MotoAmerica: Petrucci Undecided About 2023 Racing Plans

David Swarts

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June 23, 2022

MotoAmerica: Petrucci Undecided About 2023 Racing Plans

European media outlets are reporting that Danilo Petrucci, the current MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship leader, may join the Aruba.it Ducati World Superbike team next year, but the 31-year-old Italian says his 2023 racing plans are undecided.

“For sure, Ducati is following us really close [and] is helping us. I know that I am one of the riders on the list,” Petrucci exclusively told Roadracingworld.com Thursday in the paddock at Ridge Motorsports Park, site of this weekend’s MotoAmerica event. “I got the chance also last year, but last year after MotoGP I needed a bit of rest to, let’s say, take the level a little bit down. Not the riding but less pressure. For a rider, racing in [World] Superbike is like racing in MotoGP. I don’t want any more to have this kind of pressure.

“First of all, I want to win this Championship, and then I decide. I don’t think Ducati [is in a] hurry to know the name of the second rider, and especially from my point of view, I need to understand what I like to do.

“At the moment, to tell the truth, I have no idea about it. I really don’t know what Championship I will do next year, but it is something I don’t want to be in a hurry and take a decision now because I want to have a clear idea.

“Let’s see. I think I want to continue racing, but I don’t know in what Championship. For sure, I told the Ducati guys I will not go in the Dakar next year because it is too tough. If I want to, for example, [race in] MotoAmerica next year, going to the Dakar and the preparation and then leaving again for MotoAmerica, it’s too much. I am not any more a young boy. I need a bit of rest.”

MotoAmerica: Previews Of The Other Classes Racing At “The Ridge”

David Swarts

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June 23, 2022

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MotoAmerica: Previews Of The Other Classes Racing At “The Ridge”

Ridge Support Class Preview: Herrin, Barry All Clear But The Rest Are Up For Grabs

MotoAmerica Support Classes Promise Intense Battles From Top To Bottom In Dynapac MotoAmerica Superbikes At The Ridge Event

IRVINE, CA (June 23, 2022) – Coincidentally, the only two of the five MotoAmerica Championships that aren’t close as the series heads to round five of the series at Ridge Motorsports Park in the Pacific Northwest feature identical 51-point leads for the two riders at the top. Those two championships are Supersport and Twins Cup. Those two riders are Josh Herrin and Jody Barry.

The closest of the championships heading to Washington State and the Dynapac MotoAmerica Superbikes At The Ridge event is the Yuasa Stock 1000 class with just six points separating first from second. In the Medallia Superbike class, just seven points separate Danilo Petrucci from his nearest pursuer Mathew Scholtz. In the SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup class, 17 points separate the top two.

Supersport – All Herrin. So Far.

With five podium finishes in the six races held thus far, Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC’s Josh Herrin has been dominant. Three of those podiums have been victories and his only non-podium was a fourth-place finish in race one at VIRginia International Raceway.

And it’s not that his pursuers have been slow. Quite the opposite, actually. In fact, four different riders have won races in 2022 on four different makes of motorcycles. What separates Herrin from the rest is a lack of consistency, not a lack of parity.

Landers Racing’s Rocco Landers sits second in the series point standings after six races with 73 points to Herrin’s 124. Landers has finished third on three occasions but was fourth and fifth in two of the other three. At the last round at Road America, Landers only managed to score a single point in race two.

And that single point was one more than the two also trying to chase down Herrin – the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki duo of Tyler Scott and Sam Lochoff – with both riders failing to finish race two at Road America.

Scott is third, just one point behind Landers and with three podiums and a victory on his scorecard. Just 16 years old, Scott can’t be faulted for making mistakes and he’s made two. But he should also be praised for scoring a victory in race one at Road America in what was just his fifth career Supersport race.

Thus far, Scott has outpaced his teammate Lochoff, but the South African has been riding injured. Still, Lochoff has two podiums to his credit and is just six points behind Scott.

Australian Luke Power is fifth in the title chase after his second-place finish in race two at Road America in iffy conditions. Power and his 3D Motorsports LLC Suzuki GSX-R750 are six points behind Lochoff and just one point ahead of N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto’s Kevin Olmedo, who has shown newfound consistency with finishes in each of the six races so far.

The two others to win Supersport races in 2022 are four-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes (race one at VIR) and Kawasaki ZX-6R-mounted Jason Farrell, who scored an upset victory in the rain in race two at Road America.

Yuasa Stock 1000 – Still Gillim

Just when it looked like Hayden Gillim was going to step up and take control of the Yuasa Stock 1000 Championship, the veteran’s Disrupt Racing Suzuki had a mechanical problem in the lone Stock 1000 race at Road America and his big lead in the championship was suddenly whittled down to just six points.

And there’s now a gaggle of riders in with a shot of contesting the championship as the series heads to Ridge Motorsports Park.

Tytlers Cycle/RideHVMC Racing’s Travis Wyman is at the top of the heap, just one point ahead of VisionWheel/DiscountTire/KWS’s Geoff May. Wyman’s teammate Corey Alexander arrives in Washington fresh off his second victory of the year at Road America and with a renewed sense of championship possibilities. The New Yorker is now just 13 points behind Gillim in the title chase.

SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup – Wyman In Charge

With his three race wins out of six races, Alpha Omega’s Cody Wyman heads the chasing pack in the SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup Championship by 17 points over Rodio Racing/Warhorse HSBK Racing’s Gus Rodio, who is the only rider in the top six to score points in all six races.

Rodio, however, doesn’t have it easy as three racers are within eight points of his tenacious hold on second in the title chase. Those three are SportbikeTrackGear.com teammates Joseph LiMandri Jr. and Max Van and Altus Motorsports’ Kayla Yaakov.

With four podiums, including two wins, LiMandri is one point behind Rodio and one point ahead of his teammate with Van scoring two victories and one other podium thus far. Yaakov, meanwhile, has three podiums to her credit and is just six points behind Van and 12 ahead of Calshine Racing’s Aden Thao.

Twins Cup – Barry, Barry Good

There have been six Twins Cup races held thus far in 2022 and two of those were at Daytona International Speedway. Those were the only two races Jody Barry didn’t win.

Since Daytona, Barry and his Veloce Racing Aprilia RS 660 have been perfect with the youngster from Lake in the Hills, Illinois, winning four straight races as the series heads to Ridge Motorsports Park.

Oh, and he was also fifth and second in the two races he didn’t win at Daytona.

All that amounts to a 51-point lead in the championship over Rodio Racing/Warhorse HSBK Racing’s Anthony Mazziotto, the New Jerseyan also mounted on an Aprilia RS 660.

While Barry thus far has had things all his way, the battle behind him is fierce as Mazziotto leads Cycle Tech’s Hayden Schultz by just 11 points, Daytona race-one winner Blake Davis and his N2 Racing/BobbleHead Moto Yamaha YZF-R7 by 16 points and Robem Engineering’s Teagg Hobbs by 17.

