Southwest Scorcher! Apgar and Gibson Win Big At Inde With DRRO

June 20, 2016 at Inde Motorsports Ranch

The temps were into the mid 90’s by 7:30 am as the riders made their way down to the classroom/media center at Inde Motorsports Ranch this past Sunday. It was the first hot weekend of the year in Arizona as road racers and track day riders gathered at America’s Motorsport Oasis for Round 5 of Desert Road Racing Org’s south west race series.

Spectators met on the second story of the observation tower to watch the much anticipated Unlimited race while the 15 riders who braved the blistering asphalt and burning sun made their way to the starting grid. As the thermometer rose to 108 degree’s, the green flag dropped and final race of the day began. Dustin Apgar aboard his Yamaha R1 secured the hole shot, followed closely by Quinn Swift and Tom Savoca, both riding Kawasaki ZX-10Rs. By lap two the gap between the top 4 riders was half the distance of the 2200′ front straight, with Apgar pulling an impressive lead running consistent 1:50 lap times. On lap two Dustin gave everyone a chance to move up a spot after running off at the end of the straight.

From his race recap he said, “On the end of the first lap I saw how big of a lead I had and got super pumped. I went as hard as I could into turn 3, which is off the front straight, hitting 5th gear rev-limiter then braking. As I started to tip in the handle bars started to buck tuck and I was low siding the front had to save it off the knee…”

Swift took over the lead and was riding one heck of a race with Savoca loosing ground with every corner.

Joe Janiga, outgunned against the 1000’s on his Kawasaki ZX-6R, looked as though he was going to cruise to a solid fourth place finish, but decided to turn on the jets mid race. He passed Savoca for second and was quickly gaining on Swift.

Apgar re-entered the track and put his head down, making his way back to the top spot with one lap to go. It was exciting to watch the owner of DTR Motorsports as he sliced and diced his way through the the corners, ripping huge wheelies as he powered out of the chicane, thundering past the tower and across the finish line. As the white flag waved, signifying one more lap till the checkered flag, the top three expert positions were well marked with Apgar in the lead, Swift in second and Janiga in third.

The battles going on behind the the top four were some of the best racing the club has seen all year. Six points separated Anthony Buerman and his Ghiliman Racing teammate Eric Montejano. Eric had a great qualifying time on his Yamaha R1 that put him in P1 on the amateur grid. Anthony Gipson and Eric Flotta grabbed P2 and P3 respectively with their best qualifying times of the year at Inde. Buerman, racing a Yamaha R6, had a clear view of his rival from P4. When the flag dropped he flew into third place as all three riders diced through turn 3. Montejano and Gipson quickly pulled a gap with their 1000cc machines and put on quite the show for everyone. It looked as though Eric was going to pull away early and cruise to victory, however Anthony aboard his GSXR-1000 wasn’t easily dispatched. He played the game well, watching his opponent carefully corner to corner. He made his move on the last lap with a daring pass up the inside of turn two leading onto the front straight. Montejano had taken a wider entry to line up a good drive exiting the corner. The two riders were elbow to elbow, side by side, with Gipson getting to the gas sooner and powering down the straight. Montejano tried to reel him back in on the brakes, but no dice. Gipson powered across the finish line in first with Eric right behind.

Buerman meanwhile was in a corner to corner, lap to lap battle with DRRO Head Coach, expert Kyle Renaud. The two of them swapped positions multiple times throughout the 21 corner, 2.75 mile race track, trying every move they could to keep and regain position. Renaud was able to redeem himself from the middleweight race and beat Buerman to the checkered, finishing fifth. Buerman came in third, keeping the points battle alive in the Amateur Unlimited Championship.

Once the riders had exited the track and made their way back to the pits, it was noticed that Gipson’s right boot looked a little funny. It had no sole! At the start of the race, he got such a good drop on the flag that the sole of his boot stuck to the asphalt and he raced all 6 laps with no boot sole. There has to be a special award for that level on focus and drive.

Despite the blazing heat, everyone enjoyed a terrific day of riding, racing, and camaraderie. The racing was fun and exciting to watch from the Ultra Lightweight class, Lightweight/Vintage, Middleweight and Unlimited! DRRO will be taking its summer break from here on out till the next event in August, which is a Track Day Event only. Racing will resume mid month in September for round 6. Have a great summer everyone and we’ll see you in a few months!

Results:

Expert Unlimited by Desmo Veloce

1. Dustin Apgar (Yam YZF-R1)

2. Quinn Swift (Kaw ZX-10R)

3. Joe Janiga (Kaw ZX-6R)

4. Tom Savoca (Kaw ZX-10R)

5. Kyle Renaud (Kaw ZX-6R)

6. John James (Hon CBR600RR)

Amateur Unlimited by Down N Out

1. Anthony Gibson (Suz GSX-R1000)

2. Eric Montejano (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Anthony Buerman (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Jeremiah Walker (MV Agusta F3 675)

5. Alissa Fergueson (Yam YZF-R6)

6. Victor Pope (Suz GSX-R600)

Expert Middleweight by DTR Motorsports

1. Joe Janiga (Kaw ZX-6R)

2. John James (Hon CBR600RR)

3. Kyle Renaud (Kaw ZX-6R)

4. Josh Mosley (Yah YZF450)

5. Sean Ungvarsky (KTM RC390)

6. Bernard Johnston (Suz GSX-R600)

Amateur Middleweight

1. Jeremiah Walker (MV Agusta F3 675)

2. Anthony Buerman (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Eric Montejano (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Alissa Fergueson (Yam YZF-R6)

5. Kirk Hand (Kaw ZX-6R)

6. Alex Dunch (Kaw ZX-6R)

Expert Lightweight/Modern Vintage by Team Arizona

1. Quinn Swift (Suz SV650)

2. Kyle Renaud (Kaw ZX-6R)

Amateur Lightweight/Modern Vintage by Cycle Gear Mesa

1. Anthony Gibson (Suz GSX-R1000)

2. Oscar Ybarra (Suz GSX-R600)

Expert Formula 40 by Adrenaline Performance

1. Quinn Swift (Suz SV650)

2. John James (Hon CBR600RR)

Amateur Formula 40

1. Kirk Hand ( Kaw ZX-6R)

2. Victor Pope (Suz GSX-R600)

3. Jim Hornaday (Suz SV650)

Expert Ultra Lightweight by Two Guys GaragE

1. Sean Ungvarsky (KTM RC390)

2. William Russell (Kaw 250R)

3. Steve Bancroft (Kaw 300)

Amateur Ultra Lightweight

1. Robert Roach Jr (KTM RC390)