COREY WINS FORMULA PACIFIC, NORTHWEST INVASION HEATS UP

The RaceFuelz/CT Racing Pirelli/Mach 1/Yamaha AFM Series shifted to Thunderhill Raceway on the weekend of May 31/June 1 and many people got their first look at the newly paved expansion on the West side of the track. The potential for a five mile circuit had people in the paddock buzzing as the weather cooperated for a near ideal weekend on the classic three mile course. The addition of the West Circuit also included a repave of a portion of turn 3, and with limited rubber on the new asphalt, most riders would choose to follow a single line through this section.

The anticipation for the premier class Formula Pacific race had a full day to build after red flags brought the first two attempts to a premature close. During the first start, Chris Siglin, atop his Fastline Performance BMW on Pirellis, got a less than ideal start and then fought his way to the front, working his way up to the points leader Ricky Corey and his Dunlop wearing, RCR Yamaha YZF-R1. The two traded first place back and forth, all the while being stalked by Lenny Hale and his Dunlop shod SDS Performance GSXR1000. The red flag came out as the action was heating up and with another incident before the flag dropped on the restart, race control decided to postpone the race until the end of the day, allowing the riders to refuel and change tires.

At the final restart, Siglin got the holeshot he wanted and Michael Earnest grabbed everyone’s attention, sweeping around the outside of multiple bikes in turn 2 to take second place. Corey and Hale worked their way around Earnest and Siglin, Corey and Hale upped their games. All three riders turned up the gas and set lap times within 0.009 seconds of each other. Forming an unstoppable freight train, the three riders broke away and maintained a tight grouping. About halfway into the race, Siglin went slightly wide, allowing Corey to make a pass on Siglin for the lead. All three riders remained nose to tail for the duration of the race in that order, with Michael Earnest close behind in forth place.

The AFM had a full-fledged invasion from the Northwest as more and more riders from OMRRA and WMRRA have been making the long trek down I-5 to play in the California sunshine. Riders like Andy DiBrino, Devon McDonough and Jeremy Coffey already had success and this weekend another dark horse from Washington made his mark in the form of the sixteen year old John Gessner. Gessner managed a trio of podium finishes in the 600 classes, all starting from the last row of the grids.

Not to be outdone by the riders from the North, Deion Campbell stood on top of the box three times with dominating wins on his Dunlop shod, KFG Racing/Bay Area Riders Forum Yamaha YZF-R6, each time followed by one of KFG Racing’s other riders, Devon McDonogh, piloting his Yamaha YZF-R6 on Pirellis. McDonough also managed to pull a win and was on his way to another when a last lap inside pass put him into the dirt.

Jason Catching continued his unbeaten streak on his AP Moto-Arts/Riley’s Brewing Suzuki SV650 running on Pirellis. Catching has yet to be beat in any 650 race he has entered in the 2014 season.

May 31-1, 2014 @ Thunderhill – Results

Formula Pacific
1. Ricky Corey ( Yam YZF-R1 )
2. Chris Siglin ( BMW HP4 )
3. Lenny Hale ( Suz GSX-R1000 )
4. Michael Earnest ( Suz GSX-R1000 )
5. Martin Szwarc ( Kaw ZX-10R )
6. Jason Lauritzen ( Kaw ZX10R )

Open SuperBike
1. Ricky Corey ( Yam YZF-R1 )
2. Lenny Hale ( Suz GSX-R1000 )
3. Chris Siglin ( BMW HP4 )
4. Marcel Irnie ( BMW S1000RR )
5. Greg McCullough ( Hon CBR1000RR )
6. Jason Lauritzen ( Kaw ZX-10R )

Novice Open SuperBike
1. Tyler Wolters ( Hon CBR1000RR )
2. Tucker Benoit ( Suz GSX-R1000 )
3. David Arft ( Kaw ZX-10R )

