The 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship was a highlight of Toni’s Suzuki racing career. Photo courtesy of Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
Brea, CA – Suzuki Motor of America, Inc., bids a fond farewell to Toni Elias, as the two will conclude their extraordinarily successful five-year partnership at the end of the 2020 season.Elias took the American championship by storm in 2016, winning the first three races of his MotoAmerica Suzuki career on the then all-new GSX-R1000 after being called in on substitute duty. And with that, the duo of Elias and Suzuki were off and running.
The Spaniard came to the United States with the reputation as a world-beater, having previously earned the 2010 Moto2 World Championship along with Grand Prix race wins in the MotoGP, Moto2, 250cc, and 125cc World Championships. As lofty as the expectations may have been based on his international credentials, he more than lived up to them, forcing the remainder of the paddock to up their game significantly or get left in his wake.
Toni Elias (center) celebrates his 2017 Superbike Championship with teammate Roger Hayden (left) and Don Sakakura from Yoshimura (right). Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
His ultra-aggressive riding style, ability to eat up big gaps on the brakes, square up corners, and pull off nearly unfathomable overtaking maneuvers forever changed premier-class racing in the United States and allowed him to rack up 32 career MotoAmerica Superbike race wins and 60 podiums in the process.
The high point of his MotoAmerica Superbike career with Suzuki came in 2017. That season he powered to the championship on the strength of 10 victories and 18 combined podiums, never finishing lower than second in any race in which he took the checkered flag.
Suzuki’s Kerry Graeber (left) and Toni Elias (right) at Circuit of the Americas in 2018. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
Toni also endeared himself to Suzuki’s racing family with his love for racing and infectious attitude.
“All of us at Suzuki would like to thank Toni for his passion, dedication, professionalism, and racing excellence,” said Kerry Graeber, Vice President MC/ATV Sales and Marketing at Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. “From his immediate championship success on the all-new GSX-R1000 to how he raised the bar of everyone around him, Toni has brought so much to the Suzuki racing efforts here in the U.S. and we wish him the best of luck and success in everything he does moving forward.”
Toni Elias (24) took pole position and two top-five finishes at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
Elias recently announced on social media that it was time to move on and that his future plans remain uncertain, including the possibility that this weekend’s MotoAmerica finale at Laguna Seca could mark the end of his legendary career.
“It’s been 5 years! What a Blast!” Elias said. “We won a lot … 32 wins, 60 podiums, 1 championship …It’s been amazing. To all staff of Suzuki Motor of America: Hayasaki-san, Kerry Graeber, Pat Alexander, Chris Wheeler, Yoshimura Racing, Don Sakakura, Yusaku Yoshimura, Team Hammer, John Ulrich, Chris Ulrich, My crew chiefs, Daisuke Hashimoto and Dave Weaver, my mechanics, electronics coordinators, chefs, truck drivers, through the best to the worst and through the joy and the pain … you guys have been my family and now my friends forever. Thank you for listening to me and understanding me, to have all the patience in the world to follow my instinct or crazy ideas. It was not easy but soon or later we achieved what I wanted. It was always with your help and that made it really special.”
“Also, thanks to my strong teammates, my friends Roger Hayden, Josh Herrin, and Bobby Fong. Maybe it is the last race of my career or maybe not. It will depend on many things. I am still very hungry for wins and to fight for championships but this time I will let destiny and the universe play and decide for me!”
“Thank you not only for supporting me during these years of racing. I am grateful for much more than that,” Elias said. “You guys gave me the opportunity of my life, to live in the USA where I met my wife, where we have three wonderful kids and beautiful things coming!”
Toni Elias, Team Hammer, and Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. will look to continue their strong form and close out the 2020 season with a flourish at the 2020 MotoAmerica season finale, which will take place at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California this weekend.
