This weekend’s results are brought to you by 6D Helmets.
Editorial Note: The race was run in a steady rain shower with an increasing amount of water on the track. Some of the riders who crashed during the race included: Loris Baz, Jake Gagne, Josh Herrin, Cameron Petersen, Mathew Scholtz, Kyle Wyman, and Travis Wyman.
HONOS Superbike Championship Point Standings (after 18 of 20 races):
- Gagne, 404 points, clinched Championship
- Scholtz, 312
- Petersen, 240
- Baz, 202
- Herrin, 194
- Fong, 191
- Barbera, 151
- Jake Lewis, 113
- Kyle Wyman, 92
- Toni Elias, 76
- Travis Wyman, 74
- Alexander, 69
- Gilbert, 53
- Anthony, 50
- Jayson Uribe, 39
- Danilo Lewis, 37
- Lee, 30
- Yates, 29
- Bradley Ward, 28
- Farris, 28
Superbike Cup Championship Point Standings (after 18 of 20 races):
- Jake Lewis, 356 points, clinched Championship
- Travis Wyman, 266
- Alexander, 234
- Gilbert, 200
- Danilo Lewis, 171
- Farris, 166
- Lee, 145
- Coffey, 103
- Yates, 100
- Hunter Dunham, 98
More, from a press release issued by MotoAmerica:
Petersen Gets His First-Career MotoAmerica Superbike Victory
Cameron Petersen And Mother Nature Stop Jake Gagne’s Win Streak At 16 With Win At Barber
BIRMINGHAM, AL (September 18, 2021) – One of the most dramatic races in AMA Superbike history took place in a rainstorm at Barber Motorsports Park on Saturday and it’s one that won’t soon be forgotten, especially if your name is Cameron Petersen. Or Mathew Scholtz. Or Loris Baz.
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Petersen earned his first-career MotoAmerica Superbike win after surviving a crash in the downpour. Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz finished second after surviving a crash in the downpour. Oh, and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York’s Loris Baz finished third after also surviving a crash in the downpour.
And that translates to the unbelievable fact that all three podium finishers crashed in the same race in which they podiumed for the first time in AMA Superbike history. Yes, all three podium finishers suffered a crash and finished on the podium. All three… well, you get the point.
Petersen’s first HONOS Superbike win made him the 62nd rider in history to win an AMA Superbike race and the second from South Africa. The win also went a long way to solidifying Petersen’s hold on third in the 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship with two races left to run on Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park.
Petersen also teamed up with Mother Nature to stop Jake Gagne’s win streak at 16 with the newly crowned 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Champion crashing out of the lead on the second lap, remounting, pitting for repairs, and then ending up 12th.
“Honestly, I don’t think it’s really hit me yet,” Petersen said. “It’s been a long road to get to this point. Like you said, I had this circled from the beginning of the season. I know this is my favorite track in the world, and I knew that the Suzukis are really good around here. I came into Barber with a little bit of confidence, and I think that has kind of shaped my weekend so far. Honestly, I don’t really know what to say. That cool down lap, I was so emotional. My family sacrificed everything for me to get to this point. To finally get a Superbike win, it feels like it has paid off, especially riding against world-class riders like this. This place is no joke. I couldn’t be happier. But, honestly, that was probably the craziest race I’ve ever been involved in.
“The beginning of the race wasn’t too bad, but it was actually pretty good conditions for a rain race. Then, unfortunately, I ran over the paint into turn one and ended up crashing. But I did whatever I could to hold onto the bike and try to keep it running. Lucky, when I picked the bike up, it started right up first fire. I was able to get going back in second. I knew I had a gap behind me, so I was just trying to do laps and make sure I brought the bike home. Then as the race went on, it started really puddling up. Honestly, there wasn’t a spot on the track where we weren’t hydroplaning unless we were on the upper apex of the corner. Honestly, (it was) probably one of the scariest races I’ve been in. It’s unfortunate. I came over turn four and I saw yellow flags and I was like, ‘there’s no way.’ Sure enough, went into five and unfortunately Matty (Scholtz), same thing. He got out into the thick water and just hydroplaned. It was crazy. It’s unfortunate that he went down, but I’m going to take my first win any way I can get it. Hopefully, this isn’t the last. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and been in my corner. Like I said, I hope this isn’t the last, and let’s try to win two more tomorrow.”
