DiBrino Wins OMRRA Championship at Portland International Raceway

The final round of the OMRRA season concluded last weekend under mixed conditions at Portland International Raceway. Saturday’s races were warm, albeit noticeable smoky from the recent fires in the Columbia River Gorge. Championships were on the line and the change of weather on Sunday went from cool and unpredictable to wet and slippery and back again. The dearth of rain over the summer season made the surface of PIR susceptible to slips and spills once the rain began to mix with the remnants of oil, rubber and an assortment of motorsports related debris baked into a track over a warm, dry season. The weather’s one-and-off clouds would add to the high drama as OMRRA looked to crown a new champion.

In the final round of the APEX Formula Ultra Championship, Chris Ancien was 10 points adrift of Andy DiBrino coming into the weekend. DiBrino could secure the championship if he finished just behind Ancien in Saturday and Sunday’s race but racing has a way of not making things so simple. Recently crowned #1 WMRRA Champion, Ryan Sutton of Camano Island, WA came down to show the crowd and the competition what his 2018 season could look like if WMRRA and OMRRA schedules align and allow a two-state #1 run. Sutton jumped out of the gates and showed he was the one to beat while Ancien and DiBrino played chess for all the championship marbles. Sutton showcased and impressive win while all eyes were on the battle between DiBrino and Ancien. In the end, DiBrino took home second with Ancien in third, adding four points to Andy’s lead.

For the final race on Sunday, DiBrino was 14 points ahead of Ancien and would need to ride cautiously in the final contest. Sporadic, light rain descended onto the course over the previous hours and in the minutes leading up to the race, teams were unsure if they’d have to switch to intermediate rain tires. The rain held off momentarily but perhaps in an effort to hold off and read the weather as long as possible, DiBrino was late to the grid and would have to skip the sighting lap and start from hot pit lane. The young DiBrino protested vehemently with officials as Ancien lined up on the grid with his championship hopes ascending. Ancien got off to a blistering start with Pinkstaff and Coffey in the lead pack into turn 1. DiBrino was hot on their heels and by turn 3 of Portland International’s infield on lap one he had moved quickly into third position. Grip was not 100 percent with the recent precipitation and there were a few saddle separations as the 200+ horsepower battle waged on. Despite salvaging the hot pit start and positioning himself to wrap up the championship, DiBrino’s machine started to have a major issue which lead to a loss of power that would see him fading backwards and ultimately come to a stop. With Ancien in the lead and DiBrino watching from a corner station in the middle of the course, championship hopes were fading in real time. Ancien continued to lead and distance himself from Coffey and Pinkstaff when a sudden rogue cloud opened up over the course and doused the asphalt for the final three laps. Ancien tried to hold steady but the surging Kawasaki’s of Coffey and Pinkstaff were no match. Ancien was relegated back to third and with that change of fortune, DiBrino’s championship hopes were not only rekindled; they were guaranteed. Jeremy Coffey was able to bring home the win with Kevin Pinkstaff in tow for second. It was an up and down season for both finalists, Ancien and DiBrino with racing troubles visiting each of them. When the dust finally settled, despite the ups-and-downs, the roller coaster points accumulation trail over the season favored Andy DiBrino by seven points and a new champion was crowned.

When receiving the heritage trophy displaying OMRRA’s past chamipions from his long-time childhood friend and 2016 #1 plate holder, Devon McDonough, Andy gave a heartfelt speech choking back the tears as he dedicated his championship to his best friend, Kelly Johnson, who was tragically killed in a racing incident earlier in the year. In those moments on the podium, the heart of a champion was born. Congratulations to Andy Dibrino and team for becoming the 2017 OMRRA Formula Ultra Champion and the #1 plate.

APEX Formula Ultra Championship Standings – Round 6 of 6:

1: Andy DiBrino – 180 pts

2: Christopher Ancien – 173 pts

3: Kevin Pinkstaff – 144 pts

4: Jeremy Coffey – 126 pts

5: Ryan Sutton – 111 pts

In the Clubman Championship, which sees competitors from a variety of classes in a points race based on the best of two classes, Nobi Iso, fresh off setting two class lap records during the penultimate “Supercorn” round and taking home the bounty offered up by EDR Performance, wrapped up the championship in noble fashion. Nobi took home a win in Ultralightweight Supersport astride is Yamaha YZF- R3 and a second in Formula III aboard a Honda 125cc GP bike. Matt O’Rourke vaulted himself into the runner-up position in the championship with consist trips to the podium over the final two rounds. O’Rourke consistency was impressive because it required the skill to maneuver two disparate machines: a large air-cooled Ducati and the half-sliced cousin the the R6, the Yamaha R3. 2016’s #1c champion, Adam Faussett, grabbed the victory in Lightweight Supersport and followed it up with a second place finish to take third in the championship standings.

