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October 2024

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On the Front Cover: Hunter Dunham (170) raced a Ducati Streetfighter in a
2025-eligibility-test for the performance-balanced Super Hooligan class. Sam Fleming joined the Tampa Ducati crew for races at COTA and rode the bike afterwards. Brian J. Nelson photo.

 

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OCTOBER 2024 ISSUE

 

FEATURES

Inside Info: The limited-edition Aprilia RSV4 X ex3ma comes with ground-effect aerodynamics; Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak; Yamaha YZF-R1 for street use in the USA and track-use-only in Europe; and more…

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1957 Moto Guzzi 350

Quick Look: Long-Travel 2024 Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+

MotoAmerica’s Weird & Wild Super Hooligan Class

Tried & Tested: Alpinestars Missile Ward V2 Suit & SMX-6 V3 Boots

MotoGP Analysis: How MotoGP Tires Work

RACING

Racing History: The Slippery Tale Of Aerodynamics

MotoGP: Marc Marquez Attacks At Aragon And Misano

MotoAmerica Superbike: Beaubier & Kelly Win At COTA

World Superbike: With Toprak Out, Petrucci Wins!

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor: What Happened To Pilot USA, And Kobas 250s Racing At Daytona In 1984

10 Years Ago, October 2014: Cory West was airborne on an EBR 1190SX streetbike on
the October 2014 cover. Marc Marquez ran rampant, winning his 10th straight MotoGP race, which was held at Indianapolis. We looked at Honda Grom racing in Texas, and Shops visited Baxley by Providence, creators of the wheel chock seen in paddocks nationwide.

The Crash Page: Phillip Hranicka at Portland International Raceway 

Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride

Classified Ads/Advertiser Index

High Performance Parts & Services Directory

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer:  2024 Season Wrap-Up

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Click here to receive a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine (print edition). One sample issue per household, U.S. address only.

Essex Moto Parts Named Exclusive North American Distributor For Accossato Racing

Essex Moto Parts, the exclusive North American distributor for OZ Motorbike wheels, LighTech, and Ferodo motorcycle brakes, is pleased to announce that we are now the exclusive North American distributor for Accossato Racing.

Accossato Racing is a leader in motorcycle manufacturing, specializing in designing and manufacturing brake components including billet CNC brake and clutch master cylinders,  as well as brake lines, brake calipers, and rotors. 

Since 1969, the company’s history is marked by numerous successes, supplying the best parts to all levels of the sport. With over 55 years of experience in OEM and aftermarket manufacturing, Accossato has established itself as a pillar in the Italian motorcycle community.

With over 35 years in the motorcycle industry, supplying everything from braking components to wheels and accessories, Essex is excited to welcome Accossato to its North American product line. Essex will build on the storied history of Accossato and its long-term technical partnerships with race teams in WSBK, MotoAmerica, Moto2, and Moto3. That experience has resulted in technical innovation and product design that Essex is pleased to now offer to the North American market.

A Statement from Francesco D’Agostino, Commercial Director of Accossato:
“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Essex for the distribution of Accossato products in North America. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in expanding our reach and providing high-quality products to a broader audience. We are confident that Essex’s expertise and dedication will greatly benefit our customers and enhance our presence in the market.”

About Essex: Essex has supplied parts to the top levels of motorcycle racing in North America for 35 years. This includes Superbike and Supercross teams, as well as all levels of AMA Pro and WERA race teams. Essex helped engineer and supplied the first carbon/carbon brake systems used in the AMA Superbike series, used to win many races and championships, as well as several Daytona 200 wins. Essex has supplied brake and wheel components to every type of professional and amateur motorcycle racing in NA, and today is the NA importer and distributor for OZ wheels, LighTech, and Ferodo.

MotoAmerica: More From The 2024 Season Finale At NJMP (Updated)

Scholtz Crowned MotoAmerica Supersport Champion

 Strack Racing’s Mathew Scholtz claims the title in Race 1 and concludes a stellar debut Supersport season with a runner-up finish at NJMP

The Strack Racing team and supporters pose with 2024 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion Mathew Scholtz.
The Strack Racing team and supporters pose with 2024 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion Mathew Scholtz. Brian J. Nelson photo.

MARIETTA, Ga. –  September 30, 2024 – Strack Racing’s Mathew Scholtz claimed the 2024 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship a race early at the season finale at the New Jersey Motorsports Park. The South African executed a smart ride in Race 1 to seal the deal on the title with 11 points and then finished the season with a runner-up finish in Race 2, further adding to his impressive tally during his debut season aboard the Strack Racing R6.  

The newly rebranded team, Strack Racing, made its debut with Scholtz at the season opener at Road Atlanta. Although it was a rollercoaster start, they had a strong showing in their early beginnings with a podium finish. The team built on that first round and came out swinging at Round 2, with Scholtz earning a double victory at Barber Motorsports Park. From there, the championship campaign continued to build strength, ultimately securing eight wins and a total of 15 podiums. The 2024 Supersport Championship is Scholtz’s second MotoAmerica title and second in the series with the Yamaha brand, the first of which was won aboard the Westby Racing R1 in the Superstock 1000 class in 2017.

Peter Strack – Strack Racing Team Principal 
“I thought I understood what team meant, but this year really taught me what that meant. I’ve done a lot in business and other things where a team means everything to your success. Everybody here pulled their weight, so it was a big deal. We fought hard. When we came in, we were the underdogs. We started off with some adversity, and we overcame that. Every single round, we pushed the limit in everything that we were doing and never took our foot off the gas. We were strategic and very calculated in what we did, and it paid off.”

Mathew Scholtz – Strack Racing #11
“Going into the Supersport class, it was a little bit of an unknown for me, but it was a beautiful season. There were a lot of highs and some lows as well. The season began a little slower than we liked, but from Round 2 at Barber, we took the double there and knew we should be fighting for the championship. The Strack Racing crew gave me a perfect bike all season long, and we did what we needed to do. I’m just really happy to bring the championship home.”

About Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars [sold, serviced, and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company], Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.

YMUS has a corporate office in California, three corporate offices in Georgia, as well as facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. YMUS subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing U.S.A. (YJBM) based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats [Texas] with its division G3 Boats [Missouri]. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC) with subsidiary Siren Marine [Rhode Island] and divisions Bennett Marine [Florida], Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders [Wisconsin] and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. [Indiana].

Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA, dba Yamaha Financial Services, is an affiliate of Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA offering financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide.

Hayden Gillim Earns Honda the 2024 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Championship

From a press release issued by American Honda

Hayden Gillim winning at NJMP.
Hayden Gillim winning at NJMP. Brian J. Nelson photo.
  • First professional AMA road racing title for CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP
  • Honda riders took eight of 10 wins on the season

During this weekend’s rainy last round of 2024 MotoAmerica season at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Real Steel Motorsports rider Hayden Gillim wrapped up his second consecutive 2024 Stock 1000 National Championship, with wins on Saturday and Sunday. Racing a CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP with significant backing from Tennessee dealership Southern Powersports, Gillim dominated the series, winning seven of 10 races.

A 29-year-old native of Owensboro, Kentucky, Gillim is a racing veteran, having won his first Amateur Dirt Track Grand Championship at age 6. He’s a cousin of the famous racing Hayden brothers (who he is named after), and typically runs number 69 as an homage to the late Nicky Hayden, who rode Hondas to the 1999 AMA 600 Supersport Championship, the 2002 AMA Superbike Championship and the 2006 MotoGP World Championship.

This season, however, Gillim ran number 1 in Stock 1000, having earned last year’s crown with a different brand. He topped both races at the Alabama opener, but the next two rounds in Minnesota and Washington saw him win the opening races but crash out of the lead in the second races, making for a tight points battle. He was victorious in race 1 at Laguna Seca and finished on the podium in race 2 (with fellow Red Rider Ashton Yates getting the win), then closed out the season the way he started it—with a sweep at this weekend’s finale.

“We raced against Geoff May last year and saw what he was able to do on the Honda,” said Gillim, who has now won four professional AMA road racing titles. “Then when Honda’s contingency numbers came out, that was a big factor in us switching, as well as the support we got from Southern Powersports. I raced Hondas when I was younger, first getting on a 600, and [team co-owner] Jerry Nickell has a big Honda collection and was excited about it. The guys gave us a really good bike, and the team did a good job setting it up. It was a great year. We were making 25 horsepower more than last year’s bike, and every track we went to, I was going a second or two faster than my previous best lap times. After I put it on the ground a couple of times in the middle part of the season, I started managing things better and not overriding the bike, and we were able to finish the season out strong.”

This was the first AMA road racing crown for the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP platform, and Honda’s first since Jake Zemke took the 2008 Formula Xtreme crown aboard a CBR600RR.

“On behalf of everyone at American Honda, a huge congratulations and thank-you to Hayden, Real Steel Motorsports and Southern Powersports,” said Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing and Advertising at American Honda. “We knew that the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP is a competitive machine, and we hoped that upping our contingency program for 2024 would give some top riders the nudge to show its potential. That said, we couldn’t have expected the dominance it has shown in Stock 1000, with Honda riders taking 80 percent of the wins. It’s great to see Honda back on top in an AMA professional racing series, and hopefully it’s a sign of more to come.”

About American Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and Side-by-Sides in the United States. American Honda’s Power Sports & Products Division conducts the sales, marketing and operational activities for these products through independent authorized Honda retail dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to powersports.honda.com.

More from a press release issued by Suzuki:

ESCALANTE AND SCOTT EARN THE TOP 5 FOR VISION WHEEL M4 ECSTAR SUZUKI
Suzuki riders end the 2024 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship strong

Brea, CA, (September 30, 2024) — Suzuki Motor USA (Suzuki) and Team Hammer closed out the 2024 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship season at New Jersey Motorsports Park in rock solid fashion as Superbike pilot Richie Escalante and Supersport ace Tyler Scott led the way with four combined top-five finishes.

Race Highlights

  • Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
    • Superbike
      • Richie Escalante battled his way forward from outside the top 10 to score two fighting fifths.
      • Brandon Paasch was blisteringly quick on his home track, earning his best career Superbike qualifying position.
    • Supersport
      • Tyler Scott locked down a top-5 championship ranking with two fourths at NJMP.
      • Teagg Hobbs secured a top-10 championship position by twice finishing inside the top ten in the season finale.
      • Joel Ohman took his final lessons in a season dedicated to maximum improvement. 

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Superbike star Richie Escalante once again showed himself up to the task of going bar-to-bar with the nation’s elite roadracers, scoring a pair of impressive finishes despite qualifying on Row 4 on a weekend that featured mixed conditions but largely dry races. On Saturday, the Mexican carved his way up through the field aboard his Suzuki GSX-R1000R to ultimately win out a multi-rider dice for fifth. He was even stronger on Sunday despite again finishing fifth, closing in dramatically on the fight for victory late before taking the checkered flag just 0.886 seconds behind the winner.

Richie Escalante (54) closed out his short season happy to take some time to get back into peak form. Brian J. Nelson photo.

Despite missing the bulk of the season after suffering an injury in the opener, Escalante ended his abbreviated campaign with a podium finish among his three top 5 results. He said, “We had a pretty good weekend, one that was tough with the weather conditions. My pace and rhythm were good on the bike, and we finished with a gap quite close to the front on Sunday. I need to work on my starts and first laps more, so I don’t have to make up positions later in the race. I am glad this year is over given my injuries and missing time, but I want to thank Suzuki, the team, the crew, and all the sponsors.”

Escalante’s premier-class teammate, Brandon Paasch, was motivated to impress in front of his home-state fans. And impress he did, claiming his first career MotoAmerica front row grid position by clocking the third best time aboard his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R. Unfortunately, Paasch crashed out while embroiled in the chase for fifth late in Saturday’s race. However, he bounced back on Sunday, claiming seventh in the year’s final contest.

Brandon Paasch (96) showed determination with a great qualifying time and impressive performance on Sunday despite a crash on Saturday. Brian J. Nelson photo.

Paasch, who ended the season ranked ninth in the points on the strength of two top 5 finishes, said, “It was a lot of positives for us and some disappointment as well. This was my first-ever front row qualifying, and I was fifth in the morning warm-up on Sunday. And in Sunday’s race, the total time was the closest I have finished to the winner yet. But the races didn’t go that well for us. I had a 118-mile per hour crash on Saturday and lost a lot of ground early in the race on Sunday.”

