Collections: Suzuki Plaza Museum, Part One, In The April Issue

Feature

Trudy Ulrich

-

April 15, 2020

Collections: Suzuki Plaza Museum, Part One, In The April Issue

Featured In the April 2020 issue of Roadracing World:

For decades, Suzuki housed an informal collection of breakthrough motorcycle and car models from the past in a cramped room on the ground ﬂoor of an ofﬁce building at company headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan. In 2009 (100 years after it was founded as a loom maker in 1909), the company opened Suzuki Plaza, a purpose-built, three-story museum located directly across the street from the headquarters complex.

The museum offers a well-organized, chronological trip through its history and transformation from what was Suzuki Loom Works into Suzuki Motor Co. Ltd. The company now has ﬁve factories in Japan, including a futuristic new Hamamatsu plant where motorcycle engines and complete machines are assembled, including the latest GSX-R, GSX-S, Katana, SV650, and V-Strom models…

—Excerpt from Collections: Suzuki Plaza Museum, by John Ulrich

Educational and interactive displays. 3D videos of the manufacturing process. Historical context for different significant motorcycles, racing eras and racing machines. A trip through Suzuki’s corporate museum is a trip through the company’s successes, and the highlights are in the latest issue of Roadracing World!

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.

PREVIEW the April 2020 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.

Log in or subscribe HERE.

Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

Visit www.roadracingworld.com daily for breaking news and events.

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/roadracingworld

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com @roadracingworld

Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com @roadracing_world

MotoAmerica: Over $6.7 Million In Purse And Contingency Payouts Available

David Swarts

-

April 14, 2020

0

MotoAmerica: Over $6.7 Million In Purse And Contingency Payouts Available

Over $6.7 million in cash purse money and manufacturer contingency prizes have been posted for the 2020 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Series, including $3.6 million available in the Superbike class alone.

In the Superbike class, MotoAmerica offers a cash purse of $32,500 paid across the top 20 finishing positions in each race. Multiply that by 20 races, and you have $650,000 for the Superbike season.

In addition to that, Premier Entrants, teams that commit and pay up front to enter riders at every event during the season while also fulfilling other requirements of MotoAmerica, receive a share of $20,000 paid out for each of the 20 Superbike races. That’s $400,000 for the 2020 season.

Stock 1000 riders who are entered in the new Superbike Cup can also win $40,000 in Championship bonuses from MotoAmerica, not to mention free entries and free tires.

Then there’s the contingency money posted by the motorcycle manufacturers, which is another $2,562,000 in race payouts and Championship bonuses.

Add it all up and the 2020 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship includes $3,652,000 in purse, Premier Entrant money, and contingencies. And that figure doesn’t include contingency prizes offered by makers of protective gear, aftermarket parts and fluids, etc.

When you add in MotoAmerica’s purse in Supersport ($315,000), Twins Cup ($77,400), and Stock 1000 ($54,600) plus the motorcycle manufacturer contingencies posted in those classes plus Junior Cup, the grand total of money known to be available to MotoAmerica racers in 2020 is $6,746,000.

Josh Hayes Doing Q&A Session Tonight On Instagram

David Swarts

-

April 14, 2020

0

Josh Hayes Doing Q&A Session Tonight On Instagram

Grab your favorite beverage and tune in on April 14^th. We’ll be talking to Josh Hayes about quarantine, what he’s been up to lately and stories of the past – from his privateer days to factory superbike pilot to MotoGP wild card ride. Send questions ahead of time or during the chat.

About Z2’s Q&B (Question & Beverage) weekly Instagram Live series:

Z2’s Instagram Live series is an informal effort to help alleviate the boredom due to lack of riding/racing during the mandated isolation period. We ask racers, past and present, what they’re currently up to and dig for never before told stories from their racing past. Tuesdays at 7 pm PDT. [10:00 p.m. Eastern]

https://www.instagram.com/z2trackdays/

https://z2trackdays.com

CMRA Cancels May 22-24 Event At Hallett Motor Racing Circuit

David Swarts

-

April 14, 2020

0

CMRA Cancels May 22-24 Event At Hallett Motor Racing Circuit

April 14, 2020 / Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association, Waco, TX

The CMRA is announcing the cancellation of the May 22-24th event at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit due the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This was a difficult decision, as the Westby Classic holds a special place with the CMRA family. After consulting with medical professionals, track and local authorities, this is the best decision for the health and safety of our staff, competitors and their families. The annual event in honor of CMRA Hall of Fame Racer, Dane Westby will be moved to the September 25-27th Hallett event.

