Greg’s Garage Pod with Co-Host Jason Pridmore – A motorcycle racing Pod about MotoGP, MotoAmerica and World Superbike, Pro Motocross, American Flat Track and more. In this episode Co-Hosts Greg White and Jason Pridmore talk:
MotoAmerica – MotoAmerica’s new Mini Cup coming to a track near you!
MotoGP – Jorge Lorenzo to Ducati or Yamaha as a test rider? GPone.com reports it and we talk about it.
SXFantasy p/b ARAI Helmets – We’ve chosen pulpmxfantasy.com for out 2020 SX Fantasy League. Join the Greg’s Garage Podcast League now to win an ARAI Corsair-X Helmet of your choice!
BEST OF 2020 – We talk about takeaways from 2020 in MotoGP, WorldSBK and MotoAmerica!
Alex Marquez talks wearing the Repsol Honda Team colours
With the Moto2 World Championship secured, adding to his Moto3 World Championship title from 2014, Alex Marquez moves to the Repsol Honda Team in MotoGP for the 2020 season. Racing alongside eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez, the rookie is ready to learn, adapt and fight for Rookie of the Year honours. Donning the orange, navy and white of the Repsol Honda Team for the first time, Alex Marquez outlines his ambitions for the year and what it feels like to step inside the garage of MotoGP’s most iconic team.
This is the first time wearing the Repsol Honda colours, what does it mean to you?
“Well it’s a dream come true, it’s an incredible honour to have these colours on and to have this shirt on. I’m really happy with this opportunity to go to MotoGP with the Repsol Honda Team. I’m really proud. It’s a new situation for me, I’m used to seeing Marc in these colours but not me! It’s special.”
What does it mean to you to be a rookie in a historic team like the Repsol Honda Team?
“Well I think for every rookie it’s a dream, or the target, to be in a factory team. After winning the Moto2 Championship your target or your wish is to be a factory rider, so this has come true for me. To be in the Repsol Honda Team, a team with the most history in the MotoGP paddock is an honour. I know it’s a challenge, but it’s a nice challenge. From the first moment I said I wanted this opportunity, 100% and now I try to enjoy it.”
What is your goal for the season?
“I can say that I want to be the Rookie of the Year – that’s the first goal. But to put a goal about positions or something like this, right now I am focused on understanding the bike and aiming to have more feeling to build my confidence. Before the Qatar race, I will be able to see a little better what our real position is and what we can do from the first race.”
What was it like being in the Repsol Honda garage for the first time, knowing you’re a factory rider?
“It’s really special. In the stomach you have butterflies when you put on your leathers, you walk in and you see your team and you know it’s your team. Both bikes sitting there, it’s like continuous special feelings during the first test. Now in Malaysia I think everything will be more under control, less nerves and more relaxed but the team already helped me to relax a lot in Jerez.”
You will be one of the tallest riders in MotoGP – do you think it can help you?
“Being tall can have some advantages such as maybe moving the body and how you can use your weight. Maybe in the wet it’s a bit easier but maybe there are disadvantages and some things can be a little bit worse. But you know, you need to live with this and be strong where you can and lose as little time as possible where you are weaker.”
You will be a rookie but being a Repsol and an HRC rider isn’t new for you, you’re back after your past in the Spanish Championship and Moto3. Did you ever imagine coming back to Repsol and HRC?
“When you start, you imagine things like this can happen in your best dreams but it’s difficult. There are many hours of training, many races, many things that can happen in a rider’s career. I started already in the Spanish Championship with Repsol where we won in 2012 and it was really special. Then in 2014 we started a new project with the Honda Moto3 and HRC, the factory was behind me and it was incredible that year to win in the first year of the project. After all these years to come back to Honda is a dream, I’m looking forward to working with these amazing people, this factory and of course Repsol.”
It’s the first time in history that two brothers will share a garage in MotoGP.
“It’s a special moment, a special year but we need to be natural and approach it like a normal situation. We know we are brothers but inside the team we need to be professional, we are different riders. We each have our own teams, so we need to work in our own way. For sure for me it’s an advantage to have a six-time MotoGP World Champion in my garage because I can see a lot of data from him and see how I need to ride this Honda machine, to help find the secrets. So, I will try to take all the information from him and all the Honda riders to try and learn as much as possible.”
Smiths Racing And Hickman Switch To Yamaha For Supersport To Complete 2020 Roads Line-Up
Gloucester-based Smiths Racing and Peter Hickman have swapped their Supersport Triumph Daytona 675 for a Yamaha YZF-R6 in 2020, adding the 600cc machine to their already confirmed plans for the Superbike, Superstock and Lightweight classes where they will campaign BMW S1000RR and Norton Superlight machinery respectively.
The team have enjoyed a long and successful period with the Triumph 675 including winning the British Supersport Championship on two occasions, with Australians Glen Richards and Billy McConnell, as well as taking Isle of Man Supersport TT race victories with Hickman and Gary Johnson. Hickman’s win in the second Supersport TT race of 2019 followed four successive podium finishes around the Mountain Course whilst he also took a hat-trick of wins last year at the Ulster Grand Prix.
However, due to the lack of parts available for the ageing Triumph, they have decided to switch to Yamaha power in 2020, with the R6 being a much more up-to-date machine as well is being a consistent race winner in both the British Supersport Championship and at the International road races.
The move completes their assembly of machinery for the 2020 season where they will be the official BMW-supported team for the International road races with Hickman again favourite for race honours in the Superbike and Superstock classes having been victorious at the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix last year. The team will also contest the Lightweight races with Hickman riding the Norton 650 Superlight which debuted in 2019. Hickman and Smiths Racing took delivery of the bike before Christmas and will now spearhead the development of the machine as they look to build upon the 8th place and 120mph lap recorded at last year’s Isle of Man TT.
Hickman will also line-up for the team in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship where he will campaign the BMW S1000RR for a fourth successive season alongside team-mate Alex Olsen.
Peter Hickman: “We’re all really looking forward to 2020 and having the official BMW support for the first time is a big thing for us as we’re a privately-run, small team so to get that recognition is absolutely fantastic and nothing short of what, I feel, the team deserves – what we’ve achieved over the last three years has been pretty epic! We’re also running the Norton Superlight and carrying out all of the development work on the 650 Superlight which the team have already got in pieces and set to work on to hopefully turn the bike into a race winner at the TT.
“Finally, we’ve made the decision to change from the Triumph to the Yamaha in the Supersport class for the International road races which will obviously be a bit different to the last three years. We’ve had an awesome time with the Triumph and it’s been absolutely brilliant with the win at last year’s TT and all three victories at the Ulster Grand Prix being phenomenal. The little Daytona has done a fantastic job but, unfortunately, it’s a little bit long in the tooth now so to try and move with the times and keep up with what everyone else is doing we’ve decided to move over to the Yamaha. I’ve never actually raced an R6 before so I’m really looking forward to jumping on it to see what we can do.”
Darren Jones, Team Manager: “It wasn’t an easy decision for us to change from Triumph as they have been faultless in aiding us all the way through our roads campaign in 2019 but unfortunately, as the bike is no longer in production, we have been struggling to get the parts we need and feel like we are at the maximum when it comes to development. Therefore, 2020 will see us take on a fresh challenge and we feel that’s what’s needed to give Hicky a fighting chance. A big thanks to Steve at Raceways Yamaha for pulling out all the stops in getting us the R6 before Christmas, the boys have started already!
“That completes our machine line-up for the season ahead and with a year behind us with the BMW S1000RR and factory backing we are much better prepared than in 2019. The Norton project is another fresh challenge in the Lightweight class but our firm aim is to demonstrate the skill and experience of our team to turn this machine into a podium contender.”
Rebecca Smith, Team Principal: “We’ve enjoyed a wonderful journey with Triumph Motorcycles, having won two British Championships and two Isle of Man TTs. The support that they have shown us over the last seven years has been fantastic and for that we are extremely grateful. We now look forward to the new challenge with Yamaha and we are extremely hopeful of adding to our success already achieved in the Supersport division.”
