This coming weekend, June 28 -30, the Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA) holds the fourth round of its 2019 season at MSR Houston in Angleton, Texas. The track is located 13 miles south of Highway 6 off Highway 288. MSR Houston is a 17-turn, 2.38 mile full road course.

Registration and Tech open for all activities at 6:30 a.m. Friday. The full weekend’s event schedule can be found here: http://www.cmra-racing.com/2019-schedule/

Friday is a full day of CMRA Racer Practice, CMRA New Racer School, and Track Experience for the track day riders that want to experience the same track the racers are racing. Bring a friend along to ride Track Experience and help you pit! Track Experience is $150 and offers an optional mock race at the end of the day!

Saturday’s schedule has 2 hours of morning practice, followed by integrated Big Bike and Lightweight sprints, as well as Mini Sprints. Lightweight Team 60 and Super Teams round out Saturday’s racing activities.

Sunday’s schedule is packed full with more Big bike/Lightweight integrated sprints, with a longer morning practice and qualifying for Formula 1 Expert, C Superbike Expert, Formula 2 Expert, and 500 GP Expert.

Taqueria Don Taco’s food truck will be there starting Friday at 10 am and serving until 4 pm, then 7am – 4 pm Saturday, 7am – 4 pm Sunday.

The Jennifer Millsap Foundation “Fight Like A Girl” award is also on this weekend, with $250 going to the expert or novice racer with the most accumulated points in the overall championship classes. A spectator lap of the track will be conducted during the lunch break, schedule and weather permitting.

Gates open each day at 6:00 a.m. and we race rain or shine! Weekend entry into the event is only $20 on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and just $15 on Sunday. There is a $5 wristband refund for participants leaving Saturday night – turn in your wristband at the gate as you leave. Tickets are good for the entire weekend. Ride your street bike to the event and you’ll pay just $5 for entry on both Saturday and Sunday! Kids 12 and under are free. A spectator lap of the track will be conducted during the lunch break on Sunday, schedule and weather permitting.

Please note that NO PETS are allowed at any of the CMRA race events.

On behalf of our racers, the CMRA would like to thank our 2019 Class Sponsors including: 3:16 Track Days, Bell Helmets, JBM Enterprises, Jennifer Millsap Foundation, Metric Garage, MotorSport Ranch, RES, Road & Track Suspension, SportRiderCoaching, The Realtime Group/Shakespeare, TX Toy Sales, and Von Hertell Racing Services. Please remember to support the products and services of the companies who support you!

For more information about this event and a detailed event schedule, please visit our website at www.cmra-racing.com or call the CMRA office at 817-570-9779.

Bridewell leads the pack with Brookes set to fight for Integro Triple Crown prize

Tommy Bridewell tops the Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings ahead of Knockhill this weekend (June 28/29/30) and his Oxford Racing Ducati team is aiming for its first victory in the series at the Scottish circuit.

There have been four different race winners so far this season, with a further four riders claiming podium finishes from the opening four rounds. However as Bridewell targets his first 2019 victory, Brands Hatch double race winner Josh Brookes will have all eyes on him as he arrives in Scotland with a fighting chance of scooping the incredible £75,000 Integro Triple Crown prize.

The new incentive offers a rider the chance to bag £50,000 for winning all six races at the Brands Hatch, Knockhill and Snetterton rounds, plus a £25,000 three-circuit win bonus. Brookes completed the double in Kent, which means he is the only rider who can still net the top prize. And if he manages to secure five of the six race victories, he can still scoop a £40,000 prize and the £25,000 three circuit bonus.

If the Be Wiser Ducati rider scores the double win at Knockhill this weekend then he is guaranteed to take home at least £30,000 for claiming four of the six victories. However if another rider stakes his claim to the Integro Triple Crown and takes a double win at Knockhill, then it will mean a head-to-head battle at the final round of the competition at Snetterton between Brookes and the Knockhill double race winner to try to secure a £30,000 prize for winning any four of the six races.

Bridewell has netted three second places on his ascendency to the top of the table and is determined to overhaul his rivals this weekend, but the circuit has previously been a happy hunting ground for the Kawasaki teams with Team Green winning 11 of the last 13 races in Scotland.

