Race Four of the Canadian Superbike (CSBK) Championship held August 15 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, as aired on Canada’s TSN sports network and presented by IBEW.
© , Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
UtahSBA Releases 2021 Race Schedule
The Utah Sportbike Association is excited to announce its 2021 Utah Motorcycle Law Masters of the Mountains Superbike Race Series as well as its Supermoto Race Series to be held at Utah Motorsports Campus. Similar to the 2020 season, all race rounds for the 2021 season will be a single day racing format with a track day hosted by Apex Trackdays every Friday ahead of the race round.
In addition to racing the UtahSBA will be hosting two New Racer Certification (NRC) courses in 2021 as well as two Advanced Rider Training (ART) courses. The dates for the ARTs are yet to be determined.
We look forward to seeing you at the race track!
Masters of the Mountains race series:
Round 1: Saturday May 8th – East Course
Round 2: Saturday May 29th – West Course
Round 3: Saturday June 19 – East Course
Round 4: Saturday July 10th – West Course
Round 5: Saturday August 14th – Outer/Perimeter Course
Round 6: Saturday September 4th – East Course
New Racer Certification Courses:
NRC #1: Saturday April 17th in tandem with APEX Trackdays
NRC #2: Friday June 18th in tandem with APEX Trackdays
Advanced Rider Training Courses:
2 events TBD
Supermoto Race Series:
Round 1: Sunday April 18th – Track Configuration TBD for all
Round 2: Sunday May 9th
Round 3: Sunday June 13th
Round 4: Sunday July 18th
Round 5: Sunday August 22th
Round 6: Sunday September 19th
The Utah Sport Bike Association is a Utah Non-Profit dedicated to promoting education, safe riding and competition in the Intermountain West. You can find more information about the USBA, upcoming events, and schools at www.utahsba.com or find us on Facebook.
Canadian Superbike: Full-Race Video From Race One At CTMP
Race Three of the Canadian Superbike (CSBK) Championship held August 15 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, as aired on Canada’s TSN sports network and presented by IBEW.
American Flat Track: Briar Bauman Fastest At Dunlop Tire Test
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 11, 2020) – The 2021 Progressive American Flat Track season “officially unofficially” kicked off on Tuesday with two days on track in Florida, for the Dunlop Tire Test.
A number of the sport’s top stars circulated the half-mile dirt track throughout the day, and concluded the day’s activities under the lights at a chilly Volusia Speedway Park.
The primary purpose of the test is to put a number of newly developed Dunlop compounds through their paces with the stated goal to identify a new “medium” tire that can slot between the two tire options currently in use.
The 14 riders on site first established a baseline with the holdover rubber and then started the process of blind testing the newer compound candidates to assess their performance and durability — a process that continued into Wednesday evening.
While tire testing is the underlying reason the teams, riders, and various officials gathered in Florida this week, it also provided the Progressive AFT’s global fanbase a sneak peek into ‘21.
This week represents the first real opportunity to get a glimpse of several riders changing teams and/or motorcycles, offering up some initial clues on who may be riding what and where.
It’s still very much the silly season, and the vast majority of deals will not be announced until 2021 officially arrives. As a result, there’s a rather wide variety of circumstances surrounding the 14 riders in attendance.
Some have already agreed to new deals with teams but are unable/unwilling to comment until a later date. Others are currently in negotiations but testing together with the expectation they will come to terms. Others still are very much uncertain and using the test as an opportunity to see if a pairing is worth pursuing. And in one case (read: Cory Texter and Wally Brown Racing), are merely working together in a mutually beneficial one-off, this-test-only capacity.
And that doesn’t even take into account the fact that a couple potential team/rider combos are still yet to determine what brand of bike on which they’ll be competing — or even in which class.
That said, if you read between the lines and squint just right at the scoring sheets, you can start to decipher what a decent chunk of the 2021 grid may look like.
Dunlop Tire Test Entry List:
Briar Bauman (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750)
Jared Mees (No. 9 Indian FTR750)
Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield Twins FT)
Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JCS Racing/HCRR Indian FTR750)
James Rispoli (No. 43 Latus Motors Racing/Fast Track Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R)
Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Roof Systems/Ben Evans Racing Indian FTR750)
Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Indian FTR750)
Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R Rev X)
JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT)
Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F)
Mikey Rush (No. 14 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F)
Shayna Texter (No. 52 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE)
Cory Texter (No. 65 WBR/Suzuki of America RMZ450)
Kody Kopp (No. 143 Latus Motors Racing/Fast Track Racing Honda CRF450R)
Dunlop and Progressive AFT personnel stressed to teams and riders that this test was not intended to serve as a competition to see who can post the fastest outright time. That said, whenever you throw a group of world-class professional racers on track with timing and scoring equipment logging their pace, lap times will inevitably become an area of intense interest for competitors and fans alike.
DUNLOP TIRE TEST DAY ONE
With that disclaimer out the way, let’s briefly discuss results: As expected, last year’s AFT SuperTwins championship top three continued to be fast, with Briar Bauman, Jared Mees and Sammy Halbert topping the leaderboards to end a session or two throughout the day.