Petersen and Scholtz battled at the front of the pack after Gagne’s demise. Then Petersen crashed in turn one and Scholtz held court at the front by himself. Then came the fateful 15th lap and Scholtz was down, the South African sliding from the crest of the hill out of turn four all the way down to turn five. He remounted but Petersen had already splashed past and was on his way to victory.
“I came over four, same as I’d done every single lap prior, and the puddle was just bigger than it was and the front just washed out,” Scholtz said. “I was basically riding and just hydroplaned and crashed. Not much to it. The track was just way too wet for us to be riding. I don’t think there was a single rider that was holding it flat out on the start/finish line. We were in fourth gear spinning, second, third, fourth down the whole straight. I’ve got mixed emotions now. Obviously, second is good. I’m really, really happy finishing second. I’m really happy for Cam, winning his first Superbike race. It was a little bit bulls*&% that when three of the four guys had all crashed and I was in front putting my hand up like, ‘guys, we’ve been hydroplaning.’ We are on Superbikes, fourth and fifth gear flat out spinning out, then just had to keep on going and unfortunately crashed. It is what it is. We’re going to have to come back tomorrow and just try to hang on. I know that Jake (Gagne) had a pretty decent pace going. The track with how it is, it was very slippery. So definitely try to change a couple things and come back swinging tomorrow.”
Baz was fortunate to be able to race at all after a crash on Friday left him beaten up with a damaged right wrist. Since he wasn’t able to take part in the qualifying sessions, he was also forced to start from the back row. He charged through the pack and caught the battle between Scholtz and Petersen, before suffering his crash and remounting in ninth place. From there he charged again and worked his way back to third for his seventh podium finish of the season. The wet conditions made it a bit easier on his injured wrist, but the crash in the race left him with barely a nub for a right footpeg and a right handlebar that was bent almost to the tank.
“The (wet weather) made it easier, then I crashed again on the race,” Baz said. “For the restart, the side of the bike, especially the handlebars, were completely bent into the fairing, so I don’t even know how I managed on the start. Then I just had to work my handlebars from a really strange position. It was bent the opposite way. It was so hard just to touch the brake. I just tried to survive after that. Also, the conditions, at that moment, the rain was okay. I think we all had really good fun then it started to rain more. I should have fought until the end, but for sure, when you are hydroplaning with a 1000cc in turn 15, it’s really frightening. That race was just so strange. My expectation at the start, I just wanted to use it as a qualifying race, just try to get the best start position for tomorrow. After three laps, I was fourth and then third. I came behind them and then I crashed again. Then again, I just tried to restart and go for the qualifying. I didn’t know I was third until I crossed the finish line. I was sure Jake (Gagne) was in front of me, because I saw him crash and passing me back. It was just a crazy race. Hats off to Cam (Petersen). We all crashed, but he did better than us. It was a really, really crazy race. I remember (someone) winning and crashing, but I don’t remember any podium with the three top guys crashing. Thank you to Ducati, having Louis take care of me from a big crash yesterday. I was 90 percent sure we couldn’t race, 70 percent sure I was not going to race when I woke up, then I started to feel better. Talking with them I said, ‘We’ll try.’ If you don’t want me to race, if you want me to go back home. I just told them, ‘No, we have to try.’ I always try. So, that’s it. We try again tomorrow.”
Fourth place went to Jones Honda’s Ashton Yates on his Stock 1000-spec Honda CBR1000 RR-R, the Georgian earning the first top-five Superbike finish of his career. It also gave him the victory in the Superbike Cup and put a Honda in a top four that featured four different brands of motorcycles – Suzuki, Yamaha, Ducati and Honda.
Altus Motorsports’ Jake Lewis was fifth, which earned him the Superbike Cup crown (and the $25,000 that goes with it) for racers riding their Stock 1000-spec motorcycles in the HONOS Superbike races. It was a good day for the Superbike Cup riders with Disrupt Racing’s Danny Eslick ending up sixth.
FLY Racing ADR Motorsports’ David Anthony was seventh on his Superbike-spec Suzuki GSX-R1000 and less than a second ahead of Scheibe Racing BMW’s Hector Barbera.
Ninth place went to Fresh N’ Lean Attack Performance Yamaha’s Josh Herrin, who was another crasher able to remount and finish. M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Bobby Fong rounded out the top 10.
