WERA West: Money On The Line At Season Finale In Las Vegas

David Swarts

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September 16, 2021

WERA West: Money On The Line At Season Finale In Las Vegas

SEPTEMBER 17/18/19 VIVA LAS VEGAS WITH WERA!

The final round of the 2021 WERA West Sportsman Series presented by Lucas Oil kicks off this coming weekend at Las Vegas Classic Course with a RacersEdge Track Day on Friday including a WERA Rider’s School.

Saturday will be day one of the doubleheader. For Saturday, Outlaw Racing has put up a purse of $500.00 in the “0-600” C Superbike Expert Class. Payout will be $250.00 for 1st, $125.00 for 2nd, $75.00 for 3rd, and one random draw for $50.00.

Sunday will be day two of the doubleheader and the following money is up for grabs:

In A Superstock Expert, Cha Cha Cha Motorsports has put up $500.00 to be paid out: $250.00 for 1st, $125.00 for 2nd, $75.00 for 3rd, and one random draw for $50.00.

In the Senior Superbike, Heavyweight Expert Class “Johnny and Chris” have $350.00 to be paid: $150.00 for 1st, $100.00 for 2nd, $75.00 for 3rd, and one random draw for $25.00.

AG Network Cabling, Inc. has put up $400.00 for two classes to be drawn at Sunday’s Rider’s meeting and those classes will have $100.00 random draw finish: $75.00 random draw finish and $25.00 random draw finish each class. The C Superbike Expert: A Superstock Expert and Senior Superbike Heavyweight Expert classes will be excluded from these random draw classes. The purse will be paid on a draw of finish positions.

“I want to personally thank each of these businesses and supporters of the WERA West Sportsman Series presented by Lucas Oil Products for their continued loyalty and support. The 2021 season proved to be a real challenge due to COVID and track cancellations we did not see coming. We will work on a 2022 schedule and try very hard not to conflict with any of the other racing organizations out there, but it is getting increasingly difficult to do so. Again thank-you to those who want to keep WERA Motorcycle Roadracing on the West Coast,” said CEO Evelyne Clarke.

WERA Motorcycle Roadracing was founded in 1973 and remains the foremost place to develop talent in the sport of motorcycle road racing. The legacy of Pro Riders on a National and World level is legendary. All events are run by WERA Motorcycle Roadracing with a co-sanction by the AMA and they go coast to coast offering entry level racing with the WERA Sportsman Series as well as a Pro-Am Series which is the Pirelli/WERA National Challenge Series. WERA also offers Vintage Racing and hosts the Concours de ’Competition and Concours d’ Elegance in July at Barber Motorsports Park. Endurance Racing is also on the menu with our partner N2 and runs 4-5 events a year with a Big Bike Endurance and an Ultralightweight Endurance. WERA Motorcycle Roadracing was voted the 2017 AMA Track Organizer of the year.

For more information on WERA Motorcycle Roadracing please check out our web site at wera.com.

MotoGP: Morbidelli Riding Factory Yamaha At Misano & Through 2023

David Swarts

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September 16, 2021

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MotoGP: Morbidelli Riding Factory Yamaha At Misano & Through 2023

FRANCO MORBIDELLI JOINS YAMAHA FACTORY RACING MOTOGP TEAM FOR 2021-2023

It is with great pleasure that Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. confirm Franco Morbidelli as a Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team rider for the remaining races in 2021 and for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The Italian will make his highly anticipated return from injury debuting with the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team this weekend at the Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini.

Misano Adriatico (Italy), 16th September 2021

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. are delighted to announce that Franco Morbidelli has signed with the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team for the remaining races in 2021 and for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The Italian will make his long-awaited return after injury this weekend, debuting with the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team at the Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini. He will be part of the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team‘s rider line-up for the upcoming five 2021 GP events and a full-time Factory rider in 2022 and 2023.

Morbidelli has shown great riding and motivation so far in his three seasons of racing with Yamaha in the MotoGP World Championship. The successful partnership led to a second place overall for the Italian in 2020, having secured five podiums including three victories that season.

The PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team rider‘s 2021 season was hampered by injury. He decided to have surgery on the meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on 25 June, causing him to miss the Dutch, Styrian, Austrian, British, and Aragon GP. After following a rehabilitation programme, Morbidelli is now ready to return to action.

This weekend, the 26-year-old will be reunited with former PETRONAS Yamaha SRT teammate Fabio Quartararo, this time as part of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team. He aims to use the remainder of the 2021 season to adapt to the new team surroundings and the 2021 Factory-spec YZR-M1, and gradually work up to 100% fitness level.

With two further years as a Factory rider on the horizon after the 2021 season, Morbidelli can count on Yamaha‘s full support and the opportunity to fight at the front for big milestones on many occasions.

LIN JARVIS

MANAGING DIRECTOR, YAMAHA MOTOR RACING

“First of all, we want to thank PETRONAS Yamaha SRT for allowing Franky to make his dream come true and letting him step up to the Factory team ahead of schedule. Originally, we had planned for Franky to move up from 2022 on, but following a sudden rider line-up change mid-season, we had the chance to let him upgrade early.

“Secondly, I want to give a warm welcome to Franky. He is an exceptional talent. This was even further highlighted last year when he secured second place in the championship and achieved five podiums and three wins on the satellite Yamaha. It shows the type of rider that he is: committed to extracting the best from the YZR-M1 under all circumstances.

