Bradshaw, Cowan decimate all challengers in KOM O and KOM U
September 1 and 2, 2018 at Utah Motorsports Campus, West Course Configuration, located in Grantsville, Utah
This past weekend, the USBA hosted round 5 of the Masters of the Mountains race series. The weather looked promising, with cool mornings, and comfortably warm afternoon temperatures in the high 80’s. The Sunday KOM race looked like it was going to be a thriller, especially once qualifying was done. Michael Bradshaw, racing for the MotoStation, was sitting on pole, which has been his usual position all year. He was hoping for a strong result having suffered mechanical woes in two of the four previous rounds. In round two, the motor in his bike grenaded, prematurely ending his race. In round 4, his wheel speed sensor malfunctioned, severely limiting his power….he was able to finish, but he finished much further down than is normally the case. However, his bike had been running strong all day on Saturday, and he was crossing his fingers for some well-deserved redemption. Kory Cowan, piloting a MotoStation R6, had been putting on a dazzling display of speed and skill all weekend, and was fast enough in qualifying to sit in second position on the start grid. He looked to be unbeatable by anyone but Bradshaw, regardless of what type of bike they were riding. Adding some spice to the mix, Brian Childree was making his first appearance of the year, also qualifying for the KOM U race. Childree has been a USBA regular for years, is known as an extremely technical and consistent rider, and he is always blazing fast. He qualified in fourth, with Bradshaw and Eric Jones being the only 1000cc riders to make a lap faster than him, proving that time away from racing hadn’t thrown him off his game in the slightest.
When the red light went out, the field made their sprint to turn one, making it through with no incidents. Bradshaw and Cowan jumped out to the lead, with Childree bringing up the rear, As the race continued, Cowan stayed glued to Bradshaw’s rear tire, and they started to open up a slight gap on Childree. The field began to stretch out, with isolated battles happening. Unfortunately, Childree, who looked like a lock for at least third place, suffered a catastrophic engine failure coming down the front straight after completing lap 5. Largely due to his experience, he immediately realized that his engine had blown, and was able to get off the race line quickly, and without crashing despite the oil that had immediately coated his back tire. The race was red-flagged due to oil on track, and the competitors were sent back to the pits to get their bikes on warmers while the track was cleaned. It was determined that the riders would restart the race in their running positions from the last full completed lap, and the remaining 9 laps would be run.
Once the oil was cleaned, the riders took their new grid positions for a second start. The start was clean, and Bradshaw and Cowan, to the surprise of nobody, jumped to the front of the pack. They battled back and forth for a few laps, and then Bradshaw began opening up a lead that, barring any issues, would be insurmountable. Bradshaw’s previous bad luck didn’t make a reappearance, and he held on for the O win, with Cowan crossing the line a couple seconds behind him, giving Cowan the win for the U class, and second overall. Of note, Cowan, piloting the MotoStation R6 ran an unbelievable fastest lap time of 1.30.817, just 1.1 seconds off the official 600cc West Course track record set by Garrett Gerloff in the 2014 Superbike Shootout. When told, Cowan could only shake his head in disbelief. “I’m pretty pumped to have run a 30.8. There aren’t too many people that have been able to get around West Course on a 600 that fast. I’m just pumped.” It was obvious that he knew what an accomplishment his lap time was, and in typical Cowan fashion, he downplayed it as much as possible even though there was only one person the entire weekend able to set a faster time, and that person was riding a 1000cc machine.
There was phenomenal racing all weekend, with very few incidents. There were some closely fought battles, and there were some displays of skill that left race competitors in the dust. Grayson Davidson, leading every production class the USBA hosts, displayed his usual dominance, winning every production bike race he entered by a large gap, with only Brian Jackson able to offer any semblance of a challenge. Jackson, no slouch himself, took second in every race Davidson won, with no challenges for the second step of the podium.
Other riders were finding their stride, hitting new personal best lap times, and emerging as a competitor to be reckoned with. Kellen Birch in particular found a ton of speed, and was competitive in classes where he should have been totally outclassed.
Only round 6 remains for the 2018 Masters of the Mountains race series, and there are still many championships up for grabs. Round 6 will decide the fate for many racers’ championship hopes, and everyone is planning on bringing their best effort in an attempt to lock up the championship they’ve been chasing all summer.
