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Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup: Five Americans Invited To Tryout For 2025

36 nations invited to Spain for the Rookies Cup Selection Event

The start of the 2025 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup racing season is half a year away but next week sees the Selection Event for our 19th championship. Over three days at Guadix in Southern Spain, the best of the world’s aspiring road racers have the chance to show the skills that could see them invited to join the Rookies Cup in 2025.

Roughly half of the riders will be on track on Monday, the second half on Tuesday. Some will be invited to ride again on Wednesday after which the Selection Committee will draw up the list of riders invited to join the Cup for the 2025 season. 

120 teens have been invited from 36 nations around the world, from New Zealand to Denmark, Japan to Brazil, South Africa to Kyrgyzstan. The global reach of the Rookies Cup has seen 252 riders from 39 nations compete in the 224 races to date.

Over 50% of ex Rookies have gone on to Grand Prix where they have won 216 GPs and have made 656 podium appearances.

As the teenagers with Rookie aspirations head to Guadix, half a world and 13,000 kilometres away, the Indonesian Grand Prix starts in Mandalika with ex Rookies leading all 3 World Championships. 

MotoGP – 1st Jorge Martín (Class of 2014) – 3rd Enea Bastianini (Class of 2013)

Moto2 – 1st Ai Ogura (Class of 2017) – 3rd Joe Roberts (Class of 2013) 

Moto3 – 1st David Alonso (Class of 2021) – Ex Rookies fill the top 7 places

Invited Riders

Leonardo Abruzzo (Italy)

Aslan Admuz (Israel)

Luca Agostinelli (Vietnam)

Alessandro Davide Aguilar Carballo (Peru)

Julius Ahrenkiel-Frellsen (Denmark)

Afonso Almeida (Portugal)

Pau Alsina Sanchez (Spain)

Michele Amadori (Italy)

Emanuele Andrenacci (Italy)

Marc-antoine Audard (France)

Ggionata Barbagallo (Italy)

Jakub Belak (Poland)

Enzo Bellon (France)

Edoardo Bertola (Italy)

Alessandro Binder (Switzerland)

Travis Borg (Malta)

Cristian Borrelli (Italy)

Lucie Boudesseul (France)

Evan Boxberger (France)

Peter Brinton (Great Britain)

Lucas Brown (Great Britain)

Josephine Bruno (Italy)

Fernando Bujosa Garcia (Spain)

Benjamin Caillet (France)

Carlos Cano Tortosa (Spain)

Valentino Casalboni (Italy)

Yvonne Cerpa (Spain)

Sarthak Chavan (India)

Omri Chen (Israel)

Julian Correa (USA)

David Da Costa (France)

Ryder Davis (USA)

Nyo De Vits (Belgium)

Andoni Dominguez (Nicaragua)

Johann Emmanuel (India)

Alberto Enríquez (Ecuador)

Beñat Fernandez (Spain)

Alejandra Fernández Garcia (Spain)

Ferre Fleerackers (Belgium)

Haydn Fordyce (New Zealand)

Ryan Frost (Great Britain)

Matteo Gabarrini (Italy)

Ignacio Maximo Galan Bermejo (Spain)

Martim Garcia (Portugal)

Johnny Garness (Great Britain)

Luana Giuliani (Italy)

David Gonzalez (Spain)

Dylan Grobler (South Africa)

Eduardo Gutiérrez Cobo (Spain)

Lorenzo Guyau (France)

Farish Hafiy (Malaysia)

Rikki Henry (Australia)

Uriel Hidalgo Mimbrero (Spain)

Richard Irmscher (Germany)

Mueez Jassat (South Africa)

Rosa Jimenez Vargas (Spain)

Yaroslav Karpushin (Kyrgyzstan)

Tobias Kitzbichler (Austria)

Daniel Krabacher (Austria)

Edoardo Liguori (Italy)

Alex Longarela Montes (Spain)

Luis Miguel Lopez (Spain)

Jhon Alex Lopez Castañeda (Colombia)

Marcos Ludeña Navarro (Spain)

Harrison Mackay (Great Britain)

Carolina Manzano Afonso (Spain)

Kerman Martinez (Venezuela)

Hodei Martínez (Spain)

Matteo Masili (Italy)

Konstantinos Mavropoulos (Greece)

Scott McPhee (Great Britain)

Erik Michielon (Italy)

Henri Mignot (France)

Elisabetta Monti (Italy)

Antoine Nativi (France)

Raúl Navarrete Vico (Spain)

Nikola Nikolaev (Bulgaria)

Marianos Nikolis (Australia)

Dawid Nowak (Poland)

Fionn O Connell (Ireland)

Pablo Olivares Rodriguez (Spain)

Louis Papelard (France)

Daniel Paz Gimenez (Spain)

Gonzalo Perez Alvarez (Spain)

Oratilwe Phiri (South Africa)

Levin Quentin Phommara (Switzerland)

Fabio Pilato (France)

Jimmy Primaut (France)

Gaétan Prunier (France)

Martim Marco Ramos Reis (Portugal)

Joshua Raymond Jr (USA)

Ethan Keneth Reyes Martínez (Mexico)

Juan Francisco Risueño Hernandez (Spain)

Cayden Robert (South Africa)

Tom Rolin (Belgium)

Matteo Roman (France)

Matthias Rostagni (France)

Jai Russo (Australia)

Levi Russo (Australia)

Mario Salles (Brazil)

Gonzalo Sanchez Melendez (Spain)

Remy Sanjuan (France)

Ikegami Seiryu (Japan)

Jesse James Shedden (USA)

Mantas Siugzdinis (Lithuania)

Valentino Sponga (Italy)

Filip Surowiak (Great Britain)

Riichi Takahira (Japan)

Mathias Tamburini (Italy)

Gabriel Tesini (San Marino)

Jesús Torres (Spain)

Ryan van Nieuwkerk (South Africa)

Tibor Erik Varga (Hungary)

Finnan Wherity (Ireland)

Krzelj William (France)

Peter Willis (Great Britain)

Jeremiasz Wojciechowski (Poland)

Joshua Wood (USA)

Jose Emiliano Zamudio Nieto (Mexico)

Nicolas Zanin (Czech Republic)

MotoAmerica: Battle Of The Baggers Going Down To The Wire (Updated)

Who’s Ready For An All-Out War In Battle For Mission King Of The Baggers Supremacy?

Will It Be Harley’s Kyle Wyman Or Indian’s Troy Herfoss As The Title Chase Goes To The Wire At New Jersey Motorsports Park, September 27-29?

IRVINE, CA (September 25, 2024) – There’s nothing better than a championship fight going to the final round. In boxing and motorcycle racing. And that’s exactly what we have in the Mission King Of The Baggers series as rival heavyweights racing for rival manufacturers will go to the start line in race one at New Jersey Motorsports Park on Saturday separated by just two points. Can you say winner-take-all? Times two.

With the championship likely not to be clinched after the first of two races on Saturday at NJMP, we’re almost guaranteed that this brawl will go the distance – the full nine rounds and 18 races.

Harley-Davidson Factory Racing’s Kyle Wyman is atop the standings by those precious two points heading to what is his home track in Millville. Wyman has logged six wins on the year and 12 total podiums to S&S/Indian Motorcycle’s Troy Herfoss and his six wins and 13 total podiums.

The difference between the two is in the non-podium finishes. Wyman’s worst result is an eighth-place finish in race two at Brainerd International Raceway. Herfoss, meanwhile, crashed and remounted to finish 11th in race one at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Even though Wyman has a zillion laps around NJMP to Herfoss’ zero laps, the Australian has proven to be a quick study as his rookie season has been full of racetracks he’s never seen before. The fact that the notoriously bumpy NJMP has been resurfaced could help equalize things as local knowledge of the bumps is usually more important than knowledge of the grip. And the bumps are reportedly gone.

Wyman and Herfoss have owned the series as evidenced by their 100-point lead over defending series champion Hayden Gillim and his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. Gillim has three race wins on his scorecard, but “only” five total podiums. The Kentuckian would like nothing better than to insert himself into the battle and come away with a win or two in the finale.

Tyler O’Hara is 15 points behind Gillim and could prove to be a factor in helping his teammate Herfoss win the title, though the same could be said for Wyman’s teammate James Rispoli, who sits sixth and just four points behind Gillim’s teammate Rocco Landers, who rides the momentum of winning his first-career Mission King Of The Baggers race at COTA two weeks ago.

In winning race one at COTA, Landers became the fourth different winner in the class, joining Wyman (six wins), Herfoss (six wins), and Gillim (3 wins). The win was 19-year-old Landers’ 53rd MotoAmerica victory and he’s now won races in four different classes – Mission King Of The Baggers, Supersport, BellissiMoto Twins Cup, and Junior Cup.

Supersport – Scholtz On The Verge

Strack Racing’s Mathew Scholtz hasn’t won the number-one plate in the Supersport Championship yet, but he’s got a firm grasp on it as he heads to NJMP with a 39-point advantage over Rahal Ducati Moto’s PJ Jacobsen, who will need to keep that total under 25 points in race one or his shot at the title will be gone before the lights go out in race two.

Scholtz has gotten this far via eight wins and 14 total podiums in 16 races. Jacobsen is in the fight because of his six wins and 12 total podiums. The difference is in the crashes. Scholtz crashed out of race one at Circuit of The Americas two weeks ago and that was his only blunder. Jacobsen has crashed out of two races, the first he got an assist from Scholtz, the second was in race two at COTA with no one to blame but himself.

So here we are. The pair that controlled the championship from day one goes into the final round separated by 39 points. One is in a comfortable position, the other needs a miracle.

The battle for third in the title chase is a close one with Altus Motorsports’ Jake Lewis leading N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto’s Blake Davis by 12 points with Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott a further eight points adrift.

Lewis and Scott each have a victory this season with Davis yet to win a Supersport race. Lewis got to where he is with consistency that has seen him score points in every single round. No one else in the top 10 can make that claim.

The second season of the revised Supersport “Next Generation” rules continues to show parity as four different manufacturers are in the top 10 in the championship and three of those – Yamaha, Ducati and Suzuki – have won races.

Stock 1000 – Gillim Vs. Uribe

There hasn’t been a Stock 1000 race since July 12 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. In the meantime, Real Steel Motorsports’ Hayden Gillim has been racing to try and defend his Mission King Of The Baggers Championship while racing his Honda CBR1000RR-R SP in select Superbike races. Heck, he’s even suffered an injured hand that required surgery in the time since he last did battle in Stock 1000.

Gillim will go up against OrangeCat Racing’s Jayson Uribe in the series finale with the two just seven points apart. Unless Uribe has been club racing since July, he hasn’t even laid eyes on his BMW M 1000 RR in almost four months.

Those two have won all the races bar one with Jones Honda’s Ashton Yates winning race two at Laguna Seca. Hayden leads the way with five wins to Uribe’s two victories. Gillim, however, crashed out of race two at Brainerd International Raceway and that’s how Uribe, who has scored points in every race, is this close.

Yates is third, 39 points behind Gillim and eight points clear of FLO4LAW Racing’s Benjamin Smith with BPR Racing’s Bryce Prince just six points adrift of Smith.

Junior Cup – The Last Dance

Sunday’s race two of the Junior Cup class will mark the end of the series as the MotoAmerica Talent Cup takes over in 2025.

That means that Matthew Chapin will be the last Junior Cup Champion as the BARTCON Racing-backed rider from Maryland wrapped up the title at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in August.

Chapin will start the series finale as the favorite, based on his six wins in 10 starts and an unbeatable 62-point lead over his nearest competition, New York Safety Track Racing’s Yandel Medina.

Speed Demon Racing’s Logan Gunnison sits third in the title chase headed to NJMP, 19 points behind Medina and 19 ahead of Fernandez Racing’s Jayden Fernandez. The only real championship battle is the one for fourth with Fernandez, BARTCON Racing’s Eli Block, Wolfe Racing’s Ryan Wolfe, BPM’s Isaac Woodworth, Karns Performance Racing’s Levin Badie and Bad Boys Racing’s Ella Dreher all separated by just 14 points.

Pre-NJMP Support Class Notes…

Tyler Scott and Josh Hayes split wins in the Supersport class at New Jersey Motorsports Park in last year’s season finale. Scott topped Anthony Mazziotto and Kayla Yaakov in race one with Hayes beating Mazziotto and Jake Lewis in race two.