Mini Cup By Motul – Wide Open

With just one round and two races under their belts, the riders contesting the Mini Cup by Motul Championships are all in with a fighting chance.

As expected, the biggest of the classes is the 160 class and that is being led by American Racing’s Kensei Matsudaira, though the Californian hasn’t been perfect as Macc Racing/Broward Motorsports Tequesta’s Mac MacClugage also won a race in the series opener at Road America a few weeks ago. Matsudaira leads by nine points. Nathan Gouker Racing’s Nathan Gouker is just three points behind MacClugage and four ahead of Xtreme Autoglass Pros’ Ryder Davis.

Gouker, meanwhile, leads the way in the 110 class by 10 points over Anthony Lupo Jr. Racing’s Anthony Lupo Jr. after his two wins in Wisconsin. MacClugage is third in the 110 class after two podium finishes at Road America.

Jesses James Racing’s Jesse James Shedden was perfect in the 190 class in the series opener at Road America with the Californian topping Matsudaira both times out. American Racing’s Joshua Raymond finished third in the two races.

Ridge Motorsports Park Pre-Race Support Class Notes…

Sean Dylan Kelly won both of the Supersport races at Ridge last year, the Suzuki rider besting his rival Richie Escalante in both races en route to taking the championship. Kelly is now racing in the Moto2 World Championship and Escalante has made the move to the Medallia Superbike Championship with Kelly’s former team, Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki.

With two Yuasa Stock 1000 races scheduled for Ridge, this round of the championship could prove vital. If you predicted this year’s outcome on last year’s results, you’d have to pick Corey Alexander, the winner of both races a year ago in Washington. Alexander beat Jake Lewis in race one and Ashton Yates in race two.

Max Toth and eventual series champion Tyler Scott split wins in last year’s two SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup races at Ridge.

Jackson Blackmon was unstoppable with wins in both Twins Cup races a year ago at Ridge. Blackmon is currently recovering at home after suffering leg injuries in a crash at Road America.

In Mini Cup action from a year ago, Kensei Matsudaira was perfect in the two 110 class races and both of the 160 races. In the 190 class, Jesse James Shedden and Travis Horn split the two wins.

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America:

MotoAmerica Supersport Round 4 – Josh Herrin in Dream Land as He Rides Into The Ridge

Josh Herrin is loving life on the Ducati Panigale V2 as the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship heads to The Ridge in Washington State for round four

Josh Herrin (2). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica. — Josh Herrin (2). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Ducati North America.

Sunnyvale, Calif. – Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC) is in a purple patch of his distinguished career as he and his florescent red Ducati Panigale gel like dance partners on the racetracks of America in 2022.

The former AMA Superbike Champion heads to the round four of the series in command of the points table on 124, a substantial 51 clear of Yamaha’s Rocco Landers meaning he’s already more than a full round of points ahead of the chasing pack.

Following a test after Road America, Herrin and the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC team believe they have found the optimum set-up in this learning year for the Ducati V2 platform as they aim to take another round win as the series reaches its halfway point.

Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Ducati – #2):

“I’m stoked to ride the V2 at The Ridge and we have the right bike to be on,” Herrin said. “At some tracks we’ve had to take our time to get the set-up right as this is an all-new platform for us. But, with the MotoAmerica rules as they are for this year, I think a shorter, more technical circuit will suit the characteristics of the V2 perfectly. This year has been one of those years that reminds me why I wanted to be a motorcycle racer when I was growing up as a kid. I’m just hoping to keep that feeling going for the rest of the year.”

Round four of the 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship kicks off with practice on Friday, June 24 with race one scheduled for 2:10 pm (PDT) on Saturday, June 25. Race two is scheduled for 2:10 pm (PDT) on Sunday, June 26.

MotoGP: There Will Not Be Practice Friday Morning At Motegi

David Swarts

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June 23, 2022

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MotoGP: There Will Not Be Practice Friday Morning At Motegi

Grand Prix of Japan: Time Schedule changes

Thursday, 23 June 2022

The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports are obliged to announce changes to the Friday schedule at the Grand Prix of Japan.

Due to the logistical challenges posed by the Grand Prix being staged back-to-back with the Grand Prix of Aragon, as well as potential delays caused by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its effect on airspace, it has been decided to not run practice sessions for the Grand Prix classes – MotoGP™, Moto2™ and Moto3™ – on Friday morning.

Instead, Moto3™ FP1 will begin at 13:15 local time, Moto2™ at 14:10 and MotoGP™ at 15:05. This single MotoGP™ FP1 session that will now take place on Friday afternoon has been extended from 45 to 75 minutes. The time extension is for the premier class only.

The combined results for entry into Q1 and Q2 will be taken from FP1 and FP2 for all Grand Prix classes.

Fan activities will be planned with Grand Prix riders on Friday morning, giving fans at the track a chance to interact with their heroes as MotoGP™ returns to Japan for the first time since 2019.

There will also be track action at the Mobility Resort Motegi from 9:00 local time on Friday as the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup gets the race weekend underway with FP1, FP2 and qualifying for their third round of 2022.

After three years away, the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship looks forward to returning to race in Japan; on home turf for several MotoGP™ factories and in front of one of the most passionate, dedicated crowds on our calendar.

MotoGP: Assen Is A Special Track For Bagnaia & Miller

David Swarts

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June 23, 2022

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MotoGP: Assen Is A Special Track For Bagnaia & Miller

MotoGP arrives in the Netherlands at the TT Circuit Assen for the eleventh round of the 2022 season, before the summer break

Less than seven days after the German GP, the Ducati Lenovo Team riders are ready to return to the track in Assen for the Dutch GP, the eleventh round of the 2022 MotoGP season, before the summer break that will last until the end of July.

As always, the famous TT Circuit Assen, also known as The Cathedral of Speed and which has been on the calendar since 1949 – the debut year of the Championship – will be hosting the event. Ducati has only won at Assen on one occasion so far, in 2008 with Casey Stoner, while there are seven podiums in total and three pole positions taken by the Borgo Panigale manufacturer in Holland.

For Francesco Bagnaia, who suffered a crash in the German Grand Prix, the Dutch track is a place full of good memories. The Italian rider scored his first victory here in the 2016 Moto3 World Championship. Pecco is confident that he can be competitive this year in Holland and is aiming for a good race result with his Desmosedici GP. Jack Miller also returns to Assen to be among the weekend’s protagonists after his excellent performance last Sunday at the Sachsenring, where he finished third on the podium.

After the first ten Grands Prix of the season, Pecco Bagnaia and Jack Miller are sixth and seventh in the Championship, tied on points. Ducati leads the manufacturer’s standings, while the Ducati Lenovo Team is fourth in the team standings.

Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 6th (81 points)

“I’m happy to be back on track this weekend at Assen: it’s a special track for me because it was here that I took my first win in the World Championship. I even have it tattooed on my arm! Unfortunately, we struggled a lot last year, but I am convinced that things will be different this year. Even in Germany, we were not among the favourites, but in the end, we were very competitive at the Sachsenring throughout the weekend. That’s why I’m even more disappointed about the crash in the race because up until then, everything had been perfect. I want to make up for it here in Holland and end on a positive note this first part of the season, before the summer break.”

