Press
The GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Presented By Yamaha Kicks Off This Weekend in Fontana, California
LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (April 25, 2014) — America’s top professional road-racing talent is laying down the horsepower at Auto Club Speedway’s ultra-fast, 21-turn, 2.36-mile road course this weekend for the debut of the GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Presented by Yamaha.
Built by racers for racers and race fans, the three-round Shootout is bringing many national championship-winning road racers straight to fans in the motocentric states of California and Utah for a close-up view of the on-track action.
Each Superbike Shootout event is headlined by two professional classes: RaceFuelZ™ Pro Superbike and Dynojet Pro Sportbike. At this weekend’s Yamaha SoCal Nationals, the Pro races will run alongside a full schedule of WERA semi-pro and amateur races.
Monster Energy Graves Yamaha will be out in full force with three-time Superbike Champion Josh Hayes and 2013 SportBike Champion Cameron Beaubier. In the off-season, Beaubier was promoted to full-fledged Superbike-rider status. He rewarded the boys in blue by winning a race at the season-opener in March. The 21-year-old comes to Fontana as a threat to become the Superbike Shootout’s first Pro Superbike race winner.
Transplanted from Mississippi, Hayes is now a local from Oceanside California. He’s excited to be racing so close to home: “I’m looking forward to racing in front of my friends and neighbors,” he says. “It’s a rare treat to be able to drive from my house to the track and, who knows, maybe I’ll decide to pedal my road bicycle up to Fontana. We’re hoping to see lots of SoCal Yamaha fans in attendance at Auto Club Speedway.”
Yoshimura Suzuki’s Pro Superbike riders include Sportbike and Supersport title winners Martin Cardenas and Roger Hayden, as well as Chris Clark, on the team’s familiar, fearsome, blue and white GSX-R1000s. Other racers confirmed in the Pro Superbike class include three local residents: KTM/HMC Factory Superbike Racing Team’s Chris Fillmore on the bright orange and black 1190 RC8R; Chris Ulrich on his GEICO Motorcycle Honda CBR1000RR; and “Aussie Dave” Anthony on his rapid Sic/Motul/Fly Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000.
Leading the pack in Pro Sportbike may be one of the Y.E.S. Monster Energy Graves Yamaha Supersport teammates, Garrett Gerloff and J.D. Beach. Sportbike race winner Bobby Fong should be a contender on his Latus Motors Racing Triumph 675R, and so should 2013 Supersport race winner Joe Roberts on the M4 SportbikeTrackGear.com Honda and Superbike winner Jake Zemke on his GEICO Motorcycle Honda. Local hero Benny Solis is ready to impress on his new Team35 Yamaha YZF-R6.
Tickets for this weekend’s event are just $10 a day, and include pit passes so fans can see the machinery up close and get autographs from their favorite racers. In addition to the on-track racing action, on Saturday, Yamaha’s “Fast Four” of Hayes, Beaubier, Gerloff and Beach will hold court in a special Q&A session with fans. Find them in the paddock’s Media Center from 1:30 to 2:15.
On Sunday–from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. and 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.–Hayes, Beaubier, Gerloff and Beach will be on hand to sign posters and autograph other memorabilia. The morning autograph session takes place at the teams’ garages in the paddock; the afternoon autograph session will be at the Yamaha Product Display Area.
Hanging out with racers is cool, but taking photos with a quartet of Monster Energy’s official umbrella girls might be just as memorable. Find them in the pits and in the Yamaha team garages.
The action kicks off Saturday with practice for the RaceFuelZ Pro Superbike and Dynojet Pro Sportbike classes starting at 11:40 a.m., followed by qualifying beginning at 5:00 p.m. Sunday gets underway with morning practice starting at 9:00 a.m. and racing starting at 1:30 p.m.
The Heights Restaurant and Bar is a good place to be on Saturday night from 7:00 to 9:00. Race fans will get 20% off their total bill–including all drinks. Pro racers who qualify for the Superbike Shootout races are eligible to receive a free dinner. Owned by motorcycle road-racing fan Cliff Coglietti, the Heights is at 1883 N. Campus Ave., in nearby Upland.
After the action-packed series’ inaugural race weekend, the GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Presented by Yamaha moves north to Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California for the Arai Pacific Nationals hosted by AFM next weekend, May 3-4. The series then concludes with the Arai Mountain Nationals at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah. The Miller event is being hosted by the Utah Sportbike Association on Memorial Day weekend, May 24-25.
The new Superbike Shootout has generated tremendous industry support in the few months since it was conceived, with crucial support from: GEICO Motorcycle; Yamaha; Suzuki; Dynojet; RaceFuelZ; Arai; Honda; Motul; Galfer USA; Hotbodies; the American Motorcyclist Association; and many others.
