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MotoGP Analysis: The Men Behind The Champions

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Featured In the December 2020 issue of Roadracing World: 

     When top motorcycle racers take to the track they do so alone, but they do not win alone. Their performance is inextricably linked to their machine, their team and, more often than not, to a guru who works like their second brain. These relationships are so close they can be almost familial—rider and advisor are like brothers that know each other so well they know what each other’s thinking without even talking.

      It takes a special chemistry. More often than not these mentors, coaches, team bosses and crew chiefs are former racers who’ve been there and done that, so they know what their rider is going through and they know what they can do to help…

—MotoGP Analysis: The Right Mentor/Coach/Crew Chief Makes A Difference, By Mat Oxley

            Behind every great motorcycle racer there’s a great mentor, crew chief or team boss who knows how to get the best out of his rider. MotoGP Editor Mat Oxley looks at road racing’s greatest winning partnerships in the latest issue of Roadracing World!

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

PREVIEW the December 2020 Issue of Roadracing World!

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW . Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. Read the December 2020 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription. Log in HERE

Available at Cycle Gear and other motorcycle retailers.

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Video: CCS Racer Melka Recovering From Horrific Crash At Daytona

Multi-time CCS National Champion racer Greg Melka is recovering from serious injuries he sustained in a horrific chain-reaction crash he was involved in during the annual ASRA/CCS Race of Champions October 18 at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Melka, who had already won two races and National Championships on the weekend, was on board his Pro Flow Technologies Yamaha YZF-R6 Superbike during the CCS Middleweight Superbike Expert race. The 52-year-old Floridan got the holeshot and led into Turn One, but Jason Farrell passed him into the International Horseshoe and led Melka out of the infield and onto the west banking of the superspeedway.

As Farrell started to climb the banking he clipped a non-inflatable section of soft barrier positioned along the speedway’s outer wall, causing him to crash. The soft barrier was displaced right into Melka’s path, causing him to crash at the top of third gear and well over 100 mph.

Melka was thrown to the asphalt and slid down the banking in an unconscious state.

Some riders behind the incident took evasive action and slowed down, but some other riders did not slow down approaching the scene, resulting in more crashes and a rider-less motorcycle striking defenseless Melka.

“My understanding is that soft barrier continued rolling down the banking,” said Melka. “People were trying to avoid it and some dude frickin’ hauling butt crashed into it. His bike shot down the banking and then hit Tyler Hicks. Tyler Hicks was knocked off his bike, and his bike comes and hits me. I got thrown through the air like 15 feet when this thing hit me in the shoulder, and luckily it hit me in the shoulder and not the head. If it hit me in the head I don’t know if I would be talking to you.”

Melka was rushed to Halifax Health Medical Center where he spent the next three weeks recovering from four broken vertebrae, a broken left hip, a broken left scapula, multiple broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and a concussion.

Amazingly, none of Melka’s injuries required surgery, and just eight weeks later, he is back riding his off-road motorcycles and mountain bikes, albeit slowly.

Melka’s road racebike was fitted with a forward-facing camera that captured video of the horrific initial crash and the painful aftermath. Melka posted the video recently to YouTube in hopes that something can be learned form it, especially for the riders who came upon the crash scene at high speed.

“I wasn’t sure I wanted to post that (video),” Melka told Roadracingworld.com, “but I was like, if somebody can learn something from this and come out ahead of it…I wanted to at least tell people if you see people riding fast into incidents like this you need to tell them not to do that. I got hit by some dude’s bike!

“Some of my friends were telling me, ‘Well, Greg, there was no red flag. You’ve still got to keep racing.’ And I’m like, when there’s two dudes sliding down the track at 100+ mph and there’s a big [soft] barrier rolling down the banking I think you ought to slow down a little bit. You don’t need a flag to tell you that.”

The video from Melka’s camera is available below. It is best seen on a large screen.

Racer And Engineer Peter Williams, R.I.P.

Three days ago [Dec. 20] my good friend Peter Williams said his final goodbye and passed into the history of motorcycling’s great.  Peter and I became friends in the mid 1980’s well after his brilliant career as a passionate rider and development engineer was ended prematurely by equipment failure at Oulton Park. Despite serious injury he continued to develop innovative ideas for Cosworth, Lotus and for people like me.  Every conversation with Peter was an education.

Peter’s collaboration with Tom Arter produced the world’s most successful Matchless G50’s which were notable for innovative designed frames, fairings, and air management systems.  “Wagon Wheels” was the very first road race machine with cast magnesium spoke wheels and full disc brakes.  Long after the era of Britain’s racing singles had ended Peter and Wagon Wheels won three 2nd place finishes at the Isle of Man Senior TT against far superior equipment!  Peter said that Wagon Wheels “never let me down.”

The Arter collaboration overlapped Peter’s later F750 John Player Norton career.  His innovations continued,  with sophisticated chassis designs that beat machines with much more power.  The Crown Jewel was the Norton Monocoque which won the 1973 Isle of Man F750 TT.

In his later years Peter continued his innovative designs, some of which he shared with me.  We had long discussions about our AJS 7R3 and Porcupine, both of which had first been developed by his father Jack in the 1950’s.

 

The Peter Williams Trophy. Photo courtesy Team Obsolete.
The Peter Williams Trophy. Photo courtesy Team Obsolete.

