MILLVILLE, N.J. – Sept. 16, 2013 – Canadian AMA Pro GoPro Daytona Sportbike competitor Ben Young was really looking forward to this past weekend’s New Jersey Lottery Devil’s Showdown at New Jersey Motorsports Park, however a series of challenges prevented him from taking home the results he had set his sights on.
Heading into the second last round of the 2013 GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing season, Young was just seven points behind Benny Solis in the battle for 10th overall in the AMA Pro GoPro Daytona Sportbike championship points. Young was hungry for a solid weekend and to improve on his overall points.
During Friday’s practice session, the BYR team made changes to the gearing and found the correct choice right away. Prior to the first qualifying session of the weekend the team also made some changes to the front end as they noticed the front tire showed signs of tearing.
The privateer pilot of the #86 BYR Yamaha R6 felt confident in the changes, and within the first ten minutes went faster right away, dropping his lap times down to the 1:25s, which was a full two seconds faster than he ran last year at New Jersey Motorsports Park. However his elation would soon change to disappointment
“I was on my fifth flying lap and I had too much front brake while backing it in. The back end came up and bounced from side to side and the bike eventually spat me off and I landed on my left hip pretty good.” said Young
Young was running sixth fastest at the time before the crash prematurely ended the progress he had been making, resulting in a provisional 15th spot on the grid.
Although Young was bruised, his spirit was not broken.
On the other hand his ‘A’ bike didn’t fare quite as well, forcing the BYR team to use his ‘B’ bike for Saturdays’ second qualifying session of the weekend.
Cold track and tire temperatures triggered numerous off track excursions in Corner #3 for several top AMA Pro GoPro Daytona Sportbike competitors including Young. Needless to say few riders saw their times and grid placements improve for the first race of the New Jersey Lottery Devil’s Showdown doubleheader.
Hoping that his luck had changed Young launched his #86 BYR Yamaha R6 off the line well yet rode cautiously during the opening laps due to the cool track temperatures. Running 14th, Young, feeling more comfortable, put his head down to work his way forward.
His march towards the top ten was short-lived as he felt as if the engine was starting to lose power. He reluctantly pulled into the pits resulting in a DNF for first race of the weekend.
After some investigation by the BYR team it was determined that Young’s engine was fine.
Young explained: “It turned out we had a faulty master cylinder which started to apply the front brake causing the same sensation as if the engine was about to expire.”
Sunday’s late morning practice session provided more favorable temperatures for the Daytona Sportbike competitors. Young didn’t push that hard during the session and was still able to comfortably run some solid lap times.
On the grid for the second race of the weekend Young was mentally preparing himself for the race ahead of him.
RoadRace Factory team owner Danny Walker stopped by to offer a few words of inspiration which seemed to ignite a fire in Young.
The Thornbury Ontario based racer didn’t quite get the start he had planned on however he didn’t mess around getting up to speed passing riders around the outside in Corners 1, 2 and 3. He then got a good run out of the last corner passing Joey Pascarella down the front straight just before Pascarella’s motor expired.
He managed to stick on the tail on Dane Westby, Jake Zemke and Jason DiSalvo, running in 11thplace. Young achieved a personal best of a 1:24.893 on the second lap which was three seconds faster than he managed to attain last year at the same track.
On the third lap, coming off the last corner flat-out in fifth gear onto the front straight, Young lost the front-end, ending what seemed to be an inspired ride and triggering a red flag.
“I did nothing different going through the last corner. I lost the front then slid and bounced along the grass. My AXO gear and Arai helmet worked wonders! They kept me safe allowing me to walk away with just a bruise. I’ll admit this was the toughest race weekend I can remember but I’m now looking forward to one of my favorite tracks, Laguna Seca!” confided Young.
The BYR team along with sponsor Geoff Maloney of GP Tech worked late Sunday night to get Young’s #86 BYR Yamaha R6 back together and ready for the last round of the 2013 GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing season at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in two weeks.
Ben Young and the BYR team would like to thank; Tim Hortons – Sudbury, Scotbuild Developments, Fogi Racing Development, Arai Helmets, AXO, GP Tech LLC, Hindle Exhaust Systems, DUA Motorsports Bodywork, KICK Energy Drink, K&N Filters, Performance Cycleworx , Thornbury Home Hardware, BCL Motorsports Pit Kit, Vortex Racing, Motul Oils, Bickle Racing Tire Warmers, GB Racing and The North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW, the fans and family.
To keep up-to-date on Ben Young throughout the year visit; www.fogi.us, www.facebook.com/BenYoungRacing and on Twitter @bcyoung86.
About the Ben Young Racing (BYR) Team:
Scottish-Canadian Pro road racer Ben Young is continuing his development aboard his #86 Yamaha R6 in the 2013 AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike Championship and as a test rider for GPTech throughout the USA.
Contact Scott Young at 1-705-888-2759 or fogiracing@hotmail.com for information on how your company can get ahead of the competition, enhance brand visibility and engage a loyal audience through the BYR team and Ben Young’s AMA Pro Road Racing program.
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