DiBrino Breaks the Track Record and Stays Alive in the Formula Ultra Championship at Portland International Raceway

This past weekend [August 16-17] OMRRA celebrated vintage road racing in a carnival-like atmosphere under clear blue skies at Portland International Raceway. Intense competition and ideal weather conditions were a perfect combination for the establishment of 12 new class lap records in highly contested races. In the previous round, Devon McDonough set the track record on his way to dominating the Formula Ultra races and distancing himself in the KFG Racing/Pirelli Formula Ultra Championship. Title rival Andy DiBrino’s needed his fortunes to do an about face in order to prevent McDonough from running away with the 2014 championship. In the chase, McDonough struck first taking the win in Saturday’s Formula Ultra contest relegating DiBrino to 2nd ahead of Californian Lenny Hale. As DiBrino saw his chances of keeping points leader McDonough in sight dwindle, McDonough would suffer a mechanical misfortune on lap two in Sunday’s race. With McDonough on the sidelines and a clear course ahead DiBrino put his head down and clocked an astounding 1:05.921 lap time—the first ever in OMRRA history in the 1:05 range around Portland International Raceway—on his way to a runaway victory. DiBrino said of his record-setting lap, “I can’t thank EDR Performance enough for putting a wicked-fast bike underneath me. My Dunlops and GP Suspension kept me glued to the track. It was an amazing ride.” 

When asked if he believed he could go faster, he said, “There’s a little more time to be gained in a couple places and with Devon pushing me, I’m sure I can break it again.” With the lap record and critical wins, DiBrino kept his Formula Ultra Championship title hopes alive and is riding high as OMRRA heads to the final round. Currently, McDonough has a 31 point advantage setting the stage for what will be the fastest and most hotly contested championship OMRRA has seen in years.

The EDR Performance Clubman Championship is a best of two class championship representing a large swath of machines. In 600cc/750cc action,DiBrino and McDonough continued to dazzle spectators backing in their machines into PIR’s Festival Curves on their way to a 1-2 finish in 600 Supersport, respectively. With the pair mysteriously absent from the 600 Superbike grid, the podium welcomed a new face on the top step with Chris Jablonski taking his career-first expert victory over Luke Luciano and first year expert Andrew Hume. The 750 Supersport and 750 Superbike races were carbon copies of each other, with DiBrino keeping his Yamaha R6 ahead of the Suzuki GSXR 750 of veteran Sam Verderico, and Luciano rounding out the podium. 

The Open Sportsman class has emerged as one of OMRRA’s largest grids, and is a melting pot of Novices, improving recently-graduated Novices, and weekend warrior experts. First-year expert Jablonski won Saturday’s race on a 600cc machine over the larger displacement bikes of Drat Diestler and Brian Tallant, respectively. Jablonski suffered a spectacular crash from the lead in Sunday’s race but was uninjured. The ensuing red flag awarded, Diestler the win ahead of Tallant and first-year expert Tim Brodovsky on his Suzuki GSXR 600. 

In OMRRA’s other specialty classes, new track records were set for PIR’s chicane configuration by Kawasaki ZX10-mounted Tony Porter in Formula 40 (1:18.818), and Matt Alfonso in Open Classic Superbike (1:29.759) on his 1987 Suzuki GSXR 1100. Meanwhile in Ninja 250 Cup, a trio of racers utilizing the draft broke away from the pack. Leading the front pack, Austin McCabe’s late braking into the chicane proved to be the winning formula as he rode to victory ahead of Valentine Welch and Matt O’Rourke, respectively. 

In Lightweight Supersport, Andrew Pignataro astride a KTM/Honda hybrid set the lap record on his way to first, while Austin McCabe battled with Valentine Welch, both on Ninja 250’s, for second and third. The Ultralightweight Supersport races had a 5-way battle raging up front with Valentine Welch securing first overall on her Ninja 250, with Kelly Johnson taking second and Austin McCabe third. Welch would repeat the same in Lightweight Superbike with Johnson and McCabe finishing in their same spots as well.

