2024 Bagger Racing League (BRL) Championship Finals
By racer Carl Schlacht
The 2024 Bagger Racing League (BRL) season came to a dramatic close on November 16-17 with the final two rounds at the legendary Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California. Known as "The Fastest Road in the West," Willow Springs, with its 2.5-mile, 9-turn road course, provided a perfect setting for the high-speed, high-stakes competition.
Credit: Casey Horner |
The iconic track's mix of elevation changes and sweeping corners tested the skill and endurance of every racer, solidifying its reputation as a favorite among motorsport enthusiasts.
Saturday's races were met with intense winds, creating challenging conditions for riders and teams. The gusts added an extra layer of difficulty, especially in the track's open sections, where maintaining stability was crucial. Despite this, racers demonstrated remarkable control and determination, pushing through the adverse weather to deliver an electrifying day of racing.
Sunday brought a reprieve from the harsh winds, treating fans and riders to classic California weather - sunny skies and ideal racing temperatures. With the improved conditions, lap times dropped, and the competition intensified as racers fought for their final points of the season.
Barnett Clutches Super Street Bagger
Champion: Jake Masters (Performance Machine, Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson)
P2: Shawn Hoffman (DP Brakes, Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson)
P3: Carl Schlacht (Hawg Halters Inc., Speed Farm)
Andrews Products Bagger GP
Champion: Ruben Xaus (Feuling Goeleven Team)
P2: Samuel Guérin (Original Garage)
P3: Jesse Janisch (Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson, SlyFox)
DP Brakes Liquid Twins
Champion: Andrew Berkley (Underground Team Racing)
P2: Cory West (Saddlemen)
P3: Vincent Wilson (Alloy Art)
Zipper's American Twins Unlimited
Champion: Carl Schlacht (Hawg Halters Inc., Speed Farm)
P2: Anthony Bangma (Broene's Furniture)
P3: Vincent Wilson (Alloy Art)
Pirelli Pro Stock Bagger
Champion: Cody Gilmore (Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson)
P2: Arnie Wells (Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson)
P3: Tony Sollima (Frankie Dean Racing)
Air-Cooled Twins
Champion: Jake McGuire (Harley-Davidson Bowling Green)
P2: Chris Rivas (Rocket Performance)
P3: Anthony Bangma (Broene's Furniture)
Superbike Classes Champions
Lightweight Superbike: Brett Folkerts
Middleweight Superbike: Jamie Hanson (L2M Racing)
Open Next Generation Superbike: Jamie Hanson
Unlimited Superbike: Brett Folkerts
AMA Sidecar
The Sidecar division provided a unique spectacle as Bernard/Kevin took the top spot in Round 6 with a standout lap time of 1:38.819, navigating the track's technical sections with precision and teamwork.
Metric Bagger
Champion: Arnie Wells