Photo: Courtesy of MotoAmerica / Brian J. Nelson

As the MotoAmerica Championship’s fourth season heats up, the Mission King Of The Baggers (KOTB) roars back into action after a month-long break, returning to the iconic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, where it all began. This sixth round promises to deliver high-octane excitement, with fierce competition at the top of the standings.

Championship Battle: Herfoss vs. Wyman

Australian rider Troy Herfoss, riding the S&S Cycles/Indian Motorcycle Challenger, currently leads the championship with 205 points. His impressive record includes four wins, four second-place finishes, a third place, and a seventh place. However, the competition is tight, with Harley-Davidson Factory Racing’s Kyle Wyman trailing by just 13 points. Wyman’s consistent performance includes four wins, three second-place finishes, a fourth, a fifth, and an eighth place, making this a thrilling two-rider, two-manufacturer race for the 2024 title.

The Contenders

While Herfoss and Wyman dominate the top spots, the battle for the remaining positions is equally intense. Tyler O’Hara, 63 points behind his teammate Herfoss, leads the chase. Defending champion Hayden Gillim, representing RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson, revived his title hopes with two wins at the previous round in Brainerd, Minnesota. However, he still trails Herfoss by 70 points. Rounding out the top five is Wyman’s teammate James Rispoli, who sits 97 points off the lead.

The 2023 season saw thrilling races at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, with Hayden Gillim and Kyle Wyman each securing a win. In the first race, Gillim triumphed over James Rispoli and Bobby Fong, while Wyman took the victory in the second race, ahead of Rispoli and Gillim.

Mission Super Hooligan National Championship: O’Hara Leads

Defending champion Tyler O’Hara faces tough competition in the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship. Despite a challenging weekend at Ridge Motorsports Park, O’Hara managed to maintain his lead. Riding the S&S Cycle/Indian Motorcycle FTR1200, O’Hara secured a third-place finish in race one, overcoming a sticking throttle by using the clutch to control his speed. He described it as the best third-place finish of his career. In race two, he finished second behind Saddlemen Racing/Harley-Davidson’s Jake Lewis.

Cody Wyman of KWR/Harley-Davidson claimed his first Super Hooligan victory at Ridge, making history as the second rider in MotoAmerica to podium in four different classes. Rocco Landers achieved this feat earlier with podium finishes in Junior Cup, Twins Cup, Stock 1000, and Supersport.

As the series heads to Monterey for its third round, O’Hara holds a five-point lead over Cody Wyman. Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson’s Cory West is third, 12 points behind O’Hara and eight points ahead of Troy Herfoss. Jake Lewis rounds out the top five, 24 points behind the leader.

Anticipation Builds

With the return to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, fans can expect a thrilling weekend of racing. The historic track, known for its challenging turns and iconic Corkscrew, promises to test the riders’ skills and provide unforgettable moments. As the championship battle intensifies, every race, turn, and maneuver will count. The Mission King Of The Baggers and the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship will deliver edge-of-the-seat action, making this round a must-watch for racing enthusiasts.