Jack Miller (#43 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 7th (81 points)

“I’m excited to be racing in Holland again. I have great memories of this track, as I took my first MotoGP win here. After the Barcelona test, we took big steps forward, which helped me find a good feeling with the Desmosedici GP, allowing me to be competitive in the last race in Germany. I hope to find these sensations again here at Assen. The weather is predicting rain, so the track conditions will be decisive on Sunday. In any case, I’m ready to face the last GP of the first part of the season.”

The Ducati Lenovo Team will take to the track for FP1 at the TT Circuit Assen this Friday, 24th June, at 9:55am local time. The Dutch GP will get underway on Sunday, 26th June at 14:00 CEST, over a 26-lap distance.

Circuit information

Country: Netherlands

Name: TT Circuit Assen

Best lap: Quartararo (Yamaha), 1:32.869 (176.0 km/h) – 2021

Circuit record: Viñales (Yamaha), 1:31.814 (178.0 km/h) – 2021

Top speed: Iannone (Ducati), 319.8 km/h – 2015

Track length: 4.555 km

Race distance: 26 laps (118.1 km)

Corners: 18 (6 left, 12 right)

2021 results

Podium: 1° Quartararo (Yamaha), 2° Viñales (Yamaha), 3° Mir (Suzuki)

Pole Position: Viñales (Yamaha), 1:31.814 (178.0 km/h)

Fastest lap: Quartararo (Yamaha), 1:32.869 (176.0 km/h)

Rider Information

Francesco Bagnaia

Bike: Ducati Desmosedici GP

Race Number: 63

GPs Started: 162 (57 x MotoGP, 36 x Moto2, 69 x Moto3)

First GP: Qatar 2019 (MotoGP), Qatar 2017 (Moto2), Qatar 2013 (Moto3)

Wins: 16 (6 MotoGP + 8 Moto2 + 2 Moto3)

First GP win: Aragón 2021 (MotoGP), Qatar 2018 (Moto2), Olanda 2016 (Moto3)

Pole positions: 16 (9 MotoGP + 6 Moto2 + 1 Moto3)

First pole: Qatar 2021 (MotoGP), Francia 2018 (Moto2), Gran Bretagna 2016 (Moto3)

World Titles: 1 (Moto2, 2018)

Jack Miller

Bike: Ducati Desmosedici GP

Race Number: 43

GPs Started: 182 (127 x MotoGP, 49 x Moto3, 6 x 125 cc)

First GP: Qatar 2015 (MotoGP), Qatar 2012 (Moto3), Germania 2011 (125 cc)

Wins: 9 (3 MotoGP + 6 Moto3)

First GP win: Olanda 2016 (MotoGP), Qatar 2014 (Moto3)

Pole positions: 9 (1 MotoGP + 8 Moto3)

First pole: Argentina 2018 (MotoGP), America 2014 (Moto3)

World Titles: –

Championship Information

Riders’ Standings

Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 6º (81 points)

Jack Miller (#43 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 7º (81 points)

Manufacturers’ Standings

Ducati – 1º (221 points)

Teams’ Standings

Ducati Lenovo Team – 4° (162 points)

UtahSBA: Norton Comes From Behind To Win Again

David Swarts

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June 22, 2022

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UtahSBA: Norton Comes From Behind To Win Again

Round 3 of the Utah Motorcycle Law Masters of the Mountains series was held on June 18 at Utah Motorcycle Campus on the East track configuration.

In a replay of round two qualifying, King of the Mountain series points leader Anthony Norton would qualify his Apex Assassins ZX-10R on pole with a fast lap time of 1:36.7. When it was time to race, Norton would make life more difficult for himself by being late to pre-grid, forcing him to start from the hot pit.

As the pack roared into Turn One, it would be Dave Meyer in first with Cole Phillips and Alex Zinaich in second and third, respectively. Norton would be the last competitor through Turn One as a consequence of his hot-pit starting position. Norton’s dead-last placing would not last for long as he put his head down in a furious chase, moving all the way up to fifth by Turn Eight of lap two.

Norton’s pace would not relent as he moved up to third by the start of lap three and second on Turn Seven of the same lap. On lap four Norton would set the fastest lap of the race at 1:34.6 and secure a lead he would not relinquish for the rest of the race. Behind Norton, Meyer and Phillips would run unchallenged in second and third, respectively, for the remainder of the race.

After the race Norton was quick to credit Moto Station SLC for their Pirelli tire trackside service and their combined contribution to his race victory.

Behind the lead trio of Norton, Meyer, and Phillips, Remington Mathews would mount an impressive charge starting at half race distance. Beginning in seventh and passing racers Lee McNutt and Alex Zinaich to finish fourth overall. Kellen Birch would try a hair-raising pass on Kevin Dolan in Turn One of lap five that would ultimately prove unsuccessful. From there Birch would have to settle for eighth overall as Dolan finished seventh.

In the afternoon’s Vortex Open Superbike race Kevin Dolan would win the holeshot, with David Meyer hot on his heels and Stephen Marco trailing in third. Meyer would be in the lead by Turn Seven and Cole Phillips would move ahead of Marco. At the end of lap one the running order would be Meyer, Dolan, Phillips. Phillips and Kellen Birch would have a great battle for third, swapping spots multiple times before Phillips was able to break away and open a gap. By the midpoint of the race Phillips, at this point in third, had caught up to Dolan running second, and would pull through in Turn Eight. The running order now Meyer, Phillips, Dolan. Dolan’s hold on third place would prove precarious though, as Birch trailing in fourth would move past Dolan into third for a podium order of Meyer, Phillips, Birch.

As the track went cold, Utah Sport Bike Association racers gathered together for our traditional post-race BBQ to chew the fat and make plans for Round 4 being held July ninth at Utah Motorsports Campus on the West track configuration.

The Utah Sport Bike Association wants to wish the best of luck to racer Anthony Norton in his upcoming campaign with MotoAmerica, competing in their upcoming round at Ridge Motorsports Park.

As always, the Utah Sport Bike Association is able to race with the help of our families, volunteers, and of course our sponsors. We wish to express a sincere and heartfelt thank you to all of you who make our series possible. We can’t wait to see you all at Round 4!

The Utah Sport Bike Association is a Utah Non-Profit dedicated to promoting education, safe riding, and competition in the Intermountain West. You can find more information about the USBA, upcoming events, and schools at www.utahsba.com or find us on Facebook.

