Although Friday’s races have been postponed due to rain, here are some video highlights from the Isle of Man TT races so far.
© , Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
MotoAmerica: Herfoss Riding Tytlers BMW Superbike In Place Of Beaubier
Troy Herfoss and Indian Motorcycles helping Tytlers Cycle in Superbike Class.
With the welcome support of Indian Motorcycles, we are delighted to announce that Troy Herfoss, current points leader in the 2024 Mission King Of The Baggers championship and second in points in Super Hooligan for Indian Motorcycles, will ride the Tytlers Cycle BMW M 1000 RR in place of the injured Cameron Beaubier.
Troy, the 2023 Australian Superbike Champion, will be on the grid alongside JD Beach for Tytlers Cycle Racing for the next couple of rounds and we very much look forward to starting our journey together.
Troy is an exceptional rider, as he has shown so far in 2024 but he also brings vast superbike experience. The 37-year-old Australian is a multiple ASBK Superbike champion and has competed several times in World Superbike.
Michael Kiley – Team Principal of Tytlers Cycle Racing: “Indian Motorcycles builds the best cruiser motorcycles on the market. I very much enjoy interacting with our customers in the cruiser sector in our dealership community. Having Indian Motorcycles and Troy Herfoss step in to help us is as close as we can come to flying the flag for Indian Motorcycles and our Indian customers who have supported the growth of our dealership. It has been a crazy week since Cam’s injury. The fans are being treated to a fantastic year of racing which means a very tough year for finding a stand-in rider. Since round one we have had a lot of incredibly positive messages for Tytler’s Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR, built by Dave Weaver, and so many talented riders expressed a desire to get on the bike but remained loyal to their current contracts. For a standout rider like Troy with the support of Indian Motorcycles to step in and help out is a demonstration of why we enjoy being a part of the MotoAmerica community. We look forward to seeing Troy in our pit, on our bike and will support him the best we can to achieve the best results we can”
Gary Gray of Indian Motorcycles: “When one of our dealers, Michael Kiley of Indian Motorcycle of Green Bay, called needing a rider for a couple of MotoAmerica Superbike rounds we were more than happy to help. Tytlers Cycle Racing does an excellent job and has one of the best bikes in the paddock. We are excited to see Troy Herfoss on track more. This opportunity for him sees him get more track time to learn the tracks and show what he can do on a Superbike.”
Troy Herfoss: “First and foremost I would like to wish Cam the best recovery possible. He is a true champion in our sport, and it is an honour to ride his bike. I want to thank both Michael Kiley and the team at Tytler’s Cycle Racing and Gary Gray of Indian Motorcycles for allowing me this opportunity. It has been a dream of mine to race in MotoAmerica. This year has been so much fun. I have an enormous itch that needs scratching around MotoAmerica and Superbikes and although it will be a challenging weekend, I am sure a rewarding one as well.”
Cameron Beaubier: “I’m obviously bummed to be out for now, but I think Tytlers have made a good choice with Troy filling in for me. He’s a good guy with a lot of experience. I wish him well”
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®
Indian Motorcycle Company is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit: http://www.indianmotorcycle.com
Willow Springs International Raceway Is For Sale (Updated)
The historic Willow Springs International Raceway motorsports facility located in Rosamond, California, about 90 minutes north of Los Angeles, is for sale.
The 600-acre facility’s roots go back to 1953 when a flowing, nine-turn, 2.5-mile road course was built and soon earned the reputation as “the Fastest Road in the West.”
Over the years, the facility was expanded by long-time owner Bill Huth. Now, Willow Springs International Raceway includes eight separate tracks: the 2.5-mile paved road course (which was partially repaved in 2023), the 1.8-mile Streets of Willow paved road course, the one-mile Horse Thief Mile paved road course, the paved 0.625-mile Willow Springs Kart Track, a 0.25-mile paved autocross and drifting track called the Balcony, the quarter-mile Willow Springs Speedway paved oval, and Walt James Stadium, which includes 3/8-mile paved and clay oval tracks.
Thanks to the favorable Southern California weather, the facility operates year-round and has hosted sanctioned racing, riding and driving schools, track days, and TV and movie production non-stop since it opened.
In 1996, Willow Springs International Raceway was designated a California Point of Historical Interest.
Huth died at the age of 91 in 2015, but by then his children were running the facility and continue to do so.
No asking price for the track has been made public, but a real estate listing can be found HERE.
We will update this post with more information as it becomes available.
Update:
“Five generations of our family have enjoyed being stewards of America’s first purpose-built road racing circuit,” Stephanie Huth, daughter of Bill Huth, wrote in a message to Roadracingworld.com. “Our parents, Bill and Maxine, bought a ghost of a 2.5-mile road course in the middle of nowhere. They had no backing. Dad had $17 the day they paved it. Sacrifices were made. Today, it is a unique and substantial motorsport and technological complex, ready for its new chapter. Personally, I can’t wait to see what the next stewards will do. Like Dad, I’m still waiting for someone to do a one-minute lap on ‘the Fastest Road in the West.'”
WorldSBK: Balaton Park Cancelled, Estoril Added
Estoril to host penultimate round in 2024, Hungarian Round cancelled
There will be a change to the 2024 WorldSBK calendar with Portuguese venue Estoril hosting Round 11 of the season
The 2024 WorldSBK campaign will now feature a visit to the Circuito Estoril in October following the cancellation of the Hungarian Round, which had been scheduled for August. The Estoril Round will take place from October 11th-13th, becoming the penultimate round in the 2024 campaign. The Portuguese venue will host WorldSBK action as well as WorldSSP and WorldWCR, the classes originally scheduled to race at Balaton Park in August, but also the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European SuperFinale.
Due to works at the Hungarian venue not being completed by the scheduled date (August 23rd-August 25rd), Balaton Park will no longer host WorldSBK action. Estoril’s round will take place a week before the season finale at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, making for an action-packed end of the season.
