On the Front Cover: With lockdown rules starting to relax, Cameron Beaubier distanced himself from everybody, sweeping both Superbike races at long-delayed, long-awaited Round #1 of the MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Championship at Road America, sans spectators. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
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In This Issue:
FEATURES
Inside Info: Aprilia & Ohvale Cooperate On A Spec Bike, & More
Quick Look: Kawasaki Z900 On Street, Track, And Dyno
Track Day Evaluation: Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa TD Tires
MotoGP Analysis: MotoGP’s Biggest Battle: V4 vs. I4
MotoGP Analysis: The Men Most Likely To Dethrone Marc Marquez?
Peaky Bikers: The Care and Feeding Of A 1952 Vincent Black Shadow, Part Four
Suzuki SV650 Racebike Project Reborn, Part Four
Shops: Fast Bike Industries
PROFESSIONAL RACING
MotoAmerica At Road America: Beaubier!
COLUMNS
Letters To The Editor
10 Years Ago: Elena Myers, First Woman To Win AMA Pro Sprint Road Race, in July 2010 Issue
Trivia & Numbers: MotoAmerica Superbike Lap Times At Road America, 2019-2020
Garrett Gerloff: Garrett Against The World
Back In The Day Editor’s Scrapbook: International Press Intros: Riding the $36,995 1999 MV Agusta F4 750 Serie Oro in Italy; Riding the 2001 Aprilia RSV Mille R in Spain
The Crash Page: Michael Gilbert, Ready For Lift-Off
New Products: GBRacing Front Brake Lever Guard; Woodcraft Race Handlebar Switches
Professional Services Directory: Racers Helping Racers
Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar
ASRA/CCS Newsletter
High-Performance Parts & Services Directory
Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: MotoAmerica Season Opener At Road America
Motorcycle track day and riding school operators are experiencing strong demand, as racetracks around the United States have begun to open, but they’re also experiencing challenges.
“It’s been really good,” Sarah Domingo, co-owner of California-based Let’s Ride Track Days, told Roadracingworld.com. “We’ve had lots of sellouts, very few cancellations, long waiting lists. Everyone has been very enthusiastic and very compliant with the extra health and safety measures we’ve asked them to follow. Everyone wears a facial covering when they’re not in their helmet and not in their own pit area. Yeah, it’s been really good.”
A participant and a control rider at a Let’s Ride Track Day event at Buttonwillow Raceway Park. Photo courtesy of Let’s Ride Track Days.
“We’ve done a few events, and it’s been interesting,” said Ken Hill, a partner with Track Time track days based in the Pacific Northwest. “We were sold out for the first event, and then the third and fourth events were 70-80% sold out, and our next events aren’t sold out yet but they’re pretty close.”
And that’s without a significant portion of Track Time’s market, Canadians, who currently cannot cross the border into Washington state due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
“I would say 40-50% of our business is Canadians, and the fact that the border is closed has hurt us,” said Hill. “But if you look at 40-50% of our business is Canadians and we’re 70-80% sold out, it’s actually not too bad. If you look at it that way we are getting more U.S.-based clients.”
Penguin Racing School’s Eric Wood (5) in action. Photo courtesy Penguin Racing School.
“As far as demand goes, there’s a huge pent-up demand to get on the racetrack and ride right now,” said Eric Wood, head instructor at Penguin Racing School, which operates in the northeastern U.S. “Our guys are anxious to ride and at the event that we put on recently [at Thompson Speedway, in Thompson, Connecticut] there was an overwhelming sense of we’re willing to do whatever it takes so we can get out there and ride. The guys and girls who do this truly love the sport. If that means they have to make a little sacrifice and stay separated a little bit and wear a mask from time to time that’s a sacrifice they are willing to make.
“We had a really successful day. We sold it out. We didn’t go crazy because for multiple different reasons I’d rather have 80 or 90 happy customers than 150 customers that are unhappy with the track conditions and the crowdedness and the inability to distance because we’ve got them packed in there like sardines.
“For our upcoming events we have coming up [at New Hampshire Motor Speedway] in New Hampshire, we’ve had to make a bunch of different plans. We’ve taken our usual classrooms and cut that class size to less than half, so we have at maximum 10-12 people inside the classroom.
“We’re going to do a lot more outdoor instruction. We’re going to do a lot more on-track kind of stuff, drills, and that type of thing. To be honest with you, the curriculum we came up with and the ideas that we tried during our last event went over really, really well.”
“Demand is strong,” said Chip Spalding, Business Development Manager for Yamaha Champions Riding School, a school that operates at several venues across the country. “People want to come out and ride. Like we’ve seen in other parts of the motorcycle industry, COVID has removed a lot of the other activities that people were doing and spending their money on that involved being around lots of people, so they’ve gravitated towards things [where] they didn’t have to spend a lot of time around people. So they bought motorcycles and did motorcycle stuff, which is great for the motorcycle industry.”
A scene from a Yamaha Champions Riding School pre-COVID-19. Photo courtesy Yamaha Champions Riding School.
But for California Superbike School, one of the oldest and largest motorcycle riding schools, which tours worldwide, the strong current demand may not be enough to make up for the loss of so many events earlier this year.
“Demand seems to be pretty good, but I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet,” said Dylan Code, lead instructor and son of California Superbike School founder Keith Code. “We have overhead. We have 23 paid staff at every event. We have two semi-trailers. We have permanent staff that work every day all year long. So, when we cancel an event or have someone drop out of a two-day camp it hurts. Then somebody says ‘I can’t go because I have COVID,’ what are you going to say? You just have to take it on the chin.”
A scene from a California Superbike School prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by etechphoto.com, courtesy California Superbike School.
Everyone we interviewed for this article talked about the challenge of constantly working with racetrack staff and monitoring ever-evolving local guidelines to develop health and safety plans for their events. And for those who run events at multiple venues, those challenges are multiplied.
All parties also mentioned that nearly all of their participants were more than willing to abide by health and social distancing requests in order to ride.
But Dustin Coyner, owner of California-based track day operator TrackDaz, offered a story of just how quickly things can turn bad if participants don’t take the health and safety protocols seriously.
“It seems like when people found out they could sign up and ride again it kind of opened the floodgates. It’s been insane, record attendance at every event with a waiting list, that kind of thing,” Coyner told Roadracingworld.com. “Then Laguna Seca shut us down at 3:00 p.m. last Friday [June 26].
“In the morning, they [Laguna Seca] had staff roaming the pits, and then they stopped patrolling because it seemed like everybody was being compliant and wearing their masks. They wanted everyone to wear masks even when they were alone in their own pit area.
“Then right before 3:00 p.m. I was talking to the track supervisor guy. I was like, ‘Hey, how’s everything going?’ And he’s like, ‘Oh, yeah. You guys are doing a good job. I’m roaming the pits. Everyone’s pretty much wearing a mask.’ I’m like, ‘OK, cool!’
“Then, I guess the big boss must have driven through and watched people putting their masks on as they saw him driving up and then in his rearview mirror he watched them take their masks back off. He got back to his office, was super pissed off, and cancelled our event. It’s some crazy shit. It was quite a shock to get the plug pulled on our event.
“We’re going back to Laguna in a couple of weeks, and we’re going to have [our own] mask nazi rolling through the pits going, ‘Dude, put your mask on!’ Either it’s that or, ‘Put your mask on or we’ll kick you out so we can keep riding.’”
TrackDaz track day participants in action at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Photo by CaliPhotography.com, courtesy TrackDaz.
Because it’s difficult to accurately predict what will happen with the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. or the efforts that will be taken to combat its spread by local, state, and federal authorities, it’s also difficult to predict what will happen in the motorcycle track day and riding school market. But for now, racetracks are reopening, demand for track time is strong, and participants for the most part are willing to abide by whatever measures are necessary to enjoy that track time.
Morbidelli is unique in the history of Grand Prix racing; it’s the only non-motorcycle company to win a Grand Prix race. In 1959 Giancarlo Morbidelli founded the Morbidelli Woodworking Machinery Company in Pesaro. An avid road racing enthusiast, Giancarlo became an entrant in 1968 with Luciano Mele riding a modified Benelli 60cc two-stroke to win the Junior Italian Championship.
Encouraged by this, Giancarlo decided to build his own 50cc machine with help from designer/rider Franco Ringhini. The following year Ringhini scored Morbidelli’s first World Championship points with sixth place at the East German GP! For 1970, Giancarlo had Ringhini design a Twin to contest the 125cc World Championship with Giberto Parlotti as rider …
—Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1975 Morbidelli 125, by Mick Ofield
Morbidelli followed a simple, effective route to racing success—build a proven design with the highest-quality components and materials available. It worked— the company’s 125cc Grand Prix machines utterly dominated the class at the world level for the last part of the 1970s. Read the story of these fascinating machines, designed (literally, sometimes) by racers and fueled by passion – it’s all in the latest issue of Roadracing World!
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“The Red Essence. In white”: new livery for the Ducati Panigale V2
The colour range of the Ducati Panigale V2 is extended with the new White Rosso livery, available in dealers from July 2020
The purity of Star White Silk white combines with the traditional Ducati Red colouring the rims, the front air intakes and the air deflectors of the upper half-fairings
Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia (Pramac Racing Team), riding the Panigale V2, is the protagonist of the photo-video shooting of the new livery at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 1 July 2020 – The colour range of the Panigale V2 is extended with the new White Rosso livery, which goes alongside the monochromatic Ducati Red livery with which the bike was presented last November.
The new White Rosso livery has Star White Silk as its main colour. The predominance of white enhances the design of the Panigale V2, highlighting the lines and the purity of the geometrical shapes. At the same time the details in Ducati Red emphasize its sporty and powerful character. The Ducati Red colours the rims, the front air intakes and the deflectors of the upper half-fairings. These last two red touches ideally accompany the path of the airflows inside the motorcycle, i.e. those that feed the engine and those that pass through the radiator.
A rear shot of a Ducati Panigale V2 in White Rosso livery. Photo courtesy Ducati.
This new livery is completed with an additional touch of sportiness thanks to the positioning on the lower half-fairings of the large Panigale V2 logo, inspired by the graphics of Ducati Corse motorcycles.
Testimonial of the Panigale V2 and protagonist of the photo and video shooting of the new livery is the rider of the Pramac Racing Team Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia. In fact, Pecco was able to enjoy a preview of the bike by testing it at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”.
“Since 2016, my personal motto has been #GoFree. For me it means living in a light-hearted and carefree way, having fun and giving priority to the things you love to do. I think the Panigale V2 fits well with this definition and reflects my way of being “, said Pecco Bagnaia after trying the Panigale V2. “The new livery, so white, is very beautiful and different from the usual. Despite being a street bike, it surprised me how much speed it can have when cornering. It is a fun, very stable and very sincere bike that allows you to go fast, safely, without becoming tired, while having a very strong and decisive character and personality.”
The Panigale V2, presented less than a year ago and capable of immediately conquering an enthusiastic public, is the super-mid of the Ducati sports bikes and represents the entry model to the Panigale family. It is powered by the 955 cc Superquadro twin-cylinder engine (compliant with Euro 5 standard) and has a maximum power of 155 hp at 10,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 104 Nm at 9,000 rpm. The power of the Panigale V2 allows to have fun on the track, delivering a motorcycle in the hands of the rider that never puts you in difficulty and can always be fully exploited. The delivery of the twin-cylinder is such that more than 70% of the maximum torque is constantly available beyond 5,500 rpm, allowing to get out of the corners quickly, even the slowest ones.
A Ducati Panigale V2 in White Rosso livery. Photo courtesy Ducati.
The chassis of the Panigale V2 is based on the monocoque frame and is dressed in an elegant and sporty design inspired by that of the Panigale V4. The fairing has extensive and clean surfaces that surround the mechanical components, enhancing the small size of the Superquadro twin-cylinder and creating a visually compact motorcycle.
The “family feeling” with the other Panigale models is also underlined by the single-sided swingarm, while the compact-sized single lateral exit exhaust, with under-engine silencer, emphasizes the clean lines of the Panigale V2.
The complete and modern electronic equipment, based on the 6-axis inertial platform, leaves no doubt about the sporting DNA of the bike. The electronic package, dedicated to active safety and vehicle dynamics control, includes the “cornering” functionality applied to the Bosch ABS, an electronic gearbox, with operation also in downshift and traction, engine braking and wheelie controls. All the controls are integrated into the three Riding Modes (Race, Sport and Street) that can be modified via the 4.3” TFT colour dashboard with graphics and interface designed to make menu navigation and setting adjustments intuitive, as well as the immediate identification of the selected Riding Mode.
The chassis has fully-adjustable suspension with a Showa Big Piston Fork (BPF) 43 mm in diameter and a Sachs shock absorber set up to make the bike intuitive, agile and fun; in addition, the specific calibration of the hydraulic brakes makes it comfortable for road use. Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II multi-compound tyres, which combine track performance with versatility on the road, also contribute to the dynamic qualities of the Panigale V2.
The ergonomics of the semi-handlebars and the rider seat offer a non-fatiguing position on the road and an efficient one on the track, thus allowing the rider to move freely.
The technical equipment is completed by a Sachs steering damper and by a Brembo braking system with M4.32 monobloc callipers activated by a radial brake master cylinder. The discs are 320 mm in diameter at the front with a single 245 mm disc at the rear. Braking is powerful, never excessively aggressive and always adjustable.
The Panigale V2 in White Rosso livery will be available in Ducati dealers from July 2020.