More interestingly, however, was the fact that Jarod Vanderkooi posted the fastest lap of Tuesday (20.267) on a JCS Racing/HCRR Indian FTR750.
Vanderkooi played it coy concerning his 2021 plans. And while nothing has been signed just yet, it seems like a safe bet that he’ll be riding for Jerry Stinchfield in 2021.
Vanderkooi has always been considered a major league talent; he could prove to be a major factor if he continues to mesh this well with the Indian after years of battling aboard a works Harley-Davidson XG750R.
DUNLOP TIRE TEST DAY TWO
The first annual Dunlop Tire Test wrapped up on Wednesday at Volusia Speedway Park following two hugely productive days.
Dunlop came into the test armed with five candidates vying for a single open slot to become the new tire compound made available for use during the 2021 Progressive American Flat Track season.
The great hope was to identify a tire that felt and performed similar to the preexisting DT4 R5 soft tire while showcasing durability more in line with the harder R9.
Dunlop came away extremely satisfied with the feedback they received from riders, along with one specific compound that showed itself capable of filling that “R7” (not an official designation) medium tire role.
“It was everything we hoped it would be,” said, Michael Jackson, Senior Manager of Motorcycle Development & Road Race. “The weather’s been good, the track’s been in great shape for us. Steve Morehead and his crew certainly did a good job keeping the track consistent throughout the day with very little change, which has really helped us.”
“We focused on questioning each rider on how the specs compared to the R5. We had five compounds here and we constantly tried to work back to the R5. We’d asked the riders, ‘How long did it take to come in?’ ‘What’s it like on entry?’ ‘What’s it like on exit.’ ‘Is it consistent?’ ‘Is it safe?’”
Reigning AFT SuperTwins Champion Briar Bauman said, “There was one (compound) that really stood out. So it was cool to have a baseline, and as we tried the other ones, still remember that feeling and be fired up about it. It’s a great direction.”
Of course, Progressive AFT fans were fired up just to have bikes back on track, while getting something of a sneak peek at the 2021 season.
Once the final session had been completed, however, it was AFT SuperTwins king Bauman who boasted the #1 on the timesheets as well as his factory Indian.
Bauman was the only rider to break into the 19s (19.919) over the two days. That lap narrowly eclipsed the best time of JD Beach (20.043), who made serious gains aboard the No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT on Wednesday.
While pleased with his speed, Beach kept things in perspective and understood what his primary job was this week.
“It’s cool to be a part of this,” he said. “It’s really cool that they have the trust in me to give the feedback with the tires. For Dunlop and the series to want to put in the extra work and the time, it shows how much they care about it. I think this has been great.”
Other riders who impressed with their outright pace while focusing on tire development were DAYTONA double winner Brandon Robinson (20.087), the aforementioned Vanderkooi (20.133) and reigning AFT Production Twins champion James Rispoli aboard the Latus Motors Harley-Davidson XG750R (20.155).
Meanwhile, AFT Singles dominator Dallas Daniels showcased AFT SuperTwins-like speed aboard his Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F, ranking fifth best overall at 20.243.
For more information on Progressive American Flat Track visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.
To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit the Official Progressive AFT Merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.
MotoGP: Memorabilia Being Auctioned For Charity
Two Wheels for Life launches “MotoGP™ Stars Holiday Auction 2020”
Friday, 11 December 2020
The 2020 MotoGP™ season may be over, but fans can still get close to their heroes by bidding on signed MotoGP™ memorabilia in the MotoGP™ Stars Holiday Auction 2020. Items from many of the top riders will be available, raising funds for Two Wheels, the official charity of MotoGP™, who ensure life-saving care reaches communities across Africa.
The 2020 MotoGP™ World Championship was exciting but very different from any other year, as COVID-19 restrictions prohibited spectators and fans from entering most circuits. Two Wheels for Life couldn’t run their Day of Champions fundraising event for the first time in 31 years, or many other fundraising activities that usually give fans the chance to experience unique, trackside opportunities.
While fundraising was hard hit, rural communities in African countries continued to need, even more desperately, healthcare and services that can only reach them by motorcycle.
Riders, teams and Dorna Sports are lending a hand this festive season in order to ensure Two Wheels’ important work across Africa continues. They have provided incredible items for the MotoGP™ Stars Holiday Auction 2020 such as gloves signed by 2020 MotoGP™ World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and knee sliders signed by nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), as well as boots, gloves and other unique pieces of memorabilia signed by the likes of Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team), Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and more.
New unique items are being added all the time, and today will mark the launch of all 66 signed boards featured in #MotoGPSocial throughout the 2020 season!
How the MotoGP™ Stars Holiday Auction 2020 works
The auction launches in early December with more auction items added throughout the month. Each item will be available for bidding for a three-week period.
The first items will close on Sunday 13th December at 20:00 GMT, but the auction will continue to run throughout the Christmas break with the bidding on the final items ending on January 3rd at 20:00 GMT.
