Pinkstaff Surges Into The Lead Of OMRRA’s Formula Ultra Championship
OMRRA’s first of two June rounds, June 2nd and 3rd, was forecast to be a wet weather weekend at Portland International Raceway. However, though under the constant threat of rain, the track remained dry, the air temperatures cool, allowing for horsepower and grip that led to lap records in four classes.
The big surprise this weekend was the unfolding events that put the 2-Fast Track Days Formula Ultra Championship chase up for grabs. The perennial favorite, Alan Schmidt of Kamloops, B.C., arrived with a serious injury from a serious motocross incident. The ailing Schmidt put on a courageous performance, taking 3rd in Saturday’s race but decided to put the bike in the trailer the remainder of the weekend.
With Schmidt injured and parked, a rare opportunity was present to Kevin Pinkstaff of Portland, OR and Sam Verderico of Wenatchee, WA. Seeking to capitalize, Verderico and Pinkstaff put on an intense battle from the drop of the green flag in both Saturday and Sunday’s races. Pinkstaff’s bright green, Zlock Racing Kawasaki ZX-10R and Verderico’s EDR-powered Suzuki GSX-R1000 swapped positions nearly every lap in the quest for the checkers. Pinkstaff would prove victorious on both Saturday and Sundays Formula Ultra races by a less than a second. The wins vaulted Pinkstaff to the top of the championship.
Standing on the Formula Ultra podium for the first time in 2012, Anthony Manciu of The Dalles, OR put himself into a good position to pick up points and stay in the hunt for the top 3. Manciu also collected a win in the Open Supersport category.
There was plenty to talk about in the KFG Racing/Pirelli-sponsored Clubman Championship. The most intense racing of 2012 is emerging from four races 600 Supersport, 600 Superbike, 750 Supersport and 750 Superbike. Matt Presting, fresh from racing with AMA and WERA, got off to a slow start in the first race, Saturday’s 600 Supersport race, losing out on the top spot to Ryan Sutton of Camano Island, WA. Presting undeterred, hit the afterburners and walked away from the competition, cruising to victories in 750 Supersport, 600 Superbike and 750 Superbike. Sutton remained consistent, wrangling two 2nd places behind Presting and a top 5.
Whereas Presting suffered woes on opening day in April, his rival, Chris Ancien had a troubled weekend. On the last lap of the 600 Supersport race, Ancien low-sided the Triumph 675R and would struggle with the bike for results the remainder of the weekend.
Meanwhile, Brian Pinkstaff continues to demonstrate that consistency is pivotal to remaining in the hunt. Pinkstaff took home two 3rd place finishes to remain 4th in the championship behind Sam Verderico.
This weekend also saw the triumphant return of two riders: Oliver Jervis and Shawn Brown. Oliver Jervis, who has collected numerous trophies from OMRRA over the years on a variety of machines, took two wins in the middleweight categories. The bright green Zlock Racing Suzuki SV650 went on to take a 2nd in the 600 Supersport Senior race.
Another returning rider, Shawn Brown, who hadn’t seen race action since mid-season 2011, put on an inspirational ride, taking a hard-fought 2nd in 750 Supersport by 0.059 over Sam Verderico. The paddock took notice of Brown and to prove his comeback wasn’t a fluke, he went on to win Open Superbike on Sunday. Brown proved that he has the skills to run up front and is a welcome addition to the epic battles waging in the 750 and Open classes.
Other races to watch in the KFG Racing/Pirelli-sponsored Clubman Championship are the Ninja 250 eligible classes. Ninja 250 racers compete on Saturday in the Ninja 250 Cup in two 6-lap races to determine the victor. On Sunday, the same group of racers competes in the 12 lap Ultralightweight Superbike and Lightweight Superbike classes. The close quarters racing is proving to be among the most exciting to watch at Portland International Raceway. Celebrating her 20th birthday this weekend, Kelly Johnson of Portland, OR was the belle of the ball, winning both Ninja 250 Cup races while setting the lap record and a 3rd in Ultralightweight Superbike. Her consistency so far this season has vaulted Kelly into the 5th spot of the Clubman Championship, proving the Ninjas can have their cake and eat it too.