Following the commitment to providing a further update on hosting ASBK Round 2 at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on July 25-26; the ASBK Management Team has been monitoring the ongoing developments in Victoria with COVID-19 over the past 7 days and has continued to review the restrictions on state borders over this time.
The announcement by some State Premiers on 30 June, which resulted in further delays to border opening and additional lockdown restriction to targeted areas in metropolitan Melbourne effects many riders, teams and officials and places the ASBK Championship in a very difficult position for the planned July event.
As a result, the ASBK Management Team has made the tough decision to reschedule the Phillip Island round of ASBK to October 2-4. This will now result in a delay to the restart of the 2020 ASBK Championship until August.
ASBK is pleased to announce that the 2020 ASBK Championship will again return to sunny Warwick, Queensland and Morgan Park Raceway on August 21-23. This August event is now scheduled as the restart of the 2020 ASBK Championship. ASBK Management wishes to express our thanks to the Motorcycle Sportsmen of QLD for their support of this August round.
ASBK Sporting Director, Simon Maas, said: “the ASBK Management Team does not take these decisions easily, but we feel the best decision for the health, safety and success of the ASBK Championship, is to adjust the calendar to ensure that everyone from the ASBK paddock can attend and that they are safe when at an ASBK event.
We have been very clear with the competitors and teams that the COVID-19 environment is ever changing, and flexibility will be required in 2020 whilst we live with these developments. We thank the competitors, teams and officials for their understanding and apologise for any inconvenience.’’
The remainder of the 2020 ASBK calendar will stay unchanged with visits to Winton Motor Raceway in September, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in early October, Wakefield Park Raceway in mid-October and the finale at The Bend Motorsport Park for the International MotoFest in November.
Spectator attendance for all ASBK rounds in 2020 remains under review from state to state, and ASBK is very keen to see the fans back trackside as soon as possible. All the action of ASBK will be captured on ASBK TV via SBS HD, Fox Sports Australia, Fox Sports Asia and all day ASBK Livestream thanks to the ASBK Production Partner – AVE & Motorsports TV.
MA CEO Peter Doyle said these are very difficult times and we deal with the many government requirements effecting our sport.
“These requirements are highly complex and ever-changing which creates many challenges for MA on a daily basis,” he said. “We are all adjusting to the constant developments to our plans which effect motorcycle sport at all levels, from club, state and of course the MA National Championships.
“In fact, they effect the wider motorsport community which includes cars, bikes and karting as we all seek dates and venues on short notice – we are all in this together. I am pleased that the ASBK Management Team have been able to find a strong solution to getting ASBK back on track and it will be a great 2020 ASBK Championship.
“I am also proud to see that a majority of the MA members have been understanding, patient and supportive during this difficult period. I look forward to seeing bikes back on track soon.”
Information and updates on the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul will be released in the coming weeks, so keep up to date with further announcements via – asbk.com.au and following ASBK on social media.
Australian Superbike Championship Updated 2020 Calendar as of 1 July 2020
ROUND 1 – WSBK – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC 27 Feb – 1 March
ROUND 2 – Morgan Park Raceway, Warwick QLD 21 – 23 August
ROUND 3 – Winton Motor Raceway, Benalla VIC 11 – 13 September
ROUND 4 – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Cowes VIC 2 – 4 October
ROUND 5 – Wakefield Park Raceway, Goulburn NSW 16 – 18 October
ROUND 6 – International MotoFest @ The Bend, SA 20 – 22 November
ASBK Night of Champions Awards The Bend, SA 22 November
Thrashed Bike Racing launch 2020 R1 at Road America round 2
Following the first MotoAmerica championship round at Road America last month Thrashed Bike Racing pushed hard to ensure its 2020 Yamaha R1 was ready to take to the track.
It has been very challenging; the new bike has not had its full power released yet but the team needed some track time to start its development. The full braking system was changed as well as the front forks and rear swinging arm just before the bike was ready for Q1, some significant engine brake mapping had to be applied during the session but rider Max still managed to get the bike around the track 6 minutes before the end of the session and quick enough to qualify top 9 and get into Super ole. The team could see that the trap speed was low but the torque and new electronic throttle made up for the lower horsepower.
Q2 saw a change in the weather and some teams sat out the drizzle whilst Max had to get some more date to keep improving the bike. Changes were made particularly to the braking system and Max was at the top of the board for most of the session. Some more changes were made prior to Superpole and the team were very happy to see Max put the bike into the 2:15 time bracket, his fastest time ever around Road America.
Race one, Max tried out the factory launch control which was disappointing and he had to fight his way back up to 11th place for the finish flag. Race two saw a better start using a ‘tradition’ launch and Max soon started running a strong race pace, pushing hard in the corners and trying to make up for the lower trap speed. The pace was stronger in race two and the team were happy to see Max catch and take 10th place on the last lap whilst running his fastest time on worn tires at 2:16.
Team Owner Tim Ivanoff was very satisfied with the progress and the strong finish to the weekend, “I was delighted that Max could jump on the new Bike and take it into Super pole and then race at the pace that he did as we had done no testing. We know some improvements that can be made and feel very confident for the future rounds, it was also exciting for the Thrashed bike team to welcome Walt Sipp back into the paddock racing the Thrashed bike super stock bike, hopefully Walt will be joining the team for a few more selected rounds throughout the season.”
Rider Max Flinders commented that “It was great to see the crowd back at the races as they always give me a lift! Also, the new bike is showing good potential, once we squeeze a little more horse power and improve the braking I know I can make it fly. I think I’m sitting 10th in the championship and the aim is to improve through the season. Thanks to all the team for the hard work they have put into getting the bike on the grid and the new sponsors who have jumped on board”
About Thrashed Bike Racing
Thrashed Bike Racing is a Louisiana-based superbike team competing in the MotoAmerica national series. We are committed to showcasing the best young talent at the highest level of US motorcycle sport. We know the challenges are difficult and the cost of running a season at this level is high but our resolve is firm and we will continue to be one of the smallest, friendliest and most consistent teams in the paddock.
Thanks to – Arrow Aviation, Liqui Moly, Friendly Powersports, Arai Helmets, Used Bikes Direct, Moto-D, Moto-tech, FAO Global, Superbike unlimited, Bonamici, Spark exhausts, Rides and Drives and the army of fans. SEE YOU AT THE RACES!
More, from a press release issued by Ben Gloddy Racing:
Holding on to Third in the Championship Points, Gloddy finds some serious speed in the second round of the MotoAmerica Junior Cup Series
Race one of the MotoAmerica Liqui Moly Junior Cup class looked like a simple third place repeat for Ben Gloddy of Quarterley Racing On Track Development. Even without an opportunity to complete any testing between rounds, he found some serious speed, dropping over a second and a half a lap and closing the gap with the leaders from 27 to down to 11.4 seconds. The second race of the weekend did not disappoint with an incredible high side save by Gloddy on lap one resulting in him going off track only to power on to an impressive recovery resulting in a fourth-place finish .179 seconds behind third place. As predicted after last round, the fans are definitely in for an exciting 2020 race season from the MotoAmerica Liqui Moly Junior Cup Riders. Gloddy closed out round one at Road America in third place for the championship season points.
Ben Gloddy (72). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Ben Gloddy Racing.
Ben Gloddy:
As a rookie rider in the Junior Cup series, Gloddy takes aim at improving every time he’s on the track. Gloddy said, “Being able to race at Road America again for the second time in a month definitely helps”. Taking a second and a half off his lap time, Gloddy says “Observing more experienced riders like Doyle and Landers really helped me put the bike where it needs to be in order to go faster.” Gloddy acknowledges having experts like Dale Quarterley and Eric Wood aid in his understanding of what it takes to be a professional rider, has certainly helped.
Continuing to work on rider and team communications, Gloddy and the Quarterley Racing On Track Development Team were able to make adjustments to the bike between races in an effort to make the bike work even better for Gloddy.
“I learned a lot after round one last month and I knew I could do better this weekend and continue to drop my times to move forward,” Gloddy stated. ” I was pretty happy when I learned that I was now within 11 seconds of the leaders, whereas last round I was 27 seconds behind them
With a comfortable lead on the fourth and fifth place guys in the first lap of race one, Gloddy was able to maintain his third place position the entire race. “I was able to break away and put a little space between myself and the other riders,” said Gloddy. “I was able to stay close to the two leaders for a few laps until I made a mistake in turn 5 which allowed the leaders to pull a gap on me. Fortunately, I recovered pretty quickly and the guys behind me weren’t able to close the gap too much.”
In race two, Gloddy was able to get a good start and was in third going into turn one. Feeling like he was going to be able to at a minimum replay the previous day’s result, things changed quickly when on the first lap going into turn 11, he grabbed a little too much brake but was able to save himself from a potentially disastrous high-side. This error caused him to run off course for a few seconds, but he was able to quickly pull himself together and safely rejoined the race.
“Despite my mistake going into turn 11, I wasn’t quitting,” said Gloddy. “I knew what had happened caused me to lose time, but I pushed on determined to try and earn the last podium position, unfortunately, I missed out by a fraction of a second.”
“I can’t thank all of my personal and team sponsors enough for all of the support. Every time I get on that bike, I know you are all along for the ride with me and I cannot express my appreciation enough for you all. I also want to add that it was awesome to see so many fans out there this weekend, thank you all for coming out to support us and the MotoAmerica Series”
Quarterley Racing On Track Development sponsors for 2020 include: Inter-Tech Supplies, Fast By Ferracci, Inc, Yoshimura Research & Development of America, Inc., Wiseco Powersports, Motul USA., Regina Chain, BrakeTech USA, Inc., Ferodo Racing, Matt & Jesse, Inc., Woodcraft Technologies, Fast Bike Industries, Nitron Racing Systems Ltd., Dynojet Research Inc., Beta Tools of Italy – USA, N2 Track Days, RoadracingWorld.com, MOTO-D Racing, VAN DYK Recycling Solutions, Earl’s Racing Team, Barnett Clutches & Cables and Kiwi Classic Moto.
Some of Gloddy’s personal sponsors for 2020 include: SDM298 Racing, D’Andrea Foods, Penguin Racing School, Woodcraft Technologies, Moto Pizza, First Trax Sports Shop, American Supercamp, REB Graphics, Innovative Motorsports, JC Tinting, Roche Realty Group, Stump Racing Kids, Arai Helmets, Moto Liberty, Vanson Leathers, Dunlop Tires, and Freedom Cycle NH.
More, from a press release issued by KWR Ducati:
Kyle Wyman earns two podium results for KATO Fastening/KWR Ducati Team in Wisconsin!
Kyle Wyman (33). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy KWR Ducati.
EKLHART LAKE, Wis. — Kyle Wyman earned two podium results this past weekend at Road America, for round two of the MotoAmerica Superbike series. Wyman placed 3rd in both Superbike races aboard his KATO Fastening Systems/KWR Ducati Panigale V4 R.
The KWR team went into the weekend with a fresh start, new settings on the bike and a promising outlook for a return to the Wisconsin circuit. Wyman, however, started the weekend on the wrong foot by crashing his Ducati Superbike in turn 6, and missing out on an entire valuable session of data gathering and tasking the KWR crew with a full rebuild. The team made only 6 total laps on Friday.
“I still don’t really know what happened,” Wyman said. “I had done my first flying lap, and was just working into the new tires and getting up to speed, and I just tucked the front. It was such a small mistake, but the bike took a weird bounce when it hit the grass and just exploded parts everywhere. I couldn’t believe it.”
The KWR crew was able to get the bike back out in the afternoon, but mostly as a shakedown. The team and Wyman started fresh on Saturday morning, for ‘take two’ on the weekend. With new settings to try that came in with help from Ducati Corse and their WorldSBK team, the morning free practice laps were crucial for Kyle to get a feel for the bike in its latest form. He would end up 6th fastest in that session but with valuable data and feedback for the crew. In Superpole, Wyman put together a good lap and finally broke into the “12’s” by posting a time of 2:12.863 which was good enough for 6th position, and a second-row start on the grid.
Race One
Wyman got off to a tremendous start in race one, and found himself passing 4 riders before turn one, tipping into the first corner in 2nd place. He lost two positions in the opening laps and settled into 4th position, right behind 2017 champion Toni Elias. Wyman was able to build a gap to the riders behind and settle into a race-long battle with Elias, stalking him until a last lap move.
Wyman dove up the inside of Elias in the chicane area, passing the Spanish rider for the final spot on the podium. Elias was able to make a counter move into ‘Canada Corner’ just moments later, and would hold the position through the final sector to put Wyman fourth across the line.
Toni’s pass, however, was in a corner where at the time there was a yellow flag condition, due to another rider crashing on the previous lap. With MotoAmerica rules prohibiting a pass during a waving yellow flag, Elias was docked a position, promoting Wyman to his first podium placing since the 2017 season. Wyman waited 1,022 days between his first MotoAmerica Superbike podium and his second.
“It feels amazing to finally get this podium and put the Ducati Panigale V4 R up front where it belongs,” Wyman said. “I had a great race going, and Toni was riding well, I’m just glad I was able to put a move on him in the last lap and force him in a position to have to pass me back. I’ll take this podium–I feel I’ve earned it and I’m happy to pay back the KATO Fastening Systems, KWR crew with a result.”
Wyman would not have to wait another 1,022 days for a third Superbike podium.
Race Two
In race two, Wyman got off to another strong start and was in 6th place early on, but had to fight his way through the pack in the first few laps to gain positions back. Wyman passed fellow competitor Mathew Scholtz on lap one, and followed it up on lap three with a brave move into Canada Corner on Toni Elias once again. Wyman found himself in 4th position with the top-three up the road, and Elias and Scholtz trailing close behind.
