Beach Scores Emotional Superbike Victory at MotoAmerica Season Finale
Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s JD Beach rode to a commanding victory in MotoAmerica Superbike Race 2 at New Jersey Motorsports Park
MARIETTA, Ga. – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s JD Beach scored a dominant victory in today’s final race of the 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike season at the New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey. It was a masterclass performance from the full-time American Flat Track racer who answered the call from the team to fill in for the injured Cameron Petersen at the last three rounds of the season. Jake Gagne finished fourth in the tricky mixed conditions, adding to his points lead in the championship, which he secured two rounds early.
Riders were met with mixed conditions for today’s Race 2, with some sunshine but standing water still on the track. After the lights went out, Beach got another flying start from the third row of the grid into third behind his teammate Gagne. On Lap 4, he made the pass for second and then went to chase down the leader. A couple of laps later, Beach closed the gap and was hot on the heels of the competition, taking over the lead shortly after. He then built a comfortable gap up front and remained unchallenged to add a superbike win this year to his two SuperTwins victories with the Estenson Racing team in the American Flat Track series. The win also marked a second-career superbike victory for Beach aboard an Attack Yamaha R1.
Gagne got another great start in the final race of the 2023 season and slotted into the runner-up spot. The three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion rode a smart race in the tricky mixed conditions and crossed the line fourth to add more points to his impressive 2023 tally, which saw him 148 points clear of the runner-up finisher. It was a stellar season for the Colorado rider who secured his third consecutive title in the premier class two rounds early at the MotoAmerica Superbike tripleheader at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex. Gagne notched 11 superbike wins this season, bringing his career tally to 40 wins during the three-year period.
Richard Stanboli – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“What a great end to the season. Our Yamaha R1s once again showed how strong they are in all conditions. Jake dominated yesterday, and JD did a great job as a fill-in rider, winning in today’s mixed conditions. His progression these past three rounds has been amazing. We wish him success on his potential return to road racing.”
JD Beach – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing
“Today was a dream come true for me. I was really nervous before the race with the mixed conditions, but once the lights went out, I went to work. The team had the bike working great on this tricky track. I’m over the moon about getting another Superbike win to go with my AFT wins this year. I want to thank Attack and Yamaha for giving me this opportunity to come in and fill in at these last few rounds, and also to the Estenson Racing team for allowing me to do it.
Jake Gagne – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing
“It was tricky conditions today, but it was great to finish the year strong. Congrats to JD because he smoked us and rode incredible. It was a great way to finish the year for the team.”
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 Tytlers Cycle Racing:
Podium in her third Supersport race… Kayla Yaakov makes history with Tytlers at NJMP
Kayla Yaakov became the first female in the history of American motorcycle road racing to stand on the podium in three racing categories in the final round of the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport championship.
Having already won in Junior Cup and stood on the podium in Twins Cup, the talented teen who only switched to Supersport a matter of weeks ago was the standout for many at the New Jersey Motorsports Park as she romped to third in Saturday’s opening race before backing it up with a spirited ride to P4 twenty-four hours later.
Qualifying thirteenth after the weather ruined any opportunity of improvement on Saturday morning Kayla remained focused ahead of the first race of the weekend on Saturday and with rain falling, she once again demonstrated her incredible racing skills to cross the line less than two seconds from the win. She set the fastest of the race too!
Sunday saw another strong showing from the #19 Tytlers Cycle Racing Kawasaki mounted rider. She finished fourth, narrowly missing the podium for the second day in a row.
Despite only competing in four races, she amassed thirty-seven points to end the year inside the top fifteen… imagine where she could have finished had she contested every race!
Kayla Yaakov: “I am incredibly happy to have been able to put the Tyler’s Cycle Racing Kawasaki on the box on only my third ever supersport race! It was tricky out there on Saturday with rain, wind, and standing water, but we were able to make the best of it! The team has done an amazing job at getting me comfortable quickly, and I knew rain or dry that we had a great setup and pace for the race. We have made steady progress each session with this bike, and it’s so great to see that all our hard work is paying off. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end off my 2023 MotoAmerica season than with a podium and 2 top five finishes in the Supersport category! I hope for more weekends like this in the future. Thank you to everyone who made this switch to supersport possible but especially the Mesa family for allowing me to step in, Michael Kiley for believing in me, Mike and Zequi for all their knowledge, Steven for pulling us all together, my dad for his endless support, and the entire Tytler’s Cycle Racing crew. I hope that this is first the first of many in this category!”
