SolarMax Technology

Jason Aguilar Debuts with a MotoAmerica Double Podium Weekend

Written by Philip Small | May 5, 2017 6:03:56 PM

SolarMax Technology Sponsored racer Jason Aguilar had a successful debut as a Team Owner with his best MotoAmerica performance to date this past weekend at Road Atlanta. With a 2nd Place finish on Saturday, followed by a 3rd place finish on Sunday, Jason is tied for 2nd Place in points for the 2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship, as the team heads to Virginia International Raceway for the next round, May 12-14.

The newly formed Aguilar Racing team consists of mechanics Blair Ramey and Chris Waters, with 20 year old Jason Aguilar as Team Owner/Rider. The Team added to their challenges by campaigning a brand new bike this season: the 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6. “I have to thank Chuck Graves and Shane from Graves Motorsports for all their help in getting me whatever I needed to get the new R6 built in time. Big thanks to Ollie from Graves for the motor build. I had the fastest trap speeds in Race 1 and was consistently fast in Race 2. Also, thanks to Keaton from Graves for technical assistance during the race weekend.“

It took a massive effort to get the bike prepared in time for the first MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race. “We have been putting in some long days and late nights to get everything ready”, stated Jason. “We were finishing the bike as the truck was being loaded. It has been a monumental task to secure sponsorships, funding, parts and spares, all the equipment a team needs at the track, travel arrangements, lodging and rental cars.”

Once out on the track though, the new Yamaha started to show its potential. The first practice had Jason 5th fastest in his group for Superstock 600, then improving to 4th in Friday’s second practice. Saturday morning the improvements resulted in a 2nd Place qualifying position. Saturday’s race was interrupted by a red flag that required a restart. On the restart, Jason found himself in 3rd place, stalking the rider in front of him until the final lap when he made a draft pass down the back straight for 2nd Place, his best MotoAmerica finish to date.

On Sunday, Jason was in 2nd place early, but lost several positions in a multi-rider battle for position. With a couple of laps to go, Jason again found himself in 3rd place right behind the same rider he passed in Race 1. Coming out of Turn 7 onto the back straight, Jason caught a false neutral and lost his drive, eliminating his chance for another pass for 2nd place and having to battle to retain 3rd Place.

“I have to be happy leaving the first race weekend tied for second place in points, but now that I got a second, I know I have the potential to do more, and the new Yamaha R6 has tremendous potential. I hope to realize that potential at VIR, where I was on the podium last year.”

Full Article at: http://www.nextmotochampion.com/nmc-news/aguilar-racing-debuts-with-a-motoamerica-double-podium-weekend