MotoAmerica: Team Releases And More From VIR (Updated)

MotoAmerica: Team Releases And More From VIR (Updated)

© 2025, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. By Michael Gougis.

From a news release issued by Yamaha Motor Corporation USA:

 

Jake Gagne (32) leads Richie Escalante (50) at VIR. Photo by Andrea Wilson.

 

Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Bobby Fong capped off a flawless weekend with a dominant Race 2 victory at Round 6 of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia. His fourth consecutive win moved him within five points of the championship lead. Teammate Jake Gagne battled in a fierce multi-rider fight for the podium, ultimately crossing the line fifth.

Fong continued to top the timesheets in morning warm-up, and then got a great start in Race 2 to take the lead from pole position. Although he was passed on that opening lap, he stayed close and reclaimed the lead on Lap 3 after the championship leader crashed in Turn 1. From there, Fong continued to set a blistering pace and built a comfortable gap up front, securing his fourth win by a 14-second margin. It was a perfect weekend for the Northern Californian, who led every session, and won both races, advancing him to second in the championship and closing the gap to within five points of the leader.

Gagne continued his progress and was fourth in the morning warmup. In sixth after the start of Race 2, he made his way to fourth by the second lap and then to third after the frontrunner crashed on the following lap. Locked in a multi-rider fight for the podium, Gagne was third until the final laps, when he dropped back to fifth. The Colorado rider stayed in the fight but ultimately would cross the line fifth to finish the weekend with a pair of top-five finishes, maintaining fourth in the standings.

Next up for the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team is Round 7 of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, on August 15-17.

Richard Stanboli – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“I always hate to predict an outcome, but we had a really good idea this race was going to go the same way. Bobby did what we asked him to do — he kept a good, solid pace, put the pressure on the competition, and got us into a good position in the championship. Jake is still working on getting back to full strength, but has made some progress. We’re still not counting the championship points. We just want to go out and keep on winning, and show how good this R1 really is.”

Bobby Fong – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #50

“It’s good to get two wins this weekend and keep the momentum going. The crew deserves it. We’ve been working hard and making progress. I’m just happy to close in on the gap in the championship. I’m looking forward to Mid-Ohio and hopefully getting two Yamahas on the box.”

Jake Gagne – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #32

“The bike was working really well. It was just a tough weekend for me, dealing with my stuff and getting stronger, but Mid-Ohio will be better. Congrats to Bobby for getting another win for the team.”

 

From a news release issued by Suzuki Motor USA:

 

Sean Dylan Kelly (40). Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA.

Suzuki Motor USA reeled in ten top ten finishes, including multiple top fives – highlighted by a spectacular twin Superbike podium – as the MotoAmerica season made its annual stop at VIRginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia.

Race Highlights:

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Superbike

Sean Dylan Kelly claimed a pair of top fours, including second place, his first podium finish of the season. Richie Escalante joined his teammate on the box following a thrilling five-way melee for third place.

Supersport

Tyler Scott closed out a solid weekend with a blistering final lap to lock down a fourth-place result. Max VanDenBrouck secured his third top ten of 2025.

RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Twins Cup

Matthew Chapin claimed pole position and rebounded from a Race 1 crash with a Race 2 top five Stock 1000. Rocco Landers was consistently fast en route to equaling his best finish of the Stock 1000 season.

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Sean Dylan Kelly earned his first podium of the 2025 Superbike season on Sunday. Kelly had been plenty fast on the GSX-R1000R throughout and had come incredibly close on multiple occasions – finishing fourth six times, including in Saturday’s Superbike Race 1. But it all finally came together in Sunday’s rematch, when Kelly successfully countered teammate Richie Escalante’s last-lap pass with one of his own to finish as the race’s runner-up.

SDK said, “That was unbelievable. We’ve been working really hard since the start of the season, which feels like two years ago. I think everyone knew this was coming; but it’s one thing knowing and another actually making it happen. I’m really happy with the work we’ve done. A huge thank you to the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team – those guys have worked so hard. This feels so good to be back. I’m so, so excited.”

 

Richie Escalante (54). Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor Corp. USA.

Escalante completed the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki double podium by claiming the checkered flag fractions of a second behind Kelly. Escalante found his form at VIR on the GSX-R1000R during Sunday’s race after finishing ninth on Saturday as a result of a mid-race mishap. The Mexican threw haymaker after haymaker to claw his way forward and ultimately finish in third.

“I’m really happy, honestly,” Escalante said. “We started the weekend with many problems, but my team did an amazing job. Every session I felt better and better. Today’s race was insane. It’s amazing to have both of us finish on the podium. Big thanks to my Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team for an amazing job and believing in me. We’re going to enjoy this moment and be ready for Ohio.”

 

Tyler Scott (70). Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor Corp. USA.

