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MotoAmerica Preview: Superbikes Head To Virginia

Mathilde Gasnier
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MotoAmerica Preview: Superbikes Head To Virginia
Will Cameron Beaubier And The Red-Hot Bobby Fong Claw Back Josh Herrin In Run For 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Crown In Virginia?
 
IRVINE, CA (July 29, 2025) – The last time MotoAmerica made a stop at VIRginia International Raceway, Josh Herrin left Alton with a 31-point lead in the Supersport Championship he would ultimately win. After a two-year hiatus, MotoAmerica returns to VIR with Herrin atop the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship by… 31 points.
 

In May of 2022, VIRginia International Raceway hosted the second round of the MotoAmerica Championship. In 2025, VIR is round number six, and Herrin’s 31-point lead comes after 11 impressive races for the defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R.

How impressive? Well, Herrin has won five of the 11 races with five additional podiums (two seconds and three thirds). Herrin’s only non-podium finish came way back in the opening round of the 2025 series at Road Atlanta when he finished fifth. Since then, he’s been virtually unstoppable.

 

Key word: virtually.

If you can call two second-place finishes in a row a chink in the armor, then Herrin now has the tiniest of chinks. After winning five in a row, including the first of three races in the most recent round at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Herrin was beaten in races two and three at Laguna Seca by Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Bobby Fong.

Bobby Fong (50). Photo by Michael Gougis.

 

Fong showed that he’s a force to be reckoned with after finishing second to Herrin in race one and then beating the championship leader in races two and three. The two wins were the first of the year for Fong, and he adds those to his five runner-up finishes. In total, it puts him 37 points behind Herrin in the championship, but there’s plenty left to play for, and the two VIRginia International Raceway races may prove to be pivotal in the ’25 title chase. Fong, however, has an 11th and an eighth-place finish on his scorecard, and he can’t afford any more lackluster finishes as the series heats up in the dog days of summer.

Fong’s strong Laguna Seca weekend puts him just six points behind Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier. Surprisingly, Beaubier came out of the Laguna Seca round, his home race, with just two thirds and a sixth-place finish after remounting from a crash out of the lead in race one. Everyone expected more of Beaubier at Laguna. No one more so than Beaubier himself.

 

Cameron Beaubier (6). Photo by Michael Gougis.

 

This weekend’s two races at VIR are by no means must-win races for Beaubier, but we’re getting close to that. Neither he nor Fong can allow Herrin to come into Alton and win both Superbike races.

Fong’s teammate Jake Gagne could prove to be a bit of a spoiler as the championship heats up. The three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion heads to VIR with the knowledge and confidence of having won the last two Superbike races in Virginia in 2022. He’s also the only rider other than Herrin, Beaubier, and Fong to have won a Superbike race in 2025. Gagne continues to get stronger, and he is coming off a third, a fifth, and a fourth in the three races at Laguna Seca. Gagne is fourth in the title chase, but 59 points behind Herrin.

 

Richie Escalante (54). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante seems to be stuck in the rut of finishing somewhere between fourth and sixth, though he does have a third-place finish in his points tally from Road America. Escalante’s only non-finish was in the first race of the season, and he sits in a solid fifth, 22 points ahead of Real Steel Honda’s JD Beach.

Although Beach’s main goal is to win the MotoAmerica Superbike Cup for those competing on Stock 1000-spec motorcycles, he’s proving to be a thorn in the side of many a Superbike rider. At Laguna Seca, Beach was fourth, eighth, and sixth.

Somewhat surprisingly, Beach is nine points ahead of his Honda CBR1000RR-R SP Superbike-mounted teammate Hayden Gillim. Gillim’s Laguna Seca weekend was one to bury somewhere that he never sees it again. Over the course of the three races, Gillim only scored 17 points, and we shouldn’t even bring up the fact that he appeared to be on the road to two Mission King Of The Baggers wins when he suffered mechanical failures in both.

Sean Dylan Kelly’s season has sort of derailed after a start to the year when he finished fourth in four straight races on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki. The results have plummeted downhill since then with his fourth-place finish in race two at Laguna Seca bookended by crashes in race one and three. Kelly sits five points behind Gillim.

BPR Racing’s Bryce Kornbau and FLO4LAW/SBU Racing’s Benjamin Smith are ninth and 10th, respectively, in the title chase as the series arrives in Virginia. Smith has non-finishes in three of the past five races and is just a single point behind Kornbau.

 

Pre-VIR Notes…

Jake Gagne was on a hot streak the last time MotoAmerica visited VIRginia International Raceway in 2022, and he kept the ball rolling with two Superbike wins on the 3.27-mile racetrack. Gagne topped Mathew Scholtz in both races, with Danilo Petrucci, who had won the first three races to start the season, and Cameron Petersen splitting thirds in the two races.

The Superbike lap record goes way back to 2008 at VIRginia International Raceway, with Ben Spies ripping off a 1:23.403 on his Yoshimura Suzuki. The current race lap record, however, is held by Jake Gagne with his 1:24.109 set in race two in 2022.

The first-ever AMA Superbike race at VIRginia International Raceway in 2001 was won by the late Nicky Hayden, the 2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 MotoGP World Champion, backing that up with a second victory at VIR in 2002.

With his five wins thus far in 2025, Josh Herrin now has 21 career AMA Superbike victories. His 21st victory moved him out of a tie with Fred Merkel and into eighth place on the all-time AMA Superbike win list.

Cameron Beaubier and Josh Hayes are still both tied for the all-time lead in AMA wins across all classes with 89 victories apiece.

The last time MotoAmerica visited VIR was in 2022, and the then 47-year-old Josh Hayes won Supersport race one, beating 16-year-old Tyler Scott and 17-year-old Rocco Landers

 
About MotoAmerica
 
MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Talent Cup, Super Hooligan National Championship, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including 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, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com, and MotoAmerica’s social platforms on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on-demand service, MotoAmerica Live+ 
 
 

NJMP Announces 10-Year Master Plan For The South Jersey Racetrack Facility

Mathilde Gasnier
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NJMP Announces 10-Year Master Plan For The South Jersey Racetrack Facility

New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) releases new information on its 10-year master plan for the racetrack’s future in a one-on-one interview with the company President and COO, Brad Scott.

NJMP in Millville, NJ, has come a long way since its inception in 2008. Today the park includes two world-class road courses, Thunderbolt and Lightning Raceway, two motorsports country club membership programs for cars and motorcycles, and one of the top outdoor karting complexes in the U.S. – Tempest Raceway.  NJMP continues to develop commercial and private real estate opportunities including its Exotic Car Garage private garage condominiums and more.

 

What is next for New Jersey Motorsports in the near future?

Scott: Currently we are working on Phase XIII and IX of our Exotic Car Garage project. Each building will consist of seven units each and when complete it will total 64 completed Exotic Car Garages and eight Villas around our iconic Thunderbolt Raceway. This project is expected to finish in spring 2026.

 

Speaking of Thunderbolt Raceway, when the track was completely repaved in 2023 there was talk of a new course configuration. Are there any updates on when riders and drivers can expect to see this addition?

Scott: We will begin the new track configuration project on the Thunderbolt Circuit called the Devil’s Pass at the conclusion of the 2025 season. This additional track option will add greater passing zones and alternatives to avoid the Esses. The project will begin on Monday, November 17, 2025, and will be ready for the 2026 season.

 

echnical Drawing of the Devil's Pass Addition coming to Thunderbolt Raceway in 2026
echnical Drawing of the Devil’s Pass Addition coming to Thunderbolt Raceway in 2026

 

 

Thunderbolt will feel like a whole new track to most with this new update. Do you have plans to update your 1.9-mile racetrack, Lightning Raceway, to meet the standard you set with Thunderbolt?

Scott: Originally, we had the Lightning Raceway scheduled for repaving in five to six years. But after several months of review and studies, and consulting with ownership, we are looking at estimated costs for completion after the 2027 season. After spending over $3.0M on the Thunderbolt Circuit we are hoping to give us a little time to recover. But the time is coming. In addition to repaving the racetrack, we are reviewing options to add daily garages to the Lightning paddock. Lightning is a fast and flowing course that often is overlooked when compared to Thunderbolt, so we are eager to give it the attention it deserves.

 

Adding daily garages to Lightning will definitely be a game changer for car and bike owners. Have you ever considered more long-term storage options?

Scott: Yes, we are working on approvals to develop Exotic Car Garages for the next ten to fifteen years. This will include an additional 96 units, four locations and twelve buildings. This master plan will include locations by Thunderbolt Bridge, Thunderbolt Front Straight and around the Lightning Raceway.

 

Why Exotic Car Garages over other alternatives or additions?

Scott: Those who are truly devoted to this lifestyle will understand that the Exotic Car Garages not only bring convenience, but comfort and dependability as well. These are more than garages to store your vehicle in, they are havens for car and bike owners to relax and work in while enjoying the proximity to the racetrack’s services. That is why we do it. To foster this community that seeks out NJMP over other tracks.

 

rtist Rendering of New Jersey Motorsports Park in approx. 2035.
rtist Rendering of New Jersey Motorsports Park in approx. 2035.

 

In your artist rendering of the future for NJMP there is a large business complex, can you tell me more about that?

Scott: That is NJMP’s Commercial Corner. These are premium commercial building lots that can range in size from 1-acre to 20-acre lots. Currently, there is one business in our Commercial Corner, but we are always accepting inquiries from interested motorsports-related businesses.

