Shops: 619 Kneedraggrz, In The January Issue

Trudy Ulrich

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January 12, 2022

Shops: 619 Kneedraggrz, In The January Issue

Featured In the January 2022 issue of Roadracing World:

“When I started racing, one of the biggest challenges I faced was transporting my motorcycle and stuff to the racetrack. I only had a car that was unable to tow anything, so I was stuck borrowing my buddy’s pickup truck until I bought my first race van.

“Randy Sadia had a similar experience when he went to his first motorcycle track day, and that motivated him to start 619 Kneedraggrz, a business that specializes in helping track day riders and racers who need a little extra support getting to the track…”

—”Shops: 619 Kneedraggrz,” by David Swarts

Track day rider Randy Sadia started out hauling motorcycles for other track day riders, charging a flat fee. As people got out of the sport, he started buying their equipment and renting it to other people. Today, his “Superpit” is a hit with riders hooked on the convenience of having someone else handle the logistics of getting to a track day. Read the story of how Sadia turned his passion into his business in the latest issue of Roadracing World!

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.

PREVIEW the January 2022 Issue of Roadracing World!

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American Flat Track: Sacramento Mile Tickets On Sale Now

David Swarts

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January 12, 2022

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Sacramento Mile Tickets On Sale Now

SACRAMENTO, CA – Tickets are now available for the Legendary Sacramento Mile motorcycle races set for Saturday, August 20, 2022, at the historic Cal Expo Fairgrounds when the Progressive American Flat Track national series returns to Sacramento for its 57th appearance.

The Cal Expo motorcycle classic will be the 14th race on the 18-event 2022 AFT campaign which begins on March 10 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL.

The nation’s top flat track motorcycle racers have come to the Capitol City dating back to 1959 at the historic one-mile dirt track at the California State Fairgrounds. SDI Racing, LLC, again serves as the host to the motorcycle racing series that is known as the “Original Extreme Sport” with speeds up to 140 miles per hour.

“We are very excited to bring the AFT series back to Cal Expo in 2022,” said Steve DeLorenzi, President and CEO of SDI Racing, LLC. “And we have opened ticket sales before the first of the year for our fans to grab the best seats available for the Aug. 20 spectacular. If you haven’t seen motorcycles and their riders on a mile dirt track, you are ready missing out on a great wheel-to-wheel, handlebar-to-handlebar competition.

Tickets for the Legendary Sacramento Mile can be purchased online at the link below:

https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/5465034/2022-sacramento-mile-august-202022-sacramento-sacramento-mile?cobrand=2022SacMile

The seats at Cal Expo will be available in the Turf Club (with food service), Box Seats, Grandstands and General Admission. Children tickets are also available at reduced prices.

About the Legendary Sacramento Mile:

The legacy of the Sacramento Mile travels back to 1959 when Grand National champion Carroll Resweber captured the first main event on his Harley-Davidson. Since that historic event, every top flat track motorcycle racer in the world has compete at the California Capitol City dirt oval. Names like Joe Leonard, Bart Markel, Dick Mann, Mert Lawwill, Gene Romero, Jay Springsteen, Bubba Shobert, Scott Parker, Chris Carr, Bryan Smith, Jared Mees and Briar Bauman have battled at speeds of 140 miles per hour at Sacramento. SDI Racing, LLC, is the current Sacramento Mile promoter.

Ulster Grand Prix Returning August 16-20

David Swarts

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January 12, 2022

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Ulster Grand Prix Returning August 16-20

ULSTER GRAND PRIX RETURNS

The world’s fastest motorcycle road race, the Ulster Grand Prix, will return this summer after a two year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The event will be promoted by the Revival Racing Motorcycle club and will be staged on August 16-20 at the Dundrod circuit.

We understand the unique appeal of the UGP to riders and fans alike, and we are delighted to bring racing back to this famous track.

It’s been a very uncertain time for the sport because of Coronavirus and we can’t wait to hear bikes roaring down the Flying Kilo again this summer.

We are indebted to the volunteers at the Ulster Grand Prix for their collaboration and continuing hard work to stage this famous race in its centenary year.

More details of the week long race programme will be announced soon.

Dakar Rally: Price Wins Stage 10, Van Beveren Retakes Overall Lead

David Swarts

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January 12, 2022

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Dakar Rally: Price Wins Stage 10, Van Beveren Retakes Overall Lead

TOBY PRICE WINS DAKAR STAGE 10

Dakar Rally 2022 – Stage 10

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price has won day 10 of the 2022 Dakar Rally – his first stage win at the 44th running of the event. On what was a day of mixed fortunes for the team, Matthias Walkner lost some time while opening the stage, but still lies fourth overall in the provisional overall standings. Danilo Petrucci enjoyed a solid stage, finishing 11th quickest. Unfortunately for Kevin Benavides, his rally came to a premature end when a technical issue forced him to withdraw from the event.

A long, 759-kilometer day in the saddle lay ahead of the riders as they entered stage 10 of the rally from Wadi Ad Dawasir to Bisha. The 375-kilometer timed special was mostly made up of fast sandy tracks, with a couple of dirt sections and dunes adding to the mix. Although navigation was relatively straightforward, it was still easy to make a costly mistake when picking a route through the stage.

Despite his relatively late start position into today’s special, Toby Price decided to remain completely focused on his roadbook throughout the stage. The tactic paid off as the two-time Dakar champ delivered a near-faultless run through the challenging stage, slowly moving up the order and taking the lead on time by kilometer 250. Toby’s win moves him up to sixth in the provisional rally standings where he trails the current event leader by just under 28 minutes. A sizeable gap, but one the Aussie hopes to reduce over the final two days of racing.

