33. Semir Fazlic (Yam YZF-R6), 1:17.018
  34. Sam Martin (Yam YZF-R6), 1:17.473
  35. Brandie Cox (Suz GSX-R600), 1:17.616
  36. Lincoln Gottier (Yam YZF-R6), 1:17.665
  37. Nicolai Greco (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:17.731
  38. Robbie Nigl (MV Agusta F3 RR), 1:18.152
  39. Scott French (Yam YZF-R6), 1:18.535
  40. Houk Nichols (Suz GSX-R600), 1:18.882
  41. Josh Gallusser (Suz GSX-R), 1:18.963
  42. Mavrick Cyr, no lap time recorded
  43. Gabriel Da Silva, no lap time recorded
  44. Paul Duval (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded
  45. Jimmy Fassino, no lap time recorded
  46. Brian Fernald (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded
  47. Vicente Frontinan (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded
  48. Joel Laub (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded
  49. Michael Lee (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded
  50. Tyler Sweeney (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded
  51. Kyle Thompson (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded

California Superbike School: Mid-Year Update

David Swarts
-
0
California Superbike School: Mid-Year Update

Here’s a mid-year update on all things Superbike School:

Upcoming Schools: Willow Springs this weekend, followed by Laguna Seca. Then Sonoma and The Ridge in Washington State. After that we go back east for our summer tour: Barber, Virginia, Pittsburgh, and New Jersey. Visit our schedule page or call the office. 800-530-3350. Come join us for the second half of the year.

 

California Superbike School students in action at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.
California Superbike School students in action at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.

 

Spring Tour: We just finished our spring tour, which went well. We had six days straight at Barber, which were a highlight. Kentucky, Virginia, and New Jersey were also fantastic.

New Fleet: We have factory-fresh BMW S 1000 RRs on their way in, with the first wave already here. They’re getting break-in miles right now before we convert to track trim.

 

A BMW S 1000 RR. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.
A BMW S 1000 RR. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.

Friends and Family Life Experiences: So many riders have been coming with friends and family members to share the Superbike School experience. We often hear statements like “my friend drug me out to the school, and I’m glad I came.”

Foreign Schools: Over the last two months we’ve run events in the Philippines, UK, and Australia. Foreign coaches have been visiting the USA to work with us. We recently hosted Dave from Australia and Martin from England. Mariusz from Poland will be with us next month.

Superbike School Graduates in Racing Last Weekend: Joe Roberts claimed a convincing win in the Moto2 class at the Mugello Circuit. Rocco Landers won the MotoAmerica Twins Cup class with a savage last-lap pass at Road America.

 

Joe Roberts (16). Photo courtesy California Superbike School.
Joe Roberts (16). Photo courtesy California Superbike School.

 

Rocco Landers. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.
Rocco Landers. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.

First Time Knee Draggers: We took pictures of some first time knee draggers. Of course smiling faces. For those who have never touched a knee we also have a paddock drill on a mini bike where most people get their knee down inside 5 minutes.

Comments About Our Sponsors:

BMW: No one can argue that the S 1000 RR is consistently at or near the top of all sportbikes worldwide. It’s the perfect tool for our school. Additionally, the management of BMW North America is run by industry veterans who are caring and easy to interface with.

Dunlop: Our oldest sponsor for 43 straight years. We all want confidence in our tires and Dunlop delivers every time.

Alpinestars: We use their gloves and boots, and some have called their Supertech boot, “the best in the world.” Their new air vests are a leap in safety for anyone using them.

KYT Helmets: This giant manufacturer has 14 factories worldwide and makes helmets for many other brands you would recognize, but recently branded their own helmets, which are top-tier in the sportbike segment.

AGV Sport: We’ve used their leathers for over 20 years. Most people are unaware they are consistently the most durable leathers anywhere.

Liqui Moly: Top-tier lubricants used in ALL Moto2 and Moto3 motors. We use that same oil in our fleet.

R&G Crash Protection: Their frame sliders protect from simple pit-area tip-overs to grinding low-sides. Cheap insurance and peace of mind.

DP Brake Pads: Besides a smooth “bite,” DP pads are very low dust, and last considerably longer than typical brands.

Armour Bodies: Very affordable track bodywork, with quality similar to brands costing three times as much.

Skratch Labs: Hydration mix that has saved hundreds of students from dehydration. Trusted by athletes worldwide, you can find it in most running and bicycle stores.

DID Chains: Our fleet puts up with thousands of track miles every year and the chain, being a consumable part, needs to be tough and reliable. We’ve seen chains fail over the last four decades, but never a DID chain.

Stomp Grip: Originally a snowboard product, we convinced them to start making their pads for motorcycle tanks. The rest is history. Virtually every track bike will have some sort of tank grip, and Stomp is the original.

Isle Of Man TT: Video Highlights From The Races So Far

David Swarts
-
0
Isle Of Man TT: Video Highlights From The Races So Far

Although Friday’s races have been postponed due to rain, here are some video highlights from the Isle of Man TT races so far.

 

World Endurance: Ben Young Racing In Suzuka 8-Hours

Team Taro Plus One BMW Suzuka 8-Hours riders Kyosuke Okuda (left), Taro Sekiguchi (center), and Ben Young (right). Photo courtesy Team Taro Plus One BMW.
Team Taro Plus One BMW Suzuka 8-Hours riders Kyosuke Okuda (left), Taro Sekiguchi (center), and Ben Young (right). Photo courtesy Team Taro Plus One BMW.

Ben Young to race Suzuka 8 Hours with Team Taro Plus One BMW

Hamilton, ON – Three-time CSBK champion Ben Young will enter a star-studded field at this year’s prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours event, joining Team Taro Plus One BMW for the historic Endurance World Championship round.