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Supersport standout Tyler Scott wrapped up a strong campaign aboard the team’s next-generation GSX-R750 with a pair of fourth-place rides. Scott was consistently in the mix up front as he had been all season long, locking down a fifth-place championship standing that included a victory among four podium finishes.

Tyler Scott (70) was a consistent performer all season long with ending with a strong hold on fifth-place in championship points. Brian J. Nelson photo.

Scott said, “It was mixed conditions all weekend but dry races, so that made it interesting. Overall, it wasn’t a bad weekend, but we were looking for more because we always want to win. On Saturday, we got fourth with a small bike problem keeping us from the podium. It looked like we might get it on Sunday, but a rider t-boned me towards the end of the race. I lost some ground and wasn’t able to make it up the rest of the way.”

Scott’s Supersport teammate, Teagg Hobbs, continued to fight his way out of a second half slump. Hobbs raced his way up from 15th on the grid to finish inside the top 10 twice – 10th on Saturday and ninth on Sunday, to end the season ranked ninth in the final MotoAmerica Supersport standings.

Hobbs said, “It’s no secret we have struggled this season, and we made changes with the bike and got back on track this weekend. It took a while to get the setup dialed in, but by Sunday, things were really improved. I started 15th and moved up to seventh, and my lap times were third or fourth fastest in the race. The bike responded to my rider inputs the way I was expecting. It was a disappointing year for me, but it was good to get a positive race in.”

The squad’s third Supersport pilot, Joel Ohman, spent his 2024 season dedicated to gaining as much experience and speed as possible, a mission he concluded in New Jersey.

Ohman said, “It feels good to end the year on a high note. We started out really rough with the rain. I didn’t feel confident pushing it the way I wanted and was having a hard time. The first race, we had some of the same issues as before but after working with the team and my riding coach, we found a solution with the bike and I went 2.5 seconds faster than we had gone all weekend. The second race, I was able to battle and move up so I was happy about that.”

ABOUT TEAM HAMMER

The 2024 season marks Team Hammer’s 44th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 134 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 373 times and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.

ABOUT VISION WHEEL

Founded in 1976, Vision Wheel is one of the nation’s leading providers of custom wheels for cars and trucks, and one of the first manufacturers of custom wheels and tires for ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Vision Wheel looks beyond the current trends and to the future in developing, manufacturing, and distributing its wheels. Vision’s lines of street, race, off-road, American Muscle, and Milanni wheels are distributed nationally and internationally through a trusted network of distributors. Vision Wheel also produces the Vision It AR app to allow users to see how their wheel of choice will look on their vehicle before purchase and installation. For more information on Vision Wheel, visit www.visionwheel.com.

ABOUT SUZUKI

Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automotive Parts, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.

For Suzuki road racing news, results, and team updates, visit suzukicycles.com/racing/road-racing.

For more information and updates on Team Hammer, visit teamhammer.com.

MotoAmerica: Yamaha Wins 2024 Superbike Manufacturer’s Championship

Yamaha Earns 2024 MotoAmerica Superbike Manufacturer’s Championship at NJMP

Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing concludes roller-coaster season at New Jersey Motorsports Park and looks ahead to 2025

MARIETTA, Ga. –  September 30, 2024 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS) received the MotoAmerica Superbike Manufacturer’s Championship at the final round of the 2024 season held at the New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) in Millville, New Jersey. Spearheading the campaign was the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team, who took home four wins and a total of 13 podium finishes during a roller-coaster ride of a season with injuries and adversity. It was a tough final race of the year that saw fill-in rider Xavi Forés finish 12th and Cameron Petersen come back to 18th. Also making a valuable contribution to the manufacturer’s title in the premier class was Wrench Motorcycles’ Bobby Fong, who ended the year third in the championship standings, earning two wins and a total of eight podium finishes. 

Forés continued to work on getting acquainted with the bike in challenging conditions as he filled in for the three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne at the last two rounds. In the final race of the season, the Spaniard got a good start from the second row to fourth. He was inside the top five for the first five laps and continued to battle but ultimately crossed the line 12th. 

For the second race at NJMP, Petersen got another flying start and grabbed the holeshot this time. Although he was shuffled to third going into the first turn on Lap 2, he was running a strong pace up front in the lead group. Unfortunately, on the following lap, he ran off track due to a technical issue and pulled into the pits. Petersen rejoined the race and put in some strong laps to gain valuable information and finish 18th. Despite the adversity, it was a strong season for the South African, who earned three wins and a total of eight podiums, contributing to the manufacturer’s title and securing sixth in the championship. 

Despite not feeling 100% with arm and hand issues, Gagne made a valiant defense of his title, scoring a win at the opening round and making five trips to the podium. Although he sat out the last two rounds while he focused on returning to full fitness, he finished the season a commendable seventh in the point standings. 

Tom Halverson – Yamaha Racing Assistant Department Manager for YMUS:
“Congrats to Bobby Fong, ADR (Aussie Dave Racing), and Wrench Motorcycles for earning third in the Superbike Championship. It was an incredible accomplishment in a very stacked 2024 Superbike field. We appreciate every Yamaha rider in the paddock, and it was their accomplishments that brought Yamaha the Manufacturer’s Trophy once again.

“Our Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team started strong, and Jake and Cam were in the championship hunt for most of the season. Injuries and a few technical issues ended our run, but we look forward to Jake’s return and fighting for wins and the championship once again.”

Richard Stanboli – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager:
“We had some wins, and we were leading the championship. Unfortunately, Jake had to sit out the rest of the season. It’s pretty difficult to take a rider, plop him into unfamiliar territory, and to ride at the top of his game. So we knew it was going to be a challenge throwing Xavi into the deep end. With Cameron, he came back from his injury and was making some headway but had a couple of bad crashes. This weekend he was strong. It was just unfortunate that there was an issue in the second race, and he had to pull in, but his pace was good. In the end, I think we found a pretty decent setup for him, and he could go with the guys in the beginning.

“I think we learned a lot this year, and where we are in relation to our competitors and where we are lacking, especially with the hard tires. We have a pretty good idea of where we want to go heading into the new year with the new bike. We’ll put together a good development package, get Jake healthy, and come back strong.” 

Xavi Forés – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #34:
“I enjoyed my time here on the team. I knew them from Daytona, and I was always so keen to try the Superbike. Unfortunately, the results were not as good as I expected them to be, but we faced some challenges that we didn’t expect to have. We worked really hard. The team was working so well on bringing us the best package possible, but unfortunately we were dealing with a lack of grip on the rear. Yesterday and today, in the first laps, I tried to stay on the back of the lead group, and I led some laps yesterday, but I was not able to stay at the front. I want to say thank you to the team for their trust in me for these couple of races. Hopefully, I gave them good information for the future, and hopefully, I can do more races with them. Thanks to Yamaha for all of their help. I have enjoyed it.”

Cameron Petersen – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #45:
“Yeah, it was a tough day. It was just a bummer to end the season like that, but if you take a step back and look at the season as a whole, it was really great. I got the most wins of my career in one season. I think there was a point there at Laguna where I had the most wins and podiums out of everybody and was in the hunt for the championship. Then it was just some bad luck with some injuries and bike stuff that put us behind. Unfortunately at the last three races of the year, we only had the hard tires available. I really wanted to give the team a result to smile about during the off-season, but we’ll go back to work and come back swinging next year.”

2024 MotoAmerica Superbike Results

About Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars [sold, serviced, and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company], Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.

YMUS has a corporate office in California, three corporate offices in Georgia, as well as facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. YMUS subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing U.S.A. (YJBM) based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats [Texas] with its division G3 Boats [Missouri]. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC) with subsidiary Siren Marine [Rhode Island] and divisions Bennett Marine [Florida], Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders [Wisconsin] and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. [Indiana].

Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA, dba Yamaha Financial Services, is an affiliate of Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA offering financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide.

 

Sponsorship Opportunity: Engine Ice

Engine Ice is Now Accepting Applications for 2025 Racing Support
 
Engine Ice, the premier choice for powersports coolant and antifreeze, is excited to announce the opening of applications for their 2025 racing support program. As part of this initiative, Engine Ice is looking for dedicated athletes who will represent the brand and become true partners in spreading the word about the product’s exceptional performance.
Visit the official website at EngineIce.com to connect with our sponsorship partners HookIt and MX Sponsor. 
 
Engine Ice seeks brand ambassadors across all types of racing, including automotive, motorcycle, ATV, SXS, and snowmobile disciplines. The program is open to racers of all skill levels, with opportunities designed to suit both amateur and professional athletes.
 
“We believe in building partnerships beyond a simple logo on a fender,” said Engine Ice Director of Sales and Marketing Scott Lukaitis.  “We want to support athletes who embody our professionalism, sportsmanship, and excellence values. In the more than 20 years of keeping vehicles cool, we’ve been fortunate to collaborate with some of the most talented racers in the industry, and we consider each of them a part of the Engine Ice family. We’re looking for racers who are not only focused on their performance but are also excited to share the benefits of Engine Ice and how it enhances their racing experience.”
 
Chosen athletes are expected to demonstrate a commitment to their craft on and off the track: Engine Ice values professionalism, a strong work ethic, and dedication. Racers who are ready to represent the brand with pride and passion are encouraged to submit their applications.
 
Partner with Engine Ice and join a team that prioritizes performance, professionalism, and the shared goal of racing success.
 
Visit the official website at EngineIce.com to connect with our sponsorship partners HookIt and MX Sponsor. 
 
Good luck in 2025!

Where To Ride In October: Track Days, Schools, And Races

The following track days, riding schools, and racing events are scheduled by organizations based in the United States and Canada during October 2024.

This list includes 105 opportunities to ride your motorcycles at races, schools, and track days during the month of October in North America.

Motorcycle track days, riding schools, and races are posted under the Event Calendar tab on the home page of this website, or you can access the Event Calendar for October 2024 directly by clicking HERE.

Once on the Event Calendar page, you can search for the event you are looking for by its date.

When you click on the event you want to attend you should find a link to the website and/or email address of the host organization, a link to the website of the host venue, the physical address of the host venue, a Google map to the host venue, and buttons to add the event and its information to your calendar application.

To have your motorcycle racing or riding event added to the Event Calendar on this website and published in the print edition of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine, submit your calendar and contact information via the contact page on this website or by clicking HERE.

10/1                 HER Track Day Track Days, Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond, CA

10/2                 Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

10/2                 Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ (Advanced)

10/3-4             Yamaha Champions Riding School, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

10/4-5             American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), Springfield, IL

10/4-5             ARL Track Days And High Performance Riding Academy, Atlantic Motorsport Park, Mill Village, NS

10/5                ASMA Track Days and Advanced Rider Training, The Podium Club at Attesa, Casa Grande, AZ

10/5                 Central Illinois Mini Moto Series (Minis), Mid-State Kart Club, Mechanicsburg, IL

10/5                 Sandy Hook Mini Moto Road Race Series (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

10/5-6            ASMA Series, The Podium Club at Attesa, Casa Grande, AZ

10/5-6             Carters@thetrack Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

10/5-6             Evolve GT School and Track Days, Atlanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA

10/5-6             Evolve GT School and Track Days, NCBike, Garysburg, NC

10/5-6             Fast Line Track Days, NCM Motorsports Park, Bowling Green, KY

10/5-6             Fasttrax Motorcycle Performance Track Days, Nelson Ledges Road Course, Garrettsville, OH

10/5-6             JP43 Training School, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

10/5-6             Motogladiator Series, NCBike, Garysburg, NC

10/5-6             Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Fun Camp)

10/5-6             RideSmart Motorcycle School, G2 Motorsports Park, Anna, TX

10/5-6             Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

10/5-6             Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI

10/5-6             TrackXperience Track Days, Spring Mountain Motorsports Resort, Pahrump, NV

10/5-7             Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

10/6                 Florida Trackdays, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

10/6                 John Long’s Longevity Racing School, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

10/6                 MotoCorsa Track Days, Portland International Raceway, Portland, OR

10/6                 Rocky Mountain Mini Moto Series (Minis), SBR Motorsports Park, Calhan, CO

10/6                 Superbike-Coach Corp. (Schools), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

10/6-7             American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), Springfield, IL

