- Gage McAllister Claims First-Ever KTM RC Cup Championship at MotoAmerica Season Finale
New Jersey Native Anthony Mazziotto Captures His Second Career-Victory in Home State
MILLVILLE, N.J. – The 2015 KTM RC Cup Championship came to a conclusion on Sunday with the fifth and final round of the MotoAmerica Series in Millville, New Jersey. Twenty-year-old Gage McAllister emerged as the first-ever RC Cup Champion after capturing a race one victory over his Canadian competitor, Braeden Ortt. Race two saw a second-time winner with Anthony Mazziotto III shining bright in front of his home state crowd and a season high number of 37 RC Cup participants.
Mazziotto kicked off the weekend in a big way as he qualified fastest in the timed sessions, claiming pole position for both races. Behind the New Jersey native was a head-to-head battle between McAllister and Ortt, who entered the final round with a 22-point gap in the championship standings.
McAllister began in the fifth place position, where he quickly made his way into a multi-way battle for the lead position. Ortt, who injured his right hand during an earlier qualifying session, came into race one with a thirteenth place start position. The Canadian pushed his way into the sixth place position, where he ultimately finished in race one. Meanwhile, McAllister battled it out with Mazziotto and Justin McWilliams for the top spot. In true form, McAllister held strong to capture not only a race one victory, but the first-ever RC Cup Championship.
“It’s a speechless moment,” McAllister commented after the race. “I enjoy racing a spec-series like the KTM RC Cup because it allows the rider’s talent to shine through and I look forward to seeing the talent continue to grow each year.”
Texas’ Justin McWilliams held on to capture third place behind Mazziotto in race one, proving his bid for a top-five position in the championship standings. Pennsylvania’s Benjamin Smith put in an impressive showing in his RC Cup debut, claiming fourth place in race one, while New Jersey’s very own Brandon Paasch rounded out the top five in only his second RC Cup appearance.
With the championship wrapped up, race two focused on the remaining top-five positions, as four tickets to the World Final at Silverstone were still up for grabs. Mazziotto got off to favorable start and opened an even bigger gap when another rider made a mistake to hold back the rest of the pack. It didn’t take long for Illinois native Jody Barry and newly-crowned champion McAllister to jump into the lead battle, where the three riders swapped several times for the top spot.
Unfortunately, Barry experienced a crash while battling for the lead spot, which ultimately ended the race with a red flag. Mazziotto and McAllister swapped positions but it was the New Jersey native who came away with his second win of the season, bumping himself into second place in the overall standings.
With McAllister at the helm, the top five riders in the U.S.-based MotoAmerica Championship will head to the Silverstone Race Circuit in Northamptonshire, UK to compete against the best five riders from RC Cup youth series around the world at the penultimate round of the British Superbike Championship at Silverstone on Oct. 2-4, 2015. Mazziotto will join McAllister, along with Braeden Ortt, Hayden Schultz and Justin McWilliams to represent North America in the World Final.
Additionally, the winner of the five-round U.S. RC Cup Series will earn $3,500 in KTM Cash, while the second place finisher in the championship standings will take home $2,500 in KTM Cash and third place will earn $1,000 in KTM Cash.
The RC Cup Series features riders between the ages of 14 and 22-years-old who hold an AMA Superstock Limited license to participate. All participants race aboard a 2015 KTM RC 390 Cup Racebike, designed as racing competition bikes (not street-legal) and have been prepared by KTM with over 40 PowerParts and other enhancements to increase racing performance.
The 2015 KTM RC Cup Championship concluded this weekend, Sept. 11-13 at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.ktmrccup.com.
KTM RC Cup Standings – Round 5 of 5
1. Gage McAllister, 5 wins (172)
2. Anthony Mazziotto III, 2 wins (137)
3. Braeden Ortt, 2 wins (124)
4. Hayden Schultz (88)
5. Justin McWilliams (86)
6. Brandon Altmeyer (71)
7. Jody Barry (67)
8. Josh Serne (67)
9. Alejandro Gutierrez Mejia (63)
10. Brandon Paasch (55)
More, from a press release issued by McGraw Powersport/Team 21MotoSport:
Bittersweet Finale For McGraw Powersports’ Elena Myers
MILLVILLE, NJ – McGraw Powersports/Team21Motosport Superbike rider, Elena Myers, finishes off her debut superbike season with a nail biter finish that secures her fifth place overall in the MotoAmerica Superbike class!
A lot of excitement was surrounding the final MotoAmerica Superbike of the 2015 season held at New Jersey Motosports Park in Millville, New Jersey. After coming off a month long break, McGraw Powersports rider and Team21Motosport owner, Myers, couldn’t wait to get the weekend underway.
With the idea of securing a top five finish in her debut Superbike season, Elena was approaching the weekend a little bit different than usual.
“This being my first year as a Superbike rider I really wanted to finish it off strong here in New Jersey,” said Myers.”After Indy I was sitting fifth in points, so I knew it was really important for me and my team to try and retain that for the championship. Going into the weekend I had that in the back of my mind so I was just trying to ride smart yet still continue to improve.”