Fortunately for Xavi Forés, the Spaniard had already wrapped up the Supersport Championship by the time the series got to NJMP. In the two races, Forés scored just seven points. Left without a ride for 2024, Forés has been filling in for injured riders. This weekend in New Jersey, he will be riding the injured Jake Gagne’s Attack Performance/Progressive/Yamaha Racing YZF-R1 in the Steel Commander Superbike races.

Last year’s Mission King Of The Baggers finale at NJMP was a drama-filled couple of races with Hayden Gillim coming out of it all with the series championship via his first- and second-place finishes. Gillim won race one over James Rispoli and Travis Wyman with Kyle Wyman taking victory in race two over Gillim and Max Flinders. Kyle Wyman lost any hope of the title when he crashed his Harley-Davidson on the warm-up lap prior to the start of Saturday’s race one.

Avery Dreher was another who was fortunate to not need the points from the series finale to earn him the Junior Cup Championship. Dreher had a miserable weekend and scored just a single point, but he’d already wrapped up the title. Eli Block won both races, besting Jayden Fernandez and Logan Monk in race one before topping Levin Badie and Yandel Medina in race two.

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, Junior Cup, 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 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+

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Rahal Ducati Moto:

NEW JERSEY MOTORSPORTS PARK PREVIEW 
 
 

MILLVILLE, NJ (9.26.2024) – The Rahal Ducati Moto team has traveled to the New Jersey Motorsports Park for the final round of competition for the MotoAmerica Supersport championship, the home track for all three riders. 

PJ Jacobsen comes into the weekend optimistic in his ability to recover some valuable points after a crash on the final lap of Race 2 at COTA resulting in the 31-year-old collecting zero points for the round. He currently sits 39 points behind the championship leader, Mathew Scholtz. 

Corey Alexander is eager to continue his momentum after a strong weekend at Circuit of The Americas, and Kayla Yaakov looks to wrap up a successful rookie season as the only female in the Supersport class with a podium finish.

Tomorrow’s schedule will host Practice and Qualifying 1, with Qualifying 2 and Race 1 on Saturday, followed by a warm-up and Race 2 on Sunday. Keep up with the action by following the team on social media using the handle @rahalducatimoto.

QUOTE BOARD:

PJ JACOBSEN (No. 15 XPEL Ducati Panigale V2): “I’m going into New Jersey, the final race of the year, super happy with my team and how we’ve done this season. We did great things this year, made some mistakes, but we’ve learned a lot in our first season. We’re still battling for the championship – anything is possible. I’m looking forward to seeing the crowd in New Jersey and racing at my home track. Getting two wins for XPEL and the RDM team is our focus!”

COREY ALEXANDER (No. 23 Roller Die + Forming Ducati Panigale V2): “Finishing the year off at what is basically my home track is always exciting. This year especially, I feel like I’ve got some good momentum coming into the weekend and I’m excited to see what we can do after some strong finishes at COTA. The season flew by and I’m sad it’s already over, but I’m looking forward to building with the whole RDM team throughout the offseason.”

KAYLA YAAKOV (No. 19 XPEL Ducati Panigale V2): “I’m super excited for the season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park! While it’s not in Pennsylvania, I consider it to be my home track, so that gives me a little extra motivation for the weekend. I’d love to end the year on a high note, and I hope to keep getting closer to the front. We made great progress in Race 2 at COTA, so I hope to carry that momentum in New Jersey.”

BEN SPIES (Team Principal): “We’re looking forward to going to New Jersey. Circuit of The Americas was a little bit rough for us, but not horrible. We just need to bounce back and try and close out the last two races of the year with a couple wins. We’ll enjoy the last race weekend of the year with the Rahal Ducati Moto squad and get all three riders up on the podium. Then, it’s full-steam ahead preparing for next season.”

WorldSBK: Rea Returning To Action At Aragon

Rea Returns from Injury for Aragon WorldSBK

Pata Prometeon Yamaha welcomes back Jonathan Rea to the team for the upcoming Aragon WorldSBK round from 27-29 September, as the Northern Irish rider returns from injury to pilot his #65 Yamaha R1 WorldSBK.

Rea was forced to withdraw from the Magny-Cours event in France two weeks ago with a deep laceration to his right-hand thumb, and underwent emergency in Clermont-Ferrand that Saturday evening to repair tendon damage and prepare a skin graft to the injury. He has since focused on recovery at home, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions and physiotherapy to assist healing.

Aragon is the circuit at which Rea has scored his highest number of podiums – 26 – an all-time WorldSBK record and nine wins, despite only starting from pole four times.

The six-time FIM WorldSBK Champion will be officially reviewed by the FIM WorldSBK Medical Director on Thursday, but is confident in his return to the premier class this weekend.

 

Jonathan Rea

“It’s been a tough couple of weeks at home working on my recovery, and I’ve done everything possible to be in a position to return to my R1 and the team at the earliest possible time. I’m not 100% recovered but I feel ready to come back, even if I’m still working with my physio to improve the mobility of my thumb. The injury to the tendon was the biggest issue, which was repaired by my surgeon in France, and the top of the thumb is healing quite well after the skin graft. It’s step-by-step, it was always my target to be back for Aragon, but I’m disappointed to have missed Cremona because it was the first race I’ve missed through injury since 2013. Huge thanks to Pata Prometeon Yamaha, the team and crew, all the team’s partners and my personal sponsors for standing by us in this tough period. Whatever my fitness level, I’m looking forward to Aragon – it’s a track that I enjoy and I’ve had success at in the past. It’s been resurfaced, so we will have to understand the tyre performance and consumption, and work towards the best set-up for the race. Yamaha has also launched the 2025 model R1 which has some updates – so on Friday morning, I will get to try the new aero package and most of all, I’m looking forward to getting back to my racing family. Even being away for one race is really tough, and as much as I was happy for Nico to replace me, not being there is difficult. We’re all working to come back stronger, and we’ll give it everything we can!”

MotoAmerica: REV’IT! Sponsoring 2025 Talent Cup

Krämer Motorcycles USA Partners with REV’IT! for the MotoAmerica Talent Cup

WEST FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA – September 24, 2024 – Krämer Motorcycles USA is excited to announce a technical partnership with REV’IT! for the new MotoAmerica Talent Cup.

The partnership sees REV’IT! supporting Krämer Motorcycles USA’s development of the Krämer APX-350 MA motorcycle, and also providing MotoAmerica Talent Cup riders with special discounts and offers on REV’IT! racing gear during the 2025 season.

“REV’IT! is proud to be a technical partner with Krämer Motorcycles USA for the inaugural Talent Cup season and to return to the MotoAmerica paddock with our trackside support staff,” said Paolo Bacchiarello, President of REV’IT Sport USA. “We will be supporting the Talent Cup riders with our REV’IT! TAILORTECH quality, innovation, and meticulous craftsmanship. Together, REV’IT! and Krämer Motorcycles aim to elevate the riding experience by delivering unparalleled engineering excellence.”

The first benefit for future Talent Cup riders will come this weekend at the MotoAmerica round at New Jersey Motorsports Park, where all riders in the MotoAmerica paddock are welcomed and encouraged to get a free measurement for a custom-made REV’IT! TAILORTECH racing suit.

Riders participating in the 2025 MotoAmerica Talent Cup season will receive a 20% discount on any custom REV’IT! TAILORTECH suit purchase, and they will also benefit from the trackside support that REV’IT! will offer throughout the 2025 season.

The measuring event will take place during the following times at the Krämer/REV’IT! paddock space at New Jersey Motorsports Park:

Date

Time

Friday, September 27, 2024

9am – 5pm

Saturday, September 28, 2024

9am – 5pm

Sunday, September 29, 2024

9am – 5pm

 

MotoAmerica Talent Cup riders who race in REV’IT! suits will also be eligible for a $5,000 contingency program from REV’IT! that will run during the 2025 season, which will culminate with the opportunity to earn a factory contract with the brand, with more details on these offers being released in the coming weeks.

“The MotoAmerica Talent Cup is all about investing early in the careers of our fastest young racers, by providing them with purpose-built racing motorcycles and a clear ‘Road to MotoGP’ pathway,” said Jensen Beeler, CEO of Krämer Motorcycles USA. 

“This means that we also have to protect that investment by giving Talent Cup racers the best riding gear available on the market, with the latest technology. Therefore, having the support of REV’IT! in the Talent Cup is critical to the success of this program, and helps ensure that these young racers stay healthy and have long successful careers, which is a core goal of Krämer Motorcycles.”

About Krämer Motorcycles USA: Krämer Motorcycles USA imports purpose-built track-only road racing motorcycles into North America for motorcycle racers and track day enthusiasts. More information is available at kramermotorcyclesusa.com.

About REV’IT! Sport USA: REV’IT makes premium motorcycle gear for street, adventure, and racing riders. The REV’IT TAILORTECH line of custom racing suits are made-to-measure and airbag-ready for maximum comfort and protection. 

About REV’IT! TAILORTECH: REV’IT! TAILORTECH is the embodiment of Italian craftsmanship – fused with modern technology, created to meet the diverse needs of the rider of today. Our mission is to deliver personalized performance—gear that’s tailored to each rider’s exact specifications, offering both unrivaled comfort and advanced safety features like Tech-Air® airbag systems. Whether for professional racers at MotoGP, World SuperBike and MotoAmerica level, or passionate enthusiasts, REV’IT! TAILORTECH is committed to enhancing every ride with bespoke solutions that reflect the unique demands of every rider.

About The MotoAmerica Talent Cup: The new MotoAmerica Talent Cup is a development series for fast and upcoming young riders, who are 14 to 21 years of age. All competitors will use the purpose-built Krämer APX-350 MA race motorcycles. The new Talent Cup will be a part of the “Road To MotoGP” program, with the top-five finishers getting invitations to try out for the prestigious Red Bull Rookies Cup.

Recent Birth: Avery Dane West

2024 MotoAmerica RSD Mission Super Hooligan Champion Cory West and his wife, Team Saddlemen Manager and racer Patricia Fernandez-West had a son, Avery Dane West, today in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Cory West says he will be racing his Team Saddlemen Harley-Davidson Road Glide in MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers this coming weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park, according to the Team Manager’s orders.

MotoGP: Flyaway Rounds Begin This Coming Weekend In Indonesia

All on the line in Lombok: more twists and turns await MotoGP™ at Mandalika 

In the aftermath of a dramatic Emilia-Romagna GP, we’re heading for Indonesia and a whole new challenge – with the title fight finely poised 

Tuesday, 24 September 2024

There’s no time to catch your breath as we head from Misano to Lombok and the very different Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit, with 24 points in it at the top and plenty more on offer. Indonesia loves MotoGP™ and they’re about to get a show, with controversial moves, swinging momentum and plenty more already having proved the calling card of the last few rounds. So here we go!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) now has that 24-point cushion at the top, and that part of the result on Sunday – the positive – may have more time to sink in on the journey to Lombok. He may have lost the race and in a way he thought was over the line, but his blunder in the flag-to-flag in the previous event has been nearly erased in the standings as reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) made his own error at Misano this time round. It could be a fascinating one at Mandalika, which already has some pivotal history for both etched into its memory: last year, Martin took the points lead on Saturday and then crashed out on Sunday, just as a Bagnaia under pressure made a historic charge to the win from P13 on the grid. The duo will doubtless be protagonists this weekend.

Then there’s Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). One man’s perpetrator of that “over-the-line” move is another man’s last lap hero. He’s got less experience at full fitness at Mandalika so he’ll want to catch up quick, but Misano – even knowing his 100% MotoGP™ podium record at the venue – again proved that a better qualifying for the ‘Beast’ nearly always guarantees he’ll be a serious thread come Sunday, and/or before. Can he keep the momentum going a little stronger than he did after his double at Silverstone?

In the ever-changing scuffle over third overall, meanwhile, Bastianini has pulled back ahead of Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) but by one single point. Marquez took another podium to follow up two wins on the bounce with some consistent form, but he’ll want more pure pace this time out rather than a luck of the draw. He’s not won here – yet? – and like Bastianini, has less experience of the venue at full fitness. And, of course, none on a Ducati.

THE CHASE IS ON

Meanwhile, the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team duo head from their home turf to that of Pertamina this weekend – no pressure. Fabio Di Giannantonio remains just ahead in the standings despite his injury struggles, sizeable crash in Emilia-Romagna, and then tyre pressure AND Long Lap penalties, so the goal will be clear for him: just a little less drama. Marco Bezzecchi, meanwhile, is closing in and now right behind Diggia as he builds a solid run of speed and results, including a front row for San Marino and a top four in the GP last time out. How will they shuffle in Indonesia?

Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) had a tougher second outing at Misano – having been right up there first time round and taken his first Sprint podium – so moving back forward will be the aim. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) will be hoping for more at a fresh track, in his case. After fighting for the podium at Aragon, it didn’t seem to click at Misano – but he will have the added challenge of only having taken taken part in one session at Mandalika in 2023 as he withdrew to recover from an earlier crash.

MORE MORE MORE

At KTM and GASGAS, Misano teased more than it ultimately delivered. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) qualified fourth for Emilia-Romagna and took a solid result in the Sprint, but behind rookie Pedro Acosta at Red Bull GASGAS Tech3. Then on Sunday, both ended up crashing out from pretty solid top fives, if not a chance at better, so they’ll want to try and bounce back. Teammates next year, the two are already playing some cat and mouse in the standings, and in who’s got what once the lights go out. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had a tougher time on pace but took points, and now his future is revealed he’ll want to settle into a rhythm to push forward as we head for the flyaways. Augusto Fernandez at Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 is the same for the latter but we await confirmation on the former as rumours continue to hint at a new role with a new factory.

For Aprilia, the tougher run continued somewhat last time out, but it was a definite uptick as Maverick Viñales took sixth and teammate Aleix Espargaro eighth. Miguel Oliveira has been in their postcode too, with his Trackhouse Racing teammate Raul Fernandez now the rider looking to figure out a step forward. Last season Viñales put Aprilia on the podium in second so the Noale factory will hope that previous form has a say in our return in 2024. Oliveira, having taken the first ever MotoGP™ win at the venue in 2022, will hope the same.

ON THE UP

At Yamaha, there’s been plenty to celebrate for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) across the two events at Misano as he made it into back-to-back Q2s for the first time this season. He then took two sevenths in the GP races – equalling his and Yamaha’s best result of the season so far from Portugal. Heartbreakingly in Emilia-Romagna though, it was set to be fifth before he seemingly ran out of fuel. That would have also made Yamaha the second factory home on Sunday. He’s the only rider to never been off the podium at Mandalika and took his most recent podium at the venue in 2023. His most recent pole was also here, in 2022.

Teammate Alex Rins, meanwhile, was sidelined last time out through illness so he’ll want to attack for points as he returns. It will be interesting to watch Yamaha take on a venue with particular conditions and where they’ve not had lots of recent track time – but neither have their rivals. Quartararo’s form of late promises any small weakness from the rest will be exploited.

Honda also had some key positives from Emilia-Romagna. After both Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) and home hero teammate Luca Marini were forced to sit out the San Marino GP, take two was especially notable. Mir took P11, equalling Honda’s best result this season so far taken by Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) in Aragon, and Marini wasn’t far off him in twelfth. Flashes of progress have shown throughout, with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) also having taken Honda straight into Q2 not long ago, and they’ll want to double down. Like Yamaha, it will be interesting to see where they shuffle in as track time and experience at the venue drop from testing and two race weekends to a return to Mandalika.

Indonesia’s passion for MotoGP™ is legendary and we’ll feel it again as early as Wednesday as many on the grid head to Mataram for a fan parade through the city. Then it’s back in business for another stunning weekend as the title fight teases even more drama on turf that’s hosted plenty of it before.

SHOWTIME

Saturday

Tissot Sprint: 15:00 (UTC +8)

Sunday

Grand Prix: 15:00 (UTC +8)

 
What’s happening at the #IndonesianGP?

The excitement for our return to Lombok gets in gear on Wednesday afternoon as a special Riders Parade will take place at 16:00 local time (UTC +8) in Mataram. Starting from Sangkareang Park, 12 MotoGP™ stars including Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team duo of Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio, plus home hero Mario Aji (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia), will head through the streets of Mataram City on an open top bus, ending at Udaya Park. The event will bring the stars of the show to the heart of our Indonesian fanbase, acting as the perfect warm-up act for the rest of the weekend.

On Thursday, the Press Conferences are 1h30 later than standard. The first is at 17:30 local time with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), before Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and teammate Marco Bezzecchi are joined by Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) at 18:05.

 
Moto2™: can Ogura’s title chase momentum be halted in Indonesia?

A Moto2™ belter played out at the Emilia-Romagna GP as three different riders led on the final lap. The one who was in front when it mattered most was Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) as the Italian picked Aron Canet’s Fantic Racing-shaped pocket by 0.027s, as we saw Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) throw away a golden victory ticket after a mistake at Turn 14.

The trio treated us to a phenomenal battle, and it was a pair of results that kept Vietti and Canet in with an outside shout at still challenging for the title. For Arbolino, that’s three podiums in the last three races as the 2023 runner-up finds form heading into the closing stages of the campaign.

Touching back on the Championship, following a P4 at Misano, Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) has taken charge of the 2024 chase. 22 points is the gap the Japanese rider holds heading to Indonesia after teammate Sergio Garcia crashed, while his three other closest pre-race rivals – Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing), Alonso Lopez (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) and Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) – all failed to beat the #79. In Dixon’s case, he too suffered a DNF – his first non-score since the French GP.

A repeat of their 2023 Indonesian GP podiums for Aldeguer and Canet will go down a treat this weekend, as we head to Asia with the Moto2™ title race still wide open. The momentum pendulum sits in Ogura’s camp, but will that change this weekend?

 
Moto3™: can the chasers respond or will Alonso continue his 2024 surge?

After going two races without standing on the podium, David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) returned to the top step at the Emilia-Romagna GP to win for the eighth time in 2024. The gap at the top heading to Lombok? A whopping 82 points. Positions in the Championship don’t get much stronger with six rounds to go, so it’s now or never for the chasers at the circuit Alonso finished P2 at in 2023.

The first of those hunters is Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), who will be hungry for a rostrum return after track limits caught the Spaniard out on the last lap. It was a small error that cost Holgado a podium – and promoted Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) to P3 behind the incredibly impressive rookie, Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing). 

The Dutch star is just one point further back in the overall standings after picking up his seventh podium of the season, but for Holgado, Veijer and fifth place Emilia-Romagna GP finisher Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI), it’s all about taking as many points off Alonso as possible before it’s too late. 

WorldSBK: Championship Continues This Coming Weekend At Aragon

Tight championship battle: Razgatlioglu’s lead under threat ahead of the Tissot Aragon Round

What to look out for in Aragon

Championship Standings

Despite missing the last six races, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) still leads the standings with 365 points. However, his comfortable margin has been cut to just 13 points following Nicolo Bulega’s (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) performance at the Italian Round.

Razgatlioglu’s participation in the upcoming Tissot Aragon Round remains uncertain and will depend on his medical condition. Further updates will be provided closer to the event.

Meanwhile, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) holds onto third place in the standings after securing two podium finishes in Italy, despite his injury. His lead over Kawasaki’s Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) has grown to 28 points.

Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), the top Independent rider, is now just three points behind Alex Lowes, following his hat-trick of wins in Cremona. With a commanding 101-point lead in the Independent Riders’ standings and 186 points still available before the round, Petrucci can secure the title in Aragon Race 2 if he outscores Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) by 24 points over the entire round.

Historical Performance

Alvaro Bautista has triumphed in the last two races at Aragon, bringing his total victories at the Spanish track to seven.

Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) secured his most recent WorldSBK win at Aragon last year.

British riders Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha), returning from injury, and Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) have also tasted success at this venue, with Rea, a six-time WorldSBK Champion, boasting an impressive nine wins.

Notably, Toprak Razgatlioglu has yet to claim a victory at Aragon in WorldSBK.

Notable Performances and Records

Danilo Petrucci joined an elite group of riders by securing a hat-trick of victories at the Italian Round, placing himself alongside World Champions Alvaro Bautista, Jonathan Rea, and Toprak Razgatlioglu. Incredibly, these were Petrucci’s first-ever WorldSBK race wins, making his achievement all the more remarkable.

With three consecutive victories under his belt, Petrucci is now poised to make history—if he wins Race 1 in Aragon, he will become only the second rider to follow up his first WorldSBK win with three more in succession, a feat last achieved by Alvaro Bautista with his record 11 consecutive wins at the start of 2019.

Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) is set to reach a significant milestone, as his next start will make him the 71st rider in WorldSBK history to compete in at least 100 races.

MotoAmerica: Herrin Holds Superbike Point Lead Heading Into Finale (Updated)

Herrin And Ducati Closing In On MotoAmerica Superbike Title As The Finale Beckons In New Jersey

Josh Herrin Has A Big Points Lead As He Tries To Win AMA Superbike Title #2 At NJMP, September 27-29

IRVINE, CA (September 24, 2024) – If all goes according to plan for the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team in the MotoAmerica series finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park, September 27-29, Josh Herrin will win his second AMA Superbike Championship – 11 years after winning his first – and Ducati will win its third AMA Superbike title as a manufacturer – 30 years after its last.

And all that will add up to an historic and memorable season for those wearing red.

But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, there are still two races remaining in the Steel Commander Superbike Championship chase and it’s not over until it is.

Herrin heads to the Garden State with a whopping 46-point lead in the Steel Commander Superbike Championship. If he finishes race one at NJMP with a lead of 25 points or more, the title will be his. If that doesn’t happen in race one, he has it to do all over again in race two. Unless he somehow trips over himself, the title will be Herrin’s and he will join MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey, four-time World Champion Eddie Lawson and the late Wes Cooley as two-time winners of the title. Twenty-two different riders have won AMA Superbike Championships in the 48 years of the series.

One thing that’s certain, Herrin won’t be tiptoeing around in eighth or ninth place to win this championship. He’ll fight at the front, much like he did two weeks earlier at Circuit of The Americas, and that’s going to make it entertaining for those of us who get to sit back and watch.

Herrin got to the comfortable position he’s in by winning five races and finishing on the podium in seven races that he didn’t win. He was off the podium a total of six times in 18 races. He also took full advantage of the races his title rival Cameron Beaubier was forced to miss due to injury, winning race two at Road Atlanta and finishing second twice at Brainerd International Raceway in Beaubier’s absence. He also didn’t allow himself to give up early in the season when he had just one podium finish in the first three rounds (six races) with Beaubier winning three of those. Herrin plugged away and it all came together with four wins in the final eight races with the other four resulting in podium finishes.

The bottom line: Herrin had a really good season and even his rivals will tell you that he deserves the championship.

Beaubier, meanwhile, can only think back with a big “what-if.” Lots of the top men crashed out of Superbike race one at Road America in the pouring rain, but only Beaubier suffered injury. His broken heel required surgery with a screw going up through the bottom of his foot to hold things in place. He missed three races, came back a bit too early at Ridge Motorsports Park, but then finished with a flurry of three wins, three seconds and a third on his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR. But it likely won’t be enough.

If it’s any consolation (and it’s not), Beaubier is on tap to finish second in the championship as he leads Wrench Motorcycles’ Bobby Fong by 41 points heading to NJMP.

Fong’s early and mid-season were strong, highlighted by his two victories at Brainerd International Raceway, but things have gone sour of late, and Fong hasn’t been on the podium since race two at Ridge Motorsports Park at the end of June. Case in point: Fong scored 21 points in the three races at COTA while Beaubier earned 70 points to take over the runner-up spot in the points chase.

Fong will need two strong races at NJMP to hold off EasyHealthPlans.com/TopPro Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly for third in the championship with Kelly coming off his career-best weekend of racing with his first-ever MotoAmerica Superbike win coming in race two at COTA. The Floridian is only five points behind Fong.

Surprisingly, you have to go back to fifth and sixth before you find any Attack Performance/Progressive/Yamaha Racing YZF-R1s with Cameron Petersen and Jake Gagne in those spots heading into the finale. Even though there has been a myriad of struggles of late, this is still Petersen’s best season of Superbike racing as he does have a career high of three wins on the year.

Three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne has had a season of disappointments with arm-pump issues basically ruining his year. He somehow soldiered on through most of the season before finally calling it quits the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course round. At COTA, Xavi Forés filled in for Gagne, and the Spaniard will do the same at NJMP.

Gagne is in a tie for sixth with Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Loris Baz so the Frenchman will surely move up with a chance to also catch Petersen. Baz has two podiums on the season and is still chasing a first-career MotoAmerica Superbike victory.

Beaubier’s teammate JD Beach will likely finish where he is now – eighth in the championship – in his first season back in MotoAmerica and his first season on the team and its BMW M1000 RR. Beach is coming off a strong weekend at COTA with two fourth-place finishes and a fifth.

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Brandon Paasch will also likely wrap up his season in ninth in the championship, 29 points ahead of what promises to be a real battle in the season finale for 10th and the MotoAmerica Superbike Cup title which pays the winner $25,000.