“Naturally, we‘re thrilled that Franky will be back in the paddock and that he is well enough to start racing again. He will have to find his form gradually, in line with his physical improvements, as he is still recovering. We will be using the remainder of 2021 to get him settled in the team and comfortable on the bike.

“We have already locked down our plans for 2022 and 2023, with Franky receiving full Factory backing from Yamaha Motor Company. We feel certain that a skilled, calm, and experienced rider like Franky will strengthen the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team and will enjoy great success in the future.”

FRANCO MORBIDELLI

“I’m very pleased and happy about facing this weekend and this highly anticipated new chapter with the Factory Yamaha team. I’ve been trying to recover as much as possible for the final stage of this championship. I wanted to make my comeback at a track I know well and have great memories of, like Misano.

”I’m looking forward to jumping on the bike and starting my journey with the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team. Of course, I need and I want to thank all the people who made this happen, starting with Ito-san, Lin, Maio, Sumi-san, the VR46 Riders Academy, and all other people who made this collaboration possible.”

NOTES

FRANCO MORBIDELLI

Personal Profile

Date of birth: 4 December 1994

Place of birth: Rome, Italy

Nationality: Italian

Height: 176cm

Weight: 64kg

First Grand Prix: San Marino GP 2013 (Moto2)

First Grand Prix Win: Qatar GP 2017 (Moto2)

Grand Prix Wins: 11 (3x MotoGP, 8x Moto2)

Podiums: 27 (6x MotoGP, 21x Moto2)

Pole Positions: 8 (2x MotoGP, 6x Moto2)

Fastest Laps: 14 (1x MotoGP, 13x Moto2)

Racing Career

2020 MotoGP World Championship (2nd – 158 points) [Vice Champion, Top Independent Rider]

2019 MotoGP World Championship (10th – 115 points)

2018 MotoGP World Championship (15th – 50 points)

2017 Moto2 World Championship (1st – 308 points) [World Champion]

2016 Moto2 World Championship (4th – 213 points)

2015 Moto2 World Championship (10th – 90 points)

2014 Moto2 World Championship (11th – 75 points)

2013 Moto2 World Championship (31st – only 3 races)

2013 European Superstock 600cc (1st – 154 points) [European Champion]

2012 European Superstock 600cc (6th – 74 points)

2011 European Superstock 600cc (17th – 32 points)

Biography

The son of a racer, Franco Morbidelli has been riding bikes since he was old enough to walk.

Franco Morbidelli‘s passion for motorcycles comes from his father Livio, an Italian ex-rider who built his son his first bike when he was just two years old. When Franco was young, the Morbidelli family moved from Rome to Pesaro, near Tavullia, where Franco‘s racing education started in the smaller Italian categories. After two years of success it led to a season of racing in Spain in the Cuna de Campeones series.

His next step was to move up to the European Superstock 600 Championship, winning the title in 2013. Morbidelli‘s good results in that series opened the door for three wildcard rides in the Moto2 World Championship (also in 2013) at the San Marino, Japanese, and Valencian Grand Prix.

The following season he was offered a full-time spot in the series, making gradual progress before finishing fourth in 2016 and then, after taking eight wins and twelve podiums, being crowned Moto2 World Champion in 2017.

Following his inaugural year in MotoGP in 2018, Franco joined the ambitious PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team for 2019 and showed his talent again with the Malaysian squad. Achieving his personal best finish of fifth place four times and qualifying on the front row for three races.

In 2020, Franco delivered exceptionally well. Whilst his early season performance potential was masked slightly by some technical and contact issues, he came back strong in the latter part of the season to deliver three race wins and take second in the overall rider standings, finishing as top independent rider.

2021 would have been Franco‘s third season with the PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team, but it was cut short due to a knee injury, a lengthy recovery process, and ultimately the Italian‘s step-up to the Yamaha Factory team.

More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:

MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP START SAN MARINO GP WITH NEW RIDER LINE-UP

Misano Adriatico (Italy), 16th September 2021

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team have travelled straight from MotorLand Aragón to the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for the first of two races held at this track this season (Round 14 and Round 16). It will be a special event, as Franco Morbidelli will be reunited with former teammate Fabio Quartararo, this time in the Factory Yamaha pit box.

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP is looking forward to commencing this weekend‘s Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, which the team and new recruit Franco Morbidelli consider their home race.

Fabio Quartararo is determined to put his mark on the upcoming race at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli after a disappointing end to the Aragon GP. He enjoys the San Marino track and is feeling positive about his potential here this weekend.

The Frenchman is leading the championship with a 53-point advantage over his closest rival. Whilst he doesn‘t bother about the standings too much, his goals for this weekend do include a visit to the San Marino rostrum again. He stood on the podium there once before when he scored a second place in the MotoGP class in 2019, and he also came close last year when he took a fourth place in the Emilia Romagna GP.

The San Marino race weekends are always special to Morbidelli, especially because he rode his very first Grand Prix at the Misano circuit in the Moto2 class in 2013. This time round the San Marino GP will be even more special, as he will make his highly anticipated comeback after injury as well as his Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP debut.

The Italian opted to have surgery on his knee on 25 June. Following a rehabilitation programme, he is now ready for action again. However, the recovery process did mean he missed five race weekends (the Dutch GP, Styrian GP, Austrian GP, British GP, and the Aragon GP). He is currently in 17th position in the rankings, with a total of 40 points.