 

Over the years, NJMP’s go-karting offerings have grown with arrive-and-drive sessions, leagues, and even team endurance races. Is there anything new coming to your go-karting track in the future?

Scott: Next up would be the Tempest Karting track repave. The 1.1-mile track will require work in approximately four to six years. This will be up next after the Lightning Racetrack is complete.

 

I’m sure this is a question you have heard a few times over, but are you going to connect the tracks, Thunderbolt and Lightning?
Scott: No, that is a long story and would have been deadly for the survival of NJMP if we did in 2008.

 

Currently you offer road-racing races, off-track festivals and the occasional drift event. Do you have plans to include drag racing?

Scott: I would say no, but you never know. This is not on our short-term list of new projects.

 

With your tracks evolving and improving, will your policies evolve with them to allow electric vehicles on track?

Scott: We are looking at hybrid vehicles right now. We are waiting for new vehicle technology and want to make sure we are properly and safely prepared before we allow on our racetracks.

 

I’m sure you have heard the news in the motorsport’s community by now, and what do you think of the proposed racetrack at Badger field in Atlantic City which is located only an hour away from NJMP?

Scott: There are 100 other investments I would make with $4.3B. I will believe it when I see it.

 

Stay up to speed with NJMP by calling (856) 327-8000, visiting www.njmp.com or following on X: @NJMP, Instagram: @njmotorsportspark, and Facebook: @newjerseymotorsportspark . Or join their e-newsletter here.

Intro: 2025 Yamaha MT-07 Is A Benchmark Middleweight Standard

Michael Gougis
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Intro: 2025 Yamaha MT-07 Is A Benchmark Middleweight Standard

By Michael Gougis

The second time the handlebars got light in my hands, I realized that the ride was going to be entertaining. I was still in the parking lot at Yamaha’s Southern California campus, and I hadn’t even gotten to the exit gate yet.

Now, admittedly, part of this was due to how I’d packed the thing. The new 2025 MT-07 I’d borrowed for a ride up to the MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey Presented by Law Tigers came with baggage–and no, I don’t mean the Yamaha employee who was coming along for a much-needed two-wheel getaway on another MT-07. Specifically, my ride had a hefty 34-liter tail case mounted high and far back, which when grossly overloaded by yours truly certainly contributed to the tendency of the front end to get light on the throttle. All on its own, the bike was peppy and responsive on the gas, and I was looking forward to the long ride on twisty roads and fast highways.

Exactly 888 miles and four days later, I was back at home, and I was still impressed by the newest (and heavily revised) version of Yamaha’s middleweight standard. I know, Yamaha calls it a hyper-naked, but there’s nothing hyper about 72.4 horsepower. But decades ago, basic street motorcycles used to be simple, capable of doing anything a rider asked reasonably well, and we called them standards. Think of the MT-07 as the spiritual descendant of the much-loved XJ550, or Seca, of the early 1980s. That middleweight Inline-4 served as a commuter, a tourer, and a pretty decent track bike. The new MT-07 did all of those things with aplomb during the time I had it.

 

The 2025 Yamaha MT-07 in Ice Storm. Photo courtesy Yamaha.

 

MT-07 Technical Overview

The core of the MT-07 is the twin-cylinder, 8-valve four-stroke DOHC CP2 engine used in a wide variety of Yamaha products. Yamaha claims 72.39 bhp at 8,750 rpm and 49.4 lbs.-ft. of torque at 6,500 rpm from the engine, which has a compression ratio of 11.5:1 and a 80mm x 68.6mm bore and stroke for a total displacement of 689cc. The intake is tuned to make cool induction noises; the 2-1 exhaust features a catalytic converter close to the header pipes to increase efficiency.

New stuff for the MT-07 in 2025 starts with the set of 41mm KYB forks, mated to a new tubular-steel chassis. Yamaha says the new frame is 13% stiffer torsionally, laterally and longitudinally, yet still weighs 32.6 pounds, the same as the previous frame it replaces. The forks and chassis are tuned to work with a new, asymmetrical steel swingarm. The riding position has changed, with the bars lower and closer to the rider, the pegs lower and the tank cover narrower where it meets the seat. Overall, the machine’s wet weight is down three pounds, to 403 pounds.

A new assisted/slipper clutch works with a light pull at the lever, and clutchless up- and down-shifting is available as an option. Changes in the transmission itself are designed to promote smooth shifting. A ride-by-wire throttle allows Yamaha to incorporate two ride modes–Street and Sport–and two levels of traction control, which can be switched off. Spin-forged aluminum-alloy wheels carry Dunlop Sportmax Q5A tires. The antilock brakes are upgraded to match those on the YZF-R7, with a pair of 11.8-inch discs in the front and a 9.6-inch disc in the rear. The front forks now carry a pair of radial-mounted four-piston ADVICS calipers. And the styling is all-new. Yamaha calls the stem-to-stern overhaul the biggest in the history of the MT-07.

For this ride, Yamaha threw on a couple of accessories that definitely helped, including heated grips, the aforementioned rear case, and a comfort seat for rider and passenger. Suggested retail for the base model, available in dealerships now, starts at $8,599.

 

Upright bars make turn-in effortless. Good tires and solid suspension make sporting riding enjoyable, even for a middleweight standard that wouldn’t be out of place in the hands of a newer rider. Photo by Karen E. Ott.

 

Riding The MT-07

Yamaha really does styling well. The bike I rode came in the Ice Storm livery, which has silver and black with light blue flashes that match the rims. It’s a little thing that Yamaha does, creating unique wheel colors that coordinate with the rest of the machine, and it really adds to the bike’s premium appearance.

Throw a leg over the MT-07 and the reach to the ground feels a bit tall; the seat height is listed at 31.7 inches. The assisted/slipper clutch is a joy, and shifting feels light and positive. The CP2 engine is happiest in the mid-range, spinning up quickly before running out of breath soon after tipping across the triple-digit mph mark. But massive top speed is not what buyers of an MT-07 are looking for. The throttle response is precise and easy to manage, with the mapping spot-on in both Street and Sport modes.

Ripping from construction zone to construction zone on Highway 33 (it was like interval training; ride like mad, sit and wait and bake in the heat, repeat until dehydrated) demonstrated that the chassis definitely feels stiffer than previous versions of the MT platform I’ve ridden. The front felt precise, and there was more than enough damping to keep the chassis stable during enthusiastic street cornering, even over some fairly rippled pavement. Coming back, I spent most of the ride on interstate highways, and some of the sharp expansion joints in the concrete sections were jarring. But that was a small price to pay for mid-corner stability in faster turns.

Like most upright bikes, corner tip-in took little effort, and the Dunlop tires were a very nice surprise for a bike in this market segment–these are tires that are well up to track use. After I got home, I spent some time riding the bike at a local kart track, where it’s all about flicking the bike quickly into corner after corner, and it became easier and easier to turn-in hard enough to grind the pegs with confidence. And the brakes proved more than adequate for any reasonable scenario.

The lack of wind protection was wearying after six straight hours on the bike, but that sort of abuse is well outside of the MT-07’s normal performance envelope. A rider planning to use the bike in that way should consider having a windscreen bolted on. The overall riding position was comfortable, and the seat provided welcome support after a long day of riding. And one little thing: The self-canceling turn signals are just so nice, even though I didn’t have the bike long enough to get used to the new rocker-type switch.

I mentioned the XJ550 Seca for a reason; back in the early 1980s, that bike would have occupied the same market segment as the MT-07. It’s fascinating to think about how far motorcycles have come since then. The Seca’s designers would still recognize the MT-07 as a motorcycle, but would be completely blown away by the technology, power, and performance of Yamaha’s most modern middleweight standard. The best part is that the MT-07 is a bargain comparable to the Seca. Adjusted for inflation, the 1981 Seca today would cost $8,944. Back then, you got a lot of bike for your money with the Seca. Today, you get the same with the $8,599 MT-07!

CIV: American Fernandez On The Podium Again (updated)

Mathilde Gasnier
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CIV: American Fernandez On The Podium Again (updated)

At the CIV Racing Night held at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on July 27, 2025, American rider Jayden Fernandez continued to impress in the Aprilia RS 660 Trophy, following up on his debut win earlier in the season.

Jayden Fernandez:

“Back on the Box again! The race had a great start to it with me getting a great launch and positioning myself into second into turn 1 from 5th on the grid. From there I tried my best to stay with the leader but wasn’t making enough progress to catch up to him so the gap of about a second or so stayed stagnant, then another rider passed me into turn 2 in the beginning of the second lap. I tried to use this rider as a good measure to catch up to the front but couldn’t find the pace to do so. For most of the race I was around a second off of the first two guys up until the second or third to last lap where me and my teammate started to battle for third overall. On the last lap I did my best to keep him behind me but I ended up making a little mistake off the back straight and blew the turn. This allowed the fight to continue all the way to the line where I unfortunately lost out by 0.012 of a second. In the end it was a fun race to battle in and also quite a difficult race for me on the front end. We still have the lead in the championship and we will learn from this race and apply it to Imola. If my difficult weekends means 3rd place I think that’s pretty good! Thanks to the whole team for their hard work and support this weekend and hopefully we keep this podium streak going in Imola!