Estoril hosted WorldSBK action as recently as 2022 and provided thrilling races. In World Superbike, all three races went down to the last lap with incredible battles involving Jonathan Rea, Alvaro Bautista and Toprak Razgatlioglu. In WorldSSP, Dominique Aegerter claimed a double victory, while in WorldSSP300, Samuel Di Sora pulled off an unbelievable comeback from 31st on the grid to claim a sensational but implausible victory. In 2020, the Portuguese venue was the scene where Rea claimed his unprecedented sixth title.
Isle Of Man TT: Sidecar TT Race Two Report
CROWES JOIN 120MPH CLUB IN SECOND 3WHEELING.MEDIA SIDECAR TT WIN
Ryan and Callum Crowe claimed a second victory at the Isle of Man TT Races on Thursday afternoon in the 3wheeling.Media Sidecar TT Race 2, more than twenty seconds ahead of Ben Birchall/Kevin Roussueau. Dave Molyneux/Jake Roberts claimed a popular third place.
The Crowes also set the fastest lap of the race on their Kelproperties Honda at 120.335mph to join the 120mph Club for the first time and become the second fastest crew in Sidecar history.
Cut down to two laps due to the revised schedule, the race eventually got underway at 2.15pm after the initial start was red flagged when newcomers Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement came off at Waterworks, both rider and passenger were reported as OK however their outfit was blocking the road.
When it did get started, it was once again the Crowes who were quickest to Glen Helen on the opening lap, their lead over Birchall/Rousseau (Wyckham Blackwell/Hager Honda) 4.7 seconds. Blackstock/Rosney (Dave Holden Racing Yamaha) were a further 7.2 seconds back in third with Crawford/Hardie (ARC Newton Aycliffe/SJH Bodyworks Kawasaki) only half a second adrift in fourth as Founds/Gibbons (Founds Racing Yamaha) and Molyneux/Roberts rounded out the early leaderboard.
The Crowes’ lead was up to 7.6 seconds over Birchall/Rousseau as they jumped Ballaugh Bridge and although Blackstock/Rosney were still in third, the gap to Founds/Gibbons had come down to 0.122 seconds. Crawford/Hardie had slipped back to seventh having lost time on the run from Glen Helen.
On to Ramsey Hairpin and the Crowes still led but the gap to Birchall/Rousseau had come down slightly to 7.3 seconds. The battle for third was also hotting up as Blackstock/Rosney held a slender 0.9 second advantage over Molyneux/Roberts with Holden/Claeys (Marin/Carl Cox/Ocean Motor Village Suzuki) now fifth as Founds/Gibbons slipped back to sixth having been black flagged at Sulby Bridge before being allowed to proceed. Crawford/Hardie had now retired as had Reeves/Wilkes.
An opening lap of 119.092mph, officially the quickest ever standing start lap, gave the Crowes a nine-second advantage over Birchall/Rousseau (118.158mph) and it was now Molyneux/Roberts in third after a strong opening lap of 114.633mph. That gave them a 3.7 second lead over Blackstock/Rosney (114.275mph) as Holden/Claeys (111.888mph) and Founds/Gibbons (111.378mph) completed the top six although the latter would need to be credited with the time lost at Sulby earlier in the lap.
Newcomers Robert Dawson/Matthew Sims (Dawson Classic Motorcycles Honda) were running well in tenth after lapping at 108.925mph but back at the front, the Crowes’ lead had increased to more than 13 seconds at Glen Helen on the second and final lap as they now had Birchall/Rousseau in sight on the road.
Molyneux/Roberts were strengthening their hold on third too with the gap to Blackstock/Rosney having stretched to 4.6 seconds. Founds/Gibbons had had their time credited to them though and were now only a further second back.
Through Ramsey for the final time, the Crowes led Birchall/Rousseau by 18.5s, aided by the fastest ever sector time from Ballaugh and the fact they were on lap record pace. Molyneux remained on course for his 31st podium with the gap to new fourth-placed Founds/Gibbons up to 7.4 seconds, Blackstock/Rosney only 0.2 seconds back in fifth.
The Crowes led on the road over the tramlines at the Bungalow and a superb final lap of 120.335mph enabled them to come home 20.491 seconds ahead of Birchall/Rousseau who lapped at more than 119mph for a well-deserved second place after their crash in qualifying.
Molyneux/Roberts duly came home for third to make it two more Manxmen on the podium with Founds/Gibbons and Blackstock/Rosney close behind in fourth and fifth. The Ramsdens took sixth ahead of another father and son pairing, John and James Saunders as Lockey/Rostron, Dawson/Sims – who increased their pace to 109.465mph – and Harrison/Moore completed the top ten.
Good performances also came in from newcomers Renzo van der Donck/Vale van der Donckt, who lapped at 107.275mph, and Wiggert Kranenburg/Jermaine van Middegaal in 13th and 15th respectively.
American Flat Track: AdventureTrackers Rules Released
AMA Pro Racing Announces AFT AdventureTrackers Regulations
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 6, 2024) – AMA Pro Racing announced today the governing rules for the newest addition to the Progressive American Flat Track series, the AFT AdventureTrackers™ class, which will make its high-profile debut as a featured attraction of the inaugural Sturgis TT in Sturgis, South Dakota, on August 11.
The basic ruleset centers on production-based race bikes that remain as close to street stock as is feasible, including stock bodywork, engines, frames, swingarms, fuel tanks and more. As adventure bikes are specifically designed to be supremely versatile machines, these rules have been constructed to showcase the inherent capabilities of the bikes when piloted by professional racers, all while minimizing costs.
AFT AdventureTrackers is a professional racing class for large displacement adventure bikes with engines over 1000cc. The list includes an impressive collection of peer motorcycles that boast similar power-to-weight ratios in what’s become one of the fastest growing and fiercely competitive segments of the global motorcycle market:
BMW R 1250 GS
BMW R 1300 GS
Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally 1158
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250
Honda Africa Twin 1100
Kawasaki Versys 1000
KTM 1290 Super Adventure
KTM 1390 Super Adventure
Suzuki V-STROM 1050
Triumph Tiger 1200
Yamaha Super Ténéré 1200
The complete rules and regulations for the AFT AdventureTrackers class can be found here: https://www.americanflattrack.com/assets/view/28641/2024-AMAP-AFT-AdventureTrackers-Rulebook.pdf.
