CMRA Releases 2025 Schedule (Updated)

John Ulrich

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November 26, 2024

The Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA) is excited to announce its 2025 schedule! Seven action-packed rounds with an eighth round being finalized, racers won’t be waiting long to take to the track again.

Changes for 2025 include:

Hallett Motor Racing Circuit and Motorsport Ranch-Cresson will be 2 day events – no Friday practice.

No Weekend License fee for other racing organizations’ licensed racers! Come race with us for a weekend and only pay race entry fees!

We have a new online registration format and CMRA app to make the process fast and easy. The app can be found here: https://app.jotform.com/241354867362159

Our partnership with WERA is still in place, and points can be earned in select classes towards the WERA Grand National Finals held at the end of the season at Barber Motorsports Park! You must be a WERA licensed racer, and can purchase the WERA license any time at a CMRA event.

A detailed schedule will be released when finalized. 2025 CMRA license applications are available now. Go to: https://cmraracing.com/ for additional information, or call us at (817) 570-9779 during office hours; 9 am-5 pm Monday-Friday.

2025 CMRA Schedule

FEB 14 – 16 MSR Houston – Angleton, TX

MAR 22 – 23 Hallett Motor Racing Circuit – Hallett OK

APR 26 – 27 TBA

JUN 6 – 8 NOLA Motorsport Park – Avondale LA

JUL 5 – 6 Motorsport Ranch – Cresson TX

AUG 8 – 10 Eagles Canyon Raceway – Decatur TX

SEPT 6 – 7 Hallett Motor Racing Circuit – Hallett OK

OCT 24 – 26 Eagles Canyon Raceway – Decatur TX

More, from a press release issued by Jeff Bean:

Jeff Bean Wins 2024 CMRA Lightweight Expert Overall Championship

Finishing up strongly at the final CMRA round (Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association) at Eagles Canyon, in Decatur, Texas, Jeff Bean secured the points necessary to win the overall Lightweight Championship. Thus earning him the #1 plate for this division, which includes twin cylinder, water-cooled motorcycles, less than 700cc.

Jeff Bean, 2024 CMRA Lightweight Championship Winner, pictured with Dale Keiffer, of Racer’s Edge Performance, Dunlop’s west coast race tire distributor.

In this eight-event series, spanning February through October, Jeff competed on five different tracks throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana; accumulating 19 podiums and 9 wins. Riding a Yamaha FZ-07, wrapped in Dunlop Ntec slicks, Jeff thanks Dale Keiffer, with Racer’s Edge Performance, Dunlop’s west coast race tire distributor, for his help and input. Dale had this to say: “I’m very proud of Jeff Bean‘s accomplishments this year. I got to know Jeff a few years ago when he ventured out west to race a few rounds at CVMA (Chuckwalla Valley Raceway), but I didn’t realize how fast he was around on those tracks that CMRA races on!”

On the same Yamaha platform, Jeff also had a strong showing in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup in 2024; finishing 15th overall, including five top-ten placings.

After multiple years in the Lightweight class, Jeff is bumping up to Supersport for 2025 and IS currently testing a Ducati Panigale V2 Next Gen motorcycle.

MotoAmerica Hosting Team Test At Podium Club In Arizona February 22-23

John Ulrich

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November 26, 2024

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MotoAmerica Hosting Team Test At Podium Club In Arizona February 22-23

MotoAmerica To Host Official Test At Podium Club In Arizona

Official Preseason Test Scheduled For Podium Club, February 22-23

IRVINE, CA (November 26, 2024) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, has announced that it will hold an official preseason test at the Podium Club in Casa Grande, Arizona, February 22-23.

The two-day test will have sessions for four MotoAmerica classes – Superbike, Supersport, Twins Cup, and King Of The Baggers. Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup riders may also apply to attend if they have Superbike-level qualifying lap times. Each class will be allotted four 20- to 30-minute sessions per day.

“We’ve been eager to bring back a preseason test for some time now,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “The Podium Club is a relatively new circuit that several of our race teams have utilized over the past year. It offers the advantage of reliable weather conditions, which can be a challenge at other tracks that early in the season. We’re anticipating a strong turnout of teams and riders and are looking forward to a productive test.”

