Herrin Wins Superbike Race Two, Builds On Championship Lead At WeatherTech Raceway

Josh Herrin Wins A Thriller Over Cameron Beaubier And Sean Dylan Kelly

MONTEREY, CA (July 14, 2024) – A day after Ducati North America inked a five-year extension with the Warhorse HSBK Ducati Racing team to continue as its factory-supported team in the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, Josh Herrin further enforced that they made the right decision with a victory at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Herrin and his Ducati Panigale V4 R withstood 20 laps of pressure from five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier and EasyHealthPlans.com/TopPro Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly to win his third Steel Commander Superbike race of the season at the perfect time as it gives Herrin a 15-point lead heading into the break before the series resumes at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in August.

Herrin took over the lead from Beaubier on the third lap and he led every lap after that, defending all of Beaubier’s probes. Kelly also had a go at Herrin, but that didn’t stick, either.

At the finish line the margin of victory was .244 of a second with Beaubier on Herrin’s rear wheel and just ahead of Kelly, who unsuccessfully tried a late-braking move on Beaubier in the final corner.

 

 

Wrench Motorcycles’ Bobby Fong was also in the mix, finishing fourth and less than a second behind Herrin.

Attack Performance/Progressive/Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne was fifth with a slight improvement in his arm-pump problem. The three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion was some seven seconds behind Fong and some two seconds ahead of Herrin’s Warhorse HSBK Ducati teammate Loris Baz.

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Xavi Forés barely beat Tytlers Cycle Racing’s JD Beach to the finish line for seventh with Superbike Cup winner Danilo Lewis ninth on the Team Brazil BMW M 1000 RR. FLO4LAW’s Benjamin Smith rounded out the top 10.

 

 

Notable non-finishers included Attack Performance/Progressive/Yamaha Racing’s Cameron Petersen who suffered another mechanical failure just when he’d clawed himself back into the championship fight. Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Brandon Paasch also failed to finish after crashing out of the race early.

Superbike Race 2

1. Josh Herrin (Ducati)
2. Cameron Beaubier (BMW)
3. Sean Dylan Kelly (BMW)
4. Bobby Fong (Yamaha)
5. Jake Gagne (Yamaha)
6. Loris Baz (Ducati)
7. Xavi Forés (Suzuki)
8. JD Beach (BMW)
9. Danilo Lewis (BMW)
10. Benjamin Smith (Yamaha)

 

Josh Herrin – Winner

“Yeah, super stressful. Who knows how it would have ended up, but with Sean (Dylan Kelly) being there it kind of helped me a little bit because it got Cam a little bit distracted, or probably got his heart rate racing a little bit. He couldn’t just calm down and think about where he wanted to get me because he has to think about who’s behind him also. So, it probably helped me a little bit. I could hear him every lap kind of just testing – I would assume testing where he was going to be able to get me. I tried my hardest on the last lap to protect the lines but also not make the mistake of overprotecting and losing drives. I obviously don’t know what happened behind me, but obviously it worked out. I’m just super happy to get this because it’s huge for the championship. We’ve clawed our way back from a long ways. The team really deserves this. We talked about it yesterday. It’s been 30 years since Ducati has won a championship. That just got me super motivated, especially because (Eraldo) Ferracci is here. I don’t even know how that guy is still going as strong as he is. It’s insane. It’s a huge motivation for me to try to get this win this year for him. Yesterday was like a reset. Like I just got this championship reset. We’re back at square one and I just got to take advantage of it. We have three rounds to go, which seems insane. Just a huge thank you to the entire team. It was just an amazing weekend. I’m really happy.”

Cameron Beaubier – Second Place

“I didn’t quite have the pace I did yesterday at the beginning. We went with the five front today because the three yesterday was moving around a little bit. I felt like that was the better option today. I didn’t quite have the bite I wanted to on the edge of the tire. Regardless, I had a good bike. I just couldn’t pass this guy (Josh Herrin) anywhere. He was super good on the brakes. He was getting out of the last corner really good. One spot I felt really good was going down into two, but I was never close enough to do anything. So, there for a little bit, I was biding my time thinking of where I could get him as the laps went down. He was setting a good pace at the front. Then Sean came by me, and then I had to try to figure out a way around him. Once I got back on Herrin’s wheel, I couldn’t do anything without taking a big lunge and maybe taking us both out. I’m stoked, even though the win was right there. I’m stoked with how I rode this weekend, how my heel felt. I definitely need to go get my butt back in shape. But congrats to these guys. Sean (Dylan Kelly) was riding incredible. Josh was riding incredible all weekend, setting the pace. It’s going to be a tight fight the rest of the year.”

Sean Dylan Kelly – Third Place

“Much better day. I was pretty frustrated with myself after that jump start yesterday. First time I’ve ever jumped a start. I just got eaten up at the start. First lap was really far back. It was a really good day yesterday. Just understanding that I do have the pace to be up front, but you still got to make it happen. I was really focused today on just hitting the marks and getting everything together. I made not the best start, but I made some passes up really early on. Just wanted to be there. I didn’t really want to get stuck with the problems here and there with how I was feeling. I just wanted to be there. I’m really pumped with how I felt on the bike. Finally feel like I’m starting to connect truly how I want to with this BMW. Obviously still so much to learn, but I’m just super pumped, first of all, that I’m up here on the podium with these two guys who obviously have so much experience. I’ve been looking up to these guys for a long time, so to be up here is definitely a dream come true, especially at Laguna. I think it’s obviously just the beginning for me, so I want to keep on building on this. Just thank my whole TopPro Racing team. Thank my sponsors, Only Fans, Palm Beach Police and Fire Foundation. Just my whole crew, my family, everyone that’s out here. I’m super pumped to bring this podium to them.”

