Quarterley Racing On Track Development Looking for Even Better Results at Laguna Seca
Quarterley Racing On Track Development riders Dallas Daniels, Jamie Astudillo, Teagg Hobbs and Ben Gloddy are looking forward to the MotoAmerica Junior LIQUI MOLY Junior Cup race this coming weekend at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca. Dallas won his first ever MotoAmerica race at the previous round at the Utah Motorsports Campus, and newest teammate Ben Gloddy finished in fifth place in only his second professional race of his career at the Utah track.
Dallas Daniels, winner, race two, MotoAmerica LIQUI MOLY Junior Cup, Utah Motorsports Campus:
“Laguna Seca is my favorite track on the schedule. Last year was my only time at Laguna and I got sixth place on the grid for the Junior Cup race even though I crashed once in practice and again in the first qualifying session. But it turned out to be a great weekend because I got my first MotoAmerica podium there when I got third place in the race. It was a big relief more than anything because I had been so close to getting on the podium a few times before.
“I’ve been doing a lot of motocross at the South of the Border Motocross Training Facility in Hamer, South Carolina to get ready for this year’s race. I’m getting in better shape so I can ride harder for longer. I’ve also been watching videos from previous rounds at Laguna and I’ll watch some more before we leave for the race.
“I’m confident I can Fight for the win this year; I did well last year and I’m coming off my first MotoAmerica win ever in the second race at the last round in Utah so I think I’m the guy with the most confidence coming into this one.”
Ben Gloddy, fifth place, race two, MotoAmerica LIQUI MOLY Junior Cup, Utah Motorsports Campus:
“This will be my first time at Laguna Seca, and I’m really excited. I did pretty well at Utah, with a twelfth place in race one and fifth in the second race. I’ve been doing more motocross and riding my bicycle a little extra, pushing myself when I get hot and tired. I’ve also been watching videos of past races at Laguna online. They deleted the Junior Cup races from YouTube, so I’m watching the 600cc races.
“When I watch the videos I break the track down into sections and replay it a few times. I’ll do this on a couple different videos to see what people do in different scenarios. I think I’ll be really strong in the blind corners, like the entrance to the Corkscrew and the following left-hander. The tracks I race on have a lot of blind corners where you’re either looking at a wall or an air bag.
“My plan is to try to get behind someone who’s been at the track before in practice and work up my pace leading up to qualifying. I’ll try to focus on what I’m doing and talk with and work with Dale as much as I can. I’m hoping to come out in the top 10 or even top five.”
Jamie Astudillo:
“I love that track! It’s definitely my favorite. I raced at Laguna in 2017 and 2018. In 2017 it was in the KTM Cup with another team and last year with Quarterley Racing On Track Development. Last year I qualified fifth, but I crashed in the race. Then there was a red flag for another incident, and I was able to make the restart, but they put me right at the back of the grid in 24th position. I got all the way up to fourth by the end of the race in what turned out to be a five-lap sprint after the red flag.
“At Utah we made a big step forward confidence-wise. I was able to hang with the large group that was following the leaders until we ran into an issue with the bike.
“I’ve been motocrossing since Utah but mostly I’m taking a step back during the break and trying to clear my mind of the pressure I’ve been putting on myself this year compared to last year. My goal this year for Laguna is to be able to hang with the big group. I’m just taking it step-by-step.”
Teagg Hobbs:
“I’ve never been to Laguna Seca before. I think it’s going to be great; with World Superbike there, it should be jam packed. I’m looking forward to getting back to my old self again on the bike. I’ve been training every day as hard as I can, going to the gym and running on the beach, and I’ve also gone to some track days. I’ve been watching videos of races from the track and I also got a video game with Laguna Seca on it for my Xbox. They don’t have a Ninja 400 but they do have a Ninja 300, so I just bumped the horsepower up to 45. You can turn the ABS on and off, do some suspension adjustments and even ride in the rain. Dallas and I have been playing it together online.
“I wasn’t really happy with my results from Utah so I’ve been working with Dale to change that. Now my attitude about the track has changed 180 degrees. It’s now my racetrack, not the other guys. It’s now my line. I’m on a mission, and I’m not going to let the other riders get in my way. I was in the top five in Atlanta, and I think that’s very possible for Laguna. I expect to be fighting for the win by the end of the season.”
Quarterley Racing On Track Development sponsors for 2019 include Inter-Tech Supplies, Fast By Ferracci, Inc, Yoshimura Research & Development of America, Inc., Wiseco Powersports, Motul USA., Regina Chain, BrakeTech USA, Inc., Ferodo Racing, Matt & Jesse, Scott Powersports, Inc., Defiance Lifestyle, Woodcraft Technologies, Dynojet Research Inc., Beta Tools of Italy – USA, RoadracingWorld.com, Drippinwet.com, MOTO-D Racing, Fast Bike Industries, VAN DYK Recycling Solutions, Earl’s Racing Team and Kiwi Classic Moto
More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad Motorsport:
BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team ready for the US round at Laguna Seca.
