Sammy Halbert won an FIM Flat Track World Championship round in Germany. Halbert won the 2024 FIM Flat Track World Championship and is defending his #1 plate in 2025.
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FIM Flat Track Video: American Sammy Halbert Wins In Germany
Saddlemen, A Spaniard, And Success Penalties: Weight A Minute, Again …
First Person/Opinion
By Michael Gougis
What do the teams racing Harley-Davidson Pan America ST racebikes in MotoAmerica’s Super Hooligan class have in common with two-time Superbike World Champion Alvaro Bautista?
In both cases, someone thinks that they’re racing under their weight category, and as such, each is carrying around an unnecessary lump of heavy metal on their racebikes.
The Harley-Davidson teams showed up at The Ridge Motorsports Park facing new MotoAmerica Hooligan minimum weight requirements that were, in my memory, some of the biggest weight penalties ever imposed in motorcycle road racing. Meanwhile, Bautista took to social media this week to challenge the Superbike regulations that have, in effect, threatened to end his career.
Imposing success penalties (let’s call them what they are) by adding weight to racebikes is a time-honored method of trying to balance the performance of different types of machines racing in the same class. (No one was complaining about Bautista’s weight when the Ducati riders were beating him in his lost years on the Honda Superbike. No one was adding weight to the Pan Americas when they were getting beaten.) In World Superbike, there are different types of Inline-4 racebikes and a V-4; in Hooligan, there are air-cooled bikes and water-cooled Triples and Twins of a variety of displacements.
But there are ways to balance performance that don’t penalize individual riders or discount the efforts of an inventive, creative, hard-working race team. And in each case, let’s just say that the way the weight penalties have been applied could have been done more skillfully.
Tired of Kawasaki’s domination, World Superbike started imposing success-penalty rev-limits, which have since been replaced by fuel flow restrictions. Ducati and BMW both have seen their fuel consumption reduced this season. And, presumably tired of Bautista’s domination of the series, World Superbike now has a “soft” minimum combined rider/machine weight limit. If the bike is at the class weight minimum of 168 kg (370.3 lbs.), then for every kilogram (2.2 pounds) a rider is under the “reference weight” of 80 kg (176.37 lbs), half a kilogram must be added. According to media reports from Europe, Bautista is racing with at least six kilograms (13.2 pounds) bolted to his Aruba.it-Racing factory Panigale V4 R. It may be more than that.
Bautista went from 27 wins before the regulation in 2023 to four wins in 2024. Even taking into account the concessions that allowed BMW to build a special chassis and their hiring the immensely talented Toprak Razgatlioglu, it’s hard to believe that the weight penalty had nothing to do with Bautista’s dramatic drop in results. No one forgets overnight how to race a motorcycle.
With the same thing happening in 2025, Ducati fired Bautista and he is without a ride for 2026. And if you read between the lines, no one wants to hire him, at least partly because whoever does put him on their Superbike in 2026 will be bolting a big chunk of ballast onto the machine as well – regardless of how well their bike is performing. The slowest privateer team could hire Bautista and the team would still have to bolt chunks of metal to their bike, or race a machine that’s far heavier than the class machine weight limit.
It’s a pretty good guess that the “Thanks, but no thanks” responses Bautista’s agent is likely getting from other manufacturers prompted the rider to take to social media with a plea to re-think the rule that is killing his career.
“The truth is, when your physical dimensions become a structural disadvantage—something that says nothing about your ability as a rider—then it stops being a technical issue and becomes a form of discrimination,” Bautista wrote. “I understand that weight is a technical factor in motorcycle performance. I accept that. But when the system fails to take into account natural differences in body types, it ceases to be fair and begins to exclude.
“That is why I’m writing today. Not to portray myself as a victim. Not to create division. I’m writing because I don’t want other riders—now or in the future—to go through what I have gone through in the last couple of years. I don’t want them to feel that their body is an obstacle more difficult than any corner on the track.
“My aim with this message is to start a necessary conversation. To ask that we rethink technical criteria, regulations, and above all, the culture of motorcycling. Riders are not defined by the number on a scale. They are defined by their intelligence on track, their instinct, their courage, and their connection with the bike.”
World Superbike simply went too far in one go with the weight penalties. It would have been far better to introduce them gradually to see what the impact would be. It’s clear that in their attempt to rein in the Panigale V4 R, an incredible racebike, the rule had a disproportionate impact on one rider.
But if 13.2 pounds seems like a lot, ponder the 38-pound boat anchor that the Saddlemen squad had to bolt to their Pan America to race at The Ridge. That’s more than the weight of two regulation bowling balls. The team made sort of a small steel coffin and filled it with molten lead to bring the bike up to the new minimum weight. James Rispoli, who rides a Pan America for the KWR Racing team, said his bike had an additional 25 pounds bolted to it. “Changes? We’re in the stratosphere compared to where we were at (Road) Atlanta,” Rispoli said. “Springs, geometry, valving. The biggest impact is in the turning, the way the bike naturally turns, but it’s in acceleration, braking, everywhere.”
For the Hooligan class, the minimum weight for water-cooled machines 1000cc and below is 365 lbs, 377 lbs. for water-cooled machines over 1000cc and 350 lbs. for all air-cooled twin-cylinder bikes regardless of displacement. (The class only allows electric bikes, and gas-powered Twins and Triples.) Unless you’re riding a Pan America, which had locked out all the podium positions this year prior to The Ridge. That bike, which admittedly no one was racing at the class minimum weight, now must weigh 450 lbs. On paper, that’s a 73 pound change, or approximately the weight of a baby calf or a two-person couch!
David Echert’s Saddlemen team couldn’t get close to the Super Hooligan win at The Ridge two years ago. At their best, Cory West was second in Race Two, but more than six seconds back after seven laps. So Echert and others racing the porky adventure bike put it on a diet. For Saddlemen, that meant a carbon-fiber subframe, exhausts that were made of half-thickness materials, smaller radiator, even the powder coating was stripped from components to reduce their weight. The team got the bike down to about 412 pounds – nowhere near the class minimum weight, but an impressive 130 pounds lighter than the stocker. It was expensive, but it was effective – West won the class Championship last year.
Much of that hard work has been nullified.
“No,” Echert said, when asked if the penalty seemed fair. “It would have been better if they had told us they would do this before we spent all that money to make the bikes lighter.”
Once again, better to have eased into this penalty. Increase the weight incrementally, or over a period of time. Penalizing a team for doing well doesn’t feel right. I am a fan of the sort of unofficial rule in Formula One car racing: A team that develops a technical breakthrough gets to keep it for the rest of the year, and then it’s outlawed. At least that way the team gets to benefit from its hard work and ingenuity. In my opinion, the weight changes should have been delayed until next year. That way, everyone knows what’s coming and can plan, design and build accordingly.
Racing should reward the people who put in the work to run at the front and not penalize them, regardless of results. Take away those hard-earned advantages only after careful and significant thought and reflection. That is all that I’m saying here.
AFT: Singles Brace for Another Photo Finish at DuQuoin Mile
Don’t blink. If the past two stops were any indication, this year’s AFT Singles presented by KICKER race at the Memphis Shades DuQuoin Mile will be decided by the smallest of margins when Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, does battle at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds in DuQuoin, Illinois, this Saturday, July 5.
All Aboard the Drane Train.
After his double domination of the Lima Half-Mile, everyone can stop worrying about when Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) will finally get his first victory of the 2025 season and shift their concerns to whether or not anyone will be able to stop him now that’s he’s rolling at full steam.
Whatever minor “slump,” Drane might have dealt with to open the season did not knock him off the historic trajectory that has defined the Australian’s early Progressive AFT career. Consider that, in just two-and-a-half seasons, he’s already moved into a tie with former class champions Dallas Daniels and Dalton Gauthier for third all-time in AFT Singles victories at 13.
He’s also now tied with Daniels for third most Half-Mile wins at five.
If the opposition thought it was going to get any easier this weekend, they might want to reconsider. Even without a stop at a Mile in ‘25, Drane already ranks second all-time in career Mile wins – also at five – with one of those coming at DuQuoin in ‘23.
Should he sweep all three Miles this season, he would move into a tie with Shayna Texter-Bauman atop the career order.
Daniels, Gauthier, Texter-Bauman… That’s some pretty exclusive company.
It’s The FBI Again
But don’t crown Drane just yet. In fact, he wasn’t even on the podium at DuQuoin a year ago… despite finishing just 0.088 seconds back of the win.