Also thanks to Mike Rinow with Inspection Specialties, Mike and Glenn from High Plains Raceway, Bob with Longmont Tire, KYT Helmets, TechSpec Tank Grips, Danny With American Supercamp, Bobby with Motorev Suspension, and ImI Motorsports Park”

 
 
Classifica di Classe Misano
 Classifica Campionato

FIM Yamaha R3 BluCru: Chris Clark Maintains P2 in Championship Standings

Mathilde Gasnier
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FIM Yamaha R3 BluCru: Chris Clark Maintains P2 in Championship Standings

Chris Clark put on another front running performance in the latest round of the 2025 FIM Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup at the all-new Balaton Park circuit in Hungary this past weekend to enter the summer break second overall in the championship standings.

Quickly up to speed in Friday’s Free Practice, Chris put his Smrz Racing BGR Yamaha on the third row of the grid for race one after a strong Superpole saw him post the seventh fastest lap.

Saturday afternoon’s opening ten lap encounter saw Chris launch off the line well, moving into podium contention almost immediately. Running fourth, he unfortunately lost the slipstream towards the end of the race, but a valiant fight saw him fend off the chasing pack. He took fifth at the flag.

Starting twelfth in race two, the #5 once again ensured he was in contention for the podium throughout and whilst he crossed the line eighth, Chris again showed his skill and race craft throughout.

Chris’s results in Hungary means that he is now one of only five riders that can win the title.

He will now return home to the USA for a few weeks before returning to Europe in late August to attend the Yamaha Mastercamp event in Valencia, Spain, where he will join with several top Yamaha riders in a specially designed week-long event designed to further develop young talent. He is the first American rider to be selected for the event, underlying the potential seen in him by many well-respected individuals in the paddock.

Chris Clark: “Race one was good for me. I started seventh but was up to fifth by turn two. I was running alone in fourth for a little bit, but I lost contact with the leading three. I was then in big group and had to battle really hard. I knew we weren’t going to catch the leaders so my focus was then to score as many points as I could. I finished fifth which was good for the championship. It was possibly going to rain on Sunday but either way I was ready. Sunday wasn’t a complete disaster, but I was a little disappointed, however the main thing is am still second in the championship which I am happy about. I was confident for race two. I maintained by position off the start but was then in a huge group which I couldn’t pass as quickly as I had hoped. At the end my bike was too hot and lost power, and I had no real top speed to pass, even though I knew I was faster. Overall, it was another good weekend. I have the mastercamp coming up which I am so excited for and then a bit of a break until Aragon. I know it’s going to be a great end to the season. I want to thank the whole Smrz Racing BGR team, my mum, all my sponsors, my manager and everyone who is supporting me.”

 

Results R3 RACE 1
 Results R3 RACE 2

 

ChampionshipStandings YAMAHA R3 CUP

British Talent Cup: American Correa Top10 at Brands Hatch

Mathilde Gasnier
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British Talent Cup: American Correa Top10 at Brands Hatch
Despite final race results that don’t fully reflect the strides made, Julian Correa delivered a performance marked by significant progression and fierce determination at this past weekend’s British Talent Cup event. Throughout the challenging weekend, Julian, alongside his dedicated team, showcased remarkable development, consistently improving his platform and engaging in spirited on-track battles.
 
The weekend began with initial setup hurdles due to a brand new paved track, but Julian’s resilience and the team’s relentless effort quickly turned the tide. Each session saw Julian gaining confidence and speed, translating into tangible improvements in lap times and overall race craft.
 
“I’m incredibly proud of the progress we made this weekend,” said Julian. “The team worked tirelessly to give me a fantastic bike, and I felt myself getting stronger and more comfortable with every lap. While the final positions might not tell the whole story, we were consistently battling for positions and showing what we’re capable of.”
 
The true measure of the weekend’s success wasn’t solely in the finishing order, but in Julian’s ability to consistently challenge competitors and push his limits. His aggressive yet controlled riding style led to several exciting skirmishes within the pack, demonstrating his growing confidence and race maturity.
 
“Julian’s dedication and fighting spirit were truly on display,” said Team Principal Richard Mortimer. “We saw him make huge leaps forward in his understanding of the bike and the track. The results don’t always reflect the intense work and the incredible gains made, but as a team, we’re extremely encouraged by his progression and eager to carry this momentum into the next round.”
 
Julian and his team are now focused on analyzing the data from this weekend to further refine their approach for the upcoming British Talent Cup rounds. The experience gained and the evident progression serve as a strong foundation for upcoming success. 
 
 

BSB: Redding and Ryde Deliver Monster Performances at Brands Hatch

Mathilde Gasnier
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BSB: Redding and Ryde Deliver Monster Performances at Brands Hatch

‘Comeback Kid’ Scott Redding and defending champion Kyle Ryde delivered monster performances in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch to share the victories, celebrating the first wins of the season for the Hager PBM Ducati and Nitrous Competitions OMG Racing Yamaha teams respectively.

Redding was victorious in the opening race of the day, as the 2019 champion marked his full-time return to Bennetts BSB with Hager PBM Ducati by celebrating the race win after targeting championship leader Bradley Ray, who crashed out of contention.

Ray had taken the lead into Paddock Hill Bend for the first time from Redding, Christian Iddon and Danny Kent, with Kyle Ryde losing ground off the line.

The Raceways Yamaha rider was trying to make a break, but Redding was keeping him in his sights as Kent moved into third on the McAMS Racing Yamaha with a decisive move at Clearways.

Ray was holding the lead as Redding shadowed and looked for his opportunity to make a move, but the BMW Safety Car was deployed when MasterMac Honda’s Charlie Nesbitt crashed out at Hawthorns on lap five. Honda Racing UK’s Tommy Bridewell was another rider to also crash out, when his race ended at Clearways on lap three and ended his weekend prematurely.

As the pack lined up ready for the restart and the race resumed, Ray continued to fend off his Hager PBM Ducati rival until the ninth lap when he had a fast crash on the exit of Westfield.

Redding charged to the chequered flag to take his first race win since 2019 as Ryde had regrouped and fought to second on the Nitrous Competitions OMG Racing Yamaha. Kent completed the podium to secure his first podium finish of the season for McAMS Racing Yamaha.

Meanwhile Ryde was back to winning ways in Bennetts BSB in race three, taking his first victory of the season.

At the start of the race, championship leader Ray again launched into the lead from Redding, but Ryde was instantly attacking and moved second at Druids on the Nitrous Competitions OMG Racing Yamaha.

Redding then lost ground as first Kent and then Iddon dived ahead at Druids and the run to Graham Hill Bend, but the Hager PBM Ducati rider responded at Hawthorns to regain fourth. Kent then launched ahead of Ryde as the pair began duelling for second place.

Lee Jackson had a heavy tumble at Clearways on lap four which meant the BMW Safety Car was deployed and as the pack lined up behind, Ray was leading from Kent, Ryde and Redding with Iddon and Andrew Irwin up next.

When the race resumed, Kent instantly made a move on Ray into Paddock Hill Bend to lead the race and then the Raceways Yamaha rider lost another position as Ryde made a move for second.

Andrew Irwin then crashed out in spectacular style at Sheene Curve, as Honda Racing UK ended a tough weekend on the Grand Prix circuit. 

Kent then held the lead until lap 12 when Ryde went for the lead at Hawthorns, but a lap later the McAMS Racing Yamaha rider regained the position at Paddock Hill Bend, before the lead changed again at Druids. The final move gave Ryde the edge as he took victory from Kent, with Redding able to pass Ray on the penultimate lap to take the final podium position and seal the Monster Energy King of Brands trophy.

Ray missed out on the podium again in race three with a fourth place whilst Iddon completing the top five.

 

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 2 result:

  1. Scott Redding (Hager PBM Ducati)
  2. Kyle Ryde (Nitrous Competitions OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.339s
  3. Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) + 0.879s
  4. Christian Iddon (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) +2.945s
  5. Max Cook (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) +3.012s
  6. Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings Ducati) +3.119s
  7. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +3.613s
  8. Lee Jackson (DAO Racing Honda) +5.694s
  9. Leon Haslam (Moto Rapido Ducati Racing) +5.705s
  10. Josh Brookes (DAO Racing Honda) +5.766s

 

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 3 result:

  1. Kyle Ryde (Nitrous Competitions OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.339s
  2. Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) + 0.103s
  3. Scott Redding (Hager PBM Ducati) +0.875s
  4. Bradley Ray (Raceways Yamaha) +1.090s
  5. Christian Iddon (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) +6.461s
  6. Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings Ducati) +8.898s
  7. Leon Haslam (Moto Rapido Ducati Racing) +12.203s
  8. Max Cook (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) +12.312s
  9. Josh Brookes (DAO Racing Honda) +12.735s
  10. Fraser Rogers (TAG Racing Honda) +16.540s

 

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:

  1. Bradley Ray (Raceways Yamaha) 222
  2. Kyle Ryde (Nitrous Competitions OMG Racing Yamaha) 188
  3. Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings Ducati) 150
  4. Leon Haslam (Moto Rapido Ducati Racing) 138
  5. Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) 118
  6. Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) 111
  7. Josh Brookes (DAO Racing Honda) 106
  8. Christian Iddon (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) 104
  9. Max Cook (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) 82
  10. Storm Stacey (Bathams AJN Racing BMW) 80

 

For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com

 

Photo courtesy BSB.
Photo courtesy BSB.

KYLE RYDE – NITROUS COMPETITIONS OMG RACING YAMAHA: 

“This win has been a long time coming! We have had a few races this year where I thought we could win, but I didn’t ride my best or made a mistake, or the bike didn’t feel good at the end of the race but I made the most of today really. Race two earlier gave me a lot of encouragement for race three and I got a good start and got in the battle.