Former AMA Pro, Isle of Man TT, and Macau Grand Prix racer Mark Miller led the opening round of Heritage Cup CSRA Superbikes Practice Saturday morning at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Nakagami nabs magnificent maiden MotoGP™ pole at MotorLand
The number 30 becomes the first Japanese rider on pole in the premier class since 2004, with Quartararo sixth, Mir 12th and Dovizioso 17th
Takaaki Nakagami (30). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Saturday, 24 October 2020
Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) kept his fine form rolling on Saturday at the Gran Premio Liqui Moly de Teruel, taking a maiden MotoGP™ pole position and becoming the first Japanese rider on pole in the premier class since Makoto Tamada at the 2004 Valencia GP. The number 30 also makes it three maiden polesitters this year, a first in a single MotoGP™ season since 2013, and ends Honda’s longest premier class run without a pole since they returned to the class in 1982. It was close in the end though, with Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) just 0.063 off as the Italian starts second; the only other man in the 1:46s. Aragon GP winner Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) took an ominous third place to start the Teruel GP a good few places higher up the grid than last weekend, locking out the front row.
In Q1, however, all eyes were on Ducati. With every Borgo Panigale machine set to fight it out in the session, there was plenty at stake… and it started well enough for Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) as he held onto the provisional fastest lap after the first runs. Then though, a stunner came in from Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as the Spaniard pulled clear at the top… and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) looked set to move through too. But then, a last lap dash from Johann Zarco (Esponsorama Racing) ensured there was going to be one Ducati in the fight for the top 12 – with the Frenchman taking second right at the flag and moving through along with Pol Espargaro. That left Aleix Espargaro set to line up 13th, Miller 14th and Championship contender Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) in a difficult P17 for race day.
Franco Morbidelli (21). Photo courtesy Dorna.
The action was back underway soon enough for Q2, and it was a familiar name at the top after the first runs as Nakagami came straight out the blocks with a 1:47.072. It was also a familiar name in second, with Morbidelli just half a tenth off once again. Zarco impressed as the Q1 graduate slotted into third early on before the calm before the storm returned to pitlane, first runs done.
With just five minutes left on the clock, the field filed back out. Mir was 4.5 seconds off after failing to set a competitive lap time on his opening run, Aragon GP podium finisher Alex Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was P11 and Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) seventh, with a lot at stake in the final few minutes. With two minutes to go though, everyone was still setting grey sector times for the time being, with no one able to go quicker…
Alex Rins (42). Photo courtesy Dorna.
That left Mir with a one-lap shot at picking up places from P12. Pol Espargaro found time in Sector 2 and was on a personal best time, Viñales had also found time, but all eyes then returned to Nakagami. The Japanese rider was 0.239 up in Sector 3, and Honda have been mighty in Sector 4… would it be a 1:46? It would. Coming across the line, Nakagami set a phenomenal 1:46.882 to move the goalposts significantly, and ultimately secure his maiden MotoGP™ pole position.
Quartararo was threatening but had a second wobble coming onto the front straight to go P5, and just behind the Frenchman, Rins did improve even more to take third. On his last lap, Viñales also went quicker – but it wasn’t enough to threaten Nakagami or for the front row. Morbidelli, meanwhile, did threaten slightly – but it wasn’t quite enough as the Italian ended the session 0.063 off.
That guaranteed a maiden MotoGP™ pole position for the LCR Honda Idemitsu rider, and he’ll be one to watch on race day. Morbidelli takes his fourth front row start of the season in second, with Rins retaining P3 and looking a little threatening after his win last weekend from 10th on the grid…
Viñales is forced to settle for fourth, with Zarco keeping P5 despite a crash late on for the Frenchman, his earlier laptime proving stunner enough. Quartararo will start from sixth, just pipping LCR Honda Castrol’s Cal Crutchlow.
Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) slots into eighth alongside the Brit, getting the better of Pol Espargaro by just 0.010 as the Q1 graduate starts ninth. Tenth place went to Alex Marquez as the rookie took his best qualifying result so far – better than last weekend, when he took another podium – with Iker Lecuona (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) right behind him, also a best ever for the rookie number 27.