The Middleweight classes saw a noticeable uptick in pace with many top five finishers putting in lap times under class records. Brian Osborne was the first to venture into lap record territory (1:24.353) in GP Twins on his way to victory followed by Derrick Edwards and Josh Melanson in 2nd and 3rd respectively. Just off the podium, Peter Kahn and Matt O’Rourke hold the top two spots in class going into the final round with 10 points separating them and Melanson merely 2 points adrift of the O’Rourke. Michael Caravatta won the Middleweight Supersport race and set a new class lap record (1:24.466) with Melanson and Kahn filling out the remaining spots on the podium. The trio is separated by a mere 13 points as they head into the final curtain call of the season in September. Brian Osbourne took center stage and smashed the Middleweight Superbike lap record (1:22.930) on his way to a decisive victory with Caravatta and Patrick Leyshock rounding out the podium. With Kahn finishing 6th place it opened the door for Caravatta who has managed to cobble together a series of recent podiums to close within 9 points of the class leading Kahn heading into the season finale. 

450 Superbike saw the return of Nobi Iso to top form slicing and dicing his way through the field setting yet another class lap record (1:24.086). Undeterred by Iso’s early pace, Caravatta found the pace to eclipse Iso and emerge the victor, continuing his 4 win streak. Kahn took 3rd holding off the late surge of Leyshock and Melanson. Caravatta seems almost assured of a class championship with a 22 point lead going into the final round with Leyshock clinging to a 7 point advantage over Kahn whose 3 podiums in the last 3 races has him nipping at Leyshock’s heels heading to September. 

The Middleweight Sportsman race (aka Lightweight Classic Superbike) saw OMRRA racing stalwart Brad Pinkstaff take the top step of the podium to the joy of the crowd. Pinkstaff had to fend off Sam Boggess and Maurice Miller to secure the top spot.

The Langlitz Leathers Vintage Championship was highly celebrated this weekend with Saturday dedicated to the celebration of motorcycle roadracing’s glorious past. The celebration included field games, a vintage bike show and much more. From LeMans starts and the firing of a civil war era cannon to start races, the electric carnival atmosphere was only matched by the ferocity of competition on the track. Executing perfection on all levels, Eirik Neilsen captured four wins during Saturday’s races. The action was intense in the battle for second and third with a gaggle of riders pushing each other deeper on the brakes each lap. Ryan Shanahan and Mica Grohn took the remaining spots on the podium in the MotoFactory Lightweight Vintage class with Daric Cheshire and Jared Kenyon filling out the podium in the the Rubberside Down Motorcycle Towing Middleweight Vintage classes. 

On Sunday, Neilsen was absent allowing Mica Grohn and Ryan Shanahan to pounce and pick up wins in Lightweight Vintage. Grohn retired with a mechanical in the first Middleweight Vintage race, Daric Cheshire, Travis Gardner, and Los Angelino Andrew Gray finishing 1-2-3. In the afternoon race Cheshire rode his way to the top, with Gardner and Grohn taking 2nd and 3rd. 

The Vintage Superbike class received an infusion of new riders for Vintage Day with locals Joe Pethoud and Patrick Leyshock competing alongside Andrew Gray. Spectators were treated to the booming sounds of Gray’s V-Twin Moto Guzzi and the howling howling air-cooled fours of Pethoud and Leyshock. As the chase for the championship winds down, Grohn’s consistent podium finishes on both days place her five points ahead of Neilsen in the Vintage Championship. Grohn will make OMRRA history as the first woman to win a championship if she keeps the points lead. Shanahan goes into the final round with a fifteen point lead in the Lightweight Vintage championship while Neilsen maintains his lead in Middleweight Vintage.

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

Saturday, August 16th Results

Novice 2

1. Nathan Aldrich (Suz GSX-R600)

2. Eddie Oner (Tri Daytona 675R)

3. Brisa White (Hon CBR600RR)

4. Tullio Celano (Yam YZF-R6)

5. Anthony Patten (Hon CBR600RR)

6. Chad May (Suz GSX-R600)

Lightweight Vintage

1. Eirik Nielsen (Hon CB175)

2. Ryan Shanahan (Hon CB 175)

3. Mica Grohn (Hon CL175)

4. Daric Cheshire (Hon CL175)
5. Jason Bailly (Yam CT)

6. Donnie Stiff (Hon CB160)

GP Twins

1. Brian Osborne (Duc 650R)

2. Derrick Edwards (Suz SV650)

3. Joshua Melanson (HRC NSF250R)

4. Peter Kahn (Suz SV650)

5. Matt O’Rourke (Duc 992)

6. Nobi Iso (Hon RS125)

Ninja 250 Cup

1. Austin McCabe (Kaw EX250)

2. Matt O’Rourke (Kaw EX250)

3. Valentine Welch (Kaw EX250)

4. Jay Floyd (Kaw EX250R)

5. Justin Pyle (Kaw EX250)

6. Kelly Johnson (Kaw EX250)

600 Supersport

1. Andy DiBrino (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Devon McDonough (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Chris Jablonski (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Tim Brodovsky (Suz GSX-R600)