The Misano circuit, constructed in 1972, was a regular scene for Italian Grands Prix throughout the 80s and early 90s. The 4.2 km track is ridden clockwise, since a radical renovation was done to meet MotoGP’s safety regulations in 2007 that put the circuit back on the MotoGP calendar. The upgrade also included a new chicane, resulting in the current lay-out of six left and ten right corners, and giving the track increased race excitement.

Those who wish to be reminded of Misano‘s lay-out can refresh their memory by watching Lorenzo Daretti (Trastevere73) and Michael Amara (Vindex182)‘s eRace at this well-liked track.

MASSIMO MEREGALLI

TEAM DIRECTOR

We are looking forward to this race weekend. The entire team always enjoys the Misano track a lot, and we think of it as our ’home GP‘. The atmosphere here with the fans in the grandstands is something very special. Fabio is also very keen to start the San Marino GP. He likes the Misano circuit. He got a podium here once before in the premier class, and we expect that we can do a good job here again this weekend. This Grand Prix is also very significant for the team for a second reason: Franky will be joining us for the first time. We are so pleased to have him back in the paddock after his injury, and the team will fully support him this weekend to make the transition as easy as possible. So, all in all, we think we will be in for an exciting race weekend. Of course, we also have the test here on Monday and another round following the GP at COTA, so we are motivated to get off to a good start and hit the ground running on Friday morning.

FABIO QUARTARARO

I was a little disappointed with how the Aragon GP ended, but that was mainly because we did good work leading up to the race. But what‘s done is done. It‘s only natural that sometimes the lead decreases, and then it can increase again. I‘m not worried by it. I just want to focus on doing a good race here this weekend. I really like Misano, and we will be racing here twice, so that‘s something I‘m quite excited about. For sure, we will work hard this weekend and do our best.

FRANCO MORBIDELLI

The main feeling right now is that I’m really looking forward to jumping on the Factory M1. I really want to start working with the team and start making laps with the bike because it’s been a long time that I haven’t been riding, and I’m starting to feel a bit uncomfortable. So I’m really looking forward to riding again. Moreover, my comeback is going to be in such a great environment – Misano is a circuit I know well and like a lot – and on a great bike. I’m really looking forward to practicing my sport again!

Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Cup: Champion Will Be Decided In Barcelona

David Swarts

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September 16, 2021

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Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Cup: Champion Will Be Decided In Barcelona

First Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup Champion to be Crowned at Barcelona

The final round of the 2021 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup is fast approaching, and after a hotly contested first season of the championship, five riders from three nations will be vying for the title across two races in support of the FIM Superbike World Championship at Barcelona (17-18 September).

Whoever claims the championship this weekend will earn a spot on the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship grid next year, fully supported by Yamaha Motor Europe. Second in the standings will get a wildcard WorldSSP300 ride and a 50 percent discount on their 2022 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup campaigns, the latter of which is also offered to the youngster placing third overall.

Having finished inside the top six in every race, including four second-place results, Spain’s Julian Giral currently heads the standings going into the final. The 19-year-old is yet to stand on the top step of the podium, but his consistency among the front-runners sees him head to his home round as one of the favourites for the title.

Fellow countryman Iker Garcia Abella had been leading the championship prior to Magny-Cours, having first hit the top at the Donington Park round. However, after recording his first two DNFs of the season in France, the 17-year-old is now four points adrift in second. With two victories and six podiums, Garcia Abella will be looking to add to that tally in order to give him the best shot at becoming the inaugural champion.

Slovakia’s Maxim Repak heads into the final round just 10 points adrift of the leader. Nicknamed ‘Terminator’, Repak has shown sensational speed this year, winning three times, including a dominant double at Most, which has brought him into contention. The 15-year-old has also been on the podium in six of the seven races he’s finished and is sure to be one of the main protagonists again at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Although he sits 22 points behind the championship leader heading into the weekend, Britain’s Fenton Harrison Seabright will be spurred on by his fantastic Magny-Cours performance. The 19-year-old was 68 points adrift after a Most weekend-to-forget, and despite carrying a collarbone injury, was able to cut that gap by 46 points with a double victory in France. With three wins to his name and plenty still to play for, the #47 rider could yet spring a surprise in the final championship duel.

Spain’s Juan Antonio Conesa Benito is also in with a slim chance at taking the title, but with 41 points to make up, he will have to rely on some misfortune from his rivals. At just 14 years old, he’s the youngest contender and the championship’s youngest winner, having taken victory in the wet Donington Park race.

Elsewhere, Beatriz Neila will be joining the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup grid as a wildcard in Barcelona. The Spanish rider secured her second consecutive Women’s European Cup title at Mugello in August on a Yamaha R3 and returns to the world championship paddock for the first time since contesting the WorldSSP300 class with the bLU cRU program in 2019, where she achieved a best finish of seventh.

Andrea Dosoli

Yamaha Motor Europe, Road Racing Manager

“We have witnessed some incredible racing this year in the first-ever season of the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup. It has been a pleasure to see these young riders develop throughout the campaign, and we now have one final battle, with five riders all having the opportunity to become champion. These five have shown incredible talent, constantly fighting for wins and podiums whatever challenge is thrown their way. Good luck to them, but also to all our other bLU cRU youngsters, who have shown great speed and maturity, and have taken on board everything they’ve learned to further improve this year. We also welcome back Beatriz to the world championship paddock – she has achieved great success in the Women’s European Cup and we’re excited to see how she will get on this weekend.”

