Triumph Names Jeremy Appleton As Global Racing Manager

David Swarts

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April 28, 2021

Triumph Names Jeremy Appleton As Global Racing Manager

Triumph Motorcycles Appoints Global Racing Manager

Triumph Motorcycles is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeremy Appleton as Global Racing manager.

Jeremy brings to this new role within Triumph an incredible range of expertise and experience across the motorcycle racing world, including MotoGP, WSBK, MXGP, and US Supercross and Motocross, as well as premier automobile racing with F1 and NASCAR.

His appointment reflects Triumph’s commitment and growing investment within motorcycle racing, where his focus will be on building global brand awareness and demonstrating Triumph innovation and performance credentials. Jeremy will take responsibility for our incredibly successful and record-breaking Moto2 Engine partnership and also our new Factory supported 2021 British Supersports collaboration with PTR racing.

American Flat Track: Series Resumes May 1 With Atlanta Super TT

David Swarts

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April 28, 2021

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American Flat Track: Series Resumes May 1 With Atlanta Super TT

Progressive AFT Jumps Back into Action with Yamaha Atlanta Super TT

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – On Saturday, May 1 Progressive American Flat Track will finally make its long-awaited TT return, doing so in the biggest, boldest way imaginable, with the Yamaha Atlanta Super TT at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Utilizing the fabled venue’s start/finish line straight as part of the Super TT’s layout, the circuit promises to be the ultimate test of the world’s elite dirt tracker’s all-around skills. They’ll be forced to negotiate a decreasing radius corner on pavement, a hard-braking hairpin, surface transitions, a pair of right turns, and a dirt jump, in addition to classic dirt track style left-handers.

Designed to challenge the outer limits of a rider’s comfort zone, the Atlanta Super TT has attracted some big names onto the entry list including two-time TT winner Ryan Sipes (No. 264 Red Bull/Troy Lee Designs KTM 450 SX-F) and motorsport legend Travis Pastrana (No. 199 Red Bull KTM 450 SX-F), known for being one of the most daring athletes ever to ride on two wheels.

Not only has the Yamaha Atlanta Super TT’s roster of A-List cameos attracted attention, but so has its potential to reshape the early-season race for all three class championships.

Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle title favorites Briar Bauman (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) and Jared Mees (No. 9 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) earned their championships, along with their reputations, based on their all-around excellence. Each man boasts more than one TT victory on their extensive résumés and figure to be in contention for the win again Saturday night.

However, they also figure to be in the unfamiliar position of (slight) underdog, with JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) a popular pick to deliver Yamaha a home-track triumph. The multi-time roadracing champion is well established as a sensational TT racer, winning two of the last three the series has visited. He’s also coming in bursting with confidence after taking his MT-07 DT to an impressive runner-up result in last month’s opener at Volusia Speedway Park.

The Atlanta Super TT may just be the perfect opportunity for ex-roadrace ace and reigning AFT Production Twins champion James Rispoli (No. 43 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R Rev X) to make serious waves on the Harley in the premier class.

AFT Singles

Yamaha has an opportunity to become the first manufacturer in Progressive AFT history to sweep all three classes in a single evening, and do so just miles from its American headquarters. None of the three wins should be expected to come easily, however, and the AFT Singles class could prove to be the most difficult to master of them all.

The class is stocked deep with TT talent, headlined by the greatest TT rider the sport has ever known, Honda-mounted Henry Wiles (No. 17 American Honda/United Rentals CRF450R).

And while points leader and Volusia double winner Shayna Texter-Bauman (No. 52 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) has generally struggled at TTs, KTM comes in fully-loaded with Texter-Bauman’s teammate Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) and the aforementioned pair of future Hall of Famers of Sipes and Pastrana joining Texter-Bauman in the lineup.

The list of potential race winners hardly ends there, but Yamaha does have defending class champion and ‘19 Peoria TT dominator Dallas Daniels (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and Mikey Rush (No. 15 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) in its corner.

AFT Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines

Speaking of Daniels, the 17-year-old prodigy will be pulling double duty to make his much-anticipated twin-cylinder debut aboard the No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 in AFT Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines category.

Daniels’ enormous talent and early career accomplishments suggest that he can’t be counted even in his debut. That said, the challenge before him in AFT Production Twins isn’t any less daunting than in AFT Singles.