So where’s Mir? After some late drama that looked like the Yellow Flag for Zarco’s crash would cancel a number of laps, including that of the Championship leader, it looked like he may have to settle for his first effort – over four seconds adrift. But the laptimes were reinstated after it was shown the Yellow Flag hadn’t been out for the likes of Mir, Oliveira, Crutchlow and Alex Marquez… but it didn’t prove a key aide. By just 0.021, the Championship leader is forced to settle for P12 – and will have plenty to do on race day. But then, we’ve seen some sensational comebacks this season already…
This season continues to be a stunner in MotoGP™, and the grid for the Gran Premio Liqui Moly de Teruel looks set to deliver another classic come Sunday. Can we have a ninth different winner? Who will gain in the title fight? Can Nakagami make more history? The lights go out for the premier class at 13:00 (GMT +1) – earlier than normal – and remember daylight saving changes where they apply!
3 Alex Rins – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki – +0.273
*Independent Team riders
Takaaki Nakagami: “Just amazing. Pretty good last lap. Sector 1 wasn’t the best because I saw I was one tenth slower, but on the last lap I tried my best to improve in Sector 2, 3 and 4 and we managed faster and faster! When I saw under 1.47, I didn’t know because there are no screens, I didn’t know if it was pole or what position. We came into pitlane and with our crew waiting in P1 I realised I got pole position! It was an amazing feeling. I want to say thanks to all my team, it’s going pretty well this weekend so far, for tomorrow is the most important thing to concentrate and not lose the way. Now I’ve got a pole position I’m really proud but let’s stay focused and enjoy, now I’m free and I really enjoy it but let’s see tomorrow in the race.”
Five-time and reigning MotoAmerica HONOS Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier is going to race in the 2021-2022 FIM Moto2 World Championship with American Racing Team.
Roadracingworld.com reported on this deal being in the works last week, but the move wasn’t confirmed until a press conference Friday at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
In that press conference, Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. announced it was releasing 27-year-old Beaubier from the second year of his contract to take advantage of the special opportunity, and American Racing Team owner Eitan Butbul welcomed Beaubier to his team and pledged to give him everything he could to help him succeed on and off the track.
Asked about the deal, Beaubier exclusively told Roadracingworld.com, “I thought my best shot for going to Europe was on a Yamaha in World Superbike, which is what I really wanted to do, at first. But Yamaha has a lot of talent over there right now and there wasn’t an open seat for me. Nothing made sense for me to go over there.
“And then this opportunity came about with American Racing Team [when] Eitan [Butbul, team owner] started talking to my managers Bob [Moore] and Jake [Zemke]. The deal, it seemed like everything came together.
“I’m pretty hungry to go to Europe and see what I have against the World Championship guys.
“I’m also thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given by the guys here at Yamaha. I am kind of bummed to leave what we have, what we’ve created here, but I am so excited for this next chapter in my career to grow as a rider and a person.
“I know it’s going to be tough. I’m going to be racing against the best in the world, and I have a lot to learn when it comes to the bike and the team and the track and all that. But I’m ready for it. I’m excited and really looking forward to getting started.”
Not only did Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. release Beaubier from his current contract, representatives from the company thanked Beaubier for his service, presented him with a plaque to commemorate his accomplishments with Yamaha, and gave him a TAG Heuer wristwatch as a going away gift.
Yamaha did not announce who would be replacing Beaubier on the Monster Energy Attack Performance Yamaha MotoAmerica Superbike team.
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Yamaha Wishes Beaubier Well in His Pursuit for a World Title
After a successful nine-year tenure with Yamaha in the U.S. National road racing championship, Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, has released Cameron Beaubier from the second year of his contract to allow him to pursue his dream of a World title. The five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion will campaign for the crown next season in the Moto2 Championship with the American Racing team.
