Round 3 of The Loudon Road Racing Series May 30/31

By Bob Holcomb

Loudon, NH Early last week LRRS sent word to club members that due to on-going construction at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, round 3 would not use turns 1 and 1A of the road course. Riders showed up to find the section completely removed and the infield jammed with heavy equipment. The course had to run through the NASCAR south turns.

Eric Wood carefully laid out a series of three flip flop chicanes with short chutes in between. He included escape routes and tire barriers to keep sliding motorcycles from harming riders down stream. It looked sketchy from the sidelines, but proved quite functional once riders had a little practice. The speeds were low enough to take the NASCAR walls out of play, and there were plenty of soft barriers to handle a freak trajectory. After Saturday practice only the starts remained a concern.

At the riders meeting Wood explained the grid rows would be double spaced and detailed racing protocol through the chicanes; “Use your head when the green flag drops. Make sure you settle it by the end of pit wall”¦If you use the escape routes, ride around the chicanes. Corner marshals will judge you so you must visibly slow and re-enter without advantage.”

The first few races had their issues with some bumping and tip-overs, but the escape routes worked well and riders did as instructed. In the early going the chicanes were largely single file, but by late Saturday, the experts were starting to make moves on each other through them.

Middleweight Grand Prix

The $1500 Dash for Cash attracted a large crowd trackside along chicanes. Nine rows of experts and amateurs took the grid split into two waves. Shane Narbonne grabbed the holeshot aboard his Dunlop-shod DAS Performance.com GSX-R600. Christian Cronin trailed on his Dunlop sponsored R6 followed by Jeff Wood on the Higgins Powersports/Roadracing World ZX-6R and Steve Giacomaro on his Michelin equipped Orient Express Yamaha. Scott Greenwood’s Argo ZX-6R ran fifth, with Cory Hildebrand rounding out the top six. Wood took over the point by the fourth lap with Greenwood displacing Giacomaro, and that was it until a red flag stopped racing on lap six.

The grid was re-set according to running order. Narbonne grabbed another holeshot over Wood, and the two gapped the field, pacing nearly two seconds quicker then Cronin and Greenwood. The bulk of that time appeared to come from the chicanes. Narbonne used brute force to muscle his machine through the barriers with Wood leaning more on precision. Wood soon took over the point with Narbonne pressuring until lap ten, when he suddenly slowed and dropped back through the field to finish fourth. Wood cruised to the win, followed by Cronin and Greenwood. Further back; Ivan Debord prevailed in a slug fest over Zev Ginsberg, Zach Holcomb and James Kupernik for the last purse-paying position of 8th place. Tyler Sweeney beat the amateurs aboard his SRE/Brian Kent/Dunlop Honda RS250.

Post Race Interviews Shane Narbonne; “The tire felt like I oiled it. I thought I had a problem and just tried to finish. Turned out no oil, but the tire gave up fast so I thought something was wrong.”

Scott Greenwood; “I’m at a loss for words. Third was a gift when Shane had a problem. We’re going to try and make the bike better overnight.”

Christian Cronin; “It was great. Shane had a problem so it was a gift, but it was fun! I want to thank Chronic Motorsports. I wouldn’t be here this weekend if it wasn’t for them. I ruined my motor last week at Summit Point. They rebuilt it and turned it around for me in one day.”

Jeff Wood; “We’re getting the job done, but I’m riding it very hard. Shane, Christian and Scotty are all riding really well right now so it’s tough. I rode as hard as I could every lap.”

After 4 races on Sunday, the skies opened up soaking the course for the rest of the day’s racing. Grids thinned but a few brave souls went out and did the business. Bruce Transportation’s Cory Hildebrand emerged master of the big bikes with two big wins aboard his Dunlop shod Yamaha R6. Brett Guyer once again owned the lightweights all weekend with his fast Seacoast Cycle Ducati Classic.

The 86th running of the Loudon Classic is June 12-14. The new track section will be paved this week and the facility will be in top shape for the National. Log onto www.lrrsracing.com for details.