 

 

 

More, from another press release issued by MotoAmerica:

Gillim Takes Mission King Of The Baggers Win At WeatherTech Raceway

Jacobsen Repeats In Supersport, Yates Gets His First In Stock 1000 and West Dominates Super Hooligan

 

 

MONTEREY, CA (July 14, 2024) – Mission King Of The Baggers is a uniquely American race class pitting teams riding Harley-Davidson Road Glides against teams riding Indian Motorcycle Challengers. At WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, The Motor Company claimed full bragging rights by sweeping the podium in both of the weekend’s two feature races. Not only that, but the same three riders and same two teams finished in the top three on both days.

Sunday’s race two winner was defending Mission King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim who took the checkered flag aboard his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. Gillim battled it out with polesitter and current points leader Kyle Wyman, who got the holeshot and led the first two laps until Gillim overtook him on lap three. Wyman retook the lead again on lap six, but Gillim once again got by Wyman and held the position to the finish line.

Gillim’s teammate and King Of The Baggers rookie Rocco Landers made another charge to the front like he did on Saturday. Starting back in seventh on the grid, he methodically passed riders as the laps wound down and overtook S&S/Indian Motorcycle’s Troy Herfoss on the final lap to complete the podium and notch a 1-3 finish for RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson.

“Whenever we get on any bike, it’s all or nothing,” said Gillim. “That’s why we’re on these things. That’s why we’re on the teams that we’re on. Nobody is coming out here to just show up. Everybody is coming out here to win. That’s how we are, too. That’s why not winning or not even being able to really fight for the win yesterday was so frustrating for me. Now we’re getting back to where we should have been at the beginning of the season. I’m able to actually fight and be there with these guys. It’s been challenging. We’ve had some ups and downs. It’s good. This is the first time I’ve had to fight for the win. I’m really happy about it. This is the first time I’ve had to battle and actually take a win from somebody. At Brainerd, I was feeling really good and was able to kind of get away. It’s nice to have those wins, but these are a lot of fun. I’m really happy. The whole team is just working their butts off trying everything they can possibly do on the off weekends. I’m really grateful to be here and to be able to ride multiple classes and to be at the front in most of the classes I’m in. It’s going really good. I got some sleep last night, so I’m a little happier today.”

 

 

Stock 1000 – Yates Gets His First

A happy Ashton Yates won his first career Stock 1000 race on Sunday at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and the young Georgian definitely earned it with a near-perfect race on his Jones Honda CBR1000RR-R SP.

Yates grabbed the lead on the second lap from pole-sitter Jayson Uribe and his OrangeCat Racing BMW M 1000 RR and he led the rest of the race, though with constant pressure from Uribe. At the finish line it was Yates by .354 of a second over Uribe, who thought he had one more lap and was surprised by the checkered flag.

Real Steel Motorsports’ Hayden Gillim ended up third, despite dropping back as far as seventh after getting into turn two in second place on the opening lap. Gillim fought back, however, and worked his way up to third two laps from the end.

A close fourth for the second day in a row went to Motorsport Exotica’s Andrew Lee with the Californian having his best race weekend thus far in 2024.

Team Brazil’s Danilo Lewis rounded out the top five.

With just two races left to run in the series finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Gillim leads Uribe by seven points.

 

 

Supersport – Nearly Identical

Sunday’s Supersport race was a near carbon copy of Saturday’s race with PJ Jacobsen hounding Mathew Scholtz for nearly the duration only to find a way past the championship leader and win for the second straight day.

For the second straight day, Jacobsen’s pass for the victory came in a place not known for passing. On Saturday it was in turn six. On Sunday, it was in turn 10 on the final lap and it caught Scholtz by surprise as Jacobsen shot up the inside after a great drive out of Rainey Curve. By then it was over.

Jacobsen’s two wins pulled him closer to Scholtz in the championship with a gain of 10 points. He now trails Scholtz by 18 points.

For the second straight day, Blake Davis finished third on his N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto Yamaha YZF-R6. Rahal Ducati Moto’s Corey Alexander was fourth with Stefano Mesa finishing fifth on his Tytlers Cycle Racing Kawasaki ZX6R.

“This racing thing, when two riders have the pace and they’re so similar with each other, you got to find a lot of spots that that person, you can overtake them,” Jacobsen said. “So yesterday when I overtook him in turn six, I felt like that was a good pass and that was a weak point for him. I feel like when you sit behind somebody for so long, you end up studying them. You sit there and study, and study, and study. No offense to (Mathew) Scholtz, but last year he had a massive highside in that corner and he almost lost it again this year. So, I kind of knew that he was a bit weak there. Going over that rise, I just knew I had more pace sitting behind him and it was going to allow me to go into (turn) 10 with a more aggressive move. So, that’s what I ended up doing after studying like that. So, I’m not dumb. I feel like I made the pass in the right section that I had to, after watching him the whole race.

 

 

Mission Super Hooligan National Championship – West Dominates

The MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest concluded with race two of the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship, and it was a fitting way to wrap up an exciting weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Super Hooligan is an eclectic race class with 10 different makes of motorcycles making up the grid. However, like the Mission King Of The Baggers Championship, Super Hooligan has evolved into an epic battle between Indian Motorcycle and Harley-Davidson.