Find out more and bid here.
Two Wheels for Life Holiday Sweepstake 2020
Enter the 2020 Holiday Sweepstake to win THE ultimate team experience in 2021.
Find out more here.
MotoE World Cup: Gresini Confirms Ferrari, Adds Mantovani
TEAM GRESINI MOTOE: FERRARI CONFIRMED AS MANTOVANI JOINS THE SQUAD
The new ‘electric’ line-up of Team Gresini has been confirmed, as the Italian squad places their hopes once again on young Italian riders. The new season will resume from the confirmation of Matteo Ferrari: the 2019 World Champion and 2020 series runner-up will be at the starting blocks of the new season, with the goal to remain at the sharp end of the series and try to reclaim the MotoE crown.
Andrea Mantovani will be at Ferrari’s side. The 26-year-old from Ferrara lands in MotoE from the Italian Championship of Speed (CIV) – Superbike category – and he will test his skills for the first time with the Energica Ego Corsa machine. He will race with the number 9.
The first test of 2021 will take palce at the Angel Nieto Circuit of Jerez de la Frontera (which will host the season opener) in March. Two sessions of three days each – one from the 2nd to the 4th and the second one from the 29th to the 31st of the same month.
MATTEO FERRARI #11
“2021 will be my third year with team Gresini, with whom I have been a protagonist in both of the MotoE World Cup seasons I’ve partaken in. The victory in 2019 and the runner up spot in 2020 are very important result, especially if we take into account that this was a new category for everybody. I took the challenge knowing that I had to adapt quickly to a new riding style and thanks to the help from everybody around me, I was able to find the right riding style and speed needed to be always a protagonist. The experience gathered until now makes me look at the future with confidence in my abilities, even when I’ll move to a different category and will need to adapt again to different motorcycles. The goal me and the team have is to match the same level of performance that we’ve shown so far. I would like to thank Fausto Gresini for the opportunity to get involved in the project and to be able to successfully tackle this MotoE challenge, which helped me grow further.”
ANDREA MANTOVANI #9
“I’m very happy to be taking part in this world cup in 2021. It will be a completely new experience as I have only ridden traditional-engine motorcycles so far. There’s a lot of curiosity to disover the ‘electric-powered’ side of racing, both at power and riding style levels. It will be no doubt a very constructive year with the hope of having fun and growing a lot during the season. My thanks go to Fausto Gresini and all the sponsors for giving me this opportunity.”
FAUSTO GRESINI – TEAM MANAGER
“This category continues to surprise in terms of competition and spectacular nature and we’re happy to be lining up for this new season, with the goal of being protagonists once again. In 2020 we have narrowly missed on the second title and battled for it up to the last race: the idea is to fight for again and with Matteo I’m sure we’ll be able to do it. I’d like to welcome Andrea, a young Italian rider who’s eager to do well, and we’ll do our best to put him in position to do so.”
Vortex-EK North America Becomes SBS Distributor
Vortex-EK becomes SBS Distributor
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – Vortex-EK North America (Vortex Racing) announced today that it has become a distributor for SBS Brake Pads in North America. The American manufacturer and international brand celebrated its 25-year anniversary in 2020
Leading the charge to distribute SBS Brake Pads is Chris Jensen, the former brand manager for SBS in the U.S. He joined the Vortex-EK team in June of 2020 as director of sales and brand management and brings more than 20 years of motorcycle racing industry experience to the position.
“We are pleased to become an SBS distributor and to have Chris join our team to facilitate the expansion of our growing product offering,” says Matt Griffin, president of Vortex-EK.
“SBS Friction is happy to join forces with Vortex Racing as new distributor for the North American market. Vortex has been SBS partner for many years and we are certain that the SBS brake pads, clutch kits and products in general, fully equipped with indestructible NUCAP NRS bonding and R90 quality certified, can support their position in the American motorcycle aftermarket”, says Christel Munk Pedersen, CSO of SBS Friction A/S.
The SBS line is now available on the Vortex-EK web site at VORTEXRACING.COM.
ABOUT VORTEX-EK NORTH AMERICA: Founded in 1995 by Matt Griffin, Vortex Racing rose to motorcycle racing industry stardom with is lightweight aluminum racing sprockets. By the early 2000s, Griffin expanded Vortex’s product offering to foot controls, levers, fuel caps and other billet aluminum parts and accessories geared toward motorcycle racing. Vortex Racing continued to grow through the 2000s and 2010s until 2017 when it became the sole importer of EK Chain in North America becoming Vortex-EK North America. Vortex-EK’s star continues to rise with the addition of SBS Brake Pads in late 2020. For more information on Vortex-EK, please visit vortexracing.com.
Lloyd Bayley Funeral Services Scheduled (Updated)
Funeral services for racer Lloyd Bayley have been scheduled at Baldwin Fairchild Oaklawn Chapel & Cemetery, 5000 County Road 46A, Sanford, Florida 32771. A viewing will be held Friday, December 18 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. local time, and a burial service will be held Saturday, December 19 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. local time.
