MotoAmerica: Larry Pegram Racing In Supersport At Laguna Seca

David Swarts

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July 12, 2024

MotoAmerica: Larry Pegram Racing In Supersport At Laguna Seca

Editorial Note: During recent one-off rides, Larry Pegram, 51, finished fourth in Super Hooligan Race Two at COTA in 2023, fourth in Super Hooligan Race Two at Laguna Seca in 2023, and fifth in Superbike Race Two at Road America in 2022.

EasyHealthPlans.com/Top Pro Racing, already the largest race team in the MotoAmerica paddock, has added one more rider for the Superbike Speedfest at Monterey. Veteran rider Larry Pegram is a wild card entry, and will be aboard the #172 Suzuki GSX-R750 this weekend. The announcement was made by Alex Arango, team owner of TopPro Racing.

Pegram joins Maximiliano Gerardo in Supersport, and the team also includes Steel Commander Superbike riders Sean Dylan Kelly, Arango, and team co-owner Agustin Sierra. Along with Superbike, Arango and Sierra also compete in MotoAmerica’s Stock 1000 class.

“We are happy to have Larry riding with us this weekend,” Arango said. “We are looking forward to what we can learn from someone with so many years in the paddock and with so much experience around a motorcycle. Having Larry aboard one of our Suzuki GSX-R750 Supersport bikes is an honor for us, and we’re proud to have a team of five riders representing our sponsors and us at this round.”

“I just want to have fun and see all my old friends,” commented Pegram. “I love racing, and I especially love racing at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. I’m thankful to have this opportunity with Alex, Agustin, and TopPro Racing.”

Last year, Pegram was a wild card rider at both WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and Circuit of The Americas in the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship. In recent years, he also raced in Stock 1000 a couple of times at Road America.

For the full 2024 MotoAmerica schedule and to purchase tickets for MotoAmerica events, click HERE

For information on how to watch the MotoAmerica series, click HERE

American Honda Adds Real-Time Dealer-Inventory Search To Website

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David Swarts

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July 12, 2024

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American Honda Adds Real-Time Dealer-Inventory Search To Website

Honda Enhances Real-Time Dealership-Inventory Website Feature

Feature enables quick, transparent access to dealer inventory

In a move aimed at improving the shopping experience for retail powersports customers, Honda has enhanced the real-time dealership-inventory feature on its consumer site, enabling shoppers to quickly and easily determine where they can purchase new models. Now, when researching a specific motorcycle, ATV or side-by-side at powersports.honda.com, customers can instantaneously check which nearby dealers have that particular model in stock. They can then request additional information, or simply visit the dealer in person.

A screenshot showing the new inventory search function on the Honda Powersports consumer website. Image courtesy American Honda.

Using the enhanced real-time dealer-inventory feature is easy. From any model page at powersports.honda.com, customers can simply click on the “Search Inventory” button, which links to a list of nearby dealers who have the model in stock. The dealer’s name, address and phone number are all provided, along with the driving distance. There’s also an option to email the dealer via a form.

“We all know the feeling of excitement that comes with deciding upon an important purchase like a brand-new powersports vehicle,” said John Stevens, Director of Powersports Operations at American Honda. “At those moments, it’s important for customers to be able to quickly and conveniently take the next step. The enhanced real-time dealership-inventory feature on Honda’s consumer website makes shopping hassle-free and transparent, by seamlessly connecting two of American Honda’s most important assets: our customers and our dealers. We’re pleased to support both with this improved feature.”

World Supersport: Montella Breaks Lap Record At Donington

David Swarts

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July 12, 2024

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World Supersport: Montella Breaks Lap Record At Donington

Yari Montella was fastest in World Supersport Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Donington Park, in England. Riding his Barni Spark Racing Ducati Panigale V2 on spec Pirelli tires, the Italian navigated the 2.5-mile (4.0 km) course in 1:28.907, which was fast enough to lead the field of 33 riders and break Nicolo Bulega’s 2023 All-Time Lap Record of 1:29.018.

Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise was P5 with a 1:29.990 on his Evan Bros. Racing Yamaha YZF-R6.

