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MotoAmerica: Previews Of The Support Classes Racing In Pittsburgh (Updated)
Six Support-Class Races To Join MotoAmerica Superbikes At Pitt Race
A Full Slate Of Racing Activity Heads To Pittsburgh, August 13-15
IRVINE, CA (August 12, 2021) – If you like motorcycle road racing then Pittsburgh International Race Complex is the place to be as the MotoAmerica Series arrives, bringing six support classes to go along with the premier HONOS Superbike Series at the picturesque 2.8-mile road course in Wampum, Pennsylvania, August 13-15.
In addition to the headline Superbike events, MotoAmerica’s seventh round of the 2021 series will feature Supersport, SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Mini Cup by Motul, and the new Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. class.
The closest points battle in the series is in Stock 1000 as four riders are in with a shot at winning the class championship as the series heads to Pitt Race. Just 29 points separate the top four and there’s only a measly two points between first and second in the title chase.
The men in title contention are Altus Motorsports’ Jake Lewis, HONOS HVMC Racing’s Corey Alexander, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway/Octane Lending’s Michael Gilbert, and Travis Wyman Racing’s Travis Wyman. As previously mentioned, Lewis leads Alexander by two points with Gilbert 25 points behind Alexander and Wyman just two points behind Gilbert.
All four of those riders have won races in 2021: Lewis (3), Alexander (3), Wyman (2) and Gilbert (1). There are also three manufacturers in the top four with Lewis riding a Suzuki, Wyman a BMW and Alexander and Gilbert aboard Kawasakis.
Scott Powersports/KTM’s Tyler Scott and Landers Racing’s Benjamin Gloddy will continue their mano y mano battle for the SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup Championship as the pair has won nine of the 12 races thus far this season. Scott and his six wins lead Gloddy and his three victories in the standings by 16 points, 252-236. Cody Wyman Racing’s Cody Wyman is next best, but he’s 79 points behind Scott. Wyman, Gus Rodio and Max Toth are the other three riders who have won Junior Cup races in 2021.
Even though Richie Escalante crashed out of race two at Brainerd International Raceway a couple of weeks ago and put himself in a hole likely too deep to come out of in the Supersport championship, there will be a battle between the HONOS HVMC Racing rider and championship leader Sean Dylan Kelly and his M4 ECSTAR Suzuki. You can count on it. Those two have combined to win 11 of the 12 Supersport races in 2021 with Kelly’s nine wins now leading Escalante and his two wins by 61 points. The other win went to MESA37’s Stefano Mesa in race one at Road America when Kelly and Escalante crashed together.
Four riders are in a heated battle for third in the championship with Kelly’s teammate Sam Lochoff currently third, 136 points behind Kelly and 15 points ahead of both Landers Racing’s Rocco Landers and North East Cycle Outlet Racing’s Benjamin Smith, who are tied for fourth, and just one point ahead of Mesa.
With Jackson Blackmon not scoring any points at the Brainerd International Raceway round, the run to the Twins Cup Championship has gotten a bit easier for Robem Engineering’s Kaleb De Keyrel, who now has a 53-point lead over Innovative Motorsports/Mike’s Imports’ Teagg Hobbs while Blackmon has slipped to third – 60 points adrift. Blackmon now has his hands full trying to protect third in the title chase as he’s just 12 points ahead of Hayden Schultz and 16 ahead of GCP’s Chris Parrish.
In Mini Cup by Motul action that will take place at Pitt Race’s karting facility on Saturday afternoon, American Racing Team’s Kensei Matsudaira leads both the 110 and 160 class championships. Matsudaira is 20 points clear of Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York’s Nathan Gouker in the 110 class and 36 points ahead of Atlas Speed Factory’s Jesse James Shedden in the 160 class.
Shedden, however, is in control of the 190 class as he sits 28 points ahead of Fernandez Racing’s Jayden Fernandez.
The women of the Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. series will have their second race of the season at Pitt Race on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. with everyone trying to reel in CJ Lukacs, the Californian who easily won the opening round at BIR. Canadian Becky Goebel was second to Lukacs with Minnesotan Trisha Dahl third in her home race.
Pitt Race Support Class Notes…
Supersport Championship points leader Sean Dylan Kelly has fond memories of Pitt Race as it was the site of the first two wins of his MotoAmerica career in 2019. Last year, however, Kelly was beaten in both races by Richie Escalante, who went on to capture the Supersport title. Kelly was second in both races with Brandon Paasch third.
Cameron Petersen, who now races in the HONOS Superbike class, won both Stock 1000 races a year ago at Pitt Race, besting Alex Dumas in race one and Corey Alexander in race two.
Rocco Landers had a successful weekend at Pitt Race with two wins in the SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup races and a victory in the lone Twins Cup race. Landers beat current Twins Cup Championship points leader Kaleb De Keyrel in the 2020 Twins Cup race.
In Mini Cup by Motul action a year ago at Pitt Race, Nathan Gouker, Mikey Lou Sanchez, and Rossi Moor came away with victories in the three classes.
The Supersport lap record at Pitt Race is still held by Garrett Gerloff, who now races in the World Superbike Championship. Gerloff’s fastest lap came during Q2 in 2017 when he lapped at 1:42.319.
The biggest class, entry-wise, for the Pitt Race weekend is Stock 1000 with 36 riders entered. The HONOS Superbike class has 30 entries; Supersport has 26; Junior Cup has 20; Twins Cup has 31; and Mini Cup by Motul has a total of 43 entries combined for its three classes.
More, from a press release issued by Pure Attitude Racing:
Early season Twins Cup championship leader returns to competition at Pitt Race
Pure Attitude Racing is pleased to announce the return of their Twins Cup rider Trevor Standish at Pitt Race this weekend.
Standish, who led the 2021 MotoAmerica Twins Championship after the opening two races at Road Atlanta, has been a spectator since he crashed out of a potential podium at Road America, breaking his wrist. But now, after several long months of recuperation, he is ready to race again.
With the championship no longer a realistic possibility, Standish intends to show his front running pace in the remaining races, before announcing his 2022 plans.
Trevor Standish: “After two months of not riding I am thrilled to be able to race in MotoAmerica once again. I am very thankful to the amazing staff within MotoAmerica for their support and especially to Dr. Jim for enabling me to get back on track before the end of the season. I was given the opportunity to ride this week and it went well considering it was the first time I had ridden since the crash at Road America. Now that I have been given clearance to race, I am so excited to give it my best at Pitt Race. I am not expecting anything, I am just so happy to be able to ride again.”
For more information go to PureAttitudeRacing.net
MotoGP: Quartararo On Vinales Situation: “Not Really Surprised”
“Everyone will make a step forward”: Riders revved up for the Austrian GP
The pre-event Press Conference kicks off the Bitci Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich as we return to the Red Bull Ring for take two
Thursday, 12 August 2021
And… we’re back! To back. The Red Bull Ring plays host once again this weekend for the Bitci Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich, and the pre-event Press Conference got the weekend underway with plenty to talk about.
Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), fresh from third place, was joined Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing); second in the standings, as well as reigning World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Sunday charger Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and, of course, the man of the moment: rookie and Styrian GP winner Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing).