MotoGP: Dovizioso Riding Satellite Yamaha Now Through 2022

David Swarts

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September 16, 2021

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MotoGP: Dovizioso Riding Satellite Yamaha Now Through 2022

ANDREA DOVIZIOSO SIGNS WITH YAMAHA MOTOR COMPANY FOR 2021-2022

With Franco Morbidelli debuting in the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team for this week‘s Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is delighted to announce that MotoGP star Andrea Dovizioso will be joining PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team. The Italian will race for Yamaha‘s satellite team for the remainder of 2021 as well as the entire 2022 MotoGP season.

Misano Adriatico (Italy), 16th September 2021

Following Franco Morbidelli‘s transfer to Yamaha‘s factory team, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce the signing of MotoGP star Andrea Dovizioso. He will be joining Yamaha‘s satellite team rider line-up for the remainder of 2021 and the entire 2022 MotoGP season.

The vastly experienced Italian is a three-time MotoGP Vice Champion and has many premier-class and lower-class achievements and victories to his name. He is known as a late-braker and one of the cleanest competitors in battle. Dovizioso is also no stranger to the YZR-M1, making him a perfect addition to the Yamaha rider line-up. He completed a successful season with a Yamaha satellite team in 2012, resulting in six third places and a fourth place in the final standings.

Yamaha as well as MotoGP fans the world over eagerly anticipate Dovizioso‘s return to action aboard a Yamaha YZR-M1 this weekend. The 35-year-old will start the second leg of his racing career with Yamaha on Morbidelli‘s former bikes. During the 2022 season he will be riding a factory-spec YZR-M1 and receive full support from Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.

LIN JARVIS

MANAGING DIRECTOR, YAMAHA MOTOR RACING

“We are delighted that a MotoGP star and talent like Andrea is joining the Yamaha line-up. We warmly welcome him to the Yamaha MotoGP group as a very important member of our MotoGP programme.

“We have found ourselves in unprecedented circumstances this year that resulted in totally unexpected rider issues for both Yamaha teams. We experienced some unforeseen and unfortunate events, but we have been able to transform the problems into new opportunities.

“Andrea has been away from MotoGP for a short sabbatical, but we are certain that a rider of his calibre will soon find his speed again. We are really looking forward to working with him as a member of Yamaha‘s satellite team, and we will be supporting him in every way we can.”

ANDREA DOVIZIOSO

PETRONAS YAMAHA SRT RIDER

“Racing with Yamaha has always been my dream, and that’s why when the opportunity arrived I did not think twice, although I know it’s going to be a tough challenge for me.

“I’ve got many things ahead of me to learn: a new bike, a new team, a new working system. It‘s a big challenge that starts at Misano, my home GP. This makes it even more exciting. I can’t wait to be aboard my M1!”

More, from a press release issued by PETRONAS Yamaha SRT:

Dovizioso to make MotoGP return with PETRONAS Yamaha SRT

Andrea Dovizioso to see out 2021 season as Franco Morbidelli moves to factory team

Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso will join PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team for the remainder of the 2021 season, replacing fellow countryman Franco Morbidelli – who is moving to Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP.

‘Dovi’ made his MotoGP debut in 2008 having taken the 125cc World Championship title in 2004. In his first season in the premier class he finished as top Independent rider, and claimed his first victory one year later. Since his first premier class race, the Italian has racked up a total of 62 podiums, 15 wins and 7 pole positions. In addition to this, Andrea was also in the championship fight in 2017, 2018 and 2019 – ending all three years as vice champion.

Marking his much-anticipated return to the championship, Dovizioso will join the Malaysian squad as Valentino Rossi’s team-mate for the rest of the 2021 season, starting with the San Marino GP this weekend.

Re-joining his former team-mate Fabio Quartararo, Franco Morbidelli graduates to the factory Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team from this weekend’s Grand Prix. The 2020 Championship runner-up took his first MotoGP podiums and wins with PETRONAS Yamaha SRT in 2020, and everyone would like to sincerely thank Franco for his time with the team and wish him all the very best in his graduation.

Razlan Razali

We are absolutely thrilled with the collective decision between Yamaha and PETRONAS Yamaha SRT to welcome Andrea Dovizioso from this race onwards until the end of the year. Clearly he is an extremely talented and highly-regarded rider, and we’re excited to see him back in the MotoGP paddock after his sabbatical and wearing our colours. We’re delighted with the line-up of Dovi alongside Valentino, and that we have two home-race heroes at Misano this weekend.

Of course, this is possible because Franky is moving to the factory team alongside his old team-mate Fabio, and we are absolutely delighted and excited for him. He has performed remarkably for us, especially last year as vice-Champion, and this progression is exactly the objective for an independent team – to develop riders for the factory team and to help them perform to the best of their ability. For the first time the line-up of the Yamaha factory team consists of two riders who have graduated from our team, and we are exceptionally proud of that. For me this is a clear sign of the stronger, deeper collaboration between us and Yamaha. We are always ready to support the factory, and I think that with this solution and flexibility we all see a clear benefit, so we’re very pleased, and of course thank Franky sincerely for all his hard work and wish him all the very best.

