Salt Lake City – Round 6 of Utah Sport Bike Association’s (UtahSBA) Vortex Masters of the Mountains series concluded the season with beautiful weather, tight racing for championships and a number of quick out-of-town racers to keep title fights unpredictable.
In the premier King of the Mountain GTO race, defending champion and 2015 #1 plateholder Oleg Pianykh of Salt Lake City, Utah was stalked by Chad Swain of Alberta, Canada throughout the weekend. Swain proved to be too quick this day, beating Pianykh at the line. Pianykh lost the battle but won the war, securing the season championship and the #1 plate again for 2016.
“We had a few problems this weekend, but we still got some decent results and more importantly secured the #1 plate,” said Pianykh. “This year has definitely not been easy, the competition really stepped their game up and pushed me every round, which is great.”
Pianykh continued, “The new Yamaha R1 is an amazing bike and I really enjoyed riding it this year. I want to thank everyone who supports my program, especially MotoStation SLC, Pirelli Tires, Vortex Racing Products, Galfer brakes, Motul oils, ApexTrackdays, and FTwCo. Also big thank you to all the people who run the UtahSBA club and allow us to race. This year has been fantastic and I can’t wait to see what next year brings.”
Intense competition in the small bike classes has provided great racing all season and created an excellent training ground for both new and veteran racers.
The season championship in the Production 500 class saw the top 3 riders separated by just a few points going into the final weekend. Visiting Colorado racers Jason Madama and David Absolon, both on Yamaha R3s, added more uncertainty to the title chase. Madama and Absolon ran away with Race 1 on Saturday. Race 2 on Sunday was looking to be a repeat when Absolon’s chain broke causing him to retire early, making way for 13-year-old Sean Thomas of Firestone, Colorado to grab the second podium position and secure the class championship for the season on his Kawasaki Ninja 300.
“This was an amazing year and the championship was so close but almost too far away. I have been thinking about how to make up the 11-point gap to first place for 2 weeks. I decided to just go out and push as hard as I can,” said Thomas. “In the end I was able to bring home the championship and also secure 2nd place in Lightweight Twins. Thanks to Chicane Instruction, DNS Trucking, Boulder Motorsports and everyone who has helped me because without you, it wouldn’t be possible.”
Young racer Thomas has been with the UtahSBA and the MRA since April, and his progress in his first season has been remarkable.
Utah Sport Bike Association is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization uses 100% of its revenue to support rider education, safety and racing throughout the intermountain west. With a history that goes back more than 30 years, UtahSBA has fostered the growth of some of the nation’s most influential racers, instructors, authors and motorcycling advocates.
The six-race Vortex The Masters of the Mountains racing series, operated and sanctioned by UtahSBA and run exclusively at Miller Motorsports Park, was created to encourage competitive road racing at the club, regional levels and national. In its tenth year, the series has quickly turned into a premier event drawing top-level talent from around the nation.
