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MotoGP: Fabio’s Secret: The Double-Velcro Zipper Trap

David Swarts
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MotoGP: Fabio’s Secret: The Double-Velcro Zipper Trap

MotoGP fans saw the extraordinary spectacle of Yamaha factory rider and World Champion Fabio Quartararo riding with his Alpinestars leathers open at the 2021 Catalunya Grand Prix. Even more astounding, Quartararo reached into his suit, grabbed and discarded his chest protector during the final few laps of the race. Riding without the body armor and with his leathers unfastened earned him a three-second penalty which dropped him from third to fourth in the final results.

While speculation abounded about what had gone wrong, a post-race investigation by Alpinestars found Quartararo’s suit intact with the zippers fully functional. Apparently, Quartararo did not zip his suit fully at the beginning of the race, with the zipper’s pull tab exposed to the wind and not hidden beneath the Velcro flap designed to cover it. Quartararo does not want that to happen again.

One of the racer’s leather suits from later in 2021 was on display at the Alpinestars introduction of its new Racing Absolute V2 leathers at Sonoma Raceway. A careful examination of Quartararo’s suit revealed that the racer now uses a double-flap system to ensure that the zipper pull stays put.

The first flap has a V-shaped notch in it. The zipper tab is pulled all the way up, the first flap is closed, and the tab sits in the notch. A second flap then is closed over the first, capturing the tab between a protective leather covering and the middle flap.

It may be extreme over-engineering. But think about how much money in terms of bonuses from Yamaha and his personal sponsors that it cost Quarataro when he was demoted from the podium, and all of a sudden it doesn’t seem so extreme…

 

The middle flap on MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo's zipper pull retention system closes underneath the tab once it is fully zipped, and then the tab sits in a V-shaped notch. Photo by Michael Gougis.
The middle flap on MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo’s zipper pull retention system closes underneath the tab once it is fully zipped, and then the tab sits in a V-shaped notch. Photo by Michael Gougis.

 

The middle flap then folds over the pull, locking it into the up position. Photo by Michael Gougis.
The middle flap then folds over the pull, locking it into the up position. Photo by Michael Gougis.

 

A final outer flap captures the zipper pull securely, protecting it from failure during a crash. Photo by Michael Gougis.
A final outer flap captures the zipper pull securely, protecting it from failure during a crash. Photo by Michael Gougis.

Video: Garrett Gerloff “Good Pace, Sh*t Race – Autodrom Most”

David Swarts
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0
Video: Garrett Gerloff “Good Pace, Sh*t Race – Autodrom Most”
AUTODROM MOST

 

It is what it is… There are silver linings though! We have pace, just low on luck. We’ll keep grinding.

Thanks for watching, let me know what your favorite part of the video was and let me know when I’ll see you at one of the races! Much love 🫶🏽

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Shot & edited by Brad Schwartzrock (@bradschwartzrock)

#GG31 #WorldSBK #BMWM1000RR

 

MotoAmerica: How To Watch All The Action From PittRace

David Swarts
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MotoAmerica: How To Watch All The Action From PittRace

MotoAmerica: How To Watch MotoAmerica Superbikes at Pittsburgh

It’s All Here: How To Not Miss A Bit Of The Action

Everything you need to know to watch the MotoAmerica Superbikes in Pittsburgh.

 

MotoAmerica: Scholtz Ready To “Dig Deep” At PittRace

David Swarts
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MotoAmerica: Scholtz Ready To “Dig Deep” At PittRace

It’s Podium Time At PitRace For Mathew Scholtz This Weekend

Tulsa, OK – Round seven of the 2023 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship is this weekend, and Mathew Scholtz and the Westby Racing team will be competing at Pittsburgh International Race Complex (PittRace), a circuit where they’ve had a lot of success over the past six years.

Out of the 12 races Mathew has competed in at PittRace, he’s finished on the podium in six races, and been runner-up in four of those six podiums. What’s more, after finishing sixth in his very first visit to PittRace back in 2017, he’s recorded top-five results in the 11 other Superbike races he’s competed in at PittRace, and he has an average finishing position of 3.6 at PittRace for his career.

The only Superbike podium position Mathew hasn’t captured at PittRace yet is race winner, and that’s, of course, his and his team’s goal this weekend, as always. They’ve got three opportunities to get that win, too, since there will be three Superbike races this weekend.

“We’ve put Brainerd in the rearview mirror, and we’re excited to be at PittRace this weekend,” Mathew said. “It’s always been a really good track for us, and we’ve had a lot of success there. Also, having three races there this weekend is a bonus. Race wins are our goal because that’s what Tryg, this team, and our fans deserve. We’re ready to dig deep and make this a weekend to remember.”

Superbike final qualifying is on Saturday morning at 9:50 ET, Superbike race one will go green on Saturday afternoon at 3 ET, Superbike race two is on Sunday morning at Noon ET, and the weekend-concluding Superbike race three will start at 3 ET. All three races will be shown live on MotoAmerica’s YouTube Channel.

For all the action from Pitt Race, as it happens, subscribe to MotoAmerica Live+, which is MotoAmerica’s live streaming and on-demand service.

Meet Mathew, Get An Autographed Poster, And More

Mathew will be available for autographs during the Dunlop Hot Pit Walk & Autograph Session, scheduled for 11 to 11:40 a.m. Sunday on pit lane at Pitt Race. He and the team will be handing out free posters and T-shirts, so don’t miss it.

Check Out The Westby Racing Sponsor Showcase

Eazi-Grip Racing Products Ltd. and MWR Racing Air Filters are the featured team sponsors on display in the Westby Racing paddock area this race weekend, so be sure to stop by to say hello and learn about some of the companies that support the team.

For more updates about Westby Racing, including news, photos, and videos, visit www.WestbyRacing.com

Also, follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites.

Roadracing World Action Fund Donor Profile: Leslie Stretch

David Swarts
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Roadracing World Action Fund Donor Profile: Leslie Stretch

“Racing Motorcycles Is Rock n’ Roll…”

By Michael Gougis

Leslie Stretch is the now-retired former CEO of Medallia (which sponsors the MotoAmerica Superbike series), who describes himself as “a huge motorcycle nut.” He’s putting his money where his mouth is, so to speak, to make the sport of racing motorcycles safer. He’s investing heavily in supporting the non-profit Roadracing World Action Fund (RWAF) and its mission of putting soft barriers made by Airfence and Alpina between racers and hard objects at tracks across North America.

“Motorcycles have been bigger for me than cars,” Stretch says. “These are hugely courageous warriors, and the skill involved in what they do is off the chart. It’s different than racing a four-wheel vehicle.

“I think the key to the sport’s success is keeping these guys safe as they entertain us. I think the Airfence initiative was very important. I think they need every sponsor and every fan to be invested in the sport. That’s how I got involved.”

Stretch started helping increase the safety of the riders a couple of years back, and has participated in all three “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” fundraisers headed by three-time 500cc World Champion (and MotoAmerica President) Wayne Rainey, held preceding the 2021, 2022, and 2023 MotoAmerica rounds at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Stretch tops the individual donor contribution list from the three rides with a total of $175,000 in donations to the Roadracing World Action Fund. That’s almost enough to cover half of RWAF’s latest two orders totaling an additional 36 Alpina soft barriers for use at MotoAmerica events. The new sections are linked to air pumps powered by Honda generators, forming a system which automatically maintains the ideal internal pressure for maximum energy absorption.

Safety, Stretch says, is critical to expanding the attraction of racing beyond the existing dedicated fans. “It’s key to broadening the appeal and increasing the audience, both at the track and digitally. It’s critical for people to know every possible effort has been made to keep the riders safe. It changes the engagement of the fans, especially the casual fans–people don’t want to see the consequences of crashes,” he says.

“Motorcycling and racing motorcycles is rock n’ roll. That is what is exciting about it. It’s good for the brand, it’s good for racing, and we’re on the verge of a renaissance beyond the hard-core fan base.”

Nowadays, Stretch can be most often found on his Ducati Multistrada or his Triumph Rocket 3, which he loves. “I’ve ridden it around Laguna Seca; (it’s) way, way better than you’d expect,” he adds.

Stretch’s two-wheel journey started when he was 15, the son of a single mom, in a family where affording a car was out of the question. “I got a Vespa, a moped. It cost me 15 pounds. And then my first Honda, a 125 four-speed, was my first proper motorcycle.”

Stretch was hooked, and his next bike was exactly what he wanted–the oh-so-desirable Honda CB400F, a high-revving four-cylinder with a chromed 4-1 exhaust that to this day is an icon of mechanical art. “That was my dream ride of the day,” he says. “I remember riding it and I just felt–free.”

To make a tax-deductible donation to the Roadracing World Action Fund, go here.

CRA: Farris Over Prince In Gold Cup Race At Buttonwillow Raceway Park

David Swarts
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CRA: Farris Over Prince In Gold Cup Race At Buttonwillow Raceway Park

Wyatt Farris eased to a clear win over Bryce Prince in the headlining CTML Consultants Gold Cup race at the two-day California Racing Association (CRA) event August 12-13 at Buttonwillow Raceway Park.

On a typically hot August day in Central California, with the temperature soaring into triple digits, Farris took his BMW M 1000 RR to a 5.635-second win over Prince on his Yamaha YZF-R1 after 12 laps on the demanding 3.0-mile circuit.

Prince had the consolation of setting the race’s fastest lap, a 1:44.756 to Farris’ 1:44.896, and was nearly 17 seconds ahead of Deion Campbell on his Yamaha YZF-R6. Ben Hodges, Jason Rodriguez and Nayden Balladares completed the top six.

Prince also won the 1000 Supersport Expert Presented By Better Call Sy race on Sunday.

Sahar Zvik was the class of the middleweight field, taking four wins on his Kawasaki ZX-6R.