Open Production
1. Ken Casey ( Hon CBR1000RR )
2. Nathan Rodriguez ( Suz GSX-R1000 )
3. Tim Scarrott ( Suz GSX-R1000 )
4. James J King ( Kaw ZX-10R )
5. David LaBree ( Suz GSX-R750 )
6. Joy Higa ( Suz GSX-R1000 )

Novice Op Production
1. David Arft ( Kaw ZX-10R )
2. Michael Dronet ( Kaw ZX-10R )
3. Steve Habura ( Suz GSX-R750 )

Clearwater Lights Open GP
1. Marcel Irnie ( BMW S1000RR )
2. Lenny Hale ( Suz GSX-R1000 )
3. Martin Szwarc ( Kaw ZX-10R )
4. Jason Lauritzen ( Kaw ZX-10R )
5. Greg McCullough ( Hon CBR1000RR )
6. Tim Scarrott ( Suz GSX-R1000 )

Novice Open GP
1. Tucker Benoit ( Suz GSX-R1000 )
2. Tyler Wolters ( Hon CBR1000RR )
3. Tom Kuchno ( Suz GSX-R750 )

Mach 1 Motorsports 600 SuperBike
1. Deion Campbell ( Yam YZF-R6 )
2. Devon McDonough ( Yam YZF-R6 )
3. John Gessner ( Yam YZF-R6 )
4. Brad Munson ( Yam YZF-R6 )
5. Brandon Kyee ( Yam YZF-R6 )
6. Stephen Rue ( Hon CBR600RR )

Novice 600 SuperBike
1. Ilya Roytman ( Kaw ZX-6 )
2. John-Paul Dagsaan ( Suz GSX-R600 )
3. Joshua Bicknell ( Kaw ZX-6R )

Keigwin’s at the Track 600 Production
1. Deion Campbell ( Yam YZF-R6 )
2. Devon McDonough ( Yam YZF-R6 )
3. Craig Mason ( Yam YZF-R6 )
4. John Gessner ( Yam YZF-R6 )
5. Berto Wooldridge ( Yam YZF-R6 )
6. Brad Munson ( Yam YZF-R6 )

Cycle Gear Novice 600 Production
1. Joe Brown ( Suz GSX-R600 )
2. Ilya Roytman ( Kaw ZX-6 )
3. Wiles Stapp ( Yam YZF-R6 )

Shorai Batteries Formula 1
1. Devon McDonough ( Yam YZF-R6 )
2. John Gessner ( Yam YZF-R6 )
3. Ryder Morrison ( Suz GSX-R600 )
4. Cory Call ( Suz GSX-R750 )
5. Berto Wooldridge ( Yam YZF-R6 )
6. Stephen Rue ( Hon CBR600RR )

Novice Formula 1
1. Tom Kuchno ( Suz GSX-R750 )
2. Stephan Anatiychuk ( Suz GSX-R750 )
3. Ilya Roytman ( Kaw ZX-6 )

750 SuperBike
1. Deion Campbell ( Yam YZF-R6 )
2. Devon McDonough ( Yam YZF-R6 )
3. Cory Call ( Suz GSX-R750 )
4. Brad Munson ( Yam YZF-R6 )
5. Craig Mason ( Yam YZF-R6 )
6. Brandon Kyee ( Yam YZF-R6 )

Novice 750 SuperBike
1. Stephan Anatiychuk ( Suz GSX-R750 )
2. Tom Kuchno ( Suz GSX-R750 )
3. Ilya Roytman ( Kaw ZX-6 )

750 Production
1. John Gessner ( Yam YZF-R6 )
2. Berto Wooldridge ( Yam YZF-R6 )
3. Brandon Kyee ( Yam YZF-R6 )
4. Craig Mason ( Yam YZF-R6 )
5. Brad Munson ( Yam YZF-R6 )
6. Robin Geenen ( Yam YZF-R6 )

Novice 750 Production
1. Wiles Stapp ( Yam YZF-R6 )
2. Joe Brown ( Suz GSX-R600 )
3. Ilya Roytman ( Kaw ZX-6 )

