Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/491629
IN THE WIND P24 WESTBY RACING FORGE AHEAD WITH MAY AT COTA F ormer World Superbike and AMA Superbike rider Geoff May will campaign the number 00 Yamaha YZF-R1 of the late Dane Westby at round one of the MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Cham- pionship this weekend at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas. After a heartbreaking couple of weeks in which Westby lost his life in a road accident, team man- ager and Westby's father, Tryg, announced the Yamalube/Westby Racing team would continue to compete in this year's championship as a tribute to a young rider who was set to have the biggest year yet in his short career. "We brought Dane to the top, so why not give another guy the same chance?" said Tryg Westby. "When in doubt, I ask myself, 'WWDD? What Would Dane Do?' Dane would push on, and finish strong. That's what we're going to do this week- end at COTA." The decision to race comes with solid support from Yamalube, with the company's Trevor Kemp commenting that, "This was Tryg Westby's deci- sion to have the team race at COTA, to honor his dear son Dane, and to help everyone heal from this terrible tragedy. I admire Tryg greatly for mak- ing this decision." For May, the chance to race at COTA comes off the back of a strong third place at the Daytona 200. May's effort was indeed a grassroots one, with his Project Mayday Yamaha YZF-R6 funded by fans via the GoFundMe.com website. "First and foremost, my thoughts go out to the Westby family and the team," May said in a state- ment. "I am humbled and honored to help carry the Yamalube/Westby Racing flag. During my rac- ing career, I've had the privilege of watching Dane rise through the ranks in the AMA paddock. I am positive that he was on the verge of having a huge year. I hope to honor him with my results and to possibly bring some peace to Tryg, the Westby family and Yamalube/Westby Racing." ELLISON AND BYRNE KICK OFF BSB 2015 J ames Ellison and defending champion, Shane Byrne shared the victories at the opening round of the 2015 British Superbike Championship at Donington Park on April 6. Ellison took his first victory since 2013 and the first for the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team in race one. He held off a determined Byrne on the PBM Kawasaki, in a race that saw the safety car de- ployed when Brazilian Rhalf Lo Turco crashed at the Melbourne Hairpin. Rounding out the podium was Josh Brookes in the race debut for the all-new Milwaukee Yamaha YZF-R1. The Australian got the better of Honda Racing's Dan Linfoot in a drag to the line. "My plan doesn't normally work, but this time it did for once," said an elated Ellison. "Shakey [Byrne] kept me honest right until the end and I had to dig a bit deeper and I felt strong right until the end." Byrne got some payback in race two after a titanic Geoff May (left) and Yamalube/Westby Racing team manager Chuck Giachetto.