RiderzLaw/ Aguilar Racing Wins MotoAmerica Superstock 600 National Championship
It was a near perfect weekend for Jason Aguilar with pole position, 2 race wins, and the 2017 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 600 Championship. MotoAmerica is the highest level of professional motorcycle road racing in the United States, attracting an international field of competitors representing 6 continents.
Jason was determined to have a good qualifying session, after a relatively poor qualifying position at New Jersey last week resulted in a reduction in his championship points lead from 18 points to just 3. Leaving nothing to chance this time, Jason had a class leading qualifying lap of 1:28.824 to secure his first professional pole position by over half a second.
Saturday’s race saw Jason get a good start, but a better start from a competitor resulted in Jason being dropped to 2nd place on the first lap. It did not last for long as Jason passed for the lead on the 3rd lap, and gradually extended his lead. At the finish of the 19-lap race, Jason was over 6 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. The win extended Jason’s points lead to 17 points, setting up a battle for the championship on Sunday’s Race 2.
The expected championship showdown was not to be as the only other competitor with a mathematical chance at wresting the championship away from Jason had a crash in morning warmup that resulted in the bike catching on fire. The bike was too damaged to repair in time for Race 2, handing the Championship to Jason before the race even started.
Being the competitor that he is, Jason was not going to be satisfied using the race as a series of victory lap celebrations for his Championship. He still wanted to win. This time, Jason got a great start. Maintaining a small lead during the first 4 laps, Jason then put the hammer down, extending his lead each of the remaining 15 laps to win by over 6 seconds for the second consecutive race.
The win gave Jason 6 wins, 3 second places, and 1 third place for the season. As one of only 3 riders to score points in each race, Jason finished with 300 points, winning the Championship by 42 points. RiderzLaw Aguilar Racing had no mechanical failures this season, speaking volumes about the reliability and performance of the products supplied by Jason’s sponsors, as well as the dedication, skill, and talent of Jason’s team: Crew Chief Poncho Rangel, and Mechanic Chris Waters.
Sy Nazif: “Jason and his crew have worked hard all season to make this happen. To see that hard work payoff is incredible. RiderzLaw is really grateful to have had the opportunity to support Aguilar Racing this year, and we look forward to more great things from Jason.”
Jason Aguilar: “Couldn’t be more stoked on the weekend. Pole position, double race win, and my first professional championship. There are so many people to thank that have helped us along the way. Couldn’t think of a better group of guys to have all year.”
Thanks to all RiderzLaw Aguilar Racing sponsors who share in this Championship Season: Riderzlaw, Graves Motorsports, SolarMax Technology, Torco Advanced Lubricants, Yamaha Motor USA, Taylormade Racing, FTECU, Speed and Strength, Arai Helmets, Galfer, Motion Pro, Superlite Sprockets, SpeedAngle, Dunlop Tires, Thermal Technology Race, EF Signs, SBK Paint
More, from a press release issued by SBS:
Triple Crown Domination!
Reading, PA – SBS takes on Barber Motorsports Park with two top podium finishes at the WERA 1000 Superbike Triple Crown during MotoAmerica this last weekend. Billy Ethridge takes first while Brad Burns finishes a close second. A near sweep was in sight until Gary Virgin crashed out in the end. What a way to celebrate the closing of a tremendous racing season in 2017. And the icing on the cake is that Billy won all three Triple Crown races this year and that he and Burns ended up first and second in the final standings!
Chris Jensen, SBS North American Market Manager states: “SBS has been at the fore front of racing technology and it is always a sweet sight to be on the track in person to witness our tremendous racers putting themselves and our product to the ultimate test, and pulling off victory in the end. Congratulations to all our racers throughout the 2017 season. Any racer looking to order SBS pads now or in the future can find their closest authorized SBS Racing Dealer at: www.racingbrakesusa.com”
About SBS Friction A/S
SBS is a world leader within the development, production and sales of disc brake pads and friction solutions for motorcycles, scooters, motorsport and special applications. Based on our vast friction experience, we supply both the OEM and aftermarket and offer a full range of compounds for all riding styles. Made in Denmark, SBS Friction is part of the SBS Group.