All participants must submit an entry to participate in the test, including those with season entries, and riders must be registered with MotoAmerica in order to apply.

The Podium Club features a 2.32-mile, 15-turn racetrack and is located a half a mile south of Interstate 8 and eight miles west of Interstate 10 in Case Grande, Arizona.

“We are thrilled to welcome MotoAmerica to the Podium Club for their official preseason test,” said Podium Club General Manager John Mabry. “The positive feedback we’ve received from riders and teams who have already tested here speaks to the quality of our track and our unwavering commitment to safety and performance. This opportunity reflects our dedication to advancing motorsports in Arizona and providing a professional and safe venue for top-level teams and organizations.”

For entry information, visit https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/dunlop-pre-season-test-podium-club-motoamerica-929167

About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including 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, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on demand service, MotoAmerica Live+

KTM AG Is Undergoing “Strategic Restructuring” Due To Financial Woes

John Ulrich

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November 26, 2024

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KTM AG Is Undergoing “Strategic Restructuring” Due To Financial Woes

KTM Announces Strategic Restructuring Plan

Austria – 26 November, 2024 – KTM CEO Stefan Pierer and Co-CEO Gottfried Neumeister today addressed the company’s more than 5,000 employees, unveiling a comprehensive plan to navigate the current financial challenges and ensure a robust future for KTM.

KTM Co-CEO Gottfried Neumeister (left) and KTM CEO Stefan Pierer (right). KTM photo.

Making KTM robust for the future

Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM AG: “Over the past three decades, we have grown to become Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer. We inspire millions of motorcycle riders around the world with our products. Now we are taking a pit stop for the future. The KTM brand is my life’s work, and I will fight for it.”

KTM, which has grown from 160 employees and a production volume of 6,000 units in 1992 to a capacity of up to 1,000 motorcycles per day, is now facing significant hurdles. To address these, KTM will initiate a legal restructuring proceeding with self-administration. The application will be submitted on Friday, 29 November, with the goal of concluding the process within 90 days.

Since September 2024, Gottfried Neumeister has joined the Executive Board as Co-CEO. Stefan Pierer: “Gottfried Neumeister has brought impressive experience and a breath of fresh air and has made a significant contribution to addressing the current situation. I am convinced that together we will get the company back on track for success.”

Gottfried Neumeister, Co-CEO of KTM AG: “The enthusiasm of our employees is our most important competitive advantage. Their passion is the reason why KTM is globally synonymous with peak performance. We build our motorcycles reliably and robustly for every race, for every terrain. Now it’s about making the company robust. Robust for the future. So that we can quickly focus again on what we do best: building the coolest motorcycles in the world.”

Pierer and Neumeister emphasized the importance of the employees’ commitment and support during this period. “Together, we have made KTM a success story, and together, we will carry KTM into the future,” they stated.

For more information and to watch the full statement by Stefan Pierer and Gottfried Neumeister, please visit the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P8uT_7JGNM

Pedro Acosta recently testing a 2025 KTM RC16 MotoGP racebike. He’s running #37 in 2025 instead of the #31 he ran in 2024 MotoGP because his preferred #37 (which he ran in Moto2) was already taken (and now isn’t ). Photo by Michael Gougis.

KTM North America’s Take:

KTM North America’s Media Relations Manager Andrew Jefferson issued the following statement from the company’s California headquarters:

“Regarding today’s announcement pertaining to KTM AG’s financial news, at this time we don’t have any additional comment to make beyond the press release (below). One important detail to note is that this is a legal restructuring procedure pertaining to KTM AG.

“(KTM) North America and all other KTM subsidiaries are not included.

“Thank you for your patience, we will have more comment as information becomes available.”

Riding The 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 and 1200 RS In Spain

Michael Gougis

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November 26, 2024

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Riding The 2025 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 and 1200 RS In Spain

They warned us about the goats. Still, it was a bit unsettling to see a chubby little one on the edge of the road, nonchalantly noshing away at the foliage 18 inches off of my line. The goat was just one of the many reminders – tour buses, cyclists, pedestrians, and the occasional hiking group in the road – that we were riding in the real world, on the roads people use every day for getting about with their lives.