On Sunday, it was The Motor Company that prevailed with Saddlemen/ Harley-Davidson rider Cory West getting the victory that eluded him in Saturday’s race. The win was a dominant one for West, who started from the pole and led every one of the eight laps to take the checkered flag.

The second step on the podium was occupied by West’s teammate Jake Lewis. For West and Lewis, they were joyous about giving their Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson team a one-two finish. Third place went to Saturday’s winner Tyler O’Hara, with the S&S/Indian Motorcycle rider coming into Laguna, and also leaving Laguna, with the points lead.

“Yesterday getting second, that one stung, West said. “It was a little bit of a mistake on my part coming out of the front straightaway. We made a little change to the bike this morning that made it feel a lot better. This is my first time ever starting on pole position, and I just wanted to make the most of it. Put my head down, got a good start, and just had clear track and tried to get into a rhythm. I have a tendency to look back a lot, and I just told myself, just don’t look back. Hammered out a few laps. Looked at my lap timer once and saw 28.9 and was just like, ‘Hell yeah, let’s just keep this going.’ Was clicking off low 29’s consistent. Couldn’t help myself. About four or five laps in, I took a little peek back out of turn four and there was nobody there. I about crapped myself. I was like, ‘Okay, here we go!’ Just tried to stay consistent. Was starting to get a little bit of front-end movement down into two. Was just trying to keep the rhythm, keep going, try not to worry. The white flag was flying, and I got down into two, and I totally tucked the front and chattered it real hard and saved it. I was just like, ‘If you crash this thing on the last lap, you’re an idiot.’ I just hit my marks. I was already into traffic. So, I just wanted to be the first one to them. Got through it all right. Came out onto the front straightaway, and it was smooth sailing. Big shout out to the Saddlemen guys. Those dudes have really, really long days when they’re here at the racetrack. They put together some great bikes. We’ve got a bunch of good sponsors on board this year. It’s just awesome to get another win.”

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Ducati:

Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati leads the Superbike Championship after Josh Herrin delivers a masterclass at Laguna Seca

 

 

Sunnyvale, Calif., July 14, 2024 — Following Josh Herrin’s dominant performance at Laguna Seca, Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati is now the points leader in the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship.  Today’s momentous victory marks Ducati as the points leader for the first time since Ferracci Ducati pilot Troy Corser had the lead in 1994, ultimately winning the 1994 AMA Superbike Championship.

This weekend, Herrin took the lead in the championship after finishing second place in race one on Saturday, July 13.  From there, Herrin knew it was all to play for in the second encounter on Sunday afternoon.

The Georgian refused to let race one winner Cameron Beaubier separate from the pack in the early stages, taking the lead at turn 11 on lap four and setting a fast but controlled pace as Beaubier, Sean Dylan Kelly, and Bobby Fong all tried and failed to find a way past.

Herrin stayed strong, and with a final lap that thwarted any possible attack from Beaubier, he crossed the line to take his third win of the year by 0.244s and move an impressive 15 points clear in the title chase heading into the summer break.

Loris Baz’s weekend at Laguna Seca didn’t quite yield the results he was looking for. The fast Frenchman carded a pair of sixth-place results, solidifying his sixth-place position in the standings, 52 points behind teammate Herrin.

Josh Herrin has enjoyed many great rides in his professional racing career, but few have matched the display he put on in race two of round six of the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship After Round Six

P1 – Josh Herrin (Ducati) 194

P2 – Jake Gagne 179

P3 – Bobby Fong 171

P4 – Cameron Petersen 167

P5 – Cameron Beaubier 147

P6 – Loris Baz (Ducati) 142

 

Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#2)

“That was a super awesome weekend at Laguna Seca,” Herrin said. “It’s extra special because we have the Ducati Rider Experience (DRE) event here tomorrow, and it’s huge to go into that with a win. We did the same last year at COTA in Texas before the DRE there, and you feel a lot more welcome when you win!

“I’m super happy to get this win and the championship lead. I had my family and the DeNaples family here, and I had two-time World Champion John Kocinski here helping me all weekend, so I’m pumped. We’re going to keep this ball rolling at Mid-Ohio.”
 

Loris Baz (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#76)

“I was expecting more than we got this weekend,” Baz said. “On Friday, I didn’t feel as good as I would have liked, and we didn’t change the bike because we weren’t that far behind in pace but on Saturday, we changed the bike significantly before race one. That race was pretty good, and I finished sixth.

“Starting with that base, we made some more adjustments today for race two, but it didn’t quite work out. I was still sixth, but I was faster than in race one so there are some positives, but I was hoping for more for me personally. It’s been a great weekend for the team, and congratulations to Josh for taking the race two win and the championship lead.”

The seventh round of the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship sees the Herrin and Baz head to the legendary Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Ohio for the first time in the MotoAmerica era over the August 16-18 weekend.

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Energica:

LAGUNA SECA 2024 – IT FINALLY HAPPENED.

 

There is a reason why closed-circuit motorcycle racing is one of the most popular and exciting disciplines in motorsport, and the world of competitive sport as a whole. There is a personal connection to the brand and especially to the riders that you hardly find in four-wheeled competition because the rider is clearly visible, out there touching the tarmac, wrestling their motorcycles for every thousandth of a second, while using every inch of asphalt available at speeds we would be too scared to come close to.

It is a race towards the limit and beyond, which generates a wide range of emotions that spikes in all directions and keeps fans glued to their seats (or couches). It can deliver excitement that is second to none. But it also comes with a flip side.