Young, who currently leads the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship standings, will ride alongside former Grand Prix rider Taro Sekiguchi and Kyosuke Okuda (both of Japan) in the Team Taro Plus One garage for his World Endurance debut next month, July 19-21.

The renowned event – launched in 1978 – has grown into the premier race on the EWC calendar, attracting various stars from MotoGP and World Superbike, amongst other series.

Young most recently proved himself against reigning EWC champions YART Yamaha at the Daytona 200, where he finished ninth and just behind the duo of Karel Hanika (fifth) and Marvin Fritz (sixth).

The Collingwood, Ontario native recently completed a private test with Team Taro Plus One BMW at Suzuka, roughly five hours from Tokyo, and felt very comfortable aboard the M1000RR (a similar version to the Van Dolder’s Home Team machine he rides in Canada).

“The bike felt really good, and the team and everyone there is great to deal with,” Young said. “Already we’re about half a second from our target time, so hopefully we can put on a good show and get a strong result.”

The Team Taro Plus One BMW squad finished an impressive 16th out of 50 teams at last year’s Suzuka 8 Hours, achieving a best result of 14th in 2022.

Young’s trip to Suzuka will take place just days after the fourth round of the CSBK season in Nova Scotia, as he chases his fourth Canada Cup and third in a row in 2024.

The 31-year-old has been no stranger to racing in various series and paddocks, having competed in MotoAmerica, British Superbike, and as a wildcard in the 125cc World Championship during his illustrious career.

Only a handful of Canadians have ever competed in the Suzuka 8 Hours through its history, an exclusive list that includes Ruben McMurter, Steve Crevier, and most recently Jordan Szoke, amongst others.

In the meantime, Young will try to extend his lead atop the Canadian Superbike Championship in round two action this weekend, June 7-9, at the Grand Bend Motorplex.

More information can be found on the series’ official website at CSBK.ca.

Isle Of Man TT: Supertwin TT Race Two Report

Michael Dunlop (6). Photo by Barry Clay.
Michael Dunlop (6). Photo by Barry Clay.

MICHAEL DUNLOP WINS ENTIRE COVER SUPERTWIN TT RACE 2

Michael Dunlop took his second win of the day at the Isle of Man TT Races on Saturday when he won the Entire Cover Supertwin TT Race 2, victory on the MD Racing Paton giving him his 29th TT win.

Peter Hickman (Swan Racing Yamaha) took second with Mike Browne (Scott Racing Aprilia) completing the podium in third.

Getting underway at 3.45pm, Dunlop again seized control early and led Hickman through Glen Helen by 3.5 seconds with Jamie Coward (KTS racing powered by Steadplan Kawasaki) a further 1.2 seconds adrift. Browne was just four tenths of a second behind with Dominic Herbertson (Burrows Engineering/RK Racing Paton) only 0.005 seconds down on Browne as Barry Furber (DC Autos Newtown Yamaha) slotted into an excellent sixth.

Stefano Bonetti (VAS Engine Paton), Davey Todd (Dafabet Racing Kawasaki), Adam McLean (Flitwick Motorcycles/SMV Yamaha) and Bonetti’s team-mate Pierre-Yves Bian rounded out the early leaderboard.

Dunlop added a further 3 seconds to his lead over Hickman on the run to Ballaugh, but Coward had cut the gap to Hickman to less than a second whilst Herbertson was right in the mix for the final podium position as he lay just 0.3 seconds further back from Browne.

Aided by the best ever sector time from Ballaugh, Dunlop extended his lead to 8.9 seconds round Ramsey Hairpin for the first time as Hickman edged away slightly from Coward but the latter soon began to slow over the Mountain and eventually pulled in to retire at the Creg Ny Baa.

With another new best sector time, from the Bungalow to Cronk ny Mona, a superb opening lap of 122.451mph gave Dunlop the lead but Hickman got up and over the Mountain quicker, bringing his deficit down to 6.4 seconds ahead of the second and final 37.73 miles. Coward’s demise meant it was now Browne in third ahead of Herbertson, Jordan and Todd.

Further back, Brookes, McLean, Furber and Bonetti completed the top ten but having been forced to start from the back of the field when his SMT Racing Paton refused to fire, Rob Hodson was charging and was up to sixth through Ramsey.

With clear road ahead of him, Dunlop added some three seconds to his lead over Hickman on the second and final run to Glen Helen and although Browne was a further ten seconds behind, he was holding a slender advantage of 1.7 seconds over Herbertson in the battle for third.

Dunlop was increasing his lead through every timing point with another four seconds on the high-speed run to Ballaugh and the famous landmark saw a change in the race for third, Herbertson nosing four tenths of a second ahead of Browne.

At Ramsey, Dunlop was more than seven seconds inside his 2018 lap record having now set the quickest ever time in three of the six sectors but as he descended the Mountain for the final time, the race was stopped due to a red flag.

The race was declared a result at the end of lap one and so Dunlop got the win from Hickman and Browne, Herbertson unluckily missing out in fourth. Jordan finished fifth ahead of Hodson, Todd, Brookes, McClean and Furber.

Isle Of Man TT: Supersport TT Race Two Report

Michael Dunlop (6). Photo by Barry Clay.
Michael Dunlop (6). Photo by Barry Clay.

DUNLOP ASSERTS HIMSELF AS GREATEST OF ALL TIME WITH 28TH TT WIN IN THE MONSTER ENERGY SUPERSPORT TT RACE 2

Michael Dunlop took his 28th victory at the Isle of Man TT Races on Saturday afternoon when he won the Monster Energy Supersport TT Race 2 by just under four seconds, the MD Racing Yamaha rider taking his sixth successive Supersport win and 13th in total.