Results:

Motostation/Moto United KOM Overall:

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX-10R)

2. David Meyer (YAM YZF-R1)

3. Cole Phillips (KAW ZX-10R)

4. Remington Mathews (BMW S 1000 RR)

5. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R1)

6. Lee McNutt (YAM YZF-R6)

Motostation KOM GTO:

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX-10R)

2. David Meyer (YAM YZF-R1)

3. Cole Phillips (KAW ZX-10R)

4. Remington Mathews (BMW S 1000 RR)

5. Alex Zinaich (YAM YZF-R1)

6. Lee McNutt (YAM YZF-R6)

Moto United KOM GTU:

1. Brian Naylor (KAW ZX-6R)

AZ Riding Academy Combined GTO

1. Joshua Snow (YAM YZF-R1)

2. Gilbert Gonzalez (KAW ZX-10R)

3. Jeff Taylor (YAM YZF-R1)

4. Christopher Mousley (YAM YZF-R1)

5. Sam Arquit (HON CBR1000RR)

6. Jake Ferdinand (APR RSV4)

Off Highway Van Combined GTU

1. Joshua Fisher (TRI 675R)

2. Chayce Lance (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Scott Christensen (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Brian Gerwe (HON CBR600RR)

5. Mario Fernandez (YAM YZF-R6)

6. Donald Rothfuss (YAM YZF-R6)

The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash – Expert

1. David Meyer (YAM YZF-R1)

2. Steven Marco (YAM YZF-R1)

3. Joshua Snow (YAM YZF-R1)

4. Sam Arquit (HON CBR1000RR)

5. Marshall Miller (BMW S 1000 RR)

6. Joshua Fisher (TRI 675R)

The Edge Powersports Deseret Dash – Novice

1. Mario Fernandez (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Brian Gerwe (HON CBR600RR)

3. Landon Mattson (SUZ GSX-R600)

4. Zach Jenson (YAM YZF-R6)

5. Russell Carpenter (YAM YZF-R6)

Harrison Eurosports Formula 40 – GTO

1. David Meyer (HON CBR1000RR)

2. Jeff Taylor (YAM YZF-R1)

3. Kevin Dolan (KAW ZX-10R)

4. Christopher Mousley (YAM YZF-R1)

Harrison Eurosports Formula 40 – GTU

1. Lee McNutt (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Kirk Doyle (KAW ZX-6R)

3. Eliu Heredia (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Phil O’Bryan (KAW ZX-6R)

5. Dustin Lance (YAM YZF-R6)

Velosio Lightweight Superbike

1. Mark Taylor (KAW Ninja 400)

2. Raab Gisseman (HON RS125)

The Weekend Garage Middleweight Superbike

1. Joshua Fisher (TRI 675R)

2. Andrew Skov (HON CBR600RR)

Toxic Moto Racing Middleweight Superstock

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX-6R)

2. Lee McNutt (YAM YZF-R6)

3. Joshua Fisher (TRI 675R)

4. Brian Naylor (KAW ZX-6R)

5. Nicholas Koken (YAM YZF-R6)

6. Alex Hatfield (YAM YZF-R6)

The Mechanic Modern Vintage – GTO

1. Joshua Snow (YAM YZF-R1)

2. Kevin Dolan (SUZ GSX-R1000)

3. Marshall Miller (BMW S 1000 RR)

4. Dave Loynd (HON CBR1000RR)

5. Robert Jojola (DUC 999)

The Mechanic Modern Vintage – GTU

1. Joshua Fisher (TRI 675R)

2. Kirk Doyle (KAW ZX-6R)

3. Stuart Clotworthy (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Daniel Bodon (KAW ZX-6R)

5. Phil O’Bryan (KAW ZX-6R)

6. Brian Gerwe (HON CBR600RR)

Karl Malone Powersports Moto 2

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX-6R)

2. Joshua Fisher (TRI 675R)

3. Brian Naylor (KAW ZX-6R)

4. Scott Christensen (YAM YZF-R6)

5. Nicholas Koken (YAM YZF-R6)

6. Landon Mattson (SUZ GSX-R600)

Redline Realty Moto 3

1. Mark Taylor (KAW Ninja 400)

2. Brian Gerwe (KAW Ninja 400)

3. Raab Gisseman (HON RS125)

4. Ian Jenson (YAM YZF-R3)

Legion of Speed Novice GTO

1. Jeff Taylor (YAM YZF-R1)

2. Christopher Mousley (YAM YZF-R1)

3. Jake Ferdinand (APR RSV4)

4. Scott Christensen (YAM YZF-R6)

5. Nolan Kiiskila(KAW ZX-6R)

6. Joseph Ruck (SUZ GSX-R1000)

Trackstar Novice GTU

1. Scott Christensen (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Kirk Doyle (KAW ZX-6R)

3. Landon Mattson (SUZ GSX-R600)

4. Zach Jenson (YAM YZF-R6)

5. Mario Fernandez (YAM YZF-R6)

6. Eliu Heredia (YAM YZF-R6)

Vortex Open Superbike

1. David Meyer (YAM YZF-R1)

2. Cole Phillips (KAW ZX-10R)

3. Kellen Birch (YAM YZF-R1)

4. Sam Arquit (HON CBR1000RR)

5. Marshall Miller (BMW S 1000 RR)

6. Kevin Dolan (KAW ZX-10R)

MotoUnited Open Superstock

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX-10R)

3. Steven Marco (YAM YZF-R1)

3. Cole Phillips (KAW ZX-10R)

4. Kellen Birch (YAM YZF-R1)

5. Lee McNutt (YAM YZF-R6)

Karl Malone Powersports Open Twins

1. Joshua Fisher (TRI 675R)

2. Donald Rothfuss (DUC 848)

3. Robert Jojola (DUC 999)

4. Jared Baird (DUC 1299)

TruSolace Production 500

1. Mark Taylor (KAW Ninja 400)

2. Brian Gerwe (KAW Ninja 400)

3. Ian Jenson (YAM YZF-R3)

4. Raab Gisseman (HON RS125)

Monarch Powersports Sportsman

1. Eliu Heredia (YAM YZF-R6)

2. Robert Jojola (DUC 999)

3. Jordan DeJarnett (YAM YZF-R6)

4. Jared Baird (DUC 1299)

5. Raab Gisseman (HON RS125)

6. Daniel Bodon (KAW ZX-6R)

Napa Auto Parts Tooele Stock 1000

1. Anthony Norton (KAW ZX-10R)

5. Cole Phillips (KAW ZX-10R)

3. Steven Marco (YAM YZF-R1)

4. Kellen Birch (YAM YZF-R1)

5. Jeff Taylor (YAM YZF-R1)

6. Joshua Snow (YAM YZF-R1)

Carbonsmith Super Street Bike

1. Victor Arias (YAM YZF-R1)

2. Alex Zinaich (YAM FZ1)

3. Remington Mathews (KTM Super Duke 1290R)

4. Robert Jojola (DUC 1199)

R.I.P. Race Promoter, Track Owner, Auto Retailer Bruton Smith

David Swarts

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June 22, 2022

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R.I.P. Race Promoter, Track Owner, Auto Retailer Bruton Smith

LEGENDARY BUSINESSMAN, PHILANTHROPIST AND NASCAR HALL OF FAMER BRUTON SMITH PASSES AWAY

A visionary and transformative figure in both business and entertainment, Ollen Bruton Smith, the founder and executive chairman of Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH), Speedway Motorsports and Speedway Children’s Charities died today of natural causes. He was 95.

