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Superbike-Coach Releases 2020 School Schedule

David Swarts
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0

Sacramento, CA – January 2020

Superbike-Coach announced its 2020 class schedule today. The popular riding school has upped the stakes to include new benefits and offers to their students and track day riders.

Superbike-Coach provides sport photography by Dean Lonskey free of charge at all classes and events. And, the track fee is included at their Cornering School program. They also offer free snacks, coffee and drinks throughout the day. The riding school offers these unique classes and renowned 1-on-1 programs for both track and street riders. New in the program, the ‘Rider Passenger Class’:

Cornering School Days 1-3 – For all street and track riders on a small race track, no track fees

Rider Passenger Class – For all street riders and passengers on a small race track, no track fees

Body Positioning Class – For all Sportbike street riders, track riders and racers, no track fees

Race Academy – For track riders and racers of mid levels and up, no extra track fees

Road Skill 1-on-1 coaching – For all street riders of all ages, levels, and categories

Wheelie Course – For all street and track riders, and racers of all ages

Knee Down – For all sport street and track riders, and racers of all ages

Track Drill 1-on-1 coaching – For all sport and track riders and racers of all ages and levels at your track day

Supermotard 1-on-1 – For street and track riders, and racers of all ages

Basic Rider 1on1 – For absolute beginners, to prepare for the M1 drivers license test

Suspension Workshop & Track Time – For all street and track riders on a small race track, no track fees
 

The 2020 season class event schedule is as follows:

Cornering School – Day 3, at Little 99 Raceway on 01/12/2020

Road Skill 1on3, Foothills, at Placerville, CA on 01/19/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 01/26/2020

Road Skill 1on3, SF Bay Area, at Pleasanton, CA on 02/16/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 02/23/2020

Road Skill 1on4, Foothills, at Placerville, CA on 03/08/2020

Cornering School – Day 2, at Little 99 Raceway on 03/22/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 03/28/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 03/29/2020

Cornering School – Day 3, at Little 99 Raceway on 04/05/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 04/20/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 05/03/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Laguna Seca Raceway, at Laguna Seca Raceway on 05/09/2020

Cornering School – Day 2, at Little 99 Raceway on 05/10/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill West Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 05/23/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill West Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 05/24/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 05/31/2020

Knee Down, at Little 99 Raceway on 06/13/2020

Wheelie Course, at Little 99 Raceway on 06/14/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Laguna Seca Raceway, at Laguna Seca Raceway on 06/26/2020

Body Positioning Class, at Little 99 Raceway on 06/28/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 07/04/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 07/05/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 07/12/2020

Cornering School – Day 2, at Little 99 Raceway on 07/26/2020

Cornering School – Day 3, at Little 99 Raceway on 08/02/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 08/15/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 08/16/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 08/23/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Laguna Seca Raceway, at Laguna Seca Raceway on 08/24/2020

Track Drill 1on4, Buttonwillow Raceway, at Buttonwillow Raceway Park on 09/05/2020

Track Drill 1on4, Buttonwillow Raceway, at Buttonwillow Raceway Park on 09/06/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 09/06/2020

Cornering School – Day 2, at Little 99 Raceway on 09/13/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 09/19/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 09/20/2020

Rider Passenger Class, at Little 99 Raceway on 09/27/2020

Knee Down, at Little 99 Raceway on 10/17/2020

Wheelie Course, at Little 99 Raceway on 10/18/2020

Suspension Workshop & Track Time, at Little 99 Raceway on 10/25/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 11/01/2020

Cornering School – Day 2, at Little 99 Raceway on 11/22/2020

Track Drill 1on4, Buttonwillow Raceway, at Buttonwillow Raceway Park on 11/28/2020

Track Drill 1on4, Buttonwillow Raceway, at Buttonwillow Raceway Park on 11/29/2020

Cornering School – Day 3, at Little 99 Raceway on 12/06/2020

Track Academy, at Little 99 Raceway on 12/13/2020

 

For more information, please visit www.superbike-coach.com or contact them via email at [email protected]

Video: American Racing Episode Two Follows Josh Hayes As He Returns To Racing, At Daytona

David Swarts
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0
Video: American Racing Episode Two Follows Josh Hayes As He Returns To Racing, At Daytona

Former-racer-turned-videographer Gray Pham, age 19, has produced a new, eight-part video documentary series focused on riders in the MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing series called “American Racing.”

This is Part Two of the video series and it focuses on four-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes making his return to racing, in the Daytona 200.

MotoAmerica: 2020 Rules Package Now Available

David Swarts
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0
MotoAmerica: 2020 Rules Package Now Available

 

MotoAmerica Rules Package For 2020 Season

Changes To Both The Technical And Sporting Rules

COSTA MESA, CA (January 6, 2020) – MotoAmerica has announced that the AMA has issued the rules package for the 2020 MotoAmerica Series, the home of AMA Superbike Championship, with regulations that feature slight changes to both the sporting and technical rules.