Like Daniels, Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Cycles/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R) are past AFT Singles champions with sterling TT records, to go along with considerably more seat time on a twin.

Additionally, Cory Texter (No. 65 G&G Racing/Roof Systems Yamaha MT-07), Chad Cose (No. 49 Voodoo Ranger/Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R), Ben Lowe (No. 25 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R), and Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield Twins FT) are all excellent all-around motorcycle racers with the skills to shine under the lights come Saturday night.

Beyond the incredible Super TT action, Atlanta Motor Speedway will host live music, KTM demo rides, beer and food vendors and offer free parking, including designated paved motorcycle parking, for Progressive AFT fans. Additionally, all fans in attendance will be entered to win a guitar autographed by rock band Blackberry Smoke.

Spectator safety remains the top priority and Progressive AFT has worked closely with local health and government officials toward those ends. For more on the specific precautions being undertaken, please consult the Progressive AFT Events Health & Safety FAQ.

Tickets are available for purchase now at https://store.americanflattrack.com/ebooking/ticket/view/id/3327, including the American Super Ticket Package, which includes a Premium General Admission ticket and Premier Parking for the Atlanta Super TT along with a two-day General Admission ticket and Premier Parking for MotoAmerica at Michelin Road Atlanta on Saturday and Sunday for $99. A variety of ticket options are available, starting at $25 in advance (children 12 and under free with the purchase of an adult admission). The Premium GA tickets are selling fast with Section 146 already sold out.

Gates will open for fans at 4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies set to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. Live coverage of the entire weekend’s racing activities will be available on any device for only $1.99 a month via TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold.

The Yamaha Atlanta Super TT will air on NBCSN on Sunday, May 2, starting at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT. The broadcast will include exclusive features, cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage and the expert commentary of former Grand National Champion Brad Baker.

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.

How to Watch

NBCSN and TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2021 season, NBCSN’s coverage of Progressive AFT remains in highly-coveted programming, the complete schedule for which can be viewed at http://www.americanflattrack.com/events-nbcsn/. TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold – the most-robust motorsports offering in the digital marketplace – is a cornerstone of Progressive AFT’s digital strategy, providing live streaming coverage of every event and maintaining an active archive of all AFT content.

About Progressive American Flat Track

Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit http://www.americanflattrack.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram, live stream the events with TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on NBCSN.

AHRMA: Elings, Mauk Win Vintage Cup Races At Willow Springs

David Swarts

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April 28, 2021

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AHRMA: Elings, Mauk Win Vintage Cup Races At Willow Springs

Mauk, Elings Split Vintage Cup Wins at Willow Springs

(April 28, 2021, Elora, Tennessee) Andrew Mauk and Jeff Elings took on each other and gale-force Mojave Desert winds to split wins during the latest round of the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) 2021 Vintage Cup.

The 500 Premier class, sponsored by Roadracing World (roadracingworld.com) and NYC Norton (nycnorton.com), was featured on both days of the 2021 Bridgestone Tires AHRMA National Historic Cup Road Race Series at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California on April 24 and 25.

Andrew Mauk from Milwaukee Wisconsin, who dominated the AHRMA event at Streets of Willow the previous weekend, repeated the feat on Saturday. His victory was partially due to Sunday’s race winner, Jeff Elings from Santa Barbara, CA, showing him around the track.

Reflecting on his first visit to Willow Springs “big” track, Mauk said, “This is one of my favorite tracks. I love going fast and going technical at the same time and this track has both of those.”

While 500 Premier is the featured class, it does share the track with other classes. This was a factor during Saturday’s race. Mauk explained, “The start went well, we did get stuck behind some bigger bikes that kind of tricked us up a little bit and we had to sort out things between me and Jeff, but we got through them and then just had one heck of a race.”

“Jeff is very fast and knows this track very, very well, so he got out in front and I just kind of followed him. He gapped me a little bit when we came across a yellow-flag situation where we weren’t allowed to pass the slower guys. Other than that, I stayed tucked behind the bubble and kept out of the wind so we could get down the straight as fast as we could,” Mauk said.

“The start was better than the finish,” said Jeff Elings, from Santa Barbara, CA, who took second on Saturday aboard a 1958 Matchless G50. “I seemed to be having some spark plug issues or something near the end but it was some good competition.”

