WERA West Racing At Buttonwillow Next Weekend

David Swarts

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August 10, 2021

WERA West Racing At Buttonwillow Next Weekend

WERA WEST SPORTSMAN SERIES PRESENTED BY LUCAS OIL RETURNS AFTER A MONTH BREAK!

The WERA West Sportsman Series presented by Lucas Oil returns to racing after a break! On August 14-15 the riders will be at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, CA for a double-header sprint event. There is a Rider’s School offered on Saturday for anyone wanting to transition from track days to road racing. First-time riders with WERA are eligible for a discount on the school and on their license.

On Saturday and Sunday racing begins at noon and has a full slate of sprint races from 1000cc down to mini machines as well as some Vintage Races will be available.

Credentials available at the gate! Come on out and see some great action and the future stars of the sport.

If you have not tried Lucas Oil Products you should – best products available for all your things with motors!

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.

American Flat Track: Springfield Mile Will Have New Promoter In 2022

David Swarts

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August 10, 2021

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American Flat Track: Springfield Mile Will Have New Promoter In 2022

2021 Springfield Mile Marks Final Year for Kiesow Racing/IMDA Promotions

Mees Promotions to inherit event in 2022.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Springfield Mile is pleased to announce new event promoters for 2022. After four decades of successful event promotion, Kiesow Racing and IMDA are pleased to pass the torch to Jared and Nichole Mees of Mees Promotions.

Kiesow Racing and IMDA have promoted this legendary race since 1981, taking great pride in many accomplishments through the years. Such accomplishments include 78 national Mile events, 16 national TT’s and 16 national Short Tracks at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

“We proudly supported the sport for 40 years and have amazing memories and even more amazing friends because of it,” said Tommra Kiesow of Kiesow Racing.

The IMDA and Kiesow Racing would like to thank the team that has been so dedicated and helpful in making these events a success.

The future of this iconic event has been entrusted to Mees Promotions. Bringing years of experience as racers and promoters to this event, Jared and Nichole Mees are uniquely set to continue the legacy of flat track’s crown jewel. Adding to their experience promoting the wildly successful Lima Half-Mile, both Jared and Nichole have raced at the Springfield Mile, were engaged and subsequently married there.

“We wish them many years of success at Springfield and we look forward to being there watching in the stands,” said Kiesow. “The IMDA members and us at Kiesow Racing hope to see all the familiar faces at this year’s race as we end a 40 year run at Springfield. Thank you all!”

Canadian Superbike: Ducati Panigale V4 Homologated For 2022

David Swarts

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August 10, 2021

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Canadian Superbike: Ducati Panigale V4 Homologated For 2022

Ducati Homologates Panigale V4 Range For Canadian Superbike Championship

Sunnyvale, Calif., August 10, 2021 – Ducati is delighted to announce its three Superbike class contenders – the Panigale V4, Panigale V4 S and Panigale V4 R – have been homologated to compete in Canadian Superbike Championship (CSBK) from the 2022 season onwards.

Already a force in the WorldSBK, MotoAmerica, British, Italian, and Australian Superbike Championships, the Ducati Panigale V4 platform will be homologated to compete in two CSBK classes —the premier Pro Superbike Feature class and the Amateur Superbike class.

The unique rule set applied to CSBK, whereby a superbike machine is permitted to race if it produces up to 200 rear wheel horsepower on the Official Series Dynojet dyno and weigh no less than 360 lb after finishing qualifying and racing. This will allow the admission of the Panigale V4 R as well as the larger 1103 cc V4 and V4 S into the championship.

This offers potential teams the chance to join the Ducati family with a broader selection of racing motorcycles than any other manufacturer currently competing in the series.

Ducati has a proud history in the Canadian Superbike Championship, dating back to the late 1970s with Marco Mancini, Frank Mrazek and David Fleming, who competed with the 750 SS and 900 SS models.

In the early 1990s, Canadian legend Pascal Picotte and the Fast By Ferracci squad used a Ducati 888 to capture five National wins between 1992 and 1993. Three years later, in 1995, Jeff Sneyd piloted Bar Hodgson’s ex-Fast By Ferracci Ducati 888 to a National win at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Mosport).

The last homologated Ducati to run in the CSBK was the iconic 999 in 2004, piloted by two-time series champion Michael Taylor for the Z1 organization. As such, it’s been a long time between champagne for Ducati in the Canadian Superbike Championship, and with the increasingly competitive nature of the series and the passionate support from Canadian Ducatisti, the Bologna factory is ready to do battle in the series once again.

Jason Chinnock – Chief Executive Officer, Ducati North America

“Ducati has a rich racing heritage throughout the world and it is exciting for us to spread this tradition into Canada by joining the Canadian Superbike series,” said Chinnock. “Canada has always been a valued market for Ducati globally and this investment in racing will bring our Ducati owners and fans together to cheer on the teams. We look forward to seeing Ducati teams get back on the track and competing for the championship.”

Colin Fraser — President, Canadian Superbike Championship

“We are very proud of our history in the Canadian Superbike Championship and Ducati is a global player whose participation in the series is very important to us,” Fraser said. “Our series dates back to 1978 and Ducati was a major player back then, and we strongly believe more manufacturers and competition is always better for everyone involved. There are many reasons people will choose a particular motorcycle, be it commercial loyalty, sponsor, shop or distributor affiliation, and I believe with Ducati’s success in Superbike competition across the world, it brings a new element to the CSBK Championship and increases the potential competitive choices for riders wishing to compete.”

AHRMA Race Results From Blackhawk Farms Raceway

David Swarts

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August 10, 2021

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AHRMA Race Results From Blackhawk Farms Raceway

Editorial Note: Use the scroll and zoom tools at the bottom left corner of the PDF viewer to better see all of the race results.

RRW 2021 Blackhawk Farms - All Results

MotoGP: Series Racing In Austria Again Next Weekend

David Swarts

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August 10, 2021

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MotoGP: Series Racing In Austria Again Next Weekend

Take two: MotoGP™ ready for another stunner in Spielberg

Rise and shine! After a history maker of a Styrian GP, we’re ready to go again at the glorious Red Bull Ring

Tuesday, 10 August 2021

You know how it is, you wait all summer for a MotoGP™ race weekend… and then two come along at once! The venue remains the same as we race back-to-back at the emblematic Red Bull Ring, but there’s plenty to talk about on take two as we return for the Bitci Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich, not least of all our first time winner: Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing).