He saw off the challenge of Dean Harrison (Honda Racing UK) as Davey Todd (Powertoolmate Ducati) completed the podium in third.

After a delay due to small, isolated showers at various parts of the Mountain Course, the two-lap race eventually got underway at 13:00 and it was Dunlop who grabbed the early initiative, heading Todd by 0.558 seconds round Glen Helen for the first time. James Hillier (Bournemouth Kawasaki) was only 0.136 seconds adrift in third with Harrison just another 0.3s back in fourth as just one second covered the top four. Peter Hickman (Trooper Triumph by PHR Performance) and Jamie Coward (KTS Racing powered by Steadplan Triumph) lay in fifth and sixth, the duo separated by half a second.

On the first run to Ballaugh, Dunlop still led with the gap to Todd now 0.8 seconds as Harrison overhauled Hillier for third, albeit by just three tenths of a second. Hickman was losing ground in fifth but now had James Hind (North Lincs Components Suzuki) close behind him on time, the gap between them only 0.2 seconds.

Further back Mike Browne (Boyce Precision Engineering/Russell Racing Yamaha) and Michael Evans (Smith Racing Triumph) were running well in eighth and ninth, but Dominic Herbertson retired the Burrows Engineering/RK Racing Yamaha) shortly afterwards at Kerromoar.

At Ramsey Hairpin, Dunlop doubled his advantage over Todd with Harrison a similar distance back in third and with an opening lap of 127.389mph, the Northern Irishman led. However, his lead had been cut by new second placed rider Harrison (127.281mph) to just 0.9 seconds.

Todd (127.119mph) had slipped back to third, 1.3 seconds behind Harrison, with Hickman, Coward and Hillier now the running order behind. Behind them, the remainder of the top ten now read Browne, Hind, Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing Honda) and Evans. 2023 Senior Manx GP winner Joe Yeardsley was also running well in 13th on the Spin Arena Yamaha.

As the riders reached Glen Helen for the second and final time, Dunlop stretched his lead to 1.79 seconds with Todd still well in touch, the gap between second and third almost identical. The race for fourth was red hot too with Hickman less than half a second ahead of Coward.

Dunlop doubled his lead between Glen Helen and Ballaugh, the lead moving up to 3.2 seconds, with Todd taking half a second back on Harrison but it now looked like it was Dunlop’s race to lose. The gap between Hickman and Coward remained at half a second with just half a lap to go but Hind’s good run came to end as he stopped at Ballacraine.

At Ramsey, Dunlop increased his lead by another 1.5s and he wasn’t to be denied his sixth successive Supersport victory, a second lap of 129.071mph seeing come home 3.889 seconds clear of Harrison who saw off the challenge of Todd by 2.34 seconds. Coward’s strong ride saw him set his best ever Supersport lap, 128.668mph, as he took an excellent fourth ahead of Hickman and Hillier.

Browne, Jordan, Evans and Josh Brookes on the second Boyce Precision Engineering machine completed the top ten, less than three quarters of a second separating the latter two. Other strong rides came from Yeardsley (12th), the Manxman setting a new personal best lap of the Mountain Course at 123.268mph, and Craig Neve (15th) who was having his first ride since a spill in qualifying.

Joey Thompson (17th), Barry Furber (19th) and Frenchman Eddy Ferre (21st) also scored good results with newcomer Loris Majcan taking 34th with a strong final lap of 118.053mph.

101st Loudon Classic: Scott On Top Heading Into Final Qualifying

Tyler Scott (70). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. 2024.
Tyler Scott (70). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. 2024.

Tyler Scott remains on top after the first two of three rounds of qualifying for the 101st Loudon Classic Saturday morning at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, in Loudon, New Hampshire. Riding his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 Next-Gen Supersport bike on Dunlop tires, the 18-year-old defending Champion’s lap time 1:10.707 remains the fastest. 

The fastest 32 riders now advance to the third and final qualifying session.

 

101st Loudon Classic

New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Loudon, New Hampshire

June 8, 2024

Round One and Two Combined Qualifying Results (top 32 riders only):

  1. Tyler Scott (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:10.707
  2. Bobby Fong (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:10.850
  3. Teagg Hobbs (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:10.932
  4. Hayden Gillim (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:10.942
  5. Stefano Mesa (Duc Panigale V2), Pirelli, 1:10.965
  6. Eric Wood (Duc 848), Dunlop, 1:11.220
  7. Eli Block (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:11.445
  8. Ben Gloddy (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:11.769
  9. Alex Dumas (Suz GSX-R600), Bridgestone, 1:11.925
  10. Joseph LiMandri, Jr. (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:11.973
  11. Tyler Sweeney (Yam YZF-R6), 1:12.061
  12. David Anthony (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:12.066
  13. Jacob Crossman (Yam YZF-R6), 1:12.214
  14. Shane Narbonne (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:12.304
  15. Tyler O’Hara (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:12.568
  16. Carl Soltisz (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:13.020
  17. Spencer Humphreys (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:13.324
  18. Justin Landry (Yam YZF-R6), 1:13.547
  19. Ian Beam (Tri Daytona 675), Pirelli, 1:13.700
  20. Harlan Hildebrand (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:13.883
  21. Daniel Weems (Yam YZF-R6), 1:13.956
  22. JC Camacho (Suz), 1:13.970
  23. Ezra Beaubier (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:14.029
  24. Levi Badie (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:14.296
  25. Asher Rubright (Suz GSX-R750), 1:14.338
  26. Michael Lee (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.376
  27. Kevin Nolde (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.515
  28. Brian Fernald (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.732
  29. Joel Laub (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.896
  30. Rick Doucette (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:14.984
  31. Kyle Thompson (Yam YZF-R6), 1:15.020
  32. Paul Duval (Yam YZF-R6), 1:15.351

101st Loudon Classic: Scott Tops Opening Round Of Qualifying

Tyler Scott (70). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Tyler Scott (70). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Tyler Scott topped the first of three rounds of qualifying for the 101st Loudon Classic Saturday morning at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, in Loudon, New Hampshire. Riding his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 Next-Gen Supersport bike on Dunlop tires, the 18-year-old defending Champion lapped the 1.6-mile infield road course in 1:10.707 to lead the field of 51 entries.

