It Was Utah “Shock & Awe” As Yamalube/Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz Podiums Twice In MotoAmerica Superstock 1000
Tooele, UT – New team rider Mathew Scholtz wasted no time acclimating to the Yamalube/Westby Racing team and its gold-and-black Yamaha YZF-R1 at round 7 of the 2016 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Motorcycle Road Racing Championship, which took place this past weekend at Utah Motorsports Campus (UMC).
The 23-year-old South African phenom “shocked” the fans with a second-place result in Superstock 1000 Race 1, then “awed” them with a third-place finish in Superstock 1000 Race 2.
This past Thursday, Mathew climbed aboard the #720 R1 Superstock 1000 for the very first time, and immediately felt comfortable. Then, he got down to the business of laying down fast laps around UMC’s 3.048-mile, 15-turn Outer Course. In fact, in the very first practice session on Thursday, Mathew was the fastest Superstock 1000 rider on the track, instantly validating Yamalube/Westby Racing’s decision earlier in the week to sign him to the team for the remainder of the 2016 MotoAmerica season.
On Friday morning, the Yamalube/Westby Racing crew made a couple of adjustments to the bike, and Mathew lowered his fastest laptime even more in the second free practice session of the weekend. Continuing to improve, Mathew knocked even more time off his fastest lap in the third and final free practice, as the team concentrated on race pace and the upcoming Superpole session.
In Friday afternoon’s Superpole, he lowered his fastest lap time yet again (for the fourth session in a row), which gave him a fourth-row starting position for the two combined Superbike/Superstock 1000 main events on Saturday.
Both of Saturday’s Superbike/Superstock 1000 races yielded podium results for Mathew and his Yamalube/Westby Racing team, and both races proved to be “bLU cRU battles” as Yamaha bLU cRU R1 riders swept the Superstock 1000 rostrum. Mathew diced throughout each of the two 18-lap events with long-time Yamaha rider Josh Herrin and Josh’s storied rival Danny Eslick.
You could practically toss a checkered flag over the three fearless combatants as they diced for the two race wins, as Mathew finished second in Race 1 and third in Race 2 to complete a hugely successful weekend in his debut with the Yamalube/Westby Racing team.
After the champagne celebrations had concluded, Mathew summed up his Utah weekend by saying, “Over the weekend, we developed a really fast pace, so we felt really good going into Saturday’s two races. I couldn’t be happier with how things went for my first weekend with the Yamalube/Westby Racing team, I’m really glad to get them some good results in Utah. I thought I could get to the top step of the Superstock 1000 podium in both races, and I was right in it till the end. We were all racing really hard for the wins. From my days racing in World Supersport, I’m used to banging bars out there. Both Josh (Herrin) and Danny (Eslick) race really, really hard, and we even touched a few times, but that’s how racing goes. I love it. I’d rather be battling for wins than out there racing all by myself.
“So, overall, a second and a third…I really couldn’t be happier, and I can’t thank my team enough for everything they did this weekend. They’ve done a brilliant job. The bike’s brilliant, and I hope we can finish off the season with weekends like this.”
Mathew and the Yamalube/Westby Racing team will be on track in two weeks when the MotoAmerica Championship takes part in the FIM Superbike World Championship weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, CA, on July 8-10.
For more Yamalube/Westby Racing news, photos, and videos, visit http://www.WestbyRacing.com
Also, visit “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media site.
About Yamalube
Located in Kennesaw, GA, under Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.’s (YMUS) Customer Support Group (CSG), Yamalube formulates the only oil “built around” the unique demands, operating characteristics, and applications of the various motorsports engines produced. In 1967, after more than a decade of racing and countless wins, Yamaha set off to conquer a new arena–racing oil. Collaborating with Yamaha engine designers, Yamalube’s global oil engineers formulate each oil from scratch, to be engine- and application-specific. Yamalube also makes lubricants, quality care products, maintenance products, fork oils, fuel additives, and adhesives. To find out more, visit http://www.shopyamaha.com
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More, from a press release issued by Yoshimura Suzuki:
ELIAS SCORES UTAH SUPERBIKE WIN ON YOSHIMURA SUZUKI GSX-R1000
Teammate Roger Hayden earns a pair of podium finishes
Chino, CA (June 27, 2016) – Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s Toni Elias scored his fifth MotoAmerica Superbike victory of the season Saturday in race two at Utah Motorsports Campus during round seven of the nine-round championship. His teammate Roger Hayden also turned in a strong outing in Utah, twice earning a spot on the rostrum with third-place finishes in both races.
Elias got the unique Thursday through Saturday weekend schedule started off on the positive side by earning his first MotoAmerica Superbike pole position of his debut season. He used the power of his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 to set a blistering 1:49.613 to lead a tightly knit group at the top heading into Saturday’s two races. Elias credited a little help from a friend for his pole.
“I spoke with Carlos Checa who won here many times,” Elias said of his fellow Spaniard. “He gave me some advice. He said I would enjoy this track and I am enjoying this track.”
