American Flat Track: Race Results From The Black Hills Half-Mile

David Swarts

-

August 6, 2024

0

American Flat Track: Race Results From The Black Hills Half-Mile

Progressive American Flat Track/Black Hills Half-Mile

Black Hills Speedway

Rapid City, South Dakota

August 6, 2024

Provisional Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Challenge Results (all on Dunlop tires):

1. Chase Saathoff (Hon), 4 laps

2. Tom Drane (Yam), -0.109 second

3. Trent Lowe (Hon), -0.651

4. Kody Kopp (KTM), -0.783

Provisional Mission AFT SuperTwins #2Fast2Tasty Challenge Results (all on Dunlop tires):

1. JD Beach (Yam), 4 laps

2. Jared Mees (Ind), -0.207 second

3. Chad Cose (Ind), -0.474

4. Briar Bauman (KTM), -0.475

Provisional Royal Enfield BTR Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):

1. Taia Little (Roy), 8 laps

2. Shasta L’Heureux (Roy), -0.269 second

3. Kenzie Luker (Roy), -0.553

4. Mya Maffei (Roy), -1.792 seconds

5. Mikaela Nichols-Lionetti (Roy), -3.210

6. Morgan Piller (Roy), -8.215

7. Kristiana Ross (Roy), -23.333

8. Hannah Robertson (Roy), -1 lap

Provisional Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):

1. Tom Drane (Yam), 23 laps

2. Chase Saathoff (Hon), -1.999 seconds

3. Kody Kopp (KTM), -3.600

4. Tyler Raggio (KTM), -6.051

5. James Ott (Hus), -7.720

6. Trent Lowe (Hon), -7.908

7. Tarren Santero (Hon), -10.003

8. Evan Renshaw (Hon), -10.758

9. Jared Lowe (Hon), -11.747

10. Travis Petton (KTM), -12.661

11. Shayna Texter-Bauman (KTM), -12.896

12. Aidan Brown (Hon), -13.890

13. Reece Pottorf (Hon), -14.688

14. Justin Anselmi (Yam), -15.840

15. Ian Wolfe (Hon), -16.040

16. Olin Kissler (KTM), -16.802

17. Hunter Bauer (Yam), -16.823

Provisional Mission AFT SuperTwins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):

1. JD Beach (Yam), 28 laps

2. Jared Mees (Ind), -0.885 second

3. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -4.895 seconds

4. Declan Bender (Ind), -6.161

5. Trevor Brunner (Ind), -6.461

6. Jarod VanDerKooi (Ind), -6.769

7. Chad Cose (Ind), -8.045

8. Brandon Price (Yam), -8.524

9. Briar Bauman (KTM), -9.690

10. Davis Fisher (Ind), -10.878

11. Max Whale (Har), -12.401

12. Dalton Gauthier (Roy), -16.037

13. Morgen Mischler (Hon), -16.217

14. Dan Bromley (Yam), -17.648

15. Logan Mcgrane (Kaw), -22.753

16. Cody Johncox (Yam), -1 lap

17. Daniel Poole (Kaw), -1 lap, 16.810

18. Cameron Smith (KTM), -2 laps

More, from a press release issued by AFT:

Beach, Drane Complete Estenson Racing Black Hills Half-Mile Sweep

The victorious Estenson Racing team with Tom Drane (59), Team Manager Tommy Hayden (to Drane's left), Team Owner Tim Estenson (to Hayden's left), and JD Beach (95). Photo by Tim Lester, courtesy AFT. — The victorious Estenson Racing team with Tom Drane (59), Team Manager Tommy Hayden (to Drane’s left), Team Owner Tim Estenson (to Hayden’s left), and JD Beach (95). Photo by Tim Lester, courtesy AFT.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 6, 2024) – Consider the rust sufficiently shaken off. In just his second race back, super sub JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) claimed a hugely impressive victory on Tuesday night in Rapid City, South Dakota, winning the Black Hills Harley-Davidson Black Hills Half-Mile presented by The City of Sturgis, Round 12 of the Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.

Beach blasted into the lead at the green light of the Mission AFT SuperTwins Main Event at Black Hills Speedway, followed closely by full-time Grand National Championship contenders Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750), Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke), and Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), along with the day’s fastest rider in qualifying, Chad Cose (No. 49 Indian Motorcycle of Oklahoma City/G&G Racing Indian FTR750).

Robinson found an outside line to his liking and used it to rip around Cose, Bauman, and Mees in rapid succession. However, his attempt to do so for first tipped the leader off and Beach promptly used the same line himself to secure his position at the front.

Mees stuck with the low line and made it work well enough to counter Robinson and then take the fight to Beach. Beach again adapted, running high in Turns 1-2 and low in Turns 3-4, a combination that gradually broke the challenge of the nine-time series king.

Beach’s victory was his first-ever Half-Mile triumph, moving him to within just a Mile victory of the elusive old-school Grand Slam. His performance also makes him a good bet to sweep Progressive AFT’s 84th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally doubleheader, as he comes armed with a skillset that seems perfectly suited for Sunday’s race in the Streets of Downtown Sturgis.

