August 18 and 19, 2018 at Utah Motorsports Campus, Perimeter Configuration, located in Grantsville, Utah
Round 4 of the Masters of the Mountains race series, held by the Utah Sport Bike Association, has been a highly anticipated event all year, and the anticipation grew exponentially the week prior to race weekend. Round 4 was planned to be run on the perimeter track (1 of 4 possible configurations), and anyone who’s ever ridden this track loves to ride this configuration because it combines both east and west tracks, and gives riders access to the giant front straight that they only get to take advantage of once a year. Not only was the track configuration a draw, but the Utah Sport Bike Association brought back its tow incentive that was introduced last year. In short, if you are one of the first 30 people from out of state, and you drove in, you take a short survey, and the club hands you 100 dollars in cash. The third, and unexpected incentive came when Moto Station facilitated a new relationship between the Utah Sport Bike Association and RS Taichi. Moto Station and RS Taichi agreed to partner on being co-presenters of round 4, with RS Taichi doing a race suit giveaway. The format of the giveaway was simple….for every race start a racer participated in, they were granted an entry into the drawing. Due to the flat fee schedule that the USBA utilizes, a racer could sign up for as many races as their bike was eligible for and not incur any additional race fee costs. This led to some unusually large race grids, and made for some very exciting racing all weekend. Bill Dark won the suit drawing, and when notified, was ecstatic. His words were, “That’s amazing! I never win anything, thank you!”. He’s currently working with RS Taichi to choose his brand new race suit.
The Sunday KOM race looked like it was going to be an exciting one from the very beginning of the race weekend. The number of entrants was larger than normal, and if you were cognizant of who the KOM competitors were, you could watch them during Saturday’s racing to gauge how they were riding. A lot of the riders were performing very well, and there were a few that were just destroying all their competition. Some KOM O regulars, like Michael Bradshaw and Justin Delong were riding exceptionally well as usual, and looked like they’d be a difficult challenge for anyone trying to get past them to take the top step of the podium. In the KOM U class, Kory Cowan looked to be the class favorite, walking away almost unchallenged in every race he entered. Ryan Richardson, who had been struggling all year decided he was going to up his game for round 4 and piloted his bike around the track better than he had all year, and made sure that Cowan could make zero mistakes during his race as Richardson was always just close enough to take advantage if Cowan were to miss a shift or run too wide. A couple of unfamiliar faces were making themselves known as well: Brad Morris looked to offer some serious competition, and Adam Robarts was setting down some blistering lap times, looking like he just might be the guy to beat.
The Combined KOM race started with 21 of 27 registered riders gridded up for the green flag. The start was messy, with several riders getting bad starts, and one rider jumping the light, incurring a ride-through penalty. Unfortunately, as is often the case with the fastest riders in a club, one of the competitors slightly over-reached in corner two, trying to get by a rider in front of him, and crashed causing a red flag. The USBA rule book specifies that any race that is red-flagged with two or fewer laps completed will be re-gridded in the original grid spots, and that the full race length will be run, time permitting. Luckily for those with bad starts, and especially the rider that jumped the start, this meant that they would have a second chance. The second start was better, and the long race down the front straight through turn one was uneventful. The racers made it through lap one without incident, and the class leaders started to clearly emerge. Robarts, hailing from the state of Washington, was laying down some blistering lap times, and looked to be absolutely unbeatable unless he suffered a mechanical or crashed, and Brad Morris (out of Colorado), and Delong (out of Canada) were battling for second and third in KOM O. Robarts never made a mistake, and crossed the line in first well ahead of Morris and Delong. Morris finally managed to eke his lead out to 4 second over Delong, and took second, relegating Delong to third. Michael Bradshaw, a favorite in this race, and always a threat, had his hopes dashed when his wheel speed sensor failed, totally sapping the power of the bike. He managed to limp it around the track for the entirety of the race, eventually finishing 7th. Kory Cowan took the win in the U class by a wide margin. Ryan Richardson took second place almost 90 seconds in front of third place finisher John Bullee.
Of the other notable races, the Deseret Dash races have to have a special mention: this race is always popular, and due to the different incentives this round the USBA saw it’s biggest Deseret Dash grids to date, with over 50 riders entering. This race is a combined expert and novice race, but both are scored separately, so a two wave start was utilized in order to maximize rider safety and the end of the high speed straight into turn 1. There were few incidents during the race, and everywhere you looked on the 3+ mile course, you could see a battle for a position. Grayson Davidson made his mark again, decimating all comers in his production and Moto 3 classes, laying down some absolutely impressive lap times on his Ninja 400. Brian Jackson, the only one that’s been able to offer him any challenge this year couldn’t touch him and said “the kid was laying down 2:13’s! I can’t touch that, so I just backed off, rode a safe race, and made sure I took second”. Jackson is a talented rider that makes the drive from Colorado for most rounds, and if he’s not on the top step of the podium in the classes he enters, he up there somewhere.