That’s not a typo. In fact, the eight riders who represented first through fourth at the DuQuoin Mile in ‘23 and ‘24 were separated by less than two tenths of a second, combined.
Last year’s victory went to home state Fast Boy from Illinois Chase Saathoff (No. 88 RWR/Parts Plus Honda CRF450R), who beat triple champion Kody Kopp to the stripe at the head of a five-rider pack by 0.001 seconds.
The year before, Saathoff was on the other end of things, losing out to Drane at the front of a six-rider pack by 0.011 seconds.
Past history suggests it’ll be a major upset if anyone walks away with it this weekend, and if the multi-rider pack doesn’t include title rivals Drane and Saathoff.
The potential for several other riders in the mix also creates opportunity for significant movement in the championship chase. For example, should Saathoff repeat and Drane get shuffled back to a close fourth again this year, the margin between the two would get slashed from 16 to just 7.
Flying With Wings
Who else could join that hypothetical mix?
Even accounting for Drane’s recent Mile brilliance, Honda has traditionally been the primary force on the big tracks.
Honda-mounted riders have won more than half (36 of 67) Miles in class history, with an even better record since 2019 (12 of 21). And that’s not a stat propped up due to the overwhelming skills of any one rider; those 12 wins since ‘19 are split up amongst eight different riders.
Along with Saathoff, Honda comes into DuQuoin with Trevor Brunner (No. 21 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) – winner of three career Miles – in its corner.
And don’t forget about Tarren Santero (No. 75 Mission Roof Systems Honda CRF450R), who is no doubt out to make amends after his Saturday second at Lima was spoiled by a blown motor on Sunday. Santero now has a podium finish in a Half-Mile, Short Track, and TT. The Mile is the lone holdout, although he finished a solid sixth here a year ago.
You Gotta Wear Shades
Progressive AFT fans should pay close attention to the amateurs taking part in the 2025 Roof Systems AMA Flat Track Grand Championship this week in DuQuoin. Because when we say the week will put a spotlight on the future stars of the sport – we’re talking near future.
Consider the names to previously shine at the amateur nations. Winners of the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award going back to just 2018 include Daniels, Brunner, Kopp, Saathoff, Evan Renshaw (No. 65 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), and Walker Porter (No. 100 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R).
And this year’s crop of pros who were amateurs just one year ago is shaping up to be an all-timer.
Just four races into his career, Kage Tadman (No. 288 Roof Systems/Old Oak Ranch KTM 450 SX-F) already boasts two wins and four top fives.
Porter made a remarkable top-five pro debut last weekend and is now set to return to DuQuoin where he was named the recipient of the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award one year ago.
Meanwhile, fellow rookie Ryder Reese (No. 244 Mission Foods/Roof Systems KTM 450 SX-F) finished ninth in his Progressive AFT debut weekend at Lima. That saw him join Tadman, Porter, Skylar Sentell (No. 249 Hoffer Performance/Stauffer Motors KTM 450 SX-F) and Ethan Kitchen (No. 105 Lucky Thumb M/C Yamaha YZ450F) in breaking into the top ten as a rookie already this season.
And while it may not be easy to dice it up with the more experienced riders on a tactically taxing Mile, recall that Evan Kelleher (No. 31 Schaeffer’s Motorsports KTM 450 SX-F) finished just 0.204 seconds off last year’s DuQuoin Mile win as a rookie.
Speaking of, Kelleher comes in riding high following the best weekend of his sophomore campaign.
It’s Independence Day Weekend. Of Course, We’re Gonna Party
This week-long celebration of motorcycle dirt track racing will also offer plenty of activities away from the track. The Rider Q&A will take place during the Fan Party that leads directly into Opening Ceremonies.
There will also be a multitude of vendors, plenty of food and beverage options, extensive motorcycle parking, and an abundance of good vibes.
That’s the Ticket
General Admission Grandstand tickets for the Memphis Shades DuQuoin Mile are just $35 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult ticket) while Reserved Grandstand tickets are just $45 (all ages). And new for 2025, every ticket includes access to the paddock’s where you can get up close and personal with the planet’s most incredible dirt track riders and machines.
Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/trackenterprises/events/2025-duquoin-mile-129199 to reserve your seats today.
Gates will open for fans at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.
How to Watch
FloRacing
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2025. 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.
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2025. 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.
FS1
FOX Sports coverage of the Memphis Shades DuQuoin Mile, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, July 13, at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT).
For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.
MotoAmerica: See Max Van’s Massive Save At The Ridge!
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Max Van got it all wrong in MotoAmerica Supersport qualifying at The Ridge Motorsports Park but managed to keep it on two wheels. Watch smoke coming off the cocked front wheel in this Video of Max’s Wild Ride, seen below:
MotoAmerica: Riders Set New Records on Dunlop Sportmax Slicks At The Ridge
Rancho Cucamonga – Dunlop Motorcycle Tires is excited to announce that multiple new track records have been established at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, WA. This thrilling showcase of speed and skill wasn’t possible without the Sportmax Slick tires, and the following records were achieved:
Supersport:
– Lap Record: 1:42.221 – Achieved by Mathew Scholtz during Qualifying 1
– Race Lap Record: 1:42.308 – Set by Tyler Scott during Race 1
Super Hooligan:
– Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:44.905 – Recorded by Jake Lewis in Race 1
Twins Cup:
– Lap Record: 1:46.108– Accomplished by Alessandro Di Mario during Qualifying 2 on Sunday
– Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:46.026 – Achieved by Alessandro Di Mario during Race 2
These outstanding performances demonstrate the exceptional grip and reliability of Dunlop’s Sportmax Slick tires, further cementing their position as the tire of choice for all competitive road racing.
To learn more about Dunlop racing tires, please visit www.dunlopracing.com
About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires: Dunlop is the number one selling and largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in North America. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.
CSBK: RAD Torque Raceway Supersport Preview
Supersport Preview: Collins headlines western challengers as title fight shifts to Edmonton.
The return to RAD Torque Raceway will come at the perfect time for the Pro Supersport class next weekend, as a talented group of western riders will look to carry their momentum into their home round in the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship, July 4-6, presented by Canadian Kawasaki Motors and Argyll Motorsports.
The Edmonton venue will offer a first-ever tripleheader in the middleweight class, with two races on Saturday and a race on Sunday serving as the most crucial point of the season ahead of the season finale in CTMP next month.
With it comes a make-or-break trip for championship leader Torin Collins, this time only a short drive away from his hometown in Calgary, and one that the rising superstar will look forward to after his sensational CSBK debut at the circuit last season.
That time it was in the feature GP Bikes Pro Superbike class where Collins first dazzled the crowd at RAD Torque, finishing second in race one and winning race two to break numerous Superbike records – a trend the 19-year-old has carried with him into his first Supersport campaign north of the border.
Simply put, Collins has looked unbeatable for the better part of 2025, taking two pole positions and winning three-of-four races in dominant fashion aboard his Octagon Energy Services Suzuki (a new title sponsor for his home round), falling short only when he was taken out on lap one in AMP.
It’s hard to see that form slipping at the venue where he did so well in Superbike a year ago, and one that favours his ultra-aggressive riding style. However, it won’t be a straightforward task for Collins either, with no shortage of other “hometown” riders ready to put on a show in Alberta.
Amongst them is his main championship rival in 18-year-old Andrew Van Winkle, who scored the first victory of his Pro Supersport career at RAD Torque last season before adding another one last time out in Nova Scotia.
The Mountainview Motorsports Suzuki rider is still far from his true hometown of Chilliwack, British Columbia, but it won’t feel that way to Van Winkle as he carries as much momentum as anyone into round three, having taken 45 of a possible 50 points on the east coast.
The former Pro Twins champion will be at a slight disadvantage again aboard his GSX-R600 compared to the next-gen GSX-R750’s of many of his rivals, but that didn’t stop Van Winkle from winning race two a year ago aboard the same machine.
It’s been a much different tale in 2025 for the race one winner from last season, as John Laing enters a “get-right” spot at a much-needed time in what has been a difficult year aboard his new Vass Performance Suzuki.
The nearby Cochrane, Alberta native entered RAD Torque last year with big expectations and delivered with a runaway race one victory, but a third-place finish the next day has been his last taste of champagne since, missing the podium in ten consecutive races.
That’s not to say Laing has been off the pace entirely in that stretch, finishing in the top-five on five occasions, but a season-best finish of sixth won’t be what he hoped for after entering the season as a championship contender.
