NEMRR Spherical 6 – New Hampshire Motor Speedway, September 9-10
The penultimate spherical of the 2023 NEMRR collection marked the return of a number of prime riders who has been away making ready and competing at MotoAmerica occasions. The 2-day occasion was run below a wide range of climate circumstances that produced some thrilling racing that noticed some new faces on prime of the rostrum in a number of courses. NEMRR additionally had the chance to honor the reminiscence of very long time competitor and NEMRRR/LRRS official Larry Hanlon. Larry was a tenacious racer who raced on the membership stage for a few years, in addition to competing in some nationwide stage occasions. He was a pioneer bike builder and altered the panorama of light-weight racing in New England as he constructed the primary “motard” machines utilizing the venerable CR500 engine, which he each ran within the dust bike chassis and grafted into the frames of Grand Prix machines. Larry was paralyzed in a racing incident however continued serving the racing group because the assistant starter for a few years. Consistent with his aggressive sprit, Larry continued to win championships as his “Larry Lap” fundraisers led him to be the highest donor to the NH Mind Harm affiliation – a serious supporter of individuals with spinal twine accidents. The ashes of Larry have been carried by shut pal Kevin Buck on a last lap round New Hampshire Motor Speedway Saturday afternoon.
The weekend began off with brilliant solar, temperatures within the 80’s and a flurry of first time winners within the Knowledgeable ranks. The 4 GT endurance races are all the time among the many first to run every NEMRR weekend, and the one 2023 repeat winner was Renee Franco, coming back from her maiden MotoAmerica occasion at PittRace to win the GT500 class. In GTL, Adam Guyer carded his first win of the season after his beforehand undefeated father Brett had some late race difficulties. In GTO, Chris Arrighi took his Aprilia RSV4 to win the primary Knowledgeable GTO race of his profession after a race lengthy battle with Yamaha R6 mounted Invoice Coolahan. Equally, Geoffrey ‘Frenchie” Bonnard scored the primary Knowledgeable GTU victory of his profession over younger upstart Micheal Lee.
Within the Novice ranks the standout for the weekend was David Lacroix, who collected wins in each the moist and the dry over the course of the occasion. Lacroix powered to victory in Limitless Superbike, Limitless GP, Formulation 40 Middleweight and the Middleweight Grand Prix Class, the place he picked up the purse cash for as the highest Novice performer. Within the course of he ran occasions that qualify him for Knowledgeable standing, which he might select to advance for the ultimate weekend or to postpone to the beginning of the 2024 season. Congratulations on a job properly finished.
NEMRR additionally includes a Tremendous Avenue class, which is a half step between observe days and racing. Riders who’ve participated in a observe day in 2024 can be a part of the common NEMRR racers in their very own class, which permits riders on observe day prepped equipment to expertise a NEMRR weekend. This weekend’s Tremendous Avenue courses have been gained by Randy Morissette, who confirmed outstanding adaptability as he powered to victory on a borrowed Suzuki GSXR machine in each the dry race on Saturday and on the moist race on Sunday.
The premier Michelin/MotoRace Sprint for money was one other nice contest this weekend as Eli Block returned from his MotoAmerica effort at PittRace to rejoin the championship battle at NEMRR. With 4 completely different victors within the first 5 occasions, the anticipation was palpable because the racers took to the beginning line. On the inexperienced flag, it was once more the mighty Triumph of Ian Beam that led the sphere into flip one, adopted intently by Harlan Hildebrand. As the primary lap unfolded Eli Block rocketed previous third place Paul Duval and previous Hildebrand to cross the road in 2nd place. NEMRR #1 plate holder Rick Doucette continued his streak of abysmal launches and located himself once more buried deep within the pack. Block settled behind Beam for the primary half of the race, sizing up one of the best place to make his transfer, because the Kawasaki of Hildebrand hung in intently in third place. In the meantime, Doucette was making his attribute cost by way of the pack in hopes to catch the lead trio in time to make a transfer. After the midway level Block made his well beyond Beam on the brakes after which set the quickest laps of the race as he stretched out the lead. In the meantime, Doucette had caught the leaders and made his approach to the again wheel of Beam, however in a repeat efficiency of week 5 couldn’t discover a manner by way of on the final lap and settled for the ultimate podium spot.
The ultimate spherical of the 2024 NEMRR season will happen on September thirtieth – October 1st at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and can characteristic double factors for all courses. Race licenses are discounted for all members becoming a member of the collection for the primary time, and all courses, together with the Tremendous Avenue class will likely be run. Following the races on Sunday there may be additionally a NEMM (New England Mini Moto) deliberate that enables children of all ages (3 years previous and up) to expertise driving a bike on the observe. For extra data go to www.NEMRR.com.
