YOSHIMURA SUZUKI SWEEPS MOTOAMERICA SUPERBIKE IN ALABAMA
Hayden and Elias Go 1-2, Split Wins and Dominate at Barber Motorsports Park
Chino, CA – Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing had an outstanding weekend in the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. Team riders Roger Hayden and Toni Elias overcame oppressive heat and humidity to split wins on their Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000s in the pair of Superbike rounds on Sunday. Hayden scored victory over his teammate in the first, while Elias claimed the win in race two over Hayden.
This was the fourth time this season in MotoAmerica Superbike that the Yoshimura Suzuki squad and their GSX-R1000s dominated in this fashion by finishing 1-2.
For Hayden the victory was especially sweet since it was his first victory of 2016 and his first Superbike win since 2014. For Elias, the victory in race two marked his fourth win of the year.
Hayden’s victory in Sunday’s first round was impressive as Elias applied constant pressure throughout the race, but Hayden stayed solid as a rock aboard his Suzuki to narrowly beat his Spanish teammate to the line by .210 of a second.
“I’m just really happy to get this win, finally,” said Hayden, who last won at New Jersey Motorsports Park in 2014. “It’s been a long time. I’m glad my family’s here. My dad and my mom and brothers and a bunch of people from home, so it makes it a little more special. My guys (his crew), they need this win too. We all want to win. We were all getting tired of getting second all the time, so it’s good for them.”
In race two Elias took over the lead on the second lap, but Hayden came up and took over the point for six laps in the middle stages. In the closing stages Elias found a way around his teammate and held it to the checkered flag. Elias’ margin of victory over Hayden was a scant 0.126 seconds.
“We needed to improve the traction,” Elias said. “We did today in the last moment. I’m happy. We are doing a really great job. And finally a mistake in the first race and Roger (Hayden) did a great, great race. But I didn’t want a mistake for the second, and leading all that time. And finally I tried to give my 100 percent the last two laps and win this race. It worked. I’m happy to have this feeling again. To win again is nice.”
The victories for both Yoshimura Suzuki riders greatly improved their situations in the championship chase. Hayden moved to within a single point of second-place in the series and is now just 14 points out of the lead. Elias is five points behind Hayden in fourth. The top four in MotoAmerica Superbike standings are now separated by just 19 points with six races remaining.
In two weeks Yoshimura Suzuki will visit Utah Motorsports Campus (formerly Miller Motorsports Park) in Tooele, Utah, for Round 7 of the 2016 AMA/FIM North American Road Racing on June 23-25. The races will be televised on beIN SPORTS.
You can keep up with the team’s progress by visiting www.yoshimura-racing.com and via YouTube at www.yoshimura-racing.com
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 Riders Discount/Tuned Racing:
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (June 14, 2016) — The Honda Superbike Showdown of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park was filled with mixed emotions for Riders Discount/Tuned Racing. Rider Bryce Prince swept in both Superstock 600 races, taking the top spot on the podium Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately Jason Aguilar suffered a highside in the last corner during Friday’s free practice two, causing a broken foot and severe hip bruising.
Prince now carries a 93 point lead to round six of the Superstock 600 Championship.
“Barber was a great weekend for us,” said Prince. “We played with bike setup on the first day and found a few different options for qualifying. We were able to put down some fast laps and get pole position. In both races we were able to get a great start and I put my head down to try and gap the rest of the field. We were able to stretch out a lead in both races and just managed the gap in both of them. I cannot thank my crew enough for all of their hard work. We now have a great chance at wrapping up the championship in Utah, and are looking forward to the next race in two weeks.”
Aguilar will undergo surgery on his foot sometime this week. It is still unknown when he will be able to return to the competition.
“I went from third in the first practice at Barber to having a big highside in the last corner, breaking my foot and bruising my hip really bad,” said Aguilar. “I can’t thank Arai and Speed and Strength enough for keeping me safe. I was feeling good this weekend coming off of two podiums, and am devastated to have this happen to me. I’m sorry to my Riders Discount/Tuned Racing team who have been working hard to give me such a great bike lately. I am having surgery this week and will see when I am healthy enough to return.”
2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship Point Standings as of 6/12/16:
1. Bryce Prince, 217 points
2. Dakota Mamola, 124 points
3. Travis Wyman, 122 points
4. JC Camacho, 114 points
5. Conner Blevins, 102 points
About Riders Discount:
Riders Discount (www.ridersdiscount.com) is an online retailer of quality powersports gear, apparel and accessories. A company founded by racers, Riders Discount offers equipment for every riding style to customers worldwide, backed by a knowledgeable sales team and excellent customer service.