The weekend started off as usual but one thing about New Jersey is that it’s a demanding track on any bike, but especially on a Superbike. After FP3, Myers was in 14th overall, just a couple seconds off pole, which she was pleased with considering the field was so close. After a wet superpole, Elena found herself in 18th position going into the last two races on Sunday.
Race one was got underway and Myers found herself battling Canadian Superbike Champ, Jordan Szoke, who made an appearance after winning his 10th Canadian Superbike Championship. They went back and forth a few times and she ended up crossing the line in front of him at the checkers for 14th overall and 6th in class.
In a tight battle with Superbike veteran, Chris Ulrich, for the fifth place points battle, all Myers had to do was stay upright and score at least five points to secure the position. However, at the start of race two, Elena found herself picking up her bike off the New Jersey soil after a turn one collision between her and a couple riders.
“I went all season without even the smallest tip-over and right when it matters the most, of course I hit the ground. I’m not really sure what happened or whose fault it was but I know I got in there pretty hot and when everyone’s trying to scrap over the same spec of tarmac, sometimes incidents happen. At first I thought it was over, but after a moment I hobbled back over to my bike which seemed somewhat rideable, got on and tried to see what I could do. Luckily the damage wasn’t too bad but the left bar was bent and the foot peg was mostly missing. I ended up a few laps down, but since our class is kinda small this year I scored the points I needed and got my fifth! I’m so proud of my team and my guys this year. I think we showed everyone what a small privateer effort can do with some consistency and hard work.”
“It’s been such an amazing year and I can hardly believe it’s now over. I think I surpassed my own expectations and I hope I did for my sponsors as well. I just want to thank everyone who has been a part of this awesome season. McGraw Powersports for taking a chance and believing in me, and all of my key partners: Suzuki, Yoshimura, DynoJet, Maxima, Woodcraft CFM, Armour Bodies, SpeedCell, Spiegler, Arai Helmets, GiMoto, and NPMoto. And thank you to all of my amazing fans who have stood behind mean given me the strength and wonderful wishes to give it my all and never give up!”
More, from a press release issued by Yoshimura Suzuki:
ROGER HAYDEN SCORES TWO PODIUMS IN NEW JERSEY FINALE
Two Solid Finishes for Hayden to Close Out 2015, Tough Outing for Lewis
MILLVILLE, NJ – Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s Roger Hayden closed out the 2015 MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike season with a pair of podium finishes, including a runner up at New Jersey Motorsports Park. And while Hayden had a strong finish to the season, his Superbike rookie teammate Jake Lewis suffered a tough weekend, crashing in the first race and separating his shoulder. He was unable to race in Sunday’s second race.
Hayden was back in New Jersey sporting the special red and black 30th anniversary color scheme on the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, which made its debut at the Indianapolis round. The color scheme was nearly identical to the one used by Kevin Schwantz when he first introduced the Suzuki GSX-R750 to AMA Superbike racing in 1986 with Yoshimura Suzuki.
Hayden got the weekend off to a great start when he qualified second in wet conditions on the sure-footed Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike in Superpole with a time of 1:39.898.
“We had a wet race last year so we knew where the slick spots were,” Hayden said after securing his front-row start. “I was just trying to be cautious. I was pretty nervous before the session because I didn’t know how the track conditions would be, but it worked out. The front row is important here because it’s a tough place to pass. The bike was working really well for me.”
Hayden used the power of his Suzuki to lead off the start in race one. He stayed in the thick of the battle in the lead pack, but eight laps in saw Lewis suffer a rare crash. His fall brought out the red flag.
“It was a tough way to end the year,” Lewis said after being checked out by a medical team. “I had a really bad high-side. It started raining and I flicked the bike in and the rear end stepped out. I didn’t land on my shoulder, but I guess the jarring from getting flicked off separated my shoulder. I landed pretty hard.”
That would be the end of Lewis’ weekend.
After the restart Hayden was again running with the leaders at the front. The race was red flagged when rain began coming down again and Hayden finished third.
In race two Hayden was in contention for the win all race, swapping the lead back and forth with Josh Hayes most of the way. On the last lap Hayden tried to follow Hayes out of the final turn for a slingshot move to the line, but he pulled out and didn’t quite make it, finishing a scant 44-100ths of a second behind. It was yet another agonizingly close second for the Yoshimura Suzuki rider, who has been just that close several times this season.
His runner-up finish in the finale meant that Hayden scored 15 podium finishes in the 18-race series. He ended the year ranked third in the championship, with Lewis the top rookie, finishing just one position behind his older teammate in the standings.
“It’s a little frustrating to have been so close so many times this season and coming up just short,” Hayden said. “But I also take a lot of positives with me from this season. My guys on the Yoshimura Suzuki team made the bike better all year and we were right there in nearly every race, especially in the second half of the season. I’m really looking forward to next season.”
For Lewis, he too looked on the upside of his rookie campaign in the class.
“I learned a lot and at times we had the speed to be right there with the leaders,” Lewis said. “I hope to step up my training program in the off season and now that I have a full year of Superbike experience I think next year gives me an opportunity to be going strong and confident right out of the box at the first race.”
Yoshimura Suzuki would also like to congratulate new MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier for his successful 2015 season.
