It’s Road America Time For MotoAmerica
The Fast And The Furious Head To Wisconsin
COSTA MESA, CA (May 29, 2019) – If Cameron Beaubier’s future can match his past, then he goes into the Dunlop Championship at Road America as the hands-down favorite for victory in America’s Dairyland. After all, the three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion has won seven of the last 10 EBC Brakes Superbike races in Wisconsin.
Beaubier’s success at Road America is eclipsed only by seven-time AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin, the Australian having won nine times in Elkhart Lake during his career. A sweep of the two races in round four of the 2019 MotoAmerica EBC Brakes Superbike Series, May 31-June 2, would move Beaubier into a tie with Mladin, who won his first in 1997 and his last in 2009.
But it’s never easy at Road America as evidenced by the fact that Beaubier’s seven Superbike wins there have been by a combined margin of victory of just 1.770 seconds. Last year alone, his two wins over Josh Herrin were by only .002 of a second and .194 of a second.
As was the case last year, Beaubier needs a strong outing at Road America to bring some momentum back to him and his Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing team because right now the early season pendulum has swung to Yoshimura Suzuki’s Toni Elias, which shouldn’t come as a shock.
Elias always starts his season with a bang and this year is no exception as he arrives at Road America with two wins, three seconds and a third in the six races held so far. That equates to a 24-point lead on Beaubier, who has two wins, a second and two thirds in his 2019 tally. Beaubier’s crash in race two at the last round at VIRginia International Raceway is the difference between the two.
“We’ve had great success at Road America and that’s where I got my season jump-started last year,” Beaubier said. “I love the track and it seems to suit my R1. Going into every race weekend our goal is always to put ourselves in a position to win both races and that remains the goal at Road America.”
As it stands right now, this is a two-horse race for the title between Elias and Beaubier, but that could also change at Road America. Attack Performance Estenson Racing’s JD Beach is third in the title chase and already 48 points behind Elias, but he’s coming in hot with his first-ever AMA Superbike win coming in race two at VIR.
Beaubier’s teammate Garrett Gerloff is fourth in the title chase as the series heads to Wisconsin, the Texan just six points behind Beach with three podium finishes thus far in the season. Gerloff is, in turn, 10 points clear of M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Jake Lewis, the only rider in the top five other than Elias to have scored points in all six races so far.
Yoshimura Suzuki’s Josh Herrin and Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz head to Road America hoping their worst races are behind them. The two are tied for sixth in the championship but are 68 points behind Elias. Herrin has two non-finishes and Scholtz has one and the pair need to right the ship in Wisconsin.
FLY Racing/ADR Motorsports’ David Anthony has had a great start to his season, the Aussie transplant scoring in every round to sit eighth in the point standings. He’s four points clear of Omega Moto’s Cameron Petersen, the South African coming off a solid weekend at VIR where he battled for a podium finish in race two before finishing sixth. Kyle Wyman brings his KWR Ducati into Wisconsin 10thin the series points but fresh off a test that he’s hoping pays dividends with his still-developing Ducati Panigale V4R.
Finishing all four Supersport races has paid off for PJ Jacobsen and Richie Escalante thus far in the 2019 season with Jacobsen leading the championship on his Celtic HSBK Racing Yamaha R6 by five points over the equally consistent Escalante and his Hudson Motorcycles R6. Jacobsen won his first-ever MotoAmerica race at VIR a few weeks ago and Escalante, who is winless thus far, had his best ever finish of second in race one in Virginia.
Trailing Jacobsen by just seven points is Rickdiculous Racing’s Hayden Gillim, the only two-time winner on the season so far. Gillim has a non-finish on his ledger and that’s the difference between him and Jacobsen.
There have been three different winners in the four races so far and that third winner is M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Bobby Fong. Fong won race two at Road Atlanta but two crashes at VIR have set him back and he trails Jacobsen by 18 points. Fong is also just three points ahead of his teammate Sean Dylan Kelly, the 17-year-old collecting two podium finishes already in the first four races of his rookie season.
Ninja400.com/NortonMotorsports/Dr. Farr-backed Rocco Landers has won three of the four Liqui Moly Junior Cup races in 2019, but he struggled in the wet race two at VIR and his lead in the championship is just seven points over Quarterley Racing/On Track Development’s Dallas Daniels. Daniels has three second-place finishes and very nearly beat Landers in race one at VIR. Those two appear locked in a two-man battle for the title as they lead RiderzLaw Racing/Blud Lubricants/Finishline’s Jackson Blackmon by 46 points with the South Carolinian earning his first podium of the season in race two at VIR.
