New Hampshire Motor Speedway – Scott Greenwood wins the Loudon Classic for a second time.
The 87th Loudon Classic- Riding his 2008 Argo Cycles/Woodcraft/Penguin School Yamaha YZF-R6, Scott Greenwood took command of the Classic from the pole. Chronic Motorsports’ Christian Cronin, Bruce Transportation’s Cory Hildebrand and Brent Lyskawa, filed in behind with DAS Performance’ Shane Narbonne coming from deep in the field to close up in 5th. On the third lap Hildebrand high-sided coming onto the front straight, drawing the red flag.
On the restart, Greenwood picked up where he left off and put his head down to make a break from the pack. Laying down a series of blistering laps, he steadily stretched his gap over the group of three fighting over second. Cronin tried to get a gap as well, but in the middle laps, Lyskawa was able to close back up. Meanwhile, prerace favorite and defending champ, Shane Narbonne, seemed to be patiently biding his time in fourth.
Young gun, Tyler Sweeney, served notice by smartly forging his way into fifth aboard his Dunlop equipped SRE Yamaha. Zach Holcomb clawed his way up to Sweeney’s fender on his Brockton Cycle/Pirelli R6 and the two of them made a gap over the rest of the field.
Up front Greenwood disappeared into the distance while Cronin, Lyskawa and Narbonne fought tooth and tong over second place. Further back, Holcomb pressed Sweeney making passes he couldn’t stick. Their battle allowed Motorace/Michelin’s Jason Carter and Ivan Debord to catch the two fighting over fifth. Holcomb ran wide in turn 3, letting Carter and Debord by to challenge Sweeney. Tyler made an error as well and slid back to 8th behind Holcomb. On the next lap, Carter lost his front in turn 3. He bravely picked-up to finish down the order in what was an excellent ride until his mishap.
Deep into lapped traffic, Greenwood’s gap over Cronin started to shrink, but not enough as he cruised to the stripe in front of an appreciative crowd. With three laps to go, Narbonne passed Lyskawa to claim the last spot on the podium. Debord fought off a last lap charge by Holcomb to round out the top five by a bike length.
Carrying the checkered flag on his victory lap, Greenwood stopped in the ‘bowl’ for the turn 6 fans and dazzled them with a smoky burnout.
Greenwood on the podium; “This was a great weekend for me. I felt good and my Yamaha was excellent. I’m glad I could get this done. I want to thank Dunlop for all their support, Vanson Leathers for my new suit, Arai Helmets for my lid, and New Hampshire Motor Speedway for hosting us. Thanks to Sean Sweeney for my motors, Peter Kates for helping on my suspension this weekend, and Scott Silva for slaving away on my bikes. I want to thank my family too. They are always here to support me and I appreciate it.”
Pro Thunderbike- With prerace favorite, Todd Babcock, out with an injury and Rick Doucette starting from the second row; Kyle Thompson and Scott Mullin looked to be the men to beat in Pro Thunderbike. Thompson took the holeshot aboard his Seacoast Sport Cycle Ducati 749, with Mullin and Doucette side by side going into turn 1. Doucette quickly reeled Thompson back on the first lap and took over the lead aboard his Plaistow/Dunlop Suzuki. Mullin’s Souhegan Kawasaki trailed in third. Mark Dages worked his way into fourth, riding his Dunlop equipped Broad Squad Suzuki SV650. Doucette checked out all the way to the flag where they finished in order. Peter Gaboriault rounded the top five on his Pine Motorsports/MTAG Pirelli Suzuki.
Rick Doucette commented on the podium about his race; “I feel really bad that Todd Babcock broke his collar bone. We battle bar to bar every race all season long, and I wanted to race him that way today. Still, I was running scared out there. I knew Kyle Thompson was really fast. Normally, I look back to see who’s coming. I never looked back today because I was afraid to!”
Pro Superstock- DAS Performance.Com’s Shane Narbonne barely won an entertaining Pro Superstock race aboard his Dunlop equipped Suzuki GSX-R1000. Showing new speed, Steve Giacomaro took the holeshot with his fast Orient Express/Rob’s Dyno Honda CBR1000RR. Narbonne jumped on his fender and showed him a wheel every few turns, while Giacomaro took it back every time. On the 5th lap, Narbonne made a pass stick when the big Honda ran wide in turn 3. Running low 11’s, the pair gapped the field in an intensive battle to the stripe. Also showing new-found speed, Rob Nigl put his Max/Peachpit/Dunlop BMW S1000RR on the box in third.
Narbonne explained to podium announcer, Kevin Elliott; “I just wanted to run a smart race. I want to thank my Dad for taking care of my bikes, Arai Helmets and Dunlop tires for giving me good traction.”
Steve Giacomaro added; “I was glad to be able to do well in front of friends and family”¦ ‘get over the hurdle and into the 1:11’s and battle with Shane. Thank you Sean Sweeney, Dunlop, Rob’s Dyno, Orient Express, my wife Monica and newborn son Steven for their support.”