With five (5) events remaining on the calendar, the CMRA is focused on “2020/2.0” beginning with MSR Houston, June 19-21st. This will be an exciting event headlined by the rescheduled 8hr Ultra Lightweight Endurance event on Saturday and include Friday Practice, Racer School and Championship Sprints. As with prior events, entries already submitted will be rolled forward.

Each of the remaining CMRA events will now include rounds of the Ultra Lightweight Endurance Series, providing teams 35 hours of racing action. Visit the SCHEDULE PAGE on the CMRA Website for details on the revised season schedule.

Everyone with the CMRA appreciates the overwhelming support we have received. Stay healthy and stay safe.

For updates visit:

CMRA website cmraracing.com

CMRA on Facebook

About

The Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA) is a motorcycle racing league that holds events in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Operating continuously since 1974, it remains one of the oldest and largest active amateur racing clubs in the U.S. For more information visit our website at: http://www.cmraracing.com/

Josh Herrin Hosting Live Q&A With Suspension Tuner David Behrend

David Swarts

-

April 14, 2020

0

Josh Herrin Hosting Live Q&A With Suspension Tuner David Behrend

Scheibe Racing BMW MotoAmerica Superbike racer Josh Herrin is doing a live video Question and Answer (Q&A) session with Fast Bike Industries (FBI) owner David Behrend at 8:00 p.m. Eastern/5:00 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday, April 15 on Herrin’s Instagram account.

FBI is a trackside motorcycle suspension service provider and full-service motorcycle suspension shop located in Hendersonville, North Carolina. FBI is also the North American distributor for Andreani Group and Nitron Suspension products as well as an authorized Öhlins and K-Tech dealer.

MotoAmerica: Heritage Cup Class Structure Announced, Registration Opened

David Swarts

-

April 14, 2020

0

MotoAmerica Heritage Cup

Event Entry Is Now Open!

MotoAmerica announces Heritage Cup Class Structure and Registration

Over the past few months, we have spoken to a lot of participants and staff and have also taken advice from many on what the final structure of the Heritage Cup should look like. The original vision was to bring out historical racing machines, including Superbikes, which are not seen or heard that often. Many of the participants with these types of bikes are enthusiastic about showing and riding them but not so much in a racing environment due to the potential risk. On the other hand, we have a large group of people that like to “race” their vintage bikes.

Taking this into consideration, we have decided that our events at Road America and Indianapolis will be “Exhibition Sessions”. This will entail open laps with no official “lights out” start. The machines will be selected to ensure the spirit of the endeavor and to make sure the potential for speed differentials is at minimum risk.

Our event at the MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest of Monterey will include the Heritage Cup featuring CSRA. This event will entail Vintage Superbike Racing. To be eligible, your entry must conform to CSRA rules.

We now invite interested teams to officially apply if you are still interested in participating in the 2020 MotoAmerica Heritage events. All registrations will be an application request to be included in the events and each submission will be evaluated. The fees will not be charged unless your entry is approved for participation.

Rules and entry information for these events can be found HERE

To enter the rider will be required to have a current AMA membership.

Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Roadracing World Young Guns 2020: Rocco Landers

David Swarts

-

April 14, 2020

0

Roadracing World Young Guns 2020: Rocco Landers

24th-Annual Roadracing World Young Gun Honors:

By David Swarts

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 24th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

AMA Pro races and Championships, including eight AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

The Daytona 200 (8 times);

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 11 and 18 (as of the start of the 2020 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships on a 125cc two-stroke/250cc four-stroke or larger racebike or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

Rocco Landers

Age: 15.

Current home: Burns, Oregon.

Current height/weight: 5’7”/135 pounds.

Current school grade level: 10^th grade.

Began riding at age: 2 years.

First road race: 2010, Buttonwillow, California, SC MiniGP, Blata Cup, 1st Place.

