Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW’s Cameron Beaubier won MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Race One Saturday at Road America, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
Beaubier started second but lost several places when he ran wide in Turn Three on the first lap. The Californian then worked his way forward, turned the fastest lap of the race at 2:09.396 (a new Race Lap Record), and took the lead on lap six.
Beaubier was pulling away at the front on lap nine when Zachary Butler’s Yamaha suffered an engine failure and dumped fluid on the front straightaway, causing the race to be stopped.
With two-thirds race distance completed and a significant cleanup to do, MotoAmerica called the race complete based on the lap-eight running order.
Josh Herrin led from the start until he was passed by Beaubier on lap six. The Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC rider then lost another spot when Beaubier’s teammate PJ Jacobsen stuffed him going into the chicane on lap eight, forcing him to run wide.
Jacobsen was running second just ahead of Herrin when the race was stopped, and they were awarded second and third, respectively.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante was fourth, just four seconds behind Jacobsen and Herrin when the race was stopped.
Cameron Petersen got fifth on his Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1.
Petersen’s teammate, two-time and defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne, retired after suffering a mechanical problem on lap seven.
With Beaubier’s win and Gagne’s DNF, Beaubier takes over the Championship point lead.
More, from a press release issued by MotoAmerica:
All Change At The Top: Beaubier Wins, Gagne DNFs In Race One At Road America
Cameron Beaubier Wins His 11th Superbike Race In Wisconsin
Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
ELKHART LAKE, WI (June 3, 2023) – A near off-track excursion in turn three of Road America on the opening lap of the Medallia Superbike race dropped Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier back in the thick of the pack, but it didn’t’ stop him from working his way to the front and ultimately scoring his second race win of the season.
After completing lap one in sixth, while pole sitter Josh Herrin and his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R streaked away at the front of the field, Beaubier put his head down and started his charge. On lap two, Beaubier was fourth and a lap later he was third. He stayed there for two more laps before passing his teammate PJ Jacobsen and chasing down Herrin. Beaubier took the lead on the sixth lap and two laps later the race was red flagged when a blown engine oiled the racing surface. At that point the race was called complete with Beaubier 2.7 seconds clear of Jacobsen, who forced his way past Herrin and into second the lap prior.
Beaubier not only won his 11th career Superbike race at Road America (and 56th of his Superbike career), but he also took over the lead of the 2023 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship when Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne suffered a mechanical issue that knocked him out of the race and the points lead.
After five races in 2023, Beaubier leads the title chase by four points, 99-95, heading into tomorrow’s second race as Gagne’s weekend went from bad to horrible on Saturday.
Herrin held on for third place after earning pole position with a new lap record in qualifying on Saturday morning.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante finished fourth for the second race in a row, ending up four seconds adrift of Herrin and four and a half seconds ahead of Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Cameron Petersen, the South African bravely racing despite an injured right wrist.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Toni Elias was sixth, well clear of seventh-placed Corey Alexander on the third Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR.
Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz was eighth after being penalized two positions for passing under a waving yellow flag. Aftercare Scheibe Racing’s Ashton Yates and Disrupt Racing’s Hayden Gillim rounded out the top 10 finishers.
With Beaubier atop the standings with 99 points, Gagne is second on 95 with Scholtz and his 71 points third. Herrin is fourth with 65 points with Escalante rounding out the top five with 56 points.
Superbike Race One
- Cameron Beaubier (BMW)
- PJ Jacobsen (BMW)
- Josh Herrin (Ducati)
- Richie Escalante (Suzuki)
- Cameron Petersen (Yamaha)
- Toni Elias (Suzuki)
- Corey Alexander (BMW)
- Mathew Scholtz (Yamaha)
- Ashton Yates (BMW)
- Hayden Gillim (Suzuki)
Superbike Quotes
Cameron Beaubier – Winner
“I just basically ran out of track on the outside. When you’re braking straight up and down there without any angle, it’s really easy to run wide. I knew once I was wide off the racing line the track is slick because it almost caught me out a couple times this weekend just being off-line and having the rear end come around and the front push. So, I just tried to make sure I got through there on two wheels and then started my race from there.”
That’s your 11th win at this track. Is it a track you’ve always enjoyed?
“Yeah. Something about this track is just special for me. I love coming here. It seems like for the most part we always get pretty lucky on the weather here. Just staying by Elkhart Lake and going to have dinner at night. It’s just an amazing area. This track really suits my style, I feel like. It’s kind of crazy to think that I’ve got eleven wins here, for sure.”
