Burke clinches Race of the Rockies championship at inaugural High Plains Raceway West Course configuration, Moham wins Race of the Rockies GTU again
Byers, CO – Round 6 of the MRA championship series was held at High Plains Raceway over the weekend of September 8-9. For the first time since the track was built, the MRA decided to use the west course configuration, which shortcuts the north loop and instead utilizes turn 13s to create a fast, blind, cresting downhill section into the traditional prairie corkscrew.
Starting on Friday practice, it seemed this was going to be a weekend of attrition. There were many red flags as racers struggled to understand the fast line through the new section and deal with pavement that was new to motorcycle rubber.
On the positive side, there was pretty wide spread agreement that the west course configuration was both fun and challenging. Most agreed that it was not a good place to make a pass, but there were some who were able to pull off some gutsy moves while negotiating the new section.
During Race of the Rockies GTO qualifying, it was Ryan Burke, Brad Morris, and Dan Turner who set the three quickest times. Unfortunately, Morris had an over-the-bars crash during Open Superbike, sending him to the hospital with a broken femur. We wish Brad all the best in his healing.
Race of the Rockies GTU qualifying featured Shannon Moham taking the fastest time with Sean Thomas and Joe Resta within 0.5 seconds of Moham’s time. The afternoon was looking to have great battles in both classes.
From the start, it was Mike Applehans that got the hole shot and led the first couple laps before Burke was able to get by. From then on, Burke put his head down and ticked off lap after lap, each one being 0.10 seconds faster than the previous. By the crossed flags, Burke had accomplished his signature running away strategy and wasn’t challenged afterwards. Burke took the win and the absolute track record for the west course with a 1:23.326 lap time. Not only that, but Burke secured his fourth Race of the Rockies championship and MRA #1 plate for 2019.
This left the group of Applehans, Turner, and Dave Lambert to figure out the rest of the GTO podium. Turner battled with Lambert & Applehans until Applehans ran wide coming out of turn 15 and did a little off track riding before rejoining the race to finish 8th overall. Turner was able to hold off a very strong riding Lambert to secure 2nd and the MRA #2 plate for 2019. During after race interviews, an emotional Lambert explained how he’s missed his son’s first touchdown Friday night to be at the races, yet his son came to the track to see his dad on the Race of the Rockies podium for the first time in a while.
In Race of the Rockies GTU, it was Sean Thomas taking an early lead over Shannon Moham and Joe Resta. Thomas wasn’t able to shake off Moham until the two became embroiled in back and forth action with some of the larger GTO bikes. About half way, Moham got around Thomas as those two battled with the big bikes until the very end, with Resta having a lot of the track to himself to comfortably claim the last podium position. With no championship yet settled, Moham and Thomas will have to wait until the last round to determine who takes the GTU championship.
Ryan Burke is supported by Dan Burke and the entire Burke family, Dunlop Motorcycle Tires/Race Tire Services, Fox Performance Engines, Vickery Motorsports, Yamaha Champions Rider School, Superbike Unlimited, Love Tapped by Jenny, Brighton Radiator & Muffler
Shannon Moham is helped by Nordic Nursing, Dunlop Tires, Race Tech suspension, Woodcraft CFM, K&N Performance/K&N Filters, Vortex racing, GPR dampers, Lockhart Phillips, Vickery Motorsports, Motors by REX, Renegade race fuels, Pit Bull stands, Imperial Sportbikes, Denver n Dakota, Segren’s Nectar, MOM, Falicon Crankshafts, CP Carrillo
The final round of the MRA season will be back at High Plains Raceway over the weekend of September 29-30 using the full course configuration. Saturday will include the MRA Superstreet program and the annual MRA BBQ trackside dinner.
The Motorcycle Roadracing Association is 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/.