Bayley was killed in a one-bike crash during the ASRA Team Challenge race December 5 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, in Homestead, Florida.
Update: Bayley’s official obituary can be found here.
MV Agusta Unveils Limited-Edition Superveloce Alpine
MV AGUSTA TEAMS UP WITH MOTORSPORT LEGEND ALPINE FOR SUPERVELOCE LIMITED EDITION INSPIRED BY THE ALPINE A110
Varese, 10th December, 2020 – MV Agusta is joining forces with Alpine, the iconic French manufacturer of racing and sports cars, for the design and production of a 110-units limited series bike inspired by the Alpine A110. The Superveloce was a natural choice for this project as it perfectly embodies the spirit of the A110, sharing the same timeless elegance and offering unique riding emotions on any road.
The collaboration draws on the common passion of both MV Agusta’s and Alpine’s fans for breathtaking design and beautifully engineered products. Both companies also share a glorious history in competition, and an aspiration to create unique emotions for their customers through innovative, forward-looking solutions yet remaining true to their roots.
The Superveloce Alpine will feature MV Agusta’s signature inline 3-cylinder engine, with 147 hp at 13.000 rpm for top speeds of over 240 km/h, and will come with a host of dedicated accessories. The graphic design, the detailing and the accessories will bear the unmistakable mark of Alpine. Just like the sports car icon, the Superveloce Alpine will deliver premium performance yet remaining agile and easy to ride.
Monaco Design Studio, MV Agusta’s spearhead design division for the production of exclusive bespoke models, was involved in the project since the beginning and worked in close contact with its counterpart at Alpine. The result is a stunning bike that is a perfect synthesis of the two brands’ personalities yet with an identity of its own. The blue livery of the Superveloce Alpine exactly matches that of the current A110. The raised “A” logos on the fairings are also reminiscent of the original A110 detailing, as well as the black Alcantara seats with blue stitching and the CNC-machined black rims. To mark the collaboration between two national heritage brands, the French and Italian flags are proudly displayed on either side of the front fender.
Timur Sardarov, CEO MV Agusta Motor S.p.A., said “Many Alpine customers are also big MV Agusta fans, and vice-versa. The Superveloce Alpine will ideally bring the two worlds together, with incredible synergies in terms of design, personality and style. We look forward to this collaboration with one of the most admired brands in the history of motorsport, and are confident that this new, superb limited edition will be met with enthusiasm by bikers and motorsport fans around the world.”
Patrick Marinoff, Managing Director of Alpine, added: “MV Agusta is a symbol of Italian craftsmanship and excellence that makes motorcycles like no other. Our two brands are driven by the same passion for creating beautifully engineered products and unique emotions for our customers. The Superveloce Alpine is a fine piece of design and technology that makes no compromise on performance and riding pleasure.”
The Superveloce Alpine will be distributed through MV Agusta’s dealer network.
Price 36.300€ (for Italian market), including the Racing Kit.
Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup Schedule Released
Six rounds of the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup make up the 2021 season as the new championship supports WorldSBK at selected rounds
Yamaha Motor Europe and Dorna WSBK Organization (DWO) are delighted to unveil the calendar for the 2021 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup, which will support six rounds of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship next season with two races per event.
The Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup is a new championship for riders aged 12-20, all running Supersport 300 World Championship race-winning Yamaha R3 machinery. These youngsters will get their first opportunity to experience this highly anticipated series in the official R3 bLU cRU European Cup test at Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” (19 March 2021).
The championship will then join WorldSBK for the season-opening round at the famous TT Circuit Assen (23-24 April), where up to 36 riders will battle it out to become the first-ever winner of the R3 bLU cRU European Cup.
After that, the series will also stop at Estoril (7-8 May), Misano (11-12 June), Donington Park (2-3 July), and Magny-Cours (3-4 September), before reaching its conclusion at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (17-18 September), where the inaugural champion will be crowned.
Each weekend will consist of 30-minute Free Practice and Superpole sessions on Friday, with both 10-lap races taking place on Saturday.
The overall champion will earn a place on the 2022 FIM Superport 300 World Championship grid with the WorldSSP300 bLU cRU team, providing they are over the minimum age of 15. Second in the standings will be offered a wildcard entry into the WorldSSP300 for the following season, as well as a 50 percent discount on their 2022 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup registration, which will also be awarded to the rider who finishes third.
Riders can still register their interest in the inaugural Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup until 15th December 2020 by clicking here.
2021 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup Calendar
Test: 19 March, Misano, Italy
Round 1: 23-24 April, Assen, The Netherlands
Round 2: 7-8 May, Estoril, Portugal
Round 3: 11-12 June, Misano, Italy
Round 4: 2-3 July, Donington Park, UK
Round 5: 3-4 September, Magny-Cours, France
Round 6: 17-18 September, Catalunya, Spain
The calendar is provisional and subject to change in accordance with government directives and the latest updates regarding Covid-19.
