Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz Returns To The Podium On Sunday At Brainerd
Brainerd, MN – Mathew Scholtz and the Westby Racing team overcame a stroke of bad luck in Saturday’s MotoAmerica Superbike race one at Brainerd International Raceway and wrapped up the weekend with a solid, third-place finish in Sunday’s race two.
After not being able to finish Saturday’s race due to a mechanical issue caused by an incident that wasn’t his fault, Mathew’s experienced crew was able to repair the #11 Yamaha YZF-R1 for Sunday’s race.
Getting a great jump off the line in the 18-lap race, Mathew was in second-place for the first couple of laps. He lost a position on lap three, and then another one on lap four, but then, he stabilized his position in fourth for the next four laps and then moved back up to third place on lap eight. Mathew staunchly held onto the final podium position all the way to the finish line.
“It’s awesome to be back up on the podium,” Mathew said. “We went out there today with different gearing, but we weren’t really sure if it would help. For the first three or four laps, Jake (Gagne) and PJ (Jacobsen) had a little bit of pace on me, but from lap five onwards, I kind of pulled them back slightly. Then, from the halfway point till the end of the race, the bike started losing grip as I would open the throttle. So, the last couple laps were just survival. In Laguna, I had a massive crash. Hadn’t been able to really train coming up to this and I’ve been sitting on the couch. Maybe did two or three cycles just to try to keep my fitness, but I definitely noticed that it hurt me today. My arms were pumping up. Overall, these guys are riding well. Just to finish in the top five now is something special. There’re crazy-fast guys. There’s Beemers, Ducatis, Yamahas, Suzukis are now up there, too. So, just to be up there makes me feel good, considering how bad things have been. I hope we can just build on from here. Pittsburgh has been one of my favorite tracks. I’ve been strong there previously, so I’m really thinking we can challenge for the win there and carry on pushing forward.”
The Westby Racing team will be back in action on August 18 through 20 at Pittsburgh International Raceway in Wampum, Pennsylvania, for round seven of the 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship.
MotoAmerica Superbike Standings
1. Jake Gagne – Yamaha – 262
2. Josh Herrin – Ducati – 194
3. Cameron Beaubier – BMW – 183
4. PJ Jacobsen – BMW – 162
5. Richie Escalante – Suzuki – 147
6. Mathew Scholtz – Yamaha – 135
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More, from a press release issued by Tytlers Cycle Racing:
PJ victorious as Cameron and Corey suffer double DNF at Brainerd
PJ Jacobsen kept the Tytlers Cycle Racing team on the top step of the podium in the latest round of the 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at Brainerd International Raceway, the #99 BMW M1000 RR rider converting his front row of the grid starting position to a superb second place finish on Saturday afternoon before romping to his maiden SBK win on Sunday.
On the pace from free practice PJ was the one to watch, putting together his strongest weekend of the year so far. The results move him into fourth overall in the points standings.
Cameron Beaubier, already a multiple winner this year, was also on the pace, the former champion putting his #6 machine in Pole Position for the weekend’s two races. A strong start in Saturday’s opener saw a dramatic first lap, with Cameron tagging the back of Jake Gagne. Contact between PJ Jacobsen and Mathew Scholtz brough out the red flag meaning a race restart. When the lights went out again Beaubier was once again looking good before a scary look crash saw him high side out of contention. With a medical examination revealing a concussion, Cameron withdrew from all track activity on Sunday.
The team’s third rider, Corey Alexander, also had an eventful weekend. The #23 destroyed a bike after a fast crash on Friday but thanks to the great work of the team was able to make it out for qualifying. P12 on the gird, Corey dug deep but unfortunately failed to finish either race, despite running inside the top six on Sunday.
The next round of the series takes place at fan favourite Pitt Race in the middle of August.
PJ Jacobsen: “Race one was pretty hectic with everything that happened at the start. There were a few crashes, and we had a restart. Unfortunately, Cam (Beaubier) went down but I was able to run a strong pace and run with Jake (Gagne) the rest of the race. I got P2 and the closest we have been to a win which was good for me, and the team and I was looking forward to seeing what we could do on Sunday. Race two was pretty awesome. I got my first superbike win in MotoAmerica. It was a really hard race and I just focused on not making mistakes. I made the pass, but I knew I couldn’t relax. Jake (Gagne) kept the pressure up, but we were able to hold on and get the win that has eluded me for so long. It’s a pretty cool feeling and I can’t wait for Pittsburgh. I want to thank the whole team, see you at the next one!”
