The UtahSBA held Round 6 of its Utah Motorcycle Law Masters of the Mountains Race Series on Saturday September 5th on the Utah Motorsports Campus’ West Track. Round 6 came quickly with only 3 weeks passing since Round 5. Despite the short turnaround riders came out in droves to compete and watch the conclusion of the truncated 2020 season. The round was punctuated by extraordinarily close points battles in numerous championships that were far from sewn up as the round began. Most notably, the club’s premiere King of the Mountain championship where Genaro Lopez led Jerry Hicks by a scant 14 points.

The track went hot Saturday morning with the Moto Station and AZ Riding Academy KOM Qualifying sessions. Session 1 was really quiet with Lopez putting in a respectable 1:35.568 early in the session with Duncan Biles just a touch slower with a 1:35.945. Session 2 proved much more exciting with Hicks coming out to try to nab pole position honors and Lopez returning to defend it. Unfortunately Lopez’s hopes were dashed when Hicks laid down a 1:32.454 followed by Eric Jones, Biles, Brian Chilree and Lopez with the five only separated by 0.523. The makings of an epic premiere race complete, it was time to go racing.

The first hotly contested race was MotoUnited Moto 2 with just 6 points separating Hicks, Ryan Richardson, and Lopez. The race thundered off the grid with Lopez taking holeshot honors followed closely by Richardson, Kory Cowan,  Hicks and Brian Cildree. The first few laps were dizzying as the lead group swapped places and reshuffled all over the track. The competition was fierce but the tension broke when Lopez came to the throttle a bit too soon and  high sided his R6 out of contention at the end of turn 5 during lap 3. Lopez was uninjured, but he was not able to continue. The race continued with Cowan, Hicks and Childree scrambling with each other finishing with Childree in the lead followed closely by Cowan and Hicks. Richardson ran a smooth race to 4th only momentarily having to battle with close friend Cole Phillips. Richardson’s finish secured him second place for the season ahead of Lopez.

With tension building, it finally came time for the KOM showdown between Lopez and Hicks for series championship honors. Lopez only needed to get 3rd or better if Hicks took the win to clinch the championship, so In a fit of fury and gasoline the competitors launched headlong towards the first corner. No clear leader was determined as the  racers went 3 wide through the first 5 corners. Eric Jones, Hicks, and Childree emerged at the front runners as the bikes made the run into turn 6. Meanwhile Lopez was contending with Duncan Biles, Brayden Jones, and Bill Davis as he mounted his push from 7th to 3rd place he needed. In the third lap Biles began to fade with Davis and Brayden Jones lunging to fight for 4th place.  Up front Hicks decided to shake things up, passing Eric Jones under brakes into turn 5 during the 4th lap. Eric Jones wasn’t willing to accept second without a fight however, overtaking Hicks on the front straight at the start of lap 5. Hicks, unimpressed by Jones’ higher powered R1, responded quickly with a high roll speed outside pass in turn 8 during lap 6 ending their passing debate, which was lucky for Hicks who reported having tire issues from the middle of the race onward. The battle for 3rd place, however, was far from settled with Childree dropping back in the 4th lap due to coolant temp issues with his R6 and eventually retiring in the 9th lap leaving Davis and young Braden Jones duking it out for 3rd with Jones finally making his position stick with an inside pass under brakes into turn 1. Lopez, still rattled from his earlier crash in Moto 2, opted to disengage from the fray for 3rd place and settle into 5th. The rest of the race played out more calmly with the leaders settling into their positions. As the checkered flag flew it was Hicks in the lead to take the win and season championship followed narrowly by Eric Jones and Braden Jones rounding out the podium for the day.

As the cool down lap made its way around the track Hicks spent his time trying to figure out the finishing order of his fellow competitors. Unsure of where Lopez finished he was forced to wait until he was greeted by his wife Carrie Szmnarski on hot pit to learn that he was the 2020 King of the Mountain combined champion. In a post race interview Hicks was ecstatic about his 2020 season where he was behind in the points standing all the way until the last race, spending the season battling small but persistent bike issues. He also had to contend with a lack of motivation associated with the belief that his fellow Moto Station teammates would chase championship victory this year stating “I got much more serious and felt more pressure” from round 4 onward. Between the pressure and the chase, Hicks stated his 2020 victory was “more fulfilling than last time.” He wished to thank his sponsor Moto Station, his team mates Cowan, Childree, James Peterec, and David Purcell, the UtahSBA board of Directors, and his wife Carrie for their support during the 2020 season.