A quick blitz through the stats: rookie, first Independent Team rider to win on a Ducati, first Pramac Racing win with Ducati, first rookie to win with an Independent Team, and only fifth rookie to win in MotoGP™: Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and the legendary Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo are the other members of that club. And Martin did it from his second pole position of his rookie season, with little drama and a whole load of speed. That must make him a favourite as we return to the track, but likewise the man he just defeated: Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar).

The reigning Champion has a great record in Austria; it’s where he took his first Grand Prix win and later, his first premier class podium too. He’s added another to that in the Styrian GP, which is his best of the year so far, and he also set the fastest lap for the first time in MotoGP™. So Mir will surely be a threat, but can he take another step forward to go one better on Sunday?

Given he’s now moved up to third overall in the standings, a few of his rivals will be hoping not – even more than the rest. Ducati Lenovo Team duo Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller are the two key names shuffled down in the standings, and they’ll want to come back stronger on take two… especially having watched the Red Bull Ring remain Ducati territory, just not theirs. Bagnaia at least had a good qualifying and first start to set him up for more this time around, and Miller had a good weekend too – until he crashed. The Australian didn’t have the pace of the Martin-Mir duo in the lead, but he was stalking Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) for the podium and has made looking for redemption work for him before.

Quartararo, meanwhile, already found some for Yamaha at a venue that’s usually a tougher one for the Iwata marque. When you’re leading the Championship and realise you can’t win, what do you do? The next best thing possible, which a podium more than fulfilled for the Frenchman – and he was ultimately a few places ahead of closest challenger Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) to compound the good day’s work. Can he do it again if the likes of Bagnaia and Miller come out swinging? Time will tell, and it will for former polesitter at the venue Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) after more bad luck for the Spaniard.

On the note of Zarco, however, the more veteran Pramac rider did start the last lap fourth and only one place behind Quartararo. He had a solid weekend and was the second Ducati home, after all. But he didn’t come home in fourth, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) saw to that, and he’ll want to figure out his teammate’s secret to the Red Bull Ring and take back some ground on Quartararo as a minimum.

So what about KTM and the aforementioned South African? The weekend was a rollercoaster for the Austrian marque from the off. Dani Pedrosa’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) wildcard put him top KTM on Friday, and drama hit early for Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as the Portuguese rider highsided and was left riding through the pain barrier thereafter. Meanwhile Binder spent the day, and the day after, MIA from the top ten… but the story changed somewhat on Sunday.

From P16 on the grid, taking fourth place is an impressive performance. Doing so in a race where there were no big dramas ahead on track and on a day that, despite the weather forecast, stayed dry, made it even more so. For a final flourish, the South African also managed to get past both Zarco and Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) on just the final lap alone… so can he repeat his incredible race, and from a starting position giving him a little less work to do? It was a spectacular reminder of just how and why he was the most recent rookie winner before Martin.

So Binder could be one to watch, and Oliveira will have hopefully gained from some days off to heal and get some better Sunday luck to pick up where his form left off before summer. Both will likely be getting some more Pedrosa feedback as the MotoGP™ Legend returns to test duty too. Can KTM territory ring more true on take two?

Honda, meanwhile, had a mixed bag too. Nakagami was top Honda on Sunday and whilst he did lose out to Binder, he gained on Zarco and the result was a top five. That’s encouraging after a tougher season at times, and likewise the performance of teammate Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) as he got back in the top ten and showed some serious pace. Can they build on that in the Austrian GP?

Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) did pip Alex Marquez in the end and took eighth – via a couple of higher profile moments – but he’ll want more this time around. And his teammate Pol Espargaro too, after a late penalty compounded a tough weekend, as did the restart. Can they find more in the second run at it?

Finally, for Aprilia the promise was there but the luck was not. For Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) less than anyone as the Italian made contact with Pedrosa’s fallen bike and the results made for a dramatic Red Flag moment. He was up and ok after the incident, but an ankle fracture was found in further checks and after surgery, he’s sidelined. On the restart Aleix Espargaro then suffered a retirement, so he’ll be looking to restart his consistent run of form this season as we get back in business at the Red Bull Ring, alone in the Noale garage this weekend at least.

A rookie winner, a Ducati winner… a reigning Champion on a charge and a Yamaha locking out the podium was quite a spread of headlines. What will Spielberg deliver in the Bitci Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich? Find out on Sunday as the lights go out at 14:00 (GMT +2).

MotoGP™ Championship top five:

1 Fabio Quartararo – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – 172

2 Johann Zarco* – Pramac Racing – Ducati – 132

3 Joan Mir – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki – 121

4 Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – 114

5 Jack Miller – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – 100

*Independent Team rider

Can Red Bull KTM Ajo strike back against Bezzecchi?

For only the second time this season, neither Gardner nor Raul Fernandez were on the rostrum. Will that change as Moto2™ returns to the Red Bull Ring?

There has been one constant for the vast majority of the 2021 Moto2™ season so far: one or both Red Bull KTM Ajo riders on the podium. But in the Styrian GP it proved not so, with Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) ruling the venue once more and with some serious speed. As we head into the second back-to-back weekend in Austria, can the orange machines fight back?

Championship leader Remy Gardner (Red Bull KT Ajo), certainly, looked to have the raw speed – and took pole – but the Australian had a couple of uncharacteristic moments, one of which sealed his fate of a finish off the podium. But uncharacteristic is the key word, with the number 87’s form so far this season having been so imperious, and he took a good finish and some good points despite that run off. Bezzecchi also said he’d improved a couple of things in his riding from watching how Gardner attacked the venue, so the two surely lead the bets heading into the Austrian GP…

Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo), meanwhile, had a tougher weekend as he came home in seventh – his worst Moto2™ finish to date. With plenty of talk around the Spaniard and his future it was a busy weekend on track and off, so will some serenity return at Spielberg this time around?

In the end, it was Aron Canet (Aspar Team Moto2) who emerged as the rider putting the pressure on Bezzecchi, so the Spaniard should be one to watch again. He’s also got a bowtie to explain too, which he says he’ll do when he wins. Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) was also back on the podium and although he acknowledged a little luck playing its part there, the Spaniard backed up his speed from Assen. Is there more in the locker? And what about his teammate Sam Lowes, who, like Gardner, also paid the price for a run off and dropped down the order?