The island of Mallorca was the perfect place to showcase a performance bike built for the real world. Triumph brought journalists from around the world here to let them sample the new 2025 Speed Twin 1200 and Speed Twin 1200 RS, the latter a hot-rodded addition to Triumph’s lineup.

Both models are upgrades from the prior Speed Twin 1200, and both are designed to evoke the design of the company’s iconic models without imitating them. Both are aimed at delivering performance that is easy to access in a package that is easy on the body. And after 120 miles of endlessly twisting roads, it’s safe to say that Triumph has largely hit its design target.

Tech Briefing

Triumph engineers redesigned the 1200cc parallel-Twin’s engine case covers to save a little weight and to modernize their styling, and while they were in the engine bay, they pumped up the power output another five bhp to a claimed 103.5 bhp. The engine still puts out 82.6 lbs.-ft. of torque. The power peaks at 7750 rpm, while max torque hits at 4250 rpm, and the engine now redlines at 8000 rpm. Both models get cornering optimized traction control and ABS.

The frame remains the same, while the suspension has been altered. The base model comes with a pair of remote reservoir Marzocchi shocks and an upgraded 43mm inverted Marzocchi fork. The shocks have a softer spring rate and more damping. The RS model has a higher-spec, fully adjustable Marzocchi fork and fully adjustable Ohlins remote reservoir shocks. The RS features Brembo Stylema calipers and gets a Brembo master cylinder for the front; both bikes have 320mm front discs.

Engineers also made the RS sharper in the riding position, with the pegs moved rearward 40 mm and up 6.5 mm. This change also allows Triumph the space to install a clutchless up- and down-quickshifter. The RS gets a Sport power mode added to the base model’s Road and Rain modes. The base model gets sporty Metzeler Sportec M9RR radials, while the RS gets really sporty Metzeler Racetec RR tires in the K3 compound, the longevity version of the road-legal race/track tire.

Styling falls somewhere between the hyper-naked machines that have appeared in recent years and the purist recreations of traditional-look British vertical Twins. The exhaust is prominent and large, all the wiring and devices for electronic rider aids have been hidden, and the visual space around the engine remains. But the flat seat, bobbed fender and especially the new side covers evoke much more modern styling cues.

Riding The Speed Twin 1200s

Triumph moved the handlebars forward a bit for both models, and the riding position for each was incredibly comfortable from the moment I sat on them. This was to prove beneficial, as the route included just a taste of city riding and a whole lot of second-gear twisties. The flat bench seat proved supportive, and the vibration from such a big twin was pleasant rather than distracting.

The updated Marzocchi suspension on the base model was indeed comfortable and composed up to more than reasonable speeds. The springs are softer in the rear, while damping was increased. The bike was stable mid-corner, and only approaching triple digits did it start to feel vague and move around.

The engine pulled hard from just over 2000 rpm, with a step in power just above 4000 rpm – right about where the torque curve peaks. The ample torque allowed for a choice of gears in any given corner, and the bike just pulled away with enthusiasm from even tight, uphill first-gear hairpins. And it’s legitimately fast, even though it may seem a bit deceptive. There’s no screaming inline-Four wail, just the thrum of the 270-degree crank engine note, but the speed builds rapidly.

If the base model is really good, the RS takes that a step further. The more refined fork and Ohlins shocks keep the platform stable over ripples and dips that left the standard model moving more than you’d like, and they did so without any major compromises in ride quality. The more rearset pegs were just as comfortable for my 5-foot-10 frame. Triumph needed the space created by moving the pegs back and up for the quickshifter mechanism, which worked reasonably well on upshifting – some of the shifts were abrupt – and which worked remarkably well on downshifts. It is such a luxury to go barreling into a tight downhill turn, hard on the brakes, and be able to just stab at the shift lever for the downshifts instead of coordinating clutch, brake, throttle and shift lever.

Both versions of Metzelers were more than up to the task, and the bike flicked easily and held its line through and out of the corner. In the RS model’s Sport mode, the throttle response was quick and direct, yet still easy to modulate.