 

In 2016 it was our distinct pleasure to bring Peter to the Isle of Man Classic TT where Dave Roper rode Wagon Wheels on a Lap of Honor.  The Peter Williams Trophy was created, based on a titanium con rod from Wagon Wheels.  Peter was once again joined with his compatriots from yesteryear.  He still had a twinkle in his eyes.

God speed Peter, our sport owes you much.

Rob Iannucci

Team Obsolete

Brooklyn, NY USA

AMA: Safe-To-Race Task Force Members Are “Motorcyclists Of The Year”

Safe-to-Race Task Force members named American Motorcyclist Association 2020 Motorcyclists of the Year

Group developed guidelines, practices for return to motorcycle racing

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — For uniting the motorcycle competition industry and providing the expertise and guidelines that got America competing again during the coronavirus pandemic, the members of the Safe-to-Race Task Force are the American Motorcyclist Association 2020 Motorcyclists of the Year.

The AMA Motorcyclist of the Year designation, awarded annually by the AMA Board of Directors, recognizes the individual or group that had the most profound impact on the world of motorcycling in the previous 12 months.

“This group provided the leadership that motorcycle racing needed during a crisis that threatened the continued existence of the sport, not just a single racing season,” said Russ Ehnes, chair of the AMA Board of Directors. “From the top professional racers to the young amateur competitors, motorcycle racers were able to participate in well-run events and battle to bring home AMA National No. 1 plates.”

The 24-member task force met regularly in Zoom video conferences and developed the Race Resumption Plan and Best Practices Toolkit, which proved to be the vital resource organizers and racers needed to resume competition. The information, which can be found at americanmotorcyclist.com/covid19resources, covers racing operations, employee wellness, event messaging, signage and more.

The full story about the task force, its work and its accomplishments can be found in the January issue of American Motorcyclist magazine, which AMA members receive through the mail, and in the online version available to members Jan. 1.

 

Safe-to-Race Task Force Members

AMA: Bill Cumbow, Mike Pelletier, Alexandria Kovacs

Daytona Motorsports Group: Gene Crouch, Jared Johnson and Joey Mancari

Feld Entertainment: Dave Prater

Ignite Partners: Ken Hudgens and Tim Murray

Motorsports Reg: Brian Ghidinelli and Chris Redrich

MX Sports: Tim Cotter, Jeremy Holbert and Jeff Canfield

MX Sports Pro Racing: Davey Coombs, Carrie Russell and Roy Janson

Mylaps: John Dains and Gabe Ellett

Pro Motocross Organizers: Amy Ritchie and Alan Verlander

USMA: Robert Johnson and Shawn Stewart

Rider Representative: JH Leale

 

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.

Not a member? Join the AMA today: americanmotorcyclist.com.

 

MotoAmerica: K-Tech Suspension Expanding Presence In 2021

K-Tech Suspension USA Expands MotoAmerica 2021 Presence

[BRENTWOOD, NY, December 2020]

K-Tech Suspension USA would like to announce expanded national level road race exposure. Lenny Albin, starts his 7th year of running our Road Race and Road Technical Service Department and will attend the 2021 MotoAmerica Series events offering brand, technical and sponsored teams support. Contact Lenny at 631-231-9556 ext. 1123 to discuss sponsorship opportunities or service contracts for the 2021 season.

Additional trackside support will be provided by Robem Engineering/Velocity Calibrations with vending and servicing of K-Tech Suspension and Orient Express products at MotoAmerica and N2 National Endurance series 2021 events.

About K-Tech Suspension and K-Tech Suspension USA

UK-based K-Tech Suspension specializes in design, manufacturing and supply of high performance motorcycle suspension components. As the exclusive North American distributor, K-Tech Suspension USA proudly brings you the wide-range of high performance suspension components and replacement parts for road racing and off road motorcycles. K-Tech Suspension components are available on our website, as well as through our Dealer and Certified Service Center network. www.ktechsuspensionusa.com

At Home With Richie Escalante, In The December Issue

Featured In the December 2020 issue of Roadracing World: 

          Some riders have big personalities and love being in front of the cameras and fans. Other riders are calm, modest, and let their speed and results on the track do the talking for them while they remain focused on their goals. Ricardo “Richie” Escalante is definitely the latter, and that may have been key in the 25-year-old Mexican winning the 2020 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship…

—At Home With Richie Escalante, By David Swarts

            Quiet and determined, Richie Escalante has built a racing program for years, racing in Spain, in Mexico, and in the U.S., winning and attracting the attention of supporters who could help him reach the next level. And laying all of that groundwork paid off in 2020, as Escalante crushed the MotoAmerica Supersport field en route to the Championship. Read the back story behind a 16-year overnight sensation in the latest issue of Roadracing World!

 

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

PREVIEW the December 2020 Issue of Roadracing World!

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW . Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. Read the December 2020 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription. Log in HERE

Available at Cycle Gear and other motorcycle retailers.

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MotoAmerica: Bicknese Joins Altus Motorsports

Hayden Bicknese Joins Altus Motorsports Tucker Team for 2021

(Altus, OK) Hayden Bicknese will be competing in the MotoAmerica Junior Cup onboard the Altus Factory Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400.

Since he was 3 years old, Hayden Bicknese has loved being on two wheels. From his first 50cc motorcycle, until he was 13, he spent time playing in the dirt on gradually bigger bikes. It wasn’t until 2019, when he fell in love with the look of his dad’s new Yamaha YZF-R6, that he decided he wanted to try road racing. From his first track day he was hooked.

