ASMA ROUND 1: FIREBIRD MOTORSPORTS PARK
Ashten Bush
Race Report
ASMA Round 1, 2024
Ashten ~
ASMA Round 1 was definitely a redeemer for us, and we have left off on a high note heading into the next CVMA round at Chuckwalla!
Saturday: Track Day ~ This race was at Firebird Motorsports Park (East Track) which I had never ridden at before. It is a very short and flowy track which benefitted me well on my 400! I rode the trackday on Saturday to learn the lines and familiarize myself with this circuit as much as possible before Sunday’s races. I picked things up fairly early on in the day clocking times of 1:06-1:07. In order to be in winning contention, I needed to be down in the 1:03-1:04 range. I got a track map, wrote down my notes for improvements, and I studied to prepare for qualifying the next morning.
Sunday: WarmUp and Qualifying ~ Bright and early the next morning, I rode my warm up. My studies paid off with 1:05s and boosted confidence going into qualifying. My qualifying session began shortly after, and I got on track with another fast 400 racer. We pushed each other throughout the session, both clocking 1:04s and taking pole and runner up on the front row (Ashten (2) Difference (0.1)). Third place was not far behind being 0.4 seconds slower than my time. I was feeling solid heading into my 3 races!
Lightweight GP ~ With a bad jump off the line but a solid brake marker, I put myself in second place out of turn one. With a good drive out of turn 1, I quickly passed 1st place before turn 2. From this point on, I stayed in the lead and put a good gap in between 2nd place and I to finish 1st.
Formula 500 ~ I had a good launch, but I tried passing for the lead in turn 1 and overshot it. I stayed in 2nd, but 1st ran away off the start. I pushed to try and regain the lead, and I did! I made the pass on the main straight, and I held this position to the checkered flag!
500 Cup ~ With another solid launch, I put myself into 2nd place entering turn 1. I tailed the leader for a couple laps, then I made a move into turn 1, overshot, and ran off into the dirt. I didn’t lose any positions, because we had created a large gap on 3rd. I got back on track right away and started to chase down the leader. With 5 laps remaining, I was paced 0.8 seconds faster a lap than the lead rider, and this allowed me to catch back up and make a clean pass on the last lap. With this, I crossed the line with my third and final win of the weekend!
Overall, a very solid weekend for Bush Racing! My dad maintenanced and dialed in the race bike which allowed me to ride smoothly and without error to be successful!
Always, huge thanks to my sponsors and everyone who supported me this weekend! I also want to thank all the friends and family that came out as well!
Dad (Brian Bush)
BellissiMoto
Reparto Veloce
K-Tech Suspension
1ofOne Designs
Boxo Tools
Vortex Racing
Motion Pro
Spiegler Brake Lines
Michael from Fuzi Moto
Cya at CVMA Round 6!
