Over the last several years, Suzuki has been utilizing the state of the art technology derived from MotoGP racing in the development of new motorcycles. The benefits now expand well beyond engine and chassis refinements to the development of a new high-performance motorcycle oil line: ECSTAR Suzuki Genuine Oil.

Kyle Wyman took the MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Championship point lead with a victory in Race One Saturday at Circuit of The Americas, in Austin, Texas. Riding his Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson Road Glide, Wyman won the six-lap race by 2.165 seconds.

Hayden Gillim, the point leader coming into the race, finished second on his Vance & Hines/Mission Foods Harley-Davidson, and Gillim’s teammate James Rispoli made it a Harley-Davidson sweep of the podium with third.

Progressive Insurance/Mission Foods Indian’s Tyler O’Hara, the defending Champion, and Jeremy McWilliams did not start the race.

O’Hara crashed his Indian when the chain broke during the Challenge dash-for-cash and a damaged radiator was discovered on the repaired machine just prior to the start of Race One. McWilliams, meanwhile, had just crashed in Super Hooligan Race One and was too beaten up to start King Of The Baggers Race One.

Over the last several years, Suzuki has been utilizing the state of the art technology derived from MotoGP racing in the development of new motorcycles. The benefits now expand well beyond engine and chassis refinements to the development of a new high-performance motorcycle oil line: ECSTAR Suzuki Genuine Oil.

Jake Gagne won MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Race One Saturday at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas, where it was 103 degrees F at race time. Riding his Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1, Gagne won the 12-lap race by 2.529 seconds. It was Gagne’s 10th win of the season.

Mexican racer Richie Escalante rode his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R flawlessly to second place and the first podium finish of his Superbike career.

JD Beach, racing in place of Gagne’s injured teammate Cameron Petersen, got third place and his first Superbike podium finish since 2019.

Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW’s PJ Jacobsen came home fourth, well clear of Westby Racing Yamaha’s Mathew Scholtz in fifth.

More, from a press release issued by MotoAmerica:

Gagne Wins Again With Escalante And Beach On The Podium At COTA

Jake Gagne Wins The 39th Superbike Race Of his Career While Richie Escalante And JD Beach Podium At Circuit Of The Americas

AUSTIN, TX (September 9, 2023) – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha’s Jake Gagne won his 10th MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike race of the year at Circuit of The Americas on Saturday, but he was just as happy for the two who joined him on the podium – podium first timer Richie Escalante and Gagne’s teammate JD Beach.

Gagne, who wrapped up his third MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship two weeks ago, won the 39th AMA Superbike race of his career on a steaming hot Saturday in Austin by 2.5 seconds over Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Escalante, the Mexican earning the first podium of his Medallia Superbike career after his near-picture-perfect race that was a popular result with the entire paddock.

Ditto for JD Beach’s third-place finish with the season-long flat tracker reaching the podium in his just his second race as the replacement rider for the injured Cameron Petersen. The podium was Beach’s first in the Superbike class since he finished second to Cameron Beaubier at New Jersey Motorsports Park in 2019.

Beach ended up just .172 of a second behind Escalante after hounding him in the closing laps and 4.38 seconds ahead of Tytlers Cycle Racing’s PJ Jacobsen.

Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz was fifth, 18 seconds behind Gagne and 8.4 seconds ahead of Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Corey Alexander, the New Yorker righting the ship after a tough couple of rounds.

Wrench Motorcycles’ Bobby Fong was just a few seconds adrift of Alexander in seventh with Aftercare Scheibe Racing’s Ashton Yates was eighth, matching his best finish of the year.

Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Stefano Mesa was ninth in his Superbike debut on Cameron Beaubier’s vacated BMW M 1000 RR with Thrashed Bike Racing’s Max Flinders rounding out the top 10.

Notable among the non-finishers were Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC’s Josh Herrin and Vision Wheel M4 Suzuki’s Brandon Paasch. Herrin battled with Gagne early, then slipped back into the grasp of Escalante and then Beach and Jacobsen. While running fifth, Herrin’s Ducati suffered a mechanical problem that took him out of the race.

Paasch, meanwhile, crashed out of the race uninjured in the early laps.