In 2020, Bicknese won multiple championships with CMRA on an Yamaha YZF-R3 and a Kawasaki Ninja 400. Earlier this month he joined some of the Altus team at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway for the third round of CVMA to test the Altus-built Ninja 400. Considering that it was his first time at that track, his first time on the bike and that the motorcycle is a restricted MotoAmerica-spec Ninja 400, his results were impressive.

“I love the bike and I can’t wait to ride it again. I am very excited to compete at the national level and to be a part of the Altus team,” said Hayden Bickense “Almost all of the MotoAmerica tracks will be new to me. So, for 2021, my goals are to continue to improve every session and aim for top-10 finishes.”

“We are happy to add Bickense to the team. He seems very eager to ride and to do what it takes to excel,” said team owner George Nassaney.

The Altus Motorsports team is supported by our great family of sponsors: Altus Motorsports, Suzuki, VP Lubricants, RS Taichi, Arai, Moto D, Bonamici, Hotbodies Racing, SBS Brakes, Vortex, Motion Pro, Law Tigers Oklahoma, Dunlop, Team Hammer, and Altus Factory Racing.

MotoAmerica Racing At Brainerd In 2021

MotoAmerica Set For Return To Brainerd International Raceway

2021 Season To Feature 10 Rounds Of HONOS Superbike Racing

IRVINE, CA (December 23, 2020) – After a prolonged hiatus of 17 years, MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is bringing Superbike racing back to Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota, July 30-August 1, with the announcement that the series and all five of its classes will return to the land of 10,000 lakes for round seven of the 2021 MotoAmerica HONOS Superbike Series.

The last time Brainerd International Raceway played host to AMA Superbike racing was in June of 2004 with Jake Zemke besting Miguel Duhamel and Mat Mladin in the Superbike National. AMA Superbikes had a 13-year run at BIR, racing from 1992 to 2004. The facility also hosted the World Superbike Championship for three years in 1989, 1990 and 1991.

With the addition of the Brainerd round to the schedule, MotoAmerica’s 2021 championship features 10 rounds of HONOS Superbike racing that will begin at the Circuit of The Americas, April 16-18, with MotoAmerica again joining MotoGP at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas – a round that was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19. The MotoAmerica series will conclude September 17-19 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.

“Going back to Brainerd brings back good memories,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “That event was always one of the best. It was an awesome track to race on with great atmosphere and a lot of fans. The track has changed a lot since I raced there, but it still looks like a lot of fun. A few of our riders may have club raced at BIR, but I imagine that the majority have never been there so it will be a new experience for them, the teams and ultimately the fans. The track is located in a beautiful part of the country and we are really looking forward to getting up there at the end of July.”

“We are extremely excited to bring back national Superbike racing to BIR and team up with the staff at MotoAmerica,” said Brainerd International Raceway owner Kristi Copham. “It’s been the number-one question/request that has been asked in my 14 years of ownership. We are looking forward to a long, exciting relationship with MotoAmerica and everything it will bring to this area.”

The Brainerd/MotoAmerica agreement comes at a perfect time for the series and the racetrack as the new location takes over from Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the schedule. MotoAmerica was planning a return to The Brickyard in 2021 after its successful event there this past season, but IMS has committed to a car-racing-only schedule for 2021.

“MotoAmerica is an exciting and fan-friendly series that showcases some of the world’s best brands, bikes and riders and we enjoyed having them at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2020,” said IMS President Doug Boles. “However, we have finalized a 2021 schedule at IMS that we hope will allow us to successfully execute our major automotive events and provides date flexibility for those events if needed. Motorcycles have raced off and on at IMS since we opened our doors in 1909, and we expect that we will welcome them back again in the future.”

“We anticipate the 2021 season to be our most exciting yet,” said Rainey. “The HONOS Superbike class is truly wide open and everyone seems to have a different opinion on who will be crowned champion at the end of the year. There are at least five or six riders with a realistic shot at the title and we can’t wait to get the series rolling again.”

 

2021 MotoAmerica Series Schedule

March 30-31               Circuit of The Americas                          Austin, TX (Dunlop Tire Test all classes)

April 16-18                 Circuit of The Americas                          Austin, TX (Superbike only with MotoGP)

April 30-May 1             Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta             Braselton, GA

May 21-23                    Virginia International Raceway               Danville, VA

June 11-13                   Road America                                         Elkhart Lake, WI

June 25-27                   Ridge Motorsports Park                         Shelton, WA

July 9-11                      WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca     Monterey, CA

July 30-August 1          Brainerd International Raceway             Brainerd, MN

August 13-15               Pittsburgh Int’l Race Complex                Wampum, PA

September 10-12         New Jersey Motorsports Park                Millville, NJ

September 17-19         Barber Motorsports Park                        Birmingham, AL

 

To purchase tickets to any of the 2021 series rounds, click HERE

 

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

British Supersport: Appleyard Macadam Yamaha Announces Its Riders

APPLEYARD MACADAM YAMAHA FOCUS ON DEVELOPING YOUNG RIDERS FOR 2021

The reigning Quattro Group British Supersport Champions, Appleyard Macadam Yamaha, will again turn its attention to the stars of the future for the 2021 season, signing Bradley Perie and Rhys Irwin in a bid to help the two young riders fulfil their already-promising potential.

Bradley, from Kendal, Cumbria, and Rhys, from Donegal, Ireland, have both impressed on their privateer Yamaha YZF-R6 machines in the Supersport and Superstock classes respectively, providing an ideal grounding for them to ride the immaculately prepared racebikes of the official Yamaha Supersport race team.

