Photography by Andrea Wilson
MILLVILLE, NJ (Sept. 13, 2013) – It was a tough day for Yamaha mechanics, but the team’s riders came through in spite of suffering crashes to finish on top in Friday’s preliminary qualifying at New Jersey Motorsports Park . Yamaha Superbike rider Josh Hayes had just set a new AMA Superbike qualifying record when in the closing minutes of the session he lost control in turn two and crashed at a high rate of speed heavily damaging his factory Yamaha R1.
Hayes was unhurt in the crash.
Similarly Cameron Beaubier crashed in Friday morning’s session, but recovered to earn the preliminary pole and set a new Daytona SportBike record.
Hayes had just set a new NJMP Superbike record with a 1:20.536 on his Monster Energy/Graves Yamaha R1 when he went out to test a different set of tires in the last five minutes and suffered the crash.
“I was out doing laps on a tire we wanted to get some more laps on,” Hayes said. “I had a brain fart and just ran off the end of the curb off the track and fell down. I’m fine. I just feel like an a**hole for tearing up a good bike. The team did a lot of good work on it. I was able to pick it up and ride it in.”
Before the crash Hayes’ best time beat the old track qualifying record of 1:20.624 set by Tommy Hayden in 2010.
The reigning champ still controls his own destiny; if he closes out the season in perfect fashion, he’ll retain his title no matter what Josh Herrin or Martin Cardenas (series one and two) manage in response. While a relatively tall order, it’s certainly not beyond the capabilities of Hayes, who registered perfect points haul weekends the last time he visited both New Jersey Motorsports Park and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca — the scene of the 2013 season finale later this month.
Hayes said his previously reported appearance in the Le Mans 24 Hour next weekend is not a done deal.
“The Le Mans deal was a bit of an ambitious announcement,” Hayes said. “They called and ask me if I could come help and I said I love to depending on how New Jersey goes. No decision will be made until Sunday.”
Hayes went on to say if he found himself for some reason out of championship contention he would race Le Mans, but if he was still is in the series hunt he’s not sure he’ll be making the trip to France.
Cameron Beaubier shattered the Daytona SportBike qualifying record at New Jersey Motorsports Park when he clocked a 1:22.087 on his Yamaha Extended Service/Monster Energy/Graves Yamaha YZF-R6. His time was nearly a second-and-a-half better than the old DSB qualifying record of 1:23.502 set by Tommy Aquino in 2009. Beaubier accomplished the feat in spite of crashing earlier in the day and missing the first five minutes of the session while his crew made repairs on his A bike.
Beaubier crashed in the morning session at NJMP’s turn four. It was his first crash of the year.
“We started off pretty rough,” Beaubier admitted. “I just had no feeling in the front end and the left side of the tire was taking a lot of heat up. I was definitely struggling this morning. Towards the end of the practice we went out with five minutes to go and on the second lap I crashed on the fourth corner, which was a bummer. My team did an awesome job fixing my A bike.”
Beaubier recovered well, going out this afternoon and getting right up to speed.
“We did some low 22s, which I’m happy about. We found a good setting with the soft tire,” Beaubier explained. “I’m not sure how it’s going to work out tomorrow. I think the temps are going to be a little cooler so I don’t think we’re going to be able to run that for the race.”
Beaubier has a commanding lead in the championship, holding an 86-point advantage after a remarkable season. His record-breaking campaign has seen him win nine of 10 races so far, leading him to the brink of clinching his first GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing title.
Corey Alexander (No. 5 National Guard Celtic Racing Suzuki GSX-R600) currently leads the AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport points and the New Yorker is glad to be home with a nine-point advantage. He clocked the fastest time in Friday’s qualifying session with a 1:24.592. Alexander’s season has gone well, with the youngster clocking his best results yet in the class. He won both races at Road America to cement his status as a class contender and has been steady throughout his 2013 campaign.
Qualifying and racing continues tomorrow.
Results from New Jersey Motorsports Park
AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike provisional qualifying – Friday, September 13, 2013
1 1 Josh Hayes Gulfport, MS Yamaha R1 1:20.536
2 2 Josh Herrin Dublin, GA Yamaha R1 1:21.192
3 36 Martin Cardenas Medellin, Colombia Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:21.463
4 54 Roger Hayden Owensboro, KY Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:21.517
5 23 Danny Eslick Broken Arrow, OK Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:21.778
6 99 Geoff May Gainesville, GA EBR 1190RS 1:21.882
7 11 Chris Fillmore Oxford, MI KTM RC8R 1:22.178
8 44 Taylor Knapp Lapeer, MI KTM RC8R 1:22.433
9 25 David Anthony Murrieta, CA Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:22.584
10 72 Larry Pegram Hebron, OH Yamaha R1 1:22.678
AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike provisional qualifying – Friday, September 13, 2013
1 6 Cameron Beaubier Roseville, CA Yamaha YZF-R6
2 8 Garrett Gerloff Spring, TX Yamaha YZF-R6 1:22.674 26
3 85 Jake Lewis Princeton, KY Yamaha YZF-R6 1:23.365 28
4 50 Bobby Fong Stockton, CA Yamaha YZF-R6 1:23.418
5 32 Jake Gagne San Diego, CA Yamaha YZF-R6 1:23.486
6 43 James Rispoli Londonderry, NH Suzuki GSX-R600 1:23.902 20
7 95 JD Beach Philpot, KY Yamaha YZF-R6 1:24.052 26
8 52 Joey Pascarella Antelope, CA Triumph Daytona 675 1:24.275
9 5 Dane Westby Tulsa, OK Honda CBR600RR 1:24.399
10 40 Jason DiSalvo Batavia, NY Triumph Daytona 675 1:24.473
AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport provisional qualifying – Friday, September 13, 2013
1 5 Corey Alexander Carmel, NY Suzuki GSX-R600 1:24.592
2 12 Tomas Puerta Medellin, Colombia Yamaha YZF-R6 1:24.822
3 69 Hayden Gillim Philpot, KY Yamaha YZF-R6 1:25.207
4 37 Stefano Mesa Boca Raton, FL Yamaha YZF-R6 1:25.762
5 91 Jeffrey Tigert San Leandro, CA Yamaha YZF-R6 1:26.545 |
6 24 Travis Wyman Macedon, NY Suzuki GSX-R600 1:26.547
7 68 Alex Shaw Hackettstown, NJ Yamaha YZF-R6 1:26.653,
8 118 Nick McFadden Owensboror, KY Suzuki GSX-R600 1:27.037
9 777 Mark Miller Jr. Rising Sun, MD Yamaha YZF-R6 1:27.040
10 20 Frank Babuska Pelham, NY Suzuki GSX-R600 1:27.135
