New track record set at Utah Motorsports Campus as Turpin and Cowan win the King of the Mountain classes

Bright sun and warm weather greeted racers as the Utah Sport Bike Association (USBA) raced the East Course at the Utah Motorsports Campus on June 18th and 19th. The weekend started with the Street GP program, where riders, who are not licensed racers, have an opportunity to try closed course competition on bikes that are prepared at the track-day level. With instruction from the Director of Schools, Mark Sanders, and a team of volunteers, these riders received both classroom and on-track experience before gridding up for their own 7 lap race just before lunch. 18 bikes took the grid and provided great racing and spectating for the duration of their race! The purpose of the event was realized as several of the racers signed up for a race license, the hook set, these new racers are now joining the grid. Fantastic racing was present throughout the weekend with strong battles in almost every class, from Brady Randall, Antonio Andrade, Christopher Robinson and Tyson Rapier in the Novice classes through Erik Grim, Bill Davis and Michael Bradshaw in the premier events.

The Moto 1 race set the stage as Shane Turpin broke the track record for the UMC East course, besting Scott Jensen’s 1:32.703 record from 2008. “I went out on the warm-up lap and I thought it was possible, but the windy conditions had me concerned.” Shane said after beating the record “I just had to remind myself to stay calm and smooth. When I saw the 1:32.5 on my dash after the second lap I tried for one more, but couldn’t quite put it together.”

Shane went on to beat his new record two more times during the weekend, first in King of the Mountain GTO, then later in Open Superbike. “The weather was much better on Sunday and I really wanted to beat the record by more than .2, so I put on a fresh set of Pirellis and put my head down,” Shane said in a phone call after the event. In the end the former record was improved by nearly a second at 1:31.874. Shane rides for Rickdiculous Racing and brought home wins in Moto 1, King of the Mountain GTO, Open Superbike and Formula 40.

MotoStation rider Kory Cowan put in an equally impressive performance over the weekend, dominating the King of the Mountain GTU class and finishing 3rd in King of the Mountain GTO on his Yamaha R6. After several seasons off, Cowan has come back extremely strong, winning every KOM-GTU race this season. The KOM-GTU podium was rounded out by Gauge Rees and Ryan Richardson of Trackstar Racing. In a trackside interview following the race Richardson said, “I couldn’t keep up with Gauge and Kory this time, but the competition was great and I’m looking forward to testing my skill with MotoAmerica next weekend. Thanks to all the staff and volunteers at the USBA for putting on a great event!”.

Next the USBA is promoting the Black Rhino Superbike Challenge with MotoAmerica on the perimeter course at the Utah Motorsports Campus from June 23-25. You can learn more about the Superbike Challenge at www.superbikechallenge.com

The Utah Sport Bike Association is a Utah Non-Profit dedicated to promoting education, safe-riding and competition in the Intermountain West. You can find more information about the USBA, upcoming events and schools at www.utahsba.com or find us on Facebook at www.utahsba.com

Vortex Racing King of the Mountain GTO

1. Shane Turpin (Kaw ZX-10R)

2. Michael Bradshaw (BMW S1000RR)

3. Kory Cowan (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Jeff Stern (Hon CBR1000RR)

5. Erik Grim (KTM RC8)

6. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

Vortex Racing King of the Mountain GTU

1. Kory Cowan (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Gauge Rees (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Ryan Richardson (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Matt Guiver (Yam YZF-R6)

5. Duncan Biles (Yam YZF-R6)

6. Donavon Mortensen (Yam YZF-R6)

Black Rhino Tools Combined GTO

1. Eugene Alston (Yam YZF-R1)

2. Spencer Kruger (Suz GSX-R750)

3. Darren Knepper (Hon CBR1000RR)

4. Esad Taterevic (Yam YZF-R6)

5. James Smith (Yam YZF-R1M)

6. Ted Perkins (Yam YZF-R1)

Xcel Trackdays Combined GTU

1. Tyson Rapier (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Christopher Robinson (Kaw ZX-6R)

3. Braden Randall (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Brad Moore (Yam YZF-R6)

5. Sean Hartley

6. Michael Cormier (Kaw ZX-6R)

Wrights Motorcycle Parts Production 500 Race 1

1. Sean Thomas (KTM RC390)

2. Tony Morgan (Kaw 250)

3. Chris Blockston (Kaw 250)

4. Parissa Azarvand (Kaw 250)

5. Steven Webster (Kaw 250)

6. Russell Biles (Kaw 250)

Wrights Motorcycle Parts Production 500 Race 2

1. Sean Thomas (KTM RC390)

2. Robert Nolan (Yam FZR400)

3. Tony Morgan (Kaw 250)

4. Steven Webster (Kaw 250)

5. Parissa Azarvand (Kaw 250)

6. Russell Biles (Kaw 250)

Black Rhino Tools Moto 2

1. Gauge Rees (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Duncan Biles (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Ryan Richardson (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Trevor Beard (Yam YZF-R6)