JD Beach (95). Photo by Tim Lester, courtesy AFT.

Beach said, “A goal of mine since I was a kid was to get a Grand Slam; I’ve got a Superbike win, I’ve got a Short Track win, I’ve got a TT win, and now I’ve got the Half-Mile. I can’t thank the team enough. We chipped away at it all day long. In the race, I knew I was going to stick to the bottom until someone tried to go around the outside of me. I saw Brandon go up top so I did too and I saw Jared going to the bottom in 3 and 4, so I was going up top, down low, up top, down low. It was working so good. To get this win is just amazing.”

Mees kept Beach honest to the checkered flag and was rewarded with his fifth consecutive podium. Tuesday’s second was more than enough to push him past the injured Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) and put Mees at the head of the Mission AFT SuperTwins title fight for the first time all season long.

Robinson was unable to keep up his early heroics, eventually dropping to nearly five seconds back of the win. However, that still kept him on the podium and firmly in the championship fight, where he now ranks second, 17 points back of Mees (236-219).

Rookies Declan Bender (No. 70 GOMR/BriggsAuto.com/Martin Trucking Indian FTR750) and Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Mission Foods/Zanotti Racing Indian FTR750) continued their impressive second halves, claiming career-best results of fourth and fifth, respectively.

Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Ohio Indian FTR750) was fractionally behind the up-and-coming duo in sixth, while Cose closed out his head-turning day in seventh.

Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Sody Ent/OTBR Yamaha MT-07) came home eighth, Bauman ended his fade down the order in ninth, and Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750) rounded out the top ten.

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER

Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) was in imperious form while notching up the fourth victory of his 2024 Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER campaign.

The Australian got away in second, one spot behind defending champion and current points leader Kody Kopp (No. 1 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F),but wasted little time in deposing his highly decorated rival for the lead.

Meanwhile, Chase Saathoff (No. 88 JPG Motorsports Honda CRF450R) – winner of the most recent two races coming into Rapid City – dropped to fifth from pole off the line. Once in third, he found the fight harder than did Drane to move through on Kopp and claim second, the champ rebuffing multiple attempts by Saathoff to squeak by up the inside.

That constant pressure finally worked in Saathoff’s favor, however, as Kopp eventually made a mistake in defense of the position. Saathoff pounced the moment Kopp ran slightly off line, allowing him to turn his attention to the escaping Drane.

But even with clear air ahead of him, the JPG Motorsports pilot could do nothing but watch the Estenson Racing runner continue to clear off at the front. Drane ultimately claimed a 1.999-second margin of victory over Saathoff with Kopp another 1.601 seconds back in third.

“We’ve just been working our butts off all day, trying to learn different things throughout the day,” Drane said. “We finally found a setting that really worked for us and were able to use it out there. I just couldn’t have done it without my whole Estenson Racing Monster Energy team, who put in all this hard work to get us back on the top step.”

Behind the lead trio, Tyler Raggio (No. 55 Raggio Racing/Sluggo Racing KTM 450 SX-F) worked his way past veteran frontrunners James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) and Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) to secure a career-best finish of fourth.

Tarren Santero (No. 75 Vinson Construction/P&M Motorcycles Honda CRF450R) rounded out a strong day with a run to seventh, with Evan Renshaw (No. 265 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), Jared Lowe (No. 63 BigR/Little Debbie Racing Honda CRF450R), and Travis Petton IV (No. 82 ECG Racing/A.M Ortega KTM 450 SX-F) completing the top ten.

While Drane and Saathoff continued to inch their way closer in the championship hunt with each successive win, Kopp is still well and firmly in control. He continues to lead by a full race haul of 25 points with 264 to Saathoff’s 239. Drane is eight points further adrift at 231, while Lowe is a distant fourth, now nearly 100 points back of Kopp at 168.

Earlier, Taia Little (No. 11 Royal Enfield INT650) fought her way to a second victory of the season at the conclusion of a four-rider scrap at the front of the Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. (BTR) Main Event.

Next Up:

In just five days, Progressive American Flat Track will take to the Streets of Downtown Sturgis for the Arrowhead Brass Sturgis TT presented by Rick Ware Racing & The CAT Rental Store on Sunday, August 11. Attendance is free of charge, while Tickets for the Arrowhead Brass Sturgis TT VIP Experience can be purchased at https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/sturgis-tt-112510.

For those who can’t catch the action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of the on-track action, from the first practice to the victory podium, at https://flosports.link/aft.

FOX Sports coverage of the Black Hills Harley-Davidson Black Hills Half-Mile presented by The City of Sturgis, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, August 11, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT).

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

Canadian Superbike: Tough Crowd Awaits Young At CTMP

David Swarts

-

August 6, 2024

0

Canadian Superbike: Tough Crowd Awaits Young At CTMP

Superbike Preview: Young faces crop of wildcards as title battle heads to CTMP

Hamilton, ON – After a nearly a month-long summer break, the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship will return to action once again as the series enters its penultimate round this weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, August 9-11.

The break hasn’t been as relaxing for GP Bikes Pro Superbike Championship leader Ben Young, who is fresh off a stellar debut appearance at the Suzuka 8 Hours just two weeks ago, but Young will hope that means he has a little less rust to shake off when the usual CSBK calendar resumes at CTMP.