For further information, please visit www.smithsracing.co.uk and www.britishsuperbike.com.
RARE AND COLLECTIBLE EARLY AMERICAN AND BRITISH MOTORCYCLES TO FEATURE IN LAS VEGAS AUCTION
Los Angeles – Bonhams is pleased to announce that two private collections of vintage motorcycles have been added to its January sale in Las Vegas.
From the East Coast of the US comes a collection consisting of multiple pre-war competition machines, including a 1941 Indian Big Base Scout Factory Racing Prototype and a pair of twin-cylinder board track racers – a 1916 Harley-Davidson and 1916 Excelsior. A shining star from this collection – and indeed the whole auction – is an original condition, unrestored 1918 Harley-Davidson Twin Model J. Resplendent in its patina, this magnificent 100 year-old, fully functioning motorcycle has a character all its own. In total, the impressive collection comprises 15 motorcycles of exceptional caliber.
Another collection of pre-war motorcycles that has been consigned contains some quite uncommon British models, including two very rare twin-cylinder Newcastle-upon-Tyne (NUT) examples from 1913 and 1925. The pre-Great War NUT is a 90 bore overhead-valve model, which is tremendously rare and quite possibly the only one known to exist. There’s also a gorgeous example of a 1938 AJS Model 2 – a scarcely seen fast and attractive pre-Second World War British Twin.
Of course, no Bonhams’ sale in Las Vegas would be complete without Vincent. Afterall, Bonhams has famously set multiple world records with the “Red White” Shadow and, especially, the Ehret Black Lightning, which still holds the record as the most valuable motorcycle ever sold at auction. This year, a beautiful 1948 Rapide and a 1949 Black Shadow C, among others, will spotlight this legendary British marque.
These and so many more motorcycles from dozens of manufacturers across all eras will be on offer next month, Thursday, January 23rd. As previously announced, the new, more convenient venue will be the Caesar’s Entertainment Studios located behind Bally’s, just off The Strip. For more information about the auction, visit Bonhams.com/Vegas.
Sandy Hook Mini Moto Road Race Series includes 10 different classes of competition over a 10 race championship schedule. Plus the exciting team endurance events “Sandy Hook 200” and “Sandy Hook Youth 100”.
March 14 – Mini Moto Track Day #1
April 4 – Mini Moto Track Day #2
April 25- Mini Moto Race #1
May 2 – Mini Moto Race #2
May 30- Mini Moto Track Day #3
June 6 – Mini Moto SH 200 / 100 R- #1
June 13 – Mini Moto Race #3
June 27 – Mini Moto Race #4
July 18– Mini Moto Race #5
August 1 – Mini Moto Track Day #4
August 15 – Mini Moto Race #6
August 22 – Mini Moto Race #7
September 19 – Mini Moto Track Day #5
September 26 – Mini Moto Race #8
October 17 – Mini Moto SH 200 / 100 R- #2
October 24- Mini Moto Race #9
November 7 – Mini Moto Race #10
November 14 – Mini Moto Turkey Race
About Sandy Hook Speedway:
Sandy Hook Speedway opened in 1964. Still to this day it is a favorite of many Kart racers with 2-cycle & 4-cycle Karts. It’s also a favorite of Mini Moto road racers of all skill levels & goals. Located in Street, MD, the track draws racers from states all over the east coast, including some mid-west states. Both tri-oval & road courses are paved asphalt with a 25 degree high-banked turn.
Featured In the December 2019 issue of Roadracing World:
WERA GRAND NATIONALS AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK
For the eighth consecutive year the WERA Grand National Finals (GNF) season-ending event was held at Barber Motorsports Park. Run over four days, the event drew more than 200 riders who collectively entered 780 races.
The competitors were vying for one or more of the 84 road racing Championships to be decided, including 36 winner-take-all WERA Sportsman National Championship run-offs; 10 WERA Vintage National Championships won by an accumulation of points over the season, including the double-points final round; 19 WERA National Challenge Series Championships won by an accumulation of points during the seven-round season; four N2 Racing/WERA National Endurance Championships won by an accumulation of points over four rounds; and 14 winner-take-all AMA Road Race Grand Championship sprints …
Experienced racers, new talents and enthusiasts from across the nation earned WERA National Championships across four days of hard competition at Barber Motorsports Park. Who are the Champions? They’re in the latest issue of Roadracing World!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.
PREVIEW the December 2019 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW FOR INSTANT ACCESS!
Log in or subscribe HERE. Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
Visit www.roadracingworld.com daily for breaking news and events.
Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/roadracingworld
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com @roadracingworld
Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com @roadracing_world
2020 40th Annual Mopar CSBK Canadian National Schedule Confirmed
Toronto, ON – December 31, 2019 – The Mopar CSBK National motorcycle road racing series includes six weekends of action in 2020, the 40th anniversary of the Canadian Championship tour. With eight Mopar Pro Superbike feature class races planned, this will be the busiest schedule for the CSBK Nationals since 2005.
2020 Mopar CSBK Canadian National Series Schedule
Round One – Shannonville Motorsport Park, ON (Pro Track) – May 22-24
Round Two – Grand Bend Motorplex, Lake Huron, ON (Technical) – June 12-14
Round Three – ICAR, Mirabel, QC – July 17-19
Round Four – Atlantic Motorsport Park, Halifax, NS – July 31-August 2
Round Five – Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, ON – August 14-16
Round Six – Shannonville Motorsport Park, ON – September 19-20
The series opens at Shannonville Motorsport Park’s perimeter Pro Circuit in May, with the first round of 2020 once again sponsored by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Registration and Technical Inspection will start on the Thursday, May 21, when Dunlop spec tire supplier Pro6 host a Track Day at Shannonville.
The second event will once again take place at Grand Bend in June, using the technical version of the holiday-coast layout for the fourth straight season. The Grand Bend venue has regularly offered some of the closest finishes in CSBK Feature Superbike action.
Round three, already announced, marks the July return to the ICAR venue at the former International airport just north of Montreal, QC. With support from Moto Nation and Liqui Moly, the ICAR round is expected to provide a wide range of activities at the multi-use facility that includes an oval and a drag strip.
August starts with the Pro Cycle supported east coast round at Atlantic Motorsport Park, near Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Shubenacadie-area event again hosts double-header races on Saturday and Sunday for both the Pro classes, Mopar Pro Superbike and Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike.
The Nova Scotia National is the longest continuous running event of the CSBK calendar, with 2020 marking the 22nd consecutive event at the undulating home of the “Roller Coaster.” The A.M.P. venue has received significant track improvements since the end of the 2019 Society of ARL Regional Series.
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park again holds a full double header event in mid-August, the only venue on the tour to do so. Many of the 2020 series Championships will be determined over the hectic, BMW Motorrad-supported program at “old Mosport’s” famous ten-turn Grand Prix venue.
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park has also undergone repaving to parts of the circuit in preparation for the 2020 road racing season.
The last race of the season is a special event at Shannonville Motorsport Park in September, on the actual date of the first-ever Superbike National at this venue, then known as Nelson International, back in 1980. Forty years ago, Rueben McMurter of London, ON, won for Kawasaki around the original seven turn layout but George Morin of Mississauga, ON, earned the first Superbike overall National number one plate.
The 2020 S.M.P. National weekend will feature selected classes with a format designed to allow time for demonstrations and special events.
Details of the Shannonville CSBK final event will be announced in early 2020, but the final National of the 2020 Mopar Superbike Championship at S.M.P. will offer the deciding event in the Feature class, with Ben Young of Collingwood, ON, looking to keep his overall National number one plate for BMW.
