The MRA returned to the North Course at High Plains Raceway for round 5 of the 2014 season. The North Course at High Plains consists of 9 turns and 1.83 miles of racing surface. The North configuration changes the character of the challenging High Plains circuit creating a fast, flowing section of track out of a section that is usually slow and technical. Round 5 is the fourth time that the MRA has used this configuration and it provided interesting racing for riders and spectators alike.
Rob Christman has been on a mission throughout this season of the Motorcycle Roadracing Association. Christman, who has taken home his fourth consecutive wins in the Race of the Rockies Overall Championship, has said that he has been dedicated and working hard to make this an amazing season; something that he has been proving since it began. Christman has dominated the field in his performance this year in the Race of the Rockies Championship and took the win once again and set a new class record. Christman was followed closely the ROR-GTO class by Peter Tabor and Oleg Pianykh who finished second and third respectively.
Once again Christman tackled the standing track record Jake Gagne set in 2013, and not by a small margin. It seems as if Christman has set his eyes on every standing class or track record this year and want to raise the bar to an unobtainable level for years to come. Christman stomped the past record by more than a second with a 1:12.454. Rob also ran the quickest time around the north course the club has ever seen with a 1:12.099 in ROR qualifying. Once again Rob took home the win in every class he set knee down in. Christman left the field in fresh burnt ERC race fuel and took home the wins and class records in both the Open Superbike and Formula 40 GTO class. Oscar from Sol Performance / Pirelli stated, “Rob continues to reward us with great results in return for the efforts we have put into his program. We are grateful to have him on our team and prove the capabilities of the tires.”
For some racers, the HPR North Course was their first time ever riding the configuration. For others it was a feat to figure it out on a fast pace, those who did set a blistering pace and many class records began to fall. 15 classes of racing saw the lap records fall this weekend, many of them changing hands multiple times during each of the races. The astonishing Middleweight and Heavyweight class pace Pete Tabor and Shannon Moham set was nearly untouchable. Once again the two were at it and had the battle of the weekend with 4 or 5 lead changes a lap in Heavyweight Superbike. Tabor took the win on Saturday in both the Middleweight Supersport and Heavyweight Supersport classes. Moham was able to put his head down for the win in the Heavyweight Superbike class on Sunday. Tabor didn’t stop there with his 3 wins, continuing his 1st place performance on his Kawasaki ZX-10R in Open Supersport, notching up 4 total first place finishes for the weekend. Moham and Tabor competed at a pace that well surpassed the previous class record for the Supersport and Superbike classes by over a 1.6 seconds, previously set in 2013 by Kelcey Walker.
Moham was plagued with unfortunate clutch failures on both his Middleweight and Lightweight bikes, yet managed to take home 5 overall first place finishes on the weekend riding his Dunlop-shod Yamaha YZF-R6 and Suzuki SV-650. He showed up with another crushing performance in the MRA’s premier Race of the Rockies GTU Championship. Moham also took the win in both the Lightweight and Heavyweight Endurance classes.
Evan Cardonier cracked into the record setting pace this past weekend. Evan came out of the box strongly, winning the middleweight endurance race on Saturday and winning Sunday’s Amateur GTO and Amateur GTU race on his Pirelli-shod Suzuki GSX-R600.
Wyeth Jackson was the big winner in the Ladies of the Rockies class. Wyeth is currently in the points lead for the championship, and dialed in her Kawasaki ZX-6R to continue the streak. Close in tow was Rachel Gillie who made her debut on a Kawasaki ZX-6R and finished in second. Rachel has continually progressed throughout the year, climbing through the production field, and is now contending with David Absolon for the top podium spot in the MRA’s Production 250 spec class. Absolon took home both wins in the 250 production class for the weekend, but he better have his Ninja 250R on the rails for round 6.
The 500 production class saw Tony Baker return to give Jason Madama a run for his money. Baker had a nasty get-off earlier this season which left him and his Suzuki GS500 out of commission for the past 3 Rounds. Tony came out un-phased and twisted every last bit of his GS500 to give the young guns of the class a taste of age and treachery on a bike that outdates the majority of the rider’s birthdates in the class. Jason “Hammer” Madama was able to keep a wheel on Tony the “Honeybadger” Baker for the win in the 500 production class on Saturday and Sunday. Baker will be bringing a vengeance to round 6.
If you’d like to be a part of this unforgettable season as a racer, superstreet participant, corner worker, or fan, contact the MRA for more details! The next round of the MRA is right around the corner. The Race of the Rockies Championship series continues with Round 6, August 23rd and 24th at High Plains Raceway Full Course. If you haven’t made it out to race with MRA, now is the time. Additionally, the MRA offers free reciprocity as a means of encouraging racers from other clubs to come out and compete. The MRA offers two full days of racing every race weekend and also includes Saturday and Sunday qualifying for grid positions in all, as well as a wide variety of classes to choose from. Log on to http://mra-racing.org/motorcycle-racing-schedule/… for the full schedule, past results and lap times, and more information. The MRA- its club racing done right.
