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AHRMA: $35,000 Cash Purse Posted For Pro Challenge At Barber

AHRMA Announces $35,000 Cash Purse for the 2024 AHRMA Pro Challenge at the Barber Vintage Festival

(Knoxville, TN) The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is excited to announce a record $35,000 cash purse for the AHRMA Pro Challenge. The 12 lap race will be held on October 12, 2024, at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL, during the 19th Annual Barber Vintage Festival as part of the 2024 Bridgestone Tires AHRMA Roadracing Series.  Sponsored by Real Steel Motorsports, Southern Honda Powersports, and Fast by Ferracci Racing the race will feature a vast array of today’s most exciting race bikes.

For 2024, the purse has been split among pro and non-pro racers, giving the dedicated AHRMA racers a chance to participate in the cash prizes.

Pro Payout

1st place – $10,000

2nd place – $6,000

3rd place – $4,000

4th place – $3,000

5th place – $2,000

 

Non-pro Payout to AHRMA qualified racers

1st place – $2,000

2nd place – $1,500

3rd place – $1,000

4th place – $750

5th place – $500

 

There will be a special $750 award for the top Non-pro AHRMA racer to finish on a Ducati to Honor Fast By Ferracci Ducati’s 1994 AMA Superbike Championship.

Details regarding racer and machine eligibility can be found here:  https://www.ahrma.org/barber-vintage-festival/pro-challenge-returning-to-barber-vintage-festival/

About AHRMA

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage along with a wide range of modern motorcycles.  With nearly 3,000 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes.

 

British Superbike: Provisional 2025 Schedule Announced

2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship provisional calendar announced

The provisional 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship calendar has been announced today (Friday 27 September).

The 11-round season features a shake-up next year, with the championship kicking off at Oulton Park in Cheshire over the traditional May Bank Holiday weekend, ahead of the first of two outings to Donington Park later in the month.

Snetterton will host round three in June, before the annual visit to Scotland on the opening weekend of July at Knockhill. The much-loved Brands Hatch summer event remains at the end of that month.

August continues to feature another Thruxton thriller before the fans’ favourite Bank Holiday highlight at Cadwell Park at the end of the month.

Donington Park will host the final event of the Main Season when the championship returns at the start of September, before the crucial Showdown title chase takes places across the final three rounds.

The legendary TT Circuit Assen makes a welcome return to the calendar and will host the opening round of the Showdown in mainland Europe for the first time since 2019, as the points’ value increases in the final battle for the title.

The championship then returns to Oulton Park for the penultimate round of the season on the opening weekend of October before the traditional final visit to Brands Hatch for the 2025 title decider two weeks later.

There will be three official tests prior to the start of the 2025 season, with the first taking place in April at Circuito de Navarra, which has just reopened following a multi-million Euro redevelopment.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship Series Director Stuart Higgs commented: “I am delighted to announce our 2025 provisional calendar which will consist of familiar favourites, a returning highlight and tweaks to the order of the events.

“The opening round will start with the early May Bank Holiday weekend at Oulton Park, before a sequence of events at our traditional UK venues. It’s then a return to the Cathedral of Racing, Assen in the Netherlands, to start the Showdown for the first time since 2019, with the circuit in a celebratory mood in the centenary year of the Dutch TT.  Return visits to Oulton Park and Brands Hatch will round up the 29th season of Bennetts BSB in the modern era.

“The full season will kick off with the now traditional Spanish testing period, with the first official track action on 6/7 April at the revitalised Navarra circuit. Fans, teams and riders were already highly impressed with the facility at this year’s opening round and with a multi-million Euro circuit reconfiguration and upgrade just completed everyone is looking forward to seeing the changes first-hand.”

2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship Official Tests

  DATE VENUE
Test 1 6/7 April Circuito de Navarra
Test 2 18/19 April Donington Park GP
Test 3 23/24 April Oulton Park

2025 Provisional Bennetts British Superbike Calendar
 

  DATE VENUE
Round 1 3/4/5 May Oulton Park*
Round 2 16/17/18 May Donington Park GP
Round 3 20/21/22 June Snetterton
Round 4 4/5/6 July Knockhill
Round 5 25/26/27 July Brands Hatch GP
Round 6 8/9/10 August Thruxton
Round 7 23/24/25 August Cadwell Park*
Round 8 5/6/7 September Donington Park GP
Round 9 19/20/21 September TT Circuit Assen
Round 10 3/4/5 October Oulton Park
Round 11 17/18/19 October Brands Hatch GP

* Denotes Bank Holiday weekend.

All dates are provisional and subject to change

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

World Endurance: 2025 Calendar Released

It’s four to the fore as 2025 FIM EWC is revealed

The race to win the 2025 FIM Endurance World Championship is go with confirmation of the calendar for next year’s 46th EWC season.

Mirroring the schedule that challenged ace motorcycle riders and their teams and captivated global television audiences in 2024, the 2025 fixture list features two 24-hour races and two events held over a duration of eight hours.