Serious opposition for Champ Young is expected from a wide range of challengers, including 13 time number one Jordan Szoke of Lynden, ON, aboard a Kawasaki; Trevor Daley of Mississauga, ON, for Suzuki and last year’s outstanding feature class rookie Tomas Casas of Peterborough, ON, leading Yamaha Canada’s program.
This Just In: After a reader asked if Mini Cup bikes will be provided by the series, (or if competitors enter their own bikes), we contacted Brandon Cretu of Ohvale importer Rise Moto, who told Roadracingworld.com,”People buy and bring their own, but we will be offering a limited supply of rental options for all classes.”
MotoAmerica Announces Mini Cup For 2020
“The Road To MotoAmerica” Is Geared Toward Young Racers Aged Six To 14
COSTA MESA, CA (December 31, 2019) – MotoAmerica has announced that it will add a youth program to three of its 2020 MotoAmerica events via the MotoAmerica Mini Cup, beginning with the Road America round, May 29-31, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
MotoAmerica Mini Cup races will be held in conjunction with three rounds of the 2020 MotoAmerica Series. The MotoAmerica Mini Cup is geared toward riders aged six to 14.
The MotoAmerica Mini Cup Series will be held on karting tracks in conjunction with three MotoAmerica events: Road America (May 29-31), The Ridge Motorsports Park (June 26-28) and Pittsburgh International Race Complex (August 7-8).
The Mini Cup Series will feature four classes of racing: 110cc (four speed); 160cc; 190cc (racers aged up to 14 years); and 190 Adult (racers over the age of 15). The motorcycles will be based on spec rules centered around the Ohvale GP-0, a mini road racer that is now ready for the U.S. market after proving to be extremely popular in Europe.
The MotoAmerica Mini Cup fills a current void in the series and provides an entry point for riders under the age of 14. The Mini Cup will give young racers a way to bridge the gap to the MotoAmerica Liqui Moly Junior Cup class through the MotoAmerica Mini Cup and “The Road To MotoAmerica.”
“We saw the Ohvales race for the first time at PittRace in 2019 and we came away impressed,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “The bike is basically a miniature GP racer and serves as an ideal platform to get kids and their families on track and racing. We saw the need to provide an avenue for kids who are too young to race in our Liqui Moly Junior Cup to get started and work on their skills before moving up to bigger bikes. We’re excited about this and can’t wait for it to get rolling at Road America at the end of May.”
Lance Bryson, Senior Sponsorship Manager, added: “This is an exciting time for road racing in the U.S. There have been few paths to lead American youth riders to start training for a full-time U.S. or international road racing career. MotoAmerica will now promote a youth feeder system to ensure that more young racers can follow in the footsteps of the Kenny Roberts, the Wayne Raineys and the Cameron Beaubiers of the world.”
“We’ve been hard at work to help bring a solid platform into the U.S. market for youth, and their parents, to get involved in road racing with an affordable and easy to understand platform,” said Brandon Cretu of Rise Moto, the Ohvale GP-O distributor for the U.S. “The Ohvale GP-0 provides tiered engine options to progress with young racers skills and help them rise through the ranks until they’re ready for big bikes on big tracks. It also provides an exciting and affordable way for older riders and professional athletes to gain access to invaluable training time and inexpensive track time and racing. It is an exciting time for our sport and Ohvale is happy to be working with MotoAmerica.”
For more information on Ohvale motorcycles, visit https://www.risemoto.com/ The 2020 AMA MotoAmerica Mini Cup Series
May 29-31 – Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
June 26-28 – The Ridge Motorsports Park, Sheldon, Washington
August 7-8 – Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, Pennsylvania
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Westby Racing Welcomes Attack Performance As Official Team Partner
Tulsa, OK – December 30, 2019 – Westby Racing is proud to announce that Attack Performance has come on board as an official team partner for the 2020 MotoAmerica Superbike season. The announcement was made by Tryg Westby, owner of Westby Racing, and Richard Stanboli, owner of Attack Performance.
Based in Huntington Beach, California, Attack Performance designs, develops, manufactures, and markets precision-engineered products and high-performance services for modern sportbikes. The company has been intimately involved in Superbike racing for nearly two decades, including 2018’s Attack Performance/Herrin Compound/Yamaha team featuring rider Josh Herrin and this year’s Attack Performance/Estenson Racing/Yamaha team with JD Beach as rider.
Earlier this year, when the Monster Energy Attack Performance Yamaha Racing team was announced with riders Cameron Beaubier and Jake Gagne, Westby Racing team manager Chuck Giacchetto and Stanboli discussed a more formal, strategic partnership between Westby Racing and Attack Performance based on the synergies that exist from both teams independently campaigning Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbikes in the MotoAmerica Championship for the past several years.
About the new partnership, Westby Racing crew chief Ed Sullivan said, “We’re excited to have Attack Performance and Richard Stanboli joining us as technical partners for the 2020 MotoAmerica season. Their products have been proven at the highest level, including MotoGP and World Superbike. I have no doubt they will be an asset to our technical team, and we will be working hard to help in the development of Attack Performance products.”
Stanboli commented, “We are pleased to support, and be a part of, the Westby Racing team. We have had good relations with Westby Racing over the years, and they have always been fierce, but friendly, competition. Westby Racing has also been a great advocate for the products they race with, and as a manufacturer of racing products, this is very important to us at Attack Performance. Equally important will be the rigorous testing and development that our products will receive through parallel development at the highest level of motorcycle road racing here in the U.S.
“Making the conditions perfect for us to extend our support to Westby Racing was the release of the new 2020 Yamaha R1, as well as our merging with the Yamaha factory team. We are looking forward to seeing all three new Yamaha R1 Superbikes, Monster Energy Attack Performance Yamaha Racing and Westby Racing, on the podium in 2020. May the best team win!”
Also, visit “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media site.
More, from another press release issued by Westby Racing:
iOneMoto Inc., Joins Westby Racing As Official Team Partner
Tulsa, OK – December 31, 2019 – Westby Racing proudly welcomes iOneMoto, Inc., as a supporting team sponsor. The announcement was made by Tryg Westby, owner of Westby Racing.
“We’re excited to welcome iOneMoto and (company owner) Fred Baly to the Westby Racing team,” Tryg said. “We’ve long admired iOneMoto’s products, which are race-proven with teams, and on racetracks, around the world.”
Headquartered in Sebastian, Florida, iOneMoto Inc., is a premium manufacturer of motorcycle bodywork and components. The company’s well-known brands include SharkSkinz road racing bodywork, Catalyst drag racing bodywork, TighTails subframes and upper fairing stays, and SE Moto carbon-fiber prepreg parts.
About the new partnership with Westby Racing, Fred commented, “Being able to partner up with Westby Racing is extremely important to us at iOneMoto, Inc. They define professionalism and are exactly what we look for in a professional motorcycle road racing team.”
For more information about iOneMoto and their products, visit https://iOneMoto.com/.
COOPER WINS NEW ZEALAND SUZUKI INTERNATIONAL TRI-SERIES
Richard Cooper: GSX-R1000 -1st
Richie Dibben: RM-Z450 – 1st
British Superstock Champion Richard Cooper raced to victory at the third and final round of the Suzuki International Tri-Series in New Zealand aboard his GSX-R1000.
The British rider was in the hunt from the start of the series that wound-up on Boxing Day (December 26th) at Whanganui’s famous Cemetery Circuit, wrapping-up the Formula One (Superbike) class overall and also winning the stand-alone Robert Holden Memorial feature race.
The 36-year-old from Nottingham borrowed a Suzuki GSX-R1000 from the Sloan Frost Racing Team for this first-time visit to New Zealand and quickly came to grips with the unfamiliar circuits – round one at Taupo on December 7-8th, round two at Manfeild a week later and then the challenging curb-lined twists and turns of the closed-off public streets.
The Robert Holden race win came at the end of a thrilling bar-to-bar battle with Whakatane’s Damon Rees.