Finally, there is another rider who created a little Jaws music on Sunday for those ahead of him: Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia). The Japanese rookie fell foul of track limits, got a Long Lap penalty and then another that took him out of podium contention, but he was fast – fastest lap fast, and more than once. He’d also not only been homing in on a debut Moto2™ podium, but the race lead… so with even more fire from feeling he could have left the Styrian GP with more, can Ogura get back in that fight for victory?

The Bitci Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich sees the lights go out for Moto2™ at 12:20 (GMT +2).

Moto2™ Championship top five:

1 Remy Gardner – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – 197

2 Raul Fernandez – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – 162

3 Marco Bezzecchi – Sky Racing Team VR46 – Kalex – 153

4 Sam Lowes – Elf Marc VDS Racing Team – Kalex – 101

5 Fabio Di Giannantonio – Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 – Kalex – 76

Acosta vs Garcia: a replay in Moto3™?

Sunday was a stunner. But the two were well matched before race day rolled round…

The Moto3™ race at the Styrian GP was an all-time great. Tricky conditions, a little tyre intrigue, and the top two in the Championship leaving the field in the dust for their own duel made for an electrifying contest – and a final lap and corner that will become legendary in the lightweight class. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Sergio Garcia (Santander Consumer Bank GASGAS Aspar) were in a league of their own on Sunday, and now we’re going to do it all again. Can they?

The first thing we learned from the Styrian GP is that Acosta only continues to deserve his hype. He didn’t need to win, but he put it on the line to do just that – and pulled it off. A few points would have been fine for the rider now 53 points clear at the top of the standings, but Pedro Acosta doesn’t really race for a few points. He also showed he’s still a master of the Red Bull Ring as the stakes rose from five Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup wins in a row to his first Moto3™ appearance at the track. So heading into the Austrian GP, there’s a clear favourite at the top – and that gap is even bigger.

The second thing we learned, however, is that Garcia will also put it on the line… and the stakes for the Aspar rider were arguably even higher than those for Acosta. His lunge down the inside, squarely underlining a belief in rubbing sometimes very much being racing, was a statement in itself – even if it didn’t ultimately secure him the win. If he hadn’t remounted and managed to hold onto second, he could have ended up taking himself out of real contention for the crown, and he was still willing to go for it. Looking ahead to the Austrian GP, there’s no reason to expect him to turn down the chance on take two. And he and Acosta were already firm favourites in Free Practice in the dry…

A few more fast faces made a good mark in der Steiermark too though. Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) was back on the box, already has winning form there and went for a late move, also completing the PR dream to make it a KTM, GASGAS, Husqvarna podium. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was back in a frontrunning postcode after a tougher rollercoaster so far, and Ayumu Sasaki (Red Bull KTM Tech3) returned from injury to get straight back into the top five, as ever aiming for more next time out.

Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing), meanwhile, somehow outpaced everyone else on slicks by the kind of margin that would normally contain the entirety of the points scorers… and took a top six. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) deserves a shoutout too for his pole position – the first for Turkey – and then taking the gamble, which on another day may have proven a masterstroke. But that’s racing, and that’s what we’re returning to the Red Bull Ring to do this weekend.

Acosta remains the man to beat, but Garcia already showed he’s willing to put a lot on the line to try and do just that. What awaits in the Bitci Motorrand Grand Prix von Österreich? If it’s anything like last weekend, we’re in for a treat! The lights go out for Moto3™ at 11:00 (GMT +2).

Moto3™ Championship top five:

1 Pedro Acosta – Red Bull KTM Ajo – KTM – 183

2 Sergio Garcia – Santander Consumer Bank GASGAS Aspar – GASGAS – 130

3 Romano Fenati – Sterilgarda Max Racing Team – Husqvarna – 96

4 Dennis Foggia – Leopard Racing – Honda – 86

5 Jaume Masia – Red Bull KTM Ajo – KTM – 85

MotoAmerica: Medallia Expanding Partnership With Series

David Swarts

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August 10, 2021

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MotoAmerica: Medallia Expanding Partnership With Series

Medallia Expands Its Partnership With MotoAmerica

Pioneering Experience Management Leader Now The Official Feedback Partner
Of 2021 MotoAmerica Series

IRVINE, CA (August 10, 2021) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is excited to announce that Medallia Inc., has taken its event sponsorship of the recent MotoAmerica GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Speedfest at Monterey to another level with the announcement that the company will now be the official feedback partner for the remainder of the 2021 MotoAmerica Series.

As official feedback partner, Medallia will provide MotoAmerica with Medallia Quickstart Solutions to capture feedback from fans, employees, and racers via video, audio, and text. MotoAmerica can add immediate value by capturing, analyzing, and reporting on customer, employee, and racer experiences, then making real-time decisions based on that data.

“We partnered with MotoAmerica to tap into the raw excitement and explosive growth in motorsports in the United States,” said Medallia President and CEO Leslie Stretch. “Today, we are proud to announce that we are expanding that relationship to become the official feedback partner for the rest of the season.”

“It was cool having Medallia onboard as a sponsor for our event at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and it is awesome news that they liked the experience and the activation at Laguna Seca and want to turn that into even more involvement with our series,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “It was a great experience working with and getting to know the Medallia brand at Laguna and we look forward to continuing the relationship for the rest of the MotoAmerica rounds.”

For more information on Medallia, visit https://www.medallia.com/about-us/

Where To Ride In August: Track Days, Schools, And Races

David Swarts

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August 10, 2021

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Where To Ride In August: Track Days, Schools, And Races

The following track days, riding schools, and racing events are scheduled by organizations based in the United States and Canada during August 2021.

Motorcycle track days, riding schools, and races are posted under the Event Calendar tab on the home page of this website, or you can access the Event Calendar for August 2021 directly by clicking HERE.

Once on the Event Calendar page, you can search for the event you are looking for by its date.

When you click on the event you want to attend you will find a link to the website and/or email address of the host organization, a link to the website of the host venue, the physical address of the host venue, a Google map to the host venue, and buttons to add the event and its information to your calendar application.

To have your motorcycle racing or riding event added to the Event Calendar on this website and published in the print edition of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine, submit your calendar and contact information via the contact page on this website or by clicking HERE.

Calendar listings are updated often.