Here are some key quotes:
Fabio Quartararo: “Third again would also be a good place for us but we have seen a few things that can help. But I guess everyone will make a step but we looked at a few things about my riding style and the bike, we can improve a little bit but for sure not a massive step. We know that after the first races it’s difficult to make a big step, but we can improve over one lap pace. I was great in FP4 but in the race I had a big drop on the rear and the front guys were much faster. That’s the plan to improve the consistency.”
On teammate Maverick Viñales:
“I have no proper comments. Not really surprised. I think and I guess many people know what happened. For me it’s no problem to ride alone. Difficult to say something, better to ask Yamaha people than myself. For me it won’t change anything about my weekend.”
On the Moto2 rider market:
“Actually I made the best result in Moto2 in the best moment. I won in Catalunya, and more than the win was the race in Assen. I was half a second faster than the first guy, I think it was Pecco, about that race I came from really far doing strong overtakes. Between Assen and Sachsenring I knew I was going to go to MotoGP. I think it will be interesting to see, I had my seat in MotoGP just because of two good races. Right now a lot of riders in Moto2 will make their best and have this kind of motivation. Let’s see who is going there.”
Johann Zarco: “The fourth place would be better than the sixth to resume the weekend, because it’s true that I could not be pretty fast last weekend. But the race was quite OK, just this last lap I was struggling I think with the rear tyre and Nakagami and Brad, they caught me, just too quick, I could not hold the gap. I was disappointed immediately after the race because when the rest seems quite OK but then you lose two positions in one lap, or the last one, you get frustrated but then it was not a bad race and I could see good things. I was happy for my teammate, that he won the race, and this was even more interesting to confirm what I’m feeling on the bike, that it’s possible to win. I just need to get a bit more a confidence in a few areas to make this step up to the podium and to, why not victory, so that’s why when I could analyse my performance, then I was enjoying more with the team the good result of Jorge and this made the Sunday evening quite OK.
On the note of his teammate’s win:
“The motivation is the right motivation because it confirms really the potential of the bike that I think it’s one of the best bike, that can be always on the podium, or can fight for it and even for the victory. This confirmation helps Ducati to make me do an extra push and since Qatar 2, the potential of Jorge was there with the pole position, he led almost all the race and I was following him. The bad thing has been the crash in Portimao and after that he got difficult races, but he showed that the summer break helped him to recover well and then he was again riding like the Martinator. That’s the good sign with a bit less experience, having immediately the right performance really means that we, I say we as Ducati riders, we just need to make this step up, but it is easier to say than do, but it’s the right motivation.”
Joan Mir: “I just think that we did a great race. I don’t think about if we will get the title at the end or not but it’s the first point to think about. It’s clear Suzuki made a great job this summer to find something more and finally it looks like this work helped, and we could see better performance. Let’s try to keep improving, it will be the key. Last year we were able to get the title but through consistency. At the beginning of the year I said I want to try and win more races, to be faster. At the minute I’m not looking at the Championship, I’m just giving 100% to try and get victories. It’s what I will try to do every weekend and at the end we will see, we will fight to the end that’s for sure. But first of all we need to continue like that.
“It’s so important to qualify well. For me, to start in 2nd row, is like starting from pole. A lot of work you don’t have to do on the first laps and also tyre that you save. Sometimes I think that starting from P14 or P11 is possible to arrive to the podium and maybe one day you’ll get the victory, but there’s a lot of risk you have to take. To fight for the title and to be strong in every race, starting there is not possible. We have to continue improving in that area. If we improve the pace we will improve the lap time, this is clear. So we are following the right steps to try and improve.”
Brad Binder: “You know for me I don’t have a home Grand Prix, so this is about as close it’s going to get with the Red Bull Ring and KTM. Last weekend you know I struggled in in most of the sessions and there wasn’t really a session where I was really close to the front, but I was always able to do my same lap time consistently but not going much faster. I mean in the race I had quite OK start and I pushed as hard as I could to the end. Coming into the last couple laps I could see I was catching Taka and Johann and yeah, I managed to make the moves count on the last lap and come across in fourth place, so for sure it was a really good result for me, especially starting back in 16th. Coming into this weekend after last week’s race we understand a lot more. I’ve found a few key areas where we need to try and improve sure and yeah, I think we have what it takes to try and fight amongst that podium battle for sure, just need to improve a couple little areas and it can really go a long way so all in all it really looking forward to getting the second GP started.
“As we all know we’re getting a harder option front tyre but whether it’s going to work or not for us, we’re still going to have to wait and see. It is true we are missing support in the front and it’s making it very difficult for us to brake because we have a lot of front locking and whenever we need to flick into the corners we don’t quite have the support, so it’s making it really difficult for us to use the strongest points of our bike, which is corner entry. So far looking at the weekend it’s going to be interesting to see if we can make the harder tyre work, because in the past we always benefitted more having a harder front tyre, but yeah, like I said the big question is if it will work or not, and I really hope it does because we do struggle a lot with the medium option. It’s going to be a good weekend for us to try and figure out what we can do and hopefully try to make it all work.”
Marc Marquez: “Last weekend about the physical condition I expected better but ok, it’s not an excuse. We are working and improving race by race so this is important. This circuit is one of the most demanding on the right arm. Anyway during the weekend I felt ok, I felt comfortable and fast. In the first race I felt I had good potential. I felt fast and felt I was able to finish in a… not in a top position but with the top five. But in the second race, from the warm up lap I didn’t feel the bike and I felt strange. Even the first laps there were a few mistakes but even then I didn’t have the pace, I was 0.7s slower than FP4. We will understand tomorrow, if I go out on the same bike again. The answer will be there.
“I’m working on my side to be better and come back as before. I’m not riding in a natural way, this is one goal. Honda are working hard, in the summer they worked very hard. They are testing many things in my part of the garage, this is also important to feel the reaction of your factory. It’s true testing many things during a race weekend isn’t the best way to find the best result on Sunday, but now I have nothing to lose and nothing to win. We are trying to prepare 2022 well, try many things. Sometimes you get confused during a weekend, but we believe it’s the correct way. It’s true all Honda riders are struggling. I was checking the standings and I’m leading the Honda riders with 50 (points). That means Honda riders are struggling. We need to understand and keep working and believe, because it looks better race by race.”
Jorge Martin: “Well it’s difficult to believe it. All your life fighting and training to win this race and then you do it. Yeah, it’s difficult to believe but yeah, I feel great. The good thing is we now have another race so now we need to focus, so you don’t have too much time to enjoy it, and maybe this is a good point. I don’t want to be so high! A lot of people texting me, a lot of different people, I’m really happy and really focused on this weekend.
“I don’t know, I need to try. Maybe this weekend I can try. In the past Joan and I raced together but he’s just another rider. If you think you about the fact you have a World Champion behind you, or if you think he is stronger than you, then you will make a lot of mistakes and destroy your race. I hope in the future I hope I can battle with the other guys, like Marc and Johann, and learn.”