Shortly after, disaster struck for race leader and championship points leader Cameron Beaubier, who crashed in turn one and promoted everyone else in the field up one spot, putting Wyman back in 3rd place.
Wyman would hold off the duo of Elias and Scholtz for the entirety of the race, but not without drama behind him and a close fight to the end. Scholtz made an aggressive pass on Elias mid-way through the race that caused Elias to crash, and Wyman was able to pull just enough of a gap to run the second half of the race unchallenged. Wyman beat out Scholtz for the final step on the podium by a gap of 1.552 seconds.
“I really wanted to duplicate my start from race one, but that was going to be a tall order,” Wyman said. “Fortunately I still gained a couple spots before turn one and was able to put myself in the lead fight early on. I got past Mat and Toni pretty quickly and just put my head down and tried not to make any mistakes. I was able to stay consistent and stay just far enough ahead where neither of them could make a move, and I guess the two of them got together at some point. I just kept my head down and focused through to the end for another podium. I couldn’t be happier.”
Wyman now sits 4th in series standings, after scoring 5th, 4th, 3rd and 3rd in the first four races of 2020. Wyman is only two points out of 3rd place and 19 points out of the championship lead.
“We came into this season with expectations of fighting for the podium sometime mid season, and grabbing a couple when the opportunity presented itself,” Wyman added. “This weekend was a massive step in all aspects of my team. My riding took a big step, as well as my confidence to race with these guys. My crew worked tremendously hard and the bike has improved significantly since the first round already. From where we were on Friday, with the crash and making so few laps, it really shows the strength of the crew I have around me in 2020.”
“It bodes well for the rest of the season, but mostly I need to enjoy this now knowing I rewarded the team and our sponsor KATO Fastening Systems with a couple of podiums. I’m going to remember this weekend for a very long time.”
Visit www.katofastening.com for more information on their products.
Visit www.kylewyman.com for more information on KWR as well as news and updates.
More, from a press release issued by ForzaGP Snipers Junior Team:
Rossi Moor #92 Goes Unbeaten for Round One of the MotoAmerica MiniCup by Motul
Rossi Moor (92). Photo courtesy ForzaGP Snipers Junior Team.
The ForzaGP Snipers Junior Team rider scored pole position and topped all heat and main races in the 160cc and 190cc classes.
Seattle, Washington– Rossi Moor (Portland, OR) put on a masterful performance in the opening round of the MotoAmerica MiniCup by Motul series at Road America. The twelve-year old ForzaGP Snipers Junior Team rider displayed his natural talent by setting the fastest lap in official practice, securing pole position for the 160cc and 190cc heat races, and winning heat races and mains in both the 160cc class (by a 5.6 second margin) and the 190cc class (by a 6.1 second margin)—effectively ending the weekend unbeaten.
Struggling with initial setup during practice, Rossi found his pace early on and consistently lowered his lap times. The track’s elevation changes created gearing challenges and some of the competitors were pushing hard and putting on the pressure. Rossi and the ForzaGP Snipers Junior Team focused on finding the right setup and adjusted the strategy accordingly.
For the 190cc heat race, Rossi was penalized for entering the grid late due to a faulty tire pressure gauge and had to start in the back after qualifying on pole. Rossi got an excellent start off the line and regained six spots. With only nine laps to move through the pack, Rossi fought hard and regained the lead on the last lap to secure the win.
“It was a difficult weekend for me,” said Moor. “We had a problem setting up the bikes throughout the weekend, but I was able to drop my lap times every time I went out in practice and qualifying. I love the track layout. It had amazing elevation changes.
“Thank you to everybody who helped me throughout the weekend. Thanks to my managers, Nathan Fitzgerald with ForzaGP and Stefano Favaro with Snipers Junior Team. Thank you to Renzo Ferriera for the coaching, Tim and Jessica Banish, Brandon Cretu and Ohvale USA for the support, and to all the techs who helped get me out there. I can’t wait for Pittsburgh!”
Team manager and ForzaGP founder, Nathan Fitzgerald commented on Rossi’s round one performance; “I’m constantly blown away by Rossi’s talent. Seeing him come from the back of the grid and win in the 190cc heat race was one of the most impressive motorsport performances I’ve witnessed—and from a twelve-year old kid. He pushed the bike to the ragged edge. I won’t forget it for as long as I live. The competition is tough this year and it’s only going to get tougher. I know these kids are hungry. We’ll keep our head down and get back to work for round two.
I am very grateful to MotoAmerica, Lance Bryson and Brandon Cretu for putting this series together. They have a vision for the future of American road racing, and I’m all in!”
Round two of the MotoAmerica MiniCup by Motul will take place at Pittsburgh International Race Complex kart track, Wampum, PA on August 7-8 during round four of the MotoAmerica Superbike series.
Founded in 2018, ForzaGP and its subsidiary, ForzaSBK, operate one of the largest Ohvale GP-0 fleets in the U.S. ForzaGP supports local racers and offers opportunities to train or race using fleet bikes, while ForzaSBK is the Pacific Northwest’s official Ohvale dealer and custom bike builder and tuner.
More, from a press release issued by American Racing Team:
American Racing Academy Riders Find Success at Road America at the MotoAmerica series
Calabasas, CA (July 1, 2020) — The American Racing Academy riders found success often during Round 2 of the MotoAmerica series and the opening round of the MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul.
The second round of the MotoAmerica series featured the debut of the MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul Championships. The Academy Project “The American Racing Ohvale Team” supplied 4 riders to the championship series with Jesse James Shedden and Travis Horn in the 160cc race Started P3 and P18 (After a crash in the heat race) with Shedden finishing P4 and Travis Horn, in a superb race, finishing P5.
The 190cc class saw podium finishes by Academy riders Julian Correa and Jesse James Shedden, with Correa finishing P2 and Shedden finishing P3. Academy rider Kayla Yaakov finished in 5th spot after a hard-fought race.
In the Liqui Moly Junior Cup, defending champion Rocco Landers had an impressive weekend as well, finishing second in race one with 0.006 sec from the 1st place and taking top spot in race two after an impressive over take at the final straight away right before the finish line. Landers once again pulled double duty, participating in the Twins Cup as well. Similar to his efforts in the Liqui Moly Junior Cup, Landers took the 1st place for the first Twins Cup classification victory of his career.
This round featured the return of the fans and the weekend saw a large crowd taking in the racing action. Fans were treated to great racing and provided some extra atmosphere, which was missing in round one.
The focus of the American Racing Academy is to support and provide the youngest generation of American riders a chance to learn and grow and provide a structured path to a career at the highest levels of road racing.
About the American Racing Team
The American Racing Team competes in the MotoGP World Championship. The team currently fields 2 riders in the Moto2 class: American Joe Roberts (#16) and Spaniard Marcos Ramirez (#42). The team is the only team in the MotoGP series owned by an American and featuring an American Rider. The team has grown under the guidance of team owner Eitan Butbul and is a respected part of the MotoGP world championship paddock.
More, from a press release issued by Altus Motorsports:
MotoAmerica: Mixed Results at Round 2 for the Altus Motorsports Tucker Hagerty Rangeline Team
(Elkhart Lake, WI) While some of the team struggled with their new rides, others saw great success at the MotoAmerica Round 2 at Road America. Altus Motorsports scored their first win of the season in Stock 1000 with Cam Petersen. “Cam’s talent continues to impress everyone at Altus. And, when others are having a rough weekend, he’s the perfect personality to have in the pit,” said team-owner, George Nassaney
Cameron Petersen (45). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Altus Motorsports.
Honos Superbike & Stock 1000: In Round 2, Cameron Petersen built on his strong finish at Round 1. Once again, he rode the Stock 1000-legal Altus Motorsports Suzuki GSX-R1000 in both Superbike and Stock 1000. On Saturday in Race 1 of the premier class, he crossed the line 10th and, on Sunday, he bettered his position to 8th in the second race.
The Stock 1000 class only had a single race during the Round 2 weekend. After solid practices and continuous improvement in each session, Petersen started from pole and never looked back. He had a great launch and led from flag to flag to finish 6 seconds ahead of the closest competitor.
Jaret Nassaney (59). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Altus Motorsports.
Supersport 600: After a good season opener, Jaret Nassaney came into this round with high hopes. He did not expect to struggle in finding a good setup on his freshly built GSX-R 600. In the first qualifying session, he went into turn seven slightly off line, hit a bump and then struck the ground at over 100 mph. The team put the bike back together and Nassaney was able to complete the entire second qualifying session but was not able to gel with the bike or better his lap time. For the first Supersport 600 race of the weekend Jaret finished in 11th place. In the second race on Sunday, he bettered his lap time and finished in 15th, in spite of a small tip over.
“This past weekend we rode the struggle bus. We couldn’t get up to pace and then, unfortunately, had a big get off in turn seven at 101 mph. We didn’t finish the races anywhere close to where we wanted. We are going back to the drawing board these next couple weeks and get rolling in the right direction. We walked away this weekend unscathed so we learn from everything and move forward,” said Jaret Nassaney.
Kevin Olmedo (16). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Altus Motorsports.
Kevin Olmedo showed up at Wisconsin riding an amazing high. First round he showed how quickly he was adapting to the 600 with a podium finish. Unfortunately, his second visit to Road American proved to be just the opposite. It started good enough – Olmedo was fourth fastest in the first practice session and seventh fastest in the first qualifying. Then Kevin had a massive highside at the beginning of Qualifying 2. The crew rebuilt the bike in time for the first race but a crash on the out lap kept him from starting. Stiff and sore, Olmedo and the team decided it was best to sit out the second race. After some healing, Kevin is going to do some hard training and head to Atlanta ready to recapture his Round 1 momentum.
Daniel Kinard (33). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Altus Motorsports.
Liqui Moly Junior Cup: Daniel Kinard’s goal for the first few rounds of the 2020 season is ‘learning and experience.’ Kinard made minor improvements during the practice and qualifying sessions but then, during Race 1, he dropped 4 seconds off his lap time to finish in 13th. Race 2 did not go as well. Daniel had a fall early in the race. he will spend the next month healing in an effort to grid up for Road Atlanta at the end of July.
George Nassaney had one final comment on the weekend: “Our thoughts are with PJ Jacobsen for a speedy recovery. We revel in competition and sincerely hope he will be on the grid in Atlanta. It will be great to get to a new track and fight for a win.”
Altus is proud to welcome our newest sponsor: The Rangeline Group. They provide Wet Tapping, Hot Tapping, Line Stopping, Valve Inserting and Specialty Concrete Pipeline Services. “It’s great to have a company outside of our industry take interest in Altus and the sport of road racing. We are privileged to have their support,” said George Nassaney.
The Altus Motorsports team is supported by our great family of sponsors: Altus Motorsports, Tucker Powersports, Hagerty, Suzuki, The Rangeline Group, VP Lubricants, RS Taichi, Arai, Moto D, Bonamici, Hotbodies Racing, SBS Brakes, Vortex, Motion Pro, Law Tigers Oklahoma, M4 Exhaust, Arata Exhaust, Dunlop, Team Hammer, and Altus Factory Racing
Powersports Veteran Larry Little Retires After Decades of Key Industry Posts
Irvine, Calif. – Larry Little is retiring after more than 40 years and a variety of important work in the powersports industry – from publishing, to consulting, to co-founding the American International Motorcycle Expo, to volunteer work for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, plus a long record of service with the MIC, including a decade as chair of its board of directors. Today is Little’s last official day at the MIC, although the association anticipates maintaining the relationship for years to come.
“Looking back, I’m warmed by all the great people I’ve come to know in this amazing business of motorcycling and powersports, from dealers to aftermarket manufacturers to OEMs, and to have a true sense that an industry is made up and driven by a family of people and personalities, not just brands and companies,” Little said. “Looking ahead, my own family is enjoying getting settled in North Carolina and discovering the great motorcycle roads in the Southeast.”
Married to Stephanie Britt Little since 1979, the couple has a daughter and a son, Ashley and Shaun, both married and each with a daughter.
“We’re looking forward to spending time with grandkids and visiting those folks whom we’ve missed over the years while being active participants in the industry,” Little said.
His biography showcases an extensive career in the powersports industry, stretching all the way back to the 1970s.
“I still recall, as a teenage motorcycle enthusiast, telling a teacher in high school that I wanted to work in the motorcycle industry,” he said. “But I could have never imagined how fortunate I’ve been to be involved in the industry as I have.”
A lifelong rider, Little grew up on single-track trails in rural Upstate New York. His first industry role was selling advertising at Cycle News in 1978, followed by a stop at Motorcyclist magazine before joining Cycle World magazine in 1981, becoming publisher in 1990.
“Stephanie, who was already working in the industry, played a big role in landing my first job at Cycle News, and was my biggest counselor and cheerleader as my career developed,” Little said.
Still maintaining his riding skills, his time at Cycle World saw him participate in a 24-hour, team world-record speed run (averaging more than 128 mph), on the first-year Suzuki GSX-R750, in 1985.
In 2010, he left the magazine and formed The Little Group, a consultancy providing key industry insights including research on building a new industry trade show – which led to the launch of the American International Motorcycle Expo. In 2011, Little joined that effort as vice president and general manager.
Two years later, he was named the American Motorcyclist Association’s Rider of the Year for his efforts in helping to grow the industry, with an effective industry trade gathering, as part of the AIMExpo launch team. In 2015, AIMExpo was acquired by the MIC, and Little became vice president of MIC Events.
