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N2/WERA National Endurance Series: $50,000 Purse Posted

David Swarts
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N2/WERA National Endurance Series: $50,000 Purse Posted

N2 Track Days Announces 2024 N2 National Endurance Series Purse.

Media, PA (May 2024) – N2 Track Days as the title sponsor for the 2024 N2/WERA National Endurance Series is proud to announce the ‘Base Purse’ for the series as well as the Dunlop contingency package. In total, more than $100,000 is available for N2 Endurance competitors over the five-race series. In addition to the base purse and contingency programs, N2 will be announcing individual round sponsors and additional purse programs soon. Yamaha Motors USA will be the title sponsor for the series final at Barber Motorsports Park on October 18, 2024, with a special event purse to be announced soon.

“A lot has changed since we revived the endurance series in 2017 and N2 is more committed than ever,” said N2 Director of Racing, Chris Kubricky. “This investment in the series reenforces our commitment to the series health and growth. We are grateful that Dunlop will continue to support our teams with an amazing $50,000 contingency program.”

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities with the N2 National Endurance Series, N2 Track Days, and N2 Racing in MotoAmerica, please reach out to Chip Spalding at [email protected]

2024 Base Endurance Purse      
  Base Purse   Dunlop Contingency
       
Heavyweight Endurance Per Class Purse:    
1st $1,500   $1,000
2nd $675   $700
3rd $500   $500
4th     $350
5th     $275
Subtotal: $2,675   $2,825
       
Middleweight Endurance Per Class Purse:    
1st $1,225   $1,200
2nd $850   $850
3rd $400   $575
4th $200   $450
5th $100   $325
Subtotal: $2,775   $3,400
       
Lightweight Endurance Per Class Purse:    
1st $1,200   $675
2nd $850   $500
3rd $400   $350
4th $200   $300
5th $100   $250
Subtotal: $2,750   $2,075
       
Ultralightweight Endurance Class Purse:    
1st $900   $500
2nd $450   $425
3rd $300   $325
4th $200   $275
5th $100   $175
Subtotal: $1,950   $1,700
       
Individual Round Totals: $10,150   $10,000
       
5 Rounds Total: $50,750   $50,000

 

About N2: N2 – Ride, Learn, Race.

Founded in 2014, N2’s mission is to build a sustainable motorcycle community through safe, structured motorcycle track days, advanced rider training programs based on Yamaha Champions Riding School teaching methods, with a strong affinity for motorcycle road racing. N2 successfully resurrected Motorcycle Endurance Racing in America partnering with WERA Roadracing and creating the N2/WERA National Endurance Series by Dunlop. N2 is a premier participant in the MotoAmerica Pro Racing Series with a multi-rider team competing in several classes. N2 is also a major contributor to the Roadracing World Action Fund through fundraising efforts and support from its large member base.

The N2 National Endurance Series is proudly sponsored by: N2 Track Days, Yamaha Motor Corporation USA, Dainese, Woodcraft Technologies, BobbleHeadMoto, WERA Road Racing, KYT Helmets America, R.E.B Graphics, Millennium Technologies, Wiseco Pistons, JE Pistons, Rise Moto, Ghetto Customs, Pit-Lane Moto and Yamaha Champions Riding School.

MotoGP: Will Catalunya Produce Another Epic Battle?

David Swarts
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MotoGP: Will Catalunya Produce Another Epic Battle?

Battle lines drawn: a standoff for the ages arrives in Barcelona

Le Mans promised a show and we got one. Ready for another?

Monday, 20 May 2024

Perspective can play a funny game. If you’re looking down from the leader, 38 points feels like a fairly significant gap for Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) at the top of the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship. Likely not for him as he plays the long game, but it’s more than a weekend’s worth of points looking from a purely objective standpoint. He could spend the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya in the grandstands and still lead come Monday.

If you’re Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) looking up from second, knowing you made up 91 points in 2022 when there were only 25 on offer each weekend, it also feels far from panic stations. It feels close enough, after a fair dash of bad luck too, to explain why you wouldn’t roll the dice on the last lap of the French GP. Bank and move on, come back stronger. Barcelona would also be a statement as you’ve never taken a GP podium there, one of only three venues of which that’s true.

If you’re an eight-time World Champion looking up from third, in the top three of the riders’ standings for the first time since 2019 – before it all unravelled as the line between magic and physics was suddenly blurred – and you’re only getting faster? 40 points suddenly feels like nothing at all. Such is the delicious standoff between Martin, Bagnaia and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as we roll into Barcelona.

SHOW ME WHAT YOU’VE GOT

Bagnaia’s statement in Jerez remains as stunning as the day he made it. To stand face to face with one of the names already in the debate for greatest of all time, before he’s even retired, and not only not back down but come out on top? Statement made as you build your own legacy. Martin’s throwdown at Le Mans is likewise more than the sum of its parts, taking on not only the reigning Champion but that same duel from Jerez and beating both. In serious style, too, to make his own big statement. A different style to Bagnaia in Jerez, and a different style to Marquez. Three approaches to attacking the same goal is part of what has made the story so electric so far. Martin is explosive pace, Bagnaia unruffled poise, and Marquez? Marquez redefined an era and is now making his mark on another. The new era is also responding.

Marquez’ season so far can be almost summed up by the vision of him screaming back onto the scene into the chicane at Le Mans, when it looked like the fight for the win was a last lap duel and he made sure it wasn’t. From P13 on the grid and last year’s bike. Now, he just needs to do it again, and again, and again – but no one else on the grid has his experience of doing just that. Three riders, three approaches, one incredible show.

Still, however much the last couple of races have been a stunning showdown between the reigning Champion, the pretender to the throne and the benchmark of an era, all determined to show each other exactly what they’ve got, it’s not a grid of three. It wasn’t in Qatar, or Portugal, or the Americas, or Jerez, or Le Mans in front or that record-breaking crowd. And it won’t be in Barcelona as one of the most packed fields in MotoGP™ history rolls into town ready to paint another masterpiece.

NO TAKEBACKS, ONLY COMEBACKS

The results for the French GP are also deceptive in some ways. If Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) hadn’t cut that apex and been given the Long Lap penalty, the ‘Beast’ would surely have been in the podium hunt. That would also likely have kept him in the top three in the standings. But he wasn’t and isn’t, and there are no takebacks in MotoGP™… only comebacks. As the rumours around the future swirl, can Bastianini make his own statement in Barcelona? He’s been far from slow in 2024, he knows what it takes to win, and he has a very good track record at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. He also probably wants to remind everyone exactly why he’s on the machine he is – he won four races in the seat Marc Marquez occupies now and two were in the first four.

Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), meanwhile, was pretty fast in France but crashed out, so he’ll want to bounce back after that uptick in Jerez, whereas teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio will be keen to show he has the upper hand regardless. Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) got that coveted finish after some solid speed, taking P7, but that still won’t be enough for him. And for Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – on home turf and a track where he has a good record – it’s definitely a mission to get back in that postcode he occupied in Jerez.

YOUR RIVALS ARE EXPECTING YOU

For Aprilia Racing, it’s a case of “no pressure, but-” looking back on the factory’s 2023 Catalan GP. Aleix Espargaro did the double, and Maverick Viñales took P3 in the Sprint before making it a 1-2 on Sunday. It’s unlikely the marque won’t be at the front in 2024 too, but it will be interesting to see if the pecking order changes. Espargaro has a great record at Catalunya but Viñales has had his measure more often than not in 2024 – already having won a Grand Prix race and two Sprints. Which is an understatement for the #12, as his COTA win is most definitely one of the most otherworldly masterpieces hanging in the 2024 gallery so far. To make it feel fairer for the rest, he could have dropped to the back and started painting from there.

At Trackhouse Racing MotoGP™, Miguel Oliveira will want to turn it around after Le Mans, with a solid Jerez not proving a building block as yet. He did knock Marc Marquez out of Q2 though, which is no small scalp. His teammate, Raul Fernandez, will be an interesting watch too – he’s on the machine that won the 2023 GP, and he had a solid French GP getting the measure of Oliveira. What can he do in Barcelona?

It was a tougher weekend at Le Mans for KTM and GASGAS. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) found himself in a shocking last place on the grid after a nightmare run up to the lights going out, but on Sunday he pulled off a classic Binder and came home a solid eighth. For rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) it was almost the reverse as he qualified P7 and then made his first and only Sunday mistake so far, crashing out – alone by a hair’s breadth – to bring his run as the only rider to score in all Sprints and GP races so far to an end. Le Mans and Acosta don’t mix, so far. But both will be reset to come out swinging in Barcelona, a venue where KTM have already won. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), meanwhile, is missing the later race pace and will want a solid finish, and Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) scored points in France but is still looking for that step forward.

POUR ENCOURAGER LES AUTRES

Said unironically, there were some standouts in France. At Yamaha, there was plenty to celebrate from Fabio Quartararo’s (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) home GP, even if the points didn’t end up on the board. The Frenchman went straight through to Q2 and on Sunday, was up in sixth before a crash out. But that livery – savage – said it all about the performance. With his stunning track record at the venue, can he do similar in Barcelona? Teammate Alex Rins, meanwhile, is looking for more after a tougher one in France and will want to turn the tables on his own home turf.

Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) pulled some gap on his fellow Honda riders at Le Mans too, and he’ll want to keep that roll going. After a more positive Jerez, Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) will want a solid finish to hit back, and the mission continues for Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) and Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) to move forward as the project looks to make a big step. After a test for Yamaha and Honda at Mugello, and with a wildcard this weekend for Stefan Bradl, it’s all hands on deck to make those gains.

The field they’re fighting in has also never been closer. The average gap between first and second in the first five Grand Prix races of 2024 is just 0.951 – the first time in the MotoGP™ era it’s ever been less than a second. Even better than that, it’s not simply a mad dash or a game of chance, it’s a gallery of masterpieces painted by the best in the world. So join us when MotoGP™ returns to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from the 24th to the 26th of May – from the grandstands, from the sofa, from wherever you are in the world, and watch the world’s most exciting sport make racing a fine art.

SHOWTIME

Saturday

Tissot Sprint: 15:00 (UTC +2)

Sunday

Grand Prix: 14:00 (UTC +2)

What’s happening at the #CatalanGP

On Thursday afternoon, the podcast welcomes Trackhouse Racing’s Raul Fernandez at 15:05 (UTC +2).

The first Press Conference at 16:00 then hosts Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). 

The second line up at 16:35 is Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), and 2023 Catalan GP winner Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing).

Moto2™: can Garcia keep the roll going?

Following a flawless ride to a second victory of the season at Le Mans, Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) lands in Barcelona back in the hot seat as the Moto2™ World Championship leader. No rider laid a glove on the Spaniard in France’s Sunday outing and after two wins in his last three starts, Garcia will be oozing confidence arriving at a circuit he collected his equal-best result at in his rookie campaign – a P4.

Garcia has a winning pedigree in Barcelona too thanks to his 2021 Moto3™ Catalan GP effort, so beating the #3 is set to be a tricky prospect for the likes of second in the title race, Joe Roberts. P4 in Le Mans ended the OnlyFans American Racing Team star’s string of three consecutive P2 finishes, but it was more solid points collected for the American and he was only a whisker off the rostrum.

The podium places last time out went the way of comeback King Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI), who will be craving a Saturday improvement to enable his Sundays to become less hassle, and Alonso Lopez (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) as we witnessed the first Moto2™ podium since Valencia 2013 to not feature a Kalex rider. That’s some stat. And with Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) having a quiet weekend in Le Mans, the Spaniard is another Boscoscuro star who will expect to be on form again on home soil. Aron Canet (Fantic Racing), meanwhile, has good form in Barcelona and will be back to fuller strength.

Last year’s Catalan GP winner, Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar), will be another rider on a Kalex seeking to find an extra burst of speed though, not yet off the mark fully in 2023 as a tantalising title fight in the Riders’ and Constructors’ Championships continues to unravel. Tune in for more Moto2™ on Sunday at 12:15 (UTC +2)!

Moto3™: just one point in it on the road to Barcelona

Jerez’s error was a tough pill to swallow, but David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar) responded in the best way possible: winning. The Colombian pipped title rivals Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) and Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) to the 25 points in Le Mans. Ahead of a date with Barcelona – the scene of Alonso’s second Moto3™ win in 2023 – the #80 is now a solitary point behind Holgado in the Championship chase.

The latter kept up his impressive start to the season in France. It’s now just Jerez’s P7 that stands as Holgado’s non-top two finish in 2024, but his one win is in comparison to Alonso’s three so far, so the #96 will want to add a second victory soon enough. So will Veijer, with the Dutchman 32 points away in P3 overall after claiming two podiums in a row.

Will others come to the fore again in Barcelona? Ivan Ortola’s (MT Helmets – MSI) P5 was a good points haul, but the Spaniard needs to start clawing back points on the trio above him in the Championship. And we can’t not mention Joel Esteban’s (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar) P4. Can the rookie go – at least – one better in Barcelona? Find out on Sunday at 11:00 (UTC +2)!

NEMRR: Franco, Guyer, Lee Shine At Round Two

David Swarts
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NEMRR: Franco, Guyer, Lee Shine At Round Two

May 18-19, New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Event #2 of the 2024 NEMRR season featured a full range of weather conditions, a wide variety of race winners and even a touch of drama in the premier race of the weekend.  With MotoAmerica hosting an event at Barber Motorsports Park on the same weekend, some of NEMRR’s top riders were missing from the action.  This left the door open for all the NEMRR regulars, many of whom are preparing for the 101st Loudon Classic June 7-9, to have an even better chance to challenge for the win in their respective classes.  In spite of the MotoAmerica conflict, NEMRR did have a top professional visitor as multi-time national champion Alex Dumas was in attendance for the second weekend in a row in preparation for the Classic.

Saturday started with a handful of dry races before rain settled in for the afternoon.  Leading the charge in those races were the two most prolific racers of the weekend, Brett Guyer and Renee Franco.  Brett led off his weekend by winning the GTL race on his Seacoast Sport Cycle Aprilia RS660, a wire-to-wire race win that was the first of his 5 wins over the course of the weekend.  The NH native is one of the most experienced riders in the paddock and has been winning races for decades at NHMS.  Guyer is focusing on the Pro Thunderbike class at the Classic in 2024.  The veteran won the race at the 100th Classic and will be facing a group of top young riders in 2024, it should be great to watch!

 

Renee Franco (14) in action at NHMS. Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.
Renee Franco (14) in action at NHMS. Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

 

The other big winner of the weekend was Renee Franco riding her RFR/Bauce Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400.  She kicked off the weekend by winning the GT500 class in wire-to-wire fashion, and then added three more victories over the course of the weekend in both wet and dry conditions.  Her four total race wins were second only to the veteran Guyer, and Franco has her eyes set on the 500 Superbike race at the Loudon Classic next round.

The feature race of the weekend was wet and wild!  NHMS added some new (higher grip) FIM-approved paint to the white lines on the NASCAR oval exiting Turns 2 and 12, which was met with universal approval from the riders.  However, as is often the case with any wet race, a couple riders did let their enthusiasm exceed the available grip during the course of the race.  The first rider to make a mistake was Tyler Sweeney on lap one, who low sided unhurt, but was unable to make the restart. 