About Quicksilver:
Since 1950, discriminating customers have depended on the Quicksilver brand for premium quality marine parts, accessories, and engine care products. Quicksilver is one of the most trusted brands in the markets we serve. It has earned a loyal following by providing the highest quality products for more than 60 years. Quicksilver is a brand of Mercury Marine and Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC).
More, from a press release issued by Millennium Technologies/KWR:
Wyman earns season-best Superbike finishes in Alabama heat for Millennium Technologies/KWR
LEEDS, Ala. (June 14) — The Millennium Technologies/KWR team battled through hot conditions this past weekend at Barber Motorsports Park for the sixth round of the MotoAmerica Superbike series. Kyle Wyman finished with a pair of 5th place results in Superbike, with 8th and 10th overall in each race respectively.
Wyman showed very strong pace throughout all practice sessions Friday and Saturday, posting the 5th overall fastest times, behind only factory supported Superbike teams. He went on to qualify 9th overall on the grid after a lapse in good fortune.
“I was really confident going into Superpole after all the practice sessions,” Wyman said. “It felt great to have the Millennium Technologies Superbike up there as the first non-factory bike, and consistently. It shows that we have made some great steps in developing the bike. On my qualifying lap with the Q tire I unfortunately got into heavy traffic and couldn’t put in a fast time.”
Wyman battled from 9th on the grid to finish 8th overall in race one, his best overall finish of the 2016 season.
“I got off to a pretty good start in race one,” Wyman said. “My pace was good in the beginning and I was in a big four way battle with a bunch of guys. About half way through the race the bike started chattering like crazy. It turns out the rear tire spun 180 degrees on the rim and caused a vibration. Luckily it wasn’t a bigger issue, and I was able to bring it home 8th.”
Race two would test the fitness of the riders. With only a few hours between races, the second of the two 23-lap main events, held at 4:00pm local time, brought a heat index of 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and a track temperature well over 140 degrees. Wyman would find himself in a bit better position off the start but was only able to muster a 10th place overall.
“I was really happy with my early race pace in race two,” Wyman added. “I got on the back of Bobby (Fong) and was just pacing with him for the first few laps or so. It was comfortable and I felt like I could conserve my energy and my tires. Unfortunately about half way through the race I found myself in a wild battle with a rider who caught us from behind, and it took every bit of my energy to fight him off. I’m happy with the results we ended up with this weekend, we turned some heads with our pace.”
The series heads next to Utah Motorsports Campus in Tooele, Utah for the seventh round of the 2016 MotoAmerica championship. Wyman believes the Utah track will be one of his stronger events.
“Last year I feel like I finally got a hold of the track in Utah,” Wyman said. “I didn’t like the place when I first rode there, but now it’s one of my favorite tracks on the schedule. The long straightaway should let the Millennium Technologies R1 stretch it’s legs some, and I’m looking forward to tackling the “attitudes” section of the track. For me, the next round can’t come soon enough.”
Travis Wyman grabs a podium in Alabama for Millennium Technologies/KWR
For the Millennium Technologies Superstock 600 entry of Travis Wyman, his weekend was one of ups and downs once again. After struggling in qualifying, Travis was able to climb to a 2nd place finish in race one, his first podium at Barber Motorsports Park. In race two he was only able to finish 9th in class.
“We were working on the setup a lot this weekend,” Travis said. “I can’t say that we ever truly found something that I was 100% comfortable with, but on Saturday we had some decent pace, and some attrition, so we were able to finish on the podium.
“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 Utah Motorsports Campus in a couple weeks and another shot at some wins.”
The sixth round of the MotoAmerica series at UMSC is June 23-25, 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 Aprilia HSBK Racing:
Barber Round Proves Challenging for Aprilia HSBK Racing, but Team Remains Focused Entering Final Three Rounds
Houston, TX – Barber Motorsports Park played host to the sixth round of the MotoAmerica season. The race weekend provided several challenges, and confirmed the season-long battle for each Superstock 1000 podium position would be hard earned as the series now leaves just six total races spread over the three remaining race weekends.
The team arrived to an extremely hot track Friday, with asphalt near 140 degrees, creating a less predictable and greasy surface. Track temperature, bike adjustments, and pilot Claudio Corti learning the circuit tied up the majority of free practice one and two. When available time ran out, the team landed in Superpole 1. Corti becoming more familiar advanced to Superpole 2 where he was able to lap a blistering pace qualifying him to start Row 2 with the RSV4 RF.
Race 1, led by fantastic start, had Corti in a familiar position, battling for first in Superstock 1000 mixed among the challenging Superbike pilots. 16 laps into the race and holding on to a 3rd place position, Corti was thrown from his machine in a vicious high-side crash keeping him from completing the race.