In early 2019, when the MIC Board of Directors committed to build a long-term industry expansion program, he served as the MIC’s staff lead on the Ridership initiative, with the stated goal of creating new riders, riding more.
“I’ve worked closely with Larry since 2015 when AIMExpo joined the MIC,” said MIC President and CEO Erik Pritchard. “Our initial conversations focused on the trade show, but they quickly evolved to discussions about the powersports industry as a whole. Our subsequent work together on Ridership has been rewarding and enjoyable. Larry is a friend and stalwart of our industry, and I hope to call on his expertise and wisdom for many years to come.”
“In retrospect, my first involvement with the MIC came while I was the publisher at Cycle World and championing the early Discover Today’s Motorcycling campaign to change public perception of motorcycling,” Little said. “And it’s pretty amazing that my last role at the MIC was in a similar effort to create a program to attract new riders to motorcycling.”
Little served as an elected director on the MIC Board of Directors from 1995 to 2015, including a decade as board chair. He also served for many years on the national board of directors of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, including three years as board chair. The PBTF produces the industry’s most-known charity effort, the fund-raising Ride for Kids.
For all that he’s done, through so many industry endeavors, Little is slated to receive the MIC Chairman’s Award later this year.
“Larry’s retirement is well-deserved, and all of us wish him many decades of enjoyment,” Pritchard said. “His expertise and temperament make him uniquely situated to serve as an emeritus industry professional, and I look forward to discussions over Spanish wine and good food for years to come.”
The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect, and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications, media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, data communications standards, and involvement in technical and regulatory issues. As a not-for-profit national industry association, the MIC seeks to support motorcyclists by representing manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and retailers of motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, ROVs, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts, accessories, and related services, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies, and consultants.
The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office in metropolitan Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Keep up with the industry association on Twitter @followMIC and at MIC.org.
The BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team is back on the racetrack: test at the Lausitzring in preparation for the rest of the season.
After the enforced break due to coronavirus, the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team can get back to work at the racetrack.
Tom Sykes and Eugene Laverty test their BMW S 1000 RR at the Lausitzring.
2020 WorldSBK season will resume at Jerez de la Frontera at the beginning of August.
Lausitzring. It has been a long time since the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and riders Tom Sykes (GBR) and Eugene Laverty (IRL) were last on a racetrack together. The season opener of the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) at the start of March was followed by an enforced break lasting several months due to coronavirus. Now the team and riders have been able to return to the track with the BMW S 1000 RR. Last week, Sykes and Laverty tested at Lausitzring (GER).
Work at the team HQ in Guisborough (GBR) and at BMW Motorrad Motorsport in Munich (GER) was restricted during the break due to coronavirus protective measures. However, good use was made of the time, to analyse the findings and rider feedback from the season opener and to advance the development of the RR in many areas. Consequently the team had a whole host of new components and ideas with them for the test at the Lausitzring. In good weather conditions, the team had plenty of opportunity to test them out in preparation for the next races.
The 2020 WorldSBK season will continue with the second race event of the year, at Jerez de la Frontera (ESP) on the first weekend of August. Before that, the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team will take part in further tests at Barcelona (ESP) on 8th and 9th July.
Quotes after the test at the Lausitzring.
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “It was absolutely great to be back at the racetrack after such a long break. We had a very good test at the Lausitzring in consistent conditions and tested several new parts. We are very confident that we will be coming back stronger than we were before the break. We are looking forward to returning to racing at Jerez and show our competitiveness.”
Shaun Muir, Team Principal BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “The test at the Lausitzring was the first time we had been back at the racetrack after the first round of the season in Australia, as in between we had been in lockdown with the coronavirus restrictions. We had great days of testing, the weather has been kind to us with very good conditions and we had the opportunity to test quite a lot of parts that we have been working on during the break. It has been very successful for both Tom and Eugene and we feel confident now that a lot of effort that the guys have been putting in at the factory will pay off now. We can look forward to another two days of testing at Barcelona in the first week of July.”
Tom Sykes (66) taking his BMW S 1000 RR World Superbike out on track at Lausitzring, in Germany. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.
Tom Sykes: “After such a long period off the bike with this tricky moment in time, it is an absolute pleasure to be here at the Lausitzring and back testing with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. It is fair to say that while everybody was stuck at home there has been a lot of work going on, certainly a lot of development, so this test has proved to be very vital. We certainly gathered a lot of information. It was good and it’s a great feeling to be back on the BMW S 1000 RR. Now we all are looking forward to returning to racing shortly.”
Eugene Laverty (50) returns from a run on his BMW S 1000 RR World Superbike at Lausitzring, in Germany. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.
Eugene Laverty: “We had a fantastic test at the Lausitzring. It was great to be back riding my BMW S 1000 RR after nearly four months off due to the pandemic but I am still getting to know that bike. It’s only the fourth track that I rode it on so it has been so beneficial to come here and ride it at the Lausitzring. We really benefitted from the track time in sunny conditions. Now we are ready to race again and we will be back stronger than ever.”
Ducati reopens the Museum, combining the visit with new motorcycle or e-bike experiences
After the temporary closure caused by the health emergency, the Ducati Museum will gradually reopen to the public starting on Saturday 4 July
Factory visits are suspended for safety reasons. The new virtual tour of the production lines will be soon available on the Ducati website
New and exciting experiences, to be tackled by motorbike or on Ducati’s range of e-bikes, offered to visitors to encourage the discovery of the territory and its cultural, tourist and motoring traditions
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 30 June 2020 – On Saturday 4 July, on the same date that Ducati was founded 94 years ago, the Ducati Museum and the Fisica in Moto educational laboratory of the Borgo Panigale factory will reopen their doors to visitors, after the forced stop due to the health emergency.
The reopening will be gradual. Until 30 September the visit to the Ducati Museum and the educational laboratory will be limited to Saturday and Sunday, with the exception of the weeks from 3 to 9 August and from 17 to 23 August, when visits on weekdays will also be possible.
The Ducati Museum in Bologna, Italy. Photo courtesy Ducati.
A single ticket will be available for visitors at the special price of € 25, which includes admission to the Museum and a guided tour of the Fisica in Moto Laboratory, a truly unique opportunity to discover the history of the Borgo Panigale motorcycle manufacturer and the laws of physics applied to the world of motors. Visits to the factory remain suspended for safety reasons, but a new virtual tour will be soon available on the Ducati.com website which allows visitors to go inside the production lines.
In line with the safety regulations against the spread of Covid-19, access to the facilities will be allowed for a maximum of 7 people per turn and after booking and purchasing the ticket on the website https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/borgo-panigale-experience. Visits are scheduled every 15 minutes from 9.00 am to 18.00.
For the entire period of stay within the company area it will be necessary to always keep social distancing of at least 1 metre and it is mandatory to wear a surgical mask . In the event that the visitor does not have one, it will be provided by the Museum staff.
In order to ensure greater availability for visitors and avoid gatherings, the maximum duration of the visit is one and a half hours (45 minutes at the Museum and 45 minutes at the Fisica in Moto Laboratory).
The Fisica in Moto Laboratory. Photo courtesy Ducati.
New experiences to discover the territory
It will also be possible to combine a visit to the Ducati Museum and the educational laboratory with the new “experiences” that the Ducati Museum staff offers visitors. These are options, in any case related to the visit of the Museum and of Fisica in Moto, which are divided into two types of proposals that aim to discover the history, tradition and beauty of the Emilia-Romagna area of which Ducati is one of the most representative brands. The proposed itineraries can be done in one day, visiting Bologna riding one of the new Ducati e-bikes, accompanied by E-xplora guides certified by the National MTB Academy. Or by motorbike, divided over several days, independently but with the possibility of following an expressly designed itinerary, renting a Ducati to travel in the beauty of the Apennine landscape or experience the Romagna Riviera, reaching it through alternative roads and routes that can be enjoyed on the bike.
Here are the proposals:
1. E-bike: Bologna by E-xplora – a short and a longer tour to visit the city centre of Bologna, its historical monuments and the Bolognese hills on a Ducati Scrambler e-bike in one day. In both tours visitors will be accompanied by an E-xplora certified National MTB Academy guide. The cost of the city centre tour is € 65, with the city centre and Bologna hills tour € 85, Ducati Scrambler e-bike rental and guide included. For those who so desire, there is also an opportunity to have lunch at the Ducati Scrambler Food Factory in Bologna.
2. Motorbike: Mid-Reno and Savena Valley – a perfect route for a motorbike tour, to discover the ancient history of the Bolognese Apennines and its waters along two legendary roads: the “Porrettana” and the “Futa”. From the Ducati Museum, in fact, you can easily take the “Porrettana”, the road between Bologna and Pistoia built in the crucial years of our country, between the wars that brought about the independence and the unification of Italy. To be done independently or by renting a motorcycle at the Ducati Factory Store (price list for motorcycle and clothing rental on the Ducati website).
3. Motorbike: The Stradelli Guelfi. From the Middle Ages to the origins of Romagna motorcycling, from Baracca and Taglioni, to Cervia and Cesenatico, the origins of the Mototemporada Romagnola – the Stradelli Guelfi route represents an intelligent alternative to go to the seaside, avoiding the daily summer traffic heading for the destinations of the Romagna Riviera and retracing the roads that tell the origins of motorcycling in the region. An authentic example of a “slow ride”, the Stradelli cover the stretch of Romagna that arrives at the Riviera of Ravenna, immersed in the colourful countryside. To be done independently or by renting a motorcycle at the Ducati Factory Store (price list for motorcycle and clothing rental on the Ducati website).
To learn more about the stages of the different routes go on the Ducati website. For information and reservations, write directly to the Ducati Museum reception service: [email protected].
New International Partnership between Energica Motor Company S.p.A. and Total Lubrifiants
Paris, June 30, 2020 –Total Lubrifiants, the world’s fourth-largest international energy
company on the lubricants market and Energica Motor Company, the Italian manufacturer of high-performing electric motorcycles, are proud to announce a new international partnership until the end of 2022. Total Lubrifiants becomes the Official Sponsor and Industrial Partner of Energica.
Total Lubrifiants has consolidated its position as key player in electric mobility by launching an innovative range of EV fluids for electric and hybrid vehicles. Produced thanks to important efforts of the Group’s R&D teams, these products have been specially developed to meet the cooling and lubrication needs of the various components of these new types of engines and to ensure that they remain in peak condition throughout their lifetime.
TOTAL HI-PERF EV FLUID product range is in line with Total Climate Strategy and the Group’s ambition to get to net-zero emissions by 2050 together with society for its global business across its production and energy products used by its customers.
Thanks to this important industrial partnership, all Energica electric motorcycles will benefit
from the Total Lubrifiants ranges of lubricants, greases and related products.
“We are really proud of this 100% new electric partnership which is an important milestone
towards new mobility”, said Jean Parizot, Vice President Automotive, Total Lubrifiants. “It
shows how committed we are to contribute to the Group’s ambition to become the major in
responsible energy”.
It’s now since a decade that Energica has invested in sustainable mobility by developing
electric motorcycles, from the track to the street. In the last months the Italian company
increased its operating activity by delivering 68% more motorcycles to its dealers and importers compared to the same period last year.
The interest in the Energica brand is confirmed both in Europe and in overseas markets
showing a clear sign of an increasing attention to electric mobility.
“In this scenario of growing interest in climate change and sustainability, we are proud to
partner with Total Lubrifiants, an international leading energy player. Our synergy is built on extremely solid ground with an eye towards a sustainable future”, said Livia Cevolini, CEO of Energica Motor Company S.p.A.
“We are proud to team up with Total Lubrifiants and work on new solutions and applications
together”, said Giampiero Testoni, CTO of Energica Motor Company S.p.A.
About Energica Motor Company S.p.A.
Energica Motor Company is the first Italian manufacturer of high-performing electric motorcycle and is the single manufacturer chosen by Dorna for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup. Energica Motorcycles are on sale worldwide.
www.energicamotor.com
About Total Lubrifiants
Total Lubrifiants is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of lubricants. It has 42
production plants worldwide and more than 5,800 employees in 150 countries. Total Lubrifiants offers innovative, efficient and environmentally responsible products and services developed by more than 130 researchers at its two R&D centers. Total Lubrifiants is a partner of choice for the automotive, industrial and marine markets.
lubricants.total.com
elf.com
About Total Marketing & Services
Total’s Marketing & Services business segment develops and markets products primarily
derived from crude oil, along with all of the associated services. Its 31,000 employees are present in 109 countries and its products and services are sold in 150 countries. Total Marketing & Services serves more than 8 million customers daily through its network of over 14,000 service stations in 62 countries. The world’s fourth-largest marketer of lubricants and the leading distributor of petroleum products in Africa, Total Marketing &
Services operates 50 production sites worldwide that manufacture lubricants, bitumen,
additives, fuels and special fluids.
About Total
Total is a broad energy Group, which produces and markets fuels, natural gas and low-carbon electricity. Our 100,000 employees are committed to better energy that is safer, more affordable, cleaner and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, our ambition is to become the responsible energy major.
On the Front Cover: With lockdown rules starting to relax, Cameron Beaubier distanced himself from everybody, sweeping both Superbike races at long-delayed, long-awaited Round #1 of the MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Championship at Road America, sans spectators. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
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In This Issue:
FEATURES
Inside Info: Aprilia & Ohvale Cooperate On A Spec Bike, & More
Quick Look: Kawasaki Z900 On Street, Track, And Dyno
Track Day Evaluation: Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa TD Tires
MotoGP Analysis: MotoGP’s Biggest Battle: V4 vs. I4
MotoGP Analysis: The Men Most Likely To Dethrone Marc Marquez?