Cooper demonstrated right from the opening round of the Suzuki International Series in Taupo that he was a fast learner, taking almost no time at all to learn the previously-untried Kiwi race tracks, although he was forced to settle for runner-up during the Taupo weekend, ending that event nine points behind Bay of Plenty rider Rees.
Cooper came on strong at round two at Manfeild a week later, wiping out the deficit and taking a one-point series lead over Rees as they headed to the Boxing Day finale.
Although Cooper had his hands full battling Rees’ elder brother Mitch – Rees winning both F1 races on the day – Cooper knew that it was really only Damon Rees that he needed to keep at bay for series victory.
Cooper responded to Mitch Rees’ back-to-back F1 class wins at Whanganui by twice finishing runner-up, while Damon Rees finished third both times, and this was enough for Cooper to win the series outright, ending up five points clear of Damon, with Mitch claiming third overall for the series, a distant 29 points further back.
Damon Rees led early in the 10-lap Robert Holden Memorial feature race, with Cooper and Mitch Rees for close company. It stayed like this for the next eight laps until the leaders started lapping other riders and that’s when Cooper pounced, zipping past Damon Rees and into the lead, which he held until the end.
Taupo’s defending Suzuki Series champion Scott Moir (Suzuki GSX-R1000) and Glen Eden’s National Superbike Champion Daniel Mettam (Suzuki GSX-R1000) rounded out the top five in the Robert Holden race.
Said Cooper: “I came with no expectations. Obviously I arrived wanting to fight for the championship. I didn’t think it would be possible to win because I felt Damon had more experience than me here at Whanganui. But I also knew he’d come off the 600cc bike he rode last year and was on a 1000cc bike this time around. That’s obviously a very different animal to ride.
“Perhaps it took him until race three today (the Robert Holden feature race) to figure it all out and then he was as fast as me, but, by that stage it was too late. To come here and win this series for Sloan Frost Suzuki and TSS Red Baron is amazing, but then to top-it-all-off by winning the Robert Holden race too is pretty special.”
Cooper added he’d love to return and race again in the Suzuki International Series next year, saying: “it would be a shame not to come back!”
Auckland’s Toby Summers won the 600cc Formula Two class at Whanganui’s finale, finishing the day ahead of Hastings rider Adam Chambers and Whanganui’s Richie Dibben, although Upper Hutt’s Rogan Chandler had done enough at the earlier two rounds to clinch the series win for this class.
Dibben was sadly forced to settle for fourth overall for the series in this class, no reflection at all of his potential: Always a dominant figure in the Supermoto (lightly-modified dirt bikes) class, where he raced a Suzuki RM-Z450 MX machine, Dibben was again a runaway winner in the Suzuki International Series this year.
But, in only his second season of racing a Suzuki GSX-R600 bike in the Formula Two class, the 30-year-old stunned when he qualified his bike fastest at Taupo and then won one of the two F2 races there.
Unfortunately he crashed out while leading the next race.
At Manfeild he was again a revelation, running with the leaders until he again crashed, this time through no fault of his own, but it was another painful no-points result for the Whanganui hero. He bounced back to win the final race at Manfeild and this gave him a sniff of a chance of ending the series on the podium.
While his 3-2 score-card in the F2 class at Whanganui was not quite enough to achieve this, Dibben will now head to the South Island in a confident mood as he readies himself for the start of the New Zealand Superbike Championships, set to kick off at Christchurch on January 11-12th.
Said Dibben: “I knew I had the pace to win the Supermoto class, especially with Duncan (Hart) out. It was a good confidence-booster for me on the 600 bike. I got lap times down to the 49s in that last race, so pretty stoked with that and I’m feeling strong heading to the nationals. If I can finish all the races it would help! Having two non-finishes in the Suzuki International series didn’t help.”
More, from another press release issued by Team Suzuki Press Office:
STROUD WINS 2019 NEW ZEALAND GIXXER CUP SERIES
Jesse Stroud (1) Photo by Andy McGechan, courtesy of Team Suzuki Press Office.
Reigning New Zealand GIXXER Cup Champion Jesse Stroud retained his crown at the final round of the series at the Cemetery Circuit in Whanganui on December 26th.
The 17-year-old son of nine-time New Zealand Superbike Champion Andrew Stroud clinched the championship at the third and final round of the Suzuki International Tri Series, after the 2019 New Zealand GIXXER Cup was incorporated into the popular series and run under new rules this year.
Now celebrating its third season, the GIXXER Cup series has well and truly established itself as the premier competition for road-racing novices. First created by Suzuki New Zealand in December 2017 with the aim of providing a starting place and a pathway towards ‘growing future champions,’ the class was slotted into the Suzuki International Series programme and it proved to be a runaway success.
Many of the young riders who had their first taste of motorcycle road-racing with the inaugural contest are now out on the track and racing in some of the bigger bike classes – Formula Two and Formula Three – and next the Superbike ranks in the future.
This year’s three-round Suzuki International Series wrapped up on the public streets of Whanganui, the traditional Cemetery Circuit event on Boxing Day and, while some of the GIXXER Cup riders were deemed too young to compete on a street circuit, there were still 19 riders who lined up to race their Suzuki GSX150F bikes at the post-Christmas event.
This season the series enjoyed even greater attention from riders and fans alike, thanks to the easing of the age restriction and from the competition welcoming some of New Zealand’s greatest current and former champions – including Suzuki’s record nine-time former National Superbike Champion Andrew Stroud – to also line up and race on the nimble GSX150F bikes. But, surprisingly, it was some of the youngest exponents who shone the most.
Hamilton’s Jesse Stroud, his teenage son, was once again the leading rider, ending the competition a solid 29 points clear of his nearest threat, Whanganui’s Caleb Gilmore, with fellow Whanganui youth Cameron Goldfinch rounding out the series podium.
Said Stroud, who notched up four wins out of seven races in the series: “I am really happy with how I went. I have lots more confidence this year. It was great to have my dad racing with me. Dad beat me in one of the races too!”
Suzuki New Zealand’s Simon Meade, the General Manager of Motorcycle, ATV and Marine Marketing, said the GIXXER Cup competition has been ‘absolutely fantastic.’
“We have achieved what we set out to do, which was basically to get younger riders to come through and to find the talent. The cream always rises to the top. They don’t get the opportunity to access this sport unless we give these young ones the opportunity like this.
“Opening up the age limit meant we have seen safer racing and better racing, because there are race lines that the older, more-established riders are taking that the younger ones can see and follow. They have cottoned-on really quickly and their race craft has improved. There is less crashing and much better riding too.”
Greg’s Garage Pod with Co-Host Jason Pridmore – A motorcycle racing Pod about MotoGP, MotoAmerica and World Superbike, Pro Motocross, American Flat Track and more. In this episode Co-Hosts Greg White and Jason Pridmore talk:
MotoAmerica – MotoAmerica’s new Mini Cup coming to a track near you!
MotoGP – Jorge Lorenzo to Ducati or Yamaha as a test rider? GPone.com reports it and we talk about it.
SXFantasy p/b ARAI Helmets – We’ve chosen pulpmxfantasy.com for out 2020 SX Fantasy League. Join the Greg’s Garage Podcast League now to win an ARAI Corsair-X Helmet of your choice!
BEST OF 2020 – We talk about takeaways from 2020 in MotoGP, WorldSBK and MotoAmerica!
Alex Marquez talks wearing the Repsol Honda Team colours
With the Moto2 World Championship secured, adding to his Moto3 World Championship title from 2014, Alex Marquez moves to the Repsol Honda Team in MotoGP for the 2020 season. Racing alongside eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez, the rookie is ready to learn, adapt and fight for Rookie of the Year honours. Donning the orange, navy and white of the Repsol Honda Team for the first time, Alex Marquez outlines his ambitions for the year and what it feels like to step inside the garage of MotoGP’s most iconic team.
This is the first time wearing the Repsol Honda colours, what does it mean to you?