For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.
About Progressive American Flat Track
Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. Progressive American Flat Track is televised on FOX Sports and streams live via FloRacing. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on X, and check us out on Instagram.
Loudon Classic: Tyler O’Hara Pulling Double Duty
TYLER O’HARA READY TO ROCK THE 2024 LOUDON CLASSIC
Former MotoAmerica King of The Baggers Champion, Tyler O’Hara, doing double duty at the
richest race in North America this weekend.
Petaluma, Calif., June 6, 2024 —Tyler O’Hara will be one of the star attractions at the 101st
Loudon Classic, scheduled for June 7-9, 2024 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, NH.
O’Hara, a five-time AMA Pro Racing National Champion including the winner of two
MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers championships, will be competing at the oldest motorcycle racing event in North America in both the ASRA Outlaw Baggers division on his own personal Indian Challenger RR, and the premier Loudon Classic class on a Yamaha YZF-R6 provided by current MotoAmerica Supersport Championship contender and two-time MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, Blake Davis.
The Loudon Classic has gone from strength to strength in recent years and this year will see an incredible combined record prize pool of $310,000 across all classes. The ASRA Outlaw Bagger class will have a prize purse of $50,000 with $25,000 awarded to the winner, making it the richest Bagger event ever seen in the United States.
The 2024 Loudon Classic weekend marks something of a racing holiday for Californian O’Hara, who delighted Indian Motorcycle fans across the country with a double podium at the third round of the 2024 Mission MotoAmerica King of The Baggers Championship at Road America on June 1-2 for the S&S/Indian Motorcycle team.
Following this weekend’s Loudon Classic, O’Hara will then head west to Brainerd, Minnesota, Indian Motorcycle’s home round—for the fourth round of the MotoAmerica series, scheduled for June 14-16.
Tyler O’Hara (Indian Motorcycle of Southeastern Virginia–#29)
“This is going to be a great event, something a little bit different, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge of competing on two very different motorcycles,” O’Hara said. “The goal is to show people they can race an Indian Challenger by getting a bike and the kit parts and building up their own personal Bagger racebike. Make no mistake, I’m out there to win the ASRA Outlaw Bagger category.
“I’ll be competing on my own personal Indian Challenger RR, which is one of the 29 limited-edition models that commemorates when I won the 2022 King Of The Baggers title.
“We’ve done a bit of work to it with a new STM slipper clutch, a beautiful brand new swingarm, and we’ve re-flashed the ECU so it is about as close in spec to my regular factory Indian Challenger you can get. It’s going to be a beast around Loudon!
“The $50K purse is a big deal and really legitimizes where we’re at with Bagger racing right now. I’m the only racer, as far as I’m aware, that owns my own personal Bagger. I’ve believed in this concept from the beginning and to have the 29 replicas going, once Indian had them in production, I had to have one. I’m really happy to represent not just Indian Motorcycle but the wider MotoAmerica Bagger community and I hope we can put on a good show this weekend.
“I would like to thank Blake Davis of Blake Davis Racing for lending me one of his Yamaha YZF-R6s for this weekend. It’s been about 15 years since I last raced an R6, but I know this is a very well-sorted motorcycle and will give me a great chance of a podium against an extremely competitive field.
“My participation in the event wouldn’t be possible without the help of my personal sponsors and I hope to do them all proud with a victory or two this weekend.”
The 2024 Loudon Classic runs from June 7-9, 2024, with on-track practice commencing on
Friday, June 7 at 8:00 am EDT. Heat race action begins at 1:00 pm EDT, June 7. Saturday, June 8 is the big day and will see practice commence at 8:00 am with qualifying at 10:30 am. The 101st Loudon Classic is scheduled for 3:15 pm, immediately followed by the Outlaw Bagger category. Sunday, June 9 will see motorcycles take to the track at 8:30 am for practice with races starting at 11:10 am.
Tyler O’Hara Racing is proudly supported by the following sponsors
Indian Motorcycle of Southeastern Virginia: https://indianmotorcycleofseva.com/
S&S Cycle: https://www.sscycle.com/
Dunlop Motorcycle Tires: https://www.dunlopmotorcycletires.com/
Parts Unlimited: https://www.parts-unlimited.com/
Mission Foods: https://www.missionfoods.com/
Drag Specialties: https://www.dragspecialties.com/
SBS Brakes: https://www.sbs.dk/
Pro Plates: https://www.pronumberplates.com/
Motul: https://www.motul.com/en-US
Blake Davis Racing: https://www.blakedavisracing.com/
Alpinestars: https://www.alpinestars.com/
6d Helmets: https://www.6dhelmets.com/
Klock Werks: https://getklocked.com/
MRP Motorsports: https://mrpmotorsports.com/
Black Claw: https://blackclaw.com/
Richie Escalante’s Brother Elected To Congress In Mexico
On June 2, Juan Pablo Escalante, Jr., a former racer and the brother of current MotoAmerica Superbike racer Richie Escalante, was elected to a three-year term to represent the 16th District of Tizayuca, Hidalgo in the Congress of Mexico.
Specifically, Escalante was elected to the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the General Congress of the United Mexican States. The Congress also includes the Senate of the Republic.
Juan Pablo Escalante, Jr. is a member of the Morena party, the same party as Claudia Sheinbaum, who on June 2 was elected to become Mexico’s first female President. The Morena party won a majority of the seats in the Congress.
Mexico’s new government will be sworn in on October 1, 2024.
MotoAmerica: Vance Family Foundation Donating $125,000 To RWAF
Vance Family Foundation To Donate $125,000 To “Rainey’s Ride To The Races”
Terry Vance Set For Largest Donation In Roadracing World Action Fund History
IRVINE, CA (June 6, 2024) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is pleased to announce that the Terry Vance Family Foundation is set to make the most generous donation in the history of the Roadracing World Action Fund, and he will do so through the fourth-annual “Rainey’s Ride To The Races.” The drag racing legend and current MotoAmerica team owner is donating $125,000 to the fund that provides for the purchase of the Airfence and Alpina soft barriers.
