Fontana, CA – Under beautiful conditions and in front of an exceptional gathering of fans, Benny Solis took home a solid third place finish in the hotly contested Dynojet Pro Sportbike event.
Bennys’ Team H35 arrived at the Auto Club Speedway full of confidence and immediately got off to a great start. The ample available track time was used to refine the bike’s setup. After several significant changes to the chassis geometry, engine management system, and suspension package, Benny’s lap-times fell to a very competitive range. The team burst loudly into qualifying, topping the time sheets for most of the session. What looked to be a sure pole position disappeared at the last moment when another competitor threw down a pair of blistering laps as the session waned to conclusion.
The 20 lap race got off to a thrilling start with many position changes & lots of bar-to-bar action. By the second lap, Benny was defending 4th place from a 5 rider group, once broken free he spent 6 laps catching up to the lead group. He made it as far up to 2nd place and found himself comfortably in third place when the checkered flag waved to signal the end of the competition!
Team H35 is delighted with the third place result and looks forward to contending round two of the Geico Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Presented by Yamaha when the series heads to Sonoma Raceway next week.
Benny Solis – #35
“First off, it was so great to be back racing in California…I can’t thank John Ulrich and WERA enough for getting together and creating such a great event. There was many more fans than I expected, the fans I spoke to as well were all happy with the whole weekend!”
“The weekend went well for our team, Team H35. We got our first podium of the season and it was only our second weekend riding the Yamaha R6. So far it’s been going well and I can’t wait to be on the track again this weekend at Infineon for the second race of the Superbike Shootout.
I have such a great group of guys on my team! I’m so happy with all of them and I’m stoked to have some great support from all my sponsors. Thanks so much: Humberto Baca, Alpinestars, Arai Helmets, Motul, Dunlop, Poncho Rangel, GPR Stabilizer, Galfer, SpeedCell, Renthal, ”Z”, Evol Technology, InHouse Suspension, YoyoDyne, RK Chains, Oakley, Zero Gravity, Moto Club di Santa Monica, Akrapovic, C-5.”
Humberto Baca – Team Owner
I am very pleased at the way things turned out this past weekend for the first round of the “Geico Motorcycle Superbike Shootout”. After Daytona we realized that our equipment was not on a level playing field and decided to switch bike brands and opted for the Yamaha. I believe our podium result proves that we are ready for the next AMA round! I’d like to thank our Crew Chief Benny Solis Senior, suspension guru Randy Acevedo, and Poncho Rangel for preparing our bike in such a short time.
Team H35 encourages everyone to support the series by watching the broadcasts on MAVTV and following @bennysolis35 on Twitter.
More, from a press release issued by Tuned Racing:
Tuned Racing had mixed results in the opening round of the GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout this past weekend at Auto Club Speedway. Starting out strong in the first practice for the Dynojet Pro Sportbike class on Saturday, Bryce Prince finished the session 2nd overall, with Jason Aguilar in 7th. In the afternoon qualifying session, the Team improved their laptimes, but so did several other riders, with Bryce and Jason qualifying on the 3rd row in 6th and 8th overall.
At the start of the race, Jason got a good launch and was able to move into 5th Place just ahead of his teammate, Bryce. On the 2nd lap, Bryce was able to get by Jason going into turn 1, and started chasing after the leaders. Unfortunately, on lap 3, Bryce experienced a mechanical problem and had to retire. Meanwhile Jason was now battling with Ryan Matter for 8th place. When Matter retired, Jason was all alone, having lost contact with 7th Place Joe Roberts. Jason ran the rest of the race consistently pulling away from the riders behind him, but unable to close the gap on the riders in front of him for a lonely 8th place finish.
While the Tuned Racing riders were not satisfied with their results, the race weekend was a big success for the fans, and for Professional Road Racing in California. The return of Professional Road Racing to Auto Club Speedway for the first time since 2010 brought the fans out. The spectator parking lot was full before the race, and additional parking lots were opened to accommodate the crowds. Food Vendors were running out of food and calling in for more supplies before the race even started. It was obvious that fan interest is still strong and there is still a great market for the sport in Southern California.
Tuned Racing is busy getting ready for Round 2 of the GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout at Sonoma Raceway this weekend, May 3-4.
Tuned Racing thanks all its sponsors for their support: Tuned Industries, Graves Motorsports, Dunlop Motorcycle Road Racing Tires USA , Galfer Brakes, Worxxx Performance and Machine, Drive Systems USA, Torco Advanced Lubricants, Motoyard.com, Let’s Ride Trackdays, Zero Gravity Racing Corporation, Dynojet, VNM Sportgear, EFSigns.com, SBKPaint.com, Optimal Racing Bodywork, SpeedAngle, Shorai Batteries, ACT Leathers , NEXX-USA, and Onyx Oil Service.
Jason Aguilar also thanks his personal sponsors: RS Taichi, Moto Liberty, AXO, Vortex Racing, Impact Safe-T Armor, Spider Grips, HT Moto, GPR Stabilizers, and Chicken Hawk Racing.
More, from a press release issued by Galfer USA:
Fong Wins Pro Sportbike in Inaugural Superbike Shootout
Oxnard, Calif. – April 29, 2014 – The inaugural GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Presented by Yamaha gave roadracers a taste of the competition to come in the new three-round series. At the end of Sunday’s racing at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, Bobby Fong was the top Galfer USA rider thanks to his victory in Pro Sportbike. In all, Galfer USA sponsored riders earned a total of seven top tens in only two races.
Chris Fillmore, No. 11
Pro Superbike
In Pro Superbike, Chris Fillmore and Chris Ulrich both brought home top ten finishes. Fillmore rode his No. 11 KTM RC8R to sixth, while Ulrich followed in eighth on the No. 18 GEICO Honda CBR1000RR.
Joe Roberts No. 3
Pro Sportbike
Latus Motorsports rider Bobby Fong dominated the Pro Sportbike class, winning by nearly six seconds on his No. 50 Triumph Daytona 675. Benny Solis gave Galfer USA two podium spots, riding to third on the No. 35 Team H35 Honda CBR600RR.
Bobby Fong, No. 50
GEICO Honda had a great day in Pro Sportbike, too, with two top tens to their credit. Jake Zemke finished fourth on the No. 98 Honda CBR600RR, while Joe Roberts was seventh on his No. 3 Honda.
Jason Aguilar completed Galfer’s top-ten lineup. He rode his No. 96 Tuned Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 to eighth.
Jason Aguilar, No. 96
The next round of the Superbike Shootout will be held this weekend, May 3-4, at Sonoma Raceway. In the meantime, fans can check out the Galfer USA riders in action by watching round one at www.MAVTV.com.
From the track to the street, Galfer USA distributes the full range of Galfer brake components. Galfer’s wave rotors, brake pads and brake lines provide more consistent, predictable braking and increased modulation, giving all riders a competitive edge when it comes to stopping like a pro. Keep up with Galfer USA atfacebook.com/GalferUSA and follow @GalferUSA on Twitter and Instagram.