Californian circuit to host round nine of the 2019 FIM Superbike World Championship.
Tom Sykes sets sights on more top finishes with the new BMW S 1000 RR.
First time at Laguna Seca for Markus Reiterberger: “I am really looking forward to it”.
(Above) Markus Reiterberger (28) will return from injury at Laguna Seca.
Munich. The action follows thick and fast in the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK). Just one week after the races at Donington Park (GBR), the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and riders Tom Sykes (GBR) and Markus Reiterberger (GER) head to the USA and Laguna Seca. The circuit, in the US state of California, is the venue for round nine of the 2019 WorldSBK season from 12th to 14th July.
Three weeks ago, the team celebrated the first WorldSBK podium for the new BMW S 1000 RR at Misano (ITA). This was followed by a first pole position and another second place at Donington Park. The goal for the coming races is to continue to develop the race bike and establish the team’s position within the top six in the world championship.
Quotes ahead of the races at Laguna Seca.
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “We showed at the recent rounds that we are making good progress with the development of our new BMW S 1000 RR. We are gradually closing in on the front-runners in terms of performance. We are now very excited about Laguna Seca. We hope to be able to continue the trend we have seen in recent weeks and to again have a say at the front of the field. Obviously every circuit has its own characteristics, so we will have to wait and see how the specific layout of the track at Laguna Seca suits our RR. We are pleased to have Markus back on board and are ready for the race weekend in California.”
Shaun Muir, Team Principal BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “It’s good to be back in the US. We want to build on the momentum that we gained at Donington Park last week. Tom is full of confidence. Despite the rules issue that we had at Donington Park we nevertheless we came away with a lot of positives. We’re pleased that Markus is fit and well to return at Laguna Seca. We hope he can learn the circuit very quickly and pick up some good pace. Overall we are confident of carrying some momentum; hopefully we can start the weekend strongly and then we aim for some strong positions before we enter the summer break.”
Tom Sykes: “I’m very much looking forward to the US round of WorldSBK. Obviously just continuing on from previous rounds it looks like the whole of the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team is gathering good momentum now. It’s just unfortunate that some things went against us at the Donington round which denied us another two strong podium finishes, but we had the pole position and a strong second place on the podium in race one there. Now we’re going to Laguna Seca, a circuit with a great atmosphere and a circuit which I enjoy riding. That coupled with the new BMW S 1000 RR really gives me motivation and I would certainly like to finish before the summer break with a very strong weekend.”
Markus Reiterberger: “I am really looking forward to finally riding at Laguna Seca. This is my first time there and I am already very excited about the circuit. I will give it everything there and am looking for a good result. We will work hard to find a few details on the bike that can help me to further improve and show even more of my potential. I am looking forward to an exciting adventure in the USA, to work with my team again, to good races and to a great event.”
More, from a press release issued by Attack Performance/Estenson Racing:
JD Beach Ready for Double the Superbike Action at Laguna Seca
(Above) JD Beach (95) leads Josh Herrin (2) and Jake Lewis (85) during a race at Utah Motorsports Campus. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy of Attack Performance/Estenson Racing.
This weekend, July 12-14, JD Beach will be pulling double duty aboard the Attack Performance Estenson Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 in MotoAmerica Superbike and the FIM Superbike World Championship at the U.S. WorldSBK round at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. That means five races and a frenetic schedule, but the two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion is eager for the challenge and looks forward to his debut in the international championship.
Beach is no stranger to a busy schedule in 2019. The Owensboro resident has taken on both premier classes in dirt track and roadracing in the U.S., giving him only three weekends off since the American Flat Track season started on March 14. He and the team have also spent time preparing for the busy weekend. With Attack Performance’s experience last season running both classes, Beach will have a different bike for each series to help with the quick transition needed between the two events. Earlier this week, the lone American on the WorldSBK grid at Laguna Seca was able to ride the two different Superbike-spec bikes, and looks to put forth top results in both championships.
JD Beach — MotoAmerica Superbike #95:
“Coming into this weekend at Laguna, I’m really excited and nervous, too. I’m looking forward to getting the opportunity to race World Superbike at a home race with MotoAmerica, so it’s going to be fun, but a tough weekend, too. We did get some time going back and forth between the two different brands of tires. I think we had a positive test leading into this weekend. We have done all the work we can do and really, now it’s just up to me to figure out how to go fast with the World Superbike guys and be able to keep that speed going into the MotoAmerica races. So, yeah, I’m really looking forward to going to Laguna. It’s a track I like a lot. It’s going to be a blast.”