Spurred on by his donation a year ago to the “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” charity event, Vance has opted to further increase his donation this year.
“First of all, I think it’s important to recognize the effort put forth by John Ulrich in not only starting the Roadracing World Action Fund, but in the continuous work of purchasing the soft barriers and maintaining the integrity of the fund,” Vance said. “Donating to the Roadracing World Action Fund is a no-brainer for me as there is no better way to give back to the industry than by doing everything we can to protect our racers. The soft barriers are a proven entity, and the bottom line is, they save lives. What is more valuable than that? In making this donation, I ask that others in our industry take up the challenge of joining me in making our sport as safe as it can be.”
“I think Terry’s donation this year is awesome,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “Terry’s a racing legend and he understands how these soft barriers provide protection for our athlete’s safety. All of us at MotoAmerica really appreciate Terry’s contribution to the Action Fund through Rainey’s Ride to the Races. The entire paddock and our fans benefit from Terry’s very generous donation.”
“Rainey’s Ride To The Races” will be held on Friday, July 12, opening day of the sixth round of the MotoAmerica Championship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and will again benefit the Roadracing World Action Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes motorcycle racing safety with the facilitation of soft barrier systems at racing events.
The ride will be limited to 50 participants who purchase the special $700 Premium “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” Ticket, which includes the Q&A session and lunch with legends Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson, Bubba Shobert, Rick Johnson, Scott Parker, Doug Chandler, Thomas Stevens, Miguel Duhamel, Ben Spies, and John Kocinski in the climate-controlled Turn 3 Paddock Suite on Friday. While a three-day general admission ticket is included in the donation, for an additional $700, “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” ticket purchasers can upgrade to the MotoAmerica Superfan VIP Experience in the Turn 3 Paddock Suite for the entire weekend.
To purchase tickets for Rainey’s Ride To The Races, click HERE
For more information on the Roadracing World Action Fund, click HERE
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+
Isle Of Man TT: Race Report From Superstock TT Race One
TODD TAKES FIRST TT VICTORY IN RL360 SUPERSTOCK TT RACE 1
Davey Todd claimed his first victory at the Isle of Man TT Races on Thursday afternoon, the Milwaukee BMW Motorrad rider edging out Peter Hickman (Monster Energy BMW by FHO Racing) in the RL360 Superstock TT Race 1 by just 2.2 seconds after a thrilling tussle. Michael Dunlop completed the podium with a third place finish on his MD Racing Honda.
With a 12.15pm start, Todd led at Glen Helen on the opening lap, his advantage over Dunlop 1.5 seconds with Hickman only a tenth of a second further back. Dean Harrison (Honda Racing) was well in touch, 0.3 seconds behind Hickman, with James Hillier (WTF Racing Honda) and Jamie Coward (KTS Racing powered by Steadplan Honda) rounding out the early leaderboard. Only two seconds covered the front four riders.
Todd’s lead was down to half a second as he jumped Ballaugh for the first time and it was Hickman now in second. Dunlop was third, almost two seconds down on Hickman, as Harrison, Hillier and Coward continued to run fourth to sixth.
Round Ramsey Hairpin for the first time and the gap remained half a second between the leading two riders but Harrison had now moved ahead of Dunlop for third albeit by only 0.02 seconds! It was close for fifth too as less than a second split Hillier and Coward in the battle for fifth.
There was little to choose between Todd and Hickman at the Bungalow with just 0.08 seconds between them as they were continuing to edge away from the chasing pack but with an opening lap of 133.362mph, it was Todd who led as they came in for their compulsory pit stop. Hickman (133.137mph) lost a bit of time from the Bungalow and was now 1.7 seconds adrift whilst Dunlop (132.639mph) was back in third, just a second ahead of Harrison (132.517mph).
Coward had now taken over fifth from Hillier as Josh Brookes on the second FHO Racing machine, Conor Cummins (Milenco by Padgett’s Motorcycles Honda), Mike Browne (IN Competition Aprilia) and John McGuinness (Honda Racing UK) rounded out the top ten.
With a quicker pit stop, Todd was almost five seconds clear as he reached Glen Helen on the second lap with Dunlop having also pulled clear of Harrison in the battle for third, the gap now 3.8 seconds. Hillier and McGuinness were now in fifth and sixth although Coward was clearly having transponder issues as he was still running with McGuinness on the road. Brookes lost almost a minute in the pits though and slipped back to 16th.
Hickman took almost two seconds out of Todd’s lead on the high-speed run to Ballaugh and it was 2.4 seconds through Ramsey for the second time but James Hind (North Lincs Components Suzuki) was out of luck again retiring from 14th at Greeba Bridge. Fellow Suzuki rider Michael Evans was also out, the Manxman having stopped at Union Mills.
The lead had further reduced at the Bungalow at 2.1 seconds but as they started the third and final lap, Todd had added another four tenths of a second to his lead. It looked to be a two-horse race as Dunlop was now more than seven seconds adrift in third. He in turn was more than four seconds clear of fellow Honda rider Harrison.
The lead was back down to 2.3 seconds through Glen Helen for the final time and by Ballaugh, it was very much ‘game on’ as Hickman had closed to within half a second with only half a lap remaining!
Todd responded on the run to Ramsey though and doubled his advantage with just the final run up and with the Mountain to go and the gap remained the same at the Bungalow as Todd and Hickman set almost identical sector times from Ramsey Hairpin.
However, Todd was quicker from the Bungalow to Cronk Ny Mona, and he got the verdict from Hickman by 2.2 seconds, who set the fastest lap of the race at 135.140mph, with Dunlop a comfortable third, almost 18 seconds behind. Harrison was only 3.6 seconds adrift at the chequered flag as fellow Honda riders Hillier and Coward took strong fifth and sixth place finishes.
McGuinness, Cummins, Dominic Herbertson (Burrows Engineering/RK Racing BMW) and Browne completed the top ten with Brookes taking 11th after Nathan Harrison on the third Honda Racing machine unfortunately retired at Kate’s Cottage on the final lap.