For more information on CRA visit their website at www.race-cra.com. Get licensed and let’s go racing. #areyoucra #racecra #iamcra

CRA would like to thank their sponsors for their support: CTML Consultants, Better Call Sy, Empowered Transportation, Feel Like a Pro, Track Daz, Let’s Ride Track Days, Rocket Cams, Inc., 61DTC, Blood x Sweat x Tears Vodka, Racer’s Edge Performance, Pirelli, VnM Sport, Dunlop,  Carter’s @ The Track, Fun Track Dayz, Eyes Up Motorsports, Motorsport Exotica, Kern County Powersports, Lieto Factory, Eyes Up Motorsports, RS Speedshop, Catalyst Reaction Tuning, KYT Helmets, Capit Americas, The Heights Bar & Grill (Upland, CA), Maria Cid – Farmer’s Insurance, Cinepixel Productions, New Century Motorcycles, Moto4Life, Pacific Utility, Twilio, Boxo USA, Mithos USA, Suspension Matters, Road Race City, Bridgestone, Ryder Gear

 

RESULTS

SATURDAY:

600GT:

  1. Sahar Zvik (Kaw ZX-6R)
  2. Orel Madar (Kaw ZX-6R)
  3. Jeremy Taubman (Yam YZF-R6)
  4. Conner Brown (Yam YZF-R6)

 

1000GT:

  1. Nayden Balladares (Kaw ZX-10RR)
  2. Matt Testa (Yam YZF-R1)
  3. Jesus Andrade-Gomez (Yam YZF-R1)
  4. Anibal Ivan Arias (BMW M 1000 RR
  5. Garrett Hazelton (BMW S 1000 RR)

 

TWINS GT:

  1. Justin Bordonaro (Apr RS 660)
  2. Savannah Jaska (Apr RS 660)
  3. Santiago Avila (Yam YZF-R7)
  4. Ed Guzman (Apr RS 660)

 

FEEL LIKE A PRO 400 GT:

  1. Alex George (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  2. Cyril Brun (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  3. Joshua Ly (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  4. Aliki Karayan (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  5. Andrew Krall (Yam YZF-R3)
  6. Shaughn Reid (Kaw Ninja 400R)

 

ROCKET CAMS OUTLAW V-TWINS GT:

  1. Michael Subish (Indian FTR)
  2. David Lancaster (H-D)

 

RUFFIANS GT:

  1. Chris Joffrion (KTM 890)
  2. Frank Sindermann (KTM 890)

 

LADIES OF CRA – PRESENTED BY LET’S RIDE TRACK DAYS:

  1. Bridgette LeBer (Yam YZF-R6)
  2. Savannah Jaska (Apr RS 660)
  3. Bogna Davis (Yam YZF-R6)
  4. Aliki Karayan (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  5. Erinn Merlo (Kaw Ninja 400R)

 

BST FORMULA 40 HEAVYWEIGHT:

  1. Ryan Abler (Yam YZF-R1)
  2. Fabrice Vilder (Yam YZF-R1)
  3. Terry Heard (BMW S 1000 RR)
  4. Armando Castillo (Apr RSV4)
  5. James Gaver (Yam YZF-R1)
  6. Garrett Hazelton (BMW)

 

BST FORMULA 40 LIGHTWEIGHT:

  1. Santiago Avila (Yam YZF-R7)
  2. Cliff Cogleitti (Suz SV650)
  3. Norm Harris (Apr RS 660)
  4. Ed Guzman (Apr RS 660)
  5. M. Sai Deep (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  6. Shaughn Reid (Kaw Ninja 400R)

 

BST FORMULA 40 MIDDLEWEIGHT:

  1. Mookie Wilkerson (Yam YZF-R6)
  2. Jeremy Taubman (Yam YZF-R6)
  3. Oscar Fernandez (Yam YZF-R6)
  4. Mitchell Hall (Yam YZF-R6)

 

1000 SUPERSPORT AMATEUR:

  1. Jesus Andrade-Gomez (Yam YZF-R1)
  2. Anthony Huizer (Suz GSX-R1000)
  3. James Gaver (Yam YZF-R1)
  4. Garrett Hazelton (BMW)
  5. Jonathan Lawson (Yam YZF-R1)
  6. Kevin Hosseini (Yam YZF-R6)

 

1000 SUPERSPORT EXPERT:

  1. Deion Campbell (Yam YZF-R6)
  2. Jason Rodriguez (Yam YZF-R1)
  3. Nayden Balladares (Kaw ZX-10RR)
  4. Anibal Ivan Arias (BMW M 1000 RR)
  5. Armando Castillo (Apr RSV4)

 

AMERICAN IRON:

  1. Michael Subish Jr. (Indian FTR)
  2. David Lancaster (H-D)

 

MODERN VINTAGE:

  1. Jeremy Taubman (Yam YZF-R6)
  2. Conner Brown (Yam YZF-R6)
  3. Blake Gentry (Suz GSX-R600)
  4. John James (Kaw ZX-10R)
  5. Wayne Gann (Suz GSX-R1000)
  6. Jamaal Medford (Kaw ZX-10R)

 

RUFFIANS LIGHTWEIGHT:

  1. Chris Joffrion (KTM 890)

 

600 SUPERSPORT AMATEUR:

  1. Blake Gentry (Suz GSX-R600)
  2. Joshua Wieland

 

600 SUPERSPORT EXPERT:

  1. Sahar Zvik (Kaw ZX-6R)
  2. Mookie Wilkerson (Yam YZF-R6)
  3. Oscar Fernandez (Yam YZF-R6)
  4. Mitchell Hall (Yam YZF-R6)
  5. Bridgette LeBer (Yam YZF-R6)

 

RS SPEED SHOP TWINS GRAND PRIX:

  1. Justin Bordonaro (Apr RS 660)
  2. Billy Dalu (Yam YZF-R7)
  3. Savannah Jaska (Apr RS 660)
  4. Santiago Avila (Yam YZF-R7)
  5. Norm Harris (Apr RS 660)
  6. Ed Guzman (Apr RS 660)

 

SUNDAY

CTML CONSULTANTS GOLD CUP:

  1. Wyatt Farris (BMW M 1000 RR)
  2. Bryce Prince (Yam YZF-R1)
  3. Deion Campbell (Yam YZF-R6)
  4. Ben Hodges (Yam YZF-R1)
  5. Jason Rodriguez (Yam YZF-R1)
  6. Nayden Balladares (Kaw ZX-10RR)

 

1000 SUPERBIKE AMATEUR BY BETTER CALL SY:

  1. Anthony Huizer (Suz GSX-R1000)
  2. Jonathan Lawson (Yam YZF-R1)
  3. James Gaver (Yam YZF-R1)
  4. Aleks Palacios (Yam YZF-R1)
  5. Garrett Hazelton (BMW)
  6. Dikran Sarkis (Ducati Panigale)

 

600 SUPERBIKE AMATEUR PRESENTED BY MOTORSPORT EXOTICA:

  1. Blake Gentry (Suz GSX-R600)
  2. Mujahid Umar (Kaw ZX-6R)
  3. Joshua Wieland (Yam YZF-R6)

 

FEEL LIKE A PRO AMATEUR 400 SUPERBIKE:

  1. Ashten Bush (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  2. Herbert Carlos (Yam YZF-R3)
  3. Charley Hatfield (Kaw Ninja 400R)

 

FEEL LIKE A PRO EXPERT 400 SUPERBIKE:

  1. Alex George (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  2. Cyril Brun (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  3. Chris Joffrion (KTM 450)
  4. Aliki Karayan (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  5. Andrew Krall (Yam YZF-R3)
  6. Shaughn Reid (Kaw Ninja 400R)

 

EYES UP MOTORSPORTS BATTLE OF THE TWINS:

  1. Justin Bordonaro (Apr RS 660)
  2. Billy Dalu (Yam YZF-R7)
  3. Savannah Jaska (Apr RS 660)
  4. Santiago Avila (Yam YZF-R7)

 

1000 SUPERSPORT EXPERT PRESENTED BY BETTER CALL SY:

  1. Bryce Prince (Yam YZF-R1)
  2. Deion Campbell (Yam YZF-R6)
  3. Jason Rodriguez (Yam YZF-R1)
  4. Nayden Balladares (Kaw ZX-10RR)
  5. Anibal Ivan Arias (BMW M 1000 RR)
  6. Fabrice Vilder (Yam YZF-R1)

 

FUN TRACK DAYZ 600 SUPERSPORT EXPERT:

  1. Sahar Zvik (Kaw ZX-6R)
  2. Jeremy Taubman (Yam YZF-R6)
  3. Oscar Fernandez (Yam YZF-R6)
  4. Mitchell Hall (Yam YZF-R6)
  5. Chris Joffrion (KTM 890)
  6. Bridgette LeBer (Yam YZF-R6)

 

AMERICAN IRON BY EMPOWERED TRANSPORTATION:

  1. David Lancaster (H-D)

 

MODERN VINTAGE:

  1. Jeremy Taubman (Yam YZF-R6)
  2. Blake Gentry (Suz GSX-R600)
  3. John James (Kaw ZX-10R)
  4. Wayne Gann (Suz GSX-R1000)

 

BETTER CALL SY RUFFIANS HEAVYWEIGHT:

  1. Frank Sindermann (KTM 1290)

 

RUFFIANS LIGHTWEIGHT:

  1. Chris Joffrion (KTM 890)
  2. Ashten Bush (Kaw Ninja 400R)

 

FEEL LIKE A PRO AMATEUR 400 SUPERSPORT:

  1. Herbert Carlos (Yam YZF-R3)
  2. Ashten Bush (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  3. Charley Hatfield (Kaw Ninja 400R)

 

FEEL LIKE A PRO EXPERT 400 SUPERSPORT:

  1. Alex George (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  2. Cyril Brun (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  3. Andrew Krall (Yam YZF-R3)
  4. Aliki Karayan (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  5. Shaughn Reid (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  6. Erinn Merlo (Kaw Ninja 400R)

 

TRACK DAZ EXPERT 1000 SUPERBIKE:

  1. Nayden Balladares (Kaw ZX-10RR)
  2. Matt Testa (Yam YZF-R1)
  3. Ryan Abler (Yam YZF-R1)
  4. Jayce Sterling
  5. Byron Garay

 

CARTERS@THETRACK EXPERT 600 SUPERBIKE:

  1. Sahar Zvik (Kaw ZX-6R)
  2. Orel Madar (Kaw ZX-6R)
  3. Mitchell Hall (Yam YZF-R6)
  4. Bridgette LeBer (Yam YZF-R6)

 

LIETO FACTORY 1000 AMATEUR SUPERSPORT:

  1. Anthony Huizer (Suz GSX-R1000)
  2. Aleks Palacios (Yam YZF-R1)
  3. Jonathan Lawson (Yam YZF-R1)
  4. Garrett Hazelton (BMW)
  5. Steve “Wheels” Bucaro (Duc 1098)

 

AMATEUR 600 SUPERSPORT:

  1. Mujahid Umar (Kaw ZX-6R)
  2. Blake Gentry (Suz GSX-R600)

 

FORMULA 40 HEAVYWEIGHT PRESENTED BY BLOOD SWEAT TEARS VODKA:

  1. Terry Heard (BMW S 1000 RR)
  2. Ryan Abler (Apr RSV4)
  3. Armando Castillo (Yam YZF-R1)
  4. Jayce Sterling
  5. Garrett Hazelton (BMW)
  6. Byron Garay (Apr RSV4)

 

F40 LIGHTWEIGHT PRESENTED BY BLOOD SWEAT TEARS VODKA:

  1. Cliff Cogleitti (Suz SV650)
  2. Santiago Avila (Yam YZF-R7)
  3. Shaughn Reid (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  4. Erinn Merlo (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  5. Antlee Terry (Yam YZF-R3)

UtahSBA: Norton Makes It Three Straight Wins

David Swarts
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0
UtahSBA: Norton Makes It Three Straight Wins

Round three of Utah Motorcycle Law Master’s of the Mountain race series, held August 12 at Utah Motorsports Campus West track configuration, kicked off in unusual fashion with a track walk hosted by series points leader Anthony Norton on Friday evening after the Apex track day. During the track walk Norton walked a crowd of interested racers through the correct line selection in preparation for the next day’s racing.

