Motourage

Evan Steel Performance (ESP) has signed Jake Holden to race a BMW S1000RR in the AMA Pro National Guard American Superbike class in 2012. Holden, a former Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki factory rider, has raced in nearly every AMA class, finishing as high as third in the final standings in two classes – the 2008 Superstock class and the 2010 XR-1200 class. He has 14 AMA national podiums, including three wins. He substituted for John Hopkins and Ben Bostrom in 2010 on their respective factory-supported Superbikes.

Holden joins the ESP crew, which ran BMWs in the 2011 AMA Superbike series with success, including two front-row qualifying efforts, a top-five finish, and numerous top-10 finishes. ESP has numerous AMA podiums and wins, including winning the 2009 AMA Supersport East championship, as well as one Superbike pole position. Additionally, ESP has achieved success in the Canadian national road racing series, with wins, podiums, race lap records, and third overall for the 2009 season in the Pro Sportbike class.

“I am really excited to be back in the Superbike class, especially on a BMW,” said Jake Holden. “The bike is so fast, and fun to ride. The S1000RR has more motor than anything I have ever ridden; 2012 is gonna be good. I have moved down to Arizona so I will be close to the ESP shop, and with the weather out here we should be able to test quite a bit over the winter. I have been riding a lot of supermoto at the Mussleman Honda Circuit, a kart track in Tucson, as well as testing on the ESP boys’ S1000RR to make sure I’m ready to go when the season starts. I’m really looking forward to working with Phil and Evan; they have the drive and desire to build a competitive team. It’s going to be tough to beat the factory teams, but we’re eager for the challenge. I love being the underdog.”

“We’ve tested with Jake several times now, and I’m really impressed with his professionalism, focus, and speed,” said Evan Steel. “His past results and level of experience make him the most successful racer to have ridden for the ESP team to date. I am really happy to welcome him on board, and the whole ESP crew is eager to work with Jake. He is a calm and determined rider, and his work ethic suits our team very well. I’m hugely excited to be running a BMW again; the S1000RR is an amazing platform for a privateer team to launch from…. Phil Allison will be our primary engine builder as always, and we are welcoming Grant Guerrero onto the team as a chassis mechanic. Tom Savoca is returning, this time to help with management and logistics. Dave Ciesielski from U.S. Mega-Max will be continuing to help with geometry and chassis set up, as well as welding and machining. I’m proud that Jake chose to ride with us; I feel we have an incredibly strong team for 2012.”

Under bright blue skies, AMA Pro road racers spent Friday warming up for the weekend’s Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix action at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, where they’ll join international MotoGP athletes on the world stage. The SuperBike and SportBike riders turned practice laps at the 11-turn, 2.238-mile racetrack today, while the SuperSport class knocked out practice and the first of two qualifying sessions.

Reigning AMA Superbike champion Josh Hayes

Reigning Superbike champion, Graves Yamaha’s Josh Hayes, topped the timesheets with a 1:25.362. “It was a standard first practice for us,” said Hayes. “We ran through our usual checklist of tires and parts to see if we could go fast. The session was busy on the track; you could tell there were a number of riders who hadn’t been to this racetrack before.”

SuperBike points leader, Suzuki’s Blake Young, was second, less than three tenths behind the leader, putting him and Hayes alone in riders within the 1:25 frame. “The session went pretty good,” said Young. “It started kind of slow because we made some big changes, but we got back out and started to go to work.”

Blake’s teammate, Tommy Hayden, clocked in third-quickest, with Martin Cardenas and Roger Hayden rounding out the top five.

In Daytona SportBike, three-time 2011 race winner, Ducati’s Jason DiSalvo, grabbed the fast time of 1:29.352 in closing stages of the class’ single on-track session. Danny Eslick, the current championship points leader, slotted in second after topping the time charts for the majority of the session, likewise dipping into the 1:29 range with a 1:29.648. Yamaha’s Josh Herrin was just tenths behind for third-quickest, followed by Celtic Racing/Fast by Ferracci’s P.J. Jacobson and Mid-Ohio Race 1 winner, Dane Westby.