“I pushed as hard as I could and then defended over the last two laps. To win for the first time since here last October when we won the title, was a long time coming but this is what makes it all worth it. It feels great to have won again and I need to thank the Nitrous Competitions OMG Racing Yamaha team.”

 

SCOTT REDDING – HAGER PBM DUCATI : 

“This weekend has been mega honestly! I came here for the Monster King of Brands trophy and I knew it would be a big shot, but nothing was impossible. Coming into this weekend I wanted to build momentum, take some podiums and I had some good feel and fast track that to battle with Brad and take the win this morning and that was mega.

“I was coming on strong but that was all I had at the end in race three, I wasn’t super comfortable at the end, but I knew I needed to be on the podium to be King of Brands, so I am happy. I am super happy to be back in BSB; the fans have been amazing and hats off to the guys here as the level is super high here.”

 

 

Moto2 European Championship: American Moor P10 in Race 1 and P15 in Race 2

Mathilde Gasnier
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Moto2 European Championship: American Moor P10 in Race 1 and P15 in Race 2

American Rossi Attila Moor, riding his MMR Kalex on the 3.15-mile (5.07 km) track, was 10th during Moto2 European Championship Race 1 Sunday morning at MotorLand Aragón, in Spain and 15th during Race 2 Sunday afternoon. 

According to race direction footage, Moor suffered a violent high-side crash in Free Practice 1 and was described as “bigger than a semi truck,” yet miraculously escaped with no broken bones—despite intense pain, he continues to push through.

Reminder: American Max Toth is out having a shoulder surgery. 

 

Race1_Moto2

 

Race2_Moto2

 

More from a press release issued by Revesz Racing: 

The fourth round of the FIM JuniorGP Moto2 category took place on July 27 at MotorLand Aragón.

The weather conditions were absolutely ideal for motorcycle racing. During Saturday’s practice, Rossi posted the 14th fastest time, which qualified him for Q2, where he secured the 17th spot on the starting grid.

The bike setup wasn’t optimal for qualifying, so the team decided to “go all in” and completely overhaul the bike’s dynamics in a new direction. Rossi didn’t have the chance to test the new setup before the race, so he was left hoping it would work out.

In the first race, during the second lap, Ruiz and Voight both crashed due to highsides, scattering debris across the track. The race officials waved the red flag, and the race was restarted 15 minutes later.

The restarted race was shortened to just 9 laps. Rossi got off to a strong start and steadily gained positions, improving by 8 places to finish 10th, earning 6 points toward the championship.

The second race was also interrupted by a crash and a red flag, resulting in another 9-lap sprint.

As always, the Hungarian-American rider from Révész Racing gave it his all to achieve a better result, but the bike’s setup didn’t allow him to maintain a competitive pace. He managed to climb up to 15th place by the end of the race.

Over the weekend, Rossi earned a total of 7 points and currently stands 15th in the overall standings.

Now comes a longer break in the FIM JuniorGP calendar, with racing resuming on September 21 at Mugello.

MotoAmerica: Results From Sunday’s Talent Cup Race At Mid-Ohio (Updated)

Mathilde Gasnier
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MotoAmerica: Results From Sunday’s Talent Cup Race At Mid-Ohio (Updated)

Tytler Cycle Racing’s Hank Vossberg won Sunday’s MotoAmerica Talent Cup race over CTR/D&D Cycles’ Bodie Paige, with Team Roberts’ Kody Kopp third. Warhorse Ducati/American Racing’s Alessandro Di Mario was fourth, ahead of Royalty Racing’s Carson King in fifth.

25_10_MIDOVMD_TCP_R2_res

 

More from a press release issued by MotoAmerica:

When the confusion over finishing positions from the second of two Parts Unlimited Talent Cup races at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course finally settled on Sunday, Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Hank Vossberg was the beneficiary as he went from second to first with CTR/D&D Cycles’ Bodie Paige on the short-end of the change as he was demoted from first to second in the red-flag-shortened race.

 

Hank Vossberg (31) and Bodie Paige (65) were able to distance themselves from Alessandro Di Mario (27) and the rest of the pack in the second of two Parts Unlimited Talent Cup By Motul races on Sunday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Photo by Brian J. Nelson
Hank Vossberg (31) and Bodie Paige (65) were able to distance themselves from Alessandro Di Mario (27) and the rest of the pack in the second of two Parts Unlimited Talent Cup By Motul races on Sunday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Photo by Brian J. Nelson

There was some confusion at the end of the race as to who won, but clarity and the final decision came via MotoAmerica Regulation 1.27(c), which states that results are determined by the last official timing loop crossed before the red flag. Thus, Vossberg was declared the winner by .723 of a second.

Vossberg and Paige had an epic, race-long battle that pulled them over 10 seconds clear of the pack fighting over third place. On track, that fight went to Team Roberts’ Kody Kopp with the three-time AMA Pro Singles Flat Track Champion seemingly earning his first-career podium finish as the Talent Cup completed its fourth of seven rounds at Mid-Ohio. A few hours after the completion of the race, however, Kopp was disqualified for an illegal frame modification.

Kopp’s DQ moved everyone up a spot.

Championship points leader Alessandro Di Mario was just .140 of a second behind Kopp with those two swapping the spot throughout the final laps of the race. They were joined by Royalty Racing’s Carson King and Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane in fifth and sixth, with those four separated by just half a second at the finish. Again, with Di Mario moving to third, King was bumped up to fourth with Drane fifth.

Bettencourt Racing’s Nathan Bettencourt, D&D Certified Racing’s Landen Smith, Envy Powered By Warhorse’s Derek Sanchez, Ice Barn Racing’s Solly Mervis, and Real Steel Honda’s Ian Fraley rounded out the top 10.

Notable among the non-finishers was MP13 Racing’s Ella Dreher, who was taken out of the fight for third by a mechanical DNF, and Rossi Motorsports Powered By 3:16’s Rossi Garcia was the rider who brought out the red flag with his last-lap crash.

With four of seven rounds in the books, Di Mario leads the title chase over Drane by 38 points, 168-130. Paige is third with 122 points, and Vossberg jumps to fourth with 108 points.

 

The battle for victory came down to Hank Vossberg (31) vs. Bodie Paige (65) with Vossberg earning his second win of the season by less than a second in the red-flag shortened race. Photo By Brian J. Nelson
The battle for victory came down to Hank Vossberg (31) vs. Bodie Paige (65) with Vossberg earning his second win of the season by less than a second in the red-flag shortened race. Photo By Brian J. Nelson

 

Talent Cup Race 2

  1. Hank Vossberg
  2. Bodie Paige
  3. Alessandro Di Mario
  4. Carson King
  5. Sam Drane
  6. Nathan Bettencourt
  7. Landen Smith
  8. Derek Sanchez
  9. Solly Mervis
  10. Ian Fraley

 

(From left to right) Bodie Paige, Hank Vossberg and Kody Kopp celebrate on the Mid-Ohio podium. Photo by Brian J. Nelson
(From left to right) Bodie Paige, Hank Vossberg and Kody Kopp celebrate on the Mid-Ohio podium. Photo by Brian J. Nelson

Quotes

Hank Vossberg – Winner

“It’s really good. It’s not the way I want to win, but the race was awesome. Just wanted to push it from the beginning. I knew the track was a little sketchy, but it was dry enough to push the pace. I didn’t really know what our gap was back to the rest of the group until Bodie (Paige) passed me. I saw plus 8 on the pit board. So, I knew I could kind of set behind Bodie and plan out an attack for the last lap. I just kind of sit in the draft not wanting to push it and risk a mistake. I was able to sit in the draft and pass him on the last lap. It sucks with the red flag and everything coming out. But it was a great way to win.”

Bodie Paige – Second Place

“Today was good. We were definitely moving along better than we were yesterday. The track was difficult with the mixed conditions, but me and Hank (Vossberg) were definitely comfortable right from the start, and we managed to create a little gap, which I’m thankful so it wasn’t so chaotic. The last lap it was just unfortunate, but that’s racing and that’s the rules. It sucks and it will hurt for a little bit, but we have VIR next week and I’m sure we can get a win or two there and I’m sure it will be better than this round.”

 

About MotoAmerica
 
MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Talent Cup, Super Hooligan National Championship, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including 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, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica’s social channels on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on demand service, MotoAmerica Live+ 

 

MotoAmerica: Mervis Fastest In Talent Cup Warmup At Mid-Ohio

Mathilde Gasnier
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0
MotoAmerica: Mervis Fastest In Talent Cup Warmup At Mid-Ohio

Solly Mervis on the Ice Barn Racing Kramer led Envy Powered by Warhorse’s Derek Sanchez and Bettencourt Racing’s Nathan Bettencourt in the Sunday MotoAmerica Talent Cup wet warmup session at Mid-Ohio. MP13 Racing’s Ella Dreher was fourth and Rossi Motorsports powered by 3:16’s Rossi Garcia was fifth.

 

1013dbee-a2e0-4ad8-b60c-c64695b93ccc_25_10_MIDOVMD_TCP_WU1_allrep

MotoAmerica Preview: Superbikes Head To Virginia

Josh Herrin and his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati arrive at VIRginia International Raceway with a 31-point lead in the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. Photo by Brian J. Nelson
Josh Herrin and his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati arrive at VIRginia International Raceway with a 31-point lead in the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. Photo by Brian J. Nelson
Will Cameron Beaubier And The Red-Hot Bobby Fong Claw Back Josh Herrin In Run For 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Crown In Virginia?
 
