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AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Class Of 2024 Announced

David Swarts
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AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Class Of 2024 Announced

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2024

Five influential motorcyclists to be inducted on Oct. 10 during the AMA’s Hall of Fame Days event in Pickerington, Ohio

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Following weeks of voting, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame announced the five inductees who will be honored during the 2024 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Oct. 10 in Pickerington, Ohio.

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2024 is Mike Lafferty, Debbie Matthews, Mat Mladin, Rob Rasor and Kevin Windham.

“This year’s class represents a wide range of individuals who have helped push motorcycling forward, both as a sport and as a lifestyle,” AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman said. “Without the contributions of these racers, ambassadors and leaders, motorcycling would not be where it is today. We look forward to enshrining the legacies of these five outstanding motorcyclists into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame on Oct. 10.”

The Induction Ceremony will headline the AMA’s Hall of Fame Days, which is set for Oct. 10-13, and will include an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Bike Night and open house at the Hall of Fame Museum. The Induction Ceremony will take place at the nearby Violet Township Event Center on Oct. 10, followed by a cocktail reception at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Tickets for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Induction Ceremony are now on sale and can be found at AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact AMA Business Development Manager Michael Kula at (949) 466-7833 or [email protected].

Hall of Fame inductees are selected from eight areas of influence: Ambassadors/Industry, Design/Engineering, Dirt Track, Leadership/Motorcycle Rights, Motocross/Supercross, Off-Road, Road Racing and Specialty Competition.

MIKE LAFFERTY

Mike Lafferty was bitten by the enduro racing bug in 1982 when he was 7 years old, and he turned this passion into one of the most successful off-road careers ever. Racing throughout the 1980s, Lafferty broke through when he won back-to-back East Coast Enduro Association championships as a teenager in 1993 and 1994.

Lafferty hit a launching point in 1997, when he claimed his first AMA National Enduro Championship. In total he tallied 71 National Enduro wins — second all-time — and eight titles, which leaves him tied for the most all-time. Lafferty also raced AMA Grand National Cross Country and was a member of four U.S. ISDE teams.

DEBBIE MATTHEWS

Debbie Matthews has spent her life contributing to motorcycling and has done so by serving in — and excelling in — almost every role the sport has to offer to increase opportunities for women riders. Known for her smooth and effortless racing style, Matthews set the record for longest consecutive pro and amateur career in women’s motocross when she raced for 27 years.

In 1996, she co-founded the Women’s Motocross League, and Matthews further worked on behalf of women riders when she met with AMA Congress and drove the change to give women “A” Rider classification for the first time in history. Recognizing Matthews’ work promoting women’s motocross, announcer Erv Braun described her as the “Godmother of Women’s MX.”

MAT MLADIN

In a 10-year span from 1999 to 2009 that continues to defy belief in hindsight, Mat Mladin notched seven AMA Superbike titles and won 82 AMA Superbike nationals in the process — each of those numbers more than anyone in history.

Mladin also won the legendary Daytona 200 three times during that period, achievements that have him tied for third all-time behind AMA Hall of Famers and multi-time Daytona 200 winners Scott Russell (five) and Miguel Duhamel (four). In 1999, he won his first of seven AMA Superbike titles — achievements that would make him, according to series promoter MotoAmerica, “the most dominant rider in the history of the AMA Superbike Championship.”

ROB RASOR

For decades, Rob Rasor was instrumental in carrying out the AMA’s mission to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling.

Hired in 1973 as part of the AMA’s Government Relations Department, Rasor helped ward off a federal “superbike” ban, helmet requirements and bike bans in several states and cities, and aided in the fight to ban healthcare discrimination against motorcyclists. Rasor was also a champion for off-road riding and led the AMA’s efforts to win public land access for off-road riders.

Rasor’s efforts extended beyond the United States, and he was awarded the FIM Nicolas Rodi Del Valle Gold Medal in 2019.

KEVIN WINDHAM

Kevin Windham’s 19-year AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross career is one for the history books.

During his long, illustrious career, Windham raced to 47 total AMA Pro wins and collected the third-most starts (325), third-most points (9,070) and the seventh-most podiums (130). While Windham saw success domestically, he thrived in international competition — winning the 1999 FIM United States Grand Prix and 2005 Motocross of Nations as a member of the American team.

Windham retired from AMA professional racing in 2013, marking the end of a dominant career in the AMA and international circuits.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.

Not a member? Join the AMA today: americanmotorcyclist.com.

 

Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast: MotoGP – A Matter Of Balance

David Swarts
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Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast: MotoGP – A Matter Of Balance

Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner Mat Oxley and two-time World Championship-winning Crew Chief Peter Bom have started “The Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast,” which will be focused on the FIM MotoGP World Championship.

This podcast is “MotoGP – A Matter Of Balance.”

The original podcast can be found on BuzzSprout.com or listened to via other places you get podcasts.

From the Oxley Bom Podcast:

Here’s an interesting question: what was the last time KTM won a race? And what was the last time they won while the track was dry?

The answer is three whole years. Yes, with no race in Kazakhstan this week, Mat instead decided to dive into some interesting statistics. The numbers don’t lie, and they point at something curious at KTM.

So this week we’re going to dive into why an incredibly competitive bike like the RC16 isn’t bringing home the gold more often. It’s a question that not only involves lots of engineering and data, but also a serious look at the different kinds of pilots riding these machines. And the answer might have some serious implications for the freshly-signed Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales…

Want more? Visit our website or support us on Patreon. With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman’s Dub Club for writing our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music!  

World Endurance: YART Yamaha Tests At Suzuka

David Swarts
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World Endurance: YART Yamaha Tests At Suzuka

YART Yamaha Complete Successful Pre-Event Test for Suzuka 8 Hours

The Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team of Niccolò Canepa, Karel Hanika, and Marvin Fritz enjoyed a productive two-day Pre-Event test in Japan, with all three riders lapping in the 2:05s ahead of the 45th “Coca-Cola” Suzuka 8 Hours that will take place on the 18-21st of July.

The Yamalube YART Yamaha squad will be Yamaha Motor’s top team at the event, and the staff members and riders arrived in Japan on Monday, June 17th, to get themselves acclimated to the time difference and get ready to ride. In the days leading up to the test, heavy rain fell in many parts of Japan, but on Wednesday morning, clear and sunny skies greeted the defending FIM Endurance World Champions as they arrived at Suzuka Circuit.

In the first session, YART rode in Group B, showing off their R1, which featured a special Suzuka 8 Hours livery with a “YAMALUBE” logo design, denoting Yamaha Motor’s brand of genuine motor oils and chemicals to Japanese fans and media for the first time.

Looking at the combined times for Session 1 from Group A and Group B, Team HRC (that includes MotoGP rider Johann Zarco) held the top two quickest lap times with a 2’06.867 and a 2’07.097. Behind them was YART, who were still working on getting re-acclimated to Suzuka Circuit as it was the first time they had ridden the track since last year’s race. They quickly got down to speed, though, with times in the 2’08s for most of their laps, and in the end, they finished the session having set a 2’07.299 and 2’07.626 to finish in third and fourth overall.
 
In the second session of the day, Ducati Team KAGAYAMA were fastest, having set a 2’06.634, with YART in second with a 2’07.049. The third session of the day saw YART set a 2’07.495 to finish in fourth, while in the final night session, Canepa clocked the fastest time of the entire day with a 2’06.381 to make YART’s rivals fully aware of their presence.

On day two of the test, cloudy skies brought relatively milder temperatures than on Wednesday, which allowed teams to improve their times, and the Austrian squad was no exception. The team focused on longer runs before switching to time attack mode to prepare for qualifying practice at the main event, during which they bettered their fastest times for the test.
 
On Thursday, Session 5 began at 9:30 am and was followed by Session 6 at 2:00 pm, with both lasting 80 minutes in total, and the longer session times allowed for race simulations to be made. Once these were complete in Session 5, Canepa and Fritz both went out with fresh tyres and pushed for fast lap times, with both eventually setting consecutive laps in the 2’06 range, with fastest times of 2’06.137 and 2’06.198 respectively, improving on Canepa’s best time from Wednesday.