“I was happy to be able to make constant progress with the Latus Ducati,” said DiSalvo. “The bike feels good and it suits this track, and after today, we have a solid direction to pursue for tomorrow.”

As the SuperSport riders wrapped up the day’s action for the large Friday crowd, Benny Solis took the top Q1 spot with a 1:30.802. David Gaviria was second on the charts, leading teammate Tomas Puerta and Discovery Bay resident Elena Myers, while Miller Motorsports Park race-winner Corey Alexander registered the fifth-quickest time.

“I didn’t really get a clear lap,” said Solis before heading home for the day. “I did get one good one, but there was a lot of traffic. I thought I could have been faster, and I know we have more for tomorrow.”

All AMA Pro classes will conclude final qualifying tomorrow, with SuperSport riders kicking off the weekend’s race action with a 3:40 p.m. (PST) contest. The highly anticipated SuperBike and Daytona SportBike races go green on Sunday.

We here at Motourage have been following Australian Superbike racer Jordan (AKA Jordy) Burgess for a few years now, first as a Superstock and Superbike racer in the Australian Superbike Championship and now as a rider with Team ADR Fly Racing Suzuki in the AMA Superbike series.

Although Jordy has only four years as a pro racer under his belt, he’s doing a great job marketing himself. His blog is constantly updated, he posts regularly on his Facebook and Twitter pages and he often shares videos like this one, taken this morning at Laguna Seca. Other racers would benefit by following his example.

Keep an eye out for this 25-year-old up and comer.

Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki celebrated a tremendous AMA Superbike opening-round weekend at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, with Blake Young winning both races and teammate Tommy Hayden joining him on the podium in both events.

The Rockstar Makita Suzuki riders raced their Yoshimura-prepared Suzuki GSX-R1000s flawlessly, with Young celebrating the double victories in style and Hayden bringing home impressive second and third-placed finishes.

The weekend’s first AMA Superbike race saw Young in a multi-rider battle for almost all 15 laps on the famed Daytona racecourse. However, when the dust had settled, Young took the win over his teammate by just .026 of a second. In the second race, Young was biding his time until the final lap when he stormed the front-runner and took the lead along with his second victory of the weekend.

“Today was great,” enthused Young. “The only thing we could have done better was to lead more laps and get that pole position. Coming out of here with two wins, I’m ecstatic. I haven’t had the best of luck at Daytona before: Last year we had a fifth and a seventh, so this year is definitely a positive. But it’s a long season, and Daytona is just one of the races. We just need to chalk this one up and work hard in the seven weeks we have off. I’m happy for my guys; they worked really, really hard for me in the off-season to get me and my Suzuki on top of the box both days.”

Meanwhile, Hayden was right there with his head down for both races. Although Hayden was leading on the last lap of the first race, the checkered flag saw him finish in second place. In the second race, Hayden again was right there with his team mate and battled competitors as well as the famous Daytona draft before settling into third position.

“Today’s race was about what I expected,” said Hayden. “Blake and Josh Hayes were riding really well, so it was a tough race for me and my Suzuki. I was third today and I thought it was an all-right position. I was second yesterday; and Blake won from third yesterday, you know, so I figured I’d try it from that way. But I didn’t get a very good run on the straight. That’s the way this place goes. Yesterday, I got too-good-of-a-run. Today, not good enough.”

The 2011 Rockstar Makita Suzuki team’s next event of the 2011 AMA American Superbike Championship series is at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California, on May 13-15.

