OMRRA Hosts Round 6 at Portland International Raceway After a brief summer break, OMMRA racers returned to Portland International Raceway with unseasonably hot weather. As the season winds down, many racers were vying for position in class and overall championships. In the 2-Fast Track Days Formula Ultra Championship, Alan Schmidt of Kamloops, B.C., almost derailed his quest for a record setting 9th overall championship by losing not one, but two engines during practice on Friday and Saturday. Hoping to simply salvage enough points to inch ever closer to securing the championship, Schmidt had to borrow a C-bike that he hadn’t had the opportunity to turn a wheel on prior to Saturday’s Formula Ultra race. Sensing an opportunity to capitalize on Schmidt’s situation, Kevin Pinkstaff (#21) of Portland, OR and Sam Verderico (#2) of Wenatchee, WA applied the pressure out of the gates. The first 6 laps were the most aggressive of the season with multiple lead changes and hair-raising passes. Unfortunately, on lap 7 while in 2nd place Schmidt ran afoul with a lapped rider in turn 4 and the race was red flagged. Since the incident involved Schmidt, he was scored a DNF and would lose his appeal with OMRRA officials by day’s end. Pinkstaff who had been leading was determined the winner with Verderico 2nd. In Sunday’s Formula Ultra Race, the action was nearly as nail-biting as Saturday’s race. Schmidt had built up a slight lead but in the 2nd half of the race, Pinkstaff and Verderico had reeled Schmidt back in. Pinkstaff putting on a herculean effort, having achieved a personal and race best 1:06.860 laptime but at the finish line missed beating Schmidt by 0.016 seconds. Verderico would have to settle for third. With Saturday’s DNF, Schmidt left the weekend with a 23 point over Pinkstaff for the overall championship. With weather often a factor in the northwest late in the season, Schmidt will have to wait until the final round on October 6-7 to determine whether 2012 will be the season he becomes OMRRA’s winningest champion in history. In KFG Racing/Pirelli-sponsored Clubman Championship news, the weekend started off with a bang with 600 Supersport. Ryan Sutton of Camano Island, WA, missed the cut-off for the grid and had to start from the hot pit. Despite the handicap, Sutton quickly moved up to second position by mid-race but was too far adrift to challenge Andy DiBrino for the win. Sutton’s extraordinary effort did earn him the lap record for the class. Coming into the weekend, Sutton and DiBrino have been pushing each other all year at Portland International Raceway and during WMRRA rounds at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, WA. But this weekend at PIR was all DiBrino. DiBrino went on to win 750 Supersport, 750 Supersport, 600 Superbike and 750 Superbike with Sutton taking 2nd in all remaining contests. DiBrino would also do Sutton one better by establishing two lap records in 600 Superbike and 750 Superbike. Despite not besting DiBrino all weekend, Sutton reigns supreme in the championship by a commanding 51 point lead over the trailing Matt Presting who mustered one podium by placing third in 750 Superbike. DiBrino’s wins propel him from ninth in the championship to fifth. In other KFG Racing/Pirelli Clubman Championship news, Joshua Melanson took the win and established a new class lap record in 600 Supersport Senior on his Yamaha R6. In Ultralightweight Superbike, a race consisting of Ninja 250’s, seven competitors banged bar-to-bar for the entire 12 laps making it one of the most exciting battles of the year. Visiting youngster, Vision Hayes of Nevada City, CA took the win with Adam Faussett of Kent, WA taking second. Kelly Johnson rounded out the podium with a slingshot draft move on the last lap that vaulted her to 3rd from 6th. The 250 Ninja grids have produced some of the closest, best racing in the club and continues to grow. In the Bridge City Cycles Vintage Championship, Cody Wood continues his quest for a second championship. In Saturday’s Vintage 500 