A return to at least the podium, if not the top step, could be all Laing needs to get his confidence back aboard his new machine, and there’s no better spot for him to do so than at his home circuit where he looked so strong a year ago.
Outside of the local stars, another rider needing a bounce-back weekend will be defending champion Sebastien Tremblay, who trails Collins by 20 points for the S.T. Motosport Suzuki team.
Some of that deficit is through no fault of his own, having been taken out along with Collins in race one at AMP, though Tremblay has also been farther off the pace than expected in 2025, finishing a distant third in each of the other three races.
His finishes of third and fourth at RAD Torque last season won’t scare Collins or Van Winkle either, though Tremblay was notably dealing with a shoulder injury during that weekend.
A dark horse to watch out west will be Elliot Vieira, who was a turn one crash away from a massive points haul in Edmonton last season after finishing second to Laing in race one and initially leading race two.
Vieira has been as consistent as anyone to begin 2025, finishing fourth or fifth in every race to put his GP Bikes Ducati fourth in the standings. Adding a pair of podiums or even a race win in round three would create a massive wrinkle in the championship mix, especially given Vieira’s strong resumé around CTMP.
As for round two star Alex Michel, the former top amateur was a solid but unspectacular eight and seventh in his two races at RAD Torque last season, but the SpeedFactory67 Kawasaki rider has looked far more confident and competitive this year as he tries to build upon his strong performances in AMP.
Expected to be absent from the top of the running order are frontrunners Phil DeGama-Blanchet and Trevor Daley, the former being another local star out of Calgary.
DeGama-Blanchet is rumoured to be focusing on his Superbike campaign after encountering a number of mechanical issues on his Supersport machine in round three, missing both races. The 17-year-old finished fourth and fifth at his home round a year ago, and could be a threat for at least a podium if he can get his Taylor Racing Ducati back on track next weekend.
As for Daley, the OneSpeed Suzuki rider was already expected to miss round three even prior to his injury in Nova Scotia, suffered in a lap one crash in race one before his incredible comeback to finish sixth.
More information can be found on the series’ official website.
For more information on the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship, visit www.csbk.ca or email info@csbk.ca.
BMW Motorrad M Racing Experience: Riding Toprak’s Racebike, In The June Issue
RIDING TOPRAK’S WORLD SUPERBIKE…
Wherein we ride the M 1000 R, the M 1000RR, the M 1000 XR, the Alpha Racing M 1000RR Superstock, the Alpha Racing M 1000 RR Superbike, the World Endurance M 1000 RR, and Toprak’s factory World Superbike M 1000 RR…all on a single exhilarating day.
“We were given relatively unfettered access to the ROKiT World Superbike Team with
reigning World Champion Toprak Razgatlioğlu and his teammate Michael van der Mark as well as the techs, execs, and mechanics for the team. Also in attendance were a dozen BMW Motorrad execs, project managers, software engineers and the like. And, also in attendance were execs and mechanics for Alpha Racing. Alpha Racing has a direct supply of BMW base parts (engines, etc.) from which they build various iterations of M 1000 RRs including their MotoAmerica Stock 1000 bike (which I had previously tested) as well as a Superbike version, which (as this is written) Cameron Beaubier is using to lead the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. So, while reveling in the pageantry of the World Superbike weekend, I was preparing to suit up the following Monday to ride the: M 1000
R, M 1000 XR, M 1000 RR, Alpha Superstock, Alpha Superbike, World Endurance bike, and…and…Toprak’s factory World Superbike.”
“Lebensfreude Motorrad: BMW Motorrad M Racing Experience,” by Sam Q. Fleming
>>>>BE SURE TO CATCH SAM FLEMING’S INTERVIEW OF TOPRAK RAZGATLIOGLU ON ROADRACINGWORLD.COM. Click here to watch!
PREVIEW June 2025 Issue of Roadracing World
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Where To Ride In July 2025
The following track days, riding schools, and racing events are scheduled by organizations based in the United States during July 2025.
This list includes opportunities (days) to ride at races, schools, and track days during the month of July in the U.S.A
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 emailing to [email protected] or to [email protected].
Before heading to an event, contact the organization or track and confirm that it’s going to be held as publicized.
7/3 Spicy Track Days, New York Safety Track, Jefferson, NY.
7/4 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, special day dedicated to female riders, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI.
7/4 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Summit Point Circuit, Summit Point, WV (Main Track).
7/5 The Riders Club Track Days, Thunderbolt Raceway, Millville, NJ.
7/4-5 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup Qualifiers & Final, MiniSBK Shannonville Mtrspt. Park, Shannonville, ON, Canada.
7/4-6 CRA (Central Roadracing Association) Series, Competition Course, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN
7/5-6 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI.
7/5 AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), DuQuoin Mile, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, DuQuoin, IL.
7/5-6 ASRA Atlantic Region Championship Series, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV.
7/5-6 N2 Track Days, Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA.
7/5-6 N2 Track Days, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA.
7/5-6 CMRA Series, Motorsport Ranch, Cresson TX.
7/6 The Riders Club Track Days, Thunderbolt Raceway, Millville, NJ.
7/7 California Superbike School, The Ridge Raceway, Shelton, WA (All Levels).
7/7 The Riders Club Track Days, Thunderbolt Raceway, Millville, NJ.
7/8 California Superbike School, The Ridge Raceway, Shelton, WA (All Levels).
7/9-10 California Superbike School, The Ridge Raceway, Shelton, WA (All Levels).
7/11 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI.
7/11 California Superbike School, The Ridge Raceway, Shelton, WA (All Levels).
7/11 N2 Track Days, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomington, GA.
7/11 Penguin Riding School, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH.
7/11-13 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Road Racing Series, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA.
7/11-12-13 ASRA Mid-West Region Championship Series, Blackhawk Farms, South Beloit, IL.
7/12 WERA National Endurance Series Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Roebling Road Raceway, Faulkville, GA.
7/12 California Superbike School, The Ridge Raceway, Shelton, WA (All Levels).
7/12 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup Qualifiers & Final, Southeast Mini Moto, Lamar Cty. Spdwy., Barnesville, GA Q.
7/12 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup Qualifiers & Final, Texas Mini Cup, Kart Moto, Cresson, TX Q.
7/12 Southeast Mini Moto Series, Lamar County Speedway, Barnesville, GA.
7/12-13 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup Qualifiers & Final, WERA, Grattan Rcwy. Park, (Street GP Only), Belding, MI Q.
7/12-13 Fast Line Track Days, NCM Motorsports Park, Bowling Green, KY.
7/12-13 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, Lafayette, NY.
7/12-13 ASRA National Series (AMA Sanctioned), Blackhawk Farms, South Beloit, IL.
7/12-13 WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Roebling Road Raceway, Faulkville, GA-E,M.
7/12-13 WERA Sportsman Series Atlantic Coastal Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Roebling Road Raceway, Faulkville, GA-E,M.
7/12-13 WERA Sportsman Series North Central Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Grattan Raceway Park, Grattan, MI-c,DH,M,rs,V.
7/12-13 Pacific Track Time Track Days, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA.
7/12-13 Zalusky Advanced Riding School & Track Days, School, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, MN.
7/12-13 USCRA, The Belknap Cup- Canaan Motor Club, Canaan, New Hampshire.
7/13 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup Qualifiers & Final, Oregon Lwt. Moto, Mac Track, McMinnville, OR Q.
7/13 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Cornering School Day 1, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA
7/14 N2 Track Days, Summit Point Raceway (Main), Summit Point, WV.
7/15 Volant Vivere Track Days, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA.
7/15 The Riders Club Track Days, Thunderbolt Raceway, Millville, NJ (Red Group).
7/16 The Riders Club Track Days, Thunderbolt Raceway, Millville, NJ (VIP DAY).
7/19 SFLminiGP Championship Series, T4 KartPlex, Palmetto, FL (Night Endurance Race 1).
7/19 Zalusky Advanced Riding School & Track Days, Track Day, Blackhawk Farms, Beloit, IL.
7/19-20 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL.
7/19-20 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Putnam Park Road Course, Mount Meridian, IN.
7/19-20 Evolve GT School And Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ (Lightning).
7/19-20 N2 Track Days, NCBike, Garysville, NC.
7/19-20-21 Precision Track Days, Carolina Motorsports Park (CMP), Kershaw, SC
7/20 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup Qualifiers & Final, Tyler O’Hara, Sonoma Rcwy., Sonoma, CA Q.