PJ Jacobsen – Second Place
“It got off to a pretty decent start. I think my starts have not been too great this year, so I’ve still got to figure out how to get off the line. Then I was just sitting behind Josh. He kind of got away and pulled a little gap in the beginning, then I caught up to him. Cam ran wide in turn two because of some stuff. The race was going pretty good. I just had a problem with my brakes. They were just very inconsistent. So, we need to take a look at that because I was pretty not thrilled about that in the race with my front brakes. I really couldn’t make any overtaking passes straight up and down. Josh is always good on the brakes and that kind of hurt me in the race with that problem going on. But I had to make a pass in the carousel because he was struggling there after a few laps. So, I went into the chicane and that was my only option. So, I had to do that and then I kind of just stood on the rear brake to completely stop the bike. I ran Josh a little bit wide, and he had to cut the chicane, probably. I apologized to him for that. It’s a bummer that it got red-flagged because it would have been nice to finish the race completely, the twelve laps. But congratulations to my teammate. He did a great job. Hopefully we can come back tomorrow and be stronger and have a better race all of us tomorrow again.”
Josh Herrin – Third Place
“Yeah. I’m happy with how the bike was the first couple laps. Then really like lap three I started getting really big front tucks in the carousel where there was just nothing I could do. I tried changing my line through. I thought maybe I went in tight, maybe I did something wrong, but it just ended up after lap three, lap four once I tried that, I tried everything I could in the carousel, and it didn’t work. Then it started happening on the right-hand corners so I kind of figured the front was chewed. I’m honestly kind of lucky that the race got called early because I was worried about the guys behind me catching me just because it was getting so bad. We haven’t had any problems with the front tire the whole weekend. It’s been perfectly fine. We did 14 laps on the front on Friday morning and did our fastest lap at the end on the last lap. It’s frustrating because we got a lap record this morning. Got off to a great start. I felt really good. Stayed out of trouble. To have something like that be the reason why we are sitting third instead of possibly at least second and closer to the front is disappointing. Super happy with the work that my team has done. We’ve got the bike working really well this weekend. The incident with PJ going into the chicane, I think he just got in there a little bit hot. He said his brakes weren’t working that great. I felt like I didn’t have anywhere to go except to go straight, because I just felt like it would be safer than trying to make that turn where I was on the track. Like I said, disappointed but also at the same time happy to get some solid points. I know Gagne had an engine problem, so we were able to make up at least whatever it is, 16 points on him. So, that’s good. We’ve just got to try to capitalize on having a good bike at this racetrack tomorrow, and hopefully we’re further up in the battle.”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Petersen Bounces Back to Top Five Finish in Road America Race 1
Cameron Petersen takes a top-five finish despite a challenging start to the weekend for the Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing team
MARIETTA, Ga. – June 3, 2023 – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Cameron Petersen overcame challenges to secure a top-five finish in today’s MotoAmerica Superbike Race 1 at Road America. Unfortunately, his teammate Jake Gagne was unable to finish the race.
The third round of the championship got off to a tough start with limited track time on the newly repaved surface at the 4.05-mile track in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. In addition to those challenges, Petersen came into the weekend not quite 100% with a wrist injury, but he overcame adversity and had a solid qualifying result in fifth. The South African was seventh after the start but kept pushing and advanced to fifth, where he would ultimately finish the shortened red-flagged race.
Although he didn’t have many laps in qualifying, Gagne quickly got up to speed and was able to qualify sixth. The reigning champ got a great start from the second row of the grid, slotted into third, and moved into the runner-up spot. He was shuffled back to third a lap later and then to fourth before having to withdraw from the race on Lap 7 with a technical issue.
The Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing Team looks to return to the top in tomorrow’s MotoAmerica Superbike Race 2 on Sunday, June 4, at Road America.
Richard Stanboli – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“This weekend has been challenging with technical issues and limited time on a track surface that does not seem to suit our bikes. Despite those challenges, Jake is ready to race tomorrow, and Cameron is riding well despite his wrist injury. We will bounce back as usual and continue the championship fight.”
Cameron Petersen – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing
“I didn’t really know what to expect going into the race after doing pretty much no laps, but I was able to find my feet and the speed towards the end of the race. I’m excited for race two now that we know what we need to work on.”
Jake Gagne – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing
“It was a tough start going into race one without having many laps. This new surface has thrown us a curveball, but we still learned a lot and can make improvements for tomorrow. Luck wasn’t on our side with a technical issue, but I’m up for the challenge!”
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC) with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana).
More, from a press release issued by Suzuki Motor USA, Inc.:
SUZUKI RACERS TEAGG HOBBS AND RICHIE ESCALANTE EARN FOURTH PLACE RESULTS AT ROAD AMERICA
GSX-R750s Continue to Dominate the Supersport Class
BREA, CA – June 4, 2023 – Suzuki Motor USA and Team Hammer displayed impressive speed and consistency on Saturday, scooping up four top-six finishes as the MotoAmerica Superbike and Supersport race action kicked off on the blazing fast Road America circuit.
