By Bob Holcomb

Loudon, NH – Late summer thundershowers drenched Friday and Saturday practice, but the road course at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was dry for nearly all the racing in round six. The Speedway continues to improve with a new paddock camping facility, complete with hookups for RV’s.

Middleweight Superbike offered a glimpse into the subtle shifts going on in the LRRS paddock. Jeff Wood, fresh off his AMA Pro American Superbike success at VIR, was remarkably fast on his Higgins Powersports/Sweeney Racing Engines Kawasaki ZX-6R. Scott Greenwood was also much improved aboard his Argo Cycles Kawasaki ZX-6R. Steve Giacomaro was quicker too, riding his Orient Express Yamaha. Meanwhile, Loudon prodigy, Christian Cronin, showed signs of a transmission problem that would haunt his Chronic Motorsports Yamaha R6 all weekend.

Cronin grabbed the holeshot in front of Greenwood and Wood but couldn’t hold it. Wood took the point during the first lap with Greenwood following through the second. Meanwhile, Giacomaro was coming fast and passed Cronin for third on lap five. With the front four set, the race changed on the last lap when Greenwood crashed heavily in the bowl. At the checkered flag it was Wood, Giacomaro, Cronin and Cory Hildebrand aboard his Bruce Transportation R6. All of them were riding on Dunlop N-Tech 211 GP tires.

The Motorace Dash for Cash

Middleweight Grand Prix runs last on Saturday and serves as the feature race of the weekend. Holeshot specialist, Christian Cronin, performed his 200 yard magic to take the point out of turn one. He was out early, however, leaving the old guard to the scrap. Jeff Wood was the best of the grid with Scotty Greenwood climbing into second spot during the middle laps. Steve Giacomaro rounded the podium ahead of Cory Hildebrand and Kipp Peterson on his Motorace/Michelin GSX-R600.

Jeff Wood on the podium responding to race announcer, Bruce Berlanger: “VIR was good. I got to follow Mat Mladin and learn a few things. Today wasn’t easy. Scotty is riding a Sean Sweeney motor now too. Thanks to Higgins Powersports, Dunlop Tires and all my supporters…”

Scott Greenwood on the Motorace Dash podium: “I want to thank LRRS for putting the new air fence in turn six. In Superbike I came down the hill and started trail braking like I normally do. The forks bottomed and the front gave way suddenly while I was still carrying speed. I slid on my back and went full force into the wall feet first. I’d not be standing here right now without that air fence. I am grateful. This race was better and I am picking up a little time so that’s a good thing too. I tried hard to close up on Jeff, but couldn’t get back much today.”

Waylon Knehr (Am Supertwins) on Greenwood’s crash: “He went right by me at the top of the hill so I saw the whole thing. It’s like he never even slowed at all. He was practically straight up and down when his front folded and he plowed into the air fence. Scary…”

Motard

Michael Donovan took the holeshot into turn 1 followed closely by LRRS veterans, Jason Routhier and Mike Martire. First weekend expert and former US RedBull Rookie Cup Rider, Corey Alexander, was solidly in 4th position by the end of lap 1. Alexander, nephew of former multiple LRRS & the 2000 AMA 750 Supersport Champion Richie Alexander, was locked into a three-way battle for 2nd with Routhier and Martire. The three swapped positions for the next few laps. By the half flags Alexander moved solidly into 2nd and set sail after race leader Donovan, during which Alexander recorded the fastest lap of the race. At the checkered flag it was Donovan holding for the win 1.1 seconds over Alexander followed by Routhier, Martire and Michael McDermott. 

Amateur Motard was even closer with Alexander Lange taking the win followed by Brian Bulis, Richie Pittenger, Jackie Halpa and Seth Lolli the top five all within 1.35 seconds of each other at the stripe.