The MotoAmerica Superbike races at Laguna will be aired on FS2 Saturday, July 13, at 8:00 p.m. ET and Sunday, July 14, at 6:00 p.m. ET. You can also stream all the action live on MotoAmerica Live+ starting at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 13 and 12:15 a.m. ET on Sunday, July 14. To subscribe to the live streaming click here: https://www.motoamericaliveplus.com/
Catch the WorldSBK races on http://www.worldsbk.com/ with the video pass at 5:00 p.m. ET on both Saturday and Sunday, July 13-14, as well as Sunday’s Superpole Race at 2:00 p.m. ET.
For more information about the event, click here: https://motoamerica.com/monterey/
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Yamaha Riders Revved up for Laguna Seca Showdown
(Above) Michael van der Mark (60).
The iconic Laguna Seca circuit in California plays host to Round 9 of the FIM Superbike World Championship this weekend. With the annual summer break following immediately afterwards, the Pata Yamaha WorldSBK pairing of Alex Lowes and Michael van der Mark arrive in the United States determined to finish the first part of the season by adding to their points and podium tallies. The same is true of the two GRT Yamaha Supported WorldSBK riders, Marco Melandri and Sandro Cortese, who are also looking to round out the first part of the season with a strong showing in America this weekend.
Lowes heads into the Laguna Seca weekend with his confidence high, after a successful home round at Donington Park just one week ago. The 28-year-old Briton only narrowly missed out on a podium finish in front of his home crowd, but two top five finishes saw him close the gap to his Pata Yamaha teammate in the championship standings. Lowes has the podium firmly in his sights this weekend at Laguna, a track at which he also finished on the podium twelve months ago.
Donington Park saw van der Mark return to action just ten days after undergoing surgery following a heavy practice crash in Misano. It was an incredible performance from the Pata Yamaha rider, who raced to three top-ten finishes in Great Britain to pick up vital championship points. Van der Mark heads into the Laguna Seca round confident that his injured wrist will not adversely affect his performance, as he targets the top five in America.
GRT Yamaha’s Marco Melandri heads to the United States for his first race weekend since announcing that he will retire at the end of the 2019 season. The veteran Italian, who has racked up 75 podium finishes and 22 race wins since making his WorldSBK debut with Yamaha in 2011, is aiming to end his final season on a high, starting this weekend at Laguna Seca.
Once again Cortese will be facing a steep learning curve this weekend, as it will be his first at Laguna Seca, where only the MotoGP class raced when the reigning Supersport World Champion was racing in Moto3 and Moto2. A strong start in free practice on Friday will be critical if Cortese is to achieve his goal of adding to his tally of top ten finishes in California.
The iconic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca was originally built in 1957 and is located in Monterey County, Central California. Hosting its first WorldSBK race in 1995, it was a permanent fixture on the calendar until 2004, before making its return in 2013 and being ever-present since. It is 3.610km long, has 11 corners, four right and seven left-handed, breathtaking elevation changes of over 55m and, of course, features the infamous Corkscrew. It is only the WorldSBK class that races at Laguna Seca and the on-track action kicks off for the Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team on Friday at 10.30 local time for FP1, with both races taking place at 14.00 on Saturday and Sunday.
Alex Lowes
Pata Yamaha WorldSBK
“Laguna Seca is an iconic circuit and one that is quite tight and technical but a lot of fun to ride. It has lots of changes of elevation, with the biggest coming as you drop down the infamous Corkscrew, which Is always a buzz when you get it right! The goal is to fight for the podium once again this weekend, to go into the summer break on a high note.”
Michael van der Mark
Pata Yamaha WorldSBK
“it’s great to be back in the USA, especially when we got to race at such a fantastic circuit as Laguna Seca. My wrist has improved a lot even in the week since Donington and, while it’s still not back to full fitness, I’m looking forward to racing again this weekend. In Race 2 at Donington I felt that I could have fought for a top five finish if I’d had the grip, so that’s the goal here at Laguna Seca.”
Marco Melandri
GRT Yamaha Supported WorldSBK
“Laguna is one of the most beautiful tracks in the world and something different to the other tracks we race at during the season. I’ve had a lot of fun here and some nice races in the past, both in MotoGP and WorldSBK, so it’s; good to return here. I think the track could well suit our R1, even if I am a bit worried for the bumps, but we will see tomorrow. I think it won’t be an easy weekend, but we will do our best as always.”
Sandro Cortese
GRT Yamaha Supported WorldSBK
“This will be the first time ever I’ve had the chance to race at Laguna Seca, and I’m quite excited about it. I got my first look at the track yesterday and it’s impressive. The television really doesn’t do it justice; when you actually stand at the top of the corkscrew and look down it’s very special. The first day tomorrow will be a learning day to understand the track and then I will just try to enjoy the whole weekend.”