Toby Price: “It’s been a really good day for me today. I focused on my roadbook the whole way and did a good job with my navigation with only a couple of small mistakes over the whole stage. I’ve moved nicely up the order overall, but there is still a bit of a gap to the front guys. As we know, anything can happen in rally, so I’ll give it my all for these last two days and we’ll see where we end up.”

Setting off as the fourth rider to enter today’s special, Matthias Walkner caught and passed the riders ahead of him by the halfway point, and from there had the unenviable task of opening what was arguably the toughest part of the stage. A couple of small errors ended up with the Austrian losing several minutes to his rivals, but despite the setback, Matthias still lies well within the top five overall and will enjoy a strong start position for tomorrow’s penultimate stage 11.

Matthias Walkner: “The Dakar is always a little bit up and down and today after I hit the front, I lost some time with a couple of small mistakes. The sun was really high today and it made visibility quite bad, which in turn made the pistes really difficult to see when you’re out front. It’s frustrating, but that’s always the way it is. Up to that point I think I was riding really well and making up good time. We still have two very long stages to go, so I’ll get some rest tonight and then be ready to attack again tomorrow.”

Reaching the final stages of his first ever Dakar Rally, Danilo Petrucci continues to put in highly commendable results among the more established rally racers. Completing stage 10 in 11th place, the former MotoGP™ star is now fully focused on the final two stages of the event and claiming a Dakar finish at his first attempt.

Danilo Petrucci: “Today was tough because it became very hot as the day went on and then it’s easier to make mistakes. I’m pleased with my result, but I didn’t push too hard because I’m really close to the end now and my main goal has always been to finish the race. Two more days to go, and I’m looking forward to getting to the end.”

Unfortunately for Kevin Benavides, his 2022 Dakar Rally campaign came to a close following a technical issue on stage 10. Starting the special in third, and making good time, the reigning Dakar Champion was forced to stop at kilometer 133. Unable to complete the stage, Kevin will return to the bivouac and hopefully re-start the event tomorrow, although he will not be eligible to feature in the final classification.

Provisional Results Stage 10 (overall) – 2022 Dakar Rally

1. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 3:05:32

2. Luciano Benavides (ARG), Husqvarna, 3:07:41 +2:09

3. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, 3:09:07 +3:35

4. Lorenzo Santolino (ESP), Sherco, 3:11:12 +5:40

5. Andrew Short (USA), Yamaha, 3:12:01 +6:29

Other KTM

11. Danilo Petrucci (ITA), KTM, 3:13:25 +7:53

27. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 3:21:27 +15:55

Provisional Standings – 2022 Dakar Rally after 10 of 12 stages

1. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, 33:27:06

2. Sam Sunderland (GBR), GASGAS, 33:33:05 +5:59

3. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 33:31:21 +6:15

4. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 33:35:30 +8:24

5. Joan Barreda (ESP), Honda, 33:33:53 +10:47

Other KTM

6. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 33:54:49 +27:43

8. Mason Klein (USA), KTM, 34:04:55 +37:49

More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:

Adrien Van Beveren Is Back On Top At Dakar Rally 2022

Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team’s Adrien Van Beveren has retaken the lead at the Dakar Rally following the conclusion of today’s stage 10. Delivering his best result of the rally so far with a third-place finish on what was a truly technical special, the Frenchman now returns to the head of the field in the provisional overall standings with a near six-minute advantage over his closest rival. Rounding out an undeniably positive day for the team, Andrew Short also posted his best stage result by completing the special as the fifth fastest rider and now advances three spots in the overall rankings to seventh with two stages remaining.

Even with his less than favourable starting position on stage 10, Adrien Van Beveren set off ninth yet set a blistering pace to quickly reel in the leading riders. From there, the recently turned 31-year-old rode his own race, navigating superbly through the rocky canyons near to the end of the 374-kilometre special to post the third fastest time – his best stage result of the rally so far. Following another strong day in the desert, Van Beveren now enjoys a healthy advantage at the top of the overall standings.

Adrien’s Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team teammate Andrew Short also enjoyed a successful stage 10 with the American securing the fifth fastest time, earning his best stage finish at the 2022 Dakar. As the sixth rider to enter the special, Andrew did a tremendous job in maintaining his high pace through the technical stage. And with the exception of a minor navigational mistake, he successfully brought his Yamaha WR450F Rally home among the leading group of riders.

In the Light Prototype class, Camelia Liparoti continues to enjoy a positive race at the Dakar Rally with the Italian now lying eighth in the provisional standings with two stages and a scheduled 508 kilometres of racing remaining.

Adrien Van Beveren – Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team

3rd Stage 10

Like every day I focused heavily on my roadbook and rode the stage with a strong pace throughout. Navigation wasn’t easy today, especially with so many canyons in places, but I did a really good job, I think. I did struggle to find a couple of waypoints but otherwise it was another great stage for me. I went as fast as I could near the end and ended up in a good spot on the stage, and also in the overall. Tomorrow is a big day and opening will be difficult, but I’m ready for the challenge.

Andrew Short – Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team

5th Stage 10

Stage 10 was really fun and I’m really happy to have posted by best result of the rally. It was a cool stage that flowed well with a bit of everything, rocks, canyons, some dunes, and even some dust which we haven’t, fortunately, seen too much of this year. I did make one small mistake which cost me a little bit of time, but not too much, so maybe my result would have been better without that. We’re getting close to the finish line now so two to go and I’m excited for tomorrow.