Canadian Superbike: Full-Race Video From Race Two At CTMP
Race Four of the Canadian Superbike (CSBK) Championship held August 15 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, as aired on Canada’s TSN sports network and presented by IBEW.
UtahSBA Releases 2021 Race Schedule
The Utah Sportbike Association is excited to announce its 2021 Utah Motorcycle Law Masters of the Mountains Superbike Race Series as well as its Supermoto Race Series to be held at Utah Motorsports Campus. Similar to the 2020 season, all race rounds for the 2021 season will be a single day racing format with a track day hosted by Apex Trackdays every Friday ahead of the race round.
In addition to racing the UtahSBA will be hosting two New Racer Certification (NRC) courses in 2021 as well as two Advanced Rider Training (ART) courses. The dates for the ARTs are yet to be determined.
We look forward to seeing you at the race track!
Masters of the Mountains race series:
Round 1: Saturday May 8th – East Course
Round 2: Saturday May 29th – West Course
Round 3: Saturday June 19 – East Course
Round 4: Saturday July 10th – West Course
Round 5: Saturday August 14th – Outer/Perimeter Course
Round 6: Saturday September 4th – East Course
New Racer Certification Courses:
NRC #1: Saturday April 17th in tandem with APEX Trackdays
NRC #2: Friday June 18th in tandem with APEX Trackdays
Advanced Rider Training Courses:
2 events TBD
Supermoto Race Series:
Round 1: Sunday April 18th – Track Configuration TBD for all
Round 2: Sunday May 9th
Round 3: Sunday June 13th
Round 4: Sunday July 18th
Round 5: Sunday August 22th
Round 6: Sunday September 19th
The Utah Sport Bike Association is a Utah Non-Profit dedicated to promoting education, safe riding and competition in the Intermountain West. You can find more information about the USBA, upcoming events, and schools at www.utahsba.com or find us on Facebook.
Canadian Superbike: Full-Race Video From Race One At CTMP
Race Three of the Canadian Superbike (CSBK) Championship held August 15 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, as aired on Canada’s TSN sports network and presented by IBEW.
American Flat Track: Briar Bauman Fastest At Dunlop Tire Test
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 11, 2020) – The 2021 Progressive American Flat Track season “officially unofficially” kicked off on Tuesday with two days on track in Florida, for the Dunlop Tire Test.
A number of the sport’s top stars circulated the half-mile dirt track throughout the day, and concluded the day’s activities under the lights at a chilly Volusia Speedway Park.
The primary purpose of the test is to put a number of newly developed Dunlop compounds through their paces with the stated goal to identify a new “medium” tire that can slot between the two tire options currently in use.
The 14 riders on site first established a baseline with the holdover rubber and then started the process of blind testing the newer compound candidates to assess their performance and durability — a process that continued into Wednesday evening.
While tire testing is the underlying reason the teams, riders, and various officials gathered in Florida this week, it also provided the Progressive AFT’s global fanbase a sneak peek into ‘21.
This week represents the first real opportunity to get a glimpse of several riders changing teams and/or motorcycles, offering up some initial clues on who may be riding what and where.
It’s still very much the silly season, and the vast majority of deals will not be announced until 2021 officially arrives. As a result, there’s a rather wide variety of circumstances surrounding the 14 riders in attendance.
Some have already agreed to new deals with teams but are unable/unwilling to comment until a later date. Others are currently in negotiations but testing together with the expectation they will come to terms. Others still are very much uncertain and using the test as an opportunity to see if a pairing is worth pursuing. And in one case (read: Cory Texter and Wally Brown Racing), are merely working together in a mutually beneficial one-off, this-test-only capacity.
And that doesn’t even take into account the fact that a couple potential team/rider combos are still yet to determine what brand of bike on which they’ll be competing — or even in which class.
That said, if you read between the lines and squint just right at the scoring sheets, you can start to decipher what a decent chunk of the 2021 grid may look like.
Dunlop Tire Test Entry List:
Briar Bauman (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750)
Jared Mees (No. 9 Indian FTR750)
Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield Twins FT)
Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JCS Racing/HCRR Indian FTR750)
James Rispoli (No. 43 Latus Motors Racing/Fast Track Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R)
Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Roof Systems/Ben Evans Racing Indian FTR750)
Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Indian FTR750)
Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R Rev X)
JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT)
Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F)
Mikey Rush (No. 14 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F)
Shayna Texter (No. 52 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE)
Cory Texter (No. 65 WBR/Suzuki of America RMZ450)
Kody Kopp (No. 143 Latus Motors Racing/Fast Track Racing Honda CRF450R)
Dunlop and Progressive AFT personnel stressed to teams and riders that this test was not intended to serve as a competition to see who can post the fastest outright time. That said, whenever you throw a group of world-class professional racers on track with timing and scoring equipment logging their pace, lap times will inevitably become an area of intense interest for competitors and fans alike.
DUNLOP TIRE TEST DAY ONE
With that disclaimer out the way, let’s briefly discuss results: As expected, last year’s AFT SuperTwins championship top three continued to be fast, with Briar Bauman, Jared Mees and Sammy Halbert topping the leaderboards to end a session or two throughout the day.
