Westward-bound Westby ready to tackle Laguna Seca MONTEREY, Calif. – Racing in this weekend’s GoPro Daytona SportBike race at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix is going to be half the fun for GEICO Motorcycle Honda rider Dane Westby. Westby and his father Tryg are packing up their motorhome and driving out to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca from last week’s GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing Series stop in Ohio. “We’ve decided to take four days to get out there,” Westby said. “We figured it would be a lot easier than going back to Tulsa (Okla.), hang for a day, then have to blast it back out to California.” Westby enjoys road trips like the one he’s taking this week, but it’s not something he’d want to do all the time. “I like it right now but we’re only a week into it,” Westby said. “I like to hang with my dad. I’m fortunate that he’s more of a buddy than a dad.” One of the favorite aspects of a trip like this for Westby is the chance to train in a variety of locations while on the road. “We’re going to hit some off-road parks along the way,” Westby said. “We brought our dual sports, so we’re going to hit some of that. And of course on my bicycle it should be lots of cool scenery.” As for the weekend’s racing, Westby has taken steps so that past mistakes don’t come back to haunt him. “Laguna and I haven’t been the best of friends,” Westby said. “I’ve wrecked in the corner there two years in a row. I think I’ve got a better handle on that. “I went to Champions Riding School and they gave me a few pointers. I had been shooting in too shallow on the entrance, which blows my exit. I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve. They’re unproven, so we’ll see how it goes.” Practice for Westby and the GEICO Honda team gets under way at 12:15 p.m. PDT on Friday with the first qualifying session at 5:15 p.m. The second qualifier will be at 9:05 a.m. on Saturday. Sunday’s 20-lap race rolls off at 11:15 a.m. More, from a press release issued by Geiger Media on behalf of AMSOIL: AMSOIL’s EBRs looking for Laguna luck this weekend MONTEREY, Calif. (July 16) – With AMSOIL’s Geoff May and Aaron Yates coming off season-best finishes, this weekend’s National Guard SuperBike race during the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca can’t come soon enough for Erik Buell Racing. “There are a lot of reasons to be positive,” said May, rider of the Team Hero/AMSOIL EBR. “It’s going to be a lot cooler in Laguna, which this bike loves. We’ll go a lot faster there. I’m ready to get out there and battle with the front-runners.” May goes into this weekend’s GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing Series event eighth in the standings, 15 points behind seventh-place Chris Fillmore. May added that beside weather conditions, the track’s layout also favors the EBR. “This is a real flowing racetrack without a lot of straightaways,” May said. “There’s a lot of character with flat corners and banked corners. There’s a lot of nostalgia around this race too. “This is one of the largest crowds we race in front of all year, so it really amps you up to another level.” Yates, who rides the AMSOIL/Hero EBR, agreed that the Laguna weekend is a one-of-a-kind spot on the SuperBike schedule. “With Moto GP there too, there’s always something a little extra special at that race,” Yates said. “With all the fans from around the world going there, you never have to worry about putting on a good show – it just happens.” Yates is just one point behind David Anthony for ninth place in the standings, and he can’t wait to see how his bike will perform in race trim this weekend. “All the guys have been putting in a lot of work, and it’s been great to see it translate on the track,” Yates said. “We’re getting better every time we go out for a race. We’re not far off from being able to compete with the front pack. “With the way Laguna is and how our bikes are set up, I think we might have a good shot at contesting for a spot on the podium this weekend, which would be huge for this program.” National Guard SuperBike practice at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca gets under way at 3:05 p.m. PDT on Friday. Qualifying will be at 11:20 a.m. and 4:10 p.m. on Saturday. The 23-lap race will start at 3:45 p.m. on Sunday. More, from a press release issued by Celtic Racing/Orient Express: Celtic Racing Travels To Laguna Seca For Fifth Round Of 2013 Season Celtic Racing arrives at Laguna Seca Raceway this weekend, after solid results just four days earlier at Mid-Ohio. In 2012 James Rispoli won the SuperSport race at Laguna Seca, with Corey Alexander a close fifth. Both riders enjoy the circuit, and are looking forward to racing in front of the elite MotoGP teams again this coming weekend. Because of the US Grand Prix, there