7/20 Zalusky Advanced Riding School & Track Days, Track Day (by MotoVid), Blackhawk Farms, Beloit, IL.
7/20 Zalusky Advanced Riding School & Track Days, Track Day, Comp. Course, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN.
7/20 Motovid, Blackhawk Farms Raceway S. Beloit, IL – TD.
7/20-21 Penguin Riding School, New York Safety Track, Harpersfield, NY.
7/21 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Summit Point Circuit, Summit Point, WV (Main Track).
7/21 Zalusky Advanced Riding School & Track Days, Track Day, Comp. Course, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN.
7/21 N2 Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park (Thunderbolt), Millville, NJ.
7/23-24 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton WA.
7/24-27 WERA National Challenge Series Co-Sanctioned by AMA, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Mid-Ohio-Limited Schedule-DH.
7/24-27 WERA Sportsman Series North Central Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Mid-Ohio-Limited Classes-DH,N,V.
7/26-27 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Ozarks International Raceway, Gravois Mills, MO.
7/26-27 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Autobahn Country Club, Joliet, IL.
7/26-27 Pacific Track Time Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA.
7/26-27 Hallett Advanced Rider Training (HART), Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Jennings, OK.
7/26-27 TrackAddix Track Days & Races, Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, NE.
7/27 MRA Series, High Plains Raceway, Deer Trail, CO (Saturday Endurance by Legion Moto Trackdays; Friday lapping by HPR)
7/27 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Suspension Workshop Camp/Track Time, Little 99 Rcwy., Stockton, CA
7/27 Zalusky Advanced Riding School & Track Days, School, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, MN.
7/28 The Riders Club Track Days, Thunderbolt Raceway, Millville, NJ.
CSBK Heads West For RAD Torque Raceway Round This Weekend
The Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship will continue its cross-country journey this weekend, with the feature GP Bikes Pro Superbike class heading west for their pivotal third round at RAD Torque Raceway, July 4-6.
The series will return to Edmonton for a second consecutive season, a whopping 4,770 kilometres from the last time we saw the feature class in Nova Scotia, with three races on deck and just two points separating rivals Ben Young and Alex Dumas at the top.
It’s hardly a two-horse race, however, with Jordan Szoke just a further nine points back and Sam Guerin only seven points adrift of him following his round two sweep at AMP, meaning a mere 18 points will cover the entire top four at the midway point of the season.
Guerin will carry the momentum into round three after the best showing of his career, besting Young in a pair of last lap battles at arguably Young’s best circuit, though the three-time reigning champion is strong across the entire calendar – including RAD Torque, where he won a crucial race one a year ago.
Young is one of just three former winners at the venue, with Szoke sweeping the inaugural visit in 2015 before home phenom Torin Collins took a maiden victory in race two last season, though Collins is expected to focus on his Supersport campaign this time around.
That leaves a relatively unpredictable weekend ahead for the top four, especially given that Young and Dumas will be returning to the circuit aboard new machines in 2025.
Young has yet to take a debut victory for the Van Dolder’s Home Team Honda squad after leaving BMW this winter, earning his championship lead through his usual consistency with three runner-up finishes in four races thus far.
It’s hard to envision Young’s 22-race podium streak ending in RAD Torque either, even with a rare tripleheader offering plenty of risk and opportunity, though he won’t be eager to “play it safe” with his two-point title lead either as he looks to inflict maximum damage ahead of the season finale in CTMP.
Conversely, Dumas will be looking to do damage control after a career-worst round two in AMP, entering with a 14-point lead and exiting with finishes of fourth and fifth.
The difficult weekend was partially due to a few mechanical issues aboard his new Economy Lube/Fast Company BMW, something the team will hope to have sorted in RAD Torque, especially given Dumas’ strong showing at the circuit in 2024.
It was in Edmonton where Dumas made his season debut last year, ending a brief hiatus to join his current squad aboard a Ducati, picking up strong finishes of third and second despite limited knowledge of the V4 Panigale.
Now piloting the friendlier M1000RR, Dumas will try to return to his winning ways after a dominant opening round, though it likely won’t be a straight fight against his rival Young.
Szoke and Guerin won’t have fond memories of their trip west in 2024, with Szoke taking consecutive fourth-place finishes while Guerin settled for fifth in each race, but both have looked much more competitive in 2025 and will try to keep that rolling at RAD Torque.
Guerin in particular will try to extend his mid-season comeback aboard the EFC Group BMW, having turned around his year in a big way with consecutive victories after a disastrous round one.
The Quebec City native is especially confident in tricky weather conditions, something that could crucially go his way with heavy rain forecast for Sunday’s doubleheader.
As for Szoke, the 14-time champion is still chasing a dream 79th career victory after four years away from the top step of the podium, though he’s looked closer than ever this season after leading at multiple points across rounds one and two.
The Canadian Kawasaki Motors star will also have a bit of added confidence after his strong showing at the recent Loudon Classic, with Szoke still firmly in the mix for not just an emotional victory but also a record-extending 15th Canada Cup in 2025.
Outside of the “big four,” the rest of the GP Bikes Pro Superbike class will be relatively wide open as well at RAD Torque, with a few familiar names set to battle an array of local talent in Alberta.
Leading that group will be David MacKay, who continues to knock on the door of a breakout result after running right in the mix of the lead group in both races at AMP.
The ODH Snow City Cycle Honda rider has yet to claim a first career Superbike podium but has finished lower than sixth just twice in his 16 races aboard the CBR1000RR-R, making him a sure bet to run at least in the top-five range as he did at RAD Torque last season, finishing sixth and then crashing out of fifth in race two.
Should Collins sit out the Superbike weekend as expected, the home favourite will become his close friend and fellow Calgary native Phil DeGama-Blanchet, who has quickly emerged as one of the rising stars of the CSBK paddock.
The 17-year-old phenom sits fifth in the championship with three top-five finishes in four races aboard his Mots Machining Honda, and a maiden podium of his own may not be far off with the home crowd behind him in Edmonton.
Another rider looking to build on his own career-best result will be Connor Campbell, having overcome a mechanical issue in race one to take an excellent sixth in race two at AMP.
The B&T MacFarlane Kawasaki rider has seen a pair of technical problems spoil an impressive start to his sophomore year, finishing seventh in the season opener before consecutive DNF’s, but better fortune will be all Campbell needs to continue his form out west.
One local favourite set to make his 2025 debut will be Brian Worsdall, this time piloting a privateer BMW after a strong showing at his home round for Honda last season.
The Edmonton native finished seventh and eighth in his first career Pro Superbike weekend last year, matching a competitive midfield of CSBK regulars, and there’s no signs of him slowing down on his new machine after opening the EMRA regional season with a victory last month.
The feature class will open the weekend with qualifying on Friday at RAD Torque, just a half-hour south of Edmonton, before race one on Saturday and a doubleheader on Sunday.
MotoGP Analysis: Ducati Still On Top, In The June Issue
Why has Ducati reverted its factory MotoGP riders to mostly 2024-spec bikes and
what are the Bologna brand’s rivals doing to try and close the gap? Mat Oxley tells why (and what) in the June 2025 print issue of Roadracing World.
Ducati Lenovo factory-team riders Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia, (plus VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio) went into pre-season testing with all-new GP25 racebikes but soon reverted to 2024 engine specs, chassis and aero, so their current bikes are almost, but not quite, the same as the GP24s raced by Gresini riders Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer and Di Giannantonio’s VR46 teammate Franky Morbidelli.
While Marc Marquez’s magic talent has seen him top the podium regularly, Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio have had some torrid weekends. Bagnaia complains of poor feedback from the front end when he enters corners, so he can’t feel the limit. He’s tried everything with set-up, so now he’s trying to adapt his riding technique.
“I feel mad that my greatest point—braking and entry—is no longer good with this bike,” says 2022-2023 World Champion Bagnaia. “Marc is very good at riding everything, but I can’t do it, I need to have a good feeling with the front.” At recent races it’s become apparent that the GP24 is a better motorcycle than the GP25, or the GP24.5 or GP24.9, which its riders sometimes call it. Alex Marquez adores the GP24, as does his rookie teammate Aldeguer. Which begs the question: Why doesn’t Bagnaia revert to his actual 2024 Desmosedici, with which he won 11 Grand Prix races last year?
From”MotoGP Analysis: Ducati Still On Top,” by Mat Oxley
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FIM Flat Track Video: American Sammy Halbert Wins In Germany
Sammy Halbert won an FIM Flat Track World Championship round in Germany. Halbert won the 2024 FIM Flat Track World Championship and is defending his #1 plate in 2025.