It’s easy to see why Triumph picked Mallorca for the global intro of the Speed Twin 1200s. The tight, twisty roads rewarded agility, torque and comfort, and the bikes deliver in those areas. They are entertaining to ride, easy to enjoy, and a pleasure to look at. Triumph says it has sold nearly 20,000 Speed Twins since the line was re-booted for the 2019 model year, and by modernizing the machines, it hopes many, many more find their way into the garages of enthusiasts worldwide.

Suggested retail for the base model is $13,595 and the RS retails for $15,995.

FIM JuniorGP World Championship Heads To Estoril Finale

John Ulrich

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November 26, 2024

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FIM JuniorGP World Championship Heads To Estoril Finale

THE SHOWDOWN AWAITS: Estoril closes 2025 JuniorGP™ season with titles on the line
With so much at stake across the JuniorGP™ paddock, the next stars are ready to be crowned as one last hurrah awaits

In a season full of records, milestones and achievements, the biggest prizes remain up for grabs across the FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship, coming from the Circuito Estoril. The final round was set to take place in Valencia before the devastating flooding that has affected the region. JuniorGP™ continues to echo the message of support sent by MotoGP™ and stands with the Community of Valencia. This time, Sunday will be the day for setting up with track action starting on Monday and the races bringing new Champions on Wednesday. In JuniorGP™, Alvaro Carpe (STV Laglisse Racing) has the ball in his court, as does Roberto Garcia (Fantic Cardoso Racing) in the Moto2™ European Championship. It’s a slender ten-point gap between Mario Mayor (Yamaha GV Macrobonsai Racing) and teammate Lorenzo Dalla Porta in the Stock European Championship, whilst Carlos Cano (SeventyTwo Motorsports Artbox) already has the European Talent Cup title to his name.

JuniorGP™ riders have two races to look forward to but with a 43-point lead in the title race, Carpe can be anywhere inside the top eight to guarantee himself the title, regardless of what chief rival Jesus Rios (MRE Talent) can do. Both have three wins each and have dominated the season – Rios in the first half, Carpe in the second. At Estoril earlier in the season, neither were able to get inside the top eight, with Rios making a tyre choice mistake whilst Carpe had to come from 30th on the grid for P9. Maximo Quiles (Estrella Galicia 0,0) is tied on points with Rios and is thus mathematically in contention for the title despite not having won a race this season.

One point adrift of Quiles, Adrian Cruces (Finetwork Team) had finished every race in the points until his only race out of the points all season last time out at Aragon. Earlier in the year, Estoril welcomed Rico Salmela to winning ways, the first Finnish rider to win in the class. Guido Pini (SeventyTwo Artbox Racing Team) is fifth overall after two wins in the last four races, whilst Marcos Uriarte (CFMOTO Aspar Racing Team) – a podium finisher at Estoril in May – is sixth.

Moving on to the Moto2™ ECh, Garcia has a 19-point advantage over Mattia Casadei (Team Ciatti-Boscoscuro), meaning a top ten finish is good enough regardless of what the Boscoscuro rider can manage. Casadei must be in the top two to have any chance, something he’s not managed since Estoril earlier in the season when he was P1 and P2 in Race 1 and Race 2 respectively. Casadei’s teammate Alberto Surra is 25 points back but due to the countback of wins, can’t be crowned Champion even if he matches Roberto Garcia’s tally. Both the #31 of Garcia and the #40 of Casadei won at Estoril in May but the late November date could bring a late title twist.

The European Talent Cup’s title race is already settled after Cano took victory in Race 2 last time out at Aragon and with it, the crown for 2024. Seeking to cap off a season to remember, with six wins including a double at Estoril and five wins in seven races. Only off the podium three times, the 14-year-old seeks to set a new record in the class. Already equalling Izan Guevara’s 2020 tally for most wins in a season, he now has a the chance to make it seven. Behind Cano, Argentinean Marco Morelli (MLav Racing) should have P2 sown up but Giulio Pugliese (CFMOTO Aspar Junior Team) and David Gonzalez (AC Racing Team) can mathematically make it to the runner-up placing.

Concluding in Stock ECh, it’s the most uncertain of all the titles yet to be wrapped up with 16 points covering the top three, meaning it can still all very much change. Mario Mayor has won just once compared to the two wins of Dalla Porta but has finished every race. Dalla Porta failed to add to his tally at Portimao, proving consistency is key. Demis Mihaila (MDR Competion) has likewise finished every race but hasn’t racked up as many points as the others but a vital win last time out at Aragon – his first in the class – means he remains in contention. In all, 2024’s Stock ECh season has welcomed five winners and ten podium finishers.