The Motorcycle Roadracing Association is 501(c)(7) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting safe and competitive motorcycle road racing events for enthusiasts in Colorado and the surrounding area. For more information, go to http://www.mra-racing.org/
Round 5 Results:
Race of the Rockies GTO
1. Rob Christman (Suz GSX-R1000)
2. Peter Tabor (Kaw ZX-10R)
3. Oleg Pianykh (Suz GSX-R1000)
4. Dan Turner (Suz GSX-R1000)
5. Ricky Orlando (Kaw ZX-10R)
6. Aaron Hersh (Suz GSX-R1000)
Race of the Rockies GTU
1. Shannon Moham (Yam YZF-R6)
2. David Purcell (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Nik Lenski (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Rick Grosse (Kaw ZX-6R)
5. Christopher Coonshead (Yam YZF-R6)
6. Jesse Martinez (Yam YZF-R6)
Middleweight Supersport
1. Peter Tabor (Kaw ZX-6R)
2. Shannon Moham (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Nikolas Lenski (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Joseph Washburn (Suz GSX-R600)
5. Christopher Coonshead (Yam YZF-R6)
6. Arthur Chen (Yam YZF-R6)
Heavyweight Supersport:
1. Peter Tabor (Kaw ZX-6R)
2. Nikolas Lenski (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Rick Grosse (Kaw ZX-6R)
4. Denis Stowers (Tri 675)
5. Scott Rybarik (Duc 899)
6. Wyeth Jackson (Kaw ZX-6R)
Open Supersport:
1. Peter Tabor (Kaw ZX-10R)
2. Ricky Orlando (Kaw ZX-10R)
3. Carl Sorensen (Kaw ZX-10R)
4. Geoffrey Snyder (Suz GSX-1000R)
5. Arthur Chen (YZF R-6)
6. Chris Terrinami (BMW S1000RR)
Middleweight Superbike:
1. Peter Tabor (Kaw ZX-6R)
2. Shannon Moham (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Evan Cardonier (Suz GSX-R600)
4. Rick Grosse (Kaw ZX-6R)
5. Brad Morris (Yam YZF-R6)
6. Nyles Gourlie (Yam YZF-R6)
Heavyweight Superbike:
1. Shannon Moham (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Rick Grosse (Kaw ZX-6R)
3. Casey Smith (Aprilla RSV-R)
4. Dennis Stowers (Tri 675)
5. Scott Rybarik (Duc 899)
6. Brad Morris (Yam YZF-R6)
Open Superbike:
1. Rob Christman (Suz GSXR-1000)
2. Peter Tabor (Kaw ZX-10R)
3. Dan Turner (Suz GSXR-1000)
4. Oleg Pianykh (Suz GSXR-1000)
5. Aaron Hersh (Suz GSXR-1000)
6. Ricky Orlando (Kaw ZX-10R)
Solo Endurance Middleweight
1. Evan Cordonier (Suz GSX-R600)
2. Christopher Cooneshead (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Rick Grosse (Kaw Kaw ZX-6R)
4. Nyles Gourlie (Yam YZF-R6)
5. Eric Becker (Tri 675)
6. Zach Hill (YZF-R6)
Solo Endurance Lightweight
1. Shannon Moham (Suz SV-650)
2. Christopher Weed (Yam TZ)
3. Adam Bauer ( Kaw ER-6)
4. Mike Gantz
5. David Absolon (Kaw 250R)
6. Tim Young (Kaw 250R)
Solo Endurance Heavyweight
1. Shannon Moham (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Christopher Cooneshead (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Rick Grosse (Kaw ZX-6R)
4. Dennis Stowers (Tri 675)
5. Mike Lakritz (Hon CBR-600R)
6. Louden David ( Kaw ZX-6R)
Solo Endurance Open
1. Aaron Hersh (Suz GSXR-1000)
2. Carl Sorensen (Kaw ZX-10R)
3. Chris Terrinami (BMW S1000RR)
4. Todd Larson (Suz GSXR-1000)
5. Nikolas Lenski (Yam YZF-R1)
6. Geoffrey Snyder (Suz GSXR-1000)
Formula 40 GTU:
1. Jesse Martinez (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Rick Grosse (Kaw Kaw ZX-6R)
3. Eric Becker (Tri 675)
4. Wyeth Jackson (Kaw Kaw ZX-6R)
5. Patrick Lansu
6. Christopher Cooneshead (Yam YZF-R6)
250 Production Cup Race 1:
1. David Absolon (Kaw 250R)
2. Rachel Gillie (Kaw 250R)
3. Tim Young (Kaw 250R)
4. Jared Shauers
5. Gavin Lee
6. Sausan Hickok
250 Production Cup Race 2:
