California State Championship Kicks Off Again With Big Names, Big Speeds, And Another Lap Record At Buttonwillow
The first round of the California State Championship presented by Dunlop saw some of the biggest names from across California converge on the 3.0 mile Buttonwillow Raceway Park circuit, and when it was over, another lap record had been set. Sunny and cool, with the wind picking up and gusting on Sunday, would prove to be challenging riding conditions.
James Randolph, a regular at AFM and WERA West events, was unstoppable as he tore through the field of competitors, taking away three wins in Formula 1, Open Production, and Heavyweight Twins on his Dunlop-shod KTM RC8R. WERA’s Bryce Prince took two wins home, and set a new WERA 600 lap record on his Dunlopshod Yamaha YZF-R6. In the new Open Superbike class, AFM lap record holder Corey Sarros pulled in the win on his Dunlop-shod Suzuki GSX-R1000.
Rich Oliver’s Mystery school/Leo Vince/Factory Bodyworks/SBKpaint.com Formula 1 was a nail biter, with a field of 14 and some of the most competitive racers in the state -Randolph pulled off a blistering 1:46.523 lap with Doug Chandler close behind, running 1:46.805 on his Dan Kyle Racing built BMW S1000RR, and fellow AFM racer Corey Sarros rounding out third. Randolph would go on to stretch out his lead over Chandler, and hold him off to take the checkers.
Randolph would take his KTM RC8R to the San Diego BMW Motorcycles/Catalyst Reaction Suspension/Driven/Rich Oliver’s Mystery School Open Production win over WERA’s Aaron Ascher and WSMC’s Matt Quigley on their Kawasaki ZX-10R’s. Randolph also would win the Guardian Commercial Realty Open Twins race over fellow AFM racers Steve Metz and Bud Anderson on their Ducatis.
“The bike felt great,” says James Randolph. “Our set up was good, and I was trying some different tires pressures on suggestion from Dunlop, and they worked very well. I would like to thank my sponsors for all their help: Dunlop, EBC, Kyle Racing, Ohlins, Sato, Thermosman tuning, Motorex, Bazzaz, San Jose BMW, Suomy, Arlen Ness, Driven, Epic Images, Powerstands, Scuderia West, Gene Cam, Will Morton, Lou Saare.”
Bryce Prince took his Yamaha YZF-R6 to the Yamaha Champions Riding School/Factory Bodyworks 600 Superbike and Galfer/SBKPaint.com/Rich Oliver’s Mystery School 750 Superbike wins, setting the new WERA 600 record during the 750 race. Prince ran a 1:47.961, beating Tommy Aquino’s 2008 record of 1:47.978. Prince was just shy of the overall 600 record, set by Jimmy Wood in 2010, of 1:47.122. Both races also saw Prince having to fend off WERA’s Ryan Matter and AFM’s Jason Lauritzen on his Yamaha R6 to earn his wins.
“There was some really good competitors out there today,” says Prince. “Ryan was just waiting for me to leave a gap for him, and I know Jason was right back there too. I had to ride hard to stay ahead of them, but it was a great time and some great racing. My bike felt perfect even with the wind, this is the best it’s ever felt. I was running Dunlop British NTEC DOT’s and some recommended pressures, and they stuck really well. I’d like to thank my sponsors as well: Motoyard Track Days, Knology Tuning, Dunlop tires, Motorex, Heroic leathers & gloves, Factory Bodyworks, Zero Gravity, Arai.”
Woodcraft CFM Motorsports Open Superbike would see a great battle between AFM’s Corey Sarros and Martin Szwarc, with fellow AFM racer Robert Tinagero close behind. However, Corey “Jersey Shore” Sarros put a pass on Martin Szwarc on lap 4 of the race that held Szwarc off during a couple of key corners and would give Sarros the chance to open up his lead. Taking the checkers for the first time Sunday, Sarros had this to say, “We were struggling with the set up on a new front end this weekend but finally got it dialed in after a few more adjustments between F1 and Open Superbike. The Dunlop NTEC slicks felt great, and we were able to put down some really good laps times. Thank you to my sponsors: Dunlop, Let’s Ride Trackdays, Lougheed Race Engines, Toadsauce.net, SBKpaint.com, MGS Sport Supplements, and my wallet.”
