Arroyo Seco Raceway Sept 9 By Andy Ruhl Siminski, Land win big at Arroyo Seco Raceway David Siminski and Brian Land were among other CCS Southwest regulars who made the trip out to Arroyo Seco Raceway in New Mexico with hopes of adding to their CCS Southwest points totals. Land ended up with the most points of any rider on his Yamaha R6 and Honda Supermoto bikes, but Siminski found enough speed toward the end of race day to win the money in the Formula Arroyo Unlimited GP as well as the Unlimited Superbike race on his ’05 ZX-6R sponsored by Advanced Kawasaki. Track owner and ASMA series president Roger Heemsbergen led most of the 20 minute Formula Arroyo race on his GSX-R750, but developed a fuel starvation problem toward the end of the race. In the Formula Arroyo race, Heemsbergen was pressured and passed by Siminski and Mike Shreve in the last 3 laps. Heemsbergen finished in third place behind winner Siminski and 2nd place Shreve. Siminski found speed during the race and was able to run the pace of Shreve and Heemsbergen after only a few laps, not an easy task for a newcomer to the track. Heemsbergen and Shreve are former ASMA champions. “I really went to school today behind local guys like Hunter Shingler, Mike Shreve, Ivan Garza and Roger Heemsbergen. Once I figured out my suspension settings before the Formula Arroyo race, everything came together,” Siminski said during the trophy ceremony. “My bike wouldn’t run above 12,000 rpm, so I couldn’t keep up with the 600s down the straights. I had my suspension figured out though, so I was at least able to get some good results,” Heemsbergen said. Earlier in the day cycleshoplv.com sponsored racer Brian Land used his previous experience at Arroyo Seco Raceway to win three races, finish second twice, and third once, among other points finishes. He finished second behind Mike Shreve in his two second place finishes. Land achieved his goal of scoring as many points as possible by winning or finishing near the front in each of his races on his R6, also gaining more points by riding his Honda CRF450 Supermoto bike in the lightweight races. Land is near the top of the CCS Southwest overall points race and was the most prolific points scorer of the day. “If I keep it on 2 wheels at the next CCS Southwest round, I should have a good chance to take the overall championship, so these points I scored today really help,” Land said after the races. Former ASMA champion Mike Shreve won two races early in the day, using track knowlege to his advantage. He won Heavyweight Supersport and Middleweight Supersport on his Rio Yamaha sponsored Yamaha R6. Brian Land finished second both times as he re-learned the track in the counter-clockwise direction, which he hadn’t experienced before. Last month’s big winner Ivan Garza was without a bike to race after his Suzuki GSX-R600 and GSX-R1000 race bikes developed engine problems at previous races. He had sold his GSX-R750 to Roger Heemsbergen before last month’s ASMA race, so he had no bikes left to ride. Fortunately he was able to borrow a Honda RC-51 street bike from his friend and mechanic Hector Sandoval to gain some points, as well as winning the Southwest Thunder race. Pat Bushell rode impressively to finish second in Southwest Thunder on his Ducati 999R, ahead of his teammate Tom Savoca on a Ducati 749R. “That was a really fun bike to ride,” Garza said. Arroyo Seco raceway is conveniently located in New Mexico just south of I-10 at the Akela exit, between Deming and Las Cruces. For more information about Arroyo Seco Raceway or racing with ASMA, visit www.ASMAracing.com or call Roger Heemsbergen at (505) 494-4794. More, from a press release: Mike Sullivan Breaks Track Record at Pacific Raceway Mike Sullivan set the new track record riding the EDR Performance, Dunlop shod, Yamaha R1 Superbike in this weekend’s WMRRA Formula Ultra Class. The veteran rider, and current WMRRA #1 plate holder, put down a 1:26.2 record lap (electronically confirmed by WMRRA officials) during the main event after just 5 laps of practice. Eric Dorn of EDR Performance said, “Sullivan, after riding the EDR Superbike just one time previously at the last OMMRA event, was immediately quick on our bike. With the way Mike was riding, we knew the record was in reach. It sure was fun to watch.” More, from a press release: Camier Scoops British Supersport Crown 19-year-old Leon Camier from Ashford, Kent was crowned the British Supersport Champion at the weekend at the final round of the series at Brands Hatch Circuit, Kent. In front of a massive 25’000 strong crowd Camier rode a strong race knowing that he needed just to finish. Having been dominant for the majority of the 2005 season, gaining seven-podium positions, including four race wins the youngster certainly meant business from the start. The Padgetts Honda Rider set numerous lap records and inspired a number of people in the UK and abroad with