YOSHIMURA SUZUKI’S ELIAS EXTENDS POINTS LEAD WITH VICTORY AT SUZUKI ECSTAR CHAMPIONSHIP AT ROAD ATLANTA
Elias and Hayden Finish 1st and 2nd Sunday on the All New 2017 Suzuki GSX-R1000
Chino, CA – Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s Toni Elias extended his MotoAmerica Superbike points lead with a victory Sunday aboard the completely new 2017 Suzuki GSX-R1000. He took the win at the Suzuki ECSTAR Championship racing in front of a sun-drenched crowd at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia. Roger Hayden finished a close runner up in Sunday’s race, just 0.308 seconds behind his Suzuki teammate, putting him into a tie for second the championship standings.
Sparks flew on and off the track between Elias and rival Cameron Beaubier. The two made contact in both Saturday and Sunday’s races. Emotions were high and it resulted in a tense post-race press conference with the two competitors verbally going back and forth, before finally shaking hands and agreeing to respect one another on the track.
Sunday was a remarkable day in general for Suzuki riders at the Suzuki ECSTAR Championship. Suzuki won every race it entered, in a stunning sweep of Sunday’s events.
In Bazzaz Superstock 1000 it was Jake Lewis winning his first event of the year on his Suzuki GSX-R1000; in Supersport Valentine Debise won on a Suzuki GSX-R600 and in Superstock 600 it was Nick McFadden victorious aboard another Suzuki GSX-R600. And to put icing on the cake, Billy Etheridge won the special WERA Superbike 1000 race on a Suzuki GSX-R1000.
Now with three wins in four races, Elias enjoys a commanding 26-point lead in the Motul MotoAmerica Superbike Championships.
“I’m happy with the results,” Elias said after Sunday’s win. “The team did a great job. We changed the setup and my pace was much better. I wanted to open the gap, but Roger caught me every time. It was impossible. The lap before the last lap, I relaxed and gave my muscles a chance to recover and then on the final lap I pushed on the limit and tried to be perfect and we got the victory and are looking strong in the championship.”
Hayden led portions of both Saturday and Sunday’s races and came extremely close to winning in Race 2.
“That was a lot better race,” Hayden said of Sunday’s contest. “I wanted to get in the lead and push the pace a little faster than yesterday. I was able to do that and then went back and forth with Toni and then Cam came back in. I went hard that last lap to try to make a move on Toni, but it was just a little too far out there. But man, what a great ride for Yoshimura Suzuki, first and second! That was a fun race, but we want to win, so hopefully at VIR we can move up a spot.”
The series now heads to Virginia International Raceway (VIR) for the Championship of Virginia on May 12-14. For additional details on the upcoming event visit www.MotoAmerica.com
You can keep up with the team’s progress by visiting www.yoshimura-racing.com and www.suzukicycles.com/Racing/Road and via YouTube at www.youtube.com/SuzukiCycles
Team Yoshimura Suzuki is grateful for the support of their sponsors: Yoshimura R&D, Suzuki Motor of America, Motul, Tucker Rocky, Dunlop, Shorai, Sunstar, K&N Performance Filters, NGK Spark Plugs, RK Racing Chain, Chicken Hawk Racing and Zeta.
About Yoshimura R&D of America: Yoshimura is “The Leader in Performance” and has been for over 60 years. With unmatched skills, knowledge and passion for racing, Yoshimura is on the forefront of the aftermarket. Yoshimura exhaust systems are race bred and feature the same legendary performance, fit, and quality that has been our trademark for six decades. To learn more about Yoshimura and view their wide variety of performance products, visit www.yoshimura-rd.com
About Suzuki: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Outboard Motors and Automotive Parts and Accessories via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. SMAI’s supplier, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles and Outboard Motors. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has 147 distributors in 201 countries. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com
More, from a press release issued by Kyle Wyman Racing (KWR):
Kyle Wyman rides Excelsus Solutions/KWR Superbike to top-5 finish at Road Atlanta
BRASELTON, Ga. — Kyle Wyman rode his Excelsus Solutions/KWR sponsored superbike to a top-5 finish Sunday at Road Atlanta for the second round of the MotoAmerica Superbike series. Wyman bounced back from a 9th place result on Saturday to put in a career ride in Georgia.
Wyman started the Atlanta weekend on a high by finishing the day 5th fastest time overall in the qualifying practice sessions, less than a tenth off of the factory teams – a testament to the one-lap speed of the Yamaha rider.
“Friday was a bit of a bumpy start with some mechanical gremlins, but we were still able to put in a time,” Wyman said. “Friday’s sessions are important because it determines the top 12 riders who will move on to Superpole Saturday morning. Being fifth overall and the top rider after the factory teams is our goal and we were able to accomplish that.”