The three-time champion can clinch a fourth Canada Cup this weekend if he adds just 14 points to his 40-point advantage over Sam Guerin, but it will be far from straightforward as he deals with perhaps the strongest Superbike grid in the modern era.

Not only will Young need to face his usual foes in Guerin, Alex Dumas, and Jordan Szoke, but he will also be welcomed back by former winners Torin Collins and Trevor Daley as well as wildcard Charles Aubrie, a group of riders that are all capable of dominating the weekend headlines.

Despite the challenge, Young will enter “Old Mosport” as the betting favourite once again for multiple reasons.

The last time anyone saw the Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW rider, he put on one of the most clinical performances of his career with a comfortable win at AMP. He then carried that momentum into his World Endurance debut, playing a pivotal role for Team Taro BMW as they finished 13th out of 46 teams.

If the hope is that CTMP would be a weak spot for Young, that would be wishful thinking as well. The Collingwood, Ontario native is the second winningest rider in Superbike history at the venue, totalling six victories and 13 podiums in his career at the circuit – including three runaway wins a year ago.

That 2023 performance came with plenty of help from Guerin, however, who enjoyed what was at the time his best career weekend with three consecutive second-place finishes. He has since surpassed that with two victories this season, and it’s safe to say this time he won’t be as eager to help his championship rival.

Guerin cemented himself as a legitimate title threat with a brilliant win in changing conditions at AMP, and it’s hard to envision him sliding down the order at CTMP after his performances last season and his form coming into the weekend.

The EFC Group BMW rider will have a risky, but significant opportunity in front of him as well, as the crop of new names present a challenge not just for him but also for Young, meaning his points deficit could diminish quickly if Guerin can put a few names between himself and the championship leader.

As for Szoke, all the back-and-forth between the title contenders and new faces could be just what he needs to help return to the top step of the podium, as the 19-time winner at CTMP looks to make it an even 20 for his first victory since 2021.

That last win came at this very venue, beating Young and Dumas twice during their first title battle, and he appears to now be back in that same form after the CKM Kawasaki rider worked his way back from horrific injuries in 2022.

Dumas may be the true X-factor in the group, though, as the 2021 champion has a bit of an uncertain history at CTMP. The Economy Lube Ducati star is a threat to win at any circuit, evidenced by his 28 podiums in 30 career races, but that has been slightly less true at this particular circuit, winning just twice in nine tries compared to ten wins in his other 21 career starts.

None of those previous starts have come aboard the V4 Panigale, however, which should be extremely potent out of turn five and down the long Andretti Straightaway, arguably the most decisive part of the track.

Outside of the usual lead quartet, the group will also need to deal with Collins, Daley, and Aubrie, who each enter with varying levels of experience and expectations.

Daley is the only one with prior knowledge of the layout, having raced extensively at CTMP in his career with a best finish of third in Superbike in both 2022 and 2021. The OneSpeed Suzuki rider will be making his first appearance since capturing a long-awaited victory in round two, however, and having that weight lifted off his shoulders could help propel Daley to yet another win at his home track.

Collins will also be making his first appearance since winning in round three, having captured a spectacular victory in his debut in Edmonton, and the 19-year-old will try to continue that run as he ventures east to CTMP for the first time in his career.

The former Kawasaki privateer will get a significant boost in support from CKM, Economy Lube, and his new satellite teammate Szoke, but it remains to be seen how Collins will adapt to the faster, wider venue.

The true wildcard will be Aubrie, who is set to make the trip from France in between his duties with the European Moto2 Championship. The 22-year-old will pilot a Turcotte Performance Kawasaki in his CSBK debut, one that could easily end with champagne like Collins before him.

Aubrie will also be another significant boost to Kawasaki’s hopes in the Constructors Championship, where they try to hunt down BMW with only four races remaining and a difficult 100-point gap to overcome.

The two-time reigning champions at BMW will still have Young, Guerin, and Paul Macdonell to try and maintain (or even build upon) their advantage, but the crop of Szoke, Collins, Aubrie, and Connor Campbell will hope for strength in numbers as they try to chase down their first ever Constructors trophy.

The feature class will get underway Friday, August 9 at CTMP (just an hour east of Toronto), before the penultimate race weekend of the season kicks off August 10-11.

More information can be found on the series’ official website.

WorldSBK: Elf Marc VDS Racing Team Skipping Portimao

David Swarts

-

August 6, 2024

0

WorldSBK: Elf Marc VDS Racing Team Skipping Portimao

Sam Lowes ruled out of Portimao WorldSBK round

Sam Lowes and the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team will not participate in the seventh round of the 2024 WorldSBK Championship at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal this weekend.

The British rider suffered a fractured left collarbone when he fell heavily during Race 2 at last month’s Most round in the Czech Republic.

Lowes has been undergoing round the clock treatment with the intention to compete in Portimao this weekend.

The 33-year-old is recovering well, but after consulting with his medical team it has been decided the best course of action is to miss the Portuguese round to allow the left collarbone more time to fully heal.