Peaky Bikers: The Care and Feeding Of A 1952 Vincent Black Shadow, Part Four
Suzuki SV650 Racebike Project Reborn, Part Four
Shops: Fast Bike Industries
PROFESSIONAL RACING
MotoAmerica At Road America: Beaubier!
COLUMNS
Letters To The Editor
10 Years Ago: Elena Myers, First Woman To Win AMA Pro Sprint Road Race, in July 2010 Issue
Trivia & Numbers: MotoAmerica Superbike Lap Times At Road America, 2019-2020
Garrett Gerloff: Garrett Against The World
Back In The Day Editor’s Scrapbook: International Press Intros: Riding the $36,995 1999 MV Agusta F4 750 Serie Oro in Italy; Riding the 2001 Aprilia RSV Mille R in Spain
The Crash Page: Michael Gilbert, Ready For Lift-Off
New Products: GBRacing Front Brake Lever Guard; Woodcraft Race Handlebar Switches
Professional Services Directory: Racers Helping Racers
Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar
ASRA/CCS Newsletter
High-Performance Parts & Services Directory
Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: MotoAmerica Season Opener At Road America
Riders in action during a TrackDaz track day. Photo by CaliPhotography.com, courtesy TrackDaz.
Motorcycle track day and riding school operators are experiencing strong demand, as racetracks around the United States have begun to open, but they’re also experiencing challenges.
“It’s been really good,” Sarah Domingo, co-owner of California-based Let’s Ride Track Days, told Roadracingworld.com. “We’ve had lots of sellouts, very few cancellations, long waiting lists. Everyone has been very enthusiastic and very compliant with the extra health and safety measures we’ve asked them to follow. Everyone wears a facial covering when they’re not in their helmet and not in their own pit area. Yeah, it’s been really good.”
A participant and a control rider at a Let’s Ride Track Day event at Buttonwillow Raceway Park. Photo courtesy of Let’s Ride Track Days.
“We’ve done a few events, and it’s been interesting,” said Ken Hill, a partner with Track Time track days based in the Pacific Northwest. “We were sold out for the first event, and then the third and fourth events were 70-80% sold out, and our next events aren’t sold out yet but they’re pretty close.”
And that’s without a significant portion of Track Time’s market, Canadians, who currently cannot cross the border into Washington state due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
“I would say 40-50% of our business is Canadians, and the fact that the border is closed has hurt us,” said Hill. “But if you look at 40-50% of our business is Canadians and we’re 70-80% sold out, it’s actually not too bad. If you look at it that way we are getting more U.S.-based clients.”
Penguin Racing School’s Eric Wood (5) in action. Photo courtesy Penguin Racing School.
“As far as demand goes, there’s a huge pent-up demand to get on the racetrack and ride right now,” said Eric Wood, head instructor at Penguin Racing School, which operates in the northeastern U.S. “Our guys are anxious to ride and at the event that we put on recently [at Thompson Speedway, in Thompson, Connecticut] there was an overwhelming sense of we’re willing to do whatever it takes so we can get out there and ride. The guys and girls who do this truly love the sport. If that means they have to make a little sacrifice and stay separated a little bit and wear a mask from time to time that’s a sacrifice they are willing to make.
“We had a really successful day. We sold it out. We didn’t go crazy because for multiple different reasons I’d rather have 80 or 90 happy customers than 150 customers that are unhappy with the track conditions and the crowdedness and the inability to distance because we’ve got them packed in there like sardines.
“For our upcoming events we have coming up [at New Hampshire Motor Speedway] in New Hampshire, we’ve had to make a bunch of different plans. We’ve taken our usual classrooms and cut that class size to less than half, so we have at maximum 10-12 people inside the classroom.
“We’re going to do a lot more outdoor instruction. We’re going to do a lot more on-track kind of stuff, drills, and that type of thing. To be honest with you, the curriculum we came up with and the ideas that we tried during our last event went over really, really well.”
“Demand is strong,” said Chip Spalding, Business Development Manager for Yamaha Champions Riding School, a school that operates at several venues across the country. “People want to come out and ride. Like we’ve seen in other parts of the motorcycle industry, COVID has removed a lot of the other activities that people were doing and spending their money on that involved being around lots of people, so they’ve gravitated towards things [where] they didn’t have to spend a lot of time around people. So they bought motorcycles and did motorcycle stuff, which is great for the motorcycle industry.”
A scene from a Yamaha Champions Riding School pre-COVID-19. Photo courtesy Yamaha Champions Riding School.
But for California Superbike School, one of the oldest and largest motorcycle riding schools, which tours worldwide, the strong current demand may not be enough to make up for the loss of so many events earlier this year.
“Demand seems to be pretty good, but I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet,” said Dylan Code, lead instructor and son of California Superbike School founder Keith Code. “We have overhead. We have 23 paid staff at every event. We have two semi-trailers. We have permanent staff that work every day all year long. So, when we cancel an event or have someone drop out of a two-day camp it hurts. Then somebody says ‘I can’t go because I have COVID,’ what are you going to say? You just have to take it on the chin.”
A scene from a California Superbike School prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by etechphoto.com, courtesy California Superbike School.
Everyone we interviewed for this article talked about the challenge of constantly working with racetrack staff and monitoring ever-evolving local guidelines to develop health and safety plans for their events. And for those who run events at multiple venues, those challenges are multiplied.
All parties also mentioned that nearly all of their participants were more than willing to abide by health and social distancing requests in order to ride.
But Dustin Coyner, owner of California-based track day operator TrackDaz, offered a story of just how quickly things can turn bad if participants don’t take the health and safety protocols seriously.
“It seems like when people found out they could sign up and ride again it kind of opened the floodgates. It’s been insane, record attendance at every event with a waiting list, that kind of thing,” Coyner told Roadracingworld.com. “Then Laguna Seca shut us down at 3:00 p.m. last Friday [June 26].
“In the morning, they [Laguna Seca] had staff roaming the pits, and then they stopped patrolling because it seemed like everybody was being compliant and wearing their masks. They wanted everyone to wear masks even when they were alone in their own pit area.
“Then right before 3:00 p.m. I was talking to the track supervisor guy. I was like, ‘Hey, how’s everything going?’ And he’s like, ‘Oh, yeah. You guys are doing a good job. I’m roaming the pits. Everyone’s pretty much wearing a mask.’ I’m like, ‘OK, cool!’
“Then, I guess the big boss must have driven through and watched people putting their masks on as they saw him driving up and then in his rearview mirror he watched them take their masks back off. He got back to his office, was super pissed off, and cancelled our event. It’s some crazy shit. It was quite a shock to get the plug pulled on our event.
“We’re going back to Laguna in a couple of weeks, and we’re going to have [our own] mask nazi rolling through the pits going, ‘Dude, put your mask on!’ Either it’s that or, ‘Put your mask on or we’ll kick you out so we can keep riding.’”
TrackDaz track day participants in action at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Photo by CaliPhotography.com, courtesy TrackDaz.
Because it’s difficult to accurately predict what will happen with the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. or the efforts that will be taken to combat its spread by local, state, and federal authorities, it’s also difficult to predict what will happen in the motorcycle track day and riding school market. But for now, racetracks are reopening, demand for track time is strong, and participants for the most part are willing to abide by whatever measures are necessary to enjoy that track time.
Morbidelli is unique in the history of Grand Prix racing; it’s the only non-motorcycle company to win a Grand Prix race. In 1959 Giancarlo Morbidelli founded the Morbidelli Woodworking Machinery Company in Pesaro. An avid road racing enthusiast, Giancarlo became an entrant in 1968 with Luciano Mele riding a modified Benelli 60cc two-stroke to win the Junior Italian Championship.
Encouraged by this, Giancarlo decided to build his own 50cc machine with help from designer/rider Franco Ringhini. The following year Ringhini scored Morbidelli’s first World Championship points with sixth place at the East German GP! For 1970, Giancarlo had Ringhini design a Twin to contest the 125cc World Championship with Giberto Parlotti as rider …
—Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1975 Morbidelli 125, by Mick Ofield
Morbidelli followed a simple, effective route to racing success—build a proven design with the highest-quality components and materials available. It worked— the company’s 125cc Grand Prix machines utterly dominated the class at the world level for the last part of the 1970s. Read the story of these fascinating machines, designed (literally, sometimes) by racers and fueled by passion – it’s all in the latest issue of Roadracing World!
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The 955cc V-Twin-powered Ducati Panigale V2, like the one ridden here by Francesco Bagnaia, will be eligible for the new-look FIM Supersport class. Photo courtesy Ducati.
“The Red Essence. In white”: new livery for the Ducati Panigale V2
The colour range of the Ducati Panigale V2 is extended with the new White Rosso livery, available in dealers from July 2020
The purity of Star White Silk white combines with the traditional Ducati Red colouring the rims, the front air intakes and the air deflectors of the upper half-fairings
Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia (Pramac Racing Team), riding the Panigale V2, is the protagonist of the photo-video shooting of the new livery at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 1 July 2020 – The colour range of the Panigale V2 is extended with the new White Rosso livery, which goes alongside the monochromatic Ducati Red livery with which the bike was presented last November.
The new White Rosso livery has Star White Silk as its main colour. The predominance of white enhances the design of the Panigale V2, highlighting the lines and the purity of the geometrical shapes. At the same time the details in Ducati Red emphasize its sporty and powerful character. The Ducati Red colours the rims, the front air intakes and the deflectors of the upper half-fairings. These last two red touches ideally accompany the path of the airflows inside the motorcycle, i.e. those that feed the engine and those that pass through the radiator.
A rear shot of a Ducati Panigale V2 in White Rosso livery. Photo courtesy Ducati.
This new livery is completed with an additional touch of sportiness thanks to the positioning on the lower half-fairings of the large Panigale V2 logo, inspired by the graphics of Ducati Corse motorcycles.
Testimonial of the Panigale V2 and protagonist of the photo and video shooting of the new livery is the rider of the Pramac Racing Team Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia. In fact, Pecco was able to enjoy a preview of the bike by testing it at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”.
“Since 2016, my personal motto has been #GoFree. For me it means living in a light-hearted and carefree way, having fun and giving priority to the things you love to do. I think the Panigale V2 fits well with this definition and reflects my way of being “, said Pecco Bagnaia after trying the Panigale V2. “The new livery, so white, is very beautiful and different from the usual. Despite being a street bike, it surprised me how much speed it can have when cornering. It is a fun, very stable and very sincere bike that allows you to go fast, safely, without becoming tired, while having a very strong and decisive character and personality.”
The Panigale V2, presented less than a year ago and capable of immediately conquering an enthusiastic public, is the super-mid of the Ducati sports bikes and represents the entry model to the Panigale family. It is powered by the 955 cc Superquadro twin-cylinder engine (compliant with Euro 5 standard) and has a maximum power of 155 hp at 10,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 104 Nm at 9,000 rpm. The power of the Panigale V2 allows to have fun on the track, delivering a motorcycle in the hands of the rider that never puts you in difficulty and can always be fully exploited. The delivery of the twin-cylinder is such that more than 70% of the maximum torque is constantly available beyond 5,500 rpm, allowing to get out of the corners quickly, even the slowest ones.
A Ducati Panigale V2 in White Rosso livery. Photo courtesy Ducati.
The chassis of the Panigale V2 is based on the monocoque frame and is dressed in an elegant and sporty design inspired by that of the Panigale V4. The fairing has extensive and clean surfaces that surround the mechanical components, enhancing the small size of the Superquadro twin-cylinder and creating a visually compact motorcycle.
The “family feeling” with the other Panigale models is also underlined by the single-sided swingarm, while the compact-sized single lateral exit exhaust, with under-engine silencer, emphasizes the clean lines of the Panigale V2.
The complete and modern electronic equipment, based on the 6-axis inertial platform, leaves no doubt about the sporting DNA of the bike. The electronic package, dedicated to active safety and vehicle dynamics control, includes the “cornering” functionality applied to the Bosch ABS, an electronic gearbox, with operation also in downshift and traction, engine braking and wheelie controls. All the controls are integrated into the three Riding Modes (Race, Sport and Street) that can be modified via the 4.3” TFT colour dashboard with graphics and interface designed to make menu navigation and setting adjustments intuitive, as well as the immediate identification of the selected Riding Mode.
The chassis has fully-adjustable suspension with a Showa Big Piston Fork (BPF) 43 mm in diameter and a Sachs shock absorber set up to make the bike intuitive, agile and fun; in addition, the specific calibration of the hydraulic brakes makes it comfortable for road use. Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II multi-compound tyres, which combine track performance with versatility on the road, also contribute to the dynamic qualities of the Panigale V2.
The ergonomics of the semi-handlebars and the rider seat offer a non-fatiguing position on the road and an efficient one on the track, thus allowing the rider to move freely.
The technical equipment is completed by a Sachs steering damper and by a Brembo braking system with M4.32 monobloc callipers activated by a radial brake master cylinder. The discs are 320 mm in diameter at the front with a single 245 mm disc at the rear. Braking is powerful, never excessively aggressive and always adjustable.
The Panigale V2 in White Rosso livery will be available in Ducati dealers from July 2020.
The start of an Australian Superbike race at Phillip Island in February 2020. Photo courtesy Motorcycling Australia.
