VANCE & HINES HARLEY-DAVIDSON RACER HAYDEN GILLIM SWEEPS KING OF THE BAGGERS WEEKEND AT BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
Factory Harley Racer James Rispoli Podiums on Sunday
MILWAUKEE – RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson rider Hayden Gillim dominated the MotoAmerica® Mission King of the Baggers double-header race weekend at Brainerd International Speedway in Brainerd, Minn. Aboard a race-prepared 2024 Road Glide® motorcycle, the defending Mission King of the Baggers champion Gillim set a new track record to top qualifying, won the Mission King of the Baggers Challenge dash for cash sprint race, and both feature races on Saturday and Sunday.
Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing rider James Rispoli bounced back from a crash on Saturday to finish third on Sunday and score his fourth podium finish of the season. Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing rider Kyle Wyman finished in fourth place on Saturday and in eighth place on Sunday following a mechanical issue.
“A weekend like this is a payoff for all the work the Vance & Hines team has done since September,” said Gillim following the Sunday race. “It’s an awesome weekend after a rough one at Road America. The whole start of the season has been a little rough. Wearing the number one plate this season I thought it might be a little easier than it has been. I’m really happy for myself and the team and looking forward to Laguna.”
“I’m stoked to give my factory Harley-Davidson crew a podium today,” said Rispoli following the Sunday race. “It was greasy out there and I played the smart card to bring it home. I am bummed for Kyle and know he will rebound at Laguna Seca. Thank you everyone for your continued support.”
Gillim topped qualifying with a track-record lap of 1:34.717 on Saturday on the 2.5-mile, 13-turn Brainerd International road course. Gillim won the Mission King of the Baggers Challenge sprint race by 1.342 seconds over his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson teammate Rocco Landers. In the nine-lap Saturday race, Gillim set the pace from the start and opened a gap between him and a close fight between Factory Indian rider Tyler O’Hara, Rispoli and Wyman. Wyman got by O’Hara on the last lap to finish in fourth place, with Landers zapping Factory Indian’s Troy Herfoss in the last corner to take second place.
On Sunday, Gillim again led from the start and opened a lead that would stretch to 6.5 seconds at the finish. O’Hara, Herfoss, and Rispoli gave chase, with Herfoss crashing on lap 5 but able to pick up his bike and rejoin the race. Rispoli took third place behind O’Hara on the podium. Championship leader Herfoss finished seventh. After setting a record pace over the field in the Sunday morning warm-up session, Wyman suffered a clutch issue on the warm-up lap, but was able to complete the race in eighth place and claim 8 valuable championship points.
“Today was a big shame after setting the track record on the morning warm up on used tires. We really made huge step with the bike overnight on Saturday. I felt like we had a bike that could win,” said Wyman. “To have a clutch issue right out of the gate was tough to swallow on the warm-up lap. I just rolled around and tried to score all the points I could score. But we’re still in really good shape for the championship. And I’m looking forward to Laguna Seca and the rest of the races.”
After 10 of 18 rounds in the 2024 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series, Herfoss leads the championship with 205 points. Wyman is second with 192 points, followed by O’Hara with 142 points, Gillim with 135 points, and Rispoli with 108 points.
Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing returns to action July 12-14 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Salinas, Calif. for the MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey.
The Mission King of the Baggers series features race-prepared American V-Twin touring motorcycles. Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing Road Glide® motorcycles are powered by modified Screamin’ Eagle® Milwaukee-Eight® 131 Performance Crate Engines. The team bikes also feature upgraded suspension components, including Screamin’ Eagle/Öhlins Remote Reservoir Rear Shocks, plus competition exhaust, race tires and lightweight bodywork.
Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing is sponsored by Mission® Foods, Rockford Fosgate®, Brembo®, Öhlins®, Protolabs®, SYN3® lubricants, and Screamin’ Eagle® Performance Parts and Accessories.
MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Race Results – Brainerd Race 1
- Hayden Gillim (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
- Rocco Landers (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
- Troy Herfoss (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
- Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
- Tyler O’Hara (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
- Jake Lewis (H-D) Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson
- Cory West (H-D) Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson
- Max Flinders (Ind) Mad Monkey Motorsports
MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Race Results – Brainerd Race 2
- Hayden Gillim (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
- Tyler O’Hara (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
- James Rispoli (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
- Jake Lewis (H-D) Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson
- Cory West (H-D) Saddleman/Harley-Davidson
- Max Flinders (Ind) Mad Monkey Motorsports
- Troy Herfoss (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
- Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Petersen Returns to Podium in Superbike Race 2 at Brainerd
Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Cameron Petersen finishes third in MotoAmerica Superbike Race 2 at Brainerd International Raceway
MARIETTA, Ga. – June 17, 2024 – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Cameron Petersen returned to the podium with a third-place finish in yesterday’s MotoAmerica Superbike Race 2 at Brainerd International Raceway. His teammate Jake Gagne salvaged points on a tough weekend in Brainerd, Minnesota, with a seventh-place finish.
In Sunday’s Race 2, Petersen got another great start from the second row of the grid to the runner-up spot. The South African rode a strong pace but was passed on Lap 7. He stayed on the heels of the competition for most of the race and ultimately rode on to score third for his fifth podium finish of the season. Petersen’s efforts advanced his position to fourth and within 28 points of the top spot in the hotly contested title chase.
After another less-than-ideal start, Gagne found himself sixth and was shuffled to seventh on the second lap. Despite being unable to ride to his full potential with arm pump issues, the defending three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion did what he could to salvage points with a seventh-place finish. As the series approaches the halfway mark, Gagne remains within reach of the championship lead, trailing fellow Yamaha rider Bobby Fong by eight points.
The Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team returns to action in two weeks’ time as racing resumes with MotoAmerica Superbike Round 5 at The Ridge in Shelton, Washington, on June 28-30.
Richard Stanboli – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“Not much to say really. We lost this round, but we’ll move on and smash them at The Ridge.”
Cameron Petersen – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #45
“It was not a bad weekend for me and the team. I’m happy with the podium in the second race and we’re still right in the hunt for the championship. I will go back to work and show up stronger for The Ridge so we can put up more of a fight. I have to give a massive shoutout to the whole team for all their hard work.”
Jake Gagne – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #1
“It was another rough day with hand issues, which was definitely a bummer because the bike was awesome here. I’ll get it sorted and back where we belong!”
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (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, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars [sold, serviced, and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company], Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology 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, three corporate offices in Georgia, as well as facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. YMUS subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing U.S.A. (YJBM) based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats [Texas] with its division G3 Boats [Missouri]. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC) with subsidiary Siren Marine [Rhode Island] and divisions Bennett Marine [Florida], Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders [Wisconsin] and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. [Indiana].
Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA, dba Yamaha Financial Services, is an affiliate of Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA offering financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide.
More, from a press release issued by Suzuki Motor USA:
SUZUKI WINS BOTH TWINS CUP RACES AT BRAINERD
New GSX-8R Continues to Excel, Suzuki Teams Earn Multiple Podiums
Brea, CA, (June 17, 2024) — Suzuki Motor USA (Suzuki) and its MotoAmerica teams RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki and Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki– continued to lock into their midseason form with a hugely successful weekend at Brainerd International Raceway in which they collected a combined two wins, five podiums, and eight top five finishes.
Race Highlights
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki
Twins Cup
Rocco Landers continued to assert his dominance on the field with a double victory aboard the GSX-8R.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Twins Cup
Rossi Moor grabbed a pair of podiums, highlighted by a come from behind run on Sunday.
Supersport
Teagg Hobbs put together his best weekend of the season, earning a podium on Saturday and fighting for another on Sunday.
Tyler Scott was quick per usual with a strong bounce-back to fourth after crashing from contention in Race 1.
Joel Ohman continued to gain experience and increase his comfort level with the team.
Superbike
Brandon Paasch earned his second top-five of the season.
Xavi Forés was unable to perform at his peak following a qualifying crash.
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki racer Rocco Landers (97) was effectively perfect on the weekend, claiming a pair of Twins Cup victories from pole aboard the quickly developing Suzuki GSX-8R – the first win in runaway fashion, and the second following a heated three-way scrap. The wins were the 18th and 19th of Landers Twins Cup career and allowed him to further stretch his rapidly expanding championship advantage.