Saddlemen, A Spaniard, And Success Penalties: Weight A Minute, Again …
First Person/Opinion
By Michael Gougis
What do the teams racing Harley-Davidson Pan America ST racebikes in MotoAmerica’s Super Hooligan class have in common with two-time Superbike World Champion Alvaro Bautista?
In both cases, someone thinks that they’re racing under their weight category, and as such, each is carrying around an unnecessary lump of heavy metal on their racebikes.
The Harley-Davidson teams showed up at The Ridge Motorsports Park facing new MotoAmerica Hooligan minimum weight requirements that were, in my memory, some of the biggest weight penalties ever imposed in motorcycle road racing. Meanwhile, Bautista took to social media this week to challenge the Superbike regulations that have, in effect, threatened to end his career.
Imposing success penalties (let’s call them what they are) by adding weight to racebikes is a time-honored method of trying to balance the performance of different types of machines racing in the same class. (No one was complaining about Bautista’s weight when the Ducati riders were beating him in his lost years on the Honda Superbike. No one was adding weight to the Pan Americas when they were getting beaten.) In World Superbike, there are different types of Inline-4 racebikes and a V-4; in Hooligan, there are air-cooled bikes and water-cooled Triples and Twins of a variety of displacements.
But there are ways to balance performance that don’t penalize individual riders or discount the efforts of an inventive, creative, hard-working race team. And in each case, let’s just say that the way the weight penalties have been applied could have been done more skillfully.
Tired of Kawasaki’s domination, World Superbike started imposing success-penalty rev-limits, which have since been replaced by fuel flow restrictions. Ducati and BMW both have seen their fuel consumption reduced this season. And, presumably tired of Bautista’s domination of the series, World Superbike now has a “soft” minimum combined rider/machine weight limit. If the bike is at the class weight minimum of 168 kg (370.3 lbs.), then for every kilogram (2.2 pounds) a rider is under the “reference weight” of 80 kg (176.37 lbs), half a kilogram must be added. According to media reports from Europe, Bautista is racing with at least six kilograms (13.2 pounds) bolted to his Aruba.it-Racing factory Panigale V4 R. It may be more than that.
Bautista went from 27 wins before the regulation in 2023 to four wins in 2024. Even taking into account the concessions that allowed BMW to build a special chassis and their hiring the immensely talented Toprak Razgatlioglu, it’s hard to believe that the weight penalty had nothing to do with Bautista’s dramatic drop in results. No one forgets overnight how to race a motorcycle.
With the same thing happening in 2025, Ducati fired Bautista and he is without a ride for 2026. And if you read between the lines, no one wants to hire him, at least partly because whoever does put him on their Superbike in 2026 will be bolting a big chunk of ballast onto the machine as well – regardless of how well their bike is performing. The slowest privateer team could hire Bautista and the team would still have to bolt chunks of metal to their bike, or race a machine that’s far heavier than the class machine weight limit.
It’s a pretty good guess that the “Thanks, but no thanks” responses Bautista’s agent is likely getting from other manufacturers prompted the rider to take to social media with a plea to re-think the rule that is killing his career.
“The truth is, when your physical dimensions become a structural disadvantage—something that says nothing about your ability as a rider—then it stops being a technical issue and becomes a form of discrimination,” Bautista wrote. “I understand that weight is a technical factor in motorcycle performance. I accept that. But when the system fails to take into account natural differences in body types, it ceases to be fair and begins to exclude.
“That is why I’m writing today. Not to portray myself as a victim. Not to create division. I’m writing because I don’t want other riders—now or in the future—to go through what I have gone through in the last couple of years. I don’t want them to feel that their body is an obstacle more difficult than any corner on the track.
“My aim with this message is to start a necessary conversation. To ask that we rethink technical criteria, regulations, and above all, the culture of motorcycling. Riders are not defined by the number on a scale. They are defined by their intelligence on track, their instinct, their courage, and their connection with the bike.”
World Superbike simply went too far in one go with the weight penalties. It would have been far better to introduce them gradually to see what the impact would be. It’s clear that in their attempt to rein in the Panigale V4 R, an incredible racebike, the rule had a disproportionate impact on one rider.
But if 13.2 pounds seems like a lot, ponder the 38-pound boat anchor that the Saddlemen squad had to bolt to their Pan America to race at The Ridge. That’s more than the weight of two regulation bowling balls. The team made sort of a small steel coffin and filled it with molten lead to bring the bike up to the new minimum weight. James Rispoli, who rides a Pan America for the KWR Racing team, said his bike had an additional 25 pounds bolted to it. “Changes? We’re in the stratosphere compared to where we were at (Road) Atlanta,” Rispoli said. “Springs, geometry, valving. The biggest impact is in the turning, the way the bike naturally turns, but it’s in acceleration, braking, everywhere.”
For the Hooligan class, the minimum weight for water-cooled machines 1000cc and below is 365 lbs, 377 lbs. for water-cooled machines over 1000cc and 350 lbs. for all air-cooled twin-cylinder bikes regardless of displacement. (The class only allows electric bikes, and gas-powered Twins and Triples.) Unless you’re riding a Pan America, which had locked out all the podium positions this year prior to The Ridge. That bike, which admittedly no one was racing at the class minimum weight, now must weigh 450 lbs. On paper, that’s a 73 pound change, or approximately the weight of a baby calf or a two-person couch!
David Echert’s Saddlemen team couldn’t get close to the Super Hooligan win at The Ridge two years ago. At their best, Cory West was second in Race Two, but more than six seconds back after seven laps. So Echert and others racing the porky adventure bike put it on a diet. For Saddlemen, that meant a carbon-fiber subframe, exhausts that were made of half-thickness materials, smaller radiator, even the powder coating was stripped from components to reduce their weight. The team got the bike down to about 412 pounds – nowhere near the class minimum weight, but an impressive 130 pounds lighter than the stocker. It was expensive, but it was effective – West won the class Championship last year.
Much of that hard work has been nullified.
“No,” Echert said, when asked if the penalty seemed fair. “It would have been better if they had told us they would do this before we spent all that money to make the bikes lighter.”
Once again, better to have eased into this penalty. Increase the weight incrementally, or over a period of time. Penalizing a team for doing well doesn’t feel right. I am a fan of the sort of unofficial rule in Formula One car racing: A team that develops a technical breakthrough gets to keep it for the rest of the year, and then it’s outlawed. At least that way the team gets to benefit from its hard work and ingenuity. In my opinion, the weight changes should have been delayed until next year. That way, everyone knows what’s coming and can plan, design and build accordingly.
Racing should reward the people who put in the work to run at the front and not penalize them, regardless of results. Take away those hard-earned advantages only after careful and significant thought and reflection. That is all that I’m saying here.
AFT: Singles Brace for Another Photo Finish at DuQuoin Mile
Don’t blink. If the past two stops were any indication, this year’s AFT Singles presented by KICKER race at the Memphis Shades DuQuoin Mile will be decided by the smallest of margins when Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, does battle at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds in DuQuoin, Illinois, this Saturday, July 5.
All Aboard the Drane Train.
After his double domination of the Lima Half-Mile, everyone can stop worrying about when Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) will finally get his first victory of the 2025 season and shift their concerns to whether or not anyone will be able to stop him now that’s he’s rolling at full steam.
Whatever minor “slump,” Drane might have dealt with to open the season did not knock him off the historic trajectory that has defined the Australian’s early Progressive AFT career. Consider that, in just two-and-a-half seasons, he’s already moved into a tie with former class champions Dallas Daniels and Dalton Gauthier for third all-time in AFT Singles victories at 13.
He’s also now tied with Daniels for third most Half-Mile wins at five.
If the opposition thought it was going to get any easier this weekend, they might want to reconsider. Even without a stop at a Mile in ‘25, Drane already ranks second all-time in career Mile wins – also at five – with one of those coming at DuQuoin in ‘23.
Should he sweep all three Miles this season, he would move into a tie with Shayna Texter-Bauman atop the career order.
Daniels, Gauthier, Texter-Bauman… That’s some pretty exclusive company.
It’s The FBI Again
But don’t crown Drane just yet. In fact, he wasn’t even on the podium at DuQuoin a year ago… despite finishing just 0.088 seconds back of the win.