RESULTS

MWGP EXPERT: 1. Jeff Wood, Kaw ZX-6R; 2. Christian Cronin, Yam YZF-R6; 3. Scott Greenwood, Kaw ZX-6R; 4. Shane Narbonne, Suz GSX-R600; 5. Cory Hildebrand, Yam YZF-R6; 6. Steve Giacomaro, Yam YZF-R6.

MWGP AMATEUR: 1. Tyler Sweeny, Hon RS250; 2. Tim Barber, Yam YZF-R6; 3. Josh Kruse, Yam YZF-R6; 4. Orlando Gonsalez, Yam YZF-R6; 5. Dave Hanig, Duc 749; 6. Paul Berger, Hon CBR600F4i.

GTO EXPERT: 1. Shane Narbonne, Suz GSX-R1000; 2. Rick Doucette, Suz GSX-R600; 3. George Terricone, Suz GSX-R1000; 4. Neal Garvin, Suz GSX-R750; 5. Simon Wilson, Suz GSX-R1000; 6. W. Kasperuk, Yam YZF-R6.

GTO AMATEUR: 1. Brian Kieth, Suz GSX-R750; 2. Lorenzo Pecora, Suz GSX-R600.

GTU EXPERT: 1. Scott Greenwood, Kaw ZX-6R; 2. Christian Cronin, Yam YZF-R6; 3. Cory Hildebrand, Yam YZF-R6; 4. Fred Stearns, Yam YZF-R6; 5. Ray Jones, Kaw ZX-6R; 6. Brent Lyskawa, Yam YZF-R6.

GTU AMATEUR: 1. David Hanig, Duc 749; 2. Richard Maracina, Kaw ZX-6R.

GTL EXPERT: 1. Brett Guyer, Duc SS1000; 2. Todd Babcock, Suz SV650; 3. Scott Mullin, Kaw EX650; 4. Douglas Fogg, Suz SV650; 5. Wayne Mackert, Suz SV650; 6. Nate Mendell, Duc SS1000.

GTL AMATEUR: 1. Eric Connolly, Suz SV650; 2. Jason Kavanaugh, Hon CRF450; 3. John Hannon, Suz SV650; 4. Waylon Knehr, Suz SV650; 5. Richard Demetrius, Hon RS125; 6. Lorna Murphy, Suz SV650.

MWSB EXPERT: 1. Jeff Wood, Kaw ZX-6R; 2. Scott Greenwood, Kaw ZX-6R; 3. Christian Cronin, Yam YZF-R6; 4. Steve Giacomaro, Yam YZF-R6; 5. Cory Hildebrand, Yam YZF-R6; 6. Rick Breen, Yam YZF-R6.

MWSB AMATEUR: 1. Juan Rivera, Suz GSX-R600; 2. Tim Barber, Yam YZF-R6; 3. Kevin Senecal, Suz GSX-R600; 4. Richard Maracina, Kaw EX600; 5. Orlando Gonzalez, Yam YZF-R6; 6. Luis Nunes, Suz GSX-R600.

SUPERTWINS EXPERT: 1. Eric Wood, Duc 848; 2. Robby Nigl, Duc 748; 3. Dennis Levesque, Duc 1098; 4. Ian-James Helmke, Duc 996; 5. Jesse Sandoz, Duc 848; 6. Johnny Boudreau, Duc 748.

SUPERTWINS AMATEUR: 1. Todd Burham, Apr 990; 2. Todd Stryker, Hon RC51; 3. David Hanig, Duc 749. 

PT EXPERT: 1. Mark Dages, Kaw EX500; 2. Branch Worsham, Kaw EX500; 3. Dana Temple, Kaw EX500; 4. Joe Latona, Kaw EX500; 5. Rick Patrolia, Kaw EX500; 6. Tom Joyce, Kaw EX500.

SSIN EXPERT: 1. Michael Donovan, Hon CRF450; 2. Mike Martire, Hon CRF450; 3. Jason Routhier, Hon CRF450; 4. Travis Beaudoin Hon CRF450; 5. Eric Shaw, Hon CRF450; 6. Martin Hanlon, Yam YZF450.

SSIN AMATEUR: 1. Matt Barber, Hon CRF450; 2. Eric Block, KTM 450; 3. Jason Kavanaugh, Hon CRF450; 4. Richie Pittenger, Suz RMZ450; 5. Brian Bulis KTM 560.