IRVINE, CA (July 29, 2025) – The last time MotoAmerica made a stop at VIRginia International Raceway, Josh Herrin left Alton with a 31-point lead in the Supersport Championship he would ultimately win. After a two-year hiatus, MotoAmerica returns to VIR with Herrin atop the 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship by… 31 points.
 

In May of 2022, VIRginia International Raceway hosted the second round of the MotoAmerica Championship. In 2025, VIR is round number six, and Herrin’s 31-point lead comes after 11 impressive races for the defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R.

How impressive? Well, Herrin has won five of the 11 races with five additional podiums (two seconds and three thirds). Herrin’s only non-podium finish came way back in the opening round of the 2025 series at Road Atlanta when he finished fifth. Since then, he’s been virtually unstoppable.

 

Key word: virtually.

If you can call two second-place finishes in a row a chink in the armor, then Herrin now has the tiniest of chinks. After winning five in a row, including the first of three races in the most recent round at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Herrin was beaten in races two and three at Laguna Seca by Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Bobby Fong.

Bobby Fong (50). Photo by Michael Gougis.

 

Fong showed that he’s a force to be reckoned with after finishing second to Herrin in race one and then beating the championship leader in races two and three. The two wins were the first of the year for Fong, and he adds those to his five runner-up finishes. In total, it puts him 37 points behind Herrin in the championship, but there’s plenty left to play for, and the two VIRginia International Raceway races may prove to be pivotal in the ’25 title chase. Fong, however, has an 11th and an eighth-place finish on his scorecard, and he can’t afford any more lackluster finishes as the series heats up in the dog days of summer.

Fong’s strong Laguna Seca weekend puts him just six points behind Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier. Surprisingly, Beaubier came out of the Laguna Seca round, his home race, with just two thirds and a sixth-place finish after remounting from a crash out of the lead in race one. Everyone expected more of Beaubier at Laguna. No one more so than Beaubier himself.

 

Cameron Beaubier (6). Photo by Michael Gougis.

 

This weekend’s two races at VIR are by no means must-win races for Beaubier, but we’re getting close to that. Neither he nor Fong can allow Herrin to come into Alton and win both Superbike races.

Fong’s teammate Jake Gagne could prove to be a bit of a spoiler as the championship heats up. The three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion heads to VIR with the knowledge and confidence of having won the last two Superbike races in Virginia in 2022. He’s also the only rider other than Herrin, Beaubier, and Fong to have won a Superbike race in 2025. Gagne continues to get stronger, and he is coming off a third, a fifth, and a fourth in the three races at Laguna Seca. Gagne is fourth in the title chase, but 59 points behind Herrin.

 

Richie Escalante (54). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante seems to be stuck in the rut of finishing somewhere between fourth and sixth, though he does have a third-place finish in his points tally from Road America. Escalante’s only non-finish was in the first race of the season, and he sits in a solid fifth, 22 points ahead of Real Steel Honda’s JD Beach.

Although Beach’s main goal is to win the MotoAmerica Superbike Cup for those competing on Stock 1000-spec motorcycles, he’s proving to be a thorn in the side of many a Superbike rider. At Laguna Seca, Beach was fourth, eighth, and sixth.

Somewhat surprisingly, Beach is nine points ahead of his Honda CBR1000RR-R SP Superbike-mounted teammate Hayden Gillim. Gillim’s Laguna Seca weekend was one to bury somewhere that he never sees it again. Over the course of the three races, Gillim only scored 17 points, and we shouldn’t even bring up the fact that he appeared to be on the road to two Mission King Of The Baggers wins when he suffered mechanical failures in both.

Sean Dylan Kelly’s season has sort of derailed after a start to the year when he finished fourth in four straight races on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki. The results have plummeted downhill since then with his fourth-place finish in race two at Laguna Seca bookended by crashes in race one and three. Kelly sits five points behind Gillim.

BPR Racing’s Bryce Kornbau and FLO4LAW/SBU Racing’s Benjamin Smith are ninth and 10th, respectively, in the title chase as the series arrives in Virginia. Smith has non-finishes in three of the past five races and is just a single point behind Kornbau.

 

Pre-VIR Notes…

Jake Gagne was on a hot streak the last time MotoAmerica visited VIRginia International Raceway in 2022, and he kept the ball rolling with two Superbike wins on the 3.27-mile racetrack. Gagne topped Mathew Scholtz in both races, with Danilo Petrucci, who had won the first three races to start the season, and Cameron Petersen splitting thirds in the two races.

The Superbike lap record goes way back to 2008 at VIRginia International Raceway, with Ben Spies ripping off a 1:23.403 on his Yoshimura Suzuki. The current race lap record, however, is held by Jake Gagne with his 1:24.109 set in race two in 2022.

The first-ever AMA Superbike race at VIRginia International Raceway in 2001 was won by the late Nicky Hayden, the 2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 MotoGP World Champion, backing that up with a second victory at VIR in 2002.

With his five wins thus far in 2025, Josh Herrin now has 21 career AMA Superbike victories. His 21st victory moved him out of a tie with Fred Merkel and into eighth place on the all-time AMA Superbike win list.

Cameron Beaubier and Josh Hayes are still both tied for the all-time lead in AMA wins across all classes with 89 victories apiece.

The last time MotoAmerica visited VIR was in 2022, and the then 47-year-old Josh Hayes won Supersport race one, beating 16-year-old Tyler Scott and 17-year-old Rocco Landers

 
About MotoAmerica
 
MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Talent Cup, Super Hooligan National Championship, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including 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, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com, and MotoAmerica’s social platforms on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on-demand service, MotoAmerica Live+ 
 
 

NJMP Announces 10-Year Master Plan For The South Jersey Racetrack Facility

Artist Rendering of New Jersey Motorsports Park in approx. 2035. Photo courtesy New Jersey Motorsports Park.
Artist Rendering of New Jersey Motorsports Park in approx. 2035. Photo courtesy New Jersey Motorsports Park.

New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) releases new information on its 10-year master plan for the racetrack’s future in a one-on-one interview with the company President and COO, Brad Scott.

NJMP in Millville, NJ, has come a long way since its inception in 2008. Today the park includes two world-class road courses, Thunderbolt and Lightning Raceway, two motorsports country club membership programs for cars and motorcycles, and one of the top outdoor karting complexes in the U.S. – Tempest Raceway.  NJMP continues to develop commercial and private real estate opportunities including its Exotic Car Garage private garage condominiums and more.

 

What is next for New Jersey Motorsports in the near future?

Scott: Currently we are working on Phase XIII and IX of our Exotic Car Garage project. Each building will consist of seven units each and when complete it will total 64 completed Exotic Car Garages and eight Villas around our iconic Thunderbolt Raceway. This project is expected to finish in spring 2026.

 

Speaking of Thunderbolt Raceway, when the track was completely repaved in 2023 there was talk of a new course configuration. Are there any updates on when riders and drivers can expect to see this addition?

Scott: We will begin the new track configuration project on the Thunderbolt Circuit called the Devil’s Pass at the conclusion of the 2025 season. This additional track option will add greater passing zones and alternatives to avoid the Esses. The project will begin on Monday, November 17, 2025, and will be ready for the 2026 season.

 

echnical Drawing of the Devil's Pass Addition coming to Thunderbolt Raceway in 2026
echnical Drawing of the Devil’s Pass Addition coming to Thunderbolt Raceway in 2026

 

 

Thunderbolt will feel like a whole new track to most with this new update. Do you have plans to update your 1.9-mile racetrack, Lightning Raceway, to meet the standard you set with Thunderbolt?

Scott: Originally, we had the Lightning Raceway scheduled for repaving in five to six years. But after several months of review and studies, and consulting with ownership, we are looking at estimated costs for completion after the 2027 season. After spending over $3.0M on the Thunderbolt Circuit we are hoping to give us a little time to recover. But the time is coming. In addition to repaving the racetrack, we are reviewing options to add daily garages to the Lightning paddock. Lightning is a fast and flowing course that often is overlooked when compared to Thunderbolt, so we are eager to give it the attention it deserves.

 

Adding daily garages to Lightning will definitely be a game changer for car and bike owners. Have you ever considered more long-term storage options?

Scott: Yes, we are working on approvals to develop Exotic Car Garages for the next ten to fifteen years. This will include an additional 96 units, four locations and twelve buildings. This master plan will include locations by Thunderbolt Bridge, Thunderbolt Front Straight and around the Lightning Raceway.

 

Why Exotic Car Garages over other alternatives or additions?

Scott: Those who are truly devoted to this lifestyle will understand that the Exotic Car Garages not only bring convenience, but comfort and dependability as well. These are more than garages to store your vehicle in, they are havens for car and bike owners to relax and work in while enjoying the proximity to the racetrack’s services. That is why we do it. To foster this community that seeks out NJMP over other tracks.

 

rtist Rendering of New Jersey Motorsports Park in approx. 2035.
rtist Rendering of New Jersey Motorsports Park in approx. 2035.

 

In your artist rendering of the future for NJMP there is a large business complex, can you tell me more about that?

Scott: That is NJMP’s Commercial Corner. These are premium commercial building lots that can range in size from 1-acre to 20-acre lots. Currently, there is one business in our Commercial Corner, but we are always accepting inquiries from interested motorsports-related businesses.

 

Over the years, NJMP’s go-karting offerings have grown with arrive-and-drive sessions, leagues, and even team endurance races. Is there anything new coming to your go-karting track in the future?

