The riders will be in Austin, Texas this weekend for the MotoAmerica Superbikes competition. Among those heading to the Lone Star state is Sunstar’s very own Ashton Yates, who will be competing with Scheibe Racing for the first time.
We sat down with Ashton to talk about the sport and to get his thoughts on the upcoming race.
Yates, who hails from Milledgeville, Georgia, has racing in his blood. His father, Aaron, is a legend in the sport, having won five national championships during the course of his career. His father instilled a passion for riding in him at a very early age.
“I first got on a bike when I was three years old,” Yates remembers. “So, motorcycles have always been part of my life.”
Yates began competing in MotoAmerica in 2015, and instantly made his mark. In the first few years of his career, he reached podium numerous times and brought home several championships. He also became the first rider to podium in four different classes.
In 2016, he won three races and was third overall in points, which earned him the right to compete in the world finals.
His most satisfying accomplishment? “For me it was in 2018 at Road Atlanta, which is my home race.” Yates says. “There, I won the Junior Cup race and then I jumped onto the 600 in Supersport and podiumed.”
Not a bad weekend, we must say.
Looking forward to this weekend in Texas, Yates, says he feels some “good pressure.”
“The Schiebe Team has a long history of success in superbike,” Yates explains. “They have had a lot of well-known riders and have won multiple world championships. I have a lot to live up to.”
Yates likes in conditions in Austin. “It’s a really nice track. It’s recently been re-paved, so I think we’re going to see come very good times. I feel really confident, and after the weekend, we’ll know where we sit for the year.”
Yates says the support of Sunstar has played a big part in his success. “The folks at Sunstar really have my back,” he says. “Plus, the products they make are top notch. When I go into a race, I go in knowing that my bike will perform at the highest level.”
Yates runs Sunstar Sprockets and Chains on his Jones Honda CBR1000SP in the Stock 1000 class. Securing a top 5 in overall points for 2021. Pulling double duty in MotoAmerica for the 2022 season, for two different teams no less, will be a monster feat for Yates as well as the teams. Sunstar Sprockets and Chains looks forward to helping Yates and Jones Honda pulling off another top 5 in the 2022 season.
Want to keep up with Ashton Yates during the season?
Follow him on Instagram @ashton_yates.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
For a race like the MotoAmerica Superbikes Competition, Sunstar recommends the Works aluminum on-road sprocket. This component is highly durable and lightweight and can help improve gyroscopic dynamics. Plus it’s manufactured with an anodized coating that provides an extra level of dependability and strength. The Works aluminum on-road sprocket is available in a 520 conversion for street bikes.