10/6-7             Evolve GT School and Track Days, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

10/7                 HardNoX Track Dayz, Area 27, Oliver, BC

10/7                 Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

10/7                 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

10/8-9             Yamaha Champions Riding School, Inde Motorsports Ranch, Willcox, AZ

10/9                 Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

10/10-11          California Superbike School, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV

10/10-13         (Bridgestone) AHRMA American Historic Racing Series, Barber Vintage Festival, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

10/10-13         Western Sidecars Series, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

10/11               N2 Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

10/11               Westwood Motorcycle Racing Club School & Track Days, Mission Raceway Park, Mission, BC

10/11-12          American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), Harrington, DE

10/12               Sandia Motorcycle Roadracing Inc. (SMRI) Schools And Track Days, Sandia Motorsports Park (currently named Suika Circuit), Albuquerque, NM

10/12-13         2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Oregon Raceway Park, Grass Valley, OR

10/12-13         California Superbike School, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV

10/12-13         Evolve GT School and Track Days, Polecat Training Center, Fayetteville, TN

10/12-13         N2 Track Days, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

10/12-13         NorthWest Mini Moto & Endurance Challenge (Minis), Tri City Kart Club, Richland, WA

10/12-13         Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Fun Camp)

10/12-13         Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

10/12-13         RideSmart Motorcycle School, MSR Houston, Angleton, TX

10/12-13         Ruts to Racelines Track Days, NCBike, Garysburg, NC

10/12-13         South Florida MiniGP Series (Minis), Herrin Compound, Dublin GA

10/12-13         TrackXperience Track Days, Willow Springs Int’l Raceway, Rosamond, CA

10/12-13         WMRC Series (Canada), Mission Raceway Park, Mission, BC

10/13               3:16 Superbike Camp, Harris Hill Raceway, San Marcos, TX

10/13               DMVminiGP Series (Minis), United Karting Raceway, Hanover, MD

10/13               SMRI Series, Sandia Motorsports Park (currently named Suika Circuit), Albuquerque, NM

10/13-14         American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), Harrington, DE

10/13-14         SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

10/14               Fun Track Dayz, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

10/14               Let’s Ride Track Days, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

10/14-15         Cyclesmith Track Days (formerly known as Tony’s Track Days), NCBike, Garysburg, NC

10/15-16         California Superbike School, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, CA

10/16               Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

10/16-17         JP43 Training School, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

10/16-17         Racers Edge Track Days and Private Coaching Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

10/16-17         Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (POST Motorcycle Officer Update Course)

10/17               Team Hammer Advanced Riding School & Pro Practice, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL

10/17-18         CLASS Motorcycle School with 3x AMA Superbike Champion Reg Pridmore, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

10/17-20          41st Annual ASRA Race of Champions/AMA Sanctioned ASRA National Sprint Series/National Endurance/Team Challenge Series/National Vintage/Outlaw Bagger Series/Southeast Roadracing Championship, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL

10/17-20         51st WERA Grand Nationals Finals (GNF)/National Challenge, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

10/18               N2/WERA Endurance Series, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

10/18               Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

10/18-20         CVMA 2024-2025 Winter Series, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

10/18-20         LegionSBK Series, High Plains Raceway, Deer Trail, CO

10/19               Sandy Hook Mini Moto Road Race Series (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

10/19-20         2 Wheels Track Days, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

10/19-20         2WTD Mini Racing (Minis), Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

10/19-20         HART Rider Training/Motorcycle Lapping Days, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Hallett, OK

10/19-20         Inde Motorsports Ranch (IMR) Riders Club Track Days, Inde Motorsports Ranch, Willcox, AZ

10/19-20         N2 Track Days, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

10/19-21         Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

10/19-21         Superbike-Coach Corp. (Schools), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

10/20               XCEL Trackdays Track Days, Arizona Motorsports Park, Litchfield Park, AZ

10/21               Aprilia Racers Days Track Day/Demo Program, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

10/21               CLASS Motorcycle School with 3x AMA Superbike Champion Reg Pridmore, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

10/21               Moto Forza Trackdays, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

10/21               Penguin Roadracing School, Daytona International Speedway (Ducati Revs), Daytona Beach, FL

10/21               Yamaha Champions Riding School, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

10/24-25          Yamaha Champions Riding School, NCBike Garysburg, NC

10/24-27         Colin Edwards’ Texas Tornado Boot Camp (Dirt Track School), Montgomery, TX

10/25-27         Apex Assassins Track Days, The Podium Club at Attesa, Casa Grande, AZ

10/25-27         Brake Free Track Time Track Days, The Podium Club at Attesa, Casa Grande, AZ

10/25-27         CMRA Series, Eagles Canyon Raceway, Decatur, TX

10/25-27         Legion Moto Trackdays, The Podium Club at Attesa, Casa Grande, AZ

10/26               Southeast Mini Moto Series and Track Days (Minis), Barber Proving Grounds, Birmingham, AL

10/26-27         California Superbike School, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

10/26-27         N2 Track Days, NCBike, Garysburg, NC

10/26-27         Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Fun Camp)

10/26-27         Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

10/27-28         SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

10/28               Tactical Motorcycle Dynamics Track Days, Utah Motorsports Campus, Grantsville, UT

10/28-29         California Superbike School, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

10/28-29          Yamaha Champions Riding School, NCBike Garysburg, NC (ChampGrad)

MotoGP: Guidotti Out, Ajo In At Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing thanks Francesco Guidotti as the MotoGP™ project looks ahead to 2025 and beyond

2024 MotoGP news

 

Francesco Guidotti. Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.
Francesco Guidotti. Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.

 

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s MotoGP team will come under new management for the 2025 season and the seasons to come. The company wish to thank Francesco Guidotti for his passion, knowledge and commitment to the role.

Francesco brought a proven track record to the works squad for 2022 and for what was his second stint in Grand Prix racing in KTM colors. For almost three years he was able to oversee considerable improvements both on the technical and sporting aspect of the team and his easy and accessible personality helped unify the crew across the board. He helped KTM achieve two Grand Prix wins in this period and 12 podiums finishes. Francesco steered the team into the MotoGP Sprint era where 11 podium appearances and 2 victories were celebrated. He contributed to the firm’s highest championship standing to-date when Brad Binder finished 4th in 2023 and KTM were runner-up in the Constructors table.

For 2025 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will enter a new chapter for what will be only their ninth campaign on the MotoGP grid and then in the approach to 2027 and the revamped technical regulations.

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: “After three years with Francesco and a lot of positive progress and working methods, we are moving the team with a different leadership approach. Making these changes is never an easy process and we can only thank Francesco warmly for what he has done in our MotoGP story. 2025 will bring some big movements to the whole program in this close and exciting sport and we are laying the foundations now to keep making steps ahead.”

 

 

 

More, from another press release issued by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing:

Aki Ajo to helm Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MotoGP™ team from 2025

2024 MotoGP news

KTM will strengthen the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MotoGP squad for 2025 and beyond by reaching an agreement with long-standing friend and ally Aki Ajo to take the reigns as Team Manager.

The Finn has overseen his own team, Ajo Motorsport, in Grand Prix racing for more than two decades and begun an official and prosperous spell with KTM in 2012 when they delivered the very first Moto3™ world title with the KTM RC4. Red Bull KTM Ajo won another two championships in the class (2016 with Brad Binder and 2021 with Pedro Acosta) and provided the ideal platform for talent emerging from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. Ajo’s Moto3 program assisted six riders to make the breakthrough to the MotoGP category.

In 2017 Ajo expanded Red Bull KTM representation to Moto2™ and amplified the KTM GP Academy through the Grand Prix pyramid. Three more of his riders in the intermediate division went on to MotoGP and the crew claimed three consecutive titles from 2021-2023.

For KTM’s ninth season of MotoGP competition with the KTM RC16 in 2025 and with riders Binder and Acosta in place, Ajo will now assume duties as Team Manager. His intimate knowledge of the company, staff and racers as well as a championship-winning philosophy will take KTM’s MotoGP representation to the next level. KTM is seeking the final few percentages of performance to fight consistently for trophies and believe in Aki’s spirit and organization to make that happen.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo structure in Moto3 and Moto2 will retain the same focus on developing some of the brightest prospects in the KTM GP Academy.

Aki Ajo: “It’s an honor to be offered this great new role and opportunity to work in MotoGP with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. At the moment MotoGP is at a very high level so we need to continue to work in many areas and use the strengths that we have to build this KTM package to an even better standard. We need to keep pushing but I think this project already has many good parts to be right at the very top; we have to manage them in the best way. Thank you to Stefan, Hubert, Pit and Jens and everyone in the KTM structure.”

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: “We have a special relationship and a very close collaboration with Aki and so we felt this was the best decision to take the MotoGP project forward. I’ve said it before and will mention it again: he believed in us when we were just getting organized in this paddock, so the trust and the friendship is unmatched. His team’s success speaks for itself. He has won titles with both of the riders that will be in the pitbox for 2025 but that knowledge is just part of the skillset he will bring. We know we can count on a lot of pedigree and, of course, Aki knows our company and the way we race. I’m really pleased and proud that we are taking this challenge together and we are continuing a story that began a long time ago and has had so much success and great stories already.”

British Superbike: Race Two & Race Three Results From Donington Park

Editorial Note: Americans Julian Correa and Joshua Raymond, Jr. finished third and 16th, respectively, in British Talent Cup Race Two Sunday at Donington Park. Then in Race Three, Correa took fifth and Raymond was 21st. Correa ended up fourth in the final Championship point standings with Raymond taking 17th.

 

BSB R2
BSB R3
BSB Points after R3

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by MSVR:

Ryde regains championship lead by four-points ahead of crucial Brands Hatch decider

Kyle Ryde was victorious in the final Bennetts British Superbike Championship race of the weekend at Donington Park as his double win edged him ahead of defending champion Tommy Bridewell by a slender four-point margin ahead of the Brands Hatch decider (11/12/13 October).

Three riders remain in title contention as Ryde leads the hunt from Bridewell whilst Glenn Irwin is 46-points adrift of his OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing rival at the top. However, with 105 points available at the finale, three teams representing three different manufacturers will go head-to-head for the crown.

Glenn Irwin kept his title hopes alive in race two at Donington Park by returning to winning ways for Hager PBM Ducati following an intense four-way battle with title rivals Bridewell and Ryde whilst Danny Kent narrowly missed out on the podium.

Bridewell was fighting hard to hold his lead in the standings and he had initially led before a battle with his nemesis as the pair once again traded blows at the front with Ryde and Kent also in the mix.

Irwin held the advantage despite nothing between the top four throughout the 12-lap contest, but then Ryde moved into the lead. The Hager PBM Ducati rider fought back hard though and went on to take the victory.

Bridewell had saved a huge moment at the top of the Craner Curves and then had to regain momentum to claim second with a move on Ryde to force his closest rival back to third place at the chequered flag.

Bridewell held a five point standings lead moving into the final race of the weekend, but the Honda Racing UK rider had to relinquish his position as Ryde returned to winning ways in the final contest of the weekend.  

Ryde claimed his eighth win of the season in the red-flagged final race, whilst his title rivals Irwin and Bridewell finished in fourth and fifth respectively.  

Irwin had grabbed the initial advantage off the line to lead from Bridewell and Andrew Irwin with Kent and Ryde next in the freight train of riders.

Ryde moved into third a lap later and then was able to make another pass on the brakes on lap five. His Hager PBM Ducati rival fought back though and a lap later regained the position at the Fogarty Esses.

Ryde was back ahead as they crossed the line to complete the next lap though as Kent was on a charge. The McAMS Racing Yamaha rider made his signature pass at the Old Hairpin to take second and then chase down Ryde as he pushed to try to secure a debut Bennetts BSB race win.

Ryde was holding off Kent’s challenge, but behind Ryan Vickers had carved his way through to third ahead of Irwin and Bridewell.

However, the race ended with a red flag on lap 18 when Billy McConnell crashed on the exit of the Melbourne Hairpin, collecting both Christian Iddon and Jason O’Halloran. O’Halloran sustained a shoulder injury in the crash, whilst Iddon fractured his right foot.

