Jake Holden Visits OMRRA and Breaks The Track Record
Where: Portland International Raceway, Portland Oregon WHEN: September 14-15 OMRRA closed out the 2013 in spectacular fashion with a new track record and newly crowned champions. Overall the weather for the weekend was mixed. Recent rains compromised the early morning grip of the track and in early Saturday practice lightning fast Andy DiBrino suffered a crash breaking his collarbone.
Saturday’s weather improved to ideal conditions in the afternoon allowing four track records and the overall lap record to fall. Jake Holden, of Litchfield Park, AZ, riding the Ducati Seattle SPG 1199 Panigale S, broke the Formula Ultra lap record first by 0.031 seconds and the Open Supersport and overall lap record by 0.14 to a blistering 1:06.202.
Sunday was an entirely different track with conditions deteriorating and the entire OMRRA field contending with wet weather racing known as the great equalizer to conclude the season.
In 2Fast Track Days Formula Ultra Championship action, Alan Schmidt earned his 10th consecutive #1 plate by the August round was absent having opted for a support role at the AMA event in New Jersey. With Schmidt elsewhere and DiBrino shelved, Ryan Sutton of Camano Island, WA was the hands-on favorite. In Saturday’s Formula Ultra race, Sutton jumped out of the gates with great start and gapped the field early. Jake Holden with nearly no practice was coming up to speed with the track and the 1199 Panigale S and worked his way up to the rear tire of Zlock Racing’s Kevin Pinkstaff. Pinkstaff motivated to keep Holden from the runner up spot put his personal best on the line with a 1:06.6 and secured 2nd ahead of Holden who had just broken the Formula Ultra lap record to run Pinkstaff down.
Sunday’s Formula Ultra Race took place on a drying track but the tricky conditions in 750 Superbike took Ryan Sutton out with a wrist injury. Kevin Pinkstaff also sat down in the tricky conditions to save his efforts for the AMA finale at Laguna Seca. This left room at the front for the Ducati Seattle 1198S with pilot Jake Holden to take over. With Holden out front pushing the quickest pace of the day, he cruised to a comfortable win.
The battle for second was one of the best the weekend had to offer. Tony Porter of Vancouver, B.C., Mark DeGross of Snohomish, WA and Chris Ray of Portland, OR battled it out. Dicing back and forth with each of the trio leading at various points of the race, DeGross would ultimately prove victorious with Ray in toe for third. Tony Porter, despite a brilliant effort was relegated to fourth by the time they crossed the line.
While the 2013 season offered many exciting moments in the 2Fast Track Days Formula Ultra Championship, 2014 promises to melt the tarmac as Schmidt, Pinkstaff, DiBrino, Sutton, McDonough, Verderico and Porter return to test their mettle against nationally known visitors on the high velocity asphalt ribbon of Portland International Raceway.
In KFGRacing Clubman Championship news, Chris Page entered the weekend poised to take the championship with mid-pack finishes. With DiBrino injured early Saturday, Page could opt to keep his Ninja under the tent but the newly crowned champion opted to put it on the line. Page kept himself at the front of the pack and on the podium all weekend. Jeremy Coffey scored a win in Lightweight Superbike and a heat win in Ultralightweight Superbike. Coffey continues to score well in the Ninja pack and if he able to connect the dots on a full season could be in serious contention for the championship in 2014.
Entering 2nd and 3rd in the championship, Andy DiBrino and Ryan Sutton’s season-long battle royale was not to be. With DiBrino sidelined SPG’s Sutton walked away with the 600 Supersport class championship, but too few competitors in the 600 Superbike, 750 Supersport and 750 Superbike classes did not allow Sutton to make up the points deficit to snatch the championship from points leader DiBrino. In addition to his Formula Ultra win, Sutton chalked up a win in Open Supersport, 750 Supersport and 600 Superbike.
In other notable news, Sam Verderico of Wenatchee, WA delivered two additional lap records for the SPG squad in Open Supersport Senior and 750 Supersport Senior. Novice Johnmark Larson has quietly accumulated points and wins aboard his Suzuki SV650 in the middleweight category. Larson scored an impressive four class championships and 2nd in the KFG Racing Clubman Championship. If his first year is any indication, the future is very bright for Larson in 2014.