Clubman Championship Standings – Round 6 of 6:

1: Nobi Iso – 245 pts

2: Matt O’Rourke – 212 pts

3: Adam Faussett – 205 pts

4: Oliver Jervis – 197 pts

5: Alex Taylor – 194 pts

The conclusion of the Langlitz Leathers Vintage Championship had two-time champion, Mica Grohn of Portland in a commanding lead with needing to close out the final day of the weekend scoring a mere half a point to the championship. A regular on the top end of the podium, Grohn easily cruised into her third #1V plate in four seasons. Teammate and stablemate, Daric Cheshire of Cheshire Motorsports was the bike to beat. Cheshire had the winning strategy and the grunt to cross the stripe first in three of four close contests. Dean Willoughby had a strong showing and was always at the front of the pack. However, in positioning to the line, Willoughby would find himself outhustled by Cheshire and Grohn.

Langlitz Leathers Vintage Championship Standings – Round 6 of 6:

1: Mica Grohn – 160.5 pts

2: Dean Willoughby – 133.0 pts

3: Daric Cheshire – 122.0 pts

4: Ryan Shanahan – 94.0 pts

5: Andy Hudock – 55.5 pts

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. For more information, visit www.omrra.com and join us at www.facebook.com/omrra.racing and subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch live racing!

September 16-17, 2017 @ Portland International Raceway – Results

Novice 600

1. AJ Peaslee (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Daniel Bricker (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Justin Carr (Kaw ZX-6R)

4. Bill Youngblood (Yam YZF-R6)

5. Matt Snipes (Duc 848 evo)

6. Kevin Jones (Yam YZF-R6)

Novice 1000

1. Ramses Hernandez (Suz GSX-R750)

2. Abraham Balderas (Suz GSX-R1000)

3. Justin Boyd (Yam YZF-R1)

4. Rodney Roalsen (BMW S1000RR)

5. Adolfo Valdovinos (Yam YZF-R1)

6. Jason Hill (Hon RC51)

Formula Female

1. Alison Smith (Kaw ZX-6R)

2. Cynthia CJ Strauss (Suz GSX-R600)

3. Star Herrmann (Suz SV650)

Middleweight Supersport

1. Drat Diestler (Hon KTM Hybrid 520)

2. Brian Moe (Suz SV650)

3. Jon Campbell (Suz SV650)

4. Danny Houghton (Suz SV650)

5. David Wright (Yam YZF-R4.5)

6. Austen Brown (Suz SV650)

Formula III

1. Michael Caravatta (Hon RS125)

2. Nobi Iso (Hon RS125)

3. Gene Brown (Yam TZ250)

Vintage Middleweight

1. Daric Cheshire (Hon CB160RR)

2. Mica Grohn (Hon CL175)

3. Dean Willoughby (Hon CB160)

4. Paxton Gray (Hon CB160)

5. Dallas Cheshire (Hon cb175)

250 Ninja Cup

1. Michael Anderson (Kaw 250)

2. Yasar Ahmed (Kaw 250)

3. Bobby Thurman (Kaw 250)

4. Jason Iverson (Kaw 250)

5. Kumpy Kump (Kaw 250)

6. Max Maduro (Kaw 250)

Formula Ultra

1. Ryan Sutton (BMW S1000RR)

2. Andy DiBrino (Yam YZF-R1)

3. Christopher Ancien (Yam YZF-R1)

4. Jeremy Coffey (Kaw ZX-10R)

5. Kevin Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-10R)

6. Scott Decker (Yam YZF-R1M)

Formula 4

1. Oliver Jervis (Suz SV650)

2. Alex Taylor (Yam YZF-R4.5)

3. Matt O’Rourke (Duc 992)

4. Michael Caravatta (Apr 125)

5. Andrew Hume (Duc 848)

6. Danny Houghton (Suz SV650)

600 Supersport

1. Andy DiBrino (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Alex Lou (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Chris Jablonski (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Steve Suitor (Yam YZF-R6)

5. Luke Luciano (Yam YZF-R6)

6. Barry Wressell (Yam YZF-R6)

Ultra Lightweight Supersport

1. Nobi Iso (Yam YZF-R3)

2. Alex Taylor (Yam YZF-R3)

3. Austin McCabe (KTM RC390)

4. Matt ORourke (Yam YZF-R3)

5. Paxton Gray (KTM RC390)

6. Anton Moseyko (KTM RC390)

Open Sportsman

1. Abraham Balderas (Suz GSX-R1000)

2. Kevin Purdy (Yam YZF-R6)

3. AJ Peaslee (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Kris Porntharavongse (Kaw ZX-6R)

5. Adolfo Valdovinos (Yam YZF-R1)

6. Daniel Bricker (Yam YZF-R6)

250 Ninja Cup

1. Michael Anderson (Kaw 250)

2. Yasar Ahmed (Kaw 250)

3. Jason Iverson (Kaw 250)

4. Bobby Thurman (Kaw 250)

5. Kumpy Kump (Kaw 250)

6. Clifford Griffin (Kaw 250)

Vintage Middleweight

1. Daric Cheshire (Hon CB160RR)

2. Mica Grohn (Hon CL175)

3. Dean Willoughby (Hon CB160)

4. Dallas Cheshire (Hon CB175)

5. Paxton Gray (Hon CB160)

750 Supersport

1. Chris Jablonski (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Alex Lou (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Luke Luciano (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Chris Fleck (Suz GSX-R750)