Elings has decades of experience racing at Willow Springs that he didn’t keep to himself. “I was trying to show Andrew the line because he’s here for the points and he’s a super-nice guy so I took him around the Omega and we came around the back and I was showing him how you can hang onto the gas until the last turn and that’s where we had problems with the other guys.”

During Saturday’s race, Elings said, “We were in traffic with two other bikes that were trying to get into the Omega and it was pretty dicey.”

Elings said his Matchless ran well until near the end of Saturday’s race. In the paddock, he displayed a spark plug missing most of its threads. “It’s a dual-plug head and the top of one came off.”

Sunday morning, Elings said, “I told Andrew today that we either stay behind them and have our own race or we get away.”

Prior to Sunday’s race, Elings shared his thoughts about Mauk, “He said he actually wins Barber so I have mad respect because I can’t even get tenth at Barber. (Today) I’m going to try to beat him and maybe just show him around. He’s excited about the track.”

Mauk led Sunday’s race until Elings pounced at half-distance and then led until the checkers.

Alan Siekman from Ben Lomond, CA, raced his Honda 450 Jimmy Odom replica, to third place on Saturday and Sunday. Reflecting on Saturday’s race, Seikman said, “The bike is handling really well, it feels good and has lots of smooth power. It dealt with the wind pretty well. It was pushing me sideways a little bit coming around turn eight. I think that might be because it has a full fairing.”

“Andrew Mauk is a monster on that Honda, again, and kudos to Jeff Elings for showing him some lines on the ‘big’ Willow track that led to a great racing all weekend,” said class sponsor Kenny Cummings from NYC Norton.

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology publisher John Ulrich participated in the event on a 250cc two-stroke GP bike. AHRMA’s road racing program offers several classes for both vintage racing motorcycles and newer machines no longer competitive at the top levels of racing, but still capable in a racing environment.

The 2021 Vintage Cup Trophy will be awarded to the 500 Premier class winner at select events including Roebling Road, Heartland Motorsports Park, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca and Barber Motorsports Park. Race dates and event registration links are available at: ahrma.org/schedules-results.

Race Results (Saturday, April 24, 2021):

1. Andrew Mauk, 1969 Honda CB450, Milwaukee, WI

2. Jeff Elings, 1965 Matchless G50, Santa Barbara, CA

3. Alan Siekman, 1966 Honda C450, Ben Lomond, CA

Race Results (Sunday, April 25, 2021):

1. Jeff Elings, 1965 Matchless G50, Santa Barbara, CA

2. Andrew Mauk, 1969 Honda CB450, Milwaukee, WI

3. Alan Siekman, 1966 Honda C450, Ben Lomond, CA

MotoGP: Marc Marquez Wants To “Keep Improving Step By Step”

David Swarts

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April 28, 2021

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MotoGP: Marc Marquez Wants To “Keep Improving Step By Step”

Next stop Spanish GP for the Repsol Honda Team

After an emotional return to MotoGP in Portimao, Marc Marquez’s rehabilitation continues in Jerez as Pol Espargaro aims to make amends for the previous round.

Heading to the iconic Jerez de la Frontera for the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, the MotoGP World Championship is primed for another exciting weekend. The Repsol Honda Team will again be operating at full capacity as Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaro line up together aboard the RC213V. This weekend there will be a fifth Honda on the grid as Stefan Bradl returns to the World Championship as a wildcard.

Marc Marquez put in a hero’s effort to race to seventh in Portugal on his return to racing after missing the majority of the 2020 season. In Portimao Marquez showed he has lost none of his aggressive style, sliding his Honda, making his characteristic saves and even fighting for the lead of the race in the early laps. The eight-time World Champion is prepared for another demanding round as his physical condition continues to improve. While the previously broken right humerus had no problems in the previous outing, Marquez is continuing to work in the gym to improve his overall race fitness. Marquez has scored a podium on each occasion he has finished the Spanish GP in the premier class including three wins.

