Pascarella Shakes up the AFM Premier Class with Record Setting Pace at Buttonwillow Raceway Park

PASCARELLA WINS FORMULA PACIFIC, CATCHING TAKES FOUR

Joey Pascarella returned to the AFM for the 2014 season-opener March 22-23 at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, in Buttonwillow, California, and set a blistering pace all weekend on his Dunlop-shod BP Racing/RaceFuelZ Yamaha YZF-R6. With the off-season decision to implement qualifying for the Formula Pacific premier class, Pascarella was able to secure the pole position.

Conditions were ideal, with a moderate breeze and temperatures in the 70’s, as the bikes took their grid positions for Formula Pacific. When the green flag flew, Pascarella took the holeshot and never looked back on his way to record-setting laps. Both Lenny Hale and Chris Siglin each returned to Formula Pacific after breaks last year and traded positions with the two-time #1 plate holder, Ricky Corey, several times in the eight-lap sprint race. Pascarella took full advantage of the battle behind him and the open track in front of him to increase his lead by dropping down to a blistering 1:46.498. Hale, with Dunlops on his SDS Performance GSX-R1000, passed Corey for second and tried to break away from the pack of riders fighting for second place. Siglin, riding his Fastline Performance BMW on Pirellis, overtook Corey and reeled in and passed Hale, placing Hale between himself and Corey. Corey, back to fourth place, kept smooth and consistent on his RCR Yamaha YZF-R1 riding on Dunlops, first retaking third from Hale and then finally piloting his R1 past Siglin for second with a lap to go. Martin Swarc rounded out the top five on his Kawasaki ZX-10R.

Open Superbike was a preview to Formula Pacific with Siglin, Hale, Corey and Pascarella all vying for the front for the duration of the race after Swarc had to take evasive action that relegated him to last place. Swarc was able to put in an inspired ride as he fought his way back to fourth place. Pascarella was on his way to a win; however, his bike was not legal for the class and he essentially treated the race as practice. The race ended with Siglin in front of Hale and Corey, who were second and third respectively.

Other standout performances included a sweep of all the middleweight twin classes by Jason Catching on his AP MotoArts/Riley’s Brewing/Pirelli Suzuki SV650, Andy DiBrino with a pair of wins and a pair of seconds on his Dunlop-wearing, EDR Performance Yamaha YZF-R6.