The action kicks off with the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans in April and concludes with the Bol d’Or at Circuit Paul Ricard in September. In between are visits to Circuit de Spa Francorchamps for the 8 Hours of Spa Motos in June followed by the 46th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race in August.

As in 2024, all four events will count for the FIM Endurance World Championship for Teams and Manufacturers and the Superstock-based FIM Endurance World Cup for Teams and Manufacturers. However, Superstock squads will continue to count their best three scores.

The newly-announced FIM Production World Trophy will be contested over the three European EWC events in 2025 with the Yamaha R7 Endurance Series a support race during the 24 Heures Motos and the 8 Hours of Spa Motos weekends.

The calendar for the 2024 FIM EWC season follows:

Round 1: 24 Heures Motos, Le Mans, France: 17-20 April

Round 2: 8 Hours of Spa Motos, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium: 6-7 June

Round 3: 46th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race, Suzuka Circuit, Japan: 1-3 August

Round 4: Bol d’Or, Circuit Paul Ricard, France: 18-21 September

Jean-Baptiste Ley, Motorsport Events Director at Warner Bros Discovery Sports, which has just completed its 10th season as promoter of the FIM EWC, said: “We are very pleased to be able to count on four pillar events as the backbone of the EWC again in 2025. Not only have these events continued to provide plenty of unmissable moments for the fans, they have also provided a level of stability that has allowed the EWC to go from strength to strength.

“However, we remain committed to expanding the EWC calendar and continue to work towards that goal. At present, it’s not realistic due to the increased costs for the teams, even with the strong logistical support WBD Sports has offered in the past. As a result, in close collaboration with the FIM, we’ve focused our development on strengthening the EWC pyramid and reinforcing the endurance base. This is essential for nurturing new talent and ensuring the continued growth of endurance racing.

“Considering the significant increase in performance and professionalism among the EWC and Superstock teams in recent years, it was crucial for WBD Sports to concentrate its efforts on keeping the championship as affordable and accessible as possible to newcomers. With a successful four-race format and the creation of the new FIM Production Trophy, the EWC now offers a platform for all categories of teams: from the smallest, passionate privateers who have written some of the most inspiring human stories in endurance racing, to the top manufacturer-supported teams, who deliver an incredible spectacle and thrilling battles every season.”

Paul King, FIM Circuit Racing Commission Director added: “By announcing the 2025 FIM EWC calendar so soon after the completion of the 2024 season we are not only giving the riders and teams the chance to really kick-start their preparations for next year, we are also building on the positive momentum generated throughout 2024.

“WBD Sports has delivered a calendar that offers important stability through the inclusion of four tried and trusted events that hold plenty of appeal as well as being organised to a very high standard. At the same time, while we recognise the ambition to expand the calendar in future years, it’s very important to focus on the development of the EWC pyramid as a means of further strengthening the discipline through the creation of the new FIM Production World Trophy.

“We are also pleased that riders and teams from the new Yamaha R7 Endurance Series will get the chance to experience the EWC as a support race during two events before they hopefully consider following the pathway to the top of endurance racing that the pyramid has created.”

World Supersport: Manzi P1 In FP1 At MotorLand Aragon

Stefano Manzi was quickest during World Supersport Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at MotorLand Aragon, in Spain. Riding his Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing YZF-R6 on spec Pirelli tires, the Italian navigated the 3.15-mile course in 1:53.626 to top the field of 34 riders.

Can Oncu was the best of the rest with a 1:53.647 on his Puccetti Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R.

Orelac Racing Verdnatura Ducati rider Jorge Navarro was third at 1:53.765.

Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise was 11th with a time of 1:54.452 on his Evan Bros. Racing Yamaha.

 

WSS FP1

WorldSBK: Razgatlioglu Back On Top, Gerloff P2 In FP1 At Aragon

Toprak Razgatlioglu is back!

After experiencing a horrific crash at Magny-Cours, suffering a collapsed lung, missing two entire rounds, and losing much of his point lead, the Turkish rider came back Friday and led World Superbike Free Practice One (FP1) at MotorLand Aragon. Riding his ROKiT BMW Motorrad M 1000 RR on Pirelli control tires, Razgatlioglu lapped the 3.15-mile course in 1:49.021 to lead the field of 23 riders.

American Garrett Gerloff was the best of the rest with a 1:49.486 on his Bonovo Action BMW.

 

Garrett Gerloff (31). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Garrett Gerloff (31). Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Team HRC Honda’s Xavi Vierge (1:49.493) and Iker Lecuona (1:49.546) were third and fourth, respectively, on their CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Superbikes.

Two-time and defending World Champion Alvaro Bautista rounded out the top five with a 1:49.673 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R.

 

WSBK FP1

MotoGP: Bastianini Best In Tight Field At Mandalika

Enea Bastianini was best in MotoGP World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Fresh off his race win Sunday at Misano II, the Lenovo Team Ducati rider lapped the 2.67-mile course in 1:29.630, which broke Luca Marini’s 2023 All-Time Lap Record of 1:29.978 and led a tight field of 22 riders.