In the Bridge City Cycles Vintage Championship, Eirik Nielsen had sewn up and was crowned champion the previous round. With Nielsen and Jon Munns racing elsewhere, Patrick Leyshock of Portland, OR, took advantage of the opportunity on his Yamaha DT1 and chalked up two wins in Middleweight Vintage on Saturday and Mica Grohn took home both heat wins in Lightweight Vintage in the challenging conditions on Sunday. Grohn’s win in Lightweight and runner up in Middleweight cemented her spot to take 2nd overall in the Vintage Championship. Newcomers Andy Huddock and Austin McCabe showed promise for the 2014 season by piloting their machines to podium positions in the trick track conditions on Sunday.
RESULTS: Saturday, September 14th, 2013
Formula Ultra 1. Ryan Sutton (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Kevin Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-10R) 3. Jake Holden (Duc 1199S) 4. Sam Verderico (Suz GSX-R1000) 5. Mark DeGross (Hon CBR1000RR) 6. Chris Ray (Suz GSX-R1000)
600 Supersport 1. Ryan Sutton (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Mark DeGross (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Michael McBrady (Kaw ZX-6) 4. Brian Moe (Kaw ZX-6RR)
Open Supersport 1. Ryan Sutton (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Jake Holden (Duc 1199S) 3. Sam Verderico (Suz GSX-R750) 4. Mark DeGross (Hon CBR1000RR)
Ninja 250 Cup – Race 1 1. Chris Page (Kaw 250R) 2. Jeremy Coffey (Kaw 250R) 3. Kelly Johnson (Kaw 250R) 4. Andrew Pignataro (Kaw 250R) 5. Justin Pyle (Kaw 250R) 6. Marybeth Harrison (Kaw 250R)
Ninja 250 Cup – Race 2 1. Kelly Johnson (Kaw 250R) 2. Chris Page (Kaw 250R) 3. Jeremy Coffey (Kaw 250R) 4. Andrew Pignataro (Kaw 250R) 5. Jay Floyd (Kaw 250R) 6. Justin Pyle (Kaw 250R)
Middleweight Supersport 1. Gene Brown (Yam TZ250) 2. Johnmark Larson (Suz SV650) 3. Peter Kahn (Suz SV650) 4. Sam Boggess (Suz SV650) 5. Jeff Brooks (Suz SV650) 6. Hiram Harris (Suz SV650)
650 GP Twins 1. Johnmark Larson (Suz SV650) 2. David Moore (Kaw 650R) 3. Bennie Goodson (Suz SV650) 4. Peter Kahn (Suz SV650) 5. Sam Boggess (Suz SV650) 6. Mats White (Suz SV650)
600 Supersport Senior 1. Stuart Johnson (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Jason Iverson (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Tim Griffin (Hon CBRR600RR)
Open Supersport Senior 1. Sam Verderico (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Gene Brown (Suz GSX-R1000) 3. Chris Stricker (Suz GSX-R1000) 4. Joe Rocha (Kaw ZX-10R) 5. Josh McKay (Suz GSX-R750) 6. Mike McKim (Suz GSXR750)
Formula 40 1. Stuart Johnson (Yam YZF-R1) 2. Joe Rocha (Kaw ZX-10R) 3. G. Brian Tallant (Hon CBR1000RR) 4. Mike McKim (Suz GSX-R750) 5. Christine Porter (Yam YZF-R1) 6. Mark Snethen (Suz GSX-R1000)
Middleweight Vintage – Race 1 1. Patrick Leyshock (Yam DT1) 2. Mica Grohn (Hon CL175) 3. Daric Cheshire (Hon CL175) 4. Dean Willoughby (Hon CB160) 5. Dyce-n Dominic Cameron (Suz RM85L) 6. Derek Stotz (Hon CB160)