his smooth riding style. A former 125 British Champion at 15, Camier has certainly progressed through the ranks and has now achieved another goal in his ladder and a step forward at his objective of being World Champion. Being the youngest rider in the fierce Supersport Class he certainly had to have his wits about him, contending against riders who have competed at World and GP status. After a start line incident Camier was forced back into 10th position but got his head down and worked his way through to sixth. A consistent season has seen the talented rider gain the British Crown and head into 2006 feeling strong and confident. Plans have not been confirmed yet as to where Camier will be riding in 2006 but a decision should be made and announced in the next month. He is actively looking into personal sponsorship for the 2006 season and carrying the number ‘1’ plate should boost his prospects. A delighted Camier said ‘It’s been a fantastic season for me and I’m so glad to have gained the title. It’s certainly taken a lot of hard work and dedication, I’ve had some great people helping and supporting me and would like to thank them all for standing by me. I’ll be writing a personal dedication on my website to thank all those involved. My main thanks goes to my Mum and Dad for backing me throughout my racing career and I now feel I am beginning to repay them for everything they have done for me and also the full Padgetts team for having the faith in me this season. It’s a very fierce class and it could have gone anyway all season as the quality of riders is at such a high level. I’ll be deciding my plans for next year fairly shortly I hope and whatever happens I’ll be looking forward to it.’ Leon will be attending the NEC Show on various days and will be hoping to announce his 2006 plans soon. For more information and to keep up-to-date check out www.leoncamier.com More, from a press release issued by WMRRA: WMRRA’s 2005 race season has come to a close and the top 5 overall number plates have been awarded. Eli Edwards won the club’s overall championship and the #1 plate that goes with it. En route to the overall, Eli won an amazing five class championships in the club’s fastest and arguably most competitive classes: 600 Supersport, 750 Supersport, Open Supersport, 750 Superbike and Formula Ultra. 2nd overall went to Alan Schwen who won class championships in 650 Supersport Twins and Middleweight GP Twins and finished runner-up in Open GP Twins. 3rd overall went to Ken Holme who won a class championship in Lightweight Early GP and finished 2nd in both Heavyweight Early GP and 600 TFS. 4th overall went to Darren Murray who won class championships in Formula Thunder and Open GP Twins and finished 4th in both 600 Supersport and Formula Ultra. Dan Lippis rounded out the top 5 by finishing the season 2nd in 750 Superbike, 2nd in 750 Supersport, 2nd in Formula Ultra and 3rd in Open Supersport. WMRRA’s overall championship is awarded to the racer with the most points in his/her best 3 classes. All WMRRA classes are eligible and overall championship number plates are given to the top 5 racers. For photos of this year’s champions and more info go to: www.wmrra.com More, from a press release issued by Main Line BMW: Main Line BMW rider Nate Kern of Manayunk, PA. wrapped up his Mid Atlantic Championship Cup Series season at the new Shenandoah Circuit in WV. Having missed the first race at the Shenandoah Circuit due to racing the new BMW K1200R in the BMW Motorrad Power Cup during the Czech Grand Prix, Nate was able to pull off an impressive 4 wins and three second place finishes this past weekend on the 500lb., shaft driven, air cooled Boxer twin. One of the wins came in the GT Lights class where Kern,in the rain, lapped the field up to 4th place. The Main Line BMW also qualified on the pole in the Unlimited Grand Prix qualifying session. During the weekend Nate was able to turn a best time of 1:32.501 which is not far off the track record of 1:32.067, set by an R6. This 2005 season has brought 13 championships to Main Line BMW. Nate has won the Mid Atlantic CCS overall championship including 4 classes and the Southeast CCS overall championship including 5 classes. The Summit Point and Roebling Road track championships have also been won by the BMW rider. Wearing the # 1 plate for 2006 will bring a whole new set of challenges. Main Line BMW is looking into developing the all new R1200S into a Fomula Extreme package that will attract more BMW spectators than ever for 2006. Main Line BMW is looking forward to fielding rider Nate Kern at the Daytona Race of Champions this October. The Race of Champions will be a great show for racers and spectators alike.
Updated: Various Press Releases From This Past Weekend’s Races
Updated: Various Press Releases From This Past Weekend’s Races
© 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. By Andy Ruhl, for ASMA.