The following are team press releases leading into this weekend’s MotoAmerica round at VIRginia International Raceway.

The following is from Yamaha…

The 2018 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship continues this weekend with Round 3 of the series taking place at the always-exciting VIRginia International Raceway (VIR). Although Superbike was the only class featured in conjunction with the world stage of the U.S. MotoGP in Texas two weeks ago, Yamaha bLU cRU riders in all classes will return to racing action beginning this Friday, May 4, in Alton, Virginia.

Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing Superbike Team

A variety of track and weather conditions during the first two rounds of the series made for an interesting start to the season for theMonster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing Superbike Team. Cameron Beaubier heads into the weekend with three consecutive podium finishes, and the two-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion looks to extend that streak with top finishes at VIR on his YZF-R1.

For Superbike-rookie Garret Gerloff, the season has gotten off to a positive start with two podium finishes thus far. Gerloff is soaking up knowledge and gaining experience on his YZF-R1, and the two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion is focusing on the challenge of a pair of podium finishes in Virginia.

Cameron Beaubier – #6 YZF-R1

“I am really looking forward to getting back on the bike at VIR. I really enjoy the track, and my R1 likes it, too. I was happy to get out of Texas with two podiums, and we are planning to build from there!”

Garrett Gerloff – #31 YZF-R1

“I’m excited to head back to Virginia. It’s a track that I really enjoy and that I’ve done well at in the past. It’s probably going to feel like a whole different beast on the R1, but I’m ready for the challenge and the crazy fast front straight, and I’m looking forward to getting things started!”

2018 MotoAmerica Superbike Standings – Race 4 of 20 Completed 

Pos.               Rider                                                 Points
1                    Tony Elias – Suzuki                            88
2                    Mathew Scholtz – Yamaha               71
3                    Cameron Beaubier – Yamaha          63
4                    Josh Herrin – Yamaha                      49
5                    Garrett Gerloff – Yamaha                 48
6                    Kyle Wyman – Yamaha                     33

Superbike Superpole (Qualifying) is on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. EST, Superbike Race 1 will go green on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EST and Superbike Race 2 is on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. EST.

Monster Energy/Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha Supersport Team

The highly-anticipated Supersport Championship battle returns this weekend at VIR, as Monster Energy/Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha’s JD Beach and fellow Yamaha bLU cRU rider Hayden Gillim head into the weekend with a shared points-lead after splitting race-wins at the season opener in Atlanta. After some time between rounds, Beach is motivated to emerge from VIR as the sole points leader in the class.

JD Beach – #95 YZF-R6

“After having a great opening round at Road Atlanta, I can’t wait to get back on my Graves R6 at VIR. It’s a track I enjoy and I’ve had great battles there in years past. I’m feeling awesome and have been jonesin’ to get back on my road racer!”

2018 MotoAmerica Supersport Standings – After Race 2

Pos.               Rider                                                  Points
1                    Hayden Gillim – Yamaha                  45
2                    JD Beach – Yamaha                          45
3                    Cory West – Suzuki                            24

Supersport Qualifying at VIR is Saturday at 10:50 a.m. EST, Supersport Race 1 is scheduled for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. EST and Supersport Race 2 will go green on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. EST.

Meet the Yamaha bLU cRU Road Racers Twice This Weekend!

All your favorite Yamaha U.S. bLU cRU road racers will be available for autographs at their Team Transporters during the Dunlop Paddock Autograph Session on Saturday from Noon to 12:45 p.m., and again on Sunday during the Dunlop Hot Pit Walk & Autograph Session on pit lane from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Cameron and Garrett from Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing, JD from Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha, and other Yamaha bLU cRU riders will all be on hand along with the Monster Energy and Y.E.S. Umbrella Girls.

Additional Yamaha bLU cRU Notes

With a wide variety of motorcycles eligible for participation in the entry-level MotoAmerica Junior Cup, finding parity through the technical rules for the class proved to be a challenge at the first round of the series in Atlanta. Nonetheless, MotoAmerica claims to have taken steps to create more balance between models through the electronically-governed quick shifter programming that is mandatory for each motorcycle. These technical changes should allow for even more exciting racing as the Yamaha bLU cRU and Graves/Yamaha Supported YZF-R3 riders take to the track this weekend.

The following is from Yamalube/Westby Racing…

Round 3 of the 2018 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship starts this Friday at VIRginia International Raceway in Alton, VA, and after already notching both a Superpole win and a Superbike race victory so far this season, Mathew Scholtz and the Yamalube/Westby Racing team are hoping that their early-season success goes positively viral at VIR this weekend.

With just 17 points separating Mathew from the Championship lead, the “Durban Dynamo” and his crew led by team manager Chuck Giacchetto and crewchief Ed Sullivan have the #11 Yamalube/Westby Racing/Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike prepped, powered-up, and polished to perfection for their weekend on VIR’s picturesque 14-turn, 2.25-mile natural road course.

Also, Mathew and the team are hoping that a little bit of familiarity breeds success. “We attended a track day at VIR just after the Road Atlanta round,” Mathew said. “That was just a few weeks ago, and the test went really well for us. We showed some good pace on the Dunlop medium-compound rear tire, and we were able to get a decent baseline setup heading into this weekend. We’re anxious to try the softer-compound rear Dunlop this weekend and see if we can improve our laptimes even more. The Virginia circuit seems to suit the Yamaha Superbike well because it’s quite a technical track that favors handling. Plus, I’m a bigger guy, and I can muscle the bike through the left-right transitions, maybe a little better than the smaller riders. Also, VIR is similar to some of the tracks that I’m used to riding back home in South Africa, with their tighter turns. I feel right at home on the VIR circuit.”

Superbike Qualifying Practice sessions begin on Friday, and Superbike Superpole (Qualifying) is on Saturday at 11:30 PM Eastern Time. Superbike Race 1 will go green on Saturday at 3:30 PM Eastern, and Superbike Race 2 is on Sunday also at 3:30 PM Eastern.

Meet Mathew, Get An Autographed Poster, And More

Mathew will be available for autographs at the Yamalube/Westby Racing transporter in the VIR paddock during the Dunlop Paddock Autograph Session on Saturday from 12 to 12:35 PM. The Dunlop Hot Pit Walk & Autograph Session, scheduled for 11 AM to 12 PM Sunday on pit lane at VIR, is another great opportunity to meet Mathew. He’ll be handing out free, autographed posters and other team items, and you can also get your picture taken with him, as well as with Lacy Contreras, the Yamalube/Westby Racing brand ambassador. Also, be sure to ask Lacy to sign you up for the team’s fantastic sponsor giveaways.

Check Out The Yamalube/Westby Racing Sponsor Showcase

Biothermal LLC, Eazi-Grip, Fast Frank Racing, and Superbike Unlimited will be the featured team sponsors on display in the Yamalube/Westby Racing paddock area, so be sure to stop by to say hello and learn about some of the companies that support the team.

(Story and photos from MotoAmerica.com/Brian J Nelson)