No rider on the current Bennetts BSB grid has won a race at Knockhill, but FS-3 Racing Kawasaki’s Danny Buchan will be confident of success in Scotland after scoring a double podium finish last year; sharing the top three steps with eventual champion Leon Haslam and runner-up Jake Dixon.

The weekend marks another new circuit for Donington Park triple race winner Scott Redding; the Be Wiser Ducati rider had a taste of the track at a recent test and he will be looking to add to his tally of podium points.

Home-grown favourite Tarran Mackenzie is set to return to action at Knockhill with McAMS Yamaha after he was sidelined at Brands Hatch. The 23-year-old still holds fourth place in the overall standings and has fond memories of the circuit where he began his racing career.

Buchan holds fifth in the standings, with Honda Racing’s Xavi Forés locking out the final place in the top six ahead of this weekend as he prepares for his first races at the circuit. The Spanish contender looking forward to the Knockhill event after a test earlier in the season.

Christian Iddon leads the BMW charge for the Tyco team in seventh as he bids to claw his way into the top six for the first time this season. He holds a narrow two-point advantage over Peter Hickman for the Smiths Racing BMW team. Hickman is equally under fire from Andrew Irwin on the second of the Honda Racing Fireblades with a two-point edge, with Jason O’Halloran separated by just a further two points.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:

Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Racing Ducati) 145

Scott Redding (Be Wiser Ducati) 131

Josh Brookes (Be Wiser Ducati) 124

Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 108

Danny Buchan (FS3-Racing Kawasaki) 94

Xavi Forés (Honda Racing) 75

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

Tommy Bridewell – Oxford Racing Ducati

Championship leader

“I didn’t expect to be leading the championship going to Knockhill, but it has been so positive so far this season and we have been up there fighting for podiums and wins. I thought the new bike would be strong but we are where we are because we have been consistent and that makes the difference.

“If I am honest, I feel a bit unsure about Knockhill and how the Ducati will be there; ultimately every circuit we have been to so far have had different characteristics, but we haven’t ridden the bike on such a short, intense circuit yet. Every round so far we have gone to feeling confident of fighting for wins but we will have to see what the Ducati goes like there. From the past, Kawasaki have been really strong there and our bikes are very different so I think qualifying will play a massive part because it is that kind of circuit.

“We have been so close but never quite close enough to the win so far! It’s always about winning; at Brands Hatch I was giving it everything. It certainly isn’t through the lack of trying that we haven’t won one yet this year! It’s the podium points that matter and so I have to be finishing in the top three every race. Anything outside of that is almost irrelevant because they will be what is important in the Showdown. So if I am say in fourth on the final lap you can bet that I will be going for third that’s for sure!”

More, from a press release issued by Be Wiser Ducati:

Seven Star Be Wiser Ducati Head For Knockhill

The Be Wiser Ducati British Superbike Championship team make the relatively short trip north Be Wiser Podiumfrom their Cumbria workshops to Knockhill in Fife this weekend whereby round five of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship takes place.

And with riders Josh Brookes and Scott Redding winning the last seven races between them, confidence is high in Paul Bird’s Penrith-based squad as they look to extend their winning advantage in Sunday’s two races up in Scotland.

Last time out at Brands Hatch in round four, it was 36-year-old Australian Brookes who dominated, taking the factory-supported Be Wiser Ducati Panigale V4 R to a superb double to repeat what he did in round two at Oulton Park last month.

Sandwiched in between at round three was a treble victory for 26-year-old Gloucestershire rider Redding who was unbeatable at Donington Park meaning both riders arrive at Knockhill well placed in the standings with ex-MotoGP rider Redding in second place behind fellow Ducati mounted Tommy Bridewell and 2015 BSB champion Brookes in third.

The team tested there earlier this month and were happy with progress so go in search of more success north of the border which has recently included a victory for Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne’s in 2016 which he followed up with a double podium a year later whilst last year, Glenn Irwin scored a pair of hard fought fourth place finishes around the tight and twisty 1.27-mile track.

Meanwhile, there’s another incentive for Brookes who stands to be guaranteed a minimum £30,000 Integro Triple Summer Crown bonus if he picks up the two wins at Knockhill to make it four in a row. A £75,000 prize is on offer for any rider that can win all six races at rounds four (Brands Hatch), five (Knockhill) and six (Snetterton).