Overall, the weekend was a resounding success. The races ran on time, the racers had competition in all classes, and the weather was beautiful all weekend. With a few newcomers, some mechanical difficulties with other riders, it seems that quite a few of the class championships are up for grabs, so not too many of the class leaders can relax for round 5, quickly approaching in just two weeks. They’ve got giant targets on their backs, and everyone in striking distance will be gunning for them in the final two rounds.
The Utah Sport Bike Association is a Utah Non-Profit dedicated to promoting education, safe riding, and competition in the Intermountain West. You can find more information about the USBA, upcoming events, and schools at www.utahsba.com or find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/utahsba/
Race Results:
The Law Tigers Combined KOM
1. Adam Robarts (BMW S1000RR)
2. Brad Morris (YAM YZF-R1)
3. Justin Delong (BMW S1000RR)
4. Kory Cowan (YAM YZF-R6)
5. Eric Jones (YAM YZF-R1)
6. Duncan Biles (YAM YZF-R1)
The Moto Station KOM GTO
1. Adam Robarts (BMW S1000RR)
2. Brad Morris (YAM YZF-R1)
3. Justin Delong (BMW S1000RR)
4. Eric Jones (YAM YZF-R1)
5. Duncan Biles (YAM YZF-R1)
6. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)
Rickdiculous Racing KOM GTU
1. Kory Cowan (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Ryan Richardson (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Jon Bullee (HON CBR600RR)
4. Tom Dark (SUZ GSX-R600)
Wright’s M/C Parts and Accessories Production 300 (Race 1)
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW Ninja 300)
2. Holly Hendrickson (KAW Ninja 300)
3. Chad Carson (KAW Ninja 300)
Wright’s M/C Parts and Accessories Production 300 (Race 2)
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW Ninja 300)
2. Holly Hendrickson (KAW Ninja 300)
3. Chad Carson (KAW Ninja 300)
The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash 1 (Expert)
1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)
2. Justin Delong (BMW S1000RR)
3. Brad Morris (YAM YZF-R1)
4. Eric Jones (YAM YZF-R1)
5. Duncan Biles (YAM YZF-R1)
6. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)
The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash 1 (Novice)
1. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
2. James Powelson (TRI 675R)
3. Kate Heffernan (YAM YZF-R6)
4. Kellen Birch (HON CBR600RR)
5. Raymond Clark (SUZ GSX-R600)
6. Todd Mauer (YAM YZF-R6)
The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash 2 (Expert)
1. Eric Jones (YAM YZF-R1)
2. Brad Morris (YAM YZF-R1)
3. Brian Worsdall (BMW S1000RR)
4. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)
5. Braden Jones (YAM YZF-R1)
6. Ken Yee (KAW ZX-6R)
The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash 2 (Novice)
1. James Powelson (TRI 675R)
2. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
3. Kate Heffernan (YAM YZF-R6)
4. Todd Mauer (YAM YZF-R6)
5. Raymond Clark (SUZ GSX-R600)
6. Kellen Birch (HON CBR600RR)
Harrison Eurosports Combined GTO
1. Brian Worsdall (BMW S1000RR)
2. Helmut Kohler Jr (YAM YZF-R1)
3. Shane White (SUZ GSX-R1000)
4. Spencer Kruger (YAM YZF-R1)
5. Dylan Welch (DUC 1199R)
6. Kellen Birch (HON CBR600RR)
Fastline Racetire Moto 2
1. Michael Bradshaw (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Genaro Lopez (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Ryan Richardson (YAM YZF-R6)
4. Ken Yee (KAW ZX-6R)
5. David Henderson (YAM YZF-R6)
6. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R6)
Utah Sport Bike Association Moto 1
1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)
2. Adam Robarts (BMW S1000RR)
3. Brad Morris (YAM YZF-R1)
4. Justin Delong (BMW S1000RR)
5. Erik Grim (BMW S1000RR)
6. Brian Worsdall (BMW S1000RR)
Utah Sport Bike Association Novice GTU
1. James Powelson (TRI 675R)
2. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
3. Todd Mauer (YAM YZF-R6)
4. Raymond Clark (SUZ GSX-R600)
5. Kate Heffernan (YAM YZF-R6)
6. Kellen Birch (HON CBR600RR)
The Green Pig Pub Open Twins
1. Scott Rybarik (DUC 899)
2. Jeff Dinger (HON RC51)
3. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
4. Zack Cooper (DUC 959)
5. Dominic Poulin (DUC 1199)
6. Tom Berry (KAW EX650R)
Carey’s Cycle Production 500 Race 1
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW Ninja 400)
2. Brian Jackson (KAW EX500)