Beaubier has raised the bar in the class this season, scoring 13 wins to clinch his fifth Superbike title a weekend early. With a career total of 51 victories in the class, the Californian sits third on the all-time win list behind his former teammate Josh Hayes and moved up to second on the championship list with title number five. Beaubier looks to add more wins to his tally this weekend at the season finale in Laguna Seca with the Monster Energy Attack Performance Yamaha Racing team.
Jim Roach – Yamaha Racing Department Manager for YMUS
“With Cameron having a dominant year and clinching his fifth AMA Superbike championship in MotoAmerica, now is the perfect time for him to move up to the world level. We’re really excited that he has a chance to join a Moto2 team with American Racing. We thank Cameron for all of the hard work he’s put in over the years and the great results that he’s brought us at Yamaha. We wish him the best moving forward.”
Cameron Beaubier – Monster Energy Attack Performance Yamaha Racing
“I am so thankful for all of the great years that I’ve had with Yamaha. It’s been an amazing journey. Tom (Halverson) and Keith (McCarty) took a chance on me when I was just a young kid coming back from Europe. It’s pretty crazy just how fast it’s gone by, these last nine years. We’re so focused every weekend to win races and be the fastest guy on the track at all times, but when you just sit back and think about all the great moments, it is pretty special. I’m really excited to go over and start this new chapter in my career in the MotoGP paddock with American Racing, but I’m also bummed to leave the family we’ve created here. I’ve had great role models, on and off the track, with everyone at Yamaha. It really is a family to me. I’ll definitely cherish these moments for sure.”
The 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship was a highlight of Toni’s Suzuki racing career. Photo courtesy of Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
Brea, CA – Suzuki Motor of America, Inc., bids a fond farewell to Toni Elias, as the two will conclude their extraordinarily successful five-year partnership at the end of the 2020 season.Elias took the American championship by storm in 2016, winning the first three races of his MotoAmerica Suzuki career on the then all-new GSX-R1000 after being called in on substitute duty. And with that, the duo of Elias and Suzuki were off and running.
The Spaniard came to the United States with the reputation as a world-beater, having previously earned the 2010 Moto2 World Championship along with Grand Prix race wins in the MotoGP, Moto2, 250cc, and 125cc World Championships. As lofty as the expectations may have been based on his international credentials, he more than lived up to them, forcing the remainder of the paddock to up their game significantly or get left in his wake.
Toni Elias (center) celebrates his 2017 Superbike Championship with teammate Roger Hayden (left) and Don Sakakura from Yoshimura (right). Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
His ultra-aggressive riding style, ability to eat up big gaps on the brakes, square up corners, and pull off nearly unfathomable overtaking maneuvers forever changed premier-class racing in the United States and allowed him to rack up 32 career MotoAmerica Superbike race wins and 60 podiums in the process.
The high point of his MotoAmerica Superbike career with Suzuki came in 2017. That season he powered to the championship on the strength of 10 victories and 18 combined podiums, never finishing lower than second in any race in which he took the checkered flag.
Suzuki’s Kerry Graeber (left) and Toni Elias (right) at Circuit of the Americas in 2018. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
Toni also endeared himself to Suzuki’s racing family with his love for racing and infectious attitude.
“All of us at Suzuki would like to thank Toni for his passion, dedication, professionalism, and racing excellence,” said Kerry Graeber, Vice President MC/ATV Sales and Marketing at Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. “From his immediate championship success on the all-new GSX-R1000 to how he raised the bar of everyone around him, Toni has brought so much to the Suzuki racing efforts here in the U.S. and we wish him the best of luck and success in everything he does moving forward.”
Toni Elias (24) took pole position and two top-five finishes at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
Elias recently announced on social media that it was time to move on and that his future plans remain uncertain, including the possibility that this weekend’s MotoAmerica finale at Laguna Seca could mark the end of his legendary career.