Jones Honda’s Ashton Yates and Team Brazil’s Danilo Lewis are just four points apart in the fight for 10th in the Superbike standings, but Lewis holds a 10-point lead over Yates in the battle for the money and the Superbike Cup title. Yates has put on a charge with five Superbike Cup wins in a row heading into NJMP.

Pre-NJMP Notes…

Unless he somehow trips over himself, Josh Herrin will join MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey, four-time World Champion Eddie Lawson and the late Wes Cooley as two-time winners of the title. Twenty-two different riders have won AMA Superbike Championships in the 48 years of the series.

The man who owns the most AMA Superbike titles is Mat Mladin with seven and the Australian will be on hand at New Jersey Motorsports Park as MotoAmerica’s Grand Marshal. Coincidentally, Mladin had his last race 15 years ago… at NJMP.

The active MotoAmerica rider with the most AMA Superbike titles is Cameron Beaubier with five championships. With his two wins at COTA two weeks ago, Beaubier now has 65 career AMA Superbike wins, which puts him second and 17 victories behind Mladin’s leading 82 wins.

Jake Gagne was already crowned as the 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike Champion when the series rolled into NJMP for the finale a season ago. Gagne went out and won the first race on Saturday in the rain for his 40th career AMA Superbike victory. and rode to a cautious fourth in the wet race two. Gagne beat JD Beach and Corey Alexander in race one with Beach winning race two over PJ Jacobsen and Alexander.

PJ Jacobsen earned pole position for the two Steel Commander Superbike races last year with his lap of 1:20.647. Jake Gagne and Mathew Scholtz rounded out the front row. The lap record is a 1:19.806, which is held by Cameron Beaubier and dates back to 2020.

With NJMP getting a complete repave in the off-season, lap records will likely be scorched this coming weekend.

With his win at COTA, Sean Dylan Kelly became the third rider in the MotoAmerica era to win a Superbike race in his rookie season, joining Toni Elias (2016) and Danilo Petrucci (2022). Five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier also won in his rookie season of AMA Superbike racing in 2014, but that was pre-MotoAmerica.

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, Junior Cup, 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 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+

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Ducati:

Destiny beckons for Josh Herrin and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati as Herrin sets his eyes on the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship

Sunnyvale, Calif., September 25, 2024 — After eight rounds of white-knuckle racing, it all boils down to this as MotoAmerica descends on New Jersey Motorsports Park for the season-ending round over the September 27-29 weekend.

Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin sits in the box seat and heads into the round with a 46-point lead with two final races and 50 points to play for.

Herrin needs to finish race one with a 25-point advantage to second-placed Cameron Beaubier to be assured of the crown. Otherwise, he will still have race two to seal the title. Should Herrin wrap up the title, he will join American racing legends Eddie Lawson, Wes Cooley, and MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey as a two-time AMA Superbike Champion.

Herrin’s 2024 season has been one that’s gotten better and better as it wore on. A solitary top-three finish from the first three rounds was replaced with a flurry of podiums and five race wins in 18 races, setting himself up perfectly for his championship charge.

If Herrin wraps up the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, he will become the first Ducati rider since Troy Corser piloted a Fast by Ferracci Ducati 888 to the title in 1994.

As usual, Herrin will be backed up by his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati teammate, Loris Baz. Baz is in the hunt for a top-five finish in the championship and could end up as high as third if the cards fall his way in New Jersey.

New Jersey Motorsports Park is the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team’s home track, and it’s a venue Baz has ridden at many times, so don’t discount the flying Frenchman from possibly notching his first MotoAmerica career race victory.

Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#2)

“I’m really excited about this weekend but also a little nervous because there’s a lot on the line,” Herrin said. “We have a big points lead we’ve worked hard to get but even though we have that gap, the pressure is on.

“We’ve tested at New Jersey, so I’m not nervous about riding the track, and the bike’s been really good to me lately. It’s been working well the whole year, except at the beginning of the season with all the rain, which is still an area we need to improve.

“It should be dry this weekend, and we’re hoping to get the championship wrapped up on Saturday so we can go for a race win on Sunday, which I’d really like to end the year on. All the hard work has as paid off, so this weekend, we need to try to have fun on the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati V4 R.”

Loris Baz (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#76)

“I can’t believe it’s already the last race of the season!” Baz said. “I’m really looking forward to New Jersey. It’s the home round for the team and a place we’ve tested at, so we have a good setup for the V4 R.

“It’s a big weekend for the team—I want to end the season on a high note, a season that wasn’t exactly what I had hoped for personally but one where we’ve had some great results.

“I’m going to try my best as always and enjoy the atmosphere with Josh and the team.”

On track action for the ninth and final round of the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship will commence at 8:55 a.m. EDT on Friday, September 27 with Herrin and Baz taking to the track for Free Practice 1 at 10:10 a.m. EDT.

Race one will commence on Saturday, September 28, at 3:10 p.m. EDT, while the season-concluding race two will go green at 3:10 p.m. EDT on Sunday, September 29.

NEMRR: Champions Crowned At Season Finale

The final event of the 2024 NEMRR season at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was a well-attended race with a great forecast, and lots of championships to be decided.  NEMRR has awarded double points for the final round of the season in recent years, and with only six events on the calendar nearly every championship was up for grabs. 

There was extra tension in the air on Saturday morning as the forecast took a turn and there was a possibility of rain throughout the day. Skies stayed clear throughout the morning practice sessions, and as racing commenced with the SuperStreet class the weather held off.

Randy Morrissette and his Kawasaki ZX-10R streetbike (Super Street is for track day riders to sample racing) continued his incredible Super Street season with a narrow victory over Paul Berger in the Unlimited Class, while Richard Tischofer scored a victory in the Lightweight division over Dominic Petillo. Like many other Super Street riders before him, Morrissette is excited to embark on the start of his official racing career in 2025 as he will be moving on from the Super Street class and making a bid for the NEMRR Rookie of the year in 2025.

 

Randy Morrissette (627). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.
Randy Morrissette (687). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

The NEMRR championship races started with the GT classes and featured some of the winningest riders in the series. In the GT500 class, Renee Franco capped off a superb season with a win in the GT500 class and secured her first of three championships for 2024.

The most decorated NEMRR rider of 2024, Brett Guyer, finished the GTL class undefeated and locked up the first of his six NEMRR championships – the most of any rider this season. Guyer, a veteran rider who has proven his abilities on machines across all displacements over the years, dominated the lightweight class ranks in 2024 on his Kramer GP790 machine. 

 

Brett Guyer (11). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.
Brett Guyer (11). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

 

In the GTU class, Sam Martin won his very first NEMRR championship in a hard-fought battle over Frenchman Geoffrey Bonnard. Martin won the final battle of the season and the two riders ended up tied in points, with Martin winning the tiebreaker by virtue of have won one more race than Bonnard over the course of the season! 

In the GTO ranks, Chris Arrighi was a long shot to win the title after missing round three, but his bid to win the championship was thwarted when he ran out of gas partway through the race (whoops). Eventual race winner Semir Fazlic, also a first-time champion, would have secured the title anyway as he had worked into second place – exactly where he needed to be in order to secure his title had Arrighi finished the race with the win.

Once the GT races concluded the rain began to creep in, and riders over the next few races were left to choose wet or dry tires – with many contests having riders who made a variety of choices.  Among those was Micheal Zoner, who rode his Kramer to his first of three 2024
championships in the Super Singles Class. Another multiple class champion, Ian Beam,  rode to both the race victory and the season title in the Heavyweight Supersport class as the rain began to come down. Beam had a banner season in 2024, rocketing his pair of Triumphs to titles in both Middleweight and Heavyweight divisions, including the NEMRR premier Seacoast Sport Cycle Middleweight GP class. 

 

Ian Beam (340). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.
Ian Beam (340). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

 

When the skies cleared on Sunday, the times dropped and two other riders put exclamation points on their 2024 seasons.  Veteran rider and Penguin Racing School owner Eric Wood secured four championship titles on his Ducati V2 in the Heavyweight and Unlimited divisions and capped off his weekend with the fastest laps of the weekend in the Heavyweight Superbike race on Sunday afternoon. 

 

Eric Wood (5). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.
Eric Wood (5). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

 

Another standout on Sunday was none other than series director John Grush. Ever the competitor, Grush accomplished his 2024 goal after having a frightening medical event at
an NEMRR event last season and undergoing a subsequent heart surgery, came back to record a perfect championship-winning season by winning all six rounds of the Formula 60 Lights class. Nathan Bettencourt also became the youngest-ever Expert-class champion at 14 years and 1 month as he secured the 2024 title in the Moto 3 class on his Honda NSF250.

The feature race of the weekend was held in fully wet conditions, but the action was red hot. The always fast-starting Geoffrey Bonnard, who enjoys riding in the wet, led Lap One but was soon overtaken by young gun Eli Block on Lap Two. Back in the pack was fellow star rider Ben Gloddy, who worked his way up to the second spot by the midway point of
the race. These two stars of NEMRR, both of whom are MotoAmerica race winners, ramped down the lap times all the way down into the torrid 1:19 range – times that were only seen once before at NHMS (at the 101st Loudon Classic). Gloddy made a valiant attempt to fully close the gap to Block, but in the end these two stars maintained the running order across the finish line, with veteran rider Justin Landry rounding out the podium in the final Dash for Cash of the 2024 season.

NEMRR is scheduled for six action-packed rounds in 2025, all at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.  The 102nd Loudon Classic is scheduled on June 13-15, and will have full details released with respect to classes and purse structure at a later date.

Moto2: Marc VDS Racing Keeping Salac, Dropping Kalex

Filip Salac extends Elf Marc VDS Racing Team deal for 2025

The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team is delighted to confirm its rider line-up for the 2025 Moto2 World Championship, with Filip Salac to partner Jake Dixon.

Salac joined the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team for the 2024 campaign, but a series of injuries have prevented him from performing at his best level.

The Czech star’s positive attitude and commitment to succeed is finally reaping rewards and after a first top 10 of the season in Austria recently, Salac rode to a superb season best seventh place in San Marino earlier this month.

The 22-year-old is now determined to continue his recent impressive upturn in form to move closer to the podium fight in the final seven rounds of 2024.

 

Filip Salac 

“The team believing in me gives me a lot of confidence”

“Firstly, I want to say a huge thanks to the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team and in particular Marc for giving me this opportunity to remain with this fantastic project in 2025. This year hasn’t turned out so far to be like any of us wanted and expected through a combination of some bad luck and some injuries. It has been a very tough time for me but I’m extremely thankful for all the support the team has given me. They still believe in me, and this has given me a lot of confidence, which has shown in the last three races.

As my confidence has grown then the results have been strong as well and I am now looking forward to a positive finish to the season as we build into 2025. Once again, thanks to Marc for trusting in me and I hope to be fighting at the front from the first race next season when we make the switch to the Boscoscuro chassis.”

Marc Van Der Straten

Team Owner

“We have confidence he will deliver the results we all want”

“It is true that results this season are far from what we wanted and what we know Filip can achieve. It has been a difficult season of adaptation aggravated by injuries. But I am convinced that Filip can make a comeback with the necessary support, and we will give it to him. We are looking forward to seeing him show his grit so he can fight for the top positions. We have confidence in him and I’m sure he’ll give his all to deliver the results we all want.”

Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup: Five Americans Invited To Tryout For 2025

Five Americans are among the 120 riders who have been invited to tryout for the 2025 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. Photo courtesy Red Bull.
Five Americans are among the 120 riders who have been invited to tryout for the 2025 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. Photo courtesy Red Bull.

36 nations invited to Spain for the Rookies Cup Selection Event

The start of the 2025 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup racing season is half a year away but next week sees the Selection Event for our 19th championship. Over three days at Guadix in Southern Spain, the best of the world’s aspiring road racers have the chance to show the skills that could see them invited to join the Rookies Cup in 2025.

Roughly half of the riders will be on track on Monday, the second half on Tuesday. Some will be invited to ride again on Wednesday after which the Selection Committee will draw up the list of riders invited to join the Cup for the 2025 season. 

120 teens have been invited from 36 nations around the world, from New Zealand to Denmark, Japan to Brazil, South Africa to Kyrgyzstan. The global reach of the Rookies Cup has seen 252 riders from 39 nations compete in the 224 races to date.

Over 50% of ex Rookies have gone on to Grand Prix where they have won 216 GPs and have made 656 podium appearances.

