MotorDrone Racing Shines in N2/WERA 6-Hour Endurance Race at Pittsburgh International Raceway
The Wiseco-powered MotorDrone Racing team tackled this year’s 6-hour endurance road race, fighting through tough conditions and even tougher teams.
The sport of attacking pavement on high-revving motorcycles is alive and well, as the N2/WERA 6-Hour Endurance Race at Pittsburgh International Raceway held on August 12th, 2023, was the most heavily participated event the organization has had to date. This year’s race delivered an adrenaline-pumping spectacle that left the crowd on the edge of their seats. Amidst the screaming engines and the smell of burning rubber, MotorDrone Racing captured the true spirit of competition and represented the power of Wiseco well.
Hailing from the Middleweight class, MotorDrone Racing took to the track aboard a Suzuki GSX-R 600, a sleek beast with an engine built by Niagra Powersports / NPS Racing and powered by custom Wiseco pistons, a Rekluse clutch and oil, and a range of ProX Racing Part components that showcase professional performance. Wiseco’s very own Manufacturing Engineer, Roger Leininger, is a proud member of this team alongside riders Shane Maggs, Vince Lorusso, and Gary Yancoskie as well as key players Ryan Krafft and Kyle Brosius, all hitting the track to challenge the competition.
The competition was fierce, with 43 other teams vying for victory, including some seasoned MotoAmerica pros looking for a test of skill before their upcoming race at Pittsburgh. MotorDrone Racing was more than up to the challenge, securing an impressive spot on row 5 during qualifying.
As the race kicked off, the team showcased their tenacity and skill, swiftly climbing the ranks. By the end of the first hour, MotorDrone Racing had secured 11th place in their class and an impressive 25th overall. Hour after hour, they maintained their momentum, hovering around the top 10 in their class.
Then, Mother Nature decided to throw a curveball. Rain cascaded down onto the track, prompting many teams to scramble for rain tires in an attempt to tackle the tricky conditions. However, as the rain stopped and the track dried, the teams on rain tires found themselves grappling with a new challenge. Not so for MotorDrone Racing, who wisely opted to stick with their trusty Dunlop race tires. This decision proved to be a game-changer, allowing them to navigate the drying track with finesse and gain a significant advantage over their competitors.
In a stunning display of precision and determination, MotorDrone Racing catapulted from 11th to 4th place in their class within a matter of hours. With each lap, they chipped away at the time gap between them and the third-place contender. The exhilarating chase continued, with the team shaving off a remarkable 1.5 seconds per lap on their rival.
But just as podium position seemed within reach, a twist of fate intervened. At the 4 ½ hour mark, lightning and tornado warnings forced a red flag, putting an early end to the race. While the team’s rapid ascent was paused, there was no doubt that they had left an indelible mark on the track.
When all was said and done, MotorDrone Racing emerged triumphant, defying the odds, and beating out 37 other teams. Their unwavering determination and strategic prowess earned them an impressive 6th-place finish overall and a stellar 4th place in the fiercely competitive middleweight class.
Roger Leininger and the entire MotorDrone Racing team had every reason to celebrate as they convened after the race, their achievement a testament to the power of teamwork, precision engineering, and a deep passion for the thrill of the sport. Wiseco couldn’t be prouder to be associated with such a remarkable group of individuals who pushed themselves to the limits and emerged victorious in the face of both fierce competition and unpredictable weather.
Roger would like to offer a special thanks to:
“1st… Shane Maggs, Vince Lorusso and Gary Yancoskie for riding the wheels off that bike!!!
Ryan Krafft and Kyle Brosius for building up a team that started years ago, and has grown into a front runner in the N2 endurance series.
All the RWB companies involved. To have the support from the company I work for, in a sport I(we) absolutely love, we can’t say thank you enough!!
Will O’Conner for building/fixing our broken motors. Our bike is a 2006-2007 model, and Niagara Powersports Inc. NPS Racing built us a motor that will hang with pros on way newer equipment.
Dunlop Tires
Fox Feather Designs for building us an endurance tank that looks better than a factory made tank
Cometic Gaskets
Parts Unlimited
Millennium Technologies
64 degree Racing
Vortex
Hazardous Racing”