Bradley Perie, who has just turned 21, had a standout season, chalking up six podiums on his way to fourth in the Supersport class. Having come so close to his first victory, the youngster is hungry to improve on his position in the standings next year. Eighteen-year-old Rhys Irwin moved up to the Superstock 600 series full time, securing three hard-earned race wins and the overall runner-up position in the division.

After logging up an unprecedented fourth consecutive British Supersport title with Rory Skinner, the Keighley-based team and dealership will now focus on getting their two new chargers onto the podium. They also plan to launch a separate Appleyard Academy scheme, with more news to follow on this project shortly.

The squad is currently prepping the 2021-spec YZF-R6 machines on the never-ending search for more ‘horses’, before undertaking a winter testing programme with Bradley and Rhys ahead of the eleven-round Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

Team Owner Robin Appleyard said, “We’re always looking to bring on new talent and we get a lot of satisfaction seeing our riders progress, as Rory has with his new Superbike ride. Again, this year, we’re taking a slight step back by bringing on two more young riders, one very much a rookie, but with the backing of Yamaha, we plan to take them to the front of the grids and run at the front.

Brad and Rhys are two talented young riders with, I believe, massive potential, who’ve both done it the hard way with their dads logging up massive miles in a van each weekend, so it’s time to give them that opportunity with a bigger team. I honestly think Brad can battle for wins and Rhys caught my attention from as early as Silverstone, and whilst very much a learning year for him, I think we can get him close to the front before long. The 2021 series is resurgent with new manufacturers and teams, with the likes of Jack (Kennedy ) returning, which is just what we need to help the lads develop around good experienced riders.

Bradley Perie commented, “This feels like a massive opportunity as we move from our older, privateer YZF-R6 to one of the best turned out examples in the World! It’s my first proper team as it’s normally just me and dad but luckily he’ll still be there to help in the garage. Personally, I think the package will get me up to the front and it’s obviously such a strong team, which is important with such a competitive field next season. Big thanks to my Club 97 supporters who help keep me on the grid. I hope to repay them with some good results in 2021!”

Rhys Irwin added, “It felt like a good year in Superstock but I really wanted to move up to Supersport and keep pushing myself, so this is the ideal chance to do that. It’s nice to be noticed after all the years of hard work and coming over on the ferry from the West of Ireland every weekend. Robin runs such a brilliant team and I’ve always followed Jack Kennedy, so I’m well aware of their quality, it will also be amazing racing against him too as he’s such a talent.”

Quick Look: 2021 Aprilia RS 660, In The December Issue

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Featured In the December 2020 issue of Roadracing World: 

        “I’ve spent the last decade and a half racing Suzuki SV650s. I built an SV500 that I took to two class lap records at Willow Springs. The last SV650 I turned into a racebike (with an engine built by Twin Works) was quick enough to take class wins in CVMA, albeit in the hands of a younger, hungrier racer than I am nowadays. 

        “For decades, the SV has been right at the top of the 650 Twins class in terms of ultimate race potential, and it’s a friendly, fun street ride with a base model selling for $7,099 off the showroom floor. Now Aprilia has built the RS660, and suddenly every other 650-class Twin is obsolete. 

        “The 2021 RS660 makes more horsepower in Euro5 emissions-compliant specification than any SV racebike I’ve ever built, and Racing Editor Chris Ulrich’s butt dynomometer suggests that it is right there with the most powerful bikes on the MotoAmerica Twins Cup grid. It’s 34 pounds lighter than a naked SV650, even with the added weight of a full fairing. It has inverted forks, an electronics suite developed for the company’s Supersport RSV4, a twin-spar chassis, and the list goes on…”

—Quick Look: 2021 Aprilia RS660,The Middleweight Levels Up

            The Aprilia RS660 shatters the norm for the venerable 650 Twins class in every way, including the suggested retail price—$11,299. In a way, it’s expensive. In another way, it’s a screaming bargain. Longtime Twins racer and Editor at Large Michael Gougis and Racing Editor Chris Ulrich examine Aprilia’s long-awaited supersport middleweight twin in the latest issue of Roadracing World!

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

PREVIEW the December 2020 Issue of Roadracing World!

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW . Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. Read the December 2020 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription. Log in HERE

Available at Cycle Gear and other motorcycle retailers.

Visit www.roadracingworld.com daily for breaking news and events.

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MotoGP Analysis: The Men Behind The Champions

Marc Marquez, winning at Le Mans in 2018. Marquez has won seven World Championships with Santi Hernandez, one in Moto2 and six in MotoGP.  Photo by DPPI Media.

Featured In the December 2020 issue of Roadracing World: 

     When top motorcycle racers take to the track they do so alone, but they do not win alone. Their performance is inextricably linked to their machine, their team and, more often than not, to a guru who works like their second brain. These relationships are so close they can be almost familial—rider and advisor are like brothers that know each other so well they know what each other’s thinking without even talking.

      It takes a special chemistry. More often than not these mentors, coaches, team bosses and crew chiefs are former racers who’ve been there and done that, so they know what their rider is going through and they know what they can do to help…

—MotoGP Analysis: The Right Mentor/Coach/Crew Chief Makes A Difference, By Mat Oxley

            Behind every great motorcycle racer there’s a great mentor, crew chief or team boss who knows how to get the best out of his rider. MotoGP Editor Mat Oxley looks at road racing’s greatest winning partnerships in the latest issue of Roadracing World!