Isle Of Man TT: Video Highlights From The Races So Far
Although Friday’s races have been postponed due to rain, here are some video highlights from the Isle of Man TT races so far.
MotoAmerica: Herfoss Riding Tytlers BMW Superbike In Place Of Beaubier
Troy Herfoss and Indian Motorcycles helping Tytlers Cycle in Superbike Class.
With the welcome support of Indian Motorcycles, we are delighted to announce that Troy Herfoss, current points leader in the 2024 Mission King Of The Baggers championship and second in points in Super Hooligan for Indian Motorcycles, will ride the Tytlers Cycle BMW M 1000 RR in place of the injured Cameron Beaubier.
Troy, the 2023 Australian Superbike Champion, will be on the grid alongside JD Beach for Tytlers Cycle Racing for the next couple of rounds and we very much look forward to starting our journey together.
Troy is an exceptional rider, as he has shown so far in 2024 but he also brings vast superbike experience. The 37-year-old Australian is a multiple ASBK Superbike champion and has competed several times in World Superbike.
Michael Kiley – Team Principal of Tytlers Cycle Racing: “Indian Motorcycles builds the best cruiser motorcycles on the market. I very much enjoy interacting with our customers in the cruiser sector in our dealership community. Having Indian Motorcycles and Troy Herfoss step in to help us is as close as we can come to flying the flag for Indian Motorcycles and our Indian customers who have supported the growth of our dealership. It has been a crazy week since Cam’s injury. The fans are being treated to a fantastic year of racing which means a very tough year for finding a stand-in rider. Since round one we have had a lot of incredibly positive messages for Tytler’s Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR, built by Dave Weaver, and so many talented riders expressed a desire to get on the bike but remained loyal to their current contracts. For a standout rider like Troy with the support of Indian Motorcycles to step in and help out is a demonstration of why we enjoy being a part of the MotoAmerica community. We look forward to seeing Troy in our pit, on our bike and will support him the best we can to achieve the best results we can”
Gary Gray of Indian Motorcycles: “When one of our dealers, Michael Kiley of Indian Motorcycle of Green Bay, called needing a rider for a couple of MotoAmerica Superbike rounds we were more than happy to help. Tytlers Cycle Racing does an excellent job and has one of the best bikes in the paddock. We are excited to see Troy Herfoss on track more. This opportunity for him sees him get more track time to learn the tracks and show what he can do on a Superbike.”
Troy Herfoss: “First and foremost I would like to wish Cam the best recovery possible. He is a true champion in our sport, and it is an honour to ride his bike. I want to thank both Michael Kiley and the team at Tytler’s Cycle Racing and Gary Gray of Indian Motorcycles for allowing me this opportunity. It has been a dream of mine to race in MotoAmerica. This year has been so much fun. I have an enormous itch that needs scratching around MotoAmerica and Superbikes and although it will be a challenging weekend, I am sure a rewarding one as well.”
Cameron Beaubier: “I’m obviously bummed to be out for now, but I think Tytlers have made a good choice with Troy filling in for me. He’s a good guy with a lot of experience. I wish him well”
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®
Indian Motorcycle Company is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit: http://www.indianmotorcycle.com
Willow Springs International Raceway Is For Sale (Updated)
The historic Willow Springs International Raceway motorsports facility located in Rosamond, California, about 90 minutes north of Los Angeles, is for sale.
The 600-acre facility’s roots go back to 1953 when a flowing, nine-turn, 2.5-mile road course was built and soon earned the reputation as “the Fastest Road in the West.”
Over the years, the facility was expanded by long-time owner Bill Huth. Now, Willow Springs International Raceway includes eight separate tracks: the 2.5-mile paved road course (which was partially repaved in 2023), the 1.8-mile Streets of Willow paved road course, the one-mile Horse Thief Mile paved road course, the paved 0.625-mile Willow Springs Kart Track, a 0.25-mile paved autocross and drifting track called the Balcony, the quarter-mile Willow Springs Speedway paved oval, and Walt James Stadium, which includes 3/8-mile paved and clay oval tracks.
Thanks to the favorable Southern California weather, the facility operates year-round and has hosted sanctioned racing, riding and driving schools, track days, and TV and movie production non-stop since it opened.
In 1996, Willow Springs International Raceway was designated a California Point of Historical Interest.
Huth died at the age of 91 in 2015, but by then his children were running the facility and continue to do so.
No asking price for the track has been made public, but a real estate listing can be found HERE.
We will update this post with more information as it becomes available.
Update:
“Five generations of our family have enjoyed being stewards of America’s first purpose-built road racing circuit,” Stephanie Huth, daughter of Bill Huth, wrote in a message to Roadracingworld.com. “Our parents, Bill and Maxine, bought a ghost of a 2.5-mile road course in the middle of nowhere. They had no backing. Dad had $17 the day they paved it. Sacrifices were made. Today, it is a unique and substantial motorsport and technological complex, ready for its new chapter. Personally, I can’t wait to see what the next stewards will do. Like Dad, I’m still waiting for someone to do a one-minute lap on ‘the Fastest Road in the West.'”
WorldSBK: Balaton Park Cancelled, Estoril Added
Estoril to host penultimate round in 2024, Hungarian Round cancelled
There will be a change to the 2024 WorldSBK calendar with Portuguese venue Estoril hosting Round 11 of the season
The 2024 WorldSBK campaign will now feature a visit to the Circuito Estoril in October following the cancellation of the Hungarian Round, which had been scheduled for August. The Estoril Round will take place from October 11th-13th, becoming the penultimate round in the 2024 campaign. The Portuguese venue will host WorldSBK action as well as WorldSSP and WorldWCR, the classes originally scheduled to race at Balaton Park in August, but also the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European SuperFinale.
Due to works at the Hungarian venue not being completed by the scheduled date (August 23rd-August 25rd), Balaton Park will no longer host WorldSBK action. Estoril’s round will take place a week before the season finale at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, making for an action-packed end of the season.