“Well it’s a dream come true, it’s an incredible honour to have these colours on and to have this shirt on. I’m really happy with this opportunity to go to MotoGP with the Repsol Honda Team. I’m really proud. It’s a new situation for me, I’m used to seeing Marc in these colours but not me! It’s special.”
What does it mean to you to be a rookie in a historic team like the Repsol Honda Team?
“Well I think for every rookie it’s a dream, or the target, to be in a factory team. After winning the Moto2 Championship your target or your wish is to be a factory rider, so this has come true for me. To be in the Repsol Honda Team, a team with the most history in the MotoGP paddock is an honour. I know it’s a challenge, but it’s a nice challenge. From the first moment I said I wanted this opportunity, 100% and now I try to enjoy it.”
What is your goal for the season?
“I can say that I want to be the Rookie of the Year – that’s the first goal. But to put a goal about positions or something like this, right now I am focused on understanding the bike and aiming to have more feeling to build my confidence. Before the Qatar race, I will be able to see a little better what our real position is and what we can do from the first race.”
What was it like being in the Repsol Honda garage for the first time, knowing you’re a factory rider?
“It’s really special. In the stomach you have butterflies when you put on your leathers, you walk in and you see your team and you know it’s your team. Both bikes sitting there, it’s like continuous special feelings during the first test. Now in Malaysia I think everything will be more under control, less nerves and more relaxed but the team already helped me to relax a lot in Jerez.”
You will be one of the tallest riders in MotoGP – do you think it can help you?
“Being tall can have some advantages such as maybe moving the body and how you can use your weight. Maybe in the wet it’s a bit easier but maybe there are disadvantages and some things can be a little bit worse. But you know, you need to live with this and be strong where you can and lose as little time as possible where you are weaker.”
You will be a rookie but being a Repsol and an HRC rider isn’t new for you, you’re back after your past in the Spanish Championship and Moto3. Did you ever imagine coming back to Repsol and HRC?
“When you start, you imagine things like this can happen in your best dreams but it’s difficult. There are many hours of training, many races, many things that can happen in a rider’s career. I started already in the Spanish Championship with Repsol where we won in 2012 and it was really special. Then in 2014 we started a new project with the Honda Moto3 and HRC, the factory was behind me and it was incredible that year to win in the first year of the project. After all these years to come back to Honda is a dream, I’m looking forward to working with these amazing people, this factory and of course Repsol.”
It’s the first time in history that two brothers will share a garage in MotoGP.
“It’s a special moment, a special year but we need to be natural and approach it like a normal situation. We know we are brothers but inside the team we need to be professional, we are different riders. We each have our own teams, so we need to work in our own way. For sure for me it’s an advantage to have a six-time MotoGP World Champion in my garage because I can see a lot of data from him and see how I need to ride this Honda machine, to help find the secrets. So, I will try to take all the information from him and all the Honda riders to try and learn as much as possible.”
Peter Hickman and his new Yamaha YZF-R6. Photo courtesy of Smiths Racing Team.
Smiths Racing And Hickman Switch To Yamaha For Supersport To Complete 2020 Roads Line-Up
Gloucester-based Smiths Racing and Peter Hickman have swapped their Supersport Triumph Daytona 675 for a Yamaha YZF-R6 in 2020, adding the 600cc machine to their already confirmed plans for the Superbike, Superstock and Lightweight classes where they will campaign BMW S1000RR and Norton Superlight machinery respectively.
The team have enjoyed a long and successful period with the Triumph 675 including winning the British Supersport Championship on two occasions, with Australians Glen Richards and Billy McConnell, as well as taking Isle of Man Supersport TT race victories with Hickman and Gary Johnson. Hickman’s win in the second Supersport TT race of 2019 followed four successive podium finishes around the Mountain Course whilst he also took a hat-trick of wins last year at the Ulster Grand Prix.
However, due to the lack of parts available for the ageing Triumph, they have decided to switch to Yamaha power in 2020, with the R6 being a much more up-to-date machine as well is being a consistent race winner in both the British Supersport Championship and at the International road races.
The move completes their assembly of machinery for the 2020 season where they will be the official BMW-supported team for the International road races with Hickman again favourite for race honours in the Superbike and Superstock classes having been victorious at the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix last year. The team will also contest the Lightweight races with Hickman riding the Norton 650 Superlight which debuted in 2019. Hickman and Smiths Racing took delivery of the bike before Christmas and will now spearhead the development of the machine as they look to build upon the 8th place and 120mph lap recorded at last year’s Isle of Man TT.
Hickman will also line-up for the team in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship where he will campaign the BMW S1000RR for a fourth successive season alongside team-mate Alex Olsen.
Peter Hickman: “We’re all really looking forward to 2020 and having the official BMW support for the first time is a big thing for us as we’re a privately-run, small team so to get that recognition is absolutely fantastic and nothing short of what, I feel, the team deserves – what we’ve achieved over the last three years has been pretty epic! We’re also running the Norton Superlight and carrying out all of the development work on the 650 Superlight which the team have already got in pieces and set to work on to hopefully turn the bike into a race winner at the TT.
“Finally, we’ve made the decision to change from the Triumph to the Yamaha in the Supersport class for the International road races which will obviously be a bit different to the last three years. We’ve had an awesome time with the Triumph and it’s been absolutely brilliant with the win at last year’s TT and all three victories at the Ulster Grand Prix being phenomenal. The little Daytona has done a fantastic job but, unfortunately, it’s a little bit long in the tooth now so to try and move with the times and keep up with what everyone else is doing we’ve decided to move over to the Yamaha. I’ve never actually raced an R6 before so I’m really looking forward to jumping on it to see what we can do.”
Darren Jones, Team Manager: “It wasn’t an easy decision for us to change from Triumph as they have been faultless in aiding us all the way through our roads campaign in 2019 but unfortunately, as the bike is no longer in production, we have been struggling to get the parts we need and feel like we are at the maximum when it comes to development. Therefore, 2020 will see us take on a fresh challenge and we feel that’s what’s needed to give Hicky a fighting chance. A big thanks to Steve at Raceways Yamaha for pulling out all the stops in getting us the R6 before Christmas, the boys have started already!
“That completes our machine line-up for the season ahead and with a year behind us with the BMW S1000RR and factory backing we are much better prepared than in 2019. The Norton project is another fresh challenge in the Lightweight class but our firm aim is to demonstrate the skill and experience of our team to turn this machine into a podium contender.”
Rebecca Smith, Team Principal: “We’ve enjoyed a wonderful journey with Triumph Motorcycles, having won two British Championships and two Isle of Man TTs. The support that they have shown us over the last seven years has been fantastic and for that we are extremely grateful. We now look forward to the new challenge with Yamaha and we are extremely hopeful of adding to our success already achieved in the Supersport division.”
For further information, please visit www.smithsracing.co.uk and www.britishsuperbike.com.
Some of the vintage motorcycles to be auctioned by Bonhams on January 23, 2020. Photo courtesy of Bonhams.
RARE AND COLLECTIBLE EARLY AMERICAN AND BRITISH MOTORCYCLES TO FEATURE IN LAS VEGAS AUCTION
Los Angeles – Bonhams is pleased to announce that two private collections of vintage motorcycles have been added to its January sale in Las Vegas.
From the East Coast of the US comes a collection consisting of multiple pre-war competition machines, including a 1941 Indian Big Base Scout Factory Racing Prototype and a pair of twin-cylinder board track racers – a 1916 Harley-Davidson and 1916 Excelsior. A shining star from this collection – and indeed the whole auction – is an original condition, unrestored 1918 Harley-Davidson Twin Model J. Resplendent in its patina, this magnificent 100 year-old, fully functioning motorcycle has a character all its own. In total, the impressive collection comprises 15 motorcycles of exceptional caliber.