ASBK Management Team Statement
Following the commitment to providing a further update on hosting ASBK Round 2 at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on July 25-26; the ASBK Management Team has been monitoring the ongoing developments in Victoria with COVID-19 over the past 7 days and has continued to review the restrictions on state borders over this time.
The announcement by some State Premiers on 30 June, which resulted in further delays to border opening and additional lockdown restriction to targeted areas in metropolitan Melbourne effects many riders, teams and officials and places the ASBK Championship in a very difficult position for the planned July event.
As a result, the ASBK Management Team has made the tough decision to reschedule the Phillip Island round of ASBK to October 2-4. This will now result in a delay to the restart of the 2020 ASBK Championship until August.
ASBK is pleased to announce that the 2020 ASBK Championship will again return to sunny Warwick, Queensland and Morgan Park Raceway on August 21-23. This August event is now scheduled as the restart of the 2020 ASBK Championship. ASBK Management wishes to express our thanks to the Motorcycle Sportsmen of QLD for their support of this August round.
ASBK Sporting Director, Simon Maas, said: “the ASBK Management Team does not take these decisions easily, but we feel the best decision for the health, safety and success of the ASBK Championship, is to adjust the calendar to ensure that everyone from the ASBK paddock can attend and that they are safe when at an ASBK event.
We have been very clear with the competitors and teams that the COVID-19 environment is ever changing, and flexibility will be required in 2020 whilst we live with these developments. We thank the competitors, teams and officials for their understanding and apologise for any inconvenience.’’
The remainder of the 2020 ASBK calendar will stay unchanged with visits to Winton Motor Raceway in September, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in early October, Wakefield Park Raceway in mid-October and the finale at The Bend Motorsport Park for the International MotoFest in November.
Spectator attendance for all ASBK rounds in 2020 remains under review from state to state, and ASBK is very keen to see the fans back trackside as soon as possible. All the action of ASBK will be captured on ASBK TV via SBS HD, Fox Sports Australia, Fox Sports Asia and all day ASBK Livestream thanks to the ASBK Production Partner – AVE & Motorsports TV.
MA CEO Peter Doyle said these are very difficult times and we deal with the many government requirements effecting our sport.
“These requirements are highly complex and ever-changing which creates many challenges for MA on a daily basis,” he said. “We are all adjusting to the constant developments to our plans which effect motorcycle sport at all levels, from club, state and of course the MA National Championships.
“In fact, they effect the wider motorsport community which includes cars, bikes and karting as we all seek dates and venues on short notice – we are all in this together. I am pleased that the ASBK Management Team have been able to find a strong solution to getting ASBK back on track and it will be a great 2020 ASBK Championship.
“I am also proud to see that a majority of the MA members have been understanding, patient and supportive during this difficult period. I look forward to seeing bikes back on track soon.”
Information and updates on the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul will be released in the coming weeks, so keep up to date with further announcements via – asbk.com.au and following ASBK on social media.
Australian Superbike Championship Updated 2020 Calendar as of 1 July 2020
ROUND 1 – WSBK – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC 27 Feb – 1 March
ROUND 2 – Morgan Park Raceway, Warwick QLD 21 – 23 August
ROUND 3 – Winton Motor Raceway, Benalla VIC 11 – 13 September
ROUND 4 – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Cowes VIC 2 – 4 October
ROUND 5 – Wakefield Park Raceway, Goulburn NSW 16 – 18 October
ROUND 6 – International MotoFest @ The Bend, SA 20 – 22 November
ASBK Night of Champions Awards The Bend, SA 22 November
Max Flinders (88). Photo by Ryan Nolan, courtesy Thrashed Bike Racing.
Thrashed Bike Racing launch 2020 R1 at Road America round 2
Following the first MotoAmerica championship round at Road America last month Thrashed Bike Racing pushed hard to ensure its 2020 Yamaha R1 was ready to take to the track.
It has been very challenging; the new bike has not had its full power released yet but the team needed some track time to start its development. The full braking system was changed as well as the front forks and rear swinging arm just before the bike was ready for Q1, some significant engine brake mapping had to be applied during the session but rider Max still managed to get the bike around the track 6 minutes before the end of the session and quick enough to qualify top 9 and get into Super ole. The team could see that the trap speed was low but the torque and new electronic throttle made up for the lower horsepower.
Q2 saw a change in the weather and some teams sat out the drizzle whilst Max had to get some more date to keep improving the bike. Changes were made particularly to the braking system and Max was at the top of the board for most of the session. Some more changes were made prior to Superpole and the team were very happy to see Max put the bike into the 2:15 time bracket, his fastest time ever around Road America.
Race one, Max tried out the factory launch control which was disappointing and he had to fight his way back up to 11th place for the finish flag. Race two saw a better start using a ‘tradition’ launch and Max soon started running a strong race pace, pushing hard in the corners and trying to make up for the lower trap speed. The pace was stronger in race two and the team were happy to see Max catch and take 10th place on the last lap whilst running his fastest time on worn tires at 2:16.
Team Owner Tim Ivanoff was very satisfied with the progress and the strong finish to the weekend, “I was delighted that Max could jump on the new Bike and take it into Super pole and then race at the pace that he did as we had done no testing. We know some improvements that can be made and feel very confident for the future rounds, it was also exciting for the Thrashed bike team to welcome Walt Sipp back into the paddock racing the Thrashed bike super stock bike, hopefully Walt will be joining the team for a few more selected rounds throughout the season.”
Rider Max Flinders commented that “It was great to see the crowd back at the races as they always give me a lift! Also, the new bike is showing good potential, once we squeeze a little more horse power and improve the braking I know I can make it fly. I think I’m sitting 10th in the championship and the aim is to improve through the season. Thanks to all the team for the hard work they have put into getting the bike on the grid and the new sponsors who have jumped on board”
About Thrashed Bike Racing
Thrashed Bike Racing is a Louisiana-based superbike team competing in the MotoAmerica national series. We are committed to showcasing the best young talent at the highest level of US motorcycle sport. We know the challenges are difficult and the cost of running a season at this level is high but our resolve is firm and we will continue to be one of the smallest, friendliest and most consistent teams in the paddock.
Thanks to – Arrow Aviation, Liqui Moly, Friendly Powersports, Arai Helmets, Used Bikes Direct, Moto-D, Moto-tech, FAO Global, Superbike unlimited, Bonamici, Spark exhausts, Rides and Drives and the army of fans. SEE YOU AT THE RACES!
More, from a press release issued by Ben Gloddy Racing:
Holding on to Third in the Championship Points, Gloddy finds some serious speed in the second round of the MotoAmerica Junior Cup Series
Race one of the MotoAmerica Liqui Moly Junior Cup class looked like a simple third place repeat for Ben Gloddy of Quarterley Racing On Track Development. Even without an opportunity to complete any testing between rounds, he found some serious speed, dropping over a second and a half a lap and closing the gap with the leaders from 27 to down to 11.4 seconds. The second race of the weekend did not disappoint with an incredible high side save by Gloddy on lap one resulting in him going off track only to power on to an impressive recovery resulting in a fourth-place finish .179 seconds behind third place. As predicted after last round, the fans are definitely in for an exciting 2020 race season from the MotoAmerica Liqui Moly Junior Cup Riders. Gloddy closed out round one at Road America in third place for the championship season points.
Ben Gloddy (72). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Ben Gloddy Racing.
Ben Gloddy:
As a rookie rider in the Junior Cup series, Gloddy takes aim at improving every time he’s on the track. Gloddy said, “Being able to race at Road America again for the second time in a month definitely helps”. Taking a second and a half off his lap time, Gloddy says “Observing more experienced riders like Doyle and Landers really helped me put the bike where it needs to be in order to go faster.” Gloddy acknowledges having experts like Dale Quarterley and Eric Wood aid in his understanding of what it takes to be a professional rider, has certainly helped.
Continuing to work on rider and team communications, Gloddy and the Quarterley Racing On Track Development Team were able to make adjustments to the bike between races in an effort to make the bike work even better for Gloddy.
“I learned a lot after round one last month and I knew I could do better this weekend and continue to drop my times to move forward,” Gloddy stated. ” I was pretty happy when I learned that I was now within 11 seconds of the leaders, whereas last round I was 27 seconds behind them
With a comfortable lead on the fourth and fifth place guys in the first lap of race one, Gloddy was able to maintain his third place position the entire race. “I was able to break away and put a little space between myself and the other riders,” said Gloddy. “I was able to stay close to the two leaders for a few laps until I made a mistake in turn 5 which allowed the leaders to pull a gap on me. Fortunately, I recovered pretty quickly and the guys behind me weren’t able to close the gap too much.”
In race two, Gloddy was able to get a good start and was in third going into turn one. Feeling like he was going to be able to at a minimum replay the previous day’s result, things changed quickly when on the first lap going into turn 11, he grabbed a little too much brake but was able to save himself from a potentially disastrous high-side. This error caused him to run off course for a few seconds, but he was able to quickly pull himself together and safely rejoined the race.
“Despite my mistake going into turn 11, I wasn’t quitting,” said Gloddy. “I knew what had happened caused me to lose time, but I pushed on determined to try and earn the last podium position, unfortunately, I missed out by a fraction of a second.”
“I can’t thank all of my personal and team sponsors enough for all of the support. Every time I get on that bike, I know you are all along for the ride with me and I cannot express my appreciation enough for you all. I also want to add that it was awesome to see so many fans out there this weekend, thank you all for coming out to support us and the MotoAmerica Series”
Quarterley Racing On Track Development sponsors for 2020 include: Inter-Tech Supplies, Fast By Ferracci, Inc, Yoshimura Research & Development of America, Inc., Wiseco Powersports, Motul USA., Regina Chain, BrakeTech USA, Inc., Ferodo Racing, Matt & Jesse, Inc., Woodcraft Technologies, Fast Bike Industries, Nitron Racing Systems Ltd., Dynojet Research Inc., Beta Tools of Italy – USA, N2 Track Days, RoadracingWorld.com, MOTO-D Racing, VAN DYK Recycling Solutions, Earl’s Racing Team, Barnett Clutches & Cables and Kiwi Classic Moto.
Some of Gloddy’s personal sponsors for 2020 include: SDM298 Racing, D’Andrea Foods, Penguin Racing School, Woodcraft Technologies, Moto Pizza, First Trax Sports Shop, American Supercamp, REB Graphics, Innovative Motorsports, JC Tinting, Roche Realty Group, Stump Racing Kids, Arai Helmets, Moto Liberty, Vanson Leathers, Dunlop Tires, and Freedom Cycle NH.
More, from a press release issued by KWR Ducati:
Kyle Wyman earns two podium results for KATO Fastening/KWR Ducati Team in Wisconsin!
Kyle Wyman (33). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy KWR Ducati.
EKLHART LAKE, Wis. — Kyle Wyman earned two podium results this past weekend at Road America, for round two of the MotoAmerica Superbike series. Wyman placed 3rd in both Superbike races aboard his KATO Fastening Systems/KWR Ducati Panigale V4 R.
The KWR team went into the weekend with a fresh start, new settings on the bike and a promising outlook for a return to the Wisconsin circuit. Wyman, however, started the weekend on the wrong foot by crashing his Ducati Superbike in turn 6, and missing out on an entire valuable session of data gathering and tasking the KWR crew with a full rebuild. The team made only 6 total laps on Friday.
“I still don’t really know what happened,” Wyman said. “I had done my first flying lap, and was just working into the new tires and getting up to speed, and I just tucked the front. It was such a small mistake, but the bike took a weird bounce when it hit the grass and just exploded parts everywhere. I couldn’t believe it.”
The KWR crew was able to get the bike back out in the afternoon, but mostly as a shakedown. The team and Wyman started fresh on Saturday morning, for ‘take two’ on the weekend. With new settings to try that came in with help from Ducati Corse and their WorldSBK team, the morning free practice laps were crucial for Kyle to get a feel for the bike in its latest form. He would end up 6th fastest in that session but with valuable data and feedback for the crew. In Superpole, Wyman put together a good lap and finally broke into the “12’s” by posting a time of 2:12.863 which was good enough for 6th position, and a second-row start on the grid.
Race One
Wyman got off to a tremendous start in race one, and found himself passing 4 riders before turn one, tipping into the first corner in 2nd place. He lost two positions in the opening laps and settled into 4th position, right behind 2017 champion Toni Elias. Wyman was able to build a gap to the riders behind and settle into a race-long battle with Elias, stalking him until a last lap move.
Wyman dove up the inside of Elias in the chicane area, passing the Spanish rider for the final spot on the podium. Elias was able to make a counter move into ‘Canada Corner’ just moments later, and would hold the position through the final sector to put Wyman fourth across the line.
Toni’s pass, however, was in a corner where at the time there was a yellow flag condition, due to another rider crashing on the previous lap. With MotoAmerica rules prohibiting a pass during a waving yellow flag, Elias was docked a position, promoting Wyman to his first podium placing since the 2017 season. Wyman waited 1,022 days between his first MotoAmerica Superbike podium and his second.
“It feels amazing to finally get this podium and put the Ducati Panigale V4 R up front where it belongs,” Wyman said. “I had a great race going, and Toni was riding well, I’m just glad I was able to put a move on him in the last lap and force him in a position to have to pass me back. I’ll take this podium–I feel I’ve earned it and I’m happy to pay back the KATO Fastening Systems, KWR crew with a result.”
Wyman would not have to wait another 1,022 days for a third Superbike podium.