Ryde now heads the hunt to Brands Hatch in a bid for a debut title as Bridewell prepares to fight back to become the first rider to win consecutive crowns for two different manufacturers.
However, Irwin can still give the Hager PBM Ducati team a tenth title if he can capitalise on any errors from his rivals.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, Race 2 result: 

  1. Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati)
  2. Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) +0.241s
  3. Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) +0.431s
  4. Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +0.741s
  5. Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) +1.742s
  6. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +3.067
  7. Lee Jackson (MasterMac Honda) +5.348s
  8. Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +5.899s
  9. Max Cook (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) +5.968s
  10. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +6.128s

 

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, Race 3 result:

  1. Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing)
  2. Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +0.384s
  3. Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) +1.727s
  4. Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) +3.042s
  5. Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) +4.521s
  6. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +4.826s
  7. Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) +5.133s
  8. Max Cook (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) +5.544s
  9. Lee Jackson (MasterMac Honda) +6.635s
  10. Leon Haslam (ROKiT Haslam Racing BMW Motorrad) +11.155s

 

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:

  1. Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 398
  2. Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) 394
  3. Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) 352
  4. Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) 290
  5. Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 265
  6. Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 261
  7. Lee Jackson (MasterMac Honda) 237
  8. Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team) 218
  9. Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) 193
  10. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 189

For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com

 

Kyle Ryde

OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing

“After the Friday and Saturday morning we had, obviously Saturday afternoon we won the race. I was disappointed with third this morning because I came so close, and I actually got to the lead at one point. It just shows how far we’ve come throughout the season, to be annoyed at a third place!

“I made amends in the last race, started sixth and chipped a few people off into Melbourne. And when I got to the front, I tried to do a lap time which would kind of break the people, but Glenn kept passing me at the end of the back straight, and made it hard work. I used that much rear tyre to keep him behind me.

“When I actually got the gap and Danny was behind me, I thought I was in trouble. I just basically won that race by being faster through the chicane and the last two corners, so I’m glad to win. The championship lead is obviously a big bonus ahead of Brands Hatch.”

MotoAmerica: King Of The Baggers Race Two Results From NJMP

KurveyGirl.com brings you the results of this weekend’s events.

At our online motorcycle parts store, you’ll find a specialized selection of quarter turn “Dzus” fasteners, titanium hardware, premium tire valve stems, Vesrah racing brake pads, Brembo parts and accessories, and other unique hardware specifically designed for race and trackday motorcycles.

 

Troy Herfoss won MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Race Two Sunday at New Jersey Motorsports Park, in Millville, New Jersey. Riding his S&S Indian Challenger on spec Dunlop tires, the reigning Australian Superbike Champion took the lead on the opening lap, controlled the pace for all nine laps, and took the victory – his seventh of the season.

With the race victory, Herfoss captured the 2024 Championship in his rookie season racing in the class.

Race One winner Rocco Landers passed Kyle Wyman on the final lap to claim the runner-up spot on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Road Glide.

Wyman, the Championship point leader coming into the weekend, couldn’t match the pace of Herfoss, ran second for most of the race, and ultimately finished third on his Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide.

Herfoss’ teammate Tyler O’Hara took fourth place.

Hayden Gillim, Landers’ teammate and the defending Champion, came home fifth.

 

24_12_NJMP_KTB_R2_res
24_12_NJMP_KTB_PTS_points

MotoAmerica: Superbike Race Two Results From NJMP

KurveyGirl.com brings you the results of this weekend’s events.

At our online motorcycle parts store, you’ll find a specialized selection of quarter turn “Dzus” fasteners, titanium hardware, premium tire valve stems, Vesrah racing brake pads, Brembo parts and accessories, and other unique hardware specifically designed for race and trackday motorcycles.

 

The 2024 MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike Championship ended with one of the best races of the season. Pole-sitter Loris Baz got out in front early and spent most of the race holding off his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati teammate Josh Herrin. That is until four other riders caught up to them in the closing laps.

In spite of the strong, late challenge, Baz was able to hang on and take the win – the first MotoAmerica Superbike win of his career and the first AMA/MotoAmerica Superbike win by a Frenchman – by 0.151 second.

Sean Dylan Kelly got close enough to challenge Baz on the final lap, but the Superbike rookie chose not to make a risky pass attempt and to accept the runner-up spot on his EasyHealthPlans.com/TopPro Racing BMW M 1000 RR.

Bobby Fong also closed in on Baz at the end but ended up taking third on his Wrench Motorcycles Yamaha YZF-R1.

Five-time Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier was a close fourth on his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW.

Richie Escalante got off to a slow start but thanks to the second-fastest lap of the race (1:20.899) he was able to score fifth, just 0.886 second behind the winner.

After shadowing Baz for much of the race, Herrin faded toward the end and eventually crossed the finish line in sixth, 3.121 seconds back.

Escalante’s teammate Brandon Paasch ended up seventh. 

FLO4LAW Racing Yamaha’s Benjamin Smith held off AMD Motorsports/RK Racing Honda’s Richard Kerr in a race-long fight for eighth.

Ashton Yates rounded out the top 10 finishers on his Jones Honda, but that was enough for him to win the 2024 MotoAmerica Superbike Cup Championship and its $25,000 grand prize.

 

24_12_NJMP_SBK_R2_res
24_12_NJMP_SBK_PTS_points (1)
24_12_NJMP_SBK_PTS_sbcpts

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by MotoAmerica:

Baz Gets His First MotoAmerica Superbike Win At New Jersey Motorsports Park

Baz Is The First Frenchman To Win An AMA Superbike Race In A Thriller In New Jersey

MILLVILLE, NJ (September 29, 2024) – Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Loris Baz became the first Frenchman to win an AMA Superbike race on Sunday at New Jersey Motorsports Park with a thrilling victory in a race that featured five riders finishing within a second of Baz and his Ducati Panigale V4 R.

In winning his first MotoAmerica Superbike race, Baz became the 68th rider in AMA Superbike history to taste victory. He was also the seventh rider to win a MotoAmerica Superbike race in 2024, with the previous high being five different winners in a season.

Second place went to EasyHealthPlans.com/TopPro Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly with the Floridian fighting his way through the pack to emerge as the one to give Baz the most fits in the final few laps. Kelly came up just .151 of a second short in earning his seventh podium of the season, which includes his first Superbike win a few weeks ago in Texas.

Wrench Motorcycles’ Bobby Fong earned his second podium finish of the weekend as he was hot on Kelly’s rear wheel in third place, ending up .140 of a second adrift of the BMW.

Fourth place, for the second straight day, went to Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier with the five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion just a tick over half a second behind Baz and only .127 of a second behind Fong. Right on Beaubier’s rear wheel was fifth-placed Richie Escalante on the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki in what turned out to be one of the best Superbike races of the season.

Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin, meanwhile, wrapped up his second AMA Superbike Championship yesterday with an impressive ride to victory, but today he was playing wingman to Baz in a role reversal. Herrin followed Baz for 90 percent of the race, but suddenly there were four riders on the attack. At that point, Herrin tapped out and he cruised home to sixth place, some three seconds behind his teammate Baz.

With his win on Saturday, Herrin tied Wayne Rainey on the all-time Superbike win list for 10th with his 16th victory. He is now one victory behind Nicky Hayden for ninth on the win list.

Seventh place went to Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Brandon Paasch, who was well clear of FLO4LAW Racing’s Benjamin Smith. MD Motorsport RK Racing’s Richard Kerr and Jones Honda’s Ashton Yates rounded out the top 10.

After nine rounds and 18 races, Herrin ended the season 55 points ahead of Beaubier, 335-280, with Fong finishing third and the top-ranked Yamaha rider. Just 12 points behind Fong came Superbike rookie Kelly.

Baz’s second season of MotoAmerica Superbike racing netted him fifth in the title chase, just four points behind Kelly and 28 points ahead of Attack Performance/Progressive/Yamaha Racing’s Cameron Petersen with the South African unfortunately finishing his season with another mechanical DNF.

 

Quotes…

Loris Baz – Winner

“The guys did a good job because since Austin I’ve been struggling a lot with my start. We had some problem with my clutch. They found some parts that were not nice after Austin, so they changed it. But yesterday I had a bad start again and had a really strange feeling going into the warmup lap, so I was scared going to the race. But I had a good start. I can manage to go first and finally able to be aggressive again like I was in ’21. That has been the biggest problem for me this year. Not being able to be aggressive and overtake guys, for many reasons in the setup. I was first, and because we didn’t have many dry sessions this year, only two and it was the two races, I didn’t know what to expect from the rear tire drop at the end. So, I knew I had Josh (Herrin) and one guy, and then they just showed me there was Josh. So, I tried to slow down the pace, not use my tire, and then I was watching Josh’s pit board and it was plus 1.5, plus 1, plus 0.5. I was like, ‘whoa, they’re coming back.’ But then I was just instead of trying to push and kill the tire, I tried to close the line. Josh showed me his wheel. I overtook him again. I think he made my life easier. I think he had something more all season than everyone, and especially today. I saw in the warmup how his bike reacted. But we did some changes. We went in this direction. We changed the lean of the bike between the warmup and the race, so big thanks to the crew for that, and I felt good. It’s cool that we worked together all year and it’s paying off, especially for the team. It’s so cool to end up like this. It’s the home race for the whole team and we’re going to celebrate at the Mount Airy Casino tonight, which is a sponsor of the team. So, it’s cool. My dad is here. It’s the first time he came to a race in America. He’s going to come every race next year. Coming back to the race, last lap I knew there were many guys behind. I could hear that it was not Josh anymore. I thought it was Cam (Beaubier). I just tried to close the line. Going into that last lap, Hayden Gillim moved yesterday going in. I was like, should I close the door, or should I just try to go in fast and see what happens? I’m just happy it worked out. Sometimes just a tiny bit that makes you a hero or zero. But I’m proud of what I did and what all the guys did in HSBK this weekend.”

Sean Dylan Kelly – Second Place

“Definitely a pretty amazing way to finish off the season. Obviously, we always want to finish off strong. I didn’t win today, but I think that was definitely one of my two strongest races of the whole season. The other one being obviously when I won. This one, I came from a ways back and both Ducatis got up really strong at the beginning. I was able to get through the pack. Obviously qualifying seventh was not ideal, so I had to make some moves, make some passes. Straight out of the gate I felt way better than yesterday. Not too much to say. Up until today, it was a very strange weekend. Obviously, it was strange for everyone with the weather, but even just how I felt on the bike, some issues we were having, some things that we were running into and some silly mistakes we were making within the team, too. Like Q1 when I qualified seventh, that was first on me and then on the team. We didn’t do the right strategy. We definitely messed some things up today, but we are a rookie rider, rookie team. I think we didn’t make as many as we thought we should have this season in general, so it’s okay to get it in. Maybe we relaxed a bit too much after a win a couple weeks ago. We got it together today. I felt amazing. I saw Cam (Beaubier) struggling a little bit, so I got by him and it seemed like he got some pace while being behind me and he got in front of me. He made fastest lap, and then he made a mistake. I got by. I learned a little bit from him that fast lap. I feel like once he did that, I just kept on repeating the lap time. I just put my head down and I was just committed to getting to these guys. Got by Josh with a few laps to go. I definitely tried it on (Loris) Baz, but it was going to be way, way too dirty. He was braking really strong. Obviously, I was also a bit toasted up from coming a couple seconds back. I’m pretty stoked for him. I didn’t realize it was his first-ever win here, so that’s pretty badass that we did it two weekends in a row. It’s a pleasure to be racing with these dudes.” 

October 2024

October 2024 Issue
October 2024 Issue

On the Front Cover: Hunter Dunham (170) raced a Ducati Streetfighter in a
2025-eligibility-test for the performance-balanced Super Hooligan class. Sam Fleming joined the Tampa Ducati crew for races at COTA and rode the bike afterwards. Brian J. Nelson photo.

 

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OCTOBER 2024 ISSUE

 

FEATURES

Inside Info: The limited-edition Aprilia RSV4 X ex3ma comes with ground-effect aerodynamics; Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak; Yamaha YZF-R1 for street use in the USA and track-use-only in Europe; and more…

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1957 Moto Guzzi 350

Quick Look: Long-Travel 2024 Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+

MotoAmerica’s Weird & Wild Super Hooligan Class

Tried & Tested: Alpinestars Missile Ward V2 Suit & SMX-6 V3 Boots

MotoGP Analysis: How MotoGP Tires Work

RACING

Racing History: The Slippery Tale Of Aerodynamics

MotoGP: Marc Marquez Attacks At Aragon And Misano

MotoAmerica Superbike: Beaubier & Kelly Win At COTA

World Superbike: With Toprak Out, Petrucci Wins!