Cameron Beaubier: “We had good pace Friday and Saturday morning that I was happy about but had a big crash at the beginning of race one that put us out for the weekend. I am bummed but I will get healthy and move on. It was good to see PJ win on Sunday so well done to him. I am looking forward to Pittsburgh so see you there.”
Corey Alexander: “I felt great right off the bat with our bike and our pace was strong. Unfortunately, I had a big crash on one of the fastest turns of the track in Q1 that destroyed the bike. The guys built a new one, but we spent most of Saturday sorting out the bugs of a new bike and it cost us a finish in the opening race. Race two was back to normal with the bike, and I felt strong in the middle of the race and was pushing hard. Unfortunately, I lost the front with a few laps ago. It has been a weekend to forget but I am happy with what we have learned yet again and my pace overall. Thanks, team, for everything”
More, from a press release issued by Fairium NGRT – Gray Area KTM:
FANTASTIC WEEKEND FOR ROSSI MOOR IN BRAINERD, EVEN GREAT DEBUT OF THE NEW SPONSOR.
Rossi Moor (15 years old) arrived at the fourth round of the Junior Cup in MotoAmerica with the aim of recovering as many points as possible in the general classification over his rivals. Over the entire race weekend Rossi once again proved to be very fast as he took first place both in Friday’s free practice and in QP2 securing the second Pole Position in a row.
Race 1: A practically storyless race, Rossi starts very well and although his KTM is not as fast as the Kawasaki, in turn 5 he is already in the lead, with a fast and determined ride he detaches all his rivals and crosses the finish line with 7.6 seconds ahead. Amazing victory!!
Race 2: It starts very well and Rossi is in the lead at the end of the first lap but unfortunately in the 4th lap the third gear breaks and he is forced to fight with a very big handicap, but his great determination and skill despite the big problem sees him second on the finish line. Rossi is currently in 4th position in the overall 34 points behind first place with two rounds and four races to go.
Another great source of pride for Rossi is that from this Brainerd race weekend he will be displaying the logo of a new partner, Polyglass, a leading Florida-based manufacturer of modified bituminous membranes and roofing coatings for low- and steep-slope applications, on the overalls and on the bike. An agreement reached by Rossi’s manager Stefano Favaro who unites him through an old and strong friendship with the CEO of Polyglass USA Inc, Natalino Zanchetta.
About Polyglass
Polyglass® USA Inc., is an ISO 9001:2015 certified, leading manufacturer of modified bitumen membranes and roof coatings for low- and steep-slope applications. Utilizing the industry’s most technologically advanced manufacturing process, Polyglass operates six state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities — five in North America and one in Italy that serves all of Europe. Since 2008, Polyglass has been a part of the Mapei® Group, a multi-billion dollar manufacturer in the building industry with over 32 research centers and more than 86 production facilities in 57 countries.
Polyglass is committed to adding value by producing cutting-edge products that meet or exceed the needs of our customers. Our goal is to provide a professional experience, focusing on durable roofing and waterproofing products, as well as efficient service, all while meeting the objectives of our shareholders and employees.
More, from a press release issued by Kreece Elliott Racing:
Kreece races to double points finish at BIR
Kreece Elliott was back on track at Brainerd International Raceway this past weekend in the latest round of the MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship.
A strong opening practice session on Friday boosted the Colorado teenager’s confidence before an afternoon rain shower saw him sit out his first opportunity to qualify – the #47 not feeling the need to risk a crash given the weather forecast for the remainder of the weekend.
A top ten qualifying position saw Elliott fighting hard at the head of the second group in race one on Saturday, he crossed the line tenth. A penalty for a jump start on Sunday put paid to what would have been a top eight finish, but he was still classified eleventh after a spirited ride throughout race two.
The results, Kreece’s fourth- and fifth-point scoring finishes of the season elevate him to fifteenth overall in the championship standings ahead of the next round at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex in mid-August.
Kreece Elliott: “Race one didn’t go to plan. I was in the lead group for a lap but then a couple of riders tangled and crashed, and I was pretty much a sitting duck for the rest of the race. I got passed and I had to fight hard to stay in the group, but we had gone the wrong way with the gearing, and I couldn’t pass where I needed. I was in the fight for P7 but crossed the line tenth. Race two was better but I was given a penalty for a jump start which we will go and speak to race direction about as I don’t think I moved. We could have been inside the top seven and so I am a little disappointed as the time penalty puts me out of the top ten. The gearing was still a little off, but I rode my best and that is all I can do. I am happy to have made another double point finish and I can’t wait to ride at Pittsburgh.”