COVID-19 restrictions are still in effect in certain parts of North America and can change with little advanced notice. So before heading out on a long trip to an event, check with the organizer to ensure the event is still happening and what the health and safety protocols require.

8/1 Ohio Mini Roadrace League (Minis), G&J Kartway, Camden, OH

8/2 2Wheel Addiction Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park (East), Willows, CA

8/2 N2 Track Days, VIRginia International Raceway (South), Alton, VA

8/2 USCRA Road Racing Series (Vintage), New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH

8/2 WMRC Series (Canada), Mission Raceway Park, Mission, BC

8/2-3 California Superbike School, VIRginia International Raceway, Alton, VA

8/3-4 HardNox Track Days (Canada), Area 27, Oliver, BC

8/4 Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

8/4 Road America Motorplex Open Track Days, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

8/4 Track Day Winner Track Days, NOLA Kart Track, Avondale, LA

8/4-5 California Superbike School, VIRginia International Raceway, Alton, VA

8/5 Motovid.com All Levels Motorcycle Track Days, Blackhawk Farms Raceway S. Beloit, IL

8/6 AHRMA Academy of Roadracing (School), Blackhawk Farms Raceway, South Beloit, IL

8/6-8 AHRMA American Historic Racing Series, Blackhawk Farms Raceway, South Beloit, IL

8/6-8 VRRA Series (Canada, Vintage), Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, ON

8/7 Lean Trackdays, Nelson Ledges Road Course, Garrettsville, OH

8/7 MRA Superstreet School/Racing Days, Pikes Peak International Raceway, Fountain, CO

8/7 NJMiniGP Track Days (Minis), New York Race Complex, Morrisontown, NY

8/7 Sandy Hook Mini Moto Road Race Series (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

8/7-8 Alaska Motorcycle Road Racing Series and Track Days, Tanacross Race Course, Tok, AK

8/7-8 Evolve GT School and Track Days, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/7-8 Lean Endurance Series, Nelson Ledges Road Course, Garrettsville, OH

8/7-8 Motogladiator Series, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/7-8 Motorheads Track Attacks Track Days (Canada), Stratotech Park Int’l Raceway, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB

8/7-8 MRA Series, Pikes Peak International Raceway, Fountain, CO

8/7-8 N2 Track Days, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

8/7-8 NJMiniGP (Minis), New York Race Complex, Morrisontown, NY

8/7-8 RideSmart Motorcycle School, MotorSport Ranch (1.7-mile CCW), Cresson, TX

8/7-8 Sportbike Track Time, Gingerman Raceway, S. Haven, MI

8/7-8 Sportbike Track Time, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

8/7-8 The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park (Thunderbolt), Millville, NJ

8/7-8 Track Day Winner Track Days, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA

8/7-8 TrackDaz Track Days, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

8/8 Evolve GT School and Track Days, VIRginia International Raceway (Patriot), Alton, VA

8/8 Florida Trackdays, Palm Beach International Raceway, Jupiter, FL

8/8 Fun Track Dayz, Thunderhill Raceway Park (Full), Willows, CA

8/8 John Long’s Longevity Racing School, Palm Beach International Raceway, Jupiter, FL

8/8 N2 Track Days, Summit Point Motorsports Park (Shenandoah), Summit Point, WV

8/8 Superbike-Coach Corp. (Schools), The New Stockton 99 Speedway, Stockton, CA

8/9 Carters@thetrack Track Days, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, CA

8/9 Evolve GT School and Track Days, VIRginia International Raceway (North), Alton, VA

8/9 Fishtail Riding School, Club Motorsports, Tamworth, NH

8/9 Fun Track Dayz, Thunderhill Raceway Park (East), Willows, CA

8/9 N2 Track Days, Summit Point Motorsports Park (Main), Summit Point, WV

8/9-10 California Superbike School, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

8/9-11 Pro 6 Cycle Inc. Track Days (Canada), Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, ON

8/9-11 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/11 2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Pacific Raceways, Kent, WA

8/11 Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

8/13 AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT) Series, New York Short Track, Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport, NY

8/13 Apex Track Days, Utah Motorsports Campus (Outer), Grantsville, UT

8/13 Castrol Raceway Motorcycle Track Attack Track Days (Canada), Castrol Raceway, Edmonton, AB (Evening Hours)

8/13 MARRC Racing School and Track Days, Summit Point Motorsports Park (Main), Summit Point, WV

8/13 Moto Minnesota Track Days, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, MN (Evening Hours)

8/13 Motorheads Track Attacks Track Days (Canada), Castrol Raceway, Edmonton, AB

8/13 ZARS Advanced Riding Schools & Track Days, Brainerd International Raceway (Donnybrooke), Brainerd, MN

8/13-15 ARL Track Days (Canada), Atlantic Motorsport Park, Mill Village, NS

8/13-15 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Series, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/13-15 MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul Series (Minis), Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/14 Advanced Rider Training Sponsored by UtahSBA, Utah Motorsports Campus (West), Grantsville, UT

8/14 AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT) Series, New York Short Track, Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport, NY

8/14 Central Illinois Mini Moto Track Days (Minis), Mid State Kart Club, Dawson, IL

8/14 MRA Track Days (Canada), Gimli Motorsports Park, Gimli, MB

8/14 UtahSBA Series, Utah Motorsports Campus (Outer), Grantsville, UT

8/14-15 3:16 Trackdays/America Superbike Camp, MSR Houston, Angleton, TX

8/14-15 Canadian Superbike Championship (Canada), Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, ON

8/14-15 Carters@thetrack Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park (East), Willows, CA

8/14-15 CCS Atlantic Roadracing Championship Series/ CCS Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Championship Series/MotoGirlGT Roadracing Championship Series, Summit Point Motorsports Park (Main), Summit Point, WV

8/14-15 EMRA Series (Canada), Castrol Raceway, Edmonton, CA

8/14-15 EMRA Track Days (Canada), Castrol Raceway, Edmonton, AB

8/14-15 HART Rider Training/Motorcycle Lapping Days, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Hallett, OK

8/14-15 MRA Series (Canada), Gimli Motorsports Park, Gimli, MB

8/14-15 Ohio Mini Roadrace League (Minis), Fremont Raceway Park, Fremont, OH

8/14-15 OMRRA Series, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

8/14-15 Performance Riding Experience (PRE) Track Days, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