We are pleased to announce that the latest episode of RAI (Radiotelevisione Italiana) docuseries “Italian Genius” has just dropped, featuring the entrepreneurial journey of Energica with both Cevolinis, Livia and Franco. The episode is available on both Italian and
international channels and can be viewed by clicking HERE (with English subtitles.)

 
We have been making history in the Super Hooligan National Championship for one and a half seasons now, and we were wondering when that time would come. It happened to so many others up to this point and finally, it happened to us.

Yes. We finally experienced our first DNF due to technical reasons – in what was our fourteenth individual race in the series.

The good news is that the EVA Ribelle RS KCC has once again proven to be a solid package, capable of consistently racing in the top ten in the Mission Food Super Hooligan National Championship – against top-tier ICE manufacturers and riders. This was evident at The Ridge a fortnight ago, and it was quite clear this weekend at Laguna Seca. Racing is a competitive sport (no pun intended) and when there is a hiccup, there is also a chance to bounce back.

And so it happened that, after an eighth-place finish in Race One, Stefano Mesa’s race was cut short due to a technical issue experienced after just over half of the race. The cause is currently being investigated by the crew as we write this race report. The 31-year-old from Medellín, Colombia, was in the battle for eighth place until well… he wasn’t.

To push the boundaries of what a package is capable of is a risk worth taking, and it is the both the essence and the ultimate reason why motorcycle racing was born and still strives after more than a century.

Yes, this is racing. Does it suck? Sometimes. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

See you at Mid-Ohio.

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON FACTORY RACER KYLE WYMAN CLAIMS KING OF THE BAGGERS POINTS LEAD WITH A WIN IN RACE ONE AND SECOND IN RACE TWO AT LAGUNA SECA

 

 

Team Saddlemen Harley-Davidson Racer Cory West Takes Super Hooligan Win

MILWAUKEE (July 15, 2024) – Harley-Davidson® Factory Racing rider Kyle Wyman took over the MotoAmerica® Mission King of the Baggers points lead with a dominating win on Saturday and a second-place finish on Sunday in a double-header weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Salinas, Calif. Aboard a race-prepared 2024 Road Glide® motorcycle, Wyman also broke his own track record in qualifying and won the Mission King of the Baggers Challenge. RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson rider Hayden Gillim won on Sunday as Harley-Davidson riders locked out the King of the Baggers race podiums all weekend.

“For the Harley Factory Team, the great weekend really started on Friday,” said Wyman. “It put us a step ahead and I was really feeling the flow on the track right away. This Harley Road Glide is a beast and we won going away on Saturday. On Sunday, it took me a few laps to get pace but I’ll take nothing away from Hayden. He really wanted the win and I’m concerned with points for the championship so didn’t want to take a chance on the last lap.”

In the Mission Super Hooligan race series, Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson rider Cory West rode a race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Pan America® 1250 Special motorcycle to his second win of the season on Sunday after finishing second on Saturday. KWR/Harley-Davidson rider Hayden Schultz finished third on Saturday. Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson rider Jake Lewis finished second on Sunday. West was also the top qualifier and moved into second place in the series.

Wyman led all King of the Baggers qualifiers with a time of 1:28.182, breaking the lap record he set in 2023. Wyman also won the three-lap Mission King of the Baggers Challenge on Saturday. Starting from pole position on Saturday, Wyman led every lap of the nine-lap Mission King of the Baggers feature race. In the opening laps, Wyman led a group that included Harley-Davidson Factory Racing rider James Rispoli, RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson riders Hayden Gillim and Rocco Landers, Factory Indian rider Troy Herfoss and SDI/Roland Sands Racing Indian rider Bobby Fong. Wyman gradually opened a gap of about 1 second on Gillim, with Landers and Herfoss trailing. Herfoss ran off the track on lap 8, and later that same lap Landers got by Gillim to take second place. Wyman crossed the finish line 2.666 seconds clear of Landers with Gillim in third place followed by Fong and Rispoli. Herfoss finished 11th.

On Sunday, Wyman again led the King of the Baggers off the start with Gillim and Fong in pursuit. Gillim executed a daring pass for the lead at the top of the infamous Corkscrew turn on lap 3, but Wyman took the lead back with a pass in turn 2 on lap 6. On lap 8, Gillim got past Wyman again in the Corkscrew, and Fong dropped out with a mechanical problem. Gillim crossed the finish line 0.188 seconds ahead of Wyman. Landers made a last-lap pass of Herfoss to grab third place. Rispoli finished fifth.

“I knew I had to take whatever shot I could at Kyle. He’s riding really good,” said Gillim. “I’m really happy. My team gave me a good machine. We have the number one plate on there and the team deserves to see this bike up front.”

“It was a trying weekend that ended with a confidence boost and being able to get back into the fight and really put together a solid race,” said Rispoli following the Sunday race. “It’s not where we want to be, but we’ll take it. And I couldn’t be more proud of the team for leading the championship with Kyle.”

After 12 of 18 rounds in the 2024 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series, Wyman takes over the championship standings with 237 points, bumping Herfoss to second place with 223 points. Gillim moves up to third place with 176 points, followed by O’Hara with 161 points, Rispoli with 130 points, and Landers with 106 points.

After 6 of 10 rounds in the 2024 Mission Super Hooligan series, S&S/Indian rider Tyler O’Hara leads with 110 points. West moves up to second with 102 points, followed by KWR/Harley-Davidson rider Cody Wyman with 86 points, Lewis with 78 points, and Herfoss with 71 points.