Starting with the Superbike class, the changes are minimal and apply to both the engine and the chassis to further keep the rules in line with World Superbike regulations.

“We haven’t made many changes to the technical rules,” said MotoAmerica’s Chuck Aksland. “Our competitors appreciate having consistency in the rules without having numerous changes every year. The majority of our changes are just to move things even closer to the rules found in the World Championship. Also the chassis changes in the non-Superbike classes should make things easier for our teams and racers when they are forced to use their spare motorcycles.”

The changes to the electronic packages also trickle down to the Supersport and Junior Cup classes with World Supersport-spec ECUs now allowed in both.

The only other change of any substance is freeing up the fairing/bodywork rules in the Twins Cup class with front and rear fender designs now free with some limitations.

Additionally, the AMA will allow competitors in all classes except Superbike to now have a rolling chassis with airbox, etc. as the spare motorcycle. In Superbike, this doesn’t apply because each rider is already allowed a complete spare motorcycle.

As for the sporting regulation changes, those center around opening up testing regulations and with the adjustment of the way results are calculated if a race ends with a red flag.

The 2020 rules package is available for download at https://americanmotorcyclist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2020-MotoAmerica-Regulations-v1.3.20-Final.pdf

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

More On California Superbike School’s 40th Anniversary Season In 2020

David Swarts
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0
More On California Superbike School’s 40th Anniversary Season In 2020

CALIFORNIA SUPERBIKE SCHOOL 2020 EVENT SCHEDULE

 

California Superbike School celebrates their 40th year with a jam packed schedule of dates and a brand new fleet of 2020 BMW S1000RRs

 

Los Angeles (January 4, 2020) – California Superbike School, the world’s foremost advanced rider training motorcycle school, has built a solid reputation with their step by step program and methodical training approach. 2020 marks 40 years of helping riders improve their cornering skills around the globe.

 

Their 2020 U.S. schedule is packed with 86 days of training at 10 different tracks including Laguna Seca, Barber Motorsports Park, The Ridge, Virginia International Raceway, and New Jersey Motorsports park. Additionally, the California Superbike School has updated their fleet so that anyone can ride the 2020 BMW S1000RR in the M package (there are also bring-your-own bike options). Full gear rental is also available.

 

The California Superbike School has trained 153,000 students, most of whom are regular street riders. Racers also occasionally attend with their graduates claiming 65 National and World racing championships. Keith’s teachings have been the basis for motorcycle riding programs all over the country and along with his son, Dylan Code, have brought more technology and advanced metrics into the program to better educate students of all skill levels and learning styles.

 

For a full list of school dates, please see their website: https://superbikeschool.com/schedule/

 

To learn more about California Superbike School, go to visit the website. You can also follow on social media via Instagram, and Facebook.

 

ABOUT CALIFORNIA SUPERBIKE SCHOOL®

After a four year stint of one-on-one coaching beginning in 1976, Keith Code founded the California Superbike School in 1980. In the 40 years since, California Superbike School has stretched not only nationwide, but around the globe — serving 153,000 students. Their step by step system has been tested and refined through the years into a world-class program that is held as the gold standard worldwide. To learn more, please visit https://superbikeschool.com/

Video: Brandon Paasch’s British Motostar Championship-Winning Weekend

David Swarts
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0
Video: Brandon Paasch’s British Motostar Championship-Winning Weekend

This is a video recapping the British Superbike Championship (BSB) series finale in October 2019 at Brands Hatch when American Brandon Paasch captured the 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Championship, becoming the first American to win a BSB championship.

Laguna Seca Confirms MotoAmerica Superbike, Releases 2020 Schedule Of Spectator Events

David Swarts
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0
Laguna Seca Confirms MotoAmerica Superbike, Releases 2020 Schedule Of Spectator Events

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 2020 Season Schedule Announced

The long-awaited 2020 schedule is finally here with new Season Pass options

Seven events are on the schedule at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for 2020:

May 1-3, 2020 – Trans Am SpeedFest

July 10-12, 2020 – MotoAmerica Superbike SpeedFest at Monterey*

July 23-26, 2020 – Ferrari Challenge & Corse Clienti F1

August 8-9, 2020 – Monterey Pre-Reunion

August 13-16, 2020 – Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

September 11-13, 2020 – IMSA Monterey SportsCar Championship

September 18-20, 2020 – IndyCar Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey

 

Ticket renewals will be sent out January 8, and the first day of ticket sales to the public will be February 12, 2020.  Click here for more details on our website, weathertechraceway.com. Children 15 and under are admitted free to all events when accompanied by a ticketholder.

*Please note that MotoAmerica SpeedFest is an independently promoted event, and tickets are available through their website MotoAmerica.com.

The WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Season Pass will be offered again this year, allowing motorsports enthusiasts to enjoy all major events on the schedule, including MotoAmerica SpeedFest, with general admission parking at one discounted price. Each Season Ticket provides admission and entry to the paddock so fans can get up close to the competing cars, bikes, drivers and riders. A value of over $600, the 2020 Season Pass is available to all for only $399. Monterey County residents save even further with 2020 Season passes offered for a preferred price of $299.