This led to an 8 lap shootout that saw a number of NEMRR’s talented rain riders showcase their talent.  Leading the way for the first half of the race was always fast-starting Geoffrey “Frenchie” Bonnard.  As the race progressed, both Kyle Thompson and Michael Lee worked their way past Bonnard – setting of a battle for the victory that would have been the first career Seacoast Sport Cycle Dash for Cash win of any of their careers.  Lee, who has always shown speed in the wet, looked poised for the win but as he took the white flag his bike began to sputter.  As a post race interview would reveal, Lee did not have enough fuel in his tank and was running out of gas.  Lee limped around the track as Kyle Thompson had a large gap on Bonnard and looked set for his first win in the premier class, but it was not to be. About 300 feet from the finish Thompson let his excitement get the best of him with a very late high side crash.  While unhurt, Thompson and his bike glanced off the wall and his motorcycle continued down the straight without him!  The officials called for the red flag right away as the rest of the field showed amazing skill as they managed to avoid Thompson’s bike, which did several weaves and eventually a 360 on the front straight, just yards in front of the finish line. 

The finish was uncertain as Danny Weems, who had passed several riders on the last lap and crossed the finish line first as the red flag came out, believed that he had won the race.  Lee, who led the last complete lap, was still on track making slow progress back to the last corner of the track.  Thompson was up and unhurt and his motorcycle has miraculously not been struck by any of the other competitors.  In the end, race control had called for the red flag seconds before Weems crossed the line, which reverted scoring back to the previous lap.  Since Lee was still making forward progress at that time, he was awarded his maiden victory in the premier NEMRR Dash for Cash, followed by Bonnard and Weems.  

 

Michael Lee (351) won the red-flag-shortened Dash For Cash. Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.
Michael Lee (351) won the red-flag-shortened Dash For Cash. Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

Round three of the NEMRR series will take place at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 7th and 9th, with the Loudon Classic Pro Races being held on Saturday June 8th (with a rain date on the 9th for the Classic).  June 8th will feature the Classic Main event, ASRA Outlaw Baggers, Pro Thunderbike and Pro 500 Superbike Classes – with the riders all vying for their share of the record-breaking $310,000 purse.  More than a dozen MotoAmerica race winners are pre-entered for the races, making it a can’t-miss spectating event for motorcycle fans.  Come kick off Laconia Bike week and cheer for your favorite rider / brand.  From Harley-Davidson to Indian and Ducati to Yamaha, the classic will have them all!  Tickets for the 101st running of the Loudon Classic are available at the Eventbrite link here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nemrr-101st-loudon-classic-tickets-862612004727?aff=oddtdtcreator

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

David Swarts
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Where To Ride In May: Track Days, Schools, And Races

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

This list includes 184 opportunities to ride your motorcycles at races, schools, and track days during the month of May in North America.

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

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

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

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

5/1                   Motovid.com All Levels Motorcycle Track Days, Blackhawk Farms Raceway, S. Beloit, IL

5/1-2               California Superbike School, VIRginia International Raceway, Alton, VA

5/1-2               Yamaha Champions Riding School, NCBike, Garysburg, NC (Racers Only)

5/2                   Shannonville Motorsport Park Motorcycle Lapping Days (Canada), Shannonville Motorsport Park, Shannonville, ON

5/3                   2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

5/3                   Apex Track Days, Utah Motorsports Campus, Grantsville, UT

5/3                  ASMA Track Days and Advanced Rider Training, Arroyo Seco Raceway, Deming, NM

5/3                   Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI

5/3                   Tactical Motorcycle Dynamics Track Days, Utah Motorsports Campus, Grantsville, UT

5/3-5               CRA (California Roadrace Association) Series, The Podium Club at Attesa, Casa Grande, AZ

5/3-5               CRA (Central Roadracing Association) Series, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN

5/3-5               OMRRA Series, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA (shared event with WMRRA)

5/3-5               WMRRA Series, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA (shared event with OMRRA)

5/4                   Central Illinois Mini Moto Series (Minis) and Track Days, Mid-State Kart Club, Mechanicsburg, IL

5/4                   Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Learn To Ride Off-Road)

5/4                   SMRI Series, Schools and Track Days, Sandia Motorsports Park (currently named Suika Circuit), Albuquerque, NM

5/4                   Sandy Hook Mini Moto Track Days (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

5/4                   SFLminiGP (South Florida MiniGP) Rider Development Days (Minis), Orlando Kart Center, Orlando, FL

5/4                   Southeast Mini Moto Series (Minis), Barber Proving Grounds, Birmingham, AL

5/4                   Team Pro-Motion Track Days & Schools, Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, PA

5/4-5               AMA Sanctioned ASRA National Sprint Series/ AMA Sanctioned ASRA Outlaw Bagger Series/ ASRA Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Championship Series, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

5/4-5              ASMA Series, Arroyo Seco Raceway, Deming, NM

5/4-5               ASRA Atlantic Roadracing Championship Series, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

5/4-5               Evolve GT School and Track Days, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

5/4-5               Fast Line Track Days, NCM Motorsports Park, Bowling Green, KY

5/4-5               Motogladiator Series, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

5/4-5               MRA Series (Canada), Gimli Motorsports Park, Gimli, MB

5/4-5               NOLA Riding Academy Motorcycle Training and Track Days, NOLA Motorsports Park, Avondale, LA

5/4-5               Pacific Track Time Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

5/4-5               PanAmerican Superbike Series, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

5/4-5               Precision Track Days, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

5/4-5               RideSmart Motorcycle School, G2 Motorsports Park, Anna, TX

5/4-5               South Florida MiniGP Series (Minis), Orlando Kart Center, Orlando, FL

5/4-5               Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

5/4-5               The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/4-5                UtahSBA Series, Utah Motorsports Campus, Grantsville, UT

5/4-5               WERA Sportsman Series Atlantic Coastal Region/ WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

5/4-5               WERA Sportsman Series North Central Region, Grattan Raceway Park, Belding, MI

5/5                   CLASS Motorcycle School with 3x AMA Superbike Champion Reg Pridmore, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

5/5                   Florida Trackdays, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

5/5                   John Long’s Longevity Racing School, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

5/5                   Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Off-Road Challenge Course)

5/5                   Superbike-Coach Corp. (Schools), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

5/5                   XCEL Trackdays Track Days, Arizona Motorsports Park, Litchfield Park, AZ

5/5                   ZARS Advanced Riding School, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, MN

5/5-6               Cyclesmith Track Days (formerly known as Tony’s Track Days), Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, Thompson, CT

5/6                   2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

5/6                   CLASS Motorcycle School with 3x AMA Superbike Champion Reg Pridmore, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA (Motor Officer Advanced Training)

5/6                   Moto Forza Trackdays, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

5/6                   SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

5/6-7               California Superbike School, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/8-9               American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), Harrington, DE

5/8-9               California Superbike School, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/9                   Riders Choice Lapping Days (Canada), Shannonville Motorsport Park, Shannonville, ON

5/10                 2 Wheels Track Days, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

5/10                 AHRMA Academy of Roadracing, Track Days & Ed Bargy Advanced Track Riding Technique, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

5/10                 California Superbike School, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/10                 Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

5/10                 Road America Motorplex Open Track Days, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

5/10                 Westwood Motorcycle Racing Club School & Track Days (Canada), Mission Raceway Park, Mission, BC

5/10-11            American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), Harrington, DE

5/10-12           (Bridgestone) AHRMA American Historic Racing Series, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

5/11                 2WTD Mini Racing (Minis), Horsethief Mile, Rosamond, CA (MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier)

5/11                 (Progressive) AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Ventura Short Track, Ventura Raceway, Ventura, CA

5/11                 Motorheads Track Attacks Track Days (Canada), Stratotech Park Int’l Raceway, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB

5/11                 TrackAddix/Ducati Omaha Racing Series, Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, NE

5/11-12            2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Oregon Raceway Park, Grass Valley, OR

5/11-12            3:16 Superbike Camp, MSR Houston, Angleton, TX

5/11-12            Cornerspin School: Roadracing In The Dirt (Dirt Track School), Cornerspin Facility, Spencer, NC

5/11-12            Inde Motorsports Ranch (IMR) Riders Club Track Days, Inde Motorsports Ranch, Willcox, AZ

5/11-12           JP43 Training School, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

5/11-12            MRA Series and Super Street Racing Days, High Plains Raceway (North), Deer Trail, CO

5/11-12            N2 Track Days, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

5/11-12            NorthWest Mini Moto & Endurance Challenge (Minis), Tri City Kart Club, Richland, WA (MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier)

5/11-12            SoCal Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA (Beat The Heat Schedule)

5/11-12            Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI

5/11-12            TrackXperience Track Days, Spring Mountain Motorsports Resort, Pahrump, NV

5/11-12            WMRC Series (Canada), Mission Raceway Park, Mission, BC

5/11-13            Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

5/11-13           Performance Riding Experience (PRE) Track Days, VIRginia International Raceway, Alton, VA

5/12                 Road America Motorplex Open Track Days, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

5/12                 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

5/12                 TrackAddix/Ducati Omaha Track Days, Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, NE

512-13             American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), Harrington, DE

5/12-13           Evolve GT School and Track Days, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

5/12-13           The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/13                 Fun Track Dayz, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

5/13                 Motovid.com All Levels Motorcycle Performance Riding Clinics, Blackhawk Farms Raceway, S. Beloit, IL

5/13                 N2 Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/13-14           The Mid-Ohio School’s Performance Track Riding School, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH

5/14-15           Yamaha Champions Riding School, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/15                 2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Pacific Raceways, Kent, WA

5/15-16           Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (POST Motorcycle Officer Update Course)

5/15-17           Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

5/17                 ARL Track Days (Canada), Atlantic Motorsport Park, Mill Village, NS

5/17                 Penguin Riding School, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH

5/17                 ZARS Advanced Riding School, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, MN

5/17-18           (Mission) MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul East Coast Series (Minis), Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

5/17-19           (Bridgestone) Canadian Superbike Championship, Shannonville Motorsport Park, Belleville, ON

5/17-19           MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Series, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

5/18                   (Progressive) AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Silver Dollar Short Track, Silver Dollar Speedway, Chico, CA

5/18                 Pro 6 Cycle Inc. Track Days (Canada), Calabogie Motorsports Park, Calabogie, ON

5/18                 Sandy Hook Mini Moto Road Race Series (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

5/18                 The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/18-19            AFM Series, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

5/18-19           Alaska Motorcycle Road Racing Series and Track Days, Tanacross Race Course, Tok, AK

5/18-19           Apex Assassins Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

5/18-19           ARL High Performance Riding Academy (Canada), Atlantic Motorsport Park, Mill Village, NS

5/18-19           Evolve GT School and Track Days, NCBike, Garysburg, NC

5/18-19           Fasttrax Motorcycle Performance Track Days, Nelson Ledges Road Course, Garrettsville, OH

5/18-19            N2 Track Days, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

5/18-19           NEMRR Series, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH

5/18-19           Precision Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

5/18-19           Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Fun Camp)

5/18-19           RideSmart Motorcycle School, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Hallett, OK

5/18-19           Southern Track Days, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

5/18-19           Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Putnam Park Road Course, Mt. Meridian, IN

5/18-19           Z² Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

5/19                 Compact Octane Track Days, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

5/19                 EMRA Series (Canada), Stratotech Park Int’l Raceway, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB

5/19                 MotoCorsa Track Days, Portland International Raceway, Portland, OR

5/19                 Motorheads Track Attacks Track Days (Canada), Stratotech Park Int’l Raceway, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB

5/19                 Rocky Mountain Mini Moto Series (Minis), IMI Motorsports Complex, Dacono, CO

5/19                 Superbike-Coach Corp. (Schools), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

5/19                 Team Pro-Motion Track Days & Schools, Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, PA

5/19                 UtahSBA Supermoto/Mini Series, Utah Motorsports Campus Kart Track, Grantsville, UT (MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier)

5/19-20           The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/20                 N2 Track Days, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

5/20                 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

5/20                 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

5/20-21           California Superbike School, NCM Motorsports Park, Bowling Green, KY

5/20-21           The Mid-Ohio School’s Performance Track Riding School, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH

5/20-21           USCRA Road Racing Series (Vintage), Thompson Speedway, Thompson, CT

5/22                 Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

5/23                 N2 Track Days, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA (Racer Practice Day)

5/23                 The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/24                 AHRMA Academy of Roadracing, Track Days & Ed Bargy Advanced Track Riding Technique, Nelson Ledges Road Course, Garrettsville, OH

5/24                 Apex Track Days, Utah Motorsports Campus (West), Grantsville, UT

5/24                 HardNoX Track Dayz (Canada), Rocky Mountain Motorsports, Carstairs, AB

5/24                 MARRC Racing School and Track Days, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

5/24                 (Dunlop) N2/WERA Endurance Series, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA

5/24                 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Private Training Day)

5/24                 Road America Motorplex Open Track Days, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

5/24                 Tactical Motorcycle Dynamics Track Days, Utah Motorsports Campus, Grantsville, UT

5/24                 Z² Track Days, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, CA

5/24-25           2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

5/24-25           California Superbike School, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

5/24-25           (Mission) MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul East Coast Series (Minis), Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

5/24-26           (Bridgestone) AHRMA American Historic Racing Series, Nelson Ledges Road Course, Garrettsville, OH

5/24-26           Bagger Racing League (BRL), Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, NE

5/24-26           CMRA Series, NOLA Motorsports Park, Avondale, LA

5/24-26           SOAR Series (Canada), Grand Bend Motorplex, Grand Bend, ON

5/24-26           VRRA Series (Vintage Canada), Shannonville Motorsport Park, Shannonville, ON

5/24-26           WERA National Challenge Co-Sanctioned by AMA/ WERA Sportsman Series Atlantic Coastal Region/ WERA Sportsman Series Mid-Central Region/ WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region, WERA Cycle Jam, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA

5/25-26           Evolve GT School and Track Days, Polecat Training Center, Fayetteville, TN

5/25-26           FIM Mini Cup USA Championship Series, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

5/25-26           Fishtail Riding School, Canaan Motor Club, Canaan, NH

5/25-26           MRA Series & Super Street Racing Days, Pueblo Motorsports Park, Pueblo, CO

5/25-26           Northern Nevada Kart Club (NNKC) Series (Minis), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA (MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier)

5/25-26           Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Fun Camp)

5/25-26           Ruts to Racelines Track Days, NCBike, Garysburg, NC

5/25-26           TrackXperience Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

5/25-26           UtahSBA Series, Utah Motorsports Campus, Grantsville, UT

5/25-26           Yamaha Champions Riding School, High Plains Raceway, Deer Trail, CO

5/25-27           AMA Sanctioned ASRA National Endurance/Team Challenge Series/ AMA Sanctioned ASRA National Vintage – Classic Series/ AMA Sanctioned ASRA Outlaw Bagger Series, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

5/25-27           ASRA Atlantic Roadracing Championship Series/ ASRA Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Championship Series, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

5/25-27           Cyclesmith Track Days (formerly known as Tony’s Track Days), Palmer Motorsports Park, Palmer, MA

5/25-27           Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Autobahn Country Club, Joliet, IL

5/26                 ASM Motosport Advanced Riding Course And Trackdays (Canada), Sanair Super Speedway, St-Pie, QC

5/26                 Brake Free Track Time Track Days, Arizona Motorsports Park, Litchfield Park, AZ

5/26-27           California Superbike School, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

5/26-27           JP43 Training School, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

5/26-27           Let’s Ride Track Days, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

5/26-27           SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

5/26-27           Track Time Track Days, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

5/27                 3:16 Superbike Camp, Harris Hill Raceway, San Marcos, TX

5/27-28           Pro 6 Cycle Inc. Track Days (Canada), Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Bowmanville, ON

5/27-28           ZARS Advanced Riding Schools & Track Days, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

5/28-29           California Superbike School, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

5/29                 Motovid.com All Levels Motorcycle Track Days/Performance Riding Clinics, Road America Elkhart Lake, WI (Ducati Revs Midwest)

5/29                 Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

5/30                 Riders Choice Lapping Days (Canada), Shannonville Motorsport Park, Shannonville, ON

5/31                 ARL Track Days (Canada), Atlantic Motorsport Park, Mill Village, NS

5/31-6/2          MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Series, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

British Talent Cup: More From The Races At Donington Park

David Swarts
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British Talent Cup: More From The Races At Donington Park

Brinton & Frost share the celebrations at Donington

Round 2 delivers two more classics and two different winners

Monday, 20 May 2024

The 2024 R&G British Talent Cup’s second round took place at a bright and sunny Donington Park with tight racing going down to the wire in Race 1. 