Superbike Race One

1. Jake Gagne (Yamaha)
2. Richie Escalante (Suzuki)
3. JD Beach (Yamaha)
4. PJ Jacobsen (BMW)
5. Mathew Scholtz (Yamaha)
6. Corey Alexander (BMW)
7. Bobby Fong (Yamaha)
8. Ashton Yates (BMW)
9. Stefano Mesa (BMW)
10. Max Flinders (Yamaha)

Quotes…
 
Jake Gagne – Winner

“We’ve talked about it enough, but it’s nice to not have to think about the championship. That’s priority number one of the year. That’s the primary goal. To get that done, it feels nice. We can just kind of go racing. Obviously, there’s been some bummer luck for some of those guys. I feel like I’ve been on the lucky end all year. But regardless, I’ll take it. It was a tough, hot race for sure. The first lap was kind of wild. Me and (Josh) Herrin went back and forth a little bit, which was fun. I think even just going into turn one, he was up the inside. I released the brake, he released the brake, and we just kind of played that game for a little while. It was a bummer. I think he had a bike issue. Just kind of put my head down. I saw on the big board that it was Richie (Escalante) and JD (Beach) up there second and third after a few laps or mid-race. Congrats to both these guys. They really earned it. I know Richie has been at this Superbike game for a while now. The guy is so talented. And JD, he’s okay. Congrats to JD. It’s a great day for the team and Richie. It’s just cool to get up here on the podium with these guys. Tomorrow I’m sure will be another burner. I know these guys want to get a win, both of them. Hopefully we can learn a little bit overnight and go out there and put on a show again tomorrow.”

Richie Escalante – Second Place

“I think my team, Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki is still working. It’s difficult. The level is super high. I need 37 races to finally finish on the podium, so one year and a half. Working really hard, training hard, and finally I know the tracks when it’s more flow, more like sector one here. Smooth for my style. So, I know Pittsburgh, the Ridge, Laguna Seca, here are good tracks for me to battle for the podium. Finally, I finished in P2. Really difficult weekend. Super-hot out there. In the beginning, I felt very strong. I lost a little bit of time to pass (Josh) Herrin. Then I just tried to concentrate on my pace. In the last laps, I can ride the bike just waiting for finish the race. It’s spinning everywhere, on the limit. Everybody is in the same way. Super happy. I think when you feel the podium, you want more. So, I hope to stay there tomorrow. I know it will be difficult, but I’ll try my best. I know my team will push hard tomorrow in the 15 minutes (the Sunday warm-up session) more to improve a little bit more the grip, but super happy. Finally, P2.”

JD Beach – Third Place

“It was a hot one. I’m so pumped. This team has worked so hard to help me, when they’ve got this guy (Gagne) going for the title, and even Cam P (Petersen). He’s been at the races and I’m riding his bike. He’s still trying to help and root me on. It’s been great to work with this team. They just work so damn hard. It feels so good to get this podium. I’m up here with the best guys in the US. To do that after five years, I can’t even put it into words. I think I’m just babbling right now. It’s so awesome. I hope I can do it again. It feels good to reassure myself that I can still do it. As a racer, there’s always self-doubt and these last few years I’ve had a lot. To come back out here two weeks on the bike and put it in third with it being 110 degrees out on a track that I think I was two seconds faster this weekend than when I was racing full-time before. So, it feels great.”

More, from a press release issued by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC:

TRIPLE PODIUM DAY FOR THE VISION WHEEL M4 ECSTAR SUZUKI
 

Escalante Captures his First Podium in Texas and the  GSX-R750s dominate the Supersport Class

BREA, CA, September 9, 2023 — Suzuki Motor USA and Team Hammer racked up three trophies across two MotoAmerica classes – including a first Superbike podium for Richie Escalante – in what proved to be a banner Saturday at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

Race Highlights:

• Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
  • Superbike
    • Richie Escalante earns second to claim his first Superbike podium.
    • Brandon Paasch crashed while fighting for sixth position.
  • Supersport
    • Tyler Scott increased his podium streak to seven with a runner-up finish.
    • Teagg Hobbs carded his third podium of his rookie season in third.
    • Torin Collins stuns with a fourth-place result in his Supersport debut.