The Family Friendly Pass is a new addition this year that includes four passes for admission and paddock access and one preferred parking pass (location depending on event) all for just $800 for Monterey County Residents and $1,000 for non-residents.

Both 2020 Season Passes will include admission to all events, including MotoAmerica Suberbike SpeedFest.

Seven thrilling events featuring racing machines on two and four wheels ranging from vintage to cutting-edge make up the incredible racing season that will take place on the legendary 11-turn, 2.238-mile road course. Furthermore, fan experience is enhanced through open grandstand seating areas as well as the range of vendors and fan activities in the Hagerty Marketplace.

Tickets, camping and VIP hospitality for individual events will be available on February 12 by visiting WeatherTechRaceway.com or calling 831-242-8200.

MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo Could Be A Good Test Rider

David Swarts
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0
MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo Could Be A Good Test Rider

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

By David Swarts

Europe-based media outlets are reporting that Yamaha and Ducati are both considering hiring recently retired multi-time World Champion Jorge Lorenzo to be an official MotoGP test rider. But would Lorenzo be useful as a MotoGP test rider?

Some may say that Lorenzo is no longer relevant as a rider based on his lackluster performance in 2019 on the Repsol Honda RC213V, the bike that’s won the MotoGP World Championship for the last four years in the hands of Marc Marquez.

Jorge Lorenzo (99) in action at Losail International Circuit, in Qatar, where he finished 13th in his debut as a Repsol Honda rider. Photo courtesy of Repsol Honda.
Jorge Lorenzo (99) in action at Losail International Circuit, in Qatar, where he finished 13th in his debut as a Repsol Honda rider. Photo courtesy of Repsol Honda.

In 15 starts, Lorenzo’s best finish on his Repsol Honda in 2019 was 12th while Marquez won 12 of 19 races. But to judge Lorenzo’s usefulness as a test rider based on 2019 would be very shortsighted.

Jorge Lorenzo (99) testing his Repsol Honda RC213V at Jerez at the end of 2018. Photo courtesy of Dorna.
Jorge Lorenzo (99) testing his Repsol Honda RC213V at Jerez at the end of 2018. Photo courtesy of Dorna.

There were likely many factors that contributed to Lorenzo’s lack of success on the Honda with the most likely being a reluctance on Honda’s part to change the bike too much for him when it was working well enough for Marquez and LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow (who finished on the podium three times in 2019).

Lorenzo’s talent as a rider – and particularly as a development rider – is undeniable and one only has to go back as far as 2017 and 2018 to see it. That’s when Lorenzo jumped from the factory Yamaha squad (where he won three MotoGP World Championships and 44 races between 2008 and 2016) to the factory Ducati team and helped mold the Desmosedici into a machine he could win with.

Jorge Lorenzo (99) testing his Ducati Desmosedici at Sepang early in 2017. Photo courtesy of Ducati.
Jorge Lorenzo (99) testing his Ducati Desmosedici at Sepang early in 2017. Photo courtesy of Ducati.

When Lorenzo first got on the Ducati in 2017 he struggled to break into the top 10. Lorenzo eventually finished on the podium three times that season, and then in 2018, after more development and tailoring to suit him, Lorenzo rode the Ducati to three race wins and a runner-up finish in MotoGP World Championship points.

Jorge Lorenzo (99) on his way to winning the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello in 2018. Photo courtesy of Michelin.
Jorge Lorenzo (99) on his way to winning the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello in 2018. Photo courtesy of Michelin.

Lorenzo’s silky smooth riding style indicates that he rarely overrides his motorcycles and getting everything right is critical to his success. When it’s right for him, he’s at the front. When it’s not right for him, he’s not at the front. And this painstaking drive for perfection and his incredible consistency are more reasons why Lorenzo could be a good test rider.

Being fast on a single lap or even winning races doesn’t necessarily mean a rider should be good at developing a motorcycle.

There’s a saying that a pilot who can land a 747 jumbo jet on a football field is useless as a test pilot unless they can tell you in fine detail exactly how he or she did it. And the same goes for developing racing motorcycles.

Jorge Lorenzo (99) on a factory Yamaha YZR-M1 at Sepang in 2017. Photo courtesy of Yamaha.
Jorge Lorenzo (99) on a factory Yamaha YZR-M1 at Sepang in 2017. Photo courtesy of Yamaha.

A racer can usually tell a crew chief that their motorcycle was better, worse, or the same after a change is made, but a good development rider can tell his engineers details about why the changes made the motorcycle better or worse.

If the engineers involved can take the detailed feedback from a test/development rider, correlate it with the feedback coming from its racers, and turn that data into ones and zeros (binary code), the engineers can then use that data in computerized analysis of things like frame stiffness and moment of inertia to advance the design and development of an updated or completely new motorcycle more quickly.

Would Lorenzo as a test rider help a MotoGP team advance? That remains to be seen. Other than the rumors being reported, all we know at this point is that Yamaha did not renew its contract with Jonas Folger, who served as the manufacturer’s Europe-based MotoGP test rider in 2019.