Fay Myers Motorcycle World’s Race of the Rockies GTO
1. Ryan Burke (Yam YZF-R1M)
2. Dan Turner (BMW S1000RR)
3. David Lambert (Kaw ZX-10R)
4. Nyles Gourlie (Suz GSX-R1000)
5. Louis Ortiz Jr (Suz GSX-R1000)
6. Mike Applehans (Suz GSX-R1000)
Quikcycles/SOL Performance’s Race of the Rockies GTU
1. Shannon Moham (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Sean Thomas (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Joseph Resta (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Brian Dobrowolski (Suz GSX-R600)
5. Jason Martinez (Yam YZF-R6)
6. Jeremiah Walker (MV Agusta F3)
Race of the Rockies Championship Overall
1. Ryan Burke (Yam YZF-R1M)
2. Dan Turner (BMW S1000RR)
3. David Lambert (Kaw ZX-10R)
4. Nyles Gourlie (Suz GSX-R1000)
5. Louis Ortiz Jr (Suz GSX-R1000)
6. Shannon Moham (Yam YZF-R6)
High Plains Raceway’s Ladies of the Rockies
1. Cindy Wulf (Suz GSX-R750)
2. Samantha Coleman (Kaw ZX-6R)
3. Kerry Attridge (Suz GSX-R600)
4. Siobhan Bennett (Hon CBR600RR)
5. Cuiting Zhu (Kaw 300)
6. Sophia Quadri (Kaw 300)
Imperial Sportbikes’ Amateur GTO
1. John McKown (Yam YZF-R1)
2. Chris Brown (Suz GSX-R1000)
3. Jared Dear (Suz GSX-R600)
4. TJ Messinbird (Yam YZF-R1M)
5. Justin Robinson (Yam YZF-R1)
6. Randy Throckmorton (Suz GSX-R1000)
XL3 Rigging’s Amateur GTU
1. Jared Dear (Suz GSX-R600)
2. James Hinton (Suz GSX-R600)
3. Jon Renk (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Dan Spurlock (Suz GSX-R600)
5. Tyler Weaver (Hon CBR600RR)
6. Mick Derner (Yam YZF-R6)
Un!nk Printworks’ Modern Vintage GTO
1. Chris Brown (Suz GSX-R1000)
2. Randy Throckmorton (Suz GSX-R1000)
3. Tyler Weaver (Hon CBR600RR)
4. David Lambert (Kaw ZX-10R)
5. Justin Lamkin (Kaw ZX-10R)
6. Casey Smith (Apr RSV1000R)
Nite Owl Sports Bar & Grill’s Modern Vintage GTU
1. Dennis Stowers (Tri Daytona)
2. Tyler Weaver (Hon CBR600RR)
3. Chris Coonshead (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Phillip Takahashi (Hon CBR600RR)
5. Dan Parker (Yam YZF-R6)
6. Scott Weitmann (Kaw ZX-6R)
Northern Colorado Powersports’ Open Superbike
1. Ryan Burke (Yam YZF-R1M)
2. David Lambert (Kaw ZX-10R)
3. Dan Turner (BMW S1000RR)
4. Nyles Gourlie (Suz GSX-R1000)
5. Louis Ortiz Jr (Suz GSX-R1000)
6. John McKown (Yam YZF-R1)
Pho 95’s Open Supersport
1. David Lambert (Kaw ZX-10R)
2. Brad Morris (Yam YZF-R1)
3. Sean Thomas (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Nyles Gourlie (Suz GSX-R1000)
5. Drew Jankord (Kaw ZX-10R)
6. Michael Henao (BMW S1000RR)
Modworks’ Solo Endurance Open
1. Ryan Burke (Yam YZF-R1M)
2. Brad Morris (Yam YZF-R1)
3. Mike Applehans (Suz GSX-R1000)
4. Michael Henao (BMW S1000RR)
5. Randy Throckmorton (Suz GSX-R1000)
6. Jim Brewer (Duc 1199R)
Performance Cycle of Colorado’s Heavyweight Superbike