After round two of qualifying the field will be cut down to 32 riders who will then have a third round of qualifying.

Riders’ fastest times from all three sessions will count toward their final qualifying position.

In the other classes: Eli Block was 2.1 seconds quicker than anyone else in the first Pro 500 Superbike qualifier, Jacob Crossman led the first Pro Thunderbike qualifier, and Tyler O’Hara was 9.4 seconds faster than anyone else in the first ASRA Outlaw Bagger qualifying session.

 

101st Loudon Classic Presented by NEMRR

New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Loudon, New Hampshire

June 8, 2024

Round One Combined Qualifying Results:

  1. Tyler Scott (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:10.707
  2. Teagg Hobbs (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:10.932
  3. Hayden Gillim (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:10.942
  4. Stefano Mesa (Duc Panigale V2), Pirelli, 1:10.965
  5. Bobby Fong (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:11.508
  6. Eric Wood (Duc 848), Dunlop, 1:11.689
  7. Eli Block (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:11.917
  8. David Anthony (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:12.066
  9. Ben Gloddy (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:12.205
  10. Alex Dumas (Suz GSX-R600), Bridgestone, 1:12.291
  11. Jacob Crossman (Yam YZF-R6), 1:12.294
  12. Joseph LiMandri, Jr. (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:12.372
  13. Shane Narbonne (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:12.482
  14. Tyler Sweeney (Yam YZF-R6), 1:12.542
  15. Tyler O’Hara (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:12.759
  16. Carl Soltisz (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:13.020
  17. Spencer Humphreys (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:13.324
  18. Justin Landry (Yam YZF-R6), 1:13.547
  19. Harlan Hildebrand (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:13.883
  20. Ian Beam (Tri Daytona 675), Pirelli, 1:14.286
  21. Levi Badie (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:14.296
  22. JC Camacho (Suz), 1:14.323
  23. Michael Lee (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.376
  24. Daniel Weems (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.572
  25. Kevin Nolde (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.731
  26. Brian Fernald (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.732
  27. Ezra Beaubier (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:14.765
  28. Asher Rubright (Suz GSX-R750), 1:15.035
  29. Rick Doucette (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:15.045
  30. Geoffry Bonnard (Yam YZF-R6), 1:15.495
  31. Nicolai Greco (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:15.827
  32. Paul Duval (Yam YZF-R6), 1:15.979
  33. Sam Martin (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.166
  34. Wojciech Kasperuk (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.180
  35. Lincoln Gottier (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.216
  36. Tim Barrows (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.326
  37. Kyle Thompson (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.374
  38. Paul Hosue (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.444
  39. Michael Guarino (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:16.576
  40. Semir Fazlic (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.595
  41. Houk Nichols (Suz GSX-R600), 1:17.086
  42. Brandie Cox (Suz GSX-R600), 1:17.809
  43. Joseph Townsend (Yam YZF-R6), 1:17.893
  44. Josh Gallusser (Suz GSX-R), 1:18.131
  45. Robbie Nigl (MV Agusta F3 RR), 1:18.760
  46. Mavrick Cyr, no lap time recorded
  47. Gabriel Da Silva, no lap time recorded
  48. Jimmy Fassino, no lap time recorded
  49. Scott French (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded
  50. Vicente Frontinan (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded
  51. Joel Laub (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded

Canadian Superbike: Young Earns Pole Position At Grand Bend

Ben Young (1) topped GP Bikes Pro Superbike qualifying at Grand Bend Motorplex on Friday afternoon, putting the BMW rider into a P1 starting position for both of the weekend's feature races. [Photo: Rob O'Brien / CSBK]
Ben Young (1) topped GP Bikes Pro Superbike qualifying at Grand Bend Motorplex on Friday afternoon, putting the BMW rider into a P1 starting position for both of the weekend's feature races. Photo by Rob O'Brien, courtesy CSBK.

Young squeaks out pole position for round two at Grand Bend

Grand Bend, ON – Ben Young escaped with a predictable pole position for the second round of the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship on Friday, but by a much closer margin than expected at the Grand Bend Motorplex, presented by Southwest Marine & Powersports.

The GP Bikes Pro Superbike championship leader and overwhelming weekend favourite topped both the initial Q1 session and put in a late flyer to capture BS Battery Pole Position in Q2, but it was hardly a straightforward process as he fought through a number of different challengers.

Home favourite David MacKay led the opening stint of Q2 behind an excellent lap of 1:03.115, looking set for his first career Superbike pole in just his second weekend, but he was replaced by another Honda-mounted local in Steven Nickerson around the midway point of the top-ten shootout.

Things began to look very out of sorts for Young as he tumbled down the order to fifth, falling behind Nickerson, MacKay, and title rivals Jordan Szoke and Sam Guerin with roughly six minutes to go.

The three-time champion seemed to unlock something in the final moments, however, rocketing up the timesheets to post a lap of 1:02.634 – just a quarter-second off the lap record despite cooler conditions – as he overcame a bit of a scare to earn his 15th career BS Battery Pole Position and seventh in the last nine rounds.

“I didn’t think we’d need to put another tire on at the end, but these guys really pushed us. We’re going to have to give it all we got tomorrow, for sure,” Young said. “It’s great to see a close field, even though that makes it tougher for us. Thankfully the team and the BMW are working phenomenally as always, so I’ll put my head down and try and reward them this weekend.”

The Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW rider did admit they have encountered some front suspension issues – a possible reason for his morning practice crash – though it didn’t seem to prevent him from another BS Battery Pole Position award as he extends his lead in the season-long prize standings.

As for Nickerson, it will be a career-best grid position as he lines up alongside Young this weekend, falling just 0.248 seconds shy of a dream pole position in his season debut for DeWildt Honda. 

The local rider has plenty of experience at Grand Bend despite his CSBK hiatus, and he will look to convert his front row qualifying spot into a maiden Superbike podium this weekend.

Completing the front row was championship runner-up Sam Guerin, who put in a much-needed late time attack of his own to move off the second row.

Guerin revealed the EFC Group BMW squad was sorting out various setup changes during the day, but he finally looked to be comfortable in the final moments as he leapfrogged MacKay for third, pace he will hope to continue building on this weekend.

As for MacKay, the ODH Snow City Cycle Honda rider saw his hopes of a first career BS Battery Superbike pole evaporate in the final five minutes as he tumbled to fourth, though it will still be an excellent starting position for the home favourite as he headlines the second row in just his second weekend on the CBR1000RR.

Starting alongside him will be Jordan Szoke and Trevor Daley, who both showed front row flashes during the qualifying process but ultimately had to settle for second row spots.

Szoke briefly led Q2 before giving way to MacKay, something the CKM Kawasaki rider will try to replicate in his race pace, while Daley continued his strong return weekend with a sixth-place qualifying finish aboard his OneSpeed Suzuki.

Missing from the weekend action will be local star Trevor Dion, who exited round two as he recovers from arm pump. The Economy Lube Ducati rider’s future remains uncertain, though his unfortunate absence will leave one less threat for Young to tackle.

In other action at Grand Bend, Elliot Vieira secured his first career national pole position in a thrilling Economy Lube Pro Sport Bike qualifying. 

The full recap can be found here.

In the AIM Insurance Amateur Superbike class, it was a pivotal pole position for title frontrunner Tyler Brewer, as he looks to even the standings with championship leaders Goran Radisic and Tyrone Tavares, who qualified second and fourth, respectively.

Andrew Alcampado will start from pole position in the EBC Brakes Amateur Sport Bike category, snatching his first career honour from championship leader Serge Boyer in second. Fellow title protagonist Laurent Laliberte-Girard will start fourth.

Vincent Wilson escaped with another pole in the Importations Thibault Pro-Am Twins class, though the amateur star claimed the outright top spot by just 0.003 seconds from pro J.P. Tache, who returns to the series for the first time since 2007.

Fourth in the split-class session was Mack Weil, who headlines the Niagara Race Crafters Ninja ZX-4RR Cup for a second consecutive weekend as the top pro, while Rob Lepp took a first career pole as the top amateur ZX-4RR rider.

Teenage sensation Ryan Beattie continued his spectacular start to the Super Sonic Road Race School Pro-Am Lightweight season, taking outright pole position over fellow amateur and title rival Zaim Laflamme. Gary McKinnon will line up as the top pro in fourth, three spots clear of next-best pro Jacob Black.

Full results from Friday’s qualifying action can be found on the series’ official website at CSBK.ca.

World Endurance: Yamalube YART Yamaha On Pole For 8 Hours Of Spa

Yamalube YART Yamaha (1). Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Yamalube YART Yamaha (1). Photo courtesy Yamaha.

Editorial Note: Americans Michael Gilbert, Andrew Lee, and Jason Pridmore, riding their JP43 Racing by Maco Yamaha YZF-R1, qualified 33rd overall and 19th in the Superstock category.

BACK-TO-BACK POLE TIME FOR EWC CHAMPION TEAM YART AS FRITZ BREAKS SPA LAP RECORD

*Yamaha-powered squad secures second-consecutive 2024 EWC pole with sub-lap record run 

*F.C.C. TSR Honda France and Yoshimura SERT Motul complete the top three

*Team Étoile charges to maiden Superstock pole position ahead of Wójcik and No Limits

(7 June 2024): Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team made it back-to-back pole positions in the FIM Endurance World Championship as Marvin Fritz underlined the Austrian squad’s dominant display with a new qualifying lap record at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps this afternoon (Friday).

Having set the qualifying standard in the season-opening 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans in April, the EWC championship-winning team from 2023 was again out of reach in the battle for the pole position for the 8 Hours of Spa Motos. 

While Niccolò Canepa and Karel Hanika were fastest for YART among the Blue and Red rider groups respectively, it was Fritz’s performance that was particularly noteworthy with his 2m18.552s, set in First Qualifying, bettering Hanika’s qualifying lap record from 2022, a 2m18.845s. Fritz actually went even faster in Free Practice this morning, the 31-year-old clocking a 2m18.551s best, such has been his pace on the spectacular 6.985-kilometre Belgian track.

F.C.C. TSR Honda France – featuring a two-rider-only line-up of Josh Hook, who became a father for the first time yesterday, and Alan Techer following an injury to Mike Di Meglio in a French championship race last weekend – was second fastest as the Japanese outfit bids to rebound from its non-finish in the 24 Heures Motos. Suzuki-powered Yoshimura SERT Motul, which triumphed in round one, was third quickest courtesy of riders Gregg Black, Dan Linfoot and Étienne Masson.

In the Dunlop-supplied Superstock category for the FIM Endurance World Cup, Team Étoile claimed top spot in qualifying in only its second EWC appearance. Kazuki Watanabe combined with Spa rookies Yudai Kamei and Hikari Okubo to deliver a maiden EWC pole position for Takeshi Ichikawa’s BMW-powered outfit from Japan.