Andrea Dovizioso

Although I didn’t expect to be back in MotoGP like this, I never closed the door on it and it’s good to be here with Yamaha and PETRONAS Yamaha SRT. I wanted to try to enjoy a new situation and I’m really happy to be back. It will be interesting to be on a completely different bike to that I rode before and I’m looking forward to the experience. I visited the team in Aragon and it felt almost like it was 2012 again and sitting on the Yamaha bike felt just as good. It was great to have a first sit on the bike and do the initial adjustments, so that we’re already one step ahead of FP1 here at Misano. I will need to get on track to understand the details and it would have been better to have had a test before jumping into a race, but I start with no pressure and it will be great to get going in Misano for the final five races of the season.

MotoAmerica: Scholtz Aiming To Challenge Gagne At Barber

David Swarts

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September 16, 2021

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MotoAmerica: Scholtz Aiming To Challenge Gagne At Barber

Westby Racing Is Ready To Race Three In ‘Bama This Weekend

Tulsa, OK – The ninth and final round of the 2021 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship starts this Friday at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, and Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz will compete in three Superbike races for the second consecutive weekend.

Mathew and the team clinched second place in the championship last weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park, but the goal remains the same as it’s been all season long, and that’s, quite simply, to win races.

Barber Motorsports Park is near and dear to Mathew’s and the team’s hearts because winning races is exactly what they’ve done before at the 2.38-mile, 17-turn road course, including Mathew’s historic 2017 Superbike race victory aboard his #11 Westby Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 when the bike was in Superstock 1000 trim.

“Going to Barber, obviously, we want to get some really good results,” Mathew said. “I feel like I can push harder than I’ve been and maybe take a few more risks since we’ve got second place (in the championship) locked up. I feel like we can challenge Jake (Gagne) there. It’s always a favorite track for me and the Westby team. It’s almost like a home track for us. We’ve had some really good results there. We haven’t been to Barber since last year, though, so we’ll have to get a feel for what the track is like since it changes every year since they re-paved it. We made very good progress last week at New Jersey, so it’s great to be able to race on back-to-back weekends and keep the momentum going. I’m really looking forward to challenging Gagne there. I feel like, if someone is going to beat him, it’s going to be us. We’ve got our work cut out for us beginning early Friday, but I’m feeling confident, and I know that the rest of the team is, as well.”

Crew chief Ed Sullivan commented, “Barber has always been a strong track for us, and we are looking to building on our performance in New Jersey, I think the top four or five bikes will be a lot closer than last week, so we need to make sure our strategy going into Friday is spot-on as the first two sessions of the weekend are vitally important for gathering data to improve the race setup. I’m sure we can take another step closer to Jake, and hopefully, Mathew can finish the season as he started, on top of the box.”

Team manager Chuck Giacchetto added, “After a great weekend in New Jersey, I’m looking forward to going to Barber. It’s a really nice facility, and the fans are going to get a good show. Everyone in Superbike will be trying to leave a positive impression before the end of the season. I think we will continue with with our same focused effort. Each crew member just needs to be the best teammate they can be. Our entire team is ready, willing, and able to get the job done. See you on Friday for FP1!”

Superbike final qualifying is on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. CT, and Superbike race one will go green on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. CT. Superbike race two is on Sunday morning at 10:15 a.m. CT, and Superbike race three starts at 3 p.m. CT. Race one will be broadcast via tape delay Saturday night at 11 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 2 (FS2). Race two will be broadcast via tape delay Sunday at Noon ET on FS2. And race three will be broadcast via tape delay Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). All three races will be streamed on MotoAmerica Live+.

Meet Mathew, Get Some Autographed Posters, And More

Mathew will be available at the Westby Racing transporter in the paddock at Barber with free, autographed posters and other team items to hand out, so be sure to check the schedule and stop by during those autograph sessions.

Check Out The Westby Racing Sponsor Showcase

Attack Performance; CarbonSmith; NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.), Inc.; Puig USA Inc.; and Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., will be the featured team sponsors on display in the Westby Racing paddock area, 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.

Canadian Superbike: Title To Be Decided This Weekend At Calabogie

David Swarts

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September 16, 2021

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Canadian Superbike: Title To Be Decided This Weekend At Calabogie

Dumas, Young, Szoke prepare for title deciding CSBK doubleheader in Calabogie this weekend

Toronto, ON – The nail-biting 2021 Canadian Superbike Championship season will come to a thrilling conclusion this weekend, as the three-headed title fight in the feature Pro Superbike class returns to Calabogie Motorsports Park, September 17-18.

With five races in the books and two more left to run in the final doubleheader weekend, the gap atop the Superbike class remains as minimal as ever, with rookie sensation Alex Dumas leading the championship by just ten points with 108 left for grabs.

The Liqui Moly MPG/Fast School Suzuki rider saw his lead shrink slightly in the round two tripleheader at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, failing to win either of the three races as he saw title rivals Ben Young (race one) and Jordan Szoke (races two and three) sweep the weekend.

Still, Dumas showed championship poise well beyond his years, finding the podium in all three contests to escape with a slim advantage as he returns to Calabogie, the site of his historic two-win CSBK debut back in July.

As for Young, the 2019 champion is Dumas’ biggest threat to the title, as he remains the only other rider to find the podium in all five races so far. Young previously placed his Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW in second place in both of the round one races at Calabogie, before capturing his first victory in nearly two years at CTMP.