Dakar Rally 2022

Stage 10 Provisional Classification

1. Toby Price (KTM) 3:05:32

2. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 3:07:41 + 0:02:09

3. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) 3:09:07 + 0:03:35

4. Lorenzo Santolino (Sherco) 3:11:12 + 0:05:40

5. Andrew Short (Yamaha) 3:12:01 + 0:06:29

6. Stefan Svitko (Honda) 3:12:01 + 0:06:29

Dakar Rally 2022

Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 10)

1. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) 33:27:06

2. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 33:33:05 + 0:05:59

3. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 33:31:21 + 0:06:15

4. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 33:35:30 + 0:08:24

5. Joan Barreda (Honda) 33:37:53 + 0:10:47

6. Toby Price (KTM) 33:54:49 + 0:27:43

7. Andrew Short (Yamaha) 34:01:03 + 0:33:57

More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing:

SAM SUNDERLAND OVERCOMES A CHALLENGING STAGE 10 AT THE 2022 DAKAR RALLY

GASGAS FACTORY RACING ACE REMAINS WELL-PLACED IN THE PROVISIONAL OVERALL RESULTS WITH JUST TWO DAYS TO GO

Hot on the heels of his incredible ride yesterday, GASGAS Factory Racing’s Sam Sunderland was fired up for a repeat performance on today’s stage 10 of the 2022 Dakar Rally. Frustratingly, an unfortunate mistake in a series of rocky canyons prevented the early rally leader from featuring at the top of the timesheets today. However, thanks to his impressive stage results through the first nine days, Sam remains well-placed in the provisional overall standings in second, just under six minutes behind the current leader.

Tough day for Sam but the Brit remains upbeat

Tomorrow set to be a pivotal day in the rally

Just two days and 508 kilometers of racing to go!

Sam Sunderland: “Day 10 is in the books and it was a tough one. Early on, Mason Klein crashed so I stopped to make sure he was ok as it looked like he’d had a big one, but I think he’s ok. I then set off and things were going good. I felt strong on the bike and my pace was solid. But then I ended up in the wrong canyon near the end and lost a bit of time. With two days to go and the times so close, it’s too close to call. It’s wide open so it certainly makes for an exciting race!”

Despite taking a wrong turn during stage 10, Sam remained calm and brought his GASGAS RC 450F home without losing too much time. With the overall classification shaken up after today’s seriously tough special, the battle for the win now features five talented racers with just two stages remaining. Fortunately for Sam, he’ll be the 19th rider to take on the 345-kilometer special tomorrow where he’ll have no option other than to get on the gas and deliver as strong a result as he can in the hope of opening up an advantage over his rivals, ahead of the all-important final stage on Friday.

Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2022, stage 10

1. Toby Price (KTM) 3:05:32

2. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 3:07:41

3. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) 3:09:07

19. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 3:16:50

Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 10)

1. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) 33:27:06

2. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 33:33:05

3. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 33:31:21

More, from a press release issued by Husqvarna Factory Racing:

RUNNER-UP RESULT FOR LUCIANO BENAVIDES ON DAKAR STAGE 10

ARGENTINIAN STAR STEERS HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING FR 450 RALLY TO BEST RESULT OF 2022 EVENT SO FAR

Luciano Benavides has impressively completed stage 10 of the Dakar Rally as the second-fastest rider. Continuing his exceptional run of form in this second week of racing, the young Argentinian immediately pushed hard from his seventh-place start position, focusing intently on his navigation throughout the special. Putting in a superb ride to complete the 375-kilometre route just over two minutes down on the eventual stage winner, Luciano moves into 13th in the provisional overall standings.

The terrain that the riders faced on stage 10 was a mixture of sandy tracks, dirt roads, and a section of dunes – all coming together on what was a fast stage in terms of average speed – that collectively posed a huge challenge to all riders. With temperatures high in the desert, fatigue and focus was also an issue, with many of the event’s top riders making mistakes and subsequently losing time over the course of the special.

Overcoming the difficulties on today’s stage, Luciano showed great maturity and skill to take maximum advantage of his seventh-place start position and pushed his way up through the field to ultimately challenge for the stage win on his FR 450 Rally. Completing the gruelling special just two minutes and nine seconds behind winner Toby Price, Benavides now moves up to 13th in the provisional overall standings.

Setting off second for tomorrow’s 346-kilometre special on stage 11, and aiming to chase down and catch Price ahead of him, Luciano will be keen to further improve his overall placing before going into the rally’s final day.

Luciano Benavides: “I’m really pleased with my day today. It feels good to be right up there near the top and putting in the sort of results I know I’m capable of. I focused a lot on my navigation today, but there were still some tricky notes on the roadbook and some parts of the route were quite confusing. I made a couple of small mistakes, but the guys up front made mistakes too and it was possible for me to make up quite a lot of time over the whole stage. We have two days left now, so I’ll keep pushing and hopefully have a good, strong finish to the rally.”

2022 Dakar Rally – Stage 10 Provisional Classification

1. Toby Price (KTM) 3:05:32

2. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 3:07:41

3. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) 3:09:07

4. Lorenzo Santolino (Sherco) 3:11:12

5. Andrew Short (Yamaha) 3:12:01

6. Stefan Svitko (KTM) 3:12:01

2022 Dakar Rally – Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 10)

1. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) 33:27:06

2. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 33:33:05

3. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 33:33:21

4. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 33:35:30

5. Joan Barreda (Honda) 33:37:53

6. Toby Price (KTM) 33:54:49

…

13. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 34:16:17

More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Honda Team:

Pablo Quintanilla, second in the 2022 Dakar ahead of the grand finale

The 2022 Dakar Rally enters its final stretch with the frontrunners positioning themselves before the final showdown. Today, most riders opted for a tactical strategy rather than leaving anything to chance in tomorrow’s decisive stage in Bisha. For the Monster Energy Honda Team, Quintanilla moves onto the rally’s virtual final podium, while Joan Barreda finished third on the stage.

