Mathew Scholtz and the Westby Racing team spent the past weekend participating in a two-day track event at Jennings GP, the 2-mile, 14-turn road course in Jennings, Florida. It was the first test of 2020 for Mathew and the team after the holiday break.

Riding the 2019 version of the #11 Westby Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike, Mathew tried out a new software update in the bike’s Magneti Marelli Electronic Control Unit (ECU), along with a few other components, including a new, more aerodynamic fuel tank.

 “This was, by far, one of our best tests,” Mathew declared. “We had some updated software to try, and the bike felt really, really good with the new settings to the ECU. Also, we tried a reshaped gas tank, which helps me tuck in better and gives me a little more comfort on the bike. The main takeaway from this test was that the bike is easier to ride and more consistent over race distance. I just got back from being home in South Africa for the holidays, so it was great to be back in the saddle again and burning some laps, especially with the MotoAmerica season fast approaching. At our next test, which will be at Barber (Motorsports Park), we’ll have the 2020 bike, so I’m excited to see how it performs compared with last year’s bike. The whole team and I are looking forward to the upcoming Superbike season where we’re confident that we’ll be contending for the title.”

Next up for Mathew and the team will be the MotoAmerica Official Preseason Test at Barber Motorsports Park on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 10 and 11. After that, Mathew and the team will squeeze in one more test during an upcoming track day event at VIRginia International Raceway just prior to round one of the 2020 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, which will takes place on April 3 through 5 at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. At COTA, Mathew and the other stars of MotoAmerica will race on the world stage during the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas.

Photos courtesy of Kiara Mattioda.