Hayden, who qualified third in Superpole, battled for the lead nearly the entire way in both races. He described the exciting conclusion of race two.
“The crew made a couple of little changes between races and it was definitely a little better so I have to thank them,” Hayden said. “Toni was stronger than me in a couple of spots and I was better in the last section. I wanted to lead the last lap. I got a good run on my GSX-R and almost got under him and Cameron (Beaubier) got by both of us and I lost the front end a little bit on the brakes. It was just a seesaw on the last lap with everyone just going for it. I would have liked to have done better, but we got third today.”
Elias ran into grip issues in the first race and finished fourth. He was able to refocus and turn it around in the second race. He found he had better grip and was able to take advantage, winning a scintillating last-lap battle to take victory.
“We put new tires on and my GSX-R was working perfect,” Elias said of race two. “These guys are riding really strong and were pushing a lot, but I knew we could win this race. I am happy for the victory and also for my team, because they are working very hard to give me the best bike. The championship is not over yet. We will continue fighting to the end.”
Elias now goes to one of the few American circuits he’s had experience on, with the upcoming race at Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.
With the victory Elias moved into third in the MotoAmerica Superbike standings with only two weekends of racing to go. Elias is 26 points out of the series lead. Hayden is in fourth, just one point behind his Yoshimura Suzuki teammate.
Next up for Yoshimura Suzuki is Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca with the combined MotoAmerica/World Superbike Championship as the very best of the national and international Superbike racers invade the Monterey Peninsula, July 8-10th.
Team Yoshimura Suzuki is grateful for the support of their sponsors: Yoshimura R&D, Suzuki Motor of America, Motorex, Dunlop, Parts Unlimited, Shorai, Sunstar, K&N Performance Filters, NGK Spark Plugs, RK Racing Chain, Kushitani, Zeta and Chicken Hawk Racing.
About Yoshimura R&D of America: Yoshimura is “The Leader in Performance” and has been for more than 55 years. With unmatched skills, knowledge, and passion for racing, Yoshimura is on the forefront of the aftermarket exhaust industry. Yoshimura pipes are race bred and feature the same legendary performance, fit and quality that has been their trademark for more than five decades. To learn more about Yoshimura and view their wide variety of performance products, visit www.yoshimura-rd.com.
About Suzuki: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Outboard Motors and Automotive Parts and Accessories via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. SMAI’s supplier, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles and Outboard Motors. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has 147 distributors in 201 countries. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
More, from a press release issued by Kyle Wyman Racing:
Wyman brothers earn a win and podiums in Utah for Millennium Technologies/KWR
TUCSON, Ariz. (June 27) — This past weekend the Millennium Technologies/KWR team competed at Utah Motorsports Campus for the seventh round of the 2016 MotoAmerica series. Team owner/rider Kyle Wyman bounced back from a race one crash to win the Superbike Challenge exhibition race, and finish 6th in Superbike race two.
The event began with Thursday practice and Kyle setting the 6th overall fastest time of the day on his Lucas Oil-sponsored Yamaha YZF-R1. Friday’s practice and Superpole times would set the grid for Saturday’s doubleheader races. He qualified 9th overall after a one-shot lap on the Dunlop “Q” tire.
“I didn’t want to make the same mistake on my Q-lap as I did at Barber,” Wyman said. “We went out with the group of guys, and tried to find some space to do the time. I’m still trying to figure out the limits of the super-sticky qualifying tire. I didn’t push hard enough in the beginning of the lap, and only went three tenths quicker than I did on the race tire. Some guys are able to squeeze a full second out of the Q tire, so I still have some work to do.”
Despite his mistake, 9th on the grid would be his best qualifying result of the season. In race one, Kyle would get a good start off the line. He was running in 7th on lap one, but clipped a curb with his foot peg, sending him and his Millennium Technologies R1 tumbling into the high desert.
“I got a great start and was starting to settle into a rhythm on the first lap,” Kyle said. “I was in a tight line of riders and was heading into the ‘attitudes’ section of the track. I was trying to be as clean as possible and tight to the curbs, but when you’re that close to the back of other riders sometimes it’s hard to see ahead. I couldn’t quite place the edges of the curbs through there and I ended up clipping one. From there all I could see was gravel and dust and my bike disassembling itself in front of me.”
With only an hour break after Superbike race one, the KWR crew was forced to put together a second bike for Kyle to race in the Black Rhino Superbike Challenge, a 12-lap exhibition race held between MotoAmerica races. The second bike, which is usually reserved for rain conditions, was good enough to secure the win in the Superbike Challenge, with a margin of victory of over 19 seconds.
“Firstly I want to give a hats off to my crew for slapping the ‘B-bike’ together for me, and just in the nick of time,” Kyle added. “The handlebars were crooked, I wasn’t even sure what setup was in the bike, but those guys gave me a bike and the thing ran well. Good enough to pull out a big gap and win the Superbike Challenge race.
“It turned out to be a good shakedown for us for the second MotoAmerica race, and thanks to Black Rhino Tools, I was able to take home some purse money. I should be able to pay to fix my A-bike now!”