125 GP EXPERT: 1. Alex Guibeault, Hon RS125; 2. Shawn Spear, Hon RS125.

125 GP AMATEUR: 1. Richard Dimetrius, Hon RS125; 2. Michael Jakubowski, Hon RS125.

HWSS EXPERT: 1. Shane Narbonne, Suz GSX-R750; 2. Christian Cronin, Yam YZF-R6; 3. Steven Giacomaro, Yam YZF-R6; 4. Fred Stearns, Yam YZF-R6; 5. Cory Hildebrand, Yam YZF-R6; 6. Brent Lyskawa, Yam YZF-R6.

HWSS AMATEUR: 1. Paul Berger, Hon CBR600RR; 2. Justin Landry, Suz GSX-R600; 3. Orlando Gonzalez, Yam YZF-R6; 4. Michael Lombardi, Suz GSX-R750; 5. Richard Maracina, Kaw ZX-6R; 6. Lorenzo Pecora, Suz GSX-R600.

LWSB EXPERT: 1. Brett Guyer, Duc Classic; 2. Todd Babcock, Suz SV650 3. David White, Suz SV650 4. Nate Mendell, Duc SS1000; 5. Wayne Mackert, Suz SV650; 6. Jon Burbank, Suz SV650.

LWSB AMATEUR: 1. Waylon Knehr, Suz SV650; 2. Ryan Oosterman, Suz SV650; 3.Keith Beaurivage, Suz SV650; 4. John Hannon, Suz SV650; 5. Chad Falcone, Suz SV650.

ULSB EXPERT: 1. Michael Donovan, Hon CRF450; 2. Nick Rockwell, Duc SS800; 3. Alexander Dunstan, Suz RMZ450; 4. Andy Hull, Duc SS800; 5. Eric Shaw, Yam YZF450; 6. James Riley, Apr RS250.

ULSB AMATEUR: 1. Jason Cavanaugh, Hon CRF450; 2. Bob Stone, Hon 650; 3. Kevin Quinn, Yam TZ250; 4. Ron Barr, Apr RS250; 5. Jackie Halpa, Duc SS750.

F40 EXPERT: 1. Robby Nigl, Duc 748; 2. Fred Stearns, Yam YZF-R6; 3. Dennsi Levesque, Duc 1098; 4. Neal Garvin, Suz GSX-R750; 5. Rick Doucette, Suz GSX-R600; 6. David Fett, Yam YZF-R6.

F40 AMATEUR: 1. Ron Poulin, Yam YZF-R6; 2. Brian Kieth, Suz GSX-R750; 3. Juan Rivera, Suz GSX-R600; 4. Mike Lombardi, Suz GSX-R750; 5. Richard Marcina, Kaw ZX-6R; 6. Mike Clark, Yam YZF-R6.

F40L EXPERT: 1. Todd Babcock, Suz SV650; 2. David White, Duc SS1000; 3. Doug Fogg, Suz SV650; 4. Wayne Mackert, Suz SV650; 5. Brian Kent, Suz SV650; 6. Nick Rockwell, Duc SS800.

F40L AMATEUR: 1. Bob Stone, Hon 650; 2. Charles Brighenti, Suz SV650; 3. Ron Barr, Apr RS250; 4. John Hannon, Suz SV650; 5. Dave LaFrance, Suz SV650.

MOTARD EXPERT: 1. Shane Narbonne, Hon CRF450; 2. Michael Donovan, Hon CRF450; 3. Mike Martire, Hon CRF450; 4. Brent Lyskawa, Hon CRF450; 5. Jayroot, Hon CRF450; 6. Eric Shaw, Yam YZF450.

MOTARD AMATEUR: 1. Matt Barber, Hon CRF450; 2. Eric Block, KTM 450; 3. Jason Cavanaugh, Hon CRF450; 4. Richie Pittenger, Suz RMZ450; 5. Brian Bulis, KTM 560.