Another collection of pre-war motorcycles that has been consigned contains some quite uncommon British models, including two very rare twin-cylinder Newcastle-upon-Tyne (NUT) examples from 1913 and 1925. The pre-Great War NUT is a 90 bore overhead-valve model, which is tremendously rare and quite possibly the only one known to exist. There’s also a gorgeous example of a 1938 AJS Model 2 – a scarcely seen fast and attractive pre-Second World War British Twin.
Of course, no Bonhams’ sale in Las Vegas would be complete without Vincent. Afterall, Bonhams has famously set multiple world records with the “Red White” Shadow and, especially, the Ehret Black Lightning, which still holds the record as the most valuable motorcycle ever sold at auction. This year, a beautiful 1948 Rapide and a 1949 Black Shadow C, among others, will spotlight this legendary British marque.
These and so many more motorcycles from dozens of manufacturers across all eras will be on offer next month, Thursday, January 23rd. As previously announced, the new, more convenient venue will be the Caesar’s Entertainment Studios located behind Bally’s, just off The Strip. For more information about the auction, visit Bonhams.com/Vegas.
Sandy Hook Mini Moto Road Race Series includes 10 different classes of competition over a 10 race championship schedule. Plus the exciting team endurance events “Sandy Hook 200” and “Sandy Hook Youth 100”.
March 14 – Mini Moto Track Day #1
April 4 – Mini Moto Track Day #2
April 25- Mini Moto Race #1
May 2 – Mini Moto Race #2
May 30- Mini Moto Track Day #3
June 6 – Mini Moto SH 200 / 100 R- #1
June 13 – Mini Moto Race #3
June 27 – Mini Moto Race #4
July 18– Mini Moto Race #5
August 1 – Mini Moto Track Day #4
August 15 – Mini Moto Race #6
August 22 – Mini Moto Race #7
September 19 – Mini Moto Track Day #5
September 26 – Mini Moto Race #8
October 17 – Mini Moto SH 200 / 100 R- #2
October 24- Mini Moto Race #9
November 7 – Mini Moto Race #10
November 14 – Mini Moto Turkey Race
About Sandy Hook Speedway:
Sandy Hook Speedway opened in 1964. Still to this day it is a favorite of many Kart racers with 2-cycle & 4-cycle Karts. It’s also a favorite of Mini Moto road racers of all skill levels & goals. Located in Street, MD, the track draws racers from states all over the east coast, including some mid-west states. Both tri-oval & road courses are paved asphalt with a 25 degree high-banked turn.
Army of Darkness (99) won the N2 Racing/WERA 4-Hour endurance by six laps. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Featured In the December 2019 issue of Roadracing World:
WERA GRAND NATIONALS AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK
For the eighth consecutive year the WERA Grand National Finals (GNF) season-ending event was held at Barber Motorsports Park. Run over four days, the event drew more than 200 riders who collectively entered 780 races.
The competitors were vying for one or more of the 84 road racing Championships to be decided, including 36 winner-take-all WERA Sportsman National Championship run-offs; 10 WERA Vintage National Championships won by an accumulation of points over the season, including the double-points final round; 19 WERA National Challenge Series Championships won by an accumulation of points during the seven-round season; four N2 Racing/WERA National Endurance Championships won by an accumulation of points over four rounds; and 14 winner-take-all AMA Road Race Grand Championship sprints …
Experienced racers, new talents and enthusiasts from across the nation earned WERA National Championships across four days of hard competition at Barber Motorsports Park. Who are the Champions? They’re in the latest issue of Roadracing World!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.
PREVIEW the December 2019 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW FOR INSTANT ACCESS!
Log in or subscribe HERE. Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
Visit www.roadracingworld.com daily for breaking news and events.
Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/roadracingworld
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com @roadracingworld
Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com @roadracing_world
Kenny Riedmann (42), 2019 Canadian Superbike champion Ben Young (86), Jordan Szoke (1), and Samuel Trepanier (14) in action during the 2019 season. Photo by Rob O’Brien, courtesy of CSBK.
2020 40th Annual Mopar CSBK Canadian National Schedule Confirmed
Toronto, ON – December 31, 2019 – The Mopar CSBK National motorcycle road racing series includes six weekends of action in 2020, the 40th anniversary of the Canadian Championship tour. With eight Mopar Pro Superbike feature class races planned, this will be the busiest schedule for the CSBK Nationals since 2005.
2020 Mopar CSBK Canadian National Series Schedule
Round One – Shannonville Motorsport Park, ON (Pro Track) – May 22-24
Round Two – Grand Bend Motorplex, Lake Huron, ON (Technical) – June 12-14
Round Three – ICAR, Mirabel, QC – July 17-19
Round Four – Atlantic Motorsport Park, Halifax, NS – July 31-August 2
Round Five – Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, ON – August 14-16
Round Six – Shannonville Motorsport Park, ON – September 19-20
The series opens at Shannonville Motorsport Park’s perimeter Pro Circuit in May, with the first round of 2020 once again sponsored by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Registration and Technical Inspection will start on the Thursday, May 21, when Dunlop spec tire supplier Pro6 host a Track Day at Shannonville.
The second event will once again take place at Grand Bend in June, using the technical version of the holiday-coast layout for the fourth straight season. The Grand Bend venue has regularly offered some of the closest finishes in CSBK Feature Superbike action.
Round three, already announced, marks the July return to the ICAR venue at the former International airport just north of Montreal, QC. With support from Moto Nation and Liqui Moly, the ICAR round is expected to provide a wide range of activities at the multi-use facility that includes an oval and a drag strip.
August starts with the Pro Cycle supported east coast round at Atlantic Motorsport Park, near Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Shubenacadie-area event again hosts double-header races on Saturday and Sunday for both the Pro classes, Mopar Pro Superbike and Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike.
The Nova Scotia National is the longest continuous running event of the CSBK calendar, with 2020 marking the 22nd consecutive event at the undulating home of the “Roller Coaster.” The A.M.P. venue has received significant track improvements since the end of the 2019 Society of ARL Regional Series.
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park again holds a full double header event in mid-August, the only venue on the tour to do so. Many of the 2020 series Championships will be determined over the hectic, BMW Motorrad-supported program at “old Mosport’s” famous ten-turn Grand Prix venue.
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park has also undergone repaving to parts of the circuit in preparation for the 2020 road racing season.
The last race of the season is a special event at Shannonville Motorsport Park in September, on the actual date of the first-ever Superbike National at this venue, then known as Nelson International, back in 1980. Forty years ago, Rueben McMurter of London, ON, won for Kawasaki around the original seven turn layout but George Morin of Mississauga, ON, earned the first Superbike overall National number one plate.
The 2020 S.M.P. National weekend will feature selected classes with a format designed to allow time for demonstrations and special events.
Details of the Shannonville CSBK final event will be announced in early 2020, but the final National of the 2020 Mopar Superbike Championship at S.M.P. will offer the deciding event in the Feature class, with Ben Young of Collingwood, ON, looking to keep his overall National number one plate for BMW.
Serious opposition for Champ Young is expected from a wide range of challengers, including 13 time number one Jordan Szoke of Lynden, ON, aboard a Kawasaki; Trevor Daley of Mississauga, ON, for Suzuki and last year’s outstanding feature class rookie Tomas Casas of Peterborough, ON, leading Yamaha Canada’s program.
The MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul is scheduled for three rounds in 2020. Photo courtesy MotoAmerica.
This Just In: After a reader asked if Mini Cup bikes will be provided by the series, (or if competitors enter their own bikes), we contacted Brandon Cretu of Ohvale importer Rise Moto, who told Roadracingworld.com,”People buy and bring their own, but we will be offering a limited supply of rental options for all classes.”
MotoAmerica Announces Mini Cup For 2020
“The Road To MotoAmerica” Is Geared Toward Young Racers Aged Six To 14
COSTA MESA, CA (December 31, 2019) – MotoAmerica has announced that it will add a youth program to three of its 2020 MotoAmerica events via the MotoAmerica Mini Cup, beginning with the Road America round, May 29-31, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
MotoAmerica Mini Cup races will be held in conjunction with three rounds of the 2020 MotoAmerica Series. The MotoAmerica Mini Cup is geared toward riders aged six to 14.