The Wednesday race schedule for the final round of the FIM JuniorGP™ is as follows:

11:00 – JuniorGP™ Race 1: 16 laps

12:00 – ETC: 15 laps

13:00 – Moto2™ ECh: 17 laps

14:00 – JuniorGP™ Race 2: 16 laps

15:00 – Stock: 17 laps

You can also find all the results, videos, photos and information regarding the championship on the official website: www.fimjuniorgp.com

Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Opposes EV Mandates

John Ulrich

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November 26, 2024

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SEMA URGES PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP TO STAY THE COURSE AND REJECT EV MANDATES

— Organization responds to new efforts to dissuade incoming Administration from keeping key campaign promise —

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 25, 2024) – Responding to an active effort to convince President-elect Trump to retain the Biden-Harris Administration’s tailpipe rules and forgo a key campaign promise to halt electric vehicle mandates, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) today urged the incoming Administration to stay the course and reject widely unpopular electric vehicle mandates.

SEMA’s letter follows a New York Times report that several of the nation’s largest automakers are requesting that President-elect Trump keep the Biden-Harris Administration tailpipe emissions policy that would eliminate consumers’ vehicle choice by mandating electric vehicles.

“It is disheartening to hear that some within the automotive industry are seeking to largely keep the Biden Administration’s tailpipe rules in place,” the letter says. “On behalf of SEMA’s members, we support your stated goal of a “Day 1” end to EV mandates. As you are well aware, such mandates stifle the innovation and ingenuity that makes our nation great.

“EV mandates are the antithesis to what drives America. Whether these mandates arrive in the form of tailpipe emissions standards that can only be achieved through the sale of EVs or waivers that enable some states to impose their own standards on other states (as is the case of California’s standards that as many as 16 states can adopt), they all destroy consumers’ freedom to choose what vehicles they want – or need – to drive. While EVs are a part of the solution for reducing carbon emissions for mobile sources, mandates rob our nation’s innovators of the opportunity to develop new technologies and solutions that meaningfully reduce emissions in a way that doesn’t hurt consumers and small automotive businesses. They harm our economy, threaten to stifle interstate commerce, and place millions of jobs at risk.”

About SEMA

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) serves as a leading voice for the worldwide car culture, representing over 7,000 member companies that create, buy, sell, and use specialty-automotive parts that make vehicles more unique, attractive, convenient, safer, fun, and even like new again. Business member benefits include product development resources, market research, networking, education, legislative advocacy, and more. The Association organizes the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev., and actively supports the career and business opportunities that the aftermarket generates. The industry contributes nearly $337 billion in economic impact to the U.S. economy, supports 1.3 million jobs nationally, and generates $52.3 billion in parts sales annually. For more information, visit www.sema.org.   

World Superbike: American Garrett Gerloff Looking Forward To Jerez Test

John Ulrich

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November 25, 2024

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World Superbike: American Garrett Gerloff Looking Forward To Jerez Test

Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) will soon return to the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto for his second test on the official Ninja ZX-10RR he will compete with in the 2025 FIM Superbike World Championship.

Recent signing Gerloff and his newly-official Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team will take part in a two day test at Jerez, between 26-27 November.

Gerloff is hoping to continue the good work he and his team put in during their first test together, when he settled into the groove in confident fashion. He was fourth fastest rider of all in the October test at Jerez, having set a 1’39.229 lap time on the second day.

Lap times will not be the primary focus of the November test as this is the last on-track riding opportunity Garrett will have on the ZX-10RR before the start of the long winter break.

American Garrett Gerloff on his 2025 racebike in Jerez. Photo by Michael Gougis.

Garrett Gerloff, stated: “I am really happy to be coming back to Jerez for another test on the Ninja ZX-10RR. The last test that I did I felt very good on the bike immediately. I also felt that the pace wasn’t so bad, even though it was my first time on the bike. I am excited to see what is possible at this test and I know that I will find some more items and things that will help us find a really good way before the Christmas break. I am looking forward to getting to Jerez and seeing the whole team again.”