Scott: Next up would be the Tempest Karting track repave. The 1.1-mile track will require work in approximately four to six years. This will be up next after the Lightning Racetrack is complete.

 

I’m sure this is a question you have heard a few times over, but are you going to connect the tracks, Thunderbolt and Lightning?
Scott: No, that is a long story and would have been deadly for the survival of NJMP if we did in 2008.

 

Currently you offer road-racing races, off-track festivals and the occasional drift event. Do you have plans to include drag racing?

Scott: I would say no, but you never know. This is not on our short-term list of new projects.

 

With your tracks evolving and improving, will your policies evolve with them to allow electric vehicles on track?

Scott: We are looking at hybrid vehicles right now. We are waiting for new vehicle technology and want to make sure we are properly and safely prepared before we allow on our racetracks.

 

I’m sure you have heard the news in the motorsport’s community by now, and what do you think of the proposed racetrack at Badger field in Atlantic City which is located only an hour away from NJMP?

Scott: There are 100 other investments I would make with $4.3B. I will believe it when I see it.

 

Stay up to speed with NJMP by calling (856) 327-8000, visiting www.njmp.com or following on X: @NJMP, Instagram: @njmotorsportspark, and Facebook: @newjerseymotorsportspark . Or join their e-newsletter here.

Intro: 2025 Yamaha MT-07 Is A Benchmark Middleweight Standard

A new chassis, new swingarm, ride-by-wire throttle, new electronic rider aids and new inverted forks are among the biggest changes Yamaha has made to the MT-07 for 2025. Photo by Karen E. Ott.

By Michael Gougis

The second time the handlebars got light in my hands, I realized that the ride was going to be entertaining. I was still in the parking lot at Yamaha’s Southern California campus, and I hadn’t even gotten to the exit gate yet.

Now, admittedly, part of this was due to how I’d packed the thing. The new 2025 MT-07 I’d borrowed for a ride up to the MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey Presented by Law Tigers came with baggage–and no, I don’t mean the Yamaha employee who was coming along for a much-needed two-wheel getaway on another MT-07. Specifically, my ride had a hefty 34-liter tail case mounted high and far back, which when grossly overloaded by yours truly certainly contributed to the tendency of the front end to get light on the throttle. All on its own, the bike was peppy and responsive on the gas, and I was looking forward to the long ride on twisty roads and fast highways.

Exactly 888 miles and four days later, I was back at home, and I was still impressed by the newest (and heavily revised) version of Yamaha’s middleweight standard. I know, Yamaha calls it a hyper-naked, but there’s nothing hyper about 72.4 horsepower. But decades ago, basic street motorcycles used to be simple, capable of doing anything a rider asked reasonably well, and we called them standards. Think of the MT-07 as the spiritual descendant of the much-loved XJ550, or Seca, of the early 1980s. That middleweight Inline-4 served as a commuter, a tourer, and a pretty decent track bike. The new MT-07 did all of those things with aplomb during the time I had it.

 

The 2025 Yamaha MT-07 in Ice Storm. Photo courtesy Yamaha.

 

MT-07 Technical Overview

The core of the MT-07 is the twin-cylinder, 8-valve four-stroke DOHC CP2 engine used in a wide variety of Yamaha products. Yamaha claims 72.39 bhp at 8,750 rpm and 49.4 lbs.-ft. of torque at 6,500 rpm from the engine, which has a compression ratio of 11.5:1 and a 80mm x 68.6mm bore and stroke for a total displacement of 689cc. The intake is tuned to make cool induction noises; the 2-1 exhaust features a catalytic converter close to the header pipes to increase efficiency.

New stuff for the MT-07 in 2025 starts with the set of 41mm KYB forks, mated to a new tubular-steel chassis. Yamaha says the new frame is 13% stiffer torsionally, laterally and longitudinally, yet still weighs 32.6 pounds, the same as the previous frame it replaces. The forks and chassis are tuned to work with a new, asymmetrical steel swingarm. The riding position has changed, with the bars lower and closer to the rider, the pegs lower and the tank cover narrower where it meets the seat. Overall, the machine’s wet weight is down three pounds, to 403 pounds.

A new assisted/slipper clutch works with a light pull at the lever, and clutchless up- and down-shifting is available as an option. Changes in the transmission itself are designed to promote smooth shifting. A ride-by-wire throttle allows Yamaha to incorporate two ride modes–Street and Sport–and two levels of traction control, which can be switched off. Spin-forged aluminum-alloy wheels carry Dunlop Sportmax Q5A tires. The antilock brakes are upgraded to match those on the YZF-R7, with a pair of 11.8-inch discs in the front and a 9.6-inch disc in the rear. The front forks now carry a pair of radial-mounted four-piston ADVICS calipers. And the styling is all-new. Yamaha calls the stem-to-stern overhaul the biggest in the history of the MT-07.

For this ride, Yamaha threw on a couple of accessories that definitely helped, including heated grips, the aforementioned rear case, and a comfort seat for rider and passenger. Suggested retail for the base model, available in dealerships now, starts at $8,599.

 

Upright bars make turn-in effortless. Good tires and solid suspension make sporting riding enjoyable, even for a middleweight standard that wouldn’t be out of place in the hands of a newer rider. Photo by Karen E. Ott.

 

Riding The MT-07

Yamaha really does styling well. The bike I rode came in the Ice Storm livery, which has silver and black with light blue flashes that match the rims. It’s a little thing that Yamaha does, creating unique wheel colors that coordinate with the rest of the machine, and it really adds to the bike’s premium appearance.

Throw a leg over the MT-07 and the reach to the ground feels a bit tall; the seat height is listed at 31.7 inches. The assisted/slipper clutch is a joy, and shifting feels light and positive. The CP2 engine is happiest in the mid-range, spinning up quickly before running out of breath soon after tipping across the triple-digit mph mark. But massive top speed is not what buyers of an MT-07 are looking for. The throttle response is precise and easy to manage, with the mapping spot-on in both Street and Sport modes.

Ripping from construction zone to construction zone on Highway 33 (it was like interval training; ride like mad, sit and wait and bake in the heat, repeat until dehydrated) demonstrated that the chassis definitely feels stiffer than previous versions of the MT platform I’ve ridden. The front felt precise, and there was more than enough damping to keep the chassis stable during enthusiastic street cornering, even over some fairly rippled pavement. Coming back, I spent most of the ride on interstate highways, and some of the sharp expansion joints in the concrete sections were jarring. But that was a small price to pay for mid-corner stability in faster turns.

Like most upright bikes, corner tip-in took little effort, and the Dunlop tires were a very nice surprise for a bike in this market segment–these are tires that are well up to track use. After I got home, I spent some time riding the bike at a local kart track, where it’s all about flicking the bike quickly into corner after corner, and it became easier and easier to turn-in hard enough to grind the pegs with confidence. And the brakes proved more than adequate for any reasonable scenario.

The lack of wind protection was wearying after six straight hours on the bike, but that sort of abuse is well outside of the MT-07’s normal performance envelope. A rider planning to use the bike in that way should consider having a windscreen bolted on. The overall riding position was comfortable, and the seat provided welcome support after a long day of riding. And one little thing: The self-canceling turn signals are just so nice, even though I didn’t have the bike long enough to get used to the new rocker-type switch.

I mentioned the XJ550 Seca for a reason; back in the early 1980s, that bike would have occupied the same market segment as the MT-07. It’s fascinating to think about how far motorcycles have come since then. The Seca’s designers would still recognize the MT-07 as a motorcycle, but would be completely blown away by the technology, power, and performance of Yamaha’s most modern middleweight standard. The best part is that the MT-07 is a bargain comparable to the Seca. Adjusted for inflation, the 1981 Seca today would cost $8,944. Back then, you got a lot of bike for your money with the Seca. Today, you get the same with the $8,599 MT-07!

CIV: American Fernandez On The Podium Again (updated)

Jayden Fernandez and his crew celebrate P3 at Misano. Photo courtesy Fernandez Racing.
Jayden Fernandez and his crew celebrate P3 at Misano. Photo courtesy Fernandez Racing.

At the CIV Racing Night held at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on July 27, 2025, American rider Jayden Fernandez continued to impress in the Aprilia RS 660 Trophy, following up on his debut win earlier in the season.

Jayden Fernandez:

“Back on the Box again! The race had a great start to it with me getting a great launch and positioning myself into second into turn 1 from 5th on the grid. From there I tried my best to stay with the leader but wasn’t making enough progress to catch up to him so the gap of about a second or so stayed stagnant, then another rider passed me into turn 2 in the beginning of the second lap. I tried to use this rider as a good measure to catch up to the front but couldn’t find the pace to do so. For most of the race I was around a second off of the first two guys up until the second or third to last lap where me and my teammate started to battle for third overall. On the last lap I did my best to keep him behind me but I ended up making a little mistake off the back straight and blew the turn. This allowed the fight to continue all the way to the line where I unfortunately lost out by 0.012 of a second. In the end it was a fun race to battle in and also quite a difficult race for me on the front end. We still have the lead in the championship and we will learn from this race and apply it to Imola. If my difficult weekends means 3rd place I think that’s pretty good! Thanks to the whole team for their hard work and support this weekend and hopefully we keep this podium streak going in Imola!