There was excitement from the outset, Julian Correa (Microlise Cresswell Racing) had clinched pole position, but it was Filip Surowiak (Team City Lifting/RS Racing) who got off the line first to take the early lead. 

As the race progressed, it became clear that Lucas Brown (SENCAT Talent Team / Mortimer Racing) and Amanuel Brinton (Kovara Projects/RS Racing) were going to be major contenders. Both riders engaged in a fierce battle for the lead. Brinton impressed with his late braking, making key overtakes in the Fogarty Esses and Melbourne Loop.

In the dramatic final lap, Brinton held his nerve and crossed the finish line just 0.081 ahead of Correa, with Brown finishing third 0.3 adrift. After a tougher start in Navarra, pre-season favourite Brinton secured his first victory of the season, with patience paying off for another 25-point haul.

After a thrilling Race 1, expectations were high the second race of Round 2 and the riders did not disappoint, delivering entertaining racing and unexpected drama.

Ryan Frost (Fibre Tec Honda) made an exceptional start from the middle of the front row, quickly taking the lead into Redgate Corner. Meanwhile, Correa and Brinton positioned themselves as early contenders, fighting fiercely for the top spots.

As the race went on, the battle for the lead became increasingly intense. Brown and Correa traded places multiple times at the front, whilst Brinton and Frost remained close contenders, ensuring a thrilling four-way battle. Then, a pivotal moment occurred when Correa and Surowiak collided at the final corner on Lap 7, sending Surowiak crashing out of the race. This incident temporarily separated the leading quartet, with Brinton doing a great job of avoiding.

The race took another dramatic turn when Correa was penalisaed with a long lap penalty for his role in the incident with Surowiak. Attempting to serve the penalty, Correa lost control and crashed, ending his race prematurely and significantly impacting his championship standing. With Correa out, the battle for victory intensified among Frost, Brown, and Brinton.

As the laps wound down, Brinton made a decisive move at Goddards to take the lead, but Brown was relentless, quickly reclaiming the top spot. Just as the race neared its climax, a red flag was brought out due to a crash involving Jack Burrows (Burrows Engineering / RK Racing), leading to the race being declared with Frost as the winner.

 

Ryan Frost (24). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Ryan Frost (24). Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

With that, Frost secured his first victory of the season and first ever, with Brown finishing second, extending his lead in the championship standings with another solid podium finish. Brinton once again took to the podium, finishing third as he looks to move up after a tougher Round 1.

A shake up in the standings after Race 2 at Donington; Brown goes 17 points clear of Brinton but Correa falls from second to fourth in the standings after his DNF. Next time out, British Talent Cup is at Snetterton for Round 3 in July, and it could all change again!

FIM JuniorGP: Carpe And Rios Split Wins At Catalunya

David Swarts
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0
FIM JuniorGP: Carpe And Rios Split Wins At Catalunya

Editorial Note: American Max Toth, riding his AGR Team Kalex, scored points, finishing 14th and 15th, in the two Moto2 European Championship races. American Kristian Daniel Jr., riding an AGR Team Honda, took 17th in the European Talent Cup race. 

Rios and Carpe take FIM JuniorGP™ honours in blockbuster Barcelona event

Round 3 saw the FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship head to beautiful Barcelona and the action did not disappoint. With six races on show, three were decided in the final corners with podium battles raging on to the very end. 

In the FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship category, Jesus Rios (MRE Talent) and Alvaro Carpe (STV Laglisse Racing) took honours, while Dani Muñoz (Gas Up Racing Team) did the double in the Moto2™ European Championship. In the European Talent Cup, Marco Morelli continued to show what a future talent he is with victory, while Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Yamaha GV Racing) cemented his position atop the title standings in the Stock™ European Championship.

 

Jesus Rios (54) won FIM JuniorGP World Championship Race One at Catalunya. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Jesus Rios (54) won FIM JuniorGP World Championship Race One at Catalunya. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Jesus Rios made it three wins in four in the opening race of the day in the FIM JuniorGP™ class. The Spaniard was the Championship leader coming into Barcelona, and he extended his advantage after timing his attack to perfection in Catalunya. The #54 was joined on the podium by Marcos Uriarte (CFMoto Aspar Junior Team) and polesitter Adrian Cruces (Finetwork Team), but only after late heartbreak denied Eddie O’Shea (British Talent Team – Mlav Racing).

The Brit had led the action for much of the race, but a last lap Turn 10 scuffle saw him bunted wide and opened the door for Rios to go from P4 to P1 in the blink of an eye – a position he didn’t relinquish while Uriarte and Cruces took top three finishes.  

In Race 2, Alvaro Carpe stunned CFMoto Aspar pair Uriarte and Morosi on the line as the Spaniard took victory in a highly compelling affair. The #83 started P12 on the grid, and bided his time as the lead changed hands on numerous occasions. A large group vied for honours, with a last lap crash for Eddie O’Shea denying the Brit once again, and then a separate incident that saw Race 1 winner Rios go down with Marcos Ruda (SeventyTwo Artbox Racing Team) and Rico Salmela (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact JuniorGP Team) caused havoc for the chasing pack. 

That allowed the front three to escape in the final sector, with Uriarte, and now the new Championship leader, leading around the final corner, but on the run to the line Morosi poked his nose ahead of his teammate for second, while Carpe pulled out wide to secure a maiden win by just 0.025s. 
 
Later in the afternoon, Moto2™ ECh were back on track as another Muñoz masterclass saw him do the double. The second race of the day followed a similar script, with Casadei struggling at the start and Muñoz, Navarro and Garcia breaking away, however, this time they were joined by Eric Fernandez (FAU55 TEY Racing) and Surra. 

All five led the race at some point before Muñoz assumed control ahead of Navarro, and the two left the rest of the field in their wake and, in a repeat of Race 1, that’s how they finished. 

The battle for the final podium position wasn’t over yet as Garcia held third ahead of a hard-charging Unai Orradre (STV Laglisse Racing) but on the penultimate lap it all changed as the #31 went from P3 to P5 and then out of the race as Orradre and Casadei, who had mounted another comeback, came steaming through. Garcia encountered technical difficulties and it was Orradre who claimed P3, with Casadei taking back the Championship lead ahead of Portimao.

In the European Talent Cup, Marco Morelli showed off his class to romp home to his second win of the campaign by 2.9s, with David Gonzalez (AC Racing Team) and Giulio Pugliese (CFMoto Aspar Team) joining him on the podium. 

Morelli started from pole, and the Argentinian pulled the pin early to clear off into the distance to avoid a dramatic podium battle behind him. Carlos Cano (SeventyTwo Artbox Racing Team) came from the back of the grid and dragged a freight train of riders with him to catch Gonzalez and Pugliese in the podium places, and just as the Spaniard looked to make his move on the last lap, he was clipped by Valentin Perrone (Frando Racing VHC Team) and sent flying into the gravel to record a  Barcelona blank. As a result, Morelli once again takes control of the Championship chase with two races coming up in Portimao. 

As per usual, the Stock ECh rounded out the day’s proceedings as Lorenzo Dalla Porta sealed his second win of the campaign in scintillating style. Joining the Championship leader on the podium were Mario Mayor (Yamaha GV Racing) and Demis Mihaila (MDR Competition), with victory yet again decided on the final lap. 

Mayor took the lead at Turn 1, and it looked like the Spaniard was set for a maiden win in the class, but a stunning Turn 12 move from polesitter Dalla Porta saw him fire it up the inside of the #82 for victory. 

All roads now lead the FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship back to Portugal to the sunny Algarve on June 23rd. After a thrilling Round 3 in Barcelona, Portimao has a tough act to follow, but it’s set to be unmissable, so make sure you tune in then! 

You can also find all the results, videos, photos and information regarding the championship on the official website: www.fimjuniorgp.com

British Superbike: Race Two And Race Three Results From Donington Park

David Swarts
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British Superbike: Race Two And Race Three Results From Donington Park

Editorial Note: Americans Eli Banish, Julian Correa, and Josh Raymond Jr. were in action in British Talent Cup Race Two Sunday at Donington Park. Raymond finished 17th and Banish was 21st. Correa was racing for the lead when he was involved in an on-track incident that resulted in him being given a long lap penalty. As Correa attempted to enter the long lap penalty area he tucked the front and crashed out of the race.

 

BSB R2
 BSB R3
 BSB Points after R3

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by MSVR:

O’Halloran wins four-way ultimate Donington dogfight to take first victory with Kawasaki

Jason O’Halloran became the fourth different race winner in the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship as he celebrated a first win for Team Green, taking a hard fought victory in an incredible four-way Donington Park dogfight with reigning Champion Tommy Bridewell, Danny Kent and Glenn Irwin in the final race of the weekend.

In race two, Irwin had returned to winning form as he held off a hard-charging Leon Haslam to win for Hager PBM Ducati by 0.035s, whilst reigning champion Bridewell completed the podium.

However it was the final race of the weekend that delivered another different race winner in 2024 with some sensational Bennetts BSB action as the battle went down to the wire and over the final two laps, the leading four riders traded positions 14 times in an intense dice for the final victory of the weekend.

At the start of race three, Bridewell had got the jump on his rivals to lead the pack into Redgate for the first time ahead of Kent, Irwin and Haslam. The Hager PBM Ducati rider was instantly on the attack though and moved into second with a move at the Fogarty Esses.

O’Halloran was on a charge as he bid to make amends for his DNF earlier in the day and he was up to third by the fifth lap, trailing Bridewell and Irwin with Kent ready to try and move ahead of his Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki rival.

The leading four had broken away from the chasing pack and Irwin made another move at the Fogarty Esses to take the lead from Bridewell, whilst two laps later, O’Halloran pushed him back to third with a move at the Melbourne Loop.

Bridewell then regained the lead as O’Halloran moved into second as the pack shuffled again on lap seven but Irwin fought back and reclaimed second place at the Fogarty Esses again. A lap later and another move at the same place but him back into the lead.

Bridewell then had O’Halloran to fight off and the Australian made a decisive move at the Old Hairpin to forge ahead. Irwin was trying to make a break, but O’Halloran was hungry for his first podium with Kawasaki and as he pushed to try to make a move, Bridewell stormed back ahead of him.

It came down to a final two-lap tussle and at the start of the penultimate lap, Bridewell was leading from O’Halloran, Irwin and Kent. Irwin moved into second at Redgate but O’Halloran retaliated to reclaim the position.

O’Halloran then took the lead from Bridewell at the Old Hairpin as Kent made his move on Irwin at the same place. The reigning champion retook the lead at Starkeys, but O’Halloran was back ahead at Schwantz.

O’Halloran was then able to hold the advantage on the final lap, but behind there were seven changes of position as they scrap for the final podium places went down to the final drag to the line. Bridewell held on to second with Kent outdragging Irwin to the finish line.

Kyle Ryde claimed fifth on the lone OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing R1 as Ryan Vickers was sidelined after his crash in race two, ahead of Leon Haslam, Andrew Irwin and Lee Jackson. Christian Iddon and Max Cook completed the top ten.

The weekend at Donington Park featured three different race winners representing three different teams and manufacturers, with Ryde victorious in the opening action yesterday for OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing, whilst Hager PBM Ducati’s Irwin and Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki’s O’Halloran celebrated today.
 

Jason O’Halloran

Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki

It’s amazing to win, a massive thanks to everyone at Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki, everyone at AJN Steelstock for the support as well, the whole team has been working really hard since I joined.

“We’ve all been working hard just to make that adaptation to the Kawasaki and to get comfortable on it. The guys have put a massive effort in and I’ve felt good on the bike for a little while now, just our starting position hasn’t been great.

“The first race today was the first time where I felt like I was properly in the race, I felt like I had speed, I felt good on the bike but unfortunately we had a little technical. And then the guys put in a big shift and changed the engine and it was basically a brand new bike for the race.

“To go out and win is incredible. It’s really nice to get up here and win for the team, they haven’t won in a couple of years, so hopefully it’s the first of many.
 
“I didn’t want to be making my move on the last lap, because I knew it was going to be a bit scruffy, I knew I had plus zero on the board so I knew there was four of us as well and I didn’t want to miss out on the podium.

“I knew where I was fast on the track and where I could make a clean pass, and I just had to get close enough to do it. We all had strong points on the track so it was a bit of a yoyo effect. But I got close enough with a lap to go. On the last lap I just put my head down, tried to hit every apex and didn’t make any mistakes. Winning today is a massive thanks to the team.”
 

Canadian Superbike: Race Two Results From Shannonville

David Swarts
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0
Canadian Superbike: Race Two Results From Shannonville
Pro Superbike - Race 2 Results

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by CSBK:

Young dominates Superbike race two at Shannonville

Shannonville, ON – The narrow gap atop the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship was blown wide open on Sunday, as Ben Young cruised to a comfortable victory in race two at Shannonville Motorsport Park, presented by the Fallen Rider Support Team sponsored by Pace Law.

The three-time GP Bikes Pro Superbike champion faced stiff competition from Sam Guerin and Jordan Szoke on Saturday, having to claw his way from fourth in the early going to win a dramatic opener at SMP, but things were vastly different in the second half of the doubleheader on Sunday.

Guerin grabbed the holeshot from Young and Szoke on the opening lap but could only hold the lead for parts of two laps, as Young was far less patient this time around and made the decisive move in turn eight on lap three. 

Young would squeeze out a one-second advantage just two laps later and never looked back from there, ultimately securing a 17-second win at the finish – the third largest margin of victory in Pro Superbike history. 

It was a statement win for the Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW rider, who exits SMP with a perfect points haul and ten-point championship advantage.

“The BMW was unreal as always today, and really awesome all weekend,” Young said, a stark comparison to the 2023 opener when a fairing issue left him sixth in race two. “It’s a bit of redemption for a year ago, so it’s nice to reward the team for all their hard work and add another win here for the fans.”

As for Guerin, it was another runner-up finish but one far different from Saturday, when he looked like a legitimate title threat to Young. While that still may be true with five rounds remaining, the EFC Group BMW rider admitted they still have a lot of work to do to close the gap in Grand Bend.

“The second place is important. It’s another 1-2 for BMW and we’re still in the championship,” Guerin said. “I tried to stay with Ben, but we’re still learning the new bike, so it’s better to be here than in the back of an ambulance!”

Completing the podium in the exact same order from race one was Szoke, who couldn’t replicate his early race lead from Saturday as he fought through some mechanical issues aboard his CKM Kawasaki, though he did enough to escape with another impressive podium.

“We felt really great in practice, and I was really looking forward to the race, but we had some issues in turn three and four and at one point I almost thought I was going to have to pull off,” Szoke said. “It’s a bummer. I’m not saying we would have won, but I thought I could have stuck at the front a little longer today, but I have a great crew and we’ll get to the bottom of it.”

One of the most interesting stories of the day was Trevor Dion, who crashed in morning warm-up and needed to park his main Economy Lube Ducati on the sidelines, though he made the unusual choice to switch to BMW machinery for the afternoon.

That proved to be a successful decision, as Dion overcame a tough start and some early unfamiliarity to carve his way through the field and into fourth at the finish, matching his result from race one on Saturday. The reigning Rookie of the Year will jump back to Ducati at his home track in round two, and made sure to let his rivals know that his confidence remains sky-high despite the race two rollercoaster.