SBS – Go Ahead!
More, from a press release issued by Kyle Wyman Racing:
Kyle Wyman withdraws from Barber season finale after massive crash, injury on Cambr/YCRS/KWR Yamaha Superbike
LEEDS, Ala. (Sept. 19) — Kyle Wyman withdrew from the MotoAmerica Superbike season finale at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama this past weekend after a massive crash on his Cambr/YCRS/KWR Yamaha YZF-R1. Wyman suffered a fracture to his T6 vertebrae after a high speed impact with air fence in the Saturday morning free practice session.
Wyman was the fifth fastest rider overall after Friday’s qualifying sessions on his Cambr/YCRS/KWR Yamaha. The New Yorker was carrying his momentum from his first career podium finish at New Jersey Motorsports Park just days earlier.
Wyman was on a routine practice lap Saturday morning when a mechanical failure caused a complete loss of front brakes. The incident occurred entering turn one of the race circuit, just after the start/finish line. Wyman was traveling at 150mph when pulling on the brake lever.
“I had no warning that things were about to get really, really bad,” Wyman said. “The bike was feeling so good all day Friday, and Saturday was going to plan. When I went for the brakes the lever went straight to the bar and I had nothing. Somehow I was able to still turn the bike into the corner, bail off the inside of it and before I knew it I was in the airfence.”
Wyman hit the airfence at well over 100mph, with speed only scrubbed with some rear brake and from tumbling over a distance of only a few hundred feet. His Dainese D-Air system deployed, creating a protective airbag around the neck and shoulder area, and Wyman was also wearing his 6D ATS-1 helmet. Even with the best protective gear in the business, Wyman is convinced that it’s the airfence that saved his life.
“The impact was huge,” Wyman added. “I hit so hard that it knocked the wind out of me completely. I just sat there and leaned up against the fence, looking back up at the corner. I had no clue where my bike was but I didn’t care – I was just happy to be alive in that moment.”
Wyman’s Yamaha YZF-R1 barely slowed as it barreled toward another section of airfence, likely impacting at over 130mph. A riderless bike that certainly would have carried Wyman to a different outcome if he was still on board.
The air fencing used is inflatable, and covers steel and concrete walls around circuits on the MotoAmerica schedule, walls that would otherwise be unforgiving in the event of an impact with rider or machine. The Roadracing World Action Fund is a non-profit organization that raises money to purchase and deploy air fence at circuits around the world, protecting riders in the process. You can donate to RRWAF here.
“This is the second time in my career that I’ve gotten to know these airfence soft barriers on an intimate level,” Wyman said. “Both times I believe my life was in danger, and have come out on the better end of what could have been much worse. I think the way I came off the bike, and the Dainese air system in my suit, combined with the soft barrier and a little bit of luck all played a major role in my ability to stand here today and talk about it.”
As for missing both Superbike races on Saturday and Sunday, Wyman’s injury to his T6 vertebra would force him out of competition in what was shaping up to be a good weekend for the Cambr/YCRS team.
“I’m bummed that I couldn’t race and put our YCRS Champions Habits on display,” Wyman added. “I can’t thank those guys, and Josh Siegel enough for stepping up these last two rounds to support me. I’m still on a high from Jersey and our first podium result, so we have some good vibes to take into the offseason regardless.”
“I owe it all to YCRS, Cambr, Lucas Oil, Excelsus Solutions, Décor Brilliance, Shadrack’s Woodworking, Harv’s Harley-Davidson and Motovation USA for their amazing support this season, and so many others. But these guys really reached into their pockets as weekend sponsors and supporters who believed in my program and my vision. I’m looking forward to continuing to build my program as we head into 2018.”
While the MotoAmerica championship has concluded for 2017, stay tuned for updates and videos from the KWR team.
For more information about YCRS, visit www.champschool.com