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott battled it out in Supersport duty all weekend long despite riding at less than full health. After qualifying fifth aboard the team’s next-generation GSX-R750, the hard-charging pilot came out on top of a three-rider scrap for sixth in Saturday’s Race 1. Scott pulled off the same feat in a four-way fight for fourth on Sunday, passing his way up to the position on the final lap and then successfully executing a late break to lock down the spot at the checkered flag.

Scott said, “Going into the weekend, I had a sore shoulder from being taken out by another rider at a practice day about ten days ago, then had some respiratory issues on top of that. Saturday, I wasn’t feeling that great, and the weekend became about doing as well as I could at less than 100%. Sunday, I felt better. The bike was great, and this time I was able to battle more, so we got fourth. This doesn’t seem like it will be a problem at Ohio, so I am looking forward to those races.”

 

Max VanDenBrouck (48). Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor Corp. USA.

Scott’s Supersport compatriot, Max VanDenBrouck, enjoyed an impressive weekend himself. Starting from eleventh, Max Van raced his way to his third top-ten result of the season aboard the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750, crossing the line in 10th on Saturday. He nearly did so again on Sunday, coming home a very respectable 11th.

“I like riding at VIR, so every lap I enjoyed,” VanDenBrouck said. “We qualified 11th, finished 10 in Race 1 and 11th in Race 2. I was able to maintain my qualifying position in the races. The starts went better, and I was able to be aggressive early. The team worked flawlessly all weekend. With Mid-Ohio two weeks away, I will go home and work out hard to be ready.”

 

Matthew Chapin (95). Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor Corp. USA.

RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Matthew Chapin saw his weekend start off in unreal fashion – claiming pole position for the Twins Cup class by a margin of more than two seconds. Unfortunately, he suffered a crash on the opening lap of Race 1 after leaping out into the early lead. The reigning Junior Cup champ bounced back with a top five on Sunday, finishing fifth on the team’s Suzuki GSX-8R.

Chapin said, “I thought it was a pretty good weekend overall. I crashed out in the first race and had an arm pump issue early in the second one, so I didn’t get the results we have been getting at other rounds. We were still pretty competitive, though. We’re working on reducing some wheelspin, and I’m confident the team will continue improving the bike for us next time.”

 

Rocco Landers (97). Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor Corp. USA.

RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Rocco Landers continued to showcase his developing literbike chops by demonstrating consistent pace aboard the team’s Stock 1000-spec GSX-R1000. Landers qualified on the second row, from where he logged seventh- and sixth-place results, the latter matching his best result on the 1000cc machine to date.

“Our best weekend so far,” said Landers. “Race 1 was one of the best times I have felt on the bike and Race 2 was the best. We’re getting closer and learning more every time. I got to ride the 1000 in the rain and the rider aids made it very controllable. We’re looking forward to racing again and continue to make improvements.”

The 2025 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship resumes on August 15-17 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

Please visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/road-racing for more team news.

About Team Hammer
The 2025 season marks Team Hammer’s 45th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 135 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 381 times and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.

About Vance & Hines Motorsports
Vance & Hines Motorsports is a powerhouse in the world of motorcycle racing, boasting a rich legacy of success. With a focus on innovation, performance, and commitment to pushing boundaries, the team continues to redefine excellence in NHRA and MotoAmerica.

 

More, from a news release issued by Aprilia:

 

Entering the 2025 MotoAmerica Twins Cup season, Robem Engineering’s Alessandro Di Mario was widely considered a frontrunner in the highly competitive class. By the end of Round 5 of 6, the defending champion proved untouchable aboard his Aprilia RS 660.
Di Mario secured his second consecutive MotoAmerica Twins Cup title on Saturday at Virginia International Raceway, clinching Aprilia’s third championship in the category since the RS 660 became eligible five years ago.

After opening the 2025 season with three straight runner-up finishes, Di Mario has since gone on a dominant run – winning the last seven consecutive Twins Cup races, including both contests at the August 1–3 VIR round.

Saturday’s race featured an all-Aprilia podium, led by Di Mario, followed by his Robem Engineering teammate Hank Vossberg and Bad Boys Racing’s Avery Dreher in third. On Sunday, Di Mario and Vossberg returned to the podium, with Dreher narrowly missing out in fourth.

Despite less-than-ideal conditions during Friday morning practice, six Aprilia riders finished inside the top 10. The session was led by inaugural Twins Cup champion Chris Parrish (Ghetto Customs), followed by Di Mario in third, Chase Brown (Brown Town Racing) in fourth, Dreher in sixth, Vossberg in eighth, and Logan Cunnison (Speeddemon Racing) in ninth. Inclement weather led to the cancellation of Friday’s Qualifying 1 session.

In Saturday morning’s Qualifying 2, Dreher edged Di Mario for second on the starting grid by just 0.207 seconds. Vossberg qualified fourth, and Cunnison sixth.

Race 1 began with multiple early incidents and a tight battle for the lead. Di Mario led early, briefly lost position, then reclaimed the lead on Lap 6 of the 13-lap race and steadily pulled away. He crossed the finish line more than three seconds ahead to seal the title. Vossberg narrowly beat Dreher to the line by just 0.002 seconds, securing a second-place finish and an all-Aprilia podium.