Masters of the Mountains Round 6, September 26-27, 2015
TimeAttack
1. Steve Kozicki (Yam YZF-R1)
2. Brian Dobrowlski (Suz GSX-R600)
3. Neil Carlson (Kaw ZX-6R)
4. David Purcell (Yam YZF-R6)
5. Darryl McGavigan (Suz GSX-R600)
6. Trevor Beard (Suz GSX-R600)
Deseret Dash – GTO – Novice
1. Steven Marco (Hon CBR1000)
2. Eugene Alston (Yam YZF-R1)
3. Joshua Smith (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Thomas MacNiece (Suz GSX-R750)
5. Don Losee (BMW S1000RR)
6. Todd Mauer (Suz SV650)
Deseret Dash – GTO – Expert
1. Ryan Brand (BMW S1000RR)
2. Shane White (Suz GSX-R1000)
3. Brian Dobrowlski (Suz GSX-R600)
4. Brian Naylor (Kaw ZX-6R)
5. Brian Worsdall (Hon CBR600RR)
6. Scott Rybarik (Duc 899)
Production 500
1. Jason Madama (Yam YZF-R3)
2. David Absolon (Yam YZF-R3)
3. Sean Thomas (Kaw EX300)
4. Brian Jackson (Kaw EX300)
5. Jeff Masters (Yam YZF-R3)
6. Brandon Fosbinder (KTM RC390)
Combined GTO
1. Kory Cowan (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Justin Delong (BMW S1000RR)
3. Albert Andrade (Suz GSX-R1000)
4. Neil Carlson (Kaw ZX-6R)
5. Marshall Miller (Yam YZF-R1)
6. Eugene Alston (Yam YZF-R1)
Moto2
1. Kinzer Naylor (Kaw ZX-6R)
2. Brian Childree (Hon CBR600RR)
3. Gauge Rees (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Brian Dobrowlski (Suz GSX-R600)
5. Ryan Richardson (Yam YZF-R6)
6. Joshua Smith (Yam YZF-R6)
Moto1
1. Michael Bradshaw (BMW S1000RR)
2. Gerald Hicks (Suz GSX-R1000)
3. Jeff Stern (Hon CBR1000)
4. Sam Verderico (Yam YZF-R1)
5. Kevin Dolan (Suz GSX-R1000)
6. Steven Marco (Hon CBR1000)
Novice GTU
1. Joshua Smith (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Joseph Tapia (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Trevor Beard (Suz GSX-R600)
4. Erik Larsen (Hon CBR600RR)
5. Chris Canada (Kaw ZX-6R)
6. Jason Koth (Suz GSX-R)
Production 250
1. Anthony Morgan (Kaw 250)
2. Duncan Biles (Kaw 250R)
3. Braden Randall (Kaw 250)
4. Tyson Rapier (Kaw 250)
5. Donovan Busby (Kaw 250)
6. Chad Richins (Kaw)
Open Twins
1. Erik Grim (KTM RC8R)
2. Scott Rybarik (Duc 899)
3. Jeff Masters (Bue 1125R)
4. TJ Hathaway (Suz SV650)
5. Brad Moore (Suz SV650)
6. Jason Madama (Yam YZF-R3)
Middle Wt. Superbike
1. Michael Bradshaw (Tri 675)
2. Kinzer Naylor (Kaw ZX-6R)
3. Brian Dobrowlski (Suz GSX-R600)
4. Ryan Richardson (Yam YZF-R6)
5. Gauge Rees (Yam YZF-R6)
6. David Purcell (Yam YZF-R6)
Open Superbike
1. Oleg Pianykh (Yam YZF-R1)
2. Gerald Hicks (Suz GSX-R1000)
3. Chad Swain (Suz GSX-R1000)
4. Sam Verderico (Yam YZF-R1)
5. Erik Grim (KTM RC8R)
6. Kevin Dolan (Suz GSX-R1000)
Deseret Dash – GTO – Expert
1. Shane White (Suz GSX-R1000)
2. Kinzer Naylor (Kaw ZX-6R)
3. Brian Dobrowlski (Suz GSX-R600)
4. Scott Rybarik (Duc 899)
5. Neil Carlson (Kaw ZX-6R)
6. TJ Hathaway (Suz SV650)
Deseret Dash – GTO – Novice
1. Steven Marco (Hon CBR1000)
2. Eugene Alston (Yam YZF-R1)
3. Trevor Beard (Suz GSX-R600)
4. Thomas MacNiece (Suz GSX-R750)
5. Darren Knepper (Hon CBR1000RR)
6. Joshua Smith (Yam YZF-R6)
Sportsman
1. Josh Elkins (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Thomas MacNiece (Suz GSX-R750)
3. Erik Larsen (Hon CBR600RR)
4. Esad Tatarevic (Yam YZF-R6)
5. Don Losee (BMW S1000RR)
6. Spencer Kruger (Suz GSX-R750)
TimeAttack
1. Darryl McGavigan (Suz GSX-R600)
