Qualifying is complete for the final round of the 2018 MotoAmerica Championship at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, and Monster Yamaha’s Cameron Beaubier will start from pole in today’s first of two 21 lap Superbike feature races. Fourth best prior to the SuperPole session, Beaubier mounted the super soft Dunlop rear slick and earned the top spot on the grid with a lap at 1:23.5.
Second spot belongs to Josh Herrin on his privateer Attack Yamaha at 1:29.3, while Mathew Scholtz will complete the front row aboard the Yamalube Yamaha with a tour at 1:24.0, making it a YZF-R1 sweep of the front row.
Fourth belongs to Danny Eslick on the Scheibe BMW, a strong effort for the popular privateer. Fastest early in the program, Garrett Gerloff is fifth on the grid with the second factory Yamaha, followed by the top Suzuki of M4 Ecstar’s privateer Jake Lewis. The full factory Yoshimura-Suzukis, normally at the front of the pack, will start next, with reigning number one Toni Elias followed by the retiring Roger Hayden.
Canadian front runner Ben Young starts 13th, the first rider not eligible to qualify via today’s short SuperPole session. Still working through some minor issues, Young is optimistic about his race pace chances on the Scot Built/Barrie Trim BMW S1000RR.
In support class action, newly crowned Liqui Moly Junior Cup Champ Alex Dumas of Quebec earned pole in that race, preparing for a trip to Europe to ride for KTM in the Junior category supporting World Superbike.
In the Supersport division for 600cc class machinery, Alberta’s Braeden Ortt will start from fourth on the grid aboard his Tuned Racing Yamaha YZF-R6. Pole position belongs to the Rickdiculous Racing Yamaha of Hayden Gillim, followed by the M4 Ecstar Suzuki of French ace Valentin Debise. New Champ J.D. Beach completes the front row in SuperSport aboard his Monster Energy works Yamaha.
In the Twins Cup race, B.C.’s Darren James rejoins the series with his Yamaha twin, and the veteran will start from the second row of the grid in sixth with his Ruthless Racing entry. Pole belongs to Robert McLendon on another Yamaha.
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