As the teenagers with Rookie aspirations head to Guadix, half a world and 13,000 kilometres away, the Indonesian Grand Prix starts in Mandalika with ex Rookies leading all 3 World Championships. 

MotoGP – 1st Jorge Martín (Class of 2014) – 3rd Enea Bastianini (Class of 2013)

Moto2 – 1st Ai Ogura (Class of 2017) – 3rd Joe Roberts (Class of 2013) 

Moto3 – 1st David Alonso (Class of 2021) – Ex Rookies fill the top 7 places

Invited Riders

Leonardo Abruzzo (Italy)

Aslan Admuz (Israel)

Luca Agostinelli (Vietnam)

Alessandro Davide Aguilar Carballo (Peru)

Julius Ahrenkiel-Frellsen (Denmark)

Afonso Almeida (Portugal)

Pau Alsina Sanchez (Spain)

Michele Amadori (Italy)

Emanuele Andrenacci (Italy)

Marc-antoine Audard (France)

Ggionata Barbagallo (Italy)

Jakub Belak (Poland)

Enzo Bellon (France)

Edoardo Bertola (Italy)

Alessandro Binder (Switzerland)

Travis Borg (Malta)

Cristian Borrelli (Italy)

Lucie Boudesseul (France)

Evan Boxberger (France)

Peter Brinton (Great Britain)

Lucas Brown (Great Britain)

Josephine Bruno (Italy)

Fernando Bujosa Garcia (Spain)

Benjamin Caillet (France)

Carlos Cano Tortosa (Spain)

Valentino Casalboni (Italy)

Yvonne Cerpa (Spain)

Sarthak Chavan (India)

Omri Chen (Israel)

Julian Correa (USA)

David Da Costa (France)

Ryder Davis (USA)

Nyo De Vits (Belgium)

Andoni Dominguez (Nicaragua)

Johann Emmanuel (India)

Alberto Enríquez (Ecuador)

Beñat Fernandez (Spain)

Alejandra Fernández Garcia (Spain)

Ferre Fleerackers (Belgium)

Haydn Fordyce (New Zealand)

Ryan Frost (Great Britain)

Matteo Gabarrini (Italy)

Ignacio Maximo Galan Bermejo (Spain)

Martim Garcia (Portugal)

Johnny Garness (Great Britain)

Luana Giuliani (Italy)

David Gonzalez (Spain)

Dylan Grobler (South Africa)

Eduardo Gutiérrez Cobo (Spain)

Lorenzo Guyau (France)

Farish Hafiy (Malaysia)

Rikki Henry (Australia)

Uriel Hidalgo Mimbrero (Spain)

Richard Irmscher (Germany)

Mueez Jassat (South Africa)

Rosa Jimenez Vargas (Spain)

Yaroslav Karpushin (Kyrgyzstan)

Tobias Kitzbichler (Austria)

Daniel Krabacher (Austria)

Edoardo Liguori (Italy)

Alex Longarela Montes (Spain)

Luis Miguel Lopez (Spain)

Jhon Alex Lopez Castañeda (Colombia)

Marcos Ludeña Navarro (Spain)

Harrison Mackay (Great Britain)

Carolina Manzano Afonso (Spain)

Kerman Martinez (Venezuela)

Hodei Martínez (Spain)

Matteo Masili (Italy)

Konstantinos Mavropoulos (Greece)

Scott McPhee (Great Britain)

Erik Michielon (Italy)

Henri Mignot (France)

Elisabetta Monti (Italy)

Antoine Nativi (France)

Raúl Navarrete Vico (Spain)

Nikola Nikolaev (Bulgaria)

Marianos Nikolis (Australia)

Dawid Nowak (Poland)

Fionn O Connell (Ireland)

Pablo Olivares Rodriguez (Spain)

Louis Papelard (France)

Daniel Paz Gimenez (Spain)

Gonzalo Perez Alvarez (Spain)

Oratilwe Phiri (South Africa)

Levin Quentin Phommara (Switzerland)

Fabio Pilato (France)

Jimmy Primaut (France)

Gaétan Prunier (France)

Martim Marco Ramos Reis (Portugal)

Joshua Raymond Jr (USA)

Ethan Keneth Reyes Martínez (Mexico)

Juan Francisco Risueño Hernandez (Spain)

Cayden Robert (South Africa)

Tom Rolin (Belgium)

Matteo Roman (France)

Matthias Rostagni (France)

Jai Russo (Australia)

Levi Russo (Australia)

Mario Salles (Brazil)

Gonzalo Sanchez Melendez (Spain)

Remy Sanjuan (France)

Ikegami Seiryu (Japan)

Jesse James Shedden (USA)

Mantas Siugzdinis (Lithuania)

Valentino Sponga (Italy)

Filip Surowiak (Great Britain)

Riichi Takahira (Japan)

Mathias Tamburini (Italy)

Gabriel Tesini (San Marino)

Jesús Torres (Spain)

Ryan van Nieuwkerk (South Africa)

Tibor Erik Varga (Hungary)

Finnan Wherity (Ireland)

Krzelj William (France)

Peter Willis (Great Britain)

Jeremiasz Wojciechowski (Poland)

Joshua Wood (USA)

Jose Emiliano Zamudio Nieto (Mexico)

Nicolas Zanin (Czech Republic)

MotoAmerica: Battle Of The Baggers Going Down To The Wire (Updated)

Will it be Kyle Wyman (33) or Troy Herfoss (17) taking the 2024 Mission King Of The Baggers title in the season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park, September 27-29. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Will it be Kyle Wyman (33) or Troy Herfoss (17) taking the 2024 Mission King Of The Baggers title in the season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park, September 27-29. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Who’s Ready For An All-Out War In Battle For Mission King Of The Baggers Supremacy?

Will It Be Harley’s Kyle Wyman Or Indian’s Troy Herfoss As The Title Chase Goes To The Wire At New Jersey Motorsports Park, September 27-29?

IRVINE, CA (September 25, 2024) – There’s nothing better than a championship fight going to the final round. In boxing and motorcycle racing. And that’s exactly what we have in the Mission King Of The Baggers series as rival heavyweights racing for rival manufacturers will go to the start line in race one at New Jersey Motorsports Park on Saturday separated by just two points. Can you say winner-take-all? Times two.

With the championship likely not to be clinched after the first of two races on Saturday at NJMP, we’re almost guaranteed that this brawl will go the distance – the full nine rounds and 18 races.

Harley-Davidson Factory Racing’s Kyle Wyman is atop the standings by those precious two points heading to what is his home track in Millville. Wyman has logged six wins on the year and 12 total podiums to S&S/Indian Motorcycle’s Troy Herfoss and his six wins and 13 total podiums.

The difference between the two is in the non-podium finishes. Wyman’s worst result is an eighth-place finish in race two at Brainerd International Raceway. Herfoss, meanwhile, crashed and remounted to finish 11th in race one at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Even though Wyman has a zillion laps around NJMP to Herfoss’ zero laps, the Australian has proven to be a quick study as his rookie season has been full of racetracks he’s never seen before. The fact that the notoriously bumpy NJMP has been resurfaced could help equalize things as local knowledge of the bumps is usually more important than knowledge of the grip. And the bumps are reportedly gone.

Wyman and Herfoss have owned the series as evidenced by their 100-point lead over defending series champion Hayden Gillim and his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. Gillim has three race wins on his scorecard, but “only” five total podiums. The Kentuckian would like nothing better than to insert himself into the battle and come away with a win or two in the finale.

Tyler O’Hara is 15 points behind Gillim and could prove to be a factor in helping his teammate Herfoss win the title, though the same could be said for Wyman’s teammate James Rispoli, who sits sixth and just four points behind Gillim’s teammate Rocco Landers, who rides the momentum of winning his first-career Mission King Of The Baggers race at COTA two weeks ago.

In winning race one at COTA, Landers became the fourth different winner in the class, joining Wyman (six wins), Herfoss (six wins), and Gillim (3 wins). The win was 19-year-old Landers’ 53rd MotoAmerica victory and he’s now won races in four different classes – Mission King Of The Baggers, Supersport, BellissiMoto Twins Cup, and Junior Cup.

Supersport – Scholtz On The Verge

Strack Racing’s Mathew Scholtz hasn’t won the number-one plate in the Supersport Championship yet, but he’s got a firm grasp on it as he heads to NJMP with a 39-point advantage over Rahal Ducati Moto’s PJ Jacobsen, who will need to keep that total under 25 points in race one or his shot at the title will be gone before the lights go out in race two.

Scholtz has gotten this far via eight wins and 14 total podiums in 16 races. Jacobsen is in the fight because of his six wins and 12 total podiums. The difference is in the crashes. Scholtz crashed out of race one at Circuit of The Americas two weeks ago and that was his only blunder. Jacobsen has crashed out of two races, the first he got an assist from Scholtz, the second was in race two at COTA with no one to blame but himself.

So here we are. The pair that controlled the championship from day one goes into the final round separated by 39 points. One is in a comfortable position, the other needs a miracle.

The battle for third in the title chase is a close one with Altus Motorsports’ Jake Lewis leading N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto’s Blake Davis by 12 points with Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott a further eight points adrift.

Lewis and Scott each have a victory this season with Davis yet to win a Supersport race. Lewis got to where he is with consistency that has seen him score points in every single round. No one else in the top 10 can make that claim.

The second season of the revised Supersport “Next Generation” rules continues to show parity as four different manufacturers are in the top 10 in the championship and three of those – Yamaha, Ducati and Suzuki – have won races.

Stock 1000 – Gillim Vs. Uribe

There hasn’t been a Stock 1000 race since July 12 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. In the meantime, Real Steel Motorsports’ Hayden Gillim has been racing to try and defend his Mission King Of The Baggers Championship while racing his Honda CBR1000RR-R SP in select Superbike races. Heck, he’s even suffered an injured hand that required surgery in the time since he last did battle in Stock 1000.

Gillim will go up against OrangeCat Racing’s Jayson Uribe in the series finale with the two just seven points apart. Unless Uribe has been club racing since July, he hasn’t even laid eyes on his BMW M 1000 RR in almost four months.

Those two have won all the races bar one with Jones Honda’s Ashton Yates winning race two at Laguna Seca. Hayden leads the way with five wins to Uribe’s two victories. Gillim, however, crashed out of race two at Brainerd International Raceway and that’s how Uribe, who has scored points in every race, is this close.

Yates is third, 39 points behind Gillim and eight points clear of FLO4LAW Racing’s Benjamin Smith with BPR Racing’s Bryce Prince just six points adrift of Smith.

Junior Cup – The Last Dance

Sunday’s race two of the Junior Cup class will mark the end of the series as the MotoAmerica Talent Cup takes over in 2025.

That means that Matthew Chapin will be the last Junior Cup Champion as the BARTCON Racing-backed rider from Maryland wrapped up the title at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in August.

Chapin will start the series finale as the favorite, based on his six wins in 10 starts and an unbeatable 62-point lead over his nearest competition, New York Safety Track Racing’s Yandel Medina.

Speed Demon Racing’s Logan Gunnison sits third in the title chase headed to NJMP, 19 points behind Medina and 19 ahead of Fernandez Racing’s Jayden Fernandez. The only real championship battle is the one for fourth with Fernandez, BARTCON Racing’s Eli Block, Wolfe Racing’s Ryan Wolfe, BPM’s Isaac Woodworth, Karns Performance Racing’s Levin Badie and Bad Boys Racing’s Ella Dreher all separated by just 14 points.

Pre-NJMP Support Class Notes…

Tyler Scott and Josh Hayes split wins in the Supersport class at New Jersey Motorsports Park in last year’s season finale. Scott topped Anthony Mazziotto and Kayla Yaakov in race one with Hayes beating Mazziotto and Jake Lewis in race two.

Fortunately for Xavi Forés, the Spaniard had already wrapped up the Supersport Championship by the time the series got to NJMP. In the two races, Forés scored just seven points. Left without a ride for 2024, Forés has been filling in for injured riders. This weekend in New Jersey, he will be riding the injured Jake Gagne’s Attack Performance/Progressive/Yamaha Racing YZF-R1 in the Steel Commander Superbike races.

Last year’s Mission King Of The Baggers finale at NJMP was a drama-filled couple of races with Hayden Gillim coming out of it all with the series championship via his first- and second-place finishes. Gillim won race one over James Rispoli and Travis Wyman with Kyle Wyman taking victory in race two over Gillim and Max Flinders. Kyle Wyman lost any hope of the title when he crashed his Harley-Davidson on the warm-up lap prior to the start of Saturday’s race one.