1. Shannon Moham (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Brian Dobrowolski (Suz GSX-R600)
3. Jared Dear (Suz GSX-R600)
4. Andrew Schrems (Kaw ZX-6R)
5. Louden David (Kaw ZX-6R)
6. Mick Derner (Yam YZF-R6)
Apex Motorsports’ Heavyweight Supersport
1. Ryan Burke (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Sean Thomas (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Shannon Moham (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Brian Dobrowolski (Suz GSX-R600)
5. Dennis Stowers (Tri Daytona)
6. James Hinton (Suz GSX-R600)
Supreme Lending/Lisa Gaimara’s Solo Endurance Heavyweight
1. Shannon Moham (Duc 848)
2. Jared Dear (Suz GSX-R600)
3. James Hinton (Suz GSX-R600)
4. Dennis Stowers (Tri Daytona)
5. Louden David (Kaw ZX-6R)
6. Casey Smith (Apr RSV1000R)
The Boardroom’s Middleweight Superbike
1. Sean Thomas (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Joseph Resta (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Shannon Moham (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Brian Dobrowolski (Suz GSX-R600)
5. Dennis Stowers (Tri Daytona)
6. Jason Martinez (Yam YZF-R6)
IES Technologies’ Middleweight Supersport
1. Ryan Burke (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Sean Thomas (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Shannon Moham (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Brian Dobrowolski (Suz GSX-R600)
5. Jason Martinez (Yam YZF-R6)
6. Jared Dear (Suz GSX-R600)
Wyeth Homes’ Solo Endurance Middleweight
1. Shannon Moham (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Brian Dobrowolski (Suz GSX-R600)
3. Nick Kaplan (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Andrew Schrems (Kaw ZX-6R)
5. Robb Weins (Duc 848)
6. Louden David (Kaw ZX-6R)
Spencer Russell Youth Racing’s Lightweight Grand Prix
1. Ricky Orlando (Kaw 650)
2. Grayson Davidson (Kaw 650)
3. Jon Glaefke (KTM Duke)
4. Brandon Fosbinder (KTM Duke)
5. Chris Coonshead (Hon 500)
6. Brian Jackson (Kaw 400)
Brighton Radiator & Muffler’s Solo Endurance Lightweight
1. Ricky Orlando (Kaw 650)
2. Jon Glaefke (KTM Duke)
3. Grayson Davidson (Kaw 650)
4. David Day (Suz SV650)
5. Cindy Wulf (Suz SV650)
6. Hunter Neafus Coonshead (Hon 500)
Kimco Services’ Solo Endurance Ultralightweight
1. Aaron Hersh (Yam YZF-R3)
2. Tyler Valentine (Yam YZF-R3)
3. Joshua Baker (Yam YZF-R3)
4. Dan Parker (Kaw 250)
5. Mike Morrison (Suz RM-Z450)
6. Bryan Cole (Kaw 250)
Damage Control’s SuperTwins GTO
1. Robb Weins (Duc 848)
2. Jim Brewer (Duc 1199R)
3. Mark Hellvig (Duc 1299S)
4. Casey Smith (Apr RSV1000R)
5. Lukas Vaznonis (Duc 848)
6. Bobby Mills (Duc 848)
Alliance Motorsports’ SuperTwins GTU
1. Ricky Orlando (Kaw 650)