Formula Forty Wars

Formula Forty turned into yet another LRRS brawl. Rob Nigl, took the holeshot on a drying track, but crashed in a slippery turn 12. Rick Doucette took over the lead but came under pressure from Neal Garvin and Fred Stearns’ Souhegan Valley Motorsports Yamaha. Meanwhile Scott James started moving up through the pack to arrive on Doucette’s tail section on the fifth lap. Two laps later he took Doucette for the lead and held on for the checkered flag. It was James first win of the season.

The fastest race of the weekend went to Jeff Wood in Sunday’s Middleweight Supersport. Wood ran mid eleven’s with Greenwood a couple tenths back. Shane Narbonne and Eric Wood ran the second quickest race in Unlimited Supersport a half hour later. Riding his DAS Performance GSX-R1000, Narbonne led Wood’s Woodcraft Ducati 1098 home with a string of high elevens.

The Undefeated

Brett Guyer and Michael Donovan continued their season-long winning streaks. Guyer had a little lowside in turn 3 of GTL, but was able to pick up his Seacoast Ducati and keep his streak going collecting 4 wins on the weekend. Donovan faced repeated attacks from several veterans, but kept them behind to win every sprint he entered aboard his Woodcraft/Penguin School/Higgins Powersports sponsored Honda 450.

The Fourth Annual Larry Lap is set for Sep 6, 11am-Noon. Donate some cash to the Brain Injury Recovery Fund and ride a lap of New Hampshire Motor Speedway behind Larry Hanlon. Larry is a multi-champion of LRRS who suffered a terrible crash at the top of the hill several years ago. Come on up to watch the races and celebrate Larry’s recovery with a charity ride of the Speedway in his name.

Log onto www.lrrsracing.com for details.

RESULTS:

GTO EXPERT: 1. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Rick Doucette (Suz GSX-R600) 3. Scott James (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Michael Calderon (Yam YZF-R1) 5. Zev Ginsberg (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Jason Carter (Suz GSX-R1000)

GTO AMATEUR: 1. Brian Keith (Suz GSX-R1000)

GTU EXPERT: 1. Scott Greenwood (Kaw ZX-6R) 2. Cory Hildebrand (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Fred Stearns (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Christian Cronin (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Tyler Sweeney (Hon RS250)

GTU AMATEUR: 1. Tim Bryan (Hon CBR600RR) 2. Tim Haferkamp (Suz GSX-R600)

GT LIGHTS EXPERT: 1. Brett Guyer (Duc Classic) 2. Todd Babcock ( Suz SV650) 3. Scott Mullin ( Kaw EX650) 4. Nate Mendell (Duc SS1000) 5. Doug Fogg (Suz SV650) 6. Corey Alexander ( Suz SV650)

GT LIGHTS AMATEUR: 1. Ryan Oosterman (Suz SV650) 2. John Dorans (Suz SV650) 3. Eric Connolly (Suz SV650) 4. Lorna Murphy (Suz SV650) 5. Frank Babuska Jr. (Suz SV650) 6. John Hannon ( Suz SV650)

MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPERBIKE EXPERT: 1. Jeff Wood (Kaw ZX-6R) 2. Steve Giacomaro (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Christian Cronin (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Cory Hildebrand ( Yam YZF-R6) 5. Joel Allen (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Mike Martire (Kaw ZX6)

SUPERTWINS EXPERT: 1. Eric Wood (Duc 1098) 2. Dennis Levesque (Duc 1098) 3. Charles Sandoz (Duc 848) 4. I-J Helmke (Duc 996)

MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPERBIKE AMATEUR: 1. Tim Barber (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Kevin Senecal (Suz GSX-R600 3. Louis Nunes (Suz GSX-R600 4. Orlando Gonzolez (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Ryan Stockman (Hon CBR600RR) 6. Tim Haferkamp (Suz GSX-R600)

SUPERTWINS AMATEUR: 1. Todd Stryker (Hon RC51) 2. Jason Markham (Hon RC51) 3. Waylon Knehr (Suz SV650)