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Herrin Breaks Top 10 in Wet Barber Race 1
Fresh N’ Lean Attack Performance Yamaha Racing’s Josh Herrin overcame challenges to work his way back to ninth today in a wet MotoAmerica Superbike Race 1 at the Barber Motorsports Park. Jake Gagne also put in a good chargeback from adversity in the rain to finish 12th.
Mother Nature played her hand on the first day of racing at the season finale, and riders were met with a lot of rain at the 2.3-mile track in Leeds, Alabama. With the grid positions being determined from yesterday’s dry session, Gagne lined up on the front row in third and Herrin on the second row in fourth. The newly crowned champ got a good start and stretched a lead upfront while his teammate battled in a three-rider fight for the other podium positions. Unfortunately, Gagne went down in the Museum corner on the second lap and rejoined in eighth. He put in a fast lap and advanced to seventh but ultimately had to pull into pit lane on Lap 5, rejoining the race at the back of the field.
Herrin was battling in third after his teammate’s crash, and then a couple of laps later, he was shuffled to eighth after running off track. The Californian made his way back up to sixth on Lap 12, but unfortunately, like many riders, he got caught out by the challenging conditions and crashed in the Museum corner. Herrin rejoined in 13th and advanced to ninth on the final lap. Despite the adversity, Gagne was also able to make a comeback, working his way back to 12th by the end of the 17-lap race.
The Fresh N’ Lean Attack Performance Yamaha Racing Team lines up tomorrow for two more races to close out the 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike season at the Barber Motorsports Park on Sunday, September 19.
Richard Stanboli – Fresh N’ Lean Attack Performance Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“Well, that was a crazy race. Jake crashed while leading and Josh later in the race. Both riders continued but were unable to get the results we were looking for. The conditions and the track changed considerably from the second qualifying session, and we did not have an ideal setup. Jake did, however, run some very fast laps at the end of the race, and both riders learned a lot, and we collected some valuable data. Our Yamaha R1s and riders will be ready to bring the fight tomorrow. We are looking forward to the last two races of the season.”
Josh Herrin – Fresh N’ Lean Attack Performance Yamaha Racing
“Today was a very tough but fun race. It was all about survival today. Hopefully, tomorrow is a little easier on us and our bikes. Let’s get it!”
Jake Gagne – Fresh N’ Lean Attack Performance Yamaha Racing
“That was a wild one! I got off to a great start but threw it away on Lap 2. It was totally my fault, but I learned from it, and we’ll be back to fight for the wins tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Westby Racing:
Scholtz Crashes, Still Finishes Second In Rain-Drenched Superbike Race At Barber
Birmingham, AL – September 18, 2021 – Saturday’s Superbike race at Barber Motorsports Park is one that Mathew Scholtz and the Westby Racing team—not to mention everyone who witnessed it—will never forget.
In the pouring rain, Mathew took the lead and looked to be headed for his second Superbike win of the season. However, on lap 15 of the 17-lap event, the standing water on the track proved to be too much for his #11 Yamaha YZF-R1. The bike hydroplaned, Mathew and the bike went down, and both slid along the wet track—with Mathew still holding on—for what was the longest distance pretty much anyone has ever seen a road racer slide.
While Mathew was getting himself and his bike back under way, Cam Petersen—who led the race early until he crashed and handed the lead to Mathew—came by, re-took the lead, and won the race. Mathew was able to rejoin the race in second, which he maintained to the finish line for his fifth consecutive runner-up finish and 14th podium result out of 18 races so far this season.
“I came over turn four, same as I’d done every single lap prior, and the puddle was just bigger than it had been, and the front washed out,” Mathew said. “I was basically riding and just hydroplaned and crashed. Not much to it. The track was just way too wet for us to be riding. I don’t think there was a single rider that was holding it flat-out on the start/finish line. We were in fourth gear spinning, second, third, fourth down the whole straight. I’ve got mixed emotions now. Obviously, second is good. I’m really, really happy finishing second. I’m really happy for Cam, winning his first Superbike race. It was a little bit rough that, when three of the four lead guys, had all crashed, and I was in front putting my hand up like, ‘Guys, we’ve been hydroplaning.’ We are on Superbikes, fourth and fifth gear flat-out spinning the rear tire. I just had to keep on going, and unfortunately, I crashed. It is what it is. We’re going to have to come back tomorrow and just try to hang on. We’ll try to change a couple things and come back swinging tomorrow.”