5. Mark Szilveszter (Tri 675R)

Open Supersport

1. Jeremy Coffey (Kaw ZX-10R)

2. Kevin Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-10R)

3. Scott Decker (Yam YZF-R1M)

4. Mark R Wilson (Kaw ZX-10R)

5. Tullio Celano (Kaw ZX-10R)

6. Adan Mendoza (Suz GSX-R1000)

Middleweight GP

1. Alex Taylor (Yam YZF-R4.5)

2. Matt ORourke (Duc 992)

3. Yasar Ahmed (Yam YZF-R4.5)

4. Andrew Hume (Duc 848)

5. Jon Campbell (Suz SV650)

6. Danny Houghton (Suz SV650)

Open Sportsman

1. Gene Brown (Suz GSX-R750)

2. Kris Porntharavongse (Kaw ZX-6R)

3. John Peaslee (Yam YZF-R1)

4. Joe Pearson (Suz GSX-R1000)

5. James Moody (Hon CBR900RR)

6. Justin Carr (Kaw ZX-6R)

Vintage Lightweight

1. Ryan Shanahan (Hon CB175)

2. Daric Cheshire (Hon CB160RR)

3. Jon Munns (Hon CB175)

4. Mica Grohn (Hon CL175)

5. Dean Willoughby (Hon CB160)

6. Andy Hudock (Hon CL175)

600 Superbike

1. Alex Lou (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Chris Jablonski (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Steve Suitor (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Luke Luciano (Yam YZF-R6)

5. Michael Anderson (Yam YZF-R6)

6. Alison Smith (Kaw ZX-6R)

Lightweight Supersport

1. Adam Faussett (Kaw 300)

2. Austin McCabe (KTM RC390)

3. Alex Taylor (Yam YZF-R3)

4. Paxton Gray (KTM RC390)

5. Anton Moseyko (KTM RC390)

Middleweight Sportsman

1. Jon Campbell (Suz SV650)

2. Yasar Ahmed (Yam YZF-R4.5)

3. Randy Harris (Suz SV650)

4. Austen Brown (Suz SV650)

5. Julie Razo (Yam YZF-R4.5)

6. David Wright (Yam YZF-R4.5)

Formula 40

1. Joe Rocha (Suz GSX-R1000)

2. Tullio Celano (Kaw ZX-10R)

3. Gene Brown (Suz GSX-R750)

Middleweight Superbike

1. Oliver Jervis (Suz SV650)

2. Matt ORourke (Duc 992)

3. Yasar Ahmed (Yam YZF-R4.5)

Vintage Lightweight

1. Daric Cheshire (Hon CB160RR)

2. Mica Grohn (Hon CL175)

3. Dean Willoughby (Hon CB160)

4. Ryan Shanahan (Hon CB 175)

5. Dallas Cheshire (Hon CB175)

6. Andy Hudock (Hon CL175)

Lightweight Superbike

1. Drat Diestler (Hon KTM Hybrid 520)

2. Austin McCabe (KTM RC390)

3. Anton Moseyko (KTM RC-390)

4. Michael Davis (Yam YZF-R3)

Formula Ultra

1. Jeremy Coffey (Kaw ZX-10R)

2. Kevin Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-10R)

3. Christopher Ancien (Yam YZF-R1)

450 Superbike

1. Nick Taylor (Yam YZF-R4.5)

2. Alex Taylor (Yam YZF-R4.5)

3. Julie Razo (Yam YZF-R4.5)

Ultra Lightweight Superbike

1. Austin McCabe (KTM RC390)

2. Adam Faussett (Kaw 300)

3. Alex Taylor (Yam YZF-R3)

4. Nobi Iso (Yam YZF-R3)

Novice 1000

1. Abraham Balderas (Suz GSX-R1000)

2. John Peaslee (Yam YZF-R1)

3. Joe Pearson (Suz GSX-R1000)

Open Superbike

1. Kevin Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-10R)

2. Tullio Celano (Kaw ZX-10R)

3. Andy DiBrino (Yam YZF-R1)

4. Jeremy Coffey (Kaw ZX-10R)