5. Luke Luciano (Yam YZF-R6)

6. Andrew Pignataro (Yam YZF-R6)

Middleweight Supersport

1. Michael Caravatta (Apr 125RS)

2. Joshua Melanson (HRC NSF250R)

3. Peter Kahn (Suz SV650)

4. Derek Stotz (Suz SV650)

5. Sam Boggess (Suz SV650)

6. Brad Pinkstaff (Suz SV650)

Lightweight Supersport

1. Andrew Pignataro (KTM hybrid)

2. Austin McCabe (Kaw EX250)

3. Valentine Welch (Kaw EX250)

4. Alex Taylor (Kaw EX250R)

5. Jacob Keiner (Kaw EX250R)

6. Brent Hoffman (Kaw EX250)

Formula Ultra

1. Devon McDonough (Suz GSX-R1000)

2. Andy DiBrino (Suz GSX-R1000)

3. Lenny Hale (Suz GSX-R1000)

4. Sam Verderico (Suz GSX-R1000)

5. Brian Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-10R)

6. Kevin Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-10R)

Middleweight Vintage

1. Eirik Nielsen (Hon CB175)

2. Daric Cheshire (Hon CL175)

3. Jared Kenyon (Mon 250)

4. Mica Grohn (Hon CL175)

5. Mark Leslie (Suz X-6)

6. Sean Hayes (Yam DS7)

Formula 40

1. Tony Porter (Kaw ZX-10R)

2. Joe Rocha (Kaw ZX-10R)

3. Stuart Johnson (Yam YZF-R1)

4. Drat Diestler (Duc 1199 S)

5. G. Brian Tallant (Hon CBR1000RR)

6. Christine Porter (Yam YZF-R1)

Ninja 250 Cup

1. Valentine Welch (Kaw EX250)

2. Austin McCabe (Kaw EX250)

3. Matt Orourke (Kaw EX250)

4. Kelly Johnson (Kaw EX250)

5. Jay Floyd (Kaw EX250R)

6. Alex Taylor (Kaw 250R)

Open Sportsman

1. Chris Jablonski (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Drat Diestler (Duc 1199S)

3. G. Brian Tallant (Hon CBR1000RR)

4. Tim Brodovsky (Suz GSX-R600)

5. Tim Griffin (Yam YZF-R6)

6. Nick Schuder (Yam YZF-R6)

Lightweight Vintage

1. Eirik Nielsen (Hon CB175)

2. Ryan Shanahan (Hon CB175)

3. Mica Grohn (Hon CL175)

4. Daric Cheshire (Hon CL175)

5. Jason Bailly (Yam CT)

6. Donnie Stiff (Hon CB160)

Middleweight Vintage

1. Eirik Nielsen (Hon CB175)

2. Daric Cheshire (Hon CL175)

3. Jared Kenyon (Mon 250)

4. Mica Grohn (Hon CL175)

5. Mark Leslie (Suz X-6)

6. Sean Hayes (Yam DS7)

Open Sportsman

1. Chris Jablonski (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Drat Diestler (Duc 1199S)

3. G. Brian Tallant (Hon CBR1000RR)

4. Tim Brodovsky (Suz GSX-R600)

5. Tim Griffin (Yam YZF-600)

6. Nick Schuder (Yam YZF-R6)

750 Supersport

1. Andy DiBrino (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Sam Verderico (Suz GSX-R750)

3. Luke Luciano (Yam YZF-R6)

Sunday, August 17th Results

Open Sportsman

1. Drat Diestler (Duc 1199S)

2. G. Brian Tallant (Hon CBR1000RR)

3. Tim Brodovsky (Suz GSX-R600)

4. Andrew Hume (Yam YZF-R6)

5. Nick Schuder (Yam YZF-R6)

6. Tom Young (Tri Daytona 675)

Ultra Lightweight Supersport

1. Valentine Welch (Kaw EX250)

2. Austin McCabe (Kaw EX250)

3. Matt Orourke (Kaw EX250)

4. Kelly Johnson (Kaw EX250)

5. Alex Taylor (Kaw EX250R)

6. Jacob Keiner (Kaw 250R)

Middleweight Superbike

1. Brian Osborne (Duc 650R)

2. Michael Caravatta (Apr 125RS)

3. Patrick Leyshock (Suz GS1000)

4. Joshua Melanson (HRC NSF250R)

5. Matt O’Rourke (Duc 992)

6. Peter Kahn (Suz SV650)

Middleweight Classic Superbike

1. Kelly Johnson (Yam YZF-600)

2. Shannon Lang (Hon RS125)

3. Andrew Gray (Hon CB160)

4. Lewis Hans Hellfritsch (Yam YZF-R6)