Desmoto Sport Open Twins
1. Eric Gulbransen ( KTM RC8R )
2. Brendan Walsh ( Duc 1098 )
3. Nick Hayman ( Duc 848EVO )
4. Norbert Katona ( Duc 1198 )
5. Steve Metz ( Duc 1199 )
6. Tom Wilbert ( Duc 848EVO )

Novice Open Twins
1. Sherif Sandelin ( Duc Duc 1199 )
2. Brandon Crawford ( Kaw 650R )
3. Sam Romick ( Suz SV650 )

300 Production
1. Brian Bartlow ( Kaw 250R )
2. Mark Mc Kinney ( Kaw 250R )
3. Patryk Buchcik ( Kaw 250R )
4. Paul Johnson ( Kaw 250R )
5. Sean Corbin ( Kaw 250R )
6. Michael Kim ( Kaw 300R )

Novice 300 Production
1. Josh Serne ( Kaw 250R )
2. Austin Guinn ( Kaw 300R )
3. Cesar Garcia ( Kaw 300R )

250 SuperBike
1. Dave Moss ( Hon CBR250R )
2. Brian Bartlow ( Kaw 250R )
3. Paul Johnson ( Kaw 250R )
4. Mark Mc Kinney ( Kaw 250R )
5. Jason Tracy ( Kaw 250R )
6. Sean Corbin ( Kaw 250R )

Novice 250 SuperBike
1. Josh Serne ( Kaw 250R )
2. Cesar Garcia ( Kaw 300R )
3. Austin Guinn ( Kaw 300R )

Erich Stiegler Insurance 250 Production
1. Paul Johnson ( Kaw 250R )
2. Brian Bartlow ( Kaw 250R )
3. Sean Corbin ( Kaw 250R )
4. Jason Tracy ( Kaw 250R )
5. Patryk Buchcik ( Kaw 250R )
6. Patrick Corcoran ( Kaw 250R )

Novice 250 Production
1. Josh Serne ( Kaw 250R )
2. Rachael Corbin ( Kaw 250R )
3. Cesar Garcia ( Kaw 250R )
4. Alexander Tarradelles-Newell ( Kaw 250R )
5. Paul Sturges ( Kaw 250R )

Cox Radiator Guards Formula 4
1. Jason Catching ( Suz SV650 )
2. Jay Kinberger ( Suz SV650 )
3. Stephen Smith ( Suz SV650 )
4. Aaron Tulchinsky ( Suz SV650 )
5. Daniel Coats ( Yam R4.5 )
6. Dan Sewell ( Kaw ZX400RR )

Novice Formula 4
1. Brandon Crawford ( Kaw 650R )
2. Sam Romick ( Suz SV650 )
3. Daniela Fredrick ( Suz SV650 )

650 Twins
1. Jason Catching ( Suz SV650 )
2. Jay Kinberger ( Suz SV650 )
3. Aaron Tulchinsky ( Suz SV650 )
4. Stephen Smith ( Suz SV650 )
5. Jose Quintanar ( Suz SV650 )
6. Bassem Abdouni ( Suz SV650 )

Novice 650 Twins
1. Brandon Crawford ( Kaw 650R )
2. Sam Romick ( Suz SV650 )
3. Daniela Fredrick ( Suz SV650 )

650 Production
1. Jason Catching ( Suz SV650 )
2. Stephen Smith ( Suz SV650 )
3. Leon Hill ( Suz SV650 )
4. Miles Alexander ( Suz SV650 )

Novice 650 Production
1. Sam Romick ( Suz SV650 )
2. Hideki Maniwa ( Suz SV650 )

500 Twins
1. Alan Cunningham ( Suz SV500 )
2. Paul Johnson ( Kaw 250R )
3. Brian Bartlow ( Kaw 250R )
4. Sean Corbin ( Kaw 250R )
5. Patryk Buchcik ( Kaw 250R )
6. Valentine Welch ( Kaw 250R )