That’s not a typo. In fact, the eight riders who represented first through fourth at the DuQuoin Mile in ‘23 and ‘24 were separated by less than two tenths of a second, combined.
Last year’s victory went to home state Fast Boy from Illinois Chase Saathoff (No. 88 RWR/Parts Plus Honda CRF450R), who beat triple champion Kody Kopp to the stripe at the head of a five-rider pack by 0.001 seconds.
The year before, Saathoff was on the other end of things, losing out to Drane at the front of a six-rider pack by 0.011 seconds.
Past history suggests it’ll be a major upset if anyone walks away with it this weekend, and if the multi-rider pack doesn’t include title rivals Drane and Saathoff.
The potential for several other riders in the mix also creates opportunity for significant movement in the championship chase. For example, should Saathoff repeat and Drane get shuffled back to a close fourth again this year, the margin between the two would get slashed from 16 to just 7.
Flying With Wings
Who else could join that hypothetical mix?
Even accounting for Drane’s recent Mile brilliance, Honda has traditionally been the primary force on the big tracks.
Honda-mounted riders have won more than half (36 of 67) Miles in class history, with an even better record since 2019 (12 of 21). And that’s not a stat propped up due to the overwhelming skills of any one rider; those 12 wins since ‘19 are split up amongst eight different riders.
Along with Saathoff, Honda comes into DuQuoin with Trevor Brunner (No. 21 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) – winner of three career Miles – in its corner.
And don’t forget about Tarren Santero (No. 75 Mission Roof Systems Honda CRF450R), who is no doubt out to make amends after his Saturday second at Lima was spoiled by a blown motor on Sunday. Santero now has a podium finish in a Half-Mile, Short Track, and TT. The Mile is the lone holdout, although he finished a solid sixth here a year ago.
You Gotta Wear Shades
Progressive AFT fans should pay close attention to the amateurs taking part in the 2025 Roof Systems AMA Flat Track Grand Championship this week in DuQuoin. Because when we say the week will put a spotlight on the future stars of the sport – we’re talking near future.
Consider the names to previously shine at the amateur nations. Winners of the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award going back to just 2018 include Daniels, Brunner, Kopp, Saathoff, Evan Renshaw (No. 65 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), and Walker Porter (No. 100 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R).
And this year’s crop of pros who were amateurs just one year ago is shaping up to be an all-timer.
Just four races into his career, Kage Tadman (No. 288 Roof Systems/Old Oak Ranch KTM 450 SX-F) already boasts two wins and four top fives.
Porter made a remarkable top-five pro debut last weekend and is now set to return to DuQuoin where he was named the recipient of the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award one year ago.
Meanwhile, fellow rookie Ryder Reese (No. 244 Mission Foods/Roof Systems KTM 450 SX-F) finished ninth in his Progressive AFT debut weekend at Lima. That saw him join Tadman, Porter, Skylar Sentell (No. 249 Hoffer Performance/Stauffer Motors KTM 450 SX-F) and Ethan Kitchen (No. 105 Lucky Thumb M/C Yamaha YZ450F) in breaking into the top ten as a rookie already this season.
And while it may not be easy to dice it up with the more experienced riders on a tactically taxing Mile, recall that Evan Kelleher (No. 31 Schaeffer’s Motorsports KTM 450 SX-F) finished just 0.204 seconds off last year’s DuQuoin Mile win as a rookie.
Speaking of, Kelleher comes in riding high following the best weekend of his sophomore campaign.
It’s Independence Day Weekend. Of Course, We’re Gonna Party
This week-long celebration of motorcycle dirt track racing will also offer plenty of activities away from the track. The Rider Q&A will take place during the Fan Party that leads directly into Opening Ceremonies.
There will also be a multitude of vendors, plenty of food and beverage options, extensive motorcycle parking, and an abundance of good vibes.
That’s the Ticket
General Admission Grandstand tickets for the Memphis Shades DuQuoin Mile are just $35 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult ticket) while Reserved Grandstand tickets are just $45 (all ages). And new for 2025, every ticket includes access to the paddock’s where you can get up close and personal with the planet’s most incredible dirt track riders and machines.
Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/trackenterprises/events/2025-duquoin-mile-129199 to reserve your seats today.
Gates will open for fans at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.
How to Watch
FloRacing
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2025. 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.
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2025. 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.
FS1
FOX Sports coverage of the Memphis Shades DuQuoin Mile, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, July 13, at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT).
For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.
MotoAmerica: See Max Van’s Massive Save At The Ridge!
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Max Van got it all wrong in MotoAmerica Supersport qualifying at The Ridge Motorsports Park but managed to keep it on two wheels. Watch smoke coming off the cocked front wheel in this Video of Max’s Wild Ride, seen below:
MotoAmerica: Riders Set New Records on Dunlop Sportmax Slicks At The Ridge
Rancho Cucamonga – Dunlop Motorcycle Tires is excited to announce that multiple new track records have been established at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, WA. This thrilling showcase of speed and skill wasn’t possible without the Sportmax Slick tires, and the following records were achieved:
Supersport:
– Lap Record: 1:42.221 – Achieved by Mathew Scholtz during Qualifying 1
– Race Lap Record: 1:42.308 – Set by Tyler Scott during Race 1
Super Hooligan:
– Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:44.905 – Recorded by Jake Lewis in Race 1
Twins Cup:
– Lap Record: 1:46.108– Accomplished by Alessandro Di Mario during Qualifying 2 on Sunday
– Lap Record & Race Lap Record: 1:46.026 – Achieved by Alessandro Di Mario during Race 2
These outstanding performances demonstrate the exceptional grip and reliability of Dunlop’s Sportmax Slick tires, further cementing their position as the tire of choice for all competitive road racing.
To learn more about Dunlop racing tires, please visit www.dunlopracing.com
About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires: Dunlop is the number one selling and largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in North America. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.
CSBK: RAD Torque Raceway Supersport Preview
Supersport Preview: Collins headlines western challengers as title fight shifts to Edmonton.
The return to RAD Torque Raceway will come at the perfect time for the Pro Supersport class next weekend, as a talented group of western riders will look to carry their momentum into their home round in the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship, July 4-6, presented by Canadian Kawasaki Motors and Argyll Motorsports.
The Edmonton venue will offer a first-ever tripleheader in the middleweight class, with two races on Saturday and a race on Sunday serving as the most crucial point of the season ahead of the season finale in CTMP next month.
With it comes a make-or-break trip for championship leader Torin Collins, this time only a short drive away from his hometown in Calgary, and one that the rising superstar will look forward to after his sensational CSBK debut at the circuit last season.
That time it was in the feature GP Bikes Pro Superbike class where Collins first dazzled the crowd at RAD Torque, finishing second in race one and winning race two to break numerous Superbike records – a trend the 19-year-old has carried with him into his first Supersport campaign north of the border.
Simply put, Collins has looked unbeatable for the better part of 2025, taking two pole positions and winning three-of-four races in dominant fashion aboard his Octagon Energy Services Suzuki (a new title sponsor for his home round), falling short only when he was taken out on lap one in AMP.
It’s hard to see that form slipping at the venue where he did so well in Superbike a year ago, and one that favours his ultra-aggressive riding style. However, it won’t be a straightforward task for Collins either, with no shortage of other “hometown” riders ready to put on a show in Alberta.
Amongst them is his main championship rival in 18-year-old Andrew Van Winkle, who scored the first victory of his Pro Supersport career at RAD Torque last season before adding another one last time out in Nova Scotia.
The Mountainview Motorsports Suzuki rider is still far from his true hometown of Chilliwack, British Columbia, but it won’t feel that way to Van Winkle as he carries as much momentum as anyone into round three, having taken 45 of a possible 50 points on the east coast.
The former Pro Twins champion will be at a slight disadvantage again aboard his GSX-R600 compared to the next-gen GSX-R750’s of many of his rivals, but that didn’t stop Van Winkle from winning race two a year ago aboard the same machine.
It’s been a much different tale in 2025 for the race one winner from last season, as John Laing enters a “get-right” spot at a much-needed time in what has been a difficult year aboard his new Vass Performance Suzuki.
The nearby Cochrane, Alberta native entered RAD Torque last year with big expectations and delivered with a runaway race one victory, but a third-place finish the next day has been his last taste of champagne since, missing the podium in ten consecutive races.
That’s not to say Laing has been off the pace entirely in that stretch, finishing in the top-five on five occasions, but a season-best finish of sixth won’t be what he hoped for after entering the season as a championship contender.