With just two days left to run, competitors were looking to play their best hand on stage ten – for the most part a fast-paced, navigation-filled route including 375 kilometres against the clock. The high number of parallel tracks made it a tough task for some of the riders who were forced to make split-second decisions about which paths to follow. A total of 759 kilometres were completed from Wadi Ad-Dawasir to Bisha including the special stage and liaison sections. Fortunately, all four Monster Energy Honda Team riders aboard their Honda CRF450 Rally bikes, made it back, problem-free, to the final bivouac of the Dakar 2022.

Monster Energy Honda Team’s Spanish rider Joan Barreda set a fine pace today and, despite a minor mistake that forced him to have to retrace several kilometres, posted third. However, a subsequent penalty of 2 minutes for speeding in a transfer zone left him fifth in the overall standings, 8’47 behind the leader.

Pablo Quintanilla, tenth on the day, moved up into second place in the overall rally standings with two days left before the rally ends in Jeddah. The Chilean carved out notable times throughout the stage, pulling ahead at the start, before eventually dropping seven minutes to the day’s winner. Tomorrow, on the Bisha loop, his goal will be to finish as far ahead as possible. In the general standings, the rider from Viña del Mar, who received a 1 minute penalty as team-mate Barreda, holds second, 5’15 behind the leader.

Ricky Brabec and José Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Cornejo had the tough task of opening the track today. The pair led for most of the day, only shedding time towards the end of the special. In the overall rankings, both riders are in the top ten, but with over 38 minutes separating them from the 2022 Dakar leaders.

Tomorrow’s stage

Tomorrow will undoubtedly be one of the most interesting special stages of recent years, where several riders will make their bids for a final podium place in Jeddah the day after tomorrow. The battle will be epic. The loop to the Bisha bivouac will feature a total of 346 kilometres of timed section out of the 501-kilometre total stage with 155 kilometres of liaison sections. Large helpings of sand and dunes will be present on the menu of this, the most decisive stage of the Dakar 2022.

Ricky Brabec 2

STAGE: 13TH OVERALL: 8TH

Today was good. This was stage 10, so we’re almost at the finish. I was up front with Nacho most of the day. We made a slight mistake which cost a little time, but in the end it was perfect for us because we are in a good spot for stage 11 which is supposed to be tricky. Like we said before, we don’t know which stage is tricky and which is not. It’s up in the air as far as strategy goes. Tomorrow we are in a good spot to push and see what we have to do. I’m very happy with this. The team’s doing a good job. After tomorrow we will know exactly where we’ll finish. I feel we have a lot of energy, so we’ll do our best.

Pablo Quintanilla 7

STAGE: 10TH OVERALL: 2ND

I’m happy; it was a good day. Today it was important to manage the race well ahead of tomorrow’s stage which will be key to defining this Dakar. I had some references from the riders in front of me and I tried to manage it in the best way possible, so as not to lose time and to be able to start from a good position tomorrow. I think it went well. The race is still open and tomorrow will be an intense day, where we will have to push all day long. We’re going to try to rest now so that we are in good shape for tomorrow’s stage.

José Ignacio Cornejo 11

STAGE: 18TH OVERALL: 9TH

It was difficult today. I knew that I would have to open the track and that it would be complicated. I was doing well until I arrived before the refuelling in a complex area and I lost a bit of time. Then I tried not to lose my concentration and to keep a good pace to finish the stage well, making up some of the lost time. Tomorrow will be tough and it will be good to start from behind. I think we can recover a few more positions in the general standings.

Joan Barreda 88

STAGE: 3RD OVERALL: 5TH

It was a complicated stage, especially in terms of navigation, where I had to turn back a few kilometres to find a waypoint. In the end I found some good pace to attack over the final kilometres. I saw that there were strategies from some other riders… I also picked up a penalty at the entrance of a controlled zone when I lost concentration. I’m not sure what the penalty will be. I’m not really sure how it all went, but it was a stage from which we had to salvage something. I don’t think I’m in a bad position for tomorrow, but it won’t be easy: there will be a lot of sand and plenty of dunes… I’m going to give it everything I’ve got for the two remaining days.

World Supersport: Dynavolt Triumph Signs Soomer

David Swarts

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January 12, 2022

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World Supersport: Dynavolt Triumph Signs Soomer

DYNAVOLT TRIUMPH WELCOMES HANNES SOOMER FOR 2022 WORLD SUPERSPORT CAMPAIGN

Dynavolt Triumph are delighted to announce they have secured the services of Hannes Soomer to contest the World Supersport Championship in 2022.

Hannes, who won the European Supersport Championship in 2017, will join the Dynavolt Triumph team as they make their return to the world arena following the overhaul of the FIM Supersport regulations using the Balance of Performance system.

The 23-year old Estonian rider began his career in the ADAC Junior Cup in 2011 and took his first podium in the class in 2012, when he finished fifth overall in the standings. In 2013, he made his first appearance in the European Junior Cup. 2015 saw his first podium in the Championship and the following year, his first win.