After previously scoring nine fourth-place finishes in the premier class – including seven this season alone – Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante earned his first MotoAmerica Superbike podium with a runner-up result aboard his GSX-R1000R on Saturday. Escalante made his intentions clear with a front-row qualifying performance and then made good on that pace by running a close third in the race’s early stages. Escalante made a pass for a position on the third lap and subsequently held second for the remainder of the contest, overcoming the late-race pressure applied by a rival to cross the line with a breakthrough result.

“Finally, after a season-and-a-half, I finished on the podium,” Escalante said. “I’m thrilled. We are working so hard. My Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team has worked so hard with me and continued to believe in me. We’ve gotten a little bit better and more comfortable on the bike every weekend. Now I’m super happy, and I can’t wait until tomorrow. I’m going to go for another podium and try to win.”

Unfortunately, Escalante’s Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Superbike teammate, Brandon Paasch, fell while contending for sixth position. Unable to continue, the resultant DNF snapped a run of seven consecutive top tens for the talented rider since joining the squad midseason, despite suffering a broken back in March. Paasch will now look to start a new streak of solid results on Sunday.

Paasch said, “I didn’t have the best start and was pushing hard. I had a pretty easy low-side crash in Turn 8. We weren’t a million miles off, but I chose the wrong tire. I was losing grip and pushing to try to make up for it. I am okay and looking forward to another shot.”

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott continued his recent run of front-running form, scrapping for Supersport victory right up until a red flag ended the race three laps prematurely. Starting from pole, the up-and-coming ace was embroiled in a dogfight for first from the start aboard his next-generation Suzuki GSX-R750. After leading for a stretch mid-distance, Scott settled into second and was calculating his late-race strategy when the race was stopped and ultimately called complete. Nevertheless, Scott’s second-place result represented his seventh consecutive podium effort as Scott further solidified himself in second in the Supersport championship standings.

“It was an incredible battle,” Scott said. “It’s really hot out here this weekend, but we got the bike dialed in. I had a really good start, but wanted to follow for a little bit. I got in front for a while, but once another rider got by, I just wanted to follow again and stay really close. I made a few mistakes, but we’ll move on and be stronger for tomorrow. We’re going to make a few changes overnight, but I feel really great with the team and the bike.”

Teagg Hobbs made it two Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 machines in victory lane by reeling in a third podium of his rookie MotoAmerica Supersport campaign. Hobbs shook free of a thrilling multi-rider fight early to register a rather lonely ride to third. It was an impressive performance for Hobbs in his first-ever visit to the Circuit of the Americas.

Hobbs said, “It was a good race. Unfortunately, it was a little shorter than we expected. We have a little bit of work to do to catch the leaders, but I think we can do it. It’s a new track for me, so every session we’re making some strides. I have a few ideas about where I can make up some time. All we can do is go back, do our homework, and come out ready to race tomorrow. I’ve got to give it up to the whole Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team.”

FIM JuniorGP regular Torin Collins made an empathic MotoAmerica debut, completing a Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki 2-3-4 in what was both his first-ever race at the venue and his first-ever race aboard Supersport machinery. A quick study, Collins immediately adapted to the powerful GSX-R750 to outduel a pair of experienced veterans and secure fourth position. Now armed with MotoAmerica race experience, Collins aims to claim a podium in Sunday’s rematch.

“This was definitely a big step for me. I’m used to the Moto3 bike, which is 250cc and a lot lighter. This bike is a lot bigger and way more powerful, sliding around a lot on the gas. I’m not really used to that, but I’m learning quickly and that’s what is important. The series is amazing, and my first race was a difficult one. My launch wasn’t particularly good and the first few laps I was trying to be really aggressive. I had a good battle for fourth. We had a few love taps, which is good – that’s how I like it. I’m thrilled with the race, and I’m excited for tomorrow. I’m going to try to have a strong start, get the elbows out early, and try to fight for the podium.”

Team Hammer will compete again on Sunday at the Circuit of the Americas.

ABOUT TEAM HAMMER

The 2023 season marks Team Hammer’s 43rd consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 131 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 358 times, and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.