A return to at least the podium, if not the top step, could be all Laing needs to get his confidence back aboard his new machine, and there’s no better spot for him to do so than at his home circuit where he looked so strong a year ago.
Outside of the local stars, another rider needing a bounce-back weekend will be defending champion Sebastien Tremblay, who trails Collins by 20 points for the S.T. Motosport Suzuki team.
Some of that deficit is through no fault of his own, having been taken out along with Collins in race one at AMP, though Tremblay has also been farther off the pace than expected in 2025, finishing a distant third in each of the other three races.
His finishes of third and fourth at RAD Torque last season won’t scare Collins or Van Winkle either, though Tremblay was notably dealing with a shoulder injury during that weekend.
A dark horse to watch out west will be Elliot Vieira, who was a turn one crash away from a massive points haul in Edmonton last season after finishing second to Laing in race one and initially leading race two.
Vieira has been as consistent as anyone to begin 2025, finishing fourth or fifth in every race to put his GP Bikes Ducati fourth in the standings. Adding a pair of podiums or even a race win in round three would create a massive wrinkle in the championship mix, especially given Vieira’s strong resumé around CTMP.
As for round two star Alex Michel, the former top amateur was a solid but unspectacular eight and seventh in his two races at RAD Torque last season, but the SpeedFactory67 Kawasaki rider has looked far more confident and competitive this year as he tries to build upon his strong performances in AMP.
Expected to be absent from the top of the running order are frontrunners Phil DeGama-Blanchet and Trevor Daley, the former being another local star out of Calgary.
DeGama-Blanchet is rumoured to be focusing on his Superbike campaign after encountering a number of mechanical issues on his Supersport machine in round three, missing both races. The 17-year-old finished fourth and fifth at his home round a year ago, and could be a threat for at least a podium if he can get his Taylor Racing Ducati back on track next weekend.
As for Daley, the OneSpeed Suzuki rider was already expected to miss round three even prior to his injury in Nova Scotia, suffered in a lap one crash in race one before his incredible comeback to finish sixth.
More information can be found on the series’ official website.
For more information on the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship, visit www.csbk.ca or email info@csbk.ca.
BMW Motorrad M Racing Experience: Riding Toprak’s Racebike, In The June Issue
RIDING TOPRAK’S WORLD SUPERBIKE…
Wherein we ride the M 1000 R, the M 1000RR, the M 1000 XR, the Alpha Racing M 1000RR Superstock, the Alpha Racing M 1000 RR Superbike, the World Endurance M 1000 RR, and Toprak’s factory World Superbike M 1000 RR…all on a single exhilarating day.
“We were given relatively unfettered access to the ROKiT World Superbike Team with
reigning World Champion Toprak Razgatlioğlu and his teammate Michael van der Mark as well as the techs, execs, and mechanics for the team. Also in attendance were a dozen BMW Motorrad execs, project managers, software engineers and the like. And, also in attendance were execs and mechanics for Alpha Racing. Alpha Racing has a direct supply of BMW base parts (engines, etc.) from which they build various iterations of M 1000 RRs including their MotoAmerica Stock 1000 bike (which I had previously tested) as well as a Superbike version, which (as this is written) Cameron Beaubier is using to lead the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. So, while reveling in the pageantry of the World Superbike weekend, I was preparing to suit up the following Monday to ride the: M 1000
R, M 1000 XR, M 1000 RR, Alpha Superstock, Alpha Superbike, World Endurance bike, and…and…Toprak’s factory World Superbike.”
“Lebensfreude Motorrad: BMW Motorrad M Racing Experience,” by Sam Q. Fleming
>>>>BE SURE TO CATCH SAM FLEMING’S INTERVIEW OF TOPRAK RAZGATLIOGLU ON ROADRACINGWORLD.COM. Click here to watch!
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Where To Ride In July 2025
The following track days, riding schools, and racing events are scheduled by organizations based in the United States during July 2025.
This list includes opportunities (days) to ride at races, schools, and track days during the month of July in the U.S.A
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 emailing to [email protected] or to [email protected].
Before heading to an event, contact the organization or track and confirm that it’s going to be held as publicized.
7/3 Spicy Track Days, New York Safety Track, Jefferson, NY.
7/4 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, special day dedicated to female riders, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI.
7/4 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Summit Point Circuit, Summit Point, WV (Main Track).
7/5 The Riders Club Track Days, Thunderbolt Raceway, Millville, NJ.
7/4-5 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup Qualifiers & Final, MiniSBK Shannonville Mtrspt. Park, Shannonville, ON, Canada.
7/4-6 CRA (Central Roadracing Association) Series, Competition Course, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN
7/5-6 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI.
7/5 AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), DuQuoin Mile, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, DuQuoin, IL.
7/5-6 ASRA Atlantic Region Championship Series, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV.
7/5-6 N2 Track Days, Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA.
7/5-6 N2 Track Days, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA.
7/5-6 CMRA Series, Motorsport Ranch, Cresson TX.
7/6 The Riders Club Track Days, Thunderbolt Raceway, Millville, NJ.
7/7 California Superbike School, The Ridge Raceway, Shelton, WA (All Levels).
7/7 The Riders Club Track Days, Thunderbolt Raceway, Millville, NJ.
7/8 California Superbike School, The Ridge Raceway, Shelton, WA (All Levels).
7/9-10 California Superbike School, The Ridge Raceway, Shelton, WA (All Levels).
7/11 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI.
7/11 California Superbike School, The Ridge Raceway, Shelton, WA (All Levels).
7/11 N2 Track Days, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomington, GA.
7/11 Penguin Riding School, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH.
7/11-13 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Road Racing Series, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA.
7/11-12-13 ASRA Mid-West Region Championship Series, Blackhawk Farms, South Beloit, IL.
7/12 WERA National Endurance Series Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Roebling Road Raceway, Faulkville, GA.
7/12 California Superbike School, The Ridge Raceway, Shelton, WA (All Levels).
7/12 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup Qualifiers & Final, Southeast Mini Moto, Lamar Cty. Spdwy., Barnesville, GA Q.
7/12 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup Qualifiers & Final, Texas Mini Cup, Kart Moto, Cresson, TX Q.
7/12 Southeast Mini Moto Series, Lamar County Speedway, Barnesville, GA.
7/12-13 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup Qualifiers & Final, WERA, Grattan Rcwy. Park, (Street GP Only), Belding, MI Q.
7/12-13 Fast Line Track Days, NCM Motorsports Park, Bowling Green, KY.
7/12-13 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, Lafayette, NY.
7/12-13 ASRA National Series (AMA Sanctioned), Blackhawk Farms, South Beloit, IL.
7/12-13 WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Roebling Road Raceway, Faulkville, GA-E,M.
7/12-13 WERA Sportsman Series Atlantic Coastal Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Roebling Road Raceway, Faulkville, GA-E,M.
7/12-13 WERA Sportsman Series North Central Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, Grattan Raceway Park, Grattan, MI-c,DH,M,rs,V.
7/12-13 Pacific Track Time Track Days, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA.
7/12-13 Zalusky Advanced Riding School & Track Days, School, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, MN.
7/12-13 USCRA, The Belknap Cup- Canaan Motor Club, Canaan, New Hampshire.
7/13 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup Qualifiers & Final, Oregon Lwt. Moto, Mac Track, McMinnville, OR Q.
7/13 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Cornering School Day 1, Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA
7/14 N2 Track Days, Summit Point Raceway (Main), Summit Point, WV.
7/15 Volant Vivere Track Days, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA.
7/15 The Riders Club Track Days, Thunderbolt Raceway, Millville, NJ (Red Group).
7/16 The Riders Club Track Days, Thunderbolt Raceway, Millville, NJ (VIP DAY).
7/19 SFLminiGP Championship Series, T4 KartPlex, Palmetto, FL (Night Endurance Race 1).
7/19 Zalusky Advanced Riding School & Track Days, Track Day, Blackhawk Farms, Beloit, IL.
7/19-20 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL.
7/19-20 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Putnam Park Road Course, Mount Meridian, IN.
7/19-20 Evolve GT School And Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ (Lightning).
7/19-20 N2 Track Days, NCBike, Garysville, NC.
7/19-20-21 Precision Track Days, Carolina Motorsports Park (CMP), Kershaw, SC
7/20 MotoAmerica Mission Mini Cup Qualifiers & Final, Tyler O’Hara, Sonoma Rcwy., Sonoma, CA Q.