That’s it from Thursday! Free Practice begins on Friday morning, before MotoGP™ heads back out for another round in the Red Bull Ring on Sunday at 14:00 (GMT +2).
Australian Superbike: Remaining 2021 Schedule “Reset”
ASBK Reset Calendar For An Exciting Conclusion To 2021
ASBK Management Team announces today a reset to the 2021 ASBK calendar to provide a targeted plan to return to racing in 2021.
With the current State Government border restrictions and lockdowns across the nation causing the postponement to the ASBK Championship, the ASBK Management Team has refocused its efforts to ensure racing can resume as soon as practical.
The 2021 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul, now consists of a new date for The Bend Motorsport Park and a realignment of other rounds to ensure the championship has the best possible chance to conduct the maximum rounds in 2021 for the Riders, Teams, and fans of ASBK.
The mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul, calendar will see the Championship next fire into action at the fan favourite circuit of Wakefield Park Raceway, Goulburn, NSW, for Round 5 on October 15-17.
The Alpinestars Superbike class will then head south for Round 6, joining alongside the Supercars for the all new Bass Coast Festival Of Motorsport at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, October 22-24. Which was to be the MotoGP weekend and now will feature ASBK action.
For the first time, The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia will feature all ASBK classes in a huge 4-day event of spectacular racing action for Rounds 7 and 8, November 11-14. The Alpinestars Superbikes will conduct a single round format (Round 8) over 3 races conducted on Saturday and Sunday. Whilst all other ASBK classes will race a double-header format (Round 7 & 8) also racing on Saturday & Sunday.
The event is shaping as a real feast for motorcycle fans which will include the Superbike Masters and both on-track and off-track activities and displays for race fans.
Round 9 – the Grand Finale of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul – will see riders battle it out at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, December 3-5, to see who will be crowned the 2021 ASBK Champions in all five classes.
If ongoing State Border restrictions cause continued delays which prevent ASBK rounds in October occurring, then the Alpinestars Superbikes will join other classes with a full double-header of rounds 7 & 8 at The Bend Motorsport Park in November.
The ASBK Management Team thanks riders, teams and fans for their understanding at this difficult time and can be assured that we are aiming to provide the best opportunity for riders to race at the maximum number of rounds possible.
The ASBK Management Team understand that this announcement today may cause inconvenience for teams and fans, but these necessary decisions in the current environment are required to ensure the ASBK Championship can proceed when practical.
ASBK CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR
Round 5 – Wakefield Park Raceway, NSW October 15 – 17
Round 6 – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC (SBK Only 2+4 with Supercars) October 22 – 24
Round 7 & 8 – The Bend Motorsport Park, SA November 11 – 14* (Double Header Round) *Except SBK who will have a single round x3 races = 1x Race Saturday and 2x Sunday)
Round 9 – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC December 3 – 5
Note: If Wakefield or Phillip Island 2+4 rounds are cancelled then The Bend becomes Double Header for SBK class with 2x Saturday races (Round 7) & 2x Sunday races (Round 8) activated.
Keep up to date with the latest news on the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul via www.asbk.com.au and following ASBK on Facebook and Instagram. You can also join our ASBK mailing list at www.asbk.com.au
Canadian Superbike: Third 2021 Round To Be Announced
Dumas leads loaded Superbike field into first ever CSBK tripleheader at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Superbike Championship will enter unfamiliar territory in a number of ways this weekend, as teenage sensation Alex Dumas carries a surprising title lead into the first ever Pro Superbike tripleheader in round two at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, July 13-15.
The feature class grid will enter its most compressed weekend schedule ever, with qualifying and the chase for the Yuasa Batteries Pole Award – also featuring the return of the Dunlop Q tires – set to run on Friday afternoon before a 20-lap race one on Saturday, and two 18-lap races on Sunday.
Dumas entered round one at Calabogie widely believed to be a frontrunner, but the 18-year-old rookie far exceeded any expectations as he swept both legs of the thrilling doubleheader, earning a 17-point championship lead in the process.
Riding a Liqui Moly MPG Fast Riding School-backed Suzuki GSX-R1000, Dumas will now get three more chances to carve out history at “Old Mosport,” though he will have to do so with perhaps even tougher competition than he faced in the season opener.
Leading the challenge will again be 2019 champion Ben Young, who returned after a year away from the sport to snatch pole position and a pair of second place finishes at round one. Young has traditionally excelled at CTMP, the circuit where he captured his lone title two years ago, and he will look to continue that run of success aboard his Van Dolder’s Home Team BMWS1000RR this weekend.
The other member of the “big three” out front, defending champion Jordan Szoke will be looking to shake off a solid although disappointing opener, where he settled for a pair of third place finishes to take a 29-point deficit into CTMP.
The Canada General Warranty Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja rider has conquered the circuit a record 18 times before, including a sweep of the doubleheader last season as he claimed the 2020 championship, his 14th National title overall.
While the podium finishers appeared to be a step ahead in round one, the trio will likely be in for a much tougher task at the fastest track on the calendar, as the long Andretti straightaway usually delivers stunning battles throughout the grid.
A consistent frontrunner over the last few years, Trevor Daley came away with a mixed bag in round one as a pair of slow starts meant he could only manage fourth in each race, but the OneSpeed Suzuki Canada rider showed podium pace in both contests and will look to replicate that at his home track this weekend.
Another local favourite sure to join the lead group will be Tomas Casas, who returned to Calabogie after his own one-year absence to claim a career-best qualifying position in second. The Parts Canada Yamaha YZF-R1 rider went backwards on race day, most notably due to arm pump, but he seemed to right the ship with a victory at the Pro6 GP regional series and will be returning to full health in front of his hometown fans at CTMP.
The second-place finisher from that regional racing battle, rookie Samuel Guerin will also be looking to put a tough opening round behind him, as the 2020 runner-up was forced out of both races with mechanical issues. The EFC Group BMW rider remains a rookie due to the COVID-19 pandemic but looked like anything but a year ago, when CTMP proved to be his best track as he battled Szoke to the line before ultimately settling for second.
One wildcard to watch will be Sebastian Tremblay, as the Pro Sport Bike championship leader is believed to be adding a full Superbike program to his plans for round two. The Turcotte Performance Kawasaki rider has been focusing his efforts aboard a lesser-powered 600cc machine in recent years, though that hasn’t seemed to limit him as he claimed a pair of sixth place finishes at Calabogie.
An upgrade to a full 1000cc machine may make Tremblay a podium challenger – or even a dark horse for race wins – should the decision be made official this weekend, though his focus will still lie with the middleweight championship.
Perhaps joining the frontrunning battle for the first time since 2019 will be both rider and manufacturer, as Steven Nickerson is set to return to the series aboard his Dewildt Powersports Honda CBR1000RR after sitting out round one and all of last season. The SOAR regional racing champion will be a welcome boost for Honda in the Constructors standings, though Nickerson himself will have his sights set on a maiden podium as he joins a wide-open fight at the front in round two.
This weekend’s action won’t be the final National event of the season for CSBK, with a third and final round planned for Calabogie Motorsports Park in mid-September to be announced shortly.