Rickdiculous Racing’s Gauge Rees is fourth in the championship with Dominic Doyle Racing’s Dominic Doyle rounding out the top five heading into Road America.
The Stock 1000 class entries have bulged to 29 for Road America and it’s VIR winner Michael Gilbert who leads them into Road America with the points lead. Gilbert, on his Team Norris Racing Kawasaki, won his first Stock 1000 race at VIR and he leads Road Atlanta winner Andrew Lee and his Franklin Armory/Graves Kawasaki by seven points. Lee raced at VIR with a badly damaged pinkie finger on his left hand and the three weeks between races should help the young Californian get back on pace in Wisconsin. Stefano Mesa is just nine points behind Gilbert after two podium finishes in the first two races. For the first time, the Stock 1000 class will race twice at Road America.
The Twins Cup Championship after three races is led by last year’s champion, Chris Parrish. The Ghetto Customs rider is five points clear of RBoM Copoulos Built’s Curtis Murray, the pair on the podium in all three races. The other rider to win a race other than Parrish is Michael Barnes, the veteran racer winning both races at Road Atlanta but failing to finish the lone race at VIR. Murray trails Parrish by five points with Barnes 11 points behind.
Road America Notes…
Road America’s first official race was in September 1955, which was an SCCA-sanctioned auto race. Motorcycles began racing at Road America in June 1980.
That first AMA Superbike race in 1980 was won by three-time World Champion Freddie Spencer, the first of 25 different racers who have won the 58 Superbike races held at Road America.
The official track length of Road America is 4.048 miles, which is the longest road course on the MotoAmerica schedule. Road America features 14 turns, and sections of the track have colorful nicknames such as Moraine Sweep, Hurry Downs, The Carousel, The Kink, Kettle Bottoms, Canada Corner, Thunder Valley, and the Bill Mitchell Bend.
Mat Mladin has the most Superbike race wins at Road America, with nine victories. Eight of those wins came on Yoshimura Suzukis with his first victory in Wisconsin coming on a Fast By Ferracci Ducati in 1997. Mladin also holds the motorcycle racing lap record at Road America, his 2:11.208 set during race two at Road America in 2006.
The next two in line behind Mladin are active MotoAmerica racers Josh Hayes (with eight) and Cameron Beaubier (with seven). With Hayes now in the Supersport class, it is Beaubier who has the opportunity to move up. Two wins at Road America this weekend and he will be tied with Mladin on nine wins. Beaubier has swept the Road America doubleheader twice (2016 and 2017), joining Nicky Hayden, Hayes, Mladin and Duhamel as the riders who have won two Superbike races on the same weekend in Wisconsin.
As far as manufacturers go, Yamaha has the most Superbike wins at Road America with 19, followed by Suzuki (15), Honda (12), Ducati (eight) and Kawasaki (four). Of late, Yamaha has won seven of the last eight races in Elkhart Lake.
Road America is known for its high speeds and close race finishes. And you don’t have to look farther than last year with Cameron Beaubier beating Josh Herrin by just .002 of a second in race one and then beating Herrin again the next day by just .195 of a second. The average margin of victory for Beaubier’s seven MotoAmerica wins at Road America? Just .252 of a second as he won those seven races by a combined margin of only 1.770 seconds.
Cameron Beaubier earned pole position for last year’s EBC Brakes Superbike race with his lap of 2:11.422. Beaubier’s best was .240 of a second faster than Yoshimura Suzuki’s Toni Elias with Beaubier’s teammate Garrett Gerloff completing row one in third.
As mentioned previously, Beaubier won both races last year besting Herrin and Gerloff in race one and Herrin and Roger Hayden in race two.
The two Supersport races a year ago were won by Valentin Debise and JD Beach. Debise is no longer competing in the MotoAmerica Series and Beach has moved up to the MotoAmerica EBC Brakes Superbike Series. The two Liqui Moly Junior Cup races last year were won by Alex Dumas and Ashton Yates. Dumas is now racing in the Twins Cup class with Yates racing Supersport. Jason Madama and Shane Richardson were the winners of the Twins Cup and Stock 1000 races, respectively, last season at Road America.
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
More, from a press release issued by Attack Performance/Estenson Racing:
JD Beach Looking to Keep Momentum Rolling into Road America
(Above) JD Beach (95). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy of Estenson Racing.
Now that JD Beach has that first MotoAmerica Superbike win to his credit, the dirt track/road racer is hungry for more success this weekend at Road America, May 31 through June 2. Currently sitting third in the standings, 48 points behind the championship leader, Beach also looks to close the gap in the title chase aboard his Attack Performance Estenson Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike.
