Mathew Scholtz, the reigning South African Super GP (Superbike) Champion, posted the fastest lap time during the wet MotoAmerica Motul Superbike/Bazzaz Superstock 1000 Qualifying Practice One Friday at VIRginia International Raceway. Riding his Yamalube/Westby Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock 1000 machine on Dunlop rain tires, Scholtz lapped the 2.25-mile circuit in 1:38.284.
“The session started off pretty wet, but it started drying towards the end,” Scholtz told Roadracingworld.com. “There wasn’t a dry line, but it was getting drier on the line.
“We had the TC [Traction Control] turned up to the maximum, and that gave me the confidence that I could open the gas more. I’m really happy. Now, I just hope it rains all weekend.”
Yoshimura Suzuki’s Roger Hayden (1:38.397) was at the top of the order with only a few minutes to go when Scholtz stole the top spot.
Hayden’s teammate Toni Elias (1:38.713), the Superbike Championship point leader, was third-fastest in spite of suffering a minor crash in the first half of the session.
Fourth-fastest overall was Cycle World Suzuki’s Hayden Gillim (1:39.704), who rode his brand new, 2017-model GSX-R1000.
MotoAmerica Championship of Virginia
MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Series
VIRginia International Raceway
Alton, Virginia
May 12, 2017
Motul Superbike/Bazzaz Superstock 1000 Qualifying Practice One (wet conditions, all on Dunlop tires):
1. Mathew Scholtz (Yam YZF-R1), Superstock 1000, 1:38.284
2. Roger Hayden (Suz GSX-R1000), Superbike, 1:38.397
3. Toni Elias (Suz GSX-R1000), Superbike, 1:38.713, crash
4. Hayden Gillim (Suz GSX-R1000), Superstock 1000, 1:39.704
5. Jake Gagne (Hon CBR1000RR SP2), Superbike, 1:39.773
6. Cameron Beaubier (Yam YZF-R1), Superbike, 1:39.857, crash
7. Kyle Wyman (Yam YZF-R1), Superbike, 1:40.634
8. David Anthony (Kaw ZX-10R), Superstock 1000, 1:40.639
9. Jake Lewis (Suz GSX-R1000), Superstock 1000, 1:40.679
10. Bobby Fong (Kaw ZX-10R), Superstock 1000, 1:41.321
11. Josh Hayes (Yam YZF-R1), Superbike, 1:41.502
12. Jason DiSalvo (BMW S1000RR), Superbike, 1:42.058, crash
13. Josh Herrin (Yam YZF-R1), Superbike, 1:42.064
14. Frankie Babuska (Yam YZF-R1), Superstock 1000, 1:44.053
15. Anthony Kosinski (Yam YZF-R1), Superstock 1000, 1:45.861
16. Max Flinders (Yam YZF-R1), Superstock 1000, 1:47.462
17. Mathew Orange (Suz GSX-R1000), Superbike, 1:48.469
18. Danny Eslick (Yam YZF-R1), Superstock 1000, 1:48.814
19. Bryce Prince (Yam YZF-R1), Superstock 1000, 1:48.860
20. Martin Biernacki (BMW S1000RR), Superstock 1000, 1:49.439
21. Roi Holster (Yam YZF-R1), Superstock 1000, 1:53.564