The MotoAmerica Mini Cup Series will be held on karting tracks in conjunction with three MotoAmerica events: Road America (May 29-31), The Ridge Motorsports Park (June 26-28) and Pittsburgh International Race Complex (August 7-8).
The Mini Cup Series will feature four classes of racing: 110cc (four speed); 160cc; 190cc (racers aged up to 14 years); and 190 Adult (racers over the age of 15). The motorcycles will be based on spec rules centered around the Ohvale GP-0, a mini road racer that is now ready for the U.S. market after proving to be extremely popular in Europe.
The MotoAmerica Mini Cup fills a current void in the series and provides an entry point for riders under the age of 14. The Mini Cup will give young racers a way to bridge the gap to the MotoAmerica Liqui Moly Junior Cup class through the MotoAmerica Mini Cup and “The Road To MotoAmerica.”
“We saw the Ohvales race for the first time at PittRace in 2019 and we came away impressed,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “The bike is basically a miniature GP racer and serves as an ideal platform to get kids and their families on track and racing. We saw the need to provide an avenue for kids who are too young to race in our Liqui Moly Junior Cup to get started and work on their skills before moving up to bigger bikes. We’re excited about this and can’t wait for it to get rolling at Road America at the end of May.”
Lance Bryson, Senior Sponsorship Manager, added: “This is an exciting time for road racing in the U.S. There have been few paths to lead American youth riders to start training for a full-time U.S. or international road racing career. MotoAmerica will now promote a youth feeder system to ensure that more young racers can follow in the footsteps of the Kenny Roberts, the Wayne Raineys and the Cameron Beaubiers of the world.”
“We’ve been hard at work to help bring a solid platform into the U.S. market for youth, and their parents, to get involved in road racing with an affordable and easy to understand platform,” said Brandon Cretu of Rise Moto, the Ohvale GP-O distributor for the U.S. “The Ohvale GP-0 provides tiered engine options to progress with young racers skills and help them rise through the ranks until they’re ready for big bikes on big tracks. It also provides an exciting and affordable way for older riders and professional athletes to gain access to invaluable training time and inexpensive track time and racing. It is an exciting time for our sport and Ohvale is happy to be working with MotoAmerica.”
For more information on Ohvale motorcycles, visit https://www.risemoto.com/ The 2020 AMA MotoAmerica Mini Cup Series
May 29-31 – Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
June 26-28 – The Ridge Motorsports Park, Sheldon, Washington
August 7-8 – Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, Pennsylvania
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Mathew Scholtz (11) during a previous test on his Westby Racing Yamaha Superbike at Carolina Motorsports Park. Photo by Lee Fields/Active Shooter Photography, courtesy of Westby Racing.
Westby Racing Welcomes Attack Performance As Official Team Partner
Tulsa, OK – December 30, 2019 – Westby Racing is proud to announce that Attack Performance has come on board as an official team partner for the 2020 MotoAmerica Superbike season. The announcement was made by Tryg Westby, owner of Westby Racing, and Richard Stanboli, owner of Attack Performance.
Based in Huntington Beach, California, Attack Performance designs, develops, manufactures, and markets precision-engineered products and high-performance services for modern sportbikes. The company has been intimately involved in Superbike racing for nearly two decades, including 2018’s Attack Performance/Herrin Compound/Yamaha team featuring rider Josh Herrin and this year’s Attack Performance/Estenson Racing/Yamaha team with JD Beach as rider.
Earlier this year, when the Monster Energy Attack Performance Yamaha Racing team was announced with riders Cameron Beaubier and Jake Gagne, Westby Racing team manager Chuck Giacchetto and Stanboli discussed a more formal, strategic partnership between Westby Racing and Attack Performance based on the synergies that exist from both teams independently campaigning Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbikes in the MotoAmerica Championship for the past several years.
About the new partnership, Westby Racing crew chief Ed Sullivan said, “We’re excited to have Attack Performance and Richard Stanboli joining us as technical partners for the 2020 MotoAmerica season. Their products have been proven at the highest level, including MotoGP and World Superbike. I have no doubt they will be an asset to our technical team, and we will be working hard to help in the development of Attack Performance products.”
Stanboli commented, “We are pleased to support, and be a part of, the Westby Racing team. We have had good relations with Westby Racing over the years, and they have always been fierce, but friendly, competition. Westby Racing has also been a great advocate for the products they race with, and as a manufacturer of racing products, this is very important to us at Attack Performance. Equally important will be the rigorous testing and development that our products will receive through parallel development at the highest level of motorcycle road racing here in the U.S.
“Making the conditions perfect for us to extend our support to Westby Racing was the release of the new 2020 Yamaha R1, as well as our merging with the Yamaha factory team. We are looking forward to seeing all three new Yamaha R1 Superbikes, Monster Energy Attack Performance Yamaha Racing and Westby Racing, on the podium in 2020. May the best team win!”
Also, visit “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media site.
More, from another press release issued by Westby Racing:
iOneMoto Inc., Joins Westby Racing As Official Team Partner
Tulsa, OK – December 31, 2019 – Westby Racing proudly welcomes iOneMoto, Inc., as a supporting team sponsor. The announcement was made by Tryg Westby, owner of Westby Racing.
“We’re excited to welcome iOneMoto and (company owner) Fred Baly to the Westby Racing team,” Tryg said. “We’ve long admired iOneMoto’s products, which are race-proven with teams, and on racetracks, around the world.”
Headquartered in Sebastian, Florida, iOneMoto Inc., is a premium manufacturer of motorcycle bodywork and components. The company’s well-known brands include SharkSkinz road racing bodywork, Catalyst drag racing bodywork, TighTails subframes and upper fairing stays, and SE Moto carbon-fiber prepreg parts.
About the new partnership with Westby Racing, Fred commented, “Being able to partner up with Westby Racing is extremely important to us at iOneMoto, Inc. They define professionalism and are exactly what we look for in a professional motorcycle road racing team.”
For more information about iOneMoto and their products, visit https://iOneMoto.com/.
Richard Cooper. Photo by Andy McGechan/BikesportNZ.com, courtesy of Team Suzuki Press Office.
COOPER WINS NEW ZEALAND SUZUKI INTERNATIONAL TRI-SERIES
Richard Cooper: GSX-R1000 -1st
Richie Dibben: RM-Z450 – 1st
British Superstock Champion Richard Cooper raced to victory at the third and final round of the Suzuki International Tri-Series in New Zealand aboard his GSX-R1000.
The British rider was in the hunt from the start of the series that wound-up on Boxing Day (December 26th) at Whanganui’s famous Cemetery Circuit, wrapping-up the Formula One (Superbike) class overall and also winning the stand-alone Robert Holden Memorial feature race.
The 36-year-old from Nottingham borrowed a Suzuki GSX-R1000 from the Sloan Frost Racing Team for this first-time visit to New Zealand and quickly came to grips with the unfamiliar circuits – round one at Taupo on December 7-8th, round two at Manfeild a week later and then the challenging curb-lined twists and turns of the closed-off public streets.
The Robert Holden race win came at the end of a thrilling bar-to-bar battle with Whakatane’s Damon Rees.
Cooper demonstrated right from the opening round of the Suzuki International Series in Taupo that he was a fast learner, taking almost no time at all to learn the previously-untried Kiwi race tracks, although he was forced to settle for runner-up during the Taupo weekend, ending that event nine points behind Bay of Plenty rider Rees.
Cooper came on strong at round two at Manfeild a week later, wiping out the deficit and taking a one-point series lead over Rees as they headed to the Boxing Day finale.
Although Cooper had his hands full battling Rees’ elder brother Mitch – Rees winning both F1 races on the day – Cooper knew that it was really only Damon Rees that he needed to keep at bay for series victory.