8/14-15 Racers Edge Private Coaching Days, Spring Mountain Motorsport Ranch, Pahrump, NV

8/14-15 Sportbike Track Time, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

8/14-15 Sportbike Track Time, Putnam Park Road Course, Mt. Meridian, IN

8/14-15 Track Day Winner Track Days, NCM Motorsports Park, Bowling Green, KY

8/14-15 TrackXperience Track Days, Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, Pahrump, NV

8/14-15 (Lucas Oil) WERA West Sportsman Series, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

8/14-15 WMRRA Series, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

8/15 AMA Sanctioned ASRA Team Challenge Series Presented by Michelin Tire, Summit Point Motorsports Park (Main), Summit Point, WV

8/15 Central Illinois Mini Moto Series (Minis), Mid State Kart Club, Mechanicsburg, IL

8/16 Aprilia Racers Days Track Day/Demo Program, Calabogie Motorsports Park, Calabogie, ON, Canada

8/16 MotoCorsa Track Days, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

8/16 Motovid.com All Levels Motorcycle Track Days, Road America Elkhart Lake, WI

8/16 Penguin Riding School, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/16 The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park (Lightning), Millville, NJ

8/16-17 California Superbike School, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

8/18 Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

8/18-19 A Few Dollars More Track Days, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

8/18-19 California Superbike School, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

8/18-20 Super Sonic Road Race School (Canada, Minis), Flamboro Speedway, Millgrove, ON

8/19 Tactical Motorcycle Dynamics Track Days, Utah Motorsports Campus (East), Grantsville, UT

8/19-20 TrackDaz Track Days, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

8/20 Evolve GT School and Track Days, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

8/20 Moto Minnesota Track Days, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, MN

8/20 N2 Track Days, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/20 Penguin Riding School, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH

8/20 Sportbike Track Time, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

8/20-22 Evolve GT School and Track Days, New York Safety Track, Harpersfield, NY

8/20-22 NorthWest Mini Moto & Endurance Challenge (Minis), Mac Track, McMinnville, OR

8/20-22 (Pirelli) WERA National Challenge Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/21 AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT) Series, Peoria II, Peoria Motorcycle Club, Peoria, IL

8/21 Learning Curves Racing/Riding School, Autobahn Country Club, Joliet, IL

8/21 N2/WERA Endurance Series, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/21 Sandia Motorcycle Roadracing Inc. (SMRI) Track Days, Sandia Motorsports Park, Albuquerque, NM

8/21 Sandy Hook Mini Moto Road Race Series (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

8/21 Southeast Mini Moto Series (Minis), Lamar County Speedway, Barnesville, GA (Night Race)

8/21-22 AMA Sanctioned ASRA Championship Series Presented by Pirelli Tire, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

8/21-22 CCS Florida Roadracing Championship Series/ CCS Southeast Roadracing Championship Series/MotoGirlGT Roadracing Championship Series, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

8/21-22 CCS Mid-West Roadracing Championship Series, Autobahn Country Club (North), Joliet, IL

8/21-22 CCS Northeast Roadracing Championship Series/NEMRR Series, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH

8/21-22 CRA (California Roadrace Association) Series, Buttonwillow Raceway Park (Config 26 CCW), Buttonwillow, CA

8/21-22 Evolve GT School and Track Days, NCBIKE, Garysburg, NC

8/21-22 Evolve GT School and Track Days, NCM Motorsports Park, Bowling Green, KY

8/21-22 JP43 Training School, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

8/21-22 Let’s Ride Track Days, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

8/21-22 Motogladiator Series, NCM Motorsports Park, Bowling Green, KY

8/21-22 Pacific Track Time Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park (East), Willows, CA

8/21-22 RideSmart Motorcycle School, Circuit of The Americas, Austin, TX

8/21-22 TrackAddix/Ducati Omaha Track Days, Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, NE

8/21-22 WERA Sportsman Series Mid-Central Region/ WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

8/21-22 WERA Sportsman Series North Central Region, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/22 ASM Motosport Advanced Riding Course And Trackdays (Canada), Sanair Super Speedway, St-Pie, QC

8/22 Fishtail Trackdays, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

8/22 John Long’s Longevity Racing School, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

8/22 SMRI Series, Sandia Motorsports Park, Albuquerque, NM

8/22 Superbike-Coach Corp. (Schools), The New Stockton 99 Speedway, Stockton, CA

8/22 Team Pro-Motion Track Days & Schools, Pocono Raceway (North), Long Pond, PA

8/22-23 Tony’s Track Days, Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, Thompson, CT

8/23 Aprilia Racers Days Track Day/Demo Program, Shannonville Motorsport Park, Shannonville, ON, Canada

8/23 Fishtail Riding School, Palmer Motorsports Park, Palmer, MA

8/23 Fun Track Dayz, Thunderhill Raceway Park (East), Willows, CA

8/23 Kern Track Days BMW Double R Fest, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

8/23 Team Pro-Motion Track Days & Schools, New Jersey Motorsports Park (Thunderbolt), Millville, NJ

8/23-24 California Superbike School, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/23-24 Pro 6 Cycle Inc. Track Days (Canada), Calabogie Motorsports Park, Calabogie, ON

8/23-24 TrackTime Track Days With Ken Hill, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

8/24-26 Super Sonic Road Race School (Canada, Minis), Brechin Motorsports Park, Brechin, ON

8/25 Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

8/25 Road America Motorplex Open Track Days, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

8/27 ARL Track Days, Atlantic Motorsport Park (Canada), Mill Village, NS

8/27 Westwood Motorcycle Racing Club Track Days (Canada), Mission Raceway Park, Mission, BC

8/27-29 CMRA Series, MotorSport Ranch, Cresson, TX

8/27-29 SOAR Series (Canada), Shannonville Motorsport Park, Shannonville, ON

8/27-29 Track Day Winner Track Days, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

8/28 MRA Superstreet School/Racing Days, High Plains Raceway (West), Deer Trail, CO

8/28 NJMiniGP Track Days (Minis), Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

8/28-29 2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Oregon Raceway Park, Grass Valley, OR

8/28-29 ARL Series (Canada), Atlantic Motorsport Park, Mill Village, NS

8/28-29 Evolve GT School and Track Days, Palmer Motorsports Park, Palmer, MA

8/28-29 Fastrack Riders Academy & Apex Club Track Days & School, Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, CA