Landers said, “It’s amazing where we are now considering where we started on the GSX-8R when we finished P5 in the season opener at Daytona. The bike was new to us, but one thing we did have was a direction, and we’ve just been following the breadcrumbs ever since. The GSX-8R has been getting better and better every round, and the team has worked hard. At this point we have a great base setup, we made one small tweak this weekend – and now it’s obviously feeling incredible.”
Landers was twice joined on the Twins Cup box by Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Rossi Moor (92), who also made gains on the GSX-8R. The young gun earned a pair of thirds, including a particularly impressive ride on Sunday in which he chased down the leaders and fought for the race win.
“This was a hard-fought third,” Moor said. “As the race was going on, I could see we were in better shape with our tires, and I was able to close the gap. I did my best to try for the victory, but these are all top-level racers, and I’m grateful just to be pushing them and learning. The Suzuki GSX-8R worked great. It was really fantastic throughout both races. I’m really happy for these results and to get as many points as possible.”
Moor’s Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Supersport teammates were also in the podium mix all weekend on the next-generation Suzuki GSX-R750. Teagg Hobbs (79) broke through following a difficult start to his sophomore Supersport campaign with an outstanding ride to third on Saturday. Hobbs led early in Sunday’s race but was shuffled down to fifth in a late three-rider fight for the podium.
On his Saturday podium, Hobbs said, “It’s long overdue. I’ve got to give it up to my Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki crew. The GSX-R750 was on rails. We’ve put ourselves in the right spots, and the whole team is working so hard. Finally all that hard work is paying off.”
Teammate Tyler Scott (70) opened both races from pole thanks to his blistering qualifying performance on the GSX-R750. Scott used that starting slot and sheer pace to lead both races. Unfortunately, his Saturday race ended in a lap-five crash. He bounced back to challenge Hobbs and another rider for the podium on Sunday, ultimately coming home in fourth.
Scott said, “I felt great on the GSX-R750. I wanted to be with the first group racing for the win, but I was struggling a bit with front end traction. We’re improving every weekend, and there’s more to come from the bike, myself, and the team. We’re going to come back swinging.”
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s third Supersport runner, Joel Ohman (92), continued to gain valuable experience and grows more and more accustomed to competing against the nation’s elite racers.
“It was the toughest weekend for me yet,” Ohman admitted. “I was off the pace, and in Race 2, the tire went off, and I lost even more. I was looking for improvement and couldn’t find it, which was frustrating. We’ll come back for the next race and see if we can get back on track.”
Superbike pilot Brandon Paasch (96) backed up his best weekend of the season with an even better one at Brainerd on the GSX-R1000R. After securing sixth on Saturday, Paasch fought his way to fifth on Sunday.
“We moved up the order and got some good results,” Paasch said. “Moving forward is exactly what we’re trying to do. It wasn’t one big move this time; it was a lot of areas where we made small gains, from feel for the bike, to my conditioning. That’s the key, to keep improving and getting the details better. Our goal is to get on the podium, and we know it will be hard. The plan now is to go to the Ridge and pick up where we left off. Everything is super positive and going in the right direction.”
Reigning Supersport champion Xavi Forés (34) was beat up in a Friday crash which limited his ability to ride the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R to his full potential. Forés was forced to pull in during both of the weekend’s races, despite demonstrating the pace to run inside the top ten early on both Saturday and Sunday.
Forés said, “It was a tough weekend after my crash on Friday. Physically, I was very sore, and it was difficult to manage. Today I was feeling better and coming back with a good pace, but we had an issue that forced me to retire. There’s not much to say. I want to apologize to the team for a difficult weekend, and now I’m really looking forward to healing well and to be strong at Ridge, a track I really like.”
The Suzuki contingent travels next to Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington, on June 28-30 when the 2024 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship resumes.
For Suzuki road racing news, results, and team updates, visit suzukicycles.com/racing/road-racing. For more information and updates on Team Hammer, visit teamhammer.com.
ABOUT TEAM HAMMER
The 2024 season marks Team Hammer’s 44th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won over 130 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums over 360 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 over 130 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.