Race Two
In race two, Wyman got off to another strong start and was in 6th place early on, but had to fight his way through the pack in the first few laps to gain positions back. Wyman passed fellow competitor Mathew Scholtz on lap one, and followed it up on lap three with a brave move into Canada Corner on Toni Elias once again. Wyman found himself in 4th position with the top-three up the road, and Elias and Scholtz trailing close behind.
Shortly after, disaster struck for race leader and championship points leader Cameron Beaubier, who crashed in turn one and promoted everyone else in the field up one spot, putting Wyman back in 3rd place.
Wyman would hold off the duo of Elias and Scholtz for the entirety of the race, but not without drama behind him and a close fight to the end. Scholtz made an aggressive pass on Elias mid-way through the race that caused Elias to crash, and Wyman was able to pull just enough of a gap to run the second half of the race unchallenged. Wyman beat out Scholtz for the final step on the podium by a gap of 1.552 seconds.
“I really wanted to duplicate my start from race one, but that was going to be a tall order,” Wyman said. “Fortunately I still gained a couple spots before turn one and was able to put myself in the lead fight early on. I got past Mat and Toni pretty quickly and just put my head down and tried not to make any mistakes. I was able to stay consistent and stay just far enough ahead where neither of them could make a move, and I guess the two of them got together at some point. I just kept my head down and focused through to the end for another podium. I couldn’t be happier.”
Wyman now sits 4th in series standings, after scoring 5th, 4th, 3rd and 3rd in the first four races of 2020. Wyman is only two points out of 3rd place and 19 points out of the championship lead.
“We came into this season with expectations of fighting for the podium sometime mid season, and grabbing a couple when the opportunity presented itself,” Wyman added. “This weekend was a massive step in all aspects of my team. My riding took a big step, as well as my confidence to race with these guys. My crew worked tremendously hard and the bike has improved significantly since the first round already. From where we were on Friday, with the crash and making so few laps, it really shows the strength of the crew I have around me in 2020.”
“It bodes well for the rest of the season, but mostly I need to enjoy this now knowing I rewarded the team and our sponsor KATO Fastening Systems with a couple of podiums. I’m going to remember this weekend for a very long time.”
Visit www.katofastening.com for more information on their products.
Visit www.kylewyman.com for more information on KWR as well as news and updates.
More, from a press release issued by ForzaGP Snipers Junior Team:
Rossi Moor #92 Goes Unbeaten for Round One of the MotoAmerica MiniCup by Motul
Rossi Moor (92). Photo courtesy ForzaGP Snipers Junior Team.
The ForzaGP Snipers Junior Team rider scored pole position and topped all heat and main races in the 160cc and 190cc classes.
Seattle, Washington– Rossi Moor (Portland, OR) put on a masterful performance in the opening round of the MotoAmerica MiniCup by Motul series at Road America. The twelve-year old ForzaGP Snipers Junior Team rider displayed his natural talent by setting the fastest lap in official practice, securing pole position for the 160cc and 190cc heat races, and winning heat races and mains in both the 160cc class (by a 5.6 second margin) and the 190cc class (by a 6.1 second margin)—effectively ending the weekend unbeaten.
Struggling with initial setup during practice, Rossi found his pace early on and consistently lowered his lap times. The track’s elevation changes created gearing challenges and some of the competitors were pushing hard and putting on the pressure. Rossi and the ForzaGP Snipers Junior Team focused on finding the right setup and adjusted the strategy accordingly.
For the 190cc heat race, Rossi was penalized for entering the grid late due to a faulty tire pressure gauge and had to start in the back after qualifying on pole. Rossi got an excellent start off the line and regained six spots. With only nine laps to move through the pack, Rossi fought hard and regained the lead on the last lap to secure the win.
“It was a difficult weekend for me,” said Moor. “We had a problem setting up the bikes throughout the weekend, but I was able to drop my lap times every time I went out in practice and qualifying. I love the track layout. It had amazing elevation changes.
“Thank you to everybody who helped me throughout the weekend. Thanks to my managers, Nathan Fitzgerald with ForzaGP and Stefano Favaro with Snipers Junior Team. Thank you to Renzo Ferriera for the coaching, Tim and Jessica Banish, Brandon Cretu and Ohvale USA for the support, and to all the techs who helped get me out there. I can’t wait for Pittsburgh!”
Team manager and ForzaGP founder, Nathan Fitzgerald commented on Rossi’s round one performance; “I’m constantly blown away by Rossi’s talent. Seeing him come from the back of the grid and win in the 190cc heat race was one of the most impressive motorsport performances I’ve witnessed—and from a twelve-year old kid. He pushed the bike to the ragged edge. I won’t forget it for as long as I live. The competition is tough this year and it’s only going to get tougher. I know these kids are hungry. We’ll keep our head down and get back to work for round two.
I am very grateful to MotoAmerica, Lance Bryson and Brandon Cretu for putting this series together. They have a vision for the future of American road racing, and I’m all in!”
Round two of the MotoAmerica MiniCup by Motul will take place at Pittsburgh International Race Complex kart track, Wampum, PA on August 7-8 during round four of the MotoAmerica Superbike series.
Founded in 2018, ForzaGP and its subsidiary, ForzaSBK, operate one of the largest Ohvale GP-0 fleets in the U.S. ForzaGP supports local racers and offers opportunities to train or race using fleet bikes, while ForzaSBK is the Pacific Northwest’s official Ohvale dealer and custom bike builder and tuner.
More, from a press release issued by American Racing Team:
American Racing Academy Riders Find Success at Road America at the MotoAmerica series
Calabasas, CA (July 1, 2020) — The American Racing Academy riders found success often during Round 2 of the MotoAmerica series and the opening round of the MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul.
The second round of the MotoAmerica series featured the debut of the MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul Championships. The Academy Project “The American Racing Ohvale Team” supplied 4 riders to the championship series with Jesse James Shedden and Travis Horn in the 160cc race Started P3 and P18 (After a crash in the heat race) with Shedden finishing P4 and Travis Horn, in a superb race, finishing P5.
The 190cc class saw podium finishes by Academy riders Julian Correa and Jesse James Shedden, with Correa finishing P2 and Shedden finishing P3. Academy rider Kayla Yaakov finished in 5th spot after a hard-fought race.
In the Liqui Moly Junior Cup, defending champion Rocco Landers had an impressive weekend as well, finishing second in race one with 0.006 sec from the 1st place and taking top spot in race two after an impressive over take at the final straight away right before the finish line. Landers once again pulled double duty, participating in the Twins Cup as well. Similar to his efforts in the Liqui Moly Junior Cup, Landers took the 1st place for the first Twins Cup classification victory of his career.
This round featured the return of the fans and the weekend saw a large crowd taking in the racing action. Fans were treated to great racing and provided some extra atmosphere, which was missing in round one.
The focus of the American Racing Academy is to support and provide the youngest generation of American riders a chance to learn and grow and provide a structured path to a career at the highest levels of road racing.
About the American Racing Team
The American Racing Team competes in the MotoGP World Championship. The team currently fields 2 riders in the Moto2 class: American Joe Roberts (#16) and Spaniard Marcos Ramirez (#42). The team is the only team in the MotoGP series owned by an American and featuring an American Rider. The team has grown under the guidance of team owner Eitan Butbul and is a respected part of the MotoGP world championship paddock.
More, from a press release issued by Altus Motorsports:
MotoAmerica: Mixed Results at Round 2 for the Altus Motorsports Tucker Hagerty Rangeline Team
(Elkhart Lake, WI) While some of the team struggled with their new rides, others saw great success at the MotoAmerica Round 2 at Road America. Altus Motorsports scored their first win of the season in Stock 1000 with Cam Petersen. “Cam’s talent continues to impress everyone at Altus. And, when others are having a rough weekend, he’s the perfect personality to have in the pit,” said team-owner, George Nassaney
Cameron Petersen (45). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Altus Motorsports.
Honos Superbike & Stock 1000: In Round 2, Cameron Petersen built on his strong finish at Round 1. Once again, he rode the Stock 1000-legal Altus Motorsports Suzuki GSX-R1000 in both Superbike and Stock 1000. On Saturday in Race 1 of the premier class, he crossed the line 10th and, on Sunday, he bettered his position to 8th in the second race.
The Stock 1000 class only had a single race during the Round 2 weekend. After solid practices and continuous improvement in each session, Petersen started from pole and never looked back. He had a great launch and led from flag to flag to finish 6 seconds ahead of the closest competitor.
Jaret Nassaney (59). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Altus Motorsports.
Supersport 600: After a good season opener, Jaret Nassaney came into this round with high hopes. He did not expect to struggle in finding a good setup on his freshly built GSX-R 600. In the first qualifying session, he went into turn seven slightly off line, hit a bump and then struck the ground at over 100 mph. The team put the bike back together and Nassaney was able to complete the entire second qualifying session but was not able to gel with the bike or better his lap time. For the first Supersport 600 race of the weekend Jaret finished in 11th place. In the second race on Sunday, he bettered his lap time and finished in 15th, in spite of a small tip over.
“This past weekend we rode the struggle bus. We couldn’t get up to pace and then, unfortunately, had a big get off in turn seven at 101 mph. We didn’t finish the races anywhere close to where we wanted. We are going back to the drawing board these next couple weeks and get rolling in the right direction. We walked away this weekend unscathed so we learn from everything and move forward,” said Jaret Nassaney.
Kevin Olmedo (16). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Altus Motorsports.
Kevin Olmedo showed up at Wisconsin riding an amazing high. First round he showed how quickly he was adapting to the 600 with a podium finish. Unfortunately, his second visit to Road American proved to be just the opposite. It started good enough – Olmedo was fourth fastest in the first practice session and seventh fastest in the first qualifying. Then Kevin had a massive highside at the beginning of Qualifying 2. The crew rebuilt the bike in time for the first race but a crash on the out lap kept him from starting. Stiff and sore, Olmedo and the team decided it was best to sit out the second race. After some healing, Kevin is going to do some hard training and head to Atlanta ready to recapture his Round 1 momentum.
Daniel Kinard (33). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Altus Motorsports.
Liqui Moly Junior Cup: Daniel Kinard’s goal for the first few rounds of the 2020 season is ‘learning and experience.’ Kinard made minor improvements during the practice and qualifying sessions but then, during Race 1, he dropped 4 seconds off his lap time to finish in 13th. Race 2 did not go as well. Daniel had a fall early in the race. he will spend the next month healing in an effort to grid up for Road Atlanta at the end of July.
George Nassaney had one final comment on the weekend: “Our thoughts are with PJ Jacobsen for a speedy recovery. We revel in competition and sincerely hope he will be on the grid in Atlanta. It will be great to get to a new track and fight for a win.”
Altus is proud to welcome our newest sponsor: The Rangeline Group. They provide Wet Tapping, Hot Tapping, Line Stopping, Valve Inserting and Specialty Concrete Pipeline Services. “It’s great to have a company outside of our industry take interest in Altus and the sport of road racing. We are privileged to have their support,” said George Nassaney.
The Altus Motorsports team is supported by our great family of sponsors: Altus Motorsports, Tucker Powersports, Hagerty, Suzuki, The Rangeline Group, VP Lubricants, RS Taichi, Arai, Moto D, Bonamici, Hotbodies Racing, SBS Brakes, Vortex, Motion Pro, Law Tigers Oklahoma, M4 Exhaust, Arata Exhaust, Dunlop, Team Hammer, and Altus Factory Racing
Larry Little. Photo courtesy Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC).
Powersports Veteran Larry Little Retires After Decades of Key Industry Posts
Irvine, Calif. – Larry Little is retiring after more than 40 years and a variety of important work in the powersports industry – from publishing, to consulting, to co-founding the American International Motorcycle Expo, to volunteer work for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, plus a long record of service with the MIC, including a decade as chair of its board of directors. Today is Little’s last official day at the MIC, although the association anticipates maintaining the relationship for years to come.
“Looking back, I’m warmed by all the great people I’ve come to know in this amazing business of motorcycling and powersports, from dealers to aftermarket manufacturers to OEMs, and to have a true sense that an industry is made up and driven by a family of people and personalities, not just brands and companies,” Little said. “Looking ahead, my own family is enjoying getting settled in North Carolina and discovering the great motorcycle roads in the Southeast.”
Married to Stephanie Britt Little since 1979, the couple has a daughter and a son, Ashley and Shaun, both married and each with a daughter.
“We’re looking forward to spending time with grandkids and visiting those folks whom we’ve missed over the years while being active participants in the industry,” Little said.
His biography showcases an extensive career in the powersports industry, stretching all the way back to the 1970s.
“I still recall, as a teenage motorcycle enthusiast, telling a teacher in high school that I wanted to work in the motorcycle industry,” he said. “But I could have never imagined how fortunate I’ve been to be involved in the industry as I have.”
A lifelong rider, Little grew up on single-track trails in rural Upstate New York. His first industry role was selling advertising at Cycle News in 1978, followed by a stop at Motorcyclist magazine before joining Cycle World magazine in 1981, becoming publisher in 1990.
“Stephanie, who was already working in the industry, played a big role in landing my first job at Cycle News, and was my biggest counselor and cheerleader as my career developed,” Little said.
Still maintaining his riding skills, his time at Cycle World saw him participate in a 24-hour, team world-record speed run (averaging more than 128 mph), on the first-year Suzuki GSX-R750, in 1985.
In 2010, he left the magazine and formed The Little Group, a consultancy providing key industry insights including research on building a new industry trade show – which led to the launch of the American International Motorcycle Expo. In 2011, Little joined that effort as vice president and general manager.