The Mission King of the Baggers and the Mission Super Hooligan series return to action August 16-18 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

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 – Laguna Seca Race 1

1. Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
2. Rocco Landers (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
3. Hayden Gillim (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
4. Bobby Fong (Ind) SDI/Roland Sands Racing/Indian Motorcycle
5. James Rispoli (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
6. Max Flinders (Ind) Mad Monkey Motorsports
7. Tyler O’Hara (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
8. Jake Lewis (H-D) Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson
9. Travis Wyman (H-D) Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson
10. Ruben Xaus (H-D) Feuling Parts
11. Troy Herfoss (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
12. Danny Spina (H-D) Ruthless Road Racing
     

MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Race Results – Laguna Seca Race 2

1. Hayden Gillim (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
2. Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
3. Rocco Landers (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
4. Troy Herfoss (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
5. James Rispoli (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
6. Tyler O’Hara (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
7. Travis Wyman (H-D) Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson
8. Jake Lewis (H-D) Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson
9. Danny Spina (H-D) Ruthless Road Racing
    

Mission Super Hooligan Race Results – Laguna Seca Race 1

1. Tyler O’Hara (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
2. Cory West (H-D) Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson
3. Hayden Schultz (H-D) KWR/Harley-Davidson
4. Jake Lewis (H-D) Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson
5. Troy Herfoss (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
6. Travis Wyman (H-D) Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson
7. Cody Wyman (H-D) KWR/Harley-Davidson
8. Stefano Mesa (ENE) Tytlers Cycle Racing
9. Hawk Mazzotta (IND) Roland Sands Racing
10. Kole King (TRI) King Performance
11. AJ Peaslee (KTM) AJ Peaslee Racing
12. Jordan Eubanks (KTM) Ready To Ride
13. Rich Foster (H-D) Moto Moto Racing
14. Andrew Berkley (KTM) Underground Racing Team
15. Adan Mendoza (KTM) Organon Group
16. Dylan Wall (H-D) That Slow Sporty
17. Mitchel Stein (YAM) Team MIM
18. Kevin Greimel (DUC) Kevin Greimel Racing
19. Paul Canale (BMW) Team Orthopedics
20. Mike Boyce (KTM) 3D Motorsports
     

Mission Super Hooligan Race Results – Laguna Seca Race 2

1. Cory West (H-D) Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson
2. Jake Lewis (H-D) Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson
3. Tyler O’Hara (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
4. Cody Wyman (H-D) KWR/Harley-Davidson
5. Troy Herfoss (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
6. Hayden Schultz (H-D) KWR/Harley-Davidson
7. Travis Wyman (H-D) Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson
8. Hawk Mazzotta (IND) Roland Sands Racing
9. Kole King (TRI) King Performance
10. AJ Peaslee (KTM) AJ Peaslee Racing
11. Andrew Berkley (KTM) Underground Racing Team
12. Rich Foster (H-D) Moto Moto Racing
13. Adan Mendoza (KTM) Organon Group
14. Jeff Lane (KTM) Lane Racing Gray Area KTM
15. Dylan Wall (H-D) That Slow Sporty
16. Mitchel Stein (YAM) Team MIM
17. Jordan Eubanks (KTM) Ready To Ride
18. Kevin Greimel (DUC) Kevin Greimel Racing
19. Leroy Eshelman (Ind) OTW Racing
20. Mike Boyce (KTM) 3D Motorsports
21. Paul Canale (BMW) Team Orthopedics
     

 

 

More, from a press release issued by OrangeCat Racing:

Uribe scores pair of second place finishes in MotoAmerica Stock 1000 races at Laguna Seca

OrangeCat Racing rider leaves July 12-14 event within seven points of championship lead
 

MONTEREY, Calif. – Jayson Uribe’s string of success in his rookie season in MotoAmerica’s Stock 1000 Class continued this past weekend at the iconic Laguna Seca circuit. The OrangeCat Racing rider – who hails from Angwin, Calif. – looked right home when he topped the time sheets in practice and both qualifying sessions, claimed his first Stock 1000 pole position and secured a pair of runner-up results on Saturday and Sunday. 

Uribe also extended his streak of consecutive MotoAmerica Stock 1000 podium appearances from three to five and is just seven points behind the championship leader with one round and two races remaining. 

OrangeCat Racing’s second rider, Travis Wyman, put in his best qualifying performance of the year and collected two more top-10 finishes at the July 12-14 round. 

Uribe kicked off the weekend by being the fastest rider in both on-track sessions on Friday. He edged out another frontrunning rider for the best time in Friday morning practice by 0.026 seconds, then provisionally qualified first in the Friday afternoon Qualifying 1 session by a margin of 0.316 seconds. Wyman wasn’t far behind his teammate on Friday’s time sheets. He wrapped up practice as the fourth-fastest rider and provisionally qualified fifth in Qualifying 1. 

When Saturday morning’s Qualifying 2 session ended, Uribe had secured his first Stock 1000 pole position and improved his best lap time in Qualifying 1 by 0.445 seconds. Wyman ended up qualifying sixth for the weekend’s two Stock 1000 races after lowering his best lap time from a 1:26.557 in Qualifying 1 to a 1:26.196 in Qualifying 2. 

Later Saturday, Uribe got a great start but a mistake a few laps into the race forced him to settle for a runner-up result. Uribe led the race for the first two laps. Then, at the start of Lap 3, Uribe ran wide as he approached Turn 2 and lost two positions. He moved up from third place to second on Lap 8 of the 14-lap race and ended up scoring his fourth podium appearance of the season. Wyman was running in eighth place at the end of Lap 1 and finished Lap 2 in seventh place. He fell back to eighth place on Lap 3, which is the position he finished the race in. 