Having put the cruel stroke of fate that ended his Portugal GP early behind him, Pol Espargaro is approaching the Spanish GP with his trademark focus and optimism. Now set to ride the RC213V at a third different circuit, the Granollers native is eagerly looking forward to riding his new machine at a well-known circuit. Espargaro’s goals for the weekend remain the same; make improvements throughout the weekend and fight on Saturday to earn a better grid position than in previous races.

Premier class action begins at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto on Friday at 09:55 Local Time with Free Practice 1 for MotoGP. Sunday’s schedule returns to the traditional format with the MotoGP race following the Moto2 race at 14:00 Local Time.

Marc Marquez

“Now we are back into the rhythm of racing, after a productive week we are coming back to the track. I have continued to work through my recovery programme to make sure my physical condition is improving and following the advice of the doctors I have not ridden a motorcycle since Portugal. So, of course I am excited to get back on the bike! We approach Jerez the same way as Portimao; we are here to keep improving step by step and do the best job that we can. My recovery is continuing, and the important thing is that we keep improving our consistency. Let’s put on a great weekend for the fans who can’t attend.”

Pol Espargaro

“Jerez is a circuit we all know very well but it will be my first time there on the Honda. Stefan has been doing a lot of riding there with the Test Team, so we will have some good data to look at before the weekend and the work begins. Improving our Saturday performance remains one of my major goals, if we get this right then we can show our true potential on Sunday. We were unlucky in Portugal, now we reset and come at this new weekend ready to deliver on what we know our potential is. It’s a shame not to have all the fans track-side, racing in Spain is always special and especially in Jerez there’s an incredible atmosphere normally.”

Roadracing World Young Guns 2021: Kayla Yaakov

David Swarts

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April 28, 2021

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Roadracing World Young Guns 2021: Kayla Yaakov

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed North America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 25^th consecutive year of showcasing what is actually an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica/AMA Pro races and Championships, including nine MotoAmerica/AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

The Daytona 200 (10 times);

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2021 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

Kayla Yaakov

Age: 13.

Current home: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Current height/weight: 5’3”/120 pounds.

Current school grade level: 8^th grade.

Began riding at age: 4 years.

First road race: 2017, Talladega, Alabama, WERA, 3 different classes, 1st place in all.

Current racebikes: Kawasaki Ninja 400, Yamaha YZF-R3, Kramer HKR EVO 2.

Current tuners/mechanics: Dave Yaakov (father), Mike Skowroneck/Triple Strong Racing.

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Junior Cup, FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup.

Top sponsors: American Racing Academy, Dragonfly Coffee, BARTCON Racing, SBS Brakes, Spectro Oil, Cox Racing Group, Helite Airvest, Jennings GP, Sportbike Track Time, N2 Racing, Magura USA, Yoshimura, Michelin, Jon Glaefke, VNM Sport, Rage Grafix, Woodcraft.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2020 season, finished 3^rd in MotoAmerica Mini Cup 190 Championship (2 podium finishes in 3 races), won Lightweight Twins Superbike Expert AMA Grand Championship, won 3 WERA Sportsman National Championships, won 7 WERA Sportsman Regional Championships (won 31 WERA races); 2019 season, won Lightweight Twins Superbike Expert AMA Grand Championship, won 3 WERA Sportsman Series Regional Championships (won 38 WERA races); 2018 season, named AMA Novice Road Racer of the Year, won 2 AMA Road Race Grand National Championships, won 5 WERA Sportsman National Championships, won 4 WERA Sportsman Regional Championships, won ASRA Moto3 (Combined) National race, 41 WERA race wins; 2017 season, named AMA Youth Road Racer of the Year, won 3 WERA Sportsman National Championships, won 5 WERA Sportsman Regional Championships (won 37 WERA races).

2021 racing goal: Progress throughout season in Europe, run in the top five in MotoAmerica Junior Cup.

Racing career goal: Win at the MotoAmerica and World Championship levels.

Racing hero: Mark Marquez.

Favorite track: Jennings GP.

Favorite hobby: Riding freestyle BMX.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Bored.

