MotoAmerica 2017MotoAmerica Dunlop Tire Test
Officially – We were testing
Austin, TX – Austin, TX – The Genuine Broaster Chicken / Honda team headed to Circuit of the Americas to participate in the MotoAmerica Dunlop Tire Test. This was the first official test of the 2017 and for many, it was also the first opportunity to shake down new equipment obtained during the off-season. For the team, it was also the first time our brand new Honda CBR1000RR SP2 has seen any significant track time with some race components.
Prior to this test, Jake Gagne has had the all new CBR bike on the track only twice and those track days were in completely stock trim. As parts continue to be delivered to the race shop the new motorcycle would be mostly stock so the goals of this test were based around rider set-up and suspension. Because this is a completely new platform with very little world wide knowledge to draw from, the team had their work cut out for them.
More than anything, the primary goal was to just get Jake as much time in the seat as possible. With a disciplined approach of 5-7 laps then pit-in and repeat for as many times as the session allowed, the team achieved that objective. Each pit-in it became a scramble to make suspension adjustments and minor set-up changes to get Jake more comfortable. That methodical tactic proved extremely valuable in defining the baseline rider set-up ahead of the delivery of new components. For their efforts, the team racked up critical seat time with a fastest time of 2:11:122 which puts them on solid footing as they progress towards Round One which will take place back at COTA the weekend of April 21st.
Jake Gagne
“This test was an absolute blast. This is the most time I’ve had on the bike and I’m getting pretty comfortable on it. Honda has really put out a great package as we showed this weekend by running a pretty stock motorcycle against some really developed superbikes and the CBR1000RR SP2 held its own. I’m really excited to see how it will do once we’ve got a complete and proper race bike to work with.
I know that Scotty, Danny Anderson and Evan will be working around the clock with the parts that are showing up this week so we can put in some more laps at our home track and continue the development of the race kit.
Overall, I’m pretty stoked to be back racing again. It’s our second year with Genuine Broaster Chicken and they’ve upped the support to ensure we have a great season. I’m confident that with the crew we have and the support from our sponsors we’ll put together a great season and work our way towards the front.”
Danny Walker – Team Principal
“I want to stress that from the beginning of this venture we know full well what we are up against in terms of not only competition but development of the bike. We are very excited to be partnered with Genuine Broaster Chicken in helping to bring back American Honda to the top level of superbike racing in the U.S. As with any new program there are going to be hurdles that you have to clear. For us, the first major one is rider / bike set-up. We got these bikes only about a month and a half ago and we weren’t able to secure full race components by the time this test was scheduled. So the focus of this test for us became nailing that set-up and I believe that we achieved that goal.
Despite not having all the goodies that the other guys are running, we were able to set some pretty respectable times and our trap speeds showed some serious potential. All the more reason to be excited about getting this bike in full race trim. To that end, we have some fresh parts showing up at the shop in Colorado over the next few days. We know that when we come back here in April for the start of the season, we’re going to be able to put on a strong performance and I believe, showcase this new CBR1000RR SP2’s potential. Honda has shown considerable interest in this program and they are doing all that they can to ensure that we get the parts and tech needed to have the bike near the front of the grid as quickly as possible.
I couldn’t be prouder of the entire Genuine Broaster Chicken / Honda team. What they’ve been able to accomplish with the limited time they had is pretty awesome and I think this year is going to be a lot of fun. Of course we want to win, but we also know that in order to do that, we have to help develop the bike and work hand in hand with our partners and sponsors. I’m excited to get racing and I’m very excited about our future with Honda.”
Scott Jensen – Crew Chief
“Getting a brand new bike ready for its first trip to the race track is always challenging. The brand new Honda CBR1000RR SP2 was no different. With all the changes to the bike it meant lots of new parts and part development. But thanks to team partners like Evol Technology and 39n we showed up with tons of cool parts fresh off the CNC machines.
Unfortunately due to the short time frame we had to get bikes ready for the test we were forced to use the OEM ECU as produced and a bone stock engine. The street based ECU was not optimal for race conditions but we were able to make some huge advancements in the chassis set up and making Jake feel more comfortable on the motorcycle. By the end of the test we all feel we have a very capable chassis and are excited to unlock the remaining capabilities of the motorcycle and put our new Honda CBR1000RR SP2 at the front of the grid!”
More, from a press release issued by Kyle Wyman Racing/Lucas Oil/Millennium Technologies:
KWR Superbike team completes successful test in Texas at Circuit of the Americas
AUSTIN, Texas (Mar. 31) — The KWR Superbike team is back at it for 2017 and testing for competition in the MotoAmerica Superbike series this season. Kyle Wyman and the team completed a successful test at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas this past Tuesday and Wednesday.
Wyman ended the test 6th overall, lapping the 3.43-mile circuit in 2:10.521, over a second and a half faster than the team’s best time from the 2016 race event of 2:12.071. Kyle was the fastest Superbike rider not competing on a factory team – the early results showing good promise for a 2017 championship campaign.
“Heading into the COTA test I was really excited to ride my new Superbike,” Wyman said. “My Dad and I have been spending a lot of time this winter preparing this bike for battle against the factory teams, and so far we are happy to see that hard work paying off. We have been adding parts to the bike for this season that seem to be making a difference.”
For 2017 MotoAmerica has opened up the rules for Superbike compared to 2016, allowing complete aftermarket front forks and complete swingarm assemblies. KWR has been able to take advantage of the new fork allowances and run the new K-Tech KTR-3 full fork designed specifically for Superbike competition.
“The new forks from K-Tech are definitely a luxury,” Kyle said. “Over last year we had wear issues with the stock fork tubes, so the complete forks have helped us from a rigidity standpoint, but also from a feel standpoint. Evol Technology made some one-off Pro-Flex triple clamps for those forks, as well as our axle setup. We have also gone with a modified swingarm to add more wheelbase, a kit that’s offered by Superbike Unlimited. Add a full-blown Superbike motor from Livengood Motorsports, and those our some of our bigger upgrades over 2016.”
Despite the upgrades, the KWR team will be running with Superstock-legal electronics and swingarms, due to budget restrictions. KWR will utilize a Flash-Tune ECU that is capable of many adjustments, though not as sophisticated as the more expensive electronic systems run by the factory teams. Wyman and the team spent the majority of day one on harder compound tires from Dunlop, testing new tire constructions and working with chassis setup.
“Compared to last year, the test was a wild success,” Kyle said. “We didn’t have bugs and big issues plaguing us for two days, and we were really able to make the most of the track time that was available. It’s a testament to our preparation for this season. I’m looking forward to a couple more weeks of preparation before we come back here to COTA for the first race of the season.”
The KWR/Lucas Oil/Millennium Technologies Superbike will debut at Circuit of the Americas alongside MotoGP during the Red Bull United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas April 20-23, 2017.
Every race in 2017 will be broadcasted LIVE on BeIN Sports Network
For the complete series schedule, visit www.motoamerica.com
For information on how to get BeIN Sports Network, check with your cable provider or subscribe to Sling TV (www.sling.tv)
For more information about Kyle Wyman Racing (KWR), visit www.kylewymanracing.com
About Kyle Wyman Racing:
Kyle Wyman Racing (KWR) was formed in 2011 as a motorcycle road racing team focusing on healthy sponsorship opportunities for companies within and outside the motorcycle industry. KWR is the 2012 AMA Pro Harley-Davidson series championship winning team and current partner with Millennium Technologies. For more information visit www.kylewymanracing.com