Race day on Saturday began much more conventionally with qualifying for the premier race, Moto United/Moto Station King of the Mountains race, leading the day. Norton has been in a quest all year to join the rarefied company of motorcycle racers posting a lap time under 1:30. Norton missed his goal by just 0.2 second when he handed in a lap time of 1:30.2 in the very first qualifying session. Norton was unable to best his own time in the second qualifying session and settled for pole position as a consolation prize. Qualifying positions second through fifth were much more hotly contested with just 0.5 second separating contestants Tyler Bengford, Genaro Lopez, Bill Davis, and defending number one plate holder Dave Meyer.

Come race time positions one through three, Norton, Bengford, and Lopez, all got off to great starts and maintained their qualifying positions through the first turn. Further back in the field, Gil Gonzalez got an incredible start and launched in fourth position going into Turn One before dropping back. Bengford closed the gap to Norton in front in Turn Five and looked as though he might make the pass but was unable to get the necessary drive to secure first position and even ceded second to Lopez by the end of lap one. The running order at the start of lap two was Norton, Lopez, Bengford, Childree, and Meyer.

Norton also led the start of lap three, but Lopez was hot on his heels and the two had established a sizeable gap to the rest of the pack. By lap four Lopez had lost the pace and Norton had built a straight-away length lead that he would maintain for the remainder of the race. Behind the two leaders Brian Childree went to work and slowly chipped away at Bengford advantage, at this point in third directly ahead.

“I got into fourth on lap two and saw Anthony (Norton), Genaro (Lopez) and Ty (Bengford) ahead of me,” said Childree. “I stayed calm and noticed Ty and Genaro’s pace slow down and I still felt good. I was able to make a pass on Ty in Turn Five and build a small gap and could see I was closing in on Genaro. I pushed and was able to make a pass on Genaro in Turn Six. I want to say thanks to Utah Motorcycle Law, Beyond Health Consulting, and Resultrics.”

Childree’s hard fought second place wouldn’t last long though. Lopez dove inside a lapped a rider as Childree went outside in Turn 10 of lap 13 to take back second place. Childree attempted a pass in that same corner on the final lap but came up short. The final finishing order was Norton, Lopez, and Childree.

Of his race, Norton said afterwards, “Finally started to get some things sorted on the bike setup! Showed some brilliance in qualifying with a few laps in the low 1:30’s and a best of 1:30.2. As the sun came out and the track changed, I missed the setup for the KOM race just a little, so the single lap speed wasn’t there, but I had a great bike to run a consistent race and inch away from the pack lap by lap.

“With the help of Michael Castro from FuziMoto I had a good bike through changing conditions and we grabbed three wins in three races on the Privateer Industries ZX-10R. Looking forward to taking another jump in pace and finishing the fight for the club championship in the final round!”

In other racing the Utah SBA would like to congratulate the three racers whose lap times dropped enough to graduate from the sportsman class. We’d also like to say a sincere thank you to Anthony Norton and the staff of Utah Motorsports Campus who came together to make our Friday track walk a success.

The Utah SBA would also like to thank all the racers and their families, in addition to our generous sponsors. Racing in Utah wouldn’t be possible without you. The Utah Motorcycle Law King of the Mountain race series round four will be held on September second at Utah Motorsports Campus on the West track configuration. We hope to see racers and fans alike there!

The Utah Sport Bike Association is a Utah Non-Profit dedicated to promoting education, safe riding, and competition in the Intermountain West. You can find more information about the USBA, upcoming events, and schools at www.utahsba.com or find us on Facebook.

 

USBA Round 3 – UMC West – August 12th, 2023

Motostation/Moto United KOM Overall:

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX10R)

2. Genaro Lopez (BMW S1000RR)

3. Brian Childree (APR RSV4)

4. Tyler Bengford (YAM R1)

5. David Meyer (YAM R1)

6. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

 

 

Motostation KOM GTO:

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX10R)

2. Genaro Lopez (BMW S1000RR)

3. Brian Childree (APR RSV4)

4. Tyler Bengford (YAM R1)

5. David Meyer (YAM R1)

6. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

 

 

Moto United KOM GTU:

1. Ryan Richardson (YAM R6)

2. Josh Fisher (KAW ZX6R)

3. Justin Delong (YAM R6)

4. Braxton Young (HON CBR600RR)

5. Peter Hofpointner (YAM R6)

 

AZ Riding Academy Combined GTO:

1. John McKown (YAM R1)

2. Max Tseng (YAM R1)

3. Jared Baird (DUC 1299)

4. Aubrey Credaroli (YAM R6)

5. Dustin Lance (APR RSV4)

6. Miguel Alamillo (SUZ GSXR1000RR)

 

 

Off Highway Van Combined GTU:

1. Belisario Arango (KAW ZX6R)

2. Alisson Melo (KAW ZX6R)

3. Kirk Doyle (KAW ZX6R)

4. Phil O’Bryan (KAW ZX6R)

5. Brian Gerwe (HON CBR600RR)

6. Brian Cassel (YAM R6)

 

The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash – Expert

1. Joshua Fisher (KAW ZX6R)

2. Alban Bonilla (BMW S1000RR)

3. Max Tseng (YAM R1)

4. Chayce Lance (YAM R6)

 

 

The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash – Novice

1. Alisson Melo (KAW ZX6R)

2. Miguel Alamillo (SUZ GSXR1000)

3. Jordan DeJarnett (YAM R6)

4. Jared Baird (DUC 1299)

5. Russell Carpenter (YAM R6)

6. Mario Fernandez (YAM R6)

 

Eurosports Utah Formula 40 – GTO

1. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

2. Christopher Mousley (YAM R1)

3. Jeremy Morris (YAM R1)

4. John McKown (YAM R1)

5. Dave Loynd (HON CBR1000RR)

6. Dustin Lance (APR RSV4)

 

Eurosports Utah Formula 40 – GTU

1. Brian Naylor (KAW ZX6R)

2.  Belisario Arango (KAW ZX6R)

3. Phil O’Bryan (KAW ZX6R)

4. Kirk Doyle (KAW ZX6R)

5. Jasn Parkinson (YAM R7)

6. Owen Austad (KAW ZX6R)

 

Velosio Lightweight Superbike

1. Jasn Parkinson (YAM R7)

2. Sean Ungvarsky (KAW 400)

3. Nick Kock (KAW 400)

4. John Carver (YAM R7)

5. Daniel Christiani (YAM R7)

 

The Weekend Garage Middleweight Superbike

1. Justin Delong (YAM R6)

2. Brian Naylor (KAW ZX6R)

3. Kinzer Naylor (KAW ZX6R)

4. Joshua Fisher (KAW ZX6R)

5. Braxton Young (HON CBR600RR)

6. Christopher Mousley (KAW ZX6R)

 

Toxic Moto Racing Middleweight Superstock

1. Justin Delong (YAM R6)

2. Brian Naylor (KAW ZX6R)

3. Joshua Fisher (KAW ZX6R)

4. Kinzer Naylor (KAW ZX6R)

5. Christopher Mousley (KAW ZX6R)

6. Braxton Young (HON CBR600RR)

 

MC & Associates Modern Vintage – GTO

1. Dave Loynd (HON CBR1000RR)

2. Cameron Holladay (YAM R1)

3. Kohl Burmester (BMW S1000RR)

4. Chris Golmon (SUZ GSXR1000)

 

MC & Associates Modern Vintage – GTU

1. Belisario Arango (KAW ZX6R)

2. Peter Hofpointner (YAM R6)

3. Kirk Doyle (KAW ZX6R)

4. Justin Delong (YAM R6)

5. Brian Cassel (YAM R6)

6. Eliu Heredia (YAM R6)

 

Karl Malone Powersports  Moto 2

1. Ryan Richardson (YAM R6)

2. Brian Naylor (KAW ZX6R)

3. Kinzer Naylor (KAW ZX6R)

4. Joshua Fisher (KAW ZX6R)

5. Christopher Mousley (KAW ZX6R)

6. Zach Jenson (YAM R6)

 

Redline Realty Moto 3

1. Sean Ungvarsky (KAW 400)

2. Nick Kock (KAW 400

3. Mark Taylor (KAW 400)

4. Raab Gisseman (YAM R3)

5. Kyle Kacprzynski (KAW 400)

 

Legion of Speed Novice GTO

1. Nolan Kiiskila (KAW ZX10R)

2. Aubrey Credaroli (YAM R6)

3. Jordan DeJarnett (YAM R6)

4. Joseph Ruck (YAM R6)

5. Eliu Heredia (YAM R6)

6. Marop Fernandez (YAM R6)

 

 

MC & Associates Novice GTU

1. Alisson Melo (KAW ZX6R)

2. Nolan Kiiskila (KAW ZX6R)

3. Jordan DeJarnett (YAM R6)

4. Mario Fernandez (YAM R6)

5. Joseph Ruck (YAM R6)

6. Eliu Heredia (YAM R6)

 

Vortex Racing Open Superbike

1. Genaro Lopez (BMW S1000RR)

2. Tyler Bengford (YAM R1)

3. David Meyer (YAM R1)

4. Alban Bonilla (BMW S1000RR)

5. Gilbert Gonzalez (KAW ZX10R)

6. John McKown (YAM R1)

 

MotoUnited Open Superstock

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX10R)

2. Tyler Bengford (YAM R1)

3. David Meyer (YAM R1)

4. Brian Childree (APR RSV4)

5. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

6. Jeff Taylor (YAM R1)

 

Crossbeam Builders Open Twins

1. Jared Baird (DUC 1299)

2. Sean Ungvarsky (KAW 400

3. Jasn Parkinson (YAM R7)

4. Ray Vernon (DUC 899)

5. Nick Koch (KAW 400)

6. John Carver (YAM R7)

 

Karl Malone Powersports Production 500

1. Mark Taylor (KAW 400)

2. Raab Gisseman (YAM R3)

3. Kyle Kacprzynski (KAW 400)

 

Trackstar Stock 1000

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX10R)

2. Tyler Bengford (YAM R1)

3. Gilbert Gonzalez (KAW ZX10R)

4. Alban Bonilla (BMW S1000RR)

5. Jeremy Morris (YAM R1)

6. Brian Gerwe (KAW ZX10R)

 

Carbonsmith Super Street Bike

1. Alex Zinaich (YAM FZ10)

2. Cameron Holladay (YAM R1)

3. Chris Golmon (BMW S1000RR)

4. Eliu Heredia (YAM R6)

5. Dustin Lance (APR RSV4)

N2/WERA Endurance: Max Van Wins ULW 2-Hour At PittRace (With Video)

David Swarts
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N2/WERA Endurance: Max Van Wins ULW 2-Hour At PittRace (With Video)

Team SportbikeTrackGear.com Wins The 2 Hour Ultra Lightweight Class at the N2/WERA National Endurance Race by Dunlop at Pittsburg International Race Complex

Having raced to a second-place finish at this event in 2022 Max and Brian Van were excited to get the trailer loaded and head back to Wampum to have another go at the top step of the podium. Like 2022, this was a well-run event with a ton of teams competing that reminded the senior of the Van’s of the times when he was the one riding an endurance bike.