MotoAmerica: California Superbike School Sponsoring Travis Wyman

David Swarts

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April 27, 2021

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MotoAmerica: California Superbike School Sponsoring Travis Wyman

California Superbike School to be Travis Wyman Racing BMW’s title sponsor for this weekend’s MotoAmerica Superbikes at Road Atlanta

Wyman scores two victories in first time racing at Buttonwillow Raceway Park ahead of MotoAmerica season opener

LAS VEGAS — When Travis Wyman took pole and a victory in the first-ever MotoAmerica Stock 1000 race in 2018, California Superbike School had already joined his team’s family of sponsors. Four years later, the Keith Code-founded school is the team’s title sponsor for MotoAmerica’s 2021 season-opening round, which takes place April 30-May 2 at the Road Atlanta circuit in Braselton, Ga.

California Superbike School uses the same BMW S 1000 RR model that Wyman races as part of its multi-level curriculum, and Wyman — who is one of the school’s instructors — has helped teach that curriculum at racetracks across the country and internationally.

“Keith and Dylan Code and the other coaches at the school have supported my racing career for years,” Wyman said. “I’m happy to promote a school that I’ve witnessed help so many motorcyclists become better, faster riders.”

Founded in 1976, California Superbike School’s step-by-step training methodology has been used by about 150,000 students through its in-person schools and countless others through Keith Code’s columns, books and more – including 65 world- and national-level motorcycle racing champions. The school also will have its fleet of BMW S 1000 RRs on display at Road Atlanta for attendees to check out.

After having little or no seat time aboard the team’s BMW the last two offseasons, Wyman has taken part in three racing events in the weeks leading up to the Road Atlanta round. Most recently, Wyman scored two victories and a fourth place – from 18th on the starting grid – during his first time racing at Buttonwillow Raceway Park on Sunday. Road Atlanta is one of Wyman’s favorite tracks and is where he scored the first of his three wins aboard a BMW.

The team thanks Irv Seaver BMW of Orange, Calif., for its generous support of the team’s off-season testing and development program.

“I feel very well prepared for the season, much more so than I have the past three years,” Wyman said. “I have the confidence that I can start pushing the bike from the first lap of practice instead of having to get back into the grove of riding a motorcycle at its limit. My crew chief, Steve Weir, and mechanic, Alex Torres, are very excited at the pace we showed at Buttonwillow, and my past success at Road Atlanta has me feeling good about our chances of claiming at least one victory there.”

Wyman will be competing in the same two classes he did in 2020 – Superbike Cup and Stock 1000 – and is due to take part in four races at the Road Atlanta round.

The first Stock 1000 race takes place at 1 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, and Wyman will be back on Road Atlanta’s 2.55-mile road course at 3 p.m. Eastern for the first Superbike race of 2021. Sunday’s Stock 1000 contest gets underway at noon Eastern, with the Superbike Class taking to the track at 3 p.m. Eastern.

All races are aired live on MotoAmerica Live+, and the Superbike races are broadcast live on Fox Sports 1. For more information on MotoAmerica Live+, visit www.motoamericaliveplus.com.

AMA Hall Of Famer And Daytona 200 Winner Dick Mann, R.I.P.

David Swarts

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April 27, 2021

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AMA Hall Of Famer And Daytona 200 Winner Dick Mann, R.I.P.

Dick “Bugsy” Mann died April 26 at the age of 86.

Mann was considered to be one of the most versatile racers off all time.

He was a two-time AMA Grand National Champion with 24 career National victories.

He won the Daytona 200 in 1970 on a Honda CB750 and again in 1971 on a BSA Rocket 3.

In 1971 he completed the Grand Slam of motorcycle racing with dirt track wins in a Mile, Half-Mile, Short Track, TT, and in a road race during his career.

He also won a National-level motocross race, according to AMA.

Mann officially retired from professional racing in 1974, but the next year he qualified for the U.S. International Six Days Trial team (now known as the International Six Days Enduro) and earned a bronze medal at that event.

In 1995 he was given the AMA Dud Perkins Award for his contributions to the sport, and in 1998 he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Godspeed, Dick Mann.

Dick Mann at Daytona in 1971. Photo by Dave Friedman, courtesy the Don Emde Collection.

Roadracing World Young Guns 2021: Owen Williams

David Swarts

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April 27, 2021

0

Roadracing World Young Guns 2021: Owen Williams

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed North America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 25^th consecutive year of showcasing what is actually an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

MotoAmerica/AMA Pro races and Championships, including nine MotoAmerica/AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

The Daytona 200 (10 times);

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2021 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

Owen Williams

Age: 13.