“It took a while to get comfortable on the new bike, but we put together some really good laps and were able to match our result from yesterday,” Dion said. “To anyone who thinks I can’t ride a Superbike, I can. Now we’re looking forward to being on top in a couple weeks at Grand Bend. 

The 2022 Sport Bike champion took home the FAST Riding School Hard Charger award for his efforts, after Young claimed the honour on Saturday. 

Dion’s performance was anything but straightforward, as he enjoyed a thrilling battle with David MacKay for most of the contest. MacKay’s strong debut weekend aboard the Snow City Cycle Honda continued in race two as he ran in fourth throughout the first half, but ultimately couldn’t fend off Dion as he settled for fifth once again at SMP, a solid points haul for the reigning Sport Bike champion.

The race within the race was the battle for sixth between Connor Campbell and Sport Bike race two winner Sebastien Tremblay, who ran nose-to-tail for most of the 20-lap feature.

Tremblay was aboard his smaller displacement Suzuki GSX-R750 but riding at full health, unlike Campbell who fought through a rib injury in his B&T MacFarlane/Kubota Kawasaki debut, creating an intense battle between the two unlikely foes. 

Ultimately, Tremblay managed to move past Campbell in the late going and take a strong sixth-place finish for Turcotte Performance Suzuki, while Campbell was forced to settle for seventh amidst the pain – though still crucially one spot ahead of Rizzin Racing Triumph’s Mavrick Cyr in the fight for the Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year award.

As for the Constructors Championship, the perfect start continued for two-time defending champs BMW, as they claimed another one-two behind Young and Guerin.

Perhaps most crucially for BMW, though, is that Dion’s switch left Ducati without any points on the day, meaning Kawasaki’s third and seventh-place finishes with Szoke and Campbell will put them second in the table and a whopping 42-points behind BMW.

The feature GP Bikes Pro Superbike class will now get a three-week breather before returning to action at the Grand Bend Motorplex in round two, June 7-9, which will set the tone for a return west to Edmonton later that month. 

Full results from the weekend racing can be found on the series’ official website at CSBK.ca.

MotoAmerica: Twins Cup Race Two Results From Barber (Updated With DQ)

David Swarts
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MotoAmerica: Twins Cup Race Two Results From Barber (Updated With DQ)

KurveyGirl.com brings you the results of this weekend’s events.

 

At our online motorcycle parts store, you’ll find a specialized selection of quarter turn “Dzus” fasteners, titanium hardware, premium tire valve stems, Vesrah racing brake pads, Brembo parts and accessories, and other unique hardware specifically designed for race and trackday motorcycles.

 

Alessandro Di Mario won MotoAmerica BellissiMoto Twins Cup Race Two Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park, in Birmingham, Alabama. Riding his Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660, the 15-year-old took the lead from his teammate Gus Rodio on lap five of 14 and rode on to take the first Twins Cup race win of his MotoAmerica career.

Rocco Landers put in a big charge late in the race on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R and caught and passed Rodio on the final lap to score second place. In fact, Landers turned the fastest lap of the race on lap 13 of 14, a 1:29.493, and came within 0.768 second of catching Di Mario.

Rodio held on to get third place, 0.941 second behind Landers.

Rossi Moor matched his best finish of the season with fourth place on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R.

Jack Roach was a distant fifth on his Wrench Motorcycles Yamaha YZF-R7.

Update: After the race Dominic Doyle was disqualified during post-race technical inspections. The coolant in Doyle’s Yamaha appeared blue in color and only water without any additives is allowed to be used as coolant.

 

24_4_BARBER_TWN_R2_res_REVISED AFTER DQ
 24_4_BARBER_TWN_PTS_points

MotoAmerica: Superbike Race Three Results From Barber (Updated)

David Swarts
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MotoAmerica: Superbike Race Three Results From Barber (Updated)

KurveyGirl.com brings you the results of this weekend’s events.

 

At our online motorcycle parts store, you’ll find a specialized selection of quarter turn “Dzus” fasteners, titanium hardware, premium tire valve stems, Vesrah racing brake pads, Brembo parts and accessories, and other unique hardware specifically designed for race and trackday motorcycles.

 

Cameron Beaubier won red-flag-shortened MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike Race Three Sunday afternoon at Barber Motorsports Park, in Birmingham, Alabama. Riding his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR on Dunlop Sportmax Slick control tires, the five-time Champion took the lead on lap two and pulled out a comfortable advantage, which he held when the red flag came out and stopped the race on lap 18 of 20.

The win was Beaubier’s 62nd Superbike race win, moving him ahead of Josh Hayes and into second place on the all-time MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike win list. Mat Mladin is at the top of the list with 82 Superbike victories.

Wrench Motorcycles Yamaha rider Bobby Fong broke free from the pack and was actually closing some ground on Beaubier when the race was halted, locking him in at second place.

Sean Dylan Kelly backed up his career-first Superbike podium in Race Two with a third place, close behind Fong, in Race Three on his TopPro Racing BMW.

Josh Herrin came home fourth on his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R.

Hayden Gillim rounded out the top five finishers on his Real Steel Motorsports Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.

The race was stopped due to a two-bike incident in Turn Two, where Herrin’s teammate Loris Baz and a slower rider came together. Both men crashed, but both were seen walking away from the scene.

Prior to that, Cameron Petersen crashed his Attack Performance/Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1 in Turn Five while running in second place not far behind Beaubier on lap 11. Petersen rode back to the pits for repairs and continued in the race, but he finished outside of the points.

Beaubier’s teammate JD Beach retired early in the race with apparent mechanical problems.

 

24_4_BARBER_SBK_R3_res
 24_4_BARBER_SBK_PTS_points
 24_4_BARBER_SBK_PTS_sbcpts

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by MotoAmerica:

Redemption Day For Beaubier At Barber Motorsports Park

A Day After Crashing Out Of The Lead, Beaubier Wins Both Superbike Races

BRASELTON, GA (May 19, 2024) – After crashing out of the lead on the third lap of Saturday’s Steel Commander Superbike race one at Barber Motorsports Park, things didn’t look so good for Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier. But what a difference a day makes.

On Sunday, Beaubier doubled down, winning both Steel Commander Superbike races in the tripleheader weekend to somehow take over the lead in the championship a day after he ended it trailing Jake Gagne by 20 points.

Beaubier dominated both races with consistently fast laps that led to him winning the two races by 3.099 and 4.648 seconds, respectively.

The five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion also capitalized on his championship rival’s misfortune with Attack Racing/Progressive/Yamaha’s Jake Gagne suffering with arm-pump issues in both of Sunday’s races that left him frustrated and out of the points lead. The three-time defending champion persevered through both races on Sunday, finishing eighth and seventh in the two races after finishing second on Saturday.

With two rounds and five races completed, Beaubier now leads Gagne by 13 points, 95-82, with the series heading to Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, in two weeks.

Beaubier’s first win on Sunday morning was the 61st of his AMA Superbike career and it put him in a tie with Josh Hayes for second on the all-time list. His win on Sunday afternoon was the 62nd of his career and it moved him out of that tie and into second place all alone. Australian Mat Mladin is the all-time leader in AMA Superbike wins with 82.

TopPro Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly had himself a day, earning the first two Superbike podiums of his rookie season in the class. The Floridian was fast all weekend with Sunday’s second- and third-place finishes on Sunday bettering his fourth-place finish from Saturday.

Attack Performance/Progressive/Yamaha’s Cameron Petersen was barely beaten to the finish line in race two by Kelly for second and ended up third, a day after his win in race one. In race three on Sunday, Petersen crashed out of second while keeping pace with Beaubier. The South African remounted but his YZF-R1 had a broken foot peg that forced him out of the race.

Wrench Motorcycles’ Bobby Fong had a good Sunday with fifth- and second-place finishes in the two races.

The two Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati riders had up-and-down Sundays, literally. Josh Herrin crashed out of race two in the morning but bounced back to finish fourth in race three. Loris Baz, meanwhile, was fourth in race two, but crashed out of race three when he was struck from behind by Manny Segura.

Real Steel Motorsports’ Hayden Gillim was seventh and fifth in Sunday’s two races on what is basically a Stock 1000-spec Honda CBR1000RR-R SP.

Beaubier’s teammate JD Beach had a rotten Sunday. The Kentuckian crashed in race two and pulled out of race three, suffering from the effects of his Q2 near crash and his Sunday morning race-two crash.

Xavi Forés’s debut on the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki was also up and down. After finishing sixth in Saturday’s race one, the Spaniard crashed in race two and then finished sixth again in race three. His teammate Brandon Paasch was sixth and eighth, respectively, in the two races on Sunday.

With Beaubier leading the title chase by 13 over Gagne, Kelly sits third and 22 points behind Beaubier and nine behind Gagne. Fong is fourth, a further 13 behind Kelly with Petersen fifth, just two points behind Fong.

 
Quotes – Superbike Race Two

Cameron Beaubier – Winner

“After yesterday, just in the back of my head, I just didn’t want to do something stupid. Everything went great. I got a great start like I did yesterday. My bike was just hooking up there the first four, five laps, it seemed like. I think everyone is kind of dealing with the tire drop here. It seems like it drops quite a bit, and it just stays the same. Felt really good to win by a little margin after yesterday. That was pretty frustrating after yesterday, after the weekend was going so well and then end it in a gravel trap in three laps. This next race is going to be the toughest out of all of them. These guys are going really fast. I’m sure they’re going to go back and figure some stuff out to come back swinging in the third race. Congrats to both these guys. I’m super pumped for Sean (Dylan Kelly). I know all about struggling in Europe and coming back here and just feeling success and feeling that podium again. It’s pretty cool. Same for Cam (Petersen), getting that win yesterday. It’s a pretty stacked field this year. I know we keep saying it, but it really is. It’s going to make for a good season.”

Sean Dylan Kelly – Second Place

“I wouldn’t even start by talking about being surprised or not. I just want to talk about how stoked I am to be up here right now. It’s been an amazing start to my Superbike career. We’ve been putting in a lot of work since lap one, and I’ve just felt pretty at home with this thing. The team is doing an amazing job to help me learn and just make moves forward. I obviously still have a lot to learn and adapt to. I got pretty emotional after passing that checkered flag. Last year was tough, not only for where we were and everything the last couple years, but last year with the injury and everything, I went through some pretty crappy times and some crappy weeks and months. So, to just look back at that, that was only a handful of months ago, and see where we’re at right now… it feels so good. I’m just super grateful for everyone that believed in me in the worst of times and just got me to this point. I know it’s not a win just yet, but we got to celebrate this first podium. Thank you to (Cameron) Petersen for the nice words. Obviously, it’s pretty badass for me to be sharing the podium right now with (Cameron) Beaubier, considering that we were teammates a couple years ago. I honestly look up to these guys a lot. To be here right now is absolutely badass.”

Cameron Petersen – Third Place

“I don’t want to sound like the guy making excuses, because I know we were all struggling with some rear grip towards the end there. We made a few changes from the bike yesterday. I was really struggling with the rear of the bike. Yesterday, I didn’t really have any issues with the rear coming around going into the corners, and today for whatever reason I was just struggling. But three podiums in a row, I can’t complain. Like you said, I’ve had way worse weekends than this. Just happy to be on the box again. Congrats to these two guys next to me. Congrats to SDK (Sean Dylan Kelly) on his first Superbike podium. I remember what that feeling is like. I think we know what we need to work on for race three today, and we’ll go give it our best shot.”

Quotes – Superbike Race Three

Cameron Beaubier – Winner

“With Jake (Gagne), I think he’s obviously dealing with something because that’s not like Jake. He’s obviously really fast here and has had a lot of success here winning a lot of races. His struggles… we capitalized on that today. It was really good to have two strong wins today after yesterday. I’m still learning with the guys. What I like with the TC and the torque maps, stuff like that. We’re still learning about each other. I’m just really happy with my bike, really happy with my team. It’s a great group of guys. I’m just super honored to be partnered up with them. Like I said earlier, it just feels so good to start the weekend on the front foot at all these tracks we went to last year, not throwing new swing arms on in qualifying and practice and stuff, just searching for grip and chasing the Yamaha boys. This race was really tough. Cam P. got a really, really good start. I was able to get by him going into turn one. Put my head down and I would pull away a little bit, but once I got to maybe 1.5, 1.2, it stuck there, and I was looking at my dash. I kept doing 23s and I was like, this is a really fast pace and I’m not pulling. He even pulled me back a couple tenths. Once we got to halfway, I was riding as hard as I could. Then I looked at the monitor and I saw him sitting up on the back straightaway. I came by and I had whatever plus three or plus five on the board. I’m bummed for him because he was riding so good. He was making me push hard. He rode incredible this weekend, along with these guys. We keep saying it, but this Superbike field is just really stacked this year. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Bobby Fong – Second Place

“From the first race to today, we made a big change out of Charlotte’s Web, (turns) four and five. I was just losing so much ground out of there. We basically turned down the bike a little bit out of that corner. It was less lively for the second race, and I could keep up a little bit closer going into the Museum corner. It was pretty good. We always feel good at the end of the race on this bike. We always set it up pretty good with used tires. We did a lot of laps this weekend on pretty worn-out tires, so I kind of knew what to expect going into this race. These guys are fast. I’m just doing everything I could to stay with these guys. The field is stacked this year, and it’s just good to get this Wrench ADR R1 on the box and just keep on improving. Hopefully battle with this guy for the win here soon.

Sean Dylan Kelly – Third Place

“The goal is always to be up here. It’s been a hell of a start to my superbike career. Still learning so much every time out. That pace in this second race was so, so fast the first half of the race. I really tried to keep up. (Cameron) Beaubier was opening up a little bit, and (Cameron) Petersen was trying to keep that pace and run him down. I was right behind Petersen. I even tried to pass him a couple times, but the pace was a lot. I’m happy that I was able to push through and put those 23s in, but it was definitely too much for what I had today in that race. It got a little bit complicated halfway through. Bobby (Fong) caught up. Once I saw that there was some room to behind, I was like, ‘We’ve got to make it home.’ First time for me doing two races in a day ever, since minibikes when I was eight years old. So, it’s been a while. Going to try and hit the gym a couple more times in the next couple weeks. But I’m really happy with everything I learned. Two podiums is amazing. Just super stoked with everything that I’m learning, with how we’re doing with the team, considering that it’s our first real, real time showing up. It’s been amazing, so just super pumped and looking forward to keeping it going.”

N2/WERA National Endurance Series: $50,000 Purse Posted

Cody Wyman (99) on the Army of Darkness Yamaha YZF-R1 endurance racebike. Photo by Apex Pro Photo, courtesy N2 Racing.
Cody Wyman (99) on the Army of Darkness Yamaha YZF-R1 endurance racebike. Photo by Apex Pro Photo, courtesy N2 Racing.

N2 Track Days Announces 2024 N2 National Endurance Series Purse.

Media, PA (May 2024) – N2 Track Days as the title sponsor for the 2024 N2/WERA National Endurance Series is proud to announce the ‘Base Purse’ for the series as well as the Dunlop contingency package. In total, more than $100,000 is available for N2 Endurance competitors over the five-race series. In addition to the base purse and contingency programs, N2 will be announcing individual round sponsors and additional purse programs soon. Yamaha Motors USA will be the title sponsor for the series final at Barber Motorsports Park on October 18, 2024, with a special event purse to be announced soon.

“A lot has changed since we revived the endurance series in 2017 and N2 is more committed than ever,” said N2 Director of Racing, Chris Kubricky. “This investment in the series reenforces our commitment to the series health and growth. We are grateful that Dunlop will continue to support our teams with an amazing $50,000 contingency program.”