Also thanks to Mike Rinow with Inspection Specialties, Mike and Glenn from High Plains Raceway, Bob with Longmont Tire, KYT Helmets, TechSpec Tank Grips, Danny With American Supercamp, Bobby with Motorev Suspension, and ImI Motorsports Park”

 
 
Classifica di Classe Misano
 Classifica Campionato

FIM Yamaha R3 BluCru: Chris Clark Maintains P2 in Championship Standings

Chris Clark in action on his Yamaha R3 at Balaton Park Circuit. Photo courtesy Chris Clark Racing.
Chris Clark in action on his Yamaha R3 at Balaton Park Circuit. Photo courtesy Chris Clark Racing.

Chris Clark put on another front running performance in the latest round of the 2025 FIM Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup at the all-new Balaton Park circuit in Hungary this past weekend to enter the summer break second overall in the championship standings.

Quickly up to speed in Friday’s Free Practice, Chris put his Smrz Racing BGR Yamaha on the third row of the grid for race one after a strong Superpole saw him post the seventh fastest lap.

Saturday afternoon’s opening ten lap encounter saw Chris launch off the line well, moving into podium contention almost immediately. Running fourth, he unfortunately lost the slipstream towards the end of the race, but a valiant fight saw him fend off the chasing pack. He took fifth at the flag.

Starting twelfth in race two, the #5 once again ensured he was in contention for the podium throughout and whilst he crossed the line eighth, Chris again showed his skill and race craft throughout.

Chris’s results in Hungary means that he is now one of only five riders that can win the title.

He will now return home to the USA for a few weeks before returning to Europe in late August to attend the Yamaha Mastercamp event in Valencia, Spain, where he will join with several top Yamaha riders in a specially designed week-long event designed to further develop young talent. He is the first American rider to be selected for the event, underlying the potential seen in him by many well-respected individuals in the paddock.

Chris Clark: “Race one was good for me. I started seventh but was up to fifth by turn two. I was running alone in fourth for a little bit, but I lost contact with the leading three. I was then in big group and had to battle really hard. I knew we weren’t going to catch the leaders so my focus was then to score as many points as I could. I finished fifth which was good for the championship. It was possibly going to rain on Sunday but either way I was ready. Sunday wasn’t a complete disaster, but I was a little disappointed, however the main thing is am still second in the championship which I am happy about. I was confident for race two. I maintained by position off the start but was then in a huge group which I couldn’t pass as quickly as I had hoped. At the end my bike was too hot and lost power, and I had no real top speed to pass, even though I knew I was faster. Overall, it was another good weekend. I have the mastercamp coming up which I am so excited for and then a bit of a break until Aragon. I know it’s going to be a great end to the season. I want to thank the whole Smrz Racing BGR team, my mum, all my sponsors, my manager and everyone who is supporting me.”

 

Results R3 RACE 1
 Results R3 RACE 2

 

ChampionshipStandings YAMAHA R3 CUP

British Talent Cup: American Correa Top10 at Brands Hatch

Julian Correa in action at Brands Hatch. Picture by Cami Photography
Julian Correa in action at Brands Hatch. Picture by Cami Photography
Despite final race results that don’t fully reflect the strides made, Julian Correa delivered a performance marked by significant progression and fierce determination at this past weekend’s British Talent Cup event. Throughout the challenging weekend, Julian, alongside his dedicated team, showcased remarkable development, consistently improving his platform and engaging in spirited on-track battles.
 
The weekend began with initial setup hurdles due to a brand new paved track, but Julian’s resilience and the team’s relentless effort quickly turned the tide. Each session saw Julian gaining confidence and speed, translating into tangible improvements in lap times and overall race craft.
 
“I’m incredibly proud of the progress we made this weekend,” said Julian. “The team worked tirelessly to give me a fantastic bike, and I felt myself getting stronger and more comfortable with every lap. While the final positions might not tell the whole story, we were consistently battling for positions and showing what we’re capable of.”
 
The true measure of the weekend’s success wasn’t solely in the finishing order, but in Julian’s ability to consistently challenge competitors and push his limits. His aggressive yet controlled riding style led to several exciting skirmishes within the pack, demonstrating his growing confidence and race maturity.
 
“Julian’s dedication and fighting spirit were truly on display,” said Team Principal Richard Mortimer. “We saw him make huge leaps forward in his understanding of the bike and the track. The results don’t always reflect the intense work and the incredible gains made, but as a team, we’re extremely encouraged by his progression and eager to carry this momentum into the next round.”
 
Julian and his team are now focused on analyzing the data from this weekend to further refine their approach for the upcoming British Talent Cup rounds. The experience gained and the evident progression serve as a strong foundation for upcoming success. 
 
 

BSB: Redding and Ryde Deliver Monster Performances at Brands Hatch

Scott Redding on the podium after his victory in race 2 at Brands Hatch. Photo courtesy BSB.
Scott Redding on the podium after his victory in race 2 at Brands Hatch. Photo courtesy BSB.

‘Comeback Kid’ Scott Redding and defending champion Kyle Ryde delivered monster performances in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch to share the victories, celebrating the first wins of the season for the Hager PBM Ducati and Nitrous Competitions OMG Racing Yamaha teams respectively.

Redding was victorious in the opening race of the day, as the 2019 champion marked his full-time return to Bennetts BSB with Hager PBM Ducati by celebrating the race win after targeting championship leader Bradley Ray, who crashed out of contention.

Ray had taken the lead into Paddock Hill Bend for the first time from Redding, Christian Iddon and Danny Kent, with Kyle Ryde losing ground off the line.

The Raceways Yamaha rider was trying to make a break, but Redding was keeping him in his sights as Kent moved into third on the McAMS Racing Yamaha with a decisive move at Clearways.

Ray was holding the lead as Redding shadowed and looked for his opportunity to make a move, but the BMW Safety Car was deployed when MasterMac Honda’s Charlie Nesbitt crashed out at Hawthorns on lap five. Honda Racing UK’s Tommy Bridewell was another rider to also crash out, when his race ended at Clearways on lap three and ended his weekend prematurely.

As the pack lined up ready for the restart and the race resumed, Ray continued to fend off his Hager PBM Ducati rival until the ninth lap when he had a fast crash on the exit of Westfield.

Redding charged to the chequered flag to take his first race win since 2019 as Ryde had regrouped and fought to second on the Nitrous Competitions OMG Racing Yamaha. Kent completed the podium to secure his first podium finish of the season for McAMS Racing Yamaha.

Meanwhile Ryde was back to winning ways in Bennetts BSB in race three, taking his first victory of the season.

At the start of the race, championship leader Ray again launched into the lead from Redding, but Ryde was instantly attacking and moved second at Druids on the Nitrous Competitions OMG Racing Yamaha.

Redding then lost ground as first Kent and then Iddon dived ahead at Druids and the run to Graham Hill Bend, but the Hager PBM Ducati rider responded at Hawthorns to regain fourth. Kent then launched ahead of Ryde as the pair began duelling for second place.

Lee Jackson had a heavy tumble at Clearways on lap four which meant the BMW Safety Car was deployed and as the pack lined up behind, Ray was leading from Kent, Ryde and Redding with Iddon and Andrew Irwin up next.

When the race resumed, Kent instantly made a move on Ray into Paddock Hill Bend to lead the race and then the Raceways Yamaha rider lost another position as Ryde made a move for second.

Andrew Irwin then crashed out in spectacular style at Sheene Curve, as Honda Racing UK ended a tough weekend on the Grand Prix circuit. 

Kent then held the lead until lap 12 when Ryde went for the lead at Hawthorns, but a lap later the McAMS Racing Yamaha rider regained the position at Paddock Hill Bend, before the lead changed again at Druids. The final move gave Ryde the edge as he took victory from Kent, with Redding able to pass Ray on the penultimate lap to take the final podium position and seal the Monster Energy King of Brands trophy.

Ray missed out on the podium again in race three with a fourth place whilst Iddon completing the top five.

 

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 2 result:

  1. Scott Redding (Hager PBM Ducati)
  2. Kyle Ryde (Nitrous Competitions OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.339s
  3. Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) + 0.879s
  4. Christian Iddon (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) +2.945s
  5. Max Cook (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) +3.012s
  6. Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings Ducati) +3.119s
  7. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +3.613s
  8. Lee Jackson (DAO Racing Honda) +5.694s
  9. Leon Haslam (Moto Rapido Ducati Racing) +5.705s
  10. Josh Brookes (DAO Racing Honda) +5.766s

 

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 3 result:

  1. Kyle Ryde (Nitrous Competitions OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.339s
  2. Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) + 0.103s
  3. Scott Redding (Hager PBM Ducati) +0.875s
  4. Bradley Ray (Raceways Yamaha) +1.090s
  5. Christian Iddon (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) +6.461s
  6. Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings Ducati) +8.898s
  7. Leon Haslam (Moto Rapido Ducati Racing) +12.203s
  8. Max Cook (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) +12.312s
  9. Josh Brookes (DAO Racing Honda) +12.735s
  10. Fraser Rogers (TAG Racing Honda) +16.540s

 

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:

  1. Bradley Ray (Raceways Yamaha) 222
  2. Kyle Ryde (Nitrous Competitions OMG Racing Yamaha) 188
  3. Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings Ducati) 150
  4. Leon Haslam (Moto Rapido Ducati Racing) 138
  5. Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) 118
  6. Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) 111
  7. Josh Brookes (DAO Racing Honda) 106
  8. Christian Iddon (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) 104
  9. Max Cook (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) 82
  10. Storm Stacey (Bathams AJN Racing BMW) 80

 

For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com

 

Photo courtesy BSB.
Photo courtesy BSB.