Dunlop is providing spec tire service and Sunoco is provided spec fuel service. Companies providing service, displaying product and vending on site will include Arai, Alpinestars, Shoei, Evans Cooling Systems, Motul, California Superbike School, Galfer, Roadracing World, Specialized Products Distribution and more, including Suzuki’s demo-ride operation.
For more information about the series, racers, tracks, vendors and sponsors, go to SuperbikeShootout.com, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
Galfer USA To Support GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Presented By Yamaha
From a Press Release issued by Galfer USA:
Oxnard, Calif. – April 24, 2014 – Galfer USA will be providing trackside support and vending for the new Superbike Shootout. When the first Superbike Shootout event kicks off the weekend of April 26-27 at Auto Club Speedway, Galfer USA will be there to provide brake tech for racers, vending and a Galfer display. Galfer USA will also be on hand for the third and final event from May 24-25 at Miller Motorsports Park.
A number of roadracers who are sponsored by Galfer USA will be competing in the three-round event, which will include a Pro Superbike and a Pro Sportbike race. GEICO is the title sponsor of the Superbike Shootout and Yamaha is the presenting sponsor, and Galfer USA is proud to be a part of the excitement.
Racers will get trackside support from Galfer USA’s brake specialists, and both racers and fans can purchase Galfer brake components for their motorcycles. Among the brake components that will be available are Galfer’s quick disconnect brake lines, developed specifically for roadracers who need a convenient solution for changing brake components in the paddock. The spring-loaded fittings allow the brake lines to be disconnected without leaking any brake fluid or introducing air into the lines. Galfer USA will also have the full line of Galfer rotors and brake pads available.
Following the first round at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., the series heads to Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., from May 3-4. It will wrap up at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, the weekend of May 24-25. Ticket prices range from just $6 per day to $25 for a full weekend.
To learn more about Galfer’s performance braking systems, visit GalferUSA.com. Keep up with Galfer USA and its Superbike Shootout competitors at facebook.com/GalferUSA and follow @GalferUSA on Twitter and Instagram.
RaceFuelZ™ Sports-Nutrition Drink Mix Sponsoring GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Pro Superbike Class
LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (April 23, 2014) — RaceFuelZ, a sports-nutrition drink mix company, is showing its support of motorcycle road racing in America by sponsoring the Pro Superbike class in the new, three-event GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Presented by Yamaha.
Devised to fill an 11-week gap in professional racing between mid-March and late May, the Superbike Shootout was inspired by the successful British Superbike Championship series. Both feature top professional stars and up-and-coming amateurs sharing the track in separate races at each venue.
RaceFuelZ is a nutritional beverage mix formulated to supply key ingredients for the entire body, targeting delivery of essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, electrolytes and amino acids to maximize physical and mental performance. It is formulated to provide sustaining energy and hydration without the unwanted side effects of sugar and caffeine.
“It’s really exciting to be involved with this new series as a sponsor,” commented RaceFuelZ’s Michael Aron. “I’ve been working (and playing) in the road-racing community for so many years now, on so many levels, and it’s very cool to have this opportunity to promote the sport in conjunction with my own new product. Road racing is my passion, so I’m stoked to see the Ulrich family take charge and create a new venue for our industry at such a critical time. They’ll do a great job generating excitement for our sport and I’ll be right there with them.”
As a racer, Aron understands the importance of proper hydration and fuel for optimum performance: “The years spent on-track working toward a championship fueled my desire to find a hydration product that not only tastes great, but offers endurance and recovery, without loading up on caffeine and sugar that many ‘energy’ drinks have.”
The Superbike Shootout series kicks off this coming weekend, April 26-27, with the Yamaha SoCal Nationals held in conjunction with Fastrack Riders and WERA at Auto Club Speedway, in Fontana, California. Two professional races–RaceFuelZ Pro Superbike and Dynojet Pro Sportbike–will run along with a full schedule of WERA semi-pro and amateur races.
After its inaugural race weekend, the GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Presented by Yamaha moves north to Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California for the Pacific Nationals hosted by AFM on May 3-4, then concludes with the Mountain Nationals at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah hosted by UtahSBA on May 24-25.
For more information about the series, racers, tracks, vendors and sponsors, go to SuperbikeShootout.com, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
Zemke, Ulrich Ready For GEICO Superbike Shootout In Fontana
From a press release issued by GEICO Motorcycle:
FONTANA, Calif. (April 22) — GEICO Motorcycle Honda SportBike rider Jake Zemke will be one of many motorcycle road racers battling it out for a victory in race one of the GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout when it kicks off at the Yamaha SoCal Nationals at Auto Club Speedway, April 26-27.