“PittRace is one of my favorite tracks and this event is one I look forward to racing,” said Max Van. “My dad and I come to this race just the two of us, so we get to spend a weekend working together with the goal of winning a race which is pretty cool. It is nice to have a race weekend away from MotoAmerica in a little more laid-back situation. My dad had my bike dialed in, our man Jose Lloreda helped with the pit stop, and I did my best on the bike. The competition was fierce and it felt good to get my first race win of the season!”

“At this race last year, Max raced his ass off for the first hour and had his opportunity to race for the win taken away by a poor pit stop that was my responsibility,” said Brian Van. “Having to live with that for a year left me eager to take another swing. This year I was prepared, with Jose Lloreda and I having the stop all dialed in. Max came in leading like last year and was back on the bike in 40 seconds. There were two teams that waited another lap or so before they pitted in, once they both made their stops Max was back in the lead by over 30 seconds which went a long way to helping erase the memory of last year’s stop.”

With 36 teams competing, Max was able to start this race from pole position, run the fastest lap of the race, and end it on the top step of the podium! Thank you to N2 and WERA for putting on another excellent event.

 

ASRA Team Challenge: Grease Monkey Racing Wins At Summit Point

David Swarts
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ASRA Team Challenge: Grease Monkey Racing Wins At Summit Point

Team Challenge Race Results from Summit Point, WV

Summit Point, WV – 8-13-23 –  Summit Point Motorsports Park plays host to the much-anticipated ASRA Team Challenge Race.

Race results

OVERALL FINISH

1st – Grease Monkey Racing (Eric Helmbach/Steve Hoffman)

2nd – Coleman Powersports (Brad Moser)

3rd – Hazardous Racing (Chet Finkbeiner/Jonathan Schweiger/RJ Wade)

 

GTO

1st – Grease Monkey Racing (Eric Helmbach/Stephen Hoffman), Best Lap Time 1:15.782

2nd – Justin Clark (Justin Clark), 1:16.246

3rd – Martinez Motorsports (Calvin Martinez), 1:18.372

4th – Smiley Boyz (Antal Halasz), 1:16.719

 

GTU

1st – Coleman Powersports (Brad Moser), Best Lap Time 1:16.797

2nd – Hazardous Racing (Chet Finkbeiner/Jonathan Schweiger/RJ Wade), 1:17.098

3rd – Birch Racing (DJ Birch), 1:16.543

4th – Andrew Clarke (Andrew Clarke), 1:17.405

5th – Mandalo Racing (Ricardo DosSantos), 1:19.555

6th – Fairfax Cycle Center (Alex Mackel), 1:19.236

7th – Panda Racing (Schyler Kopp), 1:21.069

8th – TST Industries (Gabriel Wingard), 1:21.430

9th – 5 Star (Adam Wingard), 1:17.526

10th – Nice Guys Racing (Nikolay Zakharyan), 1:16.885

 

GTL

1st – Chasing Shade Racing (Lance Molnar), Best Lap Time 1:22.073

 

For more information about the Team Challenge Races and complete results on sprint races please visit  www.asraracing.com.

2024 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ Intro: Technology For All!

David Swarts
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2024 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ Intro: Technology For All!

Editorial Note: Look for a complete review of the 2024 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ in an upcoming issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

 

By Michael Gougis

The very first vehicle I hit while riding a motorcycle (a long time ago) involved me braking too late with too little pressure at the lever, and I smacked the rear bumper of the car in front of me with my Suzuki GS450L. I got off light. The only damage was a crease in my bike’s chrome front fender.

Yamaha’s 2024 Tracer 9 GT+ is the first motorcycle in the world to incorporate an intelligent braking system that might have avoided the above scenario.

Based on the successful and highly competent Tracer 9 GT platform, the 2024 GT+ version adds hard saddlebags as standard, a radar-assisted cruise control, and a Radar-linked Unified Braking System.

The radar cruise control works exactly as it does in cars and trucks. The rider selects the desired speed and distance from the vehicle in front. The bike then maintains that speed until something gets in the way. Using engine braking first, then braking with the triple-disc system if necessary, the machine slows to maintain the desired gap to the leading vehicle. When the coast is clear, the motorcycle accelerates back to the desired speed.

The linked braking system uses feedback from the radar unit to assist the rider. If the rider hits the brakes, and the motorcycle sees that it’s not going to stop in time, it will add braking power, optimize front/rear brake bias, and adjust the suspension damping to slow the bike more quickly. Yamaha reps are quick to point out that the bike doesn’t brake itself, but only assists once the rider has nailed the brakes.

Otherwise, the Tracer 9 GT+ is a more refined version of the machine that is the sport-touring model in Yamaha’s Triple lineup. Powered by the 890cc, three-cylinder engine found in the MT-09 and the XSR900, the Tracer also shares the twin-spar, die-cast aluminum-alloy Deltabox-style frame used for those models. Upgrades for the Tracer include KYB Actimatic Damping System (a.k.a. KADS) semi-active suspension front and rear, a sport-touring fairing and windscreen, a new dash and other conveniences designed to allow the bike to eat miles with comfort as well as rip around back-roads.

Available in Storm Gray, the machine, with a suggested retail price of $16,499, is expected to hit dealer showrooms this month.

Riding The Tracer 9 GT

Yamaha invited a group of motojournalists to Idaho, where we spent a day hauling on two- and four-lane roads just west of the Boise National Forest. We covered nearly 200 miles, ate finger steaks at a place called Dirty Shame, and got a good idea of what the newest Tracer is all about.

Full disclosure: I did not test out the Radar-linked Unified Braking System by trying to get into a panic stop situation involving another vehicle. I was just happy knowing it was there.

I did use the radar cruise control, and under difficult circumstances found that it worked exactly as advertised. Honestly, the cruise control itself was sophisticated and smooth in operation, and the radar-assist element added a major level of comfort and reduced mental exertion during longer stretches.

I found out, over above-mentioned finger steaks at the above-mentioned Dirty Shame, that I had been testing the radar cruise control function during the same portion of the morning ride that other motojournalists were experimenting with it.

Think about that for a moment…

We were in a pack of about eight, including Yamaha employees along for the ride, all on a two-lane road, and at any given point, some or even many of us were riding along in close proximity without touching throttles or brakes. No drama, not a single sketchy moment. The radar cruise control system was sorting it out for us.

I was surprised at how quickly I put my full trust in it, but as I told one of the Yamaha guys at lunch, “The bike is probably smarter than the rider.”

The bike delivers even more functionality than the prior versions of the Tracer. The dash screen is simpler, a new joystick toggles through information on the screen or selects one of the three pre-set riding modes, or a fourth, customizable mode which allows the rider to configure wheelie, traction and slide control, as well as ABS and suspension settings, to their liking.

The chassis is plenty stiff for its intended use. The KYB suspension, even in Sport mode, would wallow just a bit at very enthusiastic speeds, but was still stable enough to encourage straight-up sport riding at anything near a reasonable street speed. The brakes were solid, wind protection more than adequate, and vibration minimal. It’s a comfortable bike, with adjustable handlebar and footpeg positions and adjustable seat height. I was quite happy with the way it came stock.

It was a long day. Photo shoots take time, and we huddled on the ground for quite some time during one of them, hiding from the sun and the 92-degree heat in the shade of a chase vehicle. Rain the night before had left grit on the road in blind corners, adding to the stress level, and if I was riding something else, the combination of the undesirable bits of the day would have left me anxious to get to the end of the ride.

But as we cruised back into Boise, heading for the hotel and dinner, it occurred to me that if I were to fill the 5-gallon gas tank to the top and head out again, I could have easily gone through another tank or two before calling it quits. The bike is that comfortable, that fast, and that easy to ride. For what you get for the retail price, it is a technological marvel that does exactly what I want technology on a motorcycle to do– make riding more fun!

MotoGP: Fabio’s Secret: The Double-Velcro Zipper Trap

Fabio Quartararo (20) tested a new swingarm and exhaust system. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Fabio Quartararo (20) during testing earlier in 2023. Photo courtesy Dorna.

MotoGP fans saw the extraordinary spectacle of Yamaha factory rider and World Champion Fabio Quartararo riding with his Alpinestars leathers open at the 2021 Catalunya Grand Prix. Even more astounding, Quartararo reached into his suit, grabbed and discarded his chest protector during the final few laps of the race. Riding without the body armor and with his leathers unfastened earned him a three-second penalty which dropped him from third to fourth in the final results.

While speculation abounded about what had gone wrong, a post-race investigation by Alpinestars found Quartararo’s suit intact with the zippers fully functional. Apparently, Quartararo did not zip his suit fully at the beginning of the race, with the zipper’s pull tab exposed to the wind and not hidden beneath the Velcro flap designed to cover it. Quartararo does not want that to happen again.

One of the racer’s leather suits from later in 2021 was on display at the Alpinestars introduction of its new Racing Absolute V2 leathers at Sonoma Raceway. A careful examination of Quartararo’s suit revealed that the racer now uses a double-flap system to ensure that the zipper pull stays put.

The first flap has a V-shaped notch in it. The zipper tab is pulled all the way up, the first flap is closed, and the tab sits in the notch. A second flap then is closed over the first, capturing the tab between a protective leather covering and the middle flap.