More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:
DI MARIO RIDES APRILIA RS 660 TO SECOND CONSECUTIVE DOUBLE PODIUM WEEKEND IN MOTOAMERICA TWINS CUP RACES AT BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
RODIO RACING – POWERED BY ROBEM ENGINEERING RIDER READY TO VIE FOR TWINS CUP TITLE AT SEASON FINALE AT CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS IN SEPTEMBER
BRAINERD, MN — 17 JUNE 2024 — MotoAmerica Twins Cup rookie Alessandro Di Mario is proving to be a model of consistency in MotoAmerica’s Twins Cup. The rider from Kentucky piloted his Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660 to his second double-podium weekend in the past two rounds on Saturday and Sunday at Brainerd International Raceway. Though he came close to clinching his second victory of his rookie Twins Cup campaign on Sunday, Di Mario is one of just two riders in contention for the 2024 MotoAmerica Twins Cup title.
Both Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering riders were near the top of the time sheet Twins Cup Friday practice, with Gus Rodio and his teammate Di Mario were third and fourth, respectively. EasyHealthPlans.com/TopPro Racing Team’s Avery Dreher missed out on the top five by less than a tenth of a second. The trio of Aprilia riders performed even better in Friday’s Qualifying 1, as Rodio provisionally qualified second, Di Mario third, and Dreher in fifth.
In Saturday’s Qualifying 2, Di Mario ended up the fastest of the Aprilia riders. He qualified second, and his teammate Rodio qualified third to give Aprilia two of the three front row grid positions. Dreher made it three Aprilia riders in the top five by qualifying fifth for the weekend’s two Twins Cup races.
During Race 1, Di Mario found himself in what turned out to be a race-long battle for second place. Rodio followed in a mostly lonely fourth place throughout the 11-lap race, while Dreher fought throughout for the fifth position. Though Di Mario finished the first three laps in third place, he made the move to second place on Lap 4 and held off a late-race challenge for the runner-up spot to secure his sixth podium appearance of the season by a mere 0.036 seconds. Dreher came out on top in the battle for fifth place – his fifth top-five finish this year. Team JBR’s Josef Bittner finished ninth.
Sunday’s Race 2 had an action-packed opening lap, as Di Mario made a move for the lead early in the first lap, but a few corners later was bumped by another rider and fell back to fifth place. Dreher took advantage of Di Mario’s bad luck moving to third place in the running order. Unfortunately for Dreher, a technical problem ended his race on Lap 2. Rodio ran another lonely fourth place Sunday, while Di Mario quickly worked his way back to the front and led the end of Laps 7-10 of the 11-lap race. A pass by another frontrunning rider early in the final lap ended Di Mario’s chance at victory, but he held off a challenge from another rider to claim his second runner-up finish of the weekend and score his fifth
consecutive podium appearance.
Of the 26 riders registered to compete in MotoAmerica Twins Cup at Brainerd International Raceway, 11 were slated to race Aprilia RS 660s.
The last Twins Cup round of the 2024 MotoAmerica season takes place Sept. 13-15 at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
Alessandro Di Mario / Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering
“I didn’t really expect to be this fast this weekend since this is not one of my favorite tracks. My tires were really bad by the end of Saturday’s race, so by the last lap I just tried blocking every passing opportunity and was able to hold onto second by just a small margin. Today’s race was good. Our pace in this race was absolutely insane, but I wasn’t able to win the race by just a little bit. I can’t wait for the next round at Circuit of the Americas and want to thank the team and everybody that’s help me out this weekend.”
More, from a press release issued by Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering:
Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering’s Di Mario scores another two podium finishes in MotoAmerica Twins Cup races at Brainerd International Raceway
Di Mario’s teammate Gus Rodio bounces back from downer round at Road America with two fourth places
BRAINERD, Minn. – It was another strong showing by Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering rider and MotoAmerica Twins Cup rookie Alessandro Di Mario this past weekend at Brainerd International Raceway. The 2022 Nicky Hayden AMA Road Race Horizon Award winner added second-place finishes on Saturday and Sunday to his already impressive rookie campaign and is one of two riders who can clinch the 2024 Twins Cup title with two races remaining.
Di Mario’s teammate, Gus Rodio, enjoyed positive results at Brainerd after enduring setbacks in both races at the previous round at Road America. The Hammonton, N.J., resident claimed two fourth-place finishes and is now third in the Twins Cup points standings.