2. Jon Glaefke (KTM Duke)
3. Grayson Davidson (Kaw 650)
4. David Day (Suz SV650)
5. Liam Grant (Yam YZF-R3)
6. Hunter Neafus Coonshead (Hon 500)
Absolute Michelin & Automotive’s Thunderbike
1. Dennis Stowers (Tri Daytona)
2. Jeremiah Walker (MV Augusta F3)
3. Robb Weins (Duc 848)
4. Ricky Orlando (Kaw 650)
5. Casey Smith (Apr RSV1000R)
6. Brett Leveque (Tri Daytona)
Moto Garage’s Formula 40 GTO
1. David Lambert (Kaw ZX-10R)
2. Mike Applehans (Suz GSX-R1000)
3. John McKown (Yam YZF-R1)
4. Justin Lamkin (Kaw ZX-10R)
5. Chris Higgins (Hon CBR1000RR)
6. Mark Hellvig (Duc 1299S)
Moto Garage’s Formula 40 GTU
1. Shannon Moham (Duc 848)
2. Andrew Schrems (Kaw ZX-6R)
3. James Hinton (Suz GSX-R600)
4. Chris Coonshead (Yam YZF-R6)
5. Dan Spurlock (Suz GSX-R600)
6. Jon Renk (Yam YZF-R6)
Defy Graphics’ 500 Production Cup Sat Race
1. Brian Dobrowolski
2. Justen Behmer (Kaw 300)
3. Colton Wulf (Hon CBR500R)
4. Blair Harness (Hon CBR500R)
5. Mike Morrison (Suz RM-Z450)
6. Susan Hickok (Kaw 300)
Defy Graphics’ 500 Production Cup Sun Race
1. Blair Harness (Hon CBR500R)
2. Colton Wulf (Hon CBR500R)
3. Justen Behmer (Kaw 300)
Rocky Mountain Kawasaki’s 400 Production Cup Sat Race
1. Drew Jankord (Kaw 400)
2. Grayson Davidson (Kaw 400)
3. Brian Jackson (Kaw 400)
4. Tyler Valentine (Yam YZF-R3)
5. Liam Grant (Yam YZF-R3)
6. Aaron Hersh (Yam YZF-R3)
Rocky Mountain Kawasaki’s 400 Production Cup Sun Race
1. Drew Jankord (Kaw 400)
2. Grayson Davidson (Kaw 400)
3. Tyler Valentine (Yam YZF-R3)
4. Liam Grant (Yam YZF-R3)
5. Aaron Hersh (Yam YZF-R3)
6. Brian Jackson (Kaw 400)
Vickery Motorsports’ 250 Production Cup Sat Race
1. Mike Kionka (Kaw 250)
2. Dan Parker (Kaw 250)
3. Sophia Quadri (Kaw 250)
4. Bryan Cole (Kaw 250)
5. Jon Pearson (Kaw 250)
Vickery Motorsports’ 250 Production Cup Sun Race
1. Mike Kionka (Kaw 250)
2. Dan Parker (Kaw 250)
3. Bryan Cole (Kaw 250)
4. Jon Pearson (Kaw 250)
5. Sophia Quadri (Kaw 250)
Woody’s Wheel Works’ Formula Colorado
1. Jon Glaefke (KTM Duke)
2. Chris Coonshead (Hon 500)
3. Grayson Davidson (Kaw 650)
4. Hunter Neafus Coonshead (Hon 500)
5. Stephen Husbands (KTM Duke)
6. Mike Kionka (Kaw 250)
RG3 Suspension Denver’s Supermoto
1. Chris Coonshead (Hon 500)
2. Joseph LoGalbo (Apr SXV-450)
3. Mike Morrison (Suz RM-Z450)
Interstate Honda’s Novice GTO
1. Chris Brown (Suz GSX-R1000)
2. TJ Messinbird (Yam YZF-R1M)
3. Ben Bridgewater (Duc 1199)
4. Justin Robinson (Yam YZF-R1)
5. Dan Spurlock (Suz GSX-R1000)
6. Chris Higgins (Hon CBR1000RR)
Law Tigers’ Novice GTU
1. Dan Spurlock (Suz GSX-R600)
2. Jon Renk (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Tyler Weaver (Hon CBR600RR)
4. Lukas Vaznonis (Duc 848)
5. Christopher Jaech (Tri Daytona)
6. Phillip Takahashi (Hon CBR600RR)