BRL Drag Specialties 2024
Battle of the Baggers
Rounds 1 & 2 - Hastings, Nebraska, May 24/25
Reporting by Carl Schlacht
The Bagger Racing League (BRL) kicked off its 2024 season with Round 1 and 2 of the Drag Specialties "Battle of the Baggers" at Motorsport Park Hastings in Hastings, Nebraska, on May 25 and 26, 2024. "The event was filled with excitement and intense competition, showcasing the best in Bagger motorcycle racing."
Round 1 Highlights:
The race weekend started with a bang with action-packed practice sessions on the Friday, as riders set blistering lap times and new racers honed their skills in racing school.
Saturday morning brought a bit of wind, but it didn't deter racer spirits. Qualifying sessions set the stage for thrilling races throughout the day. In the Barnett Clutches and Cables Super-Street Bagger Class, Jake Masters of Suburban Motors H-D/Performance Machine showcased his prowess, overtaking early leader Carl Schlacht [our reporter for this piece] of Speed Farm to claim the overall win.
Other notable winners included Brett Folkerts in Lightweight Superbike, Samuel Guerin in Zipper's Performance American Twins Unlimited, Andrew Berkley in DP Brakes Liquid Twins, Chris Rivas in Air-Cooled Twins, Cody Gilmore in Pirelli Pro-Stock Bagger Class, and Ruben Xaus in Andrews Products Bagger GP.
Driftercross presented by Slyfox Performance added another layer of excitement to the event, captivating spectators with its unique blend of racing and skill.
The second round saw riders battling for championship belts. The action resumed with the Barnett Clutches and Cables Super-Street Bagger Class, where Jake Masters once again showcased his skill by securing the overall win.
The day saw impressive performances across various classes, with notable victories for Brett Folkerts, Carl Schlacht, Andrew Berkley, Chris Rivas, Cody Gilmore, Chris Haesemeyer, Jamie Hanson and Ruben Xaus.
In the highlight race of the weekend, the Andrews Products Bagger GP class delivered a thrilling spectacle, with Ruben Xaus clinching victory ahead of Samuel Guerin and Jesse Janisch.
As the teams left after a great first weekend of Bagger Racing League action for 2024, the teams all applauded a resounding success, featuring intense competition, thrilling races and unforgettable moments.
Next Up: Rounds 3 and 4 at the Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, Michigan, followed by the series' first international race at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Ontario, Canada (August 9-11 for Rounds 5 and 6), before wrapping up for a finals weekend double header (Rounds 7 and 8) at the world-famous Willow Springs International Raceway in California (November 16-17).