5. Donavon Mortensen (Yam YZF-R6)

6. Ryan Luke (Yam YZF-R6)

Harrison Eurosports Open Superstock

1. Michael Bradshaw (BMW S1000RR)

2. Jay Millhiser (Kaw ZX-10R)

3. David Purcell (Kaw ZX-10R)

Les Olson Company Novice GTU

1. Tyson Rapier (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Antonio Andrade (Hon CBR600RR)

3. Christopher Robinson (Kaw ZX-6R)

4. Braden Randall (Yam YZF-R6)

5. Esad Tatarevic (Yam YZF-R6)

6. Michael Cormier (Kaw ZX-6R)

Discount Tire Novice GTO

1. Eugene Alston (Yam YZF-R1)

2. Spencer Kruger (Suz GSX-R750)

3. James Smith (Yam YZF-R1M)

4. Darren Knepper (Hon CBR1000RR)

5. Christopher Robinson (Kaw ZX-6R)

6. Braden Jones (Hon CBR1000RR)

Recycle Solutions Sportsman Race 1

1. Christopher Robinson (Kaw ZX-6R)

2. Braden Randall (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Steve Kozicki (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Darren Knepper (Hon CBR1000RR)

5. Peter Stanton (BMW HP4)

6. Sean Hartley

Recycle Solutions Sportsman Race 2

1. Braden Randall (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Darren Knepper (Hon CBR1000RR)

3. Sean Hartley

4. Michael Cormier (Kaw ZX-6R)

5. Chris Padilla

South Valley Motorsports Moto 1

1. Shane Turpin (Kaw ZX-10R)

2. Michael Bradshaw (BMW S1000RR)

3. Erik Grim (KTM RC8)

4. Kevin Dolan (Suz GSX-R1000)

5. Jay Millhiser (Kaw ZX-10R)

6. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

Edge Motorsports Deseret Dash Race 1

1. Jeff Stern (Hon CBR1000RR)

2. Matthew Lewis (Suz GSX-R1000)

3. Shane White (Suz GSX-R1000)

4. Jay Millhiser (Kaw ZX-10R)

5. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

Edge Motorsports Deseret Dash Race 2

1. Michael Bradshaw (BMW S1000RR)

2. Jeff Stern (Hon CBR1000RR)

3. Matthew Lewis (Suz GSX-R1000)

4. Shane White (Suz GSX-R1000)

5. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

6. Tyler Smith (BMW S1000RR)

The Green Pig Pub Open Twins

1. Erik Grim (KTM RC8)

2. Scott Rybarik (Duc 899)

3. Todd Mauer (Suz SV650)

LaMonica’s Restaurant Supply Production 250 Race 1

1. Tony Morgan (Kaw 250)

2. Chris Blockston (Kaw 250)

3. Stephen Webster (Kaw 250)

4. Parissa Azarvand (Kaw 250)

5. Russell Biles (Kaw 250)

LaMonica’s Restaurant Supply Production 250 Race 2

1. Tony Morgan (Kaw 250)

2. Stephen Webster (Kaw 250)

3. Chris Blockston (Kaw 250)

4. Parissa Azarvand (Kaw 250)

5. Russell Biles (Kaw 250)

Trackstar Racing Middleweight Superstock

1. Gauge Rees (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Ryan Richardson (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Duncan Biles (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Trevor Beard (Yam YZF-R6)

5. Donavon Mortensen (Yam YZF-R6)

6. Ryan Luke (Yam YZF-R6)

The Mechanic Modern Vintage GTO

1. Matthew Lewis (Suz GSX-R1000)

2. Jeff Stern (Hon CBR1000RR)

3. Eric Jones (Hon CBR1000RR)

4. Shane White (Suz GSX-R1000)

5. Kevin Dolan (Suz GSX-R1000)

6. Eugene Alston (Yam YZF-R1)

The Mechanic Modern Vintage GTU

1. Ryan Luke (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Tom MacMiece (Kaw ZX-6R)

3. Michael Hawkins (Suz GSXR-600)

4. Scott Rybarik (Yam YZF-R6)

5. Tyson Rapier (Yam YZF-R6)

6. Mike Smith (Yam YZF-R6)

Southpaw Motorsports Lightweight Twins Race 1

1. Matt Ramage (Suz SV650)

2. Sean Thomas (KTM RC390)

3. Robert Nolan (Yam FZR400)

4. Russell Biles (Kaw 250)

Southpaw Motorsports Lightweight Twins Race 2

1. Matt Ramage (Suz SV650)

2. Sean Thomas (KTM RC390)

3. Russell Biles (Kaw 250)

4. Robert Nolan (Yam FZR400)

The MotoStation Middleweight Superbike

1. Kory Cowan (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Gauge Rees (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Ryan Richardson (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Matt Guiver (Yam YZF-R6)

