Zhulin Wins In Inclement Conditions at VIR With CCS and ASRA
ASRA/CCS MidAtlantic and Southeast
Virginia International Raceway
Danville, Virginia
June 8-9, 2019
The Virginia Festival of Speed 17th Annual Paul Farrell Memorial Championship Cup Series Featuring the AMA Sanctioned ASRA Championship Series Presented by Pirelli Tire event was overshadowed by a seemingly never-ending stormy weekend forecast. And, while many competitors decided not to race due to the 100% rain forecast, nearly 80 racers did compete, resulting in an event filled with multiple race winners, both expert and amateur, across more than 30 different classes. With ever-changing weather conditions shifting from very wet, to drying, to wet and drying again, riders were busy watching weather radar apps and making repeated tire changes. And, while some of the choices did not pay off, many were successful.
Vasiliy Zhulin’s correct tire choices helped him win the Unlimited Grand Prix race on his Pirelli-shod, Metric Devil Moto Yamaha YZF-R1, after taking over the lead from holeshot winner David Loikits. Loikits had nabbed the lead spot from the start of the race on board his Loikits Industries Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000, with the rest of the field tucked in tight behind and looking for the coveted front spot. Zhulin maneuvered his way from a third place start behind his teammate Greg Ludt’s BMW S1000RR, to the front of the pack, after two laps of the leaders swapping positions in front of him. He had to battle Ludt for the lead, and after some swapping back and forth between them, Zhulin claimed his spot at the front and dominated the rest of the seven lap race to take the win. Ludt finished second, with Brandon Barker, Loikits, and Lloyd Bayley rounding off the top five.
“Great racing by everyone in the difficult, constantly changing conditions this weekend,” Zhulin later stated. “On Saturday, while we were quick and comfortable in the wet, we faced a rapidly drying track in the first race. Greg (Ludt) made the right choice with an intermediate rear and was able to capitalize with a win. In the second race, we had another downpour, so the full rains worked great. On Sunday, the track was drying and improving throughout the day. It never really got to 100%, but we were able to go out on slicks in all three races and finish on top.”
“Pirelli swept all the big bike podiums this weekend.” Zhulin exclaimed. He stated that this was a “fantastic accomplishment and testament to how well these tires work in all conditions. Big thanks to Metric Devil Moto, Podium Motorsports and Pirelli, Penske Racing Shocks, SBS Brakes, Shoei Helmets, Trackside Parts Club Compass Leather, Evolve GT, and TAW Performance with Capit tire warmers. Really looking forward to NJMP in July for some big grids and tough competition.”
Zhulin won four of his five races during the event, also finishing first in the Unlimited Supersport, ASRA Superstock, and Unlimited Superbike classes. He finished second to Ludt in the GTO race. Video clips from Zhulin’s races can be viewed on his YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCse8Dg9_IW7paqUe…
Amateur racer Adam Klepadio was the winningest racer of the weekend with a grand total of six victories in the smaller displacement classes. Klepadio won the Amateur GT 500, Moto 3, Supersport 300, Superbike 500, Supberbike 300, and Supersport 500 classes in order.
Ryan Jones was the winningest Expert racer of the weekend with five wins across multiple classes. Jones won the Expert GTU, Middleweight Superbike, ASRA Thunderbike, ASRA Sportbike, and Lightweight Superbike races. He finished Middleweight Supersport second to Arnold Hastings.
The CCS Atlantic Region is scheduled to compete again at Summit Point Circuit for a Twin Sprints weekend June 22-23rd, combined with the MidAtlantic Region.
The next round of ASRA sprint races will take place July 6-7th at New Jersey Motorsports Park, combined with the CCS MidAtlantic and Atlantic sprint races.
The CCS Southeast region will meet again at Roebling Road Raceway August 24-25th for a Twin Sprints weekend combined with the CCS Florida Region and another round of ASRA sprint races.
For complete results, lap times, points standings, and remaining 2019 season schedules for the Championship Cup Series, ASRA, and ASRA Team Challenge Series, and any and all information on past and future events for all series and regions, please visit: www.ccsracing.us.
RESULTS:
CCS EXPERT UNLIMITED GRAND PRIX:
1. Vasiliy Zhulin (Yam YZF-R1)
2. Gregory Ludt (BMW S1000RR)
3. Brandon Barker (Kaw ZX-10R)
4. David Loikits (Suz GSX-R1000)
5. Lloyd Bayley (BMW S1000RR)
6. Antonio Rodriguez (Kaw ZX-10R)
7. Vincent Spivey (Yam YZF-R1)
AMATEUR UNLIMITED GRAND PRIX:
1. Justin Tiller (Yam YZF-R1)
2. Joseph Bristow (Suz GSX-R750)
3. Kyle Matthews (Suz GSX-R1000)
4. Jeremy Brinker (Suz GSX-R750)
5. Tedrick Boxley (Suz GSX-R750)
6. Jonathan Tiller (Kaw ZX-10R)
7. Jason Beauchamp (Suz GSX-R750)