Pro Superbike- After injuring himself last month, few expected Jeff Wood to make it for Classic weekend. He showed up Wednesday at the Penguin Pro School and tested out his shoulder. Riding with motocross chest and shoulder protection, he lapped his personal Yamaha YZF-R6 and decided to race on the weekend. Most thought he would save it for the ‘Classic’ at the end of the day, but surprisingly he took the Pro Superbike grid alongside Scott Greenwood and Christian Cronin.
Taking the holeshot from Greenwood, the two put on a show of speed not seen from middleweight race bikes at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Both riders set their personal fastest laps and did it under less then ideal track conditions. Wood recorded a best lap of 1:10.8 to Greenwood’s 1:11.0.
Later in the tech garage after looking at the time sheets, Greenwood remarked; “I kept waiting for the pain to get to him and just let me by. Not a chance. He went as hard as he could all the way to the flag. The guy is an animal.”
During the interview Wood told the crowd the bad news; “The bike is very good. I am happy with the results, but I won’t be in the Classic later today. I want to thank Peter Kates for setting up my suspension, and Sean Sweeney for my motors. Thanks to Leif Gustavson for working hard on my Yamaha and all the support he gives me.”
ASRA Michelin Pro Series Results:
The 87th Loudon Classic/ASRA Pro Sportbike (pays to 15th): 1. Scott Greenwood (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Christian Cronin (Yam YZF-R6 3. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R600) 4. Brent Lyskawa (Yam YZF-R6 5. Ivan Debord (Yam YZF-R6 6. Zach Holcomb (Yam YZF-R6 7. Tyler Sweeney (Yam YZF-R6 8. Norman Pomerleau (Suz GSX-R600) 9. Chris Carella (Yam YZF-R6 10. Michael Selpe (Yam YZF-R6 11. Jason Carter (Yam YZF-R6 12. Mike Martire (Kax ZX-6R) 13. Chris Watt (Suz GSX-R600) 14. Seth Robinson (Hon CBR600RR) 15. Wojciech Kasperuk (Yam YZF-R6
Pro Thunderbike: 1. Rick Doucette (Suz SV650) 2. Kyle Thompson (Duc 749) 3. Scott Mullin (Kaw EX650R) 4. Mark Dages (Suz SV650) 5. Peter Gaboriault (Suz SV650) 6. Brian Kent (Kaw EX650R)
Pro Superstock: 1. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Steven Giacomaro (Hon CBR1000RR) 3. Rob Nigl (BMW S1000RR) 4. Brett Guyer (Apr RSV4) 5. Norman Pomerleau (Suz GSX-R1000)
Pro Superbike: 1. Jeff Wood (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Scott Greenwood (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Christian Cronin (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Hlynur Atlason (Duc 848) 5. Alex Guildbeault (Hon RS250)
Loudon Road Racing Series Results:
$1500 Motorace Dash for Cash (pays to 8th): 1. Scott Greenwood (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Jeff Wood (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R600) 4. Cory Hildebrand (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Christian Cronin (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Joel Allen (Yam YZF-R6) 7. Jason Carter (Yam YZF-R6) 8. Tyler Sweeney (Yam YZF-R6)
Pirelli Diablo Challenge: 1. Zach Holcomb (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Mike Selpe (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Gordon Stearns (Hon CBR600RR) 4. Rick Patrolia (Suz SV650) 5. Kasperuk Wojciech (Yam YZF-R6)
Formula 40: 1. Rob Nigl (Duc 748) 2. Rick Doucette (Suz GSX-R750) 3. Jason Carter (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Scott James (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Ian-James Helmke (Duc 996) 6. Robert Kessell (Suz GSX-R750)
Formula 40 Lights: 1. Todd Babcock (Suz SV650) 2. Michael Dube (Duc 800SS) 3. Doug Fogg (Suz SV650) 4. Brian Kent (Kaw EX 650R) 5. Ted Temple (Suz SV650) 6. Wayne MacKert (Suz SV650)
Formula 50: 1. James Brown (Apr RSV1000) 2. Shawn McCormick (Suz GSX-R750)
Formula 50 Lights: 1. Dan Frisbie (Duc 1000PS) 2. Michael Dube (Duc 800SS) 3. Wayne MacKert (Suz SV650) 4. David Sargent (Suz SV650) 5. Alan Quinn (Duc 1000SS) 6. Skip Kelleher (Suz SV650)
GT Lights: 1. Todd Babcock (Suz SV650) 2. Rick Doucette (Suz SV650) 3. Scott Mullin (Kaw EX650R) 4. Mark Dages (Suz SV650) 5. Doug Fogg (Suz SV650) 6. Eric Connolly (Suz SV650)
GTO: 1. Brett Guyer (Apr RSV4) 2. Rob Nigl (BMW S1000RR) 3. Cory Hildebrand (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Hlynur Atlason (Duc 848) 5. Robert Bloodgood (Suz GSX-R1000) 6. Norman Pomerleau (Suz GSX-R1000)