WSS FP1

WorldSBK: Razgatlioglu P1, Gerloff P3 In FP1 At Donington Park

David Swarts

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July 12, 2024

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WorldSBK: Razgatlioglu P1, Gerloff P3 In FP1 At Donington Park

Toprak Razgatlioglu topped World Superbike Free Practice One Friday morning at Donington Park, in England. Riding his ROKiT BMW Motorrad M 1000 RR on Pirelli control tires, the Turkish star lapped the 2.5-mile (4.0 km) course in 1:26.419 to lead the field of 23 riders.

Italian Danilo Petrucci was second-best with a 1:26.835 on his Barni Spark Racing Team Ducati.

American Garrett Gerloff was third-fastest with a 1:27.052 on his Bonovo Action BMW.

Garrett Gerloff (31). Photo courtesy Bonovo Action BMW.

WSBK FP1

Bridgestone Names New National Sales/Racing Manager

David Swarts

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July 11, 2024

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Jim Dowell Named Bridgestone’s First National Sales and Racing Program Manager for Motorcycle Products

Today, the Bridgestone Motorcycle Products team announced a strategic organizational change in the USA and Canada that will allow for additional levels of flexibility and responsiveness to customer and market needs.

Jim Dowell has been promoted to the newly created role of National Sales and Racing Program Manager for Bridgestone Motorcycle Products in the USA and Canada. With this promotion, Dowell will lead the sales team and racing efforts. Dowell’s primary responsibilities include developing and executing strategic sales plans, growing market share and optimizing profitability. Dowell joined Bridgestone nearly six years ago as Senior Manager of Channel Sales for Motorcycle Products. During his tenure with the company, Dowell has consistently been recognized for his dedication and performance, even earning the prestigious Bridgestone President’s Club Award in both 2020 and 2023 for outstanding sales. Dowell will report to Jared Williams, General Manager for Bridgestone Motorcycle Products in the USA and Canada.

Prior to joining Bridgestone, Dowell served as a U.S. Army officer for nearly 10 years and ended his military career as a Green Beret at the 5th Special Forces Group. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and international relations from Harvard University. Outside of work, Dowell has been an avid motorcyclist for almost 20 years.

Ducati Releases Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition

David Swarts

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July 11, 2024

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Ducati Releases Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition

The Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition, a tribute to the most sophisticated Ducati twin-cylinder engine

The collectible Panigale V2, in a limited and numbered series of 555 units, celebrates the final chapter in the history of the Superquadro twin-cylinder

High-value components complete an exclusive livery designed by Drudi Performance in collaboration with the Centro Stile Ducati.

The Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition will be available in December, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and motorcycle cover

Sunnyvale, Calif., July 11, 2024 – Today, a limited-edition Panigale V2 is launched as a token of gratitude and passion for the Superquadro engine—the most sophisticated twin-cylinder engine ever produced by Ducati which began over thirty years ago.

Engines that have been the technical hallmark of Ducati Superbikes and Supersport, giving birth to iconic bikes such as the 748, 749, 848, 899 and 959, up to the current Panigale V2. This collector’s Panigale, produced in a limited and numbered series of 555 units, is a tribute to the Superquadro engine, whose story comes to fruition with Nicolò Bulega’s conquest of the first Supersport world title.

The first Superquadro engine was created in 2011 for the 1199 Panigale. The name derives from the high ratio between bore and stroke, in which the 1285 cc displacement allowed it to deliver an absolute benchmark of maximum power value for a twin-cylinder. Evolved over the years, it has also seen the birth of smaller displacement versions, first 898 and then 955. The latter helped win the first Supersport world title for Ducati in 2023 with Nicolò Bulega and won the MotoAmerica Supersport title in 2022 and 2023.

The technical design of the Superquadro twin-cylinder has set new standards for refinement and sophistication. The crankcases were made by Vacural® casting, with aluminum pressed-in cylinder liners equipped with NikaSil coating, which allowed the heads to be fixed directly on the crankcases. The head, clutch, and oil pan covers are made of magnesium. All this has helped to develop an extremely compact and rigid engine, a stressed element of an innovative chassis based on an unprecedented monocoque frame.

The desmodromic distribution has seen the adoption of “super-finished” rocker arms coated with DLC treatment to reduce friction and increase resistance to fatigue. The mixed chain/gear control has set new benchmarks in terms of efficiency and reliability.

The Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition features the Superquadro V2, with a displacement of 955 cc. It is as enjoyable on the road as it is effective and responsive on the track, with its 155 hp at 10,750 rpm and torque of 76.7 lb-ft at 9,000 rpm.

