September 18 2015
Collingwood, Ontario – Scottish Canadian RoadRace Factory rider Ben Young had high hopes to finally shake the Jersey jinx that’s haunted him during his previous visits to New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP). The final weekend of action of the MotoAmerica/AMA Supersport Championship presented a variety of challenges for Young as he battled downpours and an elusive set up throughout the weekend.
Young hadn’t been able to pilot his #86 RoadRace Factory Yamaha YZF-R6 since earning his first ever MotoAmerica Supersport podium at Road America with a 3rd place finish.
Although Young had hoped to carry the momentum into New Jersey from his recent third and second place finishes earned at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park as part of a one-off race in the Canadian Superbike Hindle Exhaust Pro Sportbike class, the 2.25-mile racetrack named “Thunderbolt Raceway” had other plans for the 21 year old rider.
The lead up to first race of the Supersport doubleheader at NJMP began under dreary conditions and only continued to deteriorate once the riders took to the grid for the start. Young’s day would end as soon as it started. Without any warning his bike threw him off before the end of the first lap.
During Sunday’s morning warm-up Young and his RoadRace Factory crew continued to struggle to find the most effective set up. Throughout the session some progress was made allowing Young to marginally improve his lap times and confidence in his machine.
In Sunday’s final MotoAmerica Supersport race of the 2015 season he got a good start off the grid and began to make up a few positions on the opening laps. As Young was unable to match the pace of the group ahead of him he’d end up running a lonely race that saw him cross the start/finish line in 9th place.
Young finished the season 8th overall in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship earning podiums three times in total on both sides of the border this season.
“New Jersey Motorsports Park once again didn’t allow us to achieve the results I and the RoadRace Factory team were capable of.” said Young. “Overall this has been an incredible season from earning my first MotoAmerica Supersport podium at Road America along with several top 5 finishes and two podium finishes at home in Canada.”
Young would like to thank; Tim Hortons – Sudbury, Scotbuild Developments, Bell Helmets, AXO, his RoadRace Factory crew and especially his family, friends and fans for their continued support.
The 21 year old pilot of the #86 RoadRace Factory Yamaha YZF-R6 is also a proud "Laps for Muscular Dystrophy" (Laps4MD) rider who’s pledged to donate $1 for every lap he lead this season. These donations go to Muscular Dystrophy Canada to help make a difference in the lives of over 50,000 Canadians affected by a neuromuscular disorder.
To keep up-to-date on Ben Young throughout the year visit; www.fogi.us, www.facebook.com/BenYoungRacing and on Twitter @benyoung_86.