The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team is confident Lowes will be fit to take part in two days of official WorldSBK testing at Estoril on August 15-16 in preparation for the race weekend at the Portuguese track in mid-October.

AHRMA: Race Results From Blackhawk Farms Raceway

David Swarts

-

August 6, 2024

0

AHRMA: Race Results From Blackhawk Farms Raceway

Here are complete race results from the 2024 Bridgestone Tires AHRMA Roadracing Series event held August 3-4 at Blackhawk Farms Raceway, in South Beloit, Illinois.

RRW 2024 BHF- Weekend Results

RideSmart Offering MotoAmerica-Only Sessions Sept. 7-8 At COTA

David Swarts

-

August 5, 2024

0

RideSmart Offering MotoAmerica-Only Sessions Sept. 7-8 At COTA

Texas-based RideSmart Motorcycle Schools is offering special MotoAmerica-only sessions during its events September 7 and 8 at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas.

In 2023, eligible MotoAmerica racers seeking extra track time ahead of the races at COTA signed up to ride in the RideSmart Motorcycle School at COTA, which was no problem.

But with the Advanced riding group at the event filling up, MotoAmerica racers started signing up to ride in lower-level groups, including Novice, which was a problem.

This year, RideSmart is going out of its way to create extra space at its COTA event by ordering more time from the track and offering it to MotoAmerica racers. In fact, the track will be hot from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with MotoAmerica racers receiving six dedicated 20-minute sessions each day they sign up for.

Interested MotoAmerica racers should go to www.ridesmart.info, create a profile, pick which day or days they want to ride (September 7 or 8 or both), pick “MotoAmerica Licensed Session,” and be ready to provide your AMA or MotoAmerica license number. Participants will also be asked to provide their MotoAmerica race license during registration at the track.

MotoAmerica testing restrictions will still apply to racers participating in this event.

MotoAmerica: Today Is Last Day To Sign Up For Mini Cup National Final

David Swarts

-

August 5, 2024

0

MotoAmerica’s Youngest Racers To Battle For Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Titles At Road America

12 Races In Six Classes At Road America’s Briggs & Stratton Motorplex To Crown Six National Champions, August 9-11

IRVINE, CA (August 5, 2024) – The best young road racers from across the country will converge on Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, this coming weekend, August 9-11, for the debut of the MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final with battles taking place on two different racetracks at Road America’s Briggs & Stratton Motorplex.

Racers from 10 different states will make the trek to Wisconsin to battle for AMA National Championships in six different classes – Stock 50cc, Stock 110cc, Stock 125cc, GP 160, GP 190, and Street GP.

In addition to the AMA awarding its coveted number-one plates to class champions, Mission Mini Cup By Motul sponsors have stepped up to award racers a plethora of championship awards. For the GP 160 and GP 190 Class Champions, Dunlop will present its Championship Guitars, like those given to MotoAmerica Champions. Additionally, the top-two finishers in the GP 160 and GP 190 classes will be included in the Team Dunlop Elite amateur road racing program for 2025.

In the other classes, champions will receive Tommy Duma Fine Jewelry Championship pendants, Arai helmets, and Motion Pro gift packs.

Companies getting behind the debut of the National Finals include Mission Foods, Motul, Dunlop, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Tommy Duma Fine Jewelry, Arai and Motion Pro.

MotoAmerica has also announced that the event will be featured on MotoAmerica Live+ with live streaming and video on-demand for Saturday and Sunday’s race action with commentary from MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Roger Hayden and current Mission King Of The Baggers star James Rispoli. MotoAmerica Live+ will start streaming at 1 p.m. (central time) on Saturday and Sunday and will conclude at 4:30 p.m. (central time) both days.

The battles for championships will consist of four races per class over the course of the weekend with two races on Saturday and two on Sunday. Each race will pay points and the rider with the highest number of points in each class will be awarded the number-one plates.

“We’re excited for the debut of our Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “These racers have qualified in regional races across the country and now we will get to find out who is the best of the best in the National Final. Road America is the perfect location for the final as the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex has two great tracks in a wonderful setting. We wish the best to all our competitors and can’t wait to watch the action unfold.”

Monday, August 5 is the final day to enter the Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final. For more information and to enter, visit https://www.motoamerica.com/mini-cup/

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on demand service, MotoAmerica Live+

WorldSBK: Will Razgatlioglu’s Winning Streak Continue At Portimao?

David Swarts

-

August 5, 2024

0

WorldSBK: Will Razgatlioglu’s Winning Streak Continue At Portimao?

Toprak Razgatlioglu eyes continued success as WorldSBK heads to Portimao

What to look out for in Portimao

The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, better known as Portimao, is set to host another thrilling WorldSBK round, with the races scheduled for 18h00.

Championship Standings

Heading into the Pirelli Portuguese Round, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) leads the Championship standings with a commanding 303 points. The Turkish rider has built a 64-point advantage over second-place Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who has accumulated 239 points. Bulega has outperformed expectations and holds a 40-point lead over his teammate, Alvaro Bautista, who sits in third place.

