Round 1 Of GEICO Superbike Shootout Is This Weekend

Round One of the GEICO Superbike Shootout 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: Pro Superbike and Dynojet Pro Sportbike.

The Superbike Shootout is a three-race series meant to fill the long void in the AMA Pro Roadracing schedule between round one at Daytona and the second round at Road America. It also brings professional motorcycle racing back to the west coast, as the AMA schedule didn’t feature any races at west coast tracks at the start of the season (a round at Laguna Seca has since been added in support of World Superbike). Mimicking a similar structure used in Britain, the Superbike Shootout sees pro racers competing on the same weekends as amateurs, giving both the chance to mingle with each other.

As a sponsor of the event, 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 excited to race on the 21-turn, 2.36-mile road course at Auto Club Speedway. “GG” and “Jiggy Dog” will 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.

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 the latest in Superbike Shootout info, check out www.superbikeshootout.com.

By Troy Siahaan