Just 1.368 seconds covered the entire field, and eight riders were under the old lap record.

Second-best in the session was current World Championship point leader Jorge Martin with a 1:29.670 on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati.

Franco Morbidelli, Martin’s teammate and the fastest rider Friday morning, was third-quickest with a 1:29.709.

Francesco Bagnaia, the two-time and defending World Champion and Bastianini’s teammate, was fourth at 1:29.712.

Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Marco Bezzecchi made it a Ducati sweep of the top five spots with a 1:29.844.

Other riders finishing in the top 10 Friday afternoon and earning tickets directly to Qualifying Two on Saturday were: Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo (1:29.844), Gresini Racing Ducati’s Marc Marquez (1:29.995), Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Pedro Acosta (1:29.961), Bezzecchi’s teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio (1:29.986), and Aprilia Racing’s Maverick Vinales (1:30.000).

 

MotoGP FP2

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Crest of a wave: Bastianini beats Martin to P1 with top four split by 0.082s

The Beast turns up the wick in Practice to bag a new Mandalika lap record as Bagnaia leaves it late to pocket P4

 

Enea Bastianini (23). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Enea Bastianini (23). Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Friday, 27 September 2024

A new Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit all-time lap record belongs to Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) after the #23 topped the Practice timesheets on a scorching afternoon in Indonesia. The Emilia-Romagna GP winner surfed his way to a stunning 1:29.630 to lead Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) by just 0.040s, as the World Championship leader’s teammate Franco Morbidelli and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) round out a top four split by less than a tenth. 

It was a fairly eventful start to proceedings on Friday afternoon as we saw Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) crash at Turn 1 in the opening 10 minutes, before we witnessed a classic Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) save – the #93 dug his right elbow and knee into the asphalt and somehow kept his Ducati GP23 sunny side up at Turn 10. Incredible. 

 

Jorge Martin (89). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Jorge Martin (89). Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

A quieter part of the session – in terms of the outright pace – then took place as riders ran through their respective Practice checklists, and despite the crash, Acosta led to timesheets from Marc Marquez heading into the final 25 minutes of Friday afternoon with a 1:30.411. 

Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) was the first rider to slot in a fresh soft rear Michelin tyre for a time attack, and the Italian climbed to P2 on his first effort – 0.004s away from Acosta. 

 

Franco Morbidelli. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Franco Morbidelli. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

With 13 minutes to go, Martin propelled himself to the summit with a 1:30.317 as we strapped in for the Friday afternoon all-in laps. On his next flyer, Martin destroyed the lap record after landing a 1:29.670, with Bagnaia’s first effort 0.888s adrift on his main title rival. The second attack from Pecco was an improved one, but a lap only good enough for P9. 

The other Ducati Lenovo Team rider wasn’t suffering the same troubles though. Bastianini was the new session pacesetter with eight minutes left after ‘The Beast’ set a 1:29.630 – 0.040s faster than Martin. Meanwhile, a crucial final four minutes were coming up for Bagnaia as he found himself in P12. That was soon P9 as Bagnaia improved, as Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) crashed at Turn 16 while shadowing the reigning World Champion. 

And when it mattered most, Bagnaia delivered. The #1 went P9 to P3 before Morbidelli popped up to P3 to demote his compatriot down to P4, as the session ended without any dramas for the top four in the World Championship chase. 

Bezzecchi found a late time to earn P5 on Day 1 in Indonesia, with Fabio Quartararo again impressing on his Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ machine to stick his YZR-M1 in P6 – a phenomenal effort from the Frenchman. Marc Marquez will head straight into Q2 in P7, as the eight-time World Champion completed his good deed of the day to help Pecco get back to the box after the Italian ran out of fuel. 

Acosta, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) are the other riders heading into Q2 automatically, as Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) miss out by less than a tenth in P11 and P12 as Honda continue to show signs of progression. 

So that’s another Friday in the history books. Now, attentions turn to qualifying and the Tissot Sprint as another super Saturday awaits in Indonesia, and as always, you can catch it all on motogp.com!

FP2: 10:10 (UTC +8)

Q1: 10:50

Q2: 11.15

Tissot Sprint: 15:00

 

Oliveira declared unfit for Indonesian GP

Following a Turn 4 highside in Free Practice 1, the Trackhouse Racing star has been ruled out of action in Lombok after sustaining a fractured right wrist. The team confirmed Oliveira underwent a three-dimensional CT scan in the hospital in Mataram to evaluate the need for surgery. 
 

 

Ai Ogura (79). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Ai Ogura (79). Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Ogura tops timesheets full of key contenders on Friday

World Championship leader Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) hit the ground running in Indonesia to lead the pack heading into Saturday’s action thanks to a new lap record around the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit. The Japanese rider’s 1:33.690 saw him beat Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) by 0.057s, as Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) completed the top three, 0.163s away from the summit. 

– Fermin Aldeuger (Beta Tools SpeedUp) showed some strong pace to claim P4 on Day 1 and sit under two tenths shy of his fellow Boscoscuro rider Ogura. 

– 2022 Indonesian GP race winner, Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia), enjoyed a solid start to his Friday with a P5 finish in Practice 1. 

– Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) and the impressive Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) set the exact same lap time to finish P6 and P7 respectively, while title-chasing Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) and Emilia-Romagna GP winner Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) have work to do on Saturday morning from P21 and P23. 

Who will sail into the top 14 by the end of Practice 2? Find out at 09:25, before qualifying gets going at 13:45 in Mandalika. 

 

Colin Veijer (95). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Colin Veijer (95). Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Veijer fastest, Alonso P13 on Day 1

Moto3™ has landed at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit, with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) topping the standings after an impressive Friday. The Dutchman destroyed the lap record, giving him a 0.154s advantage over the field as the only rider in the 1:37s. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) continued his impressive recent form in second, ahead of David Almansa (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team), who claimed a strong P3 after nearly 20 laps in Practice 1.

– It was an eventful start to the weekend, with a number of riders crashing in the fist session of the day including Championship leader David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) at Turn 4 – rider ok but after Practice 1 in the afternoon, he sits P13 but two places ahead of key rival Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)

– Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) would dip under the lap record first in the afternoon before Veijer grabbed top spot – taking the fight to Honda after a notable day for the Japanese factory. By the end of play, four Hondas complete the top five: Fernandez, Almansa, his teammate Matteo Bertelle and Lunetta

– Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA), who had a strong day to finish ahead of Round 12 winner Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in seventh. Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) took eighth on his first visit to the track, after topping the first session too. Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) and Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP’s Tatsuki Suzuki complete the top ten

Can Alonso move forward on Saturday? Tune in for P2 at 8:40 (UTC+8) before qualifying from 12:50 to find out!

Moto2: Ogura Breaks Lap Record In Indonesia

Ai Ogura was fastest during Moto2 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his MT Helmets – MSI Boscoscuro on Pirelli control tires, the Japanese star lapped the 2.67-mile course in 1:33.690, cracking Aron Canet’s 2023 All-Time Lap Record of 1:33.847.

Canet was also under the old record with a time of 1:33.747 on his Fantic Racing Kalex, but that was only good enough for second-best Friday afternoon.

Elf Marc VDS Racing Team’s Tony Arbolino was third with a 1:33.853 on his Kalex.

American Joe Roberts improved from P22 in Friday morning’s practice to P10 in Friday afternoon’s session with a 1:34.277 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

 

Moto2 FP2

Moto3: Veijer Smashes Lap Record At Mandalika

Colin Veijer was fastest during Moto3 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. On board his Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna, the young Dutchman lapped the 2.67-mile course in 1:37.942, leading the field of 27 riders and smashing Jaume Masia’s 2023 All-Time Lap Record of 1:38.781.

 

Moto3 FP2

MotoGP: Morbidelli Quickest In Opening Practice In Indonesia

Franco Morbidelli was quickest during MotoGP World Championship practice Friday morning at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his Michelin-shod Prima Pramac Racing Ducati Desmosedici, the Italian covered the 2.67-mile road course in 1:30.689, topping the field of 22 riders.

Factory Aprilia rider Maverick Vinales was the best of the rest and the only other rider in the 1:30 range with a 1:30.910 on his RS-GP.

Jorge Martin, Morbidelli’s teammate and the current World Championship point leader, was third with a lap time of 1:31.218.

Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s rookie sensation Pedro Acosta made it three different brands in the top four with a 1:31.271 on his RC16.

Johann Zarco gave Honda fans some hope with a fifth-fastest 1:31.456 on his LCR Honda RC213V.

 

MotoGP FP1

Moto2: Aldeguer Heads Opening Practice At Mandalika

Fermin Aldeguer topped Moto2 World Championship practice Friday morning at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding a Beta Tools SpeedUp Boscoscuro on spec Pirelli tires, the soon-to-be MotoGP rider turned a lap of 1:33.955 around the 2.67-mile track and led the 28-rider field.

Aron Canet was second-best with a 1:34.005 on his Fantic Racing Kalex.

Tony Arbolino was third with a lap of 1:34.229 on his Elf Marc VDS Racing Team Kalex.

American Joe Roberts finished the opening session in 22nd with a 1:35.830 on his American Racing Team Kalex.

 

Moto2 FP1

AHRMA: $35,000 Cash Purse Posted For Pro Challenge At Barber

Geoff May (99), Stefano Mesa (37), Hayden Gillim (77X), Chris Fillmore (11R), Rennie Scaysbrook (33X), Gus Rodio (296), and Nate Kern (9T) during the 2023 AHRMA Pro Challenge race. Photo by etechphoto.com, courtesy AHRMA.
Geoff May (99), Stefano Mesa (37), Hayden Gillim (77X), Chris Fillmore (11R), Rennie Scaysbrook (33X), Gus Rodio (296), and Nate Kern (9T) during the 2023 AHRMA Pro Challenge race. Photo by etechphoto.com, courtesy AHRMA.