In the same year, Soomer made his debut in World Supersport for three rounds of the campaign. In 2017 Hannes took part in the European WorldSSP championship and, with 28 points overall, was crowned champion of the class. Soomer advanced to his first full season in WorldSSP the following year and soon became a regular points scorer. Further progress was made in 2019 with multiple top ten finishes, enough to earn him a move to Kallio Racing for 2020 where he ended the season with three podiums from the last four races. 2021 was a leaner year results-wise for the likeable ‘Baltic Bullet’ and he now embarks on his fifth full season in the World Supersport class with the UK based official factory Triumph team.

Hannes Soomer: “I am very happy to join the Dynavolt Triumph team for the 2022 season. I truly believe in the bike’s potential and the team’s experience and am sure we can find a good way to work quickly. This year will present some new challenges with the new regulations which makes it very unpredictable and interesting. I can only say we will give it our all and I can’t wait to start testing and really working for the season ahead.”

Dynavolt Triumph Team Manager Simon Buckmaster: “We are really pleased to announce that we have come to an agreement with Hannes Soomer for our official Dynavolt Triumph team. To be honest I’ve been watching Hannes’ progress in recent years and have spoken to him the last couple of seasons about the possibility of signing for our team so I’m pleased that for this year we’ve been able to make an agreement together. Hannes has already had podiums in 2020. Last year he broke his leg early in the season and came back impressively from that. I believe the potential is there, he has the experience and he believes in our team and the Triumph project. We are excited to get started with testing and looking forward to the early part of the championship. Our aim must be to challenge towards the front and ultimately for the podiums and the title. I think he is going to surprise a few people – not everybody because there are a few of us who realize his talent – but he is going to be a surprise. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Daytona 200 Winner David Sadowski, R.I.P.

John Ulrich

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January 12, 2022

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Daytona 200 Winner David Sadowski, R.I.P.

David Sadowski, the winner of the 1990 Daytona 200 and a former motorcycle racing TV commentator, died early this morning, January 12th, at home in Austell, Georgia, from an apparent heart attack. He was 58.

Sadowski is survived by girlfriend Janet Godfrey; sons David Jr. and Matt, both former racers; and by his brothers, Jamie, Pete, and Michael, and was pre-deceased by his brother Joey.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

Godspeed, racer.

David Sadowski and son David Jr. circa 1990. Photo courtesy David Sadowski Jr.

AHRMA: Adams Wins Vintage Cup Races At Daytona

David Swarts

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January 11, 2022

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AHRMA: Adams Wins Vintage Cup Races At Daytona

Dawn of Superbike Racing kicks off AHRMA’s 2022 Vintage Cup

(January 11, 2022, Roseville, CA) The roots of superbike racing were on display during the opening round of the 2022 American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) National Historic Cup Road Race Series at the AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ at Daytona International Raceway on January 8 and 9.

“The sound of those big, air-cooled, multis on the high banks of this temple of speed was incredible, and multiple Honda CBXs? Yeah, that’s mind blowing,” said Brian Larrabure, 2022 Chair of the AHRMA Board of Trustees. “I really hope fans of Superbike racing check out our Vintage Cup this year because it really will be a history lesson in how Superbikes got started and it’s just going to be great racing, too.”

The Vintage Superbike Heavyweight class was featured on both days of the Daytona event. Curtis Adams from Whittier, CA riding a 1981 Honda CB750F dominated on both days with back-to-back commanding Vintage Cup wins.

“We had a great time racing at Daytona, the Vintage Cup brings out all the good racers for this class—we took fourth on Saturday and second on Sunday. Great time seeing all the CBXs out there,” said Vintage Superbike Heavyweight class sponsor Tim’s CBX owner Bill Brint

There were 14 entries in the Vintage Superbike Heavyweight class during both days of the event with some racers crossing the country to compete. Their motorcycles included Honda CB750F, Honda CB900F, Kawasaki Z1 B, Suzuki Katana 1000s, and Honda CBX1000 machines.

Vintage Superbike Heavyweight recreates and preserves the look and feel of this important era of road racing and showcases these unique machines. Superbikes of that era were based on street-legal models available for sale at any motorcycle dealership. Most lacked the streamlined bodywork, low, clip-on style handlebars and rear-set foot pegs of purpose-built Grand Prix motorcycles. Instead, riders sat almost upright on the machines. Wider handlebars gave the racer the leverage needed to wrestle the large bikes around a racing circuit.

The AHRMA Vintage Superbike Heavyweight class is for motorcycles produced through 1982 with unlimited displacement for twin-cylinder motors and three-cylinder motors with “pushrod” valves. Four-cylinder machines are limited to either 931 or 1,025 cc’s depending on the model.

A typical starting grid for the class may include a BMW R90, BSA Rocket 3, Kawasaki Z1 and GPZ 1000, Honda CB 750 and 900, Yamaha XS650 and Seca, Suzuki GS 750, 1000 and Katana. The same bikes that storied racers such as Wes Cooley, Reg Pridmore, Eddie Lawson and Wayne Rainey rode to victory during the early years of Superbike competition in the United States.

The annual Vintage Cup spotlights one of AHRMA’s road racing classes with extra to competitors in the selected class during each race event. Enhanced awards for the Vintage Cup competitors are presented separately from other class trophies during the awards ceremony at high visibility AHRMA National Historic Cup Roadrace Series event. Highlights from each Vintage Superbike Heavyweight race will be reported in Roadracing World’s online edition (RoadRacingWorld.com). At the conclusion of the 2022 season, the perpetual Vintage Cup trophy will be engraved with the national champion winner’s name and presented to the winner to keep for one year.