Jorge Lorenzo at the press conference in Valencia where he announced his retirement from racing. Photo courtesy of Repsol Honda.
Jorge Lorenzo at the press conference in Valencia where he announced his retirement from racing. Photo courtesy of Repsol Honda.

Track Days In New York: Pineview Run Auto & Country Club Introduces “Two Wheel Wednesdays”

David Swarts
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0
Track Days In New York: Pineview Run Auto & Country Club Introduces “Two Wheel Wednesdays”

Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, a track located in LaFayette, New York, is starting a new program of “Two Wheel Wednesdays” in 2020.

Beginning May 6 and running every Wednesday evening through August 26, Pineview Run will host open lapping sessions for motorcyclists from 5:00-8:00 p.m. or dusk, whichever comes first.

The track will also offer coaching for new and advanced riders.

For more information, call (315) 960-2566 or visit https://pineviewrun.com.

 

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. Raised Nearly $100,000 For Charity In 2019

David Swarts
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0
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. Raised Nearly $100,000 For Charity In 2019

Kawasaki Raises Nearly $100,000 For Charities in 2019

Foothill Ranch, Calif. – Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., has proudly supported several local and national charities in raising hundreds and thousands of dollars in 2019, supporting worthy causes with cash and product donations, as well as VIP racing fan experiences at Monster Energy Supercross. The charitable efforts of Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. and its employees have nearly exceeded $100,000 in value.

“The charities Kawasaki  has chosen to work with are a fundamental part of our community,” said Bill Jenkins, SVP Sales and Operations. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to support charities such as the Boys and Girls Club of South Coast Area, the CHiPs for Kids Toy Drive, Honoring our Wounded Military (HOWM), Orange County Police Canine Association, and The ALS Association – Orange County Chapter. We have supported these organizations with both financial and product donations for their causes to help our community where we can.”

Kawasaki’s efforts helped to raise $45,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of South Coast Area by donating two 2020 Jet Ski® STX®160 personal watercraft and two VIP Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Supercross experience. The items were auctioned off at the Boys and Girls Club of South Coast 2019 Great Futures Gala.

With the holidays fast approaching, Kawasaki employees always make sure to support those in need by providing toys and other gifts for the California Highway Patrol’s ninth annual CHiPs for KIDS toy drive. In 2019, Kawasaki team members stepped up once again to help deliver a happy holiday to families in Southern California.

Amongst the many important charitable causes Kawasaki supports is the Honoring Our Wounded Military Foundation. For 2019, Kawasaki donated a 2019 Jet Ski® Ultra® LX for the Honoring Our Wounded Military live auction, that helped to raise $40,000, which enabled the foundation to achieve more than $195,000 in donations for 2019.

The ALS Association’s Walk To Defeat event became close to the hearts of many Kawasaki employees in 2019, with many participating on Team Tamura in the ALS Association — Orange County Chapter event. Kawasaki helped to raise more than $1,300 for the organization in tribute to former Kawasaki President Yoshi Tamura, helping ALS Association — Orange County Chapter raise more than $283,000 in 2019.

Kawasaki also raised $1,500 for the Orange County Police Canine Association in 2019.

And as 2019 comes to an end the Kawasaki Motors Corp. Charitable Match Contribution Program employees have additionally raised nearly $10,000 for various charities serving an array of causes across the country.

January/February 2020

Trudy Ulrich
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0
January/February 2020
On the Front Cover:  Valentino Rossi (46) finished fourth in the MotoGP race at Silverstone in 2019, his 20th year in the premier class. Photo by DPPI.

 

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

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.

Read the January/February 2020 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology now with your online subscription. Log in or subscribe HERE

 

 

 

In This Issue:

FEATURES

Inside Info: Aprilia Misano Limited Edition Tuono 1100 and RSV4 1000, and more…

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1997 Honda NSR500

Racebike Test: Five Electric Laps On A MotoE Energica

Quick Look: Honda CBR650R/CB650R, Honda’s Do-It-All Middleweights

Quick Look: Harley-Davidson LiveWire Electric Streetbike

Further Adventures: Army Of Darkness 2019

Shops: Attack Performance, Home Of Yamaha’s Superbikes

RACING

MotoGP Analysis:

— Vinales Quickest In Pre-Season Testing At Valencia And Jerez

— A Mechanic Remembers 20 Years With Valentino Rossi

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor

10 Years Ago

MotoGP Trivia & Numbers

Garrett Gerloff: Garrett Against The World

Kyle Wyman: Where’s Wyman?

The Kids’ Page: Cooper Glover

The Crash Page: Looking Back At Valentino Rossi In 500cc Grand Prix

New Products

Professional Services Directory: Racers Helping Racers

Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar

ASRA/CCS Newsletter

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer

Superbike-Coach Releases 2020 School Schedule

Sacramento, CA – January 2020

Superbike-Coach announced its 2020 class schedule today. The popular riding school has upped the stakes to include new benefits and offers to their students and track day riders.