RESULTS: RICH OLIVER MYSTERY SCHOOL, LEO VINCE, FACTORY BODYWORKS AND SBK PAINT FORMULA ONE: 1. James Randolph (KTM RC8R) 2. Doug Chandler (BMW S1000RR) 3. Corey Sarros (Suz GSX-R1000) 4. Martin Swarc (Suz GSX-R1000) 5. Aaron Ascher (Kaw ZX-10R) 6. Steve Metz (Duc 996)
WOODCRAFT CFM MOTORSPORTS OPEN SUPERBIKE: 1. Corey Sarros (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Martin Swarc (Suz GSX-R1000) 3. Robert Tinagero (KTM RC8) 4. Aaron Ascher (Kaw ZX-10R) 5. Steve Metz (Duc 996) 6. Neil Atterbury (Suz GSX-R750)
SAN DIEGO BMW MOTORCYCLES, CATALYST REACTION SUSPENSION, DRIVEN, RICH OLIVER’S MYSTERY SCHOOL OPEN PRODUCTION: 1. James Randolph (KTM RC8R) 2. Aaron Ascher (Kaw ZX-10R) 3. Matt Quigley (Kaw ZX-10R) 4. Rick Johns (BMW S1000RR) 5. Neil Atterbury (Suz GSX-R750) 6. Quinton Jones (Suz GSX-R1000)
YAMAHA CHAMPIONS RIDING SCHOOL AND FACTORY BODY WORKS 600 SUPERBIKE: 1. Bryce Prince (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Ryan Matter (Suz GSX-R600) 3. Jason Lauritzen (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Cameron Gish (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Javelin Broderick (Suz GSX-R600) 6. Matthew Bergen (Yam YZF-R6)
GALFER, SBKPAINT.COM, RICH OLIVER’S MYSTERY SCHOOL 750 SUPERBIKE: 1. Bryce Prince (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Ryan Matter (Suz GSX-R600) 3. Jason Lauritzen (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Javelin Broderick (Suz GSX-R600) 5. Cameron Gish (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Melissa Paris (Yam YZF-R6)
GUARDIAN COMMERCIAL REALTY OPEN TWINS: 1. James Randolph (KTM RC8R) 2. Steve Metz (Duc 996) 3. Bud Anderson (Duc 1198) 4. Jason Catching (Suz SV650) 5. Brian Larrabure (Duc 1198) 6. Sherwick Min (Duc 1198)
ACTIVE BODY TRAINING RICH OLIVER’S MYSTERY SCHOOL 650cc TWINS: 1. Jason Catching (Suz SV650) 2. Christopher Boileau (Suz SV650) 3. Scott Reavey (Suz SV650) 4. Jamie Riddle (Duc 1000S)
LEO VINCE, VANDERKITTEN, ACTIVE BODY TRAINING, RICH OLIVER’S MYSTERY SCHOOL FORMULA FEMME: 1. Christie Cooley (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Krystyna Kubran (Yam YZF-R1) 3. Jennifer Lauritzen (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Nadine Lajoie (Hon CBR600RR) 5. Marisol Lacour (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Nikki Nienow (Yam YZF-R6)
SAFARI CYCLE, RICH OLIVER’S MYSTERY SCHOOL FORMULA 40 HEAVYWEIGHT: 1. Aaron Ascher (Kaw ZX-10R) 2. Neil Atterbury (Suz GSX-R750) 3. Bud Anderson (Duc 1198) 4. Brad Gitchell (Suz GSX-R1000) 5. Andrew Kenefick (Suz GSX-R750)
SAFARI CYCLE, RICH OLIVER’S MYSTERY SCHOOL FORMULA 40 MIDDLEWEIGHT: 1. Robert Chavez (Hon CBR600RR) 2. James Davis (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Nadine Lajoie (Hon CBR600RR) 4. Mark Hill (Kaw ZX-6R) 5. Brian Larrabure (Duc 848)
More, from a press release issued by Shandra Crawford on behalf of Bryce Prince:
Bryce Prince Grabs Three Wins, Four Podium Finishes, And A New Lap Record At WERA West/ California State Championship Event
Bryce Prince won the C Superbike, C Superstock, and B Superbike classes and came away with a third place finish in the Middleweight Solo 20 at Buttonwillow Raceway Park this past weekend during the WERA West/California State Championship combined event.
Sunny, warm and windy conditions proved to be favorable for Prince as he earned podium after podium with his Yamaha YZF-R6. Starting off with a 3rd place finish in Middleweight Solo 20 Expert on Saturday after a brief off track excursion, he followed it with three wins and a new lap record on Sunday. Prince set the new WERA 600 record during the 750 race. Prince ran a 1:47.961, beating Tommy Aquino’s 2008 record of 1:47.978. Prince was just shy of the overall 600 record, set by Jimmy Wood in 2010, of 1:47.122.
” The weather was not a factor,” said Prince. ” The bike set up was perfect, even with the wind, it’s the best it’s ever felt. We were trying the Dunlop Spec compound tire on Saturday to get ready for the AMA event at Infineon. I really liked it, and the grip was fantastic. I got the toe of my boot stuck in my shifter going into turn 1, and got caught between gears. I had to stand it up and go off track, and that cost me a couple of places. But I was able to get back on safely, and make it back up to third.
On Sunday, we were running Dunlop NTEC DOT tires, and they felt perfect. There was a lot of really good competition and the grid was big, so I was looking forward to some good racing. I had a goal to set the lap record this weekend, and when the wind picked up on Sunday, I was still going to try to do it. Considering I’ve been at this track once in the last year, I’m really happy with my results. I’m ready for my next event and looking forward to getting some good results.
I also want to thank my sponsors for all their help and support this weekend: Motoyard Track Days, Knology Tuning, Dunlop tires, Motorex, Heroic leathers & gloves, Factory Bodyworks, Zero Gravity, Arai. I really appreciate all of your help and support.”
Bryce Prince’s next event will be AMA Round 2 at Infineon Raceway, May 13-15, 2011. For more information go to: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bryce-Prince-The-Prince/188511334520359