8/28-29 Legion Moto Trackdays, Heartland Motorsports Park, Topeka, KS

8/28-29 MRA Series, High Plains Raceway (West), Deer Trail, CO

8/28-29 N2 Track Days, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

8/28-29 NJMiniGP (Minis), Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

8/28-29 Ohio Mini Roadrace League (Minis), Adkins Raceway, Port Washington, OH

8/28-29 Sportbike Track Time, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI

8/28-29 Team Pro-Motion Track Days & Schools, Pocono Raceway (North), Long Pond, PA

8/28-29 WMRC Series (Canada), Mission Raceway Park, Mission, BC

8/29 ASM Motosport Advanced Riding Course And Trackdays (Canada), Sanair Super Speedway, St-Pie, QC

8/29 Roger Lyle’s Motorcycle Xcitement Track Days and Road Racing School, Summit Point Motorsports Park (Shenandoah), Summit Point, WV

8/29 Track Day Winner Track Days, NOLA Kart Track, Avondale, LA

8/30 2Wheel Addiction Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park (East), Willows, CA

8/30 Optimum Performance Rider Training Track Days, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

8/30 Performance Riding Experience (PRE) Track Days, VIRginia International Raceway (North), Alton, VA

8/30 Roger Lyle’s Motorcycle Xcitement Track Days and Road Racing School, Summit Point Motorsports Park (Main), Summit Point, WV

8/30 The Mid-Ohio School’s Performance Track Riding School, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH

8/30 The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park (Lightning), Millville, NJ

8/30-31 Sportbike Track Time, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA

R.I.P.: Racer Howard Lynggard

David Swarts

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August 9, 2021

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Howard Paul Lynggard Jr., a resident of Bellflower, CA, passed away unexpectedly on July 22, 2021 at the age of 71 at USC Keck Hospital.

Howard is survived by his sisters, Charlene McGuirk and Denise Hetherinton (Mike); his children: Graham Lynggard (Desiree), Kirsten Lynggard, Gavin Lynggard, and Carly Lynggard; his grandchildren: Keagan, Jaxon, Hudson, Addison, and Evin. He is predeceased by his parents.

Howard was born in California on April 29th, 1950 to Howard and Melva Lynggard. Graduated from Duarte Highschool; he was wise beyond his education, and people sought his advice and benefited from his counsel. In 2017, he retired as a Vice President of Schultz Mechanical Contractors, Inc., where he worked for 36 years.

Howard was happiest riding a motorcycle, and in his early years raced professionally for Yamaha. In 1971, he competed in the AMA races and won every Novice National 250cc race on a Yamaha TD250, and in 1972, rode for the Yamaha factory team. In 2001, after a hiatus of 30 years, Howard started racing again for fun on his Yamaha YZF-R1. He usually won the Formula 50 races and was competitive in the Open Modified Production and the Open Superbike events.

The great outdoors was his heaven on earth. He was an avid fly fisherman, an accomplished soccer and softball player, skydiver and a cycling enthusiast. Howard was a lover of books, bonsai trees, and animals. He was a spiritual man who worshipped God, was involved in church activities and the fellowship of A.A.

Howard dearly loved his family, and was a devoted and supportive father and grandfather. He will be remembered for his teasing jokes, his philosophical discussions, his charming smile, and his unfailing work ethic. He could fix anything but broken hearts and the crack of dawn.

His memory will be cherished and he will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him. Friends are invited to celebrate Howard’s life for a funeral service Tuesday, August 10, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Rose Hills Memorial Park – Memorial Chapel, 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, California 90601. A reception will be held after the service from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at St Gregory’s Episcopal Church, 6201 Willow St, Long Beach, CA 90815. Food will be served from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Please, come and share your memories.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a tribute donation to the Yosemite National Park Service or the National Audubon Society.
https://www.nps.gov/getinvolved/donate.htm
https://www.audubon.org

MotoAmerica Not Racing With MotoGP At COTA

David Swarts

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August 9, 2021

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MotoAmerica Not Racing With MotoGP At COTA

MotoAmerica will not be racing as part of the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas MotoGP event October 1-3, 2021, at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas.

Originally, MotoAmerica’s Superbike class was to race in support of the MotoGP event when it was scheduled to take place April 16-18, 2021, but then the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas was postponed due to pandemic-related issues.

To make up for the loss of the two Superbike races it planned to run at COTA, MotoAmerica announced that each of the final two rounds of its 2021 season, September 10-12 at New Jersey Motorsports Park and September 17-19 at Barber Motorsports Park, would include three Superbike races instead of the normal two.

Then in June, MotoGP announced that it was rescheduling the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas for October 1-3, 2021, which was after the conclusion of MotoAmerica’s announced 2021 schedule and begged the question of whether MotoAmerica would be part of the rescheduled MotoGP event.

That answer came in the form of a bulletin emailed to teams on August 8. That bulletin stated MotoAmerica would not be participating in the MotoGP event at COTA in 2021 and would end its season in September at Barber Motorsports Park.

“As much as we would like to be part of the MotoGP program,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland, “the way that the paddock was going to be laid out, where we would have to pit, the expense of doing the event, there just wasn’t a lot of upside for us, especially when we’re going to go back again when they come back again next April.

“We just decided to stick with what our original plans were, finish at Barber, have our banquet on the following Monday, and go from there.”

Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Is Back In Business

David Swarts

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August 9, 2021

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YAMAHA VR46 MASTER CAMP IS BACK IN BUSINESS FOR 9TH EDITION

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and the VR46 Riders Academy are set to return with a renewed Yamaha VR46 Master Camp, held from 18 – 22 August 2021. The ninth edition rider line-up is perfectly suited for the programme’s high-level and full-on racing training as they are all taking part in Yamaha’s bLU cRU programme.

The long wait is over for Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and the VR46 Riders Academy. After a year of waiting, the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp is ready to open its doors to the ninth-edition participants, who will be training at Valentino Rossi‘s VR46 Motor Ranch from 18 – 22 August 2021.

The five selected up-and-coming talents are all currently riders for Yamaha Motor Europe‘s 2021 WorldSSP300 teams or competing in Yamaha Motor Europe‘s 2021 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup. They are skilled and hungry for good results – the perfect traits for aspiring Master Camp graduates.

