AFT Rallies to Inaugural Laconia Short Track

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 11, 2019) – Already established as a featured attraction during both Daytona Bike Week and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, American Flat Track adds another of the largest, most historic two-wheeled events to its calendar. The inaugural running of the Laconia Short Track presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys takes place this weekend during the famous Laconia Motorcycle Week on Saturday, June 15, at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Currently celebrating its 96th anniversary, Laconia Bike Week is the world’s oldest motorcycle rally and draws an attendance of more than a quarter of a million people annually. The Laconia Short Track is an exciting addition to an already jam-packed week, featuring an all-new 0.25-mile circuit known simply as “The Flat Track” at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The pressure-cooker confines of Short Track racing should only crank up the tension as defending AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) targets the points advantage of current leader Briar Bauman (No. 14 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750).

The Indian Wrecking Crew teammates appear destined for a season-long struggle for supremacy with Bauman now six for six in 2019 podium appearances and Mees tapping back into the dominant form that saw him collect 20 victories and two championships over the previous two seasons.

Just behind those two are an impressive number of premier-class superstars boasting the requisite talent and speed to prevent this season from transforming into a two-rider race, however.

Third-ranked Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Kennedy Racing/Armbruster Racing Indian FTR750) has already scooped a pair of wins in 2019, including the season’s first stop at a Short Track in Atlanta.

Henry Wiles (No. 17 Bandit Industries/DPC Racing/Wilco Racing Indian FTR750), meanwhile, can claim sole possession of American Flat Track’s career ST wins record with a victory in Saturday’s Main Event. He currently sits tied atop the all-time leaderboard alongside the legendary Chris Carr with nine wins apiece.

While the recent success of rivals Jesse Janisch (No. 132 Roof Systems Dallas TX/Öhlins Yamaha YZ450F) and Mikey Rush (No. 15 RMR Honda/Red Riders Rewards Honda CRF450R) may have relegated Dalton Gauthier (No. 122 D&D Cycles/Gobert Smash Husqvarna FC450) to third in the 2019 Roof Systems AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys championship order, the Pennsylvania native could be primed to strike back this weekend.

The “Comeback Kid” is a threat to win anywhere the Roof Systems AFT Singles class lines up, but he’s a particularly effective Short Track ace. Gautier boasts Short Track wins in three different seasons (Daytona I, 2016, Atlanta ST 2017 and 2019), and could potentially reclaim the title lead with a similarly strong outing this weekend.

The Laconia Short Track will provide plenty of entertainment value off the track as well. Bad Medicine — a versatile cover band with a strong ‘80s rock vibe — will keep things rolling, while the Fan Zone will feature dedicated motorcycle parking, numerous vendors and a selection of food and drink options courtesy of the local food truck food court present on-site.

VIP Packages include exclusive access to a private VIP grandstand seating area with food and beverage provided. VIP tickets to this premiere Laconia Motorcycle Week event are selling fast, so get yours today. General admission tickets start at just $35 and kids 12 and under are free. All tickets for the Laconia Short Track are on sale now at tickets.americanflattrack.com. Advance tickets start at $35 and kids 12 and under are free.

For fans watching remotely, FansChoice.tv will offer live coverage of the Laconia Short Track beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET/8:30 a.m. PT. Gates open at 12:00 p.m. ET/9:00 a.m. PT. Opening Ceremonies are scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m PT, followed by the Open Paddock/Rider Autograph Session at 4:45 p.m. ET/1:45 p.m. PT. The Main Event program is slated to kick off at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT

Be sure to catch the feature broadcast of the Laconia Short Track presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys on NBCSN with flag-to-flag coverage of both Main Events, enhanced by exclusive features and cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage. The broadcast will debut on Sunday, June 23, at 1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT and will re-air on Tuesday, June 25, at 4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.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.

Repsol Honda Team hunt home glory in Barcelona

With the lead in the Rider and Constructor World Championships in hand, the Repsol Honda Team arrives in Barcelona ready to fight.

After a scintillating Italian GP, the Repsol Honda Team enters the Catalan GP with renewed vigour after narrowly missing out on victory in Mugello. Both Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo are looking forward to added support from home fans at the 4.6km long Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Marquez has enjoyed a consistent podium record at the Catalan GP, failing to finish in the top three just once in the premier class. This bodes well as Marquez looks to continue building his championship lead over his title rivals, the reigning MotoGP World Champion currently 12 points clear of Dovizioso.

Jorge Lorenzo, current holder of the pole position and fastest race lap records at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, is hoping to rediscover his feeling from Le Mans on the RC213V. With five wins and seven podiums to his name, Lorenzo has enjoyed multiple successes at his home race in the past and arrives optimistic of more progress.