After the challenge race, the KWR crew fitted the larger fuel tank to the B-bike, straightened the ergonomics and sent Kyle on his way for Superbike race two. Wyman got off to another great start and ran in the top five early on, but brake fade issues would end his chase for a season-best result.
“I had another great start in race two, and was running up in fifth overall,” Kyle said. “I felt comfortable and the B-bike was doing almost everything my A-bike was throughout the weekend. We were even able to best our qualifying time during the race on it, but on lap five or six my brakes started to fade and we didn’t have a remote brake adjuster on that bike. I was stuck with a certain brake pressure and couldn’t push any harder for fear of overheating them again.”
“Overall I learned a lot this weekend and I’m proud of what my team and I are accomplishing. I can’t wait until everything finally clicks and we get the results that I know are coming.”
Another podium result for Travis Wyman at Utah Motorsports Campus
Travis Wyman battled through a tough practice and qualifying for a podium result at Utah Motorsports Campus for the seventh round of the MotoAmerica series.
After struggling early in practice Wyman was able to qualify 5th in class. In race one he battled forward to finish in 3rd, his fifth podium result of the season.
“Race one was good,” Travis said. “I felt really confident in my ability to hit my marks and run consistent laps. We were just a bit off the pace and it took me a bit longer to get into a good rhythm. I’m happy to come away with another podium finish for the team.”
In race two he found himself in the battle for third, but a gearing change before the race did not help his efforts in accomplishing another podium result.
“I found myself in a four way battle for 3rd in race two,” Travis added. “As the race wore on the pace got quicker and the gearing we were running wasn’t quite tall enough to continue running those times. I pushed hard, but came up a little short and mustered a 6th place finish.”
“As for race two, I just couldn’t get the feel I was looking for. Myself and the guys from Next Level Cycles wanted to improve the bike so badly, but I think we went the wrong direction with the setup. Sometimes that happens, so we’ll take it over a bike on the ground like last week. I’m looking forward to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in a couple weeks and another shot at some wins.”
The eight round of the MotoAmerica series at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is July 8-10, 2016.
For more information on the products and services offered by the Millennium Technologies family of companies, visit www.mt-llc.com
For mor information about Kyle Wyman Racing (KWR), visit www.kylewymanracing.com
About Millennium Technologies:
Millennium Technologies is the world leader in Advanced Engine Solutions. Starting in 1997 as a Nickel Silicon Carbide (NSC) cylinder plating and service company, Millennium Technologies has expanded into complete service solutions for cylinders, cylinder heads, crankshafts, big-bore kits, and supplies parts such as pistons, gaskets, camshafts, and more. Millennium Technologies provides services for all levels of the powersports industry including OEMs, dealers, pro race teams and weekend mechanics. Millennium Technologies is the parent company of Revolution Performance, who provides a complete line of high performance American V-Twin engine parts and services, as well as Ballistic Performance Components, the leader in lightweight lithium-ion starter batteries for powersports vehicles.
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
More, from a press release issued by Jimmy Winters Motorsports:
MORE PODIUM RESULTS FOR MAZZIOTTO IN UTAH
Jimmy Winters Motorsports’ Anthony Mazziotto III continued his push for the 2016 KTM RC 390 Cup title this past weekend with another impressive performance at Utah Motorsports Campus in Tooele, Utah.
Mazziotto furthered his claim as the fastest racer in the category during qualifying, scoring his fifth pole in six events this season. The 16-year-old ace recorded a blistering 2:14.097 lap time to claim the position with more than eight tenths in hand.
Race one proved to be a typical KTM RC 390 Cup affair, with multiple riders drafting and jockeying for first place throughout the contest. Anthony found himself shuffled down to third at the checkered flag following a frenetic last lap, missing out on the win by 0.323 seconds and second by just 0.023 seconds.
The 2014 AMA Horizon Award winner came back with an improved gameplan for Saturday’s race two, however, he was not allowed to see his strategy through as the race was red-flagged and called complete short of its scheduled distance. Mazziotto was awarded second-place as a result.
Mazziotto continues to rank second in the title fight on the strength of four wins and nine podiums. He trails the championship leader by 15 points with three rounds remaining, meaning he remains firmly in controls his own destiny.
At the end of the weekend, Anthony explained “In race one, I wasn’t quite where I needed to be on the last lap to make everything happen. And I ran the last turn wide so that’s why I ended up third. Race two got red-flagged of course. That was unfortunate because we had a really good plan to the line, but I wasn’t able to execute it. In the end, we’re happy to get two more podiums and move forward to Laguna Seca, which is one of my very favorite tracks on the schedule.
“Once again, I want to thank Jimmy and the entire Jimmy Winters Motorsports team. I also want to thank Jonathan Cornwell at Ohlins, Arai helmets, Markbilt Racebikes, RS Taichi, Yamaha Champions Riding School, mom and day, and everyone else who supports our effort.”
Round 7 of the 2016 KTM RC 390 Cup will take place alongside the superstars of the Superbike World Championship when they join the MotoAmerica contenders at Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, on July 8-10.