AHRMA Announces $35,000 Cash Purse for the 2024 AHRMA Pro Challenge at the Barber Vintage Festival

(Knoxville, TN) The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is excited to announce a record $35,000 cash purse for the AHRMA Pro Challenge. The 12 lap race will be held on October 12, 2024, at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL, during the 19th Annual Barber Vintage Festival as part of the 2024 Bridgestone Tires AHRMA Roadracing Series.  Sponsored by Real Steel Motorsports, Southern Honda Powersports, and Fast by Ferracci Racing the race will feature a vast array of today’s most exciting race bikes.

For 2024, the purse has been split among pro and non-pro racers, giving the dedicated AHRMA racers a chance to participate in the cash prizes.

Pro Payout

1st place – $10,000

2nd place – $6,000

3rd place – $4,000

4th place – $3,000

5th place – $2,000

 

Non-pro Payout to AHRMA qualified racers

1st place – $2,000

2nd place – $1,500

3rd place – $1,000

4th place – $750

5th place – $500

 

There will be a special $750 award for the top Non-pro AHRMA racer to finish on a Ducati to Honor Fast By Ferracci Ducati’s 1994 AMA Superbike Championship.

Details regarding racer and machine eligibility can be found here:  https://www.ahrma.org/barber-vintage-festival/pro-challenge-returning-to-barber-vintage-festival/

About AHRMA

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage along with a wide range of modern motorcycles.  With nearly 3,000 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes.

 

British Superbike: Provisional 2025 Schedule Announced

Ryan Vickers (7) leads the start of British Superbike Race One. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Ryan Vickers (7) leads the start of British Superbike Race One at Donington Park earlier this season. Photo courtesy MSVR.

2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship provisional calendar announced

The provisional 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship calendar has been announced today (Friday 27 September).

The 11-round season features a shake-up next year, with the championship kicking off at Oulton Park in Cheshire over the traditional May Bank Holiday weekend, ahead of the first of two outings to Donington Park later in the month.

Snetterton will host round three in June, before the annual visit to Scotland on the opening weekend of July at Knockhill. The much-loved Brands Hatch summer event remains at the end of that month.

August continues to feature another Thruxton thriller before the fans’ favourite Bank Holiday highlight at Cadwell Park at the end of the month.

Donington Park will host the final event of the Main Season when the championship returns at the start of September, before the crucial Showdown title chase takes places across the final three rounds.

The legendary TT Circuit Assen makes a welcome return to the calendar and will host the opening round of the Showdown in mainland Europe for the first time since 2019, as the points’ value increases in the final battle for the title.

The championship then returns to Oulton Park for the penultimate round of the season on the opening weekend of October before the traditional final visit to Brands Hatch for the 2025 title decider two weeks later.

There will be three official tests prior to the start of the 2025 season, with the first taking place in April at Circuito de Navarra, which has just reopened following a multi-million Euro redevelopment.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship Series Director Stuart Higgs commented: “I am delighted to announce our 2025 provisional calendar which will consist of familiar favourites, a returning highlight and tweaks to the order of the events.

“The opening round will start with the early May Bank Holiday weekend at Oulton Park, before a sequence of events at our traditional UK venues. It’s then a return to the Cathedral of Racing, Assen in the Netherlands, to start the Showdown for the first time since 2019, with the circuit in a celebratory mood in the centenary year of the Dutch TT.  Return visits to Oulton Park and Brands Hatch will round up the 29th season of Bennetts BSB in the modern era.

“The full season will kick off with the now traditional Spanish testing period, with the first official track action on 6/7 April at the revitalised Navarra circuit. Fans, teams and riders were already highly impressed with the facility at this year’s opening round and with a multi-million Euro circuit reconfiguration and upgrade just completed everyone is looking forward to seeing the changes first-hand.”

2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship Official Tests

  DATE VENUE
Test 1 6/7 April Circuito de Navarra
Test 2 18/19 April Donington Park GP
Test 3 23/24 April Oulton Park

2025 Provisional Bennetts British Superbike Calendar
 

  DATE VENUE
Round 1 3/4/5 May Oulton Park*
Round 2 16/17/18 May Donington Park GP
Round 3 20/21/22 June Snetterton
Round 4 4/5/6 July Knockhill
Round 5 25/26/27 July Brands Hatch GP
Round 6 8/9/10 August Thruxton
Round 7 23/24/25 August Cadwell Park*
Round 8 5/6/7 September Donington Park GP
Round 9 19/20/21 September TT Circuit Assen
Round 10 3/4/5 October Oulton Park
Round 11 17/18/19 October Brands Hatch GP

* Denotes Bank Holiday weekend.

All dates are provisional and subject to change

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

World Endurance: 2025 Calendar Released

The start of the 2024 Le Mans 24-Hour FIM Endurance World Championship race, in France. Photo courtesy FIM EWC.
The start of the 2024 Le Mans 24-Hour FIM Endurance World Championship race, in France. Photo courtesy FIM EWC.

It’s four to the fore as 2025 FIM EWC is revealed

The race to win the 2025 FIM Endurance World Championship is go with confirmation of the calendar for next year’s 46th EWC season.