Cooper responded to Mitch Rees’ back-to-back F1 class wins at Whanganui by twice finishing runner-up, while Damon Rees finished third both times, and this was enough for Cooper to win the series outright, ending up five points clear of Damon, with Mitch claiming third overall for the series, a distant 29 points further back.
Damon Rees led early in the 10-lap Robert Holden Memorial feature race, with Cooper and Mitch Rees for close company. It stayed like this for the next eight laps until the leaders started lapping other riders and that’s when Cooper pounced, zipping past Damon Rees and into the lead, which he held until the end.
Taupo’s defending Suzuki Series champion Scott Moir (Suzuki GSX-R1000) and Glen Eden’s National Superbike Champion Daniel Mettam (Suzuki GSX-R1000) rounded out the top five in the Robert Holden race.
Said Cooper: “I came with no expectations. Obviously I arrived wanting to fight for the championship. I didn’t think it would be possible to win because I felt Damon had more experience than me here at Whanganui. But I also knew he’d come off the 600cc bike he rode last year and was on a 1000cc bike this time around. That’s obviously a very different animal to ride.
“Perhaps it took him until race three today (the Robert Holden feature race) to figure it all out and then he was as fast as me, but, by that stage it was too late. To come here and win this series for Sloan Frost Suzuki and TSS Red Baron is amazing, but then to top-it-all-off by winning the Robert Holden race too is pretty special.”
Cooper added he’d love to return and race again in the Suzuki International Series next year, saying: “it would be a shame not to come back!”
Auckland’s Toby Summers won the 600cc Formula Two class at Whanganui’s finale, finishing the day ahead of Hastings rider Adam Chambers and Whanganui’s Richie Dibben, although Upper Hutt’s Rogan Chandler had done enough at the earlier two rounds to clinch the series win for this class.
Dibben was sadly forced to settle for fourth overall for the series in this class, no reflection at all of his potential: Always a dominant figure in the Supermoto (lightly-modified dirt bikes) class, where he raced a Suzuki RM-Z450 MX machine, Dibben was again a runaway winner in the Suzuki International Series this year.
But, in only his second season of racing a Suzuki GSX-R600 bike in the Formula Two class, the 30-year-old stunned when he qualified his bike fastest at Taupo and then won one of the two F2 races there.
Unfortunately he crashed out while leading the next race.
At Manfeild he was again a revelation, running with the leaders until he again crashed, this time through no fault of his own, but it was another painful no-points result for the Whanganui hero. He bounced back to win the final race at Manfeild and this gave him a sniff of a chance of ending the series on the podium.
While his 3-2 score-card in the F2 class at Whanganui was not quite enough to achieve this, Dibben will now head to the South Island in a confident mood as he readies himself for the start of the New Zealand Superbike Championships, set to kick off at Christchurch on January 11-12th.
Said Dibben: “I knew I had the pace to win the Supermoto class, especially with Duncan (Hart) out. It was a good confidence-booster for me on the 600 bike. I got lap times down to the 49s in that last race, so pretty stoked with that and I’m feeling strong heading to the nationals. If I can finish all the races it would help! Having two non-finishes in the Suzuki International series didn’t help.”
More, from another press release issued by Team Suzuki Press Office:
STROUD WINS 2019 NEW ZEALAND GIXXER CUP SERIES
Jesse Stroud (1) Photo by Andy McGechan, courtesy of Team Suzuki Press Office.
Reigning New Zealand GIXXER Cup Champion Jesse Stroud retained his crown at the final round of the series at the Cemetery Circuit in Whanganui on December 26th.
The 17-year-old son of nine-time New Zealand Superbike Champion Andrew Stroud clinched the championship at the third and final round of the Suzuki International Tri Series, after the 2019 New Zealand GIXXER Cup was incorporated into the popular series and run under new rules this year.
Now celebrating its third season, the GIXXER Cup series has well and truly established itself as the premier competition for road-racing novices. First created by Suzuki New Zealand in December 2017 with the aim of providing a starting place and a pathway towards ‘growing future champions,’ the class was slotted into the Suzuki International Series programme and it proved to be a runaway success.
Many of the young riders who had their first taste of motorcycle road-racing with the inaugural contest are now out on the track and racing in some of the bigger bike classes – Formula Two and Formula Three – and next the Superbike ranks in the future.
This year’s three-round Suzuki International Series wrapped up on the public streets of Whanganui, the traditional Cemetery Circuit event on Boxing Day and, while some of the GIXXER Cup riders were deemed too young to compete on a street circuit, there were still 19 riders who lined up to race their Suzuki GSX150F bikes at the post-Christmas event.
This season the series enjoyed even greater attention from riders and fans alike, thanks to the easing of the age restriction and from the competition welcoming some of New Zealand’s greatest current and former champions – including Suzuki’s record nine-time former National Superbike Champion Andrew Stroud – to also line up and race on the nimble GSX150F bikes. But, surprisingly, it was some of the youngest exponents who shone the most.
Hamilton’s Jesse Stroud, his teenage son, was once again the leading rider, ending the competition a solid 29 points clear of his nearest threat, Whanganui’s Caleb Gilmore, with fellow Whanganui youth Cameron Goldfinch rounding out the series podium.
Said Stroud, who notched up four wins out of seven races in the series: “I am really happy with how I went. I have lots more confidence this year. It was great to have my dad racing with me. Dad beat me in one of the races too!”
Suzuki New Zealand’s Simon Meade, the General Manager of Motorcycle, ATV and Marine Marketing, said the GIXXER Cup competition has been ‘absolutely fantastic.’
“We have achieved what we set out to do, which was basically to get younger riders to come through and to find the talent. The cream always rises to the top. They don’t get the opportunity to access this sport unless we give these young ones the opportunity like this.
“Opening up the age limit meant we have seen safer racing and better racing, because there are race lines that the older, more-established riders are taking that the younger ones can see and follow. They have cottoned-on really quickly and their race craft has improved. There is less crashing and much better riding too.”
A “press release” is promotional text issued by a rider, team, company or organization to inform
the public about an event, product, or service from the issuer’s own point of view, and if deemed
to have news value, may be placed on roadracingworld.com as a service to our readers.
A press release is not an article written by Roadracingworld.com staffers. When a post is labeled with the words “press release”, it means that Roadracingworld.com is not responsible for its content and that Roadracingworld.com makes no guarantee that it is accurate. Not all press releases are posted and Roadracingworld.com may reject press releases if the content is too heavy on commercial promotion with little or no news value or if the press release contains obvious errors.
Accessibility
Accessibility modes
Epilepsy Safe Mode
Dampens color and removes blinks
This mode enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode
Improves website's visuals
This mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode
Helps to focus on specific content
This mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode
Reduces distractions and improve focus
This mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode
Allows using the site with your screen-reader
This mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Online Dictionary
Readable Experience
Content Scaling
Default
Text Magnifier
Readable Font
Dyslexia Friendly
Highlight Titles
Highlight Links
Font Sizing
Default
Line Height
Default
Letter Spacing
Default
Left Aligned
Center Aligned
Right Aligned
Visually Pleasing Experience
Dark Contrast
Light Contrast
Monochrome
High Contrast
High Saturation
Low Saturation
Adjust Text Colors
Adjust Title Colors
Adjust Background Colors
Easy Orientation
Mute Sounds
Hide Images
Hide Emoji
Reading Guide
Stop Animations
Reading Mask
Highlight Hover
Highlight Focus
Big Dark Cursor
Big Light Cursor
Cognitive Reading
Virtual Keyboard
Navigation Keys
Voice Navigation
Accessibility Statement
www.roadracingworld.com
November 14, 2026
Compliance status
We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience,
regardless of circumstance and ability.
To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level.
These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible
to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific
disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.
Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML,
adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with
screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive
a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