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor: What Happened To Pilot USA, And Kobas 250s Racing At Daytona In 1984

10 Years Ago, October 2014: Cory West was airborne on an EBR 1190SX streetbike on
the October 2014 cover. Marc Marquez ran rampant, winning his 10th straight MotoGP race, which was held at Indianapolis. We looked at Honda Grom racing in Texas, and Shops visited Baxley by Providence, creators of the wheel chock seen in paddocks nationwide.

The Crash Page: Phillip Hranicka at Portland International Raceway 

Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride

Classified Ads/Advertiser Index

High Performance Parts & Services Directory

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer:  2024 Season Wrap-Up

*******************************************************************

Click here to receive a sample issue of Roadracing World magazine (print edition). One sample issue per household, U.S. address only.

Essex Moto Parts Named Exclusive North American Distributor For Accossato Racing

Accossato master cylinder
Accossato master cylinder

Essex Moto Parts, the exclusive North American distributor for OZ Motorbike wheels, LighTech, and Ferodo motorcycle brakes, is pleased to announce that we are now the exclusive North American distributor for Accossato Racing.

Accossato Racing is a leader in motorcycle manufacturing, specializing in designing and manufacturing brake components including billet CNC brake and clutch master cylinders,  as well as brake lines, brake calipers, and rotors. 

Since 1969, the company’s history is marked by numerous successes, supplying the best parts to all levels of the sport. With over 55 years of experience in OEM and aftermarket manufacturing, Accossato has established itself as a pillar in the Italian motorcycle community.

With over 35 years in the motorcycle industry, supplying everything from braking components to wheels and accessories, Essex is excited to welcome Accossato to its North American product line. Essex will build on the storied history of Accossato and its long-term technical partnerships with race teams in WSBK, MotoAmerica, Moto2, and Moto3. That experience has resulted in technical innovation and product design that Essex is pleased to now offer to the North American market.

A Statement from Francesco D’Agostino, Commercial Director of Accossato:
“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Essex for the distribution of Accossato products in North America. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in expanding our reach and providing high-quality products to a broader audience. We are confident that Essex’s expertise and dedication will greatly benefit our customers and enhance our presence in the market.”

About Essex: Essex has supplied parts to the top levels of motorcycle racing in North America for 35 years. This includes Superbike and Supercross teams, as well as all levels of AMA Pro and WERA race teams. Essex helped engineer and supplied the first carbon/carbon brake systems used in the AMA Superbike series, used to win many races and championships, as well as several Daytona 200 wins. Essex has supplied brake and wheel components to every type of professional and amateur motorcycle racing in NA, and today is the NA importer and distributor for OZ wheels, LighTech, and Ferodo.

MotoAmerica: More From The 2024 Season Finale At NJMP (Updated)

New Jersey Motorsports Park. Photo by David Swarts.
New Jersey Motorsports Park. Photo by David Swarts.

Scholtz Crowned MotoAmerica Supersport Champion

 Strack Racing’s Mathew Scholtz claims the title in Race 1 and concludes a stellar debut Supersport season with a runner-up finish at NJMP

The Strack Racing team and supporters pose with 2024 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion Mathew Scholtz.
The Strack Racing team and supporters pose with 2024 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion Mathew Scholtz. Brian J. Nelson photo.

MARIETTA, Ga. –  September 30, 2024 – Strack Racing’s Mathew Scholtz claimed the 2024 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship a race early at the season finale at the New Jersey Motorsports Park. The South African executed a smart ride in Race 1 to seal the deal on the title with 11 points and then finished the season with a runner-up finish in Race 2, further adding to his impressive tally during his debut season aboard the Strack Racing R6.  

The newly rebranded team, Strack Racing, made its debut with Scholtz at the season opener at Road Atlanta. Although it was a rollercoaster start, they had a strong showing in their early beginnings with a podium finish. The team built on that first round and came out swinging at Round 2, with Scholtz earning a double victory at Barber Motorsports Park. From there, the championship campaign continued to build strength, ultimately securing eight wins and a total of 15 podiums. The 2024 Supersport Championship is Scholtz’s second MotoAmerica title and second in the series with the Yamaha brand, the first of which was won aboard the Westby Racing R1 in the Superstock 1000 class in 2017.

Peter Strack – Strack Racing Team Principal 
“I thought I understood what team meant, but this year really taught me what that meant. I’ve done a lot in business and other things where a team means everything to your success. Everybody here pulled their weight, so it was a big deal. We fought hard. When we came in, we were the underdogs. We started off with some adversity, and we overcame that. Every single round, we pushed the limit in everything that we were doing and never took our foot off the gas. We were strategic and very calculated in what we did, and it paid off.”

Mathew Scholtz – Strack Racing #11
“Going into the Supersport class, it was a little bit of an unknown for me, but it was a beautiful season. There were a lot of highs and some lows as well. The season began a little slower than we liked, but from Round 2 at Barber, we took the double there and knew we should be fighting for the championship. The Strack Racing crew gave me a perfect bike all season long, and we did what we needed to do. I’m just really happy to bring the championship home.”

About Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars [sold, serviced, and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company], Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.

YMUS has a corporate office in California, three corporate offices in Georgia, as well as facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. YMUS subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing U.S.A. (YJBM) based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats [Texas] with its division G3 Boats [Missouri]. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC) with subsidiary Siren Marine [Rhode Island] and divisions Bennett Marine [Florida], Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders [Wisconsin] and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. [Indiana].

Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA, dba Yamaha Financial Services, is an affiliate of Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA offering financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide.

Hayden Gillim Earns Honda the 2024 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Championship

From a press release issued by American Honda

Hayden Gillim winning at NJMP.
Hayden Gillim winning at NJMP. Brian J. Nelson photo.
  • First professional AMA road racing title for CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP
  • Honda riders took eight of 10 wins on the season

During this weekend’s rainy last round of 2024 MotoAmerica season at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Real Steel Motorsports rider Hayden Gillim wrapped up his second consecutive 2024 Stock 1000 National Championship, with wins on Saturday and Sunday. Racing a CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP with significant backing from Tennessee dealership Southern Powersports, Gillim dominated the series, winning seven of 10 races.

A 29-year-old native of Owensboro, Kentucky, Gillim is a racing veteran, having won his first Amateur Dirt Track Grand Championship at age 6. He’s a cousin of the famous racing Hayden brothers (who he is named after), and typically runs number 69 as an homage to the late Nicky Hayden, who rode Hondas to the 1999 AMA 600 Supersport Championship, the 2002 AMA Superbike Championship and the 2006 MotoGP World Championship.

This season, however, Gillim ran number 1 in Stock 1000, having earned last year’s crown with a different brand. He topped both races at the Alabama opener, but the next two rounds in Minnesota and Washington saw him win the opening races but crash out of the lead in the second races, making for a tight points battle. He was victorious in race 1 at Laguna Seca and finished on the podium in race 2 (with fellow Red Rider Ashton Yates getting the win), then closed out the season the way he started it—with a sweep at this weekend’s finale.

“We raced against Geoff May last year and saw what he was able to do on the Honda,” said Gillim, who has now won four professional AMA road racing titles. “Then when Honda’s contingency numbers came out, that was a big factor in us switching, as well as the support we got from Southern Powersports. I raced Hondas when I was younger, first getting on a 600, and [team co-owner] Jerry Nickell has a big Honda collection and was excited about it. The guys gave us a really good bike, and the team did a good job setting it up. It was a great year. We were making 25 horsepower more than last year’s bike, and every track we went to, I was going a second or two faster than my previous best lap times. After I put it on the ground a couple of times in the middle part of the season, I started managing things better and not overriding the bike, and we were able to finish the season out strong.”

This was the first AMA road racing crown for the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP platform, and Honda’s first since Jake Zemke took the 2008 Formula Xtreme crown aboard a CBR600RR.

“On behalf of everyone at American Honda, a huge congratulations and thank-you to Hayden, Real Steel Motorsports and Southern Powersports,” said Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing and Advertising at American Honda. “We knew that the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP is a competitive machine, and we hoped that upping our contingency program for 2024 would give some top riders the nudge to show its potential. That said, we couldn’t have expected the dominance it has shown in Stock 1000, with Honda riders taking 80 percent of the wins. It’s great to see Honda back on top in an AMA professional racing series, and hopefully it’s a sign of more to come.”

About American Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and Side-by-Sides in the United States. American Honda’s Power Sports & Products Division conducts the sales, marketing and operational activities for these products through independent authorized Honda retail dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to powersports.honda.com.

More from a press release issued by Suzuki:

ESCALANTE AND SCOTT EARN THE TOP 5 FOR VISION WHEEL M4 ECSTAR SUZUKI
Suzuki riders end the 2024 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship strong

Brea, CA, (September 30, 2024) — Suzuki Motor USA (Suzuki) and Team Hammer closed out the 2024 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship season at New Jersey Motorsports Park in rock solid fashion as Superbike pilot Richie Escalante and Supersport ace Tyler Scott led the way with four combined top-five finishes.

Race Highlights

  • Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
    • Superbike
      • Richie Escalante battled his way forward from outside the top 10 to score two fighting fifths.
      • Brandon Paasch was blisteringly quick on his home track, earning his best career Superbike qualifying position.
    • Supersport
      • Tyler Scott locked down a top-5 championship ranking with two fourths at NJMP.
      • Teagg Hobbs secured a top-10 championship position by twice finishing inside the top ten in the season finale.
      • Joel Ohman took his final lessons in a season dedicated to maximum improvement. 

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Superbike star Richie Escalante once again showed himself up to the task of going bar-to-bar with the nation’s elite roadracers, scoring a pair of impressive finishes despite qualifying on Row 4 on a weekend that featured mixed conditions but largely dry races. On Saturday, the Mexican carved his way up through the field aboard his Suzuki GSX-R1000R to ultimately win out a multi-rider dice for fifth. He was even stronger on Sunday despite again finishing fifth, closing in dramatically on the fight for victory late before taking the checkered flag just 0.886 seconds behind the winner.

Richie Escalante (54) closed out his short season happy to take some time to get back into peak form. Brian J. Nelson photo.

Despite missing the bulk of the season after suffering an injury in the opener, Escalante ended his abbreviated campaign with a podium finish among his three top 5 results. He said, “We had a pretty good weekend, one that was tough with the weather conditions. My pace and rhythm were good on the bike, and we finished with a gap quite close to the front on Sunday. I need to work on my starts and first laps more, so I don’t have to make up positions later in the race. I am glad this year is over given my injuries and missing time, but I want to thank Suzuki, the team, the crew, and all the sponsors.”

Escalante’s premier-class teammate, Brandon Paasch, was motivated to impress in front of his home-state fans. And impress he did, claiming his first career MotoAmerica front row grid position by clocking the third best time aboard his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R. Unfortunately, Paasch crashed out while embroiled in the chase for fifth late in Saturday’s race. However, he bounced back on Sunday, claiming seventh in the year’s final contest.

Brandon Paasch (96) showed determination with a great qualifying time and impressive performance on Sunday despite a crash on Saturday. Brian J. Nelson photo.

Paasch, who ended the season ranked ninth in the points on the strength of two top 5 finishes, said, “It was a lot of positives for us and some disappointment as well. This was my first-ever front row qualifying, and I was fifth in the morning warm-up on Sunday. And in Sunday’s race, the total time was the closest I have finished to the winner yet. But the races didn’t go that well for us. I had a 118-mile per hour crash on Saturday and lost a lot of ground early in the race on Sunday.”

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki Supersport standout Tyler Scott wrapped up a strong campaign aboard the team’s next-generation GSX-R750 with a pair of fourth-place rides. Scott was consistently in the mix up front as he had been all season long, locking down a fifth-place championship standing that included a victory among four podium finishes.

Tyler Scott (70) was a consistent performer all season long with ending with a strong hold on fifth-place in championship points. Brian J. Nelson photo.

Scott said, “It was mixed conditions all weekend but dry races, so that made it interesting. Overall, it wasn’t a bad weekend, but we were looking for more because we always want to win. On Saturday, we got fourth with a small bike problem keeping us from the podium. It looked like we might get it on Sunday, but a rider t-boned me towards the end of the race. I lost some ground and wasn’t able to make it up the rest of the way.”