Manuel Puccetti, Team Principal, stated: “These two days of testing in Jerez are the natural continuation of those we carried out at the end of October, also at the Andalusian track. The next tests will be important because they will allow Garrett to adapt even better to our 2025 Ninja ZX-10RR and provide an opportunity for our technicians to start working on its performance potential. The bike will have the 2025 livery, as will the rider’s clothing. We have identified some areas of the bike set-up on which we want to work on and we are eager to get back on track to prepare for next season.”

American Riders Heading To Jerez For FIM Intercontinental Games

John Ulrich

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November 25, 2024

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American Riders Heading To Jerez For FIM Intercontinental Games

Riders from countries around the world are heading to Spain for the 2024 City of Jerez FIM Intercontinental Games, which will see teams of riders on YZF-R3 and FZ7 Yamahas race for an international title. All 48 participating riders are required to wear spec Airoh helmets and Spidi leathers, boots, and gloves.

In a surprising development, FIM North America team rider Rocco Landers declined to attend at the last moment, and was replaced by Andrew Lee.

Americans participating include Avery Dreher, Mikayla Moore, Max Toth, and Matthew Chapin riding R3 Yamahas in SSP 300. Americans riding R7 Yamaha in SSP include Hayden Schultz, Mallory Dobbs, Blake Davis, and Andrew Lee. Former racer Michael Martin is the FIM North America Team Manager.

Chapin, Davis, Dreher, Lee, and Moore are all current or recent MotoAmerica Champions.

Reached by phone, Rocco Landers said he was injured while training and shouldn’t ride this week.

Schedule for FIM Intercontinental Games.

1224 City_of_Jerez_FIM_Intercontinental_Games_Team_Selection_UPDATE_25_November.01
1224 B City_of_Jerez_FIM_Intercontinental_Games_Team_Selection_UPDATE_25_November.01

Matthew Chapin won the 2024 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Mikayla Moore is the two-time Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. Champion. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Avery Dreher (1) won Saturday's Junior Cup race at NJMP. Dreher's sister Ella (22) finished fourth. Photo by Brian J. Nelson. — Avery Dreher (1) won Saturday’s Junior Cup race at NJMP. Dreher’s sister Ella (22) finished fourth. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Blake Davis (1). Photo by Brian J. Nelson. — Two-time MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion Blake Davis (1) is one of eight American racers selected to participate in the inaugural FIM Intercontinental Games. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

SRX Named Dunlop Eastern Race Tire Distributor

John Ulrich

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November 25, 2024

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SRX Named Dunlop Eastern Race Tire Distributor

Rancho Cucamonga, CA: Dunlop Motorcycle Tires is proud to announce SRX Racing Tires as their new Eastern Road Race and Flat Track Tire Distributor starting November 25, 2024.

Doing business east of the Mississippi, SRX will be the official Dunlop road race tire distributor supplying the record-breaking Sportmax Slick and Rain tires to club racers and track-day enthusiasts. SRX will also be supplying Dunlop’s popular DT4 flat track tires to amateur flat track racers and riders. To get in touch with SRX go to dunlopracing.com, email [email protected] or [email protected], or call (864) 266-3232.

“We are very excited to have SRX Racing Tires accept our offer to become our new Eastern Road Race and Flat Track tire distributor,” said Chad Geer, Director of Product, Marketing, and Motorsports for Dunlop Motorcycle Tires. “Sam and Rhonda (Hannon) are great people who have been with Dunlop at various levels and capacities over the years, so we are confident they have the knowledge, work ethic and commitment to build strong relationships with racers, race organizations, and track-day enthusiasts to promote the Dunlop brand and its superiority.”

“I have been in the motorcycle industry for over 30 years and during that time, I have always been with Dunlop. I started out with Dunlop when I was racing, sold Dunlop tires while I was one of their track-side vendors, and over the last few years I have been running the Dunlop tire service at MotoAmerica events. To now take on the role as Dunlop’s Eastern Race Tire Distributor, I am honored to have this opportunity and very proud and comfortable to promote a product and company I believe in,” stated Sam Hannon, Owner of SRX Racing Tires.