Current racebikes: KTM RC250, Kawasaki Ninja 400, BMW S1000RR.

Current tuner/mechanics: Stoney Landers (father).

Primary race series: Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, MotoAmerica Junior Cup, CVMA.

Sponsors: CVMA, SoCal Track Days, Track Daz, Mithos, GP Suspension, KFG Motorsports, Norton Motorsports, Penske, DP Brakes, Weir Everywhere Racing, BMW Motorrad USA, Lee’s Cycle, California Superbike School, Team Green Kawasaki, VP Racing Fuels, Racer’s Edge Performance, Ninja400R.com, Hotbodies, Tyrant Designs CNC, HJC.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2019 season, won MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (won 14 of 17 races), won five CVMA class Championships, won multiple races and titles at Dunlop Invite event; 2018 season, finished 4^th in RFME CEV (Spanish) 85cc GP National Championship, 18 race wins with CVMA, 3 race wins with WERA West; 2017 season, finished 5^th in RFME CEV (Spanish) 85cc National Championship; 2016 season, finished 9^th in CIV (Italian) 50cc MiniGP Championship; 2015-2010, multiple mini road racing Championships and race wins.

2020 racing goals: Do as well as possible in Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, win as many MotoAmerica Junior Cup races as possible, earn a MotoAmerica Twins Cup ride.

Racing career goal: Win races and Championships in Moto3, Moto2, and MotoGP.

Racing heroes: Valentino Rossi, Ronnie Mack, Ben Spies.

Favorite track: Sonoma Raceway.

Favorite hobby: Riding pit bikes.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Moping around.

Road America Board Member George Bovis (R.I.P.)

David Swarts

-

April 14, 2020

0

Road America Board Member George Bovis (R.I.P.)

ROAD AMERICA BOARD MEMBER, GEORGE BOVIS, PASSES AWAY

ELKHART LAKE, Wis., – April, 14, 2020 – George Bovis, a profound businessman, SCCA member, and long-standing Road America Board Member, passed away on April 12.

“Everyone is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of George Bovis, he was family to us, and a member of a kinship amongst SCCA members throughout the midwest,” said Road America President and General Manager, Mike Kertscher. “To say he played an integral role in our success – beginning as a volunteer with the Chicago Region SCCA, to his position on the Board of Directors – would be an understatement. He was a passionate and valued leader, and more importantly, he possessed a graciousness and character that everyone enjoyed being around. His presence will be missed but never forgotten at Road America. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Road America and our extended family of partners and friends are with the Bovis family in this difficult time.”

Funeral arrangements are pending and additional information will be made available at a later date.

World Superbike: Imola Cancelled, Other Rounds Rescheduled

David Swarts

-

April 14, 2020

0

World Superbike: Imola Cancelled, Other Rounds Rescheduled

MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship/
FIM Supersport and Supersport 300 World Championships

2020 Provisional calendar, UPDATE: 14 April

With a forced stop in place due to continual coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, further changes have been made to the 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship calendar.

With the ongoing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, The FIM, Government Officials, Circuits & Dorna WSBK Organization informs of further changes needed to be made to the 2020 WorldSBK Calendar, with rounds being rescheduled & regrettably, cancelled.

RESCHEDULED:

• Aragon Round (previously 22–24 May) rescheduled 28–30 August.

• Riviera Di Rimini Round (previously 12–14 June) rescheduled 6– 8 November.

CANCELLED:

• Acerbis Italian Round (previously 8–10 May)

The FIM and Dorna WSBK Organization will continue working extensively with Government Officials and Circuits, analysing the situation in every country with great detail.

However, it is with regret that after a range of scenarios being discussed and reviewed and in agreement with Circuit Officials, that the Acerbis Italian Round at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari has been cancelled.

Information will be communicated accordingly if further changes to the 2020 Calendar are made.

Report: Motorsport UK Offers Financial Help For Car Club Racing (Only)

David Swarts

-

April 14, 2020

0

Report: Motorsport UK Offers Financial Help For Car Club Racing (Only)

Editor’s Note: Roadracingworld.com reached out to Stuart Higgs of Motor Sport Vision (MSV), which runs the British Superbike Championship, to ask if any type of emergency financial support is available to motorcycle racing in the UK. Higgs told reporter Michael Gougis that MSV as well as the ACU (the British equivalent of the AMA here in the USA) are both shut down by government order. Here in the United States, race promoting organizations, tracks, and individual professional racers impacted by the government shutting down racing, can apply for various government aide programs detailed previously on Roadracingworld.com.