“Of course we always have lots we can improve but the day started well because I make a lap record this morning,” Fritz said. “But overall I had a really good lap in qualifying. I didn’t have the best feeling with the front tyre so I always tried to use the rear tyre as much as I could. I expected to be faster but overall I’m pretty happy with the lap time and the new lap record, especially after I took it away from my brother-in-law [Karel Hanika], which is a pretty nice feeling. I’m super-happy about my team-mates, my team, the bike. I think we have a good feeling for tomorrow.”

Watanabe said: “I am the only one from the team with experience of this special circuit but we had a track day on Monday and that helped a lot for my team-mates. I tried to tell my experience to them but it’s the team that is fast here and after I had a fall on Monday, I had some responsibility and I believe I have paid that back just a little bit. But still we have the race tomorrow. Last year it was a 24-hour race, this year it’s only eight hours so it’s like a sprint race. But we haven’t finished a race this year so I would like to try to manage the race for the team.”

Behind the overall top three, BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team was fourth quickest for its home round of the EWC. Honda Viltaïs Racing was the leading independent entrant in fifth, one place ahead of Kawasaki Webike Trickstar. Belgium-based KM 99, Tati Team Beringer Racing, Team Bolliger Switzerland and BMRT3D maxxess Nevers completed the top 10.

Wójcik Racng Team STK, competing with Honda power for only the second time, was the second best Superstock team with Honda No Limits third, National Motos Honda FMA fourth and Tecmas MRP BMW Racing Team fifth.

Friday’s Second Qualifying in focus

Gregg Black set the benchmark time in the Blue Rider group, the Yoshimura SERT Motul star posting a 2m19.458s to head Markus Reiterberger (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team) and Niccolò Canepa, the First Qualifying pacesetter for Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team. Florian Marino (KM 99) was fourth quickest followed by Florian Alt (Honda Viltaïs Racing) and home hero Loris Cresson (BMRT3D maxxess Nevers). Grégory Leblanc was seventh for Kawasaki Webike Trickstar with Hugo Clere (Tati Team Beringer Racing) the next fastest Formula EWC runner ahead of Christoffer Bergman (Maco Racing Team) and Daniel Rubin (Motobox Kremer Racing). The quickest Superstock category time went to Sébastien Suchet (National Motos Honda FMA) with Kevin Manfredi second fastest for Wójcik Raing Team STK followed by Yudai Kamei (Team Étoile), Kevin Calia (Aviobike by M2 Revo) and Enzo De La Vega (Team 18 Sepeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore). 

Étienne Masson (Yoshimura SERT Motul) was the Yellow Rider group pacesetter in a time of 2m19.671s followed by Sylvain Guintoli (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team) and Marvin Fritz (Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team). Christian Gamarino posted the fourth best lap for Kawasaki Webike Trickstar as Randy de Puniet (KM 99) completed the top five followed by Danny Webb, the fastest Superstock category contender. Steven Odenaal was the next best Formula EWC runner for Honda Viltaïs Racing followed by Dominik Vincon (Motobox Kremer Racing), Marc Miralles (Mana-Au Competition), Julien Pilot (BMRT3D Maxxess Nevers) and Jurand Kuśmierczyk (Wójcik Racing Team). Behind Webb, National Motos Honda FMA’s Valentin Suchet was second the second fastest Superstock rider, one place ahead of Lorenzo Gabellini (Honda No Limits). Jan Bühn (Tecmas MRP BMW Racing Team) and Baptiste Guittet (Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore) rounded out the top five. JMA Racing Action Bike’s Milan Merckelbagh crashed heavily at the exit of Bruxelles corner but was uninjured. 

Alan Techer topped the Red Rider group for F.C.C. TSR Honda France ahead of Dan Linfoot (Yoshimura SERT Motul) and Karel Hanika (Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team). Illya Mykhalchyk (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team) was fourth ahead of Superstock pacesetter Kazuki Watanabe (Team Étoile). The Formula EWC top 10 was rounded out by Jérémy Guarnoni (KM 99), Corentin Perolari (Tati Team Beringer Racing), Román Ramos (Kawasaki Webike Trickstar), Leandro Mercado (Honda Viltaïs Racing), Pedro Romero (Team Bolliger Switzerland) and Takeshi Ishizuka (Maco Racing Team). Guillaume Raymond was the second fastest Superstock rider for National Motos Honda FMA followed by David Sanchís (Team 33 Louit April Moto), Martin Renaudin (Chromeburner-RAC 41-Honda) and Alessandro Delbianco (Pit-Lane Endurance).

BEST LAPS

First Qualifying Blue Rider: Niccolò Canepa, 2m18.938s / Tom Ward, 2m22.567s

First Qualifying Yellow Rider: Marvin Fritz, 2m18.552s / Lorenzo Gabellini, 2m23.083s

First Qualifying Red Rider: Karel Hanika, 2m18.622s / Johan Nigon, 2m22.815s

Second Qualifying Blue Rider: Gregg Black, 2m19.458s / Sébastien Suchet, 2m22.294s

Second Qualifying Yellow Rider: Étienne Masson, 2m19.671s / Danny Webb, 2m22.777s

Second Qualifying Red Rider: Alan Techer, 2m19.379s / Kazuki Watanabe, 2m21.911s

WHAT’S NEXT? 

The first running of the 8 Hours of Spa Motos is due to get under way at 13h00 CET on Saturday 8 June.

 

8 Hours of SPA Motos - 8 Hours of Spa - Overall Qualifying Ranking (average of the 2 best times) - Overall Qualifying Ranking

101st Loudon Classic: Fong Fastest On Friday

Bobby Fong (50). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. 2024.
Bobby Fong (50). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. 2024.

Veteran Bobby Fong was unofficially fastest during Friday’s action at the 101st Loudon Classic presented by NEMRR at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS), in Loudon, New Hampshire.