The weekend started well for both Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering riders. Rodio and Di Mario finished Friday morning practice in third and fourth place, respectively. Later Friday, the pair each moved up one position on the timing sheets to provisionally qualify second and third. Qualifying wrapped up Saturday morning with Di Mario having clinched second on the starting grid and Rodio third to put both riders on the front row for both of the round’s Twins Cup contests.
Race 1 was a lonesome event for Rodio. He ran in a mostly uncontested fourth place for all 11 laps of the race, while Di Mario found himself in a fierce fight for second place. Though he ran in third place on Laps 1-3, Di Mario made his move on Lap 4 and held off a persistent challenge from another frontrunning rider right to the last corner of the last lap to claim his third consecutive runner-up result by 0.036 seconds.
The start of Sunday’s Race 2 witnessed Di Mario pushing hard to take the lead early in the first lap, but contact with another rider later in that lap caused him to slip behind his teammate Rodio into fifth place. Di Mario quickly got by Rodio and was running in second place by the end of Lap 3. Di Mario then caught up to the race leader and assumed the lead on Lap 7. He held onto the lead for the next three laps, but got passed early in the final lap and had to settle for another second-place result – his fourth in a row. After the first couple laps, Rodio ran and finished in a lonely fourth place.
The Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering team now has a several month break before the MotoAmerica Twins Cup season finale takes place Sept. 13-15 at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
Alessandro Di Mario / No. 27
“I didn’t really expect to be this fast this weekend since this is not one of my favorite tracks. My tires were really bad by the end of Saturday’s race, so by the last lap I just tried blocking every passing opportunity and was able to hold onto second by just a small margin. Today’s race was good. Our pace in this race was absolutely insane, but I wasn’t able to win the race by just a little bit. I can’t wait for the next round at Circuit of the Americas and want to thank the team and everybody that’s help me out this weekend.”
Gus Rodio / No. 96
“Saturday’s race was interesting. I started the race with decent feeling in the bike, but after three laps the grip in my rear tire was gone. The team worked really hard after the race to figure out what had gone wrong. Overall, the two fourth-place finishes wasn’t our best showing as a team, but far from our worst. It was nice to score a bunch of points after how the last couple rounds have gone, and I’m excited to get to work during the break and finish the season strong in Texas.”
Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering’s technical partners for the 2024 season include Spellcaster Productions, Luxestar VIP, Geoscape Solar, MAR Contractors, Blud Lubricants, Spiegler Performance, Woodcraft Technologies, Dymag Performance Wheels, Millennium Technologies, Sprint Filter, Dunlop, SC Project, MVR Endeavor, GRG Designs, REB Graphics, NGK Spark Plugs, EvolveGT, Bitubo Suspension and N2 Racing.
More, from a press release issued by OrangeCat Racing:
OrangeCat Racing’s Uribe victorious Sunday in MotoAmerica Stock 1000 race at Brainerd International Raceway
Californian takes win in just his fourth Stock 1000 race, now second in points standings
BRAINERD, Minn. – Though he’s a rookie in this year’s MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Class, the value of OrangeCat Racing’s Jayson Uribe’s wealth of overseas road racing experience was on full display Sunday at Brainerd International Raceway. The Californian followed up a fourth-place result in Saturday’s Stock 1000 contest with his first victory in the class in just his fourth race this year.
Uribe’s win — along with some bad luck for the current Stock 1000 points leader in Sunday’s race – allowed Uribe to move up from fourth to second in the Stock 1000 points standings and close the gap to the previously-undefeated class leader to just 16 points with six races remaining.
OrangeCat Racing’s second rider, Travis Wyman, struggled a little for pace on Friday and Saturday, but managed to salvage a top-10 result in Saturday’s race and score a seventh place on Sunday.
Both OrangeCat Racing riders showed good pace in the first on-track session of the round. Uribe finished Friday morning practice third-fastest, and Wyman wrapped up that session as the sixth-fastest rider. Later Friday, both riders slipped back one position in Qualifying 1, as Uribe concluded that session in fourth place and Wyman in seventh. Qualifying 2 took place Saturday morning and saw Uribe clinch sixth on the starting grid and Wyman 11th for the round’s two Stock 1000 races.