The following is a press release issued by Motorsport UK.

Motorsport UK, the national governing body of four-wheel motorsport, today announced a £1 million funding package to help its clubs address the financial consequences of COVID-19.

The funding is one of a number of measures that it is implementing to offset the economic impact that the global pandemic has wrought across the sport.

In order to help protect the NHS and save lives, Motorsport UK has suspended all event permits until 30 June. This suspension is subject to a rolling review to enable the sport to resume as soon as is practicable.

Motorsport UK typically issues around 4,500 event permits per annum, across all forms of motorsport in the UK. Although circuit racing enjoys the highest profile, there are a broad range of other motorsport disciplines enjoyed by more than 40,000 licence holders across karting, speed, trials, cross-country, rally, autocross, rallycross, drag racing and autotest events. Many of these grassroots, low cost motorsport activities can be undertaken in standard or lightly modified road cars and by enthusiasts funding their sport from their own pocket.

Motorsport UK is setting aside the £1 million of funding to support its 720 member clubs, responsible for organising and promoting motorsport at all levels in the UK. The aim is to mitigate immediate financial risk and help to aid recovery towards a strong and sustainable future.

There are some 40,000 people working in the motorsport industry in the UK, and they are predominantly self-employed or working for small organisations, with combined revenues of £10 billion per annum. The suspension of all motorsport has an immediate and detrimental effect on the workforce, and the government has acted to begin to provide support in this area. At the same time the burden has firmly fallen on the event organising clubs and championship organisers many of whom have no recourse to government aid.

In recognition of the considerable hardship placed on its member clubs, the Motorsport UK Board has agreed to allocate £1 million of direct funding to support the community. This investment will be used to create two funds, each valued at £500,000, to provide loan and grant support to Motorsport UK clubs through this challenging period.

A Motorsport UK panel will review each application and decide the amount to be awarded and the funding mechanism.

Applicants may receive funding from the Motorsport UK Club Continuity Loan Fund or The Motorsport UK Club Continuity Grant Fund.

The Continuity Funds have been created to support clubs who are most at risk due to the pandemic. Such clubs may be awarded funding from either stream up to a grant value of £10,000 or a maximum loan value of £25,000.

Clubs are expected to use all government guidance and support available to them before considering applying for the funds.

The Motorsport UK Club Continuity Funds should be a last resort for clubs who are able to demonstrate that after taking all reasonable steps and without a level of intervention, they will struggle to resume activities as a direct result of COVID-19.

Motorsport UK has taken measures to protect its own financial position at this time including furloughing one third of its staff, freezing all discretionary spend, suspending investment in capital expenditure projects, reducing staff pay and cutting working hours across the organisation for the duration of this period.

David Richards, chairman of Motorsport UK, said, “These are unprecedented times for the nation and for motorsport. Our community looks to us to provide leadership and help protect motorsport from the financial fallout of this pandemic. We have taken measures to reduce the overheads of the core organisation, while continuing to provide the essential levels of service to the sport. Today we have launched a series of financial measures that member clubs can access, in order to try and mitigate some of the hardship they are inevitably suffering.

“During this time, there is a spirit that we are all in this together, and it is only right that Motorsport UK takes practical measures to reduce expenditure, while launching these funds to preserve those responsible for organising events, without whom there can be no motorsport. We are custodians of motorsport in the UK and have a responsibility to our clubs, to do all that we realistically can, to sustain their operations at this uniquely challenging time.”

Collections: Suzuki Plaza Museum, Part One, In The April Issue

April 15, 2020

American Kevin Schwantz (34) won the 1993 500cc Grand Prix World Championship on this water-cooled RGV500 V4 two-stroke. Kenny Lee Roberts won the 2000 500cc GP title on the #2 RGV V4. Seeing historic racebikes up close is a major draw at the Suzuki Plaza Museum in Hamamatsu, Japan. Photo by John Ulrich.