To inquire and purchase Dunlop Road Race and Flat Track tires, please visit www.dunlopracing.com.

SRX Racing Tires’ Sam Hannon (left) poses with racer Wristen Grigg (272) and his father, former racer Steve Grigg. Dunlop photo.

Additionally, Dunlop is accepting applications for trackside vendors in various regions across the country. If interested, please email Racers Edge Performance (Western region) at [email protected] and SRX Racing Tires (Eastern region) at [email protected].

About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires

Dunlop is the 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 for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.

MotoAmerica: Racer/Chassis Tuner Kyle Ohnsorg Tests Talent Cup Racebike

John Ulrich

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November 24, 2024

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MotoAmerica: Racer/Chassis Tuner Kyle Ohnsorg Tests Talent Cup Racebike

Talent Cup: Kyle Ohnsorg Tests The Krämer APX-350 MA

By Sean Bice

Ever since the Krämer APX-350 MA was introduced this past June as the spec motorcycle for the 2025 MotoAmerica Talent Cup Championship, the biggest question has been, “What’s it like to ride it?” We got a hint in September during our round at Circuit of The Americas when Krämer Motorcycles USA test rider/engineer Finn Chapman did a few demonstration laps and participated in a Q&A session.
But, when accomplished motorcycle road racer and engineer Kyle Ohnsorg was asked to test the bike last month at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway (a.k.a. “Little Talladega”), the 10-turn, 1.33-mile road course located near Munford, Alabama, we followed up with Ohnsorg and asked him to give us his first-person evaluation of the bike. After all, Ohnsorg has ridden and raced a whole slew of motorcycles, from Junior Cup bikes, to Supersport machines, to a Roland Sands/Indian Challenger racebike on which he finished third in Mission King Of The Baggers race two at COTA in 2023. Also, he owns and operates Adrenaline Engineering, which specializes in motorcycle suspension and chassis tuning.

Kyle Ohnsorg tested the Krämer APX-350 MA during four straight days at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, but because final graphics were not in place, no photos were made available of him riding the bike. Dorna accepted the MotoAmerica Talent Cup into its Road to MotoGP™ program primarily because the APX-350 MA was selected as the spec racebike for the series. Photo courtesy of Krämer Motorcycles USA.

Here is Ohnsorg’s full report, in his own words:

“Last month I received a call from Krämer USA asking if I wanted to assist in testing and developing the new Krämer APX-350 MA. Since I have had great experiences testing with Krämer in the past on their other impressive platforms (690 and 890), I jumped at the opportunity to get some seat time on the new bike. Krämer rented Talladega Gran Prix Raceway for four days of dedicated test-riding with a well-organized plan that covered changes to nearly every aspect of the motorcycle.

“Being six-feet tall and weighing 155 pounds, I had concerns that I would feel cramped on the bike but I found it to be much more comfortable than many of the other Junior Cup-sized bikes I have ridden and raced in the past. From lap one on the bike, I was blown away at the level of all-around performance and was smiling in my helmet the entire time. The APX-350 MA was light to transition and easy to turn in but did not feel nervous or twitchy. The power was impressively smooth and very predictable. I was impressed by how well the auto-blip and quick shifter worked throughout the track. Even at full lean angle in a decreasing-radius corner, I was able to downshift, and the bike remained planted and smooth. Unlike on other smaller-displacement bikes with softer frames/forks/swingarms, I could feel exactly where the tires were on track and could tell if I was sliding the rear or front at any time. The overall feel of the chassis made it easy to manage a slide with throttle, brake, lean angle, etc. Since we know that not all U.S. tracks are as smooth as MotoGP race courses, we made it part of our testing plan to hit the various bumps at “Little Tally” with various speeds and lean angles. This allowed us to tune both the suspension movement and the flex of the chassis to ensure we had a setup that offered plenty of feel, but also had enough compliance to handle bigger bumps. The bike offers full adjustability (rake, offset, ride height, suspension, ECU, etc.) that allowed us to try many different settings to further understand the capabilities and characteristics of the bike.