The second round of the CSBK season will also feature the return of spectators to the storied circuit, with tickets available until August 12 at noon (online only) at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park website.
The full schedule of events and prior results can be found on the series’ own official site at www.csbk.ca.
British Superbike: O’Halloran Leads Championship Into Donington Park
O’Halloran leads the charge to Donington Park as the fight for the top eight ready to rage
The Bennetts British Superbike Championship hits Donington Park this weekend (August 13/14/15); marking the halfway point of the Main Season as the battle to feature in the top eight of the standings intensifies ahead of the end of season Showdown.
Jason O’Halloran is the rider on form ahead of round five; the McAMS Yamaha took a triple win last time out at Thruxton, adding to his tally of victories to lead the standings ahead of VisionTrack Ducati’s Christian Iddon.
Four different riders have won races so far in 2021, including Iddon, Tarran Mackenzie and Danny Buchan, and they currently hold the top four positions in the standings.
However a further five riders have celebrated podium finishes, including rookie Rory Skinner and Danny Kent, who accomplished their first top three finish in Bennetts BSB at Knockhill and Thruxton respectively.
Last year’s race-winner, Tommy Bridewell holds fifth position ahead of this weekend’s three races, but only by a slender two points from Peter Hickman on the FHO Racing BMW. The FS-3 Racing Kawasaki pairing of Rory Skinner and Lee Jackson currently lock out the final two places in the top eight ahead of this weekend’s action.
Just outside the top eight ahead of Donington Park is Bradley Ray, but only by two points, whilst Honda Racing’s Glenn Irwin is just seven points adrift, as he returns to the circuit where the team claimed a double victory last year, and he scored a trio of second place finishes.
Ryan Vickers had his strongest weekend in the championship at Thruxton, the RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki rider was edging closer to securing his first podium finish. He holds a 16-point advantage over defending champion Josh Brookes, who will be fully focused on getting his title defence back on track after a disappointing start to the season.
Whilst the battle for the Championship continues to hot up, this weekend also marks the start of the Milwaukee Summer Grand Slam, as the riders will battle it out for a chance to win a £50,000 prize across the six races at the next two rounds.
The ultimate prize of £50,000 will be awarded if a rider can deliver an unstoppable performance across the Donington Park National (August 13/14/15) and Cadwell Park (August 20/21/22) events to win all six races. The last rider to succeed with six consecutive race wins was Brookes onboard the Milwaukee Yamaha back in 2015.
If a rider can win five of the six races, then they will claim a £25,000 prize, which was most recently achieved by Leon Haslam in his title-winning 2018 campaign. The final chance to win will be if a rider can be victorious in four of the six races, with a £10,000 prize. Most recently, Scott Redding celebrated four in a row during his 2019 title-winning season.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 232
Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) 190
Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 173
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) 162
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 110
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) 108
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 93
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 88
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Jason O’Halloran – McAMS Yamaha
Championship leader
“I am feeling really good on the McAMS Yamaha; obviously coming off the back of three wins at Thruxton gives me a huge amount of confidence going forwards.
“Heading to Donington Park, it is a track that I love racing at, we were on the podium there last year, and even more importantly we had a really good pre-season test there, so I expect another strong weekend.
“I think it will be even more competitive this weekend as Thruxton was a little bit of a different circuit, and I think there are quite a few of us who go well at Donington Park, so I think we are set for some great racing.
“I think for sure when someone starts winning a bit everyone starts to think they need to beat that person. That brings a little bit of pressure, but it is wanted pressure as that is where we want to be! It’s a good thing and it’s a privilege as we have worked hard to be in this position.
“We will just keep focused on our own work and not get too carried away. There is a long way to go yet and we have only had four rounds, but to have seven wins and nine podiums is an amazing achievement so we want to keep that going.”
World Superbike: Kawasaki Testing At Catalunya
Mid-Season Test Starting For KRT
Kawasaki’s official WorldSBK team will venture just a few hundred metres from its European headquarters to take part in a two day mid-season test session at Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona, between 12-13 August.
Alex Lowes and Jonathan Rea will be able to use this testing opportunity to find even more improvements in the race settings of the 2021 Ninja ZX-10RR to move forward into the second half of the WorldSBK season with even greater race pace and confidence.
After testing throughout last winter with what was expected to be an enhanced permitted peak rev figure for the new machine in WorldSBK specification, all Kawasaki riders had to start 2021 with the same 14,600 rpm maximum limit as 2020.
That unexpected turn of events has complicated machine set-up over the first few rounds this season. At this test the team will work on enhancing other areas of performance on the new Ninja ZX-10RR, which has already benefitted from a number of inbuilt improvements over 2020 model in any case.
The two scheduled days at the Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona will primarily be a pre-planned mid-season test but there is also the chance to look at specific race setups for when the championship arrives at the 4.627km long circuit or the ninth round of the championship in mid-September.
Jonathan leads what has been an exciting championship fight over the first six rounds by three points, with Lowes fourth overall.
Rea has stood on the podium 16 times in 18 attempts in 2021, with eight of those podiums proving to be race wins. Lowes has taken four podiums this year on the 2021 Ninja ZX-10RR, the most recent at Donington Park in the UK.
After the Barcelona test has been completed KRT will make a four hour journey west next week to take part in the seventh round of the championship, at another new WorldSBK venue – Circuito de Navarra. The first ever WorldSBK round at this venue will take place between 20-22 August.
Alex Lowes, stated: “The Barcelona test has come at a good time. We haven’t had the easiest run recently and we have a few areas where we are looking to improve our package. This test will provide a great opportunity for us to try some more stuff away from a race weekend. The weather looks like it’s going to be hot which is what I am hoping for. This will be an important mid-season test for us.”
Jonathan Rea, stated: “It is so nice to have a test during the race season in this summer period because we are going to have a lot of races coming in quick succession. During race weekends you always find challenges but you are quite reluctant to go outside the base area of the bike. So this test will give us an opportunity to look at set-up ideas. We also have some new test items from KHI to try and make a step forward with the bike. Even though we raced at Barcelona last year we have not done too many laps as it is quite a new track in WorldSBK. The race weekend in Barcelona is only a few weeks away so it will be nice to get a head start. That round is going to be an important one not just because it is the team’s home race but it will be the first of a triple header.”
Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager, stated: “We planned this test few months ago to be a ‘half-year’ test plan, to work on bike set up away from the stress of a race weekend. Ducati and Yamaha, with Redding and Razgatlioglu, remain at very good level now, and we need to take the maximum performance possible from our ZX-10RR every time. The maximum engine rev balancing issue we faced before the start of the season has made Alex and Johnny’s life more difficult. We are trying to find more ideas and solutions inside the rules to give them the best bike setup possible. Alex is struggling with his shoulder and cannot ride at 100% at this moment, and Johnny is giving his best to counteract the competition Razgatlioglu and Redding are showing. This is an exciting season, so we will keep working to make show as exciting as it can possibly be.”
MotoAmerica: Gloddy Leads Junior Cup FP1 At PittRace
This weekend’s results are brought to you by Blud Lubricants – Racing Is In Our Blud!!!