Race Highlights:
- Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
- Superbike
- Richie Escalante matched his best-ever premier-class finish with a second consecutive ride to fourth.
- Toni Elias made big strides with his best performance of the season.
- Supersport
- Teagg Hobbs charged forward to earn the top result of his young Supersport career.
- Tyler Scott led early before collecting solid points in sixth.
- Superbike
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante remains persistent in his hunt for a maiden MotoAmerica Superbike podium. Despite starting from Row 3, Escalante leaped off the line aboard his Suzuki GSX-R1000R Superbike and slashed his way up to fifth at the beginning of the race. Another pass executed while climbing the start/finish line hill at the end of the opening lap saw him earn one more position. Following a quick back-and-forth, Escalante established himself a clear and solid fourth, when the race was ultimately called complete with a red flag after eight of a scheduled 12 laps. The result equaled his best-ever finish in the class – marking the fourth time he’s finished fourth in Superbike and the second time he’s done so in as many attempts.
Escalante said, “After our good weekend at Barber, we are really motivated to keep improving. We have more top speed thanks to technical improvements from the team and a couple of suspension changes to try. Because the track was resurfaced, I came into it without too many expectations. I improved my race pace in practice and qualifying, but the fast lap on a soft tire wasn’t as fast as we would have liked. We had a solid race. I had a couple of moments with the front group, and then I worked on my consistency and pace. I was catching the rider in front of me, then he had a problem. In the end, I finished fourth. The crew is happy, and I am glad to finish with a good result. We have one more practice before Race 2 and will try to make some more improvements. We’re working hard to get that first Superbike podium.”
Escalante was joined in the top six by his world championship-winning teammate, Toni Elias. The Spaniard showed major signs that he’s returning to form with a strong effort at Road America. After running eighth for much of the contest, Elias picked up two positions before the race stoppage, to end his day credited with a promising sixth.
“We made big, big changes and the team did a lot of work. I was 2.5 seconds faster today than yesterday,” said Elias. “I have more confidence and can attack more. I had fun riding the bike despite having a poor start. I was able to catch up to the group in front. I was ready to attack for podium positions but the red flag ended the race early. It was much better. Still not where we want but we will keep working to reduce the gap.”
The premier-class effort was mirrored by Team Hammer in Supersport, this time headlined by the ascending Teagg Hobbs. The class rookie was shuffled down to seventh early, but systematically clawed his way forward on the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R600. During his charge, Hobbs temporarily joined teammate Tyler Scott in a three-rider battle for fourth before ultimately running away with the position. Hobbs finished as the first of five Suzuki-mounted riders who together locked down fourth-through-eighth in what was Teagg’s best Supersport result yet.
“Being the top Suzuki rider feels great,” said Hobbs. “I didn’t have a really good start to the race, but I was trying to be consistent and run a fast pace. I was tracking down fourth and was able to get it done. If I can improve in the first few laps tomorrow, we have a good chance of running at the very front.”
Tyler Scott enjoyed a spectacular launch, diving into Turn 1 with the early lead. Displaced to fourth by the end of the lap, the aggressive Scott did what he could cling to the leading trio before finishing himself in a fight for his position. Scott ultimately settled into a clear sixth, where he took the checkered flag.
“We have had some challenges this weekend,” Scott admitted. “The suspension wasn’t where we needed to be, and the bike has been more difficult to ride at the pace we need to be upfront. We know where we need to go and will make some changes for tomorrow. I think we can improve for race two.”
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki will return to action tomorrow as the 2023 MotoAmerica season resumes with a second day of racing at Road America.
For more racing news, results, and special team content please visit https://suzukicycles.com/racing/road-racing.
ABOUT SUZUKI
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automotive Parts, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
ABOUT TEAM HAMMER
The 2023 season marks Team Hammer’s 43rd consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Race bikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 129 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 346 times, and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport.) The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.
ABOUT VISION WHEEL
Founded in 1976, Vision Wheel is one of the nation’s leading providers of custom wheels for cars and trucks, and one of the first manufacturers of custom wheels and tires for ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Vision Wheel looks beyond the current trends and to the future in developing, manufacturing, and distributing its wheels. Vision’s lines of street, race, off-road, American Muscle, and Milanni wheels are distributed nationally and internationally through a trusted network of distributors. Vision Wheel also produces the Vision It AR app to allow users to see how their wheel of choice will look on their vehicle before purchase and installation. For more information on Vision Wheel, visit www.visionwheel.com.