MWSS EXPERT: 1. Jeff Wood, Kaw ZX-6R; 2. Chris Cronin, Yam YZF-R6; 3. Scott Greenwood, Kaw ZX-6R; 4. Steve Giacomaro, Yam YZF-6R; 5. Cory Hildebrand, Yam YZF-R6; 6. Brent Lyskawa, Duc 848.

MWSS AMATEUR: 1. Juan Rivera, Suz GSX-R600; 2. Josh Kruse, Yam YZF-R6; 3. Justin Landry, Suz GSX-R600; 4. Kevin Senecal, Suz GSX-R600; 5. Tim Barber, Yam YZF-R6; 6. Paul Berger, Hon CBR600RR.

Following Races Wet:

LWSP EXPERT: 1. Jayroot, Hon CRF450; 2. Dana Temple, Kaw EX500; 3. Eric Shaw, Yam YZF450; 4. Branch Worsham, Kaw EX500; 5. Brendan Guy, Kaw EX500; 6. Stephen Doody, KTM 525.

LWSP AMATEUR: 1. Eric Block, KTM 450.

MWPT EXPERT: 1. Scott Mullin, Kaw EX500; 2. Rick Doucette, Suz SV650; 3. Brian Kent, Kaw EX650; 3. Glen Coolbeth, Suz SV650; 4. Brian Oxx, Suz SV650.

UGP EXPERT: 1. Cory Hildebrand, Yam YZF-R6; 2. Eric Wood, Hon CRF450; 3. Woj Kasperuk, Yam YZF-R6; 4. Norman Pomerleau, Suz GSX-R600; 5. Ralph Peppe, Yam YZF-R1.

UGP AMATEUR: 1. Tyler Sweeney, Hon RS250.

LWSS EXPERT: 1. Scott Mullin, Kaw EX650; 2. Todd Babcock, Suz SV650; 3. Rick Doucette, Suz SV650; 4. Brian Kent, Kaw EX650; 5. Glenn Coolbeth, Suz SV650; 6. Chris Cucinotta, Suz SV650.

LWSS AMATEUR: 1. Ryan Oosterman, Suz SV650; 2. Waylon Knehr, Suz SV650; 3. Keith Beaurivage, Suz SV650; 4. Shane Lewis, Suz SV650.

F50 EXPERT: 1. Neal Garvin, Suz GSX-R750; 2. Nick Rockwell, Duc SS800; 3. Jon Burbank, Suz SV650; 4. Tom O’Connor, Yam TZ250; 5. Bob Poetzsch, Yam TZ250; 6. Alan Quinn, Duc SS1000.

F50 AMATEUR: 1. Brian Keith, Suz GSX-R750; 2. Peter Cokinos, Kaw ZX-6R.

USS EXPERT: 1. Cory Hildebrand, Yam YZF-R6; 2. Scott Greenwood, Kaw ZX-10R; 3. Zev Ginsberg, Yam YZF-R6; 4. Simon Wilson, Suz GSX-R1000.

HWSB EXPERT: 1. Robby Nigle, Duc 748; 2. Fred Stearns, Yam YZF-R6; 3. Eric Wood, Hon CRF450.

LWGP EXPERT: 1. Brett Guyer, Duc Classic; 2. Todd Babcock, Suz SV650; 3. Peter Gaboriault, Suz SV650; 4. Nate Mendell, Duc SS1000; 5. Jon Burbank, Suz SV650; 6. Bob Poetzsch. Yam TZ250.

LWGP AMATEUR: 1. Eric Connolly, Suz SV650.

USB EXPERT: 1. Scott Greenwood, Kaw ZX-10R; 2. Fred Stearns, Yam YZF-R6; 3. Ivan Debord, Yam YZF-R6; 4. Neal Garvin, Suz GSX-R750.

USB AMATEUR: 1. Tyler Sweeney, Hon RS250.

THUNDERBIKE EXPERT: 1. Brett Guyer, Duc Classic; 2. Todd Babcock, Suz SV650; 3. Doug Fogg, Suz SV650; 4. Nate Mendell, Duc SS1000; 5. Tommy Eckfeldt, Duc SS1000; 6. Jon Burbank, Suz SV650.

THUNDERBIKE AMATEUR: 1. Malcomb Macintosh, Duc 748.