will only be one Daytona Sport Bike race for Rispoli, and one SuperSport race for Alexander. Caroline Olsen will again join the team at Laguna Seca and is eager to see all her fans and supporters. Please stop by and say hello, take a picture, and give her some encouragement with her recovery. Caroline has made steady progress and hopes to be back on a bike soon. She has a visit with Dr. Ting planned, who has been monitoring her progress closely. James Rispoli is eager to get back on his #43 National Guard Celtic Racing Suzuki GSX-R 600 this weekend and capitalize on chassis setup changes that helped him in the Daytona Sport Bike Race on Sunday at Mid-Ohio. Laguna Seca is a challenging circuit that requires a great deal of technical skill and careful setup to master. James said that “in race two at Mid-Ohio we found something with the bike setup to really help us. It kept us in the front pack until I believe three laps from the checkered flag. I’m really looking to keep the momentum rolling and stay up front and fight for another good result at Laguna. Many thanks to all my personal sponsors for all their support – AGV Helmets, Dainese Leathers, Monster Energy, Techmount, and Spider Grips – couldn’t do it without you!” Corey Alexander has always enjoyed racing at Laguna Seca, and will be on the #5 National Guard Celtic Racing Suzuki GSX-R 600 in the SuperSport race. Alexander also saw significant improvement after some changes between races at Mid-Ohio, and while the Laguna Seca event does not pay points to his AMA SuperSport East championship where he is leading the class, it does make an impact for the national title. Corey said that “after having only a few days off, I’m very excited to keep the progress we made at Mid-Ohio going. I know we will have our work cut out for us, but I’m excited in general to be riding at the world famous Laguna Seca again. My main focus this weekend is making up some ground in the national championship, and to put the National Guard Celtic Racing machine up front where it belongs, especially in front of the world stage. Thanks in advance to Arai Helmets, AMMO NYC, Hudson Valley Motorcycles, Spidi Leathers, and XPD Boots for everything they have done to make this season possible.” Celtic Racing is proud to partner with: Army National Guard, Michael Jordan Motorsports, Orient Express Racing, Hudson Valley Motorcycles, American Suzuki, Armour Bodies, Bazzaz, Chicken Hawk Racing, DesignStar3, D.I.D. Chain, FMF Exhaust, Full Spectrum Power, Galfer, GB Racing, K-Tech Suspension, Maxima Racing Oils, Motion Pro, Pit Bull Products, Saddlemen, Signs Ink, Star Motorcycle School, Vortex Racing, and Zero Gravity. CELTIC RACING Celtic Racing was established in 2001 by Barry Gilsenan, and over the past 12 seasons has established itself as a premier privateer racing team. Development of riding talent began with two-stroke 125cc, and 250cc machines competing in professional and regional championship events. More recent Celtic Racing efforts have focused on AMA Pro Road Racing in the Daytona SportBike and SuperSport classes with Ducati, Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha four stroke motorcycles. Gilsenan’s talent for coaching racers of all ages and abilities has brought Celtic Racing worldwide attention and recognition, with many former Celtic Racing riders now competing on World Championship levels. Please join Celtic Racing on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CelticRacing . ARMY NATIONAL GUARD The National Guard is the oldest military branch. Today, Citizen-Soldiers hold civilian jobs or attend college while training part time, staying ready to defend America in the event of an emergency. The National Guard serves both state and federal governments. During local emergencies, Guard units assist residents endangered by storms, floods, fires and other disasters. Guard companies deployed overseas may see combat, but are often found building schools and hospitals, training local peacekeepers or teaching local farmers more efficient techniques and better uses of their land. Please visit http://www.nationalguard.com to find out more. ORIENT EXPRESS Established in 1973, Orient Express is celebrating it’s 40th year as a high performance motorcycle parts distributor and race shop. Orient Express offers engine and motorcycle building services, precision machine work, suspension servicing, and dyno tuning services. Orient Express has an extensive history of racing, including support of both professional and amateur race series and individuals. For more information regarding Orient Express, or to find out what Orient Express can do for your racing success, please call 800.645.6521 or 631.231.9552 (NY/International), visit http://www.orientexpress.com or join them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/OrientExpressRacing .