As part of a three-race series, Zemke is ready for the Shootout if it means extra seat time on his GEICO Motorcycle. Not only is he trying to battle for a win this weekend, but the extra races really help bring fans closer to the sport, which is the ultimate goal in Zemke’s mind.
“I’m really excited for the start of the GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout this weekend,” Zemke said. “Most people who follow racing in the United States know that the AMA Pro Road Racing Series doesn’t have a lot of rounds throughout the season. It’s great that the Superbike Shootout is giving the riders an opportunity to go race but also giving fans, especially those on the West Coast, the chance to see the best racers in the United States compete against one another.”
After getting off to a slow start in Daytona, Zemke is hoping that the Shootout will fare differently for him and his team, and they know they are capable of better performances.
“The team has been working nonstop on the bike since we left Daytona,” Zemke said. “Come Saturday, we will see what we have in store for everyone once we get to the racetrack. I’ve got faith in my team that they will get the most out of our bikes, and hopefully we can get back up where we belong competition-wise.”
Zemke’s teammate and Southern California native Chris Ulrich, rider of the GEICO Motorcycle Honda American SuperBike, is ready to return to his home track and try to capture a GEICO Superbike Shootout win.
“This is the first time we have been back to race in Southern California since 2010,” Ulrich said. “With Fontana being my home track, I look forward to being able to show off what I do to all the people who haven’t really been exposed to it, like my friends and family.”
Ulrich and the GEICO Motorcycle team have been preparing for this race like they would for any other. However, the off time in between races was drastically diminished with the addition of the Shootout.
“The bike has improved and we’ve got a little bit more horsepower now than we did in Daytona,” Ulrich said. “We really haven’t had that much time to go ride due to the fact that we have been working hard on getting the bikes ready. Because of the GEICO Superbike Shootout, we have a little bit of a shorter break than we would normally have. That doesn’t matter though because I’m ready and I want to go race.”
Action kicks off Saturday, April 26, from Auto Club Speedway with a full day of practice and qualifying for both the SuperBike and SportBike classes starting at 11:40 a.m. PT. Sunday starts off early with practice leading up to the 1:30 p.m. PT GEICO Superbike Shootout Dynojet Pro SportBike race, followed by the GEICO Superbike Shootout RaceFuelZ Pro SuperBike race at 3:30 p.m. PT.
Yamaha SoCal Nationals Set For This Weekend At Auto Club Speedway
From a Press Release Issued by Yamaha Motor Corp.,U.S.A.:
Cypress, CA – April 22, 2014 – Round One of the GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Presented By Yamaha kicks off with the Yamaha SoCal Nationals this weekend at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. The event is the first of a three-race series that will crown overall champions in two individual race classes: RaceFuelZ Pro Superbike and Dynojet Pro Sportbike.
For fans in southern California, the Yamaha SoCal Nationals are a perfect opportunity to see the best professional road racers in the U.S. compete head-to-head on a challenging race course located right in their back yard.
The Yamaha U.S. Road Racing teams will be in full force at this weekend’s event, and there’ll be lots of opportunities to see and talk face-to-face with the Yamaha riders and crew.
Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Superbike
Coming off their wins at Daytona International Speedway in March, three-time AMA Pro SuperBike champion Josh Hayes and last year’s AMA Pro Daytona SportBike champion Cameron Beaubier will both be in action at Auto Club Speedway, and they’ll be looking to add a second victory to their seasons. Josh will be aboard his #4 Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike, while Cameron will be in the saddle of his #2 Yamaha R1 Superbike.
Josh, who lives in nearby Oceanside, said, “I’m really excited to be racing so close to home. It’s a rare treat to be able to drive from my house to the track and, who knows, maybe I’ll decide to pedal my road bicycle up to Fontana. I’m looking forward to racing in front of my friends and neighbors, and we’re hoping to see lots of SoCal Yamaha fans in attendance at Auto Club Speedway.”
Yamaha Extended Service/Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Sportbike
Riding their #8 and #6 Yamaha YZF-R6 Sportbikes, Garrett Gerloff and JD Beach, are raring to race on the 21-turn, 2.36-mile road course at Auto Club Speedway. “GG” and “Jiggy Dog” will be giving it their all as they compete head-to-head against each other, as well as against a strong field of other Yamaha R6 pilots and Pro Sportbike riders aboard other makes.
About the upcoming weekend, Garrett said, “With Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.’s headquarters located not far from Auto Club Speedway, we hope to see a great turnout by Yamaha racing fans. If you ride a Yamaha or you’re a fan of Yamaha racing, or even if you’ve never been to a race before, come on out to Auto Club Speedway and watch us in action. We’d love to meet you.”
