K&N-Sponsored Road Racer Jim McConville Has a Huge Weekend at Autobahn

McConville with his race bike at Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Illinois

Jim McConville had everything dialed in at Autobahn Country Club

“This was by far the best race weekend I’ve ever had,” said an excited Jim McConville. It’s easy to understand the jubilation after his efforts in the American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) round 2 at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Illinois.

McConville’s ambitious weekend included all the racing he could fit into his busy competitive schedule. A grueling trip to Joliet, and rough race conditions did not deter the K&N-supported amateur road racer.

This trip was an 18-hour drive to get there,” said McConville. “I’ve never been to this track, and it was going to rain all weekend.”

Knowing that he needed time on the track, McConville had to get creative. “There was no Friday practice, so I signed up for some CCS sprints to get some seat time,” he said.

McConville’s Saturday of racing was spectacular with two race wins.

McConville on the podium at Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Illinois

Holding his trophies was a workout for McConville in Joliet, Illinois

“So, the day was mid 40s and it started raining in the riders' meeting right before my first race,” said McConville. “My starts were fantastic and I finished mid-pack in the expert waves! I went two for two with wins.”

In his Saturday Amateur GTO win, McConville had a fastest lap of 2:19.763. He bested the 2nd place finisher by a commanding 72.148 seconds. He also walked away with the Amateur Heavyweight Super Stock win with a best lap of 2:16.897.

The rain continued for the Sunday racing at Autobahn Country Club. That did not dampen McConville’s spirits or his determination to perform well on the new-to-him racetrack.

“Practice (on Sunday) was so wet that they opened it up to anyone and I was the only rider out there till they chose to start the races earlier,” McConville said. “I added a 5th race at lunch just to ride more, but I was starting dead last. The sprints were cut to 4 laps due to weather. ASRA races were cut to 5 laps.”

In Sunday’s racing, McConville won the amateur ASRA Super Stock 1000cc race with a best lap of 2:06.187. Impressively, he also finished 4th in the expert wave of Super Stock. In the ASRA 600cc Sport Bike race, McConville secured the win with a super tight 00.014 margin of victory. Later in the day, McConville took 3rd in the Amateur Middleweight Sport Bike race with a best lap of 2:01.657.

McConville with trophies at Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Illinois

It's hard not to smile after a weekend like McConville had in round 2

McConville was understandably satisfied with his showing at Autobahn.

“I finished 4th in two expert waves as an amateur. I was 2 seconds slower than (pro racer) Jason Farrell, and I’m the overall points leader for a region I don’t compete in, as it was a double points weekend,” said McConville. “I’ve never been to this track and I won everything I originally entered in. I’ve never had a club podium outside my home track. I’m now on top of the national ASRA series for points as well.”

McConville may have summed it up best when he said, “There was a whole lot of awesome in this round!”

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