Tyler O'Hara #129...."Livin' the Life".....Race Report

Infineon Raceway Round 3 Supermoto-USA

SuperMotoOnline note: Tyler O'Hara is brand new to Supermoto, having started racing it just last year. Making his mark immediately pushing the local N.California Pro's for wins in the late season rounds in the Supermoto-USA series, as well as throwing it sideways with the AMA's best at Morongo, earned him an invite to the inaugural Navy Moto-X event in San Diego. We'll file his ongoing race reports as Tyler chases the racers dream in '08!

Saturday May 17

The weather conditions for racing couldn't be any better. Weather aside we started out on the wrong foot. It all started with practice, I was late getting on the track due to a miscommunication related to the practice schedule. I ended up getting about a lap and a half in the group practice.

After the group practice there was timed pro qualifying. I felt a sense of relief because I had the opportunity to get the track figured out and feel how the bike was working. About two and a half laps in, just when I was starting to get into a rhythm I had a problem with a carburetor, so I had to sit out the rest of the practice. This was little frustrating because my lap times weren’t where I wanted them to be. I ended up qualifying 8th which put me on the outside of the second row in the main event.

The main event was set up in a two moto format in which the combined moto score would represent what place you got. In Open Pro Moto# 1 I got a good jump on the start and was running with the leaders in forth. I was riding fast and was on my way to where I wanted to be (winning). After about two laps of racing, while in the dirt section after landing hard off a jump my carburetor fell off, which unfortunately cut my race short and any killed any possibility of winning the race.

We took the bike back to the pits and fixed it to the best of our abilities. I knew that technically I didn’t have a shot at the overall win, but I still wanted to race. I felt fast and believed that I could win the second moto. Despite numerous inconveniences, I remained focused and determined.

Open Pro Moto#2 was the last race of the day. I got on the track for my parade lap with the mind set on winning. I had another good start and made my way to the 4th place. Unfortunately I felt urgency to get to the front and on the 2nd lap coming off the dirt, I made a mistake trying to pass for third place. I drove it into the corner too hot and pushed the front which resulted in a crash. I got the bike going again and only lost a couple of spots. I made my way back up to 4th about half way through the race. Just when I thought my day couldn't get any worse, my carburetor came off again in the dirt section.

When the day was over I was frustrated to say the least, however I had to bounce back, put those events behind me and turn my focus onto Sunday’s race.



Sunday, May 18

On Sunday morning, we made some changes to the carburetor and the air box that were significantly better. I felt revived. I had a good practice and the bike was working great.

Sunday's main event was an Open Expert class. I was 3rd in the heat race. I rode smart and cemented a starting spot on the front row for the main event.

The main started out good I got a second place start and as I was on my way to the lead spot, the race was red flagged.

We had to re-start. This time I had even a better start, I was first to the turn and unexpectedly got taken out by another rider that was behind me.

I scrambled to my bike, got it started and was on a mission. By that time the group had about a 20 second gap on me. I put my head down and rode my best, trying to salvage any points I could get. I ended up catching the pack and passed three or four people but ran out of laps.

I have put this all behind me and have taken this all as a learning experience and I plan to build off it.

I feel that at the end of the day I did everything I could to win although things didn’t go as planned. I’m pleased with my performance and I am really happy I got to go out and race!

Thanks to all my friends and family, for coming out and supporting me, and all of my sponsors that make it possible for me to race.


Sponsors: BP racing, SME, Dunlop, Sheehan Construction, QTM, Sidi Boots



Tyler O’Hara #129 “Livin The Life"