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities with the N2 National Endurance Series, N2 Track Days, and N2 Racing in MotoAmerica, please reach out to Chip Spalding at [email protected]

2024 Base Endurance Purse      
  Base Purse   Dunlop Contingency
       
Heavyweight Endurance Per Class Purse:    
1st $1,500   $1,000
2nd $675   $700
3rd $500   $500
4th     $350
5th     $275
Subtotal: $2,675   $2,825
       
Middleweight Endurance Per Class Purse:    
1st $1,225   $1,200
2nd $850   $850
3rd $400   $575
4th $200   $450
5th $100   $325
Subtotal: $2,775   $3,400
       
Lightweight Endurance Per Class Purse:    
1st $1,200   $675
2nd $850   $500
3rd $400   $350
4th $200   $300
5th $100   $250
Subtotal: $2,750   $2,075
       
Ultralightweight Endurance Class Purse:    
1st $900   $500
2nd $450   $425
3rd $300   $325
4th $200   $275
5th $100   $175
Subtotal: $1,950   $1,700
       
Individual Round Totals: $10,150   $10,000
       
5 Rounds Total: $50,750   $50,000

 

About N2: N2 – Ride, Learn, Race.

Founded in 2014, N2’s mission is to build a sustainable motorcycle community through safe, structured motorcycle track days, advanced rider training programs based on Yamaha Champions Riding School teaching methods, with a strong affinity for motorcycle road racing. N2 successfully resurrected Motorcycle Endurance Racing in America partnering with WERA Roadracing and creating the N2/WERA National Endurance Series by Dunlop. N2 is a premier participant in the MotoAmerica Pro Racing Series with a multi-rider team competing in several classes. N2 is also a major contributor to the Roadracing World Action Fund through fundraising efforts and support from its large member base.

The N2 National Endurance Series is proudly sponsored by: N2 Track Days, Yamaha Motor Corporation USA, Dainese, Woodcraft Technologies, BobbleHeadMoto, WERA Road Racing, KYT Helmets America, R.E.B Graphics, Millennium Technologies, Wiseco Pistons, JE Pistons, Rise Moto, Ghetto Customs, Pit-Lane Moto and Yamaha Champions Riding School.

MotoGP: Will Catalunya Produce Another Epic Battle?

Jorge Martin (top) leading Marc Marquez (left) and Francesco Bagnaia (right) at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Jorge Martin (top) leading Marc Marquez (left) and Francesco Bagnaia (right) at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Battle lines drawn: a standoff for the ages arrives in Barcelona

Le Mans promised a show and we got one. Ready for another?

Monday, 20 May 2024

Perspective can play a funny game. If you’re looking down from the leader, 38 points feels like a fairly significant gap for Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) at the top of the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship. Likely not for him as he plays the long game, but it’s more than a weekend’s worth of points looking from a purely objective standpoint. He could spend the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya in the grandstands and still lead come Monday.

If you’re Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) looking up from second, knowing you made up 91 points in 2022 when there were only 25 on offer each weekend, it also feels far from panic stations. It feels close enough, after a fair dash of bad luck too, to explain why you wouldn’t roll the dice on the last lap of the French GP. Bank and move on, come back stronger. Barcelona would also be a statement as you’ve never taken a GP podium there, one of only three venues of which that’s true.

If you’re an eight-time World Champion looking up from third, in the top three of the riders’ standings for the first time since 2019 – before it all unravelled as the line between magic and physics was suddenly blurred – and you’re only getting faster? 40 points suddenly feels like nothing at all. Such is the delicious standoff between Martin, Bagnaia and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) as we roll into Barcelona.

SHOW ME WHAT YOU’VE GOT

Bagnaia’s statement in Jerez remains as stunning as the day he made it. To stand face to face with one of the names already in the debate for greatest of all time, before he’s even retired, and not only not back down but come out on top? Statement made as you build your own legacy. Martin’s throwdown at Le Mans is likewise more than the sum of its parts, taking on not only the reigning Champion but that same duel from Jerez and beating both. In serious style, too, to make his own big statement. A different style to Bagnaia in Jerez, and a different style to Marquez. Three approaches to attacking the same goal is part of what has made the story so electric so far. Martin is explosive pace, Bagnaia unruffled poise, and Marquez? Marquez redefined an era and is now making his mark on another. The new era is also responding.

Marquez’ season so far can be almost summed up by the vision of him screaming back onto the scene into the chicane at Le Mans, when it looked like the fight for the win was a last lap duel and he made sure it wasn’t. From P13 on the grid and last year’s bike. Now, he just needs to do it again, and again, and again – but no one else on the grid has his experience of doing just that. Three riders, three approaches, one incredible show.

Still, however much the last couple of races have been a stunning showdown between the reigning Champion, the pretender to the throne and the benchmark of an era, all determined to show each other exactly what they’ve got, it’s not a grid of three. It wasn’t in Qatar, or Portugal, or the Americas, or Jerez, or Le Mans in front or that record-breaking crowd. And it won’t be in Barcelona as one of the most packed fields in MotoGP™ history rolls into town ready to paint another masterpiece.

NO TAKEBACKS, ONLY COMEBACKS

The results for the French GP are also deceptive in some ways. If Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) hadn’t cut that apex and been given the Long Lap penalty, the ‘Beast’ would surely have been in the podium hunt. That would also likely have kept him in the top three in the standings. But he wasn’t and isn’t, and there are no takebacks in MotoGP™… only comebacks. As the rumours around the future swirl, can Bastianini make his own statement in Barcelona? He’s been far from slow in 2024, he knows what it takes to win, and he has a very good track record at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. He also probably wants to remind everyone exactly why he’s on the machine he is – he won four races in the seat Marc Marquez occupies now and two were in the first four.

Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), meanwhile, was pretty fast in France but crashed out, so he’ll want to bounce back after that uptick in Jerez, whereas teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio will be keen to show he has the upper hand regardless. Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) got that coveted finish after some solid speed, taking P7, but that still won’t be enough for him. And for Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – on home turf and a track where he has a good record – it’s definitely a mission to get back in that postcode he occupied in Jerez.

YOUR RIVALS ARE EXPECTING YOU

For Aprilia Racing, it’s a case of “no pressure, but-” looking back on the factory’s 2023 Catalan GP. Aleix Espargaro did the double, and Maverick Viñales took P3 in the Sprint before making it a 1-2 on Sunday. It’s unlikely the marque won’t be at the front in 2024 too, but it will be interesting to see if the pecking order changes. Espargaro has a great record at Catalunya but Viñales has had his measure more often than not in 2024 – already having won a Grand Prix race and two Sprints. Which is an understatement for the #12, as his COTA win is most definitely one of the most otherworldly masterpieces hanging in the 2024 gallery so far. To make it feel fairer for the rest, he could have dropped to the back and started painting from there.

At Trackhouse Racing MotoGP™, Miguel Oliveira will want to turn it around after Le Mans, with a solid Jerez not proving a building block as yet. He did knock Marc Marquez out of Q2 though, which is no small scalp. His teammate, Raul Fernandez, will be an interesting watch too – he’s on the machine that won the 2023 GP, and he had a solid French GP getting the measure of Oliveira. What can he do in Barcelona?

It was a tougher weekend at Le Mans for KTM and GASGAS. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) found himself in a shocking last place on the grid after a nightmare run up to the lights going out, but on Sunday he pulled off a classic Binder and came home a solid eighth. For rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) it was almost the reverse as he qualified P7 and then made his first and only Sunday mistake so far, crashing out – alone by a hair’s breadth – to bring his run as the only rider to score in all Sprints and GP races so far to an end. Le Mans and Acosta don’t mix, so far. But both will be reset to come out swinging in Barcelona, a venue where KTM have already won. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), meanwhile, is missing the later race pace and will want a solid finish, and Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) scored points in France but is still looking for that step forward.

POUR ENCOURAGER LES AUTRES

Said unironically, there were some standouts in France. At Yamaha, there was plenty to celebrate from Fabio Quartararo’s (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) home GP, even if the points didn’t end up on the board. The Frenchman went straight through to Q2 and on Sunday, was up in sixth before a crash out. But that livery – savage – said it all about the performance. With his stunning track record at the venue, can he do similar in Barcelona? Teammate Alex Rins, meanwhile, is looking for more after a tougher one in France and will want to turn the tables on his own home turf.

Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) pulled some gap on his fellow Honda riders at Le Mans too, and he’ll want to keep that roll going. After a more positive Jerez, Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) will want a solid finish to hit back, and the mission continues for Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) and Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) to move forward as the project looks to make a big step. After a test for Yamaha and Honda at Mugello, and with a wildcard this weekend for Stefan Bradl, it’s all hands on deck to make those gains.

The field they’re fighting in has also never been closer. The average gap between first and second in the first five Grand Prix races of 2024 is just 0.951 – the first time in the MotoGP™ era it’s ever been less than a second. Even better than that, it’s not simply a mad dash or a game of chance, it’s a gallery of masterpieces painted by the best in the world. So join us when MotoGP™ returns to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from the 24th to the 26th of May – from the grandstands, from the sofa, from wherever you are in the world, and watch the world’s most exciting sport make racing a fine art.

SHOWTIME

Saturday

Tissot Sprint: 15:00 (UTC +2)

Sunday

Grand Prix: 14:00 (UTC +2)

What’s happening at the #CatalanGP

On Thursday afternoon, the podcast welcomes Trackhouse Racing’s Raul Fernandez at 15:05 (UTC +2).

The first Press Conference at 16:00 then hosts Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). 

The second line up at 16:35 is Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), and 2023 Catalan GP winner Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing).

Moto2™: can Garcia keep the roll going?

Following a flawless ride to a second victory of the season at Le Mans, Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) lands in Barcelona back in the hot seat as the Moto2™ World Championship leader. No rider laid a glove on the Spaniard in France’s Sunday outing and after two wins in his last three starts, Garcia will be oozing confidence arriving at a circuit he collected his equal-best result at in his rookie campaign – a P4.

Garcia has a winning pedigree in Barcelona too thanks to his 2021 Moto3™ Catalan GP effort, so beating the #3 is set to be a tricky prospect for the likes of second in the title race, Joe Roberts. P4 in Le Mans ended the OnlyFans American Racing Team star’s string of three consecutive P2 finishes, but it was more solid points collected for the American and he was only a whisker off the rostrum.

The podium places last time out went the way of comeback King Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI), who will be craving a Saturday improvement to enable his Sundays to become less hassle, and Alonso Lopez (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) as we witnessed the first Moto2™ podium since Valencia 2013 to not feature a Kalex rider. That’s some stat. And with Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) having a quiet weekend in Le Mans, the Spaniard is another Boscoscuro star who will expect to be on form again on home soil. Aron Canet (Fantic Racing), meanwhile, has good form in Barcelona and will be back to fuller strength.

Last year’s Catalan GP winner, Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar), will be another rider on a Kalex seeking to find an extra burst of speed though, not yet off the mark fully in 2023 as a tantalising title fight in the Riders’ and Constructors’ Championships continues to unravel. Tune in for more Moto2™ on Sunday at 12:15 (UTC +2)!

Moto3™: just one point in it on the road to Barcelona

Jerez’s error was a tough pill to swallow, but David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar) responded in the best way possible: winning. The Colombian pipped title rivals Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) and Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) to the 25 points in Le Mans. Ahead of a date with Barcelona – the scene of Alonso’s second Moto3™ win in 2023 – the #80 is now a solitary point behind Holgado in the Championship chase.

The latter kept up his impressive start to the season in France. It’s now just Jerez’s P7 that stands as Holgado’s non-top two finish in 2024, but his one win is in comparison to Alonso’s three so far, so the #96 will want to add a second victory soon enough. So will Veijer, with the Dutchman 32 points away in P3 overall after claiming two podiums in a row.

Will others come to the fore again in Barcelona? Ivan Ortola’s (MT Helmets – MSI) P5 was a good points haul, but the Spaniard needs to start clawing back points on the trio above him in the Championship. And we can’t not mention Joel Esteban’s (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar) P4. Can the rookie go – at least – one better in Barcelona? Find out on Sunday at 11:00 (UTC +2)!

NEMRR: Franco, Guyer, Lee Shine At Round Two

Brett Guyer (11) won five races during the second round of the 2024 NEMRR Series. Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.
Brett Guyer (11) won five races during the second round of the 2024 NEMRR Series. Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

May 18-19, New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Event #2 of the 2024 NEMRR season featured a full range of weather conditions, a wide variety of race winners and even a touch of drama in the premier race of the weekend.  With MotoAmerica hosting an event at Barber Motorsports Park on the same weekend, some of NEMRR’s top riders were missing from the action.  This left the door open for all the NEMRR regulars, many of whom are preparing for the 101st Loudon Classic June 7-9, to have an even better chance to challenge for the win in their respective classes.  In spite of the MotoAmerica conflict, NEMRR did have a top professional visitor as multi-time national champion Alex Dumas was in attendance for the second weekend in a row in preparation for the Classic.

Saturday started with a handful of dry races before rain settled in for the afternoon.  Leading the charge in those races were the two most prolific racers of the weekend, Brett Guyer and Renee Franco.  Brett led off his weekend by winning the GTL race on his Seacoast Sport Cycle Aprilia RS660, a wire-to-wire race win that was the first of his 5 wins over the course of the weekend.  The NH native is one of the most experienced riders in the paddock and has been winning races for decades at NHMS.  Guyer is focusing on the Pro Thunderbike class at the Classic in 2024.  The veteran won the race at the 100th Classic and will be facing a group of top young riders in 2024, it should be great to watch!

 

Renee Franco (14) in action at NHMS. Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.
Renee Franco (14) in action at NHMS. Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

 

The other big winner of the weekend was Renee Franco riding her RFR/Bauce Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400.  She kicked off the weekend by winning the GT500 class in wire-to-wire fashion, and then added three more victories over the course of the weekend in both wet and dry conditions.  Her four total race wins were second only to the veteran Guyer, and Franco has her eyes set on the 500 Superbike race at the Loudon Classic next round.

The feature race of the weekend was wet and wild!  NHMS added some new (higher grip) FIM-approved paint to the white lines on the NASCAR oval exiting Turns 2 and 12, which was met with universal approval from the riders.  However, as is often the case with any wet race, a couple riders did let their enthusiasm exceed the available grip during the course of the race.  The first rider to make a mistake was Tyler Sweeney on lap one, who low sided unhurt, but was unable to make the restart. 

This led to an 8 lap shootout that saw a number of NEMRR’s talented rain riders showcase their talent.  Leading the way for the first half of the race was always fast-starting Geoffrey “Frenchie” Bonnard.  As the race progressed, both Kyle Thompson and Michael Lee worked their way past Bonnard – setting of a battle for the victory that would have been the first career Seacoast Sport Cycle Dash for Cash win of any of their careers.  Lee, who has always shown speed in the wet, looked poised for the win but as he took the white flag his bike began to sputter.  As a post race interview would reveal, Lee did not have enough fuel in his tank and was running out of gas.  Lee limped around the track as Kyle Thompson had a large gap on Bonnard and looked set for his first win in the premier class, but it was not to be. About 300 feet from the finish Thompson let his excitement get the best of him with a very late high side crash.  While unhurt, Thompson and his bike glanced off the wall and his motorcycle continued down the straight without him!  The officials called for the red flag right away as the rest of the field showed amazing skill as they managed to avoid Thompson’s bike, which did several weaves and eventually a 360 on the front straight, just yards in front of the finish line. 