It may be extreme over-engineering. But think about how much money in terms of bonuses from Yamaha and his personal sponsors that it cost Quarataro when he was demoted from the podium, and all of a sudden it doesn’t seem so extreme…

 

The middle flap on MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo's zipper pull retention system closes underneath the tab once it is fully zipped, and then the tab sits in a V-shaped notch. Photo by Michael Gougis.
The middle flap on MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo’s zipper pull retention system closes underneath the tab once it is fully zipped, and then the tab sits in a V-shaped notch. Photo by Michael Gougis.

 

The middle flap then folds over the pull, locking it into the up position. Photo by Michael Gougis.
The middle flap then folds over the pull, locking it into the up position. Photo by Michael Gougis.

 

A final outer flap captures the zipper pull securely, protecting it from failure during a crash. Photo by Michael Gougis.
A final outer flap captures the zipper pull securely, protecting it from failure during a crash. Photo by Michael Gougis.

Video: Garrett Gerloff “Good Pace, Sh*t Race – Autodrom Most”

Garrett Gerloff (31) at speed at Autodrom Most. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
Garrett Gerloff (31). Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
AUTODROM MOST

 

It is what it is… There are silver linings though! We have pace, just low on luck. We’ll keep grinding.

Thanks for watching, let me know what your favorite part of the video was and let me know when I’ll see you at one of the races! Much love 🫶🏽

Subscribe 🫡

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Watch all the World SuperBike action LIVE here! 👉🏽 https://bit.ly/WorldSBK31

Defy All Odds apparel 10% off with discount code: GG31 👉🏽 https://bit.ly/DefyAllOdds31

Race Helmet: https://bit.ly/HJCHelmetsGG31

Race Leathers: https://bit.ly/AlpinestarsLeathersGG31

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Race Boots: https://bit.ly/AlpinestarsBootsGG31

Shot & edited by Brad Schwartzrock (@bradschwartzrock)

#GG31 #WorldSBK #BMWM1000RR

 

MotoAmerica: How To Watch All The Action From PittRace

Jake Gagne (1) leads Danilo Petrucci (9) early in one of the three starts during MotoAmerica Superbike Race One Saturday at PittRace. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
Jake Gagne (1) leading Danilo Petrucci (9) early in MotoAmerica Superbike Race One at PittRace in 2022. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.

MotoAmerica: How To Watch MotoAmerica Superbikes at Pittsburgh

It’s All Here: How To Not Miss A Bit Of The Action

Everything you need to know to watch the MotoAmerica Superbikes in Pittsburgh.

 

MotoAmerica: Scholtz Ready To “Dig Deep” At PittRace

Mathew Scholtz (11) is still seeking his first win at Pittsburgh International Race Complex (a.k.a. PittRace). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Westby Racing.
Mathew Scholtz (11) is still seeking his first win at Pittsburgh International Race Complex (a.k.a. PittRace). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Westby Racing.

It’s Podium Time At PitRace For Mathew Scholtz This Weekend

Tulsa, OK – Round seven of the 2023 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship is this weekend, and Mathew Scholtz and the Westby Racing team will be competing at Pittsburgh International Race Complex (PittRace), a circuit where they’ve had a lot of success over the past six years.

Out of the 12 races Mathew has competed in at PittRace, he’s finished on the podium in six races, and been runner-up in four of those six podiums. What’s more, after finishing sixth in his very first visit to PittRace back in 2017, he’s recorded top-five results in the 11 other Superbike races he’s competed in at PittRace, and he has an average finishing position of 3.6 at PittRace for his career.

The only Superbike podium position Mathew hasn’t captured at PittRace yet is race winner, and that’s, of course, his and his team’s goal this weekend, as always. They’ve got three opportunities to get that win, too, since there will be three Superbike races this weekend.

“We’ve put Brainerd in the rearview mirror, and we’re excited to be at PittRace this weekend,” Mathew said. “It’s always been a really good track for us, and we’ve had a lot of success there. Also, having three races there this weekend is a bonus. Race wins are our goal because that’s what Tryg, this team, and our fans deserve. We’re ready to dig deep and make this a weekend to remember.”

Superbike final qualifying is on Saturday morning at 9:50 ET, Superbike race one will go green on Saturday afternoon at 3 ET, Superbike race two is on Sunday morning at Noon ET, and the weekend-concluding Superbike race three will start at 3 ET. All three races will be shown live on MotoAmerica’s YouTube Channel.

For all the action from Pitt Race, as it happens, subscribe to MotoAmerica Live+, which is MotoAmerica’s live streaming and on-demand service.

Meet Mathew, Get An Autographed Poster, And More

Mathew will be available for autographs during the Dunlop Hot Pit Walk & Autograph Session, scheduled for 11 to 11:40 a.m. Sunday on pit lane at Pitt Race. He and the team will be handing out free posters and T-shirts, so don’t miss it.

Check Out The Westby Racing Sponsor Showcase

Eazi-Grip Racing Products Ltd. and MWR Racing Air Filters are the featured team sponsors on display in the Westby Racing paddock area this race weekend, so be sure to stop by to say hello and learn about some of the companies that support the team.

For more updates about Westby Racing, including news, photos, and videos, visit www.WestbyRacing.com

Also, follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites.

Roadracing World Action Fund Donor Profile: Leslie Stretch

Leslie Stretch (right) hangs out at WeatherTech Laguna Seca with 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz (left), who is sitting on a MotoAmerica Superbike formerly ridden by Danilo Petrucci for Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati. Life is good for Stretch, who is helping make it safer for racers across the U.S. Photo courtesy Leslie Stretch.
Leslie Stretch (right) hangs out at WeatherTech Laguna Seca with 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz (left), who is sitting on a MotoAmerica Superbike formerly ridden by Danilo Petrucci for Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati. Life is good for Stretch, who is helping make it safer for racers across the U.S. Photo courtesy Leslie Stretch.

“Racing Motorcycles Is Rock n’ Roll…”

By Michael Gougis

Leslie Stretch is the now-retired former CEO of Medallia (which sponsors the MotoAmerica Superbike series), who describes himself as “a huge motorcycle nut.” He’s putting his money where his mouth is, so to speak, to make the sport of racing motorcycles safer. He’s investing heavily in supporting the non-profit Roadracing World Action Fund (RWAF) and its mission of putting soft barriers made by Airfence and Alpina between racers and hard objects at tracks across North America.

“Motorcycles have been bigger for me than cars,” Stretch says. “These are hugely courageous warriors, and the skill involved in what they do is off the chart. It’s different than racing a four-wheel vehicle.

“I think the key to the sport’s success is keeping these guys safe as they entertain us. I think the Airfence initiative was very important. I think they need every sponsor and every fan to be invested in the sport. That’s how I got involved.”

Stretch started helping increase the safety of the riders a couple of years back, and has participated in all three “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” fundraisers headed by three-time 500cc World Champion (and MotoAmerica President) Wayne Rainey, held preceding the 2021, 2022, and 2023 MotoAmerica rounds at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Stretch tops the individual donor contribution list from the three rides with a total of $175,000 in donations to the Roadracing World Action Fund. That’s almost enough to cover half of RWAF’s latest two orders totaling an additional 36 Alpina soft barriers for use at MotoAmerica events. The new sections are linked to air pumps powered by Honda generators, forming a system which automatically maintains the ideal internal pressure for maximum energy absorption.

Safety, Stretch says, is critical to expanding the attraction of racing beyond the existing dedicated fans. “It’s key to broadening the appeal and increasing the audience, both at the track and digitally. It’s critical for people to know every possible effort has been made to keep the riders safe. It changes the engagement of the fans, especially the casual fans–people don’t want to see the consequences of crashes,” he says.

“Motorcycling and racing motorcycles is rock n’ roll. That is what is exciting about it. It’s good for the brand, it’s good for racing, and we’re on the verge of a renaissance beyond the hard-core fan base.”

Nowadays, Stretch can be most often found on his Ducati Multistrada or his Triumph Rocket 3, which he loves. “I’ve ridden it around Laguna Seca; (it’s) way, way better than you’d expect,” he adds.

Stretch’s two-wheel journey started when he was 15, the son of a single mom, in a family where affording a car was out of the question. “I got a Vespa, a moped. It cost me 15 pounds. And then my first Honda, a 125 four-speed, was my first proper motorcycle.”

Stretch was hooked, and his next bike was exactly what he wanted–the oh-so-desirable Honda CB400F, a high-revving four-cylinder with a chromed 4-1 exhaust that to this day is an icon of mechanical art. “That was my dream ride of the day,” he says. “I remember riding it and I just felt–free.”

To make a tax-deductible donation to the Roadracing World Action Fund, go here.

CRA: Farris Over Prince In Gold Cup Race At Buttonwillow Raceway Park

Bryce Prince (1) leads Wyatt Farris (19) in the CRA CTML Consultants Gold Cup race at Buttonwillow Raceway Park. Farris took the win by nearly six seconds. Photo by CaliPhotography, courtesy CRA.
Bryce Prince (1) leads Wyatt Farris (19) in the CRA CTML Consultants Gold Cup race at Buttonwillow Raceway Park. Farris took the win by nearly six seconds. Photo by CaliPhotography, courtesy CRA.

Wyatt Farris eased to a clear win over Bryce Prince in the headlining CTML Consultants Gold Cup race at the two-day California Racing Association (CRA) event August 12-13 at Buttonwillow Raceway Park.

On a typically hot August day in Central California, with the temperature soaring into triple digits, Farris took his BMW M 1000 RR to a 5.635-second win over Prince on his Yamaha YZF-R1 after 12 laps on the demanding 3.0-mile circuit.

Prince had the consolation of setting the race’s fastest lap, a 1:44.756 to Farris’ 1:44.896, and was nearly 17 seconds ahead of Deion Campbell on his Yamaha YZF-R6. Ben Hodges, Jason Rodriguez and Nayden Balladares completed the top six.

Prince also won the 1000 Supersport Expert Presented By Better Call Sy race on Sunday.

Sahar Zvik was the class of the middleweight field, taking four wins on his Kawasaki ZX-6R.