Saturday’s race started with 14 bikes on the grid. With a clean start, Curtis Adams moved out front early and led all the bikes to the finish. Jon Litsey settled in at second while Robert Ringnalda held third place. William Brint worked hard using Ringnalda’s draft staying close in the battle for third. Adams finished with a strong first place and Litsey prevailed in second. Ringnalda held off Brint for third, leaving Brint with fourth at the finish.

On Sunday 14 bikes again would join the grid. At the start flag Adams moved out front and then checked out early on the field. Adams pushed out to a 31 second lead for the win. The battle for second found Litsey contending again, but this race Brint jumped in and Litsey and Brint traded places several times until the last lap when Brint pulled out the pass for the second-place finish followed by Litsey in the third spot.

The 2022 Vintage Cup Trophy will be awarded to the Vintage Superbike Heavyweight class winner at select events including AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ at Daytona, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL, AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ in the Heartland, Heartland Motorsports Park, Topeka KS, AHRMA Classic MotoFest™ of Monterey, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Salinas, CA and Barber Vintage Festival, Barber Motorsports Park, Leeds, AL. Race dates and event registration links are available at: ahrma.org/schedules-results.

AHRMA National Historic Cup Roadrace Series Vintage Superbike Heavyweight Results – Saturday, January 8, 2022

Curtis Adams, 1981 Honda CB750F, Whittier, CA.
Jon Litsey, 1979 Honda CB750F, Redding, CA
Robert Ringnalda, 1979 Honda CBX1000, Columbus, OH
William Brint, 1979 Honda CBX1000, Mount Airy, GA
Jeremy Maddrill, 1979 Kawasaki KZ650, Steger, IL
Rian Mondriaan, 1982 Honda CB900F, Bradenton, FL
Alan Perry, 1982 Suzuki Katana 1000
Matt Esterline, 1977 Honda CB750F, Portage, MI
Warren Wilson, 1982 Kawasaki GPz750, Indianapolis, IN
Edward Barna, 1982 Honda CB750F, Randolph Center, VT

AHRMA National Historic Cup Roadrace Series Vintage Superbike Heavyweight Results – Sunday, January 9, 2022

Curtis Adams, 1981 Honda CB750F, Whittier, CA
William Brint, 1979 Honda CBX1000, Mount Airy, GA
Jon Litsey, 1979 Honda CB750F, Redding, CA
Jeremy Maddrill, 1979 Kawasaki KZ650, Steger, IL
Rian Mondriaan, 1982 Honda CB900F, Bradenton, FL
Alan Perry, 1982 Suzuki Katana 1000
Matt Esterline, 1977 Honda CB750F, Portage, MI
Warren Wilson, 1982 Kawasaki GPz750, Indianapolis, IN
Edward Barna, 1982 Honda CB750F, Randolph Center, VT
Robert Ringnalda, 1979 Honda CBX1000, Columbus, OH

Honda Updates Africa Twin For 2022

David Swarts

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January 11, 2022

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Refined Africa Twin Headlines Honda’s First New-Product Announcement of 2022

January 11, 2022 — TORRANCE, Calif.

Legendary adventure-touring platform delivers improved riding experience

Other returning models include CBR1000RR, Rebel 500/300

For its first new-product announcement of the calendar year, American Honda announces the return of several popular motorcycle models. Headlining this group is the Africa Twin adventure-touring platform, including the sporty standard version and the mile-gobbling Adventure Sports SE – both offered with either a manual gearbox or Honda’s advanced automatic Dual Clutch Transmission. The Africa Twin is back with a number of focused refinements aimed at improving the riding experience.

The other models included in the announcement – the agile CBR1000RR sport bike and the versatile Rebel 500 and 300 cruisers – are offered in new colors for 2022.

AFRICA TWIN

Since its 2016 reintroduction, the legendary Africa Twin adventure-touring platform has undergone steady improvements aimed at carrying out its “True Adventure” ethos, and that is once again the case for the 2022 model year. The sporting- and off-road performance-oriented standard version now comes with the same rear carrier as its more distance riding-oriented Adventure Sports ES sibling. Meanwhile, that version gets a shorter windscreen for improved visibility. Both Africa Twin versions are compatible with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and both are available with either a manual gearbox or Honda’s advanced automatic Dual Clutch Transmission, which has a program change for 2022, delivering smoother shifting in the lower gears.

MSRP

Africa Twin Adventure Sports SE DCT: $17,999

Africa Twin Adventure Sports SE: $17,199

Africa Twin DCT: $15,199

Africa Twin: $14,399

Colors

Africa Twin Adventure Sports SE: Pearl White

Africa Twin: Grand Prix Red

Info

CBR1000RR

Designed around a “Total Control” philosophy, Honda’s CBR1000RR has always prioritized cornering, acceleration and braking, a combination that has earned the bike legendary status. The model’s enviable racing legacy notwithstanding, this double-R version fills a new, value-dedicated role in Honda’s sport bike lineup, alongside the track-focused CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.

MSRP

CBR1000RR ABS: $16,799

CBR1000RR: $16,499

Color:

Grand Prix Red

Info

A 2022 Honda Rebel 500 ABS SE. Photo courtesy Honda.