Riding his Wrench Motorcycles Suzuki GSX-R750 MotoAmerica Next-Gen Supersport bike on Dunlop tires, Fong recorded a lap of 1:11.164 around the 1.6-mile infield road course during one of the NEMRR sprint races he was using as practice.

“Today went good,” said Fong, who never rode at the tight and technical track before Thursday’s Penguin Riding School/Racer Practice Day. “We made good progress with the bike, and I’m getting used to the track. I like the track. It didn’t expect it to be so physical, but it’s really physical.

“We had some electrical issues on Thursday, but the crew worked through those and we’ve just been taking some baby steps with the setup and trying to figure out what tires to run in the race.”

Tyler Scott, the defending Loudon Classic Champion, was unofficially second-quickest with a lap time of 1:11.374 on his Dunlop-shod Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750.

 

Tyler Scott (70). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Tyler Scott (70). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

 

“We’re slowly getting the bike dialed in,” said Scott, who didn’t run as many NEMRR sprint races on Friday as other Loudon Classic competitors. “We didn’t do too many laps today. We thought we were going to have that last session, and we didn’t. But I think we have a good setup for the race.”

Alex Dumas, the 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion, ended up third on the unofficial list of lap times with a 1:11.502 on his Bridgestone-equipped MPG Moto/Liqui Moly Suzuki GSX-R600. Dumas said he opted to sit out the 2024 Canadian Superbike season and winning the Loudon Classic — and its $55,000 first-place prize — is his primary racing goal this year.

 

Alex Dumas (23X). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Alex Dumas (23X). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

 

Scott’s teammate Teagg Hobbs, who started road racing at NHMS, was unofficially fourth with a 1:11.529. Hobbs crashed during one of Friday’s NEMRR races, but his crew repaired his Suzuki in time for him to take it out in another NEMRR race to make sure everything was good to go for qualifying.

 

Teagg Hobbs (79). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Teagg Hobbs (79). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

 

Hayden Gillim, another MotoAmerica Pro rider racing at NHMS for the first time, unofficially rounded out the top five with a 1:11.541 on the Dunlop-fitted Vesrah/Steel Commander Suzuki GSX-R750 he raced in the Daytona 200 in March.

 

Hayden Gillim (95). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Hayden Gillim (95). Photo by David Swarts, copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

 

The lost session Scott referred to was the pre-qualifying session scheduled at the end of the day Friday. That session was intended to whittle the field of 51 entries down to 48 ahead of final qualifying sessions on Saturday morning.

Unfortunately, crashes and injuries during Friday’s NEMRR sprint races resulted in most of the track’s ambulances leaving the property with injured riders. All of the riders are expected to recover, according to officials, but not having enough ambulances onsite caused on-track activity to be paused. With daylight running short, NEMRR officials held a riders meeting, polled the field, and decided to postpone Friday’s Loudon Classic, Pro 500 Superbike, Pro Thunderbike, and ASRA Outlaw Baggers qualifying sessions until Saturday morning.

On Saturday morning there will be three rounds of qualifying for Loudon Classic competitors, two 20-minute sessions that will determine the fastest 32 riders, and one 25-minute round for the final 32 riders. Riders’ lap times from all three sessions will count toward their final qualifying position.

Saturday’s revised schedule looks like this:

8:00 AM

500 Superbike – 8min

Pro Thunderbike – 8min

ASRA Outlaw Baggers – 8min

Loudon Classic Group One – 20min (23 Riders)

Loudon Classic Group Two – 20min (23 Riders)

 

9:15 AM

500 Superbike  – 12min

Pro Thunderbike  – 12min

ASRA Outlaw Baggers  – 12min

Loudon Classic Group One – 20min (23 Riders)

Loudon Classic Group Two – 20min (23 Riders)

 

10:45 AM

Loudon Classic Group One – 25min (16 Riders)

Loudon Classic Group Two – 25min (16 Riders)

 

There is no pro practice.

Because there was no official qualifying session on Friday, we have compiled a list of fastest lap times pulled from Friday’s NEMRR races.  

Friday’s Unofficial Best Lap Times (as compiled from Friday’s NEMRR race results):

  1. Bobby Fong (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:11.164
  2. Tyler Scott (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:11.374
  3. Alex Dumas (Suz GSX-R600), Bridgestone, 1:11.502
  4. Teagg Hobbs (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:11.529
  5. Hayden Gillim (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:11.541
  6. Stefano Mesa (Duc Panigale V2), Pirelli, 1:11.756
  7. Jacob Crossman (Yam YZF-R6), 1:12.308
  8. Joseph LiMandri, Jr. (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:12.311
  9. Eric Wood (Duc 848), Dunlop, 1:12.334
  10. Eli Block (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:12.432
  11. Ben Gloddy (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:12.491
  12. David Anthony (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:12.823
  13. Tyler O’Hara (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:13.035
  14. Shane Narbonne (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:13.037
  15. Spencer Humphreys (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:13.761
  16. Carl Soltisz (Suz GSX-R750), Dunlop, 1:14.139
  17. Ian Beam (Tri Daytona 675), Pirelli, 1:14.652
  18. Justin Landry (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.678
  19. Rick Doucette (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:14.783
  20. Harlan Hildebrand (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:14.848
  21. Kevin Nolde (Yam YZF-R6), 1:14.982
  22. JC Camacho (Suz), 1:15.440
  23. Levi Badie (Yam YZF-R6), Dunlop, 1:15.459
  24. Asher Rubright (Suz GSX-R750), 1:15.848
  25. Michael Guarino (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:16.234
  26. Geoffry Bonnard (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.284
  27. Daniel Weems (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.455
  28. Paul Hosue (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.593
  29. Tim Barrows (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.610
  30. Ezra Beaubier (Yam YZF-R6), Pirelli, 1:16.635
  31. Wojciech Kasperuk (Yam YZF-R6), 1:16.865
  32. Joseph Townsend (Yam YZF-R6), 1:17.008
  33. Semir Fazlic (Yam YZF-R6), 1:17.018
  34. Sam Martin (Yam YZF-R6), 1:17.473
  35. Brandie Cox (Suz GSX-R600), 1:17.616
  36. Lincoln Gottier (Yam YZF-R6), 1:17.665
  37. Nicolai Greco (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:17.731
  38. Robbie Nigl (MV Agusta F3 RR), 1:18.152
  39. Scott French (Yam YZF-R6), 1:18.535
  40. Houk Nichols (Suz GSX-R600), 1:18.882
  41. Josh Gallusser (Suz GSX-R), 1:18.963
  42. Mavrick Cyr, no lap time recorded
  43. Gabriel Da Silva, no lap time recorded
  44. Paul Duval (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded
  45. Jimmy Fassino, no lap time recorded
  46. Brian Fernald (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded
  47. Vicente Frontinan (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded
  48. Joel Laub (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded
  49. Michael Lee (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded
  50. Tyler Sweeney (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded
  51. Kyle Thompson (Yam YZF-R6), no lap time recorded