For more information on CRA visit their website at www.race-cra.com. Get licensed and let’s go racing. #areyoucra #racecra #iamcra

CRA would like to thank their sponsors for their support: CTML Consultants, Better Call Sy, Empowered Transportation, Feel Like a Pro, Track Daz, Let’s Ride Track Days, Rocket Cams, Inc., 61DTC, Blood x Sweat x Tears Vodka, Racer’s Edge Performance, Pirelli, VnM Sport, Dunlop,  Carter’s @ The Track, Fun Track Dayz, Eyes Up Motorsports, Motorsport Exotica, Kern County Powersports, Lieto Factory, Eyes Up Motorsports, RS Speedshop, Catalyst Reaction Tuning, KYT Helmets, Capit Americas, The Heights Bar & Grill (Upland, CA), Maria Cid – Farmer’s Insurance, Cinepixel Productions, New Century Motorcycles, Moto4Life, Pacific Utility, Twilio, Boxo USA, Mithos USA, Suspension Matters, Road Race City, Bridgestone, Ryder Gear

 

RESULTS

SATURDAY:

600GT:

  1. Sahar Zvik (Kaw ZX-6R)
  2. Orel Madar (Kaw ZX-6R)
  3. Jeremy Taubman (Yam YZF-R6)
  4. Conner Brown (Yam YZF-R6)

 

1000GT:

  1. Nayden Balladares (Kaw ZX-10RR)
  2. Matt Testa (Yam YZF-R1)
  3. Jesus Andrade-Gomez (Yam YZF-R1)
  4. Anibal Ivan Arias (BMW M 1000 RR
  5. Garrett Hazelton (BMW S 1000 RR)

 

TWINS GT:

  1. Justin Bordonaro (Apr RS 660)
  2. Savannah Jaska (Apr RS 660)
  3. Santiago Avila (Yam YZF-R7)
  4. Ed Guzman (Apr RS 660)

 

FEEL LIKE A PRO 400 GT:

  1. Alex George (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  2. Cyril Brun (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  3. Joshua Ly (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  4. Aliki Karayan (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  5. Andrew Krall (Yam YZF-R3)
  6. Shaughn Reid (Kaw Ninja 400R)

 

ROCKET CAMS OUTLAW V-TWINS GT:

  1. Michael Subish (Indian FTR)
  2. David Lancaster (H-D)

 

RUFFIANS GT:

  1. Chris Joffrion (KTM 890)
  2. Frank Sindermann (KTM 890)

 

LADIES OF CRA – PRESENTED BY LET’S RIDE TRACK DAYS:

  1. Bridgette LeBer (Yam YZF-R6)
  2. Savannah Jaska (Apr RS 660)
  3. Bogna Davis (Yam YZF-R6)
  4. Aliki Karayan (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  5. Erinn Merlo (Kaw Ninja 400R)

 

BST FORMULA 40 HEAVYWEIGHT:

  1. Ryan Abler (Yam YZF-R1)
  2. Fabrice Vilder (Yam YZF-R1)
  3. Terry Heard (BMW S 1000 RR)
  4. Armando Castillo (Apr RSV4)
  5. James Gaver (Yam YZF-R1)
  6. Garrett Hazelton (BMW)

 

BST FORMULA 40 LIGHTWEIGHT:

  1. Santiago Avila (Yam YZF-R7)
  2. Cliff Cogleitti (Suz SV650)
  3. Norm Harris (Apr RS 660)
  4. Ed Guzman (Apr RS 660)
  5. M. Sai Deep (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  6. Shaughn Reid (Kaw Ninja 400R)

 

BST FORMULA 40 MIDDLEWEIGHT:

  1. Mookie Wilkerson (Yam YZF-R6)
  2. Jeremy Taubman (Yam YZF-R6)
  3. Oscar Fernandez (Yam YZF-R6)
  4. Mitchell Hall (Yam YZF-R6)

 

1000 SUPERSPORT AMATEUR:

  1. Jesus Andrade-Gomez (Yam YZF-R1)
  2. Anthony Huizer (Suz GSX-R1000)
  3. James Gaver (Yam YZF-R1)
  4. Garrett Hazelton (BMW)
  5. Jonathan Lawson (Yam YZF-R1)
  6. Kevin Hosseini (Yam YZF-R6)

 

1000 SUPERSPORT EXPERT:

  1. Deion Campbell (Yam YZF-R6)
  2. Jason Rodriguez (Yam YZF-R1)
  3. Nayden Balladares (Kaw ZX-10RR)
  4. Anibal Ivan Arias (BMW M 1000 RR)
  5. Armando Castillo (Apr RSV4)

 

AMERICAN IRON:

  1. Michael Subish Jr. (Indian FTR)
  2. David Lancaster (H-D)

 

MODERN VINTAGE:

  1. Jeremy Taubman (Yam YZF-R6)
  2. Conner Brown (Yam YZF-R6)
  3. Blake Gentry (Suz GSX-R600)
  4. John James (Kaw ZX-10R)
  5. Wayne Gann (Suz GSX-R1000)
  6. Jamaal Medford (Kaw ZX-10R)

 

RUFFIANS LIGHTWEIGHT:

  1. Chris Joffrion (KTM 890)

 

600 SUPERSPORT AMATEUR:

  1. Blake Gentry (Suz GSX-R600)
  2. Joshua Wieland

 

600 SUPERSPORT EXPERT:

  1. Sahar Zvik (Kaw ZX-6R)
  2. Mookie Wilkerson (Yam YZF-R6)
  3. Oscar Fernandez (Yam YZF-R6)
  4. Mitchell Hall (Yam YZF-R6)
  5. Bridgette LeBer (Yam YZF-R6)

 

RS SPEED SHOP TWINS GRAND PRIX:

  1. Justin Bordonaro (Apr RS 660)
  2. Billy Dalu (Yam YZF-R7)
  3. Savannah Jaska (Apr RS 660)
  4. Santiago Avila (Yam YZF-R7)
  5. Norm Harris (Apr RS 660)
  6. Ed Guzman (Apr RS 660)

 

SUNDAY

CTML CONSULTANTS GOLD CUP:

  1. Wyatt Farris (BMW M 1000 RR)
  2. Bryce Prince (Yam YZF-R1)
  3. Deion Campbell (Yam YZF-R6)
  4. Ben Hodges (Yam YZF-R1)
  5. Jason Rodriguez (Yam YZF-R1)
  6. Nayden Balladares (Kaw ZX-10RR)

 

1000 SUPERBIKE AMATEUR BY BETTER CALL SY:

  1. Anthony Huizer (Suz GSX-R1000)
  2. Jonathan Lawson (Yam YZF-R1)
  3. James Gaver (Yam YZF-R1)
  4. Aleks Palacios (Yam YZF-R1)
  5. Garrett Hazelton (BMW)
  6. Dikran Sarkis (Ducati Panigale)

 

600 SUPERBIKE AMATEUR PRESENTED BY MOTORSPORT EXOTICA:

  1. Blake Gentry (Suz GSX-R600)
  2. Mujahid Umar (Kaw ZX-6R)
  3. Joshua Wieland (Yam YZF-R6)

 

FEEL LIKE A PRO AMATEUR 400 SUPERBIKE:

  1. Ashten Bush (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  2. Herbert Carlos (Yam YZF-R3)
  3. Charley Hatfield (Kaw Ninja 400R)

 

FEEL LIKE A PRO EXPERT 400 SUPERBIKE:

  1. Alex George (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  2. Cyril Brun (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  3. Chris Joffrion (KTM 450)
  4. Aliki Karayan (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  5. Andrew Krall (Yam YZF-R3)
  6. Shaughn Reid (Kaw Ninja 400R)

 

EYES UP MOTORSPORTS BATTLE OF THE TWINS:

  1. Justin Bordonaro (Apr RS 660)
  2. Billy Dalu (Yam YZF-R7)
  3. Savannah Jaska (Apr RS 660)
  4. Santiago Avila (Yam YZF-R7)

 

1000 SUPERSPORT EXPERT PRESENTED BY BETTER CALL SY:

  1. Bryce Prince (Yam YZF-R1)
  2. Deion Campbell (Yam YZF-R6)
  3. Jason Rodriguez (Yam YZF-R1)
  4. Nayden Balladares (Kaw ZX-10RR)
  5. Anibal Ivan Arias (BMW M 1000 RR)
  6. Fabrice Vilder (Yam YZF-R1)

 

FUN TRACK DAYZ 600 SUPERSPORT EXPERT:

  1. Sahar Zvik (Kaw ZX-6R)
  2. Jeremy Taubman (Yam YZF-R6)
  3. Oscar Fernandez (Yam YZF-R6)
  4. Mitchell Hall (Yam YZF-R6)
  5. Chris Joffrion (KTM 890)
  6. Bridgette LeBer (Yam YZF-R6)

 

AMERICAN IRON BY EMPOWERED TRANSPORTATION:

  1. David Lancaster (H-D)

 

MODERN VINTAGE:

  1. Jeremy Taubman (Yam YZF-R6)
  2. Blake Gentry (Suz GSX-R600)
  3. John James (Kaw ZX-10R)
  4. Wayne Gann (Suz GSX-R1000)

 

BETTER CALL SY RUFFIANS HEAVYWEIGHT:

  1. Frank Sindermann (KTM 1290)

 

RUFFIANS LIGHTWEIGHT:

  1. Chris Joffrion (KTM 890)
  2. Ashten Bush (Kaw Ninja 400R)

 

FEEL LIKE A PRO AMATEUR 400 SUPERSPORT:

  1. Herbert Carlos (Yam YZF-R3)
  2. Ashten Bush (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  3. Charley Hatfield (Kaw Ninja 400R)

 

FEEL LIKE A PRO EXPERT 400 SUPERSPORT:

  1. Alex George (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  2. Cyril Brun (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  3. Andrew Krall (Yam YZF-R3)
  4. Aliki Karayan (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  5. Shaughn Reid (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  6. Erinn Merlo (Kaw Ninja 400R)

 

TRACK DAZ EXPERT 1000 SUPERBIKE:

  1. Nayden Balladares (Kaw ZX-10RR)
  2. Matt Testa (Yam YZF-R1)
  3. Ryan Abler (Yam YZF-R1)
  4. Jayce Sterling
  5. Byron Garay

 

CARTERS@THETRACK EXPERT 600 SUPERBIKE:

  1. Sahar Zvik (Kaw ZX-6R)
  2. Orel Madar (Kaw ZX-6R)
  3. Mitchell Hall (Yam YZF-R6)
  4. Bridgette LeBer (Yam YZF-R6)

 

LIETO FACTORY 1000 AMATEUR SUPERSPORT:

  1. Anthony Huizer (Suz GSX-R1000)
  2. Aleks Palacios (Yam YZF-R1)
  3. Jonathan Lawson (Yam YZF-R1)
  4. Garrett Hazelton (BMW)
  5. Steve “Wheels” Bucaro (Duc 1098)

 

AMATEUR 600 SUPERSPORT:

  1. Mujahid Umar (Kaw ZX-6R)
  2. Blake Gentry (Suz GSX-R600)

 

FORMULA 40 HEAVYWEIGHT PRESENTED BY BLOOD SWEAT TEARS VODKA:

  1. Terry Heard (BMW S 1000 RR)
  2. Ryan Abler (Apr RSV4)
  3. Armando Castillo (Yam YZF-R1)
  4. Jayce Sterling
  5. Garrett Hazelton (BMW)
  6. Byron Garay (Apr RSV4)

 

F40 LIGHTWEIGHT PRESENTED BY BLOOD SWEAT TEARS VODKA:

  1. Cliff Cogleitti (Suz SV650)
  2. Santiago Avila (Yam YZF-R7)
  3. Shaughn Reid (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  4. Erinn Merlo (Kaw Ninja 400R)
  5. Antlee Terry (Yam YZF-R3)

UtahSBA: Norton Makes It Three Straight Wins

Anthony Norton (83) en-route to extending his Moto United/Moto Station King of the Mountains win streak to three. Photo courtesy UtahSBA.
Anthony Norton (83) enroute to extending his Moto United/Moto Station King of the Mountains win streak to three. Photo by Steve Midgley, courtesy UtahSBA.