In Sunday’s race, Uribe got another good start and led the race for the first two laps. Another rider made a pass for the lead at the start of Lap 3, and one lap later Uribe lost another position and ran the next five laps in third place. Wyman lost a couple positions during the first lap and finished that lap in eighth place. Uribe gradually closed the gap to the second-place rider and overtook him on Lap 9. Unfortunately, Uribe’s strong pace wasn’t enough to close the gap to the race leader, but he still claimed his second second-place finish of the round. Wyman struggled a little for pace as the race went on, as he fell to ninth place on Lap 8 and ended up finishing the race in 10th. 

The final round of the MotoAmerica Stock 1000 season takes place Sept. 27-29 at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, N.J. 

 

 

Jayson Uribe / No. 360 

“Overall, it was a good weekend at Laguna. I felt like I had the pace over the field when I really needed it, but my main focus was on the championship fight. Getting pole was a huge bonus. I honestly didn’t think too much about it during the qualifying sessions. I just wanted to be in the first two rows. I tried to ride smooth and precise, I’m glad it worked out. The story for both races was pretty similar. Race 1 involved more mistakes on my end. However, both involved me leading for a few laps and then having to work my way through a pack. My main focus for Sunday was to minimize my mistakes and focus on riding well. I feel like I rode smart in Race 2 and did the best with the package we had. I really wanted to win this weekend, but it’s more important to finish the races and get championship points. Huge shoutout to the entire OrangeCat Racing team. They gave me a great bike to ride all weekend. I’m ready to keep the ball rolling for New Jersey.” 

 

 

Travis Wyman / No. 10

“It was another tough weekend for me. I had my best qualifying of the year but struggled with rear grip all weekend. I tried a big change for Race 1 but ended up falling back to eighth place. I tried another change for Race 2 and was feeling good with it for a handful of laps. But I again fell back a little and finished 10th. It was awesome to compete in three classes at the Laguna round and collect six top 10 finishes, but I’m going to work hard to be closer to the front in Stock 1000 at New Jersey.” 

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 Indian Motorcycle:

Indian Motorcycle Factory Rider Tyler O’Hara Pilots S&S Indian FTR to Victory,

Maintains SuperHooligan Championship Points Lead

Two-Time Defending SuperHooligan Champion Tyler O’Hara Secures First and Third Place,   Following Bar-to-Bar Action at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

 

 

MINNEAPOLIS, MN. (July 15, 2024) – Featuring two race winners, multiple lap leaders, and bar-to-bar action, the third stop of the 2024 Super Hooligan National Championship (SHNC) at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca proved nothing short of exhilarating. In the front of the pack is two-time defending Super Hooligan Champion Tyler O’Hara, who earned his first win of the 2024 season and maintained the series points lead following the doubleheader.

Race 1 featured fierce competition among multiple riders from start to finish. In a shortened six-lap race, O’Hara piloted his S&S Indian FTR to victory. In the final lap, O’Hara fell one spot as the pack of five riders made their way through the iconic corkscrew, though O’Hara stayed on the gas and was successful in making one final pass through turn 11, racing his FTR down the final stretch and past the checkered flag.

“This win couldn’t have come at a better time,” said O’Hara. “With a hometown audience, at this point in the season, a win is exactly what we needed to stay atop the leaderboard and push for another championship. Thank you to the entire S&S and Indian Motorcycle team, as the team had the FTR dialed in to near perfection.”

Through six races, O’Hara has 110 points and an eight-point lead in the championship standings. MotoAmerica’s SHNC will continue at Mid-Ohio August 16-18 and conclude at Circuit of the Americas September 13-15.

A special thanks to Indian Motorcycle Racing sponsors: S&S®, Progressive Insurance®, Mission® Foods, Parts Unlimited, Drag Specialties® and  Performance Finance. For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, X and Instagram.

ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®

Indian Motorcycle Company is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.

INDIAN and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE are registered trademarks of Indian Motorcycle International, LLC.  Always wear a helmet, protective clothing and eyewear and insist your passenger does the same.  Ride within the limits of the law and your own abilities.  Read, understand and follow your owner’s manual. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

ABOUT S&S® CYCLE

S&S® Cycle was born from a passion for racing and has spent over six decades building performance for the powersports market. Their unwavering focus on quality, reliability and top shelf power has made S&S® Cycle the absolute leader in high performance on the street and track.

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Suzuki Motor USA, Inc.:

CHALLENGING LAGUNA SECA WEEKEND FOR VISION WHEEL M4 ECSTAR SUZUKI 

Brea, CA, (July 15 2024) — Suzuki Motor USA (Suzuki) and Team Hammer’s Superbike and Supersport entries continued their ‘24 campaigns at the fabled WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. And like the venue itself, the teams’ weekend was notable for its unusual number of ups and downs.

Race Highlights

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki

Superbike

Xavi Forés was seventh twice, earning the positions on his Suzuki GSX-R1000R.

Brandon Paasch showed his speed with a second-row qualifying effort but was unable to fully capitalize on that raw speed in the races.

Supersport

Tyler Scott rebounded with a top ten on Sunday after suffering electrical issues the day before.

Teagg Hobbs took 12th- and 13th-place finishes on the weekend. 

Joel Ohman gained speed as the weekend progressed.

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s super-sub, Xavi Forés (34), continued to demonstrate his caliber aboard the team’s Suzuki GSX-R1000R, adapting to it on the fly while sitting in for the team’s regular pilot, Richie Escalante. In Saturday’s race, the reigning Supersport champion climbed his way up from tenth early to edge teammate Brandon Paasch for seventh by 0.244 seconds at the flag. Forés registered a similar charge on Sunday, again racing up to seventh from tenth, this time punctuated by a last-lap, last-corner pass for position.