Daytona Superbike Race 1:
1. Blake Young (Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki)
2. Tommy Hayden (Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki)
3. Josh Hayes
4. Ben Bostrom
5. Roger Hayden
6. Martin Cardenas
7. Larry Pegram
8. Jeremy Toye
9. Chris Ulrich
10. David Anthony

Daytona Superbike Race 2:
1. Blake Young (Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki)
2. Josh Hayes
3. Tommy Hayden (Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki)
4. Martin Cardenas
5. Ben Bostrom
6. Larry Pegram
7. Chris Clark
8. Eric Bostrom
9. David Anthony
10. Chris Peris

2011 Superbike Standings:
1. Blake Young (Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki) – 60
2. Josh Hayes – 49
3. Tommy Hayden (Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki) – 46
4. Ben Bostrom – 34
5. Martin Cardenas – 33
6. Larry Pegram – 29
7. Chris Clark – 24
8. David Anthony – 23
9. Roger Hayden – 22
10. Chris Ulrich – 22

Fifty entries have been filed for the 70^th running of the legendary Daytona 200 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race. The 57-lap contest will go green this Saturday afternoon on the 3.51-mile Long Course that combines Daytona International Speedway’s high banks with its twisting infield course. This year, the classic race will be televised live on SPEED from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12.

Dating back to 1937, when Ed Kretz won the fist Daytona 200 on an Indian, this world-class race has served as the opening event of the American road race season. In keeping with tradition, the 70-year-old contest will again kick off the current AMA Pro Road Racing season, and with 2010 class champion Martin Cardenas having moved to AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike this year, the field is wide open.

Headlining up the 2011 competitors is 2010 Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin, who finished third in last season’s final points standings with five wins to his credit. Back with his long-time Graves Motorsports crew and fielding a newly liveried Monster Energy Graves Motorsports Yamaha, Josh’s 2011 bid for title redemption begins now.

Last year’s Daytona 200 Pole Position winner, Danny Eslick, finished second in the 2010 class championship and also returns with his 2010 squad, GEICO Powersports RMR Suzuki. The eternally hard-charging Eslick claimed three Daytona SportBike victories last year and can be expected to be high up in the mix come Saturday.

Taking over the 200 reins for Team M4 Suzuki in Cardenas’ absence will be Dane Westby, who stunned many by claiming second in last year’s Daytona 200 contest after leading twelve laps. Jake Zemke, who won both Daytona AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike races last year, will return to middleweight competition with the Project 1 Atlanta team, the talented Californian representing a big unknown for other riders in the class.

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After waiting out a rain delay on Monday and losing most of Tuesday to damp conditions and early morning fog, the assembled AMA Pro Road Racing teams finally got onto the newly-paved Daytona International Speedway for the Dunlop Tire Test, the first official open test session in advance of the upcoming 2011 season.

Topping the timesheets in the AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike class was the reigning champion, Yamaha’s  Josh Hayes, posting a time of 1:38.795/127.901 MPH.  Right behind Hayes was Suzuki’s Tommy Hayden with a time of 1:39.074/127.542 MPH.  Hayden’s teammate Blake Young was third, and debuting Kawasaki’s new liter-bike was Eric Bostrom, who finished fourth.  Another rider showing well on a new combination was Larry Pegram, who posted the fifth-fastest time with his new BMW.

Debuting entirely new team-and-machinery combinations were Ben Bostrom and Roger Hayden, both showing well for Jordan Motorsports’ 2011 effort.  2010 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion Martin Cardenas made his debut in the SuperBike class and ended up eighth, just ahead of his Team M4 Suzuki teammate Chris Ulrich.  Rounding out the top ten was the Buell-mounted Geoff May.

“The track is just so unbelievably smooth; when you compare some of the data from previous years, it is so much smoother,” Hayes commented on his day.  “It is different, but it doesn’t take long to get back into the groove.  I’m looking forward to the race.”