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

PREVIEW the December 2020 Issue of Roadracing World!

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW . Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. Read the December 2020 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription. Log in HERE

Available at Cycle Gear and other motorcycle retailers.

Visit www.roadracingworld.com daily for breaking news and events.

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/roadracingworld

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com @roadracingworld

Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com @roadracing_world

 

Video: CCS Racer Melka Recovering From Horrific Crash At Daytona

Greg Melka (1), as seen in 2017. Photo by Lisa Theobald, courtesy ASRA/CCS.
Greg Melka (1), as seen in 2017. Photo by Lisa Theobald, courtesy ASRA/CCS.

Multi-time CCS National Champion racer Greg Melka is recovering from serious injuries he sustained in a horrific chain-reaction crash he was involved in during the annual ASRA/CCS Race of Champions October 18 at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Melka, who had already won two races and National Championships on the weekend, was on board his Pro Flow Technologies Yamaha YZF-R6 Superbike during the CCS Middleweight Superbike Expert race. The 52-year-old Floridan got the holeshot and led into Turn One, but Jason Farrell passed him into the International Horseshoe and led Melka out of the infield and onto the west banking of the superspeedway.

As Farrell started to climb the banking he clipped a non-inflatable section of soft barrier positioned along the speedway’s outer wall, causing him to crash. The soft barrier was displaced right into Melka’s path, causing him to crash at the top of third gear and well over 100 mph.

Melka was thrown to the asphalt and slid down the banking in an unconscious state.

Some riders behind the incident took evasive action and slowed down, but some other riders did not slow down approaching the scene, resulting in more crashes and a rider-less motorcycle striking defenseless Melka.

“My understanding is that soft barrier continued rolling down the banking,” said Melka. “People were trying to avoid it and some dude frickin’ hauling butt crashed into it. His bike shot down the banking and then hit Tyler Hicks. Tyler Hicks was knocked off his bike, and his bike comes and hits me. I got thrown through the air like 15 feet when this thing hit me in the shoulder, and luckily it hit me in the shoulder and not the head. If it hit me in the head I don’t know if I would be talking to you.”

Melka was rushed to Halifax Health Medical Center where he spent the next three weeks recovering from four broken vertebrae, a broken left hip, a broken left scapula, multiple broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and a concussion.

Amazingly, none of Melka’s injuries required surgery, and just eight weeks later, he is back riding his off-road motorcycles and mountain bikes, albeit slowly.

Melka’s road racebike was fitted with a forward-facing camera that captured video of the horrific initial crash and the painful aftermath. Melka posted the video recently to YouTube in hopes that something can be learned form it, especially for the riders who came upon the crash scene at high speed.

“I wasn’t sure I wanted to post that (video),” Melka told Roadracingworld.com, “but I was like, if somebody can learn something from this and come out ahead of it…I wanted to at least tell people if you see people riding fast into incidents like this you need to tell them not to do that. I got hit by some dude’s bike!

“Some of my friends were telling me, ‘Well, Greg, there was no red flag. You’ve still got to keep racing.’ And I’m like, when there’s two dudes sliding down the track at 100+ mph and there’s a big [soft] barrier rolling down the banking I think you ought to slow down a little bit. You don’t need a flag to tell you that.”

The video from Melka’s camera is available below. It is best seen on a large screen.

Racer And Engineer Peter Williams, R.I.P.

Peter Williams, R.I.P. Photo courtesy Team Obsolete.
Peter Williams, R.I.P. Photo courtesy Team Obsolete.

Three days ago [Dec. 20] my good friend Peter Williams said his final goodbye and passed into the history of motorcycling’s great.  Peter and I became friends in the mid 1980’s well after his brilliant career as a passionate rider and development engineer was ended prematurely by equipment failure at Oulton Park. Despite serious injury he continued to develop innovative ideas for Cosworth, Lotus and for people like me.  Every conversation with Peter was an education.

Peter’s collaboration with Tom Arter produced the world’s most successful Matchless G50’s which were notable for innovative designed frames, fairings, and air management systems.  “Wagon Wheels” was the very first road race machine with cast magnesium spoke wheels and full disc brakes.  Long after the era of Britain’s racing singles had ended Peter and Wagon Wheels won three 2nd place finishes at the Isle of Man Senior TT against far superior equipment!  Peter said that Wagon Wheels “never let me down.”

The Arter collaboration overlapped Peter’s later F750 John Player Norton career.  His innovations continued,  with sophisticated chassis designs that beat machines with much more power.  The Crown Jewel was the Norton Monocoque which won the 1973 Isle of Man F750 TT.

In his later years Peter continued his innovative designs, some of which he shared with me.  We had long discussions about our AJS 7R3 and Porcupine, both of which had first been developed by his father Jack in the 1950’s.

 

The Peter Williams Trophy. Photo courtesy Team Obsolete.
The Peter Williams Trophy. Photo courtesy Team Obsolete.

 

In 2016 it was our distinct pleasure to bring Peter to the Isle of Man Classic TT where Dave Roper rode Wagon Wheels on a Lap of Honor.  The Peter Williams Trophy was created, based on a titanium con rod from Wagon Wheels.  Peter was once again joined with his compatriots from yesteryear.  He still had a twinkle in his eyes.

God speed Peter, our sport owes you much.

Rob Iannucci

Team Obsolete

Brooklyn, NY USA

AMA: Safe-To-Race Task Force Members Are “Motorcyclists Of The Year”

The sign at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio. Photo courtesy AMA.
The sign at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio. Photo courtesy AMA.