Featured In the April 2020 issue of Roadracing World:

For decades, Suzuki housed an informal collection of breakthrough motorcycle and car models from the past in a cramped room on the ground ﬂoor of an ofﬁce building at company headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan. In 2009 (100 years after it was founded as a loom maker in 1909), the company opened Suzuki Plaza, a purpose-built, three-story museum located directly across the street from the headquarters complex.

The museum offers a well-organized, chronological trip through its history and transformation from what was Suzuki Loom Works into Suzuki Motor Co. Ltd. The company now has ﬁve factories in Japan, including a futuristic new Hamamatsu plant where motorcycle engines and complete machines are assembled, including the latest GSX-R, GSX-S, Katana, SV650, and V-Strom models…

—Excerpt from Collections: Suzuki Plaza Museum, by John Ulrich

Educational and interactive displays. 3D videos of the manufacturing process. Historical context for different significant motorcycles, racing eras and racing machines. A trip through Suzuki’s corporate museum is a trip through the company’s successes, and the highlights are in the latest issue of Roadracing World!

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.

PREVIEW the April 2020 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.

Log in or subscribe HERE.

Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

Visit www.roadracingworld.com daily for breaking news and events.

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/roadracingworld

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com @roadracingworld

Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com @roadracing_world

MotoAmerica: Over $6.7 Million In Purse And Contingency Payouts Available

April 14, 2020

Privateer Bradley Ward (57) riding his Kawasaki ZX-10R at the 2020 MotoAmerica pre-season test at Barber Motorsports Park. Photo by Brian J. Nelson. — Privateer Bradley Ward (57) riding his Kawasaki ZX-10R during the 2020 MotoAmerica pre-season test at Barber Motorsports Park. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Over $6.7 million in cash purse money and manufacturer contingency prizes have been posted for the 2020 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Series, including $3.6 million available in the Superbike class alone.

In the Superbike class, MotoAmerica offers a cash purse of $32,500 paid across the top 20 finishing positions in each race. Multiply that by 20 races, and you have $650,000 for the Superbike season.

In addition to that, Premier Entrants, teams that commit and pay up front to enter riders at every event during the season while also fulfilling other requirements of MotoAmerica, receive a share of $20,000 paid out for each of the 20 Superbike races. That’s $400,000 for the 2020 season.

Stock 1000 riders who are entered in the new Superbike Cup can also win $40,000 in Championship bonuses from MotoAmerica, not to mention free entries and free tires.

Then there’s the contingency money posted by the motorcycle manufacturers, which is another $2,562,000 in race payouts and Championship bonuses.

Add it all up and the 2020 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship includes $3,652,000 in purse, Premier Entrant money, and contingencies. And that figure doesn’t include contingency prizes offered by makers of protective gear, aftermarket parts and fluids, etc.

When you add in MotoAmerica’s purse in Supersport ($315,000), Twins Cup ($77,400), and Stock 1000 ($54,600) plus the motorcycle manufacturer contingencies posted in those classes plus Junior Cup, the grand total of money known to be available to MotoAmerica racers in 2020 is $6,746,000.

Josh Hayes Doing Q&A Session Tonight On Instagram

April 14, 2020

Josh Hayes (4) at speed on his MP13 Racing Yamaha during the opening practice session at the 79th Daytona 200. Photo by Brian J. Nelson. — TCX-sponsored Josh Hayes (4) at speed on his MP13 Racing Yamaha at Daytona. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Grab your favorite beverage and tune in on April 14^th. We’ll be talking to Josh Hayes about quarantine, what he’s been up to lately and stories of the past – from his privateer days to factory superbike pilot to MotoGP wild card ride. Send questions ahead of time or during the chat.

About Z2’s Q&B (Question & Beverage) weekly Instagram Live series:

Z2’s Instagram Live series is an informal effort to help alleviate the boredom due to lack of riding/racing during the mandated isolation period. We ask racers, past and present, what they’re currently up to and dig for never before told stories from their racing past. Tuesdays at 7 pm PDT. [10:00 p.m. Eastern]

https://www.instagram.com/z2trackdays/

https://z2trackdays.com

CMRA Cancels May 22-24 Event At Hallett Motor Racing Circuit

April 14, 2020

Action from a previous CMRA event. Photo by David Gillen/dgillenphoto.com, courtesy of CMRA.