Although single lap times are not as important in endurance races like the 8 Hours, the team finished one-two in front of rivals Ducati Team KAGAYAMA, Yoshimura SERT Motul and Team HRC in the session. YART’s race pace was consistently in the 2’07 range, which demonstrated the level to which the team is already performing in the lead-up to the race.

In the final session, Ducati Team KAGAYAMA set a 2’05.162 to top the timesheets, which would go on to be the fastest lap of the test. YART spent most of the time working on longer race simulations, but once again, at the end of the session, fresh tyres were put on the R1s, and the riders went out to work on single-lap pace to prepare for qualifying. They could not quite match their rivals’ times, but all three YART riders set laps in the 2’05.6-7 range. Those times were on par with qualifying times from last year’s 8 Hours, confirming that everything within the team is proceeding well and according to plan ahead of the historic race in July.

Karel Hanika

Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team

“It was my first time back at Suzuka after a year, so the first thing I did was try to get the feeling back. The weather and track conditions were different from last year, but I already knew the track layout well, so I was able to set some fast lap times right from the start. I’m happy to be here because I like the Suzuka Circuit a lot, so I’m looking forward to the race. On the second day, we worked on the geometry, suspension and electronics a little bit each, and we found something positive compared to Wednesday. We worked on track to help each other with our riding, so overall, the test was good. We have a few small things to improve, but they are not major, and all three of us are fast. We know our rivals will be strong, but when we did long runs today, we were very competitive. We tried out some different tyres and saw, which worked well for the end of the stint, so I feel like we’ve done everything we needed to do in this test, and we’re ready for the race weekend. There are still some small things to improve, of course. In the month until the race, I’ll train like I normally do, but I know the 8 Hours will be hot like always, and luckily, it’s also getting hot where I live, so I’ll work on doing cardio outdoors in the heat to be in the best physical condition.”

Niccolò Canepa

Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team

“The first day was all about getting back up to speed at Suzuka, and I think we did that very quickly in the first session. We completed the testing plan we had for the day, and took all the comments from us three riders, and we’ll use those to make some small changes to the bike for tomorrow. My two teammates both did long runs, though I didn’t, and checked fuel consumption, which looked good. I set our fastest time on Wednesday, and I think it was because today is one of the coolest days I’ve ridden at Suzuka, so the conditions were perfect, which helped. I also had new tyres on, so when I pushed, we were able to set a fast time, though still not a perfect lap and not as fast as qualifying times. Everything went so well on Wednesday that we didn’t have much to do on the second day. Still, we worked a bit on the geometry, suspension and electronics. Compared to the other teams, I think we did an excellent job over the two days. We weren’t trying so hard to set a qualifying lap time, but we worked more on our race pace, and in the long runs we did, that pace was very good. At the end of the final session, we put on new tyres and tried a time attack. All three of us were very fast, which is great because that’s the goal of our team, for all three to be on the same level. I’ll do some training to prepare for the 8 Hours, but mostly, I need to focus on recovering my injured shoulder. Between competing at Spa and doing some WorldSBK testing, I have put a lot of stress on it, so now I need to do some physiotherapy, rest and recover.”

Marvin Fritz

Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team

“My first lap on track was a 2’07.6, so we were already at a fast pace right from the start. We mostly focused on our race pace on Wednesday. From all the years I’ve raced Suzuka, I think on the first day, I had my fastest average race pace ever. My teammates were also very fast, so we made a good start to the test. We didn’t have any issues, and the bike is working well, but there are still some small points we can improve on. On the second day, we focused on some small things, mostly the riding position, electronics and front suspension. We did some long runs to check our fuel consumption and, after that, did a time attack, where I was able to set a personal best here at Suzuka of 2’05.6. We can still improve some things, but overall, I’m happy. Of course, our rivals also set fast times over the test, but we can still go even faster, so I’m not too worried. Overall, I think we gained a lot of confidence for the race. To get ready, I’ll train even harder than usual.”

Mandy Kainz

Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team – Team Manager

”In the test, we had no mistakes, no problems at all, so if the actual race weekend is this trouble-free, we’d be very happy. The bike, the tyres, the riders and the mechanics all did their jobs perfectly. So perfectly that it’s almost scary! We were trying to work on race pace, and on average, our lap times are one second faster than last year’s, so we’re satisfied with this. I think the test overall has given the riders more confidence. If we can do exactly the same thing in three weeks, we’ll have very good results at the 8 Hours. I would say we’re ready to race right now, as we are, but we need the time for Niccolò to recover his shoulder.”

Pipe Dreams Podcast (And Video): E15 – Sean Dylan Kelly – Homecoming

David Swarts
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Pipe Dreams Podcast (And Video): E15 – Sean Dylan Kelly – Homecoming

Sean Dylan Kelly – Homecoming

June 19th, 2024 – Birmingham, Alabama

MotoAmerica racers Corey Alexander and James Rispoli are thrilled to announce the release of Episode 15 of the Pipe Dreams Podcast, featuring a special guest, rookie MotoAmerica Superbike rider for the TopPro Racing Team, Sean Dylan Kelly.

At just 22 years old, Sean Dylan Kelly (@seandylankelly) boasts an impressive motorcycle road-racing resume. His career has taken him and his family from their home base in Miami to various parts of the world and now back again. Despite his young age, Sean has accumulated a wealth of wisdom and has experienced the extreme highs and lows of racing, topics we frequently explore in our episodes.

Among Sean’s highs is racing in the prestigious Moto2 World Championship. However, he has also faced significant challenges, including the tough decision to put his dream of racing abroad on hold. In 2024, he will be returning home to compete in MotoAmerica Superbike as a rookie.

In this episode, Sean opens up about his childhood experiences, his time in Europe racing Moto2, and how these experiences have shaped him both as a racer and as a person. His story is one of resilience, determination, and growth.

We hope you enjoy this episode of Pipe Dreams and find inspiration in Sean’s incredible journey!

Listen Now

Available on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, the fifteen full episode with Sean 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 https://anchor.fm/pipe-dreams to listen now.

 

 

 

Supersport 300 World Championship Will Be Replaced In 2026

David Swarts
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Supersport 300 World Championship Will Be Replaced In 2026

New entry class to debut in 2026

The SBK Commission is currently working on the introduction of a new entry class to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in 2026, marking a significant evolution in the racing landscape. This new class will replace the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship (WorldSSP300), which has successfully served as a feeder class since its inception in 2017.

WorldSSP300 has fulfilled its mission of providing a sustainable and affordable platform for emerging talents to enter the World Championship. Building on this success, the introduction of the new class aims to further enhance the sporting and commercial relevance of the entry category.

One of the key objectives of this new initiative is to smoothen the progression path for riders moving up to the larger classes, particularly to the FIM Supersport World Championship (WorldSSP). By closing the performance gap between the entry and intermediate classes, the aim is to create a more seamless transition for riders, fostering their development and preparing them for the competitive demands of higher categories.

Additionally, this move is designed to attract greater interest from manufacturers by allowing them to showcase machinery that reflects a growing market segment. The new class will feature nimble bikes with more powerful mid-tier capacity engines, details of which will be specified by the SBK Commission in the coming weeks and months.

Launched in 2017, the WorldSSP300 class provided a global platform for young talents, allowing them to showcase their abilities and learn the intricacies of a world racing series and quickly becoming a popular entry point for aspiring professional riders.

The final season of the WorldSSP300 series will take place in 2025, providing teams and manufacturers ample time to prepare for the transition to the new class in 2026. This period will ensure a smooth and well-coordinated shift, allowing all stakeholders to adapt to the new technical and sporting regulations.

SBS Friction Celebrates Its Success At The 2024 Isle Of Man TT

David Swarts
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SBS Friction Celebrates Its Success At The 2024 Isle Of Man TT

SBS TAKES THE LEAD IN ISLE OF MAN TT

DOUGLAS, UK. The Isle of Man TT 2024 has come to a thrilling conclusion, with the world’s fastest riders battling it out on the legendary mountain course. A key factor in the success of almost all podium finishers was the superior braking performance provided by SBS Friction A/S, who also in 2024 was the preferred brake supplier for the event.