Mirroring the schedule that challenged ace motorcycle riders and their teams and captivated global television audiences in 2024, the 2025 fixture list features two 24-hour races and two events held over a duration of eight hours.

The action kicks off with the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans in April and concludes with the Bol d’Or at Circuit Paul Ricard in September. In between are visits to Circuit de Spa Francorchamps for the 8 Hours of Spa Motos in June followed by the 46th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race in August.

As in 2024, all four events will count for the FIM Endurance World Championship for Teams and Manufacturers and the Superstock-based FIM Endurance World Cup for Teams and Manufacturers. However, Superstock squads will continue to count their best three scores.

The newly-announced FIM Production World Trophy will be contested over the three European EWC events in 2025 with the Yamaha R7 Endurance Series a support race during the 24 Heures Motos and the 8 Hours of Spa Motos weekends.

The calendar for the 2024 FIM EWC season follows:

Round 1: 24 Heures Motos, Le Mans, France: 17-20 April

Round 2: 8 Hours of Spa Motos, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium: 6-7 June

Round 3: 46th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race, Suzuka Circuit, Japan: 1-3 August

Round 4: Bol d’Or, Circuit Paul Ricard, France: 18-21 September

Jean-Baptiste Ley, Motorsport Events Director at Warner Bros Discovery Sports, which has just completed its 10th season as promoter of the FIM EWC, said: “We are very pleased to be able to count on four pillar events as the backbone of the EWC again in 2025. Not only have these events continued to provide plenty of unmissable moments for the fans, they have also provided a level of stability that has allowed the EWC to go from strength to strength.

“However, we remain committed to expanding the EWC calendar and continue to work towards that goal. At present, it’s not realistic due to the increased costs for the teams, even with the strong logistical support WBD Sports has offered in the past. As a result, in close collaboration with the FIM, we’ve focused our development on strengthening the EWC pyramid and reinforcing the endurance base. This is essential for nurturing new talent and ensuring the continued growth of endurance racing.

“Considering the significant increase in performance and professionalism among the EWC and Superstock teams in recent years, it was crucial for WBD Sports to concentrate its efforts on keeping the championship as affordable and accessible as possible to newcomers. With a successful four-race format and the creation of the new FIM Production Trophy, the EWC now offers a platform for all categories of teams: from the smallest, passionate privateers who have written some of the most inspiring human stories in endurance racing, to the top manufacturer-supported teams, who deliver an incredible spectacle and thrilling battles every season.”

Paul King, FIM Circuit Racing Commission Director added: “By announcing the 2025 FIM EWC calendar so soon after the completion of the 2024 season we are not only giving the riders and teams the chance to really kick-start their preparations for next year, we are also building on the positive momentum generated throughout 2024.

“WBD Sports has delivered a calendar that offers important stability through the inclusion of four tried and trusted events that hold plenty of appeal as well as being organised to a very high standard. At the same time, while we recognise the ambition to expand the calendar in future years, it’s very important to focus on the development of the EWC pyramid as a means of further strengthening the discipline through the creation of the new FIM Production World Trophy.

“We are also pleased that riders and teams from the new Yamaha R7 Endurance Series will get the chance to experience the EWC as a support race during two events before they hopefully consider following the pathway to the top of endurance racing that the pyramid has created.”

World Supersport: Manzi P1 In FP1 At MotorLand Aragon

Stefano Manzi (62). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Stefano Manzi (62). Photo courtesy Dorna.

Stefano Manzi was quickest during World Supersport Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at MotorLand Aragon, in Spain. Riding his Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing YZF-R6 on spec Pirelli tires, the Italian navigated the 3.15-mile course in 1:53.626 to top the field of 34 riders.

Can Oncu was the best of the rest with a 1:53.647 on his Puccetti Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R.

Orelac Racing Verdnatura Ducati rider Jorge Navarro was third at 1:53.765.

Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise was 11th with a time of 1:54.452 on his Evan Bros. Racing Yamaha.

 

WSS FP1

WorldSBK: Razgatlioglu Back On Top, Gerloff P2 In FP1 At Aragon

Toprak Razgatlioglu (54). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (54). Photo courtesy Dorna.

Toprak Razgatlioglu is back!

After experiencing a horrific crash at Magny-Cours, suffering a collapsed lung, missing two entire rounds, and losing much of his point lead, the Turkish rider came back Friday and led World Superbike Free Practice One (FP1) at MotorLand Aragon. Riding his ROKiT BMW Motorrad M 1000 RR on Pirelli control tires, Razgatlioglu lapped the 3.15-mile course in 1:49.021 to lead the field of 23 riders.

American Garrett Gerloff was the best of the rest with a 1:49.486 on his Bonovo Action BMW.

 

Garrett Gerloff (31). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Garrett Gerloff (31). Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Team HRC Honda’s Xavi Vierge (1:49.493) and Iker Lecuona (1:49.546) were third and fourth, respectively, on their CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Superbikes.

Two-time and defending World Champion Alvaro Bautista rounded out the top five with a 1:49.673 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R.