Scott’s Supersport teammate, Teagg Hobbs, continued to fight his way out of a second half slump. Hobbs raced his way up from 15th on the grid to finish inside the top 10 twice – 10th on Saturday and ninth on Sunday, to end the season ranked ninth in the final MotoAmerica Supersport standings.

Hobbs said, “It’s no secret we have struggled this season, and we made changes with the bike and got back on track this weekend. It took a while to get the setup dialed in, but by Sunday, things were really improved. I started 15th and moved up to seventh, and my lap times were third or fourth fastest in the race. The bike responded to my rider inputs the way I was expecting. It was a disappointing year for me, but it was good to get a positive race in.”

The squad’s third Supersport pilot, Joel Ohman, spent his 2024 season dedicated to gaining as much experience and speed as possible, a mission he concluded in New Jersey.

Ohman said, “It feels good to end the year on a high note. We started out really rough with the rain. I didn’t feel confident pushing it the way I wanted and was having a hard time. The first race, we had some of the same issues as before but after working with the team and my riding coach, we found a solution with the bike and I went 2.5 seconds faster than we had gone all weekend. The second race, I was able to battle and move up so I was happy about that.”

ABOUT TEAM HAMMER

The 2024 season marks Team Hammer’s 44th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 134 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 373 times and have won 11 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships (in Superbike and Supersport). The team has also won 137 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships.

ABOUT VISION WHEEL

Founded in 1976, Vision Wheel is one of the nation’s leading providers of custom wheels for cars and trucks, and one of the first manufacturers of custom wheels and tires for ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Vision Wheel looks beyond the current trends and to the future in developing, manufacturing, and distributing its wheels. Vision’s lines of street, race, off-road, American Muscle, and Milanni wheels are distributed nationally and internationally through a trusted network of distributors. Vision Wheel also produces the Vision It AR app to allow users to see how their wheel of choice will look on their vehicle before purchase and installation. For more information on Vision Wheel, visit www.visionwheel.com.

ABOUT SUZUKI

Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automotive Parts, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.

For Suzuki road racing news, results, and team updates, visit suzukicycles.com/racing/road-racing.

For more information and updates on Team Hammer, visit teamhammer.com.

MotoAmerica: Yamaha Wins 2024 Superbike Manufacturer’s Championship

Tom Halverson the 2024 Superbike Manufacturer's Championship trophy.

Yamaha Earns 2024 MotoAmerica Superbike Manufacturer’s Championship at NJMP

Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing concludes roller-coaster season at New Jersey Motorsports Park and looks ahead to 2025

MARIETTA, Ga. –  September 30, 2024 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS) received the MotoAmerica Superbike Manufacturer’s Championship at the final round of the 2024 season held at the New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) in Millville, New Jersey. Spearheading the campaign was the Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team, who took home four wins and a total of 13 podium finishes during a roller-coaster ride of a season with injuries and adversity. It was a tough final race of the year that saw fill-in rider Xavi Forés finish 12th and Cameron Petersen come back to 18th. Also making a valuable contribution to the manufacturer’s title in the premier class was Wrench Motorcycles’ Bobby Fong, who ended the year third in the championship standings, earning two wins and a total of eight podium finishes. 

Forés continued to work on getting acquainted with the bike in challenging conditions as he filled in for the three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne at the last two rounds. In the final race of the season, the Spaniard got a good start from the second row to fourth. He was inside the top five for the first five laps and continued to battle but ultimately crossed the line 12th. 

For the second race at NJMP, Petersen got another flying start and grabbed the holeshot this time. Although he was shuffled to third going into the first turn on Lap 2, he was running a strong pace up front in the lead group. Unfortunately, on the following lap, he ran off track due to a technical issue and pulled into the pits. Petersen rejoined the race and put in some strong laps to gain valuable information and finish 18th. Despite the adversity, it was a strong season for the South African, who earned three wins and a total of eight podiums, contributing to the manufacturer’s title and securing sixth in the championship. 

Despite not feeling 100% with arm and hand issues, Gagne made a valiant defense of his title, scoring a win at the opening round and making five trips to the podium. Although he sat out the last two rounds while he focused on returning to full fitness, he finished the season a commendable seventh in the point standings. 

Tom Halverson – Yamaha Racing Assistant Department Manager for YMUS:
“Congrats to Bobby Fong, ADR (Aussie Dave Racing), and Wrench Motorcycles for earning third in the Superbike Championship. It was an incredible accomplishment in a very stacked 2024 Superbike field. We appreciate every Yamaha rider in the paddock, and it was their accomplishments that brought Yamaha the Manufacturer’s Trophy once again.

“Our Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team started strong, and Jake and Cam were in the championship hunt for most of the season. Injuries and a few technical issues ended our run, but we look forward to Jake’s return and fighting for wins and the championship once again.”

Richard Stanboli – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager:
“We had some wins, and we were leading the championship. Unfortunately, Jake had to sit out the rest of the season. It’s pretty difficult to take a rider, plop him into unfamiliar territory, and to ride at the top of his game. So we knew it was going to be a challenge throwing Xavi into the deep end. With Cameron, he came back from his injury and was making some headway but had a couple of bad crashes. This weekend he was strong. It was just unfortunate that there was an issue in the second race, and he had to pull in, but his pace was good. In the end, I think we found a pretty decent setup for him, and he could go with the guys in the beginning.

“I think we learned a lot this year, and where we are in relation to our competitors and where we are lacking, especially with the hard tires. We have a pretty good idea of where we want to go heading into the new year with the new bike. We’ll put together a good development package, get Jake healthy, and come back strong.” 

Xavi Forés – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #34:
“I enjoyed my time here on the team. I knew them from Daytona, and I was always so keen to try the Superbike. Unfortunately, the results were not as good as I expected them to be, but we faced some challenges that we didn’t expect to have. We worked really hard. The team was working so well on bringing us the best package possible, but unfortunately we were dealing with a lack of grip on the rear. Yesterday and today, in the first laps, I tried to stay on the back of the lead group, and I led some laps yesterday, but I was not able to stay at the front. I want to say thank you to the team for their trust in me for these couple of races. Hopefully, I gave them good information for the future, and hopefully, I can do more races with them. Thanks to Yamaha for all of their help. I have enjoyed it.”

Cameron Petersen – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #45:
“Yeah, it was a tough day. It was just a bummer to end the season like that, but if you take a step back and look at the season as a whole, it was really great. I got the most wins of my career in one season. I think there was a point there at Laguna where I had the most wins and podiums out of everybody and was in the hunt for the championship. Then it was just some bad luck with some injuries and bike stuff that put us behind. Unfortunately at the last three races of the year, we only had the hard tires available. I really wanted to give the team a result to smile about during the off-season, but we’ll go back to work and come back swinging next year.”

2024 MotoAmerica Superbike Results

About Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars [sold, serviced, and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company], Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.

YMUS has a corporate office in California, three corporate offices in Georgia, as well as facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. YMUS subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing U.S.A. (YJBM) based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats [Texas] with its division G3 Boats [Missouri]. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC) with subsidiary Siren Marine [Rhode Island] and divisions Bennett Marine [Florida], Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders [Wisconsin] and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. [Indiana].

Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA, dba Yamaha Financial Services, is an affiliate of Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA offering financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide.

 

Sponsorship Opportunity: Engine Ice

Engine Ice-sponsored racer Josh Rittberg (127). Photo by @dani.bluemedia, courtesy Engine Ice.
Engine Ice-sponsored racer Josh Rittberg (127). Photo by @dani.bluemedia, courtesy Engine Ice.
Engine Ice is Now Accepting Applications for 2025 Racing Support
 
Engine Ice, the premier choice for powersports coolant and antifreeze, is excited to announce the opening of applications for their 2025 racing support program. As part of this initiative, Engine Ice is looking for dedicated athletes who will represent the brand and become true partners in spreading the word about the product’s exceptional performance.
Visit the official website at EngineIce.com to connect with our sponsorship partners HookIt and MX Sponsor. 
 
Engine Ice seeks brand ambassadors across all types of racing, including automotive, motorcycle, ATV, SXS, and snowmobile disciplines. The program is open to racers of all skill levels, with opportunities designed to suit both amateur and professional athletes.
 
“We believe in building partnerships beyond a simple logo on a fender,” said Engine Ice Director of Sales and Marketing Scott Lukaitis.  “We want to support athletes who embody our professionalism, sportsmanship, and excellence values. In the more than 20 years of keeping vehicles cool, we’ve been fortunate to collaborate with some of the most talented racers in the industry, and we consider each of them a part of the Engine Ice family. We’re looking for racers who are not only focused on their performance but are also excited to share the benefits of Engine Ice and how it enhances their racing experience.”
 
Chosen athletes are expected to demonstrate a commitment to their craft on and off the track: Engine Ice values professionalism, a strong work ethic, and dedication. Racers who are ready to represent the brand with pride and passion are encouraged to submit their applications.
 
Partner with Engine Ice and join a team that prioritizes performance, professionalism, and the shared goal of racing success.
 
Visit the official website at EngineIce.com to connect with our sponsorship partners HookIt and MX Sponsor. 
 
Good luck in 2025!

Where To Ride In October: Track Days, Schools, And Races

The restart of the ASRA Team Challenge at Daytona International Speedway with Max Angles (164) next to BPM's Diego Garcia (35), Bauce Racing's Joseph LiMandri, Jr. (931), YART Yamaha's Karel Hanika (7), and the rest. Photo by David Swarts.
The restart of the ASRA Team Challenge at Daytona International Speedway in October 2023 with Max Angles (164) next to BPM's Diego Garcia (35), Bauce Racing's Joseph LiMandri, Jr. (931), YART Yamaha's Karel Hanika (7), and the rest. Photo by David Swarts.

The following track days, riding schools, and racing events are scheduled by organizations based in the United States and Canada during October 2024.

This list includes 105 opportunities to ride your motorcycles at races, schools, and track days during the month of October in North America.

Motorcycle track days, riding schools, and races are posted under the Event Calendar tab on the home page of this website, or you can access the Event Calendar for October 2024 directly by clicking HERE.

Once on the Event Calendar page, you can search for the event you are looking for by its date.

When you click on the event you want to attend you should find a link to the website and/or email address of the host organization, a link to the website of the host venue, the physical address of the host venue, a Google map to the host venue, and buttons to add the event and its information to your calendar application.

To have your motorcycle racing or riding event added to the Event Calendar on this website and published in the print edition of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine, submit your calendar and contact information via the contact page on this website or by clicking HERE.