PRODUCTION TWINS EXPERT: 1. Mark Dages (Kaw EX500) 2. Branch Worsham (Kaw EX500) 3. Dana Temple (Kaw EX500) 4. Smokin’ Joe Latona (Kaw EX500) 5. Charlie Tarna (Kaw EX500) 6. Tom Joyce (Kaw EX500)

PRODUCTION TWINS AMATEUR: 1. Steve Hunt (Kaw EX500) 2. Rich Blake (Duc 620) 3. Andrew Ferreyra (Kaw EX500)

SUPERSINGLES EXPERT: 1. Mike Donovan (Hon CRF450) 2. Mike Martire (Hon CRF450) 3. Jason “Jayroot” Routhier (Hon CRF450) 4. Travis Beaudoin (Hon CRF450) 5. Mike McDermott (Hon CRF450) 6. Jason Cavanaugh (Hon CRF450)

125cc EXPERT: 1. Tyler Sweeney (Hon RS125) 2. Alex Guilbeault (Hon RS125) 3. Nicholas Jakubowski (Hon RS125) 4. Shawn Spear (Hon RS125) 5. Bob Poetzsch (Hon RS125) 6. Phil Turkington (Hon RS125)

SUPERSINGLES AMATEUR: 1. Brian Bulis (KTM520) 2. Richie Pittenger (Suz RMZ450) 3. James Poole (Hon CRF450) 4. Frank Babuska Jr. (Kaw KX450) 5. Seth Lolli Hon (CRF450) 6. Adam Clark (Hon CRF450)

125cc AMATEUR: 1. Rich Demetrius (Hon RS125) 2. Michael Jakubowski (Hon RS125)

HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERSPORT EXPERT: 1. Steve Giacomaro (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Kip Peterson (Suz GSX-R600) 3. Cory Hildebrand (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Neal Garvin (Suz GSX-R750) 5. Fred Stearns (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Zev Ginsberg (Yam YZF-R6)

HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERSPORT AMATEUR: 1. Justin Landry (Suz GSX-R600) 2. Michael Lombardi (Suz GSX-R750) 3. Tim Haferkamp ( Suz GSX-R600) 4. Mike Clark (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Robert Rogers (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Chris Nazzarro (Duc 848)

LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERBIKE EXPERT: 1. Brett Guyer (Duc Classic) 2. Todd Babcock (Suz SV650) 3. Nate Mendell (Duc SS1000) 4. Jon Burbank (Suz SV650) 5. Tommy Eckfeldt (Duc SS1000) 6. William Tansey (Suz SV650)

LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERBIKE AMATEUR: 1. John Dorans (Suz SV650) 2. Ryan Oosterman (Suz SV650) 3. Cynthia Bisagni (Suz SV650) 4. Frank Babuska (Suz SV650) 5. Lorna Murphy (Suz SV650) 6. Eric Connolly (Suz SV650)

ULTRA-LIGHT SUPERBIKE EXPERT: 1. Mike Donovan (Hon CRF450) 2. Nick Rockwell (Duc SS800) 3. Alex Dunstan ( Suz RMZ450) 4. Mike McDermott (Hon CRF450) 5. Andy Hull (Duc SS800) 6. Eric Shaw (Yam YZF450)

ULTRA-LIGHT SUPERBIKE AMATEUR: 1. Richard Blake (Duc SS800) 2. Frank Babuska Jr. (Kaw KX450) 3. Richie Pittenger (Suz RMZ450) 4. Mike Lemire (Hon Rc650) 5. Tony Soucier (Duc SS800) 6. Alberto DeGobbi ( KTM 450)

FORMULA 40 EXPERT: 1. Scott James (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Rick Doucette (Suz GSX-R600) 3. Dennis Levesque (Duc 1098) 4. Neal Garvin (Suz GSX-R750) 5. David Fett (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Dennis Vazquez (Suz GSX-R750)

FORMULA 40 AMATEUR: 1. Mike Clark (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Mike Lombardi (Suz GSX-R750)