Born March 2, 1927, Smith was the youngest of nine children and grew up on a modest farm in Oakboro, North Carolina. As a member of the Greatest Generation, Smith learned the value of hard work early in life. With an inspiring determination and relentless optimism, Smith built a business empire through the automotive and motorsports industries and left a legacy to inspire generations of his family, friends and colleagues.

“My parents taught us what work was all about,” Smith said in 2008. “As I look back, that was a gift, even though I certainly didn’t think so at the time. A lot of people don’t have that gift because they didn’t grow up working. But if you are on a family farm, that’s what you do. Everything is hard work.”

Smith founded Speedway Motorsports by consolidating his motorsports holdings in December 1994, and in February 1995, he made it the first motorsports company to trade on the New York Stock Exchange. Today the company owns and operates 11 motorsports entertainment facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, Texas Motor Speedway, Dover Motor Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway and Kentucky Speedway.

Speedway Motorsports also owns and operates subsidiaries SMI Properties, U.S. Legend Cars International, Performance Racing Network and zMAX Micro Lubricants.

In January of 1997, Smith founded Sonic Automotive and took it public on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:SAH) in November of the same year. In just a few years, Smith grew Sonic into one of the nation’s largest companies, and in 2000 it was first officially recognized as a Fortune 500 company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Sonic Automotive is now a Fortune 300 company and one of the nation’s largest automotive retailers with over 160 retail dealerships in over 23 states, representing 25 automotive brands. Since inception, Sonic Automotive dealerships have received many nationally recognized awards and accolades for exceeding customer satisfaction and automotive retail brand performance standards.

In 2014, Smith’s passion for automotive retail continued with the creation of EchoPark Automotive. A subsidiary of Sonic Automotive, EchoPark Automotive is the company’s high growth segment rooted in providing high quality pre-owned vehicles, while delivering a world-class guest experience. The company currently operates over 40 EchoPark Automotive locations nationwide.

Smith’s first job outside the family farm came at age 12 when he went to work at a local saw mill. Two days after graduating from Oakboro High School, Smith took a job in a hosiery mill, before he eventually made a purchase that would lead him to two successful business careers.

“I bought a race car for $700. The whole idea at that time was that I was going to be a race car driver,” Smith once explained. “I learned to drive, but that career didn’t last long.” Smith’s mother had other ideas and prayed to a higher authority. “She started fighting dirty,” laughed Smith in a 2005 interview with Motorsport.com. “You can’t fight your mom and God, so I stopped driving.”

Smith sold his first car, a 1939 Buick sedan, for a small profit and continued to sell cars from his mother’s front yard. The young entrepreneur also promoted his first race before he was 18 years old.

“There was a whole lot of unrest with the drivers and car owners at that time,” Smith continued. “We had a meeting and I was unlucky enough to be appointed a committee of one to promote a race. I had never done that, but I promoted a race in Midland, North Carolina, and I made a little bit of money, so I thought I’d try it again.”

In his early 20s, Smith’s career as promoter and car salesman took a turn when he was drafted by the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Smith served two years stateside as a paratrooper, then returned to selling cars and promoting auto races featuring the burgeoning National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). Through a rough era for the sport, Smith was one of the first professional promoters to pay good purses, tend to the needs of the fans and find unique ways to promote events at speedways he leased around North Carolina.

“I’m a frustrated builder who had a knack for promoting races and it’s been fun to always try and push the sport to greater heights for the fans,” Smith told the Associated Press in 2015.

In 1959, he partnered with NASCAR driver Curtis Turner and built his first permanent motorsports facility, Charlotte Motor Speedway. The track opened in June 1960 with a 600-mile race, the longest ever in NASCAR’s history.

In the years that followed, Smith found success opening several automotive dealerships. Opened in 1966, his first dealership was Frontier Ford in Rockford, Ill, where he married and started a family. While growing his automotive business, Smith’s passion for auto racing never wavered.

“I love the racing business. I want to contribute more and more,” Smith said in 2015. “You hear us preach about ‘fan friendly.’ I think that is a driver for me to just do more things. I enjoy the contributions I’ve been able to make to the sport.”

Under Smith’s innovative direction, Speedway Motorsports facilities were the first in racing to add condominiums, fine-dining Speedway Clubs, superspeedway lighting and giant high-definition video screens.

“When you think about the Charlotte Motor Speedway and Bristol, and tracks like New Hampshire and Sonoma and Atlanta, he’s been the best,” 2019 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee and fellow automobile dealer Roger Penske told NASCAR.com in 2016. “There’s no question. He set the bar.”

“His mind is racing all the time; he’s done so much for the sport,” said Rick Hendrick, an auto dealer and fellow NASCAR Hall of Famer, in a 2016 interview with NASCAR.com. “He’s so brave to step out and try things that have never been tried before. He helped build this sport.”

Following a 2021 victory at zMAX Dragway, John Force dedicated the win to Smith.

“I love this guy and everything he’s done for our sport,” said the 16-time NHRA champion. “I’m excited I get to send this trophy home to somebody I love—a guy who built our sport.”

“I learned from my own experience that when people go to an event – like a big race – they may know who won the race, but all the other stuff they don’t remember,” Smith once said.

“I want to put something on so regardless who won the race, it will be a memorable experience. We’re here to entertain fans, and I want them to go home with a memory that will last forever.”

A true entrepreneur at heart, Smith had a passion for growing people and business. His love of the automobile and racing businesses drove him to continually build and expand, all while taking care of his family and co-workers.

Among his accolades, Smith was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s 2016 class. In 2007, he was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and he became a member of the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame in 2006.

Even with his many accomplishments in motorsports, Smith often commented that the auto retail business was his first love and maintained his primary office at his Town & Country Ford dealership in Charlotte throughout his distinguished career.

“You have trophies, you have championships, you have wins, but friends are what really make the difference,” fellow NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Darrell Waltrip said about Smith in 2019. “Bruton Smith has been one of my heroes since I started racing in NASCAR in 1972.”

In addition to his business interests, Smith founded Speedway Children’s Charities in 1982 as a memoriam and legacy to his son, Bruton Cameron Smith, who passed away at a very young age. Given his experience, Smith became passionate about wanting to help children in need and Speedway Children’s Charities was created to focus on serving communities surrounding Speedway Motorsports race tracks. Speedway Children’s Charities chapters work with organizations to identify and resolve pressing issues ranging from learning disabilities and broken homes to hunger and childhood cancer.

Under Smith’s leadership, Speedway Children’s Charities has distributed more than $61 million to local organizations across the country that improve the quality of life for children in need.

Survivors include sons Scott, Marcus and David; his daughter, Anna Lisa; their mother, Bonnie Smith; and seven grandchildren. Information regarding funeral arrangements will be released at a later date.