Bruised and shaken, yet completely determined, Claudio Corti mounted the back-up motorcycle in Race 2. Rider worse for wear, Corti charged among the leading pack in Superstock and marvelously earned himself much needed points keeping himself within the championship title. Just off the podium, in a display of commitment and skill nothing short of admirable, Race 2 ended in a 4th place finish.
The Aprilia HSBK Racing team faces new challenges as they move westward to Utah and California, now trailing the points lead by 20. Barber showed that anything can happen in this series, and may likely be just one of the six remaining races that determine the series winner. Corti and the RSV4 RF have proven their championship capability, and look forward to providing further evidence in the remaining rounds.
HSBK Racing would like to thank Piaggio North America, Aprilia Racing, Houston Superbikes, Bel-Ray, K-Tech Suspension, Pilot Motorsports, Motion Pro, Portable Shade, EVOL Technology, Galfer USA, Ferodo Brake Pads, Capit, GB Racing, Full Spectrum, Sunstar, Zero Gravity, DNA Air Filters, RaceSeats, Samco Sport, DB Holders, BikesPlast, Austin Racing, Fast Frank Racing, Cox Racing, Sidi, Nolan Helmets, Andrew Swenson Design, and Drippin Wet.
Aprilia HSBK Racing
Aprilia USA has officially partnered with HSBK Racing to lead the MotoAmerica program and to provide racing development services for privateers competing on Aprilia RSV4 machines. For more information on the team, updates after testing sessions, sponsor spotlights and race recaps, follow HSBK Racing on Facebook.
Houston Superbikes
Established in 2005, Houston Superbikes caters to motorcycle enthusiasts with its diverse line of high performance bikes, parts and apparel. Houston Superbikes is proud to offer their own line of carbon fiber and billet accessories for racing and street applications. Offering dyno tuning, engine building services and suspension setup, they are an industry leader in building race machines. For more information regarding Houston Superbikes, or to find out what they can do for you, please visit www.houstonsuperbikes.com
More, from a press release issued by Jimmy Winters Motorsports:
MAZZIOTTO WINS IN ALABAMA
Anthony Mazziotto III was in outstanding form at Barber Motorsports Park, notching up yet another pole position and race victory during an action-packed weekend of KTM RC 390 Cup racing in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Jimmy Winters Motorsports ace was on fire from the very opening of the blisteringly hot meeting. He threw down the fastest times in every practice and qualifying session leading up to the weekend’s twin races, culminating in a 1:41.755 lap to secure pole.
Saturday’s race opened promisingly enough, as Mazziotto led the opening lap from pole. However, another competitor collided with the rear of Anthony’s RC 390 early in the race, bending its exhaust outward in the process.
As a result, his lean angle in right-handers was strictly limited, preventing him from keeping pace with the podium contenders. However, he still managed to put forth a Herculean race-long effort to keep the next group corralled behind him. Mazziotto somehow took the checkered flag in fourth position, claiming the spot by a scant 0.007-second margin and with six riders stacked up within 1.6 seconds of him at the stripe.
On Sunday, the 16-year-old finally got the revenge he came into Barber seeking. A massive dogfight broke out at the front for the win, but Mazziotto kept his wits and rode a tactically masterful contest. After contemplating and testing out all his options as the laps wound down, the 2014 AMA Horizon Award winner executed his plan on the final lap to perfection and took the checkered flag first with a meager 0.015-second margin of victory.
The win was Anthony’s fourth of the season, to go along with seven total podiums and a worst finish of fourth. Afterward he said, “I got a good start and led the first lap on Saturday, but on second lap I got hit in the back and that bent our exhaust out. Considering that I couldn’t lean the bike over very far without picking the rear wheel up off the ground, I think I did a pretty good job maintaining the best position I possibly could.
“Sunday’s race went a lot better. I was really determined to come away with a win, so I set a plan from lap 2. All race long I was trying different things to figure out if I had to draft one, two, or three riders down that back straight. I figured out that drafting two was the best because it provided the ideal drive into the last turn. I put myself in a good position and it worked out as planned.”
Anthony remains in second in the RC 390 Cup title fight with 195 points. “I’d like to thank Jimmy and the Jimmy Winters Motorsports crew once again,” he said. “They were really on the ball. I also really want to say thanks to my grandpop for all he’s does for the team, as well as my mom and dad, Jonathan Cornwell at Ohlins, Arai helmets, Markbilt Racebikes, RS Taichi, Yamaha Champions Riding School, and everyone else who supports our effort. I’m looking forward to getting to Utah and running two smart races there.”
Round 6 of the 2016 KTM RC 390 Cup will take place at Utah Motorsports Campus in Tooele, Utah, on June 23-25.