 

WSBK FP1

MotoGP: Bastianini Best In Tight Field At Mandalika

Enea Bastianini (23). Photo courtesy Ducati.
Enea Bastianini (23). Photo courtesy Ducati.

Enea Bastianini was best in MotoGP World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Fresh off his race win Sunday at Misano II, the Lenovo Team Ducati rider lapped the 2.67-mile course in 1:29.630, which broke Luca Marini’s 2023 All-Time Lap Record of 1:29.978 and led a tight field of 22 riders.

Just 1.368 seconds covered the entire field, and eight riders were under the old lap record.

Second-best in the session was current World Championship point leader Jorge Martin with a 1:29.670 on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati.

Franco Morbidelli, Martin’s teammate and the fastest rider Friday morning, was third-quickest with a 1:29.709.

Francesco Bagnaia, the two-time and defending World Champion and Bastianini’s teammate, was fourth at 1:29.712.

Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Marco Bezzecchi made it a Ducati sweep of the top five spots with a 1:29.844.

Other riders finishing in the top 10 Friday afternoon and earning tickets directly to Qualifying Two on Saturday were: Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo (1:29.844), Gresini Racing Ducati’s Marc Marquez (1:29.995), Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Pedro Acosta (1:29.961), Bezzecchi’s teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio (1:29.986), and Aprilia Racing’s Maverick Vinales (1:30.000).

 

MotoGP FP2

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Crest of a wave: Bastianini beats Martin to P1 with top four split by 0.082s

The Beast turns up the wick in Practice to bag a new Mandalika lap record as Bagnaia leaves it late to pocket P4

 

Enea Bastianini (23). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Enea Bastianini (23). Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Friday, 27 September 2024

A new Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit all-time lap record belongs to Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) after the #23 topped the Practice timesheets on a scorching afternoon in Indonesia. The Emilia-Romagna GP winner surfed his way to a stunning 1:29.630 to lead Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) by just 0.040s, as the World Championship leader’s teammate Franco Morbidelli and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) round out a top four split by less than a tenth. 

It was a fairly eventful start to proceedings on Friday afternoon as we saw Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) crash at Turn 1 in the opening 10 minutes, before we witnessed a classic Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) save – the #93 dug his right elbow and knee into the asphalt and somehow kept his Ducati GP23 sunny side up at Turn 10. Incredible. 

 

Jorge Martin (89). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Jorge Martin (89). Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

A quieter part of the session – in terms of the outright pace – then took place as riders ran through their respective Practice checklists, and despite the crash, Acosta led to timesheets from Marc Marquez heading into the final 25 minutes of Friday afternoon with a 1:30.411. 

Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) was the first rider to slot in a fresh soft rear Michelin tyre for a time attack, and the Italian climbed to P2 on his first effort – 0.004s away from Acosta. 

 

Franco Morbidelli. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Franco Morbidelli. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

With 13 minutes to go, Martin propelled himself to the summit with a 1:30.317 as we strapped in for the Friday afternoon all-in laps. On his next flyer, Martin destroyed the lap record after landing a 1:29.670, with Bagnaia’s first effort 0.888s adrift on his main title rival. The second attack from Pecco was an improved one, but a lap only good enough for P9. 

The other Ducati Lenovo Team rider wasn’t suffering the same troubles though. Bastianini was the new session pacesetter with eight minutes left after ‘The Beast’ set a 1:29.630 – 0.040s faster than Martin. Meanwhile, a crucial final four minutes were coming up for Bagnaia as he found himself in P12. That was soon P9 as Bagnaia improved, as Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) crashed at Turn 16 while shadowing the reigning World Champion. 

And when it mattered most, Bagnaia delivered. The #1 went P9 to P3 before Morbidelli popped up to P3 to demote his compatriot down to P4, as the session ended without any dramas for the top four in the World Championship chase. 

Bezzecchi found a late time to earn P5 on Day 1 in Indonesia, with Fabio Quartararo again impressing on his Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ machine to stick his YZR-M1 in P6 – a phenomenal effort from the Frenchman. Marc Marquez will head straight into Q2 in P7, as the eight-time World Champion completed his good deed of the day to help Pecco get back to the box after the Italian ran out of fuel. 

Acosta, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) are the other riders heading into Q2 automatically, as Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) miss out by less than a tenth in P11 and P12 as Honda continue to show signs of progression. 

So that’s another Friday in the history books. Now, attentions turn to qualifying and the Tissot Sprint as another super Saturday awaits in Indonesia, and as always, you can catch it all on motogp.com!

FP2: 10:10 (UTC +8)

Q1: 10:50

Q2: 11.15

Tissot Sprint: 15:00

 

Oliveira declared unfit for Indonesian GP

Following a Turn 4 highside in Free Practice 1, the Trackhouse Racing star has been ruled out of action in Lombok after sustaining a fractured right wrist. The team confirmed Oliveira underwent a three-dimensional CT scan in the hospital in Mataram to evaluate the need for surgery. 
 