SBS has a long history in international road racing that started back in the 80s with ceramic-based brake pads. Over the years, SBS has developed and complemented its product range with sinter brake pads and technological integrations, such as NUCAP NRS bonding technology, developed in close collaboration with top teams and riders in international championship classes. To this date, SBS racing brake pads are the preferred choice, also in Isle of Man TT.

The 2024 edition of the Isle of Man TT was a spectacle of speed and skill, with several highlights that will be remembered for years to come. Michael Dunlop’s 29th victory was a testament to his skill and experience that has continued his family’s TT legacy. Davey Todd’s double win – and his first overall – showcased his result-orientated strategy and determined execution.

– When racing at the high-speed straights between villages and in the mountains on the Isle of Man, all brake system components are repeatedly cooled and heated. When braking with high pressure for the turns, brake system parts reach extreme temperatures to affect thermally the overall brake performance. SBS DS Dual Sinter compounds are designed to perform at these extreme shifts from cold to warm temperatures, giving our riders a reliable and consistent brake lever feel and power to lap the complete 60 km circuit of Isle of Man TT at a record pace, says Allan Østli, Race Manager at SBS.

Other SBS racers and champions Dean Harrison, Peter Hickman, Nathan Harrison, Josh Brookes, Paul Cassidy, Conor Cummins, James Hillier, Davo Johnson, and Ian Hutchinson also statued strong performances, each bringing their unique perspective and strategy to the race. The event showed some impressive lap records, adding to the excitement and intensity of the event.

The Isle of Man TT 2024 was a memorable event showcasing the best of (real) road racing and highlighting the brake system’s intense performance requirements. With the support of SBS Friction A/S and the exceptional performances of the racers, the event was a resounding success. As we look forward to the next race, we celebrate the achievements of this year’s event and the incredible skill and determination of all the racers.

Podium overview

Superbike TT Race 1

1st: Peter Hickman* (SBS DS-1, DS-2, RQ)

2nd: Davey Todd* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

3rd: Dean Harrison* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

 

Senior TT Race

1st: Davey Todd* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

2nd: Josh Brookes* (SBS DS-1, DS-2, RQ)

3rd: Dean Harrison* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

 

Supertwin TT Race 1

1st: Michael Dunlop* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

2nd: Peter Hickman* (SBS DS-1, DS-2, RQ)

3rd: Dominic Herbertson

 

Supertwin TT Race 2

1st: Michael Dunlop* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

2nd: Peter Hickman* (SBS DS-1, DS-2, RQ)

3rd: Mike Browne

 

Superstock TT Race 1

1st: Davey Todd* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

2nd: Peter Hickman* (SBS DS-1, DS-2, RQ)

3rd: Michael Dunlop* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

 

Superstock TT Race 2

Cancelled

 

Supersport TT Race 1

1st: Michael Dunlop* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

2nd: Davey Todd* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

3rd: Dean Harrison* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

 

Supersport TT Race 2

1st: Michael Dunlop*(SBS DS-1, RQ)

2nd: Dean Harrison* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

3rd: Davey Todd* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

* SBS sponsored rider

 

The SBS Dynamic Racing Concept – DS-1 and DS-2 – is a revolutionary approach to motorcycle braking technology, designed to cater to the individual braking preferences of riders. The concept combines the best of two worlds – the strong initial bite and linear in-stop performance from DS-1 and the smooth initial bite and progressive in-stop performance from DS-2. It allows for the simultaneous use of two different brake pad compounds, offering riders a unique sense of control and brake power that can be tailored to their specific needs.

American Flat Track: Daniels Leads Championship Heading To New Jersey

David Swarts
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American Flat Track: Daniels Leads Championship Heading To New Jersey

Daniels Leads Grand National Championship Battle to Bridgeport Half-Mile

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, picks right back up this weekend with the second-ever running of the Bridgeport Half-Mile at Bridgeport Speedway in Swedesboro, New Jersey, on Saturday, June 22.

Last season’s stop marked the first-ever motorcycle race in the history of the half-century old venue and was rewarded with an epic Mission AFT SuperTwins showdown that saw Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) overcome reigning Grand National Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750) by 0.095 seconds to secure his first-career Half-Mile victory.

Daniels returns with the momentum of a freight train after earning his second-career Half-Mile victory in this past weekend’s Orange County Half-Mile and doing so in utterly dominant fashion.

The circumstances might invite overconfidence if not for the reminder that rival Mees was in the exact same situation – having won both the season’s previous race and last year’s race at Orange County – before encountering an uncharacteristically difficult round. Buried outside the top ten early, Mees fought his way up to fifth to limit the damage done to his title chances, which he’ll no doubt look to bolster with a bounce-back ride this weekend.

While fellow title hopefuls Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke) and Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) continued to race near the front of the field and expect to do so again at Bridgeport, the final results underlined the incredible diversity and competitiveness of the premier class.

Five different manufacturers finished inside the top five thanks to the impressive ‘24 Mission SuperTwins debuts of Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) and Billy Ross (No. 29 Mission Foods/Digitale Kawasaki Ninja 650).

Meanwhile, a big crop of veteran frontrunners will be looking to make their presence felt in New Jersey, a crew that consists of Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Ohio Indian FTR750), Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Corbin/OTBR Yamaha MT-07), Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), and Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Transalp) among others.

 

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER

Double defending Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER champ Kody Kopp (No. 1 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F) rewrites the history books seemingly every time he throws a leg over his KTM, and this weekend has the potential for yet another revision.

With a win this weekend, Kopp will break a tie with Shayna Texter-Bauman (No. 52 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F) to take sole possession of first on the all-time class wins list at 20, while moving into a tie with Texter-Bauman for most career Half-Mile wins at 11. However, he’ll have to overcome recent history to make history for a change considering he finished outside the top five following an uncharacteristically quiet day in last season’s inaugural Bridgeport Half-Mile.

Instead, it was rising star Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) who ruled the day. He’ll look to do so again this year, and his cause may be aided by the fact that both riders who joined him on the podium last year – Max Whale (No. 18 Latus Motors Racing/Liqui Moly Harley-Davidson XG750R) and Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Mission Foods/Zanotti Racing Indian FTR750) – have since graduated to premier-class duty.

Fourth- and fifth place, however, went to Chase Saathoff (No. 88 JPG Motorsports Honda CRF450R) and Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), a pair of riders with the talent and motivation to push for the checkered flag this weekend.

The deep field of challengers is again fronted by the California trio of James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), Tarren Santero (No. 75 Vinson Construction/P&M Motorcycles Honda CRF450R), and Travis Petton IV (No. 82 ECG Racing/A.M Ortega KTM 450 SX-F), while rookie Evan Renshaw (No. 265 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) feels due for a breakthrough performance.

Along with the incredible action on track, the Bridgeport Half-Mile will also feature live music courtesy of acclaimed Southern New Jersey cover band Poor Mouth Henry, the Kids Zone, designated motorcycle parking, numerous vendors, and a variety of food and beverage options.

General Admission Grandstand tickets are just $40 (kids 12 and under $5), while Reserved Grandstand tickets are only $10 more (All Ages). A Pit Pass Upgrade provides all-day access to the pit area where fans can scope out the world’s fastest dirt track motorcycles and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport is also available. Multi-day camping passes are available to purchase for $95.

New for 2024 is the Opening Ceremonies Trackside Fan Experience ($150 all ages). This ticket option provides reserved seating with Pit Pass access, a guided tour of, and photo opportunities at, the infield podium and start/finish line, infield viewing of Opening Ceremonies and the heat races, and a track talk and photo opportunity with 2016 Grand National Champion Bryan Smith.

Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/bridgeport-half-mile-86133 to reserve your seats today.

Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT). You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities on FloRacing. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2024. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/aft or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.

FOX Sports coverage of the Bridgeport Half-Mile, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, June 29, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT).

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

Video: Canadian Superbike Round Three Preview

David Swarts
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Video: Canadian Superbike Round Three Preview

Superbike Preview: Young reignites rivalry with Dumas in Edmonton

Hamilton, ON – The third round of the 2024 Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship is shaping up to be the most-anticipated yet, as a number of notable entries will set the tone for a thrilling return to RAD Torque Raceway, June 21-23.