Current home: Aliso Viejo, California.

Current height/weight: 5’1”/108 pounds.

Current school grade level: 8th grade.

Began riding at age: 7 years.

First road race: 2014, M1GP, Rosamond, California, 50cc Class, last place.

Current racebike: Kawasaki Ninja 400.

Current tuner/mechanic: Chad Williams (father).

Primary race series: MotoAmerica Junior Cup, CVMA.

Top sponsors: Calishine Racing, Boyko Racing, HJC Helmets, JP43 Training, Track Daz, Bickle Racing, Jack C, SoCal Track Days, NGK Spark Plugs, 61DTC, Raven Fabrication, Fastrack Riders, RK Chain, Cyclegear, 2WTD, Vortex, Ogio, Galfer, RPM USA.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2020 season, won CVMA 2020-2021 Winter Series 500 Supersport and Ultra Lightweight Shootout Expert Championships; 2020 season, won WERA West D Superbike Expert Championship, finished 2^nd in WERA West Clubman Expert Championship (won 8 WERA races), won CVMA 2019-2020 Winter Series 500 SS Amateur Championship; 2019 season, won 3 WERA West Novice-class Championships (Clubman, D Superbike, Mini 50), won 20 WERA races.

2021 racing goal: To have a safe and successful first MotoAmerica season.

Racing career goal: Compete as a Pro in MotoAmerica or National-level Speedway racing.

Racing hero: Valentino Rossi.

Favorite track: Chuckwalla Valley Raceway.

Favorite hobby: Speedway racing.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Hanging out with my brother, watching TV, camping, or playing video games.

Aprilia All Stars Ride At Misano

David Swarts

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April 27, 2021

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THE GREAT APRILIA CHAMPIONS TOGETHER ON THE MISANO CIRCUIT

A DAY OF FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE FOR BIKES, WITH A SAVE-THE-DATE FOR ALL ENTHUSIASTS IN 2022 WHEN, AT LONG LAST WITH THE GREAT PARTICIPATION OF THE FANS, THE APRILIA ALL STARS EVENT WILL RETURN

ALEIX ESPARGARÓ AND LORENZO SAVADORI ON THE TRACK AND WITH THEM MAX BIAGGI, LORIS CAPIROSSI, ALEX GRAMIGNI, ANDREA IANNONE AND MANUEL POGGIALI

THE RS-GP BIKES FROM 2019 TO 2021 WERE PUT THROUGH THEIR PACES, ALONG WITH THE NEW RSV4 AND TUONO V4 FACTORY AND THE RS 660 TROPHY BIKES. GUEST STARRING WERE THE LEGENDARY 250 2-STROKE BIKES, ON TRACK WITH ESPARGARÓ, BIAGGI AND POGGIALI

ALL THE CONTENT, SPECTACULAR VIDEOS, INTERVIEWS AND BACKSTAGE ACTION WILL BE RELEASED ON THE APRILIA SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS AND WEBSITE

Great champions, the MotoGP riders and young people who are just breaking into racing. There were different generations and stories together on the track with Aprilia this past Sunday at the Misano circuit. All with a love for Aprilia and its bikes in common.

Aprilia All Stars on track at Misano World Circuit. Photo courtesy Aprilia.

The day of 25 April followed the Aprilia All Stars formula where, in the spring of two years ago, more than 10 thousand people gathered in Mugello. The health situation still prevents us from having a big event open to all, as it was in 2019, but the appointment for Aprilia and its champions is set for 2022, when we all want to get back to celebrating together.

At the Romagnolo circuit, the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini MotoGP riders, Aleix Espargaró and Lorenzo Savadori, hosted lots of friends and champions, including Max Biaggi, Loris Capirossi, Andrea Iannone, Alex Gramigni and Manuel Poggiali. Along with them were also the youngsters from the Aprilia RS 660 Trophy which, as of this year, opens the doors of motorcycle racing to young riders from the age of 15.

Loris Capirossi (left) and Aleix Espargaro (right) speak on pit lane at Misano. Photo courtesy Aprilia.

Everyone took to the track to try out the new 2021 bikes, like the RSV4 and Tuono V4 Factory, but also to have some fun with the lightweight and high performance Aprilia RS 660 machines.