 

Forés said, “We were expecting to have a solid weekend after the steps we made at Ridge, but for some reason, we couldn’t find quite the right setup for this track. It was a pleasure to work with the entire team during these races. Richie is getting better, and Ohio is the target for him, so I wish all of them all the best. I want to say a huge thank you to the team for having me on board. I’ve enjoyed it; we earned a podium together and learned a lot.”

Brandon Paasch (96) impressed with a second-row qualifying effort aboard his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R. After narrowly missing out on seventh following his duel with teammate Forés on Saturday, Paasch was eager to improve on Sunday. Unfortunately, he crashed out of the race at the start of the second lap while running in the lead pack.

 

“We had our best qualifying of the season here, but I wasn’t quite able to run that pace in the races. It was a little disappointing to finish eighth on Saturday, not the best and not the worst. On Sunday, I was trying to get a better start and hang onto some racers in front of me when I tucked the front. I’m sore, but I think I’m okay.”

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott (70) did his best to salvage a tough weekend for the squad’s Supersport crew by picking up a top-ten finish on Sunday after missing Saturday’s race due to an electrical issue suffered on the warm-up lap. Scott battled hard aboard his next-generation GSX-R750, duking it out in a multi-rider fight to ultimately come away with a ninth-place result.

 

Scott said, “It was a long weekend with a bunch of ups and downs. We were chasing setup all weekend, and we came prepared for Race 1 with a bike we thought would be good to battle with, but unfortunately we had an electrical problem. That left us with a DNS, although the team worked hard until the last possible second to try and get me out for the race. For the second race, I had a really good start from the third row but early on began to suffer with setup issues and a track limits penalty that ended with me in ninth. It was a tough weekend with lots to take home to think about in the next month. I am going to be back at Mid-Ohio stronger than ever and ready to win.”

Teammate Teagg Hobbs (79) encountered uncharacteristic struggles as well. Fresh off a sixth place at the previous round, and returning to WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway where he finished in the top five aboard his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 one year ago, Hobbs was unable to find his typical pace and left the weekend with 12th- and 13th-place finishes. 

 

 

“It was a really tough weekend, the toughest I have ever had racing,” Hobbs admitted. “We’ve been chasing a problem for two events that we can’t identify. We have a plan for these next four weeks before Ohio to address it, and we’ll do our best.”

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s third Supersport pilot, Joel Ohman (92), continued to soak up as much experience as possible at the tricky race track. Ohman raced his way forward by running laps quicker than his qualifying best to pick up several positions on his starting slot in both races.
 

 

“The weekend went well,” Ohman said. “I started out faster than I had gone here before, and kept getting quicker every session. We picked up a second and a half by the time the weekend was done. In the races, I had good battles on Saturday and Sunday. It felt good to mix it up. We feel like we are making progress, and that’s the goal.”

The 2024 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship will resume in just over a month’s time at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 16-18 in Lexington, Ohio.

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 Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.:

Gagne Scores Pair of Top-Five Finishes at Laguna Seca

Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne collects valuable points in the title chase before MotoAmerica heads into the summer break  

MARIETTA, Ga. –  July 15, 2024 – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne capped off the MotoAmerica Superbike weekend at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with another fifth-place finish at the iconic track in Monterey, California. Dealing with lingering arm pump issues, the reigning champion’s pair of top-five finishes earned valuable points to maintain the runner-up spot in the fierce battle for the premier-class crown. Unfortunately Cameron Petersen’s race ended early with a technical issue.

Gagne got a good start from the third row of the grid and quickly made his way to sixth. He advanced to fifth on Lap 6 and rode his own race to finish comfortably in the position. The pair of top-five finishes on the technical track was a valuable points haul for the defending three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion who has been feeling less than 100%. He leaves the sixth round of the championship maintaining the runner-up spot in the standings and trailing by 15 points. As the series heads into a five-week summer break, Gagne will undergo surgery to address his arm pump issues.

Petersen got a great start to Race 2 and slotted into the runner-up spot. The South African was passed early on Lap 2 and then again in the corkscrew. Riding in fourth, it was a heated four-rider battle at the front. Unfortunately, on Lap 6, Petersen started to drop down the order and ultimately withdrew with a technical issue. 

The Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team heads back east to Lexington, Ohio, in five weeks time for Round 7 of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 16-18.

 

Richard Stanboli – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager

“We had a much-improved setup for Sunday, and Cameron was confident, but unfortunately an unforeseen technical issue caught us out. Jake soldiered on through the race and secured a few more good points. We look forward to Mid Ohio and the ability to compete with two healthy riders.”

 

 

Jake Gagne – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #1

“We managed to pick up the pace a bit today and be a little closer to the front to get a few more points. The team and bike deserve to be fighting for wins, so it’ll be nice to have a few weeks off and be stronger for the last part of the season.”

 

 

Cameron Petersen – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #45

“It’s not the best way to end the weekend. The bike felt great, and I felt like I was in a good position to fight at the front, but unfortunately, we had an issue with the bike and were unable to finish the race. Thank you to the team for all the hard work. We will come back swinging after the summer break.”

 

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 Altus Motorsports:

MotoAmerica: Altus Motorsports Results from the Laguna Seca

(Monterey, CA) The MotoAmerica round at the iconic Laguna Seca circuit delivered a range of outcomes for the team. After grappling with persistent electrical issues earlier in the season, the team appears to have resolved these problems and is poised for some strong results.