Ducati’s tribute to this revolutionary engine takes the form of a collector’s bike with the Panigale V2 Final Edition. The Superquadro Tribute livery, created by Drudi Performance and the Ducati Style Centre, remains faithful to Ducati design themes by using the characteristic colors: white, red, black, and grey.

The shield’s curve on the upper half of the cowl stretches out to align with the bike’s shape, and the number plate underneath follows its outline. The Superquadro engine is displayed on the sides of the fairing, showcasing its exact position. The tank’s dark and cold tone, the matt grey, accentuates the contrast with the colors on the fairing, giving the bike a modern character. The livery is then completed with the saddle embellished with embroidery that adds elegance to its sporty style.

Thanks to the 6-axis inertial platform, the Panigale V2’s electronic equipment guarantees the motorcycle’s safety and full control. The electronic package includes ABS Cornering EVO, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO, Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) EVO 2, and Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO, which helps the rider optimize the stability of his Ducati in extreme corner entry conditions.

The technical features of the Panigale V2, using a monocoque chassis solution, are accompanied by Öhlins suspension and steering damper. The Rizoma rider footpegs are adjustable and made from billet aluminum. The front and rear mudguards, silencer end, chain guard, clutch cover protection, swingarm cover, and shock absorber cover are in carbon fiber. Additional features of the single-seated Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition include a lithium-ion battery and sports grips. The animation of the dashboard at key-on and the contact key is unique to this model.

For those wishing to use the Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition on a closed track, a kit for removing the license plate, mirrors, and billet aluminum racing tank cap, can be fitted. This removal kit is included with the purchase of the bike and is equipped with a GPS module for DDA data acquisition. *

Like every collectible Ducati, the Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition comes with a certificate of authenticity, a personalized motorcycle cover, and a unique, machined triple clamp featuring the model number.

The Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition will be available in United States dealerships in December 2024.

#DucatiWorldPremiere2025 #Ducati2025

Panigale V2 Standard Equipment

Superquadro L-twin engine, 955 cc
Monocoque chassis
4.5-gallon aluminium tank
Öhlins Ø 48 mm upside-down fork, fully adjustable, with TiN treatment
Fully adjustable Öhlins monoshock with single-sided aluminum swingarm
Steering damper
Braking system with Brembo M4.32 monobloc calipers
Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II Tires
Latest generation electronic package with 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (6D IMU): Riding Modes, Power Modes, ABS Bosch Cornering, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO, Engine Brake Control (EBC) ) EVO, final gear self-learning, buttons for rapid change of levels
Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO 2, full LED headlight with Daytime Running Light (DRL), Öhlins steering damper, automatic indicator switch-off, lithium battery
Single-seat configuration
Exclusive Panigale V2 Superquadro

Final Edition Equipment

Dedicated Superquadro Tribute livery
Billet aluminum triple clamp with progressive number
Dedicated rider seat
Dedicated dashboard animation at key-on
Dedicated contact key
Carbon fiber silencer end, front and rear mudguard, swingarm protection, chain guard, clutch cover, and shock absorber protection
Sport grips
Adjustable footrests machined from solid
GPS module
License plate holder removal kit *
Mirror removal kit in billet aluminum *
Tank cap machined from solid aluminum *
Dedicated motorcycle cover
Certificate of Authenticity

*Additional equipment for vehicles used exclusively on closed circuits. Use on public roads is prohibited by law.

MotoAmerica: How To Watch All The Action From Laguna Seca

David Swarts

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July 11, 2024

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MotoAmerica: How To Watch All The Action From Laguna Seca

MotoAmerica: How To Watch MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey

It’s All Here: How To Not Miss A Bit Of The Action

Everything you need to know to watch the weekend racing in California

MotoAmerica: Baggers Are Back At Laguna Seca (Updated)

David Swarts

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July 11, 2024

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MotoAmerica: Baggers Are Back At Laguna Seca (Updated)

The Baggers Are Back In Town For WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

Four Support Classes, Led By The Mission King Of The Baggers, Set For Monterey Invasion, July 12-14

IRVINE, CA (July 11, 2024) – The Mission King Of The Baggers class returns to where it all began this coming weekend when the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship and its four support classes resume their battles at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, the birthplace of the King Of The Baggers series, July 12-14.