The new Master Camp students include Yamaha MS Racing teammates Unai Orradre (aged 17, from Spain) and Bahattin Sofuoglu (aged 17, from Turkey), participating in the WorldSSP300 championship, as well as Humberto “Torquinho” Maier (aged 15, from Brazil), Fenton Harrison Seabright (aged 19, from the UK), and Iker Garcia Abella (aged 17, from Spain) who are Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup riders.

Much like the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup, a competition that takes place over six rounds, the Master Camp programme is especially designed to nurture talent. The Master Camp is designed by racing and fitness professionals and aims to give young Yamaha stars a boost by enchancing their riding skills and professionalism, thus enabling them to make a further step in their racing career.

To improve the bLU cRU riders‘ skills, they will have a chance to learn from three-time English Flat Track Champion and two-time American and European Flat Track Champion Marco Belli at the VR46 Motor Ranch (on YZ250Fs), and they will also receive soft cross training (on YZ125s). Furthermore, the youngsters will be riding at the Circuit di Pomposa (on YZF-R3s, made possible by Yamalube, Akrapovič, and Pirelli), at the mini Supermoto Jeepers Park (on MiniGP YZ85 bikes), work out at the Fisio Gym with fitness trainer Carlo Casabianca, and practise throttle control with Yamaha EX Deluxe and Yamaha GP1800 WaveRunners at the beach (made possible by Yamaha Marine Europe and Yamaha Marine Italy). The up and coming riders will be joined by their VR46 Academy seniors every session for some personal coaching. Moreover, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Lorenzo Daretti (aka Trastevere73) will be a guest lecturer this series for MotoGP eSports classes (made possible by MSI Gaming Italy), to teach the riders tricks many professional racers use to refamiliarize themselves with the MotoGP circuits on the calendar.

Moreover, the ninth-edition riders will be provided with new Yamaha VR46 Master Camp outfits for on and off-track wear (made possible by Oakley, Alpinestars, and VR46).

News, images, videos and updates from the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp will be posted regularly on its dedicated media channels throughout the ninth edition:

Yamaha VR46 Master Camp website
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Youtube

WILLIAM FAVERO

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, YAMAHA MOTOR RACING

“First of all, we are thrilled that the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp is back after a year of waiting due to the ongoing global pandemic. This edition has been long awaited, but that makes it all the more exciting and satisfying that MC9 is actually happening in less than two weeks from now.

“On behalf of Yamaha Motor Co, Ltd. and Yamaha Motor Racing, I would like to thank Valentino and VR46 for their support and efforts to strengthen our special partnership throughout the years, which has led to many rewarding moments. As so many young talents have already benefitted from this unique training programme, the Master Camp is now highly anticipated and monitored by Yamaha markets all over the world. The already coveted spots in the Master Camp, five or six of them per edition, are becoming more and more sought after, as all Yamaha distributors wish to let their respective best talents train with MotoGP stars in an effort to boost their chances of an international career.

“For the young riders attending this particular edition of the Master Camp, we aim to provide them with all the tools and skills they need in the WorldSSP300 championship and Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup whilst respecting and following all Covid-19 safety rules. I would like to take this moment to thank the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp sponsors – Monster Energy, Yamalube, Akrapovič, Oakley, Alpinestars, Pirelli, MSI Gaming Italy, Yamaha Marine Italy, and Yamaha Marine Europe – for making this event possible and helping to give those young Yamaha riders‘ careers an extra push.”

ALESSIO SALUCCI

DIRECTOR, VR46 RIDERS ACADEMY

“We are so happy to welcome riders to the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp again after a year of absence. It took a while, but we finally are able to host the ninth edition of this fun and very meaningful event.

“We are always looking for improvements to make this programme even more successful and fitted to the young riders‘ needs. We know that the riders competing in the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Challenge are all very talented and keen on a challenge, so we have taken this into consideration when we developed our training plan for this upcoming edition.

“As always, we expect the riders to work hard and act in a manner that we can expect from professional riders, but it‘s equally important that they will enjoy themselves during the training. We want the riders to have fun and at the same time pick up some skills that will aid them in their future racing careers – it‘s the combination of passion, professionalism, and the feeling of excitement during racing and training that makes great racers.

“I would like to thank Yamaha and the sponsors and partners who have helped VR46 organise the Master Camp project despite global pandemic restrictions. It will be a very happy moment for us all when these young riders can start their Master Camp training.”

UNAI ORRADRE

2019 ESBK Superbike Junior champion Unai Orradre made his FIM Supersport 300 World Championship Wildcard debut in 2019, and in 2020 the Spanish youngster stepped up to contest his first full season with the Yamaha MS Racing WorldSSP300 Supported Team.

That year, the then 16-year-old became the youngest ever winner in the WorldSSP300 championship, after storming to a dominant victory in the opening race of the 2020 season at Jerez.

Orradre picked up two further podium finishes, taking second at Portimao and third at Aragon on his way to a seventh place in the riders‘ standings.

His performances and potential earned him another year as part of the bLU cRU programme in the WorldSSP300 class alongside Bahattin Sofuoglu, and in 2021 he remained with the Yamaha MS Racing team with goals of challenging for the title.

WorldSSP300 Record

Races: 21 (as of Assen, 2021)

Wins: 1 (Jerez Race 1, 2020)

Podiums: 4

Pole positions: 0

Fastest laps: 2

BAHATTIN SOFUOGLU

Bahattin Sofuoglu brought the name made famous by his cousin, five-time WorldSSP Champion Kenan Sofuoglu, back into world championship motorcycle racing in 2018, making a wildcard appearance in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship and going on to participate in eight races the following year.

In 2020, he joined Yamaha’s bLU cRU programme, racing for the Biblion Motoxracing Yamaha WorldSSP300 Supported Team. Sofuoglu won on his first weekend of the season, following fellow bLU cRU rider Unai Orradre’s Race-1 success with a victory on Sunday.

The Turkish rider won from pole position at Aragon, stepping on the podium again that weekend with a third place in Race 2. Sofuoglu scored another top-three finish at Magny-Cours and ended the season third in the championship as the top Yamaha racer.

In 2021, he is contesting another WorldSSP300 year as a bLU cRU rider, and will look to convert his rapid pace into race victories to mount a serious championship challenge.