Young famously backed out of a self-described “sketchy” last lap pass on Dumas in race two at the Calabogie opener, knowing he had five more races to consider, but the Scotland native will have less reason to back down when the two sides reignite their battle this weekend with a championship on the line.

The dark horse in the title battle will be reigning champion Jordan Szoke, who remains in the running for a record 15th Canada Cup but will need a bit of assistance from his rivals as he enters with a 30-point deficit to Dumas.

The Canada General Warranty Kawasaki rider will at least have momentum on his side as he heads to Calabogie fresh off a pair of thrilling victories, and Szoke will have no reason to be conservative as he tries to make up for his sizeable points deficit.

Neither of the three riders will be able to map out any definitive championship scenario or “magic number” as of yet, given the massive haul of points still on the table that includes two races, qualifying points, and a bonus for laps led, but there are three likely scenarios that could award each of the top three the title.

The first, which will see Dumas capture his first Canada Cup and become the youngest Pro Superbike champion in history, requires only that he win one of the two races and find the podium in the other. If he does so, it doesn’t matter what Young does in the other race, as Dumas will have enough of a gap built up to control his own fate.

The second scenario, which would see Young clinch his second Pro Superbike title in three seasons, requires that he beats Dumas in both races and takes a top-two finish in each. Should he win once and Dumas not win at all, Young can make up the remaining deficit with just a second-place finish.

The third and final scenario, which would see Szoke storm back to add another trophy to his resumé, requires that Dumas misses the podium at least once and Young fails to crack the top-two in both races. While unlikely, the outcome is not impossible given the deep field we have seen in 2021.

The headliners of that deep group of talent are a pair of impressive rear-gunners battling for the fourth spot in the championship, as Trevor Daley (4th) and Sebastian Tremblay (5th) have each been pivotal in helping their respective factory mates.

Daley, riding for OneSpeed Suzuki, has been the only rider outside the top three in the championship to crack the podium this season, which has been crucial not just to Suzuki’s quest for a Constructors Championship but also to Dumas’ title bid out front.

Tremblay, meanwhile, could be a major X-factor in the final weekend, as the Turcotte Performance Kawasaki rider is expected to break out his ZX-R1 Ninja superbike for the first time at Calabogie.

The Mirabel, QC native finished sixth in both races at round one aboard his lesser-powered ZX-6R, but the likely Pro Sport Bike champion should be a legitimate podium threat in his return to Calabogie, which could play into the hands of fellow Kawasaki star Szoke.

Another pair of riders to watch on race day will be youngsters Tomas Casas and Samuel Guerin, who have had two wildly different campaigns thus far but remain two of the most talented young riders on the grid.

Casas has been extremely consistent if unspectacular in 2021, finding the top-six in every race so far but failing to improve upon a best result of fifth. Still, the Parts Canada Yamaha rider has flashed the pace to win at the Superbike level, and he could do so this weekend in what should be a wide-open battle at the front.

Another rider with truly nothing to lose, Guerin has had an abysmal rookie Pro campaign, finishing just once sandwiched between four DNF’s as he sits 18th in the championship. However, Guerin consistently has podium pace when he does finish, and the EFC Group BMW rider will be desperate to come away with something positive to cap off his disappointing debut season.

The full schedule for the final weekend of the 2021 season can be found on the series’ official website at csbk.ca.

AHRMA: Racer And Famed Artist Larry Poons Donating Painting

David Swarts

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September 15, 2021

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AHRMA: Racer And Famed Artist Larry Poons Donating Painting

Editorial Note: Pieces of Larry Poons’ art work have sold for up to $1.1 million at auction.

World-renowned artist and racer supports AHRMA national event

(September 15, 2021, Elora, Tennessee) Renowned painter and motorcycle road racer Larry Poons is adding an artistic touch to a renowned motorsports festival.

Poons is donating an original, matted-and-framed, acrylic and watercolor creation that will be auctioned during the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) Barber Vintage Festival in Birmingham, AL.

Bids for the silent auction will be accepted in the road race registration area until 5:00pm Saturday, October 9 and a live auction will bring the auction to a conclusion during the road race awards ceremony Saturday evening. Proceeds from the auction will benefit AHRMA, which is a not-for-profit organization.

“The AHRMA family includes an incredible variety of people, personalities, and talents” said Arthur Kowitz, 2021 Chairman of the AHRMA Board of Trustees. “Seeing Larry in the paddock and on the track makes AHRMA events even more special. His generosity in donating this original work speaks volumes about his passion and support for AHRMA.”

Poons has competed in a variety of AHRMA road racing events for decades aboard Ducati and Seeley-framed machines. He was the 500 Premier class champion in 1998 and 2003. In 2003, he and his wife Paula received AHRMA’s Demoisey Memorial Award for an outstanding husband and wife team.

His career as an artist was kickstarted in 1963 with his first solo exhibition Richard Bellamy’s Green Gallery in New York. His works have appeared in shows along with other notable artists including Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. He pioneered ground-breaking techniques along with his contemporary and collaborator Frank Stella.

Poons continues to create original works including the piece to be auctioned during the Barber Vintage Festival.

About AHRMA:

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association Ltd. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to restoring and competing on classic motorcycles. With about 4000 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes.

MotoAmerica: Will Gagne’s Win Streak Continue At Barber?

David Swarts

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September 15, 2021

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MotoAmerica: Will Gagne’s Win Streak Continue At Barber?