Michael Kiley – Team Principal: “I’d love to tell you that I’m surprised by the weekend’s results, but you don’t have to spend much time with Kayla to know she’s the real deal. She has a tremendous career in front of her and it is a privilege to be a part of her career growth. What I’m privileged to see and would like to share is what an absolute joy it is to watch Mike (Godin), Zequi (Ezequiel Martinez) and Steve bring all this together. They’d never met Kayla, they don’t speak each other’s language, they use their phones and translate apps to communicate. They’ve invented a language I call MotoSpanglish that allows them to be effective and earn the trust of an amazing young woman who gives it everything on the bike they provide her. If you meet Zequi you quickly learn that when Zequis is happy EVERYBODY is happy. If I’m not the luckiest guy in the paddock – I’d like to meet the guy who is. These are great people and MotoAmerica is the place to be. A huge congratulations to Kayla and all the team.”
More, from a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:
FACTORY HARLEY-DAVIDSON RIDER KYLE WYMAN WINS SUNDAY KING OF THE BAGGERS RACE AT NEW JERSEY MOTORSPORTS PARK
Vance & Hines/Harley-Davidson racer Hayden Gillim Wins Saturday Race and Crowned King of the Baggers Series Champion
MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle® factory rider Kyle Wyman scored his seventh win of the season and Vance & Hines/Mission Foods Harley-Davidson rider Hayden Gillim secured the season championship on Sunday in the final race of the 2023 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, N.J. Vance & Hines/Mission Foods rider James Rispoli finished second in the championship standings and Wyman was third as Harley-Davidson riders claimed the top three spots in final series points.
“It’s been one of, if not the best, year of my life,” said Gillim, who won three races with eight additional podium finishes on the season. “I’m really happy to bring this home for Vance & Hines, for Mission Foods, and for Harley-Davidson. Next season will be a real scrap in this series. Honestly the field is stacked, and if everybody stays next year it’s going to be a tough championship to hold onto.”
In the Friday qualifying session, Wyman broke his own New Jersey Motorsports Park class lap record of 1:24.447 aboard his race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® motorcycle. That time would never be approached for the rest of the weekend, as rain resulted in very wet to damp conditions on the 2.25-mile, 12-turn road course on Saturday and Sunday.
Gillim (215 points), Rispoli (213 points) and Wyman (204 points) were each in contention for the championship before the start of the first eight-lap King of the Baggers race on Saturday. As the riders completed a warm-up lap in the rain, Wyman lost control and slid off track. He was able to remount and start the race, but his motorcycle was damaged, and he retired on lap 3. Gillim took the race lead on lap 3 and was never challenged as early leader Rispoli could not match his pace on the wet track and settled for second place, 9.10 seconds behind Gillim. Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle® factory rider Travis Wyman battled to finish in third place and score his first podium finish of the season, just 0.40 seconds behind Rispoli. After the Saturday race, Gillim led Rispoli by 7 championship points, and Wyman was out of contention for the title.
Kyle Wyman bounced back to win the Sunday race, taking the lead on lap 2, after Rispoli ran off the wet track. Wyman opened a gap and stretched his lead to 3.724 seconds over second place Gillim at the finish. Max Flinders finished third on the M3/Revolution Performance Indian. Rispoli finished in seventh place.
“After Rispoli went off, I just tried to be patient, not make a mistake and open a gap,” said Wyman. “I suppose a win in the last race sends a message. It really stings to come up short in the championship after winning the most races, but I’m also proud of my race wins, proud of the team and what it has accomplished from a development standpoint, which trickles down to the other Harley teams. This has been a crazy year and obviously this weekend did not end as we hoped it might, but Harley-Davidson is one-two-three in the championship and that’s the next-best result for us. I want to send a big thanks to everyone at Harley who worked so hard for us this season, and we’ll be back to get them next year.”
At the conclusion of the 14-race 2023 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series, Gillim wins the championship with 260 points. Rispoli is second with 242 points, followed by Kyle Wyman with 229 points. Wyman won seven of 14 races on the season, with one additional podium finish. Jake Lewis rode a Team Saddlemen Harley-Davidson Road Glide motorcycle to seventh place with 126 points. Travis Wyman placed eighth with 112 points.