More interestingly, however, was the fact that Jarod Vanderkooi posted the fastest lap of Tuesday (20.267) on a JCS Racing/HCRR Indian FTR750.
Vanderkooi played it coy concerning his 2021 plans. And while nothing has been signed just yet, it seems like a safe bet that he’ll be riding for Jerry Stinchfield in 2021.
Vanderkooi has always been considered a major league talent; he could prove to be a major factor if he continues to mesh this well with the Indian after years of battling aboard a works Harley-Davidson XG750R.
DUNLOP TIRE TEST DAY TWO
The first annual Dunlop Tire Test wrapped up on Wednesday at Volusia Speedway Park following two hugely productive days.
Dunlop came into the test armed with five candidates vying for a single open slot to become the new tire compound made available for use during the 2021 Progressive American Flat Track season.
The great hope was to identify a tire that felt and performed similar to the preexisting DT4 R5 soft tire while showcasing durability more in line with the harder R9.
Dunlop came away extremely satisfied with the feedback they received from riders, along with one specific compound that showed itself capable of filling that “R7” (not an official designation) medium tire role.
“It was everything we hoped it would be,” said, Michael Jackson, Senior Manager of Motorcycle Development & Road Race. “The weather’s been good, the track’s been in great shape for us. Steve Morehead and his crew certainly did a good job keeping the track consistent throughout the day with very little change, which has really helped us.”
“We focused on questioning each rider on how the specs compared to the R5. We had five compounds here and we constantly tried to work back to the R5. We’d asked the riders, ‘How long did it take to come in?’ ‘What’s it like on entry?’ ‘What’s it like on exit.’ ‘Is it consistent?’ ‘Is it safe?’”
Reigning AFT SuperTwins Champion Briar Bauman said, “There was one (compound) that really stood out. So it was cool to have a baseline, and as we tried the other ones, still remember that feeling and be fired up about it. It’s a great direction.”
Of course, Progressive AFT fans were fired up just to have bikes back on track, while getting something of a sneak peek at the 2021 season.
Once the final session had been completed, however, it was AFT SuperTwins king Bauman who boasted the #1 on the timesheets as well as his factory Indian.
Bauman was the only rider to break into the 19s (19.919) over the two days. That lap narrowly eclipsed the best time of JD Beach (20.043), who made serious gains aboard the No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT on Wednesday.
While pleased with his speed, Beach kept things in perspective and understood what his primary job was this week.
“It’s cool to be a part of this,” he said. “It’s really cool that they have the trust in me to give the feedback with the tires. For Dunlop and the series to want to put in the extra work and the time, it shows how much they care about it. I think this has been great.”
Other riders who impressed with their outright pace while focusing on tire development were DAYTONA double winner Brandon Robinson (20.087), the aforementioned Vanderkooi (20.133) and reigning AFT Production Twins champion James Rispoli aboard the Latus Motors Harley-Davidson XG750R (20.155).
Meanwhile, AFT Singles dominator Dallas Daniels showcased AFT SuperTwins-like speed aboard his Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F, ranking fifth best overall at 20.243.
For more information on Progressive American Flat Track visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.
To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit the Official Progressive AFT Merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.
MotoGP: Memorabilia Being Auctioned For Charity
Two Wheels for Life launches “MotoGP™ Stars Holiday Auction 2020”
Friday, 11 December 2020
The 2020 MotoGP™ season may be over, but fans can still get close to their heroes by bidding on signed MotoGP™ memorabilia in the MotoGP™ Stars Holiday Auction 2020. Items from many of the top riders will be available, raising funds for Two Wheels, the official charity of MotoGP™, who ensure life-saving care reaches communities across Africa.
The 2020 MotoGP™ World Championship was exciting but very different from any other year, as COVID-19 restrictions prohibited spectators and fans from entering most circuits. Two Wheels for Life couldn’t run their Day of Champions fundraising event for the first time in 31 years, or many other fundraising activities that usually give fans the chance to experience unique, trackside opportunities.
While fundraising was hard hit, rural communities in African countries continued to need, even more desperately, healthcare and services that can only reach them by motorcycle.
Riders, teams and Dorna Sports are lending a hand this festive season in order to ensure Two Wheels’ important work across Africa continues. They have provided incredible items for the MotoGP™ Stars Holiday Auction 2020 such as gloves signed by 2020 MotoGP™ World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and knee sliders signed by nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), as well as boots, gloves and other unique pieces of memorabilia signed by the likes of Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team), Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and more.
New unique items are being added all the time, and today will mark the launch of all 66 signed boards featured in #MotoGPSocial throughout the 2020 season!
How the MotoGP™ Stars Holiday Auction 2020 works
The auction launches in early December with more auction items added throughout the month. Each item will be available for bidding for a three-week period.
The first items will close on Sunday 13th December at 20:00 GMT, but the auction will continue to run throughout the Christmas break with the bidding on the final items ending on January 3rd at 20:00 GMT.