Saturday afternoon’s Race 1 featured both riders finishing higher in the running order than they started. Uribe moved up one position early in the first lap and finished that lap running in third place. Wyman quickly moved up to ninth place early in the first lap and ran as high as eighth at the end of Laps 1 and 2 before falling back to ninth, which is the position he finished the race in. Uribe was putting up a good challenge for second place until the closing stages of the last lap, when a failed pass attempt caused him to finish just off the podium in fourth place.
Though he didn’t get a great jump off the line, Uribe’s stellar pace in Sunday’s Race 2 was quickly evident. He’d moved up to fourth place by the time the field reached Turn 2 on the first lap. Wyman also advanced a couple positions up the running order early during the first lap. The race leader crashed out early in Lap 2, which promoted Uribe to third place and Wyman to eighth. Uribe then moved up to second place on Lap 3, and another frontrunner crashed on Lap 5 to elevate Wyman up to seventh in the running order. Uribe gradually closed the gap to the race lead and took over the point at Turn 3 on the last lap to capture his first Stock 1000 triumph by 0.144 seconds. Wyman finished in a lonely seventh place.
The MotoAmerica Stock 1000 class will be back in action later this month at the next round, which is slated for June 28-30 at Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Wash.
Jayson Uribe / No. 360
“Overall, it was a successful weekend at Brainerd. Coming to a new track is always a bit stressful, but we managed to get up to speed pretty quickly. Our one-lap pace was never lightning quick, but our race pace and consistency were incredible. Race 1 on Saturday was a good learning lesson. It proved to me and everyone else that we had the speed to be on the podium. In Race 2, I knew if I could stay in touch with the riders in front of me, we’d have a shot at the win. I tried to play it safe and make smart, calculated moves — and got the win! I’m super pumped for the entire OrangeCat Racing team.”
Travis Wyman / No. 10
“We had a slow start to the weekend, and the team worked really hard to try to turn the weekend around. We made progress with the bike setup every session. The pace in both races was super fast, but we did make a bit of an improvement to get Sunday’s result. We need to make another step like that to get to the front, and I’m looking forward to myself and the team accomplishing that at the next round at ‘The Ridge.’”
OrangeCat Racing’s promotional and technical partners for the 2024 MotoAmerica season include Motoworks Chicago, Ohlins USA, and alpha Racing.
Travis Wyman’s promotional partners for the 2024 MotoAmerica season include SP Connect, Klingler Thrillers, Fast Line Motorcycle Performance, Stomp Grip, On Any Moto, Bilmola USA and Alpinestars.
Jayson Uribe’s promotional partners for the 2024 MotoAmerica season include CT Racing, 4SR, San Jose Motorsport and Red Engine Brewing.
To learn more about OrangeCat Racing, visit the team’s website at http://orangecatracing.com and follow the team on Instagram at @orangecatracing.
More, from a press release issued by Tytlers Cycle Racing:
JD inside the top six, Herfoss performs well on SBK debut, Mesa adds to SSP tally
Tytlers Cycle Racing were back in action in the latest round of the 2024 MotoAmerica Championship at Brainerd last weekend, with all three riders JD Beach, Troy Herfoss and Stefano Mesa each achieving double finishes in the Superbike and Supersport categories, respectively.
JD Beach delivered the team’s best result in the premier class – sixth in race two on Sunday. He finished seventh twenty-four hours earlier. Alongside him and making his BMW M1000 RR debut was multiple Australian Superbike Champ, and current King of the Baggers front runner Troy Herfoss. Herfoss adapted well considering the lack of track time, crossing the line ninth in the opening encounter of the weekend on Saturday. He went one better with a P8 on Sunday.
Herfoss, who will continue with the squad whilst Cameron Beaubier recovers, is optimistic of further steps forward when the series takes to the track next at “The Ridge” in Washington State next week. JD, who currently sits eighth overall in the points standings is equally optimistic of running at the front after producing some impressive opening laps in Brainerd’s second race.
Cameron Beaubier sits seventh overall in the standings despite not competing after his Road America spill.