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Moto2: Ogura Quickest In FP1 At Red Bull Ring II
MotoGP: Zarco Breaks Lap Record In FP1 At Red Bull Ring II
Moto3: Binder Best In FP1 At Red Bull Ring II
MotoAmerica: Previews Of The Support Classes Racing In Pittsburgh (Updated)
Six Support-Class Races To Join MotoAmerica Superbikes At Pitt Race
A Full Slate Of Racing Activity Heads To Pittsburgh, August 13-15
IRVINE, CA (August 12, 2021) – If you like motorcycle road racing then Pittsburgh International Race Complex is the place to be as the MotoAmerica Series arrives, bringing six support classes to go along with the premier HONOS Superbike Series at the picturesque 2.8-mile road course in Wampum, Pennsylvania, August 13-15.
In addition to the headline Superbike events, MotoAmerica’s seventh round of the 2021 series will feature Supersport, SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Mini Cup by Motul, and the new Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. class.
The closest points battle in the series is in Stock 1000 as four riders are in with a shot at winning the class championship as the series heads to Pitt Race. Just 29 points separate the top four and there’s only a measly two points between first and second in the title chase.
The men in title contention are Altus Motorsports’ Jake Lewis, HONOS HVMC Racing’s Corey Alexander, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway/Octane Lending’s Michael Gilbert, and Travis Wyman Racing’s Travis Wyman. As previously mentioned, Lewis leads Alexander by two points with Gilbert 25 points behind Alexander and Wyman just two points behind Gilbert.
All four of those riders have won races in 2021: Lewis (3), Alexander (3), Wyman (2) and Gilbert (1). There are also three manufacturers in the top four with Lewis riding a Suzuki, Wyman a BMW and Alexander and Gilbert aboard Kawasakis.
Scott Powersports/KTM’s Tyler Scott and Landers Racing’s Benjamin Gloddy will continue their mano y mano battle for the SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup Championship as the pair has won nine of the 12 races thus far this season. Scott and his six wins lead Gloddy and his three victories in the standings by 16 points, 252-236. Cody Wyman Racing’s Cody Wyman is next best, but he’s 79 points behind Scott. Wyman, Gus Rodio and Max Toth are the other three riders who have won Junior Cup races in 2021.
Even though Richie Escalante crashed out of race two at Brainerd International Raceway a couple of weeks ago and put himself in a hole likely too deep to come out of in the Supersport championship, there will be a battle between the HONOS HVMC Racing rider and championship leader Sean Dylan Kelly and his M4 ECSTAR Suzuki. You can count on it. Those two have combined to win 11 of the 12 Supersport races in 2021 with Kelly’s nine wins now leading Escalante and his two wins by 61 points. The other win went to MESA37’s Stefano Mesa in race one at Road America when Kelly and Escalante crashed together.
Four riders are in a heated battle for third in the championship with Kelly’s teammate Sam Lochoff currently third, 136 points behind Kelly and 15 points ahead of both Landers Racing’s Rocco Landers and North East Cycle Outlet Racing’s Benjamin Smith, who are tied for fourth, and just one point ahead of Mesa.
With Jackson Blackmon not scoring any points at the Brainerd International Raceway round, the run to the Twins Cup Championship has gotten a bit easier for Robem Engineering’s Kaleb De Keyrel, who now has a 53-point lead over Innovative Motorsports/Mike’s Imports’ Teagg Hobbs while Blackmon has slipped to third – 60 points adrift. Blackmon now has his hands full trying to protect third in the title chase as he’s just 12 points ahead of Hayden Schultz and 16 ahead of GCP’s Chris Parrish.
In Mini Cup by Motul action that will take place at Pitt Race’s karting facility on Saturday afternoon, American Racing Team’s Kensei Matsudaira leads both the 110 and 160 class championships. Matsudaira is 20 points clear of Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York’s Nathan Gouker in the 110 class and 36 points ahead of Atlas Speed Factory’s Jesse James Shedden in the 160 class.
Shedden, however, is in control of the 190 class as he sits 28 points ahead of Fernandez Racing’s Jayden Fernandez.
The women of the Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. series will have their second race of the season at Pitt Race on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. with everyone trying to reel in CJ Lukacs, the Californian who easily won the opening round at BIR. Canadian Becky Goebel was second to Lukacs with Minnesotan Trisha Dahl third in her home race.
Pitt Race Support Class Notes…
Supersport Championship points leader Sean Dylan Kelly has fond memories of Pitt Race as it was the site of the first two wins of his MotoAmerica career in 2019. Last year, however, Kelly was beaten in both races by Richie Escalante, who went on to capture the Supersport title. Kelly was second in both races with Brandon Paasch third.
Cameron Petersen, who now races in the HONOS Superbike class, won both Stock 1000 races a year ago at Pitt Race, besting Alex Dumas in race one and Corey Alexander in race two.
Rocco Landers had a successful weekend at Pitt Race with two wins in the SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup races and a victory in the lone Twins Cup race. Landers beat current Twins Cup Championship points leader Kaleb De Keyrel in the 2020 Twins Cup race.
In Mini Cup by Motul action a year ago at Pitt Race, Nathan Gouker, Mikey Lou Sanchez, and Rossi Moor came away with victories in the three classes.
The Supersport lap record at Pitt Race is still held by Garrett Gerloff, who now races in the World Superbike Championship. Gerloff’s fastest lap came during Q2 in 2017 when he lapped at 1:42.319.
The biggest class, entry-wise, for the Pitt Race weekend is Stock 1000 with 36 riders entered. The HONOS Superbike class has 30 entries; Supersport has 26; Junior Cup has 20; Twins Cup has 31; and Mini Cup by Motul has a total of 43 entries combined for its three classes.
More, from a press release issued by Pure Attitude Racing:
Early season Twins Cup championship leader returns to competition at Pitt Race
Pure Attitude Racing is pleased to announce the return of their Twins Cup rider Trevor Standish at Pitt Race this weekend.
Standish, who led the 2021 MotoAmerica Twins Championship after the opening two races at Road Atlanta, has been a spectator since he crashed out of a potential podium at Road America, breaking his wrist. But now, after several long months of recuperation, he is ready to race again.
With the championship no longer a realistic possibility, Standish intends to show his front running pace in the remaining races, before announcing his 2022 plans.
Trevor Standish: “After two months of not riding I am thrilled to be able to race in MotoAmerica once again. I am very thankful to the amazing staff within MotoAmerica for their support and especially to Dr. Jim for enabling me to get back on track before the end of the season. I was given the opportunity to ride this week and it went well considering it was the first time I had ridden since the crash at Road America. Now that I have been given clearance to race, I am so excited to give it my best at Pitt Race. I am not expecting anything, I am just so happy to be able to ride again.”
For more information go to PureAttitudeRacing.net
MotoGP: Quartararo On Vinales Situation: “Not Really Surprised”
“Everyone will make a step forward”: Riders revved up for the Austrian GP
The pre-event Press Conference kicks off the Bitci Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich as we return to the Red Bull Ring for take two
Thursday, 12 August 2021
And… we’re back! To back. The Red Bull Ring plays host once again this weekend for the Bitci Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich, and the pre-event Press Conference got the weekend underway with plenty to talk about.
Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), fresh from third place, was joined Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing); second in the standings, as well as reigning World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Sunday charger Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and, of course, the man of the moment: rookie and Styrian GP winner Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing).
Here are some key quotes:
Fabio Quartararo: “Third again would also be a good place for us but we have seen a few things that can help. But I guess everyone will make a step but we looked at a few things about my riding style and the bike, we can improve a little bit but for sure not a massive step. We know that after the first races it’s difficult to make a big step, but we can improve over one lap pace. I was great in FP4 but in the race I had a big drop on the rear and the front guys were much faster. That’s the plan to improve the consistency.”
On teammate Maverick Viñales:
“I have no proper comments. Not really surprised. I think and I guess many people know what happened. For me it’s no problem to ride alone. Difficult to say something, better to ask Yamaha people than myself. For me it won’t change anything about my weekend.”
On the Moto2 rider market:
“Actually I made the best result in Moto2 in the best moment. I won in Catalunya, and more than the win was the race in Assen. I was half a second faster than the first guy, I think it was Pecco, about that race I came from really far doing strong overtakes. Between Assen and Sachsenring I knew I was going to go to MotoGP. I think it will be interesting to see, I had my seat in MotoGP just because of two good races. Right now a lot of riders in Moto2 will make their best and have this kind of motivation. Let’s see who is going there.”
Johann Zarco: “The fourth place would be better than the sixth to resume the weekend, because it’s true that I could not be pretty fast last weekend. But the race was quite OK, just this last lap I was struggling I think with the rear tyre and Nakagami and Brad, they caught me, just too quick, I could not hold the gap. I was disappointed immediately after the race because when the rest seems quite OK but then you lose two positions in one lap, or the last one, you get frustrated but then it was not a bad race and I could see good things. I was happy for my teammate, that he won the race, and this was even more interesting to confirm what I’m feeling on the bike, that it’s possible to win. I just need to get a bit more a confidence in a few areas to make this step up to the podium and to, why not victory, so that’s why when I could analyse my performance, then I was enjoying more with the team the good result of Jorge and this made the Sunday evening quite OK.
On the note of his teammate’s win:
“The motivation is the right motivation because it confirms really the potential of the bike that I think it’s one of the best bike, that can be always on the podium, or can fight for it and even for the victory. This confirmation helps Ducati to make me do an extra push and since Qatar 2, the potential of Jorge was there with the pole position, he led almost all the race and I was following him. The bad thing has been the crash in Portimao and after that he got difficult races, but he showed that the summer break helped him to recover well and then he was again riding like the Martinator. That’s the good sign with a bit less experience, having immediately the right performance really means that we, I say we as Ducati riders, we just need to make this step up, but it is easier to say than do, but it’s the right motivation.”
Joan Mir: “I just think that we did a great race. I don’t think about if we will get the title at the end or not but it’s the first point to think about. It’s clear Suzuki made a great job this summer to find something more and finally it looks like this work helped, and we could see better performance. Let’s try to keep improving, it will be the key. Last year we were able to get the title but through consistency. At the beginning of the year I said I want to try and win more races, to be faster. At the minute I’m not looking at the Championship, I’m just giving 100% to try and get victories. It’s what I will try to do every weekend and at the end we will see, we will fight to the end that’s for sure. But first of all we need to continue like that.
“It’s so important to qualify well. For me, to start in 2nd row, is like starting from pole. A lot of work you don’t have to do on the first laps and also tyre that you save. Sometimes I think that starting from P14 or P11 is possible to arrive to the podium and maybe one day you’ll get the victory, but there’s a lot of risk you have to take. To fight for the title and to be strong in every race, starting there is not possible. We have to continue improving in that area. If we improve the pace we will improve the lap time, this is clear. So we are following the right steps to try and improve.”
Brad Binder: “You know for me I don’t have a home Grand Prix, so this is about as close it’s going to get with the Red Bull Ring and KTM. Last weekend you know I struggled in in most of the sessions and there wasn’t really a session where I was really close to the front, but I was always able to do my same lap time consistently but not going much faster. I mean in the race I had quite OK start and I pushed as hard as I could to the end. Coming into the last couple laps I could see I was catching Taka and Johann and yeah, I managed to make the moves count on the last lap and come across in fourth place, so for sure it was a really good result for me, especially starting back in 16th. Coming into this weekend after last week’s race we understand a lot more. I’ve found a few key areas where we need to try and improve sure and yeah, I think we have what it takes to try and fight amongst that podium battle for sure, just need to improve a couple little areas and it can really go a long way so all in all it really looking forward to getting the second GP started.
“As we all know we’re getting a harder option front tyre but whether it’s going to work or not for us, we’re still going to have to wait and see. It is true we are missing support in the front and it’s making it very difficult for us to brake because we have a lot of front locking and whenever we need to flick into the corners we don’t quite have the support, so it’s making it really difficult for us to use the strongest points of our bike, which is corner entry. So far looking at the weekend it’s going to be interesting to see if we can make the harder tyre work, because in the past we always benefitted more having a harder front tyre, but yeah, like I said the big question is if it will work or not, and I really hope it does because we do struggle a lot with the medium option. It’s going to be a good weekend for us to try and figure out what we can do and hopefully try to make it all work.”
Marc Marquez: “Last weekend about the physical condition I expected better but ok, it’s not an excuse. We are working and improving race by race so this is important. This circuit is one of the most demanding on the right arm. Anyway during the weekend I felt ok, I felt comfortable and fast. In the first race I felt I had good potential. I felt fast and felt I was able to finish in a… not in a top position but with the top five. But in the second race, from the warm up lap I didn’t feel the bike and I felt strange. Even the first laps there were a few mistakes but even then I didn’t have the pace, I was 0.7s slower than FP4. We will understand tomorrow, if I go out on the same bike again. The answer will be there.
“I’m working on my side to be better and come back as before. I’m not riding in a natural way, this is one goal. Honda are working hard, in the summer they worked very hard. They are testing many things in my part of the garage, this is also important to feel the reaction of your factory. It’s true testing many things during a race weekend isn’t the best way to find the best result on Sunday, but now I have nothing to lose and nothing to win. We are trying to prepare 2022 well, try many things. Sometimes you get confused during a weekend, but we believe it’s the correct way. It’s true all Honda riders are struggling. I was checking the standings and I’m leading the Honda riders with 50 (points). That means Honda riders are struggling. We need to understand and keep working and believe, because it looks better race by race.”
Jorge Martin: “Well it’s difficult to believe it. All your life fighting and training to win this race and then you do it. Yeah, it’s difficult to believe but yeah, I feel great. The good thing is we now have another race so now we need to focus, so you don’t have too much time to enjoy it, and maybe this is a good point. I don’t want to be so high! A lot of people texting me, a lot of different people, I’m really happy and really focused on this weekend.
“I don’t know, I need to try. Maybe this weekend I can try. In the past Joan and I raced together but he’s just another rider. If you think you about the fact you have a World Champion behind you, or if you think he is stronger than you, then you will make a lot of mistakes and destroy your race. I hope in the future I hope I can battle with the other guys, like Marc and Johann, and learn.”