“It’s been 5 years! What a Blast!” Elias said. “We won a lot … 32 wins, 60 podiums, 1 championship …It’s been amazing. To all staff of Suzuki Motor of America: Hayasaki-san, Kerry Graeber, Pat Alexander, Chris Wheeler, Yoshimura Racing, Don Sakakura, Yusaku Yoshimura, Team Hammer, John Ulrich, Chris Ulrich, My crew chiefs, Daisuke Hashimoto and Dave Weaver, my mechanics, electronics coordinators, chefs, truck drivers, through the best to the worst and through the joy and the pain … you guys have been my family and now my friends forever. Thank you for listening to me and understanding me, to have all the patience in the world to follow my instinct or crazy ideas. It was not easy but soon or later we achieved what I wanted. It was always with your help and that made it really special.”
“Also, thanks to my strong teammates, my friends Roger Hayden, Josh Herrin, and Bobby Fong. Maybe it is the last race of my career or maybe not. It will depend on many things. I am still very hungry for wins and to fight for championships but this time I will let destiny and the universe play and decide for me!”
“Thank you not only for supporting me during these years of racing. I am grateful for much more than that,” Elias said. “You guys gave me the opportunity of my life, to live in the USA where I met my wife, where we have three wonderful kids and beautiful things coming!”
Toni Elias, Team Hammer, and Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. will look to continue their strong form and close out the 2020 season with a flourish at the 2020 MotoAmerica season finale, which will take place at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California this weekend.
Former AMA Pro, Isle of Man TT, and Macau Grand Prix racer Mark Miller led the opening round of Heritage Cup CSRA Superbikes Practice Saturday morning at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Nakagami nabs magnificent maiden MotoGP™ pole at MotorLand
The number 30 becomes the first Japanese rider on pole in the premier class since 2004, with Quartararo sixth, Mir 12th and Dovizioso 17th
Takaaki Nakagami (30). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Saturday, 24 October 2020
Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) kept his fine form rolling on Saturday at the Gran Premio Liqui Moly de Teruel, taking a maiden MotoGP™ pole position and becoming the first Japanese rider on pole in the premier class since Makoto Tamada at the 2004 Valencia GP. The number 30 also makes it three maiden polesitters this year, a first in a single MotoGP™ season since 2013, and ends Honda’s longest premier class run without a pole since they returned to the class in 1982. It was close in the end though, with Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) just 0.063 off as the Italian starts second; the only other man in the 1:46s. Aragon GP winner Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) took an ominous third place to start the Teruel GP a good few places higher up the grid than last weekend, locking out the front row.
In Q1, however, all eyes were on Ducati. With every Borgo Panigale machine set to fight it out in the session, there was plenty at stake… and it started well enough for Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) as he held onto the provisional fastest lap after the first runs. Then though, a stunner came in from Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as the Spaniard pulled clear at the top… and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) looked set to move through too. But then, a last lap dash from Johann Zarco (Esponsorama Racing) ensured there was going to be one Ducati in the fight for the top 12 – with the Frenchman taking second right at the flag and moving through along with Pol Espargaro. That left Aleix Espargaro set to line up 13th, Miller 14th and Championship contender Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) in a difficult P17 for race day.
Franco Morbidelli (21). Photo courtesy Dorna.
The action was back underway soon enough for Q2, and it was a familiar name at the top after the first runs as Nakagami came straight out the blocks with a 1:47.072. It was also a familiar name in second, with Morbidelli just half a tenth off once again. Zarco impressed as the Q1 graduate slotted into third early on before the calm before the storm returned to pitlane, first runs done.
With just five minutes left on the clock, the field filed back out. Mir was 4.5 seconds off after failing to set a competitive lap time on his opening run, Aragon GP podium finisher Alex Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was P11 and Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) seventh, with a lot at stake in the final few minutes. With two minutes to go though, everyone was still setting grey sector times for the time being, with no one able to go quicker…
Alex Rins (42). Photo courtesy Dorna.
That left Mir with a one-lap shot at picking up places from P12. Pol Espargaro found time in Sector 2 and was on a personal best time, Viñales had also found time, but all eyes then returned to Nakagami. The Japanese rider was 0.239 up in Sector 3, and Honda have been mighty in Sector 4… would it be a 1:46? It would. Coming across the line, Nakagami set a phenomenal 1:46.882 to move the goalposts significantly, and ultimately secure his maiden MotoGP™ pole position.