While the top non-factory spot was secured, Wyman had only a 30-minute session Saturday morning before Superpole to dial in a race-setup for the bike, crucial for the 21-lap races scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Wyman was able to qualify in 8th position in Superpole after a one-lap attempt on the Dunlop “Q” tire.
“We tried some things in the morning practice to see if we could make the bike better over a full race distance,” Wyman said. “In Superpole my goal was to get back on the second row of the grid again like we did at COTA. I made a mistake in my first sector of the Q tire lap and it cost me some time. We would have to settle for the third row of the grid.”
Race one saw Wyman get a good start, but an early battle caused him to lose ground and fight an even different battle – with grip in the rear tire.
“In race one I got off to a bad start and it got worse from there,” Wyman said. “From the get-go I felt unsure of the rear end. We tried a different setup for the race compared to qualifying and the bike was just really hard to ride from the first lap. We still were able to hold on to a respectable finish.”
Wyman ended race one in 9th overall, 6th in the Superbike class, 25.489 seconds off of the race winner. The KWR team went back to the drawing board to come up with setup changes for race two. A change in setting on the Evol Technology triple clamps and K-Tech suspension proved to be magic in race two, where Wyman escaped the Superstock battle and eventually finished 5th overall (and in class), only 11.081 seconds off of the race winner.
“Race two I actually got off to a horrible start again, but was able to make quick work of some guys and make good passes,” Wyman said. “After I cleared the superstock guys I was pleasantly surprised to see my pit board climbing up and the gap growing like crazy behind me. For a long time I was just a second or two off the lead group and could see all the shuffling that was happening up front.”
Wyman built up a 17-second gap over the 6th place rider by the finish, and chalked up his best ride of 2017 on the Excelsus Solutions/Lucas Oil/KWR Superbike.
“I wanted to be in the front group but my slow start didn’t do me any favors,” Wyman added. “Overall I’m super happy with the result because we made such huge progress over race one, and eclipsed my Superpole time twice during the race. My crew has been working so hard to give me a solid bike and they have done a great job. I can’t wait to continue at Virginia in a couple weeks where I know we will be strong.”
The next race takes place May 12-14, 2017 at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Va.
For all your print and marketing needs, visit www.excelsussolutions.com.
For the complete series schedule, visit www.motoamerica.com
For information on how to get BeIN Sports Network, check with your cable provider or subscribe to Sling TV (www.sling.tv)
For more information about Kyle Wyman Racing (KWR), visit www.kylewymanracing.com
About Kyle Wyman Racing:
Kyle Wyman Racing (KWR) was formed in 2011 as a motorcycle road racing team focusing on healthy sponsorship opportunities for companies within and outside the motorcycle industry. KWR is the 2012 AMA Pro Harley-Davidson series championship winning team and current partner with Millennium Technologies. For more information visit www.kylewymanracing.com
More, from a press release issued by Quarterley Racing/On Track Development Team:
Quarterley Racing/On Track Development Team Doubles at Opening Round
Moto America Road Atlanta April 28-30:
While the 2017 team of four riders is still short one with Jackson Blackmon healing up from a training incident, the team’s other three competing in this weekend’s season opening round had great success. Under ideal weather conditions, Benjamin Smith and Draik Beauchamp dominated in qualifying with first and second with times of 1:48.2 & 1:48.9 respectively and carried their pace through to take the two top spots on the podium both days. Both riders dropped into the high 1:47’s in Sunday’s race. Saturday was a great show of racecraft for both riders with Smith eventually winning by 2.0 seconds and Beauchamp ahead of third place Alex Dumas who put on a hard charge dicing for position as well. Beauchamp made a well calculated move on the final turn 10 run to secure second place. Sunday’s race was a perfect example of the KTM Cup program and what Spec class racing on matched equipment is all about. Lead changes were too many to count and a group of as many as five riders wide fighting for position on the back straight. In a good clean race, Smith and Beauchamp traded for the lead and positions with the top 5 and again finished 1-2 but with only a 1.0 second gap between them and followed by Tyler Wissel for the final podium spot.
Newcomer to the Quarterley Racing team, 14 yr. old Jake Leahey who holds nine Mini championships from 2016 made his full sized bike racing debut seem like he was a regular as his times dropped substantially every time on the track. In his first pro event, he showed skill and speed going from Q1 at a 1:52.2 through to a fast lap of 1:48.9 putting him 10th in race #1 and 9th in race #2 at 13 seconds behind Smith.