ABOUT VISION WHEEL

Founded in 1976, Vision Wheel is one of the nation’s leading providers of custom wheels for cars and trucks, and one of the first manufacturers of custom wheels and tires for ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Vision Wheel looks beyond the current trends and to the future in developing, manufacturing, and distributing its wheels. Vision’s lines of street, race, off-road, American Muscle, and Milanni wheels are distributed nationally and internationally through a trusted network of distributors. Vision Wheel also produces the Vision It AR app to allow users to see how their wheel of choice will look on their vehicle before purchase and installation. For more information on Vision Wheel, visit www.visionwheel.com.

ABOUT SUZUKI

Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automotive Parts, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.

More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:

Gagne’s Hot Streak Continues at Superbike Scorcher in Texas

Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne scores fourth consecutive MotoAmerica Superbike victory in Race 1 at COTA

MARIETTA, Ga. – September 9, 2023 – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne kept his win streak rolling with another masterclass performance in today’s MotoAmerica Superbike Race 1 at the Circuit of The Americas. Fill-in rider JD Beach fought back to third to give the team a double-podium finish in the punishing conditions in Austin, Texas.

After securing his third-consecutive MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at the previous round, Gagne’s hot streak continued at COTA. The Californian hit the ground running despite the triple-digit temperatures, leading every session, claiming another pole position, and setting a new track record. When the lights went out for Race 1, he got a great start and slotted into second. Gagne battled for the lead and was able to secure it on the opening lap. From there, he threw down some fast laps to remain unchallenged and earn his fourth-consecutive victory. It also marked Gagne’s 10th MotoAmerica Superbike victory this season and brings his career tally to 39.

Beach continued to make progress on the Attack Yamaha R1 in his second outing with the team as a fill-in rider for Cameron Petersen. The Kentucky rider, who has been racing full-time in the American Flat Track series since 2020, had a solid qualifying effort in fifth. He tried to grab the holeshot but ultimately was shuffled back to sixth. Undeterred, Beach put his head down and steadily made his way forward to third with three laps to go. He tried to advance to the runner-up spot but ultimately ran out of time and crossed the line third for his first MotoAmerica Superbike podium since 2019 at the New Jersey Motorsports Park.

The Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing team looks to keep the momentum rolling for tomorrow’s MotoAmerica Superbike Race 2 at the Circuit of The Americas.

Richard Stanboli – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager

“It was a great day for our riders and team. Everyone and everything functioned perfectly. Jake and our Yamaha R1s love the heat. Getting a first and third, as well as a new track record, showed the capability of both riders and the machine. We look forward to Race 2 tomorrow.”

Jake Gagne – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing

“It was a good little battle on the first lap, which was fun. Then I tried to put my head down on Lap 2 and managed to pull a little lead. It was very hot conditions, but the Yamaha handled it well, and it was awesome to see JD on the podium as well!”

JD Beach – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing

“Today’s race was a battle for me all the way through. I got a good start but messed up Turn 1 a bit and went backward. I kept charging all race long and slowly picked off the guys. It was brutal in the hot conditions, but I still felt solid at the end. I’m happy that I was able to put two Yamahas on the box and look forward to Race 2!”

2023 MotoAmerica Superbike COTA Results
http://www.motoamericaregistration.com/2016-results/

About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.

YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC) with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana)

Over the last several years, Suzuki has been utilizing the state of the art technology derived from MotoGP racing in the development of new motorcycles. The benefits now expand well beyond engine and chassis refinements to the development of a new high-performance motorcycle oil line: ECSTAR Suzuki Genuine Oil.

Xavi Fores won MotoAmerica Supersport Race One Saturday at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas. Riding his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V2, Fores won the red-flag-shortened race by 1.119 seconds, and with the win, the Spaniard clinched the 2023 Supersport Championship.

Pole-sitter Tyler Scott led some of the race but ended up finishing second on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750.

Scott’s teammate Teagg Hobbs broke free from the pack to score third.

Torin Collins, riding a third Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750, finished fourth in his debut Supersport race by just holding off Wrench Motorcycles Suzuki’s David Anthony (fifth) and Disrupt Racing Suzuki’s Jake Lewis (sixth).