Avery Dreher was another who was fortunate to not need the points from the series finale to earn him the Junior Cup Championship. Dreher had a miserable weekend and scored just a single point, but he’d already wrapped up the title. Eli Block won both races, besting Jayden Fernandez and Logan Monk in race one before topping Levin Badie and Yandel Medina in race two.

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, Junior Cup, 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 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+

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Rahal Ducati Moto:

NEW JERSEY MOTORSPORTS PARK PREVIEW 
 
 

MILLVILLE, NJ (9.26.2024) – The Rahal Ducati Moto team has traveled to the New Jersey Motorsports Park for the final round of competition for the MotoAmerica Supersport championship, the home track for all three riders. 

PJ Jacobsen comes into the weekend optimistic in his ability to recover some valuable points after a crash on the final lap of Race 2 at COTA resulting in the 31-year-old collecting zero points for the round. He currently sits 39 points behind the championship leader, Mathew Scholtz. 

Corey Alexander is eager to continue his momentum after a strong weekend at Circuit of The Americas, and Kayla Yaakov looks to wrap up a successful rookie season as the only female in the Supersport class with a podium finish.

Tomorrow’s schedule will host Practice and Qualifying 1, with Qualifying 2 and Race 1 on Saturday, followed by a warm-up and Race 2 on Sunday. Keep up with the action by following the team on social media using the handle @rahalducatimoto.

QUOTE BOARD:

PJ JACOBSEN (No. 15 XPEL Ducati Panigale V2): “I’m going into New Jersey, the final race of the year, super happy with my team and how we’ve done this season. We did great things this year, made some mistakes, but we’ve learned a lot in our first season. We’re still battling for the championship – anything is possible. I’m looking forward to seeing the crowd in New Jersey and racing at my home track. Getting two wins for XPEL and the RDM team is our focus!”

COREY ALEXANDER (No. 23 Roller Die + Forming Ducati Panigale V2): “Finishing the year off at what is basically my home track is always exciting. This year especially, I feel like I’ve got some good momentum coming into the weekend and I’m excited to see what we can do after some strong finishes at COTA. The season flew by and I’m sad it’s already over, but I’m looking forward to building with the whole RDM team throughout the offseason.”

KAYLA YAAKOV (No. 19 XPEL Ducati Panigale V2): “I’m super excited for the season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park! While it’s not in Pennsylvania, I consider it to be my home track, so that gives me a little extra motivation for the weekend. I’d love to end the year on a high note, and I hope to keep getting closer to the front. We made great progress in Race 2 at COTA, so I hope to carry that momentum in New Jersey.”

BEN SPIES (Team Principal): “We’re looking forward to going to New Jersey. Circuit of The Americas was a little bit rough for us, but not horrible. We just need to bounce back and try and close out the last two races of the year with a couple wins. We’ll enjoy the last race weekend of the year with the Rahal Ducati Moto squad and get all three riders up on the podium. Then, it’s full-steam ahead preparing for next season.”

WorldSBK: Rea Returning To Action At Aragon

Jonathan Rea (65). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Jonathan Rea (65). Photo courtesy Dorna.

Rea Returns from Injury for Aragon WorldSBK

Pata Prometeon Yamaha welcomes back Jonathan Rea to the team for the upcoming Aragon WorldSBK round from 27-29 September, as the Northern Irish rider returns from injury to pilot his #65 Yamaha R1 WorldSBK.

Rea was forced to withdraw from the Magny-Cours event in France two weeks ago with a deep laceration to his right-hand thumb, and underwent emergency in Clermont-Ferrand that Saturday evening to repair tendon damage and prepare a skin graft to the injury. He has since focused on recovery at home, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions and physiotherapy to assist healing.

Aragon is the circuit at which Rea has scored his highest number of podiums – 26 – an all-time WorldSBK record and nine wins, despite only starting from pole four times.

The six-time FIM WorldSBK Champion will be officially reviewed by the FIM WorldSBK Medical Director on Thursday, but is confident in his return to the premier class this weekend.

 

Jonathan Rea

“It’s been a tough couple of weeks at home working on my recovery, and I’ve done everything possible to be in a position to return to my R1 and the team at the earliest possible time. I’m not 100% recovered but I feel ready to come back, even if I’m still working with my physio to improve the mobility of my thumb. The injury to the tendon was the biggest issue, which was repaired by my surgeon in France, and the top of the thumb is healing quite well after the skin graft. It’s step-by-step, it was always my target to be back for Aragon, but I’m disappointed to have missed Cremona because it was the first race I’ve missed through injury since 2013. Huge thanks to Pata Prometeon Yamaha, the team and crew, all the team’s partners and my personal sponsors for standing by us in this tough period. Whatever my fitness level, I’m looking forward to Aragon – it’s a track that I enjoy and I’ve had success at in the past. It’s been resurfaced, so we will have to understand the tyre performance and consumption, and work towards the best set-up for the race. Yamaha has also launched the 2025 model R1 which has some updates – so on Friday morning, I will get to try the new aero package and most of all, I’m looking forward to getting back to my racing family. Even being away for one race is really tough, and as much as I was happy for Nico to replace me, not being there is difficult. We’re all working to come back stronger, and we’ll give it everything we can!”

MotoAmerica: REV’IT! Sponsoring 2025 Talent Cup

Krämer test rider Finn Chapman onboard the Krämer APX-350 MA prototype at the Circuit of The Americas, wearing a REV'IT! suit and gloves. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Krämer Motorcycles.
Krämer test rider Finn Chapman onboard the Krämer APX-350 MA prototype at the Circuit of The Americas. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Krämer Motorcycles.

Krämer Motorcycles USA Partners with REV’IT! for the MotoAmerica Talent Cup

WEST FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA – September 24, 2024 – Krämer Motorcycles USA is excited to announce a technical partnership with REV’IT! for the new MotoAmerica Talent Cup.

The partnership sees REV’IT! supporting Krämer Motorcycles USA’s development of the Krämer APX-350 MA motorcycle, and also providing MotoAmerica Talent Cup riders with special discounts and offers on REV’IT! racing gear during the 2025 season.

“REV’IT! is proud to be a technical partner with Krämer Motorcycles USA for the inaugural Talent Cup season and to return to the MotoAmerica paddock with our trackside support staff,” said Paolo Bacchiarello, President of REV’IT Sport USA. “We will be supporting the Talent Cup riders with our REV’IT! TAILORTECH quality, innovation, and meticulous craftsmanship. Together, REV’IT! and Krämer Motorcycles aim to elevate the riding experience by delivering unparalleled engineering excellence.”

The first benefit for future Talent Cup riders will come this weekend at the MotoAmerica round at New Jersey Motorsports Park, where all riders in the MotoAmerica paddock are welcomed and encouraged to get a free measurement for a custom-made REV’IT! TAILORTECH racing suit.

Riders participating in the 2025 MotoAmerica Talent Cup season will receive a 20% discount on any custom REV’IT! TAILORTECH suit purchase, and they will also benefit from the trackside support that REV’IT! will offer throughout the 2025 season.

The measuring event will take place during the following times at the Krämer/REV’IT! paddock space at New Jersey Motorsports Park:

Date

Time

Friday, September 27, 2024

9am – 5pm

Saturday, September 28, 2024

9am – 5pm

Sunday, September 29, 2024

9am – 5pm

 

MotoAmerica Talent Cup riders who race in REV’IT! suits will also be eligible for a $5,000 contingency program from REV’IT! that will run during the 2025 season, which will culminate with the opportunity to earn a factory contract with the brand, with more details on these offers being released in the coming weeks.

“The MotoAmerica Talent Cup is all about investing early in the careers of our fastest young racers, by providing them with purpose-built racing motorcycles and a clear ‘Road to MotoGP’ pathway,” said Jensen Beeler, CEO of Krämer Motorcycles USA. 

“This means that we also have to protect that investment by giving Talent Cup racers the best riding gear available on the market, with the latest technology. Therefore, having the support of REV’IT! in the Talent Cup is critical to the success of this program, and helps ensure that these young racers stay healthy and have long successful careers, which is a core goal of Krämer Motorcycles.”

About Krämer Motorcycles USA: Krämer Motorcycles USA imports purpose-built track-only road racing motorcycles into North America for motorcycle racers and track day enthusiasts. More information is available at kramermotorcyclesusa.com.

About REV’IT! Sport USA: REV’IT makes premium motorcycle gear for street, adventure, and racing riders. The REV’IT TAILORTECH line of custom racing suits are made-to-measure and airbag-ready for maximum comfort and protection. 

About REV’IT! TAILORTECH: REV’IT! TAILORTECH is the embodiment of Italian craftsmanship – fused with modern technology, created to meet the diverse needs of the rider of today. Our mission is to deliver personalized performance—gear that’s tailored to each rider’s exact specifications, offering both unrivaled comfort and advanced safety features like Tech-Air® airbag systems. Whether for professional racers at MotoGP, World SuperBike and MotoAmerica level, or passionate enthusiasts, REV’IT! TAILORTECH is committed to enhancing every ride with bespoke solutions that reflect the unique demands of every rider.

About The MotoAmerica Talent Cup: The new MotoAmerica Talent Cup is a development series for fast and upcoming young riders, who are 14 to 21 years of age. All competitors will use the purpose-built Krämer APX-350 MA race motorcycles. The new Talent Cup will be a part of the “Road To MotoGP” program, with the top-five finishers getting invitations to try out for the prestigious Red Bull Rookies Cup.

Recent Birth: Avery Dane West

Avery Dane West. Photo courtesy Cory West and Patricia Fernandez-West.
Avery Dane West. Photo courtesy Cory West and Patricia Fernandez-West.

2024 MotoAmerica RSD Mission Super Hooligan Champion Cory West and his wife, Team Saddlemen Manager and racer Patricia Fernandez-West had a son, Avery Dane West, today in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Cory West says he will be racing his Team Saddlemen Harley-Davidson Road Glide in MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers this coming weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park, according to the Team Manager’s orders.

MotoGP: Flyaway Rounds Begin This Coming Weekend In Indonesia

The start of the MotoGP Tissot Sprint race at Mandalika International Street Circuit in 2023. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The start of the MotoGP Tissot Sprint race at Mandalika International Street Circuit in 2023. Photo courtesy Dorna.

All on the line in Lombok: more twists and turns await MotoGP™ at Mandalika 

In the aftermath of a dramatic Emilia-Romagna GP, we’re heading for Indonesia and a whole new challenge – with the title fight finely poised 

Tuesday, 24 September 2024

There’s no time to catch your breath as we head from Misano to Lombok and the very different Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit, with 24 points in it at the top and plenty more on offer. Indonesia loves MotoGP™ and they’re about to get a show, with controversial moves, swinging momentum and plenty more already having proved the calling card of the last few rounds. So here we go!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) now has that 24-point cushion at the top, and that part of the result on Sunday – the positive – may have more time to sink in on the journey to Lombok. He may have lost the race and in a way he thought was over the line, but his blunder in the flag-to-flag in the previous event has been nearly erased in the standings as reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) made his own error at Misano this time round. It could be a fascinating one at Mandalika, which already has some pivotal history for both etched into its memory: last year, Martin took the points lead on Saturday and then crashed out on Sunday, just as a Bagnaia under pressure made a historic charge to the win from P13 on the grid. The duo will doubtless be protagonists this weekend.

Then there’s Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). One man’s perpetrator of that “over-the-line” move is another man’s last lap hero. He’s got less experience at full fitness at Mandalika so he’ll want to catch up quick, but Misano – even knowing his 100% MotoGP™ podium record at the venue – again proved that a better qualifying for the ‘Beast’ nearly always guarantees he’ll be a serious thread come Sunday, and/or before. Can he keep the momentum going a little stronger than he did after his double at Silverstone?

In the ever-changing scuffle over third overall, meanwhile, Bastianini has pulled back ahead of Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) but by one single point. Marquez took another podium to follow up two wins on the bounce with some consistent form, but he’ll want more pure pace this time out rather than a luck of the draw. He’s not won here – yet? – and like Bastianini, has less experience of the venue at full fitness. And, of course, none on a Ducati.

THE CHASE IS ON

Meanwhile, the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team duo head from their home turf to that of Pertamina this weekend – no pressure. Fabio Di Giannantonio remains just ahead in the standings despite his injury struggles, sizeable crash in Emilia-Romagna, and then tyre pressure AND Long Lap penalties, so the goal will be clear for him: just a little less drama. Marco Bezzecchi, meanwhile, is closing in and now right behind Diggia as he builds a solid run of speed and results, including a front row for San Marino and a top four in the GP last time out. How will they shuffle in Indonesia?

Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) had a tougher second outing at Misano – having been right up there first time round and taken his first Sprint podium – so moving back forward will be the aim. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) will be hoping for more at a fresh track, in his case. After fighting for the podium at Aragon, it didn’t seem to click at Misano – but he will have the added challenge of only having taken taken part in one session at Mandalika in 2023 as he withdrew to recover from an earlier crash.

MORE MORE MORE

At KTM and GASGAS, Misano teased more than it ultimately delivered. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) qualified fourth for Emilia-Romagna and took a solid result in the Sprint, but behind rookie Pedro Acosta at Red Bull GASGAS Tech3. Then on Sunday, both ended up crashing out from pretty solid top fives, if not a chance at better, so they’ll want to try and bounce back. Teammates next year, the two are already playing some cat and mouse in the standings, and in who’s got what once the lights go out. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had a tougher time on pace but took points, and now his future is revealed he’ll want to settle into a rhythm to push forward as we head for the flyaways. Augusto Fernandez at Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 is the same for the latter but we await confirmation on the former as rumours continue to hint at a new role with a new factory.

For Aprilia, the tougher run continued somewhat last time out, but it was a definite uptick as Maverick Viñales took sixth and teammate Aleix Espargaro eighth. Miguel Oliveira has been in their postcode too, with his Trackhouse Racing teammate Raul Fernandez now the rider looking to figure out a step forward. Last season Viñales put Aprilia on the podium in second so the Noale factory will hope that previous form has a say in our return in 2024. Oliveira, having taken the first ever MotoGP™ win at the venue in 2022, will hope the same.

ON THE UP

At Yamaha, there’s been plenty to celebrate for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) across the two events at Misano as he made it into back-to-back Q2s for the first time this season. He then took two sevenths in the GP races – equalling his and Yamaha’s best result of the season so far from Portugal. Heartbreakingly in Emilia-Romagna though, it was set to be fifth before he seemingly ran out of fuel. That would have also made Yamaha the second factory home on Sunday. He’s the only rider to never been off the podium at Mandalika and took his most recent podium at the venue in 2023. His most recent pole was also here, in 2022.

Teammate Alex Rins, meanwhile, was sidelined last time out through illness so he’ll want to attack for points as he returns. It will be interesting to watch Yamaha take on a venue with particular conditions and where they’ve not had lots of recent track time – but neither have their rivals. Quartararo’s form of late promises any small weakness from the rest will be exploited.

Honda also had some key positives from Emilia-Romagna. After both Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) and home hero teammate Luca Marini were forced to sit out the San Marino GP, take two was especially notable. Mir took P11, equalling Honda’s best result this season so far taken by Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) in Aragon, and Marini wasn’t far off him in twelfth. Flashes of progress have shown throughout, with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) also having taken Honda straight into Q2 not long ago, and they’ll want to double down. Like Yamaha, it will be interesting to see where they shuffle in as track time and experience at the venue drop from testing and two race weekends to a return to Mandalika.

Indonesia’s passion for MotoGP™ is legendary and we’ll feel it again as early as Wednesday as many on the grid head to Mataram for a fan parade through the city. Then it’s back in business for another stunning weekend as the title fight teases even more drama on turf that’s hosted plenty of it before.

SHOWTIME

Saturday

Tissot Sprint: 15:00 (UTC +8)

Sunday

Grand Prix: 15:00 (UTC +8)

 
What’s happening at the #IndonesianGP?

The excitement for our return to Lombok gets in gear on Wednesday afternoon as a special Riders Parade will take place at 16:00 local time (UTC +8) in Mataram. Starting from Sangkareang Park, 12 MotoGP™ stars including Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team duo of Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio, plus home hero Mario Aji (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia), will head through the streets of Mataram City on an open top bus, ending at Udaya Park. The event will bring the stars of the show to the heart of our Indonesian fanbase, acting as the perfect warm-up act for the rest of the weekend.

On Thursday, the Press Conferences are 1h30 later than standard. The first is at 17:30 local time with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), before Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and teammate Marco Bezzecchi are joined by Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) at 18:05.

 
Moto2™: can Ogura’s title chase momentum be halted in Indonesia?

A Moto2™ belter played out at the Emilia-Romagna GP as three different riders led on the final lap. The one who was in front when it mattered most was Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) as the Italian picked Aron Canet’s Fantic Racing-shaped pocket by 0.027s, as we saw Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) throw away a golden victory ticket after a mistake at Turn 14.

The trio treated us to a phenomenal battle, and it was a pair of results that kept Vietti and Canet in with an outside shout at still challenging for the title. For Arbolino, that’s three podiums in the last three races as the 2023 runner-up finds form heading into the closing stages of the campaign.

Touching back on the Championship, following a P4 at Misano, Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) has taken charge of the 2024 chase. 22 points is the gap the Japanese rider holds heading to Indonesia after teammate Sergio Garcia crashed, while his three other closest pre-race rivals – Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing), Alonso Lopez (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) and Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) – all failed to beat the #79. In Dixon’s case, he too suffered a DNF – his first non-score since the French GP.

A repeat of their 2023 Indonesian GP podiums for Aldeguer and Canet will go down a treat this weekend, as we head to Asia with the Moto2™ title race still wide open. The momentum pendulum sits in Ogura’s camp, but will that change this weekend?

 
Moto3™: can the chasers respond or will Alonso continue his 2024 surge?

After going two races without standing on the podium, David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) returned to the top step at the Emilia-Romagna GP to win for the eighth time in 2024. The gap at the top heading to Lombok? A whopping 82 points. Positions in the Championship don’t get much stronger with six rounds to go, so it’s now or never for the chasers at the circuit Alonso finished P2 at in 2023.

The first of those hunters is Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), who will be hungry for a rostrum return after track limits caught the Spaniard out on the last lap. It was a small error that cost Holgado a podium – and promoted Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) to P3 behind the incredibly impressive rookie, Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing). 

The Dutch star is just one point further back in the overall standings after picking up his seventh podium of the season, but for Holgado, Veijer and fifth place Emilia-Romagna GP finisher Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI), it’s all about taking as many points off Alonso as possible before it’s too late. 

WorldSBK: Championship Continues This Coming Weekend At Aragon

A World Superbike race start at MotorLand Aragon in 2023. Photo courtesy Dorna.
A World Superbike race start at MotorLand Aragon in 2023. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Tight championship battle: Razgatlioglu’s lead under threat ahead of the Tissot Aragon Round

What to look out for in Aragon

Championship Standings

Despite missing the last six races, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) still leads the standings with 365 points. However, his comfortable margin has been cut to just 13 points following Nicolo Bulega’s (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) performance at the Italian Round.

Razgatlioglu’s participation in the upcoming Tissot Aragon Round remains uncertain and will depend on his medical condition. Further updates will be provided closer to the event.

Meanwhile, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) holds onto third place in the standings after securing two podium finishes in Italy, despite his injury. His lead over Kawasaki’s Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) has grown to 28 points.

Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), the top Independent rider, is now just three points behind Alex Lowes, following his hat-trick of wins in Cremona. With a commanding 101-point lead in the Independent Riders’ standings and 186 points still available before the round, Petrucci can secure the title in Aragon Race 2 if he outscores Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) by 24 points over the entire round.

Historical Performance

Alvaro Bautista has triumphed in the last two races at Aragon, bringing his total victories at the Spanish track to seven.

Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) secured his most recent WorldSBK win at Aragon last year.

British riders Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha), returning from injury, and Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) have also tasted success at this venue, with Rea, a six-time WorldSBK Champion, boasting an impressive nine wins.

Notably, Toprak Razgatlioglu has yet to claim a victory at Aragon in WorldSBK.

Notable Performances and Records

Danilo Petrucci joined an elite group of riders by securing a hat-trick of victories at the Italian Round, placing himself alongside World Champions Alvaro Bautista, Jonathan Rea, and Toprak Razgatlioglu. Incredibly, these were Petrucci’s first-ever WorldSBK race wins, making his achievement all the more remarkable.

With three consecutive victories under his belt, Petrucci is now poised to make history—if he wins Race 1 in Aragon, he will become only the second rider to follow up his first WorldSBK win with three more in succession, a feat last achieved by Alvaro Bautista with his record 11 consecutive wins at the start of 2019.

Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) is set to reach a significant milestone, as his next start will make him the 71st rider in WorldSBK history to compete in at least 100 races.

MotoAmerica: Herrin Holds Superbike Point Lead Heading Into Finale (Updated)

Josh Herrin (2) will likely wrap up the 2024 MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike Championship at New Jersey Motorsports Park, September 27-29, but the likes of Sean Dylan Kelly (40) and Cameron Beaubier (6) will make him earn it. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Josh Herrin (2) will likely wrap up the 2024 MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike Championship at New Jersey Motorsports Park, September 27-29, but the likes of Sean Dylan Kelly (40) and Cameron Beaubier (6) will make him earn it. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Herrin And Ducati Closing In On MotoAmerica Superbike Title As The Finale Beckons In New Jersey

Josh Herrin Has A Big Points Lead As He Tries To Win AMA Superbike Title #2 At NJMP, September 27-29

IRVINE, CA (September 24, 2024) – If all goes according to plan for the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team in the MotoAmerica series finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park, September 27-29, Josh Herrin will win his second AMA Superbike Championship – 11 years after winning his first – and Ducati will win its third AMA Superbike title as a manufacturer – 30 years after its last.

And all that will add up to an historic and memorable season for those wearing red.

But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, there are still two races remaining in the Steel Commander Superbike Championship chase and it’s not over until it is.

Herrin heads to the Garden State with a whopping 46-point lead in the Steel Commander Superbike Championship. If he finishes race one at NJMP with a lead of 25 points or more, the title will be his. If that doesn’t happen in race one, he has it to do all over again in race two. Unless he somehow trips over himself, the title will be Herrin’s and he will join MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey, four-time World Champion Eddie Lawson and the late Wes Cooley as two-time winners of the title. Twenty-two different riders have won AMA Superbike Championships in the 48 years of the series.

One thing that’s certain, Herrin won’t be tiptoeing around in eighth or ninth place to win this championship. He’ll fight at the front, much like he did two weeks earlier at Circuit of The Americas, and that’s going to make it entertaining for those of us who get to sit back and watch.

Herrin got to the comfortable position he’s in by winning five races and finishing on the podium in seven races that he didn’t win. He was off the podium a total of six times in 18 races. He also took full advantage of the races his title rival Cameron Beaubier was forced to miss due to injury, winning race two at Road Atlanta and finishing second twice at Brainerd International Raceway in Beaubier’s absence. He also didn’t allow himself to give up early in the season when he had just one podium finish in the first three rounds (six races) with Beaubier winning three of those. Herrin plugged away and it all came together with four wins in the final eight races with the other four resulting in podium finishes.

The bottom line: Herrin had a really good season and even his rivals will tell you that he deserves the championship.

Beaubier, meanwhile, can only think back with a big “what-if.” Lots of the top men crashed out of Superbike race one at Road America in the pouring rain, but only Beaubier suffered injury. His broken heel required surgery with a screw going up through the bottom of his foot to hold things in place. He missed three races, came back a bit too early at Ridge Motorsports Park, but then finished with a flurry of three wins, three seconds and a third on his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR. But it likely won’t be enough.

If it’s any consolation (and it’s not), Beaubier is on tap to finish second in the championship as he leads Wrench Motorcycles’ Bobby Fong by 41 points heading to NJMP.

Fong’s early and mid-season were strong, highlighted by his two victories at Brainerd International Raceway, but things have gone sour of late, and Fong hasn’t been on the podium since race two at Ridge Motorsports Park at the end of June. Case in point: Fong scored 21 points in the three races at COTA while Beaubier earned 70 points to take over the runner-up spot in the points chase.

Fong will need two strong races at NJMP to hold off EasyHealthPlans.com/TopPro Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly for third in the championship with Kelly coming off his career-best weekend of racing with his first-ever MotoAmerica Superbike win coming in race two at COTA. The Floridian is only five points behind Fong.

Surprisingly, you have to go back to fifth and sixth before you find any Attack Performance/Progressive/Yamaha Racing YZF-R1s with Cameron Petersen and Jake Gagne in those spots heading into the finale. Even though there has been a myriad of struggles of late, this is still Petersen’s best season of Superbike racing as he does have a career high of three wins on the year.

Three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne has had a season of disappointments with arm-pump issues basically ruining his year. He somehow soldiered on through most of the season before finally calling it quits the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course round. At COTA, Xavi Forés filled in for Gagne, and the Spaniard will do the same at NJMP.