The team is optimistic that Jackson Blackmon will rejoin the Championship chase at VIR where he has always had strong results. In true sportsmanship form, he was at Road Atlanta to support his team and did a great job as a commentator
Dale Quarterley: “ From my perspective, this was the transition weekend with hard work and such great results for Benjamin and Draik. They have gone from KTM Cup kids to riders that have the potential to run up front all season and look ahead to bigger bikes for the future. With Jake, he has shown us he has amazing ability to do what it takes to get up to speed quickly. His challenge of no experience at any of the tracks on the schedule doesn’t seem like it will be an issue with the results we saw in Atlanta”.
Quarterley Racing/On Track Development with successful veteran pro rider Dale Quarterley, is an entry level pro racing program focused on bringing young riders up to speed as they set their sights on a future and the next step towards top level pro racing. The team offers Moto America full support on a team owned “Ready To Race” 390 Cup bike for a Wild Card entry or multiple events.
Contact is [email protected] or phone 610-217-9926.
Team Sponsors include:
Beta Tools
Inter-Tech Supplies
Motorex
Regina Chains
Scott Powersports
Street & Competition
Woodcraft Technologies
Draik Beauchamp personal sponsors: 129 Photos- Law Offices of Ogle, Elrod & Baril- Spider Graphix- Tint One- Pit Pass Radio- Sportbike Leather Service- SaferMoto.com-Red Fox racing
Jake Leahey personal sponsors: Arai Helmets- Sidi Boots- Heroic Leathers- NJminiGP- Stump Racing Kids- United Asphalt- Wholesale Outlet- Hangdry- Solid Performance KTM- Evolve GT Trackdays- RideRich Apparel- Scordo Farms
Benjamin Smith personal sponsors: Arai Helmets- William Deal- Gmoto- Sidi-Impact Armor- Absolute Cycle Experience
More, from a press release issued by Aguilar Racing:
Aguilar Racing Debuts with a MotoAmerica Double Podium Weekend
Aguilar Racing’s Jason Aguilar had a successful debut as a Team Owner with his best MotoAmerica performance to date this past weekend at Road Atlanta. With a 2nd Place finish on Saturday, followed by a 3rd place finish on Sunday, Jason is tied for 2nd Place in points for the 2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship, as the team heads to Virginia International Raceway for the next round, May 12-14.
The newly formed Aguilar Racing team consists of mechanics Blair Ramey and Chris Waters, with 20 year old Jason Aguilar as Team Owner/Rider. The Team added to their challenges by campaigning a brand new bike this season: the 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6. “I have to thank Chuck Graves and Shane from Graves Motorsports for all their help in getting me whatever I needed to get the new R6 built in time. Big thanks to Ollie from Graves for the motor build. I had the fastest trap speeds in Race 1 and was consistently fast in Race 2. Also, thanks to Keaton from Graves for technical assistance during the race weekend.“
It took a massive effort to get the bike prepared in time for the first MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race. “We have been putting in some long days and late nights to get everything ready”, stated Jason. “We were finishing the bike as the truck was being loaded. It has been a monumental task to secure sponsorships, funding, parts and spares, all the equipment a team needs at the track, travel arrangements, lodging and rental cars.”
Once out on the track though, the new Yamaha started to show its potential. The first practice had Jason 5th fastest in his group for Superstock 600, then improving to 4th in Friday’s second practice. Saturday morning the improvements resulted in a 2nd Place qualifying position. Saturday’s race was interrupted by a red flag that required a restart. On the restart, Jason found himself in 3rd place, stalking the rider in front of him until the final lap when he made a draft pass down the back straight for 2nd Place, his best MotoAmerica finish to date.
On Sunday, Jason was in 2nd place early, but lost several positions in a multi-rider battle for position. With a couple of laps to go, Jason again found himself in 3rd place right behind the same rider he passed in Race 1. Coming out of Turn 7 onto the back straight, Jason caught a false neutral and lost his drive, eliminating his chance for another pass for 2nd place and having to battle to retain 3rd Place.
“I have to be happy leaving the first race weekend tied for second place in points, but now that I got a second, I know I have the potential to do more, and the new Yamaha R6 has tremendous potential. I hope to realize that potential at VIR, where I was on the podium last year.”
Thanks to all Aguilar Racing sponsors:
Graves Motorsports
SolarMax Technology
Torco Advanced Lubricants
Yamaha Motor USA
Taylormade Racing
FTECU
Speed and Strength
Arai Helmets
Galfer
Motion Pro
Riderzlaw
Superlite Sprockets
SpeedAngle
Dunlop Tires
Thermal Technology Race
EF Signs
SBK Paint