In the Bridge City Cycles Vintage Championship, 2011 champion, Cody Wood continues his dominance. Wood once again set the lap record in Sunday’s 250 Vintage, shaving nearly 3 seconds off the record he set in the opening round. Not quick to let Wood run away with the championship, Patrick Leyshock, of Portland, OR, showed up for the second round with a mission to beat Wood.
In the first head-to-head of the weekend in 500 Vintage, Leyshock shadowed Wood, showing him he could lead as well. Leyshock put up a valiant fight but was beat by Wood at the line by 0.053 seconds. Daric Cheshire reached the podium in 500 Vintage (daily) putting himself into the 3rd spot in the championship hunt. Ryan Shanahan, of Portland, OR, stepped on the 3rd step of the podium twice on Sunday to keep himself in a solid 4th position in the championship.
Other notables: Michael McBrady and Steve Hildum set lap records in the 600 Supersport Senior and 600 Superbike Senior classes, respectively.
The Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association (OMRRA) developed the two-race per weekend Formula Ultra Championship, the ‘your best two classes’ Clubman Championship and the two-race per day, Olympic-scored Vintage Championship, promoting safe, competitive road racing in all categories. OMRRA, incorporated in 1972 as a non-profit, volunteer run organization, has members ranging in age from 12 to over 70, racing motorcycles of many brands, sizes and ages. OMRRA operates at Portland International Raceway, a city park and world class track. For more information, visit www.omrra.com and join us at www.omrra.com
Saturday, June 2nd Race Results
Formula Ultra – Saturday 1. Kevin Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-10R) 2. Sam Verderico (Suz GSX-R1000) 3. Alan Schmidt (Suz GSX-R1000) 4. Anthony Manciu (Hon CBR1000RR) 5. Deion Campbell (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Don Headrick (Kaw ZX-10R)
Open Supersport 1. Anthony Manciu (Hon CBR1000RR) 2. Craig Wright (BMW S1000RR) 3. Kinzer Naylor (Kaw ZX-6R) 4. Don Headrick (Kaw ZX-10R) 5. Mike McKim (Suz GSX-R750) 6. Mark Leslie (Suz GSX-R1000)
750 Supersport 1. Matt Presting (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Shawn Brown (Suz GSX-R750) 3. Sam Verderico (Suz GSX-R750) 4. Andy Dibrino (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Ryan Sutton (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Christopher Ancien (Tri 675R)
600 Supersport 1. Ryan Sutton (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Matt Presting (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Brian Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-6R) 4. Steve Hildum (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Andy Dibrino (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Deion Campbell (Yam YZF-R6)
Ninja 250 Cup (Daily) 1. Kelly Johnson (Kaw EX250) 2. Andrew Pignataro (Kaw EX250) 3. Peter Kahn (Kaw EX250) 4. Matthew O’Rourke (Kaw EX250) 5. Brady Williams (Kaw EX250) 6. Patty Gardner (Kaw EX250)
650 GP Twins 1. Oliver Jervis (Suz SV650) 2. Jason Harper (Suz SV650) 3. Skyler Benoit (Suz SV650)
Middleweight Supersport 1. Jason Harper (Suz SV650) 2. Skyler Benoit (Suz SV650) 3. Jeff Brooks (Suz SV650)
Open Superbike Senior 1. James Moody (Hon CBR1000RR) 2. Mark Leslie (Suz GSX-R1000) 3. David Marod (Hon CBR1000RR)
600 Superbike Senior 1. Steve Hildum (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Micheal McBrady (Kaw ZX-6R) 4. Joshua Melanson (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Adan Mendoza (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Brian Moe (Kaw ZX-6R)