Novice 500 Twins
1. Josh Serne ( Kaw 250R )
2. Austin Guinn ( Kaw 300R )
3. Cesar Garcia ( Kaw 300R )

450 SuperBike
1. Dan Sewell ( Kaw ZX400RR )
2. Dave Moss ( Hon VFR400 )
3. Ian Smith ( Suz GSX-R450 )
4. Daniel Coats ( Yam R4.5 )
5. Charles Almy ( Suz GSX-R450/600)
6. Mark B. Elrod ( Hon RVF400 )

Novice 450 SuperBike
1. Austin Guinn ( Kaw 300R )
2. Constance Droogas ( Suz GSX-R450/600 )

Formula 3
1. Yuri Barrigan ( Yam YZ450 )
2. Norbert Katona ( KTM 690 SM Supermoto )
3. Matt Verheaghe ( Kaw 300R )

Formula 2
1. Erik Kolstoe ( Yam TZ250 )
2. Jon Delameter ( Yam TZ250 )
3. Norbert Katona ( KTM 690 SM Supermoto )
4. John Stark ( Duc Supermono )

Super Dino
1. Patrick Corcoran ( Duc 996 )
2. Thomas B. Dorsey ( Suz GSX-R750 )
3. Andrew W. Clay ( Suz SV650 )
4. Paul Rico ( Suz GSX-R750 )

Novice Super Dino
1. Jordan Edginton ( Suz GSX-R750 )
2. Vincent Giovannini ( Yam YZF-R6 )
3. Tom Kuchno ( Yam YZF-R6 )

Vintage
1. Mark Mc Kinney ( Hon CB200T )

AFemme
1. Jennifer Lauritzen ( Yam YZF-R6 )
2. Mardelle Peck ( Yam YZF-R6 )
3. Joy Higa ( Suz GSX-R1000 )

Novice Afemme
1. Brittany Chabino ( Yam YZF600 )
2. Daniela Fredrick ( Suz SV650 )
3. Tammy Hendrix ( Suz GSX-R750 )

Formula 50
1. Steven Zoumaras ( Kaw ZX-10R )
2. Eric Kondo ( Yam YZF-R6 )
3. Mark Joubran ( BMW S1000RR )
4. Gavin Botha ( Hon CBR1000RR )
5. Nick Hayman ( Duc 848EVO )
6. Thomas B. Dorsey ( Suz GSX-R750 )

Novice Formula 50
1. Tom Hendrix ( Suz GSX-R750 )

Bay Area Riders Forum Formula 40 Heavyweight
1. Jason Lauritzen ( Kaw ZX-10R )
2. Steven Zoumaras ( Kaw ZX-10R )
3. James J King ( Kaw ZX-10R )
4. Warren Williams ( Suz GSX-R1000 )
5. David Doerflinger ( Hon CBR1000RR )
6. Mark Joubran ( BMW S1000RR )

Bay Area Riders Forum Formula 40 Middleweight
1. Thomas Montano ( Hon CBR600RR )
2. Scott Wilson ( Suz GSX-R750 )
3. Stephen Rue ( Hon CBR600RR )
4. Bret Nelson ( Yam YZF-R6 )
5. Jennifer Lauritzen ( Yam YZF-R6 )
6. Eric Kondo ( Yam YZF-R6 )

Novice Formula 40 Middleweight
1. Eric Milina ( Yam YZF-R6 )
2. Maarten Bon ( Kaw ZX-6R )
3. Tom Hendrix ( Suz GSX-R750 )

Formula 40 Lightweight
1. Jason Catching ( Suz SV650 )
2. Jay Kinberger ( Suz SV650 )
3. Jose Quintanar ( Suz SV650 )
4. Dan Sewell ( Kaw ZX400RR )
5. Mickey Fimbres ( Kaw 650R )
6. Daniel Coats ( Yam R4.5 )

Novice Formula 40 Lightweight
1. Monte Izatt ( Suz GSX-R600 )
2. Rebecca Patterson ( Kaw 650R )

