Kyle Wyman and KWR Racing Show Resilience in MotoAmerica Opener

Kyle Wyman racing at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas

Kyle Wyman in a turn at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas

Adversity is part of any race season. K&N-sponsored KWR Racing certainly got its fair share in round one of the MotoAmerica Superbike schedule. Kyle Wyman and his team showed steely resolve in the face of that adversity at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas.

The challenges started early in the COTA effort for team KWR. In the 45-minute qualifying practice session on Thursday, Wyman experienced mechanical issues with the KWR Superbike. Wyman only made one flying lap in what would have been the longest session of the event, and the team was forced to use a completely stock motor for the balance of the weekend.

Wyman told K&N before race one that the issue with the race motor was a bit of a mystery.

Kyle Wyman in the MotoAmerica Paddock at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas

Wyman's superbike is protected by K&N filtration and his head by his K&N painted Shoei

“We’re not exactly sure what is happening with that motor,” Wyman said. “It is sucking oil from the engine into the air box. But I am excited to be here and ready to race, no matter what engine we’re using.”

Without a fast time from Thursday, it was crucial for Wyman to put in a top-12 lap time on Friday to secure a spot to run for pole. Wyman lapped the COTA circuit in 2:11.126, which was good enough for 8th fastest in the session and qualified him for Superpole.

In Superpole, Wyman made good use of the Dunlop one-lap qualifying tire, or "Q" Tire, and ran the COTA circuit in 2:09.788. The time was nearly a second faster than his previous best time at the official test in March. Despite the stock engine, the time was good enough for a second row start on the grid at 6th place overall.

Kyle Wyman racing at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas

Wyman (#33) is looking to fight to the front of the pack in MotoAmerica

"I'm happy with the way we've responded to our setback on Thursday," Wyman said after Superpole. "Starting the season with a mechanical and missing the entire first day of riding is never how you want to come out of the gate. We didn't panic, threw in the motor we had on the truck and it was good enough to get in the 2:09s at COTA, which has been the target all along."

When race one started, it appeared the adversity was behind the KWR team. Wyman got a fantastic start as he became the fourth rider in a pack of six that was breaking away from the field. Unfortunately, on lap 2, Wyman made a mistake and crashed out of the race, taking Josh Hayes with him.

"[On] that part of the race track, you can kind of shortcut the curb and gain some time," Wyman said. "This time I took the risk and just barely lost the front, got caught up with the bike and it dragged me to the wall. It was a long crash, I almost saved it. I feel lucky to have come away relatively unscathed."

Kyle Wyman's superbike in the MotoAmerica Paddock at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas

There is a stock engine under the KWR superbike bodywork

For Sunday’s race two, Wyman climbed back on his Motovation USA/Lucas Oil Superbike anxious for another shot at a podium result. Another good launch off the line put Wyman in an intense battle for 6th place, but the same battle with fellow riders slowed his pace and he would have to settle for 9th overall, and 6th in Superbike.

"You never want to finish lower than you qualify, but today I was happy to come away with ninth overall," Wyman said. "It was important for our team to leave COTA with some points on the board. Last year we left here with zero points, two DNFs. This time we have something to show for our efforts. After pulling a stock motor out of the truck and enduring a crash in the first race, I'm happy to have battled where we did. We got some great exposure for our local sponsor Motovation USA, and finished the weekend on a relatively high note."

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