Round three of Utah Motorcycle Law Master’s of the Mountain race series, held August 12 at Utah Motorsports Campus West track configuration, kicked off in unusual fashion with a track walk hosted by series points leader Anthony Norton on Friday evening after the Apex track day. During the track walk Norton walked a crowd of interested racers through the correct line selection in preparation for the next day’s racing.

Race day on Saturday began much more conventionally with qualifying for the premier race, Moto United/Moto Station King of the Mountains race, leading the day. Norton has been in a quest all year to join the rarefied company of motorcycle racers posting a lap time under 1:30. Norton missed his goal by just 0.2 second when he handed in a lap time of 1:30.2 in the very first qualifying session. Norton was unable to best his own time in the second qualifying session and settled for pole position as a consolation prize. Qualifying positions second through fifth were much more hotly contested with just 0.5 second separating contestants Tyler Bengford, Genaro Lopez, Bill Davis, and defending number one plate holder Dave Meyer.

Come race time positions one through three, Norton, Bengford, and Lopez, all got off to great starts and maintained their qualifying positions through the first turn. Further back in the field, Gil Gonzalez got an incredible start and launched in fourth position going into Turn One before dropping back. Bengford closed the gap to Norton in front in Turn Five and looked as though he might make the pass but was unable to get the necessary drive to secure first position and even ceded second to Lopez by the end of lap one. The running order at the start of lap two was Norton, Lopez, Bengford, Childree, and Meyer.

Norton also led the start of lap three, but Lopez was hot on his heels and the two had established a sizeable gap to the rest of the pack. By lap four Lopez had lost the pace and Norton had built a straight-away length lead that he would maintain for the remainder of the race. Behind the two leaders Brian Childree went to work and slowly chipped away at Bengford advantage, at this point in third directly ahead.

“I got into fourth on lap two and saw Anthony (Norton), Genaro (Lopez) and Ty (Bengford) ahead of me,” said Childree. “I stayed calm and noticed Ty and Genaro’s pace slow down and I still felt good. I was able to make a pass on Ty in Turn Five and build a small gap and could see I was closing in on Genaro. I pushed and was able to make a pass on Genaro in Turn Six. I want to say thanks to Utah Motorcycle Law, Beyond Health Consulting, and Resultrics.”

Childree’s hard fought second place wouldn’t last long though. Lopez dove inside a lapped a rider as Childree went outside in Turn 10 of lap 13 to take back second place. Childree attempted a pass in that same corner on the final lap but came up short. The final finishing order was Norton, Lopez, and Childree.

Of his race, Norton said afterwards, “Finally started to get some things sorted on the bike setup! Showed some brilliance in qualifying with a few laps in the low 1:30’s and a best of 1:30.2. As the sun came out and the track changed, I missed the setup for the KOM race just a little, so the single lap speed wasn’t there, but I had a great bike to run a consistent race and inch away from the pack lap by lap.

“With the help of Michael Castro from FuziMoto I had a good bike through changing conditions and we grabbed three wins in three races on the Privateer Industries ZX-10R. Looking forward to taking another jump in pace and finishing the fight for the club championship in the final round!”

In other racing the Utah SBA would like to congratulate the three racers whose lap times dropped enough to graduate from the sportsman class. We’d also like to say a sincere thank you to Anthony Norton and the staff of Utah Motorsports Campus who came together to make our Friday track walk a success.

The Utah SBA would also like to thank all the racers and their families, in addition to our generous sponsors. Racing in Utah wouldn’t be possible without you. The Utah Motorcycle Law King of the Mountain race series round four will be held on September second at Utah Motorsports Campus on the West track configuration. We hope to see racers and fans alike there!

The Utah Sport Bike Association is a Utah Non-Profit dedicated to promoting education, safe riding, and competition in the Intermountain West. You can find more information about the USBA, upcoming events, and schools at www.utahsba.com or find us on Facebook.

 

USBA Round 3 – UMC West – August 12th, 2023

Motostation/Moto United KOM Overall:

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX10R)

2. Genaro Lopez (BMW S1000RR)

3. Brian Childree (APR RSV4)

4. Tyler Bengford (YAM R1)

5. David Meyer (YAM R1)

6. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

 

 

Motostation KOM GTO:

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX10R)

2. Genaro Lopez (BMW S1000RR)

3. Brian Childree (APR RSV4)

4. Tyler Bengford (YAM R1)

5. David Meyer (YAM R1)

6. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

 

 

Moto United KOM GTU:

1. Ryan Richardson (YAM R6)

2. Josh Fisher (KAW ZX6R)

3. Justin Delong (YAM R6)

4. Braxton Young (HON CBR600RR)

5. Peter Hofpointner (YAM R6)

 

AZ Riding Academy Combined GTO:

1. John McKown (YAM R1)

2. Max Tseng (YAM R1)

3. Jared Baird (DUC 1299)

4. Aubrey Credaroli (YAM R6)

5. Dustin Lance (APR RSV4)

6. Miguel Alamillo (SUZ GSXR1000RR)

 

 

Off Highway Van Combined GTU:

1. Belisario Arango (KAW ZX6R)

2. Alisson Melo (KAW ZX6R)

3. Kirk Doyle (KAW ZX6R)

4. Phil O’Bryan (KAW ZX6R)

5. Brian Gerwe (HON CBR600RR)

6. Brian Cassel (YAM R6)

 

The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash – Expert

1. Joshua Fisher (KAW ZX6R)

2. Alban Bonilla (BMW S1000RR)

3. Max Tseng (YAM R1)

4. Chayce Lance (YAM R6)

 

 

The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash – Novice

1. Alisson Melo (KAW ZX6R)

2. Miguel Alamillo (SUZ GSXR1000)

3. Jordan DeJarnett (YAM R6)

4. Jared Baird (DUC 1299)

5. Russell Carpenter (YAM R6)

6. Mario Fernandez (YAM R6)

 

Eurosports Utah Formula 40 – GTO

1. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

2. Christopher Mousley (YAM R1)

3. Jeremy Morris (YAM R1)

4. John McKown (YAM R1)

5. Dave Loynd (HON CBR1000RR)

6. Dustin Lance (APR RSV4)

 

Eurosports Utah Formula 40 – GTU

1. Brian Naylor (KAW ZX6R)

2.  Belisario Arango (KAW ZX6R)

3. Phil O’Bryan (KAW ZX6R)

4. Kirk Doyle (KAW ZX6R)

5. Jasn Parkinson (YAM R7)

6. Owen Austad (KAW ZX6R)

 

Velosio Lightweight Superbike

1. Jasn Parkinson (YAM R7)

2. Sean Ungvarsky (KAW 400)

3. Nick Kock (KAW 400)

4. John Carver (YAM R7)

5. Daniel Christiani (YAM R7)

 

The Weekend Garage Middleweight Superbike

1. Justin Delong (YAM R6)

2. Brian Naylor (KAW ZX6R)

3. Kinzer Naylor (KAW ZX6R)

4. Joshua Fisher (KAW ZX6R)

5. Braxton Young (HON CBR600RR)

6. Christopher Mousley (KAW ZX6R)

 

Toxic Moto Racing Middleweight Superstock

1. Justin Delong (YAM R6)

2. Brian Naylor (KAW ZX6R)

3. Joshua Fisher (KAW ZX6R)

4. Kinzer Naylor (KAW ZX6R)

5. Christopher Mousley (KAW ZX6R)

6. Braxton Young (HON CBR600RR)

 

MC & Associates Modern Vintage – GTO

1. Dave Loynd (HON CBR1000RR)

2. Cameron Holladay (YAM R1)

3. Kohl Burmester (BMW S1000RR)

4. Chris Golmon (SUZ GSXR1000)

 

MC & Associates Modern Vintage – GTU

1. Belisario Arango (KAW ZX6R)

2. Peter Hofpointner (YAM R6)

3. Kirk Doyle (KAW ZX6R)

4. Justin Delong (YAM R6)

5. Brian Cassel (YAM R6)

6. Eliu Heredia (YAM R6)

 

Karl Malone Powersports  Moto 2

1. Ryan Richardson (YAM R6)

2. Brian Naylor (KAW ZX6R)

3. Kinzer Naylor (KAW ZX6R)

4. Joshua Fisher (KAW ZX6R)

5. Christopher Mousley (KAW ZX6R)

6. Zach Jenson (YAM R6)

 

Redline Realty Moto 3

1. Sean Ungvarsky (KAW 400)

2. Nick Kock (KAW 400

3. Mark Taylor (KAW 400)

4. Raab Gisseman (YAM R3)

5. Kyle Kacprzynski (KAW 400)

 

Legion of Speed Novice GTO

1. Nolan Kiiskila (KAW ZX10R)

2. Aubrey Credaroli (YAM R6)

3. Jordan DeJarnett (YAM R6)

4. Joseph Ruck (YAM R6)

5. Eliu Heredia (YAM R6)

6. Marop Fernandez (YAM R6)

 

 

MC & Associates Novice GTU

1. Alisson Melo (KAW ZX6R)

2. Nolan Kiiskila (KAW ZX6R)

3. Jordan DeJarnett (YAM R6)

4. Mario Fernandez (YAM R6)

5. Joseph Ruck (YAM R6)

6. Eliu Heredia (YAM R6)

 

Vortex Racing Open Superbike

1. Genaro Lopez (BMW S1000RR)

2. Tyler Bengford (YAM R1)

3. David Meyer (YAM R1)

4. Alban Bonilla (BMW S1000RR)

5. Gilbert Gonzalez (KAW ZX10R)

6. John McKown (YAM R1)

 

MotoUnited Open Superstock

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX10R)

2. Tyler Bengford (YAM R1)

3. David Meyer (YAM R1)

4. Brian Childree (APR RSV4)

5. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

6. Jeff Taylor (YAM R1)

 

Crossbeam Builders Open Twins

1. Jared Baird (DUC 1299)

2. Sean Ungvarsky (KAW 400

3. Jasn Parkinson (YAM R7)

4. Ray Vernon (DUC 899)

5. Nick Koch (KAW 400)

6. John Carver (YAM R7)

 

Karl Malone Powersports Production 500

1. Mark Taylor (KAW 400)

2. Raab Gisseman (YAM R3)

3. Kyle Kacprzynski (KAW 400)

 

Trackstar Stock 1000

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX10R)

2. Tyler Bengford (YAM R1)

3. Gilbert Gonzalez (KAW ZX10R)

4. Alban Bonilla (BMW S1000RR)

5. Jeremy Morris (YAM R1)

6. Brian Gerwe (KAW ZX10R)

 

Carbonsmith Super Street Bike

1. Alex Zinaich (YAM FZ10)

2. Cameron Holladay (YAM R1)

3. Chris Golmon (BMW S1000RR)

4. Eliu Heredia (YAM R6)

5. Dustin Lance (APR RSV4)

N2/WERA Endurance: Max Van Wins ULW 2-Hour At PittRace (With Video)

Max Van (48) on the SportbikeTrackGear.com Kawasaki Ninja 400 at Pittsburgh International Race Complex (a.k.a. PittRace). Photo by Michael Goze/Contact Patch Photography, courtesy SportbikeTrackGear.com.
Max Van (48) on the SportbikeTrackGear.com Kawasaki Ninja 400 at Pittsburgh International Race Complex (a.k.a. PittRace). Photo by Michael Goze/Contact Patch Photography, courtesy SportbikeTrackGear.com.

