Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki is regrouping for a big end-of-season push in the AMA and F-USA motorcycle racing series, with action scheduled to resume in two weeks.
The August 24-26 weekend will be a critical one for the team, with both an AMA National at Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colorado and a Formula USA National at Pocono International Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania happening at the same time.
Grant Lopez will practice at Pocono on Monday, August 20, then fly to Pikes Peak, practice, qualify and compete in the AMA Formula Xtreme race on Saturday, August 25, fly back to Pocono Saturday night, practice Sunday morning and take a provisional start in the first of two Formula USA races at Pocono.
Meanwhile, John Hopkins and Ben Spies will concentrate on the AMA races at Pikes Peak. Hopkins, a close second-and-gaining in Formula Xtreme points, will try to take over the points lead while also attempting to improve his sixth place in 600cc Supersport points. Spies will try to turn around his season and move up from third in points in 750cc Supersport.
The team will then head to Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon for Formula USA September 6-9, followed by AMA Nationals at Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, California September 13-16 and at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia September 28-30. The team’s racing season will end with Formula USA at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida October 17-21.