Lightweight Vintage

1. Mica Grohn (Hon CL175)
2. Ryan Shanahan (Hon CB 175)

3. Daric Cheshire (Hon CL175)

4. Jason Bailly (Yam CT)

5. Tucker Fransen (Can T’nT)

6. Derek Stotz (Hon CB160)

600 Superbike

1. Chris Jablonski (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Luke Luciano (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Andrew Hume (Yam YZF-R6)

Formula Ultra

1. Andy DiBrino (Suz GSX-R1000)

2. Lenny Hale (Suz GSX-R1000)

3. Kevin Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-10R)

4. Brian Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-10R)

5. Tony Porter (Kaw ZX-10R)

6. Steve Suitor (Suz GSX-R1000)

Lightweight Classic Superbike

1. Brad Pinkstaff (Suz SV650)

2. Sam Boggess (Suz SV650)

3. Maurice Miller (Suz SV650)

4. Doug Harvey (Kaw EX650)

5. Nick Murphy (Suz SV650)

6. Brian Osborne (Duc 650R)

Lightweight Superbike

1. Valentine Welch (Kaw EX250)
2. Kelly Johnson (Yam YZF-600)

3. Austin McCabe (Kaw EX250)

4. Alex Taylor (Kaw EX250R)

5. Jay Floyd (Kaw EX250R)

6. Jacob Keiner (Kaw EX250R)

Middleweight Vintage

1. Daric Cheshire (Hon CL175)
2. Travis Gardner (Yam DT1)

3. Andrew Gray (Hon CB160)

4. Jason Bailly (Yam CT)

5. Tim Fowler (Hon CB160)

Novice 2

1. Eddie Oner (Tri Daytona 675R)

2. Tullio Celano (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Brisa White (Hon CBR600RR)

4. D. Alex Lou (Duc 848EVO)

5. Anthony Patten (Hon CBR600RR)

6. Jeremy Talley (Kaw ZX-6R)

Ultra Lightweight Supersport

1. Kelly Johnson (Kaw EX250)

2. Valentine Welch (Kaw EX250)

3. Austin McCabe (Kaw EX250)

4. Matt Orourke (Kaw EX250)

5. Alex Taylor (Kaw EX250R)

6. Jay Floyd (Kaw 250R)

750 Superbike

1. Andy DiBrino (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Sam Verderico (Suz GSX-R750)

3. Luke Luciano (Yam YZF-R6)

Lightweight Vintage

1. Ryan Shanahan (Hon CB 175)

2. Daric Cheshire (Hon CL175)

3. Andrew Gray (Hon CB160)

4. Jason Bailly (Yam CT)

5. Mica Grohn (Hon CL175)

6. Tucker Fransen (Can T’nT)

Open Superbike

1. Andy DiBrino (Suz GSX-R1000)

2. Lenny Hale (Suz GSX-R1000)

3. Kevin Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-10R)

4. Brian Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-10R)

5. Devon McDonough (Suz GSX-R1000)

6. Jacob Brown (Yam YZF-R1)

450 Superbike

1. Nobi Iso (Hon RS125)

2. Michael Caravatta (Apr 125RS)

3. Peter Kahn (Suz SV650)

4. Patrick Leyshock (Suz GS1000)

5. Joshua Melanson (HRC NSF250R)

6. Brad Pinkstaff (Suz SV650)

Middleweight Vintage

1. Daric Cheshire (Hon CL175)

2. Travis Gardner (Yam DT1)

3. Mica Grohn (Hon CL175)

4. Jason Bailly (Yam CT)

5. Tim Fowler (Hon CB160)

KFG Racing Pirelli Formula Ultra Championship

Devon McDonough – 188 points

Andy DiBrino – 157 points

Sam Verderico – 135 points

Kevin Pinkstaff – 91 Points

Lenny Hale – 90 points

EDR Performance Clubman Championship

Andy DiBrino – 183 points

Kelly Johnson – 173.5 points

Peter Kahn – 173 points

Michael Carravata – 168 points

Devon McDonough – 153 points

Langlitz Leathers Vintage Championship

Mica Grohn – 128.5 points

Eirik Nielsen – 123.5 points

Ryan Shanahan – 92 points

Daric Cheshire – 83.5 points

Jared Kenyon – 36.5 points