The finish was uncertain as Danny Weems, who had passed several riders on the last lap and crossed the finish line first as the red flag came out, believed that he had won the race.  Lee, who led the last complete lap, was still on track making slow progress back to the last corner of the track.  Thompson was up and unhurt and his motorcycle has miraculously not been struck by any of the other competitors.  In the end, race control had called for the red flag seconds before Weems crossed the line, which reverted scoring back to the previous lap.  Since Lee was still making forward progress at that time, he was awarded his maiden victory in the premier NEMRR Dash for Cash, followed by Bonnard and Weems.  

 

Michael Lee (351) won the red-flag-shortened Dash For Cash. Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.
Michael Lee (351) won the red-flag-shortened Dash For Cash. Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

Round three of the NEMRR series will take place at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 7th and 9th, with the Loudon Classic Pro Races being held on Saturday June 8th (with a rain date on the 9th for the Classic).  June 8th will feature the Classic Main event, ASRA Outlaw Baggers, Pro Thunderbike and Pro 500 Superbike Classes – with the riders all vying for their share of the record-breaking $310,000 purse.  More than a dozen MotoAmerica race winners are pre-entered for the races, making it a can’t-miss spectating event for motorcycle fans.  Come kick off Laconia Bike week and cheer for your favorite rider / brand.  From Harley-Davidson to Indian and Ducati to Yamaha, the classic will have them all!  Tickets for the 101st running of the Loudon Classic are available at the Eventbrite link here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nemrr-101st-loudon-classic-tickets-862612004727?aff=oddtdtcreator

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

Ridge Motorsports Park. Photo courtesy of TrackTime.
Ridge Motorsports Park, in Shelton, Washington. Photo courtesy of TrackTime.

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

This list includes 184 opportunities to ride your motorcycles at races, schools, and track days during the month of May in North America.

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

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

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

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

5/1                   Motovid.com All Levels Motorcycle Track Days, Blackhawk Farms Raceway, S. Beloit, IL

5/1-2               California Superbike School, VIRginia International Raceway, Alton, VA

5/1-2               Yamaha Champions Riding School, NCBike, Garysburg, NC (Racers Only)

5/2                   Shannonville Motorsport Park Motorcycle Lapping Days (Canada), Shannonville Motorsport Park, Shannonville, ON

5/3                   2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

5/3                   Apex Track Days, Utah Motorsports Campus, Grantsville, UT

5/3                  ASMA Track Days and Advanced Rider Training, Arroyo Seco Raceway, Deming, NM

5/3                   Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI

5/3                   Tactical Motorcycle Dynamics Track Days, Utah Motorsports Campus, Grantsville, UT

5/3-5               CRA (California Roadrace Association) Series, The Podium Club at Attesa, Casa Grande, AZ

5/3-5               CRA (Central Roadracing Association) Series, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN

5/3-5               OMRRA Series, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA (shared event with WMRRA)

5/3-5               WMRRA Series, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA (shared event with OMRRA)

5/4                   Central Illinois Mini Moto Series (Minis) and Track Days, Mid-State Kart Club, Mechanicsburg, IL

5/4                   Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Learn To Ride Off-Road)

5/4                   SMRI Series, Schools and Track Days, Sandia Motorsports Park (currently named Suika Circuit), Albuquerque, NM

5/4                   Sandy Hook Mini Moto Track Days (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

5/4                   SFLminiGP (South Florida MiniGP) Rider Development Days (Minis), Orlando Kart Center, Orlando, FL

5/4                   Southeast Mini Moto Series (Minis), Barber Proving Grounds, Birmingham, AL

5/4                   Team Pro-Motion Track Days & Schools, Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, PA

5/4-5               AMA Sanctioned ASRA National Sprint Series/ AMA Sanctioned ASRA Outlaw Bagger Series/ ASRA Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Championship Series, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

5/4-5              ASMA Series, Arroyo Seco Raceway, Deming, NM

5/4-5               ASRA Atlantic Roadracing Championship Series, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

5/4-5               Evolve GT School and Track Days, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

5/4-5               Fast Line Track Days, NCM Motorsports Park, Bowling Green, KY

5/4-5               Motogladiator Series, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

5/4-5               MRA Series (Canada), Gimli Motorsports Park, Gimli, MB

5/4-5               NOLA Riding Academy Motorcycle Training and Track Days, NOLA Motorsports Park, Avondale, LA

5/4-5               Pacific Track Time Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

5/4-5               PanAmerican Superbike Series, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

5/4-5               Precision Track Days, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

5/4-5               RideSmart Motorcycle School, G2 Motorsports Park, Anna, TX

5/4-5               South Florida MiniGP Series (Minis), Orlando Kart Center, Orlando, FL

5/4-5               Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

5/4-5               The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/4-5                UtahSBA Series, Utah Motorsports Campus, Grantsville, UT

5/4-5               WERA Sportsman Series Atlantic Coastal Region/ WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

5/4-5               WERA Sportsman Series North Central Region, Grattan Raceway Park, Belding, MI

5/5                   CLASS Motorcycle School with 3x AMA Superbike Champion Reg Pridmore, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

5/5                   Florida Trackdays, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

5/5                   John Long’s Longevity Racing School, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL

5/5                   Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Off-Road Challenge Course)

5/5                   Superbike-Coach Corp. (Schools), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

5/5                   XCEL Trackdays Track Days, Arizona Motorsports Park, Litchfield Park, AZ

5/5                   ZARS Advanced Riding School, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, MN

5/5-6               Cyclesmith Track Days (formerly known as Tony’s Track Days), Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, Thompson, CT

5/6                   2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

5/6                   CLASS Motorcycle School with 3x AMA Superbike Champion Reg Pridmore, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA (Motor Officer Advanced Training)

5/6                   Moto Forza Trackdays, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

5/6                   SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

5/6-7               California Superbike School, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/8-9               American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), Harrington, DE

5/8-9               California Superbike School, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/9                   Riders Choice Lapping Days (Canada), Shannonville Motorsport Park, Shannonville, ON

5/10                 2 Wheels Track Days, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

5/10                 AHRMA Academy of Roadracing, Track Days & Ed Bargy Advanced Track Riding Technique, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

5/10                 California Superbike School, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/10                 Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

5/10                 Road America Motorplex Open Track Days, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

5/10                 Westwood Motorcycle Racing Club School & Track Days (Canada), Mission Raceway Park, Mission, BC

5/10-11            American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), Harrington, DE

5/10-12           (Bridgestone) AHRMA American Historic Racing Series, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

5/11                 2WTD Mini Racing (Minis), Horsethief Mile, Rosamond, CA (MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier)

5/11                 (Progressive) AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Ventura Short Track, Ventura Raceway, Ventura, CA

5/11                 Motorheads Track Attacks Track Days (Canada), Stratotech Park Int’l Raceway, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB

5/11                 TrackAddix/Ducati Omaha Racing Series, Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, NE

5/11-12            2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Oregon Raceway Park, Grass Valley, OR

5/11-12            3:16 Superbike Camp, MSR Houston, Angleton, TX

5/11-12            Cornerspin School: Roadracing In The Dirt (Dirt Track School), Cornerspin Facility, Spencer, NC

5/11-12            Inde Motorsports Ranch (IMR) Riders Club Track Days, Inde Motorsports Ranch, Willcox, AZ

5/11-12           JP43 Training School, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

5/11-12            MRA Series and Super Street Racing Days, High Plains Raceway (North), Deer Trail, CO

5/11-12            N2 Track Days, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

5/11-12            NorthWest Mini Moto & Endurance Challenge (Minis), Tri City Kart Club, Richland, WA (MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier)

5/11-12            SoCal Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA (Beat The Heat Schedule)

5/11-12            Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Grattan Raceway, Belding, MI

5/11-12            TrackXperience Track Days, Spring Mountain Motorsports Resort, Pahrump, NV

5/11-12            WMRC Series (Canada), Mission Raceway Park, Mission, BC

5/11-13            Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

5/11-13           Performance Riding Experience (PRE) Track Days, VIRginia International Raceway, Alton, VA

5/12                 Road America Motorplex Open Track Days, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

5/12                 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

5/12                 TrackAddix/Ducati Omaha Track Days, Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, NE

512-13             American Supercamp (Dirt Track School), Harrington, DE

5/12-13           Evolve GT School and Track Days, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

5/12-13           The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/13                 Fun Track Dayz, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

5/13                 Motovid.com All Levels Motorcycle Performance Riding Clinics, Blackhawk Farms Raceway, S. Beloit, IL

5/13                 N2 Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/13-14           The Mid-Ohio School’s Performance Track Riding School, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH

5/14-15           Yamaha Champions Riding School, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/15                 2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Pacific Raceways, Kent, WA

5/15-16           Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (POST Motorcycle Officer Update Course)

5/15-17           Jennings GP Track Days & Novice Schools, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

5/17                 ARL Track Days (Canada), Atlantic Motorsport Park, Mill Village, NS

5/17                 Penguin Riding School, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH

5/17                 ZARS Advanced Riding School, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, MN

5/17-18           (Mission) MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul East Coast Series (Minis), Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC

5/17-19           (Bridgestone) Canadian Superbike Championship, Shannonville Motorsport Park, Belleville, ON

5/17-19           MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Series, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

5/18                   (Progressive) AMA Pro American Flat Track (AFT), Silver Dollar Short Track, Silver Dollar Speedway, Chico, CA

5/18                 Pro 6 Cycle Inc. Track Days (Canada), Calabogie Motorsports Park, Calabogie, ON

5/18                 Sandy Hook Mini Moto Road Race Series (Minis), Sandy Hook Speedway, Street, MD

5/18                 The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/18-19            AFM Series, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

5/18-19           Alaska Motorcycle Road Racing Series and Track Days, Tanacross Race Course, Tok, AK

5/18-19           Apex Assassins Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

5/18-19           ARL High Performance Riding Academy (Canada), Atlantic Motorsport Park, Mill Village, NS

5/18-19           Evolve GT School and Track Days, NCBike, Garysburg, NC

5/18-19           Fasttrax Motorcycle Performance Track Days, Nelson Ledges Road Course, Garrettsville, OH

5/18-19            N2 Track Days, Roebling Road Raceway, Bloomingdale, GA

5/18-19           NEMRR Series, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH

5/18-19           Precision Track Days, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, Munford, AL

5/18-19           Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Fun Camp)

5/18-19           RideSmart Motorcycle School, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Hallett, OK

5/18-19           Southern Track Days, Jennings GP, Jennings, FL

5/18-19           Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Putnam Park Road Course, Mt. Meridian, IN

5/18-19           Z² Track Days, Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows, CA

5/19                 Compact Octane Track Days, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

5/19                 EMRA Series (Canada), Stratotech Park Int’l Raceway, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB

5/19                 MotoCorsa Track Days, Portland International Raceway, Portland, OR

5/19                 Motorheads Track Attacks Track Days (Canada), Stratotech Park Int’l Raceway, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB

5/19                 Rocky Mountain Mini Moto Series (Minis), IMI Motorsports Complex, Dacono, CO

5/19                 Superbike-Coach Corp. (Schools), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA

5/19                 Team Pro-Motion Track Days & Schools, Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, PA

5/19                 UtahSBA Supermoto/Mini Series, Utah Motorsports Campus Kart Track, Grantsville, UT (MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier)

5/19-20           The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/20                 N2 Track Days, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

5/20                 SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

5/20                 Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

5/20-21           California Superbike School, NCM Motorsports Park, Bowling Green, KY

5/20-21           The Mid-Ohio School’s Performance Track Riding School, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH

5/20-21           USCRA Road Racing Series (Vintage), Thompson Speedway, Thompson, CT

5/22                 Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

5/23                 N2 Track Days, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA (Racer Practice Day)

5/23                 The Riders Club Track Days, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ

5/24                 AHRMA Academy of Roadracing, Track Days & Ed Bargy Advanced Track Riding Technique, Nelson Ledges Road Course, Garrettsville, OH

5/24                 Apex Track Days, Utah Motorsports Campus (West), Grantsville, UT

5/24                 HardNoX Track Dayz (Canada), Rocky Mountain Motorsports, Carstairs, AB

5/24                 MARRC Racing School and Track Days, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

5/24                 (Dunlop) N2/WERA Endurance Series, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA

5/24                 Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Private Training Day)

5/24                 Road America Motorplex Open Track Days, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

5/24                 Tactical Motorcycle Dynamics Track Days, Utah Motorsports Campus, Grantsville, UT

5/24                 Z² Track Days, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, CA

5/24-25           2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

5/24-25           California Superbike School, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

5/24-25           (Mission) MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul East Coast Series (Minis), Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA

5/24-26           (Bridgestone) AHRMA American Historic Racing Series, Nelson Ledges Road Course, Garrettsville, OH

5/24-26           Bagger Racing League (BRL), Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, NE

5/24-26           CMRA Series, NOLA Motorsports Park, Avondale, LA

5/24-26           SOAR Series (Canada), Grand Bend Motorplex, Grand Bend, ON

5/24-26           VRRA Series (Vintage Canada), Shannonville Motorsport Park, Shannonville, ON

5/24-26           WERA National Challenge Co-Sanctioned by AMA/ WERA Sportsman Series Atlantic Coastal Region/ WERA Sportsman Series Mid-Central Region/ WERA Sportsman Series Southeast Region, WERA Cycle Jam, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA

5/25-26           Evolve GT School and Track Days, Polecat Training Center, Fayetteville, TN

5/25-26           FIM Mini Cup USA Championship Series, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

5/25-26           Fishtail Riding School, Canaan Motor Club, Canaan, NH

5/25-26           MRA Series & Super Street Racing Days, Pueblo Motorsports Park, Pueblo, CO

5/25-26           Northern Nevada Kart Club (NNKC) Series (Minis), Little 99 Raceway, Stockton, CA (MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier)

5/25-26           Rich Oliver’s Mystery School (Dirt Track School), Prather, CA (Fun Camp)

5/25-26           Ruts to Racelines Track Days, NCBike, Garysburg, NC

5/25-26           TrackXperience Track Days, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Desert Center, CA

5/25-26           UtahSBA Series, Utah Motorsports Campus, Grantsville, UT

5/25-26           Yamaha Champions Riding School, High Plains Raceway, Deer Trail, CO

5/25-27           AMA Sanctioned ASRA National Endurance/Team Challenge Series/ AMA Sanctioned ASRA National Vintage – Classic Series/ AMA Sanctioned ASRA Outlaw Bagger Series, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

5/25-27           ASRA Atlantic Roadracing Championship Series/ ASRA Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Championship Series, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV

5/25-27           Cyclesmith Track Days (formerly known as Tony’s Track Days), Palmer Motorsports Park, Palmer, MA

5/25-27           Sportbike Track Time Track Days, Autobahn Country Club, Joliet, IL

5/26                 ASM Motosport Advanced Riding Course And Trackdays (Canada), Sanair Super Speedway, St-Pie, QC

5/26                 Brake Free Track Time Track Days, Arizona Motorsports Park, Litchfield Park, AZ

5/26-27           California Superbike School, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

5/26-27           JP43 Training School, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

5/26-27           Let’s Ride Track Days, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

5/26-27           SoCal Supermoto School, Adams Motorsport Park, Riverside, CA

5/26-27           Track Time Track Days, Ridge Motorsports Park, Shelton, WA

5/27                 3:16 Superbike Camp, Harris Hill Raceway, San Marcos, TX

5/27-28           Pro 6 Cycle Inc. Track Days (Canada), Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Bowmanville, ON

5/27-28           ZARS Advanced Riding Schools & Track Days, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

5/28-29           California Superbike School, Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

5/29                 Motovid.com All Levels Motorcycle Track Days/Performance Riding Clinics, Road America Elkhart Lake, WI (Ducati Revs Midwest)

5/29                 Pineview Run Two Wheel Wednesday Track Days, Pineview Run Auto & Country Club, LaFayette, NY

5/30                 Riders Choice Lapping Days (Canada), Shannonville Motorsport Park, Shannonville, ON

5/31                 ARL Track Days (Canada), Atlantic Motorsport Park, Mill Village, NS

5/31-6/2          MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Series, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

British Talent Cup: More From The Races At Donington Park

Amanuel Brinton (43) leads Julian Correa (40) and Lucas Brown (29) during British Talent Cup Race One at Donington Park. They finished the race in this order with just 0.3 second separating them. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Amanuel Brinton (43) leads Julian Correa (40) and Lucas Brown (29) during British Talent Cup Race One at Donington Park. They finished the race in this order with just 0.3 second separating them. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Brinton & Frost share the celebrations at Donington

Round 2 delivers two more classics and two different winners

Monday, 20 May 2024

The 2024 R&G British Talent Cup’s second round took place at a bright and sunny Donington Park with tight racing going down to the wire in Race 1. 