Estoril hosted WorldSBK action as recently as 2022 and provided thrilling races. In World Superbike, all three races went down to the last lap with incredible battles involving Jonathan Rea, Alvaro Bautista and Toprak Razgatlioglu. In WorldSSP, Dominique Aegerter claimed a double victory, while in WorldSSP300, Samuel Di Sora pulled off an unbelievable comeback from 31st on the grid to claim a sensational but implausible victory. In 2020, the Portuguese venue was the scene where Rea claimed his unprecedented sixth title.
Isle Of Man TT: Sidecar TT Race Two Report
CROWES JOIN 120MPH CLUB IN SECOND 3WHEELING.MEDIA SIDECAR TT WIN
Ryan and Callum Crowe claimed a second victory at the Isle of Man TT Races on Thursday afternoon in the 3wheeling.Media Sidecar TT Race 2, more than twenty seconds ahead of Ben Birchall/Kevin Roussueau. Dave Molyneux/Jake Roberts claimed a popular third place.
The Crowes also set the fastest lap of the race on their Kelproperties Honda at 120.335mph to join the 120mph Club for the first time and become the second fastest crew in Sidecar history.
Cut down to two laps due to the revised schedule, the race eventually got underway at 2.15pm after the initial start was red flagged when newcomers Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement came off at Waterworks, both rider and passenger were reported as OK however their outfit was blocking the road.
When it did get started, it was once again the Crowes who were quickest to Glen Helen on the opening lap, their lead over Birchall/Rousseau (Wyckham Blackwell/Hager Honda) 4.7 seconds. Blackstock/Rosney (Dave Holden Racing Yamaha) were a further 7.2 seconds back in third with Crawford/Hardie (ARC Newton Aycliffe/SJH Bodyworks Kawasaki) only half a second adrift in fourth as Founds/Gibbons (Founds Racing Yamaha) and Molyneux/Roberts rounded out the early leaderboard.
The Crowes’ lead was up to 7.6 seconds over Birchall/Rousseau as they jumped Ballaugh Bridge and although Blackstock/Rosney were still in third, the gap to Founds/Gibbons had come down to 0.122 seconds. Crawford/Hardie had slipped back to seventh having lost time on the run from Glen Helen.
On to Ramsey Hairpin and the Crowes still led but the gap to Birchall/Rousseau had come down slightly to 7.3 seconds. The battle for third was also hotting up as Blackstock/Rosney held a slender 0.9 second advantage over Molyneux/Roberts with Holden/Claeys (Marin/Carl Cox/Ocean Motor Village Suzuki) now fifth as Founds/Gibbons slipped back to sixth having been black flagged at Sulby Bridge before being allowed to proceed. Crawford/Hardie had now retired as had Reeves/Wilkes.
An opening lap of 119.092mph, officially the quickest ever standing start lap, gave the Crowes a nine-second advantage over Birchall/Rousseau (118.158mph) and it was now Molyneux/Roberts in third after a strong opening lap of 114.633mph. That gave them a 3.7 second lead over Blackstock/Rosney (114.275mph) as Holden/Claeys (111.888mph) and Founds/Gibbons (111.378mph) completed the top six although the latter would need to be credited with the time lost at Sulby earlier in the lap.
Newcomers Robert Dawson/Matthew Sims (Dawson Classic Motorcycles Honda) were running well in tenth after lapping at 108.925mph but back at the front, the Crowes’ lead had increased to more than 13 seconds at Glen Helen on the second and final lap as they now had Birchall/Rousseau in sight on the road.
Molyneux/Roberts were strengthening their hold on third too with the gap to Blackstock/Rosney having stretched to 4.6 seconds. Founds/Gibbons had had their time credited to them though and were now only a further second back.
Through Ramsey for the final time, the Crowes led Birchall/Rousseau by 18.5s, aided by the fastest ever sector time from Ballaugh and the fact they were on lap record pace. Molyneux remained on course for his 31st podium with the gap to new fourth-placed Founds/Gibbons up to 7.4 seconds, Blackstock/Rosney only 0.2 seconds back in fifth.
The Crowes led on the road over the tramlines at the Bungalow and a superb final lap of 120.335mph enabled them to come home 20.491 seconds ahead of Birchall/Rousseau who lapped at more than 119mph for a well-deserved second place after their crash in qualifying.
Molyneux/Roberts duly came home for third to make it two more Manxmen on the podium with Founds/Gibbons and Blackstock/Rosney close behind in fourth and fifth. The Ramsdens took sixth ahead of another father and son pairing, John and James Saunders as Lockey/Rostron, Dawson/Sims – who increased their pace to 109.465mph – and Harrison/Moore completed the top ten.
Good performances also came in from newcomers Renzo van der Donck/Vale van der Donckt, who lapped at 107.275mph, and Wiggert Kranenburg/Jermaine van Middegaal in 13th and 15th respectively.
American Flat Track: AdventureTrackers Rules Released
AMA Pro Racing Announces AFT AdventureTrackers Regulations
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 6, 2024) – AMA Pro Racing announced today the governing rules for the newest addition to the Progressive American Flat Track series, the AFT AdventureTrackers™ class, which will make its high-profile debut as a featured attraction of the inaugural Sturgis TT in Sturgis, South Dakota, on August 11.
The basic ruleset centers on production-based race bikes that remain as close to street stock as is feasible, including stock bodywork, engines, frames, swingarms, fuel tanks and more. As adventure bikes are specifically designed to be supremely versatile machines, these rules have been constructed to showcase the inherent capabilities of the bikes when piloted by professional racers, all while minimizing costs.
AFT AdventureTrackers is a professional racing class for large displacement adventure bikes with engines over 1000cc. The list includes an impressive collection of peer motorcycles that boast similar power-to-weight ratios in what’s become one of the fastest growing and fiercely competitive segments of the global motorcycle market:
BMW R 1250 GS
BMW R 1300 GS
Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally 1158
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250
Honda Africa Twin 1100
Kawasaki Versys 1000
KTM 1290 Super Adventure
KTM 1390 Super Adventure
Suzuki V-STROM 1050
Triumph Tiger 1200
Yamaha Super Ténéré 1200
The complete rules and regulations for the AFT AdventureTrackers class can be found here: https://www.americanflattrack.com/assets/view/28641/2024-AMAP-AFT-AdventureTrackers-Rulebook.pdf.