Scott Redding: “It’s sure going to be different this weekend but I’m really looking forward to racing at Knockhill. We got some laps in at the recent test so that will help us and I enjoyed the different challenge of the track but we know this round will be hard. The plan is to give it a good shot and improve throughout the weekend and if I can come away with a podium or two, that would be amazing. Most of all, I’m really looking forward to racing in front of the Scottish fans who I’ve heard are brilliant so hopefully we can give them something to cheer about.”

Josh Brookes: “We have shown good pace so far this year and the plan is to maintain our focus Brookes & Reddingwhen we arrive at Knockhill. The bike is getting better all the time and I need to ensure I keep my side of the deal. This is a different challenge for us with the track being so different to what we are used to but at the recent test, we highlighted areas we needed to improve, and we seem to have resolved them after the double victory last time out. It’s fair to say this is not my favourite track but this year I’m feeling so much more positive.”

Johnny Mowatt, Team Co-ordinator: “Be Wiser Ducati are really looking forward to competing at what we class as a local track for us. Both Scott and Josh are riding really well and are in a good place right now and both are looking forward to a different challenge ahead of this weekend at Knockhill. It’s a short lap but offers good close racing with plenty of passing places so fingers crossed we can carry on our good run of results and fight for race wins again this weekend.”

There is live action on television with Datatag Extreme Qualifying on Saturday and both of Sunday’s races screened live also on Eurosport between 13:00 and 18:00 with highlights throughout the week repeated on both Eurosport and ITV4.

For further information, please visit the team’s website, www.pbmuk.net and the official website of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship www.britishsuperbike.com.

Mees Under the Spotlight as AFT Heads to Lima Half-Mile

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 25, 2019) – As the 2019 American Flat Track paddock makes its annual pilgrimage to the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio, for the Indian Motorcycle Lima Half-Mile Presented By Johnny K’s Indian powered by Drag Specialties on Saturday, June 29, the spotlight shifts its glare back to reigning Grand National Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750).

Mees’ younger Indian Wrecking Crew teammates have stolen away some of the attention he so thoroughly demanded during back-to-back AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines title runs in 2017 and 2018. Briar Bauman (No. 14 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) currently holds a 34-point championship lead on the strength of a perfect seven-for-seven podium record in 2019, while Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) rides into the Lima Half-Mile still savoring his maiden premier-class victory.

For Mees, the Lima Half-Mile represents equal parts pressure, opportunity, and responsibility. It’s not only his home race, he’s also the event promoter. It also just happens to be exactly the sort of demanding, physical track that Mees loves to conquer as a showcase of his ability and focus.

That increased focus can play out in more than one way. In 2017, the Lima Half-Mile was the only Main Event Mees failed to qualify for — or podium for that matter — due to penalties he incurred for jumping the start in his semi. A year later, he got his redemption in the form of a runaway victory that was arguably the centerpiece performance of his successful 2018 title defense.

Which way things go in 2019 could very well play an important role in determining if Mees will be able to secure three consecutive Grand National Championships. Winning this weekend could be far from easy; Briar Bauman took the Main in 2017 in dominant fashion and second-ranked Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Kennedy Racing/Armbruster Racing Indian FTR750) took top honors at the venue in 2016.

Fans should also keep their eyes on last year’s race runner-up Jeffrey Carver Jr. (No. 23 Roof-Systems of Dallas/Indian of Metro Milwaukee FTR750), the returning JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), Harley teammates Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Team XG750R Rev X) and Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Team XG750R Rev X), and so many others with the potential to steal the spotlight for themselves.

The showdown in the Roof Systems AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys class should be equally intriguing. Shayna Texter (No. 52 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing SX-F 450) comes in as the defending Lima Half-Mile winner, while AFT Singles points leader Mikey Rush (No. 15 RMR Honda/Red Riders Rewards Honda CRF450R) is riding a two-race win streak.

There’s also the likes of Dalton Gauthier (No. 122 D&D Cycles/Gobert Smash Husqvarna FC450), Dan Bromley (No. 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F) and Ryan Wells (No. 94 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) to take into consideration.

Fans should also keep an eye on Dallas Daniels (No.163 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), as this challenging track marks the debut event for the fresh-blooded wunderkind of the already-formidable Estenson Racing front.

As an added bonus, the AFT Production Twins championship fight resumes this weekend after sitting the Laconia Short Track out. After three races, it’s Cory Texter (No. 65 G&G Racing/Holeshot Powersports Yamaha MT-07) against the field. Unless someone can stop him, Texter is in position to up his perfect season’s win streak to four this weekend.