500 Vintage (Daily) 1. Cody Wood (Suz Super6) 2. Patrick Leyshock (Yam DT1 250) 3. Daric Cheshire (Hon CB160) 4. Scott Elder (Hon CB160) 5. Jared Kenyon (Hon CB175)
Novice 4 1. Wes Stults (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Matt Hunt (Hon CBR600RR) 3. Marlo Love (Suz GSX-R600) 4. Rohan Wanchu (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Chad May (Suz GSX-R600)
Novice 5 1. David Wright (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Patrick Cotton (Hon CBR900RR) 3. Sean Uhlich (Suz GSX-R750)
Sunday, June 3rd Race Results
Formula Ultra Sunday 1. Kevin Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-10R) 2. Sam Verderico (Suz GSX-R1000) 3. Anthony Manciu (Hon CBR1000RR) 4. Stuart Johnson (Yam YZF-R1) 5. Quentin Wilson (Duc 848S) 6. Deion Campbell (Yam YZF-R6)
Open Superbike 1. Shawn Brown (Suz GSX-R750) 2. Anthony Manciu (Hon CBR1000RR) 3. Stuart Johnson (Yam YZF-R1) 4. Kinzer “Speedy” Naylor (Kaw ZX-6R)
750 Superbike 1. Matt Presting (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Ryan Sutton (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Sam Verderico (Suz GSX-R750) 4. Andy Dibrino (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Deion Campbell (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Quentin Wilson (Duc 848S)
600 Superbike 1. Matt Presting (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Ryan Sutton (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Brian Pinkstaff (Kaw ZX-6R) 4. Steve Hildum (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Deion Campbell (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Andy Dibrino (Yam YZF-R6)
Middleweight Superbike 1. Oliver Jervis (Suz SV650) 2. Jason Harper (Suz SV650) 3. Jeff Brooks (Suz SV650) 4. Keith Dibrino (Suz SV650) 5. Skyler Benoit (Suz SV650) 6. Shannon Lang (Hon RS125)
Lightweight Superbike 1. Adam Faussett (Kaw EX250) 2. Bill Cameron (Kaw EX250) 3. Garrick Gordon (MZ Skorpian) 4. Kelly Johnson (Kaw EX250) 5. Andrew Pignataro (Kaw EX250) 6. Peter Kahn (Kaw EX250)
Ultralightweight Superbike 1. Adam Faussett (Kaw EX250) 2. Bill Cameron (Kaw EX250) 3. Kelly Johnson (Kaw EX250) 4. Chester Lindgren (Kaw EX250) 5. Andrew Pignataro (Kaw EX250) 6. Peter Kahn (Kaw EX250)
600 Supersport Senior 1. Mike McBrady (Kaw ZX-6R) 2. Oliver Jervis (Suz SV650) 3. Brian Moe (Kaw ZX-6R)
250 Vintage (Daily) 1. Cody Wood (Suz Super 6) 2. Ryan Shanahan (Hon CB160) 3. Patrick Leyshock (Yam DT1 250) 4. R. Scott Elder (Yam DT1 250) 5. Daric Cheshire (Hon CB160) 6. Garrick Gordon (Hon CB160)
Novice 4 1. Wes Stults (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Matt Hunt (Hon CBR600RR) 3. Marlo Love (Suz GSX-R600) 4. Rohan Wanchu (Yam YZF-R6)
Novice 5 1. David Wright (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Patrick Cotton (Hon CBR900RR) 3. Sean Uhlich (Suz GSX-R750)
Overall Championship Standings
2Fast Track Days Formula Ultra Championship 1. Kevin Pinkstaff 73 pts 2. Alan Schmidt 63 pts 3. Sam Verderico 53 pts 4. Anthony Manciu 45 pts 5. Steve Suitor 29 pts
KFG Racing/Pirelli Clubman Championship 1. Matt Presting 95 pts 2. Ryan Sutton 81 pts 3. Sam Verderico 77 pts 4. Brian Pinkstaff 68 pts 5. Kelly Johnson 66 pts
Bridge City Cycles Vintage Championship 1. Cody Wood 69 pts 2. Patrick Leyshock 43 pts 3. Daric Cheshire 39 pts 4. Ryan Shanahan 32 pts 5. Scott Elder 26 pts