Although a couple of the American Flat Track rounds on the schedule got postponed due to weather, the Owensboro, Kentucky, resident has still been very busy with racing and testing. In addition to the So-Cal Half-Mile and a win at Steve Nace’s All Star race at the Springfield TT last weekend, Beach and his team found the time to do some Superbike testing in California. It was a productive test for the team, giving Beach extra confidence on top of his success at VIR and he looks to build on that at round four in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
JD Beach — MotoAmerica Superbike #95:
“Road America is a track that I enjoy a lot and it has a lot of really great fans, so it’s always a fun weekend. It’s also one of those weekends where you are always kind of guessing what the weather will do, but I think that kind of makes it a little bit more fun.
“After the last race I’m feeling really good. We did some testing with the Attack bike to figure out some things with the forks and I think that went really well. I know the whole team has been working hard on the bike to find a little bit more power for the long straights at Road America. I think it’s going to be a great weekend and I’m really looking forward to it.”
The MotoAmerica Superbike races at Road America will be aired on FS2 Saturday, June 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET and Sunday, June 2 at 6:00 p.m. ET. You can also stream all the action live on MotoAmerica Live+ starting at 10:00 a.m. ET on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2 at 10:15 a.m. ET. . To subscribe to the live streaming app, click here: https://www.motoamericaliveplus.com/
For more information about the event, click here: https://motoamerica.com/roadamerica-2/
Stay up to date with Estenson Racing on Facebook, Twitter , Instagram and YouTube.
More, from a press release issued by Westby Racing:
Westby Racing Ready For “Four Miles Of Fun” At Road America This Weekend
Tulsa, OK – May 29, 2019 – Round four of the 2019 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship starts this Friday at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, and riders Mathew Scholtz and Sam Lochoff, along with the entire Westby Racing team, are looking forward to stretching their legs on the longest race course on the MotoAmerica schedule.
(Above) Mathew Scholtz (11). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy of Westby Racing.
“We’ve had a pretty long break since the Virginia round,” commented Mathew, “And that’s worked out well for me because I injured my shoulder at VIR, and it’s feeling much better now. I’m back to 100%, feeling good, and I’ve been training hard. Road America is where my American journey started in 2016, so the place is very special to me. We struggled slightly at Road America last year, but this year, it’s a whole different ball game for us. After the Virginia race, we learned a lot as far as what we needed to do with the software to make the bike better. Everyone is looking forward to getting back out on track, and with the three-day schedule, things will be back to normal this weekend. I’ll be racing hard to put the ‘gold bike’ at the front.”
Superbike Superpole is on Saturday at 11:15 AM Central, Superbike race one will go green on Saturday at 3 PM Central, and Superbike Race 2 is on Sunday also at 3 PM Central. Both races will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 2 (FS2), and streamed on MotoAmerica Live+.
Sam, who competes in the MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship aboard the #57 Westby Racing Yamaha YZF-R3, is excited to race for the very first time at Road America’s 4.05-mile, 14-turn natural road course.
“I’ve heard a lot about Road America, and I’m really looking forward to racing there,” Sam said. “I’m also looking forward to seeing all the fans.”
Junior Cup race one starts on Saturday at 1:10 PM Central, and Junior Cup race two is on Sunday also at 1:10 PM Central. MotoAmerica Junior Cup will be streamed via MotoAmerica Live+.
Meet Mathew and Sam, Get Some Autographed Posters, And More
Mathew and Sam will both be available for autographs at the Westby Racing transporter in the Road America paddock during the Dunlop Paddock Autograph Signing on Saturday from 12 to 12:45 PM. The Dunlop Hot Pit Walk, scheduled for 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Sunday on pit lane at Road America, is another great opportunity to meet Mathew and Sam. They’ll be handing out free, autographed posters and other team items, and you can get your picture taken with them, as well as with Lacy Contreras, the Westby Racing brand ambassador.
Check Out The Westby Racing Sponsor Showcase
Evol Technology, MWR Air Filters, and EAZI-GRIP will be the featured team sponsors on display in the Westby Racing paddock area, so be sure to stop by to say hello and learn about some of the companies that support the team.
For more updates about Westby Racing, including news, photos, and videos, visit https://www.WestbyRacing.com
Also, follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites.