Will Gagne Continue Streak As MotoAmerica Series Comes To A Close?

Three HONOS Superbike Races At Barber Motorsports Park Set To End The Season This Weekend

IRVINE, CA (September 15, 2021) – The curtain will officially come down on the 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship this weekend, September 17-19, at Barber Motorsports Park, but not before the series attempts to answer a burning question for the final time: Can anyone beat Jake Gagne?

Sixteen wins and counting. MotoAmerica heads to Barber Motorsports Park this weekend for the season finale and Jake Gagne is taking his 16-race win streak with him to the picturesque circuit in Birmingham, Alabama. Photo by Brian J. Nelson
So far in 2021, the answer to that has been a resounding no. After suffering an engine failure in race one at Road Atlanta, Gagne, and his Fresh N’ Lean Attack Performance Yamaha, has won every single race since, bringing his total to a record-tying 16 wins on the season. The Californian, who now calls Colorado home, has been so dominant he was crowned 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Champion in New Jersey last weekend with four races left to run.

At Barber Motorsports Park, Gagne gets three more shots at victory and could very well end up with an astounding 19-win season as the season will conclude at Barber with six Superbike races in a 14-day span from New Jersey to Alabama.

With his even 400 points, Gagne comes into the Barber round as champion, but don’t expect him to phone this one in. As he says, he rides every lap as hard and as fast as he can and that’s the way he will be in Alabama – title or no title.

Gagne’s points haul of 400 puts him 108 points ahead of Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz’s 292 points, with the South African locking up second in the title chase last week in Jersey.

Scholtz, who favors Barber Motorsports Park more than any other on the schedule, has been the closest to Gagne in the majority of the races and has finished second seven times, including the last four races in a row.

Third place is still up for grabs, and it might not be decided until Sunday afternoon at Barber Motorsports Park. Currently, it’s M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Cameron Petersen holding down the spot with a 28-point gap back to Gagne’s Fresh N’ Lean Attack Performance Yamaha teammate Josh Herrin. Herrin returned to action last weekend at NJMP after missing two rounds due to COVID-19 but found success with two third-place finishes on Sunday.

Like his countryman Scholtz, Petersen has had the Barber round circled on his calendar all year as the place where he feels he has the best chance of winning his first career MotoAmerica Superbike race. He likes the track and he performed well here last year in the Superbike race despite racing his Stock 1000-spec Altus Motorsports Suzuki, battling with the top Superbikes until crashing in turn five.

Herrin is just a single point ahead of Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York’s Loris Baz and the Frenchman is only one point ahead of M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Bobby Fong. Baz has six podium finishes on the season; Fong has three.

Scheibe Racing’s Hector Barbera is hopeful of ending his debut season in the MotoAmerica season on a high note, the Spaniard coming off sixth- and seventh-place finishes in New Jersey on the team’s BMW. Barbera is seventh in the championship, a spot he will likely end up with as he’s well clear of Altus Motorsports’ Jake Lewis.

Lewis, meanwhile, sits atop the Superbike Cup standings – the class within a class with racers competing on their Stock 1000-spec motorcycles – and is eighth in the HONOS Superbike Championship. Lewis doesn’t need to do much to earn the Superbike Cup title – and the $25,000 that comes with it – this coming weekend as he leads Travis Wyman Racing’s Travis Wyman by 70 points with 75 points up for grabs at Barber.

Panera Bread Ducati’s Kyle Wyman is ninth in the series standings after missing several races due to injury. He leads part-timer Toni Elias by 16 points with Elias, who raced both Wyman’s Ducati and the Attack Performance Yamaha at times this year, not entered to race in the season finale.

The first of three HONOS Superbike races at Barber Motorsports Park will be held on Saturday at 3 p.m. Sunday will feature two of the premier class races, the first at 10:15 a.m. and the second will close out the weekend and the season at 4 p.m.

Barber Superbike Notes…

Barber Motorsports Park played host to the MotoAmerica season finale every year since 2017 until COVID-19 forced schedule changes last year and the event ended up as the seventh of nine rounds. This year, Barber is back as the season finale with three HONOS Superbike races on the weekend schedule.

Cameron Beaubier won both races at Barber last year en route to winning his fifth MotoAmerica Superbike title. Beaubier beat his then-teammate Jake Gagne in race one and Mathew Scholtz in race two. Scholtz was third in race one and Bobby Fong took the final podium spot in race two.

Beaubier holds both the outright Superbike lap record and race lap record at Barber Motorsports Park. Beaubier’s best lap came in Superpole last year – a 1:22.676. In the second Superbike race, Beaubier lapped the 2.3-mile racetrack in 1:23.403.

Jake Gagne’s assault on the AMA record book continues this week. With victories in all three HONOS Superbike races last week, Gagne now has 16 wins on the season – and that’s also his career mark as all his wins have come this year. With his 16th win on Sunday afternoon, Gagne tied three-time 500cc World Champion and MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey for ninth on the all-time AMA Superbike win list. If Gagne wins one of the three races this weekend, he will tie Nicky Hayden for eighth on the list. If he wins all three races, Gagne will have 19 career wins and that will put him alone in eighth and only one win behind Fred Merkel for seventh all-time.

With his 16th win of the season coming last Sunday, Gagne also tied Josh Hayes and Cameron Beaubier for the most wins in a single Superbike season. Thus, a win at Barber will make Gagne the all-time leader in Superbike wins for a season.