2. Brian Worsdall (Hon CBR600RR)
3. David Absolon (Yam YZF-R3)
Modern Vintage GTU
1. Ryan Luke (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Donavon Mortensen (Hon CBR600RR)
3. Trevor Beard (Suz GSX-R600)
4. Michael Hawkins (Suz GSX-R)
5. Jerome Samarjian (Yam YZF-R6)
6. Scott Rybarik (Yam YZF-R6)
Production 250
1. Duncan Biles (Kaw 250R)
2. Braden Randall (Kaw 250)
3. Anthony Morgan (Kaw 250)
4. Tyson Rapier (Kaw 250)
5. Donovan Busby (Kaw 250)
Modern Vintage GTO
1. Jeff Stern (Hon CBR1000RR)
2. Shane White (Suz GSX-R1000)
3. Albert Andrade (Suz GSX-R1000)
4. Kevin Dolan (Suz GSX-R1000)
5. Eugene Alston (Yam YZF-R1)
6. Marshall Miller (Yam YZF-R1)
King of the Mountain GTU
1. Michael Bradshaw (Tri 675)
2. Mark Harper (Tri 675R)
3. Kinzer Naylor (Kaw ZX-6R)
4. Brian Childree (Hon CBR600RR)
5. Ryan Richardson (Yam YZF-R6)
6. Gauge Rees (Yam YZF-R6)
Lightweight Twins
1. Brad Moore (Suz SV650)
2. Jason Madama (Yam YZF-R3)
3. David Absolon (Yam YZF-R3)
4. Sean Thomas (Kaw 300)
5. Brian Jackson (Kaw 300)
6. Brandon Fosbinder (Kaw 300)
King of the Mountain GTO
1. Chad Swain (Suz GSX-R1000)
2. Oleg Pianykh (Yam YZF-R1)
3. Jeff Stern (Hon CBR1000RR)
4. Sam Verderico (Yam YZF-R1)
5. Mark Harper (Yam YZF-R1)
6. Erik Grim (KTM RC8R)
Novice GTO
1. Eugene Alston (Yam YZF-R1)
2. Joshua Smith (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Trevor Beard (Suz GSX-R600)
4. Joseph Tapia (Yam YZF-R6)
5. Chris Canada (Kaw ZX-6R)
6. Don Losee
Moto3
1. Brian Jackson (Kaw 300)
2. Duncan Biles (Kaw 250R)
3. Anthony Morgan (Kaw 250)
4. Braden Randall (Kaw 250)
5. Donovan Busby (Kaw 250)
Middle Wt. Superstock
1. Kinzer Naylor (Kaw ZX-6R)
2. Gauge Rees (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Ryan Richardson (Yam YZF-R6)
4. David Purcell (Yam YZF-R6)
5. Neil Carlson (Kaw ZX-6R)
6. Brian Worsdall (Hon CBR600RR)
Open Superstock
1. Michael Bradshaw (BMW S1000RR)
2. Sam Verderico (Yam YZF-R1)
3. Erik Grim (KTM RC8R)
4. Justin Delong (BMW S1000RR)
5. Chad Swain (Kaw ZX-10R)
6. Scott Rybarik (Duc 899)
Combined GTU
1. Neil Carlson (Kaw ZX-6R)
2. Ryan Luke (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Joshua Smith (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Trevor Beard (Suz GSX-R600)
5. Brian Worsdall (Hon CBR600RR)
6. Darryl McGavigan (Suz GSX-R600)
Heavy Wt. Superbike
1. Michael Bradshaw (Tri 675)
2. Kinzer Naylor (Kaw ZX-6R)
3. Mark Harper
4. Brian Childree (Hon CBR600RR)
5. Scott Rybarik (Duc 899)
6. Brian Worsdall (Hon CBR600RR)
Formula 40 GTO
1. Michael Bradshaw (BMW S1000RR)
2. John Hopperstad (Suz GSX-R1000)
3. Kevin Dolan (Suz GSX-R1000)
4. Steve Kozicki (Yam YZF-R1)
5. Scott Rybarik (Duc 899)
6. Don Losee (BMW S1000RR)
Formula 40 GTU
1. Danny Egbert (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Michael Hawkins (Suz GSX-R600)
Production 500
1. Jason Madama (Yam YZF -R3)
2. Sean Thomas (Kaw 300)
3. Brian Jackson (Kaw 300)
4. Brandon Fosbinder (Kaw 300)
5. Jeff Masters (Yam YZF-R3)
6. Duncan Biles (KTM RC 390)
Sportsman
1. Don Losee (BMW S1000RR)
2. Christopher Robison (Kaw ZX-6R)
3. Darren Knepper (Hon CBR1000RR)
4. Tyson Rapier (Kaw 250)
5. Braden Randall (Kaw 250)
Lightweight Twins
1. Brad Moore (Suz SV650)
2. Jason Madama (Yam YZF-R3)
3. Brian Jackson (Kaw 300)
4. Sean Thomas (Kaw 300)
5. Braden Randall (Kaw 250)
6. Tyson Rapier (Kaw 250)