For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.
About Progressive American Flat Track
Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. Progressive American Flat Track is televised on FOX Sports and streams live via FloRacing. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on X, and check us out on Instagram.
Loudon Classic: Tyler O’Hara Pulling Double Duty
TYLER O’HARA READY TO ROCK THE 2024 LOUDON CLASSIC
Former MotoAmerica King of The Baggers Champion, Tyler O’Hara, doing double duty at the
richest race in North America this weekend.
Petaluma, Calif., June 6, 2024 —Tyler O’Hara will be one of the star attractions at the 101st
Loudon Classic, scheduled for June 7-9, 2024 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, NH.
O’Hara, a five-time AMA Pro Racing National Champion including the winner of two
MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers championships, will be competing at the oldest motorcycle racing event in North America in both the ASRA Outlaw Baggers division on his own personal Indian Challenger RR, and the premier Loudon Classic class on a Yamaha YZF-R6 provided by current MotoAmerica Supersport Championship contender and two-time MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, Blake Davis.
The Loudon Classic has gone from strength to strength in recent years and this year will see an incredible combined record prize pool of $310,000 across all classes. The ASRA Outlaw Bagger class will have a prize purse of $50,000 with $25,000 awarded to the winner, making it the richest Bagger event ever seen in the United States.
The 2024 Loudon Classic weekend marks something of a racing holiday for Californian O’Hara, who delighted Indian Motorcycle fans across the country with a double podium at the third round of the 2024 Mission MotoAmerica King of The Baggers Championship at Road America on June 1-2 for the S&S/Indian Motorcycle team.
Following this weekend’s Loudon Classic, O’Hara will then head west to Brainerd, Minnesota, Indian Motorcycle’s home round—for the fourth round of the MotoAmerica series, scheduled for June 14-16.
Tyler O’Hara (Indian Motorcycle of Southeastern Virginia–#29)
“This is going to be a great event, something a little bit different, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge of competing on two very different motorcycles,” O’Hara said. “The goal is to show people they can race an Indian Challenger by getting a bike and the kit parts and building up their own personal Bagger racebike. Make no mistake, I’m out there to win the ASRA Outlaw Bagger category.
“I’ll be competing on my own personal Indian Challenger RR, which is one of the 29 limited-edition models that commemorates when I won the 2022 King Of The Baggers title.
“We’ve done a bit of work to it with a new STM slipper clutch, a beautiful brand new swingarm, and we’ve re-flashed the ECU so it is about as close in spec to my regular factory Indian Challenger you can get. It’s going to be a beast around Loudon!
“The $50K purse is a big deal and really legitimizes where we’re at with Bagger racing right now. I’m the only racer, as far as I’m aware, that owns my own personal Bagger. I’ve believed in this concept from the beginning and to have the 29 replicas going, once Indian had them in production, I had to have one. I’m really happy to represent not just Indian Motorcycle but the wider MotoAmerica Bagger community and I hope we can put on a good show this weekend.
“I would like to thank Blake Davis of Blake Davis Racing for lending me one of his Yamaha YZF-R6s for this weekend. It’s been about 15 years since I last raced an R6, but I know this is a very well-sorted motorcycle and will give me a great chance of a podium against an extremely competitive field.
“My participation in the event wouldn’t be possible without the help of my personal sponsors and I hope to do them all proud with a victory or two this weekend.”
The 2024 Loudon Classic runs from June 7-9, 2024, with on-track practice commencing on
Friday, June 7 at 8:00 am EDT. Heat race action begins at 1:00 pm EDT, June 7. Saturday, June 8 is the big day and will see practice commence at 8:00 am with qualifying at 10:30 am. The 101st Loudon Classic is scheduled for 3:15 pm, immediately followed by the Outlaw Bagger category. Sunday, June 9 will see motorcycles take to the track at 8:30 am for practice with races starting at 11:10 am.
Tyler O’Hara Racing is proudly supported by the following sponsors
Indian Motorcycle of Southeastern Virginia: https://indianmotorcycleofseva.com/
S&S Cycle: https://www.sscycle.com/
Dunlop Motorcycle Tires: https://www.dunlopmotorcycletires.com/
Parts Unlimited: https://www.parts-unlimited.com/
Mission Foods: https://www.missionfoods.com/
Drag Specialties: https://www.dragspecialties.com/
SBS Brakes: https://www.sbs.dk/
Pro Plates: https://www.pronumberplates.com/
Motul: https://www.motul.com/en-US
Blake Davis Racing: https://www.blakedavisracing.com/
Alpinestars: https://www.alpinestars.com/
6d Helmets: https://www.6dhelmets.com/
Klock Werks: https://getklocked.com/
MRP Motorsports: https://mrpmotorsports.com/
Black Claw: https://blackclaw.com/
Richie Escalante’s Brother Elected To Congress In Mexico
On June 2, Juan Pablo Escalante, Jr., a former racer and the brother of current MotoAmerica Superbike racer Richie Escalante, was elected to a three-year term to represent the 16th District of Tizayuca, Hidalgo in the Congress of Mexico.
Specifically, Escalante was elected to the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the General Congress of the United Mexican States. The Congress also includes the Senate of the Republic.
Juan Pablo Escalante, Jr. is a member of the Morena party, the same party as Claudia Sheinbaum, who on June 2 was elected to become Mexico’s first female President. The Morena party won a majority of the seats in the Congress.
Mexico’s new government will be sworn in on October 1, 2024.
MotoAmerica: Vance Family Foundation Donating $125,000 To RWAF
Vance Family Foundation To Donate $125,000 To “Rainey’s Ride To The Races”
Terry Vance Set For Largest Donation In Roadracing World Action Fund History
IRVINE, CA (June 6, 2024) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is pleased to announce that the Terry Vance Family Foundation is set to make the most generous donation in the history of the Roadracing World Action Fund, and he will do so through the fourth-annual “Rainey’s Ride To The Races.” The drag racing legend and current MotoAmerica team owner is donating $125,000 to the fund that provides for the purchase of the Airfence and Alpina soft barriers.
