Kyle Wyman and KWR Racing Show Resilience in MotoAmerica Opener

Kyle Wyman in a turn at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas

The challenges started early in the COTA effort for team KWR. In the 45-minute qualifying practice session on Thursday, Wyman experienced mechanical issues with the KWR Superbike. Wyman only made one flying lap in what would have been the longest session of the event, and the team was forced to use a completely stock motor for the balance of the weekend.

Wyman told K&N before race one that the issue with the race motor was a bit of a mystery.

Wyman's superbike is protected by K&N filtration and his head by his K&N painted Shoei

Without a fast time from Thursday, it was crucial for Wyman to put in a top-12 lap time on Friday to secure a spot to run for pole. Wyman lapped the COTA circuit in 2:11.126, which was good enough for 8th fastest in the session and qualified him for Superpole.

In Superpole, Wyman made good use of the Dunlop one-lap qualifying tire, or "Q" Tire, and ran the COTA circuit in 2:09.788. The time was nearly a second faster than his previous best time at the official test in March. Despite the stock engine, the time was good enough for a second row start on the grid at 6th place overall.

Wyman (#33) is looking to fight to the front of the pack in MotoAmerica

When race one started, it appeared the adversity was behind the KWR team. Wyman got a fantastic start as he became the fourth rider in a pack of six that was breaking away from the field. Unfortunately, on lap 2, Wyman made a mistake and crashed out of the race, taking Josh Hayes with him.

"[On] that part of the race track, you can kind of shortcut the curb and gain some time," Wyman said. "This time I took the risk and just barely lost the front, got caught up with the bike and it dragged me to the wall. It was a long crash, I almost saved it. I feel lucky to have come away relatively unscathed."

There is a stock engine under the KWR superbike bodywork

"You never want to finish lower than you qualify, but today I was happy to come away with ninth overall," Wyman said. "It was important for our team to leave COTA with some points on the board. Last year we left here with zero points, two DNFs. This time we have something to show for our efforts. After pulling a stock motor out of the truck and enduring a crash in the first race, I'm happy to have battled where we did. We got some great exposure for our local sponsor Motovation USA, and finished the weekend on a relatively high note."