The GP Bikes Pro Superbike class is already fresh off its most unpredictable weekend in years at Grand Bend, as Sam Guerin and Trevor Daley each took maiden victories to limit Ben Young’s gap atop the standings, and now Young will have to deal with another old rival as Alex Dumas returns to the series in Edmonton.

Watch the official RD3 video preview HERE!

 

 

None of Young, Guerin, or Dumas were present at RAD Torque when the series last visited the circuit in 2015, and Daley will unfortunately not be competing in round three, leaving the lead group all on equal terms when it comes to prior knowledge of the 2.7 km, 14-turn layout.

Young and Guerin will enter in seemingly similar positions, as both will be navigating their familiar BMW machinery around the unfamiliar venue, though Young will be the one expected to set the benchmark as he carries an eleven-point championship lead into Alberta.

The Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW rider is a near-automatic bet to fight for the win, having missed the podium just three times in his last 44 races – an absurd stretch dating back to 2018 – and amassing seven victories in eight races prior to Grand Bend.

The three-time champion will not have much of a cushion in the standings, however, following a fantastic debut victory for Guerin in round two. The EFC Group BMW rider has coupled his strong pace with much more consistency in 2024, putting legitimate pressure on Young despite a season that would have seemed more straight-forward in the absence of Dumas.

Making matters worse for Young is that the aforementioned absence is now over, with Dumas set to make his CSBK return for a revamped Economy Lube Ducati squad.

The 2021 champion may need more time to adjust to his V4 Panigale after just two days of testing, but he will be a definitive race-winning threat should he come to grips with the new machine right away, complicating the championship picture.

Lost in all the drama is the lone rider without any unfamiliarity, as Jordan Szoke will enter round three with perhaps his best shot at a victory since his 2022 injuries. 

Szoke swept both races at Edmonton in 2015 and is the only former national Superbike winner at the venue, giving the CKM Kawasaki team an important advantage when the field arrives on Thursday.

As if the trip west and return of Dumas weren’t enough to throw at the leaders, the round will also feature the wildcard appearance of Torin Collins, who makes his CSBK and overall Superbike debut.

Collins is currently riding in the MotoAmerica Supersport class after departing the FIM JuniorGP series last season, and the 18-year-old out of nearby Calgary will now try his hand aboard a Superbike as he pilots a privateer Kawasaki in front of his home fans.

Those home spectators will have plenty of others to cheer for, though, as a number of local riders are expected to be in attendance, headlined by CSBK regular Paul Macdonell.

The Grande Prairie native currently sits seventh in the overall standings for the Vass Performance/PMR BMW team and has plenty of experience at RAD Torque, having won the regional Open Superbike championship in 2021.

A number of Macdonell’s former regional foes are now expected to join him at their home round, including EMRA round one winner Brian Worsdall. The Mots Racing Honda rider has been regularly lapping in the same range as the top-five did nine years ago, putting Worsdall potentially in the podium mix given his track expertise.

All the new arrivals will be bad news for first-year Superbike riders David MacKay and Connor Campbell, who will have another challenge ahead of them as they hunt for their own debut national podiums in Edmonton.

MacKay remains fourth in the championship despite a race two crash with Macdonell at Grand Bend, and the ODH Snow City Cycle Honda rider has looked comfortable right out of the gates aboard his new machine, but he will now put that to the test at a brand-new circuit.

As for Campbell, the Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year leader has been riding at less than full health following a rib injury in round one, but is finally hoping to be back at 100% as he heads west for the first time aboard his B&T MacFarlane/Kubota Kawasaki.

Like Szoke, another returning rider from 2015 will hope to put his knowledge to good use, as Sebastien Tremblay will also continue his double-duty at Edmonton.

The Turcotte Performance Suzuki rider is shorthanded aboard his lesser-displacement GSX-R750, the same machine he leads the Pro Sport Bike championship with, but will hope his previous experience can limit the difference at RAD Torque.

As for the Constructors Standings, the new venue will need to throw a lot at Young and Guerin to displace BMW from the top spot, who will also have a valuable third option in home favourite Macdonell.

However, the battle for second will get far more complicated with Dumas joining fifth-placed Ducati, who look to chase down Suzuki (fourth), Honda (third), and Kawasaki – the latter of whom will get their own boost with the wildcard appearance of Collins.

More information on the third round at RAD Torque Raceway can be found on CSBK’s official website.

MotoAmerica: Mini Cup National Final Streaming On Live+

David Swarts
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MotoAmerica: Mini Cup National Final Streaming On Live+

Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final Set For Live Streaming On MotoAmerica Live+

The Stars Of Tomorrow Will Be Featured Live From Road America, August 10-11

IRVINE, CA – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is happy to announce that the debut of the Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final will be streamed live from Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 10-11, on MotoAmerica Live+.

All the action from the inaugural National Final will be streamed live and on-demand and will feature road racing champions Roger Hayden and James Rispoli as commentators calling all the Mini Cup action, which includes Stock 50, Stock 110, Stock 125, GP160, GP190 and Street GP classes.

The MotoAmerica Live+ streaming package will cost $12.99 for the single event and will also be available for free to current subscribers of MotoAmerica Live+.

“The first year of doing our regional qualifiers has been successful,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “Now we’re happy to announce that the racers who have qualified for the Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final will have their efforts rewarded and their friends, family and race fans in general will be able to watch the event unfold live on MotoAmerica Live+”

The event will utilize two different tracks at the Briggs and Stratton Motorplex at Road America and consist of four races over the weekend (two on Saturday and two on Sunday) for each of the six classes competing. Each race will pay points and the rider with the highest points total in each class being awarded the AMA National Champion number-one plate.  

Riders who have qualified at one of the many Mission MotoAmerica Mini Cup By Motul Qualifier events across the country start the event with 10 points automatically earned.

For information on where to participate in your local regional qualifier, information can be found at www.motoamerica.com/mini-cup-events

For information on how to pre-enter the National Final at Road America, August 9-11, information can be found at:  https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/mission-mini-cup-by-motul-national-final-road-america-motoamerica-618429

The deadline for entry in the 2024 Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final is August 5.

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.

Former Racer Ottis “Otter” Lance, R.I.P.

David Swarts
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Former Racer Ottis “Otter” Lance, R.I.P.

Former racer Ottis “Otter” Lance, of Argyle, Texas, died June 16. He was 66 years old.

Lance’s road racing career spanned four decades starting with club races in Texas, AMA Pro Nationals around the United States, and most recently International races like the Phillip Island Classic historic event at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, in Australia. He competed in AMA Pro Superbike from 1985 to 1991and his best finish was a third place on a Kosar Racing Yamaha FZ750 behind Fred Merkel and Bubba Shobert at Sears Point Raceway (now known as Sonoma Raceway) in 1986. He also finished fourth in the 1989 Daytona 200. He also owned a Suzuki dealership in Fort Stockton, Texas.

 

Ottis "Otter" Lance (left) with Deano Swims (right) at Phillip Island for the Phillip Island Classic in 2020. Photo courtesy Phil Hall.
Ottis “Otter” Lance (left) and Deano Swims (right) raced in Australia at the 2020 Phillip Island Classic. Photo courtesy Phil Hall.

 

He is survived by his daughter Sydney.

We will update this post with more information as it becomes available.

AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Class Of 2024 Announced

The Glory Days sculpture inside the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Photo courtesy AMA.
The Glory Days sculpture inside the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Photo courtesy AMA.

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2024

Five influential motorcyclists to be inducted on Oct. 10 during the AMA’s Hall of Fame Days event in Pickerington, Ohio

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Following weeks of voting, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame announced the five inductees who will be honored during the 2024 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Oct. 10 in Pickerington, Ohio.

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2024 is Mike Lafferty, Debbie Matthews, Mat Mladin, Rob Rasor and Kevin Windham.

“This year’s class represents a wide range of individuals who have helped push motorcycling forward, both as a sport and as a lifestyle,” AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman said. “Without the contributions of these racers, ambassadors and leaders, motorcycling would not be where it is today. We look forward to enshrining the legacies of these five outstanding motorcyclists into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame on Oct. 10.”