That’s it from Thursday! Free Practice begins on Friday morning, before MotoGP™ heads back out for another round in the Red Bull Ring on Sunday at 14:00 (GMT +2).
Australian Superbike: Remaining 2021 Schedule “Reset”
ASBK Reset Calendar For An Exciting Conclusion To 2021
ASBK Management Team announces today a reset to the 2021 ASBK calendar to provide a targeted plan to return to racing in 2021.
With the current State Government border restrictions and lockdowns across the nation causing the postponement to the ASBK Championship, the ASBK Management Team has refocused its efforts to ensure racing can resume as soon as practical.
The 2021 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul, now consists of a new date for The Bend Motorsport Park and a realignment of other rounds to ensure the championship has the best possible chance to conduct the maximum rounds in 2021 for the Riders, Teams, and fans of ASBK.
The mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul, calendar will see the Championship next fire into action at the fan favourite circuit of Wakefield Park Raceway, Goulburn, NSW, for Round 5 on October 15-17.
The Alpinestars Superbike class will then head south for Round 6, joining alongside the Supercars for the all new Bass Coast Festival Of Motorsport at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, October 22-24. Which was to be the MotoGP weekend and now will feature ASBK action.
For the first time, The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia will feature all ASBK classes in a huge 4-day event of spectacular racing action for Rounds 7 and 8, November 11-14. The Alpinestars Superbikes will conduct a single round format (Round 8) over 3 races conducted on Saturday and Sunday. Whilst all other ASBK classes will race a double-header format (Round 7 & 8) also racing on Saturday & Sunday.
The event is shaping as a real feast for motorcycle fans which will include the Superbike Masters and both on-track and off-track activities and displays for race fans.
Round 9 – the Grand Finale of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul – will see riders battle it out at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, December 3-5, to see who will be crowned the 2021 ASBK Champions in all five classes.
If ongoing State Border restrictions cause continued delays which prevent ASBK rounds in October occurring, then the Alpinestars Superbikes will join other classes with a full double-header of rounds 7 & 8 at The Bend Motorsport Park in November.
The ASBK Management Team thanks riders, teams and fans for their understanding at this difficult time and can be assured that we are aiming to provide the best opportunity for riders to race at the maximum number of rounds possible.
The ASBK Management Team understand that this announcement today may cause inconvenience for teams and fans, but these necessary decisions in the current environment are required to ensure the ASBK Championship can proceed when practical.
ASBK CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR
Round 5 – Wakefield Park Raceway, NSW October 15 – 17
Round 6 – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC (SBK Only 2+4 with Supercars) October 22 – 24
Round 7 & 8 – The Bend Motorsport Park, SA November 11 – 14* (Double Header Round) *Except SBK who will have a single round x3 races = 1x Race Saturday and 2x Sunday)
Round 9 – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC December 3 – 5
Note: If Wakefield or Phillip Island 2+4 rounds are cancelled then The Bend becomes Double Header for SBK class with 2x Saturday races (Round 7) & 2x Sunday races (Round 8) activated.
Keep up to date with the latest news on the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul via www.asbk.com.au and following ASBK on Facebook and Instagram. You can also join our ASBK mailing list at www.asbk.com.au
Canadian Superbike: Third 2021 Round To Be Announced
Dumas leads loaded Superbike field into first ever CSBK tripleheader at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Superbike Championship will enter unfamiliar territory in a number of ways this weekend, as teenage sensation Alex Dumas carries a surprising title lead into the first ever Pro Superbike tripleheader in round two at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, July 13-15.
The feature class grid will enter its most compressed weekend schedule ever, with qualifying and the chase for the Yuasa Batteries Pole Award – also featuring the return of the Dunlop Q tires – set to run on Friday afternoon before a 20-lap race one on Saturday, and two 18-lap races on Sunday.
Dumas entered round one at Calabogie widely believed to be a frontrunner, but the 18-year-old rookie far exceeded any expectations as he swept both legs of the thrilling doubleheader, earning a 17-point championship lead in the process.
Riding a Liqui Moly MPG Fast Riding School-backed Suzuki GSX-R1000, Dumas will now get three more chances to carve out history at “Old Mosport,” though he will have to do so with perhaps even tougher competition than he faced in the season opener.
Leading the challenge will again be 2019 champion Ben Young, who returned after a year away from the sport to snatch pole position and a pair of second place finishes at round one. Young has traditionally excelled at CTMP, the circuit where he captured his lone title two years ago, and he will look to continue that run of success aboard his Van Dolder’s Home Team BMWS1000RR this weekend.
The other member of the “big three” out front, defending champion Jordan Szoke will be looking to shake off a solid although disappointing opener, where he settled for a pair of third place finishes to take a 29-point deficit into CTMP.
The Canada General Warranty Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja rider has conquered the circuit a record 18 times before, including a sweep of the doubleheader last season as he claimed the 2020 championship, his 14th National title overall.
While the podium finishers appeared to be a step ahead in round one, the trio will likely be in for a much tougher task at the fastest track on the calendar, as the long Andretti straightaway usually delivers stunning battles throughout the grid.
A consistent frontrunner over the last few years, Trevor Daley came away with a mixed bag in round one as a pair of slow starts meant he could only manage fourth in each race, but the OneSpeed Suzuki Canada rider showed podium pace in both contests and will look to replicate that at his home track this weekend.
Another local favourite sure to join the lead group will be Tomas Casas, who returned to Calabogie after his own one-year absence to claim a career-best qualifying position in second. The Parts Canada Yamaha YZF-R1 rider went backwards on race day, most notably due to arm pump, but he seemed to right the ship with a victory at the Pro6 GP regional series and will be returning to full health in front of his hometown fans at CTMP.
The second-place finisher from that regional racing battle, rookie Samuel Guerin will also be looking to put a tough opening round behind him, as the 2020 runner-up was forced out of both races with mechanical issues. The EFC Group BMW rider remains a rookie due to the COVID-19 pandemic but looked like anything but a year ago, when CTMP proved to be his best track as he battled Szoke to the line before ultimately settling for second.
One wildcard to watch will be Sebastian Tremblay, as the Pro Sport Bike championship leader is believed to be adding a full Superbike program to his plans for round two. The Turcotte Performance Kawasaki rider has been focusing his efforts aboard a lesser-powered 600cc machine in recent years, though that hasn’t seemed to limit him as he claimed a pair of sixth place finishes at Calabogie.
An upgrade to a full 1000cc machine may make Tremblay a podium challenger – or even a dark horse for race wins – should the decision be made official this weekend, though his focus will still lie with the middleweight championship.
Perhaps joining the frontrunning battle for the first time since 2019 will be both rider and manufacturer, as Steven Nickerson is set to return to the series aboard his Dewildt Powersports Honda CBR1000RR after sitting out round one and all of last season. The SOAR regional racing champion will be a welcome boost for Honda in the Constructors standings, though Nickerson himself will have his sights set on a maiden podium as he joins a wide-open fight at the front in round two.