More, from a press release issued by MotoAmerica:

Forés Wraps Up Supersport Championship At Circuit Of The Americas

Ducati-Mounted Spaniard Takes Title In His Rookie Season In MotoAmerica

AUSTIN, TX (September 9, 2023) – After Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC’s Xavi Forés started the season with a record-breaking eight wins in a row, which set a new record in the Supersport class, the Spaniard’s victory tally suddenly came to a halt at Brainerd where he finished both races off the podium. And then, at Pittsburgh, he finished second in both races. Well, on Saturday at COTA, Forés returned to his winning ways with a championship-clinching victory.

Starting from the middle of the front row, Forés got a good jump off the line and led the first two laps of the race. Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott, who earned the pole position, overtook Forés on lap three, but then Forés was able to get past Scott two laps later, and he held on to the lead for the remainder of the race. Forés took the checkered flag by a little more than a second over Scott, and Scott’s teammate Teagg Hobbs completed the podium in third.

“When I accepted this challenge, I was expecting to fight for victories, but I was not expecting to fight for winning the title, winning eight races in a row and then win again,” Forés said. “It was a very nice season for me because at the end of the last year I was considering with my wife to retire, because I was not enjoying racing. I was doing Moto-e, something that I didn’t want to do. But then when I contact Ducati again and the team, they offered me the Supersport and I said, why not? I want to enjoy riding the bikes again. So, it was nice. It was a little bit disappointing at Daytona. The first race was a bit of a mess there. The bike wasn’t running well. I did only three laps. I was a little bit confused when I came back home. Since Road Atlanta, I felt so good on the bike. We worked really hard on the bike. Most of my job was at home watching the last year’s races to learn the layouts. Today we are here. We won the title. I have to say that the last races were really tough. He was pushing me to the limit all the time. In Pittsburgh had no more. He was putting meters away on me. I was expecting to win the title there. That hurt. You always want to win, and that time he was stronger than me. Today, I let him (Scott) pass. I let him lead the race to try to understand his pace. After three laps I decided to pull my pace out. I thought I was going to put more gap, but he’s a dog. He’s always there. He pushes really hard. He’s a smooth rider. I think this year the championship and also the series did a big improvement in several aspects. I would like to see him in the World Championship because he is a top contender, for sure. Now it’s time to enjoy my title with the time and move forward for tomorrow. There is another race, hot race. Let’s try to win again. Back home, because I have 24 hours (the Bol d’Or 24 Hour next weekend) so it’s going to be a busy month for me.”

Steel Commander Stock 1000 – Gillim Takes Over

It’s the final round for the Steel Commander Stock 1000 Championship this weekend at Circuit of The Americas, and Saturday’s race gave a little bit clearer picture of who might win the title. But it’s not quite decided yet.

Before the race even started, championship leader Ezra Beaubier was unfortunately scratched from the grid due to illness. Polesitter Hayden Gillim had one less contender to deal with, and he made the most of it. The Kentuckian led the race from start to finish aboard his Disrupt Racing Suzuki and won with a gap of more than eight seconds back to Travis Wyman whose runner-up result was the fifth podium finish of the season for the Travis Wyman Racing BMW rider. Third place went to Beaubier’s Orange Cat Racing BMW teammate Kaleb De Keyrel, which was his sixth podium result in 2023.

Gillim currently leads the championship by 13 points over De Keyrel, 17 points over Beaubier, and 24 points over Wyman. So, it all comes down to Sunday’s race two, the final race of the season to decide it all for the liter-bike riders.

“It sucks whenever one of the guys that has been up front all year and the guy that we’ve all been chasing isn’t here to defend his points lead and everything.” Gillim said. “We’re all feeling pretty rough this weekend with the heat and everything, so hopefully he gets better and is able to be out here tomorrow with us. It sucks, but honestly, it’s so tight at the front that it wasn’t just Ezra (Beaubier) that we had to think about. Kaleb (De Keyrel) was four points behind me coming into this race. Travis was 15 points behind me. So, really for me, my whole goal this weekend was just to win. That’s the only way I know. I’m from Kentucky, so I don’t do math too good, so I just figured if I’m in front of everybody I don’t have to worry about it. It’s been a good weekend. This morning, like Travis (Wyman) said, we found a little bit. I was able to follow Diego Perez one lap this morning and it helped me quite a bit because he was faster in a couple spots that I thought I was going pretty good in. I learned a little bit from him and was able to use that and get my lap times down into the time range that I needed to have a chance to fight with Travis. So, it’s good. I did what I needed to do today. We’ve got a lot of racing left this weekend still. Just focusing on staying healthy, staying hydrated, staying cool and just having a good weekend.”