There was excitement from the outset, Julian Correa (Microlise Cresswell Racing) had clinched pole position, but it was Filip Surowiak (Team City Lifting/RS Racing) who got off the line first to take the early lead. 

As the race progressed, it became clear that Lucas Brown (SENCAT Talent Team / Mortimer Racing) and Amanuel Brinton (Kovara Projects/RS Racing) were going to be major contenders. Both riders engaged in a fierce battle for the lead. Brinton impressed with his late braking, making key overtakes in the Fogarty Esses and Melbourne Loop.

In the dramatic final lap, Brinton held his nerve and crossed the finish line just 0.081 ahead of Correa, with Brown finishing third 0.3 adrift. After a tougher start in Navarra, pre-season favourite Brinton secured his first victory of the season, with patience paying off for another 25-point haul.

After a thrilling Race 1, expectations were high the second race of Round 2 and the riders did not disappoint, delivering entertaining racing and unexpected drama.

Ryan Frost (Fibre Tec Honda) made an exceptional start from the middle of the front row, quickly taking the lead into Redgate Corner. Meanwhile, Correa and Brinton positioned themselves as early contenders, fighting fiercely for the top spots.

As the race went on, the battle for the lead became increasingly intense. Brown and Correa traded places multiple times at the front, whilst Brinton and Frost remained close contenders, ensuring a thrilling four-way battle. Then, a pivotal moment occurred when Correa and Surowiak collided at the final corner on Lap 7, sending Surowiak crashing out of the race. This incident temporarily separated the leading quartet, with Brinton doing a great job of avoiding.

The race took another dramatic turn when Correa was penalisaed with a long lap penalty for his role in the incident with Surowiak. Attempting to serve the penalty, Correa lost control and crashed, ending his race prematurely and significantly impacting his championship standing. With Correa out, the battle for victory intensified among Frost, Brown, and Brinton.

As the laps wound down, Brinton made a decisive move at Goddards to take the lead, but Brown was relentless, quickly reclaiming the top spot. Just as the race neared its climax, a red flag was brought out due to a crash involving Jack Burrows (Burrows Engineering / RK Racing), leading to the race being declared with Frost as the winner.

 

Ryan Frost (24). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Ryan Frost (24). Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

With that, Frost secured his first victory of the season and first ever, with Brown finishing second, extending his lead in the championship standings with another solid podium finish. Brinton once again took to the podium, finishing third as he looks to move up after a tougher Round 1.

A shake up in the standings after Race 2 at Donington; Brown goes 17 points clear of Brinton but Correa falls from second to fourth in the standings after his DNF. Next time out, British Talent Cup is at Snetterton for Round 3 in July, and it could all change again!

FIM JuniorGP: Carpe And Rios Split Wins At Catalunya

Alvaro Carpe (83) won FIM JuniorGP World Championship Race One at Catalunya. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Alvaro Carpe (83) won FIM JuniorGP World Championship Race Two at Catalunya. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Editorial Note: American Max Toth, riding his AGR Team Kalex, scored points, finishing 14th and 15th, in the two Moto2 European Championship races. American Kristian Daniel Jr., riding an AGR Team Honda, took 17th in the European Talent Cup race. 

Rios and Carpe take FIM JuniorGP™ honours in blockbuster Barcelona event

Round 3 saw the FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship head to beautiful Barcelona and the action did not disappoint. With six races on show, three were decided in the final corners with podium battles raging on to the very end. 

In the FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship category, Jesus Rios (MRE Talent) and Alvaro Carpe (STV Laglisse Racing) took honours, while Dani Muñoz (Gas Up Racing Team) did the double in the Moto2™ European Championship. In the European Talent Cup, Marco Morelli continued to show what a future talent he is with victory, while Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Yamaha GV Racing) cemented his position atop the title standings in the Stock™ European Championship.

 

Jesus Rios (54) won FIM JuniorGP World Championship Race One at Catalunya. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Jesus Rios (54) won FIM JuniorGP World Championship Race One at Catalunya. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Jesus Rios made it three wins in four in the opening race of the day in the FIM JuniorGP™ class. The Spaniard was the Championship leader coming into Barcelona, and he extended his advantage after timing his attack to perfection in Catalunya. The #54 was joined on the podium by Marcos Uriarte (CFMoto Aspar Junior Team) and polesitter Adrian Cruces (Finetwork Team), but only after late heartbreak denied Eddie O’Shea (British Talent Team – Mlav Racing).

The Brit had led the action for much of the race, but a last lap Turn 10 scuffle saw him bunted wide and opened the door for Rios to go from P4 to P1 in the blink of an eye – a position he didn’t relinquish while Uriarte and Cruces took top three finishes.  

In Race 2, Alvaro Carpe stunned CFMoto Aspar pair Uriarte and Morosi on the line as the Spaniard took victory in a highly compelling affair. The #83 started P12 on the grid, and bided his time as the lead changed hands on numerous occasions. A large group vied for honours, with a last lap crash for Eddie O’Shea denying the Brit once again, and then a separate incident that saw Race 1 winner Rios go down with Marcos Ruda (SeventyTwo Artbox Racing Team) and Rico Salmela (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact JuniorGP Team) caused havoc for the chasing pack. 

That allowed the front three to escape in the final sector, with Uriarte, and now the new Championship leader, leading around the final corner, but on the run to the line Morosi poked his nose ahead of his teammate for second, while Carpe pulled out wide to secure a maiden win by just 0.025s. 
 
Later in the afternoon, Moto2™ ECh were back on track as another Muñoz masterclass saw him do the double. The second race of the day followed a similar script, with Casadei struggling at the start and Muñoz, Navarro and Garcia breaking away, however, this time they were joined by Eric Fernandez (FAU55 TEY Racing) and Surra. 

All five led the race at some point before Muñoz assumed control ahead of Navarro, and the two left the rest of the field in their wake and, in a repeat of Race 1, that’s how they finished. 

The battle for the final podium position wasn’t over yet as Garcia held third ahead of a hard-charging Unai Orradre (STV Laglisse Racing) but on the penultimate lap it all changed as the #31 went from P3 to P5 and then out of the race as Orradre and Casadei, who had mounted another comeback, came steaming through. Garcia encountered technical difficulties and it was Orradre who claimed P3, with Casadei taking back the Championship lead ahead of Portimao.

In the European Talent Cup, Marco Morelli showed off his class to romp home to his second win of the campaign by 2.9s, with David Gonzalez (AC Racing Team) and Giulio Pugliese (CFMoto Aspar Team) joining him on the podium. 

Morelli started from pole, and the Argentinian pulled the pin early to clear off into the distance to avoid a dramatic podium battle behind him. Carlos Cano (SeventyTwo Artbox Racing Team) came from the back of the grid and dragged a freight train of riders with him to catch Gonzalez and Pugliese in the podium places, and just as the Spaniard looked to make his move on the last lap, he was clipped by Valentin Perrone (Frando Racing VHC Team) and sent flying into the gravel to record a  Barcelona blank. As a result, Morelli once again takes control of the Championship chase with two races coming up in Portimao. 

As per usual, the Stock ECh rounded out the day’s proceedings as Lorenzo Dalla Porta sealed his second win of the campaign in scintillating style. Joining the Championship leader on the podium were Mario Mayor (Yamaha GV Racing) and Demis Mihaila (MDR Competition), with victory yet again decided on the final lap. 

Mayor took the lead at Turn 1, and it looked like the Spaniard was set for a maiden win in the class, but a stunning Turn 12 move from polesitter Dalla Porta saw him fire it up the inside of the #82 for victory. 

All roads now lead the FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship back to Portugal to the sunny Algarve on June 23rd. After a thrilling Round 3 in Barcelona, Portimao has a tough act to follow, but it’s set to be unmissable, so make sure you tune in then! 

You can also find all the results, videos, photos and information regarding the championship on the official website: www.fimjuniorgp.com

British Superbike: Race Two And Race Three Results From Donington Park

Tommy Bridewell (1) leads Glenn Irwin (2), Jason O'Halloran (22), and the rest in a British Superbike race Sunday at Donington Park. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Tommy Bridewell (1) leads Glenn Irwin (2), Jason O'Halloran (22), and the rest in a British Superbike race Sunday at Donington Park. Photo courtesy MSVR.

Editorial Note: Americans Eli Banish, Julian Correa, and Josh Raymond Jr. were in action in British Talent Cup Race Two Sunday at Donington Park. Raymond finished 17th and Banish was 21st. Correa was racing for the lead when he was involved in an on-track incident that resulted in him being given a long lap penalty. As Correa attempted to enter the long lap penalty area he tucked the front and crashed out of the race.

 

BSB R2
 BSB R3
 BSB Points after R3

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by MSVR:

O’Halloran wins four-way ultimate Donington dogfight to take first victory with Kawasaki

Jason O’Halloran became the fourth different race winner in the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship as he celebrated a first win for Team Green, taking a hard fought victory in an incredible four-way Donington Park dogfight with reigning Champion Tommy Bridewell, Danny Kent and Glenn Irwin in the final race of the weekend.

In race two, Irwin had returned to winning form as he held off a hard-charging Leon Haslam to win for Hager PBM Ducati by 0.035s, whilst reigning champion Bridewell completed the podium.

However it was the final race of the weekend that delivered another different race winner in 2024 with some sensational Bennetts BSB action as the battle went down to the wire and over the final two laps, the leading four riders traded positions 14 times in an intense dice for the final victory of the weekend.

At the start of race three, Bridewell had got the jump on his rivals to lead the pack into Redgate for the first time ahead of Kent, Irwin and Haslam. The Hager PBM Ducati rider was instantly on the attack though and moved into second with a move at the Fogarty Esses.

O’Halloran was on a charge as he bid to make amends for his DNF earlier in the day and he was up to third by the fifth lap, trailing Bridewell and Irwin with Kent ready to try and move ahead of his Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki rival.

The leading four had broken away from the chasing pack and Irwin made another move at the Fogarty Esses to take the lead from Bridewell, whilst two laps later, O’Halloran pushed him back to third with a move at the Melbourne Loop.

Bridewell then regained the lead as O’Halloran moved into second as the pack shuffled again on lap seven but Irwin fought back and reclaimed second place at the Fogarty Esses again. A lap later and another move at the same place but him back into the lead.

Bridewell then had O’Halloran to fight off and the Australian made a decisive move at the Old Hairpin to forge ahead. Irwin was trying to make a break, but O’Halloran was hungry for his first podium with Kawasaki and as he pushed to try to make a move, Bridewell stormed back ahead of him.

It came down to a final two-lap tussle and at the start of the penultimate lap, Bridewell was leading from O’Halloran, Irwin and Kent. Irwin moved into second at Redgate but O’Halloran retaliated to reclaim the position.

O’Halloran then took the lead from Bridewell at the Old Hairpin as Kent made his move on Irwin at the same place. The reigning champion retook the lead at Starkeys, but O’Halloran was back ahead at Schwantz.

O’Halloran was then able to hold the advantage on the final lap, but behind there were seven changes of position as they scrap for the final podium places went down to the final drag to the line. Bridewell held on to second with Kent outdragging Irwin to the finish line.

Kyle Ryde claimed fifth on the lone OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing R1 as Ryan Vickers was sidelined after his crash in race two, ahead of Leon Haslam, Andrew Irwin and Lee Jackson. Christian Iddon and Max Cook completed the top ten.

The weekend at Donington Park featured three different race winners representing three different teams and manufacturers, with Ryde victorious in the opening action yesterday for OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing, whilst Hager PBM Ducati’s Irwin and Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki’s O’Halloran celebrated today.
 

Jason O’Halloran

Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki

It’s amazing to win, a massive thanks to everyone at Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki, everyone at AJN Steelstock for the support as well, the whole team has been working really hard since I joined.

“We’ve all been working hard just to make that adaptation to the Kawasaki and to get comfortable on it. The guys have put a massive effort in and I’ve felt good on the bike for a little while now, just our starting position hasn’t been great.

“The first race today was the first time where I felt like I was properly in the race, I felt like I had speed, I felt good on the bike but unfortunately we had a little technical. And then the guys put in a big shift and changed the engine and it was basically a brand new bike for the race.

“To go out and win is incredible. It’s really nice to get up here and win for the team, they haven’t won in a couple of years, so hopefully it’s the first of many.
 
“I didn’t want to be making my move on the last lap, because I knew it was going to be a bit scruffy, I knew I had plus zero on the board so I knew there was four of us as well and I didn’t want to miss out on the podium.

“I knew where I was fast on the track and where I could make a clean pass, and I just had to get close enough to do it. We all had strong points on the track so it was a bit of a yoyo effect. But I got close enough with a lap to go. On the last lap I just put my head down, tried to hit every apex and didn’t make any mistakes. Winning today is a massive thanks to the team.”
 

Canadian Superbike: Race Two Results From Shannonville

Defending CSBK champion Ben Young (1) dominated Sunday's GP Bikes Pro Superbike race at Shannonville Motorsport Park - winning by over 17 seconds ahead of Sam Guerin (2). Photo by Rob O'Brien, courtesy CSBK.
Defending CSBK champion Ben Young (1) dominated Sunday's GP Bikes Pro Superbike race at Shannonville Motorsport Park - winning by over 17 seconds ahead of Sam Guerin (2). Photo by Rob O'Brien, courtesy CSBK.
Pro Superbike - Race 2 Results

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by CSBK:

Young dominates Superbike race two at Shannonville

Shannonville, ON – The narrow gap atop the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship was blown wide open on Sunday, as Ben Young cruised to a comfortable victory in race two at Shannonville Motorsport Park, presented by the Fallen Rider Support Team sponsored by Pace Law.

The three-time GP Bikes Pro Superbike champion faced stiff competition from Sam Guerin and Jordan Szoke on Saturday, having to claw his way from fourth in the early going to win a dramatic opener at SMP, but things were vastly different in the second half of the doubleheader on Sunday.

Guerin grabbed the holeshot from Young and Szoke on the opening lap but could only hold the lead for parts of two laps, as Young was far less patient this time around and made the decisive move in turn eight on lap three. 

Young would squeeze out a one-second advantage just two laps later and never looked back from there, ultimately securing a 17-second win at the finish – the third largest margin of victory in Pro Superbike history. 

It was a statement win for the Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW rider, who exits SMP with a perfect points haul and ten-point championship advantage.

“The BMW was unreal as always today, and really awesome all weekend,” Young said, a stark comparison to the 2023 opener when a fairing issue left him sixth in race two. “It’s a bit of redemption for a year ago, so it’s nice to reward the team for all their hard work and add another win here for the fans.”

As for Guerin, it was another runner-up finish but one far different from Saturday, when he looked like a legitimate title threat to Young. While that still may be true with five rounds remaining, the EFC Group BMW rider admitted they still have a lot of work to do to close the gap in Grand Bend.

