All Podiums for TUNED Racing at WERA Opener
Both TUNED Racing riders Bryce Prince and Jason Aguilar completed podium finishes in the 600cc classes at the WERA Opener for a successful start to the 2016 racing season. It was a busy week for the team. Starting with a Let’s Ride track day on Monday, the team got some excellent rain practice at Buttonwillow. Since last year’s MotoAmerica season had rain at almost every track, the rain practice may prove invaluable this season. On Friday at the Fastrack Riders track day at Auto Club Speedway, both Bryce and Jason spent the entire day testing different suspension setups, with several shock and fork changes. By the end of that day, both riders were running good race paces. On Sunday, the morning WERA race practice sessions ended well and the riders were ready for racing.
The first race was 600 Superbike. Having to start from the back, Bryce got a great start and moved quickly up the inside passing several riders. By the end of the first lap, Bryce had moved from 16th to 3rd. Jason’s also got a good launch, but the riders in front of him swerved toward each other blocking Jason’s path and forcing him to slow and almost stop. This left Jason in last place going into the first corner. Jason quickly started passing riders and moved into 6th place by the end of the first lap. On the second lap, Bryce quickly moved into 2nd place and Jason improved to 4th. On the 3rd lap, Jason moved into 3rd and started catching Bryce. Jason got close, but came up 0.094 seconds short at the finish to round out the podium.
The Team’s final race was 600 Super Stock. Bryce got another good start, while Jason got pushed out wide going into the first turn. This time, Bryce moved into 2nd with Jason in 4th on the first lap. By lap 2, Jason moved into 3rd, but Bryce had opened up a 100 yard advantage. Jason started closing the gap and caught Bryce with 2 laps to go. Jason tried every move he could but Bryce was too strong and this time held Jason off by 0.074 seconds at the line.
Bryce Prince: “I had a good day of racing at Auto Club Speedway with WERA. I started dead last in both races and was able to finish 2nd in both of them. I wasn’t able to catch the leader though. I ran some competitive times, but not where I need to be. We will be searching for more speed next time out. Till next time!”
Jason Aguilar: “First of all I’d like to give a big thank you to Imad and everyone at Fastrack Riders for letting TUNED Racing come out and test on Friday. I had a great time testing different suspension setups and we found a great baseline to start the year off. It was also really fun being able to ride with a lot of my buddies on Friday, and learn things from each other on track. I set my fastest official lap ever around Auto Club Speedway at a 1:29.550 to catch my teammate on the penultimate lap. Overall not a bad weekend, but I didn’t achieve the goal I had set for myself. I’ve got some more work to do but I can’t wait to ride my TUNED Racing Yamaha R6 again!”
TUNED Racing Team Owner Mike Pond: ” I am so proud of my riders. The testing we are accomplishing in the offseason will prove to make the difference. Both of these guys have been working really hard to put themselves at the top of their game. Come on 2016 MotoAmerica race season!”