This weekend’s action won’t be the final National event of the season for CSBK, with a third and final round planned for Calabogie Motorsports Park in mid-September to be announced shortly.
The second round of the CSBK season will also feature the return of spectators to the storied circuit, with tickets available until August 12 at noon (online only) at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park website.
The full schedule of events and prior results can be found on the series’ own official site at www.csbk.ca.
British Superbike: O’Halloran Leads Championship Into Donington Park
O’Halloran leads the charge to Donington Park as the fight for the top eight ready to rage
The Bennetts British Superbike Championship hits Donington Park this weekend (August 13/14/15); marking the halfway point of the Main Season as the battle to feature in the top eight of the standings intensifies ahead of the end of season Showdown.
Jason O’Halloran is the rider on form ahead of round five; the McAMS Yamaha took a triple win last time out at Thruxton, adding to his tally of victories to lead the standings ahead of VisionTrack Ducati’s Christian Iddon.
Four different riders have won races so far in 2021, including Iddon, Tarran Mackenzie and Danny Buchan, and they currently hold the top four positions in the standings.
However a further five riders have celebrated podium finishes, including rookie Rory Skinner and Danny Kent, who accomplished their first top three finish in Bennetts BSB at Knockhill and Thruxton respectively.
Last year’s race-winner, Tommy Bridewell holds fifth position ahead of this weekend’s three races, but only by a slender two points from Peter Hickman on the FHO Racing BMW. The FS-3 Racing Kawasaki pairing of Rory Skinner and Lee Jackson currently lock out the final two places in the top eight ahead of this weekend’s action.
Just outside the top eight ahead of Donington Park is Bradley Ray, but only by two points, whilst Honda Racing’s Glenn Irwin is just seven points adrift, as he returns to the circuit where the team claimed a double victory last year, and he scored a trio of second place finishes.
Ryan Vickers had his strongest weekend in the championship at Thruxton, the RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki rider was edging closer to securing his first podium finish. He holds a 16-point advantage over defending champion Josh Brookes, who will be fully focused on getting his title defence back on track after a disappointing start to the season.
Whilst the battle for the Championship continues to hot up, this weekend also marks the start of the Milwaukee Summer Grand Slam, as the riders will battle it out for a chance to win a £50,000 prize across the six races at the next two rounds.
The ultimate prize of £50,000 will be awarded if a rider can deliver an unstoppable performance across the Donington Park National (August 13/14/15) and Cadwell Park (August 20/21/22) events to win all six races. The last rider to succeed with six consecutive race wins was Brookes onboard the Milwaukee Yamaha back in 2015.
If a rider can win five of the six races, then they will claim a £25,000 prize, which was most recently achieved by Leon Haslam in his title-winning 2018 campaign. The final chance to win will be if a rider can be victorious in four of the six races, with a £10,000 prize. Most recently, Scott Redding celebrated four in a row during his 2019 title-winning season.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 232
Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) 190
Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 173
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) 162
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 110
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) 108
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 93
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 88
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Jason O’Halloran – McAMS Yamaha
Championship leader
“I am feeling really good on the McAMS Yamaha; obviously coming off the back of three wins at Thruxton gives me a huge amount of confidence going forwards.
“Heading to Donington Park, it is a track that I love racing at, we were on the podium there last year, and even more importantly we had a really good pre-season test there, so I expect another strong weekend.
“I think it will be even more competitive this weekend as Thruxton was a little bit of a different circuit, and I think there are quite a few of us who go well at Donington Park, so I think we are set for some great racing.
“I think for sure when someone starts winning a bit everyone starts to think they need to beat that person. That brings a little bit of pressure, but it is wanted pressure as that is where we want to be! It’s a good thing and it’s a privilege as we have worked hard to be in this position.
“We will just keep focused on our own work and not get too carried away. There is a long way to go yet and we have only had four rounds, but to have seven wins and nine podiums is an amazing achievement so we want to keep that going.”
World Superbike: Kawasaki Testing At Catalunya
Mid-Season Test Starting For KRT
Kawasaki’s official WorldSBK team will venture just a few hundred metres from its European headquarters to take part in a two day mid-season test session at Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona, between 12-13 August.
Alex Lowes and Jonathan Rea will be able to use this testing opportunity to find even more improvements in the race settings of the 2021 Ninja ZX-10RR to move forward into the second half of the WorldSBK season with even greater race pace and confidence.
After testing throughout last winter with what was expected to be an enhanced permitted peak rev figure for the new machine in WorldSBK specification, all Kawasaki riders had to start 2021 with the same 14,600 rpm maximum limit as 2020.
That unexpected turn of events has complicated machine set-up over the first few rounds this season. At this test the team will work on enhancing other areas of performance on the new Ninja ZX-10RR, which has already benefitted from a number of inbuilt improvements over 2020 model in any case.
The two scheduled days at the Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona will primarily be a pre-planned mid-season test but there is also the chance to look at specific race setups for when the championship arrives at the 4.627km long circuit or the ninth round of the championship in mid-September.
Jonathan leads what has been an exciting championship fight over the first six rounds by three points, with Lowes fourth overall.
Rea has stood on the podium 16 times in 18 attempts in 2021, with eight of those podiums proving to be race wins. Lowes has taken four podiums this year on the 2021 Ninja ZX-10RR, the most recent at Donington Park in the UK.
After the Barcelona test has been completed KRT will make a four hour journey west next week to take part in the seventh round of the championship, at another new WorldSBK venue – Circuito de Navarra. The first ever WorldSBK round at this venue will take place between 20-22 August.
Alex Lowes, stated: “The Barcelona test has come at a good time. We haven’t had the easiest run recently and we have a few areas where we are looking to improve our package. This test will provide a great opportunity for us to try some more stuff away from a race weekend. The weather looks like it’s going to be hot which is what I am hoping for. This will be an important mid-season test for us.”
Jonathan Rea, stated: “It is so nice to have a test during the race season in this summer period because we are going to have a lot of races coming in quick succession. During race weekends you always find challenges but you are quite reluctant to go outside the base area of the bike. So this test will give us an opportunity to look at set-up ideas. We also have some new test items from KHI to try and make a step forward with the bike. Even though we raced at Barcelona last year we have not done too many laps as it is quite a new track in WorldSBK. The race weekend in Barcelona is only a few weeks away so it will be nice to get a head start. That round is going to be an important one not just because it is the team’s home race but it will be the first of a triple header.”
Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager, stated: “We planned this test few months ago to be a ‘half-year’ test plan, to work on bike set up away from the stress of a race weekend. Ducati and Yamaha, with Redding and Razgatlioglu, remain at very good level now, and we need to take the maximum performance possible from our ZX-10RR every time. The maximum engine rev balancing issue we faced before the start of the season has made Alex and Johnny’s life more difficult. We are trying to find more ideas and solutions inside the rules to give them the best bike setup possible. Alex is struggling with his shoulder and cannot ride at 100% at this moment, and Johnny is giving his best to counteract the competition Razgatlioglu and Redding are showing. This is an exciting season, so we will keep working to make show as exciting as it can possibly be.”