Now knee deep in its fourth season as one of the most popular classes in the MotoAmerica Championship, the Mission King Of The Baggers returns to action after a one-month hiatus for its sixth round and it does so at the track where it all started – WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

The big V-twins roar into town with Australian Troy Herfoss and his S&S Cycles/Indian Motorcycle Challenger atop the championship point standings after 10 races, but it’s tight at the top with Harley-Davidson Factory Racing’s Kyle Wyman just 13 points behind in what has become a two-rider, two-manufacturer battle for the 2024 crown.

Herfoss has earned his 205 points via four wins, four seconds, a third and, for him, a lowly seventh. Wyman’s tally comes via four wins, three seconds, a fifth, a fourth, and an unlikely eighth.

Those two are miles ahead of the rest with Tyler O’Hara the best of the rest and 63 points behind his teammate Herfoss. Defending Mission King Of The Baggers Champion Hayden Gillim put some life back in his title hopes with two victories at the last round in Brainerd, Minnesota. Still, the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson rider is 70 points behind Herfoss.

Wyman’s teammate James Rispoli rounds out the top five in the point standings heading to Monterey, 97 points from the top spot.

Supersport – Scholtz Pulls Away

The 2024 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship was ultra-close right up to the point where it wasn’t. That point came in race two at Ridge Motorsports Park when championship rivals Mathew Scholtz and PJ Jacobsen came together and Jacobsen got the worst of it, hitting the deck and failing to score a point. Meanwhile, Strack Racing’s Scholtz rode away to an easy win, his sixth of the season and fourth in a row.

And just like that, the spread between Scholtz and Jacobsen is now 28 points.

But catching Scholtz isn’t out of the realm of possibility for Jacobsen as the Rahal Ducati Moto rider has won three races and had been on the podium in each and every race… until the Ridge debacle. There’s plenty of fight still to come from the New Yorker.

Altus Motorsports’ Jake Lewis is third in the championship with the Kentuckian finishing every race thus far with two podiums and solidly consistent finishes. He trails Scholtz by 115 points.

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott is fourth in the title chase, despite an up-and-down season thus far. Scott is the only rider other than Scholtz and Jacobsen to win a race so far in 2024.

N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto’s Blake Davis rounds out the top five heading to Laguna Seca.

Stock 1000 – Gillim Hanging On

Real Steel Motorsports’ Hayden Gillim should be breathing easier than he is. With wins in four of the six Stock 1000 races held thus far in 2024, Gillim has been the clear-cut favorite to defend his title from a year ago. The other two races are what have kept things close at the top.

Leading in race two at Brainerd International Raceway after destroying the class in race one, Gillim crashed. Leading race two at Ridge Motorsports Park early on, Gillim crashed again. This time he was able to remount and fly through the pack to finish a remarkable fourth. That fourth turned into a sixth, however, in the official results as Gillim was docked two seconds after failing to make the turn-one chicane after crossing the finish line.

OrangeCat Racing’s Jayson Uribe has been in the catbird seat for both of Gillim’s miscues and he’s been there to pick up the pieces in both cases. The result? The Californian trails the Kentuckian by just six points with the series set for two races at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Jones Honda’s Ashton Yates has seen his season pick up speed of late and he’s now third in the point standings after four podium finishes in the past four races. He trails Gillim by 23 points and is only four points ahead of FLO4LAW Racing’s Benjamin Smith. BPR Racing’s Bryce Prince is nine additional points behind Smith and rounds out the top five after six races.

Mission Super Hooligan National Championship – The Champ Leads

Defending series champion Tyler O’Hara battled through a difficult weekend at Ridge Motorsports Park but somehow came out of it all with the lead in the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship.

O’Hara bravely rode his S&S Cycles/Indian Motorcycle FTR1200 to a third-place finish in race one at Ridge, using the clutch to slow the bike as he battled a sticking throttle for the entire race. He later said it was the best third-place finish of his career. A day later, O’Hara was second as Saddlemen Racing/Harley-Davidson’s Jake Lewis and his Pan America were simply too much for the rest of the field.