In Supersport, Stefano Mesa improved his lap times from twelve months ago aboard his Kawasaki. The #37 rider adding valuable championship points to his tally with seventh and ninth place finishes. The results elevate Mesa to ninth overall in the Supersport standings. Mesa and the team continue to be highest placed Kawasaki rider in the series and look forward to being more competitive at The Ridge, a circuit which should suit their bike a little better.
JD Beach: “Brainerd was a little bit of a frustrating weekend for me. The Tytlers team and my crew worked hard but I was left chasing my tail a bit. I feel like for set up we could improve on part of the bike but hinder another part. We were close to two top five finishes, but I need to work on getting up to pace a bit quicker on Friday to give us a better chance in the races. Race two for me were some of my best opening laps of the season but I need to work on keeping that pace going. It was weird not having Cam in the truck for the weekend, but it was cool to get to work with Troy, he’s an Australian Superbike legend so I know I can learn from him.”
Troy Herfoss: “I had a lot of fun throughout the weekend and enjoyed working with a new crew, riding a new bike as well as riding another new track. Like normal, as a racer I’m frustrated purely because I can feel the potential of the package I’m riding and there simply wasn’t enough time in the weekend for me to adapt properly. I made a good step in morning warm up Sunday which gives me a lot of motivation heading into The Ridge in a few weeks. I want to thank the team for their patience throughout the weekend and JD for helping me feel at home while Cam continues his recovery.”
Stefano Mesa: “Brainerd was definitely the toughest round we have had. We knew coming into the weekend that it wouldn’t be easy knowing how stacked the class is, but the team worked hard throughout the weekend to keep me fast and make progress every time out. We ended up going faster than last year so I am happy about that but not happy with the results. We will do some homework and come back stronger at ‘The Ridge.’ I appreciate the team for all the good help and support.”
More, from a press release issued by Altus Motorsports:
MotoAmerica: Altus Motorsports Results from Brainerd International Raceway
(Brainerd, MN) The MotoAmerica round at Brainerd International Raceway presented a challenging weekend for the Altus Motorsports team. The riders faced difficulties with chatter, but the team’s relentless effort to optimize the setup led to commendable performances.
Jake Lewis demonstrated consistent skill, qualifying 6th and securing strong finishes in both races. He clinched 5th place in Race 1 and followed up with a 6th place finish in Race 2. This now puts Jake in 3rd place in the Championship Points.
Jaret Nassaney started both races from 16th position. In Race 1, he was part of a four-rider battle for 11th, ultimately finishing 13th. Despite not finding an optimal set-up, he finished Race 2 in 16th place.
Jaret Nassaney: “We struggled all weekend on setup. I just couldn’t get the front-end confidence I needed. Hoping to have a strong weekend at the Ridge. I like that track a lot and have gone fast there in the past.”
Starting from 19th, Torin Collins fought his way up to finish 11th place in Race 1. In the Sunday race, he crossed the finish line in 14th.
Torin Collins: “Overall, it was a super difficult weekend. Learning Brainerd was harder than expected, and honestly, our setup throughout the entire weekend was off and we never found that perfect middle ground. Though with these struggles, we were still able to make good comebacks in both races starting from 19th and battling to P11 in Race 1 and P14 in Race 2. I’m super excited that we are finally going to some of the tracks that I know. I’m feeling the most confident out of all the rounds so far going into The Ridge. Thanks to the team for the hard work throughout the weekend and for never giving up.”
George Nassaney: “Despite the challenges with chatter, our Team worked hard to improve their results. This is our 10th year in the MotoAmerica Paddock and I know there will always be race weekends when the results don’t truly show our Team’s ability. If racing were easy everyone would Win every weekend. We know going into the Ridge we have some good setup information and all 3 riders have raced there before. We are excited to see what we can do. I want to personally Thank all of the support from our sponsors and partners.”
Altus Motorsports team is supported by our great family of sponsors: Altus Motorsports, WPS, Firepower, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Buy A Jet From Steve Main, Barnett, Evol Technology, Maxima Oils, Hot Bodies Racing, M4 Exhausts, Vortex EK, Motion Pro, SBS Brakes, BrakeTech USA, Inc., Pit Bull Products, GB Racing, Ohlins, Puig Racing, RS Taichi, Arai, Core Moto, Pro Bolt, Chicken Hawk Tire Warmers, Law Tigers Oklahoma, and Altus Factory Racing