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
Race Results:
The Law Tigers Combined KOM
1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)
2. Kory Cowan (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Eric Jones (YAM YZF-R1)
4. Zac Miller (BMW S1000RR)
5. Duncan Biles (YAM YZF-R1)
6. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)
The MotoStation KOM GTO
1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)
2. Eric Jones (YAM YZF-R1)
3. Zac Miller (BMW S1000RR)
4. Duncan Biles (YAM YZF-R1)
5. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)
6. Kevin Dolan (SUZ GSX-R1000)
Rickdiculous Racing KOM GTU
1. Kory Cowan (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Ken Yee (KAW ZX-6R)
3. Cody Steggell (SUZ GSX-R600)
4. Andy Blunt (YAM YZF-R6)
Wrights M/C Parts and Accessories Production 300 (Race 1)
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW Ninja 300)
2. Holly Hendrickson (KAW Ninja 300)
3. Chad Carson (KAW Ninja 250)
Wrights M/C Parts and Accessories Production 300 (Race 2)
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW Ninja 300)
2. Holly Hendrickson (KAW Ninja 300)
The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash 1 (Expert)
1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)
2. Eric Jones (YAM YZF-R1)
3. Kevin Dolan (SUZ GSX-R1000)
4. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)
5. Braden Jones (YAM YZF-R1)
6. Jason Johnson (KAW ZX-6R)
The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash 1 (Novice)
1. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
2. Kellen Birch (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Cole Phillips (YAM YZF-R6)
4. Raymond Clark (SUZ GSX-R600)
5. Kate Heffernan (YAM YZF-R6)
6. Taylor Wilson (BMW S1000RR)
The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash 2 (Expert)
1. Eric Jones (YAM YZF-R1)
2. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)
3. Braden Jones (YAM YZF-R1)
4. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R6)
5. Ken Yee (KAW ZX-6R)
6. Scott Rybarik (DUC 899)
The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash 2 (Novice)
1. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
2. James Powelson (TRI 675R)
3. Jeff Dinger (HON RC51)
4. Cole Phillips (YAM YZF-R6)
5. James Riggs (YAM YZF-R1)
6. Taylor Wilson (BMW S1000RR)
Harrison Eurosports Combined GTO
1. Kellen Birch (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Spencer Kruger (YAM YZF-R1)
3. James Powelson (TRI 675R)
4. Jeff Dinger (HON RC51)
5. Raymond Clark (SUZ GSX-R600)
6. Taylor Wilson (BMW S1000RR)
Fastline Race Tire Moto 2
1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)
2. Brian Childree (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R6)
4. Austin Phillips (YAM YZF-R6)
5. Ken Yee (KAW ZX-6R)
6. Andy Blunt (YAM YZF-R6)
Utah Sport Bike Association Moto 1
1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)
2. Erik Grim (BMW S1000RR)
3. Zac Miller (BMW S1000RR)
4. Duncan Biles (YAM YZF-R1)
5. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)
6. Kevin Dolan (SUZ GSX-R1000)
Utah Sport Bike Association Novice GTU
1. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
2. Cole Phillips (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Raymond Clark (SUZ GSX-R600)
4. Zack Austin (TRI 675R)
5. James Powelson (TRI 675R)
6. Mitch Richardson (YAM YZF-R6)
The Green Pig Pub Open Twins
1. Scott Rybarik (DUC 899)
2. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
3. Jeff Dinger (HON RC51)
4. Zack Cooper (DUC 959)
5. James Riggs (KTM RC8R)
6. Daniel Qualtire (YAM TZ250)
Carey’s Cycle Production 500 (Race 1)
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW Ninja 400)
2. Brian Jackson (KAW EX500)
3. Liam Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
4. Brad Moore (YAM YZF-R3)
5. Jason Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
6. Benjamin Masters (YAM YZF-R3)