10/1                 HER Track Day Track Days, Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond, CA

10/2                 Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

10/2                 Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ (Advanced)

10/3-4             Yamaha Champions Riding School, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

10/4-5             American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), Springfield, IL

10/4-5             ARL Track Days And High Performance Riding Academy, Atlantic Motorsport Park, Mill Village, NS

10/5                ASMA Track Days and Advanced Rider Training, The Podium Club at Attesa, Casa Grande, AZ

10/5                 Central Illinois Mini Moto Series (Minis), Mid-State Kart Club, Mechanicsburg, IL

10/5                 Sandy Hook Mini Moto Road Race Series (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

10/5-6            ASMA Series, The Podium Club at Attesa, Casa Grande, AZ

10/5-6             Carters@thetrack Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

10/5-6             Evolve GT School and Track Days, Atlanta Motorsports Park, Dawsonville, GA

10/5-6             Evolve GT School and Track Days, NCBike, Garysburg, NC

10/5-6             Fast Line Track Days, NCM Motorsports Park, Bowling Green, KY

10/5-6             Fasttrax Motorcycle Performance Track Days, Nelson Ledges Road Course, Garrettsville, OH

10/5-6             JP43 Training School, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

10/5-6             Motogladiator Series, NCBike, Garysburg, NC

10/5-6             Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Fun Camp)

10/5-6             RideSmart Motorcycle School, G2 Motorsports Park, Anna, TX

10/5-6             Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

10/5-6             Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI

10/5-6             TrackXperience Track Days, Spring Mountain Motorsports Resort, Pahrump, NV

10/5-7             Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

10/6                 Florida Trackdays, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

10/6                 John Long’s Longevity Racing School, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

10/6                 MotoCorsa Track Days, Portland International Raceway, Portland, OR

10/6                 Rocky Mountain Mini Moto Series (Minis), SBR Motorsports Park, Calhan, CO

10/6                 Superbike-Coach Corp. (Schools), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

10/6-7             American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), Springfield, IL

10/6-7             Evolve GT School and Track Days, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

10/7                 HardNoX Track Dayz, Area 27, Oliver, BC

10/7                 Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

10/7                 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

10/8-9             Yamaha Champions Riding School, Inde Motorsports Ranch, Willcox, AZ

10/9                 Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

10/10-11          California Superbike School, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV

10/10-13         (Bridgestone) AHRMA American Historic Racing Series, Barber Vintage Festival, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

10/10-13         Western Sidecars Series, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

10/11               N2 Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

10/11               Westwood Motorcycle Racing Club School & Track Days, Mission Raceway Park, Mission, BC

10/11-12          American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), Harrington, DE

10/12               Sandia Motorcycle Roadracing Inc. (SMRI) Schools And Track Days, Sandia Motorsports Park (currently named Suika Circuit), Albuquerque, NM

10/12-13         2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Oregon Raceway Park, Grass Valley, OR

10/12-13         California Superbike School, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV

10/12-13         Evolve GT School and Track Days, Polecat Training Center, Fayetteville, TN

10/12-13         N2 Track Days, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

10/12-13         NorthWest Mini Moto & Endurance Challenge (Minis), Tri City Kart Club, Richland, WA

10/12-13         Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Fun Camp)

10/12-13         Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

10/12-13         RideSmart Motorcycle School, MSR Houston, Angleton, TX

10/12-13         Ruts to Racelines Track Days, NCBike, Garysburg, NC

10/12-13         South Florida MiniGP Series (Minis), Herrin Compound, Dublin GA

10/12-13         TrackXperience Track Days, Willow Springs Int’l Raceway, Rosamond, CA

10/12-13         WMRC Series (Canada), Mission Raceway Park, Mission, BC

10/13               3:16 Superbike Camp, Harris Hill Raceway, San Marcos, TX

10/13               DMVminiGP Series (Minis), United Karting Raceway, Hanover, MD

10/13               SMRI Series, Sandia Motorsports Park (currently named Suika Circuit), Albuquerque, NM

10/13-14         American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), Harrington, DE

10/13-14         SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

10/14               Fun Track Dayz, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

10/14               Let’s Ride Track Days, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

10/14-15         Cyclesmith Track Days (formerly known as Tony’s Track Days), NCBike, Garysburg, NC

10/15-16         California Superbike School, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, CA

10/16               Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

10/16-17         JP43 Training School, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

10/16-17         Racers Edge Track Days and Private Coaching Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

10/16-17         Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (POST Motorcycle Officer Update Course)

10/17               Team Hammer Advanced Riding School & Pro Practice, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL

10/17-18         CLASS Motorcycle School with 3x AMA Superbike Champion Reg Pridmore, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

10/17-20          41st Annual ASRA Race of Champions/AMA Sanctioned ASRA National Sprint Series/National Endurance/Team Challenge Series/National Vintage/Outlaw Bagger Series/Southeast Roadracing Championship, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL

10/17-20         51st WERA Grand Nationals Finals (GNF)/National Challenge, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

10/18               N2/WERA Endurance Series, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

10/18               Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

10/18-20         CVMA 2024-2025 Winter Series, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

10/18-20         LegionSBK Series, High Plains Raceway, Deer Trail, CO

10/19               Sandy Hook Mini Moto Road Race Series (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

10/19-20         2 Wheels Track Days, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

10/19-20         2WTD Mini Racing (Minis), Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

10/19-20         HART Rider Training/Motorcycle Lapping Days, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Hallett, OK

10/19-20         Inde Motorsports Ranch (IMR) Riders Club Track Days, Inde Motorsports Ranch, Willcox, AZ

10/19-20         N2 Track Days, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

10/19-21         Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

10/19-21         Superbike-Coach Corp. (Schools), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

10/20               XCEL Trackdays Track Days, Arizona Motorsports Park, Litchfield Park, AZ

10/21               Aprilia Racers Days Track Day/Demo Program, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

10/21               CLASS Motorcycle School with 3x AMA Superbike Champion Reg Pridmore, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

10/21               Moto Forza Trackdays, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

10/21               Penguin Roadracing School, Daytona International Speedway (Ducati Revs), Daytona Beach, FL

10/21               Yamaha Champions Riding School, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

10/24-25          Yamaha Champions Riding School, NCBike Garysburg, NC

10/24-27         Colin Edwards’ Texas Tornado Boot Camp (Dirt Track School), Montgomery, TX

10/25-27         Apex Assassins Track Days, The Podium Club at Attesa, Casa Grande, AZ

10/25-27         Brake Free Track Time Track Days, The Podium Club at Attesa, Casa Grande, AZ

10/25-27         CMRA Series, Eagles Canyon Raceway, Decatur, TX

10/25-27         Legion Moto Trackdays, The Podium Club at Attesa, Casa Grande, AZ

10/26               Southeast Mini Moto Series and Track Days (Minis), Barber Proving Grounds, Birmingham, AL

10/26-27         California Superbike School, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

10/26-27         N2 Track Days, NCBike, Garysburg, NC

10/26-27         Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Fun Camp)

10/26-27         Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

10/27-28         SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

10/28               Tactical Motorcycle Dynamics Track Days, Utah Motorsports Campus, Grantsville, UT

10/28-29         California Superbike School, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

10/28-29          Yamaha Champions Riding School, NCBike Garysburg, NC (ChampGrad)

MotoGP: Guidotti Out, Ajo In At Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Aki Ajo 2025 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager
Aki Ajo, the new Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager for 2025. Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing thanks Francesco Guidotti as the MotoGP™ project looks ahead to 2025 and beyond

2024 MotoGP news

 

Francesco Guidotti. Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.
Francesco Guidotti. Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.

 

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s MotoGP team will come under new management for the 2025 season and the seasons to come. The company wish to thank Francesco Guidotti for his passion, knowledge and commitment to the role.

Francesco brought a proven track record to the works squad for 2022 and for what was his second stint in Grand Prix racing in KTM colors. For almost three years he was able to oversee considerable improvements both on the technical and sporting aspect of the team and his easy and accessible personality helped unify the crew across the board. He helped KTM achieve two Grand Prix wins in this period and 12 podiums finishes. Francesco steered the team into the MotoGP Sprint era where 11 podium appearances and 2 victories were celebrated. He contributed to the firm’s highest championship standing to-date when Brad Binder finished 4th in 2023 and KTM were runner-up in the Constructors table.

For 2025 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will enter a new chapter for what will be only their ninth campaign on the MotoGP grid and then in the approach to 2027 and the revamped technical regulations.

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: “After three years with Francesco and a lot of positive progress and working methods, we are moving the team with a different leadership approach. Making these changes is never an easy process and we can only thank Francesco warmly for what he has done in our MotoGP story. 2025 will bring some big movements to the whole program in this close and exciting sport and we are laying the foundations now to keep making steps ahead.”

 

 

 

More, from another press release issued by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing:

Aki Ajo to helm Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MotoGP™ team from 2025

2024 MotoGP news

KTM will strengthen the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MotoGP squad for 2025 and beyond by reaching an agreement with long-standing friend and ally Aki Ajo to take the reigns as Team Manager.

The Finn has overseen his own team, Ajo Motorsport, in Grand Prix racing for more than two decades and begun an official and prosperous spell with KTM in 2012 when they delivered the very first Moto3™ world title with the KTM RC4. Red Bull KTM Ajo won another two championships in the class (2016 with Brad Binder and 2021 with Pedro Acosta) and provided the ideal platform for talent emerging from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. Ajo’s Moto3 program assisted six riders to make the breakthrough to the MotoGP category.

In 2017 Ajo expanded Red Bull KTM representation to Moto2™ and amplified the KTM GP Academy through the Grand Prix pyramid. Three more of his riders in the intermediate division went on to MotoGP and the crew claimed three consecutive titles from 2021-2023.

For KTM’s ninth season of MotoGP competition with the KTM RC16 in 2025 and with riders Binder and Acosta in place, Ajo will now assume duties as Team Manager. His intimate knowledge of the company, staff and racers as well as a championship-winning philosophy will take KTM’s MotoGP representation to the next level. KTM is seeking the final few percentages of performance to fight consistently for trophies and believe in Aki’s spirit and organization to make that happen.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo structure in Moto3 and Moto2 will retain the same focus on developing some of the brightest prospects in the KTM GP Academy.

Aki Ajo: “It’s an honor to be offered this great new role and opportunity to work in MotoGP with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. At the moment MotoGP is at a very high level so we need to continue to work in many areas and use the strengths that we have to build this KTM package to an even better standard. We need to keep pushing but I think this project already has many good parts to be right at the very top; we have to manage them in the best way. Thank you to Stefan, Hubert, Pit and Jens and everyone in the KTM structure.”

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: “We have a special relationship and a very close collaboration with Aki and so we felt this was the best decision to take the MotoGP project forward. I’ve said it before and will mention it again: he believed in us when we were just getting organized in this paddock, so the trust and the friendship is unmatched. His team’s success speaks for itself. He has won titles with both of the riders that will be in the pitbox for 2025 but that knowledge is just part of the skillset he will bring. We know we can count on a lot of pedigree and, of course, Aki knows our company and the way we race. I’m really pleased and proud that we are taking this challenge together and we are continuing a story that began a long time ago and has had so much success and great stories already.”

British Superbike: Race Two & Race Three Results From Donington Park

Kyle Ryde (77), Glenn Irwin (2), Tommy Bridewell (1), and Danny Kent (52) racing for the lead Sunday at Donington Park. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Kyle Ryde (77), Glenn Irwin (2), Tommy Bridewell (1), and Danny Kent (52) racing for the lead Sunday at Donington Park. Photo courtesy MSVR.

Editorial Note: Americans Julian Correa and Joshua Raymond, Jr. finished third and 16th, respectively, in British Talent Cup Race Two Sunday at Donington Park. Then in Race Three, Correa took fifth and Raymond was 21st. Correa ended up fourth in the final Championship point standings with Raymond taking 17th.

 

BSB R2
BSB R3
BSB Points after R3

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by MSVR:

Ryde regains championship lead by four-points ahead of crucial Brands Hatch decider

Kyle Ryde was victorious in the final Bennetts British Superbike Championship race of the weekend at Donington Park as his double win edged him ahead of defending champion Tommy Bridewell by a slender four-point margin ahead of the Brands Hatch decider (11/12/13 October).

Three riders remain in title contention as Ryde leads the hunt from Bridewell whilst Glenn Irwin is 46-points adrift of his OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing rival at the top. However, with 105 points available at the finale, three teams representing three different manufacturers will go head-to-head for the crown.

Glenn Irwin kept his title hopes alive in race two at Donington Park by returning to winning ways for Hager PBM Ducati following an intense four-way battle with title rivals Bridewell and Ryde whilst Danny Kent narrowly missed out on the podium.

Bridewell was fighting hard to hold his lead in the standings and he had initially led before a battle with his nemesis as the pair once again traded blows at the front with Ryde and Kent also in the mix.

Irwin held the advantage despite nothing between the top four throughout the 12-lap contest, but then Ryde moved into the lead. The Hager PBM Ducati rider fought back hard though and went on to take the victory.

Bridewell had saved a huge moment at the top of the Craner Curves and then had to regain momentum to claim second with a move on Ryde to force his closest rival back to third place at the chequered flag.

Bridewell held a five point standings lead moving into the final race of the weekend, but the Honda Racing UK rider had to relinquish his position as Ryde returned to winning ways in the final contest of the weekend.  

Ryde claimed his eighth win of the season in the red-flagged final race, whilst his title rivals Irwin and Bridewell finished in fourth and fifth respectively.  

Irwin had grabbed the initial advantage off the line to lead from Bridewell and Andrew Irwin with Kent and Ryde next in the freight train of riders.

Ryde moved into third a lap later and then was able to make another pass on the brakes on lap five. His Hager PBM Ducati rival fought back though and a lap later regained the position at the Fogarty Esses.

Ryde was back ahead as they crossed the line to complete the next lap though as Kent was on a charge. The McAMS Racing Yamaha rider made his signature pass at the Old Hairpin to take second and then chase down Ryde as he pushed to try to secure a debut Bennetts BSB race win.