Gagne is in a tie for sixth with Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Loris Baz so the Frenchman will surely move up with a chance to also catch Petersen. Baz has two podiums on the season and is still chasing a first-career MotoAmerica Superbike victory.

Beaubier’s teammate JD Beach will likely finish where he is now – eighth in the championship – in his first season back in MotoAmerica and his first season on the team and its BMW M1000 RR. Beach is coming off a strong weekend at COTA with two fourth-place finishes and a fifth.

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Brandon Paasch will also likely wrap up his season in ninth in the championship, 29 points ahead of what promises to be a real battle in the season finale for 10th and the MotoAmerica Superbike Cup title which pays the winner $25,000.

Jones Honda’s Ashton Yates and Team Brazil’s Danilo Lewis are just four points apart in the fight for 10th in the Superbike standings, but Lewis holds a 10-point lead over Yates in the battle for the money and the Superbike Cup title. Yates has put on a charge with five Superbike Cup wins in a row heading into NJMP.

Pre-NJMP Notes…

Unless he somehow trips over himself, Josh Herrin will join MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey, four-time World Champion Eddie Lawson and the late Wes Cooley as two-time winners of the title. Twenty-two different riders have won AMA Superbike Championships in the 48 years of the series.

The man who owns the most AMA Superbike titles is Mat Mladin with seven and the Australian will be on hand at New Jersey Motorsports Park as MotoAmerica’s Grand Marshal. Coincidentally, Mladin had his last race 15 years ago… at NJMP.

The active MotoAmerica rider with the most AMA Superbike titles is Cameron Beaubier with five championships. With his two wins at COTA two weeks ago, Beaubier now has 65 career AMA Superbike wins, which puts him second and 17 victories behind Mladin’s leading 82 wins.

Jake Gagne was already crowned as the 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike Champion when the series rolled into NJMP for the finale a season ago. Gagne went out and won the first race on Saturday in the rain for his 40th career AMA Superbike victory. and rode to a cautious fourth in the wet race two. Gagne beat JD Beach and Corey Alexander in race one with Beach winning race two over PJ Jacobsen and Alexander.

PJ Jacobsen earned pole position for the two Steel Commander Superbike races last year with his lap of 1:20.647. Jake Gagne and Mathew Scholtz rounded out the front row. The lap record is a 1:19.806, which is held by Cameron Beaubier and dates back to 2020.

With NJMP getting a complete repave in the off-season, lap records will likely be scorched this coming weekend.

With his win at COTA, Sean Dylan Kelly became the third rider in the MotoAmerica era to win a Superbike race in his rookie season, joining Toni Elias (2016) and Danilo Petrucci (2022). Five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier also won in his rookie season of AMA Superbike racing in 2014, but that was pre-MotoAmerica.

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, Junior Cup, 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 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+

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Ducati:

Destiny beckons for Josh Herrin and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati as Herrin sets his eyes on the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship

Sunnyvale, Calif., September 25, 2024 — After eight rounds of white-knuckle racing, it all boils down to this as MotoAmerica descends on New Jersey Motorsports Park for the season-ending round over the September 27-29 weekend.

Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin sits in the box seat and heads into the round with a 46-point lead with two final races and 50 points to play for.

Herrin needs to finish race one with a 25-point advantage to second-placed Cameron Beaubier to be assured of the crown. Otherwise, he will still have race two to seal the title. Should Herrin wrap up the title, he will join American racing legends Eddie Lawson, Wes Cooley, and MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey as a two-time AMA Superbike Champion.

Herrin’s 2024 season has been one that’s gotten better and better as it wore on. A solitary top-three finish from the first three rounds was replaced with a flurry of podiums and five race wins in 18 races, setting himself up perfectly for his championship charge.

If Herrin wraps up the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, he will become the first Ducati rider since Troy Corser piloted a Fast by Ferracci Ducati 888 to the title in 1994.

As usual, Herrin will be backed up by his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati teammate, Loris Baz. Baz is in the hunt for a top-five finish in the championship and could end up as high as third if the cards fall his way in New Jersey.

New Jersey Motorsports Park is the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team’s home track, and it’s a venue Baz has ridden at many times, so don’t discount the flying Frenchman from possibly notching his first MotoAmerica career race victory.

Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#2)

“I’m really excited about this weekend but also a little nervous because there’s a lot on the line,” Herrin said. “We have a big points lead we’ve worked hard to get but even though we have that gap, the pressure is on.

“We’ve tested at New Jersey, so I’m not nervous about riding the track, and the bike’s been really good to me lately. It’s been working well the whole year, except at the beginning of the season with all the rain, which is still an area we need to improve.

“It should be dry this weekend, and we’re hoping to get the championship wrapped up on Saturday so we can go for a race win on Sunday, which I’d really like to end the year on. All the hard work has as paid off, so this weekend, we need to try to have fun on the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati V4 R.”

Loris Baz (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#76)

“I can’t believe it’s already the last race of the season!” Baz said. “I’m really looking forward to New Jersey. It’s the home round for the team and a place we’ve tested at, so we have a good setup for the V4 R.

“It’s a big weekend for the team—I want to end the season on a high note, a season that wasn’t exactly what I had hoped for personally but one where we’ve had some great results.

“I’m going to try my best as always and enjoy the atmosphere with Josh and the team.”

On track action for the ninth and final round of the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship will commence at 8:55 a.m. EDT on Friday, September 27 with Herrin and Baz taking to the track for Free Practice 1 at 10:10 a.m. EDT.

Race one will commence on Saturday, September 28, at 3:10 p.m. EDT, while the season-concluding race two will go green at 3:10 p.m. EDT on Sunday, September 29.

NEMRR: Champions Crowned At Season Finale

Eli Block (9) won the final NEMRR Dash for Cash of 2024. Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.
Eli Block (9) won the final NEMRR Dash for Cash of 2024. Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

The final event of the 2024 NEMRR season at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was a well-attended race with a great forecast, and lots of championships to be decided.  NEMRR has awarded double points for the final round of the season in recent years, and with only six events on the calendar nearly every championship was up for grabs. 

There was extra tension in the air on Saturday morning as the forecast took a turn and there was a possibility of rain throughout the day. Skies stayed clear throughout the morning practice sessions, and as racing commenced with the SuperStreet class the weather held off.

Randy Morrissette and his Kawasaki ZX-10R streetbike (Super Street is for track day riders to sample racing) continued his incredible Super Street season with a narrow victory over Paul Berger in the Unlimited Class, while Richard Tischofer scored a victory in the Lightweight division over Dominic Petillo. Like many other Super Street riders before him, Morrissette is excited to embark on the start of his official racing career in 2025 as he will be moving on from the Super Street class and making a bid for the NEMRR Rookie of the year in 2025.

 

Randy Morrissette (627). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.
Randy Morrissette (687). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

The NEMRR championship races started with the GT classes and featured some of the winningest riders in the series. In the GT500 class, Renee Franco capped off a superb season with a win in the GT500 class and secured her first of three championships for 2024.

The most decorated NEMRR rider of 2024, Brett Guyer, finished the GTL class undefeated and locked up the first of his six NEMRR championships – the most of any rider this season. Guyer, a veteran rider who has proven his abilities on machines across all displacements over the years, dominated the lightweight class ranks in 2024 on his Kramer GP790 machine. 

 

Brett Guyer (11). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.
Brett Guyer (11). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

 

In the GTU class, Sam Martin won his very first NEMRR championship in a hard-fought battle over Frenchman Geoffrey Bonnard. Martin won the final battle of the season and the two riders ended up tied in points, with Martin winning the tiebreaker by virtue of have won one more race than Bonnard over the course of the season! 

In the GTO ranks, Chris Arrighi was a long shot to win the title after missing round three, but his bid to win the championship was thwarted when he ran out of gas partway through the race (whoops). Eventual race winner Semir Fazlic, also a first-time champion, would have secured the title anyway as he had worked into second place – exactly where he needed to be in order to secure his title had Arrighi finished the race with the win.

Once the GT races concluded the rain began to creep in, and riders over the next few races were left to choose wet or dry tires – with many contests having riders who made a variety of choices.  Among those was Micheal Zoner, who rode his Kramer to his first of three 2024
championships in the Super Singles Class. Another multiple class champion, Ian Beam,  rode to both the race victory and the season title in the Heavyweight Supersport class as the rain began to come down. Beam had a banner season in 2024, rocketing his pair of Triumphs to titles in both Middleweight and Heavyweight divisions, including the NEMRR premier Seacoast Sport Cycle Middleweight GP class. 

 

Ian Beam (340). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.
Ian Beam (340). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

 

When the skies cleared on Sunday, the times dropped and two other riders put exclamation points on their 2024 seasons.  Veteran rider and Penguin Racing School owner Eric Wood secured four championship titles on his Ducati V2 in the Heavyweight and Unlimited divisions and capped off his weekend with the fastest laps of the weekend in the Heavyweight Superbike race on Sunday afternoon. 

 

Eric Wood (5). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.
Eric Wood (5). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

 

Another standout on Sunday was none other than series director John Grush. Ever the competitor, Grush accomplished his 2024 goal after having a frightening medical event at
an NEMRR event last season and undergoing a subsequent heart surgery, came back to record a perfect championship-winning season by winning all six rounds of the Formula 60 Lights class. Nathan Bettencourt also became the youngest-ever Expert-class champion at 14 years and 1 month as he secured the 2024 title in the Moto 3 class on his Honda NSF250.

The feature race of the weekend was held in fully wet conditions, but the action was red hot. The always fast-starting Geoffrey Bonnard, who enjoys riding in the wet, led Lap One but was soon overtaken by young gun Eli Block on Lap Two. Back in the pack was fellow star rider Ben Gloddy, who worked his way up to the second spot by the midway point of
the race. These two stars of NEMRR, both of whom are MotoAmerica race winners, ramped down the lap times all the way down into the torrid 1:19 range – times that were only seen once before at NHMS (at the 101st Loudon Classic). Gloddy made a valiant attempt to fully close the gap to Block, but in the end these two stars maintained the running order across the finish line, with veteran rider Justin Landry rounding out the podium in the final Dash for Cash of the 2024 season.

NEMRR is scheduled for six action-packed rounds in 2025, all at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.  The 102nd Loudon Classic is scheduled on June 13-15, and will have full details released with respect to classes and purse structure at a later date.

Moto2: Marc VDS Racing Keeping Salac, Dropping Kalex

Filip Salac (right) with Elf Marc VDS Racing Team Owner Marc Van Der Straten (left). Photo courtesy Marc VDS Racing Team.
Filip Salac (right) with Elf Marc VDS Racing Team Owner Marc Van Der Straten (left). Photo courtesy Marc VDS Racing Team.

Filip Salac extends Elf Marc VDS Racing Team deal for 2025

The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team is delighted to confirm its rider line-up for the 2025 Moto2 World Championship, with Filip Salac to partner Jake Dixon.

Salac joined the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team for the 2024 campaign, but a series of injuries have prevented him from performing at his best level.

The Czech star’s positive attitude and commitment to succeed is finally reaping rewards and after a first top 10 of the season in Austria recently, Salac rode to a superb season best seventh place in San Marino earlier this month.

The 22-year-old is now determined to continue his recent impressive upturn in form to move closer to the podium fight in the final seven rounds of 2024.

 

Filip Salac 

“The team believing in me gives me a lot of confidence”

“Firstly, I want to say a huge thanks to the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team and in particular Marc for giving me this opportunity to remain with this fantastic project in 2025. This year hasn’t turned out so far to be like any of us wanted and expected through a combination of some bad luck and some injuries. It has been a very tough time for me but I’m extremely thankful for all the support the team has given me. They still believe in me, and this has given me a lot of confidence, which has shown in the last three races.

As my confidence has grown then the results have been strong as well and I am now looking forward to a positive finish to the season as we build into 2025. Once again, thanks to Marc for trusting in me and I hope to be fighting at the front from the first race next season when we make the switch to the Boscoscuro chassis.”

Marc Van Der Straten

Team Owner

“We have confidence he will deliver the results we all want”

“It is true that results this season are far from what we wanted and what we know Filip can achieve. It has been a difficult season of adaptation aggravated by injuries. But I am convinced that Filip can make a comeback with the necessary support, and we will give it to him. We are looking forward to seeing him show his grit so he can fight for the top positions. We have confidence in him and I’m sure he’ll give his all to deliver the results we all want.”

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