Safe-to-Race Task Force members named American Motorcyclist Association 2020 Motorcyclists of the Year

Group developed guidelines, practices for return to motorcycle racing

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — For uniting the motorcycle competition industry and providing the expertise and guidelines that got America competing again during the coronavirus pandemic, the members of the Safe-to-Race Task Force are the American Motorcyclist Association 2020 Motorcyclists of the Year.

The AMA Motorcyclist of the Year designation, awarded annually by the AMA Board of Directors, recognizes the individual or group that had the most profound impact on the world of motorcycling in the previous 12 months.

“This group provided the leadership that motorcycle racing needed during a crisis that threatened the continued existence of the sport, not just a single racing season,” said Russ Ehnes, chair of the AMA Board of Directors. “From the top professional racers to the young amateur competitors, motorcycle racers were able to participate in well-run events and battle to bring home AMA National No. 1 plates.”

The 24-member task force met regularly in Zoom video conferences and developed the Race Resumption Plan and Best Practices Toolkit, which proved to be the vital resource organizers and racers needed to resume competition. The information, which can be found at americanmotorcyclist.com/covid19resources, covers racing operations, employee wellness, event messaging, signage and more.

The full story about the task force, its work and its accomplishments can be found in the January issue of American Motorcyclist magazine, which AMA members receive through the mail, and in the online version available to members Jan. 1.

 

Safe-to-Race Task Force Members

AMA: Bill Cumbow, Mike Pelletier, Alexandria Kovacs

Daytona Motorsports Group: Gene Crouch, Jared Johnson and Joey Mancari

Feld Entertainment: Dave Prater

Ignite Partners: Ken Hudgens and Tim Murray

Motorsports Reg: Brian Ghidinelli and Chris Redrich

MX Sports: Tim Cotter, Jeremy Holbert and Jeff Canfield

MX Sports Pro Racing: Davey Coombs, Carrie Russell and Roy Janson

Mylaps: John Dains and Gabe Ellett

Pro Motocross Organizers: Amy Ritchie and Alan Verlander

USMA: Robert Johnson and Shawn Stewart

Rider Representative: JH Leale

 

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.

Not a member? Join the AMA today: americanmotorcyclist.com.

 

MotoAmerica: K-Tech Suspension Expanding Presence In 2021

Lenny Albin (center) with racer Hayden Gillim (right) and crewmember Rick Matheny (left). Photo courtesy K-Tech.
Lenny Albin (center) with racer Hayden Gillim (right) and crewmember Rick Matheny (left). Photo courtesy K-Tech.

K-Tech Suspension USA Expands MotoAmerica 2021 Presence

[BRENTWOOD, NY, December 2020]

K-Tech Suspension USA would like to announce expanded national level road race exposure. Lenny Albin, starts his 7th year of running our Road Race and Road Technical Service Department and will attend the 2021 MotoAmerica Series events offering brand, technical and sponsored teams support. Contact Lenny at 631-231-9556 ext. 1123 to discuss sponsorship opportunities or service contracts for the 2021 season.

Additional trackside support will be provided by Robem Engineering/Velocity Calibrations with vending and servicing of K-Tech Suspension and Orient Express products at MotoAmerica and N2 National Endurance series 2021 events.

About K-Tech Suspension and K-Tech Suspension USA

UK-based K-Tech Suspension specializes in design, manufacturing and supply of high performance motorcycle suspension components. As the exclusive North American distributor, K-Tech Suspension USA proudly brings you the wide-range of high performance suspension components and replacement parts for road racing and off road motorcycles. K-Tech Suspension components are available on our website, as well as through our Dealer and Certified Service Center network. www.ktechsuspensionusa.com

At Home With Richie Escalante, In The December Issue

Richie Escalante (54) won 13 races and the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship in 2020. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Featured In the December 2020 issue of Roadracing World: 

          Some riders have big personalities and love being in front of the cameras and fans. Other riders are calm, modest, and let their speed and results on the track do the talking for them while they remain focused on their goals. Ricardo “Richie” Escalante is definitely the latter, and that may have been key in the 25-year-old Mexican winning the 2020 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship…

—At Home With Richie Escalante, By David Swarts

            Quiet and determined, Richie Escalante has built a racing program for years, racing in Spain, in Mexico, and in the U.S., winning and attracting the attention of supporters who could help him reach the next level. And laying all of that groundwork paid off in 2020, as Escalante crushed the MotoAmerica Supersport field en route to the Championship. Read the back story behind a 16-year overnight sensation in the latest issue of Roadracing World!

 

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

PREVIEW the December 2020 Issue of Roadracing World!

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW . Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. Read the December 2020 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription. Log in HERE

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MotoAmerica: Bicknese Joins Altus Motorsports

Hayden Bicknese (169). Photo by CaliPhotography.com, courtesy Altus Motorsports.
Hayden Bicknese (169). Photo by CaliPhotography.com, courtesy Altus Motorsports.

Hayden Bicknese Joins Altus Motorsports Tucker Team for 2021

(Altus, OK) Hayden Bicknese will be competing in the MotoAmerica Junior Cup onboard the Altus Factory Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400.

Since he was 3 years old, Hayden Bicknese has loved being on two wheels. From his first 50cc motorcycle, until he was 13, he spent time playing in the dirt on gradually bigger bikes. It wasn’t until 2019, when he fell in love with the look of his dad’s new Yamaha YZF-R6, that he decided he wanted to try road racing. From his first track day he was hooked.