In preparation for the Daytona 200, the Daytona SportBike riders took to the track for one session, which was interrupted by a brief sprinkling of raindrops. Jason DiSalvo initially set the fastest time, returning to the series aboard the Team Latus Ducati, but ultimately settled for third. Jake Zemke, new to the Project 1 Atlanta team this year, finished second on his Yamaha with a time of 1:51.987/93.225 MPH. Last year’s Daytona 200 pole-position winner and 2009 Daytona SportBike Champion Danny Eslick also appeared at the top of the timesheets at numerous points during the disjointed session, but it was P. J. Jacobsen who topped the times after the short break with a best lap of 1:51.822/93.362 MPH on his new Ducati. Suzuki-mounted Cory West rounded out the top five, while Santiago Villa, who ran well early in the session, ended up sixth overall.
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Team Hammer, racing as Team M4 Suzuki, has signed Dane Westby to compete in AMA Pro Racing’s Daytona Sportbike class in 2011. With 2010  SportBike Champion Martin Cardenas moving to the Superbike class with M4 Suzuki for 2011, Westby will pilot the team’s Suzuki GSX-R600 as the team defends its title.

Cardenas moves to the premier class for 2011 making room for Westby in John Ulrich's stable

“I’m really looking forward to the Daytona test and getting to ride the Team M4 Suzuki. I’m really excited for the new year and this deal coming together is great. My goal is to make 2011 the Year of The Wolverine,” said Westby, referring to his nickname. “Team Hammer and (team owner) John Ulrich have been in the racing game for a long time and they know what is needed to put a competitive team out there. They won the championship last year and that speaks for itself. They were already there and getting the job done when I raced my first AMA Pro event, and that means a lot to me, as does their endurance racing success. Suzuki has a new model for 2011 that is lighter and stronger and that is another positive.”

Westby, 23 years old, had a breakthrough 2010 which saw him fight for the win in the Daytona 200 before earning his first AMA Pro Daytona SportBike podium and finishing second. The Oklahoman led the season finale in Alabama as well, earning the lap leader bonus point en route to a third-place finish. Westby also earned the podium at California Speedway, Infineon Raceway, and New Jersey Motorsports Park. He finished fifth in the season’s point standings.

“We’re looking forward to having Dane on our bike this year,” said Crew Chief Keith Perry. “We’ve seen how he’s come on in the last year and even before. He has the ability to run up front and our goal is to have him up there every week. As a team, we have a lot of experience with the 600cc Suzuki and our goal is to use that to help Dane continue his improvement. It was great that he was available and we were able to put a deal together with him.”

With Westby in the Daytona SportBike class, Martin Cardenas will join Chris Ulrich in AMA Pro American Superbike. The rapid Colombian’s presence in Superbike is sure to boost the series’ excitement level.

“Naturally, we’re really looking forward to having Martin on the Superbike as well,” Perry continued. “We think he’s one of the very top talents in the paddock and we’re anxious to see him on our big bike. Sure, there will be a transition period but when we first saw Martin in AMA Pro he was racing a 1000; we know him well and we’re supremely confident in him and what he can do. As a team, our challenge is to give him the equipment he needs to compete.”

2010 Ducati Motologic Superbike rookie Jordy Burgess has joined AMA Superbike team ADR Racing, contesting the Superbike Class for the 2011 season onboard a Suzuki GSXR-1000.

After a disappointing Australian Superbike Championship rookie year on board the Ducati Motologic Racing 1198R finishing the ASBK season in 11th place overall, Burgess is keen to get back onto a four-cylinder machine.

Burgess: “I am so stoked to have this opportunity to contest the AMA championships. I have learnt a lot this season here in Australia contesting the ASBK despite the disappointing events throughout the year. I believe experiences like this [2010 season] can only make you stronger, so I am remaining positive moving forward and plan on getting back to full fitness before the start of the season next year and rip it up over there.”

“The Aussie Dave Racing Team is going to be like an Aussie Assault on the AMA championships, which is cool. I believe I will have the right support and the right package with good track time promised to get me where I need to be to become a top contender and home some great results.”

The team is expected to make their first outing at the official AMA test in January at Daytona International Speedway.

Burgess, who was runner-up in the 2009 Australian Superstock 1000 championship, has been racing in the national championship in Australia for only three years, starting racing at the age of 21, and has always had the ambition to race in the USA.

