Michael Bradshaw takes the first win in the revamped KOM series

May 19 and 20, 2018, at the East Track configuration of the Utah Motorsports Campus located in Grantsville, Utah

This past weekend held the round 1 season opener for the Utah Sport Bike Association, and it delivered on it’s promise of excitement due to some fairly significant changes to some class formats and new bike eligibility rules. The biggest change occurred in the Premier King of the Mountain series. Previously, the races had been run as separate events, and only KOM GTO had a qualifying session to set the starting grid positions. KOM GTU typically would run a 10 lap race, and the GTO class would run a full double distance race (on east or west configurations, a typical race is 7 laps). With the new format, KOM GTO and GTU now run at the same time, and it is a full double distance race. They are scored separately AND together, allowing for a GTO champion, a GTU champion, and an overall champion. Additionally, both GTO and GTU get to qualify, and the overall times are used to set the starting grids, which means that a fast GTU competitor could start in front of a GTO competitor. This race and scoring format made for a really good start, and some phenomenal battling throughout the premier race.

A second class change occurred when the USBA absorbed and began to run the local supermoto series. That is a series that runs on the go-kart track located at the same motorsports campus, and will run a mix of asphalt, or asphalt and dirt. Now that supermoto falls under the umbrella of the USBA, a supermoto class will be run with the Production 300 class when races are held on the tighter and more technical East Course Configuration. Reciprocally, there will be a Production 300 class included on supermoto days when they run asphalt only.

Sunday’s KOM race was by far the most exciting and hectic race of the weekend, both in terms of competition and making the race happen. Saturday’s weather was uncharacteristically warm and dry for the USBA’s opening round, but weather started to threaten about midway through the day. Everybody was holding their breath and praying to the weather gods for the rain to hold off, at least until the conclusion of the race, but as anyone who has ever raced knows, nothing is ever that easy. It started to rain at about lap two, but not heavily, and not consistently. Some parts of the track were seeing heavier rainfall, and some were seeing none at all. By lap three, it had started to rain a little harder, and the USBA was forced to start thinking about red flagging the race and perhaps restarting a wet race. A debris flag was ordered to be displayed at all corner stations, indicating a possibly hazardous surface, and just half a lap later, the red flag was displayed, ordering all riders to the pits. Race control called a weather hold, and the race director called all the KOM competitors together to see what it was they wanted to do. After a short discussion, it was decided that they would wait for ten minutes, and then restart. The rain was already starting to lessen by then, and it never did rain heavy enough to puddle…the rain just dampened the asphalt in several locations. The restart was declared dry, and 15 minutes after the competitors pitted, they re-gridded in their original positions for a full restart to a shortened 8 lap race.

Michael Bradshaw got a great start, got the hole shot to turn 1, and in a continuation of last year’s impressive show of skill, never looked back. He took the GTO and Overall win by a solid 8 seconds. Justin Delong took second, followed a half a second later by Zac Miller. Ryan Richardson took the GTU win by an impressive 15 seconds over second place finisher Genaro Lopez. Ken Yee took third just three seconds later.

While the race was exhilarating, it is hoped that the weather will cooperate in later rounds so that these riders can compete for a full 14 laps so they can showcase their skill and stamina.

Every race grid was larger than normal for a first round, and the first large race of the weekend was the Deseret Dash which saw 46 registered riders. Turn one on the East Course configuration is always tricky, and it gets downright hairy with over thirty bikes fighting for the ideal line through it. The race was immediately red flagged due to a crash in turn one of the start, and after the riders and the bikes were safely rescued from the track (the riders were uninjured) the race was restarted. It was decided that since this was a mixed expert and novice class, and that the grid was so large, that the start would be a two wave start. The expert class was started first, and the novice grid started 5 seconds later. Everyone successfully negotiated turn 1 this time around and the race ran it’s full 7 laps. Michael Bradshaw put in his typical dominating performance, winning the expert class by over 20 seconds. Chris Padilla took the win for the novice class, but not without a serious challenge from fellow competitor John Hewett, who crossed the line just three tenths of a second behind him for a second place finish.

Round 1 was overall a very successful weekend for the USBA. Both the riders and the organization met and overcame the challenges that first race weekend rustiness presents, and the rest of the season looks very promising. If the grids remain as full as they were for round 1, the racers will see some fantastic competition, and spectators will witness some thrilling competition. Despite some initial skepticism, overall reports from riders indicate that they are fans of the revamped KOM format, and they are hopeful that the subsequent 5 rounds will provide them with an opportunity to go out and battle their way to the best finish possible.

The Utah Sport Bike Association is a Utah Non-Profit dedicated to promoting education, safe riding and competition in the Intermountain West. You can find more information about the USBA, upcoming events, and schools at www.utahsba.com or find us on Facebook at www.utahsba.com

Overall Results:

Law Tigers KOM Overall

1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)

2. Justin Delong (BMW S1000RR)

3 Zac MIller (BMW S1000 RR)

4. David Purcell (KAW ZX-10R)

5. Ryan Boddy (KAW ZX-10R)

The Moto Station KOM GTO

1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)

2. Justin Delong (BMW S1000RR)

3 Zac MIller (BMW S1000RR)

4. David Purcell (KAW ZX-10R)

5. Ryan Boddy (KAW ZX-10R)

Rickdiculous Racing KOM GTU

1. Ryan Richardson (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Genaro Lopez (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Ken Yee (KAW ZX-6R)

4. Cody Steggell (SUZ GSX-R600)

Wright’s M/C Parts and Accessories Production 300

Race 1:

1. Grayson Davidson (KAW 300)

2. Jason Wheeler (HON CBR300R)

3. Chad Carson (KAW 250R)

4. Mark Barton (KAW 250R)

Race 2:

1. Grayson Davidson (KAW 300)

2. Jason Wheeler (HON CBR300R)

3. Chad Carson (KAW 250R)

4. Mark Barton (KAW 250R)

The Edge Powersports Supermoto

1. Genaro Lopez (YAM YZ450FX)

The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash 1

Expert:

1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)

2. Duncan Biles (YAM YZF-R1)

3. David Purcell (KAW ZX-10R)

4. Brad Morris (YAM YZF-R1M)

5. Trevor Bernhardt (KAW ZX-10R)

Novice:

1. Chris Padilla (YAM YZF-R6)

2. John Hewett (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Ryan Podgurney (KAW ZX-6R)

4. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848 EVO)

5. Sean Henderson (BMW S1000RR)

The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash 2

Expert:

1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)

2. David Purcell (KAW ZX-10R)

3. Braden Jones (YAM YZF-R1)

4. David Meyer (HON CBR1000RR)

5. Marshall Miller (BMW S1000RR)

Novice:

1. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848 EVO)

2. Ryan Podgurney (KAW ZX-6R)

3. James Powelson (TRI 675R)

4. Todd Mauer (YAM YZF-R6)

5. James Krstich (SUZ GSX-R600)

Harrison Eurosports Combined GTO

1. Tom Webb (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Spencer Kruger (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Marshall Miller (BMW S1000 RR)

4. Brian Mc Nerney (APR RSV1000R)

5. Helmut Kohler Jr (YAM YZF-R1)

Fastline Race Tires Moto 2

1. Joseph Resta (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Michael Bradshaw (TRI 675R)

3. Genaro Lopez (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Jarome Samarjian (YAM YZF-R6)

5. Jerry Hicks (HON CBR600RR)

USBA Moto 1

1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)

2. Joshua Bronfman (YAM YZF-R1)

3. David Purcell (KAW ZX-10R)

4. Brad Morris (YAM YZF-R1M)

5. Justin Delong (BMW S1000RR)

USBA Novice GTU

1. Chris Padilla (YAM YZF-R6)

2. John Hewett (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848 EVO)

4. Ryan Podgurney (KAW ZX-6R)

5. James Powelson (TRI 675R)

The Green Pig Pub Open Twins

1. Scott Rybarik (DUC 899S)

2. Jeff Dinger (HON RC51)

3. Daniel Egbert (DUC 1199S)

4. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848 EVO)

5. Brad Moore (SUZ SV650)

Carey’s Cycle Production 500

Race 1:

1. Torin Collins (YAM YZF-R3)

2. Brian Jackson (KAW 400)

3. Cameron Lee (YAM YZF-R3)

4. Chad Carson (YAM YZF-R3)

5. Benjamin Masters (YAM YZF-R3)

Race 2:

1. Brian Jackson (KAW EX400)

2. Grayson Davidson (KAW EX300)

3. Chad Carson (YAM YZF-R3)

4. Brad Moore (YAM YZF-R3)

5. Cameron Lee (YAM YZF-R3)

Trackstar Racing Middleweight Superstock

1. Joseph Resta (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Genaro Lopez (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Tom Webb (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Jason Johnson (KAW ZX-6R)

5. Ken Yee (KAW ZX-6R)

South Valley Motorsports Open Superstock

1. Brad Morris (YAM YZF-R1M)

2. Justin Delong (BMW S1000RR)

3. Trevor Bernhardt (KAW ZX-10R)

4. Braden Jones (YAM YZF-R1)

5. David Purcell (KAW ZX-10R)

Stansbury Concert Series Sportsman Class

1. Ryan Podgurney (KAW ZX-6R)

2. Thomas Dark (SUZ GSX-R600)

3. Sean Henderson (BMW S1000RR)

4. Todd Mauer (YAM YZF-R6)

5. Jeff Dinger (HON RC51)

The Mechanic Modern Vintage GTO/GTU

GTO:

1. Kevin Dolan (SUZ GSX-R1000)

2. David Meyer (HON CBR1000RR)

3. Goran Bojanic (SUZ GSX-R1000)

4. Jeff Dinger (HON RC51)

5. Johanne Bernier (SUZ GSX-R750)

GTU:

1. Steve Kozicki (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Gilbert Gonzalez (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Scott Rybarik (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Kellen Birch (HON CBR600RR)

5. Cody Steggell (SUZ GSX-R600)

The Edge Powersports Moto 3

1. Torin Collins (MOR MD250H)

2. Brian Jackson (KAW EX400)

3. Grayson Davidson (KAW EX300)

4. Brad Moore (YAM YZF-R3)

5. Chad Carson (YAM YZF-R3)

Kimco Combined GTU

1. Tom Webb (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Jason Johnson (KAW ZX-6R)

3. Jared Dear (KAW ZX-6R)

4. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R6)

5. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848EVO)

USBA Novice GTO

1. Steven Marco (YAM YZF-R1)

2. T.J. Messinbird (YAM YZF-R1M)

3. Jeff Dinger (HON RC51)

4. James Riggs (YAM YZF-R1)

5. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848EVO)

The Moto Station Middleweight Superbike

1. Michael Bradshaw (TRI 675R)

2. Joseph Resta (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Ryan Richardson (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Jerry Hicks (HON CBR 600RR)

5. Genaro Lopez (YAM YZF-R6)

The Moto Station Open Superbike

1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)

2. Justin Delong (BMW S1000 RR)

3. Erik Grimm (BMW S1000 RR)

4. Duncan Biles (YAM YZF-R1)

5. Ryan Boddy (KAW ZX-10R)

Lamonica’s Restaurant Supply Heavyweight Superbike

1. Joseph Resta (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Genaro Lopez (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Ryan Richardson (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Ken Yee (KAW ZX-6R)

5. Jason Johnson (KAW ZX-6R)