In 2020, Bicknese won multiple championships with CMRA on an Yamaha YZF-R3 and a Kawasaki Ninja 400. Earlier this month he joined some of the Altus team at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway for the third round of CVMA to test the Altus-built Ninja 400. Considering that it was his first time at that track, his first time on the bike and that the motorcycle is a restricted MotoAmerica-spec Ninja 400, his results were impressive.

“I love the bike and I can’t wait to ride it again. I am very excited to compete at the national level and to be a part of the Altus team,” said Hayden Bickense “Almost all of the MotoAmerica tracks will be new to me. So, for 2021, my goals are to continue to improve every session and aim for top-10 finishes.”

“We are happy to add Bickense to the team. He seems very eager to ride and to do what it takes to excel,” said team owner George Nassaney.

The Altus Motorsports team is supported by our great family of sponsors: Altus Motorsports, Suzuki, VP Lubricants, RS Taichi, Arai, Moto D, Bonamici, Hotbodies Racing, SBS Brakes, Vortex, Motion Pro, Law Tigers Oklahoma, Dunlop, Team Hammer, and Altus Factory Racing.

MotoAmerica Racing At Brainerd In 2021

Miguel Duhamel (17) leads Mike Smith (68), Jamie James (hidden). Pascal Picotte (21) and Colin Edwards (45) in the heat of battle at Brainerd International Raceway in 1994. MotoAmerica is bringing Superbike racing back to BIR at the end of July after a 17-year hiatus. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
Miguel Duhamel (17) leads Mike Smith (68), Jamie James (hidden). Pascal Picotte (21) and Colin Edwards (45) in the heat of battle at Brainerd International Raceway in 1994. MotoAmerica is bringing Superbike racing back to BIR at the end of July after a 17-year hiatus. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.

MotoAmerica Set For Return To Brainerd International Raceway

2021 Season To Feature 10 Rounds Of HONOS Superbike Racing

IRVINE, CA (December 23, 2020) – After a prolonged hiatus of 17 years, MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is bringing Superbike racing back to Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota, July 30-August 1, with the announcement that the series and all five of its classes will return to the land of 10,000 lakes for round seven of the 2021 MotoAmerica HONOS Superbike Series.

The last time Brainerd International Raceway played host to AMA Superbike racing was in June of 2004 with Jake Zemke besting Miguel Duhamel and Mat Mladin in the Superbike National. AMA Superbikes had a 13-year run at BIR, racing from 1992 to 2004. The facility also hosted the World Superbike Championship for three years in 1989, 1990 and 1991.

With the addition of the Brainerd round to the schedule, MotoAmerica’s 2021 championship features 10 rounds of HONOS Superbike racing that will begin at the Circuit of The Americas, April 16-18, with MotoAmerica again joining MotoGP at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas – a round that was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19. The MotoAmerica series will conclude September 17-19 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.

“Going back to Brainerd brings back good memories,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “That event was always one of the best. It was an awesome track to race on with great atmosphere and a lot of fans. The track has changed a lot since I raced there, but it still looks like a lot of fun. A few of our riders may have club raced at BIR, but I imagine that the majority have never been there so it will be a new experience for them, the teams and ultimately the fans. The track is located in a beautiful part of the country and we are really looking forward to getting up there at the end of July.”

“We are extremely excited to bring back national Superbike racing to BIR and team up with the staff at MotoAmerica,” said Brainerd International Raceway owner Kristi Copham. “It’s been the number-one question/request that has been asked in my 14 years of ownership. We are looking forward to a long, exciting relationship with MotoAmerica and everything it will bring to this area.”

The Brainerd/MotoAmerica agreement comes at a perfect time for the series and the racetrack as the new location takes over from Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the schedule. MotoAmerica was planning a return to The Brickyard in 2021 after its successful event there this past season, but IMS has committed to a car-racing-only schedule for 2021.

“MotoAmerica is an exciting and fan-friendly series that showcases some of the world’s best brands, bikes and riders and we enjoyed having them at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2020,” said IMS President Doug Boles. “However, we have finalized a 2021 schedule at IMS that we hope will allow us to successfully execute our major automotive events and provides date flexibility for those events if needed. Motorcycles have raced off and on at IMS since we opened our doors in 1909, and we expect that we will welcome them back again in the future.”

“We anticipate the 2021 season to be our most exciting yet,” said Rainey. “The HONOS Superbike class is truly wide open and everyone seems to have a different opinion on who will be crowned champion at the end of the year. There are at least five or six riders with a realistic shot at the title and we can’t wait to get the series rolling again.”

 

2021 MotoAmerica Series Schedule

March 30-31               Circuit of The Americas                          Austin, TX (Dunlop Tire Test all classes)

April 16-18                 Circuit of The Americas                          Austin, TX (Superbike only with MotoGP)

April 30-May 1             Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta             Braselton, GA

May 21-23                    Virginia International Raceway               Danville, VA

June 11-13                   Road America                                         Elkhart Lake, WI

June 25-27                   Ridge Motorsports Park                         Shelton, WA

July 9-11                      WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca     Monterey, CA

July 30-August 1          Brainerd International Raceway             Brainerd, MN

August 13-15               Pittsburgh Int’l Race Complex                Wampum, PA

September 10-12         New Jersey Motorsports Park                Millville, NJ

September 17-19         Barber Motorsports Park                        Birmingham, AL

 

To purchase tickets to any of the 2021 series rounds, click HERE

 

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

British Supersport: Appleyard Macadam Yamaha Announces Its Riders

Bradley Perie (left) and Rhys Irwin (right). Photo courtesy Appleyard Macadam Yamaha.
Bradley Perie (left) and Rhys Irwin (right). Photo courtesy Appleyard Macadam Yamaha.