7/20 Zalusky Advanced Riding School & Track Days, Track Day (by MotoVid), Blackhawk Farms, Beloit, IL.
7/20 Zalusky Advanced Riding School & Track Days, Track Day, Comp. Course, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN.
7/20 Motovid, Blackhawk Farms Raceway S. Beloit, IL – TD.
7/20-21 Penguin Riding School, New York Safety Track, Harpersfield, NY.
7/21 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Summit Point Circuit, Summit Point, WV (Main Track).
7/21 Zalusky Advanced Riding School & Track Days, Track Day, Comp. Course, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN.
7/21 N2 Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park (Thunderbolt), Millville, NJ.
7/23-24 Yamaha Champions Riding School, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton WA.
7/24-27 WERA National Challenge Series Co-Sanctioned by AMA, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Mid-Ohio-Limited Schedule-DH.
7/24-27 WERA Sportsman Series North Central Region Co-Sanctioned by AMA, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Mid-Ohio-Limited Classes-DH,N,V.
7/26-27 Evolve GT School And Track Days, Ozarks International Raceway, Gravois Mills, MO.
7/26-27 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Autobahn Country Club, Joliet, IL.
7/26-27 Pacific Track Time Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA.
7/26-27 Hallett Advanced Rider Training (HART), Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Jennings, OK.
7/26-27 TrackAddix Track Days & Races, Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, NE.
7/27 MRA Series, High Plains Raceway, Deer Trail, CO (Saturday Endurance by Legion Moto Trackdays; Friday lapping by HPR)
7/27 Superbike-Coach Corp. Schools & Track Days, Suspension Workshop Camp/Track Time, Little 99 Rcwy., Stockton, CA
7/27 Zalusky Advanced Riding School & Track Days, School, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, MN.
7/28 The Riders Club Track Days, Thunderbolt Raceway, Millville, NJ.
CSBK Heads West For RAD Torque Raceway Round This Weekend
The Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship will continue its cross-country journey this weekend, with the feature GP Bikes Pro Superbike class heading west for their pivotal third round at RAD Torque Raceway, July 4-6.
The series will return to Edmonton for a second consecutive season, a whopping 4,770 kilometres from the last time we saw the feature class in Nova Scotia, with three races on deck and just two points separating rivals Ben Young and Alex Dumas at the top.
It’s hardly a two-horse race, however, with Jordan Szoke just a further nine points back and Sam Guerin only seven points adrift of him following his round two sweep at AMP, meaning a mere 18 points will cover the entire top four at the midway point of the season.
Guerin will carry the momentum into round three after the best showing of his career, besting Young in a pair of last lap battles at arguably Young’s best circuit, though the three-time reigning champion is strong across the entire calendar – including RAD Torque, where he won a crucial race one a year ago.
Young is one of just three former winners at the venue, with Szoke sweeping the inaugural visit in 2015 before home phenom Torin Collins took a maiden victory in race two last season, though Collins is expected to focus on his Supersport campaign this time around.
That leaves a relatively unpredictable weekend ahead for the top four, especially given that Young and Dumas will be returning to the circuit aboard new machines in 2025.
Young has yet to take a debut victory for the Van Dolder’s Home Team Honda squad after leaving BMW this winter, earning his championship lead through his usual consistency with three runner-up finishes in four races thus far.
It’s hard to envision Young’s 22-race podium streak ending in RAD Torque either, even with a rare tripleheader offering plenty of risk and opportunity, though he won’t be eager to “play it safe” with his two-point title lead either as he looks to inflict maximum damage ahead of the season finale in CTMP.
Conversely, Dumas will be looking to do damage control after a career-worst round two in AMP, entering with a 14-point lead and exiting with finishes of fourth and fifth.
The difficult weekend was partially due to a few mechanical issues aboard his new Economy Lube/Fast Company BMW, something the team will hope to have sorted in RAD Torque, especially given Dumas’ strong showing at the circuit in 2024.
It was in Edmonton where Dumas made his season debut last year, ending a brief hiatus to join his current squad aboard a Ducati, picking up strong finishes of third and second despite limited knowledge of the V4 Panigale.
Now piloting the friendlier M1000RR, Dumas will try to return to his winning ways after a dominant opening round, though it likely won’t be a straight fight against his rival Young.
Szoke and Guerin won’t have fond memories of their trip west in 2024, with Szoke taking consecutive fourth-place finishes while Guerin settled for fifth in each race, but both have looked much more competitive in 2025 and will try to keep that rolling at RAD Torque.
Guerin in particular will try to extend his mid-season comeback aboard the EFC Group BMW, having turned around his year in a big way with consecutive victories after a disastrous round one.
The Quebec City native is especially confident in tricky weather conditions, something that could crucially go his way with heavy rain forecast for Sunday’s doubleheader.
As for Szoke, the 14-time champion is still chasing a dream 79th career victory after four years away from the top step of the podium, though he’s looked closer than ever this season after leading at multiple points across rounds one and two.
The Canadian Kawasaki Motors star will also have a bit of added confidence after his strong showing at the recent Loudon Classic, with Szoke still firmly in the mix for not just an emotional victory but also a record-extending 15th Canada Cup in 2025.
Outside of the “big four,” the rest of the GP Bikes Pro Superbike class will be relatively wide open as well at RAD Torque, with a few familiar names set to battle an array of local talent in Alberta.
Leading that group will be David MacKay, who continues to knock on the door of a breakout result after running right in the mix of the lead group in both races at AMP.
The ODH Snow City Cycle Honda rider has yet to claim a first career Superbike podium but has finished lower than sixth just twice in his 16 races aboard the CBR1000RR-R, making him a sure bet to run at least in the top-five range as he did at RAD Torque last season, finishing sixth and then crashing out of fifth in race two.
Should Collins sit out the Superbike weekend as expected, the home favourite will become his close friend and fellow Calgary native Phil DeGama-Blanchet, who has quickly emerged as one of the rising stars of the CSBK paddock.
The 17-year-old phenom sits fifth in the championship with three top-five finishes in four races aboard his Mots Machining Honda, and a maiden podium of his own may not be far off with the home crowd behind him in Edmonton.
Another rider looking to build on his own career-best result will be Connor Campbell, having overcome a mechanical issue in race one to take an excellent sixth in race two at AMP.
The B&T MacFarlane Kawasaki rider has seen a pair of technical problems spoil an impressive start to his sophomore year, finishing seventh in the season opener before consecutive DNF’s, but better fortune will be all Campbell needs to continue his form out west.
One local favourite set to make his 2025 debut will be Brian Worsdall, this time piloting a privateer BMW after a strong showing at his home round for Honda last season.
The Edmonton native finished seventh and eighth in his first career Pro Superbike weekend last year, matching a competitive midfield of CSBK regulars, and there’s no signs of him slowing down on his new machine after opening the EMRA regional season with a victory last month.
The feature class will open the weekend with qualifying on Friday at RAD Torque, just a half-hour south of Edmonton, before race one on Saturday and a doubleheader on Sunday.
MotoGP Analysis: Ducati Still On Top, In The June Issue
Why has Ducati reverted its factory MotoGP riders to mostly 2024-spec bikes and
what are the Bologna brand’s rivals doing to try and close the gap? Mat Oxley tells why (and what) in the June 2025 print issue of Roadracing World.
Ducati Lenovo factory-team riders Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia, (plus VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio) went into pre-season testing with all-new GP25 racebikes but soon reverted to 2024 engine specs, chassis and aero, so their current bikes are almost, but not quite, the same as the GP24s raced by Gresini riders Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer and Di Giannantonio’s VR46 teammate Franky Morbidelli.
While Marc Marquez’s magic talent has seen him top the podium regularly, Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio have had some torrid weekends. Bagnaia complains of poor feedback from the front end when he enters corners, so he can’t feel the limit. He’s tried everything with set-up, so now he’s trying to adapt his riding technique.
“I feel mad that my greatest point—braking and entry—is no longer good with this bike,” says 2022-2023 World Champion Bagnaia. “Marc is very good at riding everything, but I can’t do it, I need to have a good feeling with the front.” At recent races it’s become apparent that the GP24 is a better motorcycle than the GP25, or the GP24.5 or GP24.9, which its riders sometimes call it. Alex Marquez adores the GP24, as does his rookie teammate Aldeguer. Which begs the question: Why doesn’t Bagnaia revert to his actual 2024 Desmosedici, with which he won 11 Grand Prix races last year?
From”MotoGP Analysis: Ducati Still On Top,” by Mat Oxley
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