Not surprisingly, fans of Jared Mees will notice a number of familiar backers this weekend. Along with presenting sponsor Johnny K’s Indian, several of Mees’ sponsors have come aboard to help support the race, including Drag Specialties, S&S Cycle, Lucas Oil, and J&P Cycles.

There’s some extra incentive to pick up an event t-shirt, as a dollar for each event shirt sold will go to support Mees’ former Indian Wrecking Crew teammate Brad Baker.

Tickets for the Indian Motorcycle Lima Half-Mile are on sale here. Advance tickets start at just $30.

For fans watching remotely, FansChoice.tv will offer live coverage of the Lima Half-Mile when the gates open at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Opening Ceremonies are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m PT. The AFT Production Twins Main Event will get underway at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT, followed by the Open Paddock/Rider Autograph Session at 7:40 p.m. ET/4:40 p.m. PT. The remainder of the Main Event program is slated to kick off at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT

Be sure to catch the feature broadcast of the Indian Motorcycle Lima Half-Mile Presented By Johnny K’s Indian powered by Drag Specialties on NBCSN with flag-to-flag coverage of the Main Events, enhanced by exclusive features and cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage. The broadcast will debut on Saturday, July 6, at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT and will re-air on Monday, July 8, at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT.

For more information on American Flat Track visit www.americanflattrack.com.

To get the latest American Flat Track clothing and merchandise visit www.americanflattracker.com.

How to Watch:

NBCSN and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of American Flat Track. For the 2019 season, NBCSN’s coverage of AFT moves to highly-coveted, weekend afternoon programming slots within two weeks of each event. The complete schedule for AFT on NBCSN can be viewed at http://www.americanflattrack.com/events-nbcsn/. FansChoice.tv remains a cornerstone of AFT’s digital strategy, providing live streaming coverage of every event on AFT’s live page while previous events and exclusive features are available on AFT’s VOD page.

About American Flat Track:

American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on American Flat Track, please visit http://www.americanflattrack.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram, live stream the events at FansChoice.tv and catch all the American Flat Track racing action on NBCSN.

It is time to crank it up a notch if the 24 chasing Red Bull MotoGP Rookies are going to keep points leader Carlos Tatay in their sights. The 16-year-old Spaniard was off over the Tuscan hills last time out and the chasing pack need to make sure he doesn’t disappear again this coming weekend in the Netherlands.

Assen is a very different circuit of course, flatter and narrower than Mugello but that alone is not going to make a difference. Tatay put a lot of thought into the way he tackled the race in Italy, spending time in practice not just getting the bike sorted for a quick lap in Qualifying but working on the way he would run the race, both with other riders around and alone.

He is bound to be just as thorough this coming weekend and the other Rookies have to match him. Yuki Kunii has the skills and intelligence to do just that and the 16-year-old Japanese was extremely unlucky to get caught up in the last lap crash and left Mugello with no points after matching Tatay completely in Jerez.

The others have yet to prove that they can get the better of Tatay and Kunii, though Barry Baltus came closest with his spirited rides in Spain and was also in the podium hunt in Italy. He will have a good number of fans making the short trip from Belgium to Assen, adding to the 15-year-old’s desire for a great result.

The biggest cheers of course will be for local hero 13-year-old Zonta van den Goorbergh but while Baltus feels that his generous size and weight is a disadvantage on the KTM RC 250 R, van den Goorbergh is one of the lightest of the young lions and the lighter riders often find the weighted Moto3 spec bikes quite a handful.

It is also only his fourth and fifth Rookies Cup races, having stepped up quite a jump from his previous experience. So he and other 13-year-old newcomers like American Tyler Scott and German Phillip Tonn still have a lot of learning to do.

That is what Rookies Cup is all about of course, learning. Naturally we like to talk about the ex Rookies who collectively have already won 95 Grand Prix and stood on 270 podiums on their way to 6 World Championships but every one learnt in the Rookies Cup, Johann Zarco, Brad Binder, Jorge Martín et al.

So let them all learn to be a little bolder on the polder and take the battle as close to Carlos Tatay as they can.