Mission Super Hooligan National Championship – O’Hara Crowned

Tyler O’Hara was crowned as the champion of the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship on Saturday at COTA, but not before a last-lap bash-fest in the final corner that left his teammate and championship rival Jeremy McWiliams on the ground and out of the race.

Championship over.

O’Hara won four races en route to the title and the last one was the most intense with him and McWilliams going back and forth all the way to the final corner on the last lap. With the two banging into each other repeatedly on the entrance and apex of the final corner, McWilliams spun his Indian FTR 1200 up and was highsided. The Ulsterman was fortunate to not suffer serious injury but is likely to miss tomorrow’s race and O’Hara had his second straight championship in the class.

History was made on Saturday when Stefano Mesa rode the electric Energica Eva Ribelle RS to second place, giving the company its first podium finish. Mesa ended up nine seconds behind O’Hara and a second clear of DiBrino Racing KTM’s Andy DiBrino, who earned his fifth podium finish of the season.

Zone 9 Racing/EDR Performance’s AJ Peaslee and Vigilante Racing’s Nate Kern rounded out the top five.

“It started in 17/18,” O’Hara said of the last lap. “Well, it started in 16, and he protected and then I rolled it to get a good exit. Then I was on the outside of 16/17 and he kept going wider and wider and wider. I about had my shoulder on his tire. Then it was just a battle into 19. We both stopped. Then basically going down the straightaway we were rubbing, and rubbing is racing. Then he parked it in the corner and then we both go for it. I think he just lit the tire up and then highsided, otherwise he would have had me. Honestly, I was expecting it to come down to tomorrow. I’m glad that he’s okay. He’s a true competitor. He’s the salt of the earth, as he would say. He’s lovely. I’m so glad that he’s my teammate. He has made me a better rider this year. He has made the whole team better.”

Mission King Of The Baggers – Kyle Wyman On Top

H-D Screamin’ Eagle’s Kyle Wyman was the fastest of the of the King Of The Baggers field when it counted most: in the race.

Wyman, who came into the Circuit of The Americas round trailing Vance & Hines/Mission/Harley-Davidson’s Hayden Gillim by three points, took his sixth win of the season while leading a Harley-Davidson takeover of the podium spots and he emerged from Saturday’s scrum with a two-point lead over Gillim after topping the Kentuckian by 2.1 seconds.

Gillim’s teammate James Rispoli finished third, another two seconds behind but some 11 seconds clear of Kyle Wyman’s brother and teammate, Travis Wyman. Roland Sands Design/Indian Motorcycle’s Kyle Ohnsorg rounded out the top five and was the first of the Indian Challenger riders.

Indian Motorcycle/Progressive/Mission Foods’ Tyler O’Hara and Jeremy McWiliams failed to start the race. O’Hara’s bike, which he crashed earlier in the day when the chain broke, didn’t run right on the sighting lap while McWiliams was bruised and beaten from his highside crash in the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship race.

Sac Mile/SDI Racing/Roland Sands/Indian’s Bobby Fong was on the move in the race and gaining ground on Rispoli when he crashed out with a lap to go. Fong had earlier shown the speed to be a potential winner when he won the winner-take-all Mission Challenge earlier in the day.

“I was only worried about him if he (Fong) beat me to turn one,” Wyman said. “I felt like we had pace. I don’t know what happened to him during the race. I don’t know how things shook out. I knew that if I could get in front that I could make guys work for it, for sure. That Challenge was a disappointment because we didn’t win, but I learned a lot in that about getting off the line and what to do if I am in that situation during the points-paying race. So, it’s still good knowledge to bank for tomorrow. I got the start I needed. Got a good, clean first lap. I think I saw .3 to Hayden (Gillim) on the first lap and tried to just push as hard as I could without decking the thing out or doing something silly. We had a good balance there and were able to stretch it out a little bit and just chip away at it, one lap at a time. Really happy with how I rode. I don’t think I really made a mistake that race. Everything was pretty clean. I’m really happy about that. Two-point lead, three points back. Doesn’t feel any different. It’s tight no matter what. Anything can happen. We’ve got three more left. Try to do something with the bike to prove a couple things tomorrow in the morning warmup but, overall, we’re pretty happy.”