Find out more and bid here.
Two Wheels for Life Holiday Sweepstake 2020
Enter the 2020 Holiday Sweepstake to win THE ultimate team experience in 2021.
Find out more here.
MotoE World Cup: Gresini Confirms Ferrari, Adds Mantovani
TEAM GRESINI MOTOE: FERRARI CONFIRMED AS MANTOVANI JOINS THE SQUAD
The new ‘electric’ line-up of Team Gresini has been confirmed, as the Italian squad places their hopes once again on young Italian riders. The new season will resume from the confirmation of Matteo Ferrari: the 2019 World Champion and 2020 series runner-up will be at the starting blocks of the new season, with the goal to remain at the sharp end of the series and try to reclaim the MotoE crown.
Andrea Mantovani will be at Ferrari’s side. The 26-year-old from Ferrara lands in MotoE from the Italian Championship of Speed (CIV) – Superbike category – and he will test his skills for the first time with the Energica Ego Corsa machine. He will race with the number 9.
The first test of 2021 will take palce at the Angel Nieto Circuit of Jerez de la Frontera (which will host the season opener) in March. Two sessions of three days each – one from the 2nd to the 4th and the second one from the 29th to the 31st of the same month.
MATTEO FERRARI #11
“2021 will be my third year with team Gresini, with whom I have been a protagonist in both of the MotoE World Cup seasons I’ve partaken in. The victory in 2019 and the runner up spot in 2020 are very important result, especially if we take into account that this was a new category for everybody. I took the challenge knowing that I had to adapt quickly to a new riding style and thanks to the help from everybody around me, I was able to find the right riding style and speed needed to be always a protagonist. The experience gathered until now makes me look at the future with confidence in my abilities, even when I’ll move to a different category and will need to adapt again to different motorcycles. The goal me and the team have is to match the same level of performance that we’ve shown so far. I would like to thank Fausto Gresini for the opportunity to get involved in the project and to be able to successfully tackle this MotoE challenge, which helped me grow further.”
ANDREA MANTOVANI #9
“I’m very happy to be taking part in this world cup in 2021. It will be a completely new experience as I have only ridden traditional-engine motorcycles so far. There’s a lot of curiosity to disover the ‘electric-powered’ side of racing, both at power and riding style levels. It will be no doubt a very constructive year with the hope of having fun and growing a lot during the season. My thanks go to Fausto Gresini and all the sponsors for giving me this opportunity.”
FAUSTO GRESINI – TEAM MANAGER
“This category continues to surprise in terms of competition and spectacular nature and we’re happy to be lining up for this new season, with the goal of being protagonists once again. In 2020 we have narrowly missed on the second title and battled for it up to the last race: the idea is to fight for again and with Matteo I’m sure we’ll be able to do it. I’d like to welcome Andrea, a young Italian rider who’s eager to do well, and we’ll do our best to put him in position to do so.”
Vortex-EK North America Becomes SBS Distributor
Vortex-EK becomes SBS Distributor
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – Vortex-EK North America (Vortex Racing) announced today that it has become a distributor for SBS Brake Pads in North America. The American manufacturer and international brand celebrated its 25-year anniversary in 2020
Leading the charge to distribute SBS Brake Pads is Chris Jensen, the former brand manager for SBS in the U.S. He joined the Vortex-EK team in June of 2020 as director of sales and brand management and brings more than 20 years of motorcycle racing industry experience to the position.
“We are pleased to become an SBS distributor and to have Chris join our team to facilitate the expansion of our growing product offering,” says Matt Griffin, president of Vortex-EK.
“SBS Friction is happy to join forces with Vortex Racing as new distributor for the North American market. Vortex has been SBS partner for many years and we are certain that the SBS brake pads, clutch kits and products in general, fully equipped with indestructible NUCAP NRS bonding and R90 quality certified, can support their position in the American motorcycle aftermarket”, says Christel Munk Pedersen, CSO of SBS Friction A/S.
The SBS line is now available on the Vortex-EK web site at VORTEXRACING.COM.
ABOUT VORTEX-EK NORTH AMERICA: Founded in 1995 by Matt Griffin, Vortex Racing rose to motorcycle racing industry stardom with is lightweight aluminum racing sprockets. By the early 2000s, Griffin expanded Vortex’s product offering to foot controls, levers, fuel caps and other billet aluminum parts and accessories geared toward motorcycle racing. Vortex Racing continued to grow through the 2000s and 2010s until 2017 when it became the sole importer of EK Chain in North America becoming Vortex-EK North America. Vortex-EK’s star continues to rise with the addition of SBS Brake Pads in late 2020. For more information on Vortex-EK, please visit vortexracing.com.
Lloyd Bayley Funeral Services Scheduled (Updated)
Funeral services for racer Lloyd Bayley have been scheduled at Baldwin Fairchild Oaklawn Chapel & Cemetery, 5000 County Road 46A, Sanford, Florida 32771. A viewing will be held Friday, December 18 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. local time, and a burial service will be held Saturday, December 19 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. local time.