“The second place is important. It’s another 1-2 for BMW and we’re still in the championship,” Guerin said. “I tried to stay with Ben, but we’re still learning the new bike, so it’s better to be here than in the back of an ambulance!”

Completing the podium in the exact same order from race one was Szoke, who couldn’t replicate his early race lead from Saturday as he fought through some mechanical issues aboard his CKM Kawasaki, though he did enough to escape with another impressive podium.

“We felt really great in practice, and I was really looking forward to the race, but we had some issues in turn three and four and at one point I almost thought I was going to have to pull off,” Szoke said. “It’s a bummer. I’m not saying we would have won, but I thought I could have stuck at the front a little longer today, but I have a great crew and we’ll get to the bottom of it.”

One of the most interesting stories of the day was Trevor Dion, who crashed in morning warm-up and needed to park his main Economy Lube Ducati on the sidelines, though he made the unusual choice to switch to BMW machinery for the afternoon.

That proved to be a successful decision, as Dion overcame a tough start and some early unfamiliarity to carve his way through the field and into fourth at the finish, matching his result from race one on Saturday. The reigning Rookie of the Year will jump back to Ducati at his home track in round two, and made sure to let his rivals know that his confidence remains sky-high despite the race two rollercoaster.

“It took a while to get comfortable on the new bike, but we put together some really good laps and were able to match our result from yesterday,” Dion said. “To anyone who thinks I can’t ride a Superbike, I can. Now we’re looking forward to being on top in a couple weeks at Grand Bend. 

The 2022 Sport Bike champion took home the FAST Riding School Hard Charger award for his efforts, after Young claimed the honour on Saturday. 

Dion’s performance was anything but straightforward, as he enjoyed a thrilling battle with David MacKay for most of the contest. MacKay’s strong debut weekend aboard the Snow City Cycle Honda continued in race two as he ran in fourth throughout the first half, but ultimately couldn’t fend off Dion as he settled for fifth once again at SMP, a solid points haul for the reigning Sport Bike champion.

The race within the race was the battle for sixth between Connor Campbell and Sport Bike race two winner Sebastien Tremblay, who ran nose-to-tail for most of the 20-lap feature.

Tremblay was aboard his smaller displacement Suzuki GSX-R750 but riding at full health, unlike Campbell who fought through a rib injury in his B&T MacFarlane/Kubota Kawasaki debut, creating an intense battle between the two unlikely foes. 

Ultimately, Tremblay managed to move past Campbell in the late going and take a strong sixth-place finish for Turcotte Performance Suzuki, while Campbell was forced to settle for seventh amidst the pain – though still crucially one spot ahead of Rizzin Racing Triumph’s Mavrick Cyr in the fight for the Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year award.

As for the Constructors Championship, the perfect start continued for two-time defending champs BMW, as they claimed another one-two behind Young and Guerin.

Perhaps most crucially for BMW, though, is that Dion’s switch left Ducati without any points on the day, meaning Kawasaki’s third and seventh-place finishes with Szoke and Campbell will put them second in the table and a whopping 42-points behind BMW.

The feature GP Bikes Pro Superbike class will now get a three-week breather before returning to action at the Grand Bend Motorplex in round two, June 7-9, which will set the tone for a return west to Edmonton later that month. 

Full results from the weekend racing can be found on the series’ official website at CSBK.ca.

MotoAmerica: Twins Cup Race Two Results From Barber (Updated With DQ)

Barber Motorsports Park. Photo courtesy Barber Motorsports Park.
Barber Motorsports Park. Photo courtesy Barber Motorsports Park.

KurveyGirl.com brings you the results of this weekend’s events.

 

At our online motorcycle parts store, you’ll find a specialized selection of quarter turn “Dzus” fasteners, titanium hardware, premium tire valve stems, Vesrah racing brake pads, Brembo parts and accessories, and other unique hardware specifically designed for race and trackday motorcycles.

 

Alessandro Di Mario won MotoAmerica BellissiMoto Twins Cup Race Two Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park, in Birmingham, Alabama. Riding his Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660, the 15-year-old took the lead from his teammate Gus Rodio on lap five of 14 and rode on to take the first Twins Cup race win of his MotoAmerica career.

Rocco Landers put in a big charge late in the race on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki GSX-8R and caught and passed Rodio on the final lap to score second place. In fact, Landers turned the fastest lap of the race on lap 13 of 14, a 1:29.493, and came within 0.768 second of catching Di Mario.

Rodio held on to get third place, 0.941 second behind Landers.

Rossi Moor matched his best finish of the season with fourth place on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R.

Jack Roach was a distant fifth on his Wrench Motorcycles Yamaha YZF-R7.

Update: After the race Dominic Doyle was disqualified during post-race technical inspections. The coolant in Doyle’s Yamaha appeared blue in color and only water without any additives is allowed to be used as coolant.

 

24_4_BARBER_TWN_R2_res_REVISED AFTER DQ
 24_4_BARBER_TWN_PTS_points

MotoAmerica: Superbike Race Three Results From Barber (Updated)

Barber Motorsports Park. Photo courtesy Barber Motorsports Park.
Barber Motorsports Park. Photo courtesy Barber Motorsports Park.

KurveyGirl.com brings you the results of this weekend’s events.

 

At our online motorcycle parts store, you’ll find a specialized selection of quarter turn “Dzus” fasteners, titanium hardware, premium tire valve stems, Vesrah racing brake pads, Brembo parts and accessories, and other unique hardware specifically designed for race and trackday motorcycles.

 

Cameron Beaubier won red-flag-shortened MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike Race Three Sunday afternoon at Barber Motorsports Park, in Birmingham, Alabama. Riding his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR on Dunlop Sportmax Slick control tires, the five-time Champion took the lead on lap two and pulled out a comfortable advantage, which he held when the red flag came out and stopped the race on lap 18 of 20.

The win was Beaubier’s 62nd Superbike race win, moving him ahead of Josh Hayes and into second place on the all-time MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike win list. Mat Mladin is at the top of the list with 82 Superbike victories.

Wrench Motorcycles Yamaha rider Bobby Fong broke free from the pack and was actually closing some ground on Beaubier when the race was halted, locking him in at second place.

Sean Dylan Kelly backed up his career-first Superbike podium in Race Two with a third place, close behind Fong, in Race Three on his TopPro Racing BMW.

Josh Herrin came home fourth on his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R.

Hayden Gillim rounded out the top five finishers on his Real Steel Motorsports Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.

The race was stopped due to a two-bike incident in Turn Two, where Herrin’s teammate Loris Baz and a slower rider came together. Both men crashed, but both were seen walking away from the scene.

Prior to that, Cameron Petersen crashed his Attack Performance/Progressive Yamaha YZF-R1 in Turn Five while running in second place not far behind Beaubier on lap 11. Petersen rode back to the pits for repairs and continued in the race, but he finished outside of the points.

Beaubier’s teammate JD Beach retired early in the race with apparent mechanical problems.

 

24_4_BARBER_SBK_R3_res
 24_4_BARBER_SBK_PTS_points
 24_4_BARBER_SBK_PTS_sbcpts

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by MotoAmerica:

Redemption Day For Beaubier At Barber Motorsports Park

A Day After Crashing Out Of The Lead, Beaubier Wins Both Superbike Races

BRASELTON, GA (May 19, 2024) – After crashing out of the lead on the third lap of Saturday’s Steel Commander Superbike race one at Barber Motorsports Park, things didn’t look so good for Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier. But what a difference a day makes.

On Sunday, Beaubier doubled down, winning both Steel Commander Superbike races in the tripleheader weekend to somehow take over the lead in the championship a day after he ended it trailing Jake Gagne by 20 points.

Beaubier dominated both races with consistently fast laps that led to him winning the two races by 3.099 and 4.648 seconds, respectively.

The five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion also capitalized on his championship rival’s misfortune with Attack Racing/Progressive/Yamaha’s Jake Gagne suffering with arm-pump issues in both of Sunday’s races that left him frustrated and out of the points lead. The three-time defending champion persevered through both races on Sunday, finishing eighth and seventh in the two races after finishing second on Saturday.

With two rounds and five races completed, Beaubier now leads Gagne by 13 points, 95-82, with the series heading to Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, in two weeks.

Beaubier’s first win on Sunday morning was the 61st of his AMA Superbike career and it put him in a tie with Josh Hayes for second on the all-time list. His win on Sunday afternoon was the 62nd of his career and it moved him out of that tie and into second place all alone. Australian Mat Mladin is the all-time leader in AMA Superbike wins with 82.

TopPro Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly had himself a day, earning the first two Superbike podiums of his rookie season in the class. The Floridian was fast all weekend with Sunday’s second- and third-place finishes on Sunday bettering his fourth-place finish from Saturday.

Attack Performance/Progressive/Yamaha’s Cameron Petersen was barely beaten to the finish line in race two by Kelly for second and ended up third, a day after his win in race one. In race three on Sunday, Petersen crashed out of second while keeping pace with Beaubier. The South African remounted but his YZF-R1 had a broken foot peg that forced him out of the race.

Wrench Motorcycles’ Bobby Fong had a good Sunday with fifth- and second-place finishes in the two races.

The two Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati riders had up-and-down Sundays, literally. Josh Herrin crashed out of race two in the morning but bounced back to finish fourth in race three. Loris Baz, meanwhile, was fourth in race two, but crashed out of race three when he was struck from behind by Manny Segura.

Real Steel Motorsports’ Hayden Gillim was seventh and fifth in Sunday’s two races on what is basically a Stock 1000-spec Honda CBR1000RR-R SP.

Beaubier’s teammate JD Beach had a rotten Sunday. The Kentuckian crashed in race two and pulled out of race three, suffering from the effects of his Q2 near crash and his Sunday morning race-two crash.

Xavi Forés’s debut on the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki was also up and down. After finishing sixth in Saturday’s race one, the Spaniard crashed in race two and then finished sixth again in race three. His teammate Brandon Paasch was sixth and eighth, respectively, in the two races on Sunday.

With Beaubier leading the title chase by 13 over Gagne, Kelly sits third and 22 points behind Beaubier and nine behind Gagne. Fong is fourth, a further 13 behind Kelly with Petersen fifth, just two points behind Fong.

 
Quotes – Superbike Race Two

Cameron Beaubier – Winner

“After yesterday, just in the back of my head, I just didn’t want to do something stupid. Everything went great. I got a great start like I did yesterday. My bike was just hooking up there the first four, five laps, it seemed like. I think everyone is kind of dealing with the tire drop here. It seems like it drops quite a bit, and it just stays the same. Felt really good to win by a little margin after yesterday. That was pretty frustrating after yesterday, after the weekend was going so well and then end it in a gravel trap in three laps. This next race is going to be the toughest out of all of them. These guys are going really fast. I’m sure they’re going to go back and figure some stuff out to come back swinging in the third race. Congrats to both these guys. I’m super pumped for Sean (Dylan Kelly). I know all about struggling in Europe and coming back here and just feeling success and feeling that podium again. It’s pretty cool. Same for Cam (Petersen), getting that win yesterday. It’s a pretty stacked field this year. I know we keep saying it, but it really is. It’s going to make for a good season.”

Sean Dylan Kelly – Second Place

“I wouldn’t even start by talking about being surprised or not. I just want to talk about how stoked I am to be up here right now. It’s been an amazing start to my Superbike career. We’ve been putting in a lot of work since lap one, and I’ve just felt pretty at home with this thing. The team is doing an amazing job to help me learn and just make moves forward. I obviously still have a lot to learn and adapt to. I got pretty emotional after passing that checkered flag. Last year was tough, not only for where we were and everything the last couple years, but last year with the injury and everything, I went through some pretty crappy times and some crappy weeks and months. So, to just look back at that, that was only a handful of months ago, and see where we’re at right now… it feels so good. I’m just super grateful for everyone that believed in me in the worst of times and just got me to this point. I know it’s not a win just yet, but we got to celebrate this first podium. Thank you to (Cameron) Petersen for the nice words. Obviously, it’s pretty badass for me to be sharing the podium right now with (Cameron) Beaubier, considering that we were teammates a couple years ago. I honestly look up to these guys a lot. To be here right now is absolutely badass.”

Cameron Petersen – Third Place

“I don’t want to sound like the guy making excuses, because I know we were all struggling with some rear grip towards the end there. We made a few changes from the bike yesterday. I was really struggling with the rear of the bike. Yesterday, I didn’t really have any issues with the rear coming around going into the corners, and today for whatever reason I was just struggling. But three podiums in a row, I can’t complain. Like you said, I’ve had way worse weekends than this. Just happy to be on the box again. Congrats to these two guys next to me. Congrats to SDK (Sean Dylan Kelly) on his first Superbike podium. I remember what that feeling is like. I think we know what we need to work on for race three today, and we’ll go give it our best shot.”

Quotes – Superbike Race Three

Cameron Beaubier – Winner

“With Jake (Gagne), I think he’s obviously dealing with something because that’s not like Jake. He’s obviously really fast here and has had a lot of success here winning a lot of races. His struggles… we capitalized on that today. It was really good to have two strong wins today after yesterday. I’m still learning with the guys. What I like with the TC and the torque maps, stuff like that. We’re still learning about each other. I’m just really happy with my bike, really happy with my team. It’s a great group of guys. I’m just super honored to be partnered up with them. Like I said earlier, it just feels so good to start the weekend on the front foot at all these tracks we went to last year, not throwing new swing arms on in qualifying and practice and stuff, just searching for grip and chasing the Yamaha boys. This race was really tough. Cam P. got a really, really good start. I was able to get by him going into turn one. Put my head down and I would pull away a little bit, but once I got to maybe 1.5, 1.2, it stuck there, and I was looking at my dash. I kept doing 23s and I was like, this is a really fast pace and I’m not pulling. He even pulled me back a couple tenths. Once we got to halfway, I was riding as hard as I could. Then I looked at the monitor and I saw him sitting up on the back straightaway. I came by and I had whatever plus three or plus five on the board. I’m bummed for him because he was riding so good. He was making me push hard. He rode incredible this weekend, along with these guys. We keep saying it, but this Superbike field is just really stacked this year. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Bobby Fong – Second Place

“From the first race to today, we made a big change out of Charlotte’s Web, (turns) four and five. I was just losing so much ground out of there. We basically turned down the bike a little bit out of that corner. It was less lively for the second race, and I could keep up a little bit closer going into the Museum corner. It was pretty good. We always feel good at the end of the race on this bike. We always set it up pretty good with used tires. We did a lot of laps this weekend on pretty worn-out tires, so I kind of knew what to expect going into this race. These guys are fast. I’m just doing everything I could to stay with these guys. The field is stacked this year, and it’s just good to get this Wrench ADR R1 on the box and just keep on improving. Hopefully battle with this guy for the win here soon.

Sean Dylan Kelly – Third Place

“The goal is always to be up here. It’s been a hell of a start to my superbike career. Still learning so much every time out. That pace in this second race was so, so fast the first half of the race. I really tried to keep up. (Cameron) Beaubier was opening up a little bit, and (Cameron) Petersen was trying to keep that pace and run him down. I was right behind Petersen. I even tried to pass him a couple times, but the pace was a lot. I’m happy that I was able to push through and put those 23s in, but it was definitely too much for what I had today in that race. It got a little bit complicated halfway through. Bobby (Fong) caught up. Once I saw that there was some room to behind, I was like, ‘We’ve got to make it home.’ First time for me doing two races in a day ever, since minibikes when I was eight years old. So, it’s been a while. Going to try and hit the gym a couple more times in the next couple weeks. But I’m really happy with everything I learned. Two podiums is amazing. Just super stoked with everything that I’m learning, with how we’re doing with the team, considering that it’s our first real, real time showing up. It’s been amazing, so just super pumped and looking forward to keeping it going.”

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