REBEL 500 / REBEL 300

The powersports industry’s most popular entry-level cruiser models by a wide margin, Honda’s Rebel 300 and Rebel 500 are responsible for introducing legions of new riders to motorcycling. That’s no surprise considering their combination of user-friendliness and stylish, minimalist design, including an iconic peanut fuel tank, LED lighting and blacked-out engine and components. They also offer unparalleled enjoyment, with a narrow frame, comfortable rider layout, nimble handling and available ABS. Riders can choose from an extensive lineup of Honda Accessories, or opt for the Rebel 500 ABS SE (offered in a new Matte Silver color for 2022), which takes the “Born Rebel” one step further by including select accessories preinstalled.

MSRP

Rebel 500 ABS SE: $6,799

Rebel 500 ABS: $6,599

Rebel 500: $6,299

Rebel 300 ABS: $4,899

Rebel 300: $4,599

Colors

Rebel 500 ABS SE: Matte Silver

Rebel 500: Matte Gray Metallic; Matte Pearl White

Rebel 300: Matte Gray Metallic; Pearl Blue

Rebel 500 Info

Rebel 300 Info

A 2022 Honda Rebel 300. Photo courtesy Honda.

American Flat Track: Smith Hired As Director Of Industry Relations

David Swarts

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January 11, 2022

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American Flat Track: Smith Hired As Director Of Industry Relations

Bryan Smith Joins Progressive AFT Management Team as Director of Industry Relations

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 11, 2022) – Progressive American Flat Track is thrilled to announce the addition of Bryan Smith to its management team in the newly created role of Director of Industry Relations.

A primary charge for Smith will be serving as a liaison within the Progressive AFT community. This key appointment will more closely connect Progressive AFT with its various stakeholders – riders, teams, manufacturers, sponsors, racetracks, broadcasters and fans – in order to help deliver long-term and sustainable growth for the sport.

Smith joins AMA Pro Racing with an expansive knowledge about flat track gained from decades of experience as a top competitor in the sport. As Director of Industry Relations, he’ll support all aspects of the Competition department, including managing rider and team relationships, new rider evaluation, track prep, safety and rules development. Smith will also be available for the series to call on as an elite-caliber test rider, whether to fine-tune the rulebook or assess the viability of potential new venues.

“Bryan is one of the most well-respected and knowledgeable riders of his generation,” said Gene Crouch, COO of Progressive American Flat Track. “His experience as a factory rider and a championship-winning privateer, combined with his strong relationships within the community make him perfectly suited for this position. We’re delighted to welcome him as a valued and trusted addition to the team.”

Smith’s credentials as a racer are well known. The 2016 Grand National Champion and 2012 and 2013 GNC1 Twins Champion, Smith won 33 races during his career and is tied for eighth on the all-time win list. Underlining his wide-ranging experience, Smith boasts many trips to the premier-class podium aboard factory machines from Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle in addition to his ‘16 championship campaign aboard a privateer Kawasaki with tuner Ricky Howerton.

A highly tactical competitor, Smith earned the nickname “the Mile Master” due to his unrivaled ability to see the chessboard and execute winning strategies on the big Miles. That sort of clear thinking under pressure is expected to directly translate in his new position.

“There are two things I want to do in this position: see the sport grow and give back to the sport for all it did for me,” said Bryan Smith, Director of Industry Relations. “With the knowledge and success I’ve had on the race track, I’m ready to help build it up bigger and better than ever before.”

Progressive AFT will kick off the 2022 season with a Daytona Bike Week doubleheader on March 10-11 at Volusia Speedway Park. To purchase tickets to events or to learn more about America’s Original Extreme Sport, please visit https://www.americanflattrack.com. To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit the official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.

World Supersport: Baldassarri Signs With Evan Bros Yamaha

David Swarts

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January 11, 2022

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World Supersport: Baldassarri Signs With Evan Bros Yamaha

Evan Bros Yamaha WorldSSP Supported Team Welcomes Lorenzo Baldassarri for 2022 Season

The Evan Bros Yamaha WorldSSP Supported Team is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with rider Lorenzo Baldassarri, who will make his FIM Supersport World Championship debut in 2022, riding the Ravenna team’s Yamaha R6 and sharing the box with the previously confirmed Peter Sebestyen.

Born in San Severino Marche on 11 November 1996, Baldassarri boasts an impressive record. Red Bull Rookies Cup champion in 2011, he made his debut in the Moto3 World Championship in 2013, before moving to Moto2 the following year, a category much more suited to his physical characteristics.

After a season of learning, Baldassarri scored his first podium in the category in 2015, before taking his maiden victory in 2016. After a year of transition, he showed his talent again in 2018, when he returned to winning ways and finished four more times on the podium, ending the season inside the top five.

2019 opened in fabulous fashion, with three wins in a row, while he went on to finish seventh in the final standings. He was on the podium again in 2020, but in 2021 some issues prevented him from shining. In eight Moto2 seasons, Baldassarri scored a total of five wins and 12 podiums.

Now it is time for the 25-year-old to begin a new adventure in WorldSSP, together with the team that has won the title in two of the last three seasons. Evan Bros Yamaha is ready to aim high in a category that has been completely transformed for the upcoming campaign.

Lorenzo Baldassarri

Evan Bros Yamaha WorldSSP Supported Team

“I’m looking forward to a new challenge in the Supersport World Championship with the Evan Bros Yamaha WorldSSP Supported Team and Yamaha. I’m very happy and motivated, so I’ll be preparing as best as I can to be ready for the start of the season. I would like to thank the people around me who have given their support, as well as the team, who believe in me and have given me this opportunity. I’m sure I’ve been included in a very solid project with very professional people. My main goals are to always give my best, adapt to the category as soon as possible and start immediately to fight for the positions that count. I can’t wait to get on the bike for the tests and I look forward to the start of the season.”