For all the guests and friends, and for all of Aprilia Racing, the time spent remembering Fausto Gresini was an extremely emotional moment. A touching moment on the track was dedicated to the two-time world champion with all the riders lined up on the starting grid of the Romagnolo track.

Max Biaggi (left) and Aleix Espargaro (right) seated on Biaggi’s World Championship-winning Aprilia 250s at Misano. Photo courtesy Aprilia.

It was an intensely emotional Sunday at the circuit named after Marco Simoncelli: Max Biaggi rode his RSV4 X on the track, a special edition of the V4 that dominated WSBK with the Roman champion, as did Andrea Iannone, who also lapped on the RS 660 in Trophy version. Loris Capirossi made a “Début” on his 2019 RS-GP, the MotoGP bike that was recently added to his splendid motorcycle collection. Alex Gramigni also put the RS-GP through its paces, whereas Manuel Poggiali turned laps primarily on the RSV4. Aleix Espargaró was finally able to make a dream come true, riding again a 2-stroke Aprilia 250 GP bike on the track. Biaggi also took out the 250 he had used to win the 1996 World Championship.

Max Biaggi riding an Aprilia RS 660 Trophy spec racebike at Misano. Photo courtesy Aprilia.

All the spectacular content of Misano, videos, interviews and backstage action will be released on the Aprilia website and social media channels. Save the date for a new edition of Aprilia All Stars in the spring of 2022, at long last open to the public.

N2/WERA National Endurance Series: More From CMP

David Swarts

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April 26, 2021

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N2/WERA National Endurance Series: More From CMP

Editorial Note: Scroll down to see all of the N2/WERA endurance race results from Carolina Motorsports Park.

Army of Darkness Wins Overall for Round 1 of the N2/WERA National Endurance Series by Dunlop at Carolina Motorsports Park

Kershaw, SC – April 2021 – The Army of Darkness with riders Chris Peris, Ben Walters, and Xavier Zayat left Carolina Motorsports Park with the Overall and Heavyweight race win, taking home $2500 for their efforts. The 4-Hour Endurance Race was held entirely under wet conditions, with some laps in a torrential down pour. This proved to be a massive challenge for all 42 teams at the first round of the N2/WERA National Endurance Series by Dunlop.

The Heavyweight Class was lightly attended but consisted of heaviest hitters in the paddock. Army of Darkness, Twisted Speed, and N2/BobbleHeadMoto all showed up with excellent equipment and extremely fast riders. The pace was going to be hot, but rain races always require more than just raw speed, it also requires patience and luck. The race started with Twisted Speed’s Hayden Gillim in the lead, followed closely by AOD’s Peris. The two riders battled back and forth for the first 16 minutes of the race before Gillim crashed in the fast kink on CMP’s back straight. The N2/BobbleHeadMoto entry also suffered a crash in the first hour, leaving Army of Darkness with a five-lap lead. Although Twisted Speed’s Gillim, Taylor Knapp, and Brad Burns remounted, they were never able to make up the difference and had to settle for second place. N2/BobbleHeadMoto’s Ed Sullivan, Emerson Amaya, and Corey Heflin finished third.

N2/BobbleHeadMoto (434). Photo courtesy N2 Track Days.

Indy United SBK won the Middleweight Class with riders Ben Napier, Chuck Ivey, Christian Guffy, and Brian Stone. This was the first endurance race by Indy United SBK after a long break by team owner Napier and a $2500 payout for the win was a great return to racing. Topbox Road Racing finished second and Chasing Shade MW came in third.

Some Expense Spared Racing (621). Photo courtesy N2 Track Days.

Some Expense Spared Racing came in second overall and won the Lightweight Class on a Suzuki SV650 with riders Trevor Standish, Chris Bays, and Tyler Freeman also winning $2500. Going the Distance finished second and Chief’s Racing Team finished third. All three teams had access to additional bonuses from Ghetto Customs by running SV’s in Lightweight.

The inaugural Road Race Relay Class was won by Tar Heels and Twins who won $750 and were followed by OTW Racing in second and Dearborn Derby in third. The CMP Road Race Relay was the first endurance race by all three podium finishers and they all had a blast.