KYLE RYDE – NITROUS COMPETITIONS OMG RACING YAMAHA: 

“This win has been a long time coming! We have had a few races this year where I thought we could win, but I didn’t ride my best or made a mistake, or the bike didn’t feel good at the end of the race but I made the most of today really. Race two earlier gave me a lot of encouragement for race three and I got a good start and got in the battle.

“I pushed as hard as I could and then defended over the last two laps. To win for the first time since here last October when we won the title, was a long time coming but this is what makes it all worth it. It feels great to have won again and I need to thank the Nitrous Competitions OMG Racing Yamaha team.”

 

SCOTT REDDING – HAGER PBM DUCATI : 

“This weekend has been mega honestly! I came here for the Monster King of Brands trophy and I knew it would be a big shot, but nothing was impossible. Coming into this weekend I wanted to build momentum, take some podiums and I had some good feel and fast track that to battle with Brad and take the win this morning and that was mega.

“I was coming on strong but that was all I had at the end in race three, I wasn’t super comfortable at the end, but I knew I needed to be on the podium to be King of Brands, so I am happy. I am super happy to be back in BSB; the fans have been amazing and hats off to the guys here as the level is super high here.”

 

 

Moto2 European Championship: American Moor P10 in Race 1 and P15 in Race 2

Rossi Moor at MotorLand Aragon. Photo by Revesz Racing NGRT
Rossi Moor at MotorLand Aragon. Photo by Revesz Racing NGRT

American Rossi Attila Moor, riding his MMR Kalex on the 3.15-mile (5.07 km) track, was 10th during Moto2 European Championship Race 1 Sunday morning at MotorLand Aragón, in Spain and 15th during Race 2 Sunday afternoon. 

According to race direction footage, Moor suffered a violent high-side crash in Free Practice 1 and was described as “bigger than a semi truck,” yet miraculously escaped with no broken bones—despite intense pain, he continues to push through.

Reminder: American Max Toth is out having a shoulder surgery. 

 

Race1_Moto2

 

Race2_Moto2

 

More from a press release issued by Revesz Racing: 

The fourth round of the FIM JuniorGP Moto2 category took place on July 27 at MotorLand Aragón.

The weather conditions were absolutely ideal for motorcycle racing. During Saturday’s practice, Rossi posted the 14th fastest time, which qualified him for Q2, where he secured the 17th spot on the starting grid.

The bike setup wasn’t optimal for qualifying, so the team decided to “go all in” and completely overhaul the bike’s dynamics in a new direction. Rossi didn’t have the chance to test the new setup before the race, so he was left hoping it would work out.

In the first race, during the second lap, Ruiz and Voight both crashed due to highsides, scattering debris across the track. The race officials waved the red flag, and the race was restarted 15 minutes later.

The restarted race was shortened to just 9 laps. Rossi got off to a strong start and steadily gained positions, improving by 8 places to finish 10th, earning 6 points toward the championship.

The second race was also interrupted by a crash and a red flag, resulting in another 9-lap sprint.

As always, the Hungarian-American rider from Révész Racing gave it his all to achieve a better result, but the bike’s setup didn’t allow him to maintain a competitive pace. He managed to climb up to 15th place by the end of the race.

Over the weekend, Rossi earned a total of 7 points and currently stands 15th in the overall standings.

Now comes a longer break in the FIM JuniorGP calendar, with racing resuming on September 21 at Mugello.

MotoAmerica: Results From Sunday’s Talent Cup Race At Mid-Ohio (Updated)

MotoAmerica Talent Cup Race 2 at Mid-Ohio. Photo by Brian J Nelson.
MotoAmerica Talent Cup Race 2 at Mid-Ohio. Photo by Brian J Nelson.

Tytler Cycle Racing’s Hank Vossberg won Sunday’s MotoAmerica Talent Cup race over CTR/D&D Cycles’ Bodie Paige, with Team Roberts’ Kody Kopp third. Warhorse Ducati/American Racing’s Alessandro Di Mario was fourth, ahead of Royalty Racing’s Carson King in fifth.

25_10_MIDOVMD_TCP_R2_res

 

More from a press release issued by MotoAmerica:

When the confusion over finishing positions from the second of two Parts Unlimited Talent Cup races at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course finally settled on Sunday, Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Hank Vossberg was the beneficiary as he went from second to first with CTR/D&D Cycles’ Bodie Paige on the short-end of the change as he was demoted from first to second in the red-flag-shortened race.

 

Hank Vossberg (31) and Bodie Paige (65) were able to distance themselves from Alessandro Di Mario (27) and the rest of the pack in the second of two Parts Unlimited Talent Cup By Motul races on Sunday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Photo by Brian J. Nelson
Hank Vossberg (31) and Bodie Paige (65) were able to distance themselves from Alessandro Di Mario (27) and the rest of the pack in the second of two Parts Unlimited Talent Cup By Motul races on Sunday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Photo by Brian J. Nelson

There was some confusion at the end of the race as to who won, but clarity and the final decision came via MotoAmerica Regulation 1.27(c), which states that results are determined by the last official timing loop crossed before the red flag. Thus, Vossberg was declared the winner by .723 of a second.

Vossberg and Paige had an epic, race-long battle that pulled them over 10 seconds clear of the pack fighting over third place. On track, that fight went to Team Roberts’ Kody Kopp with the three-time AMA Pro Singles Flat Track Champion seemingly earning his first-career podium finish as the Talent Cup completed its fourth of seven rounds at Mid-Ohio. A few hours after the completion of the race, however, Kopp was disqualified for an illegal frame modification.

Kopp’s DQ moved everyone up a spot.

Championship points leader Alessandro Di Mario was just .140 of a second behind Kopp with those two swapping the spot throughout the final laps of the race. They were joined by Royalty Racing’s Carson King and Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane in fifth and sixth, with those four separated by just half a second at the finish. Again, with Di Mario moving to third, King was bumped up to fourth with Drane fifth.

Bettencourt Racing’s Nathan Bettencourt, D&D Certified Racing’s Landen Smith, Envy Powered By Warhorse’s Derek Sanchez, Ice Barn Racing’s Solly Mervis, and Real Steel Honda’s Ian Fraley rounded out the top 10.

Notable among the non-finishers was MP13 Racing’s Ella Dreher, who was taken out of the fight for third by a mechanical DNF, and Rossi Motorsports Powered By 3:16’s Rossi Garcia was the rider who brought out the red flag with his last-lap crash.

With four of seven rounds in the books, Di Mario leads the title chase over Drane by 38 points, 168-130. Paige is third with 122 points, and Vossberg jumps to fourth with 108 points.

 

The battle for victory came down to Hank Vossberg (31) vs. Bodie Paige (65) with Vossberg earning his second win of the season by less than a second in the red-flag shortened race. Photo By Brian J. Nelson
The battle for victory came down to Hank Vossberg (31) vs. Bodie Paige (65) with Vossberg earning his second win of the season by less than a second in the red-flag shortened race. Photo By Brian J. Nelson

 

Talent Cup Race 2

  1. Hank Vossberg
  2. Bodie Paige
  3. Alessandro Di Mario
  4. Carson King
  5. Sam Drane
  6. Nathan Bettencourt
  7. Landen Smith
  8. Derek Sanchez
  9. Solly Mervis
  10. Ian Fraley

 

(From left to right) Bodie Paige, Hank Vossberg and Kody Kopp celebrate on the Mid-Ohio podium. Photo by Brian J. Nelson
(From left to right) Bodie Paige, Hank Vossberg and Kody Kopp celebrate on the Mid-Ohio podium. Photo by Brian J. Nelson

Quotes

Hank Vossberg – Winner

“It’s really good. It’s not the way I want to win, but the race was awesome. Just wanted to push it from the beginning. I knew the track was a little sketchy, but it was dry enough to push the pace. I didn’t really know what our gap was back to the rest of the group until Bodie (Paige) passed me. I saw plus 8 on the pit board. So, I knew I could kind of set behind Bodie and plan out an attack for the last lap. I just kind of sit in the draft not wanting to push it and risk a mistake. I was able to sit in the draft and pass him on the last lap. It sucks with the red flag and everything coming out. But it was a great way to win.”

Bodie Paige – Second Place

“Today was good. We were definitely moving along better than we were yesterday. The track was difficult with the mixed conditions, but me and Hank (Vossberg) were definitely comfortable right from the start, and we managed to create a little gap, which I’m thankful so it wasn’t so chaotic. The last lap it was just unfortunate, but that’s racing and that’s the rules. It sucks and it will hurt for a little bit, but we have VIR next week and I’m sure we can get a win or two there and I’m sure it will be better than this round.”

 

About MotoAmerica
 
MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Talent Cup, Super Hooligan National Championship, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including 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, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica’s social channels on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on demand service, MotoAmerica Live+ 

 

MotoAmerica: Mervis Fastest In Talent Cup Warmup At Mid-Ohio

Solly Mervis on his Ice Barn Racing Kramer. Photo by Brian J Nelson.
Solly Mervis on his Ice Barn Racing Kramer. Photo by Brian J Nelson.

Solly Mervis on the Ice Barn Racing Kramer led Envy Powered by Warhorse’s Derek Sanchez and Bettencourt Racing’s Nathan Bettencourt in the Sunday MotoAmerica Talent Cup wet warmup session at Mid-Ohio. MP13 Racing’s Ella Dreher was fourth and Rossi Motorsports powered by 3:16’s Rossi Garcia was fifth.

 

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