Team SportbikeTrackGear.com Wins The 2 Hour Ultra Lightweight Class at the N2/WERA National Endurance Race by Dunlop at Pittsburg International Race Complex

Having raced to a second-place finish at this event in 2022 Max and Brian Van were excited to get the trailer loaded and head back to Wampum to have another go at the top step of the podium. Like 2022, this was a well-run event with a ton of teams competing that reminded the senior of the Van’s of the times when he was the one riding an endurance bike.

“PittRace is one of my favorite tracks and this event is one I look forward to racing,” said Max Van. “My dad and I come to this race just the two of us, so we get to spend a weekend working together with the goal of winning a race which is pretty cool. It is nice to have a race weekend away from MotoAmerica in a little more laid-back situation. My dad had my bike dialed in, our man Jose Lloreda helped with the pit stop, and I did my best on the bike. The competition was fierce and it felt good to get my first race win of the season!”

“At this race last year, Max raced his ass off for the first hour and had his opportunity to race for the win taken away by a poor pit stop that was my responsibility,” said Brian Van. “Having to live with that for a year left me eager to take another swing. This year I was prepared, with Jose Lloreda and I having the stop all dialed in. Max came in leading like last year and was back on the bike in 40 seconds. There were two teams that waited another lap or so before they pitted in, once they both made their stops Max was back in the lead by over 30 seconds which went a long way to helping erase the memory of last year’s stop.”

With 36 teams competing, Max was able to start this race from pole position, run the fastest lap of the race, and end it on the top step of the podium! Thank you to N2 and WERA for putting on another excellent event.

 

ASRA Team Challenge: Grease Monkey Racing Wins At Summit Point

Overall winner Grease Monkey Racing's Eric Helmbach (second from left) and Steve Hoffman (third from left); runner-up Coleman Powersports' Brad Moser (far left); and third-place finisher Hazardous Racing's Jonathan Schweiger (third from right), RJ Wade (second from right), and Chet FinkBeiner (far right). Photo courtesy ASRA.
Overall winner Grease Monkey Racing's Eric Helmbach (second from left) and Steve Hoffman (third from left); runner-up Coleman Powersports' Brad Moser (far left); and third-place finisher Hazardous Racing's Jonathan Schweiger (third from right), RJ Wade (second from right), and Chet Finkbeiner (far right). Photo courtesy ASRA.

Team Challenge Race Results from Summit Point, WV

Summit Point, WV – 8-13-23 –  Summit Point Motorsports Park plays host to the much-anticipated ASRA Team Challenge Race.

Race results

OVERALL FINISH

1st – Grease Monkey Racing (Eric Helmbach/Steve Hoffman)

2nd – Coleman Powersports (Brad Moser)

3rd – Hazardous Racing (Chet Finkbeiner/Jonathan Schweiger/RJ Wade)

 

GTO

1st – Grease Monkey Racing (Eric Helmbach/Stephen Hoffman), Best Lap Time 1:15.782

2nd – Justin Clark (Justin Clark), 1:16.246

3rd – Martinez Motorsports (Calvin Martinez), 1:18.372

4th – Smiley Boyz (Antal Halasz), 1:16.719

 

GTU

1st – Coleman Powersports (Brad Moser), Best Lap Time 1:16.797

2nd – Hazardous Racing (Chet Finkbeiner/Jonathan Schweiger/RJ Wade), 1:17.098

3rd – Birch Racing (DJ Birch), 1:16.543

4th – Andrew Clarke (Andrew Clarke), 1:17.405

5th – Mandalo Racing (Ricardo DosSantos), 1:19.555

6th – Fairfax Cycle Center (Alex Mackel), 1:19.236

7th – Panda Racing (Schyler Kopp), 1:21.069

8th – TST Industries (Gabriel Wingard), 1:21.430

9th – 5 Star (Adam Wingard), 1:17.526

10th – Nice Guys Racing (Nikolay Zakharyan), 1:16.885

 

GTL

1st – Chasing Shade Racing (Lance Molnar), Best Lap Time 1:22.073

 

For more information about the Team Challenge Races and complete results on sprint races please visit  www.asraracing.com.

2024 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ Intro: Technology For All!

Yamaha's 2024 Tracer 9 GT+, resting on an Idaho back road, is loaded with technology that helps the machine do what it does best - eat miles on the open road and perform in the twisties. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Yamaha's 2024 Tracer 9 GT+, resting on an Idaho back road, is loaded with technology that helps the machine do what it does best - eat miles on the open road and perform in the twisties. Photo by Michael Gougis.

Editorial Note: Look for a complete review of the 2024 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ in an upcoming issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

 

By Michael Gougis

The very first vehicle I hit while riding a motorcycle (a long time ago) involved me braking too late with too little pressure at the lever, and I smacked the rear bumper of the car in front of me with my Suzuki GS450L. I got off light. The only damage was a crease in my bike’s chrome front fender.

Yamaha’s 2024 Tracer 9 GT+ is the first motorcycle in the world to incorporate an intelligent braking system that might have avoided the above scenario.

Based on the successful and highly competent Tracer 9 GT platform, the 2024 GT+ version adds hard saddlebags as standard, a radar-assisted cruise control, and a Radar-linked Unified Braking System.

The radar cruise control works exactly as it does in cars and trucks. The rider selects the desired speed and distance from the vehicle in front. The bike then maintains that speed until something gets in the way. Using engine braking first, then braking with the triple-disc system if necessary, the machine slows to maintain the desired gap to the leading vehicle. When the coast is clear, the motorcycle accelerates back to the desired speed.

The linked braking system uses feedback from the radar unit to assist the rider. If the rider hits the brakes, and the motorcycle sees that it’s not going to stop in time, it will add braking power, optimize front/rear brake bias, and adjust the suspension damping to slow the bike more quickly. Yamaha reps are quick to point out that the bike doesn’t brake itself, but only assists once the rider has nailed the brakes.

Otherwise, the Tracer 9 GT+ is a more refined version of the machine that is the sport-touring model in Yamaha’s Triple lineup. Powered by the 890cc, three-cylinder engine found in the MT-09 and the XSR900, the Tracer also shares the twin-spar, die-cast aluminum-alloy Deltabox-style frame used for those models. Upgrades for the Tracer include KYB Actimatic Damping System (a.k.a. KADS) semi-active suspension front and rear, a sport-touring fairing and windscreen, a new dash and other conveniences designed to allow the bike to eat miles with comfort as well as rip around back-roads.

Available in Storm Gray, the machine, with a suggested retail price of $16,499, is expected to hit dealer showrooms this month.

Riding The Tracer 9 GT

Yamaha invited a group of motojournalists to Idaho, where we spent a day hauling on two- and four-lane roads just west of the Boise National Forest. We covered nearly 200 miles, ate finger steaks at a place called Dirty Shame, and got a good idea of what the newest Tracer is all about.

Full disclosure: I did not test out the Radar-linked Unified Braking System by trying to get into a panic stop situation involving another vehicle. I was just happy knowing it was there.

I did use the radar cruise control, and under difficult circumstances found that it worked exactly as advertised. Honestly, the cruise control itself was sophisticated and smooth in operation, and the radar-assist element added a major level of comfort and reduced mental exertion during longer stretches.

I found out, over above-mentioned finger steaks at the above-mentioned Dirty Shame, that I had been testing the radar cruise control function during the same portion of the morning ride that other motojournalists were experimenting with it.

Think about that for a moment…

We were in a pack of about eight, including Yamaha employees along for the ride, all on a two-lane road, and at any given point, some or even many of us were riding along in close proximity without touching throttles or brakes. No drama, not a single sketchy moment. The radar cruise control system was sorting it out for us.

I was surprised at how quickly I put my full trust in it, but as I told one of the Yamaha guys at lunch, “The bike is probably smarter than the rider.”

The bike delivers even more functionality than the prior versions of the Tracer. The dash screen is simpler, a new joystick toggles through information on the screen or selects one of the three pre-set riding modes, or a fourth, customizable mode which allows the rider to configure wheelie, traction and slide control, as well as ABS and suspension settings, to their liking.

The chassis is plenty stiff for its intended use. The KYB suspension, even in Sport mode, would wallow just a bit at very enthusiastic speeds, but was still stable enough to encourage straight-up sport riding at anything near a reasonable street speed. The brakes were solid, wind protection more than adequate, and vibration minimal. It’s a comfortable bike, with adjustable handlebar and footpeg positions and adjustable seat height. I was quite happy with the way it came stock.

It was a long day. Photo shoots take time, and we huddled on the ground for quite some time during one of them, hiding from the sun and the 92-degree heat in the shade of a chase vehicle. Rain the night before had left grit on the road in blind corners, adding to the stress level, and if I was riding something else, the combination of the undesirable bits of the day would have left me anxious to get to the end of the ride.

But as we cruised back into Boise, heading for the hotel and dinner, it occurred to me that if I were to fill the 5-gallon gas tank to the top and head out again, I could have easily gone through another tank or two before calling it quits. The bike is that comfortable, that fast, and that easy to ride. For what you get for the retail price, it is a technological marvel that does exactly what I want technology on a motorcycle to do– make riding more fun!

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