“Next year will be tough in many regards but exciting all the same. New tracks, new bikes, new team and a new country… it’s all part of the challenge, you gotta love it!. I will be basing myself in sunny southern California for the duration of the season which has a similar feel to where I live in Australia which is cool. My girlfriend, Ashlea, will be also re-locating from Australia over to Philadelphia to continue her career competing and training dressage horses; so it’s all happening.”

The Deal was struck late last week with team owner and racer Dave Anthony while Burgess was visiting the USA.

After writing history at Atlantic Motorsports Park with an unprecedented perfect season and seven Canadian National Superbike titles, Waznie Racing’s Jordan Szoke repacked his championship CBR1000RR’s and pointed the rig south to once again challenge North America’s best in the ranks of AMA Pro Racing’s American Superbike class at VIRginia International Raceway.

With Thursday practice canceled, Szoke had his work cut out for him with a small 50-minute practice window before the first qualifying session began.  The heat and humidity hanging over the 1,200-acre site near Alton, Virginia had Szoke and his Waznie Racing crew sweating – not only due to the high temperatures, but also the pressure on Szoke to get his bike set up just right since his equipment is built around the Canadian National Series rules.  “Getting your bike set up perfectly is so important for us,” said Szoke. “We don’t have the luxury of electronics to help during the race, so if I don’t get it just right, fatigue can play a major role when the tire starts to go off.”

With two chances to get it done, Szoke nailed down his best performance on his ninth lap in the second qualifying session, landing him on the third row of the grid for Saturday and Sunday’s grueling 23-lap race around the 2.25 mile, 17 turn road course.

During race 1, Szoke rocketing to the front with a killer start on his Honda CBR1000RR. Szoke cranked out fast, consistent lap times during the first quarter of the race; however, tire wear and fatigue set in midway to the checkered, and Jordan finished in 10th place.  “I can get the fast laps out there,” said Szoke. “What we’re struggling with is consist lap times.  After 23 laps without any electronics, it’s tough to wrestle a superbike around for that long.  Nailing the set up is crucial for us to be successful, luckily we have a ton of help from the guys at K-Tech Suspension to get it just right.”

Sunday’s Superbike warm up session brought another series of major setup changes and propelled Szoke to seventh fastest of the session.  Jordan strategized with Sebastian from Dunlop for his tire compound choice for race 2.  “We chose a soft tire to try to take off with the pack at the beginning.  I’m not sure what’s going to happen at the end of the race,” laughed Szoke before the race began. “But we’re going to put the Honda up there for a bit anyways.”

As Szoke settled into the starting grid for Sunday’s race 2 under sunny skies and raging temperatures, his mind was focused on the first few laps.  It was paramount that he garnered a good start in order to get the first few perfect laps required with his soft tire choice.  Unfortunately, as the lights went out, Jordan found himself bunched up at the start, while the competitors ahead of him pulled away.  Szoke battled past the competition, leading one of the many battles that are fought within the race.  Jordan concluded his second AMA weekend with another accomplished 10th place finish.

“I feel like we are so (so) close.” says Szoke “.I am really starting to get used to the Dunlop tires and finding out how they work.  I want to continue to compete in the remainder of the 2010 AMA season, but we will have to see if financially we can make it happen.”

With some more support, Szoke is hoping to continue competing in AMA American Superbike during Round 9, taking place at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

Dave with Jordan Szoke

Jen with Amy Szoke

The Motourage crew were lucky enough to have a chance to meet reigning Canadian Superbike champion Jordan Szoke and his wife, Amy – an accomplished road racer in her own right -  at this past weekend’s AMA White Lightning Nationals at Virginia International Raceway. Jordan, fresh from a perfect seven-win season and his seventh Canadian Superbike title, made the trip from Atlantic Motorsport Park in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia to Alton, Virginia to show his stuff to the American audience.

Canadian motorsports program, The Auto 123 Show caught up with Jordan before the final race of the Canadian Superbike season. Jordan and Amy are a great couple, and you can tell by this video just how exciting their lives are.