“At the conclusion of the four-day test, we ended up with a bike that I felt I could do anything with on track and would feel confident racing. I’m excited to see how the bike continues to progress and even more excited to see how the new 2025 MotoAmerica Talent Cup unfolds knowing how good the Krämer APX-350 MA is right out of the box.“

Ohnsorg’s work with the Krämer APX-350 MA will continue. He is set to test the bike again at COTA, which will enable him to help fine-tune the set-up even more and provide a solid baseline for the teams and riders to use in round one of next year’s inaugural Talent Cup Championship, also at COTA on March 28 to 30 during the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas MotoGP weekend.

RW Original Video: APX-350MA MotoAmerica Talent Cup Racebike

(For more, see MotoAmerica.com)

CMRA Releases 2025 Schedule (Updated)

November 26, 2024

1224 web CMRA schedule Walker 1124 — Walter Walker III (43) leads JC Camacho (91), Marshal Rosas (82), and Kasey Lewis (272) in CMRA action at NOLA. Photo by David Gillen/dgillenphoto.com

The Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA) is excited to announce its 2025 schedule! Seven action-packed rounds with an eighth round being finalized, racers won’t be waiting long to take to the track again.

Changes for 2025 include:

Hallett Motor Racing Circuit and Motorsport Ranch-Cresson will be 2 day events – no Friday practice.

No Weekend License fee for other racing organizations’ licensed racers! Come race with us for a weekend and only pay race entry fees!

We have a new online registration format and CMRA app to make the process fast and easy. The app can be found here: https://app.jotform.com/241354867362159

Our partnership with WERA is still in place, and points can be earned in select classes towards the WERA Grand National Finals held at the end of the season at Barber Motorsports Park! You must be a WERA licensed racer, and can purchase the WERA license any time at a CMRA event.

A detailed schedule will be released when finalized. 2025 CMRA license applications are available now. Go to: https://cmraracing.com/ for additional information, or call us at (817) 570-9779 during office hours; 9 am-5 pm Monday-Friday.

2025 CMRA Schedule

FEB 14 – 16 MSR Houston – Angleton, TX

MAR 22 – 23 Hallett Motor Racing Circuit – Hallett OK

APR 26 – 27 TBA

JUN 6 – 8 NOLA Motorsport Park – Avondale LA

JUL 5 – 6 Motorsport Ranch – Cresson TX

AUG 8 – 10 Eagles Canyon Raceway – Decatur TX

SEPT 6 – 7 Hallett Motor Racing Circuit – Hallett OK

OCT 24 – 26 Eagles Canyon Raceway – Decatur TX

More, from a press release issued by Jeff Bean:

Jeff Bean Wins 2024 CMRA Lightweight Expert Overall Championship

Finishing up strongly at the final CMRA round (Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association) at Eagles Canyon, in Decatur, Texas, Jeff Bean secured the points necessary to win the overall Lightweight Championship. Thus earning him the #1 plate for this division, which includes twin cylinder, water-cooled motorcycles, less than 700cc.

In this eight-event series, spanning February through October, Jeff competed on five different tracks throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana; accumulating 19 podiums and 9 wins. Riding a Yamaha FZ-07, wrapped in Dunlop Ntec slicks, Jeff thanks Dale Keiffer, with Racer’s Edge Performance, Dunlop’s west coast race tire distributor, for his help and input. Dale had this to say: “I’m very proud of Jeff Bean‘s accomplishments this year. I got to know Jeff a few years ago when he ventured out west to race a few rounds at CVMA (Chuckwalla Valley Raceway), but I didn’t realize how fast he was around on those tracks that CMRA races on!”

On the same Yamaha platform, Jeff also had a strong showing in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup in 2024; finishing 15th overall, including five top-ten placings.

After multiple years in the Lightweight class, Jeff is bumping up to Supersport for 2025 and IS currently testing a Ducati Panigale V2 Next Gen motorcycle.

MotoAmerica Hosting Team Test At Podium Club In Arizona February 22-23

November 26, 2024

1224 Gagne at Podium Club a22fdb07-fc23-49f7-7c59-060fd303ec74 — MotoAmerica will hold an official preseason test at the Podium Club in Casa Grande, Arizona, February 22-23. Jake Gagne (1) and his new Attack Yamaha teammate have already been testing there. Photo courtesy Podium Club.