Carey’s Cycle Production 500 (Race 2)
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW Ninja 400)
2. Brian Jackson (KAW EX500)
3. Liam Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
4. Brad Moore (YAM YZF-R3)
5. Jason Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
6. Robert Nolan (YAM FZR400)
Trackstar Racing Middleweight Superstock
1. Kory Cowan (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Brian Childree (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R6)
4. Ken Yee (KAW ZX-6R)
5. Jason Johnson (KAW ZX-6R)
6. James McKay (HON CBR600F4)
South Valley Motorsports Open Superstock
1. Erik Grim (BMW S1000RR)
2. Kory Cowan (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Duncan Biles (YAM YZF-R1)
4. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)
5. Zac Miller (BMW S1000RR)
6. Kevin Dolan (SUZ GSX-R1000)
Stansbury Concert Series Sportsman (Race 1)
1. Raymond Clark (SUZ GSX-R600)
2. Zack Cooper (DUC 959)
3. Liam Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
4. Brad Moore (YAM YZF-R3)
5. Jason Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
6. Bill Dark (SUZ GSX-R600)
Stansbury Concert Series Sportsman (Race 2)
1. Zack Cooper (DUC 959)
2. Bill Dark (SUX GSX-R600)
3. Jade Jones (YAM YZF-R6)
SouthPaw Motorsports Lightweight Twins
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW Ninja 400)
2. Brian Jackson (KAW EX500)
3. Liam Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
4. Brad Moore (YAM YZF-R3)
5. Jason Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
6. Robert Nolan (YAM FZR400)
The Mechanic Modern Vintage GTO
1. Kevin Dolan (SUZ GSX-R1000)
2. David Meyer (HON CBR1000RR)
3. Goran Bojanic (SUZ GSX-R1000)
4. Jeff Dinger (HON RC51)
5. Edwin Hofeling (SUZ GSX-R750)
6. Spencer Kruger (SUZ GSX-R750)
The Mechanic Modern Vintage GTU
1. James McKay (HON CBR600F4)
2. Kellen Birch (HON CBR600RR)
3. Cody Steggell (SUZ GSX-R600)
4. Phil O’Bryan (KAW ZX-6R)
5. Cole Phillips (YAM YZF-R6)
6. Gilbert Gonzalez (YAM YZF-R6)
Edge Powersports Moto 3
1. Grayson Davidson (KAW Ninja 400)
2. Brian Jackson (KAW EX500)
3. Liam Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
4. Brad Moore (YAM YZF-R3)
5. Jason Grant (YAM YZF-R3)
6. Robert Nolan (YAM FZR400)
Kimco Combined GTU
1. Kellen Birch (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Jason Johnson (KAW ZX-6R)
4. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
5. James McKay (HON CBR600F4)
6. Cole Phillips (YAM YZF-R6)
Utah Sport Bike Association Novice GTO
1. Steven Marco (YAM YZF-R1)
2. Kellen Birch (YAM YZF-R6)
3. Goran Bojanic (SUZ GSX-R1000)
4. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
5. James Powelson (TRI 675R)
6. Kate Heffernan (YAM YZF-R6)
The MotoStation Middleweight Superbike
1. Michael Bradshaw (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Ken Yee (KAW ZX-6R)
3. Andy Blunt (YAM YZF-R6)
4. Jason Johnson (KAW ZX-6R)
5. Cody Steggell (SUZ GSX-R600)
6. Phil O’Bryan (KAW ZX-6R)
The MotoStation Open Superbike
1. Michael Bradshaw (KAW ZX-10R)
2. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)
3. Duncan Biles (YAM YZF-R1)
4. Erik Grim (BMW S1000RR)
5. David Meyer (HON CBR1000RR)
6. James Peterec (SUZ GSX-R1000)
LaMonica’s Restaurant Supply Heavyweight Superbike
1. Kory Cowan (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Ken Yee (KAW ZX-6R)
3. Jason Johnson (KAW ZX-6R)
4. Spencer Kruger (SUZ GSX-R750)
5. Scott Rybarik (DUC 899)
Harrison Eurosports Formula 40 GTO
1. Bill Davis (BMW S1000RR)
2. Kevin Dolan (SUZ GSX-R1000)
3. Steven Marco (YAM YZF-R1)
4. David Meyer (BMW S1000RR)
5. Scott Rybarik (DUC 899)
6. Spencer Kruger (SUZ GSX-R750)
Harrison Eurosports Formula 40 GTU
1. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R6)
2. Ken Yee (KAW ZX-6R)
3. Jason Johnson (KAW ZX-6R)
4. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)
5. Phil O’Bryan (KAW ZX-6R)
6. James Krstich (SUZ GSX-R600)