Superbike-Coach provides sport photography by Dean Lonskey free of charge at all classes and events. And, the track fee is included at their Cornering School program. They also offer free snacks, coffee and drinks throughout the day. The riding school offers these unique classes and renowned 1-on-1 programs for both track and street riders. New in the program, the ‘Rider Passenger Class’:

Cornering School Days 1-3 – For all street and track riders on a small race track, no track fees

Rider Passenger Class – For all street riders and passengers on a small race track, no track fees

Body Positioning Class – For all Sportbike street riders, track riders and racers, no track fees

Race Academy – For track riders and racers of mid levels and up, no extra track fees

Road Skill 1-on-1 coaching – For all street riders of all ages, levels, and categories

Wheelie Course – For all street and track riders, and racers of all ages

Knee Down – For all sport street and track riders, and racers of all ages

Track Drill 1-on-1 coaching – For all sport and track riders and racers of all ages and levels at your track day

Supermotard 1-on-1 – For street and track riders, and racers of all ages

Basic Rider 1on1 – For absolute beginners, to prepare for the M1 drivers license test

Suspension Workshop & Track Time – For all street and track riders on a small race track, no track fees
 

The 2020 season class event schedule is as follows:

Cornering School – Day 3, at Little 99 Raceway on 01/12/2020

Road Skill 1on3, Foothills, at Placerville, CA on 01/19/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 01/26/2020

Road Skill 1on3, SF Bay Area, at Pleasanton, CA on 02/16/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 02/23/2020

Road Skill 1on4, Foothills, at Placerville, CA on 03/08/2020

Cornering School – Day 2, at Little 99 Raceway on 03/22/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 03/28/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 03/29/2020

Cornering School – Day 3, at Little 99 Raceway on 04/05/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 04/20/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 05/03/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Laguna Seca Raceway, at Laguna Seca Raceway on 05/09/2020

Cornering School – Day 2, at Little 99 Raceway on 05/10/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill West Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 05/23/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill West Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 05/24/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 05/31/2020

Knee Down, at Little 99 Raceway on 06/13/2020

Wheelie Course, at Little 99 Raceway on 06/14/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Laguna Seca Raceway, at Laguna Seca Raceway on 06/26/2020

Body Positioning Class, at Little 99 Raceway on 06/28/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 07/04/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 07/05/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 07/12/2020

Cornering School – Day 2, at Little 99 Raceway on 07/26/2020

Cornering School – Day 3, at Little 99 Raceway on 08/02/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 08/15/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 08/16/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 08/23/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Laguna Seca Raceway, at Laguna Seca Raceway on 08/24/2020

Track Drill 1on4, Buttonwillow Raceway, at Buttonwillow Raceway Park on 09/05/2020

Track Drill 1on4, Buttonwillow Raceway, at Buttonwillow Raceway Park on 09/06/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 09/06/2020

Cornering School – Day 2, at Little 99 Raceway on 09/13/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 09/19/2020

Track Drill 1on3, Thunderhill East Raceway, at Thunderhill Raceway on 09/20/2020

Rider Passenger Class, at Little 99 Raceway on 09/27/2020

Knee Down, at Little 99 Raceway on 10/17/2020

Wheelie Course, at Little 99 Raceway on 10/18/2020

Suspension Workshop & Track Time, at Little 99 Raceway on 10/25/2020

Cornering School – Day 1, at Little 99 Raceway on 11/01/2020

Cornering School – Day 2, at Little 99 Raceway on 11/22/2020

Track Drill 1on4, Buttonwillow Raceway, at Buttonwillow Raceway Park on 11/28/2020

Track Drill 1on4, Buttonwillow Raceway, at Buttonwillow Raceway Park on 11/29/2020

Cornering School – Day 3, at Little 99 Raceway on 12/06/2020

Track Academy, at Little 99 Raceway on 12/13/2020

 

For more information, please visit www.superbike-coach.com or contact them via email at [email protected]

Video: American Racing Episode Two Follows Josh Hayes As He Returns To Racing, At Daytona

Former-racer-turned-videographer Gray Pham, age 19, has produced a new, eight-part video documentary series focused on riders in the MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing series called “American Racing.”

This is Part Two of the video series and it focuses on four-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes making his return to racing, in the Daytona 200.

MotoAmerica: 2020 Rules Package Now Available

There are few changes to the MotoAmerica Superbike rules for 2020. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
There are few changes to the MotoAmerica Superbike rules for 2020. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

 

MotoAmerica Rules Package For 2020 Season

Changes To Both The Technical And Sporting Rules

COSTA MESA, CA (January 6, 2020) – MotoAmerica has announced that the AMA has issued the rules package for the 2020 MotoAmerica Series, the home of AMA Superbike Championship, with regulations that feature slight changes to both the sporting and technical rules.

Starting with the Superbike class, the changes are minimal and apply to both the engine and the chassis to further keep the rules in line with World Superbike regulations.

