Grids Grow As Racers Join the Amateur Ranks

The race action was at the rev limiter at round 1 of Motorcycle Roadracing Association’s season opener, held May 10-11 at High Plains Raceway east of Byers, CO. The event saw a record number of entries, which included a growing number of amateur racers. #1 plate holder Rob Christman returned this year to defend his legacy. Jake Gagne and the Red Bull RoadRace Factory team made a blistering appearances as well.

“We have over 775 entries, from 175 riders this weekend,” said MRA President Jim Wilson. “That almost eclipses the MRA’s previous best turnout in 2005. There were over 38 riders on the grid for both Novice GTO and Novice GTU, which is exciting to see because of the influx of new talent into the club. There were over 25 experts running in the Middleweight class, and 30 plus riders in Heavyweight SuperSport class, so that’s a clear sign of growth, and something we’re excited about.” 

The club has put in a tremendous amount of effort in the off-season and attributes the near record turnout to promotional events including the Intro to Road Racing Clinic, which touched on specific topics to educate new riders about becoming a successful road racer, or proficient track day and street rider. This was a great opportunity for street riders interested in racing within the MRA, to stop in and discuss any questions they may have regarding the sport. In conjunction this lured in a record turnout to the New Rider Race School which had 48 new riders, many which obtained their full season license and partook in the opening round of the 2014 MRA race program.

While new racers were cutting their teeth on High Plains Raceway’s 15-turn, 2.55-mile circuit, the local fast guys and visiting AMA Pros were setting new class Lap Records. Peter Tabor netted three wins on his Grand Prix Motorsports Kawasaki ZX-10R and ZX-6R in the Middleweight, Heavyweight and Open Supersport classes. In the process turned a personal best at a scorching 1:47.990 during the Open Supersport race presented by Northern Colorado Euro.

Shannon Moham also had a tremendously successful weekend aboard his Dunlop-shod Suzuki SV 650, winning two races, Lightweight Grand Prix and Lightweight Solo Endurance Lightweight.

Although Tabor snagged all the Supersport expert wins, the fastest 600 of the weekend was the Dunlop-shod Yamaha YZF-R6 of Jake Gagne. Setting a new Heavyweight endurance class lap record of an impressive 1:46.568.

Jake Gagne and Hayden Schultz were two of AMA Pro racers in attendance during the weekend. However, the MRA’s #1 plate holder Rob Christman was laying down Pirelli marbles in Formula 40 taking home the victory and running a 1:47.630. Christman is chomping at the bit to get out back out in the MRA’s premier Race of the Rockies on his “YellowJacket” Suzuki GSXR-1000 to attempt to break the track record (1:44.354) previously held by Matt Lynn from 2009 as well as defend his title.

The MRA held Strider races Saturday at lunch, which showcased the young and upcoming MRA talent. Youngsters gridded up and showed off their wheels and foot power racing to the finish in multiple heat races.

Sunday’s weather brought a mixture of sleet and snow, and unfortunately Mother Nature in Colorado was too much to continue racing. Round 1 was cancelled on Sunday. The MRA’s premier class, Race of the Rockies, will have an additional incentive for Round 2; racers will have a double purse to compete for.

Round 2 for the MRA comes May 30th and June 1st at High Plains Raceway where the annual 4 Hour Endurance Race will be held. Go to http://mra-racing.org/hpr-high-plains-raceway/ to view the track map and configuration for the 4 hour endurance. The event will be divided into three different race classes, Titanium Butt (solo), True Endurance (team – one bike), and Pony Express (team – multiple bikes), the race will run at the end of the Saturday race schedule in place of the time slot that the typical endurance races occur. The MRA offers reciprocity to most clubs and organizations and encourages racers from all over to come participate with us during this exhilarating yet challenging event! Details can be found in the MRA Rule Book on the MRA website, the forums or you may call the MRA hotline at (303) 530-5678

The MRA offers two full days of racing every race weekend and also includes Saturday and Sunday qualifying for grid positions in all, as well as a wide variety of classes to choose from. Log on to http://mra-racing.org/motorcycle-racing-schedule/… for the full schedule, past results and lap times, and more information. The MRA- its club racing done right.