April 14, 2020 / Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association, Waco, TX

The CMRA is announcing the cancellation of the May 22-24th event at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit due the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This was a difficult decision, as the Westby Classic holds a special place with the CMRA family. After consulting with medical professionals, track and local authorities, this is the best decision for the health and safety of our staff, competitors and their families. The annual event in honor of CMRA Hall of Fame Racer, Dane Westby will be moved to the September 25-27th Hallett event.

With five (5) events remaining on the calendar, the CMRA is focused on “2020/2.0” beginning with MSR Houston, June 19-21st. This will be an exciting event headlined by the rescheduled 8hr Ultra Lightweight Endurance event on Saturday and include Friday Practice, Racer School and Championship Sprints. As with prior events, entries already submitted will be rolled forward.

Each of the remaining CMRA events will now include rounds of the Ultra Lightweight Endurance Series, providing teams 35 hours of racing action. Visit the SCHEDULE PAGE on the CMRA Website for details on the revised season schedule.

Everyone with the CMRA appreciates the overwhelming support we have received. Stay healthy and stay safe.

For updates visit:

CMRA website cmraracing.com

CMRA on Facebook

About

The Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA) is a motorcycle racing league that holds events in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Operating continuously since 1974, it remains one of the oldest and largest active amateur racing clubs in the U.S. For more information visit our website at: http://www.cmraracing.com/

Josh Herrin Hosting Live Q&A With Suspension Tuner David Behrend

April 14, 2020

Fast Bike Industries owner and suspension tuner David Behrend. Photo courtesy of Fast Bike Industries.

Scheibe Racing BMW MotoAmerica Superbike racer Josh Herrin is doing a live video Question and Answer (Q&A) session with Fast Bike Industries (FBI) owner David Behrend at 8:00 p.m. Eastern/5:00 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday, April 15 on Herrin’s Instagram account.

FBI is a trackside motorcycle suspension service provider and full-service motorcycle suspension shop located in Hendersonville, North Carolina. FBI is also the North American distributor for Andreani Group and Nitron Suspension products as well as an authorized Öhlins and K-Tech dealer.

MotoAmerica: Heritage Cup Class Structure Announced, Registration Opened

April 14, 2020

A vintage Superbike at speed during a MotoAmerica event at Sonoma Raceway. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy of MotoAmerica.

MotoAmerica Heritage Cup

Event Entry Is Now Open!

MotoAmerica announces Heritage Cup Class Structure and Registration

Over the past few months, we have spoken to a lot of participants and staff and have also taken advice from many on what the final structure of the Heritage Cup should look like. The original vision was to bring out historical racing machines, including Superbikes, which are not seen or heard that often. Many of the participants with these types of bikes are enthusiastic about showing and riding them but not so much in a racing environment due to the potential risk. On the other hand, we have a large group of people that like to “race” their vintage bikes.

Taking this into consideration, we have decided that our events at Road America and Indianapolis will be “Exhibition Sessions”. This will entail open laps with no official “lights out” start. The machines will be selected to ensure the spirit of the endeavor and to make sure the potential for speed differentials is at minimum risk.

Our event at the MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest of Monterey will include the Heritage Cup featuring CSRA. This event will entail Vintage Superbike Racing. To be eligible, your entry must conform to CSRA rules.

We now invite interested teams to officially apply if you are still interested in participating in the 2020 MotoAmerica Heritage events. All registrations will be an application request to be included in the events and each submission will be evaluated. The fees will not be charged unless your entry is approved for participation.

Rules and entry information for these events can be found HERE

To enter the rider will be required to have a current AMA membership.

Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Roadracing World Young Guns 2020: Rocco Landers

April 14, 2020

Rocco Landers (97). Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

24th-Annual Roadracing World Young Gun Honors:

By David Swarts

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 24th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

AMA Pro races and Championships, including eight AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

The Daytona 200 (8 times);

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 11 and 18 (as of the start of the 2020 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships on a 125cc two-stroke/250cc four-stroke or larger racebike or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

Rocco Landers

Age: 15.

Current home: Burns, Oregon.