HUSQVARNA MOTORCYCLES LAUNCH FIRST EVER ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE, THE ALL-NEW EE 5

ELECTRIC ENGINED COMPETITION MINICYCLE BREAKS NEW GROUND WITH PIONEERING DESIGN AND STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY

Husqvarna Motorcycles are proud to launch the new EE 5 – an electric engine Minicycle that continues the brand’s pioneering motocross journey and delivers a complete and fully adaptable, five-kilowatt competition machine. Set to rival any 50cc fuel-powered motorcycle, the quick-charging EE 5 combines the latest high-quality componentry with bodywork specifically designed to give young riders an ergonomically effortless, all-electric riding experience.

The first ever electric model from Husqvarna Motorcycles, the EE 5 offers youngsters an environmentally friendly way to learn, compete and have fun. Easily adaptable, the ride height can be simply adjusted to keep pace with an improving or growing rider. Delivering two hours of riding enjoyment for beginners and 25 minutes for serious racers, the supplied charger takes just 70 minutes to fully charge the lithium-ion battery.

Featuring the latest suspension technology, the EE 5 is fitted with 35 mm WP XACT forks that offer 205 mm of travel and combined with a fully-adjustable WP rear shock ensure exceptional damping characteristics. A high-strength chromoly frame, hydraulically operated brakes, lightweight wheels, tapered NEKEN handlebars and striking graphics complete Husqvarna Motorcycles pioneering, all-new EE 5 machine.

EE 5 TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS

• State-of-the-art electric motor with 5 kW peak performance

• 6 different ride modes, easy to select

• 907 Wh lithium-ion battery

• Quick charging

• High-end chassis with race proven technology

• Modern, Swedish-inspired design

• Ergonomic bodywork and adjustable seat height

• WP suspension – XACT air fork and rear shock – for advanced performance and control

Accompanying the EE 5, Husqvarna Motorcycles offer the KIDS RAILED GEAR – a range of offroad clothing and protective equipment that ensures safe and comfortable riding. Designed specifically with tomorrow’s champions in mind, premium materials are mixed to ensure stylish and functional garments. In addition, a line-up of ACCESSORIES is available for the EE 5, which enhance performance and increases protection.

The new Husqvarna EE 5 will start to be available worldwide from July 2019 onwards at all authorised Husqvarna Motorcycles Dealers (excluding North America where the EE 5 will be available in Autumn 2019). Availability may vary from country to country. For all details on pricing and availability, please refer to your national Husqvarna Motorcycles Subsidiary or Importer.

Assen awaits the Repsol Honda Team

With an extended championship lead and a successful test, the Repsol Honda Team arrive in Assen with clear goals.

Known at ‘The Cathedral’, Assen is steeped in history as the only circuit to have hosted a round of the World Championship every year since 1949. The fast and flowing nature of the 4.5km long circuit has traditionally produced some of the most exciting races of the year.

Reigning World Champion Marc Marquez arrives with a comfortable margin over his title rivals, but knows he can’t relent for a second. Fortunately, Marquez has an impeccable record in Assen having finished on the podium in each of his six premier class starts. A positive and productive post-race test in Barcelona allowed Marquez and his Repsol Honda Team to assess a number of future options and potential setup changes to benefit them in Assen and beyond.

For Jorge Lorenzo, the TT Assen represents a chance to once again demonstrate the speed he showed in the opening laps of the Catalan GP. An ever-improving feeling with the Honda RC213V is bringing Lorenzo closer and closer to the front of the field. Time between the test and next round of the MotoGP World Championship has allowed Lorenzo to fully recover from his crash during testing.

Honda will also celebrate their 60th racing anniversary over the course of the Assen TT weekend. A number of legendary bikes and riders will be on display and in attendance over the weekend, including a special press conference on Friday.

Marc Marquez

“Assen is a circuit where you need to be very precise and it’s difficult to be consistent there. To be strong in the fast change of directions is really important to go well at Assen. I’m looking forward to racing there again as we have had some good battles in the past and have put on a great show for the fans. I am sure we will have a great race on Sunday. The weather is also looking good so I am confident we can have a strong weekend.”

Jorge Lorenzo

“We come here after our most consistent weekend of the year in Barcelona. The end result was not as we wanted but all weekend we were able to be competitive and keep improving the bike, this is what I want to do again this weekend. If we continue to work in this way with the Repsol Honda Team, we can again have the speed like we did in Barcelona.”