FORMULA 40 LIGHTS EXPERT: 1. Todd Babcock (Suz SV650) 2. Brian Kent ( (Suz SV650) 3. Mike Dube (Duc SS800) 4. John O’Donnell (Suz SV650) 5. Doug Fogg (Suz SV650) 6. Nick Rockwell (Duc SS800)

FORMULA 40 LIGHTS AMATEUR: 1. Malcomb Macintosh (Duc 748) 2. Chad Falcone (Suz SV650) 3. John Hannon (Suz SV650) 4. John Dorans (Suz SV650) 5. Charles Brighenti (Suz SV650) 6. Kevin Quinn (Yam TZ250)

MIDDLEWEIGHT GP EXPERT/MOTORACE DASH FOR CASH: 1. Jeff Wood (Kaw ZX-6R) 2. Scott Greenwood (Kaw ZX-6R) 3. Steve Giacomaro (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Cory Hildebrand (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Kip Peterson (Sux GSX-R600) 6. David Fett (Yam YZF-R6)

MIDDLEWEIGHT GP AMATEUR: 1. Tim Barber (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Justin Landry (Suz GSX-R600) 3. Chris Whitman (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Tim Bryan (Hon CBR600RR) 5. Tim Haferkamp (Suz GSX-R600)

MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPERSPORT EXPERT: 1. Jeff Wood (Kaw ZX-6R) 2. Scott Greenwood (Kaw ZX-6R) 3. Christian Cronin (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Steven Giacomaro (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Cory Hildebrand (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Mike Martire (Kaw ZX-6R)

MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPERSPORT AMATEUR: 1. Josh Kruse (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Tim Barber (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Kevin Senecal (Suz GSX-R600) 4. Justin Landry (Suz GSX-R600) 5. Jeff Grivers (Suz GSX-R600) 6. Richard Maracina ( Kaw ZX6)

MOTARD EXPERT: 1. Michael Donovan (Hon CRF450) 2. Corey Alexander (Kaw KX450) 3. Jason Routhier (Hon CRF450) 4. Mike Martire (Kaw KXF450) 5. Michael McDermott (Hon CRF450) 6. Travis Beaudoin (Hon CRF450)

MOTARD AMATEUR: 1. Alexander Lange (Apr SXV550) 2. Brian Bulis (KTM 560) 3. Richie Pittenger (Suz RMZ450) 4. Jackie Halpa (Hon CRF450) 5. Seth Lolli (Hon CRF450) 6. Peter Woodward (Hon CRF450)

LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTSMAN EXPERT: 1. Michael Donovan (Hon CRF450) 2. Jason Routhier (Hon CRF450) 3. Michael McDermott (Hon CRF450) 4. Eric Shaw (Yam YZF450) 5. Travis Beaudoin (Hon CRF450) 6. Jason Hillsgrove (KTM 525)

LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTSMAN AMATEUR: 1. Richie Pittenger (Suz RMZ450) 2. Seth Lolli (Hon CRF450) 3. Peter Woodward (Hon CRF450) 4. Brian Bulis (KTM 560)

MIDDLEWEIGHT PRODUCTION TWINS EXPERT: 1. Rick Doucette (Suz SV650) 2. Brian Kent (Kaw EX650) 3. Mark Dages (Kaw EX500) 4. Scott Mullin (Kaw EX650) 5. Glenn Coolbeth (Suz SV650)

LIGHTWEIGHT PRODUCTION TWINS AMATEUR: 1. Alexander Lange (Apr SXV550)

UNLIMITED GP EXPERT: 1. Shane Narbonne (Sux GSX-R1000) 2. Eric Wood (Duc 1098) 3. Christian Cronin (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Cory Hildebrand (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Dennis Levesque (Duc 1098) 6. Michael Calderon (Yam YZF-R1)

UNLIMITED GP AMATEUR: 1. Todd Stryker (Hon RC51) 2. Tim Bryan (Hon CBR600RR)

LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERSPORT EXPERT: 1. Todd Babcock (Suz SV650) 2. Rick Doucette (Suz SV650) 3. Brian Kent (Suz SV650) 4. Scott Mullin (Kaw EX650) 5. Mark Dages (Suz SV650) 6. Chris Cucinotta (Suz SV650)

LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERSPORT AMATEUR: 1. Frank Babuska Jr. (Suz SV650) 2. Ryan Oosterman (Suz SV650) 3. Waylon Knehr (Suz SV650) 4. Ato Clark (Suz SV650)

FORMULA 50 EXPERT: 1. Neal Garvin (Suz GSX-R750) 2. Bob Poetzsch (Yam TZ250) 3. Tim O’Connor (Yam TZ250) 4. Jon Burbank (Suz SV650) 5. Jim Brown (Apr RSVR996) 6. Nick Rockwell (Duc SS800)

FORMULA 50 AMATEUR: 1. Richard Maracina (Kaw ZX6) 2. Peter Cokinos (Kaw ZX6)

UNLIMITED SUPERSPORT EXPERT: 1. Shane Narbonne (Sux GSX-R1000) 2. Scott Greenwood (Kaw ZX-10R) 3. Cory Hildebrand (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Michael Calderon (Yam YZF-R1) 5. Jason Carter (Suz GSX-R1000) 6. Zev Ginsberg (Yam YZF-R6)

UNLIMITED SUPERSPORT AMATEUR: 1. Michael Lombardi (Suz GSX-R750) 2. Chad Falcone (Hon CBR900)

HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERBIKE EXPERT 1. Eric Wood (Duc 1098) 2. Rob Nigl (Duc 853) 3. Charles Sandoz (Duc 848) 4. Neal Garvin (Suz GSX-R750) 5. Rick Doucette (Suz GSX-R600) 6. Fred Stearns (Yam YZF-R6)

HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERBIKE AMATEUR: 1. Hauk Nichols (Suz GSX-R600) 2. Brian Keith Suz GSX-R750) 3. Tim Barber (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Justin Landry (Suz GSX-R600) 5. Jeff Grivers (Suz GSX-R600) 6. Louis Nunes (Suz GSX-R600)

LIGHTWEIGHT GP EXPERT: 1. Brett Guyer (Duc Classic) 2. Todd Babcock (Suz SV650) 3. Corey Alexander (Suz SV650) 4. Tim O’Connor (Yam TZ250) 5. Nate Mendell (Duc SS1000) 6. Jon Burbank (Suz SV650)

LIGHTWEIGHT GP AMATEUR: 1. Frank Babuska Jr. (Suz SV650) 2. Cynthia Bisagni (Suz SV650) 3. Richard Blake (Duc SS800) 4. Eric Connolly (Suz SV650) 5. John Hannon (Suz SV650) 6. Kevin Quinn (Yam TZ250)

UNLIMITED SUPERBIKE EXPERT: 1. Scott Greenwood (Kaw ZX-10R) 2. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R1000) 3. Christian Cronin (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Ivan Debord (Suz GSX-R1000) 5. Dennis Levesque (Duc 1098) 6. Jason Carter (Suz GSX-R1000)

UNLIMITED SUPERBIKE AMATEUR: 1. Brian Keith (Suz GSX-R750) 2. Todd Stryker (Hon RC51) 3. Chad Falcone (Hon RC51)

THUNDERBIKE EXPERT: 1. Brett Guyer (Duc Classic) 2. Todd Babcock (Suz SV650) 3. Tom Eckfeldt (Duc SS1000) 4. Nate Mendell (Duc SS1000) 5. John Burbank (Suz SV650) 6. Doug Fogg (Suz SV650)

THUNDERBIKE AMATEUR: 1. Frank Babuska Jr. (Suz SV650) 2. Malcomb Macintosh (Duc 748) 3. Ato Clark (Suz SV650)