Two years later, he was named the American Motorcyclist Association’s Rider of the Year for his efforts in helping to grow the industry, with an effective industry trade gathering, as part of the AIMExpo launch team. In 2015, AIMExpo was acquired by the MIC, and Little became vice president of MIC Events.
In early 2019, when the MIC Board of Directors committed to build a long-term industry expansion program, he served as the MIC’s staff lead on the Ridership initiative, with the stated goal of creating new riders, riding more.
“I’ve worked closely with Larry since 2015 when AIMExpo joined the MIC,” said MIC President and CEO Erik Pritchard. “Our initial conversations focused on the trade show, but they quickly evolved to discussions about the powersports industry as a whole. Our subsequent work together on Ridership has been rewarding and enjoyable. Larry is a friend and stalwart of our industry, and I hope to call on his expertise and wisdom for many years to come.”
“In retrospect, my first involvement with the MIC came while I was the publisher at Cycle World and championing the early Discover Today’s Motorcycling campaign to change public perception of motorcycling,” Little said. “And it’s pretty amazing that my last role at the MIC was in a similar effort to create a program to attract new riders to motorcycling.”
Little served as an elected director on the MIC Board of Directors from 1995 to 2015, including a decade as board chair. He also served for many years on the national board of directors of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, including three years as board chair. The PBTF produces the industry’s most-known charity effort, the fund-raising Ride for Kids.
For all that he’s done, through so many industry endeavors, Little is slated to receive the MIC Chairman’s Award later this year.
“Larry’s retirement is well-deserved, and all of us wish him many decades of enjoyment,” Pritchard said. “His expertise and temperament make him uniquely situated to serve as an emeritus industry professional, and I look forward to discussions over Spanish wine and good food for years to come.”
The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect, and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications, media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, data communications standards, and involvement in technical and regulatory issues. As a not-for-profit national industry association, the MIC seeks to support motorcyclists by representing manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and retailers of motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, ROVs, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts, accessories, and related services, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies, and consultants.
The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office in metropolitan Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Keep up with the industry association on Twitter @followMIC and at MIC.org.
Eugene Laverty (50) testing on his BMW World Superbike at Lausitzring, in Germany. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.
The BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team is back on the racetrack: test at the Lausitzring in preparation for the rest of the season.
After the enforced break due to coronavirus, the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team can get back to work at the racetrack.
Tom Sykes and Eugene Laverty test their BMW S 1000 RR at the Lausitzring.
2020 WorldSBK season will resume at Jerez de la Frontera at the beginning of August.
Lausitzring. It has been a long time since the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and riders Tom Sykes (GBR) and Eugene Laverty (IRL) were last on a racetrack together. The season opener of the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) at the start of March was followed by an enforced break lasting several months due to coronavirus. Now the team and riders have been able to return to the track with the BMW S 1000 RR. Last week, Sykes and Laverty tested at Lausitzring (GER).
Work at the team HQ in Guisborough (GBR) and at BMW Motorrad Motorsport in Munich (GER) was restricted during the break due to coronavirus protective measures. However, good use was made of the time, to analyse the findings and rider feedback from the season opener and to advance the development of the RR in many areas. Consequently the team had a whole host of new components and ideas with them for the test at the Lausitzring. In good weather conditions, the team had plenty of opportunity to test them out in preparation for the next races.
The 2020 WorldSBK season will continue with the second race event of the year, at Jerez de la Frontera (ESP) on the first weekend of August. Before that, the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team will take part in further tests at Barcelona (ESP) on 8th and 9th July.
Quotes after the test at the Lausitzring.
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “It was absolutely great to be back at the racetrack after such a long break. We had a very good test at the Lausitzring in consistent conditions and tested several new parts. We are very confident that we will be coming back stronger than we were before the break. We are looking forward to returning to racing at Jerez and show our competitiveness.”
Shaun Muir, Team Principal BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “The test at the Lausitzring was the first time we had been back at the racetrack after the first round of the season in Australia, as in between we had been in lockdown with the coronavirus restrictions. We had great days of testing, the weather has been kind to us with very good conditions and we had the opportunity to test quite a lot of parts that we have been working on during the break. It has been very successful for both Tom and Eugene and we feel confident now that a lot of effort that the guys have been putting in at the factory will pay off now. We can look forward to another two days of testing at Barcelona in the first week of July.”
Tom Sykes (66) taking his BMW S 1000 RR World Superbike out on track at Lausitzring, in Germany. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.
Tom Sykes: “After such a long period off the bike with this tricky moment in time, it is an absolute pleasure to be here at the Lausitzring and back testing with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. It is fair to say that while everybody was stuck at home there has been a lot of work going on, certainly a lot of development, so this test has proved to be very vital. We certainly gathered a lot of information. It was good and it’s a great feeling to be back on the BMW S 1000 RR. Now we all are looking forward to returning to racing shortly.”
Eugene Laverty (50) returns from a run on his BMW S 1000 RR World Superbike at Lausitzring, in Germany. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.
Eugene Laverty: “We had a fantastic test at the Lausitzring. It was great to be back riding my BMW S 1000 RR after nearly four months off due to the pandemic but I am still getting to know that bike. It’s only the fourth track that I rode it on so it has been so beneficial to come here and ride it at the Lausitzring. We really benefitted from the track time in sunny conditions. Now we are ready to race again and we will be back stronger than ever.”
The Ducati Museum in Bologna, Italy. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Ducati reopens the Museum, combining the visit with new motorcycle or e-bike experiences
After the temporary closure caused by the health emergency, the Ducati Museum will gradually reopen to the public starting on Saturday 4 July
Factory visits are suspended for safety reasons. The new virtual tour of the production lines will be soon available on the Ducati website
New and exciting experiences, to be tackled by motorbike or on Ducati’s range of e-bikes, offered to visitors to encourage the discovery of the territory and its cultural, tourist and motoring traditions
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 30 June 2020 – On Saturday 4 July, on the same date that Ducati was founded 94 years ago, the Ducati Museum and the Fisica in Moto educational laboratory of the Borgo Panigale factory will reopen their doors to visitors, after the forced stop due to the health emergency.
The reopening will be gradual. Until 30 September the visit to the Ducati Museum and the educational laboratory will be limited to Saturday and Sunday, with the exception of the weeks from 3 to 9 August and from 17 to 23 August, when visits on weekdays will also be possible.
The Ducati Museum in Bologna, Italy. Photo courtesy Ducati.
A single ticket will be available for visitors at the special price of € 25, which includes admission to the Museum and a guided tour of the Fisica in Moto Laboratory, a truly unique opportunity to discover the history of the Borgo Panigale motorcycle manufacturer and the laws of physics applied to the world of motors. Visits to the factory remain suspended for safety reasons, but a new virtual tour will be soon available on the Ducati.com website which allows visitors to go inside the production lines.
In line with the safety regulations against the spread of Covid-19, access to the facilities will be allowed for a maximum of 7 people per turn and after booking and purchasing the ticket on the website https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/borgo-panigale-experience. Visits are scheduled every 15 minutes from 9.00 am to 18.00.
For the entire period of stay within the company area it will be necessary to always keep social distancing of at least 1 metre and it is mandatory to wear a surgical mask . In the event that the visitor does not have one, it will be provided by the Museum staff.
In order to ensure greater availability for visitors and avoid gatherings, the maximum duration of the visit is one and a half hours (45 minutes at the Museum and 45 minutes at the Fisica in Moto Laboratory).
The Fisica in Moto Laboratory. Photo courtesy Ducati.
New experiences to discover the territory
It will also be possible to combine a visit to the Ducati Museum and the educational laboratory with the new “experiences” that the Ducati Museum staff offers visitors. These are options, in any case related to the visit of the Museum and of Fisica in Moto, which are divided into two types of proposals that aim to discover the history, tradition and beauty of the Emilia-Romagna area of which Ducati is one of the most representative brands. The proposed itineraries can be done in one day, visiting Bologna riding one of the new Ducati e-bikes, accompanied by E-xplora guides certified by the National MTB Academy. Or by motorbike, divided over several days, independently but with the possibility of following an expressly designed itinerary, renting a Ducati to travel in the beauty of the Apennine landscape or experience the Romagna Riviera, reaching it through alternative roads and routes that can be enjoyed on the bike.
Here are the proposals:
1. E-bike: Bologna by E-xplora – a short and a longer tour to visit the city centre of Bologna, its historical monuments and the Bolognese hills on a Ducati Scrambler e-bike in one day. In both tours visitors will be accompanied by an E-xplora certified National MTB Academy guide. The cost of the city centre tour is € 65, with the city centre and Bologna hills tour € 85, Ducati Scrambler e-bike rental and guide included. For those who so desire, there is also an opportunity to have lunch at the Ducati Scrambler Food Factory in Bologna.
2. Motorbike: Mid-Reno and Savena Valley – a perfect route for a motorbike tour, to discover the ancient history of the Bolognese Apennines and its waters along two legendary roads: the “Porrettana” and the “Futa”. From the Ducati Museum, in fact, you can easily take the “Porrettana”, the road between Bologna and Pistoia built in the crucial years of our country, between the wars that brought about the independence and the unification of Italy. To be done independently or by renting a motorcycle at the Ducati Factory Store (price list for motorcycle and clothing rental on the Ducati website).
3. Motorbike: The Stradelli Guelfi. From the Middle Ages to the origins of Romagna motorcycling, from Baracca and Taglioni, to Cervia and Cesenatico, the origins of the Mototemporada Romagnola – the Stradelli Guelfi route represents an intelligent alternative to go to the seaside, avoiding the daily summer traffic heading for the destinations of the Romagna Riviera and retracing the roads that tell the origins of motorcycling in the region. An authentic example of a “slow ride”, the Stradelli cover the stretch of Romagna that arrives at the Riviera of Ravenna, immersed in the colourful countryside. To be done independently or by renting a motorcycle at the Ducati Factory Store (price list for motorcycle and clothing rental on the Ducati website).
To learn more about the stages of the different routes go on the Ducati website. For information and reservations, write directly to the Ducati Museum reception service: [email protected].
An Energica Ego+ (left) and Ego Corsa racebike (right). Photo by Marcello Mannoni, courtesy Energica.
New International Partnership between Energica Motor Company S.p.A. and Total Lubrifiants
Paris, June 30, 2020 –Total Lubrifiants, the world’s fourth-largest international energy
company on the lubricants market and Energica Motor Company, the Italian manufacturer of high-performing electric motorcycles, are proud to announce a new international partnership until the end of 2022. Total Lubrifiants becomes the Official Sponsor and Industrial Partner of Energica.
Total Lubrifiants has consolidated its position as key player in electric mobility by launching an innovative range of EV fluids for electric and hybrid vehicles. Produced thanks to important efforts of the Group’s R&D teams, these products have been specially developed to meet the cooling and lubrication needs of the various components of these new types of engines and to ensure that they remain in peak condition throughout their lifetime.
TOTAL HI-PERF EV FLUID product range is in line with Total Climate Strategy and the Group’s ambition to get to net-zero emissions by 2050 together with society for its global business across its production and energy products used by its customers.
Thanks to this important industrial partnership, all Energica electric motorcycles will benefit
from the Total Lubrifiants ranges of lubricants, greases and related products.
“We are really proud of this 100% new electric partnership which is an important milestone
towards new mobility”, said Jean Parizot, Vice President Automotive, Total Lubrifiants. “It
shows how committed we are to contribute to the Group’s ambition to become the major in
responsible energy”.
It’s now since a decade that Energica has invested in sustainable mobility by developing
electric motorcycles, from the track to the street. In the last months the Italian company
increased its operating activity by delivering 68% more motorcycles to its dealers and importers compared to the same period last year.
The interest in the Energica brand is confirmed both in Europe and in overseas markets
showing a clear sign of an increasing attention to electric mobility.
“In this scenario of growing interest in climate change and sustainability, we are proud to
partner with Total Lubrifiants, an international leading energy player. Our synergy is built on extremely solid ground with an eye towards a sustainable future”, said Livia Cevolini, CEO of Energica Motor Company S.p.A.
“We are proud to team up with Total Lubrifiants and work on new solutions and applications
together”, said Giampiero Testoni, CTO of Energica Motor Company S.p.A.
About Energica Motor Company S.p.A.
Energica Motor Company is the first Italian manufacturer of high-performing electric motorcycle and is the single manufacturer chosen by Dorna for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup. Energica Motorcycles are on sale worldwide.
www.energicamotor.com
About Total Lubrifiants
Total Lubrifiants is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of lubricants. It has 42
production plants worldwide and more than 5,800 employees in 150 countries. Total Lubrifiants offers innovative, efficient and environmentally responsible products and services developed by more than 130 researchers at its two R&D centers. Total Lubrifiants is a partner of choice for the automotive, industrial and marine markets.
lubricants.total.com
elf.com
About Total Marketing & Services
Total’s Marketing & Services business segment develops and markets products primarily
derived from crude oil, along with all of the associated services. Its 31,000 employees are present in 109 countries and its products and services are sold in 150 countries. Total Marketing & Services serves more than 8 million customers daily through its network of over 14,000 service stations in 62 countries. The world’s fourth-largest marketer of lubricants and the leading distributor of petroleum products in Africa, Total Marketing &
Services operates 50 production sites worldwide that manufacture lubricants, bitumen,
additives, fuels and special fluids.
About Total
Total is a broad energy Group, which produces and markets fuels, natural gas and low-carbon electricity. Our 100,000 employees are committed to better energy that is safer, more affordable, cleaner and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, our ambition is to become the responsible energy major.
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a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