“We haven’t made many changes to the technical rules,” said MotoAmerica’s Chuck Aksland. “Our competitors appreciate having consistency in the rules without having numerous changes every year. The majority of our changes are just to move things even closer to the rules found in the World Championship. Also the chassis changes in the non-Superbike classes should make things easier for our teams and racers when they are forced to use their spare motorcycles.”

The changes to the electronic packages also trickle down to the Supersport and Junior Cup classes with World Supersport-spec ECUs now allowed in both.

The only other change of any substance is freeing up the fairing/bodywork rules in the Twins Cup class with front and rear fender designs now free with some limitations.

Additionally, the AMA will allow competitors in all classes except Superbike to now have a rolling chassis with airbox, etc. as the spare motorcycle. In Superbike, this doesn’t apply because each rider is already allowed a complete spare motorcycle.

As for the sporting regulation changes, those center around opening up testing regulations and with the adjustment of the way results are calculated if a race ends with a red flag.

The 2020 rules package is available for download at https://americanmotorcyclist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2020-MotoAmerica-Regulations-v1.3.20-Final.pdf

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

More On California Superbike School’s 40th Anniversary Season In 2020

A scene from a California Superbike School. Photo courtesy of California Superbike School.
A scene from a California Superbike School. Photo courtesy of California Superbike School.

CALIFORNIA SUPERBIKE SCHOOL 2020 EVENT SCHEDULE

 

California Superbike School celebrates their 40th year with a jam packed schedule of dates and a brand new fleet of 2020 BMW S1000RRs

 

Los Angeles (January 4, 2020) – California Superbike School, the world’s foremost advanced rider training motorcycle school, has built a solid reputation with their step by step program and methodical training approach. 2020 marks 40 years of helping riders improve their cornering skills around the globe.

 

Their 2020 U.S. schedule is packed with 86 days of training at 10 different tracks including Laguna Seca, Barber Motorsports Park, The Ridge, Virginia International Raceway, and New Jersey Motorsports park. Additionally, the California Superbike School has updated their fleet so that anyone can ride the 2020 BMW S1000RR in the M package (there are also bring-your-own bike options). Full gear rental is also available.

 

The California Superbike School has trained 153,000 students, most of whom are regular street riders. Racers also occasionally attend with their graduates claiming 65 National and World racing championships. Keith’s teachings have been the basis for motorcycle riding programs all over the country and along with his son, Dylan Code, have brought more technology and advanced metrics into the program to better educate students of all skill levels and learning styles.

 

For a full list of school dates, please see their website: https://superbikeschool.com/schedule/

 

To learn more about California Superbike School, go to visit the website. You can also follow on social media via Instagram, and Facebook.

 

ABOUT CALIFORNIA SUPERBIKE SCHOOL®

After a four year stint of one-on-one coaching beginning in 1976, Keith Code founded the California Superbike School in 1980. In the 40 years since, California Superbike School has stretched not only nationwide, but around the globe — serving 153,000 students. Their step by step system has been tested and refined through the years into a world-class program that is held as the gold standard worldwide. To learn more, please visit https://superbikeschool.com/

Video: Brandon Paasch’s British Motostar Championship-Winning Weekend

This is a video recapping the British Superbike Championship (BSB) series finale in October 2019 at Brands Hatch when American Brandon Paasch captured the 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Championship, becoming the first American to win a BSB championship.

Laguna Seca Confirms MotoAmerica Superbike, Releases 2020 Schedule Of Spectator Events

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Photo courtesy WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Photo courtesy WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 2020 Season Schedule Announced

The long-awaited 2020 schedule is finally here with new Season Pass options

Seven events are on the schedule at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for 2020:

May 1-3, 2020 – Trans Am SpeedFest

July 10-12, 2020 – MotoAmerica Superbike SpeedFest at Monterey*

July 23-26, 2020 – Ferrari Challenge & Corse Clienti F1

August 8-9, 2020 – Monterey Pre-Reunion

August 13-16, 2020 – Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

September 11-13, 2020 – IMSA Monterey SportsCar Championship

September 18-20, 2020 – IndyCar Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey

 

Ticket renewals will be sent out January 8, and the first day of ticket sales to the public will be February 12, 2020.  Click here for more details on our website, weathertechraceway.com. Children 15 and under are admitted free to all events when accompanied by a ticketholder.

*Please note that MotoAmerica SpeedFest is an independently promoted event, and tickets are available through their website MotoAmerica.com.

The WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Season Pass will be offered again this year, allowing motorsports enthusiasts to enjoy all major events on the schedule, including MotoAmerica SpeedFest, with general admission parking at one discounted price. Each Season Ticket provides admission and entry to the paddock so fans can get up close to the competing cars, bikes, drivers and riders. A value of over $600, the 2020 Season Pass is available to all for only $399. Monterey County residents save even further with 2020 Season passes offered for a preferred price of $299.

The Family Friendly Pass is a new addition this year that includes four passes for admission and paddock access and one preferred parking pass (location depending on event) all for just $800 for Monterey County Residents and $1,000 for non-residents.