 

Ai Ogura (79). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Ai Ogura (79). Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Ogura tops timesheets full of key contenders on Friday

World Championship leader Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) hit the ground running in Indonesia to lead the pack heading into Saturday’s action thanks to a new lap record around the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit. The Japanese rider’s 1:33.690 saw him beat Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) by 0.057s, as Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) completed the top three, 0.163s away from the summit. 

– Fermin Aldeuger (Beta Tools SpeedUp) showed some strong pace to claim P4 on Day 1 and sit under two tenths shy of his fellow Boscoscuro rider Ogura. 

– 2022 Indonesian GP race winner, Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia), enjoyed a solid start to his Friday with a P5 finish in Practice 1. 

– Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) and the impressive Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) set the exact same lap time to finish P6 and P7 respectively, while title-chasing Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) and Emilia-Romagna GP winner Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) have work to do on Saturday morning from P21 and P23. 

Who will sail into the top 14 by the end of Practice 2? Find out at 09:25, before qualifying gets going at 13:45 in Mandalika. 

 

Colin Veijer (95). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Colin Veijer (95). Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Veijer fastest, Alonso P13 on Day 1

Moto3™ has landed at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit, with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) topping the standings after an impressive Friday. The Dutchman destroyed the lap record, giving him a 0.154s advantage over the field as the only rider in the 1:37s. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) continued his impressive recent form in second, ahead of David Almansa (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team), who claimed a strong P3 after nearly 20 laps in Practice 1.

– It was an eventful start to the weekend, with a number of riders crashing in the fist session of the day including Championship leader David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) at Turn 4 – rider ok but after Practice 1 in the afternoon, he sits P13 but two places ahead of key rival Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)

– Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) would dip under the lap record first in the afternoon before Veijer grabbed top spot – taking the fight to Honda after a notable day for the Japanese factory. By the end of play, four Hondas complete the top five: Fernandez, Almansa, his teammate Matteo Bertelle and Lunetta

– Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA), who had a strong day to finish ahead of Round 12 winner Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in seventh. Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) took eighth on his first visit to the track, after topping the first session too. Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) and Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP’s Tatsuki Suzuki complete the top ten

Can Alonso move forward on Saturday? Tune in for P2 at 8:40 (UTC+8) before qualifying from 12:50 to find out!

Moto2: Ogura Breaks Lap Record In Indonesia

Ai Ogura. Photo courtesy Pirelli.
Ai Ogura. Photo courtesy Pirelli.

Ai Ogura was fastest during Moto2 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his MT Helmets – MSI Boscoscuro on Pirelli control tires, the Japanese star lapped the 2.67-mile course in 1:33.690, cracking Aron Canet’s 2023 All-Time Lap Record of 1:33.847.

Canet was also under the old record with a time of 1:33.747 on his Fantic Racing Kalex, but that was only good enough for second-best Friday afternoon.

Elf Marc VDS Racing Team’s Tony Arbolino was third with a 1:33.853 on his Kalex.

American Joe Roberts improved from P22 in Friday morning’s practice to P10 in Friday afternoon’s session with a 1:34.277 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

 

Moto2 FP2

Moto3: Veijer Smashes Lap Record At Mandalika

Colin Veijer (95). Photo courtesy Intact GP.
Colin Veijer (95). Photo courtesy Intact GP.

Colin Veijer was fastest during Moto3 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. On board his Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna, the young Dutchman lapped the 2.67-mile course in 1:37.942, leading the field of 27 riders and smashing Jaume Masia’s 2023 All-Time Lap Record of 1:38.781.

 

Moto3 FP2

MotoGP: Morbidelli Quickest In Opening Practice In Indonesia

Franco Morbidelli (21). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Franco Morbidelli (21). Photo courtesy Dorna.

Franco Morbidelli was quickest during MotoGP World Championship practice Friday morning at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his Michelin-shod Prima Pramac Racing Ducati Desmosedici, the Italian covered the 2.67-mile road course in 1:30.689, topping the field of 22 riders.

Factory Aprilia rider Maverick Vinales was the best of the rest and the only other rider in the 1:30 range with a 1:30.910 on his RS-GP.

Jorge Martin, Morbidelli’s teammate and the current World Championship point leader, was third with a lap time of 1:31.218.

Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s rookie sensation Pedro Acosta made it three different brands in the top four with a 1:31.271 on his RC16.

Johann Zarco gave Honda fans some hope with a fifth-fastest 1:31.456 on his LCR Honda RC213V.

 

MotoGP FP1

Moto2: Aldeguer Heads Opening Practice At Mandalika

Fermin Aldeguer (54). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Fermin Aldeguer (54). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Fermin Aldeguer topped Moto2 World Championship practice Friday morning at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding a Beta Tools SpeedUp Boscoscuro on spec Pirelli tires, the soon-to-be MotoGP rider turned a lap of 1:33.955 around the 2.67-mile track and led the 28-rider field.

Aron Canet was second-best with a 1:34.005 on his Fantic Racing Kalex.

Tony Arbolino was third with a lap of 1:34.229 on his Elf Marc VDS Racing Team Kalex.

American Joe Roberts finished the opening session in 22nd with a 1:35.830 on his American Racing Team Kalex.

 

Moto2 FP1
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