The Induction Ceremony will headline the AMA’s Hall of Fame Days, which is set for Oct. 10-13, and will include an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Bike Night and open house at the Hall of Fame Museum. The Induction Ceremony will take place at the nearby Violet Township Event Center on Oct. 10, followed by a cocktail reception at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Tickets for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Induction Ceremony are now on sale and can be found at AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact AMA Business Development Manager Michael Kula at (949) 466-7833 or [email protected].

Hall of Fame inductees are selected from eight areas of influence: Ambassadors/Industry, Design/Engineering, Dirt Track, Leadership/Motorcycle Rights, Motocross/Supercross, Off-Road, Road Racing and Specialty Competition.

MIKE LAFFERTY

Mike Lafferty was bitten by the enduro racing bug in 1982 when he was 7 years old, and he turned this passion into one of the most successful off-road careers ever. Racing throughout the 1980s, Lafferty broke through when he won back-to-back East Coast Enduro Association championships as a teenager in 1993 and 1994.

Lafferty hit a launching point in 1997, when he claimed his first AMA National Enduro Championship. In total he tallied 71 National Enduro wins — second all-time — and eight titles, which leaves him tied for the most all-time. Lafferty also raced AMA Grand National Cross Country and was a member of four U.S. ISDE teams.

DEBBIE MATTHEWS

Debbie Matthews has spent her life contributing to motorcycling and has done so by serving in — and excelling in — almost every role the sport has to offer to increase opportunities for women riders. Known for her smooth and effortless racing style, Matthews set the record for longest consecutive pro and amateur career in women’s motocross when she raced for 27 years.

In 1996, she co-founded the Women’s Motocross League, and Matthews further worked on behalf of women riders when she met with AMA Congress and drove the change to give women “A” Rider classification for the first time in history. Recognizing Matthews’ work promoting women’s motocross, announcer Erv Braun described her as the “Godmother of Women’s MX.”

MAT MLADIN

In a 10-year span from 1999 to 2009 that continues to defy belief in hindsight, Mat Mladin notched seven AMA Superbike titles and won 82 AMA Superbike nationals in the process — each of those numbers more than anyone in history.

Mladin also won the legendary Daytona 200 three times during that period, achievements that have him tied for third all-time behind AMA Hall of Famers and multi-time Daytona 200 winners Scott Russell (five) and Miguel Duhamel (four). In 1999, he won his first of seven AMA Superbike titles — achievements that would make him, according to series promoter MotoAmerica, “the most dominant rider in the history of the AMA Superbike Championship.”

ROB RASOR

For decades, Rob Rasor was instrumental in carrying out the AMA’s mission to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling.

Hired in 1973 as part of the AMA’s Government Relations Department, Rasor helped ward off a federal “superbike” ban, helmet requirements and bike bans in several states and cities, and aided in the fight to ban healthcare discrimination against motorcyclists. Rasor was also a champion for off-road riding and led the AMA’s efforts to win public land access for off-road riders.

Rasor’s efforts extended beyond the United States, and he was awarded the FIM Nicolas Rodi Del Valle Gold Medal in 2019.

KEVIN WINDHAM

Kevin Windham’s 19-year AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross career is one for the history books.

During his long, illustrious career, Windham raced to 47 total AMA Pro wins and collected the third-most starts (325), third-most points (9,070) and the seventh-most podiums (130). While Windham saw success domestically, he thrived in international competition — winning the 1999 FIM United States Grand Prix and 2005 Motocross of Nations as a member of the American team.

Windham retired from AMA professional racing in 2013, marking the end of a dominant career in the AMA and international circuits.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.

Not a member? Join the AMA today: americanmotorcyclist.com.

 

Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast: MotoGP – A Matter Of Balance

Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner Mat Oxley (right) and two-time World Championship-winning Crew Chief Peter Bom (left). Photo courtesy Mat Oxley.
Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner Mat Oxley (right) and two-time World Championship-winning Crew Chief Peter Bom (left). Photo courtesy Mat Oxley.

Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner Mat Oxley and two-time World Championship-winning Crew Chief Peter Bom have started “The Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast,” which will be focused on the FIM MotoGP World Championship.

This podcast is “MotoGP – A Matter Of Balance.”

The original podcast can be found on BuzzSprout.com or listened to via other places you get podcasts.

From the Oxley Bom Podcast:

Here’s an interesting question: what was the last time KTM won a race? And what was the last time they won while the track was dry?

The answer is three whole years. Yes, with no race in Kazakhstan this week, Mat instead decided to dive into some interesting statistics. The numbers don’t lie, and they point at something curious at KTM.

So this week we’re going to dive into why an incredibly competitive bike like the RC16 isn’t bringing home the gold more often. It’s a question that not only involves lots of engineering and data, but also a serious look at the different kinds of pilots riding these machines. And the answer might have some serious implications for the freshly-signed Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales…

Want more? Visit our website or support us on Patreon. With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman’s Dub Club for writing our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music!  

World Endurance: YART Yamaha Tests At Suzuka

Niccolo Canepa leads teammate Karel Hanika during testing at Suzuka, in Japan. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Niccolo Canepa leads teammate Karel Hanika during testing at Suzuka, in Japan. Photo courtesy Yamaha.

YART Yamaha Complete Successful Pre-Event Test for Suzuka 8 Hours

The Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team of Niccolò Canepa, Karel Hanika, and Marvin Fritz enjoyed a productive two-day Pre-Event test in Japan, with all three riders lapping in the 2:05s ahead of the 45th “Coca-Cola” Suzuka 8 Hours that will take place on the 18-21st of July.

The Yamalube YART Yamaha squad will be Yamaha Motor’s top team at the event, and the staff members and riders arrived in Japan on Monday, June 17th, to get themselves acclimated to the time difference and get ready to ride. In the days leading up to the test, heavy rain fell in many parts of Japan, but on Wednesday morning, clear and sunny skies greeted the defending FIM Endurance World Champions as they arrived at Suzuka Circuit.

In the first session, YART rode in Group B, showing off their R1, which featured a special Suzuka 8 Hours livery with a “YAMALUBE” logo design, denoting Yamaha Motor’s brand of genuine motor oils and chemicals to Japanese fans and media for the first time.

Looking at the combined times for Session 1 from Group A and Group B, Team HRC (that includes MotoGP rider Johann Zarco) held the top two quickest lap times with a 2’06.867 and a 2’07.097. Behind them was YART, who were still working on getting re-acclimated to Suzuka Circuit as it was the first time they had ridden the track since last year’s race. They quickly got down to speed, though, with times in the 2’08s for most of their laps, and in the end, they finished the session having set a 2’07.299 and 2’07.626 to finish in third and fourth overall.
 
In the second session of the day, Ducati Team KAGAYAMA were fastest, having set a 2’06.634, with YART in second with a 2’07.049. The third session of the day saw YART set a 2’07.495 to finish in fourth, while in the final night session, Canepa clocked the fastest time of the entire day with a 2’06.381 to make YART’s rivals fully aware of their presence.

On day two of the test, cloudy skies brought relatively milder temperatures than on Wednesday, which allowed teams to improve their times, and the Austrian squad was no exception. The team focused on longer runs before switching to time attack mode to prepare for qualifying practice at the main event, during which they bettered their fastest times for the test.
 
On Thursday, Session 5 began at 9:30 am and was followed by Session 6 at 2:00 pm, with both lasting 80 minutes in total, and the longer session times allowed for race simulations to be made. Once these were complete in Session 5, Canepa and Fritz both went out with fresh tyres and pushed for fast lap times, with both eventually setting consecutive laps in the 2’06 range, with fastest times of 2’06.137 and 2’06.198 respectively, improving on Canepa’s best time from Wednesday.

Although single lap times are not as important in endurance races like the 8 Hours, the team finished one-two in front of rivals Ducati Team KAGAYAMA, Yoshimura SERT Motul and Team HRC in the session. YART’s race pace was consistently in the 2’07 range, which demonstrated the level to which the team is already performing in the lead-up to the race.

In the final session, Ducati Team KAGAYAMA set a 2’05.162 to top the timesheets, which would go on to be the fastest lap of the test. YART spent most of the time working on longer race simulations, but once again, at the end of the session, fresh tyres were put on the R1s, and the riders went out to work on single-lap pace to prepare for qualifying. They could not quite match their rivals’ times, but all three YART riders set laps in the 2’05.6-7 range. Those times were on par with qualifying times from last year’s 8 Hours, confirming that everything within the team is proceeding well and according to plan ahead of the historic race in July.