More, from a press release issued by Ducati:

2023 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship Round 8 –Xavi Forés Clinches The 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport title for Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC

Austin, Texas – MotoAmerica’s very own Spanish Bull, Xavi Forés, has sealed a historic win in the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship on his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Panigale V2, and what’s more, he’s done it as a rookie.

Forés battled wheel-to-wheel with Suzuki’s Tyler Scott in the sweltering heat at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, TX, coming out on top to take a 1.1 second victory and seal the title with three races remaining in the series.

Forés’ debut MotoAmerica Supersport season has been nothing short of exceptional. The Valencian, who can count experience in every major international road racing championship, has taken nine races win at the time of writing, setting a new record for the most race wins in a season for the category.

Forés will now set his sights on the remaining rounds of the series, including bringing home the Texan double victory tomorrow (September 10) with his young family in attendance to share the spoils.

Xavi Forés (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC– #12)

“It’s such a super feeling, what a great day,” an ecstatic Forés said after race one in Texas. “To be honest, it’s one of the nicest titles I’ve won in my career because over the last two or three years, I was not enjoying racing.

“However, when I came to America, to this bike and team, I said to myself, “let’s try to win another title.” Most of the titles I’ve won have been with the Ducati Panigale V2 in the Spanish, European and German championships, and now here. I think maybe I am the most successful rider for the Panigale V2!

“I really enjoyed the racing today with Tyler (Scott). He’s been very strong in the last few races so to grab the title in the first race today is perfect. Tomorrow, I can enjoy the racing with less stress, less pressure, and try to win my 10th race this season.

“Thanks to everyone in my Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC team for all the work they have done this year and to Ducati for counting on me to win this title.”

Forés will take to the track on Sunday, September 10 at 8:55 am CDT for morning Warm-Up, with race two scheduled for 2:10 pm CDT.

Over the last several years, Suzuki has been utilizing the state of the art technology derived from MotoGP racing in the development of new motorcycles. The benefits now expand well beyond engine and chassis refinements to the development of a new high-performance motorcycle oil line: ECSTAR Suzuki Genuine Oil.

Tyler O’Hara won MotoAmerica Mission Super Hooligan Race One Saturday at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas. O’Hara survived a race-long fight with his Progressive Insurance/Mission Foods Indian teammate Jeremy McWilliams that went down to the final corner. There, a final pass attempt by McWilliams ended with him crashing without serious injury.

McWilliams’ crash and DNF combined with O’Hara’s fourth win of the season clinched a second straight Championship in the class for O’Hara.

Stefano Mesa finished second on his Energica Eva Ribelle RS electric motorcycle, giving the Italian manufacturer its first podium finish in the class.

Andy Di Brino claimed third on his DiBrino Racing KTM 890 Duke R.

More, from a press release issued by Energica:

We got ourselves a podium against ICE motorcycles in MotoAmerica. Period.

Sometimes it is hard to write a press release. As part of an amazing new project, the emotions may get in the way of rational thinking. Long story short, Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Stefano Mesa rode the Energica Eva Ribelle RS (equipped with the Kit Corsa Clienti) to the second place of the podium in a series almost exclusively made of ICE motorcycles. Can you believe it? We are still trying to come to terms with it – but yes, it happened.

The Circuit of The Americas, also known as CoTA, is a long track, 3.426 miles, even longer than Daytona, with 20 corners. And it was hot there, very hot: 39°C in the air (102°F) and a lot more on the asphalt. What on paper could technically hold an electric motorcycle back, did not: Stefano got off to an amazing start into second and then third place, and then held his own until a red flag forced him back to the pits; he did even better as soon as the action resumed, staying in podium contention and making the most of the incredible opportunity.