Suzuki Superbike Shootout of Georgia
MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Series
Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia
April 17, 2016
Provisional KTM RC390 Cup Race Two Results (all on KTM RC390 Cup racebikes and Dunlop tires):
1. Brandon Paasch, 11 laps, Best Lap Time 1:48.4039.391
2. Anthony Mazziotto III, -.0.105 second, 1:48.353
3. Brandon Altmeyer, -0.616, 1:48.463
4. Jody Barry, -4.739 seconds, 1:48.171
5. Jackson Blackmon, -15.192, 1:49.960
6. Ashton Yates, -18.035, 1:50.410
7. Benjamin Smith, -22.542, 1:50.328
8. Ian Champness, -24.085, 1:50.108
9. Josh Serne, -24.756, 1:49.328
10. Sean Ungvarsky, -25.096, 1:50.405
11. Renzo Ferreira, -25.500, 1:50.030
12. Christopher Kosan, -37.140, 1:51.092
13. Draik Beauchamp, -37.282, 1:51.550
14. Joshua Jovi, -45.484, 1:51.967
15. Garrett Parker, -56.901, 1:53.435
16. Collin Schultz, -67.027, 1:54.108
17. Valentine Welch, -67.290, 1:53.977
18. Jaret Nassaney, -73.844, 1:51.301, crash
19. Trevor Standish, -82.936, 1:55.648
20. John Knowles, -87.668, 1:55.204
21. Nicholas Swensgard, -87.724, 1:56.008
22. Setin West, -102.441, 1:56.913
23. Nolan Lamkin, DNF, 1:50.125
24. Alejandro Gutierrez, DNF, crash, 1:48.771
25. Cory Ventura, DNF, crash, 1:50.538
26. Brett Voorhees, DNF, 1:50.796
Championship Point Standings (after 2 races):
1. TIE, Paasch/Mazziotto, 45 points
3. Altmeyer, 32
4. Barry, 24
5. Blackmon, 18
6. TIE, Smith/Serne, 15
8. Gutierrez, 13
9. Champness, 12
10. TIE, Voorhees/Yates, 10
More, from a press release issued by KTM North America:
Mazziotto and Paasch Tie for Points Lead after RC Cup Round 1
Braselton, GA. – The opening round of the KTM RC Cup Series took place at the second round of the Moto America Series held at Road Atlanta where Anthony Mazziotto III and Brandon Paasch tied for the points lead after both taking a win and a second place result after two days of racing. Brandon Altmeyer, who equally battled for the lead, finished third both days to remain third in the points.
The KTM RC Cup Series is a youth road racing series aboard closed-spec KTM RC 390 Cup bikes for riders between the ages of 14-22. This season kicked off with a 27-rider line-up. All 27 riders that came out for the event qualified into the main race.
It was Mazziotto that turned the fastest time in qualifying to take the pole position in race one. Mazziotto popped a wheelie off the start and immediately got passed by Paasch. Mazziotto appeared to struggle as they went up the first hill.
“My bike got stuck in 6th gear and I couldn’t get it resolved until I got to turn 7,” stated Mazziotto after the race. “Unfortunately I lost some positions and came out around 8th place after I got the bike shifting again.”
Mazziotto and the seven riders ahead of him soon broke away into a lead group of 8 riders. These riders continued to battle for the lead throughout the next six laps before the top five were able to pull ahead.
The five riders swapped positions multiple times in the remaining laps but never fell back less than a bike length of each other to keep the crowd on their feet as they came into the final lap. Mazziotto was leading the final lap and managed to keep control of the race to take the win. Paasch made two incredible passes to move from fourth at the end of lap ten to a second place finish when he crossed the checkers. Altmeyer held off the charge of Alejandro Gutierrez to claim the final podium spot.
The riders returned to the track for race two on Sunday in the same order as the day before. Paasch again got the jump on Mazziotto as the riders started the race. Immediately five riders launched ahead of the field including Paasch, Mazziotto, Altmeyer, Gutierrez and Jody Barry.
Those five pulled a near 10 second gap on the rest of the field as the race continued. On lap four, Gutierrez made a mistake and high-sided allowing the top four to pull away. On lap eight, Barry made a mistake and went off the track falling back from the lead pack. The top three stayed close for the remaining laps preparing themselves for the battle for the lead that would take place on the final lap.
As they came down to the final few corners, Altmeyer set up for the pass. He pushed into the lead but ran wide in the next corner which allowed Mazziotto and Paasch to get by. Mazziotto led as they neared the last two turns when Paasch cut in and took over the lead position. Mazziotto finished second and Altmeyer third.
“I had a blast out there,” exclaimed Altmeyer at the podium. “It was really fun battling these guys. I tried to sneak in for the pass at the end but went wide and let them get by me. I’m really excited to get on the podium at the first round. It should be an exciting year.”
Mazziotto and Paasch had identical scores over the course of the two days which leaves them tied for the points lead heading into round two.
Next Event: New Jersey Motorsports Park – April 29 – May 1, 2016
Overall Results Race 1 –
1. Anthony Mazziotto III
2. Brandon Paasch
3. Brandon Altmeyer
4. Alejandro Gutierrez
5. Jody Barry
6. Brett Voorhees
7. Cory Ventura
8. Josh Serne
9. Jackson Blackmon
10. Benjamin Smith
Overall Results Race 2 –
1. Brandon Paasch
2. Anthony Mazziotto III
3. Brandon Altmeyer
4. Jody Barry
5. Jackson Blackmon
6. Ashton Yates
7. Benjamin Smith
8. Ian Champness
9. Josh Serne
10. Sean Ungvarsky
Point Standings –
1. Brandon Paasch – 45
2. Anthony Mazziotto – 45
3. Brandon Altmeyer – 32