Karel Hanika

Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team

“It was my first time back at Suzuka after a year, so the first thing I did was try to get the feeling back. The weather and track conditions were different from last year, but I already knew the track layout well, so I was able to set some fast lap times right from the start. I’m happy to be here because I like the Suzuka Circuit a lot, so I’m looking forward to the race. On the second day, we worked on the geometry, suspension and electronics a little bit each, and we found something positive compared to Wednesday. We worked on track to help each other with our riding, so overall, the test was good. We have a few small things to improve, but they are not major, and all three of us are fast. We know our rivals will be strong, but when we did long runs today, we were very competitive. We tried out some different tyres and saw, which worked well for the end of the stint, so I feel like we’ve done everything we needed to do in this test, and we’re ready for the race weekend. There are still some small things to improve, of course. In the month until the race, I’ll train like I normally do, but I know the 8 Hours will be hot like always, and luckily, it’s also getting hot where I live, so I’ll work on doing cardio outdoors in the heat to be in the best physical condition.”

Niccolò Canepa

Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team

“The first day was all about getting back up to speed at Suzuka, and I think we did that very quickly in the first session. We completed the testing plan we had for the day, and took all the comments from us three riders, and we’ll use those to make some small changes to the bike for tomorrow. My two teammates both did long runs, though I didn’t, and checked fuel consumption, which looked good. I set our fastest time on Wednesday, and I think it was because today is one of the coolest days I’ve ridden at Suzuka, so the conditions were perfect, which helped. I also had new tyres on, so when I pushed, we were able to set a fast time, though still not a perfect lap and not as fast as qualifying times. Everything went so well on Wednesday that we didn’t have much to do on the second day. Still, we worked a bit on the geometry, suspension and electronics. Compared to the other teams, I think we did an excellent job over the two days. We weren’t trying so hard to set a qualifying lap time, but we worked more on our race pace, and in the long runs we did, that pace was very good. At the end of the final session, we put on new tyres and tried a time attack. All three of us were very fast, which is great because that’s the goal of our team, for all three to be on the same level. I’ll do some training to prepare for the 8 Hours, but mostly, I need to focus on recovering my injured shoulder. Between competing at Spa and doing some WorldSBK testing, I have put a lot of stress on it, so now I need to do some physiotherapy, rest and recover.”

Marvin Fritz

Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team

“My first lap on track was a 2’07.6, so we were already at a fast pace right from the start. We mostly focused on our race pace on Wednesday. From all the years I’ve raced Suzuka, I think on the first day, I had my fastest average race pace ever. My teammates were also very fast, so we made a good start to the test. We didn’t have any issues, and the bike is working well, but there are still some small points we can improve on. On the second day, we focused on some small things, mostly the riding position, electronics and front suspension. We did some long runs to check our fuel consumption and, after that, did a time attack, where I was able to set a personal best here at Suzuka of 2’05.6. We can still improve some things, but overall, I’m happy. Of course, our rivals also set fast times over the test, but we can still go even faster, so I’m not too worried. Overall, I think we gained a lot of confidence for the race. To get ready, I’ll train even harder than usual.”

Mandy Kainz

Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team – Team Manager

”In the test, we had no mistakes, no problems at all, so if the actual race weekend is this trouble-free, we’d be very happy. The bike, the tyres, the riders and the mechanics all did their jobs perfectly. So perfectly that it’s almost scary! We were trying to work on race pace, and on average, our lap times are one second faster than last year’s, so we’re satisfied with this. I think the test overall has given the riders more confidence. If we can do exactly the same thing in three weeks, we’ll have very good results at the 8 Hours. I would say we’re ready to race right now, as we are, but we need the time for Niccolò to recover his shoulder.”

Pipe Dreams Podcast (And Video): E15 – Sean Dylan Kelly – Homecoming

Sean Dylan Kelly (40) on his TopPro Racing BMW Superbike. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Sean Dylan Kelly (40) on his TopPro Racing BMW Superbike. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Sean Dylan Kelly – Homecoming

June 19th, 2024 – Birmingham, Alabama

MotoAmerica racers Corey Alexander and James Rispoli are thrilled to announce the release of Episode 15 of the Pipe Dreams Podcast, featuring a special guest, rookie MotoAmerica Superbike rider for the TopPro Racing Team, Sean Dylan Kelly.

At just 22 years old, Sean Dylan Kelly (@seandylankelly) boasts an impressive motorcycle road-racing resume. His career has taken him and his family from their home base in Miami to various parts of the world and now back again. Despite his young age, Sean has accumulated a wealth of wisdom and has experienced the extreme highs and lows of racing, topics we frequently explore in our episodes.

Among Sean’s highs is racing in the prestigious Moto2 World Championship. However, he has also faced significant challenges, including the tough decision to put his dream of racing abroad on hold. In 2024, he will be returning home to compete in MotoAmerica Superbike as a rookie.

In this episode, Sean opens up about his childhood experiences, his time in Europe racing Moto2, and how these experiences have shaped him both as a racer and as a person. His story is one of resilience, determination, and growth.

We hope you enjoy this episode of Pipe Dreams and find inspiration in Sean’s incredible journey!

Listen Now

Available on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, the fifteen full episode with Sean 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 https://anchor.fm/pipe-dreams to listen now.

 

 

 

Supersport 300 World Championship Will Be Replaced In 2026

Aidi Satya Mahendra (57) leads Galang Hendra Pratama (56), Jeffrey Buis (1), Inigo Iglesias Bravo (58), and the rest of the WorldSSP 300 field during Race Two at Misano. Mahendra won the race. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Aidi Satya Mahendra (57) leads Galang Hendra Pratama (56), Jeffrey Buis (1), Inigo Iglesias Bravo (58), and the rest of the WorldSSP 300 field during Race Two at Misano. Mahendra won the race. Photo courtesy Dorna.

New entry class to debut in 2026

The SBK Commission is currently working on the introduction of a new entry class to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in 2026, marking a significant evolution in the racing landscape. This new class will replace the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship (WorldSSP300), which has successfully served as a feeder class since its inception in 2017.

WorldSSP300 has fulfilled its mission of providing a sustainable and affordable platform for emerging talents to enter the World Championship. Building on this success, the introduction of the new class aims to further enhance the sporting and commercial relevance of the entry category.

One of the key objectives of this new initiative is to smoothen the progression path for riders moving up to the larger classes, particularly to the FIM Supersport World Championship (WorldSSP). By closing the performance gap between the entry and intermediate classes, the aim is to create a more seamless transition for riders, fostering their development and preparing them for the competitive demands of higher categories.

Additionally, this move is designed to attract greater interest from manufacturers by allowing them to showcase machinery that reflects a growing market segment. The new class will feature nimble bikes with more powerful mid-tier capacity engines, details of which will be specified by the SBK Commission in the coming weeks and months.

Launched in 2017, the WorldSSP300 class provided a global platform for young talents, allowing them to showcase their abilities and learn the intricacies of a world racing series and quickly becoming a popular entry point for aspiring professional riders.

The final season of the WorldSSP300 series will take place in 2025, providing teams and manufacturers ample time to prepare for the transition to the new class in 2026. This period will ensure a smooth and well-coordinated shift, allowing all stakeholders to adapt to the new technical and sporting regulations.

SBS Friction Celebrates Its Success At The 2024 Isle Of Man TT

Michael Dunlop (6) at speed at the Isle of Man TT. Photo courtesy SBS Friction.
Michael Dunlop (6) at speed at the Isle of Man TT. Photo courtesy SBS Friction.

SBS TAKES THE LEAD IN ISLE OF MAN TT

DOUGLAS, UK. The Isle of Man TT 2024 has come to a thrilling conclusion, with the world’s fastest riders battling it out on the legendary mountain course. A key factor in the success of almost all podium finishers was the superior braking performance provided by SBS Friction A/S, who also in 2024 was the preferred brake supplier for the event.