Current height/weight: 5’7”/135 pounds.

Current school grade level: 10^th grade.

Began riding at age: 2 years.

First road race: 2010, Buttonwillow, California, SC MiniGP, Blata Cup, 1st Place.

Current racebikes: KTM RC250, Kawasaki Ninja 400, BMW S1000RR.

Current tuner/mechanics: Stoney Landers (father).

Primary race series: Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, MotoAmerica Junior Cup, CVMA.

Sponsors: CVMA, SoCal Track Days, Track Daz, Mithos, GP Suspension, KFG Motorsports, Norton Motorsports, Penske, DP Brakes, Weir Everywhere Racing, BMW Motorrad USA, Lee’s Cycle, California Superbike School, Team Green Kawasaki, VP Racing Fuels, Racer’s Edge Performance, Ninja400R.com, Hotbodies, Tyrant Designs CNC, HJC.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2019 season, won MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (won 14 of 17 races), won five CVMA class Championships, won multiple races and titles at Dunlop Invite event; 2018 season, finished 4^th in RFME CEV (Spanish) 85cc GP National Championship, 18 race wins with CVMA, 3 race wins with WERA West; 2017 season, finished 5^th in RFME CEV (Spanish) 85cc National Championship; 2016 season, finished 9^th in CIV (Italian) 50cc MiniGP Championship; 2015-2010, multiple mini road racing Championships and race wins.

2020 racing goals: Do as well as possible in Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, win as many MotoAmerica Junior Cup races as possible, earn a MotoAmerica Twins Cup ride.

Racing career goal: Win races and Championships in Moto3, Moto2, and MotoGP.

Racing heroes: Valentino Rossi, Ronnie Mack, Ben Spies.

Favorite track: Sonoma Raceway.

Favorite hobby: Riding pit bikes.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Moping around.

Road America Board Member George Bovis (R.I.P.)

April 14, 2020

George Bovis, R.I.P. Photo courtesy of Road America.

ROAD AMERICA BOARD MEMBER, GEORGE BOVIS, PASSES AWAY

ELKHART LAKE, Wis., – April, 14, 2020 – George Bovis, a profound businessman, SCCA member, and long-standing Road America Board Member, passed away on April 12.

“Everyone is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of George Bovis, he was family to us, and a member of a kinship amongst SCCA members throughout the midwest,” said Road America President and General Manager, Mike Kertscher. “To say he played an integral role in our success – beginning as a volunteer with the Chicago Region SCCA, to his position on the Board of Directors – would be an understatement. He was a passionate and valued leader, and more importantly, he possessed a graciousness and character that everyone enjoyed being around. His presence will be missed but never forgotten at Road America. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Road America and our extended family of partners and friends are with the Bovis family in this difficult time.”

Funeral arrangements are pending and additional information will be made available at a later date.

World Superbike: Imola Cancelled, Other Rounds Rescheduled

April 14, 2020

The start of a World Superbike race at Imola in 2019. Photo courtesy of Dorna WorldSBK Press Office.

MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship/
FIM Supersport and Supersport 300 World Championships

2020 Provisional calendar, UPDATE: 14 April

With a forced stop in place due to continual coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, further changes have been made to the 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship calendar.

With the ongoing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, The FIM, Government Officials, Circuits & Dorna WSBK Organization informs of further changes needed to be made to the 2020 WorldSBK Calendar, with rounds being rescheduled & regrettably, cancelled.

RESCHEDULED:

• Aragon Round (previously 22–24 May) rescheduled 28–30 August.

• Riviera Di Rimini Round (previously 12–14 June) rescheduled 6– 8 November.

CANCELLED:

• Acerbis Italian Round (previously 8–10 May)

The FIM and Dorna WSBK Organization will continue working extensively with Government Officials and Circuits, analysing the situation in every country with great detail.

However, it is with regret that after a range of scenarios being discussed and reviewed and in agreement with Circuit Officials, that the Acerbis Italian Round at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari has been cancelled.

Information will be communicated accordingly if further changes to the 2020 Calendar are made.

Report: Motorsport UK Offers Financial Help For Car Club Racing (Only)

April 14, 2020

Silverstone Circuit. Photo courtesy of Michelin.