Look for exciting news on Yoshimura Suzuki’s future racing endeavors in the upcoming months leading up to the 2016 season.
New Jersey Superbike Race one Results:
1. Josh Hayes (Yam)
2. Cameron Beaubier (Yam)
3. Roger Hayden (Suzuki)
4. Geoff May (Hon)
5. Chris Ulrich (Suzuki)
6. Elena Myers (Suzuki)
7. Chris Fillmore (KTM)
New Jersey Superbike Race two Results:
1. Josh Hayes (Yam)
2. Roger Hayden (Suzuki)
3. Cameron Beaubier (Yam)
4. Chris Ulrich (Suzuki)
5. Chris Fillmore (KTM)
6. Geoff May (Hon)
7. Elena Myers (Suzuki)
Final 2015 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship Points:
1. Cameron Beaubier (Yam), 372
2. Josh Hayes (Yam), 368
3. Roger Hayden (Suzuki), 281
4. Jake Lewis (Suzuki), 223
5. Elena Myers (Suzuki), 152
6. Chris Ulrich (Suzuki), 148
7. Bernat Martinez (Yam), 127
8. Chris Fillmore (KTM), 102
9. Danny Eslick (Hon), 92
10. Mathew Orange (Hon), 40
Team Yoshimura Suzuki is grateful for the support of their sponsors: Yoshimura R&D, Suzuki Motor of America, Motorex, Parts Unlimited, Dunlop, Shorai, Sunstar, K&N Performance Filters, NGK Spark Plugs, RK Racing Chain, Genmark Automation, Pilot, Chicken Hawk Racing and Zeta.
About Yoshimura R&D of America: Yoshimura is “The Leader in Performance” and has been for more than 55 years. With unmatched skills, knowledge, and passion for racing, Yoshimura is on the forefront of the aftermarket exhaust industry. Yoshimura pipes are race bred and feature the same legendary performance, fit and quality that has been their trademark for more than five decades. To learn more about Yoshimura and view their wide variety of performance products, visit www.yoshimura-rd.com.
About Suzuki: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Outboard Motors and Automotive Parts and Accessories via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. SMAI’s supplier, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles and Outboard Motors. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has 147 distributors in 201 countries. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com
More, from a press release issued by TOBC Racing:
In New Jersey, TOBC Racing’s “Mr. Consistent” Taylor Knapp Strikes Again (And Again), Notches His 13th Podium and 15th Top-Five Result In MotoAmerica Superstock 1000
Millville, NJ – September 15, 2015 – Aboard his #44 TOBC racing YZF-R1 Superstock 1000 machine at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Taylor Knapp showed that he is one of the top liter-class motorcycle road racers in the U.S. when he finished the 2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 season in second place in the Championship points standings.
On Sunday at NJMP, Taylor closed out his season of consistency by finishing fourth in Sunday’s MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Race 1, and then he moved up two more spots and reached the podium with a strong second-place result in Race 2.
Race 1 ended in a little bit of confusion. The race was red-flagged and re-started once due to to a fallen rider, and then rain started to fall at the end of the race, which caused the red flags to fly again, and the race was declared finished by MotoAmerica officials. Prior to the second red flag being flown, Taylor had actually passed a couple of riders and moved into second place. However, by rule, the results reverted back a lap to when Taylor was still in fourth, so that’s the position he was credited with.
“After having my best Superpole qualifying result of the season (2nd in class and 5th overall), I kind of got off to a bad start in Race 1,” Taylor said. “That made it kind of hard on me because NJMP is a hard track to pass on. I had some issues with my front brakes sticking early on, and once that went away, I put my head down and started running down the field. I worked my way up to second and was catching the leader fast, but the race got red-flagged and they reverted back a few laps and I didn’t get the finish position I feel I worked for.”
Race 2 was a little bit less confusing, and even more dramatic, as Taylor caught and passed both 2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion Jake Gagne and 2015 Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier. He ran up front among the more-powerful Superbikes and ultimately finished the race in second place.
“I was glad to be able to improve on my results from Race 1,” commented Taylor. “And to be able to pass Jake and Cameron during the race was a great way to finish out the season. It’s been a great year, and I’m proud to finish second in today’s race, as well as second in the 2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Championship. I’m excited about the future.”
Michelle Lindsay, team owner of TOBC racing, added, “A big thank you to Taylor Knapp from all of us at TOBC racing! Taylor brought so much to our team this year, including his professionalism, personality, dedication, and above all, his talent and racecraft. The TOBC team is thrilled to have given Taylor the platform he needed to realize his potential this season, racing at the front, winning, reaching the podium in 13 races this season, and, of course, achieving second overall in the MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Championship. Thank you, also, to Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., and MotoAmerica. TOBC is already working towards a great season to come in 2016!”
Watch Round 9 Of The MotoAmerica Championship on CBS Sports
MotoAmerica Round 9 from New Jersey Motorsports Park will air on Sunday, September 20, at 5:00 PM EST. For the complete MotoAmerica TV broadcast schedule on CBS Sports Network, visit http://www.motoamerica.com/motoamerica-tv-schedule