California Superbike School: Mid-Year Update

California Superbike School students in action at Barber Motorsports Park. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.
California Superbike School students in action at Barber Motorsports Park. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.

Here’s a mid-year update on all things Superbike School:

Upcoming Schools: Willow Springs this weekend, followed by Laguna Seca. Then Sonoma and The Ridge in Washington State. After that we go back east for our summer tour: Barber, Virginia, Pittsburgh, and New Jersey. Visit our schedule page or call the office. 800-530-3350. Come join us for the second half of the year.

 

California Superbike School students in action at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.
California Superbike School students in action at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.

 

Spring Tour: We just finished our spring tour, which went well. We had six days straight at Barber, which were a highlight. Kentucky, Virginia, and New Jersey were also fantastic.

New Fleet: We have factory-fresh BMW S 1000 RRs on their way in, with the first wave already here. They’re getting break-in miles right now before we convert to track trim.

 

A BMW S 1000 RR. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.
A BMW S 1000 RR. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.

Friends and Family Life Experiences: So many riders have been coming with friends and family members to share the Superbike School experience. We often hear statements like “my friend drug me out to the school, and I’m glad I came.”

Foreign Schools: Over the last two months we’ve run events in the Philippines, UK, and Australia. Foreign coaches have been visiting the USA to work with us. We recently hosted Dave from Australia and Martin from England. Mariusz from Poland will be with us next month.

Superbike School Graduates in Racing Last Weekend: Joe Roberts claimed a convincing win in the Moto2 class at the Mugello Circuit. Rocco Landers won the MotoAmerica Twins Cup class with a savage last-lap pass at Road America.

 

Joe Roberts (16). Photo courtesy California Superbike School.
Joe Roberts (16). Photo courtesy California Superbike School.

 

Rocco Landers. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.
Rocco Landers. Photo courtesy California Superbike School.

First Time Knee Draggers: We took pictures of some first time knee draggers. Of course smiling faces. For those who have never touched a knee we also have a paddock drill on a mini bike where most people get their knee down inside 5 minutes.

Comments About Our Sponsors:

BMW: No one can argue that the S 1000 RR is consistently at or near the top of all sportbikes worldwide. It’s the perfect tool for our school. Additionally, the management of BMW North America is run by industry veterans who are caring and easy to interface with.

Dunlop: Our oldest sponsor for 43 straight years. We all want confidence in our tires and Dunlop delivers every time.

Alpinestars: We use their gloves and boots, and some have called their Supertech boot, “the best in the world.” Their new air vests are a leap in safety for anyone using them.

KYT Helmets: This giant manufacturer has 14 factories worldwide and makes helmets for many other brands you would recognize, but recently branded their own helmets, which are top-tier in the sportbike segment.

AGV Sport: We’ve used their leathers for over 20 years. Most people are unaware they are consistently the most durable leathers anywhere.

Liqui Moly: Top-tier lubricants used in ALL Moto2 and Moto3 motors. We use that same oil in our fleet.

R&G Crash Protection: Their frame sliders protect from simple pit-area tip-overs to grinding low-sides. Cheap insurance and peace of mind.

DP Brake Pads: Besides a smooth “bite,” DP pads are very low dust, and last considerably longer than typical brands.

Armour Bodies: Very affordable track bodywork, with quality similar to brands costing three times as much.

Skratch Labs: Hydration mix that has saved hundreds of students from dehydration. Trusted by athletes worldwide, you can find it in most running and bicycle stores.

DID Chains: Our fleet puts up with thousands of track miles every year and the chain, being a consumable part, needs to be tough and reliable. We’ve seen chains fail over the last four decades, but never a DID chain.

Stomp Grip: Originally a snowboard product, we convinced them to start making their pads for motorcycle tanks. The rest is history. Virtually every track bike will have some sort of tank grip, and Stomp is the original.

Isle Of Man TT: Video Highlights From The Races So Far

Michael Dunlop launching his Supersport bike at the 2023 Isle of Man TT. Photo courtesy Isle of Man TT Press Office.
Michael Dunlop launching his Supersport bike at the 2023 Isle of Man TT. Photo courtesy Isle of Man TT Press Office.

Although Friday’s races have been postponed due to rain, here are some video highlights from the Isle of Man TT races so far.

 

1...554555556...7,720Page 555 of 7,720

Follow us

43,094FansLike
19,223FollowersFollow
16,430FollowersFollow
1,200SubscribersSubscribe

Menu

Information

© , Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AUTHOR LOGIN