The Mission King of the Baggers series features race-prepared American V-Twin touring motorcycles. Harley-Davidson® Factory Team 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.
MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Race Results – New Jersey Motorsports Park Race 1
- Hayden Gillim (H-D) Vance & Hines/Mission Foods/Harley-Davidson
- James Rispoli (H-D) Vance & Hines/Mission Foods/Harley-Davidson
- Travis Wyman (H-D) Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson
- Kyle Ohnsorg (Ind) Roland Sands Design
- Bobby Fong (Ind) Sacramento Mile/SDI Racing/Roland Sands Design
- Jake Lewis (H-D) Team Saddlemen
- Max Flinders (Ind) M3/Revolution Performance
- Tyler O’Hara (Ind) Progressive/Mission Foods
- Frankie Garcia (H-D) Team Saddlemen
- Patricia Fernandez-West (H-D) Team Saddlemen
DNF. Kyle Wyman (H-D) Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson
DNF. Cody Wyman (H-D) Team Saddlemen
DNF. Jeremy McWilliams (Ind) Progressive/Mission Foods
MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Race Results – New Jersey Motorsports Park Race 2
- Kyle Wyman (H-D) Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson
- Hayden Gillim (H-D) Vance & Hines/Mission Foods/Harley-Davidson
- Max Flinders (Ind) M3/Revolution Performance
- Bobby Fong (Ind) Sacramento Mile/SDI Racing/Roland Sands
- Jeremy McWilliams (Ind) Progressive/Mission Foods
- Travis Wyman (H-D) Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson
- James Rispoli (H-D) Vance & Hines/Mission Foods/Harley-Davidson
- yle Ohnsorg (Ind) Roland Sands Design
- Jake Lewis (H-D) Team Saddlemen
- Frankie Garcia (H-D) Team Saddlemen
- Patricia Fernandez-West (H-D) Team Saddlemen
DNF. Tyler O’Hara (Ind) Progressive/Mission Foods
DNF. Cody Wyman (H-D) Team Saddlemen
Harley-Davidson invites you to enhance the 2023 MotoAmerica King of the Baggers season with some adrenaline pumping action. Check out, ‘Push the Limit,’ a film that shares the story of defending 2021 champion Kyle Wyman, teammate Travis Wyman and the Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle race team’s 2022 championship pursuit. Watch it now on Harley-Davidson’s YouTube channel.
Harley-Davidson stands for the timeless pursuit of adventure and freedom for the soul. Go to H-D.com to learn more about the complete line of 2023 Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring, Sport, Adventure Touring, Cruiser and Trike motorcycles, Harley-Davidson Certified™ pre-owned motorcycles, Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories, Harley-Davidson MotorClothes and gear, and Harley-Davidson Financial Services.
More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:
APRILIA RS 660 RIDERS RODIO, LANDERS FINISH SECOND, THIRD IN 2023 MOTOAMERICA TWINS CUP STANDINGS
RODIO’S COME-FROM-BEHIND PODIUM FINISH IN WET CONDITIONS SATURDAY AT NEW JERSEY MOTORSPORTS PARK UNDERMINED BY UNFORTUNATE CRASH ON SUNDAY
MILLVILLE, NJ – Heading into the final round of the 2023 MotoAmerica Twins Cup at New Jersey Motorsports Park, two Aprilia RS 660 riders were in the hunt to win Aprilia it’s second title in three years. While both Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering riders – Gus Rodio and Rocco Landers – came up just short of achieving that goal at the Sept. 22-24 event, both put in strong performances in their first time racing an Aprilia RS 660 in wet conditions on Saturday and Sunday.
And the Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering team’s third rider for the season finale – Ben Gloddy of New Hampshire – came close to scoring a podium finish in his first race back from his injury at the Daytona International Speedway round in March.
Rodio and Landers showed stellar pace in dry conditions on Friday and ended up finishing second and third, respectively, in the final Twins Cup points standings. The duo scored a combined six pole positions, nine victories and nine additional podium finishes in 14 races this season.