Free Practice 1 begins the weekend at 09:55 local time Friday, June 14 with the 24-lap Catalan GP commencing at 14:00 local time on Sunday, June 16. A one-day in-season test follows the Grand Prix on Monday.

Marc Marquez

“We arrive in good form after Mugello. The bike and I are in a very good position now, I was able to rest a little between races and I’m back to full strength. There’s always a bit more excitement heading into a home GP and it’s always a great pleasure to ride in front of all the fans. I’m hopeful of another strong result here in Catalunya to continue the work we’ve been doing.”

Jorge Lorenzo

“After a mixed weekend in Mugello, I am hoping that we can do good work this weekend in Barcelona. We will keep working at our maximum to close the gap to the front. We also have a test after the race, which I am looking forward to as well. I had a very interesting trip to Japan and we were able to work on many things, some which will help this weekend and some for the future.”

Mikey Shreve rode his Yamaha R1 to a blistering 1:06.75 lap during ESP Formula Arroyo qualifying to break the outright Arroyo Seco Raceway Counter Clockwise motorcycle lap record of 1:06.77 set by Chris Peris in November of 2010. Shreve also turned in a 1:07.1 during the Kurveygirl.com Unlimited Superbike race at Round 4 of the ASMA road race series. Shreve used Pirelli Sc1 front and Sc0 rear tires to set those times.

Shreve is sponsored by Evan Steel Performance, Pirelli, CT Racing, Bobby J’s Yamaha, Law Tigers, Speedin Motorsports, ASMA Racing and Triumph of Albuquerque.

More, from a press release issued by Pirelli:

Pirelli Captures Third Absolute Motorcycle Track Record of 2019 with Mikey Shreve at Arroyo Seco Raceway

Shreve Earns Pirelli Tire Voucher on DIABLO™ Superbike Slicks

ROME, Ga. – Pirelli Tire North America congratulates Mikey Shreve on capturing the brand’s third absolute motorcycle track record of 2019. Competing aboard a Yamaha YZF-R1, Shreve set the track record at Arroyo Seco Raceway during the fourth round of the ASMA Road Race Series.

“Mikey has been working very hard on improving his race craft,” said Oscar Solis, road racing manager, Pirelli. “He recently teamed up with the Pirelli brand and it has been great to see the confidence that our tires have given him, which shows in his results on the racetrack. Congrats Mikey!”

Shreve set the impressive lap record of 1:06.75 during the ESP Formula Arroyo qualifying, topping the previous track record of 106.77 that was set back in 2010 by Chris Peris. Shreve’s R1 was equipped with Pirelli DIABLO™ Superbike 120/70-17 SC1 front and 200/60-17 SC0 rear tires.

“I couldn’t have captured this track record without my Pirelli tires,” said Shreve. “These are the best tires that I have ever been on in my racing career and it’s huge for my confidence knowing that they are up for the job when going flat out.”

Pirelli continues to offer a tire voucher prize for setting a new motorcycle track record and Shreve’s efforts made him the third rider to earn the reward this year.

To learn more about the complete line of Pirelli motorcycle tires, please visit www.pirelli.com.

Can Catalunya serve up another MotoGP™ masterpiece?

Mugello was more than just another race. Will Barcelona be another work of art?

Monday, 10 June 2019

A four-way fight on the final lap, a freight train battle of the ages before that…Mugello showcased the best of MotoGP™. And when all was said and done, Danilo Petrucci (Mission Winnow Ducati) may have been the man making the history, but Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was the man making the gains. A P2 for the points leader, ahead of closest rival Andrea Dovizioso (Mission Winnow Ducati) despite the defeat, means he’s 12 points clear heading into the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya and however much a win in enemy territory means, a win on home turf is something different. The number 93 will be gunning for glory and revenge all at the same time at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, and on a very special occasion: the 70th anniversary of the Championship.

The good news for the competition is Ducati were back on the top step in Mugello and last year a win in Tuscany preceded one next time out. In addition, Catalunya isn’t a track where the number 93 has been imperious to the point of competitors needing to start the Jaws music. Even more good news is that some serious smart racing in the front group at Mugello – with Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) in the mix – made it hard work for Marquez at the front and gave him no chance to escape. Can the likes of Miller, Rins, Dovizioso, Petrucci take on the reigning Champion once again this weekend? Rins and Dovizioso in particular will be focused on better grid positions to try and do just that.