Northern Talent Cup: American-Born Moor Holds Point Lead Into Assen

David Swarts

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June 22, 2022

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Northern Talent Cup: American-Born Moor Holds Point Lead Into Assen

Moor vs Farkas descends on the Cathedral

The Northern Talent Cup heads to Assen for Round 4 of the season, with Farkas hunting Moor in the overall standings

Wednesday, 22 June 2022

After a scorching – both on and off track – weekend at the Sachsenring, the Northern Talent Cup paddock have made the short trip north as Round 4 takes us to an all-time classic; commonly referred to as the Cathedral of Speed, otherwise known as the TT Circuit Assen.

As has oft been the case since the NTC began, the two races we witnessed in Germany were nothing short of sensational. Cup leader Rossi Moor (FARIUM Next Generation Riders) continued his fine form to win Race 1 at the Sachsenring and crossed the line first in Race 2, however the Hungarian was penalised for exceeding track limits on the last lap.

This promoted Kevin Farkas (Agria Racing Team) to the top step on Sunday afternoon, as Farkas and compatriot Moor picked up 45 points apiece in Germany. This was Farkas’ first victory since he beat Moor on the last lap in Race 2 at Le Mans, with the Hungarian duo now split by 33 points at the top of the standings. That’s in Moor’s favour, with the number 92 yet to finish off the podium in 2022, but both riders have podium pedigree in Assen. Which way will the title pendulum swing this weekend?

Elsewhere, home hero Dustin Schneider (Goblin Racing) and Oschersleben Race 1 winner Lenoxx Phommara (Team Phommara) were able to secure podiums in Germany, and both head to Assen full of confidence knowing that podiums are the target every weekend.

Loris Veneman (TeamNL Open Line) slipped to fourth in the standings after finishing 6th and 10th – the latter after a penalty – last time out, but there’s no better place to bounce back on home soil. The Dutchman and Sachsenring polesitter Jurrien van Crugden (BB64 Academy) have scored points in every race so far in 2022, so can they keep that run up and stand on the podium at Assen? That would be the dream for both.

Race 1 at the Dutch TT gets underway at 17:15 local time (GMT+2) on Saturday, with Race 2 kicking off at 16:20 on Sunday afternoon!

MotoAmerica: Tight Superbike Championship Heads To “The Ridge” (Updated)

David Swarts

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June 22, 2022

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MotoAmerica: Tight Superbike Championship Heads To “The Ridge” (Updated)

MotoAmerica Boasts Four Different Superbike Winners Heading To Ridge Motorsports Park Round

The Pacific Northwest Welcomes MotoAmerica Medallia Superbikes For The Dynapac MotoAmerica Superbikes At The Ridge Event

IRVINE, CA (June 22, 2022) – With eight of 20 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike races in the books in 2022 and the series headed to the Pacific Northwest to begin its brief West Coast swing, only seven points separate first from second in the championship. And with a quartet of winners emerging from the first eight races, just 37 points separate first from fourth in the title chase. A look back at last year shows that after four rounds (and eight races), only two riders had tasted victory with champion-to-be Jake Gagne winning seven of the eight to lead Mathew Scholtz (who won the only race Gagne hadn’t won) by a whopping 44 points. Meanwhile, 67 points separated the top four and it was a forgone conclusion that this was just a two-horse race before the series had even reached the halfway mark. And the lead horse showed absolutely no signs of letting up.

The fact that Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC’s Danilo Petrucci is leading the 2022 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship isn’t a surprise. Most figured he’d win races and contend for the title. Not many, however, would have predicted that Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne would be third in the series standings and 25 points adrift with three wins, two DNFs and a podium-free visit to Wisconsin and Road America. Say what?

Petrucci will pay visit to Ridge Motorsports Park this coming weekend for the first time in the Dynapac MotoAmerica Superbikes At The Ridge event, and he will do so as the 2022 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike points leader with 140 points from the first eight races. Petrucci started off with a bang with three-straight wins, had his first and only DNF thus far in race two at Road Atlanta, and has been on the podium in three of the last four races.

The man who is chasing the hardest at this point in the season is Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz, the South African taking his first race win of 2022 in race one at Road America a few weeks ago. Despite following that win the next day with a lackluster eighth-place outing in race two, Scholtz sits just seven points behind Petrucci after finishing on the podium in six of eight races.

Then comes Gagne. Nobody in their right mind would have bet that the defending MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Champion would win three straight races going into Road America but emerge from there without a podium finish. But that’s exactly what happened. Gagne, fresh off a doubleheader sweep at VIRginia International Raceway going into Wisconsin, had brought Petrucci’s lead back to a manageable 13 points. But with his non-podium finishes of fifth (he crashed and remounted in last to charge through the pack) and fourth (in a mostly wet race) at Road America, Gagne sees Petrucci’s lead jump back out to 25 points heading to Ridge. Still, there don’t seem to be many worried faces in the Gagne camp.

The fourth man to win a Superbike race in 2022 is Gagne’s teammate Cameron Petersen, the South African taking his first win of the season and his first with his new Yamaha team in race two at Road America. Petersen is now 37 points behind Petrucci with his efforts slowed a bit with a race-one mechanical DNF in Wisconsin.

Prior to Road America, Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Hector Barbera had a clean 2022 record with points scored in every round. In race one at Road America, Barbera landed on the podium for the first time in a MotoAmerica Superbike race to keep that perfect points-in-every-round tally going. But on Sunday, that was gone with the Spaniard following up his best career effort with his first non-finish of the year. Still, Barbera sits fifth, though he’s now in a heated battle or the spot.

Just four points behind Barbera is Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Jake Lewis with the Kentuckian just five points ahead of PJ Jacobsen on the second of the Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RRs.

Jacobsen is coming to Washington hot off his first career MotoAmerica Superbike podium with the New Yorker pressuring Petersen to the very end of race two at Road America while also holding off the advances of third-placed Petrucci.

Lewis’s teammate Richie Escalante had a rough go of it at Road America with the 2020 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion only scoring 10 points in total from the two races. Escalante now drops four points behind Jacobsen and is just six ahead of Aftercare Hayes Scheibe Racing’s Ashton Yates.

Tytlers Cycle/RideHVMC Racing’s Travis Wyman rounds out the top 10 in the series standings heading to the Pacific Northwest and Ridge Motorsports Park.

Ridge Motorsports Park Pre-Race Superbike Notes…

Last year, Ridge Motorsports Park hosted round four of the 2021 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship. This year the stop in Washington will be the fifth round of the series in 2022 after rounds in Texas, Georgia, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Ridge is the first of two races on the West Coast with WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, scheduled for round six, July 8-10.

Jake Gagne won his sixth and seventh Superbike races in a row last year at Ridge en route to winning 17 straight and the 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. Gagne beat his then-teammate Josh Herrin in both races in 2021.