Historical Performance

Toprak Razgatlioglu has three wins at Portimao, showcasing his strength at this circuit. His teammate, Michael van der Mark, also has a notable history here, winning a race in 2021 with BMW.

Rookie Nicolo Bulega claimed a victory in Race 1 at Portimao in the WorldSSP class in 2023, indicating his potential for strong results in the upcoming round. Alvaro Bautista, meanwhile, has been unbeatable at Portimao in recent outings, winning the last four races held at this track. His familiarity and success at the Portuguese circuit make him a significant threat to Razgatlioglu’s streak.

Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) stands out for his extensive experience and success at Portimao. He has competed in all 35 WorldSBK races held at this circuit since it joined the championship in 2008 and holds the record for the most podium finishes there with 25. Rea has also secured 13 victories at Portimao and claimed the last two pole positions, underlining his mastery of the track.

Notable Performances and Records

Currently, Razgatlioglu is on a phenomenal run, having secured 10 consecutive wins, the second-longest streak in WorldSBK history. Only Jonathan Rea and Alvaro Bautista have done better, with 11 consecutive victories.

Alvaro Bautista is only one podium short of reaching 100; he would be the seventh rider in history to reach this milestone.

Nicolo Bulega has set a new standard for rookies, finishing in the points in all 18 races since his debut.

Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) is another rider to watch, as he is just two podiums away from matching his best season in 2019 when he achieved nine podium finishes. With more points already this season than the entire last season, Lowes is in excellent form and poised to challenge for top positions.

American Flat Track: Sturgis Doubleheader Starts Aug. 6 With Black Hills HM

David Swarts

-

August 5, 2024

0

American Flat Track: Sturgis Doubleheader Starts Aug. 6 With Black Hills HM

Progressive AFT Opens Sturgis Doubleheader with Black Hills Half-Mile

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, will open its 84th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally doubleheader with the Black Hills Harley-Davidson Black Hills Half-Mile presented by The City of Sturgis at Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City, South Dakota, on Tuesday, August 6.

Black Hills Speedway has traditionally been the domain of flat track royalty, with 11 of the 15 Mission AFT SuperTwins victories at the venue split up amongst seven different Grand National Champions.

Last year’s runner-up – both in the championship and at Black Hills – Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) might have hoped to add his name to both lists in ‘24. And while the efforts of JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) at Peoria have the injured Daniels still holding the top spot in the title race, that position is fleeting and soon to be handed over.

Reigning champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750) is now just a single point back and poised to seize control at Black Hills Speedway where he has previously won on four separate occasions, including one year ago.

With Daniels out indefinitely, the biggest obstacle now standing in Mees’ way of securing a record-setting tenth Grand National Championship is Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750). Robinson has five rounds to claw 14 points back from Mees, a task that will likely require him to overcome history starting this weekend at a track where he has twice finished fourth but never on the podium, let alone won.

Mees’ other remaining title threat, however, has. Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke) was victorious here in 2019 and then won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge before the Main Event was rained out. While admittedly uneven in his oval efforts this season, Bauman comes in fresh off his Peoria TT triumph and with the potential to string together a win streak in search of a third career title.

Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750) and Cameron Smith (No. 34 RVR/KTM/Schaefer’s Motorsport KTM 790 Duke) are the only other riders to have finished inside the top five in the premier-class here, although Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Ohio Indian FTR750), Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Sody Ent/OTBR Yamaha MT-07), Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Transalp) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) have the ability to do that and more on Tuesday.

It could also be a major opportunity for rookies Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Mission Foods/Zanotti Racing KTM 790 Duke), Declan Bender (No. 70 GOMR/BriggsAuto.com/Martin Trucking Indian FTR750), and Max Whale (No. 18 Latus Motors Racing/Liqui Moly Harley-Davidson XG750R). All three performed well here prior to graduating to Mission AFT SuperTwins duty, Brunner in particular, taking the win in 2022.

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER

While still holding a strong position in search of a third Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER title, Kody Kopp (No. 1 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F) comes to Black Hills Speedway in need of a victory.

While already the class’ all-time wins leader, Kopp’s chances to set a new single-season wins record has taken a hit following three straight runners-up, with rivals Chase Saathoff (No. 88 JPG Motorsports Honda CRF450R) and Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) getting the better of him in recent weeks.

Kopp will likely welcome the return to Rapid City where he orchestrated one of the most memorable wins of his young career a year ago. Last season, the Rick Ware Racing star charged his way up from seventh to first, capped off by a late-race pass over pre-race favorite Drane.

Saathoff comes in with all the momentum following two consecutive victories in his home state of Illinois. While it’s true that he’s yet to finish on the podium at Black Hills Speedway, the same could have been said of Peoria before his stirring victory this past week.

In fact, only one rider in the field has finished on the podium in each of the past two visits; Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) could use a similar result this weekend with James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) pushing him for fourth in the points when the American Honda-backed Lowe entered the season with championship ambitions.

The usual suspects of Travis Petton IV (No. 82 ECG Racing/A.M Ortega KTM 450 SX-F), Tarren Santero (No. 75 Vinson Construction/P&M Motorcycles Honda CRF450R), Evan Renshaw (No. 265 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), Tyler Raggio (No. 55 Raggio Racing/Sluggo Racing KTM 450 SX-F), and Jared Lowe (No. 63 BigR/Little Debbie Racing Honda CRF450R) will look to break into the top five and upset the expected order.