Middleweight Vintage – Race 2 1. Patrick Leyshock (Yam DT1) 2. Mica Grohn (Hon CL175) 3. Dyce-n Dominic Cameron (Suz RM85L) 4. Daric Cheshire (Hon CL175) 5. R Scott Elder (Yam DT1) 6. Dean Willoughby (Hon CB160)
Novice 5 1. Cody Cochran (Yam YZF-R1) 2. Bret McCord (Kaw ZX-10R) 3. Blake Gornowicz (Suz GSX-R750)
Novice 4 1. Tom Walsh (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Tim Brodovsky (Suz GSX-R600) 3. Nathaniel Silvers (Duc 848EVO) 4. E. Eddie Oner (Tri Daytona 675R) 5. Anthony Patten (Kaw ZX-6R) 6. Chad May (Suz GSX-R600)
RESULTS: Sunday, September 15th, 2013
Formula Ultra 1. Jake Holden (Duc 1199S) 2. Mark DeGross (Hon CBR1000RR) 3. Chris Ray (Suz GSX-R1000) 4. Tony Porter (Kaw ZX-10R) 5. Gene Brown (Suz GSX-R1000)
Open Superbike 1. Jake Holden (Duc 1199S) 2. Sam Verderico (Suz GSX-R1000) 3. Tony Porter (Kaw ZX-10R) 4. Mark DeGross (Hon CBR1000)
Ultra Lightweight Superbike – Race 1 1. Andrew Pignataro (Kaw 250R) 2. Valentine Welch (Kaw 250R) 3. Chris Page (Kaw 250R) 4. Kelly Johnson (Kaw 250R) 5. Harrison Frost (Kaw 250R) 6. Marybeth Harrison (Kaw 250R)
Ultra Lightweight Superbike – Race 2 1. Jeremy Coffey (Kaw 250R) 2. Chris Page (Kaw 250R) 3. Kelly Johnson (Kaw 250R) 4. Marybeth Harrison (Kaw 250R) 5. Andrew Pignataro (Kaw 250R) 6. Harrison Frost (Kaw 250R)
Middleweight Classic Superbike 1. Shannon Lang (Hon RS125) 2. Jeff Brooks (Suz SV650) 3. Kelly Johnson (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Patrick Leyshock (Hon CB750)
Middleweight Superbike 1. Cedric Smith (Hon CRF450R) 3. Johnmark Larson (Suz SV650) 4. David Moore (Kaw 650R) 5. Bennie Goodson (Suz SV650) 6. Daniel Houghton (Suz SV650)
450 Superbike 1. Cedric Smith (Hon CRF450R) 2. David Moore (Kaw 650R) 3. Johnmark Larson (Suz SV650) 4. Brad Pinkstaff (Suz SV650) 5. Bennie Goodson (Suz SV650) 6. Sam Boggess (Suz SV650)
Lightweight Superbike 1. Jeremy Coffey (Kaw 250R) 2. Chris Page (Kaw 250R) 3. Andrew Pignataro (Kaw 250R) 4. Harrison Frost (Kaw 250R) 5. Valentine Welch (Kaw 250R) 6. Marybeth Harrison (Kaw 250R)
Lightweight Vintage – Race 1 1. Mica Grohn (Hon CL175) 2. Ryan Shanahan (Hon CB 175) 3. Austin McCabe (Hon CL175) 4. Andy Hudock (Hon CB160)
Lightweight Vintage – Race 2 1. Mica Grohn (Hon CL175) 2. Ryan Shanahan (Hon CB 175) 3. Andy Hudock (Hon CB160)
Novice 5 1. Cody Cochran (Yam YZF-R1) 2. Blake Gornowicz (Suz GSX-R750) 3. Cary Cadonau (Yam YZF-R1) 4. Bret McCord (Kaw ZX-10R)
2Fast Track Days Formula Ultra Championship Alan Schmidt – 217 pts Kevin Pinkstaff – 165 pts Andy DiBrino – 137 pts Sam Verderico – 109 pts Chris Ray – 78 pts
KFG Racing Clubman Championship Chris Page – 276 pts Johnmark Larson – 211 pts Ryan Sutton – 205 pts Andy DiBrino – 190 pts Kelly Johnson – 190 pts
Bridge City Cycles Vintage Championship Eirik Lund Nielsen – 246 pts Mica Grohn – 188 pts Jon Munns – 135 pts Daric Cheshire – 132 pts Patrick Leyshock – 130 pts