Clubman Heavyweight
1. Tyler Wolters ( Hon CBR1000RR )
2. Tucker Benoit ( Suz GSX-R1000 )
3. David Arft ( Kaw ZX-10R )

Clubman Middleweight
1. Stephan Anatiychuk ( Suz GSX-R750 )
2. Tom Kuchno ( Suz GSX-R750 )
3. Wiles Stapp ( Yam YZF-R6 )

Clubman Lightweight
1. Brandon Crawford ( Kaw 650R )
2. Sam Romick ( Suz SV650 )
3. Kegan Connick ( Yam YZF-R6 )

More, from a press release issued by T&J Racing:

“Dark Horse” Gessner Victorious in First AFM Appearance

15 year old John Gessner knew his first race weekend with the American Federation of Motorcyclists at Thunderhill Raceway Park would be a serious challenge from the beginning. Due to the club’s rules and the fact that he had no accumulated points in any of the race classes, his starting position would be dead last or close to it in each of his classes and he would have to fight his way through 20 or more bikes in order to have a chance at a podium finish.

After a briefing from crew chief Mike Pascarella, Gessner lined up for his first race of the day, 750 Production, in the 20th position. As the green flag flew, he got a great start and ended up in 7thposition by the exit of Turn 2. Encouraged by the good start to the race, “The Stalker” put his head down and worked his way through the pack, finally making his way into 3rd position on lap 4 and prompting the announcer to say, “I don’t know anything about John Gessner, except that this kid can ride!”. By the white flag lap Gessner had made his way into the 2nd place spot and was showing the leader a wheel coming into Thunderhill’s famous Turn 5. Unable to get by, he stayed on the leader’s rear wheel, looking for an opportunity which finally materialized in the final turn, where the two came together. “I saw him fade to the left just a little under braking for 14 on the last lap,” said Gessner, “So I turned into the gap, and he turned into me just a little bit, and I think his brake lever made contact with me.” Gessner stayed upright, and brought the T&J Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 home for victory in his first-ever race with AFM. The come-from-last-place victory, along with his all-black paint scheme and his relatively unknown status at AFM prompted the announcers to dub Gessner the “dark horse” rider, a nickname that stayed with him for the rest of the weekend.

The most exciting moment of the weekend happened during the opening lap of the 600 Production race, when Gessner attempted a pass for 7th position on the entry of Turn 5 again. “The other rider didn’t see me on the inside, and turned right into me,” said Gessner, “My right hand got caught up in his fairing and I couldn’t pull it free. He ended up dragging me down the hill out of 5 by my throttle hand until I could pull it loose. After I got free, I went to open the throttle, and my hand was a little banged up so I was too rough and the bike snapped like 90 degrees sideways. I got tossed out of the seat, and when I landed I hit my head on the handlebar and split my lip and took a chunk out of my cheek.” Shaken but not stirred, Gessner still managed a 4th place finish in one of AFM’s most competitive classes.

“All in all, I think it was a good weekend,” Gessner continued, “We had some good finishes, and we identified some things we need to work on. The combination of Pirelli tires from CT Racing and GP Suspension really works with my riding style, I’m able to carry good mid-corner speed and feel confident of what the bike is going to do.”

John Gessner official results, AFM Round 3:

750 Production: 1st place

600 Production: 4th place

Formula 1: 2nd place

600 Superbike: 3rd place

Formula Pacific: 10th place

John Gessner races for Bellingham, Washington-based team T&J Racing. He would like to thank the sponsors, family and friends who have been instrumental in his success and progress:

Vanson Leathers

CT Racing/Pirelli Tires

KFG Racing/GP Suspension

Pacific Track Time

Speeddealer Motors

Forever 45

California Superbike School

Aria Americas

Flexi-Glass

Constructor’s Racing Group

Vacationland RV Bellingham

Impact Armor

Motonation USA

Drippinwet

XT Racing

Spider Grips

Skratch Labs

Mach 1 Motorsports

Kristy Gessner