Additionally, Tuesday night will feature the penultimate round of Royal Enfield’s successful and popular Build. Train. Race. (BTR) flat track program for the 2024 season. Since its introduction, BTR has injected new talent and excitement into the series as highlights, celebrates, and encourages the involvement of women in flat track racing.

There will be plenty beyond just the race action for fans to enjoy throughout the day on Tuesday, including numerous vendors, dedicated motorcycle parking and playground for kids.

General Admission Grandstand tickets are just $30 (kids 12 and under $5), while Reserved Grandstand tickets are only $15 more (all ages). For another $50, the Pit Pass Upgrade provides all-day access to the pit area where fans can scope out the world’s fastest dirt track motorcycles and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport.

Fans also have the opportunity to receive the VIP treatment by selecting a special ticket option that provides access to the exclusive, premium indoor VIP viewing area and includes food, beverage, and a Pit Pass for $125.

Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/black-hills-half-mile-86674 to reserve your seats today.

Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT). Opening Ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. PT) ahead of a pair of Main Events at twilight, timed to allow fans to also attend the evening’s concerts in Sturgis. You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities on FloRacing. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2024. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/aft or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.

FOX Sports coverage of the Black Hills Harley-Davidson Black Hills Half-Mile presented by The City of Sturgis, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, August 11, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT).

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

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

David Swarts

-

August 5, 2024

0

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

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

This list includes 118 opportunities to ride your motorcycles at races, schools, and track days during the month of August in North America.

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

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

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

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

8/2 AHRMA Academy of Roadracing, Track Days & Ed Bargy Advanced Track Riding Technique, Blackhawk Farms Raceway, South Beloit, IL

8/2 Apex Track Days, Utah Motorsports Campus, Grantsville, UT

8/2 Legion Moto Trackdays, Pueblo Motorsports Park, Pueblo, CO

8/2-3 AMA Sanctioned ASRA National Sprint Series/ASRA Atlantic Roadracing Championship/ASRA Southeast Roadracing Championship Series, VIRginia International Raceway, Alton, VA

8/2-3 FIM Mini Cup USA Championship Series, VIRginia International Raceway, Alton, VA (MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier)

8/2-4 (Bridgestone) AHRMA American Historic Racing Series, Blackhawk Farms Raceway, South Beloit, IL

8/2-4 CMRA Series, Eagles Canyon Raceway, Decatur, TX

8/2-4 LegionSBK Series, Pueblo Motorsports Park, Pueblo, CO

8/3 Sandy Hook Mini Moto Road Race Series (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

8/3-4 Alaska Motorcycle Road Racing Series and Track Days, Tanacross Race Course, Tok, AK

8/3-4 Evolve GT School and Track Days, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/3-4 Fun Track Dayz, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA

8/3-4 N2 Track Days, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

8/3-4 Precision Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

8/3-4 RideSmart Motorcycle School, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Hallett, OK

8/3-4 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI

8/3-4 UtahSBA Series, Utah Motorsports Campus, Grantsville, UT

8/4-5 Penguin Roadracing School, New York Safety Track, Jefferson, NY

8/5 N2 Track Days, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

8/5-6 California Superbike School, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/6 (Progressive) AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Black Hills Half-Mile, Rapid City, SD

8/7 Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

8/7-8 California Superbike School, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/9 N2 Track Days, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/9 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

8/9-11 Bagger Racing League, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada

8/9-11 (Bridgestone) Canadian Superbike Championship, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, ON

8/9-11 (Mission) MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul National Final, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

8/9-11 PanAmerican Superbike Series, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA

8/10 N2/WERA Endurance Series, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/10-11 ARL Series (Canada), Atlantic Motorsport Park, Mill Village, NS

8/10-11 Evolve GT School and Track Days, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

8/10-11 Fast Line Track Days, NCM Motorsports Park, Bowling Green, KY

8/10-11 Motogladiator Series, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

8/10-11 MRA Series/ MRA New Racer School & Super Street Racing Days, High Plains Raceway, Deer Trail, CO

8/10-11 MRA Series (Canada), Gimli Motorsports Park, Gimli, MB

8/10-11 Performance Riding Experience (PRE) Track Days, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

8/10-11 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

8/10-11 USCRA Road Racing Series (Vintage), Canaan Motor Club, Canaan, NH

8/10-11 WERA National Challenge Co-Sanctioned by AMA/ WERA Sportsman Series North Central Region, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/10-11 WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

8/11 (Progressive) AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Spirit of Sturgis TT, Sturgis, SD

8/11 ASRA Southeast Roadracing Championship Series, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA

8/11 Central Illinois Mini Moto Series (Minis), Mid-State Kart Club, Mechanicsburg, IL

8/11 Superbike-Coach Corp. (Schools), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

8/11-12 Cyclesmith Track Days (formerly known as Tony’s Track Days), Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, Thompson, CT

8/11-12 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

8/12-13 2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

8/12-13 California Superbike School, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