WorldSSP300 Record

Races: 30 (as of Assen, 2021)

Wins: 2 (Jerez Race 2, 2020, Teruel Race 1, 2020)

Podiums: 4

Pole positions: 2

Fastest laps: 1

HUMBERTO MAIER

Humberto Cesar Maier Neto is a Brazilian rider currently contesting the inaugural Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup. At 15 years old, he‘s already a winner in the series and brings a lot of success from his racing in South American countries.

Having started racing at just seven years old, following in his father‘s footsteps, the youngster went on to win the Yamalube R3 Cup Brazil Stock category in 2019, as well as the GP3 de Las Americas, before being crowned the overall champion in the 2020 Yamalube R3 bLU cRU Cup Brazil.

His win at Assen in 2021 saw him climb to seventh in the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup standings, with his goal for next year being in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship.

FENTON HARRISON SEABRIGHT

Fenton Harrison Seabright has already announced himself as a championship contender in the 2021 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup, with a victory at Donington Park to his name. The British rider from Essex has been on the podium in every championship he‘s contested, including in the FIM CEV Championship.

Starting out racing go-karts before switching to motorbikes aged 12 after wanting more of an adrenaline rush, the 19-year-old idolised Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner growing up and has dreams of one day becoming world champion.

As of Assen, Seabright currently sits second in the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup championship standings, with three podiums, a win, and a pole position to his name.

IKER GARCIA ABELLA

Born in Les Cases d’Alcanar, Spain, Iker Garcia Abella currently races the #2 Yamaha R3 in the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup, and is already stretching out a lead in the riders‘ standings.

After his father bought him his first motorbike when he was six, the now 17-year-old won the Spanish Moto4 Championship in 2018, and has also scored victories in the FIM CEV Repsol and European Talent Cup classes. Additionally, he contested two WorldSSP300 rounds at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

In 2021, the Spaniard has already won two Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup races and stepped onto the podium five times in six races, which has given him a 39-point lead in the championship heading into Round 4, held this weekend. Garcia Abella is hoping for title glory this year to earn him a spot on the WorldSSP300 grid next season.

NOTES

ABOUT THE YAMAHA VR46 MASTER CAMP

In an effort to support young Italian riders aiming to become world-class racers, Valentino Rossi decided to put his vast experience and knowledge from his many years of racing to good use in 2014 and established the VR46 Riders Academy.

In March 2016, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. entered into a formal three-year partnership agreement with the VR46 Riders Academy as an Official Partner and also as its Official Motorcycle Supplier. The programme‘s three-year contract was extended by a further three years at the end of 2018.

In July of 2016, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and the VR46 Riders Academy staged the inaugural Yamaha VR46 Master Camp with the goal of helping selected young Yamaha talent make their way in the racing world by increasing their skills and experience in various racing disciplines.

Since then the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp has put on eight subsequent training events. The participants so far have been 37 mostly teenage riders, who race in various championships on bikes like the YZF-R25 and YZF-R3, and hail from 14 countries in all: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Spain, Thailand, Ukraine, and the United States. Turkey will be added to this list with the upcoming edition.

Thailand‘s Keminth Kubo who took part in the fifth edition of the programme and Malaysia‘s Kyle McKinley from the eighth edition are currently participating in the CEV Repsol Moto2 Championship as VR46 Master Camp riders.

With a marine activity being added in 2019, the students will be riding Yamaha YZ85, YZ125, YZ250F, and YZF-R3 bikes, and Yamaha EX Deluxe and Yamaha GP1800 WaveRunners during their stay in Tavullia.

The riders for the ninth edition of the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp were selected by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd and Yamaha Motor Europe. A place in the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp can’t be bought, nor can riders apply for a placement – riders are to be put forward by Yamaha distributors.

WERA West Racing At Buttonwillow Next Weekend

August 10, 2021

Sahar Zvik (161) took the A Superstock win on Saturday. Photo by Michael Gougis. — WERA West racer Sahar Zvik (161) at speed. Photo by Michael Gougis.

WERA WEST SPORTSMAN SERIES PRESENTED BY LUCAS OIL RETURNS AFTER A MONTH BREAK!

The WERA West Sportsman Series presented by Lucas Oil returns to racing after a break! On August 14-15 the riders will be at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, CA for a double-header sprint event. There is a Rider’s School offered on Saturday for anyone wanting to transition from track days to road racing. First-time riders with WERA are eligible for a discount on the school and on their license.

On Saturday and Sunday racing begins at noon and has a full slate of sprint races from 1000cc down to mini machines as well as some Vintage Races will be available.

Credentials available at the gate! Come on out and see some great action and the future stars of the sport.

If you have not tried Lucas Oil Products you should – best products available for all your things with motors!

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.

American Flat Track: Springfield Mile Will Have New Promoter In 2022

August 10, 2021

Jared Mees (9). Photo courtesy AFT. — Jared Mees (9) and his wife Nichole, doing business as Mees Promotions, will be the new promoter of the Springfield Mile in 2022. Photo courtesy AFT.

2021 Springfield Mile Marks Final Year for Kiesow Racing/IMDA Promotions

Mees Promotions to inherit event in 2022.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Springfield Mile is pleased to announce new event promoters for 2022. After four decades of successful event promotion, Kiesow Racing and IMDA are pleased to pass the torch to Jared and Nichole Mees of Mees Promotions.

Kiesow Racing and IMDA have promoted this legendary race since 1981, taking great pride in many accomplishments through the years. Such accomplishments include 78 national Mile events, 16 national TT’s and 16 national Short Tracks at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

“We proudly supported the sport for 40 years and have amazing memories and even more amazing friends because of it,” said Tommra Kiesow of Kiesow Racing.

The IMDA and Kiesow Racing would like to thank the team that has been so dedicated and helpful in making these events a success.

The future of this iconic event has been entrusted to Mees Promotions. Bringing years of experience as racers and promoters to this event, Jared and Nichole Mees are uniquely set to continue the legacy of flat track’s crown jewel. Adding to their experience promoting the wildly successful Lima Half-Mile, both Jared and Nichole have raced at the Springfield Mile, were engaged and subsequently married there.

“We wish them many years of success at Springfield and we look forward to being there watching in the stands,” said Kiesow. “The IMDA members and us at Kiesow Racing hope to see all the familiar faces at this year’s race as we end a 40 year run at Springfield. Thank you all!”

Canadian Superbike: Ducati Panigale V4 Homologated For 2022

August 10, 2021

A Ducati Panigale V4 S. Photo courtesy Ducati.