In addition to winning both races, Gagne also sat on pole position after lapping at a best of 1:39.568 (a new lap record on the 2.47-mile track) on his Yamaha YZF-R1. Frenchman Loris Baz qualified second on the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Panigale V4 R with Cameron Petersen completing the front row on the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Jake Gagne hasn’t won every race this year, but he has been on pole position for all four rounds thus far – COTA, Road Atlanta, VIR and Road America.

This year’s race at Ridge will mark the third time that MotoAmerica has visited the track in Shelton. In the debut season of the series holding a round at Ridge in 2020, Cameron Beaubier won both Superbike races. With Jake Gagne winning both last year, Yamaha has won all four MotoAmerica Superbike races at Ridge.

Thirty-eight Superbikes will attempt to qualify for the two MotoAmerica Medallia races at Ridge. The most popular bike in the field is Yamaha’s YZF-R1 with 12 entries. BMW is next up with 10, followed by Suzuki with seven, Kawasaki with five, Honda with three and Ducati with Danilo Petrucci’s lone Panigale V4 R.

Two riders are currently tied for the lead in the Superbike Cup, the class within a class for those riders competing in Superbike on Stock 1000 machines. Ezra Beaubier and Danilo Lewis are tied for the lead with 110 points with Hunter Dunham and Jeremy Coffey only two and five points further adrift, respectively, heading into the round at Ridge.

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

More, from a press release issued by Westby Racing:

Just Seven Points Back, Mathew Scholtz And Westby Racing Look To Ridge For An Edge In Superbike Championship

Mathew Scholtz (11). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Westby Racing.

Tulsa, OK – June 22, 2022 – Round five of the 2022 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship starts this Friday at Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington. Everyone on the Westby Racing team, especially Mathew Scholtz, rider of the #11 Westby Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike, is motivated to make up the narrow, seven-point deficit in the season point standings.

Among the things that weigh in Mathew’s favor is his familiarity with Ridge’s twisty, 16-turn, 2.47-mile road course. This will be his third visit to the Pacific Northwest track, while current championship leader Danilo Petrucci will be visiting Ridge for the very first time in his career this weekend.

“I’m seeking a little bit of redemption at Ridge since we struggled there quite a bit last year,” Mathew said. “We’ve got a completely different package this year, so I am really looking forward to much better results this weekend. Coming off a win at Road America, we have a lot of confidence going into Ridge, and I feel great on the bike and with what we’re doing. The team is working well.

“Sunday’s race at Road America was a bit of a disappointment, but I know we will bounce back from that. The weather (in Washington) looks a lot cooler than it was last year, which is going to make things a little bit easier. Usually, the tighter, twistier tracks are the ones that suit me, so this weekend should be really good for us. I can’t wait to get back on the bike, keep this momentum going, and keep on challenging for the championship. We’re not too far behind Petrucci, so we need to keep our heads down and keep working hard.”

Superbike final qualifying is on Saturday morning at 10:25 a.m. PT, Superbike race one will go green on Saturday afternoon at 3:10 p.m. PT, and Superbike Race 2 is on Sunday afternoon also at 3:10 p.m. PT. Both races will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 2 (FS2).

For all the action from Ridge Motorsports Park, as it happens, subscribe to MotoAmerica Live+, which is MotoAmerica’s live streaming and on-demand service.

Meet Mathew, Get An Autographed Poster, And More

Mathew will be available for autographs during the Dunlop Hot Pit Walk & Autograph Session, scheduled for 11 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday on pit lane at Ridge. He and the team will be handing out free posters and T-shirts, so don’t miss it.

Check Out The Westby Racing Sponsor Showcase

Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. and Pro-Bolt USA are the featured team sponsors on display in the Westby Racing paddock area this race weekend, so be sure to stop by to say hello and learn about some of the companies that support the team.

For more updates about Westby Racing, including news, photos, and videos, visit https://www.WestbyRacing.com

Also, follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites.

More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America:

MotoAmerica Round 5 – Petrucci Leads The Charge Heading to The Ridge

Washington State beckons for Danilo Petrucci as MotoAmerica Superbike heads to The Ridge

Sunnyvale, Calif., June 22, 2022 – Danilo Petrucci (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC) heads to the half-way point of the 2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at The Ridge this weekend with competition focused on the series points leader.

The Italian sits on 140 points, seven clear of Mathew Scholtz and 25 ahead of defending champion Jake Gagne. However, the Italian is under no illusions of the task at hand in his first visit to the scenic, undulating venue located among the pine trees of Shelton, Washington.

Two races with a possible 50 points up for grabs this weekend in Washington gives Petrucci a chance to solidify his title lead heading into round six at the world-famous Laguna Seca July 8-10.

Danilo Petrucci (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC – Ducati #9)

“I’m happy to be back racing on my Ducati,” Petrucci said. “For me, The Ridge is a completely new track and I recently had a look at some videos from the race last year but I can’t wait to ride this track. It’s really flowing, and there’s a lot of fast and blind corners so this will be good for the Panigale. I’m not looking at the championship. We’re not even at the middle of the year so I just want to win again and stand on that top step of the podium.”

Round five of the 2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship kicks off with practice on Friday, June 24 with race one scheduled for 3:10 pm (PDT) on Saturday, June 25. Race two is scheduled for 3:10 pm (PDT) on Sunday, June 26.

MotoGP: Dorna Previews The Dutch Grand Prix At Assen

David Swarts

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June 22, 2022

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MotoGP: Dorna Previews The Dutch Grand Prix At Assen

All hail the Cathedral: MotoGP™ arrives in Assen

History meets modernity at a true jewel on the calendar. This is the TT Circuit Assen

Wednesday, 22 June 2022

It’s called the Cathedral for a reason. Only missing in 2020 due to the changes obliged to the calendar, the TT Circuit Assen has otherwise been a mainstay of motorcycle Grand Prix racing since the world’s first motorsport World Championship began in 1949. The venue has gone from a long street circuit to a shorter but no less incredible track over the seven decades since, creating some of the greatest racing in the world every time we return. In 2022, that time is now!

After deposing the “no Yamaha win since 2009” stat at the Sachsenring, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) arrives on the front foot and with his eye on another: no one’s won back to back at Assen since Valentino Rossi did it in 2004 and 2005. Since the Quartararo reigned last year in the Netherlands, it’s within reach… and his form only backs that statement up yet further. Three in a row would be quite a way to head into summer break.

Elsewhere at Yamaha, Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™) and Andrea Dovizioso will want more, the latter a former podium finisher at Assen and the former looking for a bounce back before summer break. Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), meanwhile, continues looking for a big step forward, the Italian well outside his already conquered postcode of the podium fight so far in 2022.

At Aprilia, meanwhile, it can raise a smile that one of their worst races of the season so far, all told, is still in fact what the Noale factory would have been aiming for at the start of just last season. “Worst” describing fourth place for Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) still maintains the number 41 in second overall and was another consistent, big-points finish he’ll be looking to build on again.

On the other side of the garage there’s another two-sided coin for Maverick Viñales from Germany too: he suffered a technical issue and had to retire, but he had to retire after having been pinned to the back of his teammate for some time, looking like a podium charge was on the cards. Will there be one at Assen? It’s those final laps of the race, the ones we didn’t get to see at the Sachsenring, where ‘Top Gun’ often shines, and everything seems to be coming together.

