The Motorcycle Roadracing Association (MRA) was thrilled to hold its third race round of the season this last weekend at club affiliated High Plains Raceway (HPR) located in Deer Trail, CO. The North Course configuration was on offer for the competitors of this event.
Weather again played a factor in the weekend’s scheduled activities, with light and persistent rains as well as brisk winds affecting the riders and safety teams during several of the races throughout the race day on both Saturday and Sunday. Highs in the low 60’s, partially overcast and winds gusting to over 20 knots from the Southwest were the conditions that greeted the premier class’ Race of the Rockies GTO & GTU (RoRO RoRU) when they took to the grid early Sunday afternoon. A fastest race lap of a 1:13.862 was thrown down, and despite the conditions these competitors did not let off the gas for a second! Several serious accidents and even a visit from the local helicopter did conspire to slow the entire weekend down and cause a few delays. Accidents in two separate corners on the opening lap of RoR saw a red flag that halted the event for the better part of an hour while the riders, equipment and track were sorted out.
The action was as fierce as the weather after the restart with Jared Dear, Ken Yee and Cameron Lee leading the charge in RoRU. Dear was again on a borrowed motorcycle and was still again the man to beat in the middleweight class. A note here, Dear not only placed first in RoRU, but also third overall, beating out several 1000cc motorcycles. Yee ran with a similar pace to Dear but was unable to close the gap late into the lap count. Lee held onto a hard-earned third place!
In the RoRO, Mike Applegate put on a masterclass of consistency and speed on how to run the North Course at HPR. Blistering pace and form saw him take the checkered well ahead of his closest rivals in James Wilkerson and Daniel Spurlock. Though in the opening laps, it appeared that Wilkerson had more power from his motorcycle and was able to pull on the straights to show a wheel several times and keep Applegate very honest for most of the race.
Special thanks and nods to the HPR facility and the MRA safety team and trackside operations staff. Thanks to all of those that lent a hand in one fashion or another during the event. Thanks to Erik Maxwell, Louden David, and Dunlop tires for hosting the weekend’s cornhole tournament.
Dedicated to family friendly and close, competitive racing, the MRA thanks everyone involved for their support and patronage this last weekend, and hopes to see everyone again for round 3 coming June 25th & 26th at High Plains Raceway