Fabio Evangelista – Team Principal

Evan Bros Yamaha WorldSSP Supported Team

“I’m very satisfied to have finally completed the team’s line up. After “saying goodbye” to Steven Odendaal, to whom I’d like to say a special thank you, we fought for the title right up to the penultimate round, and confirming Peter Sebestyen, who I have great confidence in, we managed to finalise the agreement with Lorenzo. I believe that Lorenzo, together with the whole team, will form a very strong and highly motivated duo. I have only got to know Lorenzo personally over the last few months, and day by day I liked him more and more: I am sure that thanks to the family atmosphere within our team he will be able to show his full potential again. I want to thank Yamaha Motor Europe, who helped us in the success of the operation, and in particular Andrea Dosoli, with whom I have a fantastic relationship over the years.”

Shops: 619 Kneedraggrz, In The January Issue

January 12, 2022

The 619 Kneedraggrz "Superpit" set up for a Chuckwalla Valley Raceway track event. The Superpit package includes transport and use of a rental bike with stands, tire warmers, generator, chair, and canopy plus drinks and a barbeque lunch, and a technician to work on the bike. Photo by David Swarts.

Featured In the January 2022 issue of Roadracing World:

“When I started racing, one of the biggest challenges I faced was transporting my motorcycle and stuff to the racetrack. I only had a car that was unable to tow anything, so I was stuck borrowing my buddy’s pickup truck until I bought my first race van.

“Randy Sadia had a similar experience when he went to his first motorcycle track day, and that motivated him to start 619 Kneedraggrz, a business that specializes in helping track day riders and racers who need a little extra support getting to the track…”

—”Shops: 619 Kneedraggrz,” by David Swarts

Track day rider Randy Sadia started out hauling motorcycles for other track day riders, charging a flat fee. As people got out of the sport, he started buying their equipment and renting it to other people. Today, his “Superpit” is a hit with riders hooked on the convenience of having someone else handle the logistics of getting to a track day. Read the story of how Sadia turned his passion into his business in the latest issue of Roadracing World!

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.

PREVIEW the January 2022 Issue of Roadracing World!

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American Flat Track: Sacramento Mile Tickets On Sale Now

January 12, 2022

Action from a previous Sacramento Mile. Photo courtesy AFT.

Sacramento Mile Tickets On Sale Now

SACRAMENTO, CA – Tickets are now available for the Legendary Sacramento Mile motorcycle races set for Saturday, August 20, 2022, at the historic Cal Expo Fairgrounds when the Progressive American Flat Track national series returns to Sacramento for its 57th appearance.

The Cal Expo motorcycle classic will be the 14th race on the 18-event 2022 AFT campaign which begins on March 10 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL.

The nation’s top flat track motorcycle racers have come to the Capitol City dating back to 1959 at the historic one-mile dirt track at the California State Fairgrounds. SDI Racing, LLC, again serves as the host to the motorcycle racing series that is known as the “Original Extreme Sport” with speeds up to 140 miles per hour.

“We are very excited to bring the AFT series back to Cal Expo in 2022,” said Steve DeLorenzi, President and CEO of SDI Racing, LLC. “And we have opened ticket sales before the first of the year for our fans to grab the best seats available for the Aug. 20 spectacular. If you haven’t seen motorcycles and their riders on a mile dirt track, you are ready missing out on a great wheel-to-wheel, handlebar-to-handlebar competition.

Tickets for the Legendary Sacramento Mile can be purchased online at the link below:

https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/5465034/2022-sacramento-mile-august-202022-sacramento-sacramento-mile?cobrand=2022SacMile

The seats at Cal Expo will be available in the Turf Club (with food service), Box Seats, Grandstands and General Admission. Children tickets are also available at reduced prices.

About the Legendary Sacramento Mile:

The legacy of the Sacramento Mile travels back to 1959 when Grand National champion Carroll Resweber captured the first main event on his Harley-Davidson. Since that historic event, every top flat track motorcycle racer in the world has compete at the California Capitol City dirt oval. Names like Joe Leonard, Bart Markel, Dick Mann, Mert Lawwill, Gene Romero, Jay Springsteen, Bubba Shobert, Scott Parker, Chris Carr, Bryan Smith, Jared Mees and Briar Bauman have battled at speeds of 140 miles per hour at Sacramento. SDI Racing, LLC, is the current Sacramento Mile promoter.

Ulster Grand Prix Returning August 16-20

January 12, 2022

Peter Hickman (60). Photo by Pacemaker Press International, courtesy of the Ulster Grand Prix. — Peter Hickman (60) in action at the 2019 Ulster Grand Prix. Photo by Pacemaker Press International, courtesy of the Ulster Grand Prix.

ULSTER GRAND PRIX RETURNS

The world’s fastest motorcycle road race, the Ulster Grand Prix, will return this summer after a two year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The event will be promoted by the Revival Racing Motorcycle club and will be staged on August 16-20 at the Dundrod circuit.

We understand the unique appeal of the UGP to riders and fans alike, and we are delighted to bring racing back to this famous track.

It’s been a very uncertain time for the sport because of Coronavirus and we can’t wait to hear bikes roaring down the Flying Kilo again this summer.

We are indebted to the volunteers at the Ulster Grand Prix for their collaboration and continuing hard work to stage this famous race in its centenary year.

More details of the week long race programme will be announced soon.

Dakar Rally: Price Wins Stage 10, Van Beveren Retakes Overall Lead

January 12, 2022

Toby Price (18). Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.