APPLEYARD MACADAM YAMAHA FOCUS ON DEVELOPING YOUNG RIDERS FOR 2021

The reigning Quattro Group British Supersport Champions, Appleyard Macadam Yamaha, will again turn its attention to the stars of the future for the 2021 season, signing Bradley Perie and Rhys Irwin in a bid to help the two young riders fulfil their already-promising potential.

Bradley, from Kendal, Cumbria, and Rhys, from Donegal, Ireland, have both impressed on their privateer Yamaha YZF-R6 machines in the Supersport and Superstock classes respectively, providing an ideal grounding for them to ride the immaculately prepared racebikes of the official Yamaha Supersport race team.

Bradley Perie, who has just turned 21, had a standout season, chalking up six podiums on his way to fourth in the Supersport class. Having come so close to his first victory, the youngster is hungry to improve on his position in the standings next year. Eighteen-year-old Rhys Irwin moved up to the Superstock 600 series full time, securing three hard-earned race wins and the overall runner-up position in the division.

After logging up an unprecedented fourth consecutive British Supersport title with Rory Skinner, the Keighley-based team and dealership will now focus on getting their two new chargers onto the podium. They also plan to launch a separate Appleyard Academy scheme, with more news to follow on this project shortly.

The squad is currently prepping the 2021-spec YZF-R6 machines on the never-ending search for more ‘horses’, before undertaking a winter testing programme with Bradley and Rhys ahead of the eleven-round Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

Team Owner Robin Appleyard said, “We’re always looking to bring on new talent and we get a lot of satisfaction seeing our riders progress, as Rory has with his new Superbike ride. Again, this year, we’re taking a slight step back by bringing on two more young riders, one very much a rookie, but with the backing of Yamaha, we plan to take them to the front of the grids and run at the front.

Brad and Rhys are two talented young riders with, I believe, massive potential, who’ve both done it the hard way with their dads logging up massive miles in a van each weekend, so it’s time to give them that opportunity with a bigger team. I honestly think Brad can battle for wins and Rhys caught my attention from as early as Silverstone, and whilst very much a learning year for him, I think we can get him close to the front before long. The 2021 series is resurgent with new manufacturers and teams, with the likes of Jack (Kennedy ) returning, which is just what we need to help the lads develop around good experienced riders.

Bradley Perie commented, “This feels like a massive opportunity as we move from our older, privateer YZF-R6 to one of the best turned out examples in the World! It’s my first proper team as it’s normally just me and dad but luckily he’ll still be there to help in the garage. Personally, I think the package will get me up to the front and it’s obviously such a strong team, which is important with such a competitive field next season. Big thanks to my Club 97 supporters who help keep me on the grid. I hope to repay them with some good results in 2021!”

Rhys Irwin added, “It felt like a good year in Superstock but I really wanted to move up to Supersport and keep pushing myself, so this is the ideal chance to do that. It’s nice to be noticed after all the years of hard work and coming over on the ferry from the West of Ireland every weekend. Robin runs such a brilliant team and I’ve always followed Jack Kennedy, so I’m well aware of their quality, it will also be amazing racing against him too as he’s such a talent.”

Quick Look: 2021 Aprilia RS 660, In The December Issue

Roadracing World Racing Editor Chris Ulrich riding an Aprilia RS 660 at Circuit of The Americas (COTA). Photo by Kurt Bradley.

Featured In the December 2020 issue of Roadracing World: 

        “I’ve spent the last decade and a half racing Suzuki SV650s. I built an SV500 that I took to two class lap records at Willow Springs. The last SV650 I turned into a racebike (with an engine built by Twin Works) was quick enough to take class wins in CVMA, albeit in the hands of a younger, hungrier racer than I am nowadays. 

        “For decades, the SV has been right at the top of the 650 Twins class in terms of ultimate race potential, and it’s a friendly, fun street ride with a base model selling for $7,099 off the showroom floor. Now Aprilia has built the RS660, and suddenly every other 650-class Twin is obsolete. 

        “The 2021 RS660 makes more horsepower in Euro5 emissions-compliant specification than any SV racebike I’ve ever built, and Racing Editor Chris Ulrich’s butt dynomometer suggests that it is right there with the most powerful bikes on the MotoAmerica Twins Cup grid. It’s 34 pounds lighter than a naked SV650, even with the added weight of a full fairing. It has inverted forks, an electronics suite developed for the company’s Supersport RSV4, a twin-spar chassis, and the list goes on…”

—Quick Look: 2021 Aprilia RS660,The Middleweight Levels Up

            The Aprilia RS660 shatters the norm for the venerable 650 Twins class in every way, including the suggested retail price—$11,299. In a way, it’s expensive. In another way, it’s a screaming bargain. Longtime Twins racer and Editor at Large Michael Gougis and Racing Editor Chris Ulrich examine Aprilia’s long-awaited supersport middleweight twin in the latest issue of Roadracing World!

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

PREVIEW the December 2020 Issue of Roadracing World!

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW . Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. Read the December 2020 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription. Log in HERE

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