Quartararo was threatening but had a second wobble coming onto the front straight to go P5, and just behind the Frenchman, Rins did improve even more to take third. On his last lap, Viñales also went quicker – but it wasn’t enough to threaten Nakagami or for the front row. Morbidelli, meanwhile, did threaten slightly – but it wasn’t quite enough as the Italian ended the session 0.063 off.
That guaranteed a maiden MotoGP™ pole position for the LCR Honda Idemitsu rider, and he’ll be one to watch on race day. Morbidelli takes his fourth front row start of the season in second, with Rins retaining P3 and looking a little threatening after his win last weekend from 10th on the grid…
Viñales is forced to settle for fourth, with Zarco keeping P5 despite a crash late on for the Frenchman, his earlier laptime proving stunner enough. Quartararo will start from sixth, just pipping LCR Honda Castrol’s Cal Crutchlow.
Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) slots into eighth alongside the Brit, getting the better of Pol Espargaro by just 0.010 as the Q1 graduate starts ninth. Tenth place went to Alex Marquez as the rookie took his best qualifying result so far – better than last weekend, when he took another podium – with Iker Lecuona (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) right behind him, also a best ever for the rookie number 27.
So where’s Mir? After some late drama that looked like the Yellow Flag for Zarco’s crash would cancel a number of laps, including that of the Championship leader, it looked like he may have to settle for his first effort – over four seconds adrift. But the laptimes were reinstated after it was shown the Yellow Flag hadn’t been out for the likes of Mir, Oliveira, Crutchlow and Alex Marquez… but it didn’t prove a key aide. By just 0.021, the Championship leader is forced to settle for P12 – and will have plenty to do on race day. But then, we’ve seen some sensational comebacks this season already…
This season continues to be a stunner in MotoGP™, and the grid for the Gran Premio Liqui Moly de Teruel looks set to deliver another classic come Sunday. Can we have a ninth different winner? Who will gain in the title fight? Can Nakagami make more history? The lights go out for the premier class at 13:00 (GMT +1) – earlier than normal – and remember daylight saving changes where they apply!
3 Alex Rins – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki – +0.273
*Independent Team riders
Takaaki Nakagami: “Just amazing. Pretty good last lap. Sector 1 wasn’t the best because I saw I was one tenth slower, but on the last lap I tried my best to improve in Sector 2, 3 and 4 and we managed faster and faster! When I saw under 1.47, I didn’t know because there are no screens, I didn’t know if it was pole or what position. We came into pitlane and with our crew waiting in P1 I realised I got pole position! It was an amazing feeling. I want to say thanks to all my team, it’s going pretty well this weekend so far, for tomorrow is the most important thing to concentrate and not lose the way. Now I’ve got a pole position I’m really proud but let’s stay focused and enjoy, now I’m free and I really enjoy it but let’s see tomorrow in the race.”
American Racing Team owner Eitan Butbul (left) and Cameron Beaubier (right) at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Photo by David Swarts.
Five-time and reigning MotoAmerica HONOS Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier is going to race in the 2021-2022 FIM Moto2 World Championship with American Racing Team.
Roadracingworld.com reported on this deal being in the works last week, but the move wasn’t confirmed until a press conference Friday at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
In that press conference, Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. announced it was releasing 27-year-old Beaubier from the second year of his contract to take advantage of the special opportunity, and American Racing Team owner Eitan Butbul welcomed Beaubier to his team and pledged to give him everything he could to help him succeed on and off the track.
Asked about the deal, Beaubier exclusively told Roadracingworld.com, “I thought my best shot for going to Europe was on a Yamaha in World Superbike, which is what I really wanted to do, at first. But Yamaha has a lot of talent over there right now and there wasn’t an open seat for me. Nothing made sense for me to go over there.