Spurred on by his donation a year ago to the “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” charity event, Vance has opted to further increase his donation this year.
“First of all, I think it’s important to recognize the effort put forth by John Ulrich in not only starting the Roadracing World Action Fund, but in the continuous work of purchasing the soft barriers and maintaining the integrity of the fund,” Vance said. “Donating to the Roadracing World Action Fund is a no-brainer for me as there is no better way to give back to the industry than by doing everything we can to protect our racers. The soft barriers are a proven entity, and the bottom line is, they save lives. What is more valuable than that? In making this donation, I ask that others in our industry take up the challenge of joining me in making our sport as safe as it can be.”
“I think Terry’s donation this year is awesome,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “Terry’s a racing legend and he understands how these soft barriers provide protection for our athlete’s safety. All of us at MotoAmerica really appreciate Terry’s contribution to the Action Fund through Rainey’s Ride to the Races. The entire paddock and our fans benefit from Terry’s very generous donation.”
“Rainey’s Ride To The Races” will be held on Friday, July 12, opening day of the sixth round of the MotoAmerica Championship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and will again benefit the Roadracing World Action Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes motorcycle racing safety with the facilitation of soft barrier systems at racing events.
The ride will be limited to 50 participants who purchase the special $700 Premium “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” Ticket, which includes the Q&A session and lunch with legends Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson, Bubba Shobert, Rick Johnson, Scott Parker, Doug Chandler, Thomas Stevens, Miguel Duhamel, Ben Spies, and John Kocinski in the climate-controlled Turn 3 Paddock Suite on Friday. While a three-day general admission ticket is included in the donation, for an additional $700, “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” ticket purchasers can upgrade to the MotoAmerica Superfan VIP Experience in the Turn 3 Paddock Suite for the entire weekend.
To purchase tickets for Rainey’s Ride To The Races, click HERE
For more information on the Roadracing World Action Fund, click HERE
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+
Isle Of Man TT: Race Report From Superstock TT Race One
TODD TAKES FIRST TT VICTORY IN RL360 SUPERSTOCK TT RACE 1
Davey Todd claimed his first victory at the Isle of Man TT Races on Thursday afternoon, the Milwaukee BMW Motorrad rider edging out Peter Hickman (Monster Energy BMW by FHO Racing) in the RL360 Superstock TT Race 1 by just 2.2 seconds after a thrilling tussle. Michael Dunlop completed the podium with a third place finish on his MD Racing Honda.
With a 12.15pm start, Todd led at Glen Helen on the opening lap, his advantage over Dunlop 1.5 seconds with Hickman only a tenth of a second further back. Dean Harrison (Honda Racing) was well in touch, 0.3 seconds behind Hickman, with James Hillier (WTF Racing Honda) and Jamie Coward (KTS Racing powered by Steadplan Honda) rounding out the early leaderboard. Only two seconds covered the front four riders.
Todd’s lead was down to half a second as he jumped Ballaugh for the first time and it was Hickman now in second. Dunlop was third, almost two seconds down on Hickman, as Harrison, Hillier and Coward continued to run fourth to sixth.
Round Ramsey Hairpin for the first time and the gap remained half a second between the leading two riders but Harrison had now moved ahead of Dunlop for third albeit by only 0.02 seconds! It was close for fifth too as less than a second split Hillier and Coward in the battle for fifth.
There was little to choose between Todd and Hickman at the Bungalow with just 0.08 seconds between them as they were continuing to edge away from the chasing pack but with an opening lap of 133.362mph, it was Todd who led as they came in for their compulsory pit stop. Hickman (133.137mph) lost a bit of time from the Bungalow and was now 1.7 seconds adrift whilst Dunlop (132.639mph) was back in third, just a second ahead of Harrison (132.517mph).
Coward had now taken over fifth from Hillier as Josh Brookes on the second FHO Racing machine, Conor Cummins (Milenco by Padgett’s Motorcycles Honda), Mike Browne (IN Competition Aprilia) and John McGuinness (Honda Racing UK) rounded out the top ten.
With a quicker pit stop, Todd was almost five seconds clear as he reached Glen Helen on the second lap with Dunlop having also pulled clear of Harrison in the battle for third, the gap now 3.8 seconds. Hillier and McGuinness were now in fifth and sixth although Coward was clearly having transponder issues as he was still running with McGuinness on the road. Brookes lost almost a minute in the pits though and slipped back to 16th.
Hickman took almost two seconds out of Todd’s lead on the high-speed run to Ballaugh and it was 2.4 seconds through Ramsey for the second time but James Hind (North Lincs Components Suzuki) was out of luck again retiring from 14th at Greeba Bridge. Fellow Suzuki rider Michael Evans was also out, the Manxman having stopped at Union Mills.
The lead had further reduced at the Bungalow at 2.1 seconds but as they started the third and final lap, Todd had added another four tenths of a second to his lead. It looked to be a two-horse race as Dunlop was now more than seven seconds adrift in third. He in turn was more than four seconds clear of fellow Honda rider Harrison.
The lead was back down to 2.3 seconds through Glen Helen for the final time and by Ballaugh, it was very much ‘game on’ as Hickman had closed to within half a second with only half a lap remaining!
Todd responded on the run to Ramsey though and doubled his advantage with just the final run up and with the Mountain to go and the gap remained the same at the Bungalow as Todd and Hickman set almost identical sector times from Ramsey Hairpin.
However, Todd was quicker from the Bungalow to Cronk Ny Mona, and he got the verdict from Hickman by 2.2 seconds, who set the fastest lap of the race at 135.140mph, with Dunlop a comfortable third, almost 18 seconds behind. Harrison was only 3.6 seconds adrift at the chequered flag as fellow Honda riders Hillier and Coward took strong fifth and sixth place finishes.
McGuinness, Cummins, Dominic Herbertson (Burrows Engineering/RK Racing BMW) and Browne completed the top ten with Brookes taking 11th after Nathan Harrison on the third Honda Racing machine unfortunately retired at Kate’s Cottage on the final lap.