Both 2020 Season Passes will include admission to all events, including MotoAmerica Suberbike SpeedFest.

Seven thrilling events featuring racing machines on two and four wheels ranging from vintage to cutting-edge make up the incredible racing season that will take place on the legendary 11-turn, 2.238-mile road course. Furthermore, fan experience is enhanced through open grandstand seating areas as well as the range of vendors and fan activities in the Hagerty Marketplace.

Tickets, camping and VIP hospitality for individual events will be available on February 12 by visiting WeatherTechRaceway.com or calling 831-242-8200.

MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo Could Be A Good Test Rider

Jorge Lorenzo (99). Photo courtesy of Repsol Honda.
Jorge Lorenzo (99) riding a Repsol Honda at Phillip Island in 2019. Photo courtesy of Repsol Honda.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

By David Swarts

Europe-based media outlets are reporting that Yamaha and Ducati are both considering hiring recently retired multi-time World Champion Jorge Lorenzo to be an official MotoGP test rider. But would Lorenzo be useful as a MotoGP test rider?

Some may say that Lorenzo is no longer relevant as a rider based on his lackluster performance in 2019 on the Repsol Honda RC213V, the bike that’s won the MotoGP World Championship for the last four years in the hands of Marc Marquez.

Jorge Lorenzo (99) in action at Losail International Circuit, in Qatar, where he finished 13th in his debut as a Repsol Honda rider. Photo courtesy of Repsol Honda.
Jorge Lorenzo (99) in action at Losail International Circuit, in Qatar, where he finished 13th in his debut as a Repsol Honda rider. Photo courtesy of Repsol Honda.

In 15 starts, Lorenzo’s best finish on his Repsol Honda in 2019 was 12th while Marquez won 12 of 19 races. But to judge Lorenzo’s usefulness as a test rider based on 2019 would be very shortsighted.

Jorge Lorenzo (99) testing his Repsol Honda RC213V at Jerez at the end of 2018. Photo courtesy of Dorna.
Jorge Lorenzo (99) testing his Repsol Honda RC213V at Jerez at the end of 2018. Photo courtesy of Dorna.

There were likely many factors that contributed to Lorenzo’s lack of success on the Honda with the most likely being a reluctance on Honda’s part to change the bike too much for him when it was working well enough for Marquez and LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow (who finished on the podium three times in 2019).

Lorenzo’s talent as a rider – and particularly as a development rider – is undeniable and one only has to go back as far as 2017 and 2018 to see it. That’s when Lorenzo jumped from the factory Yamaha squad (where he won three MotoGP World Championships and 44 races between 2008 and 2016) to the factory Ducati team and helped mold the Desmosedici into a machine he could win with.

Jorge Lorenzo (99) testing his Ducati Desmosedici at Sepang early in 2017. Photo courtesy of Ducati.
Jorge Lorenzo (99) testing his Ducati Desmosedici at Sepang early in 2017. Photo courtesy of Ducati.

When Lorenzo first got on the Ducati in 2017 he struggled to break into the top 10. Lorenzo eventually finished on the podium three times that season, and then in 2018, after more development and tailoring to suit him, Lorenzo rode the Ducati to three race wins and a runner-up finish in MotoGP World Championship points.

Jorge Lorenzo (99) on his way to winning the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello in 2018. Photo courtesy of Michelin.
Jorge Lorenzo (99) on his way to winning the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello in 2018. Photo courtesy of Michelin.

Lorenzo’s silky smooth riding style indicates that he rarely overrides his motorcycles and getting everything right is critical to his success. When it’s right for him, he’s at the front. When it’s not right for him, he’s not at the front. And this painstaking drive for perfection and his incredible consistency are more reasons why Lorenzo could be a good test rider.

Being fast on a single lap or even winning races doesn’t necessarily mean a rider should be good at developing a motorcycle.

There’s a saying that a pilot who can land a 747 jumbo jet on a football field is useless as a test pilot unless they can tell you in fine detail exactly how he or she did it. And the same goes for developing racing motorcycles.

Jorge Lorenzo (99) on a factory Yamaha YZR-M1 at Sepang in 2017. Photo courtesy of Yamaha.
Jorge Lorenzo (99) on a factory Yamaha YZR-M1 at Sepang in 2017. Photo courtesy of Yamaha.

A racer can usually tell a crew chief that their motorcycle was better, worse, or the same after a change is made, but a good development rider can tell his engineers details about why the changes made the motorcycle better or worse.

If the engineers involved can take the detailed feedback from a test/development rider, correlate it with the feedback coming from its racers, and turn that data into ones and zeros (binary code), the engineers can then use that data in computerized analysis of things like frame stiffness and moment of inertia to advance the design and development of an updated or completely new motorcycle more quickly.

Would Lorenzo as a test rider help a MotoGP team advance? That remains to be seen. Other than the rumors being reported, all we know at this point is that Yamaha did not renew its contract with Jonas Folger, who served as the manufacturer’s Europe-based MotoGP test rider in 2019.