Meet Josh, Cameron, Garrett, and JD This Weekend
To give fans the best chance to meet and talk with the four Yamaha riders, two special events will be held, in addition to all the on-track racing action. On Saturday, April 26 from 1:30 to 2:15 PM PST in the Media/Rider Center in the infield paddock at Auto Club Speedway, Josh, Cameron, Garrett, and JD will participate in a special Q&A session where fans and track day riders can ask questions to Yamaha’s “Fast Four.”
And then, twice on Sunday, April 27–from 10:30 to 11:00 AM PST and 12:15 to 12:45 PM PST–Josh, Cameron, Garrett, and JD will be on hand to sign posters and autograph other memorabilia. The morning autograph session will take place at the teams’ garages in the infield paddock, while the afternoon autograph session will be at the Yamaha Product Display Area.
In addition, there will be contests, giveaways, and lots of other Yamaha-specific fan events throughout the weekend.
For more racing news, results, photos, videos, and more, be sure to check out:
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Dunlop Confirms Tire Choices For Yamaha SoCal Nationals
A pdf of this document is available for download here.
DUNLOP FAQ’s – 2014 GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Presented by Yamaha
Dunlop, the Official Tire for the 2014 GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Presented by Yamaha is pleased to offer the following information as a guide to competitors and teams participating in the series. For further information, please contact Dunlop personnel at the event.
1. What are the approved tires for each class?
RaceFuelZ Pro Superbike
Round 1 Auto Club Speedway
DRY ALLOCATION 6 FRONT 6 REAR
Dry Front
– 120/70R17 KR448 7455 (Med)
– 120/70R17 KR448 8477 (Med +)
Rear
– 200/55R17 KR451 2662 (Soft)
– 200/55R17 KR451 7455 (Med)
INTERMEDIATE ALLOCATION 3 FRONT 3 REAR
Intermediate Front – 120/70ZR17 D211GPA 7455
Rear – 190/60ZR17 D211GPA 7455
RAIN ALLOCATION 3 FRONT 3 REAR
Rain Front – 120/70R17 KR189 WA
Rear – 190/55R17 KR393 414
Dynojet Pro Sportbike
Round 1 Auto Club Speedway
DRY ALLOCATION 6 FRONT 6 REAR
Dry Front
– 120/70ZR17 D211GPA 7455 (Med)
– 120/70ZR17 D211GPA 8477 (Med +)
Rear
– 190/60ZR17 D211GPA 2662 (Soft)
– 190/60ZR17 D211GPA 7455 (Med)
Intermediate Same tires as Dry conditions
RAIN ALLOCATION 3 FRONT 3 REAR
Rain Front – 120/70R17 KR189 WA
Rear – 190/55R17 KR393 414
2. What are the tire prices?
- RaceFuelZ Pro Superbike: All Tracks: $340/set ($155 Front/$185 Rear) + Sales Tax.
- Dynojet Pro Sportbike: All Tracks: $320/set ($140 Front/$180 Rear) + Sales Tax.
- These prices apply only to tires sold at Superbike Shootout Races. For personal Trackday tests contact your local Dunlop Race Tire Distributor for prices and availability.
3. How are tire sales and on-track tire usage verified?
- Throughout the race weekend, Dunlop will maintain a continuously-updated record of tire sales for each rider. These records will be available to Superbike Shootout Racing for verification at any point during the race weekend.
- Superbike Shootout will use a tire-sticker identification system to monitor actual on-track tire use for each competitor.
4. What about used tires?
- Used tires from previous race weekends, practice, or testing may be used during a Superbike Shootout weekend (Friday-Sunday) as long these are the approved specs for the race event, these tires will count against the riders’ permitted weekend tire count shown in Item #2 (above).
5. What sales restrictions apply?
- Race track sales are restricted to tires actually fitted to rims at the event. Tires will not be available at the track for “carry-away” sales.
6. What about returns?
- No returns or compound exchanges will be accepted. Dunlop strongly recommends Riders and Teams to select their preferred compound choice wisely.
7. What Dunlop decals and patches are required on riders and bikes?
- Riders are required to display 3 Dunlop patches on their leathers in all competition and practice, one on each upper front shoulder (in the clavicle/epaulet area) , and one in the lower back area (above the waistline).
- All bikes must display at least two Dunlop decals on each side of any motorcycle used in all competition and practice. A 5 ½” vertical Dunlop decal must be placed on each lower fork leg or front fender. A second horizontal Dunlop decal measuring no less than 11”, must be placed in a highly-visible position on the fairing.
- Riders and teams are not permitted to display the logos, canopies, banners, trademarks or brand identification of any other tire company.
- Dunlop stickers, patches and decals will be available at the Dunlop Service and at Superbike Shootout technical inspection.
8. How do I buy tires?
- Tires will be available for purchase at Superbike Shootout Events through Dunlop’s official race-tire distributor.
A pdf of this document is available for download here.