8/12-13 Precision Track Days, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA (includes two-day Ken Hill Master Class)

8/12-13 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

8/14 Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

8/14 Road America Motorplex Open Track Days, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

8/14-15 California Superbike School, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

8/16 2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Pacific Raceways, Kent, WA

8/16-18 AMA Sanctioned ASRA Atlantic Roadracing Championship/ ASRA Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Championship Series/ ASRA Mid-West Roadracing Championship Series/ASRA National Endurance/Team Challenge Series/ASRA National Sprint Series/ASRA National Vintage – Classic Series/ASRA Outlaw Bagger Series, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

8/16-18 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Series, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH

8/16-18 OMRRA Series, Pacific Raceways, Kent, WA

8/16-18 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Gingerman Raceway. S. Haven, MI

8/16-18 VRRA Series (Vintage Canada), Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, ON

8/16-18 WMRRA Series, Pacific Raceways, Kent, WA

8/17 TrackAddix/Ducati Omaha Racing Series, Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, NE

8/17-18 EMRA Series (Canada), Stratotech Park Int’l Raceway, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB

8/17-18 Evolve GT School and Track Days, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

8/17-18 N2 Track Days, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA

8/17-18 Pacific Track Time Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

8/18 Florida Trackdays, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

8/18 John Long’s Longevity Racing School, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

8/18 UtahSBA Supermoto/Mini Series, Utah Motorsports Campus Kart Track, Grantsville, UT

8/18-19 Optimum Performance Rider Training Track Days, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

8/19 Motovid.com All Levels Motorcycle Track Days/Performance Riding Clinics, Road America Elkhart Lake, WI

8/19 Penguin Roadracing School, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH

8/19-20 Fishtail Riding School, Club Motorsports, Tamworth, NH

8/21 Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

8/22 2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Pacific Raceways, Kent, WA

8/23 2 Wheels Track Days, Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond, CA

8/23 2WTD Mini Racing (Minis), Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond, CA

8/23 Penguin Roadracing School, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH

8/23-25 SOAR Series (Canada), Grand Bend Motorplex, Grand Bend, ON

8/24 DMVminiGP Series (Minis), United Karting Raceway, Hanover, MD

8/24 Sandia Motorcycle Roadracing Inc. (SMRI) Schools And Track Days, Sandia Motorsports Park (currently named Suika Circuit), Albuquerque, NM

8/24 South Florida MiniGP Series (Minis), Bushnell Motorsports Park, Bushnell, FL

8/24 Southeast Mini Moto Series (Minis), CMP Kart Track, Kershaw, SC

8/24-25 2 Wheels Track Days, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

8/24-25 2WTD Mini Racing (Minis), Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

8/24-25 3:16 Superbike Camp, Circuit of The Americas, Austin, TX

8/24-25 Evolve GT School and Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

8/24-25 Fasttrax Motorcycle Performance Track Days, Nelson Ledges Road Course, Garrettsville, OH

8/24-25 FIM Mini Cup USA Championship Series, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

8/24-25 Fun Track Dayz, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

8/24-25 HART Rider Training/Motorcycle Lapping Days, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Hallett, OK

8/24-25 N2 Track Days, Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

8/24-25 NEMRR Series, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH

8/24-25 PanAmerican Superbike Series, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

8/24-25 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI

8/25 Rocky Mountain Mini Moto Series (Minis), SBR Motorsports Park, Calhan, CO

8/25 SMRI Series, Sandia Motorsports Park (currently named Suika Circuit), Albuquerque, NM

8/25 Superbike-Coach Corp. (Schools), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

8/25-26 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

8/28 2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

8/28 Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

8/28 Road America Motorplex Open Track Days, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

8/30 N2 Track Days, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA

8/30-9/1 (Bridgestone) Canadian Superbike Championship, Shannonville Motorsport Park, Belleville, ON

8/30-9/1 CRA (Central Roadracing Association) Series, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN

8/31 (Progressive) AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Springfield Mile I, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL

8/31-9/1 ASRA Atlantic Roadracing Championship Series/ASRA Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Championship Series, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

8/31-9/1 Carters@thetrack Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

8/31-9/1 Evolve GT School and Track Days, NCBike, Garysburg, NC

8/31-9/1 NorthWest Mini Moto & Endurance Challenge (Minis), Mac Track, McMinnville, OR

8/31-9/1 RideSmart Motorcycle School, Eagles Canyon Raceway, Decatur, TX

8/31-9/1 Sandy Hook Mini Moto Road Race Series (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

8/31-9/1 WERA Sportsman Series Atlantic Coastal Region/Mid-Central Region/ Southeast Region, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA

8/31-9/1 WMRC Series (Canada), Mission Raceway Park, Mission, BC

8/31-9/2 Cyclesmith Track Days (formerly known as Tony’s Track Days), Palmer Motorsports Park, Palmer, MA

8/31-9/2 Motovid.com All Levels Motorcycle Track Days/Performance Riding Clinics, Blackhawk Farms Raceway, S. Beloit, IL

8/31-9/2 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Autobahn Country Club, Joliet, IL

8/31-9/2 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

MotoGP: World Championship Race Results From Silverstone (Updated)

David Swarts

-

August 4, 2024

0

MotoGP: World Championship Race Results From Silverstone (Updated)

Enea Bastianini won the MotoGP World Championship race Sunday at the historic Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his Lenovo Ducati Desmosedici on Michelin control tires, the Italian won the 20-lap race by 1.931 seconds. It was Bastianini’s first full-length race win of the season, one day after he took his first Sprint race win of the season.