An Aprilia RS 660 rider was at the top of the time sheets at the end of Friday morning practice, as Landers set a blistering lap time of 1:27.629 — which was more than one second faster than the next fastest rider. Rodio finished Friday practice third fastest, and Gloddy was sixth-fastest. Later Friday – in the weekend’s only dry qualifying session – Landers and Rodio provisionally qualified first and second, respectively. Landers also improved on his best lap time from practice when he put in a 1:24.659. Gloddy again finished a session in sixth, giving Aprilia three riders in the provisional top 10.
Early Saturday morning, heavy rain from Tropical Storm Ophelia began falling on NJMP, which turned the morning Qualifying 2 session into a wet weather practice session. This meant Landers claimed his sixth pole position aboard an Aprilia with his stellar performance on Friday afternoon. During the wet Saturday qualifying session, Landers was again the fastest of the Aprilia riders. He finished the session second-fastest, while 3D Motorsports’ Jacob Crossman and Gloddy finished third and 10th, respectively. Rodio struggled a little and finished the session 11th fastest.
In Saturday’s Race 1, Gloddy got the best start of the trio. He got off the line very well in the soggy conditions and was running in third place at the end of Lap 1. Rodio and Landers got an OK jump when the lights went out but got shuffled back in the run to the first turn. At the end of the first lap, Rodio had slipped all the way down to 10th place and Landers to seventh. While Gloddy ran most of the race in a lonely third place, Rodio and Landers gradually worked their way up the running order. Rodio was up to ninth at the end of Lap 2, seventh at the end of Lap 4 and fourth by the end of Lap 6. Landers advanced from seventh to fifth on Laps 2-3. Rodio put in a phenomenal performance at the end of the race, as he ran the fastest lap of the contest on the last lap and got by Gloddy late in the last lap to finish third. Gloddy crossed the line in fourth and right behind him was Landers in fifth place.
Sunday’s Twins Cup race took place in wet-but-drying conditions, and Rodio had a good start to the contest. Rodio was the first rider through Turn 1, and he and another championship contender pulled away from the rest of the field in the opening laps. Landers didn’t get off the line as well and had slipped back to fifth place on Lap 3 when the race was stopped due to an Aprilia rider, Top Pro Motorsports’ Agustin Sierra, having crashed heavily as he exited Turn 12. When the race restarted, it was Rodio who again went into the lead with his championship rival just behind him. Rodio led the way for the first couple laps after the restart but fell to second place at the start of the third lap. The other two Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering riders were struggling for pace a little after the restart. With five laps to go, Landers and Gloddy were running in 10th and sixth place, respectively. Rodio then suffered a big crash as he exited Turn 12, which resulted in the race being stopped again and later called complete. Gloddy was classified in fifth place in the final race results, Landers in seventh and Unreal Racing’s Daniel Garver in eighth.
Of the 36 riders entered to race in Twins Cup at NJMP, 16 were on Aprilia RS 660s.
Aprilia thanks all the MotoAmerica Twins Cup racers who rode the RS 660 in 2023 for choosing Aprilia and looks forward to seeing even more Aprilia riders on the Twins Cup grid in 2024.
Gus Rodio / Rodio Racing Powered by Robem Engineering
“I had never ridden the Aprilia in the rain, and we got on the podium on Saturday in a rain race. On Sunday, it was more mixed conditions, and there wasn’t much more we could’ve done. I’d hoped MotoAmerica would delay the race a bit more than they did, but unfortunately that’s not what happened. I put it on the floor trying today, and it was a big one. It’s been an up-and-down kind of season. A lot of things went wrong, but a lot went right too. Overall, it was a good year.”
Rocco Landers / Robem Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering
“It was an eventful weekend – that’s for sure. It’s too bad we couldn’t win the championship for Aprilia. But, it goes like that sometimes. If conditions had been dry this weekend, I think Gus and I would’ve been right up at the front, This season has been hard for me, but I also didn’t think I was going to be racing at all this year. I was trying to get to 50 career wins this year, but I at least got that total up to 48. We’ll see what next year holds. Without Aprilia, I wouldn’t be in as strong a position to move up a class next year.”
Ben Gloddy / Robem Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering
“It was a good weekend, as I was just coming back from my injury at Daytona. It was a good dry day on Friday, and I ended up qualifying in sixth. I ran most of Saturday’s race in third place, but Gus was able to run me down at the end. Today, with the tricky weather, I just didn’t have the confidence I needed to move up the field. I didn’t have any high expectations for this weekend. I just wanted to have some fun and get back into it.”