The rest of the day played out with numerous exciting races in both Expert and Novice classes. The Edge Powersports Lightweight Superbike continued the excitement with only 4 points separating leaders Purcell, Mark Taylor, and Christopher De La Torre. Visiting racer Ryan Smith shook the class up providing De La Torre with a solid challenge only overtaking Smith with a lucky pass as they made their way through lapped traffic during the last lap taking the win followed by Smith, Taylor, and Purcell clinching the championship for De La Torre. Blud Racing Lubricants Novice GTO started with best friends Rick Squires and James Kling separated by just 8 points. Kling took an early lead in the race with Squires passing Kling on the exit of turn 6 during the 3rd lap and securing a solid lead by race conclusion. With the win Squires took the season championship in what has been a rewarding season for both. MotoUnited Open Superstock was a Davis-Lopez faceoff with only 18 points separating them going into the final race of the season. Davis held off Lopez for the day but lost the season points chase by a mere 8 points.

In all it was an amazing race day with fierce competition, heartfelt victories, very few flags, and a respite for the crash truck, overworked during Round 5. As the track went cold smiles could be found throughout the pits as UtahSBA family said its goodbyes for the off-season. It was an outstanding season.

The UtahSBA wants to thank our local and visiting riders, volunteers, fantastic UMC medical, control, and track staff, and Board of Directors. Without you no race season is possible and in 2020 this became even more true as the club turned a struggling start of the season into a wild success. We look forward to seeing you all again in 2021.

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.

Motostation/AZ Riding Academy KOM Overall:

1. Jerry Hicks (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Eric Jones (YAM YZF-R1)

3. Braden Jones (YAM YZF-R1)

4. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

5. Genaro Lopez (BMW S1000RR)

6. Duncan Biles (YAM YZF-R1)

Motostation KOM GTO:

1. Eric Jones (YAM YZF-R1)

2. Braden Jones (YAM YZF-R1)

3. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

4. Genaro Lopez (BMW S1000RR)

5. Duncan Biles (YAM YZF-R1)

6. David Thomas (BMW S1000RR)

AZ Riding Academy KOM GTU:

1. Jerry Hicks (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Ryan Richardson (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Cole Phillips (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Clint Gibson (KAW ZX-6R)

5. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R6)

6. Brian Childree (YAM YZF-R6)

Harrison Eurosports Combined GTO

1. David Thomas (BMW S1000RR)

2. Lee McNutt (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Gilbert Gonzalez (KAW ZX-10R)

4. Joshua Snow (YAM YZF-R1)

5. John Tran (YAM YZF-R1)

6. Marshall Miller (BMW S1000RR)

Kimco Combined GTU

1. Grant Cowan (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Lee McNutt (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Zach Austin (TRI 675R)

4. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R6)

5. Nicholas Schmit (SUZ GSX-R600)

6. Stephen Townsend (YAM YZF-R6)

The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash – Expert

1. Eric Jones (YAM YZF-R1)

2. Steven Marco (YAM YZF-R1)

3. David Meyer (YAM YZF-R1)

4. Jason Johnson (KAW ZX-10R)

5. Jesse Carter (SUZ GSX-R750)

6. Braden Jones (YAM YZF-R1)

The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash – Novice

1. James Kling (DUC 1198)

2. John Tran (YAM YZF-R1)

3. Nicholas Schmit (SUZ GSX-R600)

4. Rick Squires (HON CBR1000RR)

5. Stephen Townsend (YAM YZF-R6)

6. Albert Andrade (SUZ GSX-R750)

Harrison Eurosports Formula 40 – GTO

1. Eric Jones (YAM YZF-R1)

2. Kevin Dolan (KAW ZX-10R)

3. Steven Marco (YAM YZF-R1)

4. Aaron Sherman (YAM YZF-R1)

5. Rick Squires (HON CBR1000RR)

6. Jesse Carter (SUZ GSX-R750)

Harrison Eurosports Formula 40 – GTU

1. Lee McNutt (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Adam Kownatka (KAW ZX-6R)

3. Brian Larrabure (PIE X80)

4. Phil O’Bryan (KAW ZX-6R)

5. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848 EVO)