Ryde was holding off Kent’s challenge, but behind Ryan Vickers had carved his way through to third ahead of Irwin and Bridewell.

However, the race ended with a red flag on lap 18 when Billy McConnell crashed on the exit of the Melbourne Hairpin, collecting both Christian Iddon and Jason O’Halloran. O’Halloran sustained a shoulder injury in the crash, whilst Iddon fractured his right foot.

Ryde now heads the hunt to Brands Hatch in a bid for a debut title as Bridewell prepares to fight back to become the first rider to win consecutive crowns for two different manufacturers.
However, Irwin can still give the Hager PBM Ducati team a tenth title if he can capitalise on any errors from his rivals.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, Race 2 result: 

  1. Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati)
  2. Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) +0.241s
  3. Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) +0.431s
  4. Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +0.741s
  5. Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) +1.742s
  6. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +3.067
  7. Lee Jackson (MasterMac Honda) +5.348s
  8. Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +5.899s
  9. Max Cook (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) +5.968s
  10. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +6.128s

 

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, Race 3 result:

  1. Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing)
  2. Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +0.384s
  3. Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) +1.727s
  4. Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) +3.042s
  5. Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) +4.521s
  6. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +4.826s
  7. Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) +5.133s
  8. Max Cook (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) +5.544s
  9. Lee Jackson (MasterMac Honda) +6.635s
  10. Leon Haslam (ROKiT Haslam Racing BMW Motorrad) +11.155s

 

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:

  1. Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 398
  2. Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) 394
  3. Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) 352
  4. Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) 290
  5. Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 265
  6. Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 261
  7. Lee Jackson (MasterMac Honda) 237
  8. Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team) 218
  9. Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) 193
  10. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 189

For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com

 

Kyle Ryde

OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing

“After the Friday and Saturday morning we had, obviously Saturday afternoon we won the race. I was disappointed with third this morning because I came so close, and I actually got to the lead at one point. It just shows how far we’ve come throughout the season, to be annoyed at a third place!

“I made amends in the last race, started sixth and chipped a few people off into Melbourne. And when I got to the front, I tried to do a lap time which would kind of break the people, but Glenn kept passing me at the end of the back straight, and made it hard work. I used that much rear tyre to keep him behind me.

“When I actually got the gap and Danny was behind me, I thought I was in trouble. I just basically won that race by being faster through the chicane and the last two corners, so I’m glad to win. The championship lead is obviously a big bonus ahead of Brands Hatch.”

MotoAmerica: King Of The Baggers Race Two Results From NJMP

New Jersey Motorsports Park. Photo by David Swarts.
New Jersey Motorsports Park. Photo by David Swarts.

KurveyGirl.com brings you the results of this weekend’s events.

At our online motorcycle parts store, you’ll find a specialized selection of quarter turn “Dzus” fasteners, titanium hardware, premium tire valve stems, Vesrah racing brake pads, Brembo parts and accessories, and other unique hardware specifically designed for race and trackday motorcycles.

 

Troy Herfoss won MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Race Two Sunday at New Jersey Motorsports Park, in Millville, New Jersey. Riding his S&S Indian Challenger on spec Dunlop tires, the reigning Australian Superbike Champion took the lead on the opening lap, controlled the pace for all nine laps, and took the victory – his seventh of the season.

With the race victory, Herfoss captured the 2024 Championship in his rookie season racing in the class.

Race One winner Rocco Landers passed Kyle Wyman on the final lap to claim the runner-up spot on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Road Glide.

Wyman, the Championship point leader coming into the weekend, couldn’t match the pace of Herfoss, ran second for most of the race, and ultimately finished third on his Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide.

Herfoss’ teammate Tyler O’Hara took fourth place.

Hayden Gillim, Landers’ teammate and the defending Champion, came home fifth.

 

24_12_NJMP_KTB_R2_res
24_12_NJMP_KTB_PTS_points

MotoAmerica: Superbike Race Two Results From NJMP

New Jersey Motorsports Park. Photo by David Swarts.
New Jersey Motorsports Park's Thunderbolt Raceway. Photo by David Swarts.

KurveyGirl.com brings you the results of this weekend’s events.

At our online motorcycle parts store, you’ll find a specialized selection of quarter turn “Dzus” fasteners, titanium hardware, premium tire valve stems, Vesrah racing brake pads, Brembo parts and accessories, and other unique hardware specifically designed for race and trackday motorcycles.

 

The 2024 MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike Championship ended with one of the best races of the season. Pole-sitter Loris Baz got out in front early and spent most of the race holding off his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati teammate Josh Herrin. That is until four other riders caught up to them in the closing laps.

In spite of the strong, late challenge, Baz was able to hang on and take the win – the first MotoAmerica Superbike win of his career and the first AMA/MotoAmerica Superbike win by a Frenchman – by 0.151 second.

Sean Dylan Kelly got close enough to challenge Baz on the final lap, but the Superbike rookie chose not to make a risky pass attempt and to accept the runner-up spot on his EasyHealthPlans.com/TopPro Racing BMW M 1000 RR.

Bobby Fong also closed in on Baz at the end but ended up taking third on his Wrench Motorcycles Yamaha YZF-R1.

Five-time Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier was a close fourth on his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW.

Richie Escalante got off to a slow start but thanks to the second-fastest lap of the race (1:20.899) he was able to score fifth, just 0.886 second behind the winner.

After shadowing Baz for much of the race, Herrin faded toward the end and eventually crossed the finish line in sixth, 3.121 seconds back.

Escalante’s teammate Brandon Paasch ended up seventh. 

FLO4LAW Racing Yamaha’s Benjamin Smith held off AMD Motorsports/RK Racing Honda’s Richard Kerr in a race-long fight for eighth.

Ashton Yates rounded out the top 10 finishers on his Jones Honda, but that was enough for him to win the 2024 MotoAmerica Superbike Cup Championship and its $25,000 grand prize.

 

24_12_NJMP_SBK_R2_res
24_12_NJMP_SBK_PTS_points (1)
24_12_NJMP_SBK_PTS_sbcpts

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by MotoAmerica:

Baz Gets His First MotoAmerica Superbike Win At New Jersey Motorsports Park

Baz Is The First Frenchman To Win An AMA Superbike Race In A Thriller In New Jersey

MILLVILLE, NJ (September 29, 2024) – Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Loris Baz became the first Frenchman to win an AMA Superbike race on Sunday at New Jersey Motorsports Park with a thrilling victory in a race that featured five riders finishing within a second of Baz and his Ducati Panigale V4 R.

In winning his first MotoAmerica Superbike race, Baz became the 68th rider in AMA Superbike history to taste victory. He was also the seventh rider to win a MotoAmerica Superbike race in 2024, with the previous high being five different winners in a season.

Second place went to EasyHealthPlans.com/TopPro Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly with the Floridian fighting his way through the pack to emerge as the one to give Baz the most fits in the final few laps. Kelly came up just .151 of a second short in earning his seventh podium of the season, which includes his first Superbike win a few weeks ago in Texas.

Wrench Motorcycles’ Bobby Fong earned his second podium finish of the weekend as he was hot on Kelly’s rear wheel in third place, ending up .140 of a second adrift of the BMW.

Fourth place, for the second straight day, went to Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier with the five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion just a tick over half a second behind Baz and only .127 of a second behind Fong. Right on Beaubier’s rear wheel was fifth-placed Richie Escalante on the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki in what turned out to be one of the best Superbike races of the season.

Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin, meanwhile, wrapped up his second AMA Superbike Championship yesterday with an impressive ride to victory, but today he was playing wingman to Baz in a role reversal. Herrin followed Baz for 90 percent of the race, but suddenly there were four riders on the attack. At that point, Herrin tapped out and he cruised home to sixth place, some three seconds behind his teammate Baz.

With his win on Saturday, Herrin tied Wayne Rainey on the all-time Superbike win list for 10th with his 16th victory. He is now one victory behind Nicky Hayden for ninth on the win list.

Seventh place went to Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Brandon Paasch, who was well clear of FLO4LAW Racing’s Benjamin Smith. MD Motorsport RK Racing’s Richard Kerr and Jones Honda’s Ashton Yates rounded out the top 10.

After nine rounds and 18 races, Herrin ended the season 55 points ahead of Beaubier, 335-280, with Fong finishing third and the top-ranked Yamaha rider. Just 12 points behind Fong came Superbike rookie Kelly.

Baz’s second season of MotoAmerica Superbike racing netted him fifth in the title chase, just four points behind Kelly and 28 points ahead of Attack Performance/Progressive/Yamaha Racing’s Cameron Petersen with the South African unfortunately finishing his season with another mechanical DNF.

 

Quotes…

Loris Baz – Winner

“The guys did a good job because since Austin I’ve been struggling a lot with my start. We had some problem with my clutch. They found some parts that were not nice after Austin, so they changed it. But yesterday I had a bad start again and had a really strange feeling going into the warmup lap, so I was scared going to the race. But I had a good start. I can manage to go first and finally able to be aggressive again like I was in ’21. That has been the biggest problem for me this year. Not being able to be aggressive and overtake guys, for many reasons in the setup. I was first, and because we didn’t have many dry sessions this year, only two and it was the two races, I didn’t know what to expect from the rear tire drop at the end. So, I knew I had Josh (Herrin) and one guy, and then they just showed me there was Josh. So, I tried to slow down the pace, not use my tire, and then I was watching Josh’s pit board and it was plus 1.5, plus 1, plus 0.5. I was like, ‘whoa, they’re coming back.’ But then I was just instead of trying to push and kill the tire, I tried to close the line. Josh showed me his wheel. I overtook him again. I think he made my life easier. I think he had something more all season than everyone, and especially today. I saw in the warmup how his bike reacted. But we did some changes. We went in this direction. We changed the lean of the bike between the warmup and the race, so big thanks to the crew for that, and I felt good. It’s cool that we worked together all year and it’s paying off, especially for the team. It’s so cool to end up like this. It’s the home race for the whole team and we’re going to celebrate at the Mount Airy Casino tonight, which is a sponsor of the team. So, it’s cool. My dad is here. It’s the first time he came to a race in America. He’s going to come every race next year. Coming back to the race, last lap I knew there were many guys behind. I could hear that it was not Josh anymore. I thought it was Cam (Beaubier). I just tried to close the line. Going into that last lap, Hayden Gillim moved yesterday going in. I was like, should I close the door, or should I just try to go in fast and see what happens? I’m just happy it worked out. Sometimes just a tiny bit that makes you a hero or zero. But I’m proud of what I did and what all the guys did in HSBK this weekend.”

Sean Dylan Kelly – Second Place

“Definitely a pretty amazing way to finish off the season. Obviously, we always want to finish off strong. I didn’t win today, but I think that was definitely one of my two strongest races of the whole season. The other one being obviously when I won. This one, I came from a ways back and both Ducatis got up really strong at the beginning. I was able to get through the pack. Obviously qualifying seventh was not ideal, so I had to make some moves, make some passes. Straight out of the gate I felt way better than yesterday. Not too much to say. Up until today, it was a very strange weekend. Obviously, it was strange for everyone with the weather, but even just how I felt on the bike, some issues we were having, some things that we were running into and some silly mistakes we were making within the team, too. Like Q1 when I qualified seventh, that was first on me and then on the team. We didn’t do the right strategy. We definitely messed some things up today, but we are a rookie rider, rookie team. I think we didn’t make as many as we thought we should have this season in general, so it’s okay to get it in. Maybe we relaxed a bit too much after a win a couple weeks ago. We got it together today. I felt amazing. I saw Cam (Beaubier) struggling a little bit, so I got by him and it seemed like he got some pace while being behind me and he got in front of me. He made fastest lap, and then he made a mistake. I got by. I learned a little bit from him that fast lap. I feel like once he did that, I just kept on repeating the lap time. I just put my head down and I was just committed to getting to these guys. Got by Josh with a few laps to go. I definitely tried it on (Loris) Baz, but it was going to be way, way too dirty. He was braking really strong. Obviously, I was also a bit toasted up from coming a couple seconds back. I’m pretty stoked for him. I didn’t realize it was his first-ever win here, so that’s pretty badass that we did it two weekends in a row. It’s a pleasure to be racing with these dudes.” 

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