Michelin Pro Series New Jersey Motorsports Park July 26, 2009 Millville, NJ — Hot and humid summer weather did not deter a large crowd descending upon the New Jersey Motorsports Park for the Michelin Pro Series sanctioned by ASRA. 1122 entries resulted in numerous well-contested classes. This was the Series’ first-ever stop at the relatively new facility. Although there was a threat of thunderstorms for Sunday morning, the afternoon event found a virtually cloudless sky with temperatures in the mid eighties and humidity at a relatively mild 61%.
Michelin Pro racers got off to a good start with the Superstock race featuring Michelin Pro Superstock points leader Brian Stokes and national class contender Arnie Hastings. Stokes established the first fast laps on his Kawasaki 1000 from the starting flag and went pretty much uncontested as spectators watched him lay down a consistent pace. Stokes took the win, Hastings was second on his Ducati and Michael Calderon aboard a Yamaha 1000 finished third.
Prior to the start of the Michelin Pro races this day, Chronic Racing’s Paul Allison and privateer Stokes went head to head in the CCS Unlimited GP. In that event Stokes came out on top leaving Allison in his pits between races in intense concentration trying to figure out what he could do to turn the tables on Stokes.
With that stage set, in Superbike a shootout developed early with points leader Allison on his Yamaha and points challenger Stokes. Although Stokes easily dominated Superstock, he had his hands full with Allison as the two traded position, paint and rubber for seven laps. The lead changed several times a lap until the white flag lap when traffic became a factor allowing Allison to build a gap that Stokes could not overcome. Stokes took the second spot on the podium and Salvatore Caruso on another Kawasaki finished third.
In preparation for the Thunderbike race points leader Dan Bilansky could be found staring at the right side of his Buell as he faced the reality that his motor was toast. He made the only decision he could, borrow a bike for the day’s race. Just about the only good news for Bilansky was that contender Joel Spalding was not present to threaten Bilansky’s class points lead. That is not to say that the Rosynski Brothers, Joe & Sam, and Nate Kern didn’t mean to gain ground in the points race given the opportunity. Unfortunately, Bilansky proceeded to run off course mid-race. He didn’t go down, but the field got away and Bilansky, although battered by the borrowed bike in the off-course excursion, soldiered on to finish the race and claim 13 points. The Rosynskis would finish fourth and fifth respectively.
BMW rider Kern pulled out to an early lead and stayed there. But the other interesting thing about this Thunderbike race turned out not to be about points or hot shoes Bilansky and Kern, but in watching an up an coming rider on the Ray Price Harley-Davidson Buell, Price’s grandson Jordan Richardson. By lap two Kern felt someone was tailing him. And when he looked back, to his astonishment, the number plate was yellow and the rider was close and closing. Certainly not what Kern often encounters, and an instant motivator.
On every lap it appeared as though Richardson would catch Kern as they came down the front straight, but Richardson was just not quite able to do it. Said young Richardson, “It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot just following Nate.” The pair were shaking hands and swapping stories as they headed to the podium after the race. This really is what ASRA/CCS motorcycle racing is all about. Kern topped the podium, followed by Richardson, and another surprise Robert Buroker, who’s been having a good season in CCS, nailed down the third slot. Buroker was excited, “third in my first outing in a National.”
Factory Pro Sportbike, the final Michelin event of the day, re-galvanized the battle between the Brian Stokes’ Kawasaki and Paul Allison’s Yamaha. The result was the same. Again the two engaged in full contact racing with Allison coming first at race end again. Stokes was clearly frustrated with the encounter. But these two fellows will have to wait for another weekend to hammer out the points and places. Stokes was second on the podium and Melissa Paris was third. Paris had a number of CCS wins on the weekend demonstrating that she is not only a respectable lightweight GP rider, but now an accomplished 600cc class expert as well.
American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) is the sanctioning body for the Michelin Pro Series and the Michelin Team Challenge Series with 18 events scheduled in 2009. ASRA also brings you the Femmoto class at Michelin pro races and promotes the competition of motorcycle riders across the United States. ASRA and CCS hold more than 50 total race events each year allowing local riders access to competitive training via its affiliate training instructors. ASRA and CCS allow local talent to go head-to-head with the top national and professional riders. Learn more about these racing series’ at the ASRAracing.com and CCSracing.us websites and get details on ASRA and CCS racing events scheduled at a track near you.