“And then this opportunity came about with American Racing Team [when] Eitan [Butbul, team owner] started talking to my managers Bob [Moore] and Jake [Zemke]. The deal, it seemed like everything came together.
“I’m pretty hungry to go to Europe and see what I have against the World Championship guys.
“I’m also thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given by the guys here at Yamaha. I am kind of bummed to leave what we have, what we’ve created here, but I am so excited for this next chapter in my career to grow as a rider and a person.
“I know it’s going to be tough. I’m going to be racing against the best in the world, and I have a lot to learn when it comes to the bike and the team and the track and all that. But I’m ready for it. I’m excited and really looking forward to getting started.”
Not only did Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. release Beaubier from his current contract, representatives from the company thanked Beaubier for his service, presented him with a plaque to commemorate his accomplishments with Yamaha, and gave him a TAG Heuer wristwatch as a going away gift.
Yamaha did not announce who would be replacing Beaubier on the Monster Energy Attack Performance Yamaha MotoAmerica Superbike team.
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Yamaha Wishes Beaubier Well in His Pursuit for a World Title
After a successful nine-year tenure with Yamaha in the U.S. National road racing championship, Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, has released Cameron Beaubier from the second year of his contract to allow him to pursue his dream of a World title. The five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion will campaign for the crown next season in the Moto2 Championship with the American Racing team.
Beaubier has raised the bar in the class this season, scoring 13 wins to clinch his fifth Superbike title a weekend early. With a career total of 51 victories in the class, the Californian sits third on the all-time win list behind his former teammate Josh Hayes and moved up to second on the championship list with title number five. Beaubier looks to add more wins to his tally this weekend at the season finale in Laguna Seca with the Monster Energy Attack Performance Yamaha Racing team.
Jim Roach – Yamaha Racing Department Manager for YMUS
“With Cameron having a dominant year and clinching his fifth AMA Superbike championship in MotoAmerica, now is the perfect time for him to move up to the world level. We’re really excited that he has a chance to join a Moto2 team with American Racing. We thank Cameron for all of the hard work he’s put in over the years and the great results that he’s brought us at Yamaha. We wish him the best moving forward.”
Cameron Beaubier – Monster Energy Attack Performance Yamaha Racing
“I am so thankful for all of the great years that I’ve had with Yamaha. It’s been an amazing journey. Tom (Halverson) and Keith (McCarty) took a chance on me when I was just a young kid coming back from Europe. It’s pretty crazy just how fast it’s gone by, these last nine years. We’re so focused every weekend to win races and be the fastest guy on the track at all times, but when you just sit back and think about all the great moments, it is pretty special. I’m really excited to go over and start this new chapter in my career in the MotoGP paddock with American Racing, but I’m also bummed to leave the family we’ve created here. I’ve had great role models, on and off the track, with everyone at Yamaha. It really is a family to me. I’ll definitely cherish these moments for sure.”
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Reduces distractions and improve focus
This mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode
Allows using the site with your screen-reader
This mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Online Dictionary
Readable Experience
Content Scaling
Default
Text Magnifier
Readable Font
Dyslexia Friendly
Highlight Titles
Highlight Links
Font Sizing
Default
Line Height
Default
Letter Spacing
Default
Left Aligned
Center Aligned
Right Aligned
Visually Pleasing Experience
Dark Contrast
Light Contrast
Monochrome
High Contrast
High Saturation
Low Saturation
Adjust Text Colors
Adjust Title Colors
Adjust Background Colors
Easy Orientation
Mute Sounds
Hide Images
Hide Emoji
Reading Guide
Stop Animations
Reading Mask
Highlight Hover
Highlight Focus
Big Dark Cursor
Big Light Cursor
Cognitive Reading
Virtual Keyboard
Navigation Keys
Voice Navigation
Accessibility Statement
www.roadracingworld.com
November 12, 2026
Compliance status
We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience,
regardless of circumstance and ability.
To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level.
These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible
to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific
disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.
Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML,
adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with
screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive
a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