GTU: 1. Scott Greenwood (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Scott James (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Jason Carter (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Ronald Poulin (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Jason Staley (Kaw ZX-6R) 6. Shaul Perry (Yam YZF-R6)
Heavyweight Superbike: 1. Eric Wood (Duc 1098) 2. Dennis Levesque (Duc 1098) 3. Jason Carter (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Chris Carella (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Houk Nichols (Suz GSX-R600) 6. Hlynur Atlason (Duc 848)
Heavyweight Supersport: 1. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R600) 2. Christian Cronin (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Cory Hildebrand (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Rick Doucette (Suz GSX-R750) 5. Houk Nichols (Suz GSX-R600) 6. Norman Pomerleau (Suz GSX-R600)
Lightweight Grand Prix: 1. Rick Doucette (Suz SV650) 2. Alex Guilbeault (Hon RS250) 3. Peter Gaboriault (Suz SV650) 4. Eric Connolly (Suz SV650) 5. Ted Temple (Suz SV650) 6. Charles Brighenti (Suz SV650)
Middleweight Superbike: 1. Scott Greenwood (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Cory Hildebrand (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Christian Cronin (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Zach Holcomb (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Joel Allen (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Tyler Sweeney (Yam YZF-R6)
Lightweight Sportsman: 1. Mike Martire (Kaw KX450F) 2. Mike Donovan (Hon CRF450) 3. Eric Shaw (Yam YZF 450) 4. Jason Hillsgrove (KTM 525) 5. Jason Cavanaugh (Yam YZF 450) 6. Eric Block (KTM 450)
Lightweight Superbike: 1. Rick Doucette (Suz SV650) 2. Scott Mullin (Kaw EX650R) 3. Chris Cucinotta (Suz SV650) 4. Peter Gabroriault (Suz SV650) 5. Eric Connolly (Suz SV650) 6. Hlynur Atlason (Apr SXV 5.5)
Lightweight Supersport: 1. Rick Doucette (Suz SV650) 2. Scott Mullin (Kaw EX650R) 3. Mark Dages (Suz SV650) 4. Brian Kent (Kaw EX650R) 5. Peter Gaboriault (Suz SV650) 6. Ryan Oosterman (Suz SV650)
Middleweight Production Twins: 1. Mark Dages (Suz SV650) 2. Rick Doucette (Suz SV650) 3. Scott Mullin (Kaw EX650R) 4. Brian Kent (Kaw EX650R)
Production Twins: 1. Mark Dages (Kaw EX500) 2. Branch Worsham (Kaw EX500) 3. Dana Temple (Kaw EX500) 4. Smokin’ Joe Latona (Kaw EX500) 5. Richard Blake (Duc 620SS) 6. Mike Defazio (Kaw EX500)
Motard: 1. Mike Donovan (Hon CRF450) 2. Hlynur Atlason (Apr SXV 5.5) 3. Jason Hillsgrove (KTM 525) 4. Brent Lyskawa (Non CRF450) 5. Mike Martire (Kaw KX450F) 6. Richie Pittenger (Suz RMZ450)
Supersingles: 1. Mike Martire (Kaw KX450F) 2. Mike Donovan (Hon CRF450) 3. Eric Block (KTM 450) 4. Jason Cavanaugh (Yam YZF450) 5. Eric Shaw (Yam YZF450) 6. Rick Breen (Hon CRF450)
Ultralight Superbike: 1. Mike Dube (Duc 800SS) 2. Mike Donovan (Hon CRF450) 3. Richard Blake (Duc 800SS) 4. Jason Cavanaugh Yam (YZF450) 5. Eric Shaw (Yam YZF450) 6. Jerry Clark (Duc 800SS)
Middleweight Supersport: 1. Scott Greenwood (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Christian Cronin (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R600) 4. Cory Hildebrand (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Brent Lyskawa (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Tyler Sweeney (Yam YZF-R6)
Supertwins: 1. Eric Wood (Duc 1098) 2. Rob Nigl (Duc 748) 3. Charles Sandoz (Duc 848) 4. Jim Rich (Apr RSV1000) 5. Hlynur Atlason (Duc 848) 6. Ian-James Helmke (Duc 996)
Thunderbike: 1. Rick Doucette (Suz SV650) 2. Kyle Thompson (Duc 749) 3. Rick Breen (Suz SV650) 4. Dan Frisbie (Duc 1000PS) 5. Alan Quinn (Duc 1000SS)
Unlimited Grand Prix: 1. Eric Wood (Duc 1098) 2. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R1000) 3. Steve Giacomaro (Hon CBR600RR) 4. Cory Hildebrand (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Brett Guyer (Apr RSV4) 6. Rob Nigl (BMW S1000RR)
Unlimited Superbike: 1. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Scott Greenwood (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Brett Guyer (Apr RSV4) 4. Rob Nigl (BMW S1000RR) 5. Jason Carter (Yam YZF-R1) 6. Antal Halasz (Suz GSX-R1000)
Unlimited Supersport: 1. Scott Greenwood (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Steve Giacomaro (Hon CBR1000RR) 3. Brett Guyer (Apr RSV4) 4. Cory Hildebrand (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Tyler Sweeney (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Brent Lyskawa (Yam YZF-R6)