Bayley was killed in a one-bike crash during the ASRA Team Challenge race December 5 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, in Homestead, Florida.
Update: Bayley’s official obituary can be found here.
MV Agusta Unveils Limited-Edition Superveloce Alpine
MV AGUSTA TEAMS UP WITH MOTORSPORT LEGEND ALPINE FOR SUPERVELOCE LIMITED EDITION INSPIRED BY THE ALPINE A110
Varese, 10th December, 2020 – MV Agusta is joining forces with Alpine, the iconic French manufacturer of racing and sports cars, for the design and production of a 110-units limited series bike inspired by the Alpine A110. The Superveloce was a natural choice for this project as it perfectly embodies the spirit of the A110, sharing the same timeless elegance and offering unique riding emotions on any road.
The collaboration draws on the common passion of both MV Agusta’s and Alpine’s fans for breathtaking design and beautifully engineered products. Both companies also share a glorious history in competition, and an aspiration to create unique emotions for their customers through innovative, forward-looking solutions yet remaining true to their roots.
The Superveloce Alpine will feature MV Agusta’s signature inline 3-cylinder engine, with 147 hp at 13.000 rpm for top speeds of over 240 km/h, and will come with a host of dedicated accessories. The graphic design, the detailing and the accessories will bear the unmistakable mark of Alpine. Just like the sports car icon, the Superveloce Alpine will deliver premium performance yet remaining agile and easy to ride.
Monaco Design Studio, MV Agusta’s spearhead design division for the production of exclusive bespoke models, was involved in the project since the beginning and worked in close contact with its counterpart at Alpine. The result is a stunning bike that is a perfect synthesis of the two brands’ personalities yet with an identity of its own. The blue livery of the Superveloce Alpine exactly matches that of the current A110. The raised “A” logos on the fairings are also reminiscent of the original A110 detailing, as well as the black Alcantara seats with blue stitching and the CNC-machined black rims. To mark the collaboration between two national heritage brands, the French and Italian flags are proudly displayed on either side of the front fender.
Timur Sardarov, CEO MV Agusta Motor S.p.A., said “Many Alpine customers are also big MV Agusta fans, and vice-versa. The Superveloce Alpine will ideally bring the two worlds together, with incredible synergies in terms of design, personality and style. We look forward to this collaboration with one of the most admired brands in the history of motorsport, and are confident that this new, superb limited edition will be met with enthusiasm by bikers and motorsport fans around the world.”
Patrick Marinoff, Managing Director of Alpine, added: “MV Agusta is a symbol of Italian craftsmanship and excellence that makes motorcycles like no other. Our two brands are driven by the same passion for creating beautifully engineered products and unique emotions for our customers. The Superveloce Alpine is a fine piece of design and technology that makes no compromise on performance and riding pleasure.”
The Superveloce Alpine will be distributed through MV Agusta’s dealer network.
Price 36.300€ (for Italian market), including the Racing Kit.
Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup Schedule Released
Six rounds of the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup make up the 2021 season as the new championship supports WorldSBK at selected rounds
Yamaha Motor Europe and Dorna WSBK Organization (DWO) are delighted to unveil the calendar for the 2021 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup, which will support six rounds of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship next season with two races per event.
The Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup is a new championship for riders aged 12-20, all running Supersport 300 World Championship race-winning Yamaha R3 machinery. These youngsters will get their first opportunity to experience this highly anticipated series in the official R3 bLU cRU European Cup test at Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” (19 March 2021).
The championship will then join WorldSBK for the season-opening round at the famous TT Circuit Assen (23-24 April), where up to 36 riders will battle it out to become the first-ever winner of the R3 bLU cRU European Cup.
After that, the series will also stop at Estoril (7-8 May), Misano (11-12 June), Donington Park (2-3 July), and Magny-Cours (3-4 September), before reaching its conclusion at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (17-18 September), where the inaugural champion will be crowned.
Each weekend will consist of 30-minute Free Practice and Superpole sessions on Friday, with both 10-lap races taking place on Saturday.
The overall champion will earn a place on the 2022 FIM Superport 300 World Championship grid with the WorldSSP300 bLU cRU team, providing they are over the minimum age of 15. Second in the standings will be offered a wildcard entry into the WorldSSP300 for the following season, as well as a 50 percent discount on their 2022 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup registration, which will also be awarded to the rider who finishes third.
Riders can still register their interest in the inaugural Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup until 15th December 2020 by clicking here.
2021 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup Calendar
Test: 19 March, Misano, Italy
Round 1: 23-24 April, Assen, The Netherlands
Round 2: 7-8 May, Estoril, Portugal
Round 3: 11-12 June, Misano, Italy
Round 4: 2-3 July, Donington Park, UK
Round 5: 3-4 September, Magny-Cours, France
Round 6: 17-18 September, Catalunya, Spain
The calendar is provisional and subject to change in accordance with government directives and the latest updates regarding Covid-19.