Saturday’s win went to KWR/Harley-Davidson’s Cody Wyman with the youngest of the racing Wyman brothers scoring his first Super Hooligan win of his career. In doing so, he also became the second rider in MotoAmerica history to podium in four different classes – Junior Cup, Twins Cup, Stock 1000 and the Super Hooligan National Championship. The first rider to accomplish that feat was Rocco Landers whose podium finish at Brainerd in June brought his tally to four classes with podium finishes, including Junior Cup, Twins Cup, and Supersport earlier in his career.

O’Hara now leads Wyman by five points as the series arrives in Monterey for its third round. Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson’s Cory West sits third, 12 behind O’Hara and eight ahead of Troy Herfoss on the second S&S Cycles/Indian Motorcycle FTR1200. Lewis rounds out the top five and is 24 points behind O’Hara.

Pre-WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Notes…

Hayden Gillim and Kyle Wyman split wins in last year’s two Mission King Of The Baggers races at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Gillim beat James Rispoli and Bobby Fong to win race one with Wyman topping Rispoli and Gillim to win race two.

Last year’s “Extended” Supersport race win went to Xavi Forés over Josh Hayes and Tyler Scott. The win was Forés’s eighth win in a row, which broke Garrett Gerloff’s consecutive win streak in the class from 2017.

Jeremy McWiliams was a perfect two-for-two in the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship races in Monterey last year. McWilliams beat Andy DiBrino and Cory West in race one before topping Tyler O’Hara and DiBrino in race two.

The Stock 1000 class didn’t compete at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca last year as the program featured Superbike, Supersport, Mission King Of The Baggers, Twins Cup, and Super Hooligan National Championship.

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+

More, from a press release issued by Rahal Ducati Moto:

RACE PREVIEW:

WEATHERTECH RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA

MONTEREY, CA (7.11.2024) – Coming off another great weekend at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Washington where Kayla Yaakov earned her first double-podium finish, the Rahal Ducati Moto team has ventured to Monterey California for Rounds 11 and 12 of Supersport competition at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

PJ Jacobsen heads into the weekend eager to regain the lead in the points championship and Corey Alexander looks to score his third podium finish of the season.

Tomorrow’s schedule will host Practice and Qualifying 1, with Qualifying 2 and Race 1 on Saturday, followed by a warm-up and Race 2 on Sunday.

QUOTE BOARD:

PJ JACOBSEN (No. 15 XPEL Ducati Panigale V2): “I’m looking forward to going to Laguna. I like that track a lot, especially since it’s been repaved. I feel that I had some good luck there last year on my Superbike, so I’m really looking forward to riding the Ducati Panigale V2 there. I believe we can have a really good weekend. I’m really hungry now to get as many wins that I possibly can to move forward in the championship. I’m going to put my head down and try to get the job done as fast as I can.”

KAYLA YAAKOV (No. 19 XPEL Ducati Panigale V2): “I’m really excited for Laguna Seca this weekend! While I haven’t had the best luck at this track in the past, I hope to have a great weekend and continue improving on this bike. The team has worked so hard to get me comfortable, and the results of the past few weekends has shown that. The fan atmosphere at Laguna is always one of my favorites, so I can’t wait to see everyone there and hopefully put on a show!”

COREY ALEXANDER (No. 23 Roller Die + Forming Ducati Panigale V2): “It’s pretty hard to find someone not excited to head to Laguna Seca as it’s one of the best tracks on the calendar. I’m determined to get back to work to make up for some of my shortcomings last weekend in Washington and get back up on the podium where we should be.”

BEN SPIES (Team Principal): “We’re all looking forward to Laguna Seca. I think it’s a lot of the riders favorite tracks. We have a lot of momentum coming from The Ridge, as everybody rode really well, Kayla especially. PJ had a unfortunate incident so now it’s time to start catching back up in points and try to win a couple races. The Ducati should work really good at Laguna, and hopefully we can get some good results.”

Australian Superbike: Championship Resumes This Weekend At Morgan Park

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David Swarts

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July 11, 2024

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Australian Superbike: Championship Resumes This Weekend At Morgan Park

ASBK Championship delicately poised heading into Morgan Park battle

The 2024 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) makes its annual foray to Morgan Park Raceway in Queensland from July 12-14, on a circuit which always provides brilliant, eye-popping racing across all classes.

The tight and twisty nature of the 12-turn, 2.96km layout means that top speed isn’t a major factor: instead, the genesis of a red-hot lap revolves around savvy bike setup, skill and large doses of daring.