That statement is also true of Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing). The Frenchman is on a steady upward curve of results with the next natural number in the progression being 1 aka the win. As satisfying a stat as that would be, his recent run already stands alone as impressive. Now third overall – and top Ducati in the Championship – can he pull another podium out the bag?

Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) did just that in Germany to put some tougher races behind him, and ‘Thriller’ did it despite a Long Lap penalty too. Of all those on the grid, Miller’s memories of Assen are probably the sweetest as he took that incredible win in 2016, so what can he do in 2022? And can Jorge Martin (Prima Racing) find something more? What will Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) have in the locker after impressive speed in Germany? Can Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) bounce back from a stint of going AWOL?

Then, of course, there’s Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). From bad luck in Barcelona to a slide out of second at the Sachsenring, it’s been a tougher few weeks for the number 63. Assen hasn’t traditionally been the best for Ducati, but Pecco even has the track as a tattoo, having taken his very first win there in Moto3™ in 2016. He’s also reigned in Moto2™, and knows his way around the Cathedral. The gap to the top is now a big one, but the season is only half way done…

Lurking a single point above both Bagnaia and Miller in the standings, meanwhile, is the truest Sunday rider of late – in the best sense. No matter the grid position, when the lights go out Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) wrings some magic out of his KTM, and he’s now into the top five overall. It’s never two or three positions either, it’s a charge as far as the charge can possibly go, and it’s paying dividends. Can he and teammate Miguel Oliveira – who is gaining back some solid form too – take that extra step forward at Assen?

Another factory looking for more, in their case a real bounce back, is Suzuki. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) crashed out in Germany after that stunning charge in Barcelona, and the number 36 will be gunning for glory at Assen. Teammate Alex Rins, meanwhile, tried to take part put then hit a serious pain barrier before withdrawing due to his wrist. Can he try again at Assen?

Finally, Honda. The stat sounds a little brutal: no points for the first time since the French GP in 1982. But all told, that happening at the track where the marque won the previous 11 races probably takes the sting out, as is likely also true of the well-stocked trophy cabinet added to in the intervening decades. It’s a tough run, however, with Stefan Bradl the sole finisher for Repsol Honda Team, teammate Pol Espargaro riding through the pain barrier, Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) suffering a technical issue and Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) sliding out. All four riders have shown much more this season already, so the TT Circuit Assen will certainly bring the factory back into the points as a minimum, and offer some more track time as they fettle the all-new RC213V.

Classic, historic, and nestled in the north of one of northern Europe’s most vibrant countries, there have already been 72 great reasons to visit Assen – or tune in. This weekend provides the 73rd as MotoGP™ returns to the Cathedral, so join us at 14:00 (GMT +2) on Sunday for the final showdown before summer break!

MotoGP™ CHAMPIONSHIP: TOP 5

1 Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) – Yamaha – 172

2 Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) – Aprilia – 138

3 Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) – Ducati – 111

4 Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – Ducati – 100

5 Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) – KTM – 82

Rainey Rides Yamaha YZR500 At Goodwood Festival Of Speed

David Swarts

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June 22, 2022

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Rainey Rides Yamaha YZR500 At Goodwood Festival Of Speed

Three-time 500cc Grand Prix World Champion and current President of MotoAmerica Wayne Rainey rode his 1992 World Championship-winning Yamaha YZR500 today at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, in England.

The annual event celebrating all motorsports, past and present, takes place on a 1.1-mile (1.8 km) hillclimb course on the grounds of the Goodwood House. This year’s event will run from Thursday, June 23 through Sunday, June 26.

Rainey rode today to get re-acquainted with his Grand Prix racebike, which has been converted to be operated with only hand controls.

Rainey was paralyzed from the chest down when he suffered a spinal injury in a crash in 1993.

Wayne Rainey preparing to head out on track at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Photo courtesy Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Not only will this be Rainey’s first time appearing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed it will also be his first time riding a racebike since his career-ending injury.

“I’m incredibly excited to not only be attending my first Goodwood Festival of Speed this summer, but to be riding my 1992 Yamaha YZR500 up the famous hillclimb,” Rainey was quoted as saying in a press release issued by Yamaha. “It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and one that I just couldn’t pass up. I want to thank the Yamaha Motor Company for preparing my 1992 YZR500 and adapting it for me to ride, MotoAmerica for helping make the entire project fly, and The Duke of Richmond for really making this a reality. I can’t wait to meet the fans who come from all over the world for the Goodwood Festival of Speed.”

To learn more about the Goodwood Festival of Speed go to www.goodwood.com.

Three-time 500cc Grand Prix World Champion Wayne Rainey (1) riding his 1992 World Championship-winning Yamaha YZR500 Wednesday in preparation for this weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed in England. Photo courtesy Goodwood Festival of Speed. — Three-time 500cc Grand Prix World Champion Wayne Rainey (1) riding his 1992 World Championship-winning Yamaha YZR500 Wednesday in preparation for this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in England. Photo courtesy Goodwood Festival of Speed.

MotoAmerica: Petrucci Undecided About 2023 Racing Plans

June 23, 2022

Danilo Petrucci (9). Photo by Brian J. Nelson. — Danilo Petrucci (9), as seen on his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC Panigale V4 R Superbike at Circuit of The Americas early in 2022. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

European media outlets are reporting that Danilo Petrucci, the current MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship leader, may join the Aruba.it Ducati World Superbike team next year, but the 31-year-old Italian says his 2023 racing plans are undecided.

“For sure, Ducati is following us really close [and] is helping us. I know that I am one of the riders on the list,” Petrucci exclusively told Roadracingworld.com Thursday in the paddock at Ridge Motorsports Park, site of this weekend’s MotoAmerica event. “I got the chance also last year, but last year after MotoGP I needed a bit of rest to, let’s say, take the level a little bit down. Not the riding but less pressure. For a rider, racing in [World] Superbike is like racing in MotoGP. I don’t want any more to have this kind of pressure.

“First of all, I want to win this Championship, and then I decide. I don’t think Ducati [is in a] hurry to know the name of the second rider, and especially from my point of view, I need to understand what I like to do.

“At the moment, to tell the truth, I have no idea about it. I really don’t know what Championship I will do next year, but it is something I don’t want to be in a hurry and take a decision now because I want to have a clear idea.

“Let’s see. I think I want to continue racing, but I don’t know in what Championship. For sure, I told the Ducati guys I will not go in the Dakar next year because it is too tough. If I want to, for example, [race in] MotoAmerica next year, going to the Dakar and the preparation and then leaving again for MotoAmerica, it’s too much. I am not any more a young boy. I need a bit of rest.”

MotoAmerica: Previews Of The Other Classes Racing At “The Ridge”

June 23, 2022

The SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup class promises plenty of action at the front with the MotoAmerica Championship visiting Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington, this weekend. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.