Ed Sullivan, Westby Racing Crew Chief said, “Well, I’m not sure there has ever been a Superbike race like that before! Congrats to Cameron (Petersen) on his first Superbike win. The conditions deteriorated over the race to the point that, in my opinion, it should have been stopped. Whether we were at the front or not, if the majority of the top Superbikes have hit the floor, the safety of the track surface has to be questioned.
“We have made some changes and look forward to having another try tomorrow!”
Chuck Giacchetto, Westby Racing Team Manager, added, “I have to agree with Ed in regard to the race, I’m nearly positive we’ve never had the top three crash and podium all in the same race. While it would have been a great victory, we will settle for P2 today. I feel it was a valiant effort by the crew and rider but, in the end, Mother Nature had her way.
“With the championship over for us, I know Mathew left nothing on the table today. He rode very well, and I don’t think anyone could ask for a better effort from their rider or the aforementioned crew. Thanks very much to every Westby Team member and our diehard fans who braved the elements today. See you tomorrow on the podium for ‘brunch.’”
Sunday’s Superbike race two is at 10:15 a.m. CT, and Superbike race three starts at 3 p.m. CT. Race two will be broadcast via tape delay Sunday at Noon ET on FOX Sports 2 (FS2), and race three will be broadcast via tape delay Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Both races will be streamed on MotoAmerica Live+.
For more updates about Westby Racing, including news, photos, and videos, visit http://www.WestbyRacing.com
Also, follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites.
More, from a press release issued by Team Hammer:
M4 ECSTAR SUZUKI’S CAM PETERSEN AND SEAN DYLAN KELLY WIN IN THE RAIN AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK
Photo By Brian J Nelson, courtesy Team Hammer.
Team Hammer thrived on perhaps the most difficult race day of the 2021 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing season in Alabama on Saturday, winning races in challenging wet weather conditions at Barber Motorsports Park. M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Sean Dylan Kelly battled for victory in a close fight, Superbike pilot Cam Peterson endured a deluge that saw all three podium finishers crash during the race, and Altus Motorsports’ Jake Lewis took the checkers in difficult drying conditions.
Saturday’s headliner was M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Cameron Petersen, who was rewarded for his relentless effort with a maiden MotoAmerica Superbike victory.
The South African battled up front before the treacherous conditions seemingly removed him from contention in a wet weather crash. Undeterred, Petersen kept his wits and maintained control of his sliding GSX-R1000R in the first turn gravel trap and immediately remounted and re-entered the fray.
Peterson was able to maintain second place despite falling and his persistence positioned him to take control of the incident-filled race with two laps remaining when the leader also fell. With nerves of steel and supreme precision, Petersen rode his GSX-R1000R to the checkered flag to claim his first-career premier-class victory.
He said, “What a crazy race. I was having a good battle for the lead and then just ran over the paint and tucked the front. Man, I just didn’t want to give up. I held on to the bike all the way through the gravel trap and picked it up as quick as I could. I put my head down and just hit my marks and tried to bring it home. I can’t believe I crashed and picked it up and was still able to win. I’m honestly lost for words. Thanks to the team for giving me the best bike possible.”
Recently crowned MotoAmerica Supersport champion Sean Dylan Kelly showed rain or shine, he’s the class of the field. The Floridan pulled a rabbit out his helmet yet again to win his 12th victory of the season by 0.040 seconds following another last-lap pass in wet conditions aboard his M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R600.
Photo By Brian J Nelson, courtesy Team Hammer.
‘SDK’ said, “What a race! It goes to show, we battle in the dry and we battle in the wet. It was an awesome race and a great show for the fans. This is honestly one of the best ways to perform in the last weekend of the season. It was so difficult to go out in the rain and be very focused in these conditions. It would have been so easy to make a mistake. A huge thanks to my M4 ECSTAR Suzuki crew. This wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
Finally, 2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 champion Jake Lewis won his sixth race of the year on a drying track aboard his Team Hammer-built Altus Motorsports GSX-R1000R. Lewis also clinched the Superbike Cup title in the Superbike race.
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki runners Sam Lochoff (5th – Supersport), Bobby Fong (10th – Superbike), and Wyatt Farris (17th – Stock 1000) rounded out an incredibly successful day for the team despite the difficult conditions.
Team Hammer will complete the 2021 MotoAmerica season on Sunday with one last race in Supersport and a twin finale in Superbike.
About Team Hammer
The 2021 season marks Team Hammer’s 41st consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 128 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 330 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 137 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.