With competition so intense in the ASBK Championship, Morgan Park and wafer-thin winning margins go hand in hand – with 2023 a case-in-point, including the Alpinestars Superbike category where Troy Herfoss and Mike Jones put on two instant classics.

Thanks to continued support from the Southern Downs Regional Council, the Superbike stars will again headline the 2024 Morgan Park ASBK program, joined by the Michelin Supersport, Race and Road Supersport 300, bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup and ShopYamaha R3 Cup classes. It’ll be the first appearance in 2024 for the R3 Cup, which continues an association with the ASBK Championship dating back to 2016.

Thirteen races will be held on Saturday and Sunday, with Morgan Park – round four of seven – arriving at a critical juncture in the season with some riders still looking to make up for lost early-season ground while others are desperate to solidify their positions at the pointy end of the standings.

Morgan Park is also extremely spectator-friendly, with a superb panoramic view of the circuit. This weekend, turn three is also the place to be with a giant screen displaying all the action, joined by a multitude of food trucks.

Other family-friendly activities will include pit walks, ‘Mini Moto come and try’ sessions for the kids, the ASBK Trade Alley and autograph sessions with riders and ASBK ambassadors Garry McCoy, Chris Vermeulen and Steve Martin.

To purchase tickets for Morgan Park Raceway, click here. Tickets will also be available at the gate.

Alpinestars Superbike

Josh Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati) holds an impressive 29.5pt lead in the Alpinestars Superbike standings over Yamaha Racing Team’s Cru Halliday, who in turn is just 2.5pts ahead of teammate Mike Jones.

Waters has a massive opportunity to put one hand on his fourth ASBK title with a solid result at Morgan Park. In doing so, he would carve more history in the sport by becoming the first rider to achieve the feat.

However, there are plenty of rivals who will be doing their best to make sure Waters’ CV isn’t upsized in 2024 – and they’ll sense that Morgan Park could be a prime opportunity to make a dent in his claims given that the Mildura hard-charger doesn’t have the best record at the venue.

Waters has only been on the podium once – back in 2018 when he was on a Suzuki. In 2023, Waters laboured with a 9-5 scorecard, so this year he will be desperate to shake the ‘bogey circuit’ tag.

Of the 18 riders in the Superbike field, Halliday and Jones – who’s coming off a clean sweep in the previous round at Queensland Raceway – are the only race winners at Morgan Park.

After claiming the Morgan Park Superbike double in 2022, Jones was pipped by Herfoss in both races last year – but with Herfoss an absentee this weekend while on MotoAmerica duties he’ll fancy his changes to make it to the top step of the podium.

Others to watch out for this weekend include Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati), Penrite Racing Yamaha duo Max Stauffer and Cameron Dunker and Anthony West (Addicted to Track Yamaha). Three-time champion and 2023 podium man Glenn Allerton (GT Racing BMW) should be back to top form after recovering from injuries suffered earlier this year.

Stauffer is currently on a three-podium Superbike streak and full of confidence that he can now mix it consistently with his more experienced rivals. He sits fourth overall, just half-a-point in front of Pearson, who in turn is ahead of Herfoss and Dunker.

A week after Morgan Park, Stauffer, West and Waters will contest the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours world endurance race in Japan.

Rounding out the list of major contenders for the two 16-lap races at Morgan Park are Bryan Staring (MotoGo Yamaha) and Arthur Sissis (Stop and Seal Yamaha).

Michelin Supersport

The Michelin Supersport races will be doozies as the battle for the crown looks set to boil down to a battle between six Yamaha riders.

After a fire-breathing start to the season – five consecutive podiums for three wins – Jonathan Nahlous has a 27pt buffer at the top over Olly Simpson, and then it’s only a 6pt gap back to sixth-placed Tom Toparis. Jake Farnsworth, Tom Bramich and Archie McDonald fill positions 3-5.

Two-time Supersport champion Toparis and McDonald shared wins at Queensland Raceway, and since then the latter has kept his name in the headlines by winning the European Stock Championship round in Portugal. Archie is a joker off the bike, but once the helmet is done up he’s a machine.

And not forget last year’s runner-up, Simpson. While he hasn’t graced the top step yet in 2024, he’s been accumulating points through sheer consistency.