The Motorcycle Roadracing Association is 501(c)(7) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting safe and competitive motorcycle road racing events for enthusiasts in Colorado and the surrounding area. For more information, go to http://www.mra-racing.org/

Round 5 Results:

Middleweight Supersport

1. Peter Tabor (Kaw ZX-6R)

2. Hayden Schultz (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Nikolas Lenski (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Nyles Gourlie (Suz GSX-R600)

5. Joseph Washburn (Suz GSX-R600)

6. Christopher (Yam YZF-R6)

Heavyweight Supersport:

1. Peter Tabor (Kaw ZX-6R)

2. Nikolas Lenski (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Nyles Gourlie (Suz GSX-R600)

4. Dara Lor (Suz GSX-R600)

5. Arthur Chen (Yam YZF-R6)

6. Joseph Washburn (Suz GSX-R600)

Open Supersport:

1. Peter Tabor (Kaw ZX-10R)

2. Mike Applegate (Suz GSX-R1000)

3. Ricky Orlando (Kaw ZX-10R)

4. Carl Sorensen (Kaw ZX-10R)

5. Chris Terrinami (BMW S1000RR)

6. Louis Ortiz Jr. (Suz GSX-R1000)

Lightweight GrandPrix:

1. Shannon Moham (Suz SV650)

2. Christopher Weed (Yam TZ)

3. Jason Madama (Suz SV-650)

4. Randal Adami (Kaw 650R)

5. Jeremy Windmann (Hon CBR500R)

6. Tony Baker (Suz GS500)

Solo Endurance Lightweight:

1. Shannon Moham (Suz SV650)

2. Christopher Weed (Yam TZ)

3. Jeremy Windmann (Hon CBR500R)

4. Randal Adami (Kaw 650R)

5. David Absolon (Kaw 250R)

6. Tim Young (Kaw 250R)

Solo Endurance Middleweight:

1. Rick Grosse (Kaw ZX-6R)

2. Dara Lor (Suz GSX-R600)

3. Christopher (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Joseph Washburn (Suz GSX-R600)

5. Jessie Martinez (Yam YZF-R6)

6. Alex Greenman (Yam YZF-R6)

Solo Endurance Heavyweight:

1. Jake Gagne (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Hayden Schultz (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Shannon Moham (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Christopher (Yam YZF-R6)

5. Michael Lakritz (Hon CBR600RR)

6. Kenneth Yee

Solo Endurance Open:

1. Carl Sorensen (Kaw ZX-10R)

2. Nikolas Lenski (Yam YZF-R1)

3. Aaron Hersh (Suz GSXR-1000)

4. Ray Thorton (Hon CBR1000RR)

5. Chris Terrinami (BMW S1000RR)

6. Glenn Conser (Yam YZF-R1)

Formula 40 GTU:

1. Rick Grosse (Kaw Kaw ZX-6R)

2. Christopher (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Michael Lakritz (Hon CBR600RR)

4. Jim Wilson (Suz GSX-R600)

5. Tim Young (Yam YZF-R6)

6. Todd Larson (Duc 848)

250 Production Cup:

1. Matt Diel (Kaw 250R)

2. Mike Kionka (Kaw 250R)

3. Luke Johnston (Kaw 250R)

4. Rachel Gillie (Kaw 250R)

5. Tim Young (Kaw 250R)

6. Kevin Monahan (Kaw 250R)

400 Production Cup:

1. Brian Jackson (Kaw 300R)

2. Joseph Washburn (Kaw 300R)

3. Jim Soiland (Kaw 300R)

4. Holly Hendrickson (Kaw 300R)

5. Brandon Johnson (Kaw 250R)

500 Production Cup:

1. Jeremy Wildman (Hon CBR500R)

2. Jason Madama (Hon CBR500R)

3. Tony Baker (Suz GS500)

Novice GTU:

1. John Burst (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Adam Ayers (Suz GSX-R600)

3. Brian Moore (Tri 675)

4. Eric Becker (Tri 675)

5. Zach Hill (Yam YZF-R6)

6. Brett Leveque (Tri 675)

Novice GTO:

1. Zach Hill (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Eric Becker (Tri 675)

3. Brian Moore (Tri 675)

4. John Burst (Yam YZF-R6)

5. Brett Leveque (Tri 675)

6. Marc Rawling (Kaw ZX-6R)

Formula 40 GTO:

1. Rob Christman (Suz GSX-R1000)

2. Mike Applegate (Suz GSX-R1000)

3. Ricky Orlando (Kaw ZX-10R)

4. Geoffrey Snyder (Suz GSX-R1000)

5. Chris Terrinami (BMW S1000RR)

6. David Hetzler (Suz GSX-R1000)