Jake Lewis, who wrapped up the Stock 1000 title last weekend at NJMP on his Altus Motorsports Suzuki GSX-R1000, will likely emerge from the fray this weekend with the Superbike Cup title as well. Lewis has nine Superbike Cup wins and leads Travis Wyman Racing’s Travis Wyman by 70 points heading to Alabama. With his 10th place overall finish in the HONOS Superbike race, Danilo Lewis won his first-ever Superbike Cup race on Sunday at NJMP.

For information on how to watch the MotoAmerica Series, click HERE

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.

No Americans Chosen For 2022 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup

David Swarts

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September 15, 2021

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No Americans Chosen For 2022 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup

New Rookies are ready to follow their Grand Prix dreams in 2022

The 15th season of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup wrapped up in Aragón in sensational style with David Alonso taking the title and a KTM 125 Duke to enjoy.

As a Cup alumnus the 15-year-old Colombian follows some great names as he chases his dreams. While he was enjoying Cup success this past weekend other ex Rookies were on the podium in all Grand Prix classes.

To date 30 Alumni have stood on the podium and 21 have won Grand Prix. Almost 50% of Rookies have graduated to the World Championship. 8 have won World Championships and last year’s Cup winner Pedro Acosta heads this season’s Moto3 title chase (main image – Acosta advises Alex Millan in the Mugello pit lane). Ex Rookie Raul Fernandez is 2nd in Moto2 and Joan Mir is 3rd in MotoGP having won the title last season.

The next generation are keen to follow and the provisional entry for the 2022 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup is announced. 25 riders from 18 nations are listed. Up to and including 2021, 211 riders representing 36 have competed in the Cup. The addition of Mexico for next season takes that to 37 nations and a total of 223 riders.

Current riders invited to remain in the Cup for 2022

5 Tatchakorn Buasri THA

8 Eddie O‘Shea GBR

9 Freddie Heinrich GER

14 Cormac Buchanan NZL

21 Demis Mihaila ITA

29 Harrison Voight AUS

42 Soma Görbe HUN

48 Gabin Planques FRA

58 Luca Lunetta ITA

72 Taiyo Furusato JPN

77 Filippo Farioli ITA

78 Jakob Rosenthaler AUT

95 Collin Veijer NED

New Riders invited to join the Cup

Marcos Ruda ESP

Jose Antonio Rueda ESP

Máximo Martínez Quiles ESP

Angel Piqueras ESP

Jacob Roulstone AUS

Guillermo Marcel Moreno Crail MEX

Rico Salmela FIN

Alex Venturini ITA

Jakub Gurecký CZK

Luciano Lorenz BEL

Fadillah Aditama INA

Ruché Moodley RSA

MotoGP: Michelin Continuing As Control Tire Supplier Through 2026

David Swarts

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September 15, 2021

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MotoGP: Michelin Continuing As Control Tire Supplier Through 2026

Michelin® confirmed as MotoGP™ tyre supplier until 2026

The legendary French marque will remain the official, sole tyre supplier of the premier class from 2024-2026

Wednesday, 15 September 2021

Dorna Sports is pleased to confirm a new three-year contract extension with Michelin that will see the legendary French firm continue as the sole, official tyre supplier to MotoGP™ until at least 2026. The new three-year agreement will see the partnership between Michelin and MotoGP™ reach the milestone of a decade racing together.

Michelin, based in Clermont-Ferrand in France, became the sole tyre supplier to MotoGP™ in 2016. The premier class of motorcycle Grand Prix racing has since enjoyed some of the closest competition in history, creating a true golden era. Records are routinely broken, with the ten closest top 15 finishes of all-time all set since 2018, four of which are from 2021.

As part of the agreement, the Michelin brand will also continue to be featured trackside at each event and will be the title sponsor of a Grand Prix each season.

Florent Ménégaux, CEO of Michelin: “We are very happy with the results we’ve obtained since Michelin’s return to MotoGP, and today we have, logically, extended our partnership with Dorna Sports. We are particularly proud of the technological progress made with our products, as well as the many records broken together with our partners. This Championship offers fans a captivating spectacle, and it’s accessible via digital platforms unparalleled in motorsport. Being a partner of MotoGP therefore represents a valuable opportunity for Michelin to engage the public and players across the discipline in its vision, brand, tyres and innovation. For Michelin, motorsport is a laboratory that encourages the transfer of its expertise and sustainable solutions for the benefit of everyone. ”

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “We’re very proud to continue our partnership with Michelin until at least 2026. Michelin has been a vital partner for MotoGP since it became the tyre supplier to the premier class in 2016, helping us to create one of the greatest eras of competition in motorcycle Grand Prix racing history. I’m delighted that we will reach a decade of collaboration and I hope we can continue building on this incredible foundation together. This agreement is fantastic news for all of us in the Championship.”

WERA West: Money On The Line At Season Finale In Las Vegas

September 16, 2021

Mario Orozco (27) leads Greg Arnold (271), Tim Parchman (19), David Anderson (308) and Jay Libby (50) in the Saturday WERA West Formula One race. Photo by Michael Gougis. — Mario Orozco (27) leads Greg Arnold (271), Tim Parchman (19), David Anderson (308) and Jay Libby (50) during a WERA West race at Las Vegas Classic Course in 2020. Photo by Michael Gougis.