The 2-Hour Ultralightweight Endurance Race was run in much better conditions than the 4-hour main event with only light rain at certain times. Kidnapper and the Kid Racing with 14-year-old phenom Blake Davis ran the entire 2-hour race solo to beat Team Yo! Ultra by a full lap as Sizzle Maniac Racing finished third. Blake was able to win $1500 for his effort. Not a bad pay day for a 14-year-old.

Join us for Round 2 of the N2/WERA National Endurance Series by Dunlop at Roebling Road Raceway in Savannah, GA on May 15th. For more information on the N2/WERA National Endurance Series by Dunlop and sponsor bonus programs please go to https://www.n2td.org/endurance/

2021 Endurance Racing Schedule

May 15 – Roebling Road Raceway

June 5 – Nelson Ledges Road Course

August 21 – Pittsburgh International Race Complex

September 11 – Summit Point Raceway

The N2/WERA National Endurance Series by Dunlop is proudly sponsored by: N2 Track Days, Dunlop Motorcycle Tires, Yamaha Motor USA, WERA Road Racing, Arai Helmets America, Innovative Motorsports, R.E.B Graphics, Woodcraft, Rise Moto, Ghetto Customs and Boxo USA.

For Information: N2 Track Days – www.N2td.org

More, from a press release issued by Some Expense Spared:

Some Expense Spared Wins WERA/N2 Lightweight 4 Hour Endurance at CMP

Some Expense Spared Racing (621). Photo courtesy Some Expense Spared Racing. — Some Expense Spared Racing (621). Photo by Christopher Holder, Apex of Life Photography, courtesy Some Expense Spared Racing.

In a rain-soaked endurance season opener, the Some Expense Spared SV650 delivered a Lightweight class victory. Not only did the Powersport Supply-backed team come out on top in a talented field of lightweight teams, SES also secured a 2nd place on the overall podium, ahead of 13 heavyweight and mediumweight bikes.

Trevor Standish started the race and quickly built a gap to the chasing teams. As the rain accumulated, the red flags came out, and SES found themselves several laps up on the rest of the lightweight field. Tyler Freeman took over and put in the team’s fastest overall lap time. A minor mechanical was repaired quickly, with only 60 seconds lost. Team principal Chris Bays hopped on the bike with an hour to go, but he only needed to do a few laps before the final red flag ended the race prematurely.

Some Expense Spared Racing (from left): Tyler Freeman, Chris Beddingfield, Trevor Standish, Kurt Beauchamp, and Chris Bays. Photo by Christopher Holder/Apex of Life Photography, courtesy Some Expense Spared Racing.

Bays was thrilled with his decision to make the younger riders do all of the laps in the rain.

“It was almost a perfect endurance race in very tricky conditions,” said Bays. “Trevor and Tyler were flying, and the Some Expense Spared crew executed flawlessly in the pits. I’m relieved that the beautiful new bodywork from Chris Parrish at Ghetto Customs is still in one piece after 4 hours in nasty weather!”

All three riders head immediately to Road Atlanta for MotoAmerica Twins Cup, with Standish riding for Pure Attitude Racing and Bays & Freeman on RBoM Suzukis. Some Expense Spared will be back for round 2 of the WERA/N2 Endurance series at Roebling Road Raceway on March 15th.

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Triumph Names Jeremy Appleton As Global Racing Manager

April 28, 2021

Triumph Global Racing Manager Jeremy Appleton. Photo courtesy Triumph Motorcycles.

Triumph Motorcycles Appoints Global Racing Manager

Triumph Motorcycles is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeremy Appleton as Global Racing manager.

Jeremy brings to this new role within Triumph an incredible range of expertise and experience across the motorcycle racing world, including MotoGP, WSBK, MXGP, and US Supercross and Motocross, as well as premier automobile racing with F1 and NASCAR.

His appointment reflects Triumph’s commitment and growing investment within motorcycle racing, where his focus will be on building global brand awareness and demonstrating Triumph innovation and performance credentials. Jeremy will take responsibility for our incredibly successful and record-breaking Moto2 Engine partnership and also our new Factory supported 2021 British Supersports collaboration with PTR racing.

American Flat Track: Series Resumes May 1 With Atlanta Super TT

April 28, 2021

JD Beach (95) airborne during an event in 2019. Photo by Scott Hunter, courtesy AFT.