Jack Mahaffy (Yamaha), Brandon Demmery (Kawasaki), Jack Favelle (Yamaha), Glenn Nelson (Yamaha), Hayden Nelson (Kawasaki) and Marianos Nikolis (Yamaha) will also be in the Morgan Park mix across the two 14-lap races.

Nikolis is returning home between European Talent Cup commitments.

Race and Road Supersport 300/ShopYamaha R3 Cup

The Morgan Park intrigue continues with the Race and Road Supersport 300 Championship, which will be anything but a walk in the park as the next wave of fast and fearless riders get to work on Yamahas and Kawasakis.

All three races will be intense from start to finish – a bonanza for spectators, and where small mistakes will be punished by freefalling down the leaderboard in the blink of an eye.

Josh Newman holds a slender lead over fellow Kawasaki rider Harrison Watts, followed by Yamaha trio Valentino Knezovic and the Simpson brothers, Mitchell and Jordy. Mitchell will be absent from Morgan Park, though, as he’s still recovering from injuries sustained during a cameo in the 2024 Australian ProMX Championship.

Making another appearance all the way from New Zealand is Jesse Stroud (Yamaha). The son of Kiwi legend Andrew, Jesse has proven the fruit hasn’t fallen far from the tree and learns a track very quickly. He crashed out of the opening race at Queensland Raceway but bounced back with two fourth place finishes.

There’s every chance there will be three different race winners at Morgan Park!

Meanwhile, the majority of Yamaha riders in the Supersport 300 title have cross-entered for round one of the ShopYamaha R3 Cup, where the degree of winning difficulty is nearly as high.

bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup

Since its inception in 2019, the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup has proved to be the perfect stepping stone for riders aged between 11 and 16 to learn the circuit racing ropes and strut their stuff in front of large crowds and on national television.

The likes of Watts, Dunker, Cameron Swain and McDonald have all graduated to bigger things from the OJC academy.

No doubt some of the riders this weekend will elicit “I saw them race as a kid” responses from spectators in future years!

Toowoomba’s Hunter Corney currently leads the way after a clean sweep at Queensland Raceway. He holds a commanding 38-point buffer over Rossi McAdam, followed by Ethan Johnson, Nikolas Lazos, Connor Lewis and Hunter Charlett.

Pipe Dreams Podcast (And Video): E16 – Bobby Fong – Unfiltered

David Swarts

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July 11, 2024

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Pipe Dreams Podcast (And Video): E16 – Bobby Fong – Unfiltered

MotoAmerica racers Corey Alexander and James Rispoli are excited to release Episode 16 of the Pipe Dreams Podcast, featuring special guest 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion Bobby Fong.

Bobby is a seasoned veteran in the MotoAmerica paddock. At 33 years old, some might argue that “Bagger Bob” is just hitting his prime. Known for his aggressive and sometimes unorthodox riding style, Bobby is currently leading the MotoAmerica Superbike championship while also being a staple at the front of the King Of The Baggers class. Additionally, he works a day job during race weekends as Events Coordinator and Racer Support specialist for the gear brand Dainese.

Bobby’s journey to this point has been anything but smooth; he has the bumps and bruises to prove it. Despite the adversities he’s faced, Bobby has always stayed true to himself, his close circle of friends, and his family.

In this episode, Bobby shares stories of his Stockton, California upbringing, turning Pro at a young age, battling his “tattooed bad boy” stigma, and his recent personal growth on and off the race track that has brought the best version of “Fonger” we’ve all seen yet.

We hope you enjoy learning about Bobby’s unfiltered journey thus far. As always, thanks for listening to the Pipe Dreams Podcast.

Listen Now

Available on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, the sixteenth full episode with Bobby is out now. Video of the episode can be viewed on your favorite Spotify or YouTube.

About Pipe Dreams Podcast:

Pipe Dreams Podcast launched in 2023 by MotoAmerica and American Flat Track riders Corey Alexander and James Rispoli in an effort to share the stories of fellow racers and motorsport professionals around the world. The podcast releases twice per month for streaming on all major platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Youtube. Editing is curated by Sabotno Media. Follow @pipedreams_pod on social media or visit pipedreamspod.com to listen now.

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Larry Pegram (73), as seen riding a Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW in Stock 1000 at Road America in 2022. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.