races, Wood continued the same pattern we’ve seen nearly all season. Wood’s 1966 Suzuki Super6 Hustler is slow off the start and had to chase down the field. Despite the slow starts, Wood often captures the lead by the midpoint in the race. That was the case in both 500 Vintage races but in Sunday’s 250 races, perennial runner-up Patrick Leyshock was able to stay ahead of Wood and capture his first win in both 250 Vintage races. Wood would have to settle for 2nd. Wood’s Suzuki Hustler might be showing signs of a long dominate season. Leyshock can only hope to capture more wins as the season championship is already secure in Wood’s hands. Another notable double podium winner this weekend was Mica Grohn of Portland, OR. Mica has been steadily improving all season and looks well positioned to challenge the boys for top spots in 2013. The Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association (OMRRA) developed the two-race per weekend Formula Ultra Championship, the ‘your best two classes’ Clubman Championship and the two-race per day, Olympic-scored Vintage Championship, promoting safe, competitive road racing in all categories. OMRRA, incorporated in 1972 as a non-profit, volunteer run organization, has members ranging in age from 12 to over 70, racing motorcycles of many brands, sizes and ages. OMRRA operates at Portland International Raceway, a city park and world class track. Our races can be seen and heard by anyone with an internet connection, courtesy of PIRLive.com. The race day schedule is posted just prior to the weekend at www.facebook.com/omrra.racing. For more information, visit www.omrra.com Saturday, September 16th Race Results Formula Ultra – Saturday 1. Kevin Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-10R) 2. Sam Verderico (Suz GSX-R1000) 3. Jason Gasparinatos (Kaw ZX-10R) 4. Anthony Manciu (Hon CBR1000RR) 5. Thomas Stevens (Suz GSX-R1000) 6. Tony Porter (Kaw ZX-10R) Open Supersport 1. Sam Verderico (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Anthony Manciu (Hon CBR1000RR) 3. Nikola Racunica (BMW S1000RR) 4. Thomas Stevens (Suz GSX-R1000) 5. Jayson Lynch (Suz GSX-R750) 6. Mike McKim (Suz GSX-R750) 750 Supersport 1. Andy DiBrino (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Ryan Sutton (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Sam Verderico (Suz GSX-R750) 4. Matt Presting (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Ryan Matter (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Jason Doody (Yam YZF-R6) 600 Supersport 1. Andy DiBrino (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Ryan Sutton (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Brian Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-6R) 4. Ryan Matter (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Matt Presting (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Jason Doody (Yam YZF-R6) Ninja 250 Cup (Daily) 1. Andrew Rogers (Kaw EX250) 2. Vision Hayes (Kaw EX250) 3. Jonathan Wood (Kaw EX250) 4. Chris Page (Kaw EX250) 5. Justin Pyle (Kaw EX250) 6. Andrew Pignataro (Kaw EX250) 650 GP Twins 1. David James Moore (Kaw EX-650R) 2. Keith Dibrino (Suz SV650) 3. Geoff Ford (Suz SV650) 4. Brad Pinkstaff (Suz SV650) 5. Dean Drolet (Suz SV650) 6. Eric Sweet (Suz SV650) Middleweight Supersport 1. Brad Pinkstaff (Suz SV650) 2. Geoff Ford (Suz SV650) 3. Eric Sweet (Suz SV650) 4. Jeff Brooks (Suz SV650) 750 Superbike Senior 1. Matt Hunt (Suz GSX-R750) 2. Skyler Benoit (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Keegan Reinke (Suz GSX-R750) 4. Jon Leonard (Hon CBR600RR) 600 Superbike Senior 1. Skyler Benoit (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Maurice Miller (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Brent Benoit (Yam YZF-R6) 500 Vintage (Daily) 1. Cody Wood (Suz Super6) 2. Patrick Leyshock (Yam DT1 250) 3. Mica Grohn (Hon CL175) 4. Daric Cheshire (Hon CL175) Formula III 1. Michael Caravatta (Apr 125RS) 2. Nobi Iso (Hon RS125) 3. Shannon Lang (Hon RS125) 4. Rob Tatom (Hon RS125) Novice 4 1. Eric Dorn (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Bryan O’Connor (Suz GSX-R600) 3. Paul Goldashkin (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Jason Iverson (Yam YZF-R6) Novice 5 1. Chris Herrin (Suz GSX-R750) 2. David Wright (Suz GSX-R1000) 3. Brian Tallant (Hon CBR1000RR) 4. Preston Hamilton (Suz GSX-R750) 5. Lance Monagon (Hon CBR1000RR) SuperTeams 1 hr. mini endurance Heavyweight Division 1. Civil Rock Racing (S.Johnson) Middleweight Division 1. Red Cup Racing (D.McDonough/C. McFarland/J. Fielder) Sunday, September 16th Race Results Formula Ultra Sunday 1. Alan Schmidt (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Kevin Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-10R) 3. Sam Verderico (Suz GSX-R1000) 4. Tony Porter (Suz GSX-R1000) 5. Anthony Manciu (Hon CBR1000RR) 6. Nikola Racunica (BMW S1000RR) Open Superbike 1. Alan Schmidt (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Tony Porter (Kaw ZX-10R) 3. Nikola Racunica (BMW S1000RR) 4. Anthony Manciu (Hon CBR1000RR) 5. Jayson Lynch (Suz GSX-R750) 6. Wayne Webster (Suz GSX-R750) 750 Superbike 1. Andy Dibrino (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Ryan Sutton (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Matt Presting (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Sam Verderico (Suz GSX-R750) 5. Ryan Matter (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Wes Stults (Yam YZF-R6) 600 Superbike 1. Andy DiBrino (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Ryan Matter (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Ryan Sutton (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Matt Presting (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Brian Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-6R) 6. Jason Doody (Yam YZF-R6) 450 Superbike 1. Gene Brown (Yam TZ250) 2. Keith DiBrino (Suz SV650) 3. Brad Pinkstaff (Suz SV650) 4. Eric Sweet (Suz SV650) Middleweight Superbike 1. Michael Caravatta (Apr 125RS) 2. David James Moore (Kaw EX650R) 3. Keith DiBrino (Suz SV650) 4. Nobi Iso (Hon RS125) 5. Brad Pinkstaff (Suz SV650) 6. Dean Drolet (Suz SV650) Lightweight Superbike 1. Paul Sicurezza (Kaw EX500) 2. Vision Hayes (Kaw EX250) 3. Adam Faussett (Kaw EX250) 4. Drat Diestler (Kaw EX250) 5. Bill Cameron (Kaw EX250) 6. Kelly Johnson (Kaw EX250) Ultralightweight Superbike 1. Vision Hayes (Kaw EX250) 2. Adam Faussett (Kaw EX250) 3. Kelly Johnson (Kaw EX250) 4. Chris Page (Kaw EX250) 5. Andrew Pignataro (Kaw EX250) 6. Bill Cameron (Kaw EX250) 250 Vintage (Daily) 1. Patrick Leyshock (Yam DT1 250) 2. Cody Wood (Suz Super 6) 3. Mica Grohn (Hon CL175) 4. Ryan Shanahan (Hon CB160) 5. Daric Cheshire (Hon CL175) 750 Supersport Senior 1. Matt Hunt (Suz GSX-R750) 2. Skyler Benoit (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Gene Brown (Suz GSX-R750) 600 Supersport Senior 1. Joshua Melanson (YZF-R6) 2. Skyler Benoit (YZF-R6) 3. Brian Moe (Kaw ZX6-R) 4. Brent Benoit (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Maurice Miller (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Quentin Hogan (Tri 675) Novice 4 1. Tom Walsh (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Bryan O’Connor (Suz GSX-R600) 3. Jason Wilson (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Jason Iverson (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Jerry Cutler (Duc 848) Novice 5 1. Chris Herrin (Suz GSX-R750) 2. David Wright (Suz GSX-R1000) 3. Preston Hamilton (Suz GSX-R750) 4. Brian Tallant (Hon CBR1000RR) 5. Lance Monagon (Hon CBR1000RR) Overall Championship Standings 2Fast Track Days Formula Ultra Championship 1. Alan Schmidt 212 pts 2. Kevin Pinkstaff 189 pts 3. Sam Verderico 169 pts 4. Anthony Manciu 109 pts 5. Tony Porter 83 pts KFG Racing/Pirelli Clubman Championship 1. Ryan Sutton 252 pts 2. Matt Presting 201 pts 3. Sam Verderico 199 pts 4. Brian Pinkstaff 190 pts 5. Andy Dibrino 178 pts Bridge City Cycles Vintage Championship 1. Cody Wood 240 pts 2. Patrick Leyshock 159 pts 3. Daric Cheshire 108 pts 4. Scott Elder 88 pts 5. Mica Grohn 82 pts