Other Aprilia riders in the top 10 included Brown (fifth), Cunnison (sixth), Andrew Weyh (Weyh Racing, eighth), and Zachary Foster (Moto-Ace Racing, 10th).

With the championship secured, Di Mario delivered another dominant performance in Sunday’s Race 2, leading every lap and taking victory by over four seconds. Vossberg claimed his second podium of the weekend, finishing just 0.059 seconds shy of an Aprilia 1–2. Dreher placed fourth, Brown sixth, Cunnison seventh, and Weyh ninth. Of the 37 riders entered at VIR, 16 competed aboard Aprilia RS 660s, demonstrating the bike’s continued dominance in the class.

The final round of the 2025 MotoAmerica Twins Cup season takes place September 26–28 at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey.

Alessandro Di Mario / Robem Engineering

“The race weekend was really good. I had two strong starts, and the plan all along was to break away at the front. That’s exactly what happened, and I’m really happy with the results. I want to thank the team for all their support this weekend.”

Hank Vossberg / Robem Engineering

“What a great weekend here at VIR. It went even better than I expected—I made the podium in both races and the bike felt amazing. I didn’t get the start I wanted in Race 1, but just managed to grab second at the line. I had a better start in Race 2 and I’m really happy to be back on the podium.”

 

More, from a news release issued by Ducati:

 

Josh Herrin (1). Photo by Brian J. Nelson courtesy Ducati.

Josh Herrin and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati had a tough weekend as MotoAmerica returned to one of North America’s premier racing venues at Virginia International Raceway for round six.

Herrin secured a hard-fought third place in the first race on the number one Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R to secure solid points on the podium.

Race two, however, did not go to plan. After taking the lead with a decisive early pass, Herrin tried to make a break for it but lost the front of the motorcycle at turn one, sliding into the wet grass on the outside of the track.

Herrin’s motorcycle suffered damage to the right handlebar and throttle assembly, necessitating an emergency pit stop that dropped Herrin to 15th and several laps down on the leaders.

Herrin and the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team refused to give in, and even with victory hopes dashed, Herrin still made it back on track to finish 14th and gain two championship points ultimately.

Herrin and the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team remain optimistic and still lead the series points with three rounds to go.

2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship After Round Six:

P1 – Josh Herrin (Ducati) 242
P2 – Bobby Fong 237
P3 – Cameron Beaubier 226
P4 – Jake Gagne 187
P5 – Richie Escalante 137

Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#1)

“It’s obviously not what we wanted, but that’s racing,” Herrin philosophically said. “It happens, but that’s why we worked as hard as we did all year to get the points advantage. I didn’t need to win today, but I also wanted to give it my best shot. A win is always preferable to a second or third-place finish.

“I felt better than in race one on Saturday. I’m not sure if I had the bike to win today, but I was pushing hard and lost the front. I tried to hold on, and it helped a little, but I ended up on the ground. Thanks to my Warhorse HSBK Ducati team for getting the bike back together in the pits so we could get two points. Every point counts in the championship.

“We are going into Mid-Ohio and CoTA in Texas next, which are two of the best tracks for me and the Ducati Panigale V4 R. Sometimes weekends like this happen. It’s not the end of the world, but on the bright side, out of the next three tracks go to (Mid-Ohio, CoTA, and New Jersey Motorsports Park) for the rest of the year, we took seven race wins last year, so we’re ready to go.”

Round seven of the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship will be held in one week at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, August 8-10, 2025.

 

More, from a news release issued by Dunlop:

 

Dunlop Motorcycle Tires is excited to announce that new lap records have been established at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, VA. This thrilling showcase of speed and skill wasn’t possible without the Sportmax Slick tires, and the following records were achieved:

Twins Cup:

-Race Lap Record: 1:30.544 – Alessandro Di Mario, Race 2 (8/3/2025)

Supersport:

-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:25.964 – Mathew Scholtz, Race 2 (8/3/2025)

-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:26.094 – PJ Jacobsen, Race 1 (8/2/2025)

Build.Train.Race:

-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:46.428 – Miranda Cain, Race 2 (8/3/2025)

-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:47.957 – Miranda Cain, Race 1 (8/2/2025)

Talent Cup:

-Lap Record: 1:35.328 – Alessandro Di Mario, Warm Up (8/3/2025)

-Race Lap Record: 1:35.876 – Alessandro Di Mario, Race 1 (8/2/2025)

-Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:35.876 – Alessandro Di Mario, Race 1 (8/2/2025)

These outstanding performances demonstrate the exceptional grip and reliability of Dunlop’s Sportmax Slick tires, further cementing their position as the tire of choice for all competitive road racing.

To learn more about Dunlop racing tires, please visit www.dunlopracing.com

About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires:

Dunlop is the number one selling and largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in North America. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.

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