3. David Purcell (KAW Ninja 400)
4. Liam Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
5. Brad Moore (YAM YZF-R3)
6. Chad Carson (YAM YZF-R3)
Carey’s Cycle Production 500 Race 2
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW Ninja 400)
2. Brian Jackson (KAW EX500)
3. Liam Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
4. David Purcell (KAW Ninja 400)
5. Brad Moore (YAM YZF-R3)
6. Steve Kozicki (YAM YZF-R3)
Trackstar Racing MIddleweight Superstock
1. Kory Cowan (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Ryan Richardson (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Genaro Lopez (YAM YZF-R6)
4. Ken Yee (KAW ZX-6R)
5. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R6)
6. David Henderson (YAM YZF-R6)
South Valley Motorsports Open Superstock
1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)
2. Adam Robarts (BMW S1000RR)
3. Justin Delong (BMW S1000RR)
4. Erik Grim (BMW S1000RR)
5. Duncan Biles (YAM YZF-R1)
6. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)
Stansbury Concert Series Sportsman Race 1
1. Kate Heffernan (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Lee McNutt (SUZ GSX-R600)
3. Raymond Clark (SUZ GSX-R600)
4. Cole Phillips (YAM YZF-R6)
5. Eric Russnak (HON CBR600RR)
6. Zack Cooper (DUC 959)
Stansbury Concert Series Sportsman Race 2
1. Cole Phillips (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Kate Heffernan (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Eric Russnak (HON CBR600RR)
4. Greg Hazelwood (BMW S1000RR)
5. Malachi Roybal ((YAM YZF-R1)
6. Gilbert Gonzalez (YAM YZF-R6)
The Mechanic Modern Vintage GTO
1. Kevin Dolan (SUZ GSX-R1000)
2. Shane White (SUZ GSX-R1000)
3. David Meyer (HON CBR1000RR)
4. Spencer Kruger (YAM YZF-R1)
5. Jeff Dinger (HON RC51)
6. Johanne Bernier (SUZ GSX-R750)
The Mechanic Modern Vintage GTU
1. Kellen Birch (HON CBR600RR)
2. Jon Bullee (HON CBR600RR)
3. Gilbert Gonzalez (YAM YZF-R6)
4. Bill Dark (SUZ GSX-R600)
5. Randall Turner (HON CBR600RR)
6. Tom Berry (KAW EX650R)
The Edge Powersports Moto 3
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW Ninja 400)
2. Brian Jackson (KAW EX500)
3. Liam Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
4. David Purcell (KAW Ninja 400)
5. Brad Moore (YAM YZF-R3)
6. Matt Phoumyxay (SUZ SV650)
Kimco Combined GTU
1. David Henderson (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Andy Blunt (YAM YZF-R6)
4. Darryl McGavigan (SUZ GSX-R600)
5. Kellen Birch (HON CBR600RR)
6. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
Utah Sport Bike Association Novice GTO
1. Steven Marco (YAM YZF-R1)
2. Kellen Birch (HON CBR600RR)
3. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
4. Kate Heffernan (YAM YZF-R6)
5. James Riggs (YAM YZF-R1)
6. James Krstich (SUZ GSX-R600)
The Moto Station Middleweight Superbike
1. Michael Bradshaw (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Ryan Richardson (YAM YZF-R6)
3. David Henderson (YAM YZF-R6)
4. Andy Blunt (YAM YZF-R6)
5. Jason Johnson (KAW ZX-6R)
6. Thomas Dark (SUZ GSX-R600)
The Moto Station Open Superbike
1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)
2. Brad Morris (YAM YZF-R1)
3. Justin Delong (BMW S1000RR)
4. Erik Grim (BMW S1000RR)
5. Zac Miller (BMW S1000RR)
6. David Henderson (YAM YZF-R1)
Lamonica’s Restaurant Supply Heavyweight Superbike
1. Kory Cowan (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Ryan Richardson (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Scott Rybarik (DUC 899)
4. Jason Johnson (KAW ZX-6R)
5. Spencer Kruger (SUZ GSX-R750)
6. Brad Moore (YAM YZF-R3)
Harrison Eurosports Formula 40 GTO
1. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)
2. Kevin Dolan (SUZ GSX-R1000)
3. Steven Marco (YAM YZF-R1)
4. Shane White (SUZ GSX-R1000)
5. Scott Rybarik (DUC 899)
6. David Meyer (HON CBR1000RR)
Harrison Eurosports Formula 40 GTU
1. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R6)
2. David Henderson (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Ken Yee (KAW ZX-6R)
4. Jason Johnson (KAW ZX-6R)
5. Darryl McGavigan (SUZ GSXR-600)
6. Andy Blunt (YAM YZF-R6)
SouthPaw Motorsports Lightweight Twins
1. Grayson Davidson (SUZ SV650)
2. Liam Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
3. Brad Moore (YAM YZF-R3)
4. Tom Berry (KAW EX650R)
5. Steve Kozicki (YAM YZF-R3)
6. Parissa Azarvand (YAM YZF-R3)