Jake Lewis qualified 5th. In Race 1, he finished a strong 4th place. After an uncharacteristically poor start in Race 2, he dropped back to 11th on the first lap. Lewis fought back to 6th and ultimately finished in 7th place.

 

 

Jake Lewis: “Overall it was a decent weekend. 4th in Race 1 but Race 2 was frustrating. My start was terrible and I lost too much ground. I feel like we made progress with the bike and I am looking forward to the last 3 rounds after the summer break.”

Jaret Nassaney faced challenges with his bike setup, which led to a 17th-place qualification. An early crash in Race 1, relegated him back to 27th. He managed to pick up the bike and battle back to finish 23rd. On Sunday, Nassaney found his rhythm, running his fastest time of the race with two laps remaining and finishing in 15th place.

 

 

Jaret Nassaney: “Another frustrating weekend for me. I can’t seem to get everything to click. I crashed in Race 1 after losing the front over the slick sealer strips in Turn 2 and didn’t have enough time or pace to get back in the points. A month off to recoup, and hopefully, we can end the last three rounds strong.”

Starting both races from 12th on the grid, Torin Collins encountered difficulties early in the first Supersport race, ending up in the gravel trap after a collision with another rider. In Race 2, Collins finished in a lonely, but very respectable 10th place. 

 

 

Torin Collins: “We definitely made some great forward progress with the bike at Laguna. I am super happy to finally feel like the setup and the feeling with the bike is coming together. The team worked hard all weekend. We tried different changes with the stiffness and it definitely helped. I’m glad to get another top 10 — especially after an unfortunate accident in race 1. Upwards and onwards!”

George Nassaney: “Laguna Seca truly presented a mixed bag of results for us. The crashes on Saturday were disappointing, but having all three riders in the top 15 on Sunday was a significant achievement. We are extremely relieved to have put our electronic issues behind us, allowing us to compete at our best. As a team, and from one race family to another, we want to send our deepest condolences the Dreher family for their truly tragic loss.”

The team remains optimistic and focused as they prepare for the next round of the MotoAmerica series, determined to continue their upward trajectory.

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

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Tytlers Cycle Racing:

Cameron back on top, JD in the mix, Stefano fighting for the podium at Laguna Seca

The annual MotoAmerica weekend at the iconic Laguna Seca circuit was once again kind to the Tytlers Cycle Racing team, who left the undulating Californian circuit with another Superbike win, a brace of good results in both the Supersport and Super Hooligan categories.

It was the home round for Cameron Beaubier who was in better physical shape than at the previous round although still not one hundred percent. However, able to ride as he wanted, Beaubier was on fire all weekend. Qualifying on Pole Position by a third of a second he converted P1 on the grid to a race one win by over a second. Narrowly missing the double. He finished second in race two.

JD Beach rode well all weekend on the second BMW M1000 RR. He finished a credible eighth in race two after a spill in Saturday’s opening twenty lap encounter when fighting inside the top six.

In Supersport Stefano Mesa had another strong showing. The Kawasaki mounted rider was in contention for the podium in both races achieving seventh and fifth, respectively. It was a double duty weekend for Mesa who was also aboard the Energica machine in the Super Hooligan class. An unfortunate mechanical issue put him out of race two on Sunday after a competitive ride to P8 twenty-four hours earlier.

There is a short gap in the calendar now before the series resumes in Mid-Ohio in August.

JD Beach: “The weekend at Laguna started off in a good direction. I felt like we had a good day on Friday. We were working a lot on setup with used tyres but still had good pace. Saturday morning qualifying was good, and I found a good chunk of time with the Q tyre, so I was looking forward to Race one. In the first race we had a decent start, and I was right in between Gagne and Baz but then with five laps to go I lost the front and crashed at turn ten. I didn’t do anything different, the front just turned under and tucked. On Sunday in the race, I just didn’t quite have the same pace I had on Saturday. I was a bit nervous with the front and wasn’t pushing it hard enough. Now we have a bit of a break before the last push of the season. It’s time to reset and see what we can do the last three rounds.”

Cameron Beaubier: “Laguna is always a fun one with the family coming out. I felt relieved on Friday that I could ride the bike like normal with my foot. Winning race one was a great feeling after the last month I’ve had. I was comfortable pushing the bike and had good feel. Race two I didn’t quite have that feeling at the beginning but throughout the race it got better. Herrin was strong on the brakes and was tough to pass. We are still far from the top in terms of the overall points, but we made some ground on some guys in the championship this weekend. We just gotta keep fighting. It’s not over until it’s over.”

Stefano Mesa: “We are always looking forward to Laguna as it is a special place. The weekend was good for us making progress on the SuperSport bike and being able to run up front. We struggled quite a bit in qualifying, but the crew got to work for the race and found a comfortable set up which allowed me to push and go with the front group for the races. In race one we had a good battle. We ran the whole race fighting with the group that was battling for the last spot on the podium. I tried my best to do some passing on the last lap but came up a bit short and ended up P7. For race two we decided to try a different setting and ended up going a bit faster. We went with the same group for almost the whole race, but I started to fall back just a bit at the end and ended up P5. The hooligan bike is always a treat to ride, and I had some fun on that again this weekend too. We were a bit faster than last year through the weekend and had some good racing. For race one we had a small issue and almost missed the start. We got a good launch and I put myself fourth off the line. We were in the mix with some of the Indian and Harley riders and ended up eighth. We were having a good race two the bike had a mechanical. “