Jorge Martin was the runner-up on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati, which was enough for the Spaniard to retake the lead in the World Championship point standings.

Bastianini’s teammate, two-time and defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia, rebounded from a crash in Saturday’s Sprint Race to claim third place in Sunday’s full-length race.

Likewise, six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez bounced back from a crash of his own in the Sprint Race to bring his Gresini Racing Ducati home fourth on Sunday.

Fabio Di Giannantonio made it a Ducati sweep of the top five finishing positions by taking fifth on his Pertaminia Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati.

MotoGP Race Results
MotoGP Points after Race

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

10/10: Bastianini bags British GP double as Martin reclaims title lead

The Italian becomes the 10th different winner in a row at Silverstone as Martin outpaces Bagnaia to claim the Championship lead

The start of the MotoGP race Sunday at Silverstone. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Sunday, 04 August 2024

After a dream Saturday, it was a stunning performance on a special Sunday for Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), who capped off a historic weekend at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix with a win. The #23 became the 10th different rider to take victory at Silverstone in the last ten events at the track, storming through late on to put himself third in the title fight and only 49 points off the top. Meanwhile, the top of the standings once again belongs to Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) as the #89 led the majority of the Grand Prix before proving unable to deny Bastianini.

Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) secured the final spot on the podium as he bounced back from a crash on Saturday, but the 16-point haul on Sunday puts him back behind Martin by three. It was his 43rd MotoGP™ podium, all on a Ducati, which makes him the rider with the most podiums taken with Ducati.

Once the lights went out it was a blast from the past from Bagnaia, who claimed the holeshot on the run to Turn 1 after a phenomenal launch, ahead of Bastianini and Martin. While it was a great start from the #1, it was a tougher opening lap from polesitter Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), who dropped to fourth position after some shuffling, with Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) moving briefly past the Aprilia before being demoted to P5 once more.

Unfortunately, it was an early end to the Grand Prix for Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who suffered an issue at the race start. Later on in the opening lap, Trackhouse Racing’s Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez races also came to an end, crashing out.

Bagnaia led from Bastianini, but Martin was quick to make his way past the #23. Bastianini soon dropped back to fourth too, with Espargaro finding a way through. Marc Marquez was also close on the chase as the top five started to break away, but Bagnaia was holding station at the front.

Enea Bastianini (23). Photo courtesy Dorna.

Further back, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) began to battle for seventh position. Di Giannantonio found his way through on the #31 and then began to duel with Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) in sixth, with the two exchanging some paintwork and the VR46 rider even doing the Moto3™ classic: tapping the rear of the seat to say “follow me”.

Meanwhile at the front, tension was building as Martin homed in, looking for an opportunity to pounce on Bagnaia in the lead. He took over at the front for the first time on Lap 12, making the move stick on the entry to Turn 3. Behind the leading duo, Bastianini then found a gap in Espargaro’s armour – entering the provisional podium places.

However, Martin ran wide at Turn 13 one lap later, putting Bagnaia and Bastianini right back on his tail. The next move inside the top three came from Bastianini though, who overtook his teammate for second as Pecco suffered a front end moment. The ‘Beast’ immediately started to pull back the gap to Martin.

It was six laps to go and seven tenths up the road to Martin. Slowly but surely, that was creeping down. It was agonising progress though, with hundredths and tenths making the difference as the #23 edged further and further forward. By the penultimate lap he was there and suddenly Martin was wide once and then again at Turn 3, on second time of asking too wide to defend it. Bastianini was through and headed over the line in the lead as the final lap began.

In only one lap, Bastianini put together a fantastic end to the British Grand Prix, stretching out a magnificent gap to cross the line and create history ahead of Martin and teammate Bagnaia, who claimed the final spot on the podium.

Marc Marquez took fourth after a late charge at Pecco but unable to arrive, and he had his own closing gap to deal with as Di Giannantonio climbed from 10th on the grid to fifth at the chequered flag. Polesitter Espargaro took sixth and was being chased by Alex Marquez, with the #73 finishing a mere 0.227s behind.

Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) took eighth ahead of Acosta in ninth. The rookie had another strong point-scoring finish and was ahead of Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), who battled through the field to take the final spot inside the top 10 after his two Long Lap penalties after the incident on Saturday.

After an incredible weekend in vintage colours making a little more history, the world’s most exciting sport now returns in two weeks for the Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich. There are just three points in it and a new name in third overall as the ‘Beast’ starts to gain some momentum… so see you in Spielberg!

American Flat Track: Race Results From The Black Hills Half-Mile

August 6, 2024

Grand Marshal Richard Rawlings being interviewed during the opening ceremonies at the Black Hills Half-Mile. Photo by Tim Lester, courtesy AFT.