Jorge Lorenzo at the press conference in Valencia where he announced his retirement from racing. Photo courtesy of Repsol Honda.
Jorge Lorenzo at the press conference in Valencia where he announced his retirement from racing. Photo courtesy of Repsol Honda.

Track Days In New York: Pineview Run Auto & Country Club Introduces “Two Wheel Wednesdays”

Motorcyclists at speed during a track day at Pineview Run Auto & Country Club. Photo courtesy of Pineview Run Auto & Country Club.
Motorcyclists at speed during a track day at Pineview Run Auto & Country Club. Photo courtesy of Pineview Run Auto & Country Club.

Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, a track located in LaFayette, New York, is starting a new program of “Two Wheel Wednesdays” in 2020.

Beginning May 6 and running every Wednesday evening through August 26, Pineview Run will host open lapping sessions for motorcyclists from 5:00-8:00 p.m. or dusk, whichever comes first.

The track will also offer coaching for new and advanced riders.

For more information, call (315) 960-2566 or visit https://pineviewrun.com.

 

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. Raised Nearly $100,000 For Charity In 2019

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. headquarters in Foothill Ranch, California. Photo by David Swarts.
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. headquarters in Foothill Ranch, California. Photo by David Swarts.

Kawasaki Raises Nearly $100,000 For Charities in 2019

Foothill Ranch, Calif. – Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., has proudly supported several local and national charities in raising hundreds and thousands of dollars in 2019, supporting worthy causes with cash and product donations, as well as VIP racing fan experiences at Monster Energy Supercross. The charitable efforts of Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. and its employees have nearly exceeded $100,000 in value.

“The charities Kawasaki  has chosen to work with are a fundamental part of our community,” said Bill Jenkins, SVP Sales and Operations. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to support charities such as the Boys and Girls Club of South Coast Area, the CHiPs for Kids Toy Drive, Honoring our Wounded Military (HOWM), Orange County Police Canine Association, and The ALS Association – Orange County Chapter. We have supported these organizations with both financial and product donations for their causes to help our community where we can.”

Kawasaki’s efforts helped to raise $45,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of South Coast Area by donating two 2020 Jet Ski® STX®160 personal watercraft and two VIP Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Supercross experience. The items were auctioned off at the Boys and Girls Club of South Coast 2019 Great Futures Gala.

With the holidays fast approaching, Kawasaki employees always make sure to support those in need by providing toys and other gifts for the California Highway Patrol’s ninth annual CHiPs for KIDS toy drive. In 2019, Kawasaki team members stepped up once again to help deliver a happy holiday to families in Southern California.

Amongst the many important charitable causes Kawasaki supports is the Honoring Our Wounded Military Foundation. For 2019, Kawasaki donated a 2019 Jet Ski® Ultra® LX for the Honoring Our Wounded Military live auction, that helped to raise $40,000, which enabled the foundation to achieve more than $195,000 in donations for 2019.

The ALS Association’s Walk To Defeat event became close to the hearts of many Kawasaki employees in 2019, with many participating on Team Tamura in the ALS Association — Orange County Chapter event. Kawasaki helped to raise more than $1,300 for the organization in tribute to former Kawasaki President Yoshi Tamura, helping ALS Association — Orange County Chapter raise more than $283,000 in 2019.

Kawasaki also raised $1,500 for the Orange County Police Canine Association in 2019.

And as 2019 comes to an end the Kawasaki Motors Corp. Charitable Match Contribution Program employees have additionally raised nearly $10,000 for various charities serving an array of causes across the country.

January/February 2020

January/February 2020 Issue
January/February 2020 Issue
On the Front Cover:  Valentino Rossi (46) finished fourth in the MotoGP race at Silverstone in 2019, his 20th year in the premier class. Photo by DPPI.

 

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

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.

Read the January/February 2020 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology now with your online subscription. Log in or subscribe HERE

 

 

 

In This Issue:

FEATURES

Inside Info: Aprilia Misano Limited Edition Tuono 1100 and RSV4 1000, and more…

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1997 Honda NSR500

Racebike Test: Five Electric Laps On A MotoE Energica

Quick Look: Honda CBR650R/CB650R, Honda’s Do-It-All Middleweights

Quick Look: Harley-Davidson LiveWire Electric Streetbike

Further Adventures: Army Of Darkness 2019

Shops: Attack Performance, Home Of Yamaha’s Superbikes

RACING

MotoGP Analysis:

— Vinales Quickest In Pre-Season Testing At Valencia And Jerez

— A Mechanic Remembers 20 Years With Valentino Rossi

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor

10 Years Ago

MotoGP Trivia & Numbers

Garrett Gerloff: Garrett Against The World

Kyle Wyman: Where’s Wyman?

The Kids’ Page: Cooper Glover

The Crash Page: Looking Back At Valentino Rossi In 500cc Grand Prix

New Products

Professional Services Directory: Racers Helping Racers

Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar

ASRA/CCS Newsletter

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer

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