The man who made the most famous move in the history of the circuit in Montmelo, meanwhile, has a top record at the track and he’ll need to add to it. For Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) it was a nightmare home weekend, but the ‘Doctor’ has been a master of the comeback on many given Sundays and he’s now the one with that extra incentive of winning in ‘enemy’ territory. Teammate Maverick Viñales has that home venue extra motivation, however, and so the battle between the two should be a highlight. And, as always, there will likely be Iwata marque Independent Team runners Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) and teammate Franco Morbidelli to contend with. Quartararo may have had surgery for arm pump before Barcelona, but he’s also a record-breaker despite being a rookie and has form at the track.

Speaking of form, Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) is another man of the moment. Impressive in Italy – as ever – and taking the fight forward for the Austrian factory, Pol Espargaro – along with brother Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) – is a true home hero. The two are from just up the road and that adds something extra special to the Catalan Grand Prix. Add to that the battle between KTM and Aprilia in the standings and it’s a fight with a lot on the line.

For Jorge Lorenzo (Repsol Honda Team) that’s also true as the number 99 continues to struggle on the Honda, but with injuries now playing much less of a role in his races and his record in Barcelona a shining one, a turning point could be just around the corner. Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) also wants a turnaround of sorts after a tougher run, and he’ll want to hit back against sophomore teammate Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) after the Japanese rider was top Independent Team rider at Mugello and took his best premier class finish yet in fifth.

So many questions remain ahead of Barcelona. Can Marquez strike back? Did Petrucci begin to turn the tide? Can Dovi capitalise in the title fight? Will Rins be an even bigger threat if he gets a better Saturday under his belt? Can Quartararo last the distance? And can Rossi and Viñales, two of the fastest men in the world, come out swinging in Catalunya?

Mugello showed it’s far from a done deal in 2019, no matter what script was written the race before. This weekend everything could change again – so be ready when the lights go out at 14:00 local time (GMT +2) on Sunday.

Championship standings

1 – Marc Marquez (SPA – Honda) – 115

2 – Andrea Dovizioso (ITA – Ducati) – 103

3 – Alex Rins (SPA – Suzuki) – 88

4 – Danilo Petrucci (ITA – Ducati) – 82

5 – Valentino Rossi (ITA – Yamaha) – 72

Is Marquez the new man to beat in Moto2™?

After two dominant wins, there’s a new rider with a target on his back – and now it’s his home turf

Le Mans was an impressive victory for Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), but a few weeks and a follow up demolition job at Mugello later it’s time to ask whether it was a little more than simply a first win of the season. Was Le Mans the point at which Marquez’ full hand was played, and Mugello proof he’s the new man to beat?

If we rewind to Jerez and play a little game of what if with what seemed like bad luck at the time, the Championship could look pretty different. Marquez has form in Spain and destroyed the opposition in 2017, and what we’ve seen since Jerez this season has been more than mere ‘form’. That’s enough to merit some questions about the standings: Marquez is two points off the top as it stands, and a win or podium at Jerez would have put him 14 to 23 points clear. And, if one Marquez looking imperious wasn’t enough, the last time Alex Marquez took back to back wins was in 2014 and they came at Catalunya and Assen – the next two tracks on the calendar. Barcelona and home turf will be a test for the EG 0,0 Marc VDS rider, but expect him to come out swinging.

Championship leader Lorenzo Baldassarri (Flexbox HP40) will be the first of those aiming to stand in his way. After a ‘win or bin’ beginning to the season, he’s hanging on to the top and Mugello was a big positive despite the number 7 not taking a podium at home – he didn’t crash out and rode back from P15 on the grid to an impressive P4. Those points were valuable, as a single position lower would see him equal on points with Marquez. And then there’s Tom Lüthi (Dynavolt Intact GP), who is only four points off the top and the third of the three men to have shared the wins so far this year. The Swiss veteran didn’t have the pace at Mugello for the win but he kept it on the podium and consistency is key. After a tricky Le Mans, that’s a good sign and he will surely be a threat again at Catalunya.

Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up), meanwhile, remains a threat as well. Mugello saw his podium run come to an end, but let’s not forget that next up is the venue Speed Up dominated last year with Fabio Quartararo. And then Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP) is another who, like Navarro, has hit the ground running this season – and he took pole in Italy. Unfortunately the German is also recovering from having injured his foot in training, but every day that passes means that progresses. And Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) took his first podium last time out, citing a much better feeling – the same he had when he went on a podium spree and took his first win last season…

The trio of riders at the top of the Championship are the only three men to have won so far this year, and they’ll all three be aiming to make sure that remains true in Barcelona. Can the likes of Navarro, Schrötter or Marini get in the mix? Will another new name take to the top? And what can Jonas Folger (Petronas Sprinta Racing) do, replacing injured Khairul Idham Pawi and with experience of the new machines? Tune in from the 14th to 16th June for the Gran Premi Monster Energy Catalunya to find out.