SBS has a long history in international road racing that started back in the 80s with ceramic-based brake pads. Over the years, SBS has developed and complemented its product range with sinter brake pads and technological integrations, such as NUCAP NRS bonding technology, developed in close collaboration with top teams and riders in international championship classes. To this date, SBS racing brake pads are the preferred choice, also in Isle of Man TT.

The 2024 edition of the Isle of Man TT was a spectacle of speed and skill, with several highlights that will be remembered for years to come. Michael Dunlop’s 29th victory was a testament to his skill and experience that has continued his family’s TT legacy. Davey Todd’s double win – and his first overall – showcased his result-orientated strategy and determined execution.

– When racing at the high-speed straights between villages and in the mountains on the Isle of Man, all brake system components are repeatedly cooled and heated. When braking with high pressure for the turns, brake system parts reach extreme temperatures to affect thermally the overall brake performance. SBS DS Dual Sinter compounds are designed to perform at these extreme shifts from cold to warm temperatures, giving our riders a reliable and consistent brake lever feel and power to lap the complete 60 km circuit of Isle of Man TT at a record pace, says Allan Østli, Race Manager at SBS.

Other SBS racers and champions Dean Harrison, Peter Hickman, Nathan Harrison, Josh Brookes, Paul Cassidy, Conor Cummins, James Hillier, Davo Johnson, and Ian Hutchinson also statued strong performances, each bringing their unique perspective and strategy to the race. The event showed some impressive lap records, adding to the excitement and intensity of the event.

The Isle of Man TT 2024 was a memorable event showcasing the best of (real) road racing and highlighting the brake system’s intense performance requirements. With the support of SBS Friction A/S and the exceptional performances of the racers, the event was a resounding success. As we look forward to the next race, we celebrate the achievements of this year’s event and the incredible skill and determination of all the racers.

Podium overview

Superbike TT Race 1

1st: Peter Hickman* (SBS DS-1, DS-2, RQ)

2nd: Davey Todd* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

3rd: Dean Harrison* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

 

Senior TT Race

1st: Davey Todd* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

2nd: Josh Brookes* (SBS DS-1, DS-2, RQ)

3rd: Dean Harrison* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

 

Supertwin TT Race 1

1st: Michael Dunlop* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

2nd: Peter Hickman* (SBS DS-1, DS-2, RQ)

3rd: Dominic Herbertson

 

Supertwin TT Race 2

1st: Michael Dunlop* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

2nd: Peter Hickman* (SBS DS-1, DS-2, RQ)

3rd: Mike Browne

 

Superstock TT Race 1

1st: Davey Todd* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

2nd: Peter Hickman* (SBS DS-1, DS-2, RQ)

3rd: Michael Dunlop* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

 

Superstock TT Race 2

Cancelled

 

Supersport TT Race 1

1st: Michael Dunlop* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

2nd: Davey Todd* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

3rd: Dean Harrison* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

 

Supersport TT Race 2

1st: Michael Dunlop*(SBS DS-1, RQ)

2nd: Dean Harrison* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

3rd: Davey Todd* (SBS DS-1, RQ)

* SBS sponsored rider

 

The SBS Dynamic Racing Concept – DS-1 and DS-2 – is a revolutionary approach to motorcycle braking technology, designed to cater to the individual braking preferences of riders. The concept combines the best of two worlds – the strong initial bite and linear in-stop performance from DS-1 and the smooth initial bite and progressive in-stop performance from DS-2. It allows for the simultaneous use of two different brake pad compounds, offering riders a unique sense of control and brake power that can be tailored to their specific needs.

American Flat Track: Daniels Leads Championship Heading To New Jersey

Dallas Daniels (32). Photo by Tim Lester, courtesy AFT.
Dallas Daniels (32). Photo by Tim Lester, courtesy AFT.

Daniels Leads Grand National Championship Battle to Bridgeport Half-Mile

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, picks right back up this weekend with the second-ever running of the Bridgeport Half-Mile at Bridgeport Speedway in Swedesboro, New Jersey, on Saturday, June 22.

Last season’s stop marked the first-ever motorcycle race in the history of the half-century old venue and was rewarded with an epic Mission AFT SuperTwins showdown that saw Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) overcome reigning Grand National Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750) by 0.095 seconds to secure his first-career Half-Mile victory.

Daniels returns with the momentum of a freight train after earning his second-career Half-Mile victory in this past weekend’s Orange County Half-Mile and doing so in utterly dominant fashion.

The circumstances might invite overconfidence if not for the reminder that rival Mees was in the exact same situation – having won both the season’s previous race and last year’s race at Orange County – before encountering an uncharacteristically difficult round. Buried outside the top ten early, Mees fought his way up to fifth to limit the damage done to his title chances, which he’ll no doubt look to bolster with a bounce-back ride this weekend.

While fellow title hopefuls Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke) and Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) continued to race near the front of the field and expect to do so again at Bridgeport, the final results underlined the incredible diversity and competitiveness of the premier class.

Five different manufacturers finished inside the top five thanks to the impressive ‘24 Mission SuperTwins debuts of Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) and Billy Ross (No. 29 Mission Foods/Digitale Kawasaki Ninja 650).

Meanwhile, a big crop of veteran frontrunners will be looking to make their presence felt in New Jersey, a crew that consists of Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Ohio Indian FTR750), Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Corbin/OTBR Yamaha MT-07), Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), and Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Transalp) among others.

 

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER

Double defending Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER champ Kody Kopp (No. 1 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F) rewrites the history books seemingly every time he throws a leg over his KTM, and this weekend has the potential for yet another revision.

With a win this weekend, Kopp will break a tie with Shayna Texter-Bauman (No. 52 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F) to take sole possession of first on the all-time class wins list at 20, while moving into a tie with Texter-Bauman for most career Half-Mile wins at 11. However, he’ll have to overcome recent history to make history for a change considering he finished outside the top five following an uncharacteristically quiet day in last season’s inaugural Bridgeport Half-Mile.

Instead, it was rising star Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) who ruled the day. He’ll look to do so again this year, and his cause may be aided by the fact that both riders who joined him on the podium last year – Max Whale (No. 18 Latus Motors Racing/Liqui Moly Harley-Davidson XG750R) and Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Mission Foods/Zanotti Racing Indian FTR750) – have since graduated to premier-class duty.

Fourth- and fifth place, however, went to Chase Saathoff (No. 88 JPG Motorsports Honda CRF450R) and Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), a pair of riders with the talent and motivation to push for the checkered flag this weekend.

The deep field of challengers is again fronted by the California trio of James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), Tarren Santero (No. 75 Vinson Construction/P&M Motorcycles Honda CRF450R), and Travis Petton IV (No. 82 ECG Racing/A.M Ortega KTM 450 SX-F), while rookie Evan Renshaw (No. 265 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) feels due for a breakthrough performance.

Along with the incredible action on track, the Bridgeport Half-Mile will also feature live music courtesy of acclaimed Southern New Jersey cover band Poor Mouth Henry, the Kids Zone, designated motorcycle parking, numerous vendors, and a variety of food and beverage options.

General Admission Grandstand tickets are just $40 (kids 12 and under $5), while Reserved Grandstand tickets are only $10 more (All Ages). A Pit Pass Upgrade provides all-day access to the pit area where fans can scope out the world’s fastest dirt track motorcycles and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport is also available. Multi-day camping passes are available to purchase for $95.

New for 2024 is the Opening Ceremonies Trackside Fan Experience ($150 all ages). This ticket option provides reserved seating with Pit Pass access, a guided tour of, and photo opportunities at, the infield podium and start/finish line, infield viewing of Opening Ceremonies and the heat races, and a track talk and photo opportunity with 2016 Grand National Champion Bryan Smith.

Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/bridgeport-half-mile-86133 to reserve your seats today.

Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT). You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities on FloRacing. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2024. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/aft or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.

FOX Sports coverage of the Bridgeport Half-Mile, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, June 29, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT).

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

Video: Canadian Superbike Round Three Preview

Ben Young (1) continues to lead the CSBK championship standings as the series shifts west to Edmonton this weekend after the BMW rider finished behind new Superbike race winners in both races at round two. Photo by Rob O'Brien, courtesy CSBK.
Ben Young (1) continues to lead the CSBK championship standings as the series shifts west to Edmonton this weekend after the BMW rider finished behind new Superbike race winners in both races at round two. Photo by Rob O'Brien, courtesy CSBK.