1. David Absolon (Kaw 250R)
2. Rachel Gillie (Kaw 250R)
3. Jared Shauers
4. Tim Young (Kaw 250R)
5. Michael Spero (Hon 250R)
6. Gavin Lee
400 Production Cup Race 1:
1. Joseph Washburn (Kaw 300R)
2. Brian Jackson (Kaw 250R)
3. Jay Russell
4. Holly Hendrickson (Kaw 300R)
5. Brandon Johnson
400 Production Cup Race 2:
1. Brett Leveque (Kaw 300R)
2. Joseph Washburn (Kaw 300R)
3. Brian Jackson (Kaw 250R)
4. Jay Russell
5. Holly Hendrickson (Kaw 300R)
6. Brandon Johnson
500 Production Cup Race 1:
1. Jason Madama (Hon CBR500R)
2. Tony Baker (Suz GS500)
3. Blair Harness (Hon CBR500R)
4. Jose Rivera (Kaw 250R)
5. Aaron Hersh
6. Brad Morris
500 Production Cup Race 2:
1. Jason Madama (Hon CBR500R)
2. Tony Baker (SUZ GS500)
3. Blair Harness (Hon CBR500R)
4. Jose Rivera (Kaw 250R)
5. Brad Morris
6. Warren Cook (Kaw EX250)
Novice GTU:
1. Syrus DeJong (Yam YZF-R6)
2. John Borst (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Andrew Holey (Suz GSX-R600)
4. Brett Leveque (Tri 675)
5. Brian Moore (Tri 675)
6. Eric Becker (Tri 675)
Novice GTO:
1. Syrus DeJong (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Zach Hill (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Brett Leveque (Tri 675)
4. Brian Moore (Tri 675)
5. John Borst (Yam YZF-R6)
6. John Jordan (BMW-S1000RR)
Formula 40 GTO:
1. Rob Christman (Suz GSX-R1000)
2. Ricky Orlando (Kaw ZX-10R)
3. Geoffrey Snyder (Suz GSX-R1000)
4. Travis Graham (Suz GSX-R1000)
5. Todd Larson (Suz GSX-R1000)
6. Jim Brewer (Duc 1098)
Amateur GTU:
1. Evan Cordonier (Suz GSX-R600)
2. Syrus DeJong (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Brad Morris (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Kenneth Yee
5. Andrew Holey (Suz GSX-R600)
6. Brian Dobrowoski (Suz GSX-R600)
Amateur GTO:
1. Evan Cordonier (Suz GSX-R600)
2. Todd Larson (Suz GSX-R1000)
3. Brad Morris (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Kenneth Yee
5. Brian Dobrowoski (Suz GSX-R600)
6. Randy Throckmorton (Suz GSX-R1000)
Modern Vintage GTU:
1. Christopher Cooneshead (YZF-R6)
2. Shannon Moham (Suz SV650)
3. Rick Grosse (Kaw ZX-6R)
4. Christopher Weed (Yam TZ)
5. Luke Miller (Kaw 636R)
6. Chuck Shettsline (Yamaha TZ-250)
Modern Vintage GTO:
1. Erik Peat (Suz GSX-R1000)
2. Christopher Cooneshead (YZF-R6)
3. Casey Smith (Aprilla RSV-R)
4. Zach Frilly (Honda CBR)
5. Luke Miller (Kaw 636R)
6. Daniel Clements (YZF-R6)
Lightweight GrandPrix:
1. Christopher Weed (Yam TZ)
2. Shannon Moham (Suz SV-650)
3. Randall Adami (Kaw EX-650R)
4. Matt Galloway (Suz SV-650)
5. Adam Bauer (Kaw ER6)
6. Jason Madama (Suz SV-650)
Supertwins GTO:
1. Patrick Lansu
2. John Glafke (Pie X60R)
3. Casey Smith (Aprilla RSV-R)
4. Scott Rybarik (Duc 899R)
5. Tim Meiners (Duc 749R)
6. Chris Terrinami
Supertwins GTU:
1. Shannon Moham (Suz SV-650)
2. Christopher Weed (Yam TZ)
3. Adam Bauer (Kaw ER6)
4. Chuck Shettsline (Yam TZ-250)
5. Matt Galloway (Suz SV-650)
6. Jeff Winter (Hon RSF-450X)
Colorado Class:
1. Christopher Weed (Yam TZ)
2. Jason Madama (Suz SV-650)
3. Jeff Winter (Hon RSF-450X)
4. Tony Baker (Suz GS500)
5. David Absolon (Kaw ZX-250R)
6. Jay Russel (Kaw ZX-250R)
Ladies of the Rockies:
1. Wyeth Jackson (Kaw ZX-6R)
2. Rachel Gillie (Kaw 250R)
3. Trina Dawson (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Siobhan Bennet (Hon CBR600RR)
5. Tiffany Maestas (Yam YZF-R6)
6. Barb Cook (Kaw ZX6R)
Thunderbike:
1. Patrick Lansu
2. Jon Glafke (Pie X60R)
3. Casey Smith (Apr RSVR)
4. Dennis Stowers (Tri 675)
5. Scott Rybarik (Duc 899)
6. Tim Meiners (Duc 749R)