More, from a press release issued by RBoM Racing:
RBoM Racing’s Curtis Murray, from Ellenboro, NC, and his 2018-model Suzuki SV650 have caught the attention of Robem Engineering and a support deal has been struck to help Murray make the MotoAmerica west coast swing. RBoM logo out, Robem Engineering logo in, as the #180 machine of Curtis Murray heads to this weekend’s MotoAmerica Twins Cup race at Road America. Murray currently sits 2nd in the 2019 Twins Cup points standings, just 5 points behind defending champion and fellow RBoM-powered SV650 competitor Chris Parrish.
(Above) Curtis Murray’s Robem Engineering-sponsored Suzuki SV650 Twins Cup racebike.
“I wanted to chase the MotoAmerica Twins Cup championship this year” Murray said “but we all know that it’s pretty difficult to win the championship without going to all the races. Don’t get me wrong, the Suzuki contingency money is awesome, as is the MotoAmerica purse money, but this is the best opportunity I’ve ever had. Robem Engineering has been making us some trick parts this year and I was blown away when they stepped up to help make the rest of the season happen”
RBoM Racing team principal Russell Masecar adds “the logistics of competing in every race on the MotoAmerica schedule is probably the biggest hurdle for any competitor in the paddock, and the RBoM riders are in the same boat. Our original plan was to just do the east coast rounds, like last year, and cherry-pick the Suzuki contingency money. Matt Spicer of Robem Engineering didn’t like that idea and wanted to get involved. RBoM rider Chris Bays has already signed up for the season and now Curtis Murray will join him on the grid as the series heads west.”
Robem Engineering is a custom CNC machine shop based in Hamilton, Ohio. The company specializes in making billet-aluminum race parts for Suzuki SV650’s and Yamaha FZ/MT07’s. The MotoAmerica Twins Cup class is the perfect proving ground for Robem engineered parts and their research and development will benefit professionals and club-racers alike.
More, from a press release issued by Mesa37 Racing:
Mesa Set Send It at Race Road America
Stefano Mesa will be returning to Road America to contest the Stock 1000 class with MotoAmerica May 31st – June 2nd. It has been six years since Mesa claimed twin second place podium finishes in the AMA Supersport class at the four mile-long course.
Mesa recently completed a successful campaign to the podium at his last two events despite some mechanical issues with his machine. Immediately following the VIR round, initial inspection of Mesa’s Kawasaki ZX-10R revealed that the motor was pushing water due to a failed head gasket. A thorough inspection of the bike revealed additional problems, and with a regional ASRA/CCS weekend on the horizon, Plan B was put into play: Borrow a bike. Stefano’s father, Mauricio, knew just what to do. And, after one phone call and one borrowed brand new ZX-10R later, Mesa37 Racing was off to Summit Point to test out the new machine during the ASRA/CCS Summit Point Cycle Fest event, where he not only landed on the podium, but secured a new class lap record at Summit Point of 1:11.370 in the ASRA Superstock class.
Less than a week later, the family-run, self-funded team are on the way to Road America for the Stock 1000 class’ third round with MotoAmerica. Since Mesa is gainfully employed full-time and time-off from work is not easy to acquire, his parents, Mauricio and Karen Mesa, will transport the borrowed bike and all the gear – following one quick stop at the Raleigh, NC airport to pick up the suspension guy, Mike Fitzgerald (a.k.a. Thermosman), to help with the long drive to Wisconsin and all the trackside necessities. Mesa will arrive Thursday via airplane, continuing to save his lunch money and work towards accruing additional time off, with plans to fly out early Monday morning so he can return to work by 9am and his real-life responsibilities.
“I’m Excited for the weekend,” Mesa exclaimed. “I haven’t been there (Road America) in a long time, but the place has always treated me well. I won my first AMA National there, so I’m looking forward to what the weekend brings. I love the track and hope I can tame it on the big bike since I was on a 600 the last time I was there!”
The Stock 1000 class is scheduled to race twice over the three-day event. Once on Saturday afternoon, and again Sunday afternoon, with the first qualifying session set for Friday. The class has grown since the beginning of the season with 29 racers entered to compete at the longest track of the series. “I’m excited to see the class growing and with good talent in it,” Mesa stated. “I can’t wait to put my helmet on and send it!” Mesa currently sits third in points standings for the Stock 1000 class.
Free, autographed posters will be available in the paddock and Mesa will be available for photos with fans. Updates of Stefano Mesa’s racing season will be posted on Facebook (facebook.com/stefano.mesa) and Instagram (instagram.com/stefano37). All of the Stock 1000 series’ on-track action can be viewed both live and on demand via MotoAmerica’s Live+ streaming service. The service provides live daily coverage of all classes’ practice, qualifying, and race sessions plus interviews and other special features. To sign up visit: motoamericaliveplus.com.