5. Donavon Mortensen (Yam YZF-R6)

6. Ryan Luke (Yam YZF-R6)

The MotoStation Open Superbike

1. Shane Turpin (Kaw ZX-10R)

2. Michael Bradshaw (BMW S1000RR)

3. Erik Grim (KTM RC8)

4. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

5. David Purcell (Kaw ZX-10R)

6. Tyler Smith (BMW S1000RR)

LaMonica’s Restaurant Supply Heavyweight Superbike

1. Kory Cowan (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Matt Guiver (Yam YZF-R6)

3. Trevor Beard (Yam YZF-R6)

4. Donavon Mortensen (Yam YZF-R6)

5. Scott Rybarik (Duc 899)

6. Michael Hawkins (Suz GSXR-600)

Harrison Eurosports Formula 40 GTO

1. Shane Turpin (Kaw ZX-10R)

2. Michael Bradshaw (BMW S1000RR)

3. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

4. Kevin Dolan (Suz GSX-R1000)

5. Tyler Smith (BMW S1000RR)

6. Steve Kozicki (Yam YZF-R1)

Harrison Eurosports Formula 40 GTU

1. Brad Moore (Yam YZF-R6)

2. Michael Hawkins (Suz GSX-R600)

3. Phil O’Bryan (Kaw ZX-6R)

The Edge Motorsports Moto 3

1. Sean Thomas (KTM RC390)

2. Tony Morgan (Kaw 250)

3. Stephen Webster (Kaw 250)

4. Russell Biles (Kaw 250)

More, from a press release issued by Trackstar Racing:

June 18-19 2016

Utah Motorsports Campus, Tooele,  

Utah

Gauge Rees hit the track Saturday at Round Three of the Vortex Masters of the Mountains Series with a plan to get redemption on the East course. Last year Rees had a shoulder injury that plagued him on the technical East Course and kept him off the Leaders pace. “I knew I was better than my lap times showed last year, I could run fast the first few laps then I just fell back because my shoulder would get sore. I spent the winter in the gym and doing PT, I also did two Rickdiculous Racing RDC events at Chuckwalla over the winter that helped me a bunch with my riding style. I couldn’t wait to get on East and see what happened.” said Rees.

Race One on Saturday was Moto 2 and Gauge had pole. With an excellent start he took the holeshot on his Rickdiculous Racing/Heatshrink.com Yamaha R6 and led the race flag to flag. He was within a couple of tenths of his best times on East. Race Two was Middleweight Superstock. “I got a great start! I’ve been working really hard on those this year because they were my biggest weakness. I would come out of Turn 1 in 5th or 6th and have to make it up. This year I’m pretty sure I have got the holeshot in almost every race. That makes things so much easier.” said Rees. Gauge went on to lead the entire race and another win. He now has a strong points lead in both Championships.

Race One on Sunday was King of the

Mountain U. Gauge got the holeshot again but was passed early in the first lap. He chased the leader the remainder of the race coming in 2nd place. Race Two on Sunday was Middleweight Superbike. Gauge got the holeshot and led most of the first lap until a Red Flag halted the race. On the restart Rees got another strong start leading the field into Turn 1. Rees was passed later in the race and settled into 2nd place at the flag. “I felt great out there! Racing [another competitor] on his superbike is really tough. He has a bunch of horsepower on our superstock bike but I really like racing with him because it gives me someone really fast to chase. It makes me a better rider for sure. I beat my personal best on East this weekend so I’m really happy with that. I’m healthy, riding the best I ever have and cant wait to grid up this weekend at the Superbike Challenge. We will see if a 15 year old on a 600 has anything for the big boys on liter bikes!” said Gauge.

Trackstar Racing owner Kelly Rees; “It was a solid weekend for sure. The weather was hot and the track had good grip with the Dunlops. We made some geometry changes to the bike since the last time we were on East and they really helped with grip on exit. I have to thank Rickdiculous Racing, Ken Hill and Shane Turpin for all of the time they have put into coaching Gauge. Those guys have an amazing program and Gauge wouldn’t be winning races without the work they have done with him.”

Gauge would like to thank his Sponsors: Rickdiculous Racing, Ken Hill Coaching, Heatshrink.com, Apex Trackdays, Dunlop, Venhill, Popshadow Decals, Champion Spark Plugs, Steve Midgley Photography and Moto Garage.