Superbike Preview: Young reignites rivalry with Dumas in Edmonton

Hamilton, ON – The third round of the 2024 Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship is shaping up to be the most-anticipated yet, as a number of notable entries will set the tone for a thrilling return to RAD Torque Raceway, June 21-23.

The GP Bikes Pro Superbike class is already fresh off its most unpredictable weekend in years at Grand Bend, as Sam Guerin and Trevor Daley each took maiden victories to limit Ben Young’s gap atop the standings, and now Young will have to deal with another old rival as Alex Dumas returns to the series in Edmonton.

Watch the official RD3 video preview HERE!

 

 

None of Young, Guerin, or Dumas were present at RAD Torque when the series last visited the circuit in 2015, and Daley will unfortunately not be competing in round three, leaving the lead group all on equal terms when it comes to prior knowledge of the 2.7 km, 14-turn layout.

Young and Guerin will enter in seemingly similar positions, as both will be navigating their familiar BMW machinery around the unfamiliar venue, though Young will be the one expected to set the benchmark as he carries an eleven-point championship lead into Alberta.

The Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW rider is a near-automatic bet to fight for the win, having missed the podium just three times in his last 44 races – an absurd stretch dating back to 2018 – and amassing seven victories in eight races prior to Grand Bend.

The three-time champion will not have much of a cushion in the standings, however, following a fantastic debut victory for Guerin in round two. The EFC Group BMW rider has coupled his strong pace with much more consistency in 2024, putting legitimate pressure on Young despite a season that would have seemed more straight-forward in the absence of Dumas.

Making matters worse for Young is that the aforementioned absence is now over, with Dumas set to make his CSBK return for a revamped Economy Lube Ducati squad.

The 2021 champion may need more time to adjust to his V4 Panigale after just two days of testing, but he will be a definitive race-winning threat should he come to grips with the new machine right away, complicating the championship picture.

Lost in all the drama is the lone rider without any unfamiliarity, as Jordan Szoke will enter round three with perhaps his best shot at a victory since his 2022 injuries. 

Szoke swept both races at Edmonton in 2015 and is the only former national Superbike winner at the venue, giving the CKM Kawasaki team an important advantage when the field arrives on Thursday.

As if the trip west and return of Dumas weren’t enough to throw at the leaders, the round will also feature the wildcard appearance of Torin Collins, who makes his CSBK and overall Superbike debut.

Collins is currently riding in the MotoAmerica Supersport class after departing the FIM JuniorGP series last season, and the 18-year-old out of nearby Calgary will now try his hand aboard a Superbike as he pilots a privateer Kawasaki in front of his home fans.

Those home spectators will have plenty of others to cheer for, though, as a number of local riders are expected to be in attendance, headlined by CSBK regular Paul Macdonell.

The Grande Prairie native currently sits seventh in the overall standings for the Vass Performance/PMR BMW team and has plenty of experience at RAD Torque, having won the regional Open Superbike championship in 2021.

A number of Macdonell’s former regional foes are now expected to join him at their home round, including EMRA round one winner Brian Worsdall. The Mots Racing Honda rider has been regularly lapping in the same range as the top-five did nine years ago, putting Worsdall potentially in the podium mix given his track expertise.

All the new arrivals will be bad news for first-year Superbike riders David MacKay and Connor Campbell, who will have another challenge ahead of them as they hunt for their own debut national podiums in Edmonton.

MacKay remains fourth in the championship despite a race two crash with Macdonell at Grand Bend, and the ODH Snow City Cycle Honda rider has looked comfortable right out of the gates aboard his new machine, but he will now put that to the test at a brand-new circuit.

As for Campbell, the Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year leader has been riding at less than full health following a rib injury in round one, but is finally hoping to be back at 100% as he heads west for the first time aboard his B&T MacFarlane/Kubota Kawasaki.

Like Szoke, another returning rider from 2015 will hope to put his knowledge to good use, as Sebastien Tremblay will also continue his double-duty at Edmonton.

The Turcotte Performance Suzuki rider is shorthanded aboard his lesser-displacement GSX-R750, the same machine he leads the Pro Sport Bike championship with, but will hope his previous experience can limit the difference at RAD Torque.

As for the Constructors Standings, the new venue will need to throw a lot at Young and Guerin to displace BMW from the top spot, who will also have a valuable third option in home favourite Macdonell.

However, the battle for second will get far more complicated with Dumas joining fifth-placed Ducati, who look to chase down Suzuki (fourth), Honda (third), and Kawasaki – the latter of whom will get their own boost with the wildcard appearance of Collins.

More information on the third round at RAD Torque Raceway can be found on CSBK’s official website.

MotoAmerica: Mini Cup National Final Streaming On Live+

The Mission MIni Cup By Motul National Final at Road America will be streamed live on MotoAmerica Live+. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
The Mission MIni Cup By Motul National Final at Road America will be streamed live on MotoAmerica Live+. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final Set For Live Streaming On MotoAmerica Live+

The Stars Of Tomorrow Will Be Featured Live From Road America, August 10-11

IRVINE, CA – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is happy to announce that the debut of the Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final will be streamed live from Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 10-11, on MotoAmerica Live+.

All the action from the inaugural National Final will be streamed live and on-demand and will feature road racing champions Roger Hayden and James Rispoli as commentators calling all the Mini Cup action, which includes Stock 50, Stock 110, Stock 125, GP160, GP190 and Street GP classes.

The MotoAmerica Live+ streaming package will cost $12.99 for the single event and will also be available for free to current subscribers of MotoAmerica Live+.

“The first year of doing our regional qualifiers has been successful,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “Now we’re happy to announce that the racers who have qualified for the Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final will have their efforts rewarded and their friends, family and race fans in general will be able to watch the event unfold live on MotoAmerica Live+”

The event will utilize two different tracks at the Briggs and Stratton Motorplex at Road America and consist of four races over the weekend (two on Saturday and two on Sunday) for each of the six classes competing. Each race will pay points and the rider with the highest points total in each class being awarded the AMA National Champion number-one plate.  

Riders who have qualified at one of the many Mission MotoAmerica Mini Cup By Motul Qualifier events across the country start the event with 10 points automatically earned.

For information on where to participate in your local regional qualifier, information can be found at www.motoamerica.com/mini-cup-events

For information on how to pre-enter the National Final at Road America, August 9-11, information can be found at:  https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/mission-mini-cup-by-motul-national-final-road-america-motoamerica-618429

The deadline for entry in the 2024 Mission Mini Cup By Motul National Final is August 5.

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.

Former Racer Ottis “Otter” Lance, R.I.P.

Ottis Lance (right) on the AMA Superbike podium at Sears Point Raceway in 1986 with Bubba Shobert (left) and race winner Fred Merkel (center). Photo by Larry Lawrence/Lawrence Media.
Ottis Lance (right) on the AMA Superbike podium at Sears Point International Raceway in 1986 with Bubba Shobert (left) and race winner Fred Merkel (center). Photo by Larry Lawrence/Lawrence Media, used with permission, all rights reserved.

Former racer Ottis “Otter” Lance, of Argyle, Texas, died June 16. He was 66 years old.

Lance’s road racing career spanned four decades starting with club races in Texas, AMA Pro Nationals around the United States, and most recently International races like the Phillip Island Classic historic event at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, in Australia. He competed in AMA Pro Superbike from 1985 to 1991and his best finish was a third place on a Kosar Racing Yamaha FZ750 behind Fred Merkel and Bubba Shobert at Sears Point Raceway (now known as Sonoma Raceway) in 1986. He also finished fourth in the 1989 Daytona 200. He also owned a Suzuki dealership in Fort Stockton, Texas.

 

Ottis "Otter" Lance (left) with Deano Swims (right) at Phillip Island for the Phillip Island Classic in 2020. Photo courtesy Phil Hall.
Ottis “Otter” Lance (left) and Deano Swims (right) raced in Australia at the 2020 Phillip Island Classic. Photo courtesy Phil Hall.

 

He is survived by his daughter Sydney.

We will update this post with more information as it becomes available.

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