Championship standings

1 – Lorenzo Baldassarri (ITA – Kalex) – 88

2 – Alex Marquez (SPA – Kalex) – 86

3 – Tom Lüthi (SWI – Kalex) – 84

4 – Jorge Navarro (SPA – Speed Up) – 73

5 – Marcel Schrötter (GER – Kalex) – 64

Can Canet pull the pin on home turf?

Dalla Porta is closing in but the Spaniard remains ahead as we head into Barcelona

Championship leader Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) isn’t on the roll of form that saw key rival Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) move within three points of the top at Mugello, but he’s been a consistent points-scorer this season and already has one win to his name. Now it’s his home turf, he’ll be gunning to make that two and put Dalla Porta back on the back foot. Can Canet pull the pin now it’s his home turf?

So far Moto3™ has been anything but predictable though, and that’s borne out in 11 different winners in a row stretching back into the latter half of last season. So will it even be Canet and Dalla Porta warring over the win? Or Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers), John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing), Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Jaume Masia (Bester Capital Dubai) or Kaito Toba (Honda Team Asia)? Or will it be another name entirely on the top step once again this season?

If it is, two big candidates are Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3), a man with both podium form at Catalunya and pace in 2019, and Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse), who so far has remained the bridesmaid. But there are plenty of fast riders in the lightweight class, and plenty of riders who could mix it up in that classic Moto3™ freight train at the front. But Catalunya has also been a track where a rider has managed to escape the melee and take a commanding 25 points – so there’s always a chance at that if someone can pull the pin.

Will that be Canet? Find out in the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya from the 14th to 16th June.

Championship standings

1 – Aron Canet (SPA – KTM) – 83

2 – Lorenzo Dalla Porta (ITA – Honda) – 80

3 – Niccolo Antonelli (ITA – Honda) – 70

4 – Jaume Masia (SPA – KTM) – 65

5 – Celestino Vietti (ITA – KTM) – 52

ASRA National Roadracing Sprint Series

Round 3

Alton, VA – The weather this fine Sunday afternoon provided a very pleasant setting for Round 3 of the ASRA Sprint Series at VIRginia International Raceway. With overcast skies and 70 degrees a dry track met four grids of ASRA riders. Although the track looked a little patchy in spots, there were no complaints about traction. Saturday ASRA qualifying was plagued by rain producing some mixed grid positions as might be expected.

Mid-day, ASRA competition began with Moto3 and a nice performance from Ralph Staropoli on his Rossi-inspired livery aboard a Honda 250. Staropoli won with a commanding lead. His best lap a 1:43.380, about 4.5 seconds better than any competitor in the class. Ryne Snooks and Juan Gooch trailed respectively from Staropoli for the podium. Amateur Colin Brogan put in a nice showing by finishing his first ASRA Moto3 in fourth overall.

In ASRA SuperStock, Vasiliy Zhulin put on a show with his Metric Devil Moto Yamaha R1. Only one rider escaped his complete domination today; Greg Ludt showed the grit to stay close, if but 5.6-seconds down to the leader at the checkered flag. Dave Loikits trailed; he was a distant third. The real race in SuperStock went down between Antonio Rodriguez and Lloyd Bayley for fourth place. Rodriguez paced the mid-field early, Bayley getting by him on lap eight after a two-lap tussle sent Rodriguez wide at turn four. But persistence can pay off. Despite Rodriguez’s miscue, he managed to just clip Bayley at the checkered flag. Jay Gray took the top amateur slot in SuperStock ahead of Jason Beauchamp and Bryan Archer.

Ryan Jones used a KTM 790 Duke to knock down the top spot in ThunderBike over Ralph Staropoli aboard his trusty, but tiny Honda 250. Jones’ margin of victory was 23-seconds. Austin Miller was third.

Finally, in ASRA SportBike Ryan Jones got the holeshot leading Arnold Hastings, Arthur Azuuyan, Justin Jones and Arthur Aznavuryan down to turn one. By the end of the opening lap, Greg Melka had worked his way up to second place with Hastings, Jones and Azuuyan trailing. On lap five Aznavuryan was past Hastings to move into fourth. On the final lap Justin Jones pushed Hastings out of the top five. At the checkered flag, Jones was out to a 12-second lead on Melka, who lead from Azuuyan by 24 seconds. Ronald Shoffner took the Amateur Sportbike with Colin Brogan just 3-seconds in arears.

ASRA and CCS motorcycle road racing are sanctioned and operated by the American Sportbike Racing Association of Fort Worth, Texas. For more information about riding with the series’ that train more riders for professional roadracing careers go to our websites at www.ccsracing.us and www.ccsracing.us.