6. Kirk Doyle (KAW ZX-6R)

The Edge Powersports Lightweight Superbike

1. Christopher De La Torre (SUZ SV650)

2. Ryan Smith (HON CBR500R)

3. Mark Taylor (KAW NINJA 400)

4. David Purcell (KAW NINJA 400)

5. Daniel Qualtire (YAM TZ250)

6. Jordan Wolfgramm (KAW NINJA 300)

Moto Station Middleweight Superbike

1. Jerry Hicks (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Ryan Richardson (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Grant Cowan (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Cole Phillips (YAM YZF-R6)

5. Clint Gibson (KAW ZX-6R)

6. Grant Cowan (YAM YZF-R6)

Toxic Moto Racing Middleweight Superstock

1. Grant Cowan (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Clint Gibson (KAW ZX-6R)

3. Cole Phillips (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Michael Montgomery (KAW ZX-6R)

The Mechanic Modern Vintage – GTO

1. Kevin Dolan (SUZ GSX-R1000)

2. Jesse Carter (SUZ GSX-R750)

3. James Kling (DUC 1198)

4. Rick Squires (HON CBR1000RR)

5. David Meyer (YAM YZF-R1)

6. Joshua Snow (YAM YZF-R1)

The Mechanic Modern Vintage – GTU

1. Grant Cowan (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Nicholas Schmit (SUZ GSX-R600)

3. Jason Johnson (DUC 848)

4. Brian Larrabure (DUC 996 RS)

5. Kirk Doyle (KAW ZX-6R)

6. Phil O’Bryan (KAW ZX-6R)

MotoUnited Moto 2

1. Brian Childree (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Jerry Hicks (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Kory Cowan (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Ryan Richardson (YAM YZF-R6)

5. Cole Phillips (YAM YZF-R6)

6. Clint Gibson (KAW ZX-6R)

The Edge Powersports Moto 3

1. Ryan Smith (HON CBR500R)

2. Christopher De La Torre (SUZ SV650)

3. Mark Taylor (KAW NINJA 400)

4. David Purcell (KAW NINJA 400)

5. Jordan Wolfgramm (KAW NINJA 300)

Blud Racing Lubricants Novice GTO

1. Rick Squires (HON CBR1000RR)

2. James Kling (DUC 1198)

3. Lee McNutt (YAM YZF-R6)

4. John Tran (YAM YZF-R1)

5. Joshua Snow (YAM YZF-R1)

6. Stephen Townsend (YAM YZF-R6)

Blud Racing Lubricants Novice GTU

1. Zach Austin (TRI 675R)

2. Stephen Townsend (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Max Tseng (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Nicholas Schmit (SUZ GSX-R600)

5. Kirk Doyle (KAW ZX-6R)

6. Brock Jones (YAM YZF-R6)

Moto Station Open Superbike

1. Genaro Lopez (BMW S1000RR)

2. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

3. Duncan Biles (YAM YZF-R1)

4. Spencer Kruger (YAM YZF-R1)

5. Marshall Miller (BMW S1000RR)

6. Jerry Hicks (YAM YZF-R6)

MotoUnited Open Superstock

1. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

2. Genaro Lopez (BMW S1000RR)

3. David Thomas (BMW S1000RR)

4. David Meyer (YAM YZF-R1)

5. Jesse Carter (SUZ GSX-R750)

6. James Peterec (SUZ GSX-R1000)

ee Racing Corps Open Twins

1. James Kling (DUC 1198)

2. Jason Johnson (DUC 848)

3. Brian Larrabure (PIE X80)

4. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848 EVO)

5. Christopher De La Torre (SUZ SV650)

Inspired Financial Production 500

1. Ryan Smith (HON CBR500R)

2. Jordan Wolfgramm (KAW NINJA 300)

3. Mark Taylor (KAW NINJA 400)

Monarch Powersports Sportsman

1. Sam Arquit (SUZ GSX-R750)

2. Richard Findlay (KAW ZX-10R)

3. Russell Carpenter (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Jeff Leeman (YAM YZF-R6)

C&R Coatings Stock 1000

1. Genaro Lopez (BMW S1000RR)

2. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)

3. Kevin Dolan (KAW ZX-10R)

4. Dallas W Sherman (YAM YZF-R1)

5. David Thomas (BMW S1000RR)

6. James Peterec (SUZ GSX-R1000RR)

Mountain Autosport Super Street Bike

1. Victor Arias (HON CBR1000RR-R)

2. Cole Phillips (YAM FZ8)

3. Rachel Kuns (YAM FZ6)